Daughter of Layla

The combination of fighting Azuma and Zancrow, coupled with healing both Natsu and Makarov, had left Wendy more than slightly drained. She panted heavily.

"Stop using up your energy like that," Makarov said, "You're going to need it in this upcoming battle."

"You need to lead us," Wendy said firmly, "We can't lose you now." Makarov chuckled slightly.

"You know for just being Natsu's adopted sister, you act quite a bit like him," he said.

"Now there's a scary thought," Carla muttered. Makarov was going to speak again, before stopping, and glancing to the side.

"Stop lurking around Mest, just show yourself." Wendy and the Exceeds looked up, and saw Mest appearing before them.

"You!" Pantherlily and Carla snapped at the same time. Mest looked to the side in shame.

"Mest," Wendy said softly. Makarov looked at Mest.

"What do you have to report?" he asked.

"There were survivors from the blast," Mest explained, "They're regrouping for the next move."

"What do you guess that would be?" Makarov asked.

"A this point, I honestly don't know," Mest said.

"What's going on here?" Carla demanded, "He's a spy for the Magic Council!"

"If I had any magic power left…," Pantherlily growled.

"Cool it, all of you," Makarov said, causing everyone to look at him, "This man is not who you think he is. He's a member of Fairy Tail."

"He was lying to get dirt on Fairy Tail so that the Magic Council could disband Fairy Tail!" Carla said angrily.

"Ever hear of a double agent?" Makarov asked, "Because you're looking at one." All eyes were then immediately on Mest, who was staring at the ground.

"You mean…," Pantherlily began.

"He used his Memory alteration powers to infiltrate the Council," the Master explained, "He became the guild's ears inside of it."

"When the Council told me to use my powers to infiltrate the guild, I wasn't really left with a choice," Mest explained.

"Mest," Wendy said softly.

"I'd understand if you won't want to trust me," Mest said, not looking at Wendy, "Especially after I said all those horrible things."

"Its okay," Wendy said, smiling gently. Mest looked at her in surprise.

"But…"

"You were merely doing your job as a guild member," Wendy said, "I can't hold grudges for something like that." Mest, still looked away, in shame.

"You'll have to feel sorry for yourself later," Makarov said, "You've still got a job to do." Mest took a breath, before nodding.

"Yes Master," he said. Mest then looked at Wendy.

"I really am sorry, Wendy," he said, "But I would understand if…"

"Don't worry about it," Wendy said with a slight smile. With that, Mest nodded, and teleported away.

"You're too forgiving child," Carla said, frowning at Wendy, "He lied, and insulted the guild."

"We can't be acting like this at a time like now," Wendy said, "We've got to stand united."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Makarov said.

(in the Council wreckage)

There were survivors from Azuma's attack, and they were gathered on the few ships that were still afloat. Among them was Lahar, as he did his best to reestablish himself.

"Tend to the wounded, first!" he instructed, "We'll decide our next move then!"

"Yes sir!" Right then, Mest flashed onto the ship.

"Doranbalt!" Lahar said, "What's going on here?" Mest struggled not to roll his eyes at that name. The Master had chosen it for him for reasons the spy didn't really know.

"Its a long story," Mest answered said, getting into character, "How's everyone here?"

"Most people made it," Lahar said, "But we did lose a couple good men. If nothing else we've still go the communication lacrima."

"That's good," Mest said.

"So just what the hell happened on that rock?" Lahar asked.

"As if Fairy Tail wasn't enough, we've now got Grimoire Heart," Mest explained, "And I even overhead talk about Zeref. Seems we've got something going big down on Tenrou Island." Lahar narrowed his eyes at this.

"Three of the greatest instigators of chaos in the magic world, all in one spot?" he muttered. Mest took great offense at that. Fairy Tail caused trouble, yes, but to equate them with Grimoire Heart, let alone Zeref?

"The Chairman won't tolerate any evil in any form," Lahar said slowly, "The Light of Justice may fall over this island." Mest whirled around at that.

"You mean Etherion?" he demanded.

"If they decide that, yes."

"That's outrageous!" Mest snapped, "You can't lump Fairy Tail with a dark guild!"

"Its not our decision," Lahar said.

"Why not thinking for yourself for a change, instead of just following like some sheep?" Mets demanded.

"Know your place, Doranbalt!" Lahar snapped right back. Mest took a step back, clenching his fists. He needed to maintain the facade for the time, but he needed to get away, and warn the Master about what was going on. But he couldn't get away now, without raising suspicion.

(with Lucy, Cana, Gray and Loke)

Caprico had just completed his speech about the World of Magic, and they didn't like the sound of it.

"So creating a world where only mages can live?" Lucy asked.

"That's just plain twisted!" Cana said.

"I'll admit I'm not sure about it myself," Caprico said, "But I believe that once I see it, I will understand it." He then jumped down to the level of the others.

"Once we get a hold of Zeref," he continued, "We will be able to complete the plan."

"That's a crap reason for ransacking our island!" Zeref said, putting his hands together.

"Admittedly, there is another reason," Capricorn said, as he took a battle stance, "To destroy Fairy Tail." The Fairy Tail mages got ready to fight, only for Loke to hold up his hand.

"Let me take this guy," he said, "Don't forget, this guy's just one of seven. You need to go deal with the others."

"You kidding?" Gray said, "We can't let you fight him alone."

"You need to," Loke said, "This guy uses a very old kind of magic called 'Human Subordination Magic'. He can call on the battle prowess of other humans." Loke then transformed into his Celestial Spirit form.

"And since I'm a Celestial Spirit, his magic doesn't affect me," he said, "And I bet you can notice that he's the same."

"What?!" both Cana and Gray said together. But Lucy didn't say anything. Now she knew where she recognized this figure.

"Capricorn, the Goat," she whispered.

"Its been a long time, Leo," Caprico said.

"Please go," Loke said, "Let me handle this."

"We can't!" Lucy said.

"We've got to trust him," Cana said, putting a hand on her partner's shoulder.

"Now let's go!" Gray said, as he and Cana started to go.

"No!" Lucy said, "If its my spirit…"

"Just go!" Loke snapped.

"NO!"Everyone looked at Lucy in surprise. It was rare for the girl to snap like that.

"I refuse to run like this!" she declared, "I'm a Celestial Spirit Mage! It would betray everything I stand for! So whether you like it or not, I'm staying!" Loke stared at Lucy in surprise, before smiling slightly.

"That girl…," Caprico whispered.

"You're insufferable," Loke said, before turning to face Caprico," Fine then, but just know that if anything happens to you under my watch, Natsu will completely incinerate me."

"Nah, I think he'll do worse," Lucy joked, pulling out her whip. With a sharp grin, Loke held up his arm.

"Regulus, give me strength!" he said. With that, he sprung at Caprico, and before the goat man could react, he was slammed in the gut, and knocked away. But the goat man quickly responded, by kneeing Loke in the gut. Lucy responded just as quickly, striking at Caprico with her whip, causing him to fall back.

"Its been 17 years since you left the Celestial Spirit World," Loke said as Lucy helped him up, "How are you still even here? You have to have a master somewhere."

"I don't serve a master," Caprico said, "I myself am the master! Humans do my bidding!" He then waved his finger through the hair.

"Open, Gate of the Hero of Rubengard: San Jao Shin!" A man dressed in a green robe, and a long black teared glaring a guan dao suddenly flashed into form, and struck at Loke.

"Loke!" Lucy cried, before she was quickly kicked away by Caprico.

(somewhere on the island)

"My Lucy Senses are tingling!"

(with Lucy and Loke)

"Just who is this guy?" Loke said.

"He was a general in the Rubengard resistance army," Caprico said, "According to 'official' records, he's missing in action. And now he serves me." He looked at Lucy, who rose to her feet.

"And now…" Caprico then held up his hands.

"Lucy!" Loke cried, as he tried to go to help, only for the summoned human to restrain him. Lucy suddenly started hovering into the air, glowing.

"I call upon the powers of old," Caprico spoke, "Bind this human to my will. Let her be enchained by my words, and commanded by strength." Lucy let out a cry, as she felt magic chains wrapping around her wrists.

"You belong to me now," Caprico said darkly.

"LUCY!" Then all of a sudden, Lucy's body began to glow a brilliant gold. The glow overtook the purple glow of Caprico's chains, and eventually they shattered.

"What?" Caprico said, legitimately surprised. Lucy fell to the ground, looking at herself.

"I'm… okay?" she asked.

"Just who is this girl?" Caprico asked.

"She's…"

"I'm Lucy Heartfilia!" Lucy declared jumping to her feet, "I'm a mage of Fairy Tail! I won't ever be forced to serve someone like you!" Caprico looked closely at Lucy, before a sudden realization came over him. He noticed it Loke said, cringing.

"You're Layla Heartfilia's daughter!" Caprico snapped. Lucy blinked.

"You knew my mother?" Lucy asked. Caprico then began to nearly froth at the mouth.

"I'm going to rip you to pieces!" Caprico roared.

Note: Out of hopes of expanding the story, and differing things from canon more, I'm trying to include Lucy in on this fight. Hopefully I can see more of this in future. I'd love other suggestions to deviate from canon.

Funny thing, something I noticed on the Fairy Tail tropes page, was the accusation of "Protagonist Centered Morality" with the Magic Council. There are several problems with that; the old Council may have been relatively evenhanded, and were willing to tolerate Fairy Tail's antics. But this other Council took issue with the fact that Fairy Tail helped take down Oracion Seis without their permission, seriously. How can anyone defend the Council with that?

Be sure to review.