The next morning Lucy groaned as she heard someone come in. Opening her eyes, she saw Laxus setting something on her night stand. "Laxus…" He turned and saw her. "Lucy." She carefully sat up wincing a little in pain. "Here this will help. I went to get them from that damn woman Porlyusica, but I didn't plan to wake you." Lucy started to laugh as she knew how that woman hated humans but was grateful for his thoughtfulness. Nodding she took them as he sat on the edge of the bed. It didn't take long, but she started to feel drowsy. "Laxus, what did…" Brushing her hair aside he looked at her smirking. "Sorry Blondie, but you are a stubborn one and rest isn't exactly your strong suit, so I had to get you something to make you sleep for a couple days. It took some convincing of that woman too mind you." Lucy struggled to stay awake, but her strength was disappearing fast. Glaring at him she felt her consciousness slipping away.
Standing up once she was completely unconscious he took off towards the guild. When he arrived, he chose a job and was heading grab the thunder legion when he saw Mira. "Mira a word," he said. They walked away from everyone else. "I need a favor. I had Lucy take some medication that will help heal her but knocks her out for a couple of days due to how strong the herbs are. Porlyusica told me someone should be with her until she wakes up, but I need to go do a job. When she comes too I know she'll be angry. I need you to watch over her until I get back with my team." Mira nodded as he left. She was angry at Laxus, but maybe what Lucy said last night had some truth to it. Excusing herself she went to his house. Mira let herself in and found Lucy asleep.
A couple of days later Lucy woke up to see Mira sitting reading a book. "Mira…?" "Oh, Lucy you're awake good. How are you feeling?" she asked standing up. "Better, but how all I remember…" suddenly the memories came back. "What did he have me take!" shouted Lucy. Mira laughed and explained what it was. "Seriously! What the hell! Laxus is going to pay! He's almost as bad as Natsu on communicating." Standing up she got dressed as she had discovered her things were in the dresser already. After getting dressed Mira made her an omelet and explained that Laxus took an S-Class mission. She wasn't sure when he would return since those missions could take some time.
After they finished breakfast Mira and she walked to the guild when Gray, Natsu, and Erza ran into them. "Lucy! Mira! We have a problem! Loke's gone and left Fairy Tail!" shouted Erza "W-Why?" asked Mira. "We don't know! Everyone's searching for him," said Gray. Lucy looked shocked. She knew he had a bad relationship with a celestial wizard, but what could have made him leave Fairy Tail. It was his home. Running off she went to find him. Running blindly, she saw Loke leaving town. Following him she saw he had come to a grave.
"Loke!" He turned a shocked expression on his face. "Lucy… You shouldn't be here. Go home." Shaking her head, she smiled. "I can't. Everyone's searching for you That's Karen's grave, isn't it? The Celestial Wizard Karen Your owner. Spirit Loke No Your real name is Leo, the Lion!" shouted Lucy. Loke looked shocked as he smiled adjusting his glasses. "You did well to realize I was actually a spirit."
"Well, I am a Celestial Wizard with contracts with many spirits. I had to ask Grandpa Crux for some help, but once he finished I figured out the truth behind you. But I should have noticed it sooner, shouldn't I? After an incident where the owner dies, their contract with the spirit is nullified. Then the spirit is forced back to the spirit world until a new owner appears. Karen died, so the contract should be over, and yet you're here in the human world. For some reason, you can't return to the spirit world, can you? Just as humans can't live in the spirit world, spirits can't live forever in the human world. Your spirit life-energy will be slowly drained from you, and finally you will meet your end," said Lucy.
Loke nodded and looked at the grave of Karen Lilica. "Yes, I've been here three years and I caused Karen to die." Lucy looked at him shocked. He explained the story to her and when he finished she looked at the spirit that was in such pain. "It was my fault she died. And when someone dies they're gone forever. I wish I could bring her back, but it's just not possible. The only way I could make things right were if I were to die too." Suddenly he fell to the ground and started to fade in and out. "Oh No! Loke!" Lucy ran forward and leaned forward. "I guess this is it. It's my time."
"What do you mean your time? He started fading more and Lucy didn't know why, but she held onto him. "For me to disappear forever," he said. "You can't just give up!" "Karen, ever since that day. I've been banned from the celestial world," he said while looking at his hand. "No, your hand…" "When I killed Karen, I broke a fundamental celestial law. I have to pay the price. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. What I did. I tried to stay distracted, so it won't constantly be on my mind, but it's like she's haunting me. I've been waiting for this. For my magic energy to run out and now it's finally about to happen right in front of Karens' grave. Then I'll be free, free from the guilt that's burdened me. Before I go I want to thank you. You have been so kind to all my friends. You've restored my faith in celestial wizards."
"Wait! I can save you! You can't give up yet!" she shouted. "Listen Lucy, tell everyone in Fairy Tail I said good bye." She bowed her head and started crying. "It's not fair!" she shouted slamming her fist against the ground. "Lucy…" "I won't let you die! All you have to do is go back to the Celestial World and your life force will be restored! Right!?" she said looking at him. Loke looked at her shocked. "There has to be a way I can send you back." "I'm afraid that's impossible. I broke the law and I'm being punished for it," said Loke. "Even so, this isn't right. You didn't kill Karen! It was just and accident. It wasn't your fault!" she cried hugging her friend. "Lucy, I…" he began. "Open Gate of the Lion! Take Leo back to the Celestial World! Please!" He looked at her surprised. "Open!" she screamed leaning forward into his lap. Pushing her back he held her arms. "Calm down. It won't work. It's Okay."
The pain in her eyes was immense. Grabbing his arms, she shook him. "It's not okay! I can't just sit here while my friend disappears right before my eyes!" Suddenly she screamed as a yellow light engulfed both of them. "Open gate of the Lion!" "Stop it you're gonna use up all your magic energy like this," said Loke. "Whatever it takes! I'm going to save you Loke! I'll open your gate! I won't give up! I promise I'm going to get you to the Celestial World!" Loke looked at her shocked. "It's too dangerous!" "Open gate of the Lion! Open!" Energy started to flow around them. "It's not going to open for you! As far as they're concerned I'm responsible for Karen's' death! They're not gonna let me go back!" he shouted warningly.
Screaming the magical energy around them started to become more intense. "Cut it out Lucy! You're starting to assimilate with me! If you don't stop this, you're gonna disappear too!" he shouted. "I won't stop till the gates open! I won't let you die! What's the point of having magic power if you can't use it to save the ones you care about!" "Don't do this! Please don't make me live with the guilt of killing you too!" he cried. "You didn't kill her! Whoever decided that, needs to know that they were wrong!" Suddenly the magical energy ceased forcing the two apart.
Shock was evident on their faces as they scrambled to hold onto each other. The Celestial Spirit King had appeared. Speaking with them both he explained celestial law to them both as Lucy stood up furious. "Hold on that doesn't make any sense! Nor is it fair!" she shouts at the king. "Lucy stop!" "Leo, human girl my judgement stands. Leo broke the law." Balling her fists, she looked the king with determination in her eyes. "Loke has been suffering in the human world for three long years! He didn't kill Karen, but he did stand up for Aries!" Walking forward she placed a hand on her chest. "What is wrong with you! A friend is still a friend. There is one before you asking for a second chance so open your eyes Stache face!"
"Uhh…Lucy" began Loke trembling. "Karen died taking on a job she couldn't handle! He had nothing to do with it. You have to change your verdict. He's innocent! Please!" Her magic energy started to pour out from her. Loke gritted his teeth and looked at the ground. "Just drop it already! It doesn't matter if the verdict has changed! I'm not looking for forgiveness! I want to disappear and finally be free of this guilt!" he shouted. "I WON'T LET YOU!" she screamed releasing her energy. "You disappearing isn't gonna bring Karen back to life! All it's going to do is cause more sadness! You did nothing wrong! Because it can't be a crime to protect the people you care about!"
Lucy had summoned all her spirits at once shocking Loke. Turning around she looked at him. "What about all of your friends? You're just going to leave them? If you were to die, you would leave me and Aries and everyone else here behind! Think about us! And how miserable we would be without you!" Her power ran out causing her to collapse on the ground as her spirits disappeared. "Lucy!" Loke crawled forward and pulled her up into a sitting position. "All of my friends that came forward just now, they feel the same way I do," she said weakly. "Your friends?" he said shocked.
The king thought before changing his verdict granting Loke passage back to the Celestial World due to how passionate Lucy had been. Crying he asked to make it up to Lucy to which the king granted him. Lucy hugged him as he disappeared. In his place was a golden gate key. Closing her eyes, she fell unconscious. When she woke up Lucy felt herself being carried. Looking up she saw it was Natsu. "Natsu…" "Hey Luce!" He stopped and put her down. She felt him place a key in her hand. "Here this was beside you." Nodding they returned to the guild to see Makarov smiling. "Well done Lucy. It looks like you were able to save Loke." Nodding she smiled. "You knew all along Master, didn't you?" Grinning he took a sip of his beer.
Later that evening she was walking back to Laxus' place with Mira. "It was lucky you found Loke Lucy." Nodding she smiled. "Yeah, I don't think I could have forgiven myself if he had disappeared." Before they knew it, Lucy was back at the house. Thanking Mira she walked in and went to bed.