Chapter 12

Lucy and the others walked through the door, when they entered, they were welcomed by a blinding light. Everyone except for Lucy flinched back in fear. When they opened their eyes, they could no longer see crocus nor the garden of mercurius. There was only a door behind them.

When they looked up, there was a long mountain path. Everyone felt strange, even Lucy. They felt so...powerful for some reason.

"Lu-chan, do you know what is this feeling? It makes me feel so... powerful..." said Levy who was looking at the mountain path.

"Do not worry Levy, this is exactly what is all about."

"What do you mean Lucy?" asked Meredy.

"You see, when we use magic power, where does it go? Into the air of course, our bodies have the ability to regenerate magic power. We don't re-gather the magic power we spent. Then where does all that magic power go? Into magic items of course and into animals so they have abilities. The problem is, the amount of power we release is too much. Earth land nearly exploded 777 years ago becuase there was too much magic power."

"So, are you saying that they gathered all that leftover magic power here?" said Ultear.

"Exactly what they did, there was too much so they climbed this gigantic mountain and installed a core in this mountain. That core has the ability to gather unwanted magic to this mountain. The mountain then sends that power to a different space." said Lucy while gesturing for them to start climbing this mountain.

"But the mountain doesn't do it fast enough right? So then, the magic power is scattered around the mountain. Any mage that goes here will receive a huge magic boost, right Lucy?" said Erza.

"Right, for example, if you were a mage so weak you can't even beat 2 normal people attacking you. Entering this mountain would raise your magic to the level where you are on par with a 10 wizard saint. You guys should all be very strong now."

"What! Are you sure Lucy?" said Jellal wondering how strong he was now.

"Yes, I'm serious. Since we are all really strong, our strongest attacks could destroy cities! We could even beat Acnologia!" said Lucy cheerfully. "But since this place grants too much power, humans aren't allowed to go here!"

"Um Lucy-san... If you say this is a mountain, aren't there animals living here?" asked Wendy.

"Yes! You are totally right Wendy! There are animals living here! Well, there's only one specie living here though."

"Um, what might that specie be?"

"Well, they are the proud guardians of the core! Phoenixes! " said Lucy lifting her hand in the air. "They are majestic creatures!"

"PHONIEXES!" they yelled.

"But Lucy, phoenixes don't exist anymore!" said Jellal.

Lucy pouted. "Well, now they do so be quiet Jellal!"

So, they continued climbing the mountain for a whole day until they were... one tenth up the mountain...

"Lu-chan... how much more to go?" said Levy while gasping for breath.

"Um, I think nine tenths left!"

"WHAT! Are you serious!" complained Meredy. "We're already so tired! How can phoenixes even survive in this place?"

"Well, they can fly much quicker than if we climb. Also, they eat magic power for food!"

"But Lucy, you can use aera right? You should be able to fly..." muttered Ultear.

"Well, I can fly you up there in less than 15 minutes but that is considered blasphemy in this mountain! Only phoenixes are allowed to fly!" said Lucy proudly.

"WHAT THE HECK!" they yelled. (or some of them)

"Shhhh" said Lucy. They became silent. "I can hear something..."

They all looked around intently searching for a sound.

"HELP!"

"Did you hear that?" said erza.

"Yep, sounds like someone is in trouble... Let's go help!" said Lucy getting up and running to the sound. The others followed her.

"Help someone!"

Lucy and the others arrived at the scene. There were 2 young phoenixes that appeared to be sucked into some sort of hole. Lucy went into action immediately. She jumped up, and grabbed the phoenixes. Then, she lifted her hand and whispered force closure. The hole closed.

"Thank you so much!" said the phoenix that had called for help. "But what are humans doing here?"

"You're welcome, we are here to get something and purify it. May I know your name?" said Lucy.

"Okay! My name is Fenni and the other phoenix is Secu! We are training to be guardians of 'that'! We recognize you Lucy Heartphillia from our scrolls! Your wish will be granted!"

"Thank you Fenni, can you take us there?"

"Sure! We were told that if we met you, we would have to obey your wishes!" exclaimed Fenni cheerfully. "Hey! Secu, wake up!"

"What..." muttered Secu. When he saw Lucy, he got up right away. "What do you want us to do Lucy-sama!"

"Oh sheesh secu... she just told us, we are supposed to..." When Fenni finished, Secu's eyes widened.

"I see, then Lucy-sama, we will take you and your friends there!" After saying that, they spread their wings and lifted everyone up much to the shock of everyone except for Lucy.

They flew really quickly all the way to 9 tenths of the mountain. That was where they landed. Fenni rustled her feathers and said, "Sorry Lucy, but we young phoenixes can't go any further. The other phoenixes are out so you will have to climb the rest..."

"It's okay Fenni and Secu! Thanks for helping!" Fenni and Secu nodded and flew away. Lucy sighed. "Guys... we're back to climbing..."

"Awww!" they all complained. Lucy sighed again and somehow used her magic and dragged them all the way to the summit of the mountain. At the top, there was a gate. There was a lock blocking it.

The group looked in confusion. Lucy looked around for clues. Suddenly, a blob like thing landed in front of the gate. It formed into a phoenix.

"I am the spirit protector of the core of the mountain. Tittles hold no meaning here! You will have to defeat me!"

Lucy sighed again. "Guys, lets prepare for a harsh battle."

Here is the chapter! Thank you for all the reviews! Please excuse the horrible names for the phoenixes, secu comes from the word secular and fenni is a part of Japanese for phoenix!

Please review!