Thank you for the reviews so far, I'd love some feedback on what you think of the story so far. As always Hiro Mashima owns Fairytail
A stern looking red haired mage was waiting for them when they arrived back at the docks, dressed in full armour, she sat on a bench rigorously oiling her sword. Her sharp brown gaze snapped to Natsu, who chuckled nervously and waved as they departed the little fishing boat.
'What are the chances we can outrun her?' Happy whispered into Natsu's ear.
'None' he replied through gritted teeth.
Happy smiled serenely, as they approached her. Lucy was quietly curious, she watched the nervous duo in silent amusement.
Erza stood sheathing her blade. She quirked a brow, hands folded intimidatingly against her breast plate. 'What took you so long?'
'It was Natsu's fault'. Natsu turned to happy in a look of utter disbelief, body alight with flame.
'You little sellout, you don't even know if-' Erza wrapped him on the head with her metal glove, Natsu rubbed his head scowling. Erza attached it back on tightening the links, until she was satisfied.
'Natsu, you're always in trouble' Erza's gaze finally landed on Lucy, she took the girl in with a frown.
Happy sniggered, knowing full well his partner couldn't retaliate while Erza was watching. 'See Natsu? Sometimes it's just easier to blame you' Natsu made a mental note to get Happy later.
'You look familiar' Erza said finally, holding her hand out and nearly crippling Lucy in her grip as they shook hands. Lucy winced but didn't say anything.
'See' she smiled at the duo triumphantly, rubbing her fingers to return feeling to them. 'I told you we'd met before'
'I think I'd definitely remember someone causing me this much trouble' Natsu said staring at her pensively, a few pink locks falling into his face. Happy laughed thinking it was a dig, but Lucy saw the way Natsu was staring at her lips, and she shivered.
Erza turned this time hitting him with her ruck sack 'let's be off, Natsu you're waisting precious time flirting. Lucy took a mission illegally from the guild' Lucy tensed waiting for the punishment. 'Well done by the way' Erza said grudgingly to a disbelieving trio, Lucy looked smug until Erza shot her a glare as they marched back to Fairytail. 'Though the way you conducted yourself was thoughtless, childish, and not to mention dangerous for the crew you put in harms way'. She tossed a chargrinned Lucy a wage packet, Lucy caught it easily, in wonder. 'I collected the reward from Boris, you might want to give the crew half of that, it should buy them a new boat. The rest should buy housing and clothes, Natsu has little clothes as it is. If you deprive him of any more, he might start wandering around naked like Gray' Happy grinned, Lucy blushed beet red and Natsu scowled, muttering under his breath. His hand grazed Lucy's arm as they walked. They stayed close together, sending each other occasional glances, 'accidentally brushing arms, hands, hips' it was the beginning of something and Happy wasn't sure he liked it. He stared at Lucy with a surprising tug of jealousy.
When they arrived back at the guild, they entered into a hushed silence. Word had spread of Lucy and Natsu's escapade. They took one look at the wild masses of blonde hair, lean muscle and torn clothing and branded her as their own. 'She's wearing Natsu's clothing' A sharp eyed Levy whispered to an ogling Mira, they were huddled at the bar. Lucy's head turned in their direction her brown eyes narrowed assessing them. 'Can she hear us from this distance?' A suspicious Levy asked, pushing her alice band up, in a failed attempt to tame her wild blue locks.
'Course, not. Unless you've got a dragons hearing that would be impossible' Levy, met Lucy's stare evenly. Lucy turned, as Erza murmured something to her, and Levy felt like she could breathe again. The blonde mage ascended the stairs to meet Makarov, Levy could have been mistaken but she looked a little nervous.
'Come in' Makarov called, staring at the papers in front of him. More news reports about the break in at Crocus Castle. Polyscura had filled him on the details of Lucy's arrival. Makarov had a difficult choice in front of him.
In his head he had the image of a small child, framed in locks of blonde hair and eyes to big for her elfin face. Well her eyes were still large, Makarov leaned back in his chair in surprise. She peered awkwardly round the door, as Erza nodded to the master and closed it firmly behind her, leaving them in silence.
'Lucy is that you? Goodness you've grown. ' Lucy looked at him surprised, taking a seat opposite him. Her hair was tied back, showing of a sharp angular face, and sharp features. The girl was all sharp angles hidden under baggy clothes too. Makarov wondered when the last time she'd had a decent meal was.
'Im surprised you remember me' Lucy tilted her head, assessing him in a very Hakuish gesture. They may not have been related but she had definitely inherited his mannerisms.
Right now her eyes assessed him, Makarov felt like he had just been judged those large brown eyes staring at him unblinking.
'I remember all my children' Makarov, waved his hand dismissively.
Lucy grinned showing two sharp pointed canines. 'You certainly have an interesting way of running a guild'
'Enough Lucy' Makarov laughed. 'I learned enough from Haku to know when he was trying to intimidate me, and it won't work. You've been sent to my office, because you wish to join Fairytail, and As it seems Haku is no longer your guardian I think it appropriate we take you in'.
Lucy slumped in her chair 'you knew him...I mean you knew who he was?' Markarov nodded, and pushed paperwork towards her. Lucy picked up a quill and started to sign.
She paused, and Makarov stared at the quill holding his breath. 'How did you know him?' Makarovs forhead began to sweat, Lucy could detect a rise in his body heat but her instincts detected no threat. 'He wanted information about Zeref's movements. We kept in contact, he told us of your progress'
'Why would he do that?' Lucy snorted in disbelief. She felt edgy around Humans, Haku was right all they did was lie and cheat, wasn't she living proof? Makarov looked surprised, he stroked his chin thoughtfully, debating the wiseness of telling her.
'I keep in contact with all members of the guild' he shrugged, and Lucy gripped the quill, nearly snapping it in half. She saw red for a moment.
"Over my dead body is SHE joining the guild" Haku's words twisted and warped in her mind.
'So...after all this time he was a member of Fairytail and he never told me?!' Lucy fumed, decision made. She signed her signature. As the last drop of ink touched the page, Lucy gasped in shock. Her right hand burned with a golden light, she doubled over for a moment hissing. When the light had faded, in its place was an elegant Pink insignia. And was officially a member. Lucy touched her hand gently, there were no signs of burning or damaged skin tissue. She looked up at Makarov, who was reaching for a bottle of ale, relived. 'What just happened?' She asked her delicate brows drawing together in a frown.
'The pen you used was a solid script pen. A condition of you joining the guild was your silence. You will not be able to speak of your past to Natsu, until I decree it. Neither can the contract be terminated without my say so. I do this to keep Natsu safe. If he knew who Haku was, what Zeref had done, he would rush of head first into battle and die. We both know Zeref wouldn't even hesitate'. Lucy bit her lip, the desk beneath her hands began to smoke, despite her promise to Polyscura.
'He deserves to know the truth' Lucy spat, her suspicions were confirmed, humans couldn't be trusted.
'Aye, and in time he will. What if I told you that we were building a weapon that could kill Zeref for good' that got Lucys attention.
'Tell me' she breathed leaning forward in her chair eagerly. Makarov shook his head.
'Il make you a deal' he held up a finger, warning her against interrupting. 'Aside from joining the guild, I and two other teachers will train you. You may never regain your dragon abilities, but you will become strong in your celestial magic. Winning a battle isn't always about having the most power, it's about the advantage, outsmarting your opponent'. Lucy considered this for a moment. 'Polyscura also told me about your celestial fire' he added.'It blew up nearly half of Crocuses army not to mention the eclipse gate itself'. Lucy shrugged like destroying buildings was an every day occurrence.
'Doesn't matter' she said with all the sullenness of a teenager. 'I can't use it anymore any way. I can summon the flames, using my Celestial magic but I can't control them, without killing myself'
'You summoned flames?!' Makarov said in astonishment he had never heard such a thing before.
'Yeah from the Celestial world, it doesn't obey the physical laws of magic here. It can't be extinguished or stopped as far i know' Lucy shrugged 'it might even have stopped Zeref, but I guess now we'll never know' Lucy smiled bitterly, her voice very small.
'Lucy, have you ever heard of a spell called Uno matra?' Makarov asked his voice barely concealing his excitement. Lucy eyed the little man wearily.
'Its a spell, that can only be cast when the bond is strong between two Mages. You'll have to improve your celestial magic, from what I hear you were never able to use the attack for long. If you remain here, and train, I promise you, you will be able to summon it again' Hope sprang in Lucy's chest, she leaped out of her chair knocking it backwards, and threw herself at Markarov, gripping him in a crippling hug.
'Yes thank you, Il keep your secrets, il train day and night if it means I have a chance at killing Zeref' her eyes burned with a will of iron. Makarov struggled wheezing from her grip, she stepped back releasing him embarrassed.
'Lets hope it never comes to that. Now I hear you have some reward money to spend, get out of my sight. Classes start the day after tomorrow. Meet me here in my office on Sunday, 5am sharp'.
Lucy grinned a feral grin, 'thanks gramps' she said taking the stairs two at a time to an eagerly waiting fire dragon. Makarov sighed wearily, the years were closing in and he was not a young man.
'Haku where are you when they need you?' He whispered pouring himself a generous amount of whisky, and draining it in one gulp.