Chapter 6:

Several weeks had gone by since then and the Pradesh family had long since gone back to Bosco. Once they had left Lucy started plotting. She had looped her team, Bix, and Erik in on her plans and while they didn't like that she was making herself the target they agreed that something needed to be done and this would be the fastest way.

It was time for the Grand Magic Games to start and the Pradesh family had been invited to watch by the Princess.

Once they had all arrived at the Princess lookout room they were surprised to see that Lucy, Bixlow, Cobra, and Cana - whom they had learned was Cristoff's mate - were all there waiting for them. Hugs were exchanged by all except Vander and Lucy as they prepared to watch the games and see who was participating this year. Honestly, the only team that was really any different was Fairy Tail. They only had one team participating this year and Laxus wanted to mix it up a bit so this year's participants were Natsu (obviously), Bisca, Freed, Juvia, and Gray. The game this year had been a partner one that may as well have been built for Freed and Bisca. One person had to solve as many puzzles, mind games, and riddles as they could in the time they were given while the other partner had to simultaneously protect them and target the others.

As the arena cleared to prepare for the battles 100 mages, bloodhunters to be exact, teleported onto the field, lead by none other than Grendance.

"Lucy Heartphilia. Show yourself."

The Pradesh family turned to Lucy, fear etched into their faces. Lucy looked calmly at Vander and smiled before turning to Bix and Erik.

"Don't let them come after me."

"I did not take you for a coward Miss Heartphilia. Stop hiding."

Lucy turned away from her family and walked toward the window, as she pressed against it, it opened up leaving no barriers between them.

"Who said anything about hiding. I just needed to make my grand entrance."

Lucy donned her Taurus stardress and jumped into the arena causing the entire stadium to shake and the ground to split open from the force of her impact.

"I must confess something though Grendance. I knew you were coming and I'm not stupid enough to try to fight all of you at the same time. So I brought some back up of my own."

Natsu, Erza, and Gray all jumped into the arena as well.

"Honestly though you really didn't think through your plan of challenging me here. All of Fairy Tail is here and all of her sister guilds. Not one would sit idle as you try to kill me. Don't worry though. You only have to fight the four of us."

Grendance laughed.

"What can the four of you do against a hundred of Bosco's strongest bloodhunters?"

"You very obviously did not do your research Grendance. We're Team Natsu and while we are strong alone we are unbeatable together."

Grendance scoffed and signaled to his men. Lucy took that to mean he was done talking so she nodded to Natsu signaling him to get ready.

Team Natsu waited. They would not make the first move. They didn't have to wait long though. Grendance signaled the first group toward them.

"Now Natsu!"

"Yosh! I'm all fired up!"

Natsu covered himself in his flames before punching the ground. Lava came forth in the cracks that Lucy had previously created, causing the bloodhunters to become disorganized and separated. The arena was now more or less divided into four parts.

"Have fun and don't hold back. Just remember Grendance is mine."

Lucy growled as she launched into action, summoning Loke, Capricorn, Cancer, and Virgo to her side.

From the Princess's viewing area the Pradesh family's jaws all dropped. It was utterly insane. Four people against some of Bosco's finest. And they were winning.

"Hey, Bix. Remind me to never piss off Starlight."

Cobra chuckled.

"You ain't seen nothin' yet Shade."

"Yeah Van. Just wait until you see Scary Lucy."

Everyone watched as Team Natsu went to town beating the bloodhunters and destroying the arena in the process. Erza had equipped her heaven's wheel armor and was slashing down mages left and right. Natsu and Gray were both punching their way through seeing who could take down the most. And Lucy was in the middle of it all fighting right beside her spirits as they worked their way to Grendance.

Soon enough the battle was over, Team Natsu had beaten all 101 of them. Virgo was quick to grab Grendance, knowing her Princess wasn't done with him, while rune knights rushed onto the field to remove the bloodhunters. Lucy changed out of her stardress and laughed as Natsu slung an arm around her shoulders, the four walking out of the arena to the Princess's viewing area.

As they walked in, Vander was quick to appear in front of Lucy and scan her for injuries.

"You crazy woman. Why would you do that?! You could have been killed!"

Erza however did not like Vander touching her sister and quickly removed his person from her, equipping a sword in the process.

"You will refrain from touching my sister. You are not to besmirch her honor."

Lucy laughed.

"Z stop terrorizing my mate. You knew all along we were doing this for him."

"C'mon Luce. Let us have some fun. This is the only way we can protect you anymore."

"Yeah, sis. We can't keep you out of fights anymore. You'd just knock us out and do it yourself. Can't we just scare him a little?"

Lucy rolled her eyes and shrugged Natsu's arm off her.

"No, you can't. Z let my mate go. He's allowed to touch me. Besides, what if I want him to besmirch my honor?"

Lucy smirked and high-fived Gray as Erza's face became as red as her hair.

Virgo chose that moment to show back up, bringing a chained and gagged Grendance with her.

"Right. It's time to finish this. Place him in the middle of the room please Virgo."

"Yes Hime."

Virgo dropped the man unceremoniously in a heap on the floor and vanished after giving one last look to her princess.

"Hisui, thank you for your part in providing me with this room, you should leave though so you can deny having any knowledge of what's about to happen."

"Of course. I'll see you tonight?"

"Yeah I'll be there. Sorry about the arena though. Virgo and I will fix it tomorrow so we can resume the games."

Hisui nodded and left, leaving only the Fairies and Pradesh family in the room with Grendance.

"Cosplayer, are you sure you want to do this yourself?"

"Yeah Nightshade. You know I'd gladly do this for you."

Lucy turned and met their eyes but never said anything, just acknowledging that the offer was made but refusing their help.

Lucy glanced at her mate and his family briefly before composing herself. Lucy stalked over to the man on the floor and snarled at him before bending over and ripping off his gag.

Grendance immediately started to speak and tell her off but his blood ran cold and he shut up when he really took in the look she was giving him.

"You have underestimated me, Grendance, and played right into my hands. Now you will meet my demands or the consequences will be most unfortunate for you.

I know exactly who you are and everything you have done. I will not tolerate your abuse of power and your total disregard for human rights. You claim to love Bosco but you hold yourself above their laws and enslave their people. You have even sold their secrets. Do not deny it, my spirits have told me everything.

Now, my demands are simple and easy. I have prepared some documents and you will sign them. Two of these documents release both my mate, Vander Pradesh, and his partner, Presca, from their service. Another says that all bloodhunters who were coerced into service will also be given the ability to retire. All who choose to retire will be given full retirement benefits and will not be forced to enlist in any other services and this will include Vander and Presca. The second to last document changes the leadership of the Steel Council. The current leadership will all be forced to resign and a new more thorough examination will be put in effect for anyone trying to be on the council. Enlistment as a bloodhunter will be completely voluntary and the Steel Council itself will fall under the purview of the Knights and King Karadin. Princess Kurino will also no longer be able to do her dirty work through them as she will no longer have any say in anything. She is my next target so don't worry your head too much about her because she will be joining you in your hole soon enough. The last document is an account of everything you have done both as the head of the Steel Council and in your personal life.

Now you can either sign these voluntarily or I can force you to. Take your pick."

Grendance was in shock. How had he been bested by a little blonde girl? He couldn't even fathom how she had managed to find out everything that she had.

"Your time is ticking. Are you going to sign those papers willingly or do I need to use force?"

Grendance could hear and see just how serious she was. The glare she was leveling him with was enough to make even Zeref cower in fear. He quickly grabbed the papers and pen that were in her hand and signed, not even bothering to read through the documents.

As soon as he had signed every last page Lucy summoned Virgo who was quick to make copies and store the originals in the Spirit World. Lucy gagged and bound Grendance again and had Virgo escort him to the dungeon he would be staying in for the rest of his life.

Lucy turned to Vander and handed him the two documents for his and his partner's retirement. However, before he or anyone else could say anything Lucy gate hopped away.