AN: Hiro Mashima owns Fairytail, not you not I not anyone else. Only the story is all mine.

The Mystical Zodiacs (FairyTail one-shot)

The alternative zodiacs had decided to converge a meeting. It had been centuries since any of their keys had been owned and the celestial spirit king had politely had a word with the leader about remedying that situation. It turned out that a wizard had finally accumulated enough power and strength to attempt opening one of their gates. The only question was which gate?

"Well it can't be him."

"Why not? He is the leader as well as being the oldest and the strongest."

"Exactly you idiotic ball of fluff you can't just give out the best, you gotta wait to see if their worthy or not."

"Who you calling a ball of fluff you... you... vermin."

"Why you..."

"Boys now shush, besides I don't see why this is up for discussion I should go first as I am the most gentile."

"Hehehe you gentile, oh please stop I'm gonna pee myself. Hehe you're just a giant cow with delusions of grandeur. Hehe gentile."

"You misogynistic excuse for a human I'll show you who's..."

"Silence."

Not only did the argument flying across the table shut up immediately but so did the lesser conversations running between seat mates. When HE spoke every one of the zodiacs listened, even that wayward cub in charge of the other side held deference to HIM. As everyone watched he finally opened his eyes and zeroed in on one of the more quiet of their members.

"You shall present yourself first. If the princess is honourable enough to pass the trial of the 'Swift Wind' then we shall know she is worthy of our time."

With that their great leader vanished. It didn't take long for conversation to restart at the table. The only one not speaking was the one who had just been singled out. Everyone at the table knew why that was, they knew she was shy around people at the best of times let alone after being told that she would be stepping forth to enter the human realm after centuries of absence. Not only that but she was to represent their first contact with the wizard who could one day become all of their master. They all watched covertly as her best friend made her way to the suddenly terrified spirit.

"What's wrong Little Hop?"

Not even glancing up the young zodiac kept getting smaller and smaller until she was tiny enough to scurry underneath the cushion of the chair. You would have had to have the ears of a cat to hear what was said next, lucky for her best friend, she did.

"I'm scared T, what if I mess up."

Chuckling the tall zodiac crouched down until she was closer to her frightened friend.

"Little Hop do not be afraid you are stronger than you think. Uncle would not of chosen you if he didn't believe you could go forth and prove our worth."

Sliding out so she could see her friend the now smallest zodiac spoke the question that was secretly running through all their minds.

"But T what if this human, this wizard is... is... cruel?"

The crouched spirit noticed one of the zodiacs two chairs on the right had flinched. As the last of their kind that had been owned, Horse's memory was the freshest of the treatment that they had all undergone. Knowing that she had to put this fear to rest not only for her small friend but for her fellow zodiacs, Tiger stood up and allowed her voice to carry to all those present.

"While I must admit my nephew the cub is a simpleton, he still has a vast deal more knowledge about owners than any of us. And while the tales he tells of this 'princess' are most assuredly exaggerated there has to be a grain of truth in his praises."

Glancing quickly at all of them she saw that the closely shielded fear was still present in all of their eyes. Coming to a sudden decision she turned and addressed them all.

"As the second in command under my uncle the great Dragon. I hereby give you permission to seek out your counterpart and interrogate them."

With expressions going from shock to joy, the spirits at the table didn't waste any time. Vanishing and reappearing all over the celestial world they set out to gather information on the girl who would become their new owner. While they were doing that the two remaining spirits were saying their goodbye.

"Do not worry Little Hop, the King has seen to it that she shall wander your way soon enough. And remember you are The Rabbit graceful and swift, you shall make us proud."

Smiling up at her friend the small zodiac allowed herself to regain her true size and shape. Once more sitting properly at the table she quickly glanced round the now almost empty chamber. When finally her eyes rested on the head seat now vacated the longest a look of resolve settled over her face.

"By the eternal goddess I swear to do my duty as a zodiac spirit. And to put this wizard through the hardest test they have ever encountered."

Laughing at her friend's vehemence Tiger reached over and hugged her. While some spirits thought it was weird that the Tiger and the Rabbit were best friends she thought it was no more strange than the Lamb being in love with the Lion and everyone knew about that with the exception of said Lion of course. Leaning back she smiled at her friend as she knew time was up.

"Be brave my Little Hop, and go kick butt."

With that the smaller zodiac felt the pull of a presence near her key. Knowing it was time, she opened her own gate and stepped into the human world once again. As the light faded from the gateway, Rabbit stepped forth and stared at the puzzled young blonde woman gazing at her.

"Hello I'm Lucy of Fairytail who might you be?"

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