Chapter Ninety Seven - The Dragon Prince

There was a rustling outside her window, and a sound as if someone was trying to break in.

Her room was on the third floor.

"I wonder if I'll get in trouble for killing an intruder," Lucy muttered.

….It had been over two weeks since her mother had died, and her father can't look at her.

Her dad can't look at her because Lucy looks too much like her mother, but Lucy can't look at herself either.

When she looks in the mirror, she sees a symbol on her forehead. A star, drawn out with Layla's remaining magic. One that glowed as she used power. A final gift from her mother.

No one, other than her or her spirits, can see it unless she's using magic. The more magic she uses, the more vivid it becomes.

The final gift from her mother, and Lucy didn't know if there was a way to keep it forever.

So she hasn't been using her magic.

The funeral had been closed casket, and the only ones there were Lucy and Jude. Even the servants weren't allowed, and it brought tears to Lucy's eyes as she thought about it.

She knew that Brandish, and her mother, Grammi (who had left Alvarez permanently, now) had gone to pay their respects on a separate occasion, but she also knew that both would've liked to be invited.

Elle would've liked to be invited.

Lucy had told them about Elle's suggestion, and Grammi had sighed, taken the keys for the Magnolia house, and left with Brandish.

Lucy knew she'd be seeing them soon. It was all up to Elle, who would be by soon and knock some sense into her father.

Hopefully not literally.

But whatever was rustling at the window was not Elle.

Because Elle does not rustle by windows.

Elle teleports directly indoors.

And so, this was decidedly not Elle.

The window opened and Lucy tensed, ready to summon Corvus at a moments notice, despite her apprehension at using her magic.

And then –

A head full of a shock of sakura pink hair popped up.

"Hi!" the boy said brightly. "I'm Natsu! You're Luigi, right? Elle sent me! She said to give you this!"

He handed over a letter that was slightly singed on the edges.

Warily, Lucy summoned Virgo instead (at least that took less magic than Corvus), to keep watch, and began to read the letter while the boy (Natsu?) was busy talking with her spirit.

It sounded like they were talking about the best ways to burn someone, but she tried to ignore that and focus on the letter.

Dear Lucy,

First, I'm sorry it took so long. There was some…complications. As you know, all of the kids are dragon slayers. Unfortunately, they don't have much control over their powers, bar one. Considering they couldn't even walk through a clearing in a forest without breakings something, further training was required to get these idiots suitable for civilization.

Lucy paused. Yeah, that didn't sound so good. And Elle had also mentioned something about them living with dragons out in the wilderness, so it makes sense that there wasn't anything really focused on civilization.

The one who stands before you is Natsu Dragneel, the Fire Dragon Slayer.

Do you remember when we first met, and I asked your opinions on the different types of magical creatures you like, so I could get a feel for what spirits you'd really want?

Remember how I mentioned that you don't need a stupid prince, and that you'll be best friends with a dragon.

I was wrong. Sorry. You'll be best friends with a dragon WHO IS ALSO A PRINCE.

Natsu's father was Igneel, the Fire Dragon King.

That makes Natsu your dragon prince. Have fun.

Elle

P. S. Also, pack any necessities you need, and I'll meet you guys later to take you back to Magnolia. Natsu knows what I'm talking about.

Lucy blinked, and read the letter again - there was a surprising lack of cursing for Elle, which made her worry about her sister -, before looking up at Natsu (her dragon prince) who was doing some sort of odd dance with Virgo.

"Virgo?" Lucy asked. "Did you know Natsu before?"

Virgo continued her dancing, while nodding her head once. "Yes, Hime-sama. Natsu-sama was your partner. You were very close, and I distinctly remember him fighting anyone who threatened your safety."

Lucy flushed as she remembered how Elle had told her that her dragon protected her.

"Well, yeah," Natsu said, stopping his dancing. "That's not cool! Why would someone hurt Luigi?"

Lucy resisted the urge to hit her head.

This….was her dragon….prince.

Who couldn't even get her name right.

He just lost any points he had just earned.

Ellie-nee! Come on!

Why couldn't her dragon be a bit more like Laxus or Erik? This kid was totally immature, and seemed ridiculous.

"What's wrong, Luigi?" Natsu asked.

Lucy sighed and refrained from snapping. She had had training for things like this, dammit. "First off, my name is Lucy. Say it with me."

"I know," Natsu said, nodding. "But Elle said to call you Luigi until you corrected me."

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Ellie-nee probably had her reasons, Lucy thought.

But then again…Elle's reasons could also consist of 'it was funny' or that it was referencing something.

"Okay, so what's my name?" Lucy asked.

"Lucy!" Natsu said, smiling brightly at her, and she felt her cheeks flush.

"Oh – okay…" Lucy stammered, trying to remember what else she was going to say, and trying to stop comparing the way that Natsu was looking at her to the way that Laxus sometimes looked at Elle.

"Why were you so sad, Lucy?" Natsu said. "You should smile! You're prettier when you smile."

She could feel her whole face heating up.

"You really think so?" she asked.

Natsu nodded. "Your hair is just like gold!"

Well, she had heard that before.

"He liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiikes you," a voice said from the side, and Lucy looked over at her spirit in horror.

"Virgo! What are you doing!" she squeaked.

"I'm currently filling a missing post," she replied. "Your faithful companion will join the two of you within a year though, have no worries."

"Faithful companion?" Lucy muttered, while Natsu turned to Virgo.

"Of course I like her!" Natsu said, and Lucy was 90% sure her face was redder than Erza's hair. "Elle said we're gonna be partners! And Lucy's nice!"

Her flush began to fade as she realized Natsu's naivety, and once again, sighed.

He was so immature. Yes, Elle had said that they were partners and best friends, but was she really best friends with someone like him?

And more than that...he was one of the reasons her mother died.

She shook the thought away, knowing it wasn't true. Corvus had said that it inevitable, and there was no point in blaming this kid for that. He had lost his parent, too.

"Cheer up, Lucy!" Natsu said. "You shouldn't be so sad!"

He held out his hand. "Come on, let's go! Everyone at the guild is waiting for you."

Lucy began to smile, and felt an odd feeling of hope bubbling in her chest.

This boy had just lost his father, but he was still happy, and that joy was contagious.

As she took his hand, she thought she might be fine, and she began to understand just why she was best friends with this boy.

"Yeah," she said happily. "Let's go home."

"Jude, we need to talk," I said, stepping forward.

It had over two weeks since the Dragon Slayers arrival (since Layla's death) and it was time to retrieve Lucy.

Finally.

You see, we actually got the slayers through the training within the two week time period I wanted, but the utter chaos that happened when they joined the guild was cause for more delay.

Somehow, within seconds of walking in, it was already a mess.

And by somehow, I mean Natsu saw both Gray and Lyon, who had stripped, and laughed, pointing at them. "Perverts!"

And it turned into a battle.

Gray went for Natsu immediately, and when Lyon went to join them, Gajeel intercepted him.

While he may not get along with Natsu, he still believed that as a slayer they were better than two strippers, and so began the Gajeel – Lyon rivalry, equal to the lengths of the Natsu – Gray one.

This, of course, threw more than a few other people into chaos, and the only reason everything stopped was because Master raised his voice, Wendy started crying, and Ultear managed to drag her idiot brothers away from the slayers.

And that was how they were introduced into the guild.

In addition to that, at some point, Warren had joined the guild.

Just like that, while we were gone.

Why, I still don't understand.

So I told him told the sixteen year old telepath (still can't believe he's the same age as Laxus) to start practicing spreading his mental coverage across of all of Magnolia.

Then (now that everything was calm), I turned to the others and began doling out instructions.

"Levy!" I called.

She looked up. "Yeah, Elle-chan?"

"I need you to tutor Gajeel," I said, pointing him to a chair. He sat there, grumbling his complaints, but Levy came over and they began to communicate.

Plan GALE was a go. Not only would Gajeel and Levy (hopefully) start crushing on each other, but Gajeel would also get a better handle on modern tech and society.

"Yukino!" I called.

"Ellie-nee?" the little girl asked softly. Now at four years old (and wow, that was a weird thought, I've known her for almost two years now), she still wasn't as talkative as many of the other kids her age, but she was more likely to talk now. Sometimes, though, she still just cuddles up and hugs people.

With reason, I mean, who doesn't want hugs?

I scooped her up and swirled her around. "Alright, Yukino, I have some kids your age to introduce you to."

I lead her, Sting, Rogue, and Wendy over to a corner, where they all sat down and began to talk to each other.

I turned to Orga. "Will you watch them for me?"

He beamed. "Sure, Nee-chan!"

At nine years old, his adorableness was still going, and I would make sure it didn't vanish forever.

Nuh-uh.

This child will remain adorable.

And this lead to their group talking.

Wendy spent time with them, but mostly it was just Orga watching over Sting, Rogue, and Yukino.

Well, might as well screw Sabertooth, now.

Just gotta pick up Rufus and Minerva and I'll have the set.

And maybe Dobengal.

While Wendy did hang onto them a little bit, she mostly drifted and then ultimately latched onto Erza and Jellal (who she thought was her Jellal).

And thus I had to bring in Mystogan.

I went to my house, where he had dressed himself up almost exactly as he had in his previous life (and on a tiny twelve-year-old, that just looked silly), and brought him to the guild.

Which lead to the explanation of 'yes, Edolas is a world parallel to our own', 'yes, there are different versions of us running around there', and 'yes, they're trying to drain the magic from this world to use themselves and I'm here to stop them'.

….and then there was chaos again.

Eventually, I managed to calm them down, start up some schooling for the kids, and finally leave for Lucy.

I'd get the kids jewelry when we get back.

But, anyway, this lead to plan NALU starting.

So I was now in Jude's office, since he was up late and working, while a few rooms over, Natsu was helping Lucy run away.

I would say 'sneaking her out' but seeing as this is Natsu, it is also known that that is not possible.

Natsu can't 'sneak' for his life. He doesn't know how to be stealthy.

Okay. So Lucy was fine with returning to the guild. She was very happy returning to the guild.

She was NOT happy with Natsu scooping her into his arms, and jumping out of her bedroom window.

On the third floor.

Which lead to a lot of screaming on the way down.

…So much for a stealthy exit.

"LUCY KICK!" she yelled once they landed, kicking Natsu in the chest, who ended up flying several feet away and breaking a tree.

"What was that for?" Natsu groaned from the wreckage.

"You deserved it!"

Jude stood up immediately at my voice, and his eyes widened as he spotted me. "Get out! You're not welcome here, Elle."

I said nothing, merely glared at him.

"I said GET OUT!" he shouted, raising his voice.

"No."

He began to stride forward.

"Layla would be ashamed," I said.

He froze in his tracks.

"To say that you were her husband. Right now, you're not the person she married, and if you don't fix it, you'll destroy your life forever."

I glared at him, before sighing and looking away. "Look, I get that you're mourning. You lost your wife. But Lucy lost her mother. And I – I lost a…a friend."

I looked back up and stared into his eyes. "But you still have Lucy. She's still your family. I get that it can be painful to look at her, because she looks exactly like Layla, so I'll be leaving with her."

"What?" Jude asked, and worry crossed his face.

I mentally breathed a sigh of relief. This could work out, after all - he still actively cared for her.

"Right now, you need some space," I said. "And time to mourn. Lucy will move into the Magnolia house with Grammi and Brandish. Don't worry about her magical education, I know how to handle it. If you want her to go on less jobs, though, I suggest you set up some sort of account at the bank, maybe for Grammi to help run the household."

The silence settled between us, and I knew that he knew I was right.

"When you're ready to see her again, we'll be waiting."

Jude sighed. "Then maybe…it's for the best."

"Hope to see you by Christmas," I said, teleporting to the front yard, where Lucy was currently telling Natsu about Draco, who she'd probably be able to summon in a few years.

"Alright, you two," I told them, smiling at them and taking their hands, and ignoring the bruising on Natsu's face that was probably the result of a Lucy Kick. (I did warn him). "Let's go."

And as they smiled back up at me, we vanished, going home.

Okay, notes!

First, I need to apologize to you guys. There's been some complication with my meds for awhile now, and since I've been so depressed, most of it leaked into the story. So the angst was probably a LITTLE MORE angsty than it was originally going to be.

Also Elle likes hugs because I am currently lacking.

Thought you ought to know.