Hello! Hello! To my new readers, just skip this authors note. To my old readers, go to chapter three and read, then come back to this chapter! Well, onto the story!

Lucy ran up to the building. She was starting to get frantic. The flames weren't going out fast enough. "Erza!" She yelled for the red-head. She couldn't find anyone with all the smoke gathering. She ran on, getting more frantic with every passing second. 'Where is everyone?'

"Lucy!"

Lucy skidded to a stop and glanced around.

"Lucy!"

"Over here!" Lucy shouted back. She'd recognize that voice anywhere.

She saw a dark small figure running towards her. She ran towards the figure and met her halfway. They hugged one another in relief.

"Levy!"

"Lucy!"

Lucy stepped back and put her hands on Levy's shoulder. "Levy-chan...where is everyone?" She glanced around questioningly. "Are they still trying to put out this fire?" Lucy glanced back at her friend and noticed the indecisiveness in her eyes. Lucy hardened her eyes. "Tell me."

Levy sighed and bowed her head. Lucy hated using her authoritative voice on her friends, but she wanted nothing hidden from her. She wasn't a child and she can handle things. "Let's get away from this building first." Lucy nodded her agreement. They ran a good distance from the burning building.

Once far enough away, Lucy turned towards her best friend. "Now, tell me."

Levy sighed and glanced down, speaking quietly. "Erza and Dakota found three people in the building, spurring the flames on and taking things from the building. Suspicious, Dakota called out to them."

Levy stopped and glanced up at Lucy. Lucy nodded for her to continue. "The three people stopped whatever it was they were doing and attacked unprovoked. And you know Erza, she's not one to hold back, but Dakota shoved her back and fought them all himself. Dakota was able to knock one of them unconscious before he was taken down. He was able to injure the others pretty badly though. When Erza stepped forward, the other two were already worn out, so instead of fighting more, they took off, leaving behind their other friend. They also probably thought that Erza wasn't a threat to them, because she wasn't wearing any of her armor."

Lucy was nodding her head when they heard the wood crack and fall a few meters away from them. "We'll finish this discussion once this fire is taken care of."

Levy nodded in understanding. They turned towards the building together. Lucy reached towards her key holder and pulled out Aquarius. She raised her arm and call out, "Open! Gate of the Water Bearer! Aquarius!" She then lowered her arm into the puddle of water next to her. A bell sounded and out came Aquarius.

Aquarius turned and glared at Lucy. "There better be a very good reason for calling me from my date and from a dirty puddle!"

"There is! I need you to put out that burning building." Lucy pointed towards the building. Lucy suddenly put her hands up and exclaimed "But don't flood the street! There are innocent people here!"

"Tch. Whatever." Aquarius said before shouting and pouring water over the flames. Most of it was put out, but some of the building was still on fire.

"Aquarius, the buildings still on fire!" Lucy screeched.

"What do you want me to do about it? You told me not to flood the place and I didn't." Aquarius turned her back on Lucy before looking over her shoulder with a smirk. "Now, I'm heading back to my wonderful date and amazing boyfriend." And with that, she was gone.

"Ugh!" Lucy groaned, her head thrown back in defeat. "Now what are we going to do?"

"I got this, Lu!" Lucy turned her head in Levy's direction and saw her step forward, with her pen raised, while she wrote. "Solid Script: Water!" Suddenly, the word 'water' formed in front of Levy, then surged towards the building. The rest of the flames were slowly dying out. "Water!" Levy shouted again and the building was finally put out.

"Yes! We did it!" Lucy and Levy came together and high fived before the girls giggled. Citizens started heading towards them.

"Thank you so much!" Some of them said.

"You girls are very brave." Others said.

Soon, Lucy and Levy were surrounded by them.

"Oh, it was nothing!" Lucy said, hesitantly laughing while scratching the back of her head.

"How can we repay you ladies?" One of them asked.

"Oh you don't have to!" Levy immediately said. "We don't want anything!"

"There's got to be something you girls want," Another insisted.

"Actually, we have to get going and meet up with our other friends," Lucy told them. She slowly started to push Levy away from everyone. "We are thankful for your kindness but we really have to be going." On the outskirts of the people, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief.

Levy giggled in front of her. "Shouldn't you be used to all of this Lu-chan? I mean, you are going to rule this kingdom one day."

"Hush, Levy! We don't want anyone to over hear!" Lucy smiled at some of the people close to them. "Remember, our identities are secret."

Levy nodded. "Yeah, yeah, I know." Then she sighed. "I wish it didn't have to be though."

Lucy let go of Levy and walked beside her. "Yeah, me too." They walked in silence for a few minutes before Lucy remembered. "So what happened next?"

"Hm?" Levy furrowed her brows in confusion.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "With Erza and them? What happened?"

Levy's eyes widened. "Oh yeah! So, Erza grabbed both men and slung them over her shoulder before running out of the building. Then she ran into Wendy and Carla, telling them that she was going back to the hotel to do some questioning. Raven overheard and stood next to Erza. Once Erza was finished explaining, she took off towards the hotel without another word."

"Why wasn't she wearing her armor earlier?" Lucy asked curiously, remembering what Levy said earlier. "She has her Flame Empress Armor doesn't she?"

Levy shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Probably because she was using her other outfits for other things? We'll have to ask her once we find her again."

Lucy nodded in agreement. "Are Wendy and Carla with them, too?" At Levy's nod, Lucy sighed in relief. 'It's only been a day and already things are choas,' Lucy thought to herself. She didn't know what else to expect on this journey.

They walked into the apartment and was suddenly attacked! "Lucy! Levy! Oh, thank Mavis your all right! You're not hurt are you?"

Getting out of their initial shock, they glance down and see Wendy hugging them tightly, concern and happiness in her eyes. Laughing, the two girls hug Wendy back. "Yeah, we're fine."

"Oh that's good," Wendy's eyes soften a little.

"Let them go, child, or you might just squeeze the life out of them," Carla walked up with a smile on her face.

"Oh!" Wendy let go and stepped back, embarrassed. "Sorry!" She bowed.

Lucy and Levy laughed again. Lucy stepped up and ruffled the girls hair. "Hey, no worries! You're just glad to see us, like we are with you." She smiled down at the girl.

Wendy smiled and nodded her head.

Lucy and Levy went to their beds and plopped themselves next to each other. They both sighed in relief of finally getting off their feet after what seems liked hours of walking. "Hey, Wendy?" Levy asked.

Wendy turned to her. "Yes, Levy?"

"Where's Erza and the others?" Levy asked with a quirk of her brows.

Wendy's face fell. "W-well, you see..."

Just then they heard what appeared to be a hit and someone groan. Lucy and Levy jumped to their feet at the same time, asking, "What was that?!"

Wendy sighed and pointed towards the front door. "They're in Dakota's and Raven's room doing an interrogation," Wendy said and winced once she heard another groan.

"Come on Wendy. Why don't we go and do something for a while?" Carla asked while leading her away from the noise. The two girls walked away while Lucy looked at the girl in sympathy.

"C'mon, Lu! Let's find out what's going on!" Levy said, determination on her face.

Lucy shook her head, placed a determine frown on and nodded her head. "Yeah!"

They took off towards Dakota's and Raven's room. Lucy reached the door handle first. She grasped it and turned, but it wouldn't budge. "It's locked!" Lucy said, shocked. Lucy started knocking on the door.

First they're was silence. Then, the door was jerked open, two arms came out and grasped the two by their collars. Alarmed, they were jerked into the room, the door closed right behind them and the lock sliding into place seconds later. Lucy gained her balance and noticed that Levy was next to her. Slowly they turned to see Erza standing there, arms crossed, next to the door, her face void of any emotion, in a dress that didn't suit her. It was purple with a blue bow tied at the waist. The sleeves were capped and her hair was up in an elegant bun.

The two girls gulped in fear and hugged each other close. "I'm glad you two are safe." Erza spoke quietly. They nodded, not trusting their voice. "Here's how its played out," Erza walked closer to them. She whispered to the two. "Your not the princess at the moment, Lucy. You," Erza pointed as if to emphasize her point, "are a lady in waiting."

Confused, Lucy asked, "Whose the princess?"

Erza's smile seemed to darken the room. "I am."

"What?" Lucy asked confused.

Erza sighed. "Dakota and I made a plan. In case of anyone finding us out, we decided to play a decoy. Also to trick this gang."

Realization hit Levy. "That's why you didn't wear any of your armors!" she said quietly. Erza nodded.

Anger coursed through Lucy. "So the plan is to have you become the target, am I correct?" At Erza's nod, Lucy seethed. "And if I don't want you guys to go through with this insane plan of yours?"

"We're doing this to protect you." Was all Erza said.

"I never asked you guys to protect me! I can take care of myself and I don't need protection!" Lucy whispered ferociously.

Erza's eyes darkened considerably. "It is my job to protect you, your Highness. And I take my job seriously." Lucy opened her mouth to say something, but a look from Erza, Lucy closed her mouth immediate. "Now you either follow the plan, or I'll have one of us take you back to the castle, where you should be. Your choice, your Highness." Erza said so quietly, but Lucy heard every word.

Lucy looked away. "Fine. Do whatever it is you have to. But I would like to be informed of your plans ahead of time!"

Erza bowed with her hand fisted over her heart. "Understood, your Highness!"

The whole conversation had been quiet. No one dared speak over a whisper. "Here." Erza handed them something to cover their faces and hair. Erza then showed them how to put it on. "Now, let's go!" Erza said, in a normal voice as she straightened. Then, she walked towards the only closed door in the apartment and walked in, waiting for the others.

Lucy put it on and walked into the room calmly, Levy not far behind her. They were not ready to see what was held in that room. A man, Lucy guessed around her age, was tied to a chair. He was shirtless and had bruises forming on his body. His head was down, black hair covering his face. Levy gasped in surprise.

At her gasp, the mans head lifted and Lucy saw his cold, dark eyes. Lucy felt a chill run down her spine. 'If look's could kill, I'd be dead now.' Lucy thought shakily. The man's mouth twisted in disdain at the two girls, forming a snarl and a smile. "More of the sick hierarchy's. What kind of people are you? Just sitting around while letting other people suffer!" The man yelled out, snaring in rage.

Lucy's eyes narrowed in confusion. 'What...?'

It appeared Levy had the same question. She turned towards Erza and leaned close. "Your Highness, what is he talking about?"

Erza's eyes were narrowed. "I don't know. He said that before, but won't elaborate." She whispered as well, but the man heard. He started laughing hysterically.

"Don't play dumb princess! You know exactly what your doing!" He chuckled darkly, glaring at her with hatred in his eyes. "You only care for the people closer in your rank. Not for the poor people working to make a living, struggling to find food. Or the kids left out on the streets, fending for themselves. You only care about yourself!"

Dakota lunged forward and punched the guy in the face. "Don't talk about her Highness like that! She is a caring person that loves everyone in her kingdom!"

Lucy started to hyperventilate. "Abandoned kids...? People struggling to find enough food? What...?' Lucy couldn't understand what the guy was saying. Her father took great care of his kingdom...didn't he?

The guy laughed again, spitting out blood. "Oh yeah, she definitely cares about her people a lot. Enough for them to starve so she could have a decent meal. Well," Lucy looked up to see the guy had death in his eyes. His smile was dark. "we're here to change all that."

Lucy knew what they were planning on doing. They were going to kill the King and the Princess of the kingdom and take over. She could see it in his eyes. They would stop at nothing to get what they want.

Erza turned away from the man, acting as if he was nothing, furthering his beliefs that the royals didn't care about anyone but themselves. "We will finish this interrogation tomorrow." And she walked out of the room, followed by Levy and, ever so slowly, Lucy. She stopped once she heard the man speak again.

"I'm not going to be here tomorrow. The question is: will you?" She looked back and saw the promise in his dark blue eyes. She turned forward again and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. She followed Erza to the hallway and back to their room.

Lucy promptly locked the door behind her and stared at Erza, eyes wide. "Erza." Erza stared at her, her eyes grave. "Did he mean what I think he meant?"

"What do you think he meant, Lucy?" Erza asked, requipping back into her armor and settling onto the bed.

"Is the gang going to try to kill me?" Lucy whispered, scared for her life. She didn't know how to react when Erza nodded her head. Lucy sank to the floor, her mind blank. "What did I do to deserve this?" Lucy whispered. Erza kneeled in front of her.

"I don't know," Erza shook her head, sadly. "But, we will figure it out and stop it! I promise you, Lucy! And I never break a promise!" Erza grabbed a hold of Lucy and gently held her, trying to comfort the young girl.

Lucy was grateful for her friend. She was trying, that was for sure. "Thanks, Erza. I'm fine now." Erza nodded and sat back, staring at Lucy worriedly. Lucy mentally shook herself before putting a determined look on. "So, whats the plan?"

Erza's face turned neutral as she went into business mode. "He can use Ice Make magic, so the binds won't hold him for long. The plan is to let him think he escaped while Raven is going to tail him. Once she finds the hideout, she's going to backtrack back to us and inform us of whatever details she can tell us. Dakota and Raven will then head back to the castle and warn his majesty of the dangers. While we're going to go infiltrate their headquarters and gather as much information as we can." She nodded like it was going to be the easiest thing in the world.

Lucy nodded. "But won't the guy recognize us?"

Erza shook her head and pointed to her head at the same time. Confused, Lucy reached up and felt a piece of cloth. Lucy then remembered that her hair and face were covered. "Oh..."

Suddenly, there was a loud Crash! Lucy looked up and saw that Erza leaped to her feet. "Sounds like he made his escape. Good, our plan is in motion."

Chapter 7 everyone! So how was it? Good, bad, ok? Leave me a review and tell me what you guys think! I seriously want to know. You make this writers day when you do. I'm so sorry for not updating in forever, but I have my reasons!

1: My laptop was broken.

2: When I moved to start college, no internet.

3: Got a new laptop and new password, forgot the password.

4: Internet and new password, but got a new job.

5: Quit job but no internet until recently.

So those are my reason though you guys might not see it as that. I don't know when the next update will be to be honest. I'm working on this one, my Soul Eater one, and a new one! Gah! My life is such a mess. But I'm trying I promise! Anyways, until the next update everyone! Don't hate me!

Kit Raven out! =^-^=