"Don't mind the mess. Research hasn't exactly been going well." I grumbled, moving a large stack of books off the chairs.

When I told Levy I needed her help she had said we should go right away. I knew I needed her help, but I had wanted to stay away from my apartment for just a little longer. It hadn't gone that way though. Michelle was with us, already sitting down with the memento in front of her, the case open. I silently cursed her for not helping. Really, I liked her but I just kept getting annoyed with her.

When all the books were on the floor, I slumped into one of the chairs with a heavy sigh. I dug in the pocket of my overly large sweater and pulled out a piece of paper, handing it to Levy. The inscription from the thing was on there and I kept it in hope that I would be able to find it myself.

The bluenette had read it over a few time, her eyes flying. "I know this." She muttered, placing the paper down and getting up. She began looking through all the books that were around us and my eyes widened as in only seconds she slammed a book on the table and opened it. She flipped through pages like the wind, moving so fast. "Here it is."

'MOTHERFUCKER!' I screeched loudly in my head. The book she had picked up was one I had read at least five time and she found it. I was pissed at myself. How the fuck did I miss it?! 'No Lucy. Calm down.' "What does it say?" I asked, my voice coming out harsher than I intended.

Levy didn't seem to notice. "Time ticks forward to inevitable chaos."

Familiar. That sounded really fucking familiar. I stood from my seat and fell to my knees, shuffling through books. What one was it? I know I read it somewhere but where? "C'mon, c'mon. Where are you?" Okay, I know that this search has led to me getting a ton of new books and that I made a mess of my place, but really, why can I not find this shit? Oh! Here it is! See, I told you I would find it.

I flipped through pages, still kneeling on the floor. "I've heard of it before, some creepy story here. Give me a sec." I muttered, my voice only loud enough for them to hear me. "Okay," I stood up, going back to my seat as I read down the page. "There's this clock that's passed down over the years and there's a lot of shit that happens through it's history." Turning the page, I was instantly draw to the pictures. My brows furrowed and I looked closer, inspecting the art. "I- Holy shit."

"What is it?" Levy asked, her small form leaning over the table. I took one more, long-lasting look at the picture before my eyes went to my best friend. "It's the hand of a clock." I whispered.

Our walk to the guild was quite, only the sounds of our footsteps interrupting our thoughts. Then again, I wasn't even paying attention to them, so I could have stopped in the middle of the road and never noticed. I was just... Shocked? Surprised? Pissed off? Probably a mix of the three.

It was just sitting right under my fucking nose and I didn't notice! I must have looked at that book three times and in that entire time, not once did I make the connection that the object might have been a fucking clock hand. Not once. I wanted to make an excuse for missing it. Say that I was just so stressed on research, that it flew right by me, but I knew that the fuck up I made was inexcusable. The time I had put into this was something I wouldn't get back and my emotions have been fucked up because of it, making me even bitchier than usual. It was in one word, annoying.

Michelle had told me to look on the bright side of things because, finally after weeks of looking, we found something that could lead us closer to finding out why dad wanted me to have this. I guess she was right, it was something that we didn't have before but still. We could have found that long ago, if only I had opened up my eyes and really looked.

"Give us Lucy Heartfillia."

Eh? I blinked, willing my eyes to come back into focus. We had, at sometime or another, wound up outside the guild and all the members that weren't out on jobs, stood outside, looking worn from battle. At the doors were three people who, I swore, looked to fucking familiar. "Is that...?"

Levy looked over at me, confusion, anger and a speck of fear in her hazel eyes. "Who? Do you know these people?"

I nodded, blindly holding out the case and giving it to Michelle. "These are people we've met in Edolas, except they've lived on Earthland the entire time." I whispered, keeping my eyes on the newcomers. So far, it was obvious that they were making trouble and I wasn't going to stand for it. I reached into my pocket, my fingers brushing against my keys when a voice stopped me. "They don't know who Lucy is yet."

I glanced over at Natsu, who was in the process of standing back up. "Go find Gramps and meet us back he-"

I cut him off, not wanting to hear the end of his sentence. I refused to sit around on my ass and look like I was better than everybody, they were my friends too. "What?! No, you fucking idiot! We're going to fight!"

"C'mon now. Don't leave." Hughes, well the female version, taunted. This chick was crazier than her counterpart by the looks of it. I glared at the bitch, wishing I could fucking tear her to pieces. What the hell did they want with me anyways?

I made to step forward and ask them just that when my arm was tugged, sending me stumbling back. Michelle had an iron grasp on me, her face pleading as she and Levy began jogging away from the scene. I struggled in her hold, but for such a frail looking girl, she was strong. I gave up my fight and started running, my head turned back and watching the fight. Natsu had sent an attack at the trio and my eyes widened. 'That stupid jackass! Does he really not fucking remember?!' Before I got the chance to call him a few names that were running through my head, Hughes used a stick and redirected it. Right over to us.

Levy flew away from me and Michelle, her form hitting the rocks and most likely putting her down for the count. I couldn't really concentrate on that because I was rolling, and rolling. I skidded on my side to a stop, wincing at the cuts I had gotten from the dirt. My eyes peeled open and I watched Kinana throw a rock at Hughes. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. The girl had no magic and decided it was best to do that? Really!?

"Wrong choice girlie. Things are about to get nasty." Sugarboy said. Behind him, Mary's aura darkened. "Yeah, Top Heavy."

Things just went down hill from there. The three that were safe up on one of the towers attacked. In seconds, things fucked up. Panther Lily got kicked by Coco and the attack Wendy sent out was redirected at Natsu, who went flying into the air. I sat up on my knees, taking in the fact that just about everyone was out. Again, my hand went to my pocket. I couldn't just sit around, I couldn't. However, if I gave myself away right now, went peacefully with them, I could always... I grinned, standing up.

"I'm the Lucy you're looking for." I was horror struck as I watched her move forward. 'Michelle! What the hell is wrong with you!' I screamed internally as she moved further and further away from me. 'Get back here you idiot!' I had hoped for a minute there that she would somehow magically appear beside me. That wasn't the case. She just kept moving closer to those three. "What do you want with me?"

"She looks the part. Growing up in the Heartfillia mansion rubbed off." Sugarboy said, looking down at her.

"Really? I'm disappointed, I was expecting some ditz." Mary muttered. I growled lowly, glaring at them. They just insulted me and... Wait. They don't even know if that's me.

Planting a smirk on my face, I sauntered up and stopped beside Michelle, my arms crossed beneath my chest. "Sorry sweets but I'm Lucy."

I felt hands on my forearm and I looked over at Michelle to see tears in her eyes. "Oh Miss. Michelle! Do not try to protect me for it is too late." She wailed. I glared at her, ripping myself from her grasp.

"Are you tripping out or something? Don't listen to her. I'm Lucy." I leaned in close to Michelle, snarling at her. "Are you fucking crazy or something? You have no way of defending yourself if they decide to attack. Sorry, but I would rather not have that."

"Get back Lucy! I won't let them lay a finger on you." I whirled around to Natsu, ready to give a few choice words to him.

"That's right! Because I'm Lucy!"

All around us, the women were claiming my name. It was a good move but a stupid one. They were putting themselves at risk and if things went wrong, I don't even want to think of the consequences. It was obvious that the trio was getting annoyed and before I knew it, green slime was coming from Sugarboy. Natsu attacked the thing, only to get caught in it. My hand fell to my pocket and I got into a battle stance. "He's creating a distraction. Please Lucy."

"I-I can't." I whispered, looking between the fight and Michelle. They were being overpowered and they needed me. 'But this is the only chance we'll get.' "Okay." Michelle began running and I followed, only pausing to pick up the hand.

Michelle pulled me behind a tree and I took the chance to catch my breath. Wow, I was really out of shape from just reading. I had forgotten how taxing running can be. While I was doing that, it gave my anger a chance to catch up too. I straightened from my hunched over position and placed my heaviest glare on Michelle, dropping the hand and grabbing her wrist. "L-Lucy?"

"What the fuck was that shit?! You could have gotten hurt, you dumbass! You do realize that you were completely defenseless while they were powerful wizards! Even some of our senior members had trouble with them! What made you think that you would be able to protect yourself?!"

Michelle's eyes were wide as she looked at me. I saw fear in her eyes and I bathed in it, I fucking enjoyed it. She should fear me, she should fear me the way she should have feared the others. I could be just as dangerous. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she managed to get something out. "I-I was ju-just trying to protect y-y-you."

That just angered me further. "I'm a fucking Celestial Wizard, Michelle! I can protect myself! In fact, it's my job to protect you! You're younger and the only family I have left! How do you think I would feel if you got hurt? I can't fucking risk that! So what could you have done?"

"I-I don't know. I'm sorry!" I sighed, dropping my head, as she started crying. I could try and try and try but I couldn't stay mad at her. Yes, she annoyed the hell out of me but wasn't that what families do?

I brought my hand up, placing it on her head. She looked up with misty eyes and I smiled so wide, my eyes scrunched. "It's cool. Thanks for trying but do me a favor and never, ever, try again."

"Finally caught up to you I see."

We looked over at the voice and found Coco... Hanging upside down. Okay then, shit just got even more weird. My head fell back and a long, tired groan came out. "Do you see this, Lucy? Chick just doesn't give up." I said, rolling my head to Michelle. She let out a giggle and nodded.

"Persistent, isn't she Lucy?"

"I don't think that's the right word for it, Lucy." I grinned, looking at Coco. The poor girl was looking between Michelle and I, her body language along with her face showing confusion. "Well, you're the real Lucy, so you better go with her."

"No, no! You are the really real Lucy. Go on." She waved her hands forward, smiling wide. You know, when you get into it, this is actually pretty fun.

"Okay, since I'm the really real Lucy," I took a step forward. "Or am I the really real Lucy?" Michelle asked when Coco's eyes stayed on me a moment too long. Behind the girl, the ground quaked and Virgo came up. "I am the princess." She declared.

"Princess..."

Virgo cam up beside me and we all pointed at the brunette. "Or have you been Lucy this entire time?"

The poor girl looked ready to pass out but we took the chance to break. I wasn't sure how long we had been at it but by the time we stopped, the sun had vanished and the stars were making themselves home in the sky. I took a quick look around and realized that I had no idea where in the hell we were. Even if we were lost, we were safe for now. I shoved my hand in my pocket as I watched the stars and my fingers brushed against my whip. I took it out and sighed. It was pretty and powerful, but I haven't be able to get it to work since last time. "Hey Virgo."

"Yes Princess?" I put my hand out and dropped the thing in her hands.

"I haven't be able to get it to work." Was all I said. She nodded and left to the Spirit World.

"So that was a celestial spirit?" Michelle asked.

I nodded and looked over at her, my lips lifting absentmindedly as I thought about my friends. "Yea. Plue and Virgo are just a couple of them."

"What about the mermaid and the crab?"

"What are you talking about? How do you know them?" As far as I knew, I hadn't spoken nor showed either to her, so how did she know about them? I instantly felt wary about her.

"Look at this. Just like Samuel said it would pan out." Hughes stood over us on a small cliff, her wand -if that's what you want to call it- in the air. "Dance little monkey." She whispered, cruel smile on her face. "DANCE!"

I had no idea of what she was talking about until Michelle started walking. Right towards the cliff over on the right. "What the fuck, Michelle?"

"My legs! They're moving on their own!" She screamed. The pure terror in her words scared the shit out of me. I sprinted over and grabbed ahold of her waist, digging my heels into the ground. It did nothing to stop her. Nothing. I was beginning to fear that she would go right over that edge and I knew, that if she did, I'd be right behind her. I didn't care if I got hurt, but I'd make sure the I got the brunt. "Let go, big sister! I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

I ignored her plea and tightened my hold. "Why are you doing this?" I asked. My voice surprised me with how calm I sounded.

"Well," She drawled. "I thought taking you in would be easier if you were injured."

I giggled at her, looking over from the corner of my eye. "You bitch. I'll fucking kill you if she gets hurt."

Hughes grinned like a madman. "Then I guess you'll just have to kill me."

Time felt like it stopped as Michelle stepped over. My breathing stalled and my heart raced. Fear consumed my being and I couldn't think properly. All I knew was that I had to keep Michelle safe. She wasn't allowed to get hurt. Luckily, I still had a grip on her so I turned her around, bringing her face to my chest and made sure that I was the one hitting the ground first. I closed my eyes and smiled. 'If this does me in, I won't get the chance to tell him I love him.'

Yay! Chapter 10, finally! Thoughts? Comments? Leave them down in the reviews!

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