Hi guys! So extra long chapter today cause their might not be an update tomorrow XC I spent so much time on chapter 12 that I didn't even get started on chapter 13. Gomen, gomen. At least this chapter is probably out of all the chapters, content-wise anyway XD Or maybe not, I'll let you decide. Anyways, enjoy! Thank you guys again for all of the support!

Chapter 12 (The Fifth Person and Loki vs Pisces)

Lucy's pov,

I stood outside the guild, alone. My mind swimming with what Minerva had said. Why did she say 'Lucy and me'? Why was she keeping the last team mate a secret? I sighed and stared at the afternoon sun, beating down warmly pleasant, trying my best to forget about it.

But I couldn't, the thought of being pitted against Fairy Tail terrified me like nothing else. I couldn't understand why either. Wasn't this the reason why I didn't want to be guild master in the first place? I wanted to fight, to beat them. To prove to them I was stronger now. But was that it?

Suddenly the familiar sound of high heels click clacking against cement startled me. I glanced behind me to see Minerva. She still looked injured to me, but she refused to stay in bed so I didn't make her. Besides, she was guild master now. She didn't need to listen to what I had to say.

She walked towards me slowly, her eyes were a cold mix of determination and grief, her mouth twisted in a small grimace. "You know what I meant when I said the last team mate would be confirmed on the day, right?" I nodded turning away from her. "It could be anyone. So everyone would train hard, just in case it was one of them. But you already told them who it was, didn't you?"

She smirked. "Your smarter then I give you credit for." I grinned tightly. My guess was right, I had the right to be worried before. She had already chosen who it was going to be. "So, will you do it?" I sighed and leaned against the rough walls of the guild building.

"You know to be honest, I don't know." Minerva frowned, confused. "I thought that was what you wanted." I laughed softly. "Your right. That was what I said." Minerva's eyebrows bunched together on her forehead. "Then why not?" I sighed again and straightened, smiling softly.

"Fine, why not?" Minerva grinned, a rare show of emotion, especially from her. "So you'll do it?" I nodded. "Like you said, it was what I said." She laughed slightly. "I'll guess I'll tell them on the day. Though I doubt their that stupid to not put two and two together." Said Minerva who was already making her way back to the guild's door.

"Why are you doing this anyway?" I asked, turning around. Minerva met my eyes, grinning slightly. "I thought I was doing you a favour. Fairy Tail doesn't need to know Lucy Heartfilia will be joining us this year, isn't that right Dragon Slayer?"

I chuckled. "You've changed Minerva." She laughed. "For the good or the bad?" I shrugged. "What do you think?" She shook her head, smiling. "Well, I hope it was for the good."

Normal pov,

The next day,

Team Sabertooth stood near the entrance of the guild, waiting for Minerva to give them more instructions. She had called this morning to all four of them, that the fifth person was going to be training with them.

But only they would know who, and that the fifth person wanted it to be top secret, or secret until the day. Which was why all four of them were already in the guild as early as 6 this morning, no one was around in the guild yet so no one was going to see this mysterious person joining them on the three month training session.

Sting yawned slightly annoyed. He didn't know who this person was, but he probably would have to be really important, to want this kind of secrecy about his identity. He even struck a deal with Minerva. Minerva!

Now that person was late and Sting wasn't happy. Sting didn't like waking up early at all, plus he was still annoyed with his 'Mate problem', so he was a lot more irritated than usual.

While Sting sulked, the other three stood a little way from him, noticing that he wasn't exactly in his best mood. Rogue couldn't help but wonder himself who this mysterious person too. Secrecy was a big thing to ask of anyone, especially identity. Who could this person be? A prisoner of the Magic Council?

Rufus on the other hand had a good idea who it could be, he was one of those people that pay special attention to everything that is being said or done, even the smallest detail couldn't escape from him.

It was important after all, with his Memory magic and all. Detail was important to every spells success, which was why he had dissected every word in Minerva's announcement yesterday. He didn't need to do it this time, he just did it out of habit.

He wasn't sure whether he was over analysing everything for once, because it sounded a little ridiculous to him. But it kinda made sense too, for this person to want the secrecy.

It wasn't because she was an escapee from the Magic Council's infamous prison, it wasn't because she was incredibly important either. Not that she wasn't, she would help to obtain their victory after all.

No, this was Minerva doing her a favour but knowing Minerva she never did anyone a favour unless it benefitted her in a way too, so there probably was something behind it. Rufus didn't know Lucy Heartfilia all that well, but he knew one thing.

If she could take down their Master, Minerva, so many other Dark Guilds even the Nine Demon Gates, she could take down anyone in the Games. Even if the Ten Wizard Saints were sent against her, he wasn't so sure about the top four, but the other six... She seemed worthy of. He was sure of it.

Suddenly Minerva appeared in the back of the guild, not alone. There was a collective gasp from the four as the two girls scaled the staircase and approached the four surprise Mages. "Lucy-san?" Yukino asked, her breath half-way caught in her throat. Lucy half grinned at the four. Sting stiffened and avoided her gaze, while the other three stayed silent.

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Come on wasn't it a little obvious." Sting glared at Minerva. "Why does she need secrecy on her identity? Practically everyone in Fiore know who she is." Rouge frowned sharply at his friend, clearly disapproving at his behaviour but didn't say anything. No one noticed that Sting didn't use his nickname for Lucy at all but it wasn't important at the moment.

"The reason I need secrecy on my identity is because Fairy Tail might do something during the Games if they know I'm there. I want the Games to be fair game, no advantages no disadvantages." "Your already a disadvantage!" Sting snapped, he didn't know why but he wasn't at all comfortable with Lucy participating.

Something about what she asked him yesterday bothered him and it seemed connected to this somehow. "I know I am." Lucy said softly. "But I know where I belong now, it's here. Not Fairy Tail anymore. Disadvantage or not, you know I am an advantage too." Sting a little taken aback by Lucy's answer didn't say anything more.

"Which is why I'll have to have all four of you to swear that you will keep information about Lucy participating in the Games a secret." Minerva continued. Rogue, Yukino and Rufus nodded, already accepting the circumstances. Sting didn't, clearly still brooding about the situation.

"Sting?" Minerva asked looking at him with narrowed eyes. "I'm not swearing to anything." "Sting." Rogue hissed, poking Sting in the ribs, hard. Sting ignored him. "Sting, please. You know how important this is to me." Lucy said softly. Sting forced himself to meet Lucy's eyes, already drowning in her gaze. ".. Fine.. I swear."

Minerva smiled tightly. "Thank you. I wish you all good luck on your journey, remember Sabertooth's victory rests on your shoulders." The five all nodded before setting out to a nearby forest to train for the Grand Magic Games.

It wasn't long before Team Sabertooth arrived at the clearing Minerva had told them about. It wasn't too far away from the guild but it was obscure enough for only the right people to find it.

It was quiet walk all the way from Sabertooth to here, Lucy wasn't sure whether it was just cause it was early morning or because of the favour she had asked from them, either way she was beginning to doubt whether this was a good idea or not.

They had just set up their individual tents when Sting decided to leave early. He had snuck from the clearing and left by himself. He wasn't sure where he was going but he knew one thing, he needed to get out of there.

He couldn't believe the 'fifth' person was of all people, Lucy Heartfilia. And here he was thinking he could use the three months of training to forget about her, pound it into his thick head he couldn't have her. That she was just his friend, nothing else.

If he had thought yesterday was hard, then he wasn't nearly prepared for what was in store for him in the next three months. He leaned against a nearby tree sighing, not noticing that Rogue had followed him.

"What are you doing here Sting?" Rogue asked slightly annoyed at the White Dragon Slayer for leaving without him after agreeing to train with him just this morning. "I just went for a walk, jeez." Sting said, turning around to go back to the clearing. But Rogue caught him by the shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

"What?" Sting snapped tiredly. He was already tired from dealing with Lucy, so he was just about ready to agree to anything Rogue was going to say right now. Rogue narrowed his gaze on his friend. "What was that this morning anyway? What do you have against Lucy being in the Games?" Sting groaned inwardly. He knew someone was going to mention this at one point.

In all honesty, he didn't know either. He just knew that he didn't want Lucy anywhere near the arena.. Near Natsu. "Nothing, it was nothing ok? I was tired." Rogue crossed his arms over his chest. "It's starting isn't it? The territorial business is already kicking in. I'm telling you, forgetting about her isn't going to work."

Sting scowled, his heart beating nervously as he absorbed what Rogue had said. He was right, he knew his best friend was right. He just didn't want to admit it. "No, it's not." "Then why do you care so much about her going?" "I don't!" Sting snarled in his defence.

"Yes you do, everything you've said so far says you do." "You know what? Your right, I do care. I care because if she's put up against any old bastard from Fairy Tail, I know she's going to loose!" Rogue glared at Sting's outburst. His mouth in a thin line.

"That's what this is about? Winning some stupid tournament?" Rogue asked furious. "I want to win just as much as you do, so don't even go on about any team mate crap you come up with!" Rogue scowled. "I can't believe you think the Games is more important than your potential Mate. No actually, your friend."

Sting grabbed Rogue by the collar roughly, glaring at the Shadow Dragon Slayer through narrowed eyes. "Fine if you know so much about this, then why don't you explain to me, how Lucy isn't going to be butchered in the tournament." He snapped. "Why can't you believe that she can beat them? She can take care of herself."

Sting growled. "No she can't! She's... She's..." Rogue raised an eyebrow at Sting while pushing himself out of Sting's grasp. "She's what?" Sting sighed as he closed his eyes. "She's going to get hurt out there." He muttered softly, so softly in fact that Rogue even with his Dragon Slayer ears couldn't hear. "What?"

"She's. Going. To. Get. Hurt." "I feel like that's not the end of it, is it?" Rogue asked quietly. Sting looked up at Rogue and glared. "And because Natsu's there." Rogue grinned softly. "That's it." Sting sighed frustrated at the Shadow Dragon Slayer's interest in his love life. Rogue needed to get a life.

"Whatever, I'm going back to camp. Are you coming?" Rogue nodded, his face somber as if nothing had happened as they walked back to the clearing.

Back at the clearing,

Lucy's pov,

I couldn't help but feel nervous as I looked around the clearing, Rogue and Sting were gone. I scanned the perimeter but there were no signs of the two Dragon Slayers nearby. I frowned, something bad was about to happen I could feel it. But I didn't know what.

I sighed, it was probably nothing. But the feeling of wouldn't leave me. I quickly pushed it to the back of my head, ignoring it best I could. But once my mind was silent again, I couldn't help but feel a little lonely, as I looked around the clearing again. I was alone technically, Rufus had already left by himself, which left me and Yukino. But why did I feel like I was missing something.

Yukino was silent too, quietly finishing off her sandwich. I had finished mine ages

ago but I couldn't bring myself to stand up and break the silence. Even though the silence was probably what was unsettling me. I sighed again and balanced my chin in between my knees.

The silence wasn't just unsettling too, it gave my mind an opportunity to roam and that was never good. I groaned inwardly, I can't stop it either. Slowly, my mind began to delve into yesterday's events and images of yesterday's dress mishap and the dream began to bombard me.

I felt my cheeks redden as my mind, no matter how hard I forced it, scanned through every embarrassing painful detail of yesterday. I guess I never really truly forgot about it, did I? Natsu's grinning face suddenly came into my mind and I felt my heart ache.

Usually I would kick myself for even bringing him up in my mind but this time I let it slide. Besides, just cause I didn't need to see him didn't mean I didn't like seeing him. I was just missing my old best friend right?

Best friends don't haunt you day and night, or stop you from moving forward, or force you to not even be able to look him in the eyes.

I banished the thought out of my head and glanced at the far edge of the clearing, searching desperately for two broad figures, but I was only met by shrubbery and trees. I looked back at my hands as another thought creeped into my mind.

'Why does she need secrecy on her identity?'

'Your already a disadvantage!'

I glared at my hands, what was up with Sting today? Why would he say that? I scowled and here I was worried about him. Mr High and Mighty thinks he's such a big deal.

And yet, you still see him as the same guy that blocked you from Natsu's attack in that dream. Don't you?

I frowned, that wasn't it either. He was so nice yesterday... Almost charming.. He was the only person that had actually made me forget about Natsu, forget about the pain. But maybe that's just because he reminded me of Natsu, everything about him screamed Natsu. Natsu's even his idol.

Suddenly a thought hit me like lightning and it was so horrible, it made me blanch. Sting was like this because of me. I did this, the dress, the questions. The hand-holding, I forgot about the hand holding...

Maybe Sting is enough to replace Natsu?

I growled under my breath, how could I even think that?! Pushing all thoughts of both guys out of my mind. But they were still there, little by little they came back until I couldn't take it anymore. I got up abruptly and quickly dusted the crumbs of my lap. "Yukino?"

Yukino looked up from her eating and smiled. "Yes, Lucy-san?" I forced a grinned so I wouldn't hurt her feelings. "You don't have to call me 'Lucy-san' Yukino, we're friends now, team-mates. And I was wondering if you wanted to spar with me?"

Yukino smiled. "Of course Lucy-sa... Lucy." She quickly finished her lunch and stood up with me, walking over to a shady patch of grass a little farther away from where everything was. "I didn't want to break anything." Yukino said quickly as I gave her a puzzled glance.

I shrugged. "Oh ok. Ready?" She grinned challengingly. "As I'll ever be." I smiled. "I'm giving all I got, I expect the same from you." Yukino nodded solemnly. "Let's go, open Gate of the Paired Fish, PISCES! I smirked. "Open Gate of the Lion, LEO!" The jingle of doorbells filled the air, as Loki appeared out of nowhere, grinning.

"Lucy, your as beautiful as ever." I rolled my eyes and jerked my chin towards Yukino who was staring at the two of us, with wide eyes. I blushed and grinned tightly. "This... Is Leo." I said pointing to Loki to introduce him, but Loki had beaten me to it.

He was knelt in front of Yukino, her hand clasped in both of his, Yukino was staring terrified at Loki as he kissed the back of her hand. "Hi, my name is Loki. What's your name pretty lady?" Yukino opened her mouth but nothing came out, her face was bright red.

"Y-yukino." Loki smiled. "Oh? Well Yukino it's a pleasure to meet you, I will be looking forward to our battle." "Loki." I hissed between my teeth. He turned towards me sharply and straightened up. "I hope I see you again after this." He winked as he said this. Yukino didn't answer still staring wide-eyed at Loki, her cheeks a bright red.

As Loki returned to stand next to me, I elbowed him hard in the side, but of course he didn't even flinch. By then Yukino seemed to have recovered from Loki's sexual harassment and was standing firmly on the ground.

"This is Pisces, their part of the 12 Golden Zodiac Keys." I stared at the spirit in awe, or rather the two spirits. Pisces was actually two giant fish-like creatures, one black, one white. I waved at them smiling. They made a sound that was a mix of gurgling and some other sound I wasn't familiar with.

Yukino patted on of them gently on the head before looking back at me, I smiled at her. "You can go first I don't mind." She nodded, her eyes serious now. "Alright, Pisces FLIGHT!" The two fish-like creatures rushed forward towards Loki, their two bodies though huge were lightning fast. Darting backwards and forwards, light as a feather.

Guess that's why it's called Flight.

Loki smirked before jumping up on one of them, landing firmly on the white one's long, winding back. The blue one seeing this thrusted upwards in an attempt to hit Loki so he would fall. Loki jumped back into the air so the blue one missed him completely.

All through this I was surveying Yukino carefully, my mind completely absorbed into the battle. Yukino must have seen the way Loki was dodging cause she called Pisces to back off, leaving Loki standing at where he had first started, panting softly.

Yukino was breathing faster now and it hit me how much energy it must take to summon this ginormous creature. I frowned. "Yukino, are you ok?" Yukino nodded but didn't answer. I nodded, unconvinced and a little hesitant to continue. But I didn't need to decide anyway.

Pisces' long winding bodies suddenly disappeared in a flash of gold light leaving two standing figures, a middle aged woman in white and her son who was dressed in black. I stared in shock.

How... What just happened?

Yukino smiled a small smile but didn't say anything. "We are Pisces, this is our true form." The woman in white announced. The boy behind her who looked like her son nodded. My eyes widened in surprise at the resemblance of the two. Loki was looking at the two shocked too, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

His taking this seriously.

This means their not anything to mess with.

I licked my lips nervously. I wasn't so sure I could beat Yukino completely with just Celestial Spirit Magic, I hasn't used it as my main magic for so long... It wouldn't be surprising if Yukino does beat me.

How can you even say that?! You. Are Lucy Heartfilia, Eclipse. You don't give up this easily. If you can't even beat Yukino how do you expect to defeat Natsu? Erza?

I stared at Loki grimly.

I'm counting on you Loki.

Loki nodded as if he heard me, before he rushed towards the mother and son duo. His fist glowing with yellow light.

Regulus.

"REGULUS PUNCH!" Loki yelled as he sent his fist flying at the white clothed woman, but the punch never connected. His fist was caught firmly in the woman's hands. The boy using the minute of hesitance from Loki, kicked him from behind, sending Loki flying up into air.

Even though caught by surprise, Loki landed gracefully on his feet behind the boy. His face grinning, but I could tell he was already tired. The slightly limp of his left foot told me everything.

How strong was that kick?

Loki catching the opportunity, sent his foot flying at the boy's side. But the boy caught it in one swift movement before sending his fist flying at Loki's jaw. Connecting almost instantly.

Then at the same moment sending a kick to Loki's side. But Loki reacted quicker this time and dodged. "Oh no, your not getting me this time. REGULUS IMPACT!" He screamed before upper-cutting the boy's jaw, sending him flying backwards before landing in front of his mother's feet.

"I'm sorry mama, I was not strong enough to defeat him." The boy whispered, handing the spear he had on his back to his mother. The woman only nodded before accepting the spear and focusing her gaze on Loki.

"My son may not be able to defeat you, but I am." Loki grinned. "Then prove it, Pisces." The woman didn't answer, instead ran at Loki faster than my eyes could focus on, spear in hand. "WATER SPEAR STRIKE!" She declared before sending the spear flying at Loki. Loki's eyes widened, he froze.

"LOKI!" I screamed when I realised he wasn't about to move. My heart racing in my chest. Loki seemed to wake up at my voice and dodged the spear just in time, the spear hitting the ground behind him. He turned around quickly, giving me a grin. I didn't react just nodded towards Pisces.

He turned around so he was facing Pisces again. By then the boy seemed to have recovered from his beating and was standing on his feet again. He quickly caught up to his mother who was standing a few feet away from Loki.

"Well how about that, mother and son both so determined to defeat me." Loki said with a smirk. Pisces only looked at him grimly. "I would not get so cocky yet, Leo." The woman quickly nodded at her son before they both extended their arms to the side and rushed at Loki again. "WATER BEAM!" They both screamed before sending a jet of high pressure water at Loki, the column of water swallowing up everything in front of him.

Loki froze as the column water neared him, I screamed at him to get out of the way. To do something, anything.

But a little part of me knew he couldn't have dodged it anyway even if he wanted to.

Instead the the water hit him on the full. I closed my eyes, my fist clenched tightly to his key. For a long time, the fact that celestial spirits were immortal didn't matter to me. Because I was convinced Loki was going to die.

The water rushed around him, swallowing up Loki's figure completely so it was only water I could see. "LOKI!" His name hurtling through my throat and out of my mouth. Pisces seemed to stand back a bit, alarmed at the result of their attack. Even Yukino looked nervous.

"LOKI!" I screamed again, my heart beating wildly in my chest as I tried to run over to him. To do something.

Lucy, calm down. He's immortal. He's a spirit, just close his gate and he'll be fine.

But my dizzy head at the time didn't even register the thought, the only thing I knew then was that I had to help him someway or another. Yukino was yelling at me now, alarmed at what I was trying to do.

But suddenly through the panic, a bright light shot through the thick column of water and into the sky. I stopped abruptly in front of the water column as the light got brighter and stronger until it completely cut through the water, revealing a battered but otherwise fine, Loki.

I gasped shocked when my eyes landed on him. He didn't react, his attention centred completely on Pisces. Pisces, realising that he was fine both straightened. Their gaze fixed on Loki. Before either of them could make a move, the same light that had cut through Water Beam erupted from Loki and cracked the ground.

The woman raised her arm so she was blocking her son behind her. But it was too late, the light was growing bigger and bigger until it was covering more and more ground, completely bleaching away my view for a half a second. I screamed a wordless cry and not long after the light faded away, leaving a panting Loki and both mother and son on the ground barely conscious.

"You won after all, Leo." Pisces whispered, coughing slightly. "No, no one won." Loki replied breathlessly. Yukino was silent, her eyes still wide with shock. "Pisces, return. " she whispered, breathing harshly. Pisces nodded as they helped themselves up and disappeared into a gold light, as the sound of doorbells filled the air again.

I walked over to Loki and enveloped him in a hug. "You did well Leo." He smirked behind my head and chuckled. "Loki, it's still Loki." I grinned myself and let him go. "Loki, return." Loki disappeared too. Leaving the faint sound of bells behind him.

I looked over to Yukino who was trembling slightly. As soon as I noticed that she was shaking I quickly glanced at my wrist. It was shaking too, I frowned grimly as I realised how long the battle must have lasted. "Yukino, are you alright?" She didn't answer, suddenly her legs gave out from under her and her eyes rolled into the back of her skull.

I gasped and ran over to her, catching her just in time before she landed on the ground. "Yukino? Yukino?!" I asked frantically, shaking her shoulders. She didn't reply, her face pale. A thought hit me as clear as day as I hugged her limp body to mine.

How much did she push herself to win this battle?

I frowned as pushed her fringe off her sweaty forehead.

A lot it seems.

I sighed as we stayed like that for a few minutes, my own breathing was fast and sharp as I tucked her head underneath my chin.

This girl must have seen a lot in me to give me her all, I'm not even sure I did.

Suddenly Yukino was pushing herself off me and was standing up, almost like nothing had happened at all. "Yukino?" I asked confused.

No way could she have replaced all that magic and energy that fast.

I stood up shakily, surveying her carefully.

Something isn't right here.

I slowly met Yukino's eyes, to see if their was anything in them. Fatigue? Sadness? Anger? Anything. But her hazel eyes were blank, all the warmth it had held was gone. Replaced by cold emptiness. My gaze slowly fell on her neck where a dark purple vein was creeping it's way up her right cheek.

My eyes widened in shock.

What the hell is happening?

I backed away slowly, my eyes still stuck on Yukino cautiously. Suddenly I realised that the look on her face was chillingly familiar.

It wasn't long before it hit me, this wasn't the first time.

So a sorta kinda cliff hanger there XD Trust me, I saved you guys from a worse one. A lot worse one. Anyways, hope you had enjoyed. Read and review.