A/N:

For those that do not know yet, this is a collaboration between myself (Mrs. CaraHAnderson) and Mr. Michael R. Anderson.)

Hello MTG fans, fans of NUTI and ALM, and fans of Knickers and Company, its Mr. Michael R. Anderson. Since chapter one has been submitted for this, Mrs. Anderson and I have decided to continue this, and hope that our readers enjoy it.

Be sure to check out my other fic, Knickers and Company, as well as Never Underestimate the Impossible and Anything like Me by MrsCaraHAnderson. Thank you, and please enjoy.

This chapter was written by Mr. Michael R Anderson, beta'd by Mrs. Cara H. Anderson.

(Jace Beleren)

A series of emotions coursed through me; I felt months of pain resurface. All this time, I thought that Nicol Bolas had resurfaced, or that the demons had finally mustered the strength and army to track her down. But, the least thought of person had come to mind, and that is the one we may have the most trouble with. Never would have Garruk jumped to my forethought, I thought sending him off to the other end of the multiverse would have ensured that I saw no more of him.

But here he was, tracking Liliana, and who knows how close he could be to finding us. These past few months I could've made preparations, added extra security, and even gave the Boros and Azorius something to do. I could've given the Izzet a new toy to experiment with. But no, while Liliana recuperated she kept her thoughts shrouded from me and prevented me from helping. Nothing has changed, she is still selfish, but that is the reason I fell for her in the first place.

I looked at her, covered in sweat, shrouded in her night clothes, and felt her mind reach out to me. Without hesitation, I immediately took to her side and wrapped my arms around her, and for just a brief moment felt her relax. She won't say it or let her mind betray her thoughts, but she needs me as much as I need her. While we may never have those days back again, when it was her and I, at least now I can maybe help and hopefully restore our friendship.

"Jace?" she asked.

"Yes Lili?"

"You probably already saw further into my thoughts, and know that I'm scared.."

"Lili, I haven't read your thoughts, since you've first arrived at my house three months ago."

She looked shocked. It probably astounded her that I haven't read her mind or even attempted too. I trust Liliana with all of my being, and despite the troubles she's put me through, I would give my life to defend her, and that hasn't changed now. It never will.

"Well, don't know what to say," she spluttered.

"You can start by telling me what happened," I said, meeting her gaze.

She told me told of her most recent demon search and when she was was close to finding the beast, Wildspeaker ambushed her and critically wounded her. She did her best to fight him off, but his rage was fueling his attacks, and he overpowered her. She managed to escape in the nick of time, before he could deliver the death blow, and planeswalked herself to Ravnica. She spent the next week searching for me, disguising herself as a noble. She limited how much magic she used, until she bumped into a vedalken, who pointed her to my estate. How she survived the streets in Ravnica that long without dying was a surprise to me.

"Please, Jace, this is me swallowing my pride. I need your help."

"Why did you seek my help? I thought the great Liliana was too powerful to ask for help?" I said, maintaining a cold distance. This is one of those instances where I let my pride get the best of me. I'm still licking my wounds, like a puppy that's been kicked one too many times.

I saw her teeth grit and her face twist a little bit. That struck her deep; no need to read her mind, her face betrayed herself to me, always. I still knew her better than most.

"Can't you just accept for once, that I am asking for your help?" I don't really have much a choice, anyways, because surely Wildspeaker knew she was seeking out my help, and now we are no longer neutrals. We are enemies.

"Fine, fine…but if we're going to stop him, we're going to need a plan. And while I may be a genius, there is one who can help us better than anyone else I know."

"Who?" she asked, genuinely puzzled. She had assumed it would be her and I, I'm sure.

"The leader of the Izzet guild; Niv-Mizzet," I said, as a devilish grin creeped upon my face.

After dressing and explaining to Liliana how Niv-Mizzet can help, we set out for Nivix, the Izzet guild hall, in hopes the mad dragon can and will assist us. We leave the house and move with a purpose through the streets of Ravnica. As we make our way through the streets, we witness the Azorius agents detain several individuals, who may or may not have been guilty of the accused crimes. We see Orzhov thugs, extorting citizens for their money and information.

"Is it always like this in Ravnica?" Liliana asked, getting closer to me than normal. It's not a fearful hover, but more like she feels she is going to lose her way.

"Unfortunately, yes. The guilds used to stand for something and were used to better the lives of the citizens. But as millennia passed, the guilds became more and more corrupt, diving into their own selfish endeavors. I hope to one day restore the guilds to their former glory, and quell the rising friction between the guilds and the guildless." I said; my tone becoming monotone.

After a few minutes more, we arrive at the massive spire that the Izzet call home, Nivix. The tower gleamed pristinely against the city-plane's skyline, and radiated with power. Even after spending so long in Ravnica, the tower still made me stand in awe. We approach the entrance of the guild hall, and are greeted by a patrol of goblin guards. They salute me and allow us to pass, but not without shooting Liliana an evil glare. I turn to say something, but the guards are literally shaking in their boots. I look at Liliana and she is staring them down, her eyes glowing purple. Sometimes, I forget she is the most feared necromancer in the entirety of the multiverse, and can handle a couple of goblins. We continue through the tower, going higher and higher until finally we reach the aerie.

We are greeted by one of the many guildmages that populate Nivix.

"Ah, Jace," spoke the guildmage, "Niv-Mizzet will see you now,"

I look at him, stunned, but didn't question what he just said. I look at Liliana again and the guildmage and she were locked in a deep stare, but one I would not like to be on the receiving end of.

I grabbed her hand, "Come Miss Vess, we wouldn't want Niv-Mizzet to grow impatient with us."

We quickly left the entrance to the aerie entrance and stood in a dark room. The darkness was impenetrable, and quickly swallowed us. I weaved a simple spell and illuminated Liliana and I. This room should be lit with blue and red flames, but instead black created a void. At first, I thought we were alone in the darkness, but this thought was quashed almost immediately; as I sensed a powerful intelligence quickly fill the room. Experiments and thoughts filled my head. I felt madness begin to envelope my mind, but it quickly receded. For a brief instant my magic wavered, but I quickly regained control. Liliana summoned a small purple flame, and laced her arm through mine. I felt my heart quicken at the gesture, though it meant nothing.

"Jace, are you ok?" I heard her asked.

"Yes, I'm fine, but we have a guildmaster to greet." I said, as blue and red flames penetrated the blackness.

"Hello, Mind Sculptor. Did you finally decide to show up for our evening tea?" said a maddening reptilian voice.

"Hello Niv-Mizzet," I said locking my stare with his.

The mad dragon smiled, as only a dragon could.

"Will you have one or two cubes of sugar?"

To be continued…

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Mr. Michael and Mrs. Cara Anderson

xoxox