Lucy Heartfilia of Fairy Tail

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...

[X784, Era]

— Siegran —

Siegran folded his hands calmly on the lacquered table, but behind his composed expression, he silently glared at the other members of the Magic Council.

His eyes flicked from one member to the next, trying his best to memorize their postures, eye movements, and every subtle twitch in their body language to identify any sort of uncertainty or resolve.

"Need I remind you," he said coolly, "that the threat posed by the Tower of Heaven goes beyond just that small island? If Zeref is revived—if even one fragment of his essence escapes that place—then the entire continent will be at risk."

Across from him, Councilwoman Belno clicked her tongue. "And yet you still lack evidence. All we know is that Jellal Fernandez, an unknown man posing as some kind of powerful dark mage, is attempting to revive Zeref using an old and flawed means of resurrection. Everything else is speculation. You would have us launch Etherion—a weapon of last resort—on the basis of your word?"

"My word, Councilor Belno," Siegran said, his voice sharpening, "is based on thorough investigation and information gathered from within the tower itself. And do not forget, it was this very council that approved the creation of Etherion. Are you now afraid to use the very tool you demanded?"

"You speak of fear," Org said, his tone steady and deep, "but I see none in myself. I see restraint. We do not unleash Etherion every time a singular dark mage who worships Zeref appears. If that were the case, there would be nothing left of the continent. You've made your case, Siegran—but I see no imminent danger that justifies this action. Especially considering that we have confirmation that members of Fairy Tail are already inside the tower itself."

Siegran clenched his teeth behind closed lips. Org was always the biggest obstacle—righteous to the point of stupidity.

Leiji sat with her fingers pressed together under her chin, eyes closed as if meditating. Michello toyed with his beard, clearly undecided, but leaning cautious. And as always, Yajima—meddling, nosy Yajima—was doing his part to protect Fairy Tail's interests.

"Yes. Our satellites have confirmed the presence of no less than eleven members of Fairy Tail in the tower. I am confident that they are able to handle this Jellal and put a stop to his plans." Yajima said with confidence, to which both Org and Belno nodded.

"As chaotic as that guild is, we can always rely on them to never stray from the path of good." Belno said sagely. "Their penchant for destruction should also benefit us since that accursed tower being destroyed fits well to all our needs."

Siegran hid his frown behind clasped fingers as his mind tried to procure any ways of turning this around. As of now, three members voted against his proposal while two others were contemplating. 

Then there was Crawford Seam.

The Chairman lounged in his high-backed seat as if asleep, but Siegran knew better. That old fox never moved until the outcome was already certain—until the winning side revealed itself.

Siegran resisted the urge to glance toward the empty seat near the end of the table. Ultear's seat.

Had she been here, there was no doubt that Etherion would already have fired. She always knew how to say just enough to light a fire in their minds, swaying the room with her sharp tongue and veiled smiles.

Siegran lacked her finesse—he was too blunt, too direct. He'd built this operation from the ground up. He deserved its success.

'And yet she lies in bed,' he thought bitterly. 'Playing sick, waiting… for what?'

His fingers tapped the table once. Then again.

'She's hiding something.'

The assassination attempt had been genuine. That much he was sure of. But her failure to recover was suspect. Ultear was many things—weak was never one of them. Was she stalling for something?

Oh he knew that she was faking her condition, she had woken up over a week ago. But she had remained bedridden for reasons unknown to him. 

He didn't know what it was that made her reluctant to wake up, but he also couldn't risk angering her by saying to the other councillors that her bed rest was fake. While they were temporary allies, they were far from being friends. She wouldn't hesitate to throw him under the bus for ruining whatever plans she has in remaining unconscious.

He narrowed his eyes, ignoring the Council's murmuring.

He needed a new strategy.

If the vote didn't pass today, he'd have to shift tactics. Maybe leak evidence of Zeref's resurgence to the Rune Knights. Fabricate an imminent threat. Pressure the fence-sitters. Or... force Ultear's hand.

'No matter what it takes', he thought coldly, 'Etherion will fire'.

He leaned back slightly, but his eyes remained sharp.

'Now then... how best to proceed?'

…

— Hades —

Aboard Grimoire Heart's airship, Hades activated the arcane lacrima as screens that shone a soft blue light appeared in the air around them.

He stood with his hands folded behind his back as dozens of overlapping vision screens shifted, each tuned to a different floor or hallway of the Tower of Heaven.

"Interesting, it seems the events are already underway."

Behind him, the Seven Kin murmured among themselves. Azuma leaned forward, studying the floor layouts and magical currents. Bluenote leaned against a wall, arms crossed, brow furrowed. Kain Hikaru sat cross-legged, humming to himself as he munched on candied oranges—though his eyes never left the screen showing Laxus Dreyar.

But it was Zancrow who was practically vibrating with energy. "Oh ho! That Juvia girl—she's brutal! Kinda cute too," he snickered, watching her lash out with watery tendrils. "Gray's not too bad either."

"The Black Steel and the script mage are fighting the rocker from Trinity Raven." Azuma mused. "It doesn't look like they're having too much trouble."

After they had picked up Zancrow and Meredy from the Velothi Mountains, Meredy was quickly carted to the healing rooms on the airshop to begin her recovery.

Zancrow reported then that he believes the main suspect of Meredy's injuries was the man who had been destroying dark guilds aplenty. Hades nodded, already coming to the same conclusion.

They are currently back in the air, and Hades proceeded with his plans to show his Seven Kin—barring Ultear and Meredy—the combat capabilities of Fairy Tail by hacking into the vision lacrimas in the Tower of Heaven.

"Looks like there are more people there than we expected." Bluenote mentioned, "Ivan Dreyar…as well as the Thunder God and his team."

"Hey, he's there too! That's the Dark Swordsman, right?! Make sure the screen stays on him! I wanna see him fight!" Zancrow exclaimed.

"From his general position, it'll take a while for him to run into any one of note." Bluenote stroked his beard. "Gray Fullbuster and the Rain Woman are engaging a good number of dark mages, though it seems they're winning already. Laxus Dreyar is alone in the upper floors."

"Focus, all of you." Hades said. "I don't show you these battles for amusement, but so you understand why Fairy Tail continues to be a threat. They are not strong because of individual might—though some certainly possess it. They are strong because they grow stronger together. Even the weak find power when standing beside them."

While he had cut all ties to Fairy Tail after he left and founded Grimoire Heart, Hades still knew intimately just how capable and powerful Fairy Tail really was. Being its former Guildmaster meant that he realized just how large the potential of the guild that Mavis had founded.

So he made sure to remain knowledgeable of all members of Fairy Tail, no matter how weak or insignificant.

He pointed toward one of the central screens—zooming in with a flick of his hand. The visual shifted to a long corridor spiraling toward the tower's middle levels. Alone and cautious—was Lucy Heartfilia.

"This girl, Lucy Heartfilia… she was a pampered noble's daughter just over a year ago. Barely capable of controlling a single spirit."

"And now?" Kain Hikaru tilted his head lazily, munching on a biscuit.

"She has six golden keys," Hades answered. "More than any Celestial mage ever had in history. And she has survived against Phantom Lord, the Elemental Four, and I heard she even confronted the Celestial Spirit King… and lived."

A flicker of annoyance passed over Rustyrose's face. "She's still weak. Barely worth noticing."

"Perhaps," Hades conceded. "But so were the others once. Makarov Dreyar. Gildarts Clive. Even myself. Every powerful mage you could think of started off as weak as her. Power lies not only in strength, Rustyrose—but in potential, Lucy Heartfilia has that in spades."

He studied her movements closely. She kept one hand near her key pouch. Good instincts. Not perfect form, but alert. Still green, but teachable.

According to the intel he has on her, Lucy possesses the keys of Aquarius, Taurus, Cancer, Loke, Virgo, and Sagittarius. Golden keys were considered to be S-Rank magical artifacts by themselves. Never had such a large collection of them be under the same mage.

He waved again. The visual angle twisted—zooming in from another camera farther down the corridor.

The owl-headed subordinate of Jellal was moving into position, along with a group of cultists that was supporting him. Two above the rafters. One casting an enchantment on the floor. A fourth closing in behind her, blade drawn.

Zancrow grinned. "Hah! She's toast."

"Perhaps," Hades said, though his tone lacked conviction. "Will she panic and run? Will she stand and fight? What happens when a mage is alone, cornered, and desperate?"

"Let's see what you do, Lucy Heartfilia."

…

— Lucy Heartfilia —

Being separated from everyone didn't do wonders for Lucy's anxiety. She had no qualms in admitting that she was the weakest member of their group. 

Dannis, Gajeel, and Juvia were all S-Class mages. Not to mention that Natsu, Gray, and Levy had all proven to be battle hardened mages and veteran wizards.

Compared to them, she barely has a year of experience in being a wizard. While her magical power somewhat rivals theirs, it is the experience of combat that she's sorely lacking.

However, the one advantage of being a summoner means that she's never alone. Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, she pulled out one of the gate keys she had in her possession.

"Open: Gate of the Maiden, Virgo!"

In a flash of light, the pink haired celestial spirit appeared in the space. 

"Hello, princess." She said, "Is there something you need?"

"We need to regroup with the others, but there are enemies around us. I need you to—"

"Look out, Princess!" Virgo tackled Lucy to the side as a gigantic rocket impacted the area just where she had been. 'What the hell was that?!'

"I shall not let you pass, for it is my duty to guard these hallowed halls! The Warrior of Justice, Fukuro, is here!"

Lucy and Virgo watched as an owl-headed man made his appearance and held his fists in front of him like a boxer. The rocket returned to the man as he wore it like a jetpack. 

Two white-robed cultists with staves in their hand appeared on the rafters above, while two others appeared behind her, fully closing off the hallway and surrounding Lucy and Virgo.

Lucy gulped as she stood back to back with Virgo, whose eyes remained at Fukuro. "Is he a human, or an owl? I've never seen this species of man before, Princess."

"That's not the question you should be concerning yourself with Virgo!" Lucy claimed while she brandished her whip. 

"Justice Ho Ho Hou!" The owl man charged his fists with energy as he threw a punch at Virgo, who ducked and unleashed a high heel kick that connected with his chin, sending the owl man up towards the roof.

At the same time, the cultists lifted their staves and began firing blasts of magic towards Lucy, who dashed and ducked from them before swinging her whip forward, catching the first cultist in the head and sending him sprawling back.

Running forward as fast as she could, she jumped at the last second and sent a side kick that hit the second cultist straight at the sternum. "Lucy Kick!"

Dodging another set of blasts from the cultists on the rafters, she sent her whip to the leg of the wooden structure before pulling with all her strength. The wood groaned before it fell due to the skewed balance.

"Jet Ho Ho Hou!"

"Princess, look out!" 

The owl-man had recovered from Virgo's kick quickly and charged towards her by flying with his rocket pack. 

Lucy, who had remained focused on the cultists, didn't have time to react as Virgo was forced to push her away. 

To her surprise, Fukuro had opened his beak wide and began swallowing Virgo whole. 

"Virgo!" Lucy claimed with horror. "What did you do?! Spit her back out!"

Fukuro rubbed his tummy in contentment as he spoke. "Hoo hoo, was she a Celestial Spirit? Jackpot! The digestion process has begun. In approximately ten minutes, the spirit's body will be reduced to nothing, and when that happens, her magic will belong to me!"

Lucy's eyes widened in shock before she screamed. "Forced gate closure, Virgo!"

Her eyes widened even more when nothing happened. 

"Did you think that would work? She is in my stomach now! Your magic has no way of reaching her in this state." He turned to a wide stance as he prepared to charge her once more.

However, instead of dread or fear, Lucy's eyes narrowed in determination. If there was one thing that made her angry, it was when her friends' lives were on the line. She took out another golden key and prepared herself for the large amounts of magic she's about to use. 

From what she can tell, this owl is a strong one. While Taurus could easily match his strength or even overpower him, the jetpack would allow him to move faster than Taurus and eventually overwhelm him. There's no water nearby for her to call on Aquarius either. 

So she has no choice. She knew that he hadn't much time to recover after the whole Karen debacle, but Loke is quite possibly the only other spirit she has that could match the owl-man in terms of power.

After all, he was known to be the strongest spirit in terms of combat ability.

Lucy pointed the key at the owl man's direction, a massive amount of magic exiting her in the attempt to open his gate. "Open: Gate of the Lion, Leo!"

…

AN: Big developments here, all things considered. There's a reason why I neglected to make a POV on the council regarding Etherion till now. This is why. With Ultear 'out of commission', Siegran had the unfortunate job of convincing the council members on his own. Which he isn't doing that great a job of.

Grimoire Heart watching the goings on of the Tower of Heaven was something I've planned for a good long while. I just found it pretty likely that Hades would always do his best to keep tabs on the members of Fairy Tail. 

As a former guildmaster, he should know better than most how terrifying it is to them as an enemy.

This chapter basically confirms that the three biggest bads of the fic are Alvarez, Tartaros, and Grimoire Heart. They're gonna have a massive presence in the future, bigger than canon at least.

Leo is known to be the strongest celestial spirit barring the Celestial Spirit King himself. Which means at full potential, he should be stronger than Capricorn—who is a member of the Seven Kin of Purgatory—and Aquarius, which has the power to throw around city-sized tsunamis everywhere.

He's only limited by the magic given to him by his summoner, which I admit makes sense. Lucy is far from being an S-Class mage yet, though not as far as many people realize. 

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, cheers!