Chapter 1. On Keys, Souls, and Death.

Of all the days of Lucy's young life, this had been her darkest. It was her birthday. July 1, X777. It was a special birthday, she was reaching double digits! 10 years old! She always got loads of presents that she would show all the maids. She used to show her mother, but for the past three years her condition hasn't allowed it. She had been outside playing in the overcast sunshine when Spetto found her. Spetto had always been kind to her despite having her own job to do as a maid of the Heartfilia estate. She always made time for the little blond girl. The same girl who couldn't see her mother for months. The same girl who had to study business law and proper etiquette instead of being a kid. Of course, Lucy didn't understand what any of that meant at her age, but the look on Spetto's face alerted her to a looming despair. Lucy didn't want to hear whatever Spetto was going to tell her, but she knew that there was no escaping it. When Spetto made it to Lucy, she sighed before beginning.

"Lucy dear, your mother wanted to see you. Would you come with me please."

Lucy didn't like how robotic the maid's voice sounded. It was dull, almost as if something was missing inside of her, and that thought alone shook Lucy to the very core. She simply nodded at the request despite it all, and followed Spetto back to the estate. Such a large house indeed, and it couldn't seem more empty as Lucy made it to the door that Spetto held open for her. They made their way down the corridor that led to her mother's room in an eerie silence. The only noise were the sounds of four feet connecting with carpet again and again. Upon rounding the final corner, the two were met with three doctors hurriedly trying to rummage through the cart of medical supplies they bring with them for every house checkup. Two of them mage doctors, symbolized by the crests emblazoned on the shoulders of their uniform. Mom's room was still. Nothing moved inside. Nothing. Lucy felt her heart drop in terror as she rushed past Spetto who tried to stop her. Tears welled in her eyes as she entered the room. Her father immediately stopped her as she had rather abruptly burst in. He took her back into the hallway and looked at her rather sternly.

"Lucy! You need to be quiet and gentle. Do not make any sudden movements. You must sit still and be ready to leave should the doctors tell you to. Do you understand?" he questioned in a hushed tone.

"I understand Papa." Lucy responded with a frown.

They entered the room once more, and Lucy could tell that her mama was barely alive. Her father made his way to her side and knelt to be closer to her mother. Lucy stepped forward into the room. Layla seemed to perk up as if sensing the presence of her daughter. Her eyes didn't open, but she began to make noise until she was eventually able to croak.

"Lucy… come closer Lucy."

Jude upon seeing his wife awake for the first time in weeks excitedly exclaims, "Layla, don't talk. I'll go fetch the doctors right away. Stay st-"

"No Jude…" she cut him off. "This will likely be my final act. I love you so much, but I need to pass something on to Lucy… Just mother to daughter…"

Lucy looked to her father to see him deeply saddened and hurt by her mother's words. He hesitated at the door for a moment before exiting the room. Now the room sat empty but for Lucy and Layla, and this terrified Lucy more than it ever had.

"Lucy… come closer darling. I've been saving something for you. A present I had hoped to give you on your eighteenth birthday, but as luck would have it I-" she paused to regain control of her speech. "-have to give it to you now. Lucy… I opened it for you already… all you have to do is accept it as my gift to you… It may not feel the nicest now."

Lucy didn't like how confusing and cryptic her mother was being. She'd never seen her quite so scattered before and it terrified her that her mother, the person she loves most in this world could be reduced to such a state.

"Mama… I don't understand. Why are you telling me this?" Lucy questioned on the brink of tears.

"Lucy… I need you to be a big girl right now. Mama did something that she's paying for now. I used up my life so that others might live theirs, but I did it for you Lucy."

Tears lined Lucy's face at her mother's confessions that downright scared Lucy who had only ever known her to be the kind and loving mama that taught her the basics of celestial magic. She didn't want to know what her mother was about to reveal, but she couldn't run away from her mother's final wish.

"I did it for you Lucy… Lucy… are you still there? Lucy?!"

Lucy reached out to grab her mother's hand. "I'm right h-here mama." Lucy said trying to contain the emotion in her voice.

"Lucy… don't cry Lucy… you are my little lady luck, the light of my life… please don't cry over my choice… it was mine to make."

"What did you do mama?" Lucy asked in a defeated tone.

"I won't explain it now… I'm fading fast and I haven't given you your birthday gift… I know I've missed a few recently. I'm giving you my keys Lucy, and a special gift I had hoped to save till you were older. I love you so much Lucy… you must tell Aquarius that you have a wish upon the stars. She'll know what it means…"

"Mama…" was all Lucy could utter between hopeless sobbing.

"Happy birthday Lucy, keep shining bright little light…"

Upon the completion of her sentence, Layla's body began to glow. Brighter and brighter as Lucy could only gaze on in awe and fear. Magical power flowed from Layla into Lucy and it hurt her like hell. Lucy screamed. Even when her her father burst through the door, she didn't stop. He tried to reach her, but the pure force of the magical essence stopped him from getting close. The pain reached a white hot blaze as if Lucy was the core of a star. Intense light radiated off of her small body as it floated in the air. Jude could only cover his eyes, horrified as the only two women he truly cared about in his life were seemingly dying together. Something broke. It wasn't something he could notice in the moment, even if he did nothing would fix it. Nothing could persuade his soul that it wasn't shattered. It was the kind of break that stays broken even if he were to live a hundred lifetimes. July 1, X77 marked the day of Layla's death, the day Lucy turned ten, and the dawning of even darker days to come. Elsewhere across Fiore, young aspiring dragonslayers fell asleep unaware that today was the last day they would see their dragon parents for many years yet to come. Those years would be some of their best, their brightest, but that is a tale for a later day and one that can only be told once the night has passed.

AN: So, what did you think? Please bear in mind that this is more of an introduction. I know it's rather dreary, but a necessary start for the plotline I have constructed. Lucy will play a more pivotal role as a main character in the story. This requires her to be stronger than she is in the anime, but I will still keep her as relatable as possible. For example, she still dislikes fighting and violence, but she will now gain new powers, expanding upon celestial magic. I will do my best to fully explain and reason why she receives these powers and what they can do. Alas, I will not spoil too much. Feel free to comment and review as is it much appreciated that I might tailor my writing to my audience. At the end of the day, this is written for others to enjoy. If it is the case where you can find no entertainment or value from this work, please leave a quick comment on what I could do to better. That is all I can really ask for. Thank you for giving me the time of day to read this chapter to its completion.

Signing off, iDarkcast.