Prolog – Catch up and be ready for GMG

Dad, Mom, I'm sorry that I haven't written for a long time, but so much has happened. The S-mage exams, the fight against Grimoire Heart, Acnologia's attack, then our 7-year stasis, the return to Fairy Tail, the Infinity Clock, and the Zentopia thing. There was quite a bit going on.

Most of my Guild friends are getting ready for Grand Magic Games, and Laxus is back. Ur wasn't with us on Tenrou, but now he works as the 7th Saint Wizard. Apparently, she had some work at Bosco now and that's why she hasn't come back yet, but she sent us her greetings in a letter and will be at the stadium for the GMG.

My secret friends that I sometimes visit were very happy about my birthday and even gave me a gift, 2 brown keys. Shield and wings. Additionally, I started learning new spells and training with Capricorn to summon 2 spirits at the same time.

Exactly. Bronze keys are part of celestial magic and suitably advanced magicians can craft them themselves. You have to invent(just imagine) the constellation yourself and then collect it into bronze. Apparently, the process is long and difficult, and only inanimate objects or extra body parts can be created. I'll try it myself someday.

I know you want to know their names, but Natsu and the others might try to get the letter and then they will find out about my secret, and I promised to hide it.

Anyway, GMG is 3 months away and we're about to start training, so I'll write when we win and win the title of Guild number 1 in Fiore again.

Your Lucy Heartfilia.

Of course, the letter was very good, but she couldn't predict the time dilation that exists between the Celestial Spirit Realm and Earthland. Good thing Jellal and his Guild, Crime Sorcière, had a plan to make up for lost time. But the pain was terrible. Good thing that the worst part is over.

"Lucy." - Ultear said, approaching Lucy, shortly after the opening of Second Origin ended - "We need to talk. In private."

Lucy quickly looked at the others who were now sleeping or still groaning in pain. She was in the second category, but she managed to nod and go with Ultear. A little ways away in the forest, Ultear and Lucy stood alone.

However, in Lucy's case, it was more of an attempt at standing and a moment later she sat down on a nearby rock. She turned to Ultear and said - "I know you said it would hurt, but this is too much. I've never felt such pain. Even since that demon wound a few weeks... I mean over 7 years ago. Although maybe it was because the adrenaline dulled it and a moment later I fainted?"

Ultear grabbed Lucy's arms and asked seriously - "What are you? Because you are definitely not human."

"What do you mean?" - Lucy asked, trying to play dumb - "I know my body was used for this whole Infinity Clock, but-"

"That's not what I mean." - Ultear interrupted, then sat down on a stone to the side - "I know something's wrong. Almost everyone in your Guild knows you're hiding a secret, and my mother mentioned it once as well. I'm not going to judge you, but I need to know. You ultimately brought her back to life."

Lucy just stared at her and finally said - "I can't reveal this secret unless absolutely required. I promised it to someone. But you're right. I'm not human, at least not fully. When the demon attacked, its suicide curse was extremely strong, so they had to take drastic measures to save me."

After thinking for a moment, Ultear said - "Let me guess, you're half-human, half-Celestial Spirit."

"Half-fairy, but close enough." - Lucy thought, but she didn't say anything. Ultear apparently decided that was enough and stood up, getting ready to leave.

"Thank you again for helping my mother." - Ultear said and left.

A few days later, Magnolia.

"Lucy, are you sure you'll be back on time?" - Erza asked.

"Don't worry." - Lucy replied - "All you have to do is have this key with you and the mute will join you immediately. Besides, it's still a full day until Crocus. I was supposed to be back by noon, and Levy said we had to be at the hotel by midnight. "I'll make it on time."

And Lucy disappeared in a flash of light.

"Why won't Luce still tell us where she's going?" - Natsu asked.

"It's her business, Natsu." - Erza said - "If he doesn't tell us, he must have a good reason. Plus, she has grown a lot stronger since spending time there."

"And it only started because we were controlled." - said Happy. Everyone's mood immediately darkened. Happy noticed it quickly, but didn't know how to fix it.

"Lucy-san doesn't blame you." - Wendy said.

"If anyone should be blamed, it's Harlequin." - Carla added.

Gray just smiled slightly and said - "That's our Lucy with a heart of gold."

"Gray, clothes." - Erza said.

"When did it happen!" Gray shouted.

"Good for you, stripper." - Natsu laughed.

Gray was about to answer, but he heard an approaching train - "Wendy, Natsu needs endurance training and you need rest. Second Origin still hurts."

"So, um…" - Wedny started, but Gray quickly cut her off.

"You shouldn't be casting any spells for a few more hours. Even Troi."

Natsu suddenly realized what was happening, but Erza had enough and knocked them both out.

Fairy Realm

Lucy flew around the city with Elaine for a while. Second Origin continued to bother her, so she decided not to practice today.

"So this GMG meant so much to you?" - Elaine asked.

"Yes." - Lucy replied - "We have to win for the people who have been left behind for these 7 years. By the way, I never asked, but why haven't you changed in these 7 years?"

"Oh. Fairies only age for so long. Then our body stops changing its appearance. We are also long-lived, but not immortal. I will probably live to be 300, maybe more."

"Wow, so I too?"

"I don't know. You are the first half-fairy that we actually intend to allow to reach her natural end on her own. Most are criminals, exiles, or prolong life with black magic. Or we lose contact with them. Access here is quite difficult."

"Probably you are right." - Lucy concluded, and then sat down on a branch of one of the trees - "Damn, this Second Origin hurts longer than I thought."

"Well, that's the way it is." - Elaine said, sitting down next to her.

"Oh yes, Jellal mentioned that they sensed Zeref's magic somewhere in Crocus, but they could never fully investigate it. Do you have any idea what it could have been?"

Elaine thought for a moment, then said - "Actually, yes. There should be an old magical artifact in the capital that Zeref helped create before he went crazy and started creating demons. Eclipse, if I remember correctly. Remember when I mentioned about Anna, that she had discovered a new field of Celestial Magic? That's what this item is for."

"What exactly did that do?"

"I don't remember. But the artifact looks like a huge door and requires 12 Zodiac keys and a huge amount of magical energy to make it work. Even then you can only open it on specific days and I think there was something else about their restrictions. If you want, I'll give you a book about it another time. As soon as he remembered which one it was. Historic, I guess."

"Thanks." - Lucy replied - "It's a pity you won't support us at GMG."

Elaine just smiled and said - "Don't worry. We have our own ways of seeing what's going on."

And so the friends said goodbye. It's time for GMG.