~*****~

Apparently, it was nowhere near Magnolia, and it was irritating just walking there. "Are we ever gonna get there?" Natsu complained for the fifth time.

"Eventually, but I'm afraid it's still a ways off," Princess Hisui explained patiently.

"My feet are killing me," Lucy whines.

"I suppose I'd have dressed differently if I knew we'd be climbing mountains today." Yukino mentioned.

"Well, I got no complaints! This is a breeze!" Happy chirped as he flew through the air.

"Me either," Ballad agreed as she poked her head out from my overcoat.

I grunt irritably. "I think I'd like walking more if I didn't hear complaints every five seconds," I mention. Lucy grimaces and utters an apology. "Whoa--" I murmur as we stop walking.

"It's said fog is the doorway to the Astral Spiritus," Princess Hisui panted.

"You mean the fog itself?" Natsu asked.

"That's right." Princess Hisui nodded. "Throughout the course of human history, numerous legends were born form this place. The sacred sight of Astrail Spiritus. Countless souls have journeyed here, seeking the origin of celestial magic. But those who entered the fog were never heard from again. This spot is where all quests for Astral Spiritus have ended."

"So, this is the point of no return, huh?" I comment, scratching at my neck absently.

"No one's made it through alive?" Happy asked.

"So the legends say, but forward is our only option," Princess Hisui explains. Arcadios opens up the case of closure keys. "Now, take your keys." I pluck one of the keys and peer at it curiously. "These will carry us through the rest of our journey. So let's go."

Princess Hisui lifts her arm and juts the key into the fog, which opens the path forward.

~*****~

Natsu charges in without a second thought, leaving us to pick up the slack and find him. "We found them!" Lucy chirps.

"And just in time," Yukino comments.

Loke's brows draw together, and he sends a savage wave of magic at us that Natsu manages to stop. And it didn't look easy to do so.

"Where is the globe!" Levy shouted.

Loke doesn't answer, instead he keeps sending attack after attack at us. "It seems we'll have to locate it ourselves," Arcadios mentioned.

"Please, you have to stop this!" Lucy pleaded. "I know that you don't want to believe me, but even if the Liberam spell does what you want it to, you'll only be free for twelve days! And then it'll all be over."

"We know," Loke retorts bitterly.

"You're aware of the true cost?" Princess Hisui gasps.

"So why are you going through with it?" Yukino asks.

"Twelve days isn't really that much time, you know," Happy comments delicately.

"That's more than enough time for us!" Loke exclaims with a sick sneer. "Whatever the cost for freedom, we will gladly pay it."

"Seriously?" Natsu asks.

"The only birth rite we spirits can claim is our enslavement to humans." Loke spat. "We exceed them in every possible way, but still that is our fate in life! Or should I say that was our fate. What we do here will change that. Even if it costs us our lives!"

"I would never consider any of you to be my slaves!" Lucy cried. "You've always been my most treasured friends! You're like family! I can't bear the thought of losing you!"

"I don't care what you think!" Loke shouts.

"These losers are nothin' but talk, anyway!" Pisces Boy exclaims. "Cause I got all their Closure Keys right here with me!"

"Look again, boy!" I exclaim. "Those ain't the real keys. What you stole was just a bunch of fake keys!"

"We have the real ones!" Princess Hisui hummed.

"That's so smart!" Pisces Mom chirped. "Good job, kids!"

"Don't compliment 'em for it, crazy hag!" Pisces Boy exclaimed.

"How can you be so cruel?" Pisces Mom cried. "Do you want to see your dear, sweet mother cry?! Will that finally make you happy?!"

"Not this crap again," Natsu complains.

"Piri, Piri--" The Gemini twins chirp.

"Forgive me, Leo," Pisces Boy bowed. "I totally screwed that up!"

"Time for punishment!" Virgo exclaims, brandishing her whip.

"No, I'm the one who raised him, so it's all my fault!" Pisces Mom exclaimed.

"Moo. We've been punished enough," Taurus hums. "What do you suggest we do, Leo? I think the use of force may be necessary."

"I'm totally down with that! There's way more of us then there are of them!" Aries exclaimed. "Let's rip 'em to shreds!"

"That sounds like a whole lot of fun to me! Yeah!" Aquarius exclaimed.

"You know I wanna," Virgo sighs.

"The time to strike is now," Sagittaurius states. "They're powerless against us."

"Tell me, humans," Loke hummed. "Do you wish to rob us of what little freedom we have and force close our gates to close?"

"It's not like that at all!" Lucy exclaims. "The only thing I want is to save your lives!"

Loke raises his hand, billowing dark black flames flickering in its center. "I've heard enough!" Loke snaps. "No more lies from you!"

They all charge. "We didn't come all this way to start a fight with you!" Lucy exclaims as we manage to hold off their onslaught. "We came to save you!"

"You think we don't know what we're doing?" Virgo asks. "We're getting our freedom and you won't stop us!" She slings her whip at Lucy and I grasp at it just as it nears, tightening my grip and tugging a bit.

"Aria!" Lucy gasps.

"You're gonna regret that!" Virgo snaps. I tug back as she tries to sling me upwards and end up keeping it tight.

"Watch where you swing this thing, you kinky freak," I snap, sling the whip up and taking Virgo with it before slamming her back into the ground. I toss the whip down and kick it across the floor.

"Once again, your freakish strength is just so weird," Gray's voice rings out. "Leave some action for the rest of us will you?"

"You guys!" Lucy gasps.

"How in the heck did you find us?" Levy asks.

"These monsters haven't hurt you, have they?" Juvia asks.

"We're fine," Yukino sighs.

"What an udderly unfortunate turn of events," Taurus hums.

"This totally sucks, man!" Pisces Boy exclaims.

"It's infuriating!" Virgo growls.

"You guys can thank Warren for this," Cana mentioned.

"He found us?" Lucy asks.

"What a cool guy!" Happy chirps.

"Yeah! He was able to use his telepathy to track you!" Mira beams. "So all of us followed the signal up the mountain and into the fog!"

"I'll be sure to thank him later," Natsu grins.

"You can do something nice for him when you get home!" Wendy mentions.

"Can't say I'd want to read anyone's mind, but it comes in handy." Carla states.

"So this is the Astral Spiritus," Erza hums. "And the Liberam was not done?"

I hum. "Yeah, we got here in time." I nod.

Gajeel chuckles. "I've always wanted to go a couple of rounds with some Celestial Spirits."

"That's great, but we didn't come here to fight them." Pantherlily reminded him.

"Yeah, I know that! I'm just saying!" Gajeel snaps back.

"I'm all ready for you, Loke! So step up and get you some!" Gray exclaims as he sheds his shirt.

"Do you really have to say that after you strip down?" Lucy cries.

"You're a dead man!" Loke shouts. He launches an attack that's destroyed by Wendy, Gray, and Natsu. When the smoke clears, all of the doors are open and the spirits are standing at their respective door. "If you really wanna stop us, follow us in!" Loke stated. "We'll show you just how far we'll go for true freedom!"

"Loke!" Lucy cries.

"Where are they goin'?" Natsu asks, glancing around. He attempts to run through a door.

"No, wait!" Princess Hisui chirps.

"Why?" Natsu complains.

"I will give each of you a key," She states softly. "By using them, you will be able to close the spirits' gates by force. This is the only hope we have to stop them now."

"Then give me Loke's," Natsu states firmly.

"Please, let me deal with him," Lucy pleaded.

"We know you mean well, Lucy," I chirp as I place my hand on her shoulder. "But there's no way he's gonna listen to you. But I think a few slugs to the noggin' might change his mind."

"I know that he's lost his way. But he's still my friend, so don't take it too far," Lucy pleads to Natsu as he brandishes his fist.

"I won't, I swear," Natsu nods.

Princess Hisui lifts up a key. "Take this. It's the lion's key. We're in the rift between our world and theirs. It's uncharted territory. So please be careful."

"I will. Let's go, Happy!" Natsu calls.

"Aye, sir!" Happy cheers.

She hands each one of us a key-- and seeing as how there's an odd number, Levy opted to go with me. "Thank you, Princess. I give you my solemn worrd that we will not let you down." Lucy mentioned.

"We can't afford to fail," Princess Hisui states firmly.

"All right, are you ready?" Erza calls.

"Yeah!" We all cheer.

~*****~

"What the hell is going on?" I ask irritably as Levy sits in what looks like an audience. "What is this?" I complain as I try peering at what's on my head.

"I have no clue," Levy retorts sheepishly. "But it looks like a siren."

"Hey! What's going on?!" I exclaim louder.

"We're about to begin our contest," Capricorn retorts as he sits in a seat besides mine, wearing a dumb siren on his head, too.

"Contest? What kind?" I ask.

"A quiz!" Capricorn answers. "Worthy of a Zodiac Spirit!"

"Is this... a game show?" I ask delicately, staring at Levy pleadingly. "This is your area of expertise, what the hell is happening?"

"Each contestant will be presented with a series of questions they must answer," Capricorn explains. "There are ten in all. Once the final score is tallied, the winner will then be granted complete freedom. And the loser will suffer a truly horrible fate."

"What's the horrible fate?" I ask as I peer around curiously. "Also, why are you playing a trivia game?"

"Well, because I'm rather fond of them, that's why," Capricorn answers my second question. "Now then."

I flinch as a woman's voice rings out. "Fairy Tail Cult Quiz! Question number one!" I peer up and grimace. Well, if I lost, perhaps Levy could take a shot at it. Or I might have to punch my way out of here. The screen pops up in front of us and on it shows Lucy with the little doll that caused so much trouble during the Key of the Starry Heaven's incident. "This doll was a gift to Lucy Heartfilia from her mother. What'd she name it?" I immediately slam my hand onto the buzzer. "Miss Aria!"

Capricorn hummed. "You're swift on the buzzer, but are you accurate?"

"The doll's name is Michelle and she packs a big punch!" I exclaim with pure confidence. There's a horrible buzzing noise and I cringe. "Guess that was wrong?"

Capricorn hits the buzzer and turns his gaze onto me. "Lucy named her doll, Gonzales."

"That is correct!" The announcer chirped. "While the doll did eventually come to be called Michelle, this was not the name it got from Lucy! Upon receiving the doll as a birthday present, young Lucy could think of no better name for it than Gonzales!"

"Hold up--" I grunt irritably. "I thought you didn't remember anything."

"Incorrect answers must be penalized!" The announcer chirped. The platform I'm standing on shifts, threatening to buck me off into a strange little pit. "For each incorrect answer, our contestant's odds of falling into the Fun Zone will increase!"

"Look at us," Capricorn hummed. "Two perfect examples of what to do and what not to do in a battle of wits." Capricorn stated.

"You sure I can't just beat the snot out of you instead?" I ask irritably, gripping onto the platform tightly.

"Quite sure." Capricorn retorts.

I grunt irritably. "I've got a feeling that the others are having a lot more fun than I am."

~*****~

"Now, onto Fairy Tail Cult Quiz, Question number five!" The announcer shouts as I precariously perch over the fun pit. "This man's name is... Nab!" I grimace irritably as I stare at the screen. "But can anyone tell me his last name?"

"Oh dear, seems like a very easy one to me," Capricorn comments. "They might as well just give the points away. Well, in any case, if you'd like to pass, I'll answer it--"

"It's Nab Lasaro." I comment firmly. The bell dings above me and the platform under Capricorn raises just a bit.

"Correct!" The announcer chirps. "And with that wrong answer, the penalty increases!" The pits flip and in their places are buzz saws.

"Wel, well, you are far smarter than I had originally thought." Capricorn hummed.

I pale, considering I'm much higher up than Capricorn is. "A bit over kill, isn't it?"

"Let's keep the game moving folks!" The announcer cheers. "It's on to question number six!" The game continues with a few questions that put me up a few more points. "Fairy Tail Cult Quiz, question number ten!" An image of Droy pops up. "During Miss Levy's seven-year sting on Tenrou Island, who would've been Droy of Shadow Gear's rebound? That is, if she hadn't rejected him!"

"Arana of Mermaid Heel!" I exclaim as I slap the button.

"Correct!" The announcer chirps. "How did you come by that bit of juicy gossip, Miss Aria~ I don't imagine that he told you himself!"

"No one gather's intelligence like I do!" I exclaim loudly. "And boy, does Mira love to give me dirty details! They apparently got pretty saucy on a job once!"

"Well done~ And now it's time for Mr. Capricorn's punishment!" The announcer cheered, lifting him higher.

"Wait, no! Can we talk this out?!" Capricorn barked. "Put it back down before I lose my grip!"

"We've cracked the case, folks! Capricorn is not a mountain goat!" The announcer exclaimed. "Ten questions in and we are tied, five to five!" I peered over at Capricorn curiously, vaguely wondering if it were cheating to use my claws to latch onto the platform, so I didn't fall, no matter how tall the platform rose. "Therefore, the eleventh question will be our final one! But first, let's chat with our contestants! Are we having fun yet?!"

"Hell yeah!" I shout. "Feels like forever since I've been in actual danger!" I chirp.

"Are you demented?!" Capricorn exclaimed. "Look, would you mind getting to the question already?!"

"You heard it folks, while one of our participants is enjoying herself, they are most definitely slipping! If either of them miss this question, they'll be dropped into the fun zone, claws or not!" The announcer chirped. I cheer loudly with the fake crowd, and I vaguely see Levy palming at her face in annoyance. "Final question! Miss Aria isn't shy about her romantic endeavors, and has often stated her abundance of experience! But who was the latest experience for Miss Aria?"

"Hey!" I bellow. "What kinda question is this?!" I vaguely hear Levy snickering and I peer down at her. Her eyes are narrowed and she's trying desperately to keep in her laughter.

"It's so simple, anyone could answer--" Capricorn chokes on his breath as I slam my hand on the buzzer.

"It was Gray Fullbuster," I murmur irritably, my face feeling flushed and extremely uncomfortable. "And if anyone breathes a word of this to anyone, I'll break your knees!"

"That is... correct!" The announcer cheers as the bell goes off above my head. "Give it up for Miss Aria, the Fairy Tail Cult Quiz champion!"

"I was sure you'd be too embarrassed to say it out loud!" Capricorn cried. The platform under him tilts at the highest it'll go. "Ah! Please don't drop me in the fun zone!" He slips and falls into the crazy spinning torture device before being slung off.

I leap off of the platform and start winding my arm around. "Now, Aria, let's not be too hasty--" Levy stammered.

"I'm gonna wreck that stupid quiz!" I exclaim angrily. It takes a few good blows before the entire structure collapses in a heap. I let out a sigh and throw my arms over my head, stretching happily. "That felt good. Now, onto business." I produce to key and approach Capricorn.

"I've been beaten. As of today, you are the cult quiz queen." Capricorn hums.

I tap the key onto his head and I start rubbing at my face. "Levy, please do not mention that to anyone, got it?"

Levy just smiled affectionately. "Why would I? You're my friend, and I'd never embarrass you with something so personal." She began humming curiously. "How did it happen?"

I peer down at her and grimace. "We had one too many drinks, that's it. It's a tale as old as time itself." I sigh and palm at my head. "I could've just thought he stripped and crawled into my bed since he was drunk as hell, but there was a nagging feeling deep in my gut that someone had been there recently."

Levy giggles. "It's better that I know and not poor Juvia," Levy mentions. I groan loudly.

~*****~

We don't find a way out, as there was a strange light, and we were all suddenly in the same hall. "Any idea what the hell was up with the shaking?" I ask irritably.

"Nope, no clue," Gajeel snorted.

"I'd like to know how we just ended up here like this." Pantherlily hummed.

"Hey! I think that's Erza and Ballad!" Gray exclaimed.

"You're here?" Erza hummed as the little pink cat flew into my arms. "What is this place?"

"We're still trying to figure that one out," I shrug. "We all just showed up here, same as you guys."

"Maybe it's because we were all able to complete our missions." Pantherlily commented.

"Well, we did manage to close the spirits' gates without a hitch!" Levy chirped.

I snort loudly. "Without a hitch, yeah, I wouldn't say that," I grimace as another flush crawls up my neck.

"I wish I could be enthusiastic. But I can't shake the feeling that I missed seeing a rare sight of my popsicle prince!" Juvia sighed.

"Keep your fantasies to yourself!" Gray exclaimed.

"Guess that means yours truly was the first one to put a spirit in the dirt!" Elfman exclaimed. "How's that for manly?! So pumped!"

"Way to go, Elfman!" Mira cheered.

"I actually beat Erza at something!" Elfman kept cheering. "This is the happiest day of my life!"

"Might not want to say that too loud," Mira reminded him.

"I wasn't aware we were racing," Ballad commented. "Closing those gates is super serious, and making it out to be a game is childish!"

Erza hummed in agreement. "However, if you're hellbent on testing your metal against me, I'd be happy to put you in your place."

I rubbed at Ballad's head as she peered at Elfman as if she had a vendetta against him. "Okay, okay," I chirp. "Let's try to focus on the task at hand."

"So, how was your battle, Erza?" Levy asked.

"Sagittarius was a real challenge. It was a tough fight and a rather vigorous workout to boot," Erza explained. "Has there been any sign of Natsu and his group?"

I shook my head. "We haven't seen them or Lucy and Yukino since we got here. Not to mention Wendy and Carla aren't here, either."

Ballad hummed. "I just hope Princess Hisui and Are-Crazy-Toes are okay."

"It's Arcadios," Pantherlily reminds her. "And there's still the matter of the tremendous shaking from before."

I shove my pinky into my ear and yawn. "Well, we won't figure that out unless we get a move on." I comment as I start trailing down one of the hallways.