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"Yosh! I'm all fired up!" Natsu threw his arms in the air as he shouted with enthusiasm.
Team Natsu finally arrived at Clover Town. As usual, it took all of Natsu's strength to prevent himself form vomiting. That's why the second the train reached the station, he jumped through the window with no hesitation and more enthusiasm. Time to earn some food money.
It was a long and silent ten-minute walk from the station to the office of the mayor. None of them are willing to speak. They were content in savoring that familiar sense of nostalgia. Those were halcyon days. Together, all five of them took quests. Erza bought so many luggages. They all thought it was her clothes only to found out later that those bags contain food ingredients. Gray would unconsciously strip his clothes. He was funny in a way. Natsu would bicker with Gray over the silliest of things. They would fight behind Erza and when the red-haired mage would look at them; both the boys would act like they were long lost brothers. Happy. He would always follow his main objective and that is fish, fish and definitely fish. He would tease them the moment he got a chance. He would always tease Lucy with every random male she meets. Lucy. Oh, how they miss her! She would always complain about how they destructive they were. They didn't listen to her. They would trade anything just to see her again. They would cherish her, protect her and promise they would listen to everything she says. Just please.
The mayor's office was a simple and humble duplex building. Nothing to fancy. They knocked three times on the door to signal that they have finally arrived. They heard some steps and it opened to reveal a short old man, probably as old as their guild master.
"Good Morning, sir. We're from Fairy Tail." Erza announced.
"Ah, come on in." The man replied as he opened the door wider to let them in. He was clearly expecting guests. "Have a seat." The man gestured towards a sofa as he sat down on his seat in front of them. The three of them sat down. They did walk that far. "You must be here for the mission, am I correct?"
"Yes." Now that Lucy was gone, Erza took the position of being the spokesperson.
"Ah, yes. We are being terrorized by thieves or bandits. All around, they're stealing the money produced by this town. They even taking hostages." The mayor was worried.
"What time of the day does this normally happen and where? Erza stood up from her seat, causing Natsu and Gray to lose their balance and bump into each other.
"Popsicle." Natsu muttered.
"Ash Brain." Gray counter-muttered. Erza, hearing their murmurs, shot them a warning look that shut them up.
"I don't know. The attacks are very random: morning, noon, night. There's no pattern. Even the places, they don't spare anything. One day, a bank the next day, a simple grocery store. This has been going on for almost a month." The small man worriedly said. Erza nodded
"Don't worry; we'll take care of it." Titania assured the mayor as both of the boys in the sofa stood up.
Team Natsu exited the building with no further questions. They are capable of handling things on their own. They will gather data from the townsfolk and they'll use Natsu's enhanced sense of smell to track down the culprits. They were all S-Class now. They won't destroy things anymore. It's time to be responsible. For the sake of the Guild. For Lucy.
"Isn't that Titania?" A man asked. They didn't notice it but as they walk by, people are gathering, staring in awe and asking questions in amazement. They were known seven years ago and after their return from their supposed death, they became more popular, not just in Magnolia but also in bordering towns. But what made them subject to celebrity fame was their dramatic win in the Grand Magic Games.
"And isn't that Salamander and Happy?!" An elderly man pointed out at Natsu who has a sleeping blue cat on his shoulder
"Oh my gosh! Isn't that Frost? He really is a hunk!" A girl, probably in her teens squealed as she saw Gray walked down in the center. Thank the heavens; Juvia was on another mission with Gajeel. They all ignored the noise caused by the people and walked straight down the path to interview the previous hostages. They were probably in the City Hospital.
"Wait, there's someone missing." It was what caught their attention. Their strides became slower and their eyes might be on the street but definitely, their ears were on the people.
"Yeah!" Someone agreed.
"That girl. The blonde one. What's her name again?" Another person spoke.
'Did I hear that right? 'WHAT WAS HER NAME AGAIN?' How dare these people forget Lucy!' Natsu was seething in anger. Nobody should forget her. She's warm, beautiful, kind and she's strong. Erza, noticing the Dragon Slayer's sudden change in mood, grasped Natsu's arm and motioned him to continue walking.
"Come on, you guys." Gray said. He was also irritated by the crowd's stupidity but he thought better. He wants to finish the mission as soon as possible so that they will be able to continue searching for Lucy. Although he never thought he also has one of those epithets, it made him inwardly smile. When they find her, he will most definitely tell her about his epithet.
The train arrived an hour after they left. And although it was a short ride, Laxus managed to make Lucy sleep for a while. The memories are slowly coming back to her and she must have panicked. Maybe she's remembering Team Natsu. 'What about me? Will she leave them for me? She won't do that.' Those thoughts raced through his mind, making him a whole lot angrier. But why? Why was he angry?
"Hey, Blondie! Wake up!" Laxus shook Lucy furiously but she won't budge. "If you won't wake up right now, I'll zap you!" He warned but not a single response from the sleeping girl came so he did what he has to. He zapped her.
"OUCHHH! Laxus, dammit!" Lucy screamed at him. She was furious red. "What was that for, you idiot!"
"You won't wake up. I thought I lost you." Laxus faked innocence then he snickered, causing the girl to stomp. Well, what she forgot is that she has sprained her ankle an hour ago.
"H-Hey, Heartfilia! Don't hold on to me! You'll take me down, too. Aargh!" And Laxus fell along with Lucy, with him on top of her.
He struggled to stand up but every try he took, he would hear Lucy's whimpers of pain. He calmed down and the cries stopped. He can't bear to look at her. It's a risk he can't take. Oops, wrong move. Concern overwhelmed his senses and took a glance at her. She's a drop dead gorgeous goddess with those face of an angel, lips as red as the rose and eyes that seem to beg him to steal a single chaste kiss. And her body. 'Oh, Mavis, thank you for this!' Her skin was indeed immaculate and her body was soft and delicate. No coherent thought formed in their minds. Both blondes closed their eyes. Laxus' grip tightened on her arm as he leaned in. He can feel her breath. Her rapid heartbeat and just as their lips seal the deal…
"AAAHHHHH! Help us! Bandits!" A woman screamed.
"I…ah…uh…" Laxus quickly stood up, red all over. Lucy also snapped from the 'magic'. He helped her stand and when she did, he said, "I'm sorry about that. It's uh…"
"It's alright. Come on, let's help these people." Lucy assured him.
"What about your ankle?" Laxus asked, worried that the delicate angel would get hurt.
"I can do this." She gestured him to come forward to help her walk. Laxus quickly complied with her request albeit with a protesting sigh.
When they were both out of the train, Laxus scanned the area. It was a total havoc. There are about fifty thieves that are scattered across the whole station. Some of them are wielding weapons like guns and swords. The others are capable of magic. Lucy suggested that they should split up but Laxus was adamant that they should stick together, considering the state of Lucy's ankle.
"Laxus, I can do this. I know I can. Please!" Lucy begged.
"No." It was a firm answer from Laxus.
"I have my spirits and I can do this. I need to see for myself that I have improved." This made Laxus consider for a while. After all, once upon a time, he was like her, trying to prove something to himself.
"Ok. I'll handle the half. Do the other." Lucy flashed him a smile. The Dragon Slayer then went to battle his part of the members. He was decimating the numbers one after another, using fast yet effective attacks.
"Lightning Dragon's Roar!" A torrent of concentrated lightning burst from his mouth, electrocuting a dozen or so in a matter of seconds. He then activated his Lightning Body Spell. Pure energy engulfed his body as he moved into high velocity and used Lightning Punch to knock down the other members quickly. 'Lucy needs some help! I need to help her now!' One member was still left, probably the leader, he then walked towards him.
"Tch. So you're the leader, huh? What a small fry." He then taunted the man who was already cowering in fear. Laxus' abilities were considered legendary not just because he was the grandson of Makarov Dreyar but was feared greatly because of his wrath and immense strength, both in physical terms and magical energy. He walked slowly towards the leader of the bandits until he was cornered with no escape. Laxus grinned as he raised his clenched right fist in the air and chanted.
"Resounding through the air, the roar of thunder, plunge from the heavens and reap destruction!"
A large bolt of lightning descended and hit the leader. What was left after he used the Raging Bolt Spell was an unconscious and fried man. Unconscious yet still alive. He wouldn't want Lucy to see him kill someone.
Lucy was impressed by how Laxus quickly managed to dispose of his opponents. She would prove to him that she can do that, too. Although she might not be able to move in high speed due to the sprained ankle, she can still fight.
"Hello there, little missy. Helpless are we?!" A bandit approached her as he snickered. Soon the other entire half of the bandit group was cornering her. They can't defeat Laxus so they will attack her.
"Open! Gates of the Giant Crab and the Twins! Cancer! Gemini!" Light flickered and soon, three figures stood out.
"Cancer, knock them out!" The spirit did what was told of him and quickly shaved their heads and along with that, cut through the weapons they are holding, making them virtually powerless. Lucy looked at Gemi and Mini who are still waiting for her command. Now that Cancer has taken care of the thieves, what now? Suddenly, images and voices flashed through her mind.
"…I almost fell into darkness, but the bonds you have with your spirits wrapped me in light."
She didn't know what to do so she just merely followed her instinct. Her memories were all jumbled. Everything was all jumbled but if she'll just went with the flow of her subconscious mind; she'll be able to do something.
"Gemini, transform into me!" Both the spirits did what were ordered. Light flashed and soon died down and what was left in their place was an exact replica of Lucy. She didn't have the time to ask questions, she just held Gemini's hands and chanted the first words that came into her mind.
"Survey the Heavens, Open the Heavens…
All the stars, far and wide…
Show thy appearance…
With such shine."
Light soon gathered around Lucy and took the form of glowing orbs resembling planets. The whole area dimmed and stars can be visibly seen twinkling around.
"Oh, Tetrabiblos…
I am the ruler of stars…
Aspect become complete…
Open thy malevolent gate…
Oh, 88 Stars of the heaven…
During the chanting, the bandits have recovered from their initial shock caused by Cancer's attack. They have decided to just attack her bare-handed. She's helpless while she's doing the chant. But just as they managed to reach her,
"SHINE! URANO METRIA!" Lucy finished the final words of the chant and opened her eyes. The orbs glowed brighter and hit all of the thieves at once, knocking them unconscious. Lucy was weakened by the spell. She wasn't used to Caster-Type spells. Both Cancer and the twins went back to the Spirit World. She was starting to stagger and fall when Laxus caught her. The townsfolk, who were watching the whole battle, burst into fits of applause and cheers. They have never seen such spectacle anywhere. And although, the train station was mildly destroyed, they are thankful that the thieves or bandits have been defeated.
"Thank you, thank you!" Laxus, who was carrying a blushing and silent Lucy like she was his wife, smiled at them and then activated his Lightning Body Spell to quickly get her to the hospital and have her ankles checked.
"What's happening?" Natsu appeared at the back and struggled to see what's in the front.
"Looks like our job is already done." Gray muttered under his breath, disappointed.
"It seems like so." Erza agreed.
"What happened here?" Happy asked a random passenger.
"The Thunder God and his bride, The Celestial Maiden has descended from the heavens."
A/N: And here's another chapter for you people! So, yeah, I put titles or epithets for Laxus, Lucy and Gray. Why? Because I just felt like doing it. Hahahaha :)
Paname: I really and absolutely love LaLu moments like that. I hope you enjoyed this one.
Miss Jester61: It's okay. Thanks for the support :)
xXimmortalXx and vexennight: Thanks for the review. I really love leaving cliffhangers that's why I only used Natsu :)
AnimeLuver778: Thanks for the review and here's a new chapter to read. :)