Maya

"You're going to regret picking a fight with us," Elise said.

Laxus raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

Without warning, a bolt of lighting struck Elise. She was thrown back several feet, and even went through a few trees.

"You bastard," the male charged at Laxus, a weird circle coming from his hand. But whatever he planned to do never happened. Laxus shot lightning at him, even more than he had given Elise. The man flew back, landing next to his female companion. The two were fried, unconscious on the ground. "Hmm," Laxus crossed his arms. "That was too easy. Those two idiots never stood a chance." He turned his attention towards me. "Are you alright?"

I squirmed a little from where I sat, slightly nervous for the upcoming converstaion, slightly scared that he would electrocute me too. If he did, that wouldn't be very shocking. I'm sorry, but that pun was necessary. "Yeah, I'm fine. They didn't hurt me. Do you mind untying me?"

He walked over and quickly untied my bounds. I stood up, rubbing my arms where the ropes had been. "Thanks for rescuing me."

"No problem," Laxus nodded. "What did they want with you, anyway?"

I shrugged. "I have no idea." I hate lying.

We glanced over towards the two, shocked to see that they were already gone.

"Where'd those two idiots go?" Laxus growled. I took a cautious step back. "I can't just leave you here," he suddenly said to me. "You're going to have to come with me for a while."

"W-what?!" I stuttered. "N-no I'm fine! I don't need to travel with anyone."

"You don't have much of a choice," he growled. "Unless if you want those to come after you again."

That shut me up immediately. He had a point. Plus, Laxus was a lot more trustworthy than those two.

"So where were you going?"

I sighed. "No where in particular. I'm looking for a friend, but I have no idea where to look for her."

"Could your friend have been taken by those two?"

I winced at the thought. How had it not occured to me before? "Maybe... But we got seperated a while ago, and I have a feeling she hasn't."

Laxus nodded at my uncertainty. "For her sake-and yours-I hope she hasn't been taken by them. Those two were members of a dark guild."

"Dark guild?" My face went slack. A dark guild doesn't sound like something I want to have a hold of me.

Laxus nodded. "Yes. A dark guild is a guild full of evil wizards, who had their rights taken away, for being evil. They'll kill, kidnap, do just about anything if you pay enough money. Those particular wizards that wanted you are a part of a guild called Black Dagger." A thoughtfull look came across his face.

"What?" I asked, noticing how lost in thought he looked. I tried to prevent myself from shaking. A dark guild wanted me and Lyra because we're from another dimension? That sounded ridiculous, but I knew it was true. Hunger and pain kinda tells you reality from a dream.

"Its just... Black Dagger has been really quiet with their activity the last thirty years. I find it strange that suddenly they're on the move again, and their first thought was to kidnap some innocent girl."

I'm not what you think. The words almost slipped out of my mouth, but I managed to stop myself. Mostly by almost biting off my tongue.

My stomach growled.

Laxus suddenly had a look on his face as if he was trying not to laugh.

"What?" I demanded, glaring at him. This is a serious situation!

Once he was calm again, he spoke up. "Sorry. I just thought that that was the most ridiculous way to ruin a mood."

I crossed my arms and looked away. "It's not like it's my fault," I said defensivley. "I missed supper yesterday."

Laxus smirked. "C'mon. There's a town that's not too far from here."

He started walking away, not even checking to see if I was coming. I picked up my phone and Gildarts' lacrima, then ran after him, after sliding my phone into my back pocket. "Are you sure?" I asked, looking up at the tall man. Since when was he allowed to be taller than me?! "I don't have any money..."

"That's fine, I'll just pay. To be honest, that doesn't surprise me."

"Why not?"

"I don't know..." He looked into space for a moment. "You just have this... Otherworldly feel to you."

I rubbed my arm nervously, but didn't say anything.

We walked to the town in silence. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that he rescued me, but what am I supposed to say? Hey Laxus, I lied about not knowing what they want with me. I'm from another dimension and they somehow dragged me here. Yeah, cause saying that won't make him think I'm losing my marbles.

On the way there, something strange had happened. We started hearing music.

My eyes widened in surprise. This time, I recognized this song, mostly because it was more than one word. It was You Make Me Sick by Of Mice and Men.

Laxus looked around wildly. I realized he heard the song too. "What the hell? Where's that music coming from?! I've never heard a song like this before." He turned to me. "Do you recognize it, Maya?"

I shrugged. "I-it sounds familiar, but I can't recall where I heard it before."

"I can sense magic energy coming from it. I've never heard of any music magic before."

I began to tremble, but I tried to calm my nerves. It was a song Laxus didn't recognize, but I did. He could sense magic energy coming from it, but he's never heard of music magic before. Could Lyra be the cause of this?

Suddenly, the music stopped. Laxus stopped looking around, but then noticed I was trembling. "Are you alright?"

I nodded. "Let's just, uh, get to the town now."

He gave me a skeptical look, but nodded and walked off, me close behind.

Once we got to the town, we went to a restaurant and ordered breakfast.

As we were waiting for the food, I decided to strike up a conversation. "So, uh, what were you doing in the forest?"

"I was just traveling," Laxus answered. I could tell he wouldn't explain any further.

I nodded, uncertain of what to say next. This is why I try to avoid people.

"I know a place where you'll be safe," he suddenly said.

"Sweet. Where is it?" After I said that, I realized that even if he named the town or city or whatever, I would still have no idea how to get there.

"Magnolia. We'll take the train at the next town over, since none reaches here. You'll get there a lot faster. Plus, the people there could help you find your friend."

"Really?" The thought excited me. I suddenly can't wait to get to Magnolia!

"Yeah," he nodded, noticing my mood getting brighter. "On the way there, I think I should teach you some magic, though."

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"That way you'll have some way to protect yourself. I doubt that Black Dagger is going to stop looking for you after they've been foiled once. They must have some reason to want you."

"Thanks," I smiled. "For helping me, bringing me to Magnolia, and helping me learn magic."

"No problem," he smirked, just as our food arrived. "We'll get going as soon as we're done eating."

This morning, I feast!