Hey guy's I know I'm still working on a few other stories at this current moment in time but my real life is a little hectic right now trying to balance my work and social life, so I'm bringing to you this WHOLE! Brand new story! That me and my fiancé have been talking about and I just can't get the idea out of my head, so this story is brought to you by CureDream90 and Articdragonslayer!

Chapter 13

Magnolia forest

Deep in the woods of Magnolia, panting was heard as she leaned her hands on her knees from a blonde female, in front of her was her pink haired best friend, sweat dripped off her chin as she could only hold one eye open, to the side of her, Ifrit was stood holding his arms crossed, how she had even agreed to this was completely crazy.

She had woken up that morning in the arms of her mate, who had spent the night only to find that the window was open and Natsu was stood above her with a large grin on his face, "LUCE!" Jumping up out of bed, she screamed his name then her infamous "LUCY! KICK!" knocking him straight through her wall into Steve's bedroom, standing up with only a pair of yellow lightning bolt boxers on and an black tank top, she stalked into her brothers bedroom gripping Natsu by the scarf, "HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO BREAK IN!" Steve had woken up with the commotion and couldn't help but laugh seeing his blonde haired sister scolding her friend, in only her boxers!

Once he got a death look from the blonde female, he looked to the hole in the wall, she was just as destructive as the pink haired boy. "I'm sorry Lucy! But you said we could go on a job today!" she sighed dropping him to the ground, "fix my wall first then! I may go on a job with you" she stalked out heading towards the bathroom, Steve saw Laxus giving Natsu a death glare then got dressed going into the kitchen muttering something about privacy.

Steve got out of bed and roughed up Natsu's hair, come on, I'll help you with the wall before this so called landlady gives us hell" once the mention of the landlady's name came out, Natsu began sweating and fixing the wall.

So now here they were, in the forest Natsu grinning while Lucy was panting slightly, she had used up half her magic already, at the same time impressing the great demon lord of fire, "You're getting better Luce! You almost hit me that time!" gritting her teeth she stood up holding her right wrist lowering her hand to the ground, she felt heat rise up and encircle her right palm, "h…HELL'S FIRE!" she raised her hand up and a large fireball left her hands and it's speed heading straight to Natsu, growing bigger in size but he used his own agility to dodge it, and straight away smashing into a tree.

Before the fire could spread though, he opened his mouth and began to eat the fire, now she remembered why she asked Natsu to come, so she didn't destroy the forest with her new found fire powers. He had also explained to her some ways to bring the fire out, and she had found it was mainly fuelled by her anger, but had quickly learnt that the power was destructive, but when she was angry it was out of control.

Her legs gave out and she knelt on the ground trembling slightly, gritting her fanged teeth, but heard footsteps coming towards her, "Hey Luce, I think we should take a break, we've been going at this for hours," she looked up to her pink haired best friend, sure she was tired but she couldn't quit that easy right? "I must agree with him Lady Lucy, you magic is very low at the moment but you have learned a lot over these past 4 hours. Training will resume tomorrow at the same time. Before she had chance to speak, the demon had disappeared into the afternoons sun.

Lowering herself down into a sitting position, she leaned against a tree, the blazing midday sun hitting her delicate skin, but she didn't mind, she actually liked the heat. She felt Natsu sit down next to her, handing her some water which she gladly took. "I knew you was always strong Luce, but I'm at amazed on how much stronger you've become! I can't wait till we take that mission together!"

She couldn't help but laugh, it was true sure she had a fair bit of money but she hadn't been out on a mission with Natsu in over 3 months at least now when out on a job with him, if his fire gets out of hand, she can quickly stop it before it destroys anything.

"Thanks Natsu, I was surprised when you suggesting training, Steve most likely couldn't help blabbing about my new spirits." Natsu grinned, and nodded, "Yeah he's a good guy and worries for you a lot, I can see on how all your new friends do, that Pete guy is funny! Thought he could beat me in a food eating contest!"

Lucy couldn't help but laugh "yeah Pete's like that," she closed her eye's slightly and leaned on him, making the boy smile, even after his eye's glanced the mating mark on the girls neck, "You really love Laxus don't you?" she gave a gentle nod, "He was there for me after the team disbanded, took care of me after the solo missions I went on…. His kind and caring, despite the fantasia incident" wrapping an arm around the girls waist, he leaned in closer to her and smiled, "Well I'm glad he did, I'm sorry for leaving you at the time, but I wont do it again, Your my best friend!" she opened her eye's and smiled at the childish grin on his face, "yeah, Best friends Natsu, now help me up, I've no strength left after you're rough training and I need a shower!" he grinned and stood up scooping her into his arms.

"I can do better than that Luce! Let's go!" and he began running, while Lucy gripped onto him tightly, franticly screaming for him to put her down, but the boy didn't listen, he just ran through the forest all the way to her apartment.

Fairy Tail – Guild Hall

Steve was behind the bar drying some glasses while listening to Erza talk, "And she just let him train her! She could have come to me! I could train her faster" he let out a small sigh, every one of former team Natsu who he had spoken to today was upset that Lucy was training her new found fire magic with the guilds residential fire dragon slayer, "Oh come on Erza, you know those two are best friends, and how could you train her fire magic if you only use weapons?" Mira asked as she handed Macro a beer.

"You are right Mira, but how did Lucy convince Laxus to let her go?" both women turned to Steve and he gave a nervous smile, he laughed nervously wondering if he should spill, but come on his girly gossip side couldn't hold back, he leaned in close, "She threatened to tear his manhood off and feed it to the sharks…." Both girls mouths dropped hearing them words leave his mouth and he laughed slightly placing the last clean glass down and threw the towel over his left shoulder.

"I knew she was Lying though, she wouldn't really do it, but it made Laxus cringe saying for her to be careful as Natsu could be careless." Erza nodded her head, while taking a bite of the strawberry cake in front of her, "this is true, although Natsu would never hurt Lucy on purpose, they are close and if she's in danger, Natsu's always there to protect Lucy."

"Yeah apart from Laxus, Natsu is very protective of her, it's like they are siblings themselves, as far as I know she had a very lonely childhood when growing up, her mother passed away from an illness when she was only 7, then all she got from her father was neglection, unless he needed her to sign a business deal, then after the whole Phantom Lord business. She hated her father, until we all came back from Tenoru island and she found out her father was gone.

All our hearts broke when we heard, she had decided to make amends with him but, it was too late, he'd paid her rent to cover the whole 7 years, and sent her a birthday gift every year she was missing. It sent her into tears" Steve nodded at this new found information, Lucy had never explained to him about her childhood, but it must have been hard witnessing your mother die from an illness she had no control over.

"I had no idea she was even my sister until a month ago when Ifrit held me hostage, but I can tell you now Jude wasn't my biological father, I don't know who is but there must have been a reason for Layla to give me up, but Claud's always reminded me of my adoptive sister Olivia, brave and strong, saving my arse so many times. I think that's what had me drawn to her in the first place." He crossed his arms, and held a small smile on his face, Mira placed her hand gently on his shoulder, "This Ifrit was one of Layla's spirits right? Why not ask him?"

He sighed "At the moment, summoning a Hell Key for Claud takes a lot of magical energy, she explained it like it was opening 4 zodiac keys at once, so for her magic to drop by almost half from one key in the matter of seconds, and then having to keep that gate open for a long period of time I couldn't ask my sister to do that for me." Mira smiled into his baby blue eyes, "That's so kind Steve, but I'm sure Lucy would do it for her brother, give her a week then ask?" he nodded when the guild doors open, they looked up seeing Lucy and Natsu walk in, she was wearing black leather pants, white bikini top and a black jacket over her shoulders, her hair was tied up and the contract marks showed well against her skin. She walked over to the bar with a smile, but they could see she was slightly tired. "Hey guys! How's it going?"

"Well thank you Lucy, Steve was just explaining to us about Natsu training you this morning?" Mira spoke which caused the blonde to try and figure out whether it was a question or just a figure of speech. "Yeah, he couldn't keep his mouth shut and once Natsu heard I could now use fire magic, he jumped at the chance, 5 hours of training! And keeping Ifrit's gate open has drained me quite a bit Mira think I could get a Chocolate shake?" she nodded and went to get the order done for her blonde friend.

"Mira! One Fire Whiskey too!" Natsu shouted coming over and slinging his arm over Lucy's shoulder, Steve couldn't help but be envious at their close bond, he could have sworn he had the same bond with his sister but it showed quite well that Natsu had stolen his BFFE spot.

"So Claud, when you going to pick up the slack and get a job yourself?" Lucy's jaw dropped looking to her brother, "Oi! I'll have you know it's my money that's keeping a roof over your head Jinksy!" she crossed her arms with a growl in her throat, he couldn't help but laugh, it was so easy to get under her skin these days, "alright I'm kidding, I know you work hard but I don't have enough money to get rid of all that horrid pink my room….."

Mira came back with the drinks and leaned on the bar, "Pink room huh? I could come and re-decorate it for you! Grey and blue!" both siblings smiled, Lucy groaned hitting her head on the table, sure she didn't like that much pink either but it was her house! Steve reached a hand over and patted the blonde hair, she tried to swipe his hand away but it was useless. That's when she noticed something, her eye's scrunched up slightly and sat up looking to Steve, "Jinksy? Have you been setting fire to anything?" he looked to her confused and shook his head.

"Natsu…. Do you smell that?" he leaned over and sniffed slightly, "It smells like Ifrit's hell fire…and it's coming from Stevie…" Steve was taken back, raising an eye brow crossing his arms once again, "I smell like that demons fire? He did almost brand me a month ago." The blonde shook her head, "No, that scent would have gone by now, but this is fresh and it's coming from you" she spoke, making him confused. He smelt himself but all he could smell was his aftershave, then he remembered that Slayers have a strong sense of smell.

"I don't know how to explain it then Claud, sorry wonder girl, maybe you can ask that spirit of yours when he next gets summoned." She laced her fingers together and thought about it, "I do have another training session in the morning, I can mention it to him then. If where my train of thought is going, then it might be the reason why our mother had to give you up, an also the true reason on why Ifrit was banished…you see Celestial spirits are forbidden to have anything more than a contract or friendship with their mages, if that rule is broken then the said spirit is casted out for breaking the rules." She sighed "Why….i don't understand on why my mother couldn't tell me though I'd have tried to look for you sooner"

Steve shrugged he had seen that look of determination and puzzled mind so many times before, it meant she was going to be on the path for answers. "Hey, if our mother had to keep this secret then it was for a reason Claud, in any case it's past lunch time and I'm guessing your both hungry?" both slayers nodded causing him to laugh, "Well my Lasagne will be coming right up extra garlic bread Claud?!"

She nodded grinning "You know it bro, hey where's Laxus anyway?" Mira tapped her chin as Steve went to put the meal together, "he and Gray got an emergency ping this morning, they headed out to Clover town straight away after Artie shouted at them," Lucy laughed nervously, "Yeah, I remember when Steve got fired from the Warehouse, me and Myks was complaining and he just shouted saying it's not Snag , bag and Nag!" Mira chuckled, "well we've not been sent out yet, I'm excited! I've not done field work in a long time!"

Lucy grinned, "oh it's fun, but you have to play your cards right, I may join you both, my first mission was where I got thrown into a deadly liquid that caused people to combust, I was saved by a co-worker, but man, it was so hard to move in all that ice" Erza and Mira looked to each other and begun laughing, "It was! I think even if Gray used his magic I would have still been burning up. Oh but when I got to play jimmy Hendrix guitar! Aw dude that was awesome!"

Both girls blinked, "You play?" Mira asked making Lucy blush, before she could answer Steve spoke bringing out two dishes and a load of bread for his sister and Natsu, "She can, and she's one hell of a singer too Mira, down at the Dub every Tuesday and Wednesday for open mic night."

Mira leaned forward, "Well Lucy… now that your secret is out, I think you should play us something…" the blonde shook her head with a mouth full, but Mira just got that evil glint in her eye's, "Fantasia is coming up in 2 months, I'm supposed to do the singing again, but Gajeel always begs me, and you know how bad he is, that's it! You are taking my spot in Fantasia!" Lucy groaned and slammed her head on the side, she would have had it in her food but Steve knew when to move the plate.

"Sorry sis, but you can't hid that talent from me." She looked up to Steve, "Screw you dude…"

The Next Day Magnolia forest

Standing in the woods, Natsu was sat down cross legged yawning, for once, it was Lucy who broke into his house to make him train her, but first she had wanted to ask the Demon Lord some questions, so he was currently sat down waiting for her to summon him, instead of taking out the blood red key though,

Her index and middle finger touched the flaming pentagram on her chest, 'OPEN, FLAMING GATES OF HELL! DEMON LORD IFRIT!"

She knew it wasn't the best incantation and that she'd have to work on it without the key, but the brand on her chest, suddenly burned in a red flame, and instantly in front of her Ifrit appeared wearing his usual clothing and bowing slightly, "Lady Lucy, Are you ready for today's training?"

She had felt the magical dip in her power, but it wasn't as great as yesterday meaning her magic must have grown slightly stronger, "I am but first I have a few questions for you Ifrit, if you could please answer them." He nodded and sat down on a log crossing his leg, and arms looking to his key holder, "What would you like to know Lady Lucy?"

She took a deep breath, shoving her hands in the jeans she was wearing, her top half was only covered by a red bikini top that held flames on the right side. "Yesterday after training me and Natsu went to the guild and when we were talking to my brother, he suddenly had some of your scent on him….why?"

Ifrit closed his eyes slightly listening to the question, and then opened his left eye, "why you say? I'm pretty sure you know the answer to that one My Lady, I once told you that I was in love with your mother, and the spirit king didn't take too kindly to that, he had forbid it for one who is immortal to love a mortal being, but that didn't stop us, every time she summoned me it wasn't always for battle. I don't know what the king told you, but I'm now going to tell you the real story…"

She leaned against the tree listening in, Natsu also but his eye's was closed, "One day, Layla came to me, she was crying and frantic this was 5 years before she met your father Jude, she told me she was pregnant and that child…. Was mine" he sighed leaning forward, his elbows on his legs, lacing his hands together and rested his chin on them, his red eye's fully open but they held sadness.

"We knew that I would be exiled when the King found out, so we went to the Warehouse in hopes that they could help, Lucky the gate to the spirit world could not have access in the warehouse while we was there, we begged Mrs Fredrick for help and she said she would, but we had to give the baby up in order to protect the child." He took in a deep breath, "What I didn't know at the time though is, while she was pregnant with my child, it was also making her greatly ill, she was a pure celestial mage, and I was a demon, our child was feeding off her magic, to the point where she couldn't even walk. So I had to make a choice, stay out and let your mother die….or close my gate and face punishment the king would give me, I chose the latter, sacrificing my own star, in order to safe a bright one.

Your mother stayed in the warehouse until the baby was born, but she only held it for a few moments before Mrs Fredrick took the child away and hid him, Layla cried, she cried for the loss of myself, and our child…. Depression took hold of her, she quit the Warehouse and joined a merchant guild where she met your father, he gave her love and a family that I couldn't, they had a beautiful baby girl, who carried her mother's beauty, kindness and loving heart, an most of all, her eyes. You carry Jude's stubbornness and will to never give up or back down in a fight."

At the end of the story, Lucy was knelt down, tears cascading down her face, her mother had gone through so much pain, she had lost her true love because of a law in the spirit world, "The…The illness my mother died from when I was a child…"

He looked to her and sighed, "That wasn't me, that was a dark poison she was infected with from a dark guild just after you was born, they had tried to kidnap you but Layla managed to summon me one last time, begging me to help, and I did, only for her to lose my key, and for me to be banished, the Spirit king thought I was the one that made them marks on her side, but it wasn't me, it was the dark guild that imprisoned me, the very one that is still lurking in the dark waiting to make their move on you." He stood up and walked over to the kneeling blonde, leaves and twigs crushed under his feet. "I am going to train you Lady Lucy, and so will the other demon lords, and when I get enough strength to come out on my own, I will train Steve too, in Hell's fire magic, after all….A father must Train his son." Lucy nodded wiping her tears away standing up, "I'll still kick his arse though, right I'm ready for training!"

Natsu jumped up yelling a "FINALLY!" he lighted his hands with brilliant flames, while Lucy held her hand out to the side, palm facing up towards the sun, she closed her eye's and when she opened them up again, they burned a brilliant crimson red, "Wing attack of the fire DRAGON!/HELL'S FLAME!" they both ran towards each other, both attacks colliding sending a large blast through the forest, while Ifrit crossed his arms, smiling at Lucy,

'What I also failed to mention to you Lucy…. Is that Jude wasn't your father either, we had a second child and that child is you…I'm sorry to have lied to you, but it's for your own safety that no one knows until the time is right, princess of the flames….'

FT FT FT FT FT FT FT FT FT FT FT

And that is it for this chapter! I hope you all loved it and I know you was all wondering what powers Steve was going to have, until it finally clicked!

Will lucy find the other 4 keys?

Will steve be trained?