Reunion and Farewell

After walking some distance, Golden Softie suddenly came to a halt.

"Scrape!"

"Clang!"

"Crash!"

"Ow!"

Hearing the sounds of something scraping against the ground, metal hitting the floor, glass shattering, and pained cries behind her, Golden Softie completely slumped.

"No way?!"

Before Lucy could even finish being scared, the sounds of fighting suddenly erupted behind them.

"What's going on?!"

Driven by curiosity and the determination to settle this trouble once and for all, Golden Softie gathered her courage and moved toward the source of the fighting.

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

"Idiot, it's us!"

"Boom!"

Amid the fierce explosion and firelight, a black-robed figure flew in an arc and crashed down in front of Golden Softie.

"Huh... Gajeel?"

Looking at the astonished face above him, the soot-covered Gajeel grinned and waved.

"Hi!"

"Whoosh!"

"Thud!"

Before Miss Lucy and Gajeel could exchange a word, the Fire Dragon who had just sent Gajeel flying appeared before her as well. At the same time, an extremely irritated shout came from the alley.

"I told you it was a misunderstanding! Seriously!!!"

Their eyes met, and the tall figure that had just emerged from the alley froze on the spot.

"Hey... you there, stop right there!"

Watching Lazy God prepare to flee, Golden Softie felt as though her windpipe had taken a heavy blow.

"Pfft!"

Just as Lucy's laughter faded, cries for help rang out from the alley.

"Pitiful Suo, the alarm's been lifted! Hurry up and get me out of here!"

"And me!"

"Me too!"

"Senior Sordil, Natsu, Gajeel, everyone, thank you!"

After Golden Softie straightened up, Laxus did not return to the alley to rescue the others as everyone had asked. Instead, he leaped onto the rooftops at incredible speed.

Just as she stood there in bewilderment, three crisp female shouts came from