▶┆Chapter ninety-three [93]

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❝The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad if we've got each other and that's all we have.❞

▶Author's note◀ :
Hey. I suppose it has been quite a while. I am very sorry for my absence. I should have been updating more, and I promise they'll finally becoming more frequently. Again, I apologize. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! 

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★·.·'¯'·.·★ иσямαℓ ρ.σ.ν. ★·.·'¯'·.·★

"I FOUND HER!" The words echoed across the room, and all eyes moved to stare at Laxus's breathless form. He had finally done it. All the searching and tired tears. All the fruitless goose chases and hours upon hours without sleep. He had finally found her. The girl he had been unable to get out of his mind for months.

"You found Luce?!" Natsu shouted, his sullen and distracted form suddenly turning energetic and focused.

Laxus didn't respond. He was too caught up in his excitement and utter disbelief that his hard work had paid off. He simply nodded, which sent the guild into hoots and cheers. Everyone celebrated, but Lucy's friends were the most enthralled.

They'd finally receive a chance to show her that it was an illusion. They still loved and missed her, and were planning on making her see how much they cared.

"How'd you do it??" Gray inquired persistently, his eyes wide with disbelief and happiness.

Laxus smiled, and like the sun moving out from behind the clouds, he was radiant. He could barely even hear the constant voices interrogating him as to how he had located Lucy.

They didn't matter. He forced the words to tumble from his tongue. "A friend. A friend of mine found out where she was."

And judging from what his "friend" had found out, he had to save Lucy soon. The thought sent a spike of adrenaline through his veins. He suddenly launched to his feet, and everyone stared at him.

"I have to go get her now!" Laxus said. He starts off, only to be stopped by the pink-haired dragon slayer.

"I'm coming with you!"

Erza stomped over, a horde of people following her strong silhouette. "We're all going!" Levy exclaimed.

Laxus could admit he appreciated their support, but their presence would only hinder the mission. He had to be stealthy. He would have to creep through the sinuous dark guild with guile.

Everyone began cheering up, their hopes expressed through their brightly shining smiles. Laxus looked at them all, impatience coloring his face.

"We can't all go," Gray spoke, speaking Laxus's thoughts.

"Flame brain, Erza, Juvia, Gajeel, Wendy, Jellal, and I will go. The rest of the guild will stay here while we go to try and bring her back."

"But-" Levy began to protest, but Gajeel shushed her.

"Don't worry shrimp. I'll bring bunny girl home for you."

She sent him a sad smile. "It'll be really dangerous though..." Gajeel smiled, something strange and foreign to people who were used to seeing him brutal and gruff.

"Don't worry about me, Levy. I'll be fine. I promise I'll come back safe and sound." He softly kissed her forehead, before turning to the others. The gentle touch in his eyes disappeared and turned hard and serious once more.

"Let's go," Laxus stated, his body restless. Everyone headed off to go fetch supplies and gathered back at the guildhall ten minutes later.

They then headed to the train station and headed off. Except it was to a town many didn't expect.

"Hey, thunder thighs! Why are we headed to Sabertooth's town?!" Natsu questioned out instinctively, eyes narrowing when he thought about the guild's master.

Laxus scowls, before sighing tiredly. "As much as I loathe to admit it, we'll need Sting."

Natsu "Why do we need the damn bumblebee?!" Natsu questioned angrily. Laxus gave him an irritated glance.

"In case you didn't know, Lucy hates all of us. She still cares about him. He's going to be there to help convince her to come."

Gray seemed to think of something and decided to voice his question.

"What if we can't convince her to return?"

Laxus and Natsu seemed to stare at him with the most 'duh' expression ever.

"We force her," Laxus and Natsu said simultaneously. Then they glanced at each other, repulsed by the fact that they had spoken at the same time.

"Come on, isn't forcing Lucy-chan only going to make her hate us more?" Juvia inquired hesitantly. Wendy nodded, a nervous smile plastered on her face. She was extremely worried.

Jellal joined the conversation, giving Juvia a grim frown. "At this point, I think forcing Lucy home is the best option for both her and us."

Laxus looked at the group of people around him. "Jellal is right. Lucy isn't in some palace right now sipping on a fucking glass of jasmine tea. She's in a dark guild's prison."

Most of the mage's eyes widened with shock. It was the first they were hearing of where exactly she was. Erza had been meaning to ask, but she thought it could wait until they had Sting.

"Why is Bunny girl in a jail cell?" Gajeel asked gruffly. Laxus's eyes flicked to him, and Gajeel could spot the emotion swirling in his eyes underneath his strong disguise of a mask.

"An...aquantanice of mine told me there was a huge fight at the guild called Crimson Flag. Apparently, some 'super weapon' resisted. The master isn't a forgiving man and tried putting the member in their place and they fought back. That member was Lucy. She was thrown in jail, and..." Laxus swallowed as if his next words were hard to say. "She has recently entered torture in order to 'break her mind' so she can fulfill the job the bastard of a master assigned her."

A moment of silence passed where no one spoke a word. The air was thick with tension; everyone was stuck in their own worries.

"Do you...do you know what she was assigned to do?" Wendy meekly asked, her curiosity betraying her.

Laxus shook his head, conveying his frustration about not knowing more.

"My friend didn't know anything more. I just know we have to save her," Laxus said softly.

Wendy places a hand on his arm, her warm personality lightening his melancholy expression. "Don't worry! We'll save her!"

The train then stopped, signaling their arrival at the town where Sabertooth resided.

"Come on guys, we need to find Sting and let him know of the circumstances, "Erza exclaimed.