Lucy could feel her heart thudding in her chest. She could hear it resounding in her ears. She didn't like how Adie was looking at her, but she would stay true to her promise to Barsky. Even if it resulted in a black eye or bloody nose—not that she thought the woman would resort to that. But, right now, the way she was cracking her knuckles and glaring at Lucy, she wasn't so sure...

"Stop staring at me like that! Please!" Lucy's voice was strained from her own silent fear.

She hoped she didn't sound too terrified. She wanted to maintain some dignity. Adie said nothing, but Barsky's wizened grin was evident behind her back. Lucy had the sudden urge to kick the elderly man.

He winked at her, as he put his hand on Adie's arm. "Maybe some company won't be bad for ya, eh?"

Adie remained silent, her eyes leaving Lucy's face and wandering over the remaining handful of Fairy Tail mages at her front door. "You owe me nothing, why would you even want to help me?" she asked, her voice monotonous as she studied each face.

Lucy looked back toward her friends, silently urging them to say something--anything! Natsu took a step forward, being the first to speak. "It's easy. If Lucy thinks there's as reason to stick with you, we'll do it. That's what nakama do." A cheesy grin spread across his face, as Lucy felt her heart race.

Erza shrugged, "Besides, Makarov thinks that this is something that the guilds should be concerned about. There are dark guilds that have been trying to wreak havoc for decades. And, as of yet, we do not know if one of those guilds is behind this despicable plan. Whatever it may be."

Gray said nothing, his eyes downcast to his feet. Lucy knew that part of him wanted to—no, needed to—confront the person who had released Deliora onto his hometown. It was important to him that he find out who was behind the attacks.

Happy crossed his arms over his chest, standing next to Natsu, "Aye, I'm with Natsu and Lucy!"

Lucy felt her face grow red. Natsu and Lucy? It sounded like they were a couple and he was their escort. She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly thought better of it.

"Oi, that sounds like a noble enough reason to allow them to accompany you. Besides, how am I to sleep at night knowing you are out there on your own?" Barsky tried his best to look concerned. Lucy had to hand it to him, he could be quite the actor when necessary.

Adie's eyes quickly fell on Barsky's face, her own face devoid of her thoughts or feelings. Lucy was finding it frustrating that she couldn't read this woman! She took a step forward, outstretching her hand toward Adie.

"W-well? You can either allow us to come with you. Or," she took a deep breath, "we'll come with you against your will!"

"Against my will?" Adie scoffed. "This has nothing to do with any of you! This is my sister we are talking about--meaning that it's my problem! She got herself into a real mess this time, and I should be the one to get her out of it--"

"Again?" Lucy interrupted, her voice soft. Adie paled at Lucy's words.

"How many times are you going to go through this? I may not know you well, but even I can tell that it's killing you. And, if there are other people involved—evil people," she felt a shiver run through her body, "it may very well kill you!"

Adie chewed her lip, looking at each of them carefully. Lucy knew she had hit a nerve. "You aren't forcing us to come with you, we are doing it because we want to. We can help, you know. If you let us."

Lucy's heart was no longer pounding in her chest or ears. She knew, from the look on Adassandra's face as well as the shimmy that Barsky was doing behind Adie, that she had won. Her words and reason surpassed Adie's own motives.

The icy blue eyes gazed past them as she spoke, "Are you sure this is what you want to do? Are you ready to risk your damned lives for something that doesn't pertain to you? Because if you say you are, I won't feel guilty if any of you lose your life by barging into my business."

"You don't get it, do you?" Natsu asked, his eyes narrowed angrily. "This isn't just about you!"

Adie glanced at him, blinking a few times. She said nothing as Natsu continued, "This is about who or what is harming Stellar Spirit Mages. Lucy is in danger if that is the intent of whoever is behind this."

"I do get it," Adie whispered. "I understand that you are worried about Lucy. But there is no guarantee that my sister is behind that. She isn't malicious. She was scarred after she was manipulated into releasing Deliora."

Lucy wanted to share with the group what Barsky had told her the night before. She met his warning gaze, as he softly shook his head. She knew that it would only create more problems for the already-tense group.

"She wasn't the only one affected by that monster," Gray hissed, as he angrily avoided everyone's sympathetic gaze.

"I know," Adie responded much more kindly than Gray had. "I-I just don't know what to make of all of this. Why Stellar Spirits? Why Lilith? How are they related? What's the purpose? I just can't see the link. I'm not the smartest person--"

"Smart enough to fool our Guild," Erza smirked.

Adie shook her head, the tiniest bit of a smile on her lips. "Can we forget about that? I really thought I was going to help Lucy by taking her keys. It's not like I wanted to hurt anyone. That was never my intent."

"What's this? You went to their guild?" Barsky suddenly seemed interested in the conversation. Adie's face turned bright red, as she realized that he hadn't known about her antics.

Natsu laughed, "Yeah, she pretended to be a Guild Inspector. She had completely changed her appearance! You should have seen her!"

Adie was slowly drawing her fingers across her neck, hoping that Natsu would get the signal. Of course he didn't. She closed her eyes, as if waiting for the silent implosion. Instead, Barsky just chuckled as he tugged at his beard.

"Perhaps," he hobbled up to her, his voice low, "if you ever want to quit being my apprentice, you could go into espionage."

"She wasn't that good, Gramps!" Natsu raised an eyebrow.

Adie glared at him angrily. "I was quite proud of my presentation. My best yet!"

"Best yet?" Lucy drawled, "You've done this before?"

Barsky tsked as he walked past the mages and entered the shop. "Kids!" he grunted as he disappeared through the doorway.

Adie's face turned more crimson at the realization that she had shared too much. "I-I...that's not the point!"

"You're right," Lucy nodded. "The point is that we are coming with you. Everyone needs help—and we've all been through rough times." She glanced at her friends, watching each one softly nod their agreement.

Adie caught her lower lip between her teeth, as her eyes fell to Lucy's belt. The Spirit Mage's hand wandered protectively over her keyring. "Not again," she moaned.

Suddenly, Adie grabbed Lucy by her arm, pulling her toward the shop. "Fine! All of you want to come? Then you better get prepared. You'll need warm clothes, for starters!" she shouted as she pulled Lucy past her friends and into the shop.

"Wait, where are we--" Lucy wailed, as she was bodily dragged into the back room.

She had only glanced around the tiny work-space, never really taking in the various pieces of work that littered the shelves and walls. She looked around, wide-eyed and confused as to why Adie had dragged her here. She saw the blacksmith pull her hand away from the wall as a large portion of the wall disappeared into the ceiling. She stood on her toes to see what was before her. Adie turned around and gestured for Lucy to follow. The entered a long corridor that seemed to go on endlessly. The walls were made of glass, and behind the glass were rooms devoted to various armors and weaponry.

"Did you make all of these?" Lucy asked, her fingertips brushing the glass.

"Some," Adie admitted. "Some were made by my father. Some by Barsky—when he was much younger, that is." Both women laughed at that comment. "And some of this is Freya's," she replied softly.

"Your mother's?"

"Yeah, she liked to have father work on her armors and such," she gestured toward a room full of various shields—some were of an intricate design, while others were plain. The sizes varied amongst the hand-held protectors. "So you can say this is a culmination of crap!"

"So you use this stuff?" Lucy asked, unsure of why the woman was sharing this with her.

"Yup," Adie nodded, "I change it up when I need to, depending on where I'm going."

"Do you know how to use every one of these things?" Lucy's eyes were wide. She had no idea how to use most of what was laid out before her.

"I've been training since I was a kid," Adie replied thoughtfully. "Most kids grow up in nurturing environments, but I was taught how to use a sword from the time I could walk. That's what happens when you have a blacksmith and a warrior for parents."

"I'm sorry," Lucy whispered, as she stared at a wall of rifles.

"Eh, it's life. I had to know how to deal with what my sister would release. So, I was raised to understand those creatures."

"That's how you know so much about them!" Lucy nodded.

"My mother liked to be prepared. At least from what I can remember," Adassandra confirmed. "Lilith needed to be aware of what she could unleash, and I had to be prepared to protect against whatever may come from it."

"Not a bad plan," Erza interrupted, as she gazed longingly at a well-made silver sword with a lion's head on the hilt. "So...lovely," she cooed.

"My mother's," Adie informed her. "Lightweight, but can cut through the thickest of materials. Absorbs fire-based attacks. Won't get hot, apparently."

Erza nodded, "I already have an armor that does that. Too bad."

"How's your armor feel?" Adie nodded toward the Heart Kreuz armor on Erza's chest.

"It's good. Thanks again," she replied, as her fingers touched the shiny surface.

"So, wait, why are you exchanging weapons?" Lucy squinted as they approached the end of the hall.

"I've told you this before," Erza answered, "There isn't an unlimited amount of room to store the things you are ex-quipping."

"Oh. Yeah," Lucy laughed scratching her head.

"Ah, found it!" Adie replied, as she punched in the appropriate code. A drawer in front of them opened, revealing two items: a dagger and a chain whip.

"What are those for?" Lucy asked, suddenly curious.

"You."

"M-me? I don't know how to use a knife!" she frantically waved her hands in front of her.

"You can use a whip, no?" Adie asked, her eyes darting to the one on Lucy's hip.

"Yeah, but it's so basic!"

"Trust me, you can use this one, as well," she held out the weapon to Lucy, who took it in her hands, examining the smooth links of the chains.

"It was my sister's," Adie explained. "Usually, chain whips are deadly to the user if they are not proficient enough, but this one was specially made to never harm the hand that holds it. So as long as you are using it, you won't have to worry about backlash from the chains."

"That's good," Lucy chimed in.

"It's very good. You see," she leaned closer, pointing at the tiny iridescence on the chains, "the metal is coated by diamonds."

"Diamonds!" Lucy trilled. She loved diamonds!

Adie rolled her eyes, "Yes, they are coated in diamonds. Makes it all the more lethal. It can cut through flesh, bone, and most tough surfaces. So, you see, it is quite dangerous, for a whip."

Lucy gingerly held the whip in her hand, afraid of the damage it could do. Could it really be that powerful? The tiny links were so delicate, and the handle slender. "It doesn't look so dangerous."

"Looks can be deceiving, right?" Adie asked. "Just like when I thought you didn't have it in you to deck me one in the face..."

Lucy blushed at the memory. "T-thanks," she stammered, suddenly finding the dagger interesting.

"And this," Adie held out the smooth, ivory blade of the dagger. It was secured in a holder, which Lucy could easily attach to her hip.

"I-I can't use this! I don't know how to!" Lucy bellowed. Part of her shied away from such weapons, as they were too brutal for her to use.

"You'll know how to use it, when the time comes." Adie unsheathed the dark gray blade, her voice soft.

"What's that supposed to mean," Lucy asked, looking from Adie to Erza—who was nodding her understanding, her eyes unfocused.

"It means that when you are in danger, your instincts will drive you," Erza murmured. Lucy had a feeling that Erza was lost in some distant memory.

"That's how I learned to use a sword, Lucy," Erza suddenly continued, the former distraction long gone.

"If you two say so," she grumbled, as she attached her new accessories to her belt.

The three women wandered out of the corridor, only to find Natsu, Gray, and Happy listening to Barsky tell one of his ridiculously embellished tales.

"All right," Adie cut into the story. "If you are coming with me, I'll let you in on something: it's gonna be cold. You'll need warmer clothes. I'm sure that there are some jackets and things upstairs, in case you forgot your winter wear," she turned to look at Lucy. "You'll want boots, as well!"

"Yeah, tell that to Lucy," Natsu shook his head. "Last time I told her that, she just used that clock spirit to hide in."

"You what?" Adie hissed, glaring at Lucy.

"I-I would have froze to death!" Lucy argued, making a mental note to give Natsu a good beating, later.

"Oh shit. I forgot that you know about spirits. Sorry, Luce," Natsu shrugged, inching away from the two women. Barsky had led Erza and Gray to the spare store of clothing.

Adie was still glaring at Lucy, "Just when I think you're not so bad..."

"Thanks Natsu," Lucy grumbled at her companion.

"Have you checked on Leo?" the blacksmith barked.

"N-no!" Lucy yelped. "I didn't know if it was safe."

"He should be as good as new. Unfortunately," she mumbled, as she quickly seated herself on her work bench.

Lucy quickly found the spirit key, unlocking the door. She felt her hand being tugged toward the ground as Leo pulled her fingers toward his lips. "Lucy, my love," he murmured as his lips brushed her hand.

"Please," Adie rolled her eyes. "Save it."

"Why are you making out with my hand?" Lucy squealed.

"You were concerned about me, and it was touching," his voice was smooth as he continued to press his lips against the soft skin of her hand.

"I wanted to s-see if you were ok!" she stammered. "But you should really thank Adie for that!"

"Ah yes. Thank you," he replied, never turning to look at blonde woman seated behind him.

"Leo, that's no way to treat your former--" Adie began.

"What the hell is he doing to your hand!" Natsu roared his interruption. "Get off of Lucy, you bastard!" He charged toward Leo.

"Ah, that's my cue to depart, my love. Until we meet again!" he smiled quickly before disappearing with a plopping sound.

"What the hell was that all about?" Natsu demanded. "Do you always let him act that way toward you?"

"I-I, it's not what you think!" Lucy's face was pink.

"What exactly is it, then?" Natsu folded his arms across his chest.

"I'm gonna go check on the others," Adie said quickly, shaking her head as she disappeared from the room.

Lucy's mouth hung open. Was Natsu jealous? She had never seen him act so protective, though he had never seen Leo's feigned devotion toward her. Leo's declarations of love had always made her nervous, but she had merely chalked it up to his playful and flirtatious nature.

"It was nothing!" she replied quickly, jutting her bottom lip out as she waved her hand in the air.

"Didn't look like it," he growled. He suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand. "Did he give you this! A ring?" His eyes were narrowed as he glared at the jewelery on her right hand.

Lucy was at a loss for words. Should she tell Natsu what Barsky had shared with her, or would that be a violation of the old man's confidence? She could feel her cheeks burning from Natsu's expectant gaze.

"This? Oh I've had this!" she attempted to laugh off Natsu's concern.

"I don't remember seeing you wear it. Why are you lying to me, Lucy?" he looked hurt.

"I'm not lying to you," she tried to use her soothing voice.

"I had no idea...about that," he gestured toward the where he had seen Leo kissing Lucy's hand. "About you two."

Lucy's eyes fell to her hand, which was still in Natsu's grasp. "There isn't anything between Leo and I. He's always joking about that stuff," she replied softly. She could feel the heat from his thumb as it pressed against the inside of her wrist. She was sure he could feel her heart race from the tiny artery.

"He didn't look like he was joking, Luce," Natsu replied carefully.

"So you can tell when people are interested in me, now?" she shot back.

His grip tightened on her wrist. "I can tell when someone wants to be more than friends with another person," he nodded.

"Well, then, since you are so astute," she watched his face crinkle at the foreign word, "how does it look like I feel about him?" She clenched her jaw, waiting for his response.

He lowered his eyes to the floor, his ears turning red. "I-I don't know..."

"You don't know, huh?" she laughed haughtily. "You don't seem to know anything about how I feel--"

"What's that supposed to mean?" A crease formed in his brow as his eyes wandered over her face. "I know you."

"Hah! You know me. I had to force you to take me to that formal, remember? If you knew me, then you would have known that I wanted you to ask me, you idiot!" she attempted to pull her hand from his grip, but he wouldn't release her.

"Why would you want me to ask you? You could have gone with anyone--" he started.

"I didn't want to go with anyone else!" she yelled. His eyes widened at her hasty confession, though she wasn't sure if he had finally realized her feelings—the very same feelings she had yet to truly recognize.

"Lucy..." he began, as he lowered her hand, his fingers still encompassing her slender wrist. "I--"

"What are you two doing in here? Holding hands?" Gray asked, as he leaned against the door frame. He was wearing a white hooded jacket over dark pants and boots. He was always prepared for cold weather so it was not unexpected that he had packed his own version of winter gear. His eyes wandered down to where Natsu was still gripping Lucy's hand.

Happy poked his head into the room, at the mention of hand-holding. "Who's holding hands, Gray?"

"Lucy and Natsu," the ice mage grunted.

Happy looked over the two, as Lucy forcefully pulled her hand from Natsu's grip. She stumbled backward a few steps, her face burning from Gray's misunderstanding. "We were not holding hands!" she glared angrily at the tiny blue cat.

As if ignoring her comment, Happy looked up at Gray, shrugging his shoulders. "Finally," he replied, before disappearing into the main room of the shop.

"Happy!" Lucy cried, as she quickly tried to track down the annoying cat. "Don't you start spreading rumors. Again!"

A smile spread across Gray's face as he looked over at his friend.

"What?" Natsu snapped, not enjoying Gray's silent scrutiny.

"Nothing. Nothing at all," he shook his head innocently. "Now let's get going!"

***

***

They joined the rest of their team, plus Adassandra, outside the shop.

"What's the game plan?" Natsu quipped as he descended the stairs. He risked a quick glance toward Lucy. She was speaking with Barsky, their voices low.

Adassandra slung her jacket over her shoulder, the fur-lined hood billowing in the wind. She picked up her pack, securing it over both shoulders as she squinted into the sunlight. She was wearing a short, light-weight jacket over jeans and boots.

"Headin' north," she replied.

"Where?" he fired a second question.

Another glance toward Lucy. It was odd to see her wearing pants, though she managed to make them look stylish with her furry boots. Erza was no longer wearing her armor, instead sporting a long-sleeved shirt with pants and boots, as well. He looked down a this own attire. Yup, boots.

"Mount Airie," she replied curtly.

"What's there?" Happy asked, most likely to take the pressure off of Natsu to ask the important questions.

"Not sure yet. Someone...I hope."

"Does this someone have a name?" Natsu sighed, becoming visibly annoyed with her inability to share the information without being prompted.

She nodded, "Veleda. Her name is Veleda. I'm hoping she has more information for me...er, us."

"Everyone ready?" Adie asked, looking over the small gang in front of her shop. She let her eyes fall upon the faded sign the bore her father's name. She smiled at Barsky.

"See you, Old Man!" she gave him a quick hug, though Lucy thought she could see tears in Adie's eyes as she turned away from them. They all said their goodbyes, though Lucy was last. She reached out and pulled Barsky's hand into her own. "

Thank you," she whispered, "for everything."

"No, thank you, Lucy Heartphilia," he responded, smiling kindly.

Lucy didn't understand why she did it, but she suddenly found herself hugging him. She could feel his frail form beneath his clothes. He gently patted her on the back. "Thank you for looking after her."

"Someone needs to, right?" Lucy asked, smiling through her tears. "I made a promise, and I'm gonna keep it!" She could see her companions walking off down the street, and she quickly squeezed his hand. "You'll see her again, I know it!"

With that, she ran to catch up with her friends wiping the tears from her eyes. She could hear Adie explaining where they were going and how they were going to get there:

"....port west of here, we'll take a boat to the town of Hakobe...can travel through the Hakobe Mountains to Airie...."

Lucy turned to look back at the lonely shop in the still-desolate town. Soon, the villagers would be returning, and Barsky would no longer be alone. She could still see Barsky on the steps of the shop, as he watched his apprentice leave to find her sister.

Adie was no longer alone, but with a handful of companions to help her. It was the greatest gift he could ask for. He knew that there was no way to predict what kind of mess that the older twin had gotten herself into—and he could only hope that the two sisters did not have to face off. He sighed as the silent tears streaked down his weather-beaten face, a few softly splashing on the concrete stairs. He wiped his eyes, as the gaggle of mages disappeared from his failing sight.

He only hoped that the young Stellar Spirit mage could keep her promise to him. It would be that hope that would allow him to pass peacefully into his eternal slumber when the arms of death welcomed him. And he could feel the fingernails raking his skin as he watched them leave.

"Soon," he whispered, the words floating away with the wind.

He had hope in Lucy Heartphilia and her ability to keep her promises. He had hope that her heart was pure.

*****

**

I like for my names to have meanings, so here are some more for you! I wanted to wait until I revealed more about Adassandra before I put this out there:

Veleda: (Celtic/Germanic) seer

Adassandra: Ada (noble), Sandra (helper of humanity)

**

***

Super long(er) chapter before Christmas (I hope that I can post another one before, but this holiday stuff is stealing what little life I have left)!

Thanks for all of your support. I have over 100 friggin' reviews. That's about as awesome as it gets! Seriously!

Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday--whatever it is you celebrate!

**

Thanks for reading and/or reviewing!