So I'm posting this chapter now so no one thinks it's over yet.

It will be 14 chapters, I'm currently working on 14, but have a hard time ending it, hehe.

As for the time skip here in this chapter it is because I did not plan it to be super long like Generations and Love (did not plan that either), while at the same time I've got a lot of response (positive) that in a way makes me want to keep going, however, I've already come to the end. If anything I can just make a new GraLu fanfic eventually xD but please don't get your hopes up (if that's the case, I write stories I feel is missing, if that makes sense) I need summer vacation as well :P

R&R

Enjoy!


Chapter 11:

Lucy's POV

"Again!" I yelled, trying to summon ice I had become somewhat familiar with. I truly mean somewhat. It was not easy to try to control another type of magic quite different from my usual summoning of spirits. My attacks were out of control when it came to power of strength. I had plenty of magic, too much power, in my attacks. Thankfully, it was getting somewhat better and I was now practicing against Gray. He was not affected too much, which helped a lot.

We had been training in the country of Iceberg and the plus of the training was the tolerance against cold. Of course I did not have it when we started, but after two months of intense training it really started to show. Hopefully I would not develop a stripping habit though, it was enough that Gray kept doing it. Pegasus taught me how to use the sword, however, in that area I was a little lazy compared to practicing on my new ice magic.

This was the end of the third month and I had more control over my power in my attacks. Gray truly helped me with confidence in what I did, and I also started to get a personal touch to my attacks. While he in turn had to work on summoning my spirits.

We had started with Plue and the rest of the silver keys eventually as he progressed. He understood how much magic it took to open a gate to another world and how draining it could be. Into our second month he had started with one gold key at a time, however, he could not keep them out for long considering the difference with his own magic. But like me, he was improving. Though I truly understood how he felt. I saw the frustration while he worked and in turn I kept positive and gave encouraging words.

Our relationship was going well through it all. Secret smiles under training that we shared. The closeness of it all. We could always talk and we never ran empty of subjects. At night, he held around me and kept me safe, the feeling of being protected never left. He made me happy and my smile never disappeared.

We would make weekly calls to the guild to tell them about or process, Natsu mainly wondering when we were getting back. We had no answer. When we were ready, we would return.

However, our training was disturbed by the lacrima. Gray picked up and an image of Master appeared.

"Gray, Lucy, I have some news," Makarov said. The way he phrased it did not make it sound like good news.

"We're both here," Gray said and met my eyes. I nodded.

"Laxus came back from Tia with quite a lot of information. He and the Thunder Legion had to visit several other places, including the country of Seven. A town close to the border. A bit like Tia is. Where the real mayor of Tia was being held."

We gaped.

"What?" we both shouted at the same time.

"The child was just an illusion. A very good one at that. However, the mastermind is out there. We believe that the person also is the one that posed as Natsu. The only clue is that they were after both of you. Leads about a stellar spirit mage and her lover, or so it seems. Which in this case would be the two of you. Somehow you are included in the plans. There is more, but I prefer to tell you at the guild."

"We'll start our return at once," Gray said and I ran towards the little cottage we had been staying in, hearing Gray finishing the call.

Packing did not take long, and soon we started on our return home to Magnolia and Fairy Tail on a winged horse.


Author's POV

The return from Iceberg had gone without complications even if it had taken quite a while. Upon return Lucy and Gray had gone straight to Makarov's office. He in turn showed them the plan found in the mayor's office in Tia. A plan. The lovers. Two needed as sacrifice to summon the most dangerous celestial spirit. The Celestial King would be cruel in the wrong possession and control. Lucy and Gray would be to create his key. The Celestial King was a part of a bigger plan. Now, all that was left was to find this unknown person.

The person could be a woman or a man. Maybe even a banished spirit. No one was completely sure, but the papers in front of them proved that it had been very carefully planned.

Laxus and the Thunder Legion stayed at the guild under Makarov's orders. Upon return from missions, Fairy Tail members were asked to stay put and help out solving this new mystery. However, none of them knew that the guilty one was closer than they could even imagine.


3rd person POV

Lucy was snoring peacefully beside Gray. A new morning brought for new adventures. Unfortunately for Gray it was not the case. He was worrying about Lucy, while the rest of the guild members were worrying about both of them, which started to annoy him. Neither of them were weak, and they knew how to protect themselves. Neither of them would go down without a fight.

He briefly stretched and snuck out of bed. Not the brightest morning and after five minutes there came a knock on the front door.

I didn't know we were expecting anyone…? he slowly thought as he opened the door, ready for anything. However, he did not expect to see his childhood friend.

"Lyon?" he asked incredulously.

"Gray," Lyon said and walked past Gray.

Gray hurriedly stepped in front of Lyon, who in turn raised a brow at the motion.

"Lucy is asleep. Is there any reason for your visit?"

"Ah, so that's the case. Does it mean that lovely Juvia is free and can join Lamia Scale?" he teased in return.

Gray did not respond.

Lyon sighed. "Yes, the reason is that illusionist that has been bothering you. I came to offer my help since we're practically brothers," he said, the last part a little more soft.

"Oh."

"So yeah."

They both stood quite, neither knowing what to say. Gray scratched the back of his neck.

"What's going on?" Lucy's voice cut through the room. She was dressed and broke the tension quickly.

"Uh, Lyon came to help," Gray answered.

Lucy smiled at the guest. "Thank you," she said.

"Where will you stay?" Gray wondered.

"Ah, at Fairy Hills, the guys dorm," Lyon responded. "If it's ok I will no longer disturb you, but see you at the guild a little later," he then suggested.

Lucy and Gray waved the other Ice Maker mage and then could get ready for the new day.

The guild was lively as usual, however, it was a different feeling to the place as well. Every member were working hard. It was no slacking off, and people had slowly started to go out in teams to find clues to the illusionist's whereabouts.

"The usual, Mira," Lucy said as she sat down.

"The guild feels so empty," Gray commented.

"Mira, Levy, Gajeel, Jet, Droy, Juvia, Cana, Lisanna, Elfman, the Thunder Legion, Laxus, Erza, Wendy, Cana, Natsu, Happy, Bisca, Alzack, Asuka, Romeo, Lily and Carla are the only ones that decided to stay back at the guild in case anything were to happen here. Oh, also one newer member, her name is Keres, and then Lyon who arrived earlier," Makarov said from the counter of the bar a little further away.

Lucy let her gaze wander to an unfamiliar face at the guild. Of course not many had come that was supposed to stay back, however, this girl was there. She looked to be in her early twenties. She had long light blonde hair with pink tips. It was straight and her hair framed her face and almost hid her lime green eyes. They were hard and cold as they met Lucy's warm ones, and the stellar spirit mage felt a bit taken aback. She felt uneasy and looked away.

"Keres you say?" Gray said a bit thoughtful. "Doesn't that mean `evil spirited´?"

Lucy's eyebrows rose. "It doesn't mean she is," she whispered. Trying to shake off the feeling that someone was watching them.

"Keres is nice," Mira said with a smile. "Maybe a bit shy, but nice."

After Gray and Lucy moved to a table where Natsu and Happy were seated, Lyon soon joined them.

Keres kept her eyes at the table with narrowed eyes. The ones that had decided to stay back started to fill the guildhall and everyone gathered close to Lucy and Gray. Talking and just enjoying each other's company. She wondered if she should have approached them. Say hi. However it was only a brief thought. It was not included in her plans.

She wanted to laugh. She wanted to gloat. She was the mastermind. They had not gotten anywhere close to figure her out. That it was her. Instead, with good acting skills, she pretended to be a shy mage that looked up to Fairy Tail, while all she wanted was to get the members out of her way, and get to her two targets. The cheerful blonde made her sick to her stomach. Just watching her smile and feel happy, made her want to throw up. She wanted to see her suffer. She wanted to see her boyfriend suffer. If not, her plans would not work. Then their deaths would bring her the King and she could get all the power she needed. She would take over and serve well.

Oh, how he would love her if she fulfilled his wish. If she got what he always wanted for him, he would love her forever. But then again, he dumped her and she did not want him back. If anything she wanted to show him what she was better. However, what he wanted she was unable to give so she had to come up with something else. Yes she would truly prove it. She would be unbeatable. The problem was to get to the two mages.

Her green eyes met brown again and her face revealed no emotion. Lucy looked down again and her attention went back to her friends. Keres met dark blue, but just for a moment. The intensity made her feel like her cover was blown, however, she shook off the feeling and focused back on her book.

"Are you ok, Keres?" Mira's voice made the mage look up and she briefly nodded. "Why don't you join the others?"

"I prefer to stay here and read," Keres answered softly.

Mira's soft smile made Keres want to throw up. "Ok, but if you want to, don't be shy," Mira said with a wink.

"I know," Keres replied with a smile. A fake one of course, but Mira did not know that.

Satisfied the take-over mage returned to her friends and bar duty. Mainly scolding the master or his grandson, but also chatting happily with her guild mates.

Keres stood up and closed her book. She put it in her bag and flung it over her shoulder. Then she started towards the guild doors.

"Where are you going?" Mira wondered when she passed.

"I just need some fresh air," Keres answered.

"Be careful."

Keres nodded and nearly hurried out the doors. That place was to get sick of. It was simply too much. Why were all of them so cheerful and trying to be nice? Wasn't it obvious that she did not want or need the attention?

She stopped at the park and sat down on one of the benches, then she pulled out a black key. She stared at it for the longest of moments. It was completely black. The gate was closed and tinted by the darkness that was her. Forced to roam the earth until she died as human. Her crime the greater of all but also the one most needed.

She was just a very misunderstood spirit.


Tell me what you think ;)