(I know. I haven't updated. Just start reading before I shoot myself. Love you my Lovelies.❤️)
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(Lucy's P.O.V)

Have you ever had that one moment to stop time to just stay at the certain point forever? That's what I wished to have power over, to live the rest of my life from last night. The small party was amazing without a care in the world. All of the soldiers danced and ate with Team Natsu acting like they were at the guild holding a celebration. It was truly the most amazing time of my life.

But now it is six in the morning, with the sun slowly coming up from its sleep. Everyone is awake having their small breakfast before preparing the battle. All of us were in the Dining Hall sitting quietly and thinking to ourselves. I sat next to Sterling and Erza holding my Celestial Keys in my hand, eyeing them continuously. "You know Lucy, if you keep watching them then they're going to evaporate in your hands." Sterling said playfully. I ignored my Second Commander and recounted my golden gate keys again.

Ten. There are ten golden keys in total.

So what am I to do with them? Yes, I can call for them to fight, but what else is there? Ten powerful keys that I can call for, but also takes a great toll for my health when I use them. Calling four of them made me lose a lot of magic, but if I just use enough without killing myself, then we could have a chance. But the question is...what can I do? To fight with the others...or to protect them?

"Barriers." I simply said out loud for myself to hear. Barriers? That isn't a bad plan actually. Not only will my friends give us extra time, it will also stop anyone from getting in, or getting out. Sterling and Erza looked over to me in confusion. "We didn't have enough time to put barriers down Lucy. If we did then-" I briefly jumped out of the bench with it screeching under the marble floor. My wings nearly made me fall from quickly getting up and starting to run outside. "Lady Lucy? Where are you going!"

"I know how to make the barriers!" Natsu and Teral were now following beside me. "But Lucy-nee, you're not going to use magic aren't you?" Teral questionably asked. I opened the grand doors of the palace and started to make my way to the quiet ghost-like city of Aria. "Luce! You're not going to use magic! It takes a lot out of you and the curses takes even  more out of you!"

I stopped and sharply turned and grabbed Natsu's collar, making his face get closer to mine. "And what are you gonna do to stop me?" I could feel him holding his breath from the closeness I put between us. My devilish eyes stared back at his eyes holding the same sense. "I'll drag your ass back to the palace if I have to." He said with a playful grin. "You wouldn't dare to." I shot back in his face. "G-guys...can't we just... I don't know not make out in front of the entire army!" Teral stammered for us to hear.

Our heads looked over with all of the soldiers and out comrades either becoming red as tomatoes or just bursted laughing seeing me and Natsu's crimson flushed face. I let go of Natsu's collar and started to walk again.

"Stupid Natsu and his cuteness." I muttered low enough not even for the dragon slayers to hear.

My wings began to fly with my body lifting in the air, making my small trip to the heart of Aria faster. "There has to be another way Lucy-nee! Can't we use something without you using magic?" Teral, who was now beside and also was flying with me asked. "Not enough time Teral! I feel something very wrong. It may be the curses or Zelroth's connection with me, but they're close. Very. Close. I need you to go back and inform Erza that it's time for preparation. You're going to stay with Natsu." Teral violently shook his head. "No Lucy-nee! My entire existence is to be there with you when you fight the Dark One! What's the point of living when I only live to protect the Light Goddess. I won't leave your side."

I landed on the cobble walkway, sprinting to the center with my keys in my hand. "Teral! Go back this instant!" Teral grabbed my collar making me stop in place. "WHAT IF I LOSE YOU!?" He shouted and was now crying. My face held shock with my body growing stiff. Seeing my exceed cry gave me horrible pain in my chest. I only watched as he was still holding onto me and still had tears in his eyes. "Teral," I began and now placed a hug between us. "you're not going to lose me and I don't want to lose you either. You and I are two souls put into one. If I lost you Teral, I would never forgive myself for not protecting you. Teral, you deserve to live a life of adventure and to see an entire other world out there. That's why, I'm counting on Natsu to take care of you alright? Plus, you'll also need to watch his back for him because you know how clumsy he is." Teral giggled but still was trying to sniff the tears away. "Stay with Natsu. Go tell Erza that it's time to finish this and begin the army's prep. This ends tonight."

Teral started to turn back before looking back to stare into my eyes. We stood there in very little time until Teral went
airborne, and made his way back to everyone. I continued to run while taking all of my ten golden gate keys out of the pouch. When I made it, I inspected the details of all of my golden keys, praying that this will work.

"Open! Gate of the Golden Celestial Keys!" With every key the sound of a bell was heard, informing that all of the gates were opening. One by one, the keys flew into the sky, glowing a beautiful golden orb around them. The orbs surrounded me with the white silhouettes of my spirits in the light. My magic was surging in my veins as well the Light Goddess making it far more stronger than ever.

All of my keys were opened.

"Princess! What do you think you're doing?" Virgo shouted in her bright orb.
"I need everyone's help. Please, I need a barrier around all of Aria and the woods so that no one can enter or leave this place. You're my last hope, please... Just whatever happens, you make sure that the Dark Ones don't leave Aria. And to also be safe."

"Is it time Lucy?" Loke asked with sorrow in his eyes. "Yes. In a few hours I will be fighting against the Dark One. Which is why I need all of now than ever." For a moment all of them watched me stand there until finally they nodded with the orbs growing brighter than before. "Tch. You better be safe brat, or else I'll kill you myself."

"Mosh Mosh! We will not fail you Lady Lucy!" Sagittarius saluted with a small smile on his face. I nodded to all of them, watching the orbs fly into the sky. "I know you won't. I believe in all of you."

The orbs shot different ways flying to the edge of the woods. Together, a sync of magic shot to all of the orbs that now made a circle that fitted all of Aria and the Forbidden Woods. The magic was pulsing with walls made of celestial magic, creating a dome on top of all of us. The pulsing stopped seconds later with the barrier completely finished.

I sighed just as blood trailed out of my nose. My hand covered my mouth as I coughed away with the metallic taste in my mouth. My knees gave out under me, with black spots being seen in my vision. No...I won't black out. I need to stay awake! I took in a deep breath and held it until letting it slowly out. While doing this procedure, the spots faded away with my body gaining balance again. I used the sleeve of my shirt to run the blood away from my face and started to fly away with my wings swinging for air.

A icy shiver went through my body with my nosebleed not stopping. I knew any hour now, that the War of Light and Darkness will begin.

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(It's been awhile huh my Lovelies? I'm sorry that I haven't updated in awhile buuuut....I HAVE ONE MORE WEEK OF SCHOOL LEFT! *sigh* I'm so happy guys! And we are so close to finishing this book together! That means it will be time for a second book!😋. As always guys...LOVE YOU ALL!❤️)