-Draco-

I was, in a sense, dismissed then. When I turned, I glanced around at the doors and smiled.

"It still amazes me how far we've come."

I said as I started walking towards the main door.

Let this girl be right in her choosing.

I pleaded with myself.

-Liz-

I yawned as I got out of bed and padded into the kitchen. I noticed instantly that Erin still wasn't back and couldn't help the smirk that found its way on my face as I started breakfast.

I heard Shikari come in a few minutes after I'd finished everything and cleaned up.

"Morning."

I said as I sat down across from her.

"Mmm."

Was the only thing I got in response and I laughed as I fixed me a plate, then one for Erin in case she came home sometime during breakfast.

-Erin-

I woke up next to Loke. A smile spread across my face as I lifted his arm from my waist and got up to get dressed.

"No good morning kiss?"

Loke said as I was putting my hair up in a low pony-tail. I laughed.

"Figured I needed to get home before Liz worries."

I turned to see him standing in only his boxers, hair in a mess and a smug smile on his face.

"She knows where you're he-"

He stopped mid-sentence and his smile disappeared.

"What's wrong?"

He was looking past me. I knew she was there, I just didn't want to acknowledge her presence.

"It needs to be done today."

Draco said. I didn't turn, but kept my eyes on a disappearing Loke.

I sighed as I finally turned when I felt Draco's presence in the room and found her leaning against the wall a few feet from the bed. She looked at me, dipped her head in a bow, then disappeared as well.

"Why can't I just have a normal morning for once?"

I wondered aloud to myself before I headed out the door of Loke's apartment and headed for mine and Liz's shared apartment, wondering if that girl Liz had called was there yet or not.

I started to wonder what Draco wanted with Loke, but then shoved the thoughts from my mind. I knew it had to do with Liz's friend and the ceremony Draco was gonna perform. I passed by the fountain near the Guild when I heard crying. My head snapped up as I recognized the sobs.

"Lucy?"

I asked coming up behind the blonde Mage. She was sitting on the edge of the fountain holding an empty key ring.

"They're all gone."

She said holding it up. My eyes widened. All her keys, even Plue, was gone. I reached for mine and found it to was keyless.

"Lucy come with me."

I said taking an easy hold of her upper arm and began dragging her to mine and Liz's place.

-Liz-

I had just finished getting dressed when I heard the door to the apartment open. I walked out of my room to see Erin walk into the apartment, pulling a rather distraught looking Lucy behind her.

"Luce? Are you okay?"

I asked concerned when I saw her eyes were puffy and tears were streaming down her face.

"Our keys are gone"

Erin said as she ran past me to her room. I wrapped my arms around Lucy and tried to calm her down. Shikari was behind me.

"That's Erin?"

She asked.

"In all my glory I guess."

Erin said as she rejoined us. I looked at her.

"What's goin on?"

I asked.

"Draco said today was the day basically."

She said and I scoffed.

"Oh great, way to skip the step of introductions you damn dragon."

I muttered in annoyance as I pulled Lucy down to sit on the couch.

"I remembered I had to meet her you damn slayer."

I flinched mentally as I heard Draco's voice. She was standing cross armed on the other side of the room.

"Play nice."

Erin said and I just rolled my eyes before gesturing for Shikari to come forward.

"Draco."

I said, looking at the Key Maker.

"This is Shikari. Shi, this is Draco."

I explained.

-Draco-

"It's an honor."

The girl, Shikari, said bowing her head. I stayed where I was and said nothing, which earned me a look from Liz.

"Where are they?!"

The blonde mage said standing. I kept my gaze on the girl.

"They're where they need to be right now."

"So how are we going to do this?"

Liz asked and I turned from the green haired girl to look at the Water Dragon Slayer.

-Erin-

A cyclone of fire consumed Shikari and when it disappeared, she was gone.

"I'm going to see if she is worthy."

Draco said to Liz.

"Liz. You have to know, if Shikari is not worthy of Leo's title, she will die."

Draco was gone after that was said, leaving Liz with a face I've never seen.

It was quiet for a few minutes after Draco left and Liz's face didn't change at all, then she suddenly curled her lip in a snarl before a stream of profanities I'd never heard come from my friend before spewed from her mouth as she walked around our living room.

"How dare she! Who the fuck does that Goddamn lizard think she is!? 'If Shikari is not worthy of Leo's title, she will die' what kind of fucked up, dumbass shit is that!? Oh just wait until I get my hands on you you damn overgrown lizard, I am going to wring your fucking neck, drown you in a floating bubble of water, hang you out to dry, get Natsu to burn your motherfuckin' ass, then use your scaly ass as a motherfucking punching bag!"

Liz seethed as she paced back and forth, hands going in every direction as she let her anger out. I'd never seen her react like this before and had to wonder just how close she and this Shikari girl really were.

-Draco-

"What the hell! I didn't sign up for this shit!"

Shikari yelled. She was standing inside the Spirit King's castle, surrounded by every spirit who was bound by a key.

"This human is supposed to take Leo's place? Come on Draco."

Aquarius complained.

"We can not put her down so easily."

I said. I watched Shikari as she paced in a small circle and repeatedly cuss to herself. The king sat in his throne, like me, watching.

"Get this over with so I can get back to my date."

Aquarius said leaning into Scorpio's chest. I sighed and Loke walked up beside me.

"Shikari."

I said. She looked at me.

"What?"

She didn't exactly snap, but it wasn't said calmly.

"I know you're confused, but this is the only way it can be told if you are worthy."

I explained.

"So much for talking."

She crossed her arms.

"So what are we gonna do?"

She asked.

"Around you are the twelve zodiac gates, all were made to show the spirit it houses. A single gate represents the spirit exactly."

I said as the zodiac spirits, including Loke, made a circle around Shikari and I.

"The gates belonging to the other spirits aren't as complex but are equally independent in look and make."

Behind the zodiacs, the other spirits made another circle.

"To prove your worth, you must show a strength only a zodiac can possess. If you are the one who is to take Leo's name, a power will awaken in you. The power of Regulus."

I began to walk around Shikari, keeping my eyes on her.

"If you can prove your strength, a new key will be forged and a new gate made. But if you fail, and this is where I might lose you, if you fail you will die."

I stopped in front of her and she didn't blink once.

"Then I guess I shouldn't fail."

Shikari said with a smirk, determination clear in her golden eyes.

"To earn the title of Leo, you must have the power of the lion. That power will awaken within you if you are truly the one to take Leo's place among us."

I smirked.

"You have to beat me Shikari. A fight to submission."

A smirk made it's way onto Shikari's face as she suddenly got a serious look on her face and in her eyes.

"This will be interesting."

She said as she took a few quick steps back and got into a fighting stance, she wasn't going to lose.

-Loke/Leo-

In the beginning, it was a human fighting a spirit, but we knew how it was going to end. Draco raised her hand into the air.

"Zodiac Sword."

Her voice echoed as flames built around her turned up palm. The flame shaped into a long blade and handle, one resembling Erza's many blades. Draco tossed it to Shikari.

"You may need this."

I saw Shikari catch the sword as if it were an everyday occurance for her. I watched with the other Zodiacs as the green haired girl tested the weight of the sword by spinning it around her wrist a couple of times before she turned her attention back to Draco and nodded her head in thanks to the Key Maker.

"Are you sure you're ready?"

Draco asked one final time.

"It's important for you to find someone to take Loke's place as soon as possible correct?"

Shikari asked and I could see the others were as shocked by her sudden question as I was.

"Then I won't delay you any further Draco, I shall take you on as my opponent and I can only pray that I be found worthy."

She said humbly before charging at Draco.

I saw Draco smile in response to Shikari's words before jumping in the air and over Shikari's head. Shikari turned with the sword hanging low by her side, waiting and my eyes followed Draco's movements and watched as she landed gracefully and the fire in her eyes danced.

-Shikari-

"Okay then."

I said as I turned to face Draco again, not intending to give the Key Maker the chance to catch me with my back turned. If I was doing this, I was going to do it right.

I gripped the hilt of the sword in my hand tighter before taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly to calm myself. I could feel my heart slowing, but still beating quicker than before within my chest as I faced the one who was to judge me. The one who started it all and would finish it, Draco. I saw her hold up her hand again before hearing her voice carry as she called out.

"Zodiac Flame."

I stared, slightly wide-eyed at the fire in the palm of Draco's hand before it was suddenly surrounding me on all sides and I couldn't find a way out. I closed my eyes against the heat and found it had started to get hard to breathe. I felt my knees give out and my body felt weak from the smoke and fire burning my lungs. I clutched at my chest above my heart in a vain attempt to try and stop her chest from burning. It felt like I was going to die when a warm feeling started to take over my body, making me panic slightly until I realized the warm feeling didn't hurt. If anything, it made the pain that Draco's Zodiac Fire was causing go away.

What is this...this feeling?

I wondered as I slowly opened my eyes and stared at my hand as I pulled it away from my chest. My eyes widened when I saw a golden light surrounding my hand in an outline before lifting my head and looking out of the flames that still licked at my skin but left no pain behind and looked at Draco as I got to my feet. I blinked in surprise when I saw Draco smile.

"Looks like Liz was right. Time to turn up the heat."

She said as she took down the fire walls surrounding me and jumped into the air.

"Zodiac Shower."

I saw tiny balls of fire form around Draco and felt my eyes widen at the new attack.

"Use that power you feel Shikari. Use the Regulus magic."

I was hesitant to do as Draco said since I didn't really know what the power I somehow had could do, but I swallowed my unease and nodded my head in understanding of Draco's words before closing my hand into a fist and holding it out infront of me as the balls of fire started to rain down all around.

"Regulus Shield!"

I shouted the words as they came to me and the light that was surrounding my hand grew until it was almost blinding and I had to shield my eyes with my other hand. When I chanced looking again, my eyes widened when I saw that Draco's fire was still raining down, but whenever it got close to me it seemed to hit something and dissipate into a plume of smoke, never being able to actually reach me.

"Soon that light will not bother you at all."

Draco said as she landed back on the ground.

"Something I want to try, but are you ready just yet?"

Draco asked as she crossed her arms cocked her head slightly to one side.

I blinked when the light faded completely and the shield around me fell. I glanced over towards Draco, slightly curious as to what else the woman could possibly have in store for me.

"One last test."

My eyes widened again and I stared at Draco in disbelief.

"Test? I thought this was a submission battle!"

I yelled and again Draco smiled.

"You're courage and persistence are astonishing to me and to impress me is very difficult."

Draco said as she walked to Leo and held out her hand.

"Your key my old friend."

She said and Leo took a golden object from his pocket and placed it in her palm. She then turned and looked at me.

"Leo, please stand by Shikari."

Leo did just that and he gave me a small smile. Draco began speaking words I didn't recognize and the key rose into the air in front of her.

"And so a human shall take the place of a spirit only when a slumbering power is awoken. Shikari Heidoka, do you except the responsibility and rule of the Zodiac?"

I looked from Draco to Leo, then back to Draco before realizing what the final test was and smiling at Draco.

"I do."

I said without a hint of hesitance in my voice. I knew what I was getting myself into and I knew that this was something I wanted to do. Something I would do.

"Are you prepared to serve and protect a Celestial Mage?"

Leo's key began to faintly glow and I couldn't help but smile.

"I am."

I said honestly and saw Draco smile before she turned towards Leo.

"Are you prepared to live your life among the humans?"

Leo nodded.

"You will still have your ring magic and will be able to rejoin the Fairy Tail guild if you so wish, but you will be human and humans can not glimpse this world. Though your memory will remain, you can not return."

Leo nodded again.

"I know this well Draco."

He said and I saw Draco close her eyes and lift her hands into the air just under the floating key.

"Zodiac Creation, Leo."

Her voice echoed with power and the key glowed with a blinding light. When the light faded, the key had changed its shape. The symbol representing the Lion was still there, but the basic shape was changed.

"As I said before, each gate is made specifically for each spirit. You may be taking his title but that gate is not yours and neither is this key."

Draco explained before walking up and placing the key in my hand.

"Even if you drop it, you can't lose it."

She said with a smile as she took my other hand in hers and also took Leo's. Her eyes lit up and the fire within them blazed.

"Zodiac Transformation."

-Erin-

Lucy fell asleep on our couch a few hours ago, leaving me and Liz in silence. I was worried for Liz's friend and wondered what was going through her head. Liz was sitting in a chair at the kitchen table, her head resting on her left hand. She was still fuming from Draco's words.

"Shikari will be fine Liz. Draco wouldn't have taken her if she believed otherwise."

I said walking over to the chair beside hers. She looked at me and then returned to looking into the living room. I sighed an sat down. Natsu had come by to see Lucy at some point but we didn't really pay attention. We just knew he asked to stay until she woke up and we said okay.

"So what's goin on?"

He asked.

"Long story."

Liz said bluntly.

"Well if you look at it, it's not really that long."

Mine and Liz's heads snapped up and around to see Draco standing near an end table.

"You!"

I heard Liz shout and looked over at my friend in time to see her abruptly get to her feet, knocking her chair to the floor as she did so, and walk around the table to stand right infront of Draco.

"Just what the fuck do you think you're doing taking one of the few friends I have and suddenly whisking her away without a goddamn word other than 'If Shikari is not worthy of Leo's title she will die'!"

Liz shouted, mocking Draco's previously stated words while glaring up at the Key Maker.

"I swear to whatever God you Spirits believe in that if anything bad has happened to Shikari, I will take great fucking pleasure in drowning your ass in a bubble of my water after having kicked your ass from here to Timbukfuckingtoo and back, then freeze you in place at the foot of my bed as a motherfuckin' trophy! Do you feel me!?"

Liz seethed, eyes narrowed threateningly at Draco and I looked from my best friend to Draco, wondering what was going to happen now. But then the thing I kinda figured would happen did, Draco smirked.

"I am the closest thing to a God in the spirit world young slayer and if you truly believe you can do those things and live, then by all means try."

Draco said, eyes burning.

I saw Liz's eyes harden before she pushed the sleeves of her top up.

"You do not know who you're dealing with you overgrown, egotistical lizard."

She said before I saw her start to form a ball of water above her and Draco's head and knew she was about to carry out with her threat. One thing I learned from being around Liz for so long, never bait her or dare her to do something, because that crazy bitch will do just that.

"Enough Liz, there is no need to fight Draco, I'm fine."

A voice said from the doorway of our apartment and I turned to see Shikari, but something was different about her.

"Relax Liz."

She said and I watched in slight amazement as Liz dripped her hands to her sides absent water she'd summoned simply evaporated as an aggravated sigh left my friend's body.

"I'm going to wind up killing you one day Shi, you keep making me worry about you you damn idiot."

Liz snapped half-heartedly and I couldn't help but smile at my friend.

"Ladies, meet the new Lion of the zodiac. I would've made a better entrance for her but a water-logged slayer decided to pull a suicidal stunt."

Draco crossed her arms and closed her eyes. I was disappointed in the fact Loke hadn't shown up with Shikari and Draco.

"The keys of each spirit returned to their owners or the places they rest."

Draco turned towards a confused looking Natsu.

"Could you wake the Mage and tell her so?"

She was talking about Lucy. Natsu did just that and when Lucy was awake and informed, she didn't waste time in leaving to relish in the return if her keys. We were left alone again with Draco and Shikari.

-Liz-

I calmed down as soon as I heard Shikari's voice. I walked past Draco, burying my urge to skin the woman alive and make a nice pair of dragon-hide boots, and looked my friend over for any injuries. once I was satisfied that she was unharmed I leaned against the wall by the door and waited for someone to break the silence that had settled over us.

"A new spirit and everyone acts like a cat has their tongues, no affiance."

Draco said to Shikari. I looked at Shikari and saw her smile slightly, her golden eyes shunning with a power she hadn't had when she'd shown up at my and Erin's apartment. I was glad my friend survived, glad I'd managed to give my best friend a chance at happiness, but my anger towards Draco for the way she hadn't so much as thanked me was pissing me off and I needed to leave before I snapped. I could already see my powers effecting the water in Erin's fish tank from my supressed rage.

"Before I forget."

I looked at Draco when she spoke. Draco pulled a golden key from her pocket and handed it to Erin.

"As the holder of Leo's key, Shikari is now your spirit."

Erin took the key and examined the changes, then looked at Shikari who smiled at her.

"You can't call on Shikari for the time being though Erin. She needs her rest. So, if its okay with the rest of you, Shikari needs to settle into her new home and do just that."

Draco put a hand on Shikari's shoulder and Shi nodded. After a column of blinding light, Shikari was gone.

I felt a little uneasy about the fact Draco had once again made my friend disappear, but she was no longer human and wouldn't be staying in this world anymore. She had taken a chance and been found worthy of taking Leo's place. I just hoped that Erin and Leo-no, Loke now, could find happiness together. 5/26

I couldn't stand being in the apartment anymore, I was still too pissed. Erin often told me my temper was bad, guess she was right.
Without a word to anyone, I grabbed my jacket and slipped outside. Planning on walking my anger of since I wasn't allowed to punch a certain dark-skinned Key maker. I was half way down the street when I heard my name. I turned and saw no one behind me, but when I turned back around I almost had a heart attack.

"I did call your name."

Draco said with her arms crossed and a smile on her face.

"You damn lizard."

I said and she blinked at the insult.

"You know when you suddenly disappear she does worry."

She said and I looked at the ground. I didn't need to ask who she was referring to.

Erin knows I'm pissed.

I thought.

"It doesn't matter if you're pissed off at me for not telling you about what would happen to your friend, don't take it out on Erin."

I snapped my head up and glared at the dark-skinned woman infront of me.

"I'm not taking shit out on her. You're the one who decided to tell me last fucking minuet that Shikari could die is she wasn't 'worthy' of the title. And you may be some all powerful spirit, but that doesn't mean shit to me. I can still kick your ass."

The only thing that bothered me was how Draco's eyes darkened and blazed in a way I've never seen, but otherwise didn't move. Faster than I thought possible, Draco had me by the throat and up against a nearby wall. Her teeth bared and her claws dug into my neck..

"I couldn't tell you. It's because you're human you don't understand our ways. I'll tell you once more, I'm the closest thing to a God the spirits have. Wanna know why I said that? I created the things that tie us to this planet. I created the things that enable us to aid mages like Lucy and Erin. Before when spirits were 'free' we would prank or murder for the sheer fun and enjoyment."

Her voice shook like a hidden roar, making me flinch and one of her claws slipped and cut my lower lip. Her hold lightened but she kept her hold of my neck.

"I came here to apologize for my lack of information to you. I understand Shikari means a lot to you and I should have been more informative, but if you knew her life was at stake you never would've let me take her."

Draco released me and took a step back.

"You have a spirit's trust, you hold a spirit's respect, and even though we don't see eye to eye most times I hope you can forgive me."

I glared at Draco for a few seconds before what she'd just said registered in my mind.

A Spirit's trust and respect?

I wondered, my glare lessening as I slowly uncoiled from my fighting stance. She was right that had I known Shi could have died that I wouldn't have let her go.
I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair.

"I should apologize too. My temper is horrid and I get rather...shall we say, unstable, when it comes to my friends and their well being. I know you were taking a chance with my friend, one you didn't have to make, so...I'm sorry."

I said, looking Draco in the eyes and for the first time not glaring at her or wondering what the most effective way to drown her would be and saw her smirk.

"We ain't all friendly now are we?"

She growled, but it wasn't a threatening one so I didn't dwell on it.

"Not in this lifetime...more like mutual acquaintances."

I said and Draco smiled before leaving in a column of fire.

-Erin-

I was left alone when Draco left to find Liz.

'I suppose I owe her an apology.'

Draco had said before leaving. I sighed from my spot on the couch, looking at the key Draco gave me.

'I want you to have this. The spirit king told Loke he had to protect me no matter what, but he'll be happier this way.'

Lucy's words ran through my mind and I wondered where Loke was now. A knock at the door startled me a little, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Comin."

I called as I walked over to the door. I opened it to find a smiling Loke. His long orange hair was shorter and hos tux was gone, replaced by green cargo pants and a red tee with a face on the front. My vision blurred as I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

"Sorry I'm late. I had to find a place to live. Your friend Liz will be excited to know Grey took me in."

He said holding me close. I couldn't think of anything to say, but Loke was here and for that I was beyond happy.

-Liz-

I shook my head at Draco's departure, she sure did love making a scene.

Damn lizard.

I thought to myself with a smile as I turned and started walking.

I stared at the door infront of me and blinked a couple of times. I had just been walking and found myself standing infront of my boyfriend's apartment door. I guess my subconscious brought me here so I could completely calm down.

"Please be fully clothed."

I muttered to myself as I knocked on the door.