I did not update for a few months for different reasons. One, because school sucks, and two, because I WAS OBSESSED WITH J-POP! I was listening to songs 5 hours straight. With the blabbering and all, I think this author's note does not need to be any longer, so, yeah!

Juvia Lockser. Guardian of the Winter Palace, Lady of Water, Princess of Ice. Known to be very picky with people going in the kingdom or not, so that's why Prince Gray does not get much visitors. Also known to be strong, she already defeated a lot of tiny Ultear minions, which makes her greatly respected by humans and elementals alike.

"Princess Ella. How am I supposed to know that you ARE her and not just some minion of Ultear?" Juvia asked Ella, still as strict as ever. "And if you will or will not hurt Gray-sama?"

"Juvia! It's me, Lucy!" Lucy happily shouted, while waving her hand.

"Juvia remembers you, Lucy. We were classmates during highschool, no?" Juvia recalled.

"Yes! How are you?" Lucy asked.

"Juvia is fine, thank you. Juvia is just helping in protecting the palace from Ulti-minions. You never know when they come, do you?" Juvia stated, looking around Ella and Lucy still afraid that there were Ulti-minions following them.

"*sigh*Yeah, the just appear out of nowhere, then disappear to nowhere." Ella admittedly said, recalling the past encounter with Janina.

"Well then, Juvia, will you let us pass the gates of the Winter world?" Lucy asked Juvia, pointing out the tall gates that surround the said world.

"Juvia isn't still sure if it is you…. What is the password, princess?" Juvia asked. She was still uncertain if she was even talking to the real Ella or Lucy, being very cautious, very, very cautious, as always.

Ella sighed. "Asarath Metria Synthos."

"Juvia accepts your password. You may now go in."

As they went in, they were countered with an even COLDER air than outside. Everything inside is either white or gray, and with small or big piles of snow. Everyone seems to be very happy in this kingdom, Lucy noted. In the last kingdom, everyone was also very jumpy, but it lacks a little bit, I dunno, spazam?

"Ella, is there a big celebration here or something?" Lucy asks Ella.

Ella was smiling from ear to ear. "It is because they feel even safer, since Juvia is guarding their land. I am also proud of her, she does do an excellent job in protecting this place, also making Gray safer than usual."

Lucy was puzzled. "Than usual?"

"Gray is a strong prince, If ever faced with fear, he will tackle it, and defeat it, as if it was nothing. And since Karine liked fear-" Ella explained, and was cut off by Lucy.

"Karine? Who is Karine?"

"Corine's other half. Corine is a calmer, more collected person. Karine is the blood-thirsty, mass killer side of her. Karine is technically the old her, but she tried to change so that enemies would think lowly of her at first and go easy on her. Reila tried that once, didn't work. Nearly cost her life." Ella explained while kicking the stone in front of her.

Lucy frowned. "Reila? Reila Hervary?"

"Yep. She is also an elemental. She is technically an autumn elemental, and my right hand. She was a good friend, now, I can't seem to know where she went. She just magically disappeared. "

Looking up at the sky, Ella remembered the good old times she spent with Reila. Nice girl, pink hair, brown eyes, and near her height (A/N: Erza's height when she was younger). They used to roam around the kingdom, played with the children, and chatting with the adults. They used to just stare at the autumn sky, while imagining a world without fear, hatred, war… But that dream seems to be far off, especially since she disappeared because of it. Gone because of her fear, gone because of Karine's hatred for peace, and gone because of the war Ultear started. She used to make a lot of suicide poems though, and which she never even understood. Her bright and cheery personality contrasts the dark and gloomy words she puts on that piece of paper.

"Ella? Ella? Hello? Are you okay? Is there something wrong?" Lucy waved her hands in front of Ella.

Ella shook her head. "No, it's nothing." No. It's not anything. I miss Reila. We were best of friends, and now she's gone. I wish… I wish… I wish I could see her again.

Lucy frowned once again. "Ella. I am your friend. If there is something wrong, you can tell me. I am always here."

Ella smiled. "No, I am serious. This is just nothing. Just, remembering the good old days before the war. It used to be so peaceful back then…"

Ella's thought was suddenly disturbed when they hit someone on the way to the palace.

"Oh, I am sorry." The person said.

"It's okay, just watch were you are going next time." Ella answered, while smiling at the girl in front of her.

"W-Wait… I-Is that you…? E-Ella….?" The girl stammered, and gasped. "IT IS YOU! ELLA-CHAAAN!"

The girl tackled her to the ground and removed the hood she was wearing earlier. The girl had pink hair, brown eyes, and was the same height of Ella. She looked so much like-

"REILA!" Ella shouted as she hugged Reila as tight as she can.

Both have tears in their eyes as they kept on talking on and on and on about what happened while they were gone. Lucy was smiling all the way as they were chatting. She was very happy that Ella already found her old friend and was now here with us.

"Um.. Excuse me… But are you Princess Lucy?" Reila asked when she noticed her.

Lucy blushed. "Well… I-I don't know…"

"Of course you are, your imperial majesty!" Reila shouted, which attracted quite a lot of people.

"Imperial Majesty? Lucy? Princess of the Zodiac? She's here?" These were the questions asked by the people surrounding them, obviously stunned by Princess Lucy's presence, especially since this was the first time she actually showed herself to public! (So what they say, but the truth is, she didn't even know she was the princess until yesterday!)

Reila just nodded to all of their questions. "Hey Lucy, would you mind making a small speech to your fans?"

"Uh… I-I….. I don't know about this…." Lucy uncertainly said as she saw a small microphone float to her. "Uhmm-"

"Lucy, you don't have to do this." A masked person in the crowed said.

"Ummm… Who are you?" Lucy asked the mysterious person.

The person removed his mask and smiled. "I am Lyon Bastia, prince of this kingdom, and I am herby arresting the girl Reila Hervary for acts of treason against-"

"Just give it up already, Lyon. Reila did NOT do anything against the crown." Someone else said. "I am Gray Fullbuster, his friend, and the REAL prince of this kingdom. And Reila is actually accused of stealing the Ice Diamond, and not treason."

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"

If you guys are wondering who was shouting at the end, you will have to read the next chapter. And if you were wondering what the HELL happened to her, you will also have to read the next chapter, which is going to be focused on Reila and Ella's past. Hope you still like or now like the story so far, and I hope you can click the review button and give some feedback about my crappy story. Oh and BTW, Reila Hervary was made by friends of mine, fairy x hunter and another friend which does not have a account. ^_^

P.S
I made Ultear the bad guy FOR A REASON. I will tell you guys later on, but not now. That will destroy everything. I also made her alive since this fic was made BEFORE Hiro Mashima decided to kill Ultear. (WAAAAAAAAAAAH! :'( )