Chapter Thirty-Seven

"Shit." Lucy swore as she whipped her head around and watched as Levy shook her head, her hands covering her mouth.

"I didn't know either?" Lucy offered her friend.

"She's still Luce." Natsu offered and smiled at Levy. "Just a better explanation for some things."

"I always knew you were different." Cana said and walked over and stared at her friend. Then punched her in the arm which had Natsu snarling.

"What was that for?" Lucy asked wincing.

"You didn't make enough coffee for all of us."

"Bitch!" Lucy half-heartedly kicked Cana's shin making her jump up and down on her "good" leg. The other girls giggled a little and the station shifted and another pedestal rose; with several bags of coffee on it.

"These were in storage and based on the components from the coffee you previously brewed; these are similar."

"Thank you Alfie!" Lucy said and started to open her mouth when a large coffee maker appeared on a table nearby. Lucy pointed at the bags and then the coffee maker. "Go for it Cana."

"Yes!" Cana stopped goading the kicked leg and grabbed the coffee and beelined for the coffee maker. The other girls moved with her except for Levy and Erza.

"I'm sorry for acting weird." Levy said and hugged her friend.

"It's okay. It's a lot to process."

"It does make sense." Erza nodded and squeezed her shoulder. "You okay with the news?"

"Eh…I'm sure I'll have an identity crisis later. When its more convenient." Lucy halfheartedly joked and the red head smiled.

"Lucy, dear…" Makarov cleared his throat and she turned to look at him. He set his mug of coffee down and looked at her somberly. Then he smiled widely. "Welcome into the fold! It is an honor to have a Zodiacrian on my Guild Station."

"Thank you Sir." She smiled. "Don't forget my mother. She's one too."

"Right. Welcome aboard to you as well." He bowed to Layla who smiled warmly at him. "This is important. I'll have to share with the Allegiance that…"

"You may not want to broadcast where I am just yet." Lucy said and Laxus shifted.

"Why not?"

"Mard Geer may or may not think I'm his?" Lucy said and Natsu snorted out several rings of smoke. Laxus pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What?"

"He tried to force me into a bond; but he didn't know I was pregnant with Lucy and she helped protect me from him. But now he wants to force that bond with her." Layla explained and Lucy looked at the General and his grandson.

"I'll leave if your worried he'll attack here." She offered and Laxus growled so loudly it shook the room. Everyone looked over; including the newcomers who weren't aware of what was going on—but had been lured in by the scent of percolating coffee.

"You will not risk your life to protect us. We are Fairy Tail!"

"Damn straight!" Gajeel agreed. "What is Bunny Girl trying to risk her life for though?"

"She's actually alien and apparently Mard Geer thinks she's his future mate." Levy filled him in and Gajeel stared at her and then turned to Lucy.

"What does Levy mean, your alien and Mard Geer thinks what?" His voice rose higher and higher as he stared at the blonde.

"I'm Zodiacrian. Well half. Dad's human, mom isn't." Lucy said.

"And Mard Geer wanted to take Luce's mother as his mate to gain the power of the Zodiacrians; but she was carrying her. So he's after Lucy now to continue with his stupid little plan." Natsu snarled and wrapped his arm around Lucy's waist.

"I don't know if mate is the right word for what he wanted; but it definitely wasn't my plan." Layla murmured. "But he did want to use me and my link to the Zodiac Guards to spread his darkness and…"

"Gain unimaginable power." Makarov murmured and closed his eyes.

"I don't understand…" Erza looked around in confusion.

"The Zodiac Guards are the most powerful of the Zodiacrians; and if they go dark; there is no one who can stop them if they decided to go evil." Lucy murmured and Erza nodded slowly.

"You always have to go big huh?"

"I'm a diva." Lucy shrugged and all the human girls giggled; confusing the Station residents. Then Gajeel ruffled her hair; his arm turning to metal as the scalut erupted in major spikes.

"The thought is appreciated but you are not going to walk alone. Or just with some strange Zodiac Guards no one knows."

"I know them…or did. Once upon a time." Layla offered and Gajeel dropped his hand and shrugged his shoulders.

"People change. And Lucy is Natsu's possible growlkin so we can't let her wander off or he'll lose his mind. So we'll keep her safe."

"Appreciate it." Lucy scrunched up her nose. She looked up at Natsu and grabbed his hand, squeezing it. He smiled at her and squeezed it back.

"So…what can Lucy do? As a Zodiacrian? Like, can she change her appearance or do magic like the others on the Station?" Cana asked and held out a mug to Erza while Kinana handed Levy a mug.

"No appearance changes." Layla laughed and shook her head. "With the right training; she'll be able to focus her magic and call on the Zodiac Guards. And with enough training; she could potentially wield celestial weapons. But only a few Celestial Mages have managed that."

"Five bucks Lucy manages it by accident." Yukino bet and the girls started calling out their thoughts.

"Guys." Lucy chided softly as they quieted down.

"Your friends have a lot of faith in you Little Star." Layla murmured and Lucy nodded.

"Can you train Lucy?" Levy asked and Layla shook her head.

"I only learned a little bit of Celestial Mage magic before I was sent off world when Mard Geer attacked. My training consisted just of knowing how to collect magic from the stars and how to sense if other Zodiacrians were nearby."

"That's better than nothing. Maybe by teaching her that; she could find a Zodiacrian who knows how to train her."

"Possibly." Layla conceded. Lucy closed her eyes as people started to murmur.

The Lion is coming.

His roar is deafening.

This is going to be fun!

"Who is…The Lion?" Lucy asked, opening her eyes and her mother stared at her.

"Who?"

"The Lion?" She asked again and her mother shook her head.

"That means nothing to me." Layla looked at her. "Why did you mention it?"

"The stars….they're saying he's coming…his roar is deafening…But I don't hear anything." Lucy shook her head.

"You can hear them? Now?" Layla looked out the window. The stars were their usual color during the "day time" on the Guild Station.

"You can't?"

"No." Layla shook her head.

"I wonder…" Natsu cleared his throat and Lucy looked at him. "What if it's the male Zodiacrian I met that one time?"

"Could he get on the Station?" Levy asked and Gajeel shook his head.

"Not without causing damage. Only member of the Guild Alliance can get into the Station; or any Station, from the outside."

"That's reassuring." Mirajean murmured and put her hand on Levy's shoulder. "Are you okay Lucy?"

"No…I think he's getting closer."

"Why do you say that Lucy?" Jude asked and watched as his daughter closed her eyes and tilted her head.

"The stars are getting louder….more excited. They think his arrival is going to be…fun….but not the good kind. I think they're expecting a fight."

"We'll put up the shields and…" Gray's words were cut off as the Station rocked; a bright blinding light making everyone cry out in unison.

"Lucy?" Natsu called out and felt her hand grip his forearm. He pulled her close and buried his nose in her hair. The screams of everyone else on the Station echoing painfully clear in his ears. Then they stopped. And the light receded as quickly as it had appeared.

"Ouch. That light was bright. What was that?" Laxus growled as he blinked to try and regain his sight.

"That was my Lion Brillance attack; and don't think I won't my other attacks if you all make any sudden moves." A new masculine voice states and everyone looked to the far windows where the voice came from.

A young-ish looking male stood there; wearing a black suit with metal on the collar and shoulders. His wild orange hair stood out in spikes; like a lion's mane. He wore sunglasses and his mouth was a thin line. Power radiated off of him.

"How dare…" Laxus snarled and started to move into an attack position.

"Laxus no!" Lucy screamed and he froze. The newcomer looked over at her. "He's the Lion…the one the stars were talking about. He's powerful."

"What do you mean the stars talked about?" He asked and Natsu felt Lucy shiver and the scalut hardened under his hand; the scales rising to become visible. The male turned more towards Lucy and she bit her lip and then squared her shoulders.

"I'm the Celestial Mage and I can hear the voices of the stars. They announced your arrival."

"You are no such thing!" He yelled; light coming off of him. People cried out in terror but Lucy didn't cower. "They're all dead! How dare you lie so brazenly!"

"I am not lying!" Lucy rebuked. "My name is Lucky Lucy Heartfilia; daughter of Jude Heartfilia and Layla of Seireikai. Two nights ago the ceremony completed when I and Natsu were bathed in the starlight and the title of Celestial Mage was bestowed on me."

"You lie! Lady Layla was murdered by Mard Geer when Seireikai was attacked."

"No…I wasn't." Layla pushed forward but Lucy put her arm out and stopped her mother from getting even with her and Natsu. Everyone saw the male stiffen as Layla stood next to Lucy. "I swear on…my friends Aries and Aquarius; I am Layla of Seireikai and my daughter Lucy is the Celestial Mage."

"Lady…Layla?" The male took a half step forward and Layla looked at Lucy. Lucy turned and looked at him.

"What is your name? The title of The Lion does not mean anything to my mother."

"Heh…" The male shook his head, looking down at the floor for a moment before looking up. "Back then I wasn't known as The Lion."

"Who are you?" Layla asked and he removed his sunglasses slowly.

"My name is Loke."

"Lo…Loke? You've grown up."

"Mama?"

"He was a young recruit in the Zodiacrian military. He'd been found in the rubble of our old homeland and brought to Seireikai by Capricorn to train. He thought he had what it took to possibly join the Zodiac Guards."

"You remember me then?"

"You were much younger…but yes. I remember. You used to come and hide at my house when Tarus and Cancer would tease you about your hair being unruly and unbecoming of a Guard."

"That was me then." He slipped his sunglasses back on. Hiding the tears that were evident in his light eyes. "Unfortunately; I have a mission. And I cannot let our past cloud that."

"What is your mission?" Makarov asked and stared at the young man. Wondering if he was actually young now that he knew that he was in fact Zodiacrian. Their ages were hard to distinguish by appearance as they had such long lifespans.

"To kill every last Zodiacrian female who may become a Celestial Mage. And as one already has…I have to kill her too. Even if she is the daughter of my old friend."

"No!" Levy and Yukino threw themselves in front of Lucy. She screamed but Natsu was pulling her and her mother backwards as the other Dragis crowded around her friends.

"Do not make my mission harder." He gritted out and raised his hand over his shoulder.

"You won't hurt our friend!" Levy shook her head. The Zodiacrian called Loke shook his head and opened his mouth. But before he could speak; Lucy's voice rose high.

"I call on Capricorn, leader of the Zodiac Guards!"

There was a cracking sound and Loke found himself staring into the eyes of an old friend. "Why did you summon me Loke? I told you last time; I was not going to join you in this reckless mission of yours."

"I did not summon you." Loke lowered his hand and trembled. Capricorn turned on his heel and followed his line of sight. He sank to one knee as he stared at the sight before him.

Lucy was straining away from Natsu; her left hand out flung and she was glowing. Her mother was by her side and staring at her daughter and then to the newest person on the Guild Station. Lucy's scalut was bright red and her expression was pained.

"A…Celestial Mage? Who looks like Lady Layla?"

"She's my daughter." His head tilted; his eyes hidden by his own pair of sun glasses.

"Lady…Layla?"

"Hello…old friend." Layla gasped and smiled through her tears. Capricorn turned his attention back to Lucy.

"Your…daughter."

"And the target of Loke the Lion's agenda for murder. So either tell him to stop; or the entire Guild Station is going to attack him!" Natsu added and Capricorn took him in. He saw the scalut and then the scales on Natsu's arms and face. He stood up, brushing off his pants and then he turned and looked at Loke.

"You know that I cannot allow you to hurt her."

"If she lives; Mard Geer will have a chance at ending everything. We cannot…"

"She is Lady Layla's daughter! She cannot be corrupted!"

"You don't know that! She isn't full Zodiacrian, I can smell that she is half something else; even under the scent of the Dragis draped around her."

"She is still Lady Layla's child. And I cannot believe that anyone from the Lady's line could ever fall into darkness."

"I won't let Mard touch Lucy." Natsu added. "She is my growlkin and I will not let anyone hurt her."

"Natsu…" Lucy shook her head and slowly started to lower her left arm.

"I won't. I will always protect you." He vowed and pulled her closer to him. Capricorn shifted, blocking them from Loke's view.

"The others miss you and want you to stop this foolishness. Think about it Loke; Lady Layla's daughter has already been crowned. She summoned me! Your mission is over. Now you need to align yourself with the rest of the Zodiac Guard and be prepared to…"

"To what? Be a slave to some spoiled princess?"

"Who are you calling spoiled?" Cana grouched. "Lucy has gone without more than most of us while trying to survive on Earth after Mard Geer sent his little Draconic assassins to our world. She's starved for us. She's worked hard to feed us. She trained to fight for us. She never asked that from any of us in return."

"She's not someone who would ever treat anyone else as a slave either." Erza chided. "She'd sooner free a slave then control one."

"She's bewitched all of you." Loke shook his head and Natsu snarled.

"I don't want to be the Celestial Mage." Lucy said and both Loke and Capricorn looked at her. Confusion evident. "I didn't even know what one was until this morning when mama finally told me about her being Zodiacrian. I just want to help end Mard Geer's reign of terror. So no other worlds suffer like ours have."

"How can we trust you?" Loke sneered.

"Look around." Lucy turned her head and looked around. Every member of the Guild Station had weapons drawn or were protecting others; trying to get between her and Loke. "These people barely know me; but they're willing to risk everything to keep you away from me. That has to tell you something."

"You've sold them a good sob story."

"No…" Lucy shook her head. Layla stepped around her even as Lucy tried to pull her back. Loke looked at Layla; his jaw clenching tight.

"Loke…a long time ago you said your trust in me would never waiver. Was that; your word, a lie?"

"No."

"Then trust me when I say, my daughter is not the enemy."

"She doesn't have to be the enemy yet. Mard Geer could get her. Taint her with his darkness and then…"

"It won't happen." Lucy swore and shook her head.

"You can't make that promise!" Loke shouted. "Karen did and then he corrupted her. She did things to Aries and the Twins and…"

"They're fine now…and Karen isn't Lucy." Capricorn interjected but there was roar as Loke threw out his hand and something hit Capricorn; knocking him off of his feet. That was when everyone realized his legs and feet were not human in appearance; but animal with cloven hooves instead of feet.

"He is a Goat…" Cana murmured and watched as Caprcorn got to his feet.

"Using Regulus attacks won't work on me Loke. We're both Zodiac Guards and our magic…"

"Can't kill one another but we can hurt each other enough to end one's ability to fight." Loke yelled and he threw his hand out. Natsu was shouting something that was drowned out as the light fo the Regulus attack shot forward.

Then there was Lucy; standing with her arms out stretched. Her face serene as she stared at Loke as his attack bore down on her. Capricorn and Natsu were trying to get to her; but then the light exploded. Everyone shielded their eyes; even as calls and wails of dismay filled the air. When the light returned to normal; their mouths dropped. In front of Lucy were several new Zodiacrians.

"Brat! What do you think you are doing?" A blue haired woman snarled. Her face pinched in anger. Her skirt looked it was a mermaid fin; hugging her curvy frame as she stood with her fists on her hips.

"Aquarius is right Loke! You could have hurt Capricorn…and he's our friend." A soft voice whispered from the pink-haired girl in an oversized sweater.

"Aries?" Loke whispered and she waved shyly at him.

"Oooh…Loke and Aries sitting in a…" A childish voice piped up. "What's the word?"

"Tree!" A second childish voice squeaked and youthful looking beings jumped up and down as they cited in unison "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

"Stop it you two!" A man with black and white hair ordered; his red armor shining.

"Sorry Scorpio." The two whined.

"Hey…Gemi and Mini sure did quiet down quickly; don't you think Sagittarius?"

"That they did Taurus." Two tall males said; the first being huge and having a bovine featured face with a large gold nose ring hanging from his septum.

"I think Loke may need to be punished." A flat toned voice said from a young blond looking woman.

"Virgo…not now." Said the man with wild hair next to Taurus. "We don't have time for your perverted fantasies to be realized."

"Now Cancer that wasn't nice!" This came from a woman whose face was veiled; as she pushed a strand of black hair out of her eyes.

"Libra is right. It wasn't nice."

"But we also don't have a lot of time to chit-chat." Two more voices bantered.

"Pisces calm down." Capricorn instructed and everyone looked at him.

"Summoning us was reckless Capricorn. You haven't fully healed from your last battle."

"I didn't summon you all." He told Aquarius and she stared at him in shock.

"But if you didn't? Who did?"

"The Celestial Mage." He waved his hand and they turned and looked. Lucy was breathing hard and shaking her head as her hair fell around her face. Natsu was rubbing her back and trying to help her catch her breath.

"That little brat summoned us?"

"Don't call me a brat!" Lucy shouted. "Damnit! I'm an adult! I'm tired of being picked on today!"

"It's okay Luce. It's okay." Natsu tried to calm her down.

"Lucy, don't swear…" Layla murmured drawing attention to her.

"That looks like…"

"It's impossible…"

"There is no way…"

"Oh my Stars!"

"Gramps; what are we going to do?" Laxus asked as he watched the Zodiac Guards reunite with Layla. Lucy and Natsu had been introduced but they'd quickly turned to her mother. Loke was still standing off by himself.

"Let this play out. And then formulate a plan from there."

"Doesn't that seem a little risky? These are some of the most powerful…"

"Not some…" Makarov interrupted. "They are the strongest beings in the known universes. They are the Zodiacrian's brightest and most powerful. Tales of their battles throughout history are what made up children's stories on countless planets."

"Exactly. If they decide to turn on Blondie…"

"You are blonde too!" Lucy yelled across the room and Laxus waved her off.

"If they…"

"We have to wait and see." Makarov shook his head. He did not want to go up against one Zodiac Guard let alone all twelve of them. Trust Lucy to have gone above and beyond by summoning them all to try and end the fight between Loke and Capricorn.

"Lady Layla…is what Capricorn said true? Your own daughter has surpassed you and is now the Celestial Mage?" Scorpio asked and Layla nodded and looked over at her daughter causing all the Guards to look over at the two of them.

"She and her Protector were anointed the morning of the Rainbow Sakura festival."

"Wow." Gemi and Mini murmured and looked at Lucy and Natsu with excitement.

"That must be a sign of their power." Aries murmured. "Granted summoning all of us is also a sign of your daughter's power."

"I still don't know how I did that." Lucy said and shook her head.

"You put yourself in danger is how." Natsu shook her gently. "Why did you do that?"

"Capricorn is injured! A direct hit from Loke could have made it worse."

"That isn't your problem. Your problem is surviving."

'I've done that pretty well on my own until now you know."

"You technically had your friends."

"Don't knit pick." Lucy rolled her eyes and Natsu smirked at her.

"She's wearing his scalut." Aquarius sniffed in a haughty tone. Scorpio chuckled and winked at Lucy who rolled her eyes.

"What does that mean?" Jude asked and the Guards chuckled and looked at Layla.

"We all have so much to catch up on."

"But before that happens." Lucy turned their attention to her. She pointed at Loke. "You need to stop with your mission to kill all female Zodiacrians who might get on Mard Geer's radar. We need all the help we can get…not killing off the help."

"You don't know what he…"

"I've seen him kill his own men without a second thought. I've seen the destruction that his Draconics cause on a planet. I know how scared my mother is of him."

"Then why aren't you scared?"

"Because…I'm not alone." Lucy said with conviction.