Author's Note:
And because I was feeling up to writing and I saw how supportive all of you are so here's the fourth chapter if it's okay! xD
Laxus is here! :D Though I still find him hard to get along with, I am managing to understand him which is good.. :P Probably.. xD
And thanks for the reviews everyone! I strongly appreciate them!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Fairy Tail characters, they all belong to awesome Hiro Mashima. :)
LUCY'S POV
I woke up in the smell of eggs and bacon and chocolate. They smelt really good and so I decided to get out of bed as I rub my sleepy eyes awake. Though I had gotten a good rest after crying my eyes out at Loke, I was pretty sure that my eyes were still red, puffy and swollen. It was no surprise really. And so, with a yawn, I was finally sitting on the bed, my eyes scanning my surrounding. I smiled as I saw Loke drinking a cup of what probably was coffee and reading today's newspapers. I gazed at him and couldn't help but wonder why I couldn't fall for this guy instead. He claimed he had feelings for me before and aside from the fact that it would never work between us because he is a Spirit and I am a human, I didn't harbour any feelings for him aside from friendship. I shook my thoughts out of my head. "There's no use dwelling on the Lucy. Besides, he's with Aries now! You just can't steal your spirit's boyfriend who is also a spirit. Besides, they are perfect for each other and now -," my thoughts were cut short when a sudden voice had spoken. "What's got you thinking in the morning, Lucy? I hope you're not thinking about me," Loke said with a grin and I could have sworn that I felt heat gathering in my face because he had hit the mark.
And of course, he had quickly noticed that and he released laughter that reverberated within the room. "Got ya!" he said laughing and I puffed my cheeks in feign annoyance before hitting a pillow that hit him right in the face. "One point for me!"I thought and laughed before he had gotten up from his seat and brought over to the nearby table a cart that contained two plates of bacon and eggs and a cup of hot chocolate. "Breakfast," he said with a shrug as he settled down the plates on the table. I readily got out of bed and brushed my teeth in the bathroom before heading back to the table. "Itadakimasu!" we both exclaimed before starting on eating breakfast. As we ate, we discussed on how we were going to do the mission and after much discussion and debate, we had finally come up with a plan of action. We just couldn't barge in the forest after all considering that we were against mages this time but since they were only stealing it must have meant that they weren't in any guild or if they were, they were the smaller fry. Though we both knew this, Loke didn't want to take any chances since this was a solo mission and the only back-up I had was my spirits and calling them out would take much of my energy.
We had a fairly simple plan. Both Loke and I would sneak around in the forest, straying from the path that everybody takes and entering the treeline. We would scout the area for where the 'bandits' were looking out and those would be our targets and hostages. I suggested that we split up so I could scout the east and he could do the west but he insisted and demanded that we do not split up. And honestly, he was very adamant about it that he was scary so I had no choice but to agree with him on this one. Besides, he knows a lot more and had more experience with this than I do. We prepared ourselves packed lunch and by 10:00, I was already clad in yellow halter top, a pair of green shorts and a pair of black knee-high boots. I had my keys and Fleuve d'etoiles strapped to my belt and I was ready to go. I glanced at Loke who was dressed more casually this time with a purple buttoned shirt that was unbuttoned twice from the top and a pair of cargo pants and sneakers. We gave each other a subtle nod before we headed to the forest.
One Week Later…
"This is getting us nowhere, Loke!" I half-yelled as soon as Loke and me were in the confines of our hotel room. It was already the ninth night we were staying in the hotel and we still had nothing. Ever since the two of us came, there were already two incidents in the forest and though we had scouted almost every inch of the damn forest, nothing turned up. I was getting seriously frustrated! And I knew Loke was too, but he had to know that his plan had not been working too good and that we needed to start modifying how we did things. I was being rash and reckless, but still, turning up with nothing everyday was taking its toll on me. I haven't even thought sadly or cried about Natsu for three nights now, which I thought was good considering that at the first five nights, I had been crying myself to sleep even though I convinced Loke to sleep beside me just to comfort me through the night. And besides, I couldn't have him sleeping on the couch the whole time and I would not sleep there and the bed was large and I didn't plan on doing anything so him sleeping on one side was a good enough plan. I was snapped back into reality when Loke had spoken.
"You're right. This plan is not doing us any good. But what do you suggest we do?" he said as he took a seat. It had been more than a week and though I had been using my magic to sustain him, I knew that it was still straining him since he had been trying to use his own magic as well to stay in the human world. I had been thinking of a back-up plan for days now, though I mostly kept to myself because it was a crazy plan, now was the time for something crazy so we could at least move on with our job. "Go back to the Spirit World, Loke," I said calmly and he gaped at me and stared at me like I grew another head. "You're joking. And leave you here alone?! I'm not that crazy, Lucy. You've been crying yourself to sleep until three days ago and you expect to just go back like that?" he told me fiercely and I knew that this was going to be hard. I sighed inaudibly, "I'm not saying that I'll finish this mission alone. I just need you to go back to the Spirit World to rest up and I promise I'll call for you tomorrow when I go to the forest," I explained. I was glad when he didn't answer immediately since it meant that he was contemplating on the circumstances since we both knew that he had to go back to replenish his magic and energy and though it wouldn't be much, it would do him good to go back for a few human hours. "Fine. I'll go if you tell me this stupid plan of yours. I know it's gonna be crazy stupid so I might as well be prepared for anything," he grumbled and I knew that it was final. We were going to do my plan and he was going back to the Spirit World regardless of what it may be! I hugged him in thanks and proceeded to tell him about my plan. Occasional nods and glares were what I received before he went back to the Spirit World and I laid in my bed.
I thought about my plan and how crazy it was. Decoy and a head-on attack. It sums up the whole plan and I could have sworn that I got this plan from Team Natsu's crazy antics. But that was our best shot now and I could only hope for the best when tomorrow comes.
LAXUS' POV
It's been more than a week since Blondie had left Fairy Tail and it was only five more days before the time I had one-sidedly gave her to finish the solo mission was up. Two weeks were needed to complete the mission at most and for a lot of Fairy Tail mages, the job would already be completed half the time. And though Blondie was a relatively new member and relatively new to solo missions, I had the faintest of ideas that she would take longer than others since she was also one to try to avoid as much damage as possible. Though, I was also pretty sure that she would not let this mission go on overtime, so I am pretty edgy on where she was now. Aside from the fact that she hasn't come back yet, the client still hadn't contacted the guild which was also making Gramps worried.
Erza's team on the other hand was making a lot of progress in tracking down the dark guild. Gramps even said that they'd be back next week. It was a relief for me since I could go on the search for Blondie without Natsu nagging on my ass constantly about where his partner was. "Some partner he is. Ignoring Blondie for Lisanna then getting mad that she disappeared without telling him. Tch," I thought as I didn't notice that my fists were already balled. I sighed knowing the trouble I was getting into. The feeling wasn't really all that foreign since I used to feel it with Mirajane years ago so I was having quite the idea of what was going on. "Damn this is troublesome!"my thoughts were running rampant in my head thanks to a certain blonde girl and so I settled myself in my bed clad only in boxer shorts and nothing else. My thoughts were filled with how she was doing, where she was, why she isn't back yet. And I was getting seriously annoyed because it will be very long before I admit what I am feeling aloud. It would take a hell lot of time before I admit to anyone but myself that I have fallen and am falling for Blondie.
THIRD PERSON POV
The morning passed by and Lucy was ready to take her plan into action. She had dressed herself in a sleeveless striped shirt, a pair of green shorts, her belt with the keys and whip and finally, brown knee-high boots. Though, with the help of Virgo, she had managed to slip herself in one of her blue dresses that she used to wear while still in the Heartfilia mansion. The dress had sleeves that covered her arms though showed the thin strap from her original top. She thanked the stars though that the straps were also a shade of blue so it wasn't that noticeable. The dress was also a balloon type so the belt that housed her keys weren't that obvious either and it covered her boots nicely too. All in all, she looked like a girl from a high-class family that was just passing by. Virgo overdid the outfit though by fixing her hair in an elegant manner that curled in the ends that cascaded down her back.
With her all ready to go, she called for Loke just before she entered the border of the forest. It seemed perfect! Virgo was in her usual maid outfit, less the cuffs and Loke was in his suit that made him look like a butler. And since her spirits were just always prepared, Virgo had given Loke a suitcase to carry and Virgo carried a bag while she was given a fancy umbrella. Lucy just had to sigh with her spirit's obsession with perfection. With everything finally settled, the three of them trudged into the forest. As soon as they reached the middle of the forest, they lessened the tension among themselves and Virgo began making conversation. "Where are we headed to today, Milady?" the maiden asked and Lucy had to think about her answer carefully. "To the next town. Father had asked me to deliver some documents and other important stuff to his client. I hope I did not take you away from any of your chores," the mage answered with caution, making sure her tone was that of one that came from a family of wealth. "I assure you, Miss, it is our utmost pleasure to accompany you," Loke said with a grin as he started to join in. Lucy was just about to reply when all of a sudden, laughter roared in the forest.
In an instant, Loke and Virgo were on guard on either side of Lucy, their instincts telling them to protect their master. "Milady, this. Documents, that. What kind of crap is this?" a male's cackling voice spoke and it sent shivers of creepiness down Lucy's spine. "They were better in sneaking around that doing this," a female voice spoke and with those words, the Celestial mage was already in full guard. Three sets of eyes looking for the owners of the voices yet they couldn't find any. "Don't bother. You won't see us with my magic in effect," the female spoke again and Loke answered back, "And why is that?!" Lucy felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand up cause she could have sworn the female was smirking at them. One moment, the three of them were alone and after a mere two seconds, a little over twenty were surrounding them. "Invisibility Magic," the female in front of Loke spoke. The female was clad in a tight black dress that reached her feet with a slit on both sides that reached her thighs. "Where'd you guys get the maid? I'm pretty sure there were only two of you scouting the area the past few days," the man in his late 20s spoke. He was thin, and his bones seemingly showing and he was wearing a simple yellow shirt, denim pants and rubber shoes. "Y-you guys know," Lucy managed to say and Loke growled in annoyance and muttered incoherent words than in Lucy's ears seemed to be a string of curses that would have made Gajeel and Laxus proud.
"Well, enough chatting. Get them," the woman said and immediately all of them, except the thin man charged towards the three of them. Lucy was quick to rip off her dress and grab a hold of her whip, instantly taking out two with a flick of her wrist. Virgo had immediately dug a large and very deep hole and though many would think of it as useless, five men had fallen victim to it. Loke on the other hand was having a lot of trouble with men surrounding him. "Open the Gate of the Golden Bull! Taurus! Open the Gate of the Ram! Aries!" Lucy yelled summoning two of her spirits to their aid. Instantly a dizzying feeling came to her, though she brushed it off as the Aries instantly had Wool Wall surrounding them. "Taurus! Take out as many of them as you can!" the mage ordered and after a few perverted comments the bull was attacking as many mages as he could.
"I'm sorry, Princess," "Mooo… I'm sorry, Lucy!" the mage heard almost at the same time and when she looked, Virgo was already shimmering, a knife sticking out her stomach and Taurus a knife at his back. "Virgo! Taurus! Y-you're gonna pay for that!" Lucy screamed as she looked and found Aries and Loke to still be safe though barely managing. Someone was trying to burn off Aries' wool and Loke was still fighting three in hand-to-hand combat. "Open the Gate of the Goat! Capricorn!" "Lucy! Don't be reckless!" Loke yelled but it was too late for Capricorn had already emerged and was fighting off mages. "I'm so sorry!" a gentle voice called and Lucy screamed at the sight of a knife sticking out Aries' back. Lucy wanted to call another spirit, but that was impossible as she fell on her knees, panting heavily, her vision failing her.
"Miss Lucy!" "Lucy!" two familiar voices called out and she was about to go to them, but she felt something sharp at her throat and her eyes widened in fear. "H-how did you-?" Lucy was about to ask but the thin male behind her cut her off by answering. "Well, you're already drained so that wasn't so hard to do, baby. But if you're asking how I took off the maid, the cow and the fluffy girl then it's Speed Magic, babe," Lucy shivered and tried to escape but her body wasn't following her orders. Then her eyes caught a glint right behind Capricorn, "LOOK OUT!" she screamed with tears threatening to spill out but it was too late. Someone had stabbed him and the goat could only look at her in worry and sadness and fear.
"Please. Not Loke. I beg you," Lucy croaked out as she knew that Loke was next and she repeated it like a mantra. Then the female appeared right beside Loke, holding a knife and a smirk on her features. "Tie him up. Rick, you take care of the girl. We're bringing them to the guild to see Master," the woman said and the man named Rick forced Lucy to stand. "Try any funny business, buddy and pretty face will get it," one of the mages said as they tied Loke's hands as he growled. "Same goes for you, babe," Rick said as he kept the knife to Lucy's throat as he licked the left side of her face and she squirmed whilst tears spilled from her eyes. "Do anything funny and I will make his life and yours a living hell and trust me when I say that I'll make sure he doesn't go back to the Spirit World in a while," Lucy's eyes widened and she nodded in understanding. "Good girl," Rick said as he walked deeper into the forest with Lucy and Loke captive.
Replies To Some Reviews:
XxCherryXJellyxX: I agree with you about Loke and Lucy, though I do sometimes think they are cute! xD ..
Anonymous: Nope, you're not dreaming and here's another update for all of you out there! I initially planned on Lucy asking Gajeel, but I thought that Bunny Girl would be thinking of Levy first before her own loneliness, thus the happening.. xD ..
This release was a little early and a little unexpected so I don't really know what to expect! xD
In any case, how did you find this chapter? A little review is all it takes for me to know. ;)
What did you think of Lucy? Laxus' part is a little short this time, I know.. xD I'll make it up to you guys soon! :P
A little bit of Natsu in the next chapter! So, see you all in the next update! ^_^