All Rights Hiro Mashima
Thanks to everyone for their support of this story! This chapter is for ErzaD Law...go check out some of her stories! They are truly fantastic...
BEWARE! SNARKY THUNDER GOD
~Lightbulb~
Chapter 3: The Surprise
In which Laxus finds out exactly what Lucy has been hiding from them all.
Almost exactly twelve hours and one stomach twisting train ride later found the Thunder God and his Tribe in the capital city Crocus. Although he'd been on longer trips in his life, Laxus was very grateful for when he and his team finally made it back to onto unmoving ground. Between Evergreen's bitching, Bickslow's jokes and Freed's almost obsessive need to be underfoot, he was one hundred and ten percent done with them.
Usually, he had more patience (being a guild master of the man-child named Natsu taught that skill in droves mere minutes after he was appointed), but for some reason, he was at the short end of his fuse already and they hadn't even begun the request in earnest.
He thought it might have something to do with not seeing Lucy for a while, or smelling her scent or something weird and Dragony like that. After finding out she was the one the bastard in his mind (and his pants, can't forget about his penis…) had inadvertently chosen, he was almost hyper aware of her. When he was surrounded by everything that was Lucy, it was heaven and hell wrapped up into a neat little package that sent him into bliss and agony all at the same time.
But it was worth it.
She was so worth the pain. Fuck he was so enamoured with her that he was almost one hundred percent sure that sunshine literally shone out her asshole.
If everything about her and went through symptoms of withdrawal. The worst was when she had been gone for a whole week on a request with her team and he had taken his anger out on an unsuspecting - but no less deserving - Gajeel.
To this day the Iron Slayer still believes that his right ass cheek is permanently twitchy from Laxus' lightning halberd.
But, his need to smell her goddamn shampoo and wanting to rub his face all over her voluptuous breasts were not good enough excuses for him to go off on his lovable, but annoying ass team.
So, he pinched the bridge of his nose, counted backwards from ten and let out a long slow breath to try and bring some of his calm back so that he didn't snap unnecessarily at the Thunder Legion or you know...electrocute them 'accidentally.'
What he wouldn't give to be back in the guild, letting a glass of his grandfather's secret stash of bourbon burn a sweet path down his throat. It never stopped him from calming down and was truly one of life's greatest pleasures.
"Laxus, are you alright? Did that train ride make you more nauseous than usual? Do you need to rest, or perhaps a drink?" Ever the gentleman, Freed was true to form taking care of him more than his own mother had, but the questions were grating on his already frayed nerves.
"NO…God no, Freed…Fuck, I'm fine. Let's just get this shit over with already. I need to get back to the guild." Back to Lucy. That was what he really wanted...but he didn't know how to say it out loud. He had only recently admitted to himself that he wanted the woman as more than a person to warm his bed - although he would like that as well - so how was he supposed to tell his three closest friends that he was in love?
He growled low just picturing their reactions.
There would be a lot of laughter at his expense. And Freed might cry big fat tears when he found out he had been confiding in Lucy even more than he did with his Legion.
Evergreen snapped her fan out and waved it around trying to create a breeze in the still air, Crocus had been unseasonably warm this year. "What the hell Laxus...you've been snippy all day. You're the one who wanted to go on this mission. You're the one who dragged us out here to escort the client to Bosco. We didn't ask for this treatment and you know it."
"She's right boss man. You've been an extra large douchebag today. What the fucks your problem?" The man's tongue lolled out in a grin, undermining the seemingly harsh words he spoke. Bickslow could be serious at times when the situation arose, but he usually got too much enjoyment out of everything in life.
Large hands raked through staticky blonde hair and Laxus sighed again for the millionth time that morning. "Fuck. Fine. You really want to know?" Maybe being blunt and honest was the way to go. That was who he was really, no beating around the bush, no bullshit.
Three heads nodded as they strode towards the palace.
"Tch...turns out that Dragon's take mates."
"So that means…"
"While having kick ass Lightning Slayer magic, I also get the instincts of a Dragon. It only kicks in when that little bastard inside my soul or brain or whatever recognises a good match for me, my magic and my temperament." Laxus growled out while he stalked down the main road. The man cut quite a path through the crowd as no one really wanted to get too close to the sparking behemoth with a frown so deep it could swallow up the country of Seven.
Evergreen stopped the procession and whacked her fan across Laxus' chest. "Just how long have you known about this?"
Laxus pouted, lip jutting out and scowl growing more pronounced. "Why does that matter?"
"It matters you gigantic idiot, because we are your team! Your backup! You damn friends Laxus Marvin Dreyer and you need to fucking open up to us goddammit!" Evergreen was shouting by the end of her tirade, yelling her ire out to the world, as well as a smidgen of information that Laxus didn't even know that she had, but would make sure she never repeated ever, ever again.
"I know, alright? I just...didn't know how to deal with this at all. It's so fucking messed up, I was so angry at first that I just went out and kicked the shit out of the East Forest. Then I sat in my house and drank myself into a stupor. Then when I ran out of booze I dragged these two idiots with me and drank half of Magnolia in less than twelve hours." When she gave him a haughty condescending look, he rolled his eyes and continued their path towards Mercurius. "And don't you dare tell anyone about my middle name. I don't know how you know...but just...keep that shit to yourself."
Evergreen smirked maliciously. "A certain Demon may have let it slip under the influence of alcohol."
He growled "Fucking Mira…"
The fairy bat her eyelashes. "You would think...but no. Mira doesn't drink anymore after that one time where she woke up as the cream filling in a Jet and Max sandwich…"
"Then who the fuc-"
"END."
"Shit." Even though Natsu was Lucy's best friend, he was in for a world of fucking hurt when they came home. Maybe it could wait for after he gave her the gift...she would probably be more forgiving then.
He grinned maliciously. There was an order for roasted Demon, extra crispy and he would deliver come hell or high water.
Freed broke the silence. "Do you love her?"
A growl sounded through the air, disturbing the peace. "What the fuck kind of question is that? Of course I do? She's...everything to me!" His voice rose to a near shout.
"Fuck! Boss man, chill out...what is up with this douchebag attitude? Freed was just asking you a question, you didn't need to jump down his fucking throat. We all want to know, can you blame us? You've bounced from woman to woman for years, and told us you would never settle down, ever. Why are you acting so shitty?"
"Because I haven't completed the bond yet, and my dick and the little Dragon in my brain want her so fucking bad it actually physically hurts me to be away from her for too long. Remember when I shoved my foot so far up Metal Brow's ass that he choked on my laces when team 'destruct everything in Earthland twice' was gone for a single week? I couldn't physically stay still, I have too much energy all the time and I have fucking mood swings like a teenage boy going through the worst puberty known to the history of Earthland."
And his balls were continuously blue and no amount of self-help could rectify that little problem, but he kept that thought to himself.
Evergreen picked at her cuticles as the Thunder God showed off his guild tattoo on his chest to the palace guards. "Who is she?"
His silence followed them through the gates, then the flower gardens, then the entry way until they sat in a sitting room filled with furniture that looked like Laxus could snap them in half if he sat on the dainty ass chairs.
He chose to stand instead of incurring even more debt for his guild. His mate had worked so hard for long hours with only his surly ass as company to keep their damn guild from falling apart. Shit...when had he become so considerate?
Only for her. She deserved so much better than him, but he would try to be the best for her for as long as possible. If she even accepted his advances in the first place, there was a real possibility that she would outright reject him.
That thought terrified him to no end.
The Thunder Legion watched his facial features roll through so many different expressions that they didn't even know he could show. Their amusement at his conflicted looks going unnoticed.
So when their leader's answer came as a gruff growl, the Thunder Legion took it in stride for the moment. There was time to flip out later, for now they would internalize their screams of confusion, apprehension, and in Bickslow's case - cackling laughter.
Now was the time to meet the King.
"It's...Lucy."
Yeah, their leader was royally fucked. (No pun intended)
-ooo-
Toma E. Fiore was ecstatic that the famous Thunder Legion (complete with surly Thunder God, aka Laxus Dreyer, aka one of the Four Gods of Ishgar) had taken his request.
They had boarded a private cabin in a train that would take thirteen days to reach the capital of Bosco. When asked by Freed, about the nature of the visit and whether or not they could expect bandits or trouble and the like, the King's answer came as a surprise.
"Oh, no, young man. I just want the company on this long ride! It's oh so boring being by myself. Hisui has grown so much older now and she doesn't like to be with her poor papa anymore. I have so many questions for you, I haven't had much contact with Fairy Tail after the whole Eclipse Gate, Dragon invasion debacle..."
At that Bickslow turned away to converse telepathically with his babies on the best way to prank a King without getting excommunicated, Evergreen pulled out her emergency nail repair kit, while Laxus leant back in his chair and tried to doze off while focusing his enhanced hearing for trouble. Just because this was a companionship job, didn't mean he could relax completely.
He didn't get to be one of the most feared - and revered - mages in the entire world while snoozing instead of being vigilant. His life was exhausting sometimes, but it was worth it for his family and the adventure. There was never a dull moment. Especially with his team.
They would let Freed answer any questions his Liege had, he was the one who grew up in that world at any rate and could give the answers in an eloquent way.
The blonde kept his lacrima pod around his neck and let thoughts of the thanks he would receive from Lucy when this easy as fuck job was done and over with. He was envisioning her splayed beneath him begging for his to pound her within an inch of her life, but he knew, in reality, it might just be a hug.
In his books, either would be a win, cause he would be able to feel her breasts pressed against his chest at any rate.
He leant back, ready to finish this easy job as soon as possible.
-ooo-
"Easy my ass…You telling me that these bandits just happened to find the one train that held the King going into Bosco? Fuck that noise...shit! LIGHTNING DRAGON'S HEAVENLY HALBERD!" Laxus grumbled and griped about the stupid attack on the stupid moving tin can. It was all so...stupid.
Another round of mages fell in the wake of the Thunder God's incantation. He looked around to make sure that the King was being protected from these second rate thugs. Bickslow and Evergreen surrounded Toma, while Freed's signature purple runes flashed in the dim lighting every time a lightbulb sparked and popped, shattering and spraying glass all over the floor due to his magic.
Then he noticed that the men in cliche black ninja outfits were completely bypassing the VIP they were protecting and running straight for him.
Coincidence?
Laxus thought not.
He didn't think it was by chance either that most of the Wizards attempting to get a hit on him were A-class, he could tell by the pool of magic that each person had. There was even an S-class, although that one screamed out an attack and then ran straight at him like a fucking rookie. Long years of living in the same vicinity as the Fire Fart had over prepared him for that kind of attempt. Laxus snapped his arm out and clotheslined the bastard into immediate unconsciousness.
"Dammit, boss! They just keep coming! Where the fuck were all these bastards hiding?" Bickslow's babies giggled and shot another round of green energy at an attacker wielding a hand and a half sword.
Laxus snorted, had they time travelled back to the dark ages? Other than Erza, who the fuck even used swords anymore?
While there were no mages present that even remotely came close to the same level as him - or really anyone in his guild, damn...Fairy Tail was filled some fucking powerhouses.
The Thunder God, Gildarts, Salamander, Beast Arm, She-Demon, Black Steel, The Rain Woman, Sky-Maiden, Titania, The Star-Bringer, Ice-Devil...just to name a few...or a lot. Then there were the mages that held the best minds on Earthland like Levy and Freed...as well as Lucy, and you had a recipe for the craziest guild in the history of ever.
Laxus wondered how there were any buildings in Fiore left standing.
It was just one of those mysteries that would never be solved.
More men in black kept pouring in and Laxus was getting annoyed, couple that with his current mood of 'I'll fuck you up if you even breathe' and he decided it was time to end this fight.
"I'll finish it!"
The Thunder Legion scrambled to get back behind the runes that Freed had already set up, they knew the drill and Laxus was already extra pissy lately, and the separation from his supposed mate was not doing wonders on his anger issues. Usually, their guild Master had impeccable control, but this time...all bets were off.
"ROARING THUNDER!"
Lightning streaked through the cabin, lighting up the dark spaces until everything was shown in sharp relief. Mage after mage crumpled to the floor, a mess of electrical burns and twitching limbs.
Freed let the runes dissipate and inspected the carnage around him while Toma edged forward, his face a mask of curiosity. The King grasped the arm of a groaning Mage and lifted the long t-shirt up to show off a guild mark, stamped in dark blue across the man's inner wrist. "Hmmm...I have never seen this guild mark before, it must be a relatively new guild, or perhaps a dark one?"
"Yo...boss man, you need to see this…"
The Thunder God looked at the mark and cursed loudly, forgetting for a moment he was in the presence of royalty. Toma waved off his apologies with an easy smile.
"I take it you recognise this mark my boy?"
Laxus growled and snarled, his pupils retracting to the size of pin heads. "Yes. It's Crescent Moon…"
He left a bewildered King with Freed and stole the comm lacrima from Ever. He needed to contact Fairy Tail immediately. He had a feeling that Lucy was in danger.
He rolled his eyes. Fuck, he just had to choose a mate that would give him a goddamn heart attack before he turned thirty-five. Why was it that Lucy was always the one in danger?
-ooo-
"Oi! Salamander. Where the hell is Mira?" It was just his luck that the densest mother fucker in his extended family would answer his call instead of the barmaid slash Demon. He needed answers, not an idiot screaming out his need to fight him.
Except, Natsu looked uncharacteristically focused, his eyes glimmering with a certain sparkle that made Laxus think that Lucy's best friend knew more about the world that he let on. He might be slightly dense, but he wasn't stupid. Anyone who had ever watched him fight would have to agree, even if it was reluctant.
Salamander's grin was feral. "She's a bit busy at the moment…she's making sure Asuka is safe."
Laxus lowered his voice, a smidgen of panic slipping through. "What about Blondie?"
The pink-haired man's smile grew even wider. "See for yourself. Just so you know...we might need to rebuild again...but I didn't have anything to do with it this time…" He turned the lacrima around so that Laxus could see the interior of the beer hall.
He didn't really know what he was looking at until the dust and debris cleared and a shimmer of gold passed across the screen and the voice of his blonde angel cut through the air. "How pathetic are your mages? I'm the only one fighting you and you can't even fucking hit me…" Behind her, half of a wall had caved in and the roof looked like it had been blown clear off.
But he wasn't focusing on that at all, not when she was too glorious to look away from.
Her full lips were pulled into the sexiest sneer he had ever seen, and her eyes glimmered and shone and she ducked and weaved through the mass of black-suited men that looked coincidentally just like the ones that had just attacked the train.
Laxus watched in awe as she silently summoned Cancer, Aries and Virgo, while Leo stepped out of his own gate, and changed into her Taurus star dress and charged right back into the fray.
He was raring to go, chomping at the bit to join her in battle then fuck her raw until she learned to scream his name, and only his. He was so fucking hard and throbbing, watching her go to work. He almost moaned when he saw Lucy snap her fist out and deck a man so hard in the jaw that he swore he could hear it fucking shatter.
She was amazing. So strong, so resilient, so damn perfect. Her mind, her body, her smile. Everything about her was exactly what he wanted.
The comm turned back to Natsu's face, who looked thoughtful - it happened once in a blue moon - "We can handle everything here just fine. Luigi's got this shit so wrapped up that no one could even get a hit in edgewise. So we just let her do her thing." He shrugged. "Finish your request Sparky, you know that Fairy Tail doesn't half-ass anything…"
"Fine you fucking FireBug. Whatever. Check the guild marks of some of the mages, we were attacked too by Crescent Moon."
"Fuck. Toma okay?"
"Yeah. He's fine. They were after me."
"Wasn't that Drew's guild?"
"Yeah."
Two sets of Dragon's growled. "Stupid fucker." Natsu snorted out a laugh. "Obviously he underestimated Scary Lucy."
Laxus smiled. "No shit."
The King suddenly peeked over Laxus' shoulder. "Is that the young man that took my crown?"
Natsu paled and said a hurried goodbye before anyone could say another word.
Fairy Tail's Master shook his head and swiped a massive hand down his face. Only his fucking guild would be that goddamn strange….
-ooo-
"How did you get this?"
"What do you mean my boy? I didn't steal it if that's what you mean…"
"...no it's just…where did you find it? I thought that all these keys were accounted for."
"Hisui found it on a trip she took into Seven a couple of months ago in a small shop for antiques. The man didn't even know what he had and sold it to her for a small price. She doesn't practice anymore...not after that whole Dragon thing happened...and knew this key by sight. This is the payment I offer for your services, will you accept it?"
Large hands delicately took the small golden key from the King and Laxus nodded quickly. "I will."
Toma smiled softly. "Make sure it gets back to her safely...if memory serves, the Star-Bringer loves all her Spirits like an actual family."
The King turned away from the Legion and their leader and strode into the heart of Bosco's capital.
Four pairs of curious and disbelieving eyes peered down to look at the symbol at the top of the small key.
"Yo...boss man...isn't that…?"
"Yah Bix. It is."
"How did she get to Seven?"
Laxus shook his head, he didn't know that answer. "Dunno. But I want to find out."
The man lolled his tongue out and grinned. "She's going to fucking love you man. You know that right?"
A delicate smile lit up Laxus' face, one that his friends hadn't seen for years. "That's the plan. It starts with this key, I hope she'll be happy…"
But he already knew...Lucy would be so happy because Aquarius was coming home.