"Psst. Lucy." I heard someone whisper. I lifted my head off Natsu's chest with a blush as I met Mira's eyes. "We need to talk. Can you come with me?"
I glace at Natsu who is on his back with Happy asleep on his stomach above his head. I wiggled from Natsu's grasp and exited my tent to meet Mira. We walked through the forest for a few minutes. My heart sank to my stomach as my brain thought of some gruesome senerios where Mira murders me for taking her sister's love.
"Um… Mira…" I stammer out nervously as she stops Infront of me to face me.
"I wanted to have this conversation with you since girls night but I figured you wouldn't be honest with me around the others." She said.
I looked at her in confusion.
"Natsu came to me one night after you gave up your spot as his partner." She started. "He was in tears, you know. He was angry and so hurt. He didn't understand why you didn't want him anymore. I take it since you guys are partners again, he talked to you."
I blushed as I studdered, "y...yes, but… um…. We…."
"...Are mates." She finished for me. I dropped my gaze to my feet in guilt.
"Lucy, you don't have to feel guilty." She declared. I snapped my head to her as she continued, "It wasn't fair for Lisanna to expect you to just step aside and allow her to be with Natsu, but you did that anyway and it broke his heart. I heard her lie to Erza about you not wanting to go to the fair with Natsu and the team. I told her to apologize. Did she?"
"Yes. I bought her a funnel cake, we talked but um… I haven't told her about… you know. It's fairly recent, I haven't even had time to process it." I softly explain to her. "I didn't mean to take Natsu from her, but the way he…" I averted her gaze, "...I love him too, Mira."
"I know and he feels the same way about you." She said. My eyes snapped to her as I remembered Cana's words. "We should have noticed you two were falling for each other."
"Natsu never treated Lisanna the way he treats you. That's not to say he doesn't care for her. It's just… He's closer to you then anyone except Happy. You seemed like a level-headed person when you first came to us. Why would someone like you be partners with someone like him, if you didn't at least, like him a little. I watched as you two grew closer. I knew your feelings turned to love after he saved you from Phantom Lord. But since I assume you've never been in love before, you didn't know how to handle it." She explained.
"Back when I was living with my dad, there was this guy who…" I blushed embarrassed, because I never told anyone about this. "I gave myself to him. My heart and my body. Later I found out he didn't even really like me. He wanted to marry me to get my father's money. It was always like that, people pretended to like me to get favors from my father. It's one of the reasons I didn't tell you guys about my background."
She patted me on my head. "You didn't want to let that side of yourself love Natsu just in case you lost him, right?"
I nodded as she hugged me.
"Since Natsu was Natsu, I figured I would have time to get my feelings in order to… but then we found out Lisanna was alive. I figured I missed my chance." I told her.
She has her hands on my shoulders and says in my face, "Lisanna is jealous and she will be for a while but you don't have to keep Natsu at arms length to appease her. She wouldn't push him away for you. It's ok to love him Lucy."
"Thank you, Mira." I said as we walked back to camp. The sun was just peaking over the horizon. A muscular body slammed into me, wrapped arms around my waist and buried their face in my neck.
"Natsu!" I gently chastised, pushing him off me as he growled at me.
"Natsu! She is the enemy!" Happy yelled as he tried pulling him off me.
Cana crawled out of her tent and looked at us in amusement. Mira giggled while she was preparing breakfast.
"Natsu, why are you so loud in the morning?!" Gray yelled as he rubbed his eyes with one hand and streched the other.
"Not my fault you are a granny, Ice Princess!" Natsu taunted back with his arms still tightly around my waist. "Maybe we should call you ice granny!"
"No fights this early in the morning!" Erza ordered.
"Aye!" Gray and Natsu said while pretending they were best friends.
Juvia jumped on Gray and wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to his back.
"We are no longer rivals. Become S-Class and I will give you a kiss for your valiant efforts!" She exclaimed.
"No thanks. You Can keep that to yourself." He responded as he shook her off him.
"Gray, My darling!" She cried as she turned into a puddle.
I rolled my eyes and turned to Natsu as best as I could with his arms right around me.
"You are still technically my enemy." I teased.
He whimpered out, "You could never be my enemy, Luce."
I was yanked out of his arms by Cana. "Until sunset she is!"
I smiled apologetic at him as Lisanna stood next to him to put her hand on his shoulder.
"Breakfast is ready." Mira announced.
"Ok, brats listen up." Master's voiced. "The next phase is to find the grave of the first Master. There is a surprise there for the three teams to find it. It is a free for all event, so you'll have to fight each other while trudging through the forest. Like the previous trial, you have until sunset. Good luck."
Gildarts threw his hands up and that was the last thing I remembered until I woke up. Cana and I were in a clearing. "Wake up!" I demanded. She jumped to her feel and looked around. "Judging by the position sun, it's still morning. We need to go." Them I sweat dropped. "Do you know where to go?"
She pulled out her cards to read them. Her face twisted and looked at me with concern. "What?" I asked.
She shook her head, pointed behind me and mumbled, "This way."
I looked at her back for a moment before I followed after, a little reluctant. After an hour of walking through brush and mud, we found it. She looked relieved as I asked her what the suprise was.
"It's a spell." She breathed as she read the incantation. "And a pretty powerful one."
"Looks like I found you."
I froze as I turned around to face… a goat who stood on its hind legs in a suit.
"Who are you?" Cana glared already on the defense.
"You can leave girl. I don't have business with you." He stated as he punched the ground. I jumped but stared in shock as the ground comepletly broke apart. While I was in the air, I saw fire in one direction, ice and light in another. I landed on the ground in a crouch and changed into Virgo Stardress.
Cana threw a formation of cards and made the light hit the goat.
The goat ran at Cana and kicked her hard enough to send her flying.
Damn. He's fast I noticed as I dodged the punch he threw my way. I turned to Cana who was out cold. I need to get her out of here. I thought to myself as I backflipped away from another punch and kicked him in the face. He landed on his back and flipped to his feet before round house kicking toward me. I tunneled under the ground. I jumped up and grabbed him from behind around his head.
The intensity of the pain I felt in my head made me release the assailant and jump back. "You're Capricorn?" I asked in shock.
"Yes and no. Capricorn tried to break our contract so I took him over. " He responded. That was illegal in celestial law. It's punishable by death.
What was that pain I felt when I touched him? I shouted in pain as Capricorn punched me in the stomach. I cursed myself for getting distracted as I tunneled underground again. The ground I was under began to break apart as I was exposed. I saw Cana's body fly in the air as well. I switched to Sagittarius form as I raced to grab her. Capricorn blocked me as he put me in a headlock. My stardress changed into my regular clothes as he choked me. I headbutted him which allowed me to break his hold, crouch to the ground and kick him. Unfortunately, he caught my leg and twisted my ankle. The sickening crunch was heard before the pain was felt. He continued to squeeze my broken ankle. The pain was unimaginable and I summoned Taurus. Taurus stared the goat for a minute before I shouted, "He's been taken over."
A dark look passed on Taurus's face as he tackled Capricorn. They were fighting as I got to my feet to summon Virgo. She materialized and began to pull me away from the fighting animals and I pushed her away. "Get Cana to safety." I ordered.
She looked at my ankle with was a nasty blackish purple color. "That is an order! You can't take us both!"
She sighed before running toward Cana.
"No!" Capricorn shouted as he kicked Taurus back to the spirit world and ran toward Virgo. I changed into Sagittarius star dress and shot him in the back with a spirit arrow. He fell to the ground as Virgo reached Cana. "I'll come back for you!!" She shouted as she ran away. I breathed a sigh of relief. Cana was safe for now.
I didn't want to run and abandon Capricorn, I needed to get the mage out of his spirit.. but how? When he touched me he pushed his magic in me to revert my star dress. Maybe I can… I don't have time to dwell on that when I had to dodge a fist aimed at my face. I stepped on the injured ankle and crumpled to the ground with a Yelp. He raised his fist and I grabbed his ankle and pressed my magic in him. I felt the mage, I felt Capricorn. The real Capricorn. Before I could increase the magic, I was kicked in the shoulder which forced me to let go. I skidded backwards. I glanced at my dislocated shoulder as I got to my feet. I bit my lip. I can't summon Aquarius since there wasn't any water near by, Virgo was getting Cana at a safe distance. I could summon Sagittarius but he's a distance shooter. It wouldn't
Do me any good.
I Scorpio stardressed and sand blasted Capricorn backwards.
"Open gate of the scorpion! Scorpio!" I shout. Ding dong. Scorpio took an apraising look to me and said, "Step back, Lucy. Your body can't fight anymore." I glared at Scorpio and said,"I can push this mage out of Capricorn. Get me an opening."
Scorpio jumped toward Capricorn and dodged the roundhouse kick to his head. He wrapped his tail around him and threw him toward me. I wrapped my tail around his torso, pinning his arms in place and put my hands on his temples. I pushed as much magic as I could as he screamed in agony. I could feel Capricorn just as I feel my other spirits. Then, Capricorn began to glow as a crazed man took his place. He separated himself from Capricorn? I couldn't dwell on it as he headbutted me Which forced me to let go and fall to the ground. He jumped toward Scorpio and stabbed him with a blade. Where he got it, I had no idea. As Scorpio disappeared he looked panicked as he Tried to reach for me.
The crazy man turned to me as I tried to crawl away. My shoulder was throbbing painfully as I put my weight on it. He quickly grabbed me, spun me around and sank his blade into my abdomen. I screamed in agony and terror. He was going to kill me.
"You look just like your mother!" He shouted in my face as he pulled the blade out of my belly. He raised his hand to stab me again but a hand grabbed him and threw him backwards.
"Virgo, this is the mage who took over Capricorn!" I shouted as I tried to get to my feet. She burrowed in the ground and the man raised his hand and threw it down. "Virgo!" I shouted as the backwards constellation of Capricorn slammed into the ground.
That's how he was able to keep Capricorn hidden from the heavens, I thought to myself. I flew backwards and felt Virgo's gate close.
Dammit. He threw the Capricorn constellation at me as I used Aquarius constellation as a barrier. I couldn't hold this for long, I needed to finish this. I held the stab wound as I dodged his lunge toward me. I wasn't fast enough as he grazed my upper arm. I landed in a pitiful heap as I threw Aquarius constellation his way.
He used Capricorn constellation as a barrier and Aquarius constellation dematerialized. Dammit, I thought in frustration.
He smiled a wide manic smile as he threw Capricorn constellation at me.
I raised my hands and pushed my magic. I could see the veins in my arm were glowing yellow as a giant Beach ball sized orb materialized Infront of me. The heat intense, as I shouted, "Sun Annihilation!" Everything began to melt in the clearing as the orb hit Capricorn constellation. Me and the man we're thown from the blast as Capricorn in his goat form was on his knees.
"Zoldeo! You have broken Celestial law!" A voice boomed out. The Celestial King opened the Heavens before us. "Your sentence is Death."
I turned to Zoldeo. He ran at me with his knife raised. "If I have to die, I'll take Layla's offspring with me!" I couldn't get up so I tried to pull myself away. Capricorn jumped in front of me and kicked him away. A giant sword came down. Zoldeo's body was vaporized as the impact collided with his body.
"Once again, Miss Lucy, you have put Celestial Spirits needs above your own. I owe you a debt. If you need help, you may call me like you can call your other spirits but I can only come once." He stated before disappearing. I felt a warmth spread across my forearm. I glanced to see a silver key tattoo. The top of it was a circle with a crown in the center.
"Thank you for separating him from me." Capricorn's voice called out softly. I turned my broken and exhausted body to my back with a grunt to look at him and smile. "Go home, you must be tired." I say softly as I take his hand. "Wait, what about you?" He asked in concern.
"I'll be ok. The sun is still out. I can replenish me magic. I just need to rest." I say as I push him toward his gate with the last of my magic. "Welcome home." I say to him as he feels the power of the home he has been kept from. He disappears but where I had his hand I feel...My hand drops as the key feels as heavy as a twenty pound weight. That was stupid, I'm out of magic power. I'm a sitting duck. I thought to myself as I dozed off, too tired to move.
As I'm coming to, I feel myself being carried over someone's shoulder. The pain from the stab wound intense as I roll off this person. I'm still low on magic I thought angrily as I looked at the person who was carrying me. I pale as I'm looking at a massive dark haired man in nothing but a cape and a speedo. I jump to my feet and turn to run but my broken ankle throbs as I feel a hard tug on my hair. I Yelp and fall backwards. I dropped the key I was holding as I tried to ease the grip on my hair.
"Lucy!" I heard Natsu yell as I tumbled. Natsu had tackled the guy who had me.
They were staring each other down as I saw Happy grab the key and hand it to me.
"Get her out of here!" Natsu demanded to Happy.
"No. Finders keepers!" The guy screamed childishly. "That woman is mine. I found her first."
Natsu growled as he attacked the man. Next thing I know, I'm in front of Natsu's fist with the man behind me. I brace for impact but it never comes as Natsu flips away from me. He looked shell-shocked as he whined, "Luce…" He never would have forgiven himself for hurting me.
The guy behind me shifted his hands through my hair with one hand and pressed his weight on my dislocated shoulder. I wanted to move but I couldn't. My ankle throbbing as tears run down my face. I'm in so much pain. I'm light headed as I feel liquid drip down my legs from the wound on my abdomen. I was loosing blood.
"Get off her!" Natsu demanded. Natsu prepared for a fight, lept toward the man. I was thrown to the ground before Natsu could reach him, I wailed in pain.
"My magic allows me to control people as long as I have their hair on Mr. Cursy." The man holds up a doll with a strand of blonde hair on it. My hair! "This woman is mine to control." Natsu growled at that statement but didn't move. He glanced as me as he tried to figure out what to do.
The man's hands encircled me as he pulled me off the ground. I channelled my magic power to summon sunshine. I felt my body get scalding hot as my veins began to glow yellow. The man yelped in pain as he dropped me to the ground. I turned to my side as I held up, Mr. Cursy.
"Kick his ass, Natsu!" I encouraged through tears. He smirked at me as he ran toward the enemy. The big guy ran off before Natsu could land a punch.
"I'm not a combat fighter!" He yelled as tried to leave with Natsu hot on his heels. "Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu yelled as a massive blast of fire was flew towards the retreating man. He screamed in agony but Natsu kept pushing his fire.
"Natsu, stop! You're going to kill him!" Happy cried as he flew toward me.
Natsu stopped his attack and said, "Look what he did to Lucy! He deserves it!"
"He didn't do this to me." I said but then regret it as Natsu turned to me in panic. I quickly added on a slight joking manner, "You should see the other guy." The King did kill him.
"Where is he?!" Natsu commanded. "I'll…"
"Calm down, I'm ok. Just tired." I interrupted before he could go on an angry tyrate. He sighed for a moment before picking me up piggy back. I hissed in pain as the wound on my abdomen was presses tightly to his back and my dislocated shoulder was positioned on his.
"I know it hurts, Luce but we gotta move fast! We have to find Wendy so she can heal you." He said as he started to run.
"What about Cana?" I grunted out. I was in so much pain.
"Natsu smelled your blood and we came to find you. We haven't seen her." Happy explained, "Grimore Heart is attacking us. We ran into a guy that almost beat Natsu and Master. It took Master, Natsu and Laxus to take him down. Masters in bad shape."
Laxus, I blink. My stomach clenched as guilt flooded my system. I hope everyone's ok.
I can't keep my eyes open.
"Lucy!" I heard Happy shout in concern before everything went dark.
I can here the voices of my guildmates. With a groan I sit up slowly. My body is so sore, I thought to myself. I felt muscular arms slide behind my shoulders to brace my weight and help me up.
I lean back against Natsu as I found myself grateful he came for me. Who knows what that freaks plans for me were. I want a shower, I think as I glanced around the camp. I saw Laxus talking to Lisanna, Mira was asleep… or unconscious, I thought bitterly to myself. Erza and Wendy were bandaging Gray and Gajeel. Levy was scolding Gajeel as he was ignoring her. Everyone else was bandaged and relaxing.
"Lucy! I'm so glad you're awake!" Cana yelled as she rushed toward me. I leaned forward to grab her hand.
"I'm so glad you're ok." I breathe.
"You almost gave me a heart attack! I came to, your pink haired spirit was holding me. When she saw I was concious she dropped me and said she had to go back for you. When I went to follow her, I was attacked by a dude who could manipulate gravity. I used the spell that was on the grave but it do anything. That guy almost killed me but Gildarts saved me." She said, than took a breath. "You were so pale when Natsu found Wendy. I wouldn't have forgiven myself if you died."
I tightened my grip on her hand. "That wasn't your fault. Capricorn's special power is super strength. His hit could have killed you."
Natsu froze behind me before moving my hair to one shoulder, nuzzling the mate mark and massaging my shoulders.
I bit my lip before I could released a moan of pleasure.
Cana asked, "That's who that was? What happened?"
"Short version; Capricorn was taken over by a mage called Zoleo. I separated them and Zoldeo was killed by the Celestial Spirit King." I explained.
"Why did the spirit king kill him?" Happy asked.
Loke's voiced piped up as he walked toward us. He was practically running on fumes, "It's punishable by death for a Celestial mage to take over a spirit." He told them before turning to glare at me, "Why didn't you call me?" He demanded.
"I.." before I could finish my explanation. "Don't use the trials as an excuse. He could have...would have killed you."
Natsu's grip on my shoulder tightened painfully as I whimpered pitifully.
"Sorry." He muttered before resuming his massage and nuzzling my neck.
"I didn't need to. I handled it." I said defiantly towards Loke. "He's home if you want to go visit." I say more gently. Loke's eyes soften as he bows eye level to me. "Thank you for saving my brother." He glanced around the camp, a little reluctant to leave, so I say, "Go home, get some rest Loke. I'll call you if the trials resume." He smiled as he vanished.
"How are you feeling Lucy? you've been out for a while." Lisanna asks me as she walks towards us with Laxus and Master behind her. I look toward the sky. It was around eleven in the morning. Cana turns to look at her.
"Better than I look, probably." I say jokingly.
"You look like an etheral goddess." Cana complemented as she turned back to me. I look at her with a weird look. "You're sparkling again." She clarifies.
I glanced down and blush as I realize she was right.
"Why didn't you call Loke, Lucy?" Gray asked as he appeared with Juvia hot on his heels. "He was terrified when he realized that being here on his own power wouldn't allow him to get to you. He couldn't get to you unless he returned to his world. He didn't want to leave me open to the two enemies we fought so he didn't." He stopped to appraise me for a moment before continuing, "I should have made him. You look like shit."
"You try using your magic to seperate a zodiac spirit that you're not contracted to from a take over mage and see if you come out of it looking like a model." I snap back annoyed at his insult. He put his hands up in surrender as everyone snickered.
"Damn, Blondie. As always you have bigger balls than anyone." Laxus boomed out with a laugh.
"She's a Lady, she doesn't have balls." Carla said on top of Wendy's head.
"Sure she does! They are just on her chest." Cana bellowed out in laughter.
Gray and Laxus stare at my chest and Natsu growls toward them.
"Relax, Salamander. Ain't no one gonna touch your girl." Gajeel said as he walked up with Levy behind him.
"How are you feeling Lu?" Levy asked, practically frantic.
"Lisanna asked me that too." I glanced to her. Her eyes were glued to Natsu since he was still massaging me. "I feel fine." I stated as Wendy used her healing magic on me. The poor girl looked exhausted.
"Child, will you rest? You are going to pass out at this rate." Carla chastised.
"Really, Wendy. I'm fine." I say as I grabbed her hands. I lift my shirt slightly and remove the bandages. She gasped as she noticed my wound was healed.
"I didn't…" she blushed.
"I know. Thanks to a contract I have, I can be heal by sunlight." I explain as I drop my shirt.
"How is that possible?" Levy asked as she sat down.
"I am contracted to a Supreme Deity." I Describe as I roll my stiff neck to the side to invite Natsu to bury his face in; He does with a sigh of happiness. Levy's eyes glance down to my keys. She counted but before she could asked I voiced, "The new key is Capricorn. I haven't made the contract yet though. No, the key…" I used my fingers to put quotations around key, "is a magical ability called Sunshine. It's a light and fire combo that works kind of like dragon slayer magic."
"How?" Gajeel asked, intrest peaked at the mention of his type of magic.
"I can temporarily manipulate the heat and light from the Sun. Unfortunately, I was told there is a limited amount of times I can use it before it starts to burn the contract away. There are two ways I can use it; The first is a release of a heat so powerful, it doesn't burn, it melts."
"There was a clearing where everything looked melted. That was you?" Master asked.
"Yes." I replied. "The second is a manifestation of a sphere that looks like the sun. It can melt almost any object it comes in contact with, the only exception I've found is constellations and star magic." I paused before sheepishly adding, "I can't control that one very well yet so I don't like to use it."
"Is that why you wanted me gone?" Cana asked in relief. I nodded. She didn't need to know that if she was still there, I wouldn't have used it.
"So what's with the noon thing?" She asked.
"Noon is when the sun is at its peak in the sky. In that moment, I can unite with the sun." Everyone looked at me in shock.
"What does that mean?" Natsu and Happy questioned.
"It means for exactly one minute, I become the embodiment of the sun."
The collective gasps heavily petted my ego as Natsu begun massaging my back.
"I'll never call you fat again, Lushi." Happy cried in fright, clamoring in my lap. "Please don't melt me!"
"Relax you stupid cat." I say reassuringly, "I'd never use it on you. I'd just throw you like a ball."
Gray choked on his spit causing eveyone to turn to him. "That's why Loke said to take you out first if we had to fight you guys!" Natsu growled at him, now massaging my lower back.
Laxus and Gajeel let out low whistles, I smiled sheepishly as Master asked, "Were you planning on using this power in the trials?"
"Only the heat release. I can control how much I can let go and if I want it to sizzle, burn or melt..." I assured. "... But the ball is slow, destructive and can vary in size depending on how much sunshine is around me. I can't consciously change the size. When it takes course, it won't stop movement until something with equal or greater force makes contact."
Master grumbled, "Destructive brats." Before leaving to check on the others.
Natsu, Gajeel and Wendy jumped to their feel in alarm as the rest of us stare the them in confusion.
"Natsu, what's wrong?" Lisanna asked.
"I hear a dragon coming this way!" Wendy responded for him.
Everyone in camp turned to look at them just as a massive black dragon appeared in the sky.
"Hey! Hey you!" Shouted Natsu.
"Natsu! Stop you idiot!"" Gildarts yelled.
"Where is Igneel?!" He demanded, ignoring Gildarts.
The massive black dragon circled the island repeatedly before opening it's mouth. I paled as I felt it's magic rising. Was it planning to attack us?!
"RUN!" Someone shouted as I was yanked to my feet. Run? Run where? The dragon was almost as big as the island. We're sitting ducks! I look from the sky towards Natsu who was trying to reach me. I have to save my friends. I thought as I limped away from them. I pulled three keys to summon; Ares, Sagittarius and Cancer.
"Triangle formation around Fairy Tail! Now!" I demanded. " DO NOT LET THE HEAT HURT THEM!" They get into formation around everyone, raised their hands to form a triangular barrier. I force myself to ignore Natsu who is shouting my name as I lock my eyes on the massive dragon. It's noon.
"Open! Gate of the Supreme Deity; Helios!" I open the flood gates and wave after wave of pure destructive heat flows from my body as I feel it scald every single part of me.
My body was so hot! In the corner of my eyes I see everything around me starting to melt, including the barrier surrounding my friends. "Erza your armor is melting!" Levy; or was that Lisanna? shouted.
Everyone covered their eyes at the bright light I was emmiting blinded them. I threw my hands over my head toward the dragon. I shot an equally massive sphere of light towards it as he released his roar attack. "Sun Annihilation." The crash of magic forces my spirits back through their gates and knocks me on my butt. When I collided with the ground, everything went dark.