Reviews are Nice; The pairings are NOT decided yet. I get people like Vander/Lucy, I like them too, they're adorable when she's sassy and keeps up with him, but...I really don't know if they will get together or if it will be a friendship...or how far this darkness is going to go.

I don't own Fairy Tail. Mashima Does.

I don't own the Pradesh Clan. Desna does (and thank you for them).

I own the Storyline. That's it.

As Michael is going to be swinging close by me at Cat 1 to Tropical Storm levels, I'm going to post this a day early. Not to say I won't be around, but I don't want to end up not posting this week because I go "maybe it'll be fine".

~)~)~)~)~)~)~ Chapter 9 ~)~)~)~)~)~)~

Lucy took two months off at the Academe when she heard about Emi and the death of her first love. She'd been rooting for both of them, if she was truthful. As it was, she was sitting in Emi's room, just letting her hands curl through the older girl's hair, allowing the other's mind to drift.

It was horrible, from what happened to the fact that they were trying to say Emi did it on purpose. Her eyes were dark as she sat there, keeping herself as calm as she could. She looked down at the dragon slayer and pursed her lips. So much had happened and she wasn't sure how to help the other short of just being there. It was a horrible thing and Lucy knew she could never imagine that happening to her, she wasn't sure she'd be much better if she saw someone she cared for dying from...what was supposed to be an act of love.

The smaller blonde moved to grab an ice cube and lightly run it along the larger blonde's lips, smiling a bit as a pink tongue darted out and she kept doing so until the cube was fully melted. With a small sound she moved to lay down, hands still curling through the other's hair. Her own eyes were filled with sadness as she looked into now bitter burnt orange orbs instead of the normally intense and bright orange that reminded her of a mix between a persimmon and a tangerine.

She knew it wasn't going to be an easy recovery, emotions rarely did recover so quickly, but she would be there while she could, her classes be damned. It had been two weeks and she wished she knew how to help more, but she at least could help watch over Emi when the others had things to do and all she needed really was a book for when the other blonde was sleeping. She had Lyra out as often as she could, the spirit happy to play music to try to help Emi. There were tears and eventually...there was laughter.

The laughter at the start of the second month was the turning point for Emzadi, it was the point that she wasn't fully healed, but enough to venture out. Lucy wasn't sure what was going on legally, but she knew that Arman wouldn't let this be brought back badly on her.

Three days after the laughter, Emzadi had drug her and Xally shopping. The smaller girls collapsing as soon as they gotten in the living room that evening. The dragon slayer was perfectly fine as she skipped up the stairs. Xally groaned as she lay there and when Vander poked his head over the couch, she scowled up at him.

"Not a word," The dark haired girl said, voice exhausted.

Vander shrugged, "it couldn't have been that...bad…" He trailed off as Lucy's hand came up and then tapped on the couch a few times, "...was that a tap out?"

Xally nodded solemnly, "It was. Scary Lucy has nothing on Shopping Therapy Emi…"

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Hestor slowly looked at the slender and delicate body that was curled against him and he couldn't help but run his fingers through the golden hair. He knew he had dark goals in life, needed to bring their type of magic back to where it was once long ago at any cost. While he had done several challenges for keys and won, he'd never looked back at his actions, waiting until one challenge finished to give his own. He had no doubt in his skills, it was simply strategic. He wouldn't stop these actions, but he supposed this was the one other mage he would never do something like that to.

He snorted in his head, this woman wouldn't even accept such a thing and, knowing her, she'd give him a sour look and kick him right in the nuts. She didn't see the spirits as a lot of people did, and she'd gone off quite a few times when she'd come across the formal challenges going on. With her birthday coming up, he'd decided that the duplicate keys he'd gotten over the last year would be given to her.

The man still had plans, darker plans, but being around her, he could put them aside for a few hours, or however long they were together. The moment she left his presence though, he found the darkness in his very soul, the drive that wanted him to kill and amass keys returning. The Sisters of Ammit didn't care either way, but they were curious about the young woman, enough that they demanded to come out during their spars, wanting to push, prod and see how the girl was growing.

As she shifted, he slowly ran a hand up and down her back, watching as she seemed to be lulled into a deeper sleep. He'd honestly dreamed of the previous night the first time he met her, though at the time it had been to catch her off guard and take her keys. In a way, it was both frustrating and not that he'd become what one could suppose was a friend to her. She simply had that inner light that drew you to her and Heavens Forbid if you got her angry.

Hestor slowly closed his eyes, just relaxing beneath the light covers and smiled as he relaxed in the darkness, physical, mental and spiritual. He could almost sense her light, all Celestial Mages had to have light souls, it was just a matter of what else was drawn into them over the years, or what keys they acquired. With her having so many of the Zodiac, there was a warm light, the light of wanting to protect and soothe that drew people in, that made you want to trust her even if you knew you shouldn't.

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"Presca!" Lucy squealed as she made a running leap at the dark haired older male, laughing as she was caught.

The quiet youth rolled his eyes and then looked at Gwen, having only half a moment to blink as the blonde was gone and giving the other young woman a hug, "Hello, Lucy, I take it you're excited about something?"

Gwen chuckled a bit, "when isn't she?"

The blonde bounced on her feet as she let the other woman go, "yes, yes I am!" She kept hold of the other woman's hands and was bouncing around, making the other turn, "there's a few things of note coming up! Happy things!"

Presca crossed his arms on his chest and arched an eyebrow, "well?"

"my birthday! Summer! Swimming!" she let out a happy laugh, "all things that are great!" She leaned in towards Gwen, speaking in a stage whisper, "So…how are you two doing?" Brown eyes danced with Glee as both blushed and she laughed softly, then she hugged them both, "I'm happy for you two."

"you're here for another reason though," Presca arched an eyebrow as he looked at the small young woman.

Lucy rocked on her feet and nodded, "mmhmm, I'm going to leave for the summer, so…" she put both hands in front of her, clasping them under her chin, "keep me updated, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase?"

Gwen chuckled softly and nodded, "we will. You go and have your fun." The two watched the blonde bounce off with a small chuckle, "she's still got quite the bit of energy."

Presca wrapped an arm around Gwen, "now if only I could drain some of that off and bottle it…"

"You'd make a fortune," the two shared a laugh, knowing it wouldn't ever happen, but it was a good joke when it came to the overly energetic blonde.

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Lucy yawned as she tried rolled over, classes at the Academe were on a month break and she was home. The blonde blinked as the arms around her made it near impossible to move and she took a moment to take in the world around her without opening her eyes. Arms around her, muscular and masculine, one from each side, so she was trapped between two bodies; no mint in the air, so neither of them was Cris. One could be Vander, as he had always had this thing for sneaking into her room with Bickslow at night; however, Bickslow was in Magnolia, so the other couldn't be him. She tried to think on where everyone was, Farron was with Arman on a Diplomatic mission that left the day before and lunch had been a huge affair. That left Kaleb. One hand moved out behind her and she felt the silky hair and grinned at a very familiar sound. He was up, most likely just refusing to move and not wanting to wake her.

"morning, Elfie" She said softly.

He shook his head a bit, "honestly…"

Lucy wriggled before she managed to find a comfortable way to look at him and then let out a squeak as Vander's body curled around her own; she arched an eyebrow and grinned at him. Her hands went out and she tugged his head down, kissing his forehead and keeping her voice low, "it's a term of endearment. Promise."

He gave her a soft smile and returned the gesture, relaxing a bit before he stretched, "I know." He tapped his temple and smirked at the roll of brown eyes. He wanted to ask if she had plans for the future, but whenever anyone asked, even their father, she skirted around the issue like there was no reason to truly worry about it; perhaps that's what worried them the most. She was smart, she enjoyed her life, but she always seemed to go off on random tangents for learning. He was also fully aware that going into her head to look for these would break her trust. "plans for the day?"

Lucy let out a low hum, "bath, breakfast, beach?"

There was a sleepy and lazy mumble behind her, the voice low and husky as Vander slowly rose out of sleep, "that's three Bs. What's after them?"

Lucy let out a soft chuckle as she lay there, "don't know, got a month so…"

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Bickslow sighed as he looked at Cana, "what?" he slowly sipped the beer in his hand, side eyeing the woman from beneath his helm.

"who was she?" The brunette grinned, "I've never seen anyone like that before!"

The Seith debated on the answer as he took another draw out of his mug "A good friend from back home." He grinned wickedly at the card mage and watched her eyes dance. He pat Cana on the shoulder and stood before making his way back towards where his team was on the second floor and away from the rest of the guild. He rolled his eyes when he heard Natsu saying there was a strange yet familiar scent in the air.

He knew he'd have to make sure to write about it in his letters home. He smiled when he got up onto the balcony and sat with his team, arm over the railing and watching below.

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Lucy had traveled back to the Academe for the Meteor shower. Even though her birthday was the next day, she'd been adamant about this. It was the best place for watching it and she wanted to be around others that shared the same view. She knew her god-family could, but it was just one of those things that she wanted to do in the best place she found for watching the stars. Cris had come, becoming giddy and she had grinned broadly as he settled on one of the rocks around the millennial fountain.

She had another motive for dragging Cris there, with Nurem leaving a few months earlier, he needed to be able to actually not think on that. This was the perfect distraction, in her eyes. Plenty of Magic, plenty of nice people, plenty of things to distract him from the sadness he'd been going through. She and Emi both missed the massive dragon, but Cris had been hit the worst; she knew he'd not admit it for awhile, but he sulked around for weeks in sadness before he steeled himself and decided that he'd become stronger and stronger to make the Dragoness proud.

She was settled with him on one side and Hestor on the other, the young woman laughing as she watched the stars. A lot of them were magic drunk and with some wine being passed around a little bit normal drunk. She had a glass in her hand and was slowly sipping it over the course of the evening as they waited. Her eyes were shining brightly with warmth that filled the dozen people there.

A happy sound tore from her as the first streaked across the sky near Cancer and her eyes lit up with magic as it answered the celestial bodies; in fact, when Cris looked around, each of the mages had a similar reaction, even his own seemed to rise to answer the falling stars, for him it was an almost religious experience, if he was honest, and the fact that the entire other dozen people there all shared it, made it even more for him.

It was an amazing feeling for him, feeling the swell of magic from the heavens at each bright streak across the sky, then there was a loud whooshing sound as a large shooting star came across the sky and all eyes followed the bright green trail, eyes lighting up. It didn't follow the path the other's did through Cancer, this one screeched across the sky, all eyes lighting up and watching as it streaked through Draco.

Cris felt odd as he put a hand to his chest, his magic almost twisting and he heard a startled sound and a choked off cry. His head whipped about and he stared as Lucy's eyes were glowing brightly, body arched. Hestor was cradling her with a startled and very worried look in his magically backlit eyes.

"Lucy?!" Cris scrambled over, bringing his magic to bear to see if something was wrong and his dragon let out a whimper as nothing was found, but there she was, mouth open in a silent and choked scream. He took deep breaths, trying to keep himself calm as her tense body relaxed, "…her room. I have to call Dad."

Hestor frowned a bit and looked at the sky again, eyes narrowing a bit before he carefully picked her up. He shook his head, "infirmary." He took a breath as he slowly climbed out of the water, the lunar slayer following after him; his lips were drawn in a grim line and it was obvious the blond man was thinking.

"what?" Cris frowned a bit as he kept a hand on Lucy's forehead.

The male celestial mage scowled a bit, "how is her magic."

"a bit too lo…oh…" Cris' brow furrowed a bit, "are you feeling drained?"

Hestor gave a small nod, "A bit of a pull on my magic, yes…" now, he mused, it all made sense why she was excited and apprehensive for the meteor shower. She'd felt strange for weeks and had wanted to see if something was coming. He'd thought it was just a bit of excess from the stars and the Academe, but no, it was something else. "there wasn't supposed to be anything going towards Draco tonight…"

Cris furrowed his brow as he walked, thinking and then his thoughts drifted back to Ganier. She'd had Draco's key and it had been lost all those years ago; part of him wondered if it was a warning from the spirit.

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Lucy drifted in the Ether, she supposed she'd call it. The young woman starting as there were a few figures in the shadows and pursed her lips as she tried to walk towards them. When that didn't work, she decided to try something else and 'kicked' off the ground. She floated for a moment before she went towards the figures, watching as the smaller one seemed to be fighting.

It was all so shadowy that she couldn't see much for figures and the blonde was concerned. The smaller had something behind him that sliced through the shades she could see, almost like he was in a great battle and for as small as he was, she was sad about that. They were almost like wings, she mused as she watched, but with the lack of being able to see any sort of definition past shadowy figures…she was at a complete loss.

Lucy 'backpedaled' when a figure was half lit up to her left side, the sight scaring her as she looked at the pale blue tinted skin and the copper scales that were shimmering in the darkness. She slowly took the figure in, licking her lips at the horns that curled from where his ears should have been and caught the flickering of a tail with a spike at the end curling in the darkness. What stood out though, were the glowing eyes, one like an emerald and the other like a diamond in the darkness.

"…h…hello?"

The eyes trained on her for a moment and when the massive figure stepped forward she gulped. He had to be at least six foot seven and she already felt plenty tiny around the people she was normally around but now? Now she felt like a baby in size. "interesting…"

Lucy felt the fear melting away into ire as she fisted her hands by her side, "you're not helping! Who are you?! Where am I!?"

"somewhere between your world and the Celestial World," The voice was a deep rumble as he seemed to stay half in the shadows, despite being close to her. A massive hand came out, long claws lightly grazing along her cheek before the warm palm cradled her cheek.

"you didn't say who you were!" The girl wanted to panic, but the action was soothing and calming. Her eyes half closed as negative emotions seemed to bleed out of her being.

His lips quirked and it seemed the shadows shifted just enough to take the harsh edge from the dragon-man's features. It was enough for her fear to melt away, especially when his voice, though still low and rumbling, warmed, "Shinryu, little mage, now…off with you, no more letting your soul follow spirits across the cosmos, no matter what sort of interesting ability it is."

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Vander scowled as he crossed his arms on his chest, "how much longer? It's been two days!"

Cris let out a soft sigh and slowly looked over the bed at Vander, his brother had been downright impatient and he half felt it was his own fault; however, at the same time, it wasn't. No one could have known that would have happened and he almost didn't go because of wanting to stay to set up the birthday party for the next day for Lucy.

Arman came in with a tray of food and smiled, "alright, boys, go on, breakfast is ready, I'll sit here and watch her." Before either boy could open their mouths, he gave them a firm look and moved to the bed, "now."

He watched the two go and shook his head before looking to the girl on the bed, "you, my dear, are a bit of a trouble magnet, hmm?" he smirked as her lips quirked "when did you wake?"

"When you spoke," The girl said softly as she slowly opened her eyes and rolled onto her side to watch him. She had a peaceful look on her face as she looked up at him, "sorry if I worried everyone…"

Arman smiled as he helped her sit up, "What happened?"

The girl slowly poked at the pancakes on the tray and then took a few bites, "magic?" She ducked her head at the reproaching look she got and shrugged, "magical comet spirit type…stuff?"

Arman just kept the eyebrow arched as he picked up the coffee off the tray and slowly sipped it. He would wait, he had nothing but time…or half an hour for his brood to eat and then come running up to check on her.

Lucy poked at the food nervously and mumbled, "nothing bad, but…just one of those strange things that happen with Celestial magic…" she mumbled, "Can't talk a lot about it, rules and stuff."

Arman gave a soft sigh and then smiled a bit before he gently ruffled her hair, "try to not do it again? You've missed your birthday."

Lucy blushed, "I'm so sorry…"

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The Birthday celebration was a bit late, and mostly consisted of Lucy getting wisecracks about how she'd been a Sleeping Beauty through her birthday. She was slowly eating her lunch and then spoke suddenly, "if you all thought I was sleeping beauty, no one thought to try a kiss?"

Emi grinned as she sat back, "I did, but forehead kisses don't work!"

Xally giggled a bit as she took another bite of her cake, "same."

Hestor held his hands up, "Oh, don't look at me, you'd probably find a way to punch me in your sleep."

Cris looked at his cake and stuffed another bite into his mouth, mumbling, "you probably would come up swinging…"

Vander grinned a bit as he shrugged, "or slapping." He chuckled softly, "you don't always wake up nicely."

Farron smiled, "and you did look peaceful, we were worried, but you do tend to toss and turn in your sleep…" he put his food down and looked at her, moving to gently put a hand on top of her head.

Kaleb smirked a bit and shrugged slightly as he started to clean up, "you were resting peacefully for once. What did you dream about?"

Lucy sat there, looking at her plate before pouting as it was taken out of her hands, "a dragon man…a figure fighting for their life…" she shrugged, "the details are all hazy, so…just an odd dream."

Cris took a breath and looked at her, "Lucy…"

She shook her head and smiled softly as she reached over, gently squeezing his hand, "not…aggressive, so I don't think…it was Acnologia." She knew that Nurem leaving was a very sore spot for the Lunar slayer and didn't really want to bring it up. Her eyes searched his "don't worry, it was a dream. Really."