Hello, minna~!♡  Here is the next chapter, I hope you all like it!  I have two more I'm about to update automatically, so you all better be happy! c:<  Well, I dedicate this chapter to MsBiancaDragneel!  Love and Lucky = AMAZING!♥  Haha, I hope you all enjoy 'n stuff~  Feedback is very much appreciated, and until next time,

{я у - ¢ н α и}♡

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Darkauroral's guild came into view after awhile.

Lucy transformed her face into one of sadness. She had to put on a good act if she didn't want to be detected. Lucy had to do her best; if she didn't, she knew who would pay the price.

Her beloved friends.

While she was in thought, she had come to the front of the guild. It was big and ominous, with royal architecture and grotesque symbols. The Dark Guild's guild mark resided on a podium on each side of the doors, large and easily spotted.

A shiver ran down Lucy's spine.

..Lucy?

Lucy gasped, but then remembered the telepathy connection Levy had placed earlier.

It was Erza's voice.

Erza..? Lucy thought, feeling magic flow through her mind.

Are you ready? She asked, her voice stern even in the connection.

Yes. Lucy replied, nodding despite knowing the fact they couldn't see her do the movement. I am ready to finish this.

We're here for you, Lucy. It was Natsu's voice this time. You can do it.

Lucy smiled. Thank you, Natsu.

Taking a breath, Lucy opened the door, feeling darkness and evil descend on her quickly.

As soon as she spotted the people around her, she noticed Red and Adamantalia stare at her first along with the other guild members following. They were all wearing dark clothes and most of the men had a strange tattoo on their arms or faces, giving Lucy a definate bad impression.

Red was in front of her in an instant. "You." He hissed, looking Lucy up and down. "Why, this is a surprise."

Lucy had put on her act as soon as they appeared in front of her eyes. "I'm done." She simply said, tears welling in her eyes as her face saddened. "I'll help you."

Red looked incredibly surprised, with a suspicious snake-like Adamantalia behind his shoulder. Lucy had to continue her act; she had to make it better. However, Lucy knew the tears she shed were real; she really was tired of all of this fighting and pain.

She collapsed to her knees as if exhausted and defeated. "I will help you with the resurrection..."

Adamantalia giggled slyly. "What a turn of events...Tell you what, If you truly are here to surrender, give us the keys on your hip."

Lucy hesitated, but then slowly oblidged, knowing her spirits could take care of themselves.

But could she?

Red grabbed her roughly from the ground, shoving her up to her feet. "Looks like the lord will be pleased, once and for all."

So there is another, stronger, leader! Lucy thought with incredulity.

"Let's go." Red growled, his attitude much more vicious. "He'll be pleased to see you."

Dragging her through the stone hallways of the guild, Lucy was led to the very top floor, where one single incredibly large room was located. She was forcefully slammed through the doors, and she cried out in obvious pain when she hit the red-carpeted floor.

"Lord Coven." Adamantalia and Red spoke simultaneously. "We've finally brought her."

Lucy gasped as a burly man turned out of the shadows, his appearance becoming visible.

He had dull yellow hair that was incredibly short, along with a jagged scar running down his left eye. He had peach colored skin, which stood out against his black royal uniform. He was tall, broad, and incredibly sly and evil looking.

"Finally," He breathed. "We finally meet, Junsuina."

Lucy had to keep her "given up" act going. "You're Lord Coven, then?" She asked with blandness.

Coven smirked evily. "Absolutely."

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Lucy cried out as she was forced into a cell, being locked in with a boom.

How is the plan coming, Lucy? Gray asked, curiousity in his voice.

I've just been sealed up. If I can reach my keys, I'm outta here. They apparently think I don't need a body guard, since they think I won't cause much trouble. Lucy smirked. Are you guys ready?

Yep. We're ready for the order for us to come and join you.

Lucy felt adrenaline start to run through her body. Okay. I'll do my best!

Lucy saw her keys hanging on the wall across from her, and knew there was only one way of getting her keys again.

Coven had locked her up after telling her his plans. He had said he planned to bring back Daronyt, even though she along with her friends defeated Zeke. Coven planned to keep Lucy there for awhile, until the Destined Day came.

He hadn't shared what he would do with her after that.

Clenching her teeth, Lucy pulled out Virgo's key and swung it in a wide arc, exclaiming: "Open, gate of the maiden, Virgo!"

Light flooded the room, and Virgo appeared from the golden gate. "You summoned me, mistress? Is it time for punishment?"

Lucy had taken Virgo's key out before even entering the guild, sliding it into her pocket and leaving the rest in her case.

Let's just hope she wasn't caught yet.

"Virgo, I need you to dig a hole and get me out of here!"

"As my princess commands."

Driving into even stone, Virgo appeared out of the ground on the opposite side of the bars.

"Way to go, Virgo!" Lucy exclaimed, jumping inside and grabbing the celestial spirit's hand who pulled her out on the other side.

"Call me again, if you ever shall need me."

Lucy nodded, triumphance covering her face. "I'll need you in a little bit, so be ready!"

"Yes ma'am." Virgo replied before disappearing.

Grabbing the keys from the wall, Lucy took off and raced down the hallway. She came to a stop at the corner, pressing her back up against the cold concrete wall for cover. Looking across the corner, Lucy saw that the coast was clear and continued on.

I'm out! Lucy exclaimed to her friends, looking behind her shoulder every once in awhile.

Way to go! Natsu exclaimed. Keep going!

Right!

Lucy recognized these hallways from her dream, and for once was glad that she had had those nightmares.  Spotting the door with the stairs to the tunnels, Lucy shut the door right before guards came by, panting on the other side for a minute before continuing.

I'll find a place to bring you inside in a second... Lucy replied to them, and she felt their confirmation.

Walking on slowly and cautiously, Lucy walked on down the gray stone steps.

Reaching the bottom, Lucy recognized the room that split off into a few tunnels as she entered; the vision Rater had shown her.

"This is it.." Lucy murmured, adrenaline pumping through her veins.

Pulling out Virgo's key, she re-summoned the spirit and told her to go to the surface, find the others, and bring them here. Obeying, Virgo took off with seriousness.

Virgo's coming. Lucy sent out to her friends. Go ahead and start to come close.

Got it. Her friends replied, and she felt them start to move.

She switched to the guild. Master, are you there?

Yes, Lucy.  He replied easily.

Everything is going okay so far. Natsu and the others are on their way now.

Good. Be careful and continue.

Okay.

Entering the tunnel from her dreams, Lucy saw the torch from before and grabbed it, walking on.

Surprisingly, Lucy saw Virgo reappear next to her.

"Princess, they're at the tunnel entrance now."

"Great job, Virgo. Thank you."

Nodding, Virgo disappeared.

Taking a deep breath, Lucy was about to continue when she gasped as someone laughed lowly.

"Who's there?!" Lucy exclaimed, fear building in her stomach.

"I knew you'd trick them into being able to escape down here. Then again, I do know myself."

Lucy widened her eyes. The voice was female, dark and dangerous; yet familiar.

The cloacked figure appeared out of the shadows, and suddenly Lucy felt the connection she had with everyone completely be severed.

"H-Hey!" Lucy exclaimed, taking a step back. "How'd you--"

The female lifted her head, and Lucy felt confusion and crazed dumbfoundness pulse through her in shock.

"It's nice to meet my original self." The female exclaimed.

Lucy's eyes went wide with shock. "Y-You're--!!"

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Stay tuned for the next chapter, Chapter 25: The Fractured Sides!