Chapter 5:

Laxus was seriously holding himself back on not trying to punch both Sting and Natsu on-top of their heads. All he wanted to do right now was to just return back from the request Erza had sent the males out on. And to make things quite simple, it's impossible for them to just have a simple walk towards the direction of the inn since they'd stop occasionally for Natsu and Sting's little arguments.

But most of all, Laxus just wanted to head back to the inn where Lucy and the others had gone off to, to unpack their belongings. He felt like he could be socializing right now with the celestial mage instead of doing this. Just why did Erza instruct him to go on this errand for her? He didn't want to be stuck baby-sitting an uncontrollable stripper with a problem, two idiotic pink-haired and blonde dragon slayers, an anti-social, an obnoxious green-haired freak, and a Mr. Know it all.

"Old Generation~" Sting sang in an ear-piercing tone, trying to get to Natsu's breaking point, "Natsu-san couldn't slay Acnologia~"

"I swear, one more damn tune that comes out of your mouth, I'll scrap the floor with you just like I do with Gajeel whenever he sings those horrible songs!" Natsu said pointing his index finger towards Sting who just shoved his hands into his pockets in response, rolling his eyes playfully.

"You know we're heading back to the inn in case you've forgotten." Laxus said shutting his eyes, gritting his teeth, "And I don't remember how anybody could spend one hour trying to get back to a freaking inn when it's only a ten minute walk."

"It's because this bastard right here is asking for it." Natsu said swinging his fist, charging towards Sting until he felt a tug on the back of his shirt that kept him in his exact place.

"Natsu, just ignore him. He's just asking for a response at this point." Gray said gripping the back of the Fire Dragon Slayer's shirt, he assumed that was Sting was trying to reach since every single moment he'd begin singing his song about Natsu again.

"Aye, how about you tell Sting to leave Natsu alone!" Happy said his mouth forming into a straight line of seriousness, "He's trying too hard to get him all fired up, and all Natsu wants to do is get this job done!"

"Shut up, you stupid looking cat." Lector grinned, "Sting-kun can do whatever he wants too!"

"Fro thinks so too!" Frosch said in a blissful tone.

"He's been the one that's been irritating Natsu the whole time!"

"Oh please, you can't always suggest that Sting is the culprit in him and Natsu's situations." Rufus pointed out, lifting a hand covering his mouth as he chuckled, "As I remember in my memory-base, Natsu would also begin things between him and Sting. Like when he came to our inn during the Grand Magic Games by himself trying to take down our Master. Now that had caused such a tension between us two guilds."

"I don't think anyone is paying attention to you." Orga snorted.

Rufus then noticed that no-one was paying the tiniest bit of attention towards him which made him to groan in desperation that at least someone did hear something he had said that he found knowledgeable for them to know.

"All I can say right now is that I could care the least about whatever the hell your memory-base is telling you." Laxus retorted, folding his arms eyeing the memory-make mage, "How about you listen to what my damn memory-base has to say about you four. You're all Sabertooth bastards."

Natsu and Gray snickered at what Laxus had commented about the Sabertooth members. It was one-hundred percent accurate in their eyes since they had to agree that right now, the only Sabertooth member they didn't mind at the moment was Rogue, and that was because he was being completely quiet.

"Oi, by the way where is Gajeel-san?" Sting said flickering his eyes towards Rogue who was staring at the ground, with a blank expression, "I would've thought he'd come, and it'd be great if he had since we could've had a rematch that we would've won."

"I'm not interested today for fighting." Rogue said changing his eye-direction towards Natsu who was furrowing an eyebrow, "And even if Gajeel did come, I don't think it would've been any different as it is right now."

"Oh trust me it would've been different, if he had brought his guitar along." Natsu said shivering at the thought of Gajeel's horrendous singing talent.

"Tch, that'd probably be a trait Gajeel and this bastard over here, would be sharing in common." Laxus said tilting his head into Orga's direction, "And trust me, I think Orga's is way worse. I thought my ears were literally going to bleed from the pressure of the singing."

"Oh sorry that you don't know what real talent is Mr. Tough Guy." Orga spat clutching his fists together, "You think you're so tough since you-"

"Yeah I know I'm tough." Laxus chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets, "And I'll just say right here and right now, that I'm probably a lot tougher than you by a long-shot. After all, you were already out of it when Jura had just punched you once."

Orga bit the inside of his mouth, trying to think of something to say back to Laxus but nothing came at all; his mind was totally blank. He knew that he wanted to face Laxus, one-on-one. But he figured he'd save that for later, when Minerva is actually watching.

"You'll be getting your beating soon I can reassure you that." Orga said his lips forming into a twisted smirk, "And I'll have the Lady do a little beating to the blondie girl, but maybe I'll tell her not to go so easy like she had done last time."

Natsu and Gray spun their heads around the moment the Lightning God Slayer had snickered those single sentences out of his mouth. The expression on their faces were one that'd be a warning when you were about to punch someone intensely. But before, Natsu and Gray could even move from their spot, Laxus had swatted his arm to the side stopping the two in their tracks.

"Who do you think you are threatening Lucy like that?" Laxus said removing his arm from the side, clutching his fist tightly to the point where it'd make little cracking noises, "I think you're honestly asking for death right now, and if I wasn't in front of all these people, I would do it at this exact second."

Natsu and Gray literally clung to each other as the sound of lightning rumbled above in the skies. While Sting without hesitation jumped into Rogue's arms at the aura Laxus was giving off of, one of an S-Class mage similar to Gildarts. And the thing that surprised them the most, is that the sky was still its baby-blue color puddled with small white clouds, you would've have thought that was the type of weather for lightning. But since it was coming from Laxus, it was possible.

Orga gulped slowly, but still kept the similar smirk he had plastered onto his lips when he had dared say that to the Lightning Dragon Slayer. He could tell that right now he has pissed him off to the breaking point, where he was sure he was going to break a few bones.

Sparks of lightning flew around Laxus, as the jacket that hung around his shoulders was lightly lifting a bit, while being breezed by the pressure of Laxus' aura that was coating around him.

Before, Laxus could even take another step further towards Orga, three figures stood in between the two which made him furrow an eyebrow. He recognized those faces, and those faces belong to non-other than Gajeel, Juvia, and Mirajane.

Laxus groaned slightly before the aura soon faded out, along with the lightning which left a puzzled Orga on what had just happened. In some sort of way, Orga was really hoping to clash with Laxus since they hadn't had the chance to go full out since Jura had joined in.

"Eh?" Natsu said blinking a few times at the sight of the mages, "What're you guys even doing here?"

"Ghehe, Master had heard about you attending this mission, and said that even if Erza and Laxus were going as your S-Class mages accompanying you, he wanted at least two of us, and another S-Class mage to supervise you. And Mira, happened to be the one that first came to mind, and considering I wanted to go on an S-Class job, here I am."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually glad you decided to come along." Natsu said placing a hand onto Gajeel's shoulder, gesturing his thumb towards Sting who was now standing beside Rogue, "I couldn't deal with both of these two even though Rogue hasn't done anything. I know I could've taken them on, but in case Rogue got annoying, you'd have to deal with him then."

"Never knew Salamander was ever going to admit it." Gajeel snickered, "And hey, Ryos isn't that much of a burden as Sting is. Now that guy is a major pain in the ass, probably more than that time I couldn't find Shrimp during the S-Class exams since she was so damn small."

"You don't have to worry about dealing with those two alone anymore, even though Carla is here as well but seems to not be here at the moment." Pantherlily said with a grin, "The Exceed Team is back in business as it seems!"

"Aye!"

"So I guess you guys are coming along with us?" Laxus asked Mirajane who clasped her hands together with her usual gentle smile.

"It seems so!" Mirajane exclaimed cheerfully then drawing her vision towards Juvia who had wrapped her arms around Gray who was squirming at the fact that half of Juvia's body was now water now.

Laxus rolled his eyes "Tch women these days. In fact, I've got one that I've got to speak to."

"Love is in the air!" Mirajane cheered blissfully.

"Oh shut it Demon." Laxus said looking away, embarrassment showing completely as his cheeks were tinted a light pink that was only visible to Mirajane.

Mirajane couldn't help but smile at that, maybe Laxus had finally found someone that'd make him a better person, and that'd finally understand him.

Lucy felt that the atmosphere right now, was over the level on being only intense. Right now, they were settling their things in the inn they'll be staying at until they complete the full mission. And let's just say that Erza wasn't too contented that Minerva would be sharing the same room as them, along with Wendy who of course they wouldn't mind at all.

"I never volunteered to be stuck with you trash again" Minerva spoke cracking a little opening through her lips to let the words out, "And if any of you dare to get in my way, I can just tell you there will be severe consequences."

"I don't mind if you're calling me trash; call me whatever you like. But I don't you ever dare think you'd be able to be calling my allies that name or so help me I'll engrave the words into your heart so that you'd finally understand the meaning to it Minerva."

"What's that Titania?" Minerva said shifting her own face in the position where she'd be completely facing Erza eye-to-eye, "I wouldn't be threatening people who are so clearly out of your level. So what you've beaten me at least two times, that doesn't say anything. I've clearly grown stronger."

"I don't think we should be fighting you guys." Lucy whimpered at the aura Erza was giving off, "We should be trying to get along, the faster we cooperate the fast we finish this job."

Minerva scowled for a complete second, before shifting her gaze towards the door where she had made it disappear with a swipe of her hand, emerging herself through the door-less gap into the hall, and then swiping it once more making the door reappear.

Suddenly Minerva popped her head through the crack of the door as her lips became a devious grin, "And Erza, I'd be watching on what you'd say. You don't want me to hurt Jellal or anything now, do you? Maybe even better, I could make him mine before you even have the-"

Minerva couldn't even finish her sentence since a sharpened sword was targeted towards her, slashing small pieces of her hair as it was then stabbed into the hallway walls. Her eyes darted, rapidly to Erza who still had her hand struck out, and was now being held back by Lucy and Wendy which was in fact was tiring them since Erza had massive strength when it came to resisting.

"You honestly make me chuckle Erza" Minerva said gripping her hand onto the handle of the door, slowly shutting it, "Oh and Lucy, I'd watch it too as well. I'm sure my high-seductive skills would be able to even seduce Laxus."

And with a high-pitched cackle, Minerva fastened the door shut causing the walls to shake a little from the impact it had just received.

Lucy let out a breath of relief knowing that Minerva had finally departed from the room since it looked like if she didn't, Erza would've gone absolutely bizarre. She was also bothered on what Minerva had said before leaving about seducing Laxus. Just what part did she even have in all of this?

"She's not that friendly." Wendy whispered quietly which made Erza shake her head letting out a deep breath, "I don't understand why she won't at least give us a chance for us all to get to know each other."

"And it's pretty obvious she doesn't have the decency to have some self-respect towards her own self." Carla added, "Threatening to seduce Laxus, or harm Jellal? She's practically insane, if she doesn't know what those two are capable of."

"That's just how she is." Erza said placing a hand onto her own hip, her attention still drawn fully to the door that Minerva had just stepped out in, "I almost feel quite sorry for her as she's being consumed by her own darkness. If only she'd realize it, she might be saving herself."

"I have to admit, I don't think she'd be that horrible if you'd got to know her." Wendy said blowing her bangs that were covering her eyes a tiny bit, "But Erza had a point she's just throwing herself into the darkness."

Lucy nodded her head in agreement, feeling her mouth was now dry like a desert since she hadn't had anything to drink since the train ride. She felt completely parched right now as if she hadn't drunken anything for several days. She thought she'd head out to the vending machine that was out in the hall.

"I'm going to grab a glass of water, want anything?" Lucy said grabbing a few jewels looking at Erza who was staring out the window and into the horizon, "Or does anyone want to come along?"

"I'm fine, but thank you." Erza said plainly not taking her gaze from the pinkish-scarlet sunset that was setting, "I've got something to think about right now."

"I'll come along with you Lucy!" Wendy said walking out the door along with Lucy shutting it behind them softly. The two of them slowly then stepped into the ice-cold room that kept the vending machine attached to the wall in place.

"You can just get me a water that's fine, I can pay for mine-"

"That's fine Wendy, I'll pay for you." Lucy said smiling brightly at the Sky Dragon Slayer who bowed her head slightly meaning that she was thanking her. She then placed the jewels into the slot as she waited for the bottles of water to emerge out of the machine.

Voices in the hall caused Lucy and Wendy to turn their head towards the door as it soon revealed Laxus leaning against the doorframe, along with Gray behind them in nothing but his boxers. It didn't even surprise Lucy and Wendy one bit that Gray had stripped down.

"Hey Lucy, Wendy, I'm assuming you guys are getting something to drink since I don't think you'd be randomly standing in front of the vending machine." Laxus chuckled which earned a giggle from Wendy, as Lucy rolled her eyes with a smile on her lips.

"You guessed correctly Dreyar." Lucy said grabbing the two bottles of water that had come down to the opening with a loud clank sound, "And Gray, your clothes if you haven't noticed."

"Ah, shit. I'm pretty sure I put them down here somewhere, unless Juvia had dashed off with them somewhere, which would be a likely story since that'd be something she'd do to her beloved Gray-sama."

Lucy chuckled at Gray's statement before he rushed back into the hall, in search of his clothes that he had stripped off of himself. She honestly thought that Gray needed some way to keep track of his clothes since she was sure that one day, Juvia would figure out some way to make a love potion out of them or something. And she wasn't too sure Gray would be enjoying that.

"What took you guy so long anyways?" Lucy said stepping out of the cold room and into the hall, uncapping the cap off her water bottle, "From what Erza said, it was only a ten minute walk."

"That's right." Wendy said sipping her water, "Did you end up bumping into some criminals or the Magic Council or something?"

"Yeah, but it turned into an hour since Natsu and Sting would stop every single moment with their arguments of theirs that seemed like would never come to an actual end." Laxus folded his arms, "But, Mirajane, Gajeel, and Juvia are apparently accompanying us as well, which I don't seem to mind at all since at least it isn't more of those Sabertooth bastards."

Lucy mouthed the word "Oh" before she heard a faint voice coming around the corner of the hall. It seemed like someone was trying to have a private conversation with someone if they were going that secretive into the corner that no one would regularly go into.

"One second Laxus, Wendy and I have to check something." Lucy said smiling, grasping her hands around Wendy's wrist tugging her into the direction she was hearing the voice from.

Each step the celestial mage would take, the voice would become louder and clearer. And by the time they were at the spot before the corner, the voice had become clear to whose it belonged to.

"Is Minerva talking to someone?" Wendy whispered as softly as she could which caused Lucy to shrug in response.

"Only one way to find out"

Lucy and Wendy then slowly started peeking, their heads from the corner and noticed Minerva sitting down with their backs turned to them, with a lacrima placed in front of her.

"And then that's what I said to the stupid blonde trash about her boy-toy." Minerva cackled, "I find it quite entertaining in its own unique way for me to try to seduce Laxus. I mean I could probably get to him right?"

Minerva then placed her head on her hand, making the person on the lacrima completely visible to both Lucy and Wendy. Once they had seen the person that Minerva was talking to, their mouths literally gaped opened.

"Lisanna?" Wendy mouthed which caused Lucy to nod her head. She then grabbed Wendy by the arm again and began dashing down the hall along with the Sky Dragon Slayer.

Just why was Minerva talking to Lisanna?