BROKEN AND BRUISED
CHAPTER 12
Lucy and Loke ran in the woods, checking on the kids every once and a while to see if they are still breathing, and every time the result came positive both the blonde and the spirit would heave a sigh of relief.
Arriving at the cabin sheltered in the woods, Lucy knocked on the door. Porlyusica opened it ready to smack whoever that disturbed her when she was stopped by the frantic look on the blonde that she herself treated a couple of years ago.
She let them in and quickly got to work in preparing the makeshift beds so that she can lay the kids on. After doing so she uncovered the boys and grimaced at the severity of the situation, she hastily started making lotions to ease the burn marks, while checking on their vitals and as well making sure they were still breathing.
Lucy sat in a chair to catch her breath, she sent Loke back to his realm to rest. Images of her boys scorched and laying in their own pool of blood flashed through her mind making her shudder, she wanted nothing more than to erase them knowing that they were going to haunt her for the rest of her life.
She took a deep breath and let Porlyusica do her job, completely trusting the woman with her kids' life.
It was only then that everything caught up with her, when she settled to take a breath the tears flooded once more, in fact they never stopped. She knew fully well that her and her daughter, her chef and her maid plus her spirit were going to be traumatized by what happened.
Porlyusica glanced at the crying blonde from the corner of her eyes and shook her head, she might not like humans but she would never wish them ill, and for a mother to see her kids like that, it must be one of the toughest things in the whole world.
Her glaze slid to the boys who were starting to breath better, she began tearing their clothes and cleaning their body with a wet rag. The blonde got up and helped her do so, her shivering hands held the rag as if it's a lifeline and Porlyusica let her be, she knew that it might take her mind off of whatever the blonde was thinking about.
Lucy wiped Justin gently, starting with his face trekking down his neck and reaching his stomach, she cleaned the rag and repeated her actions once more while Porlyusica took care of Red. After they were done cleaning, Porlyusica brought the lotion and started applying it on their upper body, because apparently their lower body was intact from the burns.
Once they finished, Porlyusica started bandaging them up, scolding the blonde who offered to help to rest, Lucy even protested that she is fine but no one can fool a doctor, she forced the blonde to sit on a chair and let her handle the rest, and once she promised her to do her best Lucy calmed down and obliged the older woman.
Porlyusica started brewing ingredients and herbs together while Lucy watched her, the old woman had a hunch on what was happening to the kids but she wanted to make sure of everything first.
The pinkette looked once more at the kids and frowned, there was no mistaking it, they were his kids. They look too much like him when he was a kid, and the fact they were torched with something like lightning proved her theory more.
She was still brewing the ingredients when she asked the blonde. "Does he know?"
The blonde straightened up in her seat and widened her eyes, she took a second to recompose herself and answered. "I don't know what you're talking about." Lucy knew it wasn't the smartest idea to lie to Porlyusica, but it frightened her that it was this easy to recognize them.
Porlyusica sighed. "Listen up kid, I just want to know so that I understand the situation more."
Lucy took a deep breath in before she exhaled it, she relaxed her stiff shoulders and massaged her temples. "I'm sorry Porlyusica-san, just a horrible day." She took another deep breath before she answered. "Yes, he is their father."
The pinkette softened her eyes. "Tell me what happened." She noticed how Lucy evaded the question of if he knew and she didn't push any further about that matter, by the blonde's reaction it was obvious he didn't.
So the blonde recalled to her everything that happened, with how she found them to how she got here. Porlyusica listened intently to everything the blonde was relaying to her, she nodded her head when she fully grasped the situation.
"I see."
Lucy closed her eyes and shook her head, stopping the newly formed tears from falling. "Do you know what happened?"
The older woman turned off the stove and let the lotion rest. Once it was cold, she took a piece of wood and dipped it into the solution, then she applied it on Justin' forehead, the transparent lotion turned green and started popping. She gave the same treatment to Red and got the same results.
Lucy was sitting idly watching everything that happened before her, the older woman frowned and wiped their foreheads before settling on a chair next to their bed, Lucy got up and sat opposite of her.
"Your kids overcharged."
Lucy blinked at Porlyusica and leaned on the bed to caress Justin' cheek. "What does it mean?"
The healer took a deep breath and started explaining. "You are a celestial spirit wizard, while their father is a lightning dragon slayer, both types have a huge amount of magic and an equally huge magic containers. All of that was transferred to your kids, and their body couldn't handle the overgrowing magic inside of them, so it condensed and blew up inside of them."
Lucy gasped and immediately thought of her little girl, but her thoughts drifted back to her unconscious boys. "Will they pull through?" she trembled as she held on tightly to her eldest' little hand.
Porlyusica nodded slowly. "They will, but they have a long way. Their body will return back to normal once they let the excess magic flow out of them. Something that he could help them with, which was why I asked if he knew, they need to start training and to do so daily, so that the excessive magic that lies within their body dissipates."
Lucy slumped back in her chair, crying as she thanked every deity there is that her kids will be safe. She nodded her head on what the woman told her but then she straightened up. "I also have a little girl, will the same happen to her?" she rushed out as she looked fearfully at the older woman.
"Is she a lightning dragon slayer?"
The blonde shook her head and Porlyusica reassured her. "Then you have nothing to worry about."
Lucy flung herself across the bed and hugged the older woman as she thanked her multiple times.
Porlyusica, not used to human contact at all, tried to push the blonde away from her while yelling at her, but the blonde's grip around her was like iron and after a while she just let her be.
A few minutes later, Porlyusica felt the hold on her loosen and she looked down only to realize that the blonde fell asleep. She sighed loudly and mumbled about troublesome humans while she picked the blonde up and led her to a chair where she left her. She went into another room and came back with a blanket that she draped on the blonde and another one on the kids.
She eyed the tear stain marks and scowled, she glanced back at the kids and wondered about what the hell happened to her. She remembered when that dragon imbecile came carrying this blonde in his arms asking her for help, only for now three years later the blonde does the same.
She left them be and went to prepare dinner, not a few hours later the blonde woke up. She cracked her neck and popped her back, feeling the relief flood her system at her bones popping.
She looked around her and saw the full bowl of soup laid on the wooden table adjacent to her. Porlyusica walked in with her bowl in hand and sat across the blonde.
"Eat up, you need all the nutriments you can get."
The blonde silently complied with the older woman's demands. They both ate in silence and it was only when Lucy finished her bowl that she decided to ask the woman the question that was plaguing her mind.
"Aren't you going to ask me about what happened? I noticed the looks."
Porlyusica sighed and put her bowl down. "If I am curious or not, it isn't my business anyway."
Lucy nodded her head, accepting the woman's answer. The silence ensued between them once more before Lucy broke it. "Porlyusica-san?"
The pinkette tipped her head towards the blonde, motioning for her to continue.
The blonde hesitated before inhaling a deep breath, she paused then asked her a question. "What was Laxus like when he was younger?"
The healer contemplated her question before she grimaced. "He was one of the whiniest brats there ever was."
Lucy gawked at the woman before bursting into a giggle fit, remembering how Aquarius had said the same about her not a month ago.
The pinkette continued. "But he had a lot of health problems, and his idiotic father kept pushing him till one day he collapsed."
Lucy' face changed at the mention of Ivan, it became downright terrifying and Porlyusica took note of that.
She resumed, not knowing why but her doctor's instincts told her that it will help the blonde in some way or the other. "But he was happy. He was energetic and I still remember his glee when he participated in the Fantasia Parade."
Both women's faces softened, Lucy started imagining Laxus as a kid running around the guild happy about the parade.
Porlyusica closed her eyes. "I remember how Makarov came bowling his eyes when he told me about what that brat did before the parade."
Lucy smiled at her. "What did he do?"
She formed the L sign with her index finger and thumb, and shot it upwards. Lucy' eyes widened when she saw the sign, she remembered doing the same thing after the Fantasia parade to her spirits.
"The brat was worried that his grandfather wouldn't see him, so he told him that when he goes like this, even if he can't see him, he'll always look out for him. Makarov cried a lot when he told me the story. Honestly, Dreyar men…"
She stopped when she noticed the tears that were trailing down the blonde's face, she figured that whatever happened with her, Laxus was a major part of it.
"Wh- what happened to him?" the blonde stuttered as she wiped her tears.
"That idiotic father of his, happened."
She left it at that, she didn't continue. And Lucy was grateful, she didn't want to hear of what Ivan did to his own son, she already hated the man enough.
Porlyusica got up and was about to enter the kitchen but Lucy stopped her. "Thank you, I needed that."
The pinkette nodded her head and continued towards the kitchen, coming out of it a few minutes later to apply a new coat of lotion on the kids.
…
A week passed by, all the while Lucy and her kids stayed at Porlyusica' place.
Two days after she brought them in, the boys woke up but felt sluggish so they were put on bed rest the whole time. Lucy and the pinkette tended to them and the blonde found herself bonding with the healer. After all she helped her with her pregnancy and then with her kids.
And Porlyusica thought the same, she didn't understand why she was able to tolerate the blonde better than the others. She even let her hug her goodbye when it was their time to leave, her kids however were another story. She didn't know how a girl like Lucy could breed the spawn of a devil, put in other words, Red.
But then knowing who their father was, it was a given that the blonde's hair hadn't turned grey yet. Two days before they left Porlyusica confronted the blonde about her health and Lucy came clean about what was happening with her so Porlyusica gave her some medicine and herbs to drink before going to bed.
Now off they were on their way back home, having bid the old woman goodbye.
Cobra was stressing out as Layla kept crying the whole time, she kept demanding to see her mommy and her brothers, and no one was able to stop her sobbing. Jellal walked in with Ultear and Meredy behind him, the two women informed the group of the information they obtained. After Lucy told them to investigate about the company, each member contacted someone they knew before and asked to cash in their favors.
Cobra nodded as he heaved a sigh of relief after he achieved the greatest success which was to put the little blonde to sleep. Honestly though no one can blame her, with what she went through it's only naturel that this happens.
A scent engulfed his senses and before he knew it he was sprinting towards the door. The rest got alerted by his actions and followed him, he literally shoved the door open and ran outside. The sight that greeted him brought him and the others a relieved smile on their faces.
Justin and Red were skipping next to their mother, each holding one of her hands as they chatted and laughed all together. The black marks on their bodies were slightly visible at this point and some parts of their bodies were bandaged, but that didn't matter, what mattered was that they were awake, smiling and breathing, radiating with energy that was missed in this household.
Richard came up next to him and yelled at the top of his lungs. "RED! JUSTIN! WELCOME HOME!"
The two boys quickly stopped and looked at the group that waited for them in front of the mansion. The widest smiles spread on their faces as they ran with open arms towards their uncles and aunt.
They were quickly embraced between the group while Lucy, Meredy and Ultear stood to the side. Midnight saw the blonde and tugged her in the hug, Lucy held on to the other two women and brought them in as well.
Ultear and Meredy were both shocked by the blonde's actions but that shock turned into happiness when they felt warmth tingle in their hearts.
"MOMMY! RED! JUSTIN!" Layla cried as she came crashing into them, Lucy quickly picked her up and smothered her with kisses. Her brothers hugged her as well and told her how much they missed her.
"Come on everyone, back into the mansion." The group went in excluding Ultear and Meredy, they turned around to leave only to be stopped by the blonde.
"What are you two doing?" the blonde asked the two as they both turned to her.
"We need to go back to our hideout, it's gotten late." Meredy softly answered.
The blonde shook her head gently. "I actually wanted to ask you two if you would like to stay in the mansion with us."
Both women widened their eyes, Ultear quickly tried to reject the offer but Lucy stopped her. "You both are helping me with this case, and not only that you are also helping Jellal heal, and that is way more important than any case there ever is. So why not we offer our help as well? Jellal already told me that you two are camping somewhere near, and I decided that I wish to ask you if you would like to stay here."
The two women gawked at the blonde, Meredy started dejectedly. "But we are wanted criminals."
"And you are working with the council." Ultear ended.
The blonde just laughed. "Well if you wanna take it like that, so are you two." Both women blushed, not realizing the slip they made.
"If the council is what is worrying you, leave them to me. I need to have a word with them anyway." Her tone turned menacing at the end and both women looked at each other with a raised eyebrow.
Meredy turned to Ultear, leaving the decision up to her because she would follow her foster mother no matter where she went. Ultear knew that was what's going on inside the young pinkette's head, but hers was shambled. Could the blonde really handle the council? And more importantly, could she trust her? After all she was on that island fighting against the blonde's family, and it is true that both she and Meredy wished to apologize for what they did, but they were afraid of doing so. So maybe the blonde will take this opportunity to avenge her fallen family, but then Jellal always talked about how much he respects Lucy for her golden big heart. And Ultear wondered if there was enough space for two more criminals in her heart. After all she could be using the others to get what she wants, and through her life experience Ultear knows that trust never comes easily but is easily broken, she pondered her options and the more she did the more perplexed she became.
The blonde saw Ultear' brows furrow and she realized just how hard of a decision it was to the both of them, they might feel insecure and in constant danger, especially when it comes to the council, but Lucy will handle it all. When they come to object Lucy has something interesting that will send them packing, she discovered some hideous things about the council that she won't mind exposing to the public to get what she wants.
"We attacked your family, in order to satisfy our own wishes. Why in the world would you help someone like that?" Ultear asked as she took in a shuddering breath, she decided that depending on the answer the blonde gave she will decide what to do.
Lucy smiled softly as she looked at the two with warmth. "If I asked myself that question, I wouldn't have the family I do at the moment. But to answer your question, no one should judge another person, for they don't know what they've been through to make them choose that path, and sometimes the person judging them is to blame for what happened to them. So, who are we to not extend a helping hand to someone who needs it? To not give a second chance? I think if people let go of the hatred and worked to help each other, it would be much easier wouldn't it?" she smiled brightly at them.
"You helping me right now, proves that what I'm talking about is true. And I want to help too, I guess that is all really." She put her hands behind her back and gave them a closed eyed smile.
Meredy and Ultear were stunned to silence, no one has ever talked to them with such sincerity and affection, and it just floored them with so much emotions that they didn't know how to deal with it.
"It's up to you what you wish to choose, but I would like to have more female siblings, sometimes being with men all the time is suffocating. Don't tell them I told you that though." She put her index finger on her lips and winked at them. The sun was setting making way for the moon to take its place in the sky, its last fading rays illuminated the blonde in a way that made her resemble an angel. Her blonde hair swayed with the soft breeze forming a halo around her, while her brown orbs gazed at them lovingly.
And that's what Meredy and Ultear both wish to believe, because to them she was the angel that came to save them from their darkness, and the fact that she called them sisters brought them to tears. They both stared at her for a while before Ultear sniffled out a yes.
Lucy' smile widened before she bounced to them and brought them both into a hug. The two reluctantly hugged her back before tightening their hold on her, afraid that what they just heard and saw was a mere illusion. She reciprocated their actions, almost smothering them with her embrace.
She pushed away from them. "Come on, let me show you to your new home."
They all had smiles on their faces when they walked in, Lucy dropped the news on the others and everyone hollered in cheers and welcomed the new members.
"But mommy, what are you going to do about the council?" Sorano questioned and Meredy plus Ultear almost chocked when they heard Sorano call Lucy mommy.
Jellal turned to them when he saw their expressions, he chuckled and answered their unspoken question. "It's an inside joke, you will understand it in a week almost, or less comparing to what she has in plan."
The blonde plastered a wicked smile, her eyes slitting like that of a serpent. "Don't worry about them, all is covered."
Cobra and the rest shuddered at the venom that laced her words, they quickly worked to change the subject. Anyone in the house knows how much stronger Lucy became in physical fighting, but when it came to her mind, she is able to take down the strongest foes. Not to mention that they haven't seen Lucy' heiress side, because that's a whole other thing.
XXX
She called Lahar the next day and told him what happened, she then asked for a hearing with the council, Lahar begged her to turn these two in but she wouldn't have it, she said she wanted justice for her friends and she would get it no matter what. Lahar was confused by her words but nevertheless obliged with her requests, he was weak against this woman after all.
She knew they weren't going to refuse her demand, especially with the deal they have in place she had the right to call for meetings, this one had another purpose though.
Today was the day of the hearing, Lucy was wearing a black business suit. Her blond hair was pulled up in a ponytail with a few strands framing her face, her scarlet lips were pulled into a thin line as she revised what she wanted to say to the council, and if it's any indication her clinking heels showed that she was done with their bullshit.
Ultear came out of the dressing room in a black dress while Meredy wore a white shirt tucked in a knee length black skirt. They both had their hair down, and weren't wearing any make-up, once their eyes landed on Lucy they widened.
Lucy turned to them and greeted them with a smile. "You both look beautiful."
They were both speechless, they wanted to tell her that no in fact she was gorgeous but they couldn't, so many things blocking them from coming closer with the blonde. It's not the fact that they don't want to, it's the fact that they were used to getting backstabbed, so they put up their walls, thanked her and walked out of the room.
The blonde sighed before she shook her head, gathering her things she walked out of the room and into the living room where she noticed Lahar waiting for her. All heads snapped to the blonde that was descending the stairs, the minute Lahar saw her he blushed, her face was adorned by a beautiful smile as she slid down the stairs gracefully.
Her eyes scanned the room to see all of her family prepared to go. The men in their suits and the women in their dresses. Lucy looked at her kids, bid them goodbye and kissed them on their foreheads before she handed them to her maids.
An hour later, they reached the HQ and all the while Lucy was reassuring the two girls that everything was going to be alright, she held on to her smile all the way so that it can put everyone at ease.
They reached the door to the hearing room and everyone waited with bated breath. Lucy giggled at the nervous looks everyone had on their face. "Oh please lighten up."
Sawyer turned to her and whisper shouted. "How could you be so calm with this?!"
She only smiled sadly at him. "Come on, have a little faith in me. I got this!"
He blew a dejected breath before he apologized, she looked at the others and saw they all had on their faces a defeated look. She wanted to cheer them on but the doors opened.
"Lucy Heartfilia, you may come in." a knight called out as he eyed the band of criminals.
Lucy' smile quickly vanished, her face changed to a stoic mask and the rest couldn't keep up with the changes.
"What the fuck?" Cobra whispered as he watched his sister enter the room, her whole demeanor changed, her heels clinking on the tiles purposely to announce her arrival and to force her presence in the room. To the group, Lucy looked regal her aura changed into something that Cobra couldn't decipher, she was walking with determination and her head held high.
It was only then that they understood what Lucy meant when she said that she got this.
"Lucy isn't coming here to negotiate." Richard breathed.
"No." Midnight shook his head.
"She's here to slay." Sorano continued and they all walked in behind the blonde.
"May the accusers sit on these two chairs." A knight guided Ultear and Meredy to two chairs and they took their seats.
There was a pedestal to which Lucy walked and stood behind it. She scanned the room they were in, on her right and left were rows and rows of captains and knights, she spotted Lahar sitting to her left while directly ahead of her stood the council members.
Cobra and the rest sat at the blonde's right and had a full view of what's going on. It was ordered from the council for them to come as well. And while they are here because they were forced, they were also here to support the blonde and wish her the best of luck, something that they weren't able to do cause of their nerves, they felt that there was something wrong but they couldn't place their fingers on it. On the other hand Lucy knew exactly what's going on.
"Lucy Heartfilia, what is the meaning of this?" Gran Doma, the chairman of the magic council, spoke in a deep voice.
Lucy' voice was calm but powerful. "I requested this hearing to take place for I have an appeal."
Gran Doma raised his eyebrow before he chuckled. "And why do you think we will listen to you fairy? Haven't you heard or shall I break the news?"
Cobra growled at the way the chairman was talking to his sister. The others sported scowls on their faces as they felt the tension rise in the room.
"No need to, this fairy already knows." Lucy replied coolly.
Gran Doma smirked. "Well then you must reckon the peace that this land had after they-"
She grinned as she interrupted him. "The peace that this land has? Are you kidding me? I did not want to talk about Fairy Tail but I can't handle people spouting nonsense about it, sure Fairy tail may have caused some trouble, but they fixed and done much more than you will ever do in this lifetime."
"Excuse me?!" his voice boomed across the hall, he rose from his seat and pointed an accusing finger at her. "Watch how you talk young lady."
She leveled him with a glare. "Then mind your words about the guild that was part of your solution with the Balam Alliance. The very guild that you were ready to wipe out on Tenroujima Island because to you it was like killing two birds with one stone."
Lahar, Meredy, Ultear, Cobra and the rest widened their eyes. Whispers started going around the room talking about that time, knights discussed with each other whether or not her words were true. Lahar looked at Cobra and the latter shook his head, he wasn't the one who told her.
"Is this our Lucy?" Jellal asked bewildered by the blonde's words and action.
"I don't even know anymore." Sawyer replied not being able to take his eyes off the blonde, with the way she commanded the room around her it was impossible to do so anyways.
The chairman was about to blow up when he reined in his anger, he was not going to let a little girl get to him. He took a deep breath and sat down, how she knew about that baffled him, only way for her to know is to have someone in here who told her. He looked around the room and noticed how Lahar had his eyes wide as he stared at the blonde, he nodded his head and muttered. "I see."
"And what is your appeal?" he asked calmly.
The blonde grinned, now he knows she has something on him so whether he likes it or not, he has to listen to what she has to say.
She looked at the other council members and gave them a professional smile. "Hello everyone, I am here to ask of you to excuse both Ultear Milkovich and Meredy from their crimes."
Gasps ran across the room, one of the council members stood up and shouted, "Are you out of your mind?! Do you even know what they have done?"
She looked at him and mentally shook her head. "Of course I do, I know it may seem hard to you all to overlook the things they have done, but they both expressed their sincere wish to redeem themselves."
"And we should believe what they say?!" another council member, this time a woman, seethed.
Lucy was barely containing her anger at this point, she wanted to blow up at these people for being such hypocrites. They have stepped on people left and right to get to where they are and they dare judge other people?! But she also saw that some of the other members were thinking about it and what she needed to do was persuade these members, and if things come to worse, she will need to use her ace. Lucy Heartfilia came prepared for this.
"Of course not, because actions speak louder than words, so my suggestion is, I wish to take them in." the blonde kept her cool and answered back with a regal voice.
"Take them in, they aren't stray cats!" The same woman said.
"No they aren't, but they have strayed from the right path." Lucy shot back.
"And you think you can bring them back, you aren't the peace keeper brat." The man from before barked, he was old and he couldn't handle insolence that he thought the blonde radiated with.
She shot him an icy glare followed by a smile. "When the ones who are aren't doing their jobs right, someone has to."
Cobra and the others gawked at the blonde, Midnight whisper shouted. "This girl is trying to start a war!"
The chairman grit his teeth. "Little girl, are you saying that our job is incompetent?"
The blonde smiled innocently at him. "I didn't point fingers at you, I wonder why you took it that way?"
Sorano was about to faint. "Is it just me or is Lucy toying with them?" the others nodded their heads to confirm that fact.
Lahar was falling more and more in love with this woman, she was doing something that he was never able to do, stand up to the chairman.
"Miss Lucy, we have graced you with the same offer before, don't push your luck." The chairman said with controlled anger.
"We made a deal mister Chairman, in which you gained profusely."
His hold on his staff tightened. "Not only is your request at the moment completely impossible, it is also unjustifiable. People should be punished for their mistakes miss Lucy, and you as a citizen should know what's right and what's wrong. Justice should never be wavered."
Her lips twitched upwards in a venomous grin, she put her hands on either side of the pedestal and leaned in, her glare hardened. "Really? If that is the case then let us talk about the Bureau of Magical Development."
Ultear' eyes practically bulged out of her head, remembering her past in that vile place.
The chairman's body went rigid the moment this name escaped her lips, he saw her mouth move. "Or would you like to skip to the voting?"
She straightened up and kept on her face a smug smirk, he was sure for her to talk about this she must have something on him and the rest and that did not sit well with him, what infuriated him more is the audacity on that little girl to come and threat him literally in front of everyone! He looked around him and saw the confused looks on the knights and captains, he knew if she started talking it would be a huge problem.
He eyed her warily, with the way she led this whole meeting in confidence there was no way she was bluffing. "Before the voting, there will be conditions."
Lucy' smug smirk widened. "Of course. What are they?"
He took in a breath. "They will both be put under house arrest, and anything, anything they do that is out of line, will be put on you Lucy Heartfilia. You will be responsible for both of their actions. Also you will hand any evidence you have regarding the Bureau. Agreed?"
"Yes mister chairman for the first half, but no to the one concerning the evidence." The blonde replied.
"And why is that?" the staff was about to break in half at this point.
"Because I cannot guarantee the safety of our agreement, moreover considering the fact of what you first had in mind for today." He widened his eyes at her words, how the hell did she figure out what he had planned for today?! He didn't tell anyone!
"You have our word Miss Lucy."
She scoffed. "And I should believe what you say?" she shot a look at the woman from before, "I want a contract between the two of us, I also want eyewitnesses and seeing that this hall is filled with Captains and knights alike, I wish to sign them off as the witnesses, then I will hand the evidence."
Two minutes passed before he agreed begrudgingly at the blonde's request, a contract was written and after Lucy read the contents she nodded her head and motioned for them to continue with the meeting.
The voting took place and most of the members agreed on the conditions put, Lucy signed the contract and took a copy of it with her then she handed over the file containing all the evidence that incriminated the council, the hearing ended and Lucy waltzed out of there with a victorious smirk. A pinkette hurled herself at Lucy and hugged her. Meredy cried in her embrace and the blonde tightened her hold on the young girl, Ultear came next and Lucy dragged her into the hug.
The others walked out and immediately flocked Lucy.
Sawyer was the first one to talk. "Who the fuck was that that we just saw in there?"
Lucy dipped her head as if in a bow. "Lucy Heartfilia, the heiress."
He whistled as he clapped her on the back. "Damn that was intense Lu!"
Lucy laughed before she was interrupted by the chairman. "Miss Lucy, may I speak to you…" his gaze slid to the group, "Privately?"
The blonde nodded and told the rest to go on ahead, she locked eyes with Cobra who nodded his head subtly, she reciprocated the action then followed the chairman.
"I hope you know what you are doing Miss Lucy." He remarked as they moved into an office.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't." she faced him, "What is this all about?"
He studied her for a bit while caressing his beard. "How did you find out?"
She chuckled. "So that's what got you so antsy. I investigated, that's how I found out." Then she added because she noticed when he looked at Lahar. "For both situations."
He drew in a sharp breath, if someone who doesn't know about these things found them out simply through investigating then that means they haven't covered things up properly, and by looking at the blonde he knew she knew of what he was thinking. "And about the band of criminals?"
She smirked evilly at him, her mother mode manifesting right before his eyes as she took a step closer to him till she was standing right beside him. "Why else would you call them here if not to bring them back? Like I said before, two birds, one stone. Also you accepted my demand to the hearing too easily, it was obvious you had an ulterior motive. You just made the mistake of messing with my family that's all."
He eyed her from the corner of his eyes. "You are not invincible, you do realize that Miss Heartfilia?"
"I know I am not, but if you think I won't go down fighting then you are wrong. In honor of our deal that I will continue to assist you."
He chuckled menacingly thinking it would frighten the blonde. "You need the council's approval child, don't push your luck. One day you will fall and I will be there to see the spectacle."
She continued walking and addressed him. "I wouldn't hold your breath mister chairman, cause it's not happening any time soon. After all, they call me Lucky Lucy Heartfilia." She opened the door and waltzed out, leaving behind her in her dust a chairman who she played like a fool in front of all the troops he commands.
Midway in the hallway she bumped into Lahar, who smiled at her before he chuckled.
"You were amazing out there Lucy-san." The blonde smiled at him but then she saw how his face turned apologetic. "I'm sorry, for not telling you earlier."
The blonde just shook her head. "Don't be, it's alright. I should be going, see you around Lahar-san."
He waved her goodbye before he called after her once more and handed her an envelope. "Lucy-san, that is your invitation to the Royal Banquet."
She nodded. "About that Lahar-san, I have a plan in mind that I am positive it will work, I will tell it to you later." She leaned in and whispered. "Walls have ears here."
He nodded and bid her farewell, she did the same.
She joined the rest and assured them that she will tell them what happened later when they arrive back at the mansion.
XXX
The door was open for them when they arrived, Spetto and the kids waiting for their return. The ankle monitors were put on Ultear and Meredy, then the knights left and the group settled for dinner.
Everyone was looking at the blonde waiting for her to tell them what happened, she sighed and recalled everything that she said to the man and what he shot at her.
At the end everyone was gawking at the blonde like she was a crazy mad woman. "Alright what's up with the stares?"
Midnight was the first to recover. "Have you seen yourself in there?!"
"It was like a completely different person was standing before us." Sorano added.
The blonde chuckled and waved them off. "Now let's talk. Did you find out anything new?"
Ultear chimed in. "We found out who Roran is."
Sawyer interjected. "As well the deal with HPICA."
"Shoot." The blonde said as she drank her wine.
Midnight started. "We'll begin with what we found out on HPICA, it appears that this guy Roran is the one who handles the deals, but is also the major profited of the deals."
Lucy arched a brow. "How so?"
"When the money reaches the company, twenty percent is sent to an unknown bank. Of course you won't find these on official records, the Intel we got was from someone who used to work there, and they even brought some files to prove it." Richard continued.
"That's really good." Lucy commented.
"We haven't reached the fun part yet." Sorano grinned, "The account was traced back to a dark guild called The Laughing Skeleton, TLS for short."
The blonde widened her eyes. "What?"
Jellal nodded. "That is correct, and through the guild description, guess who their master's right hand man is?"
"Who?" Lucy asked intrigued.
"The guy who attacked us back then, the one who's all green." Cobra put a photo in front of her, and she blinked several times at it. It was of the man who made her recreate all the bad moments of her life. She gripped the photo in her hand before she looked up at them. "Good job everyone! Does he have a name?"
They all smiled at her before Ultear cut in. "We don't know yet, but it's safe to assume that Roran is a member from the guild. He could also be the master if he went to such length to assure money."
The blonde slumped back in her chair, she wanted to know who this guy was so badly because of what he did to her, it was then that a thought fleeted through her mind that made her mutter. "This is so confusing."
"How so?" Midnight asked.
She flinched, not realizing she said this loudly but she composed herself and answered. "I thought those idiots were sent by Ivan, not by some mole from the military. Why the hell would they target us?"
The rest widened their eyes. Silence fell between the group, Cobra leaned in to have a better look of the picture. "Maybe it's their own way of justice."
"Is that why they also hinted that they were responsible for my father's death? No, there is something more." She heaved a sigh before she got up, "I'm really tired you guys, so goodnight. Also, thank you so much for your help, you guys are the best. We still have a couple of months till the Royal Banquet so let's train till then."
She started walking away leaving a blushing mess of men who aren't used to being thanked, when her words dawned on them.
Sawyer was the first to recover. "Wait what do you mean 'We'?"
The blonde laughed. "If you think I am going on my own then you are wrong."
She left no room to discussion as she climbed up the stairs and went into her room. She stripped down and took a shower before throwing on a black tank top and some black shorts.
She laid on her bed and gazed at the ceiling, she smiled once she remembered how well she did today and did a small yell cheer. She came down and looked outside her window.
'Today was very interesting Princess.'
She laughed at Loke' words. 'You saw everything?'
'Everyone did, you made Aquarius proud Princess.' She heard him chuckle and joined him.
'Have some rest Princess, you more than deserve it.'
'Thanks Loke.' She smiled to herself before she got off the bed, "To make Aquarius really proud, I need to start by taking steps."
She opened her drawer and took out the letter, her father's neat handwriting was on the cover of the paper. She breathed in deeply and was about to open the letter when a knock was heard from outside her door. She put it down and yelled out a 'Come in.' Ultear opened the door and walked in shyly, she looked at the blonde to see her smiling at her.
"What's up?" the blonde asked the purple haired woman who took a deep breath and settled on the love seat next to the bed.
"Lucy, how did you know about the Bureau?" she questioned albeit hesitantly to the blonde.
The blonde folded her hands on her lap and replied. "While I was investigating about the case we are handling I came across some files about it so I had grandpa Crux search about it, I thought it would lead me to the mole but it lead me somewhere better."
Ultear sighed. "So you didn't know about my past?"
Lucy slowly shook her head, having no idea of what the woman before her was onto. Ultear wrung her hands together as they started to get sweaty, opening up to other people was hard but in order for that wall to break down she must do so, she wanted to show the depth of her appreciation for the blonde and she figured that this was the way to go.
So she told her about everything, about the fact that she was the one who controlled Jellal when he was a kid, about how she was abducted in the Bureau where they experimented on her because of her immense magical power, about how she wanted to learn time arc magic so that she could go back to her life with her mother and make things better. The most shocking thing was the fact that she was Ur' daughter, Gray' magic teacher. She told her all about of when she ran away from that facility and saw that her mother moved on without her, how lonely she felt when she saw Gray and Lyon and how she got back willingly to be experimented on. And then her escape once more plus her encounter with Hades.
The time arc mage opened up about everything and Lucy listened to her attentively. She never once cut her off and offered her the silence she needed so that she would feel better, safer to tell her everything that came to her mind.
At the end of her story, Ultear was crying softly while Lucy still sat on her bed. The time arc mage brought her hands to her face to shield herself from being seen in this vulnerable moment. She heard movement and before she could register what was happening, she felt delicate arms surround her and bring her in a tight embrace.
Ultear surrendered herself to Lucy' warmth and let all the bottled up emotions flow on the blonde's shoulder. Lucy rubbed soothing circles on her back as she whispered to her that everything is okay now, that she isn't alone anymore. She has a whole family by her side.
"I- I'm sorry." She sniffled out, the blonde pushed her away softly and wiped her tears. "What are you talking about?"
She composed herself while still in the blonde's embrace, she sniffled once more before she explained to her. "About the fact that we attacked your guild back then, I'm sorry."
The blonde giggled earning a confused look from the time arc mage. "Don't worry about it, it's all in the past now. Let's move on to the future together hmm?" Lucy smiled and Ultear couldn't help but feel that wall inside of her crack before it completely broke apart.
…
After the girl talk Lucy slept feeling emotionally drained for the day, it was of course after she took her medicine that helped her sleep for the memories of her two boys on that fateful day never left her mind. She was happy that Spetto and Zeno were feeling better, as for her daughter the only way she can fall asleep is to sleep between her brothers, she said it was the only way to make sure they were alright.
Last night Lucy promised herself that she would open the letter tomorrow morning. And that is exactly what she did.
At 6 am sharp, she woke up, took a shower and got dressed. She walked to her already made bed and sat down. She picked up the letter and opened it slowly. She took a deep breath before she started reading it. It was mostly the same as the other, him apologizing to her for never telling her about what happened to him, also that he was more than happy that he got to meet her family and be a part of it.
But then it reached an interesting part…
"In the case of my early demise, I have left you a special gift. It is in a briefcase in my bedroom behind the counter. The password is your birthday. Have a good life my dear, I wish you all the good in the world.
Your father, Jude Heartfilia."
Lucy put the letter on her bed and dashed out of her room, she sprinted towards her father's bedroom and opened the door. She took a minute to adjust as memories from when they used to sit here with the kids came back to her mind, she let out a soft sigh and smiled serenely at the memory.
She walked the few steps towards his counter and moved it, the case was right behind it. It was a brown leather briefcase with a golden plaque containing number slots. Lucy put her birthday and when it clicked, she opened it. Inside of it was a wooden box decorated with different kinds of diamonds, next to it was a key.
She took the key and inserted it in its lock then turned it. The box opened up a bit and the blonde pushed it wider with her hand. She gasped when she felt the immense magical power and saw what it contained.
"No. Fucking. Way." The blonde breathed out.
Cobra was sitting on the dining table, everyone was already up and about minus Ultear and Meredy. The kids were outside taking a walk with Spetto and five guards. He was about to take a sip from his coffee when he heard a thud. Then about five minutes later he heard another, he looked questioningly at the ceiling catching the attention of others.
"Is there something wrong Erik?"
The slayer glowered at the blue haired man, he hated it when they called him by his real name, only Sunshine could! But he knew that Blueberry was doing it to spite him in payback of all the times he called him Blueberry.
"Yeah I just heard someth-"
"Eeeppp!" they heard the Blonde's shriek and immediately were up on their feet and moving out of the dining room, they stopped at the staircase where they could see Lucy jumping down the stairs with a stupid smile on her face and something in her hands.
She saw them and her smile widened. "You guys!" she exclaimed as she slid on the railing and was about to fall when Sawyer caught her.
"What the hell you idiot? Watch where you're going." He sounded as if he was scolding a kid with how he was shaking his head and pointing at the railing.
"Sorry not sorry." She bounced on her legs and beamed at them, her good mood was infectious and soon enough everyone was sporting smiles of their own.
"What got you so happy Lu?" Midnight asked, not that he minded at all. He loved seeing the woman he considered his little sister at this point, happy.
She showed them the box that they now noticed and opened it in front of them. "Dad left them as a gift!"
Their smiles widened as they started to inspect the keys. Sawyer turned to look at the blonde. "Who are they?"
Lucy looked at the three keys and pointed towards the first one on the right. It was a silver key that had nine tails sprouting from its top with a fox head in the middle of its white. "This right here is the key to Vulpecula the fox, the spirit uses illusion magic." She pointed to the middle one, it was also a silver key. Its top had two small pointy daggers while its white had a blue wheel. "And this is Auriga the charioteer, he uses requip magic and sword magic and can also appear with a chariot for transportation it depends on the reason behind his summoning, and lastly."
She looked at the blue key that had nine small dragon heads sprouted from its top, the insignia in the middle was that of an open mouth filled with fangs and its tongue rolled out. Looking at its unusual color she figured it also must be a legendary key, since Corvus' was black.
"I don't know who the last one is. It's one of the legendries." She finished her explanation with a small smile.
They all congratulated her and gave her hugs, they were about to leave when Lucy stopped them. They turned around and looked at her fidgeting form, they could practically see the nervousness seeping out of her.
"What's up mommy?" Sorano asked as she approached the blonde.
Lucy hung her head in shame. "I wanted to apologize."
They all widened their eyes, they didn't understand about what she was apologizing for.
"What for?" Midnight raised a brow in question.
She dragged her head up and looked them in the eye. "I didn't take your input about our two new housemates. I don't want to make you uncomfortable and I just got so hyped at the possibility of enlarging our family and I should have asked for your opinion on the matter and- Owie!" she rubbed her forehead where it started to redden from the flick.
"Honestly this girl." Midnight mumbled as he put his finger down. "Do you really think it matters? We trust you completely Lu, in everything. So don't worry about such things."
"But Mackey~." He flinched at the nickname she gave him but let her proceed. "You guys have an opinion too, we should have discussed this as a family."
He shook his head and heard Jellal chuckle from behind him. "Wanna hear our opinion?" he asked the blonde who nodded her head furiously. "In our opinion, do whatever makes you happy Lu, because if you are happy then we are over the moon." He ruffled her hair and sighed when he saw her tear up.
"You guys…" she opened up her arms and they all hugged together to ease the emotional blonde.
They broke apart and everyone went their separate ways, Lucy went upstairs to her office where she stumbled upon Meredy.
"Um, hello Lucy-san." She shyly greeted the woman and the blonde almost squealed at her cuteness. She didn't though, what she did was bring the young girl into her arms and squeeze the life out of her while she yelled that 'You are the cutest thing ever!'.
It left the young pinkette flustered with no idea at all to how to respond to that. Ultear came upon this scene and was about to dash out of the hallway when Lucy caught her and brought her in on the hug. Now the blonde was smothering the both of them but who are they kidding? Lucy Heartfilia' hugs are the best! So they both hugged the woman back and erupted into a fit of giggles.
The blonde stepped away and asked them if they slept well, and if there was any inconvenience at all.
"Not at all Lucy-san-". Ultear was trying to reply when the blonde put up her index finger and shook it. "Nope, none of that. Call me Lucy, Lu or whatever nickname you desire."
The pinkette and the purple haired woman both nodded.
"Good. Now let's get to training."
"Eh? Training?" Meredy asked gently.
The blonde nodded. "Yes training, we train here every day to stay in shape. If you would like to join us, you could."
Ultear and Meredy looked at each other before slowly nodding.
"Okay Lucy-nee." The blonde beamed at the pinkette. They told her they would meet up in the garden after they change into more suitable clothes.
Lucy skipped down the path in the garden as she hummed to herself, she was overjoyed with the fact that she got three new keys, and an amazing family.
She saw all the men sparring with each other while Sorano stood on the side reading books about magic. She noticed that the book she was reading was the same book she got her as a gift after the blonde found her in the library.
"Any luck?" the blonde stopped next to the silverette and sat down.
"Still searching." She replied as she turned a page.
The blonde snatched another book from the pile she was surrounded with and started reading. "Might as well help you find something."
Sorano cracked a smile and continued reading. Five minutes later, Meredy and Ultear joined them and started sparring with each other for a while. When they were done, Lucy took out the two new silver keys to establish the contract with them.
"Are you going to summon them Lucy-nee?" Meredy peeked from behind the blonde at the two keys.
"Yeah you wanna see?"
She nodded her head. Lucy stood in a fighting stance, her shoulders and legs on par. She took Vulpecula' key and started chanting. "I am linked to the path to the world of celestial spirits…" a blue magic circle appeared under the blonde and the wind picked up, this peaked the others interest so they came to witness how a contract is made, as for Sorano, it just brought back so many memories of her time as a celestial spirit mage and of her mistreating. She was happy that the spirits that were once with her, were now with Lucy. Because she witnessed how much Lucy loves her spirits and she didn't wish anything but that same love for her former spirits.
Really… Sorano has changed.
"Now! O spirit, answer my call and pass through the gate! Gate of the fox, Vulpecula!"
A soft blue light emitted from the circle before it took the form of a little girl sitting on the grass. She stretched her arms and yawned, she opened her eyes and gazed dazedly at the blonde who was seconds away from crushing the girl because of her cuteness.
She blinked several times before she realized what's happening and jumped on her legs. "EH?! I have been summoned?! YAY!" she started twirling around before she stopped, remembering that a crowd was watching her with amused looks on their faces.
"Oh my god I'm so sorry." She started flailing her arms around looking all flustered and embarrassed. "I'm so sorry please don't punish me!" she repeatedly bowed.
Lucy was giggling all the while till the little girl asked her not to punish her. She stopped and stepped closer to the little girl who deepened her bow when she saw the woman come closer to her. Everyone who was amused at the little girl now looked at her sadly, Sorano turned away remembering her dark past with them.
Vulpecula flinched when she sensed the blonde crouch next to her, and her heart started beating faster when the blonde put her hand under her chin. Lucy forced her head up gently and smiled at her. "Don't worry honey, I won't punish you. Ever."
The young girl's big brown eyes glimmered at the blonde's words. "Really?"
The blonde nodded while smiling at her. "Really, Really?"
The blonde giggled at her cuteness. "YES!"
She twirled around once more before turning to the blonde. "Hello master." She waved to the blonde and gave her a big smile.
Lucy' hand started jerking and Cobra took notice of that. Not only he, Jellal too.
"How much do you bet?" Cobra slid next to the man.
"Five minutes tops." The blue haired man replied.
Cobra shook his head. "No way, I would say three minutes."
"Deal." They both shook their hands and continued to watch the blonde.
"Please don't call me master, my name is Lucy Heartfilia. Nice to meet you-"
"Eeeeeepppppp! You are THE Lucy Heartfilia?!" the young girl squeaked.
"Yeah that's me."
The little girl started bouncing while chanting. "I get to be with the best master in the whole world!"
The blonde giggled at the little fox and already knew that she was going to love this girl so much.
"Okay, okay. To the contract." Lucy took out her notepad. "I am free all days except for after 10 pm." The blonde nodded. "Okay is there anything I should know?" Lucy asked the hyperactive girl.
The little fox put her thumb under her chin deep in thought while she pouted her lips, Lucy willed her body to stay where it was, Jellal and Cobra both were chuckling at the blonde's antics.
"Aha!" she looked at Lucy. "I can turn into a fox, I can turn into a human. I can turn into half human half fox. Like this!" she shone a dim light before two fox ears appeared on her head and nine fluffy orange tails sprouted from her bottom back.
And that was the last straw, Lucy lunged at the little girl and smothered her in a hug. Jellal turned grinning to a frowning Cobra. "How long?"
"Fucking four minutes and a half." Cobra grumbled out.
"Wow you really are bad at betting." Jellal chuckled while Cobra growled.
Vulpecula was loving the affection that she was getting from the blonde. And well to Lucy, the girl was just too cute with her red hair tied up in a bun and held by a red bow, her frilly knee length polka dot orange dress, it was just too much for the blonde, and now to add the ears and tails? Well momma Lucy appears and Vulpecula has to deal with it.
Her kids came screaming at their mother and Lucy let go of the little girl. Vulpecula' eyes glistened with glee as she saw the kids. "You have kids? I love kids!"
Lucy turned to her and pinched her cheek. "Well you can come play with them whenever you like."
Vulpecula beamed at Lucy before introducing herself to the kids who very much liked her immediately. They got around in a group and started playing together.
Lucy smiled at their adorable giggles and laughter. She took the other silver key and repeated the chant, although this time it was for Auriga' gate. A bell chime sounded and a blue magic circle appeared before a blue hue shone from it, the spirit then popped out of the circle.
His brown hair ruffled in the wind messing it up more than it already was, his hazel eyes scanned his surroundings and then landed on brown irises that were staring at him with such wonder he had to blink back his confusion.
"Are you my summoner my lady?" his velvet voice was easily carried in the soft breeze that flew by.
Lucy nodded her head and offered her hand for a handshake. "My name is Lucy Heartfilia, nice to meet you Auriga."
He widened his eyes and started bowing multiple times consecutively, making his silver and green knight armor shriek with the movements. "It's a pleasure to meet you my lady, you are highly spoken of in the celestial spirit world. And it would be an honor to serve as your spirit."
Lucy blushed and shook her head, begging him to stop bowing and to stand up straight. It was all the knight needed as he immediately stopped and straightened himself. "My apologies. Shall we get on with the contract?"
The blonde giggled and took to her notebook. "Alright, when are you free? What should I know? Is there anything that discomforts you?"
Auriga started answering these questions in their specific order. "I am always free for you to summon my lady. My magic mostly consists of weapons and swords, plus the chariot. I am originally a traveling spirit my lady, so I would like to avoid fighting if it's possible."
The blonde hummed as she wrote down everything then shut her notebook. "I promise not to call you for fighting reasons."
The spirit was quick to shake his head. "No please, if it's something dangerous then please call me, I just don't like fighting that is all."
The blonde smiled at him and agreed with his requests. After that he waved goodbye and disappeared in a shower of silver flecks. Lucy took the blue key and clasped it in her key ring, her keys jingled and she felt them warm up, she smiled. That smile faltered when her eyes landed on a black key, truth be told she missed him greatly, but she made a promise and she's going to abide by it no matter what. So she took out the key and held it on front of her. "No hurt in trying." She muttered as she gathered her magic into her hand and chanted. "Gate of the crow I open thee! Corvus."
The wind picked up a bit, her magic started concentrating in her hand resulting in increasing the pressure. A few seconds passed and nothing happened, Lucy released her hold on her magic and it faded, the wind slowed down and the pressure alleviated. The blonde stumbled forward breathing harshly, she poured all her magical power into this summoning and it didn't work. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Sorano giving her a soft smile.
"You will get there, don't worry."
The blonde nodded at the silverette' words and reassured her with a smile of her own that she was alright.
Hello everyone, so sorry I was late. Now… Surprise, three new chapters!
I wish to apologize in advance. Just recently I started college, so I won't have much time to write and to update. But I will do my best, which I promise.
Thank you so much for your support! And I hope you enjoy this little surprise. Also did you notice that I didn't leave this chapter on a cliffhanger? I thought I'd be nice for today. Hehe ;)
Love you guys.
KAWAIINECKO, signing out!
