Chapter Thirty-Eight
Loke shook his head. The twins ran by him and over to Lucy and he watched as smiled up at her. Both of them were had grown so much. Lucy's head tilted and her eyes jumped up to his. He immediately turned away; and he heard the murmurs of the twins as she stepped around them.
"It was you."
"What was me?" He spun back on his heel and glared at her.
"You were the one following us the day before we came up here."
"What are you talking about?" He stuttered and put his hands on his hips and she rolled her eyes.
"It was after the Unison Raid with Wendy. I knew that Natsu, Levy and I were being followed and spied on. It was you."
'You are out of…"
"I smelt your cologne."
"Loke doesn't wear cologne." Capricorn interjected. "But each Zodiac Guardian does have a specific scent. It's something the Celestial King decided on several millennia ago."
Lucy looked at him. He grinned gently and held his hands out. "One of the Celestial Mages was born blind."
"It helped her identify who was around if there were battles." Lucy guessed and Capricorn nodded. She turned back to Loke. "And I know it was you. I caught your scent just now when the twins came over."
"Are we glossing over the mention of a Unison Raid?" Scorpio asked and Natsu grinned.
"Why didn't you just come out and talk to us? Why spy? You could have been killed if anyone else had caught you spying on us."
"I have never been caught."
"Natsu surprised you after a battle." Lucy pointed out and Loke pulled his glasses off and glared at her. Natsu wrapped an arm around her waist and grinned even wider with cocky pride.
"I was still in my battle haze."
"Uh huh." Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Why were you spying on us?" Levy asked from where she sat with the rest of the girls and Gajeel snarled behind her.
"I saw the star light focusing on a building. So I checked it out. Then I saw you and…"
"And what?" Laxus inquired.
"I reminded him of mom." Lucy supplied and he looked away. "You followed us…to see her through me…not realizing I was her daughter."
"Shut up!" He snarled but before he could move Aquarius put her hand on his shoulder. He looked at her and she squeezed his shoulder.
"All of us would have followed her too. The resemblance is uncanny."
"And I don't care if that's why. But why not just come out of hiding and say something?"
"He won't say anything." Gray muttered. "He has too much pride."
"Fine. Whatever." She shook her head and looked up at Natsu. "I'm hungry…so that has to mean you are starving."
"Come on. I'll show you the kitchen."
"Stay out of my kitchens!" A voice shouted and there was the sound of feet running and doors slamming shut. Natsu turned around and his mouth dropped in outrage.
"That is rude!" He shouted as nearly everyone started laughing.
"Here are some snacks and previously prepared food items that can be consumed." Alfie's voice announced as food appeared on tables.
"Oh I could get use to that!" Gemi clapped in joy and Mini agreed as well. People grabbed food and then sat around. Lucy ate some of the food and then looked over at Loke then let her eyes drift to Aquarius. The blue eyes that met hers were filled with a lot of conflicting emotions, most of which gave her chills.
She turned her attention to her mother and watched as she spoke with her long lost friends. She also saw her father watching her mother. Sitting quietly beside her; but she saw his unease. He'd had a monopoly on her mother's attention, energy and love for so long…he didn't know how to share her.
"Luce? You okay?"
"Yeah. Feeling better now that I've eaten." She said and smiled up at him. He smiled at her. "You?"
"Better." He murmured and she smiled then fang snapped at him. His grin widened and he fang snapped back at her. So she returned it again which made him laugh.
"What is that?" Levy asked Wendy softly as the bluenette stared at her.
"Its fang snapping." Mini giggled and Gemi waffled dark eyebrows.
"Fang snapping?" Levy asked and looked at Lucy and Natsu who were now forehead to forehead while poking at each other's sides. Her eyes swung to Gajeel. "What is that?"
"Gihihi." A ruddy color filled his cheeks and he crossed his arms behind the back of his head. Gray shook his head and pointedly looked at the ceiling. Wendy was blushing and shaking her head. Laxus cleared his throat. The girls all looked at him. Lucy had Natsu in a headlock; telling him that trying to control the scalut was cheating in a tickle fight.
"Fang snapping is how Dragis show…affection."
"Affection…ohhh…." Levy blushed and grinned. "Growlkin only affection though…right?"
"Yeah." Laxus nodded and the other girls looked at Levy. She wrinkled her nose.
"I think it's the Dragis way of saying "let's get it on". Saved for only those who are intimate."
"Lucky Lucy Heartfilia?!" Jude choked out and Lucy looked up from where she was pulling Natsu's hair while he whined.
"He started it!" She defended and held her hands up. But in doing so; she let go of Natsu and he hit the floor with a grunt. Her lips twitched and when Erza scoffed she lost it. She looked down.
"I am so sorry Natsu." She giggled and wiped at the tears as he stared at her from the floor.
"It's not the first time he's been on the floor." Laxus stated and looked at his nails. Mirajean giggled and shook her head as Lisanna whispered something to her.
"Wait…" Jude turned and looked at his wife. "You mentioned this before. You knew she was…snapping and let it go?"
"She's her own person dear." Layla said and patted his chest over his heart. "She's not a child anymore."
"She is still our child." He groused and she nodded.
"Let it go dear."
"In public!" Jude snapped and shook his head while Lucy's face pinkened slightly.
"In Blondie's defense; Natsu taught her that; and his parents used it as an every day greeting." Sting rolled his eyes as Laxus offered the information to a flustered Jude.
"You know…you are also blonde. So calling me Blondie is a little… I don't know… unnecessary." Lucy rubbed her eyes and shaking her head as she looked at the taller Dragis. He grinned, his fangs glistening in the lights.
"Laxus' locks are golden; like the lights from his lightening bolt magic." Evergreen deflected and Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Right…gold…" She looked at Levy. "I wonder if they've heard of pyrite or not?"
"Pyrite?" Laxus asked and lifted an eyebrow.
"Pyrite…a natural forming mineral from Earth-land." Alfie's voice came over the speakers. "Also known as Fool's Gold. It appears to look like real gold; but has a different chemical makeup and is less valuable and less useful. "
"Fool's…" Natsu snorted and wrapped an arm around Lucy. Laxus' grin disappeared and his eyes narrowed on her.
"Are you a box blonde Laxus?" Cana asked and his eyes swung to her and Erza was shaking her head and looking at her friend. She lifted her mug of coffee to her lips.
"What does that mean? Box blonde?"
"Box blonde." Alfie's voice came back out over the speakers. Lucy's lips twitched. "A slang term for people who used specialized chemicals to turn their hair color from other colors to blonde. Also a way of saying the color is fake. Like pyrite is fake gold."
"Fake…" Laxus snarled and Cana cackled. Erza threw her arm out as Evergreen started to fly forward and everyone gasped as a large sword appeared in her hand. Cana's cackle fizzled and Erza blinked. General Makarov's mouth fell open.
"What was that?" Kinana asked softly. Erza twisted her wrist and the sword remained, turning in her hand, the light of the overhead bulbs glinting off of it.
"I don't know. I was thinking I should have brought my sword with me instead of leaving it in my quarters…but then I felt…"
"Magic." Makarov murmured and Erza looked at him.
"I'm human. I think."
"One hundred percent Earth-land Human." Alfie stated and hummed. "But there is magic tied with your energy pathways."
"What? How can that be?" Erza asked.
"What type of magic?" Laxus asked.
"An ancient form called Equip magic." Layla said and everyone looked over at her.
"Equip magic?" Erza asked and Layla nodded.
"It's an old magic; only Celestial Mages wield." With that everyone looked at Lucy. She held her hands up.
"I know nothing!" She shook her head.
"Oh!" Levy gasped and Lucy looked at her friend.
"What?" Laxus snarled and Gajeel snarled back at him. Levy clapped her hands.
"Lucy…right before the invasion. Don't you remember?"
"It's been years….can you be more specific?"
"Erza was hurt really bad…the hospital was out of her blood type."
"I donated because I'm O-negative." Lucy looked at Erza. "My Zodiacrian blood must have leeched into your blood stream."
"But how can I wield magic from a blood donation?" Erza asked.
"Because like Lucy…you went through the trials." Layla said and looked from her daughter to the older girl. "You lead without wanting power. You starved for long periods of time and didn't cheat."
"You admitted your greatest fear to yourself." Lucy finished and bit her lip. Everyone watched Erza look down, lowering the sword to the floor. She turned her wrist and the sword disappeared. Scorpio whistled softly at the control of power she showed.
"I'm not a…"
"You can't be a Celestial Mage as you don't have the birth right." Capricorn stated and strolled over to Erza. "But you could be a member of the Zodiacrian Guards. They also go through many of the same trainings. We fought along many noble and worth Zodiacrian Guards in our time. You would be a fine addition to the ranks."
"How did the others take the news?" Laxus asked his grandfather as he found him sitting on a tabletop and staring out into the abyss.
"Of two living Zodiacrians? Of the entirety of the Zodiac Guards being on the station? Of magic merging with non-magic species through rudimentary medical practices? Or the fact Natsu found his growlkin?"
"Threw the last one in there too?" Laxus asked and his grandfather nodded.
"That was how I broke the rest of the news. I stated that first and went down the list." Laxus chuckled. "To say they were surprised would be an understatement. Of course the Zodiacrians is the greatest surprise. They didn't think any had survived; and finding out who all had…it's sending hope through the stations."
"Hope?"
"Zodiacrians are the stuff of legends. And now we have this legends in our ranks."
"Not sure if we can count them in our ranks just yet." Laxus said and leaned on the wall. He crossed his arms over his stomach. "But they're here for now. I just want to make sure that the little kitty doesn't try to hurt Lucy."
"I'm pretty sure he isn't going to. I have noticed that the twins have been his shadow around the station." Makarov chuckled and looked at his grandson. He knew what was running through his mind. It was the same things that ran through his. He couldn't believe what all was going on either.
"How are they handling the news that there is a human with magic?"
"They are concerned. Blue Pegasus is sending over some members to run tests. To ensure the magic won't endanger her."
"Something tells me Red isn't going to want to be poked and prodded."
"I'm sure she will comply." Makarov muttered hoping he wasn't wrong. "She has a very strong sense of doing what is right."
"That she does…as long as it's her definition of what's right." Laxus grouched. A door opened and they both turned and watched as Levy came in with books in her arms. They noticed right away they were from the station's library. She set them down; not even aware of them. She started reading; opening books and going between them.
"Alfie?" The whirl answered. "Can I have a large board of some kind to write on and a pen?"
"May I suggest this?" A pen appeared on the desk. Laxus and Makarov jerked, both prepared to stop her when she picked it up. Levy looked the pen over and twirled it in her fingers.
"What is this pen?"
"It's a Light Pen. You can right in the air."
"Oh that's cool." Levy lifted the pen and wrote something. It floated into the air above her. "What if I want to move where it's floating?"
"Just move it with your hand." Alfie answered calmly. Levy put her hand next to the word and tapped it and it flew across the room and hit the wall; smooshed then popped.
"I'll work on the control later." Levy murmured and started to write in the air and move from book to book. She sighed heavily. Makarov and Laxus shared a look and watched as she put the pen behind her ear and leaned on the table. Then she lifted her hand and started to write; the words still formed.
"How is this human doing magic?" Bixlow asked and Levy looked up. Laxus and Makarov flinched; they hadn't seen him arrive.
"I'm not doing magic."
"You are doing Word Magic."
"What?" Levy asked tilting her head to the side.
"Word Magic is an…obscure magic. You can form words in the air with magic and give the magic shape or power."
"No…I was using the Light Pen that Alfie gave me."
"Actually the last few words you wrote; you did so without the Light Pen. The Light Pen is behind your ear."
Levy's hand flew up and her mouth dropped open. Bixlow jumped up onto the tabletop next to the books. He looked over the books before looking at Levy. He tugged on a strand of blue hair and smiled at her; his tongue unfurling. She didn't react other than to slap his hand and make him drop her hair.
"Seems you got some magic too."
"Alfie…am I human?" She asked and looked up at the ceiling, her head rolling back on her shoulders.
"Affirmative. Your biometrics are one hundred percent human."
"Then how am I doing magic?" She kicked her foot out and put her hands over her face. "Alfie you don't have to answer that…I doubt you even know."
"Did you get blood from Lucy?" Bixlow asked cautiously.
"No. Never." Levy said and picked up the book furthest from Bixlow and flipped through the pages. There was a low hum but Alfie didn't respond. Bixlow, Laxus and Makarov watched as she kept moving from book to book. She took the Light Pen from her ear and started writing again. Bixlow leaned back on his hands and watched; reaching out for a word.
"I would advise against that. That is the Earth-Land word for blood. You may not enjoy what happens upon touching it." Alfie warned and he dropped his hand.
"Whatcha doing Levy?" Laxus asked and she looked over at him startled. "You barged in on us. We've been here all morning."
She rolled her eyes and put the pen behind her ear. "Alfie pointed out what books in the library on station discussed magic transference and that I could read due to being printed with language shifting ink. But there's stuff missing that would possibly be in the books that weren't in the language shifting ink."
"Yo, Alfie; can you bring those books here?" Bixlow asked and the books appeared within moments. He looked through them, shifting them into piles. "I can read these ones for ya. These we'd need to find a Ammotarian; I think there is one on the Lamia Scale Guild. This one is Dragis so Wendy could probably translate it-or maybe Gray if Wendy has troubles; she was little when Edolas fell. This group I'm not sure what language so Freed would be a better person to question."
"And that last book?" Levy asked and Bixlow scratched his head.
"I think…and I could be wrong. But I think it might be…"
"Be what?" Laxus prompted when his friend stalled.
"I think it might be Giatonix."
"Gia…Ughhh." Laxus groaned and turned, hitting his head on the wall.
"What is Giatonix?" Levy asked and looked at the men in the room. Alfie whirled to life; an image popping up of a gigantic creature.
"Giatonix is the language of the Giatonian; from the plant of Solarium. This planet is known for being standoffish and dangerous; it's inhabitants stand at the height of a young dragon; roughly twenty Earth-Land feet high. Due to the inhospitable nature of the Giatonians; the Guild archives are for a lack of a better term; empty of information."
"Great…Space Giants." Levy dropped her head. She lifted it, nodding to something in her head. She looked over at General Makarov and he felt a chill run through his body. There was a steadfastness in her gaze that held conviction for whatever decision she'd made mentally.
"We're gonna need to send a diplomatic ship to Solarium as soon as possible."
"What?" Laxus questioned for his grandfather.
"We have to know what this book states in regards to magic transference. Unless there is a magic out there that allows someone to translate all languages."
"There is not." Alfie answered quickly.
"Ughhh…" Laxus and Makarov groaned as Levy shrugged, staring at them intentionally.
"I'm willing to be part of the mission…"
"Mission? What mission?" Gajeel's voice cut her off and her face reddened. She looked over her shoulder as he stomped in Natsu and Lucy followed behind; along with Erza, Jet and both Romeo and his father Macao.
Levy immediately turned and buried herself in one of the books she could read and did her best to ignore Gajeel. He stopped beside her and stared. After a few moments of silence; he put his hand over the page she was trying to read and she huffed out an annoyed breath.
"We need to find someone who can read Giatonix; and as the Giatonian don't leave Solarium…we have to have a mission sent there."
"Hell no ya ain't going!" Gajeel snarled vehemently. "Ya short enough on yer plant and ya want to go around Giatonians? I thought ya were smart!?"
"I am smart!" Levy shouted; waving her arms at her side. "And I know that my height might seem a detriment but I've never let it stop me before. And I won't let it now. I need to find someone who can read Giatonix."
"What is so important about some book written in a language of angry giants?" Natsu asked trying to calm down the situation.
"It's one of the ones that Alfie has mentioned has information on magic transference. I need to know what it says."
"It can't be that special ta risk yer life for." Gajeel snarled and Levy rolled her eyes. "Don't ya get lippy and roll yer eyes like that."
"Lippy?" Levy asked and Lucy cringed and shook her head and took a step behind Natsu. Natsu looked over his shoulder at her and then back to Levy. She was glaring at Gajeel, her hands fisted at her sides.
"Yeah…Lippy. And suicidal." Gajeel growled.
"Grrr.." Levy snarled. She pointed a finger at him and Laxus started to howl a warning. "Zip it!"
The word 'zip' shot out of her fingers and hit Gajeel right in the mouth and his head slammed back and when he brought his head back forward; his lips were zippered shut.
"Levy?" Erza looked at her friend. "You can do magic too?"
"Apparently." Levy watched as Gajeel struggled to get his mouth opened. He finally stopped struggling and glared at her. He pointed at his mouth and she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Levy…unzip his lips. Please." Lucy giggled around her words and she could see Gajeel tense at her tone.
"Not until he learns his lesson." She said and turned to go back to the books. Before she could get to the table; Gajeel had an arm around her waist and the other binding her arms and he carted her out of the room. Lucy lost it; laughing until she doubled over. Erza huffed an agitated breath.
"Alfie, can you please bring Gajeel and Levy back please?"
"Of course." Alfie hummed and soon the floor opened and Gajeel and Levy rose up; both looking around in confusion. Gajeel still had her in his arms; but she was now calm; her eyes wide.
"Fun trip through the Guild?" Lucy asked as she pushed herself up from being bent over. Levy shook her head.
"I don't want to do that again please." Gajeel shook his head as well, seconding Levy's words.
"Levy…his mouth." Erza rolled her hand and Levy pointed a shaky hand at Gajeel.
"Unzip." This time the spell was gentle and his mouth opened instantly.
"So…two humans with magic. One with a blood donation from a half-Zodiacrian; the other with no understandable transference opportunity." Bob looked at Makarov who nodded calmly.
"I do believe that Earth-land was more interesting than our intel suggested." The other Guild Station generals nodded in agreement. Makarov looked at the screens; seeing the age lines in the faces of his fellow leaders. When had they gotten so old?
"What is the plan?" Jura asked and Makarov rubbed his chin.
"I think the best course is to send a scouting mission to Solarium."
"They have always been hostile." Bob whispered softly.
"Erza Scarlet of Earth-land has offered to go to Solarium; along with several of my best members."
"Any of the Dragis?"
"Sting and Rouge both got appointed."
"Appointed?" An elderly man asked and Makarov nodded.
"Erza appointed them. And the rest of the members going." He grinned. "Kind of hard to argue with someone who can equip weapons and armor."
"She's learned to equip armor?"
"She's been training with the Zodiac Guards. Along with Lucy."
"And is Lucy able to equip armor?" Jura asked looking interested.
"At this time no. But she has managed to equip some Celestial weapons and one Celestial outfit from the Zodiac Guard Virgo's wardrobe."
"Why would her magic steal a Guard's clothing?"
"According to the elder Guard; Capricorn; the outfit is woven with stardust to fit any Mage who summons it; giving the Mage control over the power of Virgo. All of the Zodiac Guards have an outfit for the Celestial Mage."
"These females are interesting." An elderly female murmured and looked around. "What studies are being done on them?"
"None. I value the safety of my station. And my being." Makarov shook his head, the idea of trying to test the girls sent shivers down his mind.
"You are worried about the damage a few Earth-land girls can do?"
"Yes." He nodded solemnly. "They survived a Dragis invasion for two years without magic. They survived against rouge bands of dangerous people during those two years as well. They do not let anything stop them from what they want.
Lisanna Strauss has single handedly convinced the Takoverians to let her and her sister Mirajean study their fighting style. Cana has not only introduced potent chemicals to this station; she is a formidable fighter that has taken on several different fighters and won; more times while drinking those chemicals than when in full control of her facilities.
Yukino Agria has shown a gift for Celestial style fighting as well, and two of the Zodiac Guards; Pieces and Libra have started to develop a close friendship. Several others are impressing the rest of the guild day by day."
"They're like an infection." The first elderly gentleman snarled.
"Or possibly a blossoming flower." Bob opposed and smiled at Makarov. "Sometimes when new plants bloom…they spread their seeds."
"Just what we need…spreading." The other general scoffed and Makarov felt himself trying not to roll his eyes.
"Like Bob said…they bloom and spread. Many things." He finally stated. "They have brought peace between the humans and guild station members. They have spread hope and joy. And the last few solar trips have also seen a spread of what I can only consider to be a willingness to rise arms against a common enemy."
"Which is welcome; as many have been losing so much hope in this seemingly never ending battle against Mard Geer." This came from a younger male leader.
"Jellal…I did not see you join our communication. I am happy to see you survived the last mission you went out on."
"Thank you." The younger male spoke; his transmission going in and out. "I've been listening to the back recording of the communication I missed. I would like to meet up with the Fairy Tail mission team to Solarium."
"Why?" Bob asked after silence echoed.
"I have to deliver a package to Roubaul of Cait Shelter Guild Station and they are close to Solarium." He said and shifted in his seat. "And I want to meet these…humans as they call themselves. And anyone willing to go to Solarium seems to be the bravest to meet."
"Then Levy is the one you want to meet. She wanted to go first."
"And why is she not?" Jellal inquired and Makarov started to chuckle.
"Because Gajeel is refusing to let her our of his sight and stated that as he had to go back to the surface; she was either going to go back down too so he could keep an eye on her; or she was staying on the station where he knew she'd be safe. I think he's smitten."
"Perhaps Dragis have a weakness to these human females." Bob giggled and many rolled their eyes before signing off. Jellal nodded at Makarov who responded in kind. He sighed and looked around his office.
"At least it's not boring." He jumped down from his desk and headed down to the lower levels.