Hey guys! Pretty dark chapter today but also full of answers ;)

Hope you'll like it!

He was standing there, just in front of her, the man Mira hated to most. It was also the man she identified as Laxus's father. No... it had to be a mistake. She tried to say something, to simply move, but her muscles just refused to cooperate. Before she was able to have any kind of response from her body, a cold smile stiffened the rare muscles that weren't already frozen.

- My my, I wasn't expecting that! The Strauss girl back on my way...

- Let Mira out of it! Stormed Laxus, despite the curiosity that took over him about Mira and his father knowing each other.

- Don't tell me that little bitch is your girlfriend, grimaced Ivan. Dreyar are supposed to have higher standards...

- Shut up!

Laxus made a step in his father's direction, more and more ready hit him.

- You killed her... finally articulated Mira. You killed my little sister...

Her words were barely audible, but Laxus heard them. A Rage, way bigger than the one he already had, took over him. Even if he haven't really speak to Mira before the last two weeks, he had heard about her sister's murder in cold blood. His father was a jerk, that he already knew, but to ...

- Is it true? He asked, glaring at Ivan. You've really committed a murder? A little girl's murder?

He got unconsciously closer to his parent. When he realised how close he was, he grabbed the collar of his shirt. The later was however able to keep his head up, a gross smile on his face.

- I highly recommend you to back off. Then, maybe, I could forget your little misdemeanors.

Laxus looked around him. The weight of his father's henchmen's looks was on him. He however didn't let go, his fists still gripped on his father's sweater.

- I want to hear it from your mouth. Did you killed Mira's sister?

- Yes, he said, his smile growing. .

Laxus was in a bigger rage than ever before and let go of Ivan only in order to punch him, his fists now free. The horrible man his father had never dropped his smile, dodging his hit before giving his son a punch himself. The blond man had to back up a couple of steps, air escaping his lungs all at once. It only took him a couple of seconds to breathe again, standing up and being ready to return the favor to his father. But Ivan's men had other plans and he was stopped in his impulse by two pairs of arms.

- Why?

His heart broke when he heard Mira's voice, letting free rein to her tears. It was hard to bear to see such a courageous woman in that state

- Your father is the only one to blame for this sweetheart.

- My father? He was so devastated he left without even coming back the day after my sister's death!

- You're missing a part to your story, he snickered. Have your father ever told you what kind of job he did?

Mira stayed silent. She knew nothing about her father. He was mostly never sober and was almost never home to go wherever he was passing his time to. Her relationship with him never was good. Her absence of answer confirmed Ivan's suspicions.

- That good-for-nothing Strauss and I were working together. One day, he decided to double cross me to make a big money shot at my expense. That imbecile thought he'd have enough time to leave the city before I notice. Big mistake. It was the least I could do to give him a payback, don't you think?

- I don't believe you... started Mira, guessing the direction of that conversation.

- On the contrary, my dear, I know you do believe me. I killed the latest child of that Strauss bastard and when he came to me for revenge, I send him to his daughter.

- You monster...

- Be grateful I've spared you. One child was enough, but I could've easily take care of you as well. I'm glad to have the opportunity to complete my work today though...

- When I think that I wanted to see you again so badly! Shouted Laxus, still maintained in place.

- Laxus... he said flatly as if his son was a disappointment to him. Now that she knows about that place, I just can't let her live. However, since you are my descendant, I'll let you a chance.

Laxus couldn't take it anymore. He manage to get away from his opponents with a headbutt to the back, destabilising the first one. His right arm now free, he took advantage of it by hitting the second one who couldn't see it coming. Completely unrestricted, he threw himself on his father before being stopped by a gun in his head. Ivan himself had taken the weapon from his pocket without any remorse.

- You chance is getting thinner, son.

- I'm not you son. Not anymore!

- Do other people know this place? He demanded ignoring the young man. I recommend you to answer.

- No. Nobody.

For a moment, Laxus thought he was able to keep Redfox and the small touristic guide away from that shit. He may hate the man, no one deserved being pursued be a man as vile as Ivan.

- A couple of person came to get the car, said one of his henchmen.

The young Dreyar could feel his blood boiling when he recognized the man that have shot Mira. He should have killed him when he had the chance... no, he wouldn't be better than his father in that case.

- Really? Asked Ivan. And why are they still alive?

- M. Dreyar, stammered the man caught off guard. We didn't thought it was necessary.

- Well now it is! He yelled. Trace them!

- Tssss, how do you think you'll do that? Intervened Laxus. They don't even know their names...

- Gajeel Redfox, 19 years old, apartment 307 in Fairy Tail's complex. Levy McGarden, 18 years old, apartment 102 in Fairy Hill, announced one of the man looking on his computer with only the description the witness gave him.

To Laxus's questioning look, Ivan explained with satisfaction.

- Did you really think I'd let the one who put me in jail in peace? Makarov will pay and getting rid of those two, three counting your little girlfriend here, will make him suffer while resolving my discretion problem all at once. Speaking of, I have something to do, he said, signaling to his men to take care of Laxus while he "took care of things".

One of them, the one that made the research, stayed setback, making a call. As for Ivan, he took back his attention on Mira while Laxus was struggling against those who were asked to keep him in check. Giving all he had, he managed to get free once more. It wasn't going to last, he knew it, but he only needed a few seconds. He took advantage of this small time to throw himself on his father whom fell with the surprise of the attack. Mira was fast, she'll probably have enough time to escape.

- Mira! Run! He yelled.

***

The young woman took to one's heel. She hated letting Laxus alone but she knew his father planned to keep him alive. At least, for the moment. All she needed, was a couple of minutes. The white haired girl was aware of the call that was made by the man after localising Levy and Gajeel. Knowing Ivan's hate about his father, he certainly had man directly in Magnolia, ready to attack at any moment. She had to warn them. Because of Laxus, she managed to put a great distance between them and hid in a warehouse. She took out her cellphone and called Levy. After an infinite amount of ringtones, she heard her voice.

- Hi!

- Levy? Thank God...

- I'm not available for the moment! Leave a message! Went on the answering machine much to Mira's distress.

Then she remembered she also had the company's phone on her, and that, with all the employee's numbers. She quickly took it out, giving some nervous looks to the door. "Please, answer, answer..." she mentally begged the young man.

- Hello?

- Gajeel?

- Yeah! Who is it?

His relaxed reaction reassured her. At least, the attack wasn't started yet.

- It's Mira! Gajeel, listen to me. No time go through details, but Levy and you are in danger! The ones that had attacked you at the port want to finish the job!

Gajeel hung up. Mira could only hope it was to go to Levy's place to protect her and not because the attack had started. "I can do nothing more for them" She told herself. Laxus, on the other hand, was in the middle of a fight and needed her. Mira took a deep breath. That was the reason she had trained all those years. But it was so much different in real than in her thoughts. The single thought of Ivan Dreyar was enough to make her legs weaken. Her heart was pounding in her chest. It was hard to think.

"Get a hold of yourself!" She thought, but the image of Ivan came again and again. She could see him in the little house she shared with her father, brother and sister. Elfman was out, trying to make the football team, a man's sport, to his opinion. Lisanna and her were in the living room when the door had burst open. A cold laugh was heard, the exact same one Ivan made recognizing her. Mira had put herself in from of Lisanna to protect her, but was pushed away with a big hit on the side which had broken one of her ribs. Then he had took out a dagger and finished off her sister in front of her own eyes.

Lisanna's killer had given her a satisfied look before leaving. At the time, she didn't knew his name. Now she did. And, with a shiver of disgusts, she realised he shared that name with two men important to her: the one who took her out of the streets and the one she appreciated more and more as the days went by. Laxus. She focused on that last thought to give her some courage. Gathering the little assurance she had, she opened the warehouse's door but couldn't get out, her way blocked by her worst nightmare.

- And we meet again, said Ivan, enjoying her expression of terror.

His weapon was pointed on her, forcing her to retreat to the wall. Then, when he was close enough to her, he hit only a couple of millimeters from her head with his left fist. The sound spread in the warehouse, resonation in Mira's skull.

- Apparently, my good-for-nothing of a son overestimated you, he whispered in her ear. He who hoped so much you could make it out.

He put his gun back in his pocket, his left hand still on the wall and grabbed her throat with his right one. Fingers tightened while she was stuck on the wall. She couldn't breathe. Even with her struggle, Ivan way stronger than the ones she fought two weeks ago. He had broken her mentally, and now, he was about to take her life for good.

Her lips were starting to show tints of blue. She thought of Faity Tail's employees that were practically her family, of her brother who didn't deserve to suffer the loss of a sister again, of Lisanna who deserved someone to live for her safe...

The will to live took over her. She had to do something. "Come on Strauss, fight!" Tears were falling on her cheek. She redoubled her ardor. She was strong. She could repel him. She had to repel him. Mira channeled all her energy, putting aside the despair that was taking over her.

Here you go! Sorry again for the brutal ending of this chapter :o Share your thought! ;) and have a nice day (or night)!

Lily xx