Deborahpflover- I'm glad! I'm really hoping that those that feel the same curiosity you do are not displeased with this when it's done. But that is the question "what" indeed!

I thank my lurkers/favs/followers as well! Please keep enjoying!

Lucy strained to catch her breath. Obviously she misread the depth of this particular mountain. The climb was grueling and the air was extremely thin at this altitude. Finally feeling rested enough she turned to scan her surroundings. "Beautiful." She mumbled as she took in the view. The sun was setting on the horizon leaving the area in a sea of oranges and reds that reflected off the thin clouds that looked more like a mist now that she was at their level. The large lake that was at least a half day's hike behind her glistened and reflected the colors. She felt like she could stay here a lifetime just to enjoy this view.

A sad smile graced her lips at that. While the view was amazing it would have been better shared with her beloved team. Natsu was spontaneous and hyper but he appreciated natural beauty possibly more than herself. She missed him, and Happy as well, terribly. However there was no telling if she was correct or not on this journey and so she couldn't chance bringing the pair along. Reaching in her bag she pulled out her water bottle and map. She was close to her destination. She scanned the horizon once more and attempted to calculate if she could make it there by nightfall. Nodding in determination she realized if she didn't doddle any further she could with enough light to set up for the night before she attempted the unknown.

It had taken her only a couple hours to reach her perceived destination. She had already set up her tent for the night and gathered what she would need for wood for the evening. Even if she was where she hoped was the correct spot she would need a full nights rest for what she was about to attempt. Groaning she rummaged through her bag trying to find her matches to get a fire started. However night was settling in fast and it was a new moon meaning she had to hurry and get her camp fire lit.

Crying out in frustration she threw the bag down. "If Natsu was here I'd be enjoying a warm fire already." She pouted to herself.

"Maybe I can give some assistance." Loki smiled at his mistress while grabbing her bag and gathering some of his light in his palms.

"KAAAA!" Lucy screamed in fright. She was not expecting anyone. "Damn it Loki! You scared the hell out of me! Do you want me to die young?"

The spirit chuckled as he retrieved the matches and began starting the fire. "Why would I want such a dreadful thing? If you were to leave this earth then I would be less the most beautiful woman in history as my master."

Lucy rolled her eyes at his shameless flirtations. "Whatever." Noticing the fire starting to grow she sighed in relief, "Thank you though. I appreciate the help."

Taking a seat next to her on the ground he smiled, "Anytime Lucy." He watched silently as she went to work pulling out some of her supplies to make a meal for herself, politely declining when she offered to prepare him something as well. The pair sat in a comfortable silence until he decided he needed to voice his thoughts. "Are you not the slightest bit curious?" he asked.

Lucy smiled slightly at his question and looked behind her to the mouth of the cave. Sighing she answered honestly, "I am. But it doesn't feel right without him here. It would be like digging into his past without his knowledge and it would just feel wrong. Almost like I'd be violating a part of him that he holds onto fondly." Shaking her head negatively she concluded, "I have no right. Even going through all this I have no right. The only reason I'm here is because I might be the only one that can do this for him. If it wasn't for that…" she let the thought die off knowing he'd understand what she was trying to say.

Loki smiled cheekily at her, "I would bet you a month's rent he'd bring you here if you just asked. You wouldn't have had to go through what you did to find this place."

Lucy blushed and rolled her eyes, "I doubt that. We maybe friends but we tend to not talk about those things often. The past can be painful and I don't want to put him through that."

He chuckled softly at that. Sitting up and stirring the fire he simply replied, "All the more proof that I'm right." Silence engulfed them once more and Loki sat patiently while Lucy ate her meal and took in the scenery. He could understand the choice in location. A vast forest near the top of a mountain peak, fresh water from a stream close enough to hear the rush of it's flow, plenty of cover from the elements as well as a never ending supply of game to hunt. Yes he could see the reasons in this location but for all it's beauty he knew what awaited his master and it bothered him to no end especially for how little she really knew what awaited her. Crux, Master, and books could only tell her minimal information.

At some point Lucy sat back to stare at the stars and he too decided to take in the beauty of the night sky. Breaking the silence he said, "You realize there is far more danger and troubles ahead of you if you do this, yes?"

Lucy laughed lightly, "I do. But it's not like I haven't been in a similar instance before and came home from it in one piece."

"True enough but you weren't alone then. Far from it. Where you intend to go you cannot call on any of us should the need arise. Are you really prepared for that? Let alone the possible consequences?"

Lucy sat up and regarded him for a moment. Biting her lip she replied, "You sound like you're telling me to turn back and not try?"

Loki sat up as well and sighed heavily while adjusting his glasses. "I might be." Seeing her disapproving look he continued before she could reprimand him, "Where you intend to go is nothing like anywhere you've been. Also, the seals are not meant to be broken. To do what you are hoping will break one of them. To keep it in place will consume a great deal of magical energy. Think about what is guarding the seals. Do you think you can handle that alone?"

Tears welled in her eyes at the lack of faith her friend was showing her. "I have to try! I'm the only one that can do this! I'm the only one willing to do this!" Looking away from him and to the fire she drew her knees to her chest and rested her head on them before continuing softly, "I'm one of the last celestial mages left. I only know of one other, unless you want to count Zeref?" She shivered slightly at the thought. "If I don't try no one will. Not for the right reasons at least. It's doable. I know it is. Maybe my reasons aren't the right ones either, but I can't let this opportunity go by and do nothing about it. It wouldn't be fair to anyone involved." Closing her eyes and willing the tears back she whispered, "Besides if this works I can help all of them. Give them all a moment together once more."

Loki smiled softly at her. This was what made Lucy special. Her undying love for her friends to go to any length to make them happy even if it was only a moment. He hoped beyond everything in him that she would find her own happiness soon. "I see." Standing he brushed off his suit and readjusted his tie. "I shall take my leave then. I may not be happy about this decision for more than one reason but I accept it. And contrary to what you might believe right now I do have faith in your ability to do this. I just don't want to see you suffer because of it."

Lucy turned her head to him and smiled slightly. "Thank you. And I'm sorry to put you all through this. It's just…"

He held a hand up stopping her. "I understand." Walking up to her he knelt down and hugged her tightly in a friendly embrace, "Just be careful and come back to us." Taking her right hand into his own he rubbed his thumb over her guild mark and added, "All of us."

Returning his embrace she smiled and whispered, "I promise I will." With that Loki stood, nodded and was gone.

DON'T HATE ME! *giggles*

While I could have gone into an in-depth thing about Lucy's traveling it just felt tedious and not worth the time. This story isn't about the journey to where she's going. It's more about... WAIT! No spoilers for you! :P

A fair warning though. This story will jump a bit around. What I mean by that is some chapters will be based on Lucy and what she's up to and other's will be based on Natsu and Happy and what they are up to. However I do hope no one finds it to horrible to follow along. I've read the chapters I have completed so many times at this point and I think it's easily follow-able... be it cause I wrote it or not I'm not sure.

With that said... If there is an issue in the flow and some one is having trouble keeping things straight please do not hesitate to msg me. I will be more then happy to sort the time line for some one if needed.

Also I'm happy to be able to keep with a daily posting for the last few days.

Anyway...

Keep readin and reviewin!

~Gemi