"Whether she's the daughter of the Heartfilia Konzern or the princess of some kingdom, to me, Lucy is just a bright, kind-hearted girl full of optimism and courage. And you want us to hand her over to you ghouls? You're dreaming." Makarov stepped forward, and even without unleashing a shred of magic power, the sharp glint in his eyes made every Phantom mage flinch with unease.
"No no no, this isn't just my idea," Joseph said with mock innocence, completely unfazed by Makarov's warning. "We were commissioned to retrieve Lucy Heartfilia. The client? Her biological father, Jude Heartfilia. We're simply fulfilling a legitimate request within the rules."
"A commission from Lucy's own father?" Makarov's brow furrowed deeply.
"Old man, don't believe a word that purple-haired freak says!" Natsu snapped. His fists ignited in flames, his expression dark with fury. The rage burning in his eyes could barely be contained. Gray, Happy, and the others looked just as incensed. Even Erza, usually composed, demanded that Makarov give the order to launch a full-scale assault on Phantom Lord right then and there. Whatever the reason, whatever the consequences even if it meant death none of them would allow Lucy to fall into the hands of scum like this.
"You filthy Phantom scumbags! If you want a fight, just say so. Don't you dare use Lucy as your excuse!"
"Lucy's a Fairy Tail mage now! If you want to take her, you'll have to get through me first!"
"You bastards! Only cowards like you betray your own friends!"
The Fairy Tail mages shouted with raw fury toward the haunted mechanical fortress in the middle of the lake. They didn't care one bit whether Lucy came from a rich family or not they were her family now. And as angry words flew, their movements were silently in sync, forming a wall of protection around Lucy, keeping her shielded behind them.
But that made it even harder for Lucy to keep her emotions in check. A storm of guilt and sorrow churned in her chest.
She hadn't expected any of this. That man her father and the identity she'd tried to bury had now become the reason for this war. If she hadn't joined Fairy Tail, if she hadn't come here, the guild wouldn't have suffered so much. Their home wouldn't have been destroyed. Her friends wouldn't be standing here ready to throw their lives away for her. Even Levy, who hadn't done anything wrong, had nearly been caught up in horrors she didn't deserve.
It's all my fault.
Lucy's body trembled as waves of emotion crashed through her guilt for dragging the guild into this, gratitude for her friends' unconditional trust, and fear of returning to the cold, empty world she once called home. Tears welled up and fell silently down her cheeks, soaking into the collar of her shirt.
"Everyone " Lucy stepped forward, her voice shaking.
She had grown used to having her friends at her side. But if going back with Phantom Lord meant stopping a full-scale war and letting her guild return to peace, she'd do it. Even if it meant going back to that lonely world, she would endure it.
But before she could say a word, someone stepped forward and blocked her path.
Through her tear-blurred vision, Lucy recognized the figure standing in front of her: "Brother Chase " "Lucy," Chase said firmly, his voice steady, "you can't say anything at a time like this that'll shake morale." "But... but it's all because of me..." "This isn't your fault," Chase cut in. "Fairy Tail and Phantom were already headed for a clash. War was inevitable." Just then, Mira stepped up beside them, her voice warm and soothing. "And if you really want to go back home," she said with a gentle smile, "you can go after all this is over just have Chase escort you." That soft kindness broke the last of Lucy's defenses. Her tightly wound heartstrings snapped, and the tears began to flow freely. "Sister Mira... Brother Chase... I don't want to go back to that cold, empty house... I want to stay here in the guild!" Mira opened her arms and wrapped Lucy in a warm embrace. "Then stay forever," she said softly. "This is your home now. No one's going to take you away." Lucy broke down and sobbed in her arms. All around them, their guildmates despite continuing to fire spells at Phantom's advancing forces paused to glance over. Upon seeing Lucy's smile and tears of relief, they couldn't help but smile too.
After Lucy calmed down a little, Chase looked her in the eyes and asked, "Do you remember what I promised you that night?" Lucy blinked, surprised, as she pulled herself slightly away from Mira's comforting embrace. "If you still try to act all polite and withdrawn now," Chase added casually, "I'm having Gray give your butt a literal ice-pack cooldown." "Don't say something that weird with a straight face " Lucy groaned, swiping at her cheeks, but the small grin on her lips said it all. The tears were still there, but the fear had gone.
Her gaze drifted past the joyful crowd and locked onto Joseph, still glaring from the platform atop the Six-Legged Walker. She clenched her fists, turned her face back to Chase and her friends, and made her choice not just emotionally, but with resolve. "Brother Chase... please drive those bastards out of Magnolia!" she shouted with all her strength. "No problem," Chase replied, grinning. "I'll accept your request on behalf of Fairy Tail."
He turned and swept his eyes across the guild. "You all heard that, right?! We've just received a mission from Lucy! The objective " "Protect our friends and crush that Phantom Lord scum!!" "OHOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!" The entire guild exploded into cheers. Their morale soared to a peak like never before.
Off to the side, Makarov who had been quietly watching Lucy the whole time finally let out a sigh of relief. But the moment his gaze returned to Joseph, that tenderness in his eyes vanished without a trace, replaced by fierce determination. "Sorry, Joseph," Makarov growled. "We've got our own commission now... So if you think you've got the strength come and take her."
"Tch. Stubborn old man," Joseph sneered. "Then whatever happens next... is on you."
Seeing that his plan to take Lucy Heartfilia by force had failed, Joseph's expression turned grim. Without a word, he lifted his hand and waved it toward the densely packed Phantom Lord army stationed atop the mobile fortress.
The ghost mages immediately screamed in unison and leapt off the castle ramparts like a pack of wild dogs.
Their descent was aided by Aria's wind magic, and they came swooping down in formation, heading straight for the shoreline.
Along with them came waves of soldiers formed from dense, glowing purple ghost energy, their presence chilling the air and making the very ground feel heavy.
The sheer number of enemies descending on them was staggering the scale of the force was massive, and the momentum was crushing.
But even so, Fairy Tail didn't flinch.
Outnumbered? Yes.
Outmatched? Not a chance.
Natsu, Gray, Elfman, and several others who had been barely holding themselves back this entire time immediately charged forward. Flames, ice, and brute force lit up the battlefield as the frontline Fairy Tail wizards collided with Phantom's vanguard in a deafening magical exchange.
The war between fairies and ghosts had begun.
"Then I'll be going too "
Makarov's magic surged around him, golden energy crackling to life.
His target was crystal clear: the Four Elemental Warriors and Joseph Porla himself still standing atop the Six-Legged Walker fortress.
He was about to leap into battle when a familiar voice stopped him.
Chase walked over at a steady pace, arms folded, eyes calm.
"Master," he said, "leave the grunt work to us younger folks."
"You're getting on in years now. Why not head back to the guild and enjoy a nice cup of tea?"
His tone was light, but his intent was anything but.
With Makarov at full strength, the outcome of this war was practically set in stone.
But Chase saw something else here.
This was a rare opportunity a battlefield where there would be no holding back, no reservations, no tests or training bouts like with Erza.
This would be a real war. A full-power clash.
And Chase wanted to see for himself
Just how far he still had to go to reach the level of the Ten Wizard Saints.
....
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