Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Chapter 49

"Natsu? Do you want me to re-tie your bandages?" Lucy called out over her shoulder as she pulled on her boots.  When Natsu's face had turned grim, she knew what was happening.

Alvarez was invading.

"No, it's fine," Natsu grumbled, shrugging on his jacket.

"Come here for a second," Lucy beckoned, fiddling with her dresser as she pulled a hair tie from one of her smaller drawers. Natsu approached her lesiurely and Lucy gave him a timid smile as he knelt down for her to tie his hair into a small ponytail at the back of his head. She pulled out some of his bangs and fringe to frame his face, and she smiled in triumph.

"Nice! Kicking ass in style," she winked cheekily, and Natsu pulled her in by her waist for a swift hug. However, the sound of intense rapid gunfire startled her and the floor beneath them rumbled intensely.

"Don't worry," Natsu said calmly, "Freed's barrier is up, we're safe." He said soothingly, smoothening down Lucy's hair as she nodded in understanding.

"Flying Dragons and Osprey Unit! Commence the attack!" Mavis' voice echoed in their minds. Lucy frowned as Natsu let out a sigh, dropping his arms as he rolled his shoulders.

"Duty calls," he said with a slight smile.

"Wait!" Lucy cried suddenly, grabbing hold of Natsu's head, "be careful, okay? Um... I love you." She squeaked, trying to backtrack, "not like, you know, I do love you, but I'm not—just because we're going to, you know, and it's just, you're leaving, and I just want you to know in case—"

Natsu chuckled and Lucy almost melted on the spot, but before either of them could say anything else, something flying towards her window caught their attention. Happy's cheeky smile brightened Lucy's mood.

"Hey guys! Natsu, ready to go?" Happy chimed, settling on the window sill.

"Yeah, c'mon let's go, buddy," Natsu grinned, stepping away from Lucy and towards the exceed, "I'll see you soon, Lucy." He promised, flashing his canines at her before the two took off.

"He loooves you!" Lucy could hear Happy's teasing voice as it drew further and further away.

Alone, Lucy gathered the courage to step outside of her apartment, planning on heading towards the guild to stay on stay-by while they figured out their next strategy. She wasn't prepared to meet the mage outside her door.

"Brandish," Lucy said with disbelief.

"I knew you looked familiar," Brandish sneered, "it makes sense to me now. You're Lucy, aren't you? You're Layla's daughter." She spat with venom, Lucy backed away up to her closed door, retrieving her keys steadily.

"How do you know who I am?" Lucy demanded, "how do you know my mother?"

"Oh, I guess you don't know who I am," Brandish laughs blandly, her voice monotone and emotionless as she spoke, "you're about too."

Suddenly, beneath her, the ground rumbles uncontrollably and Lucy can somehow feel the plates of the land shift under her feet. She needs to stop this spell now.

Dawning her Taurus Star Dress, her movement is swift and calculated as she throws a quick punch to Brandish's face, only as a distraction when she inevitably kicks her full-force in the stomach sending her reeling back with a nasty cough as the breath is knocked out of her.

"You'll get the full judgment of the stars, your fate is sealed," Lucy hissed out, allowing her magic to flow through her body steadily, she felt it gather from the tips of her toes as it circulated upwards. In her hand, her staff materialized, gold and vibrant, a Celestial totem of a star hanging from the top. Her armour formed slowly from her feet; gold-plated boots, a skirt, and a golden chest plate detailed with every zodiac she owned; a symbol of her status as Celestial Priestess.

"Your mother is the reason mine is laying in the dirt," Brandish stated, before dashing towards Lucy with her hand outstretched. Lucy countered it quickly, and while Brandish caught the staff intending to shrink it, Lucy moved faster. This was a battle she couldn't afford to drag out, she needed to end it. Quickly. Once again, she threw Brandish back, gathering her magic power in her staff, flying forward with a fierce battle cry as she collided with the Alvarez mage.

"My mother would never kill someone nor facilitate it," Lucy said once they collided, but Brandish just scoffed and punted her back. Conversation with her was useless, she kept repeating the same sentence over and over and over again like a broken record. Lucy could hardly believe her ears.

Your mother is the reason mine is laying in the dirt.

Lucy wouldn't believe it. Her mother barely hurt a fly, she was the gentlest person on this planet, and now she was gone. She wouldn't allow her memory to be tarnished like this. It was clear this girl had been misled or perhaps misguided. Lucy shook her head with determination. She had to focus, there was no time for emotions.

This was war.

The back and forth became tiring enough even with the help of her spirits, Brandish had almost shrunk Magnolia. Twice.

"Do it now, Miss Lucy," Capricorn advised once he returned to his wizard's side, "pass your judgment. Just like you've practiced."

As Aries and Leo travelled back to the spirit realm, Lucy took a deep breath, her staff hitting the pavement once with a sense of finality. A vibrant golden magic circle appeared beneath her feet and she could feel the magic in the air as she prepared to cast the spell.

"I, Lucy Heartfilia, Celestial Priestess of the Celestial World, Guardian and Protector of Spirits, pass my judgement on you, now the stars must decide," Lucy recited perfectly, internally smirking at the face of confusion Brandish had on, "may all twelve stars lay their judgment upon you." All twelve of the zodiac gates opened as the sky transformed into night, a galaxy of stars and constellations shining brightly. Lucy tried not to stare in amazement, she had a job to do.

"Urano Metria!" Lucy chanted, swirling her staff as the planets and stars crashed down from the sky like meteors, striking Brandish with ferocity.

"Wow, I like my new title," Lucy commented to Capricorn, who chuckled as they watched Brandish fall.

-----

With the help of Capricorn and Leo, Lucy had successfully restrained and captured Brandish, taking her to the guild to be held. Everyone congratulated her for taking down one of the twelve, and Lucy just sheepishly grinned in response.

As Macao and Wakaba led Capricorn away to the holding area, Lucy watched Brandish go with a slight frown before Master cleared his throat, demanding attention.

"We have some news," he said, "Warren, please relay what we heard a few minutes ago."

"Well, for starters, the dragon slayers took down the Western forces and Erza managed to defeat Ajeel with the help of Bisca!" Warren declared, and the guild erupted into loud cheers and applause. Lucy covered her mouth as she gasped before smiling brightly. They had a shot of winning this.

"So, the dragon slayers are on their way here," Warren continued once the crowd began to settle down, "but I also received word from a few guilds around Fiore. They're going to join the fight!"

Another round of cheers and applause. Lucy caught sight of Levy, who sent her a soft smile, her hands clasped together in prayer.

The sound of an explosion rocked the guild, a few yelps and screams could be heard as the ground shifted. Lucy fell back a little, as the crowd shifted and looked for a sign of an attack. Lucy caught sight of Kardia Cathedral through one of the windows and stared in a mixture of shock and horror as the building was engulfed in flames.

To be continued...