Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Author's Notes: Based on CoLu Week 2015 Prompt Family/ Slight AR (Lahar never died). And for the sake of this story (it pains me greatly as Lahar is one of my BAE's of FT) will be the obvious bad guy. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you to turn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.

The moment Master Makarov stepped out of his office, a hush fell across the whole of Fairy Tail. All eyes of those present turned to the short, wizened man as he jumped onto the railing of the second floor and looked down at them with dark eyes. The anticipation built as he stayed silent, staring at every one of them. Leaving them all to wonder what had happened on the Lacrima Call in his office. Because the aura he was emitting was unpleasant.

"I want Gajeel, Laxus, Natsu, and Wendy in my office," Makarov said as he turned and started to jump down. Pausing briefly before glancing over his shoulder at them all again. "And Lucy."

As they all watched their Guild Master jump down and disappear back into his office, they couldn't help but wonder why those particular people. Every one of them knew it had been a call from the Magic Council. But as far as anyone could recall other than Team Natsu, none of the slayers had been excessively destructive. So Laxus and Gajeel made absolutely no sense at all.

Then slowly, one by one, those that had their name called stood up and made their way towards the office door. Of course, Laxus was the first to vanish through it being an S-Class mage and already on the second floor. Then came Gajeel and Wendy as they had just gotten back from a mission together. A simple one helping a small community heal and rebuild. Laxus had been at the Guild for a while. His team not having any missions recently.

Once everyone he had called gathered into his office, the door shut, Makarov jumped up on his desk and spun the large communication Lacrima around. He gave them all a good view of one Captain of the Enforcement Division, Lahar Zeigler. The way his brats bodies stiffened, only Natsu showing a visual reaction on his face, let Makarov know that they were not happy or amused. Which was to be expected, the man had made it his life's mission to make his career name from persecuting any members of Fairy Tail.

"Listen up brats, Captain Lahar here has something to request of you all," Makarov said. "And you can refuse, even though it is a request from the Magic Council themselves."

The way he saw the three men before him open their mouths to snap them shut as both Wendy and Lucy placed their hands on them. It was amusing. Then again, an angry Wendy and Lucy were forces to be reckoned with. Both in their right powerful and capable images for different reasons other than sheer power.

"Yes, you do have the right to refuse this mission," Lahar stated in his commanding tone. "But I have a feeling you won't."

Makarov watched as all five mages before him bristled at the confidence he spoke with, laced with an undertone of smugness. The man just knew how to piss off his children.

"Captain Lahar, would you please tell us about this mission that the Magic Council wants us to perform, please," Lucy spoke up before the others. "Because I find it rather strange that anyone on the Council would want our help. All of you have made it clear that you despise us. Loath how we operate as mages and a Light Guild. And constantly claim we are borderline Dark Guild for our... destructive tendencies."

Makarov shot a side glance at the Lacrima screen to see the Captain flinch back at Lucy's words. While spoken politely, there was no mistake she had slipped her blank face from her Gentry days back on and had just slapped the man and the Magic Council with words, viciously. And he knew Lahar was well aware of her past, why she became a mage, on top of seeing the three men moving a few feet away from the ordinarily bubbly Celestial Mage as her aura was going dark as she gave an Erza-like smile.

"Uh... yes, Miss Heartfilia," Lahar stated, audibly swallowing.

"Just Lucy, please, Young Lord Ziegler," Lucy replied with a saccharine smile.

Internally Makarov was laughing, while outside he remained calm, collected and just watched.

"Sorry, Lucy," Lahar said quickly, correcting himself. "This mission is of importance. And we are not just calling on the Dragon Slayers of Fairy Tail, but SaberTooth... and the independent Guild Crime Sorciere. All their skills will be needed."

This had Makarov pausing since he hadn't been aware of the Council wanting all the Dragon Slayers together. The potential destruction of all seven together, especially with the past some of them had with one, in particular, had cold sweat beading on the back of his neck and rolling down between his shoulder blades.

"There is activity near the Alverez border of several Dark Guilds. But because it is near the border of the country, the Magic Council is unable to intervene due to it being seen as an act of aggression. Thus hiring the Light Guilds Dragon Slayer to go in and do what they do best, hit hard and fast is the best solution we can come up with," Lahar explained. "If the Dark Guilds band together and get Alverez to help them, the war could wipe out all of Fiore. The remaining members of the Spriggan twelve are not to underestimate. Making this mission is a quick get in, take down, and then get out."

Makarov narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze from his brats to the Lacrima screen. He didn't like this plan at all. It would shift any blame onto the Light Guilds who had Dragon Slayers should things get out of hand. And would give the Magic Council the right to shut down Fairy Tail, Sabertooth, and put all members of Crime Sorcerier back in prison. It was a Win-Win for the Magic Council on all fronts.

Brown eyes narrowed as they met purple head-on, not flinching. This reeked on so many levels, leaving a bad taste on the back of Lucy's tongue.

"That is fine and all, but why do I need to be here? I am not on the level of power that the Dragon Slayers? What do you need me for?" She asked as she arched an eyebrow.

The moment Lahar's eyes shifted down and to the left Lucy knew, but still, she wanted to hear the pompous prick state it.

"You have the ability to reign in all the Dragon Slayers, just like Wendy. We believe it had to do with the Tatsu or Clan instincts of the Dragons according to the records in Era's Archives," Lahar spoke softly. "Thus, with you out there, there is a higher chance of getting this mission done quickly.

Lucy's mind translated it quickly as she was a glorified babysitter and another patsy to pin the blame on as she was considered a responsible and respectful mage in the community. And if she couldn't do her job it would reflect negatively on Fairy Tail, giving the Magic Council more ground to disband them, or worse, label them as Dark Mages.

"I totally understand, Captain Lahar," she replied in that sickeningly sweet tone, hearing as not just the guys, but Wendy moved further away from her. "So, when does this mission take place? I mean it is of such importance that it should have an execution date for soon right?"

The way the man went white at her choice of words only cemented her theory. And she would be damned if the Magic Council would get their damned way. Fairy Tail was her home, her family, and they'd find out just how vicious a Celestial Mage could get when keeping a promise. Because this mission, if it went wrong, would cause her to break her promise to protect her friends and family. Thus they were making her lose her magic. And Lucy wasn't born yesterday to think they were not aware of this.

"If you all are on board, then we can get you the tickets for the train for first thing tomorrow morning. Stopping over to pick up Sabertooth's Guild Leader Sting and his partner Rogue," Lahar said quickly. "Crime Sorcerier is already near the border, tracking a few of those Guilds on their own."

At this, Lucy straightened her back, threw her shoulders back, and looked down her nose as she let her face becomes an unreadable mask. She was one for words, subtle nuances, in contracts. It was a part of her magic, and it gave her an edge that she was pretty sure that the Magic Council and Rune Knights seemed to forget. Knowledge was power.

"Captain Lahar, I would like to know what the mission reward, other than the safety of Fiore, is?" she asked in a very polite and cold, detached voice.

The way the man paled to the point of appearing translucent and made Lucy smile in victory internally. They hadn't expected that question to come up. Shooting a glance at Makarov, who she saw was grinning like a malicious, little, perverted imp, Lucy knew she was allowed to keep going.

"Ah, well, that can be discussed after you completed the mission, Miss Lucy," Lahar said after swallowing a few times audibly. "If that is fine with your Guild Master."

Knowing that it would be pointless to push the topic, Lucy gave a small, brief nod of her head and looked towards her Guild Master. Who seemed rather pleased.

"Well, brats? Are you interested in doing this mission?" Makarov asked.

It took a few seconds, but each replied that they were willing to take the job, stating that they'd always help save Fiore. It was practically the Guilds Modus Operandi. And with a wave of a hand, the five that had been summoned began to file out of the room. Lucy being last and looking over her shoulder at the Lacrima Screen, a hard smile on her lips.

"Captain, being indefinite doesn't work with everyone," She said softly. "It would be wise to remember that not every member of Fairy Tail rushes headfirst into obvious danger."

With that said both Makarov and Lahar watched as Lucy turned and left the office. There was no way to mistake what she said. And it was rather evident that if a game was to be played, that certain people were going to play hard to win. And by whatever means available.

TBC!