Hey guys, it's been a long while since I've updated any of my stories. It's because I am currently serving in a branch of the US Armed Services and my schedule doesn't allow me to write or post as often as I'd like. Hope everyone is doing well and all those who have joined or stayed with my writing is hopefully enjoying rereading in hopes I'd update. I've worked on this chapter over the last couple days so I hope it was worth the wait. Unfortunately, updates will be hella sporadic as I'm being deployed soon in the near future. Thank you all for being patient with me as I get back into writing my stories and back into the flow of them too. ~Immortalshark

*Virgo's POV*

With help from Fin and Aquarius, I healed quite nicely. I told the others that I was ready to talk to Lucy about a contract. The others had talked about her and I really wanted to see if she was who they all said she is. I felt the magic of the first summons and oh boy was it a lot. I appeared in my regular form and bowed to her, well the form most want from me. I learned that most masters didn't like me showing my emotion to them so I developed a stoic look. At least until I was able to return to my home and process.

"Hello Virgo. My name's Lucy. How are you feeling?" she asked.

I looked up to observe her better. She was quite tall, at an impressive 1.8 meters or five foot nine. She had blonde hair that had beads and feathers braided in some sections. She was wearing a black pair of pants with a loose fitting black shirt and a pair of combat boots. Her arm bands were interesting. She also had a necklace, a scale that looked familiar.

"I'm feeling better, Mistress." I said and watched her face sour at the name.

"How are you really? I know you took quite the beating on top of being out for so long. And please call me Lucy." she asked.

I saw the genuine concern in her eyes but I was stunned by her request, "I'm back to full strength."

She smiled, "That's good. Would you like to make a contract with me?"

I nodded, "Yes Mistress. I use Earth and chain magic." I said.

"Is there any day you want off? Or any day you'd like to not work?" she said and once more her face soured at the name.

"I'm available whenever you need me, Mistress." I said.

"Okay. First off, don't call me Mistress. I am not your master. I hope to be a friend." she said firmly.

I looked down, "Punishment Mistress?"

She moved closer to me and I looked up in confusion.

"I'm not going to punish you Virgo. My spirits are not tools for me to use for my enjoyment. You are a being with feelings and I will treat you as such. I made myself a promise, one that my mother had me make and I will keep and pass on to future generations. I made the promise to never intentionally hurt any spirit under contract with me. Whether that be physically or mentally. I give warnings to my more rowdy spirits that in a battle, I need them to have full attention to me and what I need them to do but other than in battle, they are allowed to be rowdy up to a point." she said.

I just nodded in acknowledgment and she dropped her hand.

"I would like to contract with you, Princess." I said and tried a different name.

She smiled, "Better. Eventually, I would like you to call me Lucy, but Princess is fine for now. Now that you are of my spirit family, if you need anything from me, just send a small bit of your magic through your key okay?" she said.

I flinched a little when I saw her hand move towards me. I felt her magic curl around me, comforting me. It was odd, but not unwelcome in fact I leaned into it. She wrapped me in a hug and I just sat there.

"Shh, it's alright to cry Virgo. You don't need to be strong with just me."

I felt my face and realized I was crying. The hug was….nice and I wanted it. So I cuddled her and sat in her lap. I was happy to just sit there in her lap. I felt something happen that I haven't done in a very long time, something that I knew could happen but never had. I shrunk to fit better on her lap and to be held better. Lucy chuckled.

"It seems that regression magic is your backup eh? You're cute." she said.

She held up a mirror and I squeaked.

"It's okay. It just means you're comfortable with me." she said.

I smiled and just tucked into Lucy. No wonder Osy liked Lucy, she's really cuddly. I fell asleep in her lap with her magic wrapping me in a soothing cocoon.

-With the rest of the spirits-

*Aquarius' POV*

I knew Lucy had enough magical power that all of her spirits were able to access parts of their magic we've not been able to for centuries. However it was shocking, though not really, that Virgo had shrunk. What was shocking though is that she did it in front of Lucy. I smiled as I watched Virgo snuggle into Lucy and essentially fall asleep.

"Wow, she's not been able to do that in centuries. Well, on Earthland that is." Cancer said.

"Our girl is amazing isn't she?" I said.

"She is, that she is." Cancer said.

I looked at the other spirits and had to laugh at Osita pouting and grumbling with Plue joining her. Well actually all of Lucy's usual cuddle companions were in a corner pouting and grumbling about how they were the ones to cuddle with Lucy.

*Spirit King's POV*

I felt the contract between Lucy and Virgo solidify and looked. I watched the contract be made this time because of Virgo's last master. Sadly I never noticed Virgo looking run down and more ashamedly was the fact that I never noticed her being kept out longer than she should have. I had thought that the man would keep his word but I also knew Virgo's nature. I thought that her being gone more was simply because the man needed her. This time though I knew it would be okay. I watched as Virgo was comfortable with Lucy and had actually shrunk to fit and cuddle her better. I knew I kept an eye on Lucy, the only human to challenge me, ever since I welcomed Leo back. I decided to look at Lucy's other contracts and found them to be one of the strongest, heck some of them had even changed their original contract just because they wanted to spend more time with Lucy. Then I heard something I haven't heard in a long time, Aquarius' joyful laughter. I looked over to see what was making her laugh so loudly and saw all of Lucy's cuddle balls all pouting.

*Virgo's POV*

My magic reacting the way it did with Lucy made me hesitant to trust her. But I also had Aquarius' talks about Lucy and how she had been kinder and had been able to heal me to lean on, so I made a decision and let Lucy see. I let my magic surrounding me disappear and Lucy just gasped. I felt her pull me closer.

"Virgo sweetheart, thank you for trusting me." she said.

I felt her magic swirl around me, comfortingly warm, and I looked up to see a proud look in her eyes. Suddenly I was looking at her own memories. Her happy memories with her mother before turning sour with her father and then back to happy with all the friends she'd met along the way. I watched as her own walls came up but I saw how strong she was. I saw what the other spirits Lucy was in possession of saw in her. A kind young woman who will fiercely protect her spirits and fight with them instead of use them as a shield or tool to use for her own amusement. I could feel the bond between Lucy and I grow stronger and I enjoyed it because it was the strongest one I've had in a while. I curled in further into Lucy's warmth as I opened up my memories, memories of a past before becoming Virgo. Lucy's magic curled closer to me, soothing everything, calming it all.

*Aquarius' POV*

I was beaming in pride as Lucy got Virgo to open up fully to her. Lucy had that personality that made someone trust her. I knew that due to her upbringing trust was something Lucy didn't fully give to humans but she definitely did to spirits. Through it all I saw Lucy's usual fluff balls pouting at the fact that someone else was taking up their cuddle time. I laughed out loud drawing multiple stares but I didn't care, it was so hilarious.

*Mira's POV*

I saw Lucy standing by the request board and walked over to her. She currently had one of her normal spirits out and in her arms, Osita I believe.

"Hi Lucy." I said.

"Hi Mira, what's up?" she asked.

"Master is away at a guild conference so I'm covering for him." I said.

"Conference?" she asked.

"Yeah, every year the guild masters get together and talk about the state of things." I said.

She hummed, "Can I get a strawberry milkshake please Mira?"

"Of course." I said.

As I made it for her she made her way to a table to sit and think about something. I smiled softly when I saw Gray make his way over to her.

Gray's POV*

I watched as Lucy sat down at a table. She seemed deep in thought so I decided to go see what she was doing. After all she was the one who noticed the mages before anyone else. I sat down next to her and reached to poke her when I got stopped by the spirit in her lap.

"Woah, easy. I ain't here to hurt her." I said to appease the spirit.

"Osy," Lucy said.

"You alright Lu?" I asked.

She smiled, "Hi Gray. I'm fine just thinking."

"What are you thinking about?" I asked.

She shrugged, "The mages we ran into. No need to worry."

I shrugged and went to sit with Cana but I hadn't even sat down yet when I heard Natsu talking about having Lucy on his team. So I decided to be a pain and annoy Natsu about it.

"Hey Lucy, I wouldn't stay with those losers if I were you. You'll get plenty of offers from other teams." I said with a smirk.

She smirked back, "Well I can still be a team with someone else while doing missions with him right?"

I smiled and apparently Natsu ignored her.

"Yeah jerk." Natsu said.

Most of the others got the gist and smiled. I started a fight with Natsu and as I was fighting him, I paid attention to the conversation that Lucy had with Mira. Mira was apparently curious about her magic and Lucy was answering questions. It opened the flood gates and Macao asked her about Lucy's other magic. Chaos happened since most of the other members didn't know of Lucy's secondary magic. They were about to start more questions when one guy came running in.

"Guys! Erza's coming!" he said.

I froze as did many of the guild.

*Erza's POV*

I've come home from yet another mission and another attempt at finding Lucy. That girl is really good at hiding herself. I could barely find anything on her besides the fact that she is the heir to the richest family in Fiore besides the royal family. I walked into the guild and saw a familiar blonde woman next to Mira.

"Is Master her? I have some important issues I'd like to discuss with him." I said.

"Sorry Erza, Master's away at the conference," Mira said.

I sighed. I guess I'll just gather Gray and Natsu to help me out. They're more than capable but I sure as hell wish that Lucy was here. During the time we spent together, we were inseparable, not only in friendship but in combat. Lucy had a knack for fighting and I greatly challenged her for it, got my but kicked every time but that didn't matter.

"Erza, what the heck is that horn?" one of the members asked me.

I explained while also getting angry at them for not liking it. I called people out for their idiocies and I know the Master never cared. I'm pretty sure Lucy would smack me over the head for this though.

"Erza, why exactly did you take that mission?" Mira asked.

"I took it to find my long lost friend Lucy. Why?" I said.

"I think you should stop looking for her." Mira said.

"WHY?" I asked angrily.

I saw everyone step away from me except Mira and the blonde.

"Because, she's right here." Mira said.

I took a good look at the blonde and got a good look at her. Those chocolate brown eyes and that smirk, it was no mistake. It's Lucy. The last thing that confirmed it was the small light that appeared and disappeared. Apparently the little fluff ball that was in her lap was a spirit. I froze as Lucy's warm eyes looked at me and smiled.

"Hey you." she said softly.

I ran over to her while changing out of my armor to leave behind my normal clothes and squished her in a hug. I didn't care about the tear in my eye nor the staring. I only cared about the blonde in my arms and I felt her wrap her arms around me and I was home. I had my best friend back.

"I missed you so much." I whispered.

"I missed you too Erza." she said, "Are you going soft on me Scarlet?"

I looked up to see her grinning.

"Ah, quit it. Unless you want your butt handed to you." I said smiling but not letting go.

"Bring it Scarlet." she said.

I sighed before turning in her arms to look for Gray and Natsu.

"Where's Natsu and Gray?" I asked.

"Right here Erza." Gray said as he was holding Natsu.

"I have a favor to ask you both. While traveling, I heard something that has me concerned. Normally I'd consult with the Master about this before deciding a course of action but seeing as he is not here, I need your help on this mission." I said.

"I'm down." Gray said.

"I'll help you on one condition, Erza," Natsu said.

"Oh and what's that?" I asked.

"Lucy comes with us," he said.

"Oh I was already going, idiot." Lucy said.

Natsu tried to pick a fight with her but ended up on the floor of the guild hall. Lucy reached a hand out to me and I took it. We headed out of the guild and caught up a bit on what happened. She told me that she is much stronger now and has a butt load of keys. She also has limiters and was made a Wizard Saint by the council, thus making her an S-Class wizard saint. I knew she was an s-class mage since she held the rank before I did. The day we were supposed to leave, I made it to the train station by nine with my cart filled with luggage. I also noticed Gray and Natsu butting heads for a second before Gray stopped and Natsu got pummeled into the ground by Lucy. I greeted the group hoping I wasn't too late. Natsu clung to Gray and Lucy just had an amused expression.

"Hey Erza, I got one more condition." Natsu said.

"Oh, and what's that?" I asked.

"You and I have a rematch. I've gotten a lot stronger since you left." Natsu said.

"Very well." I said and we boarded the train.

Once the train started moving, Natsu got motion sick. I knocked him out so we didn't have to deal with him groaning in pain.

"So Erza, I know we've talked about your magic, but what is it? I'm curious." Lucy said as she was petting a fluff ball in her lap actually two fluff balls.

Happy answered, "Erza's magic is beautiful and it makes people bleed!"

I chuckled, "I believe Gray's magic is more beautiful than mine." I said.

Gray created an emblem of the Fairy Tail mark made of ice on his open palm. Lucy smiled.

"It's been ages since I've seen your magic. Good to know it became prettier over the years brother. Perhaps we could have a make off when we get back after Erza's done bashing Natsu into the ground." Lucy said.

Gray smiled, "Sure thing sis. Erza, I think it's about time you started filling us in. I mean, what kind of mission are we going on here?"

"Of course. I have reason to believe the dark guild Eisenwald is planning something big. I'm not sure what exactly but it has to do with a magic item called "Lullaby"." I explained.

"Lullaby?" Gray and Happy said at the same time.

I looked at Lucy, who I knew traveled a lot, and expected her to say something but she had a distant look in her eyes. The two fluff balls gave a huff as they poofed away in a golden light. Gray started telling me about their run in with a band of cast-outs from the Eisenwald guild and that the person or thing that took them didn't want something revealed.

"So you're saying it's possible that whoever dragged off those wizards is part of the Eisenwald guild?" Gray asked.

"It's only a hypothesis, but yes. I'm assuming they did that because they don't want their plans getting found out." I said.

"What do you think their plan is?' Lucy asked as she was staring out the window. The brown fluff ball came back and distracted her by being absolutely adorable in asking to be picked up. She obliged with a sigh, "Hello Osy."

I explained what I saw on the way back from my mission. "I can't believe I was such a fool that day, I didn't recognize his name. Erigor the ACE of Eisenwald. He only accepts assassination requests, which is why he is named Erigor the Reaper."

Gray seemed shocked by it and I explained why the council outlawed assassination requests.

"How could I have been so careless? If I could have recognized Erigor's name that day, I could have pulverized them! I could have forced them to reveal their scheme to me!" I said angrily.

"No." Lucy piped up for the first time since.

I glared at her but stopped when I saw her eyes.

"You wouldn't have been able to do anything Erza. If anything, it would get around that a guild is looking for them and they would go underground. Or killed themselves before revealing any plans to you. Or you would have gotten hurt because they figured it out you know. Erigor doesn't give two shits about who dies and who lives as long as he gets what he wants. You probably saved those mages from being killed. If this plan is as big as you think and those mages gave it away and Erigor found out, they would have been killed for treason and you hunted down before you could reveal the plan." She said with a cold look and tone.

"What do you mean Lucy? How do you know this?" Gray asked, startling me out of my own shock.

"I know this because I've seen the aftermath and I've faced hundreds of dark guilds. Each one was willing to kill to get what they wanted with no care for anything or anyone but themselves. These people are willing to deceive, trick, fool, and play others to get what they want. They are even willing to kill those in the way. It's either follow the leader or die trying to escape." Lucy said and with that she walked off.

"What was that about?" I asked.

Gray shrugged and Natsu was still unconscious. We got off the train and about five minutes after the train departed, we realized that we forgot that Natsu wasn't with us and was indeed still on the train. We took a cart and sped off after him. Once we were at the station and caught up to Natsu, we saw that the military had been called into action.

"I can understand hijacking a car or a boat but a train? Something's not right." Lucy said.

"I agree, but the train is quite fast." I mentioned.

Lucy seemed deep in thought and just as I was about to get the SE plug to take off after the train, Lucy pushed me out of the way. I glared at her since we didn't have time for this.

"Erza, let me drive, you need rest." Lucy stated.

It was in a tone I couldn't argue against and she knew it. So I hopped into the back ignoring Natsu's shocked look and we were off at a much faster clip than what I had been going at. We got to Oshibana station and dualed the guild. It was also during which I learned that Lucy was the Celestial Nightshade. It was also the fight that made me realize Lucy had grown stronger in the time that we were separated and had changed. It was while Lucy and I were single handedly taking out the guild left right and center that both of us realized that the target wasn't the station, it was the guild master conference. Unfortunately we had to get through the wind wall and Kage was the only one who could undo it. I was arguing with Gray and Natsu on his usefulness when Lucy piped up.

"Erza, what do we need this guy for?" Lucy's tone was sharp.

"You haven't seen the wind wall yet?" Gray asked.

"I have and I have a way to get out." Lucy said.

Gray's POV*

Natsu, Erza and I followed Lucy to the barrier. She stopped and looked at it.

"Rather impressive up close." Lucy said.

"Yeah yeah whatever," Natsu muttered, "Now can you get us out of here or was that all talk?"

I winced as he squeaked in fright when Erza glared daggers at him. Lucy did as well before sighing.

"Open Gate of the Maiden, Virgo." Lucy said.

A spirit, in the form of a young woman wearing a maid outfit with chains around her wrists and sporting short pink hair appeared, "Yes Princess?" she said.

"Oh hey Virger, I didn't recognize you. You look different than that big gorilla." Natsu said.

I only caught the down turn of her face because I was looking at her. Otherwise it wasn't that much a difference. I winced when Natsu got pummled into the ground by Lucy.

"That was what he wanted her to be. He hurt her by doing so." Lucy snarled at him.

"Princess?" Virgo asked.

"Virgo sweetie, could you dig us a hole underneath this wind wall please?" Lucy said.

"Yes Princess." Virgo said and she sank straight into the ground.

A few seconds later and she was waving to us from the other side.

"Way to go sis." I said.

"Wouldn't expect anything less." Erza said with a smile.

We got out and Natsu disappeared. Lucy growled low as he did so though and immediately followed on what looked like a pegasus. Erza and I followed a lot slower in the four wheeler. When the two of us finally arrived, the battle was over. Erigor was in magic canceling cuffs with Virgo watching him and Natsu was wrapped in some kind of wool with a dazed look in his eyes.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Oh, Natsu tried to stop Erigor with his flames and in doing so almost took out the railway that is the single point of entry to Clover. Now why Clover has only one entry point that's beyond me. I had Aries wrap him in some soothing wool and Virgo had some fun punishing Erigor." Lucy said with a smile.

I sweatdropped at the obvious power difference between her and I. Of course things just got worse and Kage, whom was seriously injured and took with us to get help for, took the flute and the car and disappeared. Lucy came up with the idea to use Gray's magic to create a cart and used her magic to propel the cart down the tracks. We got there just in time to see Kage hesitating because of Master. Thankfully or not depending on who you spoke to Kage gave up on his conquest; however, the flute began smoking.

"I can no longer hold back! You fool. I shall come forth to devour you all myself!" the flute said as it transformed into its demonic form, "I shall dine upon your poor unfortunate souls!"

I was shocked at how big he was and it was apparent Gray and Natsu were too. Three spirits showed up next to Lucy before flitting out of sight. I watched in awe as several holes were made in the body and Lucy wasn't idle either. Right before Lucy hit the thing with all she had, the demon looked….uneasy? I blinked again and Lucy was completely kicking its ass.

"Holy crap…" Natsu said.

Gray just smirked as I got my blades, "Ready? We can't make Lucy do all the work."

"Oh yeah!"

With that, Natsu, Gray and I joined the fight. The fight didn't last long after that but neither did the conference hall. Though there was less of a worry because Lucy repaired the conference building with a spell. Though once she cast that spell she nearly fell over. I caught her and realized she had fallen asleep so I held her close. I smiled as she curled up and latched onto me and so with that we headed home with Master in tow.

Updated list of Lucy's Spirits

Gold: Aquarius, Cancer, Capricorn, Aries, Taurus, Scorpio, Gemini, Virgo

Silver: Crux, Canes Venatici, Lupus, Lynx, Monoceros, Lyra, Horologium, Pyxis, Ursa Minor, Pegasus, Vulpecula, Corvus, Lepus, Musca, Ursa Major, Canes Major, Canes Minor, Fornax, Phoenix