Summary: Her mother gave her a scroll signed in blood and bound with magic. Both a blessing and a curse. Years flew by and she soon became something that monsters, even demons, feared. Lucy Heartfilia – Keeper of the Stars.

Keeper of the Stars

Part One: Childhood

Chapter One

She was five-years-old when her Mama taught her how to summon her first celestial spirit. Little Lucy was jumping up and down in happiness at the sight of the irate mermaid.

Sitting next to an open lake that was on the very outskirts of the Heartfilia Konzern, Layla looked at her best and oldest friend and daughter with pride in her eyes. She chuckled a little inside at the sight of the grumpy blue haired mermaid struggling, but failing, to keep her frown in place.

"Mama! Mama! Look, I did it! And I'm not even sleepy!" Lucy was beaming up at her mother and Aquarius as she did so.

"Well done, my beautiful little star, I expected no less from you." Layla smiled warmly at her daughter and giggled as Aquarius started lecturing Lucy about contracts and such.

"I told you brat! Don't interrupt my dates! Honestly, Layla…why did you have to have such an annoying brat?" Lucy just smiled as her mother and her second favourite person in the whole world were talking.

Lucy let out a large, loud yawn before climbing into her mother's lap 'I'm sleepy…' sending one last half sleepy smile at Aquarius before she letting herself be lulled to sleep by the sweet sound of the voices of her loved ones.

One a calming soft chime that almost sounded like she was singing with every word that was spoken and the other a husky voice that reminded Lucy of the beach they visited for her Mama's birthday.

"You haven't gone back?" Layla smiled down affectionately at her daughter though her question was aimed at the still present Mermaid.

"No, I figured I'd help the brat out by emptying her magical core. Enough for her to be able to replenish more and more." Aquarius moved closer to Layla and looked down at the sleeping child, feeling a warmth of affection flash in her chest before stubbornly stomping it out.

"Are you sure we should be training her so young, Layla? She's still only a child…" Aquarius looked to Layla in concern.

"I only have 2 years Aquarius…2 years left with my beautiful little girl. I hate that she won't be able to have a normal life but I need her to be strong…It's for the best that she starts now. While she's young." Layla's eyes filled up with unshed tears as she confided in Aquarius.

"I know Layla, I can only imagine how hard this must be for you and I want you know that I support you with every decision you decide to make." The gruff mermaid said softly as she floated lower and wrapped her arm around her previous master.

Layla let her tears fall and hugged her daughter closer to her body as she buried her head into the crook of the celestial spirits neck.

"I don't want to leave her here alone, Aquarius, but what else can I do?" Aquarius bowed her head in thought as she contemplated the words of her best friend.

"…I'm sorry." Aquarius felt her heart clench as the weight of Layla's words sunk in 'Only two years with Layla…that's not a long time…' She balled her right hand up into a fist and pulled the celestial mage into a tighter hug with her left arm as the blonde started to sniffle and cease her crying.

"I promise you Layla, I will always be there for the little brat. Always." Layla pulled back and looked at the celestial spirit in gratitude.

"Thank you, Aquarius."

Aquarius spared a smiled at her former summoner before disappearing back to the celestial world.

Layla continued to sit in the sun and run her fingers through her daughter's short blonde hair.

"I hope you know that I'll always love you, Lucky Lucy." Picking her daughter up and cradling her in her arms, she kissed her daughter's forehead and started walking back towards their home.

Lucy peeked a light brown eye open to look up at her mother before snuggling back into her tender bosom.

C.C.