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.

...Leon is a 7 foot tall, ginger long haired Thor (via Chris helmsworth) in my head.

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Hestor looked at Kaleb as he stood there, the Celestial Mage's lips drawn into a thin line, "...I need...a bit of time away."

"...why?" Kaleb stared at the man, arching an eyebrow. As far as he knew, the man leaving could be a bad thing with the darkness festering in his soul.

The Celestial Mage sighed as he stood there, "I need to find...six keys. As soon as I can."

Kaleb's other eyebrow rose to match the other. 'Find' was not something he normally used in association with the other man. Normally there were ancient and old 'duels' that he used to acquire keys, "...Find?"

Hestor let out a groan, putting his elbows on his knees and leaning his head in his hands, "Find. these aren't...normal keys…" He glanced up at Kaleb, "You know about the...Hisui situation.." When Kaleb nodded, he continued, "when we were in Stella...I...recalled something that my mother told me when I was a boy...about ten keys. I've got...four of them."

"Go on…" Kaleb frowned a bit, he didn't sense darkness in the motives and was wondering where the man was going with this.

"If I don't come back for the Holidays, Lucy will hunt me down...so I'll be back for those...but...before we go to Fiore next...I want these keys. The next time I know we're going back is going to be the year after next...I'm assuming that...she'll make her move then. She seems to be adamant about having lucy there a lot, so there may actually be some sort of star alignment needed for whatever she wants to do."

"And these keys..?"

Hestor licked his lips, "...they open the...Hall of the Two Truths...to judge the soul of a person that is...dead or alive."

"That's...borderline Seith magic, Hestor."

Hestor shook his head, "no, but it was...originally used along with Seith mages, if what mother said was correct…"

"How do they work?"

"Other than summoning all of them?" Hestor drawled, scowling slightly.

"...yes other than summoning all of them," Kaleb wanted to snap at the tone of the other, but he knew it had to be serious if the man was actually coming to him.

The Celestial Mage's head dipped and he ran his hands through his hair, "Theoretically…." he sighed, "They...judge the soul of a single person...finding their heart either heavier, lighter or equal to the feather of Ma'at...if it's heavier...the soul is torn apart by Ammit, or the Sisters of Ammit, technically...otherwise…"

"It...sounds almost like the judging the Immaculate Light does, Hestor," Kaleb gave the man a firm look.

Hestor drummed his fingers on his scalp, "I guess it does, but...it's done by a Celestial Court...and in this case, the woman is a Celestial Mage, she'll probably be tried by those standards, which...don't judge just how much darkness a person has in them, but...by even how dark actions that may not have been done in darkness are." he glanced up at Kaleb, "the purity of her actions, from her entire life."

Kaleb frowned, debating and then letting out a sigh, "Fine." he crossed his arms on his chest, eyeing the man warily, "I want a promise you won't use those on guildmates unless I order it."

The Response was not what Kaleb expected, nor the fact that it came almost instantly, "Agreed." The mindbender actually blinked, staring at Hestor for a long moment.

The mage slowly stood, "I'm doing it for her, otherwise...i wouldn't have ever bothered to look for them." He put his hands in his pockets and started for the door, "I'll keep in touch...tell Barnacle I'll be back for Christmas dinner."

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Hestor Relied heavily on the sisters in his travels in Southern Stella and Bosco. They would recognize at least the last key, but the first he came across, was one of the brothers of Ma'at. The Spirit was regal, tall and slender with eyes that bored into his own soul and made Hestor shiver. Nothing more was said, the keys and their contracts were one of a kind, to be there for whenever they were needed to judge souls.

That Single Key had helped him find another of the brothers...and the last Sister key. The power that had surged through his body made him shudder and overwhelmed him for a few days with an illness that was magically inclined. The Brothers of Ma'at were not keys bathed in darkness, but bathed in something akin to Seith Magic. It wasn't quite the black magic that Seith magic was, there was some sort of Green Magic that was curling through them. He didn't want to ask, in fact, he wanted to avoid asking that question at all costs.

As it was, he was tired, sore...and was glad as he finally got to the Pradesh Estate. Part of him felt like there were no stars in the sky currently, even though he could see them. Knocking on the door, he half dozed on his feet, until he was pulled into a hug and let out a sound, wrapping his arms around the small body. It was just that touch that brought light back to the world for him. He'd known she was close, could feel her magic, but the hug solidified it, brought that warm light back into his soul. Half of him wanted to be bitter and angry that she made him almost dependant on him for it, but the other half was just...overjoyed that it was there, that something so warm was in his life, keeping the darkness at bay.

"You...look like shit, Hes," Lucy spoke softly as she brought her hands up to his cheeks, cradling his face.

He snorted softly as he looked at her, "Feel it…" He shook his head, "don't ask right now...meal is tomorrow, i know everyone's here….I just…"

Lucy smiled and tugged him inside, closing the door, "let's get you to bed, you look like you can use it...but a bath first."

Kaleb watched the man, sensing the new presences within him, knowing now that the main Spirits he contracted to mixed a bit with him. He took a breath and then glanced to Zen, watching as his brother's brow furrowed deeply as if trying to figure out what was different about the Male Mage.

Lucy smiled softly, "I'll be back down shortly."

Zen watched the two go and spoke softly, "...he went from feeling very dark to…."

"Being normal," Farron said as he sipped his coffee, "Just from a hug."

Kaleb sighed, "it's the keys, he explained a bit about them before he left...I think...if what I can guess, because we all know how much Celestial Mages actually share….is that this set of keys that he's hunting down is going to...balance out the Sisters of Ammit."

Zen pursed his lips, "I hope so...he's been gone five months, Lucy's gone half crazy with worry...you need to put a limit on how long he's gone if he comes back that bad."

"We'll see what happens after your trip to Stella, maybe it's a one time thing…"

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One bath, one massage and some cuddling later, Lucy huffed as she laid in the bed with Hestor curled around her. She wanted out of the bed, but she also realized that something was going on with the other Celestial mage if he was so overly...touchy with her. It wasn't sexual, not that it couldn't have easily fell into that, this was just...the need to touch and be close.

She turned her head towards the door and smiled as she saw Kaleb, giving a small wave "hey…"

"And he calls you a barancle…"

Lucy grinned at the other blond and gave the mental equivalent of a shrug, "It's fine..something happened. He...needed touch." she let out a faint sigh and then squeaked as the arms around her stomach tightened. "...I wish I knew why he left…"

"That's for him to tell you."

"You know, don't you?" Her eyes were accusatory as she lay there.

Kaleb nodded as he leaned against the door frame, crossing his arms on his chest, "I do, but it's not my place to tell. You need to ask him."

Lucy let out a mental whine as she tugged a bit of her hair and then pursed her lips, "I will...in the morning. Right now…"

"Right now, you appear to be a stuffed animal."

Lucy scowled at him and flipped him off as she lay there, grumbling as he turned and walked out, chuckling deeply. She hated that. He could catch her off guard and make her flustered with very little energy. She loved all of them, but she couldn't figure out what people were seeming to want her to know the most. She didn't know if she was in love with anyone. She let out a low hum as she lay there and then sighed as she rolled over, deciding if she was going to be used as a cuddle toy, she was using the other Celestial Mage as a damn pillow….a hard one, but a pillow nonetheless.

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Christmas was a bit more, because Lucy simply loved the holiday. Even growing up in Bosco, she had a special place in her heart for the holiday that was more celebrated in Fiore. They'd asked a few times and she'd only had to say one word to make them realize why she loved it so much: mama.

Arman knew Layla adored the holiday, while she wouldn't spare any expense on gifts, the gifts that she'd always sent were more from the heart and he knew that Lucy shared that. Her 'big gifts' always fell on Christmas instead of New Year's.

The blonde was currently out back, creating new contracts with silver keys that the family had found, though both Vander and Zen had found old books for the blonde, both of them scowling but thankful they hadn't gotten the same book.

Hestor watched her make the last contract and then called out, "Barnacle!"

Lucy scowled as she turned, putting her hands on her hips, "What?!"

"Catch!" The key that sailed through the air was like nothing they'd seen before and Lucy let out a squeak as she caught it, looking it over.

Her head tilted as she looked between Hestor and the silvery pink key in her hands, "...what's this?"

Hestor smirked as he leaned against the Railing, "Leo Minor."

The golden eyes went wide, "what?" She looked between him and the key, taking a good look at it, "but...this…"

Hestor shrugged, "Figured if you reunite the two furballs, maybe the bigger one will talk more about what's going on with you, Vander and Zen."

Lucy's eyes softened and she nodded, "Thank you, Hes…"

Hestor Smirked, "go on."

The blonde turned, feeling Leo come out and then grinned at the Zodiac Spirit. While there was, of course, a very standard summoning chant, having started early and grown so early, the blonde had slowly adapted one of her own, it let the spirits know almost immediately who was summoning her. She held the key to her chest, slowly feeding magic into it, as unaware then as she had been before about the entire family on the deck watching. The warm glow around her was not just gold and silver, but the brilliant undertone of the Immaculate light as her voice flowed on the air, "I am connected through the Light, through the Sky and to the earth, I offer this connection to you, oh spirit from the heavens. I pray that you answer the knock on your door, Open, Gate of the Little Lion, Leo Minor." She held out the key the magic releasing in a gentle wave before two magic symbols appeared, one on the ground and one about ten feet up, between them a shimmering door appeared.

Lucy stood there, waiting and then smiling brightly as the door opened. She expected a young man, but the ginger haired hulk that stepped out made her look between him and Loke. She let out a low, very confused sound as she pointed between the two. The larger of the two was dressed in what she could only describe as a Stellan Fur trimmed vest, a pair of flowing pants that looked to be made of some sort of silk and a pair of combat boots.

"BRO!" The voice from the larger ginger boomed in the air as he clapped Loke on the shoulder, sending the lion sprawling on the sand.

"...I like him," Vander grinned as he stood there, watching with amusement, "...and I expected…"

"Smaller?" Hestor provided as they watched, everyone giving a small nod.

Lucy smiled at the seven foot tall male, taking him in. He was proportional, with a massive build and broad shoulders, long ginger hair that fell around his shoulders and looked like more of a mane than what Loke sported. Green eyes danced with joy as he crouched down in front of Lucy and held out a hand, she looked at how her own hand was dwarfed in his own.

"Hello, Lucy," He spoke, the voice still deep, but now soft, "brother has spoken of you."

Lucy blushed a bit and smiled, "Hello uh...Leo..M..do you have a name I can call you? That...is if you want to make a contract."

He bowed his head, "I would love to make a contract…" he chuckled and Lucy felt it through her small hand as it was still held in the Spirit's massive one. "You may call me Leon."

Lucy smiled warmly, "It's a pleasure, Leon….what days are you available?"

"Anytime…" he paused, "except sundown." he grinned at her and she rolled her eyes with a nod. He leaned in, lightly kissing her before disappearing when Loke let out a cry of outrage.

Lucy looked at the lion spirit and smacked his chest, "oh, stop. Boscan." She did bounce towards the porch and leaned up on the railing where Vander, Zen and Hestor were clustered, "soooooooooo? Did anyone else expect him to be...smaller?"

There was laughter as they watched her raise a hand slightly, "I did. Totally...he's taller than any of you...I feel tinier than ever!"

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New Year's Eve was a huge party and it was going on around her, but Lucy was thoughtful. She smiled at the partying going on, but something felt strange and she couldn't pinpoint what. Golden eyes looked around, seeing her family, seeing her friends, yet she still felt like something was missing. She let out a breath, bangs fluffing up out of her face as she sipped the strawberry..minty something. She wasn't sure what was in it, but it was giving her a nice little buzz.

She laughed as she saw the mistletoe start to appear over heads and debated on slipping away, but she was happily away from everyone at the bar for the moment, so she felt she was safe. Vander, Farron, Cris, Beck and a few others were on stage, playing music and just letting the party continue.

She snorted when she caught a well known figure at the edge of her vision and turned, looking at Zen in amusement, "go!" She waved a hand, "I'm not moving from here!"

Zen looked at her for a moment, "I need a break."

"Uh-huh, there's plenty of places to have that other than right there. I'm safe here, Zen."

The Archangel rolled his eyes and took a beer, slowly sipping it, "I know. That's not the reason I'm here…" he snorted, "you've managed to chase people off all night."

The blonde shrugged, "I just want to enjoy the music...watch everyone…"

He stepped closer to her and then let his hand rest against her cheek, blinking as they both looked up. She snorted softly before he leaned down and kissed her. The woman let out a low sound that only the archangel could feel more than hear. He felt the shiver run through her at the contact and then pulled back, looking into her eyes and grinning at the flush on her cheeks, "beautiful."

Her eyes went wide as the blush deepened, "wicked."

"Archangel, think it's in the description." he nodded towards one of the privacy alcoves with a questioning look on his features.

"Cuddles?"

"Cuddles and drinks," He spoke softly, keeping her close, unaware of the pair of wine red eyes on the two of them from the stage.

Lucy smiled and nodded, "Sounds good." She smiled as she finished her drink off and got another one, the two wandering towards one of the privacy alcoves, closing the curtain and activating the runes. They could hear the music, but she curled against his side, chuckling as his wings came out and curled around her, "mmm. Soft."

"They can be," He looked at her indulgently, fingers playing through her hair.

Lucy looked up at him, smiling warmly, "You just wanted out of the party for awhile, didn't you? Getting to be too much?"

Zen took a breath and nodded, "A little bit, I'm still not...fully used to crowds or parties."

"That's fine," Lucy smiled warmly as she kissed his cheek, "We all want you to feel safe and secure, Zen."

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"Are the rooms ready?" Li walked through the hallways, "and the temple prepared?!"

"Yes, Lady Xing!" Came the chorus of replies as the woman continued on her way.

"Sister Dear, They'll be here before you know it...but don't you think you're...getting things ready a bit early?" Xiao watched his sister as he fell into step with her.

Li shook her head, "no, everything must be perfect….and kept that way."

He gave his sister an indulgent smile as they walked, "as you wish, Sister dear, but please, do not overwork yourself."

Li smiled as they stopped at a hallway that lead to the Temple of Mehturt, "I won't...I just...want this perfect, for everyone involved. It's such a cosmic alignment, everything falling into place…" She took his hands and murmured, "I...know this won't pay back much of the debt our family owes hers, but...some I hope."