A/N: God, I know it's been forever! But the summer has been kind to me in providing inspiration and the time necessary to just freaking breathe. Things will be getting hectic again since school is just around the corner (we start back up on August 12th in my district). I sincerely hope I'll be able to find time during the school year to write! I realize now how much I've missed it!

Also, I realized that we haven't had any of Gajeel's perspective for a few chapters, so I'm making a conscious effort to get his scenes written and inserted where they're needed. I hope you all enjoy!

Arc 2, Chapter 7
Beware of Snakes in the Grass

Raucous laughter assaulted Gajeel's overly sensitive ears as he walked into the Raven Tail guild. He shifted slightly, making sure the cloak draped over his left shoulder was still obscuring his Fairy Tail guild mark. The building was dreary in comparison to the legitimate light guild he'd joined, but this was a mission from Makarov.

He couldn't fuck this up.

Even though it had been two weeks since he'd come to this place and found Master Makarov's piece of shit son in control of this dark guild, Gajeel knew he hadn't gained Ivan's trust. He had to do something to prove that he was loyal to Raven Tail.

If only he could figure out just what that was. What would make the deranged shitbox believe that he wanted to be there?

What would he have done as Black Steel?

Until recently, Gajeel had done what he'd pleased, when he'd damn well felt like it - aside from jumping to heel when Jose ordered him to. And in the few short weeks since joining Fairy Tail, that had somehow gone by the wayside. Already, he felt less like the monster he'd been in Phantom.

He couldn't let this chance slip out of his grasp.

"Did you hear?" one guild member muttered as Gajeel walked past. "The Black Widow from Phantom's been spotted."

"No shit? Man, I thought she died in that battle with Fairy Tail."

"Bitch disappeared off the map."

"Think we should ask him about it?"

Gajeel sneered and set his attention on the gossipy little fucks off to his left. His steps slowed, then he adjusted course and towered over their table. "Go ahead," he growled. "Ask me and see what happens."

He took immense amounts of joy in the way they collectively trembled. Ah, he remembered this feeling. This fear that hung thick in the air from his presence. It was something he'd once reveled in, because he'd wanted to be left alone. And now… Now that he'd had a taste of someone actually giving a fuck about him… It hurt. It made his hands clench into fists and his teeth grind together.

"W-Well, we just… We figured… She'd be a good person to have in the guild. Strong, right?" a scrawny teen whimpered.

"And what makes you say that?" he sneered.

Another person at the table cleared their throat, and Gajeel turned to find a vaguely familiar face. Why was this bald guy's dark skin and purple sunglasses so familiar? "She was a Phantom," he said, smirking at Gajeel. "Our old guild was strong. Didn't matter how many times that Black Widow came back all beat up and bloody, she still finished the job. Every time."

Gajeel's eyes narrowed. "You were a Phantom?" he asked.

"Yeah," the man chuckled. "You probably wouldn't remember me. Boze. Me and Sue worked together."

"Who?" Gajeel didn't know anyone's names in the guild aside from Lucy, Ryos, the Master, and the Element 4. No one else mattered.

Boze waved in the general direction of the bar at the far end of the main hall, toward a short woman who was picking up a couple beers. Gajeel couldn't get enough of how this place was nearly identical in layout to Fairy Tail. Ivan was a real piece of fucking work.

"Master Jose had said that the two of us were supposed to work with you to get her back when the Fairies took her. But then you went rogue."

Gajeel's fist slammed down on the table, sending a long crack running through the wood. "Bullshit would I go rogue for that uppity cunt!" he roared. Yeah, that was more like it. That was what everyone in Phantom was used to. "I followed orders. He told me to get her, so I did."

"That's not what we heard," Boze chuckled. "I get it, man. Sweet piece of ass. I'd have gladly gone after her myself if I wasn't scared she'd rip my dick off and beat me to death with it."

"B-Boze, man, shut up," the first mage muttered. He screeched when Gajeel reached past him and grabbed Boze by the collar, dragging him from his seat.

"Yer pretty damn talkative," he snarled. "Did you forget who the fuck I am?"

Boze's eyes widened. He trembled in Gajeel's grasp. "N-No!" he yelped. "Black Steel Gajeel, right? W-We're lucky to have you here!"

This could work in his favor, if he played his cards right. Part of Gajeel's problem was that he hadn't proven himself. Ivan had accepted him into the guild - he was so fucking glad that they didn't have a guild mark just yet. He would've had to figure out a way to replace his Fairy Tail mark with the one for Raven Tail. He'd shown his true colors at Phantom Lord by proving his strength.

Maybe if he did the same thing here, beat someone into the ground and showed that he didn't take shit from anyone, then Ivan would trust him.

With a wicked grin, Gajeel shifted his free hand into an iron club, then punched Boze right in his terrified little face. Twice. Just for good measure. There was a loud crunch of the purple lenses shattering against his skull, but it was worth it when he heard a girl gasp and run toward them. Gajeel's head turned, and he found a mildly familiar woman looking back at him. He could have sworn he'd seen her skulking around the Phantom Lord guild hall once or twice, but her little purple hat with the guild's symbol was gone.

"Boze," she whimpered.

"Ah, good. Drinks are here," Gajeel laughed, watching as she went rigid and looked into his eyes. She froze. He could nearly hear her muscles tensing for her to run, but she was too scared. This was good. These two remembered him from Phantom. They could help everyone else believe that Black Steel Gajeel was really there. He carried Boze's limp body over to her, then snatched a mug from her hand and guzzled the bitter beer. Once finished, Gajeel set the mug on a nearby table, and dropped Boze to the ground.

He leaned down so his lips were inches from her face. His smile was wicked. Wild. Just for good measure, he coated his teeth in gleaming iron.

"Better get yer friend to a doctor," he hissed. "He might go blind."

She squeaked and nodded quickly. "Y-Yes, sir!"

Gajeel stood to his full height and shouldered past her, stepping over Boze's prone form and knocking her off balance. He made his way to the bar, sitting down at a stool and glaring at the bald, scruffy-bearded bartender. "I don't know what yer fuckin' name is, but you'd better get me some metal. Now."

"Y-Yes, sir! We've got some really good scrap metal in the back, sir! And i-it's Tom…"

His eyes narrowed as Tom wandered away. Odd… Had he seen that guy somewhere before, too?

The heavy knock on Lucy's motel door had her frowning while setting her book down. She and Laxus had agreed to head out at first light, and it was nearing one in the morning. Of course, she hadn't been able to sleep. Her mind was running rampant with trying to plot out their next course of action for finding Ryos. She knew that she had to trust him, at least a little bit, but it was hard.

She didn't know Laxus. Even if Loke vouched for him - mostly in regards to his raw magical power and strength - she hadn't seen for herself that he was truly trustworthy.

With a heavy sigh, she stood from her bed and walked toward the door, flipping another switch so there was actually light in her room aside from the small lamp on the nightstand. Her visitor knocked again.

"Who is it?"

"Laxus."

Well, he was direct, wasn't he? And he didn't sound amused. It wasn't intimidating in the slightest, but they were supposed to be working together. As long as he wasn't going to try creeping into her room for something other than talking about Ryos, she was alright with opening the door.

She kept the chain lock intact, peering at him through the small opening. "What?"

"I've got a contact. Wants to meet with me," Laxus said. "Thing is, he doesn't trust people he doesn't know. So if you show up-"

"You're not going without me," she said suddenly. It wasn't like she could really trust him all that much. And besides, he didn't know a thing about Ryos. If Laxus was going to try and help her find the little Dragon Slayer, then she needed to be there. She didn't want to be stuck on some wild goose chase because of bad intel.

"I'm telling you that you can't fucking go," Laxus growled.

She glared up at him and slammed the door, then unlocked the chain and threw it open again so she could give him the full picture of her anger. She took a step closer, ignoring how much taller than her he was, and roughly poked his chest. "You're only here because I asked you to be," she hissed. "Tell me what he looks like."

"My contact-"

"I mean my brother," she snapped. "What does he look like?"

His thick blond brows drew together, and she watched his jaw clench. "Sickly," he said. "Black hair, red eyes, pale. Good at hiding. That answer your question?"

Her jaw snapped shut. Fine, so he knew what Ryos looked like. Barely. "What about his name?" she countered.

"It's uh…" His frown deepened. "I dunno."

"Exactly," she said, crossing her arms under her bust. "I need to be there."

"Well, you can't," he said. "I literally came here to tell you I might have a lead, so you didn't think I was ditching you."

"I'm going," she said.

"No, the hell, you're not."

"I am."

"No."

"You can't fucking stop me!"

Laxus smirked then, and she went rigid when she saw the quick flash of electricity darting between his fingers. "Are you sure about that?" he chuckled. "I can knock you out in a flash."

This was one of those moments Gajeel had trained her for. When she was faced with someone stronger than her. There were only a few options that she had in her arsenal. His first suggestion had been to use her body to her advantage, but Lucy refused to even consider it.

Another option was to try and trick Laxus into letting his guard down, but considering he was already aware of her anger right then, she doubted it would be so easy.

She could be an absolute idiot and try to fight him. Prove her own dominance. It'd be a cold day in hell before she was able to fight someone like him and survive. Fucking lightning magic? No, thanks. Contrary to popular belief, Lucy didn't ave a death wish.

That left one thing. She hated it. It made her feel weak and useless, but if it worked on him - and she suspected, based on the guild he came from, that it just might - then she would be victorious. He wouldn't be able to tell her no. She would be able to tag along with him to see this contact. She could decide for herself whether or not she trusted this third party that Laxus was getting ready to consult.

It didn't take much work to pull it off. All she had to do was make herself cry.

And luckily, Gajeel had been thorough in his instruction, even when it came to this. Lucy glanced away from him, her shoulders hunching slightly. Her lips thinned for only a moment, and then she turned away from him, letting him only see her back. "F-Fine," she whimpered. "Just go and leave me behind."

She couldn't see whether or not it was working. She had to just hope that Laxus wasn't a heartless shit sandwich who would walk away from a crying woman. But the only way to make herself cry without biting her tongue - which would make it too obvious if she started talking funny after the fact - was to roughly wipe her eyes… without closing them. The salt on her skin burned as it slid across her eyeball. But the effect was instant.

"I just wanna help find him," she said, sniffling softly. "I'm a failure…"

"Hey," Laxus said, his voice soft. "It's not like that."

"It is," she said. Lucy sniffled again, then peeked at him over her shoulder so he could see the shine on her eyes, the moisture clumping her lashes. Once they made eye contact, she cowered a little. If she looked at him for too long, he wouldn't believe this act of hers. "I wanted to find him, but I had to ask for help. And I'm so p-pathetic that you wanna ditch me-"

"That's not it," he said, scowling as he shifted in the doorway. "The guy's paranoid. I have a better chance of getting information if he's not surprised."

"You don't have to lie to make me f-feel better," she huffed. Lucy's arms dropped to her sides and she turned away from him again. "I won't burden you." She took a single step, then smirked when Laxus' hand wrapped lightly around her wrist.

"Blondie, it's not like that," he said.

"Just go," she said, her voice small.

He sighed heavily through his nose. She could practically feel him wavering. It was a gamble on whether she should say anything more. Either he needed one more well-placed guilt trip from her and he'd cave, or she would say something and blow it.

She didn't know him well enough to decide. Did she need to add fuel to the fire? Should she stay quiet?

"Fine," Laxus said, dropping her hand. "Get ready and come along. But you'd better not fucking stand out."

"I can come?" she asked, whirling in place, her glassy eyes wide and hopeful. What a chump. "Promise?"

"Yeah," he chuckled. Lucy found the way he winced and scratched the back of his head… curious. And awkward. What the hell? "Just don't cry, alright? We'll figure it out."

She sniffled again and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Got it," she said, grinning up at him. He didn't need to know that she'd been faking it. If anything, she could use this weakness against him later on. The next time she wasn't getting her way. "I've gotta put my boots on, and I'm ready."

He blinked while raking his gaze over her blue miniskirt and black crop top. She hardly noticed it. "You're wearing that?"

"What's wrong with my clothes?" she asked, scowling while stomping into her boots.

"Not really low-key," he muttered.

Lucy grabbed her keys and hooked them onto her belt, then made sure she had her room key. "I'll follow your lead," she said.

Laxus sighed and shook his head, stepping back so she could leave the room and close the door. He turned and led her down the walkway, out into the dark street. She was definitely curious about this contact that he had, and how they could possibly even think they could help her find Ryos. But at this point, she couldn't be too picky.

The trek out of town and into the forest had Lucy on edge. She was even more alert when they came up to a dingy bar buried in the middle of the neighboring forest. There were a couple SE vehicles parked on the side of the building, with a well-worn dirt path leading up to the heavy iron door. For all the faults of the building itself - honestly, she was positive that was mold creeping up the cracked stucco - it seemed security was tight.

What the hell kind of place was this?

And why would a Fairy - no, a former Fairy - know anyone who would want to meet here?

She wasn't going to ask Laxus any questions though. She was officially not talking to him after his "surprised" comment during the trip. Had he really spent so much time with delicate little simpering women that it was surprising she wasn't complaining about the walk? No, her feet didn't hurt - her boots were worn in pretty well already. No, the heat didn't bother her - the weather was actually a little on the brisk side now that October had reared its head.

So instead, Lucy stayed silent as they walked up to the door. He didn't knock. She frowned up at him. Laxus reached out a hand and sent a jolt of electricity through the handle, smirking down at her as it creaked open an inch.

She rolled her eyes at him and motioned for him to lead the way. This was his contact. She was just there to answer questions he might not be able to. And besides, she wanted to make sure he didn't hide anything from her. There might be something he'd miss, that could help her find Ryos.

She had to be thorough.

Lucy squeezed in after him, tensing when the door slammed, bathing the entry in darkness. A glowing red exit sign hung just above their heads, but it did little to illuminate the hall.

Laxus silently reached behind himself and grabbed her arm, gently leading her forward. How he was able to see, she couldn't be sure, but he didn't bump into anything. His steps were sure and steady, and she tried to match them.

He pushed another, thinner door open, but she was only able to get the barest glimpse of soft yellow light creeping around his broad shoulders. By the time she made it through, Lucy was thankful for the smoky lounge they entered, with the jazz music serenading her from a nearby jukebox. A large area off to the left held four pool tables, with room for groups to play without jabbing one another with their pool cues. To the right was a long, polished bar, with a quiet-looking man standing behind it and polishing glasses with a white rag. Along the nearby walls were small circular tables, only two of which were occupied by lumberjack wannabes sporting scars and faces only blind baboons could love.

And far in the back, where Laxus started walking, was the VIP area. She could tell there were curtained booths just past the three-step staircase cordoned off with a plush blue velvet rope. For fuck's sake, there was even a tall man in a black suit standing right at the stairs, mean-mugging everyone.

Laxus stopped in front of him, and her head tilted with curiosity when she realized they were the same height. Now it came down to who was more intimidating.

"Name's Laxus," he said. "I'm expected."

"Boss ain't in, shortstack," the bouncer chuckled. Lucy nearly wrinkled her nose when she smelled the cigarette smoke on his breath from several feet away. "So turn ye little pretty boy self around, and get the fuck out."

"Pretty boy?" Laxus growled. He seemed to come back to his senses a moment later. Yeah, it wasn't the best idea to piss off the guy who was gatekeeping their intel. "When will he be in?"

"Dunno," the bouncer shrugged. "But you ain't on the list. Take your whore and move along."

Lucy gritted her teeth, but sidled up next to Laxus, tucking herself against his arm. Of course that was what this asshole thought of her. It was fine, though. She could work that in her favor if she had to. "C'mon," she purred, batting her lashes when Laxus stared down at her breasts pushing against his forearm. "Play pool with me? You promised."

"I've got business," he said, sneering. So he was stubborn, and he didn't know how to play along. Fantastic.

If this had been Gajeel, she knew without a doubt that he would've taken the bait - not because he would've wanted to get her laid out on the pool table, but because he understood strategy. Gajeel would've understood that they needed to back off and get a feel for the room. Laxus had been stupid to go straight for his target like this.

Lucy huffed and backed away. "No fun," she pouted. Laxus didn't even look at her, and she stormed over to the bar and sat at an empty barstool. This was her comfort zone.

Just taking a seat there reminded her of the times she'd been in the Phantom guild hall, listening to the fights break out, counting down the seconds until she needed to duck out of the way. She could keep an eye on her surroundings, and make it seem as though she was only focused on the drink in front of her.

If she could get Laxus to play along, it would work even better. She couldn't count on him. His contact wasn't even there, and if they were… they didn't want to see him.

"Drink for you, Miss?" the bartender's gentle voice rasped.

Lucy propped an elbow on the bar, then rested her chin in her hand. Her gaze slid over to him, and she noticed the little silver-plated nametag pinned to his chic black vest. "I'll have Whistlepig Manhattan up, please Bartholomew."

His eyes widened a moment, and then he smiled. "Right away, Miss." She kept an eye on him while he poured the whiskey and vermouth, gently stirred them, and garnished her drink with a little cherry. "I do hope you'll enjoy."

"Thank you," she said, a small smile on her lips. She took a sip and hummed as the liquor slid so easily down her throat. "This is fabulous."

"Do let me know if you need anything else, Miss," he said, his wrinkled cheeks flushed and his eyes glistening with pride.

Her smile stayed in place, even as she took another sip and turned to look at the bar around her. Laxus was still quietly arguing with the bouncer. Odd. She couldn't hear what they were saying, even though she was positive that she was close enough to hear them.

Maybe it was an enchantment to give the VIPs some extra privacy.

Whatever. Laxus was a failure. She was stupid to put her faith in him. Her gaze roved across the bar again. There wasn't much to look at in regards to people watching. A few small clusters of people here and there, all minding their own business.

When she reached the lumberjacks, she found them leering at her. Her lip curled in open disgust back at them.

"What's wrong, baby?" one called. "Your man ignoring you?"

"Come on over," another added with a grin. "We'll treat you real good. Long as you do the same."

"I'm all set," she said back, raising her glass. Footsteps near her had Lucy's head turning just in time to see Laxus lumbering her way, then plopping down onto the stool next to hers.

"Whisky straight," he said to the bartender. Well, he sounded pissed. "Bunch of fucking bullshit. We're supposed to be meeting tonight."

"This looks like some shady shit," she said, turning to face the bar again.

"Yeah, feels that way, too."

"I'm having a hard time picturing you participating in back-alley deals on the regular," she chuckled, sipping her drink again. Lucy glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as Bartholomew dropped off his drink and he knocked it back quickly. "Fuck, at least appreciate the booze!"

"You sound like fucking Cana," he snorted.

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't compare me to them," she spat. "Any of them."

And all at once, she didn't want to be anywhere near him. Not if he was going to compare her to those stupid fucking Fairies that had ruined her life. Loke was one thing. He understood the mistake they'd made, and he'd pulled out of the fight after giving Lucy her keys back.

But Laxus? He was still loyal to Fairy Tail. She could tell. Even though he'd been kicked out, the fondness in his voice when he'd mentioned that barrel-guzzling lush was clear.

This was pointless. She didn't need some washed up light guild piece of shit trying to help her.

No, she needed a real mage. A tracker. Someone who could find Ryos, no matter the cost. Lucy didn't care what she had to pay. She was going to find him.

She barely noticed Laxus ordering another whisky as she stood. One of the curtains obscuring a booth shifted just slightly. Anyone else would have thought it was just a bit of air conditioning rustling the fabric, but she knew better. She could tell, someone was actually there.

Gajeel had beaten his lessons on using all of her senses into her. There was definitely someone there.

She almost wished that Laxus had told her who his contact was, but it wasn't time for that anymore. She was done fucking around. The only good that had come from his presence was that he'd led her to this place. Maybe she could find someone else to really get the job done.

Lucy set her attention on the bouncer, then sauntered over to him. She ignored how Laxus called out to her, her gaze boring into the tall man's piercing green eyes. With a coy smile, she stopped a foot away.

"Don't even think about it, bimbo," he snorted. "Turn around and peddle your pussy somewhere else."

Her smile fell into a sneer when he reached out to forcefully turn her around. "Y'know, the last guy who tried to put his hands on me got his head bashed in."

"Then your man had better hurry up and save you," he said. His hand clamped down on her shoulder, squeezing in an attempt at putting her in her place. It was definitely painful, and she didn't stop herself from crying out when her shoulder nearly popped out of the socket.

"Fuck, man!" Laxus shouted. "Let her go!"

"Get your bitch and get out!" the bouncer bellowed.

Lucy grabbed her whip and lashed out at the bouncer's face, grinning when the iron spikes caught on his cheek and tore the flesh easily. His grip faltered, and that was his last mistake. She laughed while lashing out again, this time creating an angry, bleeding line across his chest. He growled and lunged for her, and Lucy dove to the side, then rolled across the floor. She came up on one knee, and lashed at his back. "Call me a bitch again!"

He turned, glaring at her and baring his teeth. "You want a fight?" he panted. "You're dead, girlie."

"Good," she said, standing up to face him. "I haven't had a good fight since Phantom disbanded."

He took a step forward, then stopped when Laxus put himself in the lumbering bouncer's path. "That's far enough," Laxus spat.

"Oh, fuck off!" Lucy bellowed. She rushed forward and shoved her way past him, not sparing his wide-eyed stare a single glance. "Don't try to white-knight me, Sparky. I'm itching for a fight."

"What the actual fuck is wrong with you?" he breathed. His eyes rounded when Lucy lashed out once more with her whip, wrapping it around the bouncer's arm and dragging him to his knees by the pool table. She laughed. She fucking cackled while cracking him over the head with an 8-ball.

His head turned toward the sound of shuffling fabric to his right, and his eyes narrowed when he saw their contact sitting in a booth, grinning as he watched Lucy beat the bouncer half to death. She could apparently handle herself. He had information to get, so he stepped past the velvet rope and up the stairs.

"Get off me, you psycho!" The bouncer grunted as he finally got a hand around Lucy's throat. He lifted her into the air, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Before she could use her whip again, he grabbed that hand and twisted until her arm nearly broke, forcing her to drop the weapon. "You're gonna pay for this."

"I don't pay for pleasure," she coughed. "That's your job." Her legs kicked at his stomach, his thighs, but it was useless. He didn't seem affected by it at all.

When he punched her in the face, she felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. For the first time in weeks, she felt… alive. Ready to tear the world down around her. He hit her again, and she smiled. She relished the agony streaking through her cheek as his knuckles connected. The sudden flash of pain as her lower lip split.

Lucy laughed.

Was this what she needed all along to fill the emptiness in her? For someone to fight her with everything they had, the way Gajeel had beaten her? The way Cana had fought back against her? The way Gray and Loke had tried to take her down?

This was it! The empty, blackness in her heart disappeared with every staggered breath she sucked in. The bouncer slammed her back onto the top of a pool table, knocking the wind from her lungs. He hovered over her, and Lucy was more focused on bringing in oxygen than the fact that her skirt had ridden up, and everyone in the bar could see her bright purple thong.

"And now, you're dead."

She smiled up at him while her hands gripped his wrist. She knew how to make him stop. Gajeel had taught her. But did she want him to stop?

This ache in her chest was gone. The lonely nights of missing Ryos, of missing her Dragon were pushed deep down in her soul while she fought. But she couldn't die here.

She'd made a promise. Ryos wouldn't be alone. She had to find him.

Lucy's hand shifted to the necklace, her fingers wrapping around the metal-coated tooth she still wore. She yanked on the chain, breaking the clasp, and rammed the tooth right into the bouncer's forehead. Right between his quickly dulling green eyes.

If she'd thought it through a little more, Lucy probably would have done it in a way that wouldn't have left his heavy body crumpling on top of her, pinning her to the green felt tabletop. She grunted, kicked fruitlessly, and tried to push him off of her to no avail.

"Fuck it," she huffed, sucking in much-needed air even with his bulk pressing down on her chest. "I need a break."

His crimson eyes were wide as he watched the scene unfold. She was still so strong. So beautiful as her whip danced through the air.

Ryos wasn't sure who that guy was with her, but he'd seen her come in with the man from his hiding spot in the bouncer's shadow. She looked so tired, though.

God, he hoped she was sleeping okay.

It hurt more than he could have imagined, not jumping out to help her when she needed it.

Why didn't she fight back when the bouncer hit her? Why did she laugh like that?

It reminded him so much of the way she'd been at the guild, though. Just a little crazy. But he knew Lucy. She wasn't like that deep inside. That was the face she showed to the world so they couldn't get too close. She couldn't be hurt if everyone was too afraid to come close.

He understood that.

Ryos nearly lost his mind when she was pinned to the pool table, but just as he was about to jump out from the shadows and kill the bouncer himself, the tooth necklace Lucy always wore was suddenly embedded in the man's skull.

Ryos smiled a secret smile as he heard her panting. He slithered through the shadows and up into the corner above her while she tried in vain to push the corpse off her body. She was so silly, sometimes.

"She's here, Ryos. Go to her," his dragon whispered.

He didn't need to shake his head to respond. He couldn't be with her yet. He needed to get stronger. Ryos loved her, but he needed to be strong enough to protect her, to avenge her pain. He had to be able to find Gajeel and beat him.

No, he couldn't do what he wanted. He couldn't hug her and curl up in her tender embrace like he wanted to. They couldn't have everything she'd promised him.

There was no time for baking cakes and reading stories together. No missions and learning to fight from her out in the mountains. He didn't have a moment to waste to learn about the stars. He couldn't think about never being alone again, or how they were going to get a bigger place so he could have his own room.

He would never forget her promises. It just wasn't time to fulfill them yet. One day, they'd have it all, but not that day.

Still, as she lay panting on the pool table, he slid down the wall and materialized only after he saw that her eyes were closed while she regrouped. Ryos glanced around and nearly jumped when he saw some burly men in red plaid shirts and jeans staring at him in awe. He had to ignore their stares though.

He grabbed onto the bouncer's waist, barely able to make his fingers meet, then dragged the body away from Lucy. He wasn't nearly strong enough to hold the body up, so he dropped it to the ground. She smiled and turned toward him, her eyes barely sliding open.

He gasped. No! She couldn't see him yet! He wasn't strong enough!

"Ryos?" she breathed.

Her brows furrowed and she blinked to clear her vision, and in that time, he melded with the shadows under the jukebox, then darted along the floor, under the thin door leading to the dark hallway. And finally, outside to freedom.

As he sped south away from the bar, Ryos remembered her final promise to him.

"I promise, Ryos… We'll always find each other."

He knew it was true. No matter what, they would find each other again. And next time, he would be stronger, someone she could be proud to call her brother.

Lucy's head swam as she sat up on the pool table. She could've sworn that she saw Ryos there a moment ago. But when she'd blinked, the vague silhouette that had been next to her was gone.

Fuck, was she so sleep deprived by that point that she was hallucinating?

With a heavy sigh, she hopped off the table and placed a foot on the dead bouncer's head, then ripped the tooth from his skull. Lucy cringed. "Gross, dude," she muttered, bending down to wipe his blood off with his own jacket.

She inspected the chain, frowning when she noticed that the clasp hadn't actually broken. Lucy had never really looked at the clasp before, but it separated on its own. And when she brought the ends together, they re-attached themselves with a seamless link. Almost as though there was no clasp in the first place.

She put the chain over her head, tucking it back into her shirt, then stumbled over to the bar. Her drink was gone. She couldn't be sure where it had disappeared to between her walking over to the bouncer and his corpse sliding off of her. But she needed another.

Badly.

"Bartholomew," she said, roughly clearing her throat. "Could I please-"

"Whistlepig Manhattan up," the older man chuckled, sliding a glass across the bar toward her. "I added an extra cherry for you, since the last one was ruined."

"I'm sorry," she said, giving him a sheepish smile as she sipped at her drink. "You made it so well, too."

He waved a wrinkled, liver-spotted hand and scoffed. "I'll gladly trade it for watching a good fight," he laughed. "You're one vicious young lady."

"Well, I guess they call me the Black Widow for a reason," she giggled. The nickname was stupid. She definitely wasn't a black widow in any sense of the word - aside from being deadly in general, she supposed - but it was a name that somehow stuck in the time since Phantom Lord had been disbanded. She wasn't sure how it had spread, but everyone who heard it knew that it was her. Lucy, formerly of the barely-light guild Phantom Lord.

"Fuck that!" one of the lumberjacks who'd been catcalling her earlier shouted. "Barty put this on my tab. I'm not trying to die tonight!"

Lucy snorted into her glass and sipped her drink.

"Blondie, get over here!" Laxus called out.

Her brows drew together as she turned toward his voice. Laxus leaned out of one of the curtains that had been partially opened, lazily waving her over to him. Bartholomew tapped her arm, and Lucy turned back to find his hand outstretched, holding a warm, damp cloth. "To clean up, dear," he said, smiling at her.

"Thank you," she sighed, returning his smile while taking the offered cloth. Lucy carried her drink up the stairs and made her way to the opened curtain. She leaned down slightly to see Laxus had taken a seat in a plush booth that had enough room to comfortably hold his bulky frame, and still leave space for another person.

"Have a seat," Laxus said. "He wants to talk to you."

She took a steadying breath, then sat down in the booth beside Laxus. Lucy pulled the curtain closed again and started wiping away the blood on her face. She winced while lightly touching her eye.

That sucked. It was going to be a swollen mess come morning.

"I've gotta say," came the low, teasing voice from in front of her, "That was one hell of a fight."

"Thanks," she said. She scrunched her nose, sighing in relief when she pinched the bridge and didn't feel any pain.

"The stories are true, then. That piddly shit guild taught you a thing or two."

"Something like that," she said.

"Laxus here says you're looking for someone," he continued. Lucy nodded and blew her nose, then took a sip of her drink. She closed her eyes as the alcohol sent a soothing wave of heat washing over her body.

"My brother," she nodded, looking down at the glass again. If she had to go out and hire a dark guild to find him, she would. She didn't care if she brought in the whole Balam Alliance, as long as she could have her little Ryos back.

"With a good enough description, I can lead you right to him," he said.

She let out a heavy breath and set the cloth down on the rich oak table, then looked at the man across from them. He had to be full of shit. Her eyes widened when she realized it was a boy. Someone who couldn't have been any older than sixteen, with dark caramel skin, a cocky smirk planted on his thin lips, and hair as dark as blood that offset his indigo eyes.

Fuck. Not him. She'd had a run-in with him only once before in passing while she was on a mission. And once she'd found out who he was, Lucy knew she never wanted to deal with him again. The things she'd heard about him… Not even Jose was that twisted.

He laced his fingers on top of the table, leaning closer as his smile widened. "Sadly, I'm a little busy at the moment, so I don't have time to go prancing around Fiore on a whim."

Laxus scowled at him. "You guaranteed you could help."

"Absolutely," he chuckled, his heavy gaze never leaving Lucy's suddenly terrified eyes. "I can't take you to him, but I know where your brother is."

"Where?" she breathed.

"It'll cost you," he said.

"I don't care what it costs," she said quickly. "However much you want, I'll pay."

His eyes closed for a moment and he took a deep breath. Lucy and Laxus sat in silence, watching him, and then his eyes opened and flashed with intrigue. "Trade me your keys," he finally said.

"No." She didn't even have to think about it. She would never part with her friends. Not even if it meant she could find Ryos faster. "Anything but that."

"Lucy-" Laxus began, but his jaw snapped shut when the mage across from them chuckled.

"I figured as much. Tell you what. I'm feeling…" His smirk widened slightly, baring pointed canines that had Lucy's blood running cold. "Generous. I'll give you the information for free."

Her eyes narrowed. "Nothing's free," she spat.

"You're in luck," he said, shrugging as he leaned back in his seat. "This is a one-time offer. I'll tell you where Ryos is, and you don't pay me a thing."

She wanted to mull it over. This offer was too good to be true. Still… if it meant she could find her brother, she had to take a chance. Before she could agree, he grinned.

"Head north toward Worth Woodsea," he said. "There's a little guild out there called Cait Shelter. Two miles west, near a little brook, there's cave that overlooks the whole area. You'll find him there."

Lucy nodded, memorizing his instructions. "And he's alright?" she asked.

"He's healthy, and safe," he said, nodding. "The boy's been training. I'm sure you'll be surprised by how much his magic has improved."

She tipped her glass up to her lips and drank the last of the amber liquid. "Thank you," she said quickly. She had a direction. She knew where to go now. She could finally find Ryos, and they could start their new lives together. She stood, pausing when a tanned hand snapped out and grabbed her wrist. Lucy looked back at him, a chill running through her when his calloused fingers slid down to caress her hand.

"Stay," he said, and his tone gave no room for argument. "Have some drinks and enjoy yourself. He'll still be there in the morning."

With a shaky nod, Lucy sat down in the booth. She didn't let on how relieved she was when he let go of her hand.

As a round of drinks was delivered to the booth without anyone ordering them, she gave Bartholomew a kind smile. But it was while she and Laxus drank with their informant that a dreadful feeling wriggled its way into her chest.

Maybe Laxus didn't know just who this was… Maybe… Maybe he wasn't aware that the mage sitting across from them was one of the six Demon Generals, and part of one of the three major dark guilds in Fiore that made up the Balam Alliance.

But if Laxus did know, then why was he so chummy with Cobra of the Oracion Seis?