A/N: Well, here's my gift to all you guys. Another chapter along with the previous one! Whether it be for Valentines day or Chinese New Year, enjoy it! :D

The story will be switching between past and present so be warned.


Ch 4: Calling for Illusions

"Illusion is the first of all pleasures." -Oscar Wilde


A woman found herself in a strange place.

It was dark. Really dark. In all directions, nothing could be seen but darkness. Except for one thing;

A lion.

A glowing lion ,who shined in the darkness. It stared at the woman before it. Waiting..watching..curious to see what the girl would do.

The girl walked slowly to the creature. The light he gave of in the darkness around himself was reassuring to her. She couldn't help feeling like a fly drawn to a flame.

The lion suddenly roared. The noise ringed in darkness.

His show of power didn't deter the female. Instead her steps were more hurried. Her face was determined. She needed the creature. His light, his warmth…his everything.

The lion understanding her intentions, waited. It had always waited and it kept on waiting, waiting for her.

Suddenly the woman disappeared through the darkness. As if it swallowed her whole.

The large cat looked on at the event and could only cry in agony…and yet it curled up and waited.

Its shine had dulled.

The light glowed no more.

Nothingness.

Just waiting…in nothingness.


A group of mages sat in a room. It contained a round table along with many bookcases covering the walls. Magical trinkets of all kinds sat in these cases. Not one held a book.

Lucy who was leaning on her arm didn't care for the décor. She was interested more in taking a nap. Lucy was tired after the strange dream that kept on repeating that night. Reading her mother's book till early in the morning further strengthened her desire to sleep.

Erza who was also in the room noticed the stellar mage's drone-like state. She shook her head.

"Lucy, I told you to get a good night's sleep. We need you to recall a lot of things."

"Mhm…." Lucy nodded slowly. It had taken her a moment to fully comprehend what Erza had said. Flopping lazily to pick up something, she then dropped it onto the table. "Here." Lucy brought her mother's diary along with her to help with the recollection. She pushed it forward to Erza.

Grey and Natsu who were both at the table raised eyebrows. They remained silent as Erza constantly gave them warning looks. They knew if one or the other said something wrong, they'd be kicked out of there in a heartbeat.

Makarov who sat at the head of the table glanced at the leather-bound book. He had been the one to give the book to Lucy. It was strange to see it back after quite some time.

"Lucy, your mother wouldn't want her spellbook to be treated in such fashion." He commented.

The other mages raised eyebrows.

"Lucy's mother was a mage?"

"I thought she was a merchant?"

"She never told us this."

They all turned to the stellar mage for answers. The looks they gave her here were of astonishment and confusion.

Lucy had fallen asleep on the table. Her head nestled carefully in her arms. Light snoring was audible from the sleeping girl. She wouldn't be answering questions any time soon.

Her teammates sighed.

Makarov coughed. "Well…I guess she's out for the count." He hopped onto the table and took Layla Heartfilia's book. Flipping to a certain page he cleared his throat. Rereading what he saw on the page he sighed. It was total gibberish to him. He quickly shut the book. "Ok, this isn't going to work." He pointed to the sleeping mage. "Anyone want to wake her up?"


Grey found himself badly lashed along with a huge hand mark upon his face. He drew the short straw in the 'wake Lucy up' mission. His attempt at waking her up went badly as he decided to place an icicle down her shirt.

Of course, she woke up but not gracefully.

She fell out of her chair, screeching at the sudden coldness. She clawed at her back trying to remove the foreign substance.

Once she pulled it out, she immediately honed for the ice mage. There was no other way an icicle could appear in her shirt unless he formed it. Brandishing her whip, she gave him a few cuts before giving him a palm to the face. That'll teach him to bother a sleeping mage.

Back in business, the mages continued their meeting.

Makarov held up Layla's Spellbook. "Now this is why you guys are here." He began.

Layla's Spellbook consisted of many notes on the stellar spirits and keys but the most important thing that was held in there was the spell for a seal. That page however was missing. The seal in question was similar to one that the council used to seal away the "Lullaby". However there were more than just one Lullaby weapon.

"There are actually 6 of those things." Makarov stated. "Each one having an ability of its own. All using sound, wind magic, along with the living magic. That gives them the ability to bring down whatever was in their way."

He went to one of the shelves and pulled out a scroll. Unraveling it onto the table, it showed diagram of the weapons. The flute, which they had encountered already, was crossed out. A claymore, bow, mace, dagger and scythe were drawn messily onto the diagram. Each one's name had fallen under its image.

Makarov pointed to the bow, known as The Sweet Lullaby. He glanced at Lucy.

Lucy could only scoff. "It ain't that sweet."

The other mages looked at her.

Lucy gestured to the picture. "That thing isn't as nice as it sounds. My mission consisted of me unsealing it and bringing it back here for a stronger sealing."

"Getting that was your mission?" Natsu questioned. He looked at the stellar mage as if she was crazy. It sounded so simple.

"Meh, that doesn't sound that hard." Grey added in.

Erza smacked them upside the head. "You guys don't know when to shut up do you?" She growled.

They apologized, while rubbing the back of their heads.

Makarov shook his head. "The weapons are living magic you idiots. They live. Therefore they can take a bodily shape. Don't you remember what happened in Clover?" Not expecting an answer from the two, he turned to Lucy. "What was it?"

"A siren."

"A siren?" Natsu and Grey asked. They quickly imagined a young woman with large breasts, leaning against a rock of some kind. The duo sighed. They quickly were brought out of their fantasy with another smack to the head.

"You guys are seriously pushing it…" Erza threatened.

"Yea, a siren…it fed on ones desires, and lead them to dwell in their nightmares. I was in a coma for six months because of it."


It was the anniversary of Layla Heartfilia's death. Lucy stood before her mother's grave, holding a bouquet of lilies. She placed the lilies into a slot in the ground, replacing the dead ones from her last meeting here. She then thumbed the name on the gravestone before her.

"Mother…you would be so proud of me…" Lucy murmured. The death of her mother was sudden and strange, it only seemed like yesterday when they had been together. Lucy could feel her cheeks wet from her tears. She hadn't even heard the steps coming toward her.

"Lucy…your mother would be proud of what you become." Makarov commented from behind her. He stood there in his normal attire, holding a leather-bound book. Layla's name embellished with gold was prominent on the cover.

"Master? W-what are you doing here?" She questioned, hastily wiping her tears. Few from the guild knew where she was at the moment. Even fewer knew of the reason. She couldn't recall ever telling the guild leader that her mother's death anniversary was today.

"I have a request." He gestured to the book before him. "Take this, and bring back something for me."

Lucy took the book and glanced down at it. She immediately noticed her mother's name on the cover. It appeared again when she turned the page. "Where'd you get this?"

"Your mother left it. In Fairy Tail." Makarov stated. "She was a mage…you know, before she went off into another guild. Some kind of merchants' guild or something." He scoffed. "Hell, she could've done better. But still, I have to hand it to her…having you was not a bad thing." He winked.

"She was a mage?" Lucy questioned. She first believed that her father bought spirit keys for the sake of Layla's strange obsession with them. She never even thought of her own mother actually fighting alongside these spirits.

Makarov nodded. He explained Layla's strength and power. Her teamwork with the keys she had was astounding. She would then write her notes into that book, using it as a place to hide certain things and spells. Specifically seals. Layla was known throughout the mage world for her seals.

"She sealed something away…and it needs to be retrieved. It's not safe where it is right now."

"How do I get it?" Lucy questioned. She knew the book held some answers but the fact was she believed she wasn't strong enough for this type of mission.

"You're her kin. That will be enough. I can't really tell you anything else since the book should lead the way." He gestured again to the leather-bound.

"Okay. I'll just go tell Natsu and the others-" She began, gathering her things to leave her mother's grave. As she began to step away, she felt resistance. Lucy turned around.

A hand held her in place. The owner shook his head. "They cannot do this. Only you can go on this mission. They cannot know." He shrugged.

"What? A solo mission? A-are you sure? I mean compared to the others I'm not-"

Makarov raised his hand, interrupting her. Lucy went silent. "Lucy, your mother was a mage. A really powerful mage. I believe you can do her work. After all, I can see the resemblance; young, blonde, willing to show the world you can do anything. "

Lucy smiled.

"You girls also had nice packages if you know what I mean!" He joked.

Lucy's smile quickly turned into a scowl.

"Anyway," He coughed. The weather was getting chilly. "As I said before, you can. do. this." He emphasized. He knew that Lucy had potential. This mission could be the beginning of her legacy.

Faintly smiling, Lucy nodded. "Fine. I'll do this. I'm guessing I can't go back to the guild right now?" She raised an eyebrow.

Makarov agreed.

"Well then, let's get started. What do I do now?"

"Okay, we need to get a seal on you just in case…."


"Six months?!" Her nakama yelled.

"Why the hell didn't you tell us anything before?" Natsu yelled. Hell, he was furious. They always had gone on missions and she would always come home with little to no scratches. Hearing about her being comatose for that long of a period made him feel guilty. Guilty for not being there when he could've been.

Lucy, noticing Natsu and that look of sadness in his eyes, smiled in reassurance. "Natsu, I'm fine, see I'm right here?" She gestured to her physical self.

"Natsu, she wouldn't have been able to tell us this when she got back." Erza commented. "She was sealed." Erza recalled the previous night at the guild. The bright light was something she could not forget.

Natsu looked unconvinced. He could not recall this 'seal'.

Lucy sighed at his attitude. She quickly then explained the seal to those who weren't at the event last night. The boys who weren't, nodded in comprehension. Done with the short detour in discussion, she continued where she left off. "Besides, even if I was unconscious for six months, I was fine…I had the best healer in Magnolia after all." She smiled.

"And who would that be?" Grey asked. He also looked slightly annoyed at the fact that she was injured for that long.

Makarov and Erza smiled. They knew of whom she was talking about.

"Porlyursica."


"Lucy! Lucy! Wake up!" Loki cried. Trying to shake her back into consciousness.

The fight with the siren had ended.

She had Sagittarius and Aries along with him to do some strange spell from a book. It came so easily to them that it was a wonder to watch.

Ifrit's Roar.

One could easily describe it as a huge fiery explosion.

The blast from the trio was strong enough to knock out the siren, returning it to its weapon form; The Sweet Lullaby. Some kind of bow, which looked more angelic than demonic; the tips of the bow frayed out like feathers while several holes had been drilled into its wood, each one containing a brass ring which dangled from it.

However, returning the siren to its bow-like state came with a price.

Lucy had to wear it down with her whip and other keys. Loki was there for the whole event, helping her all the way. It was a wonder how Lucy kept herself going.

'She really is a strong mage' He thought. The training they had undergone before they faced the demon was worth it. Although one had to expect some obvious flirting here and there.

He recalled each and every key she used in quick succession…Apus, Phoenix, Vulpecula and Ophiuchus.

Earth, Fire, Clones and Snakes…oh my.

She was already on wits end when she had gotten a head full of screeching from the siren and a gash in her right side. She was lucky enough to call Sagittarius and Aries to help end it. Watching her drop after the fire blast, he knew she was spent.

Aries and Sagittarius had disappeared. It seemed Lucy's desire for Loki to be there was still evident. He wasn't dismissed and he didn't mind. He had to care for the girl before him.

The wound from the siren's claws was still bleeding on her side. Loki had no idea what to do. Shaking her however, seemed to help her move in and out of consciousness.

"H-hey…." She said softly. "are we h-home yet? " It seemed as if she was hallucinating.

"N-no…Lucy we're not home yet…but we'll get there soon.." He lifted her up gently, cradling her in his arms.

"I'm tired….chocolate cake would be nice…yea.." She mumbled randomly.

"We'll get you some cake Lucy...a huge cake." He responded to her. He had to keep her talking. Her talking was good. If she fell asleep, there was no way she could get home. He knew he would return to the spirit realm if she fell unconscious. He was not going to leave her in this damn forest to die!

"Loki…" She mumbled.

"Yea princess?" He joked halfheartedly. Hell he knew he shouldn't be joking. She was on her death bed for god's sake!

"You..you know I love you right..?" She smiled faintly at him. Her eyes were partially lidded, they felt really heavy. She didn't really understand what she had just said. Her emotions were fueling everything that poured out of her mouth at that very moment.

Loki stilled. "W-what? Don't kid with me Lucy.." He quickly hurried himself forward. He noticed a clearing of trees; resting there would work.

"I'm…not l-lying you idiot..I still want my cake..." She raised her hand and attempted to smack his face. Due to her weakened state she only was able to pat him firmly against the neck.

Loki could only smile weakly at her action.

Finally at the clearing, he set her down. Unbeknown to him, he decided to rest Lucy infront of Porlyursica's home. "Lucy…when your better, tell me that again...and I promise you… you'll never be lonely again." He murmured to her.

"I was never lonely…because I had you..you silly idiot..." She giggled softly. She shut her eyes. Her breathing, which was already irregular, didn't change.

"You….god." Loki sighed. She didn't even answer his request. He covering his face. Out of all girls, he had to fall in love with his own master and before him, that said girl is lying in a pool of blood. "Don't…don't die on me Luce..okay?" He sobbed to the girl in front of him. He heard her utter a faint 'mhm'.

A woman had seen the two enter the clearing was glancing through her window, she sighed. She could tell from a mile away that that girl was from Fairy Tail; her tattoo was so obvious on her hand.

"Makarov owes me a drink for this." She grunted before walking out of her hut. Either way she had to help this girl, or else the Fairy Tail Master would have a fit.

"You. Boy." She commanded to the lion spirit.

He quickly turned around. Finally someone to help! "Hey!…please you gotta-"

She stopped him in mid-sentence. "Don't ask. Get the girl in my hut now. For all we know, she could be at death's door."


"I was holed up in Porlyursica's hut for a while. Loki would appear now and then, saying I had called for him in my sleep." Lucy blushed.

The boys couldn't help but snigger. Erza didn't hit them that time. She too had found that quite amusing.

"When I awoke a few months later, he told me a few snippets of what had happened. He said I had gone into a sleep-like state, screaming most of the time. The damn Siren had screeched long enough for her spell to work on me in my injured state. Everything else that happened during and after the fight that was a blur." Lucy scratched her head apologetically.

She then placed several keys she had onto the table. Four silver keys shone brightly on the surface. "My mother had these hidden in her book's pages." She then pulled out two more silver keys. "Along with these too; Noctum and Monoceros. Loki told me these first four silver ones are what I had used…along with these." She pulled out three gold keys; Sagittarius, Leo and Aries.

"Lucy…that's seven keys." Natsu noted. He had only seen her use two or three gold keys and be spent. Seven keys seemed as a shock to the fire mage.

"I'm guessing you're curious about I could do that?" Lucy questioned the pink haired male.

He nodded.

"Training." She said with a matter-of-fact tone. "I didn't just go for the bow you guys, I had to prepare…duh." She stuck her tongue out. "I spent a year or so…training spells and doing other things.."

"Lucy…where is the bow?" Erza questioned. Hearing about it already perked her curiosity. She wanted to see the demonic weapon.

Lucy glanced at Makarov for approval. He granted it.

Getting out of her chair, she channeled some magic and summoned the bow. Its form materialized in her hands.

"Whoa! Luce you know Requip magic?" Natsu asked, staring at the bow in the meanwhile.

She smiled. "Not really…I only use it for this thing." She gestured to the bow. It being a dark weapon had caused her to gather unwanted attention for a bit. She had to rely on Requip for the bow to keep it hidden.

"It doesn't look that dark. In fact…I'd say it would suit you." Grey commented.

The other mages looked as if he was crazy. It was as if he was fully clothed for once. In that case he actually was.

"I mean, look at it! It's a friggin' feather bow." He gestured to the tips of the bow. Its wing-like tips made it look more girly. The bling that hung from the holes in it accented the idea.

A few of the other mages shared glances. They somewhat agreed with the idea. The image in the diagram didn't give the real thing justice.

"Why not on your keys?" Erza questioned about Lucy's requip magic. Hiding the keys would've been more appropriate. After all, Lucy was prone to losing her keys. Erza remembered one spirit in particular the mage had that threatened the girl if she lost the keys.

"I'm too used to them being on me." Lucy patted the keys in emphasis. "Besides, I don't think I'm that clumsy…really?" She pouted slightly.

The other three mages nodded. The girl was a total klutz.

Lucy could only twitch. "Wow…you guys."

Makarov cleared his throat. "Anyway, thank you Lucy for retrieving the bow." He reached for the bow to take it from the stellar mage. It was time to reseal it. As he went to reach it, it sent a strong spark of dark magic his way. He had to withdraw slightly. "The magic's rejecting me." He glared at the wooden object.

"What's that mean?" Grey questioned. Natsu nodded. He also wished to know.

"It won't let him touch it." Erza commented. She also glanced warily at the object. She too attempted to touch it. It had the same reaction towards the armored mage.

"Luce….it only lets you." Natsu surmised. He also attempted to touch it. Several times in fact. Finally getting the drift that it refused to be held by him, he stepped back.

"Master, what should I do?" Lucy questioned. She didn't expect to have the bow for such a long period. Although, having it as an actual weapon did interest her.

Makarov scratched his head. Curious, he picked up Layla's book and turned to another page. The page in question was torn out. The remains of its torn edge lay in the book. "Lucy, keep it for now." Makarov then continued to flip through its yellow pages.

"Master? Are you sure, I mean that thing can cause a lot of trouble.." Erza commented. That bow already caused so much trouble for Lucy, she didn't want the stellar mage to end up becoming a huge target for many dark mages.

Makarov nodded. "I'm sure. After all, Lucy your mother had sealed that thing. I expect that if you find the spell that was in here, you could reseal it later." He returned to the missing page. "Her seals where written here and it's missing. Someone must have gotten to this book before I did." Getting off the table, he reached for another object on the shelves.

It was a small black orb with holes that covered its surface on certain areas. He tossed it to Erza, who looked quite surprised to be the one to get it..

"What is it?" She turned it in her hands, feeling strange holes that covered the orb.

"Shake it." Makarov stated, he quickly pulled a set of strange wing-like earmuffs off the shelves and placed them on his ears.

Erza shook it, a strange little object rattled inside. The noise suddenly became extremely annoying to the ears. She quickly dropped the little ball, it rolled on the floor still rattling away. Once it stopped moving, the noise quickly dissipated.

"What the fuck!?" Natsu groaned, rubbing his ears. The others were pretty much in the same state; nursing their ears after the strange noise.

"That is what the lullaby weapons do with sound…well kind of. Lucy be careful with yours. I could guess what the bow does, but let's not find out unless we really need to. Ne?" He grinned. The noise hadn't affected him in the slightest due to his earmuffs.

It took them a few seconds to recuperate from the sudden blast of noise. Calm and collected, they returned to their seats. Lucy had switched out her bow.

"Ok ok, now you guys." He stated. The four around him gave their full attention. "Find the rest of these weapons. They might be sealed or not; either way get them and bring them back here. Layla's book can guide the way. Don't lose it."


Ch. 4~fin

A/N: Well then, let's begin the hunt! Explode with questions, or say something! I'm on a plot bunny high!

But seriously though, Review.