Chapter 3: Say what?! Come again!
When Lucy woke up she was most definitely not happy. She was groggy as fuck. Her limps hurt from her strange sleeping position on her seat and they head hurt like someone had punched her and smashed it through a brick wall. To sum it up she was pissed.
"Princess it's time to get off. We have to meet the King's old friend, or so I was told. So wakey wakey!" her idiot lion spirit poked her but was immediately received by a fist to the face. That was how annoyed she was.
"Don't touch me."
Loke held on to his nose that was slightly bleeding and nodded furiously, afraid of another deadly hit on his beautiful face that the ladies adored so much, well except his master. He watched her stand up and stretch out, hearing some cracking noises from her joints but ignored it. She just slept bad.
"So where are we meeting this friend of the old Mustache dude? Breakfast or after breakfast?"
"The King said as soon as we arrive, so I'll say now. And it's way past midnight so there is no place selling breakfast at this hour plus there is no shop in this area. We are in a forest." Lucy huffed. She was really annoyed by that piece of information. No food and she hadn't eating since 8 am. She needed food.
"Maybe the friend has some food? Let's go and meet him first and then we'll find a place to eat." Lucy just nodded and followed her spirit out of the train. It was ended dark outside . The moon was blooming proudly in the starlit sky. That made her smile. She loved the stars and moon a lot and it gave her comfort. Then she looked around to see her surrounding. They were indeed in a forest with no population. There were a ticket booth and a timeline of arrivals and departures and that was it. No single living thing in sight.
"So where are we going?" she asked as every direction she looked at was trees that cast shadows on each other making it even more creepy than it already was. Just watching the shadows move gave her the chills or was it the windy weather. She didn't know.
"I was told that he would find us as soon as the train leaves. So let's wait till the train leaves. It will departure in a minute or so."
"Why even have a stop here, in the middle of the forest, where no human lives. This is so not normal." Lucy noted. It was definitely not making sense to her. Who would want to come to this place in the first place. The name was already creepy enough as it is and the surroundings. Horrifying. It was definitely doing its name some justice.
"People come here to train all the time. It's a great place. Once Karen and I went here and she began her monthly training here. It's really peaceful and if you ignore how the tries cascade different patterns because of the moonlight you'll love it."
She nodded and tried to do as he said and tried to ignore it. But it still freaked her out especially when she heard a loud tweak. A branch or something breaking. That made her almost jump into Loke's arms crying. The choo choo sound of the train also startled her real good. She was a real scaredy cat. Not cool af all.
"Are you the Celestial mage beardy sent?" Suddenly a loud authoritative voice boomed startled the two and they turned around so fast they almost stumbled and kissed the ground.
"I-I am… sir." Lucy stammered almost afraid of who she waa going to meat, but it was quickly replaced confusion when looking for the voice she just answered. There were no one in front of her. Or behind her. Or to her or right. And did she hear him correctly beardy?
"Ahh Leo, you are here as well." Suddenly the voice said with much glee in his voice. It sounded very genuine.
"Wait I know that voice." Loke said and his eyes widened in realization. Lucy didn't know what to think next when he said its name out aloud for her to hear. "Draco."
"Long time no see old friend. You look well. This human is your master I presume." The being stepped forward and stood tall in front of tiny little Lucy and Loke. Lucy was scared yet fascinated. She met one – no scratch that – she is standing in front of one of the most powerful magical being in history. Draco is a legend. No human eyes met her and yet she is here standing in front of him.
"So you are the old friend the King was talking about? Figures. Why do you need an apprentice? Did you eat your last one?" Lucy flinched at the last sentence and was horrified. He ate his last apprentice. Oh Mavis!
The dragon laughed so loud that the ground shook and Lucy fell flat on her butt by the impact. She was afraid to stand up.
"Ha, you are so funny old friend. No I didn't eat him, he died of old age. Too bad though. He was good. Or he was getting good." The Dragon said and suddenly began transforming into a.. human? Lucy rubbed her eyes to see if what she saw was real. A yes. It was real. And he was beautiful and very much attractive.
"So that's why you need a new one, a young one at that. Just so you know she own 9 golden keys, so you have to work together with us. Hey, maybe you can fix Aquarius' key. It broke when she summoned the King."
"She summoned beardy? How?" The handsome dragon-man asked looking at Lucy puzzled. She blushed and looked away embarrassed by his stare.
"It was in a needed battle and Aquarius sacrificed herself to help rescue everyone. She is a feisty one too. She saved me from my punishment and had a audience with the King. She got a lot of potential to wield your power like no one. She is a Heartfilia." At the mention of Lucy's last name the dragon's eyes widened and looked at her yet again but this time examined her from head to toe.
He nodded and smiled. "She is indeed the daughter of Layla. They look so much alike. I see potential in her too. So would you like to train with me and gain powers beyond your imagination?" He asked gently and stuck her hand out to Lucy.
She was hesitant yet curious. They both saw potential in her but potential to what? And how did he know her mother? That got her thinking real good but she shrugged it off and accepted the offered and and was brought to her feet.
"Ahh, you reck of another dragon? First thing you need is a bath. Come along." she stared at him wide eyes and kinda offended. She sniffed herself and couldn't smell Natsu at all. Do I really stink that much? Stupid rude dragon. She huffed but followed him nonetheless into the darkness of the forest.
"So who is this other dragon I smell? A boyfriend. Mate perhaps?" she groaned at his questions but how should he know her situation with Natsu.
"It's my old crush and best friend. A fire dragon slayer. But we are not talking anymore and I left the guild so I could train. Lucky the King found out and I found you."
"So why is he an old crush?" Was this dragon a chatterbox or what. He kept asking personal questions which she most likely wanted to avoid talking about. Her wounds were still fresh.
"He has another mate or so he said. He rejected me plain and simple. Now tell me about this apprentice thing. Am I gonna become a dragon slayer too?" She wanted to know more about what the new power he was to give to her was all about and also his relationship with her mother.
"Quickly changing subject are we? Very well. Yes and no. You'll become greater than those slayer. Do you know everything about the Celestial beings and their power? Do you know the constellations of us?" he stopped up and looked at her even though she couldn't see his eyes. They were black as the night. But she felt his stare.
"On now many of the constellations. Mama taught me. But powers no. Well I know each Zodiac has their own elements they can yield and I feel their power through my stardress." She explained.
"Stardress? What's that?" the Dragon was confused by the word stardress.
"Sure. Loke go back. Open the gate of the lion, Loke !" she yelled out swinging the key up in the air before transforming into Loke's stardress. The dragon smiled amused by her outfit.
"So this is my Leo form. I lend his power and fight alongside him in a battle. It's really need and every form is suiting to its spirit." Lucy explained and transformed back, not wanting to waste any magical energy.
"I'm amused but I like it. Perhaps when you are worthy you can get my key and a stardress of mine. I'll look forward to that." The Dragon smirked but Lucy saw nothing. It actually annoyed her she couldn't see anything in the dark.
"Can we go to a place that has fire or light. I don't like talking to another person while I can't see their facial expressions." the Dragon chuckled at her request but obliged and they began walking again. After a long tiresome walk, mostly for Lucy, they arrived at a campfire near a cottage. It looked old and shabby but it was big. She wondered if the inside looked like the outside.
"Sit by the fire, both of you. I'll bring some tea. Milk and Cookie, we have guests!" the Dragon yelled towards the cottage. Okay yelled was an understatement. He roared loudly and startled the blonde but she quickly regained her composure and did as he asked but not without musing over the names of his companions. Milk and Cookie. Now those names are odd and funny. Haha, you names their kid Milk and Cookie. If they are twins then I will laugh out loud. She giggled and laughed inwardly.
The doors burst opened an two Exceeds came to view. One completely white while the other had lighter brown fur and had darker brown dots that looked like chocolate chips. Okay now she understood their names. They literally looked like milk and a cookie. Cute!
"Guests, yay!" the white one chirped and quickly ran up to Lucy and Loke and greeted them. The Cookie one stood a good few seconds before greeting them as well but not with the same chirpy way as the first.
"These guys are talking cats and can fly too. Say hello to my old friend, the leader of the Zodiacs and the lion spirit. Next to him is his master, Lucy Heartfilia, daughter of my other old friend Layla Heartfilia. Lucy will become my new apprentice after old Gladiolus died. Take care of each other."
"Actually they are Exceeds. A special breed from Edolas. This can also transform forms. From big to small. For some odd reason every dragon slayer I know are in possession of an Exceed." Lucy corrected the Dragon . "Plus after all magic disappeared in Edolas the whole population of Exceeds came to Earthland and built a little village outside of Magnolia."
"So we are not alone? Boogers! Milk we are no longer special." Cookie explained and began crying animatedly while Milk snorted and hit Cookie's head.
"Stop crying idiot. This is a good thing. Our kin is here and safe. That's what matter. We will always be special. We have a Dragon as a father." The white milky Exceed grinned and looked at the Dragon. You could see they have a special bond. Like a father does with his child.
"Beside I don't care about anything or anyone else except our family. You shouldn't either darling." Milk kissed the top of the brown Exceeds head and got a hug from it too. A couple? Lucy asked herself after watching them being affectionate.
"Anyways. You've met, now it's time for food. Cookie if you could please bring the pot. Milk the vegetables. Old friend help them. " Draco asked in a polite manner. He definitely didn't scare the blonde anymore. Only intrigued her.
"So about our training arrangements. Do you want all details or just the important once?" Draco asked sitting next to her on the ledger next to the campfire. The blonde tilted her head confusingly. Every detail is important plus if it was something like her training with the Celestial dragon then she most definitely wanted the detail.
"Tell me everything I need to know. Don't spare anything. Do we write a contract or something? You did mention about your key but only if I'm worthy of it. Do tell please." The blabber mouth Lucy Heartfilia was at it again.
"Take a breather. Yes we'll write a contract but not the kind of contract you think us. You seal it with your blood. A blood contact. And about my key. If you don't have a death wish you'll train hard before yielding my key. Only special people have the glory of becoming my master. So are you ready for your training?" Lucy felt nowhere near happy about his explanation. So he was powerful but he still hadn't exactly told what her role was in all of this.
"I understand this is confusing for you. I would be too. I haven't really giving you many clues. Let me rephrase myself. I am in need of Celestial mage who can become my master. You see. I haven't been in the Celestial world in a really long time and I really want to go home. But if I am to succeed of coming home I need a strong master that can bear and yield my power without dying. So Lucy Heartfilia would you like to do me this favor and become my apprentice? You'll not regret it if you do, I promise."
It didn't even take her long before answering the Dragon. Here he was pleading her to help him return home, her of all people. The King could have chosen Yukino for it but it was Lucy that got picked. Thinking about it, Lucy began to wonder if fate had something to do with everything. Her fight with Natsu and leaving Fairy Tail. Purchasing the ticket to the Wicked Forest. The King asking her to meet his friend Draco. She of course couldn't deny fate.
"I accept. I will do everything in my power to send you to the Celestial world. Don't worry as a Celestial mage I promise that I will do everything in my power to get stronger and become a master you can be proud of." Her eyes said it all. She was determined to fulfill her new goal in life.
"Splendid. I am glad. Let's talk more after dinner!" the Dragon exclaimed clapping his hand before grinning from ear to ear. He was happy, thrilled, overjoyed that Lucy accepted his proposal with much passion. He could already see himself back in the Celestial world. He wanted the training to start a.s.a.p but no one can fully concentrate on an empty stomach.
"So first thing after some food is our contract binding. It will be gruesome but I know you can handle it." Lucy gulped and began sweating. What has she gotten herself into.