It's been forever! Sorry 'bout that, but my exams are over now. Woo! Summer! So, without further adieu...chapter 12! :D

~Lucy~

Usually, when one awakes from unconsciousness, his or her mind fades back into the present. In my case, however, I was startled awake. A freezing water droplet landed smack on my forehead. Let's just say that I wasn't expecting that in my delirious state. It was a bit of a shock.

I jerked upright and my eyes snapped open. "Don't worry. You're not dead. Yet," said a voice.

Looming over me, on my right, was the man I wanted to see the least. "Why am I back in this place?" I asked.

"Because you tried to run away and were subsequently captured," he answered frankly.

"What was your name again?" I asked, "And by 'yet' do you mean that you intend to kill me in the near future?"

He frowned, "Yes, I intend to kill you. My name is Drau. That's all you need to know." It dawned on me that my friends might have been captured as well. I knew that Othos had returned safely to the spirit world, but I didn't have his key any longer.

"Where's Othos?" I asked. Drau pointed to the side table next to my bed with his chin. The familiar key that belonged to Othos lay there. "Why would you just give him back to me?" I asked, taking that key into my hand and holding it tightly.

"You'll not get another chance to use it. Besides, I'm not so cruel as to take it simply because I want it."

"Really? Because you seem like exactly the type of person who would do that."

"I have no interest in materialistic things. I never have."

"Oh, so you've been weird your entire life." A glimmer of amusement shone in his eyes. He turned away from me and opened the door.

"Take this. You might be interested. I'll wait outside until you're finished," he said. With that he tossed a small object to me and slammed the door behind him. I heard that familiar click of the lock and growled.

"Freakin' great," i mumbled. I looked to the object I'd caught just moments ago. It could only be described as a box. Just a box. It was grey and slightly shiny. "What the heck is-"

Before I could finish my sentence, the cube began to glow. It floated away from my fingers and hovered quietly in the air. "I feel like I should have been expecting that." The annoying bluish glow made me want to look away, but I didn't. Suddenly, the glowing vanished. There was a bright flash of light that actually forced me to avert my eyes. I whispered a curse, (which I'm not proud of).

It was quiet as I rubbed my eyes, "I didn't expect a guy like that to be fond of pranks. What a jer-" I immediately stopped talking. There was a familiar voice. It was distance, but it was definitely there. I looked up.

"Lucy!" said the voice. I squinted my eyes and, sure enough, Jacin was standing in front of me.

"Jacin! Jacin, how did you get here?" I practically shouted.

"God, I'm glad you're alright," he said. His facial features collapsed for a moment, pain and worry contorting his usually perfect face. My heart made its presence known very clearly, (by which I mean that the only thing I could hear was it beating).

"Lucy!" said an extremely ecstatic voice.

"Natsu! You're here!" i said. A few tears squeezed from my eyes. "I'm so happy right now."

"I told you I'd be here didn't I?" I said. Only...it wasn't me. My eyes flew open and my head jerked upright.

"What the-" I began.

"Yeah. We need to get out of here. I don't doubt that they have high security here...or something along those lines," Jacin said, holding out his hand to me. I reached forward and then cold understanding slammed into me like a speeding train. He wasn't talking to me. The area in front of me wasn't my well-decorated prison cell; it was the garden. Flowers were everywhere. I took a step back and pressed my mouth closed with my palm so that I wouldn't cry.

"Definitely!" said a cheery voice. My voice. But it wasn't mine. I angrily swiped my idiotic tears away. Stupid tears!

The reality of the situation sunk into me. What was in front of me was a lacrima. I wasn't actually there in the garden, however much I wanted to be. Jacin, (that idiot!), was talking to someone like she was me! I wanted to leap through the lacrima vision and slug him in the face. Couldn't he tell that whoever he was speaking with wasn't me!?

"I'm really glad you're here," said my impersonator.

"Stop talking to him, you stupid copycat!" I yelled. I pounded my fist against the wall where the image was being projected. Just then, the girl stepped into view. "Ah, crap," I grumbled. No wonder Jacin was confused. It was that weird lady who looked the same as I did. Like...exactly the same. I bet she even had the same number of hairs on her head as I did!

I smiled, "I have to hand it to her. She's a good impersonator." I knew something she didn't, though. I had faith. The girl smiled just as I did and stepped towards Jacin. She reached for him. I bristled. "What the heck are you-" My jaw dropped and my heart twisted painfully. "What kind of person does that!?" I screamed.

Other Me-my official nickname for my counterpart-had wrapped her arms tightly around Jacin's neck. She pressed her body to his chest. I swear, it was like you wouldn't be able to detach her from Jacin with a spatula. I wanted to whip out a can of Mace and spray her directly in her eyes...or her whole face...or all of her. She wouldn't get the smell out of weeks. And I mean the stuff that's used on bears…

"Are you glad I'm here?" she asked seductively. In my point of view, her fluttering eyelashes were revolting. Jacin, however, was clearly enchanted. His stupid cheeks were bright red.

"L-Lucy, what are you doing?" Jacin asked.

"Yeah, Lucy, what are you doing?" Natsu asked, stepping forward.

"Just having a bit of fun," she said with another lovely little smile.

"You're 'fun'is seriously starting to piss me off!" I shouted. It wouldn't be long before the jealousy rising inside of me started to brim over the top. Maybe that had already happened? A stupid clone of me was hanging all over the guy I loved! I wanted to do that! Ok, so not quite like that, (I'd have a bit more integrity and self-respect than Lucy No. 2), but i still wanted to do that! Still, it got worse.

All at once, she lunged forward and crushed her lips to Jacin's. My mouth dropped open. I couldn't even manage to produce the howl of outrage that was echoing over and over inside my skull. I just stared. My mouth snapped shut when I realized that Jacin wasn't kissing her in return. Ha! Experience the utter humiliation that I already have! That's what you get! Still, it stung seeing him turn me down again. My happiness at her rejection outweighed my own injured heart, though.

Jacin's drew his eyebrows together and he jerked away, "There's something i have to tell-" Before his sentence was finished, a bright flash of light caught my eye. I flinched away as if I was in danger, though I knew that I wasn't. What was the light? Well, that's where my previously-mentioned faith comes into play. That one thing that Other Me didn't know. The one advantage my friends had over Other Me.

"Yes!" I shouted, leaping into the air. I slapped a hand over my mouth, remembering that Drau was just outside the door. If he heard me jumping for joy, he'd probably come in and smack my rising hope back to the ground.

Anyways, back to my cause for rejoice. Natsu, (God bless him), had flame-punched the girl ten feet into the air. She landed with a tumble and eased herself upright again. "Natsu!" Jacin shouted, "What the h-"

"Who are you?" Natsu growled. Yeah, that's right. Take it, Other Me! I fist-pumped.

She grinned, wiping the tiny stream of blood from the corner of her mouth. She tilted her head back, "So...how did you know?"

Natsu grinned, tilting his head cockily to the side, "I'm a dragonslayer." And that was my advantage. Natsu's nose couldn't be fooled by someone who simply looked like me. Besides, she had been acting a bit weird. I was still a bit furious that she'd kissed Jacin. I won't lie; I was more angry about that than anything else.

"I didn't think that such a little guild would have a dragonslayer in its ranks," she said with a cold grin.

"What the hell is going on?" Jacin yelled. I could understand his confusion, but he didn't need to swear because of it. Well, I guess I could take it as a complement. He was angry for my sake. I mean…he thought that Natsu just punched me in the face. His confused face was kind of cute. Am I allowed to think that about a guy when he'd defending my honor? Well, it was more like he was defending my face, but whatever.

"That's not Lucy. Lucy wouldn't do something like that. Besides, I know Lucy's smell like it's my own," he said proudly. I wasn't sure that was something to be proud about, but Natsu's puffed up chest spoke differently. I shook my head, an embarrassed yet amused smile creeped across my face.

"Not...Lucy?" Jacin asked, "But she looks like Lucy! She's even wearing Lucy's clothes."

Other Me gently touched her swollen cheek and winced, "Yeah, how do you explain that?"

Natsu's face lit up in panic. He grabbed Jacin's arms and shook him hard, "Jacin! They stripped Lucy!" Jacin's cheeks turned a bit red.

"What are you talking about!?" he shouted.

"You two really are strange," Other Me mumbled, "But then again, I already knew that about you." It was clear that she was directing her statement towards Jacin. He turned his head and stared.

"If you're not Lucy, who are you?" Jacin asked. His voice sounded intimidating. He shoved Natsu off and took a step forward. When she didn't answer him he repeated his question. If I was actually in the garden, I'd probably be suffocated by the sheer amount of testosterone floating in the air there.

"That's hurtful!" she replied, "I can't believe you don't remember me."

"What are you talking about?" he growled.

"Jacin, don't drop your guard," Natsu warned. Jacin raised his hand to shut Natsu up. To my surprise, it worked.

"You know what else hurts? After you left me, you just found yourself another girl! How cruel of you, Jacin," she said. She wore an annoying fake pout. It wasn't cute. "Oh, but right now I look like your new favorite. Maybe I should…" Her skin began to dissolve. Honestly, it was really creepy. The best way I could describe her transformation would be to relate it to sand. It looked similar to sand sliding away from her entire body, cascading down her arms and legs all the way to the grass they stood on.

When the sand-or whatever that creepy stuff was that was falling off of her-stopped, she looked different. Her hair was a light brown color, but not blond like mine. She had brown eyes still, and they were cold and unforgiving. Still, there was a cruel amusement there. She wore my clothes still, but she didn't wear them the same. She was a bit more flat-chested than me, (HA!), so her shirt was a bit loose. Her legs were also thinner and she was a bit shorter. She smiled, "Recognize me now, Loverboy?"

Loverboy? Really? The treasure chest of comebacks that I'd just opened slammed shut again when I saw Jacin's face. I held my breath. I'd never seen him like that. He was completely pale, his face almost looking green. His appearance was unnerving to say the least. His hand trembled as he took a step back. I didn't ever want to see him like that. Even worse, there was nothing I could do to help him from here. He fell to his knees and an invisible knife stabbed into my heart. I wanted to reach through the lacrima and, this time, take him into my arms. All of my previous thoughts of punching him were gone. The look on his face told me he needed someone, but I was blocked from him. I was trapped, and I couldn't help him.

Of course, I had no idea as to why he had that expression on his face. The reason didn't matter, though. At least that's what I thought at the time. How idiotic I was, though.

"Who are you?" Natsu growled. He took a step forward and stood in between Jacin, who was now on his knees and staring blankly at the girl, and my copycat. I was too busy worrying about Jacin to pay attention to what the girl was about to say. I'd reached out and touched Jacin's pale face that was projected against the wall when she next spoke.

"I am called Abigail," she said. I froze and looked to her. She was smiling, her head slightly tilted to one side. She leaned forward and stared at Jacin. Jacin blinked and I saw tears well up. Her stare bore into his eyes when she said, her voice cold and unforgiving, "Abigail W. Heartfilia."

I couldn't move. All of the energy that had been spurred on by my anger towards her drained out of me. I collapsed, pressing my head to the bedframe behind me. I pressed myself against the cold wood, trying to get as far away from reality as possible. Still, I couldn't run away. Time kept moving, and no one can escape that fact. My mind still hadn't caught up with reality, though.

"What!?" Natsu shouted, "That's Lucy's name! I won't let you steal her clothes and her name!" Natsu took a menacing few steps forward before Abigail raised her hand.

"You would attack Lucy's own sister?" she asked, her eyes seemingly innocent. Natsu hesitated.

"Why didn't Lucy tell me about you?" he asked. His fist as flaming as if he were poised for a fight. Jacin, meanwhile, was sitting on the ground in a daze. I can't imagine what was going through his head at that moment.

"Hmmm...because she doesn't like you?" Abigail said, examining her nails. A lock of brownish hair fell down her front when she looked to Natsu.

Natsu growled, "Lucy is my partner. She tells me everything. That's why I know you're lying. She doesn't even know, does she?"

Abigail giggled, "You really are loyal, aren't you? Just like her little puppy!"

"Shut up! I won't let yo-"

"Abigail?" It was the moment that Jacin said her name with a gentle tone that reality smacked into me. I gasped for air as I put it all together. The girl he'd loved, Abigail, was Other Me...was her. She wasn't dead, and on top of that...she was my...she was my…

"Abigail?" Jacin asked again, his voice cracking. He reached for her slowly. She smiled.

"So you do remember me?" she asked.

"What the hell is wrong with you, man?" Natsu asked, watching him closely. Jacin didn't hear him, though. He was too busy staring with eyes full of wonder to listen to Natsu.

Jacin nodded and tears slid down his face, "But you died."

Abigail strode towards him and put a hand on his face, "I never died."

"But I saw-"

"You're just as stupid as I remember you to be," she said. She knelt beside him and kissed him again. It was a long kiss. My stomach flipped and I fell to my side, curling up into a ball on the ground. My whole world, the truth that I thought I knew, had just been ripped from me all at once. I had a sister. Jacin loved her, not me. I was alone. He didn't need me at all. He had her back, the girl he'd lost. I'd told myself, convinced myself, that I was staying by his side to help him and heal him; that wasn't it, though. I wanted to stay with him for a more selfish reason...because I loved him. I loved him so much, and that's why hearing her say 'Abigail Heartfilia' hurt so much. Because...I wasn't needed any longer.

I watched numbly as he clung to her, burying his head in her chest. I could vaguely hear Natsu yelling something, but all of my senses were blurry. I closed my eyes and hugged myself. Distantly, I heard footsteps and a clicking sound. A cold hand caressed my hair. "That's done, then."

~Jacin~

My heart couldn't take it. The girl I'd longed for for so long was by my side again. She looked slightly different than she used to, but that was alright. She was still Abigail. Still, even as I held her closely, there was something bothering me. I kissed her, but something was missing. I kissed her harder.

"So you did miss me?" she asked me. I nodded absently, trying to fill the strange gap I felt with her lips. There was something eating away at the back of my mind. I could hear Natsu yelling at me, but he didn't do anything. I just kissed her harder, as if that way I would be able to stop that annoying feeling I had. I pulled away from her and stumbled back, no longer able to put up with the nagging in my brain. I clutched my head.

"Why won't…" my voice trailed off. I didn't even know what I was looking for, but I felt lost. Abigail reached for me, but I grabbed her wrist. I stared at her, my gaze flitting from one brown eye to the other. Still, there was something missing. She was the same, though. What was missing then? It was torturing me.

"What's wrong, Jacin? Aren't you happy to see me?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. I stared at her longer, but whatever it was...it was still missing. I wanted it to be like it used to be. She was the same, to why couldn't it be the same. Was it...was it me? Had I changed?

"Why are you alive?" I asked. My voice sounded guarded.

"I'll tell you the story soon. Just...kiss me, Jacin," she said. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine. I didn't really...feel much. I mean, obviously I felt something. What kind of man wouldn't when a pretty girl was kissing them? Still, there was still that small voice yelling at me. Was it telling me to stop? Yes, but there was something else. This isn't what you want.

I tried to pull away, listen to the voice, but Abigail wouldn't let me. Abigail Heartfilia wouldn't let me. She was...Lucy's sister. Lucy. That's right. Now you understand?

I violently shoved Abigail away from me. She fell backwards and I jumped to my feet, quickly distancing myself. I was breathing hard. I shook my head and slapped my face, trying to return to myself. I'd just gotten trapped, carried away by the past. I stared at Abigail. She looked at me, too. Her eyes were watering.

"You back to normal now, Loverboy?" Natsu asked. It was all I could manage to nod. He frowned, "I really don't see what girls see in you."

"Shut up," I growled. He raised his hands in defense.

"But seriously, I don't get it. I also don't get why you fell for Lucy...that weirdo." I could tell he was kidding. What kind of person wouldn't see Lucy to be as amazing as she was?

"Yes, why did you fall in love with Lucy?" asked a fragile voice. I turned and looked at Abigail. Tears fell from her eyes and my heart twisted. I opened my mouth, but I couldn't say anything. "You loved me first!" she screamed. I took a step back.

There was a moment of silence before Natsu stepped forward, "Where's Lucy?"

Abigail glared at him, "I killed her." My throat closed and my heart pounded.

"She's not dead," Natsu said, "I know that for sure, so where is she?"

"I won't tell you," Abigail said, "I'll never tell you."

"Abigail," I said sternly, stepping forward. I stood over her pitiful self, "It's over now. Tell me where Lucy is."

"Did you enjoy breaking my heart, Jacin!?" she yelled. I felt a pang of guilt. This was the girl I'd loved, but, just as I'd said, it was over now. I'd let go of her, maybe a long time ago. I'd just never seen it until I'd met her again. I didn't know how she was alive, but it was too late. I'd already fallen out of love with her. Maybe…

"Yes, yes...did you enjoy breaking her, Jacin?" asked a voice. I froze and slowly turned. "Because I sure enjoyed it, watching you break two hearts in one night! Quite the spectacle!"

"What are you talking about?" I growled, "Drau Cagliari."

"What? That's him?" Natsu asked. I nodded and Natsu's fists flamed. I put a hand on my keys cautiously.

He took a step forward, out of the darkness and I met his dark eyes, "That's right, you don't know. Your little Lucy just watched all of the events that transpired here. Of course, she was so shocked that she passed out. Her heart's nice and blackened now. I owe you my thanks for that. Without you, none of this would have been possible." My heart sank. Lucy saw all of it? All of it? Pain engulfed me.

"Of course, none if it was a coincidence. It was all a plan. Well, it was a plan that popped into my head all those years ago when I first saw you and Abigail together. Now both of them have lost their light," Drau said, "Though Abigail had been teetering on the edge for a while now. The biggest obstacle was Lucy. She'd been so bright and happy because of that idiotic Fairy Tail." Natsu flinched.

"Still, a glimpse of your betrayal and she was as good as gone," Drau said. I launched forward.

"You bastard!" I screamed. I heard a loud cawing and had to duck away when giant talons slashed out in front of me. A midnight black harpy hovered in front of me, having appeared out of no where. I stared at it, "The harpy...from that time."

"Yes, yes. I led you to Lucy, let you fall in love with one another. I haven't a need for you any longer, though."

"D-Drau?" Abigail asked, "Was this all...some sort of plan? Is that why you saved me?"

"Of course it was. You thought I cared about you?"

"But you...said I was just like a daughter. That you-"

"Fool. The only one I've ever loved doesn't exist in this world any longer," he growled, "Now, I've got everything I need, so I should be preparing for the ceremony." He raised his arm and darkness whirled around it. I took a step back.

"Jacin, watch ou-" It was too late, though. A pulse of dark energy erupted from Drau's palm and I was sent flying. The dark started to cover my vision and I felt weightless. The last thing I thought of before I passed out was whether Lucy was alright.

So, that was dramatic. You've found out a lot in this chapter, (or confirmed what you'd already guessed). I sort of...make my stories up as I go. Somehow it all turned out alright, though. It actually makes sense, but we still haven't got to the point where it does. Anyways, look forward to the next chapters, (which will explain what the heck is going on right now). Don't forget to leave me a review! :)