Gaining Courage: The Search for the Lost Keys (a Fairytail Galu story)

Chapter Nine: Paper Cut

Lucy POV:

According to Horologium it was almost three o'clock when I finally got up off the floor and stretched out my tired muscles. I had been sitting in an awkward position for the last three hours reading one of the several books Pauz had pointed out that he thought might be helpful. Crux had just finished memorising some of the tomes that dealt with previous spirit key location when I saw Pauz gesture upwards to the floors above.

"If you'd follow me I could show you the location of books that could help you with your other questions if you'd like."

Smiling at him and starting to follow, I quickly called back out Pyxis so he could track our route so I could find the different sections when I came back tomorrow. Walking next to Pauz I couldn't help but ask about his friendship with Gray.

"Pauz if you don't mind how did you and Gray actually meet?"

Clutching his strange book closer to him I waited as he started speaking with a small sad smile on his face.

"When I was younger I was part of a dark guild that was rivals with Fairy Tail. I met Gray when my master set out a plan to destroy your guild. Gray and I became friends though neither of us at the time knew about our separate plans. It was only after I learned Gray was intent on joining Fairy Tail and why that I well that I had a change of heart. Thought not before I almost got Gray and I killed."

I wasn't actually that surprised at the story, I had noticed over the years that half our enemies ended up becoming our friends after a fashion: Leon, Gajeel, Jellal, the Oración Seis members, heck even the Great Black Wizard Zeref was technically now a member of Fairy Tail. If it came too it I think we could even probably convince the god Ankhseram to join up if he ever decided to pick a fight with us. Fairy Tail just seemed to draw in lost souls and give them the home they were looking for. Smiling over at Pauz as we walked I couldn't help but laugh.

"It makes me happy to know that Fairy Tail has always been like that; a place for kids to find a home when they need it. I remember the first time I walked through the doors, it was so lively and chaotic, I just couldn't imagine..."

Acting on instinct having been warned in the nick of time I jumped back and screamed out to Pauz.

"Watch out!"

Suddenly several knifes appeared where we had been standing impaling the floor and announcing the mages arrival. Looking where the attack had come from I spotted five heavily armed men stood at the edge of the library staircase. Each man seemed to be dressed similar in a dark blue cloak with some kind of mask covering their face. Knowing a fight when I saw one I quickly sent back Pyxis and Crux and quietly and in stealth mode silently called out Scutum to buy me a little time to think. Staying behind the invisible barrier created by the shield spirit as it offered some protection for Pauz and me, I quickly formulated a plan as several more knifes bounced off the shield harmlessly. Grabbing the two keys I needed, it was a double gold summoning this time.

"Aries Leo I need you, come on out."

Even before the light faded I placed the White Ram Aries' key against my chest and pushed forth my power. I had learn the concentration counted not the words so didn't even bother to speak out loud as I called forth the star dress to match Aries and got ready for battle.

"Princess your prince has come."

I ignored Loke's comment and had just dismissed Scutum back to the spirit world to save power for the battle when dozens of sheets of paper suddenly started flying through the air passed me and attacked the five men by the stairs. A quick glance at Pauz assured me that my new friend could take care of himself as the paper tornado seemed to move to his bidding. I really should have made the connection that Pauz was a mage considering he had been in a dark guild. I guess my mind had been elsewhere. Focusing back into the fight I knew I had to be mindful of the delicate nature of my surrounding as I suddenly had awful flashbacks of the look on master's face every time team Natsu got back from a mission.