AN; Hello my lovies I just wanted to take a quick second to tell you all thank you for reading, favoriting, and following this story. We are in no way done yet, there is a lot of ground to still be covered before this story is over. But I wanted to give you all a quick warning. Things ahead are not all happy, there will be some darker things ahead, though I promise this story has a happy ending, there are bleak times coming. If that's not you cup of tea I understand so without further ado...
It had been a long and hard four months but the Dragneels had made it through. From the midnight feedings to early morning wake up calls the two adults were always exhausted but now that the twins were finally only waking up once a night it was time to visit the guild. It took a lot of convincing but only the dragon slayers and mates had visited in the time the couple had been home. Walking through the city they smiled as the townsmen and women flocked out their stroller to ooh and aww at their twins, as they made their way towards the guild for the first time.
"Natsu are you sure their ready?" Lucy asked nervously as she knelt down and tucked a blanket back around Igneel who had kicked it off the little boy giggling as his mother tickled his toes.
"More than ready, and don't worry your magic is right back to where it was before the twins were born, everything will be fine," the pink haired man reassured as he pushed the double stroller towards the guild hall.
At first he had been against the idea of them staying away from their family, but when Lucy had pointed out that her magic was still going hay wire the dragon slayer had agreed to the hiatus at least until his mate was back a full power. He chuckled excitedly as he placed an arm around Luce's shoulder as she took control of the stroller. Quickly they made their way forward, as Lucy bit her lip as they reached the door running her hand over her now chin length hair.
"Were back!" the dragon slayer shouted as he slammed open the door to the guild.
"Ohh let me see the babies!" Mira squealed in excitement as she shoved her own son towards his father as she raced forwards.
"Hey hey calm down," Natsu said firmly as he heard Layla begin to fuss at all the loud noises as the entire guild all followed behind the exuberate take over mage.
"Please Layla is really sensitive to loud noises," Lucy plead as she picked up the crying daughter, trying to comfort her.
"Come now everyone clear the way let them through and get settled then you can all meet them in time," Makarov said as the guild groaned in disappointment as Natsu bent down and picked up Igneel leaving the stroller next to the others by the guild hall's door.
Lucy was already making her way to their team's usual table which had two bassinets sitting on it ready for the newest members. Gently Lucy placed her daughter down as she moved to greet Erza.
"Lucy, I love your new haircut," the re-quip mage said as she slammed the blonde in to her chest.
"Thanks," the celestial wizard groaned as she watched Natsu place their son in the bassinet next to Layla.
"Alright just a few at a time," Natsu said quietly as Lucy returned to his side.
Both Mira and Erza raced forward making sure they got the first looks. As both awed and ohhed in adoration Lucy was soon surrounded by other guild members all asking about her time away.
"Lu!" Levy called out as she raced forwards from the guild door as Gajeel followed behind her with their son strapped to his chest.
"Levy!" Lucy squealed in joy as she pushed her way towards the solid script mage.
"Hey so the rest of the slayers will be here soon and then all of us mates are taking the kids to the park want to come?" Levy said happily as Lucy looked on nervously as the guild crowded around the twins.
"Maybe," the blonde said as she sat down across the table from Igneel who just giggled and smiled at everyone around them while his sister just seemed to become unsure.
"Alright now you all have seen them back it up!" Natsu growled out as he stood in front of the twins, as suddenly a puff of smoke filled the room next to were the twins were sitting.
"Lucy here is your pack," the goat spirit spoke as he placed the overstuffed bag she had with her while she was away on the table next to his key holder.
"Thank you Capricorn," the blonde said as she nodded her head. The spirit bowed before disappearing into a cloud of smoke.
"Oh and Lu before I forget I have a job that both of us can do, we don't even have to leave Magnolia and it will only take a few hours," Levy said happily as leaned over the bassinets to get a closer look at the two newest members.
"There is something I need to do first," Lucy said as she stood up and walked over to her bag, pulling out the opened envelope she placed it down on the table as the unfolded the paper. "Matris meae ponam spiritum evocare," Lucy spoke as her voice rang out in the guild hall.
A bright light filled the room as her two children whined in discomfort Natsu leaned over his son and daughter comforting them as the lights went out. Picking up his pink haired daughter Natsu turned to find his mate staring in to a face that mirrored her own.
"Mamma," Lucy spoke in a small voice as the woman smiled in front of her
"Oh my sweet star seeker you're so beautiful," Layla said in awe as she hear the whining cry of the babies, smiling brightly she walked over to the bassinets looking down at the blonde boy in side. "Oh look at you so handsome, just like his daddy," the woman cooed as she bent down to pick up her grandson.
Lucy gapped in shock at her mother as she cradled Igneel in her arms. The pink haired infant fussed gaining the blonde's attention.
"Oh and I can't forget about you, my precious angle," Layla said as she ran her hand across the girl's cheeks as she sucked on the edge of her father's scarf. "What are their names?" The blonde woman asked as she looked at her son-in-law.
"You have Igneel, and this is Layla," Nastu sputtered out as he looked at the face of his mate, but upon taking a sniff in her direction confirmed that this person only smelled of only stardust rather that the perfect blend of Lilac, stardust, and brimstone that his Lucy was.
"Momma what's going on?" Lucy asked as she moved closer to her mother ignoring the questioning faces that her guild members wore.
"I guess there is not much point in beating around the bush," the elder woman said as she smiled down at her grandson who giggled loudly.
"Yes there are many questions to be answered," Makarov said as he sat on the end of the table that held the twins bassinets.
"You're Makarov, are you not?" Layla spoke as she looked up at the white haired man.
"Yes I am," the guild master nodded as he continued to gaze at the woman before him, chuckling at the fact that if it wasn't for Lucy's new haircut he doubted that anyone other than Natsu or the other dragon slayers would be able to tell the difference.
"Thank you for taking in my daughter," the elder blonde said as she handed her grandson to his mother and turned to take the little pink haired girl from her father.
"She is the light of our guild, there was no way I could even turn her away," Makarov said quietly as he watched the woman fuss over her granddaughter.
"Why is all this happening momma?" Lucy asked again as she cradled Igneel gently.
"That's a long story and one I can't tell you completely," the elder woman said as she turned to look at her daughter.
"Not this again," Natsu sighed in frustration as he sat down.
"But I can tell you my portion, it started a little before I was born. You see before I married Jude I was a part of Dragon's Keep. My mother was the master there," Layla began as she sat down.
"I thought you said your parents were dead?" Lucy said quickly as she stared at her mother in confusion.
"They are sweetie, my mother died when I was twelve and my father a few months after you were born, he never got to meet you," the elder blonde said sadly.
"Okay but what does that have to do with me?" Lucy asked impatiently as her mother chuckled.
"Oh being around your husband certainly hasn't helped your problem with patience," the woman laughed.
"Momma!" the blonde screeched in frustration.
"Alright, after my mother died my sister took over as master," Layla said firmly as she ran her hair through the fine hair on the child's head.
"I have and Aunt?" the celestial mage asked her mother as she sat down next to her.
"And she tried to kidnap you," Levy said in confusion as she took a seat on the other side of the table as Natsu growled in anger.
"Not this again," Erza sighed in annoyance as the pink haired dragon slayer gritted.
"Oh hush you," Layla spoke quietly as she swatted Nastu's nose making him snap out of his daze in surprise as she turned back to her daughter and continued talking. "Anyway, once I became of age my sister, Lorena tried to marry me off to this awful man. But I would not stand for it so I left,"
"Left for where?" the solid script mage asked excitedly.
"Fairy Tail," Layla said with a chuckle as many members of the guild looked at her in confusion.
"Mom I already know of all of this," Lucy growled angrily as she felt Igneel being lifted out of her hands, looking up she found her mate moving the little blonde boy in to his arms.
"I know my little star seeker, but I cannot tell you anymore," the long dead woman sighed as she handed her granddaughter back to her daughter.
"What why?" the celestial mage asked in confusion as she held on to her daughter.
"I am not allowed," Layla said biting her lip as she stood.
Lucy recognized her mother's body language from when she was younger, it meant only one thing, you ask again and you will go to your room without desert.
"Then why have me summon you at all?!" Lucy cried out in anger as she felt Natsu lifting their daughter from her arms as well.
"Because I was the only one you would believe," Layla said mater of factly as she kept gazing at the wall neat the door.
"Believe about what?" Lucy asked in frustration.
"Him!" Layla said quietly, she knew that Lucy had kept quiet about her time away and that no one else would know to whom she was referring but the realization on her daughter's face calmed the blonde down. "Yes honey, I did help him and yes it lead to my death, but I was already running on borrowed time,"
"But why?" her daughter asked quietly as she looked down at her hands.
"For Draco, because he gave me you and you are and always will be my little star," Layla said quietly as she rubbed the back of Lucy's head like she did when the now mother was just a little girl.
"Momma," Lucy sobbed quietly as she felt her mother's reassurance once more.
"I have to go, I can't stay much longer, but I have one more thing to ask of you," Layla said quietly as she looked down at the keys on her daughter's hip.
"What is it?" Lucy asked as she looked in to her mother's eyes.
"Our friends, the spirits, they need your help, centuries ago there was a cursed placed on the high twelve. One that allowed them to become no better than slaves, and kept them from protecting the other spirits and I need you to break it," Layla said firmly as she watched her daughter nodded her head as she held her gaze.
"Wait, how could they be curse? And wouldn't they say something to me about it?" Lucy questioned.
"Darling, they can't. The curse blocked out their memories of the time when they were completely free. Besides only one wasn't cursed," Layla said quietly as she ran a hand through her daughter's hair.
"Which one? Maybe they can…." Lucy began to ask but the tearful look in her mother's eyes as she glanced down to the locket around her daughter's neck. Sighing in realization the blonde daughter touched the locked as she whispered, "Aquarius, she was the one that wasn't cursed was she,"
"Yes, but she never talked about it while I was alive," Layla said quietly.
"Then how did you find out about it?" Lucy inquired as she looked back up to her mother.
"Draco, after I died my spirit went to him as all of our ancestors before had. He knew I had given you the conjuring spell and asked that you break the curse," Layla spoke quietly as Lucy nodded her head.
"I promise, on my honor as a celestial mage that I will do everything I can," Lucy said fiercely as she felt her keys buzz at the promise.
"Always, remember, darling I love you so much," Layla said as she faded away in to a puff of purple smoke.
Lucy stood still as her tears began to roll down her cheeks, soon she felt her mate come up behind her wrapping her in his arms. Looking up she found Igneel babbling at her from the playpen across the guild as her little girl did the same.
"Lucy, do you need for us to go home for today?" Natsu asked as he watched Lucy shake her head as she scooted over towards her pack,
"Let's see...ah here it is Levy you're never going to guess what I have," Lucy said ignoring her husband as she pulled several stacks of books out of her pack not noticing a slip of paper that had fallen too the floor.
"Hey Luce you dropped..." Natsu began as he stared down at the paper in shock. It was one thing to hear it but to see it was another thing. The small portrait was held tighter by his hands as he gazed at the faces of the two elder people in the picture.
"Oh you, you're just like your father,"
"That's it come on come to papa!" The two voices filled his head as he looked down at the photo. Gripping his scarf tightly in one hand he recognized the familiar fabric that was always around his neck. But the fourth person in the picture gave him pause as he growled out lowly
"Where did you get this?" the pink haired man asked not taking his eyes off the image.
"Well I found it," Lucy said nervously as she bit her lip. She had meant to save that for when she and Natsu were alone but just like her pregnancy nothing was going according to plan.
"Where," the fire dragon slayer asked as he looked up at his mate desperate curiosity burning in his eyes.
"Where I was staying," the blonde said dodging the question.
"Where," her husband insisted as Lucy set the stack of books down.
"I don't think I should tell you," she said quietly.
"Luce," the pink haired man growled in frustration.
"No not like this, not while you're mad," the celestial mage said firmly as she looked over at the playpen that held her children.
"Where were you?" Natsu asked firmly as he wrapped and arm around his mate's waist, trying to control the anger in his voice.
"I was in the ruins of the place where you were born," the blonde said quietly as she looks up to find all eyes on the couple.
"Where is it," the pink haired man asked as he bit back the over whelming emotions building up inside of him.
"It's... it's not my place to tell you," Lucy said quickly as she moved out of her husband's arms and quickly walked towards the playpen.
"Then how did you find it," Nastu asked as he watched his mate walk away as he gently place the painting down next to the books.
"I was lead there," the blonde said quickly as she picked up Igneel. It was hard to believe they were growing so fast but the little blonde haired boy chanted random syllables as he was lifted in to the air.
"By who," Natsu asked staying rooted where he was.
"You're not going to like it," the celestial mage said nervously as she clutched her son to her side.
"Luce stop skirting around the issue, who were you with?" The dragon slayer growled in frustration as he glared at his mate.
"Zeref," Lucy's small voice echoed through the hall as she clung to Igneel. The five month old whimpering quietly felling the unease of his mother and upon hearing her brother Layla began doing the same.
"What were you thinking," Natsu finally asked as he looked over at his wife in disbelief.
"I don't know anyone is better than Dragons Keep," the blonde said sarcastically.
"Luce, you let him near our children and you when you couldn't use magic," the pink haired man growled as he moved towards the playpen as well.
"Well neither could he," the blonde's irritation filled her voice as she bounced her son on her hip.
"That doesn't excuse anything," the dragon slayer hissed as he picked up his crying daughter.
"Natsu, he did nothing wrong!" Lucy defeated.
"Nothing wrong! This is Zeref we are talking about. You know the guy who has been screwing with use for nearly the last ten years!" Natsu shouted out as Layla began to cry in unease.
"No, that wasn't Zeref," Lucy retaliated in kind as she felt Igneel being lifted from her looking over she saw the blond haired boy being held by Lisanna.
"What do you mean, our first mission as a team Natsu was to stop Lullaby," Natsu's growled out as Mira took the sobbing Layla.
"But that wasn't Zeref, that was Eisenwald," the blonde stated firmly as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"And what about the tower of heaven, Deliora, Tenrou island, the eclipse gate, the demons, they only have one thing in common, they were all made by Zeref!" The fire dragon slayer roared neither noticing that the entire guild had slowly backed away.
"Yes but there were all other people behind those incidences. Zeref himself wasn't behind any of those attacks," the celestial mage said firmly as she watched the Strauss siblings take her children upstairs followed closely behind by Juvia and Levy with their own children as Lexie toddled up the stairs slowly behind them as Bixlow's babies helped her.
"Ha," the pink haired man laughed sarcastically drawing Lucy's attention back to him.
"Ha! Natsu your brother tried to hide, lock, and keep safe any and everything that could cause people harm. You can't blame someone for someone else's actions." The blonde cried out.
"Why are you defending him do you know what he has done!" Natsu growled out furious.
"Do you know what kind of life he has had?" the celestial mage stretched as all the dragon slayers in the building flinched.
"No! I am not having this discussion with you," The pink haired man huffed as he turned to leave.
"Where are you going?!" Lucy asked as she grabbed a hold of her husband's arm.
"Out!" Natsu spat out as he rolled his arm out of her grip and ran out of the door.
"Natsu!" Lucy called out after him as she prepared to follow him.
"Let him go," Makarov said quietly as he watched Bixlow, with Mira and Freed's son in his arms, walk up the stairs towards the Nursery as Mira, Levy, and Juvia left.
"But master," the blonde began as she turned back to leave again but stopped dead in her tracks by a figure blocking her way.
"Lucy...let him go he's not ready," Zeref said as he stood between the blonde and the door.
"He'll never be ready, he has to know," Lucy said firmly.
"Lu who are you taking to?" Levy asked in confusion as she made her way back to the table that she and the blonde had been sharing before the fight.
"Yes but not now," the ex-dark wizard said firmly.
"Yes now, no more secrets, this whole mess is because you're hiding from him," the celestial mage said as she ignored the bluenette.
"He doesn't want to..." The black haired man said as he was interrupted by his sister in law.
"No I am not accepting that, he is your brother and you dedicated your entire life to him and now his family and he doesn't know it," Lucy cried out as she glared at the black haired man information of her.
"Lucy?" Mira asked concerned laced in her voice as she touched the blonde's shoulder.
"Hold on... Guys were trying to have a family meeting," Lucy said as she gestured to the empty space in front of her.
"Are you drunker than me cause you're talking to a wall," Cana called out as she too looked down at her cards.
"No I am not I am..." the blonde began but stopped as only she heard the voice say.
"They can't see me," Zeref said quickly as Lucy sighed in realization.
"But their family," the blonde said as she looked back over at the ex-dark wizard.
"If Natsu can't accept me then, I doubt they will," the black haired man said firmly as Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Well try!" The blonde shouted.
"You're very pushy," the black haired man said.
"Do it or I won't let you see your Niece and Nephew," the blonde threatened as Zeref looked taken aback. She couldn't really keep him from seeing them after all he was a disembodied spirit, then again she has the both the best rune and script mages in two hundred years as guild mates.
"Fine," the black haired man said as the entire guild jumped at finally hearing the voice. It took a few minutes but all too soon Zeref was visible to the entirety of the guild.
"You bastard!" Grey shouted as he sent a volley of ice shards at the ex-dark wizard. Neither Lucy nor Zeref even flinched as the frozen water sailed right through the man's head and imbedded themselves in to the wall.
"Okay everyone calm down," Lucy said firmly as she turned to address the guild looking up she found both Igneel and Layla in the arms of Bixlow as Lisanna held both Storm and Ren.
Lexie was standing next to the takeover mage one moment then the next she was standing between Lucy and Zeref as she growled as fiercely as she could. Resisting the urge to giggle at the adorable little dragon slayer Levy spoke, "Lu, why,"
"He is my brother in law and it was him who kept me safe and sane for over nine months" the celestial mage said as she turned to face the guild.
"Lucy," Erza said wearily.
"No, the only thing any of you know about him is the stories, and they are all so screwed up and backwards," Lucy ranted as Bixlow reached her and forcefully handing over both of her children as she suppressed the urge to laugh at the fact that his helmet looked like it had blocked a fireball or two and the feathers that once adorned it were now none existent.
"How?" Levy asked as she watched her mate take her son from Lisanna as she kept Storm in her arms.
"I told her what really happened," the black haired man said quietly.
"Zeref is a victim, in all of this you just haven't heard his side," blonde insisted as Igneel sneezed, a stream of fire coming out of his mouth causing several members to look at the infant in shock as Lucy didn't even blink.
"Alright," Markov said defiantly as several members swore under their breath.
"Master!" Grey shouted in anger as he kept clenching and unclenching his fist.
"Fairy Tail believes in giving people second chances, there are many of you standing in this room now that have been given second chances and I will not besmirch the name of our guild simply because of someone's past," the elder man said as Lexie toddled over to him as she chanted "jiji,"
"Thank you master," Lucy said quietly.
"I won't say anything until Natsu comes back and I will not tell this story again," Zeref said quietly as he looked up spying Mavis sitting on one of the rafters smiling up at her she simply turned her gaze away with a conflicted look on her face.
"Gajeel go find him," Makarov commanded.
"Damn Salamander," the iron dragon slayer growled out as he put his son back in its mother's arms. Several quiet and awkward moments passed before the sounds of shouting could be heard outside of the guild doors.
"Damn it Bolt breath ya gonna tear my scarf!" Natsu shouted before the guild doors were violently thrown open as Gajeel threw the pink haired man in to the waiting rune trap.
"Let me out!" Natsu screamed as he wailed against the barrier.
"No. Natsu you need to talk to your brother," Lucy shouted as Igneel began crying at the loud noise.
"Shh it's okay," the blonde said quietly as she bounced the now quieting Igneel.
"Natsu," Zeref said quietly as the pink haired man turned to glare at his brother. "You look well,"
"Really that's what you start with?" Natsu growled out as he stared down Zeref, "No explanation, no apology, just you look well?"
"I thought that some pleasantries..." Zeref began before he was interrupted by Natsu
"we are a little past pleasantries, what I want to know is why is it that everything wrong in my life is your fault, why would you think it was even appropriate to be around my mate and why the hell you turned me into a demon?"
"Well all those things are connected, and it's a long story," the ex-dark wizard spoke quietly as he rubbed the back of his neck. Recognizing the gesture Natsu groaned in frustration as he collapsed on the ground.
"Where would you like me to start?" Zeref's voice floated through the air as the pink haired man start at the ceiling.
"When is my birthday?" Natsu asked not taking his eyes off the beam above him.
"June 21st in the year x200," Zeref said firmly as the dragon slayer sat up in surprise as he looked over at his brother.
"Wait your telling me that Natsu is over five hundred years old!" Levy screeched as everyone looked in shock.
"five hundred seventy four to be exact," Zeref said nonchalantly as the guild started in shock.
"What?" The pink haired man said confused as he looked over at his brother.
"We're brothers Natsu you had to figure you weren't from this time in fact with the exception of Laxus and Cobra all of the dragon slayers are over four hundred years old," the ex-dark wizard said quietly as all the dragon slayers looked at each other in confusion.
"How?" Levy asked as she looked up at her mate.
Zeref never taking his eyes off of his brother spoke, "Well it all really started the day you died,"
