We made our way to the designated forest. Along the way, we saw numerous people who had been turned to stone with people surrounding them with bats, rakes, and whatever else that could be used in defense. Probably they didn't want to risk moving them in case they broke. The sight was kinda pathetic.
"Here should be far enough to start your enchantment Freed." I said looking at him with a smile. "Think you can handle it?"
"Of course sir," answered the green haired boy? "I'll place one around you too so-"
"Don't worry about it," I cut in, running into the forest. "Later Freed!"
I kept running for a while, trying to sense where they might be. Thanks to my deadbeat dad, I was a dragon slayer so I had slightly heightened senses.
I studied my surroundings, listening for even the slightest disturbance amongst the trees and bushes.
"Now if I were these kids, where would I be?"
Suddenly, two figures popped out of nowhere.
"Finally, a new victim!" said a girlish voice.
"Let's get 'em babies!" a male voice said.
"Yeah, yeah," said a few other voices which were kinda high pitched.
"So you're the ones who are causing trouble around here are ya?" I summoned lightning in my hand.
"That's right!" The girl, Ever, had sprouted wings and flew above him. "Cute and sparkly machine gun!" Bits of magic, like bullets from a machine gun, rained down from the sky. But seriously, what kind of attack name was that?
"Would you chill out a minute??" I shouted, summoning lightning to counter the attack. "I just want to talk!"
"Like we care! You're just like the rest of them!" Bixslow shouted. "Get em babies!"
5 or 6, they were moving so fast I couldn't tell how many, little tiki dolls flew towards me, hitting me in every direction.
"I don't want to fight you! Please just hear me out!" I yelled, electrocuting the dolls. "I really don't want to harm you. I want to help."
Ever scoffed, landing on the ground beside Bixslow. "Why on Earth would we trust you? You're no different then everyone else who has treated us like monsters because of our magic."
"I am different from those fools. Because I am a Fairy Tail wizard! And in our guild, we treat our members like family! It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, or what magic you use. We're all family." I said, clenching my fists.
"Family huh?" Bixslow smirked. "Like I buy that. Get em Ever!"
"Don't boss me around!" Ever said defiantly as she took flight again. "Cute and sparkly machine gun!" Magic bullets once again rained down.
I raised my fist to summon lightning but before I could, Bixslow's "babies" hit my hand before I could and the blasts rained down.
"Dammit!" I closed my eyes, getting ready for the impact.
"Laxus!"
It was Freed's voice…
A blinding light filled the forest and when I could see again, I saw Freed in front of me, on his knees and clutching an injured shoulder with a rune barrier in front of him.
"Freed you idiot!" I shouted. "What the hell? Didn't I tell you that I could-"
"I know what you said Laxus." He said standing up, his breathing shaky. "It's just I finished putting up the barrier...so I wanted to be of some use since that rule about turning everyone back to normal didn't work…"
"Oh so blondy wasn't alone." Ever said, floating down again.
"Listen to me." Freed said sternly. "I know how you're both feeling right now. You're frustrated...you're lonely...you're sad...all because you can't be yourself. The people around you constantly put you down." Freed looked up, tearing falling from his eyes. "I know how you feel and it breaks my heart to see other people suffering as I did once." He winced. "In Fairy Tail, I found a new home, with people who accepted me without question. I never thought I would find such a place. But Fairy Tail changed that! Please don't suffer alone anymore! Join us in Fairy Tail.."
"Join...Fairy Tail…?" Ever's wings disappeared, and I could see tears in her eyes.
Bixslow stood beside her. "But why would you want people like us in your guild...I mean, we have been terrorizing this city for a while now…."
"Because we know that deep down...you are good people." I said, now standing next to Freed.
"But what about the people in the city…?" Ever said nervously. "Once we turn everyone back to normal...do we have to….apologise..?"
"Well, naturally." Freed said. "After all, you did cause them trouble."
She bit her lip. "Well...what do you say Bixslow? Shall we join Fairy Tail?"
Bixslow grinned. "Why not, let's give it a shot. If it turns for the worst, we can always leave."
"Well then I guess we're in." Ever and Bixslow said in unison.
"Great so let's get going and fix up those people you turned to stone." I said, picking up Freed, bridal style.
"H-hey!" He protested. "What're you doing? I can walk on my own!"
"Yeah well you're injured aren't you?" I said sternly. "Just be quiet and let me help out a comrade."
Freed looked like he wanted to protested further, but he didn't say anything else.
"Alright you two," I said, turning back to Ever and Bixslow. "Get moving."