Chapter 26

Lucy took a deep breath as she entered the room that Fairy Tail was staying in, the moment she stepped through the threshold all eyes were on her

"Hello minna" she said a little unsurely

"What did gramps want?" Laxus asked

"He wanted me to inform the masters of what the dragons will be doing" she said softly

"Lucy" Mirajane said regaining herself, tears pooling in her eyes, with that everyone found themselves

"Why did you hide it?" Cana asked

"We could have helped" Gray and Erza insisted, no one noticed the uncharacteristic quietness of the guild's dragon slayers

"There is nothing you could have done" Lucy said firmly "I didn't see the point of upsetting everyone"

"You mean you didn't want us to find out" Natsu spoke finally, his voice softer than anyone had ever heard it, but it still carried throughout the room

"Natsu-"

"No, he's right, you knew we would feel guilty. We pushed you" Gajeel agreed his own deep voice revealing his anger and guilt

"If we hadn't Lucy-san wouldn't have lost the ability to walk" Wendy said crying, Lucy moved over to the girl and wrapped her in a hug

"Wendy, I chose to do this, you didn't push me. I would have done it anyway" Lucy whispered into Wendy's hair "I am the only one responsible for my sacrifice and I would gladly do it again"

"You should have told us" Natsu argued

"Maybe I should, but I didn't. Right now we need to focus on the battle" she said "Juvia will be bringing the dragons and the five of us need to speak to them, along with Sting and Rogue"

"Lucy-san" Juvia announced as she opened the door, Lyon trailing after her with Celeste attempting to cling onto the shirt he was thankfully still wearing "They have arrived"

"Very well" Lucy said gesturing for the slayers to follow her, leaving behind a stunned guild. As Lucy disappeared behind the door she smiled, after all she had seen Juvia slip her hand into Lyon's, she was glad for her friend she finally had a man who she loved and he loved her in return.

oOo

Lucy was surrounded every dragon slayer, bar Cobra, and the three adult, living Dragons, Taranis had also joined the group. Celeste was resting her head on Lucy's lap her head being scratched by Lucy while Wendy sat at Lucy's feet scratching the young dragon's belly.

"We have to train?" Sting and Natsu echoed outraged

"Salamander you fool, we stood no chance against the dragons last year what makes you think we will now" Gajeel growled, Rogue nodding at in agreement. Sting and Natsu deflated under those words

"Igneel, Gradine, Metalicana do either of you know where the lacrima to boost their power is?" Lucy asked hopefully

"We have them, there is only one per element held by the royals, we were planning on giving them over but we had to flee sooner than we had planned" Igneel said

"How did my father get a Lacrima then? How did Cobra?" Laxus asked confused

"Many elements died out during the wars, I was the last king of my clan. The lacrima was lost when I became a spirit. Ryuu searched but we could never found it" Taranis shrugged "The poison clan died out, despite their mind reading" Taranis sniggered having never gotten on with the clan

"Is there a Lacrima for celestial slayers?" Lucy asked hopefully

"I am sorry young one" Taranis started "They were created by the dragons of old it is long forgotten how it was done, do any of your clans have any legends linked to their creation, draglings?"

"Why do you call them draglings you look the same age?" Natsu asked Taranis curiously

"Natsu, Taranis was king long before we were born, he saw the start of our great war, Metalicana and were only old enough to fight in the last few years" Igneel explained respectfully knowing Taranis would not answer the human, Metalicana muttered about his son not being stupid enough to ask questions to a great warrior king

"Taranis I will not ask you to help train anyone other than Laxus" Lucy stated, Taranis bowed his head in respect and thanks

"I will test the draglings as well, many practices were lost between generations in the war" He decided, the three younger dragons looked shocked at the prospect at learning some of the techniques their parents had never managed to pass onto them "But for now they need to work on their pets"

"Taranis" Lucy said sternly, but everyone could see her eyes sparkling with amusement, "You guys go ahead, I need to explain to Skiadrum and Weissologia, Sting and Rogue you are welcome to stay" with that the group split into three those who were training and those who were remaining in order to speak to the other two dragon spirits

oOo

In just over three weeks Princess Hisui revealed that the army had reached their boarders, it was time for the battle, they had moved to a camp on the boarders where they began training, so that they were prepared to defend their kingdom

"Are you going to heal your legs for the battle?" Laxus asked knowing he was the only one who knew of the possibility

"Yes, I need to be able to move. In a battle with dragons I can't afford to be stuck in my chair" Lucy shrugged

"Are you sure what if the battle last longer than a week?" Laxus asked worriedly

"It shouldn't be, or at least I hope not" Lucy said biting her lip, worrying about the coming battle

"Relax blondie, we'll be fine" Laxus smirked

"You're blonde too" Lucy snapped,

"Lucy, Laxus" Erza called

"Give us a moment" Laxus called back "If you're going to do it you best get started"

"Open the gate to the healer: Phoenix!" Lucy called as Nix appeared no words were exchanged, the phoenix merely nodded, and began working his magic Lucy had talked long and hard with the spirit as such she was prepared for the pain that would burn through her leg, it was nothing in comparison to the pain she had felt when she sacrificed her legs. Laxus stood by Lucy watching worriedly as she whimpered in pain.

"I'm done, she will need a few moments" the healer said disappearing

"Lucy?" Laxus asked

"M fine" she murmured, she gripped the arms of her chair tightly as she began attempting to pull herself up

"Here, let me give you a hand" Laxus said moving over to the struggling girl, Laxus easily pulled Lucy out of her chair, letting her legs dangle, he lowered her to the ground until her feet touched the ground her loosened his grip, Lucy swayed slightly but when she was able to stand on her own Laxus moved away, Lucy took a hesitant step wobbling slightly, it took few moments to get used to walking again "Ready?" Lucy nodded and the two moved to join their guild

"Lucy?" Lisanna said noticing the celestial mage walking, attracting the guild's attention

"What happened?" Wendy asked confused

"You can walk" Levy gasped

"Temporarily" Lucy said "It's complicated" she shrugged

oOo

Lucy looked at the amassing army, the guilds outnumbered the mercenaries, however the invading army held nearly forty dragons, even with the seven dragon slayers and six dragons were outnumbered 3:1, Lucy took a deep breath as she stepped forward. It was time for her to try and sway some of the dragons from her uncle's control

"I know he holds your key but fight it, push the limits and fight for your freedom, against a tyrant who sees you as nothing more than weapons" Lucy said her voice magically echoing throughout the clearing, Lucy watched as the dragons listened to her words.

"Layla?" her uncle gasped "Impossible" suddenly he began laughing "Oh dear ickle Wucy is all growed up, do you honestly think you can steal my control over them, I made it impossible to overcome"

"It is never impossible" Lucy shouted "As long as they have their own minds, their own souls you cannot have ultimate control, there is always a way to break it." The man rolled his eyes

"hahaha they stand no chance, they have tried for years and none can get free" he roared triumphantly

"But they didn't have my help" Lucy smiled "If celestial spirits can go against their holders so can the dragons"

"What can you do to help them? My dear little niece you are useless" he laughed