Chapter Forty-Two

Lucy looked around, and climbed up into a tree in a park and looked around. Exhaustion washed over her; but it was weird. It was like she felt it; but it wasn't really her that was tired. She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the bugs as they chirped and chittered in the waning hours of the night. She looked up at the sky and the stars shimmered. She nodded to herself and shook out her arms.

"Stars above to flesh below. Burning bright with eternal hope. Grant power unto me, if you so decree."

She opened her eyes, her face tilted towards the sky, and watched as the light from the stars shined brighter. She smiles as a soft warmth enveloped her. The stars started to sing. The song flowed effortlessly and Lucy's eyes started to water.

"Sonata of the stars." She whispered. The song got louder and she smiled. The stars appreciated their song being recognized. She closed her eyes again and rested her head against the tree. The music surrounded her like an embrace. But not like one of Natsu's, or her mother's or any of her friends. It melted into her in a way that was almost instant and effortless. But it also made her long for Natsu.

She thought about him, and the exhaustion that she worried was his. Her mother's words of growlkins sharing emotions and having a living unison raid. She wished she could give him some of the additional power that the stars were granting to her. She smiled softly; picturing him sitting out on the branch in front of her. He'd be sitting legs astride, arms braced in front of himself or possibly crossed behind his head, and he would be smiling. He was always smiling when he looked at her. Even when he thought she didn't know. She'd woken up a few times to see him smiling at her as she slept.

She sighed, the sight of his smile; even in her mind, helped ease the worry she had. She opened her eyes and smiled at the stars that were shining so brightly it almost looked like dawn.

"Whoa…look at the stars."

"They're so bright."

"What is happening?"

The voices drew Layla out of the office where she and Jude had been talking with General Makarov and several other generals on various screens. She put her hand over her mouth as she looked out the window.

"What is happening?" Makarov asked as he took in the stars and their unusual behavior. Mirajean and Lisanna were the closest to the windows and pointing out things they saw about the stars.

"They…" Layla cleared her throat. "They're in a unison raid."

Everyone in the immediate area stopped and looked at her. Makarov waved off all of the surprised looks and turned to the lady beside him. "How is that possible?"

"I don't know." She shook her head. "They're singing. I haven't heard them sing since…"

"Since when dear?" Makarov asked softly.

"Since the night Mard Geer tried to perform his spell on me." She cleared her throat. "They're singing Sonata of the Stars."

"The song Lucy played on the piano?" Cana asked as she pushed through the people close to Layla. The older woman nodded.

"How is it possible?"

"I'm not sure." She shook her head. "I'm not even sure how they're in a unison raid but the light…it's proof."

"Lady Layla?" Capricorn appeared and they looked at him startled. He looked at her and then out the windows. "This isn't you?"

"No. I was in a meeting." She shook her head. "Could it be Loke?"

"Loke?" He asked pulling off his glasses and Layla gave him a soft smile.

"My money is he was stalking Lucy." Capricorn crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He bleated and opened his eyes.

"No. Aquarius said that while Loke met up with Lucy on Earth-Land, he isn't where she is. She's watching through her water urn and he is with Natsu."

"So its…Lucy?" Yukino asked and stood next to Cana and Capricorn nodded.

"She's in danger, isn't she?" Layla asked and Capricorn shook his head and slid his glasses on.

"No. She was collecting magic from the stars when she got worried about Natsu and Loke. The stars decided to help ease her fears."

"How can you tell all that?" Cana asked and he shifted to look at her.

"Because Aries is communing with the stars and they're telling her why so many are uniting with Lucy. They wanted to help her because she was only asking for magic in the hopes of helping others. Her selflessness inspired them. And the sheer quantity of them wanting to help triggered the unison raid."

"Lucy's second unison raid." Cana murmured and pulled out her deck of cards and shuffled them. She pulled a card and nodded to herself and looked out the window.

"What did the card say Cana?" Yukino asked and Cana looked grim.

"That Lucy is Lucy." Cana said calmly and her friend shook her head. "Danger is coming."

"Why did you say my daughter was herself if you saw danger coming?" Layla asked and watched as the girl who she'd learned was one of the closest to her daughter met her gaze with a look that aged her more than her years.

"Because, even in the hard times; Lucy doesn't accept defeat. So no matter what comes, she's going to come out the other side."

"Okay." Layla took a deep breath and walked forward to the windows and touched the glass. She rested her head against it. "Lucy, if the stars can give you this message… Be brave my Little Star, and please be safe…whatever comes."

"Wendy?" Happy's voice was groggy and it pulled Wendy from sleep. She stared at the Exceed and saw that while he looked better, he was still pale in the morning light. Morning light! She swore to herself; not only had she fallen asleep but hours had past. "What's happening to them?"

At Happy's question she turned and stared. The light she had mistaken for morning light; wasn't morning light. It was light that was falling through the opening in the building to land on Loke and Natsu. She leaned over and saw that the lights looked to be coming from the stars. It had them bathed in the light; highlighting them like a spotlight.

"I don't know…Loke maybe woke up and cast a Zodiac Guard spell?" She shook her head and looked at the two of them. She got up and hesitantly walked over and reached for the light. Before she touched it; a streak of light broke off from the larger collection and wrapped around her hand.

Bring us Happy… Let us help our Princess' friend.

She was released and she turned around and came back to Happy. She started to pick him up and he looked up at her. Even though his body was healed; his magic was depleted. He'd had a lot of poison in his system and because he was so small, and his heart had been beating so fast; it had spread all over his body. His magic had tried to keep him alive; but by the time she'd gotten to him; he had very little left. It was as if he'd used an entire year's worth of magic in only a sckrowl.

"Trust me…" She whispered and she laid him in the light between Loke and Natsu. The Exceed's eyes widened as the light encircled him and he stared at Wendy through the bright light. It was warm, but like a comforting warmth. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

That's right little Exceed…rest. We'll help you.

His eyes popped open and he looked around. "Whose there?"

Wendy watched, not answering his question. Figuring the light had spoken to him. We are the stars. Our Princess has asked us to help her friends. Trust us. Rest.

"Thank you stars. And thank Lushee too please." He murmured as his eyes closed and he curled up close to Natsu's side. Wendy sat back and watched; but another ray of light reached for her.

You too little Dragis. Let us share with you, what our Princess has shared with us.

Wendy sat in the circle of light and closed her eyes.

"What the hell is this?" Gray shouted as light encompassed him as he stood on the residue of the battle field. He'd just finished taking out the last nest of his and had decided to head over to Lucy's side to help her if she wanted it. The light had come out of no where and lit up on him. He'd tried to run but it moved with him.

Hahaha…. He jerked as the laughter taunted him. No wonder the Princess likes you. You are funny.

"Princess? Who the hell are you talking about?"

Princess Lucy of course. The voices cheered joyfully. He furrowed his brows. She is the best Celestial Mage in eons. Her thoughts are with her friends. So we are wanting to help them all.

"Good luck helping Laxus." Gray crossed his arms and stood there, letting the light of the stars do whatever they wanted to do.

Hehehe…. Laxus is fun too. All of you are so fun.

"You all have a weird standard of fun." He griped as more laughter echoed around him.

"What the fu…" Laxus growled as light hit him, and all the draconics in the area turned their attention on him. He swore under his breath as the pregnant Aerial Silverback narrowed its eyes on him. He'd been trying to get in close enough to hit it with his strongest attack.

A small Silverback jumped at him; but when it hit the light; is screamed in pain as it burnt everywhere it had touched the light.

"What the hell?"

That's what it gets for going for a friend of our Princess. A bunch of soft voices cried and he looked upwards and saw that the light seemed to be flooding down from the stars.

"Blondie is doing something stupid isn't she?"

No…she just wished she could share the magic of the stars with her friends so you all wouldn't be over extended. One voice stated calmly over the others. He shook his head.

"Instead of doing that; help me out and kill that big Aerial over there. If it gives birth it's all over for this part of Earth-Land."

Then let us work together. Laxus grinned as the Aerial Silverback straightened its back.

"Get ready Mard Geer. We're coming for you!" The Aerial Silverback growled and Laxus took off running towards the Aerial Silverback, the starlight keeping up with him. He focused his magic on both hands as they were behind him as he ran and he focused on making a golden light with his right hand and a black light on his left. He pulled his arms forward and jumped into the air to position himself over the Aerial.

"Twin Dragon Lighting Attack!" He shouted; bringing his hands and the two lightenings together. The lightening flew forward; getting surrounded by the starlight and the Aerial thrashed in anger and fear.

"Gajeel?" Levy held her hand up to the light that was around the two of them. She had come out after the last Fireshooter had fallen to produce iron for him to eat. He was standing next to her, looking around the light as he chomped on the iron she'd summoned with her magic.

"Bunny Girl had something to do with this…It's like the light when she had the unison raid with Wendy."

"I hope she's okay." Levy asked worriedly.

Don't worry. Our Princess is safe. She just wanted to ensure everyone was safe. Voices cheered softly and Levy smiled up at Gajeel.

"Lucy's such a mom-friend."

"What's that?"

"A friend who cares of their friends in ways like a mom. Making sure your safe after a night out. Making sure you've eaten. Helping you learn things that you may now know."

"Sending magic starlight after you less than a few sckrowls into a mission."

"Yep. That's Lucy." Levy giggled and raised her face to the sky. "Thank you stars for helping us and Lucy!"

"Yeah…thanks…I guess." Gajeel shrugged and finished the last of the iron. He looked down at Levy, her eyes were closed; and the light made her shine.

You are welcome…friends.

Your mother says to be brave, and safe. Your friends are thanking you Princess.

Lucy opened her eyes and looked up at the stars as their light continued to mesmerize her. "I'm no Princess. I'm just Lucy."

Our Celestial Mage is so humble. The voices whispered and Lucy shook her head. The light started to fade.

"Thank you…all of you…for everything and more."

Anytime our Princess.

As the light went out so did the last of the laughter Lucy heard. She shook her head and sighed. She sat up, away from the trunk of the tree, and looked around. It was utterly silent. That worried her; that usually meant draconics were around. Or another threat. She pressed herself back against the tree trunk and looked around.

"I'm telling you; the stars were lit up like they were on fire."

"They are you dumb dumb." She watched as a band of militants strolled out of the street behind a semi demolished fire station. She didn't see Mard Geer; so she felt a little relief; but not enough to show herself. These guys were still dangerous.

"No man…I mean, like…they were some super spotlight mode or something."

"The Big Man did say that one of the people who sent the 'noids down could potentially use the starts against us. And to send them to him right away." A third man piped up and Lucy felt bile rise in her throat. Mard Geer was telling everyone that the Guilds were the ones that were sending out the draconics. That would make finding and sending more survivors more difficult. She felt her anger rising.

"Yeah well I don't see anyone so they probably already hightailed it out of here." The first guy looked around wearily.

"Yeah I know I would." The third guy said and the send turned and looked at both of them.

"Well we're still gonna search just in case." All of the men in the unit grumbled but spread out. Lucy leaned back and was grateful she chose a tree with tightly woven branches. she was ninety percent sure should couldn't be sighted. She also had had the foresight to set up a few traps around the park that she was in. And after that she'd taken off her normal clothes and had let the scalut take over. And she was sure the gray would help her blend into the shadows.

"There ain't no one here!" A guy shouted and there was a round of agreement. The leader said to keep looking since they hadn't searched the entire park. Lucy listened but refrained from moving. It took about an hour or more before they left and she kept still. She didn't move until the bugs starting making noise. She carefully climbed down and crept along the overgrown hedge that fenced in the park.

Suddenly she heard marching coming from the corner she was about to turn. She froze and was about to move when a hand clamped over her mouth and another wrapped around her waist. She was hauled back through the hedge. The person holding her didn't release her; even as the suit tried its best to make them release her. She watched as a second unit of militants walked past the hedge and she forced herself not to react. After they had left the park; whoever was holding her pushed her away. She rolled, twisted, and came up in a defensive position.

"Careful…I'm not a threat to you…despite you trying to shred me to pieces. What the hell kind of suit is that?" A voice asked and Lucy watched as a young male came out of the hedge. She looked him up and down. He looked polished. Not like he'd been living in hell for the last few years. His clothes were pressed; but also…different. While the clothes looked like something that would have been found on earth; it definitely wasn't made of material found on the planet.

"Right…because an unknown alien is peaceful." She said and he looked at her and then tilted his head. His dark hair fell over his brow.

"Guess I couldn't fool you."

"Who are you?"

"His name is Ren." Another, softer voice said and she turned; her scalut sending out a spike. It flew through the air and then vanished as the newcomer waved his hand. "I was not expecting whatever you're wearing to do that."

"Scaluts are very interesting pieces of clothing." A third voice said and Lucy spun around; her eyes dancing from the newest newcomer to the second and third person. The newest newcomer looked to be about her height but very…cute. His short blonde hair framed his face and he looked younger than her. Her eyes danced to Ren who was tall and dark to the other person who was just as tall or taller than Ren but who also had blonde hair, just a different shade than the shortest.

"Listen, while I get that the scalut might be interesting; the three-on-one scenario isn't making me feel comfortable. So why don't you all go your merry way and I go mine?" Lucy said and took a half a step backwards but froze.

There's a trap behind you. The voice sounded like Virgo's and she froze.

"We aren't trying to hurt you."

"Just capture me?" She asked and took a few side steps and then started to back up, Virgo's voice telling her where to step.

"What do you mean?" The tall blonde asked and Lucy rolled her eyes. "What?"

"There's a trap over there, I nearly walked backwards into it. That isn't nice."

"She's smart." The smaller blonde said and Lucy scrunched up her nose. "I'm sorry. I guess speaking about you like that probably sounds condescending. You were introduced, albeit a bit poorly, to Ren. My other partner is Habiki. I'm Eve."

"Can't say the pleasure is mine. I'm going to leave now."

"We only want to talk. If you want. Or not I guess." Ren stated and crossed his arms.

"Not interested. Goodbye." She turned and started to walk away with confident strides. All three started to follow and she heard some creaking and then swearing in a language she didn't understand. She turned around and saw three holes between her and where she'd last seen the three males. Virgo popped up beside her and was dusting her hands off as she looked at the holes.

"Those are impressive." Lucy said and looked at her Guard who gave her a brief smile.

"Thank you for listening to my idea."

"It was better than me just turning and running." Lucy said and smiled at her Guard.

"I thought you said she was alone Ren?" Eve's voice was exhausted.

"She was on the surveillance footage. Where did the backup come from Hibiki?" Ren's voice sounded heated.

"More importantly how are we getting out of these holes." Hibiki asked and Lucy's lips started to quirk at the ends. They squabbled like her and her friends from the Dorm.

"Lucy?" She turned and saw Gray running across the open expanse of the park. "What are you doing standing out in the open?"

"Virgo said it was fine." She said tilting her head towards her Guard.

"Virgo? The Zodiac Guard who is also know as the Dyad?" Eve's voice piped up from the hole he was in. "Guys, she's the one who once changed her appearance to fool the King of Flengornam into handing over the key of The Maiden to her to finish the Celestial set to gift to the Celestial Mage Anna."

"He is well versed in my history." Virgo sniffed as if impressed. Lucy rolled her eyes and looked at Gray.

"What are you doing here Gray?"

"I took out my nests and came to see if you needed help as I was closer than Flame Brain."

"Thanks." She said, meaning it as she smiled at him.

"Who did you two catch?"

"No clue. They tried to trap me first so introductions were stunted."

"Why do you attract trouble?" Gray asked and crossed his arms and looked up at the sky that was starting to brighten.

"I'm Lucky Lucy…but the luck isn't always good. Guess you are just gonna have to get used to it Gray." She said flippantly. He grinned and shook his head as he looked at her.

"Gray…wait?" Habiki's voice perked up from his hole. "Gray Fullibuster? Is that you?"

"Whose asking?"

"Habiki from Blue Pegasus!"

Gray's laughter had Virgo and Lucy staring at him in confusion.