Hello, my friends! Thanks as always to you for reading and commenting: the amazing feeling I get is overwhelming when I see that number go up! And to Lynntheripper (who I give an extra thumbs up to for her dedication), thanks for the extra excitement and don't worry, it won't be too long before Guildless' intentions and allegiances are revealed. Sorry this chapter took so long, but I made it extra long to make up for it!

Chapter 7: Nirvana

Guildless was making her way through the trees when she saw it- the beam of light that shot into the sky, seemingly neverending. She murmured, "Nirvana... Hopefully, it's being destroyed." Not likely, though. I need to get to that light, and fast!

Guildless once again slammed her fists together in front of her. "Arc of Night: Shadow Form!" Her wings grew back, dark and demonic as ever, as she took off into the sky. Her eyes, though, flicked from Nirvana's light to the forest. I'm supposed to guard the wizards of Fairy Tail... But their entire guild could be threatened if I don't get to Nirvana!

It took her a while, but with a quick mutter of "I must be out of my mind," she was arcing downward to skim the treetops, looking down through the branches at the twisting paths below.

She searched for nearly half an hour before finally spotting Hebiki, Lucy, Wendy, Happy, and Carla. Swooping down through the branches and landing just in front of them with wings folded, she asked, "Has Erza been healed?"

Hebiki nodded swiftly. "Yeah. Listen, I need to warn you: Nirvana turns those who are light, dark and dark, light. You can't let your emotions waver toward the dark."

Guildless snorted. "Pretty boy, you should be worried about if my thoughts turn to the light. I might be annoying if I'm as sweet as you numskulls. Trust me, I have my dark side well under control." Eyeing Wendy, she assumed, "She was getting emotional?"

Hebiki nodded. "It was for her own good."

Guildless sighed. "Just know that I'm not a pack mule, got it?" She took Wendy from Hebiki, using her wings to keep the girl on her back. "There, now we can move faster."

Their small group took off through the woods, running as fast as they could. Yet as the sound of rushing water came, so did a familiar voice. "-fire and ice just don't mix. I've had enough. I think it's time I end our partnership. This is goodbye, pal."

They emerged on the bank just as Grey was about to thrust an icy spear into Natsu's back, but a black dagger and a golden arrow pierced the tip at the same time, shattering it.

Guildless gently set Wendy off to the side with her wings, more knives in her hand while Lucy nodded at Sagittarius.

Grey yelled, "Alright, come out!" Shots of ice flew in their direction, quickly met in midair by a collection of knives and arrows.

Lucy called, "Mind telling me what the heck you're doing?"

Happy angrily said, "Looks obvious to me!"

Sagittarius said, "It would appear we fouled his foal play." He winked as if this were a great pun.

Natsu wearily congratulated, "Nice... shot... guys." He grimaced, looking sick.

Happy yelled, "What's the matter with you, Grey? You're taking this way too far! Unless he stole your fish, in which case you would be completely justified."

Lucy scolded, "Don't give him an out, stupid cat!"

Grey growled, "Could you guys be any more annoying?"

Guildless muttered, "I've been saying that for the past two days."

Grey continued, "Mind your own business. I'll deal with the rest of you once I'm done with him, so keep your little mouths shut and wait your turn."

Happy anxiously exclaimed, "What?!"

Lucy wondered, "Is this Nirvana? Has that thing already switched one of us to the dark side?"

Guildless asserted, "No, I don't think so. I know dark, and this guy doesn't come close."

Natsu groaned, "Why won't it stop? It's wobbling... and swaying... lemme off..."

Lucy hollered, "How are you still sick when it's not even moving?!"

Happy summoned his wings, flying for Natsu. "Hang on buddy, I'm coming for ya!" Yet midair, Happy was encased in a shell of ice, dropping to the ground.

Carla exclaimed, "How could you?!"

Lucy chided, "That's no way to treat one of your friends!"

Grey explained, "Happy may be able to fly, but he can only carry one person. He doesn't have any combat skills. That's all the info Grey has on the pest."

Lucy insisted, "You're not making any sense at all. What's gotten into you?"

Hebiki interjected, "My guess is he's the first victim of Nirvana's magic. He's switched to the dark side."

Grey mused, "He's got plenty of info on Lucy. A newcomer to Fairy Tail, definitely easy on the eyes... He likes the whole package."

Lucy blushed furiously, self-consciously crossing her arms over her chest. "Um, should I be hearing this?"

Grey continued, "She can be as hot-headed as Erza, but she hides her pure heart. Oh, she's a Celestial wizard?" Grey suddenly took a warrior's stance. "Is that so?" He prepared an ice blast, quickly shooting at her, but Lucy's world went black for a moment as Guildless put up a pitch black barrier around her, the wizard's wings now gone.

Guildless repeated, "I know dark, and I know my charges. That isn't Grey." Raising her voice, she released her barrier. "Reveal yourself, imposter!"

Grey mechanically informed, "Accessing information on Guildless: mysterious, lone wizard, and well-curved." Guildless tensed at the last word, and Lucy suspected that under that mask, she was red as a cherry. Grey frowned. "No other information found. That wasn't helpful."

Carla objected, "We're wasting our time, dealing with this nonsense. I wish they'd just incapacitate the fool so we could get to Nirvana."

Lucy thought, That's it! Only those who's emotions waver between good and evil switch to the other side! So that can't be Grey because he's as cool as they come!

Lucy demanded, "Who the heck are you?"

Grey grinned, laughing creepily. In a puff of smoke, Grey was gone, replaced by... Lucy.

Lucy protested, "Me?!"

Guildless recoiled, raising her fists. Obviously, the copy put her on edge.

Hebiki remarked, "You've got to be kidding me. You don't honestly think you're fooling us, do you? We know you're not the real Lucy, so you might as well show us your true form."

The new Lucy slyly taunted, "Oh, I'll show you. And I think you'll find them every bit as real as that bimbo's." The fake Lucy pulled her shirt up, letting her chest show.

Lucy screamed as Hebiki and Sagittarius stared at her exposed chest, practically drooling. Guildless kept her emotions well hidden beneath the mask, but she looked away, obviously uncomfortable.

Carla hissed, "So pathetic."

Natsu moaned, "So... wobbly..."

Hebiki and Sagittarius happily confirmed, "Yep, they're real!"

Lucy screamed, "I hate both of you!"

Guildless muttered quietly, "They're so big..."

Carla scolded, "Think of what kind of example you're setting for Wendy, you floozy!"

Lucy protested, "But that's not me! I mean, it is, but it isn't!" She fell to her knees, crying. "Ahh, why does this type of stuff always happen to me, anyway?!"

The fake Lucy darkly smiled. "Sorry. But it's only going to get worse from here on out. You see, now I know exactly which keys you're carrying. You had an audience with the Celestial Spirit King? How did a noob like you ever get the honour? Whatever, it doesn't matter."

Guildless growled, "Get ready for a fight, guild wizards."

Fake Lucy smiled and ordered, "Listen up Sagittarius: take them out."

Golden bolts flew, Guildless flinging herself into Lucy, the two going down- yet they never hit the ground. Lucy could see, having face pressed against Guildless' soft clothes, but she felt her stomach twist as if she'd just been hung upside down. She opened her eyes to find there was still nothing but black cloth.

She spoke muffled, "Uh, Guildless?"

The other girl shifted, Lucy immediately squealed as she realised she'd had her face right in the middle of Guildless' chest.

Sagittarius exclaimed, "Did I do that?"

Guildless quickly stood, Lucy seeing that they were now on the opposite side of the river. Hebiki was slightly torn up from the arrows, but Lucy was unharmed. Lucy stared at the cut across Guildless' side, her shirt torn and slightly red.

"Guildless..."

The masked girl said roughly, "I can't stop every arrow your rogue spirit shoots. I have limits like anyone else. I suggest closing the gate before he can attack again. Cat, take your kid and get out before this gets ugly!"

Carla scoffed at taking orders from Guildless, but still took to the skies with Wendy.

Lucy insisted, "He would never do this on his own!" She called to Sagittarius, "Please, stop Sagittarius!"

Sagittarius replied, "I'm sorry, Miss Lucy, but it seems I've lost control of myself!"

Guildless insisted, "It may not be his fault, but people could get hurt if he stays out! Your copy there can obviously do anything you can, include control your spirits, so stop him!"

Lucy hesitated, then nodded. "Sagittarius, I know this isn't your fault! I'm just sending you back to take a quick break! Close, Gate of the Archer!" Sagittarius disappeared with "I regret that I cannot aid you further, Lady Lucy!" as Lucy demanded, "How could you control Sagittarius?"

The fake coyly said, "I'm an exact copy of you, which means your spirits are forced to follow my orders. And it was about time you closed that gate." She pulled a key from her own belt. "Now open, Gate of the Archer. Come back, Sagittarius."

Sagittarius reappeared, greeting, "I'm happy to jump back into the fray!"

Lucy gasped as Guildless narrowed her eyes. "Great."

Sagittarius marvelled, "How did you- this cannot be! By what means have you summoned me?"

The fake smirked. "Don't sweat the small stuff and you'll live longer. All that matters is that I summoned you so you have to do whatever I ask!"

Sagittarius determinedly stated, "I will not betray my charge, no matter what you say!"

Fake Lucy asked, "What do you say we give it a shot? Put it right in the back of that white cat's back!"

Sagittarius cried, "I cannot do that!"

The fake questioned threateningly, "What's that? Are you disobeying an order from your master?"

Sagittarius stated, "You may share her appearance and abilities, but comparing yourself to Lady Lucy is a travesty upon her name!" Yet he slowly drew his bow. "So I shall... not obey you!"

Lucy urged, "Keep fighting her!"

Sagittarius pleaded, "Please, send me back, my lady!"

Lucy nodded. "Okay then. Closing, Gate of the Archer!" Yet she slashed her key through the air in vain.

The fake Lucy taunted, "Hey moron, did you forget I summoned horse face? Only the wizard who calls a spirit can force it back!"

"No!"

The imposter ordered, "Shoot that cat out of the sky! I don't have all day."

Guildless growled, "Alright, that's enough." She slammed her fist and palm together, then slid her palm to her upper arm like a support, fist aimed at Sagittarius and the other Lucy. "Arc of Night: Concentrated Blackout!" Yet just as a beam of black began shooting from her hand, Lucy stood in front of her.

Guildless growled, "Out of the way!"

Lucy shook her head. "You won't hurt my spirit! He's my friend!"

Guildless countered, "And if you don't move, you'll have two fewer friends once they're shish-kebobed and splatters on the forest floor!"

But the impasse was interrupted by a soft voice. "That's quite enough. Nirvana's been found so the runt's useless. What do you say we quit wasting precious energy, my pets?"

Lucy's look-alike disappeared in a puff of smoke, Sagittarius fading.

"Sagittarius!"

He supplied, "My apologies. I will endeavour to be much stronger when next we meet."

Out of the smoke, two small, floating figures were chanting, "Pede, pede!"

The new wizard greeted, "Hello, Lucy darling! How does it feel to look upon an angel?"

Lucy insulted, "I'm pretty sure I'd rather be blind, lady."

The woman agreed, "Well, I'm sure that could be arranged. Ah, and 'Guildless!' I see Inferno really wasn't enough challenge. Then again, he was from Demon's Shadow."

Guildless hissed, "You're going the right direction to end up in a wooden box, Angel: down."

Angel, however, seemed unaffected by this. "Have my pets been entertaining you? I'm quite fond of their little trick."

The two blue creatures introduced, "I'm Gemi!"

"And I'm Mini!"

"Pede, pede!"

The woman explained, "I believe you know them as the Gemini twins." A dark smile came onto her face. "Celestial spirits make the best toys."

Lucy asked, "You're a Celestial wizard? That makes me sick!"

As Angel arrived, Guildless growled, "We don't have time to waste on this." She hit her palms, fingers folded inward, against each other. "Arc of Night: Blackness Rain!"

A hail of black streaks fell down against Angel as she dismissed Gemini for Scorpio, Aquarius freezing in her tracks. Scorpio quickly countered her hail of darkness with shots of sand. "I was born to be wicked!"

Aquarius shrieked, "Honey bunches of hunk!"

Lucy cried, "Hunk?!"

Guildless scowled. "Great, more spirits." She prepared to cast another spell at Angel as Scorpio and Aquarius got it on, but Lucy cut her off, "Stop! I'll beat this girl, Celestial wizard against Celestial wizard!"

Guildless hesitated, but she seemed to respect the honour enough. "You have five minutes or I step in."

Yet as Scorpio and Aquarius disappeared, Guildless asked, "Do your spirits normally ditch you?"

Lucy asked, "Who's side are you on, again?"

Angel laughed. "Haven't you heard? The dark guild's side, though she's a bit of a loose canon among us."

Lucy frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Guildless quickly excused, "It means she's trying to distract you, Lucy. Focus on your fight."

Lucy blinked, then nodded. "You're right."

Angel smirked. "Another time then. But Lucy, how have you survived this long without knowing how the Celestial spirits relate? A novice like you can't beat me!"

She kicked Lucy back, Guildless muttering, "Alright, screw the sidelines." She dove at Angel, but Angel had another key in hand quickly. "Open, Gate of the Twins."

Gemini appeared between Angel and Guildless, in the form of- Guildless. The first froze, staring at her new double. Then, Gemini removed the mask from Guildless' face...