The first time Laxus Dreyar saw his mate, she was screaming in fury. She shined so brightly in his eyes; it was like she had a sun hidden away inside of her. Her skin illuminated warmth, her hair glowed yellow with power. Her eyes burned, magic circles imbedded in the chocolate depths.

He'd never seen anything like her before.

He'd fought with the rest of his guild when Phantom Lord attacked. Furious these people attacked his family. Injured his grandfather. Now at the end of the battle, with Phantom's Master Jose threatening to fire Abyss Break from his giant mecha guild hall, he stood up with the rest of the S-Class Mages of Fairy Tail to defend Magnolia. But what he saw when he got to the feet of Phantom Lord's guild took his breath away and made him growl in possessive want.

He wasn't unaware to the people around her. Erza, his fellow S-Class Mage. Injured but standing. Levy McGarden was leaning heavily against an unknown mage that smelled of a fellow Dragon and iron. A cat and two young Dragons, mostly unscathed but weary with determination in their eyes. And unexpectedly, Gray Fullbuster stood beside a Water Mage like he'd fought besides her before.

In front of them she stood. Arms spread out protectively, power curling around her. The keys on her belt shone bright, while she screamed with such force he was sure most of city could hear her:

I am the Celestial Empress,

The Conquer of Fate,

The Light in the Dark,

I am the Ruler of Stars,

Open, the Gate of Destruction! Draco!

A magic circle so large it covered several metres out in every direction engulfed them, and the world stood still as the most terrifying sound Fairy Tail and Phatom Lord had ever heard roared across the valley.

Wide eyes stared as a magnificent dragon the colour of gold and silver appeared above his Master. With such force his wings beat and suddenly he was upon the Phantom Lord Guild, ivory teeth and metal covered claws easily tearing it to pieces as bloodthirsty roars echoed in their ears. The strength of this Celestial dragon rivalled Laxus's Mother, the Lightning Dragon Electrica. And he felt a familiar pang of loneliness for his missing Dragon.

Phantom Lord's Master Jose ghost-like apparitions called Shades were descending upon the dragon and the mages around Laxus, and he was pulled out of his awe. With ferocious ease he cut his way to the girl, this Celestial Mage who smelled of light and stardust, and with the scent of his destined mate.

Yet she was moving too, hissing in fury when someone on top of the enemy guild slashed her dragon, aiming for its eyes. Soon Laxus was at her side, and without even a word he wrapped an arm around her waist and let his power wash over them. Using his power of lightning teleportation they were suddenly where she wanted to be.

Violently pulling away she stared at Laxus, both their faces clear of emotion before she nodded gratefully. Together they fought side by side, without even knowing each other's names, as they cut down their enemies. Phantom Lord bowed to the fearsome power of the gold and silver dragon, and to the mages who worked so well besides each other it was like they'd been born to fight together.

And after the battle, if Draco used his ability to manipulate memories and take away a mages magical power forever, nobody but those who matter were the wiser.

The Fairy Tail mages cheered, most utterly exhausted, but with pure and honest jubilation they celebrated their win against their enemy. Their guild hall was packed with people, blood and alcohol in the air. In the middle stood Team Fate, or so called Team Lucy. They silently watched as the Fairies toasted the victory.

Together with them stood some unexpected additions. Gray Fullbuster, the Ice Mage, who together with Juvia Lockser had recused countless Fairy Tail mages. Levy McGarden, the Script Mage, injured but being tended to by Wendy Marvell and Gajeel Redfox. Erza Scarlet stood with Master Makarov as he led the celebration. And most unexpectedly Laxus Dreyar, the Lightning Dragon Slayer, arrogantly leaning against the wall and watching the leader of Team Fate with unblinking eyes.

"Quiet! Quiet you brats!" Makarov yelled, silencing the racket. "While we not only defended ourselves, but beat those Phantom Mages, we still don't know the reason as to why". He stared at the team before him, his beer moustache twitching in curiosity and impatience. All became quiet, the Fairies suddenly realising that was true.

"The blame is mine" Lucy called, gently detaching Juvia from where she clinged to her side. The Celestial Mage was ashen, her magical power almost completely gone thanks to her summoning Draco. But she refused to let her team take the blame. Team Fate, bar Gajeel, and their small number of new allies watched after her worriedly. "And why is that, Celestial Mage? Speak up! What is your name?".

"My name is Lucy Heartfilia," gasps and murmurs around the room as many knew of the royal and noble blooded Heartfilia's. "Myself and my team are deserters of Phantom Lord, after Master Jose took a request to kidnap me and force me back to my Father after seven years of silence".

Around them angry murmurs rose in pitch, as the Fairies eyed them with suspicion. "And why, Lucy Heartfilia, would your father order such a thing after all this time?". Master Makarov had a dark inkling where this was going, but he knew if his plans were to succeed she had to continue no matter how painful. He was not unawares of how his grandson couldn't keep his eyes of her, and he knew that some strange bond of magic was being formed in front of his very eyes. He could almost see the strings of fate connecting those in his guild hall here today.

Lucy's froze, fist clenched tight at her side. They watched as her mouth opened, but closed after the words refused to surface. "Juvia will explain for Lucy-sama! This is not Lucy-sama's fault!" the blue haired Water Mage suddenly strode up to her friends side, clenching tightly onto her arm. "I'd rather get soaked in the rain with you than stay dry with anyone else" words spoken at the dawn of their friendship gave Juvia the courage to face the unknown, even after all this time.

Makarov eyed her before nodding his head to continue. "Juvia was told this many years ago by Lucy-sama. Juvia swears on the blood of the founding Water Mage this is true! Lucy-sama is the last of the Heartfilia's. Since her mother died, Lucy-sama has been groomed.." suddenly Juvia's words turned to furious hissing, hate in her eyes as a dark aura shone from her "to be her father's next wife".

Levy's gasp was the loudest as everyone felt disgusted, utterly captivated by this story of the past. Laxus wanted to stalk to Lucy's side and cover her in his scent, possess her until no one else had the right to even look at her. "Juvia hates that man! He is not worthy of being Lucy-sama's blood! That man only married into the Heartfilia's, and when Lucy-sama's beloved mother died in order to keep this prestige he had to marry Lucy-sama!".

Only Juvia and the Dragon Slayers could see the trembling in Lucy's hand as she gratefully touched her friend's cheek with her fingertips. Their hand's clenched together, with Wendy hugging her side and their team's warmth around them the Celestial Mage continued.

"I was young, but old enough to understand what was happening. It's not that uncommon in the Noble families. So I ran. To be in a cage, forced to .... marry my own father..." nobody could blame her that she couldn't say breed. "I was found by my partner soon after, and taken in by Phantom Lord". She looked at Gajeel gratefully out of the corner of her eye, and he grunted and turned away. Besides him Ryos stared at her emotionlessly, like always, but the same loyalty in his eyes shone in Gajeels.

"He hasn't looked for me since. It's only now that I'm of marrying age.... I never expected that Master Jose would imprison me when he found out about the bounty on my head. I escaped with my team. I never intended to get anyone caught up in my fight. Let alone a Guild I didn't know. We were on our way to take the fight to my Father when the Guild followed us here". Lucy bowed low, her team soon following her "I'm so very sorry!".

Master Makarov stroked his chin thoughtfully, before nodding. "Rise young ones" as they stood the entire Guild was hushed, hanging off every word. "You have done well with what has been dealt you, Lucy Heartfilia. Even though we here at Fairy Tail were never involved, you and your team still stayed and aided us. You could have left. But out of the goodness in your hearts, you stayed. You aided us. Sheltered us from harm where you could. Saved our citizens. And you, Celestial Mage, defeated a machine that would have ended the lives of everyone here!" steadily throughout his speech his voice rose, and the hall was in awe.

"You six, you Team Fate, are too good to have ever been called Phantom Lord mages! You brats raise your heads high! You have done yourselves proud this day!". Cheers so loud the Dragon Slayers winced, despite their grins, as the whole of Fairy Tail applauded them.

She'd always deny it, but a light blush covered Lucy's face as she bowed gratefully. It was as she was rising Erza raised her hand to silence the room. Her aura of darkness leaked out until the room was as silent as the grave.

"I hereby nominate Team Lucy as potential members of Fairy Tail! I would hear three ayes!"

Wide eyed in disbelief, Lucy watched as one-by-one Laxus, Levy and Gray raised their hands and yelled 'aye', before every member of Fairy Tail screamed 'aye' to the heavens. Wendy was clutching Ryos hand, Gajeel with Pantherlilly on his shoulder laughing their peculiar laugh, while Juvia hugged Lucy to her almost painfully as tears misted her eyes. Together as one, Team Fate accepted.