Chapter One: Celestial Spirit World

"Big brother, are you here?" Virgo called for him as she entered his home in the Celestial Spirit World. She looked around his living room and kitchens, but he wasn't on the first floor. She debated about going upstairs; he liked his privacy but usually he didn't allow anyone past the first floor. She started to ascend the stairs when she heard water turn off from a bathroom. He must have just finished taking a shower so she waited downstairs in the living room. When he finally came down the stairs and discovered Virgo there he smiled. "I made some coffee big brother. I hope that is okay." She indicated to two saucers and cups filled with the hot brown liquid on his coffee table. He sniffed determining that she had made his good batch of French Roast.

"So what to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" He asked her while sipping on the hot beverage she had made for them. He gave her a big smile and brushed his fingers throughout his orange hair to comb it out. He hadn't yet picked up on her uneasiness, at least not until she gave him a strange look. "Did something happen with the Princess that I should know about?" He asked her; that's when he felt something strange. He couldn't detect Lucy. Has she lost her keys or has something bad happened to her? he wondered. "Little sister, when was the last time Princess called upon you?" He felt her fear rising and knew then at that moment something bad had happened. He stood up from the couch and looked at her waiting for her to tell him what was going on.

"She hasn't summoned me in almost three days, human time that is." She didn't know if she should go on. He was going to be furious that she didn't come to him sooner. She thought back to the last conversation she had with the celestial wizard. Come on Virgo! You have to tell him. What if something bad has happened to her. He would never forgive you. The leader of the Zodiacs stood there silently watching her internal struggle. He had already gotten the sinking feeling that she was about to tell him something that Lucy didn't want him know. "I fear that something may have happened to the Princess. When I last saw her she was packing up her apartment. She told me, in confidence," allowing him to process that the only reason she had kept this from him was because Lucy had sworn her to secrecy. "She was leaving Magnolia for a little while to do some 'soul searching' is how she put it."

"Alone?" he mumbled. Virgo nodded in agreement but he could tell tell there was more that she hadn't disclosed yet. "Anything else? You still seem a little tense." She looked out his front window to avoid his questioning gaze. "Little sister, your beginning to worry me. Did something happen to Lucy to make her leave?"

"Not exactly." she told him flatly. She knew she just need to tell him and get it over with. She sighed in resignation knowing that Lucy was never going to forgive her. "She over heard some of the others calling her weak and decided that she was going to leave the guild and return home for a few months. She had just gotten word that an old acquaintance of hers was in Magnolia looking for her." She took a deep breath and knew that she was about to break Lucy's trust by telling him this. "Apparently, the person that is looking for her is the reason she had run away from home. This 'man' had tried to take advantage of her when she was younger; right after the death of her mother, Layla. When she left home it was because her father, Jude had promised her hand in marriage to him. He knew what he had tried to do, but was going to force the union because they promised to make him rich."

She watched as the implications of what she was saying filtered in. "Princess had promised to check in with me in two days time, but it has been three. I am worried about her big brother. I promised her that I wouldn't tell you know matter what. She didn't want you to..." she tried to remember how she had put it, "overreact. I fear that she may have bitten off more than she could chew. I was told to not alarm you unless absolutely necessary. When I didn't hear from her..." she knew she had not only let Lucy down but Leo as well. "I'm sorry big brother Leo. I should have came to you as soon as I learned the Princess's plan o run. Just please make sure she is safe and okay." She bowed her head to him in shame. He placed his hand on her shoulder before pulling her into a hug.

"You're sure she said she was going home? Back to the Heartfilia plantations?" he questioned. She nodded her head in affirmation. "Did she leave her keys behind her too? I can't seem to connect to her like I usually do." She shook her head no. She was positive that she had took all of their keys with her for if she really did need them. Well if she has our keys why doesn't she use them? Why can't I connect to her? Guess I better hit up the guild hall and let everyone else know what's going on. "Okay little sister since I can not contact her I assume that something or someone is blocking me from her. I'm going to the guild hall and let the others know what's going on. Let me know if she contacts you okay?" She bowed and wished him luck, promising to let him know the instant she calls.

Before he left the celestial world he dropped by the palace to talk to the Celestial King. "Leo, to what do I owe this visit to? Is everything going well with Miss Lucy?" He hadn't seen Leo since the human girl had challenged his verdict on Leo's sentencing. He figured he would come by eventually to catch up. However, he could tell by his demenor and posture that this was not a friendly visit. "What is wrong my child? Is this about the human?" Leo bowed to him in respect as he neared the throne. "Stand my child, you know you don't have to bow to me. We are no longer in the medevil times."

"It seems that my wizard has found herself in a possible situation that she can not handle on her own. I know it against laws to do this which I why I have come to ask for permission. I Leo, the celestial spirit of courage, the lion, request to temporarily retain my human form while still having access to my celestial powers to return to the human world to save my wizard. I vouch to use only my magic until she is safe. However if need arises I ask for your blessing for the two of us to seek shelter within this world..." He knew he was treading a dangerous line but he couldn't just leave Lucy out there. To ask for her shelter within this world was suppose to be forbidden. He knew his love for her was forbidden and was what was fueling this mission. He could only hope that the king would over look it.

"Granted. Until Miss Lucy is deemed safe and out of harms way you may retain your human form and still access your celestial abilities. Also you may both seek sanctuary here if need be just make sure Miss Lucy is looked after while here." He was telling him that there were certain places she must be kept from. "Your actions are noble and full of conviction. You must really care for this human. Trust not you are not in trouble. There are times that are foretold of a bond so strong that celestial rules do not apply to them. This moment had been foretold six thousand years ago, my son." The kings eyes twinkled in delight as he opened the gate for Leo to pass through. "Good luck. Prepare well for the future, as this is the turning point for our future as spirits." With that Leo was pushed through the gate as it faded and left him in the human world as Loke, a proud Fairy Tail member.