Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter One: The Decision

If one were to enter the lively building situated at the crest of the town of Magnolia they could be mistaken to think that once more war had broken out. Tables, chairs, and even people were being haphazardly thrown through the air with no thought to life or limb. It had taken four months of grieving before the first fight had come about. Surprisingly it was words of wisdom from the new guild master in training Laxus Dreyar that allowed the once rambunctious guild mates to see that their lost friends wouldn't want them to change but to live their lives to the fullest and if there was something that FairyTail could do it was enjoy life.

While the absence of the fallen was still felt they knew that life had to move forward; which brings us to one member in particular the 'light of the fairys' celestial wizard Lucy Heartfilia. The guilds own blonde bombshell was sitting in her customary spot at the rebuilt bar. Dressed today in a surprisingly sober grey shirt and black pants Lucy seemed to be lost in thought ignoring her noisy guild-mates behind her. At that present moment it would have surprised most of her close friends to know that their dear Lucy was stuck pondering a predicament.

Lucy POV:

What am I going to do? It's not like I can just tell them. Everyone is just getting their head on straight after losing... I can't just abandon them, not now they've only just stopped flinching when someone makes a joke or laughs. The guilt of surviving is finally starting to wear off for everyone. Looking round I gazed at each of my nakama seeing the changes and the stress this last epic battle had taken. We may have won, sealing Zeref's evil away and saving Natsu's life but at such a high cost. Finally my eyes rested on my once best friend Natsu Dragneel. Like always in the middle of trying to defeat his long-time rival/best friend Gray Fullbuster. Wherever Natsu was there was bound to be chaos, I should be used to it by now.

I felt my eyes soften as memories rose up, memories of before, before life split us apart and forced Natsu to face his greatest fear: harming me. Sorrow shadowed my eyes as I once more relived the moment Natsu 'woke up' and saw what he had done. I could sometimes still feel the pressure of having an arm rip though my body, though Wendy assured me it was simply phantom pain. Natsu hasn't been able to be near me since, every time we came close he would get such a heart wrenching look on his face that I couldn't put him through it and so made my excuses to leave.

Twisting in the wrong direction caused the scar on my lower back to pull tight; I had to slam my jaw shut to keep in the hiss of pain that was the result. I slowly reached back and massaged the muscle to relax it hoping I wouldn't need to go see Wendy anytime soon. It was bad enough I had to swear Wendy and Porlyusica to secrecy about the damage that had resulted from the blow. I couldn't have anyone knowing just how much of my future I had lost that day, not even my spirits knew the full extent of the injures though Loke had been looking at me from time to time as if he knew something else was up, past the grieving for those that had died. Shaking my head to get rid of the depressing thoughts I firmed my resolve, people had lost their lives so what if I'd lost the ability to have...

"Hey Lucy, can I get you anything?"

Looking up at Kinana as she wiped down the bar top and removed my empty glass, I quickly rearranged my thoughts as I smiled at her.

"Hi Kinana, how are you holding up? Is Eric giving you any trouble lately? Do I need to have a word?"

Laughing at the offhand way I'd put it she kept busy tiding up as she answered.

"He's doing better. I think he finally feels safe enough leaving me at the guild by myself. He dragged Macbeth away from Freed for a quick mission. He was getting too worked up about the noise so I told him to go. This place after a while can become too much even for me."

I watched as she slid her hands across the barely visible bump of her stomach and smiled softly to herself. Moving forward and living was harder for some than others. I knew Eric and Macbeth missed Racer but they had to put it behind them and look to the future for the sake of the children yet to come. Moving forward, getting on with the business of living. Something I'd been procrastinating about for months now. Sighing I had think for a second. I'd been putting off an important conversation for a while now hoping that I wouldn't have to make such a hard choice. Knowing the longer I waited the more chance of failure, I took a deep breath and shot Kinana a self-deprecating smile.

"Kinana, can you give me a shot of something strong? I suddenly feel like I'll need the added courage."

With a look of bemusement at the usually sober mage, Kinana quickly poured me the first thing to hand. Not caring what it was I quickly grabbed it and down it like the pro Cana taught me to be. Feeling the burn and the aftertaste I waited for the fire to hit my stomach. Once it did I rose and made my way through the chaos of the guild brawl heading for the now retired master. Spying him sitting on the railing of the second floor well away from the possible calamity that was FairyTail letting off a little steam, I made my way towards the third/sixth/eighth and still considered master of Fairy Tail even though he had been forced into retirement by a majority vote due to his health the one and only Makarov Dreyar.

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Chapter Two: The Mission

LUCY POV:

As I got close to him I realised he was well on the way to being drunk, hoping that at least a little common sense still remained I coughed and taped his shoulder. As he turned to look up at me I knew it was now or never.

"Master may I have a quick word?"

Seeing the inquiring look in his eyes I quickly clarified.

"In private, it's important."

Nodding his assent, I followed as he made his way to his old office. Not even bothering to knock he simply barged right in.

"Dammit old man you did this on purpose."

Looking past Master into the office I found myself still surprised on how little it had changed since the hand over. It still looked exactly the same as the old office, filled with book shelves and loose files piled everywhere; even the colour scheme was the same all gold and white. Glancing at where Laxus’ voice had come from I could just barely see the top of what I assumed was his head behind a very large stack of paperwork. Frowning at what hadn't been there the last time I volunteered to sort out the guild papers I automatically moved forward to help. Feeling a hand stop me I look down to see Master grinning and starting to chuckle. Holding up a hand showing me to wait, he bounced on the balls of his feet as he answered.

"A Masters work is never done, my boy. That lot is what happens when you take charge and it all has to be filled in by the new Master, no exceptions no excuses."

A glance down confirmed that Master was enjoying himself at his grandson's expense. I almost changed my mind about asking today since I knew how grumpy Laxus could be when it came to the magic council and their need to have everything in triplicate. Stealing my courage I knew if I didn't speak soon I would chicken out.

"Excuse me Masters, I have an important request."

Once I had both of their attention I reached into my pocket and pulled out the mission flyer I had grabbed this morning. Straightening it out, I gave it one more glance and then presented it to them.

"I would like your permission to undertake this mission request."

After taking the flyer and seeing which mission I had chosen Master froze slightly before handing it to Laxus. I had a fair idea of what both of their reactions would be and I figured my best course of attack would be to get Master on my side. Taking a deep breath I stared into his eyes and let him see my resolve.

"Master Makarov, Master Laxus I know that the mission is classified S-Class and before you ask no I would be traveling alone not with team Nat…"

After stopping for a second I forced myself to keep going ignoring my hesitation I started again.

"There is something I haven't had the chance to tell you what with the disbandment and the war. Masters I should have told you, I should have told everyone. It was just… It was just too hard.”

I had to force myself to say the next bit.

“During the battle with Tartarus I had to sacrifice a zodiac key."

Seeing the shock on both their faces I quickly continued.

"Before you say anything, it was my choice to do it to save my family. Though the key can never be repaired I have been informed that a new key has been set out into the world."

Here came the hard part.

"I have made it my mission to find her and bring her home. She's waiting for me."

Though the last part was a whisper I knew both men heard me especially Laxus. Allowing my eyes to cross to him as I silently begged him to understand. Over the last few months as he had settled into the guild master role Laxus and I had gotten closer. With my training from my father I knew how to handle the mountains of forms and Laxus had come to see me as a kid sister. With what has been going on with my team it wasn’t really surprising that I ended up spending more time at the guild. Everyone had started to get on with their lives and loves and so I had been at a loose end just what Laxus needed. Most days he had conned me into helping with the paperwork, he absolutely loved Gemini and their ability to get into people’s heads for the right answers to questions. I tried to hold back the tears as I remembered the last time I’d used them and his comment about two Natsu’s being two too many. Forcing myself to focus on what I needed to do to convince them both, I started on my arguments for taking the job request.

"That mission would allow me the time and distance I'd need to search for her; the reward would simply be a bonus and a new friend. I’ve already researched the specific details and know what it would require to fulfil the client’s expectations. I already have several promising leads to the Staff’s possible location. And searching for one lost object hidden somewhere in the world is the same as searching for two.”

I paused for a second to let what I’d said so far sink in and then I finished explaining about Aquarius.

“I think I should tell you that even if you can't authorise the mission I am still determined to go after her and would instead require a leave of absence. I have already written out my notice for Fairy Hills and have packed up my belongings and travel supplies. With the undetermined length of time that I’ll be gone I didn’t see any point in keeping my things here since I’ll need the jewels for travel expenses. This has been coming for a long time it’s just taken me until now for the guild to get back on its feet. I didn’t think leaving right after everything would be wise, so I waited. But now I have to go, if I wait any longer I might lose her forever, I no longer have a choice. I’m sorry to put it to you like that, but there we are. Masters what would you do in my place? She’s my family; I have to get her back.”

Stopping I watched as Master turned and shared a look with his grandson. Hoping I had said enough in my favour I waited.

"Lucy my child, I think we will need time to discuss this we will give you your answer in the morning if that's alright."

Speaking softer than I'd ever heard him, I couldn't tell what was going through his mind. I gave a quick nod to show my understanding and made my way out. Everything hinged on their answer. Shaking my head I pushed the thoughts out of my head as I had done all I could. Not feeling like I could stomach staying in the guild I took the stairs and made my way out the back door. Bypassing the new training grounds I made my way to the rebuilt Fairy Hills girl’s dorm and settled in for the night knowing that tomorrow whatever the outcome I would be saying goodbye to my family one more time.

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Chapter Three: Incomplete

Lucy POV:

Opening my eyes for a moment just a moment I could pretend that everything was alright. Before my mind could remember what I had lost I could see Levy, Erza, Mira, Cana, Lisanna, Wendy, and Juvia as we talked and laughed after the GMG. A smile graced my lips as I saw Levy stutter and blush as we teased her about Gajeel. Before I could stop it I felt my heart hitch and my breath freeze. The tears that had come every day since the end of the war once more fell from my eyes. Knowing I was only worsening the pain I tried not to picture that moment once more.

While Natsu had his nightmares about impaling me with his claws at least he had the knowledge that it wasn't his fault. Me I relived my moment every night knowing that if I had just been stronger, faster, done anything better she would still be here. Every time I entered the guild I expected her to call my name. Out of the hundreds dead from the war she was the one that haunted me. Every flash of blue called her name, I couldn't even stomach looking at a book without seeing her smile and hearing her voice. Knowing there was no benefit in staying in bed now I got up and tried to find some energy to start the day. Wandering into the bathroom and stripping for the shower I made a mental list of what I had to accomplish if I wanted to leave after talking to the Master and Laxus. Funny everyone still called Makarov Master while ribbing Laxus by calling him by his name. Shaking out the weird thoughts I quickly towelled myself off and calmly called out to Cancer.

"What style would you prefer today ebi?"

A quick decision later had me in a classic side ponytail. With a wave goodbye he returned to the spirit realm until next time. It only took me few minutes to finish in the bathroom and make my way to my decreased wardrobe. After retrieving what I could from the wreckage of my last apartment my dress choices had become slightly limited. Having had to change my style slightly due to the scaring on my abdomen I quickly grabbed the underwear and clothes I'd left out for today: a set of tan bra and panties, a pair of peach leggings, a white summer dress with peach and rose flowers on it, and white roman sandals to match.

Not bothering with make-up I secured my belt and sent a quick pulse of magic into it as I attached my keyring. This was the one thing I had bothered to purchase after the war. With the amount of times someone had stolen my keys you would think I would have gotten around to an anti-theft belt sooner. Now the only person who could remove the belt or anything attached to it was me. After making sure my Fleuve d'etoiles was opposite my key case on my left, I grabbed my jacket off the back of my desk chair. As I took one last look around the room I realised I really hadn't made it my own. There were no knickknacks, no mementoes, nothing to show who lived there. Even though I had been there almost five months now I had always known it was a stop-over, a place to rest for a moment. Going to the bag I'd packed the day before I quickly re-entered the bathroom and swiped the last of my toiletries. With that done I knew I was ready. Calling Virgo's name as I knew she would be waiting a small smile appeared as her usually greeting was heard as the ever stoic maid bowed before me.

"Punishment princess?"

As Virgo straightens up I was hit by a wave of nostalgia for the very first time I'd heard that call: Lullaby, wind magic, the train station. Shaking it off, I presented her with the last bag to store in the spirit realm.

"Here you go Virgo that should be it."

Taking the bag she was about to retreat when I had a sudden thought. Holding up my hand to tell her to give me a minute I took in a breath at what I was about to do. Walking forward I lifted up the hand not holding the bag and faced her squarely.

"Virgo for all your help these last few months and unwavering loyalty I hereby punish you."

I knew the language was a bit cheesy but figured the more solemn the better. Before I could change my mind I smacked the back of her hand lightly. As I watched her expression go for stoic to ecstatic I forced gate closured her gate and let out sigh. After what happened with Aquarius I had made a vow to treat my spirits more on equal terms which meant excepting them for what they were be it flirtatious, shy, mischievous, or even a constant need for punishment. It wasn't easy especially when it came to Leo or Taurus but I was getting there. It helped that with the extra training I'd been doing I could call them out to spend the day with me and get to know them as individuals.

As I left my room behind I didn't bother locking up knowing that at some point Erza would go in to investigate where I was. Having prepared for months now I had left a letter for her and the rest of the team on my dresser. I knew I couldn't stomach saying goodbye so I was taking the coward’s way out. Leaving Fairy Hills and making my way to the guildhall I prepared myself as best I could. Whether or not they allowed me take the request didn't really alter my plan. I'd seen it on the board and realised the potential of doing something else as I searched for Aquarius' key. A quick research trip to the guild library, which had resulted in me throwing-up afterwards from all the memories, hadn't made much difference to the overall plan. I'd never minded studying all that much and I was kind of hoping away from Magnolia the memories of her wouldn't be as bad.

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Chapter Four: Broken

Lucy POV:

As I entered the guildhall the quiet could have been considered peaceful if one didn't know it was a false sense of security. Knowing the absence of destruction meant my team hadn't made an appearance yet I breathed a sigh of relief. Making my way to the bar, I smiled softly at Mira as she came out the back to take my order. Not wanting to waste any time hers or mine, I quickly placed an order for kiwi fruit and a strawberry smoothie. I heard the doors open and with a quick look I saw that Gray and Juvia had arrived. Another look round the guild confirmed that neither Master nor Laxus were in sight. Thanking her as she placed both a bowl and a glass in front of me I had taken my first bite when she spoke up.

"Lucy when are you and Natsu going to give me some god babies? Brown-eyed pink-haired babies, onyx-eyed blonde-haired babies. Eeeeeee."

As I started to choke on the fruit now lodged in my throat I realised she couldn't have phrased it better to rip open the worst wounds of my heart. For one moment in time between heartbeats that thought had been a deeply buried far off dream. My mind stalled as I relived Natsu's nightmare.

Flashback:

On the battlefield as I clasped E.N.D. to me with his claw having just thrust itself through my body I realised that I loved him. I couldn't help but think it was a stupid time to come to the realisation when I was dying. I knew that if the spell didn't work I'd lose him for good so I forced the last of my magic into his body willing my Natsu to fight to come back to me. As I lost consciousness I let the words past my lips for the first and unknowns to me last time.

"I love you Natsu Dragneel."

End Flashback:

Dragging myself out of my head I swallowed as best I could then gulped down half the glass of water Mira had placed in front of me. Lucky for me Mira assumed the tears gathering in my eyes were a result of the kiwi and not what she said. Realising the best thing to do was ignore it I wiped my face and finished the bowl. With one more glance round I thanked her placed the required jewel on the counter and stood.

"Mira is Master and Laxus in the office yet?"

With a nod of her head as she finished cleaning up my mess I waved and made my way to the second floor. As I reached the top I heard the guild doors slam open. Even before I turned I knew who it was: Natsu. With Gray's name screaming from his lips he charged in already mid-flame. I smiled sweetly as I gazed down watching as my two male teammates converged on each other. Having seen Erza early in the far corner with Jellal, I knew everything was under control. Without waiting further I made my way to the Masters office and knocked.

"Come in Blonde."

Entering I saw both Laxus and Master were already there. Smiling and greeting them I tried to gauge what they had decided. Clearing his throat Master hopped up onto the desk as he started speaking.

"Lucy child I'll get right to the point, we have discussed the matter and I have to say we are deeply concerned about you attempting this mission by yourself. The length of time as well as the distance this mission and your own personal quest would entail is substantial and we feel that it would be detrimental to your health for you to…"

Before he could finish Laxus rose from his chair and interrupted.

"What gramps is trying to say is you aren't going off running all over the country for a year by yourself. It's not safe. End of story."

Sighing under my breath I had known that out of the two of them Laxus was going to be the hard sell. Getting closer to him had made me see what a great guy and guild master he was but the downside was he had become slightly overprotective. Since I'd already had this conversation a thousand different ways in my head I didn't have to think about my answer.

"Masters please don't misunderstand I have thought long and hard about my decision. It isn't easy leaving my home for an indefinite length of time; we've only just gotten it back."

Letting them see the tears and sadness in my eyes I finally had the chance to express what I felt about the disbandment.

"The last year being alone was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. When I needed everyone most they were gone. Master I know you did it so we could grow stronger and follow our dreams but you also broke up my family. While I'm glad Fairy Tail is back together you have to understand that for me everyone isn't here. I have to get her back and on my honour as a wizard of Fairy Tail I will brave the deepest depths of the ocean to find her. Because that's what Fairy Tail does; we fight for our nakama."

Gazing between the two of them I finally let my eyes meet Master's as I firmed my resolve. I saw the moment he realised that this wasn't a prank or a whim for me. That if it came down to a choice between the guild and her that this time I would choose her. Sighing he reached onto the desk and picked up a piece of paper. He looked down at it one more time before gazing at Laxus then handing it over. Looking down at the authorised S-Class mission I held my breath waiting for the catch.

"Though I would prefer you take an S-Class wizard with you I can understand your need to accomplish this task yourself. My only advice is to be safe my child and to always remember that a Fairy Tail Mage is never alone."

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Chapter Five: Saying Goodbye

Lucy POV:

I couldn’t believe I’d done it. Gripping on to the second floor balcony rail I tried to stop hyperventilating. They said yes, I honestly hadn’t expected them to give me permission to try at least not without more of a fight. Taking a deep breath in I forced myself into control knowing I couldn’t break down not in the middle of the guild hall.

“Lushie he’s trying to eat me!”

Bracing for impact I had a second before Happy crash landed on my chest, rocking me back a step. Quickly getting my head in the game I glanced down into the guild in the direction Happy had come from as I saw the usual guild brawl and Eric looking in this direction with a scowl on his face. Knowing that could only mean trouble I had a fair idea of what had happened. Glancing down at the cowering exceed I tried to keep the smile off my face as I asked the question.

“What did you do Happy?”

Crying out again he took off into the guild rafters sobbing in fake fear as Eric stormed up the stairs growling as he came.

“Darn right I’m gonna eat him, with a sprinkling of wormwood for flavour roasted over an open fire.”

I couldn’t help the small smile that appeared as Eric made it to the second floor. I didn’t even have to look to know Happy had shrieked again and zoomed off to hide. Guild craziness just like always.

“O.K. Bright Eyes spill it.”

I didn’t have to look at him to know what he meant as he settled himself next to me at the railing completely ignoring Happy’s disappearing act. It was a pain in the butt to have a soul listener as one of your best friends. It was the reason I had been dodging him for the last week.

“And don’t think I didn’t notice that. If Macbeth hadn’t been having a b’tchfest about Freed not loving doggy style I would have been on your ass sooner. Did you honestly think you’d get away without saying goodbye?”

Honestly I’d hoped that I’d never have to do this. Turning my back to the guild I looked him in the eye as I answered his last statement trying to ignore the hint of sadness I’d heard in the question.

“Saying goodbye isn’t the hard part anymore, it’s walking out the door that hurts.”

For the first time in a long time I could see fear in his good eye. Reaching out slowly since I knew how he felt about personal space, I grabbed his hand and squeezed.

“It’s not like you’re gonna miss me or anything right. You hate everything about this guild and threaten to poison everyone in it on a daily basis.”

Huffing and dragging me closer he gave me what amounted to a Cobra one armed hug.

“Watch your back Bright Eyes don’t make me come after you.”

With that he let go and quickly stomped back downstairs and threw himself into the still going strong brawl. It was what I loved best about that man he didn’t waste his words. That had been the Cobra equivalent of a four star parade and a confession of undying love. Shaking loose the melancholy, I took a good long look around the guild hall. The boys were having fun fighting and shouting insults. Erza and Jellal were talking with Wendy and Carla sharing the expected strawberry cake. The more I looked the more people I called family appeared. The Thunder Legion was sat in the corner: Bixlow and Lisanna were busy teasing Evergreen while Macbeth watched them half sleeping in Freed’s lap. Mirajane and Kinana were moving easily through the throngs of people stopping here and there to fill orders and chat. All of a sudden I was hit by the overwhelming feeling of loss, how was I going to live without these people. Then I saw him, standing tall in the middle of the chaos. His trademark scarf present and heart stopping grin appearing.

“Come at me you bunch of losers, I’m all fired up now.”

Even before he’d finished talking Natsu was jumped by half the guild each trying to be the one to take him down. I felt my heart freeze for a moment and knew I had to go. Even without Aquarius being missing I could no longer stay here. There were too many memories and people that I just wasn’t ready to face. Every morning was the same if it wasn’t her face it was his. I couldn’t take it anymore, being close but having lost what made ‘us’ special. He couldn’t look at me the same way anymore and I missed it, I missed it like one would miss their own eyes. The world wasn’t as bright without his smile, joy wasn’t as fulfilling without his laugh, my name no long fell from his lips with ease, Luce didn’t exist anymore and all of it was slowly killing me inside. Knowing the longer I took the harder it would be, I quickly moved down the stairs and walked straight out the main doors not stopping or saying goodbye to anyone. My eyes strayed at the last moment and connected with his only to see something that almost broke me anew, regret and shame. Tearing them away I made my feet move faster into the town holding in the sorrow as best I could.

I forced myself to keep walking as I passed shops and homes some I recognised others newly rebuilt. My feet took me on a familiar route past my old apartment where my Fairy Tail life had first begun. Pushing back the memories I didn’t stop moving until my feet hit the train station steps, then I waited knowing she would be here soon. I’d had it all planned out even if the Masters hadn’t approved the request. My bags were all packed and in the spirit world. The research for both missions was already started and I knew what my first stop would be. I ran through my mental list once more time ticking off everything I had to do. The note I’d left in my room should explain everything even if leaving this way was reminiscent of what happened to me during the guild disbandment. I leaned against the wall closing my eyes not wanting to see anybody or anything trying to force the thoughts of my family’s reaction to me leaving out of my head. I knew I was holding myself together with thin string at the moment and anything could set me off. I couldn’t afford to cry at least not yet. Suddenly I heard the voice I’d been waiting for. Opening my eyes I looked up into a face that was filled half with hatred half with longing.

“Hello Brandish, thank you for coming.”

Huffing she glared at me as she stopped a few metres away. She leaned back and started tapping her foot looking like she would rather be anywhere but here. She still looked the same even after all these months. I had known she had come back to town after going home for a time. I guess Alvarez wasn’t what she was looking for. Knowing I didn’t have a lot of time or her patience I got straight to the point.

“I need a favour from you.”

She opened her mouth as though to argue but I beat her too it knowing if I let her talk we would be there all day.

“I know you don’t like me but please just hear me out. I have to leave to find Aquarius, you know this I know this there isn’t an option for me. My family, I can’t risk losing them again so I want your word that you’ll watch out for them. I know you don’t have a home anymore so I wanted to invite you to stay at mine. I’ll be gone for a while and the rent’s all paid up for the next few months so I just thought.”

I stopped because now I knew I was coming to the part that hurt more than most; the part that if I let it would really tear me up inside.

“Brandish, take care of yourself alright and watch out for Natsu for me, he won’t take me leaving very well especially without saying goodbye. Tell him I couldn’t say it not to him not after...”

Pushing back the tears I heard the train whistle signalling departure. Reaching down I unhooked my room key and threw it to her. Catching it she looked confused down into her hand.

“I wish I could stay and help you become part of this family I know that you’ll fit right in.”

Before she could stop me I reached out and dragged her into a hug. I squeezed her once then let go and hurried across the station not looking back. Walking quickly I pulled myself onto the train and at last turned back to see Brandish still standing there not saying a thing looking down at the key I’d given her. I didn’t know whether she’d honour my request or not but I had to try. I watched from the doorway as the train started to depart leaving behind my family once again. As Magnolia got smaller I finally realised that I wasn’t going to see home for a very long time. I didn’t try stopping the tears as they fell. I felt my heart break once again only this time it had been my choice. Stealing my resolve I let the sobs come knowing that this was only the start of my journey and it was surely going to get worse before it got better.

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Chapter Six: Going Home

As the train arrived at the station Lucy slowly woke up from her short nap. All that crying had given her a slight headache that she had tried to sleep off.

“Next stop Heartfilia Konzern, all passengers for that station please prepare to depart.”

As the conductors words registered Lucy forced herself to rise and grab her travelling bag. Stretching out her muscles she had just enough time to admire the passing scenery before the train started to slow. Making her way to the exit she couldn’t help but notice she was the only one disembarking. Not surprising really considering her family’s estate was now abandoned. Stepping off the train she immediately started walking towards her former home. Lucy had taken a few steps when an idea popped into her head. Reaching down she brushed over her keys until she found who she was looking for. Long hours of training had given her the ability to call out a spirit without speaking the summoning incantation. It had taken her months to be able to do it without even speaking at all. Putting that into practice Lucy called out Cancer’s name in her mind focusing her power into the key. When the expected ding dong sounded heralding his arrival she was already smiling.

“Afternoon ebi, what style shall it be.”

She had gotten used to her spirits eccentricities and simply went with it.

“Hey Cancer, sorry about calling you out again so soon.”

“No problem ebi, I’m here for all your hair care needs.”

Lucy for once simply let the feel of care warm her soul. It was what she had been telling herself all day, that even if she was away from Fairy Tail she still had family with her who cared. Reaching out while she still was in the right frame of mind she hugged Cancer. The spirit was surprised but hugged her back after a few seconds. All of Lucy’s spirits knew she was having a hard time with what happened during the War and especially her feeling concerning what happened to Aquarius. They had all tried to be there for her when she woke up after the battle, Virgo had even broken her stoic nature when she returned home after Lucy woke up from the healing. Leo had been nearly inconsolable when he thought Lucy had died. Cancer knew it would take time for her to fully heal inside and out and all of Lucy spirits had agreed to give her that time and be there for her in any way they could.

“Cancer thank you, I just…”

As Lucy let go she stepped back and pulled herself together. Indicating the direction she was going Lucy started walking and talking knowing she wanted to reach the mansion before it got too dark to properly see.

“Alright, I need your help I need to know everything you know about how my mother came across any of the zodiac keys especially anything about where Aquarius’ key might have originally been placed. Also anything you can tell me about where my mother might have hidden away a diary or a journal that would have information about the deal that was struck with Zeref. There had to be something that would verify the whole mess with the Eclipse Gate for future generations otherwise why would they believe Zeref’s word about the dragons and the dragons slayers.”

Cancer was intrigued he had never thought about it that way. Searching his mind he tried to come up with anything he could remember about his time with Lady Layla. Aquarius had been her first spirit well before she became his owner he didn’t think there was anything he could tell Miss Lucy about their past together. He started thinking about his time spent in the mansion and any possible hidden locations he may have seen. As the two of them walked they soon entered the border of the actual Heartfilia estate.
Walking through the vast emptiness that used to house the various staff members, Lucy couldn’t help but look around with new eyes as she waited for Cancer to gather his thoughts. Numerous buildings stood empty abandoned and forgotten, places that used to hold people all working for her family; each home different but the same, bricks and mortar now vacant of life. As a child this was all ordinary, it was normal for people to live on a huge country estate but now she knew different. After years of living as a Fairy Tail wizard she had gotten used to a single bedroom apartment, it felt funny to see all this empty space. Though the estate had been forfeited to the government as far as she knew the mansion was still intact and all of the furnishing should still in place.

Lucy and Cancer had been walking for a good two hours before they saw the gates of the mansion. Cancer had told Lucy everything he could about his time with her mother, all of the inside jokes they held and any little thing he could remember. Lucy had almost cried a time or two at the memories she would never have having lost her mother so young. As Lucy slowly made her up to the main doors it felt strange for no one to be there waiting for her. Mrs Spetto and the others had long since retired and now no one called this place home, not even her. The building was cover in overgrown plants and vines. It appeared nature had started to take back what was its own. The doors to the mansion weren’t even locked as Lucy could see they were stood ajar from where she had stopped to assess the damage.

“I will leave you now ebi, good luck.”

Glancing over at Cancer Lucy saw him smile before he returned to the celestial plain; it gave her a small feeling of accomplishment to have a spirit out most of the day and not feel tired let alone how now most of her spirits could open their own gates at will. Sighing and shaking off the thought Lucy faced the mansions door steeling her nerves as she pushed them open and walked inside; the moment Lucy stepped across the threshold she was overcome with old feelings. Being back here brought back some bad memories for Lucy as she ventured further into her old home; all those years mistreated and all but abandoned by her father. The dust and neglect was apparent in every room she past the further into the mansion she crept. All the stillness was making her uneasy and she found herself moving more slowly as time passed. Each room she came too was filled with cobwebs and cloth covers; so many memories hidden away like she used to be.

She couldn’t help but wander towards her father’s office the source of so many harsh encounters. Pausing at the doors her hand on the doorknob, she was about to enter when she stopped and realised she didn’t need to; that office that father was the past, her father was the man who changed and who believed in her and sent her a birthday present ever year for the seven years she was missing. It had taken almost two years before she had felt ready to open those presents; it was lucky for her Virgo had started storing her more precious personal items in the spirit world whenever a catastrophe hit Magnolia. Her hand wandered down to two new keys on her key ring: Scutum and Reticulum. Her father had made sure that she would never be alone; he had given her new family members who would take care of her even when he couldn’t. Smiling she couldn’t help but remember the notes her father wrote: a shield to protect her when he couldn’t be by her side and an eyepiece to help her stay on the true path something that she had helped him to achieve all those years ago.

Lucy turned and walked up the stairs to the second floor and finally made her way to a place that actually held some happy memories, her mother’s room. Though she hadn’t stepped foot in the room in years Lucy knew her way without even trying. Lucy didn’t even see the dirt and debris that littered the corridors as she made her way further into the interior of the estate. Once she reached the right door she quickly moved inside and let herself have a few moments of remembrance before she had to get to work: playing with her mother and the spirits, reading bedtime stories, and finally saying goodbye for the last time. That last memory was almost too painful for her to bear but Lucy knew it was probably the most important; if her mother was going to leave clues for Lucy it was probably her last moments together that would hold them. Right around now Aquarius would have been so helpful. She was her mother’s closest spirit and knew her best. Realising she wasn’t getting anywhere as the memories were just too vague and too long forgotten, Lucy finally called out for some help.

“I call upon thy in the world of the celestial spirits I beckon you to my side at once pass through the gate, open gate of the southern cross Crux.”

With the expect ding and light Crux appeared asleep as usual while Lucy took her first good long look around the room. Like the rest of the mansion it was disused and in need of care. The once beautiful room was covered in dust and cobwebs: the bed, the dresser, even the carpets. Cloth covers hid any damage to the underlying furnishing and made finding what Lucy was looking for all that bit harder.

“What can I do for you Miss Lucy?”

Focusing back on Crux Lucy quickly gathered her thoughts and went ahead with the plan.

“Crux I need you to try and think of anywhere in here that could possibly hide something. I’m looking for a diary or a journal, something that my mother would have needed to keep safe and make sure it survived no matter what.”

Crux took a look around the room then closed his eyes and nodded off. Knowing he was searching rather than sleeping Lucy figured she might as well help and set to work herself investigating the room. Tearing off the dustsheets Lucy started with the desk in the far corner and started pulling out the different draws. It only took her moments to realise there was nothing there. They were all empty; whatever had been of her mother’s must have been moved or stored. Trying not to lose hope she quickly moved on to the next possible hiding place. Unfortunately everything proved to be just as empty as the desk: there was nothing in the dresser, in the wardrobe, nor in or underneath the bed. Lucy couldn’t help herself; she collapsed onto the dusty bed in despair. This was her best shot of finding a clue to Aquarius’ whereabouts. Without it she would be searching blind all over the world with no way to know where to start. Sobs she had been holding in started to work their way up her throat. Trying to hold them in Lucy curled up on the bed.

“Miss Lucy I’ve found something.”

Wiping away the tears and looking up Lucy saw that Crux was indicating the fireplace. With barely concealed eagerness Lucy sprung up and ran to search the hearth. In her eagerness for answers she tripped on the carpet and fell almost cracking her head on the stone fireplace surround. Dusting off and getting up, this time Lucy was more careful as she reached out and started examining the mantle. She hadn’t noticed before in her search of the room but there were images all around the fireside edging, depictions of the twelve zodiacs constellations. It wasn’t really surprising she hadn’t seen them until now as they were so faded and set-in they simply looked like regular wear-and-tear.

“My records indicate that the etchings may hold the key to what you seek.”

Taking Crux’s advice to heart Lucy moved her hands over each of the illustrations looking for anything out of place. It took her a few seconds before what she was seeing registered. Looking closely at the depictions she realised that they were wrong, all of the constellations were incorrect. Running her hands over the nearest one Pisces the twin fishes, Lucy’s mind finally grasped the problem; each constellation had an added detail. Knowing this was what she was looking for Lucy quickly made her way around the border depressing the extra star each time. Finishing with Leo’s constellation coincidentally enough Lucy pressed down on the last additional star and heard a loud click. She then watched as half the fireplace frame slid away from the wall showing a secret compartment. Lucy didn’t waste any time reaching in brushing away the cobwebs and grime to pull out what she had prayed would still be there, an old securely bound dusty book.

“The Heartfilia Journal: a detailed account of the deal with Lord Zeref and comprehensive notes from the celestial mages in the Heartfilia family bloodline with the history of their spirit keys and contract stipulations.”

Looking over at Crux as he spoke, Lucy couldn’t help but sigh out in relief. She had always assumed something like this had to exist ever since she heard about the Heartfilia legacy. Lucy herself kept detailed notes on all of her spirits and contracts so she knew that the other spirit mages in her family would have done the same. Not only was this memoir an important part of her family’s history but it could also help her in her quest for Aquarius’ key. Finally she was one step closer to getting her family back and she didn’t care how long that journey would take.

“Aquarius don’t give up on me, I’m coming.”

Chapter Text

Chapter Seven: The S-Class Client

Lucy POV:

As the train rocked on its way to Kalum City I couldn’t help but wonder at what I’d learned from the diary. Concentrating I tried to will the headache I’d gotten from staying up half the night rereading it away, something that wasn’t really working. The dust that had covered my old bedroom hadn’t helped any and I was starting to wish I’d simply waited and continued on to the client’s house last night instead of staying at the mansion and reading and making plans. The diary had giving me everything I could have possibly wanted to know about the time travel and subsequent deal with Zeref but what it hadn’t given me was any clues about an actual location for Aquarius. The problem was my family had owned Aquarius’ key since the beginning so we had never had to look for her. My only hope was the references to finding the other Zodiac keys that had been lost over the generations. I found myself drumming my fingers against the book as I thought.

“Excuse me miss your ticket please?”

Coming out of my thoughts I automatically reached for the ticket on the seat next to me and showed it to the passing guard. When I saw him wave to show I was fine I went back to thinking about my Aquarius problem. Each Zodiac when lost had been rediscovered in a specific place that had some special meaning to that particular spirit: Scorpio tended to be discovered in desert regions, Virgo was usually found buried, while Sagittarius was hidden in woodland areas. If I was to take an educated guess Aquarius should be in some form of water. It wasn’t really surprising as this had been a theory that had been in the back of my mind since I’d learned her key had been reformed. Before I could think about why, my hand drifted to Capricorn’s key and his name was on my lips as power was pushed into his gate.

“Good morning Lucy-sama, how can I be of service today?”

Smiling at the ever polite spirit, I couldn’t help but think that Capricorn and Virgo made quite the pair; they both had that stoic and severe attitude and both of them had a masochistic streak though Virgo’s was more in your face than Capricorn. Pushing that possible weird as hell matchmaking task back for another time I gestured for him to take a seat on the bench opposite me so we could talk more easily. As he sat down I tried to get my thoughts in order.

“Capricorn I know you can’t give me specifics about previous owners especially any personal or private information so don’t worry that’s not why I brought you out.”

I’d gone over all of that ground with Leo and he’d drilled it into my head that passed relationships between celestial spirit owners were confidential and the spirits weren’t allowed to tell me anything. Today what I wanted from Capricorn was much simpler.

“Capricorn, am I doing the right thing?”

My voice had come out more quiet than I had wished; I sounded like a little girl asking for reassurance from a parent. I guess in a way I was. This whole scheme had been on my mind for weeks as I’d planned it out and now that I had set it in motion I couldn’t help but second guess myself and whether or not I was acting selfishly or even if I deserved to once more own Aquarius’ key.

“In what way Lucy-sama?”

Glancing across at Capricorn I said what I’d been afraid to say for months, no years now.

“Should I be doing this after what I did do I even deserve to…”

“Excuse me for interrupting Lucy-sama but allow me to say what Aquarius-san has ordered all of your spirits to say if this topic once more comes up. You are not to blame, it was her choice and she and all of your spirits would have gladly made that choice for your life. He was going to kill you; Aquarius-san did not have any other option. She knows this the Spirit King knows this, we all know this all that is left is for you to understand in your heart. Also please be advised that she has threaten to force her way into the human world and to drown you if you do not in her words ‘get a move on’ and find her key. She is growing most impatient though she does not show it. I believe hearing of you through Master Leo and Mistress Virgo is causing some jealousy.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that statement. All I ever got from her was don’t call I’m on a date.

“Capricorn the only reason she would want me to call her would be just so she can brag about having a boyfriend and I don’t”

Before thoughts of Natsu could take hold I resolutely pushed them away. I didn’t have time right now to think of that. Wiping away the tears that had accumulated in my eyes be they from the conversation or thoughts of Natsu I pushed on to my next question. According to the train schedule I didn’t have a lot of time before we arrived.

“Capricorn I have another question, don’t worry it’s only kind of about Aquarius. Do you think it’s wise to take on the S-Class mission? I’ve run the arguments backwards and forwards a hundred times but now I’m not so sure: Am I making the right decision?”

“Allow me to reassure you Lucy-sama that all of your spirits believe in you and that you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. May I remind you that each time you have became the owner of a new Zodiac key you were at first tested to show your worth. This is simply the test that you have set for yourself. You wish to prove to yourself that you are indeed worthy of once more acquiring the last lost Zodiac key.”

As he finished speaking I could feel the train start to slow; looks like we’d arrived at our destination. Smiling at Capricorn I waved goodbye as he closed his gate and then rose from the bench and grabbed my travel bag: time to meet the client.

“Have a nice day mam.”

Nodding at the guard as I hopped down onto the station I got my first look at Kalum City. In all the adventures with Fairy Tail I had never been here before so was actually interested as I looked around. The town spread out to the North much like Magnolia. I could see buildings ranging in size leading away from the train station. As I started walking further into town all the newly built building gave way to older style homes and shops. Before I could start on my quest I had to find the client’s home. Stopping a passing couple I enquired as to where I might find Robson Quail’s residence. Pointing to a nearby stately home they bid me goodbye as I wandered closer. Checking the name of the plaque by the door I saw I was in the right place. Knocking I waited for someone to answer.

“Hello can I help you?”

Turning in surprise I saw an older brown haired gentleman dressed in a mauve suit and tie stood slightly behind me on the road holding onto several bags of groceries. Getting myself together I pointed to the house as I held up my right hand to show my guild mark.

“Hi I’m Lucy of Fairy Tail I’m here about a request Quail-dono made to my guild.”

Looking surprised himself he moved beside me and reached and pushed open the door. The moment he stepped inside a young woman came hurrying over and took the bags from him.

“Please follow me I apologise for the state of the house we have only just moved in and we are still settling down.”

Walking inside I saw what he meant as there were boxes and crates stacked all over. Half the main hall was in disarray and it looked like the back portion of the property was under construction. Following him into a side room also covered in construction materials and boxes I sat on the only chair not covered in something else when he pointed to it.

“Where are my manners, it is a pleasure to meet you Miss I am Robson Quail. Please allow me to get right to the point so you may proceed to the request as soon as possible. I need you to retrieve a Staff of immense power that has been lost for eons. It is known as the Staff of Shonen, an ancient lost magic item that is supposed to heal any wound and is able to transfer magic energy. It is rumoured to be located in the Lost Ruined Temple of the Mashima People. It is of utmost importance that you retrieve that Staff as such the reward is thirty million jewels and a silver celestial gate key. I am afraid I have no information concerning its ware-a-bouts other than that the Temple was partly destroyed in an earthquake hundreds of years ago. My dear that is all I have for you.”

Gesturing to show he was finished I started thinking. Having most of that information from the mission flyer I was still glad for the tip about the earthquake as it may narrow down possible locations if I could figure out a time frame for the destruction. Focusing on what I already knew I felt I should warn him of the difficultly of the request.

“Excuse me Quail-dono I have to advise you that this type of mission could take years to accomplish. With no fixed location I wouldn’t be able to guarantee any sort of timeframe for the request. Not only would I have to first find the Temple but I would then have to reach it and you have to understand it could be anywhere in any country.”

Nodding to show he was listening I waited to see if he would require a different mage to undertake the request.

“Miss Lucy was it. I am fully aware of how long this quest may take and am prepared to wait years if need be for you to find the Staff. I choice Fairy Tail because your guild is known for always seeing through a request to the very end. I have faith that you will retrieve the Staff of Shonen no matter what it takes.”

Now that I’d warned him of how long it could possibly be I felt slightly better about the mission, it was a weight off my mind to know that I could take my time and do the mission right. I’d known before setting out that the request would take a long time and need to be researched and that it would involve wide spread travel; which is exactly what I had to do in order to find Aquarius’ key so one more impossible task didn’t really bother me that much. Bidding Robson Quail goodbye I quickly set out back for the train station and my first official stop for the S-Class mission: the City of Crocus.

Chapter Text

Chapter Eight: Infiltrating The Library

Lucy POV:

Arriving in Crocus Capital City, I knew my first destination would have to be the Great Library where I hoped to not only find information on the Ruins and the Staff but also on possible locations for Aquarius’ key. The problem was I had forgotten the scope of the actual library; it would take me weeks to search the entire place. Not knowing what else to do, I slowly started examining the different sections. It only took me half an hour to realise not only was I hopelessly lost but finding the section I wanted let alone the book in this place would take a miracle. Giving up I knew it was finally time to call in a couple of experts. My hand went to my keys as I readied the power for a double silver summoning.

“Pyxis, Crux would you come on out please, I could do with a hand.”

I heard two distinct chimes and there they were: old man Crux the Southern Cross and Pyxis my bird compass. If anyone could help me out with navigating this place it would be Pyxis and there wasn’t anyone in any world more knowledgeable than Crux especially when it came to celestial spirit magic.

“O.k. you two, this is the Crocus library. I’m here for two reasons: one to find anything on the Mashima people and the Staff of Shonen, and two for possible locations on Aquarius’ key. I’m looking for books on either subject, so if you could, Crux research the libraries contents and see if there’s anything that could help and Pyxis according to the front desk guy the section I want is near the west outer wall though he couldn’t give me a precise floor so please help me out with a direction at least for a starting point.”

As Crux nodded off researching Pyxis’ compass spun until it stopped pointing to the left. Patting the spirit for a job well done the three of us set off in what I hoped was the right direction.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Time-skip: Three Hours Later

This Library was trying to drive me insane. It felt like we had been wandering around for days finding random books in misplaced sections that Crux had been kind enough to memorise in case they could be helpful. Even Pyxis was starting to feel lost and I didn’t think that could happen ever. Trying not to scream in frustration I had just put back an unhelpful book when I heard a bang from the other side of the shelf on the left. Figuring what the heck I decided to check it out and I couldn’t have been happier when I saw a man re-shelving some books further down the aisle. Walking fast so I didn’t lose him I waved to grab his attention as I figured there would be no harm in asking for some advice.

“Hi excuse me I was wondering if you could help me?”

The man hooped down off his ladder and turned to face me. His blonde bangs covered his face and eyes making it hard for me to see his expression as I walked closer. He was dressed much like me in jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt though he appeared to be covered in a fine layer of dust. Before I could speak again he started shouting.

“Don’t you know this is a library! Don’t you know you’re supposed to be quiet! Don’t you know that there are rules! Don’t you…”

The moment he started speaking I stopped and then started backing away slowly. This guy was crazy. Watching as his rant continued I couldn’t help but wince when he started to smack the book in his hand against his other palm. Trying to defuse his rising anger I started talking fast.

“Please I’m sorry, really really sorry, honest. Please I just need some help, I’m lost that’s all.”

The moment I said I was lost he stopped ranting and calmed down completely.

“Oh well in that case I’d be happy to help.”

Seeing him smile at me as if nothing was wrong I could almost see a hint of Mirajane’s demon personality there for a second. Going with the switch as I really didn’t need a distraction at the moment I waved it away and gestured to behind me. As I started speaking I kept a close eye on him just in case he went off the rails again.

“O.k. well I guess I should introduce myself, my name’s Lucy and I’m a wizard. I’m here looking for information on celestial spirits and on an ancient civilisation called the Mashima people. Oh and any info you have on an ancient magical item called the Staff of Shonen.”

Nodding to show he was listening, he suddenly opened the strange book in his hand and started walking off mumbling to himself. Not being able to hear him I figured my best bet would be to follow him until he got wherever he was going. A couple of twists and turns later and I was about to call it quits when he spoke loud enough for me to hear him.

“I know who you are you know. You’re Lucy Heartfilia of the Fairy Tail guild. I’m Pauz Lightless by the way, one of the library’s research assistants.”

I was astonished, normally people didn’t know who I was even being a member of Fairy Tail and a part of Team Natsu didn’t get me recognised all that often especially when I wasn’t with the team.

“I saw you at the Grand Magic Games a few years back you’re a friend of Gray’s aren’t you? I saw a magazine article about your team, how’s Gray doing by the way? I haven’t seen him in ages.”

I was slightly surprised that I had run into someone who was an old friend of Gray’s here of all places. Getting over my shock I quickly ran through everything I knew about Gray even if not having a proper timeframe was a bit of a hindrance.

“He’s doing great. He finally got in a relationship with Juvia; you do know who Juvia is right?”

Shaking his head in the negative I finally asked the question I probably should have started with.

“How long has it been since you last saw Gray?”

He looked back at me as we continued walking smiling softly.

“We haven’t spoken in years, not since we were kids.”

“Oh well o.k. Let’s see then. Er. Gray Fullbuster, Erza Scarlett, Natsu Dragneel, Happy Natsu’s exceed, and I all joined up a couple of years ago forming Team Natsu. Juvia Lockser is well she was a water mage that fought our guild for a time and then well (there wasn’t really a way to put this) after joining our guild she well she stalked Gray for a couple of years. Anyway after everything that happened with the War and all Gray finally admitted he like her too so now their dating I guess you could say.”

Stopping Pauz turned to face me fully as he smiled and pulled off his glasses cleaning them before he started speaking.

“I’m glad he found a family. I knew Gray before he join Fairy Tail and he always seemed like he needed someone to care for. I’m glad he found that at Fairy Tail. Alright Celestial Spirits, Mashima, and Shonen: I think we should take it one question at a time that is the orderly thing to do. So we’ll start off here: Celestial Spirit Lore.”

Looking around I was about to speak when I felt my magic twitch for a second. Turning round I saw that Crux was awake and that Pyxis was looking around with interest: o.k. time for a game plan.

“Pyxis do you mind going back for a bit, it looks like we’ll be in this section for a while. I’ll call you out again when we move on so you can memorise the next route. Crux if I start on that side and you on this we can work through things much quicker. All I’m really looking for is anything on Spirit key locations or any ancient lore about where keys are placed when they are deposited on Earthland.”

That last piece of info I had directed at Pauz. Crux knew what I was looking for as it was his idea to do the research here. I was hoping Pauz might be able to narrow down the book I was looking for as I could already tell that the bookshelves were filled with celestial spirit texts and most of them probably wouldn’t be a help, they would be great to read in any other circumstances but not when finding Aquarius was my top priority.

Chapter Text

Chapter Nine: Paper Cut

Lucy POV:

According to Horologium it was almost three o’clock when I finally got up off the floor and stretched out my tired muscles. I had been sitting in an awkward position for the last hour reading one of the several books Pauz had pointed out that he thought might be helpful. Crux had just finished memorising some of the tomes that dealt with previous spirit key location when I saw Pauz gesture upwards to the floors above.

“If you’d follow me I could show you the location of books that could help you with your other questions if you’d like.”

Smiling at him and starting to follow, I quickly called back out Pyxis so he could track our route so I could find the different sections when I came back tomorrow. Walking next to Pauz I couldn’t help but ask about his friendship with Gray.

“Pauz if you don’t mind how did you and Gray actually met?”

Clutching his strange book closer to him I waited as he started speaking with a small sad smile on his face.

“When I was younger I was part of a dark guild that was rivals with Fairy Tail. I met Gray when my master set out a plan to destroy your guild. Gray and I became friends though neither of us at the time knew about our separate plans. It was only after I learned Gray was intent on joining Fairy Tail and why that I well that I had a change of heart. Thought not before I almost got Gray and I killed.”

I wasn’t actually that surprised at the story, I had noticed over the years that half our enemies ended up becoming our friends after a fashion: Leon, Gajeel, Jellal, the Oración Seis members, heck even the Great Black Wizard Zeref was technically now a member of Fairy Tail. If it came too it I think we could even probably convince the god Ankchosa to join up if he ever decided to pick a fight with us. Fairy Tail just seemed to draw in lost souls and give them the home they were looking for. Smiling over at Pauz as we walked I couldn’t help but laugh.

“It makes me happy to know that Fairy Tail has always been like that; a place for kids to find a home when they need it. I remember the first time I walked through the doors, it was so lively and chaotic, I just couldn’t imagine…”

Acting on instinct having been warned in the nick of time I jumped back and screamed out to Pauz.

“Watch out!”

Suddenly several knifes appeared where we had been standing impaling the floor and announcing the mages arrival. Looking where the attack had come from I spotted five heavily armed men stood at the edge of the library staircase. Each man seemed to be dressed similar in a dark blue cloak with some kind of mask covering their face. Knowing a fight when I saw one I quickly sent back Pyxis and Crux and quietly and in stealth mode silently called out Scutum to buy me a little time to think. Staying behind the invisible barrier created by the shield spirit as it offered some protection for Pauz and me, I quickly formulated a plan as several more knifes bounced off the shield harmlessly. Grabbing the two keys I needed it was a double gold summoning this time.

“Aries Leo I need you, come on out.”

Even before the light faded I placed the White Ram Aries’ key against my chest and pushed forth my power. I had learn the concentration counted not the words so didn’t even bother to speak out loud as I called forth the star dress to match Aries and got ready for battle.

“Princess your prince has come.”

I ignored Loke’s comment and had just dismissed Scutum back to the spirit world to save power for the battle when dozens of sheets of paper suddenly started flying through the air passed me and attacked the five men by the stairs. A quick glance at Pauz assured me that my new friend could take care of himself as the paper tornado seemed to move to his bidding. I really should have made the connection that Pauz was a mage considering he had been in a dark guild. I guess my mind had been elsewhere. Focusing back into the fight I knew I had to be mindful of the delicate nature of my surrounding as I suddenly had awful flashbacks of the look on master’s face every time team Natsu got back from a mission.

“Aries quickly give me a wool wall surrounding the bookshelves in this area. Loke take the guy on the left and keep him away from the books as much as you can.”

“I’m sorry Lucy-sama I’ll try.”

Smiling at Aries to show I believed in her, I knew I didn’t need to worry about Loke as I knew he could handle himself easily. Focusing on my opponents I blocked out Loke’s shouts of Regulus Impact and readied my Fleuve d'etoiles. Telling Aries to wait for my signal telepathically I suddenly shot my whip forward grabbing one of the men before he could move closer with his sword. As the other one raced forward with what looked like twin daggers at the ready I jerked his friend and literally threw him into his rushing comrade.

“Now!”

Aries wool bombs went off right on time scorching the men and the surrounding area. I couldn’t help but think I was lucky I had asked her to place the wool walls in advance. Not wanting to let her do all the work just for good measure I followed up her attack with my own Aries star dress Hamal attack which squished the intruders flat under a slab of concentrated heavy wool. Risking a quick glance at Leo I saw he was busy duelling with the other mage and seemed to be holding his own. Not wanting to get in his way as I knew his pride would be hurt especially in front of Aries I let him take care of it as I turned and checked on Pauz. Before I’d even finished turning I saw the two other men were on the floor unconscious covered in paper fragments. Impressed with the damage done I saw all the men were now out for the count. As my clothes returned to normal, I smiled in thanks at both Aries and Leo.

“Aries you were brilliant, those bombs went off right when I needed them. Thank you for all your help I couldn’t have done it without you”

Blushing and stammering, Aries departed with her customary ‘I’m sorry’ leaving me to deal with Leo and his ever annoying flirting. Forcing his gate closed before he could get even a word out about his undying love as I had heard it all before I turned just in time to hear Pauz make a comment as he pulled out a mini communication lacrima from his pocket.

“You know I’m pleasantly surprised at such minute damage seeing as how destruction and Fairy Tail wizards usually go together. Oh well now let us see first Edmond, Edmond can you hear me, good I need you to send the Rune Knight to section twenty-six stairwell G we were attack by intruders. We’ll secure them while we wait though please tell them to hurry.”

Looking round I was a shocked myself at the little damage that had been caused by the short fight; in fact other than the light scorch marks on the floor from Aries’ bombs most of the burn marks and sliced texts were mainly Pauz and the thugs’ responsibility. I couldn’t help feel slight pride at my self-restraint but I also felt a little annoyed as well; if my team could show half of this type of control then maybe we wouldn’t always lose my rent money every mission. Shaking off that depressive thought, I figured I might as well help Pauz tie up the men while we waited for the Rune Knights to show up. It actually felt kind of strange to wait for them to come instead of making a run for it and hoping they didn’t find me. You know you should change your life when being seen by the authorities as an innocent party is a novel concept.

Seeing that one of the men was starting to come round I quickly finished tying him up with one of the stairwell rope banisters Pauz had handed me. I was just about finished when I had an idea. Though it wasn’t really my area of expertise I realised that I could do with some information. Now normally this would be where Erza stepped in and threaten them with a sword, or where Natsu appeared and lit his hand on fire and grinned evilly. Making do with what I had I steeled myself and grabbed the slowly waking up mage by his collar and shook him.

“Hey idiot, why the hell did you people attack us?”

Not getting any answer other than a weak glare I quickly thought, I didn’t have long till the Rune Knights got there so I was going to have to improvise. Grabbing my whip I wrapped it around his neck and squeezed. Seeing him pale and started choking I waited a few seconds then loosened it up.

“I asked you a question and unless you want me to hang you from the rafter until you turn blue I suggest you make with the answers.”

I seriously couldn’t believe what I was saying though by the look on his face it seemed to have worked.

“Rowena, Rowena paid us.”

Before I could get any more I heard the sound of several stomping boots coming from the staircase. Letting go I quickly back away as I watched the Rune Knights finally show up. I guess I would just have to hope that the name I extracted would be helpful: Rowena who the heck is that. I couldn’t help but sigh quietly, apparently there was someone else looking for either the staff or the key typical why was my life never easy. Not knowing which it was I could only watch as a couple of the Knights started to cart the men away after one of the magic knights waved some kind of wand in their faces. I was about to move further away when what I assumed was the head knight surprised me by stopping and handing me a slip of paper. Glancing at it as he disappeared with the rest of them down the stairs I saw that he had given me some kind of receipt. Showing it to Pauz in bewilderment I waited as he spoke.

“Oh that’s a bounty receipt, it seems that one or more of the men had a price on his head and that paper is proof to show that you can claim the reward.”

As Pauz resumed our trek through the library back towards the next section I couldn’t help but be bemused. This would be the first time that I had gotten paid for being attacked, heck normally Fairy Tail wizards just fought because the bad guys deserved it; most of the time we ended up getting billed for the damages particularly Team Natsu. Shaking off the thoughts especially about my old team I quickly followed Pauz further into the library’s cavernous depths towards where I assumed he thought possible information on the Mashima people and the Staff of Shonen would be. Seeing the vast stores of books in front of me I knew that this was going to be a long few days as I once more took out Pyxis and Crux’s keys ready to get back to work.

Chapter Text

Chapter Ten: A Royal Encounter

Lucy POV:

Oh was I happy to get out of there and see sunlight at last. I stretched and yawned as I wandered down one of Crocus’ main streets accompanied by Aries who had been invited to spend the day with me. I couldn’t help but think that days spent indoors with few windows will get to you after a while. I couldn’t believe it had taken me over a week to get everything I needed. I knew if Pauz had been able to stick around after the first day things would have been faster but sadly for me work had called and we’d had to say goodbye. Slowly making our way back to the inn, we were just about to turn off the main thoroughfare when I spotted something interesting: a new magic shop. It must have only recently opened as the signs were still up announcing its presence.

“Aries, do you mind if we take a quick detour?”

Gesturing to the large brightly lit sign to the right of us I waited for her to look. The store looked new in design, full of colourful lights and with a magic wheel colours system changing the stores logo design constantly.

“Of course not Lucy-sama I’m sorry.”

Wandering closer, I figured we might as well take a look as you never know when you will find something useful. Entering the store, I decided to start at the back and make our way slowly to the front counter. The shop was quite large with the counter to the left of the entrance and different magic sections running off towards the back of the store. Nothing seemed to be placed in a specific order though everything was grouped up into sections depending on type of magic. Not surprisingly I found myself enjoying the experience of showing Aries all the new and wondrous magic items that were for sale; it turned out some Aries had heard of, while others she hadn’t ever seen before.
Some of things I saw brought up memories of my friends and guild mates. There were some magic swords and decks of magic cards; there were even several weird totem dolls that reminded me of Bickslow’s babies. The worst though had to be when we came to the magic texts section and I saw at a glance several books on ancient languages and even one on script magic. I couldn’t help but think that Levy would have loved this place. Pushing the thought straight back out of my mind to the depths of hell where it belonged, I quickly walked away and made my way resolutely to the front of the store instead before I could start crying. Refocusing I realised I hadn’t seen the main reason why we came into the store. Walking up to the counter I waited as the clerk finished serving another customer before I spoke.

“Excuse me I’d like to enquire about any possible celestial gate keys you might have in stock.”

After a few comments about their rarity and how there was not much call for them nowadays the clerk finally brought out a chest containing five silver keys. I couldn’t help but admire the celestial keys on offer. If it was possible I would have purchase them all, even the duplicate copies I could see of Plue and Lyra. It was always a tug of war lately, on one hand the spirits would be safe with me but on the other I would be limiting a good mage’s ability to find friends. Glancing at the clerk I just remembered something I was going to ask.

“By any chance you wouldn’t happen to have any gold keys would you?”

Shaking his head the clerk gestured to the chest,

“Sorry miss that’s all we have at the moment. I’m afraid I haven’t seen a gold celestial key in years. As far as I know they’re all contracted to other wizards.”

Smiling to show I understood even if he was slightly wrong I made sure to finish my thought.

“If it’s not too much trouble if any gold keys do come in could you contact the Fairy Tail guild and give me a chance to check them out before you sell them.”

Nodding to show that he would I finally went back to looking at the silver keys. I immediately had a silent debate with my greedy self then couldn’t help glance at Aries for her guidance.

“What do you think Aries? Who should I get? I really want to buy all of them but it’s so frustrating. Ahh keys why must you tempt me?”

I knew I’d have to come to a compromise on how much of my savings I would allow myself to spend though what with the extra jewels I had gained from those thugs me and Pauz had captured there was a little leeway.

“I’m sorry Lucy-sama I don’t know how to answer, I’m sorry.”

Smiling to show I didn’t blame Aries one bit I sighed as I forced my devil nature to shut up and let me think.

“O.k. Aries, how about this: one key per store, sounded sensible to you?”

Nodding to show she agreed I reached over and gave her a quick hug hoping to ease her worries. I knew it was a reasonable compromise; it enabled me to make new friends while also saving enough money for the journey. I quickly separated out the three keys that I didn’t already own, closed my eyes and held my hand out over them. Without conscious thought or magical influence I dropped my hand and reached for a key. Opening my eyes I saw which new spirit would become part of the family: the stalking cat Lynx. Satisfied with the choice I turned to back to the clerk and got ready for the haggling.

“And how much is this little thing you lovely lovely man?”

Leaning on the counter and pushing my arms under my chest I gave the girls a good showing thankful that I was in a low cut t-shirt because of how stuffy the library was. Blinking and looking up under my lashes I bit my lip slightly as I gave a small smile (the things I do for a discount disgusts me sometimes). With his eyes practical glued to my breasts that were showing over the edge of my shirt I waited.

“Well miss seeing how you’re such a fine young lady, how about I give it to you for let’s say thirty thousand jewels and…”

Leaning closer to her the store clerk winked.

“…a kiss.”

Trying hard not to grimace, I held in the urge to Lucy-kick the little toad. Quickly getting the required jewels out of my purse I put them on the counter then smiled as I leaned across the glass. Just as my lips were about to touch I jerked my head to the side and grazed his cheek instead.

“Thank you ever so much. Well take care now and don’t forget to call if a gold key comes in. Bye bye.”

Before he could react I spun and pushed Aries towards the exit. I was so focused on attaching my new key to the keyring and getting out of there as quickly as possible that I wasn’t watching where I was going and bumped straight into the person walking past the door. Looking up as I started to apologise I found that I’d literally walked straight into Princess Hisui.

“Princess?”

“Lucy!”

I could tell that Hisui was just as shocked as I was about running into each other. I couldn’t keep the grin from spreading across my face as I reached forward and hugged her. I was just so happy to see a friendly face.

“Oh my god Princess it is so good to see you again. How have you been?”

I couldn’t help looking round for Coronal Arcadios, where you saw the Princess he was usually two steps behind. I was a little shocked not to see him or any royal guards for that matter. I was about to ask when she beat me to it.

“Lucy-san, do you mind if we go somewhere to talk. I could really do with some advice.”

A look at her face showed me it was serious but before I could comment Aries spoke up.

“I’m sorry Lucy-sama but I need to go now I’m sorry goodbye Lucy-sama.”

Waving goodbye I quickly turned and bid the Princess to follow me as I knew of a cute little café a street over from my inn. Once inside I had her sit down in seat by the window while I went up to the counter and ordered two strawberry milkshakes and two slices of chocolate cake. Carrying everything back over to the table it took me a second to realise that something was different about her. As I sat down it hit me that the Princess was dressed casually. She was missing her usual hair accessories and was in a plain blue dress that in no way declared her true status. As she looked up at me and smiled shyly in thanks it occurred to me that for some reason Princess Hisui was going incognito. Suddenly getting series I pushed my shake away and frowned at her.

“Hisui-chan what’s this all about?”

I knew I was taking a risk with her name but I figured calling her Princess would be more inappropriate than misusing the honorifics. I was horrified when for some reason she started to tear up. Gesturing wildly in panic I grabbed the nearest napkin and thrust it at her. Taking it she wiped away the tears and smiled in thanks. I decided it would be best not to say anything else in case I set her off again so I waited as she got hold of herself. She took a deep breath settled down then started to explain.

“My father has decided that it is time that I get married.”

Suddenly I was having very horrific flashbacks. Praying I was wrong I listened as she continued.

“He has requested that I attend the next royal ball and seek out a possible suitor. The anniversary of my uncle’s marriage is coming up next month and so my father… he expects me to…”

Before she could start crying again I up out of my side of the booth and slid into her side and hugged her. I knew from experience what it felt like to have your choice in husband be dictated to you so I acted without thought. It took her a couple of minutes but finally she calmed down enough for me to speak and assume she heard me.

“Princess, Hisui-chan I know your father loves you very much. That’s obvious every time the two of you are together. I don’t really know what to tell you other than you have to talk to him. He’s not the type of man that would force you to be unhappy. I’m sure he just wants what’s best for you. Why don’t you talk it out, I’m sure there’s got to be some kind of compromise. Besides you never know you could get lucky and met the love of your life at the ball if not I’m sure your father would understand.”

As I watched her reaction she took on a rosy hue and it suddenly hit me, the absence of Arcadios, the tears, the fear I could see in her eyes: she was already in love. Shocked speechless I finally realised why she would ask for my help. I was well known in high society for refusing to let my father arrange my marriage and as a Fairy Tail mage we were known to ignore the rules all the time.

“Hisui-chan would I be wrong in supposing you already have someone special?”

Blushing she stuttered as she answered.

“Lucy-san I… I can’t tell father he wouldn’t approve. He wants me to marry a prince not a a… There’s no way he would ever let me and… I just, Lucy-san there’s no hope, and now now Arcadios-kun won’t even speak at me.”

I tried to catch the smile before it made it to my face; she was so cute when she was flustered. As I sat there watching her alternate blushing and palling, a strange thought popped into my head. Though I was loth to admit it and tried my best to forget it I was considered a sort of hero by those that knew what happened in the final battle with Zeref. Some of the people that knew the truth just happened to be the King and the new Magic Council. As a speculative gleam entered my eye I grabbed my shake and starting drinking it to give me time to ponder.

“Lucy-san what am I going to do?”

I had just finished my drink and was starting on my slice of cake when the thought in the back of my mind solidified.

“Alright Hisui-chan here’s how it’s going to go. You go to your father and tell him that you love him very much and that like he asked, you have found yourself a suitor. That the ‘Fairy Hero’ Lucy Heartfilia thinks that it would be a successful match and that it would bring stability and a sense of unification to the kingdom. At this point if we’re lucky he should be nodding along. Now if he is you say this ‘Father I will do as you ask and marry my intended for the good of the people. Arcadios-kun will be here soon how do I look?’ after that you’re on your own with Arcadios, my advice there is not to give the man any wiggle room he kind of seems to be the type of guy that would sacrifice his happiness for the supposed greater good. If I thought it would work I’d say get him drunk and have him knock you up then he’d have to marry you.”

Her gasp of outrage was most amusing as well as the fact her face went bright red in embarrassment. I guess I’d been hanging out with Cana too much lately.

“If that too extreme for you, you could always get him drunk and elope.”

As I watched her face go back to normal I took the last bite of my cake: erm delicious. As Hisui got a thoughtful expression on her face I started to wonder, if I didn’t know better I would say that my last suggestion had got her thinking. Shaking off the notion I had a thought that might cheer her up and get her mind off her problems.

“Hey Hisui-chan, fancy seeing me make a contract with my new spirit before I have to leave town?”

Looking at me for the first time since we’d bumped into each other with joy the princess didn’t hesitate.

“Oh Lucy-san that would be wonderful, I always love meeting new spirits.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm as we both stood up and made our way outside. If there was one thing that could always be sure to cheer up a celestial mage, it was seeing a new spirit for the first time. Stretching once again into the sun I couldn’t help but think that my little S-Class adventure had gotten off to such an interesting start. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

Chapter Text

Chapter Eleven: Prepare To Be Entertained

Lucy POV:

I couldn’t help but think back on something the Princess had said as we talked over the difference between silver spirits and gold and the power consumption of both especially when it came to abilities. It was true that my spirits were getting stronger and I had been practicing and meditating to allow them more time and power when they were out in the world but until she mentioned it I hadn’t noticed that being able to keep a Zodiac spirit out in the world all day would be considered an achievement. It had been so gradual and because they weren’t fighting I didn’t really pay attention to the time but now that she pointed it out I had been pushing myself lately and didn’t even feel that winded. Pushing the thought out of my mind I glanced up when I realised I was there.

I stopped and glanced back the way I’d come admiring the view from this side of the Paradis Mountains. Everything looked so lush and green. Even the building that stood before me was pleasing to the eye; as it no doubt had been for all the years the guild had resided in Zorinth town. Blue Pegasus was one of the few guildhalls that hadn’t changed much over the years. I could still picture it from before when I was with Sorcerer Weekly. I remembered all those photo shoots and interviews I had to do during the disbandment. There wasn’t a month when I wasn’t sent out here to interview one of the Tri-men about their escapades. Before I could step inside I heard someone calling my name.

“Lucy yoo-hoo over here.”

I turned and was surprised to see Jenny Realite barrowing her way down the street. Bracing for impact I was shocked when Jenny didn’t even slow down and simply ploughed right into me and in fact hugged me in greeting. The normally disdainful model was practically gushing as she pulled me inside the guild. I was surprised to see Jenny wasn’t herself, normally the model would be made out to the nines but now she looked for want of a better term worn in. Her hair was haphazardly thrown up in a ponytail and her outfit was something I thought I’d never see on the self claimed fashion expert a pair of ordinary blue jeans and a simply pink sweater set.

The moment we stepped through the doors we were bombarded with hellos and compliments: same old same old. Jenny didn’t bother with any of the greeting but simply dragged me straight to the bar and the master of Blue Pegasus, Bob. I had always liked talking to Bob as he was one of the saner guild masters I had ever met; I couldn’t help but think that the fact I was female probably helped with that impression as I had seen him when he talked to Natsu and Gray and believe me it wasn’t a pretty sight. As Jenny and I sat down I realised that she seemed to be more stressed than usual. A quick glance round confirmed that neither Hibiki Lates nor Ren Akatsuki were present.

“Hey guys where’s Hibiki and Ren, I can’t see them about? Are they off on a mission?”

The moment the words left my mouth I could see the change come over both Bob and Jenny. All of a sudden Jenny got quiet and Bob looked sad. I couldn’t help but get a bad feeling.

“What’s wrong, did something happen?”

Jenny and Bob shared a sorrowfully look then Bob started talking.

“Lucy my dear both Ren and Hibiki are away from the guild at the moment, Ren is on vacation with his darling Sherry for the next week while Hibiki left late last night on a mission request.”

I knew something was wrong by the tone of Bob’s voice when he said Hibiki’s name. Realising there were too many people present I called out Lyra as a distraction.

“Lyra if you wouldn’t mind playing a few happy upbeat tunes for the visitors I’d appreciate it.”

It didn’t take long after Lyra started playing for both Bob and Jenny to tell me what the real problem was. Jenny started it.

“You have to understand Lucy, Hibiki he’s been different lately.”

Glancing to the left of me I could see that Jenny looked close to tears as Bob finished explaining.

“He has been growing distant as of late and he has started to take more and more dangerous solo missions. Hibiki refuses to interact with the newer guild members and can’t stomach socialising within the guild. If something does not change I will have to intervene and start refusing him missions.”

Oh my, it sounded like things had really gotten bad. Not talking to people, that wasn’t the Hibiki I knew, he was one of the most friendly mages I had ever meet; for him to be basically shunning his friends something must be really wrong. By this point Jenny really was crying. Reaching over I grasped her hand in comfort as she took up where Bob left off.

“Even I’m starting to worry as he absolutely refuses to talk about Eve or Ichiya sensei. I know he’s just trying to protect himself from the pain but this isn’t the way to do it, it’s just going to cause him more agony when he realises what he is doing to everyone.”

I had to admit to myself that I knew how he felt, I can’t even speak Levy’s name out loud without going into hysterics. I forced myself to focus before my memories could have me crying like Jenny. I once more squeezed her hand and then started explaining why I was there.

“Bob Jenny the reason I’m here is I was assigned an S-Cass mission and came looking for Hibiki to see if his Archive magic could give me any clues as to the whereabouts of an ancient civilisation call the Mashima.”

Bob looked surprised as he answered.

“I didn’t know you had gained S-Class ranking Lucy congratulations.”

Stopping him there I held up my hand to tell him to wait.

“Sorry Bob but I’m not there yet, Master made an exception because the mission is more time consuming rather than dangerous and I had another reason for needing to be away from the guild for so long.”

Both Jenny and Bob looked inquisitive so I continued talking before they could ask.

“Not many people know this and I would appreciate it if you could keep it to yourselves but during the battle with Tartarus I had to sacrifice one of my Gold Celestial Spirit keys in order to save the guild.”

Hearing a gasp of horror from Jenny and seeing the frown on Bob’s face I quickly continued.

“I’ve been lucky enough to find out that the key has been re-forged and is right now, hidden somewhere out there waiting for me to find it. That’s probably another thing I’ll end up asking Hibiki about. How long do you expect he’ll be gone for?”

Bob and Jenny shared another look as Jenny dried her eyes and Bob answered.

“The mission is supposed to take about two weeks and is a dark guild infiltration assignment out near Shirotsume Town.”

I knew I told the client that it would take me time to complete the mission but waiting around two weeks didn’t seem to be the best use of my time. Now that I was out I wanted to keep moving and try and make some progress on either mission. As I thought it over I realised Lyra had finished singing and had returned home. Making a snap decision I turned back towards Bob and spoke.

“Alright I think it would be best if I tried catching up with him before he disappears. Shirotsume did you say?”

Nodding, Bob smiled as he answered.

“I think that would be wise my dear. If you can please see if you can talk some sense into the boy as he is taking Eve’s death harder than I first thought? Those boys were always together and if it weren’t for Sherry I believe Ren would be going through much the same thing. Death of the young I will never get used to, the War was hard on all of us but to lose your best friend and mentor in one blow. I just hope the boy can pull out of it soon. It is a shame what sorrows the young ones have to bare.”

Having finished speaking Bob reached under the bar and pulled out what looked like a mission log book. When he opened it up I knew I was right; reaching in he handed me a copy of Hibiki’s mission request flyer and sighed.

“I do wish you luck my dear on all your endeavours.”

Chapter Text

Chapter Twelve: Lost Friend

Lucy POV:

As I arrived at Shirotsume Town train station I couldn’t help compare it to my previous visit. The town looked to be almost completely redone; nothing looked the same not the station or the town centre. Pushing the thought out of my mind I refocused on the conversation I had been having with Sagittarius.

“As we are playing catch up Miss Lucy it would be best if we travel straight to the source of the problem moshi moshi.”

As we continued through town I couldn’t help but agree with Sagittarius’ suggestion. Hibiki had at least a couple of hour’s head start and probably more information than us. My only hope was according to Bob Hibiki had arrived late last night after a long few weeks of missions so he might have not woken as early as one might think. Quickly passing through town we made our way to the southern forest pathway. The mission had requested information retrieval on a possible dark guild alliance and so according to Bob, Hibiki was going to try infiltrating the guild and getting out without being noticed. The client not surprisingly was the council and they wanted information not destruction hence why Blue Pegasus got the call and not Fairy Tail.

We had been walking towards the dark guild’s possible location for a couple of hours when Sagittarius suddenly halted and pointed to the ground further ahead. As we stepped closer even I could see that the pathway in front of us was all torn up. Glancing round I looked to see if I could figure out what exactly happened. Noticing scorch marks and what looked like blood on several nearby trees, I didn’t need Sagittarius next comment to take a wild guess of what occurred.

“It appears moshi moshi that there was a battle here, not too long ago.”

Before I could even ask him Sagittarius was following the trail off the path and into the surrounding wood. Eventually the trail ended and looking round I couldn’t see any other paths leading away from the site. I was about to tell Sagittarius to keep looking when I remembered Reticulum. Sending Sagittarius back I didn’t waste any time.

“Open the gate of the eyepiece graticule Reticulum.”

As the light from the spirit’s arrival faded I could feel her flow through the air and settled across my face. I didn’t need to look to know that a beautiful red and blue jewel encrusted golden mask now covered my face.

“How can I help you today my dear Lucy?”

Hearing the spirit’s voice in my head most people would think was strange but over the years I had gotten used to talking to my spirits this way and by now it was normal. Sending a quick thought to Reticulum I had her morph into her second more technical form that of a singular ocular eyepiece. The moment she finished changing I closed my other eye and looked through the lens. Everything around me was now in super sharp focus and I could see details that even a dragonslayer would miss. What I found as I glanced around was what I had suspected: an invisible barrier across a section of the woods. Walking closer I stopped when I came to the edge. Playing a hunch I started calling out.

“Hibiki, its Lucy, Lucy Heartfilia. Lucy of Fairy Tail. We meet some years ago during the guild alliance to take out the Oracion Seis. You taught me my celestial spell Urano Meteoria. You once loved Karen who used to own some of my Zodiac keys Leo and Aries.”

The moment I reeled off Karen’s name there was an immediate reaction as the barrier fell even before I’d finished speaking; lying propped up against a tree a couple of feet in front of me was an injured Hibiki trying to stand. Rushing forward I held him down and quickly took stock.

“Hibiki what happened?”

Crouching down I used Reticulum to catalogue his wounds as I waited for him to speak.

“I was on my way to a dark guild’s location when I got jumped by a raiding party on their way into town. I’m here on a council mission to…”

Here I interrupted him as this bit I already knew as I quietly sent Reticulum home.

“It’s alright Hibiki I know about the infiltration mission I stopped off at Blue Pegasus before coming here I was actually searching for you.”

I grabbed my keyring and searched for my newest key. Before I left Crocus after another pep talk to Princess Hisui she had given me a gift. When I finished explaining my real mission and how long it would take me to find Aquarius she had become worried. She had dragged me to a magic shop I had never seen near the palace and bought me a new spirit she had seen. Finding the right key I held it out and once more summoned a spirit. This time instead of a mask a golden glowing light appeared and hovered over the both of us.

“My liege the healing arts are a noble profession, what is your will?”

Smiling up at the spirit I still couldn’t get used to how she talked.

“Afternoon Ara, I need your help. My friend here has been injured do you think you could take a look and see if you can heal him?”

Without responding Ara’s light drifted to Hibiki and settled across him. Before he could freak out I spoke.

“Don’t worry, Ara’s a healing spirit called the altar. She’s very good at healing minor injuries and detecting illness. She should be done in a couple of minutes. While we wait why don’t you tell me what you can about the dark guild?”

Though I couldn’t see it because of spirit’s glow I felt him sigh and settle more securely against the tree via my connection to Ara.

“The guild is called Broken Promises and according to the council they are the leader of a new dark guild alliance. From the information I have been able to gather so far the alliance has only just been formed but they have their eye on gaining territory quickly and viciously. There have about twenty guild members at present but they are all highly skilled wizards. The information I have on the Master is sketchy at best supposedly his magic has something to do with fog or mist I can’t be too sure.”

As he finished speaking Ara’s glow softened and disappeared from Hibiki leaving me able to see him once again.

“The healing arts have once again accomplished much, your friend is healed. He was suffering from minor lacerations and burns and an energy loss. Time shall do what I cannot. Good day.”

Ara disappeared back into the spirit world as I moved forward and helped Hibiki up. I knew now was probably the time I should explain why I was there but I suddenly had the over-welling feeling that if I did he would make me leave. My mind raced as I tried to come up with a way that Hibiki would let me help with his mission. I knew Fairy Tail wasn’t the greatest at infiltration and whenever I have tried in the past it didn’t go well but I had to try to keep him from doing this alone. I could see the look in Bob’s eye when he talked about how Hibiki had been dealing with the deaths from the war. Taking a deep breath, I started talking as my mind came up with a plan.

“Hibiki the reason I am here is because I need your help. I have accepted an S-Class quest that needs me to find an ancient civilisation and I was wondering if you could use your achieve to look up any information that is available on its location. As a fair trade I would gladly help you with your mission with the dark guild.”

Looking thoughtful Hibiki started testing out his legs admiring the job Ara did. I tried to wait patiently as he thought about my offer. It took him a few minutes but suddenly he nodded and spoke.

“Lucy I would be thankful for the help what with the raiding party having seen my face my original plan will no longer work so I will have to rethink my approach. The dark guild is due south near the southern edge of the forest. It will take us about an hour to walk there; if we hurry we should be there before sundown.”

Pleased he had agreed so easily I followed Hibiki as he started walking further into the forest. Catching up I listening closely as he continued talking.

“The mission requires that we gain some sensitive information on a possible new alliance that the guild is trying to pull off. I had planned on infiltrating the guild as a new member and quietly gathering the information I’d need without alerting the guild. Now though we will have to come up with a different strategy.”

Letting him think I let my mind wander as we hurried through the forest. I couldn’t help but wonder how the Fairy Tail was doing. By now they would have found my note and know that I would be gone for months, even years. Before the war I could have expected Natsu to come tearing after me now… Forcing back the pain at the thought of the ruins that was our friendship I made myself think of something else, surprisingly Gajeel popped into my mind. I realised I hadn’t seen him around the guild in the weeks before I left. I had been trying to actively avoid him for the first few months after the war I couldn’t look at him at all knowing he would blame me for her death. Just seeing him in the guild brought back memories of seeing the two of them huddled up in the back corner, Levy reading and Gajeel munching on iron.

Shaking loose the depressing thoughts of Levy I started to concentrate on my surroundings as I could hear voices in the distance. I took a glance at Hibiki and saw him grow tense. Following his lead as he slowed down and started creeping towards the noises, I grabbed my keys and whip in case we were ambushed. It only took us minutes to reach the source of the noise, it appeared we were there. In front of us in a clearing was what must have been the dark guild. The building was smaller than the Fairy Tail guildhall; it had several floors and a tower near the back with a courtyard and wall blocking off access other than the main entrance. The peoples voices were coming from the ground floor in what I presumed was the main hall.

“Lucy this way.”

Indicating the left-hand side I followed Hibiki around the back of the building. As we crept closer to the wall my mind was running through different tactics that would get us what we needed. This wasn’t really something I had had to do before as on a typical Fairy Tail mission we tended to go in magic blazing breaking things first then asking questions. Looking at the tower I could see an open window near the top which sparked an idea. Realising that stealth would be needed I called out Gemini.

“You called piri piri.”

Smiling at the twins I indicated them to keep their voices down.

“Hi Gemi Mini I need you guys to transform into Happy for me and fly Hibiki up to that window. Hibiki we can gain entry through there and once inside I can have the twins use their abilities to copy one of the guild members and get some information.”

As the twins glowed and changed I quickly star dressed to join them and mimicked their transformation, a useful skill I had developed; the only problem being I could only hold it so far for a maximum of five minutes so we needed to get moving. As I took on a blue skin tone and white feathery wings Gemini flew Hibiki up to the upper floor window. I took off after them trying to get used to the wings as I went. Luckily for us we managed to make our way inside without being seen. We seemed to be in what looked like the guilds infirmary, there were three beds and cabinets loosely stocked with supplies. Once settled inside I had Gemini erase their memory of my own image then instructed them to scout outside and acquire one of the dark guild members’ identities. I turned to Hibiki and relayed what I knew.

“Gemini shouldn’t be long, once their back they can use the copy to answer any questions you have while I try another approach.”

As I finished speaking I felt the twins signal they were ready. Re-summoning them back to me I let them change into the guild member and start talking to Hibiki. While they were busy I called out my next spirit.

“Open gate of the stalking cat Lynx.”

With the expected lightshow my newly purchased spirit arrived in the form of a young woman with cat ears and a tail. Lynx as a seductress spirit was appropriately dressed in a barely-there grey mini dress and sky-high heels which showed off her curvy body to maximum effect. The moment she saw Hibiki and Gemini in man form she slinked over and started purring.

“Oh Mistress Lucy I do love your new boy-toys can I please play with them?”

I watched as Hibiki stuttered as Lynx draped herself over him and started rubbing herself against his body like a cat in heat. I barely stopped myself from hitting my head at her behaviour; she was almost as bad as Loke and Taurus when it came to flirting. Pulling her away from the other two I quickly explained the plan.

“Lynx I need your special skills, we need as much information as you can get including information on members of the guild, where they keep any important documents and files, and anything on a dark guild alliance they are planning.”

Snapping a snappy salute Lynx strolled out the door already in hunter mode. I knew she would have appreciated her new assignment as Lynx loved seducing bad guys into trouble. As a manipulative spirit Lynx could excrete pheromones that caused different reactions in people. The most useful at the moment were the pheromones that made people easily susceptible to her feminine wiles and the one which made a sense of familiarity and recognition appear in people’s minds when she drew near. Seeing Gemini had finished relaying their information to Hibiki I thanked them and sent them home not wanting to waste power in case I needed it later. Before I could ask Hibiki if they were helpful I heard a voice in my head suddenly start speaking; it turned out Lynx had already found something.

Motioning Hibiki to follow me we slowly crept outside and down the corridor. Lynx had managed to gain the information on where the dark guild master kept all his files. Once we had made it down a level and to the right door without being seen we snuck inside and Hibiki immediately got to work accessing the files. To be on the safe side while he searched Hibiki put back up his force field keeping him and I hid behind the imperceptible barrier. I should have known things were going too smoothly as the problem arose when it took him slightly too long to find what he needed. Before I or Hibiki could react the door burst open and what I presume was the dark guild master came storming back into his office and unlucky enough for us walked straight into the invisible shield covering our presence.

Knowing the game would be up within seconds I did what Fairy Tail does best and came out swinging. Quickly grabbing the right key and holding it to my chest I transformed into Capricorn star dress and attacked the guild master before he could realise what had happened. Throwing punches and kicks I tried to keep myself between the master and Hibiki to allow him enough time to get the information we still needed. As the master counter-attacked with magic I finally discovered what his power was and I couldn’t stop myself from cringing and screaming at the top of my lungs. The guy used bugs, lots and lots of bugs. The moment Hibiki saw the bugs headed his way he blanched and fled the room.
Forcing myself not to run away as the cloud of insects swarmed at me, I knew Capricorn was no longer my best option as I ducked and dodged the cloud of bugs. Trying to save power I stayed in Capricorn stardress and quickly called out Scorpio and had him sand blast the storm of insects as it swung around for another pass at me. I knew that the bugs weren’t the main problem so left them to Scorpio while I once more rushed the guild master. After a few minutes of hand-to-hand combat I saw my opening and used an uppercut powered by Capricorn’s strength to take him and his bugs out of commission. Placing my hands on my knees I dragged in a much needed breath of air and relaxed my muscles, darn that was tiring.

Suddenly I heard shouts and magic coming from outside and so I rushed out the door and towards the stairs. By this point I figured the ruckus had alerted the other guild members that there was an intruder. By the time I made it to the first landing I could see several of the guild members headed up the stairs towards me. Not wasting time I had Scorpio sandbuster the lot of them sending them flying back down and taking out the first wave. Quickly I rushed down the stairs and found myself on a balcony overlooking the main guild hall. First things first where the heck had Hibiki gone off to. A quick glance round the ground floor had me locating Hibiki battling it out with several more bad guys; so much for infiltration and stealth, I couldn’t help but sigh at the inevitability of a battle when it comes to Fairy Tail mages even if surprisingly enough that included me.

Shaking loose the thought I jumped over the railing and down to the ground floor moving further out into middle of the hall to allow more room to manoeuvre. Still in star dress I swiftly started to beat up different guild members and called out Virgo for back-up and containment. As she dug holes and dragged the defeated guild members into them, Scorpio and I worked as a team to dispatch the rest of the guild as Hibiki finished taking out his last few opponents. After Virgo had safely contained all the dark guild members into the holes and for added reassurance tied them all up with magic-cancelling rope I turned and apologised to Hibiki about not getting away smoothly.

“It’s alright Lucy I really shouldn’t be all that surprised as Fairy Tail really does not do subtle.”

Wanting to show him that Fairy Tail mages know how to work within a mission statement, I sent back Scorpio and recalled out Gemini.

“Guys could you quickly copy the dark guild master and give Hibiki all the information he needs about the new alliance and the other dark guilds involved.”

Twirling in place the twins started to drift towards one of the holes as they answered.

“Of course piri piri.”

Vanishing from sight the twins came back almost immediately and transformed into the bug master now unconscious in one of Virgo’s holes. Quickly getting to it they started answering Hibiki’s questions while I took out my communication lacrima and called the Rune Knights for pick up.

“Hello Mest-sama I could do with a little help.”

Half an hour later found Hibiki and me waiting outside the dark guild for the Knights to show. Seeing him relax against the outer courtyard wall I realised that I still had a mission to accomplish here, the one master Bob had needed me personally to do. Knowing now would probably be the best time, I steeled my nerves and started speaking making sure I wasn’t staring at him as I knew I wouldn’t be able to say any of this if I was looking him in the eye.

“I know this probably isn’t the best time and especially what you don’t want to hear but I have to talk to you about what happen during the war. It is unfair and cruel of me but I’m going to have to tell you some hard truths. Hibiki I know you’re sad and I know you’re in pain and feel guilty and angry and even ashamed. But the things you seem to be forgetting is that you are not the only one feeling like that. Your friends are all going through the same thing and you pushing them away and treating them like the enemy isn’t helping, you’re only hurting them and yourself more. Jenny, Bob, Ren, and your other friends and guildmates, Miss Eve-san and Ichiya-sensei too and you isolating yourself and refusing to talk about them isn’t helping. Those two would never have wanted you to punish yourself on their account. They were some of the most sweet and caring individuals I have ever meet. Maybe instead of pushing people away a more fitting tribute would be to carry on their legacy and be a teacher like Eve and a role model for the younger wizards just like Ichiya. I know that it is hard to continue living your life while they are gone but that living the best you can is the only way to make them proud. Please talk to your friends and let them be there for you, talk about your memories of them don’t forget the good times and only remember the bad, that would be dishonouring their memory.”

After I’d finished my rant I could feel tears streaming down my face. Everything I’d said could be applied to my own situation. I had been doing the same thing when it came to Levy blocking out everything so I didn’t have to think about her last moments. When all of this was said and done I knew I had a lot of apologises to make and friendships to fix. Glancing over when I realised he hadn’t said anything I saw Hibiki himself was in tears. Giving him a few minutes to get control I decided to lighten the mood.

“Oh yeh by the way, Bob wanted me to tell you no more solo missions for a while. I told him that maybe you, Jenny, Ren, and Sherry should go out on double date missions from now on. You should have seen Jenny blush when I said that, I didn’t think she could actual be embarrassed. It’s not like everyone doesn’t know the two of you are dating; Mira-jane figured it out after about two minutes.”

Hearing him laugh, I couldn’t help but smile. Though the war was brutal and we lost some loved ones we all have to learn to live again and take the joy in life where we can get it. I knew Levy would have hit me with my own book if she could see how I have been avoiding reading anything to do with fiction because of my memories of her. Hearing what I assumed was the Rune Knights coming through the forest I quickly stepped forward. Before they arrived I swore to myself of that from now on I would take my own advice and think about the good times and remember that a true Fairy Tail wizard always keeps getting back up when they are knocked down.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirteen: Reminiscing

I couldn’t help but sigh as I wandered into the next town; two ruins and a monster filled lagoon and I still had nothing. Coming out of my thoughts I glanced round surprised to find myself somewhere I recognised: Hargeon Port Town. I couldn’t help but stop still dead in the street as a dozen memories rushed by me. Before I could think about it my hand had wandered to Plue’s key and the spirit appeared with his usual chime.

“Pun pun?”

I was always happy to see him and this time was no exception as a smile made its way onto my face. Gathering him up in my arms I started walking again as I started to look round. After a few minutes as I made my way closer to the town centre I couldn’t help but notice the streets and houses were all different from the last time I had come through there, something that was no doubt due to the War and the wizard Wall’s destructive rampage. Pushing that aside for now I made my way to the town hall something I had started doing when I realised that more often than not the locals knew what was happening around their town and were good for information. I barely got the question about magical sightings off shore out before the Mayor all but threw me out of the office wishing me out of his town without any needed damage. Darn guess he still remembered me from all those years ago, wreck one harbour and half a town and they never let you live it down.

Shrugging it off the next stop was the harbour, where it was easy to get several fishermen talking about a possible sea monster and buried treasure. It didn’t take me long to learn that another mage had already beaten me too it and the treasure was actual treasure not a gold key. Sighing at another dead end I barely listened as the fisherman explained about a flying metal man and the damage he caused I was too focused on the water reminiscing about the day I met Natsu. Wandering away towards the end of the pier I spoke quietly to Plue.

“Hey Plue, this here is where my adventure first began.”

As I gazed at the water I couldn’t help but think about Aquarius and how she was always trying to kill me. Laughing as memories of more and more near drowning popped up I didn’t even realise I was crying until Plue spoke and started nudging my face.

“Pun pun?”

Wiping the tears away and banishing the melancholy feeling I set off back down memory lane showing Plue the restaurant where I, Happy, and Natsu ate. The next stop was the square where Natsu, Happy, and I officially met. Stopping I glanced round as everything was different. So much time had passed since then, it felt like a lifetime ago. Before I knew it I was hit by the most overwhelming feeling of homesickness: I missed my friends, I missed my family, and I missed Natsu. Breaking down in the middle of the square I finally let myself grieve for what I had lost. After everything that had happen I had forced myself to push forward to ignore everything that I had lost because others had it so much worse. With Plue wrapped in my arms I finally let myself go. It could have minutes or hours I’d never know when I felt myself steady and settle. Lifting my head I forced myself to stand as I knew more than most that a ‘Fairy’ does not back down, we always stand and fight. I would not let my pain break me. I had faced off with immortal force of evil and his ultimate creation of destruction and I had lived no way am I going to let my own emotions do what they couldn’t. Feeling Plue shaking in my arms I glanced down and smiled a real smile this time instead of a fake one.

“It’s alright Plue, sometimes you fall down but the important thing is that you get back up and keeping moving forward.”

Shaking off the depression and the more painful memories I had one more visit to make, the Hargeon magic shop. I could tell Plue was excited to be there as this was the place where I had first purchased his key. It only took me minutes to find it exactly in the same place. The feeling of nostalgia really hit as I walked in everything looked different and yet the same. After wandering round the store for a few minutes I made my way over to the manager behind the counter which turned out to be a different man than last time.

“Excuse me sir do you happen to have any Celestial Spirit Gate Keys for sale?”

Yawning and barely looking up from the magazine he was reading he reached under the counter and pulled out a single case. Flicking it open I held my breath as the silver key came into the light. Letting out my breath I was about to thank him and leave when I remembered that Hibiki had forced me to take a third of the reward for the dark guild infiltration job even though it was kind of screwed up. Seeing the price of 30,000 jewels I realised I had just enough if I skipped staying at the inn in town. Handing over the jewels as a new friend was worth more than a bed for the night I couldn’t help but admire my new key as I showed it to Plue for his consideration, a new spirit and a new friend: Apus the bird of paradise. Saying goodbye after remembering to ask the man to contact FairyTail if any gold keys came in, I decided it would probably be best to make my way straight out of town moving quickly on to the next lead as I really didn’t want to keep Aquarius waiting.

Walking towards the West town exit I couldn't help feel I had missed something. Something someone had said should have rung a bell but for the life of me I could not place what it was. Shrugging the feeling off I started to tell Plue all about the original adventure he had missed out on only this time I didn't let the memories control me I only let the happiness I felt back then come through my voice and mind. I was determined to not let my past stop me from living not any longer I may have lost my way for a while but I would find my way back home it was just a matter of time.

Chapter Text

Chapter Fourteen: Wild Encounter

Taking a short-cut to my next stop Garret Town west south west of Hargeon, a seaside village that has seen reports of a possible sea monster; I found myself traveling through a dried up creek bed talking to Capricorn about a new training schedule. He was under the impression that the last few months had improved my overall fitness and wanted me to start incorporating in several forms of self-defence that he could teach me. I was on the fence about adding more to my already busy schedule what with Loke, Sagittarius, and Taurus all trying to teach me their own techniques without the use of Stardress. Archery wasn’t that bad but learning to use a battle axe without Taurus’ added strength was giving me trouble.

We had been walking for about an hour along the bed arguing back and forth about the cost benefits ratio of adding acrobatics into my routine when we came across the carcass of an animal. Thinking nothing of it I kept walking speeding up a little to get away from the stench it wasn’t until a few minutes later when another dead animal this one larger than the last appeared around the bend that the feeling of impending doom hit me. Stopping still I froze as the significance of those bodies finally entered my head. Something was close, I could feel it. My keys and whip were in my hands before I could think about it and it came as no surprise when the monster attacked. Sometime I just couldn’t believe my luck of all the monsters it had to be a bloody wyvern, one of the hardest monsters to kill solo. Knowing trying to make a run for it would only get me chased down I quickly came up with a plan.

“Capricorn quickly go back and warn the others of incoming.”

Rushing back I put as much distant as I could between me and it. I jumped into the air as high as possible as I screamed out my first summons.

“I summon you to my side, Apus!”

With a flash of multi-coloured lights I landed mid-air on my newest spirit, a giant rainbow song bird. Not bothering to give him instructions as he could pretty much tell from my thoughts the game plan I tried to stay on as he started dodging the wyvern’s attacks. Up in the air I knew we didn’t have much chance without back-up. Silently summoning both Scutum and Sagittarius to the high edge of the embankment as far from the battle as I could, I knew that it would give them a better line of sight and offer a strategic advantage point. Feeling Apus release a song burst that was meant as a distraction I quickly changed into Aries star dress and joined the fight. Using myself and Apus as bait I tried luring the wyvern into the line of fire and kept it busy with wool bombs and my fleur de lea. Lashing at the head and wings which I knew were the weak points I tried to keep steady on Apus’ back. Something to think about if we made it out of this alive: flying lessons.

With Sagittarius targeting the edges of wings hoping to shred them I suddenly realised we were winning which is of course when it went wrong. I got complacent and wasn’t paying attention to the wyvern magical attacks, before we could dodge it got a lucky shot off and managed to knock Apus out of the sky and back to the spirit world. Sending a silent apology to Apus I managed to save myself with a quick wool floor. Shaking the shock off I didn’t have time to wait as the wyvern swooped down talons bare.

“Sagittarius the eyes!”

Lucky for me my spirit had centuries at his job as the beast was blind before it hit the dirt floor. Not taking any more chances I quickly countered the wyvern’s next possible attack with full body wool suffocation. I knew I didn’t have much time before it escaped and came back harder and really pissed off. Pushing as much wool onto it as I could, I screamed out my summons.

“Taurus!”

As he appeared his axe already mid-swing I pulled back the wool near its head allowing access to it neck.

“I will protect Miss Lucy’s moolicious body.”

Coming down on target the axe did its job and the head detached from the body cleanly. Trying not to gag at the god awful ripping noise I still grimaced at the bloody mess as the head rolled across the canyon and the body dropped as I released the rest of the wool. Thanking my spirits and sending them home before Taurus could get any pervy ideas I plopped myself down and took a breath. Man was I tired. It was only a few minutes later when I took stock of my condition that I realised that while I was tired I actual wasn’t that injured nor too low on magic energy. It appeared after all that Capricorn was right the training we had been doing was starting to have an effect.

Wanting to get out of there quickly in case there were any more wyverns hanging around I called out Gemini and had them once more transform into Happy. Grapping hold Gemini/Happy hovered in the air giving me a look at the damage we had done to the air; if it wasn’t a desolate dead creek I would be ashamed at the destruction. After a quick look round to make sure I hadn’t missed anything that the wyvern might have been guarding as occasionally they were known for guarding treasure. Not seeing any signs of a nest of a hidden lair I called it quits and had Gemini/Happy fly me out of there. I figured max speed closer to Garret Town was worth it not to run into any more wyverns. I might have gotten lucky with this last one and no way was I chancing another encounter.

Unbeknownst to me at the time a couple of minutes later the sound of wing beats and another shadow had appeared along the dried up stream. The shadow had stopped at the corpse of the wyvern and for some strange reason started sniffing the monster; a moment later there was a growling sound and from out of nowhere a sword pierced the body through the already dead heart. It was weird because I could have sworn that I heard a voice faintly on the wind.

“That was mine.”

Chapter Text

Chapter Fifteen: New Generation

I had just dried off after finishing searching a river with a series of small whirlpools for signs of Aquarius when I heard Scorpio shout from further upstream. Grabbing my mission bag I raced to where I heard his voice. Coming round the edge of some trees I found Scorpio kneeling next to a bedraggled little girl passed out next to the river edge. Looking round as I rushed closer I realised there were faint drag marks coming from the stream. Realising what must have happened I had three keys in my hand before turning to Scorpio.

“Scorpio thanks for your help with the search, I’ll let you get back to Aquarius. I’ll talk to you later.”

“We are had a rocking good time. We are see ya later Miss Lucy.”

As soon as the light vanished from his departure I quickly summoned my next three spirits.

“Ara, Leo, Lynx I summon you to my side, pass through your gates.”

Feeling the drain of a triple summoning even if it was two silver and one gold I knew already Loke was going to cost me energy what with being leader of the Zodiac. Pushing that aside the power loss wasn’t as bad as last time so I knew I was adapting quickly to the expanding magic container. Getting right to the point before any high jinks could commence with my two most pesky spirits, I formulated a plan of separation. Usually I don’t summon the two together because of the flirtation wars especially after the last time. Pushing the memory of war of the flirt, that poor town would never be the same again I don’t think one relationship wasn’t affected by what those two did, the horror.

“Alright Leo, head upstream see if anyone is looking for a little girl.”

Seeing him open his mouth to argue or flirt I held up my hand.

“Not a word I’m still not talking to you two after what you did, so shut it. Lynx not one pervy comment, you head down stream in case someone went looking and missed her. Get both of you.”

Making shoeing motions with my hands I watched as the two huffed and raced off calling out comments about being the best hunter. Sighing at what I had to put up with, at least one of my spirits knew her job I hadn’t even needed to ask as once I turned I saw Ara was already scanning and healing the little girl.

“The healing arts are always available and received, the youngling will pass. Her sleep will be brief and time will honour her.”

I watched as Ara’s light faded as she returned home. Thanking her for her help I realised I would have to wait for her wake up to learn what happened if Loke or Lynx didn’t come back with her family. Settling down for the wait I grabbed a few twigs and some scraps of wood for a fire before using my rolled up jacket as a pillow for the girl to rest her head. Once the fire was going I set her down near it to dry off and pulled out one of the books Crux had gotten me on Stardress manipulation to pass the time. It was half an hour later that I felt Lynx return to the spirit world telling me that the river split four ways further along and she had seen no tracks indicating anyone passed by lately. Thanking her it was a few minutes later when Loke popped up almost causing me to screaming.

“My Princess I have returned, your valiant knight is here to…”

Not waiting for him to finish I started hitting him over the head with my book.

“Damn it Loke are you trying to give me a heart attack don’t jump out at me you mangy house cat.”

Fielding off the attack Loke jumped back and quickly reported.

“Princess the stream splits into two different branches and neither one have any signs of other people or of the young girl’s passage. Without knowing which direction she came from and whereabouts she went into the water I can’t find any trace of her family.”

Nodding to show I understood I started to come up with alternatives as Loke faded back home. My only recourse seemed to be waiting for more information. Something that took another hour before the young girl woke up. Unfortunately she decided to wake up screaming. Rushing over I pulled her into my arms and tried to quiet her down. After a couple of minutes of rocking her back and forth she seemed to calm down. Settling her down next to me I brushed her hair out of her eyes and got a good look at her. The girl was no more than five or six, a little younger than Asuka with short red hair a fair complexion and bright brown eyes. Her outfit of a cream coloured demi dress while being muddy and wet appeared new. Smiling down at her I let her look at me before I started talking.

“Hi there, my name’s Lucy; I’m a wizard of the guild Fairy Tail. Can you tell me your name little one?”

Right or wrong I got a reaction as the little girl hurled herself at me and started sobbing as she mumbled out what happened. It turned out I was right. Apparently the girl who was named Isa was out on a picnic with her family when she fell into the river. With only being five years old, it was a little difficult to get concrete facts from her but with a little effort I managed to get the girl to give me a general idea of where she lived. Putting out the fire and after making sure I had everything I helped Isa stand and the two of us started to make our way up river. Calling out Pyxis to help lead the way and Plue to keep the little girl entertained, I started running through the names of the towns that I knew of that bordered the waterway. As we walked I reeled off the names hoping one would sound familiar to Isa. Getting no positive response, I realised they would have to check each town until they found something.

We had been walking for about half-an-hour when there was a snuffling noise coming from the underbrush ahead. Trying not to alarm Isa, I quickly and discreetly grabbed my keys ready for what was coming. As the snuffling got louder and followed by groaning and grunting I knew that whatever was coming wasn’t good. With a flick of my wrist and a quiet summons Horologium in protection mode appeared and quickly ceased Isa. With Horologium arriving just in time I sent back both Plue and Pixus and readied my fleur de leave as four animals raced out of the bushes straight at where I was just standing. It took a second to identify them as warrogs before I started defending myself.

“Cancer you’re up, ‘Scissor Dance’.”

A flash of light heralded his arrival and I barely had to put forth an effort throwing one of the hogs into the nearest tree before he was finished spinning and slashing his way through the others. It didn’t even take five minutes from start to finish; it was pretty much over in a single attack. I didn’t know whether I had gotten that good or if the animals were just really weak. Waving bye as Cancer flashed back home I turned to check that Horologium and Isa were ok. Seeing Isa waving from inside my clock friend I quickly thanked him and sent him on his way. As she popped out I expected Isa to be scared however the moment she was dropped off she was laughing and cheering as she ran towards me. It seemed it was one big adventure for her and she loved the sparkly people.

It took us close to three hours to reach the first village a little place called Aloe Town where unfortunately no one recognised Isa and nothing looked familiar to her. Just before we reached the edge of town I thought up an idea, I started asking several people nearby if there was a specific scenic spot neighbouring the river that people used for picnics. Coming up with negative answers all around, we quickly started for the next town. Getting a little ways outside town I realised that travelling by foot to each river town would take days.

Now we had a conundrum how to find the right town quickly. I was just about to call out Crux to see if he knew anything about the local area when I had an epiphany, Gemini.
Checking my magic levels I realised I had more than enough for what was needed. Gemini appeared with a simple command much to the enjoyment of young Isa who thought the twins were funny people. Once I explained what was required it took them moments to change into Hibiki and start searching using archive magic. With their help we were able to narrow down the list with several facts; the picnic area had to be directly next to the river, it had to be close by a town as when questioned Isa had walked with her family to the picnic site, and the site had to be up stream no more than a few hours journey as Isa hadn’t been in the water that long. With this information Gemini was able to fine tune the list down to three towns that meet the search criteria. Once more Isa didn’t recognise any names but it was a start.

Thanking Gemini I sent them back and called out Apus. After explaining what was going on and what I required Apus was more than glad to carry the both of us to the first town on the list Nasrid Village, which wasn’t that far up river on the other side of the waterway. Lucky for all of us it turned out to be the right location. We had barely gotten off of Apus and started to look around when there was a scream and a young woman came running towards us. It turned out the girl Ami was a friend of Isa’s older sister and knew of the girl’s disappearance. Half the town had set out down river looking for the lost little girl. A quick call out to Capricorn and the old sea goat took off at a run to the river without me having to say a word.

Half an hour later Isa’s family turned up and there was the expected happy reunion. Waving off the numerous offers of reward, I was about to get on my way when Isa’s family offered to put me up for the night as being the least they could do. Not seeing any way out and not seeing the harm I followed the family through the village on the way home listening to Isa as she told her parents and sister of today’s adventure. Much to my bemusement and delight after I explained what my magic was all about and a little bit about each of the spirit friends Isa had mentioned heard Isa state quite adamantly that when she grew up she was going to become just like her hero and have pretty sparkly people as her friends. Smiling at her enthusiasm I couldn’t help but wish her luck and tell her that celestial spirits were the best friends a girl could have.

Chapter Text

Chapter Sixteen: Tower Reunion

Three days out of Monecious Village and I was still lost; that was the last time I took directions from a half-blind frogwoman. Glancing down at Pyxis through the rain, even though I was cold and tired I couldn’t help but smile as the little guy finished telling me about his new addition to his collection. It turned out that the bird spirit collected buttons in his spare time. It was one of many new things I had discovered about my spirits over the last few months. I had always known they all had their own quirks and oddities (I suddenly shuddered as I could swear I heard Virgo’s voice in my head asking for punishment), but it had only recently come to my attention that they had full grown lives that I had known almost nothing about; something that I had been taking the time to rectify with each spirit hence that conversation about the benefits of quartz made buttons over that made of bone.

I was just about to mention an old servant from back in the Konzern days that sewed her own clothes when I felt a tingle go up my spine. Grabbing Pyxis my whip flew into my hand and I swiftly swung us up into one of the trees out of the way as several projectiles shot across where we had just been standing. As I looked for where the attack came from and the possible culprit, my hand grasped my keys as I thought about the best strategy.

“Sagittarius triple shot.”

As I finished calling out my friend appeared on a nearby branch and had already fired several arrows into the trees at the attack’s origin. Not wanting Pyxis to get hurt as several more projectiles came at both our and Sagittarius’ location I sent him back home as I donned Capricorns Stardress for the speed needed to dodge easily. Jumping between branches as Sagittarius continued to return fire I started trying to make my way closer to the enemy. I needed to know who was attacking me before I could figure out a true counterattack; for now I would have to think on my feet and try to stay ahead of the game.

“Miss Lucy behind you moshi moshi!”

Dropping down without looking I felt something slice across my arm as I hit the forest floor and rolled. Sagittarius had already returned fire and I was about to keep moving when something in the underbrush caught my eye. Picking it up I was shocked to find an ordinary playing card and my mind made an unexpected connection: a casino, darkness, and a gun shot. On a wild chance I started shouting out.

“Sagittarius, hold your fire. Shô, Wally it’s Lucy, Lucy Heartfillia, Erza Scarlet’s friend, I met you guys at the Tower of Heaven!”

Suddenly everything went quiet and the attacks stopped. Slowly standing up and showing myself I wasn’t that surprised to see two familiar faces step into the starlight, Shô and Wally. It appeared from their expressions they were more surprised to see me especially the mysterious appearance of youth. Before they could start talking Virgo appeared with her usual greeting and handed out my camping tent and supplies. Thanking her quickly I dismissed her and Sagittarius as it looked like the three of us would be settling in for the night. Finding a dry spot under the canopy we got a fire going and settled down to catch up. The duo started off by telling me all about their adventures exploring the world not just Fiore. I let them talk knowing that when it was my turn I would have to break some bad news. I laughed and smiled at some of the trouble they had gotten into, thinking about how Erza will surely kill them when she finds out about some of the shenanagens these two barely managed to crawl out of.

As the night moved on it became my turn to tell them about the past. I decided to start easy and explained what happened after they left us on the beach that night; I covered the highlights leading up to my youthful appearance and the subsequent missed years. Then I hesitated, I had to tell them about Millianna’s death. Even though I hated talking about the War I knew they had a right to know the details. I tried to be as kind as I could as I described Millianna’s bravery and her courage in standing up to impossible odds in order to save the world. I could tell news had hit them hard as they were both crying and shaking. Trying to help with their grief I started telling them about the good things that had happened, about Millianna joining Mermaid Heel and competing in the Grand Magic Games and also about how that is where Millianna found Kagaru Mikazuchi Simon’s little sister.

I went on to explain about the formation of Crime Sorcière and Jellel Fernandez’s quest for redemption. I glossed over their disbandment and intergration into the other guilds. I kept going as I racked my mind for all the funny stories I had about their absent friends including how Jellel couldn’t work up the courage to ask Erza out; how it was Erza who kept inviting Jellel to go places together and after a while he gathered the nerve to ask Cobra/Eric for advice who turned around and told him that the two of them had been dating officially for a month and Jellel was the only one who didn’t know it. I suddenly remembered something important; glancing at Wally I smiled as I relayed to him the information about Hoteye/Richard his brother and Richard’s mission to find Wally. I took me a few minutes to explain about how he has now joined Lamia Scale because he is best friends with the wizard saint and new master of the guild Jura Neekis.

I stressed to them that they should go visit the guilds as part of their travels and that it would be good for them and the others to see each other and reconnect. I reminded them that they need to be with their family while they have the chance. That a reunion could be just what everyone needs to heal and to start moving forward. After exchanging a thoughtful frown they told me they’ll think about it, especially the news about Wally’s brother. Wishing them goodnight I settled in my tent and tried to ignore the rain to get a little sleep.

I couldn’t have been out for long before memories of the War started to intrude and tumble through my dreams. Before much time had passed I awoke screaming from a nightmare flashback of the last battle: Levy, Natsu, E.N.D. There was so much blood, so much death, and I could still hear myself screaming begging for someone to come save them. Not being able to sleep anymore my hands drifted over my keys, and without even a call out Lyra appeared giving me a sympatric look knowing how most nights went nowadays. She started playing a soft lullaby as the two of us sat there and talked about nothing important. If I didn’t have my spirits I don’t think I would have survived this last year what with everything that has happened, they always knew just what I needed and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world.

Chapter Text

Chapter Seventeen: An Essential Choice

Having to say goodbye to Shô and Wally in the morning was poignant. They had finally agreed that they would swing by the guildhalls and check in and I couldn’t help but wish I was going with them. Talking about old-times last night had brought up the fact that I hadn’t seen anybody in almost seven months. Though it was hard being in the guild seeing everyone getting on with their lives it was turning out to be harder not seeing them at all. Laxus had me checking in every few weeks but lately it had been hit and miss and a simple ‘hello, not dead, goodbye’. Normally I checked in after I had run into a problem or after I had run into another dead end on my quests.

Waving goodbye, I turned back the way I was originally going and waited as Virgo popped back out. According to the map she had our next destination was a small village called Little Root Town which is on the way to a possible ruin site. It turned out we weren’t that far off last night, if we’d kept walking we would have hit it before long. As the two of us walked along I once more started asking her about her time in the spirit world. It turned out that her and Libra had a standing appointment in the celestial gym and liked to one up each other in their aerobic exercises. I have no idea how but she conned me into running to the next town over as part of my daily training regime. I had to fight to keep Capricorn away as I could hear his voice saying I should be going faster and wearing weights. Shaking off the shudder I focused on the sounds I could hear up ahead it looked like the townsfolk were up and moving.

Smiling and nodding at the people as we passed by I quickly told Virgo to look for any information on the ruins that were rumoured to be hidden in the mountains near here. After she disappeared underground I wandered off to my first destination from the routine I’d set myself: Magic shop, town hall, and library. I made sure to talk to the people on the streets about any information about ruin sites or possible details on mysterious happening occurring near water. It was while I was investigating the town hall (for any little jobs I could do in a day for extra jewels) that the mayor saw my interest in the messaging/job board. I watched as he did a double take on my guild mark before he started shouting at me about how glad he was to see me. Confused it took me several minutes to get the straight story.

It turned out a darkness monster had been terrorising the town come nightfall and the town had applied to the guilds to stop it. By coincidence a FairyTail wizard had been sent out to investigate and take care of the problem. The wizard had turned up a few days ago and gone after the monster since then the monster hadn’t shown up but also the wizard hadn’t returned to claim his reward. When the mayor finished speaking I was worried, there was no way a FairyTail wizard didn’t come back to talk to the client about a job well done, let alone the jewels; it was a matter of honour with us. After asking a couple more questions this time concerning the monster and its whereabouts and habits I set off to investigate even though I knew it would lead to trouble especially if the wizard turned out to be someone I knew well. Praying it wasn’t anyone from my old team, though since the town was still standing was a good indicator that none of team disaster had been through lately. Knowing I had to help even if it meant an end to my own personal adventure, I couldn’t let these people live in fear of whether the monster would return.

Assuring the mayor that I’d check it out, and report back I quickly made my way through town keeping an eye out for Virgo I didn’t want to simply call her back in case she was doing something important. Thinking on my feet I rushed into the nearby stores and grabbed what supplies I thought I might need to deal with a darkness monster and the journey getting there. I suddenly felt Virgo return to the spirit world and not wasting any time summoned her. After explaining the change in plans and listening to what she had discovered from the townsfolk, I had her go back out and ask about the monster, it’s attacks, it’s patterns and any information she could find on its possible location. The major had given me a general direction that the other wizard had set off in but he couldn’t tell me why he went that way. Knowing that several of our members had tracking abilities it wasn’t a stretch that they had gotten a clue as to where the monster was. It looked like I would just have to hope that nothing had gone too wrong and that I would make it there in time to help my nakama. Mavis knows trouble seems to follow us around.

Chapter Text

Chapter Eighteen: Blast From The Past

Lucy POV:

I couldn’t understand what I was doing here. Sure I was passing through but that didn’t mean I had to stop and help fight the local monster. I knew that it had nothing to do with either of my missions but once I heard the word fairy tail I had to check it out. Slowly making my way through the dense forest, I kept trying to hear anything that might lead me in the right direction. It was too bad Pyxis wasn’t any use without a fixed location and Reticulum could only see truth not signs of movements. I really needed to see if I could locate a tracker spirit, Canes Venatici or Lupus would be idle. Even Canis Maj… I stopped walking as an intriguing thought popped into my head. Reaching down I grabbed my most well used silver key and sent a burst of power into it. With a ding dong my favourite spirit made an appearance shaking and dancing about. Looking down at Plue I couldn’t help smiling at him.

“Hi Plue, How’s your day going so far?”

“Pun pun.”

“That bad huh. O.k. Plue, I need a favour if you’re up to it. There’s supposed to be a darkness monster around here somewhere and one of my guild members took the job of getting rid of it. Do you think you can maybe search them out?”

“Pun pun?”

“Please just give it a try, you may be a companion spirit but that doesn’t mean you’re not a true celestial spirit Canis Minor the little dog and I believe in you.”

“Pun pun!”

Smiling at his enthusiasm, I watched as Plue started to wobble slowly along the dirt path. Veering off it after a few minutes, Plue seemed to have found something as the two of us walked in silence further into the woods. Suddenly Plue got excited and started bouncing around.

“Pun pun. Pun pun.”

Leaning down so I could reach out and touch him, I patted his head to show it was alright. Before I was all the way to my feet, Plue took off wobble running. Catching up easily I made sure I stayed close, considering the darkness monster wasn’t the only beast living in these woods. Something that proved correct when not five minutes later we ran into a pack of dire wolves that wanted Plue for lunch. It seemed I had really grown up lately as before I would have screamed and run for cover now I didn’t even flinch as I quickly sent Plue home for safety. Taking my Fleuve d'etoiles I separated the pack then focused on the Alpha quickly tying him up in knots. Giving him a fling into the air, I danced out of the way of the next one and Lucy kicked him as he passed by. I wanted to save as much magic as I could in case I ran into the darkness monster later on so I needed to take them out fast. Virgo appeared as my fingers brushed her key, she was in the ground opening up holes underneath all the wolves as I grabbed the nearest heavy branch with my whip swinging to safety. Once all the wolves were down and out I dropped to a safe spot then started running putting distance between myself and the pack; I just needed to get them out of my way so I could keep moving, which is exactly what I did. After a few minutes of dodging bushes and jumping over tree roots I finally stopped and looked around. Quickly re-summoning Plue I gestured ahead.

“Alright Plue want to give it another shot. Think you can still pick up their trail?”

Plue seemed to look around as if searching for something I couldn’t see; wobbling this way and that before he starting walking further into the woods continuing on in the same direction as before. Hopping it wasn’t a false lead the two of us walked for what must have been an hour before Plue let out a cry of surprise. It seemed we had reached a section of mountainside and the most likely location for a monster lair.

“Thanks Plue you better head back it could be dangerous from here on out.”

Waving goodbye he vanished in a cloud of sparkles leaving me to scout out the rock face looking for a possible cave entrance. Lucky for me it didn’t take me long to find what I was looking for as a few minutes into my search I came across an opening partially obscured by foliage. Slowly creeping inside I barely made it a few steps in before realising two things: one this was definitely the right place as the malevolent energy was so thick I could see it and two is was so dark inside going in like this wouldn’t work. As I thought what to do the overwhelming feeling of loss hit me: Natsu.

Trying not to cry I forced myself to push forward even as the images flashed through my mind. I could see him as clear as day standing there setting himself on fire so we could see in the darkness. Joking and laughing how he is more useful than ‘Ice Princess’. Gray calling him a human torch, Erza breaking up the inevitable fight, Happy insulting and cheering him on. Suddenly I missed my team more than I could stand; by that point there was no stopping the tears from running down my face. I’d been doing well pushing the loneliness to the back of my mind but I guess what with hearing the name FairyTail and being that I was surely bound to run into someone from the guild, homesickness just had to kick in. Before I could do anything a light appeared in the darkness and I knew even before it faded who would be standing there.

“My love, your Prince has come.”

He had me in his arms before I could even ask. He may be a shameless flirt but that cat knows how to give good hugs. Calming down as Loke rubbed my back and shushed me I got it together enough to continue my search. Smiling as Loke called forth his power and cast a small calming light ahead of us, we slowly made our way further forward looking for any signs of trouble.

“Loke do you have any idea on who could be here?”

Glancing back at me Loke frowned as he answered.

“I don’t know Princess, last time you checked in with Master he said no one was down this way. In fact wasn’t that the reason you went to Monecious Village to take care of their Vulcan problem was because no Fairy Tail mage could get there quick enough.”

Thinking back on the conversation almost over a month ago now I remembered Master telling me that the Thunder God Tribe was on vacation in Seven, that Gray had gone to visit a cousin he’d found in Iceberg, and that Erza was off on a Truco hunt near Waas forest. I suppose any of them could have finished and headed this way in the time between but something was telling me it wasn’t any of them. As I walked further into the cave about half way down the corridor there was a feeling of condensed darkness. Asking Loke to stay back I scouted it out and found a darkness barrier hidden deep against one of the walls. Quickly investigating the rest of the cave which dead ended soon after I could find no trace of any other wizard let alone the creature that was terrorising the town. Knowing it had to be somewhere, I made my way back to patch of darkness to find Leo frowning at it poking it with his lit hand. I watched as Leo’s light did nothing to it.

“What do you think?”

Glaring at the wall Leo huffed as he crossed his arms.

“I know it doesn’t like my light, but whatever that is isn’t fading when I get near it. Some kind of spell maybe, definitely a trap of some kind.”

Contemplating the best course of action I ignored Leo’s advice to leave well enough alone and elope with him to Minstrel as I started poking the wall to test the darkness’ consistency. It felt solid but not. Having no other choice as I could feel something waiting on the other side I shut Leo up and called out his star dress. Knowing what to do the two of us stood back to back as we call forth our power. Linking hands our magic combined and headed straight at the wall of darkness.

“Unison Raid: Lions Luminous Light!”

Only the fact I was still in Leo’s star dress and the light magic acted as a barrier saved my ass from the resulting blast of evil magic that came from taking the wall down. The darkness punched the both of us half way back to the cave entrance. Picking myself off the floor and calling out to Leo, I was happy to see he was alright shaken but alright. Dusting myself down, we slowly made our way back to the hole where the barrier was, now able to see a chamber that had been hidden behind it. Moving inside I couldn’t see more than a couple a feet in front of me. Turning to Leo I nodded and turned away as he lit up once more. With more light now I could barely make out what appeared to be two bodies towards the back of the massive chamber, quickly hurrying over I was shocked to discover Gajeel Redfox and Pantherlily sprawled out badly beaten and bleeding. Devastated at the damaged I could see I didn’t waste any time sending Leo back and quickly calling out Ara.

“Ara I need an overall scan of both mages and a list of major damage and a recommended course of treatment.”

Hearing her hum in my head as she got to work I grabbed my travel bag and dragged out the light lacrimas I’d bought and set them up around the two giving myself a clear view of their injuries. Feeling Ara finish I asked her to wait as I dismissed Leo’s star dress and changed into Gemini’s as I called them out.

“Piri Piri, Miss Lucy?

Getting straight to it I asked them to change into Wendy and then let Ara’s voice float through the both of us. Once we knew what need healing the most I had Ara focus on Pantherlily as he was only slightly hurt while it appeared as if Gajeel had taken on the worst of the damage. Joining Gemini/Wendy in my version of the little healer I focused on dealing with the outside injures mainly the massive cut running over most of his back. I could feel Gemini healing the internal damage to his lungs and what felt like several broken ribs.

“My Lady, I can do no more though the Warrior will live respite is what I recommend.”

Knowing Ara had returned home I felt the drastic drop in my magic. Knowing I was going to need more help I opened up my second origin and called out Virgo. Ignoring her opening line like usual I looked around the chamber and realised we couldn’t stay there.

“Gemini please stop for a second, Virgo grab Gajeel but be extra careful of his chest. We’re moving outside near the entrance and setting up camp there. Virgo I want the usual precautions and we’ll need any healing salves and remedies you have.”

Moving over to Lily I saw that Ara’s healing had allowed him to shift back to his Exceed size. Picking him up gently I followed after Gemini and Virgo arriving to see Virgo already had my tent out and a camp fire set up. Walking into the tent I saw Gemini back to work. Placing Lily down on one of Aries made beds I quickly got back to helping Gemini. With my second origin now open I figured I should have enough magic to get most of his injuries on the road to recover though he would still need to rest and recuperate. Once Gemini was finished I sent them back with my grateful thanks and then made my way outside. Seeing a bowl of stew waiting for me I sent a heartfelt feeling of gratitude to Virgo for all her care as I sat down and ate.

As I waited for either of them to regain consciousness, my mind started to wander as I tried to stop myself from reacting. Now that I wasn’t in reaction mode seeing Gajeel so badly injured was starting to bring up too many memories especially from just after the War ended. They were so happy together before that finally battle, before Achnologia, before Zeref. The tears wouldn’t stop as memories of that final fight pushed themselves through. I could taste the blood, hear her voice, ‘Lucy promise me…’. It was only when I heard Pantherlily’s voice from in the tent that I managed to pull myself from the past. Getting up quickly I made in time to hear him call out in his worry.

“Gajeel?”

Rushing to his side I held him down knowing he would be disorientated and still slightly hurt. Finally recognising me, he calms down enough for me to ask him what happened. Getting settled now that he could see Gajeel sleeping peacefully next to him he explained how the two of them tracked the monster to its lair but got trapped behind the barrier at the start of the fight. They avoided part of the cave collapse when a stray attack took out a wall but he ran out of energy and the last thing he remembered was Gajeel protecting him from one of the monsters attacks. As they settled in waiting for Gajeel to wake up I couldn’t hold my tongue and asked Pantherlily how he was doing. Lily could tell by the look on my face that I meant Levy. Lily’s face is all the answer I need. After a few minutes he starts talking.

“He isn’t living anymore Lucy, he’s only going through the motions. He is slowly trying to kill himself and I don’t know how to help him. Gajeel has been taking multiple monster extermination missions without any leeway. One of these days he won’t be coming back.”

I could feel the tears in my eyes as looked at Lily, he looked broken his best friend was drowning in grief and there was nothing he could do. Before I could say anything I heard a groan from behind me and turned to see Gajeel starting to wake up. Though it will kill me I realised Gajeel needed to hear a few things, things I’d been putting off because thinking of her broke something inside of me. Once I saw his eyes come into focus and look around I dropped myself down and stared up at the night sky I never been so happy Virgo had enchanted the tent roof to be see-through as I proceeded to rip my own heart out.

“Did you know that you were the last thing on her mind when she died? You were all she could think about. She knew that going would break you and she begged me to make sure you were o.k. She said that it was alright because she had gotten to have you by her side. That she had known love and been loved in return and that that was what she was holding onto. Levy explained to me once how you promised her you would make her big; and how she felt that way whenever she stood by your side. Levy was proud of the man you had become Gajeel and loved you with her whole heart. Levy asked me to keep an eye on you Gajeel and to make sure that you lived. I’m so sorry for not doing my job.

Though I found it hard to even look at Gajeel, I turned looking at Gajeel in the eyes for the first time as I spoke.

“Would Levy have wanted you to do this? Your killing yourself, I know this you know this, this is not the man that Levy loved. Go home Gajeel and honour Levy wishes, watch out for Fairy Tail. They are a family and will be there for you if you would just give them the chance.

The whole time Gajeel hadn’t said a word, he just stared straight ahead not looking at anything. Having said my piece I told the both of them to get some rest. Exiting the tent before the tears could fall I wished them both good night.

Chapter Text

Chapter Nineteen: Moving Forward

Lucy POV:

The next morning I felt Horologium awaken me at the appropriate time just after dawn. Thanking him it took me a few seconds to remember why I was sleeping outside of my tent. Bypassing my usual morning jog and exercise routine I relayed this to Capricorn as I asked Virgo to come out silently and help pack up the camp. Changing out of my Plue sleep shorts and top into a blue tube top and white cargo shorts and blue sneakers I watched as Virgo packed up what she could. Having finished I quietly asked her to bring out my extra camping supplies as I hadn’t seen any bags when I rescued Gajeel and Lily yesterday. Deciding to leave them the tent as I walked inside I softly called out Ara to scan them one last time trying not to wake them as I wrote them a quick note. After getting the all clear I stashed the note and dropped off a bag of enough supplies to see the two boys through for several days.

It was with a little bitter sweet feeling that I turned and started to leave. Before I could exit I stopped and brushed my hand across Virgo’s key once more. Appearing for once without saying a word she handed me what I wanted then left. I turned back and before I could think about it bent down and kissed Pantherlily goodbye and left a rolled up scroll against his little paw. When opened it would reveal a small painting Reedus Jonah had created for me showing Levy reading with Pantherlily and Gajeel having dozed off. Acting on instinct I brushed a soft kiss on Gajeel’s brow and whispered take care.

Hurrying out a quick brush of Pyxis’ had me start running towards the south west. With the boys on the mend I felt safe leaving them and making my way to the next Ruin site. Lucky for me this mountain range was already in the right direction and should only take me a few hours to get there.

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Time-skip: Four Hours Later:

It had taken me close to four hours of walking and scouting the landscape to reach the old abandoned city not to mention avoiding the pesky booby-traps outside the structure. It took a while but Crux finally managed to translate the hieroglyphics on one of the inner chamber walls leading to the discovery of it not being the right site but this is of course only after Virgo had to dig a tunnel underground to the forgotten ruins and after I had used Sagittarius to take out several poison arrow traps lying in wait within the buried ruins. By the time I realised it wasn’t the right site but the ruins of Shinobi another hour had been wasted and we had almost made it all the way though the structure.

Not bothering to move I decided to sit and have lunch before climbing back out and making for the next location on my list. As I sat there eating a salmon sandwich and strawberry smoothie I couldn’t help but think how the two boys were doing, by this time they should have woken up. I had reviewed Ara’s last scan and both of them were on the mend, if they took it easy they should be at full capacity within a few days. That thought however brought me up short, when ever does a Fairy Tail mage take it easy. I could clearly see Natsu after the ‘Battle of Fairy Tail’ covered in bandages asking Laxus for a rematch. Gajeel might not be that dumb but he was still a dragon slayer the breed didn’t know how to take it easy. Even Wendy pushed herself past her limit every time it came to heeling her nakama. Shaking my head at my family’s stupidity I finished my meal and stood.

Stretching I figured I’d take a short cut out. Star dressing into Virgo, I tunnelled my way up and popped up by the ruins main entrance. Arriving back on the surface I had barely seen sunlight when suddenly I’m ambushed. Ducking on instinct a guy took a swipe at me with a broadsword. Not knowing whether these were Rowena’s thugs or some opportunistic bandits I wasn’t taking any chances as a whole host of bad guys started heading my way. Quickly I did a triple combo calling out Lynx, Capricorn, and Taurus while I changed into Cancer’s star dress and used his swords to take out the guy who first attacked me. Knocking his sword out of his hand I crashed the both of mine across the back of his skull effectively knocking him out.

Being on my own this time and with more enemies to fight I decided to hit them hard and fast trying to take them all out without doing too much damage the ruins in the process. Without the sword guy out that left eight opponents which meant an even split of two bad guys each. Trusting in my spirits, we charged together me taking the two on the far left. I heard various spells and attacks being called out as I managed with some quick foot work to stay ahead of my opponents attacks. Using Cancer’s speed against them, I dodged and slashed seeing as I moved around Capricorn fighting hand-to-hand with one man, while Taurus bashed in another guy’s head with his axe. Using my swords reflective abilities I finally managed to take both men out by pitting their own magic against each other. Glancing around I saw Lynx take out the last bad guy with a combo claw and teeth attack. After thanking them they nodded and returned to the spirit world as I stood and tried to catch my breath.

Figuring it would be a good time to skedaddle I realised I wouldn’t be able to put up any more of a fight; I had had too many spirits out today and most of them one after the other. I forced myself to stagger further into the forest, trying to get far enough away to feel safe. I managed to walk/stumble for a good twenty minutes before calling Gemini/Freed with the last of my power. I was just about to ask for a rune barrier for safety when my magic power ran out and everything went black.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty: Going Back

Unbeknownst to Lucy at the same time she was making her way to the next ruins Gajeel and Pantherlily had woken up and made their way back to Little Root Town. Even though Gajeel didn’t want to Pantherlily had forced him to return and collect the reward as even if they were injured they had in fact vanquished the monster. Once at the town hall Gajeel realised that it would be a great time to get a sit-rep from the guild using the mayor’s lacrima. What Gajeel was most interested in was what was going on with Bunny Girl; as he had realised after she disappeared that she was on her own and he hadn’t been able to smell any of her team on her, not that he had been really paying attention or even cared he was just curious.

After getting through to the Demon that he had to talk to Sparkplug, Mirajane finally relented arguing with him and wandered upstairs and passed it to Laxus who was relaxing against the second floor railing observing the rest of the guild. Once Laxus glanced down to see who it actually was, he started swearing.

“Where the fuck have you been?”

Before Gajeel could start swearing back Lily grabbed the lacrima and started updating Laxus on all the quests they had completed. Not bothering about any of that Gajeel’s patience finally ran out after a few minutes and he snatched the crystal back and barked out his question.

“Oi Thunderthighs shut that crap up, what’s wrong with Bunny Girl?”

Laxus at first just blinked at the random question until the name finally clicked. Realising who Gajeel meant Laxus all but screamed through the connection.

“Blondie’s there. Where the fuck are you? You’ve seen her? Where is she? Is she there?”

Surprised at Laxus’ overreaction, Pantherlily and Gajeel both looked at the image with confusion.

“What you on about?”

Suddenly Laxus’ image shifted as he made his way into his office and settled behind the desk. Sighing Laxus proceeded to give them a basic rundown on what’s been happening at the guild and especially what happened with Lucy.

“I don’t know what to tell you guys, their broken. We all can see but no one knows why. Natsu gets this look on his face; I didn’t know the idiot could look like that. Mira’s riding me about finding out what happened but no one was there at the end at least anyone who is saying anything. Team Natsu just imploded, I’ve had Erza working through the S-Class jobs with Jellel, Stripper won’t go anywhere without Rain Woman, and I’ve had to assign the new girl to keep the Matchstick from burning down the bloody country with what he calls his new demon mode. If I thought it would work I’d stick them in another ‘Fairy Sphere’ and leave them there for another seven years.”

Sitting back in his chair Laxus sighed as he calmed down. Before he continued he waved his hand over a glass orb on his desk and threw up a silencing barrier. Laxus then explained about Lucy’s S-Class request and her secret mission concerning Aquarius’ key. As Laxus explained about Tartarus and breaking the key, Gajeel suddenly had a flashback of when he found Lucy huddled on the floor crying about to be attacked by Keys. He knew something had happened but afterwards all the trouble with the dragons and then the guild disbanding and he forgot about wanting to ask her what happened.

“I can’t believe she hasn’t checked in lately. Do you know she’s been gone for over six months? Every time I ask her it’s ‘oh I haven’t found anything yet talk to you later’ and she hangs up. I’ve had to put out feelers to the other guilds telling them that should they see her to report back to me. Last time we spoke she was headed to Monecious Village to take care of a Vulcan problem for me.”

Laxus starts mumbling under his breath about damages and the guild hall being rebuilt for the hundredth time. They are able to hear the words stupid younger sister and lacrima before he suddenly starts shouting at Gajeel about not reporting in for several months.

“If I hadn’t heard from clients on completed jobs I would have sent someone after you two by now. The ‘Thunder Legion’ would have been more than enough to drag your sorry ass home, so next time don’t bloody test me”

Pantherlily is able to calm him down and then starts answering most of Laxus’ questions concerning Lucy and her state of health and her last known location. As once again Laxus starts a rant about Lucy and her wandering ways Gajeel finally had enough and intercedes.

“Oi Sparkplug if I agree to go check on Bunny Girl and make her call you back will you stop going on about it?”

Stunned Laxus shuts up. Even Pantherlily was shocked at the normally apathetic dragonslayer’s willingness to help.

“Gajeel if you don’t mind me asking; how exactly are we going to find her?”

Suddenly Lily heard something he hadn’t heard in a very long time, Gajeel infamous laugh.

“Geehee that’s easy we’re going bunny hunting. I can still smell her scent; she hasn’t gone far just the other side of the forest.”

With that Gajeel throws the lacrima back to Lily and walks out the door. Before he can hang up Pantherlily sees a look of confusion on Laxus’ face. He is just about to enquire when Laxus shakes it off and wishes them luck. The last thing Laxus says before the screen goes dark is to watch out for bandits in the area. Placing the lacrima back down on the desk Lily activated his aera magic and took off after Gajeel hoping that this would be the beginning of something that could potentially help Gajeel turn himself around.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-one: Catching Up

After Gajeel had told him to fly low so he could get a good fix on Lucy’s scent Pantherlily had tried to stay just above the treeline. It took the duo close to two hours to arrive at an old ruin that held traces of Bunny Girl’s scent. Looking at the destruction and the beaten-up bodies of the bandits Gajeel couldn’t help but laugh once again. He didn’t know Bunny Girl had it in her. The two worked together to tie up the bandits and then looked around for Lucy. Not finding her anywhere above ground Gajeel was about to enter the ruins when Pantherlily had an idea. Gesturing to the bandits Lily spoke.

“Gajeel before we go inside maybe one of these men know what happened to Miss Lucy.”

Liking that idea Gajeel grabbed the nearest one and started shaking him. When the bandit woke up he wished he hadn’t as Gajeel’s scary face was no laughing matter. A few threats later Gajeel had the information he needed. Now more worried about Bunny Girl especially if she had a criminal enterprise after her, Gajeel re-knocked out the thug, grabbed Lily and ran off in the direction he caught her smell.
Gajeel had been running for several minutes when he ran smackdab into an invisible barrier. Bouncing back he growled as runes showed up stating the rules of the wall. Quickly reading the runes it only took Gajeel and Lily seconds to show their Fairytail guild marks to the barrier. Once the runes scanned the marks they flashed green and allowed entry. As they walked through Pantherlily could be heard commenting on the fact that the barrier looked an awful lot like Freed’s work.

“You are right about that Master Lily.”

Looking forward the duo found Virgo hovering over a passed out Lucy. Rushing forward they both reached down to check on her.

“What the fuck happened to Bunny?”

Before Virgo could respond a chime was heard and another spirit made an appearance.

“Piri Piri Miss Lucy used up too much magic energy and collapsed from the strain. We used what we had left to set up the barrier. We don’t have enough power left to transform into Little Blue to heal Miss Lucy Piri Piri.”

Glancing up at the floating spirits, Gajeel was about to start barking more questions when Virgo shoved an armful of bandages and several jars of cream at him and started talking.

“Big Brother wanted me to tell you that he would be out on his own power if Princess is in danger otherwise these will help in Princesses recovery. The bandages and cream are from the celestial world and will speed up the healing process. I will ask for punishment another time good day Gajeel-san, Lily-san.”

Before either of them could comment the two spirits popped away only to be replaced by two more. Recognising Cancer and Sagittarius Gajeel and Pantherlily waited to see what they wanted.

“Moshi moshi here are several hares to cook for your evening meal. There appears to be an abundance of the creatures in the vicinity.”

“We will watch over Miss Lucy in case you need anything more ebi. Simply call out for assistance ebi”

Two more pops and the last spirit showed up. Standing on her own shaking and trying to be brave she could barely glance at the two mages as she spoke.

“Sumimasen, this wool will help Miss Lucy sleep better, I’m sorry.”

After waving her arm at the ground and covering it with her softest wool Aries trembled at her daring and popped away leaving the two mages with nothing to do but glance at the unconscious mage on the ground. Grunting Gajeel started to reach for Lucy’s jacket as he set about fixing her up, he had enough experience repairing himself that he figured he wouldn’t have any trouble with her wounds. As he was working Lily moved over to Lucy’s satchel and started rummaging to see what supplies she had on hand glancing every now and then at Gajeel’s progress. As he was searching he couldn’t help but speculating on something that had been bothering him since last night.

“I hadn’t realised Miss Lucy had gotten so strong.”

Looking up at the statement Gajeel frowned in confusion.

“What you on about?”

Having discovered Lucy’s communication crystal Lily answered Gajeel before he made his call.

“Well it is my understanding that the spirits power is a reflection of the spirit mage. Last night Miss Lucy had her copy spirit out healing you as Miss Wendy as well as being in her I believe Gemini Stardress. Using the power of two sky dragon slayers must require immense resources. Not to mention that Miss Levy once told me that only with complete trust both ways can a spirit pass through their gate on their own. Her spirits must love her very much.”

Having said his peace Lily let Gajeel get back to his work as he got in contact with the nearest RuneKnights outpost to ask them to pick up the bandits. Telling Gajeel about the pick-up he barely got a grunt as Pantherlily headed back towards the ruins. Once he out of sight Gajeel let his tense shoulders relax as he started mumbling to himself.

“Crazy girl, going off on her own, trouble is what she is. Just asking to be beat, doesn’t know what she’s doing. Making me do all the work, running off before I could shout at her. Crazy teams fault, Salamander doesn’t know how to keep his girl safe…”

Suddenly he stopped moving and choked on his words as the image of Levy’s smiling face appeared before him. Forcing the thought back he made himself concentrate on only fixing up Bunny’s hurt. It was only minutes later that he heard Lily returning.

“Gajeel the Knights had some information that I thought you should know right away.”

Looking up after finishing the last wrap Gajeel stood and stretched as he grunted for Lily to continue.

“The Knights told me that the group we handed in are part of a band that have been terrorising the area and are known associates of a dark guild called Rowena’s Claw.”

Once more glancing down at Lucy now laying peacefully on the wool bed, Gajeel couldn’t help but think that maybe all those rumours about trouble following Team Natsu around weren’t an extravagation.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-two: New Direction

Lucy POV:

As I came too I opened my eyes to see a clear blue sky. At first I just lay there and watched the clouds roll by, it was only when I tried remembering what happened that pain struck.

“Oh my head, what in Mavis’ name hit me?”

I had only just started to lift my hand to my head to see why I had the mother of all headaches when I barely kept in a scream as I moved. My whole right side hurt, especially the ribs on the lower right. Slowly sitting up as I took stock of my condition, I realised that my chest and whole right arm were wrapped in bandages and that several cuts on my legs had been treated with Virgo’s special cream (the smell was unmistakeable). Assuming Virgo had fixed me up I turned and got a shock as lying down not far from my side on what I now realised was Aries’ wool was Pantherlily. Knowing where one was the other would follow, I slowly twisted trying not to aggravate my back too much and managed to look over my shoulder; low and behold there was Gajeel leaning against a nearby tree fast asleep.

“Miss Lucy, are you alright?”

Jerking my head back around which only took seconds to realise was a huge mistake I barely stopped myself from groaning as the pain from my ribs vehemently protested. Sucking in a semi-deep breath, I waved at Pantherlily to tell him to give me a second to focus passed the pain. Once the pain passed I shuffled myself across the wool to the edge and turned to face him.

“I’m alright Lily, I take it that it was you that patched me up. Thank you. Though I have to ask, what the two of you are doing here? I thought I left you both back at Little Root.”

Just as Pantherlily was about to explain I heard a grunt and several swear words come from behind me. Knowing who it must be I carefully this time looked back to see Gajeel glaring at me as he dragged himself to his feet. Before I could say a word Gajeel storms over and loams over me.

“What in Mavis name did you think you were doing?”

My mouth dropped open in shock as Gajeel continued to shout while hovering over me.

“Of all the reckless, irresponsible, lame-brained, fire-headed, salamander stunt to pull. I thought you were supposed to be the smart one. Or is the blonde dumbing you down.”

Oh he did not just go there. Forcing myself to my feet never mine the pain I was in I glared right back as I got in his face.

“That’s easy for you to say Mr twenty high-level monster/dark guild missions in a row. I was there when Pantherlily called in and you were so beaten up he was crying you wouldn’t make it through the night. You’re driving yourself into the ground and you don’t even care what it’s doing to the people who love you. Don’t you even think about telling me that I’m being reckless, you’re the poster-child for it!”

If looks could kill I knew I would be seven-feet under right now. Before I could consider that I may have gone too far. Gajeel growled back.

“You didn’t tell Laxus that your S-Class mission has a dark guild hunting you.”

My mouth snapped shut as what he said really registered. He was right damn-it. Ever since the third run in with Rowena’s thugs I’ve know that it had to be a dark guild that was following me. While I still didn’t know which mission they were after me for I knew that that wouldn’t matter to Laxus. The moment he heard the words ‘dark guild’ I would be teleported back to Magnolia and under house arrest.
Glaring back at Gajeel who now wore a smug expression I couldn’t think of a comeback that would work. Though the real problem I had just realised was how do I stop Gajeel from telling that little fact to Laxus himself. Before I could come up with a solution, surprisingly enough Gajeel gave me one.

“If that’s how you want to play it, then we’re coming with you.”

Staring at him, I froze in shock. It took me a few seconds to wrap my head around the concept. Still I had to clarify.

“What do you mean you’re coming with me?”

Smirking wider if that was possible, Gajeel jerked his thumb back the way we had all originally come.

“Back there you gave me a lecture about taking care of family. Well if Levy were here she’d want me keeping an eye on her best-friend, especially when said best-friend has a habit of getting kidnapped on a good day let alone when she’s got some psycho bitch stalking her.”

The moment he mentioned Levy I knew he meant business. As I stared at him it occurred to me that Gajeel might finally be ready to face his feeling about Levy. Knowing that I had let my friend down when I let Gajeel run off without helping him was killing me; this could be my second chance at fore-filling my promise. It looked like whether I wanted him or not I was going to be stuck with Gajeel for the immediate future.

“Fine you can tag along but I’m warning you both right now; you can help me all you want when it comes to the Ruins mission and that stupid guild that’s after me. As long as you both understand that the part about retrieving Aquarius’ key I will have to do alone. That’s mine and no matter what happens you can’t interfere. Do we have a deal?”

After glaring at me for several minutes Gajeel finally agreed grumpily and immediately started arguing back.

“Well whatever you think girly I don’t need your help either. You do your missions and I’ll do mine we’ll just be travelling together that’s it.”

I was too busy arguing with Gajeel to notice as a small smile appeared on Pantherlily face. I didn’t know at the time but he was pleasantly surprised as this was the liveliest he has seen Gajeel in months; usually all he would get would be monocyclic answers or grunting. Seeing Gajeel arguing back to me and calling me stubborn had given him hope that maybe Gajeel could pull himself back together with time.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-three: Water Wars

Two weeks after taking care of one of Gajeel’s monster missions we arrived at my next stop, a sacred lake that apparently had a monster guardian just outside Dawn City. The nearby villagers had told us that for the last year the lake guardian had been attacking anyone that came near; normally the monster stayed in the deep trench at the bottom of the lake only bothering looters and thieves. Just like I’d warned them I set out into the water alone. As I walked further into the water I heard Gajeel call out about ‘getting changed’. Waving at him I called out Cancer and star dressed into Aquarius’ form. Hearing his jaw snap shut gave me a feeling of petty satisfaction that I tried to shake off as I waited for something to happen. After a few seconds when nothing attacked us, I gestured to Cancer to follow me. Diving under I used Aquarius’s gift of water powers to propel myself down deeper into the lake.

I had been swimming for about a minute when something struck me out of the darkness, sending me flying across the lakes depths. As I regained my senses from the blow I looked back and saw Cancer in an underwater battle with what I presumed was the lake guardian. I was about to swim and help when I got a good look at the monster in the light from the surface: something wasn’t right. There had been depictions of the beast within the village and none of them had shown the several black marking spread throughout the creatures body. Knowing Cancer could hold his own for a few more seconds I finally took the time to look around.

Spotting a suspicious black vapour coming from a rock on the nearby lake bed, I quickly swam over and examined it. The closer I got the sicker I felt, so quickly surrounding myself in a bubble lock similar to Juvia’s I approached with caution. The moment I saw the similar markings on the rock I took an educated guess that this was the cause of the trouble. Getting it as far away as possible seemed to be the best option so concentrating hard I used the waters around me to force the rock up like a geyser until it was out of the lake and onto the shore.

With that out of the way I turned back to the guardian and Cancer in time to see Cancer take a hit that sent him flying. Closing his gate quickly before he could hit the side and get more damage I was about to swim to the surface and exit the water when a light reflected off the creature. Squinting my eyes, I could just make out a shiny object clutched in one of the guardian’s tentacles. Recognising the pull of a celestial key anywhere, I got ready for action.

Activating my whip in water mode I attacked quickly using water bullets at the same time. I knew the guardian was only doing its job so I didn’t want to hurt it too badly; all I wanted was the key. Realising that was it I focused on distracting the guardian with water attacks and used my whip to latch on to the key and yank. As the key flew towards me I got ready to move; once it was within my grasp I used my water control to speed my way out of the water as fast as I could not stopping until I was safely back on the shore.
Out of breathe considering I was still in Aquarius form I didn’t bother moving as I lay on the bank trying to recover. Before I could get up a shadow fell over me blocking out the sunlight. The moment I heard the ‘ghighi’ sound I knew who it was. Groaning I forced myself up with the help of what I assumed was Pantherlily’s hand considering that Gajeel was still blocking the light. Glaring at Gajeel I quickly checked two things; that I still had the key and that the strange rock was still out of the water and harm’s way.

“Took you long enough.”

Not bothering to answer back to Gajeel’s comment, I slowly made my way over to the rock being careful not to get too close as the closer I stepped the more that sick feeling came back. Annoyed already as the moment I held the key I knew it wasn’t Aquarius’ I tried to push past my disappointment and think. Still having energy left I called out both Crux and Gemini in Hibiki form looking for answers. It took the both of them a few minutes to come back with a response. It turned out the rock was a dark magic object that gives off negative energy that corrupts whose near it. Sighing, I quickly summoned Aries.

“Aries do me a favour and wrap that thing in the happiest thickest wool you can come up with, and Crux stick it in a corner away from everything else until I can find where to put the thing. In fact could you ask around to see if there is a way to destroy it? Thanks and give my best to Cancer he did great today.”

Having dealt with that issue the next item on the list is the new spirit; the fact that it isn’t the right key can be dealt with later tonight in my tent when I can muffle the tears. A quick examination leads to the discovery that it is the silver water spirit key for Cetus. Always welcoming of new friends I knew I had to take a rest and recuperate my lost energy before I could meet them. Wandering over to where Gajeel had set up our camp, I collapsed onto the ground and let him grunt around as I breathed deep and long soaking up what energy I could from the only star visible.

After around half an hour I felt recovered enough to try contacting my new spirit. Getting in the standard stance the words of the incantation had barely left my lips before the light of an arriving spirit flashed in the clearing. As it came out the spirit looked like a young redheaded boy about ten years old who was cute even with six eyes in his head. Before I could speak to him Gajeel spoke.

“What in Mavis’ name is that?”

Seeing the tears appear in the spirit eyes and how he flinch at Gajeel loud voice had me reacting automatically.

“Lucy Kick!”

I didn’t even wait to see where Gajeel landed I was already comforting the crying spirit. Shushing him I tried to show him that I wasn’t one of those masters. Though I had some basic knowledge of this particular spirit from lore I settled him back and quickly introduced myself. Once he realised who I was his spirits lifted as apparently he had heard of ‘the Princess’ and was happy I had found him.

“You can call me Cetus, Master. I have been stuck down there forever. My other key is lost out at sea and I haven’t had a master in a long time. Most of my masters prefer my big form. It is monstrous and huge with big teeth and claws. When I’m in water I grow big and am able to control the water and attack with it. I can’t really control water like this only a little so it isn’t used much but when I’m like this I’m very fast and I can see really far.”

Smiling to show I was happy and not at all upset with him or what he said I quickly told him not to call me master and that he could appear however he wanted unless I was summoning him for a specific reason and it was an emergency. When he asked to call me ‘Lucy-nee’ his big sister I was pleased and happy and couldn’t help squeezing the life out of him in a hug as I agreed and finished making the contract and quickly welcomed him to the family.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-four: Gunsmith

Encana city had been a bust for new information but Gajeel had needed to finish up the last of his missions and the Dark Guild there hadn't taken much time to round up. If he wasn’t so infuriating I could almost admit that Gajeel knew what he was doing (at least some of the time). Now if I could just get him to listen to me we could get going as there was supposed to be an ancient ruin to the south near the coast. But no this idiot wouldn’t listen to reason.

“We’re going north. There’s supposed to be bandits around the mountain pass. They should give me a nice warm up.”

If I was stood next to a tree I would be banging my head against it. Looking round for Pantherlily to see if he could talk sense into the lug head I found him a way away sitting quietly by the stream on the far side of the clearing fishing. Knowing I would have no help from there I tried once again to explain that going south would be better for my next stop. I was two seconds away from kicking him when Gajeel jerked forward and tackled me to the ground. Before I could get my breath back let alone complain I heard a gunshot and saw the tree I was standing in front of splinter from the impact. Shrieking and pulling Gajeel closer who had started to get up; I peered over his shoulder to see what in Mavis’ name was going on.

At the sound of gunfire Pantherlily had sprung up and turned towards us. Before he could come closer shouts started up from the woods. With the both of us down Pantherlily had no choice but to run towards the source of the trouble. Which unknown to me at the time turned out to be the very bandit group that Gajeel had wanted to go looking for? Shoving off me Gajeel ‘ghighi’ and raced towards the incoming horde. Seeing the gleeful look on his face I couldn’t help but face palm and be sorely tempted to simply stay down and let the boys enjoy themselves. At least I was until another shot sounded and the dirt near my head reacted.

Scrambling up and taking cover I tried to find the shooter while staying out of sight. I snuck a quick look over at the boys and watched as Gajeel and Pantherlily in battle form danced and dodged their way through over twenty bandits. A flash of green in my peripheral vision had me focusing on movement in the trees on the far side of the clearing on the other side of the stream. Squinting I could just make out someone crouched in the cover with what I soon realised was a rifle.

“Sagittarius!”

Appearing in the tree above my head, the moment he came out I pointed and arrows started flying. Knowing I had to help the boys I left Sagittarius to take care of the sniper and I raced across the clearing occasionally kicking anyone who got in my way. When I stubborn idiot kept jumping into my path I finally had enough grabbed my whip and latched on. The look on his face as I planted my heels and threw him across the clearing would of made me laugh if I wasn’t already in a hurry. Running once more I finally skidded to a stop by the water’s edge and reached for my belt. With a feeling of nostalgia I sank a key into the water and paused for but a moment as I renewed my promise that someday the key in my hand would be gold. Concentrating I doubled the usual power used for a silver key and called out a game changer.

“I call upon thy in the world of the celestial spirits I beckon you to my side at once pass through the gate, open gate of sea monster, Cetus.”

Even Gajeel looked up from his fight when the roar let loose deafening the sounding forest, as a creature from the depths burst out of the stream. I had to admit feeling the drain as Cetus came out was gratifying (it had taken me so long to be able to use this much power now it didn’t even wind me). As I rose into the air the power I could feel running between the two of us almost made me laugh. When Cetus finishing rising I could see clear across the forest. Smirking from my perch on Cetus’ head I watched as all the remaining bandits trembled in fear. Not letting them recover I grabbed one of the spines and hung on.

“Cetus, drown em.”

I hadn’t known what to expect as this was the first time Cetus had had to use his water attacks since I had gotten him so when a beam of water came from his mouth instead of the steam I was impressed. Sweeping the beam across the clearing Pantherlily only just had time to grab Gajeel before the water washed across where he was standing. Hovering in mid-air the two of them could only watch as Cetus cleared up the remaining bandits in seconds.

Feeling the drain start to itch I sent back Sagittarius and asked Cetus to put me down before returning to the spirit world. As I hoped down I could see three or four of the bandit recovering enough to get up. Not wanting to waste too much time I thanked Cetus and quickly star-dressed into Taurus form as he disappeared. Without even talking Gajeel Pantherlily and I split the stragglers up and quickly got to work. It was a matter of minutes before they were down for the last time and Gajeel and Pantherlily were rounding them up and tying them up.

Looking round I could see several trenches where Cetus’ attack had caused damage; I was lucky the fight had happened way out here I wouldn’t want to imagine the fee for damages if I tried something like that inside a village. Suddenly the image of the last job I’d done with Team Natsu appeared in my mind, we’d found the missing kids but Natsu and Gray had demolished half the town with their fighting. I felt myself smile at the memory and was surprised when no pain from the recollection came.

Shaking it off, I quickly made my way across the stream at a shallow point and over to the section of woods riddled with arrows. Pushing aside the bushes I found a man with mint green hair laid out unconscious with an arrow piercing his left leg. Assuming he passed out from the pain I rolled him over and couldn’t help but gasp. He was the spitting image of Bisca Mulone, a gun mage from my guild.

“Hey Gajeel, Pantherlily get over here! You have to see this.”

Loping over the two guys look down and both looked as shock as I did. Poking him Gajeel bent down and sniffed. Looking at him funny I was about to comment when the thought ‘dragonslayer’ popped up and I decided to keep my mouth shut and wait.

“Yeah, smells like Bisca alright, though this one don’t got that mummy smell she got going on since she had Asuka.”

Thinking I might as well check a quick thought to Virgo had her dropping off my rucksack and disappearing just as fast. Digging out the lacrima I placed a quick call to the bar hoping Bisca or Alzack would be in the main hall. As the call went through I reach up and wacked the back of Gajeel’s head to stop him from poking the unconscious man again. Grumbling at the treatment he was about to start shouting when a high pitched squeal resounded from the crystal. Glancing down I had just enough time to see Mirajane turn red and then faint with another squeal only this time I could make out the word.

“Babies!”

That dreaded word still sent shivers down my spine even if the woman was on the other side of Fiore. I almost threw away the lacrima in reaction before I got a hold of myself. Looking at Gajeel he wasn’t any better, he looked like he’d swallowed lemon. Hoping she stayed down long enough for me to get off the call, I quickly started shouting for Cana.

“Cana, Cana, pick up the lacrima you booze broad. I don’t have much time before she wakes up.”

The crystal screen moved and tilted and Cana and what looked like Master Makarov in the background showed up.

“Lu-bitch, how you been. You should come in, we’re gonna have a party. I need me some Lu-lovin, get your tits in here, me and Bacchus want a threesome.”

Ignoring everything she said and Gajeel’s less than subtle choking I shouted louder hoping Master heard me as well.

“I need to talk to Bisca, it’s important, if she’s there put her on the com.”

Cana didn’t even bother stopping talking as she got up and wandered towards the children’s area.

“Lu-bitch you’ll never guess what happen, baby bad-breath got fangs. And she poisoned Cum-dumpster, it was bloody hilarious.”

A loud shout from the second floor was all but ignored as Cana made it passed the daily brawl to the kiddie section. A quick shout of Bisca had the woman standing and moving out of the runes and into the chaotic mess. Waving the crystal Cana didn’t even bother with a goodbye as she was dragged into the nearby fight when someone knocked her cup out of her hand. Skilfully catching the tossed lacrima, Bisca smiled when she saw me grimacing at her. Waving I got right to the point as I knew staying on the com for too long would bring trouble down on me in the form of Laxus. Turning the crystal I shone it on the bandit and started talking fast.

“Bisca you got any idea who this is? He was part of a bandit group that attacked us outside of Encana city and according to Gajeel he smells just like you.”

“Oh my Mavis, Amelie.”

Watching her closely I could see the sorrow and rage on her face as she looked at the unconscious man. Waiting for an explanation I gestured for Gajeel to drag him to where the rest of the men were tied up. Once they were all in the same place Bisca had had long enough to compose herself.

“His name is Amelie Mulone and he uses magic similar to Alzak. He’s my older brother and a very bad apple who I haven’t talked to in years. We’re both from out of the western continent and before I left Amelie tried to rob one of the noblemen of our province. Before the sheriff could take him in he ran. The last I heard of him was when my cousin came for the wedding and told me he had been locked up for in-sighting a riot up in the northern mountains.”

Thanking her I quickly checked with Gajeel and finished up by asking her to report the bandits’ location to the Rune Knights. As I got off the com I could have sworn I heard a storm clash of Natsu before the crystal went blank. Not wanting to push my luck especially now Laxus would have a fixed position for me I conned the boys into continuing on and stopping for lunch somewhere else preferably somewhere without bad guy intervention.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-five: Beach Bunny

I had to admit Citrus Beach was just what we all needed. Of course it took me two hours to convince Gajeel not to try crossing the mountain during a hurricane but what would I know, stupid dragonslayers, I swear they have no self-preservation instinct. If the storm hadn’t disrupted the railway line and made the paths across the mountains all but impassable Gajeel never would have stopped at a resort town, too many people for his tastes. At least he had fun this morning with Cetus and Pantherlily taking care of the sea monster too bad for him that it turned out to be a lost and trapped giant sea urchin and he had to let me and Aries gently stir it back out to sea. Lucky for us we got to have a well-deserved rest at the seaside after we surprisingly received a high reward for the good work even though we didn’t really help on purpose.

Even with a typical Virgo bringing a provocative and Metal Dragon theme bikini which I had to swap for a one piece as I’m still a bit sensitive about the scars, I still appreciated the chance to unwind after months spent travelling all over Fiore. Sunbathing on the beach with Lynx while Gajeel and Pantherlily go swimming in the afternoon I had fun watching as the other visitors enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.

Normally by now Natsu and Gray would have destroyed half the beach causing myself and Erza to have to stop them from fighting. I couldn’t count the number of times I had been trying to relax and those two had pulled me out of it. Being without my former team was always a mixed blessing, I did miss them all terribly even that annoying cat Happy but… I knew that these months apart had made me stronger even more so than the year disbandment as this time it was my choice. Sometimes just sometimes I wished things could go back to how they used to be before everything changed before the world got complicated and we had to grow up.

Pushing all my worries aside for another day I forced myself to watch Gajeel and Pantherlily in the water. The two friends were squaring off against each other no magic just strength. Smiling to see the normally taciturn slayer enjoying his time in the sun, I was about to get up and join them when a shadow blocked out the sun. Shielding my eyes and turning I saw I had been approached by a young man. Smiling I was about to ask if I could help him when he spoke.

“Sorry to trouble you, I don’t normally interrupt a beautiful lady when she’s busy but I just wanted to ask is that the new copy of ‘Dragon’s Lore’? I thought it wasn’t out for another two months?”

Glancing at the book resting on my beach bag I realised the title was prominently displayed; I couldn’t help having a little secret smile as that was something my publisher had fought me on and I had won after research showed it would sell better. Shaking my head to forget that last meeting I made a mental note to check how many messages she’d left since I last spoke to her. Smiling up at him I tried to decide how much I should say.

“Why yes, I’m friends with the author and she got me an advance copy. Do you like the series?”

Dropping down to sit next to my towel, I watched as he gestured to the book and started talking animatedly.

“It’s one of my favourites. The story just drags you in, a perfect mixture of adventure and romance. The first one had me terrified that Igneel wasn’t going to make it through the trial let alone rescue Lore in time. Oh where are my manners I’m Vale, Vale Underwood. I’m activities director at the Citrus Lodge Hotel.”

Holding out his hand to me, I reached over and shook it and then realised that Vale hadn’t released it and was in fact bringing it to his lips where he lightly kissed the back. While I didn’t mind getting positive feedback it had been so long since I has done anything normal that it took me a few seconds to realise Vale’s smile was flirtatious. At first I couldn’t help feeling shy and unsure, Lynx had to discretely wink and nudge me before I could start talking again.

As we chatted I started to smile more easily and enjoy the conversation, even laughing a time or two. We had sat there for what had to be close to an hour when he got to the point of asking me to dinner later that day. I had just agreed after much thought when another shadow fell over the both of us. Turning round Vale is confronted by a scowling and lethal looking Gajeel who for some reason doesn’t look happy. Quickly getting the point, Vale bid me goodbye and told me he would meet me at the restaurant at six. I was confused by Gajeel’s behaviour but shrugged it off as still being annoyed about being stuck. Getting up I called to Pantherlily and raced into the water and began to play in the surf, splashing the battle exceed at every opportunity.

Gajeel meanwhile was still standing where I’d left him glaring at the retreating Vale. Unlucky for Gajeel when he mumbled under his breath about a pretty boy idiot he didn’t realise that Lynx with her cat ears could hear him. Disappearing quickly back into the spirit world Lynx couldn’t wait to tell Aquarius about the new developments in Lucy’s love life.

Still not completely understanding why he is upset I watched out of the corner of my eye as Gajeel made his way back to us and then seemed intent on convincing us to do some training with him. I knew he was in essence tricking me into training but it had been a while since I had someone to test my abilities against. The three of us headed to a quiet part of the beach where Gajeel persuaded me into bringing out some spirits to spar with. Knowing he’d come on his own anyway at some point I called out Leo and then doubled the difficulty and called out Capricorn as well to fight against Gajeel in hand-to-hand

“Guys we’re going to be doing some training do you both mind putting Gajeel through his paces in hand-to-hand. With two of you it should give a good match-up.”

As Loke does his usual flirting which I had pretty much trained myself into ignoring, I couldn’t help notice that every word he spoke seemed to further put Gajeel in a bad mood resulting in him attacking Leo before he was even ready. Chalking it up to men being men I left them to pummelling each other and moved over to Pantherlily. Wanting to train in aerial attacks I brought out Apus and jumped quickly on his back as we prepared to fight Pantherlily inflight. Before we could start Virgo popped out on her own power and handed me a silver sword to fight with; glancing at the weapon I resigned myself, it wasn’t Cancer’s stardress but as long as I didn’t have Apus use any magic attacks I knew I could fighting for a while. The next hour passed quickly as back and forth me and Pantherlily dodged and dived in the air Holding my own against the exceed sword master, I could tell Pantherlily was impressed.

“Lucy may I ask how you have gotten so good with a sword, I did not realise you used any weapon other than your whip?”

Asking Apus to land I took a much needed break as I thanked him and bid him goodbye. Throwing Pantherlily a water bottle I smiled a little mischievously as I answered.

“May I remind you that my ‘big sister’ is Titania queen of the fairies, arguably the most prolific swordswoman in Earthland. Over the years Erza has taught me a thing or two about swordsmanship. She can be brutal when she gets an idea in her head, my advice never ask her for training, the only reason I escaped without several different puncture wounds is because Natsu decided he wanted to fight her and she got bored and went for cake. I’m telling you my life past before my eyes.”

Shuddering I shuffled that memory back in the vault of ‘never happened’ and took my own drink of water.

“When I mastered Stardress I had to expand my range of weapons. Cancer uses swords, Taurus an axe, Virgo chains, and Scorpio a cannon to name a few. I had to learn how to not only uses their innate abilities like wool and speed but also how each of them move with their unique characteristics.”

Glancing over to the boys I saw that Gajeel was having fun and even Capricorn looked like he was enjoying the workout. After resting for a couple of minutes I was about to ask Pantherlily if he wanted to try something different when Gajeel came strolling up with Leo looking the worse for wear. Holding in my giggle I quickly sent both spirits back and took stock of how much damage having three spirits out had done to my magic. Luckily the boys had kept the magic attacks to a minimum so I still felt able to keep training.

“Let’s change it up.”

Looking up at Gajeel I saw him gesturing to me to come closer. Quickly calling Cancer out to be Pantherlily’s opponent I moved across the sand and got ready to get beaten up. Gajeel started attacking as soon as I came in range forcing me to defend myself right off the bat. With continuous attacks I couldn’t call out help and had to rely on my whip and instincts to stay ahead of Gajeel; something he looked shocked over. Catching him in the Fleuve d'etoiles and flinging him into the water I finally had time to call out Scutum letting him block Gajeel’s ‘demon log attack’ long enough to try to form a battle strategy. Smirking when it came to me I quickly called out.

“Scorpio!”

As the sand all around Gajeel whipped into a tornado I sent Scutum back and star dressed into Aries form. When the sand cleared Gajeel was buried up to his waist and was not happy. I smiled a little as I answered Gajeel’s unasked question.

“I have spent years with a fighting Natsu and Gray combo. After the first year I developed quick reflexes in order not to get dragged into their brawls. The boys at one point or another had each taken the time to give me quick lessons on agility and movement; Gray for all his weirdness has excellent defensive capacities and tactical awareness while Natsu is an offensive juggernaut with surprising good acrobatic skills. All that time with Happy has let him learn how to tuck and roll even with the idiot never knowing when to stay down.”

Before Gajeel knew what hit him I had smothered him in wool using Scorpio as a distraction; every time he escaped I kept piling more sand and wool on. I started laughing at the picture he made covered in fluffy yellow itchy wool. Soon enough Pantherlily joined in as Gajeel finally got away while I was distracted by my mirth. I was still laughing as Gajeel attacked us both and the three of us ended up having some fun in the surf before getting back to training.

Gajeel kept me so busy trading off partners, alternating aerial, ground, and sea battlefields, and improving my speed and accuracy that six o’clock rolled around without me even noticing. By the time I realised, it was beyond late and I was covered in sand wool and numerous other beach related nonsense with no time to change clothes. Gajeel managed to convince me that it was too late to go and that the guy probably left already. When he saw that I was upset he looked slightly conflicted and embarrassed before he told to wait while he ran to get something.

Sitting down on the beach watching the sunset I focused on the colours and how peaceful it was which was probably why I didn’t see Pantherlily fly off as Gajeel made his way back down the beach. I smiled slightly as Gajeel sat down next to me and handed over a hot roll and a cup of punch, telling me it was the best he could do. The two of us sat and watched the sea, eating and simply enjoying the quiet time. Before I knew it the night has settled in and the two of us were lying back watching the stars come out. As I looked up I started talking about the different constellations and their spirits. I started telling Gajeel stories that my mother told me as a child and found myself slowly falling asleep.

When Pantherlily came back looking for Lucy and Gajeel he was surprised to find Lucy curled up on the beach towels with Gajeel holding her close sleeping deeply. He was shocked at the look of peace that had settled on both their faces, as he knew that both of them suffer from fierce night-terrors; it is rare for either of them to sleep the whole night without being subjected to memories of the War and waking up screaming. As Pantherlily settled down next to them both he couldn’t help but think that maybe just maybe there was hope for Gajeel and Lucy to see their way past the grief and find someone new to live for. As he drifted off he could swear he saw the stars wink at him as if they were in silent agreement.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-Six: Family Planning

We had gotten info on a new set of ruins set deep in the mountain region a day’s journey from Freesia Village when the magic lacrima went off. Thinking nothing of it as Laxus had gotten into the habit of ringing to check on me now that Gajeel had started to carry it with him in his travel bag, I gestured for him at answered it. Shaking his head Gajeel simply tossed the crystal my way and sat down to see what food he had stashed away. Giving in to the inevitable I powered up the com and braced for trouble. Seeing Mirajane wasn’t really that surprising as her and Laxus has started officially seeing each other the other month which meant he tended to complain to her about my absence and so she had gotten into the habit of ringing to check our progress.

“Hello Mira. What does he want now?”

As I waited to see what Mira needed as a call from her usually involved a lengthy talk on all the guilds business especially who liked who. After hearing how Lyon Vastia and Merudy came to visit and how her and Juvia Lockser had talked about wedding plans and after that Mira couldn’t shut up about little Viper, Eric and Kinana’s new born daughter I was seriously close to rolling my eyes. Glancing over when Gajeel started moaning about crazy matchmaking baby fanatic she-demons much to my exasperation, I of course tried hushing him before Mira heard.

“Gaj, shush, not so loud.”

I unfortunately made the mistake of using the nickname too loudly causing the barmaid in question to start squealing and of course faint with the immortal word ‘babies’ floating out of her unconscious form. Not wanting anything to do with that drama I was about to hang up when Lisanna appeared across the bar and started waving for me to wait a second. I watched as she jumped the rail and simply stepped over her prone sister. I couldn’t help listening as the youngest Strauss got right to the point.

“Hi Lucy, hope you’re doing good? We actually need to talk to Pantherlily. The guild got a call from the Exceed village earlier, apparently there’s some big to-do with Queen Shaggotte and they want Pantherlily to call them immediately at the Exceed village.”

Not wasting any time I thanked her and then hung up with the guild. Immediately connecting to the Exceed village I shouted for Pantherlily to come over. I couldn’t help wondering what was going on as I remember him telling me he had visited not six months ago. Pantherlily flew over and hovered over my shoulder just as the lacrima was answered. Before the picture cleared Gajeel had wandered over to see what the commotion was about. Seeing the face of one of Shaggotte’s advisors Muganto I think their name was, we didn’t even get a word out before he was shouting.

“Sir Pantherlily you must come quickly, the Queen’s egg is about to hatch.”

Before I could comment I heard a swish and a thud from beside me. Looking over I couldn’t see anything until I looked down and was shocked to see Pantherlily passed out on the ground with a stunned look on his face. Glancing at each other I and Gajeel at first don’t know what happened, it was only after Gajeel bent down to check on his best friend that I had a sudden moment of clarity: Pantherlily was the father. Not getting anywhere with waking Lily up quickly Gajeel stood and started looming into the lacrima.

“Oi, what you want with my cat?”

Hitting Gajeel to shut him up I tried to discreetly tell him what’s going on. Gajeel simply stood there blinking in shock after the word ‘father’ came out of my mouth. Lucky for me Pantherlily had woken up and was able to take over the call.

“Minister Muganto, tell Lottie I’ll be there as soon as possible. It should take me no more than a few hours.”

Turning to us Pantherlily handed back the deactivated lacrima and quickly moved to his rucksack.

“Miss Lucy, Gajeel I must apologise for abandoning our quest. I must go quickly. Please take care of each other.”

I smiled to show no hard feelings and bid him safe journey as I glanced at Gajeel to find him still stood there in shock. I didn’t think he had actually heard anything past the point where I said the word father. It was a couple of minutes before Gajeel pulled himself together enough to start bellowing.

“What is going on?”

Ignoring his panic attack, I was too busy thinking about the implications of a Pantherlily and Shaggotte couple. Without realising it I started mumbling out loud.

“If Pantherlily and Queen Shaggotte are a couple now then it’s possible they were a couple back in Edolas, which would mean that Pantherlily is Carla’s father.”

When he registered what I said Gajeel went into an even more of a catatonic state. Seeing what has happened to him I couldn’t help but start to tease him.

“If Pantherlily is going to be a father doesn’t that make you a crotchety old grandfather.”

Snapping out of it at my giggles, Gajeel started muttering to himself as he stomped off further down the mountain trail.

“Darn cat, not telling me anything. Secretive little idiot, how am I supposed to keep an eye on him if he doesn’t let me know things.”

Giggling harder as I followed behind him it took me a few minutes to realise that with Pantherlily off for an indefinite length of time that meant me and Gajeel would be alone together. When the thought of sleeping in the same tent popped up I no longer felt the urge to giggle; I didn’t know what the funny feeling in my stomach was at that thought but I didn’t like it. Hurrying to catch up as Gajeel had started stomping faster, I tried to get my mind back on track and out of dangerous waters.

“Gajeel do you think the new Exceed will be a girl or a boy?”

Up ahead Gajeel suddenly stopped and his signature laugh rang out as he turned back to face me with a smug smirk on his face.

“Ghighi, it’ll be a boy of course; a strong warrior that we’ll have to train up. Hey this proves that my cat is better than that damn hothead Salamander’s. Two kids and that ratfink Happy hadn’t even got one.”

I felt my eyebrow lift at the pettiness Gajeel was displaying and couldn’t help turning the screw when I realised he was still insulting Natsu.

“If you’re Lily’s pseudo-dad, and Natsu is Happy’s pseudo-dad then since Happy is with Carla doesn’t that make you and Natsu in-laws?”

I was smiling when I heard Gajeel start sputtering and choking. When the yelling started about not being any relation to the overgrown fire newt, I shook my head and started tuning him out. Shaking off Gajeel’s competiveness I had the sudden thought that Mirajane would have a field day when the news got back to the guild; something I couldn’t help but think would be soon, especially knowing Happy’s big mouth when it meant secrets in exchange for fish. Securing the lacrima in my bag I cast in one more glance thinking about everyone back home and relationships and how time changes things in ways that even I didn’t expect.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Not Again

Having finished looking in the lake outside of Tiger Valley for signs of Aquarius, Gajeel and I decided to have a rest before travelling to the next ruin site further in the mountain range. After I had finished looking for Aquarius and explaining to the water nymph with Cetus translating that we meant no harm, I decided to keep Cetus out in his human form and the two of us tried training in water control. It turned out Cetus had never really trained himself in human form since he had complete control and powerful attacks in battle form. I also assumed from the things he said that his previous key holders hadn’t bothered letting him train in his ‘weaker’ form. After I explained I wanted him to be prepared in case he was ever attacked on land while scouting he became more animated. Having called out Aries for target practice, I star dressed into Aquarius’ form and had the two of us stand beside the lake as Aries with the expected apology fired globs of wool that Cetus and I tried to hit. After a while when our aim wasn’t improving I was about to summon Sagittarius and ask him for pointers when Gajeel wandered over.

“Oi Bunny Girl. You’re doing that wrong.”

Before I could comment he transformed several daggers and threw them with pin-point accuracy at the floating wool. Impressed in spite of myself I watched as Gajeel took Cetus aside and started giving him advice. Before long Gajeel had Cetus running all over jumping about trying to hit him as Gajeel dodged and in turn chased him back. Slightly bemused at the situation I suddenly remembered how Asuka back at the guild was always more friendly with Gajeel than people would expect. Pushing aside the thought of Gajeel as a family man I thanked Aries for her help and promised to have a girl’s night soon. Wandering further up the bank I waited until our camp ground was out of sight before coming to a stop. With the boys occupied I decided to have a nice relaxing bath in the lake. After striping and giving my workout clothes a quick rinse I settled back to simply floating and finally having the time for a quick think.

I was starting to get disheartened at the lack of progress on both missions. I knew in my head it would take a while to find Aquarius’ key but my heart was starting to lose hope. I thought I at least would have made some progress concerning the Mashima ruins if nothing else. Dozens of waterways searched, ancient ruins of all shapes and sizes and I was further behind than I was in the beginning. The oddly hurtful thought that Gajeel wouldn’t stick around much longer had me sighing and almost in tears. Shaking loose of the melancholy I forced all thoughts from my head and just tried to relax into the water at least for a moment. Drifting for a few minutes allowed me to work the tension out of my shoulders and back and after a quick scrub I was ready to climb out. Seeing how sharp some of the stones were I had just slipped on my boots and was not really paying attention which is probably how I didn’t see the attack coming. The next thing I knew there was a pain in the back of my head and everything went black.

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Time-skip:

Coming too not knowing how much time later I found myself tied to a tree with two creepy looking guys standing nearby talking. Pretending to still be out of it I listened and felt my anger rise when I heard the two men arguing about selling me and my keys. To my revulsion one of them wanted to try the merchandise before selling me on to the local black-market. It may have surprised anyone else other than my spirits but I was more enraged about them separating and selling my keys than their disgusting plans for me.
Testing the ropes holding me I couldn’t quite believe after all of my hard work I was kidnapped again. Knowing there wasn’t much time as Gajeel was a Dragonslayer and from past experience with their noses he would track me down soon, I got to work; lucky for me I had put my travelling boots on first after climbing out of the water. Carefully keeping an eye on the arguing pair I pulled my leg up and slid it around the tree. Reaching cautiously inside I felt around until the small knife I’d hidden slipped free. Moving as little as possible I sliced through the rope holding me and slowly tested my range of motion all the time keeping a grip on the now loose rope.

Waiting for my chance it didn’t take long for the one who wanted to taste test me to come swaggering over. Once in reach I didn’t waste any time with the first scumbag and attacked the moment he was close enough. Reacting fast my arms shot out and smashed against the side of his head effectively boxing his ears. Disoriented and in pain a Lucy-kick sent him flying into nearby tree and the loud crack signalled he was out before his body hit the ground. Rushing over to the other one before his shock wore off I led with a side kick and a rabbit punch to the sternum. I could tell that all that training with Gajeel and Capricorn in hand-to-hand combat had paid off. The fact the slaver was a regular person and had no magic meant it wasn’t even a challenge for me. It barely took me two minutes to finally knock him out with a well-placed roundhouse kick to the face and at the end I wasn’t even breathing hard. Disgusted more at my lack of awareness than the two men I quickly grabbed my keys off the second idiot and started to leave. Before I could get out of the little clearing or even knew he was even there Gajeel jumped down from a nearby tree.

“Congrats Bunny girl. Ghighi. You put on one hell of a show. I especially liked the jiggling.”

At first I was confused why he was leering and laughing, it was only when the adrenaline wore off and I felt the breeze that I realised I had never finished getting dressed. A glance down showed me what I feared; I had been doing everything while naked and as I tried to control my blush the far off thought about not again registered just before I heard Gajeel’s laugh cut out. Looking up I watched as Gajeel’s face blanched and went white. It only took me seconds to realise why and remember the scars. I could see he is about to comment and beat him to the punch.

“Don’t.”

“Bunny?”

Even though his voice had gone soft I ignored him and I went back over to the second guy and proceeded to rip off his coat. Covering up I strode from the clearing before I spoke again.

“Just drop it Gaj.”

As I was walking back to where we left our things Virgo popped out without saying anything and handed me spare clothes. Giving her a grateful look she didn’t even wait before running back to the clearing with a rope in her hand. Realising she was being helpful and tying the creeps up I telepathically asked her quickly to deliver them to the nearest Rune Knights and report the attempted abduction and tell them about the slavery ring. As I got back to our temporary camp by the lake I was now finally getting dressed when Gajeel stormed out of the woods and stood in front of me. As I tried to go around him for more privacy he grabbed my arm tight and forced me to face him.

“Where’d you get the scars Bunny?”

Sighing in defeat I watched as Gajeel’s eyes grew solemn and I realised when I had moved the coat had shift letting him get another look at my abdomen; I knew from his expression he wasn’t going to drop it without some kind of explanation. Suddenly I was incredibly weary and couldn’t be bothered arguing about this. It had gotten to the point where I occasionally even forgot they were there and even what they represented both past and present. Letting him see the tiredness in my eyes I answered.

“Everyone gained scars from the War Gajeel. Some are just more visible than others. The ones on my body that you can see aren’t even the worst of mine; you should know that more than most. Every one of us lost something because of Zeref’s madness. These don’t even hurt anymore not like the scars of losing Levy. I’d take a hundred more if I could undo that one moment. Scars like these will fade, the pain of losing her never will.”

Seeing the shock on his face as well as the sorrow Gajeel loosened his grip enough for me to pull away and wander over to the tents. Having shut him up even if I felt slightly guilty about reminding him of Levy I still had enough manners in me to wish him a goodnight as I pushed into my tent and blocked out the dying light. Settling against my mat I tried to hold back the memories of death and heartache and almost wished I’d kept my mouth shut. Getting comfy I couldn’t help but think that neither of us would get a good night’s sleep tonight. 

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Night-time Introspection

After having spent several weeks checking and looking at different ruins and lakes with no positive results, Gajeel and I were camping in a forest outside of a little town called Uva Ursi where we had just finished dealing with another attack by bandits only this time the name Rowena was used again. After I made the mistake of commenting about one of the mages supposed to being locked up Gajeel had made me tell him about every time I had run into bandit with ties to Rowena on my trip. After telling him about the first time at the library and the times in between then and the time he and Pantherlily ran into a group at those first ruins Gajeel became really suspicious and furious. After shouting at me for ten minutes straight about not telling him things that could kill him, he finally settled down and started asking questions.

It seemed that this Rowena woman wasn’t giving up her attacks, though I still didn’t know which of my quests could be the object of Rowena’s insane obsession, the staff or Aquarius. After going over the library encounter again with Gajeel interrogating me on different aspects, neither of us could settle on what she wanted. Gajeel thought it was Aquarius’ key as the first attack happen after I researched her whereabouts but before I went looking at the info about the staff. I wasn’t so sure, no one other than Laxus, Master, and Brandish knew I was searching for Aquarius and I trusted them not to say a word. When it came to the staff yes I hadn’t used the books in the library for the search yet, but I had accepted the mission and made some inquires at local and national museums before reaching Crocus.

Settling in for the night and bedding down I got comfy and glanced over at the warm presence at the head of my bed. Smiling, I couldn’t help thinking about the day Gajeel gave me such a perfect gift: the silver spirit key Ursa Minor. The little bear was a protector spirit used to guard its owner and warn them of danger. No more than two hands high about the same size as Plue and using the same amount of power; brown with black patches the little guy changed colour when his key holder was in trouble. Little Mushy was a night companion that helped keep the nightmares away. I could feel my eyes tearing slightly as I remembered how Gajeel had told me how he had gotten him as part of one of his rewards from a mission before we ran into each other.

I thought it was sweet the way he did it all embarrassed like while trying to act as though he didn’t mean to keep the key for me. He started by saying he just never got around to selling it and forgot that it was at the bottom of his bag. It was the first time he voluntarily mentioned Levy. He went on to tell me about how in his words, Shrimp was always going on about the different spirits I had and reminding him to be on the lookout for ones I didn’t have. We ended up having a real conversation about Levy and how they were both still broken up about her loss and think about her every day. I told him about how I saw her every time I read a new novel or wrote a new chapter of my books. I had broken down telling him about not being able to write for months because Levy wasn’t there to read it. Gajeel told me about forcing thoughts of Levy from his mind every time he learned something new that Levy would have found interesting. We each admitted that it almost breaks them when they think about never seeing her again. It took most of that day to admit to each other that time really had helped. That talking and thinking about her had gotten easier and that now when they remember Levy they felt happy and even could remember the joy she used to imbue in everything she tried to do.

During the conversation we realised they knew more about each other than they first thought. Levy had talked to both of us about each other and so by accident the two of us had become friends before we even teamed up. Funny how things work out, without even trying we knew each other’s likes and dislikes and had started catering to the other’s needs. That’s not to say we still didn’t fight, we seem to love arguing with each other; Gajeel will try making a sexist comment and I will respond with a Lucy kick.It had taken me awhile to realise of the two of us I was surprisingly enough the one who took physical revenge in our fights, most of the time Gajeel lets me get in the first hit before he tackled me and we’d start brawling. I had come a long way from the girl who didn’t like to punch-it-up with the others in the guild. Gajeel had admitted I wasn’t Pantherlily but said I give him enough of a workout and he does think of me as a friend; what neither of us will admit even to ourselves is that we think of each other as more than a friends.

Unbeknownst to me Gajeel had to stop himself sometimes from looking at me and there are even occasions where he would find himself smiling for no reason a something I said. He couldn’t help but admire my drive and my willingness never to give up no matter how bad the situation; something he apparently noticed on our first encounter even as he was beating me, which was some of the memories neither of us would rather get into. As for me I was trying without success to ignore the fact that Gajeel was one hell of a ruggedly handsome individual and built as a girl’s wet dream. The times he has walked around shirtless have started to get to me and I find myself more and more having to remind myself that he was Levy’s boyfriend.

With the forced proximity, a feeling of closeness has sprung up between us and even I can see it is playing havoc with our emotions especially what we feel for each other. It doesn’t help that a mutual attraction that it turns out the both of us have felt from the beginning but ignored because of our brutal introduction and subsequent romantic relationships has finally sprung up. Neither of us wants to admit that maybe we like each other more than we should. Finally drifting off to sleep I couldn’t help but think that my life was already complicated enough I didn’t need any more men in my life screwing it up.

Chapter Text

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Island Paradise

Having made our way back to the coastline, Gajeel and I had arrived in the port town of Ixora where there is a legend of a buried treasure on one of the nearby islands. Normally I wouldn’t care but the islands off the coast according to a professor I contacted are a possible site for the Mashima settlement. With the waters around the islands pretty much impassable at this time of year, flying over was our only option. Practically forcing Gajeel onto the back of Apus I star dressed into Gemini and changed into my still stored Happy version.

Half an hour later when we arrived on the rumoured Jaborosa Island Gajeel was pissed and I was windswept. A few minutes after trying to tame my hair, I gave up and quickly braded it not wanting to bother Cancer so early in the day. Glancing round and getting a lay of the land I quickly came up with a strategy. Recalling Apus intent on getting an aerial survey I tossed him one of his favourite furuta cookies as I gave him his instructions.

“Apus sorry for the short rest, could you do me the favour of flying up and scouting the island for the whereabouts of any ruin sites or any old building and land marks. Look for breaks in the forest or anything that looks man-made.”

With a trill of agreement and a ‘Yes Mistress Lucy’ in my head Apus took off and I settled on my next task which was a ground survey. Kicking at the ground and look at the nearby trees made my mind up. I hadn’t even gotten the words out before the flash of light and the expected greeting.

“Punishment Princess?”

Just going with it I suddenly had a thought about how long it had been since the last girl’s night. Looking at Virgo carefully I noticed she seemed more manic than usual. Making a note to talk to her later I came to a quick decision.

“Virgo I want you to tunnel into the ground carefully and look for buried cities or underground structures. Be careful of the island’s composition and if you manage to find something before Apus does on the next girl’s night I’ll tie you up and force feed you chocolate cake.”

I ignored Gajeel choking behind me as I watched Virgo’s eyes shined with manic intent before she whipped herself up and over in a flip and then into a dive into the ground. Looking back over at Gajeel I could tell he was trying not to laugh. Giving him the go ahead I watched as the man held his belly as he Ghihi again and again. Resisting the urge to ‘Lucy-kick’, I waited for him to calm down before I attempted to explain.

“Gajeel you should know by now that each of my spirits are unique and require me to do things in a special way. Virgo wants discipline she wants the master/servant relationship. Aries is apologetic no matter how good a job she does. She needs to be able to say sorry and needs positive reinforcement. Gemini are mischievous, and will play pranks and tell secrets to get a reaction. They need me to keep them inline but also to let them play. Each spirit when treated with respect and individual care will shine. When played to their individual strengths and actually given what they need they become immensely stronger.”

Seeing he was listening to me I continued explaining some of the things even I hadn’t known when I first started training as a celestial spirit mage.

“This doesn’t just apply to the Zodiacs. My silver keys can gain new talents if I let them work at what they know. The cookies I feed Apus helps him maintain his voice and gives him more range of notes. Given enough time with me he will be able to not only use his song burst as an attack but tune his calling to do different things such as break up ground fall or use it as echolocation. Before I had Horologium for over a year he couldn’t use the emergency evacuation option which has saved my life more times than I can count. Most people think the silver keys are weak or not for combat. As you’ve seen with Cetus, some key holders even talk down to their spirits and don’t let them grow into their full powers; their only interested in the easy option or the quick turnaround.”

Spiting in disgust I hated people like that, that treated their spirits as property and used them with no thought to the spirit’s wellbeing. Looking at Gajeel I saw he turned sober and was frowning slightly. I knew mentioning Cetus would catch his attention as whenever I brought the boy out in human form the two of them would gravitate towards each other and end up playing a dangerous version of tag with Gajeel throwing metal weapons at Cetus as he ran around shooting water shots back.
Letting him think about that I was about to started listing the other things my silver keys could do when I felt two almost simultaneous mental calls. Lucky for me they pretty much said the same thing.

“Princess/Mistress, there’s trouble on the far side of the island.”

Thanking them both and promising punishment and sweets later I sent them back to conserve power and told Gajeel what they’d found. Agreeing that we should check it out Gajeel started off into the islands interior intent on making his way over to the other side. Jogging to keep up, Gajeel kept a brutal pace for the next twenty minutes until he suddenly motioned me to stop and stay quiet. Moving slowly through the trees I followed and finally heard what he must of minutes back: voices laughing.
Peeking through a nearby bush I saw a small group of men walking across the jungle jesting about capturing some archaeologists. Not wanting a confrontation just yet and seeing Gajeel ready to pounce I hit him first just managing to drag him down as the men past us by.

Keeping him there was another matter entirely as he kept trying to go out and fight; I had to physically restrain him slapping a hand over his mouth and wrapping my arms around his. It was only after the men moved on that I had the chance to take stock and realised I was draped over Gajeel holding him down with all of my body. Jerking at the physical proximity, neither of us could move as sudden awareness of and the underling attraction that had gone deliberately unnoticed roared to life. We both couldn’t look away and for one moment unknown to either had the same thought, what would happen if we kissed. Our eyes each moved to our lips and we both found ourselves leaning closer together. Our lips lightly touched and then our eyes started to close as the kiss started to take hold.

When an explosion was heard far off into the distance I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Coming to my senses I pulled back and quickly jumped up and then backed away from him. He looked as shocked as I did and I didn’t need to heard Gajeel’s thoughts to know we were in an agreement ignorance was bliss, the last few minutes didn’t happen.
Moving swiftly in the direction of where we’d heard the explosion and the direction the men from before had gone in, I tried to get what just happened out of my head. I didn’t know whether it was lucky or not when minutes later we came across some stragglers from the other group though judging by Gajeel’s snarl and how quick he jumped into a brawl it looked like he needed a good fight as a distraction. Letting him go I separated out one of the smaller beaten men while Gajeel thrashed the rest without even resorting to magic. Slapping him a little to get him to wake up I started asking him some questions. One look at the mess Gajeel was making and he told me everything I needed to know.
Apparently it turned out we weren’t the only ones looking for possible treasure on the island. A clusterfuck of epic proportions was in the making as the men were part of a treasure hunting guild and had stumbled upon an archaeology team that was excavating a ruined site on the other side of the island; when you added us in the island was turning into party central. I learned the guild had then taken the survey team hostage and was busy looting the site for its treasure. At last with enough information I called off Gajeel’s fun and explained the problem.

Leaving Virgo tying up the men Gajeel and I raced the rest of the way across the island keeping an eye out for more treasure hunters. Arriving at the ruin site I could see the damage already incurred by the looters. The ruins were newly smashed and the scientists had been bound and gagged in front of the stone temple steps. Thinking quickly, I realised that we couldn’t just rush in like usual not with the archaeologists being held so close to the looters and the number of men present bringing treasure out of the temple.
I quickly decided on a simple approach; Gajeel would do what he did best, create mayhem while I snuck in the back way and tried to free any people inside. Telling Gajeel the plan I felt Virgo return and called out Taurus who was always good for damages. Stardressing into Virgo form I warned the two of them to give me enough time to make it inside before they started thrashing the bad guys. Tunnelling down into the ruins I popped out in the middle of an anti-chamber. Not seeing any disturbance I quickly and quietly summoned Cetus in human form.

“Cetus I need you to scout about while I make my way towards the entrance. We’re looking for prisoners and looters. Anyone tied up try to help out but stay out of sight otherwise. If you get caught go home and tell me where you got up to and how many hunters you ran into.”

After cheekily saluting he ran off down the left corridor leaving me with the right. It quickly became apparent to me that this wouldn’t take as long as I first thought. I could tell where the archaeologists had been as well as the looters so I swiftly bypassed any rooms that hadn’t been disturbed. As I made my way further in I realised that the looters couldn’t accesses some parts of the ruins and supposed they were trying to make the scientists open them for them. Knowing that with ancient ruins I had to be careful I called out Reticulum in ocular form and asked her to watch for any traps. Knocking out any men I came to I let Virgo come out on her own power to tie them up as I kept moving. Finally as I came closer to the surface I heard Gajeel doing his job. Smiling slightly knowing he would be having fun I didn’t worry as I knew he had the outside handled. Deciding to focus on finding any the archaeologists still inside I listened as Cetus reported back.

“Lucy-nee I did what you said I found some people and told them to hide. Now there are five people tied up down here in the big room. You told me to stay out of sight and there are three men standing around. One of the bigger guys is hitting a little old man and asking him to open the door on the far side of the chamber.”

Getting a sense of where in the temple Cetus was I turned around and raced to the nearest stairs down.

“Cetus stay out of sight and I’ll be there soon. See if you can get a sense of the men standing, anything about their magic would be helpful.”

At that point I’d almost forgotten Reticulum was out as I’d gotten used to her presence on my face.

“Dearest Lucy my scanning capacities have expanded of late I may be able to provide you with the information you seek if I can observe the individuals in question.”

Without being seen by any more looters I was able to make it down to Cetus and heard his report. Peeking round what looked like a destroyed door I gave Reticulum the chance to scan the room as I listened Cetus tell me about how one of the men had a magic sword and the other kept jiggling a coin. Watching closely as Reti finished I couldn’t help but wince in sympathy as the big brute started shaking the old man and demanding access to the main treasure chamber.

“Dearest Lucy, the three men present are I believe sub-mages at best. Cetus is correct in that the individual on the left has a magic sword that will burn when in contact; he has no other magic to speak of. The second man has a poison tipped dagger in his belt and I believe the coin Cetus spoke of is used as a distraction as it flashes a blinding light when spun he also has no natural magic. I am sorry Dearest Lucy but the third man is too far away for me to scan. This is a new feature and its range is limited at present.”

Thanking her quietly I kept her out in case I got close enough for her to scan the last man. Changing her into mask form to deal with the coin I told the both of them the quick plan.

“Cetus, hide back here when I run in. Your target is the sword guy. Try to hit him in the head with water-shot as hard as you can while I deal with the other two. Reti will nullify the flash bomb so I should be able to take out the dagger guy quickly using the element of surprise. Cetus once the first guy is down stay out of sight. If it looks like you can get a shot at the big guy without him seeing you back me up otherwise concentrate on getting the archaeologists free and out of here.”

Surprising enough the plan went off without a hitch. Cetus hit the sword guy dead centre and knocked him out before he even knew anyone was there. The dagger man threw the coin like I thought and didn’t even see me coming when I kept running straight through the flash and Luck-kicked him into the nearest wall. The third man now that Reti was closer I learned was the only looter here with innate magic: a strength mage (and a weak one at that) It barely took me minutes to fight him into the corner near the outer door which was close enough for Cetus to get off a water-shot at almost point-blank range. Goodnight third goon, hello rescued researchers. Ignoring the yammering from the freed hostages as best I could I quickly sent Cetus home after thanking him for all his hard work and promising to tell Gajeel how he took out one of the bad guys all on his own and how he was responsible for knocking out the biggest mage. A quick word with the old professor had me deciding to hide the rescued men and women inside the treasure vault as it could be locked and opened from the inside. Knowing I had to conserve energy in case something else happened I connected to Taurus and asked how it was going.

“Miss Lucy’s moolicious body is still in need of protection. You vile fiends her udders are mooine.”

Smacking myself in the face I tried best to translate all the while repressing the urge to go upstairs and kick him. It looked like most of the bad guys had headed outside and were fighting the two of them. If the tally I’d gotten off one of the down looters was right there couldn’t be many more left inside the ruins. Calling out Ursa Minor I handed Mushy to the old professor and told him that Mushy would stand guard over the hiding archaeologists and would warn him and me if anyone came this way. After shutting the door and exiting the main chamber I was about to make my way back upstairs and outside to help out Gajeel when suddenly something hit me from the side and forced me into a side room.

“Dearest Lucy look out!”

With Reticulum’s timely thought I just managed to dodge the booby trap hidden just inside the door before my unexpected opponent followed me in. Having the acid trap redirected towards the incoming wizard managed to distract the woman long enough to create some distance. Forcing the tingles from my body I didn’t need Reti’s input on this one; it had to be a bloody lightning mage I’d sparred with Laxus enough to know that magic anywhere. Sending Reti back quickly I started looking for an advantage and was shocked (no pun intended) when I spotted what rested on one of the far alters: gate keys. Pushing the thought about the unlikely event of finding one gate key let alone three tied together I froze. There was no way after everything I’d been through that I was letting any spirits get into the hands of these robbers. Everything I’d seen from them from how they threatened the researchers to how they treated the ruins themselves told me all I needed to know about how they would treat Stacheface’s family.

As the woman geared up to attack I reacted instinctively, as the next thing I knew water suddenly shot out of my hands dousing the other mage and forcing her attack to backfire. Shocking herself the woman screamed as she thrashed about dropping to the floor and I felt not one drop of sympathy as I rushed over and kicked her in the head knocking her out. Glancing down at myself afterwards I found I had activated Aquarius star dress without thinking. When in extreme situations I still called out for my oldest and dearest friend.
Sighing at the feeling this dress always gave me I deactivated it and forced myself to calmly walk over to the far alter. Checking it over for traps I carefully picked up the keys and checked their condition. For being hidden here for Mavis knew how long they were surprising shiny. The ring holding them together seem more ornate than useful and the markings for each key were unusual in themselves but it was the small symbol under the keys main pattern that had my attention as it seemed familiar somehow I just couldn’t place where I knew it from. Giving up for now I stashed the keys in my pocket and once more headed up and out.

Coming up into the light I wasn’t even surprised to see what had to be close to twenty treasure hunters laid out unconscious. Gajeel was still having fun with the last few and Taurus had already returned home so I calmly walked passed the knocked out bad guys and began the task of freeing the captives. Once the first few were up and about I contacted Mushy and had him tell the old professor that the coast was clear but to watch themselves coming up in case of stragglers. Once all the scientists were reunited on the surface I managed to ask them about the ruins and any temple carvings. I already suspected it wasn’t the right location and having the old professor who turned out to be friends with Jean-Luc confirm it wasn’t that bad of a disappointment. Gajeel was happy he got to pound on someone and the archaeologists were happy the temple wasn’t completely ruined and the treasure wasn’t stolen. When the issue of a reward came up and they offered us jewels I wouldn’t hear of it. Even Gajeel declined as apparently one of the looters had had magical boots that absorbed electricity (a weakness for Gajeel) and he had gladly stolen them off the hunter as they were in his size. Showing the old professor the keys I’d found I explained who I was and what they would mean to me. Smiling he answered.

“Let the keys decide.”

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty: All For One

I couldn’t help but beam at the thought of someone else understanding the spirits right to choose. Nodding to show I agreed I stepped back and once more examined the keys to see who I’d found. As I stared at the keys I was at first stumped as to who I had discovered. The three spirits being set together must mean something and with that idea firmly lodged in my mind I ran through the name and description of every spirit I knew of. As the thoughts of three together, sisters, brothers, linked sped through my mind I finally realised what keys were in my hand. Carina the keel, Puppis the stern, and Vela the sails: together they formed the legendary vessel the Argo.

After realising who I had I froze. These keys were almost as hard to come by as the zodiacs especially all together. There were legends told about these spirits about how they helped a great hero of ancient times conquer an army of skeletons. How no spirit mage in centuries had held all three at once so the ship had not been seen in recorded history?
Holding all three in my right hand I could feel the keys slowly awakening as they sensed my magic starting to come to the surface. Taking my stance I could feel the words flow through me and called forth my summoning.

“I call upon thy in the world of the celestial spirits, I beckon you to my side at once, pass through the gate, open gate of the sails, the keel, the stern come forth Carina, Puppis, Vela, I summoned thy Argo.”

As the ringing and lights began I could feel the pull on my power. An original calling always cost more magic than a contracted spirit and with three linked keys I knew beforehand that it would be a drain however even I was shocked at how much magic this summoning was taking; it felt like the first time I tried a double gold key summoning. Holding strong as I had been building up my power capacity through meditation over the last year, I watched in awe and shock as Pyxis’ key also started to glow and I felt him use my power to open up his own gate. Now I knew where I had seen that symbol before, the arrow on all three other keys was also on Pyxis’. As the three new spirits and one contracted appeared in their true form I could feel the overwhelming joy of a family reunited run through all four spirits. Before the shocked audience floating in mid-air was a magnificent sailing ship. I could tell even Gajeel was impressed at this new spirit as the ship was not only floating without means but it gave off remarkable levels of magic energy. A voice that oddly felt like four voices in sync called forth into the air seeking its new owner.

“Master what would you command?”

Before I could speak I felt myself being pulled upward and onto the vessel. Hearing Gajeel’s shout of fury I quickly leaned over the side and waved to show I was alright. Getting right to it as I didn’t know how much the four spirits could differentiate as one being and so didn’t know it the Argo knew what Pyxis knew I decided to start from scratch.

“Argo, my name is Lucy Heartfilia. And I am not your master I am your friend. Pyxis is one of my spirit family and he will tell you if he’s able that I treat all spirits as equals and not as tools. I will ask you to make a contract with me but should you refuse I will not force you. If you want I will return you to the temple or should you allow pass you to another mage who sees her spirits as family. The choice is always yours. ”

Suddenly the air around me shifted as four transparent figures materialised on the deck. Looking closely I was relieved to see Pyxis waving one of his little wings at me as he stood next to what I assumed were his sisters. The first figure on the left stepped forward. As it got closer I could see it took the shape of a giant crocodile with a depression in its back making it seem hollowed out. When a deep but smooth voice spoke all my ears heard (and probably Gajeel’s as well with his dragon hearing) were a series of ‘tick tocks’, the difference was in my head as when she spoke my mind understood, just like Plue just like Pyxis.

“Tick tock. I am Carina, Starchild. Tick tock. You are worthy. Tick tock. In my single form I may be used as a transport across waterways or even land if the need is must. Tick tock. I can defend myself from attack but do not enjoy fighting.”

Having said her piece Carina shuffled back and the next figure moved forward. Once closer I recognised what I thought was the form of a sea otter with a large wooden tail. In a squeaky chattering tone she spoke and it happened again.

“Pip pip. I am Puppis, Starchild, and am glad to meet you. Pip pip. As you see me now my tail can be used to control water currents. Pip pip. Put me on another sailing vessel and I can direct it at my mistress’s leisure.”

Hopping back after giving me a happy wave, I tried to keep in my giggle as I imagined the trouble her and Cetus would get up to. In fact I couldn’t wait to set the two of them onto Gajeel, see how he like being woken up from a sound sleep, the man was a slave driver about exercise and keeping training no matter what the weather. Realising I had let my thoughts wander; I focused and saw the third spirit had moved forward. I already knew this one was some type of bird but it wasn’t until she waddled closer that I realised what type of bird and couldn’t help but be shocked: an Albatross (knowing a little something about maritime tradition because of my father’s work this was the last bird I’d expected to find on the ship).

“Whish whish. I am Vela, Starchild. Whish whish. In singular form I am able to marshal the winds to my will. Whish whish. Nothing in the air can hide from my wings. Whish whish. Safe journey.”

I was kind of surprised at how smooth her voice was it felt like the breeze she commanded. Ropes that looked like silk wove around her body and I didn’t think it was the intangibility of her present form that made the edge of her wings appear and disappear ever time her feather shifted. Watching her move back I returned her shy smile and then couldn’t help but grinning as the last spirit stepped forward. I didn’t need the introduction but felt that Pyxis wanted to stand with his sisters in this.

“Peku peku. I am Pyxis, Starchild. Peku peku. As I am I can tell you what direction you travel in. Peku peku. And now that I am whole once again I can lead the way back to any location you have been before. Peku peku. You shall never be lost again Miss Lucy.”

Keeping back tears at his worry for me I so wanted to go over and hug him as he shuffled back into line. Once set and with a little wave from Puppis the four spirits vanished and that over welling presence from before reappeared. I could feel the power of the ship shift and move focusing on me once again. When the voice spoke it was at once deep and light, powerful and gentle, old and yet so young.

“I am Argos, Starchild, we know of you, one has seen one has loved, we will see we will love. We will serve faithfully and protect the Starchild. Together we make the Argo, a sailing ship of travel: anywhere through air or water. Speeds, length, and time: do not matter. The journey set, our Starchild wishes, we will go. Protection and safety, no harm may come. Once with us, no one can take. We are yours Starchild, in moon and sun, when called we will come.”

It should have been daunting having that much raw power directed at me but all I felt from the spirit was respect and reverence. Pyxis was in there somewhere but it felt like he was sleeping and something older had taken over with his blessing. As the wind lifted me once again I felt the brush of two wings and two paws as my feet touched the ground. Looking back up as the ship disappeared I couldn’t help it as a laugh of joy burst out. Before I could move I was wrapped in a steal grip and could barely breathe. I didn’t need his voice to tell me who it was.

“Bunny don’t ever do that again. I couldn’t get to you, the ship was too high. With Lily gone I can’t fly, what would have happened if it had taken off? Bunny think. I’m not that idiot Salamander, my iron only stretches so high.”

Recognising I really had scared Gajeel when I disappeared and he couldn’t get to me, I hugged him back as best I could with my arms trapped. Shushing him I managed to get one of my hands high enough to stroke his hair trying to show him I was o.k. I knew Gajeel like all dragonslayers was tactile in nature and so tried as hard as I could to reassure him that I hadn’t gotten hurt. Feeling him sniff my hair I realised all I felt was safety and contentment and so found myself leaning against him and without my approval a sigh of pure pleasure came out. After feeling what I was sure was a nuzzle of my hair, he seemed to come to his senses and let go; shuffling back and reverting to grumpy and cross he glared as he turned to walk away.

“Don’t do it again.”

Watching him wander back towards the tied up looter, I tried to settle the feeling that display had brought up. The memory from before in the jungle was just waiting for me to let down my guard and this one also needed a better frame of mind to understand. Pushing it all back for now, I turned to the rest of the folks watching and couldn’t stop myself from smiling and thanking the archaeologists for their permission to keep the keys. After a brief discussion about the researchers work schedule, me and Gajeel were invited to dinner and since I would need time to recharge from all the magic I’d used before we could leave, we agreed.

A couple of hours later after a hearty meal and a helpful talk with several of the scientists who had heard of the Mashima people and even one who had heard tell of a lake up the coast that had been getting strange readings I was ready to go. Wanting to try out my new spirits, as according the old professor they had been stuck there for thousands of years I called forth Argo. Appearing once again over my head I felt the wind pick me up and heard Argo in my head ask for a destination. A quick thought had the spirit pick up Gajeel as well despite his protests and place him beside me on the ship. As Gajeel stood there expecting to go green I quickly relayed to Argo to always pick Gajeel up at the same time as me.

When the vessel started moving I wasn’t as shocked as Gajeel when he discovered that traveling on the spirit ship didn’t cause him any motion sickness. As I watched him run about proclaiming triumph over travel once again I had the sudden bad feeling that from now on Gajeel would refuse to travel any way but via the spirits; what had I gotten myself into.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-One: Star Fall

Once more back in the mountains, Gajeel and I end up in the town of Borage Solstices that as we walked in was hosting a large carnival: the Star Festival a celebration of the constellations. Surprising to Gajeel I was the one that didn’t want to hang around town this time, something that immediately made him suspicious. It is when I saw an image of myself and Aquarius from the Grand Magic Games naval battle that I really freaked out; it brought up old wounds for me and my still present guilt over sacrificing Aquarius during Tartarus. Gajeel knew the basics of the story from Laxus but now after he calmed me down he told me it was my turn to talk. I started by reliving that moment once again. I described it all to Gajeel: the panic, the sorrow, the anger. With tears in my eyes he pulled me close and started talking.

“Bunny everyone has difficulty with their choices and regrets. Tartarus fucked us up more I think than the war did. Zeref didn’t care about us we were just in his way. Those demons though they came after each of us and enjoyed how we hurt. Even before the old man tossed us all out the door, that battle left scars that hurt our hearts. You know me Bunny I aren’t one for words but getting the old bastard back and then having to watch him just vanish before I could tell him… everything: it hurt Bunny. More than with Shrimp at least with her I got to tell her how I felt and know she loved me back.”

Taking a breath I could see that this was upsetting him just as much as me. While Aquarius was gone I at least had the hope of seeing her again, Gajeel would never have that option.

“Bunny your girl spirit it’s the one that always drowned you right?”

Nodding my head as I got a hold of myself I could see he was going somewhere with this.

“Me dad Metalicana, growing up he knock me down and moan at me to get back up. Always griping and pushing me to be better faster, I think I developed me iron head just so the bastard would stop knocking me out every time he swung his tail at me. You get where I’m going Bunny. The old bastard loved me, he maybe couldn’t say it, maybe didn’t know how, but I felt it every time the old grouch told me to get up. You get it? Your spirit always knew you’d get back up and she’d be right proud of all the work you’re doing trying to get her back. If anyone deserves to go to a star festival it is Lucy bloody Heartfilia the most powerful celestial mage ever born. Now dry those tears Bunny before I start to rust.”

Going from crying to laughing could only be thanks to Gajeel. Pulling him closer I hung onto him as I tried to say something, anything that would articulate how much what he said meant to me. At last I managed to squeak out the only two words that mattered.

“Thank you.”

Hiccupping the last of my tears away, I smiled at his put-upon grime. Wiping my face I pulled out of his arms and took a calming breath. Who knew Gajeel would be the one giving the pep talk that was usually my role. Taking his hand I led him further into town looking for an inn as it seemed we were staying for a festival.

Something easier said than done as every inn we tried was sold out. Finally a little cottage near the edge of town had one room going and even offered it us for free when they realised who I was. In payment of kind I called out Plue and Mushy for a few minutes and let the owners young son play with them. A quick change of clothes and we were ready. But first a little distraction was in order. While walking through town looking for an inn I was recognised and besieged by questions and after the tenth time it happen even I had had enough. A quick call out to Cancer and he changed my appearance. With added make-up, something that I never usually wore and a new red hair style I was good to go.

Before we could start exploring the fair I had an idea; it is a star festival right, so why not have a few actual stars attend. Smirking I led Gajeel to a nearby clearing at the edge of the town prober and braced myself. I’d been working for months to be able to pull this little stunt off and I was going to take a lot out of me. Pulling free my silver key collection I took a deep breath in and concentrated. Pushing just enough power into each key to crack open their gates I did a rapid call out.

“Horologium, Pyxis, Apus, Ara, Scutum, Carina, Cetus, Puppis, Lynx, Lyra, Canis Minor, Ursa Minor, Reticulum, Vela, and Crux come on out.”

Fifteen silver keys seemed to be beyond my limit as the power drain was past painful and into excruciating; explaining quickly what was going on to my spirits and the voluntary status of attending the festival several spirits thanked me for the offer but had prior commitments and returned to the spirit world. With Cetus, Lynx, Lyra, Plue, and Mushy staying behind my power reserves stabilised and I could finally take an even breath (never again, am I doing that, never again). Taking the time to get my magic under control I knew the next task wouldn’t cost me a thing. Brushing my hand over the zodiac keys I telepathically asked any of them who wanted to come out and enjoy the fair on their own power that they were more than welcome. When the expected and unexpected spirits arrived I set some ground rules (after Loke got done flirting and Gajeel got done growling of course) I paired them all up.

“O.k. Borage is having a festival to celebrate the stars and you are the stars so welcome and enjoy. Now to be safe I want each of you to stay with a partner, I know some of you are capable of taking care of yourself but some of you haven’t been in the human world much and could do with a little help. Leo you stick with Aries, you’ll be able to protect her from anything. Capricorn you take Virgo that way no one will bother her and she will have someone to follow orders from. Gemini please transform into Hibiki and escort Lynx, that way she’ll have someone to flirt with and might stay out of trouble. Lyra, Sagittarius will accompany you as he will treat you like a lady and I believe there is dancing in the main square that the two of you will enjoy.”

Smiling and finally adjusting to the magic output I waved them off and looked the three spirits I hadn’t assigned a partner. Even though I knew intellectually that Cetus was an immortal I felt better keeping an eye on him personally and so arranged the last pairing.

“Cetus you are paired with Gajeel it will be your job to make sure he has some fun while I run off and play with Mushy and Plue and keep all the cotton candy for myself.”

Putting my words into action, I grabbed up Mushy and Plue and raced towards the food stalls laughing at the look of outrage on the two boys faces. With a growl Gajeel picked up Cetus and tore after me cursing as he went.

“Bunny you get back here.”

Letting Gajeel catch up, I couldn’t help giggling at the look Cetus was giving me. It was as if I had betrayed him, he looked so put-upon he was practically pouting. Ruffling his hair that now that I had the time to notice matched the colour Cancer had given me; I smiled to show I didn’t mean it. Stooping down I passed him Mushy to hold and then moved so he was walking in-between Gajeel and me.

The five of us had been walking for a few minutes looking at the different stalls when I noticed that Cetus was getting stared at by the other attendees. It took me a few second to realise what the problem was: his extra eyes. Noticing that Cetus was becoming uncomfortable with the attention I thought on what to do. Not wanting him to miss out on the opportunity to see the human world considering how long he had been absent I looked around and saw a clothing stall. Moving closer I saw the perfect thing hanging from a hook near the front: a bandana that matched Gajeel’s. Quickly purchasing it and using to hide his extra eyes I was pleasantly surprised when the two boys playful started to tease each other as they continue to walk around.

As a group we visited stalls and food carts, we played several sideshow games and even enjoyed the occasional fairground ride; more for me and Cetus with Gajeel holding Mushy and Plue trying not to puke at us as we hollered and thundered passed. When Cetus and I got off our third ride I was annoyed to find Gajeel being hit on by a green-haired woman. The witch had her hand on his arm and was invading his personal space. Before I could even think about what I was doing I stormed over with Cetus at my heels.

“Honey there you, thanks for keeping an eye on Mushy and Plue. Come on I’m hungry and you promised me and Cetus we could have a hotdog.”

Kissing his cheek I wrapped my arm around his and started to lead him off towards the carnival booths all the while glaring at the other woman. I didn’t know what Gajeel thought of my behaviour as even I didn’t know what came over me. Seeing him simply shrug it off lessened the pressure and allowed me to back in the spirit of the night. As we explored the different games, we each found our own way to have fun for example, Gajeel found the time to win me a pretty little Zodiac necklace from one of the shoot games; after he realised it is slightly rigged when Cetus lost several times, Gajeel decided to uses his iron daggers to score an overwhelming hit to even up the odds. Laughing and enjoying ourselves I was glad I let Gajeel talk me into staying.

We were relaxing and enjoying a break eating some ice-cream near a park as Cetus got it into his head to chased Plue and Mushy around a tree. Sitting on a bench with Gajeel I was about to start talking when I realised Gajeel was listening to something else. Seeing a look of peace come over his face I concentrated and managed to overhear an older couple a few feet away.

“Such a nice family and so sweet that they let their son play with his toys outside. You can tell they really love him look how happy he is.”

Before I could stop it a feeling of gut-wrenching sorrow overtook me and I was sure appeared on my face as I gazed at Cetus or at least what he represent to the couple. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Gajeel look shocked as I tried to hold in the tears at what that couple had meant by that comment. I knew he wouldn’t understand why the innocent comment would cause sorrow: shock, anger, even embarrassment he would probably comprehend but not such sadness. I ignored the look Gajeel was giving me and forced the thoughts of what I had lost away. I called out quickly to Cetus and had us continued to explore the fair while Gajeel followed along no doubt wondering what it was that made me look so grief-stricken. I could only hope he never found out.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-Two: Forest Of Love

Following a possible lead to a lake with an unusual amount of magical activity outside of Nigella City, Gajeel and I were resting for the night in the woodlands before going further east and seeing what was going on. I had just gotten settled and shouted night to Gajeel as I waved my hand and called out Mushy. The moment the teddy bear spirit arrived he immediately started glowing and his right ear turned black. Knowing the signs, I threw on a pair of pants picked him up and ran back outside. Luckily Gajeel hadn’t gone to bed yet and was still closing up camp. Seeing my alertness and the state Mushy was in, he stopped what he was doing and took in a deep breath scenting the air as he did.”

“What you got Bunny?”

Now that Gajeel was alerted I took the time to listen to Mushy’s quiet hum: there was something magical happening nearby, straight due North. Pointing the way I closed my eyes and then really concentrated. After a few seconds I slowly recognised what Mushy must have sensed, thunder and the smell of smoke. Looking over at Gajeel who had already caught the signs we were of one mind. Sending Mushy back the two of us took off following the sounds of destruction.

We were running full tilt through the wood and before I knew it we ran right into a battle with someone familiar at the centre: Sherry and Ren from Lamia Scale/Blue Pegasus respectively. Getting a lay of the land Gajeel and I didn’t need any help to realise who we should be hitting as the clearing we found ourselves in was covered in Vulcans: lots and lots of forest Vulcans.

Not wasting time we both dived in to help as I tried to make my way to the others to check on their condition as I could see from where I was that Sherry appeared to be hurt. As I felt Loke come out on his own power I was about to call out Sagittarius when suddenly something jumped down from above me and wrapped two large arms around my arms and chest. Before I knew it I was in the air and flying through the forest taking a whack from a passing branch for good measure. Shaking off the blow and trying to orientate myself I knew the moment I heard the voice speak what had happened.

“My woman!”

Finally being able to see I recognised Sherry held in front of me by another Vulcan. I should have known the moment I realised I was dealing with Vulcans that they would target Sherry and myself and run off with both of us at the earliest opportunity. While I had flashbacks to my first adventure with Natsu in Mt. Hakobe I vowed to myself that this time it would be different and I wasn’t going to make the same mistakes twice. When the two Vulcans paused to argue with several others about mating rights I knew my chance had come.

Telling Horologium what I wanted him to do, I braced myself as the second spirit I called appeared mid-air above my position. With a crack Capricorn’s foot hit the Vulcan’s head and I was free. Sending out my own Lucy-kick as I fell I threw the beast holding Sherry across the wood into a tree. Not stopping the two of us ploughed into the gathered Vulcans kicking and with my whip now active throwing them left and right allowing Horologium time to skedaddle with Sherry save from harm.

With Sherry now hidden, Capricorn and I tag teamed the dozen or so Vulcans left and I had to say decimated them. When the tree behind the biggest Vulcan sprang to life and started attacking him I knew Sherry must have woken up. Now the job just seemed too easy and a few minutes later every Vulcan in the vicinity was down and out. As Sherry glided out of the shadows I smiled and wasn’t shocked when she was immediately glommed by Ren who appeared from thin air a few seconds later. Knowing what I’d find I turned and watched Gajeel come strolling from out of the tree like there was no hurry at all. Lifting a brow as I’d seen him do, I stared him down and waited.

“Never had a worry Bunny.”

Satisfied I smirked and nodded and then had the unfortunate luck to be glommed myself as Leo made an appearance proclaiming his undying love. Not needing that after the Vulcans I let my leg extend and kicked him away. Hearing Gajeel’s infamous laugh I choose to ignore them both and go over to Ren and Sherry and see if either needed medical help. Getting closer I could hear Sherry’s worry about something on Ren’s side and Ren being a usual man let alone a tsundere and telling her it was nothing as he fussed over her arm. Not even waiting I summoned a spirit.

“Ara.”

Knowing what to do a bright light shone on the both of them and before they could object, a warmth filled the air. Feeling the pull on my magic I accessed Ara’s scans and saw Ren had three broken ribs that were close to puncturing a lung and Sherry had a crack collar bone and slight dislocation of the shoulder. Also Ara noted something I wasn’t mentioning until told first. Putting that thought away I knew internal injures requires extra magic and Ara had only just gained the level required to deal with damage that would be labelled severe so I gave her everything she would need. Seeing the light intensify I knew what was coming.

“The healing arts are ever present, beseech disciple and come.”

Before the two of them was an ornate alter glowing with healing light. Seeing the shock and watching as the two of them started to back up I realised I had to explain.

“Sherry, Ren meet one of my spirits, Ara, the alter. She is a healing spirit of remarkable power. If you lie down on her alter she will fix the damage done to your bodies. That light you just felt was her scanning you to tell what was wrong.”

Moving forward I stood next to Ara and smiled to show there was no need to worry. Moving forward first Sherry lay down and quietly gasped when the warmth of Ara’s light touched her again only this time more powerful. Seconds later she rose looking fully healed and peaceful. Helping her off Ren looked like he was going to refuse so I solved the problem by bumping him off balance and the moment he touched the alter Ara got to work and he pretty much collapsed on to her. Knowing Ren would take a few minutes I turned to Sherry and started talking.

“Sherry it’s good to see you, how have you been? Last time Leon came through he told the guild you were taking some time off.”

Smiling at the mention of Leon, Sherry thanked me for the help with the Vulcans and the healing and then gave me the surprise or at least I let her think that. Pulling her close in congratulations I had enough time to ask whether it was a boy or a girl when Ren came up and also thanked me.

“Lucy I must give you thanks. Not just for saving my love my wife but for what you said to Hibiki. When he came back from that mission it was as a changed man, it was like having my friend reborn. He clasped Jenny to him and has not let go since. He has decided to take the new members under his wing and to train them and has proudly proclaimed that he will live on in Ichiya-dono’s honour. Master Bob has decreed that he will stand as new master when he feels he is ready.”

Beaming to show how glad and relieved I was that Hibiki had seen his way through the darkness I couldn’t help but feel hope that I would also find my way. At the thought my eyes drifted to Gajeel who was busy scowling at Ren as he started giving him Love advise and I could see was really freaking him out. Holding in my giggle I moved closer to Sherry and told her about the different children in FairyTail and bid her to ask advice of any of us if she needed it.

Not really paying attention as we talked baby clothes and the best way to keep food down I vaguely saw Ren move in behind Sherry and hold her in his arms as he continue his own conversation with Gajeel. The first time I realised something was different was when the two of them started to separate and made to get going. Unbeknownst to me Gajeel had come up behind me the same as Ren and as the conversation had continued I had unconsciously mirrored Sherry and leaned back and relaxed against Gajeel’s body. Seeing he wasn’t making a big deal of it, I ignored the pleasant shiver I got when Gajeel squeezed my waist as he let go and focused on saying goodbye.

Before we could go our separate ways, Ren mentioned to me about a rumour he heard a few months back while out on a job, a rumour about a ruin site in the desert outside of Oak Town. On their last pass through Oak town the two of them had run into an old man who had stumbled across an ancient ruin out in the desert. It could be nothing but they thought I would want to know. Thanking them and promising to drop by the next time we get near the guilds Gajeel and I bid them luck as we head back toward our camp. This time I hoped to get a good night sleep before the next crisis hit.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-Three: Beginning Again

Using Carina, Puppis, Vela, and Pyxis in Argo form Gajeel and I made it to Oak Town in no time. Looking around I could see the damage from the war and the repairs they were doing. Bits and pieces reminded me of my first time here. It was a bittersweet moment for Gajeel and I, as this town was where our own personal adventure first began. As we were making our way through town suddenly Gajeel stopped and spoke.

“Bunny, how could you forgive me?”

Turning to him at first I didn’t understand what he was on about, it wasn’t until I realised he was looking around the town with shame that I realised he meant from before. As I was about to answer it seemed he couldn’t wait.

“I tried to kill yeh, honestly tried to kill yeh. If Salamander hadn’t turned up when he did I would da killed yeh. Squirt she told me, she knew I was changed that she saw it when I took that attacked from Spark-plug. But you. you been smiling at me since ya saw me again. How Bunny?”

I could see that this had been praying on his mind, all of a sudden it occurred to me that he must have been doubting my feelings since he joined the guild. Letting out a little sigh I reached out and grasped him by the arms forcing him to face me and ignoring the people moving past us on the street. I had to make sure he heard me.

“Gaj everyone has a past and sometimes they make decisions that they are not proud of. Do you think you are the only one who has done things they are ashamed of; even I have things that I wish I could take back. The man who stands before me today is not the man who stood before me then. Life’s choices can make or break you; you chose to start fresh at FairyTail and since then you have been my friend. You never needed to ask for forgiveness as you already had it the moment you said yes to Master Markorov’s offer for a second chance. That told me all I needed to know.”

Pulling him closer I hugged him, trying to get him to see that I believed wholeheartedly in what I just said. I finally felt him respond, pulling me in and trapping me in his embrace I relaxed and felt him respond in kind. Suddenly the thought appeared, that a relationship between us really shouldn’t work; they have so many things going against them from the start, their history, their previous relationships, let alone what the reaction of the other guild mates would be. I was so busy thinking about the problems of a relationship that I almost missed the fact that I wanted an actual relationship with him. Holding him close I finally acknowledged what my heart had been trying to tell me for a while, I had fallen for Gajeel trouble and all.

Pushing my emotional needs aside for now when Gajeel let go I smiled at him and let him ruffle my hair knowing he needed to get back on track. Motioning to the street we continued walking getting ready to start our search of the village. Still holding to my routine even with Gajeel along I headed towards the city hall hoping they would have some information before I went looking for the magic shop or library. Having struck out at the Hall I was coming out of the magic shop after a conversation about keys when I barely dodged in time to avoid having my head cut off.

Jerking into a battle stance I readied my whip as three men tried to surround me. A quick look left told me Gajeel had his own problems as he was surrounded by five other mages. When the man in front wiped his hand back and forward I rolled out of the way as a small fireball flew from his hand to where I had just been. Giving no time to rest the man on my left brought out two long chains that he started flicking through the air trying to hit me and wrap me up.

Cartwheeling back and to the right to give myself room, by the time my feet hit the floor of the second spin I was already in Aquarius stardress and tossing a condensed water bomb towards the fire mage. Now in position spinning in a downward swipe kick I knocked the third man down before he could bring what I now saw was a magic sword to bear. Continuing the spin, I flipped and slammed my right heal on the sword wizard’s head, making sure he stayed down.

Shooting another water bomb at the fire mage who looked like he was trying to make a comeback, I felt one of the second assailant’s chains finally take hold. Not stopping to think I switched stardress as I planted my feet and as I felt Taurus’ strength fill me I heaved and smashed the second guy on top of the third man. Still in fight mode I took several seconds to recognise the GhiGhi sound I could hear coming from behind me. Looking back I saw Gaj sat on top of a pile of mages just watching my fight.

Looking round I quickly counted all known assailants and realised the attack was over. Finally taking a breath, a quick check of me saw minor fire damage to the edge of my coat and scuff marks where the chain caught. All in all I was less injured than I thought I would be. Shaking off the thought a simple mental call had Virgo out and tying the bad guys up. As she was moving my pile over to Gajeel’s pile I noticed an odd marking on one of the men’s arms. Getting closer the moment I saw what the tattoo was I couldn’t help calling out.

“Gajeel come quick!”

Looking over at where he last was I saw Gaj had wandered off and was just now coming around the side of the building. Moving back towards me Gajeel spoke before I could.

“Bunny what’s the number of the Mayor of this place. They changed it since I was last here. Stupid idiots how’s anyone supposed to call the Knights if they don’t…”

By that point Gajeel had arrived at my side and saw what exactly I was pointing at: the Phantom Lord Guild symbol. Shocked into silence Gajeel simply stood there staring at the blast from the past. I myself was weirded out and didn’t know what to do, I knew Phantom Lord was disbanded and there shouldn’t be any mages with that symbol left. Realising something was going on in town it didn’t take us long to decide to put on hold the search for the old man and instead track the mages trail back to where they came from.

“Pyxis come on out I need a hand with something.”

The moment the little penguin appeared I smiled and thanked him for coming out again after getting myself and Gajeel to Oak Town early in the day. Pointing at the down mages that Virgo was still tying up I turned back to him and spoke out loud my question.

“Pyxis you said that now I have your sister keys that your abilities would start to expand I was wondering if you could get a magic reading off the wizards and give us a starting direction of their most common point of origin.”

Seeing him frown at first I was about to tell him to forget the idea when he waddled over to the pile of bad guys and waved his wings about and started humming. A few seconds later he brightens up and spun to face me and smiled as he answered.

“Peku peku.”

Seeing him fade back home I turned to Gaj and pointed South to what we could see looked like a warehouse district.

“Pyxis said that most of the mages there, at one point or another today were all in that direction. And that he thinks that there are other mages all congregating in the same general area.”

Nodding he moved over to the pile and took a quick whiff. At first I was slightly confused it was only when he closed his eyes and started walking in the same direction Pyxis pointed that I remembered what my partner was ‘Dragonslayer’. Keeping up after asking Virgo to drop the bad guys off at the Mayor’s office as I didn’t know where the nearest Ruin Knights were stationed. I quickly caught up to Gajeel and made sure I was ready for anything that hit us.

It took the both of us close to half an hour to find what we thought was the right warehouse after watching it for ten minutes we had noticed a pattern of shady individuals coming and going. I was about to recommend sending for backup as we didn’t know how many were actually inside when Gajeel caught a whiff of something and froze. Before I could ask him what was wrong he took off like a shot and headed right for what we figured was the front door.

Sighing at Dragonslayer recklessness, I hurried to catch up and barely made it to the door when I heard a mighty crash come from inside. Stardressing into Virgo’s form as I run through the door I automatically dodge to the left and take out anything I see moving. Which lucky for me were two men running for the door to escape, and by the look of the marks on their arm and chest, guild members. Not wasting time Capricorn and Leo were next on the battle list and the three of us got to work.

It was only after my sixth opponent that I thought to look around. Spying Gajeel tearing up the place in the far right corner I almost took no notice of who he was fighting when I saw a bunch of people tied up in cages hanging from the ceiling. When the call went out to ‘grab a hostage’ I knew I had to take the caged people out of the equation. Thinking fast I switched to Cancer form flashed above each of the cages cutting the ropes holding them. Before the other guild members could see what I was doing I had Capricorn round them all up into one corner and called out Scutum to shield them.

Now that they were covered I finally had a chance to acknowledge who it was that Gajeel was battling so hard: Aria of the Heavens, the leader of the debunked Element Four. Knowing that even Gajeel would find this a hard fight I quickly sent back Capricorn and let Leo stay out under his own power. Hoping she had had enough time to replenish her magic I called out to Vela to help him keep Aria’s most powerful attacks from having any effect. With that taken care of I quickly checked to see how many people are left standing. Still seeing quite a few guild members ready to attack I realised I needed a wide area attack to thin the herd.

“Scorpio, ‘Sand Storm Battalion’.”

As he arrived I quickly ducked and grabbed one of the support beams knowing what was coming. A sand storm that filled the warehouse appeared and blew pretty much everyone off their feet and into the nearest hard object, in most cases that was a very thick wall. When the coast was clear and I could see again I realised I had knocked out most of the remaining thugs. I was about to pat myself on the back when an awful feeling hit me. Without even turning I had Horologium’s key in my hand and a scream on my lips.

“Emergency mode activate!”

Spinning in place I prayed I had been in time. As the light appeared across the room over where Gajeel and Vela were fighting, I heard the end of the spell I dreaded.

“Metsu.”

Aria’s drain spell that had almost killed Master Makarov during the Phantom War had finished being cast. Not waiting and feeling a rise in anger like no other I transformed mid run and arrived in front of Aria in Aquarius form and the words already spoken.

“Aqua Metria.”

As the very ground he stood on encased him in solid rock. I put every feeling I had into the spell, forcing the rock to harden and change. By the time I let go of the magic Aria was a living statue made out of diamond. Breathing hard after all that magic and the adrenalin I barely heard the sounds of a swish behind me.

“Iron Dragon Demon Sword.”

Finally getting the energy to turn, I saw Gajeel stood over a man crashed on the ground right behind me with a dagger in his hands. Not waiting for the explanation I threw myself into Gajeel’s arms and burst out crying. Sobbing over and over the words ‘you’re o.k.’ I practically climbed Gajeel like a tree so I could wrap my arms around his neck and force my face into his shoulder. Refusing to let him go I could feel my spirits finishing off the last of the guild members.

It took several minutes for Gaj to calm me down enough to let him go and that was only far enough so that I could run my eyes and hands across his body checking for injuries. Surprisingly enough he let me, as I think he realised that I had one hell of a scare. It probably helped that he was just as worried and was just as intent on checking me over too.
Once we both were satisfied neither was seriously hurt I suddenly remembered the hostages. Turning and making my way over to the group I was relieved to find them all safe. Releasing all my spirits and ignoring Virgo having fun with the bad guys it wasn’t long before the Ruin Knights turned up and everyone got to go home. After being thanked and given a surprisingly high reward for ridding the town of the dark guild ‘New Phantom’, Gaj and I decided enough was enough for today and headed for the nearest hotel as we were both still covered in sand and I didn’t know about him but I wanted a hot shower and a comfy bed in that order this day just never seemed to end.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-Four: Sand Storm

Waking up wrapped in Gajeel’s arms was a new experience but one my secret heart hoped wouldn’t be a one-time thing. Letting myself relax into his hold I tried to decide when it was that my perspective changed, when everything I had been running away from caught up with me. Natsu, Levy, the Guild: everything I had been so scared of didn’t seem as frightening anymore. Feeling Gajeel stir behind me I expect any reaction but what I got. Not moving away Gajeel squeezed my waist and nuzzled into my hair.

“Morning Bunny.”

I knew pretending to be asleep wouldn’t work with a dragonslayer let alone one who was holding me so close. Gathering my courage I squeezed him back and sighed as I relaxed more into his embrace.

“Morning Gaj, do we have to get up, I’m all comfy.”

The next thing I knew I yelped as Gajeel smacked my butt as he let go and rolled out of bed.

“Sorry Bunny, but we gotta go. One of the Knights gave me the heads up on where we can find our ‘old man’. Move it and no two hour shower.”

Watching as he walked around almost naked I put off my usual reaction and just appreciated the view until he wandered into the bathroom and shut the door. Getting up I packed up our bags while I waited for my turn. A few minutes later I was in the shower myself trying to still wrap my head around all the changes that had happened over the last year; too many changes if I was being honest, but what could I do. After the war I had to change I would have lost myself to all the pain and lost that happened. Feeling the glow from my spirits even without the keys near I knew Virgo had come and gone. Finishing getting dressed I met Gajeel outside and simply followed his lead as he stomped across town to a café.

Inside as if waiting for us was the right old man and after buying him several snacks we got a fairly coherent story about a buried ruin site, giant scorpions, and little man-eating rats. Since the idea of beating something up appealed to Gajeel he had no problem following the rudimentary drawn map into the desert full of dangerous monsters. Bowing to the inevitable, I thanked the man for his help wished him a good day and ran to catch up with my insane partner.

As they began traveling through the desert I realised using Argo wouldn’t allow them a close enough view of the sands so we had to stay closer to the ground. Getting on Apus and flying low would allow them to see any traces of the ruins now all I had to do was convince Gajeel to ride him for a while. A quick call to Apus and several hits to the head had Gajeel on board and we were on our way.

As we crossed the desert I was trying to keep my enthusiasm up but with so many dead ends and mistakes I was starting to lose hope of finding either the temple or Aquarius something had to give and I was afraid that it might be Gajeel. We had been on this adventure for over a year and I couldn’t keep expecting him to stay with me much longer. In the beginning I was fine on my own, I had my spirits and had prepared myself for the loneliness but now after all this time in his company I didn’t know how I would cope without him.

We had been traveling for about three hours when we ran into the first spot of trouble in the form of an animal attack. Thinking we would be safe on Apus lead to my first mistake when two giant snakes burst out of the ground and attacked. As Apus dodged and dived at first I was confused how they could reach us up high, it was only when the sun shifted and the light finally allowed me a clear look that I realised it wasn’t two snakes but what looked like two malformed ‘Quetzalcoat’.

Gajeel the moment they came close enough dived off and hammer dropped on the nearest one. Transforming in mid-air as I sent Apus back I landed in front of the second star dressed into Scorpio and used the desert sand to beat him back towards where Gajeel had the other one cornered. Gajeel not wasting time took them both out with a point-blank Iron Dragon Roar. As the sand cleared from the backlash I could just make out the two tails of both snakes vanish back into the sand hightailing it out of there having learnt their lesson.

Looking to give Apus a break I called out Gemini in ‘Happy’ mode and stardressed to match. Once back in the air this time being more careful we lasted another two hours before we found trouble again. This time we ran into an irate lion-gecko at an oasis that we stopped at for a breather which in hindsight seemed to have been a bad choice. Leaving rather than waste our energy we let the animal have the waterway and continued on.

As the day wore on I started to think that we were lost. It was a little while later that we finally saw signs of the ruins as the sun was preparing to set. The only problem was that as we approached the site an army of territorial mererats appeared; it seemed the colony had made the ruins their home and didn’t like visitors. Calling out Cetus as I sent Gemini back I had the boy use what he had been practicing; together with my Aquarius star dress we took careful aim joined hands and fired.

“Sadalsuud Wave!”

A massive wall of water appeared in front of us and proceeded to wash straight across the desert and ruin site. As the tidal wave hit the building it became a gentler stream pushing the rats away from the ruins entrance allowing us access. With Cetus and Gajeel watching for mererat reinforcements it allowed me time to call out Crux for a quick translation of the hieroglyphs over the doorway. With the rats out of the way Crux has no problem translating and telling me that they need a sunrise to open the door. Thanking Cetus and Crux for their help they both returned back to the spirit world. Before he goes Cetus breaks into a huge smile when Gajeel ruffles his hair under the bandana and ghihi’s a soft ‘well done’. Before I could get the words out a dust cloud appears and Virgo has already come and gone. Seeing the camp site all set up with the camping supplies waiting for supper to be ready I spoke aloud.

“Thank you Virgo, punishment later.”

As we made our way towards the fire I could see the unholy glee in her eye as she thought up new things I could do to her. Fighting off the shiver, I couldn’t help but sigh at the funniness of Spirits and their ways. I long ago realised I couldn’t beat thousands of years of learned behaviour and so I should just accept the things I cannot change, have the courage to change the things I can, and try to have the wisdom to know the difference.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-Five: Pain Revealed

After finishing supper, I settled down across from Gajeel next to the fire and continued to think about what had been plaguing me all day. What was I going to do when Gajeel decided to call it quits? I knew that I had been lucky up till now that all this time with him had been better than I ever expected when I set out on this quest but what will I…

“Bunny, can I ask you a question?”

Glancing across, I was about to reply when I got a good look at his face. He looked like he was in pain or that something was very wrong.

“Gajeel are you alright?

Shaking his head, he paused for a second as though second guessing himself. With a sigh he looked back at me with what I swore was regret.

“Bunny are you in pain?”

Looking at him this time in confusion and no little shock, I was about to speak when he continued.

“Sometimes you get this look as if you were hurt even though you haven’t been injured. At night sometimes you’ll grab your side and wince really bad when you think I’m not looking. Last month when we were at that road side inn you were curled up in the bathroom crying and gripping your side. The only reason I didn’t say anything then is because when you came out you were all sunshine and rainbows and shit.”

Never in a million years did I think this was what Gajeel wanted to talk about. Taking a deep breath I tried to think of how to respond. As I looked back at him I knew that I could blow him off but did I want to open this can of worms. Looking deeper I could see the worry he was trying to hide and I realised that whether I was ready or not Gajeel deserved to hear the truth. Steadying myself I tried to think about how to begin.

“Gajeel what do you remember about the end of the War. Specifically what happened right at the end?”

Gajeel looked confused for a second and looked like he was about to speak when he paused and gave me a searching look. I continued to looked at him as calmly as I could considering what I was about to reveal.

“I heard what everyone heard that Natsu went nuts turned demon, fought Zeref and almost killed him before you, Stripper, and First Master used that weird Lunine Histori shit and that fucked up demon ice to seal that nutjob Zeref and the First away together.”

Nodding I closed my eyes and braced myself as I finally spoke for the first time of my nightmare and Natsu’s.

“Alright, at the end everything was chaos. We were trying our hardest just to keep alive let alone make a blow against Zeref. While the others were distracting him it was my job to finish the spell that would contain him only Zeref realised what we were trying to do and sent a dead wave straight at me.”

At this point I couldn’t look up for I knew what my next words would do and I didn’t want to witness the look on his face.

“I didn’t see it in time as I was concentrating on the spell, Levy however did. I didn’t even know she was anywhere near me, she was supposed to be safe helping with the injured. She pushed me out of the way…”

My throat caught as I tried to force the next words past my lips. The sob was forced back as I finished.

“She caught the edge of the wave. It just clipped her, barely brushing her leg. It was enough to infect Levy and there was nothing I could do. I held her as she lay dying in my arms. She barely managed to ask me to tell you she loved you and she was glad I was o.k. She died in my arms and there was nothing I could do.”

I focused on the fire as I finished telling him about the fight. How I became enraged and used that emotion to fuel a spell that almost killed me: star dress Spirit King. I described how I fought off both Natsu and Zeref long enough for Mavis to finish the containment spell. After they had dealt with Zeref and he and Mavis vanished, I told Gajeel about how Natsu was still in the grip of E.N.D and didn’t know anyone so started fighting against anything that moved. I took a breath as I stood up and removed a glamor I had applied shortly after the incident by the lake. Lifting up my grey shirt and pulling down my edged shorts I turned and allowed him to see the full depth of the scaring to my back.

“I used the last of my power burst to try to get Natsu to take back control and remember but just before he won and reverted back he impaled me with his demon claw. The only reason I’m not dead is because Leo grabbed me on his own power and dragged us into the Spirit World. While there, Leo had Horologium placed me in a kind of cryogenic stasis to keep me alive long enough for time to pass on Earthland. We came back after several hours had passed in the human world which meant Wendy with Poryulsan’s help was able to save my life”

Sighing, I pulled my clothes right and plopped back down now just done with what I was saying. Next was the hard part that I had to tell him.

“Due to the wound track and the massive damage I sustained Wendy was only able to heal me enough to save my life. By the time Wendy finished with the blood and magic loss and got to the organs they were completely destroyed. I won’t ever be able to have children.”

I finally looked across at him to see Gajeel was stunned. By the look on his face I knew he was thinking about how he didn’t know about this. His first words in a while were Natsu’s name and I realised what he was asking.

“No one else knows. I couldn’t take the risk of Natsu finding out.”

Gajeel got a strange look on his face when he spoke.

“Is that why they’re not together?”

Thinking hard I didn’t realise that I looked so sad as I answered.

“In a way it is true: Natsu can’t look at me without seeing me dying in his arms because of his actions. While I didn’t want to burden Natsu with my problems after everything he had already been through, plus how can I possibly tell him, it would crush him to known what I’d lost, what E.N.D had taken away from me.”

Gajeel asked me if I loved Natsu as he mentioned what I screamed out in my sleep one night about how Natsu needed to wake up that I loved him and always had. I went quiet at the question remembering that moment when I said the words for the only time in my life and meant them. Misunderstanding my reaction and before I could answer Gajeel had gotten up and stormed off into the night. I was about to get up and go after him when I realised I didn’t know what I would say to him. Being left by myself I knew it was time to think about my past and what I wanted for my future.

Even though I hadn’t answered him I knew in my heart that I didn’t love Natsu anymore at least not in that way. Yes I loved him; the problem was I loved the boy he was before the War changed him, before the War changed me. There is sadness in Natsu’s eyes now when he looks at me; a regret that I think is never going to go away. It had taken me going off on this adventure to realise that I needed to grow up. My time with Gajeel had changed everything and I didn’t know how to handle that especially when I thought about what Levy would say.

I wasn’t as blind as people might think, I saw the way Gajeel looks at me sometimes but I was just so scared. After almost two years I didn’t know whether I was ready to try again and more importantly whether Gajeel was ready to start fresh especially with his old loves best friend. No matter how I looked at it I couldn’t see how Gajeel could put aside the way he felt about Levy. I knew that the two loved each other dearly and I couldn’t help but think about how he could ever feel for her what he felt for Levy.

As I sat there waiting for him to come back it occurred to me that while I may not want to because it will lead to heartache I can’t lie to myself any more, I am deeply, desperately in love with Gajeel Redfox and have been for a while. As I lay down for the night and called out Ursa Minor Mushy for company and protection I found myself crying as my predicament has finally set in; I was in love with a man who is in love with my deceased best friend so what the hell was I going to do now.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-Six: Step Forward

The next morning I was awoken by Horologium just before sunrise and got up with a headache from crying half the night. Glancing over I saw Gajeel never came back to camp last night and had to stop myself from starting to cry again. Getting up I left the tent where it was in case he came back and walked towards the entrance in the semi-dark. As the sun rose over the desert horizon I once again called on Crux as I walked towards the door.

“Miss Lucy my advice to open up the ruins is via a special sequence of glyphs pressed in the right order until the sun hits the last one.”

As he finished speaking a small light highlighted the first glyph carved into the door. Following directions I pressed that one and the next six that lit up until just as the sun hit the door the last glyph lit and then the door rumbled up. With the warning that the doors will reseal at sundown ringing in my ears, I had no choice but to enter the Ruins and start exploring the site even if it was without Gajeel.

Once inside Crux quickly took to scanning the nearby carvings on all the walls most being covered in vines didn’t detract from their beauty. As I stepped closer to one of the mosaics a lovely depiction of what I thought was some sort of mating ceremony Crux made his usually exclamation of discovery.

“Miss Lucy you have done it. According to the writing on that wall this is the Temple of Righteousness the meeting and last treasure vault of the Mashima People. The vault can be found on the lowest floor.”

I barely stopped myself from going over and hugging Crux as I was so relieved and thankfully that finally one of my quests looked like it was coming to an end. Waving him goodbye as he faded back to the spirit world I has just slowly started to venture further in but before I could leave the wide entrance chamber Gajeel suddenly appeared out of nowhere half scaring me to death. I was about to make some random comment about nice timing when he held up his hand and grunted.

“Let’s get this damn mission over with.”

As he stalked further in I recognised that he was intent on ignoring what happened the previous night so I held in the urge to try to talk to him and followed more slowly. Once at the first juncture I called on Pyxis to help navigate the maze of corridors that spread out from the entrance. Quickly I changed into Leo’s star dress and produced enough light to guide the way. Each corridor was more overgrown and filled with dirt and plants than the entrance and as we head further into the ruins I couldn’t help but feel closed in for some reason.

The stairs down to the next level were treacherous in themselves but what really took the cake was that at each level door we’d run into a puzzle/trap that they had to solve. First up is a simple rune puzzle where I had to put the squares in the correct position something that I did in a matter of minutes trying hard not to look at Gajeel as I knew that Levy had taught him how to work a similar puzzle on a job they had done some years ago.

The next level held a musical trap that almost caused us to be stuck as the only way across the floor was to step in sequence. Gathering my courage I called out Lyra and sent Pyxis back as I had her play a soft melody that matched the notes written in the wall. Forcing myself to turn I gestured as I spoke.

“Gajeel we have to step in sequence, the only way across is basically to dance.”

I couldn’t help but wince at the last word. I was about to speak again when Gajeel grabbed me and dragged me into his arms. My gaze shot up and my eyes were caught by his as he proceeded to waltz us across the room. I held my breath I my eyes drank in his face this close up to me especially after last night. Just before we reached the end I could have sworn I saw something that looked an awful lot like love in his eyes before he broke eye contact and stepped back away from me.

“Keep moving Bunny.”

Once more forcing my feeling down, I promised myself that when we got out of this darn temple we would have that talk that I had been putting off even if I had to tie the man down to do it. Shoving all that away for now a quick call to Pyxis had us making our way to the next door that didn’t take much time and was one of the more easy ones to do at least it was once I thrust Gajeel onto the back of Apus and had him fly us across a room with balance beams as flooring.

The second to last level at least according to the glyphs had three doorways: two leading to a death trap and one which would lead travellers on. In order to pick the right way you had to solve a riddle which forced me to call out Gemini in Hibiki form in order to use archive magic to read the riddle and help find the answer. As GemHibiki rabbited off different meanings to different parts of the riddle I looked closely at the walls around each doorway as I knew that whatever we had to do must involve something on the wall in order for the correct door to open. It took me several minutes to puzzle through the translation of ‘broken but falls’ and come to the conclusion that all we had to do was push on the depiction of the sun that was displayed next the second door.

By this point I noticed Gajeel had become edgy, I had been doing most of the work which was mostly brain work and he probably didn’t like the fact that he hadn’t really contributed. What I couldn’t know was that it gave him time to think as he had spent the entire night coming to grips with the fact that he had fallen in love with me and there was nothing he could do about it.

As we continued on through the last floor to the last lock according to the writing on the wall I noticed that there was an added warning to this one. There apparently was a guardian of the Mashima treasure and removing anything would call forth the terrifying beast. When I warned Gajeel I wasn’t surprised when he grinned as I knew how much he liked a good fight. As we came to the last door I was shocked and dismayed by what I saw; in order to open the last level blood had to be spilled.

I took a breath and held in a sigh as there was no way I was telling Gajeel that fact as I knew he wouldn’t let me do it. A quick look round the chamber gave me a small idea so before he could become suspicious I distracted him waving at some nearby statues and then used my hidden boot dagger to quickly slice through my palm and smash the bloodied hand against the stone doorway. His shout of outrage once he realised what I’d done was muffled by the grinding noise the door made as it slowly creaked open.

As the dust settled I got my first good look at what lay beyond: gold as far as I could see, mountains of jewels, and piles of scrolls. The words ‘welcome to the treasure chamber’ were waiting to come out but I held it in when I saw the fierce scowl on Gajeel’s face, he didn’t seem to be happy that I’d tricked him not that I thought he would be. Knowing it was little compensation for what I’d done, I waved to show I’d let him go first. As I followed Gajeel as he all but stomped into the last floor, the thought flashed through my head that I hoped they’d make it in time as sunset wasn’t far off and my danger senses had all come online the moment I stepped foot through that last doorway. This Temple had more trouble for us I could just feel it.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Treasure Hunters

Moving into the last floor after finding some disused lanterns stacked near the entrance we found numerous rooms leading off from the main chamber. Each room when we looked appeared to be filled with treasure and artefacts and on each doorway was the same warning 'take anything that is not yours and a terrifying fate will befall you.' Not wanting to take any chances I sent Pyxis home and used Reticulum to help me see any hidden traps. Turns out there were a many, one on each doorway to a new chamber. Unlike the previous floors these traps seemed to be simple booby-traps that were made to cause harm.

"Gajeel it's best if we didn't touch anything, at least until we found the Staff. All of these markings dictate that thieves would be punished and I'm pretty sure that the traps when set off in conjunction with touching any of the treasure will summon whatever 'guardian beast' guards the Temple."

Moving through the treasure floor I was careful not to brush against anything and kept glancing round. The picture I'd found in the Crocus library and showed Gajeel presented a six-foot staff made of bone with a runic head mast with an inlayed blue opal. Glancing round the main room I couldn't see anything that resembled what they were looking for. After a few minutes I grasped that the treasure in the rooms seemed to be grouped into categories. The doorways above each room had depictions of recognisable traits. One of the rooms on the left had nothing but weapons, another on the right had chests filled with ancient coins and jewels.

I could only hope the Staff would be so grouped as we continued down the main treasure chamber until it came to an intersection. On the right wall leading away were mosaics of what looked like healers and magic items. With it being the best bet I was about to follow Gajeel down the right corridor when I stopped; all of a sudden the left corridor seemed to give off a glow and a faint pull on my magic.

Glancing down that way due to Reticulum I could see a poison arrow wall trap and another smaller treasure room. The mosaic on that wall was faded and cracked so it was hard to make out but what I could see was what looked like a house. Before I could go investigate further I heard Gajeel shout out and as I turned to look further down the right corridor I could see that the idiot has sprung the floor trap and was balancing precariously across the now missing floor section.

Moving over I wrapped him in my whip and yanked him up. Once Gajeel was alright I didn't even get a 'thank you' before he used his Iron slayer powers on his legs to jump across. I gave a small quiet sigh as I used the Fleuve d'etoiles to swing across the gap after him. This new chamber seemed to be where the Mashima people had stored any magical artefacts as I could feel the hum of energy in the air get much thicker. The chamber seemed to be the largest so far that I had seen and that meant they had to be extra careful.

I gestured to Gajeel to start on one side of the room while I took the other and we both got started. After a few minutes of searching paying particular attention to the reliefs on the walls as they sometime showed what the nearest item did, I finally got lucky and found a staff that matched the description I had. Paying heed to the display on one of the walls next to it, it portrayed the Staff being used and an energy beam going from one person to another. Before I picked it up I gave a whistle and waved Gajeel over when he looked up.

"What you got Bunny?"

Waving at the Staff next to the wall she stood by, I placed my hand on his chest when he went to grab it.

"Though the depictions told of a guardian they didn't give any clues as to what it actually was. I know we didn't have a choice but still I think we should be ready before we go and grab it."

I took a quick look round for cover and to check on the quickest way out of the room on the off chance we had to make a run for it. As I grabbed the staff it was only seconds later that they heard the shriek. Turning Gajeel and I couldn't help but both flinch and then run and duck for cover as out of the darkness at the back of the chamber came forth the guardian of the Temple: a Fire Peri. Cursing our luck I gestured for Gajeel to throw his lantern into the middle of the room while I tossed mine nearer to the entrance as I didn't want the lights to give away their positions. I had to think.

They were going to have to work together to get out alive with the Staff. Coming up with a rough plan I snuck closer to Gajeel and gave him the basic outline. Since the first part relied on what Gajeel did best he was happy and gave one of his 'ghighi' as he raced out into the open as Gajeel's job is to keep the monster busy while I quickly called out Crux hidden behind several crates to memorise the carvings pertaining to the Staff so that he can translate them later.

I kept going with the plan and star dressed into Sagittarius and aimed several explosive arrows at its wings distracting it allowing Gajeel to get in close. Leo was there with barely a thought and it only took me seconds to brush my hand across Cetus' key to have him appear in human form. They each knew the plan was to get into position to take on the guardian while I tried to get the Staff off the treasure floor hoping that would put the guardian back to sleep.

Leo started to use his Regulus light magic on the assumption that because it has been dormant down there for years it would be sensitive to bright light. Cetus was a water spirit and even with his limited magic that he had been building up, he could back Gajeel up who I noticed was having a blast going physical on the monster.

What I didn't know was to him it was just like beating up a bigger version of Natsu and at this present time he had one hell of a grunge against the Salamander. In the middle of the fight both Leo and Cetus watched with no amount of bemusement and no little shock as Gajeel took out his frustrations on the guardian he even went so far as to start screaming that Lucy was his woman and that the damn pyro could go screw himself.

Meanwhile on my way back out I suddenly paused at the first intersection because I had just recognised that the pull of power I felt earlier has to be a gate key calling to me; with no time to go myself I made a quick call out to Plue and Mushy to ask them to navigate the poison arrow wall traps down the opposite corridor and to retrieve the key that is there.

"Now the both of you listen if it is too dangerous I want you both to simply close your gates and go home as I don't want to risk you getting hurt. Understand."

Seeing them nod and toddle off I kept going back through the treasure chamber and towards a set of stairs that seemed to appear behind the main chamber doors. A quick look up and I realised the depiction seemed to indicate an exit. Taking a chance as the Ruins was starting to come down around me (from what I didn't know was Gajeel going overboard in the battle and knocking out several lode baring walls).

Half way up I had to pause as Plue and Mushy had both gone back home, calling out Plue I made a quick check to see if they were alright and was presently surprised and delighted to take the new silver key he had clasped in his hands. Not having time to check yet I quickly stuffed it into my back pocket and took off once more back up the stairs.

Getting tied I knew I needed to keep going so jumped and transformed into Taurus star dress mode for leg strength and running and jumping speed. Reaching the end of the staircase I raced across the floor towards a sealed doorway. Grabbing a loose rock as I ran past I launched it at a protruding white stone conspicuously placed next to the archway. Before I had even reached the door it was open and I could see light shining through.

Barrowing out, I skidded and kicked off the wall opposite recognising the reliefs that surrounded the main Temple entrance. It took a second to throw myself out of the main door and to slide to a stop.

I let my star dress go and collapsed to the ground out of energy. Keeping Leo star dress up for most of the day had worn me out and I especially didn't need that last Taurus powered run after the fight down in the chamber. Watching as the ruins shook and groaned I almost missed what was happening behind me: sunset. At first it didn't occur to me what that meant, it was only after the light reflected across the glyph on the wall I was looking at that I remembered.

"Gajeel!!!"

Jerking upright I was still screaming as I could only watch in horror as the sun started to disappear over the horizon. The groaning now made sense as the great doors were starting to close. Forcing energy to work I star dressed back into Taurus and grabbed onto both doors. Using what magic strength I had left I made the doors stop closing. The problem was I could feel the gears that powered the doors fighting against me and because of how drained I was I knew it would be a losing battle. Once more I screamed Gajeel's name this time with tears streaming down my face as I flickered out of star dress. I was so focused on keeping the doors open that I didn't even have time to brace myself as I was thrown backwards as Gajeel came rocketing into me.

The two of us tumbled and turned until coming to a stop with Gajeel lying on top of me, both of us out of breathe. Neither noticed the semi-collapsing Ruin as the doors finished closing; we were both too busy gazing into each other's eyes, not able to look away. Without conscious thought we attacked each other their lips meeting in a brutal kiss. The two of us kissed over and over again and when we ran out of breath we would pull away and then go right back for more. Before I could get my head on straight Gajeel jerked the both of us up and carried me into the tent still kissing all the while.

Once inside he laid the both of us down onto the bed roll Aries had made and proceeded to yank off his ripped and dirt stained jacket. Keeling on the soft wool Gajeel ran his hand over my face as though he was amazed I was still there. Caressing my face he slowly moved his hands to my jacket pulling it off as he closed in and began kissing me again. Feeling his body lying on top of mine felt incredible and I couldn't help but try to pull him closer as we continued to kiss.

Gajeel slid his hands around my back and pulled me up this moved my body at an angle it hadn't been at before and the pull on my lower abdomen changed. Swiftly before I could stop it pain lanced up my back and the thought of what that meant flashed across my mind. I didn't even consciously think it let alone in the context to what was happening but I heard my mouth said a name.

"Natsu."

The moment my brain recognised what name I had just said, I knew things were about to turn ugly. I opened my mouth to say something anything else but I never got the chance as Gajeel all but ripped himself away from me pushing me back at the same time. In the blink of an eye he had grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the tent as even if I wanted too the way he had pushed me away had twisted my back in the wrong direction and it was all I could do not to scream out in agony.

Left lying on the wool pad I tried to catch my breath and force the pain back into the box I kept it in. I was lying there for several minutes as I fought my body back under control. Slowly rising up I wobbled over to the tent entrance and looked out hoping but knowing in my heart that he wouldn't be there.

Looking out into the darkness I felt a pain in my heart that was more intense even than the pain in my body. Hugging my arms around myself I tried to tell myself that he would come back; that he would let me explain, but even I knew that I was lying to myself. As the tears slowly fell down my face I would give anything to be able to take back what I'd said. With my emotions all over the place I slowly slid down to rest in the tent doorway looking out into the night.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Staff Abides

The next morning as I was packing away the camp site I didn’t know what to feel; he’d left her, again. This was the only thought running through my mind. I could understand and even forgive him leaving at first as I didn’t really like thinking of him and Levy in love even though Levy was her best friend, let alone thinking about what that love might have entertained. I knew thinking about her being with Natsu had to be hard for him but to leave her like that and not come back, to let her explain. As I once more forced the tears away as I had cried enough last night after he had stormed out of the tent into the darkness. Virgo quickly popped out and without saying anything took up the supplies and vanished back to the spirit world; I couldn’t have been more grateful for her friend, if she’d said anything I didn’t think I would have been able to hold it in.

Glancing round it occurred to her that the first part of her mission was finally over, I had the Staff other than dropping it off in Kalum City I had finished the S-Class mission. At any other time she would have been ecstatic at her accomplishment but now all I could feel was sadness. If I hadn’t opened my stupid mouth maybe he wouldn’t have… Pushing away the thought of what could have been I finally came to a decision: it was done, done waiting, done hoping, just done.

Picking a direction away from Oak Town and all its memories I strapped the Staff to my back and took one last glance at the lone pack left in the clearing. Staring at his bag I couldn’t force myself to pick it up or call Virgo to come and get it. Slowing I started walking leaving what could have been behind. As I started out at a brisk pace I knew I’d make better time if I brought out Argo but just right now I couldn’t. Even if I told myself I had given up on him I couldn’t find it within herself to completely leave like that; if I used Argo without Pantherlily here there would be no way for Gajeel to ever catch up.

Shaking off my thoughts I pulled out the key from yesterday and I finally saw who her new family member was. I couldn’t even say I was shocked when I gathered it was the key for Leo Minor; all my emotions seemed to be on hold. Sighing I called out Leo and explained the situation. Smiling he was glad to see his sisters key had become Lucy’s and told me what he could. Making the call the power drain wasn’t even noticed as the light faded on my new spirit.

“Well well well if it isn’t big brother Leo’s princess. My I have been waiting to meet you but I thought I’d never get the chance what with my other keys being in the backass of beyond.”

Standing slightly taller than Loke the spirit had long sandy red coloured hair which you could see barely covered her cat ears. She wore ripped jeans and a yellow leather jacket, built slim like her brother she gazed at Lucy and winked at Leo who smirked back in return.

“Leona’s my name, my friends call me Lottie. My abilities as being the opposite of big brother over there, Leo used light while I used darkness. I’m fast and love a good fight when I can get one. Bringing us out together as you being strong enough will double down on all our attacks. Us being opposites and all you’d think it wouldn’t work but something about that void in-between seems to really pack a punch. The only days I’m not any good are them full moon nights, does something to me it does”

She winked as she said goodbye and I let Leo go so he could have time to catch up with his sister. I threaded her key onto my ring and continued making my way back toward civilisation. It had barely been half an hour afterwards when I realised someone was watching me. At first I assumed it was simply Gajeel watching from afar. It was only after several more minutes that the feeling of being watched started to really make my flesh crawl and I had to acknowledge that it probably wasn’t Gajeel that was stalking her.
Being as calm and unassuming as possible I brushed my hands over my hips and my right one coincidentally right down past my key pouch. Summoning Virgo silently and underground I had her stay out of sight asked her to prepare herself for what was to come. I didn’t think that it was a coincidence that in the middle of nowhere right after I’d found the Staff someone was watching, as I hadn’t forgotten all of the attempts that had been made while I had been on this stupid quest. Going for unaware and hoping this worked I started humming and singing softly as I reached over in plain view and held out one of my silver keys.

“I call upon thy in the world of the celestial spirits I beckon you to my side at once pass through the gate, open gate of the little dog Canis Minor, Nikora. Come forth Plue.”

I’d purposely used the long incantation hoping to throw off their expectations of my abilities to summon spirits. Once Plue was out I picked him up and giggled as I gave him an Eskimo kiss. Moving along I continued walking still humming all the while and throwing in an occasional twirl. Playing my voice higher and lower I cuddled Plue as I spoke.

“Plue you are never going to (I need) guess what I found in that stupid Temple (to know), another key. Oh it is so (the direction) cute, the spirit is just a precious (the people) little kitty. Not as cute as (are in) you though.”

He hummed and shook so I put him down and then watched as he ran around doing his little dance until he stopped facing the way she had come, Plue then does a twirl and vanished. Laughing to keep up the ruse I then called out my next spirit once more holding out the silver key making sure I wasn’t facing where the people were head on.

“I call upon thy in the world of the celestial spirits I beckon you to my side at once pass through the gate, open gate of the little bear, Ursa Minor. Come forth Mushy.”

Ursa Minor arrived straight into my arms and as I pulled him close to hug I quietly told him to warn me when he felt the build-up of magic energy from behind us. At this point I heard back telepathically from Virgo who had bad news, there are at least twenty mages hiding under a camouflage spell just out of range. I knew I needed an advantage as twenty was too many for me to take on especially all at once and with them aware of my capacities.

I twirled to disguises the movement as I brushed my hand over Reticulum’s key and called her out as a transparent veil. With the ability to now see the hidden wizards I had at least one advantage. I kept walking as I thought up and rejected different plans and scenarios, but before I could act the bad guys took it out of my hands.

Mushy started vibrating in my arms and I knew time was up. Acting quickly I sent Mushy back and grabbed the Fleuve d’etoiles and had Scutum’s key in hand within seconds of feeling the spell heading across the way. The energy hit Scutum’s shield and bounced off, by this point Scutum and I had become close enough that his powers had expanded and was now able to not only protect but reflect the energy aimed at him. I made sure he directed the hit back towards the hidden mages that thought they still couldn’t be seen. As it hurtled back the way it came I watched as it took out the concealing spell allowing me to forgo the use of Reticulum and saved energy by quickly sending her home. I knew a few more hits like that would break the barrier and every time Scutum was hit my energy drastically lowered.

Thinking on my feet the terrain would be the biggest issue here so first up I had Virgo finish digging some strategically placed hole traps before returning, promising she would be called back out soon. The sand meant that the best bet had to be Scorpio with Taurus backing him up. Changing into Scorpio’s star dress as I felt another hit on the shield I knew I had to take it down quick it was using too much power. Moments later several of the people started attacking physically when they realised their long-range magic attacks weren’t working. Sending Scutum back I ran forward once more following my spirits into battle.

“Scorpio, Taurus come on out!”

Sand busting along with Scorpio the moment he appeared took out the first wave of men. I dodged and ducked different attacks all the while taking out random people with my whip, sand, and Lucy-kick. The first ten guys must have be the lesser wizards as they fell to a combination of Taurus’ axe, Scorpio’s sand, and my different combinations. When Taurus got hit by one of the wizards still out of sight I quickly swapped him out.

“Sagittarius you’re up hit them at range.”

It was at this point that I felt my power start to drain; ignoring it for now I quickly had Cancer replace Scorpio as the other mages finally decided to close in. I knew these people would be harder to handle and I was going to need more help. Not wanting to push three gold keys as I knew how much it drained, I swiftly switch to Leo star dress as Leo came out on his own power; not being done yet I pulled out and called for the newest key in my arsenal.

“Open gate of the little lion, Leo Minor; Lottie show them how it’s done.”

Instead of a flash of light a flash of darkness announced the arrival of my new spirit, and just like her brother she came out swinging taking out one of the men with her first surprise attack. Now going hand-to-hand in combat myself, I was holding my own and had just downed one guy when a massive blow to my side knocked me flying across the sand. Before I could get up I felt the Staff wrench itself from my back and fly to someone close. Then whoever it was hit me once again with the same magic sending me tumbling over.

Righting myself I glanced over and got a look at who had attacked. I found a woman standing before me holding the Staff grinning and laughing. Before I could get up the woman shot a bolt of green energy towards me. I braced myself for the impact as there was no way I could dodge from this position but it never came. Looking up I expected to see Loke only the wave of black hair clued me in as to who had saved the day.

“I’m sorry Bunny Girl.”

The whispered words let me know I wasn’t hallucinating as Gajeel finally put me down. Growling he didn’t wait for me to talk, he simply rushed the woman who comprehended the danger and called to the other mages for back-up. As Gajeel was besieged on all sides I felt Cancer get sent back. Changing tactic once again I sent back both Sagittarius and Lottie as my magic was really starting to drop. I recalled out Virgo as I knew she could take some of the strain of energy. While I ran to retrieve my whip Virgo backed-up the only other spirit still out Leo as they both ran to where Gajeel was fighting. Just as I got to the whip I once more felt a wave of energy heading my way only this time I dodged it in time. Turning I lashed out at the woman I was assuming was Rowena as she closed in on my spot. Redirecting Rowena’s green magic shot with the fleuve d’etoiles I rapidly changed star dress spinning into Virgo’s form and tried gabbing Rowena.

“Spiral lock.”

Before it could hit I felt a weird magic come off Rowena and looked in horror as she held up the Staff of Shonen and aimed it at me. As the glowing white light shot at me, I found I couldn’t physically move. When the white energy hit my body froze and seconds later I screamed as I felt something ripped into my abdomen and all of my magic power just vanished. Surprisingly the pain and the paralysis were short lived, as I suddenly heard someone else cry in pain. When I looked up what I saw was that Rowena was also engulfed by the white light and was screaming in pain so much that she inadvertently dropped her hold on the Staff severing whatever magic connection was powering it. Thinking the spell must have back fired I didn’t waste any time; checking my magic I found it was back so quickly called out a replacement for Virgo as at some point in the battle Leo had been sent home.

“Capricorn help Gajeel.”

The second spirit key I brushed with my magic as I wanted her to stay hidden and considering all the dust clouds all over that wouldn’t be hard. I sent a message to Aries to get ready to create a wool wall between myself and Rowena and everyone else. Rushing forward I started to chant and before Rowena could regain her feet I sucked in every scrap of energy I could find and called out my power. I had just enough for one shot so I took it. As the ultimate spell left my lips this was my finishing move.

“Survey the Heavens, Open the Heavens...
All the stars, far and wide...
Show me thy appearance...
With such shine.
Oh Tetrabiblos...
I am the ruler of the stars...
Aspect become complete...
Open thy malevolent gate.
Oh 88 Stars of the heaven...
Shine!
Urano Metria!”

As the stars aligned Aries quickly shielded Capricorn and Gajeel as ordered as the impact crater spread across the desert. When the mini sand storm cleared Gajeel was the only one left standing as Aries and Capricorn had returned home without a word. Looking round it took him several panic stricken seconds to locate Lucy’s inert body lying in the middle of the crater. As Gajeel raced over he spotted the Staff and Rowena lying nearby. Quickly grabbing the Staff as he had seen what happen during the battle and didn’t want to take any chances he not so accidentally stepped on Rowena hand crushing it as he went past. Getting to Lucy he was barely holding it together as he saw how much damage she had incurred. Carefully lifting her up Gajeel held her in his arms as he begged her to wake-up. Not getting any response Gajeel was almost crying by the time Gemini showed up.

“Piri piri Mr Gajeel I can try healing her. Piri piri problem is only use own power, not very good yet dragonslayer to big.”

Appearing next the crouched couple the twins suddenly turned into Wendy. Gajeel didn’t care he just wanted her awake. After Gemini returned home Gajeel rose and was about to start walking in the direction of the nearest town when Virgo and Leo popped up. Virgo was trying to be as stoic as usual but Gajeel could see she wasn’t pulling it off. The lion wasn’t even masking his worry.

“Gajeel-san, do you wish for us to deliver the damaged mages to the nearest authority? Pppunishment?”

Agreeing Gajeel didn’t even growl at the Zodiac leader when he brushed back Lucy’s hair and kissed her forehead; he knew that Loke was just as concerned about her as he was. Thanking the spirits, Gajeel started walking holding Lucy close and safe in his arms; as he continued into the desert he made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t ever leave her side again.

Chapter Text

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Doing What’s Right

It had taken over a week for Gajeel to be satisfied that I had gotten the required rest and con the local healer into giving me a clean bill of health. Of course he then wouldn’t hear of me walking for any length of time and so I was forced to call out Argo. I was dead set on travelling straight back to Kalum City to visit the client’s house and getting rid of the Staff as soon as possible.

Considering how convoluted our path to finding the Staff was the trip back on Argo only took us half a day. After they dropped us outside the city and it didn’t take us long to arrive at the client’s house. I was happy to see that everything looked to be in order this time. Straightening my clothes I tossed a quick look at Gajeel before I rapped on the door.
Robson Quail himself answered and once seeing me hastily invited us in. He gestured to the same room as last time only now it was a tastefully decorated study. I could see he was anxious to hear about the Staff so not wanting to delay anything I silently called out Virgo who knowing why she would be called brought the Staff with her. Upon seeing what he assumed was the Staff of Shonen Robson Quail started crying. Both Gajeel and I were shocked and didn’t know what to do.

Reaching out Robson took the Staff and without saying anything to us walked into the next room. Because he’d left the doors open as he left Gajeel and I were able to see what looked like a little girl’s bedroom painted in pink and yellow; this I thought was peculiar as it was on the ground floor of a three story mansion. Hearing someone giggling next door Gajeel had just made a comment about rudeness when the screaming started.

Rushing in both Gajeel and I were horrified to see the client holding the Staff and using it on a little brown haired girl perched on a chair by the bed. Before they could stop him the white light did what it had before and moved from the one to the other. As I rushed across the room to him, Robson Quail started lurching about where he stood as the light covered his body. I tried to get him to let go of the Staff but he wouldn’t. Before Gajeel could come over from checking the girl, the light vanished and Robson Quail stopped screaming and collapsed to the floor. While Gajeel finished seeing to the girl I discovered Quail was still alive, barely but alive. Before I could do more I heard Gajeel cry out in shock.

“Bunny this is a wheelchair.”

Showing his confusion he glanced over at me and then gestured to the chair. When I stood and got a closer look I saw what Gajeel meant, the girl was perched in a wheelchair, an expensive lacrima chair but still what everyone knew was a wheelchair; that was when everything clicked. This was the reason the client wanted the Staff and why he didn’t care how long it took. This was the reason he was so desperate and why the bedroom was situated on the ground floor.

In the time I had been searching for the Staff I had learned a lot about the Mashima people and what sort of artefacts they collected. With what I knew and what Crux had finally translated from the Temple walls I could take a pretty good guess at what he had done: a free exchange of energy, a balance maintained. As Crux told me before we went in, it was the Temple of Righteousness. It took Robson Quail twenty minutes to wake up and it seemed it would be even longer for his daughter. Once he was conscious and able to speak I had Gajeel carry him over to the bed and then move the little girl next to him. Once he had hugged her close I helped him get settled and then we finally got the whole story.

“When the War broke out my daughter Sophie and her mother my wife Narenn had been in Hargeon shopping. Before they could be evacuated the wizard Wall Eehto arrived. When he sent that decimating attack it destroyed one of the buildings the people were hiding in. My wife didn’t make it, while Sophie who was five years old at the time had lain trapped under the destroyed building. She suffered spinal damage that because of the timeframe between cause and being found was permanent. Paralysed from the waist down with no cure magic or normal I searched out any form of hope for my daughter.”

At this point he reached over and smoothed down Sophie’s hair. I watched as he wiped away the tears that had fallen and then once more looked back at us.

“I had dozens of experts going through ancient texts and manuscripts looking for a cure. It was months before one of them stumbled on an account of an ancient wizard called Shonen who travelled the land using his Staff to help cure the sick and injured. I had known from the beginning that in order to use the Staff there had to be a sacrifice and I have gladly taken on my daughter’s burden. I would have done much more; this is nothing to see her have the chance at a normal life.”

When the little girl woke up Gajeel and I could only watch the joy on both the Quail’s faces. I quietly called out Ara in scanning mode to check on the both of them, when she reported that the Staff had done its job I was happy and sad as Ara had confirmed to me there was nothing anyone could do about the damage to the spine. Not wanting to intrude on what no doubt was going to be an emotional day I accepted the reward and Gajeel and I started to leave. Before we’d made it out the door into the hall Robson Quail spoke.

“Miss Heartfilia please take the Staff with you. It is much too dangerous to be left out in the world. The damage it could do, I wouldn’t want anyone to suffer as my family has.”

A whisper of Virgo’s name had her return and I softly told her to keep the Staff in the spirit world and to in fact give it to moustache man for safe keeping. Once more bidding the client farewell and good luck Gajeel and I headed out thanking Robson’s for his generous offer of a night in the local spa and hotel. As we walked towards the inn I finally took a look at my new key. It took several minutes for me to identify the silver key as that of Triangulum the northern triangle. What caused my heart to speed up was there was a rumour in spirit lore about this key, a rumour that if true could make my quest for Aquarius finally come full circle.

Chapter Text

Chapter Forty: Last Chance

As Gajeel and I arrived at the hotel spa I was impressed by what I saw, the outside was styled in an old empire design with a blue motif all across the front. The inside was just as nice and I realised we’d been set up in one of the more expensive places in town. We immediately settled down in their room for the night, their single room; it wasn’t really surprising that they weren’t too bothered about the fact they were sharing a room as they both were completely bushed and just wanted to relax. It was now that they had time to calm down and have some much needed R&R that what lay ahead hit them or more specifically me.

As I got out of the shower and started to brush my hair it suddenly occurred to me that it was time to part ways with Gajeel. I didn’t even try to stop the pain as it touched my heart. The thought of losing him was horrible but I knew it couldn’t be helped. From something he said as they walked through town I knew he thought that they were heading back to the guild in the morning. He was wrong in his assumption at least the part pertaining to her, I have to keep searching for Aquarius’ key.

As I came out of the bathroom I saw that Gajeel was ready for the hot springs much like myself dressed in one of the hotels kimonos. Making their way slowly outside Gajeel started talking about what will happen when they go back to the guild as I followed him trying to decide what on Earthland I was going to do.

“Pantherlily better be back from his trip to the exceed village even if he has another kid, we will just have to take the little ankle biter with us. We’ll train the new one up to be just like his dad. Ghighi. Cetus is getting real good at dodging so he can help train up the new kid. We’ll maybe have to lay off the monster missions for a while though, but we could take an easy dark guild or a quick delivery job instead: no more month long jobs for us for a while. We’ll stick close to home; let Spark-plug get his thumb out of his butt. Always calling, complaining about you being gone. Big brother complex is what he’s got I tell you. Not gonna take my partner, ‘no more dangerous missions’ ghighi we’ll show him.”

I grasped that he was talking as if they will be a team when they get home. I felt a rush of happiness at that thought before I had to remind myself once again that I wasn’t going back with him. I watched his face as we made our way into the hot spring it was full of excitement and barely hidden longing. Walking through the changing room I dumped my little purse on the side as I made my way into the onsen itself and breathed in the incense and healing herbs; I felt the tension in my body start to diminish as I settled down.

Relaxing in the water I told myself to enjoy the time that I have, not to focus on what I can’t have. No matter what I might want I can’t go home yet, I still had a mission to accomplish and a wrong to make right. Thinking of the guild was the wrong move and before I could help it I started to cry. Gajeel seeing the tears at first panicked but slowly he drew me into an embrace and tried to give me some comfort though he didn’t know why I was upset. I couldn’t tell him why it would spark a talk I wasn’t ready to have.

As I calmed down I realised I was once more in Gajeel’s arms and my eyes shot to his. Seeing him recognise the position we were in I held my breath as he leaned forward and captured my lips. I felt our passions get away from us once again. I was overwhelmed with feelings as I kissed Gajeel and when he started to caress my body over the robe I fell further under his pull. As I felt his hand move down my body heading for the hem of the robe, I was so close to succumbing to the feeling of pure bliss when I had a flash of the other morning waking up alone and crying. Remembering what happened last time I deliberately pulled away and asked him the hard question even as I knew I was risking so much.

“Gajeel, what are we?”

I could see the shock flash across his face and then his expression settled into uncomfortableness. I watched as he shut down and started to withdraw even though his body was still underneath me. I had to hold back any more tears as I knew he would be able to smell them. Getting up I straighten my robe and wished him a quiet goodnight. Once back in the room I called out Aries for a wool bed on the other side of the room from the bed as I now couldn’t share a bed with Gajeel not without once more breaking my own heart.

As Gajeel came in later he was shocked and hurt when he saw where Lucy was sleeping, he almost went and moved her to the bed but before he could reach her he smelled the tears. Feeling ashamed and sad Gajeel went over to the bed and lay there thinking about everything that had happened over the last few years, not only about Lucy but how losing Levy broke him. He started thinking about the future and the possibilities of what has been happening with him and Lucy, where their relationship is going: after everything is said and done he can’t help but wonder what Levy would have thought. As he drifted off to sleep the last thought in his mind was remembering the look in her eyes as she had asked him what they were. It haunted his dreams that look of hope.

Chapter Text

Chapter Forty-One: Time To Go

Before I went to bed I had asked Horologium to wake me before sunrise. I knew that if I was going to leave, it would have to be while Gajeel was asleep otherwise there was no way he would let me go. Rising quietly I changed and then took what things I’d left out and started to leave before what I was doing hit me; looking back at Gajeel I approached the bed and slowly as not to wake him leaned forward and kissed him goodbye. I couldn’t help it as a tear fell and landed on his face though lucky for me he didn’t awaken. Holding in the sorrow I whispered a barely there goodbye and quickly placed a note I’d written by the bed and made my way out the door.

In the note for Gajeel I’d told him to go home, that his part of the mission was now over but that my quest was still going. I written that I was sorry for pushing him for an answer last night and that I hoped that they can still be friends. I told him I didn’t know how long it will take me but that I trusted that when I did come home that he will still want to go on missions with me as these last few months have been the most fun I’d had in years. I’d apologised for running out on him but didn’t know how to say goodbye.

I had to keep clearing the tears from my eyes as I made my way out of town. What I’d done was hitting me hard and I could barely keep walking. The urge to turn around and go back to him lay just under my skin and if I allowed myself one moment of weakness I would be back in his arms before I could blink.

Forcing myself to take each step forward I slowly made my way out of the outer gates and into the surrounding forest. Following the path, according to Crux there should be a river with a bridge with a clearing beside it that would be perfect for what I had planned. Speeding up as now I was so close to an answer my heart decided it would finally keep still about the choices I’d made. It took close to half an hour before I saw the bridge and then the clearing a few feet from it. Once by the stream I steadied my nerves and took my usual stance.

“I call upon thy in the world of the celestial spirits I beckon you to my side at once pass through the gate, open gate of the northern triangle, Triangulum.”

As I felt the drain and saw the light I prayed to every god I knew that what I thought this spirit could do was right. If the research I’d done and the hints Crux had dropped were correct then the next few minutes could make or break me.

“Will you, my master take me for your own? Won’t you, my master use me as you please? Will you, my master listen as I speak?”

Before me stood around the same height as Pyxis was a solemn little turtle. Perched upon his chest was a strange glittering triangle that spun at odd intervals. Smiling to show I meant no harm, I crouched down to be more at his level as I addressed his enquires in order.

“Hello Triangulum, my name is Lucy Heartfilia and I would like to make a contact with you if that is alright. I prefer not to be called master if that pleases you and I would be glad of any help you could give me but I would never force you to do anything you didn’t want to. My other spirits say I’m a bit of a chatterbox but I will always be there to listen to any requests and if you ever need help with something you need only ask.”

As I had spoken the turtle had nodded along still with a very solemn expression. It flapped its flippers when I got to the bit about calling me master but had a sort of happy look in his eyes by the time I’d finished.

“Will you, Miss Heart listen as I tell? Won’t you Miss Heart call me between seven bells? Will you, Miss Heart follow where anything dwells?”

The triangle on his front suddenly spun and sparked with light. Patting it with his flipper he looked down into the light it gave off then lifted it up to show me an image of the very clearing we were standing in. It even had the both of us in it exactly as we were now. Grinning to show that I got it, I quickly spoke to clarify what he’d said.

“You are fine calling my Miss Heart, you are only available between seven in the morning and seven at night, and you are able to show me an image of any location as long as you have something to link to.”

Just like with Pyxis, Plue, and Mushy: Triangulum spoke more in intention than words. I felt what he meant by each statement more than what words he spoke. Before I could get too involved with thinking about forms of spirit communication I felt Triangulum about to go back to the spirit world. Quickly holding my hand up, I got his attention and reached for my key pouch at the same time.

“Triangulum before you go, may I ask a favour. As you may have heard I am on a quest to find the re-forged golden key of the zodiac Aquarius. I have been looking for close to two years now and was hoping that you would be able to use what I have to narrow down a location for me.”

Pushing power Pyxis arrived as I lifted up the necklace I hadn’t ever taken off since I made it years before. Holding out the broken and last piece I had of my first spirit I focused and pushed a bit more power this time into the tattoo that graced my chest. I star dressed into Aquarius’ form and presented the gathered options to him. With a more solemn look on his face he flapped his flippers and shuffled as the triangle spun round on his chest.

“Will you Miss Heart in dress stand towards the left? Won’t you, my cousin take the key onto the right? Will you, all watch to see what we find?”

Standing in a triangle with the river as one corner, Pyxis as the other and me as the final piece I watched Triangulum shuffle into the middle and start to triangulate Aquarius’ new key location. As we three watched the image on the triangle form a picture of a beautiful waterfall appeared, I saw the image refine and zoom into a cave hidden deep underground where I could just see the key but also three shadows were moving and screaking. When the image faded away I quickly had Pyxis get a fix on the location. Seeing him nodding and his arrow spinning I let out a relieved laugh as I finally knew where Aquarius was.

My journey was coming to an end. Sending my two friends back home I didn’t waste any time as I called out Argo and swiftly climbed aboard. Letting Pyxis set the course as he knew the way I could feel that this was the last stop on my grand adventure.

Chapter Text

Chapter Forty-Two: Voices In The Dark

Two weeks later in the western side of the country of Seven a long way from home, found me stood staring at the waterfall from the image. It had taken her almost the entire two weeks while travelling on Argos to find the falls even with Pyxis’ location. Apparently the falls were protected by magic and no one from the nearby villages would help me find them because they were cursed. Before I could dive in Leo appeared on his own power and stared at me with a quiet solemnity.

“It’s time.”

Standing on the shore looking at the falls I started to relive my adventure up until this point: going home and learning about my families legacy, meeting Pauz in the library, running into the Princess and getting Ara, helping Hibiki come to his senses, Hargeon and the wyvern and using Apus for the first time, talking to Sho and Wally about the past, rescuing Gajeel and Pantherlily, Cetus and the star festival, the look on everyone’s face when Argo appeared, and finally the night spent with Gajeel. As all of those memories came to me, I didn’t try to stop the tears; almost two years spent living an adventure was finally at an end.

Gathering my courage for the last great adventure I changed into Aquarius star dress using my own power for what could possibly be the last time and dove down into the pool. I had to follow a dark cave system deep into a cavern hidden behind the falls. A few wrong turns and a quick memory of the right path had me surfacing into another pool, this time deep underground.

I quietly looked around and tried to make as little noise as possible. Because of the image from Triangulum I knew that something waits inside. Swiftly gaging the layout I slid out of the water and hid behind a several rocks situated on one side of the cavern. I waited and listened as I knew caution was the right approach to this place. After a few minutes I was surprised to hear soft crying and snivelling coming from the far side of the cave. Peering round the rocks trying not to be seen I was shocked when I spotted another person tied up lying on the ground near the other side of the pool. What I wasn’t shocked to see was what was laying a couple of feet behind the girl; three distinct female shapes that lucky for us appeared to be sleeping.

Being as quiet as possible I slid back into the water and swam over to the other side. I made my way out slowly and carefully and crept across to the tied up girl. Before the girl could make a sound I put my hand over her mouth and placed my other hands finger against my lips. Untying her being as deliberate and as quiet as possible, when I was done I pulled her into the water and then helped her swim back to the rocks on the far side.

Pitching my voice as low as I could, I smoothly and softly spoke my name then gestured to her. The girl told me her name was Saratha and she was also a celestial spirit mage. Her spirit Orion had detected a key and so she had come looking. She didn’t realise it would be so dangerous. The three monsters had attacked her the moment she entered the cavern and she had been tied up and was going to be eaten but they fell asleep instead.

After asking some careful and softly voiced questions and getting a description I realised the three monsters were in fact sirens guarding the treasure trove I could see located at the back of the cave. I brushed my hand across my key pouch and telepathically asked Crux for any information he has on sirens. Watching for any movement on the far side while I waited, I started cataloguing the treasure pile and working out the best way up to where I could see and feel Aquarius’ key slept. It was a few minutes after I had worked out two different routes up the mountain pile when Crux got back to me. It turned out that these particular breed of Siren has their power based on their voice.

Quietly telling Saratha to block her ears so she can’t hear their magic, I was about to make my attempt when the guilt that followed me everywhere rose up. Letting out a soft breath asked Saratha if she would like to try first to get the key. Shaking her head Saratha told me she can’t as it turned out Saratha’s keys were taken by the sirens and added to the horde. Deciding that the best approach was to work together I came up with a basic plan. Saratha meanwhile had noticed my open key pouch with all of my keys and started to get cocky; she made a comment about how it will be easy since I have so many Zodiacs. I don’t know whether I was upset or relieved when I told her no it won’t as I wasn’t going to use them. I knew in my heart that I had to do this without using the other Zodiacs to prove I was ready.

My plan was simple I would use Lynx and Leo Minor Lottie as the sirens magic effected males more powerfully than females. The three of us would distract and try to take on the sirens while Saratha will sneak around and get to the horde to grab the keys. Which is exactly what we did; I snuck close to the sirens after blocking my ears and telling the two spirits to do the same. All three of us girls attacked together and started to battle.

The sirens start screeching and clawing at me and the spirits. We were holding our own keeping their attention focused on us and everything seemed to be going as planned that was until one of the sirens got in a lucky hit on Lynx knocking her back against the rock wall and sending her home. Before I could stop it the siren had rushed past me and over to where Saratha was climbing the treasure trying to reach the keys. The Siren attacked, swiping at Saratha and managed to catch her arm slashing and cutting her. Saratha screamed and stumbled back down pile. Once at the bottom again she ran over to me seeking shelter behind me.

She suddenly started crying and screaming, shouting that they needed to get out of there. I managed to shout no over the racket. My next words were ‘what about the keys’, Saratha screamed forget it that she could buy more spirits as she jumped into the pool and prepares to dive into the tunnel to the outside. I was shocked but what really sealed Saratha’s fate was when she mentioned that the money she’d get for selling the gold key wasn’t worth all this trouble.

The moment I heard that I reacted with vicious intent as now all bets were off. My fleuve d'etoiles whipped the nearest siren into the wall partially impaling it on a jagged rock. I summoned Scutum to cover me as I ran past Lottie who was still fighting and straight to the treasure mound and scaled it quickly. Pushing more power I hoping he could stand it, I double summoned Cetus and Apus, Cetus I told to use the pool water to hold the sirens at bay and give Lottie a helping hand. I told Apus to grab Saratha’s keyring and then back up the other two using the sirens magic against them and hitting the sirens every time they left a gap open.

Climbing as fast as I could I try to make my way to one of the paths I’d mapped out before even as the treasure pile shifted. Vaguely hearing a racket behind and above me I just had time to dodge as one of the sirens had sprouted wings and clawed at me from above. Not backing down without a fight I kicked out and managed to break its arm when it made a pass at me. Before its sisters could get to me I leapt up and finally grabbed the gold zodiac key resting in pride of place in a chest of gold. Not wasting any time I slid straight down the treasure pile and rushed over to the pool, crying as I spoke the words I had been waiting years to say.

“I call upon thy in the world of the celestial spirits I beckon you to my side at once pass through the gate, open gate of the water bearer, Aquarius.”

As the mermaid rose from the water geyser I closed all other gates as I hit the ground in relief and shock; to once more use her magic, to once more call my oldest friend, to feel Aquarius power running through her. Aquarius didn’t waste any time or wait for instructions as just like always she did anything she wanted. She hit all three sirens with a wave of water so powerful they were completely knocked across the cavern and unconscious within seconds. I couldn’t contain myself and raced over to Aquarius and hugged her crying my eyes out. The only thing I could do was repeat the words ‘you’re here’ ‘you’re here’.

After I calmed down and allowed Aquarius to badger me about calling her out in a dark, damp, and musty cave; Aquarius returned to the spirit world telling me not to call as she has a date with Scorpio this weekend. Getting out of the cave quickly before the sirens woke up I swam back to shore and collapsed on the ground. Staring up at the clear sky, I was overcome with emotion and just couldn’t believe it: I had finally done it, Aquarius was home.

Feeling everything catch up with me I wasn’t aware of what was happening around me as suddenly the other wizard Saratha attacked from the nearby trees. Stabbing me in the chest before I could recover my wits I managed to knock her away but found that I couldn’t move because of the wound. Saratha got up and strolled steadily towards me no doubt to finish me off. Before she could bring the knife down once again there was a loud crack and she was unexpectedly sent flying into the water by a metal pole. As I fell unconscious a shadow appeared above my head and a figure knelt at my side. The last thing I heard was someone calling my name.

Chapter Text

Chapter Forty-Three: Confronting The Past

I found myself in a meadow full of flowers surrounded by my spirits all of them. The stars in the sky are shining brightly and some were even streaking across the night sky as I watched. Looking round her spirits smile at me as moustache man appears and starts to talk. He congratulates me on regaining Aquarius’ key and wants me to know that he believes in her and that when I am ready he will teach her how to use his power properly. He calls me a true daughter of the stars and wishes me well.

Before I can come to terms with what he said I abruptly wake up to find myself back at the guild in the infirmary. At first my thoughts were muddled and the fact that the entire adventure had been a dream seemed a sure thing as my keys are missing and the bed is surrounded by my old team Natsu, Happy, Erza, and Gray.

I started to softly cry and then heard a ding dong and Aquarius was floating there frowning at me. The first words out of her mouth were her telling me off, calling me a baby and berating me for interrupting her date. After screaming and launching myself at Aquarius I wrapped my arms around her and half dragged her into the bed. My wailing had woken the others up who all screamed themselves and piled on the bed with us. Hugging and crying were on the agenda for today as we all started talking on top of each other trying to be the first to tell our tales of the last two years adventures. Aquarius left us to our reunion. She gave me a last cryptic comment of saying hi to my boyfriend and not to forget to thank him for saving my life.

After catching up and telling of the adventures we’d all had over their time apart Natsu who had been the quietest of the bunch asked to talk to me in private. Granting his request Erza dragged Gray away saying they will be back in a bit and that they would get Lucy something to eat. Happy flew off saying he will tell Wendy Lushie was awake but what he’s really doing we all knew was going to talk to Carla.

Natsu and I sat there for several minutes in silence as he appeared confused on where to start. The embarrassment of being alone together for the first time since the War had caught up with us and we couldn’t find the words. We knew they have to talk about the past and the War but can’t make ourselves say the words; finally I start and say that I am sorry. Natsu reacts with shock and he quickly tells me that it is his fault.

He chocked as he told me he couldn’t look at me after the War, he kept having visions of stabbing me and killing me. He told me he was awake while in his E.N.D. state and couldn’t stop himself from hurting me. He had nightmares about it and he couldn’t look at me without reliving that moment. Natsu kept apologising for abandoning me before I left, he felt like if he hadn’t maybe I wouldn’t have had to go it alone.

I started to tell him that that was the point of my adventure, that I had to try it alone to see if I was strong enough to be worthy enough for Aquarius. I also told him that I felt worthless because of the War, that my nightmares were never about him that I had always known it wasn’t his fault. We finally got down and had a real conversation for the first time about each other and how they viewed themselves as friends; that they always will be best friends and no stupid demon or nightmare war memories were going to break them apart.

Hugging, crying, and laughing later Natsu told me that someone else really wants to talk to me. Leaving me alone for a few minutes I had time to wipe my eyes and start to think about the mess I made with Gajeel. Before I can get too involved with my thoughts Brandish comes in and sits down.

The two stare at each other until I asked her how she’s been. With that opening Brandish starts talking, rambling on about how it is all my fault, that Lucy trusted her and gave her one job and that she betrayed her. An uncomfortable conversation later reveals that Brandish and Natsu have become close. Fearing my heartbreak Brandish was distraught and beside herself with guilt that is until I stopped her and gave Brandish my blessing on the relationship. I made a comment about Brandish being one of the few people able to keep Natsu in line and Brandish in turn commented how he is insane enough to like being shrunk. For the next hour we were just two friends that were sharing a laugh as they caught up together and talked about what’s been happening in the guild since I been away.

Chapter Text

Chapter Forty-Four: Staying In The Present

Later the next day at the Lucy Welcome Home party I was resting safely on the second floor away from the noise and chaos of several allied guilds visiting all at once. As I sat there nursing my drink, Laxus came over from the guild masters table and slid into the chair across from me.

“So about those up-coming S-Class trials, thinking of entering?”

I did a fair imitation of him when I raised my eyebrow and scoffed. I was only just back I hadn’t even thought about my next job let alone the promotional trials. The last S-Class quest I did hadn’t gone smoothly after all.

“I’ve started thinking ahead see. The way the wind’s blowing, with everyone settling down it’s only a matter of time before the Demon gets her wish and the guild is chock full of babies. There’s Guildarts taking fewer missions so he can stalk Cana and keep an eye on her fuck-buddy status with Bacchus. I’m stuck at the guild hall being Master and shit and Mira won’t leave even with Lisanna back and messing around with Bicks. The S-Class missions aren’t getting done. The only two active S-Class wizards we have are Titania and ex-wizard saint Jellal who got his blue ass automatically promoted (didn’t even need the paperwork, loved that shit) and half the time she drags him away so they can go on missions together.”

Letting out a short sigh of frustration, Laxus drank his beer and gazed around the guild hall. Frowning at the different mages embroiled in the huge fight downstairs, he gestured over with his cup.

“I’ve got to promote at least three of these dimwits if we ever want to get back to top class. Sure everyone knows who we are but without any cash from the S-Class coming in every time these numbskulls break this joint it gets harder to fix.”

I looked out at all of the wizards gathered and could tell just by looking that the promotions themselves shouldn’t be a problem as Fairy Tail was made up of powerhouses. The old gang held numerous wizards who in any other guild would already be S-Class ‘cough-END-Natsu-cough-DEMON-Gray-cough’. Even some of the new people that had joined after the War were a shoe-in as they had been some of our toughest enemies, Cobra and Brandish need I say more.

“My problem is I don’t want to go back to the island and all that bad karma. Sure we’d kick ass but it’s not worth the bloody crying.”

I sat there and thought for a couple of minutes. I had to agree with him that it probably wouldn’t be best to go back to Tenrou at least for this next promotion; the members who would be entering were some of the worst hit by their encounters with the Grimoire Heart guild.

“You’re probably right Laxus going back wouldn’t work. There are several places I can recommend that I found on my travels looking for the Staff and Aquarius. I can think of three out of the way spots off the top of my head that would work for a trial. In fact why don’t we see what Crux and Triangulum can come up with about some safe locations. With Crux’s research and Triangulum able to get real time data I’m sure we could have a few likely candidates in no time.”

Before I can tell him more I was suddenly clomped on by Juvia crying about getting married. Laxus nods and gets up as he walks away he calls back that they’ll talk later and leaves her to a very wet conversation. In-between the tears I’m able to decipher that Gray had finally proposed but wanted to wait till his ‘sister’ was back before getting married.

“Now that Love-Rival can stand with her Gray-sama and since Gajeel-kun is back he can give Juvia away.”

At the mention of Gajeel I started and before I can decide how I felt I heard his voice come from behind me.

“Tisk, it’s about time that damn Stripper made an honest woman of ya. You’ve shacked up enough, I surprised there ain’t little icicle rugrats running around yet.

With a cry of ‘Gajeel-kun’, Juvia jumped off me and hugged him instead. I could hear a few quiet comments about Gray treating Juvia right and then I watched as Juvia ran off to comfort her Gray-sama who had been knocked out of the fighting pile and was leaning against the far side wall. While I was watching Juvia run down stairs I felt more than saw Gajeel sit down beside me.

Even after he was seated I couldn’t look at him as I didn’t know what to say. It feels like my heart was going a mile a minute and I was close to hyperventilating. I was about to say anything to break the rising tension when Gajeel’s hand slid across the table into my line of vision; when it moved away their lay a brand new keyring on the table with several silver keys on it.

“Your overgrown pussycat dropped that off with me, told me that the other back stabbing wizard abandoned the keys at the lake and the spirits want you instead. I noticed your old ring was getting kind of full so made you the new one. Had a friend of mine who deals in enchantments give it a going over, only one able to take all your new friends off will be you once you put some power into it.”

I took a closer look at the ring and realised I will have four more spirits in my family: Orion the hunter, Lacerta the lizard, Fornax the furnace, and Equuleus the little horse. I said a soft ‘thank you’ as I reached out and embraced the ring. I knew I would have to leave the spirit contracts for later as Wendy had told me no magic for the next few days.
As I held them I realised that the only way he could know about the wizard and the lake was if he was the one that rescued me. I had vaguely known that it was him, the feeling I’d gotten before passing out had felt like him but with everything with my old team I had been pushing all of my other emotional problems away. I tried to think of what to say, after everything they meant to each other and what with the hotel room and at the ruins how can they go back to being just friends. Do I even want to be just friends, when my heart is constantly aching for Gajeel.

Gajeel is in the same predicament, though he knows that they have to talk about what they feel for each other as when she was injured and he couldn’t do anything he realised he didn’t want to lose her not again, he couldn’t go through the pain of losing someone he loved again.

After looking round the guild and seeing that they have an overabundance of dragon slayers capable of overhearing a conversation due to half the guilds in Fiore coming down for Lucy’s homecoming, we decided to take their conversation outside. It didn’t take us long to leave out the back door and make our way over to one of the unoccupied training arenas. Making sure not to be spotted going, we settled down on the grass to finally have a real conversation about our feelings and what they are going to do now.

It took several hours to go over all of our feels and emotions. We talked about the last few years and how each new day spent together had brought about a change. They talked about the kisses and their shame at what was changing in them. They each admit that they like each other as more than friends and have for a while. Their talk about Levy has them both admitting that they both feel Levy wouldn’t mind. She loved them both and they couldn’t see her being upset that they had found themselves falling for each other; she didn’t have it in her. Sighing they reached over and held hands as their emotions settled down.

“Bunny, will you go on a date with me?”

Smiling, I nodded and squeezed his hand as he pulled me up to stand. Giving me time to object he pulled me closer and gave me a gently kiss before leaning back enough so our foreheads still touched. I knew we would be taking things slowly and just have to see where things would lead but that was o.k. I had my family back and while it wasn’t how it was before, somethings were o.k. being different. As we set out for a stroll through Magnolia I couldn’t help smile at how things had worked out not back but forwards.

Chapter Text

Chapter Forty-Five: Facing The Future

Epilogue set five months later.

The guild has been semi-normal as of late though there are now a lot more couples in residence. Celestial Spirit mage Lucy Heartfilia since she has been back has been splitting her time within the guild. She tended to float from person to person going on missions with practically everybody.

Officially she was part of a team with Iron Dragonslayer Gajeel Redfox and the exceed Pantherlily. They told people they found out they liked working together when they were on the S-Class mission and since Lucy was one of the four people that passed the recent S-Class trials Gajeel demanded they take the more dangerous missions gearing himself up to take another S-Class quest when he could talk Lucy into it.

In order not to have Fire Dragonslayer Natsu Dragneel burn down the guildhall Guild Master Lightning Dragonslayer Laxus Dreyar had decreed that Lucy had to go on jobs with Team Natsu every once in a while though truthfully Team Natsu didn’t really exist anymore. Ice Demonslayer Gray Fullbuster tended to go with his fiancée Water mage Juvia Lockser and Requip mage Erza Scarlett continued to work her way through the S-Class board with her paramour Heavenly Body mage Jellal Fernandes. This left Natsu and his exceed Happy at a loose end so they had taken Command T mage Brandish μ under their so called wing and dragged her on crazy adventures.

Lucy has kept busy as not only has Juvia been dragging her into wedding preparations but Poison Dragonslayer/Soul Listener Eric (who stole her last name) Heartfilia is insisting that his daughter little Viper spend quality time with her aunt Lucy. When you add in Laxus conning her into doing his paperwork she doesn’t know how but she has managed to find the time to date Gajeel on the down low something that comes to a screeching halt when Lucy comes storming into the guild one day looking for Gajeel. Within moments of entering Lucy starts shrieking and once within range starts throwing anything she can get her hands on at him while continuing to yell.

“This is your entire fault, you knocked me up you asshole! Your stupid super dragon sperm and its impossible baby making has done this.”

Everyone is shocked, and before anyone can get their heads around a Lucy and Gajeel couple Wendy’ voice is heard

“Lucy-nee you can’t have children because of the damage during the war.”

This causes another tidal wave of outrage as half the guild demands to know what Wendy meant while the other half want Gajeel’s head on a platter. Before the guild can erupt in war there is a chime, ring, and flash of light as Celestial Spirit Leader of the Zodiac Leo formerly Ring mage Loke appears. With a shrill whistle he asks everyone to settle and to let him explain.

“For those that don’t know when Lucy was injured during the War she lost the ability to have kids. She didn’t tell anyone as that was her right but now that doesn’t matter as when she was on her S-Class quest she was attacked by a dark guild and its master. Remember Princess in the desert when Rowena used the Staff during the battle; what she tried to do was drain you of your power but the Staff doesn’t work like that. What she ended up doing was in essence willingly switching your injuries to herself, and since the power starts internally it seems the previous damage done to your reproductive organs was up first.”

Before Lucy could wrap her head around that she found herself dragged upstairs into her new office. Slamming the door to keep out the rest of the guild, Gajeel passed in front of her and asks if she is sure about the baby. Lucy takes her time as everything is just now hitting her. All morning she had been riding on a cloud of outrage but now that it was real she could feel a bubble of happiness spreading. Nodding she confirmed it and told him she had Porlyusica the guild’s medic and Wendy’s alternate reality dragon mother do the test and scan; that she had told Lucy she was almost six weeks pregnant.

They stand there wondering what the hell they are supposed to do now. Lucy finally breaks and tells Gajeel that she is happy about the baby, that even though they have only been together a short time that she wants this baby as she never thought she would have the chance. Gajeel drags her into his arms and tells her that he would do anything for the both of them and that there is nothing to worry about that they would be a family. They share a soft kiss and tell each other ‘I love you’ for the first time.

Going back outside they had forgotten about the nosey Dragonslayers who have given the rest of the guild a play-by-play of their conversation. It is party time at the guild with the expected reactions from the guild members, including Erza’s stuttering congratulations and Natsu and Laxus both telling Gajeel they would pummel him if he hurt her.
The party was in full swing and it looked like it would all go alright at least until the arguing over who would be godfather started. It started small with both Natsu and Laxus claiming status that was until Eric, Gray, Loke, and when he woke from his shock Pantherlily joining in. Before anyone could stop it a brawl sparked; which wouldn’t have been so bad if Erza hadn’t choose that moment to comment that she would make the best godmother.

This seemed to be a step too far for several of the guilds female members as Mirajane the demon take-over made, Juvia, Cana card mage, and surprisingly enough Brandish all objected. When Virgo maiden spirit and Aquarius water spirit popped up on their own power and way into the argument the whole guild gets involved stating who they think is best to hold the honours of godparent and aunt and uncle. A guild wide brawl ensues leaving the way clear for our two lovers to slowly make their way out.

As they head off to Gajeel’s newly built house out in the woods, it seemed Lucy and Gajeel had a bit of planning to do. Their life had changed once again but they had learned that not all change was bad sometimes it could lead to something great. Walking away they left behind the guild to do what it does best; though it took them a long time, it seems that at long last everyone in Fairy Tail is finally back where they belong and that the future would be full of more crazy adventures.