When Lucy woke up her stomach was growling, and she had no idea where she was. Pushing herself up, she realized her hands and feet were cuffed up, but quickly fixed that by pulling them apart. Once freed she decided to see where she was heading to the opening in her cell, only to see she was in some sort of high tower.
"Well Plue, looks like we gotta wait for the person who thought it was smart to kidnap me" Lucy sighed.
"Pun, Puuun" the little spirit said shakily.
"Of course, I'm still hungry, what kind of question is that even" running her hands through her hair and reevaluating her situation, "But I highly doubt they feed hostages. Maybe Virgo can bring me some celestial food?" Lucy muttered to her little spirit who had popped up.
"Puuun, Puuun" the spirit nodded, shakily. "She's still busy punishing herself, huh" Lucy sighed, "Alright then, I'll just take a quick nap. Keep watch Plue".
"Pun, Puuun!" the little spirit said with a small salute as the spirit watched their master lay down on the ground to nap.
Lucy was close to a deep slumber when she was awoken by the slamming of her cell door. Opening her eyes to see who would even dare disturb her sleep, Lucy did her best to hold back her laughter at the weird appearance of the man who entered. "Seriously who wears that lipstick with baggy pants and a witch hat" Lucy snorted.
Feeling his eye twitch at the girls' words he held back a scathing remark at the supposed heiress.
He smirked, "Good evening, I am Jose Porla. Guild Master of Phantom Lord" He bowed.
"So, you're the one who damaged my guild, and hurt Team Shadow Gear" Lucy growled, heating up the room to an unbearable temperature.
"Uh"
"Gotta say, I'm pretty pissed now. Originally, I let myself get kidnapped to find out why you wanted me, but now finding out it was also you who sent that Gajeel dude to destroy my guild and attack my tutor just pisses me off even more."
"Now hold on, what do you mean you let yourself get kidnapped" Jose sneers.
"Tsk, you think those two weaklings could really capture someone of my caliber, I heard that non-non-guy say I was the target so naturally I let them take me so I could find out why the hell you were in my territory" Lucy said, cracking her knuckles.
"The first rule of war is to never underestimate the enemy or target I guess" Lucy grinned, sending a shiver down Jose's spine. "I know I haven't been a part of Fairy Tail for long, but I've grown attached to them which means your actions are not going to go unpunished" she growled.
Jose looked around nervously, surprised from the turn of events, "Well, I guess I should have expected such wits from someone of the Heartfilia family."
Lucy stared blankly at him, anger bubbling up from her inside.
"And just what do you know of the Heartfilia family". Lucy asked deadly calm.
"Well, for one you are Lucy Heartfilia, are you not?" he asked smirked, thinking he had gained the upper hand.
She narrowed her eyes at him, "And how exactly do you know that? I haven't gone by that name in years".
Jose kept that annoying smirk on his face; "Your father Jude Heartfilia-
"He's not my father, Lucifer is" Lucy butted in.
"Uh yes, well anyways, he offered me a great sum of money if I handed you over to him. This task actually worked quite well in my favor, since I was able to take down Makarov and Fairy Tail in the process." He laughed.
Lucy surrounded herself in golden flames, pushing Jose into the cells wall and making him cease in his laughter.
When he looked at the blonde, he noticed half of her body was covered in red markings, and she had her eyes shut. What the- I've never heard of any Celestial mage containing this power.
"So, my father paid you to bring me home and you used it as an excuse to attack Fairy Tail and my master."
He felt himself sweat at her appearance, already hard pressed in the rooms wall.
"Uh, yes?" He answered quietly.
Lucy grinned, her magic power beginning to rise suffocating Jose, her flames rising to the point his clothes were slowly melting away. "Well, thanks for the heads up, guess I should tell you I'll be destroying you, your guild and everyone in it as retaliation" Lucy chuckled.
"How do you have so much magic! Jude said you were just a celestial wizard?" he yelled, trying to send a pulse of his magic power at her to stop her from burning him alive, only for her to swipe it away with ease, retaliating with a fire punch in his direction knocking him on his side.
"Jude hasn't seen me in ten years so of course he wouldn't know that the Lucy Heartfilia he once knew is different. Now I am the fifth wizard saint of Ishgar, a Celestial Fire Demon Slayer, as well as a Celestial Mage".
He gasped in realization of just who his guild was up against. "There's no way", he said, "You're lying!"
" I never lie" Lucy said before sending a flaming punch directly into Jose knocking the guild master out. "Lucifer said lying is bad".
Lucy sighed. "What a drag, I was hoping they just wanted me because of revenge, not because of my stupid dad. I guess I better get back to the guild if I want to tell everyone what happened" she said aloud before walking off the ledge forgetting she was about 100 stories off the ground. "Oh crap, help Plue!" Lucy yelled, her entire body falling wildly in the air.
"Pun, Puuun!" the little spirit screamed disappearing back to the spirit world.
"Did Miss Lucy really do what I think she just did…again?" Capricorn asked.
"Casually walk off the ledge of this building causing her to tumble headfirst towards the ground. Yes, yes, the brat did. She never learns" Aquarius sighed,
"Gemini, you know what to do".
"Got it Piri, Piri".
"Oh man, oh man the ground is really close!" Lucy screamed.
"Don't worry miss Lucy we got you", Gemi-Happy said as he captured Lucy by her cloak gently dropping her on the ground.
"Oomph…Thanks guys I thought I was about to be a pancake back there!" Lucy thanked them, before they disappeared back to the spirit world after making sure she was okay.
A few seconds later she was tackled by her fellow slayer and the real Happy.
"LUCY!"
"Natsu? Happy?" she said.
He looked her in the eyes, "Oh man you're okay, we saw you falling and got worried we weren't gonna make it in time".
"No worries, that's not the first time it happened" Lucy said smiling, "Luckily Gemini caught me just in time again".
"Yeah, we saw, but still! We were worried because Mira said you didn't come back from getting food for yourself and Levy, so everyone had assumed that those Element four guys caught ya. Not to mention gramps got hit with something that drained his magic so now everyone's-" Lucy cut him off by bumping her forehead with his.
"I'm alright, no one did anything to me," she pulled away and smirked, "In fact, I knocked the guild master of Phantom Lord out with one of my punches."
"Seriously?! Way to go Lucy!" he grinned.
"Aye!" Happy agreed.
Lucy's smirk disappeared instantly turning into a frown, making Natsu and Happy worry.
"What's wrong Lucy?" Happy asked.
Her bangs were covering her eyes as she continued to look sad, "I'm...really sorry."
The two friends looked at her with worry. Natsu especially, having never seen his best friend like this he was worried something was wrong with her that maybe he couldn't fix. Seeing his friend sad was something he never wanted to see again.
"Why are you apologizing?" Natsu asked as he put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
She lifted her head slowly and looked at him, "Hey Natsu...Do I belong in Fairy Tail with all of you? I mean I know sometimes I can act a bit dumb and annoy Erza and break stu-oww what the hell Natsu?" Lucy yelled as she rubbed her cheek where the salmon haired boy had just punched her.
"You're an idiot if you really think you don't belong in Fairy Tail." Natsu grounded out. "So, what if you break stuff, so do I and no one cares. And despite how she acts you don't annoy Erza, you make her smile" Natsu smirked. "Lucy, you belong in Fairy Tail...don't ever doubt that" Natsu said with a toothy grin.
Lucy was slightly startled by Natsu's declaration, aside from her spirits and Luce, no one had ever spoken to her like that. However, after hearing his words she knew she wouldn't want to be anywhere else but Fairy Tail.
"Thanks, Natsu" Lucy said softly, going towards her best friend Natsu opened his arms wide believing she was going to hug him. Instead he received a punch to the gut.
"Lucifer Punch!" Lucy yelled, chuckling when she saw Natsu bent over. "The only one allowed to punch me and get away with it is Erza, got it Natsu". After he got up from the ground she went in for a hug, " But you're right, Natsu. I am a member of Fairy Tail. And you're my family! And no one can take that away from me" She yelled, Natsu grinning at his friends' weirdness.
Laughing Happy and Natsu followed Lucy's example happy to have their friend smiling again. "Come on Lucy, let's get back to the guild. Everyone's worried about you" Natsu said with a smile. The two of them ran away laughing from Phantom Lords headquarters with Happy perched on top of Lucy's head, ignoring the knocked-out Wizard Saint up in the tower behind them.
Meanwhile at the guild the Fairy Tail mages were tending to those who were wounded during their fight against Phantom Lord. The entire guild was feeling the effects of Master getting harmed and Lucy getting Kidnapped. To say they were worried would be an understatement.
"Man, what are we gonna do?" Gray said, "Gramps magic is drained, Lucy has been taken by Jose, and our guild is still destroyed".
"Worry not Gray, if I know Natsu then he's already on his way back with Lucy, all we need to do is ready ourselves so we can get revenge for Master" Erza said with a smile. Deep down though, she was worried for her friend. Knowing that Phantom was able to take Lucy caused her to feel a sense of uneasiness in the pit of her stomach.
"And that's story of the time Loke, Scorpio and I stormed a Dark guild blind" Lucy laughed, Natsu and Happy laughing alongside her as they busted into the basement of the guild where everyone was currently occupied. "Don't worry I got my sight back eventually" she laughed.
"Man, I wish I was there, that fight sounds fun!" Natsu yelled with his fist in the air.
"Wow Lucy, you did some pretty stupid stuff but Natsu's right that does sound fun!" Happy yelled.
The trio oblivious to the stares they were getting from the entire guild as well as one blonde receiving a death stare from an armored mage.
"Is..that Lucy and Natsu?" Gray deadpanned as he watched the two walks in laughing and exchanging stories of their younger years.
"Yes" Erza said, regretting ever worrying about the dense blonde.
"LUCY!" the guild yelled happy to see their demon slayer wasn't harmed.
"Guildmates!" Lucy yelled back.
"Where'd you go Lucy, one second you were talking to Levy about getting food the next you disappeared?' Mira said wiping away tears.
Rubbing her head Lucy quickly apologized for her abrupt departure and explains how she encountered two weirdos who said they were part of the elemental floors "whatever that means" Lucy chuckled.
"They're called the Element Four, Lucy" Mira giggled, watching Lucy shrug.
"Anyways, I decided to let them capture me so I could find out what was going on and that's when I met their guild master who wears lipstick" Lucy explained, shrinking back when she sees Erza standing before her with a darkened aura.
"So, you intentionally let yourself get kidnapped making us worry" Erza glared.
"Uh...yes?" Lucy said, before getting whacked upside the head by Erza. "Do something like that again and I'll make your punishment worse, understand" she threatens.
"Yeah, okay" Lucy mutters, frowning at the lump on her head. Still hungry Lucy sits down requesting food from Mira who went and hurriedly made some fire meat so the rest of the guild could hear Lucy's story. Once she had received her food Lucy quickly ate, sighing in contentment "Yeah, so I talked to the guild master Jose and I found out by the weirdo that I was the target this entire time".
"But why" Mira asked confused.
"My father wants me back" Lucy said, grimacing.
"LUCIFER IS THE ONE CAUSING THIS!" Natsu yelled.
"I wish, but no. My real dad is the one behind this. I never told you guys because I kind of forgot, but my full name is Lucy Heartfilia" Lucy says sheepishly, earning shocked faces from the entire guild at her name reveal.
"For a Heartfilia, you sure don't act like an heiress" Gray joked, earning a face from Lucy.
"Why'd ya hide this from us Lucy?" Happy asked with wide eyes.
"To be fair, I never exactly hid it, I just never associated myself with my full name when I traveled" she said. "I ran away from home ten years ago after some things between my dad and I happened" rubbing her face Lucy continues, "Once Lucifer took me in, I learned to just go by Lucy or Ishgar demon while traveling".
She got a dark look in her eyes, "I just can't believe he had Phantom attack the guild and hurt my friends just to get to me" Lucy said looking ashamed.
Sighing Lucy looked all her guildmates in the eye before bowing before them, "Lucifer always said that when you're the cause of trouble always own up to it... So, I'm super sorry about all this. I didn't mean to cause you all so much trouble."
The guild stared in awe at the powerful mage bowing in front of them, unsure of what to say.
Elfman was the first to react by quickly waving his hands and requesting she stop, "Hey now this isn't your fault it's your dads'!"
"Idiot!" Gray hissed.
"Uh! I mean its Phantom's fault!" Elfman he said trying to cover up his mistake.
Lucy's stood upright, "No, Elfman's right, it's my dad's fault. A little of mine for not fully dealing with him before I left, but then again what can you do. Maybe I should go home and oomph- "falling to the floor Lucy looked up to see the only person she would ever allow to punch her and not face repercussions standing above her.
"Stop that nonsense right now" Erza said with a sword at the girls' face, "You're dumber than I thought if you think I'd ever let you go back to that devil of a man!"
"Did Erza really have to punch Lucy like that?" Elfman whispered.
"No, but Erza wouldn't be Erza if she didn't" Cana laughed.
"You are the Ishgar Demon, 5th Wizard Saint, and a member of Team Natsu. I can't imagine you sitting in some mansion like a princess" smiling at the girl still on the floor holding her stomach, "Laughing in this filthy guild hall, having fun and being very reckless as you go on adventures that aren't nearly as dangerous as the ones you used to go on, is who you are" Erza finished as she put out her hand to lift up Lucy.
Lucy couldn't help the grin she was giving towards her mate as she talked.
"You're Lucy, the Ishgar Demon of Fairy Tail," she smiled, "No more running because you belong here with us, where you'll continue to not listen about my personal space and break more guild rules in a day, than Natsu has in a year!" she finished blushing while the entire guild failed to hold back their laughter at the S-class mages heartfelt speech to the demon slayer.
Lucy looked at Erza and for the first time since Lucifer had left her, felt a tear fall from her eye. She might not have found Lucifer after all these years of traveling to find him, but at least she found a place she could call home, for now.
"You liiiike me" Lucy sang at Erza who replied with a punch in the stomach.
"That's not a no" Lucy groaned.
Meanwhile on the other side of the guild Cana was trying and failing to get in touch with Mystogan. No matter how many times she flipped her cards Mystogan failed to show up. "Come on! I'm not getting any kind of read on where Mystogan is!"
Mira looked at her sadly, "It's alright, you did your best."
Cana sighed feeling useless, "If Lucy's their real target their bound to attack soon especially with how many of us are wounded." Turning to look at who was able to move and who was too injured to even fight, "Even with Lucy and Erza, we'd be at a big disadvantage".
Mira nodded agreeing, then went back to her own task, "Master is seriously injured, and we can't seem to locate Mystogan. You're the only one left that we can turn to, help us Laxus." She pleaded.
He scoffed with disgust at her pleading face.
"We could really use you about now. Fairy Tail is in terrible danger." She said.
He started laughing, "Man Gramps is freaking pathetic! I don't see how this is remotely my problem. You're all big girls so deal with it yourselves!"
"You're really not gonna help us?!" Cana questioned angrily.
"Of course not, why would I? That drunken old man started this. Why do I have to be the one to clean it up?"
Mira was getting frustrated and sighed to keep herself in check, "Please Laxus. Phantom's trying to kidnap Lucy."
"Heh, so they want blondie huh? Then give her to them and the problem will be solved, how simple was that" he laughed into the lacrima. "Hey, I'll tell ya what, if you talk blondie into being my woman, I'll do anything she wants." He grinned.
Cana looked at him with disgust, "You are such a pig!"
He sneered at her, "Are you sure you wanna talk that way to a guy your begging to help ya? Do me a favor-
"Listen to me lightning bolt, the only person I'd ever mate with is this woman here", pulling a shocked Erza into view then pushing her out, "second if you're too cowardly to help than don't ever think for a second you'll be considered Fairy Tail's strongest wizard".
That stopped his laughter completely, "What did you just say to me?" he asked slowly.
Pulling the lacrima close enough so only the two could hear she spoke again, "There's no doubt you didn't hear me with your…dragon slayer powers, so I won't be repeating myself" surprising the s-class mage that she knew "we don't need weaklings like you to help us win this fight so stay where you are and we'll call you when it's safe to come home. Wouldn't want you to get hurt now would we" shocking those around her with her bold words towards the grandson of the guild, then tossing the lacrima back to Mira.
"Erza, let's mate before we fight Phantom" Lucy yelled happily, before getting knocked out by Erza.
"Damn demon" Erza muttered walking away from the unconscious body.
Mira and Cana had watched the blonde leave with surprised expressions on their faces. Although that was not the first time, they saw her that way, Master being the first one to make Lucy angry enough to react in a similar manner, it still surprised them that such an upbeat person could speak in such a way.
The barmaid's hands were shaking, "I don't understand. How can someone in Fairy Tail be so heartless and cruel?" she then had a look of determination on her face, "I can't just sit here and watch! I have to join the others and fight!"
"Wait, don't be ridiculous!" Cana said stopping her in her tracks.
"I feel totally useless being stuck here in the guildhall! I wanna help!" Mira protested.
Cana placed a hand on her shoulder, "I understand, but you'll only get in the way as you are now. Even if you were once an S-Class wizard." She said bluntly.
Mira didn't have time to comment as she felt the guild shake out of nowhere.
"Hey, what's going on?" Gray asked.
"OUTSIDE!" Alzack yelled as he rushed through the doors with a panicked look on his face.
The uninjured Fairy Tail wizards rushed outside and froze in fear at what they saw. Walking through Lake Sciliora which bordered Magnolia, was the Phantom Lord Headquarters standing on eight giant bronze legs. The earth shook with each step that the giant building on legs took as it approached the shoreline in front of Fairy Tail's Guild Hall.
"What is that thing?!" Natsu exclaimed fearfully.
"It's a Guild Hall with ginormous legs!" Happy cried.
"Whoa, never seen a walking building. Wait yes I have, never mind I take it back" Lucy said tiredly having just gotten up from her knocked out state, causing some to sweat drop.
As the walking building neared, fear struck those watching causing them to freeze in place at the sight in front of them.
"I did not anticipate this. To go to such extreme lengths to attack us!" Erza said.
Phantom Headquarters took one more giant step before it came to a halt. The building remained motionless for a short moment before a hatchway at the front lowered, allowing a long metal barrel to extend out.
Suddenly, dark blue energy began to swirl and turn into a sphere at the end of the cannon's barrel, growing larger and larger by the second.
"RUN! GET OUT OF HERE NOW!" Erza yelled running, towards the edge of the cliff and requipping. Lucy watched as her mate ran towards the large energy sphere that was growing larger by the second, frowning when she realized what she was about to do. "Well that just won't do, now will it Plue" she asked aloud to her little dog spirit.
"Puuun, pun" Plue said in agreement.
"Erza!" Mirajane shouted.
"Don't be stupid!" Macao called after her.
"She requipped" Cana exclaimed.
"What're you doing?"
"Protecting the guild hall!" Erza replied as an armor materialized on her, with a large shield which gave the armor most of its defensive power.
"That's her Adamantine Armor," Happy said.
"Is she gonna try to block the cannons shot?" Bisca asked.
"But there's no way her armor's gonna hold out against a blast that strong!" Alzack said.
"Tsk, and she calls me stupid" Lucy muttered walking towards Erza, after she gave Plue instructions to watch over everyone.
"Stay back everyone, I will protect the gui-ack" unable to finish her sentence because of an angry demon slayer pulling her away from the cliff and pushing her back.
"You stay right there and when I'm done with this, we're gonna have a talk" Lucy said firmly, melting her shield down so she wouldn't get any ideas.
"ER-ZA?" Natsu shouted confused when he saw his childhood friend and best friend at the edge of the cliff.
"What the heck is Lucy doing up there?" Gray said, holding Natsu back to avoid him running off to Erza.
"I honestly don't know" Natsu said.
Black lightning rippled across the energy ball collecting at the end of the barrel. Eventually it finished and with an earth-shaking boom, a large beam fired out from the cannon.
Erza stared frozen at the oncoming energy beam heading towards Fairy Tail unable to protect them since Lucy melted her shield down. "LUCY!"
"CELESTIAL GUARDIAN SHIELD!"
"Hey what is that?" Cana asked looking at a golden shimmering shield which suddenly appeared in front of the guildhall.
"I don't know but it's blocking the Jupiter cannon completely." Elfman stated.
Erza's jaw dropped at the sight before her, arms afront in a protective stance was Lucy who continued to hold the golden shield against the high-powered energy beam.
"Lucy?" Erza spoke in awe as she watched the demon slayer/ Celestial mage maintain the shield, a slight sheen of sweat begin to show on her face.
"You're lucky Lucifer said to never yell at your mate" Lucy growled, a fire burning in her eyes that scared Erza.
"Lucy! Gray yelled with relief.
"Go Luce!" Natsu cried, happy to see both of his friends okay.
"How are you doing that?"" Erza whispered, surprised by the girl in front of her powers.
"Like I told Natsu... this is an ancient celestial spell that I try not to use unless of dire circumstances. My mate trying to be an idiot and get themselves hit by a big cannon constituted as that" Lucy answered releasing the spell, letting her turn around fully to face Erza.
"I'm the idiot" Erza said incredulous, "I had it under control" she said as she saw the sweat rolling down her teammates face.
"No, you didn't. That cannon's magic would've destroyed your armor in seconds and hurt you. As your mate it's my duty to protect you from any harm, even if that means taking the brunt of it" Lucy huffed, pulling Erza into her arms and connecting her forehead to Erza's.
"I don't care if you're an S-class mage, I'll always protect you Erza Scarlet" Lucy said pulling back to giving Erza that dopey grin that made her heart skip a beat. Then feeling her stomach grumble she pulled out a piece of celestial food from her pouch to bring her energy back, ruining her moment with Erza.
"Romantic one moment then a slob the next, amazing truly" Erza said facepalming, when Lucy released her.
This is who is trying to claim me, she thought, looking back up to see Natsu and Lucy fighting over a piece of fish Happy had.
"You may have been able to block the Jupiter Cannon's first shot, but in fifteen minutes we'll see if you can do it again" Jose yelled.
"I mean I could, but I think it'd be much more exciting if we just went inside the robot building and took down Jose and the elemental four wizards" she offered.
"Now that sounds like a plan" Natsu yelled fired up, others from the guild cheering. With those agreed to go Erza, Gray, Natsu, Lucy and Elfman began their descent up the Phantom Lord guild.
"Alright we're finally here." Natsu yelled the others joining him.
"Yes, but I'm afraid I cannot allow you to go any further" a voice drawled. When the others looked to who spoke they saw a man with two toned hair and a red outfit blocking their way.
"And just who the hell are you?" Natsu demanded igniting his fist only for it to suddenly punch him in the face.
"I am Totomaru of the element four and-"
"Lucifer Kick!"
The fire user was suddenly cut off as Lucy's foot was practically implanted in his stomach sending him through a wall and knocking him unconscious.
"We gotta go" Lucy said, turning around to her teammates.
"Here's the plan, Natsu you go find that iron dragon guy, and the rest scour this place for the other element people" Lucy ordered, "This is just a guess, but I think this robot building is running on the element four people, so we beat them then the building stops" she finishes surprising the others at her plan.
"Uh, what will you be doing Lucy?" Gray asked.
"What do you think Fullbuster?" Lucy grinned, "Taking on Jose, of course" running off before anyone could say anything else.
"Well? You guys heard Luce, let's go find those elemental guys and kick some butt!" Natsu yelled following his best friends' steps before breaking off on a separate path.
"For mavis sakes, Lucy is becoming a bad influence on Natsu, which is saying something" Era said running after the two.
"Well can't let the flame brain duo show me up" Gray grumbled, running off with Elfman running along.
"Hey, don't forget about me I gotta show them what a man is!" he shouted.
As Erza ran down the halls she could hear the guild battling outside, and the ground shaking beneath her. No doubt in her mind the cause was of Natsu and the others having started their own fights.
Turning the corner Erza found herself in front of entrance hall with a large staircase that lead further into the Phantom Lord HQ.
"To think I would be honored with Titania's presence. To be honest I would've preferred Heartfilia since I owe her for knocking me out but taking you down will be just as satisfying" Jose sneered.
"You have no idea who you're messing with Jose" Erza yelled, "We of Fairy Tail are stronger than we look".
"Oh no doubt" Jose smiled, "which is why I have him for support" Jose pointed.
Erza was barely able to turn around before a bright light started to shine on her, No! This magic pressure, this feels like the magic which was used on Master.
"SCARLET WRATH!" jumping from nowhere was Lucy who let out a torrent of flames from her mouth, sending back the surprised elemental four mage.
"LUCY!" Erza yelled, glad to see the blonde. Hold on...did she name another move after me?
"Wh-where the hell did you come from?" Jose yelled.
"From my mother, Layla Heartfilia" Lucy answered with a glare.
"What, no I mean where... you know what no matter Aria take care of her." Jose ordered.
"Yes master. It brings me sorrow that a powerful mage like yourself with be taken out but what's done is done" Airspace mage said.
"Hmm, he can use his Airspace magic to conceal his presence." Lucy noted "That must be how he took down the old man."
"So, you're the one who hurt our master," Erza stated as Aria stepped forward.
"And you're the great Erza Scarlet," Aria stated. "How unfortunate for you. Seems the brilliant Titania will be defeated alongside the great Ishgar Demon".
"Touch my mate and you'll die a painful death" Lucy said a swirl of flames reacting to her emotions, surprisingly scaring the air space mage.
"Wait Lucy, master suffered greatly by his hands. Therefore, I will avenge him," Erza growled.
Lucy turned to Erza incredulous, "I'm sorry but uh, did you not see where you were almost taken down by this fat dude?"
"Yes Lucy, but I am fine now, now let me fight him or I will no longer let you pursue me" Erza threatened.
"Go Erza, Go! Go Erza, Go!" Lucy chanted with a #1 Erza fan hat and foam finger that Virgo had quickly delivered.
Taking a deep breath Erza turned to her opponent.
"Now that I'm facing a strong opponent, maybe it's time I start taking this seriously." Aria reached up and removed the bandages around his eyes with a single motion. They snapped open to reveal magenta irises with an X through them.
"Now Titania," Aria said walking towards Erza. "Step into Zero, the Air Space of Death! It consumes the lives of all who dare to enter!" A large windstorm suddenly whipped up as Aria's magic began to flow.
"A spell that consumes life?" Erza stated, summoning a sword. "Tell me, how can you do this? How can you take lives so easily? You scoundrel!"
"It'd be more fun to show you!" Aria replied, his eyes glowing a deep purple.
Lucy moved to help Erza but remembered her words, decided it was best to trust in her abilities to beat Aria.
"Well, guess that means it's just you and me" Lucy said looking to the guild master of Phantom Lord.
"Indeed".
"Alright then, open gate of the lion Leo!" a bright light appeared and out of it came an orange haired man with a black suit.
"Sup Lucy haven't called me out in a while for a fight" Loke said nonchalantly.
Rubbing her head Lucy apologized promising to more often. "Well help me beat this dude and I'll let you stay out for the rest of the day alright?"
"Deal princess".
"Tsk, and here I thought the Ishgar demon dealt with fire not with weak little spirits" Jose said.
"Ha, ya hear that Loke he thinks you're weak!" Lucy said bending over laughing.
"Oh, that's quite laughable Porla" Loke said with a glint in his eye.
"Maybe for the untrained celestial mage but for someone of my caliber Loke's potential is unmatched for any mere mortal" she laughed, "I don't even need to use other magic to defeat you"
"What, I highly doubt that! I am a wizard saint! And nothing will stop me from taking you to your father!" Jose stated charging a spell at his hands and sending two dark ghostly figures at them.
"Regulus impact" The lion spirit nimble dodged and punched the shadow spirits easily destroying them.
"You were saying." Lucy raised an eyebrow in challenge.
"That was just a fraction of my power" Jose yelled as he sent several more ghosts at them.
Loke easily destroyed them again but Jose took advantage of the momentarily distracted lion letting loose another round of shadows. However, Lucy merely grinned as she saw them coming towards her and released a body of flames destroying them all.
"I've heard stories of your power, but they really don't do you justice" Jose said sweat going down his face.
"Yeah, yeah I get it I'm strong. This fight is boring, Loke let's end it here" she said.
"You got it princess."
"Demon Regulus flaming impact" together the two created a flawless unison raid, so powerful that not only did they manage to take down Jose but also set about half the guild on fire with their punch.
"Uh Lucy?" Loke called.
"Hmm, Loke" Lucy answered yawning.
"I think we may have overdone it again".
"Nah, I think we did it just right" Lucy said laughing, when she heard her best friend.
"ALL RIGHT, I'M ALL FIRED UP AGAIN!" Natsu's voice bellow as the fire seemed to disappear.
"See Loke, Natsu took care of the fire" Lucy smiled, going to sit down and watch her mate fight the airspace mage, still slightly worried though on how the fight was fairing.
On the side of the guild which did not catch on fire was Erza who was not doing as well as Lucy, in her fight. She was being forced back due to Aria using Airspace Zero as a shield while attacking with Zetsu.
'Damn it, I can't get close with that dangerous Zero Airspace in the way.' Erza thought as she avoided another volley of Zetsu.
"That's right Erza Scarlet, Tremble down to your soul. Sink into despair! Superior skill can only defeat so many before being completely overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of my Zetsu." Aria taunted unknowingly emulating the words spoken by Heroic Spirit in another time and place.
"Don't listen to him Erza, you're super strong, like S-class strong, beat this guy up so we can go mate!" Lucy yelled from the sidelines in her #1 Erza fan t-shirt which Virgo had made with a picture of Erza in her heart crux armor and a sword pointed outward.
Erza facepalmed at the blonde's words, although she was slightly thankful for the cheering which gave her the courage to continue to fight, although... "STOP WITH THE MATING ALREADY!"
"Now then," Erza growled gripping her sword tightly as she prepared herself for a counterattack "You won't be getting away with all that you've done!" Air began to circulate around her sword forming a sheath which rendered it invisible.
'Wind magic and she's using it to make her sword invisible?' Aria thought, surprised at the sight 'No matter I will end this now."
"STRIKE AIR!" Erza roared causing the sheath of wind surrounding her sword to be released from the invisible barrier's bounds, bellowing forth like a savage dragon's roar.
"No what is this-AAAAGGGHHHH!" Aria screamed as the released invisible air slammed into him and smashed him through the back wall sending Phantom Wizard flying.
Erza gasped falling to her knees overwhelmed by the amount of magic she needed to use, and the exhaust she felt from dealing with Lucy.
"Woo! Go Erza!" Lucy yelled before falling through hole in the floor.
"Mavis Lucy" Erza said chuckling at her dumb demon.
After consuming the fire which he was pretty sure was caused by Lucy, Natsu felt all his energy return and even though the Black steel was using his dragon scales, Natsu could tell he was pushing him back.
"Alright Salamander eat this-ACK!" Gajeel was caught off guard as a body fell on top of him which felt heavier than it looked. Lucy suddenly stood up smiling at Natsu then turned to Gajeel with a dark look that gave him chills surprisingly. "Well I wasn't intending on dropping in, but I guess faith had other plans" Lucy chuckled.
"Aww, come on Luce, this is my fight!" Natsu whined as he saw Lucy deliver a flaming fist to the iron dragons jaw knocking him into the wall. "Sorry Natsu, but I owe him for Levy" Lucy said, turning back to the fight.
"Fine," he said, then sending the iron dragon slayer back with his own "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" the knockout punch going to Lucy who ended it with her famous Lucifer punch.
Seeing their strongest member knocked out told them all they needed to know, the war was lost, there was hardly any reason to continue with battle.
The guild was in the middle of celebrating their victory over Phantom Lord without a care in the world. Lucy could hear them from above the fallen Phantom Lord guild.
"Hey Gajeel!" Lucy called.
"Hey what are you doing Lucy?" Natsu asked confused.
"Look he has dragon slayer powers right, so he obviously had a dragon" Lucy pointed out.
"Yeah... so he might know where Igneel is!" Natsu said.
"Yeah that too, but... look I know demons aren't the same as dragons, but Lucifer went missing too and I thought maybe I could ask him if he knew anything".
"Yeah Luce. we can ask him together" Natsu smiled.
"Yo! Gajeel! Can you hear us?!" Natsu yelled.
"Nah! I can't hear nothing!" Gajeel responded.
Natsu and Lucy looked at each other and nodded then looked back down, "We just wanna know where you learned dragon slayer magic."
Gajeel looked away, "I told you I can't hear ya."
"You're the first wizard I'd ever met that uses the same kind of magic I do! Come on man tell me where you learned it!" Natsu demanded.
Gajeel pouted, "Shut up…"
"Aw don't be like that!" Natsu yelled comically.
"Metalicana." He said.
"Huh?" Natsu said dumbly.
Gajeel sat up, "The Iron Dragon."
"No way!" Natsu accidentally fell but sat right back up, "I thought you might have been taught by a dragon."
"Why? Were you?" Gajeel questioned.
Natsu leaned forward, "Where's Metalicana now?" he asked.
Gajeel looked up at the sky, "I don't know…"
Natsu faulted and groaned, "TELL ME WHERE HE IS!" he shouted.
"I SAID I DON'T KNOW!" Gajeel shouted back bumping foreheads with him then moving away from each other having hit their heads too hard.
"Man…I feel like I'm starting to lose brain cells just talking to you." Gajeel groaned.
"Watch it buddy." Natsu growled.
Gajeel sighed, "He just disappeared. Yeah, I've been training with Metalicana, but then one day he just up and left. Without saying a single word to me. Hmph, talk about a selfish jerk."
Natsu crawled over to him, "Wait he didn't happen to disappear on the seventh of July seven years, ago did he?"
Gajeel turned to him quickly, "Yeah, are you saying you know where Metalicana is?"
"I don't have a clue, but I've been looking for a Fire Dragon. His name is Igneel. The last time I saw him was July seventh seven years ago." Natsu told him.
Gajeel's eyes grew wide, "So both dragons vanished seven years ago, year X777." Natsu bumped his head against Gajeel's again frustrated.
"What's with all the sevens huh?!" Natsu yelled.
"How should I know?!" Gajeel countered. They both removed their foreheads from each other rubbing them to ease the pain.
Gajeel scoffed, "I don't care what happened to him."
Natsu clicked his tongue, "Just get the heck out of here already."
"Wait Natsu, I have a question for metal head now" Lucy said calmly.
Gajeel turned to them with a tick mark appearing on his head, "Why would I answer to you after that punch you sent me. Besides you're on our turf punks! If anyone's gonna leave it's you!" he yelled comically.
"Shut up and listen... Look a few years ago I was training with a fire demon named Lucifer but then he disappeared. Do you know what happened to him?"
"Why the heck would I know what happened to a demon?" Gajeel asked bewildered.
"I don't know" she asked despondently "but I had to ask. I've been looking for him for 5 years now and haven't seen a sign of him" she said turning to walk away.
Gajeel looked at the blonde shifting on his feet, "Hold up, their blondie. Look I'm not saying this is true but a few years ago while I was in Bosco, I heard of this demon appearance in the Pergrande kingdom".
Lucy and Natsu gasped at his words, while that kingdom was on relatively peaceful terms with Ishgar the travel to the kingdom was anything but a breeze and was not anything to joke about.
"All I know is that people said this demon showed up rampaging the nearby town, so they called upon their toughest S-class mages to take it out and then boom no longer is there a demon problem".
Lucy fell to her knees in tears, "No, Luce wouldn't let a few mages take him out, you're lying!" Looking to her friend she turned and walked away, realizing she was no closer to finding Lucifer than she was already. She needed to discuss things with her spirits.
Nastu got up too, a bit disappointed for his friend, "Well…let me know if you hear anything about Igneel okay." Natsu said walking away.
"Are you kidding me? Why would I do you any favors?" Gajeel questioned.
Natsu gave him a side glance and smiled, "Cause you and I are fellow dragon slayers."
Gajeel blushed, "Ah screw you! Next time I get my hands on you, you're dead! You'll be begging for mercy!"
Natsu crossed his arms and pouted, "There's no need to be so brutal. I was thinking about calling a truce, but after that outburst."
"I'm brutal?! Give me a break! You just totaled our guildhall!" Gajeel yelled.
"Only after you guys completely demolished ours first! Forget it I'm never calling a truce with you!" Natsu countered.
It was now evening, and a newly recovered Master was looking at what remained of the Fairy Tail guild, it has been destroyed by Jose's shades.
Makarov sighed, "It's in ruins. They really did a number on it huh?"
Lucy approached the old man playing with her cloak, "Old Man, I'm really sorry about this."
Makarov turned to her "Oh child, you've been through a lot lately but don't let it get you down."
"He's right let's see a smile Lu-chan." Levy said smiling at her.
Lucy looked over to her and saw that Jet and Droy were behind the small blue mage who were smiling at her.
"We beat Phantom so there's no reason to be sad." Levy smiled.
"Sure, they might have destroyed our guild hall." Droy smiled.
"But we're gonna rebuild it even bigger and better." Jet grinned.
"My little Levy…" Lucy grinned picking up the smaller mage and hugging her tight.
Jet scratched the back of his head, "Sorry we worried you Lucy, but we're alright."
Lucy shook her head, not letting go of the smaller mage who was pounding on the blondes' head to let her down, "No, please it was my fault in the first place".
"We already know about what happened, but not a single person in the guild blames you for anything." Droy grinned.
"Lucy." Makarov called out to her making the blonde look at him. "Fairy Tail is a family and your burden are our burden, always remember that."
Nodding at the old man she smiled in agreement, still not having let go of Levy who finally gave in to being held by Lucy.
"Now, while I'm glad everything's worked out, I am worried about the council. They'll be furious I'm sure." Makarov shuddered.
After about a week after Phantom Lords defeat everyone started rebuilding making it peaceful once again.
"Okay! Time for a break you guys!" Mira announced with a smile.
But soon the rune knights showed up, they answered to the magic council and as soon as they heard what went down it didn't take them long to show up and surround the members of Fairy Tail. Natsu and Happy tried to escape but the rune knight quickly captured them, while Master Makarov just kept on crying prompting Erza to tell him to pull himself together.
They rounded up all the Fairy Tail members and questioned them, they hardly questioned Lucy though, of course it wasn't hard to guess why given her reputation with the council. Eventually everything blew over and things began to get back to normal.
"Honestly brat, I don't think Gajeel was telling the truth, I mean you saw how that damn demon constantly took out those bandits who tried invading your spot in the forest" Aquarius said, trying to ease her masters worries of Lucifer being dead." I mean he didn't even say if it was a fire demon!"
Lucy turned to her spirit, "You're right! Luce wouldn't let some weak mages take him out" she laughed, "how stupid could I be even doubting him!"
Aquarius looked at Lucy smiling sadly.
"I'll see Lucifer again one day, I just know it" she whispered turning to look out the window Lucy got lost in thought of another event, "Until then I need to pay someone else a visit".
The mermaid already knowing who nodded and disappeared back to the spirit world.
Natsu was currently holding stacks of wood over his head, trying to prove to Gray he was stronger when they all fell right on top of him.
Happy sweat-dropped.
Mira merely sighed, "Oh, Natsu."
Gray was walking past him holding one stack of wood over his shoulder, "That's what you get for carrying too much ya moron."
"What'd you call me?!" Natsu roared.
They got in each other's faces, "You got a problem?" Gray asked.
"Yeah I gotta problem with your face!" Natsu yelled.
Unknown to them they were being watched by Juvia who had become infatuated with the ice mage and was hiding behind some rubble squealing.
"Gray my love I wish you'd carry me too!" she then shook her head and looked around again.
A lumber of wood hit them both on the head, "Cut it out!" a female voice ordered.
"Get back to work!" Erza commanded wearing a construction workers uniform, "Now! We've got a lot to do so no more lollygagging!"
"Aye…" both boys responded groaning in pain.
Jet and Droy were in the background sweat-dropping, "Man I wouldn't wanna work for Erza." Droy said.
"Did she requip into that outfit?" Jet wondered.
Master Makarov was in his giant form nailing some wood together.
"Even Master Makarov's hard at work." Levy smiled.
"Yeah in a big way!" Jet and Droy yelled.
"Hey boss! Where do you want me to put this lumber?" Erza asked.
Makarov grinned down at her pointing in some direction, "Over there."
"Now she's calling the master boss?" Jet and Droy questioned.
"Ow! That really hurt Erza!" Gray and Natsu complained getting up out of the ground.
"You guys playing whack a mole?" Happy asked.
Mira then came over holding something in her hand.
"Hate to say it…." Macao started to say.
"…But it looks a little too big." Wakaba finished.
"We figured we might as well expand the place," she brought up some designs that look like some kid drew them, "Look! I've got the plans right here!"
"Oh yeah?" Macao said.
"I wanna see." Wakaba said.
Natsu took a closer look at it, "I liked it just fine the way it was!"
Gray came up and looked at it too, "What's it gonna look like now?"
"What the…" Macao sweat-dropped having looked at it closely.
"Wow…that looks…great." Wakaba said slowly.
"Uh, so which way is up?" Natsu questioned.
Gray took a closer look at it, "Man these are the worst plans ever. What idiot came up with these?"
Mira smiled then started sobbing making Gray nervous while trying to make her feel better about her guild plans, "No, Mira! I didn't know it was you! They're great plans in fact!
"Nice job, you made her cry." Natsu, Macao, and Wakaba said.
Happy sighed, "That's Gray for ya."
After what felt like hours the gang finally took a break to stretch their muscles and just relax.
"Man, I'm starving I wonder if Lucy will give me some of that Celestial food!" Natsu said stretching his arms above his head.
"I thought Lucy said you couldn't eat that" Happy said.
"Eh".
"When's our lunch break?" Gray wondered. Water appeared out of nowhere splashing Natsu and Happy in the face except Gray. A pink lunch box appeared in his lap.
"What the?" Gray stared.
"I'm soaked." Natsu complained.
"A lunch box." Happy pointed.
"Where'd it come from?" Gray wondered opening it he saw it was his face made entirely of food along with some moving tentacle's making him shiver.
"Oh wow! That looks pretty tasty!" Natsu grinned.
"That's awesome! Your face is totally edible!" Happy told him.
"I can't eat this! It's just too weird! And something's oozing out of the side." Gray noticed.
"I'll eat it for you!" Natsu volunteered.
This is heartbreaking! I spent three whole days making that lunch for him! Juvia sobbed.
"Who said you could take a lunch break?!" Erza bellowed then noticed the lunch box in Gray's hands, "Hey, is that supposed to be your face made out of veggies?" she stuck a fork in his food face making Gray cry out.
She put it in her mouth, "Mm, this is good I could eat the whole thing."
"Guess I should try it then." Gray said.
Juvia had a fantasy of Gray liking the food and saying he would marry the cook, but her fantasy was interrupted when Happy began speaking again.
"I wonder how Lucy's doing since we haven't seen her around lately" Happy mentioned to the others.
"Hey, I got an idea, let's go check on her," Natsu suggested. "She'll enjoy our company!"
"Yeah" they all cheered.
Lucy's House
"Lucy!" Happy yelled.
"How're ya feeling?" Natsu roared.
Gray crawled out of the chimney, "Geez, don't come in through the window, have some manners fire breath."
"Hasn't anyone taught you boys how to use a door?" Erza questioned drinking some tea.
They sweat-dropped, "Since when are you miss manners?"
"For real." Happy agreed.
Natsu put his hands on his hips, "What's the deal?"
"Normally she would give a dopey grin and ask us when we got here" Gray said.
Erza put her fingers up to her chin, "I wonder where she could be?"
"In the bath?" Gray wondered walking towards it doing a Lucy impression horribly, "I know I'm asking for it but it's gotta be done," he opened the curtains, "Sorry about this."
"Not here." Natsu said from inside the bathtub.
"Where'd you come from?! Get outta here would ya?!" Gray yelled.
Erza had a towel wrapped around her head and body while holding a wooden bucket in her hand, "It seems as though she's not home."
"Way to state the obvious genius." Gray told her.
Natsu hummed in displeasure.
"It's just not the same without Lucy." Erza said, unaware of how much she missed the dopey looking slayer who had no concept of personal space.
"It feels weird not being able to hear her say inappropriate stuff to Erza." Happy said.
Gray looked gloomy, "My impression of her wasn't that bad." He sulked.
"Well, actually I won't miss that" Erza said, not aware she was lying to herself.
"Lucy?" Happy opened a drawer only to find her stash of candy.
"She in there?" Natsu asked only to have the same happy expression as Happy at finding the candy stash.
"Yeah, like she would fit in a drawer." Gray said sarcastically walking away from the two idiots, and instead went to check under bed finding a sketchbook. "I know it's rude to look, but..." was all Gray said as he opened the artbook, his eyes widening in surprise at his friends' artistic skills. "Whoa".
Erza approached Gray wondering what could be so interesting that he would stop searching for Lucy.
"I had no idea Lucy could draw" Erza said, looking through the loose drawings he had already gone over.
"I know, she drew all of us perfectly" Gray whispered, looking at the picture of him fighting Lyon.
"Wow, Lucy likes to draw you a lot Erza" Happy laughed as he held an abundant of papers with perfectly drawn sketches of the scarlet haired mage.
"Whoa, Lucy's awesome!" Natsu said grinning, "Look at this one Happy, she did a group picture of the three of us...think she'll let us keep it?" he asked.
"Of course, we're her partners" Happy said.
"I wonder who taught her?" Gray asked.
"Who knows, Lucy rarely ever talks about her past bar the advice Lucifer gave" Erza said, staring at a group sketch of team Natsu.
"Hmm, well give em back now. Lucy obviously hid this under her bed because she didn't want anyone to see them" Gray said, the others agreeing, and going back to searching for the blonde, not before each of them took their own drawing from her book. Each thinking one though, "She won't mind".
"Lucy! Where are you hiding?" Happy asked looking in the fridge.
"Would you stop looking in weird places!" Gray told them.
"Fine" Happy frowned heading towards her desk, knocking over a box filled with little trinkets, "Ouchy…" Happy said from under the box.
"You idiot that was Lucy's box full of souvenirs from when she traveled!" Gray said panicking, "you better not have broken anything!" Gray yelled.
"No, everything looks fine" Happy said slightly sweating.
"Wait you guys, I found a note. How we didn't see it when it was on her desk is beyond me" Erza said rolling her eyes.
"Okay and, what does the note say?!" Natsu yelled.
"To be honest it was quite hard to read having quite a few misspelled words, and grammar mistakes, the penmanship was very sloppy and I'm not sure, but I think she made up a few words."
"Erza!"
"Apologies…It says…she's going home." Her hand holding the note shaking, frowning.
"What?! No way!" they yelled.
Speaking of Lucy, she was walking towards the Heartfilia mansion while remembering something from her past that she was unable to let go until today. "Stupid jerk forgetting my birthday" she grumbled.
Lucy kept her pace and saw an old face she hadn't seen in years sweeping the floor, "Miss Spetto." The woman stopped sweeping and saw Lucy. Then all the other servants came out crying tears of happiness.
"Miss Lucy has come back to us!" they all cheered.
Lucy greeted them with hugs and apologized for making them worry.
"Miss spetto, I... wanna thank you and the other maids for your help all those years ago" Lucy said with a grin.
"Nonsense Lucy, Miss Layla would have never forgiven us if we held you back" she smiled back.
"Still thank you".
A maid approached her, "Miss Lucy! The master requests your presence in the study!"
She let out a bit of smoke from her mouth, "Hmm, better not keep him waiting then" she said as she began walking inside the mansion, pausing to walk back to Miss Spetto.
"Before I leave will you make me make me a few sandwiches for the road" Lucy said sheepishly, "You always made them really good".
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Miss Spetto grabbed Lucy's hands and nodded, "Of course, Miss Lucy".
"Thank you, Miss Spetto," Lucy said smiling as she walked away.
Lucy had finally found her father's office and was staring at it before barging in shocking the man inside at her manners.
"What, you're not even going to knock?" he asked, then frowned at her casual clothes and scar on her face, ruining her perfect complexion.
"...No."
"Hmm, you ran away without saying a word to me, how could you?" Jude said.
She rolled her eyes, "I doubt you really care, all you really wanted me for was to marry me off like a little whore".
He narrowed his eyes at her; "Your mother would never approve of that language."
She glared at him, "And mother would never approve of you hitting me, but you still did."
"I hit you when you disobeyed me, and you're lucky I don't right now for your insolence" Jude growled.
Lucy let her magic release frightening Jude. "Really father, you really think you could even get close enough to hit me?" Lucy laughed. "I'm a wizard saint, with the power of a demon slayer and celestial mage" she smirked, "All you have is money which will run out one day".
Jude scoffed, "You are a Heartfilia, you have no business with that filthy guild. As of today, you are no longer to affiliate with those mongrels and will meet with the arranged marriage I have set up without any complaints, understand?"
"I don't think so" she growled to him coldly, "I realize now you think I came here to make amends, but I didn't, I'm here to say my final goodbyes."
He was shocked at the cold look in her eyes.
"That day I left I knew what I was doing. I had the help of my celestials to lead me on a journey which helped me be stronger and learn that you were not a father after mother died", she glared at him. "Oh, and so you know, I already found my mate so there's no need for an arranged marriage. She's amazing, hot, and even though she's stubborn she plans on taking the Heartfilia name".
"Mate?" Jude said, confused on just what the hell his daughter was talking about.
"I figured out when I was a just child and you left me alone with only my spirits that no amount of money can make you happy! For years I traveled with the bare minimum, yet I was still so happy, even now I'm happy with where I am. And I'm not gonna let you ruin that for me ya hear! I'm warning you! You better not mess with Fairy Tail ever again!" she warned.
He stood there in awe at his young and timid, at once obedient daughter.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're no father of mine, Lucifer is! And if you threaten Fairy Tail again, we will crush you just like any other enemy!" she told him.
His eyes widened.
She laughed bitterly, "You wanna know what's sad? It didn't have to be this way. We probably could have sat down, ate some fire meat and talked things out, even though I don't do that much, I'd have done it for you. But instead you thought starting a war between guilds was the answer" sighing "And I'm not "Lucky" Lucy Heartfilia any more, I'm Lucy the Ishgar Demon of Fairy Tail.
She kept on walking, "When I left this place it hit me what I had done, but only because I had left the only place with memories of mom and I". She stopped walking a gentle smile etched in her face, "But…it's time for me to move on. I truly believe if mom were still alive, well she'd probably scold me for leaving when I was barely even nine, but also be happy I was following my own path and doing what makes me happy" she chuckled.
Jude could have sworn he saw Layla's spirit behind Lucy smiling a sweet smile at her daughter then turned to smile at him, "Layla…"
Lucy walked away from him and this time she wasn't stopping to look by.
"Here are your sandwiches, no crust just like you like them" the old maid whispered, tightly hugging Lucy.
"I do love sandwiches with no crust" Lucy grinned, "But I've yet to meet anyone who could make one like you".
"You little liar" Miss Spetto laughed swatting the girl away. "Goodbye Miss Lucy"
"Bye Miss Spetto".
Heartfilia Family Grave
After getting her sandwiches Lucy had gone to her next destination her mother's grave. Standing in front of it she couldn't help staring with a small smile and an unshed tear. This visit was long overdue she realizes.
It read, Layla Heartfilia, X748-X777
"It's good to see you after such a long-time mom. I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye to you first, but it was sort of a spur of the moment idea" Lucy chuckled her bangs covering her face. "I miss you so much".
She looked up at the statue that was above the grave and smiled at it. She then sighed knowing she had to get back soon, "Well, I better get back mom, I think I stayed here longer than planned. I'll come back again. I promise."
"LUCY!"
She couldn't help but flinch having recognized those voices instantly.
"Natsu? Mate? Gray?" she turned around and there was the rest of her team running towards her with worried looks on their faces.
"LUCY!" they cried out again.
"You're here?" she yelled confused.
Happy crashed into her chest crying, "Lucy!"
She wrapped her arms around the sobbing exceed, "Happy, why are you-" she was cut off from a bear hug courtesy of Natsu.
"You can't leave us Lucy! You promised you wouldn't leave!" he yelled holding her tighter.
"You guys are confusing me."
Happy squeezed out of the embrace and landed on her head, "We saw the note on your desk. You said you were going home."
"We all saw it." Erza stated wiping the tears out of her eyes.
"You're not seriously leaving, are you?" Gray asked.
Lucy sighed rubbing the back of her neck, "Erza still hasn't accepted my claim, of course I'm not leaving" winking at the scarlet mage.
"That's why you're not leaving" Gray deadpanned.
Ignoring the ice mage, she looked back to her mother's grave, "I just came to tell my dad to back off and visit my mom's grave." Lucy said. "I was a bad daughter and left without saying goodbye" Lucy whispered the last part only Natsu hearing, his face softening at his best friends' admittance.
"So, your mom is really…?" Gray questioned carefully.
She nodded, "Yeah, she was super healthy and powerful too, well in my eyes she was" Lucy said smiling, "But one day she just got really really sick and nothing we did could help her. I would visit her every day, while my dad just stayed in his study room too busy to see her." Lucy sighed. "Then on July seventh of x777 my mom passed."
The forlorn look on the slayers face throwing the trio of mages off guard, not something they were used too, as the grave in front of them.
Lucy waved goodbye to everyone in the mansion and didn't even bother to look back and see Jude's expression. She walked away with her head held high and with her new family.
"Sorry for scaring you guys, guess I should a been clearer in my note." Lucy smiled.
"It's alright, we shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." Erza told her. "Although your penmanship could do with some work".
"Yeah, we thought you were going back for good." Gray said.
"Erza here was crying like a baby." Natsu said pointing at the armored mage who began glaring at him.
"That is a lie, you were the one crying not me" Erza countered blushing.
He grinned evilly, "Sure, sure and I was also the one who came up with a plan to kidnap her back no matter what right?"
"You're dead Natsu."
"Aww, mate, did you miss me?" Lucy teased, tossing an arm around Erza making her blush.
"I gotta tell ya I'm kinda digging your hometown." Gray told her looking around.
"Me too. It's such a peaceful place." Erza complimented, deciding to give in and stay underneath Lucy's arm.
"Town? This isn't a town, it's part of our gardens. The Heartfilia estates goes all the way up to that mountain, way over there" she pointed nonchalantly. They took some time to process what she just told them before they started freaking out.
"Holy crap she's rich!" Gray saluted.
"And acts like its nothing!" Natsu saluted.
"Two of our best soldiers are down!" Happy told Erza, "Captain Erza what are your orders?!"
"Wow," she said looking up at the sky, "The sky is so beautiful."
"We need a medic! Captain Erza has a screw loose!" Happy announced.
"Oooppa!" Gray and Natsu yelled.
Lucy walked passed them confused, while staring at the sky. "Is it not normal to have gardens this big?" Lucy thought.
Sorry for skipping out on Gray and Elfman's fights but I figured get right to the parts you've all been waiting for. Also Lucy got some news about a possible sighting of Lucifer, oooh. Anyways hope you guys like this chapter thank linka682 for the update tonight since I was gonna wait another few days to post. And finally I should've done this earlier but special thanks to shadowdemon 1234, arcadea333, AkiraShidou, Brunadsc, , ATLDuckDeeno, for the constant reviews.
