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Chapter Text

"We're back everyone!"

"Aye!"

Despite Natsu kicking open the door like usual it wasn't as hard as normal and he wasn't as loud as normal, which absolutely did catch everyone's attention as they all looked at the dragon slayer and flying cat. What was more surprising than him being quiet was why he was quiet. There was a small child in his arms sleeping peacefully.

"Welcome back Natsu. And who is this?" Mirajane was the first one to the Dragon Slayer and his cat as she peered curiously at the small child in his arms.

"This is Lucy. She wanted to join the guild, met her in Hargeon and she's a strong little hatchling. Has some pretty awesome and strong magic but using it yesterday left her rather tired and probably hungry. Poor kid fell asleep almost as soon as we were off of the train." Natsu said and he was smiling slightly down at the child in his arms and Mirajane cooed at the tiny blond.

"She's adorable. But rather small isn't she?" She was smaller than Romeo it seemed and her clothes were dirty. And not in a 'just got out of a fight dirty', everyone in Fairy Tail knew what that kind of dirty looked like and this....wasn't it.

"She's seven. And she's not going back." Natsu had a determined protective glint in his eyes as he held the child closer and Mirajane frowned for a second as she looked from the child to him. Granted she wasn't a mother and didn't know a lot about babies and kids. But she had practically raised her siblings alone, and she had watched Romeo grow up. This little one did not look the size of a seven year old.

"I see. May I hold her? I'm sure she can rest over at the bar while I fix something light for her to eat." Mirajane said and Natsu tightened his grip for half a second as his eyes stared at her intenty before he nodded once and handed her over with a gentleness that wasn't usually seen from the chaotic mage.

"She's...rather light as well. I'll fix a light soup for her." Mirajane said softly and the rest of the guild grimaced as they understood what was being implied about the girl and her past. Fairy Tail was always a home for the broken and lost and children with no home.

"Thanks." Natsu nodded seriously at her and then he turned and launched himself at another guild member who had given him the information on Igneel. It had caused a full blown fight among the guild members as they all began to brawl at the chaos.

"They woke her up." Mirajane said sighing as the child in her arms, Lucy, jerked awake at the noise looking around with wide alarmed eyes.

"Hatchling, you're safe. We're at Fairy Tail." Natsu had somehow gotten out of the brawl and over beside Mirajane who was now holding a squirming Lucy in her arms. Lucy immediately went still and she relaxed when Natsu appeared and spoke to her.

"Mr. Natsu..." Lucy rubbed her eyes a bit and Natsu smiled softly down at her, it was such a soft almost paternal smile that it took everyone by surprise.

"I'm here Hatchling. I'm just rough housing with my friends. Do you mind staying with Mirajane with me for a bit? She's going to get you some delicious soup okay?" Natsu asked and Lucy blinked a bit and then looked up at Mirajane who smiled softly and warmly down at her. Mirajane felt as if she was having her soul evaluated for a long moment before those intelligent brown eyes softened and she glanced at Natsu and nodded.

"That's my brave little hatchling. I'll be back soon okay?" Natsu asked ruffling her hair and Lucy nodded and Natsu grinned before diving back into the fray and Lucy turned her attention back to Mirajane who gave her a soft smile.

"Let's get you fed little one." Mirajane said and she gently settled the girl onto a bar stool to go and make some soup. Lucy tried to ignore the fighting and chaos behind her but she flinched at a loud shout and ducked her head down a bit, something the woman at the stool next to her noticed.

"Time to quiet down you guys!" Cana called as she turned and prepared to unleash a spell, the little ones head whipped around and her eyes lit up at the sight of magic. The lady next to her was going to use magic and so was a guy with glasses. A tall guy had rocks covering his arm, Natsu was starting to breath fire and a naked man had ice starting to form.

That's when a giant man stopped them and then squished Natsu when he laughed at everyone. That's when Lucy jumped down from the bar stool.

"Hey! Get off of him! Get off Mr. Natsu!" Lucy yelled as she glared up at the giant man who looked down at her surprised.

"Brave litte brat aren't you? What's a little kid like you doing here? You have to use magic to be a wizard tiny one." Makarov said amused as he looked at the almost toddler sized child who glared up at him.

"I have magic you big meany! Now get off Mr. Natsu! He's nice and saved me and you're squishing him!" Lucy yelled up at him and there were some awws and a few snickers and whistles.

"Kid has guts I'll give her that." Nab muttered while Elfman gave a cry of 'Manly!'.

"Oh? A tiny thing like you has magic huh?" Makarov teased the kid who shot him a glare she learned from Aqua-nee and Makarov was surprised by how fierce the little kid could glare.

"Open Gate of the Bull! Tauros!" Lucy summoned one of her golden spirits who appeared with a loud moo and striking a pose.

"Never fear little princess! You're knight in cow skin is here!" Tauros couldn't be a pervert with her, she was too young even for the perpetually horny bull and Aquarius and Cancer threatened to skin him to give Lucy a pair of cow print boots...but that was fine. He could act as her brave knight until she was legal..

"A golden spirit..." Makarov was shocked while Loke was trying to hide just in case.

"Mr. Taurus! He's being mean and squishing Mr. Natsu who was nice and helped Aqua-nee save me!" Lucy pouted up at her spirit who eyed Makarov looking wary but already reaching for his axe.

"Oh he is is he? Can't have that now can we little princess?" Tauros said although he was a bit nervous.

"Lucy it's okay! He's not hurting me!" Natsu yelped out wide eyed and he was worried she'd drain her magic too fast. She had just started recovering it after all.

"He's squishing you!" Lucy said and her eyes were narrowed and angry and her tiny hands were balled into fists and she looked ready to start swinging.

"It's my way of putting him in time out little one." Makarov said gently and he took his foot off of Natsu and began to shrink down until he was a little shorter than she was but not by much.

"My name's Makarov, I'm the guild master here. And I promise I was just playing, stepping on him lightly is my way of putting Natsu in time out when he's bad." Makarov said patiently and Lucy was eyeing him warily and distrustfully as she skirted the long way around him and to Natsu who was immediately springing to his feet.

"Are you okay Mr. Natsu?" Lucy asked looking up at Natsu worried and he smiled softly at her.

"I'm okay Lucy. It really was just time out. See look? I don't even have a bruise." Natsu said softly and Lucy eyed him for injuries before she nodded once pleased and then turned back to Tauros.

"Still need me to beat anyone up for you princess? If anyone messes with the little princess they mess with this bull! And I'm not afraid to give them the horns or the axe!" Tauros said and he eyed up everyone in the guild hall who was staring at him surprised. His eyes turned into hearts at the sight of the beautiful women in the room.

"No one's going to hurt her here." Makarov assured the spirit who stared at him with narrowed eyes.

"Anyone who even tries to hurt her will be burned to death. No one hurts my hatchling!" Natsu said seriously with a toothy dangerous smile. Tauros smirked at him and Lucy had latched onto his leg.

"Alright. I'll trust my princess to your care dragon boy. She gets hurt and I'll take it out of your hide." Tauros said and then he kneeled and waved goodbye to Lucy who waved back.

"You're a strong little hatchling kiddo but I bet you're really hungry after using that much magic! Let's see if Mira finished making you some yummy soup!" Natsu swung Lucy up into his arms and nuzzed her cheek, making her giggle as he carried her back to the bar.

"How much do I owe you Ms. Mira?" Lucy asked when she saw the bowl of soup that was set in front of her.

"Nothing little one. Consider it thanks for letting me see that brave knight of yours." Mirajane said smiling softly at the child who blinked warm brown eyes up at her for a moment curiously. Mirajane felt as if this child was seeing into her soul itself for a long moment before the little one smiled.

"Thank you!" She was so polite, it was adorable and heartbreaking as the tiny child began to devour the soup as Makarov gave a speech and did the Fairy Tail hand sign, the rest of the guild copying him.

"So you're planning to join us huh. A celestial mage who can summon out a golden key at your age... that's impressive!" Makarov said as he put a piece of paper in front of her for her to fill out to join the guild. He wondered if she could even read or write, she had all the markings of a street kid and Natsu barely could read when he joined. He couldn't use lack of magic ability to turn her away, Fairy Tail took in all magic users no matter how weak or strong. It was only because he had yet to pick a magic type and learn it that Romeo wasn't an official member yet. If she couldn't read or write though then he could keep her from joining and going on missions that way for at least a year or two. Right now the only saving grace if she did join was that he had long since had a rule that anyone under thirteen couldn't go on a mission alone or drink alcohol.

"Do you need help filling it out?" Mirajane offered softly and Lucy shook her head in the negative.

"Father made me read lots of boring adult stuff about budgets and business and stuff. This is easy kiddy stuff." Lucy said matter of factly as she easily filled out the form with a cursive fancy scrawl that spoke of tutors and money.

"You sure that's your birthday hatchling?" Natsu asked surprised when he saw the date she wrote down.

"Yep! 7, 7, 777. Same day Mother died! I know it's right cause Father said I killed her when I was born!" Lucy said as if it were no big deal, Cana's grip on her mug tightened, Natsu had a bit of smoke on his lips, Makarovs lips thinned and Mirajanes eyes tightened a bit. That told them everything they needed to know about her past. About why she was so small and scrawny for her age and yet she was smart and well learned if that remark about budgets and businesses was true.

"All done!" Lucy announced as she handed the paper back and then went back to her soup.

"Alright. Where and what color do you want your mark sweetheart?" Mirajane asked with a warm smile as she held up the stamp to show the girl. She was never letting this child go back to that man she called father. She'd fist fight anyone who tried to take her.

She had practically raised her siblings on her own, and she had babysat Romeo plenty, if need be she was old enough and well off enough she could adopt this tiny child.

From the look of pride and softness and fondness on Natsu's face as Lucy beamed up at him and showed her new pink Fairy Tail stamp that took up the entire back of her hand...

Well she'd have to either fist fight him for the right to adopt this child or he'd help her adopt the little mage.

Chapter Text

"Mr. Natsu? Why are you looking at the board?" Lucy asked as she finished off her second bowl of soup and looked up at Natsu while Mirajane was preparing a third smaller bowl. She did want the girl to eat her fill and start putting on some weight...but she didn't know how much she's eaten in how long.

She didn't want to risk upsetting the likely very small stomach the little one had and making her sick. So this would be the last bowl for a while and Mirajane made a mental note to prepare some sandwiches the girl could snack on if she did get hungry again soonish...and she'd have to 'persuade' the others to not touch those sandwiches until Lucy was done.

"Up we go hatchling." Natsu easily hefted the girl up onto his hip, she was so small and light he could barely feel her weight. She was seven and at least a few months older than Romeo...and yet she didn't even come to Natsus waist...if he ever found her father he was going to have some flaming words with the man and make sure he regretted what he did to a hatchling.

"This is the job board for everyone not S-class. All of these posts are jobs people sent in. Mages take the jobs and go to complete the missions to get rewards and help people. For instance...this one wants four mages to help with a theater performance. It shows the days they'd need the mages, preferred magic types, the reward...all of this equals to a job that we can take." Natsu explained patiently to the little girl on his hip who studied the board curiously.

"Like how that job wants a card mage to do some tricks at a kids birthday party. It's in Hargeon, next Tuesday and they're paying 10,000 jewels." Lucy said pointing at one job and Natsu glanced at it before he nodded with a proud smile.

"That's right! Neither of us are card mages so we wouldn't be taking that one. But it's perfect for say Cana who's our best card mage." Natsu praised and Lucy looked over at the woman who had sat with her as she ate, drinking her beer and eating some chips.

Lucy took the page from the board and wiggled slightly causing Natsu to set her down.

"Here you go Ms. Cana! Mr. Natsu said it was perfect for you!" Lucy took the job posting over to Cana who blinked and then looked at the posting before she snorted amused.

"I can see why he said that. Thanks kid. Looks like I've got plans next Tuesday now." Cana said grinning as she took the job listing and then she dug around and pulled out ten jewels.

"Here. A tip for being such a good delivery girl." Cana said handing Lucy the jewels and Lucy stared at her surprised.

"You don't have to tip me!" Lucy said wide eyed and trying to hand it back but Cana made a dismissive wave with her hand, she immediately stopped when she caught the slight flinch the girl gave.

"I know I don't but you earned it. I hadn't even looked at the board today so I would have missed this job. Keep the tip." Cana said smiling softly and if it would discretely encourage the girl to read the job postings and hand them off to other, older and better trained, mages? Well ten jewels was real cheap but worth it...huh Cana might give her more next time and talk with the others about doing the same later.

"Can I ask a question Ms. Cana?" Lucy asked blinking wary but curious brown eyes up at the brunette who gave her a smile and a quirked eyebrow.

"Why do you drink the bad drink? It makes people mean and angry." Lucy asked looking at her cup and Cana blinked as she looked at her cup and then the blond...right...her father blamed her for her mother's death and had been hurting her...she should have realized the man would be a drinker to.

"Well it makes everyone act differently. Some people get angry and mean and scary. Some people cry a lot. Others get really happy and huggy. And some just pass out. I usually don't get to that point but I'm a silly drunk I've been told. So don't worry. I promise I won't get angry or mean." Cana said and Lucy looked curiouser as she wander one or two steps closer.

"Really? It must taste good if lots of people drink it." Lucy said staring at the mug curiously now as she wondered if it tasted really good.

"Here try a bit. Just a small sip though." Cana said tilting the mug to let the girl try.

"Cana!" Mirajane scolded immediately and Natsu was growling but Lucy had already taken a sip.

"Bleh! It tastes horrible! How can you drink it Ms. Cana?!" Lucy asked pulling a face and making Cana laugh a bit.

"It's a special grown up trick. Tell you what. Try it again in ten years and we'll see if you like it better...but don't drink any until then. Sound good?" Cana asked and Lucy still had a face of disgust as she looked at the mug when Cana took a swig.

Mirajane and Natsu both relaxed at that as Lucy nodded her agreement.

"Good kiddo. Now looks like Mira made you another bowl of soup so why don't you wash out that taste yeah?" Cana offered and Lucy looked surprised as she stared at Mirajane who gave her a smile and set the bowl on the counter once more.

"Wow....I never get to eat this much..." Lucy was surprised and amazed as Cana picked her up by the back of her shirt and put her on the stool.

"Well you can eat as much as you like sweetheart. You'll never have to worry about food here." Mirajane assured and Lucy tilted her head before she smiled and handed Mirajane the ten jewels still in her hands.

"Here you go! A tip for the yummy soup!" Lucy said standing on the stool to put the jewels in Mirajanes hands as the white haired woman looked surprised.

"Sweetie you don't have to tip me." Mirajane tried to put the jewels back in Lucy's hands but Lucy shot her a grin that would be right at home on Natsus face as she sat back on the stool and occupied her hands with her new bowl of soup.

"I don't but you earned it. You didn't have to make me soup, much less so much but you did! So keep the tip Ms. Mirajane!" Lucy said brightly and Cana almost choked on her beer as she tried not to laugh.

"Crafty little thing aren't you? Thank you little one. And please sweetie you can just call me Mira or Mirajane, you don't have to use Ms." Mirajane said shaking her head and she was absolutely going to slip the ten jewels back to the girl somehow.

"You aren't usually this picky about jobs Natsu." Nab said watching as Natsu scrutinized each job on the board.

"Well I have to find a good starting job for the hatchling. Don't want to start too big for her." Natsu said as he eyed a job requesting someone to take pictures. Not his usual thing but it was low danger enough that Lucy could get some experience and rest her magic a bit.

"You're taking the kid?" Wakabe asked surprised as he heard that and turned to look at Natsu while Lucy perked up.

"You aren't going to leave me behind Mr. Natsu?" Lucy asked hopefully and Natsu immediately strode over and kneeled down to be on eye level with her.

"Never hatchling. Even if I do take a job without you I'd never leave you. I'd always come back. And you wouldn't be alone while I was gone. Mirajane and Cana would be here and so would Master and plenty of the rest of the guild. But you don't have to worry because I promise you, I will take you with me as long as it's safe enough. I won't leave you forever. And I'd never let you get hurt when I'm nearby." Natsu promised the girl solemnly and Lucy looked at him with curious too old looking eyes.

"Celestial wizards take promises seriously. You can't break a promise." Lucy said seriously and Natsu ruffled her hair softly.

"Wouldn't even think about it kid. You're stuck with me and Happy."

"Aye!" And Happy seemed perfectly fine with that as he perched on the counter near Lucy and nommed on a fish.

"Is it just me or is Natsu a bit more mature?" Cana asked Mirajane and Master quietly as Natsu went back to the board.

"He's calling her hatchling. He was raised by a dragon, guess what dragons call their young." Master smirked a bit behind his beer mug. Mirajane bit back a squeal as Canas eyebrows shot up.

"Well. I never thought he'd be the first of our generation to have a kid...but it makes sense in a strange way." Cana acknowledged as she glanced at Natsu and then at Lucy who was happily eating her soup and chatting with Happy about her spirits.

That was around the time Romeo walked in and up to Master.

"And there goes that maturity." Master sighed when Natsu put a dent into the job board with his hand, turning and stalking towards the door.

"He's going after Macao isn't he?" Wakabe asked sighing heavily and Mirajane hummed from where she had turned to get started on sandwiches for Lucy.

"You can't blame him. With the way his father disappeared...with how all of us have our scars and darkness...he wants to keep that from reaching Romeo. To try and protect Romeos heart from going through what we all did." Mirajane said softly and one of her hands came up and touched a locket around her throat.

"I think we all want better for future generations." Cana sighed as she looked into her beer thinking hard. Her father...what happened to her mother...she wanted to keep things like that from happening to other kids.

"Hm...here Lucy if you get hungry you...can...where did Lucy go?" Mirajane asked turning with the plate of sandwiches in her hands only to pause at the sight of there being no small blond sitting on the bar stool. Happy was gone too but they expected that, Happy would obviously follow Natsu after all.

"Wha- She was here just a second ago!" Cana looked alarmed and surprised too as she looked and noticed the child gone.

"Did she go after Natsu?" Makarov asked alarmed.

That wasn't good.

Chapter Text

"Here hatchling. Stay close to me so you'll be warm." Natsu cuddled Lucy close as they trekked up Mount Hakobe to find Macao and bring him back to his son.

"Is the Mr. Macao man nice?" Lucy asked as Natsu wrapped his warm dragon scale theme scarf around her neck to ward off the chill.

"Yeah he's really nice. He's been looking after everyone at the guild ever since I was a kid and he really loves his son Romeo." Natsu said and he nuzzled his hatchlings hair a bit, trying to imprint some of his natural heat onto her to keep her warm.

"Huh...dads can be nice?" The idea seemed so strange to her and Natsu smiled thinking of Igneel.

"Yeah. They can be the nicest and strongest and the best. Unfortunately not all of them are nice like Macao." Natsu hated it when he saw parents leaving or mistreating their kids, he knew how bad the kids must hurt from it. He tried to help them whenever he could but...well he had a reputation of violence and destruction that preceded him and kept most from letting him near hatchlings to help them.

But here in his arms was a hatchling he could help. And he could help protect Romeo from being hurt and losing his dad.

"Why'd you come with us anyways? You could have stayed at the nice warm guild." Happy asked flying near them before he landed on Natsus shoulder to absorb some of the heat as well.

"Mr. Natsu said he'd never leave me behind. I don't want to leave him behind either. Besides maybe I can help!" Lucy said smiling hopefully and Natsu nudged his nose against her cheek making her giggle.

"I don't mind hatchling. I prefer you close by where I can make sure you're safe." Natsu agreed easily and then they heard a crash and...

Suddenly there was a Vulcan there and yelling and motioning at them.

"Stay here kiddo. Time for me to get to work." Natsu set Lucy down and then cracked his knuckles.

"Alright you dumb ape! Where's Macao?!" Natsu demanded and the monkey laughed and motioned at something and as soon as Natsu glanced that way...Lucy gave a shriek as the Vulcan appeared in front of her.

"Child! Girl! Gah!!!" There was a whip cracking noise that cut him off and as Natsu whirled around he saw tiny Lucy clutching a simple whip that she was using to keep the Vulcan away from her.

He also saw red as he lit aflame.

"Not my hatchling!" Natsu roared as he slammed into the Vulcan with the force of a freight train on fire and he slammed vicious flaming fists into the damned ape. How dare it try to hurt or take his hatchling?! That was HIS hatchling!

No one touched his hatchling!

It was only when the Vulcan began to glow did he stop in surprise and stare. Instead of a Vulcan there was now a pretty beaten up Macao there and Natsu canceled the fire in shock.

"Looks like Macao was caught by the Vulcans take over magic." Happy was explaining to Lucy as Natsu leapt off of Macao who grumbled and grunted as he came back around.

"Ugh...hey Natsu...sorry to make you come get me. I took out nineteen of them but the last one got me..." Macao said blearily and he wondered why his head hurt so much but decided to wave it off as an effect of the take over.

"Huh? A kid...and she's wearing your scarf?" Macao blinked as he began to sit up a bit as Natsu burned some of his bleeding cuts shut. Lucy was hiding behind his leg.

"This is Lucy. She's a new member of the guild, she came along to help me find you when Romeo got worried. Come on. Let's get you home." Natsu said helping Macao stand and he was still tense and alert. That damned monkey might have tried to transfer and take over Lucy instead of Macao if he had the chance...he was very high strung at the threat to his hatchling.

"Seriously? She's like what? Four? Five?" Definitely would be a record young for members of Fairy Tail but a kid joining wasn't anything new. And from how she was hiding from him as Natsu helped support his weight...well Macao had seen lots of kids of all kinds of backgrounds come into the guild.

"I'm seven." Lucy said quietly but Macao heard and he glanced at Natsu who shot him a surprisingly serious look in return.

"And you're a very strong little hatchling. Now come on Luce. Let's get you back somewhere warm...let's get back to the guild where Mirajanes gonna fuss over you and make you lots of yummy warm food to fill up your belly." Natsu said smiling gently at Lucy as he pulled her up into one arm as he supported Macao with his other arm. Happy flew on ahead to secure them a carriage ride back to town.

Lucy remained quiet and close to Natsu as long as Macao was around but relaxed when he was reunited with Romeo who seemed really happy to see him.

Natsu made a mental note to get Lucy some more clothes after he took a job or two to get some money, he'd have to get her a scarf similar to his she seemed to like it.

Wait did anyone at the guild know how to knit? Maybe he could ask them to knit her one...or they could teach him and he could knit a scarf for his hatchling himself!

Mirajane met them at the door to the guild and was already reaching out to take Lucy and fuss over her.

Natsus inner dragon purred contently watching the strong demoness fuss and fret over his hatchling who was confused at the care and concern but let Mirajane make her some more food and wrap her in a blanket.

Well he'd write down his plans to get her some clothes and other things she'd need and then go about it later. For now...well Gray was here and talking so obviously he needed to be punched in the face!

Chapter Text

It was getting close to night time now and a few of the Fairy Tail members were hanging around the guild idly, more so than they usually would. After all they needed to figure out a place for Lucy to sleep for at least tonight if not permanently.

"I can sleep on the floor or on one of the benches. It's a lot cleaner than the street." Lucy offered and that was absolutely not going to happen than you very much.

"Hatchling I can promise you. You will never sleep on the floor or streets again. I'll make sure of it." Natsu said seriously as he looked at the sleepy and yawning blond who looked up at him curiously.

"Aye!" Happy agreed with that with a slightly dark look on his face. He wouldn't let her sleep on the streets either if he could help it.

"Then where do I sleep Mr. Natsu?" Lucy asked curiously and it was honestly adorable how attached she was to him but also the reason behind it, him having saved her (and they didn't know what from but there had been rumors about a boat in Hargeon involved in slave trade that had crashed...) and possibly being the first person to ever care about her.

"I'd offer my place but I need to set up a proper nest for you...and get some of the dangerous things put up." Natsu grimaced at the thought of bringing his hatchling to his house and her being in danger from some of his things and not having a proper nest to sleep in.

Natsus eyes trailed from Lucy to Happy who nodded to the side and following the motion Natsus eyes landed on Mirajane who was wiping down the counter and giving them a semblance of privacy. As if the guild ever had privacy.

"Hey Mirajane...can you do me a favor?" Natsu had the idea hit him like lightning and he smiled hopefully at the demoness with the angelic smile.

Mirajane glanced up at him with knowing blue eyes and she shot him a smile and a nod, not having to say a word or even ask. Natsu breathed a sigh of relief and gave her a thankful nod and grateful smile before he focused back on Lucy who had watched the exchange curiously.

"Lucy...can you be a big brave hatchling for me? I need to clean and make a nest before I can take you home. So...can you stay with the Nice Ms. Mirajane for a night?" Natsu asked gently and Lucy eyed Mirajane curiously and intently for a long silent moment before she finally nodded.

"I don't mind if she's okay with it." Lucy said and Mirajane gave her a soft smile.

"I'm okay with it sweetheart. In fact...I'll be relying on you. I'm not very strong after all so if there's bad dreams and monsters in the dark I'll be relying on you to beat them up and protect me. Okay?" Mirajane asked hoping it'd make the girl feel better and Lucy gave her a flat deadpan look.

"The only monsters are people and the bad thoughts that live in your head. I can fight the people but I'm not sure I can fight your bad thoughts." Lucy informed her bluntly and Mirajane had a sad smile at that. She was so worldly and weary for one so young and small. And far too smart as well.

"Then I'll be trusting you to fight the bad people okay?" Mirajane asked and Lucy nodded her head in agreement to this. It'd be a good way to earn her bed for the night, keeping bad people away from the nice lady.

"Thank you! Now do you have any clothes to sleep in or anything to wear tomorrow?" Mirajane asked and Lucy shook her head in the negative. Her other clothes got too torn and dirty so she had to throw them away. This was her last set of clothes.

"Well that's alright. We can get you one of my shirts to wear as a sleep dress tonight and find something for you to wear tomorrow." Mirajane said but there was a huff behind Lucy who tensed and looked back. There was a brown haired woman wearing a green dress and who had glasses standing there with a bag in her hand.

"You're slow. Here. These should fit her if I guessed her size right." The woman said and she shoved a bag into Mirajanes hands and then stared down at Lucy who tried to make herself smaller under the woman's stern look.

The woman softened a bit and gave her a slight smile.

"It's okay little one. My name is Evergreen, the true fairy of Fairy Tail... you'll be as cute as a fairy once you're all clean and dressed nicely...I suppose I can accept a tiny fairy joining our guild." Evergreen said and she patted Lucy's head and then turned and walked off without sparing anyone else a glance.

"Thank you Ms. Evergreen!" Lucy called after a few seconds of regaining her wits. The woman just waved it off without turning around as she met up with a green haired man and a man in a mask.

"That's strange. Evergreen doesn't usually like anyone. But it was really nice of her to get some clothes for Lucy..." Mirajane noted the odd occurrence but decided not to think too closely about it. Honestly she wasn't surprised someone had thought to get more clothes for the little one. She was just surprised Evergreen beat everyone else to it.

"So how about we get you to my place and get you nice and clean and ready for bed?" Mirajane asked looking back at Lucy who nodded her head in agreement and silently slipped off of the stool to wait for Mirajane.

"Here hatchling. I need you to hold this for me for tonight okay? Consider it proof I'll see you in the morning okay?" Natsu asked as he took off his scarf and wrapped it around her once more.

Lucy hugged his legs in response while the entire guild was shocked. Natsu never took off that scarf. Or let anyone else ever wear it.

"Sleep well hatchling. I'll see you tomorrow and I know you'll be safe with Mirajane." Natsu kissed her head as he knelt down to hug her goodnight before he stood and handed her off to Mirajane who immediately took her and held her on her hip.

Mirajane was giving him a surprised and curious look. He wondered why.

"Come on Happy! Let's get home and get things set up to bring home the hatchling tomorrow!"

"Aye!"

Chapter Text

"Here we are little one. Home sweet home." Mirajane said opening the door to the house she shared with her brother. It was a simple and two story house. It had three bedrooms and two bathrooms with a kitchen and living room. Nothing too big or fancy but it was home.

"Where should I set down the bags Nee-san?" Elfman asked his voice quieter than usual as he carried the bags of clothes Evergreen had gotten for Lucy.

"On the couch please. And do you mind preparing a warm bath in my bathroom?" Mirajane asked and earned an affirmative as she toted Lucy in and showed her where the kitchen was if she wanted a midnight snack.

"Feel free to eat anything you want sweetheart. Whenever you want. I don't mind if you get a midnight snack, if you sneak to the kitchen at the right time Elfman might share those cookies he thinks I don't know he's got." Mirajane said with a mischievous wink and Elfman whined a bit and blustered but he mostly played it up for the small child.

They had both noticed that she seemed far more comfortable with Mirajane than she did with Elfman. She always made herself smaller and tried to be quieter when he was nearby, as if she was trying not to be noticed. It was sad because Elfman loved kids and wanted to try and teach her some tricks and games.

They hoped they would be able to get her used to other people, particularly men since the only one she seemed comfortable with was Natsu, although since Natsu trusted her to watch after his hatchling it seemed Lucy was trusting her as well.

It was a start. And a good one.

Lucy was looking around curiously, peeking out from the scarf that was draping her tiny frame. Nearly sliding down her shoulders and constantly needing to be fixed back up by either Mirajane or Lucy herself.

The one time Elfman had reached to fix it Lucy had flinched and hid her face in Mirajanes shoulder which made Elfman wince and retreat. He hadn't reached out towards her since.

The house was neat but showed it was still lived in. It wasn't the clean freak neat Lucy had grown up with where a single sock out of place had the servants rushing to clean it up. Mirajanes jacket was thrown over a chair, there was dishes still in the draining rack, a few of the pictures and posters on the wall were slightly crooked, the curtains in the kitchen didn't match the ones in the living room or the rest of the decor...Elfmans shoes were laying haphazardly in the living room...

It was...nice.

Lucy rather liked the way the house felt warm and lived in.

"Let's see..." Mirajane still was carrying Lucy on her hip, she had yet to let the seven year old who was much smaller than she should be down to walk on her own, as she ruffled through the shopping bags one handed and laid out the clothes Evergreen had bought.

There were some casual shirts and skirts, not many jeans or shorts...and a few dresses.

Mirajane noticed how Lucy seemed to avoid looking at the fancy styled dresses. She didn't know if that was from the girls previous home life, if she just didn't like them, or if that was from being on the streets where those dresses would make her a target. She wasn't going to ask either.

She'd return the two that Lucy had winced at to Evergreen tomorrow and hope the fairy woman would understand and not be offended.

"Well I don't see any pajamas. So you'll have to use one of my spare shirts tonight. How about I show you where you'll be sleeping before your bath?" Mirajane offered and waited for the small blond to make the decision. Lucy slowly nodded when she realized Mirajane had been asking her seriously.

Mirajane still didn't let her down to walk as she carried Lucy upstairs towards the bedrooms.

One door had a nameplate that said Lisanna and there were pictures on the walls of a third person, a white haired girl who must be their sister, but Lucy frowned. She didn't remember seeing her at the guild...was she on a mission?

It wasn't any of her business she supposed.

There was another door labeled Elfman and then Mirajane approached the open door that led to her room.

Inside was a large King sized bed that had royal purple blankets that matched the color of the walls and some pink pillows on the bed along with two stuffed animals. A lizard and a rabbit. There was a desk with papers and a picture on it, a book case and a nightstand with a lamp on it. The floor was rug and it looked soft and fluffy...

There was an open door to the side with Elfman inside running a bath, it was a large bathroom it looked like with deep blue walls.

"This is my room little one. Since you'll be protecting me that means you have to be near me right? So you can stay in here with me." Mirajane said gently and Lucy supposed that made sense. Was she going to sleep on the floor? At least it looked soft.

"Now let's see..." Mirajane walked over and opened a door that led to her closet and began riffling one handed through it.

"I forgot I still had these. I must have forgotten to throw them out...but these would fit you better than my current shirts so I suppose it's good I forgot about them. Here sweetheart. Which one would you like to wear to sleep?" Mirajane pulled out two shirts she hadn't worn in three years...since before Lisanna..., she focused on right here and now.

She settled Lucy onto the bed and held up the dark purple tee-shirt and the dark blue tee-shirt for Lucy to pick from. It took her a few seconds before Lucy shyly pointed at the purple one making Mirajane nod and set it aside before putting the blue one back.

"Baths ready nee-san!" Elfman called as he left her bathroom and moved to leave his sisters room.

"Thank you! Lucy can you take a bath by yourself or will you need help?" She didn't know what the girl knew how to do or if she had been on the streets so long she forgot...Mirajane remembered how Erza and Natsu hadn't been used to baths or known how to use a bathtub for a while after joining the guild.

"...I'm seven. I know how to bath myself..." Lucy said quietly and sounding a bit deadpan at the perceived babying but Mirajane didn't mind.

"That's good! Between you and me, Elfman was the absolute worst at taking baths when he was your age. Always claimed he didn't see the point cause he'll get dirty again. Natsu was really bad at it too, he had never seen a bathtub before he joined the guild." Mirajane said in a staged whisper as if she were sharing a secret and Lucy blinked a bit but decided that that was fair then. No wonder she asked if Natsu hadn't known what a bathtub was when he joined.

"I don't like being dirty for long..." She didn't mind getting dirty really, she just didn't want to be dirty for long. She always got in trouble if she was seen when dirty.

"And there's nothing wrong with that. I'm the same way. So you go ahead and take a bath while the waters warm okay? Take as long as you like and use any of the soaps you want, I don't mind. If you need anything just call okay? I'll be right here." Mirajane said supportively as she handed Lucy the shirt and helped her down from the bed.

Okay she knew the girl was seven. But she was so tiny...and Mirajanes bed was a bit higher up off the floor than normal ones were. Lisanna had liked to hide under her sister's bed in cat form sometimes...

"Thank you Ms. Mira." Well it was better than Ms. Mirajane and it was a step in the right direction. So Mirajane was perfectly happy with that address from the adorable blond.

"Anytime sweetie. Now go get cleaned up. I'll take my shower when you're done and all comfy in bed." Mirajane encouraged and Lucy nodded and made a mental note to be fast so that she didn't keep Ms. Mira waiting.

Lucy shut the bathroom door behind her and Mirajanes smile finally fell as she let out a tiny soft sigh.

Such a small and young child...and she had a father who despised her and a mother she never got to meet... Poor dear. Mirajane had some memories of her parents, Elfman did too even if they were vague...but her parents had died when Lisanna was barely four. She hadn't remembered their parents beyond vague shadowy figures.

Mirajane had taken over the mother role for her younger siblings. And she had more than once in the last two years been called the mom friend or the Guild Mom on occasion...

But this...well. This was a tiny little one who could do with a loving supportive mom. And she felt the dormant souls of her demons stirring and clamouring to claim and protect the little one...

She put a hand over her heart and stared intrigued at the bathroom door.

Who was this small child who could stir up her inner demons? They had been silent and dormant, sleeping, for two years almost exactly. And yet now...within less than a day of knowing this little one who needed a home they were stirring and waking again.

And yet they were violent or dark. They weren't whispering in her mind for vengeance or blood and destruction.

They were...protective. They wanted to claim the child as theirs, hers, and protect her from all that had hurt her before and all that sought to hurt her in the future.

Truly strange...and yet...it didn't feel bad. She smiled softly.

She actually didn't mind this feeling. Of claiming the child as her own and protecting her. She wondered if she'd get away with it without having to beat up Natsu. Because she doubted he'd just stand aside and let her claim his hatchling as her own.

Hmmm...Lucy Strauss...Lucy Dragneel...Lucy Dragneel-Strauss?

That might work. She didn't know if he'd be alright sharing a hatchling but her demons didn't rage at the thought so she was fine with it.

"Ms. Mira?" The door cracked open and an embarrassed Lucy peeked out at her.

"Yes little light?" The nickname seemed to slip out without her meaning to but it fit so she thought nothing of it.

"Why are there bubbles in the water? Is your tub supposed to do that?" Oh Elfman must have used her bubble bath. Well she didn't mind that, the little one could use a nice bubble bath...

"It's a bubble bath sweetie. It's supposed to do that and it's safe." Although she couldn't blame the girl for being confused and nervous. Mirajane thinks all of them, the Guild Kids as Macao and Wakabe and Reedus called their group, had been confused about bubble baths at the beginning.

"Oh...that's strange...thank you." Lucy seemed confused by it but accepted her word and she was relieved by that. It seemed the little one was beginning to trust her word, maybe not as much as she trusted Natsu but this was definitely a good sign!

"Anytime sweetie. Just call if you need me." Mirajane reminded and Lucy gave her a small nod and smaller smile but it was a good sign, a very good sign, and Mirajane beamed at her as she closed the door again.

Yes she was definitely claiming this little one as her little Cambion!

Chapter Text

Lucy was done with her bath quickly, Mirajane supposed she shouldn't be surprised, and was standing in the room holding her dirty outfit and the towel as she looked confused about what to do with them.

She was even more adorable now that she was clean, her hair was like sunlight now instead of of the darker blond it had looked like and removing the dirty and dust had showed that her skin was a bit paper than Mirajane thought healthy...and the way the too big shirt was nearly falling off of her small frame just helped highlight how small she really was.

"Let me throw those in the wash sweetheart while you get comfortable." Mirajane said and she slowly, making sure Lucy saw what she was doing, reached forward and took the dirty laundry from the child. Lucy didn't flinch or duck down, which was good. Very good.

Mirajane had been gone from the room for less than a minute to put the clothes in the washer and when she came back she found Lucy curling up on the floor in the corner.

"Oh sweetheart no." Mirajanes heart hurt at the sight of the small thing child curled up on the floor. She stepped closer and slowly scooped Lucy up into her arms.

"Ms. Mira?" Lucy looked confused as she stared up at Mirajane who gave her a warm smile.

Her smile was warm but her eyes were sad, it was a strange contradiction for the small blond.

"You don't have to sleep on the floor little one. Here." Mirajane had moved towards her bed and moved the blanket back with one hand before depositing the little one into the bed next to the stuffed animals. Lucy looked surprised and confused even as Mirajane covered her up with the blanket.

"I don't need to sleep in a bed. Your floor is soft." Lucy said and Mirajane couldn't resist the kiss on the forehead she gave the girl. It felt like an urge to smother her in warmth and love. She was used to being a mother figure, she was claiming this one as her own. It was only natural she'd do maternal things like that she supposed.

"I'm sure it is sweetheart. But you're going to protect me right? That means you need to be close to me. So you can sleep in my bed." Mirajane said still leaning onto that excuse to hopefully get the girl to agree. Lucy just looked at her for a long minute unsurely.

"In fact. I'd like you to do me a favor. You see these stuffed animals? They mean a lot to me. Do you think you could keep them safe and from falling off the bed for me while I shower?" Mirajane asked smiling gently at the girl who looked at the stuffed animals in curiosity and confusion.

"Okay? Do stuffed animals fall a lot?" Lucy asked baffled, she had never had a stuffed animal before so she wondered what they did. Did they move or something?

"Some do but I try not to let these two do it. Thank you for watching them for me little Cambion." Mirajane said and then with another kiss to the head she grabbed one of her brother's shirts she had stolen a while back and left for the bathroom to take a shower.

As she showered she was making a mental list of everything she noticed and decided she needed to get for the little girl.

First she supposed she should take Lucy to Porlyusica in the morning for a checkup and possibly healing if she was hurt or had injuries from before Natsu found her.

Second would be getting the little one a warm filling breakfast and hopefully get some more weight on her. Malnourished and underweight was something she already knew the girl suffered from and she could try and fix that slowly and steadily. Perhaps some nutritional supplement options or pills to help with that...she'd ask Porlyusica.

It would be better to have a more comprehensive idea of how badly underfed the poor girl was before starting her on anything to eat in the morning.

Third she supposed she should give the clothes Lucy didn't seem to like back to Evergreen and then go and get some more clothes that the little one did like and could run around in for her. She'd take Lucy with her for that and let her pick out her own clothes, or at least she'd hope the little girl would pick things she liked.

She knew Natsu was supposedly cleaning his house and making a nest for the little one so she could stay with him whenever he's not on a mission. She should make sure she had more child things for the little one here as well. After all she didn't go on missions anymore, she hadn't ever since Lisa...ever since her demons went dormant. If he was gone on a mission it was likely she'd be the one entrusted with Lucy. It wouldn't do to not have things for her here.

Mirajane sighed slightly as she finished rinsing the shampoo out of her hair and reached for the conditioner. Hm she'd have to get child friendly bath soaps and hair care things for the little one as well. And a stuffed animal, she was absolutely giving her a stuffed animal of her own, and some toys for when she relaxed more and wasn't on edge. Her little one hadn't let her celestial keys out of her sight or her hands ever since she came to the guild. She had even taken them with her when she went to get clean...

What toys would a celestial wizard like...maybe a plushie of her spirits if she could find some? Maybe a plushie key?

Hm. She'd have to talk with Natsu about getting her some toys and plushies for when she wasn't training, maybe she should see about getting Lucy enrolled in Romeos school? It was a good school despite the apparent bullying problem Romeo had faced from some guards sons. (And oh was Fairy Tail going to address that soon. No one bullied one of theirs. Romeo might not be an actual member yet because he couldn't decide which magic to use yet...but he was one of theirs. That little boy was born and raised in their guild. He was absolutely a Fairy Tail mage.)

She'd have to talk with Natsu about that for sure, and keep him from burning down the school most likely. If Lucy didn't like the thought of school though (there was no telling what that wretched human who she was genetically related to had let her be taught although at least she could read and write so she did have some education) then Mirajane could always tutor her during the slow times at the bar and ask Levy to help her out as well.

Now rinsing out her conditioner Mirajane hummed in thought. Introducing Lucy to and getting her used to the rest of the guild was going to take time before she was comfortable with them and realized she was safe with them all. Ideally she'd like to start with Elfman. Her little brother. Partly because he is her little brother and she wanted him and her little one to be on good terms...but also because Elfman was a big and could be scary looking man. Especially to a child.

Whenever he went to get Romeo from school the other kids were kind of scared of Elfman because he was big and strong and had a serious face. Realistically if she could get Lucy used to someone as big and scary looking as her little brother could be then getting her used to everyone else would be easier. Except perhaps Laxus and maybe Bixlow...Gildarts was out too for now and for more than one reason.

Although, Mira paused for a second as she turned off the shower and reached for her towel, Lucy did seem very brave and unafraid when confronting Master earlier.

Mirajanes lips curled upwards into a small fond and proud smile. Lucy had stared fearlessly up at Master in his giant form, had called him a big meany and gotten so angry and even summoned a spirit to help fight him all because she thought he was hurting Natsu.

That was absolutely a good sign that the little one was strong and had some fight in her. She'd need it with this family. Perhaps she was thinking about it too much but...hmph. It seemed Lucy was able to overcome her fear when someone she cared about was in danger. What a brave strong little one...

She had a feeling Lucy would fit in just fine at the guild and with their whacky family. And she'd be a force to be reckoned with in a few more years with some training.

Dressed in one of her brothers T-shirts and a pair of shorts Mirajane had her hair wrapped in a towel as she stepped out of her bathroom. Immediately glancing at the bed her heart melted and her demons crowed with delight.

Lucy had curled up into a ball around the two stuffed animals that represented her siblings and was fast asleep with her keys clutched to her chest.

Her little light...

Mirajane made quick work of putting her own clothing in the washer and starting it. Elfman was already in the kitchen rummaging for snacks and leftovers and had nodded to his sister, he'd throw them in the dryer before going to bed himself.

Kissing her brothers cheek and wishing him goodnight she went back to her room and climbed into her bed as gently as she could to try and not disturb the sleeping child.

By the slight stiffening she saw the little girl had woken up but was still pretending to be asleep...Mirajane didn't like what that implied but she hoped it was just from being on the streets and not something more sinister.

Mirajane made no mention or notice that she knew about Lucy being awake however as she kissed Lucy's head and settled into the bed, laying one arm protectively around Lucy and the stuffed animals.

"Goodnight little star. Sweet dreams." Mirajane murmured and she didn't know where all these endearments were coming from but she didn't care. She was going to smother this little one in love and warmth and affection.

Switching off the light Mirajane laid down in the pitch black room and waited to see if Lucy would need the light on. While she was able to see in the dark thanks to her demons, a minor side effect that she didn't really mind and couldn't shut off, Lucy wasn't able to. Not that it mattered.

As soon as the lights were fully off the keys in her hand began to glow softly. Not a lot, just a small soft light similar to a night light.

Mirajane didn't know if that was normal for gate keys or not but she didn't care. Lucy looked far too relieved and happy about it as she curled up a little more around the keys and relaxed again.

She was back asleep within seconds of relaxing and Mirajane smiled and fully shut her eyes. It was time for her to get some sleep as well, tomorrow would be busy.

Chapter Text

Mirajane woke up the same time she did every day, precisely ten minutes before sunrise, but today was different. She felt more rested, she hadn't slept so well since-

Feeling slight movement her focus and attention was suddenly on high alert but her demons weren't alarmed or making a fuss. They would be, even if slightly sleepy sounding, if she had been in danger or hurt.

Instead her demons were cooing and trying to lull her into going back to sleep with her Cambion...her...Cambion?

Oh right! Yesterday! Lucy!

Feeling the metal keys digging into her slightly Mirajane slowly peaked one eye open as she glanced at the small warm body curled into hers.

Lucy had moved sometime in the night without waking Mirajane, an impressive feat in and of itself, but she and the plushies on the bed and the keys were all curled now into Mirajanes body. Lucy had cuddled into her and Mirajane was staring down at the head of golden blond hair lightly illuminated by the softly glowing keys.

Mirajane knew that usually she'd be getting up and preparing for the day right about now but...there...she supposed she could sleep in just this once. After all she had a small cuddle buddy who needed the extra sleep.

Mirajane wrapped her arms more firmly around the child curled into her and the older woman curled slightly around the child as if to shield her from the world.

A little longer wouldn't hurt. With that and a small content hum in her throat she drifted back off to sleep holding the child close protectively.

A few minutes later a concerned Elfman softly opened her door and looked to see if she was okay. He froze and looked at the scene before grinning. Grabbing his sisters camera he snapped a few pictures before fucking back out of the room.

"Manly!" Elfman whispered to himself with a wide grin before he got ready to head to the guild. He didn't know when Mirajane would wake up and head to the guild so someone had to be there to tend to the bar.

He could take over for a while he supposed. He was manly enough to step in for his big sister if she wanted to sleep in!

"Oh Elfman! Where's Mirajane and the new girl? Mirajane is usually here by now!" Master asked looking a bit concerned about Mirajane being late.

Elfman grinned at the Master and showed him the pictures he took.

"My sister is having a lie in. I'll be a Man and step in for her for now!" Elfman said and Master observed the photos for a moment as his face softened looking at Mirajane curled protectively around Lucy.

"Looks like your sister made you an uncle." Master noted and Elfman paused for a moment as he tied on his sisters guild apron.

"I'll be the most manly uncle ever!" Elfman damn near roared with a fist pump and a grin. Hell yeah! He'd be the best uncle ever!

"Uncle? Okay yeah whatever. Where's Mira with my hatchling?" Natsu surprising everyone was walking in the doors looking around intently for his hatchling, Happy sleeping on his head.

"They're still at home asleep apparently. The picture is adorable." Master grinned at Natsu who immediately zeroed in and strode over to look at the picture.

Elfman and Master both were surprised when they heard it.

Natsu began to purr contently as he looked at the picture of the demoness curled up with and protecting the hatchling.

Good. His hatchling would have a strong protective good mother. His instincts purred contently at that.

Chapter Text

When Mirajane did arrive in the guild with Lucy in tow she had a few bags in one arm and was carrying Lucy on her hip. It was close to 11 and near lunch time and the guild was a bit rowdy like usual until they noticed something. Lucy looked different. With her now being clean and in clean clothes she looked even smaller but also brighter. Golden blond hair, pale skin that seemed a touch unhealthy, her now clean clothes consisting of a green sparkly shirt and a pink skirt with sparkles...she was adorable and yet they were alarmed.

Lucy had a pastel pink cast on her left wrist and hand.

Natsu was there in less than a second and there was a small growl building in his throat.

"You're hurt." Natsu pointed out the obvious as his eyes remained locked onto that cast.

"Natsu." Mirajane got his attention with a single word and Natsus eyes flicked to meet hers. The darkness within them caught him a bit by surprise. What could begin to awaken her demons again?

"My father would yank or pull my wrist hard and twist it when I didn't do what he said. The nice lady in the tree said that it fractured my wrist a lot and it never healed right." Lucy informed him of that and Natsu relaxed a fraction learning that it wasn't a recent injury.

"So she had to rebreak your wrist to let it heal properly. I hate it when stuff like that happens. It always feels worse than the first break!" Natsu complained a bit even though he rarely had broken bones. Well sometimes his fingers when he was younger or his nose after a nasty punch to the face...but nothing recently.

"I also have some vitamins here from Porlyusica to help her get up to a healthy weight and make sure she gets her nutritions. I also have a meal plan and got her some clothes and things for your place. Since I'll be happy to babysit anytime I left the ones for my place at my house. That way we don't have to keep moving her things." Mirajane said and she was already handing Natsu the bags that he took without complaint and instead seemed grateful.

"Thanks. I managed to clean my place up a bit and make a nest for her but this was a good idea. How much do I owe you?" Natsu asked making Mirajane smile slightly and shake her head in the negative.

"Nothing don't worry about it. Now. Why don't you go take those to your house while I get Lucy some lunch? And she wanted to make a contract with that key she got the other day so she can do that too." Mirajane said and Natsu nodded once. Leaning forward he kissed Lucy's head and nuzzles her affectionately.

"I'm glad you're going to be healthy and have a new friend Luce. When you're done making your contract why don't we go on a mission together yeah? It's an easy one, just have to find a book." Natsu said smiling at her and she beamed at him and nodded.

"Sure!" Lucy said brightly and excited and Natsu smiled at her and then glanced at Happy flying nearby.

"Happy? You wanna come back to the house with me a bit or stay with Luce?" Natsu asked his best friend and cat who flew over and sprawled out on top of Lucy's head contently.

"I'm good here!" Happy said brightly and then he purred as he began to try and groom Lucy's hair.

"Alright. I'll be back quick!" Natsu didn't have a problem with it and instead seemed pleased to see Happy grooming Lucy's hair as he walked towards the door.

Mirajane settled Lucy on a bar stool next to Cana as she went to go thank her brother and get started on some lunch for the little one.

Lucy twisted slightly to smile at Evergreen at a table nearby.

"Thank you for the pretty clothes Ms. Evergreen! I'll pay you back!" Lucy said and Evergreen made a scoffing noise.

"There's no need to pay me back. Consider them a welcoming gift. Hmmm. You look like a proper little fairy now, the only thing missing are some wings and perhaps a little tiara..." Evergreen appraised the girls outfit choices and while it wasn't what she would have picked to match together, the child seemed happy with it.

"Wings? Like Happy has? Will I grow wings?!" The little one looked very alarmed and confused by that and Evergreen blinked before chuckling a bit.

"No little fairy. Unless you get magic for it you will not grow wings. But we can get you some costume ones to wear. Tell me what's you're favorite colors? Two of them?" Evergreen was absolutely going to get two or three pairs of fake wings for the little one. A true fairy deserved no less.

"Blue and Pink!" The almost generic choices earned curious looks.

"Oh? Why those two kiddo?" Cana asked curiously and Lucy beamed, her smile bright and happy even though she was missing a tooth, something they hadn't realized yesterday.

"Blue is cause Aqua-nee has blue hair and eyes and scales! And Ms. Mira has blue eyes and Happy fur is blue!" There was a slight squeak from Mirajane at that and she nearly dropped the food, a thick soup with a sandwich on the side it seemed, onto the floor to try and hug Lucy. Loke nearby nearly choked on his drink for some reason.

"And pink?" Cana asked smirking at the way this little one had Mirajane wrapped around her finger.

"It's Mr. Natsus hair color! And the same color as Ms. Miras dress! And Lyra-nee has pink and blue in her dress!" Lucy said brightly and Mirajane outright cooed at that.

Wakabe laughed as did Vijeeter.

"Hey Elfman? How's it feel to know your sister has a kid with Natsu?"

There were several large crashes heard from the kitchen but Mirajane just smirked and turned to raise an eyebrow at the men.

"Careful with that phrasing boys! My girlfriend might take it the wrong way!"

And at that bombshell there was several dropped things and shocked looks. Elfman nearly tripped out the door and over the counter on his way to get to his sister.

"Who's the punk dating my sister?! They have to be more of a MAN than me!"

"But Ms. Mira said girlfriend. She can't be a Man if she's a girl." The confusion on Lucy's face was genuine.

And now everyone got lunch time entertainment as Elfman had to try and explain what he meant by Man and being Manly to a little girl who was honestly just getting more confused.

"Ignore it for now sweetheart and eat your lunch. Little Cambions need to eat to grow big and strong." Mirajane said after a few minutes as she tapped the counter once, quieting her brother and the rest of the guild.

"Okay Ms. Mira." Lucy seemed glad to be out of that confusing situation as she turned back to her food.

"...Cambion?" Cana grinned knowingly at Mirajane who stiffened while Master snickered.

"Cambions are a popular term to refer to baby demons." Freed said immediately and Evergreen scoffed.

"Baby demon? That girl is a baby fairy."

"...Happy should I tell them I'm not a baby?" Lucy asked the cat quietly as he continued to groom her hair.

"Nah. You can get away with more stuff if they baby you."

Chapter Text

When Natsu got back to the guild from carefully putting everything up at his house he saw his little hatchling sitting there holding a little white snowman looking thing with a carrot nose as she talked shyly with Cana.

"Mr. Natsu!" But she lit up when she saw him and beamed and his inner dragon purred happily. His hatchling recognized him and was happy to see him! As she should be!

"Hey hatchling. Who's this here?" Natsu asked softly as he ruffled her hair a bit, earning an annoyed noise from Happy who began to try and straighten and groom her hair again.

"This is my new spirit friend! His names Plu!" Lucy said brightly and making Natsu grin and shake the little guys hand.

"Nice to meet you little fella! You get your lunch done with hatchling?" Natsu asked noting the mostly empty bowl and the bits of crumbs left on the plate.

"Mhm. Ms. Mira made me a yummy potato soup and a bacon sandwich. The nice doctor lady said that I have to start small with foods cause my stomach is small and not used to lots of heavy foods." Hm that meant he couldn't hunt down a wildadeer for her or feed her a boar or a lot of fish...he would be patient and wait until he could hunt for her to feed her properly.

"Mira makes some of the best food ever. Now how do you feel about going on a small mission with me? It's an easy one, finding a book for some guy. No fighting no danger." Natsu asked softly and Lucy beamed at him.

"Yeah! I want to go on my first mission!" Lucy said happily and Natsu grinned at her and kissed her head.

"You sure it's safe Natsu?" Mirajane asked softly and worriedly as she looked at him and hovered by the bar near Lucy.

"Here Mira look. It's perfectly safe. Just a book retrieval." Natsu held out the job flyer for her to look at and she examined it closely and hesitated.

"For that kind of reward? Natsu that's suspicious. You know jobs paying that well have some kind of twist or danger to it." Mirajane said eyeing the reward amount warily. Usually that much was for a high danger S rank job. Not a simple Book finding one.

Something was weird about this.

"And if it happens I'll make sure the hatchling is safe." Natsu shrugged it off and Mirajane worried her lip a bit.

"Fine. But I'm going with." Cana nearly spat out her beer at that as a few other heads turned to look at Mirajane in surprise or alarm.

"Nee-san?" Elfman looked worried and Mirajanes finger tapped the flyer as she stared down Natsu.

"I don't like how suspicious all this is. I'm going with you or the little one stays here with me." Mirajane stared Natsu down as she delivered that ultimatum and Natsu took a look at her and the darkness and protectiveness in her eyes.

He smirked slightly.

"Sure Mirajane. This'll be a great way for you to get back into the swing of missions too." Natsu shrugged his shoulders and smiled at her and Lucy looked up at them curiously.

"So is Ms. Mira coming with us?" Lucy asked and Mirajane smiled softly at her.

"I am little light! You get to go on a mission with me and Natsu and Happy!" Mirajane said brightly and Lucy beamed and cuddled Plu a little tighter.

"Yay." Lucys celebration was quiet but the happy smile on her face spoke volumes.

"Now my hatchling! Off on a mission we go!" Natsu said brightly and he lifted Lucy up and carried her from the guild.

"Ah Natsu wait! Her medicines!" Mirajane rushed after him and he stopped at the door to let Mirajane catch up.

"Yeah Natsu. You can't forget to bring her medication with us. We'd be in big trouble if we did that." Happy said as he held onto Lucy's tiny shoulder for dear life.

"You bet your furry behind you would be in trouble. I'd kill you both if anything happens to that little girl." Mirajane glared at them both and then she swiped Lucy from Natsus arms. He let her without batting an eye or growling.

"I can walk you know?" Lucy blinked up at Mirajane curiously and Mirajane kissed her head. Lucy blinked again. Why were they kissing her head so much?

"I know sweetling but I have longer legs. It'd be faster if I carried you!" Mirajane beamed and the two adults were walking towards the train station to catch a ride to the closest town to the mission.

"Hm that makes sense. It'd save time." Lucy could admit the practicality of that as she glanced at Mirajanes legs and then at her own smaller legs.

"Aye!" Happy cheered from where he had moved to ride on Natsus head.

"Now come along and let's see how my little Cambion does on her mission!" Mirajane said and she was already purchasing the tickets to the train even though Natsu looked ill at the sight of the transportation.

"I'm going to do my best!" Lucy cheered and Natsu smiled as he stole his hatchling back from Mirajane and carted her onto the train.

"And your best will be awesome! I know cause you're my hatchling, which makes you awesome by default!" He justed wanted to curl around his hatchling and protect her and train her.

Hmmm...could he teach her dragon slaying? He wasn't a dragon but he knew dragon slaying...

Meh he'd think about it later.

Chapter Text

When they got to the mansion of the Duke Mirajane strolled up to the front gate with Lucy by her side. Mirajane had used her transformation magic to make her hair blond like Lucy's and make her dress look like a maid uniform. Lucy had wanted to match so she was also wearing a tiny maid uniform, a much more modest one than Mirajane was.

"A maid applicant?" A large heavyset pink haired woman burrowed through the ground to come out in front of them when Mirajane called about applying for the job.

"Master! We have an applicant for the blond maid!" The woman called back through the hole and another hole appeared before a short rather rotund man with a twirly mustache burrowed his way up to see them.

"Yes I'm here for the maid position. Forgive me but my babysitter called out last minute so I had to bring Lucy with me." Mirajane said with a bright smile and she hoped he didn't recognize her from her modeling job.

"Hmmm." The man eyed her briefly and then his eyes landed on and lingered on Lucy who was hiding behind Mirajanes leg and peeking out curiously.

"Rejected. Go home ugly." The man waved her off and then some other maids appeared as Mirajanes eyebrow raised as the man showered his girls in praise.

"But you...come back in four or five years and I might have a spot for you." The man, Duke Everlue, said looking at Lucy and that caused a spike of rage to go through Mirajane as she stepped firmly in front of Lucy. The pink haired maid even was staring at the Duke with a dark glint in her eyes at what he said.

"Say something like that about my Cambion again and you won't live to see tomorrow." Mirajane said flatly and she didn't care that she couldn't transform into her Satan Soul forms right now. She'd rip this man's throat out with her human teeth if she had to.

She could faintly feel the heat from Natsus own rage and hear a hiss that must be from Happy.

"Hmph. Trying to threaten me takes guts ugly. Go home before I have the knights arrest you." Everlue sneered at her and then he swan dived back into the hole with the maids following shortly.

"I'm going to burn his entire mansion down. With him in it." Natsu growled as he showed up beside Mirajane and Lucy, Lucy being swept into Mirajanes arms protectively as her transformation magic faded to show her silver hair and normal pink dress.

"I'll rip out his intestines and strangle him with them." Mirajane didn't even try and stop or talk Natsu out of it. She'd help him gleefully actually.

"So we sneak in? I'm good at sneaking in fancy places." Lucy said focusing on the mission and looking confused as to why they seemed so angry with the Duke man. She had heard things like that all the time from some of her Father's friends and partners.

"For now we sneak in and get the book. We have to take it to the client and burn it in front of him to show proof." Mirajane said nodding to her little one and Lucy nodded and looked around.

There was a balcony not too far and it didn't seem like the mansion had cameras. It'd be easier to sneak into here than it had been to sneak out of the Korazon.

"If we get to that window I can unlock it." Lucy pointed at the balcony and Mirajane raised an eyebrow, the small child knew how to pick locks already? That was a useful skill. Most of Fairy Tail knew how to do it but generally were only taught once they were ten or eleven.

Easily jumping and maneuvering up to the balcony Mirajane watched as Lucy held her hand over the lock and it clicked without her having to say a single thing or use a tool.

"Celestial mage trick. We work with keys a lot. Aqua-nee taught me how to open locks a year ago." Lucy said smiling and glad she could be useful.

"Nice trick hatchling. Now come on. Let's find that book and kill a Duke!" Natsu said grinning wickedly as the group slipped into a room that seemed like a storeroom and then began to search around for a library.

"Open Gate of the Compass! Pyxis!" Lucy summoned out one of her spirits almost immediately and Mirajane cooed at the little figure that popped out and chirped at them as the red owl like spirit landed on Lucy's head and began to groom her hair.

Happy hissed at the bird and swatted at it, earning an angry squawk from the red owl looking spirit.

"Hi Pyxis! We're trying to find a book called Daybreak! Can you help us get to the library?" Lucy asked hopefully and the owl gave a coo noise and fluttered it's wings, flying in front of them and towards the library.

"Intruders detecte-" the four other maids launched out at them in battle positions as the big maid appeared digging a hole in front of them.

Natsu tossed the big maid with ease over the railing as Mirajane sent the other four falling over the railing behind her with one kick to the front one who went flying into the others.

Just because she couldn't use her demon take over forms right now didn't mean she didn't still have the side effects of them. Her enhanced strength for instance.

"Thank you Pyxis! Can you lead us to the shelf too or-" Lucy asked hopefully and Pyxis gave her a chirp and fluttered over to land right in front of the book.

"Thank you! Rest well and I'll have some yummy treats for you later okay?" Lucy asked and Pyxis just cooed and groomed her hair again, earning another hiss from Happy.

That was HIS thing you stupid spirit bird!

"Now we just need to give this book to-" Mirajane paused when she felt something strange as she picked up the book and it seemed Lucy noticed as well.

"Oh? That worthless thing is worth something after all to someone? Well now...Vanish Brothers!" Duke Everlue was there all of a sudden with another hole in the floor of the mansion and Lucy looked at him baffled even as two mercenaries walked out arrogantly.

"Hey Mister Duke? Why do you keep burrowing holes in your floor? Isn't that wasting money and time to fix?" Lucy asked curiously and now everyone was looking at the Duke who paused and stared at her for a moment.

"I...er..." Even the mercenaries seemed to be questioning him about that with their gazes.

"Brats like you shouldn't question adults! Open! Gate of the Maiden Virgo!" The Duke snapped and he swung a key and suddenly the giant pink haired woman appeared and Lucy blinked.

"Oh...you use celestial magic too? Okay then!" Lucy smiled brightly and then she had her own key in hand.

"Open! Gate of the bull! Tauros!"

"Never fear princess for Tauros is here!" Tauros appeared striking a pose and the Duke looked stunned.

"A brat like you has a golden key? And can use it?!? Southern Wolves! Take that brats keys and I'll pay you double!" Duke Everlue snarled as he looked at the mercenaries who grinned viciously.

"You want to get near my hatchling you go through me first. Mirajane. Leave these guys to me." Natsu said and Mirajane nodded as her eyes remained locked onto the Duke while Tauros was holding off Virgo, the two spirits talking casually as they grappled and wrestled.

"They're all yours Natsu. I need to have a word with the Duke here about what he said earlier." Mirajane said and there was a dark aura around her that frightened even the spirits but Lucy felt perfectly safe.

"...hey...hey Duke dumbass? Usually I'd feel bad for you cause Mirajanes about to go full She Devil Satan Soul on you. But given what you implied earlier about being interested in Lucy when she will be like eleven? Yeah no. I'll be surprised if she doesn't rip your tongue out through your cheek." Natsu said casually with a whistle at how pissed Mira was, not that he could blame her.

"...He implied what?" One of the mercenaries asked slowly and glanced at his brother who grimaced as well.

If Mama found out they worked for a possible pedophile and didn't kill the man themselves she'd be angry. As soon as the sicko paid them for the guard detail and getting those keys they'll slit his throat with smiles.

"Yeah. It's why I'm going to burn this place to the ground, preferably with him in it!" Natsu said cheerfully.

"Aye!"

"That and because Fairy Tail as a whole is famous for our Plan B." Mirajane said cheerfully and she carefully settled Lucy onto the couch in the library, leaving the book in her hands, as the silver haired bar maid stalked towards her prey.

"Plan B?" The Duke asked and he paled under the dark look on her slit pupiled eyes as she bared her teeth in a grin, showing her sharpened canines. Her inner demons struggled to burst forth and destroy the one who dared say such things about her child. She was barely keeping them in check as she felt her ears itch.

Her voice was as soft as a whisper but as deadly as venom as he lips started to get darker as if being covered in blood. Her demons were surging and fighting to be unleashed.

"Break. Absolutely. Everything."

Chapter Text

"Fine I'll destroy it myself." The client, Kaby the son of the author himself, said lighting a match and grabbing the book off of the table after having told them about his father's last moments and how he'd never written anything else after writing that stupid book.

Then the book started glowing.

"What the-" Kaby said startled as he let go of the book and saw it floating and glowing. The letters on the front of it rearranged.

"There was a spell on this book. One cast by the author...he made it so that only you could read it. The spell rearranged all the words of this letter into the book we knew before." Mirajane said calmly from where she was sitting with Lucy in her lap. The seven year old watched amazed as the book glowed and opened and all the letters and words began to move and shift.

"He didn't stop writing due to shame. He stopped writing because he finished his masterpiece. A letter to you, his son." Mirajane said while Natsu was turned away from the spectacle for a moment before Happy voiced how pretty the magic was, making him look.

"When read as intended then I have no doubt it's his best work ever...the work of a father writing down everything he ever wanted to say to his beloved son but never could or did." Mirajane said softly and her eyes were gentle as she looked down at Lucy in her lap.

She wondered...should she do something similar for Lucy and Elfman? There had been so many things she wanted to say to Lisanna but never had the chance to...maybe...maybe she'd take up writing in her limited free time when they got back to the guild.

Kaby Melon fell to his knees as he held the now fixed book while his wife looked concerned as she reached for him.

"Looks like we aren't collecting the reward." Natsu said and Lucy looked at him curiously as the Melons looked up surprised.

"We were supposed to destroy the book. We didn't finish the job so we can't collect the reward." Natsu explained to his hatchling who blinked at him curiously.

"Even so let us do something for you." Mr. Melon said and Mirajane smiled at him.

"If you find evidence of the Dukes Misdeeds in the book send it to the Knights. That'll be our reward." Mirajane said and she began to stand up with Lucy in her arms.

"Yeah that works. Besides I think it's time we all go back home...you too Mr. Melon. Go back home." Natsu said and Lucy looked confused as the Melons looked shocked.

"You knew?" Mr. Melon asked surprised and Mirajane giggled.

"Natsu and I have enhanced senses from our magic and Happy has enhanced sense of smell. This house...it doesn't smell like you two. To those of us with the ability to smell so strongly it's obvious this is not your house." Mirajane said tapping her nose and the Melons looked sheepish and embarrassed.

"It's true...it's just a rental..." Mrs. Melon admitted and Natsu grinned as he opened the door to leave.

"And it's past time for you to go home. Come on Happy. You coming Mira?" Natsu began to walk away without a backwards glance and Happy flew behind him to land on his shoulder.

"Of course. Say goodbye to the melons little light." Mirajane said and she nodded politely to them while Lucy waved goodbye to the two.

Thus they began to walk back to Magnolia and it was a rather nostalgic experience for Mirajane who hadn't done so much walking, hiking and camping in over a year and a half now.

It was two days later when Natsu and Mirajane sensed another presence and Natsu leapt to attack it immediately.

Mirajane was very relaxed even as she kept Lucy firmly behind her just in case, her eyes locked onto the bush.

"Oh it's Gray!" Happy said when the two combatants showed up outside of the brush.

"Why's he in his underwear?" Lucy asked curiously as she looked at the black haired boy from behind Mirajanes legs.

"I was looking for a bathroom." Gray growled glaring at Natsu.

"In the middle of the forest?! And why'd you take your clothes off before you got there?"

"I wanted some privacy. I didn't expect an idiot to barge in."

"Now now. Let's calm down and Gray please put your clothes back on." Mirajane said giving them a cold smile and making the two instantly pipe down and Gray went to recover his clothing.

"So what are you guys doing out here?" Gray asked even as he shrugged into his shirt while they all decided to take a break. Happy pulled out a collapsible fishing rod from his backpack and was showing Lucy how to fish as the three adults talked.

"We were on our way back from a job. You?" Mirajane asked making Gray nod.

"Same here. I was taking a shortcut through these woods. Guessing you guys couldn't catch a carriage or something?" Gray asked and Mirajane hummed.

"Oh we could have. But Natsu didn't think of it and it's been a while since I've been hiking and camping. Besides it's good to get Lucy in the habit of camping and teaching her how now." Mirajane said and Gray nodded in understanding, yeah he got that. Most of the guild knew how to rough it in the woods. It was how most of the Guild Kids had survived before getting to Fairy Tail.

He, Natsu, Erza and the Strauss siblings had been used to roughing it and had hiked or camped for weeks before making it to the guild and safety as kids. They could live off the land easily if they wanted to.

It would be good to pass those skills along he supposed as he glanced at where Happy and Lucy were fishing.

"True but we should head back to the guild soon. Or else there will likely be trouble." Gray said seriously and he was beginning to stand up, slowly and carefully when he noticed Lucy shrink slightly down and closer to Happy.

"Why's that?" Natsu frowned, was there danger nearby? Was his hatchling in danger?!

"Erzas due back anytime now." Gray said and he saw how Lucy looked over curiously at Natsus slightly gasp and Mirajanes hum.

"Who's Erza?" Lucy asked curiously and Gray and Natsu both looked terrified.

"She's the strongest woman in Fairy Tail. She's really scary." Happy said as he reeled in a fish and began to nom on it.

"Wild animal. A vile beast. Full on monster. All of this describes her." Gray said and Lucy shrank down further looking scared.

"Stop that! Erzas not like that and you're scaring Lucy." Mirajane scolded him and she walked over and scooped Lucy into her arms.

"Don't listen to them. Erzas not scary. She's actually rather shy. She can be hot headed at times and very stubborn and strict but she's not mean." Mirajane said softly to Lucy who curled into her worriedly. Was Ms. Erza a scary monster like Mr. Gray said or not?

"Come on man not cool. You scared the hatchling and insulted Mirajanes mate right in front of her." Natsu frowned at Gray who blinked while Mirajane blushed a bit and squeaked.

"Mirajanes mate?" Gray questioned that with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah she and Erza have been courting for a year and are mates. Don't know how you can't tell. Erzas been acting like a dragon, bringing back treasure and hoard materials and trophies for Mirajane and if anyone tries getting violent or stupid or insults her Erza is just like a dragon who's mate was insulted or attacked." Natsu said and he hadn't seen anything weird about that. He was raised by a dragon after all so he saw all that as normal courting and mate behavior.

Gray blinked slowly and then pinched his nose.

"Natsu that's not how most people date. But the worst part of it is that now that you've said that I can't unsee it." Gray said and he wondered if anyone else at the guild had caught on. Erza wasn't really subtle...but also he hadn't noticed before Natsu pointed it out and not many knew dragon courting and mate behavior.

That was around the time they were suddenly attacked and Happy taken as they were buried in sand.

"Mirajane! Leave them to me and Natsu. You help Happy and keep Lucy safe!" Gray called to the bar maid who was already digging Lucy out of the sand.

"Right I'll be relying on you two." Mirajane called back as she pulled Lucy free and carried her in one arm as she went to untie Happy.

"Wow. He's taking him out without magic." Lucy said and she was amazed as she saw Gray beating up most of the wizards without using his own magic.

Then Natsu got free of some sand spell and punched them all with a flaming fist.

"Oi you jerks. You tried to eat Happy and you could have hurt my hatchling!" Natsu snarled at them while Gray started snarking about him going overboard.

"You were hungry?" Lucy asked confused as she turned in Mirajanes arms to look at the tied up mages who were all bruised.

Mirajane tensed and Lucy took note of that even as she wiggled free and dug out her backpack of supplies.

"Here. If you're hungry you can eat these!" Lucy used her good hand to carry a lunch box over to the tied up mages and offered it to them.

"It was only because she was so close that she heard what the one greenish grey skinned man said.

"Lull...a...by...." The man muttered out while the twins were looking towards the offered box lunch with drool coming out of their mouths.

"Lullaby?" Lucy questioned curiously as she began to unwrap the lunch box Mirajane had made her.

"Food!" They cried happily and then there was a shadow beneath them.

"Lucy!" Mirajane reacted first and tackled Lucy away, getting out of the line of the darkness hand that was reaching out and grasping the tree and mages tied to it.

"We weren't far enough away..." One said horrified and suddenly they were gone. They and part of the tree sunk into the ground it seemed like.

"What the- what was that?!" Natsu demanded looking around for the attacker as Mirajane cradled Lucy close protectively and stared narrow eyed after a fleeing figure in the distance.

"More like who was that. He's fast. I can't even sense him anymore." Gray noted and Natsu growled.

"He could have hurt Lucy! I'm gonna-"

"He's not nearby anymore Natsu. There's no use chasing him down."

"Don't tell me what to do Gray! Especially where my hatchling is concerned!"

"Idiot she'd be in more danger if you ran off half cocked after the guy!"

"Who are you calling an idiot stripper?!"

"Stop it!" Lucy yelled at them and they both froze almost comically. They turned to the girl who was curling into Mirajane and peaking teary eyes out at them.

"I don't like you two fighting...I just wanna go back to the guild." Lucy whimpered and the two promptly felt all of two centimeters tall as they stared at the tiny blond in her cast.

"Let's just get back home you guys. I need to check and make sure we get all the sand out of her cast and that the blasts didn't hurt her worse." Mirajane said and she was giving them a dark look that dared them to defy her.

"Yeah. I'm sorry hatchling. Let's get you home." Natsu said softly as he approached and laid a warm hand on her back, she flinched a bit but recovered quickly when she realized it was him.

Natsu was on Mirajanes shoulder purring to Lucy and grooming her hair to try and soothe her.

"Sorry kid. We'll head home now." Gray assured her and he looked stricken at the fact that he made her cry and she flinched when he got close to her.

The three adults, one child and one cat made their way back to Fairy Tail in silence as they thought about what just happened and what it could mean.

Chapter Text

It was just another day in Fairy Tail honestly. Wakabe was flirting with Mirajane, Laki telling him off, Cana muttered about wanting to drink in peace, Happy was nomming in a fish, Reedus was painting...

It was an average day.

"Hey Lucy why don't you pick the next job?" Natsu offered to the little one as he sat at the table and realized that they'd need more food money soon. He wasn't used to buying enough for him and Happy and a hatchling who had a specific diet.

Not that Lucy would ever go hungry, Mirajane would make sure of that and the rest of the guild, particularly Levy and Cana and Macao and Wakabe made sure she had plenty of snacks like apple slices if she wanted them.

Lucy nodded and wandered over to the board, keeping her distance from the man who was standing there just looking at the jobs.

"Hmmm..." it was a bit hard for her to see some of them since they were up high but Mirajane was there suddenly and lifting Lucy into her hip so she could see.

"If you see one you like and want to take them just tell me. Since Masters away I'm in charge of the books." Mirajane said and Lucy looked at her curiously and then looked around.

"Where'd he go?" Lucy didn't really mind Master too much after it turned out he was actually as small as she was if not smaller and was actually kind of funny

"To the guild masters meeting in Clover." Mirajane explained and Lucy looked at her curiously again.

"Reedus may I borrow a light pen?" Mirajane requested turning to the artist who handed it over easily.

Mirajane settled Lucy onto the barstool beside Cana and then began to write and draw using the light pen as she explained how the guilds were interconnected to Lucy. Then the Dark guilds.

"I'm sorry maybe I'm making it too complex..." Mirajane stared at the light drawings and realized she might have confused the little one who was staring intently at the drawings.

"So...its like a business? The big boss and parent company makes the rules and the rest have to follow with the guild masters being the managers of the branches. And the Dark Guilds are like thieves or scammers who hurt people." Lucy asked and Mirajane paused as she was erasing the writings.

"Thats...actually very close to it yes. Well done Lucy." Mirajane praised the girl and Lucy looked happy that she did well. Mirajane filed that away however as she got a bottle of juice for Lucy. The girl had mentioned being made to study business by her father.

Lucy was sitting at the bar beside Ms. Cana drinking her juice when Loke suddenly appeared and gave her a flower.

"Here you go milady. Every little lady must have a flower." Like said and he wasn't even flirting with her. He was just being nice and a gentleman.

And he didn't like how Lucy shrunk down or flinched away from anyone who got too close or moved too fast near her. Thankfully she seemed okay with Mirajane and Natsu and didn't seem to mind Cana...but everyone especially the guys she was wary around. She reminded him of Aries...

So yes he was trying to help her with what little time he had left.

That's when he caught sight of her keys and remembered she was a Celestial Wizard. But he couldn't just move too fast or run when he was near her...or have a negative reaction or else it might set her back.

"I shall leave it here for you lucky lady. Until we next meet I apologize for you having to deal with the uncouth." Like said extravagantly and then he turned and he made it two steps before he took off.

"...I don't like being called lady or lucky..." Lucy said softly and Cana heard her and saw how the little girl was flinching away from the rose.

Cana snatched it up and threw it over to Elfman. He'd do something with it. He looked at her baffled for the weird projectile and then noticed how she glanced at the rose and then at Lucy and shook her head.

"Ain't no one here nobility munchkin. Lokes just weird. He's a ladies man and he's a gentleman to little kids but has problems with Celestial Wizards. Probably why he ran off so suddenly." Cana then lowered her voice dramatically as if she were sharing a great secret with the kid.

"Between you and me I think a Celestial Wizard broke up with him and he's embarrassed about it." Cana said and Lucy blinked curiously up at her.

"You wanna say that again Stripper?!" Natsu hollared and the two were arguing again and Mirajane immediately glanced at Lucy who flinched at the yell but turned to look at what was going on. The guild was starting to laugh at the usual sight and silly insults the two traded and Lucy began to relax.

That's when Loke came running back and opened the door hard enough Lucy flinched and ducked her head. Cana moved a bit in front of Lucy and made it look natural as she half covered the little one and shot Loke a glare.

"Guys it's bad! Erzas back! She's on her way here!" The whole guild seemed to freeze aside from a few and Natsu and Gray were sweating buckets.

"Is she scary?" Lucy asked looking up at Cana and Mirajane who both smiled at her.

"She can be a bit intimidating I suppose but I promise she's actually very sweet." Mirajane assured Lucy as heavy footsteps thudded and then a shadow appeared in the door.

A woman walked in wearing armor and a skirt and carrying a large decorated horn with one hand.

She had long red hair and a stern face as she set the horn down heavily, making a few jump.

"I've returned. Where is master Makarov?" She sounded stern too as she looked at Mirajane, her eyes scanning the bar.

"...She pretty...she doesn't look like a monster..." Lucy said softly but she didn't relax. She knew that sometimes the people who looked the prettiest were the meanest.

"Welcome back Erza. The master's at a conference right now." Mirajane said and she didn't look at all intimidated by the red head.

"I see." Erza nodded.

"What's that humongous thing you have there?" One of the men asked looking at the horn that was taller than Erza was.

"It's the horn of a monster I defeated. The locals decorated it and gave it to me as a souvenir. Is that a problem?" Erza asked her eyes glinting and they all denied any issues immediately.

Erza then began to scold everyone and Gray leaned close to Natsu.

"So is that what you meant by her bringing back treasure for courting?" Gray whispered so that Erza couldn't hear and Natsu gave a small nod.

"Yeah plus the way she's scolding everyone, while standing in the middle. Power play. She's reaffirming herself as the Alpha female and also trying to show off to her mate. And proving she could handle a rowdy hatchling, that's always a big thing for dragons." Natsu muttered back.

Then they heard their names.

"Aye!" Happy, the flying traitor, had pointed them out and the two quickly pretended to be best friends as they sweat buckets wondering what she'd tear into them for.

"Oh hey there Erza. We're just hanging out like good friends do." Gray said nervously.

Everyone and everything froze when Erza asked Natsu and Gray to help her with an urgent matter.

"Oh my. That might make them one of the strongest teams in Fairy Tail!" Mirajane seemed surprised as well. Erza almost never asked for help. She liked to prove herself as one of the strongest and she could handle most anything on her own.

"Is she going to hurt Mr. Natsu?" Lucy asked during the mutters and she was looking up at Cana who shrugged.

"I don't know munchkin. Depends on if he annoys her or challenges her to a fight. Why do you ask?" Cana asked and Natsu and Mirajane both glanced at the little one as well.

"Because that's what Father sometimes did. He'd ask someone for help and then he'd kill them or take everything they had for himself." Lucy said matter of factly and Cana tensed a bit while Natsu had smoke coming from his lips and Mirajanes eyes flashed.

Of course the rest of the guild heard that with how quiet it had been and most looked stunned or exchanged horrified looks.

Erza looked right at the little one however and her face visibly softened.

"Well hello there. I don't think I've met you before." Erza said and she stepped closer to the child on the bar stool, pausing when the little girl shrunk in on herself and flinched.

"Erza this is Lucy. She's our newest member. She's a very strong and smart Celestial Wizard. And as you can tell she's attached to Natsu." Mirajane said giving the knight a loaded look that Erza understood. She could see the signs and everything too. Another broken child here to piece themself together and find family.

"It's nice to meet you Lucy." Erza kneeled down on one knee so that they were eye level and smiled gently at Lucy who had flinched back a bit and then looked at her confused as to why she was so close.

"My name is Erza Scarlett. I'm a wizard of Fairy Tail too...I promise you I won't kill Natsu okay? I consider him a friend and I don't kill my friends. I just need his and Grays help with something okay?" Erza asked softly and no one aside from Mirajane had ever heard her sound so gentle before.

"Can I help too?" Lucy asked hopefully, she didn't want to leave Mr. Natsu and Mr. Happy with the lady until she knew she could trust her not to kill them.

"I don't know. It'll be dangerous." Erza said and she looked reluctant but Lucy gave her a surprisingly steady stare.

"I'm still little and not very strong physically...but I can summon my spirits to help me! If there's water then there's no one better than Aquarius! And Tauros is really strong too and Cancer is really good with his scissors! And I don't want to let Mr. Natsu go without me! Especially if Mr. Gray is going to! Ms. Mira and Mr. Happy says Mr. Natsu and Mr. Gray don't fight so much when I'm there so I can keep em from fighting!" Lucy argued and Erza looked from Lucy to Natsu and then glanced at Mirajane.

"Hatchling." And that word sent a bolt through her as if she was shocked by Laxus. Hatchling. This was a hatchling...something about it stuck with her. Hatchling...

"I'll be okay with Gray and Erza and Happy. Maybe you could stay here and keep Mirajane company?" Natsu asked softly and Lucy frowned up at him.

"I'm seven. I'm not a baby Mr. Natsu." And yes that did sound funny and adorable to the others.

"You're trying to keep me here cause it's dangerous and you don't want me to get hurt. But if need be I'm good at hiding and hearing important things. No one ever pays attention to a kid playing nearby. And I'm really good at taking a hit. Even when my bones break I don't cry. I haven't in three years." Lucy said and that was absolutely heartbreaking thank you very much.

Erzas eyes tightened a bit and Cana damn near broke her mug with her grip. Mirajanes fingers left indents in the bar.

"But I don't want you to get hurt so I'm going too. I will sneak out and follow you if I have to. So I either go with you where you can see me or I follow you where you don't see me. Your choice Mr. Natsu." Lucy said firmly with a nod of her head as if she were a queen or princess who just issued a decree and no one would change her mind.

"...Mirajane are we sure she's not yours?" Cana asked after a few seconds of silence and Mirajane gave a tight smile.

"She is my little Cambion. But I promise you if she were mine like how you meant then she'd have never had to learn how to hide, sneak, and take a punch so early." Mirajane said and Erzas eyes went to the demoness in disguise. Cambion. A baby demon...

Her mate claimed this hatchling as her own? Well...that just meant that this is Erzas hatchling too! Her own hatchling...

"Little one...you can come along but only if you promise to stay near me and do as I say okay?" Erza offered since it seemed the best option. She had a feeling this little hatchling was not joking about sneaking out after them.

"Only if you don't tell me to do stupid things like abandon you or Mr. Gray or Mr. Happy or Mr. Natsu." Lucy retorted immediately and Erza chuckled a bit. Spunky little hatchling. She was much like her mate had been when they were younger. Scared but trying to hide it and spunky as all hell.

"I don't think that'll be a problem." Erza said and then she saw the hatchling extend a pinkie and she remembered this from when she was younger and saw Mirajane do it with Lisanna and Elfman...

She wrapped her own armor clad pinkie around the little girls and was given a brilliant happy smile that lit up the child's whole face.

"I'll make a lunch for her. Erza I need to talk to you about her required medicine before you leave. And if so much as a hair is out of place on her I will hunt down all four of you and skin you alive." Mirajane said brightly with a smile and Lucy looked up at her curiously.

"Whatcha gonna skin them with? Cause Father had one man skinned with a cheese grater and it was really painful and messy..." Lucy said and yes they were going to process that later cause WHAT THE FUCK?!

"It depends on how angry I am with them Cambion. Now you sit here with Cana while I talk to Erza in the kitchen and make you lunch okay?" Mirajane said without batting an eye and Lucy nodded and looked up at a queasy looking Cana.

"Are you okay Ms. Cana?" Lucy asked curiously and Cana seemed to blink and go back to normal but her hands shook a little bit.

"Yeah munchkin I'm alright. Want to see a card trick?" Cana offered hoping to distract from that horrifying mental image.

"Does the card explode?" Lucy asked warily and Cana snorted.

"They can. But nah not this time munchkin." Cana said and she proceeded to show Lucy some sleight of hand card tricks as Mirajane damn near dragged a frozen Erza to the kitchen.

"Here pick a card any card." Cana offered and held out a deck for the girl to chose from.

Lucy took one card and then flipped it to show Cana.

"...How did you get my bank card?"

"It's a card trick Ms. Cana! Aquarius taught me!"

Chapter Text

Mirajane met them at the train station to see them off, several packed lunches and a special bag for Lucy that had her vitamins and medicines in it.

"Here. Since I was making one for her I made one for each of you as well." Mirajane said handing everyone their boxes and they all thanked her.

"... You'll keep her safe right?" Mirajane asked softly to Erza as the two boys were distracted arguing with each other until Happy reminded them about Lucy who was clutching Natsus jacket.

Erzas hand came up and she cupped Mirajanes cheek gently.

"I swear to you. I'll protect her. All of us are coming home and if you like I'll deliver the hatchling to you personally." It'd probably resemble someone handing over a present but she'd carry the girl right to Mirajanes arms if that's what her demoness wished.

"Be safe." Mirajane said quietly and she and Erza exchanged a quick chaste kiss.

"Always. We'll be back soon from the hunt my demoness." Erza assured her and Natsu and Gray were watching.

"...So...is this normal dating thing or dragon thing?" Gray asked Natsu in a whisper and Natsu shrugged.

"Could be both. Mirajanes acting like a Dragoness who's mate and hatchling are going on their first hunt or flight away from her. And Erzas acting like a Dragoness trying to reassure her mate, even offered a 'treasure' to appease her. In this case offering to bring the hatchling to her personally. Which is the best treasure you could give a nesting Dragoness who's hatchling is leaving her sight for a while." Natsu muttered back and Gray sweat dropped a bit.

His inner dragon was purring loudly and contently at seeing the Alpha Dragoness and the Demoness acting like mates especially when they seemed to care for his hatchling.

"Erza really acts like a Dragoness that much?" He had always just thought that it was Natsus way of showing her respect and fear and yet his resolve to get stronger than her, calling her a Dragoness ever since they were kids.

He hadn't thought that Erzas behavior actually reminded him of a Dragoness.

"I thought she was a dragon in disguise or a dragon slayer when I first met her." Natsu said flatly and honestly that was answer enough as Gray winced. Imagining Erza as a Dragon Slayer was a scary thought.

"Hey Erza. When we get back let's spar! I've gotten a lot stronger!" Natsu challenged just as they were getting ready to get on the train.

He'd prove how strong he was and that he could be a good mate and protect them if need be!

"Sure." Erza agreed and she relished the thought of the challenge. Of fighting the dragon slayer in front of her and seeing how strong he got and how much stronger she was.

"Lucy you be good for them okay little light? And if any nasty or bad people get near you, you do what Cana told you okay?" Mirajane kneeled down to fret over Lucy a bit more before she had to go.

Gray sweat dropped when he noticed Erza and Natsu both sounded like they were purring. Were they resembling dragons or cats?

"...Steal their wallets and buy anything I want?" Lucy asked baffled and no none of the mages were at all surprised Cana had told the blond that. For some reason they expected it.

"Hit them really hard with your whip, especially on their stomachs or between their legs. Scream for Erza or Natsu if you need to and make sure that you have one of your spirits nearby for backup if things get hairy." Mirajane said chuckling and Lucy made an understanding noise.

"Oh right castrate them with my whip. Or with a knife if they get close enough. I can do that." Lucy nodded her head in agreement and the fact that she knew the term for it had Gray choking slightly.

"Do you have a knife to use?" Erza asked and she wondered if the girl had a knife or if Erza would have to check through her armory to find one for the small child.

Lucy made a flicking motion with her right wrist and suddenly there was a knife there. The blade was a glowy golden metal and the handle had soft pink wool wrapped around what looked like scales.

"Aqua-nee gave me it for my birthday and showed me the right way to cut people with it." Lucy said and then a twist of her wrist had it vanishing. Something that made Erza perk up. Was she using requip? Did she have her own spacial pocket??

Erza inwardly preened at the thought that the hatchling took after her and she could teach her some tricks.

"Good I'm glad you know how to use it. Be safe sweetheart." Mirajane said and she hugged Lucy tight for a second and then kissed her head. She was of the firm belief that it was better to have the weapon and know how to use it just in case rather than not have it if she needed it.

A belief most of the guild agreed with.

That's when the whistle for the train blew and Natsu turned green.

Mirajane waved them off at the station as the train pulled away...they had only been ten minutes out when Erza slammed a fist into Natsus stomach and knocked him out.

Lucy yelped and flinched back, holding her arms up protectively and ready to take a blow.

"I'm not going to hurt you hatchling." Erza assured her gently and Lucy hesitated and waited for the blow for a moment before peeking open her eyes when it didn't come.

"Natsu gets really ill on rides right? So if I knock him out he doesn't get sick or feel bad." Erza explained gently as she nudged Natsu over to lean against the window.

"...what kind of magic do you use Ms. Erza?" Lucy asked slowly lowering her arms after another minute and she had her right hand near her keys just in case.

"It's really pretty. It makes enemies bleed and protects people." Happy said hoping to reassure Lucy as Erza hoped to put the little one at ease.

"Personally I think Grays magic is prettier." Erza deflected and Lucy looked up at Gray curiously.

He smiled kindly at her and put a fist into his palm. Lucy flinched away from his fist but then stared amazed at the ice flower crown he had made. It didn't have roses, it had morning glory, petunias and daisies. And he slowly, carefully, put it on her head.

Lucy didn't flinch but was tense as she watched his hand approach and then she gave a surprised noise when he put it on her head. She glanced up as if to see it and then reached up and touched it. It was cold but pretty and she stared at him amazed.

"A princess needs a crown right? What better than a flower crown?" Gray asked smiling kindly at her and she smiled softly and amazed.

"Thank you Mister Gray." He just smiled at her again before looking at Erza who was staring softly at Lucy.

"So what did you need us for?" Gray asked wondering what could be so dangerous it caused Erza to ask for them but not too dangerous that she'd let the kid come along.

The two conscious humans listened attentively to her tale and Lucy frowned slightly as she tilted her head a bit, her flower crown tilting as well.

"Lullaby? That's what the mages in the woods said before. Right before they were swallowed up." Lucy said recalling that and making Gray hum in thought.

"That means there's at least one fast and decently strong enemy we can expect. A shadow user." Gray informed Erza, telling her about their run in with the mages who wanted to eat Happy.

As they were riding they had no clue of what else was happening. Both the dark guild they would face...and the letter Mirajane was sending Makarov.

Chapter Text

"Makie darling. Aren't you tired of these meetings?" Master Bob asked as he refilled his punch bowl and Makarov scoffed from where he was sitting on the table drinking a beer and eating a chicken leg.

"You kidding me? I'm a three foot tall eighty eight year old senior citizen running an entire guild by myself. These meetings are the only days off I get. Besides I need a nice hard drink and I can't do that at the guild right now!" Makarov said and that caught some attention. Why couldn't he have a hard drink at the guild?

"Oh? This have anything to do with those rumors of a new recruit? I hear she gave a big wig quite the beating and even turned his own hired mercenaries against him." Master Bob said looking curiously at his old friend who snorted.

"You mean Lucy. She's our newest recruit and she's why I can't drink too much at the guild right now. Girls only seven years old and comes from a bad past. Mom died same day she was born, her father blamed her and we don't even know what all he did to her before she ran away last year. She was on the streets for a year almost before she ran into Natsu who brought her to the guild." Makarov said and the guild masters nearby all winced or frowned at the thought of another abused child but were glad she got away from her abusive family.

"She must be quite strong to give the big wig a spanking and turn two southern wolves men against him. I heard the man wound up hanging from a town lamp post with a list of his crimes and a certain body part removed. He was in critical condition by the time they got him help. The Southern Wolves took open credit for that." Bob said and it was a surprise because the Wolves almost never turned on their employer.

"Oh that? Ha! The wolves took credit maybe but that wasn't them. That big wig you're talking about made a nasty comment about Lucy in a few years when she'd be eleven. And he was dumb enough to say that in front of Natsu who claimed her as his hatchling and Mirajane who claimed her as her Cambion. That was Mirajanes work, all the Wolves did was hang him up and carve a wolf head into his torso." Makarov said snorting because he had heard the story from Mirajane and had had to hold back Cana and Evergreen from hunting that Duke down.

"Mirajanes back in action? Maybe that's why the council is so worried Fairy Tail will destroy a city one day." Master Goldmine said as he took a bite of his kebab.

"Her magics still sealed for the most part but I've seen hints of it flaring up. Mostly to do with Lucy. And let them rave. They're just jealous of my awesome kids!" Makarov said and he took another deep swallow.

"Feh." Master Jiemma scowled from nearby as his daughter clenched a fist but otherwise didn't react.

"Master Makarov. Master Makarov." A delivery bird was bringing a letter by and stopped at Makarov who set his beer down.

"I have a letter from Ms. Mirajane sir!" The bird chirped and Makarov took the letter.

"Speak of the devil herself. Thanks for your work." Makarov thanked the bird and then stood on the table and activated the letter projection.

"Hi master. I'm glad you made it to the masters meeting safe and sound." Mirajanes projection said and Makarov held the letter out for the ones nearby to see the projection clearly. There was almost immediately a circle of men looking at the white haired woman.

"This is our poster girl Mirajane! Grab some eye candy while you can apparently she's got a girlfriend!" Makarov said and that earned a few blushes form the men while Goldmine snorted.

"That's Mirajane? I haven't seen her in a while...she sure has matured. But that's expected if you say she took in a child." Goldmine said and Jiemma scoffed loudly and went to talk to others but his daughter stayed and listened in curiously. After all she remembered when Mirajane was known as the She Devil.

"Master you're not going to believe this! Erza Natsu and Gray have all teamed up together for a mission! An amazing combination right? Erza was worried about something urgent and wanted to talk to you but you had already left so she grabbed them to go on a mission!" Mirajane said and Makarovs jaw dropped and his face lost all color.

'Not. Those. Three.' his only condolences were that Elfman and Cana weren't on the team as well.

"They also took Lucy with them. She was really worried about Natsu and Happy so she had said they'd either take her a long or she'd sneak out so Erza agreed to take her as long as she stayed beside Erza and followed her orders!" Oh no. No no that was worse.

"I saw them off at the train station and Erza promised they'd all come back and that Lucy wouldn't be hurt! She even started calling my Cambion hatchling like Natsu does! It's adorable!" Fuck that meant Erza would be even more protective! And then Mirajane stopped smiling and looked serious.

"We also found out a bit about her past. Apparently her father used to try and approach people to help him and then kill them or just take everything from them when he was done. It's very likely she's had to watch people die before. We also know she saw someone be tortured, she mentioned how her father once skinned someone with a cheese grater and described it as messy and painful. I don't know if she's experienced it herself...but she did mention that she's good at taking a hit. She's stopped crying over broken bones three years ago." Mirajane said and Makarovs countenance darkened dangerously, surprising those who didn't know him with how dangerous he looked.

Bob was scowling heavily and Goldmine cracked his knuckles.

"If I find her father then it's likely I'll need bail money for murder sir!" Mirajane added cheerfully but everyone could see the dangerous twisted smile she gave. They remembered why she had been known as She Devil.

"I'd be right there in jail with you." Makarov said softly, darkly, Bob and Goldmine were one hundred percent ready to back him up on that.

"I thought I'd update you on that! Oh and don't worry! She's got a knife and mentioned knowing how to castrate someone if they get too close. And one of her spirits taught her how to steal bank cards according to Cana! She'll be perfectly safe as long as she's with Erza Natsu and Gray!" And she reminded him of that dangerous team up which made his face drain of color again.

"Oh dear Makie. You look pale!" Several guild masters were alarmed when Makarov tilted over onto the table.

"Sounds like the council has a right to worry. At least if they have a kid with them they can't do anything too dangerous or big right? How much damage could the kid do compared to them?" Goldmine asked and Makarov gave his old friend a helpless look.

"She's a Celestial Wizard who already has golden gate keys. Remember the damage to Hargeon and the flooding? That was her and one spirit. She thought I was hurting Natsu when she joined and she summoned the Tauros spirit out to fight me. Make no mistake. That kid has a lot of potential, a lot of power, and one hell of a glare!" Makarov said and the guild masters looked stunned.

"Makie darling. As someone who had a Celestial Mage who did have golden keys...are you saying a seven year old has enough magic to summon a golden spirit?" Bob asked seriously as he remembered Karen and how much magic it took out of her just to summon Aries much less Leo.

"She summoned a golden spirit, Aquarius apparently, in Hargeon, had a quick nap on the way to Fairy Tail from the Magnolia train station, summoned Tauros on me, then the day after she joined she contracted a silver spirit and summoned a gold one, Cancer, at the same time before going on the mission with Natsu where she apparently summoned Tauros again." Makarov explained and Bobs mouth dropped open.

"Makie...darling...what the absolute fuck are you feeding your mages?!" Bob asked in disbelief and Goldmine glanced at him as did many others.

"That a big deal Bob?" Goldmine asked and Bob gave them a disbelieving look.

"Back when Karen was alive she could only summon one spirit at a time. If it was gold. Silver she could handle two but if it was Gold she could only summon one and she'd be unable summon a gold one again until she's had two days rest at least! And remember Karen was a full grown woman. Makarovs little darling is a child!" Bob was in disbelief and Goldmine whistled while the other masters looked shocked or impressed.

"Strong kid then. She's going to be a powerhouse in a few years. Better hope she's not as destructive as your other brats huh Makarov?" Goldmine grinned at his old friend who flipped him off.

"Don't remind me!" Makarov whined and Minerva Orland slipped away. A strong small child from a bad home where her father hated her huh?

She had a bad feeling in her chest...maybe she'd look at this little mage. Just to see what kind of kid this was.

And if she forgot to mention to her father about Fairy Tail having a new child powerhouse? Well it had nothing to do with the fact that her father might try to poach and then 'train' the kid. Honestly. She just forgot.

Actually no she could tell him she left soon after he did and he'd buy that. She had no idea about the kid more than he did.

Besides what was the chance the kid would even come near her or she'd run into the kid? Her father never had to know.

Chapter Text

"Are you okay Mr. Natsu?" Lucy asked worried when Natsu and Gray rammed into each other as Natsu jumped from the train.

That didn't look like fun.

"I'm fine hatchling. Believe it or not this isn't the first train I've jumped out of." Natsu grinned at her and Lucy's eyes sparkled.

"Can you teach me how to do it?" Gray sounded like he was choking behind her but Lucy looked eager for the knowledge.

"It's easy. Just make a big hole and jump out. Only reason I'm a bit hurt is cause I didn't tuck into a ball. Well that and I slammed into the walking ice cube over there." Natsu said and Gray made a noise in his throat.

"What the hell is going on?! Why's the walking match stick trying to teach the princess stuff like this?" Gray asked with a heavy sigh and a disbelieving noise and Lucy blinked up at him curiously. What was wrong with her learning this?

"I don't see any problems with it. You never know when you need to escape even from a train." Erza said and she was smiling slightly as she pulled Natsu into a hug glad to see he was alright.

"Yeah I'm fine. Some ass on the train from Eisenwald started trying to fight me though." Natsu said shrugging and Erza tensed.

"Eisenwald?! As in our target! Why did you let him get away?!" Erza demanded and Natsu was confused.

"Ms. Erza you knocked him out remember? Before you mentioned what we were doing." Lucy reminded the woman who blinked and then sighed. She forgot Natsu had been out when she had told them all about Eisenwald.

"Very well. Natsu can you describe him?" Erza asked and Natsu proceeded to describe a rather generic looking man and then shrugged.

"Most memorable thing about him was his shadow magic and that freaky flute he dropped. Thing looked like it had three eyes carved into it." Natsu shrugged and Gray cringed at the thought of that flute.

"Three eyes?" Lucy asked and Natsu nodded.

"Yeah real wei-hatchling?!" They all were alarmed when Lucy started shaking a bit and looked nervous.

"I heard about a flute like that. Aqua-nee and Grandpa Crox tell me all about the most dangerous things. That flute matches the description of a death flute...a flute that produces death magic! And if Ms. Erza is right and it had to be unsealed...then that means that it...it's a real death flute." Lucy said and she looked worried and the rest of them looked grim.

"Erza can we get the hatchling back to Mirajane? If there's death magic involved-"

"No!" Lucy cut off Natsu even though Erza and Gray already looked like they agreed.

"I'm a member of Fairy Tail too and I'm not letting you go against death magic alone! I got to come along as long as I stayed with you and obeyed orders that didn't involve abandoning you that was the promise! If I get sent away then I won't be near you AND I'd have abandoned you! I'm not breaking the promise!" Lucy said glaring at then with all the fury that could fit in her small form. If they forced her to leave she'd never forgive any of them or herself.

Gray looked ready to fight against her staying but Natsu grimaced and glanced at Erza.

"Then we'd better stop Eisenwald soon right? The second one of them tries to play the flute though, you must cover your ears so that not a single sound gets to you. Understood?" Erza asked and she smiled slightly as Lucy beamed and nodded.

"Erza!" Gray looked at her in disbelief but Erza was already picking Lucy up and settling her back into the magic mobile they 'borrowed'. She was pleased that Lucy only tensed instead of flinched this time.

"You two. If they start playing that flute... we'll make sure she's safe okay? We'll get her back home to Mira." Erza knew she'd protect this child with everything she had. After all this was Miras Cambion. Erzas hatchling.

Natsu nodded resolutely in agreement then smiled when he and Happy slid into the cart beside Lucy.

"Fine but I don't like this." Gray grumbled as he climbed up top again.

"Me either but she's safer with us than alone." Erza muttered to herself as she hooked the arm band back on and fed her magic into the mobile.

They chased the train at top speeds despite Gray yelling for Erza to slow down as he hung on desperately as they rushed to Oshibana.

Natsu could barely walk as he and Lucy followed behind Gray and Erza as Erza questioned the station employees.

"...she's weird." Lucy muttered even as they entered the station.

"Yeah sounds about right?" Gray asked and he did not realize he was once more down to his boxers.

Lucy didn't tell him either as she suddenly found Erza picking her up and turning her away from part of the station.

"A platoon of knights marched in here earlier...against an entire guild of Dark wizards that few stood no chance." Erza said grimly to Gray and Natsu who was looking better and more alert now.

"I can look at the dead bodies. I've seen bodies before." Lucy said casually but Erzas hand was gentle on the back of her head, keeping her faced away and towards a map of the rail line. She noticed that this railway led right to a small town called clover on the other end of the canyon.

"Let's keep going." Erza kept a firm but gentle hold on Lucy as she continued onwards into the station.

Finally they came across the loading platform where there were dozens of Eisenwald members.

"Come into the parlor Fairy Tail Flies." Erigor laughed at them and flew up to the speaker.

Lucy listened closely to Erigors supposed plan and she...she looked confused as Erza set her down to confront the man.

"That's stupid." Lucy said bluntly and it cut off Erigors monologue and drew all attention towards the small blond.

"If you play it then you'll die too. It can't be aimed so everyone who hears it dies, including all of you. And if you were aiming for the nosy people outside then you'd have already played it before we got here." Lucy said and she blinked up at Erigor confused.

"So why would they be your target? They can't give you your rights back and all you'd do is kill everyone even yourselves. If you survived somehow then all the other guilds and knights would hunt you down. You wouldn't have just lost your rights you'd be hunted like animals. Besides. I know when a big mean adult is lying to me. So stop lying!" Lucy yelled at Erigor and Erza inwardly cooed at her brave little hatchling.

She'd shower the girl in affection and praise later. For now she had to focus on the threats.

"Little brat. We might as well kill you first!" The shadow man said sneering and he launched shadows at her.

Lucy reached for her keys prepared to dive to the side but found Natsu in front of her with a flaming fist, a small ice shield behind him and in front of her and Erzas sword was now fully drawn.

"You want to try and touch the hatchling? You go through me first." Natsu growled as he glared down the guild.

"Hmph. Show them the power of the dark guild Eisenwald!" Erigor vanished into the air.

"Gray and Natsu chase him down. Leave the hatchling with me." Erza said and then glared them into obeying. Two of the men left after the two boys.

"You think one chick and a kid can take us out?" One guy asked annoyed and Erza gave a dark smile.

"For insulting Fairy Tail I would have just beaten you black and blue. But then you went and attacked a hatchling in front of me. For that. None of you are walking out of here!" Erza snarled at them and they laughed and mocked her.

Her sword slashed out and then turned into a spear and then into twin swords.

"Oh it's fight time! Okay! Open gate of the Crab Cancer!" Lucy summoned out her stylish spirit who appeared with his scissors in hand. Happy was very disappointed.

"Mr. Cancer! We're fighting dark mages so don't hold back!" Lucy said brightly and she was holding her whip that she used to lash at one guy nearby.

"Got it ebi!" Cancer said and then...then the Dark guilds guys mocked his hair style and rushed the two.

Lucy's giggle was far too bright and happy for the situation.

"Stupid dark mages. Mr. Cancers scissors can cut anything. Anything." Lucy's words were ominous as Cancer rushed through the armed thugs who's weapons were cut apart.

"Ho. That's kind of impressive." Erza seemed approving as she glanced over and then focused back on the idiots crowding her. Did they not notice she was deadly in close range?!

"I've never heard of someone requiping this fast." One dark guild man hanging back noted and then one guy got past Cancer and picked up Lucy by her throat. Happy hissed and unsheathed his claws, Cancer looked alarmed and Erzas snarl was louder than the sound of the body in front of her hitting the floor.

"Heh heh! Put down the weapon lady or else the kid loses-" the man was cut off by a stabbing horrid pain in his belly and he looked down. There was a gleaming golden knife cutting open his stomach and two wide brown eyes staring up at him.

His grip on the girl failed as he struggled to keep his innards inside his body.

"Just cause I'm little doesn't mean I'm not dangerous. Aqua-nee taught me the best places to cut people who try to hurt me." Lucy said and there was blood on her right arm and down the front of her clothing now.

"Why you!" Another man with a sword lunged for her and blood rained down to shower the child.

"Hey hey. If I let the princess get hurt, Aquarius will be pissed ebi. And Aquarius is scary." Cancer said looking annoyed that they dared attack his little princess like that in front of him. His scissors had sliced the man's neck wide open as his blood painted Lucy.

"What the hell?" A fat man started trembling as Erza requiped her armor now and she looked furious.

"You dared touch the hatchling. I'll destroy you all!" She and her swords cut a dangerous and bloody path.

"Byard no! That's Titania Erza! Queen of the fairies!" The fat man tried to stop the other from attacking Erza who defeated him with ease.

The fat man started at Erza who stared him down with narrowed eyes and a furious snarl on her face and then he looked at the small blood soaked child who's golden knife was free of blood and her large hovering spirit who's scissors glinted in the light.

He ran.

"Mr. Cancer!" Lucy said sharply and Cancer was already there. Blitzing towards the man and knocking him to the ground in one blow.

"Let me see. Are you hurt?" Erza knelt down to check on Lucy and despite being covered in blood she didn't seem injured. Her neck hadn't even bruised up from the man's grasp.

"I'm okay Ms. Erza. But wow! I didn't know you were a queen and a knight!" Lucy said amazed and making Erza chuckle slightly.

"I'm hardly a queen, it's just something people call me. And as for being a knight...well every princess has a knight to protect her right?" Erza asked smiling gently at Lucy and the barely conscious or faking unconscious dark guild members felt their hearts squeeze in terror.

Who the fuck was this small child?! She had gutted someone with ease and hadn't looked bothered by her spirit killing someone in front of her!

And Erza Scarlett. The Queen of the Fairies. Was calling her a princess and saying that she, Erza, was just a knight?!

Oh were the rumors from this going to be something impressive later.

Chapter Text

"Natsu! We need him!" Erza was yelling as she, Gray and Lucy came running. Or we'll. She and Gray came running. Lucy was being carried in Erzas arms.

Before going back to the Celestial spirit world Cancer had worked his hair magic on Lucy, getting the blood out so that her hair was still beautiful and clean and shone like woven sunlight in the low lighting. There was still blood on her face and the rest of her however. Which yes had been alarming and jarring for Gray to see.

"Huh? Hatchling?!?" Natsu was immediately alarmed at the sight of the blood covered child who smiled and waved at him.

"It's not hers. One mage tried taking her hostage." Erza said briskly and as soon as Natsu got close enough she handed him Lucy who hadn't minded the change in hold at all.

"They were all really weak and two were really stupid." Lucy said brightly to Natsu who was checking her for injuries as Erza terrified Kageyama into dispelling the wind barrier around the station.

Then Lucy flinched and looked surprised when Natsu nearly shoved her into Grays hands when Kageyama was struck down from behind by another member of the guild. Gray fumbled with her a bit before he had a firm hold on her and looked at her awkwardly as Natsu best the crap out of the man who struck down his ally.

"Do I get to stab him?" Lucy asked curiously as she looked at the fat man who she thought Cancer had knocked out earlier. He took one look at her and screamed until Natsu and Erza both punched him knocking him clear through three walls.

"Jeez kid what did you do?" Gray asked looking confused and surprised at his reaction and Lucy giggled a bit.

"One mage grabbed my throat so I did what Aqua-nee taught me and made his insides come out. Another tried slashing me with a sword but Mr. Cancer cut his neck open." Lucy happily told Gray about how she handled herself and Gray looked at her in disbelief and slight horror.

"And...you don't see anything...bad about this?" Gray asked adjusting his hold slightly and wondering if she'd try to stab him too.

"Should I? Father said I had to learn to be merciless and cut throat. And Ms. Mira said if they grabbed me to stab them in the stomach or between the legs." Gray was not sure what was worse. The fact that the girl didn't seem at all bothered by what happened and what she did. Or the fact that he was not sure whether or not her Father had literally meant for her to cut someone's throat.

"You know what? Good on you princess. These guys target is the Guild Masters. And I froze one of them solid so I can't judge." In the end he decided to go for approving and Lucy beamed up at him brightly. Which yes was very disturbing with her still covered in blood. But Gray had seen the aftermath of Deliora. Had grown up in a guild with a boy raised by a dragon, a girl who had literally killed dozens of slave traders for her freedom, and a girl who had taken over the souls of demons.

Besides they all had at some point killed either dark mages or bandits alongside beasts during missions. So her already being okay with it? Probably gave her an edge most kids her age didn't have.

Yeah there was a reason most all Fairy Tail members were on the Magic Councils watch list and the Rune Knights tried to chase them down.

"So that's the wind wall?" Natsu asked when they all made their ways outside of the station to look at the barrier keeping them inside.

"Yes. The flying reaper guy set it up and then knocked me and Ms. Erza through it. When she tried to push through again she hurt her arm." Lucy said and they all glanced at Erza who did have blood running down her arm as she carried Kageyama and tried to get him awake so he could dispell it.

"Oh right! I remember what I forgot! Lucy!" Happy dug in his small bag and then held something up to Lucy as Gray set her down to catch Natsu when he was flung back by the wind.

"Isn't that the key the Duke guy Ms. Mira beat up badly had?" Lucy asked looking at the golden key and Happy nodded.

"Uh huh! While Mira was ripping off his balls his spirit approached me and said to give this to you but I forgot!" Happy said and Lucy smiled brightly.

"Mira did what? Wait she went on a mission?" Erza did not hear about that before and was very much lost and confused.

"Yeah it was supposed to be an easy book finding mission but she thought the high reward was suspicious and came along to help the hatchling. The Duke made a very nasty comment about Lucy coming to work for him in four years...Mirajane called dibs on dealing with him." Natsu quickly explained while Lucy held the key out and summoned out the spirit.

Now instead of the large gorilla like woman that they had seen before there was a small slim pink haired woman in a maid outfit with manacles on her wrists.

"Hello mistress." And she had one hand on her heart as she bowed to Lucy without hesitation and Lucy blinked up at her and then beamed.

"Wow! You're so pretty Ms. Virgo!" Lucy said and Natsu remarked that she had lost weight and Virgo smiled down at Lucy. She wasn't bothered by the blood stained girl in front of her, just noted to get her a fresh change of clothes before taking the dirty ones to be cleaned. Luckily she was very good at getting blood out of things.

"I am glad my appearance meets your approval mistress. And there is no need for you to address me as Ms. little mistress." Virgo said and Lucy made a face.

"And you don't have to call me Mistress! In fact please don't!" Lucy said and Virgo noted the whip on the girls hip and had an idea but for now...

"What would you prefer then mistress? My lady?" The flinch told Virgo that was a no, "Empress?", a confused look greeted her.

"Princess?" Virgo tried and Lucy blinked but giggled.

"Why does everyone call me that?" Lucy asked and Virgo took that as approval.

"Then princess it is. This area does not seem safe however and I am a very flexible spirit princess. So is there any way I could help you get somewhere safer for us to make the contract official?" Virgo asked noting the wind wall and the injured man nearby.

"Thank you Ms. Virgo! I remember you dug tunnels back then at the Duke man's house! Can you make a tunnel under the wind wall to outside the station please?" Lucy asked and Virgo smiled slightly. Such a simple task. Her little princess was easy to please and aid it seemed.

"Of course princess." Virgo bowed again and then suddenly she began to burrow into the ground and created a tunnel.

"Wow!" Lucy seemed amazed at how quickly she did it and Erza picked her up in a hug, making her flinch at the unexpected contact but recover quickly.

"Amazing princess. It truly is fortunate that you insisted on coming along!" Erza said praising the girl as Virgo reappeared to lead them through. Erza carrying Lucy the entire way.

Lucy noted Happy and Natsu flying on ahead as Virgo vanished for a moment before coming back with a clean outfit. It was an Eastern style dress she had seen before, it was a dark blue with golden stars sewn into it in the shape of constellations. Most prominently being that if Virgo of course.

"Here you are princess. It is not much, just something I made in my spare time, but it is clean and easy to move in." Virgo handed the dress over to her princess and Erza immediately led Lucy to a nearby store that had a bathroom for her to change in.

"It's so pretty and it fits! Thank you Ms. Virgo!" Lucy came back and she still had blood on her face and arms but it was mostly dry by now anyways as she came back out holding her dirty clothes and she was adorable in the dark blue small cheongsam.

"I am glad that it is to your liking. Here. Allow me, I shall have them cleaned and ready to be sent back to your home in no time princess." Virgo smiled, glad it fit. She had been working on plenty of outfits for her princess as soon as she got back to the spirit world after entrusting her key to the exceed. She may or may not have interrogated the other golden spirits that belonged to her princess to figure out things such as preferred colors.

"Thank you Ms. Virgo!" Lucy beamed up at her spirit who smiled and popped away to throw these in her washer.

She reappeared beside her princess in a mobile where a shirtless man and a bandaged one also sat.

"Now that you are decently safe-" she eyed the two men dubiously but focused more on the injured one. The shirtless one at least vore the same mark of the guild as her princess and the two others she had met at the mansion that seemed to care greatly for her princess...

"-shalk we form the contract?" Virgo asked and Lucy nodded and got out a pen and paper from her bag, Virgo noted she should make some supply bags for her princess as well.

"May I ask what days and times you're free to be summoned or would prefer to be summoned? As well as any kind of preferences for anything?" Lucy asked and Virgo smiled kindly at her princess. She'd be so accommodating? No wonder her spirits seemed to adore this little one.

"I am free to be summoned at any time and any day aside from Friday from 7pm to 11pm and at all on Sunday. And you are free to summon me for any tasks you wish me to handle princess. Although I am best at earth magic and household chores such as cooking and cleaning I can fight rather well, mainly hand to hand combat however." Virgo said and Lucy wrote all of that down and looked surprised.

"But that's a lot of days. Don't you want more days off?" Lucy asked frowning up at Virgo who shook her head.

"If it is a master I do not mind working for or even one I like then I am happy to be summoned so often." Virgo said and Lucy nodded slowly and gave her a surprisingly serious look.

It was adorable.

"Let me know if you ever want certain days off. I don't mind! And if you don't want to do something tell me and I won't make you!" Lucy said and Virgo tilted her head. That was her first official order then? It was...very different from previous masters.

"As my princess wishes." Virgo smiled however and inclined her head in respect.

"Now please excuse me princess. I must clean those clothes of yours." Virgo said and Lucy thanked her with a smile and she vanished.

"Hmph. You're pretty impressive for a kid." Kageyama noted from across the carriage and Gray moved closer to Lucy protectively.

Chapter Text

Once they finally made it to Clover, after Natsu beat Erigor and then Kageyama had stolen the flute and magic mobile, the mages were relieved to catch sight of their target and a bit horrified that he was there near their master.

"Shhh. It's just about to get to the good part." Master Bob said silencing the group before they could call out for their master.

"Ohhh aren't you boys yummy? So adorable." Master Bob said and he seemed to appreciate the view of a half naked Gray.

"Who's he?" Lucy asked eyeing the man warily from where Erza had been carrying her. Curse her tiny legs, it meant she wasn't as fast as the others and had to be carried when they ran.

"Master Bob." Erza said and Lucy looked curiously and warily to the bald man who glanced up at them when he heard his name.

"Erza honey. You've really filled out." Bob said and Erza nodded to him in thanks, recognizing the compliment.

"And this must be the little one Makarov was talking about earlier. Hello there little cutie. I'm Master Bob of Blue Pegasus. It's nice to meet you." Bob waved at the little girl but didn't try to get closer, Lucy gave a hesitant wave back.

"Oh my! You're covered in blood!" Bob said alarmed and Lucy looked at her cast and good hand which were still blood stained.

"Don't worry it's not mine!" And Bob had no clue how to react to that particular statement.

"Oh he's lifting the flute..." A woman nearby said and Erza glanced over in surprise.

"The Sabertooth Princess." Erza identified the woman who sucked her teeth a bit.

"Just call me Minerva." Minerva said and she hated that title. It made her sound like a spoiled little girl. As if the only reason she was of note was because her father was the guild master.

"She's pretty. She's a guild master too?" Lucy asked and Minerva looked at the intriguing and apparently powerful child. Their eyes locked and Lucy tilted her head. Broken had recognized the cracked. It was why Mirajane, Erza, Natsu, Gray and Cana had taken to the girl so quickly.

Because they could tell, recognize, that she was cracked and in pieces and trying not to fully break. Each of them were broken in some ways... And Broken could recognize broken or those near it.

Minerva recognized the girl as being badly damaged and cracked but she wasn't broken, not just yet. And Lucy could tell that this woman was almost completely broken. Just like Ms. Mira was but different.

"No. I'm the second in command of Sabertooth. The Master brought me along to introduce me to everyone in case I would need to fill in for him." Minerva answered after a few seconds.

"You kids mind keeping it down? We're right at the good part." A man leaning against a tree said grinning and Lucy glanced at him and then up at Erza.

"That's Master Goldmine of Quarto Cerberus." Erza explained and Goldmine glanced at Lucy and nodded to her as Bob kept Gray and Natsu occupied.

That was when they heard Master Makarov begin to give a speech about humans being weak and that was why guilds were formed. To make those who were weak and insecure band together and become stronger and push each other forward.

It was a very touching speech for the master of the most chaotic guild.

And it caused the three older Fairy Tail Kids to move forward and congratulate their Master with Lucy being set down from Erzas arms not just so she could pull the Master into a concussive hug but also because Lullaby was on the ground and Kageyama was on his knees having surrendered.

"Looks like we got here just in time to see Gramps talk his way out of another one." Gray noted as Lucy wandered over to look at Kageyama under Erzas protective gaze while Natsu was patting Makarov on the head. Bob was swooning and Goldmine looked amused.

Minerva smirked to herself. She had to admit that Makarov seemed good at talking and giving speeches. But her eyes moved to the Guild Masters hall and she saw her Master storm off with an annoyed scowl. He obviously didn't care for the speech much.

That was when Lullaby's eyes lit up and a large magic circle appeared above them.

"Shit!" Erza swore and she dove, snatching up Lucy and twisting to shove her into Minerva's arms.

"Protect my hatchling!" Erza ordered sharply and Minerva nearly dropped the child that was suddenly in her arms who had flinched at the sudden movements.

"What is that thing?!"

"Erigor never said anything about a monster!"

"Oh my we're in a pickle." Bob didn't look bothered however as he stared at Lullaby, he and Goldmine had both moved closer to Lucy and therefore Minerva as soon as Erza gave the protection order.

"It must be a demon from the Book of Zeref." Goldmine said with a grim look to his face.

"...So the Flute is a monster or is the Monster a flute?" Lucy asked confused and that when Goldmine said something about dark forbidden magic called Living Magic and Gray wondered who Zeref was.

"Natsu and Gray get everyone to safety! I'll distract it!" Erza ordered sharply and then Lullaby unleashed a blast from its mouth that destroyed a mountain and scared away the Fiore Army.

"So...it's a really big really strong wooden flute demon?" Lucy asked and Happy gave an Aye.

Another large circle appeared above it as it roared and it's magical pressure flared. Lucy felt the arms around her tighten as Minerva prepared to do what she could against the monster.

"Well if it's a flute..." Lucy suddenly seemed to smile however as she slipped from Minerva's arms and she held up two golden keys.

"Open! Gates of the Golden Bull! Gate of the Giant Crab! Tauros! Cancer!" Lucy knew this was pushing it. That she'd pass out after this...but...

"What?!" Goldmine and Bob were among the shocked masters as the two golden spirits answered the summons and appeared ready for battle.

"Pushing it aren't you Princess?" Cancer asked and he gripped his scissors tightly.

"Seriously princess? Summoning Cancer earlier, contracting Virgo and now summoning us at the same time? Aquarius is going to kill you for pushing yourself." Tauros mooed at her. Bobs jaw dropped open.

"Worry later! But as many holes in that monster in as many places as you can!" Lucy ordered and the two Spirits exchanged looks and nodded.

"Leave it to me ebi."

"It's time for Tauros!" The two charged and began to hack and slice at the monster.

"They aren't doing much damage. Gray Natsu let's go!" Erza said and the three joined the fray as well.

Lucy grunted with effort as she held the gates open for as long as she could. She couldn't pass out yet...she couldn't...

Her vision was going dark as Lullaby prepared to unleash his song but when he did...

Minerva dove forward and covered Lucy protectively, shielding the child's ears as best as she could.

She needn't have worried though because as soon as Lullaby tried to use his song the whistle went right through all the holes in his body, rendering it ineffective. She looked up as surprised as the rest and slowly began to release Lucy.

"Heh...it...worked..." Lucy rasped out and Cancer and Tauros were suddenly gone as Lucy's nose bled a bit and she fell forward.

A quick use of magic had the small blond crashing into Minerva's chest however as the older woman moved her from the ground to her arms immediately.

"She definitely overdid it." Bob had moved forward to check on Lucy who was out cold in Minerva's arms now.

"I'm impressed though. She summoned two golden spirits at the same time, and was able to think fast and render Lullaby's death song ineffective. That's a pretty strong and smart kid there Makarov." Goldmine noted and Makarov laughed a bit but he was nervous. Oh boy. Mirajane was not going to be happy.

In fact Erza and Natsu looked rather murderous right now as they both back at Lullaby with roars that did not sound human.

Needless to say Lullaby was rather toasted by the time they were done...and a mountain or two was missing it's tops. Oh and there was a crater where the hall used to be.

Natsu and Erza paid no attention to the damages they caused or the remarks of the guild masters.

They were immediately beside Minerva taking Lucy back and checking on and fussing over the child.

Lucy remained out cold all the way back to Magnolia where Mirajane met them as soon as they got back to town. Later she found a small scrap of paper hidden in Lucy's cast. It had Minerva's name, phone number and address with a note saying that if Lucy needed to get away or hide to just ask her.

Chapter Text

When they made it back to Fairy Tail Mirajane met them at the doors. Erza was carrying a sleeping Lucy and smiled at her mate who glanced them all over for wounds before focusing her attention on Lucy fully.

"Your Cambion my demoness." Erza smirked as she gently handed over the sleeping child to her mate who cradled her easily. Mirajanes eyes ticked over the child and frowned at the blood soaked cast and how the rest of her was clean.

Lucy woke up at the change in hands and stared up at Mirajane for a moment before smiling slightly and laying her head on Mirajanes shoulder.

"Hi Ms. Mira." Lucy said and Mirajane smiled softly back.

"Hi sweetheart. Welcome back. Did you have fun with everyone?" Mirajane asked and she was already carrying the child over to the bar to get the little one a hot meal.

"Mhm. We beat up a bunch of dark wizards and got to destroy a demon flute thing." Lucy said and she was still tired as she was out onto the bar stool, leaning against Cana who supported her without a word.

"Oh my. That sounds very exciting." Mirajane shot Erza a look that said they'd be talking about this later as the tired but unhurt mages and master settled down at some tables or the bar.

"What's with that pretty dress munchkin? And all that dry blood on your cast?" Cana was not known for her tact ever, but especially not now as she eyed the kid for injuries.

"My new spirit made it for me. My other clothes were covered in blood but she said she could clean them." Lucy asked and there was a tension suddenly in the room.

"And the blood kiddo?" Cana motioned lightly to the cast without raising her arm too high and Lucy blinked at it and then smiled.

"A dumb dark mage tried to grab me by the throat and take me hostage. So I cut his belly open like Aqua-nee taught me too. And then another got too close with a sword so Mr. Cancer cut his neck open. Blood got everywhere." Lucy wrinkled her nose at that but then she grinned up at Cana who was processing the fact that this kid was apparently very very dangerous and very unconcerned by blood or death.

"What the fuck?" Wakabe muttered in horror and disbelief. Macao gulped heavily and made a mental note to keep Romeo away from Lucy. It would be best to keep him from developing certain...habits.

"But I did what you said! I got lots of jewels and I stole all their fancy stuff like watches and rings and knives." Lucy said brightly and she had quite the haul for having gone after dark mages who had been on a suicidal mission.

"When did you rob them blind? I never left you alone and yet I didn't see that at all!" Erza asked in disbelief and confusion while there were a few whistles at the little girls haul.

"I told you I'm good at being sneaky." Lucy said giggling and Natsu laughed his ass off.

"Hell yeah you are! And hey they were dumb enough to try and hurt you and tried to kill Gramps and the others. So good job robbing them hatchling! Up top!" Natsu held his hand up slowly for her and she blinked at him confused.

"It's a high five munchkin. Here...like this." Cana reached forward slowly and Lucy flinched a bit but recovered decently fast as Cana gently took her unbroken hand. The drunks taller hand easily encompassed Lucy's small one as she fixed the girls hand until it was palm up and fingers flat. As if she were about to slap someone.

Then Cana gently clapped hers and Lucy's hand against Natsu's.

"There we go. Just like that. Now you try." Cana said smiling softly as Lucy blinked at her hand and then at Natsus. She looked at him curiously and he smiled widely at her, his hand still up. So she lightly clapped her hand against his all on her own and he beamed.

"Heck yeah. That's my hatchling. Just wait. As soon as you practice a bit you'll be the best at high fives!" Natsu encouraged and Lucy smiled slightly and giggled a bit. Happy held his paw up for a high five and Lucy gently clapped her hand to his paw before he perched on her head purring and grooming her hair.

"She was amazing. She managed to get us free from a wind barrier, make a contract with a golden spirit, and then later thought of a plan against the flute demon and summoned two golden spirits at one time." Erza boasted proudly and there was a small huff of a laugh.

Lucy flinched when a bag was set down beside her but then looked up and smiled slightly.

"Hi Ms. Evergreen!" Lucy said shyly smiling up at the woman who gave her a smile in return.

"Hello little fairy. I see you managed to save those three from messing up. As expected. Good job." Evergreen said and then she slowly held her hand up for a high five and was pleased when Lucy didn't flinch from her. She tensed up a bit but that was much better than flinching.

Lucy smiled brightly and high fives Evergreen who gave a haughty sniff.

"And you certainly give better high fives than the majority of the guild." Evergreen noted and she reached into the bag while Gray made a remark about how Evergreen hated touching people.

"I got you a present while we wait on your wings to be done." And really why was it so hard to find a few pairs of colorful fairy wings in a child's size to fit the little one? She had to custom order them...although she did see another design she had liked and ordered for the little one so it wasn't all bad even if the wait was ridiculous.

"Present? Like the knife Aqua-nee got me?" Lucy asked curiously and Evergreen paused for a long second as she considered getting the girl another knife.

"It's not a knife no. But I found some outfits I think you'll like...and even some little fans too. You can hit people really hard with them, that way you don't always end up covered in blood." Evergreen said and she laid out the fans for Lucy to examine and take. And yes they were modeled after Evergreens fans thank you, just with different designs. These had constellations or keys to go with the fairies. And were blue instead of green.

"And look. I found these as well." Evergreen held up the dresses she had found. Two that she had ordered as soon as she got the child's favorite colors and knew apparently really fancy dresses were a no.

"Now if you don't have a mission you can wear these." Evergreen said and Lucy looked wide eyed up at the dresses. Oen looked a lot like Evergreens dress except it had shoulders and was a bit longer. The other was a mini of Miras dress!

"Thank you Ms. Evergreen!" Lucy was wide eyed and smiling brightly and even moved forward slowly to hug Evergreens stomach.

Evergreen froze for half a second in surprise at the hug before she softened and gently patted Lucy's head until Lucy released her.

"Yes well. I can't have a little fairy running around without proper clothing." Evergreen was now suddenly shy and a bit awkward as she began to fold the dresses up and put them back into the bag.

"Aww look at you acting all soft and shy now Ever." Bixlow teased his female teammate who scowled and whacked him with her fan. Lucy retreated from Bixlow and his babies as she sunk into Canas side now.

"You scared her you pervert! Shoo! I said shoo! You aren't corrupting the little fairy." Evergreen then proceeded to run Bixlow off with her fan, making him laugh and heckle her before she ran him out of the guild with Freed sighing and following them annoyed.

"My it is rare for Evergreen to take to someone so fast." Mirajane said even as she set down some food for Lucy first along with her potion before distributing some food for the rest of the returned mages.

"It's only natural actually. It's incredibly hard if not impossible for female wizards to conceive and carry a healthy baby to term. Usually the amount of magic power is too much and kills the unborn or very young child of a female mage. Perhaps as a result of such ingrained parts of genetics it makes most female mages incredibly protective of children. Especially magical children. Back in Clover young Ms. Orland hadn't even met Lucy yet or known her name for perhaps a few scant minutes, hours if she overheard your letter Mira. And yet she had without complaint held and watched after Lucy during the Lullaby incident. When Lullaby got ready to play it's Melody of death she had dove forward and covered Lucy with her own body to shield her from the sound." Master said even as he began to dig in to his meal.

"Such a thing is rather common for female mages. Especially ones who are around the prime of her life like you, Erza, Cana, Evergreen and Ms. Orland are. At your ages most women are thinking more long term, homes, spouses, children. Add that to your innate instincts and attachment to children...well it's no surprise all of you act as parents to Lucy, it's more of a surprise that you don't do the same to Romeo, being more sister like to him. Of course there's also the fact that unlike Romeo, Lucy is a run away from a bad home. Which speaks to most of you on a personal level." Makarov added and the women mentioned that were still there grimaced or nodded grimly as they all considered their pasts.

"Honestly in Mirajanes case it's more or less expected of her to take on a motherly role. Not only has she taken care of her younger siblings before, but she also has a lot of demonic souls within her. And most demons are more in tune with their instincts better than humans are. Including the maternal instincts." Makarov pointed a fork at Mirajane who was wiping some ketchup from Lucy's cheek with a napkin.

"All good points master." Erza admitted with a nod of her head and she was inwardly cooing and purring over how Mirajane mothered Lucy. Her mate was such a good mother.

"So what do you think Lucy? Do you think you can trust Gray and Erza?" Mirajane pretended she hadn't paid attention to a word of it all as she focused on the child, sitting beside her at the bar and wiping off her face or refilling her glass.

"Hmmm. Mr. Gray is weird and is always taking off his clothes...but he's okay." Lucy said and Gray made a noise at this while Natsu snorted and grinned at Gray.

"And what about Erza?" Mirajane wondered how Lucy felt about the knight, it couldn't be too bad since she had been sleeping in Erzas arms right?

"I like Ms. Erza! Can we keep her Ms. Mira?" Lucy asked hopefully and Erza snorted and almost choked on her cheesecake.

"Oh my." Mirajane giggled but was glad and Cana was snickering into her beer.

"Going to keep me are you?" Erza asked amused and she looked at Mirajane and Lucy fondly and Mirajane grinned at her.

"I'll see what I can do sweetheart." Mirajane said to Lucy and she winked at Erza who gave an amused noise in her throat.

"Oh? Does this mean you are going to try and keep me then Mirajane?" Erza asked grinning at Mirajane who shot her a playful grin as she got up to get Lucy some more food.

"Bold of you to assume that wasn't my plan to begin with Erza." Mirajane teased and Lucy was looking at Erzas plate curiously.

"What's that Ms. Erza?" Lucy asked looking at the cake curiously and Erza glanced at her and smiled softly.

"This is a strawberry cheesecake hatchling. Here open wide." The entire guild seemed to stop and stare as Erza cut some of her cheesecake and offered it to Lucy.

Lucy was oblivious to the shock and disbelief on the others faces as she tried to slice of cheesecake.

"It's yummy!" She said surprised and Erza nodded.

"It is. Mira makes the best cheesecakes. As long as you're good and eat your meals and take your potions like you're supposed to I'll share my cheesecake with you. Okay?" Erza offered and Lucy nodded her head in agreement happily.

"That a girl." Erza smiled softly and Lucy smiled and held her hand up. Erza made sure she gave her a very gentle high five.

"Oh dear. It looks like I'll have to make more cake than normal now." Mirajane teased as she set down Lucy's next plate and Erza just shrugged a bit.

"I'm not at all sorry for showing her the wonders of strawberry cheesecake." Erza didn't look the least bit sheepish or sorry while Mirajane gave a playful smile and shook her head.

"Tell you what sweetheart. If you're good then you won't have to share a slice with Erza. As long as you eat you're entire plate and take your potions I'll give you your own slices. That way you can still have some even when Erzas being bad." Mirajane spoke to Lucy and Erza looked so betrayed.

"...Jeez I can't believe I never noticed they were together before." Gray shook his head in disbelief and then he startled when he turned to Natsu.

"Natsu are you purring?"

"Shut it ice cube."

"You got a problem Ash tray?!"

Chapter Text

Lucy watched curiously as Erza and Natsu got ready to fight. It seemed like every member not on a mission was here to watch and bet.

Lucy blinked slowly as she saw Cana taking bets and Happy betting on Erza winning.

Digging around in her pocket Lucy walked up to Cana with the twenty jewels she had on her.

"Hey there munchkin. Want to place a bet?" Cana asked smiling at her and Lucy thought it was weird how so many people smiled at her but she liked it. It was a lot better than when people would sneer at her or hit her.

"I've got twenty jewels. Is that enough?" Lucy asked and Cana nodded.

"You can bet as much or as little as you want munchkin." Cana agreed and Lucy smiled brightly now.

"Then I bet twenty jewels that someone stops them within five minutes!" Lucy said brightly and she held up her jewels. And it was so unfair how short she was. She was barely taller than Master or Happy! She couldn't wait until she was big and tall and not so little!

"Huh don't think anyone's placed that bet yet. Alright munchkin if that's your bet then it's in." Cana assured her as she took the twenty jewels and put them in the bag that was holding everyone's bets.

Lucy then wandered back over to Mirajane who was near the back of the crowd with Gray and Elfman and Loke nearby.

"Hello little light. Did you place your bet?" Mirajane asked picking Lucy up and holding her on her waist so that they could partially see the fighting. Just in time for Master to start the match.

"Mhm." Lucy flinched or tensed anytime someone came too close to her and Mira but most of the guild seemed to be making a small bubble so that they didn't stray too close and frighten her.

"Can you see nee-san?" Elfman asked softly and Mirajane hummed.

"I can see the majority of it. What about you Lucy?" Mirajane asked glancing at the girl who was peering around what looked like Nab.

"Mm." Lucy didn't confirm or deny it, she didn't really want to see them fighting each other.

"If you want you can get on my shoulders for a better view?" Elfman offered but he was careful to stay a foot or two away so he didn't scare her.

"Thank you but I'm okay...Ms. Mira who is that?" Lucy asked looking at a frog woman who was approaching.

"Is that the magic council?" Gray asked warily as the woman clapped and stopped the fight.

"This fight is over! Erza Scarlett you are under arrest for the Lullaby incident!" It was all quiet for a moment at that decree and then there were several outcries.

"Fuck the magic council!" Someone yelled.

"Holy shit Lucy wins the betting pool!" That was Canas baffled declaration and Erza was being led away in cuffs. Lucy looked scared and worried.

"Stop it! Ms. Erza didn't do anything wrong!" Lucy called out and she was struggling in Mirajanes arms as Erza was being led past them.

"Do not get in the way of the magic council child." The frog woman said and Lucy struggled harder.

"But Ms. Erza helped save the guild masters! She helped destroy the dumb demon flute thing! You can't arrest her!" Lucy said and she looked scared and angry.

"Lucy. Hatchling it's okay. It's okay hatchling." Erza tried to stop the little one who looked furious and had tears of rage in her eyes and she was...was she growling at the frog lady? She absolutely was.

It was adorable.

"Hmph. You should join another guild while you can child before they turn you into a lawless chaotic heathen like this woma-" The frog lady didn't get a chance to finish her sentence as Lucy managed to twist enough she kicked the condescending frog lady right in the face.

"Fuck off lady! You don't get to say bad things about Ms. Erza when you're arresting the wrong person and being a condescending bitch!" Lucy snarled at her and Natsu was laughing his ass off in the background. Masters jaw dropped and several other people gasped or gaped.

That was absolutely his hatchling!

"Cambion? Who taught you those words?" Mirajanes voice was sickly sweet and dangerous and her eyes glinted darkly.

"Which words Ms. Mira?"

"You are under arrest for striking an official of the magic council!" The frog lady said and a hesitant knight put some cuffs on Lucy's good wrist only to recoil at the twin glare he was getting from Erza and Mirajane.

"Lay a finger on my Cambion and I'll remind the world why I was known as She Devil." Mirajanes voice was a monotone warning and the knight cowered from her.

"Let me hold her Mira. I'll get this all straightened out. Just make sure dinner is ready for her for when she gets back." Erza said and her cuffed arms were held out and Mirajane gently settled Lucy onto them.

"Dinner will be waiting. Sweetheart you be good okay? Try not to kick anymore officials." Mirajane kissed Lucy's head and Lucy curled into Erzas arms contently.

"I promise nothing! If they're being incompetent jackasses with more ego then sense then I will teach them their place!" Lucy happily said and Natsu was on the ground laughing and Cana and Gray started cackling too.

"And we will be having a talk about where you learned those words later." Mirajane said with a twitching eyebrow.

"What words?" Lucy asked blinking curiously up at her.

"Those curse words sweetie."

"Oh those? Dad cussed at me all the time. I thought my name was murderer and bitch until Aqua-nee taught me my name!" Lucy said shrugging unconcerned.

The murderous aura from the entire guild was enough to terrify the rune knights and the official.

Mirajane made sure Levy wrote that down. They were keeping a list of offenses the man had committed. That way if they ever saw him they'd be able to get exact revenge...plus interest of course!

"Well it's hatchlings first court hearing! We can celebrate that when we get back!" Erza said changing the subject and the knights sweat dropped.

Only Fairy Tail would celebrate something like a court hearing.

Chapter Text

"Erza Scarlett you are....why is there a child here?" One of the grand council members blinked as he processed the fact that Lucy was there in Erzas arms despite how awkward that must be.

"Because I kicked the frog lady in the face." Lucy said and there was a confused murmuring.

"Why did you kick an official messenger of the council?" An old woman asked and Lucy shrugged a bit.

"Talk shit get hit." Erza choked at that and tried not to laugh.

"Hatchling who taught you that?" Erza wondered which of the guild members she passed that onto the little blond.

"Aqua-nee!" Ah yes this Aqua-nee of hers. Apparently her full name was Aquarius and she was one of Lucy's spirits who was protective if unorthodox.

Not that Erza had any room to talk of course.

"And how was our messenger erm...talking shit as you put it?" A cat like man asked and Lucy wrinkled her nose adorably.

"Cause she was arresting Ms. Erza over the Lullaby thing when it's not Ms. Erzas fault you couldn't keep it safe. Then she tried to tell me I should join a different guild and started talking bad about Ms. Erza. So I kicked her." Lucy said and then she smiled brightly.

"The Knight guy must have thought I did good though right?! He gave me a bracelet to match Ms. Erzas!" Lucy beamed up at the council and there were some choked noises from the members.

"She's acting very adorable and innocent for someone who tried to bite me." Siegrain said amused and making Lucy glanced at him and scowl. Which yes was adorable thank you.

"You tried to touch Ms. Erza. You can't touch her. That's my Ms. Erza! She belongs to me and Ms. Mira and Mr. Natsu and Fairy Tail." Lucy said stubbornly and there was a soft aww from one of the council members.

"Your Ms. Erza?" Another questioned that and Erza just gave them a smile and a shrug.

"Uh huh. She's mine. Me and Ms. Mira are keeping her." And now Erza was blushing a bit at those bluntly stated words.

"Out of the mouth of babes..." The older woman on the council said amused.

"What were you saying earlier? About the Lullaby thing not being Erzas fault?" A tall darkly dressed man asked and Lucy gave him a look that questioned his intelligence.

"Those dark guild people stole and unsealed it. And they stole it from the council right? So it's the councils fault they got it cause they couldn't protect that stupid flute thing. If the council kept it safe then me and Ms. Erza and Mr. Natsu and Mr. Gray and Mr. Happy wouldn't have had to go save the guild masters." Lucy said as if it were obvious.

"Out of the mouth of babes indeed." The younger of the two women on the council muttered amused as the council floundered a bit at that bluntly stated accusation.

"So why did you arrest Ms. Erza when she's the one who put together the clues to stop the dumb dark mages?" Lucy asked curiously and honestly Erza was just standing back and watching as the little blond in her arms commanded the court room and made them all look like fools.

Such a regal and smart little hatchling for someone wearing a dress just like Mirajanes. Huh...should she get the little one an outfit like hers? Wait could she find someone to make tiny armor?!? Master Makarov had someone make her first chest plate so maybe she could ask him?

"Ms. Scarlett what are you thinking so hard about?" One council member asked her and they all thought it might be something important or some grand reveal. Or at least something pertaining to the matter at hand.

"Hm? What kind of armor to get the hatchling first. Hatchling do you want some armor like mine? I can ask Master Makarov about the guy who made my first armor." There were a few sweat drops and even more face palms at that. Lucy lit up happily at that however.

"Can I Ms. Erza?!" Lucy asked wide eyed and Erza grinned at her.

"Course you can hatchling!"

That was around the time the wall blew out and Natsu appeared dressed in the cheapest drag cosplay of Erza ever seen.

Chapter Text

"And Lucy." Lucy flinched when Master got done scolding Natsu and turned to her with a serious face.

"Good job!" She blinked when Master just gave her a grin and thumbs up.

"You assaulted your first council official!" Makarov said and Lucy looked confused as he reached up and patted her head softly.

"Way to go!"

"Well done kid!"

"That was a beautiful kick!"

The rest of the guild was cheering and laughing now and Lucy looked around curiously. So beating up officials was a good thing?

"And she did very well in court too! Was twisting it all so that they realized that Lullaby being taken and released was on them for not keeping it secured and protected." Erza happily bragged about that and Makarov laughed.

"Made the council look like fools huh? Very well done!" Makarov was very proud about that as Mirajane bought over some cake for Erza and Lucy.

"I heard part of that! Didn't you try to bite one of the council members?" Lucy's cheeks puffed up a bit when Natsu brought that up and Erza smiled fondly.

"She did."

"Well it was that blueberry looking jerks fault! He tried to get too close and touch Ms. Erza. He can't do that! Ms. Erza is mine and Ms. Miras and Mr. Natsus and Fairy Tails!" Lucy said and Mirajane crooned gently.

"That's right little star. She's our Erza and he can't touch her." Mirajane agreed with a small proud croon.

"How come I blow up a courthouse wall and I get scolded but the hatchling tries to bite a council member and she gets praised?" Natsu pouted and Makarov scoffed.

"I didn't punish you for blowing up the courthouse Natsu. I punished you because you were dressed in the worst drag I've ever seen. And as someone who used to be on a team with Bob that's saying something." Makarov said rolling his eyes.

"So I got punished for dressing in drag?" Natsu questioned that just to make sure.

"Not for dressing in drag, that's fine. It's because you were dressed in the worst drag you could be. If you want to dress in drag and wear skirts then go ahead. But we'll get you good drag to wear." Makarov said and he honestly didn't care if his kids wanted to dress in drag.

If Natsu or Gray or Elfman wanted to wear a skirt or be a woman? Okay. If Levy or Mirajane or Cana wanted to be guys? That's fine too. He just asked that they be happy and let him know the right names and pronouns to use.

He'd always support his kids in everything.

"Oh that's okay then. And heck yeah hatchling! Bite that nasty blueberry guy!" Natsu grinned at Lucy who had Happy grooming her hair a bit, he liked doing that she noticed. That's when she felt sleepy... Lucy crashed out immediately, Mirajane catching her gently and holding her before she swayed and fell to the floor. She rather conveniently landed incredibly lightly and on her side curled around Lucy.

When Lucy blinked back awake she was in Ms. Miras arms and blinking sleepily as she was gently put back into her chair in front of her slice of cake. Ms. Erza woke up quickly as well and immediately checked on Lucy and Mirajane.

"Hatchling." Natsu shot awake wide awake faster than the others and he was immediately looking over his hatchling and her mothers for injury.

"That was Mystogan. He's one of the strongest in the guild. He's very shy so he likes putting people to sleep when he comes for missions." Gray explained to Lucy, shaking his head to get rid of the drowsiness.

"How come I didn't get any bruises?" Elfman had a rather big bruise on his head from hitting the floor. But Erza and Mirajane and Lucy were all unhurt.

"Mirajane managed to grab you and shield you. I was on my knees and barely conscious though." Erza said and she shot Mirajane a knowing look. Erza had been barely conscious. Mirajane had been fully conscious and just pretended otherwise.

"It's cause you're awesome hatchling! And way too tough for some sleeping spell!" Natsu said waving it off with a grin.

"Tch. Teaching kids things like that. I shouldn't expect less from a scrub like you." A voice came from upstairs and Lucy looked up curiously.

There was a blond man with brown eyes and a scar on his face leaning over the railing.

"Laxus! Come fight me!" Natsu challenged immediately.

"Why don't you come up here little man?" Laxus goaded and Natsu was stopped from going up the second floor by Master.

"You can't even beat Erza and she doesn't beat me. What makes you think you have a chance?" Laxus grinned cockily at Natsu who growled at him.

Mirajanes eyes were sharp and her teeth a bit pointed at the slight against her mate. If he said a single bad thing about her Cambion she will not be held accountable for her actions.

"And a punk like you should never be put in charge of kids. Leave the kid to Mirajane or Erza. They are actually strong enough they might be able to make the kid strong. A weakling like you-" Laxus was cut off by a slap of frosting hitting his face.

"You're mean." Lucy said coldly and she scowled at the man who blinked baffled.

"Did the kid just throw frosting at me?" Laxus asked there were some muffled snickers from around the guild.

"I don't like you. You're mean." Lucy said flatly and she then gave her full attention to the cake in front of her.

Mirajane bodily put herself between the child and Laxus with a dark look aimed at him. Daring him to try something with the kid.

Erza was eyeing him darkly and ready to requip and kick ass if he tried anything.

Natsu also moved and glared darkly at Laxus, putting himself between Mirajane and the hatchling and the lightning dragon just in case.

"Come along little light." Mirajane deemed Laxus sufficiently cowed and warned off for now before she turned to Lucy and gathered her up in her arms, taking the plate of cake with her.

"I think there's been enough excitement for one day. Let's get you home hatchling and get you some rest." Mirajane deemed and Erza stood to follow her.

"I'll escort you. I have to get ready to leave for a job anyways." Erza said and she followed them out, shooting pointed glared at Laxus as if daring him to try something.

"They liiiiiike each other." Happy drawled behind them.

Natsu glared at Laxus.

So the bastard thought he couldn't protect his hatchling just because he wasn't S-class?

He'd prove himself. That he could take care of his hatchling and any mates. That he could protect them and was ready for S-class.

He'd prove he could be a good mate and father!

Chapter Text

Erza, Elfman and Mirajane were surprised to see Natsu and Happy at the Strauss house first thing in the morning.

They noted he wasn't at all surprised to see Erza there.

"Mirajane. Do you mind watching the hatchling for a bit? I've got a job that's going to take several days probably and I'd feel better if I know she's -" Mirajane put a finger on his lips to silence him and she smiled at him.

There was a strange look in her eyes. Part approval part evaluation and part fondness. It was weird. Especially when Erza looked at him the same way.

Elfman just said that he was manly.

"Go with an easy mind. She will always have a home with me." Mirajane assured him and she saw how he relaxed at hearing that.

"Thank you. Mind if we sat goodbye to her real quick?" Natsu asked and Mirajane just smiled and lead him further into the house.

"Mr. Natsu!" He melted and crooned as he looked at his hatchling. She wouldn't get her cast off for another week or so according to Porlyusica but it didn't seem to bother her as she beamed at him. She was wearing a shirt that he recognized as one of Mirajanes and she was nearly smothered in the scents of the mated pair.

It made his inner dragon croon with delight and purr happily.

She got down from her chair and easily went to him and Happy for hugs and cuddles and quick hair grooming.

"Hi hatchling. Me and Happy are going to be gone in a job for a few days okay?" Natsu asked and Lucy blinked up at him.

"I can get my bag!" Lucy beamed and Natsu shook his head.

"Sorry hatchling but not this time. This one might be really dangerous so I can't take you with me. But just wait! The reward is supposed to be extra special!" Natsu said beaming at her and she tilted her head with a frown.

"Yeah! I picked it out cause it had a key as a reward! Watch we'll finish the mission in record time and you'll have a brand new key to use!" Happy said grinning and pleased he had found a job with a key for a reward. Now not only would Natsu get to prove how strong he is and how he'd be able to protect a mate and hatchling...but they could even bring the key back for Lucy!

"Happy! It was supposed to be a surprise!" Natsu whined at his cat who covered his mouth with his paws.

Lucy smiled a bit and burrowed into him a bit. He purred gently at her.

"Where are you going?" Erza asked curiously and wondering what job had a key as a reward. If she had seen it she would have taken it.

"I have to head to Hargeon and catch a boat to an island. Need to fight some dark guild or something." Natsu shrugged a bit since he didn't really know what the Islanders wanted him to do but it didn't matter.

He'd clear the quest, get the reward, prove himself and come back home to his hatchling.

"Alright. Be careful." Erza said and she was getting ready to leave as well since she had to take out a band of monsters at a town nearby.

"You too." Natsu nodded to her and Lucy hugged him for a bit longer before he stood up and left with a smile to Mirajane and a nod to Elfman.

"Come back to us." Mirajane said softly to Erza and she kissed her cheek for luck.

"I'll be back before you know it. Probably won't even take me three days." Erza said confidently as she gave Mirajane a quick kiss on the lips and then knelt down to hug Lucy and kiss her head.

"I'll be back soon hatchling. And when I am I'll show you some tricks." Erza promised fully planning to get the girl a small sword, maybe a tanto, and show her how to use it.

"Be careful." Lucy said and she copied Ms. Mira and kissed Ms. Erzas cheek.

"...I think Erza just melted." Elfman muttered to his sister but she was busy cooing over how cute Lucy was and how much Erza adored the small blond.

Lucy waited until they got to the guild before she kissed Ms. Miras cheek and then wandered away when the guild began a brawl.

She had a train to catch. After all she had a bad feeling about Mr. Natsus job and Aqua-nee told her to always trust her gut!

So...yeah she proved just how sneaky she could be and managed to get into the train and follow Mr. Natsu.

At the guild Mirajane was very alarmed when she realized one of the S class jobs was missing, the Galuna Island job that had a spirit key as a reward.

"Oh Natsu didn't." Mirajane moaned in disbelief as she put her head in her hands with a sigh.

"He probably did." Master said and he sighed heavily. What was Natsu thinking? Was he even thinking?! Laxus wasn't agreeing to go and get him either but Gray had thankfully left to go and drag Natsu back.

He should be back in two hours with the errant idiot.

That's when Cana noticed something...or rather someone. Who wasn't there.

"Mira? Where's the munchkin? She's usually never far from you." Cana looked for the child and Mirajane looked up surprised and alarmed.

"What do you mean? She was right...she...She walked into the guild with us. I know she did! Where is she?!" Mirajane asked looking around wildly for her Cambion.

"I haven't seen her since she kissed your cheek right before the brawl." Elfman informed his sister and Mirajanes face drained of all color as she had a horrifying thought.

"Did she..." Mirajanes senses went to the limit they could in her baseline human form as she listened for any sound of her little one.

There was nothing. She wasn't here.

Mirajane was up in a flash and damn near flew across the guild hall towards the doors.

"She went after Natsu!" Mirajane was out the door in a flash...

It was only a few seconds later that Cana cursed and rushed out after her alongside Elfman. Laxus just scoffed and took a mission as Bixlow kept Evergreen from rushing out as well.

"Natsu's a moron but he cares about the runt. He'll bring her back as soon as he sees her there. Anyways Gramps. The Tribe and I are taking this one." Laxus said showing his Gramps the request to slay a bunch of monsters.

Evergreen didn't look happy as she was nearly dragged off in the opposite direction by the other two Tribe members.

"Evergreen it's fine. I doubt the runt will even get to the Island. She's like five or something and isn't a jungle kid like Natsu was. What's the worst that could happen?" Laxus asked rolling his eyes at her overreaction and making her relax a bit.

Right. Right. Lucy was a kid and not a half feral one like Natsu or Erza had been. And Cana and Mirajane and Elfman had chased after her.

What was the worst that could happen honestly?

Chapter Text

Cana, Elfman and Mirajane had just missed the train to Hargeon that Gray had taken, thankfully there was a second one leaving just a few scant minutes later that they had quickly boarded.

Rushing to the pier Mirajane was easily in the lead despite her heels, something that caused her to get even more respect from Cana and earned her a soft Manly from her brother.

"Natsu! Gray!" Mirajane yelled trying to wave down the ship she could see them on.

"Fuck! We were too late! They're already out of reach!" Elfman cursed as he puffed for air a bit.

"Oi! Can any of you take us to catch up to that boat?!" Cana demanded of the other captains.

"No way missy. Those damned fools are heading to that cursed Island Galuna. None of us are going near them." One called and another pulled off without a word.

"Nee...Nee-san?" Elfman looked worried when Mirajane pulled her hair up into a ponytail with deft movements and kicked off her shoes.

She walked back towards the wharf as if to leave the pier and then turned sharply in the direction of the boat.

"Mirajane. Don't do anything foolish now." Cana sweat dropped and hoped Mirajane wasn't about to-

"Tell Erza what happened as soon as she gets back. I need to get to my little light." Mirajane said and then she ran. She sprinted the length of the pier and the dock towards the boat and jumped far higher and further than any normal mage or human could.

"Mirajane?!" Gray gave an alarmed squawk that they heard at the pier as Elfman collected his sisters shoes.

"...S class wizards are a special breed." Cana groaned in disbelief as she saw Mirajane actually swimming after the boat and making good time until she reached the boat and hefted herself up and in.

"Never mess with a mama anything. Especially not a mama demon." Elfman said sweat dropping a bit and he could almost hear the way his sister was reading Gray and a very much motion sick Natsu the riot act.

-----on the boat----

"And you young lady!" Mirajane turned her furious glare to the pile of supplies under a blanket in the back of the boat.

A small eep got their attention and Grays face drained of color, Happy looked shocked as he whipped off the blanket, and Natsu looked sick and horrified.

"What were you thinking?! Natsu even said this mission was dangerous!" Mirajane demanded and Lucy cowered a bit.

"I...I wanted...to help. I had...I had a bad...feeling and..." She was near tears and she had her arms up as if to protect her head from a blow.

That posture made all the rage go out of Mirajane as did the way Lucy tried to keep her voice strong but failed.

"Oh sweetheart." Mirajane slowly and carefully gathered Lucy into her arms and pulled her onto her lap. Lucy had flinched and was tense.

"Baby I'm a bit angry yes but I'm mostly worried. This is a dangerous mission. One that none of us should be on. Lots of mages probably would die during this quest normally. And those are wizards who have been training and fighting for years." Mirajane said and her voice was softer now and she gently hugged Lucy, just holding the little girl in her lap.

"Do you know how scared I was? One minute you were there safely at the guild and the next you're gone? And I realized you followed Natsu on a dangerous mission that could get you killed!" Mirajane was shaking in retroactive terror now as her eyes stung. She remembered another little girl with an attachment to Natsu who tried to follow him on missions.

One who had gone on a mission that none of them had been ready or strong enough for. One who hadn't come home.

"Turn...turn...around..." Natsu was barely keeping his food down but he was glaring at the captain.

"I didn't...she...she can't..." Natsu couldn't get the words out but thankfully Happy and Gray and Mirajane knew what he was saying.

"Then the boat around and let us back off at the pier." Gray said glaring at the captain who wasn't bothered by the glare.

"I can't." He said and then he pointed behind them and suddenly there was a wave... A large one. And when they turned back to the captain alarmed he was gone. Mirajane thought she heard wing beats for a second but didn't have time to focus.

She curled her body protectively around Lucy and Happy both and got ready for the crash. She'd have to try and swim towards the island that was in the distance and hopefully grab Gray and Natsu as well....

"Open! Gate of the Waterbearer Aquarius!" Lucy however happened to have the perfect spirit for this and suddenly there was a mermaid there.

"Brat wha- The fuck did you get into now?!" The mermaid began and then she yelped when the boat was starting to capsize from the wave.

"Aqua-nee! Can you get us to the shore?" Lucy hollered right before they went under. Thankfully the mermaid could and before she could even start to swim or think of doing so the mermaid had gotten them all to shore.

"I swear you're always getting into some shit. What did you do this time guppy?" The mermaid, Aquarius, asked sighing while the mages were coughing or catching their breaths.

Lucy grinned sheepishly at the mermaid.

"I got into some shit."

"Did you start the shit?"

"No?"

"And why don't you sound sure guppy?"

"Cause I snuck into a dangerous stolen mission and might have to fight demons and cultists and dark guilds."

"...I...guppy what the fuck?! Why are you like this?!"

"Oh I know the answer! Grandpa Crux said it's cause of my trauma!"

Mirajane gave a low whine at that and she curled further around her kid.

Something the mermaid seemed to agree with.

"That's not a good thing guppy!"

"But you said trauma makes us funny and unique."

"....okay I did say that but guppy no."

"Guppy yes!"

Chapter Text

Mirajane was not a happy woman. She was on Galuna Island, the Island of Demons, and her inner demons were going nuts and her head felt fuzzy.

She also had her Cambion in her arms and at any moment something or someone could attack them and Natsu and Gray were here and for some fucking reason the moon was purple and giving her a headache and the village chief insisted they destroy it.

She wished she could launch an evil explosion at it just to make it stop hurting her damned head.

"Don't you get it? We are demons! Because of that accursed moon!" And that...was probably the stupidest thing she's ever heard and she grew up in a guild that was full of lovable idiots.

"Huh? That doesn't sound right. If that were true then Mirajane would be turning too." Natsu looked at Mirajane who sighed a bit but nodded.

"My demons are raging and don't like this and that moon is giving me a massive headache but I'm not being forced to transform." Mirajane agreed and all the demons around them began to mutter and murmur.

"You're one of us?" The chief asked shocked as he stared at Mirajane as if trying to remember if he knew her.

"Not fully." Mirajane shook her head and grimaced when it throbbed.

"So a hybrid?" The village was murmuring and looking surprised as they stared at the white haired woman.

"I don't know fully. Whether I was born with the demon genes or whether I developed them because of my unique magic. But I do have antibodies and similar bodies to demons. Just with a human shell." Mirajane explained and she shrugged and then grimaced as she glared at the moon. This stupid purple thing was pissing her off.

"Gray can you make me an ice lance or something?" Mirajane requested and Gray didn't hesitate to give her a large ice lance.

"Natsu hold my Cambion." Mirajane offered the little one to her papa who immediately took her and nuzzled her head.

There were definite whispers about that.

"Her Cambion? And she trusts him with her?" The village was in a minor uproar as the whispers and rumors flew. Mirajane took the lance and walked to the guard tower. She climbed to the top with ease and glared at the moon. Her head was throbbing and she didn't like it.

With a roar she reared back her arm and then launched the lance upwards towards the moon.

There were dropped jaws from everyone as the lance seemed to hit the moon and both the lance and the moon shattered for a moment.

Then they saw another moon behind the first and it wasn't purple, it was normal.

"Is that the power of an S class wizard?" Gray murmured in awe.

"She understood what was happening so fast and she threw that lance so far with just raw strength...so thats the level I need to reach..." Natsu said grimly. If even a non active S class like Mirajane was right now could figure this out so fast and be that strong...he had to train harder and catch up.

"Does your head feel better now?" Lucy asked as she was passed back to Mirajane as soon as she approached the group and Mirajane didn't look as pained anymore...

"A bit. The residue is a pain but it's manageable now that the thickest part is shattered." Mirajane quickly kissed Lucy's head and kept her little one cradled close.

"But then why are we still demons?" The chief demanded looking confused and angry and Mirajane shook her head.

"The purple moon was the result of a spell residue. It doesn't effect humans but for demons or partial demons it messes with their heads. You're all demons with the ability to turn human, your minds got messed up and you thought you were humans naturally." Mirajane explained and the demons were murmuring to each other and exclaiming over their returned memories.

"You could recognize us as fellow demons? So fast?" Someone asked looking at Mirajane stunned and she gave them all a flat look.

"Galuna Island is known as the Island of Demons." Her deadpan made Gray and Natsu remember their younger years and both promptly took a step away from her.

"...oh..."

"That being said if someone is still casting the spell that did this then it will all happen again if they aren't stopped. Have you seen any traces or signs of the spell or those casting it?" Mirajane asked and she didn't even realize she was taking over as leader of the team, she just defaulted back into her mission mode.

"Ah there's a light that comes from the temple... unfortunately we aren't able to investigate what's causing it." One of the townsmen said and Mirajane hummed.

"A temple huh? Yes as full demons you wouldn't be able to step foot in it. Couldn't you have had someone fly over the temple however to check? Ah but nevermind now." Mirajane shook her head realizing none of the people here were strong enough demons to overcome the holy ground and blessed spells around places like temples.

"Natsu. Gray. It's likely someone will come to investigate the village and see if they can figure out who has come and destroyed the film over the island. Since Lucy is here...I'll remain at the village with her while you two investigate the temple. Do not engage unless you have to. We need information first. Who is here, if they're a dark guild, why they are here, how many there are, what they want, and what kind of magics they use if you can. Find out as much as you can and return here. From there we will make a plan. Understood?" Mirajane ordered and the two boys nodded immediately.

Scary Mira was back it seemed.

"Can't I go with them? I can help!" Lucy said and Mirajane gave her a stern but kind look.

"Sweetheart you weren't supposed to be here. Me and you were supposed to stay at the guild. And if there was some way I could get you back to the guild quickly then I would. We don't know what kind of danger is here and I am not risking you. Erza will likely be coming soon and she will have a way back to the mainland. Once she does you for sure are going back." Mirajane said sternly but kindly, carefully keeping her voice soft but unyielding.

"Ah shit. Erzas coming?!" Gray asked and Natsu gave him a baffled look.

"Of course she is. Her mate and hatchling are here and I guarantee you someone will mention how dangerous the mission is to her. I'm just surprised she isn't already here beating the crap out of us." Natsu said and the demons glanced at Mirajane.

"You came here without telling your mate?" One woman asked in disbelief and Mirajane sighed.

"My mate, and Natsu you are telling me how you knew about that when we get back to the guild, was on another mission and I wasn't even supposed to be on this one. I'm here because a certain Cambion decided to sneak onto the boat to try and help these idiots." Mirajane gave Natsu and Gray a glare for that and they looked sheepish.

"I just wanted to help." Lucy murmured and she felt bad that Ms. Mira was upset with her.

"I know sweetheart and I can't blame you for being worried or wanting to help. But you are seven. And this is an S class mission. You've only been doing magic for less than a year and you have a busted arm. You absolutely should not be on this mission." Mirajane said and she held her Cambion closer protectively, her hands shook.

It would be so easy for her to get hurt or end up like...end up like Lisanna...

No...

No. She wouldn't let it happen again. Even if it cost her life she wouldn't let that happen. She would not lose her baby girl as she had her sister.

She wouldn't let history repeat itself. Not this time.

Chapter Text

While waiting for the boys to return Mirajane gave orders for the village to be prepared to fight or flee in an instant.

"Lucy don't go where I can't see you!" Mirajane called to her little one who had wandered near the gate.

"Okay! I'm gonna summon Virgo to help with some traps!" Lucy said and Mirajane nodded, it wasn't likely that anyone with half a brain would fall into a seven year olds traps...but rogue wizards and dark guild mages generally weren't known for their brains. Besides she'd have the aid of a spirit who was centuries old.

"She uses celestial magic?" A demoness near Mirajane asked watching as Lucy held up a key and summoned her pink haired spirit who appeared with a polite bow to her young master.

"She does. It's why Natsu had originally taken the quest. He and Happy were going to finish the mission and bring back the key reward as a present for her." And it had been a sweet thought Mirajane could admit, and she knew Natsu hadn't wanted Lucy anywhere near this mission.

"What a caring person. A little young to be the father though isn't he?" An older woman asked and Mirajane blinked baffled but then sighed.

"He's not her father. He's just adopted her as a hatchling, he was raised by a dragon and has dragon instincts. Being caring towards young is one. And she latched onto him and he onto her. It's why she snuck into the boat and onto the mission. She was worried about him and wanted to help." Mirajane shook her head fondly and she glanced back at her little light. Virgo was making a pitfall trap near the gates.

Mirajane didn't have the heart to tell Lucy that not many enemies actually came in through the gates.

"She managed to sneak away and onto the boat without you noticing?" Another demoness sounded very judgemental about that and Mirajane side eyed her.

"She's a crafty and smart little one. We got to the guild and a fight broke out in the guild hall which distracted me. She used that time to escape and between that and the discovery that Natsu had taken a job without approval that was out of his skill level? Trust me as soon as I realized what she had done I was out of the guild and racing to get to her. And can't you tell? She somehow is masking her scent." Mirajane said and she noticed Lucy saying something and Virgo humming and nodding.

Virgo then vanished into another hole she dug and she didn't come back out.

"Where'd Virgo go sweetheart?" Mirajane asked as Lucy wandered back over to her side, shying away from any of the men. Although she definitely seemed more at home near the demons than she did around the guild. She wasn't as tense or wary as she usually was.

"I asked her to see if she could find Mr. Natsu and Mr. Gray and help them somehow. She also said she'd hunt for game so we could help supply our own food." Lucy said and her hand slipped into Mirajanes easily. Mirajane smiled softly down at her and held her tiny hand gently.

"Well that's very nice of her. I hope you thanked Virgo for doing that." Mirajane had no doubt the little one did. She was unfailingly polite.

"Mhm!" Lucy nodded with a hum and Mirajane smiled a little wider and then went back to helping direct the locals into either sharpening their paltry weapons or more often helping them prepare go bags so they could flee if the fighting came to the village.

"Princess I have returned." Virgo reappeared several minutes later and she had some small game in her hands, a few pheasants and a magideer. Not a bad haul actually.

"Ms. Virgo! Welcome back and thank you!" Lucy said brightly and she beamed up at Virgo who smiled and bowed her head to her little princess.

"I also came across a large number of cultists in the forest and promptly knocked them all out, and I checked up on the temple where your teammates were heading. It appeared that there were several mages there leading everything, your two friends are likely to arrive there soon." Virgo reported and Mirajane nodded her head in thanks and then bit her thumb nail.

"So there are cultists involved. And mages are leading things which makes sense with the large magic that has to be in use to give off that much residue." Mirajane here glanced up at the sky with a half glare, sensing the lingering residue that was giving her a minor fuzzy feeling in her mind.

"Yes there are a lot of them performing the moon drip ceremony. It appears they wish to release and free a large powerful demon from a spell that contained it and are using the moon drip to do so." Virgo nodded her head in agreement and Mirajane glanced at her curiously. Could Virgo get back to the temple and find some answers? Would she do so if Mirajane asked or-

"Wow! You know a lot Ms. Virgo!" Lucy was amazed and Virgo seemed slightly smug at the praise but deflected it.

Mirajanes attention went to a spot outside the village. Something pinged on her senses and instincts. They were being watched...

By someone stealthy and powerful.

"While it is a good sign that these people haven't attacked or interacted with the villagers in the last while they've been here...them trying to revive a powerful sealed demon is not good. If it got loose then it'd likely head here and destroy the village and everyone in its path." Mirajane said grimly. Virgos eyes were Lazer focused on her in an instant and the maids body was rather relaxed in a deceptive manner that sent alarm through Mirajanes instincts.

"So these fools are a threat to the village and to the princess?" Virgos voice was deceptively calm and monotone and oh did that send red flags and alarms up.

"If they go through with their plan? Absolutely." Mirajane said grimacing and she pulled Lucy closer. She shouldn't be here! She should be safely at the guild and watching Cana do card tricks and saying random heartbreaking things that made Mirajane want to hunt down and brutally murder her father.

She should be safely at home with a belly full of warm food and laying in a comfy bed curled up sleeping peacefully. She should not be here on this island involved in a mission far outside her difficulty level.

"I see." Virgos eyes locked onto Mirajane for a moment and then she looked back at Lucy.

"With your permission princess I'd like to go and hunt some more." Virgo said bowing politely once more to the small blond who looked up at her.

"Okay." Lucy tilted her head and she seemed remarkably reserved and thoughtful and Virgo smiled kindly at her.

"Thank you princess. I shall be back shortly. With some...very...large game." And suddenly the manacles around her wrist didn't seem like shackles. They seemed like weapons.

Mirajane noted a dark smile on the pink haired spirits face and saw how the demons around flinched or recoiled. She had a distinct feeling that Virgo was not going to be hunting animals.

She also had a feeling that she didn't really mind the maid hunting down and beating up the ones behind this whole thing. It would make Lucy safer and end the mission faster so they could return home as soon as Erza arrived with a boat.

"She's not hunting animals is she?" Lucy asked looking up at Mirajane with knowing intelligent brown eyes.

"Depends on how you look at it. But if you mean she's going after those who are human in species? Yes she is." Mirajane said and she wouldn't lie to her little one. She had a feeling Lucy would know and she didn't want to break her little ones trust in her.

"...Better her than Aqua-nee." Lucy finally said after a few seconds and Mirajane huffed a laugh.

"Aquarius taught you how to gut people. I don't want to know what she'd do to the idiots we're facing right now." Mirajane said and she picked up Lucy to put her on her hip as some wary demons took the game and began to prepare it for eating.

"...Did you know salt water stings when in open wounds? Or that normal people can only go three minutes without air before their brains start getting messed up?" Lucy asked and Mirajane absolutely did not want to know if Lucy saw this in person.

"I take it Aquarius would drown them slowly if she were here?"

"She could do something she called water boarding. It's a torture people use with water. She's been looking for an excuse to try it."

And that was a slightly horrifying thought thank you little child in her arms.

Well...at least Aquarius wouldn't do it to Lucy. So that was a good thing in Mirajanes books.

Maybe she should stop questioning anything involving her daughters spirits. She'd have plausible deniability that way.

Chapter Text

Mirajane tensed and turned towards the gate when she felt two presences coming closer, she automatically piloted her body to put her between the approaching powers and her little girl.

She relaxed a bit when she felt the familiar warmth and heat and ash that she had long since associated with Natsu, and she realized the colder feeling was from Gray.

"It's the other two mages! Open the gates!" Mirajane ordered and the villagers manning the gates hastened to follow instructions as Mirajane moved forward.

Okay in her defense when Lucy giggled about it to Cana and Levy later, Mirajane was used to people who could fly or were at least paying attention to where they were going. And she hadn't expected them to be injured.

"The pitfall works." Lucy giggled a bit as an iced over Natsu carrying Gray fell into the pitfall, making the ice on him shatter.

"I thought I told you both not to fight. What happened?" Mirajane asked as she helped the two out of the hole with a slight smile, her mind immediately cataloguing Grays injuries since he seemed more injured than Natsu who was mostly unhurt. He just had some minor frost clinging to him that was already melting thanks to his extremely high body heat.

"We were collecting info on what's going on at the temple like you wanted. Apparently jackass here knows the demon they're trying to to free and the cult leader in charge, an asshole he called Lyon who uses Ice Make like Gray does. They studied under the same teacher or something. So he went rushing at the guy and we ended up fighting anyways and this time it's not my fault!" Natsu said and Mirajane glanced curiously at Gray. So this was personal was it?

"Here. Someone treat his wounds." Mirajane ordered handing him off to some of the townsfolk who immediately began to do so.

"What can you tell me about the rest of the cult or the leader?" Mirajane asked turning to Natsu for a full break down and Natsu grimaced.

"We didn't get to see their magic or anything but they have a giant rat!" Happy said popping up from Natsus hair and making her raise an eyebrow. That was far from the weirdest thing she's ever heard but it was definitely unusual.

"Perhaps I might have information of use?" Virgo appeared and Natsu blinked and then looked over at Lucy who was by Mirajanes legs.

"Hatchling don't over exert yourself. I don't want you passing out like what happened with Lullaby." Natsu fussed a bit and Lucy blinked curious brown eyes up at him.

"I'm okay! I passed out cause I summoned Mr. Cancer, Ms. Virgo, and then Mr. Cancer and Mr. Taurus at the same time. I can keep Ms. Virgos gate open for hours if need be!" Lucy said and Natsu smiled at his adorable strong little hatchling.

"Ms. Virgo? You have information?" Mirajane asked the spirit who's eyes glinted with sadistic glee.

"Yes. I found three more camps of the cultists of lower ranks with no mages among them. They are now indisposed and unlikely to be an issue. I also managed to spend some time getting information. Three of the upper members of the gult who serve the leader directly are mages, they are from a guild but have left it to pursue their dreams of killing Deliora. That appears to be the same reason for all of the lower ranked cultists as well. They want revenge on Deliora and see this Cold Emperor as being their best chance at freeing and then killing it." Virgo reported all of that with a straight face and Mirajane grimaced at hearing the demon they were trying to free. She had heard of Deliora. Most people had.

The demon of destruction, one of Zerefs demons. It used to rage and rampage and slaughter entire towns. Until it was sealed away almost ten years ago. Back when she had been younger and arrogant she had entertained the thought of trying to Take Over Deliora should it ever be freed.

"Aside from the leader, the Cold Emperor, there are four mages I noticed. One is a woman who uses doll magic, a man with bushy eyebrows that did not show his magic, and a canine looking man who did not appear to be very smart. The final was a masked mage who did not reveal any hints of magic but seems to be fast and perceptive. He was the one who noticed me and forced me to flee." Virgo said and she bowed to her princess who looked at her amazed.

"Wow! You got so much information! You're amazing Ms. Virgo!" Lucy said wide eyed and Virgo gave a small smile and blushed slightly. Her little princess was so awed by everything and so free with her praise.

Natsus head snapped up as had Mirajanes. There was a presence coming near them. Mirajanes enhanced eyes caught sight of the incoming enemy first and she bit out a quiet curse.

"Everyone! Get your go bags! Get ready to run! We have incoming hostiles from the sky!" Mirajane ordered sharply and she scooped Lucy up and shoved her into Virgos arms.

"Get her to safety!" Mirajane bit out the order and Virgo normally wouldn't take orders from anyone not her princess...but her Princess's well-being came first.

"I'll get her to the beach. If it comes to it I can return back to the Spirit World and she can summon Aquarius." Virgo informed her promptly and it was unsaid that if it came to that then the entire island was likely to drown.

Aquarius was attached to the child, and she was the second strongest of the Zodiac, the strongest if near water. And given that they were on an island surrounded by water? She would and could submerge this whole island if she had to do so. And she could do it with ease and no hesitation if it meant protecting Lucy.

"Good! Go! We'll buy you time!" Mirajane nodded once and Virgo dove into the ground with Lucy struggling in her arms. Just as the giant rat appeared over the village and a drop of something potent fell from the bucket in the rats claws.

"Shit that's acid." Natsu hissed watching as it burned away some of the ground it hit.

"Everyone to the center of the village now!" Mirajane yelled and then she grabbed Natsus shoulder.

"Natsu make a giant flaming shield to deflect the acid!" Mirajane told the boy and he nodded once sharply before looking at Happy.

"Let's go buddy!"

"Aye!"

Thankfully the plan worked and everyone was safe although the village was wrecked. The mages and rat landed and the pink haired one kicked over a grave, earning a sharp growl from both Natsu and Mirajane.

"Take Gray somewhere safe and get clear!" Mirajane ordered the villagers who all had their go bags and one had to drag the chief away but they did best a hasty retreat.

"I don't see the pink haired female that was spying on us. You two handle these two. I'll go after her in the name of love." The pink haired woman said sighing and then called for the rat that was apparently named Angelica.

"Wait no! You fight me!" Mirajane yelled scared. No...no...she was going after Virgo! And if she went after Virgo then she'd find Lucy!

There was no telling what she'd do to the small child.

"Natsu!"

"Happy take Mira and go!" Natsu ordered immediately and he was growling and hissing out smoke from his mouth.

"Aye!" And suddenly Mirajane was airborne...she forgot how much she had loved flying in her Satan Soul forms...

But for now. Now she had to save her baby girl!

Please...please let me get there in time. Please. She couldn't lose anyone else...

Chapter Text

Erza was not a happy woman, nor was Cana who was with her. Elfman was not happy either but he was trying to stay out of her way.

Erza had returned to the guild early from her mission, having a bad feeling and finishing up the low level monsters quickly. That's where Elfman had met her.

"Erza!" Elfman had rushed towards her immediately and Erza was instantly alarmed. He looked worried and upset and angry. Erza felt a pit from in her gut.

Where was Mirajane and their hatchling?

"Listen. That mission Natsu and Happy talked about the other morning? It was an S class one that they stole. Master sent Gray after him at first but he haf apparently joined Natsu." Elfman explained quickly and Erza was absolutely going to beat them later. If they just wanted to get the key for Lucy then they could have mentioned the mission to her and she would have taken it! She might have even taken them along!

"Here's the thing and please do not freak out nee-san." Erzas attention was immediately on Elfman. He only ever called her nee-san when they were either alone or at the house. For him to call her that in the guild in front of everyone...

"Where's Mira and the hatchling?" Erza demanded immediately and Elfman winced. Oh no...no no no no no.

"The hatchling managed to sneak away and onto the boat with Gray and Natsu. When we found out me, nee-chan and Cana went after her. They were already pretty far away and no other boat would go after or near them." Elfman said and Erza had a feeling she knew where this was going. If her mate wasn't back with their little one...

"Nee-chan ran down the pier and dock and jumped into the water to swim after them. She did managed to catch up to them so she's with them but they still haven't come back yet. Canas at the docks now trying to get someone to take us to Galuna Island buts she's been having no...luck..." Elfman winced and ducked a bit at the look on Erzas face.

"Are you telling me that my mate who is currently non-combat and unable to use her main magic is on an S class quest with not just two under qualified mages but also with our hatchling?" Erzas voice was a deadly whisper and everyone bunkered down. No one had heard or seen her like this before.

"Nee-san..." Elfman winced but nodded finally and Erzas magical power flared out and sent a few people stumbling back in shock as an angry red aura surrounded her.

"If you're coming with me then hurry up. I'm going to rescue my wife and child." Erzas voice was flat, an undeniable statement of fact, as she turned and stormed from the guild to get to Hargeon with Elfman rushing after her. They had met Cana at the port about to start card bombing people.

Erza had gotten them a ride on a pirate ship in less than ten minutes.

"We're nearing that accursed island m'lady." The captain of the ship reported to Erza who's gaze was fixed up on that island.

"We'll be able to drop anchor and dock here soon!" Another called and Elfman and Cana were right beside Erza staring at the island.

Then there was a strong wave and Erzas gaze fixed onto a certain part of the beach.

A mermaid was there and had slammed someone against the rocks and trees. A flash of gold made Erzas breath hitch as she caught sight of her little one. Her little one was trying a pink haired woman up in some ropes. And...

"I'm going on ahead." Erza said to her two companions and she took a few steps back before she took a running jump off of the boat and towards the shore.

There was a large rat that was about to try and squash Lucy. The mermaid was already gearing up to blast it away furiously but Erza got there first. And so did a white blur.

Erzas sword cut the rat down and Mirajanes foot sent it flying.

Erza then surveyed the area for any more danger as Mirajane turned and immediately focused on their daughter.

"Thank Mavis you aren't hurt." Mirajane breathed out and she had pulled Lucy into a tight hug and Erza could see her mates terror and worry catch up as her shoulders shook while she held their little one.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't think one of them would go after you and Virgo. If I knew...if I even thought..." Mirajane was crying and Erza deemed that it was safe enough at the moment for her to sheath her blade and walk over. She kneeled down in the sand beside her mate and child and pulled them both into her arms.

The mermaid just watched them for a moment.

"I can't...I can't lose anyone. Not again. And especially not my family. I couldn't take it." Mirajane was murmuring as she sobbed and Erza gave a small distressed noise. She didn't like it when her mate was distressed or sad like this. There wasn't anything she could do to help aside from just holding her.

"Looks like you've got some moms now huh guppy?" Aquarius asked after a minute or two for the white haired woman to calm down.

"Moms?" Lucy tilted her head at her spirit who smirked at her and then nodded at Erza and Mirajane.

"Two of em. After all they're more mom like. Long as they care about you and I can be the badass big sister? I'm fine with them adopting you." Aquarius said and that's when Happy landed on Lucy's head and began to groom her again.

"My little sister!" Happy said brightly and Aquarius snorted but she moved forward and leaned down so she could kiss Lucy's head.

"I was her mother's spirit first. Then hers. I've been watching over her and with her since she was born. If it wasn't for the laws I'd have taken her to the Celestial world and raised her myself. So you two? Take good care of my guppy. Because if you don't I'll do worse than drown you." Aquarius said to the two S class women who nodded, their arms tightening around Lucy a bit.

"We will. I'll do anything and everything to protect my Cambion." Mirajane said with a resolute nod. She didn't care what she had to do. She'd do anything to protect her family.

"I swear to you that I will do all in my power to protect and care for my hatchling." Erza nodded solemnly to Aquarius who chuckled a bit.

"We'll see. For now... you'll be safe with them guppy. So I'm going to head back. But if you need me call me, or any of the others...a certain key spirit is looking forward to meeting you soon." Aquarius said grinning a bit at Lucy who kissed Aquarius cheek which the mermaid tolerated fondly.

"See you later Aqua-nee! Say hi to Scorpio-onii-san for me!" Lucy said brightly and Aquarius nodded with a smile before vanishing into sparkles.

Lucy turned curious wide eyes up at Erza and Mirajane.

"I...get to have moms?" Lucy asked hesitantly but hopefully and the two gave her gentle smiles, like the ones Aquarius gave her.

"We'd be happy to be your mom's hatchling." Erza assured and Lucy smiled brightly but shyly.

"I've got a mama and a mom..." Lucy looked thrilled and she cuddled into Mirajane who was smiling so gently and lovingly at her. Erza stared at her mate awed and love struck. She was such a a good mama...

"Manly! From now on call me Uncle Elfman!" Until there was a cry from Elfman nearby.

He was promptly smacked by Cana.

"You ruined the moment you blockhead!"

Chapter Text

"So what's the story here?" Erza asked glancing at the trussed up pink haired girl nearby who looked very beaten up and soaked.

"She uses Doll magic. She was looking for Virgo and tried turning her against me when she learned Virgo was a spirit but Virgo went back to the Celestial world before she could hurt me. Then she tried it on Aqua-nee." Lucy giggled a bit at how she had tricked the older girl.

"I take it that wave we saw from the boat was Aquarius' response?" Cana asked grinning and Lucy nodded.

"Aqua-nee can't hurt me. She's my Godmama which means more to Spirits than it does to humans. She said when I got old enough and could control and refine my magic enough she was gonna teach me a Star Dress. And I had better learn hers first cause I'm her guppy and cause I have Aquariun as my middle name!" Lucy said brightly and she was in Mirajanes arms and Happy was still purring on her head as he groomed her affectionately, sometimes nomming lightly on her ears or rubbing his cheek on her head.

"Mr. Cancer once said that since I was born under his sign I should learn his first. Aqua-nee reminded him why she was the leader of the water signs and in the top three of the Golden Keys." Lucy said and she remembered how nervous Cancer had been about star signs and star dresses for weeks after Aquarius had her talk with him.

"I see. Mira. What's going on on this island and where are the boys?" Erza asked and she was glaring at Sherry but picked her up by the rope. It was tied rather securely but not as tight as she would have. She'd have to teach Lucy the way to tie ropes for enemies.

"There's a group of cultists trying to free and revive an imprisoned demon, Deliora at that, she's one of the main members. They're using a ceremony or ritual to do so and the residue caused a purple film over the island. It messes with the minds of demons and convinced the locals that they were humans who became demons at moonlight." Mirajane summed up the gist of it and then she hummed in thought.

"Gray seems to know the leader of the idiots. But she and two other wizards and the giant rat were going to massacre the villagers. We saved them, Gray was injured and was sent with the villagers to recover. Natsu stayed to fight two other wizards while Happy and I chased rat girl when she said she was going after Virgo. I have no clue where Natsu is at this moment." Mirajane said and she adjusted her grip on Lucy who was playing with her hair gently and still seemed to be amazed that she had moms now.

Aquarius had always gotten really sad and would correct her that Aquarius was her badass big sister. Not her mama.

"And the reason you didn't have the boat turn around and come back?" Erza asked raising an eyebrow, she knew her mate. She knew how much Lisannas death haunted her. There was no way she would have let Lucy make it to the island if she could help it.

"I was. All of us were telling the boat captain to turn around and take us back. But there was a wave that capsized us and wrecked the boat. And there didn't seem to be any others on the island that would make the journey." Mirajane nodded towards a beached boat nearby that was indeed wrecked.

"Well..I'm here now. And I've got a boat and crew who'll take us all back to Magnolia. While you and the little one will be excused those two idiots are in serious trouble." Erza said and Mirajane nodded.

"Then let's find the townspeople. They should be at a storage area near the village but I don't know exactly where." Mirajane said and they began walking, the rest following the demoness who held her child in her arms. Cana kept pulling faces at Lucy over Mirajane and Erzas shoulder while Elfman was on high alert for attacks.

They found the storage area thanks to happy and were shown to a storage tent they could use for the time being.

Erza roughly threw the pink haired woman to the ground which roused her from unconsciousness.

"Morning. Now you're going to tell me everything I want to know." Erza said and she looked very intimidating as she glared down the pink haired woman who looked around alarmed.

"And why would I do that? If I did that Leon wouldn't love me anymore." The woman said looking upset by that.

"See that little girl over there? The one you attacked? That's my daughter. And if you don't tell me what I want to know I'm going to send you back to Leon in tiny bite sized pieces." Erza had a sword at the woman's throat in an instant and Cana whistled.

"I've never seen her this pissed with an already defeated enemy." Cana said somewhat impressed and Elfman snorted.

"She was being unmanly and trying to kill innocent people! Including my niece!" Elfman said and he only kept his voice down because loud noises and shouting always startled and scared Lucy for a few seconds at least.

"She threatened our baby girl. If Erza doesn't kill her I will." Mirajane said and the pink haired woman looked ready to piss herself as she recognized that name.

"T...Titania?" The woman squeaked and Erzas lips pulled up into a cold smile.

"And my wife She Devil Mirajane. With our daughter Lucy, princess of stars." Erza agreed nodding towards her small family.

The pink haired one went so pale she appeared albino for a moment. She also began to stink of urine.

"If she doesn't talk we could just start breaking her fingers. That way she can't do her magic. The fingers of a human hand have three bones we can break. So that means we can break her fingers fifteen times." Lucy chimed in helpfully and there was absolutely urine staining the girls dress now.

"...Mirajane again. Are you sure you didn't give birth to her?"

"I'm sure Cana."

"Hey Mirajane they said you'd be in he..." Gray entered the tent obliviously and then froze when he saw Mirajane, Lucy, Erza, Elfman and Cana all standing there.

His eyes were frozen into Erza and he slowly backed out of the tent and lowered the flap.

"Get back here!"

"Damnit..." He muttered before re-entering the tent and being stared down by them all, Cana was snickering.

"What are you three doing here?" Gray asked glaring at the three new comers.

"I was told my wife and child were on a dangerous mission. Of course I came."

"Also Master wanted us to drag you two idiots back as well." Elfman added as Mirajane looked at Erza surprised but smiled softly at the designation she was given. It wasn't wrong after all.

"See...I was doing that too but...uh backstory development and character arch?"

"What the actual fuck does that mean?!"

"Language munchkin!"

"English Ms. Cana!"

"...Who taught you to sass like that?"

"Aqua-nee!"

"Should have known."

Chapter Text

"Hm. There's still some of the cultists around. I thought Virgo got all of them." Mirajane noted when the group made their way behind Gray back to the temple. The sun was getting lower, soon it'd be night out and the moon would rise.

They had been listening to his story as they walked towards the temple investigating for anymore threats or traps.

Of course they were occasionally stopped by one or two cultists attacking them but the attackers were easily dispatched by Erza or Elfman.

"Are you sure you don't want to return to the village and stay with Lucy?" Erza asked and Mirajane shook her head in the negative.

"We need someone to protect the villagers and watch our hostage. And despite not being S-class herself just yet Cana is just as strong and smart as us, perhaps more so if she applied herself more. And she's determined to be Lucy's favorite fun aunt figure." Mirajane chuckled and she remembered just how close Cana came to being S class the last two times the trial was held. She had lost that last one by the skin of her teeth when she got ambushed by Laxus during the second part.

"She'll protect Lucy just as much as we would." Mirajane earned a hum of agreement from her mate for that and Elfman gave a cry of manly as he sucked punched another cultist that tried jumping them.

"If his intentions truly are to revive Deliora then I'm the best one here to deal with it or give you insight on it." Mirajane repeated her main reason for coming with them to the temple as Gray went on ahead into the tilted ruin.

The fact that it was tilted like that screamed that it was Natsus doing.

"Hm. Clever. Keeping the moonlight from shining down." Erza noted slightly impressed that Natsu had come up with that idea.

"I'll finish up the last few cultists. You two head on in and finish this up." Elfman nodded to his sisters and Mirajane fretted.

"Be safe Elfman." Mirajane worried and Elfman grinned at her.

"Don't worry nee-chan. None of them are even mages. And I'm too much of a REAL MAN for them to bring me down!" Elfman grinned at her and she giggled a bit at his catchphrase before she nodded and followed Erza inside.

That's right when the temple shifted back to being the right way up and they exchanged a glance.

"To fix the temple that fast...a maker magic of some kind to hold up the support beams?" Erza posed the question and she had a sword in hand ready to fight any foe that dared challenge them.

"Perhaps. Of the mages in the upper ranks of the group one is an Ice Make wizard like Gray. The pink haired woman uses doll magic so with her ability she could theoretically hold the ruins upright but she's back at the storage area with Lucy and Cana. The other three...two others attacked the village, Natsu must have defeated them although we could not find their bodies. I'm unsure of what magic they use. The last however...strong. They felt strong and they were smart and perceptive enough to notice Virgo spying on them." Mirajane ticked them off of her fingers as the two made their way up to the top of the temple.

It was far from the biggest temple they've ever been too or traversed but occasionally cultist would ambush them or try to block their passage.

They didn't last long at all but it did cut away at their time left.

They were two floors from the top, hearing and avoiding Grays fight with the Cold Emperor, when it happened.

That ear splitting roar sounded.

The couple shared another look.

"I'll see you downstairs." Mirajane said nodding and Erza nodded once sharply. She'd go up and knock out whoever was using the ritual. Mirajane would rush downstairs and assess Deliora and find out what to do with him.

"Be safe my demoness." Erza said softly and Mirajane kissed her cheek.

"You too my knight." And then they split up.

Erzas feet carrying her upstairs as Mirajane raced downstairs.

Deliora was revived and now they had to do something about it.

Chapter Text

"Natsu! Gray! Status report!" Mirajane barked out as she made it down to the underground area where the roar had come from.

"Time bender is out for the count but the ice melted anyways!" Natsu called over to her immediately and Gray was running a hand through the water.

"Looks like we gotta take it down!" Natsu yelled and there was a huff.

"You're not not strong...strong enough. But I can defeat it...I'm going to. To surpass Ur..." A white haired man Mirajane didn't know was crawling his way forward with an obsessed glint in his eyes as he stared at Deliora.

"Leon..." Gray murmured and Mirajane glanced at him, so this was his once fellow student?

"You can't fight! You can't even get up!" Natsu looked at the man in disbelief.

"I've been...waiting so long... She was...strong but still not...strong enough to defeat that....demon...Finally! My dream...will be...fulfilled!" Leon managed to get himself upright now but Mirajane grabbed him and tossed him back. He crashed against a rock and was still conscious but barely.

"You've caused enough trouble." Mirajane growled sharply at him but Gray was moving forward.

"I'll seal the demon myself. Iced Shell!" Mirajanes head snapped around as she stared at Gray.

Ex. Fucking. Scuse. Her?

She heard Leon shout how Gray couldn't do that. How he'd just melt the ice again but Gray didn't seem to care. He prepared to cast the magic.

"Seal it if you want but you'll seal me too!" Natsu yelled as he got right in the way. Dragon boy say what now?

"That is ENOUGH!" Mirajane yelled and she caught all of their attention as she stormed forward and she slapped Gray so hard it left a handprint.

"I'm not losing another person! Don't you dare commit suicide, not here or like this! If you want to die so bad then do it at the guild surrounded by family!" Mirajane snapped at him and Grays eyes widened as his stance dropped.

"Mira...Jane...." Gray felt all of an inch tall as he saw the rage and anger and tears in her eyes. Fuck...he supposed this must bring back really bad memories for her.

Lisanna...she had tried to stop the Beast and was swatted. It had been a stupid suicidal move...and...and here he was on a mission he shouldn't be on about to pull a stupid suicidal move right in front of her.

"You! Get out of my way and keep those two from doing something stupid!" Mirajane ordered Natsu who eeped a bit under her glare and lunged towards Gray, grabbing him and jumping to land near Leon.

"And YOU!" Now her ire was aimed at Deliora.

"You've caused enough trauma and pain to my friends and family! I think it's time you were taught the pecking order here!" Mirajane snarled at the demon who roared a bit at her and pulled it's hand back.

"Mirajane!" Gray called but Natsu held him back.

"Did you forget who she is?" Natsu asked incredulously. If anyone was equipped to handle a demon it was her.

"She's a non-combatant! Her magics sealed she'll be killed!" Gray struggled against Natsu but his wounds were catching up to him.

"Heh. You underestimate her too much." Natsu however had full faith in Mirajane and his faith was rewarded. Deliora roared and threw a green magic coated fist towards the woman only for her magic to react.

"Take Over! Satan Soul!" Mirajanes magic reacted to the life or death situation. To her intense emotions. To her desire to protect the others on this island especially her family and to make sure this demon never haunted another nightmare!

"Ahhhh!" Mirajane yelled as she began to absorb and take in Delioras power and soul. It didn't last long.

In less than two minutes it was over and Mirajane was standing there in her Satan Soul form with no signs of Deliora left aside from the water of the ice shell around them.

Mirajane fell to her knees and she spent a few seconds growling and grunting before she sighed and stood up. Her eyes landed on the three and she started walking over to them.

"Impossible...she...she absorbed it?" Leon was gaping in disbelief at the woman approaching them.

"She devil Mirajane. The S Class wizard of Fairy Tail..." Gray was stunned to see her back in her Satan forms again, her magic hadn't been used beyond transformations in two years now.

"That was awesome Mira!" Natsu was grinning and Mirajane gave a small animalistic croon noise.

"Is she...in control?" Gray asked warily and he knew he was no match if Mirajane went on a rampage.

"Deliora...was already dead. All I absorbed was its last bit of strength." And left unsaid was that the last bit of it's strength and almost been enough to overpower her sanity for a few seconds there. That was...her hardest take over yet.

"It was...already....dead...for ten years...Ur zapped it's strength...that was...was its last breaths." Leon gasped out in disbelief.

"Man Gray your teacher was awesome!" Natsu grinned and Gray was crying again.

Mirajane gave a grunt and then spread her wings.

"Huh? Mirajane?" Natsu was confused and alarmed and Mirajane just growled.

Her Cambion. She had to find and get to her child!

"...Did she just burst through several feet of solid rock and stone?"

"Yep. She did. That's an S class wizard for you."

"Where is she going?"

"Probably to check on her kid. Lucy's back with the villagers and Cana."

"Great Idea! I want to check on my hatchling too!" Natsu took off after Mirajane and Leon and Gray were left there staring at the hole in the walls and at the water that was once their teacher flowing into the ocean.

"Gray."

"Yeah?"

"Those are your friends?"

"I'll never admit it to them but yes."

"...How strong are they?"

"Me and Natsu are about even. Mirajane is one of the strongest in the guild though."

"...She absorbed the last bit of Delioras powers and life. Does that mean...that she's stronger than Ur?"

"Hm...might be tough to say. She hasn't fought or used magic like that in two years now. But if it's a fight between her and our teacher? I have to bet on her."

"...I see...then I just have to get stronger...until I surpass her and can defeat her."

"Yeah good luck with that. Just know her wife is just as strong as she is and will likely cut you down if you try it. Later dude. Imma go check on the villagers and Lucy."

"Lucy?"

"Seven year old kid. Mira and Erzas kid. Natsu took to her too. Adorable and traumatized and scary as hell. Pretty sure she could kick your ass."

"She, a seven year old, could defeat me?"

"...Well that pink girls magic was supposed to be the perfect counter to her magic and she still won so...yeah no. My money's on Lucy. Especially since you'll have to go through at least eighty percent of the guild just to get to her."

"...a guild..."

"Later dude. Might want to ice those ribs by the way."

"Fuck off Gray. Tend to your own wounds."

Chapter Text

When they heard the roar Cana tensed and pulled Lucy in close.

"That sound...it seems Deliora was truly revived. Now Emperor Leon's dream will be fulfilled and Love can bloom!" The girl, Sherry she had said her name was, looked inordinately pleased by this.

"You really think he'll be in enough shape to do something after Erza, Mirajane and Elfman get done with him? Cause I'll tell you right now. Deliora is a threat to the munchkin and there is no way it's getting past Erza." Cana scoffed at the thought of the demon getting past the Fairy Queen herself.

Not even a minute after she said that was there a large dark oppressive feel to the air that overtook Delioras presence.

"Huh guess being on the Island of Demons was good for her. I haven't felt this in a while." Cana chuckled darkly at the feeling while Lucy tilted her head. Sherry was in a cold sweat and the villagers nearby all murmured and near fainted.

"What was that?!" The chief demanded turning to Cana who gave a small grin.

"That was the She Devil of Fairy Tail cutting loose." Cana smirked and Lucy looked up as the presence that screamed demonic came flying towards them quickly.

In less than a minute Mirajane was there. Her hair wild and her tail swishing behind her as her wings flared and ruffled a bit.

"Mama?" Lucy asked blinking at the woman while the villagers all murmured and whispered and Sherry nearly fainted.

"Cambion..." Her voice was deeper, more guttural, but was still Mirajanes and seemed remarkably in control given she just unleashed her magic for the first time in a while and got a power up in Canas opinion.

"It's okay munchkin. She'd never hurt you." Cana said to reassure Lucy who was staring at Mirajane wide eyed.

"I'm not scared of Mama but where's her clothes?" Lucy assured and to prove it she went right up to Mirajane and hugged her legs, earning a gentle pat on the head from a clawed hand as Mirajane purred and crooned to her little one.

"Will I grow wings or a tail too? I wanna be able to fly like mama and mom." Lucy asked and Cana couldn't resist a snort this time.

She sees her mother figure in full ass Satan form and her thoughts are Where are her clothes? And Will I grow wings?

Yep that was a Fairy Tail kid right there.

"We'll see little light." Mirajane picked up her little one and began to nuzzle her face, occasionally rubbing her cheek against her little ones head. She had to scent her and make sure everyone knew this was her baby girl.

"So...that Deliora demon? And the others?" Cana asked watching the cute scene of a small child literally cuddling a demoness.

"Deliora was mostly dead when it was unleashed. I took over the rest. The others-" Mirajane turned her head to the side and Cana followed her gaze. Natsu and Erza were rushing towards them. Elfman was further back helping Gray and Happy was flying ahead of them all.

"Welcome back Mira." Erza didn't seem surprised or upset to see Mirajane in her Satan Soul form. If anything she looked giddy as she approached the demoness.

Mirajane gave a loud croon and her tail wrapped around Erzas waist. She pulled Erza in close and bit her neck lightly, just enough to break the skin, before pulling back and licking at the wound with her tongue.

"I love you too." Erza fondly smiled at her mate who purred loud and content.

"Hatchling! Gray tells us you beat up someone!" Natsu approached fearlessly and Mirajane let him, something which surprised Erza and the demons around them, as Natsu took Lucy from Mirajanes arms.

"Mr. Natsu! Yeah! Dumb girl thought she could turn my spirits against me. Aqua-nee blasted her really hard! Mama, mom and Ms. Cana didn't let me break her fingers though!" Lucy happily reported and Natsu purred at her.

"Aw yeah! That's my badass little hatchling! And yeah they wouldn't. They're too nice like that." Then Natsu shot a sharp look and grin towards the still bound Sherry who paled.

"But I'm not. Which finger did you want to break hatchling? I'll teach you how!" Natsu offered and Erza and Mirajane both purred as they watched him begin to approach Sherry.

"I know how to break fingers Mr. Natsu. Father broke mine before and had me watch him break other people's." Lucy giggled and that earned a low hiss and growl from her moms.

"Well now you can practice it on someone else!" Natsu said frowning slightly at learning that.

"Natsu no. The chicks already best up, humiliated and defeated. She's literally bound right now. No torturing her." Cana sighed as she had to step in and stop this mess, although she was fingering her deck of cards with deadly intent for Lucy's father.

"Aqua-nee says it doesn't count as torture if you're teaching someone else something. Then it just counts as tutoring."

"Your Aqua-nee has taught you how to pick locks, pick pocket, and gut people. She doesn't get a say in this."

Chapter Text

Lucy pouted as she looked at Sherry and her two friends, the funny dog man and the weird eyebrow man.

Somehow the village had been restored in an instant and the villagers decided to throw a party to thank the Fairy Tail wizards and welcome back the Chiefs son Bobo who had been the ship captain that had vanished on them.

Sherry caught Lucy's stare and pout and she paled, shifting slightly more towards her two friends. Natsu caught this action and he snorted.

"You are definitely taking after your mama and mom. Scaring people away without doing anything." Natsu told her and Lucy blinked and then smiled brightly up at him.

"So you and your mate are courting him to be your third?" A demoness asked glancing at Erza and then over to Natsu.

"Hm? I don't think so. While we've known Natsu since we were all kids I never really thought of courting him. Although he does make a surprisingly good father figure for Lucy." Erza glanced over at Natsu who had nudged more food towards Lucy to make her eat a bit more.

"You and your mate protect him, occasionally show signs of favor such as purring or crooning at him, you let him near and claim your Cambion, and your mate has given both you and him plates of food. All these are signs of courting, all that's left are either the courting dances or the strength display." An older demoness told Erza who visibly paused and looked at them and then at Mirajane and Natsu.

Huh...all those behaviors fit Natsu as well. He had done similar things to them as well.

"Strength displays?" Erza had a feeling she knew what that meant.

"Proving ones might and ability to protect a mate or any children. Usually done by fighting others. Of course showing one is good with children is also a bonus but usually saved for deeper in the courtship." The older demoness explained and Erza blinked slowly.

Wait...wait was that why Natsu challenged her to fights so much?! Why Mirajane had fought with her all the time as teens until a little before they got together?!

Was that why Natsu had stolen the mission?! To prove he could be a good mate and help protect the hatchling?!? The bonus reward being the Key which the hatchling would love and make her stronger.

"I don't think she was the one who did the courting granny. I think she was the one being courted." The younger demoness said amused as they watched Erza process all this and her mouth dropped open a little bit.

The older demoness chuckled and drew Erza into a conversation regarding demon courting and what to look for and what certain things meant. She was happy to note Erza did understand the biting mark was a claim of mates, pretty much declaring to everyone they were married.

Cana watched this all amused as she had a drinking contest with several locals who were astounded by her tolerance. To think a human could keep up with and outpace them?!?

Cana smirked around a barrel. Oh she was so teasing Mirajane and Erza about this later.

Several female demons were swooning over Elfman who was taking on all comers in arm wrestling and dominating without even using his beast take over.

"Can you transform like your sibling?" One guy asked glancing from Elfman towards his sister who had been talking with several older demonesses.

"Hm? No I can't. Something happened when we were young that awakened nee-sans ability. I have a similar ability but I mostly take on Beast forms for my arm. I can't...do full body ones or demon ones like she can." Elfman said and he winced as he thought of doing a full body take over. No. Not again. Especially not with civilians and a child around.

"That's unfortunate but you're still amazingly strong!" One guy said grinning at Elfman who grinned back.

"Thanks! I try and I want to be as strong as Nee-chan, no even stronger than her one day. That way I can protect her and make sure she never cries again." Elfman said loudly and the demons all cheered for that dream.

"They sure are a noisy bunch." The eyebrow guy said looking at the partying mages, the quietest of them was Gray who was resting and drinking a broth while several demonesses fawned over him.

"A scary bunch too. The way they talked about breaking my fingers..." Sherry shuddered a bit as she glanced over at Lucy who was still eyeing her as if she were prey.

"You got off lucky you know." Mirajane said stopping from where she had been passing by them to go back to her little one and mate as Erza migrated back to their child's side, giving Natsu a curious evaluating look.

"Lucky?" Sherry asked making Mirajane give her a smile that showed her demonic fangs, after all she had yet to drop her Satan Soul form. She had said that it was nice to stretch her magic and wings after two years of not using it.

If this was her while she was rusty and out of practice the former members of the Cold Emperor's revenge cult did NOT want to see her at full power with the dust knocked off her skills.

"Her spirits are very protective. Virgo could have snapped you in half and buried you probably, whether you tried to control her or not. And I'm honestly a bit surprised Aquarius left you alive. After all she's more attached to Lucy than the rest." Mirajane noted and then her smile widened and her eyes gained a dark glint.

"And the last idiots who tried to attack my little light near her spirits...well Aquarius did teach her how to gut people and gave her a knife to do so with. And the fools friend tried to attack her in front of Cancer. Who apparently isn't usually a combat spirit and more of a hair dresser. He slit the fools neck with his scissors, and then made sure to clean all the blood out of Lucy's hair afterwards." Mirajane recalled what Erza told her and the former cultists all were pale and sweating hard now.

"And apparently Aquarius mentioned having a torture method using water she wanted to try. Be glad she didn't take your attack on her guppy as you volunteering to be her test subject." Mirajane casually added that in and Sherry nearly fainted as Mirajane left them alone now and went towards her wife and child.

Erza was turning down the reward for the mission as Mirajane slid into her spot by her wife's side and immediately pulled Lucy into her lap to cuddle her.

"How about a compromise?" Mirajane offered when the chief insisted on giving them something for their aid.

"Since the mission wasn't officially taken by a qualified mage, we can't accept the full reward. So keep the money and use it for your village. But perhaps you could let us have the other part of the reward, the key?" Mirajane offered the alternative and the chief immediately nodded in agreement and had someone fetch it.

"It seems like a small reward for your efforts but if it is all you'll allow us to give you...then please take it." The chief said and Mirajane took the box with a smile and immediately handed it to Lucy.

"Thank you!" Lucy chirped happily and brightly.

"Ah yes. She's a Celestial Mage right? So the gate key would be useful for her." One of the demons noted and Natsu grinned.

"Yeah not going to lie but that was most of the reason I grabbed this job. I wanted to earn the key and bring it back to her." Natsu laughed a bit and Happy gave an agreeing Aye.

"How about next time you simply tell Erza that there's a key reward and have her accept the job and bring you along?" Cana asked smirking and making Natsu pout a bit. He had wanted to earn it on his own for his hatchling.

"Can I make the contract now mama?" Lucy asked looking up at Mirajane who glanced at the nearby demons for approval. Most of them seemed curious and even the other mages looked curious at the thought of seeing it. Celestial Spirit Magic was rare after all.

"Go ahead hatchling." Erza gave the go ahead and Lucy smiled and bounced to her feet. She moved to a clear space and then held up the key, calling out her magic and summoning forth the spirit of Sagittarius.

A man in a horse costume appeared with a sharp salute.

There were several face vaults and sweat drops at this but Lucy didn't look bothered, well aside from shrinking back a little at the tall man in front of her. Sagittarius looked around for a second before his gaze landed on Lucy and he immediately kneeled so that he wasn't so much bigger than her.

"Hello princess. I am pleased to meet you! Virgo and Taurus have been telling me about you and I would be honored to form a contract with you." Sagittarius said and his voice was gentler than normal and he offered her a slight smile.

"Hi Mr. Sagittarius! It's nice to meet you too!" Lucy said and she smiled slightly at him.

"So ...why'd the spirit call her princess?" Toby asked as Lucy made the contract with the horse costumed man. Aside from a few days he was a rather flexible and agreeable spirit.

"Look at her moms. The Queen of Fairies and the She Devil of Fairy Tail. You telling me she isn't practically Fairy Tail royalty?" Yuka asked nodding to the two woman who were watching attentively.

"Her spirits all call her princess or by affectionate nicknames and they seem to adore and be protective of her. Such a show of love...perhaps she is a princess of the Spirit realm?" Sherry offered with a sigh.

"So she's what? A half demon half human Celestial Princess?" Toby asked and Yuka deadpanned at him.

"She's pretty much a Fairy Tail Princess so that's probably not far off."

Chapter Text

They were on their way back to Magnolia, Erza pulling her cart of things from Galuna and the mission she had finished before hijacking a pirate ship (in truth only half of it was hers the other half were various things the Galuna Islanders had given as gifts to Mirajane and Lucy having decided that their fellow demon and her child needed traditional Galuna demon things). Gray and Natsu were arguing quietly, Elfman trying to break their arguments up.

Mirajane was holding Erzas free hand in her own and smiling softly as she glanced over at Lucy who had apparently decided she didn't mind being carried anymore. She hadn't put up any kind of argument and in fact had willingly went to Cana to be carried. A duty Cana took with great seriousness and pride.

Elfman had pouted for an hour.

"Um...why are they all staring at us?" Lucy asked noticing the stares of the townspeople who were whispering to each other.

Mirajane and Natsu tilted their heads, Happy looked over curiously.

"They're saying something about the guild..." Natsu said and that set off all their alarm bells. Cana was the first to spot the guild and gasp, drawing everyone's attention.

"The guild!" Mirajane looked shocked and the rest of their group was split between shock and rage as they saw the guild hall being impaled and damaged by large metal beams.

"Who did this to our guild?" Natsus voice was dark and dangerous as he looked at all the damage. Mirajanes powers pulses slightly and Elfman was growling in his chest.

"It was Phantom." A voice said behind them and turning they saw Reedus there staring at them solemnly.

"Phantom? You serious?" Gray asked as they turned towards him and he nodded and led them in to the basement which they had set up to work as the main hall now.

"Was anyone hurt?" Lucy asked and she looked around at everyone present in the basement as they approached Master. She counted off the people she knew who were there. Macao and Wakabe were alright, Nab was by the board, the strange Laki girl was sitting with two others, Loke was leaning against a pillar, Ms. Levy and her friends were at another table and Master was on the bar top.

"Master. Sorry we didn't return sooner. What happened?" Erza asked and she was tense and ready to unleash chaos.

"When do we get revenge on those Phantom creeps?" Natsu demanded with a growl.

"Oh hey welcome back. Did you all complete the mission?" Master asked and he seemed somewhat tipsy as he drank from his mug.

"Yeah it was completed...but Master is this really okay?" Cana asked glancing around as well to note any possible injuries.

"Yeah it'll be fine. This is nothing to get worked up over." Master waved away the damages and heat flared around Natsu a bit.

"What?" Natsu asked his eyes narrowed and Master just snorted derisively.

"All that happened was then wrecking an empty guild hall. They didn't have the courage to try and face any of us. So those cowards aren't anything to get worked up over." Makarov said and that seemed to relieve most of the group.

"So no one was hurt?" Lucy asked just to be sure and Macao shook his head.

"No they had attacked after we all had left for the night." He verified that and Erza gave a small sigh of relief.

"Well that's good at least." She could agree that it wasn't as bad as she feared when she saw the damages. She had thought perhaps their fellow guild members had been injured although...

She eyed Mirajane and they both glanced at Master.

If Phantom Lord had truly hurt even a single member of their guild on purpose then there was no doubt they'd have already been destroyed. While his only blood relation in the guild was Laxus who was presumably still out on his mission with his team, Master cared for and loved each of them as if they were his own grandkids or kids in the older generations cases.

"Ms. Cana can I go to Mama now?" Lucy asked quietly and she could feel the tension in the air and how alert and upset everyone was.

"Sure munchkin." Cana easily passed her over to Mirajane and there were some small smiles or cooes from the guild members at Mirajane being officially called the little ones mama. Master Makarov had a soft smile as he watched Lucy curl into Mirajane and rest her head on the models shoulder.

"Do we know why they attacked us so brazenly like this?" Gray asked grimacing as he flexed his hands, ready for a fight as well.

"They probably hope to provoke us into a guild war and get us disbanded and arrested by the council." Master waved it away even though his eyes were sharp.

"We can't give them that satisfaction. So for now we can't get retribution on them...but if they touch a single member of our guild there will be no mercy." Erza said her posture rigid and Mirajane used one arm to hold Lucy up on her hip as she placed her free hand on Erzas arm.

Erza took her hand and kissed her knuckles in thanks, recognizing that Mirajane was trying to calm her down before her other instincts took over.

Everyone watched the show of affection and care between the two and there were a few whistles.

"Oh that reminds me! Why didn't you two ever tell us you were married?! I wanted to officiate any weddings for my guild members, especially the guild kids!" Master said pointing at Erza and Mirajane who both looked startled.

"How did you know we were married? We rarely ever show affection around the guild." Mirajane questioned surprised that they knew.

Elfman coughed into his fist amused.

"When I told Nee-san about you joining the stolen mission to try and protect Lucy, I openly referred to her as Nee-san and she openly called you her mate and wife." Elfman explained and Mirajane raised an eyebrow at Erza now who gave her a sheepish smile.

"In my defense, you have been a non-combatant for two years and suddenly I hear you're on a stolen S class quest with two non-qualified mages, Happy, and our child. I didn't even realize I had called you my wife until just now." Erza said sheepishly and Mirajane gave a giggle and then kissed her. A quick chaste kiss on the lips that had Erza smiling softly at her and a few guys at the guild hooting.

"If it makes you feel at all better Master...we didn't have an official ceremony. So technically by human standards we're not married." Mirajane leaned into Erza side as she smiled at the Master who eyed them both for a few seconds before he snorted.

"So you married by demon standards. Should have expected that honestly. I call dibs on officiating your human style wedding however!" Makarov was NOT going to let that slip through his fingers. They were his kids damnit and he was gonna make sure they had a proper wedding!

"Of course Master. We wouldn't have it any other way." Erza assured with a smile.

"Perhaps after Phantom calms down and we finish repairing the guild? I'm pretty sure none of us could keep a straight face at a church wedding and Fairy Tail is our home..." Mirajane said and Erza kissed her head. That was perfectly fine with her.

"Nee-chan I thought you were still banned from the Cathedral unless there's a funeral or we're visiting..." Elfman trailed off and there were some snickers at that and Lucy looked curious.

"How did you get banned from a Cathedral mama?" Lucy asked curiously and Mirajane gave a small embarrassed scowl.

"In my defense! That priest should not have been throwing holy water at the crowd!"

"Your mama had holy water thrown at her, hissed and yelled that it burned and then sucker punched the priest into a wall."

"Okay to be fair to Mira she uses Satan Soul what did we expect to happen?"

"Thank you darling."

"Honestly I was just surprised she could step foot in the church to begin with."

"Thanks darling."

"She's not wrong Mira."

"Shut it Cana!"

Lucy's giggles echoed the small basement and made everyone laugh or smile a bit. It was a moment of levity and light before the encroaching darkness.

Chapter Text

They didn't know what it was at first as they began to move towards the middle of town. They just had a feeling okay?

It had been decided that everyone should pair up and crash with multiple people just in case Phantom did try something else with them. Natsu and Happy had crashed at the Strauss house with the Strauss siblings, Erza and Lucy. Cana had apparently decided to stay with Laki and Bisca at the Fairy Hills girls side. Gray was bunking with Alzack and Loke at Alzacks place.

And yet somehow they all met up at the large tree at the south gate park.

They had all just...had a feeling. They had a feeling they should be there and then they saw the crowd as they got closer.

"We're from the guild! Let us through!" Erza ordered and the civilians had made a path to the three. Upon getting closer and seeing a clear view of the tree there was stillness and silence.

"Ms. Levy!" Lucy cried out and that caused the silence to break.

"Get them down!" Cana had rushed forward along with Erza and Natsu to get Levy, Jet and Droy down from the tree as Master Makarov came by and he was in his formal robes holding his staff.

"Master..." Erza said softly as Mirajane began doing a quick check over of the three injured mages. Levy had the Phantom Lord guild mark on her stomach and there was an intense pressure in the air.

"I can take our guild hall being reduced or rubble...but no one hurts my children and gets away with it!" Master Makarov growled out and his magic pressure flared and his staff was broken in his grasp.

Lucy flinched away and hid behind Erzas legs for a moment. But this time. She could understand. She was angry too.

Ms. Levy was so nice! She had started reading books with Lucy and doing funny voices sometimes even when Lucy had said she didn't have to and she had smacked Mr. Gray with a book once when he accidentally froze over Lucy's juice and it had been funny and...and now...

"We have no choice but to go to war." Makarov said and his eyes were enraged and his magic power flaring and Lucy...

"Lucy. Come with me to sit with them. Just in case Phantom attacks them again." Mirajane said and she was determined to keep her daughter out of the incoming conflict but Lucy...Lucy had a feeling she'd be drawn into it anyways.

And Guild wars were illegal right? This was what Phantom Lord wanted, a fight with Fairy Tail.

Lucy followed Mirajane, Elfman, and Reedus as they carried the injured mages to the hospital.

"Mama. Do we have a communications lacrima?" Lucy asked and Mirajane looked at her surprised as they were allowed to sit in the hospital room with them as Elfman and Reedus went to go join the others for the onslaught.

"Ah yes. There's one in the guild storeroom. What brought that on?" Mirajane asked and Lucy's eyes glittered as she had an idea.

"Phantom Lord declared war first. They started this war and a good portion of Magnolia knows it...but the Council doesn't. And the Council decreed no more Guild Wars...aren't guilds who break the Councils laws Dark Guilds?" Lucy asked and Mirajanes eyes widened. Right! The council! She had forgotten about them!

"Lucy you're a genius! I'll go grab the guilds lacrima and be right back. You stay here!" Mirajane said and she hurriedly left to go and get the lacrima so they could alert the Council.

The rest were busy going to lay siege to Phantom Lord. And if Fairy Tail wanted Council backing or support then they had to let the Council know that Phantom Lord struck first!

If Mirajane hurried then she could call the council and send them the evidence and they'd declare Phantom Lord a dark guild before Fairy Tail reached them.

Then it wouldn't be a guild war! It'd just be a legal guild taking out a dark guild like normal!

If Mirajane knew what was going to happen she would have stayed with Lucy or taken Lucy with her to get the Lacrima.

As it was she was on the call with the council when she heard it begin to rain all of a sudden.

Chapter Text

Lucy had gotten worried about what was taking her mama so long. So she went to find her.

It had not been her best idea but it had let her know what was happening and why Phantom had attacked Fairy Tail now.

She had only been about five feet away from the clinic Levy, Jet and Droy were at when she noticed it began to rain. There was also a blue haired woman walking down the street as well but she barely cared about that.

"It's raining!" Lucy was thrilled. She loved the rain. Rain meant water! Water meant Aqua-nee and safety! Rain also meant her Father locking himself away and leaving her alone for a while! Aqua-nee had told her it was because her mother had loved the rain and dancing in it and so Father couldn't stand to see the rain.

"Drip drip drop." The woman said that like it was sound effects and Lucy looked up from where she was already spinning in the rain with a smile on her face.

"Juvia is a rain woman, drip drip drop. Where Juvia goes the rain goes." The blue haired woman said and she didn't even have a change in expression as she walked closer to Lucy and then moved as if to go past her.

"Really?! You made it rain! That's so cool!" Lucy was wide eyed and thrilled and impressed. This lady summoned the rain?! That was so cool!

"...Juvia is confused. You like the rain? Drip drip drop." The blue haired woman asked staring down at Lucy who smiled widely up at her.

"I love the rain!" Lucy said brightly and there was a sudden voice from the Earth.

It was a strange man saying Non over and over.

"Mademoiselle Juvia. This young Miss is our target." The strange man said and Lucy was suddenly hyper alert and aware.

"Target?" Lucy asked taking a step back from the man and she wondered why they would be after her.

"Monsieur Sol. This child is our target?" The blue haired one asked and she was frowning slightly now and didn't seem happy.

"Yes yes she is! Little lady of the Heartfilia family. Lucy Heartfilia." Sol said and Lucy's eyes went wide and she backed up a bit.

"He hired you...father...no...no I'm not going back! I have mamas now and people who love me like Aqua-nee does!" Lucy was backing away and reaching for her keys ready to summon out Virgo and Aquarius and anyone else she could who could get her away. Aqua-nee...there was water. She could summon Aqua-nee and Aqua-nee would always protect her!

"Non non non. Non again. You shall be coming with us little lady to visit our guild. Our master is most looking forward to meeting you." Sol reached towards her and Lucy didn't think, she just latched her teeth onto his hand and bit down until she drew blood.

"No! I'm happy and free and have people who love me and don't hurt me! I'm not going back!" Lucy screamed and punched and kicked and bit at the man who finally got annoyed and flung her away from her keys as she tried to stab him with one. She hit a building hard and was immediately out cold.

Sol then got a nasty slap upside the head from Juvia.

"If you had let Juvia handle this then perhaps she wouldn't be hurt. Juvia shall take the child now." Juvia said and she moved forward and picked up Lucy and cradled her close.

"If the child was not so feral then perhaps she wouldn't have been hurt. I thought the lady of a family like the Heartfilias would be more...lady like." Sol said and he grimaced at the bloody bite on his hand.

"She is a child. Juvia had thought our target was a teenager." Juvia noted as they began to make their way back to the guild base in the mountains where they'd hold the child until their master returned her to her father.

"That is not our business. We were paid to bring her back to her father. For a rather handsome price. Teenager or child makes no difference." Sol said unconcerned and he went on ahead. Juvia followed behind him quietly but inwardly her mind was in turmoil.

The child had a cast on her arm. She had mentioned having moms and others who loved her now. How she didn't want to go back and how she had people who don't hurt her.

And she had fought rather hard and ferally for a child to avoid being taken.

Juvias grip on the child tightened a bit and she glanced back at the keys on the ground.

Fairy Tail would know she was taken soon enough. And they'd come for her.

Juvia just had to decide what she would do when they did. After all...little Lady Heartfilia loved the rain.

Hadn't been upset or sad about the sudden rain and in fact was happy about it. And if she truly had moms who loved her at the Fairy Tail guild...then her arm...

Juvias eyes narrowed in thought. If there was one thing she would never stand for. It was child abuse.

She needed more information.

She didn't know the pure hell that would be unleashed when Lucy's three parents realized she was the target and was taken from under their noses.

Chapter Text

Mirajane had been on her way back to visit Levy and sit with Lucy and the injured Team Shadow Gear when she saw them. Lucy's keys on the ground.

Lucy would never drop this. Which meant one of two things. Either someone else had kidnapped her baby. Or...

Phantom Lord had seen an easy target and taken her daughter.

Mirajane didn't have a single coherent thought in her head as she transformed into her Sitri form.

Her demons were raging at her to get her baby back. So with a roar she flew off as fast as her wings could go towards the Phantom Lord base her guild was assaulting to get back her baby.

"WHERE IS SHE?!?!!" Mirajanes roar shook several people to their bones as she slammed in through the roof of the guild. She saw Master standing in front of Master Jose and there was a threat behind him and her baby girl was there. Bound up at Jose's feet.

Master and Jose were both staring up at her in shock, so Mirajane blasted away the threat that her human brain distantly noted was Aria of the Elemental Four and then she flew at Jose with a screech.

He yelped and backed up a step but she went straight through him.and she growled. A projection.

"Mirajane?!" Master was shocked to see her in her Satan Soul form but she was growling and not very in control. Her gaze was on her Cambion, her precious little girl who was out cold and bound and there was a bit of blood on her forehead and she was just a projection as well.

But her Cambion had been hurt.

Mirajanes gaze turned towards the one actual member of Phantom in the room and she didn't give a damn who he was or how strong he was. He helped steal her child.

He would pay with blood!

With a terrifying screech Mirajane launched herself at Aria and slammed him into the ground. They went through several floors before hitting the bottom of the Phantom Lord guild and she was growling as she manhandled him.

"Where is she." The hissed out demand was nearly lost among the shocked cries of her name from her guild mates.

"What the fuck?!" Someone exclaimed and Mirajane didn't care.

"Mira?" Her mate called her name confused and alarmed and worried and she did care about her mate.

"They took her. They took Lucy." Mirajane managed to inform her mate of their taken child and she saw how Erzas control snapped immediately.

Her beautiful stern mates pupils became slit, her teeth had lengthened a bit and there was an inhuman roar from the red head. Her control over her human side was losing and it was about to be everyone's problem. But she wasn't the only one.

"What?!" Her prospective male mate growled out and he didn't sound human either. His teeth were sharp, his eyes dark and dangerous and the fire that sprung around him began to char those too close.

"Oh shit." Elfman looked horrified as he grabbed anyone of their guild that he deemed too close to the three out of control members and tossed them towards the doors.

Natsu unleashed a roar that set the Phantom Lord ceiling and rafter on fire as he lunged for the other dragon slayer who looked stunned at his sudden power and rage.

Erzas swords were cleaving a path of death and destruction as she raged, her skin beginning to peel off and reveal scales beneath as any fool who tried to strike her suffered their weapon shattering before she struck them down.

"Where is she?!?! Where's my hatchling?!?" Natsu roared out and Erza echoed his roar with her own as she raged.

"Where's my daughter?!?!" Mirajane didn't get offended or bristle at Natsus claim on her Cambion. In fact her demons purred about to and accepted the claim.

She would deal with that knowledge later. For now she had to find out where they had her baby and kill any filthy mongrel that had dared touch her!

"Wait shit?! The target is their hatchling?" Black Iron Gajeel asked and he blanched at that information.

"Are you idiots fucking nuts?! You stole a dragons hatchling?!?" Gajeel demanded turning on the other Phantom Lord members who all shrugged or looked confused.

"She's not here! I don't know what base she's at Salamander but she's not here!" Gajeel finally tried to tell Natsu that before those three raging parents single handedly slaughtered the entire guild. And yes he would be questioning that red haired dragon later. Because what the fuck?!? He hadn't known Fairy Tail had two dragon slayers!

"Do you know what happens to iron when there's too much heat?" Natsu asked in a deadly growl as he stared down Gajeel who was exposing his neck and had his hands up in surrender.

"It melts. If I find a single hair out of place on my hatchlings head..." Natsu hissed out his warning and Gajeel nodded slowly in understanding. He was an arrogant jackass yeah. And he loved a good fight.

But he wasn't stupid enough to fuck with a parent, especially a dragon parent, after their young was hurt or taken thank you very much.

"Erza! Mira! Hatchling isn't here. We have to sniff her out!" Natsu called to the two who threw away their opponents or victims rather and immediately they flew off. Trying to follow their noses to find their hatchling.

Happy and Natsu weren't far behind them.

Aria slowly stumbled to his feet trying to hold his intestines inside his body.

"We...need to warn...Master..." Aria managed to get out and Gajeel honestly didn't know that their target was a hatchling, much less one that was claimed by two dragons and a demon.

Hell no. He wasn't getting involved in this shit any further.

He did like living thank you!

Chapter Text

When Lucy came too she was bound and in a cell. She looked around a bit curiously and warily. Her arms were tied behind her back and it was hurting her wrist a bit but it wasn't nothing she hadn't felt before.

She began to untie the ropes as much as she could, rubbing her arms a bit to try and loosen them or move them to better position the knot for her to work on.

She stopped when she felt someone nearby and she glanced at the door. There was a man on the other side smiling at her.

"So you're finally awake. I was starting to get a bit worried young Miss." The man said and he entered the room.

Lucy remained silent as she stared at him warily.

"I am Master Jose Porla of the Phantom Lord Guild." He introduced himself and Lucy glared.

"Phantom Lord? The cowards who attacked an empty guild hall and needed two grown mages to gang up on a seven year old?" Lucy sneered at him and she remembered one of the few lessons Father gave her about the business world. Never show fear or weakness to an enemy.

Aqua-nee had told her it was one of the only good things he taught her.

"Hm I suppose that proves that those of higher standing are truly formidable if it took two of the Elemental Four to capture you. Allow me to apologize for this dingy cell and your rough treatment." He gave her a mocking bow and his voice was oily.

Lucy worked on the knot as discreetly and best as she could.

"It's fine. Looks like my room back before I ran away from the Korazon. I'm guessing that man is the reason you're after me?" Lucy asked calmly and coldly and Jose smiled at her. She hid a shudder.

"If by that man you mean your father then yes I suppose so. He paid us very well to acquire a certain mage of the Fairy Tail guild and return her home. And if that means we have to destroy those upstarts to do it? Then that's just how it goes." Jose said so breezily as if he wasn't talking about destroying her guild. Her new family.

About her mama and mom and her papa (even if she hadn't called him that yet) and Mr. Happy and Ms. Cana and Mr...Uncle Elfman...and silly master who her papa called Gramps all the time.

They wanted to destroy her new family. The ones that cared about her and loved her and taught her things and protected her like Aqua-nee did and said families should do.

"Now given your age and the fact that you aren't much of a threat I'll be untying your bonds here in a second and you will be escorted to a much better room. Do not attempt to fight me as you had Sol. You will find I'm not so easily injured." Jose said and true to his word he united her hands, she had almost had it she thought, and then he stood up as she did so as well.

She busied herself by dusting off her dress, it was one of her favorites it looked like Mamas did!, as he watched her for a moment.

"Follow me. I will have Juvia of my Elemental Four watch after you until we contact your father. And rest assured I will be draining him dry of every penny." Jose said and he turned his back to her. That's when she struck.

Her celestial Knife sliced the back of one knee and then as he yelled out and collapsed she spun around him and did as Aqua-nee often told her to. She stabbed between his legs.

He howled in pain and rage and Lucy didn't bother waiting around. She ran to find an exit.

Finally though she noticed there was a ledge and a long drop, one that undoubtedly would kill her if she fell.

"You little brat...go ahead and jump if you so choose but y-" Jose's voice was several octaves too high and he went white with shock when Lucy without hesitation threw herself over the ledge.

She thought she heard his voice and felt the heat that always accompanied him. She hoped he was here.

"PAPA!!!!" Lucy yelled and she heard it. Him calling her name as he jumped and suddenly she was in strong warm arms that were covered with scales.

"I've got you hatchling. I've got you." Papa was here and he was crooning softly to her and she...she stared crying.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry papa. Phantom only attacked cause of me! I was their target this whole time! I'm sorry." Lucy cried into his chest and he held her close tightly as Happy came flying and landed on her head.

"Shhh hatchling. It's okay. It's okay. It doesn't matter why they attacked. All that matters is that you're safe. Lucy of Fairy Tail...you are my hatchling. Erzas hatchling. Mirajanes Cambion. The fact that Phantom dared touch you was enough to seal their fates." Natsu cooed to her softly as he rubbed her back, Happy grooming her hair to try and soothe her.

"Come on hatchling. Let's go home. Everyone is worried, especially your mama and mom." Natsu said and he stood up and carried her in his arms as if she were a baby. They were going back to Fairy Tail.

Happy dove into Natsu backpack and activated the communication lacrima they swiped while hunting for the right Phantom Lord base.

"Cana. We found her and we're on the way back. Can you call the others and let them know? She...she's crying..."

It seemed like half of Fairy Tail met them halfway to Magnolia and fussed and fretted over the youngest member. Natsu growled at any of them that got too close or tried to take her from him though.

Chapter Text

As soon as he got to the damaged guild hall Natsu was met by Erza and Mirajane, Mirajane still in her Sitri form and Erza still not looking human.

"Mama..mom..." Lucy hiccuped and both of them released soothing croons and purrs as Mirajane reached for her.

"Careful Natsus been-" Gray tried to warn them but paused when Natsu didn't growl and instead crooned to them as he handed over Lucy.

"So he growls and snaps at all of us. And yet he croons to them?" Macao asked raising an eyebrow and Happy snickered a bit.

"He liiiiiikessss them." Happy teased but Natsu gave it no mind as he purred softly, watching as Mirajane held and soothed their child and Erza was purring and cooing in a distinctly inhuman way to the little one.

Mirajane glanced up at Natsu and then glanced at Erza and Erza gave a chirp noise in response to whatever they were talking about with their eyes.

Erza looked at Natsu and then chirped something out to him. He chirped back and stepped closer. All three of them were guided mostly by their instincts right now as Erza pulled him into the cuddle fest. Mirajane kissed his neck, a show of courting, and Erza nudged his cheek with her own. Marking her as interested but not yet serious or for sure.

Natsu kissed both of their necks in return and nudged them gently with his nose. Showing he was definitely okay with courting them.

Then all three focused on their hatchling who was curled into Mirajanes hold and only let out a few small hiccups now.

"...So we're just going to ignore the fact that Erza is definitely not fully human?" Wakabe asked putting more tobacco in his pipe and not looking at all surprised. He remembered when she was little and almost as feral as Natsu after all.

"Hey Elfman how's it feel to have Erza as a sister in law and apparently going to have Natsu as a brother?" Loke asked with a strained smile and Elfman gave them all a flat look.

"I live in a house with my sisters. And I know Nee-chan well. I'm used to Erza-nee-san and could tell that Nee-chan was considering courting Natsu as well. This? Doesn't surprise me." Elfman shrugged his shoulders and they were definitely questioning him about that later. For now...

"Do we know why Phantom Lord targeted Lucy?" Master Makarov asked looking at the tiny blond who said something into Mirajanes shoulder.

"What was that munchkin?" Cana asked and her voice was gentle and not at all upset.

"My father paid them to take me back. I don't know why...he hates me. So why would he want me back?" Lucy asked loud enough for them to hear and there was some definite tension now. Canas face darkened and Macao looked personally slighted by what Phantom Lord was doing.

"He must have offered them a good chunk for Jose to do all this. He's risking his guilds status and his own title of Wizard Saint over this." Makarov noted that and there were various nods and hums. How much money could he offer Phantom Lord for them to act like this to get a hold of Lucy?

"How could he offer them enough money? Most people aren't exactly rich enough to hire a whole guild." Loke was frowning as he tried to figure it out. One or two, sometimes four mages sure. But an entire guild? For all of the members to go along with this they must have been offered enough to satisfy each member. And Phantom Lord was no small guild.

"...My full name is Lucy "Lucky" Aquariun Heartfilia. The daughter of the Heartfilia Korazon." Lucy said softly but they all heard her and there were wide eyes and whispers at that. The Heartfilia Korazon? The family that was more wealthy than half the nobility and was said to be connected somehow to the royal family?

"No." Mirajanes voice was sharp and guttural and yet so so warm. Erza and Natsu both chirped as well and it was sternly.

"No your name is Lucy Aquariun Strauss-Dragneel. You're a Fairy Tail wizard and a child of Fairy Tail. It doesn't matter who you were born to. You're my daughter. Erzas daughter. Natsus daughter. There is no Lucky Lucy Heartfilia here. There's only Lucy Strauss-Dragneel. Lucy of Fairy Tail." Mirajane said sternly but warmly and Erza was purring as she nuzzled the top of Lucy's head, holding her mate and child and prospective mate.

Natsu was purring too and nudged her fondly as his arms wrapped around the two women and their child.

"Nee-chan is right. You're my niece. Not some heiress. Especially not for a man that hates you." Elfman said his voice gentle and he got as close as he dared to them, careful not to set off the parental protection instincts or scare Lucy.

"None of this is your fault Lucy. Phantoms had it out for us for years! They would have started a war with us sooner or later." Cana assured and she made a funny face as she talked about Phantom making Lucy give a watery giggle.

"We aren't giving you to them. Or to the Heartfilia family. You're one of the guild Kids. As far as any of us here care you're Natsu and Mirajane and Erzas daughter. Through and through. Blood? It's just a flimsy connection. Choices are what makes families." Makarov said softly and Lucy had tears in her eyes again.

"Besides I have a feeling that if we even thought of giving you back to that bastard Aquarius would come kill us all herself. After she kills him first." Cana said making Lucy give a watery giggle while Loke huffed. He remembered Aquarius talking about the child of her previous summoner, a little girl who she adored and was the godmother of.

They'd be lucky if she killed them quickly. It might have been three years since he's seen any of them but he remembered all too well the various threats Aquarius would make regarding 'her guppy's sperm donor'. He did not want to be nearby if Aquarius learned about her guppy's sperm donor coming back for her or hurting her again.

"You're staying right here. Where you belong." Mirajane assured the little girl who began to cry into her shoulder now. Earning distressed and then reassuring croons from Natsu and Erza while Mirajane kissed her head and rubbed her back comfortingly, just letting her get it all out.

"So...we aren't going to talk about how Erza looks like she has scales and stuff and why she's acting similar to Natsu?" Laki asked quietly to the others as they gave the small family a semblance of privacy, Cana going to try and divine Mystogans whereabouts and get a hold of Laxus and his team. Even if just to warn them.

"Natsu mentioned how Erza acts like a Dragoness and has ever since we were kids." Gray shrugged his shoulders at them as everyone started making preparations for war. Alzack and Bisca were buying more ammo, Reedus was getting more paint for his Pict-magic, Wakabe was buying more tobacco and Macao was calling Romeo to tell him to stay at his mom's for a bit.

"So...Erza is living proof that Dragons still exist?" Laki asked curiously and Gray shrugged his shoulders.

"Apparently. Because she sure isn't a dragon slayer and yet..." Gray nodded back over towards the family and they noticed how Erza and Natsu were making a nest of a sort and Mirajane easily carried Lucy into it. They were all nesting now in the makeshift nest and it was adorable and weird.

"...Somehow this isn't the most surprising thing I've ever seen or heard." Master said from where he was calling Porlyusica to warn her just in case Phantom went after her, and then calling the council about Phantoms actions and true target.

He wondered briefly if he should warn the funeral services nearby that they'd see a large increase of deceased here soon.

After all everyone with common sense knew not to mess with even a magideers young in front of it, and Magideers were mostly peaceful docile creatures.

To mess with a demon or dragons young and then come back for a round two? Yeah no. That was just suicidal.

Chapter Text

Things had just started calming down. Lucy had stopped crying and was snuggled contently in her mamas arms, Erza and Natsu were slowly starting to come back to their human minds instead of being driven by their instincts.

Of course that was around the time when the ground began rumbling and Phantom Lord showed that their guild could walk. Because yes. Sure. Why not?

And it also had a canon. Because of course it did.

Erza let out a snarl of rage towards the guild and was right back in her instincts again, dashing out to the front of the Fairy Tail mages who got out of her way.

"Hand over Lucy Heartfilia or be obliterated." Jose said and they noticed his voice sounded off, very high pitched and pained. They wondered if it was just the speaker system or something else at play.

"There is no Lucy Heartfilia here! Only Lucy Strauss-Dragneel! The daughter of some of my kids!" Makarov yelled to Jose who sneered and fired the canon. Because he apparently didn't even care if he killed them or any innocent people nearby.

Erza let out a roar that definitely was not human in nature and she held her hands out to deflect the blast.

"Why isn't she requiping into defensive armor?"

"Shit she's not even thinking!"

"She'll be killed!"

The Jupiter canons blast hit Erza head on and she dug her feet into the ground and roared in challenge as she held it off.

"...." The guilds, both of them, watched in shock as she held off Jupiter bare handed until she was knocked down by the last bit of it's power.

"...So did anyone know she could do that?"

"Man we didn't even know she was apparently part dragon or something how would we know she could do that?"

"You know I've always known S class wizards were in a league of their own but holy shit."

"How the fuck did she hold off Jupiter?!"

It was hard to tell which guild was more shocked by that as Erza growled sharply and pushed herself back up to her feet, glaring at the walking guild.

"I don't know how Titania did that but I doubt she could do it a second time. You have fifteen minutes before Jupiter fires again. Give us Lucy or else." Jose demanded covering up his shock and making Erza snarl. She was more than ready to take another blast or two if it meant protecting her mates and hatchling.

Turning her head back to the guild she didn't seem capable of talking human right now. Instead she let out barks and huffs and chirps that no one understood.

Or well they thought no one understood but then...

Natsu let out a chirp in response and went sailing up to the mouth of the canon with Happy who gave a chirping purr.

"...They have their own language?"

"I'm guessing that's the language of dragons."

Not that any of them really had time to talk or think about it. Not with Joses shadow magic warriors coming down to fight them and keep them occupied.

"Gray. Nee-san needs to be here in case of Jupiter firing again. Nee-chan is staying with Lucy in case of any sneak attacks. So how about we be real men and go help Natsu?" Elfman grabbed Gray to go and help their fire using comrade.

"Yeah sure. But how about we go in through the front door instead of in through the canon?" Gray offered nodding towards where they could see the door of the walking guild.

There was an explosion from the canon that they all glanced at.

"...That's not as fun but sure." Elfman agreed, hopefully it also meant Natsu could rage as he wished and they wouldn't get caught in the crossfire.

Chapter Text

Gajeel took one look at Salamander.

He was wreathed in flames that were hot enough to melt metal and char stone. His skin was covered in scales and it almost looked like he was burning himself with the black marks covering some of his skin. His teeth were almost too big for his body and his eyes were nearly pure white in the flames.

"Nope." Gajeel was an arrogant cocky bastard alright and he had few morals. But he was not stupid.

His Guild Master had dared attack a hatchling. One that apparently had two dragons and a demon as parents.

And right now her parents were almost feral in their instincts.

He wasn't fucking with none of that.

He quickly went to the other guy who was here with Salamander, Beast Arm it looked like, and surrendered just as Eclipse Break was starting to be drawn in the air.

"I don't mind a good fight at all, but I am not gonna fight that. That and I don't like going after kids. It's a dragon thing." Gajeel said and he nodded to where Natsu was tearing through most of the Phantom Lord mages present with no sense of the word mercy.

"Juvia finds this most distasteful as well." And in a flash of water and the sound of rain outside there was a certain blue haired woman beside him.

"So...you two aren't going to fight us?" The half naked guy asked just to be sure and they both shook their heads in the negative.

"Juvia does not like having children as targets. Juvia thought our target was older." Suddenly Gajeel stiffened as he sensed another presence.

"Non non non. This shall never do!" Sol was there now and Juvia shot him a disgusted look before turning back to the Fairy Tail mages.

"If you're looking for the one who hurt her and truly took her then there he is. Monsieur Sol still bares injuries from her fighting to not be taken, the little one fought quite hard ...until he threw her into a wall." Juvia threw the other man under the bus and Gajeel took a single step to the side to leave the two Fairy Tail Mages a clear shot at the guy.

"He did what to my niece?!" Elfman damn near roared and Gray promptly took three steps away.

"He's all yours big guy." Gray said casually and then turned to the two defectors. Elfman looked half a second from Beasting out. He was not gonna be close by if he did.

"While Elfman unleashes some rage I'll take you two back down to the others. If I'm not there they'll attack you on the spot." Gray said nodding to the two who nodded in agreement and slowly followed him back out of the guild and towards Fairy Tail.

They were met with Erza at the door who had scales visibly on her face and her teeth were much too sharp and her pupils narrowed.

"Defectors Erza. They don't want anything to do with this." Gray said and he tried to keep his voice calm and steady for her while Gajeel was frozen slightly in place before he bared his neck. Erzas gaze flitted to him and she gave a low snarl sound but then something behind them caught her attention.

Juvia gasped as she felt something hit her back but thankfully her body was water so it did nothing but surprise her. Whipping around they saw Aria there standing behind them as Gray threw up an ice shield and Gajeel was ready to fight.

"Hey are you okay?" Gray asked glancing at Juvia as if to assess her wound but all that was torn was part of her outfit.

"Ah yes. Juvia is a rain woman who's body is water. Physical blows do nothing." Juvia assured him and she looked flustered that he had cared.

"How sorrowful to think you'd defect right when we're on the cusp of victory." Aria said and he was crying and Gajeel gave him a disbelieving look.

"And you call me cocky. Man you've got a raging dragon dad in there, a dragon mom right here and there's a demon somewhere that swatted you like a fly last time we saw her. And they are feral and pissed because we targeted their hatchling." Gajeel tried to spell it out for the guy cause he had thought Aria was smart, or smarter than this at least.

"So you retreat like a coward."

"I'm acting in self preservation and getting out of the line of fucking fire, almost literally given how Salamander is going."

"Then I shall strike you down before collecting our target. The Wizards of Fairy Tail can not protect that child for long."

Gajeel promptly took two steps to the left to leave enough room for the Dragoness behind him who's growl had been building in her chest.

"Yeah my money's on them." Gajeel heard the roar and covered his ears and the ice maker shield was shattered from their side as Erza Scarlett lunged forward through it to go at the threat to her hatchling.

"So why isn't it known that there's two dragons in Fairy Tail?" Gajeel asked glancing sideways at Gray as they all watched how Aria yelled and tried to capture her in his space pocket thing. Her hands had claw like nails and she was slashing everything with them.

"To be fair Natsu thought she was a Dragoness in disguise for years. But we didn't know she was at least part dragon until all this started and she went feral." Gray said and they watched in morbid curiosity and were slightly ill as Erza finally got to her target properly.

Considering they had seen her nails carve through the stone wall when he first dodged? None of them wanted to be Aria right now as her claws hit home.

"Huh. And she's what? Mated to Salamander and that devil woman?"

"Not sure about Natsu, but she is mated or married to Mirajane. That's the name of the she devil."

"...I pity any fool who tries to touch that hatchling."

"I don't. And besides you guys are getting off easy. Lucy's a celestial wizard and her spirits are very protective."

"So...a couple of what Leo minors or maybe a sword spirit or armor spirit or..."

"She has several gold level spirits. Aquarius, Virgo, Taurus and Cancer. Oh and recently got Sagittarius. Taurus acts as a knight in cow hide for her, Cancer has apparently slit a guys throat for her, Virgo calls her princess and will choke slam someone with no hesitation for her oh and gave her a Celestial whip thing. Not sure about the archer guy yet but he said he was honored to be contracted to her."

"And Aquarius? The fish lady right?"

"Mermaid. And Lucy calls her Aqua-nee. She's taught Lucy how to pick locks, pick pockets, swipe peoples bank cards, and gut grown men. She's Lucy's godmother which is a big deal for spirits and she is incredibly protective."

"...Isn't our guild hall standing in the river right now?"

"...."

Gray, Juvia and Gajeel all looked at each other slowly as they realized that yes. The guild hall was standing in water at the moment. A large supply of it.

"Well. You better hope Mirajane is keeping Lucy in that nest they made earlier. Cause if she gets to water and summons out that mermaid the town might be flooded."

Glancing at the doors as Arias mangled and bloody form was sent flying through them and down below Gray looked at the blood stained Erza.

"I'm going to go check on Lucy Erza. Have fun!" Gray decided that no. Absolutely not. He was not going to try and reign that best in.

Especially not when an explosion from above reminded him that Natsu was still raging.

Oh and there was a roar from Elfman somewhere nearby and not a pained one. No no he sounded pissed.

And also not human.

Gray just sighed slightly and escorted the defectors down to the others to join the fight against the shadows.

What was with most of the Fairy Tail Kids not being human? She devil Mirajane. Beast man Elfman. Dragon Slayer Natsu. Apparently the Dragon herself Erza. All that was left of the group was him, Cana, Levy and Laxus.

Gray wondered briefly if Cana or Levy weren't human too. Oh well it didn't make a difference he supposed. They were still his family either way.

Chapter Text

Mirajane was curled around her Cambion protectively, purring and crooning to her as her mate and prospective mate went to deal with the threats.

She would let them rage and deal with the threats. She was content to stay here and nest with her hatchling. Protect and curl up with her precious little one and comfort her.

This wasn't the most comfortable of nests, it was put together quickly and with whatever material was around, but it would do until they could get her to a proper one. Her prospective male mate had a nest at his house right? It would be a more well put together one than this at least.

Mirajanes nose twitched and her ears perked up a bit and her head snapped around, alerting Reedus and Loke who were on guard in the remains of the guild hall.

The hiss escaped Mirajanes mouth and her eyes narrowed on the back door of the guild. Two Phantom Lord creeps came through and were met by the two guys. Reedus was out of the fight first and then the female used some kind of mirror thing on Loke.

Then. Then they made the mistake of turning towards the nest and coming near it.

They were met by Mirajane who tossed them both through the wall in seconds.

She was not a happy demon. First her nest mates were attacked, then her Cambion taken and hurt, then her nest mates attacked again while she tried to protect and comfort her little one?! And to find out her Cambion was being hunted by her side who had dared hurt the precious treasure he was given?

No she was far from happy. And hearing a roar she recognized as her brothers, a beastly roar she remembered from that night two years ago where she lost her youngest sibling...

Mirajane let out a hiss and spread her wings even as she kept Lucy firmly in her hold. Who had dared cause her brother such anger and pain that he would use that form?

So these aggressors would not stop unless dead hm? She was more than happy to oblige them.

She curled around her hatchling protectively and then burst through the damaged walls, going straight for the humanish woman she'd trust to watch her Cambion for now.

Cana just blinked when the shade nearest her was kicked and suddenly Mirajane was there and had Lucy in her arms and was handing her off to Cana. Cana was left blinking slowly in disbelief as Mirajane then flew at the walking guild with a deadly look on her face.

"Well we won't have to worry about them soon." Cana noted and she backed away a bit from the shades, she couldn't really launch a card right now with her hands full of their target.

"Mama Papa and mom are really mad." Lucy stated the obvious as Macao, Wakabe, Bisca and Alzack tried to make a protective ring around Lucy and Cana.

"I can tell and can't blame them." Bisca said shooting at another shade while Macao was yelling for someone to check on Reedus and Loke.

There was an explosion of fire from one part of Phantom Lord, Gray and two people they didn't know came down from the guild and landed near a very mangled bldg, and then there was a roar and explosion of dark energy at another part of the guild.

Oh yeah. The three parents and one uncle were definitely going ham.

"Can I get some water? I can summon Aqua-nee and help." Lucy looked around for the nearest water source. She'd prefer to use the river but she had a distinct feeling no one would let her near it while the guild was standing there.

Speaking of which the guild rained blows down on their guild reducing it to rubble to everyone's dismay and the debris raining down forced everyone to scatter.

A hand came near Cana and Lucy trying to grab them and Cana swore.

She had to reveal it. Her secret and trump card.

Twisting and moving Lucy to being held in one arm, her now free hand came up and a magic circle appeared towards the incoming hand.

"Crash!" The arm began to break down into pieces and there were some sharp inhales and a few sputters and choking noises.

"Wait what the fuck?" Jose could be heard asking and Cana winced as she stumbled a bit. She couldn't do that twice. She didn't have the magical reserves for it just yet.

"Rest now my children." Master Makarov was back from where he had to go and inform the council personally of what was happening and show proof that Phantom started it and Lucy was in fact not kidnapped. And if he had to warn Bob and Goldmine that Phantom might go after them for being allies if Fairy Tail...well he had to gently turn down their offer to come and help sort shit out. They were trying not to destroy the city after all!

He had also gotten Porlyusica to come with him to the battlefield to treat any serious wounds. And she was making her way to those who had been closest to the building or struck by rubble while guarded by some of the Rune Knights that the council had sent with Makarov.

The short old man made his way glowing with power up to the guild and it wasn't but two minutes after that was there a bright glowing light that vanished all the shades.

"Fairy Law. One of the three sacred Fairy Tail spells." Cana noted as the light washed over them all, giving them a sense of safety and assurance and soothing some of their wounds.

The war with Phantom Lord was over now.

"...Aqua-nee is gonna be mad she didn't get to try her torture trick on someone."

"Tell her to save it for your sperm donor."

"What's sperm?"

"...."

".... Ms. Cana?"

"Ask your parents. I'm not drunk enough for that conversation."

Chapter Text

"Let the trial of Wizard Saint Jose Parlor begin!" Gran Doma announced as all of Fairy Tail that had been present for the war filled the stands and boxes, some Phantom Lord mages were there too. Including Juvia and Gajeel.

"I object! I should not be the one on trial here!" Jose said and his voice was at least two octave higher than normal.

"Oh I'm curious now. What's your reasoning for this?" Yajima asked raising an eyebrow and Jose pointed over at the Fairy Tail mages.

"They are the ones who kidnapped a child which is why my client came to me to rescue and return her! Also they have used excessive force and outright killed and maimed several of my mages!" Jose said and Ultear raised an eyebrow.

"No mention of your own wounds? The health check to insure you were able to stand trial showed you had a rather bad cut on the back of your leg and had what looked like white hot metal shoved through your genitals." Ultear said and all of Fairy Tail looked between each other and Makarov just sighed heavily as everyone else looked at them.

"Okay kids. I'm not mad or disappointed but which one of you did that?" Makarov asked and Jose was sweating a bit.

"White white usually means flames." Gray pointed out glancing at Natsu who snorted, embers coming out of his nose as he did so.

"Wasn't me stripper. I would have burned them off completely."

"Well metal usually implies a knife or sword..." Levy trailed off and they all looked at Erza who held up her hands in surrender.

"Not me. Make no mistake I would have done so without hesitation. But I was feral. I had no coherent thoughts except for protecting my mate and hatchling, ending the threats. I wasn't even able to use my magic that's how far gone my mind is. If I did it I would have ripped them off with my bare hands." Erza denied and that definitely had a few people shivering.

"Um..." Lucy trailed off hesitantly and Jose coughed to gain their attention.

"No matter who gave me such injuries. I beli-"

"If you interrupt or even look at my child again I will rip your spine out through your ass." Mirajane casually threatened him with a smile on her face and then she looked down at Lucy who was in her lap.

"You were about to say something little star?" Mirajane asked encouragingly.

"So...when he had me captured he made the mistake of untying the rope on my hands." Lucy said and her whole guild was staring at her now as was half of the rest of the court room.

"Are you saying you're the one responsible for his injuries?" Siegrain asked and he actually paled a bit as he stared at the child who gave a sheepish smile.

"I did what Aqua-nee taught me and stabbed him between the legs... apparently celestial metal is made out of stars dying that are reforged...which means its really hot." Lucy said shrugging slightly.

Natsu started laughing first and hardest.

"You....you took down a wizard saint! That's my hatchling!" Jose was bright red in embarrassment and rage as all of Fairy Tail began to howl in laughter while even the council members snickered a bit.

"That's my amazing little one." Mirajane was smothering Lucy in kisses and Erza was radiating pride next to her.

"Anyways...does anyone wish to address the claims of a kidnapped child?" Gran Dorma asked coughing loudly and hoping to get back on track.

"I got tired of Father hurting me and Aqua-nee told me I should run before he killed me so I did. I've been on the streets for a year before Papa took me to Fairy Tail where I met mama and mom! I wasn't kidnapped I left him and stay with them of my own choice!" Lucy said and she saw absolutely nothing wrong at all with what she said as she leaned into her Mama who kissed her head some more.

Lucy liked getting head kisses. It reminded her of when she was little and Aqua-nee took care of her and gave her head kisses and told her about her mother.

The court room was dead silent as they all processed that and a few of the Phantom Lord mages looked awkward now.

"I'm not sure if this will effect anything but I was there when the client came by." Gajeel raised his hand a bit and everyone looked at him now.

"He mentioned needing his heiress back because he got a good offer for a marriage arrangement for her. Most of us thought that she was at least a teenager or something. Not a hatchling." Gajeel said and that earned more than a few growls from Fairy Tail.

"Juvia can vouch for this as well. It is also why Gajeel-san and Juvia had not gone along with this. As soon as we were aware of the targets age we defected." Juvia rose her hand in agreement.

"Juvia! You and Gajeel dare defect and go against me?" Jose looked pissed as he glared at them.

"I'm a dragon slayer. My dragon instincts aren't to the point where I'm adopting hatchlings...but hatchlings are rare and precious to dragons. The second I learned the target was a hatchling, and a claimed one no less? That was the second I stopped going along with your whole circus act." Gajeel scoffed at Jose while Juvia merely hummed and didn't give a response.

"...So we have eyewitness testimony that a runaway from an abusive family has been taken in and adopted. And then when her abusive father wanted her back for an arranged marriage of a child which is illegal mind you...your guild goes to kidnap the child and starts a guild war? A guild war when such things have been banned for longer than I've been alive? And then you actually kidnap the kid who's new parents went feral in their instincts it retrieve and protect her." Belno summed this all up as she stared slowly at Jose while Ultear gave a noise of disgust.

"Not to mention he had the child in some kind of situation where she was in a position to and able to stab him in the genitals." Ultear added and there were lots of disgust and rage as everyone came to their own conclusions.

"Good job on stabbing him little one. If you ever have to do that again however make sure you twist the knife before you pull it out." Ultear advised the little girl who shot her a bright smile.

"Okay!" Lucy chirped brightly and she made sure she remembered that advice.

"Ultear." Michello scolded her slightly but with no real heat in it.

"I took in a child who's town was destroyed when she was around that little ones age. If it were my girl in her place I'd have wanted her to have stabbed, twisted, pulled the knife out and then stab him again for good measure. Just be glad I'm not giving her more advice." Ultear glared darkly as she thought of someone going after Meredy as Jose had gone after Lucy.

Sure she was the one who destroyed the girls town and orphaned her and all...but she did come to love and care for the pink haired girl who was her foster daughter. If someone tried to take Meredy from her by force...

Well it wouldn't be pretty that was for sure.

"So now we have someone else to have brought in and interrogated and tried, as soon as we get ahold of Lucy's sperm donor, for now though...does anyone actually doubt Jose's guilt?" Gran Dorma asked coughing to get back on track. They were very good at getting distracted.

"Mama what's sperm? Ms. Cana mentioned it before but said to ask you cause she wasn't drunk enough." Lucy asked blinking up at her mother and most of the court blanched a bit.

Half of them vacated the area immediately.

"Send me to jail. I'm not explaining that to her. That is not in my job description!" Jose stared at the judges pleadingly. Nope. Nope. He was not dealing with explaining the birds and the bees to a kid.

"You were stripped of your title as Wizard Saint and Phantom Lord was declared a dark guild the minute you first attacked Fairy Tail and provoked a war. You don't have a job." Ultear snidely pointed out to him.

"I vote part of his punishment is teaching sex Ed to youths." Belno said and most of the others blanched again while Jose went white in disbelief and horror.

"Nope. Nope. Nope. I'll plead guilty. I'll give you a list of my crimes and accomplices. I'll give you everything but only if you don't give me that punishment." Fuck no. He had thrown himself into his work as a guild master to get away and put distance between himself and his kids so that he wouldn't have to be the one explaining it.

"I'll explain when you're twelve sweetheart. Don't worry about it for now." Mirajane assured the confused Lucy who looked confused at how empty the court room was now.

"Thank you darling." Erza murmured relieved she wouldn't have to explain as she pulled Mirajane into her side and kissed her head.

"So. Where does this guy who wants to marry off my hatchling live? Just so I can have some words with him." Natsu had flames licking at his arms, ready to have some strong words with the man.

Including words like Charbroiled and Burned alive and roasted and property damage.

For once neither Erza nor Mirajane seemed likely to stop him.

Chapter Text

Lucy vaguely knew what was really going on. Her mama, mom and papa were dealing with her Father now and she was with Ms. Cana as everyone began to work on rebuilding the guild.

They said she was too little to help but she had asked Ms. Virgo if she would mind helping and she was there now lifting some of the heavy stuff and digging some holes for the foundation.

"Oh hey there's Loke." Lucy looked up when Ms. Cana said that and she spotted him the same time he spotted them. His face did that weird thing it did when he saw her. Like he smiled and grimaced at the same time.

It was strange.

"Cana. Little lady." Loke gave a flirty smile to Cana and offered Lucy a rose, Cana took it politely but forcefully and gave him a look not to question it.

"You okay Lokes? You seem sick." Cana asked after getting a better look at Loke. His skin was paler and he seemed almost guant, his eyes shadowed.

"Oh er..." Loke waffled a bit trying to find a way to explain it but Lucy stared up at him with those knowing brown eyes.

"Do you need to go back to the Celestial Realm?" Lucy asked and Loke gave a jerk motion as if she had tried to slap him. Canas head whipped from her to him and her eyes narrowed.

"How do you know about that?" Loke asked pale and staring at her and Lucy tilted her head at him.

"Ms. Virgo and Aqua-nee told me about what happened to you. You were saving Ms. Aries from your abusive summoner and she overextended her magic and died. Aqua-nee told me about it as a warning of what happens when someone tries to open too many gates at once. Ms. Virgo told me about it when she asked me to find and help the other spirits. She didn't want anyone else to have bad summoners." Lucy said and Loke made a noise and ran a hand through his hair.

"I should have known it'd be used as a cautionary tale...well if you already know the majority of it...follow me. Might as well have this talk somewhere special." Loke said and Cana picked up Lucy to carry her. She wanted answers please and thank you!

They ended up at a grave surrounded by waterfalls.

"I'm Leo the Lion. I've been here in the human realm for almost three years now...and I'm going to die in this realm." Loke said and with a sigh he proceeded to tell them the entire story. About Karen and Aries and what happened to him and Aries, how he forced open and held open his gate to get Karen to release them.

Then how Karen died on a mission and he was banished from the Celestial Spirit Realm because it was his fault she died.

"That's stupid." Cana and Lucy deadpanned at the same time. In the same tone of voice. It was comical really.

"It's the law. And my time is up. I'll be fading probably before the end of the night." Loke sighed sadly, he was sad they had to know but he supposed it was best for someone to know so they could tell the guild.

"Like hell you are." Cana snapped and Lucy moved forward and grabbed his legs in a hug. It was the first contact she initiated with a guy other than Natsu and Happy and it took them by surprise.

"Force open! Gate of the Lion!" Lucy poured her magic out into him to try and send him back.

"Good idea kid! Here take some of mine too!" Cana moved forward to help her and feed her some of her own magic.

"Wait stop! I deserved this and can't go back! Don't make me responsible for your deaths too!" Loke shoved Cana off and moved as if to do so to Lucy as well but Cana grabbed his wrists to stop him.

"Then the King is wrong! His decision is wrong! And I'll change it!" And then suddenly Lucy was knocked back and time stopped and Cana was baffled as she looked from Loke to Lucy to the large man who appeared from nowhere to the waterfalls stopped in the moment.

Cana could only watch as Lucy argued against the king and at one point she summoned all of her spirits to her side for just a few seconds but it was impressive as hell.

Then she came back around and grabbed Lucy as she collapsed but still tried to get up and argue.

"Fucking hell kid! You are just as stubborn as your parents you know that? And you Giant mustache guy! Even if Loke or Leo or whoever he is committed the crime then shouldn't you make him live and repent! His death would do and mean nothing in the long run! Spirits will still be abused and unable to fight back and protect themselves! Let him live and earn his redemption and help save other Spirits to keep it from happening again!" Cana yelled at the king who was humming in thought.

"Cana That's the Spirit King you can't just-"

"I don't give a fuck who he is! He could be the spirit of my great grandpa or the husband of the first master for all I care! He's still wrong and still needs to stop punishing you when you did nothing wrong!" Cana snapped at Loke now who's mouth clicked shut.

At that there was a laugh from the King.

Oh his granddaughter was very amusing. It was a shame she wasn't a Celestial Wizard but she certainly had plenty of fire and spunk and attitude and loyalty. He was proud of his little granddaughter.

"Very well then. Leo the Lion. Consider this your redemption. You must serve and protect Lucy Dragneel-Strauss. And when possibly you must protect Cana Alberona-Clive as well." The king said and suddenly Loke was in a suit and sunglasses and he blinked slowly as he looked at his outfit and then at the king in disbelief.

"See! That wasn't too hard was it King Stache?" Lucy asked with a grin that the grown ass king of spirits copied and Cana...

Cana was so done with everything today. What the hell? She was just supposed to be babysitting Lucy for a few hours while her parents went to commit mass amounts of property damage and possibly murder.

She didn't sign up for finding out one of her friends is a Spirit, that he's dying, or watching as a kid who came up to her knees had an argument and won against the King of Celestial Spirits.

She was going to return her adorable little bundle of chaos honorary niece to her parents and then she was going to get blackout drunk. Because nope. She was done.

Sighing at seeing Lucy being exhausted while adding Leos key to her keyring, Cana scooped her up and went to find one of her parents.

Finding Erza first Cana handed her the sleeping blond.

"Here's your spawn. She's given me a massive headache and I need alcohol. She has a new golden spirit and just got done out stubborning the Spirit King and summoning all of her spirits for a few seconds. She takes far too much after you and your mates."

Erza was left blinking slowly and cradling Lucy against her chest plate as Cana walked off to go get drunk.

"Wait. What happened?"

Chapter Text

Lucy was sleeping off her magical exhaustion in Mirajanes bed as her parents sat in the living room talking. Happy was curled up purring as he napped with Lucy.

The three were sitting in the living room talking after getting back from dealing with their hatchlings sperm donor. Natsu had great fun burning the place down while Mirajane and Erza terrified and cut up Jude.

The only reason they didn't get to do worse was because Master Makarov held them back as soon as Councilwoman Ultear showed up to arrest Jude with a platoon of Rune Knights. They remembered her mentioning having a daughter who she had taken in at around the same age Lucy was. They had a feeling she took any cases involving children personally if the dark look just daring Jude to try something was anything to go by.

"So I think we need to have a talk." Mirajane said sighing as she set down her glass and looked at the two others. Erza was sitting beside her on the love seat and Natsu was sitting in an arm chair across from them.

"Yes." Erza agreed and Natsu hummed in agreement.

"I love Erza. Nothing will change that. But I am also interested in seeing how my feelings for you develop as well. As long as Erza is okay with it then I'm willing to see what happens." Mirajane said and she held Erzas hand, kissing the back of her mate and wife's hand in adoration and love.

"I mean. I will admit that I had a crush on you two ever since I was like fourteen. But I wasn't going to do anything about it since I could tell you two were courting." Natsu seemed sheepish as he admitted to his crush on them both.

"I am...conflicted. I love Mirajane. There is no doubt about that. But I also find myself intrigued by you as well. And our instincts...we all know and heard from the others what we did while in our instincts." Erza said and they knew what she meant.

Mirajane kissing his neck as a sign of courting, him kissing their necks as well to show his own intent to court and Erza nudging him to show she wasn't as serious as courting but didn't mind being courted.

How neither of them took offense to him being close to or claiming their child as his own. To be fair he had first claimed her after all so if anything it was surprising he didn't take offense to them claiming her.

With how deep in their instincts and respectively feral they had been Mirajane and Erza should have hissed and tried to tear him apart for being near their hatchling. Instead they had purred and he and Erza had built a nest for Mirajane and Lucy.

"Well. Then let's not make a big deal of it." Natsu shrugged his shoulders easily accepting anything they said or were willing to give.

"No?" Erza was surprised, she knew how many people wanted to be with her mate and herself and yet...Natsu wasn't trying to push it?

"Nope. Let's just court each other, or I can court you two and we can see what happens. But there's one thing we should agree on first before anything else." Natsu was dead serious now as he stared them both down.

"Lucy comes first." Mirajane said with a nod and Natsu nodded as well.

"Of course. No matter what happens between us we put Lucy first. We still love her and take care of her as we have been." Erza gave a solemn nod and Natsu and Mirajane were both all for that.

"Our daughter is our number one priority." Natsu agreed and they both were pleased he understood.

"So for now? We don't push each other into anything, we don't pressure each other and we let what may happen happen. If it damages your relationship with each other then I'll stop courting you both. You two love each other and are married and mated already. I'm not going to risk breaking you two up." Natsu said and that definitely got him some brownie points with both of the women.

"Thank you Natsu. We appreciate that." Erza was grateful and Mirajane doubly so. After all Mirajane knew better than Erza did how much other people wanted them and would happily break them up to be with one or the other.

"Meh. Don't worry about it. Now what exactly happened that caused Lucy to use that much magic? She hasn't been like this since the Lullaby incident." Natsu asked frowning and he didn't know what had caused his hatchling to exhaust herself.

"I don't know. She was already out when Cana found me. And Cana didn't explain much. Just said Lucy took after us, out argued and out stubborned a king and has a new golden spirit." Erza shrugged when they both looked at her curious.

"...that just gives me more questions."

"Same."

Chapter Text

"Let the trial of Jude Heartfilia begin!" Gran Dorma announced and there were a lot of dark looks and magic suppression seals around the Fairy Tail wizards. If there wasn't at least one of them would have already lunged for the guy.

"I object! I'm not a wizard and therefore I shouldn't be tried by wizards!" Jude called out and he was looking disgusted at the mere thought.

"Ah but you used to be part of a guild, Love & Lucky a merchants guild. All guilds are under our preview sir. Not to mention that your wife, bless her soul, was a mage from a long line of mages. Your child is also a mage and is the one who you committed several crimes against. In fact as long as you best the name of the Heartfilia clan you fall under wizard purview." Michello said and the rest of the council nodded in agreement.

"The Heartfilia family has a long history of powerful and good wizards, most of whom use Celestial magic. It is also matriarchal which means you are in fact not the head of the family, just a regeant until the young Lady of the clan is old enough." Belno said and that caused several people to glance over at Lucy who was being protectively cuddled by her mama.

"That filthy killer has no right to claim that name. Not when she murdered her mother!" Jude spat vehemently. Lucy flinched and curled further into Mirajane.

"Every time a woman gives birth she takes a risk. Even with all of our magic and advancements in medicine that has not changed for decades. There is always a risk when it comes to childbirth. It's about as safe as life ever gets actually since most of the time a woman's body instinctively knows what to do. Lady Heartfilia knew that and knew the risks when she gave birth. She took a gamble and lost." Belnos voice was nostalgic and tinged with sorrow as she thought back to her husband and son. If she had died in childbirth, and it had been a near thing for her, would her husband have treated their son the way this man treated his daughter?

She liked to think not.

"I doubt she'd have been happy about how you treated the last and most precious gift she had given you." Belno said staring his down and she tried to keep her emotions in check. Yajima patted her arm in support.

Jude was very silent at that and then he looked away from her without a word.

"As it happens. Your child feared for her life so much to the point she ran away from home at the age of six and lived on the streets for a year before being taken in by a wizard who brought her to his guild where she was adopted. And we have several testimonies verified with both mind reading and truth magic that confirm you only wanted her back because you received a large bride price for her." Michello said and he shuffled some papers as he looked at the testimonies that had been verified by three separate methods and three separate specialists.

"Child marriages have been illegal ever since I was a young boy, long before you were born. You had to know agreeing to an arranged marriage for her would be illegal and stopped as soon as it was discovered how old she was." Yajima said glancing over at the child in question who looked positively tiny surrounded by all the bigger and older mages of the guild.

"Only reason I was even trying to sell her off to be married was because she ran. If she hadn't -" Jude was cut off by a noise from Lucy.

"If I hadn't you would have sold me anyways." Lucy said flatly and floating beside her now was Aquarius who was being restrained by Leo and Taurus. Although none of the spirits looked happy.

"I thought we had magic suppression seals up in their area?" Siegrain asked and it was impressive that she managed to summon her spirits inside that zone.

"I...is she holding open three gates?" Ultear whispered impressed and wide eyed.

"I'm strong enough to open my own gate thank you. As can Leo. The only one my guppy summoned is the bull to help prevent me from murder." Aquarius sneered at them all and Judes face was twisted in disgust and betrayal as he glared at her.

"You. Stupid fish! I thought you'd hate her as much as I do! She killed your summoner!" Jude shouted at Aquarius who struggled against Leo and Taurus hold a bit harder.

"Call me a stupid fish again and I'll use water pressure to smash your balls into paste before slowly drowning you in your own urine and blood!" Aquarius snarled and there were a lot of wide eyes and pale faces at that threat.

"You can use water pressure for that?" Lucy asked all wide eyed eager innocence and Aquarius briefly stopped struggling to give her a soft smile.

"You can use different water pressures for a lot of things guppy. Tell you what when you learn how to use some of my spells and star dress then I'll show you all of the best tricks! Sound good?" Aquarius asked and her voice was now gentle and soft and Lucy beamed as she nodded.

Most of the guild looked torn between horrified and curious.

"Now let me be very clear and blunt about this, and you can use any kind of truth or memory or mind magic you want to verify it." Aquarius glared darkly at Jude again as she nodded to the judges.

"If it wasn't for me and the fact I'm strong enough to open my own gate, my guppy here would have likely died as a young child or baby. Jackass over there ordered all the servants and staff at the estate to not talk to or interact with her after she turned a year old. And even then he only ordered that after finding out a few of them had taken care of my guppy to make sure she was fed and changed and everything." Aquarius sneered at Jude who was turning red in fury.

"After that I had to come through my gate at least once or twice a day to make sure she'd survive the day. Hell at first I was here in the human world for days and even weeks at a time. If it weren't for the laws of our worlds I would have long since taken my guppy to the Spirit Realm to be raised by myself and my boyfriend." Aquarius got several looks of respect at that, the guild had heard Lokes talk and how he had described his first few weeks in the human world under his own power.

"He started beating her anytime he saw her by the time she hit two. I had to use a lesser known part of my powers to heal her injuries as much as the law would allow which meant that she wouldn't die from them. He ordered her not to be fed, so I taught her how to sneak around to steal food. He ordered her not to be taught anything but business, I taught her how to read and write and learn enough business that he couldn't beat her for failing. He best her anyways. He ordered her to be attacked and while most of the servants didn't do it some did so I taught her how to fight and survive. He did his best aside from outright ordering her death to kill her." Aquarius said and that...that suddenly made a few things they had been wondering make sense.

They had wondered why Lucy had known how to be sneaky and pick locks or steal things but to learn it had this kind of reason...

Mirajane tightened her grip on her Cambion and Erza and Natsu both had an arm around her and their child both.

"When she was five almost six we were sneaking by his office to get some snacks, I knew one of the chefs had made fresh cookies that day so I decided my guppy deserved a treat and since he was one of the ones who tried to help take care of her I knew he wouldn't mind or say anything even if he caught us, when we overheard him talking to a communications lacrima." Aquarius face had darkened again and all water in the room was swirling violently, Juvia yelped and did her best to keep her water body under control.

"He was talking with someone from the Alvarez empire. He mentioned having an untrained stupidly sturdy celestial wizard child who didn't know how to stay down or give up. He said he'd be more than willing to pay for shipping and handling if they'd pay to take her. He was going to literally sell her to another empire and illegally smuggle her there." Aquarius revealed and Taurus and Leo both looked rightfully angry as they shot dark looks at Jude. They very much wanted to let Aquarius go and kick his ass but they didn't want to risk her being banished.

"That and the near fatal beating he gave her that night were what finally convinced her to run. I helped her pack and I helped her survive on the streets. Cancer did too, one of the butlers slipped his key to her per her mother's last request of him. He used to also belong to Layla Heartfilia but he wasn't strong enough to open his own gate or else he would have helped me raise her. I helped her evade dark wizards, bandits and slave traders until we got to Hargeon. Where she met Natsu, her new papa and he took her to the guild where she was adopted by her new parents that I personally vouch for." Aquarius summed up the last of things and the Council was very confused and alarmed. How did you handle this kind of thing?

None of them ever had testimony from a Spirit before.

"You stupid temperamental arrogant bi-" Jude began but was cut off by a shoe hitting him in the face.

"You bad stupid man! No insulting Aqua-nee!" Lucy scowled at him and Aquarius beamed as she broke free of the other two spirits and scooped Lucy up to smother her in kisses.

"Why you-" Jude immediately had all of Fairy Tail glaring at him and Erza had her sword drawn while Natsu had fire licking his fists. Mirajane had a dark look on her face but didn't have any demonic energy around her yet.

"That's my guppy! Now come on! I'm stealing you for a while and teaching you how to scam stupid people!" Aquarius quickly left the courtroom with Lucy giggling in her arms while Loke chased after her, Taurus just laughed as he vanished.

The entire council stared at the going ons and then glanced at each other.

"Given how strong and protective her spirits are...I'm glad she's not on Alvarez's side." Michello murmured and the others nodded in agreement.

"Could you imagine if she did get to Alvarez? She'd have probably been adopted by a powerful person with strong instincts." Ultear noted and that...was a rather terrifying thought given how tense things were between the countries right now.

With their luck she'd have been taken in by the most powerful woman in the empire or something.

Chapter Text

When the trial finally ended, all of Judes assets being stripped from him and being held in stasis for when Lucy was deemed old and mature enough to handle that amount of money, Fairy Tail filed out to try and find their little Celestial Princess.

They found her and Aquarius with a green haired woman and a woman with a large hat that looked a lot like Erza.

Aquarius was talking quietly with the green haired woman while the red headed woman was listening to Lucy happily talking about her spirits and her adventures so far.

"Brandish and Irene of the Spriggan 12. What are you two doing here?" Ultear was tense, the Magic Council had dismissed soon after Fairy Tail left and she had wanted to meet the little one as well as talk with Erza and Mirajane and Natsu to see if they needed any help or advice with a traumatized child.

Yes she was a cold heartless bitch who'd do anything to meet her goals. But she did love and care about her adopted daughter Meredy even if she didn't often show it. But hey once she reaches her goal and could reach the magic plane and find Zeref and fix everything then it'd all work out and everyone would be happier!

"We overheard some of our subordinates mentioning a celestial wizard child being sold by her father. Say whatever you like about Alverez but we don't do human trafficking or slave trade. Especially involving children. So we came to track down and...educate this man. By the time we got here and tracked them down though you were already midway through the trial." Irene said and her eyes were locked onto Erza who was staring at her with an intense look in her eyes.

"My mother used to hold the Aquarius key back before this kid was born so I came to see what was up with all of that." Brandish was sulky. Aquarius had punished her for thinking to take her key back by force. And for blaming Layla for her mother's death when it was Zoldeo who killed her. Of course seeing that Layla's spawn was just a child herself...that threw off Brandish who thought the girl would be close to her own age.

"...Mother?" Erza asked as she stepped closer to Irene who gave her a small smile and nod.

"I see you grew well little one. Even in Alverez we hear about the legendary Titania. I didn't think it'd be my own child however." Irene said and the entire guild was silent as they watched, Lucy looking wide eyed up at Irene and her mama.

"But...Rosemary village? The tower of heaven..." Erza looked very lost and confused and Irene grimaced.

"I left you in Rosemary to protect you from some of my enemies and darkness. If I knew you'd be taken to that so called tower however I would have never left you there." Irene growled a bit and it was a draconic and Erza stared hard at her.

"And my father?" Erza tilted her head curiously and Irene gave a snarl.

"One of the ones I had to protect you from. Fucking traitor was going to cut me open and kill you before you were born and-" Irenes power was building around her in her rage until a small finger poked her nose curiously.

"Are you really mamas mama?" Lucy asked getting Irenes attention and Irene stared at her and then at Erza and then back at Lucy.

"Right. Adoption. Yes. Okay now I don't have to go on a murder spree." Irene said after a few seconds as she thought about it and Brandish snorted a bit.

"Here. If you want I'll let you see my memories of it." Irene said and she poked Erzas forehead with a glowing finger and then poked Makarov too when he silently demanded an explanation.

"Ok...okay that is a lot to process but it explains my dragon side." Erza noted and Irene perked up at that.

"You've got some of my dragon traits?" Irene asked eagerly and Erza allowed her eyes to become slit and her teeth to become sharp, scales covered her face and hands.

"Did we know Erza had dragon traits?" Siegrain asked Yamaji quietly and the old man shook his head.

That was a terrifying thought thank you, especially since she had never bothered using them before that they knew of.

"Right. Okay...I'm going to just...process most of that information dump later. For now...mother this is my mate and my suitor. And you've already met my hatchling. Mira, Natsu this is apparently my mother. Hatchling this is your grandmother." Erza looked completely ready to just shut down or crash out as she waved a hand slightly at everyone and Natsu gave a tilt of his head and a chirp towards Irene who's eyebrow went up and she chirped back.

Her daughter was mated to a demoness. And was being courted by a demon-dragon slayer hybrid....

Well at least her daughter chose strong mates.

And she has a cute little granddaughter!

"Tell me granddaughter. Do you know how to gut people yet?" Irene asked and the amount of face palms that got was impressive.

"Uh huh! Aqua-nee taught me! And I've got a Celestial knife that I use!" Lucy was all smiling and damn near sparkling as she said that happily.

"Good! Now let's find you a small staff to use and grandma here will teach you the best way to fuck over your enemies with a staff!"

"...Yeah she's Erzas mother alright." Macao muttered shaking his head at how easily Irene seemed to be accepting this and taking all this as she began to try and teach her granddaughter new tricks.

"Ohhh! A staff would be fun! Can you teach me how to do like Aqua-nee can and break someone's balls with it?" Lucy asked eagerly and Irenes grin was dark and sharp.

"What the fuck?" Brandish asked in disbelief.

"I'll teach you how to break their balls into paste so you can forcefeed it to them." Irene promised and she was now standing and whisking Lucy away.

"Mother no!" Erza chases after her mother in horror and shock.

"At least wait until she's ten or so! She needs to gain more weight and muscle first!" And the fact that damn near the whole guild facepalmed at Erzas protest was both funny and slightly impressive in its synchronization.

"Fine then I'll take her to eat first! Let's go hatchling! To the cake shop!"

"...."

"...."

"...."

"So what are the odds Erzas mother loves cake as much as she does?" Reedus asked quietly and they all were staring at each other.

"I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time explaining all this to the emperor." Brandish sighed heavily. Apparently Irene was going to be one of those doting grandmas. Who knew right?

"...Mirajane can you start baking a cake at the guild to lure them back?" Master asked praying she would, he didn't want to know what kind of damages Erza, her mother, and Lucy could do when left alone near cake.

"Sure thing master. Besides it'd be a nice way to get on my mother in laws good side!" Mirajane said cheerfully and Master twitched at that.

Right. Erza and Mirajane were married in demon and dragon terms. Which meant that Irene, the strongest woman in Alverez, was Mirajanes mother in law. And Erzas mother. And Lucy's grandma.

You know what? He needed a beer. He didn't even want to think about what the entire family tree looked like. Or about how destructive they could be.

Chapter Text

It took an hour or so and a large strawberry cheesecake from Mirajane to lure the two red heads and their tiny blond companion back to the rebuilding rubble of the guild.

"Hi Mr. Loke!" Lucy waved from where she was being carried in Irenes arms, the Celestial Spirit offered her a bow and a freshly picked tulip since he learned to avoid roses.

"Little princess." Loke greeted and Irene smirked, he had no idea how true that title was now did he?

"Loke just got done explaining to everyone about him being a spirit." Cana said and Lucy nodded in solemn understating, which was adorable and slightly hilarious.

"And giving out some tickets. Speaking of which..." Loke produced a ticket for Erza who raised an eyebrow and took it to look closer at it. It was a ticket for a resort vacation. Three days three nights all expenses paid.

Erza had a ticket for the honeymoon suite.

"I had some regular tickets for me and some friends...but when we learned about you and Mirajane being married I thought you two could use a honeymoon." Loke shrugged slightly and Erza smiled softly and thanked him.

"You and Mirajane get the honeymoon tickets. Gray and Natsu and Cana have regular tickets. And my princess gets only the best." Loke gave a flourish as he produced a VIP ticket for Lucy who giggled a bit at his over exaggerated flourish and bow.

"Hm what a loyal and doting spirit my granddaughter has." Irene said and she wondered if she could talk the emperor into giving her some time off to go to the resort and spend more time with her grandchild.

"Only the best for the princess who saved my life." Leo said flippantly and yet his eyes were dead serious.

"A loyal knight and retainer who can't betray her. I approve." Irene said smirking and she cuddled her granddaughter a bit more before the cake was set out on the counter, which drew Erza, Irene, and Lucy's eyes.

"I also approve of your wife." Irene muttered to her daughter as the three moved towards the cake.

"Slow down there you two. Lucy gets first piece!" Mirajane stopped the two red heads cold by snapping a towel at them. Irene frowned insulted that she had done so but she didn't say a word, not when the demoness was clearly only doing this to make sure the hatchling ate first. Her granddaughter was far too small and skinny for her liking, letting her eat first was no big deal if it meant she got up to a healthy weight.

"Here you go little light." Mirajane handed Lucy a good sized slice on a plate, with a few extra strawberries, as Lucy squirmed to be set down on a bar stool.

"Thank you mama!" Lucy beamed up at her mama who kissed her head and then stepped to the side to let the two grown women have at the cake.

"Now I see where Erza gets it from." Makarov said looking from Erza to Irene as they both savored the cake.

"Oh I didn't use to like cake. Not until I got pregnant with that one there. I craved cake all the time while pregnant, which was definitely weird since as a dragon slayer who turned into a dragon I mostly ate meat and some plants." Irene said grimacing as she remembered suddenly having a craving for a food she never liked before.

"A dragon slayer that turned into a dragon?" Makarov wondered if that could happen to Natsu too and shivered at the thought of all the extra paperwork for damages that would cause.

"Mhm. All dragon slayers are implanted with a dragon seed. Considering I was betrayed and nearly killed by my husband who wanted to split open my belly to kill our baby? It triggered the full transformation. I managed to turn back and safely give birth and was very relieved I didn't have to push an egg or baby dragon out of a human body." Irene said and Makarov...he remembered how his wife cussed him out and damn near killed him when she was pushing out Ivan. And he remembered Ivans wife nearly murdering Ivan when she pushed out Laxus...

And those were humans giving birth to human babies. A human woman trying to give birth to a dragon baby...

"I'm sure Erza would have been an adorable hatchling but I'm quite glad she takes mostly human form as well." Mirajane said with a giggle as she pictured her wife as a tiny dragon no bigger than a lizard stumbling around and learning to crawl.

"Irene. I'm going to head back to the Empire and make a report. You coming?" Brandish asked and she had a lot to think about after her talk with Aquarius and seeing how young Layla Heartfilias daughter truly is.

"Go on ahead. Tell the Emperor I'm taking a few days off to spend time with my family." Irene said dismissively and Brandish just shrugged slightly as she left.

Irene paused mid bite and considered something.

Her daughter was being courted by the Papa of her adorable granddaughter. The papa said his name was Natsu Dragneel right?

Her Emperor's name was Zeref Dragneel...were the two related?

Irene tilted her head slightly as she narrowed her eyes in thought.

Should she expect the Emperor to come and meet little Lucy then since she was claimed as Natsus child?

....

....

That'd be hilarious to watch actually. She hoped he did and she was here when he got here.

"Grandma?" Lucy looked confused and worried up at her and Irene gave her a smile.

"Don't worry little one! Grandma was just thinking of whether or not to get you a hat like mine!" The lie, and it was only a half lie because the child would be adorable dressed in Irenes coat and hat, came easily.

Lucy's eyes lit up.

"Really?! I can have a hat like yours?? Like how I have a dress like Mamas and mom said she'd get me armor like hers?! And Ms. Evergreen got me fans like she has!" Lucy seemed very excited and happy about that and Irene noted the other woman named and wondered if she'd be a problem.

"Of course. If you're going to have a staff like mine to beat stupid people with then you should have a hat like mine so they can see you coming and put up a decent fight...or just surrender like cowards." Irene smirked at that thought and okay she'd have to start with smaller training staves for the little one, she was too small and didn't have enough muscles yet to use it effectively...but better to start her early than as an adult!

"Thank you grandma!" Lucy nearly threw herself at Irene in a hug at that and Irene smiled softly as she patted her head.

She missed any and all of this with Erza...but at least she got to meet and spoil her granddaughter a bit.

Chapter Text

While Irene was spending some long overdue time with her daughter and her daughters mate, child, and friends...Brandish was going back to Alverez and reporting to the Emperor.

"So Irene is spending time with her family? I thought you two were going to deal with a child abuser/seller." The emperor said calmly and a bit coldly as he stared at her and Brandish just nodded slowly.

"We were sir. We tracked down the abuser and the child he was trying to sell. Irenes' daughters had adopted the child some time ago after she ran from her abuser. Irene was very...excited to be a grandmother." Brandish reported and the Emperor snorted slightly in amusement. She had avoided and abandoned her daughter for almost two decades now to keep her safe from herself more than anything...and now that she had met her daughter face to face and learned she was a grandmother she was more than happy to spend time there?

He would never understand women, even after all this time.

"Her daughter is also currently married to a woman they call the She-Devil but didn't seem very strong and is apparently being courted by the Fire Dragon Slayer." And that. That definitely caught his attention.

"She devil and Fire Dragon Slayer?" He baited her for more information.

"A white haired woman around the same age as Irenes' daughter, the two are apparently mated and married by demon and dragon standards but not yet by human standards and the child calls her mama. And a pink haired guy with a patterned white scarf around his neck who is courting them both, and who the child calls Papa." Brandish promptly reported and that description fit...he knew that hair color and that scarf.

So his younger brother had found someone to love and had adopted a child? He was an uncle?!

He'd have to make some adjustments and make sure this wouldn't ruin anything...

"And what of the child? If Irene is claiming her as her granddaughter I doubt she is normal." Zeref asked and Brandish hesitated for a split second, barely long enough to be noticed.

"She's seven, a Celestial Wizard with several golden keys. Her original name was Lucy Heartfilia." Oh that got his attention for sure.

"Heartfilia? The Heartfilia clan heiress then? Layla's daughter if my memory serves." Zeref leaned forward in interest and Brandish nodded in agreement.

"Yes sir. Her father was supposed to be her regent until she could take over as Head of the Family, instead he had abused her and was trying to sell her off. He tried with selling her here but she ran before he could, and after realizing we don't deal in child slavery or trafficking he tried to sell her for marriage. That went as well as you could expect with the council and her new parents." Brandish chuckled darkly, she had heard the other members of the guild talking about it. How the kid was unafraid of getting her hands bloody and had no qualms killing people. How she had stabbed a wizard saint in the groin.

Brandish had to admit the bloodthirsty little tyke would fit in well here.

Zeref frowned darkly at that.

"Make sure the word is spread, the child is not to be harmed as long as she doesn't get directly in the way. And if able have some of the shadow guards near her so they can step in and aid her." Zeref ordered and Brandish looked confused but nodded.

"My Lord? May I ask why you care for a single child?" When he barely if ever cared about Larcade or August who were supposedly his own kids.

"I owe the Heartfilia family a debt from some time ago. And if I'm right..." Zeref chuckled slightly. If he was right this girl was his niece. He had never had or thought he would have a niece before.

The centuries old bro con hoped his brothers child was a lot like her papa.

Hm...he should make a crown for his brother and his niece. And make up some rooms for them just in case.

Maybe a few royal outfits?

He'd need to plan this out and maybe see about seeing them in person.

He was finally going to see his baby brother again and now he had a niece too!

He'd have to make a good impression!

Chapter Text

The group had settled into their rooms, Erza and Mirajane in the honeymoon suite, Lucy in the VIP and the rest of them in regular rooms. Aside from Irene. Who got the penthouse.

So now they were going downstairs to play around in the casino and maybe hit the buffet or the pool.

Lucy went to her mama and moms room to get ready cause she was going to dress up in her pretty pink dress that was just like Mamas! But it had too many bows and she had a mama who could help her with them now so she was going to definitely ask!

"Mom? Are you going to wear your armor?" Lucy asked blinking curiously up at her mom as mama helped her tie all of the bows in the right spots.

"Well I was planning to." Erza said and Mirajane gave her a fond knowing look.

"Beloved-" and yes she did call Erza pet names all of the time now that everyone knew of their marriage -"we aren't likely to be attacked here. This is a civilian area. Besides Cana has her cards, I can transform again, and if nothing else Irene is here and if there is an attack she seemed more than willing to protect Lucy."

Mirajane finished the last bow and then walked over to her wife.

"We should be safe here. Please my love. Perhaps you could wear something else tonight?" Mirajane asked and Erzas face softened as she took hold of Mirajanes hand on her cheek.

"Anything for you my dearest." Erza murmured and she kissed Mirajane gently. The two smiled softly at each other and kissed again and this time it lasted longer.

Lucy blinked up at them and then turned and looked at Cana who came to check out the Honeymoon suite and raid it's mini bar.

"Aunt Cana we should go down first. I think mama and mom got busy kissing." Lucy said and Cana snorted and scooped up Lucy into her arms and smirked at the breathless and slightly embarrassed couple.

"You two have fun celebrating your honeymoon. I'll take munchkin down and show her how to gamble!" Cana said grinning and she swept out the door with Lucy in her arms giggling.

"I know how to gamble aunty." Lucy said matter of factly and Cana snickered. Why was she not surprised?

"Your Aqua-nee teach you?"

"Nope! Mr. Cancer did!" She had to admit that was a new one. Aquarius seemed the one most likely to teach Lucy random shit that most kids didn't or shouldn't know.

But then again considering the hairdresser had no qualms slitting a mans throat in front of her perhaps all of her spirits were bloodthirsty and odd.

Wait...did spirits even know what most human kids would know at that age? Did spirits have kids? Did they teach their kids what they were teaching Lucy? Cause Cana could have sworn she saw Sagittarius showing Lucy how to use a bow on the ride over to the hotel.

"Well let Aunty Cana show you some more card tricks while your mamas are busy." Cana instead said that as they passed a cat girl and moved towards a blackjack table where a blond man was dealing it.

"Last time you showed me a card trick I got a lecture about not taking guild members bank cards." Lucy wrinkled her nose and Natsu snorted from where he appeared out of nowhere to steal away his hatchling.

"There's different types of card tricks hatchling! Now where are your mama and mom?" Natsu asked glancing around, he didn't think the two would let Lucy out of their sight honestly. Not with how recently the whole Phantom Lord thing was.

"They're kissing in their room." Lucy said bluntly and Irene smirked as she sauntered over in a long black dress to sit at the table and steal her grandchild.

"Those two are enjoying the honeymoon suite to the fullest huh? Come on Lucy! Let me teach you how to make grown men cry at cards!" Irene said while the blond man was wide eyed as he stared at her.

"I know how to make grown men cry. You have to destroy their ego. Aqua-nee taught me the best ways to do that!" Lucy said and Cana snickered. She bet Aquarius did teach her some ways.

"Well let Aunty Cana teach you some more ways. Natsu you can leave her with us. You know we won't let anything happen to the munchkin." Cana waved off the dragon slayer who had a kind of dreamy look on his face as he thought of Mirajane and Erza together in the honeymoon suite.

It was a very enticing image.

"Be good for them Lucy. I'm just...gonna go check on your moms." Natsu said and Cana gave him a knowing smirk while Irene sent him an amused look.

"Have fun kissing with mama and mom in the honeymoon suite Papa!"

Natsu was definitely getting some looks from Lucy's cheerful statement.

The blond dealer seemed to be locked in on Irene for some reason however, as was a few other people nearby.

Irene hummed curiously. She wondered if they were here to attack her or were just observing.

Looks like things might be interesting after all.

Chapter Text

Erza and Mirajane didn't know what the hell was going on. One minute they were having a very intense make out session that was about to go further, the next the hotel itself lost power and was rocked by some kind of attack.

The two pulled apart and stared at each other for a moment as their minds caught up to what happened. Then they both separated with a groan.

"Damnit Natsu." Erza growled slightly, just when she almost had Mirajanes dress top off! The two spent a moment getting themselves semi-decent before heading for the door. Mirajane had just finished readjusting her top when the door opened and they saw Natsu there in the hallway looking just as baffled as them.

"It wasn't me." He blurted out as soon as he saw them.

The three stared for a moment and then they all blanched. Shit Cana was downstairs with Lucy and Gray and Erzas mom.

Three other powerful and destructive Mages and one bloodthirsty and powerful child.

"Fuck! Cambion!" Mirajane darted to the stairway and then down the stairs several at a time with Erza not far behind her. Natsus opted for the faster option of jumping out the window to land in the pool outside and then run into the casino last the screaming throng of civilians.

Natsu burst through the door just in time to see Cana fighting off some block guy, a cat girl taking off with Lucy and Happy, and Gray looking dead nearby but given the smell of ice and frost from him it was a fake.

And some blond guy and guy with a fake jaw were making off with a card.

"Hey! You get back here with Lucy and Happy!" Natsu chased after his hatchling and his little buddy but was knocked back by the guy with the metal jaw on his face.

"What the hell? Wally? Milliana?" Erza called from the stairway and the block guy glanced at her shocked.

"Erza? But how? Sho and Simon...you just ...the card?" Wally asked looking at her baffled and then glancing at the guy with the card and then back at Erza.

Erza...Erza looked confused and then deadpanned.

"Did you guys really mistake my mother for me?" Erza asked with a flat stare and Wally was frozen and twitching.

"Mother?" Wally asked in disbelief and then Cana blasted him away with an explosive card.

"Hey honeymooners. Yeah apparently these guys know Erza? And one had a real angry hard on for her? Started saying all kinds of shit to Irene. Lucy bit him and hissed at him like a cat." Cana said casually and Mirajane took several deep breaths to regain control of her instincts.

"Cana. Where is my daughter?" Mirajane asked as Gray showed up along with Juvia who was there for some reason.

"Yeah...your mother in law decided she wanted to go to this tower and beat some common sense into a few people and/or destroy it? I'm not sure which was part of her actual plan. But she got captured on purpose. And then Lucy said it was a good idea and gave the cat girl sad kitty eyes and Happy refused to be taken without Lucy so..." Cana trailed off and Mirajane pinched the bridge of her nose and took several deep breathes again.

Her daughter had been taken to the Tower of Heaven, a tower filled with tortured slaves being forced to build it as a way to get to heaven or something. Mirajane had heard the whole story from her wife but honestly she didn't really care right off hand why they were building the tower. She just knew it was full of slaves, slave traders and masters and people who had scarred Erza as a child, took out her eye and then killed a man in front of her.

In other words no one she wanted her daughter around. And right now her daughter was being taken to the middle of the tower. On purpose. By her own choice.

She counted backwards from ten in three languages before she opened her eyes and looked at Natsu and Erza.

"I blame that on you two. She gets that from you both."

Chapter Text

Lucy didn't know why these guys seemed so mad at her mom. Or well they used her mom's name but were talking to and took her grandma.

She had a feeling things would be interesting though and her parents would be here soon anyways...and she wanted to spend time with her grandma! She never had a grandma before!

So when Grandma let herself be trapped in some card Lucy had hissed and bit and scratched at the guys and then given the cat lady trying to catnap Happy sad kitty eyes and a pitiful meow he had taught her to use.

She had been snatched up in the big girls arms immediately and brought with them on the boat ride and then to the Tower place where the cat lady, Milliana according to the guys, had somehow gotten a tiny cat costume for her and small cat ears and paws and had put Lucy in them before the boat even docked.

Hearing a roar from back the way they came, Lucy looked over the startled cat woman's shoulders.

"I think mama and mom and papa are going to ground me for getting kidnapped." Lucy said simply and Happy purred to her and snickered.

"I wonder if they'll go full feral like they did against Phantom Lord." Happy said and he was grinning slightly. It'd be hilarious to watch everyone's horrified and shocked faces when the three parents went completely bat shit to get Lucy back.

"Heh. Now you're back where you belong aren't you, Erza?" The dumb blond man that had put Grandma in a card said smiling smugly at the card and Lucy blinked slowly at him.

She looked around curiously and didn't really see any innocent civilians as they were walking into the tower...so she figured this would be as good a place and time as any.

"Hey Mister stupid?" Lucy stepped forward and tugged on the blond man's pants causing him to flinch slightly away from her, cradling the hand she bit to his chest.

"Can you let Grandma out of the card now? You don't want her to break out herself." Lucy said and there was a noise from one of the mages around her.

"Grandma? You call Erza-nee grandma?" The cat lady asked sounding weird as if she can't believe what she is saying.

"No?" Lucy looked at them all baffled. How did they mistake Grandma as mom? That was dumb.

"I call Grandma Grandma. Why would I call mom grandma?" Lucy asked and Happy was snickering on her head as the card flashed and suddenly Grandma was standing there and picking Lucy up into her arms as the others jumped alarmed.

"Erza!" The blond man seemed very alarmed and confused and upset and Grandma smirked as she looked around.

"So. This is the place that used my daughter as a slave." Grandma said and she didn't seem impressed. A group of armed people came running at them and Grandma just waved a hand and blasted them all away.

"You aren't Erza!" The guy with the metal jaw said and he didn't look happy.

"No I'm not. Although it is rather flattering if you think I look that young." Grandma said and she looked darkly amused, like this was about to be the best time she's had in a while and she was going to make it their problem.

Lucy wondered if she could help Grandma wreck shit. This was the bad place that hurt her mom and nearly broke her when she was little like Lucy is.

Lucy really wanted to wreck shit here.

"Who...are you?" One of them asked and they looked wary and upset and a bit scared.

"Dummies. This is Grandma. She's moms mom." Lucy pulled a face at them, and people thought she was stupid because she was young. She had never mistaken someone's mom for that person.

Did people get dumb when they hit a certain age and then grow out of it when they were past it? She hoped she skipped the dumb big kid stage, she liked being smart.

"As the little hatchling said. I'm here grandma. Her mom's mom." Grandma repeated and Lucy wondered why people repeated things a lot. Was it cause the other people were hard of hearing or were they just slow?

"But...but you look...you look just like Erza." The really dumb man said backing away a bit in shock and disbelief.

"No. You've got it backwards. Erza looks like me." Grandma seemed to be having fun making them look stupid. Lucy wondered if it was as fun as it looked.

So Lucy raised a paw and pawed at them a bit.

"Why are you surprised? Mom was kissing mama in the honeymoon suite. You were there when Papa went to join them." Lucy asked and she could see them all twitch and jerk slightly and their faces twitched and honestly it was entertaining to watch.

"Their brains are rebooting." Happy snickered into her ear with a giggle.

"You...call Erza-nee...mom? Why?" The metal jaw guy asked slowly and Lucy gave him a flat look. Why else would she call mom mom? Did all of them hit their heads?!

"Because she's my mom?" Lucy was clearly questioning their intelligence as she slowly said that. Grandma was very amused.

"Let me introduce us. My name is Irene. I'm Erzas mother. This is Lucy, she's Erzas daughter." Grandma said politely but she sounded like she was trying not to laugh as they all twitched or blinked or jerked in place slightly again.

Were their brains rebooting again? Wow they did that a lot huh?

"Thank you for bringing me to the place that brought my daughter such misery. Now I can make up for some lost time by destroying it." Grandmas voice was cold now and Lucy perked up happily.

"Do we get to break shit?"

"Absolutely. Come along hatchling! Grandmas going to show you why there's no such thing as Overkill!"

"What's overkill?"

"Something that does not exist in my vocabulary and won't exist in yours soon!"

"Cool!"

Chapter Text

By the time the rest of the Fairy Tail group arrived it seemed Erzas old friends were ready to beg her to take her mother and daughter back.

Happy met them at the dock with Milliana and was giggling darkly as he flew to the others.

"Aww you're not feral." He seemed very disappointed by that and Mirajanes eyebrow twitched.

"Because I know my little star is safe and got taken on purpose. Speaking of which, she's grounded." Mirajane flatly deadpanned to the cat who pouted a bit.

"Erza-nee! Please you have to take them back!" Milliana nearly threw herself at Erza who gave a soothing purr noise towards the cat woman.

"Those two have been wrecking the whole tower! And laughing why doing it!" Milliana said and yes she was a bit thrown off and traumatized by how strong Erzas apparent mother and the small blond was.

"What do you think Erzas going to do? She's one of the most destructive Mages in Fairy Tail, if anything she'd go and help them." Cana snickered a bit and she glanced up and saw a blast of magic from a few floors up.

"Erza gets it from her mom. And Lucy gets it from Erza and Natsu." Gray said amused as he stripped off his shirt for some reason.

A strange rocker like guy impacted the ground near them at a high velocity and left a crater but was getting up...before Taurus jumped down on top of him and smashed his guitar with Lucy riding on the cows shoulders.

"Oh! Hi mama! Hi mom! Hi Papa!" Lucy waved happily at them and then flattered a bit at the unimpressed look her mama gave her.

"Hatchling. Where's your grandmother?" Erza asked as Natsu stepped over and stole Lucy away to smother her in affection and his scent. Taurus grinned at him thankfully and then turned and unleashed an attack on another group of guards who hadn't learned to run away yet.

There was a loud and large blast from the other side of the tower.

"Over there." Lucy pointed without hesitation to the source of the noise and Natsu snickered a bit.

"Hatchling this is gonna be very dangerous. And there's someone here who hurt your mom really badly and scared her and used her friends against her. So you stay here with your mom while I go and kill a man!" Natsu said and he chirped at her affectionately before he turned and handed her to Erza and kissed Erzas cheek.

"Ohhh can I help? I can cut his belly with my knife!" Lucy asked happily and excited even as she wrapped her arms around Erzas neck as the red head blushed and stared at Natsu.

"Maybe next time little star. For now you're grounded. So you stay with Erza while Natsu and I both go kill a man!" Mirajane kissed Lucy's head and Erzas cheek then she was in her Satan Soul form and she and Natsu took off into the Tower.

"Awww." Lucy pouted but didn't argue as she cuddled her mom a bit longer.

"And there go your wife and boyfriend." Gray snickered at Erza who was wide eyed and flustered but shot him a stern look that still scared him a bit.

"Hey! Grandma!" Lucy called waving an arm when there was a blast closer by. Irene was there in an instant and she smiled at Erza.

"Oh there you are sweetie!" And she was beaming as she crooned to her daughter a bit and then unleashed a half lazy blast towards a group of guards trying to aim magic at them from above.

"I figured it doesn't fully make up all the years I've missed your birthday and all the holidays but tearing this place to the ground for you seemed a good way to get started on that and spend time with my granddaughter!" Irene said and she was grinning slightly as she threw another lazy blast over towards a group of guards.

"She's been teaching me what overkill is and how it doesn't apply to enemies!" Lucy chirped brightly to the amusement of Cana and the horror of Gray. As if he had any room to judge.

"Oh Master Makarov is going to hate this." Cana said grinning but she didn't seem to care. She just threw a card bomb at another group of guards.

"Ask me if I care! These dumb fucks used my daughter as a slave for this...whatever this tower is supposed to do. He should be glad I didn't take dragon form and destroy it fully yet." Irene scoffed at the end and Lucy's eyes went wide and starry.

"If Grandma turns into a dragon can I ride on her back?" Lucy asked eagerly and Irene gave her an indulgent smile.

"We'll see. What did these idiots want with this gaudy tower anyways?" Irene asked looking at Erza who grimaced and adjusted her grip on her daughter.

"It's to revive Zeref." Erza admitted and Irene...blinked slowly and stared at her.

"Huh?" Her mother was baffled and Gray and Juvia threw out a combo attack to knock away some mages while Taurus returned to Lucy's side and went back to the Celestial world.

"I don't know exactly how but it's to revive-" Erza began to repeat and her mother held up her hand a bit and looked at Milliana and the rest of Erzas childhood friends nearby.

"Why would they have to revive him? He's not dead." Irene looked baffled at the purpose of the Tower and Erza as well as the other former slaves all stared at her wide eyed.

"What?!" The dumb blond guy asked in a broken whisper.

"Zerefs not dead? He's hanging out in the Alvarez empire. He's been there for a while too." Irene said staring at them as if this was obvious knowledge.

"You mean...this tower...our childhood....all the pain and betrayal and hurt...it was all for no reason?!" Sho demanded and Irene raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. You can't revive someone who's not dead." Irene bluntly said that and Sho...

Well he began to crash out and put Erza into a card and ran for it.

Lucy was hurriedly caught by Cana before she could hit the ground and blinked up at the card mage.

"I knew he was really stupid but damn."

There were a few choked off snickers or laughs at Lucy's deadpanned words.