All Rights to Hiro Mashima

This for FlameDragonHime who wanted Natsu's famous 'salmon' locks back.

Now sit back and relax while I attempt to shove some back story down your throats!

Chapter 11: Druzy

Also known as 'The Stone of Star Dust' or 'Fairy Dust'; brings lightness and harmony to large groups; Not a true stone, but a clustering of diamond-like crystals spread across another gem

Pitch black eyes pierced into brilliant red.

Emperor Spriggan's fingers twitched as if he was restraining himself from wrapping them around END's muscular neck. END winced, knowing what was coming next. He was the most feared demon known to exist, but he had nothing on the Black Wizard.

Watching the Emperor as he picked non-existent dirt off of his ridiculous looking toga…dress…thing, End steadied his nerves for another confrontation. Truthfully, he would much rather be back in the middle of the chaos battling General Nova…Lucy for the next eternity than being here in this desolate throne room.

Picturing his beautiful opponent seemed to ease his nerves some, so he tried to remember everything that had transpired between them before he had left her sitting on the ground, curious pendant in resting in her calloused palm. He let his mind wander, carefully waiting until the Black Wizard deemed it time to exact his punishment. END glanced around at the barren surroundings and snorted quietly.

Honestly, who actually needed a room that gigantic for one absurdly large and admittedly uncomfortable looking chair? The damn thing was made entirely out of black stone and cut at right angles with no cushions. His tailbone ached just watching the black haired immortal sitting in front of him lounge without a hint of discomfort. Mard Geer had once told him that falling down a seven-story cliff and breaking his pelvis had hurt less, but that was debatable.

The Underworld King had always been one for theatrics, always whining about something or other.

"So," END almost, almost rolled his eyes. The Emperor always started his lectures off with the same thing. "…You're telling me that you fought with General Nova, one of the most feared leaders of Domus' army next to the Thunder God, Monster, and Titania, and you…let…her…live?"

"Uhh…yes?"

The darkness that was his leader's eyes seemed to deepen into pits of despair and absolute unfathomable evil. END was a demon, and even he shivered with trepidation at the sight.

"Deities above END! I gave you exactly one goal, kill Nova, rip her limb from limb, wipe her off the face of the planet not leaving a single trace behind and you can't even carry that out? The request was simple! She and the rest of those like her who derive their magic from the heavens are the reason why you no longer have any memories, you should thirst for her blood! I slaughtered Astralis in retribution for you!"

This time END did actually roll his eyes before he could stop himself. Luckily the self-declared leader of the freaking world had covered his eyes with his palms as if to wipe the image of a still alive Star Child from them.

END had heard this story more than once. The first time he had listened to the Black Wizard he had felt the appropriate amount of anger and annoyance over the fact that the people of Astralis had caused him and his gracious Emperor so much grief. Apparently, END having amnesia was all it took for Alvarez to launch an attack on the underprepared Kingdom of Stars, cleansing it of all its people. Phantom Lord and the Oracion Seis had delighted at spreading chaos and hopelessness until nothing was left but ruins.

The whole battle lasted all of two days, the gleaming white castle's walls and defences were breached within twenty-four hours. To this day, only one person was known to survive, General Nova or Lucy as END preferred. Jose and Brain had been punished severely for letting her escape. According to the Emperor, she was very important to his plans, or to be more exact, what she had in her possession, but by the time the bodies were counted and they had realised that she wasn't among the deceased, Nova had disappeared. END had once overheard a conversation about the Black Wizard wanting the twelve…somethings. It was a good excuse, his "accident" and subsequent memory loss, for the Etherious to march in and tear apart the Kingdom, but it was nothing but a flimsy shield to hide the ultimate goal, those twelve things that Emperor Spiggan wanted desperately. But the owner of those items had all but vanished into thin air.

She reappeared as a General of the Domus Army almost five years later, leading the strike against Tartaros where Silver had clashed with his all grown up son. END had never seen the Black Wizard so livid as reports started to come in, telling of a never before seen General, clad in magically enhanced golden armour wielding a whip like a Master and materialising a broad sword composed of pure, unfettered magic absolutely decimating the dark army. Spriggan had killed half of one of his own contingents with his death magic in his boiling rage as Invel almost fell before her when she had pulled out a bow without any arrows and proceeded to rip a gigantic hole through his stomach with a projectile made out of starlight.

It was one of the first times that END had witnessed a human reaction that wasn't pained indifference or passive boredom come out of his leader. This one woman, for that, is what she truly was if her breastplate was any indication, had pushed Spriggan's buttons so completely that he had lost control.

This intrigued END completely and so he watched General Nova closely, and his respect for her grew exponentially as she stole information easily, undermined their operations with finesse, and thwarted many of the immortal's plans. He had quietly delighted in the chaos she created. It called to END's baser instincts, something that he always listened to.

He wanted to meet Nova on the battlefield and test her metal for himself if nothing else but to sate his growing curiosity.

END had begged the Emperor to be let out and confront this General Nova by himself. He wagered that his dark flames would combat her light magic quite nicely.

But he wasn't allowed, which frankly confused most of the army because END was one of the strongest they had, an asset that was being undervalued. Those who questioned the Black Wizard's decision usually found themselves dead. So no one said another word.

This, coupled with the fact that some of the stories didn't quite add up, along with the Dragon pendant he had found within Spiggan's 'of limits' office, set END's mind whirling down several different avenues until he came to one conclusion in recent years.

Emperor Spriggan was lying to him, of that he could be certain. After looking into Lucy's eyes which had held nothing but the naked truth and a disposition that was almost naively honest, END could now recognise the calculating stare of the Black Wizard. As if he was trying to see how many lies he could utter before being found out. He spewed twisted truths as a second nature it seemed.

Which is why END no longer believed a single word that came out of his esteemed leader's mouth. It was all just pretty lies wrapped up in a nice bow with no proof behind the statements. All Spriggan had to do was utter the words 'trust in me', and everyone bowed and bent towards his will. It grated on END's nerves the blind trust that they devoted to Spriggan.

"Yeah yeah, I hunger for their destruction and hope that General Nova dies a painful death and all that, sure. Whatever. It wasn't my fault that we left the fight at a stalemate. Her magic is literally light personified. My flames were rendered almost completely useless in mere minutes. They eroded her abilities as well along the way, but it couldn't be helped. I had to rely on hand to hand combat after that! We were just lucky she hadn't brought along that stupidly accurate bow of hers or I would have most likely been worse off than Invel."

The Black Wizard only sighed at the first demon he ever created. Sometimes he regretted using the Crown Prince of Ignis in his experiments, but there was nothing to be done now. He would be damned if he threw away a successful result, albeit a temperamental one.

Zeref stared at the body of his deceased brother floating calmly in the nutrient suspension. It would keep his body thrumming with energy and magic even after his mind was long gone and his heart stilled into silence.

He nodded to himself as he carefully stroked the surface of the lacrima that held his love while wrapping the slumbering little blue cat in Igneel's scarf. He would study the white scaly fabric at a later date as he could detect a latent amount of calming magic energy wafting off the thing, but for now, he had more important things to worry about.

One of those things was a small Dragons head pendant, crudely carved out of what looked like Agate. It hummed and sung with light magic derived from the stars. He wanted to figure out just how Natsu had come to own it. He knew that Natsu's little friend was from the Astralis, maybe it came from there?

The second thing that gnawed at his stomach and twisted his nerves was the fact that everything was in place to begin the revival. It was time. Zeref couldn't wait to greet his reborn brother, then, bring back Mavis in all her glory.

Zeref started the chant that would begin the starting sequence within the R-system. A deep groaning noise like rocks shifting deep within the earth was heard, and the immortal smiled.

It was starting.

Over six months he watched as Natsu was pumped full of complicated magic according to complex equations and sequences until the liquid he was suspended in turned completely black and reeked of black magic.

It was…unexpected, but very interesting to say the least. It seemed that some fine tuning was needed.

A week later, the R-system ceased its noise, and the murky fluid was drained. What was left stunned Zeref to the core, but excited the scientist within him.

Natsu had been turned into a monster with horns and wings and talons. It looked like the half Dragon form that his little brother was so proud of, but darker, more vicious.

Scared red eyes fluttered open, and Natsu spoke his first words that made Zeref frown marginally. This might be harder than he thought.

"Who are you?"

Natsu just had too much…humanity in him to make a good Demon, even if Zeref wasn't truly trying to make him into one. Call it a happy accident. There was no way that he would allow Mavis to become a disgusting Demon when she was revived. Even if she would retain much of her personality, which END proved time and time again to be true. So he was still searching for a way for her to come back to this world without the use of the R-system.

That was one of the many reasons that Spriggan hadn't let END out into the world very many times. No doubt his human emotions would surface before too long, especially in the face of her. General Nova. There was something about her that his instincts told him would ruin all his hard work and well thought out plans. He made sure END stayed away from her at all costs, although confrontation was inevitable.

After that…failed…experiment, Zeref took the R-system and revamped it, taking his nine advisors and ripped their humanity from them even before the conversion to Demon started. He found that he had created eight very bloodthirsty pawns for him to move about the board. One didn't survive the process, but there was bound to be problems with every scientific advancement.

It was a stroke of good luck that they had captured, possessed and successfully turned the Ice Devil Slayer, Silver Fullbuster in later years, bringing the Tartaros Demons up to nine again.

Zeref frowned at his little brother, exasperation and annoyance warring in equal amounts on his usually placid face. "Don't you take that sarcastic tone with me END, and Gods above and below, I hate addressing you in this form. Shift when you are in this castle, how many times do I have to tell you?" His mistake was literally staring him in the face and honestly disgusted him. He hated being reminded of his failures.

END pouted but complied with the request. Horns, wings, and talons flaked and crumbled away into ash while the spiralling tattoo was sucked back under tanned tawny skin. Ash white hair brightened to a cherry blossom pink while red eyes softened until onyx ones peeked out from beneath unruly hair. The black flames that seemed to perpetually burn around him were extinguished. END truly didn't mind this form, but he was more comfortable in his Demon skin in this black fortress. He had always felt like someone was watching him, so keeping the Demon close to the surface of his mind and body kept him feeling relatively safe.

But the Black Wizard absolutely despised that form, which was another reason why END kept it out so long. Ribbing one of the most powerful mages to ever to walk upon Earthland, even passively, was too good to pass up. It was his own subtle way of standing up to his leader without risking the death cloud that seemed to explode out when it was least expected.

"END, your punishment for this blatant failure to comply with my commands will be…" At that point, Dimaria had poked her head into his throne room with a slightly panicked look on her face. Her usually cocky demeanour had evaporated, so Zeref knew that this problem, whatever it was, would cause him yet another massive headache. "…will be decided at a later point. Get out of my sight, I already have my hands full with losing three Tartaros demons to our enemies."

END could only thank his lucky stars at that point to be let off the hook until further notice, and the fact that he wouldn't have to oversee Lamy as she revived the "dead" demons. That little rabbit-eared nuisance shook his composure more than he was willing to admit. Her laugh was enough to send chills up and down his back.

Rushing quickly out of huge double doors into a dimly lit hallway that led to the tower that held the only comfortable place in the whole castle (in his opinion), he thought once again of his almost suicide mission that he was determined to pull off later that night.

He almost wished the Black Wizard had finished him off where he stood. General Nova was going to absolutely kill him.

-ooo-

"It all began when I was six years old. My mother was dying of a rare disease with no cure, and King Jude ignored everything that wasn't his wife, making money, or researching treatments. One night, as I sat on my balcony observing the night sky, a young boy with a dragon tail and red scales offered me his hand, asked me to trust him, then took me on an adventure."

Erza chose to interrupt at that point, having never known the story of Lucy's upbringing and was only mildly surprised at the fact that she was a Princess. Erza herself had a troubled past that none by those who grew up with her – and Jellal – knew of. She couldn't fault Lucy for her need to keep things secret. "You left your home and chose to trust a stranger right away?"

"Yes, it might seem naïve, but I saw loneliness in his eyes. It was something that I felt so often, so I chose to trust him. I will never regret that decision, not ever."

Titania only nodded and waved her hand for Lucy to continue.

"I asked for his name, and he told me it was Natsu. It wasn't until I was a bit older that I realised that my Natsu and the Crown Prince Natsu Dragneel of Ignis, son of the Fire Dragon King were one and the same. He and the little blue flying cat that we had found and hatched out of an egg became my best friends."

Lucy laid the sword on the table in front of her and gestured to it. "For my seventh birthday, Natsu made me this short sword with his father." She gripped it in one of her still gauntleted hand and poured a slight amount of magic into it. Warm, comforting red flames burst forth, and everyone jumped at the sudden appearance.

Gray leant forward. "Those are his…aren't they?"

"Yes. These are Natsu's flames. He said that even when he wasn't beside me, he would be able to protect me. So far, he hasn't lied. I pulled this weapon as a last resort on END when we fought. It seemed to distract him enough." Lucy looked down with a bittersweet expression on her face, her eyes filled with memories of better days.

"I never made the connection before! You're the one that Happy and Natsu used to talk about constantly! You're Luce, aren't you?"

The General cringed at the sound of the name that Natsu loved to call her. It sounded so different out of someone else's mouth. It just didn't feel the same. "I guess I am."

Deep blue eyes met brown, a small, sad smile pulling at his lips. "He was so smitten with you, you know that right?"

Lucy actually scoffed at that, while Laxus and others who knew Natsu before he was killed just chuckled at the exchange. "I don't believe you Fullbuster. But at any rate, may I continue?"

With a strange twinkle in his eyes, Gray leant back in his chair once again; shirt already discarded with his belt half off. She thought she heard him whisper 'so in denial' but chose to ignore the idiot.

"Thank you. I practised with this sword for many years with the leader of the army of Astralis, The Colonel, and also with the Bow Master. You all must know that I feel much more comfortable with when I have a weapon one me." Most in the room nodded, knowing they shared the same sentiment.

"Just after my seventh birthday, my mother succumbed to her sickness and passed peacefully in her bed. I inherited her magic, and consequently her keys. Celestial mages are only found in the Kingdom of the Stars, but it isn't well known that only the royal family can call upon the Zodiac." Lucy placed her keys down on the table as well, right next to Natsu's sword. "Natsu was there for me when I was depressed and alone after that. Jude refused to talk to me no matter what I did, and I was forbidden to speak of my mother or her magic in his presence. I had received more than one striking before I learned to keep my mouth shut. I learned one night from Capricorn and Aquarius the circumstances surrounding my mother's death, and it sent me into a pit of despair. Natsu pulled me out and dusted me off, for that I will always be thankful."

She sighed, voice wistful. "By the time Natsu turned ten, I was back to my old self, thanks to him and Happy. We still went on adventures and played and fought. I wasn't lonely anymore, even if the King refused to be in my presence because I reminded him of his Layla."

Lucy pulled the pendant from around her neck and placed it beside all the other items that had accumulated before her. "This Dragon head is made out of pure agate. I found this hanging around END's neck when we clashed earlier. I don't know how or why he felt the need to put it on when he found it. I would recognise it anywhere because I carved the damn thing when I was only eight years old. Gods above, it must have taken me three full months to do it right and even then it was a little lopsided. It was my birthday present to Natsu when he turned ten. He always wore it after I told him that it would bring him strength and victory."

She wiped a single tear off her face, stealing her mind again against the onslaught of painful feelings welling up again in her heart. There wasn't a day that went by that she didn't think about her stupid, dense, lovable pink-haired friend. However, she had never spoken about him to anyone by her spirits, although that had been years ago.

"Five months later, Igneel and his advisors left on their trip and then went missing in the Worth Woodsea. Natsu and Happy left for a year to try to find him, travelling to Domus and then to Nix, then meeting with Porlyusica. During that time I trained and 'learned' how to be a Princess even though the King hated me. One day, Jude found the sword where I had hidden it, learning about my training. He was livid. I wouldn't give up the name of my teacher, so for my punishment, I was locked inside my room inside of rune barrier. This was created by Freed's father and maintained for almost nine years. The night the rune barrier was erected was the last time I spoke out loud to anyone in the castle, save for when Natsu and Happy joined me."

She was unsure of whether or not Freed knew why his father was always in Astralis instead of home with his family, but seeing the look of guilt on his face – which she was sure reflected on her own – assured her that he didn't. She waved away his attempts at an apology. It was neither of their faults.

"Natsu came back after a year, finding me behind the runes, unable to get to me like he used to. He thought that he could ambush the guards that surrounded me and take me away, but I rejected that option as soon as I found out that one of the mages was named Blue Note Stinger, the very same that now works closely with Master Hades."

At the name of the man that corrupted his sister's mind, Gray's Devil Slaying Magic started to go haywire, plunging the tent into subzero temperatures. King Makarov's enlarged hand slapped him heartily on the back, knocking the lieutenant's head against the wooden table effectively bringing him out of his haze.

Lucy continued as it there wasn't an interruption. "Natsu and I tried unsuccessfully for almost five full years to try and find a way out of that barrier. Objects could go in, but none could come out. The runes also rejected things that it felt were weapons, like light pens." Lucy pulled off one of her gauntlets and turned her hand around, flashing her hand to them all. "He gave me this ring when I turned fourteen."

Gray smirked and opened his mouth to say something, probably a snide comment about love or marriage, so Lucy barreled on, her voice rising to cover the Ice Mage. "A couple of weeks later he threw this-" Lucy pointed to one of the small silver keys on the golden ring. "-at me. He found it in Igneel's hoard and knew that it was a celestial spirit, the spirit of the Little Dog. I call him Plue."

"That was the last time I saw Natsu and Happy. A month later, I overheard the gossip from some maids that Ignis had been taken over by Alvarez. I never knew what happened to Zeref, but I heard in great detail about the slaughter of the Crown Prince. I lost all the light in my life. I felt so small and weak, alone in that godforsaken place with a King who hated his only daughter surrounded on all sides by guards. Jude was livid at me constantly when I came of marrying age. No one wanted a mute bride."

She sat back and replaced her weapon, keys, gauntlet, and finally the necklace. "With the stirrings of war, I knew I needed to be better prepared. I found out early on that Plue could actually bring me things of celestial origin out with him when he was called through his gate. I began to practice my magic again, successfully making that sword that I use and read all manner of books on war strategies and battles from the history of Earthland. By the time Nix fell, I was back at my peak strength, and with nothing more to do, my magic reserves grew every day."

"Almost three years to the day that I had last seen Natsu, the Cleansing of Astralis began. Luckily enough, Governor Justine had left back to Domus on urgent business only days before and wasn't caught in the crossfire. The rune barrier was the only reason why I was spared. Seeing as nothing could go in that was deemed a weapon, and nothing could come out, including the sounds of my own soul, the Poison Dragon Slayer, Cobra, couldn't hear or smell me. They didn't think to physically check every room when they slaughtered my Kingdom." Lucy's eyes drooped wearily as everyone stared with rapt attention. This story had only been told once before to Laxus and Makarov. Even though it was depressing, it was quite interesting.

Lucy could see the Tactician jot down copious amounts of notes and questions that she had. She hoped that Levy would at least wait until tomorrow for those.

"It took a full two days after Astralis fell for the rune barrier to dissipate. I searched through the wreckage for Jude. I found him in his study behind his desk, still working. Finding my keys once again, as well as Natsu's sword and a bow for protection, I snuck out of my Kingdom on foot loosely following the roads and signs to get to Domus. I knew the King would help, for he knew my face. I was very weak when I arrived at Domus and was sick with a fever for many days until I recovered enough of my magic again. I trained ruthlessly for years to become a General, and that is my story. Everything else is public knowledge."

Levy's hand shot up as soon as Lucy finished her tale. Tiredly, Lucy peeked at her friend. "…Yes, Levy?"

"Where did you get that bow?"

"That was a gift from a peculiar person after I had arrived at Domus. She told me that it would be helpful to someone with my type of magic, and she wasn't wrong."

"Who was it?"

Lucy looked towards the King. This wasn't her secret to tell, the woman…or really…the astral projection of a woman who had told her of the bow was someone who they held dear to their hearts. Makarov emptied and refilled his pipe with new herbs then opened his mouth to either any Levy's question or deny her.

Before he had the chance, a new voice spoke up from behind Lucy. "I was the one who told General Nova about the bow she now carries. My name is Mavis Vermillion."

Titania clumsily rose to her full height re-quipping one of her swords haphazardly into her right hand. "Who are you? Where did you come from? This is a closed meeting for Generals and Lieutenants only."

Mavis walked forward slowly without making a single sound, passing straight through Erza before giggling at all the dumbstruck faces. "I am an astral projection. Nothing can hurt me, Titania. Please, lay down your weapon before you accidentally chop someone's head off."

Jura spoke next, his voice deep and commanding. "So, you are a ghost then?"

"…Of a sort."

"Why are you here?"

Mavis smiled softly. "I came to aid you in the war. I was killed many years ago by the Black Wizard. My body is being preserved somewhere by him. He means to resurrect me, but I want to pass on. This half-life, cursed by being both dead and living was something I never wanted. I will help you and in return, someone must destroy my body."

"Who has the power to do this for you?"

The small girl only shrugged. "It matters not, truly. Whoever gets there first I would imagine. General Nova has already promised to do this for me. That is why I told her about the bow."

Promises and exclamations of solidarity rang out through the tent all at once. Everyone seemed to want to help Mavis even though they were meeting her for the first time. But they knew, if Lucy had promised such a thing – and a Celestial Mage's promises were binding – then they should promise as well.

It was an easy decision.

King Makarov broke up the meeting after that, the battle and the advanced nature of the night causing most people to yawn. They would pack up and leave back to Domus tomorrow at noon, so for now, they could rest and recuperate their strength.

-ooo-

END leapt off the balcony of his personal quarters, shifting back into his Demon form as he fell. His large black wings snapped out at the last moment preventing his downward trajectory towards the unforgiving ground.

He had waited until the dead of night to leave the black fortress so that there was a slim chance of him being followed. It wouldn't do for any of the spies that Spriggan contracted to snitch on him and put Lucy in danger.

That was the last thing END wanted, even though he didn't completely know why yet. He had an inkling of course but kept that feeling deep within his heart to mull over at a later date.

Luck was on his side it seemed, with the night almost as black as his flames with a new moon giving off no additional light, END winged his way towards King Makarov's camp to try to pry as many answers as he could out of General Nova.

Gods, she was going to kick his ass so hard.

-ooo-

Lucy was thankful that no one had treated her any different once they found out about her past. Most of those in the army had lost someone or their Kingdoms to the Etherious at one point in time and could empathise well.

General Nova would punch anyone who was caught coddling her because she was once a Princess, and everyone knew it. So they just went about their business normally, which calmed her nerves somewhat.

As she made her way back to her own tent – more specifically towards her own cot – for a well-deserved rest.

She stripped her soiled clothes away and used the water waiting for her in a ceramic bowl to wash the grime and sweat away from her skin before donning a new tunic that fell to mid thigh. It was one of Laxus' old shirts that he outgrew. She had stolen it years ago; the worn garment was so soft against her skin. One of the maids had pitched a fit when she had found it saying that it wasn't proper for a young lady to wear men's clothing to bed. But Laxus was her big brother in all but blood, so she ignored the maid and brought it everywhere she went. She wore pants constantly and abhorred dresses, so the tunic was just felt right.

It also allowed for quick movements, something her corsets had never done for her in her early years. If anyone ambushed her late at night, she would have the advantage of speed.

Which didn't help the situation any when her attacker crept up behind her making no sound, clamping a large hand over her mouth so that she couldn't call for help, like right at this moment. She thanked the deities above that he had at least waited for her to put on some coverings. She tried to kick her legs out behind her, but couldn't connect a hit being at such a strange angle, she even tried to bite the hand that held her, but to no avail.

However, all the fight left her body when she heard the familiar voice in her ear. "Calm down Nova. I'm not here to hurt you."