Chapter Fifty-Nine
"Lucy?" Natsu watched as she sat up on the bed of the Magi-Hover. She looked at him and he sat down beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She immediately put her head on his shoulder and sighed. She'd curled up to rest as soon as they'd set off. Partly to rest and partly to cry alone.
"Did we fail?" She asked, her voice small.
"No." He shook his head and turned, pulling her into his lap and cradling her close. Her body was stiff for a moment before she started to sob. He nuzzled close and she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his throat. He started to growl lowly, which turned into a light purring/humming.
"Why didn't we see this coming? Why didn't I see this coming?"
"Lucy, you can't know everything. And trying to take the blame isn't fair to yourself. And you know it." He murmured as she lamented their loss. He pushed her away slightly and she looked up at him, her brown eyes ringed in red.
"Natsu…I…"
"Are alive, after a battle with a demon." He whispered and she nodded. "You had to focus on things here. You heard Habiki's report. Mard Geer has infiltrated the Alliance and our own allies turned on us. They jammed the signals and made it impossible to communicate and scan for threats from the Guild Station."
"I just…"
"Lucy." He cupped her chin and forced her to face him. "We have to live for those we lost. They wouldn't want us to take on the burden that isn't ours to carry. You know that."
"I know. But it still hurts."
"It will always hurt to think of those we lost. But their memories will help us build a better future."
"How? When I can't think of a future where Cana and Yukino aren't in it!" Her voice cracked and he knocked his forehead against hers and felt her tears fall between their cheeks.
"By making a future that they would have proudly built with us if they had survived." He whispered and her eyes fluttered open and he watched as the Zodiathian light died out and just the human spark was left behind.
"When did you get so wise?" She asked, sniffling.
"I've been studying in my free time." He grinned and his thumb stroked along her jaw. Her eyes drifted close for a moment before they fluttered open.
"Natsu I…"
The Magi-Hover came to a sudden stop and they jerked against one another. Alfie started to hum then spoke, "A being has appeared in front of us."
"Thanks for the heads up." Natsu said and set Lucy aside and stood up. She got up and grabbed onto the back of the vest he threw on and he looked over his shoulder at her. "Stay here. I'll handle this."
"We'll handle it." She whispered and he waited a moment before nodding. They headed into the main part of the Magi-Hover and Happy hurried over and Lucy picked him up. They headed out and stared ahead. Against the setting sun, the figure loomed large and dark. Natsu inhaled, and then relaxed on the exhale. Lucy relaxed, realizing that was his intrinsic way of showing that whoever it was wasn't an enemy.
"There you are my Celestial Mage." Horologium's voice came out of the fading light and as the figure moved closer; Lucy saw the grandfather clock shape come into focus. He hurried forward and pulled the door open to his center.
"Glorious freedom." Gray cried as he leapt out. They watched as another figure followed and they stared. Lucy came out from around Natsu and stared at the newcomer for a moment before turning her attention to the Celestial Spirit.
"Thank you for transporting Gray." She said and put her hand on his arm, surprised it was made of metal that moved so freely.
"Of course. It was an honor to be of use to you." He bowed and smiled at her and petted her shoulder. "If you need me, call."
"Thank you Horologium." She whispered as he popped out of existence. Natsu came up and wrapped his arm around her waist and Happy reached up and nudged her cheek. She nuzzled the blue fur and struggled to take a deep breath.
"This is the Celestial Mage and the Fire Dragis you all were talking about on Solarium?" A soft female voice asked and they turned and saw that the newcomer with Gray was a female.
"Yeah. That's Lucy and Natsu…the blue furball is Happy."
"Hey! I am not a fur ball! Lushee, Gray is being mean!" The Exceed lamented and Lucy's lips twitched.
"Not nice Gray." She murmured and looked at the female besides him. He waved at her and rolled his eyes.
"This is Juvia…she's a former enemy turned pseudo-ally."
"Nice to meet you Juvia." Lucy said and smiled weakly at her. Juvia shifted, putting her parasol behind her back and she nodded and looked down at her feet. Gray rolled his eyes again and stepped around Juvia and walked forward. Lucy gave him a brief hug before Natsu pulled her away and sneered at his friend. Gray and him went forehead to forehead and Lucy shook her head and walked over to Juvia who was watching the two Dragis push each other around.
"Do you want to come into the Magi-Hover and clean up or rest? Those two are going to be at it for a while."
"What are they doing?"
"Bonding." Lucy said and flinched when she heard the unmistakable sound of flesh hitting flesh. "Bonding very violently. But it's their thing."
"I see…I would like to rest inside. This planet's air is fairly drying."
"It's summer here." She said and led the way as Happy waved at Juvia over Lucy's shoulder. "It's usually more humid but sometimes summer heat dries out the air like this."
"So the air moisture changes?"
"Yes and depending on where you live that also affects in. This planet has more habitat types than I can list." She said and Alfie produced multiple benches and Juvia sat down and watched as Lucy set Happy down and then sat opposite of her.
"Are you here to kill me?" Lucy asked and Juvia froze for a moment before putting her hands on the table.
"No."
"Are you here to betray us?"
"No, Juvia is not." The bluenette said looking at the female before her. She was surprised by her. Having heard all of the discussions about her for the past few sckowls as the others traversed across Solarium; she was expecting a larger than life person. Instead, the Celestial Mage looked small and weak.
"Why are you here then?"
"Gray said that he needed Juvia to ensure Totomaru doesn't hurt Natsu."
"Who is Totomaru?" Lucy asked and rested her chin on her fist.
"Totomaru…bounty hunter with Element Four." Alfie stated and produced a picture of a male. Lucy looked him over and saw the surprise flicker briefly across Juvia's face before returning to her stoic pose.
"Bounty hunter huh? One more ball to add to the rest in the air." She murmured and both Juvia and Happy frowned while looking upwards. Alfie hummed and then produced an image of a male tossing multiple balls up while catching them and throwing them up.
"It's an illusion to this action…it was called juggling."
"Your world was and is weird." Juvia said and Happy nodded and Lucy shrugged with a soft smile on her face.
"More than you know. Are you hungry or thirsty?"
"Do you have any water to drink?" The wall opened and Alfie's clawed appendage extended out a black bottle. Jvuvia took it and twisted the top and sighed as she sniffed. She took a long pull and looked the retreating clawed appendage. "Thank you."
"Yes, thank you Alfie." Lucy said and the Magi-Hover hummed. Happy looked at the newcomer and then to Lucy and frowned. He climbed onto the table and walked over to Juvia who eyed him warily. He sniffed at her and then looked over at Lucy, his small stomach sticking out at the angle he was twisting himself into in order to look at her.
"She smells…scared."
"I'd be scared in the presence of my enemies too." Lucy said and reached out and grabbed him and pulled him over to her. She scratched behind his left ear and looked back at Juvia.
"Please excuse Happy. He's more protective than usual due to an attack we recently suffered."
"I have heard of the attack. Black energy bombs sent by Mard Geer."
"Yes." She nodded, her eyes taking on a haunted look. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before lifting her eyes back to Juvia. The Aquaterran stiffened as the light in Lucy's eyes burned bright. She could see silver, white and gold swirling around the brown of her eyes and as her eyes burned bright; power rose within her. Juvia could feel it because of how much water made up her body.
"You are truly a Celestial Mage…it is not just wishful thinking."
"No. I am that…but I'm also so much more." Lucy murmured and blinked, the light fading slowly. Juvia nodded; thinking of Erza.
"You are like the Equip-user, Erza. Both magic and of this magicless world?"
"Yes. The convoy to Solarium was to find someone who could read the language of the giants to help my friend translate a book that would have information we needed…" Lucy shook her head. "It wasn't that long ago but even those moments feel like simpler times."
"When all you see are the sad and bad times…the hard times…it can stretch the distance between good memories." Juvia agreed and nodded slowly. She took another sip of the water and looked at her. "Why are you trusting Juvia?'
"Because, if you try anything, Alfie will protect me." Lucy said and the AI hummed and Juvia's eyes slid around and then she nodded.
"And don't think you can liquify the inside to get to the wires or electrical…all Magi-Hovers are protected against flooding." Happy said and crossed his arms over his chest. She nodded again.
"Juvia has no desire to flood this Magi-Hover. Juvia wants to try…" She stopped and tilted her head, "Try and live…a different life."
"It won't be easy. But as long as you try, you are welcome." Lucy said and held her hand out, the scalut shifting which made Juvia hesitate for a split second before reaching out and clasping the pale hand before her. The callouses and strength surprised her. Lucy only looked small and weak.
"Thank you."
"Luce?" Natsu and Gray climbed in bruised and scraped but luckily not bleeding or broken. Gray flung himself down on a bench, breathing heavily and Alfie produced a chunk of ice that the Dragis immediately started to gnaw on. Natsu, to Juvia's surprise; picked up Lucy then sat with her on his lap. Even more surprising to her was how Lucy melted against the Dragis and nuzzled the side of his throat. He looked her over before dropping his head to Lucy's.
"It that…what growlkins look like?" She asked and Gray quirked a brow and shrugged.
"They technically aren't growlkins so there is no telling if this is what anything should look like. I still think Lucy is confused because she was all but kidnapped by this idiot."
"Love you too Gray." Natsu rolled his eyes and the ice Dragis started to sputter while Lucy's lips twitched. Happy wasn't as strong and busted out laughing while Gray snarled and frost started to form around his wrist and forearms. Juvia reached out and put her hand on his clenched fist and he looked from it to her.
"You tease him to deflect how you feel; but right now they are too tired to retaliate. Just accept the truth."
"Hmmm." He inhaled deeply and slowly let it out; the frost melting into drops on his skin, then they all watched as the drops rolled toward Juvia before touching her, causing ripples that ran over her hand and arms.
"That's so cool." Lucy breathed and Juvia flushed.
"I am Aquaterran, my body is made of water but I can focus the molecules into solid mass when it's more convenient to do so."
"Awesome." Natsu said and there was no mocking tone. She was surprised as Totomaru had always made her feel hated for being made of water. Especially as his magic was honed in fire.
"Than…thank you." She stuttered and Lucy smiled at her. She turned and tapped a tabletop and the Magi-Hover started to move while Alfie projected the route they were taking on the screen. Juvia blinked, surprised.
"Where are we headed?" Gray asked and Alfie hummed.
"There are debris from the Guild Station collecting in one specific spot. I am taking us there to collect the debris."
"Whatever it is; I want to keep it; to honor those we lost." Lucy whispered and Gray nodded.
"I'm sorry Lucy."
"It's okay." She forced the words out and he shook his head and patted her hand. The Scalut rippled for a second but didn't reject his touch. Juvia watched and wondered why it wasn't fighting the male away.
"It's not. You had just reunited with your parents before this happened. That is unfair."
"I at least got to see them one last time…with slightly better interactions." Lucy deflected and turned her hand over and squeezed his before letting go and wrapping her arms around Natsu's torso. "I am sorry you lost everyone else that was on the station."
"Has Natsu told you about the time that he convinced Ooba Babasaama that Laxus was actually allergic to static electricity?" Gray asked and Lucy's face scrunched up as she turned to look at a widely grinning Natsu before she started to titter in amusement.
"No…but you better." She laughed and Juvia listened in awe as Gray and Natsu and Happy all started sharing stories of life on the lost Guild Station.
"Sh…imp…Shr…im…p….LEVY!" Levy jerked awake and saw concern on Gajeel's face as he leaned over her, one large hand cupping her face.
"Wha…where's Wendy?"
"She and Aries are asleep in another chamber." He reassured her and leaned back. As his hand left her cheek, she felt colder than she could remember, even colder than when the life had been draining from her—and that made no sense. She started to push up; but he held up a hand and she immediately stilled.
"You were having a bad dream." He whispered and she nodded and wiped at her face. Most of it was dry from him cupping it; but she hated that he only seemed to catch her at her worst moments.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. Sleep is probably the one place you don't try to pretend everything is fine." He groused and she nodded sheepishly. "Just don't let things eat at ya. Alfie and I can't do nuthin' if you hide it all."
"Sorry." She said and rolled onto her side and looked at him. He was sitting with one leg bent sideways and the other resting on the floor. His arms were crossed over his chest and she realized he had on a white and black long vest. She reached out and touched the material and it was surprisingly soft. He watched her and when her gaze moved to his before shifting away quickly he took a deep breath that had her attention returning to him.
"What's on your mind?"
"Its not…"
"Levy." He cut off her denial and she flushed and bit her lip before releasing the material and then grabbing a larger handful.
"I'm scared."
"Of what?" He asked and tensed, his hands going to sit on his thighs.
"Being a hindrance and getting in your way. I wouldn't take offense if you just locked me in here."
"Yes you would. Maybe not right away because yer wallowin'; but eventually you would." He said and her brown eyes narrowed for a second before her face relaxed and she nodded in agreement. He reached out and brushed some hair off of her forehead and she looked up at him with her wide brown eyes.
"And for the record, you aren't a hinderance."
"Liar." She looked back down and closed her eyes. She was surprised to feel him tugging on the ends of her hair until she opened her eyes again.
"I ain't lying." He said and she saw the truth in the red eyes looking at her.
"Thanks Gajeel. She said and he nodded and she closed her eyes. After some time her hand relaxed and the material came free and he stood up. He stood there, watching her breathing cause the blanket covering her to rise and fall. Reassuring himself that she was alive and safe. After some time he walked out into the main part of the Magi-Hover and checked their trajectory. They were heading to a set of coordinates to meet up with PantherLilly and some allies he had on his ship who he was vouching for.
He thought about what all had happened and knew that the Exceed who was one of his closest friends was going to consider his actions rash and insane. And they were, but he still stood by them. Levy was alive; and soon she'd stop feeling the random side effects of the forced bite and would be able to move on from what she didn't understand. His hand went to his chest as the thought of her moving on tore through him. He hadn't expected a forced bite to cause that kind of pain. He shook his head. Alfie hummed and he looked at the screen and saw that they were close enough that he needed to start putting up shields.
Alfie's hijacked drones had seen some roving bands of humans but couldn't identify if they were under Mard Geer's control or just trying to survive. He hoped it was the latter, not that he knew what to do with them since there was no Guild Station to send them to. Blue Pegasus was too far away to send survivors to; and Habiki said that they'd try to convince General Bob to move closer but couldn't promise anything. Not after he had been threatened. He took a deep breath and tried to relax as much as he could.
He also realized that Natsu had felt like this; and then worse. And he wasn't sure how he hadn't fallen into a stasis right off the bat; especially when he'd shown up after leaving Lucy in his scalut at the dorm the first time. He was beginning to think that pyromaniac was actually stronger than he was, and that was a truth he hated having to admit to.
"Oye Alfie." He waited as the AI hummed around him.
"Yes Gajeel?" Alfie's voice came over the speakers and he dialed in on the coordinates more.
"How are Natsu and Lucy doing?"
"They are well. Gray arrived a few skrits ago via the Celestial Spirit." The AI informed him and he relaxed. Gray being back was a relief; and him being with Natsu and Lucy also reassured him that the knucklehead and blondie were going to be safer than they were with just Happy in their company. He knew that would also reassure Levy when she woke up.
"That's good. Anything else with them I need to know about?"
"Gray did not return alone." Alfie hummed and Gajeel wondered if it was Erza or General Jellal who had come back with Gray when the screen he was looking at split and he saw inside Natsu's Magi-Hover. He snarled.
"Waterwoman Juvia…" He had ran into her once before on a mission. She was a bounty hunter, and a ruthless one at that. He'd earned a few scars while fighting with her.
"She prefers Aquaterran but yes. She has agreed to help protect Natsu." Alfie said and Gajeel immediately turned his head and stared at the circuit board panel as if it was Alfie's face.
"Protect the Pyro? Why does he need her protection?"
"Apparently a Blazorek is on its way here and could harm or kill him."
"It can't ever be easy." Gajeel shook his head. "Well if she tries anything fishy you let me know. I have fought her before and I know how to win."
"Understood." Alfie hummed lightly and he watched as the screen returned to normal. "Your metrics are elevated. Should you return to Levy's side?"
"She's asleep."
"Yes. But being near your growlkin will help ease your elevated metrics. Even though she is asleep. And I believe it will also be beneficial to Levy."
"Are ya tryin' to play matchmaker Alfie? Cuz it ain't cute on ya." Gajeel crossed his arms and shook his hair back off of his neck.
"I am merely stating the obvious. You are the second Dragis in my recent recordings to have found their growlkin and I am seeing a pattern developing. And honestly, I do not like seeing the human females distressed."
"Tch…siding with your friends I see." Gajeel rolled his eyes and leaned on the console and looked at the readings. "To calm ya down; I'll go for a little while. We're gonna be close to PantherLilly's Magi-Hover soon. So it won't matter."
"I will notify you when we have arrived at our destination." Alfie said as Gajeel returned to Levy's room and knelt beside the bed and stared at her.
Asleep her face was lax, and for the first time is sckowls there weren't any tears on her face. Her skin was slightly rosy from the warmth of the multiple blankets he had covered her with; but seeing as she hadn't requested them be removed; she did prefer them. He looked at her metrics screen and shook his head. Her core body temperature was at what Alfie had pointed out was normal for humans. And was ridiculously low for any Dragis; even the Ice Dragis ran hotter than humans. How they survived he wasn't sure.
But Levy survived off of tenaciousness. He thought of the drone in a bag in a sealed box in a panel he'd hidden from everyone. He'd found it while stalking the camp site when all of the attention was on Levy and the others. At first he'd thought it was one that Eve or Alfie had lost; but once he'd pulled out the memory and hooked it to an off network comm device; he'd been beside himself. The drone was one that had been on autopilot; from what he could tell; and followed movement. So as soon as Levy had ran from the camp; with both demons on her heels; it had followed.
He closed his eyes; he could perfectly see and hear her taunting them. She'd been fearless; and so foolish. He opened his eyes and looked at her. Her right hand still heavily bandaged. Three of her fingers still broken, their tools unable to mend them properly due to being so low on fuel. He hoped PantherLilly had plenty in his Magi-Hover. If nothing else; he wanted her hand fixed. He knew that as a word magic user; her fingers were her tool. Just like his skin and scales were part of his tools. If he didn't have the ability to use them; he'd be on edge and worried about his usefulness as well. He reached out hesitantly and ran his fingertip along the bandages from her pinky to the back of her hand and up to her wrist where it stopped.
Her pale skin was marred with small little dots of pigments. Freckles Alfie had told him when he'd asked why they weren't washing off as he'd tended to her after the initial once over by Mirajean and Eve. He had noticed a few near the crease of her elbow that reminded him of constellations he'd seen while out on missions. He ran a hand over his eyes and shook his head.
He was thinking some seriously stupid thoughts. And all were revolving around her. And he blamed the bite. The forced bite.
"Forgive me Levy." He whispered and stared at her sleeping face, glad it looked serene for once.
"Gajeel, how is Levy?" PantherLilly asked as soon as he clasped his fellow warrior's forearm. He was in his attack state; standing taller than the metal Dragis before him.
"Asleep; rest is good for her." He said and looked at the others that were coming out of the Magi-Hover. He was feeling something rising within him but he couldn't identify the sensation. He pushed it to the back of his mind. "Who all is this?"
"These are allies." PantherLilly said and turned. "Minerva and Rufus of Sabertooth Guild Station; and their Exceed cohorts Frosch and Lector."
"Heyah!" A small Exceed in what looked like a pink frog costume waved at him from around PantherLilly's legs. Gajeel merely cocked an eyebrow as he shook his hand in the air twice stiffly. Minerva was a female who could have passed for human if not for the faint green tint to her skin that matched her eyes; making her black hair pop against the cooler color of her complexion. Rufus looked like a dead ringer for Freed except he was blonde where the Valorian had green locks.
"Pleasure to meet you; sorry it isn't under better circumstances." The male said as he felt Gajeel look him over.
"Yeah…do you all have any spare medical supplies?"
"Yes, what happened to yours?" PantherLilly said and started tapping on the open panel of his Magi-Hover.
"Used. My Magi-Hover was the only one not damaged even slightly. Everyone else's supplies were already low; but the black energy bomb and demon attacks….wiped out what supplies we had. Wendy still hasn't regained enough strength to heal anyone. And Levy is in a bad way."
"How bad of a way?" Minerva asked and crossed her arms over her chest.
"She'll survive. But healing is slow." He snarled and she held her hands up.
"I didn't mean to insinuate if she was in a bad way it would be a waste of supplies." She shook her head and shifted her stance. "Just that if we had a better idea of her injuries; we could determine which supplies would be the best for her needs."
"Alfie? Ya in this scrap heap?" He asked and all five stared at him before PantherLilly's Magi-Hover rumbled a little and they stared at it.
"Yes…this system is older; it hasn't been overhauled in several Solar rotations. Probably a good thing considering." The AI announced and lit up a screen on the panel of the door. The screen ran through a series of images before stopping on a familiar one for Gajeel—Levy's health metrics.
"What is that?" Rufus asked leaning forward a bit.
"Looks hard to read to me." Lector said and scratched his furry head.
"Levy's health metrics." Gajeel stated and PantherLilly looked at him before shifting his view to the screen.
"She's cold…her pulse is erratic."
"She's always cold. Humans run that low on average." He stated calmly and all five looked at him. "Humans are weird. Just accept that and move on."
"Who is Levy?" Minerva asked as Alfie started a running list of medical things that could help with her injuries; as well as ones that could help with Wendy's injuries too.
"She's…" Gajeel stopped for a second and huffed out an annoyed breath. "A member of Fairy Tail."
"I see…" He turned trying to ignore the way that Minerva was staring at him, and PantherLilly grabbed his arm and he stopped and looked over at his friend.
"The information you provided when you called for our immediate arrival was vague. What happened."
Gajeel looked at his Magi-Hover and then to the five of them. He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath.
"She lured two Demons from the book of Zeref away from everyone who was injured in Mard Geer's black energy bomb attack. Fought 'em both and ran 'em ragged. In the end she was tortured by 'em too. But she never gave 'em anything, defied them every chance she got...up until the very end. When I finally found her; one got the edge on me and I never saw 'em coming. Levy was on the ground; dyin' and she used the last of her magic to protect me. That's what happened. That's who Levy is."
"Shit." Lector gasped and Frosch trembled from behind PantherLilly and tears filled his eyes. Rufus and Minerva shared a look and she lowered her gaze, contrite.
"I'm sorry…I didn't mean…"
"I ain't angry." Gajeel snarled. "Not at anyone here."
"Liar. You loath yourself for letting her get hurt." PantherLilly rebuked and he nodded after a hesitant moment and looked at them. They each offered him a tight lipped look; save Frosch who looked like he was about to start wailing.
"Gajeel?" Rufus' mouth dropped open as Gajeel turned and saw Aries stepping out of the Magi-Hover. He tensed.
"Is Wendy okay?"
"Yes…I am getting a request to return to base…may I leave and return?"
"You can do whatever you want. Don't need to ask me." He said and the pinkette lowered her head and shook it.
"My Celestial Mage ordered me to stay with Wendy and Levy but…"
"Go but be quick. If Lucy happens to ask, I'll just say yer busy or somethin'."
"Thank you." She nodded and waved before disappearing in a soft pink glow.
"Who was that?" Lector asked and jumped up onto Rufus's shoulder and the blonde also looked at the Dragis.
"That was Aries, the Zodiac Guard." Minerva answered for him and he nodded. "I heard rumors that the Celestial Mage had been found by Fairy Tail Guild Station; but I didn't think it was true."
"Well it is." Gajeel said and looked at them. "That gonna be a problem?"
"No sir. It's the exact opposite of a problem." Rufus smiled at him. His expression hopeful. "That could turn the tides in this war."
"Which we desperately need." Minerva added.
"Then we're in luck. We got her." He turned towards his Magi-Hover. With Aries gone he didn't want to not be in it. "Grab the medical supplies and come on over. I wanna start on Wendy first. I'd like her to have a say in Levy's healing journey."
"Sounds like a plan Gajeel." PantherLilly said as he watched the Dragis walking away. Frosch tugged on his pant leg and he looked down. He knelt and the smaller Exceed leapt onto his forearm and put a paw on his shoulder for stability.
"Frosh thinks he's scared."
"So do I, but I'm not sure of what." PantherLilly muttered and turned back to his own Magi-Hover. Rufus, Minerva and Lector were quickly packing supplies and talking animatedly about seeing a real Zodiac Guard with their own eyes.
"Come back here." Bixlow hissed as Lisanna crawled further away from him and Loke through the tall grasses; not disturbing them at all. They had happened on a large group of people around a fire and she was getting closer to them then he thought was safe. She ignored him and kept crawling; only to stop right behind a large wooden box that looked like it had been there a while.
"Did you see that dust dome? That wasn't natural." A female said and everyone murmured softly.
"Name one natural thing anymore." A male asked and there was silence.
"We can't keep moving like this. Eventually our luck is gonna wear out." Another male voice, younger, said and there were murmurs of agreement.
"I can't find any of the others. We were supposed to meet a few days ago and they never got to the rendezvous point." Another female said and there as silence. "I think they were picked up by militants."
"Yeah, I haven't seen or heard a dragnoid in days either. Since that crazy night with all the falling stars." The first male said and Lisanna titled her head back on her shoulders and peered around the box. Four men, five women by the looks of their shadows.
She shimmed to the side and saw Loke's hair on the opposite side of the fire and wondered what he was thinking. He'd been quiet since they'd left. Letting Bixlow make most of the plans. She wondered if he was still in shock from being appointed the new leader of the Zodiac Guards. Bixlow had told her that he'd looked ready to vomit when he'd first heard; but she hadn't seen his expression until after he'd lit up like a Christmas tree in his new armor.
She looked at the box and tried to make out the stickers and writing on it; but it was too dark and the light from the fire was flickering too much to see anything properly. She bit down on her lip and wiggled backwards away from the light. She hated spying on people but at the same time she was glad to realize that these people weren't with Mard Geer.
"Have you all heard the talk of a united force…?" A man started to ask and everyone shifted around.
"Don't say his name….it's cursed. When people say it; monsters come and take people away." A woman scolded and stood up. "I've lost my children and my husband to those monsters. I heard there are people…who go against him. They're who I'm looking for."
"You want to fight…? Are you crazy?"
"I want to die for something, not die being scared." She said and wrapped her arms around her waist. "I lost everything, but I won't lose the last of my pride and humanity by siding with whoever tries to rule with monsters on their side."
"What if those going against him have monsters?" The man asked and Lisanna sighed and shook her head. He wasn't a hundred percent wrong with that thinking. She shifted and nearly screamed when she saw Bixlow inches from her face. He stuck his tongue out and she rolled her eyes. She pointed at herself and then pointed at them and waggled her eyebrows. He looked away and she saw the barrel toys of his moving on his side. After a few moments he turned and nodded. She wiggled back further and stood up and took a deep breath.
"Excuse me?" All nine people froze and looked over; several grabbing weapons and holding them up. She came into the light and held her hands up and spun around slowly; showing that she was unarmed.
"What are you doing out here all alone?" A woman asked and stared at her.
"I am not alone, but my friends aren't close by." Lisanna lied and crossed her fingers behind her back. "We're looking for survivors."
"Who are your friends?"
"I'm not with the guy with the evil monsters." She said and held her hands out.
"But you are friends with monsters?" A man asked and tightened his hold on his weapon.
"In a way." Lisanna said and lifted her chin. "Given you all have seen the draconics; or dragnoids; the truth isn't going to be too weird.'
"What is the truth?"
"There are aliens out there…and on Earth." She said and tilted her head and screwed up her face. "And some can be…monstrous especially given they have crazy powers. But the ones I know are nice; and they want to rid the world of all dragnoids and free us of his desired control. Him being a very very bad alien."
"He's not…that tracks." The first woman said and nodded, pounding her fist in her hand. "And your allies are good aliens?"
"The best I've met." Lisanna said and nodded. "They saved my brother and sister from dragnoid injuries. Took us in; fed us, healed us, gave us a place to call home in this chaos."
"So do they have a lot of fighters?" One of the quieter men asked and Lisanna stared at the fire and everything got blurry in front of her.
"Why is she crying?" One of the other girls asked softly and she lifted her hand to her face. She wiped at the tears.
"I'm sorry…we lost a lot of people not long ago…he convinced members of an alien alliance to turn against us and…its still fresh."
"I'm sorry." The woman said and Lisanna shook her head and inhaled deeply, straightening her shoulders.
"Me too. But we're all in this to the end; no matter the cost. If you want to get somewhere safe; we'll help you find some place to hide. If you want to fight, you are welcome to join us. We need all the help we can get, but we won't force anyone to fight if that isn't what they want to do."
"Why are you willing to help us if we don't help you?" The quiet man asked and she looked at him.
"Because; there is no point in forcing people to fight. We'll fight with or without you by our sides. We will always protect this world and try to protect those who live here." She shook her head, tightening her fist and looking at the fire. "We'll fight until our last breaths, because we choose to. No other reason. But our decision isn't the decision of others. And we respect that."
"I'll join. I'm nothing special, but I can fight." The woman said and walked up and held her hand out.
"Welcome to the fight then." Lisanna said and took a deep breath. She looked at the others. "The choice is yours."
"Where are these friends of yours?" One of the quiet women asked and Lisanna pulled her hand away from the first woman.
"Around. Waiting to make sure we don't need to worry about anything."
"Spying?"
"Protecting." Lisanna argued with the man who had spat out the word she'd used herself in her head a little while ago. "And if you all promise not to attack, I'll ask one to come out and say hello."
"Just one?"
"Better than none. You all might be acting like you are open minded but the truth is; you could attack him and me and then what?"
"She's got a point. Let's give them some slack." The fighter woman said and looked at Lisanna.
"I'm fine with it just being one." She said and shrugged and looked around. "Where are they coming from?"
"Bixlow…Come on out." Lisanna called while pointing to the side where he had been the last time she'd seen him. He materialized and everyone tensed then relaxed a little.
"He's human, you are just messing with…" The man's words trailed off as Bixlow's eyes started to glow and his tongue unfurled.
"Oh." Two of the women whispered in unison and Lisanna felt her cheeks warm up at the tone of their one word response. She held her hand out and he grabbed it and stepped to up closer.
"Hello." He let his tongue wag and Lisanna rolled her eyes and elbowed him. His tongue recoiled and he grinned down at her. "Like the little lady said, I'm Bixlow. And while I wish we could sit and learn each others tragic backstories; we need to get moving. Got word that there is a group of people marching this way."
"Marching? You sure?" Lisanna asked worried and he nodded. She turned and look at them.
"Its up to you. Trust us; or take your chances with whoever is coming."
"I'm in."
"Me too."
"Why not." All of the woman said and the men nodded and stood up. Lisanna pointed at the box.
"Whose is this?"
"It's been here for a few days." The fighter said. "We've been using it as a landmark to know where to meet."
"Hmmm…Bix, hand me a scanning tool. I want Alfie to investigate what it is." She said and he handed over a long slender silver tool. She walked around it as the tool glowed lightly over the box.
"It is filled with…projectiles."
"Projectiles?" Lisanna asked as the humans turned to look around. Bixlow pointed to the small black square on Lisanna's hip. Alfie's voice perked up, and they realized the voice was coming from the square.
"Yes…according to the air files…these are called…bullets."
"That's why they're marching this way. They probably didn't have the means to move these." Lisanna turned to Bixlow. "Get the people out of here. Loke and I will get rid of these so they can't be used against us."
"What are bullets?" He asked as he watched the humans starting to grab their possessions.
"They're the things that got shot at everyone when Mard Geer and his group was in the street. Before the..hybrids…" She said and he nodded remembering.
"Those small metal things."
"They may be small but they're lethal."
"Lisanna, where do you want these taken to?" Loke asked, appearing quickly and a woman whistled which made everyone turn to look. She blushed and then shrugged.
"I would apologize but mama always said works of art need to be admired."
"Lynn." The fighter sighed and rubbed her eyes.
"When was the last time you say a man in a tailored suit? Come on." Lynn defended and Lisanna giggled and shook her head. She looked back at Loke.
"Take it to Laxus, and meet up with us as quickly as you can. He'll decide what to do with them."
"On it." He put his hand on top of the box and he and it disappeared in a soft golden light.
"Whoa…" A guy said and blinked. "How'd he do that?"
"It's something his kind can do. They all have different powers and skills." Lisanna said and walked over. "We're going to head down this street and we need to be quiet and move as quickly as possible. Okay?"
"Yeah." They nodded and followed them, Lisanna leading with Bixlow following up. His wooden toys floated around, confusing and worrying the new humans. But as they hit a cleared intersection; their mouths dropped open when Laxus stepped out of thin air.
"Holy…" One of the women said and the other closest to her clamped a hand over her mouth. Laxus looked at them and then to Lisanna. Loke came out next followed by Freed.
"What's with these people?" Laxus asked and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Survivors. Some want to fight and some don't. You are part of the planning team. Plan what to do with them." Lisanna said and turned to the others.
"Laxus looks grumpy…and he is…but he'll take care of you as long as you don't do anything stupid."
"Good to know." One of the men said and handed his weapon over to Freed. The others did too even though they were hesitant. Lisanna didn't ask what he was doing with them. She turned and grabbed Bixlow's arm.
"Come on…I want to get back to those marching guys before they turn tail and run to Mard Geer. We may glean something from them if we can get close to where the box was."
"Look at you, all deviously clever and things." He said and nodded his head that he'd follow her. She started back the way they came but a clear ringing voice stopped them. She turned on her heel and looked at the woman who had offered to fight.
"Just going to leave me behind? I want to fight."
"And Laxus will make sure you are in the right place to do that. Bixlow, Loke and I are reconnaissance. I'm sorry…uh…what's your name?"
"Mickey." The female said and tugged on a stripped glove and looked from Lisanna to Laxus. "I'll stay but don't get yourselves killed out there trying to be spies."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Bixlow winked and then he and Lisanna disappeared down the darkening street. Mickey turned and looked at Freed who was handing out the weapons again. As she took her's Freed stared her hard in the eye.
"You aren't going to be trouble are you…Miss Mickey?"
"No Mr. Greenhair, I'm not." She said and pushed passed him and Laxus' lips quirked ever so slightly.