Chapter 14

Declaration of War

(Lucy pov)

Night had fallen on Magnolia and we were safe and sound in our home. Lukas and Titan kept me pinned to the bed, sleeping away the frightening hours they spent looking for me. The only thing out of place was the pink headed dimwit snoring on my couch. His exceed lay curled on his head, mumbling about his favorite meal under his breath. I silently called out Virgo and asked her to turn out the light. She did so quickly, also picking up the dishes from dinner and dessert and tidying up my room. She helped me shift under the covers without waking my sons and bid us sweet dreams.

I took solace in the warm, small bodies flanking me. Gaining consciousness in a cell you had never seen before and meeting the man that put you there could really put a girl on edge. For a few seconds, I thought I would never see my family again.

Oh well. No use dwelling over it. What's done is done. I'm back home and my family is safe.

I woke up in the same state of mind even with my boys climbing over me, screaming for me to make breakfast. Never mind the fact that they could bloody well do it themselves just fine. The combination of three Dragon Slayers and and exceed had me clearing out nearly my entire fridge and pantry. I wrote a list of things to get at the store and stuck it to the fridge. Looks like we'll be dining at the Guild until I have the funds to restock on food. Natsu bounced down the streets while my sons and I trotted behind. I looked down at my boys and thanked the Stars that I was with them again. At that moment, nothing could have brought me down.

Then we got to the Guild.

It was silent and riddled with giant metal poles. Fairy Tail was… quiet. That's not normal. The rambunctious crowds and massive brawl clouds was normal. Hissed whispers, grave expressions, and the gloomy atmosphere had me on edge. What was wrong? Besides the obvious destruction of the Guild? I mean everyone has done a bit of damage to it at least once. It's normal if a bit excessive this time, but we could fix it no problem. Yesterday, everyone had been so happy for my return. They drank and partied, celebrating my rescuers and my brave escape. They laughed as I told them what I had done before jumping out the window. Master said that Jose could use a good kick in the balls. Apparently, Jose was a bit of a sour sport. He retailed us of the battle between he and Jose from many years ago. Makarov won, no surprise there, and Jose had stalked off like a petulant child and held a grudge ever since.

We were so happy last night. What could have happened to make them like this?

Mira shuffled out of the infirmary. She saw us at the door and offered us a ghost of her real smile. "Oh, good morning. How did you sleep, Lucy?"

"Never mind that! What's going on? Why is everyone so upset? And the poles..."

Gray slammed a fist on a table. "We found Team Shadow Gear chained to a tree and beaten half to death. Levy, Jet, and Droy still haven't woken up."

"The Phantom's mark was painted on Levy's abdomen in their blood."

"And some asshole destroyed our Guild!"

My hands clasped over my mouth and tears stung my eyes. Levy? Tiny, little, book loving Levy? The one who asked me about my novel last night? I still remember the look of pure elation on her face when I promised her that she would be the first to read it. The Hall could be rebuilt, we've done it so many times we've lost count, but Levy… couldn't be replaced. Lukas and Titan had gone silent in shock, clinging to my legs. Natsu was trembling in rage beside me. "Why the hell are we laying around here then?! Let's go beat 'em up for what they've done!"

Erza shot to her feet, sword in hand. "Natsu is right! We cannot allow these atrocities to go unpunished!"

All of a sudden, the pressure in the air exploded. Makarov walked out of the infirmary, his eyes white and his energy simmering around him like an aura of unimaginable power. "No one harms my brats like this without retaliation! First kidnapping Lucy and now team Shadow Gear! Phantom Lord has declared war on Fairy Tail and we will answer!"

The Guild screamed their agreement. All of them were preparing for war. A war that is my fault. "Guys, there's something I have to tell you."

Erza placed a metal clad hand on my shoulder. "I know how much you want to go, but you must remain here with your children. Jose has already kidnapped you once and that must mean you are a target. I have no doubts that he will use your sons to make you cooperate. Stay here and watch over Team Shadow Gear with Mira."

Lukas pushed himself between us. "If you would just listen to mom, she…!"

"Erza's right, kid." Gray stripped out of his shirt. "Jose is a very bad man. The safest place for you is here. You may be strong, but this is war."

"Let's go!"

Makarov led his Guild out the doors. They would not stop until they reached the closest Phantom Guild Hall and razed it to the ground. I watched my friends and family run off to face an opponent without even knowing the reason behind their attacks. If they knew I was the reason for their suffering…

"It'll be okay, mom."

I looked down at Titan. My sweet, little Titan.

"Everything will be fine. You'll see."

I sniffed and forced my tears back. "Yes. We have to believe in our family. They won't allow anything to hurt us. Not anymore."

Lukas paced the floor and threw his hands in the air. "Bah! What's it matter how much we're liked if they don't shut their damn mouths and listen?!"

Mira heaved a sigh and set three milkshakes on the bar. "Come on, guys. Let's all try to relax. This isn't a time to be bickering with one another. We have to stand united against our enemy. Jose is a powerful man with the morality of a thief. Phantom Lord is considered a borderline Dark Guild due to the way he runs it."

Lukas climbed up the stool. "What does his life span have to do with anything?"

I giggled and helped Titan onto his own chair. "Not mortality. Morality. It means a person's distinction between right and wrong. For example, All three of us have good morals. We help others without expecting anything in return because we care. Then there are people like Jose who have bad morals. Those people gain a person's trust and then manipulates them for their own purposes. Jose is the kind of man that would throw you to the wolves to save his own skin."

"And you would never do that, right mom?"

I kissed Titan's head. "Right. And you two wouldn't either. We stick by each other through thick and thin. Until the very end." Both boys nodded in affirmation and slurped on their milkshakes. I leaned against the bar between them and played with my own drink. "Mira, there is something I have to tell you…. to tell everyone."

Mira set down a clean mug and started the next one. She tried sending me a reassuring smile, but the anger and worry was clear in her sky blue eyes. "What's up?"

I pushed away the melting beverage, keeping my gaze on the counter. "I lied to you all when I came here. My last name isn't Heart."

The barmaid dropped her mug. "Oh Mavis…. Are you a spy? Did Phantom Lord send you here to cause trouble?"

That made me look up. "What?! No! No, nothing like that. No."

Her shoulders relaxed and she picked up the mug again. "Well, whatever it is can't be that bad then. At least you're not a spy."

"No, but I am the reason Fairy Tail is going to war."

Mira chuckled, "Well, of course we are, Lucy! They kidnapped you and hurt our family! We cannot let that go unpunished."

"No, Mira. I am the reason for this war! Phantom Lord wouldn't have attacked you all if I hadn't joined! I am the reason poor Levy was hurt!"

Mira set her cup and rag down. "Lucy, what makes you say that? Jose has been looking for a reason to attack us ever since Master beat him in a battle. Jose really doesn't like to lose and Master…"

"Don't you get it, Mira! My father paid him to get me back! He is using me as an excuse to hurt you! If I had never joined, this wouldn't have happened! If I had just stayed home, nobody would have gotten hurt!"

"But momma," Titan crawled under my arm and snuggled into my side. "If you had stayed at home, we would have never met you. And you would be married to a pompous, fat prick."

Lukas cuddled my other side. "Yeah. If you hadn't shown up, that old hag would have handed us off to that good for nothing Magic Council. Without you, I never would have met my dad. I'm happy that we're here, mom. None of this is your fault."

"They're right, Lucy. We are happy to have you here. This is where you belong."

I smiled tearfully at the white haired maiden. "Thank you. I know I don't deserve it, but thank you so much."

Mira's grin grew wider. "Why don't we start over. "Hello. I'm Mirajane Strauss. My friends call me Mira. What's your name?"

I grasped the hand she held out. "Hi there. I'm Lucy Heartfilia."

We shook hands. Mira returned to her duties. "Heartfilia. Heartfilia. Where have I heard that name before?"

"I would be surprised if you hadn't heard it before. Let me give you a hint. The railways and train system is my father's crowning achievement."

Mira gasped. "Wait. Heartfilia? As in the Heartfilia?"

I grimaced at the excitement in her voice. "That's me. Heir to the Heartfilia Konzern and Railways."

Mira gaped in astonishment at my confession. "You're… You're… The Heartfilia Konzern is said to be wealthier than the King himself! What in the hell are doing in a Magic Guild?! If I were you, I'd…!"

"Be married off to the highest bidder." I scowled at the thought of the man my father had 'chosen for me. "As an heiress, I was given the very best. I wore the best dresses, ate the finest foods, and attended the most opulent parties. All the girls looked at me with envy and the men with desire. I was Lucky Lucy Heartfilia, the girl that everyone aspired to be. I had everything that I ever wanted and not what I truly needed. My so called girl friends gossiped about me and spread vicious rumors to make themselves look better. I had many suitors, but each one only wanted me for the wealth and beautiful children I could provide. And just as it is with common men, matrimony does not mean monogamy! Once you pop out a kid and your body isn't as pretty or as tight anymore, they take a mistress and expect their wife to be fine with it! Does that mean that the wife could take a lover for herself? Ha! Not unless she wanted to be ridiculed, divorced, and disowned by her own family to save themselves from the shame of the double standard life style of the rich and famous! I would rather die a thousand different deaths, each more painful than the last, than ever return to my father! Blood or no, I will not allow myself to be sold like a doll for breeding!"

Lukas raised his fist into the air. "We won't let him!"

I chuckled and patted his head. "Thanks, baby."

"If mom is marrying anyone, it's gonna be dad!"

I spat out the mouthful of milkshake I had only just begun drinking. I choked and coughed, trying to expel the little bit of beverage that slid down the wrong pipe. I felt little hands slapping my back in an attempt to help. When I finally regained the ability to speak, I turned on my oldest son. "What the hell makes you say that? Laxus and I aren't… Laxus doesn't see me in that way, honey. Just because we aren't married doesn't make us any less your parents."

Mira. Oh Mavis, Mira had a dark, demonic gleam in her eyes. She scared the living fuck out of me. More so than Jose ever could. Stars above! Who is this beast?! Where's Mira?! This isn't Mira! This is a matchmaking Demon from the deepest pits of Tartarus! No… Even Tartarus couldn't create something this evil! "Mira…"

"So you have feelings for Laxus?"

I felt so small under her glowing gaze. "N-N-No! I n-never said that!"

"But you don't deny it! He said you and Laxus should get married and you said Laxus doesn't see you as a wife! You never said you don't see him as a husband!"

I have to make my stand now! I must stop this before it spins out of control! "Well, I'm sure any woman would be lucky to have him as a partner, but I…"

"I KNEW IT!" Mira shouted with glee and leaned over the bar and into my face. "Don't you worry, Lucy! I'll get you two together! And then you can have more babies! I can see them now! Blonde haired, blue eyed babies! Blonde haired, brown eyed babies!"

"Now wait a damn minute, Mira! Just because I found the father of my adopted son doesn't mean I have to marry him. What if we find Titan's father? Do you expect me to marry both of them?"

Mira was practically salivating. "So many babies! I bet Titan's daddy is a dark haired hunk! He has to be to produce such an adorable little boy! I don't think you'd mind marrying two studs. In fact, I think it turns you on a bit."

My face flamed at her insinuation. "Mira! Not in front of my sons! You're giving them ideas! Me and Laxus are good friends! That's it!"

"But it's destiny! Come on, Lucy! Did you plan on being a mother so early on? Why did you adopt two children, hm? Was it a spur of the moment thing or were you heading in that direction and you just so happened to see these two rascals? Fate led you to them and dropped Natsu in your lap. He recognized Lukas' scent was similar to Laxus' in a way only siblings and offspring can match! This is your destiny, Lucy! Except your two lovers and make me more babies!"

I stared dumbly at the female. "You're a real nutcase. You know that, right?"

Mira scoffed at my brush off and moved to the next glass. "You know I'm right. I bet that Titan's father is closer than you think. You are going to run into him and you're going to have a passionate love affair with the fathers of your children. I'm kind of jealous."

"Okay! That's our que to check in on the injured! Come on, boys. If you promise to be careful and not spill, you can bring your milkshakes."

Lukas and Titan grabbed their refilled glasses and followed me into the small infirmary. Titan brushed up against my leg. "Mom, do you really think we'll meet my dad soon? What if Mira is right? What if he's on his way here right now?"

I offered him a smile and ran my fingers through his spiky, black hair. "Mira is a whackjob, honey. She has a romantic view of the world that just isn't realistic."

Titan slumped over. "But she could be right, couldn't she?"

My heart pulsed in my chest and I kneeled down to my son's level. "I suppose there's a chance. Who knows? He might even be in this very city, wandering the streets and thinking about starting a family."

Titan beamed. "Yeah! I bet he's the most amazing and strongest guy ever!"

I chuckled and pressed a kiss to his nose. "I know he is."

(unknown pov)

All other sounds in the Hall faded as I chomped down the scrap metal. I could feel my Magic replenishing. I had drained a lot with my little project on the weak Fairies Guild Hall. The Fairies I had found were fun to play with, but that drained me a little more. It felt good to feel my Magic container filling again with pure iron. I swear nothing could make me happier in this moment.

Except finding the source of that strange scent I came across.

It had been late and we were all on a mission, so I didn't have time to investigate. I had finished up with the Hall and was on the hunt for stray Fairies. We were walking along Strawberry street, fucking Strawberry street, when my superior sense of smell picked up a familiar scent. It smelled like… me. But not me. I had never been on the street before and I was more than a little curious. There was the scent of metal and mountains, my scent, and Strawberry and vanilla with the tiniest hint of honeysuckle. My inner Dragon, the voice of my instincts, stirred at the smell and urged me to find the source. It was almost like it needed to find out who or what carried that scent. Unfortunately, one of my impromptu Team mates on the roof spotted a trio of Fairies. I was forced to abandon the trail and it pissed me off to no end. My beast wasn't happy. I vowed to take out my frustration on the Fairies quickly and get back to the trail, but Jose called us back.

Even now, I could feel my inner beast pacing in his cage. He was very antsy and desired to go back to Magnolia. I honestly didn't know why he was so dead set on it, but he had never steered me wrong before. If he thinks it's important I find the source of that scent, than it should be my top priority. As soon as we crush the pesky Fairy trash, I'll go hunting for… whatever is my beast wants me to hunt. A person? It smelled like a person. I don't think an object could carry a scent so strong that it could leave a trail like that.

One thing was for certain. My beast wouldn't rest until we found whatever it is we are searching for. No matter how long it takes.