Laxus POV

I smirked in victory as Gramps announced the team going to the Grand Magic Games this year. It was Gray, Erza, Gajeel, Eve, and I. We had talked to Gramps last night about letting us participating against Lucy and the other Tigers.

Natsu was throwing a fit on how it should have been him on the team, saying he was the strongest mage here. That is until the guild doors crashed open. He was easily shut up when Lucy and the Twin Dragons from Sabertooth were standing in the doorway. I gave her a lazy wave and made my way down to her.

She ran and gave me a hug. "Laxus-nii!" I heard her sniffle as the smell of salt hit me.

"Lucy! Lucy! What's wrong?!" I shouted in worry.

"I-Ivan showed up and threatened to take me away!" She cried.

At the mention of that bastard's name, my muscles tensed and my grip on my little sister tightened. "It'll be okay. You're stronger than him. He can't hurt you." It was a lie. We both knew it too. That man had fear gripping us like a vice, and there was no escape. Even after I beat him in the GMG last year… I would still freeze up.

"Lucy…" I watched as Erza came and hugged us both, something that was really meant for Lucy, but I refused to let go of my baby sister. Lucy let go of me and hugged Erza and the other girls in turn.

I walked over to Gramps and told him what she told me. "Do you think he'll go through with it? Make her a Dragon Slayer, too?"

Gramps sighed. "I wish she could stay here, remain under the protection of Fairy Tail, but she is a Sabertooth mage according to the Council. Our hands are tied."

I scowled. That meant we couldn't protect her until a formal request was made, and Lucy would have to be the one to make the request. Lucy's too stubborn to do that. Sure she'll come crying but she has too much pride to let people help her. Just a few months ago she was complaining about how the Twin Dragons wouldn't let her go to Raven Tail to go see Ivan and now she was crying on the guild's shoulder. She'll never survive on her own if she doesn't let people help her. I don't want her to end up like me.

Then it hit me.

Ivan was isolating her, torturing her from afar, making her scared to be powerless. Before long, she'll be looking for a way to become stronger. She'll go to him to make her stronger.

He's twisting her way of thinking into something that resembled how I thought during Fantasia.

That actually terrified me.

I didn't realize I was holding my chest; the place where my secondary magic laid on a silver chain. It was a simple silver key. IT's supposed to be a weak spirit. It's supposed to be a backup plan. It's supposed-

"Laxus-nii?"

I blinked to find Lucy staring up at me with worried eyes. "Hey, kiddo."

"Are you okay? Does Wendy need to look at you?"

I waved her off. "I'm fine, Lucy. I swear. But remember you're not supposed to be here until after the GMG. I want you to head to Sabertooth and stay with those Dragon Slayers at all times. No matter what. That includes baths and the toilet. No objections. That's an order from the next up and coming guild master."

Her eyes widened with happiness. "I'm so happy for you! How long have you known?!" She squealed. I carefully pulled out the silver key tucked under my shirt.

"Lucy." I said sternly. "Take it with you and wear it with you at all times. No exceptions. Okay? I know you'll disobey my previous order, so do me a favor and don't disobey this one. Come here." She stepped forward and turned around so I could fasten it around her neck. She admired this intricate patterns cut into the metal of the key. She whispered something I couldn't catch and began to glow. The light knocked me onto my ass.

"Open, Gate of the Spirit Queen! Luna!"

Out of nowhere a puff of silver smoke appeared and as soon as it dissipated, a figure stood in the smoke's place. She had long silver hair, same length as Mira's. The woman had a flowing ice blue dress that pooled at her feet.

She looked directly at Lucy. "I am Luna, the Queen of the Spirit World. I have a mission for you and your team to take. I'll make a formal request if it means you'll accept, Duchess."

Lucy blinked at her. "Itai nani?!"

Hiya guys and girls!

Sorry for the short chapter but I thought this was a good cliffie. :)

Itai Nani - What the hell?!

Also to my guest reviewer, AM; Thanks so much for all your beautiful reviews. There were at least one on almost every story I've posted. So Happy Reading to you! Thanks again. You made me really happy!

What do you think the Spirit Queen's request is?

Love & Lucky,

-SFL