Written in the stars

The training begins

Lucy packed her things and left for the port town of Hargeon.
It felt so nostalgic to her, albeit in a sad manner. How could it not?
She had met Natsu and Happy there, he had brought her to Fairy tail.
Lots of things, both good and bad, had happened. She had found amongst her new comrades, people who cared for her like family. She had found her true love.
I promise you, Gray, you will be proud of me when I return. She vowed to herself.
She went to a clothing store at first. She wanted to become a new version of herself, not the frivolous girl everyone knew.
The first things she bought were jeans, several beautiful shirts, a few classy dresses, and some accessories. And asked Virgo to store them in the celestial world. What with going on solo jobs for the past six months, she had more than enough money to last her for ten years.
She went to a nearby weapon store, filled with beautiful weapons. After looking around for a long while, she chose a beautiful blue crystal longsword that could cut through fire, having the qualities of water. It was unbreakable and it's sharpness depended upon the intent of the user. For example, it would be like a mace while fighting in a contest, but would cut through metal in a dire situation.
She chose another fire longsword, that had similar properties, except that it was made of metal. A third weapon she chose was a long dagger, that could be used for absorbing and projecting lightning, and a large battle axe that felt light as air to the touch. And an archery set, with magic arrows of an unreasonably long range, and the advantage of never being depleted.
The salesman was astounded at her perfect choices. She had literally chosen the best weapons in the shop. He even gave her a substantial discount, and recommended a shield. "Young miss, I have the perfect shield for you. It can withstand ice, fire, and lightning. It's known as the Hand of Aegis."
It was a beautiful silver shield, with the intricate design of a phoenix, and a golden edge around it. It was only 100,000 jewel and it was a real catch!
Suddenly Loke popped out of nowhere, and winked at her. "Let us go for a date, baby,"
Lucy was exasperated. "I'm in love with Gray, and you know it!"
Loke sighed, but then said seriously. "You need gate keys. The zodiac are not the only powerful ones, Lucy. There are a few silver keys that rival, if not surpass, our power. It's time for you to be strong now."
Hearing this, Lucy nodded. Both of them went and bought some new keys. A crystal key that could summon a legendary knight, Lancelot. A silver key with fiery strokes that could summon a truly dangerous phoenix. And a pale blue crystal key that could summon the healer, Angela. She was finally ready for training.
Going to the station she asked, "Please recommend me a place where very few people go, but is within reasonable distance for finding some jobs."
The stationmaster thought for a while.
"I would recommend the Isle of Anglesey. It is a very secluded place, but on the mainland that is just half an hour by boat, there is a magic council branch that supports independent mages, and you can find even better jobs than in guilds. You can buy a ticket by train to the mainland, costing only 500 jewel, and then seek the approval of the council and get some jobs."
Lucy was delighted.
The train journey went by rather fast, because Loke was there with his own magic, and they went on talking. Except that Lucy was spacing out now and then thinking about Gray.
"I hope he doesn't fall for Juvia once I'm gone...." She mumbled quietly, little knowing Loke had heard.
"Don't worry, he's loyal. And as for Juvia, she's hardly been paying any attention to him. You know Gray never liked her from the start."
Lucy smiled at her friend. She felt relieved. They arrived at Anglesey, and went directly to the council branch. Loke went back to the spirit realm, and Lucy entered alone.
"Young miss, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked. "I'm a free mage, and I would like to be employed here."
The beautiful young receptionist nodded, and gestured her to a small waiting room. A council messenger entered and asked politely, "please wait, Lord Doranbolt will be here anon."
A young man, with a scar on the side of his face entered. "Lucy?!" He gasped.
"You are... Mest! Doranbolt is your real name though, right?"
"Yes, but how come you're not with fairy tail?"
"Ok, I'll tell you. Keep it a secret though."
"Certainly."
Lucy explained, and his face clouded. "I would never have expected it of Fairy tail. I'm sorry, Lucy. Of course, you can be employed here. I'll personally see to it. By the way, how many keys have you got?"
"Ten of the zodiac gates, and several others."
He was astonished. She was probably the strongest celestial wizard out there. How could people call her weak?
Anyway, Lucy took a simple job for 800,000 jewels. It was merely taking out some bandits. She decided to call Lancelot, and was amazed. Not only was he a fantastic warrior, he was also a perfect gentleman. It took her only some time to complete the job.
"Thank you, Lancelot!"
"Call me whenever, Your Grace," he bowed.
"Ummm.... just Lucy is fine."
"Very well, Lady Lucy. I take my leave."
And she did a few more jobs, before she decided to go to the island. She rented a boat, her clothes and keys were in an alternate dimension, so that wasn't a problem. She had tents, and her new celestial spirit, Lynn, could get her food. Lynn was a simple silver key, but she could manage a large household, and her main job was to take care of Lucy. She wasn't involved in combat, but she was good friends with her mistress. She wore a simple maid's uniform, but unlike Virgo, she had long black hair, and grey eyes.
The island was beautiful and serene. The trees made a soft rustling noise, and the sky overhead was a beautiful blue. It had ample space for training, and it was also a pleasant place. Lucy just wished Gray could be here, but he was better off at the guild.
Virgo gave her a schedule. She would be working with Capricorn in meditating and increasing her magic power. She would be working with Leo on hand-to-hand combat, and mastering her weapons.
Scorpio would be helping her in defence, with the shield. The shield was special, and could form a barrier about herself or even her friends. Somewhat like Erza's adamantine armor. Except it was stronger than hers.
Aries, despite her appearance, was good with weapons and would be teaching her to properly use her lightning dagger and build her stamina.
Virgo would teach her to fight with her fleur-de-ètoiles, and chain magic. The whip could change from normal, to poisoned, and chains, depending on the amount of magic power used on it.
Aquarius, despite the fact that she said she hated Lucy, would teach her to swim better and use her stardress to manipulate water as well as herself.
Sagittarius would teach her to master archery.
Finally she would be working on powerful celestial spells, and summoning all her spirits at once. Unlike Urano Metria, some spells like Meteor slicer, Nova storm, Eta Carinae blast, Star slayer, phoenix blast, Corona Borealis, Asteroid shower and a few others that could be used several times during a fight. She would also be learning altairis.
She had decided to train for a few years, but sent regular letters to Gray and the master.
Her appearance also changed a great deal. Her eyes were crystal blue, and her long golden hair was up to her knees. She was so much more beautiful, that people stared openly at her. She always wore a coronet of navy blue flowers on her head.
It was time to rejoin Fairy tail. It was time to be reunited with Gray.
But first she had to prove herself.
As she was crossing a forest, she heard a terrified scream. She immediately ran to the noise, and saw three familiar people trying to fight a large monster. Sting, Rogue, and Yukino! Sting was using his dragon slayer secret art, Holy Nova, but it was unable to defeat that monstrosity. Rogue used shadow drive, but nothing much happened. Yukino tried to use Libra's gravity manipulation and restrict it, but the monster broke free.
Lucy rushed towards the monster, saying
"Open, Gate of the maiden, Virgo !
Open, Gate of the lion, Leo!
Open, Gate of the archer, Sagittarius!
Stardress, Taurus!"
She ran towards the monster with her large battleaxe, but the monster decided to attack Yukino.
"Open, Gate of the ram, Aries!
Aries, protect Yukino at all costs. Sting, Rogue, lend me a hand!"
"You know us?!"
"I'm Lucy Heartfilia, now can you help me please?"
"Ok, you go, blondie."
Lucy used her new spell "Nova storm!" A shower of stars and rainbow colored flecks along with a blinding light hit that thing. It screamed in agony, when Lucy used, "Eta Carinae blast!"
It was a similar spell, but much stronger. Her magic energy was depleting. She summoned her shield, and protected her acquaintances. Then she finally used, "Open , Gate of the firebird, Phoenix!"
Yukino was gasping in awe. She was a celestial wizard, but she never had a power even remotely like it. Five gates at once?!
And that was Lucy?!
The flames of the phoenix were toxic, and it finally brought the monster down.
"That was an S-class mission." She panted. "What were you even thinking?"
She sat down, fatigued, but heard Aries cry. "I'm sorry Lucy, I couldn't save her. The monster attacked her from behind...." And she broke into sobs.
Yukino was badly injured. The gash on her head was bleeding profusely. Sting was sobbing quietly. Lucy quickly opened Angela, the healers gate, but she shook her head sadly.
"The injury is too bad, Lucy. The most I can do is make it painless."
Lucy nodded, and Aries went on sobbing. "I'm such an incompetent spirit, I'm sorry."
Lucy gave Aries a hug. "Nobody blames you, you did your best. Go back now, Aries. Remember, you are my precious friend, so don't cry anymore."
Aries disappeared.
Yukino called out to Lucy. "Lucy-san....."
"I'm really sorry, Yukino. You were my friend, but I couldn't protect you. I'm not strong at all...." And she broke down as well.
"Lucy-san, if you didn't appear suddenly, all of us would have died. Thank you. You've become so strong. I wish I could have been more like you... known you better.... please take my keys, all of them. And treat them like you treat your own spirits, ok?"
Lucy nodded, sobbing loudly.
"Sting-kun, I loved you, but it's too late..." A dreamy look came over her eyes.
Sting was wailing madly, and saying things like, "Yukino, I love you too! Don't leave me! It's all my fault..." And he hit the ground in frustration.
"Rogue-san, take care of Sting-kun. And thank you.
Take care, Lucy-san. I'm glad I ever came to know such an amazing celestial wizard like you."

And just like the leaves that drop to the ground after autumn, or like a shooting star that vanishes gently in the night, the young mage departed quietly from her life.
Her life had been gentle and peaceful like a moonbeam, her smile had brought joy to numerous faces. Her sweet nature had beckoned passionate love. Her kindness nurtured loyalty until death.
Such was the beautiful celestial wizard, who passed away peacefully, as if in a slumber, leaving cold winds and dark frosts in the hearts of all who knew her.
Lucy decided to accompany them to Sabertooth for Yukino's funeral, and she took her keys with her.

Sabertooth welcomed them with cheers, but died down when they looked at Yukino.
Minerva glared at Lucy, asking, "Did she cause it?!"
Rogue looked angrily at her, and said, "Had Lucy not appeared to save us, all three of us would have been dead!"
"As in the Fairy, Lucy Heartfilia?!"
She nodded, and explained she had left Fairy tail temporarily to train.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save her..." Lucy whispered, a tear falling from her eyes.
Surprisingly, Minerva hugged her, and smiled, "but you saved two of our precious members. We will never be the same without Yukino, but I'm sure, wherever she is, she's thanking you right now. Please stay for the funeral, and give her a celestial wizard's tribute."
"I will. She was my friend too."
The weather on the day of the funeral was as gloomy as their hearts.
Lucy gave a beautiful speech that brought tears to the eyes of most people.

I never knew Yukino for long, but I'm sure, we would have been very close.
No, we were already close.
At her last moments, I was there by her side, only able to watch my friend leave the world as I was powerless to stop a flow of destiny so much greater than my own.
I realized she was not only beautiful but she was kind, compassionate, and courageous. She was everything I wanted to be. I know there are very few celestial wizards, today, but I'm sure anybody would acknowledge that she has been the best friend a spirit can have.
Yukino Aguria you will shine forever in the heavens, and you will shine in our hearts! Thank you for being one of the most important people in my life.
Thank you..... I give you the greatest tribute one celestial wizard can give another!

Live on in our hearts
O precious sky that holds the stars
In the darkness that shines bright
With courage and fervour
An undaunting evanescent light
Of the heavens that shine on thee.
Live on, child of the constellations
Beloved of humans and spirits
Celestial mage of eternal light."

And a golden glow surrounded Lucy, as all the zodiac gates came to pay their tributes to the departed mage. One by one, the other gates opened, and soon all of Lucy's spirits (about 50) were standing with their heads bowed. They stood silently for a minute, but then Lucy collapsed due to using so much of magic power.