Lucy's POV

Who was Karen? And why did she want to battle me? My spirits are kinda powerful but from the way she's talking...she probably has all the zodiacs and wants mine to complete it. I saw her turn her face towards me and smirk, "Oh there she is now~" I swallowed hard. If Grandfather knew I was eavesdropping, I'd been in a lot of trouble.

Not wanting to disrespect the lady, I gathered up all the courage I had and slowly stepped into the room. Grandfather's face didn't seem happy, but Karen's did..."So you're the infamous Lucy," she crouched down to my level. Her green hair kinda clashed with her outfit, she seemed like one of those ladies momma called 'Attention Whores'

"So, whaddya say Lucy. Wanna battle?" her tone was sweet, but I saw through it. Those who can say nasty things and act like they never said it...shouldn't be trusted. "Um, I dunno I'm not too powerful..." I tried to guilt trip her. "Come on, you seem tough," she smirked. I wanted to just punch her she was so fake, I felt like it would rub off on me if I got too close.

"But," I started. "She will do it," Grandfather answer for me. "But," I stuttered. "Lucy, what did I say when I arrived?" I sighed. "I must obey all your rules, or else," I was terrified of 'or else' meant. He grunted and started making arrangements for my fight, to let you know I was frickin' terrified. This lady seemed almost 10 years older than me, way more experienced, mostly likely much stronger spirits.

"Lucy how about we make a deal?" she said her manicured nails tapping on a table annoyingly. I really disliked her, a lot and I'm a relatively loving person... "I'll give you until your 15th birthday to become strong and we'll fight, whaddya say?" at least I would get to train, and maybe find more keys with this deal. I held my hand out to shake hers, "Deal."

I could tell grandfather was not happy, and I would most likely get a beating for this. Did I not mention he beats me? Well he does, and even if he's only been here around 6 months...I have more bruises than a wrestler...

I was given permission to leave home for 3 years to find keys, but after that I had to come home. And I was waiting for the day I could leave, maybe I could find Igneel! The day before leaving I packed my summer clothes, night clothes, and a dress and of course my keys. The next morning I said goodbye to my servants, and stopped at Momma's grave.

"Don't worry Momma, when I come back I'll be strong as ever!" I knelt down and placed a dragon-lily on the tombstone. "Goodbye Momma..."

In the span of 3 years, I managed to contract 5 spirits. Sagittarius, Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, and Canis Minor who I named Plue. Sagittarius looked like a man in a horse costume, Taurus was a big a pervy cow, Virgo looked like a pretty maid, and Scorpio looked like a rocker dude. I guess Karen doesn't have all of them.

I also met up with some of my old friends. Erza and Gray were now full fledged mages, Lisanna learned new Take-over's, and her brother and sister mastered other ones. I was dreading one thing from coming back...knowing I would have to live with him again. I had been on my own just jumping from town to town all across the country now...being in one place is going to be weird.

I slowly walked down the road of my home town, when I heard a roar in the distance. "Igneel?" I muttered. I quickly ran into the forest, hoping to see my friend had returned. When I came to the cave...there was no one. I guess it was my imagination...

I slowly walked back to the castle and hoped that grandfather wasn't there. I was greeted happily by my servants who were crying to me how much they missed me. I looked to the top of the stairs, and low and behold there he stood. "Lucy, as soon as you have settled in your tutor is waiting in the west wing." he boomed before walking away. "I'm back for less than a minute," I muttered.

"Lucy, don't worry there is no tutor in the wing he left three hours ago," the cook tried to console me. "Thank you," I sighed in relief. I went up to my bedroom and started to unpack, and I hummed to myself a song I had learned called Snow Fairy.

I pulled out some souvenirs I bought. The first was a small neko charm from Shirotsume, it was a small blue neko with big eyes and bright pink cheeks. Then I pulled out my new favorite weapon my whip. It was curled into a circle with the heart shaped ending lying in the center. I pulled it out and hid it under my bed in a secret compartment.

I then pulled out a dragon stuffy. It looked exactly like Igneel, so that's what I named him. After pulling the rest of my little trinkets out I put away my clean clothes and tossed my the bag of dirtied ones into a hamper. I felt so tired from walking and traveling, so I laid down and pulled Igneel close to me. I closed my eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep..

Natsu's POV

It get's worse everyday. My arms slowly show less and less of my skin, and more of red scales. The spell seems to have slowed it down, but not by much. It won't be long before my entire body is like this. I'm just hoping Igneel recognizes me...if he comes back.

I feel like I've let him down, he told me to use the spell and I did. But there seems to be no stopping this idiotic curse. Yea I looked into it, this is why Igneel taught the spell. I know eventually, I won't look like a human anymore. But what about my cousins? Do they have the same thing happening? Oh no...Wendy..hopefully Grandeeney found a way to stop her curse. I'd hate for Wendy to have to go through this.

I felt more sclaes slowly surface onto my forehead, I buried myself into my hammock and tried to sleep. Thinking maybe sleep would take my mind off it. What I want to know is...who is that blonde girl who I saw outside my home. And why does she seem so familiar?