Rave Master Fan Fiction ❯ Upon a Shooting Star ❯ Chapter 12: The Payback and Bonding ( Chapter 12 )

Author’s Corner:
SSD: Morning all, I’m sure quite a few of you are excited for today’s chapter. *smirk*Laxus: *smirk* This is going to be fun.Lucy: *jump* Laxus! *glares and starts beating his arm* You better not be planning anything dirty!Laxus: *ignoring hits* *rolls eyes* I said I don’t go for kids, Blondie. Chill, it won’t be that bad…if you survive.Lucy: *stops* *gulp* S-survive? I’m too young to die, idiot!SSD: You won’t die. That’ll disappoint the fans. Speaking of, I guess I’m keeping pairings tucked to my chest since no one wants to know.Laxus: They clicked because you paired me and Blondie together, I don’t think they care about the other weaklings.Lacy: *smacks him* Be nice! And you’re blonde too!Laxus: *rolls eyes* Whatever. The second blondie doesn’t own Fairy Tail, that belongs to me. All the others do, so keep your hands to yourselves before I fry them off.SSD: *deadpan* Tanks for the lovely disclaimer. Onward!
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Chapter 12: The Payback and Bonding

Laxus smirked as he strode into the guild much later than he normally did. His eyes roved over the crowd before homing in on the petite blonde sitting in front of Azule at the bar, contently drinking a smoothie. [Not today, Blondie.] A sadistic grin worked its way onto his face as he stalked forward, causing the weaklings in front of him to jump out of the way in fright. He stopped just behind Blondie and waited for her to notice him…and waited…and waited…the blonde teen gave a twitch and an irritated growl.Azule rolled her eyes. “What, Laxus? It’s Sunday and you know I don’t sell beer until after 11.”Lucy jumped and turned her seat, blinking as she stared up at Laxus. “Uhh…hi?” She gave a wavering grin.Laxus’ smirk returned as he recalled what brought him to the bar. “Thanks for the offer, Azule, but I got a different bone to pick. He hauled Lucy up by the back of her jacket, the girl squeaking in surprise. “I owe Blondie here a bit of payback.” His grin turned cruel.Lucy paled.“LAXUS!” Storm gray eyes twitched to the side, turning hard as he saw his grandfather looking quite displeased. “Put Lucy down right now.”Laxus jerked up a bit, lightly tossing Lucy a few more inches before he comfortably caught her around the waist, the girl blushing brilliantly once she noticed their position. “What? We’re just talking like good friends do, Gramps. That is what this guild is all about, isn’t it?” He sneered in disgust, tightening his hold a bit as Lucy wiggled against him. [That feels surprisingly…You don’t do kids, Laxus, that’s just fucking creepy.] He twitched internally but kept his eyes trained on Makarov. “You all were singing her praises yesterday, I just thought I’d see them for myself. A mission.”Makarov blinked in surprise. [A mission? Laxus never takes anyone on a mission unless it’s the Thunder God Tribe…what is he planning?] “A mission? Which one?”Laxus smirked and knew his grandfather wouldn’t be able to turn this one down. He held the flier out to him and watched as the old geezer’s face lit up.“I see, in that case, I wish you both the best. Don’t forget to bring back souvenirs.” He smiled giddily and hopped back down, running up to his office.Lucy blinked in shock at the Master’s reaction and trembled a bit. [Oh God…what is he going to make me do?!]Laxus’ grin turned feral and he turned to walk out the door.“Laxus.”He growled in irritation and looked back, glaring at Azule. “What?”Azule glared at him. “You better take care of her, you hear? Or else you’ll be the one dealing with her father.”Laxus scoffed at that. “Whatever, Blondie’ll be just fine. It’s an easy S-class after all.” He smirked and left as the guild erupted in pandemonium.Lucy’s eyes bugged. “EH?! I’m not S-class so why am I going?! Won’t I get in trouble?”Laxus rolled his eyes, still keeping a firm hold on the blonde. “No, because you’re going on it, officially, with me. The others will meet us there.”Lucy gulped. “The others? The Thunder God Tribe?”Laxus smirked. “Good Blondie, maybe you won’t turn out to be another piece of T&A.”Lucy blinked and then flushed darkly as she glared at him. “Perverted Jerk. What’s this supposedly easy mission?”Laxus headed to the station and was about to pay for their tickets when Lucy flashed her pass to the ticket manager. The Lightning Mage blinked as he was waved through and looked down at her, finally setting the girl on her feet. “What did you do?”Lucy huffed and pulled out her badge as they boarded the train. “My last name is Heartfilia, Spark Plug, I get a free pass to any train as a perk of being the owner’s daughter.”Laxus blinked, not expecting that as an answer. “Tch…I thought you were from a branch family. Shouldn’t you be off in a mansion living the high life?” He kicked back in his seat, his feet up on the other end. He looked slightly paler than normal, but it was easy to miss.Lucy shrugged. “I tried that, but it didn’t suit me. Dad let me join because he promised my mother before she died that he’d always keep me happy. I could easily have been like most of the other high-born kids and have my future planned out for me.”Laxus’ eyes narrowed a bit. “What’s so wrong about that?”Lucy glared at him. “How would you feel if you were told that just because you were so-and-so’s son, you had to marry a complete and utter harpy that grated on your nerves constantly and complained about nothing, just so you could “increase the family fortune”.”Laxus snorted and gave a slight grimace as the train jerked into motion. “I’d tell them to fuck off.”“A lot would like to, but they’re scared about losing their comfortable life because then they would be disowned.”“Weaklings and cowards, then. I hate dealing with upperclass snobs.” His face paled a bit more, but Laxus managed to hide the reaction.Lucy sighed. “Which is why I did my training. Aquarius taught me in Water Magic, I’m still not proficient in it enough, though, because I need to have a source nearby. Capricorn…” Lucy hitched before continuing. “Capricorn taught me meditation techniques to help boost my magic abilities. I still keep up with it, which was how I lasted so long during my fights at the Junelle Estate.”Laxus raised an eyebrow. “What was that about, anyway?” His stomach lurched and he fought the urge to drown everything out with his sound pods like usual. [Besides…knowing her abilities will help in planning.]Lucy blinked. “Oh, well…on the mission Cana, Kalia and I took, I got the key that belonged to Cassiopeia, the Prideful Queen. She’s a support spirit for daily life, pretty much a lawyer and an accountant rolled into one. I brought her out when we got to the Konzern so she could help my dad with the books.” Her face darkened. “My dad has a horrible sense of monetary value, despite being a brilliant businessman…he thought nothing of a train ride costing 100000J.”Laxus blinked and stared, twitching slightly. “…your old man has no common sense.”Lucy giggled. “He does, just not when it comes to money. Anyway, she found a trail of such receipts and traced them to one Gregory Sunar, Lady Junelle’s brother.”Laxus deadpanned. “…corporate espionage and embezzlement?”Lucy nodded. “Yeah. We then snuck into the Junelle estate to get the proof and were caught by Lady Junelle and the mage she hired for security, Karen Lilica.”Laxus nodded in thought. “I think I remember her…weakling but a killer body.” He blinked as he felt a dark aura surround Lucy. “What? I told you I don’t go for kids so don’t go getting jealous.”Lucy glared at him. “She was an abhorrent women, but what she did, while evil…was still nothing to what Junelle did to her spirits.” Her fists clenched in renewed anger. “I should’ve destroyed that stupid jewel instead of letting the Rune Knights take it. Those things…they shouldn’t exist, that sort of magic is cruel, even more than torture.”Laxus blinked at Lucy’s vehement speech, motion sickness momentarily forgotten in light of this intriguing turn. “What did it do?”Lucy took a breath. “It robbed a spirit of their free will whenever Junelle channeled her magic into it. Taurus and Cephues…they were…broken…that reminds me, when we get to our next stop, I need to contract the keys I won.” Her lip curled in distaste at the word.Laxus raised an eyebrow. “I thought that was how you Celestial types operated? Strongest gets the loser’s keys?”Lucy huffed. “That’s a concept brought up by greedy and selfish humans that later became the normal practice. But no, I prefer finding my keys, it helps create a stronger bond between us. Although…if I see another Celestial Mage mistreating their spirits the way those two did…I won’t hesitate to challenge them. I know our connections will prevail, especially since I’ll be beside them the entire fight.”Laxus blinked. “Huh?”Lucy sighed, silently wondering how many times she would have to repeat this part. “My spirits aren’t tools to me, their my friends and family. Scorpio, Aquarius, Cancer and Capricorn all helped me and dad get through the grief of my mom’s death, along with being mentors to me. That’s not a relationship easily forged and-“ Lucy blinked as gold sparkled beside her and she sweatdropped. [Oh no…don’t tell me…]A hand took Lucy’s in its own and its owner brought hers to their lips. “My dear warrior princess, your valiant prince is here to serve.” Leo looked up at her.Lucy blinked and blushed faintly. “L-Lo-Leo? Weren’t you, like…20 earlier?”Leo smiled and sat beside her, arm sliding around her shoulders…and he looked distinctively younger, close to Lucy’s own age. “Yes, but I felt my princess would be more comfortable with me in this form.”Laxus twitched slightly, a low growl coming from him. He blinked in confusion, not knowing why he had that reaction. “So, you’re the leader of the Zodiacs?”Leo looked over. “Yes, and I’m here to make sure you don’t do anything to my princess, Neanderthal.”A vein bulged slightly over Laxus’ eye. “…what did you just call me?”Leo smirked and sat back, tilting his head into Lucy’s hair as the girl blushed a deep crimson and tried scooting away. “A Neanderthal, since apparently you’re all muscle and no brain.”Laxus twitched, stating to spark. Lucy panicked. “Leo, I’ll talk to you later, can you tell the others that I’ll be contracting them later today?”Leo sighed sadly. “Very well, my princess. Until next time.” He blew her a kiss and vanished back to spirit world. Lucy sighed in relief and blinked as the train gave a lurch, causing Laxus’ face to go green. “…Laxus?”“Urk…I’m fine.” He put his sound pods over his ears, cranked up the music and leaned back, giving no indication he was sick. His expression faltered over another jostle of the cart and Lucy sighed, patting the seat beside her and next to his feet.She scooted over to the wall. “Get over here, it works on Natsu.”Laxus growled. “I do not have-“Lucy glared at him. “Get over here and don’t make me tell you again.”Laxus blinked, his stomach doing a weird churn at the authoritative command as he grudgingly got up and sat beside her. [Just the motion sickness…yeah…] Lucy tugged him down and laid his head in her lap. She slowly combed her finger in his hair and hummed the lullaby she remembered her mother teaching her. Her fingers worked her way in and gently massaged his scalp. Laxus’ eyelids slowly lowered, looking up at her in a slight daze. The younger teen blushed a bit and looked away, out the window, as she continued her ministrations.[He…does look kind of cute like that. No! Bad Lucy! You’re still 13! ….why is that suddenly feeling like a bad thing?] Lucy internally wailed as she mentally banged her head on a wall.“Tch…I guess you have to do something right…” Laxus closed his eyes, missing Lucy’s scowl.[…forget cute, he’s still an insufferable jackass…just a cute one. ARGH!]“If you say so, spark plug. You know, you never did tell me the mission.”“Casino’s been getting robbed once a month lately, same guys but they haven’t caught them. We’re going to be undercover as employees in order to catch them, and any card sharks and cheaters.”“Uhh…Laxus? I’m 13. I don’t think they’ll be interested-“ She blinked as Laxus lazily handed her the flier. “ ‘Glamor magic available upon request for mages not older than 16’ …..why do I have a bad feeling about this?”Laxus smirked as he drifted into a light doze. [On the bright side, this is a good way to see if Blondie will be worth my time in a few years…]Meanwhile, Lucy despaired. […I just know this is going to end up humiliating…I just know it!]
Lucy blinked as she stared up at the casino. “…wow, this is a pretty large casino.”Laxus shrugged, guiding her in. “Eh, it’s supposed to the largest in all Earthland, but I doubt that.”“Laxus!”“Laxus-sama!”Evergreen an d Freed both ran up to Laxus and tackled him. Laxus twitched as Bickslow watched on in amusement a safe distance away.“Ever, Freed. Let go.”Evergreen scowled before glaring at Lucy. “You’ll be rooming with me, we already secured the rooms and informed the client of our arrival.” She sniffed. “The bangle you’ll have to wear is in the room, supposedly the magic takes into account your current habits and calculates the most attractive outcome for you in a set number of years. This one s programmed for the legal age of 17.” She grabbed Lucy’s wrist and started dragging the girl away.Bickslow smirked. “Sunshine has no idea what she’s in for, is she?”Laxus smirked back. “Not a clue. Did you find any leads?”Freed nodded. “Indeed, by my calculations, the next strike will be in two days.”Laxus grinned sadistically. “Good, plenty of time for Blondie to learn her lesson.”Lucy looked down at the golden jewelry suspiciously. Evergreen tapped her foot impatiently. “Just put it on! It isn’t cursed.”Lucy grumbled and slid the bangle on, shuddering at the odd feel of magic washing over her.Evergreen gaped at her, a jealous glint flashing in her eyes as the glamour settled over Lucy. “What? It can’t be that bad…right?”The Fairy Mage huffed. “It’s hideous. Let’s go meet with the boys.” She turned on her heel to head back to the rest of her team.Lucy shuffled and turned to the mirror. She tilted her head, seeing…not quite her old self. “…if I have to admit, I look better than I did before…” She struck a few poses before Evergreen yelled back at her to hurry up. Lucy took off running and then grimaced. [Oh God…what’s Laxus going to do when he sees me like this, no, he said he wasn’t into………why is he looking at me like that?!] Lucy freaked as they met back up with the rest of the Thunder God Tribe.Laxus turned when he scented Evergreen’s familiar perfume and the strawberries that permeated Lucy’s scent. He blinked as he saw a blonde bombshell walking behind Ever, absently noting she was wearing what looked like Lucy’s clothes, but his eyes locked on the bouncing breasts, wide hips, the smooth toned muscles defined by the jeans she was wearing…then his brain snapped back at him that-[Holy shit…THAT’S Blondie in a few years? ….I’m fucked.]Bickslow blinked behind his mask, looking between his leader and the blonde as a light bulb goes off in his mind. [So…Laxus likes Sunshine? With a body like that waiting, I can see why. She’s pretty hot. Ah well, best buds always play wingman, so…] The Seith Mage smirked. [I’ll help Boss get his girl when she actually looks like that. Yep.] His tongue lolled out as he grinned in mischief.Evergreen glared at Lucy, noticing the look Laxus was sending her. […Laxus is supposed to be mine!]Lucy shifted. “So…uh…are we going to go see the client?”Laxus snapped back to reality. “Yeah. Freed, show us the way.”Freed nodded. “Of course, Laxus-sama, this way. Our costumes have already been selected.”Lucy froze before stiffly following them. [Costumes? Oh no…ohnonononono, I REALLY have a bad feeling about this!]Sure enough, after the discussion with the owner of the establishment and securing the promise of reward, the group was lead to a dressing room. Lucy backed away from the thing in front of her.“No, you can’t make me wear this! Absolutely not!”Laxus smirked in his own stall. “It can’t be that bad, Blondie, just put it on.”“But, but…”“Keep complaining and I keep your part of the reward.”“….”Lucy growled and reluctantly put on the outfit. She stepped out and took a look at the others, blushing as she realized she was the last one out.Freed wore an early 18th century suit, not much different from his usual outfit, but had a black domino mask over his eyes.Evergreen wore a tasteful Victorian style gown in green that just covered her guild mark from sight. The dress ruffled out and down to her feet in a flowing fabric that shimmered faintly.Bickslow was in an outfit similar to Freed’s, but in a dark blue. Lucy blinked as he looked…quite different without his mask now that she didn’t have to worry about fighting off his Figure Eyes.Her attention turned to Laxus and she had to hold back an amused snort as the disgruntled teen was dressed to appear like a lion. A mane of golden fur circled around his shoulders, attached to the similarly colored open vest. Lucy really did try not to ogle at the sculpted abs that were displayed, nor the way the tan leather pants clung to Laxus’ legs, edged faintly in fur, and led down to golden sandals.Laxus couldn’t tear his eyes away and cursed himself for deciding on this method of payback. Lucy’s future curved were hugged tightly by a white leotard, opaque white stockings going down shapely legs to white high heels covered in white fur to mimic rabbit’s feet. He knew it was wrong, oh so wrong…especially when he realized the clothing was made for a 13 year-old and made to look that way due to the glamour. His stomach churned in disgust, even as his other head disagreed.Lucy fidgeted, cursing her luck as she crossed the bunny paws across her chest. [Why do I always end up in this situation?! At least it isn’t like that one cat outfit I had to wear…] Lucy shuddered. “So…do we start?”Laxus gulped and then nodded seriously. “Right. You and me are in the Animal Kingdom area, Freed, Bicks are taking the cabaret, Ever’s heading to the Victorian area. You all have your assignments, let’s catch these fuckers.”Lucy internally wailed as Laxus wrapped an arm around her. “Let’s go, Blondie.”[This is going to suck.] [I am so, so, soooo fucked…]
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Author’s Postscript:
SSD: Mwuahahaha, I left it at a lovely cliffy there.Lucy: *cherry red* ….why…just why?SSD: *smirk* For one, Laxus is getting punished by this too. His fault for lack of foresight.Laxus: *grimace* Yeah…damn it, why aren’t there aging spells she can use?SSD: Because that would be cheating. And you would only be in it for the fuck instead of getting to know her.Laxus: ….I really despise you right now.SSD: Because you know I’m right. Anyway, it’s not that bad. Really.Lucy and Lxus: Says you!SSD: See? You’re agreeing already.Lucy: …Laxus: …Lucy: I have the whip.Laxus: I’ll tie her down and bring the electroshock.SSD: *panicking* Uhh…guys? You…*yelp and dodge whiplash* I’ll be back with another chapter once these two calm down. Don’t forget to review and see you next time. By-*BZZZZT* *twitch*