Chapter XVI
Lucy managed to summon two celestial spirits this time. The first, named Aquarius, seemed hot headed and stubborn. The second, a fluffy pink-haired girl named Aries, was quite the opposite.
Over the next few weeks, Anna and Lucy trained extensively, and Lucy was able to call forth all twelve celestial spirits. She made contracts with all of them, and focused on gaining more power.
When the ground was covered in thick snow, Lucy decided to go out training by herself. She wanted more power to protect her friends, especially if Zeref and his demons were to come by. She was surprised that for the last few weeks, there had been no sightings of them.
The blonde had a hard time walking in the snow, as it was up to her knees. Still, she was determined. She wanted to get stronger.
Happy joined her this time, but he had complained that she was too heavy. Now, he was flying above her, a red hand print on his cheek.
"Are you sure about this, Lucy?" Happy asked, speaking just above the wind. "There's supposed to be a storm coming."
"Now you tell me!" Lucy grumbled aloud. Then, wearing a stubborn smile, she added, "Well, it's too late now. We're here."
Standing in the snow, Lucy called forth Aquarius. She was the blonde's favorite among all of the spirits, and in a weird way, the mermaid reminded her of her late mother. "Open, Gate of the Water Bearer: Aquarius!"
The celestial spirit appeared immediately, equally irritated as Lucy was happy.
"What now?" Aquarius barked. "I was just finishing my date night with my boyfriend."
"Then why are you upset if you two were done?" Happy chimed in from above. This rewarded him with a twin hand print to match the one Lucy gave him.
"None of your business, cat!" the blue-haired woman snapped, turning back to the blonde. "Now what is this about?"
"I want more power to protect those who are important to me. Please, give me some of your power, Aquarius."
Aquarius regarded her with slight interest, though narrowed her eyes. It was as if the spirit was contemplating whether or not Lucy deserved it.
"Alright," she told the blonde. "I'll lend you some of my power… But what's in it for me?"
"Uhh…" Lucy was obviously caught off-guard by this. "Well, I…"
"Did you honestly think I'd just grant you power for nothing?!" the mermaid snapped again. Annoyance was very apparent on her face.
"W-Well," Lucy said, gulping. "Name your price."
"Don't call on me this day, this day, this day, this day, that day…" Aquarius listed all the days she wanted off. By the time she was finished, Lucy counted almost a half a year in total.
"Got all that?" Aquarius asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"Yeah…" Lucy muttered, her eyes spinning. Half a year? Is she crazy?! At least the days were a little spread out.
"Good." The celestial spirit seemed happy now. "Then take some of my power." She lifted an arm, and a magical essence leaked from her tattoo and down the length of her arm, melting into Lucy's skin.
Lucy could feel the magic entering her body, as well as the power it carried. "Wow…"
"That's all you're getting," the mermaid told her, arms now crossed. "Don't ask me again."
"Thanks, Aqua-" Before the blonde could finish her sentence, the spirit was gone. "-rius…"
Hesitating, Lucy called forth the magical energy residing in her from the celestial spirit. She found herself changing forms, and looked down when she felt the ground beneath her again. She had a new outfit!
Unfortunately, it was a bit too cold for a swimsuit. She quickly dismissed the magic, and she was wearing her old, warm clothes again.
More importantly, she had learned how to use the celestial spirits' power to her advantage. Star Dress, she thought to herself, proud of the idea. That's what I'll call it.
"Lucy!" Happy called from above her, and she looked up in time to see the blue cat shot from the sky. A black wave of magic had pierced his wing.
"Happy!" She caught him, holding the cat close and glaring in the direction of Zeref.
"So we meet again," he spoke, glaring back menacingly. "Are you ready to perish?"