Summary: Lahar has created a new contraption! A magic-detecting box! King Faust insists everyone in the castle is tested. Meanwhile, Sting Eucliffe is trying to gather all three pieces of a key to unlock Mavis's tomb and retrieve a dragon's egg.

~ ~ ~

"You are getting stronger, young sorceress," Igneel commented, as he watched my newest spell. "I am proud."

I beamed with pride. Getting a compliment from the Great Dragon wasn't something that happened everyday.

"You look sad," I said, worriedly. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No..It's not you.."

"Then what?" I asked.

"It gets lonely being the last dragon," Igneel said softly.

"I wish I could help," I murmured.

~ ~ ~

"You have gathered here today to see Lahar's newest invention."

I groaned inwardly. Lahar's inventions were the worst. Last time, he had invented a dancing cup.

Lahar knelt before the king and pulled out a small, wooden box.

"What does it do?" Faust asked.

"You put your hand on it like this," he demonstrated. "And it detects how many magic users are in the castle."

I stepped back, nearly tripping on my own foot. I frantically locked eyes with Porlyusica. 

HELP!

If this contraption really worked...I was as good as dead!

Lahar gasped as he withdrew his hand.

"What happened?" Faust demanded. "What do those lights mean?"

"These two lights..That means two magic users are within this castle!"

I quickly sneaked out of the Throne Room and ran

~ ~ ~

"Who's the other person?" I asked. "Lahar said two people have magic within the castle."

"King Faust has sent Lahar to test everyone within the castle for magic. This is dangerous, Erza."

"It's you, isn't it?" I accused.

The old woman looked at the ground.

"Porlyusica, you have magic! And you never told me?"

"Shh," she whispered. "Erza, I haven't used my magic in years. It is dormant within me. The second person is obviously Minerva."

"But still!" I exclaimed. "Anyway, Morgause gave her that bracelet that hides her powers! That means the box detected you! You should've told me!"

"How do you think I knew your mother?" Porlyusica asked quietly. "I helped her escape Fiore."

The door was flung open and a young man with spiky blond hair entered.

"Porlyusica, old friend!" the man said, completely ignoring me. "I need help!"

"Sting," Porlyusica said, grabbing him and closing the door behind him. "Why are you in Fiore?"

"I just arrived-"

"He's that guy who was competing in the Southern Fiore competition!" I said. "The one last month!"

Porlyusica sighed, clearly annoyed. "Sting. Why are you here?"

"You owe me. And I need help."

~ ~ ~

"Hold out your hand," Lahar instructed.

"Father, is this necessary? I am the prince!" Jellal demanded, but still placed his hand on the box.

"Then it shouldn't hurt," King Faust said. "Siegrain. You're up next. And then my darling, Minerva."

Jellal made a face, "What's with your 'my darling, Minerva' act?"

Faust glared at the prince.

Siegrain withdrew his hand from the box. Minerva walked up to the wooden box and placed her hand on top. 

Nothing happened.

~ ~ ~

"I owe you nothing. You're the one who owes me!"

"You killed my parents!"

"I did not! I attempted to save them! I failed, but I managed to save you!"

"Woah, woah, woah!" I said, raising my hands. "I have no clue what's going on, but you're saying Sting has magic?"

"What?" Sting snarled. "Why would I have magic?!"

"What do you want, Sting?"

Sting carefully unwrapped a small piece of silver from his pocket. It was in the shape of a swirl.

"Is that a part of the key to the tomb of Queen Mavis Vermillion?" Porlyusica gasped.

"Yes. I found this piece in the Druid camp. My friend Rogue gave me the second piece. There is one more piece."

"What do you need them for?" I asked.

"None of your business, girl," Sting spat.

"Stay out of this, Erza," Porlyusica whispered.

"It doesn't matter, anyway," the blond-haired man said. "The last piece is in the vaults of this castle."

"We will not help you," Porlyusica said. "Leave."

"But-"

"LEAVE!"

~ ~ ~

"Tell me and I'll help you," I whispered, as I followed Sting out of the castle.

"No. I don't need your help."

"I'm a knight."

"A trainee knight."

"I'm..also a sorceress," I said hesitantly.

He laughed. "Yeah, and I'm king of Lala Land."

You probably are..

"Fumei," I murmured, after making sure no one was around.

Sting gaped at my hand, which was now on fire.

"You have magic..Yet you work with the king?"

"Crown Prince," I corrected. "And I know the castle very well." 

"I guess I could use your help," Sting decided. "I need to get a dragon egg."

"Dragon egg?" I asked. "But there's no more!"

"Mavis has been protecting the egg for centuries. If I can get the key, I can get the egg and hatch it."

"And then what?"

"Release it, of course."

~ ~ ~

"Stupid, annoying librarian," Jellal cursed. "Can you believe it? He wanted me to be tested!"

"When will the trainee knights be tested?"

"After the senior knights."

I looked up at him in annoyance. 

"The senior knights will be tested tomorrow."

~ ~ ~

"The fragment of Mavis's key is stolen!" a guard yelled. "Alert the king!"

"What could the thief possibly want with a piece of a key," Siegrain asked. "Look! There are piles of gold and jewel's, yet the thief took just this?"

Porlyusica's gaze darkened as she whispered, "The thief wants to get into Mavis's tomb."

"What for?" Jellal asked. "Everyone knows Mavis's body isn't actually buried there."

"They- the thief- wants the dragon egg hidden there."

"I thought it was just a legend!"

"You will learn," Faust said, hurrying down the steps. "That all the legends are true."