Hey everyone! This is kinda a new take on writing for me considering I'm having to come up with a little bit of original stuff. I got really excited when my mind lit up with this idea and immediately dropped everything to make the outline (Sorry to fans of my one-shots, Light in the Dark, Found, and Realizations, I promise new chapters are in the works). This is an idea I got from the summary of Lucy Heartfilia The Strongest Dragon Slayer by Tottenham Hotspur. I didn't end up reading the story cause I couldn't handle the grammar, but the main concept and plot was cool so check it out if you're not picky about grammar!

I'd like to thank my sister PadawanMya for helping me with some details throughout the outline process, and for reading the chapters and helping me edit. I'm going to try to get on a regular posting schedule but I get really busy with school so I can't make any promises. I'll try my best to update at least twice a month though!

If I use any Japanese phrases or customs I will make sure to put a note of what it means/represents at the bottom. I'm minoring in Japanese and I'm used to these things, so I might forget, and if I do, just leave me a note in a review!

Also, the first italic phrase listed is a quote during the scene when Makarov is telling everyone to run to the ship while holding off Acnologia. The italics in the story are Lucy's thoughts.

IMPORTANT: This begins at the end of the Tenrou Island Arc, so if you have not made it to the end of the S-Class Trials, there will be spoilers. Also, the following ships will be implied in applicable situations (this list mostly goes from most to least): NaLu (duh), Gajevy, Gruvia, Jerza, ElfGreen, Miraxus, Bixanna (my favorite fan pairing thanks to blanania's art on tumblr), and probably more I can't think of.

Sorry for the long A/N, that's what happens when you're ADHD like me and keep thinking of things to say. Lol. Anyways, enjoy the story and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: Hiro Mashima owns everything except Asteria. Asteria is my bby.

Chapter 1: Let's Join Hands

*What is the meaning behind your tears? Does the death of a person make you sad? Can sadness itself kill a person? The answer lies in each and every one of your hearts.*

...

The feeling of his hand in hers was one she had grown used to over the past 5 months. Warmth radiated into her hand despite the sheer terror that had come over her. Maybe if we make it through this, I'll tell him how I feel about him. She squeezed his hand tight as they looked up to their attacker, and just as she felt him squeezing back with unspoken words, their hands were ripped apart. Her body contorted and it felt like her skull was crushing her brain. Is this the end? Ringing filled her ears and her body felt heavy after hitting against something. Her mind succumbed to sleep and the golden light disappeared from her sight.

...

"Lucy. Wake up, Lucy, we're all waiting for you." Lucy's eyes shot open and she stared into the black depths gazing down at her.

"N-Natsu, what are you…?" She stuttered over her words, flustered at his closeness as he reached up to caress her cheek. There was something off about him. What just happened?

"Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Luc...y. Luce….Lu…" Natsu's voice and touch faded out of her mind and was replaced with the ringing as she realized she was dreaming. Everyone… Please be okay.

...

The next time the celestial mage opened her eyes she knew she was awake. Her head was pounding but the ringing in her ears had stopped, and she felt like she could breathe again. She sat up and realized she was lying in a bed, then she took in her surroundings. Bright sparkles that resembled stars floated around her, along with random bubbles. Crystals were shooting up from the rainbow-looking bricks beneath her, and pillars of light encircled the rotunda she was in.

"KYAAAAAA I'M DEAD!" Lucy struggled with the blankets as she fought to get out of the bed. Her feet were tangled in the sheet and she ended up falling over the side of the bed, blinking as she stared into the upside-down face of the little snowman dog.

"Puuun pun!" The small spirit spun around and touched Lucy's face. As he spun, she caught a glimpse behind him, and stared into the faces of her zodiac spirits.

"Plue? Loke? Virgo? Everyone?" She flipped herself around to look at them right side up as she rattled off their names. "Why are you all here?"

"Hime, you really should get back in bed. You've been asleep for the past 2 days and are still recovering. Or is it time for my punishment?" Virgo helped Lucy up off the ground and sat her back on the edge of the bed.

"Lucy, what do you remember?" Loke sat next to the blonde as the rest of the spirits gathered around. She didn't really want to talk about herself seeing as she was currently in space, but it looked like she had no choice. She racked her brain, trying to conjure up what she had been doing before she apparently had gone to sleep. A roar suddenly filled her mind and a chill went down her spine.

"I've been asleep for 2 days!? Acnologia is here! Hurry, everyone needs help!" Lucy shot up from the bed but immediately felt lightheaded. Loke stood up quickly and grabbed her as she began to lose her balance. "Everyone… where are they? Where am I?" Her voice was almost a whisper and her thoughts had become confusing once again. She looked up at the frown that was uncharacteristically placed on the lion spirit's face.

"We all suddenly sensed that you were in extreme danger so Horologium went to get you and some powerful magic forced his gate closed with you still inside. We tried going back already, but no one can reach Tenrou Island. They're all stuck inside what looks like a magic circle, and we think that you're stuck here. In the Celestial Spirit World." Loke moved his hand through the air, gesturing at the odd world they were currently in. His face was pulled back into a tight line, and it was obvious he was frustrated with the trapped Fairy Tail members. So that explains it. This is the celestial spirit world, huh? Wait, this is no time for sightseeing! And surely this is still a dream!

"This is me dreaming again, silly Lucy, it's time to wake up. Natsu and Happy are probably worried sick about me and I can't keep them waiting." She nervously laughed as she tapped her knuckles on the side of her head and tried pinching herself. Another pair of hands moved over hers and pulled them in front of her.

"You peg us as spirits to joke about something like this, eh?" Aquarius released her hands and although she wore an annoyed expression, Lucy knew better. The water spirit was visibly concerned.

"There's not much more that we know, Lucy. We've been waiting for-" Loke's voice was cut off as a loud voice filled the silent realm.

"Smile, old friends!" The booming voice came from the one and only Celestial Spirit King. He looked the same from the first time she saw him when helping Loke get his celestial spirit status back. The oversized King approached the large group, smiling down at them all despite the subject they were on.

"I have been watching Earthland and it seems that all humans and the three cats on the island have been frozen in time due to a great magic defense that was placed on the island. They are safe, but it is unclear when the spell will lift. Your magic power was embedded within the spell as well, therefore, you are blocked from the world outside of Tenrou, and we are unable to send you back to Earthland. In order for you to survive here for the time being, Virgo placed you in Celestial clothing and I have embedded a special lacrima in your body. With this celestial lacrima, I believe you are the only one who will be able to do what I am going to task you with. I have never invited a human here, nor have I ever given a celestial lacrima to anyone, but it seems that destiny and fate have collided here." The King stared into Lucy's eyes as she wrapped her arms around her body, trying to take in all the new information. She bit her lip and glanced down, unsure of what to say.

"Have you ever heard of the celestial dragon, old friend?" Her eyes widened as she looked back up to the King, shaking her head side to side. Another dragon?

"400 years ago, when dragons lived, there was Asteria, the delestial dragon. Asteria was fond of humans despite what some of the other spirits told her about them, and she persuaded me to let her roam Earthland in search of a human to teach dragon slaying magic to. Asteria honed in on a particular individual, ironically, your ancestor, Anna Heartfilia. Before Asteria was able to approach Anna, the Dragon Civil War broke out. In order to preserve the only Celestial Dragon in existence, I forced Asteria to return here despite her pleas to fight, and she has been here ever since. With Acnologia's sudden appearance, I fear the time has come for dragons and dragon slayers to truly be needed once again. I can't promise that Asteria will leave this realm, but seek her out here and learn. Lucy Heartfilia, you will become the Celestial Dragon Slayer"

"H-hold on! You're telling me, that I have a lacrima in my body now, and that I'm to be a dragon slayer? This has got to be some crazy dream and one of you isn't letting me wake up. There's really no way this is happening. I'm not exactly the best candidate for a dragon slayer."

"Lucy, don't doubt your power. You are a strong celestial spirit mage, and you're intelligent. We'll keep an eye Earthland, and you should be able to sense when the spell is lifting, but we all want you to do this. You've already been out for two days, and there may not be that much time left. We will be with you every step of the way." The lion spirit helped Lucy stand as she regained sense of her legs once again. I will always be grateful to you Loke.

"If I do this, will I still be able to call my spirits?" She didn't want to lose access to her spirit friends. They had been through so much together and she couldn't just throw them aside to learn some new magic. That would be selfish of her.

"You'll be able to summon your spirits, and more. Asteria resides about a day's walk south from the main area here. If you leave now you can reach her by the end of the day. You will find her by the rainbow lake on the next land mass over. She may be wary of you at first, but if she sees any of the other spirits she will know you can be trusted, especially after hearing your name. Now smile, and go." The King disappeared in a golden wisp, leaving Lucy with a grin.

"Any of you who want to come with me can. I mean, it's my first time here so I'm not too familiar with the paths." Lucy let out a laugh as Plue grabbed onto her leg, signaling his presence in the journey.

"I will walk anywhere with you, my beautiful Lucy." Loke kissed her hand and she snatched it away quickly.

"Don't you know this isn't the time for that!" Lucy hissed at him as the other spirits gave their regards. "Well I hope to see you soon everyone! In this world or mine!" They all waved goodbye as Loke led her down the southern path, that opened over the open space and curved downward to a small, round land mass. They walked in a comfortable silence for a little while, with Lucy commenting on the odd structures and stars every once in awhile and Loke using every pick up line in the book. They laughed and she couldn't help but want everyone else to be there with her. I wish Natsu were here. He would have so much fun with all this open space. She felt a pang in her chest as she continued to think about her friends. How could we let this happen? Please wake up soon everyone.

...

"Asteria! Ms Celestial Dragon, come out please!" Lucy cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled for the dragon they were supposed to be looking for. It hadn't seemed like long before they reached the lake, which kind of made her wonder about the time progression in the realm. She was a little nervous to see another dragon so soon after the incident with Acnologia, but Loke assured her this was a kind dragon, and very different from Acnologia.

"The lake's right here, but she doesn't seem to be anywhere. I doubt the King would be wrong, he knows everything here." Loke stepped closer to the shimmering lake, peering down into it's colorful depths. He jumped as the young blonde with him continued to yell.

"Miss Lucy Heartfilia at your service! I'd like to talk to you please!" Lucy tried yelling even louder, hoping that the dragon's sharp hearing would pick up on her words.

"Lucy, maybe we should-" Waves from the once still lake began lapping at Loke's feet, he jumped back to stand by Lucy as they watched the water become violent.

"Uh I don't think that's Aquarius' magic…" The pair stepped back as a large claw reached out from the lake, grabbing onto the land. Lucy watched in awe as a dragon revealed itself from the depths of the lake. The Celestial Dragon was mesmerizing. It's body was a mix of dark purples with turquoise accents, and full turquoise on the underside of its wings. Stars shimmered on it's body and the end of her tail faded off into a wispy galaxy.

"How do you know the Heartfilia name?" Celestia's voice sounded like sweet bells ringing, matching the shimmering of the stars on her scales. Lucy shook her head to find her words once again.

"Um, well I am a Heartfilia. Lucy Heartfilia." The dragon brought it's slim head closer to the pair, sniffing at the same time.

"What is a human doing here, Leo?" Loke perked up at his Zodiac name and brushed down the front of his suit.

"Lucy here is a celestial spirit mage, just like her ancestors. There has been an incident on Earthland and for the time being she is unable to return due to her magic being suspended in a powerful defense spell. The Spirit King is allowing her to stay, and has gone so far as to embed a celestial lacrima in her body, as well as directing her to you." Loke gestured to Lucy and she too brushed out her blue dress.

"So why have you come to me, my dear? It has been a long time since I have seen a human." Asteria took a step back and sat on her back feet much like a cat would. Lucy took this as her cue to speak.

"Please teach me celestial dragon slaying magic. I want to be able to protect my nakama, and to protect all who need it. I want to be able to help them. I've never been that strong and I don't want to be a burden to my team anymore. So please, will you teach me?" Please please please. The blonde could see the shaking in her hands that were clasped in front of her as she respectfully half-bowed to the dragon.

"Leo, leave us. Miss Heartfilia and I must become more acquainted with each other before we begin training tomorrow." Asteria turned to the spirit, who bowed and touched Lucy's arm comfortingly before fading away into golden light.

"Now Lucy, sit with me. Why don't you start by telling me a little about yourself?" Asteria shifted her body to lay down on the ground and Lucy followed suite by sitting down on the grass next to her. Oh man, if only Natsu could see this! I can't wait to start training!

There it is! I have already started working on the second chapter, but I would love reviews so that I can improve in any ways! Favorite, follow, review, whatever floats your boat! Thank you for taking the time to read my new story!

Hime- Princess

Nakama- very close friend/comrade; like part of the family