AN: Hi guys! I'm back a little early this week. And I've got two chapters for you - since I'm going to be travelling out of town for the rest of the week, I didn't want to leave you guys hanging. As always, a sincere thanks to all those who favorited and followed this story.
SistershoOk - Glad to hear you like a slow burn! I love those kind of stories too - kind of enjoy the journey as much as the destination, you know? As for your question - Jellal, Ultear and Erza are the same age - although Jellal is a few months older than Erza and Ultear. I don't want to pin-point specific ages, because then I'll have to think of birthdays and count months and I suck at that level of age-related story planning.
valerioux - YES! Jerza will be on! Ok, it's still going to take a few chapters for it to really get going, but you'll soon see the character progression of Jellal and the development of his relationship with Erza.
ABT4Life - That's actually a really cool idea. Initially, I had planned on letting it be one big story, but thanks to your suggestion I'm thinking about how I'd split this up into multiple books. If I come across a really good point to cut the story off into a new book, I might just do that. Thanks!
Minsie - Awesome, thanks! :-D
FireShifter - Yeah, it's Acnologia. I think I sort of gave away the suspense when I described him in the beginning - given that he was acting all evil, it had to be either him or Zeref, and 'blue tattoos' was pretty much a dead giveaway. Thanks for your compliments, and hope you enjoy the next two chapters!
Part 2 - The War
Dancing flames roared from their high perches along the long corridor, throwing the shadows of the passers-by into sharp relief. Heels clicked purposefully along the marble floor and majestic tails whipped along behind the two figures striding briskly towards their destination. Two smaller forms struggled to keep up, their wings quivering with repressed excitement and glee. As the group of four reached the end of the corridor, the solemn dragon guards cautiously appraised the newcomers.
"State your name and purpose, my dragon lords."
"It is I, Weisslogia and my brother-in-arms Skiadrum. We have come today with our progeny, Sting and Rogue, to attend the war council announced by our chosen king - Igneel."
The guards respectfully bowed low, nodding to each other as they rose. The pair pushed open the grand doors of the chamber, briskly leading the guests inside.
The scene that met the eyes of the newcomers was surrounded by an air of tense quietness. Grandine stood to one side of the chamber, surveying a group of wind dragons as they carefully wrapped medical supplies, the queen tersely pointing out broken or expired containers as they worked. Shagotte, Queen Grandine's exceed aided the worker dragons in her full form, quietly glancing at her dragon companion from time to time. Wendy stood by her mother's side, quill poised in hand as she took meticulous stock of the inventory and jotted down her mother's curt comments. Carla, in her larger form, stood silently by Wendy's side, occasionally throwing a mournful glance at a blue-furred, lithe and boyish figure dodging and twirling away from strikes at the other end of the chamber. Pantherlily and Happy, both in their full forms, were engaged in a sparring match. The older, muscular exceed swiped and lunged with his massive sword as the younger lad jumped and pranced, easily avoiding the blows that were relentlessly being sent his way. They were observed in grim, contemplative silence by their dragon companions, both dragon boys lost in the memories of their tear-filled farewells to their special friends. Just as Natsu had wrenched himself away from a heartbroken Lucy the previous night, Gajeel too had bid farewell to his spirited pixie friend, her own eyes flashing with steely determination as she promised him she would survive the war - and that he had better do the same, or she would bring him back to life just to kill him herself. Gajeel couldn't help but crack a small smile at the memory. She had looked radiant and fierce, glaring defiantly up at him as she berated him for all the mistakes that she predicted he would make in his future. Although she tried her best to mask her true emotions with her angry gaze and harsh words, the truth shone through. Underneath her pointless, simmering rage Gajeel had openly sensed her intense worry and deep affection. All for him. And it had touched him more profoundly than he cared to admit. It scared him sometimes, just how much the little fairy affected him. But he wouldn't have it any other way. He was going to miss her. With the way she would be constantly on the move, and the fact that he would be at war, they had both realized that writing to each other would be an impossibility. All they could do was pray for each other and hope that they would meet again someday. Casting aside his morbid train of thoughts, Gajeel threw a weary glance towards the entrance of the chamber, noting the new arrivals with an internal groan. His moody and self-proclaimed number one fan had arrived. Wonderful. Another quick glance had him smirking slightly. The light freak had arrived as well. Bad news for Natsu, because that meant Gajeel wouldn't be the only one constantly shadowed by an annoying little fanboy trying hard to impress his idol. At least Rogue wasn't a talker like that Sting character. Focusing on the center of the chamber, Gajeel watched his father and the king as they immersed themselves in scrolls scattered haphazardly about a large table, discussing battle plans and strategies in subdued tones.
The dragon guards had dutifully paused, waiting for a heartbeat before announcing the new entrants in loud, booming voices.
"Their Excellencies, the dragon of Light Weisslogia and his brother-in-arms, the dragon of darkness Skiadrum."
Igneel looked up from the map he and Metalicana had been pouring over, a brilliant smile lighting up his face as soon as his gaze fell on the new arrivals.
"About time you came, you two rascals! We've been chasing our own tails with all these preparations while you two have been lollygagging about!"
Weisslogia chuckled whilst his brother rolled his eyes, fighting the amused smile that crept on his face.
"Greetings to you as well, noble king. We apologize if we are tardier than expected - it is the first time our boys have flown the full distance between our lands and Alagesia and we did not wish to exhaust them."
The note of pride in Weisslogia's voice did not go unnoticed by Igneel, as he turned his attention to the two smaller dragons slightly hiding behind their fathers. The little dragon boys peeked out from their partially covered positions, bashful as they regarded the assembled dragon heros.
"Sting and Rogue! Last I saw you two, you were but wee lads barely higher than my knee. You've grown quite a bit…" Igneel boomed good-naturedly, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"Why you two are both taller than my boy Natsu!"
"I heard that, you old flaming bag of bones!" Natsu snarled, immediately snapping out of his melancholic thoughts, "Tis not my fault if I took after your shortness, old dragon!"
Igneel shook his head, an amused smile on his lips as he glanced at his son's pouting face.
"Show respect to your elders, you scallywag. Your usual antics are fine here in Alagesia, but things will be very different when we report to our superiors in the North. Best we be ready."
"But you're the dragon king, the strongest of us all..." The fair-haired dragon lad hiding behind Weisslogia piped up, his eyes as wide as saucers, "Won't you be superior to every other dragon on the field?"
Igneel paused, smiling gently at the young boy. Before he could respond, Metalicana briskly rolled up the parchment clutched in his claws, abruptly addressing the curious hatchling.
"Nay, little one. This war was declared first upon the dragons of the North, and therefore they will be leading all dragons into battle,as per the third law of Toth."
Sting blinked, still looking a little lost. "I-I don't think I understand, noble dragon general Metalicana sir. Wouldn't it make sense to make his majesty a leader alongside them? He is the strongest of all dragons!" the fair-haired lad paused, his eyes drifting to the sulky pink haired dragon lad striding towards the table at the center of the room, "U-until he is challenged by a younger dragon of course, like the great Prince Natsu…"
Both Igneel and Natsu preened under his awestruck gaze. With an amused look and a roll of her eyes, Grandine interjected. "Strength is measured in many different ways, young one. Our brethren up north prefer a broader, more nuanced evaluation of talent to determine their leader. We dragons of the south take a more traditional approach - raw strength is valued highest above all, slightly at the cost of wit and agility." She glanced at her husband and son, both sporting identical pouts now, with a twinkle in her eye. "I suppose you and Rogue have not yet covered the five laws of Toth in your studies, given you are Wendy's age. Why, she's only covered them because her tutor felt her ready for advanced lessons…"
Natsu cocked his head. "I haven't heard of the laws of Toth either, mother."
Wendy let out an exasperated gasp, turning around to face her elder sibling. "How could you not have heard of it?! We wrote a 10-page essay on it and the influence it had on our relations with the northern dragons… Wait, did Lucy write that essay for you?"
"N-no!"
"Gihihi. You're a lying cheater Salamander, of course the rabbit wrote it!" Gajeel smirked at Natsu, wandering over to the table to stand beside his father, facing the younger dragon glowering at him.
Natsu glared back, before slowly breaking into an evil smirk himself. "Don't you dare talk Gajeel, I know for a fact that your essay on 'Advantages of Light Magic' was all Levy's work! Remember that one? The only one you got full marks for in the history of your stupid life?"
"…You're asking for a thrashing Salamander!"
"Bring it, rust bucket!"
"Ohhh…" Sting jumped in place, unable to contain his excitement, "It has been ages since I've seen Prince Natsu fight! I've heard he's even mastered five types of his dragon roar already! This win of his is going to be epic!"
"He's going against the legendary Black Steel Gajeel," Rogue piped up shyly, unable to stop himself from inching forward for a better view, "There's only a slim chance he will win against him."
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"You're asking for it, shadow slinker!"
"... You've been idolizing Natsu for far too long. That nickname was pathetic."
"HEY! His nicknaming skills are epic, and so are mine!"
"You've got this Sting! You're as amazing as Natsu, if not more!"
"Fro thinks so too! But I still don't want to see you fight Rogue…"
The dragon boys turned to smile at the newest arrivals, a brown-furred exceed in his full form who had a radiant, excited smile upon his face and a pink furred exceed also in its full form and dressed in a… frog's costume.
Natsu and Gajeel, who had been growling at each other as their fathers tiredly restrained them by the scruff of their necks, paused their glaring match to gawk at the latest two newcomers.
"W-who are you two?" Natsu glanced between the two exceeds, finally settling his gaze on Sting.
Sting beamed back, thrilled to get a chance to talk to his hero. "These are our exceeds, Lector and Frosch! Frosch is the one in the frog's costume - he's Rogue's companion, and Lector's mine of course!"
Natsu continued to gawk at them, but Gajeel was the first to recover.
"Well, good. Congratulations, you two. And well met, new exceeds."
Lector grinned back, while Frosch offered a happy 'Fro thinks so too!' just as the other exceeds in the room noticed their presence.
Queen Shagotte approached the pair gracefully, a soft, welcoming smile on her face. "It is a pleasure to see you two young ones again, Lector and Frosch. If I am not mistaken, it has only been a few months since you and your companions formed your bond?"
The pair nodded shyly, speechless in front of their esteemed ruler. Happy stood by Carla's side, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He frowned when Lector shot an admiring glance at Carla.
"This is unprecedented." Igneel interrupted gruffly, rubbing his chin as he took in the group of exceeds. "Exceed-dragon companion bonds have been so rare until this generation. As happy as I am that our races are becoming closer, the number of bonds slightly worries me, for isn't the point of the companion bond to help both dragon and exceed overcome a great hardship they are likely to face?"
"That is not always the case dear." Grandine interjected softly.
Igneel raised a brow at her, a silent conversation ensuing between husband and wife for a few moments as the others watched them curiously. Metalicana finally interrupted their face off with a pointed cough.
"That is more of a superstition than a fact, Igneel. And even if it proves to be true, we must believe in our young ones and know that they will overcome any challenge they may face. They will be stronger emotionally, intellectually and physically than us, of that I am sure. As long as they learn from their mistakes and strive to be better after every obstacle they surmount, this generation will bring pride to dragon kind and the noble race of exceeds." Metalicana ended his little speech with a look at his son, his pride and joy evident despite the stern glare he leveled at his progeny. Gajeel responded with an equally affectionate glare.
"Why iron head, I had no idea you were so sentimental…" Igneel snickered.
"You would do well to take your own advice, you overgrown egg, and keep your horrendous nicknames to yourself once we travel north." Metalicana responded curtly.
"Hmph, you're just jealous… My son and I have astounding nicknaming skills…"
"See!" Rogue's excited whisper to Sting carried in the suddenly silent chamber, "I told you those nicknames were awful!"
His pronouncement was followed by silence once again as everyone turned to look at the dark-haired little dragon boy who grew red-faced under the eyes of the whole room.
And then the entire chamber erupted into good-natured roars and guffaws as the dragons had a good laugh at the expense of their jovial King and his fun-loving son. The two culprits exchanged a grin of their own. They lived for the laughs after all.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Princess, please eat something."
"You look so pale, your majesty."
"You have not eaten a crumb of your breakfast, what will the steward say?!"
"Shall we make something different for breakfast, your highness?"
"Your pillow is damp, have you been crying your majesty?"
"Would you like to speak of what ails you? Should we call the palace physician, your highness?"
Lucy looked up at the last words, grief still swimming in her eyes as she numbly shook her head. She could not trust herself to speak.
The maids crowding around her exchanged worried glances. Before they could press some more, a curt voice from the doorway interrupted them.
"Leave her be."
Lucy's figure straightened up instantly the moment the voice reached her ears. She hastily wiped the remnants of her tears off her face with the bed sheet she still clutched in her hands as she addressed the regal figure waiting impatiently at her room's entrance.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Lady Aquarius?"
Aquarius lips thinned as she took in the sight before her. The young girl perched on the bed was still clearly struggling to hide her sorrow and distress. As irritating as the child could be at times, it troubled Aquarius immensely when she saw the child upset. No one apart from her was allowed to make the little brat cry. And the fools that had dared to upset Layla's child would pay. Dearly.
"Get off that bed, little one, and follow me."
Lucy started in place, taken off guard by the uncharacteristic gentleness of Aquarius' tone. She scrambled off the bed and to the side of her governess, eager not to disturb the lady's good mood. Aquarius nodded silently, directing a pointed glare at the nervous maids still loitering in Lucy's room. The women hurriedly averted their gazes, immediately beginning their daily morning tasks in the Princess's chamber, scrambling to complete them post-haste. A glare from the famed Lady Aquarius was a potent thing.
A few minutes later, Aquarius led Lucy into a smaller chamber on the second floor. Lucy followed in perfect silence, exhausted from the night of tears she had just spent, wishing she could just return to her room to wallow in misery for a little while longer.
Her self-pity evaporated as she took in the occupants of the chamber she had been ushered into.
Most of the people she recognized, although they came from such drastically different walks of life that she could not understand for what purpose they could have possibly been collected and brought here.
Near the window, impassive and stoic as usual, stood Lord Capricorn, the Steward of her castle. Beside him, with a suggestive yet friendly grin on his face, stood Lord Taurus, her weapons master and Lord Saggitarius - the Archery Master. Seated on the sofa in front of them were three women, one of whom Lucy instantly recognized as her soft-spoken Mistress of Wardrobe, Aries. She was sandwiched between the other two females, the short-pink haired lady to her right dressed in a neat maid's uniform, while the mysterious woman seated to her left wore a veil covering the lower half of her face and the attire of an exotic dancer.
Lucy's gaze drifted to the other side of the room, immediately recognizing her talented chef, Sir Cancer, chatting leisurely with a pair of twin children with eerily blank faces. Besides them stood three soldierly figures. The only female of that group looked as intimidating as Aquarius, but she lacked her governess' fiery gaze. She wore an outfit of pure white, which contrasted sharply with her midnight black locks, as well as the midnight black attire of the much younger man conversing in a hushed voice with her at her side. The young male soldier had the opposite hair-color of the woman's - shocking white, too bright to be truly real. Lucy shifted uncomfortably in place, transferring her gaze to their neighbor, only to go still with shock. This soldier was more extravagant than the other two, his chest bare and his only attire a pair of loose harem pants. His hair was sandy brown on one side and gray on the other, and the locks were shaved close to his head. He wore a variety of jewelry that contrasted starkly with his dark, caramel skin. Lucy noted with alarm the loving look that passed between him and her usually stern governess - who had promptly abandoned her at the entrance the moment they had stepped into the room. Lucy's gaze finally landed on the occupants closest to her, a young girl her age with soft and short snowy white hair and a gentle mien - garbed in the simple attire of a peasant. The girl spoke in a timid and sweet voice with a person Lucy knew all too well - Sir Loke, the unabashed 'ladies-man' of the castle, and recently appointed Count (he had finally found a way to shed his title of stablehand). Lucy sighed, shaking her head, and let her gaze drift once more, this time to the center of the room, where stood a short-statured, wizened old man who observed her with a sorrowful but loving gaze. Her beloved grandfather.
"W-what is this about, Grandpapa? Am I in trouble?"
Makarov smiled, the action not quite reaching his eyes.
"Nay, my child. I have called you here this morning for a very different reason."
Makarov stepped forward, placing his hands on Lucy's shoulders. With a sigh, he gestured to the young fair-haired maiden with a tilt of his head.
"This young maiden's name is Yukino. I cannot go into much detail, but she, along with all the occupants of this room, are henceforth under your protection. They are special, and over time you will come to understand the reason why you have been tasked with this weighty responsibility." Makarov's eyes softened, his tense grip on her shoulders loosening. "I will be leaving on a campaign tonight, and it will be my longest one yet I fear. I wish I could be by your side, helping you… But I cannot. I am truly sorry my dear. For placing this burden on you at your young and tender age. If you do not wish to do this, I will understand. Truly, only Yukino will need your physical protection, the others are already equipped to take care of themselves…"
Lucy halted him with a gentle finger on his lips. "Nay, Grandpapa. I would be honored to watch over these people. Indeed, many of the faces in this room are already my dear friends, akin to family." Lucy turned away from her grandfather, addressing the rest of the room's occupants. "I would be delighted if the rest of you became my friends over time. And I will move heaven and earth to keep all of you safe. I promise."
Her pronouncement was met with a stunned silence. Slowly, Aquarius raised her right hand in the traditional gesture of fealty. As one, the remaining members raised their hands in the same salute.
"And we swear our devotion and fealty to you, Princess Lucy, child of the stars. True heir of Layla."
Lucy's brows knit in slight confusion at the mention of her mother's name, but she nodded at her governess gratefully. Gazing at the rest of the eclectic assembly, she stopped at the young girl her age.
"Your name is Yukino, is it not?"
The girl nodded shyly, her gaze flitting up for a second before returning to its home at her feet.
"T-that it is, P-princess. I-I mean y-your h-highness."
Lucy's gaze softened. She placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder, her voice dropping to a gentle whisper.
"When it is just us, please call me Lucy. As Lady Aquarius has reminded me lots of times, I am such a brat that I really do not merit the title of 'princess'."
Yukino looked up, her eyes warmer and her smile more genuine. Lucy giggled, and Yukino joined her moments later, the two quickly falling into an easy conversation about all and nothing.
Makarov regarded the pair with satisfaction, his gaze flitting around the room until it landed on Loke. The boyish figure returned his steady look, nodding infinitesimally in agreement with his unspoken word. The promise Lucy made would not be one-sided. As devoted as she would be to them, they would be to her. She was as much their responsibility as they were hers, and the fact that they would move heaven and earth to protect her would not be a phrase in their case, but a simple fact.
After all, they were Celestial Spirits.