Laxus stiffened, eyes going wide. The lightning mage stumbled a bit, slamming his hands over his ears in an attempt to block out the sound.

"W-What is that?" He gasped.

It was the Battle of Fairy Tail. With Levy having destroyed Freed's barrier around the guildhall, Natsu, Gajeel, Sting, and Rogue had rushed into the fray. Sting and Rogue stuck close to Mirajane, knowing she was worse off than usual being pregnant, while Gajeel and Natsu headed for their eldest sibling, who was hiding out in the church.

The scream had caught them all off guard. Natsu went pale when he heard it and Gajeel growled, getting angry.

"Wh-What the hell? W-Argh!" Laxus screamed, dropping to his knees. Lightning crackled around them dangerously and Gajeel's eyes widened when a bolt shot toward them, shoving Natsu out of the way.

"There's something inside of him!" Natsu yelled over the blond's screams of agony. "Look!"

Gajeel followed his gaze, eyes landing on Laxus's thigh, which had a dark aura around it.

"The fuck is that?"

"Whatever it is, it's probably behind the personality change!" Natsu yelled back. "But hearing his mate scream is throwing him off!"

"Plan?" Gajeel asked, getting into a stance. Natsu stared at Laxus for a few more seconds.

"Right. We'll have to rip it out. If Levy's right- and she usually is- then it hasn't been there long, which means it hasn't had time to latch on to him if it's the branch of magic I think it is. Most likely a lacrima of some kind, but whatever happens, we have to get all of it out!" Natsu explained, hands ablaze.

o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o

"Stop it!" Mirajane screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks. She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head- she couldn't watch this- watch as Freed-

"No! No! Stop it! Stop, please! Stop!" She screamed when she heard her little brother's screams of pain.

Mira couldn't do anything- she was useless. Her pride was hurt, badly. Juvia was unconscious alongside Sting and Rogue, the three's Exceeds watching over them and Cana- and her husband, her mate, the father of her child was at the center of all of this pain and she couldn't bear it.

"NO!" Mirajane screamed.

"Dark Ecriture:," Freed pointed his sword at Elfman, "Death,"

Mirajane froze, her eyes wide. "...Death…"

"It's okay Mira-nee," Lisanna said weakly." I just want you to know…"

Mirajane gripped her baby sister's hand, tears clouding her vision. "Lisanna? Lisanna?" Her eyes widened in horror when the fifteen year old's arm went slack.

"LISANNA!"

As tears rolled down her cheeks, Mirajane tilted her head back. Sobs racked her body as the white haired woman opened her mouth and let out wails of anguish.

A golden glow surrounded her as she wailed, a dark circle appearing overhead. As her wail turned into a loud roar, Mirajane transformed, her eyes going completely white as her roar shook the ground.

Laxus screamed when he heard the shriek turn into a roar, eyes going white. Natsu and Gajeel exchanged similar looks of 'oh shit' before bursting into action.

Fighting against him normally would've been hard- he was the strongest out of all of them.

But trying to defeat Laxus while the dragon in him was going into a rage would be nearly impossible.

"What?" Laxus blinked, blue eyes coming into focus. The twenty-six year old sat up in the rubble, looking around. The blond's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw Gajeel- both him and Natsu covered in injuries. Levy stared at him apprehensively, holding a pale purple jewel in her hand that seemed to have a black glow to it.

"`Bout time, Sparky. Gihi," Gajeel smirked. Natsu grinned at the eldest, pouncing on him immediately while Levy rolled her eyes.

"How did I get here?" Laxus swallowed, not really wanting to ask. Natsu had a wrought iron grip on his arm and his grin turned into a frown.

"...We'll fill you in later," Levy said softly, not quite meeting his eyes. "What do you remember?"

Laxus shot to his feet so fast Natsu squeaked- still being attached to Laxus's arm. "Where's Mira?" He asked immediately. Natsu snapped his mouth shut, going to take Levy's place in supporting Gajeel.

"We should head to the guild," Levy said, gripping the jewel in her hand tightly. Laxus moved to take a step before his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he collapsed.

Levy sighed, easily supporting the huge man on her back. "It's probably best he's in this state when we tell the others everything,"

"Will Mirajane forgive him?" Gajeel asked.

"Mira's never been able to hold a grudge against anyone for too long- Except Erza. I think she'll be angry until she finds out," Natsu explained thoughtfully.

"Ten jewels says she'll slap him across the face when he wakes up," Levy grinned. Natsu snorted.

"And people say you're not a gambler. Twenty that she won't,"

"Oh, I can't wait to be twenty jewels richer," Levy grinned as they began their trek back to the guild. "I hope Master won't be too mad about the church,"

"We're screwed," Gajeel grumbled.