The Beginning...

Draconian Kingdom
A land of people with the soul of a dragon. Their people specialise in making weapons as they are skilled with the elements. However, the kingdom shut itself off from outsiders a long time ago and no one has seen a Draconian persons in years. Lots tell stories of how they could shift forms into a beast and would often be seen soaring in the sky - they also told of their greed for gold and how this attracted them to a certain line of women blessed with magic from the stars.

The rain poured down and the thunder cackled after the lightning flashed and illuminated the camp. All candles and lacrima stones shushed till extinguished as the battalion laid down for a night of light sleep, only the dull glow coming from the lamps that the soldiers on watch held. It was the only sign of life that surrounded the many tents clustered in the foliage of the forest.

Only a lone shadow made her way through the night. A young woman, barely reaching the age of nineteen, trudged through the drenched dirt to make her way towards the largest tent. The voices hissed through the heavy rain as she approached, her already tight clothes clung to her skin in an attempt to suffocate her as the rain continued to fall and soak her to the bone.

Inside were two women. The first that the young woman laid eyes on was Titania - the fiercest woman she'd ever seen in the battlefield and the leader of the battalion outside. Her eyes screamed for more as she fought and her hair seemed to be almost stained from the blood her enemies bled - scarlet from the many she'd put down over the years. A white-haired woman leaned over the desk, long claws pointing at coordinates of the map of Fiore as her tail flicked from side to side every so often whilst deep in discussion.

The young woman's eyes zeroed in on the way the woman's skin morphed into scales at her waist to form the long tail of a snake. She wandered over the lamia in a degree of distrust as she made her way towards Titania, the conversation ceasing when the new presence of the woman entered and the red-haired queen's eyes flicked towards the warrior that had returned.

"Lucy," the Queen spoke, every ounce of her oozing authority as she set her dark eyes on the new visitor, "you have returned."

The young woman, Lucy, sunk down to one knee. Her head bowed towards the ground. "Erza, my liege. The north has welcomed to join our side - the orcs will depart once the moon has passed."

Ezra's eyes flickered with approval, "any trouble?"

"I struck three men down before they heeded to listen to me." Her lips pulled into a frown. It never did sit well with her to use force when gathering more force to their army, but they were desperate. "The sounds of their people's screams as they were at mercy to my Light convinced them my message should be heard," Lucy relayed. Her hand instinctively went to clutch onto the bow that was resting on her back but resisted, instead digging her fingers into the dirt.

"Very well, but Lucy will you please rise. You are no mere follower of mine, you know that - a Heartfilia woman would never serve, you only do me a favour to help with the annihilation of Zeref." Erza reached down a hand and helped the younger warrior up with a hint of a small smile. "That, and you are like my sister. I have been raising you to fight since you were only just above the height of my knee."

"Sorry, Erza," Lucy mumbled whilst coming up from her feet, "I do not want people to think that from my disrespect they can do the same." Lucy's eyes flitted over to the snake woman across the large, thick wooden table. Her slitted eyes didn't miss the glance and her pointed tongue slipped over her beast-like teeth.

Erza didn't miss the exchange, her every sense honed to perfection, and she let out a chuckle.

"Mira has no qualms with me. The woes of our past conflict aren't to compare to the destruction of Zeref's demons," the red-haired warrior explained, her eyes locking with Mira's. Lucy flinched internally - only a fool would look directly into a lamia's eyes for they'd be lost to the blue and be under their command. The archer's arm went for her bow -

Mira giggled sweetly at the blonde's movements, but ignored the threatening move. "Which is why I must advise you, Titania, to ask the Draconian people," she hissed, voice becoming stern with every word that whistled from her mouth.

Lucy's brown eyes widened and shot a look towards her scarlet commander. Surely not even she would think of such things - even with their small force and Zeref's ever-approaching demons - Erza wouldn't think to ask the Draco people. The messengers would be burned and killed before they could get a word out.

Lucy waited impatiently for her leader's answers, her worry clawing up inside her chest.

"I told you," Erza huffed, "Even if we managed to make the journey and convince them to join us they wouldn't arrive in time." The Titania spoke with exhaustion lacing her tone as if the argument had been ongoing for a long while, which Lucy proposed it had.

The lamian woman slithered around to hold the white dragon piece on the map, her eyes flicking up towards Erza. "They would arrive just as the battle would commence granted we had a suitable messenger. Three days to make the journey and four days to meet at the field of Mavis near mount Hakobe. The Draconian people would be just in time for the battle and we'd have the advantage – Zeref wouldn't expect the oncoming troops from the east." Mira's words sunk into the two women, leaving Erza to refute the argument while Lucy's calculating eyes scanned the map. She knew what type of benefit having a powerful and unexpected force would be amongst the many demons that were at Zeref's call. Many already whispered of Erza's attempt of defiance against the demon king would be a slaughter – Lucy had heard, and those thoughts settled deep inside her when Juvia, the guardian of the water, told her of how many were assembled at the enemies' camps.

"Not even the greatest warrior's make it through the east forest, not to forget the day's journey across the ancient ruins towards the border of the kingdom of Bosco. We don't know what creatures wander in that territory. A lone messenger wouldn't survive, I would have to send a team of skilled fighters and that would leave huge damage to our forces - "

"I'll go. I have Levy to help guide me through the east forest. Gray and Wendy would be enough for company. We can travel light and quickly," Lucy interjected, her voice firm as she thought through the following days of travel. She had worked with Gray before, their fighting styles worked together – not to mention that Juvia would be looking out if he were to accompany her. Wendy, as young as she was, would guarantee that they'd be looked after. She did train under Porlyusica. The medical experience would prove to be needed if came the time and the diplomat's knowledge would surely be useful when confronting the draconian people.

"I can't allow that Lucy! You and Gray are an asset that will be dire when the battle comes. I can't afford to send you off to almost certain death," Erza argued, her voice rising as she sent a hard stare to the young archer.

"As well," the blonde hesitated, taking in her lower lip between her lip and she thought over her next words. "I am.. I'm the only one who has ever been to the Draconian Kingdom."

"You were but a child -"

"I know that!" Lucy yelled and cut off Erza's words. She tightened her fists, desperate to grab for her bow that was gifted from the same people that she was soon to bargain with to join their army. "It could give me the advantage… My mother." The archer sucked in a breath. "They knew my mother and hopefully I can use that in order to get close to them."

As well as gain her own answers.

Mira nodded approvingly, "I think she is correct. Do you not have trust in her, Erza?" Her slitted pupils never left Lucy, her lips curling upwards as she amended the young woman. However, Mira knew she'd regret being so bold once she entered the east forest – whilst lurking along the border she had seen the shadows of creatures unbeknownst to the world.

Titania was right to hold warning against the idea, but someone had to take the risk.

Erza clenched her fist before slamming the gloved hand down on the wooden table. "You know very well I have complete faith in Lucy, Mira!" she bellowed, her frustrations evident to the surrounding women. "I would entrust her with my life if need be. There is not a single other person alive I have more trust in."

A warm hand circled her fist and the queen looked into the brown eyes of the archer she considered family. Lucy's voice was quiet but where she stood on the matter was clear through her firm tone, "This might be what brings us victory. If there is a chance, then I have to take it."

Erza took a breath, "Lucy…"

The blonde was already walking away, however. The scarlet-haired leader stared at the dragonbone bow that rested on the younger woman's back. The fiery red scales glinting in the lacrima light as she walked away. It almost appeared that the woman had large dragon wings with the way the bow curved and pointed towards the user – it wouldn't be Lucy's first time encountering the draconian people. The Heartfilia women were known to have to go through countless trials in order to attain their weapons given to them from the descendants of the dragons that lived long ago. Muscles were worked until they were taut, eyes were honed to zero in on even the fastest targets and minds were made to be sharp. Erza frowned, but though she was displeased she couldn't think of a better warrior to send for the almost impossible task.

"I will alert Gray and Wendy before the sun rises and you are to leave at the break of dawn."

Lucy said nothing. Her thoughts were already traveling to what she would need for the upcoming journey and what would lie waiting for her at the draconian palace.

Here is another story by me. enjoy badassery and a helluva lot of coolness in this story

~Doginshoe