Chapter 23 - The Long Way Back

The backlash of Locki almost getting into a fight with arguably the two strongest mages in Fiore was surprisingly small. Locki had been rather perplexed that Makarov simply sweeped everything under the rug, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye after Kagura fell back asleep in his arms. Gildarts had also been pretty nonchalant about being held at swordpoint; he had said –and Locki probably should have expected it– that it had "happened before" multiple times. Why? The teen didn't really want to know.

He was more preoccupied with the Porlyusica.

"Why do you know this?" The pink-haired woman asked, watching as Locki massaged a mixture of different muscle relaxants into Kagura's stomach.

"Uh, books? Where else, woman?" Locki questioned back. He had already thrown off all sense of a polite and mannered person after his whole confrontation with Makarov, and that had led him to shed his mask of sincerity.

Of course, this only made it more weird when Makarov and Gildarts basically just left him alone with their healer and an inquisitive Erza. If they didn't also offer to show Daki and Gyutaro around Magnolia, Locki would have assumed that they were really idiots. Well, it did help with his goal to scout out Fairy Tail and Magnolia, so Locki accepted his separation from his guild members.

"You're telling me a mage looked at medical journals over magic books? Are you really the guildmaster of a Magic Guild?" Porlyusica asked, incredulous. As if the very fact that a mage did something other than learn magic was a wild statement.

Locki spared her a withering glare. "My Mutability really doesn't let me do anything other than support… Recently, I learned that support can mean other things."

Porlyusica hummed and nodded in approval. "You are not bad… for a human."

"Thanks, I don't really care."

"I-is Kagura going to be okay?" Erza pipped up nervously, looking around at the shadows of the room after Max disappeared into one earlier. Locki had given the Pokemon the express purpose of keeping the girl from interfering with his treatment.

The teen looked over the redheaded girl. She was no doubt powerful. According to the brother demon, Daki wasn't as strong as Gyutaro, but she was still no slouch in combat. Locki didn't really understand the comparisons to people named "Hashiras," but apparently they were humans skilled enough that they could slay Gyutaro, who amounted to an A-rank mage.

Even if he didn't quite get the comparison, that information meant something when it concerned Erza. The girl was perhaps as talented or even more talented than Kagura. Locki quickly realized that a good relationship with her now would probably go a long way when she grew in the future. Even if it didn't, it was at least one potentially strong mage not after his head.

"What do you think Magic Deficiency Disease really is?" Locki asked the girl.

Erza looked bewildered. "What the disease is? Isn't it something that happens to mages who fight too hard? They don't have enough magic in them after that."

"That's not entirely false." Locki agreed. "However, the disease itself only really manifests in strong mages. This is not because they lose a lot of magic fast in combat, though that certainly is a contributing factor, its because their bodies are much stronger than a normal mage's."

"Of course!" Porlyusica nodded seriously, looking at Locki in a different light. "It is pressure."

"Pressure?" Erza asked.

Locki pursed his lips, unsure of how to feel about all these old people around him seeing through everything he said. Safe to say, he would not underestimate an old person again. They were all-knowing or something.

"In a sense, yes. A strong mage's body is something that comes naturally with talent and training. However, their Magic Container where they store their energy is also within this strong body. In a normal environment, the Magic Container would be full of magic to push back against the strong muscles surrounding it, but in the case where they use all their magic too fast, this creates a strong difference in pressures between the Magic Container and the body. If a mage's body is too strong, as is some cases, their body simply pops their Magic Container, which is rather fatal."

Whatever effect Locki hoped to have did not help the girl at all as she stared at Kagura like she expected the black-haired girl to spontaneously combust. Locki scratched his head, wondering again how to treat children. He never really learned anything other than to give them alcohol and threaten them… which, now that he thought about it, was a rather horrible way to raise a child.

"I- is that going to happen to Kagura? P- po–"

"Pop?" Locki asked, noticing the girl's flinch even as Porlyusica chuckled nearby at the byplay. "No, not at all. Kagura would have recovered without my help with enough time. She is not strong enough for her to risk death from something like exhausting her magic too fast. All I am doing is to help her recover faster."

"Oh…" Erza deflated in her seat, smiling to herself even as she drifted off to sleep. "That's good."

Locki sighed as he looked at her. "She really was pushing herself too hard. An idiot."

"I agree." Porlyusica chimed in. "Who does she think has to heal her from all her injuries of fighting that white-haired girl? She only thinks with her fists."

Locki shrugged. "She's at that age. Rebellion and bloodshed are common."

The pink-haired woman laughed. "I had heard rumors about Evermont's… unsavory environment. Is that how it was for you?"

"Hmm? Sadly, no. Its a shame, though. I really wanted to see my old man kick the bucket."

"You certainly say the nicest of things." The woman said, standing up and stretching. "How about I make you some tea? The brat will get better in about an hour with your treatment, so we have some time to kill for me to pick your brain. I have a question about the specifics of a mage with such low Mutability."

"I take it that Fairy Tail doesn't have many of those?"

Porlyusica looked at him with a dry glare. "Do you think I will just give away information for free? Especially to such a snake like you?"

Locki smiled at her, knowing she knew it was fake. "How about that tea, then?"

...

Like Porlyusica had said, Kagura quickly got better. Her weakness brought about by her body actively squeezing her Magic Container had been alleviated enough to allow magic to begin filling it up again. She had gotten better phenomenally faster after that, and there were only the bandages for the multitude of burns that the girl suffered.

Though, there was rather light scarring on her shoulders that would probably stick with her forever. A badge as much as a reminder that she had been pushed to kill her attacker.

The young guildmaster excused himself with Kagura after Porlyusica rather abruptly kicked them out. He had given up as much information about medical procedures to the woman, realizing half-way through that she had no ability to use magic herself. All her skills came from pure research and scientific study.

"Hone!" Locki ignored Validator, the Honedge, as it hovered around him. He already knew what it wanted, and he adjusted his grip on Kagura, resting her sleeping form on his back.

"Why isn't she waking up?" Erza asked, looking back at Locki and Kagura from her leading position. "She got better, right?"

Locki shook his head. "She's fine now. All we are waiting for is for her Magic Container to reach equilibrium again. It won't happen instantaneously."

"Oh…" Erza nodded seriously, eyeing him like a hawk.

"What? Say it if you have something to say."

"What magic did you use? To stop Gildarts and face master Makarov?"

Locki hummed, knowing that, in the girl's eyes, he had confronted both of those mages without breaking a sweat. "How strong do you think I am?"

"Uh… I don't know."

"Well, I am not as strong as you think I am. I'm probably weaker than Kagura." Locki said, trying to shrug but stopping as he remembered Kagura was on his back. "I'm a fairly untalented mage, you see."

"What? H- how did you do that then?" Erza asked.

"Strength and talent are good, but not the deciding factor in things." Locki said, thinking back on everything he went through recently.

He wasn't strong enough to fight nearly everyone he did. Every single time he had help from Max, Gyutaro, and a whole lot of planning things on the fly. It really pushed the idea that he didn't really need to be talented or have strong magic to come out on top. Locki had let it become something of a habit; to rely on others for things he couldn't quite do with his own strength.

"Even hard work might not get you the results you want, too." Locki continued. He had already tried a long time ago, knowing that he was held back by a wall of talent. "Sometimes things can't be done by yourself. You need some suckers to help you, too."

Erza's face didn't really show any recognition of what she heard. Her features were scrunched up like she had just swallowed something sour. "... I- I don't understand."

Locki smirked, shaking his head. "Well, you probably won't be like me. You're talented, so maybe you can have a better time with training."

"I will, sir!" Erza saluted seriously, jumping and ruining her serious look when Max's face appeared within his shadow. "S- stop that!"

The Pokemon cackled loudly as Erza slowly magically requiped a sword into her hands with a flash of starlight. She already figured out that Haunter could pass through any attack, so she had no hesitation to swing her sword at the Pokemon.

The interaction between the redhead and Pokemon continued till they made their way back to the entrance of Magnolia. Overhead, the sun had begun to set, casting thick shadows across the taller buildings of the city. Within the shadow of the entrance were Gyutaro and Daki who were flanked by a jolly Makarov.

The two demons were a picture of extremes. Gyutaro calmly leaned on the side of a building, waiting patiently. Daki, however, was furious and visibly seethed next to the complacent guildmaster of Fairy Tail. It was only until Locki drew closer that he could see the traces of sweat on the older man's forehead.

"Guildmaster Locki! It is good to see that Kagura looks so healthy. I take it you've decided to head back early." Makarov spoke happily, almost as if he was relieved to get rid of them.

"More like Porlyusica kicked us out." Locki said, adjusting his hold on Kagura. "What happened with Daki?"

Makarov flinched, but Gyutaro stepped forwards, placing a hand on his sister's shoulder. The demon looked his guildmaster in the eye. "She was hit on by that man. Then, she tried to kill him, but he ran away."

Locki raised an eyebrow. Apparently, Gildarts might have been serious when he talked about all those bars and brothels. Though, this worked in his favor. "I trusted you with my guild mates, and you treat them with harassment?"

Makarov coughed heavily under both Locki's scrutiny and Erza's disapproving glare. "W- well, I hadn't intended for this to happen. Gildarts was just complimenting her normally…"

"Daki?" Locki looked over the demon.

"I want his head."

Locki turned back to an embarrassed Makarov. The old man tried not to look the teen in the eyes. "Sure, Gildarts can be a little forward, but we can put this matter behind–"

"Surely an established guildmaster like yourself would not shirk out of their responsibility for their guild mates' actions. Something as serious as harassment of another Magic Guild's member. I am sure any newspaper would love to hear about Fairy Tail's… habits." Locki said with a smile that dripped of fake sincerity.

"... Must you be like this?" Makarov whined pitifully, knowing just what Locki was about to suggest.

Locki smiled. He knew without a doubt that Makarov would fight tooth and nail on any decision that negatively affected his guild members, so anything Locki would suggest had to keep the other mage's welfare and intentions in the picture. Something minor like a small scandal would not really affect Fairy Tail as a whole, nor would they really stick to a mage like the Crash Mage.

In any case, he only gained this leeway because of Daki's abrasive insistence and that Makarov let him do it. He recognized it as an attempt at an olive branch; to make peace. Locki was going to take what he could get.

"Let's just let Kagura's treatment costs go, then. No strings attached." Locki said, ignoring the concerned look Erza sent his way.

Makarov sighed as if he expected this, and Locki could see the obvious glance at the red-haired girl. "Sure, that is fine. Would that assuage your uh…"

Locki sent a look at the frustrated Daki and the demon huffed angrily. "So long as the brat doesn't send us into debt, I can deal with a dumb playboy."

"Then, we can talk about Kagura going on missions with Erza." Locki said, knowing the redhead had already perked up. Makarov also looked more intrigued. "I have several ground rules so that we don't sabotage each other."

"That is fine. I had known something similar might be required after I heard of your origins."

Locki pursed his lips. "Is this what everyone thinks Evermont really is?"

"Do you think it is not?"

Locki nodded. "Okay, fair."

"What do you need?" Erza asked hurriedly, cutting into the conversation.

Locki frowned at her. He knew why she was impatient, but her continuous disruptions had gotten slightly annoying. Stifling it, he knew he couldn't tell the girl off if Makarov did not say anything. "For one, you both can't submit the same mission at different Magic Guilds. As my own one is fairly small, I feel like I should take the majority of our mission submissions. We can split the rewards, but I need those completion documents. Secondly, and most importantly, they can't take missions outside of Evermont without myself or one of my guild members as well."

Makarov narrowed his eyes. From all their conversations, Locki knew the man had an idea about what exactly happens in Evermont, and to suggest that he needed to allow his young guild member to go to something considered a cesspool was impossible. However, the old man was not the one who made the choice. He could not deny Erza's pleading expression.

"I will trust you not to drag her into whatever you do in that city." Makarov said, voice low and warning.

"I know what you mean, but Erza is not there for help. She's there to keep Kagura company when I do it myself." Locki said confidently. He recognized that Kagura would need to join him in his endeavors, but he wanted the girl to grow up without the need to get involved in the underbelly of Evermont.

Makarov studied his face for a moment before he nodded, flashing a brief, sad smile. "I would like to apologize for my other comment earlier. You carry a weight most would crumble under. I do mean it when I say that Fairy Tail would like to extend a hand of friendship and cooperation. Should you wish for it, of course."

Locki shook his head. At one time, he might have accepted, but now he was already on a track he could not easily leave. As strong as Fairy Tail was, the False Giants guild was closer. They would not be able to protect him fast enough.

"I can't." Locki admitted with a wry smile. "However, I think I might ask for some help at one time."

"Oh? Sure. what would it be?"

Locki grinned wide, leaning forwards so that he was out of Erza's earshot. "Within two years, the Tower of Heaven… Those pieces of shit cannot be allowed to exist. [Help me destroy them]. For Erza as well."

Makarov's face froze momentarily, but he quickly masked it with an easy smile. A fake one that Locki could see hid a vicious resolve. "I will give Erza a letter with our findings when she comes over. Keep it hidden from her, and be careful. They apparently are keeping tabs on the girl. Probably Kagura, too. When you find them, I can see if Gildarts wants to join, too."

Locki tried not to grin too hard at the mere fact that he got the possibility of a S-rank mage's backup. He looked over the smaller, older man. "How do you know I won't mess things up?"

Makarov shrugged. "Fairy Tail can't move in the dark like yours can. Our information can't get into some channels that might be more… prevalent in Evermont."

Human trafficking, Locki thought immediately. False Giants didn't really deal with that, but Locki knew one of the other three Magic Guilds dealt more in the topic.

"Got it." Locki nodded. He took a moment to gesture with his chin to Gyutaro and Daki to leave, and he passed by a smiling Erza. "Come over some time, kid. I am sure you and Kagura can train together."

"Yes! I will!" Erza bobbed her head rapidly.

"Travel safely, guildmaster Locki." Makarov said. "I wish you luck for your future."

Locki laughed, whispering to himself, "Rather than luck, I need more Gold Prisms."

"Mmm…" Kagura shifted on Locki's back, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck and almost choking him. "... you made your trash scraps into wings, guildmaster…"

Locki raised an eyebrow, having no idea if that was a complement or not. He wanted to ask further, but the girl had already fallen back asleep, breaths coming out in soft hushes. The teen looked down at his shadow to find the hilt of Validator, the Honedge, poke out to eye him.

It dipped slightly, as if it wanted to bow. Locki scoffed at the action.

"Don't think I am going to forgive you for trying to kill me so soon." Locki said in a huff. "Though… tell me when you are ready to evolve into a Doublade. I read that they need to possess another weapon or have enough metal nearby to form their second blade."

"Hone?" The Pokemon perked up slightly, dipping once again before it disappeared into his shadow.

"Right… Kagura will just have to tell me herself. Like hell I am figuring out how to translate that."

"So what's the plan now, guildmaster?" Gyutaro asked, shooting a glance over his shoulder. Locki knew that Makarov and Erza had left at one point, disappearing back into Magnolia. Just a small event that allowed Locki to gain another ally against the Tower of Heaven.

"For now, we take the long way back. Let Drumlowe think we stayed longer than we actually did." Locki said, getting a nod from one demon and a heavy sigh from another. "Then, we will start gathering our strength. We can't let these cultist idiots take a shot at us without hitting them back, after all."

Locki felt that the Scarlet Hand could only go up from here.