To save those I love

Fantasia

After returning to the guild hall with Jellal and the others, Master Makarov quickly accepted them into the guild. Jellal, now relieved to be free from his past, took jobs and spent as much time helping and getting stronger as he could. The guild hall, which had been completed while they were away, was now the shining jewel of Magnolia. With many people coming to purchase souvenirs in the guilds new gift shop. 

Lucy however was growing anxious, she knew that with the coming Fantasia parade, that the battle of fairy tail would happen. Laxus was incredibly similar to how he was in the past, and was currently away on a job with his team. Lucy wondered if there was a way she could prevent the battle, or at least stop as much damage as possible. But at the end of the day, she couldn't change who someone was. Especially since he didn't remember the past timeline, which included his expulsion from Fairy Tail after the battle for fairy tail.

"Luce! Come over here!" Natsu called.

Snapping from her daze Lucy made her way over to the table she usually shared with Natsu and their team, Although Erza had wanted to start working with Jellal, he had wanted her not to loose the friends she had made from childhood. And since the others who came with him were still learning how to use their magic, he was taking smaller jobs to help them learn.

"What's up?" Lucy asked sitting down.

"We're planning a float for the parade, any ideas?" Grey answered.

Lucy paused in thought, over the past few years in the guild she had been on many floats, but this was her first time planning one.

"How about something that combines all our magic? A tiered float." Lucy suggested.

"Sounds good." Erza said with a smile. "We can have Grey and Natsu on the bottom, Fire and Ice together, and then us on top. You can use your star dresses with my re-quips. Then we can do fireworks with our combined magic!"

"Now I'm fired up!" Natsu said with a grin.

"Oh by the way Luce, are you entering the Miss Fairy Tail pageant this year?" Erza asked as she ate some strawberry cake. "Could be fun."

"I think I will." Lucy replied with a confident smile. "Winner buy's the other cake?"

"Deal." Erza said shaking Lucy's hand.

With that decided, the team began to build the float. It was complicated work to try and figure out how everything would fit together, but they all enjoyed it. And finally, with a week until the Fantasia parade, the float was finished.

"We're gunna win the contest for sure!" Natsu yelled happily.

Each year there were prizes for the best float, and Lucy had to admit theirs was the best. Making her way home that evening Lucy thought about her parents, she had written to them and told them the date of the parade, and advised they come a day early, which would be the end of the battle, to avoid crowds. They were going to be staying with her too, her parents in her bed, and her sharing a bed with Luca.

With Aries help Lucy had made comfortable futons on the floor for them to use, Aries wool was the softest thing she had ever used so they came out really comfortable. Making sure everything was tidy Lucy thought about what she would do in the pageant tomorrow, last time she had planned a cheer to do with her spirits. But this year she wasn't sure what to do. Feeling a pull on her magic Lucy turned and saw Loke standing behind her, smiling she made her way over to him.

"Hey Loke, everything ok?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah we're all good, what're you thinking about?" Loke said flicking her head.

Over the past few years in this timeline, Lucy had began to think of Loke as an older brother figure. Always there to listen when things got hard, and always ready to help out.

"What to do for the Miss Fairy Tail pageant." Lucy said with a smile. "Last time I had planned a cheer, can't really do that now."

"Yeah, would look a little strange." Loke replied with a chuckle before sitting down on a chair. "What about a dance or something?"

"Are there any celestial dances?" Lucy asked intrigued. 

"A couple, what about getting Lyra to play for you and asking Virgo to prepare an outfit?" Loke suggested.

"That could work, anyone in the spirit world who knows how to dance?" Lucy asked liking the sound of his idea.

"Cassiopeia might be able to help, her title is Queen of Ethiopia. From what I remember she knew how to dance pretty well, I'll ask her. And I'm sure her silver key isn't too far from here, check around magic stores and see what you can find." Loke told her.

"Thanks Loke." Lucy said as he closed his own gate.

Checking the clock Lucy saw there was still time left to go and buy the key Loke had mentioned, quickly making her way to her favourite magic shop, Lucy walked inside and began to look around. There were many magical items in the shop, but nothing Lucy was looking for. But as she was walking out of the shop, she noticed the discount bin. There were many things inside, lacrima to change the colour of your hair, a mirror that will tell you what to wear, kitchen appliances that were going out of style, and then Lucy's eyes hovered over something. It looked like a celestial key, but it was rusted and had clearly been misused.

Picking up the key Lucy paid for it and then bought some silver polish and a polishing cloth, once back in her apartment Lucy began the daunting task of cleaning the key.  The dirt was caked onto the key, so Lucy took her time cleaning it. Once the dirt was cleaned off, Lucy polished the key until it shone. 

"All done." Lucy said with a soft smile.

The key was slightly smaller than the other silver keys Lucy had, the top held a small circle holding a crown, and there was a crown on the base of the key. Rising to het feet Lucy took a deep breath, this would be the first contract she had made with a spirit in this timeline, she wanted to do it right.

"I call upon thee in the world of the Celestial Spirits, I beckon you to my side at once, Pass through the Gate!" Lucy called feeling magic swell through her body. "Open, Gate of the Queen! Cassiopeia!" 

In a puff of golden smoke a young girl appeared, she had tumbling blonde curls and a cream and golden dress wrapped carefully around her body. On her head was a silver crown with golden gems and she had yellow ballet flats on her feet.

"Hello." Lucy said with a smile. "My name is...."

"Please don't hurt me!"