Author's Note- SURPRISE! I was able to finish my video project a lot sooner than I expected, I guess being on your own instead of in a group has it's perks. Hope you guys enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 12: Surprise!
Lucy froze up as the old mage asked that question. How did he know? Are the symptoms getting obvious? She had only told Laxus and Levy that she was pregnant. It was doubtful that either one told the others, not with the S-Class exam.
Lucy had found out she was pregnant about two weeks ago. She was sure it had happened when she and Laxus had that adventure on their anniversary. This was going to take some explaining. Lucy couldn't even imagine how Natsu would react when he found out. It would probably be him going on a rampage, trying to murder everyone like usual, just multiply the destruction by five.
Lucy never answered Gildarts question, and instead simply continued walking in silence. Not long after, he passed out. The blond could tell because his breathing became more rhythmic, more steady paced. Lucy sighed in relief when she noticed this. The battle had been tough on her.
Her back was badly burned from the magical attack Gilarts unleashed. Her ankles were swollen slightly from the drop onto her elder mage. Lucy's magical reserves were also significantly lower than she preferred as well. Right after she had revealed Midnight Reaper, Lucy had focused a great amount of magic in her legs. That had allowed her to move fast enough to take down Gildarts.
Lucy remembered having to use that on Natsu a few weeks ago, during her anniversary dinner with Laxus. She hadn't needed to use as much magic then, but the blond still remembered being winded afterwords. It's not a very pleasant experience after words, but it's worth it from time to time. Like right now.
Luckily, her training with Laxus made her physically stronger, so Lucy was able to carry Gildarts with only a small amount of trouble. The woman continued to trudge on for a few more minutes until she finally made it to the losers camp. She was expecting it to be bare. And it was, for a few moments. Just as Lucy was setting Gildarts down on the ground, Evergreen and Freed walked up to her.
Lucy didn't hear the two walk up, so she spun around in surprise when they greeted her. Freed was the first to speak, "Hello Lucy. It seems you... were...able to..." The script mage did not finish his sentence, for he was silenced by his shock at seeing Gildarts on the ground.
Evergreen spoke up next, her shock even greater than Lucy's, "L-Lucy! You beat Gildarts!"
Lucy nodded. SHe would have said something, but the moment after queasiness took over. Instantly going a few shades paler, crawled a few feet away before puking yet again. Freed and Evergreen rushed to the mage's side, confused by the sudden turn in health. Everyone continued in this pose for at least another minute until Lucy rolled onto her back, panting heavily. Worried looks covered the two Raijinshu members.
Lucy slowly propped herself up on her elbows, and then continued until she was sitting in one of the chairs placed in the camp. Still panting, Lucy muttered, "S-sorry about that."
Freed, still holding on to his worried look, asked, "Is something wrong Lucy? Do you not feel well?"
Evergreen still wore a look similar to Freed's, which was rare for her. She had spoken up next, "I don't think you should continue in the exam, Lucy. Fighting Gildarts must've taken almost everything out of you."
Lucy sighed in response and closed her eyes for a few moments. Thinking through her options, the blond decided just to explain to them what was going on. Reopening her eyes, Lucy looked up at the two mages.
"It wasn't the fight. His age is catching up with him now. If it had been a few years ago, he would've been much stronger. No, the truth is..." Lucy trailed off as she saw more mages start to come to the camp.
There was Grey and Juvia, holding hands with the each other and closer than most would think. And Wendy and Gajeel, they were talking with each other, most likely about their matches. Freed and Evergreen noticed Lucy's gaze fall on them, so they turned to see the four mages as well and were now waving to them. The four mages walked over to the group.
When they reached there, Grey spoke up first. "What! You guys are all out! That means only flame-brain is left! Great, just great!"
Evergeen turned her head, signaling them that he was wrong. "No, Lucy is still in the game."
Gajeel spoke up next, confused by the fact that Lucy won her match. "Who'd bunny-girl beat? You or the sissy boy over there?"
Wendy gasped at the sight of something. Everyone turned to look at the young mage, wondering what caused her to make the noise. The other three guild members that had come were shocked and made noises similar to hers. They were all looking at the still figure of Gildarts.
Wendy was barely able to speak as she squeaked out, "W-who... h-how... w-w..."
Freed spoke up now, a proud look on his face. "It was Lucy who defeated Gildarts." Suddenly, he and Evergreen bowed to the blond haired mage, "Just as we serve as Laxus' body guards, we shall serve you the same, Lucy."
Everyone ignored the spectacle Freed and Evergreen were giving and focused their attention onto Lucy. There was a moment of silence until one of the new comers finally spoke up.
Grey, in disbelief, asked, "I-is that true, Lucy? Did you really defeat Gildats?"
Lucy nodded weakly. She had just thrown up twice in the past fifteen minutes, and she wasn't in the mood to be questioned. Attempting to keep her emotions in check, Lucy explained the situation.
"Listen, a lot has happened over the past three years. I went through intense training, I learned forgotten Celestial Magic. I obtained new keys. I was married. But a lot has happened to you all as well. I'm sure you've all gotten stronger, just like me. We've all grown in there past few years. But so did Gildarts, just like the rest of Fairy Tail. He was one of the older members, and just like how I explained earlier, his age is catching up with him. Our generation is catching up with him."
The group of mages were quiet now. The silence continued on for a few more seconds. Everyone was thinking though what Lucy had said. This lull time was interrupted by the arrival of even more mages. This time it was the other S-Class mages. Greetings were exchanged and explanations given yet again.
After some time the mages were separated into two groups, Lucy and Laxus in one and all the others in the second. Lucy was still sitting in her chair, Laxus stood behind her. His hands placed on her shoulders reassuringly. In the second group, the men had been courteous and allowed the women to sit down while they stood.
Lucy sighed again, and took a look at her husband. In return, he whispered to the blond. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to. They don't need to know."
Lucy whispered back, "I know, but they deserve to know. they would find out sooner or later anyways."
Laxus simply nodded, returning his gaze on the other members. Lucy did the same. They were about to attempt to attract the other group's attention when Gajeel did it for them.
"Hey! Bunny-girl! Whatta' you hidin' from us?" Gajeel glared at the couple, angry for being left out on something.
His outburst attracted the attention of the others, and that attention was now focused on the two blonds. Lucy sighed once more, then spoke.
"Everyone, there's something we need to tell you."
Erza squinted her eyes, suspicious of something. "If you two are leaving again, you can-"
Lucy hurriedly waved her hands in the air as she shook her head vigorously, an actin she instantly regretted, for her motion sickness returned.
The words spewed out of the blond's mouth as she defended herself, "What? N-no! Of course not!"
Cana spoke up now, "Then what is it Lucy?"
Mira spoke then, a worried look on her face. "Is something the matter?"
The rest of the members present murmured questions similar. They all quieted down, though, when Lucy began to speak again. Trembling slightly, the blond looked at the faces of her guild mates.
Quietly, Lucy stated, "N-never mind. You'll find out at the winners meeting spot."
Everyone was silent for a moment, then the area was filled with loud cheers and whoops. Hollers were mixed in along the way. The noise woke Gildarts, who was now joining in the excitement. It looked as if a party was about to start, but then everyone went still when Juvia asked Lucy a question.
The question was, "Juvia would like to know how Lucy was able to defeat Gildarts."
Silence ensued for a few seconds, the others wondering the same. Lucy attempted to speak, but was becoming very nauseous from the excitement. Laxus answered the question instead.
His tone mimicked how he felt. The thunder mage was annoyed and wanted the exam to move on. "You can find out after the exam." A few members opened their mouths to speak yet again, but were silenced by a glare from Laxus. "No more questions! The exam must continue!"
Before the others could speak, Laxus picked up Lucy bride style and swiftly strutted away. He was most likely heading to the winners meeting place. To where Natsu and Makarov waited. The rest of the group followed suit. Muttering about themselves and the battles just waged.
Evergreen had fought Erza in an epic battle, but was ultimately defeated when she was surrounded by about twenty of Erza's swords. Freed had fought Laxus, much to his dismay. He was defeated with a quick jolt of electricity for he had neglected to raise his sword against the thunder mage. Wendy had fought with Cana and almost won, but was tricked when the card mage acted seriously injured. Grey and Juvia had surrendered when they had discovered they would have to fight each other. Gajeel had fought with Mira, and had lost to the takeover mage's speed. The only ones left in the competition are Lucy and Natsu, who had taken the silent route. The one route with no battle.
Time passed, and the members eventually made it to the meeting place. Natsu and Makarov were already waiting there. Once everyone had settled, Makarov began his speech, telling about the battles that had ensued.
"I shall now announce the results of part one of the exam. Natsu had taken the silent route, path D. Gajeel had been defeated by Mira in route B. Wendy was defeated by Cana in route E. Freed was defeated by Laxus in route A. Evergreen was defeated by Erza in route F. Grey and Juvia surrendered their battle against each other in routes G and H. Finally, in a miraculous triumph, Lucy defeated... Gildarts?"
As he told out that last sentence, Makarov himself was left utterly confused. Natsu reacted in a way far worse. For some reason, his mood was dark, disturbing, almost evil. He started spewing insults towards Lucy. Claiming that she cheated. That someone like her would never be able to defeat a mage as powerful as Gildarts.
The guild members and master were shocked by this action. Most gasped, or made horrified looks at the accusations the fire mage spat. Laxus readily defended his wife the entire time, but it was Lucy that calmed him down.
"Natsu!" The blond yelled, gathering everyone's attention on herself. Lucy was glaring at Natsu, a look that far outmatched Erza's. Natsu quieted down, but it was obvious he was struggling to hold back the venomous words. Lucy took this chance and continued.
"Just because your love life is a total wreck doesn't mean you can be an asshole!It was your own doing that caused this. You were to dense to realize your feelings for me, and then were to obsessed with them when you did! I'm in love with Laxus, my husband, and Lisanna is going out with Styxx! If you had even a shred of self control, then you wouldn't be in such a pathetic state!"
The expressions of Lucy's guild mates varied. Laxus looked on her with pride, as did Master Makarov. The others nodded slightly, showing their approval. Natsu, however, stared at Lucy with shock. Speechless from the words she told.
"And there's nothing you can do to change that until you change yourself!" Lucy announced, still glaring at the pink haired man. "You'll never have me, Natsu! And you ruined your chances with Lisanna. She's moved on, as I did years ago. Now it's time for you to do the same, and realize you can't have everything you want!"
These words were like a sword to the heart for Natsu, for seconds later, the fire mage collapsed to his hands and knees. His head was bent down, blocking his face from the rest of the guild.
Everyone stayed like this for at least a full minute. Natsu on the ground, Lucy staring down upon him with her arms folded across her chest, and the guild members glancing between the two.
"You don't even want to think I cheated. I spent three years researching Celestial Magic and training my body. You should be shocked, possibly even a little scared, that I defeated Gildarts while being pregnant."
Author's Note- I'm pretty sure most of you expected Lucy being pregnant. I mean, it's not like I tried to hide it with the symptoms or anything. I had to look back to the anniversary chapter to make sure everything here involving that went right, and that was when I realized that I got no reviews for that chapter on the adventure between the two at the beginning. I had expected people to comment on that, but I'm guessing most people just put it aside like it wouldn't matter. Oh well, hope you guys liked the chapter! I tried to make it longer than the last few, but oh well
