As soon as Lucy faded out of consciousness, Loke and Virgo struck. Sure, there was an unwritten rule that Spirits fought Spirits and left their masters alone, but it was just that. Unwritten. Letting out a guttural scream, Loke sprinted forward, touching his ring and pulling his arm back "Ring magic: Twister!" Loke scream, creating a glowing pale green magic circle that he threw forward, letting it melt into wind that became concentric, picking her up and sending her flying.
"Chain Magic" Virgo said coldly, wrapping her chains around Angel and using her immense strength to swing her about, bashing her face on any and all surfaces she could reach.
Loke pulled his magic back, watching with dark satisfaction as he watched the woman who dared to place her hands on their master be thrown around in Virgo's chains. He kept smirking smugly until the girl started to chuckle, a ball of Celestial Light forming in her hands. With a roar, she pushed it outwards, sending the group of us flying in different directions. Groaning, Loke managed to hoist himself up, blinking the stars away as he watched the vile woman stand there, shrouded by stardust.
"My magic is far superior than your little master's. I've gone past the normal summoning magic and have developed the Caster type, meaning..." she trailed off, a sick grin forming on her features, "I'm the winner! Luminary Star Blast!" she shouted, gathering her magic and sending an intense beam of golden light into him, pulling a pain filled scream from him as he disntingergrated into starlight, Virgo not far behind him due to their exhaustion.
Letting her magic fade, Angel grinned and slowly strode her way over to Lucy's prince form. A twisted chuckle came out of her throat, as all sorts of inhumane ideas sprouted in her mind. "It's been a while since I got to play with another Celestial Wizard, and despite your loss, I guess you were okay fun," she said uncaringing, looking at her nails as if this was the most boring situation she'd ever found herself in. "I guess as a reward, I won't make you suffer too much. Besides, there's other fairies I need to pluck," she finished, moving her hands and calling upon her magic, pulling forth the starlight she had absorbed in her star bathing the night before.
"You better not be thinking about using that on Blondie," an almost bored voice called out, making Angel turn around with a raised eyebrow.
"And who might you be?" She asked, crossing her arms and matching his expression.
"I;m the dude that will pummel you if you try hurt Blondie," Laxus said, a picture of total calmness as he stared at the weird chick before him.
"Are you her boyfriend or something? I must say, maybe she isn't as stupid as I thought if she could get you," Angel said, cocking her hip and smriking.
Laxus rolled his eyes, not in the mood to deal with this chick. He was tired, wanting food and a beer. Stupid Blondie getting hersekf into this mess, he thought, his magic flaring with his temper.
"A Lightning Mage huh? This might even be fun," Angel said, smirking at the guy as she charged up her magic. "Stella impact!" she called sending a condensed beam of star energy at laxus, who just flipped out of the way, landing perfectly on his feet with his coat floating behind him.
"A Star Mage huh?" Laxus said, his tone bordering interest. "Bet you aren't as good as Blondie," he said, smirking smugly when he saw the rage fill her face, just as he had planned.
"Why you ignorant brat!" she snarled, her magic turning feral as it surrounded her. "Starlit Sky!" she snapped, creating hundreds of balls of star energy and sending them at laxus.
Laxus encased himself in Lightning, and used it to plow through her attack. He concentrated his energy into his fist and slammed it into her face, sending her spiraling back into the earth. Not wanting to give up his momentum, he flipped back and summoned his magic, flyaway static falling off him like electrical snakes. "Lightning Dragons Breakdown Fist!" he canted, pulling his hand back and propelling it forward in a punching motion, his intricate yellow and black magic seal forming where his fists stopped. A huge spear of lightning formed, shaped as a fist and rocketed to Angel slamming into her with the force of a truck and making her shriek as she was stunned. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!" he snarled, tossing his head back and sending a concentrated beam of white and yellow lightning energy hurtling to Angel, who passed out the moment the tongues of lightning touched her, leaving her body jumping erratically from the Paralysis.
"Dammit, might've overdone it," he cursed, walking over and jabbing her side with his boot. Shrugging as he didn't really care, he pulled out a Lacrima and sent a message to his gramps, letting him know his exact location.
Leaving the twitching girl, he made his way over to Lucy, his expression softening an iota. He saw the pulsating mass of purple in her arm, and screwed up his nose when the sickly sweet scent of poison invaded his sensitive nose. Sighing as he knew he couldn't leave the girl there, and since Dragneel and his crew were her shadows, he decided to try to find them. She was their problem after all. He was just being a good... well person he guessed.
With his decision made, he picked up the girl, menally noting that she weighed barely anything. Holding her bridle style, he took a quick glance to make sure she looked comfortable, his eyes only lingering a fraction too long on her chest and bare legs. Honestly, why the woman thought it was a good idea to go parading around in tight shirts and short skirts in a battle zone was beyond him, but hey, at least he had a view. Without another thought, he took off into the bush, for once, hoping Natsu would make a racket, though knowing his luck, this would be the one time he didn't.
"I'll make sure you are safe Lucy, I owe you that much," he whispered to her unconscious form, before looking up to make sure nothing jumped out at them.
In his focus, he didn't notice the slight smile she wore as a pale glow shone from her pores, the ugly purple poison slinking back slightly as magic was weaved, bringing the girl a sense of peace she never thought she'd have again.
"Wow," Lucy sighed, looking around at her surroundings. She had no idea how she had ended up here, the forest had melted to make room for a glorious expanse of galaxy, the colours vibrant and fusing together that Lucy couldn't even name a single one if she tried. She wasn't even walking, just gliding forward, the world endless but so full of life. Clouds of golden magic flew around her, swirling around like wraiths. She felt relaxed and safe for the first time in who knows how long, the pain and suffering she experienced was a distant memory.
"Where am I?" She asked, unconsciously turning around to look further through the endless world, making out small white sparks that seemed to wink when she noticed them.
"Welcome, my light," A soothing voice called, instantly making tears well up in her eyes.
"Mum," Lucy whispered, her voice breaking on the word.
Lucy looked around frantically, greedily drinking in the word for a single glimpse of her mother. She didn't care where she was, this was her mumma, the one woman she would burn down the entire kingdom of Fiore for, if only to have her hold her one more time. "Mummy, where are you?" Lucy cried desperately, her panic rising like a high tide. "Mum, please, where are you? I need you mum!" her voice raised in octaves as her desperation concealed her common sense, any fear this may be a prank not computing in her mind.
"My darling Lucy," Layla said, materialising in front of Lucy. "My baby, how I have missed you so," she said soothingly, her arms open for her only daughter.
Lucy just stood there shocked, taking in her mother. She looked the same as she did before she got sick, her long blonde hair in stylised curls and her eyes bright and gleaming with love and knowledge. The gentle smile she wore only for Lucy adorned her face like a prized gem, and seeing it made Lucy let out a strangled cry as her legs gave out, falling into the waiting arms of her mother, the one woman who she knew would protect her come hell or high water.
"Oh baby how I have missed you. You have taken such good care of our Spirits, I can feel their happiness despite being on another plane. You have grown into a beautiful vivacious young woman, and a strong independent mage. I couldn't be prouder of you if I tried," she whispered into her daughter's aair, rubbing her back soothingly as Lucy let out a lifetime's worth of pain.
"Mum, is this- is this real?" she stuttered, hiccuping as she tried to get the words out. "I'm not dreaming, am I?" she asked, her voice turning vulnerable as she looked up at her mother, her eyes wide and unshielded, just like she did when she was a babe seeking her mothers guidance.
Layla choked back her own sobs and cradled her daughter's face, resting her forehead on her's. "No my darling this is real. I have watched over you since the day I left the plane. I have seen each of your letters, I have seen all your heart breaks and triumphs. I have been with you every step of the way," she soothed, her voice choking as she tried to keep control of her emotions.
Lucy just let herself go in her mother's arms, letting her embrace her. The tears flowed freely and her body trembled, but she just savoured this moment, keeping it tightly in her memory for when she needed it most. She could still smell the faint jasmine scent her mother favoured, and the slight smell of ancient books that wove its way into her fragrance. Memories of a lifetime cut short flooded her mind, and it was all she could do to hold her mother so she wasn't swept away.
"My baby, I wish we could stay here forever but we have to talk," Layla coaxed her, making Lucy lighten her hold and look up at her mother.
She didn't move away, just stayed in her embrace but gave her mother her full attention. "What's wrong mummy?" she asked, making layla's heart swell at the familiar name.
"Darling, you are dying. The only reason you can see me is you are not far from death. Our ancestor Anna needs to speak to you, she has information that can keep you safe," she whispered, her voice catching when she mentioned her daughter's death. Gently, she gently made her daughter look at her, their eyes twins.
"Mumma," Lucy said, her eyes gleaming. "I'm not scared of dying. I am dying saving someone I love and I will get to be with you. In my books, that is the best death I could ever hope for." Lucy said softly, smiling at her mother, her eyes shining with her truth.
Layla was beside herself with pride. Her daughter has the heart of a real Celestial Wizard, with more kindness in her pinky finger than most people possess in a lifetime. Despite her pride, her heart ached at the thought of her darling passing, and knew that despite the seductive voice telling her to keep her daughter, that they can stay with each other for eternity, she knew it wasn't her baby's time, and she would see her again, it was only a matter of time.
"Sweet pea, you know I would keep you with me forever if I could, but you are needed out there. You have so much talent and magic, and they need you to win this." Layal said firmly but kindly, making sure Lucy didn't feel unwanted.
Lucy averted her eyes, squeezing her hands into fists. "They don't need me mum, I'm weak," she whispered dadly, making her mother's heart shatter at her daughter's word. "All they ever do is save me. This time I saved one of them, but I was too weak to save myself. Once again, they are running around to look after me. We are supposed to be defeating the Oracion Seis, but with me there, I'm just a distraction. If I perish, then at least I will be out of the way," she said, pouring her heart out.
Layla was shaking with the force of her pain. Waves of pure agony weaved through her body in warped concentric circles, radiating out from her heart. How could Lucy, her light, view herself in such a dark way? She had been watching her on the journey she had engaged in, and throughout it she hadn't seen a weakness, she saw a woman who inspired them all, who made them feel like their lives were worth it. She gave them a reason to fight, to make them stronger.
Instead of reply, layla pushed her own memories into her daughter, the memories seeping in like the warmth from a bubble bath. Lucy's mind drank them greedily, the part of her that longed for her mother's approval allowing them in with ease. Memory after memory flashed through her mind like an endless waterfall, each flowing into the other seamlessly. Lucy just stood there, letting her mothers version of the events she lived through trickle through her mind. It was bizarre, but in her mothers eyes she saw herself in a way she never had before. It was strange, but warmed her heart, the light drying out her eyes. Once the memories filtered away, she stared up at her mother, her smile blinding.
"Thank you, mum. I needed that." she said softly, hugging her. "Now, let's have a chat with our ancestor," Lucy said, determination shining in her eyes.
In a flash, another woman appeared, looking like a carbon copy of her and her mother, her hair longer and slightly lighter with side swept bangs. "Hello Lucy, I am Anna. Your mother and I have been watching you and guiding you, and I have to say, you are a very gifted Celestial Wizard," Anna said, smiling gently.
Lucy blushed and scratched her arm, making both women laugh fondly. "Lucy, Heartfilia women have always been Celestial Spirit Mages, but our magic is much deeper than that," Anna explained, making Lucy look up in wonder. "In addition to that, Heartfilia women have had the ability to manipulate a magic based on time, at the most basic level it is the motion of time or a type of magic called Benefic Force." Lucy just looked wide eyed and slack jawed as Anna spoke, her mind going a mile a minute. " Time magic is complex, and Heartfilia women have had differing degrees of success with it. I was strongest at it, and my Celestial Magic was weaker, meaning I wasn't able to call out more than one spirit. Your mother was stronger with Celestial Magic, with an affinity for Time Magic and only slight affinity for Benefic Force. I won't lie to you, our magic isn't flashy or showy, but our magic is strong, and can be used for great things," Anna finished, allowing Lucy to think.
"You cannot learn Time Magic fast enough at the moment, you will need a teacher. But if you dig deep enough you will be able to pry out your Morale magic, a type that will be very helpful in your current situation." Layla added, making Lucy nod in determination.
"I will put a time freeze on your arm, it'll stop the poison spreading any further, and I might be able to move it back a little," Anna said, beginning to glow a pale yellow. The magic danced over to Lucy, encasing her in the colour of a dying candle flame. The magic centralised where the bite was, and Lucy looked on in amazement when the ugly purple receded a little, coming to a standstill.
"Thank you so much, I promise I won't let you down," Lucy said, getting a soft smile from Anna.
"I know you won't Lucy, Now, I'll leave you to say goodbye to your mother," Anna said, bowing slightly before winking out of existence.
"Mumma," Lucy said, falling back into her mothers arms. They held each other for as long as they dared, whispering sweet words of comfort and praise. Lucy absorbed each piece of advice, every sentence her mother uttered. This was more precious than any magic, and she'd treasure it always.
"My darling, you have to go now. Just know that I will always love and be proud of you. You have so much to accomplish and you have suffered so much. You are a true Celestial Daughter and just know that no matter what you do, no matter how much you improve or feel like you don't and no matter what choices you have to make, I will always be there with you. Follow your heart my darling, and it will never steer you wrong."
"I love you mumma, and don't worry I'm not angry that you left us, I know you never truly did. I love you so much mumma, wait for me at the pearly gates?" Lucy asked, getting a soft nod from her mother.
"I love you, my baby. Take care, I don't want to see you here until you are old and gray," she said, kissing her daughter's forehead until she vanished in a shower of stardust, leaving Layla staring at her dissolved form with a bittersweet smile on her pretty face.
Finally Laxus is here! I figured he'd be brutal and dominate in battle, especially since he was feeling so guilty for Fantasia. I'm not planning on Lucy becoming a badass over night or for her to become lie Natsu or the others, her magic will take a while to grow, and it won't make her over powered despite how it may sound here. The second part to the Oracion part will involve her training and the romance to occur then. It's a slow burn but once it catches it'll be burning bright and everlasting.
I hope you enjoyed and keep an eye out for the next chapter. I won't be double posting again I don't think, I just had to get this chapter out.
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