Hello, minna! :D  Here is a much longer chapter for you all!~ ♥ It's to make up for the last two chapters, which were really short! ^.^;  I had a lot of fun writing this; especially when making the riddle! c:  I dedicate this chapter to starryflames, who is my very best friend along with an insanely amazing writer!  She deserves major happiness, especially because her writing is great! ♥ So go fan her, haha~  I hope you all enjoy, and feedback is always apreciated!  See you next time, ne! 

яу-¢нαи, тнє иαℓυ ωяιтєя ☆

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"There they are!"  Happy exclaimed, the morning sunlight streaking across his face.

Natsu appeared from the shadows, carrying Lucy in his arms.  He was looking at her, seeming to be lost in space.  But when he heard Happy, Natsu looked up and grinned, glad he was back out of the forest once and for all.

Everyone ran to him.

"How's Lucy?"  Erza asked.

"Is she okay?"  Wendy asked, her face worried.

Natsu nodded.  "Ah.  She's just been sleepin' since I got her."

"What happened to her?"  Gray asked, his hands in his pockets as he stood a few feet away.

Natsu's face became strained.  "Lucy was attacked by a whole hoard of those stupid vines...and she was being guarded by a giant cat!"

"A..giant cat?"  Gray asked, sweat-dropping.

"A giant tiger, is what I think he means..."  Erza murmured, blinking puzzledly; she was staring at the ground.  "Anyway,"  She continued, turning back to them all.  "I'm glad Lucy's alright."

Erza turned again, this time facing forward.  "All we have to do is head up that ridge over there."

She pointed ahead, where about half a mile away was the top of a hill, which was blocking off the view of anything else along with the trees.  The morning sun was peaking over the corner of that hill, showing the sky was a firey-red along with bright orange and yellow.

"Aye!"  Happy exclaimed, flying beside Carla.

Erza turned to Natsu.  "Natsu, do you think you can carry Lucy the rest of the way?"

"No.."

Everyone stopped in surprise, looking at Lucy.  Opening her eyes, Lucy started to climb out of Natsu's hold.  Natsu watched her with wide eyes, his hands hovering just in case she fell again.

Lucy's hand resided on Natsu's shoulder as she brought her head up, showing that her face was strained and sad.  

"I...can walk on my own."  She replied, taking a few steps forward as she didn't look at her friends.

Everyone watched as she made her way to the front, their expressions worried and slightly suspicious.  Lucy continued to walk, but then stopped, turning to look at them.

She put on a smile, though it looked clouded.  "Let's go!  We're almost there; I can feel the next clue about to show!"

Natsu - after hesitating in worry - nodded, grinning as he ran to the front with Lucy.  The others followed, the exceeds flying over their heads.  Walking on the path, Lucy was looking at the ground most of the time and not speaking, though her face was open again.  Natsu glanced at her, is smile gone for an instant as he stared at her.  As they continued, soon enough they made it to the top of the hill, and they all gaped in awe at the view.

"There it is!"  Lucy exclaimed, pointing ahead.

"Alright!  Finally, the next clue on finding Igneel!"  Natsu exclaimed, grinning broadly as he pumped his fist into the air excitedly.

"What do you think, Lucy?"  Gray asked, smiling in amusement.

Lucy nodded determidly.  "There's no mistake, everyone!  This looks exactly like it!"

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"Amazing!"  Wendy exclaimed, and everyone stood in a small group as they stared around the city.

There were two large city paths to both the left and right of them, also showing buildings on the far left, far right, and middle of the intersections, creating paths.  People walked around in peaceful harmony, some at street shops and others at the cafe's table, where they drank cool beverages for the day.

"Finally!"  Carla exclaimed.  "I didn't know how much longer I could go without any rest!"

"This place is awesome!"  Natsu exclaimed, jumping from foot to foot.

Stopping, Natsu turned to Happy.  "Happy!  Let's go get some food!"

"Aye!"  Happy exclaimed.

Natsu took off, his voice fading as he disappeared into the crowd exclaiming:  "Food, food, food!"

Erza turned to Wendy.  "Wendy, do you think you can help me find a nice hotel to stay at?"

"Sure, Erza!"  Wendy exclaimed happily, glad to be able to help.

Erza turned to Gray and Lucy.  "While we get the rooms, you two can enjoy the city."

Erza turned along with Wendy, walking away and into the croud.  Carla followed above them.

Gray sighed.  "See you soon, then, Lucy.  I'll head down this way first."

Lucy nodded, smiling.  "I'll go this way, then!  Maybe something will appear in my mind if I look at something specific!"

"Ah.  Good idea."

Splitting up, Lucy began her trek through the city.  Looking at apartement buildings, libraries, shops, and full houses, Lucy was extremely interested in Ibani.

But, she also hoped for her next clue.

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Fire spewed from the geysers in the ground, where lava resided.  Off in the distance was a giant chasm which led into darkness, most likely having giant jagged rocks at the bottom.  One the farthest side of the chasm was a stone structure, looking to be like an old three-storied monument.  It was large, with the ceiling blown off the third floor to show a large, flat-open space perfect for combat.  A bridge connected to the building, climbing over the abyss and over to the other side, which led back into the world.

Two figures stood side by side, in perfect sync.  Their faces were abscured; the only thing showing was their blood-red glowing eyes.  Despite the pool of lava behind them which created shadows against their figures, there was scarcely a visible image of their appearances.  The one on the left was male, with spiky white hair and a long white cloak over his shoulders.  Underneath was a tunic, which was decorated in sharp designs and was the color of shadows.  His skin was slightly tanned, and there was faintly a line on his forehead, indicating the man had a scar on his face.

The one on the right was female, and she had long blue hair that stopped at her hips.  Her skin was pale, and she had a tatto running down her left arm.  She was wearing a white cloak as well, but a blue tunic-like kimono was located under it, with no apparent design.  On her hip was a small container, which must've held some type of liquid.  She had a weapon in her hand, which was a long staff sharpened on both ends.

The male chuckled, a sneer on his face.

The woman turned to him, smirking as well.  "Is it almost time, Lores?"

"It almost truly is, Loren."  

The man known as Lores smirked.  "Soon, very soon, we will have our prize."

Smirking, Loren turned back to face forward, and they stood like guards, waiting.  Their aura was threatening, and certainly powerful.

They were ready.

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Lucy leaned against the stone railing, looking out over the city.  In front of her was most of the city, but some of it went slightly up a mountain, giving some of the houses incredible views.  Looking forward, Lucy saw the museum in the middle of the city, resting on a raised hill so it was destinguished from the rest of the buildings.  The other buildings extended far out all around, taking the form of a circle overall.

Lucy's hair floated in the breeze, and her arms were crossed and resting on the railing.  She was leaning forward, her expression preoccupied as the sun shined on her face, making it glow.

I've decided what I'm going to do.  Lucy thought, her expression suddenly determined.  I won't lead them astray.  We will find the dragons once we get there, and Natsu will finally find Igneel, along with Wendy with Grandine.  I...will work hard to not be useless, even if all I have to offer is being a map for everyone.

Lucy's eyes shook.  If..that's what I need to do, I'll gladly be one.

Turning away from the railing, Lucy began to walk back into the main part of the city.  She was worried that she hadn't gotten a clue yet, and was wondering what could trigger it.  

As she walked on, back into the main part of the city, Lucy came across Natsu and Happy, who had just finished eating a mound of food.

Lucy shaked her head, sweat-dropping.

"Natsu!"  Lucy called, waving her hand in the air.

Natsu turned, hearing his name called.  "Oi, it's Lu-shee!"  His words were slurred, because of the fact that he still had a bunch of food in his mouth.

Lucy jogged up to them, putting her hands on her hips.  

"And who do you think is going to pay for all of this?"  She asked, thinking of the worst possibilities on how much this would cost them.

"It's alright, Lucy!"  Happy exclaimed, also full.  "We helped out the resturaunt earlier, so they gave us free food!"

"Helped out..?"  Lucy murmured, confused.

"Aye!"  Happy answered as Natsu was finishing swallowing the last bit of food in his mouth.

Lucy relaxed.  "Well, as long as we don't have to pay anything..."

"Alright!"  Natsu and Happy exclaimed.

Natsu raised his hand.  "Oi!  A little bit more food, please!"

"Coming up!"  A male voice exclaimed, sounding amused.

Lucy smiled with amusement, and sat down next to Natsu.  "Hey, how'd you end up helping this place anyways?"

"Well,"  Natsu began, waving his hand dismissively.  "We--"

Natsu stopped abruptly, along with Happy who stopped sticking a fish into his mouth.

Lucy had slammed her fist into the table, making a loud noise and shaking the dishes.  After a shocked moment of silence, all of the sudden Lucy slid out of her chair, dropping to the ground onto her knees with a clatter.

"Lucy!"  Natsu and Happy both exclaimed at the same time, shocked.

Lucy's eyes were wide with shock, her body slightly shaking in reaction to something.

But what?

Natsu dropped down next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder and looking at Lucy with a strained face.  Happy was residing next to him, standing on his feet with his fish in his hands.

"Oi!  Lucy!"  Natsu exclaimed, trying to get her to look at him.  "What's wrong?!"

Lucy couldn't speak.  She was getting something.

The next clue.

The words were running through her head; they were mute in voice but seemed to be writing through her brain.  Lucy's eyes skimmed from side to side like she was reading a book.

Shrouded by many,

Located in the middle of attention.

Giving mystery and the solved tales, 

Breaking despite the notoriety,

Find the image of past.

Find the answer, you find the clue.

To your next travel.

"Oi, Lucy!"  Natsu exclaimed, starting to get worried.  "Stay with us!"

"Lucy?"  Happy asked, taking a small step forward.

Lucy suddenly gasped, pulled from her reverie and back to reality.

She shakily looked at Natsu, who looked at her back with a look of fear in his eyes.  "Natsu.."

"Are you okay?"  He asked, leaning forward to make sure she was alright.

Lucy nodded, and slowly, she stood, with the help of Natsu.

"We have it..!"  Lucy exclaimed, and Natsu looked at her in surprise.

"Eh?"  He asked, confused.

"What do you mean, Lu-shee?"  Happy asked, now standing back on the table.

Her eyes shook with excitement.  "The next clue!"  She looked at Natsu with happiness.  "I just got it!"

.

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Finally, the next clue arouses!  What will the answer to this mysterious riddle be?

Find out in the next chapter, Chapter 8: Decoding the Mystery!