"Open, Gate of the Water Bearer, Aquarius."

It was filled with sweetness, or so she felt. It was an awaited summon. And how tenderly the golden light embraced her, making her wish for more. And then she touched the ground and opened her eyes. Her blonde hair fell on her back from the slight fall and sun fell on her body. She wondered, what would Yukino, the only celestial mage in this world now, say when she'll see her instead of the respectable celestial spirit. And as she looked ahead, her eyes widened. Black hair, ruffled by the wind, a surprised face, much like hers, robes swaying in the wind, black in color. Behind him, trees, under their feet, sand. In the background only the wind and sea waves could be heard. It was not Yukino that summoned her.

"You…" she murmured and without realizing made a step behind. His eyes saddened, seeing her action, but his lips still curled into a smile, a very pained smile.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt you." He said, and his voice hit her ears like the sound of a bell. It carried a variety of emotions, and she could recognize some of them. Regret, Sadness, Pain, Desire. She looked at him, regaining her calmer self. But she still had her guard up. After all, the one standing in front of her was the black wizard of the history, Zeref…

"Did you… summon me…?" she quietly asked, but it was an obvious question. He held her key, Aquarius' key in his hand. Her very soul was in his hands. He nodded his head, looking at her.

"But this is really a surprise… I didn't expect you to come here. Were you bound by the laws of the Celestial World?" he asked and that made her widen her eyes in surprise.

"How…" she wondered. How could he know about that. She heard him sigh.

"So that was it…" he sat down, and looked at her, the blonde mage he once saw accompanying his most beloved Natsu. It was obvious she was not a human, he could see it at a glance as he looked in her now dark blue eyes.

She looked divine. A beautiful spirit dressed in a white backless dress of veils that swayed in the wind, looking on her back as if they were wings, with a golden thread as belt and with light blue fading ribbons tied on her barefoot feet. Her hair, now longer than it used to be, looked like a flowing river, swaying and covering her shoulders.

"Long ago, I've studied this magic. I know a lot about it," he nostalgically said, looking towards the far-away sky, trying to remember that joyful time of his life, when he felt like the world was his.

"Do you know me?" she then asked, remembering how he said it was a surprise. His face changed, from sadness to happiness. Why was he happy now? Lucy was fascinated by him already, how he easily changed through feelings just like this.

"I do know you. After all, you're his best friend…" He closed his eyes, nostalgically.

"His? Whose?" she asked, not knowing who he was talking about.

"You know him very well. He is the one who showed you a home."

"Natsu…" she said, without realizing. Immediately, she covered her mouth, feeling as she just committed a sin by revealing his name to this man.

"That's right. Natsu Dragneel."

"Why are you… interested in him…?" she continued, almost whispering, afraid of the answer. He smiled, playfully towards her.

"Not telling." She blinked, not believing it. This time, he turned into a little child.

"Tell me!" she insisted, wanting to know if she would be able to protect her friend in any way, even if she won't be seeing him anymore.

"What do I get if I do?" He asked, placing a hand under his chin, looking at her with child-like eyes and a playful smile. That made her gasp, unbelieving she just saw the most dark mage alive smile like that.

"What should I give you?" she asked, a bit hesitantly, but still determined to find out why her best friend was targeted by this man.

"Make a contract with me."

"You want to make a contract with me!?" she exclaimed, not believing what she heard. Why would somebody want to make a contract with a new spirit, fully aware of that fact? But he simply nodded, keeping his sweet smile.

"That's right. Make a contract with me and I'll tell you." He said, playing with her key. Her heart ached. What should she do…? She weighted her options. "Or is it that you are afraid of me? Then I will never tell you why I am interested in Natsu." He added, seeing her hesitate. She bit her lower lip, closing her eyes. She had no choice… for the sake of her best friend…

"Fine… I'll make a contract with you." She said, with a heavy heart. He smiled and looked straight in her eyes once more.

"Then, as a requirement, you must never tell anybody who your contractor is, not even the Spirit King."

"Why?"

"I am not so well liked…" he said, the sad smile returning. That made Lucy regret her choice. But she also had to figure out this man, so she felt.

"Then, I am not experienced as a spirit at all, so don't have any expectations of me." She said, pointing to him.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll manage. Then, I'll call you whenever I wish. Is that alright?"

"Why would you?" she asked, not understanding. It didn't necessarily make her uncomfortable, but she did not understand his reason. He turned around, sighing. As he did, he placed a hand on a tree, and it went dry in less than a minute. Lucy gasped, understanding his power over Death.

"Everything that comes in contact with me will die… But spirits are an exception to that rule." He turned to her, and sat back down. "I wish for a friend, Lucy. But nothing in this world would last…"

"Is that why you want a contract with a spirit?" she understood it, but wanted to make sure. He nodded.

"It's painful to bring death all over you…"

"I… understand…" she brought herself to say. Somehow, she wanted to ease his suffering, even if a little. He smiled, looking at her, and raised the key in his hands.

"Then, may the contract be sealed." He chanted and the key glowed slowly. It sounded almost as if a chain was locking Lucy's heart, such a cling was heard. But for a reason, it felt blissful. Was that the joy of a spirit? The joy of being needed and of service to somebody? She didn't know at all what was the feeling that lurked in her heart just now… No… It was there ever since he summoned her minutes ago. The contract only made her aware it really existed.

She didn't know why, but she blushed slowly as she saw him smile happily towards her, the first person in a long time he would come to call a friend… And she… Wouldn't really mind that at all…