Summary: Warmth blossomed over Lucy's hand and a faint echo of metal bouncing across marble reached her ears. She didn't feel the panic she expected when she saw the blade disappear into Ava's stomach, but she knew the guilt wouldn't come either.
Authors note: Well this took longer than I wanted it to. So I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I in no way own Fairy Tail! I do however own my own characters. Or the origin of the Black Zodiac though the names and descriptions used in this story are of my creation and interpretation.
Arc: Greed
Previously: The stars disappeared, replaced with a sky the colour of blood. Phantom images raced passed the two blondes, Propheta no longer with them, could only stare in horrified silence at the destruction around them. Buildings burned, people were slaughtered as two sides of battle collided. Those in white and black merged like a wave, crashing and breaking, scattering people from partners and reinforcements.
"This, Old Friend is out story. We invite you to gaze upon our history and learn the truth. The truth about the Zodiac war…"
Chapter 19: Macabre Invitation Part 2
The world was a mess of colours and sounds, vague screams and the distant flicker of a burning town would forever be imprinted on them as the spirit realm came back into focus. The sound of retching reaching his ears before he managed to shake off the haze of the vision.
"Lucy?" He heard her sob, her spirits tending to her as well as they could, but he pulled himself together enough to turn around, the images he had witnessed making his own stomach revolt against his iron control.
"You… you tortured them… you tried… you tried to kill them!" She choked on her words, bile burning her throat as she staggered upright, her glare so fierce that the Spirit King had to look away, his face pinched.
"I know Old Friend. It was a long time again but that does not justify our actions." His voice shook as he spoke, daring only to look at the ground of the platform, "We are all trying our best to make up for our past mistakes. It is all thanks to you Old Friend that we have even begun to take to steps that we have. First, with Leo, now with those of the Black Zodiac. You have had one acknowledge as a member of the zodiac, it is up to you to summon the others back to their place in this realm."
"I… you…" Lucy coughed, emotions racing through her so quickly she wasn't sure what she felt more strongly about. The fact that she could save the Black Zodiac or the fact that the Spirit King had listened to her, that he was trying to make up for what he'd done.
"Lucy." Strong arms wrapped around her, gingerly grabbing her still bandaged arm to make sure she , didn't jostle it more than necessary, "That's enough Lucy. There's nothing we can do to change the past. And the past won't make you change the way you feel about your spirits. You're just caught up in the feelings we had during the vision. You need to take a breathe."
Ever the voice of reason, Laxus coaxed her into taking a deep breath, allowing her the time to sort through her emotions.
"You're right… I know you're right… But they…" Biting her lip in order to hold back another flood of tears Lucy couldn't hold back her gasp when a claw grabbed her hand, only the smallest amount of pressure behind the grip.
"Please Ms' Lucy. Now that 'em here, I'll heal. And Cancer has already promised to help me if I need it. It's all thanks to you. But I would really like if you could get the rest of my brothers and sisters here too. I miss 'em and I'm sure they miss their home too." Propheta smiled up at the blonde woman, the seaweed like hair brushed into a high ponytail, her black cloak replaced by an orange one made of wool, something only Aires would have been capable of creating.
"I…" Stopping to think Lucy nodded, kneeling down and away from Laxus' embrace, "Alright. I'll work on that, and you work on getting better. How's that sound?"
There was a disturbance in the crowd, the spirits not of the golden zodiac or of Lucy's own murmuring their refusal of the proposal, only to be silence by the Spirit King.
"That is enough! Old Friend is correct. We must make up for our wrongdoings and by doing so we show Zeref that he has no power over the Spirit Realm. Not anymore." The Spirit King's voice boomed throughout the realm, reverberating with sheer power that had the lesser spirits dropping to their knees. His words were both a promise to the Spirits wronged by the war, but also a promise the the young Celestial mage that had earned the title 'Princess', "With that said, I think enough time has passed. You have an important guest waiting for you. I wouldn't leave her waiting."
Loke approached, grabbing Lucy and Laxus before they could protest and dragged them back through to Earthland, the magic of the Celestial realm slipping away like water.
Disoriented, Lucy groaned, grabbing her head with her free hand.
"I see the trip was useful." The voice, familiar and yet unfamiliar, echoed through the apartment, drawing their attention to the green haired woman waiting patiently at the dining table.
"Princess Hisui?!" Lucy gasped, unsure whether to bow or curtsey. The struggle showed on her face, eyes pinched and jaw askew and the Princess laughed, eyes glittering with mirth.
"Now, now Lucy. I think we've been through enough to bypass any formalities." The smile she sent the blonde woman was warm and welcoming and Lucy felt a blush bloom on her cheeks, embarrassed and mildly placated.
"Of course Prin-"
"Hisui."
"Hisue… of course. Um… Not to be rude or anything but… what are you doing here?" Lucy couldn't help but fidget, elbowing Laxus when he refused to give any input.
"Right. Always straight to business with you Lucy. A Heartfillia through and through." The mention of her family name made a weight drop in her stomach and Lucy had to swallow back any further inquiries, "That's exactly what I need."
"What do you mean by that Princess?" Laxus finally stepped in, his arms crossed across his chest as he watched the green haired royal approach, a white envelope in hand.
"I mean, just because the estate is gone the family name wasn't actually tarnished with the fall of the company. While Lucy's father fell to ruin…" Something similar to pity shone in her eyes as she addressed the blondes, "Lucy gained a name for herself as a mage. After the incident in Crocus… Well. Let's just say she's now considered one of the strongest Celestial mages to have ever lived on Earthland… Which means her name still has pull. Even in the highest circles."
Laxus glanced at Lucy out of the corner of his eye, noticing the way Lucy stiffened, "I don't understand what you're getting at. I'm just Lucy. A mage of Fairy Tail…"
"A mage of one of the strongest Guilds in Fiore. Whether you are temporarily disbanded or not, the power of the name still holds. And the fact of the matter is your own reputation precedes you. And while I promised not to drag you into royal matters again… I'm afraid I have no choice."
Faces grim, the blondes watched as the Princess extended a hand, the envelop help out, ready for Lucy to take. With a caution honed from years on the field as a mage, Lucy took the letter, eyes wary of any deception that may have been hidden in plain sight.
"I understand your hesitation. However you need not fear. I have heard from the Council that you have taken part in the mission against the Infernos siblings. I also have it in good faith that you've hit a bit of a bump in the road so to speak. That's why I come with this. It's your lead to the next sibling. Or should I say, siblings."
Lucy's breath caught in her throat and she practically tore the envelop open in her haste. With Laxus reading over her shoulder, Lucy read through the invitation, eyes growing wider with ever word.
Dearest Princess,
It is with great pride that I invite you to attend my engagement ball this coming weekend. I understand however that you are quite the busy individual and understand if you sent a representative in your place.
Please know that the party is being attendant by at least one person of every type of magic known to mankind. As such, I have hopes that you will attend in place of a Celestial mage.
Yours truly,
Ava and Gula Infernos
"How bold of them to use the guilds name…" Laxus grimaced, brows furrowed as he looked back over the letter, "Wait… So, you want Lucy because she's a Celestial Mage right?"
Hisui smiled, easily picking up the protective edge in his words, "Yes, and also no. You see, while it helps, there will be a certain… openness if it were Lucy. Her names carries a weight that will have the other nobles gossiping for hours. And at events like this, people tend to be, I suppose, loose lipped about a few things. You never know just what you'll overhear."
xXx The First Sin xXx
This is unedited! And before you ask 'We're the war!? What happened?' I've already got a side story all about the Zodiacs and I will post it up after I finish writing The First Sin because there simply isn't enough of any kind of backstory for the Zodiacs and I feel like it's a realm entirely untouched, so let me know if you'd like to read it!
A big shout out to the following people for reviewing the last chapter:
Mistress Katana
Helenezahl
Tiernank
Desna
Sea Dragonslayer
Veraozao
Srinivasan
Guest x 2
Lindsaykelly312