First of all, let me apologize for not updating in so long! I promise I haven't abandoned this fic and I'm planning to see it through until the end, even if it takes forever. School (and some personal life stuff)has just taken up a lot of my time now, so it's been hard to do anything besides work.

I'm gonna try my best to update more often, even if it's short updates.

Chapter 10

Lucy Heart had Natsu peek the corner for any enemies, but the hallway was clear. She stopped in front of the door to her room and took a deep breath.

It took longer than she thought to get here. The whole exterior of the palace was swarming with Ur's soldiers. Meredy managed to keep her in touch with the rest of the Fairy Tail court except for Erza. Citizens had been evacuated and she knew that their own soldiers were well prepared for this, but no one knew where Ur was, she didn't know how Erza was doing, and she was worried about the prince! Natsu Dragneel had assured her many times that Lucy could protect him, but she knew how he was.

If they got in trouble, he would definitely jump at the chance to prove himself and use his magic, even while knowing the risks. It wasn't Natsu's fault that he was the way he was, but he had once confided in her that he felt weak and unworthy of being the heir to the throne.

Trying to put her faith in her Earthland counterpart, she focused on the task at hand and opened the door. Natsu tried to follow behind her, but she held up her hand.

"What do you think you're doing? I'm going to change into my armor."

"Yeah? I know."

She pursed her lips. "It's inappropriate if I let you into my room while I'm changing."

"Seriously? It's not like I haven't seen Lucy without clothes on before."

Lucy's cheeks burned bright red at that comment, and she slammed the door in his face before she could appear unprofessional for any longer. Just how close were they? It didn't seem like they were a proper couple, but if what he says is true…

She set her coat aside and quickly grabbed the Golden Knight armor. The standard silver set she wore most often while training or on patrol was kept in the armory with everyone else's, but the Golden Knight was to remain here, in her bedroom where she could reach it at all times.

The striking part about it was not the armor itself, which was a slightly-bigger-than-average standard set in gold, but herself. With the armor, her magic was enhanced, causing her heavenly light to glow brighter. The weight of the metal also reminded her of her duty as the Golden Knight, so she stood a little taller too.

As she kicked off her boots and adjusted the straps, she thought about her own Natsu again. Whatever their Earthland selves relationship status was, it was not really any of her business. Especially when she had her own problems to deal with. Loving Natsu came with too much pain and too much joy all at once. Nauseating and exhilarating, it meant everything to her. People will always want what they can't have, and they wanted to be together.

Although, if what the lion spirit said was true, she was the Princess of Hearts. In short, it would be alright for her to marry, as she was royalty. (It also meant that Jellal, her brother was out there somewhere. She wasn't alone in this world.) Even so, she didn't want to get her hopes up.

She sighed as she reached for the doorknob. It didn't matter how she felt. Right now lives were at stake, and she had to focus on finding King Igneel. She found Natsu Dragneel leaning against the wall.

"The throne room is not too far from here compared to the trek from the holding cells. If King Igneel is there, Ur or one of her children is likely to be there also."

"Alright," Natsu cracked his knuckles. "I'm all fired up!"

Erza carefully watched the soldier escorting her to Lyon. She had originally planned to fight her way out of the rope handcuffs and escape, but if he could take her directly to him, she could take down Lyon herself. The longer she thought about that evil fire mage setting up a base in her home, the more anxious she was to see him.

There was no doubt about Queen Ur being a ruthless and unforgiving queen. A citizen could be executed for even breathing her way, and no one could question her. Her children were another story.

They had a complicated dynamic, as there were rumors that all 3 had different fathers. Because of this, their power was different. Gray was the weakest, with Lyon being only slightly more powerful. Ultear was on a whole other level. She had been able to master not one, but two difficult magics. Named for her mother and the eldest, she had been groomed to take over the throne since she was a young child. Lyon had become her apprentice, and the pair terrorized citizens even worse than their mother. Erza had long hoped to be able to bring them to justice.

Zoned out, she didn't notice when she arrived at the makeshift base camp around the central tree. She snapped out of it when the Hearts soldier shoved her forward, and she fell on her knees. She had come home to the tree connected to her life force, and she almost weeped when she saw him standing under it.

Lyon had his arms behind his back, inspecting it. Inspecting her with hungry eyes, like he couldn't wait to burn it down. The vivid memory of the day her forest and sisters burned replayed in her mind, and she shut her eyes tight.

"Already kneeling? It seems Lady Titania is weaker than I thought." He clicked his tongue, smiling mischievously.

Erza looked him in the eyes and transformed. She felt her body change and grow, and wings unfolded from her back. Beautiful clear wings that gleamed as it caught the setting sun. The ropes snapped with her power.

Lyon only smirked and threw his cape to the side. "The sheer arrogance…" Erza muttered. He wasn't wearing any armor, just thick clothes for Magnolia's weather.

The Hearts soldiers were quick to move, but he held a hand up. "I have this."

Fire sparked in his palm, and Erza panicked. She had to get him away from her tree. Eyes darting for a target, she flew into an unsuspecting soldier in the other direction and stole his sword. It wasn't really her style, but it would have to do.

A fireball came flying at her, and she narrowly missed it as she turned her body to the side. Lyon had no sword, so all she had to do was get close…

A steady stream of fire sprouted from his feet, propelling him forward. He yelled as he held his elbow out in front of him, planting it in her face. The two flew into a cart with supplies in it.

"Too fast!" She thought. He got up first and kicked her down. He was smiling like the evil man he was as he winded his leg back for a second kick. Erza quickly grabbed his ankle and pulled it forward, causing him to lose his balance.

"Bit-" He flopped onto the ground, and Erza picked herself up.

Erza yelped and stepped away when the ground surrounding her grew too hot to stand on. Lyon stood, gripped her shoulders, and pushed her face into the wall.

"Let's see how you like it when your wings are gone, you damn fly!"

Her eyes were wide, looking back at the horrible fire burning in his hands. The heat approached her back and in an instant it became too much to handle. She was sure she was screaming, but she couldn't hear it. All she could focus on was part of herself being ripped away from her body as the fire ate up her left wing.

This was bad. Like, really bad. Lucy was tied up (she was getting tired of this) and being roughly pushed around by the Hearts soldiers. Prince Natsu was still unconscious from his position over the soldier's shoulder, and it didn't seem likely he would wake up soon.

Even if they hadn't taken her keys, she couldn't even reach for them. They were apparently being brought to Lyon, and she would've felt amused if it wasn't for what was at stake. She remembered when she first met the Earthland Lyon. At that time he stood across from them, while now he would fight beside them.

She missed all the Earthland mages. Especially Fairy Tail. Levy, Mirajane, Cana, Wendy, Gray, and-

"Erza!" She cried out. They had arrived at the makeshift base camp set up by a giant tree. But she didn't have time to admire the sakura, as Lyon was currently holding a flame to the dryad's wing.

Lucy watched in horror as Erza screamed in pain and her wing actually melted away. When the wing was gone, Lyon let her go and she crumpled to her knees. Erza cried, clutching at her shoulder. She had to do something!

"Loke, where are you?" She thought. If she could get access to her keys and have him help Erza…

The spirit appeared, shocking the soldiers at the base. Lyon turned around at the flash of light and scowled.

"What is this? Get him!"

Lucy shared a grin with her spirit as he attacked the soldier holding onto the prince. The soldier dropped him, and Lucy winced when Natsu fell to the ground with a thud and still didn't stir.

When the soldier was taken care of, they took advantage of the others shock and Loke passed her the keys. She sliced the rope with them and summoned Scorpio.

The arrival of another person made the soldiers jump into action, trying their best to approach him. He created a sandstorm and blinded them while destroying supply crates and carts.

Lucy thought things were going smoothly as the majority of the soldiers had been taken care of, but there was one problem. She wanted to check on both Erza and Natsu, but she couldn't split herself in two!

Oh. Wait.

"Open, gate of the twins! Gemini!"

The spirit appeared, already transformed into Lucy from the last time she summoned them. She had them check on the prince while she went to check on Erza. She almost felt guilty, as her duty was to take care of Natsu, but Erza was in greater danger with Lyon angrily standing over her.

"You! That weak disguise won't fool anyone." He pointed at her as she approached Erza, who was weeping over her missing wing.

Lucy ignored Lyon and confidently strode over to Erza's side, Loke right behind her.

"Don't ignore me!"

She placed a hand on Erza's good shoulder. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.

"Lucy?" Erza asked, pained. When she saw the zodiac with arms crossed behind her, she realized. "Oh, where is-"

Lucy quickly glanced at Gemini, sitting next to the prince. Gemini had propped him up against a tree, but he was still asleep. They joined Scorpio against the few Hearts soldiers left standing.

"He's alright, don't worry about him. I need you to stand Erza. You're strong, so I know you can."

"I can't." She said. "He burned my wing, I-I can't fly anymore."

"But you can stand. Take my hand."

The dryad grit her teeth in pain, but took Lucy's hand. Lyon moved to do something, but Loke quickly stopped him. He pushed Loke away and charged up an attack.

"Are you okay?"

"It hurts." She wasn't sobbing anymore, but a few tears escaped her eyes as she spoke to Lucy.

"But Lucy, where is Prince Natsu?" Erza asked.

Her eyes quickly darted to where the prince lay, and a panic briefly flashed on her spirits weren't doing so well against the soldiers. Erza caught on and turned to see the prince unconscious, and seemed to be filled with resolve at the sight. Despite the pain, she steeled her expression and reached for the sword she dropped earlier.

"Leave this to me Lucy. You must protect Natsu."

"Will you be alright?" Lucy asked. She wanted to go. She was starting to feel the tug on her magic reserves and some of the previously blinded soldiers had managed to wash the sand out of their eyes. But Erza's injury...

"This is my home. I will protect it along with the friends that stand beside me."

Lucy smiled at the sight of Erza, standing like her Earthland counterpart with a sword in hand, bravely facing her enemy even with an injury. She trusted her, and ran to join her spirits as Lyon unleashed his attack.