It had been four days since the group left the ruins of the now underground library. They  set up camp outside a small village. Their journey back was still a very long one. Several trees surrounded friends, protecting them from the vision of bandits on the nearest road. Most everyone had taken a place around the fire Natsu created, dusk threatening to overtake the small forest. 

Lucy was the only one, however, who kept her distance. Since they had departed, she found herself lost in her own world. Many questions forced her mind to stay fully awake, granting her little sleep. Now, though, she had propped herself up against a tree base. Her knees had been brought up to her chest and two delicate hands rested on them. 

In Lucy's grip was a gift. An elegant looking circlet made out of pure silver with three dark blue gem stones embroidered into the center of the head piece. Evion had pulled her aside before she vanished, giving it to her. The memory from days before was stuck in her brain. Replaying over and over, as if it had only happened moments ago. 

"Thank you for everything, Evion. We won't strain what is left of you any longer. Besides, we need to return to our guild with the information." Lucy flashed the snowed hair woman was warm close mouthed smile. 

Evion nodded in return. "I knew one day, I would be of need."

As Natsu and the rest of the group said their goodbyes to the spirit woman, Evion backed away and tugged on Lucy's arm. She pulled her gently away from the rest and gave the golden haired wizard a soft gaze. 

"Lucy, hold out your hands." She breathed lightly. 

Lucy did as she was told. When her hands came together in front of her, something appeared in the center. Her eyes widened as they landed on a beautiful circlet. The silvers shine gave it such a stunning finish. 

"This is the sword of the Spirits." Evion stated. 

"Sword?" Lucy's eyes were drawn upward. 

Evion nodded. "It is a relic from the Spirit Realm, given to the first Celestial Wizard by the Spirit King himself." 

"Is it powerful?" The chocolate eyed girl questioned, giving it another throughout look. 

"Extremely. It allows the wearer to summon the abilities of the Spirits they hold contracts with, without calling them from their gates. Also it amplifies the ability." Evion explained the purpose of the ancient tool.

"Wow! I had no idea anything like this existed. But...I fight with my Spirits. We win our battles together." Lucy spoke clearly, hoping to sound very sincere. 

Evion smiled faintly at her. "I wore it during the Dragon Civil war. Just as you, I fought beside mine. Even while wearing the sword. It takes a lot of magic energy. But if you are strong enough you can use both."

"Are you giving this to me?" 

"Yes, dear girl. There is still a great battle before you. This may be the deciding factor whether you win or lose." She responded. 

"Do you have any last advice before we go?" Lucy smiled, not quite wanting to say goodbye to her. 

"Yes, actually. There are two things I shall speak to you of. One. Natsu is your most important ally. He is the only one who you will truly need by your side, if you are lucky he'll be there forever. And lastly, I believe that in order to clear the name of our people, the Black Dragon must be returned to the dust. If he is not, the world will not last long enough to continue loathing us." Evion's expression turned grim at her last words. 

Lucy nodded once more before they parted for the last time. 

Her chocolate eyes were staring intently at the glittering gems. She remembered her heart racing and her head feeling light when Evion spoke of Natsu being by her side forever. It as a strange thought to her. But oddly enough, it seemed right. Though she very clearly remembers what it was like without him there. She didn't really think she would survive now. 

Just as that thought cross her mind, a dark figure plopped itself down next to her. She didn't have to look to know who it was because he instantly opened his mouth to start a conversation. 

"I think you, more than anyone is in the world deserve this." Natsu's confident but caring voice was only loud enough to keep his words between the two. 

She felt a faint smile glide over her lips. "I just hope I can make things right. At the very least get the world on a path to forgetting their hate."

"I've forgotten mine." It was then that her eyes trailed to him, landing on a man who was watching her so fiercely. Lucy's heart began to race as their eyes met. 

Darkness had tinted the area the two sat in, dimming his features. His soft rose colored hair fell over her forehead and dark eyes were almost completely lost in Lucy's large orbs that revealed the damage that had been done to her. Natsu knew he felt something for her. The twisting feeling in his chest was clear as day but he had not the slightest idea what it meant. 

Lucy's grin widened uncontrollably after a second. "Thank you, Natsu. I'm really glad to hear that."

A moment of silence drifted between them as they looked from each other. There was something on Natsu's mind. Normally, Happy would have hounded him constantly about not thinking too much. He believed it was quite dangerous. For days Natsu followed the group, a question eating away at him.

"Luc." He spoke again, his gaze fixed on the vibrant stars above him. 

"Yeah?"

"I thought for sure I would see my father, when Evion showed us those memories. But I didn't, it was only you. Did something maybe... happen in your memory that had to do with Igneel? That maybe could help me?" He questioned, timidly as he was unsure if he really wanted to know the answer. 

Lucy took a sharp breath. She had been debating this whole time on whether or not to tell him about the part Igneel had in her past. Her head turned slightly and she caught a glimpse of his moon illuminated face. She placed the circlet in her pack before nodding to herself. Her decision was clear, it was not her secret to keep. 

"Yes. I saw Igneel." She stated mellowly. 

Natsu jerked his head towards her. But her gaze was already plastered firmly on the dirt in front of them. He studied the expression on her pale face. He felt the pit in his stomach grow larger. She was no longer wearing a smile. Which meant what she had to say was not in any way pleasant. But he needed to know. Needed to know anything. 

"Igneel made the call to place the blame on Celestial Wizards. Instead of owning up to his own mistake, he framed the woman he loved." Lucy let it out plain an simple. Faster then she hoped it would, though. 

Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief. No matter how many times her voice repeated it in his head. It didn't sound like his father. But he knew Lucy had no reason to lie to him. The vision she saw was one of Evion's very own, who had been there during that time. That last fact stuck in his head. 

"The woman he loved...are you talking about Evion?" He frowned slightly. 

"What I saw was a conversation between Igneel and Evion. I've always heard you speak so fondly of him so I had a hard time believing they were the same being. His tone toward her was so cold. But for some reason, it was clear to me what they felt for each other." Lucy added in, meeting Natsu's gaze once more. 

"I want you to know. That once this is all over, I will help you find Igneel." She stated boldly directly after. 

The rose haired man stared at her, his mouth hanging agape slightly. He found it so strange, how someone so internally damaged could care so much about others around her. Hate has corrupted every corner of her life. Yet she'd still fight to make peace. 

"Why? He ruined your future." Natsu's voice became low as he asked his question. 

"Because over time everyone have the ability to change. Just because Igneel did something 400 years ago does not mean he is the same person who made that call now. Also, you've spent all this time helping me achieve my dream. I want to help you with one of yours." Lucy flashed Natsu a smile that made his heart feel like it stopped.