Lucy hummed to herself as she danced through the park. The sun basted her exposed skin, warming her soul, helping to evaporate her sadness at losing Erza. Around her, people were sitting in groups enjoying the sunshine. Little kids danced in the flowers, giggling as they played childish games. Plue wobbled by her side, glancing up to check out his owner. Her happiness was infectious, making Plue happy he got to enjoy the day with her. Lucy smiled down at the little spirit, bending down to pick him up. She kept walking, looking for a shady tree or a bench to rest. Plue chatted happily in her arms, and Lucy hummed a reply.
Catching sight of a large weeping Willow tree, Lucy made her way through the draped leaves, pushing them away as if they were a mere curtain. She placed Plue on the ground, walking over to the tree and sitting herself down. Looking around, Lucy sighed and closed her eyes, reaching out to stroke Plue when he waddled over to her.
"Hey Plue," Lucy said, opening an eye to look at the little dog. "I'm going to call Grandpa Crux, hopefully he has an idea on how I can improve," with that in mind, Lucy smiled and reached to her key ring, finding the tell-tale silver key.
Reaching her hand into the air, Lucy started the spell. "I am linked to the path-"
Hello, miss Lucy, how may I help you? She heard Crux's voice resonate in her mind, making Lucy gasp.
G-Grampa Crux? Is that you? Lucy thought back, her mental voice wobbling.
Yes Child, do you need me to come see you in your realm or will this be sufficient? Lucy heard in her mind, and she mentally nodded to let him know it was okay to keep it this way.
You are wanting information on how to expand your magic container and how to strengthen your magic overall? Crux asked, and she once again nodded, before forgetting that Crux couldn't see her nod.
Yes, that is exactly right, thank you Grandpa Crux, Lucy thought back, slowly getting used to the strangeness that was telepathy.
Leo warned us you wanted to improve your power, so I have the answers already. You need to mediate, preferably morning and light and envision your magical contained, imagine the energy and see how it flows. Follow your instincts. Crux and Lucy stroked his key fondly.
Once you get used to visualizing your magic and get familiar with it, follow your instincts. I will contact you again with further instructions. Will that be all, Miss Lucy? Crux thought, and Lucy smiled softly, stoking the key.
Thank you very much Grandpa Crux, I appreciate everything. I hope you have a great day- or whatever you guys call it in the Spirit World, Lucy thought back, trying to put as much warmth and love into her mental voice as she could.
If she didn't know any better, she would've thought that Crux blushed. He sent a cloud of mental warmth back to her before severing their connection, retreating into the Celestial Spirit World. Smiling to herself, Lucy leant forward, pulling off her shoes. "You are welcome to stay here if you like Plue, but you can go back if you would prefer. It'll get a bit boring for you, I'm sure." Lucy said, smiling softly at her smallest spirit.
"Pun Punn," Plue said, snuggling into her. Plue copied her stance, getting into a small lotus poison next to her.
"Alright Plue, we are in this together," Lucy said, smiling softly at her little spirit and getting into the lotus position.
Lucy shut her eyes and blanked her mind. She heard the wind move through the leaves, felt the shafts of sunlight filter through the tree on top of her. The scent of flowers glazed the wind, swirling around her and relaxing her tensed muscles. The grass tickled her exposed thighs beneath her, the rough bark juxtaposing the soft grass. She visualised her magical container, brimming with starlit energy. It bubbled out, spilling over and igniting her bloodstream, sending magical power through her body. She felt like a star, burning bright and hot, the energy growing and condensing in her bloodstream. Focusing solely on the starlight that slid through her blood, she called it back into her container, stuffing it full. She focused on the brightness, willing it to grow brighter and radiate through her body, invigorating her cells. She crafted it into a ball, imagining the energy vibrating, feeling it ebb and flow in time with her heart. The rest of the world melting away, only the hum of her internal magic holding her attention. She was entranced, her inner eye staring at her magic container with a laser focus.
She breathed through as the magic quivered, the magic acting like a compressed spring. Beads of sweat lined her brow, her teeth gritting together as she tensed her bodies, focusing on compressing the energy. Before it got too much, she focused on the energy, willing the serpent-like energy to slink back in the container like a snake charmer. Taking a deep breath, the magic recoiled back into the container, before imaging the lid materialising and being screwed on tightly. Taking a few more steadying breaths, Lucy slowly opened her eyes, feeling like she was emerging from a dream or from deep under the water.
Groaning, Lucy stretched out like a cat and rubbed her eyes. Her vision returned to her, and her sense of self re-solidified. "How are you feeling, Plue?" Lucy asked, her voice having a dazed quality in it.
"Pun, Pun Punnn" Plue said, smiling happily at his master.
"Yea me too," Lucy said, not really understanding what her spirit said.
"Come on, let's head back to the guild." Lucy said, trying to stand up, only for her feet to cave under her as if she was walking on ice.
"Ugh," Lucy cried, her vision becoming murky and her legs giving out on her. Luckily, a hand reached out and caught her, pulling her to her feet and steading her.
"As much as I want you to fall for me, I don't want you to fall literally, Princess," Loke teased, pulling Lucy into his arms and smiling dashingly at her.
"Loke, how did you get here?" Lucy asked, stifling a yawn.
"I could feel your energy in the Spirit World, Princess. I came as soon as I could," Loke said, switching his charming smile with a genuine one he reserved just for his new master.
"Thank you, Loke," Lucy said, her body slumping as magical exhaustion caught up to her.
"Of course, my darling, I swore to protect you and be by your side." Loke said, giving her hip a friendly squeeze.
"Can you help me get to the guild, please?" Lucy asked, and Loke just smiled and nodded.
"It'll be quicker if I give you a piggyback, is that okay?" Loke asked, smiling reassuringly at his mistress.
"No funny business, alright?" Lucy warned, making her spirit chuckle and nod, an amused gleam in his eyes.
"Of course, my princess, now hop on." Loke said, bending over and smirking at her from over his shoulder.
Lucy rolled her eyes but pulled herself onto his back. He smiled at her and winked, nodding at Plue who vanished in a flash of Celestial dust.
"Hold on, princess." Loke said, smiling at her as he began to walk out of the thicket.
During their walk, the two talked in companionable silence. Loke talked about his life in the Celestial World, asking Lucy about her training. Lucy hadn't felt so comfortable in a long time, and let the comfortable silence massage her, sinking in like she would a bubble bath. Lucy leaned against his back, letting his soft hair tickle her face. She replied when needed, but mostly just enjoyed his company. "We are here, princess." Loke said, pushing the door open and making his way over to the table Natsu and Gray sat at.
"Luce! What did you do to her, you stupid lion!" Natsu hollered, standing up, his flaming fists fisted at his sides.
"He's her Celestial Spirit, you flaming idiot, he wouldn't hurt her," Gray said, rolling his eyes at the stupidity of his friend. Once his annoyance calmed, a look of worry settled onto his features. "Though, why is she like that?" Gray asked, his eyebrows furrowing.
"She's been training and has exhausted herself. Natsu, can you get a Strawberry Milkshake please, put it on my tab," Loke said coolly, placing Lucy on the bench before joining her.
"Aye, Sir," Natsu said, saluting him before walking over to the bar to place the order.
Loke sat next to her, pulling her close to his body. His scent, something like cinnamon and starlight washed over her, calming her rattled mind. "You doing okay, Lucy?" Gray asked, looking at her with concern.
"Why do you care about Love Rival, Gray-Sama? You should only care about Juvia!" Juvia screamed, appearing out of nowhere.
Loke looked up at Gray, raising an eyebrow at his best friend. Gray groaned, putting his head in his hands as he tried to calm his temper. "I'm not your boyfriend, Juvia," He ground out, looking up from between his fingers.
Juvia squeaked before sheets of rain pelted the ground, leaving puddles on the cobbled earth. Gray groaned, used to the tumultuous weather whenever Juvia was rejected by him. Loke just smirked, amused at the sheer annoyance on his friend's face. Lucy groaned, sleepiness coating her tone. She sighed and sat up, looking up at the crying Juvia. "Juvia stop being so dramatic, Gray isn't interested," Lucy snapped, not in the mood to deal with a crazed stalker at the moment.
"Love Rival!" Juvia growled, surged forward.
Loke growled and quick as a cat caught her hand. He flipped her onto the ground, using his body to pin her. "Don't you dare strike my master, not if you value your life," Loke growled, his eye morphing into slits like a lion.
"Ye-yes Loke," Juvia said, morphing into water and sliding away and out the door.
Satisfied she was gone, Loke walked back to Lucy and sat next to her. Gray and Lucy looked at him with open mouths, a mixture of awe and concern in their eyes. Before they could ask anything, Natsu returned, a metallic cup filled with strawberry goodness in his hands.
"Oh hey, it's raining. That's a bummer," Natsu said, his voice disinterested.
Everyone sweat dropped hearing Natsu say the obvious, before focusing back on what they were doing. Loke turned to Gray, a teasing expression on his face.
"Don't even start, you stupid lion cub," Gray hissed, making Loke growl slightly, the teasing glint not leaving his now human eyes.
"I was just going to ask if you were planning on saying goodbye before you left," Loke said, pulling Lucy into his side and ignoring her warning growl.
"Of course, I was, why, you going to miss me lion breath?" Gray said, a small smirk appearing on his face as he taunted his friend.
"Of course, we were partners for a while after all" Loke said, making Lucy look up at him questionably.
"You were partners? What happened?" She asked, her eyes flickering between Gray and Loke like she was watching a ping pong match.
"We can discuss that later Lucy, have your shake, you need to improve your strength after exhausting your magical energy." Loke instructed, pushing the cup to his master.
Lucy smiled, taking her drink and sipping it. The guys kept chatting, remaining on old times. Lucy kept sipping her drink, leaning against Loke. If he ever brought up, he would find his gate forced closed before he could even say princess. Focusing on her drink, she zoned out, not wanting to interrupt her friends.
"When do you plan on leaving, Gray?" Loke asked, looking at Gray and keeping his arm wrapped around Lucy's waist.
"I'm not sure, I'm thinking tonight. I've already spoken to the master, so it just depends on when I can get out of here." Gray said, sipping his ice water.
"I still don't get why you can't just train here," Natsu grumbled, averting his eyes.
"You know I need to Natsu, also you mentioned Lucy was training?" Gray said, smiling at Loke and trying to change the subject.
"Yes, she has been meditating today to expand her magical container. Us spirits are very proud of her." Loke said, smiling at his master who was in her own world.
"You know, it would be a shame if the team fully broke up," Loke said, smirking at Gray.
"Oh, really? Something on your mind?" Gray replied, smirking at his friend.
"Could be, why don't you stay until tomorrow night," Loke said, pushing his glasses up with a smirk. "My energy is running a bit low. Would you be so kind as to help my Princess make her way home?" Loke said, gently pushing his friend and master off his form.
"Hmm, did someone say something?" Lucy said, focusing on what was going around her.
Everyone raised their eyebrows and looked at her, the boys wondering how she could've zoned out that much. "My darling, I was just saying I need to return to the Celestial Spirit World and asking these guys to help you get home safe and sound." Loke said, sending her a charming smile.
"I don't need any help, you stupid oversized house cat," Lucy growled, pissed at the fact her spirit thought she needed a babysitter.
"Till next time, my love," Loke said, evaporating in a shower of sparkles.
Muttering to herself, Lucy drained the last of her cup before crossing her arms and pouting. Her friends exchanged an amused glance before looking back at her. "I'm going home, and I don't need any babysitters," Lucy grumbled, getting up and walking to the exit, her movements slightly sluggish.
Gray and Natsu exchanged a glance, before sighing and getting up. "Are we following her?" Happy asked, looking up at his friend.
Sighing, Natsu looked down at his little friend. "Yea Happy we are, Luce may need us," Natsu said, before they all walked out the guild to follow their blonde-haired friend.
Deciding to stay a few meters behind her, lest they anger her, the boys watched Lucy as she sluggishly walked forward. The boys looked at each other, seeing the stilted movement of her body. Just as she was about to fall, Natsu sprinted ahead, catching her in his arms. "Come on Luce don't push yourself," Natsu lightly reprimanded, Gray running up behind them.
Lucy tried to master a glare but ended up falling pliant in her friends' arms. "I could make it… If I had to." she stubbornly insisted, internally berating herself for being so weak.
"Lucy, you already exhausted yourself in the battle of Fairy Tail, after training today you'll be exhausted." Natsu said, walking with her cradled in his arms.
"Just let us help you, that's what friends are for," Gray added, reaching out to clasp her limp hand.
Sighing, Lucy nodded, knowing she didn't have the energy to refute their help. With a small nod, she stopped fighting and let herself relax. After nodding to each other, the boys kept walking, Happy flying ahead, performing small aerial loops above them. Lucy reached in her pocket, pulling out the key to her apartment. Looking over at Gray, she caught his eye and moved her key into his line of sight. He jogged over and fell in step with them, gently tugging the key out of her hand just as they reached the doors.
"I'll unlock the door, let's go." Gray said, and they walked up the stairs, pausing so Gray could unlock the door.
"Put her on the bed," Loke said, resting on the couch.
Gray merely raised his eyebrow at seeing his friend sitting there like he owned the place. Natsu was about the reply, but Loke pointed at the bed, pointing at the bed. Natsu sighed but went to the bed and placed her on the bed with an uncharacteristic kindness.
Gray turned to Loke, crossing his arms. "I knew you weren't actually going to the Celestial World; you can stay here for much longer than a few hours," he said, making Natsu look over.
"You always did know me well. Come, let's let Lucy rest and take this conversation outside. I fear Lucy won't be too impressed if she hears what I have to ask."
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this update. Lucy has started her training, though since she is still recovering from expending all her energy in Fantasia, she is exhausted. Hopefully, a rest and more shakes will heal her. What do you think Loke has to ask her? It's probably quite obvious, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Lucy will start to get stronger and won't be needing to be saved eventually, so I hope you enjoy seeing her shift into a stronger, more capable mage.
If there is anything you'd like to see in the book, let me know, who knows, it might come true.