I'm sorry this chapter is so short but hopefully you'll forgive me. I'm already working on the next one so I'll make it extra good to thank you for your patience! Love you all! Enjoy, Fairies...
"Open Gate of the Lion, Leo!" Everyone paused with baited breath as Lucy finished the incantation, waiting for the golden glow that signalled Loke's arrival. Instead, nothing happened. The Raijinshuu and Wendy exchanged worried glances at each other whilst Lucy looked at her Gate Key in shock. Laxus opened his mouth to suggest that maybe her magic levels were still too drained when the entire room began to shake. The Fairy Tail mages took protective stances around the bed as the walls and ceiling fell away. The world dimmed as the night sky itself encased them all, shooting sparks around them and glowing faintly. Suddenly a huge mass descended and stopped before them, levitating amongst the stars. Laxus growled in warning as the figure took shape but stopped instantly as Lucy grabbed his arm. She answered his questioning look with a small shake of her head, tears in her eyes. The two groups merely stared at each other for a few dragging moments before Lucy spoke up.
"Hello, Stache Face." The giant gave a small pained smile at her greeting.
"Hello, Old Friend. I am glad to see you are healing well." Lucy merely smiled at him, waiting for an answer as to his appearance instead of Loke. When he didn't continue, she asked.
"Not that it isn't great to see you but why are you here? Where's Loke? Is he alright?" Lucy's voice hitched slightly at the last question. The Spirit King gave her a pitying look.
"I'm sorry my Old Friend, but Leo the Lion was hurt greatly during your attack. He is alive but gravely wounded and is still being healed, as are Virgo and Aquarius. It would seem they attempted to breach their gates to aid you and felt the effects of the spell themselves." Lucy gasped and covered her mouth as she began crying again. "Whilst I wish not to upset you further after your ordeal, I have to do what is right for my subjects." Laxus moved closer to the Celestial Mage, not liking where this was going. "The last time a version of this spell was used, it caused a rift between our two worlds and nearly started a war between our people. Many spirits were injured and a few have been trapped in our realm ever since, their keys destroyed by crude versions that did more damage than intended. It is because of this that I must act now." By now everyone in the room had tensed, each overcome by a sense of foreboding. "Until the man who cast the spell and any others who may have the knowledge to perform it are apprehended, I must forbid the use of your keys and confiscate the keys under your contract as well as any you may contract until this time has passed. We will be watching and waiting for a time they can be returned to you. I am sorry, Old Friend." Before anyone could say anything, the room began to shake again, the sky retreating from inside the room. The Spirit King began to fade and as he left, the keys in Lucy's hand glowed too. She grasped at them but they became translucent and incorporeal as they faded out of their world.
"No, no, no, nooooo!" Lucy screamed as she watched them disappear. She patted them sheets around her with her good arm in hopes she was just imagining things, that she had a bad dream and merely dropped the keys. She quickly became hysterical when she couldn't find them and began thrashing around on the bed, aggravating her injuries. Laxus quickly reached over to pin her down.
"Bicks! Help!" Bickslow grabbed her casted legs and held her down as Laxus held down her shoulders. "Wendy, you need to knock her out, now!" Wendy didn't move, frozen after the event that just took place and the sight of her sister in such anguish. Luckily Freed stepped in, drawing his sword and quickly writing a rune that immediately knocked Lucy unconscious. Bickslow and Laxus slowly let go of the blonde and collapsed into the closest chairs. For someone so small and with so many injuries, she sure was strong.
"I'm sorry. I didn't-"
"Hey, It's okay, Wendy. We understand." Evergreen gave the crying girl a hug, "I think we're going to go for a walk. We'll be back later. Just let us know if you need anything." She received three quick nods before steering the young Dragon Slayer from the room.
The men sat watching the girl on the bed for a little while until Freed stood, pulling Bickslow with him, "We will go to the Guild and let Master know what has happened. I will also speak to Dr. Ashworth and get him to check in in a short while. Miss Lucy may have provoked her injuries." With that, Freed swiftly exited the room. Bickslow paused on his way out, patting Laxus on the shoulder.
"Cosplayer's strong, Boss Man. She'll be okay and we'll get her keys back for her, you know that." Laxus didn't reply, just placed his hand briefly on top of Bickslow's before retaking Lucy's hand in his. As soon as he heard the door shut behind the Seith Mage, Laxus dropped his head on the bed and felt a tear escape him. The churning emotions he felt inside must be nothing compared to what Lucy was feeling. Somehow, that thought just made his pain even worse.
"I'm sorry, Blondie. I'm so sorry."