Hey, guys! Sorry for the long wait. I had finals all of last week and the week before that was crammed with homework, so I couldn't write this chapter. I got around to it as soon as I could though, so I hope you're happy. 

Mira: I know I am!

Meena: Mira, I missed you! You ready for an awesome story? 

Mira: Yes! Let's do this, Meena-chan! So without further ado, here is chapter 43!

            A shocked silence settled in the vicinity, and Nastu's grip relaxed on her forearm. Lucy took the chance to run, spite and anger coursing through her veins like poison. She knew her actions were rash, but in her grief and desire for revenge, she didn't care. She didn't think about the fact that she would be endangering her comrades who would surely run after her, or that Natsu had specifically told her not to do anything dangerous again. She wanted to hurt someone, she wanted Acnologia to bleed for what he had done. She wanted—

            Slim arms wrapped around her waist tightly just before she breached the mouth of the cave entrance, and she was yanked back. She turned around angrily, ready to yell at whoever had stopped her when she came face to face with a crying Levy, her eyes scrunched tightly together as she held onto Lucy with all her strength, the others waiting warily behind her. Lucy's anger dissipated. Levy had been her best friend for a long time now, and she had kind of become like a weakness for Lucy. She was as close to a sister as she had.

            "Levy..."

            The bluenette opened her eyes, seeming desperate as she looked at her.

            "Please, Lu-chan, don't do this. If you die, I don't know what I'd do with myself. Please, come back and let's talk things out, okay? Please." Her last please was so heart-breaking that the rest of Lucy's rage burned out until it was but a small flame flickering inside her. She nodded compliantly. Levy let her go, and grabbed her hand, squeezing it in her own. The others stood back warily, as if afraid she would suddenly take off again if they made any sudden move, which they were probably right about. Levy led her silently into the main cave, the others trailing silently behind her. Lucy could feel Natsu's gaze on her, but she didn't dare meet it; she felt guilty for doing something reckless twice now since she'd gotten here.

            Levy sat the blonde down gently, and wiped her tears, keeping a grip on Lucy's hand. The others settled in a loose circle around her, Porlyusica included, who seemed very disgruntled by Lucy's uncharacteristic actions.

            "Now, Lu-chan," Levy said waveringly. "What do you mean Acnologia killed Queen Layla? You told me no one ever knew who killed her, that there were no witnesses."

            "That's what I thought—or at least that's what I remembered until now," Lucy said darkly.

            Everyone looked at her uncomprehendingly.

            "What?" Levy asked. "What do you mean until now?"

            "Remember when I had a nightmare for the first time?" Everyone nodded. "Well that's when the memory I had of that night, where I walked into the room and found my mom already dead, it started changing. I know this sounds crazy, but I think my mom changed my memory."

            Everyone looked at her disbelievingly as Levy seemed to be mulling it over in her head, everyone except for Porlyusica, who, for some reason, seemed to be feigning surprise. She turned away as soon as Lucy's eyes met her own, and suspicion gripped her.

            "Porlyusica!" she said, her tone that of a commanding royal.

            Porlyusica looked to her immediately, looking extremely composed.

            "You know something about this, don't you?" she asked, though she said it more like a statement.

            All eyes turned to the old woman. She narrowed her eyes at Lucy and looked at each of them in turn. Lucy's gaze did not waver as she stared the healer down. Porlyusica finally sighed, and pinched the bridge of her nose.

            "Well, I suppose I've kept the secret long enough," she said tiredly, and suddenly the lines of her face seemed much more pronounced, and her age showed on her face.

            Lucy stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

            "Your mother—well, your mother's family, the Heartfilia family—is very rooted in what you could call the 'magical' part of this world," Porlyusica explained. "Ryus and dragons are not the only inhuman creatures to exist, you know, and your mother is part of a long line of 'guardians', creature blessed with human form that can wield magic. Your family's duty was to keep the balance between the human world and the magical world, making sure the human world never found out about this one.

            "Your mother was one of the most powerful guardians to ever exist. Her magic was so powerful that she was hailed as the queen of guardians after your ancestor Anna Heartfilia. She separated the human world from the magical world by a barrier. If she were still alive, you all would have probably never met Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy; they wouldn't have been able to go through her barrier. Usually, she would be able to keep the peace on the magical side of the world as well, but unfortunately, Layla had always been a bit frail of body, and after she had you, her magic was weaker than before. To stop Acnologia, she would have needed the legendary weapon passed down through your family, the one that is currently strapped to your waist, Lucy."

            Lucy looked down at the gleaming weapon, caressing its handle.

            "The king was the only one who had knowledge of this, aside from myself of course. I have served as a liaison between the magical world and the human world for as long as I can remember for your family, which is why your king never dared lay a hand on me even after Layla died. After your mother was murdered, your father was devastated. He had already been worried for her because of the nature of her position, but after this, he was so shaken that he thought the best way to protect you, Lucy, was to manipulate you. He never wanted you to find out about your mother's history because he was too focused on keeping you by his side.

            "Of course, that is utterly selfish because now the magical world has fallen to pieces. Acnologia has taken control of most of the realm in his pursuit for revenge, and even the Celestials have fallen. The dragons that had taken to guarding the magical world in Layla's place have disappeared, and I fear Acnologia has something to do with it. If he isn't stopped, his greed will only grow, and soon he will come after the human realm. Your mother modified your memories with what little magic she had before she was killed because she didn't want to burden you with all this until you were ready for it, and to protect you. She took ever measure possible so that Acnologia wouldn't know of your existence, even going so far as to modify your memories. Your family has spent centuries protecting the world, Lucy. Will you take up the mantle?"

            They had all listened to Porlyusica's story quietly, absorbing all the information she had given them. Lucy had had no idea, none at all, and yet she could feel the truth of her words to her very bones, as if, now that she knew, everything in her blood was calling her to the truth, telling her it was her duty. It was strange, but now that she knew, Lucy felt closer to her mother than she ever had. And though the prospect that she was the key to defeating Acnologia weighed heavily on her shoulders, she also knew that she was not alone. Even now she was surrounded by people who cared about her, and there were people back home that she cared about as well, her whole kingdom. If she didn't protect them, then who would? This, this was what it should be to be a queen, to protect your people. It seemed Loke was right, she could make a fine queen, if only she took the risks necessary. No more dodging responsibilities, no more avoiding anything slightly difficult. She wanted to change, well here was her chance.

            "Yes," she said, confidence radiant in her voice. Back straight, jaw set; she was the image of a ruler, and yet she didn't know it.

            Porlyusica, for once, smiled at her, pride evident in her face. If only Erza could see her now, she was sure the strong redhead would be proud, too.

            "That's a big responsibility, Luce," Natsu said.

            She turned to face him to see worry in his face, but the corner of his lips was turned up.

           "I know, but I also know that I'm not alone," she said, smiling at him. She had never felt surer of herself than at this moment. This was something she absolutely wanted to do.

            Natsu grinned at her now, and turned to their companions. "Well, guys?"

            "Aye sir!" Happy said, sitting on Lucy's head happily.

            "I'll follow you anywhere, Lu-chan," Levy said, squeezing her hand.

            "Hey, if we've got some almighty being and legendary weapon with us, I say, let's beat the bastard," Gajeel smirked. "Gihee."

            Rogue and Stingue looked at each, and smirked.

            "Finally, some action!" Sting yelled, punching his fist in the air.

            "Being unable to move gives you a desire for battle," Rogue said calmly.

            "I would like to get our home back," Wendy declared, hugging Carla to her chest.

            "I guess it can't be helped," Carla said, crossing her arms. "But I'm only doing it to make sure you don't get into any trouble."

            "As long as we have a plan, I'm in," Panther Lily said, smriking as well.

            "Sting and I are partners! Whatever he does I do!" Lector said happily.

            "Fro thinks so too!" Frosch said, putting one paw in the air.

            And though Lucy wasn't quite sure what that meant, she was pretty sure that meant he was in. She looked around at all her new-found friends, and couldn't help but grin from ear to ear despite the danger they had all agreed to face.

            I'm coming after you, Acnologia, and I'll save everyone. Just you wait.

            Natsu pounded his fists together and smirked. "I'm all fired up!"

Well? What do you guys think? Were you expecting that? What do you guys think will happen from here on out? Poor Layla, guys, she is a wonderful person. So, Mira, what do you think?

Mira: It was definitely an interesting turn of events, and although there weren't nalu moments this chapter, it's also about the story, not just about the romance. So, I am looking forward to the future! 

Meena: Good because this book will be coming to a close soon. I know, it's sad, but all stories must come to an end eventually. But don't worry! There will be more Fairy Tail fanfics to come in the future so look forward to those!

Mira: I'm excited!!! 

Meena: Yes! But I want to go watch Fullmetal Alchemist now since we have no  homework, so would you please do the honors, Mira?

Mira: With pleasure! Meena-chan does not own Fairy Tail or the characters, Hiro Mashima does. She does, however, own the plot of this book. Please vote, comment, and share to support fanfiction authors from all fandoms who only do this to bring joy to themselves, but most importantly to their readers. So please join us next time and love Nalu! Ja ne!

Meena: Ja ne!