After Lucy cried her heart out for Nashi and calmed down, she began to separate from her embrace with Natsu. However, the fire dragon slayer just pulled her back in his embrace which made her blush all of a sudden. He said nothing about his actions and just continued to hold her tightly in his arms while the rest of the fairies just acted as if they saw nothing. Mira, just smiling her sweet innocent smile as usual when in reality she was squealing in joy about her ship starting up progress again.
Though she didn't really mind him hugging her, the blonde empress was about to ask for some help when she began to hear nearing footsteps and smelled familiar scents heading their way. The fairies all turned to the direction the incoming noise and saw that Sting, Rogue, Yukino, Jura, Lyon and Kagura had returned with Ushin and Usami in hand. When the six mages saw Lucy awake (and blushing from being seen in Natsu's embrace), they had a variety of different reactions on their faces.
Sting, Jura and Lyon all held smirks that either meant that they were going to tease her about this or that they expected nothing less from Natsu. Rogue and Kagura, on the other hand, remained indifferent while Yukino seemed to be as embarrassed as Lucy with Natsu's actions of affection. But of course, like the fairies, they all said nothing. Lucy would've protested to their assumptions at that moment, but luckily Erza saved her by remembering that she had the blonde's celestial keys.
At the mention of her celestial spirits, Lucy forcefully pulled herself out of Natsu's grip and pushed him out of the way so the scarlet haired mage could hand her keys over. The fire dragon slayer feeling bitter that his best friend and partner just pushed him away like that when he was nice enough to let her cry on him for what felt like three hours (not like he couldn't blame her but still). Yet, Natsu couldn't help but smile at how cheerful her face was when she hugged her celestial spirits to her chest.
Once that was done and other with, Kagura spoke up, asking what they should do now with the unconscious twins. Both, brother and sister, were knocked out cold with visible scorch marks on their skin and their hair in a frizz because of the lightning from Lucy's attack. Though Lucy was still pretty weak and low on magic power like the dragon slayers, she stood up as her nakama followed after her, a soft glow coming from her hands as she was able to open a one person sized portal to the Dragon Realm.
"I shall give you all my thanks later, but allow me and my council to deal with them." She said in her empress-like tone.
Lyon looked to Jura, the Wizard Saint just crossing his arms as he looked at the blonde woman in front of him with utmost respect. "Though we've known that you are indeed the Dragon Empress for some time now because of the time difference in the Dragon Realm, I must say it is interesting to see you act like this."
"I'd have hoped my dragons had explained everything when you all escaped to that realm." Lucy replied with a gentle smile.
"They, as well as your guild, did explain everything to our understanding, but it is still hard to believe that Fairy Tail's own Athena is the Empress of her own kingdom. A kingdom of dragons no less." Lyon replied.
"The world is strange, isn't it?" Erza remarked.
"Well anyway, we should go now. I'm sure Gramps and the others have been waiting for quite a few weeks in there." Gray added as he, Gajeel, Laxus and Wendy went through the portal.
Everyone else nodded in agreement and Lucy watched as everyone entered through the portal, Natsu being the last one so that he could enter the portal with her. When they locked eyes again, Natsu just gave her his signature toothy grin that she loved so much and she returned it with her own gentle smile as they entered the portal. When they got through and the portal behind them closed, the first thing Lucy got was a tackle from Levy. Both of them falling to the ground as the bluenette hugged her tightly.
"Levy, I'm-"
"Thank Mavis! Thank you for coming back to us alive, Lu..." Levy cried in a soft voice, cutting her off.
Lucy blinked twice as Levy cried tears of joy in her return. The blonde patting her head like Natsu had done for her just a few minutes ago while the other fairies went to welcome Lucy a save return back. Starting with Happy, Carla and Lily and then gradually to everyone else in Fairy Tail. The guild masters who were also there also welcomed her back with utmost sincerity. They had respected her ever since she showed her leadership as a temporary guild master, but being an empress amidst all that made them respect her even more.
The other mages that she was also acquainted with gradually greeted her as well. It was then that Lucy's dragon council landed on the large island. The mages parting as each dragon transformed into their human forms. Celeste, Ava, Isla and Kumiko rushing towards their empress before enveloping her in a tight hug, the Celestial Dragon Queen kissing Lucy on her forehead as tears filled with relief fell down her face. It was clear to Lucy that they all had worried about her to extreme extents.
Igneel, Metalicana, Grandeeney, Weisslogia and Skiadrum, on the other hand, greeted their children first with prideful faces because of their accomplishment. The five of them had been afraid - afraid of the results should the dragon slayers fail and Lucy unintentionally killing them off. Yes, if the five dragon slayers had died, they would've disappeared as well. But their existence did not matter. What they wanted was for their children to live long and healthy lives. Despite what the future may hold.
After Arhad, Raiden and Lunaria welcomed Lucy back, it was the five other dragons' turn. All twelve of Lucy's dragons returning the smile their empress gave them. She crossed her arms and put all her weight on her right hand, a smirk replacing her smile as she lifted her eyebrow. "It seems that my most trusted dragons have failed to listen to me when I speak." Lucy said in a joking tone.
The twelve became confused by her words while the the seven fairies who went to get Lucy just inwardly laughed, knowing what she was referring to. "When I told you all about Dragon's Redemption, I recall telling all of you that while yes it does have the power to slay a dragon, its true purpose is to save and/or redeem a dragon of their sins. The result depending on the caster's thoughts."
"Eh?" The dragons asked.
"So why is it that my nakama believed that it would undoubtedly kill me, when that is obviously not the case?"
The dragons didn't say a word at first, only eyeing one another as if having a telepathic conversation about if they remembered that bit or not. When the silence continued, Lucy just shook her head with a sigh. Her dragons, though wise, will forever have moments like this. The blonde laughed when the twelve began to look down in shame, causing the dragons to just worry about their mistake another time. Their empress had returned, alive and well... that was all that mattered.
After bringing Lucy and the thirteen other mages inside the castle to rest and heal with the help of Porlyusica, Grandeeney and Sherria, Arhad and Lunaria brought the unconscious Usami and Ushin to the throne room. Everyone who had been brought to the Dragon Realm from Earthland was present and stood on either the left or right side of the room while Lucy sat on her throne, crossing her legs with Igneel and Celeste standing next to her, the other dragons standing at the front of the two crowds.
This was the first time that anyone had seen Lucy take on her empress persona with the exception of the non core members. Her head leaning on her hand as she looked down at the twins with arrogance and anger evident in her eyes. Arhad and Lunaria threw the binded villains to the ground harshly, not caring whether they awoke or not thanks to the strong magic restrainer cuffs on their wrists. Everyone had to admit, the Lucy before them was more intimidating than Erza and Mira.
Princess Hisui and King Toma E. Fiore stared at the blonde mage before them, her authority and strength filling the air within the room. They could only ever dare try to be like her. Lucy never wavered in her beliefs and virtues, her love for Fairy Tail and her morals shone brightly through her spirit. Yet, they had done so much wrong to her; even going so far as to kidnap her, imprison her, falsely accuse her of a ridiculous scheme and more. She took responsibility for their actions and yet, they hadn't given her so much as an apology.
"What shall we do with these criminals, your majesty?" Arhad asked while Lunaria couldn't help but think of all the possibilities in her head.
"If you could be so kind, Lucy. I do have some new... medicines to test on the patients?" She asked.
The mages shuddered at the poison dragon's words. While waiting for the thirteen mages to bring Lucy home, they learned enough about Lunaria to know that she wanted to test the new poisonous concoctions on Usami and Ushin. What the effects were and how strong it was, they did not know. But, everyone in the room knew that whatever kind of poison it was... it would most likely kill the twins by the time the day ended or as quickly as an hour. It was a terrible punishment of torture.
Lucy didn't say anything until she sighed, shaking her head. "You already know my answer, Lunaria."
With that simple sentence, the poison dragon pouted and crossed her arms whilst sulking, the excitement to finally have proper 'test subjects' draining away from her. "Well... they surely deserved it..."
"Whether they deserve death or not no longer matters." Lucy said in a clear voice. "Their fate has been sealed the moment Natsu freed me from their control and after I dealt the final blow."
"And their fate shall be...?" Kai asked as his voice trailed off, Akira and Takeo standing behind him since they all stood at the back.
The blonde empress gestured for Kumiko to speak, the time dragon bowing before turning to the humans before her. "I have seen the threads of time change yet again, no doubt this defeat has altered the future for the better." She explained. "No doubt that these two shall disappear like Nashi, Future Natsu and Future Lucy did in a matter of hours or even days."
"Therefore it has been decided that they will remain imprisoned here until they do vanish." Lucy announced. "Takeo and Akira will be the ones responsible for guarding them and will give the report when they have vanished."
At those words, the blade and celestial dragon successors cheered for themselves. They finally received an honour from Lucy herself, knowing that they wouldn't have gotten the task unless Arhad and Celeste agreed to Lucy's decision. "We shall not fail you, your majesty!" They both replied. "Thank you for this honourable task!"
Lucy nodded her head and the blade and celestial dragons turned into their dragon forms, Akira taking Usami using her mouth and Takeo doing the same to Ushin. Leaving the throne room in order to head to the basement level of the castle where the dungeons are. The humans sending their thoughts of good riddance now that they didn't have to worry about Usami and Ushin anymore. Their priority now was to rebuild Crocus and go back to their respective guilds.
However, everyone was stopped from leaving when Lucy stood from her throne. "I'm sorry, but there is one more matter I wish to discuss." She said, everyone turning to her. "It is in regards to me being the Dragon Empress, the dragons living here in this realm and the fact that I, myself, am a dragon as well."
Igneel then made eye contact with Lucy and Celeste, the two females nodding at one another before having a silent conversation with the Fire Dragon King. When he understood what they meant, the red headed dragon nodded as well and turned to the humans. "We would like to ask if all of you could keep this a secret from the rest of world."
At his words, everyone except Fairy Tail began talking amongst themselves, asking the normal questions like: 'huh!?', 'why keep something like this a secret!?', 'this is too huge to be kept a secret!', and etc. But they were all soon silenced when Metalicana, Raiden and Arhad roared loudly throughout the room, silencing the increasing volume of protests being thrown to their empress' way. Once everyone was silenced, Lucy sighed and sat back down, leaning back on her throne while resting her head on her hand.
"It is for this very reason, that I have been keeping my identity a secret from the world and the magic council." Lucy began to explain. "All of Fiore, much less all of Earthland, is not yet ready to learn that the race of dragons still live in a separate realm and dimension as them. If others find out of this secret, another terrible event like this shall no doubt repeat itself in the not so distant future."
"It is enough for the world to just believe that our empress is just a dragon slayer of many elements. If others were to learn of us, there will certainly be those who will fear us and perceive us to be like Acnologia. We do not want our dwindling race to die off just like it almost did during the war 400 years ago." Weisslogia explained.
Everyone in the crowd murmured to themselves, discussing with one another if they agree with the dragons' and Lucy's reasoning to keep her secret. The blonde empress knew that her nakama would keep the secret as they already have, but when she realized that it was a waste of time to wait on everyone else's response, she just smiled at the dragons who gave a knowing smile in return. The exchange causing the fairies to raise an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Well... I guess I can't expect an answer right away." Lucy said getting up again from her seat and placing a hand on her hip. "I'll give you lot some time to think, but in the meanwhile, I believe a celebration should be in order before we all head back to Earthland."
"A celebration?" The trimens and Ichiya asked in unison.
Lucy nodded and clapped her hands twice, dragon apprentices flooding the throne room to receive her orders. "Prepare the grand hall and the garden, then have the kitchen staff and other volunteers to provide a grand feast for all of us here. Also send word that I will be preparing a grand banquet to celebrate our victory and my safe return tonight."
"Very well, your majesty!" The dragon apprentices roared in acknowledgment, flying out of the throne room to spread the news while everyone all looked toward Lucy with questioning eyes. Even though she had just announced what was going on, they wanted to hear the announcement clearly.
Lucy looked at them as her head tilted to the side, the dragon council leaving the throne room to inform the dragons back on the other islands. "Well what are you waiting for?" She asked with an innocent smile. "Don't worry about clothes, there are many different outfits in the closet of your rooms. Pick what you like!"
The dragon empress did not waste any more time sending everyone to their designated rooms using a large magic circle, not wanting to deal with the incoming questions that would undoubtedly come from everyone if she were to linger around any longer. She laughed watching her nakama and everyone else freaking out before they disappeared. Once the throne room had been cleared, Lucy stood in silence for a moment before lightly slapping her face twice and summoning Virgo and Cancer.
"What shall we do for you, Princess?" Virgo asked.
"I'm going to need your guys' help. We're having a grand banquet in a couple of hours and an empress cannot be going underdressed, can she?" Lucy informed to which Cancer brought up his scissors with ideas for Lucy's hairstyle flowing through his mind while Virgo already had an idea of what dress Lucy should wear.
"We'll make sure you shine like a star, ebi!" Cancer said which made Lucy laugh.
"Alright then! I'll be in your care!"
The banquet was going well underway like there was no tomorrow. Though all the humans had been flabbergasted when Lucy first proposed the idea, everyone all concluded that it was probably for the best that they treat themselves nicely for having to fight such an insane battle with the Eclipse dragons. Even though it felt like ages ago and they all had basically healed from their wounds and injuries, everyone had been too paranoid with dragon Lucy to even feel like celebrating.
They also thought that this was a fitting way to end the Grand Magic Games, even though the competition felt like it ended long ago too. There was alcohol for the adults, plenty of desserts for the younger humans and dragons, and many types of dragon food for the dragon slayers present to feast upon. Everyone was dressed beautifully and all dragons even turned into their human forms to converse with the different mages present. Many either in the main hall of the castle or admiring the view of the sky from the garden.
Lucy, though she didn't act like it, she was obviously the main character. The dragons had made her enter the main hall as a royal should and everyone was in awe with her outfit, it was fitting for an empress. The blonde empress was dressed in a marvellous pink and gold dress. The pink top had no sleeves or straps and was skin tight around her torso, the golden skirt spreading in a poofy manner from her waist as a translucent pink wrap layered above it only covering the right side.
The dress didn't have much decoration besides a pearled sash wrapping around Lucy's belt, cream coloured gloves and the sparkles making it look as if stars adorned the dress, the pink and gold merging to make a peach colour. Lucy's hair making up for the simplicity of the dress' design as it was lightly curled and with a jewelled headdress the rested atop her head, a peach coloured jewel the size of her eye resting on her forehead. The colour scheme representing the daughter that she so obviously missed dearly.
The blonde empress had been talking to Erza, Juvia and Levy for a majority of the party after she had eaten, but when she caught site of Yukino talking to Mira and Lisanna, Lucy remembered a certain deal she had made with Sabertooth. Excusing herself suddenly from the conversation, the three fairies watched as Lucy grabbed Sting and Rogue (who had been drinking a little with Gajeel and Laxus) by the ear and dragged them straight to her fellow celestial mage, locking eye contact with Rufus and Orga so they could follow her too.
"Both of you follow me for a second." Lucy said calmly as Sting continuously demanded what the deal was.
When she was in front of the celestial mage, Lucy pushed Sting and Rogue in front of Yukino as she gestured the memory make mage and the lightning god slayer to follow through as well. It was when the four sabers locked eyes with their former guildmate and remembered the bet they had struck with the Dragon Empress. They had lost and so all of Sabertooth had to bow down in front of Yukino, apologize and ask if she would like to rejoin the guild. Just as promised.
When the four sabers locked eyes with Yukino, their eyes widened slightly when they saw the girl tremble slightly just by looking at them, whether it was because of trauma or fear didn't matter because both are valid reasons on their own. Swallowing their pride, the twin dragon slayers, Rufus and Orga knelt down while bowing their heads, the rest of Sabertooth's present members following suit as they also remembered their bet with the Athena.
"W-What-"
"Yukino, your former guild has something to say to you." Lucy informed before the girl could run away, looking around to not see Minerva anywhere. "Though I'm disappointed that the one who had initially agreed to this seems to be absent, I hope this shall suffice."
Yukino looked around with hasty eyes, watching as each and every one of her former guild mates got down on their knees and lowered their head to her. Her anxiousness making her turn to Sting, Rogue, Rufus and Orga for an explanation. "What do you mean, Lucy?"
"She means we're here to apologize for our actions, Yukino." Sting spoke up, the celestial mage gasping as she believed that Sabertooth never knew the existence of the word and action known as an apology. "We apologize for the way we treated you after your loss in the match against Kagura. No one should be allowed to be treated that way."
"The master has been taken down from his position and now Sting is our new guild master." Rogue continued to say. "We've realized the error in our ways and when we go back to the guild, we plan on changing everything that Sabertooth stands for. We plan on turning it into a better place for anyone who joins us and... we were hoping to start with inviting you back to our guild."
"Wow, why does it feel like there's a love confession going on here though?" Lucy thought, stifling her giggle.
The celestial mage gasped at their words. But before she could say anything, Rufus interrupted her thoughts. "It is completely understandable if you refuse us, of course. But please believe us when we say that we do intend to change our ways from how it was before."
"Before, we were doing this because of some stupid bet. But now, we swear, we're doing this because we realize that we can't fight with our power alone. We may be strong, but it's obvious we're lacking some other stuff." Orga added. "So... if you want... you can rejoin the guild again."
Yukino could feel tears coming up but before she could say anything about the matter, a brawl began to unfold between the mages. Each guild declaring that it would be best that Yukino join them while the dragons stood on the side and cheered for the guild they wanted to win. Bets began being made between the dragons and Lucy as the brawl became even more messy, however, the blonde had to admit that it was strange that her pink headed partner was nowhere to be seen.
But of course, his absence didn't last long. "HEY! WHO SAID YOU CAN START A FIGHT WITHOUT ME!?"
A stream of fire was suddenly shot through the room, Lucy mentally thanking the dragons for making the main hall to be large enough to accommodate for whenever they were in their dragon forms. When in the castle, dragons would enter their human forms to get around. The only rooms that were dragon form size was the dragon council room, the main hall and the throne room. So thankfully, Natsu's fire did not damage the ceilings or bring down the chandeliers.
The fire dragon slayer began running and jumping around the hall, punching and kicking anyone in his way while his fire went everywhere. Others ducked for cover, while others went to try and tame the crazy Natsu. The violent brawl luckily only knocking down the tables that held no more food. Lucy couldn't help but laugh hysterically, the dragons present glad to see their empress finally relax as there was no more threats in the way. But then, Lucy was brought out of her laughter when sensing a presence next to her.
"Excuse me but... may we have a word with you please?"
The blonde empress turned to meet the eyes of King Toma and Princess Hisui, both of them bearing serious expressions. Lucy placed her champagne glass on the table and nodded, standing up as she made eye contact with Grandeeney, Celeste and Ava. The three dragons knew from their empress' expression that she was leaving it up to them to maintain the seriousness of the fight, anything that seemed like it was about to become extreme was to be stopped immediately.
The three dragons subtly bowed in acknowledgement of their task and Lucy smiled in relief, turning to the two royals and gesturing them to follow her to a more quiet and less crowded place. "Let's talk over here."
Once they were alone, Lucy awaited for what the father and daughter had to say. It was obvious that something was eating away at their minds and so she just stood there, giving them time to organize their thoughts. The blonde would soon later regret waiting too long as she turned to look out the window that was next to her. The starry night sky stretched out before her, her mind suddenly filling with the many memories of her times on the roof with Nashi.
But before she could feel tears come to her eyes, Hisui coughed to grab her attention. "Dragon Empress... Lucy... We wanted to apologize for our actions."
"Huh?"
"We accused you, the Athena and one of the most powerful mages in Fiore, of bringing the destruction of humanity to Fiore." The princess stated. "We kidnapped you, put you into custody, without even asking you for confirmation or even checking the facts."
"Even though, in the end, you being the Dragon Empress was indeed true, we still had no right to just take a citizen of our country and imprison them without a chance to defend yourself." King Toma added. "Though we've done you injustice, you never outwardly blamed us and instead, cleaned up our mistake and even lost your daughter because of it. And for that... we are truly sorry."
"Your majesty... Princess Hisui..."
"We don't expect you to forgive us, but please... accept our apology!" Lucy's eyes widened, flustered as the two royals before her bowed a 90 degree angle while their eyes and mouth were shut tight.
The blonde empress certainly didn't expect this when they asked her to talk. And even though she herself was technically a royal (Empress at that, a status higher than that of a king or queen), she couldn't help but feel that the bowing and formalities were unnecessary. Yes... they were both partly at fault for Nashi's demise, but Lucy couldn't blame her death solely on them two. It wouldn't be right. If there was someone to be blamed for Nashi's death, it was Usami and Ushin.
Lucy had long since come to terms with that fact and smiled, kneeling down to meet eye contact with King Toma and Hisui. "You shouldn't be apologizing for something you didn't do." She said softly, both father and daughter's eyes widening at her words. "You were victims of Usami and Ushin just as everyone else was. Though you are partly responsible, you are to not take all the blame."
"Empress Lucy..."
"You put the safety of your kingdom first. As Nashi's mother, an empress and an ex-guild master, I know all too well how that feels." Lucy continued. "All you wanted was to keep everyone safe. How could I, someone who would likely do the same, ever blame you for that. My daughter's death... it was by those twins' hands, not yours."
Hisui was about to say something else but Lucy cut her off by bowing in return and began to walk away, leaving the two royals speechless. They would've followed after her if it hadn't been for the smile on the blonde empress' face. Both king and princess watched Lucy go down the hall before disappearing after turning a corner. Even the sparkles of her dress fading through the dark corridor.