As always - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and everything Pradesh belongs to Desna.
A/N - Thank you all so much for the reviews! They are really keeping me going. I couldn't resist bringing Zen into the works, but to clarify I am not shipping those two. I already did that in Finding Home and wanted to try something different with this story. Anyhow, I hope you like the latest chapter. Enjoy!
Dinner started shortly after the arrival of Xally, who immediately got along with Lucy like they were friends their entire lives. The room was filled with the noise of everyone talking and laughing and Arman felt his heart could burst with all of the happiness he contained at that moment. He watched it all and thought about how happy his wife would be to see such a scene. "Are you alright Dad?" Farron asked, noticing his father was barely touching his food.
Arman smiled, the small wrinkles around his eyes crinkling up. "I couldn't be better. To have you all in the house again. I just wish your mother could see this."
Farron smiled back, "I'm sure she can. Although we are still missing one."
Not a minute after that statement the door to the dining hall opened. "Sorry I'm late Dad, training ran a little long." Lucy looked up to see a tall muscular man with long mahogany hair and violet eyes. When their eyes made contact, both stilled instantly and a quiet hush fell over the room. Lucy stood up abruptly, knocking her chair over in the process as Zen took a step forward. An armlet with a lacrima implanted in it glowed brightly and then shattered.
"Shit, this is bad." Vander muttered as he looked at Kaleb, trying to formulate a plan. The armlet was created by Kaleb to siphon off Zen's magic when in the presence of Celestial magic. It had never failed before.
"Oh this interesting," a man with dark blue hair that had walked in with Zen said gleefully. Lucy and Zen both took another step towards each other ignoring everyone else in the room as if they weren't there. Two gates opened between them, Virgo in front of Lucy and Loke in front of Zen.
Zen glared down at the ginger hair spirit blocking his way but Loke stood his ground fully prepared for a fight. "Get him out of here Draco," the spirit called out to the blue haired man.
"Now why would I do that? Let them be, it's natural for them and they will only become more powerful when they mate." He responded.
"I will not allow for choice to be taken from my Princess, Draco." Zen started to move again and Loke's hands lit with Regulus magic. "Virgo, get her out of here." Lucy was trying to get around the maid.
"Master Vander, please take her somewhere safe." Virgo looked to the Shadowquip who within a blink of the eye had crossed the room and disappeared with the blonde. Virgo moved to Loke's side preparing to attempt to subdue the Archangel.
"Bring her back," Zen growled out while his wings expanded, tearing a hole through a side table and the wall.
"Not a chance." Loke spat back.
Kaleb noticed the tension in the room kept growing, Erza donned her armor and Emzadi looked ready to brawl. Even his gentle natured father and Farron looked angry. Ignoring the fight about to start at the other end of the room, he put a hand on Lucas' shoulder and spoke directly in his mind.
This is Kaleb. I know you are scared for your sister, but you need to calm down before someone gets hurt. She is with Vander, she is safe. The sudden intrusion in his mind startled him out of his anxiety and anger and Lucas took a deep breath and relaxed his body as Vander had taught him. Kaleb watched as everyone in the room seemed to ease and back down excluding the spirits. Zen folded back his wings and looked around the room in confusion. All he could remember was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and that nothing in the world would prevent him from getting to her. But she was gone now.
Meanwhile, Lucy was slowly coming back to her senses as she realized she was sitting on Vander's lap, held in his arms and they were on a beach. She was also cold for some reason. "What happened?"
"The unexpected. Seems to happen around you quite often. I would think you would be used to it by now." He laughed lightly. "What do you remember?"
"The most amazing purple eyes, I had to get closer but everything else is a blur." She rubbed her temples feeling a headache start. "Was I charmed again? It kind of feels like that did."
"When were you charmed? Never mind, a story for another day. I guess it would be similar, but it wasn't a spell. It was your magic. The guy with the purple eyes is Zen and he has Archangel magic. There's something built into his magic and yours that compels you to be together. At least that's the most I know. He has… well had a device that siphoned his magic off when meeting a Celestial magic user to prevent this, but it broke when he saw you. Kaleb's going to have fun trying to figure that out."
Lucy's head was spinning as she tried to absorb what he was telling her. "Zen? I thought he died."
"Yeah, everyone thought so. His magic saved him though and he was kept as a slave in Pergrande. We only found out he was alive and were able to get him back about a year ago. He's been training with Draco in the Celestial Realm and is rarely here."
Lucy nodded. She had more questions but her head hurt too much to bother at the moment. "Why am I so cold?"
Vander held her tightly to his chest, "Yeah sorry. I had to pull you out quick. Virgo and Loke were busy trying to keep you two apart."
She bit her lip. "Virgo and Loke were there? I don't even remember seeing them. How do I not remember my spirits?" Lucy started to panic, that was something that had never happened to her and she did not like it.
"It was like you were in a trance, I don't think you noticed anything other than Zen." Lucy just frowned as her mind whirled.
"When do you think we can go back? Is Lucas okay? Oh my stars, I didn't think about Lucas either!"
Vander hugged her tightly and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Calm down. Kaleb will let me know when it's safe and he will make sure the kid is okay."
Back at the estate, Cristoff was calming down his mate about her friend's whereabouts and safety. Kaleb was keeping Lucas and his two sisters calm. Bickslow and Zen were introduced and talked while Arman tried to keep the peace between the three Celestial spirits.
"You need to keep your Archangel away from our Princess, Draco. It is simple."
"I don't see what all the fuss is about little lion. This is how their magic is supposed to work. She is a powerful Celestial mage. Mating with an Archangel will make her even more so with the best protection created by the Heavens. I will not assist in preventing such a match. They will breed and create more Archangels and restore balance." Draco affirmed while Loke bristled.
"I will not stand for her choice in the matter being taken away and I will be bringing this to the King."
"Choice. As a dragon I never had a choice, I found my mate and that was that. Look at the mated pair over there. Do they look unhappy about not having a choice? Choices are just chances to make the wrong decision. The magic will ensure it is a good one."
As Loke was about to argue further, Arman interrupted. "Although I do understand your perspective Draco, I have to agree that I would rather my son had the ability to choose for himself. If the two were to mate because they fell in love I would be exceptionally happy. Perhaps there is a way to block the magical compulsion so that they may have the time to get to know each other and decide for themselves?"
Draco frowned, he would never fully understand humans. "I do not know of any way to block only a part of their magic. However, I will look into it."
"I will as well. I don't trust you to put in the proper amount of effort Draco." Loke growled out. Virgo had stood calmly by his side, thinking the entire time.
"Perhaps a modified suppression of sorts? I will speak to Crux and update you with my findings." Virgo bowed to Arman and vanished.
"I am not sure he would be keen on suppression after having suffered through it for so many years, but we can look into all possibilities. Kaleb I am certain will be working on how his device failed to siphon enough magic. In the meanwhile, Draco can you please take Zen to the Celestial Realm for a few days?" Arman asked while watching his sons get to know each other. It hurt to have to Zen go away again so quickly, but this was a matter that could impact the rest of his life if they didn't sort it out. He prayed that someday soon they could all spend some time together.
"We cut his training short to come here anyhow, so I can certainly keep him busy." Draco capitulated. Loke then returned to the Celestial Realm to request an audience with the King. "One thing to note, Arman. I am bound to your family line which is what allows me to assist with your son. If she were to mate into your family, I would ask that you give her my key. I have not felt Celestial magic like that in hundreds of years. She reminds me quite a bit of Anna." With that said he walked over to retrieve Zen.
You can return now, Kaleb called out to Vander. Zen is returning to the Celestial Realm with Draco to give us time to come up with a solution.
How is the kid? Vander asked. She's worried about him. To be honest so am I, he doesn't cope well when anything happens to her.
I was able to calm him down before any damage was done. I think it is best to bring him to White Sea tomorrow to start the training. The sooner the better. Vander agreed and updated Lucy before returning with her. She was immediately hugged by Lucas who refused to let go of her. Lucy tried to bring up her and Lucas finding another place to stay again but the idea was immediately rejected by Arman. She felt horrible that his own son couldn't stay with him, but he dismissed it and stated that he was rarely there anyhow. Exhausted, she took Lucas with her to bed since he would not go to his own room. Kaleb and Vander planned out the trip to the guild in the morning while everyone else said their farewells and dispersed for the night.
The morning was peaceful, those that were staying at the estate enjoyed breakfast together. Xally and Emi planned a girl's shopping trip with Lucy which made Lucas pout. Emi just tapped him on the nose and pointed out she would be with a dragon slayer and safe and he would be busy training anyhow. After breakfast, they got dressed and ready to head to the guild. Emzadi and Bickslow were taking them as Vander and Kaleb were already there. Xally had to check in at the hospital and Farron needed to run by the Embassy.
Lucy was in awe of the massive guild hall as they approached. It was so much larger than any of the guilds in Fiore. Emzadi pointed out that this was only one branch and the main Guild Hall in White Sea itself was much larger. Kaleb preferred to stay at this location however, as it was closer to home and family. As they entered, there was a large dining hall and bar filled with music, people talking, laughing and some even doing a few things she considered covering Lucas' eyes for. As she looked around she spotted Kaleb on the balcony and then spotted a particular mage she was hoping to see.
Turning to her companions she put a finger to her mouth to indicate being quiet. Kaleb watched as she started to sneak her way through the crowd, to an as of yet unidentified target. Curiosity peaked, he watched as she continued to snake her way around the tables heading towards the bar. He knew very well how important promises were to Celestial mages, so he just continued to watch from above to see what she was up to. He was shocked as she snuck up on and jumped onto the back of the most anti-touch mage he had ever met. He sighed, mentally preparing to bring her to the infirmary when he watched what happened next.
Cobra loved the variety of poisons available at the bar at White Sea for him and was getting a refill on his nightshade laced gin and tonic when the bartender dropped his newly made drink with a horrified look on his face. "You realize I could hear you plotting about two blocks away." He told the blonde clinging to his back.
Lucy pouted but didn't let go, hugging him like she was getting a piggyback ride. "You ruin all of my fun. Besides how can you hear anything with all of these people here?"
The nervous bartender quickly made him a new drink and Cobra walked back to his table in the back corner with Lucy still firmly attached. "I'm getting better at tuning out the noise. You however are noticeable no matter what I do. You've always been annoying like that."
Kaleb watched as he set his drink down, slid Lucy to his side and sat comfortably all in one smooth movement. Cobra was well known for being one that should not be disturbed throughout the guild. There had been quite a few mages poisoned when he first arrived. The whole guild hall was watching and waiting for the expected result. Instead they watched as the little blonde girl kissed the Poison Slayer on the cheek and hugged him tightly. "I missed you!"
Cobra sighed, "You are ruining my well deserved reputation. I should poison you just so I don't have to deal with the fallout."
"You won't. Because you missed me too. Besides I have someone I want you to meet." Lucy slid off of him to sit in the booth normally.
"Missing you is like missing a leach after it has been burned off." Cobra grumbled. Internally he was happy she was there however. He had been learning how to tune out the various souls around, but it was simply easier to focus on hers when she was around.
Kaleb watched the scene in amazement. Cobra had been exceptionally difficult to bring into White Sea and there had been many casualties until people learned how to keep distance. "Told you to expect the unexpected when she's around." Vander leaned against the railing next to him.
"She is certainly a very unique and interesting individual." Kaleb admitted as he watched her jump up and wave over Lucas, Bickslow and Emzadi.