Hi All,

this is my first story so be kind. :) When Lucy undertakes a dangerous solo mission without the guild, will friends become enemies as she tries to save the world? This story takes place after Natsu returns from his one year training and is intended as a Natsu Lucy Romance.

Update:

Volume 1 - The Grand Magic Games

Volume 2 - The Order of the Celestial Sky

Thank you all for diligently following my story. It starts slow, but I hope you enjoy the slow romance and character builds as well as exploration of possible abilities for each of the characters.

-Kami


Volume 1

Chapter 1 - Leaving Behind

What a beautiful morning, Lucy thought to herself. Stretching her arms up, she stepped out of the house where she rented an apartment. I wonder what today will bring? The sky was blue, it was sunny out, and no doubt things were already in full swing at the guild hall. Today she wore her hair down with two ponytails on either side of her head. A simple yellow and pink sundress was accented by a silver belt, key pouch and a pair of pastel yellow, grey shoes.

Lucy stepped up onto the low wall that followed the river into the heart of town. "Don't fall in Lucy-chan," some men called as their boat went by. She paid them no mind, instead bringing forth her celestial white dog key and summoned Nikora. The small white creature resembled a snow man with legs, complete with carrot nose. "Plue!" It raised its hands in greeting and Lucy picked it up to snuggle.

"Good morning Nikora." She said, walking along the river to the guild hall. The small creature wiggled happily until suddenly he was flying through the air as Lucy was hit from behind. The small creature picked himself up and dusted himself off before turning to look at what had hit them.

It was another celestial spirit. Nikola knew this for certain, but he knew Lucy would not. "Pru." He said waving at the man sized beast with a Monkey for a head. It gave a small apologetic bow in their direction. It's five monkey tails waved behind it, somewhat agitated. Lucy clutched a letter in her hand and Nikola hopped onto her shoulder to have a look.

It was signed Yukino. Of course. Yukino was the only other celestial spirit mage they knew excepting the Princess. Lucy nodded slowly and the monkey man bowed and disappeared. Still, Lucy stood there a moment long, her eyes scanning the letter.

"Luuuuucy!" Nikola turned to see Happy flying toward them, Natsu following at a run further back. Lucy quickly crumpled the letter and stuffed it into her skirt pocket. When she turned to look at them, a smile was fixed firmly on her face.

"Ohayo [morning] Natsu." She greeted him and he grinned at her with his arms behind his head. "Morning Lucy. I found a mission flyer we can go on. Its not far, we don't even have to take a train or cart."

"Gomene [sorry], Natsu, Happy. I have a bunch of errands to take care of today." Nikola turned to look at her from where he stood on her shoulder. Hadn't they just been on their way to the guild hall? He tilted his head, curious.

"You should go ahead with Happy Erza and Gray." The smile slipped from Natsu's face and he watched her.

"You're not going on a date are you Lucy?"

"BAKA! WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT? I JUST TOLD YOU HAVE ERRANDS TO RUN."

"Lucy needs to go shopping for food! Don't eat too much Lucy" Happy said oblivious to the thunder cloud of anger as he flew circles around them. When Lucy had calmed down, she blew out a small breath.

"I'll see you when you get back, then we can find a good group mission to go on. Alright?" She smiled brightly and Natsu grinned and flashed her a thumbs up. As he made his way back to the guild hall, the smile slipped from Lucy's face. Nikola wondered at it, but she bid him farewell and closed his gate.

Heading back into her apartment she sat at the table and took out the crumpled letter. Smoothing it out, she read it a fourth time.

Dear Lucy,

I'm writing to you about a matter of great importance. I have given this letter to my celestial monkey spirit so that you know it is from me. We need to speak, and we need to do it in person. A great danger has come to light and you and I are the only ones who are in a position to counter it. I need you to come to Tenrou Island and meet with myself and your First Master as soon as you get this letter. Tell no one, and come by yourself. Make up an excuse for your guild as to why you will be away for a few months, but it is imperative that you tell no one about this letter or where you are going. I cannot emphasize this enough. I will explain everything when you get here. Hurry here, and destroy this letter.

Yukino

Lucy drew a key from her chain. "Gate of the Southern Cross." She swished the key with a way of celestial magic and Crux appeared. The cross shaped Celestial floated a few feet above ground and appeared to be sleeping.

"Crux I need your help. I need you to tell me who wrote this letter." Two streams of air blew forth from the Cross' nose and he snored slightly for a few seconds before replying. "Yukino Agria wrote that letter, without a doubt."

A weight lifted off Lucy's shoulders. It wasn't some elaborate ruise then. But what could be so urgent that she had to leave everything behind for months? She would be missing their second Grand Magic Games since returning from their seven year time break.

One thing was for certain. She couldn't tell Natsu or Erza. Either of them would begin tracking her down immediately. She sat down to write some letters to her guild as well as to Natsu. She left his letter until last, not sure how she should tell him she was leaving. She remembered his letter to her and a pang of heartache blossomed in her chest.

Dear Natsu and Happy

There are many ways I can say this but none of them are easy. I have spent the year you have been gone wallowing in misery. I thought the guild was finished and didn't know if I would ever see you again. Now that you have come back and the guild is united, it has become apparent to me that I could have become stronger too. But I didn't.

I was complacent without you here and I don't want to be mediocre anymore. I want to bring out the best in myself and not just because you and Erza and Gray and the guild are the best. I want to be the best that I can be, for so many reasons. Too many to go into detail. For me. For me and you and everyone who will ever need our help.

I have therefore decided to take a few months off for my own training. While I have learned that it is all right to depend on friends for strength and comfort, I want to also become strength and comfort for my friends. I will be heading back to the Heartfilia mansion for a few days before journeying onward to visit and train with other mages.

Even though I will miss seeing you compete in the Games this year, I know in my heart that you will do well. I look forward to returning and seeing the winner's cup again! I will miss you Natsu. (And Happy too.)

With all my heart,

Lucy

There were some other things she could have said, feelings she could have shared, but what was the point? It was cowardly to say those things and then flee. And when she returned, would things be awkward? No, it was better to wait.

Lucy packed quickly, and took up her savings. She paid her Land lady for the next four months, giving her the same story about training at the Heartfilia mansion. She wasn't headed there of course. But Natsu Gray and Erza would never let her go alone, and she needed her trail to be cold by the time they realized she had set them on a goose chase.

She napped until evening, before taking up her keys and small travel backpack, and the small bag of money that was left of her savings. She took up her cloak, and locked the door before headed outside. They would think all sorts of things no doubt. That she was coerced, kidnapped, blackmailed and all sorts of things. She made sure to speak to anyone she knew as she walked along the river, in case they came looking for answers.

She headed to the train station and took the last night train to the town closest to the Heartfilia mansion. It was a roundabout way of doing things but necessary to have witnesses. From there she walked to the next town over and found a farmer heading North west toward the coast where she spent the evening at a local inn.

The following day, another train ride was followed by another couple of hours walking. She was sure they would find her letters soon. The mission they had gone on was close by, and they would be returning to Magnolia soon. Lucy hoped she had done enough to cool her trail.

She spent an evening on the cliff face overlooking the coast and wondering if they had received her letters before falling asleep. The following morning, a small fishing vessel heading out to sea agreed to take her to Tenrou Island. The arrangement was perfect, because they would not be back for at least a few days.

Dropping her pack and clothes into a plastic bag, she waved to the fisherman before diving overboard and swimming the rest of the way. Wow this brings back memories, she thought to herself as her hands slid endlessly through the water. It seemed like only a year ago when she had come to this same island, swimming the same way with the intention of helping Cana gain her S rank.

Now, the island seemed sad and lonely as she stumbled onto a small pebble beach and collapsed on a large hot rock. She lay there for a few minutes, until she felt reasonably dry, and pulled on some shorts and a tank top as well as sneakers.

"Lucy-chan." The muted the greeting, but she looked up and saw Yukino in the distance waving from a cliff outcropping. Next to her, waving just as eagerly was the first master, Mavis Vermillion. "Hiii." She waved back. The two disappeared from the cliff top, and Lucy decided to wait, basking in the early morning rays as they made their way down to her.

"Lu-chan" Yukino said appearing from a small path Lucy hadn't noticed before. "Thank you for coming." The petite girl with a short bob of white blue hair was wearing a simple teal tank top with thick black straps, black shorts and sandals. A dark blue flower was pinned in her hair. A pair of glasses was perched on her nose. Spirit glasses, Lucy surmised, without which Yukino would not be able to see the First Master.

"You look tired Yukino. Is everything all right?" Lucy hugged the shorter girl, and for a moment it seemed as if Yukino would burst into tears, but she simple pulled back with a small smile. "Lets head to the house, I can explain everything there."

The walk through the jungle was hot and muggy, but by the time they got to the cottage, it had turned cool and a breeze flowed through the tops of the island. "I've never been to this part of the island." Lucy said looking around. Houses were scattered here and there, mostly overgrown and falling apart. One house, set somewhat aside from these had a newer build.

"Its useful having spirits who can help you build things." Yukino said with a smile. Inside the house there was a main living area that contained just enough space for a seating area, dining area and kitchen along a back wall. Four bedrooms, two on either side of the living space, each with a bathroom in between. Behind the kitchen, a door led to a pantry and firewood storage.

Though sparsely decorated, the cottage had a homey feel to it. A pot of something delicious was cooking away in the wood burning stove, and the windows were thrown open to the cool evening breeze. "Rest easy Lucy. You've had a long trip I imagine." Yukino showed her to a room that had fresh sheets ready for her on the bed. Despite her curiosity, she felt herself falling asleep minutes after laying her head on the pillow.


"Did you sleep well?" Despite her best intentions, Lucy had slept through the night. It was 7am, and she rubbed her eyes to clear them.

"I can't believe I slept through." She said sitting down at the dining room table. There was a nice breakfast of grapefruits, toast, eggs and Lucy tucked in. When she was done, she sipped her tea before placing it on its saucer with a small clink.

"I think we better tell me why I am here now." She said quietly. Lucy could see it in Yukino's eyes that whatever the reason was, it weighed heavily on her mind.

Mavis drifted into the room as if summoned and hopped onto the chair next to Yukino, her feet dangling off the edge. Yukino nodded at her.

"Do you remember my sister Sorano?" Lucy nodded, how could she forget. The girl had been part of the Oracion Seis before joining Crime Sorciere. She had taken Sorano's zodiac keys.

"Well through her dark connections, she heard rumors of something." Yukino got up to retrieve a book from one of the rooms, and opened it to a bookmarked page. "She heard that someone was building a Delaian focus."

"A Delaian focus?" Lucy asked looking at the picture drawn in the book. "Yes. Its a relic from the book of Zeref. It was made by him to control any enemies. It can turn anyone into a mindless drone to serve the dark guilds."

"Someone has this focus in their possession?" Lucy asked half rising from her seat.

Mavis shook her head. "It was dismantled and the parts destroyed. All but one part." She tapped a small finger on the book. Lucy glanced down. The focus consisted of a pedestal with three hour glasses at each foot. Atop the statue stood a large purple sphere. It was this sphere that Mavis was pointing to. "All the parts can be recreated except the orb."

"I've seen this somewhere before." Lucy said staring intently at the orb. Yukino tugged a flyer of some sort from another book and placed it in front of Lucy. "I'll save you some time." Lucy looked over at the flyer advertising the Grand Magic Games, and her eyes widened. "No."

"Yes. First place gets a Grand World Lacrima. Only twelve of them exist in the world. The problem is, this particular lacrima is not a lacrima at all."

"We have to tell someone, we have to get the Princess to destroy it."

"We can't Lucy. After the last Magic Games, the council became the ones to host it. The King and the princess no longer have any official involvement with the games. As to telling the council about it… Do you remember who used to sit on that council?" Jellal. Of course.

"But he's changed, he's…"

"It doesn't matter. If he could get onto the Council, then we don't know who else is on the council with dark guild ties. Look, these were just rumors that my sister heard by chance. The only reason she mentioned it to me was in passing about some other subject. Right now the only people who have pieced this together are you, me and Mavis, and thats because we have a plan."

"Yes." She sat back down slowly. "You and I have to infiltrate the guild that has the missing pieces. We need to win the magic games and get awarded the orb. Then you and I will take the orb by force or deception, and take it to the spirit realm."

"What?"

"You heard me. I came here initially to speak with Mavis, the fairy tactician. I needed to come up with a plan that had the highest probability of success. This is it."

"But we can't go to the spirit realm. What good would it do anyway. Even if we send the orb into the spirit realm with one of our gate keys, whats to stop another celestial wizard from getting his spirit to retrieve it."

Yukino looked at Mavis, and the first Master looked up at Lucy. "The spirit realm you will be taking the orb to is special. Let me explain with a story. In the beginning, when humans discovered they could wield magic, there was a great race discover bigger magic, better magic, faster stronger, more powerful magic. This great expanse came to an end when one one very powerful wizard came to be."

"Zeref."

"Indeed. A lot of Zeref's earlier works were experimental, pushing the boundaries of what magic could do. One of the things he brought into being was the spirit realm."

"What?" Lucy's eyes widened. "He created the celestial spirits?"

"Not the spirits. The realm. He also created the Celestial Spirit King so that he would have an opponent strong enough to defeat him. But it was a failure. It was too difficult to bring the spirit king into our world, and the Spirit King was nowhere near powerful enough. However, because the Spirit King existed, and the realm existed, it birthed a new type of magic, celestial magic. The twelve keys of the Zodiak were forged by a master blacksmithmage , and over time other celestial spirits joined them."

Yukino took over telling the tale as Mavis stood to refill her tea pot with hot water. "But Zeref became aware of how his experiment was flourishing instead of destroying him. He began to destroy all the most powerful of celestial mages. Some did escape, but they lived in secret, or made their escape some other way. Over 400 years, celestial magic again grew in prominence. You Lucy are one of the most powerful. Especially when many of the celestial mages lost their powers when the clock was assembled."

Lucy shuddered remembering the evens that had nearly destroyed so many lives. Yukino continued as Mavis poured them fresh cups of tea. "Now consider your friend Erza. Erza is a kind of void mage who can re-equip weapons and armor from an alternate space at will. Both void magics and celestial magics share the same roots. Long story short, with enough power, you and I can create our own celestial space and store the orb there."

"What?" Lucy stared at her. "How much power would that even…"

"A lot. I don't know how easy it was for Zeref to create the spirit realm, but it will take both of us to create the orb and take it there."

"Then we need to create the space beforehand." Lucy said thoughtfully.

Mavis nodded. "We have three months until the games, but only one month before you have to infiltrate that other guild."

"I don't even see how that is possible. THIS really has the strongest chance of success?" Lucy asked Mavis who nodded into her teacup. "Then I will believe in the fairy tacticion!" Lucy smiled and stood. "We better get to work, while you give me all the details."


Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next chapter! =^.^=

-Kami