Keeping Secrets

A Scar Is Born

Hey!

I know it's been a while, but since it has been, hope you enjoy the longest chapter yet.

I really need to go back to my 5k word limit XD

Chapter title taken from the song of the same name by Three Days Grace

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KEEPING SECRETS CHAPTER 32- A SCAR IS BORN

Lucy darted through the ruins of the Magic Council Headquarters, her Cancer star dress boosting her speed, while Happy flew above her in frantic zigzags.  They were only barely staying ahead of Brandish, who was manipulating the rubble's mass at an alarming rate. She flicked tiny pebbles at Lucy and Happy only for them to balloon into massive boulders that attempted to crush them with devastating force.  

So far, the two Fairy Tail mages had been able to dodge every attack, but the assault was wearing on them.  Lucy's breath came in sharp gasps and Happy's wingbeats grew more sluggish.  Brandish halted her attacks after several minutes, realizing neither of them had gained the upper hand.   She looked unfazed while Lucy and Happy both struggled to catch their breath.

Brandish scowled at the Celestial mage.  "God, that pitiful face of yours pisses me off.  I want nothing more than to squash you like the bug you are... but my orders prevent me from killing anyone here. What a hassle."

Lucy swallowed hard, trying not to let the sheer weight of Brandish's magic crush her resolve.  "What is your deal with me? Back on Caracole and now here, you act like we have some kinda history.  But we don't. I know we don't!"

"Aye!"  Happy added for good measure.

Brandish scoffed.  "Of course you'd have no idea.   Must be nice, living in your little oblivious world, blind to what others have had to suffer while you go about your perfect little life." Her expression darkened.  "Well, allow me to educate you."

Her body tensed.  "My mother, Grammi, was from Fiore.  She worked at the Heartfilia estate as an attendant for Layla Heartfilia."

Lucy's eyes widened.  "Your mom... worked for my mom?!"  The shock hit her like a punch to the gut

"She moved to Alvarez before you were born." Brandish continued, her voice tight. "But she always talked about how great her friend Layla was. As proof of their friendship, Layla gave my mother a parting gift when she left.  A golden celestial key... for the gate of the Water Bearer, Aquarius."

Lucy froze. "Wh-what?  But my mother gave-"

"Shut up.  We're getting there."  Brandish snapped, eyes flashing with anger.  "About a decade ago, Mom got a letter from Layla. Said she 'urgently needed her' back in Fiore for something.  So she left," Brandish clenched her fists, "and never came back." . 

"A month later, my dad and I got a notice from the Fiorian government.  They found her body, a few miles from the Heartfilia Estate." Brandish's voice wavered before sharpening into a blade of fury.  "But when we got her belongings back... Aquarius's key was missing."

The air around them pulsed as Brandish's magic spiked.  The rubble at their feet trembled. "And once I joined the Twelve, I found out exactly where Aquarius's key ended up.  In the hands of one Lucy Heartfilia."

Lucy's breath hitched.

"So, I think it's pretty clear what happened." Brandish's glare cut through Lucy like a knife.  "I don't know the exact details, but it's obvious your mom killed mine to get Aquarius's key back.  Which she then gave to you."

Lucy recoiled.  "What?!  No!  My mother would never do something like that!  She was kind and gentle and-"

"To you, sure." Brandish sneered.  "You were her daughter. But you gotta know high society types like your parents are brutal.  Hell, with the kind of money your family had, they probably just hired someone to do it so they wouldn't sully their own hands."