Ch. 9- Confrontation
Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima
Story and OCs © Me
Lucy didn't know how it happened, but it happened. Upon hearing that she was going back home to confront her father, Haru insisted that she and Blue Fang go with her and left no room for argument. She scrabbled down a quick note for Natsu and the others in case they came to Lucy's apartment to see her (and they more than likely had), then hurried back to the guild to grab her backpack, and they boarded the train together.
The two girls sat in their booth, Lucy on one side, Haru on the other, and Blue Fang lying on the floor.
"Haru... you really didn't have to come with me," Lucy said.
"Yes, I do," Haru answered. "You're my friend, Lucy. I can't let you do this alone."
"But it's my problem," Lucy answered. "I mean... my Dad never even gave me the time of day when I was a kid, and I ran away from home for a year, and now, all of a sudden, he decides he wants me back? It just doesn't make sense to me!" She knitted her brow as she kept speaking. "Not just that... but he hired Phantom Lord to track me down and bring me home. I can't believe he'd go that far to bring me back... and the worst part is... he'll probably do it, again." She fixed Haru with a serious stare. "That's why I have to go back... I have to tell him that he can't use his money to get away with something like this."
"...I see," Haru replied. "That only makes me wanna go with you, more."
Lucy's eyes went wide while the Beast Wizard smirked.
"I'm gonna be behind you all the way, Lucy," she said. "This isn't just your fight... it's mine, too... and I'm gonna support you."
"...Haru...!" Lucy said before she smiled, warmly. "Thanks."
Suddenly, Blue Fang sat up and licked the Celestial Spirit Wizard on the face, causing her to laugh.
"Thank you, too, Blue Fang!" Lucy said as she stroked his head.
Before too long, Lucy, Haru, and Blue Fang arrived at the Heartfilia Estate... but Haru didn't expect it to be so huge. The estate's premises reached out all over a vast, grassy plain, and there were so many buildings and houses, Haru almost thought that this was a village. It even went out as far as the mountains!
"This place is huge!" Haru exclaimed in awe.
"Yeah, it sure is," Lucy replied. "This is just the garden, though."
"Wait, the garden?!" Haru questioned. "How rich is your family?!"
"More than you know," Lucy answered, although, with the way she cast her eyes to the ground, it was clear she didn't take much pride in it.
As the girls and wolf approached the grounds of the Heartfilia Estate, and the moment they arrived, Lucy was immediately by all her old servants, who welcome her home with open arms. Some of them were even crying while others joked that she ran off with some boy, which caused her to get rather flustered. Even so, the sight filled Haru with warmth as she watched the scene with a fond smile.
'I kinda expected everyone around here to act all stuffy and uptight,' she thought, 'but... these people really love Lucy. I can see that. It's nice to know that in a way, these people are her family, too.'
"Oh, who's your friend here?" asked the maid, Ms. Spetto.
"This is Haru," Lucy answered. "She's from the Fairy Tail Guild, and that's her wolf, Blue Fang."
"It's nice to meet you all," Haru greeted as she bowed her head, and Blue Fang did the same. "Please know that everybody is taking good care of Lucy, especially me."
"Is that so?" asked Ms. Spetto. "Thank you so much for looking after her. It's very reassuring to know that the Young Mistress has some friends!"
Lucy chuckled, a warm smile gracing her face... but then...
"Young Mistress!" said one of the servants. "Your father wishes to see you, right away!"
Almost instantly, Lucy went rigid and her eyes were cast to the ground, once more... and Haru instantly saw the tension in her face and body. She walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder, smiling in reassurance.
"It's okay," she said. "I'll be with you."
"Thank you, Haru," Lucy replied, returning her smile.
Soon, the two girls and wolf were led inside the huge mansion. They were bathed, had their hair brushed and combed, and were soon wearing elegant gowns. Lucy's was magenta with a rosy pattern and frilly laces, and Haru's was purple with lavender embroidery. They had their hair done up in buns and decorated flowery ornaments... and yet, Haru looked a little... uncomfortable.
"I can understand being fancy," Haru began, "but this is kinda overdoing it."
Even Blue Fang had gotten all dressed up. His fur had been brushed and coiffed, and he was even wearing a blue cravat around his neck... and he did not look the least bit pleased.
"Well... this is it," Lucy said as she faced two huge doors. "This is my Dad's study."
"...Are you nervous?" Haru asked.
"Of course, I am," Lucy replied, "but... I'm a proud Fairy Tail Wizard. Even if I'm afraid... I can't back down." She then gave Haru a smile. "And besides... you're here with me, so I'm not as scared."
Haru chuckled at that... before her expression turned serious.
"Well... let's do it," she said, prompting Lucy to nod her head before she opened the door... and they soon entered to find a man in his late 30s. He had blonde hair that was combed back and a bushy mustache, and he wore a brown, tailored suit. He stared at the girls with cold, uncaring eyes as he had his arms folded behind his back.
"...Hello... Father," Lucy spoke.
"Well, it's about time you came back, Lucy," said Jude Heartfilia, his tone serious and authoritative... before his eyes fell on Haru, who stood there with a blank, almost expressionless face. "And who is that?"
"It's nice to meet you, sir," Haru spoke. "My name is Haru Dragneel, a member of the Fairy Tail Guild, and-"
"Get out," Jude interjected, taking Haru back.
"Uh... e-excuse me?" Haru asked.
"This has nothing to do with you," Jude said. "You are just some peasant girl who runs around with a bunch of ruffians who are pretending to be wizards... and my daughter has no place with the likes of you."
Haru's eyes went wide in disbelief... before she quickly regained her composure.
"Sir... with all due respect, I'm afraid I can't do that," said Haru. "I am Lucy's friend, and therefore-"
"My daughter is a lady of high standing!" Jude interjected. "The Heartfilia Konzern is one of the richest engineering companies in Fiore, and my daughter is its sole heir... she can't be wasting time, playing magician with the likes of you peasants. I should have used my connections to have that eyesore you call a 'guild' disbanded, which is what should have happened after that little war of yours!"
"Okay, that's it!" Haru shouted while Blue Fang snarled. "How dare you sit there, acting all high and mighty while you insult my family and friends! You're the one who really instigated the war in the first place!"
"I wouldn't have had to do so if someone hadn't run away from home like a selfish brat," Jude countered. "If anything, Lucy is the one to blame, bringing trouble to you all."
"What?!" Haru questioned. "Now, you listen here, you pompous-"
"No, Haru!" Lucy cut her off, causing the Beast Wizard to look at her. "He's right... it's my fault. I ran away without saying a word. I wasn't thinking." She bowed her head. "Forgive me, Father."
"Lucy...!" Haru whispered, sadly, while Jude only harrumphed.
"So you finally grew up, Lucy," he said. "Good. Let this be a lesson to you: your stubborn and willful actions have consequences for everyone around you. You are a member of the Heartfilia Family. You are a lady of much higher standing than those peasants."
Lucy didn't respond, to Haru's growing concern as she glanced back at Jude, who retained his steely expression.
'A man like that... can't possibly be Lucy's dad...!'
"Now then," Jude began, "it's time we discuss why I've brought you back here. The arrangements for your wedding have been made?"
"Her... her wedding?" Haru asked.
"Yes, her wedding," Jude replied. "She is to marry Duke Sawarr, the son and heir to the Junelle Family. I hear he actually had his eye on her for quite some time."
"I... I remember that," Lucy muttered.
"With your marriage into the Junelle Family," Jude continued, "the Heartfilia Konzern will receive the land it needs to continue its southward progression. Your wedding plays a vital part in securing our future... and of course, you will be expected to bear a son, who will inherit all of the Heartfilia Estate. That will be all... you may return to your room, now, Lucy... and you, fairy peasant, can leave. Tell your fellow guild members a message: that Lucy is no longer a part of your silly little gang."
Haru growled silently, clenching her fists tightly. She wanted nothing more than to slug Jude across the face and then grab Lucy and run for the hills... but then...
"Father," Lucy began, "I'm sorry, but... that's NOT going to happen."
Now it was Jude's turned to be taken back as he turned to face his daughter... who glared at him, bitterly.
"Lucy...!" Haru said in astonishment while Blue Fang gaped.
"I'm not here to make amends," Lucy said. "I came here to say my final goodbyes. I really do regret that leaving without saying anything was a horrible mistake on my part... so that's why I've come back to let you know how I really feel!"
"W... what in the-" Jude started
"I'm not done!" Lucy shouted. "All the money in the world can't buy you happiness! So don't you go making arrangements for my marriage! I have my own life to lead!"
"How... dare you speak to me like that, you ungrateful child!" Jude shouted. "I am your father!"
"Not anymore, you're not!" Lucy bit back. "As of today, you have been labeled as an enemy of Fairy Tail, and if you ever try and pull that kind of stunt again, we'll ALL be coming after you!" She then ripped off the top of her dress, revealing the beige corset underneath, to Jude's further shock.
"Y... you...!" Jude stammered.
"It didn't have to come to this, you know!" Lucy continued. "If you hadn't have done what you did, I would have been willing to talk things with you... but it's far too late for that! You hurt my family!"
"Your... your family?" Jude asked. "That's ridiculous! A group of ruffians like them... they can't possibly be your family! They're not even related to you!"
"So what?!" Lucy questioned. "At least they actually care about me and accept me for who I am! They don't force their way of life on me or try and make me into someone I'm not! Did you ever try and take the time to actually get to know me, at all?!"
Jude opened his mouth to argue... and yet, he fell short, and inwardly, Haru had to laugh at his flabbergasted reaction.
"That's what I thought," Lucy said. "The one reason why I hesitated on leaving is because I made so many good memories with Mom... not to mention Ms. Spetto, Old Man Bero, Ribbon, Aed... it's so hard for me to say goodbye to them all." She then gave Jude a sad smile. "I do know this much, though: if Mom were her, she would have told me to follow my heart!"
Jude's eyes went wide... because for a moment, he could have sworn he saw someone else standing behind Lucy: a woman who looked like her, but appeared to be twice her age.
'...Layla...?!'
"And another thing," said Lucy as she held up her right hand, showing her guild mark. "I'm not 'Lucky' Lucy Heartfilia anymore. I'm Lucy of Fairy Tail." She then turned and walked out. "Goodbye... Jude. Haru, Blue Fang... we're leaving."
"Yeah," Haru answered as she and Blue Fang soon followed her out, closing the door behind them, and after what felt like hours of silence between them... Haru suddenly threw her arms around Lucy and gave a hearty laugh. "You were AMAZING! I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks, Haru," Lucy smiled as she hugged the Beast Wizard. "I gotta tell you, though... I felt really nervous. I wouldn't have been able to do that if you weren't there with me. You gave me courage."
"Well... what are friends for?" Haru asked. "Now... can we get out of these stuff outfits? This dress chafes and these shoes are killing me!"
Lucy could only laugh, prompting Haru and Blue Fang to laugh with her.
Soon, the girls were out of the mansion, dressed in their usual outfits... but as they walked, Lucy suddenly stopped in front of a tall angel statue. At first, Haru and Blue Fang seemed confused... until they saw a plaque at the base.
Rest in Peace
Layla Heartfilia
Year X748-Year X777
"...Who's Layla?" asked Haru.
"...My Mom," Lucy replied, sadly. "She died, 7 years ago... on July 7th. It was so sudden... and to this day, I still miss her."
"...Oh..." Haru realized. "I... I'm sorry, Lucy, I didn't know that..." she trailed off. "W-wait, hold it. Lucy... your mom died on July 7th, 7 years ago?"
"Yeah," Lucy said. "Kinda strange, right? That she died on the same day that Natsu's father disappeared... but it's probably just a coincidence."
"Uh... yeah, probably," Haru agreed... and yet, she still felt a bit uncertain.
'...Lucy's mom died... on the same day that Igneel left Natsu? Could it be that they're connected?'
"LUCY!"
Lucy, Haru, and Blue Fang all turned around... only to gasp as they saw Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Happy running toward them!
"GUYS?!" Lucy questioned.
"WAAAAAAH!" Happy wailed as he flew toward Lucy, burying his face in her bosom. "LUCY, WE FOUND YOU!"
"W-what are you doing here?!" asked Lucy.
"What do you think?!" Gray asked. "We came to bring you back home!"
"You can't leave, Lucy!" Erza added. "We told you, we don't blame you at all for what happened!"
"Are you seriously gonna leave everything behind?!" Natsu questioned. "After everything we've been through! I thought we were friends-"
"HOOOOOOLD IIIIIIIIIIIIIT!" Haru yelled. "Will you all please slow down and let Lucy explain?! Sheesh!"
"Thanks, Haru," Lucy said before she soon began to explain herself. After she made everything clear, both Erza and Gray sighed in relief, but Natsu berated her for making everyone worry. Happy, meanwhile, joyfully cried as he realized that Lucy wasn't leaving the Fairy Tail Guild, after all.
Soon, the group was on their way back home, following the path of the setting sun.
"I'm really sorry to make everyone worry," Lucy said, "but at least Haru was with me!"
"By the way, Haru," Gray began, "what the hell was that note you left? We could barely read it!"
"I was in a hurry, okay?" Haru asked. "Jeez..."
"Now, now," Erza said. "We're the ones who should apologize for jumping to conclusions."
"Happy was cryin' like a baby the whole way here," Natsu said.
"You cried more than I did, Natsu!" Happy countered.
"N-no, I did not!" Natsu argued as a blush formed on his cheeks, something that his sister noticed.
"Ooh~!" Haru cooed as she nudged her brother playfully in the side. "Were you worried about Lucy, Natsu~?"
"Sh-shut up!" Natsu barked while Blue Fang snickered behind his back.
"By the way, Lucy," Gray said, "I'm kinda diggin' your hometown."
"Yes, it does have a certain charm to it," Erza added.
"Actually, this is just the garden," Lucy replied. "Everything from here to beyond that mountain is the Heartfilia Estate."
Upon hearing that, Natsu, Gray, and Erza all gaped.
"Uh... guys?" Lucy asked. "You okay?"
"HOLY CRAP, SHE'S RICH!" Gray cried as he saluted her along with Natsu.
"AND ACTS LIKE IT'S NOTHIN'!" Natsu added.
"Two of our best soldiers are down!" Happy reported. "What are your orders, Commander Erza?!"
"...Such a beautiful sky...!" Erza whispered in awe.
"Oh, no! Commander Erza is down, too!" Happy cried.
"Will you guys cut it out?!" Haru asked. "For real!"
Lucy was equally embarrassed by her friends' acts of sycophancy... but then she smiled before she started to burst into laughter, and after a moment, the others started to laugh with her.
'The war between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord was a bitter and grueling battle,' thought Haru. 'We may have lost our guildhall... but we still got back something precious. Lucy really is one of us now... and I'm glad she's here to stay.'
And so ends the Phantom Lord Arc, and with this, I'm gonna be taking a break from Fairy Tail for about a week. When I return, up next is a NaLu story, so look forward to that!
Review, please!