A/N: Theres a short one-shot that goes before this titled "Taking Down the Crimson Ploy" that gives a nice little bit of insight on who Dela is. It's not necessary to the story but feel free to read it.

Chapter 21: She's the Crimson Ploy?!

When they got to the guild that morning the last thing they expected was for Makarov to grab everyone's attention with a young red head and Princess of the country in tow. Lucy and Freed each had one of Mika's hands as they silently waited from the Raijinshuu's table for Makarov to speak. They were as nervous as everyone else as to what was going on.

"Alright listen up brats! I'm sure you all have heard of the guild rehabilitation program. Many of you have either directly or indirectly participated in it. Before I go any further is there anyone here who is unaware what this program is?"

Lucy wasn't surprised when Natsu raised his hand; but she was surprised when Levy, Gajeel, Lisanna, and Elfman did.

"Okay for those of you who don't know what it is, the guild rehabilitation program is when a mage who is deemed either a dark mage or on the verge of being a dark mage is evaluated to have a chance to recover through rehabilitation with a legal guild. Their magic licenses are not given back, if they have one, until their program is over. If they did not have a license to begin with then they are not eligible for a license until their program is over. Once their program with a predetermined legal guild is over they are reevaluated to see if there is any improvement. Testimonies are taken from those within the guild by the guild master and given to the proper agency. At that time the mage is either determined fit or unfit. If determined fit their licenses are returned, or they are license eligible if they did not have one, and they may live as a free mage once again. If they are deemed unfit, then they are taken into custody by ERA."

Everyone swallowed suddenly realizing how serious a matter guild rehabilitation really is for mages. It was the last straw for those who strayed too close to the line of being a dark mage. If you failed guild rehabilitation you were given your full sentence at an ERA prison. No ifs, ands, or buts.

"We have a couple guild members here who have gone through this program. Those most notably being Gajeel and the Raijinshuu. Though I'm sure all of you guess that."

Everyone nodded after hearing what it was. How many of them had helped them not be in an ERA prison by their comments to their guild leader? They were suddenly very aware of what they were saying about each other.

"The reason I'm talking to all of you about this is because we are about to have a new person in our guild rehabilitation program, and it is vital that every person here looks after her and teaches her. Her term here is indefinite as judged by the princess, meaning that ERA won't have the chance to get their hands on her. However, we still need to protect her. She was put into a bad situation and had to do some bad things because she didn't know any better. It's our job to show her a different way as only Nakama can. Are you up for it my children?"

Everyone yelled affirmative answers at the top of their lungs, not knowing or caring who this person was.

"Good. Everyone this is Dela, she is an illusion mage and a very powerful one at that. She is responsible for the Crimson Ploy. Who will no longer be a threat, not that it ever really was. So, who wants her on their team."

Everyone raised their hands and Dela began to tear up and she fell to the ground. Soft sobs escaping her. Mira walked up to Makarov with a smile, and Makarov already knew what that meant.

"Master, we would love to host her in our home and have her in our team. I think her illusion magic would complement our take-over magic very well. That and she's so cute! I want to go buy clothes!"

"Mira don't scare the girl off! Well Dela, what do you say child. Would you like to go with the Strauss siblings?"

"I would love to."

"It's settled then."

Mira held out her hand to Dela and led her out of the guild. Lucy smiled watching them, Laxus was in for something else that's for sure. Lucy looked over at Laxus, but he just shrugged, like he didn't mind. Lucy could help but think that Mira had him whipped. The entire guild burst out into a party and Lucy enjoyed having one more stress off her shoulders now that they knew who was behind that entire Crimson Ploy fiasco. She always loved to see how welcoming and forgiving Fairytail was, but something wasn't quite sitting right with her about Dela. Who was she? Where was she from? She needed to find out. She stood up and excused herself from the table finding her way right into the path of Makarov of the Princess.

"So, I need to know…"

The Princess was the one who spoke, not giving anyone time to even think.

"Need to know what Lucy?"

"Who is she? I mean Crimson Ploy went after my daughter, and yet now she shows up and everything is apparently fine?"

"She didn't actually go after her Lucy, she just saw what was already going on and fed it. Everything you've been through was an illusion. The assassins that were there to bring her back to "Daddy" an illusion. The only thing that wasn't an illusion was her mother dying but that wasn't her, she said she saw it, but she didn't know who it was."

"Wait so she just saw someone's anguish and used her magic to find her way in, isn't that horrible?"

"She didn't know what else to do Lucy. I'm not defending her, but I understand."

"How can that be understood?! What do you mean she didn't know what else to do?"

"When she's ready she will tell you. Until then just trust us. She didn't mean any real harm."

"Fine, but if real harm comes then what?"

"Then it's on me Lucy. You have my word."

Lucy didn't feel any better, she didn't get any answers. If anything, she felt worse. She just shook her head and went back to her table and sat down. Something didn't add up to her.