X777

The sky was streaked with the light of the setting sun, decorated in beautiful rosy and golden hues. Lucy wasn't sure why she noticed that as the wind blew her hair around her face, sending her spinning through the open sky. She wasn't sure how she noticed anything at all past the emptiness that seemed to settle deep in her bones, reminding her time and time again that it would be a long time before she felt whole again. If she ever did.

Somehow, Lucy realized that the city she shot past was one she recognized, albeit a little different from the one she remembered. Crocus, she knew. Except at the center stood a beautiful, grand castle that towered over the rest of the city. When she'd last seen that castle, it had been turned to rubble. Just as the Eclipse Gate - which stood proudly mere miles away - had.

For an instant, Lucy thought she'd survived Acnologia just to smash to pieces on the ground below.

A sudden flash of bright light blinded her, and Lucy screwed her eyes shut. Shock flickered over her features when it was accompanied by something slamming into her. Only when arms secured firmly around her did Lucy pry her eyes back open, and her sobs began anew. "Loke," she choked out, and the spirit flashed her a quick, curious look before focusing on the situation at hand.

It was much like the first time she'd been hurled through time. They struck the ground sharply, and people within the city scattered to avoid being knocked down. Loke tripped, nearly toppling over despite his best efforts, but saved it at the last second and, panting for breath. He grinned in triumph.

Lucy swallowed the lump in her throat as he carefully slid her down to her feet. She stumbled a little, her knees buckling, and he caught her elbow. Her breath came shakily. "Thank you," she whispered, voice cracking. She could barely see straight, too distracted by the agonizing void in her chest. It was all she could think about.

Loke eyed her critically, and it took her a moment to realize that this was not the Loke she knew. This was Leo, a celestial spirit who'd never met her - one who resided under another contract, if he was here within Crocus. He cast a glare at those who'd gathered to peer curiously at them, and they hurried on their way. Lucy winced. "Most people don't fall from the sky," he commented, and her heart ached more with how unfriendly he sounded.

"No," she murmured tiredly, "they don't." There were black spots dancing in her vision, and her breath was caught in her chest. She couldn't see straight, and it was as if there was cotton in her ringing ears-

Her knees buckled, and Lucy knew nothing more.

Lucy was aware of low voices speaking overhead when she dragged herself back into awareness. They were soft, one as familiar as the back of her hand and the other a distant memory she could barely recall. She furrowed her brow lightly, listening as they whispered to each other hastily.

"The Marks say it all, Leo," the feminine voice Lucy couldn't place said softly. "I've already summoned Igneel and Natsu, so even if I did agree with you, I can't change the fact that they're going to know the second they walk in this room."

Leo's voice was harsh and insistent. "Look at her. We can't trust her. She fell from the sky. For all we know, she could be some shape-shifter-"

"And you know perfectly well that shape-shifters cannot replicate the magic that comes with Marks."

"Yes well, have you ever seen Marks that look like that?"

A hum, soft and full of laughter despite Leo's anger, filled the air. "No, but magic is always adapting to what the Fates desire it to be, is it not, Leo?" A moment of silence, spiked with tension, filled the space between the pair. "I know...I know you're angry with Igneel and I, and that we've betrayed you by failing your trial, but Leo, do you not have any faith in me?"

"No, no, that's not what I'm saying, and you know it. You did your part. You're our Keeper regardless just as Igneel is our Guardian. I have faith in you, Layla, I always have. I don't have faith in her. Might I also add that someone hasn't told Jude yet?"

Layla.

The name dragged a startled groan from Lucy as she shoved herself onto her side, trying to rock upright. No, no, no. Not good. She had intended to come to this time and maybe find someone who could help her get through the Eclipse Gate a second time, but-

"Rise and shine, princess," drawled Leo, and Lucy cringed at the unfriendly manner in which he said it. Leo's eyes were hard when she met his gaze hesitantly, her lips pressed into a hard line. Leo looked anything but pleased to see her.

In contrast, Layla was a friendly beacon of warmth and joy. Despite the expensive gown cloaking her body, the heavy crown perched atop her golden head, she moved with grace and ease as she swept closer. Her face was round and friendly, brown eyes full of joy and light. When she offered a gentle, reassuring smile and tried to touch Lucy's shoulder, Lucy found herself recoiling away, shocked by the sight of her.

She'd known who she was going to likely see upon throwing that golden band through the Gate, but somehow...she'd not really acknowledged what that meant. This was her mother. The woman who'd made a bargain with the Wild Hunt in order to have a child-

"The date," choked out Lucy, her tongue thick in her mouth. "What's the date?"

Leo and Layla exchanged confused, wary looks. Finally, Layla said hesitantly, "It is the evening of July sixth."

"Of what year?"

"Seven-seventy-seven. Does it matter?"

The deep rumbling voice didn't come from Leo or Layla and took Lucy off guard. She flinched, frantic eyes darting up to look at the figure who'd appeared in the doorway of the room. Igneel, she recognized immediately though she'd never seen Igneel in a humanoid form. Red hair gleaming like rubies hung from his head and his green eyes were as piercing as they'd been when she'd last met him. Lucy swallowed thickly. He was dead in the time she'd come from.

"Yes," she whispered faintly, unsure of what to do or what to say. "It matters a lot to me."

The sixth of July, in the year X777.

Tomorrow, their world would fall apart.

She'd picked one hell of a time to fall into.

"Where's Natsu?" Leo asked sharply, and Igneel cast him a cool look. He didn't so much as look at Layla, who winced, and Lucy recalled that the pair weren't on good terms at the moment. They'd only recently attempted Leo's trial.

Igneel closed the door behind him and slowly approached, and Lucy thought he rather resembled a prowling predator than a dragon being clued in on some vital information. "With Lucy," he said simply. "She got nervous. I'm sure he'll come looking for information later."

Lucy's stomach twisted at her own name - at Natsu's name. This Natsu was not her own. He had his own Lucy to worry about. Her fingers clenched into fists as she swung her legs over the side of the bed she'd been put in, tangling in the luxurious sheets. She didn't try standing up, feeling a little dizzy and nervous when their attention all turned back on her.

Igneel, apparently in a bad mood, puffed smoke from his nose like Natsu often did and stared long and hard at Lucy. Uncertainty suddenly flickered through his eyes, gaze darting between Lucy and Layla, the first that he'd looked at his Marked One, who was staring at her feet. Heat sweltered throughout the room, making the air hot and stuffy, and Lucy winced at the familiar feeling of powerful magic swirling in the air. Once, she'd struggled to sense magic in this way. Natsu had taught her how, drilling it into her head until it was instinct after what had happened with Hades and Grimoire Heart.

And then, the sweltering magic was gone, and Igneel was recoiling from her as if she was plague-ridden. "I don't know how you came to be here, but you best return to where you came from, child." His voice was shockingly kind despite its ferocity. "We don't need trouble. Not now."

He knew who she was. A hard lump formed in her throat, and Lucy choked out, "I know."

Leo's gaze snapped back and forth between them. "Igneel?"

Igneel ignored him. "How did you arrive in this time?"

Lucy faltered. How much could she admit to the dragon without ruining history further? She'd not considered the consequences when she'd gone through the Gate, thinking someone here could help her. What if she ruined it instead? Her lips pressed into a hard line as she considered. With care, she finally admitted, "Acnologia." Igneel recoiled once more, this time as if she'd landed a painful blow to his face. "He wanted to rewrite history, so he opened the Eclipse Gate. We stopped him. But the Gate…" She took a moment to compose herself when she choked on the words. She couldn't fall apart. Not now. She needed to figure out what she was going to do first. "But the Gate needs someone to go through in order to stop it, and I needed somewhere where I knew people could help me. So I chose here."

Silence followed. They were all staring at her as if she was insane. Frustrated, Lucy thrust her arm forward, glaring at Leo. "Do you think I'd lie? I am...was...whatever it is, the Keeper of Celestial Spirits. I passed your trial when they," she made an angry wild gesture at Igneel and Layla, who both looked less than pleased with this, "could not. I wouldn't lie. I promised I wouldn't lie again.

"I'm Lucy Heartfilia," she tacked on, figuring she might as well go the whole way. Igneel was the only one who looked unsurprised. "Apparently, you've seen my Marks. They should be proof enough. I left Natsu behind to stop the Gate from destroying everything. I didn't want to. But I did. The last thing I'd do is break the promise I made to him."

Leo's eyes lingered on the Keeper's arm band Lucy wore, wary. As if he'd seen and noted its presence earlier, but hadn't acknowledged that it meant she was actually a Keeper. Lucy supposed it was understandable; how often did people go back in time? There was only one Keeper Leo recognized at the moment, and that was the queen standing at his side. Yet he said nothing.

Layla was the first one to speak. "It matters not how you got here. There are more important matters to deal with. Lucy is to be Marked, and I must be there. Leo, keep an eye on her. Do what you will. Take her around the castle, show her Crocus, I don't care. We'll see to all of this when the ceremony and celebrations have ended."

Panic surged through Lucy. "Wait," she gasped, but Layla was gone sweeping from the room and slamming the door behind her.

Igneel winced, exchanging a quick look with Leo, who shrugged. Gently, the dragon said, "Avoid Natsu if you can. He needs to remain focused on what he's doing today. Lucy, I am not sure of how I can help you, but other dragons may have suggestions. I'll contact those on Tenrou. Grandeeney might know."

Lucy slammed a fist on the bed she sat on as Igneel left, too, seething. "I don't need to figure anything out," she snapped, furious that no one was going to listen to what she had yet to say. "I know how to get back, and I need to leave now." Her hand lifted to tighten around her amulet. She'd sacrifice this, crafted by Natsu, to get back to him if she had to.

Awkwardly, Leo said, "Layla's given the orders. Nothing can be done until the celebrations end."

Lucy snapped her gaze to his, eyes blazing. "I can't be here. I cannot stay."

"Why?" he challenged.

"Because-" She cut off, reluctant to tell him. Because Layla's going to die. Because Agnologia's likely on his way now. Because Igneel will tear this building apart in his rage. Because this Natsu is not my Natsu.

"Ah," Leo sighed, looking a little amused, "see? Omission is another form of lying as I'm sure you're aware. Besides, we can't help you unless we know the truth, Lucy."

She glared at him, wanting nothing more than to throttle him. She wanted Loke, who would do everything in his power to help her - except when it came to Acnologia, apparently. Frustration grew at that thought. Where had her spirits been when she'd needed them? Why hadn't they tried to stop Acnologia? Aquarius had seen him, right in front of her, and done nothing.

Why should she trust Leo to do any differently?

The only one she could trust was herself, Lucy decided, wrapping her arms around herself. She couldn't trust anyone else. Nobody. Not even the Natsu of this time, who had yet to endure Igneel's betrayal. Lucy's fingers brushed over her Fairy Tail arm band and tightened around it, seeking comfort from the cold metal. She couldn't even go to Fairy Tail. Not only would they not know who she was, but even Gildarts had expressed his disbelief in time travel when she'd shown up initially.

"I'd like to get some rest," Lucy said softly. "If that's okay."

Leo studied her for a moment, debating. Finally, he nodded. His face softened a fraction. "Just give a shout if you need anything." And then, he disappeared in a familiar flash of light. Lucy's heart twisted at the sight, and as soon as he was gone, she curled up in a ball on the bed she occupied. She buried her face in her knees, finding that the only thing she could do at the moment was cry about the void that sank so heavily into her heart.

Lucy was rather surprised that Leo hadn't reappeared as she meandered through long corridors in search of a way out of Mercurius Castle the next morning. She was sure he was watching her though. His Keeper had given him an order, after all, and Layla seemed more of a commanding Keeper rather than a bargaining one. Then again, Lucy thought, ducking around a corner and scowling at the series of halls. She barely knew Layla Heartfilia.

Someone she did know, however, was Spetto. Spetto would be here. Of that, Lucy was certain, and she was determined to find her. Spetto would believe her intentions and her explanation, even without the full story. The hard part would be convincing Spetto to help her get her hands on the ring of keys Lucy knew Layla had on her.

There. At long last, she'd found someone in this ridiculous castle. A pair of maids were ushering down the hall, chattering excitedly. As they came closer, Lucy heard them speaking softly to one another. They were commenting on the success of the ceremony the night before, news that had spread among the occupants of the castle. Even Lucy had heard about the ceremony's completion when Leo had appeared with food for her the night before.

"Excuse me," Lucy called, stopping them, and they both froze, staring at her in alarmed confusion. Lucy jogged over, ignoring their wary suspicion. "I'm looking for Spetto?"

The pair, who could have been sisters, exchanged a look. "Spetto?" one said hesitantly. "Why? What do you need with her? She's busy, helping prepare the ballroom for tonight. Who are you anyways?"

Lucy made a scoffing sound, impatient. "Where's the ballroom?"

The second of the pair wrinkled her nose. "Look, unless you have a good reason to be here, we'll call the guards-"

A warm hand settled on Lucy's shoulder and Lucy jumped, glancing over her shoulder. It was, unsurprisingly, Leo. He wore a rather sharp grin on his face, and the pair blanched at the sight of him. "She's here as a guest of Igneel's for the celebrations tonight. No need to call the guards."

Lucy eyed him unhappily. Just how much of that, she wondered, was actually true? Regardless, she said stiffly as the maids left, flustered and annoyed, "Where's the ballroom?"

"Spetto's not actually there, a bunch of guards are," he told her, gripping her shoulder a little tighter and steering her down a side-corridor. "Spetto's out in the gardens right now, with Lucy. Our Lucy, that is."

Lucy grumbled under her breath. Which meant there was no way in hell she'd be able to speak with her. "I thought Spetto might be able to help me," Lucy admitted. Spetto had, after all, been the one who'd first gone through the Gate. She was quiet for a few moments and then asked, "Loke - Leo, I mean," she amended quickly when he squinted curiously at her, interested in the name she'd called him. "Do you know how to open the Gate?"

"Do you?" was his response.

"You always answer questions with questions," complained Lucy. "But yeah. I know how now." It was hard to forget the feeling of Acnologia's magic tearing into her arm, which had been tended to and bandaged while she was unconscious the day before. She ran a hand through her blonde hair. She faltered. "Would anyone here let me go through?"

"No." Leo was a little gentler this time. "I'm sorry, but likely not. Not with the attention it would bring from other mythics around the world. There's a reason it's never been opened, Lucy."

Lucy gritted her teeth. That meant she'd have to rely on Spetto somehow getting ahold of those keys, or she'd have to figure out how to convince Leo. Immediately, she felt disgusted with herself. She was considering stealing them. From a Keeper, who had vowed to protect them. Doing so would likely piss off the spirits themselves, and that was before Igneel caught wind.

Which meant the only way back was to-

"I can't wait that long," Lucy choked out. "That's...I can't wait a thousand years." A thousand years, with this gap in her very being… She pressed her fingers to her chest. "I can't. It would drive me insane." Besides that, what would happen when Acnologia made his appearance tonight?

"Like Layla said," Leo said gently. "It can wait until tomorrow."

Lucy felt as if she was drowning at the bottom of the sea. "No," she murmured, shrugging off Leo's grip and stalking forward by herself. "It can't."

Ahhhh almost forgot to update today! Here's the start of Part V, complete with Igneel, Layla, and Leo! ;)

Thanks to reviewers (XxCelestialAssassin, bloodyredfox, polinar, theHumbleGM, AthomeinFairytail, itsxoi, VioletZap, Lodemai04, Uchida Akira, CelestialDragonSlayer222, thelemonroll, Kisa7221, SistershoOk, lcr0718, takeagamble27, Kaisha00, stranger1999, Loso, TigerArrowgirl, taliaD'vile, Skibblez, Guest #1, valerioux, Yuuri Eriful, uhhzy, fjsmothie, guest #2, Sele de la Luna, helloimsandy, LucyDragneel2009, rao hyuga 18, AnimusLunari777, Meow Orbit, Klaus, BeautifulSamurai, LayyLay lives, BrokenAngelWings22, Goku275, and zizi08!) as well as those who favorited and followed!