Chapter 20: Unwelcome Surprises and Hidden Reunions

The morning sun spilled over Magnolia as Levy, Wendy, Fried, Romeo, Max, and Carla gathered at the Fairy Tail guild hall, their travel bags packed and ready. The air buzzed with anticipation as the other guild members crowded around, offering last-minute advice and farewells.

Makarov stood at the forefront, his gaze warm but serious. ["Remember, this is an official visit. You're not just representing Fairy Tail, but Fiore as well. Keep your wits about you,"] he advised, his voice carrying a weight of experience.

Levy knelt down, embracing a teary-eyed Emma who clung to her mother's waist. ["Mama, do you have to go?"] Emma asked, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

Levy held her daughter close, whispering softly, ["I'll be back before you know it, sweetheart. And I promise to bring you something special from Alvarez."] She kissed the top of Emma's head, feeling the familiar pang of separation tug at her heart.

Emma pouted, her voice rising in protest. ["I want to go too!"]

Laxus ruffled her hair, smiling down at her. ["Not this time, Emma. We're not heading off for a holiday. It's official business,"] he said, his tone gentle but firm.

Emma hesitated, but finally nodded, her eyes brightening a little. ["Fine... but next time, I'm coming with you!"]

Wendy laughed, waving goodbye to the children and the guild members who had gathered to see them off. Natsu, standing near the door, raised his hand. ["Take care, Wendy! And bring back some good stories,"] he called, his grin hiding a hint of worry.

Laxus clapped a hand on Fried's shoulder as they headed toward the door. ["Keep an eye on everyone, especially the girls. We don't know what's waiting for us in Alvarez."]

Fried nodded seriously. ["Don't worry, Laxus. We'll come back in one piece."]

As they left the guild, Georgie and Asuka exchanged a mischievous look. The plan had already formed between them.

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The port town of Hargeon was bustling with activity as the group boarded the boat that would take them to Alvarez. They were just getting settled when Levy spotted two familiar faces trying to blend into the crowd.

["Georgie?! Asuka?!"] she exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and disbelief. ["What are you doing here?"]

Georgie grinned sheepishly. ["We... uh... wanted to come too. So we snuck on board,"] he admitted, scratching the back of his head.

Romeo knelt down to check on them, his brow furrowed with concern. ["You could've gotten hurt! This isn't some game, you know,"] he said, shaking his head.

Asuka folded her arms, defiant as ever. ["We're not little kids anymore! We can handle this!"]

Wendy knelt down beside them, her expression gentle but firm. ["What if something had happened? You scared everyone at the guild, and your moms are probably worried sick right now."]

Georgie looked down, the defiance in his eyes fading. ["We're sorry... we didn't think,"] he mumbled.

Max's magic transmitter buzzed, and he quickly answered, confirming the children's presence to the guild. Relief washed over the group as they heard Juvia's voice. ["Thank goodness they're safe,"] she sighed.

But Erza's sharp tone cut through the relief. ["When you get back, all of you are in for a punishment!"] she declared, sending a chill down the children's spines.

Makarov's calm voice followed, surprising everyone. ["They're already there, so they might as well go. It'll be a good experience for them."] His tone held a note of understanding, softening Erza's harsh words.

Laxus sighed, his tone a mix of frustration and acceptance. ["Fine. But you two better listen to Wendy and Levy, got it?"]

The children nodded eagerly, thrilled that they could continue the journey. As they set sail, Georgie turned to Carla, asking, ["How long till we get there?"]

["At least ten days,"] Carla replied dryly, amusement glinting in her eyes as their jaws dropped.

Wendy chuckled, patting Georgie's shoulder. ["It'll be an adventure. Besides, I made this trip before. We all be safe."]

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Meanwhile, In the Alvarez palace, the preparations for Luna's third birthday banquet were in full swing. Lucy watched from a shaded corner of the gardens, taking in the bustling activity with a mixture of pride and anxiety. Luna, now a lively toddler, was eagerly practicing her magic under Brandish's watchful eye.

The little girl's laugh filled the air as she clapped her hands, sending tiny sparks of fire into the sky. Brandish smiled, kneeling beside Luna. ["You're getting good at this, Luna. Remember, magic is a part of you, but you have to guide it."]

Luna looked up at Brandish, curiosity shining in her wide eyes. ["Guide it? How, Aunt Brandish?"]

Lucy joined them, placing a gentle hand on Luna's shoulder. ["It's like when you ride a horse, Luna. You're in control, and you lead it where you want to go."]

Luna nodded, though a thoughtful frown creased her brow. ["Mama, is that why I hurt Mr. Jacob last time?"]

The memory hit Lucy like a wave. It had been only a few weeks ago, during a moment of playfulness, that Luna had accidentally unleashed a surge of black magic. Jacob, one of the few people who knew about Luna's powers, had reassured Lucy afterward that he was fine. But seeing that darkness in her daughter, the same darkness she feared and loathed, had shaken her deeply.

["Yes, sweetheart,"] Lucy replied softly, brushing a lock of hair behind Luna's ear. ["But you didn't mean to. Magic can be tricky, especially when we're learning to control it."]

Luna's lower lip trembled. ["I don't want to hurt people."]

Brandish wrapped an arm around Luna's shoulders, her tone soothing. ["You won't, Luna. We're here to help you learn. That's why we practice. And don't forget,"] she said, tapping Luna's nose playfully, ["you've got a lot of magic in you—light and dark. Just like your mama."]

Luna giggled, and Lucy's heart ached with a mixture of love and worry. She knew what her daughter was capable of, the power that flowed through her veins. The weight of that responsibility pressed down on Lucy every day, but she forced herself to smile, drawing strength from the innocence in her daughter's eyes.

Luna turned to Lucy, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. ["Mama, why does it feel like there's something inside me, like a big secret?"]

Lucy swallowed, choosing her words carefully. ["It's because you're special, Luna. You have a lot of love and strength inside you. And sometimes, that makes things... complicated."]

The little girl seemed to ponder this for a moment, then nodded as if accepting an answer she didn't fully understand. Lucy exchanged a glance with Brandish, who gave a small nod of encouragement. Together, they would guide Luna through this, whatever it took.

Later, as Lucy prepared to leave the gardens, a palace messenger approached her. ["Lady Lucy,"] he said with a bow, ["Lord Ajeel requests your presence in the council chamber."]

Lucy's heart skipped a beat. Rarely did Ajeel summon her so formally. She cast one last glance at Luna, who was busy playing with Virgo and command her to protect Luna, and hurried to the chamber, her mind racing with possibilities.

When she arrived, Ajeel stood waiting by the window, his expression unusually grave. ["Lucy,"] he greeted, motioning for her to sit.

["What's going on, Ajeel?"] Lucy asked, sensing the tension in the room.

Ajeel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. ["We've received word from Fiore. A delegation from Fairy Tail is attending the banquet."]

The name hit Lucy like a physical blow, and she gripped the arm of the chair to steady herself. ["Fairy Tail? Why?"] she whispered, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions.

["It seems they've been invited by Queen Hisui as guests of honor. It's a diplomatic gesture, to strengthen ties between our countries,"] Ajeel explained, his eyes never leaving her face.

Lucy struggled to regain her composure, forcing herself to breathe. ["Who's coming?"]

Ajeel took a deep breath before answering. ["Max, Fried, Romeo, Wendy, Carla, and Levy."]

Lucy's heart twisted at the mention of her old friends. Images of them flashed in her mind—Wendy's bright smile, Levy's infectious laughter, even Fried and Max, who had always treated her like family. She had buried those memories deep, but now, they resurfaced with a force she wasn't prepared for.

["They're... they're okay?"] she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Ajeel nodded. ["They seem well, from what I've heard. But I know this is hard for you. I wouldn't have told you if it wasn't necessary."]

Lucy clenched her fists, her mind racing. ["Wendy's a Dragon Slayer. She'll be able to sense me the moment she arrives. They can't find out I'm here."]

Ajeel's expression softened, and he took a step closer, his tone gentle. ["I thought of that. You could stay in the Celestial Realm until the banquet is over. It would be safer for you and Luna."]

Lucy shook her head, determination hardening her gaze. ["I can't leave Luna alone. She's too young, and she needs me here."] She paused, then added, ["Maybe... I can disguise myself, just enough to keep them from recognizing me. I need to see her, Ajeel, just once, even from a distance."]

Ajeel studied her, his brow furrowing with concern. ["If that's what you want, we'll help you in make it work. But, Lucy, you have to be careful. You've come too far to risk everything now."]

Lucy nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. ["I know. But I need to do this. They were my family once. I have to know they're okay."]

As she left the chamber, Lucy's heart ached with the weight of her choices. The life she had built in Alvarez was a world away from her days in Fairy Tail, but a part of her would always belong to them. She knew that seeing them again would reopen old wounds, but she couldn't stop herself from longing for that glimpse of the family she had left behind.

And so, she steeled herself, knowing that the days ahead would be filled with shadows and light, and that she would have to face her past to protect her future.