Hey guys!

Sorry, it's been so long since the last update, but as my GOT collaboration with Longclaw1-6 draws to a close, I have a little more time to post other chapters. This is the second story of mine that is drawing to a close, the first being my GOT collaboration, and I feel really accomplished.

How are you guys liking the story?

As always, I own nothing but the pot and a few side characters.

Much Love,

BlackRose999

The Star Queen

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Reckoning

In the Celestial World

Lucy glared at the army of spirits before her, her own battalion was steadfast behind her. Viktorian Maldrake was no fool, he knew the spirits were only at their prime in the celestial world, so he had amassed the full force of the Myths and most of the Beasts. Lucy held the Zodiac, the Silvrine Keys, and the rest of the Beasts.

Her army was bigger, yes, but he was cunning.

It was likely he knew of her Key and would do anything to prevent her from summoning it, so she knew her Heralds would need to be kept close and guarded, this was her trump card, her last resort. For now, she would trust in the strength of the Slayers, and pray she wouldn't need it. Natsu had told her in no uncertain terms that he and Gray were her personal shields, leaving Laxus and Gajeel to do most of the damage to his forces with unchecked rage. She was no fool, Gajeel would not tolerate Viktorian's abuse to his Mate, he would go straight for him and let him feel the power of a very pissed-off Dragon. She was counting on it, with Viktorian distracted defending himself from Gajeel's magic, she could deal with his army and cut him off, isolate him.

Her plans were shattered when a massive gate opened behind Viktorian, and a mass of Dark Wizards began pouring through.

She should have planned for this, Hydra had warned her he'd find some way to cheat. "He must have a spirit keeping a portal open, that's the only way he could open that large of a gate and allow so many people into the Celestial World…" Leo murmured beside her.

Her forces were being overrun by the Earthland wizards he'd allowed into their world, seeing them fall back from the massive ground they'd gained in her name, she knew she had no choice. A tear slid down her cheek before she could wipe it away, and she began to gather her magic. Her Heralds were the first to feel it, and immediately began to gather their own strength to themselves. They began to glow their colors, kneeling beside her and sending her a steady stream of magic to amplify her own. A pillar of golden light erupted from her, making her intentions clear to anyone who knew what to look for. She heard a shout but resisted the urge to look, knowing if she did their plan would fail. A blast of familiar heat warmed the skin to her left, and she realized Natsu was keeping the enemy forces off her. A cold chill flared to her right, Gray must've shielded her from someone.

'It's time, you've amassed enough.' A gravelly voice filled her mind, and somehow she knew to listen to it. 'Call to me… I'm waiting for you, my beloved Star Daughter.'

A flash of her memories filled her mind, looking at herself through another's eyes. And suddenly she understood, He'd been watching her from the day she was born. Knowing she would need Him eventually. She took the strength her Heralds offered her and thrust her hand into her chest, blood spilled down her silver armored dress before a gentle light took its place, she pulled out what she knew somehow was her Soul. Lucy stared at it for a moment, silently saying goodbye to her Nakama, her children, and her Mate.

Then she forced herself to say the words.

"As Queen of the Celestial World, I call upon the First King, I summon thee to my side at once. I offer my life, my very Soul, in exchange for Celestia."

She felt something separate from her body, as though something had removed itself from her core. She dared to open her eyes and look upon the spirit of the First King, and from his body, he pulled a shining opalescent Key that looked like it was made from pure crystallized magic. He offered it to her and held out his other empty hand. Tears fell freely now, but she didn't shake with the fear that threatened to paralyze her. She didn't hesitate to hand him her Soul in exchange for her Key, and with a smile of understanding, he vanished with the glowing light of her Soul.

Wasting no time she thrust her Key into the wound on her chest that still leaked blood, and a massive white magic circle exploded out of her body and darkened her frame. In an ethereal voice, she awakened the Spirit Gem. "OPEN! Gate of the Stars, Celestia!" A shockwave of pure energy erupted from her, knocking the enemy forces away from the power she now exhibited, and when she opened her eyes they glowed a startling gold. The sound of bodies thumping to the ground behind her told her she'd siphoned every last drop of magic from her Heralds, and that they were now out of commission. She had to move fast before she required another unison raid.

She slammed her palms together, her brow furrowing as she concentrated on her magic, golden flames began to dance off her body as she funneled her strength into the spell. She gave no warning, no quarter, and when she was done counting her eyes snapped open and she screamed "LAW!" She watched as the hordes of Earthland wizards turned grey and fell to the ground, leaving Viktorian wide-eyed and panicked and left with his smaller army of spirits.

She was much stronger than he'd anticipated. But no matter, she'd be out of time here very shortly… He just needed to get through her guards.

Lucy reached for her gift as the Queen, feeling the pull of her newfound magic fill the air around her. From the night sky, a single star fell into her hand, slowly taking the form of a gold and white key in the shape of a dragon.

"OPEN, Gate of the Heavenly Dragon! Draco!"

Golden light flooded the area, blinding everyone around her. From her hand, a ball of pure light emerged and formed the great dragon Draco. "Hello Star Daughter, it's good to finally meet you, face to face." His scales were blue, melting into a deep purple with white feathers on the crest of his head, white spikes and black claws completed the look. She smiled at the sentient being before her, and answered back "You've been my guardian for many a year now, will you help me stop this war?"

"Of course, the Stars are my charge too. And Viktorian's wrath would cause them all to lose their shine for eternity if he is made King in your place. I give you my power, Star Daughter." And with that, the great Heavenly Dragon blew a puff of golden air toward her Heralds, giving them back their spent magic so they could rejoin the fight with their friend and queen. His wings unfurled and with a snarling roar, he was in the sky, raining down the only thing hotter than Natsu's own flames, pure starlight.

Lucy held up his Key, letting his starlight fall onto it, and set it ablaze before quickly pressing it to her lips. "Star Dress!" Natsu watched the starlight melt into her skin through her fingers, lighting up her body like she was made of light itself. She tossed his Key back up toward the sky, where Draco caught it in his jaws and swallowed it back into his body where it belonged. He then melted back into the sky, he'd given her his magic, he was no longer needed.

Natsu felt awe and incredible pride fill him as she began to stalk toward the preoccupied Viktorian, who still fought Gajeel and apparently Leo. As she walked, her skin shifted to a bluer tone, and white scales formed over her shoulders, knees, and elbows. White feathers formed in her golden hair, and her nails elongated into claws.

Her cloth white breeches tore in several areas as her scales showed through, and her silver corset strained as the scales made their way down her sides, no doubt sharper than Natsu's. And she wasn't even at full power yet. He sent a surge of his love and strength to her and watched as her reformed Mark burned a hole into the back of her fitted white shirt and scorched her metal corset black. He knew she felt it, and she knew he meant it. Viktorian flew toward her with the force of Gajeel's punch, and as he neared her she lashed out and snatched him by his hair, spinning on her heel to gain momentum, and sending him sailing into what appeared to be an abandoned building.

Leo looked at her, nodded, and motioned to Gajeel to help him deal with the portal that still remained open. Her magic-fueled senses caught the whistling of an incoming metal object, and without thinking, she dropped low to her hands with one leg stretched out behind her. The dust from the now-ruined wall settled to show a very annoyed Viktorian with another set of wicked-looking knives in his hand, blood dripping down his face and making his skin bubble. 'So… Your blood is toxic to even you… I can work with that.' She thought with a dangerous glint in her eye. She stood and ran toward him, feeling Draco's magic fill her as she powered up for her first, and last, Draconic fight.

"CELESTIAL DRAGONS STARLIGHT FIST!"

She jumped and slammed her shining fist into his cheek, twisting midair and clocking him in the jaw with her foot as he leaned to the right with the force of her hit. Sparring with both Natsu and the unpredictable Erza had honed her reflexes and her on-the-fly decision-making skills, creating a better, stronger, faster version of who she was on Earthland. However, that did not mean she wasn't equally matched by Viktorian, who'd served as a Herald to his father. He shifted into his Devil Soul form, more blood broke the surface as his lip split, making more sores and burns.

Natsu didn't give him the chance to attack her first, he rushed forward and swung, landing a strong hit to his gut and making him grunt. In response, Viktorian turned and gripped him by the face, digging his claws into his skin and watching the blood seep from the deep wounds. Natsu snarled and let loose a roar of flame directly in Viktorian's face, forcing him to release his hold on Natsu's face. "You really think you'll come out of this alive asshole?! You tried to kill my wife!" Natsu rushed him again, sending another flame-laced kick to his midsection and watching him fly toward Lucy. She took a breath and let loose her own torrent of superheated light, scorching the skin of his face and neck. He flew back toward Natsu, but Viktorian was expecting that. He used the force of her attack to his advantage, his nails elongating and sharpening into daggers, daggers he sank deep into Natsu's stomach.

Lucy watched in horror as Natsu dropped, clutching his stomach as blood cascaded out of his wound. Certain that her Mate was out of the fight, Viktorian whipped around to face her with a sadistic grin.

"Is that all you've got you pious bitch?!" He screamed at her.

He came flying at her, hitting her full in the chest with his fist, when it burned against her skin she realized he'd coughed up blood on it. Draco's magic left her, her skin returning to its normal shade and her scales receding. She acted fast. Ignoring the agony in her chest, she punched him in the throat and gripped him by the collar, slamming him up against the wall behind her. Her left hand reached out as she felt the strength of her people fill her once more, the Celestial Light responding to her will, and felt the weight of the Celestial Sword appear in her grasp. Before he had time to come at her again, she pointed the tip at his throat.

"It's over. Let them go, and you may survive this. I don't like killing, but if you touch my children one more goddamn time, I swear to every soul in this world I will kill you myself."

He sneered at her, snarling "Oh them?... What makes you think I haven't killed them already, your Majesty?"

Pain lanced through her, and she felt tears building in her eyes, she refused to believe he'd murdered her children. She would've Felt it. Natsu would have smelled their blood on him from miles away. "You think I can't Feel them in this world?! They were born through a Dragon's Mark, they're just as much a part of my Soul as my husband is!"

She pressed the tip harder into his throat, gratified to see him shift uncomfortably, she watched uncertainty creep into his face. "Release them now, in front of me, or I will kill you."

"Then you'd better kill me... because you'll never see those brats again."