Chapter Four

Lucy ran alongside with Virgo, who was leading the way to the first Dragon Key. Loke said that if one of the spirits found a key, they would immediately appear before Lucy for her to receive the key. "Hurry Princess, there is no time to lose."

"Yes Virgo."

"Do you feel it? Do you feel the great magic energy?" Lucy hesitated for a moment, to finally notice the great pull of magic coming from the northeast. "Only us spirits and you—as the next holder of the Dragon Keys—can sense this magic power. The Dragons hide themselves well." Lucy said nothing, as she continued to follow Virgo farther and farther away from Magnolia, into the next town.

"Virgo, do you know which Key we're collecting right now?"

"I'm not sure Princess. Each Key has the same amount of magic power as another. Usually Dragon Slayers would be able to smell the scent of the dragon but only if they can sense the magic power, which they can't." Virgo continued leading the way, finally outside of Magnolia, while Lucy's thoughts travelled to those deeper within said city. …Fairy Tail

"He's not taking this well…isn't he?"

"He's always like this whenever Lucy's gone. Nothing much." Lisanna leaned over the countertop towards Mirajane, who decided to use her take-over magic first. Lisanna's eyes widened in amusement, while a smirk crossed her lips.

"Really now? Is that so?" Lisanna raised an eyebrow while her smirk grew larger.

Mira caught onto Lisanna's gestures. "Yup, always." They both giggled, glancing at the pink haired mage a couple of tables away. Said mage, was sulking in his seat, not the least bit helpful to what was happening right now, with Lucy's crumpled note in his hand.

"Listen up guys!" Everyone turned towards Levy, who was seated with the communication lacrima. "I've placed a delaying spell on the lacrima, so either Mira or Lisanna could get into position. I want there to be a daily watch on the lacrima, once it starts buzzing or emanating a high pitched sound, immediately fetch Mira, who's taking the first round of being Lucy. Does everyone understand?" Nods were the answer to that question.

Bisca volunteered to take the first watch of the lacrima. Levy sighed, as the guild went back to bustling around, making preparations for the next call. "Hey shrimp." The girl turned around to face the Iron Dragon Slayer. "Do you think this will work out for the time being?" Levy sighed.

"I'm not sure, but the best thing we can do right now, is hope that whatever Lucy's doing, she's having good progress."

"Princess, we have found a key." Lucy and Virgo were standing in the town of Hargeon, near the shore. In the sand, deep, deep, deep within the sand, was a shimmering silver and cobalt key, with a diamond shining in the center of the head. (A/N: Can anyone guess who this is?)

Lucy picked it up with trembling hands, suddenly feeling a surge of power rush over her. "Oh my…" she whispered. She thrust the key out in front of her, "OPEN, GATE OF THE GUARDIAN OF THE SKY, GRANDINE!" A blue magic circle appeared underneath Lucy's feet, spreading out, blowing wind through her hair, as Lucy kept her arm steady, despite the sudden rumbling of the ground within the magic circle. Suddenly, white light cracked Lucy's arm which held the key, the light bursting out and meeting the sky.

Lucy screamed, as Virgo stayed back. Another white light appeared next to Virgo…Loke. "Virgo! Why aren't you helping Lucy!?" Loke burst forward but was pushed back by Virgo.

"Brother…as much as I want to help Lucy…as much as you…we cannot disturb the process of the contract." Loke cast upon Virgo a confused look, signaling Virgo to give an explanation. "Whenever Lucy is going to open a Dragon Key for the first time, this—" Virgo pointed to Lucy, where more cracks appeared on her skin, "—happens."

"Why?"
"This is part of something called the Merging Method, unlike us Zodiac spirits, and the other silver key spirits, they do not ask of a contract. Dragons have the Merging Method. The Merging Method goes to show how strong the Celestial Wizard is. If the Wizard is not strong enough, the Dragon leaves the Mage…"

"…Leaves the mage…what, Virgo?"

"Leaves the Mage dead." Loke's eyes widened and started to once again lunge towards Lucy, but were once again stopped by Virgo. "I am not done explaining brother. If the Mage is strong enough, the contract will be complete, giving the Mage a certain colored streak in their hair. That magic circle underneath Lucy, when touched by anyone outside of the circle, will corrupt the Mage inside." A scream echoed throughout the secluded beach, as Lucy soon fell down lifeless onto the sand.

"LUCY!" Virgo and Loke rushed towards the blonde.

"Don't touch her." Both spirits stopped, and turned around.

"Leo, shouldn't you be looking for Iggy's key right now?"

"…GRANDEENY?"

The white dragon peered down at the two spirits. "Really Leo, you were so close to finding Iggy's key."

Virgo blinked up at the large dragon. "Who is Iggy Grandine?"

Grandeeny smiled at the maiden. "Ah Virgo, Iggy is Igneel. I don't see why he doesn't like the nickname I gave him, personally I think it's quite cute." The two spirits sweat dropped, but Grandeeny ignored them.

"Ah, Grandine, what about Lucy?" Virgo asked worriedly. "She's not dead…is she?" Grandeeny burst out laughing.

"Of course not! This is Layla Heartfilia's daughter that we're talking about. Grandine gave out another hoot of laughter. "She's just a bit tired from that, it always is for those who collect any Dragon Key. Usually Celestial Mages find my key first. When they open a Dragon Gate Key, they gain Dragon Slayer powers you know, while having additional powers. One additional power temporary Sky Dragon Slayers have is to heal automatically, whenever injured. Lucy's doing that right now, but her magic stamina is at low." Grandine jerked her head towards the now sleeping girl. "She's sleeping right now. Ah…" Grandine shuffled towards the girl and with one claw, gently combed Lucy's hair. "She has a white-blue streak, perfect. And properly healed."

Grandine stared at Lucy with something in her eyes, before snapping out a trance. "Well, I must get going, and before I go, there is one thing I must tell you, you are near the next key she must obtain." And with a gust of wind and a flash, the dragon was gone.

Gomenasai for being so late, and having to post such a crappy chapter, but school has already started and I've been so busy with schoolwork so please understand. Remember to review and give feedback on how well I wrote this chapter and what you like and dislike about it. I'll try to post as soon as possible, but until then, happy readings!

~Moonlight Listener