Hi guys,

It has been a while. I'm sorry for the overdue wait. I've had writers block and a lot of things just hit me and my family – so we are struggling to be strong at this time. I'm also unseeingly busy at work – going home late at 10pm. Waking up at 7 and doing it all again.

But I have pushed my schedules to make time for my stories because I want to see these stories through. Since this story has been dragging for a while, I'll do my best to finish them.

Thank you for your patience and your kind reviews to my work. It really does make me smile.

Without further ado.

Preview:

Slowly, the magic circle pulsed with a need for identification. Without hesitating, the figure bit into her wrist, ignoring the pain that soared in her hand and held it over the circle. Without shadowed eyes, she looked deathly into the circle.

"Please send this to Lord Dragneel."

"Whoa." Lucy stared at the view before her. After landing ungracefully in this foreign dimension, the view had her breathless and in awe. It was something that she had not dared to imagine. Not even now. Not ever, she thought afterwards. Her mind was still in a mess after previous events that had occurred but just seeing the place in front left her mind in a relaxed state.

"This is where we come from, originally." Erza spoke softly. Looking at the blonde girl that just stood awkwardly in front of the group. Looking at the scene as well, she sighed contently before looking at the rest of the members that stood beside her as well. "We'd better get a move on. I'd like us to start the process as soon as possible." This caught the attention of the blonde who turned swiftly to the red-haired woman.

"Process?"

"She means your safety. Basically." Michelle answered, walking towards the blonde girl with an unsure smile. Lucy just stared at the brown-haired girl before nodding.

"Natsu, please fetch Gray. We would need his assistance in this matter." The pinkette nodded before sending a smile to the blonde, "I'll head over to headquarters and also ask for more assistance. We've had our theories but having Lucy here will single out the most obvious. Wendy, I'd like for you to head to Mira and ask for her to meet me at the headquarters. Michelle," The red-haired then turned over to the brown-haired girl that nodded dutifully.

"Make sure Lucy is well received into the chambers. Set her room in a secure area inside the building where any forms of sudden attacks can be countered. We shall meet at Lucy's room in an hour exact. Understood?"

"Understood." The group replied.

"Dismiss."

It had been just over two hours since Michelle and Lucy last spoke. The last thing that was shared was the unfathomable feeling of the question dandling just above their lips. It was a question that no matter how hard Lucy was trying her best not to think too much, it just killed her so much to discover that her best friend held many secrets.

They waited inside Luc's room. Fully furnished and both settled on the couch that faced towards the door. After the group had disbanded, the walk to the chambers proved torturous to both girls but finally settling in, the blonde felt that the subject needed to be address.

"Tell me why you're involved." Slowly, she raised her brown orbs to the girl that sat opposite of her, head down and thumbs padding her clothes mindlessly.

"Where should I start?"

"From the beginning of course." There was a minute of silence before Michelle lifted her head to stare carefully into Lucy's brown eyes. Both girls held that look until Michelle looked down sorrowfully,

"There was a woman that once walked beside the father of the Dragneel clan. Her name was Mavis Vermillion. The Dragneel founder was that man that had tried to take you back at the café on Earthland. Zeref Dragneel."

Lucy could feel her heart pounding loudly in her chest. Her eyes widened at such claims and she looked away. Questions running through her mind. Why her? Why would it be someone like her? She was no one. She was just a normal girl that was just trying to live day-by-day.

"Years ago, Mavis and Zeref had discovered that their magical abilities weren't compatible. Zeref had the ability that whatever he chose to love and cherish, his magic would kill it instantly. No matter how hard he tries. Mavis, on the other hand, had the power of illusions. She knew about Zeref's curse and therefore, opted to try and help him see that she would always stand by his side. Of course, until she realized that death was slowly seeping into her that she made a pact with a Heartfilia."

"That person turned out to be the founder of the Heartfilia clan, Anna Heartfilia. With the rest of her life force, Mavis had transferred all her soul into Anna and then returned back to Zeref as a walking, soulless corpse. He knew that something had happened but obviously, didn't know what. Especially with the knowledge thinking that the corpse that laid in his arms was only an illusion." Michelle turned her head to look back down.

"This place, Edolas, had heard of Zeref's desires to find 'Mavis' and thus began to sift through history. Always looking and finding the lineage of Anna but many traces were led to a dead end. It was a search that resulted in a lot of deaths as Zeref had persuaded many others to join him. He had successfully gathered a variety of slayers, the men that we saw back on Earthland to assist in his search. Of course, Anna had erased all existence and travelled through to Earthland in attempt of hiding this secret-"

"I didn't ask about that." Lucy cut in sharply, earning a quick snap of attention to the blonde whose eyes stared almost lifelessly at the brown-haired girl.

"I didn't ask what started this ridiculous chase." The blonde repeated again, "I asked why you're involved. All our years of friendships seems to be based on nothing but lies. So I'm asking, why you're involved." Michelle stood up and sat beside the blonde who seemed unfazed by the sudden action.

"Lucy – I'm only a figment of your imagination created from the doll of your childhood. I became a real person because you believed I was a real person. Because of my freedom of stretching across the physics of time, it was perfect to move accordingly so that I can shift easily whenever you dreamed for me to be. To protect you."

"That makes no sense, Michelle. I'm not crazy, right? I'm not talking to myself?" There was a muffled sob as Lucy had thrusted a hand to cover the sob that was trying to escape. Tears building up and blurring the blonde's vision.

"No. You're not crazy. You're far from that Lucy."

"Then why are you here? Why are we both here? I want to go home, Michelle. I want to go home and eat again, and get wasted again and write my book and flirt with shop attendants. I want to walk over the bridge at the water canals. I want to do jobs to pay my rent. I want to write letters to my mum. I want to go home." Michelle reached an arm over the sobbing blonde. It was definitely hard on the girl that had been swept up with so many things.

It was truly overwhelming.

Finding a lost classmate, going on a date on the same day, getting attacked by his brother, the world of magic being revealed and stepping into Edolas. Now this? Her hand rubbed soothing circles on the blondes' back, taking note of how it shook so violently,

"Because you hold that power of illusions, I'm here. Thank you for making me part of your life, Lucy. I really appreciate it. When this is all done, I promise. I promise that we will go home." Michelle brought Lucy closer to her, "Thank you for being strong for the both of us. But I promise that after all this whole stupid thing is over, let's go home." The blonde pulled back and stared hopefully at the brown-haired girl.

"Together?" Michelle smiled warmly as she embraced her best friend into her arms. Tears emerging from her eyes and just the thought of protecting the blonde for so long brought an ache to her heart. Especially now that fate has caught up to the both of them. However, even though she had just revealed the entire truth to the blonde girl, she needed to lie this time.

"Together."

"This isn't possible. Are you saying that the Heartfilia girl that holds the power of Mavis is alive? Do you have any idea what you're saying?" A voice boomed from the higher seats in which Erza had to squint. Damn Council bastards. Mirajane stood beside Erza after Wendy's request – however, this time, she needed to leave Erza to handle the Council members. Things always turned ugly when any member stood before the council.

"Correct. She is currently residing in the chambers with Michelle, the sole protector that has been managing her role until today." She replied confidently. As of current, most of the council had agreed with their proposal to safeguard the young Heartfilia girl. Save for some greedy bastards who still want to play with the requip user.

"Are you assuming that war might befall on Edolas and the kingdom?" There was a rush of speaking from the council elders and one of the ones that held his vote to protect Lucy had stepped forward. His eyes trained carefully on the red-haired warrior that stood her ground, pushing for the motion to be moved.

"Erza." At the sight of recognizing the elder, the named Titania bowed with her head low. Offering her utmost respect to the elder. "Please raise your head, child. No member of my family should ever do that." Slowly but surely, the requip female slowly raised her head,

"Yes Master Makarov." She replied with utmost sincerity.

"We will move this motion forward!" His voice bellowed and Erza felt her heart skip a beat. Thankful to the stars above that there was someone who was willing to not just hear her, but to listen.

"How did you find her?" Gray Fullbuster asked, running beside his pink-haired best friend.

"I told you five years ago that I had a lead." The pink-haired teen hissed, as they dodged a couple of shoppers whilst they wove around throughout the busy shopping area. After finding the ice user at home, Natsu just said reporting to Titania, making Gray to move faster than he could ever blink.

"That's what you always say." Gray muttered, almost face-palming at the stupidity of the boy.

"But the last time I said that was five years ago, though. Didn't you realize that I had left for so long?"

"I thought it was because you were chasing after that blonde chick?" A sudden blush settled on the pinkette who muttered a few curses before looking somewhere else instead at the grinning face beside him.

"W-well… I came to realize that the blonde chick has connections to Anna Heartfilia. I've only tagged after her because I had suspicions. So there." This earned a mocking scoff from the ice wizard who only smiled a bit too knowingly for Natsu's taste.

"Sure sure. Whatever burns your candle." Simultaneously, they made a swift turn to the left. The signage of the chambers filling their vision as they ran towards

"You are forty five seconds late." Erza stated, as she stared pointedly at the puffing boys whilst they leaned pathetically against the walls on the floor. Sweat dripped past their temples and they only mustered a shaky but tired smile,

"Gotta hand it to them though," Mira smiled warmly, as she walked over to the boys and offering them a help to the couch. Both boys silently grateful that of all people that can talk like that to Erza, was comparable to the redhaired. "After all, Gray's domain happens to be right across the entire city."

"That is not an excuse. Nevertheless, I'm just glad that you have all gathered here." The group settled comfortably on the two couches provided before Erza began to talk.

"Assuming that Michelle has already filled Lucy with the details, Zeref knows that Lucy holds Mavis's powers within her. After the attack from Earthland, we need to be more nimble with how this operation is going to roll out. I've received support from the Council members for coverage." There was a motion of nodding hands before she looked at the two boys,

"Gray – I'm counting on you to also call in reinforcements when needed. We are dealing with Zeref and the other dragon slayers. So I'm counting on your full cooperation." The ice user nodded,

"Wendy – I'll also need to keep you on standby. Your magic will be perfect for injuries but it will also be assistive if we are needed at the frontlines – so just keep it fully charged in case we need you to switch things up."

"Michelle, I'll need you to report back to the Council and fill in the blanks. I've done my side of the story but those old geezers needs to hear things from your perspective. After you're done, head back to the lab." Lucy looked up with sudden interest as fear and anxiety drawled inside her. What lab?

"Of course, Erza." Michelle smiled before shooting a small smile to the blonde beside her.

"Natsu – you'll be the given the most important one of all. Protect Lucy at all costs and make sure not to leave a single stone unturned. I can't let anything go past that will cause Lucy or Edolas harm." The pinkette nodded.

"Finally, I'll be heading over to Jellal to discuss further matters with him in terms of our situation. This morning, reports of Zeref has come into the table which Jellal shared that if we don't give Lucy, there will be no hesitation of war. However, Edolas has the strongest barriers in other world so it won't be easy but that doesn't mean we are safe. I trust for everyone to do their jobs."

Michelle couldn't help but look at Lucy carefully. The blonde listening intently as Erza talked about their procedures starting with the groups' responsibility. A ghost smile came upon her lips. Of course. This will be the last time she'll ever see the blonde again.

Wow. I can't believe how long I've put this story off for long. As soon as I finish my other story, Seeking Undercover, I'll finish this one plus the other one. I've only got 3 multi-chapter stories going on and 'Seeking Undercover' is bound to finish quickly, perhaps in two months so there will be a lot of releases in the coming weeks.

OH! After I'm done with these stories, you can expect a much greater story to be revealed! It will definitely leave an impact. Breathless in fact.

HINT: SOF

If you can guess it, then shit, you're amazing

I'll be dropping hints now and then in my three stories so hopefully you can piece them together!

Thank you for your kind patience.

Lots of love

B7K