It was mid-morning of the following day. Team Natsu was taking a little break to recover from yesterday's intense battle. Looking at the map, they had found a rest zone where nothing would attack them. While most of the team was eating or talking, Lucy was a few feet away struggling with her two newest spirits. Erza looked up her eyes slightly narrowed watching with rapt attention as her friend let her temper get the best of her.
"Yue, Cheung enough already! I want you to stop bickering right now!" Lucy shouted, her arms flinging around in the air and her feet set apart. Her face was tight and her voice high-pitched. "Honestly, your part of the same Zodiac so why are you fighting each other?"
The small bunny and smaller rat were growling at one another, striking their paws at each other. Cheung fluffed up his body while raising his tail, making himself look dangerous. Yue reared up on her hind legs punching with her front limbs just daring him to try it. Neither spirit backing down.
"You want a piece of me, Cheung? I seem to remember I was the one who bested you last time in a fight."
"Only because you used the power of your charges to power up! It wasn't my fault that my year hadn't occurred in seven years while it only five for you. I'm going to…hey put me down bunny girl!" the little rat screeched, trying to twist around to bite Lucy. Yue giggled before letting out a noise of surprise as she got plucked up by the scruff of her neck. "What's the meaning off this?" They both looked angrily at Lucy as she dangled them high above the ground with frown on her face.
"Are you two going to stop fighting and answer my questions? Maybe even do a little training? Do you want me to give you over to Erza for a time out?" The Celestial Spirits gulped turning their attention towards Erza, who was calmly cleaning her weapons. She paused looking at the animals with her intense gaze sending shivers down their spines.
The bunny and rat shook their heads frantically pleading with her to not give them over to the scary lady. They promised to be good so she put them down and started to tap her foot. "Alright, I want you to answer my questions now. When not in use you guys are together in your part of the Celestial Spirit World, so why are you two constantly bickering on Earthland?"
Cleaning behind his ears Cheung looked up at her with a bored expression. "Just because we live together doesn't mean we always get along. Ask you're other friends and they'll tell you the same thing. I don't always like Yue, but I can put my pride aside to work with her if I have to."
Yue rolled her eyes before hopping up into Lucy's arms purring as she rubbed her head against her chest. "All Zodiacs want to show their very best, especially in the mortal world. You have to remember in our world we're much more powerful and influential and when we come here, it's greatly reduced."
Everyone had stopped what they were doing as they moved closer to listen to the Spirits. Yue hopped out of Lucy's arms on top of Carla's head. The little Exceed fell flat on her face as Yue grabbed the guide book. Tugging it a few times she managed to roll off the cat and hit the ground hard causing her to change into her human form. Feeling sheepishly, she blushed apologizing for her actions.
She flipped open the book until she came to a set of pages. "Here this might answer your unspoken questions," Yue said handing the book to Gray giving him a big smile. When he took it, she blushed furiously, giggling like the little girl she appeared to be.
Everyone looked at Gray wondering what the pages said. Tracing some of the pictures on the pages he tried to make sense of the words because some of the symbols were not in ways he knew how to read. "Alright I think I got it. Lucy told us about how the war started right?"
The group nodded they knew about the war, the separation and why the quest was set up, but that still left a few questions. Why couldn't Lucy use gold keys or how come her platinum keys weren't getting along well with her? How was she supposed mend the bond and bring the halves of the Celestial Spirit World together if the knowledge how to unite the Zodiacs wasn't there.
"Don't leave us hanging all day Gray, what's the book say Lucy has to do to complete the job?" Natsu asked getting fidgety standing still with no fighting going on. He tried to grab the book out of Gray's hand only to find it frozen from touching. Yowling how cold it was, the rest of the group ignored him. "As I was saying before Natsu rudely interrupted me; Yue was right before. The Zodiacs get along fine, but they do clash with one another from time to time; especially if they haven't been summoned to Earthland in a while. Unlike the other Zodiac, being here can give them a power boost they can take back with them."
Wendy tapped her chin looking at the two Spirits, with Cheung now as a human. In a way it did make sense, Celestial Spirits like the gold and silver keys didn't last as long in Earthland, much like their constellations. But if an Animal Zodiac that lasted an entire year was on Earthland then why not absorb the energy from here to give them a power boost. "It makes a lot of sense to me and could be another factor why the two groups had to be separated."
Erza nodded and looked at Gray asking him to read the rest of the pages. "Um I can't read this, I can only make out a few words, that first paragraph was all I could really translate. Hey!"
"As a reader of exotic literature this is not a problem for me," the warrior girl commented. Looking at the book she started to translate, but got frustrated rather fast. "I don't understand, this was easy to read yesterday, so why are these pages giving us trouble?"
On a hunch Lucy took the book, put on her Gale Force reading glasses summoning up some celestial energy into them. At last she could read and translate the language, which had originally been in Celestial script, piecing together the remaining paragraphs. Removing the glasses she returned the book to Carla straightening her back as she looked at her spirits. "According to the pages, the true Star Maiden has the power to mend the bonds broken by pride. That until one group has mended their bonds and learn to trust in a human, only then can the Star Maiden created the bonds between the groups before healing the broken world. That's why I can't use gold, only silver. If the Animal Zodiac can learn to work with them, they would be ready to mend the bonds with their opposites correct?"
The two spirits nodded as Natsu screamed he didn't know what was going on, but he was ready for a duel now if it helped Lucy out. The blond nodded, knowing she had to work for a bond with Cheung.
"This is going to the best. I'm fired up!" Natsu shouted as Happy cheered him on. The others were sitting on the side of grassy slope while the two mages stood about five feet apart on open prairie. As Natsu got ready to initiate the first attack Lucy made the first strike. "Change back to animals and split apart!" she commended.
Yue happily followed the command, but Cheung resisted her instead skating away. As Lucy shouted at him to listen to her Natsu took advantage of the situation. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" aiming it with great accuracy he grazed Cheung as he attempted to slide under the flames. The human/rat was about to retort when Natsu used his Fire Dragon's Wing Attack. The Dragonslayer rushed up close getting ready to place his flame engulfed hands on the spirit to send him flying. At the last second he heard Lucy shout something and felt a pair of powerful legs striking his belly sending him backwards clutching his stomach.
"That's why she asked us to fight in animal form!" Yue told Cheung twitching her nose. "He's got power and moves, but has a hard time fighting smaller opponents." Sighing he returned to rat form jumping on Yue's back as they sped away before Natsu could hit them with another spell. The dragon raised child setting all the prairie ablaze not caring about the destruction he was causing.
As Gray and Wendy used their powers to put out the flames, Erza got ready to interfere when Lucy shouted at her to stop. She would do it, just give her a little time. Erza nodded seeing the warrior look in her friend's eyes.
I've got one shot at this, if I don't put an end to this Natsu will destroy the safe zone and hurt us by accident. How can I use my spirits powers to end this? Hmm. Searching around the area she spotted some of the pots and pans they hadn't put away yet. She snapped her fingers knowing what to do.
"Yue, Cheung the pots! Use your powers on them and aim for Natsu!" The little animals looked at the dishes and knew what she wanted. Trusting in Lucy Cheung jumped on to all the pots using his magic to animate them. As they were hovering in the air starting to circle around hopped on one using her speed to increase the velocity of the dish kicking them at Natsu at high speed.
"Where are you little critters, I just want to ah, ow, ouch, stop that, ah ugh!" As the last pot smacked him in the head he went down hard. Lucy jumped up and down in delight. She had one the duel, but more importantly, Cheung listed to her without resisting. This was a great moment!
As Lucy was applauding herself, Hoshi was in another rest zone reading an old tome on the history of the Lost Magic of Space. She had learned about this lost magic when she was a little girl in her village. Her leaders had a few tomes on the subject, tasked by Star Maiden Steren, to protect the tomes on this magic. Space magic was only a fragment of the true magic of the stars. Mastering this magic would help her handle the full power of the Celestial Spirits.
Reclining against a tree, she looked up at the sky watching the clouds pass by. The warmth of the sun tickled her feet. She felt very relaxed and comfortable. As she resumed her reading she became entranced by what was on the pages. On the left page was a beautiful illustration of the solar system including all nine (dwarf planet is still a planet!) planet. On the right appeared colorful calligraphy scroll borders decorations as the words were written in a flowing script like form.
The magic of the universe is a very diverse and powerful. Manipulating the energies of stellar phenomena is very tasking and difficult. If a person doesn't have the skill or control the magic will destroy them from the inside out. That is why the castor must be disciplined, strong-willed, and powerful.
While any individual with these traits can learn to use this magic, the intentions of the castor must be taken into consideration. With any magic a mage can cast a spell to perform a task. The results depended on what the mage wants otherwise there will be unforeseen consequences. It's for this reason masters of this magic usually have clear minds devoid of any distraction or emotion that would interfere with the spell.
Legend has it that space magic was brought to the earth by the Celestial Spirits when Star Maiden Esther began to teach females how to use the keys to open the gateway between the two worlds. In order to protect her students from harm or males who would twist the magic, she used a fraction of her great magic, to use Space Magic to prevent any trouble from coming. As time went by she included it in her studies. The consequences of her actions was not seen until many lifetimes later.
Around the time the Celestial Spirit War was reaching its peak, groups of female mages started to abuse the power they wielded. Believing that women should rule the world with men under their feet, these early forms of guilds traveled across the continent taking over cities and countries until they controlled nearly the whole peninsula.
The great seer and Star Maiden Estrella decided to intervene in order ensure a peaceful future. With the King and Queen assisting her; she used their combined powers to erase the knowledge of Space Magic from the minds of the users, sealing it away for a long time. Estrella also set free all the countries while leaving a warning to the people. Should they ever abuse the celestial powers or harmed spirits they would face a wraith greater than anything they imagine.
Since then very few people have learned this art, for while sealed away for the most part, a fraction could be learned for the great seer knew this power would need to be used in distant future. Many artifacts and tomes written on the subject were given to different guardians who were tasked to protect these secrets. Many times dark guilds or selfish humans have attempted to secure these, but have yet to succeed. All these guardians await the day when Star Maiden Estrella's last prophecy will come true and this ancient magic will awaken fully once more.
Closing the tome Hoshi was in deep thought. She knew the risks and dangers of using this magic. The history of what had happened long ago was not new to her. Growing up in her village, the training she undertook to earn the position of Celestial Spirit Priestess, she had learned many hidden secrets. Still, there was a reason she was practicing the magic. Everything she had ever done in her life was for fulfilling the prophecy. To use her position to bring forth a new era for humans and spirits.
Standing up she decided now was the time to practice a few spells before heading on her way to get the Monkey Key. Standing in the middle of the pathway letting the sun shine brightly on her. She felt the warmth entering her body giving her a power boost. An aura of gold surrounded her. The coppice she was in startled to tremble as she got ready to cast her spell. "Space Magic: Shimmering Aurora Lash!" The lights of the sky wrapped around her arms as she used them to lash out destroying several bushes and leaving jagged marks in the trees.
A branch fell from a nearby tree as she back flipped out-of-the-way. Twisting about she lashed out many times working on her endurance and agility as she dodged and maneuvered around the falling foliage. After she managed to avoid being crushed she looked around at the damage she caused. It was serious having taken out several bushes and two trees. Her own footprints showed how well she had managed to avoid being struck down. She was very pleased that she hadn't lost her physical skills considering how much she was practicing her magic instead of exercising.
Seeing the sun was moving towards the west, she realized how much time had passed. She needed to make up some ground. Taking her map out she looked at Lucy's position. "Hmm, on her way to claim the Tiger Key. If I don't slow her down she'll catch up to me in no time. Better do something clever."
The rules stated that she couldn't directly interfere with her rival's quest, but there was nothing against an indirect attack. In the past she had used such attacks to slow down her rivals or to check if they were worthy of being on the quest. Sadly, no one had ever met her standards. What could she do to ensure that Lucy and her guild mates lost time and energy?
Taking another look at the map she traced the path that the members of Fairy Tail were taking. They were just leaving their rest zone, looking over at the health meter Lucy had recovered her strength, but her magic levels were not fully recovered. Her finger came to rest at a flower patch a bit down the road. "The Whispering Flowers. I need more information."
Setting the map down on a nearby stump, she pulled out her guidebook. Opening it she said the magic words asking for information on the Whispering Flowers. According to the book the Whispering Flowers were a rare type of flower that would reveal the thoughts of anyone who passed through them. Somehow they were able to read your mind preying on your darkest secretes or bringing your fears and true feelings to life. The flower effects only lasted a few minutes, but if she could somehow make them last longer, even get them to be a bit darker, then that would work.
"It's perfect, the flowers are doing the attack, but if I amplify the powers, I'm only indirectly attacking. I could mix lacremeia flowers into the field, with pretend thoughts to plague their mind, but that might now work if they realize it's my voice," her fingers wrapped around one her silver keys smiling as she plucked it off. "I know someone who enjoys playing tricks on people. It's time to play. Open the Gate of the Trickster: Vulpecula!"
A burrow appeared in the air as sounds of laughter could be heard. Out of the burrow sprang a red tail fox wearing a cape and a mask grinning appeared. The fox did a little dance before coming to rest near her feet. "Nice to see you again Hoshi! I've waited so long for a chance to play some tricks." Vulpecula barked as she enjoyed having her ears scratch. Her brush, (tail), wagged a bit in happiness.
Hoshi rolled her eyes in amusement. This spirit particularly enjoyed a bit of pampering. When she had swiped this key from inattentive clerk, who was flirting with the mage who wanted to buy it, neither of those two blinked an eye when replaced it with a fake key. Vulpecula, while not rare, was a rather expensive silver key to buy, it had made sense to wait for someone to buy the key then take it without notice.
Crooking her finger she made Vulpecula look at the map and explain her plan. Vulpecula thought it was a good prank. Her hearing was so sharp the fox spirit was able to make out the individual voices from Lucy's earlier message. Then employing her mimicry skills Vulpecula created false messages.
The vixen was hopping all around eager to see the results of her work. "Oh I can't wait to see the faces of those fairies when the fall for our little trick. Can I go with the flowers pretty please?"
"Of course, I need you to plant then in the rights spots. I'll just point your key onto the map so you can travel with the flowers. After you plant them you can watch for a few minutes, but if someone spots you return through your gate instantly!" The fox nodded as Hoshi used the map to teleport her and the flowers to other side of the path.
Vulpecula popped up in the middle of the Whispering Flower Patch. The flowers were hanging tulip shaped bulbs with pink and blue spots all over it. When she moved through them the bulbs opened up revealing her thoughts. "You love playing pranks on humans because they aren't very clever. You encourage Hoshi to steal because it's fun for you."
"Shut up you little plants before I deliver payload on you!" she barked causing the flowers to shut up. After that she darted around leaving the lacremeia flowers in the midst of the field. Just as she finished she heard the fairies coming up the road. Grinning madly, she darted out of the field to watch the event unfold from the safety of a burrow under a tree. "This is going to be so good."
Team Natsu were walking up the trail. Lucy was in argument with Natsu about their earlier fight. He was accusing her off cheating and she argued he was a sore loser. Gray was using ice to bring down his headache as Erza continued her sentry duties. Carla and Happy were flying above looking from the sky for trouble while Wendy took the rear.
"Hey look everyone!" Happy exclaimed drawing their attention. "I see a whole patch of beautiful flowers ahead. I wonder if they're any mice in there, or better yet, catnip!"
"Flowers? Really, I got to see this! I use to love smelling flowers or pressing them when I was little. Come on Carla let's go!" Wendy said taking off before tripping over her own feet. Embarrassed, she quickly got off running into the field with the other's coming after her.
Wendy was already in the patch as she sniffed the flowers. The petals tickled her face earning a giggle. As she laid down in the patch she suddenly heard whispering all around her.
"Horrible daughter, I must have done something to make Grandeeney to leave me behind."
"Who said that?" Wendy yelped sitting up straight in the field. Seeing no one, except her friends reaching the patch, she moved closer, nudging a hidden lacremeia flower.
"I'm the weakest in Fairy Tail. They took me in out of pity," the crystalline flower spoke. From her hiding place Vulpecula suppressed her laughter. The little girl was so easy to fool!
"Wendy, how many times have I told you to not run ahead without supervision? You could easily end up in trouble," Carla lectured her friend. The others had entered the patch as well, gasping for breath that is except of course Erza. "Wendy is something wrong? You look pale."
"I thought I heard something. I was playing in the patch when I swear I heard my voice whispering my private thoughts to the world." The little girl was shaking nervously, wondering if the others would believe her.
"You probably imagined it, there's nothing here except for a bunch of flowers. Let's just get through the patch, I think the pollen is making my headache worse." Biting her lip she took out Gray's outstretched hand as they made their way through the flowers. As the group made their way through the flowers they started murmur softly. The voices got a bit bigger so they could catch a bit of what they were saying. None of them were aware of where the sound was coming from, but they did start to walk slowly.
Carla was the first one to really hear the voices. As she passed by a tall flower it started speaking loudly. "I know she was lying. Shagottie was keeping something from me! When I find her again, I'm going to beat the answer out of her!"
"No I wouldn't do that, I may have felt like that, but I wouldn't act on it, would I?" Carla gasped nervously wrapping her tail around herself.
Happy walked over to her wondering what was wrong, but he tripped over a hidden message flower. He heard his own voice say, "I'll never be good enough for Carla, or any Exceed female. I'm too much of a screw up!" The little blue cat looked around shouting indignantly that he was not afraid of that, but his body language said something else.
Soon the others were stuck in the flowers glancing around fearfully. They were hearing so many feelings and secrets, that they didn't want to share. Such as Gray heard, "Juvia is the closest thing I have to a girlfriend. Why do I keep brushing her off instead of going on a date with her?" causing him to blush profusely. He really hoped no one told Juvia that. She was already clingy.
Erza kept swinging her sword angrily, her boot striking a crystal flower. She whipped around to decapitate someone, but found nothing as her disembodied voice revealed a secret desire she had buried deep in her heart. "I'm great mage and protector of my friends, but I'll never be good enough to have a family of my own. I couldn't save the Rose Village or stop the Tower of Heaven without help. I don't deserve a husband or a child."
"Lies! Shut up, whoever you are, no one has the right to make fun of me or say my dream is silly!"
Natsu was shooting flames as he jumped all over the flower patches tearing them up slightly or triggering more lacremeia messages. Things like, "I will never find Igneel," or "I'm not just a stupid hot headed destructive person! I want people to see my sensitive and loving side." Natsu's flames got higher trying to silence the voices through his wide spread fire blast burning several flowers, causing the voices to silence.
Lucy had been watching Natsu in attempt to avoid being burned. Even as she heard taunts about not being a good writer, or that she was going to die, her brains were working. Crawling through the field she touched a single flower watching it open and read her revealing the hidden anger she had at her mother for not telling her sooner.
Getting to her feet she shouted, "It's the flowers! We've got to get rid of them! Gray give them a unexpected freeze!" Gray nodded slamming his hands on the ground his ice spreading all over encasing the patch in a eternal winter. "Killer frost, the best way to deal with plants."
"He some of these flowers are alive!" Natsu shouted pointing to a piece of ice. Captured in a tiny ice mound was a glowing lacremeia flower that broke into pieces. "Hey that was a…."
"A lacremeia message flower. This was a trap by Hoshi! She directly attacked us!" Erza snapped angrily. "She should be disqualified and stripped of her keys." Just a she finished her sentence Vulpecula tackled the human to the ground growling and trying to rip her armor off. Erza was getting ready to beat the creature off her when Lucy shouted to stop. Erza did as she said and the fox got off her striding over to Lucy.
"I know you, your Vulpecula, the fox constellation. Your key isn't exactly rare, but a bit pricey so not many people have it. Do you belong to Hoshi?"
The fox nodded her head before once more barring her teeth at Erza. "Yes, and she didn't directly attack you! These flowers were already here waiting for you to pass through them. All she did was amplify the situation, making it harder, but not impossible to finish."
"An indirect attack, well that explains that. Why are you still here? Shouldn't you have returned home?
Vulpecula sneered growling at Erza. The message was clear, she didn't want anyone to make threats against her master. The fox was a trickster, playing pranks was okay, but insulting the people she cared about was going to earn an attack.
"Alright, it's okay." Ignoring the protests she told the spirit to return home. Also give Hoshi a message, they survived her attack and might return the attack if she tried it again. Nodding Vulpecula returned home as the team looked at Lucy if she was crazy. Refusing to be weak she continued on her way letting the others trail behind her.
The others watched her in disbelief. They had just been assaulted by her rival, and she wasn't going to do anything about it? Was she insane or just stupid? As they walked down the path the silence was deafening. Lucy was refusing to talk to anyone at all. Stomping down the trail, the negative vibes coming off from her were toxic to the others, the two Dragonslayers could literally smell her anger and frustration, whether by the situation or them, no one was sure.
After about ten minutes of marching down the path Lucy just came to a stop. Clutching her arms around herself she started to cry and just fell to her knees. Alarmed the others rushed to her asking her if she was okay. She sniffled wiping her tears away. Settling backward on her bottom she let out one last cry. "I'm sorry everyone. I don't know why I'm crying. I knew this quest would be difficult, but I had no idea how harmful this quest could be."
"Danger hah, this is nowhere near as dangerous as some of our past jobs! This a like a vacation compared to those, except we get to have fun destroying things without getting yelled at!"
Erza pulled the girl up from the ground giving her one of her famous looks. "This isn't the time to be weak or have regret. As a Fairy Tail mage both your own pride and the guild's is at stake. Stand up and claim the right to the title of Star Maiden. You will not falter or give up. Do I make myself clear?"
Lucy nodded frantically not wanting to suffer Erza's wraith. She thought it would be a good time to contact the guild and tell them of their progress. She also wanted to ask Bisca about the Tiger story. There were few details she was fuzzy on.
Using a lacremeia flower to connect to the one left at the guild they reported in. The usual sounds of merriment and fighting could be heard as Mirajane answered the call. Upon hearing who she was talking to all the guild members rushed over starting to bombard the group with questions. The questers couldn't get a word in until Markov grew to his giant form telling them to knock it off right now. Once everyone was calm he asked for an update from the group.
Gray, Lucy and Erza took turns telling them about what had happened in the few days on their journey. Whenever Natsu and Happy tried to talk about the fights or describing the crazy spirits they met, Wendy and Carla would drag them away so the others could finish their chat.
"Impressive, you've managed to claim a second key and our on the road to third. Which key is that?" Markov asked as he sat down next to the flower. He was very proud of his "children" at what they had accomplished so far.
"We're heading for the Tiger Key. I remember my mom telling me the story of the tiger. The Tiger spirit is strong, powerful and wise. Her story said the key was kept underground because of the potential to misuse its powers was so great. I simply can't recall what its power is and I know there's something about the underground that's just out of reach of my memories. Bisca, did you find anything?"
The green hair woman was playfully bouncing little Asuka on her hip. As her daughter started to wiggle around she hand her off to her husband. Brushing her hair back she pulled out one of the fable books Lucy left in her possession. The team was in luck, she had just read the story to Asuka last night. Flipping open to the right page she held it out so the questers could see it.
The illustration on the page was a large underground cavern with what appeared to be a village. It was lit up by strange glowing rocks. There was a tall brown and cream colored tower at the back of the village with the roof decorated with different colored tigers. Tapping her finger to the tower Bisca said, "According to the story book; the Tiger has the power to bring inner peace to anyone by correcting their spiritual imbalance."
Gray raised a single eyebrow upon hearing that. Spiritual balance, what in the name of the Magic Counsel was that? The others looked puzzled, he could actually imagine their thoughts taking shape in little bubbles. Before he could inquire what that meant Lucy pressed on. "What about the underground network. Is there anything about that in the book?"
Bisca slightly shook her head. There was only a little caption at the bottom the illustration that read, "In the dark, light can be found, if one knows how to glow with their heart." Disappointed, Lucy thanked her saying she was very helpful. After asking for the guild to research more about the Starwatcher village they continued the journey.
They reached the entrance to the Key's location just as night was falling. It was a large cave, the faint smell of rock dust filled the air. Peering into the cave they could just make out carved steps that went deep into the cave. The sunset was vanishing fast as dark clouds moved in blocking the night sky. Without even a moon to light the way, the team settle down for the night camping right in the entrance to avoid being caught outside should it rain.
Rain did come falling down that night, the wind was howling as the foliage whipped around in all directions. The thunder crashed as the lighting struck all around. From the boys tent you could hear them arguing once more. It seemed that Natsu kept wanting to go try to eat lightning and Gray was refusing to let him leave because then they would be on member short tomorrow after he killed himself. Happy was trying to keep the peace when Erza shouted at them to behave and go to sleep.
After that everyone went to sleep. As the night passed the storm died down and slim bit of the moon peeked out from behind the clouds. The beam traveled down moving across the cave floor. It pierced through the tent covering Lucy's face.
The girl was dreaming, when she woke up as if in a trance. She walked out of the tent and started going down the stairs. She could hear the faint whisperings of her mother's voice in her head. "My lucky Lucy, you need to find the key. The riddle is simpler then it seems. Remember the story of how we came up with your name."
"My name? A light blew out changing the sign at the place dad was conducting business. It was dark and the two of you were leaving to make your own fortune. Only the lights glowed."
"Yes, but that was also the moment your name was decided. My lucky Lucy, you know what to do."
Still in the trance Lucy had reached the first platform, the moonlight was gone and it was pitch black below. Her hand reached for her key loop, removing one key. Her eyes flickered as some sense of consciousness returned. "Open the Gate of the Lyre: Lyra!" The spirit popped up giggling and laughing.
"Lucy oh how nice to see you again! I heard from Crux you were talking on this quest. Oh I just know you're going to do great. I can't wait to sing a ballad of your success! So why have you summoned me now?" It was then that the spirit realized the girl was still partially in a trance. Floating closer she examined her friend.
She placed her hand on Lucy's heart, then looked into her eyes. Frowning she sent a pulse of magic through her getting a slightly sleepy response. "Oh dear someone has moon trance you. It's used for many purposes, but the main one is to deliver a message from those beyond the veil." Strumming her harp she awoken the girl who blinked around looking around and slightly startled to see Lyra.
Lucy was embarrassed and frightened. "I didn't mean to summon you. I know the contract changed, but it's not a performance so…"
Lyra responded it was alright. Informing her friend what she had observed Lucy put it together. Her mother wanted to retrieve the key now and she had given her the spirit she needed. Glancing backwards to her friends she bit her lip shivering in the cold cave. She was only in a simple outfit with not the right shoes. The smart thing would be to wake them up and go down together, but the sense of urgency wouldn't leave her.
"I need to get down to the underground village with your help. When you sing, your body is a glow with the love and passion you have for it. Do you know a song with the word glow in it?"
Clapping her hands Lyra said this was going to be her best performance yet. Strumming her harp she floated down the steps with Lucy right behind her. Small crystals in the ceiling started to light up as they heard the music. The song, "The Glow" was beautiful.
"When you feel like you're ready to go. Somewhere you've never been
Make a wish and the dream in you grows. Shining as bright as day.
Carrying you far away.
A story begins with the light in your heart. A fantasy, a dream, and a spark.
Once you believe you are ready to shine. The princess inside you will show.
You are the glow. You are the glow
Look around take in all that you see. You just might be surprised
A world of enchantment and pure majesty. You'll be discovering,
the princess that you're meant to be.
A story begins with the light in your heart. A fantasy, a dream, and a spark.
Once you believe you are ready to shine. Bright as the world's ever known,
you are the glow.
Feel your strength (You can face the world). Believe every day (Everything is possible). A magical journey awaits
A story begins with the light in your heart. A fantasy, a dream, and a spark,
once you believe you are ready to shine. The princess inside you will show.
You are the glow. You are the glow. You are the glow."
As Lyra finished her song they entered a brilliantly lit underground cavern. The water had eroded much of the walls creating a series of leveled cliff faces. Lucy could hear the sound of an underground waterfall entering a river. Lyra floated next to her as the strolled down the roads. Everywhere they looked there were large pagodas masterfully constructed to be in harmony with their environment. The faded paint on the buildings was light shades of orange and yellow mixed with brown.
Lucy was surprised when she entered a small courtyard, it had several thriving plants, and there were little bonsai trees, a few patches of grass and even a shrub or two. They were arranged to help the eye focus on the pattern on the ground, a series of geometric shapes that looked they were stripes. The fountain at the center still had a trickle of water coming out of it. "How could anything be growing here? I thought this fountain would've shut down a long time ago."
Lyra strummed her harp as she let the energies of the town flow into her. She listened to the echoes of the long dead voices that flowed through the city in lost melody. There was great sorrow, but joy and love as well, along with the tinge of fear. As she played she start to softly sing.
"This is place of love and joy. The people who lived her were at peace for the key they guarded guided their actions. This village was once called the Eclipse for their nature. Oh I can feel the magic, so pure an innocent, and many mages here, who learned the art of unison raid."
Lucy closed her eyes, imagining in her mind what this place must have looked like when it was thriving. In her mind she saw people of biracial traits wearing tunics or dresses in the colors of the seasons. Mothers and fathers all laughing together. Teachers helping train children to converge their abilities creating wondrous magical feats.
Opening her eyes she was startled to find that she was at the base of the tower. The doors were locked and the crystals around the building were charging up with power. When Lucy tried to step back she ran into an invisible wall. Going around she found she was stuck in invisible box with Lyra. "This isn't good. How do we get out of here?"
"I'm not sure Miss Lucy, I'm not knowledgeable in this kind of magic," Lyra said, floating to the top of the box touching it, she received a mild shock. Shaking her hands she pouted. "How rude, I'm not the enemy and Miss Lucy doesn't belong to any Dark Guild."
Confused Lucy looked at Lyra as is she was crazy. There was no on here, was there. Then she caught something out of the corner of her eye. She twisted around, but there was nothing there. The sound of someone running could be clearly heard, but she couldn't find the source. What was going on? "Lyra, what was your earlier comment about?"
The Celestial Spirit landed next to her. "I didn't finish my song did I? The sorrow and fear, I felt was from an unexpected attack. A Dark Guild came here nearly two and half centuries ago seeking the key. The mages held them off, but one of them cast a spell that stole their inner peace. They turned against themselves, yin and yang at war. The end result…"
"The destruction of their civilization," Lucy whispered bringing her hand to her throat. Trembling she realized what she was seeing, glimpses of the past, an echo left by the two sides at war with themselves. The key to getting out of this trap was to show she was in balance.
Taking a deep breath she placed her hands on the box, letting the pain run through her body. She endured the pain keeping herself from screaming. In her mind she visualized herself split down the middle, one white and one black. As the pain got stronger she pushed on a head willing the sides to merge.
The trap dissolved and the doors opened. Lyra helped her up as they climbed to the top of the tower. At the top was a room had several mirrors situated around the room. Across the room, it's back to the rail was a tiger statue with the key in its mouth. Together the friends slowly walked towards the statue. When she reached the middle a bright light appeared, passing through the mirror, a hitting her in the face. She felt something tear out of her as she fell back.
Rubbing her aching head, she was shocked when someone wrapped their legs around her neck and something pounded her head. Her right arm was trapped between someone legs. "Let me go you brute!" Leaning back she managed to ram her head into the opponent's jaw. The hitting stopped as she flung herself first dislodging her foe.
Still a bit blind she used her Lucy kick, managing to cause a lot of pain to her opponent. Her momentary victory was cut short as her foe came at her again. Before she knew it, Lucy found herself in the air having her legs and neck pulled painfully downward before her back was slammed into something hard.
"Ready to give up bitch? I can torture you for a while," a very familiar voice said.
"Lucy Ashley?" Hearing her name the Edolas counterpart stopped the attack. The Earthland girl pushed herself up, blinking furiously to rid herself of the blindness. When she could see clearly it was indeed Lucy Ashley in her black jumpsuit and short hair. "How in the world did you get here?"
"I'm not sure, I don't even think I'm fully here. I can still feel Natsu driving around crazily with me next to him. At the same time I feel you and your magic connection," the girl replied. She looked around trying to make sense of her surroundings feeling a sharp tug towards the tiger.
Lyra, who had stayed out of the fight, came to conclusion rather quickly. The two counterparts made up to sides of who Lucy was no matter where she came from. By working together they could get the key. Nodding the two girls went to the statue and together removed the key summoning the spirit together.
"Open the Gate of the Feline: Tiger!" Two doors opened in front of the girls revealing the two halves of the spirit. One was a large Bengal tiger with a white muzzle and light orange coat with brilliant strips. There was an orange gem on a silver band on his forehead with a picture of him on it. The man in contrast was muscular with long brown dreadlocks and only a loin cloth on.
"Well done celestial mages, you have discovered the importance of spiritual balance," the tiger, whose name was Hu, told them. "Light and dark can exist in harmony if you trust the balance in yourself."
"Our power is to help find spiritual balance by bringing out yin and yang so they work side by side. Only then can you refuse and be at harmony," the man Hu, explained. "You shall be able to summon me throughout this quest, afterwards you can call on us every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Until next time."
The gates closed leaving Lucy alone in the tower as everyone returned to their home. Looking pleased with herself she placed the key on her ring and started to make the journey back up to the entrance of the cave.
The journey back to the surface wasn't that difficult, the phosphorous stones maintained their luminosity from before. As Lucy stumble and tripped over cracks in the steps, she had to wonder how she made down all by herself with only Lyra's song guiding her. A few more steps and she could hear voices arguing in a worried tone. Fearing a fight would break out she rushed up the last few steps. "I'm here everyone please stop fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigggggggggghhhhhhhhting!"
She had tripped over the last step sending herself rolling into the girl's tent then bowling over Wendy as she struggled to get free. She kicked at the tent flaps, pulling her arms trying to break loose of the lines. All that twisting around was getting her more tangled up, until some she was partially twisted around with her legs in the air, her arms stretched far apart on the ground and her head tilting upward.
Wondering how she was going to get out of this mess, she let out yelp of surprises as two wakizashis cut apart her restraints with few slices. Everything fell apart with Erza hovering over her face sending her swords away with a darkened expression.
"Oh Erza… thanks for the help I don't think I could have gotten out b…"
"Where have you been Lucy?" Erza demanded, her threatening glare was causing the teen to squirm and back up quickly. "We had a plan to retrieve this key together, when it was light out. I'm greatly disappointed that you didn't follow the plan! How could you be so reckless and irresponsible?"
A tic formed on Lucy's head as she felt her anger rising inside. Reckless and irresponsible? It's Erza and the boys were the crazy ones! In nearly all the jobs we've taken it was my brains and maturity that helped us survive! I was following my mother's words and nearly got broken in half by my counterpart! They're going to get it!
Everyone assembled thought Lucy had lost her mind as she shoved Erza back before striking her in the face. Warrior instincts took over as Erza grabbed Lucy wrist pulling it behind her and forcing her to kneel. Lucy grinned, rolling her weight to left side Erza was pulled to the ground. That's when Lucy pulled off Lucy Ashley's Torture Technique 28. It was the most embarrassing and painful technique she had done on another person.
Her brown eyes were full of glee one second, then stopped. Shock appeared on her face as she scrambled away before kotowing an apology for what she had done. Had the after effects from using the Tiger Key not worn off yet? Had Lucy Ashley left a part of herself inside her?
Natsu shook her out of her stupor trying to comfort her. He told her it would be alright. Her moves were impressive, but he felt like they were familiar. Gray and Erza looked at one another as Wendy used a bit of potion to cover the scratches and slight burn marks on her skin. Clearly something had gone on in the cave.
Settling down on the grass with their backs to the cave Gray encouraged her to tell them what happened. He was a bit skeptical about hearing a voice from a dead family member, but didn't write it off. Listening to the rest of the story he could picture the town and the echoes of souls that were trapped in a repeating cycle, never finding peace.
Wendy was fascinated that Lucy had met with her counterpart. She was puzzled how it happened, but she guessed it was part of the key's power. Looking at the object in Lucy's hand she wondered if one day Lucy could lend its power so she could find peace.
As Lucy finished her story, Natsu and Happy cheered. "You kicked butt! I can't believe you weren't the least bit scared! I thought you might run away, but no you're just getting stronger every day."
"Soon you'll be as powerful as Natsu!"
Lucy accepted the compliment while promising never to go off on her own again. As she looked at all 18 keys she felt a great pride in herself. Never before had someone collected so many keys. She was one step closer to bringing peace to the Zodiacs and their world.
Brushing her finger over her three platinum keys she felt a zap in her mind. The world around her faded away becoming slightly unreal, such as when a TV's settings are out of their usual setting. Hearing the sounds of battle she tried to focus her attention on what was happening before her.
It was near twilight as she spotted the source of the sounds. Standing on top of what appeared to be a cross between an observatory and a temple were twelve preteen girls. They each wore an identical outfit, a green tunic dress with see through bell sleeves in gold painted flats. Each girl was holding a key. They were all silver and the same one at that.
"Remember girls, the art of being a Celestial Spirit mage, is only the first step in your training to become Celestial Spirit Priestess. Only one of you here will be able to complete the training and given a chance to use our beloved treasure, the Snake Key!" a female voice called. Peering through the growing darkness, Lucy was just able to make out the form of a big boned lady who appeared of African descent, wearing a colorful costume. It was too dark to see any details.
"Girls, you must practice more often, build up your levels. The greater you're magic, the longer the spirit will remain here. To form an everlasting bond, you must be willing to risk your lives for the spirits. That is what we live for correct?"
"Correct Priestess Oba!" the girl's responded. On preteen in particular caught her eye, the green hair helped her recognize Hoshi. Startled she watched as the girl successfully summoned a Nikora. Unlike her Plue, this one was bigger, with muscles and a strong stance wearing a green sash across his chest.
"I did it! I summoned Nikora while enhancing his powers!" the preteen squealed in delight. She picked up the spirit twirling him around. "Thanks for coming Kora, your contracts here are to be used as training spirits, but I still love you."
Kora nuzzled Hoshi giving her a big hug kicking his legs in joy. Smiling the two of them looked past the telescope towards the place where Magnolia town was. Petting Kora's head Hoshi made a silent promise. "I'm going to do it Kora. I'll get super strong, so I can bond with the Snake Key, once I have it, I can go the quest. Somehow I'll convince my heroine Lucy Heartfillia to join me. Together we'll both be Star Maidens!"
The vision vanished as Lucy held her head in her hand. She felt extremely tired and her mind was slush. That was a vision of the past? Looking at her keys she wondered if they were trying to tell her something. She'd figure it out later. Now was naptime as she curled up in a long grass patch before snoring away.