Behind the scenes

Fairy Law

I was blind. Completely blind, and my ears were ringing. My nose was telling me that Laxus was still standing where he'd been, Flame Brain was still on the ground next to me, and the tiny bookworm was still nearby. But I couldn't tell anything else. I didn't know who's fear or rage I was smelling. Hell, it could have been my own.

It seemed like it'd been hours, but I finally heard the tick, clunk, thunk of falling debris and someone breathing. "Hah. Hah." Blondie was panting. "I've... Hah. Surpassed him." I pushed my head off my arm and coughed, clearing my lungs of dust. Have to see if that woman is okay. The light was still too bright in my eyes though.

"N-no! It's not possible!" He was angry for sure, but he sounded so tired I focused on my breathing for a minute, blinking to try to clear my eyes. I heard a cough behind me and felt myself lose a little bit of the tension in my shoulders. "Why?! Why are they not dead?!" Laxus raged as my vision finally cleared and I pushed myself up enough to look over my shoulder.

"Are you okay?" I asked, locking eyes with those intense, beautiful eyes. Still coughing, "Uh-huh. I'm fine. What about Natsu?" She pulled her eyes from mine and looked over at Pinky. I followed her gaze and found him, starting to push himself up as well. "He looks alright."

"What the hell is going on?! How can anyone survive an attack of that magnitude?!" The rage in his voice pulled my attention back to the madman in front of me. My ears picked up the sound of shuffled steps in the doorway of the cathedral, and it made me uneasy, but I couldn't look away from the threat of attack from Laxus.

"The guild members... and all of the... townspeople are safe. Not a single... person has... been harmed." It took Freed a minute to get it all out breathing as hard as he was. Gihi, the she-devil must have thrashed him pretty good. Wonder why she left him alive?

"It's just not possible! My Fairy Law was perfect!" He actually sounded a little like a dragon with his growling. "Your power... and your magical ability aren't... the only thing... you've inherited from the master. Also, a heart that... cares for its comrades." Now that he wasn't walking anymore, the green haired weirdo was starting to catch his breath. "Fairy Law only effects... those whom the caster sees... as an enemy. Do you understand... what I'm saying, Laxus?

Evidently the shrimp did, though I'm sure the asshole in front of me did too. He was just still too surprised to say anything. "The magic penetrated the depths of his heart." She said in such a small voice I might not have heard her without my enhanced hearing. I glanced over at the salamander to see him on his hands and knees, head down, listening intently.

"You can't lie to your magic, Laxus. This is just how you truly feel." I still can't get up. This guy had better not piss Blondie off enough that I have to fight him again. "NO!" Laxus returned, "Anybody who gets in my way is an enemy. They're all my enemies!"

"Give it up already, Laxus! Just go to the master!" His buddy was persistent, I had to give him that. "I don't care what the hell happens to that old fart! I am myself! I am not his grandson! I'm Laxus! I'm Laxus!" I started to struggle to push myself up again, my muscles protesting.

"You think we don't know that?" I froze, listening to how dark Salamander's voice was. "Don't get all big headed on us. So what if you're the old man's grandkid. So you think that makes you so special? So different?" He staggered to his feet. "Don't you get so hung up over some stupid blood relation!" How the hell does he have energy to yell? I can't even stand... "The guild is the only family we need!!!" The punk bared his teeth in a growl that reminded me of Dad when he was angry with me.

"How could you understand?" Was all Blondie could respond with. "Do we have to understand to be your comrades?! We reach our hands out to one another to get past that!" Salamander yelled as he charged the Lightning idiot again, flames licking up his arms.

I thought I head Laxus yell "Shut up!" as his electrically charged fist met with the flame covered one flying at him. They exchanged several blows, yelling at each other as they did. I couldn't hear what they were saying over the roar of flame and crackle of lightning though. Natsu came flying back, twisting in midair to land in a crouch. He slid several feet before his feet got enough traction to launch him back at his target.

How the hell does he have energy?! I wondered to myself again as he staggered upright for the fifth time. "Just stop already, Natsu. You'll kill yourself!" I heard the shrimp choke out a warning. "Little brat! I'll kill you so dead there'll be nothing left!" Laxus bellowed as he held his hands over his head, clutching them, one in front of the other, as if he was preparing to throw a spear.

"Stop it, Laxus! If you use a spell like that on Natsu right now..." I glanced over my shoulder at Freed, seeing fear in his face. He was friends with both of these idiots, he probably knew what was coming and was an accurate guess as to what would happen. Somewhere, I finally found the strength to push myself up to one knee. "Are you actually trying to kill him?!" One last desperate plea for his friend before I heard, "Thunder Dragon Heavenward!" I felt the massive charge in the air, and knew that Freed was right. Natsu was going to die.

"Nooo!" The heartbroken wail that came from the tiny woman watching all of this gave me a surge of energy. I would not let her watch her friend die. Bracing myself, still on one knee, I covered my arm with iron and held it out to draw the lightning to myself. This is going to hurt. All of this happened in the split second after the Lightning was released, and then I was knocked back by the force of impact.

"Gajeel?!" I could hear the disbelief in Flame Brain's voice. I groaned as I collapsed again, "GO!" I was vaguely aware of him nodding, but I was fading out of consciousness. I don't know how much time passed, but it didn't feel like very long before I heard a scream come from the salamander. It was bestial and filled with raw emotion, but the strength of it told me we had ended it. I wouldn't have called it a win though, with all of the injuries and energy expended. It was simply over.

Whoo! The last two chapters are from chapter 125 and 126 of the Fairy Tail manga. Not a whole lot to add to this one, which might be why it took me forever to write it. Who knows? Only a few more chapters and this one will be done! If you haven't yet, check out my second fic, In Secret.

I'm working on another story idea too, but I haven't the foggiest when I'll release it. As always, I'd love feedback!