Disclaimer: Hey guys! Firestorm40 here with a new chapter for you all. In this chapter, Lucy finds out about her father's passing and some other things. So without further ado, Enjoy!

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X791 Magnolia

By the time they came back from Tenrou Island, seven years had passed by in Earthland.

Lucy looked around the Guild and she couldn't help but smile a little, it felt like a fairy tale she read a long time ago, though she never thought she and everyone of the Guild would end up in a situation exactly like that story. Last night, the Guild got a massive party to celebrate the return of the core members of Fairy Tail, and even if she wanted to Lucy would never be able to forget any moments of that night.

Drinking, singing and dancing...as if they were making up for seven years of lost time, Fairy Tail was no longer the best guild of Earthland, yet it was still pretty much the same as before. Everyone, laughing and smashing their fists into each other face, before wrapping their arms around each other shoulder, tears of joy falling down their eyes.

She then looked beside her saw Sora talking to Lexi, while Lucas was chatting with the other Exceeds.

During that time, some revelations come up. Natsu learned from Romeo that he can change the property of his fire such as cold, stinky or purple like his dad. He also mentions that he received lessons from the ex- member Totomaru, though he hasn't told his father about it. Gajeel is happy to hear about him, much to Patherlily's amusement. Meanwhile, Macao offers Marakov's position of guild master back but Marakov lets him keep it, much to his surprise. Erza is shocked that Bisca and Alzack are married and when asked by Lisanna if they have any children, they reveal they have one daughter named Asuka.

Wendy looks over some of Reedus's artwork and finds a picture of her more grown up. However, she is dumbstruck that he forgot to figure her breasts into the drawing. Carla also doesn't approve of his drawing of the Exceeds with more humanoid bodies. 

"This is really horrifying..." She muttered at the pic.

"I think it's kinda funny." Lucas laughed as he looked at the picture.

"I doubt that's how we would look." Kiki commented.

Happy brings up that the their fellow Exceeds were probably worried about them, though Patherlily comments that time travels differently for them and the years that passed probably won't seem like a big deal. 

The fun continued until the doors of the small guild building was opened and five very familiar faces walked in with a smile on their face.

"Welcome back, everyone!" Sherry Brendi waved to them cheerfully. She was a young beautiful woman with blue eyes, pink hair, large breasts, and a curvaceous body. She wore a black vest top and matching skirt. The vest sported a collar and tied reaching only to her mid-chest and aside from a light cloth band clasped above her navel, her belly and the under-inside portion of her breasts were exposed. She also wore a dark hair-band with points resembling cat ears, and long black gloves reaching to her upper arms.

"Looks like it's turned back into a noisy Guild" The one who said that was Lyon Vastia. He was a slim young man of average height with a muscular and toned body. He had bluish silver hair, most of which were spiky strands that jut upwards on top of his head, except for some which are kept pointing down and partially cover the upper left part of his face.

Behind him were Jura Neekis, Yuka Suzuki and Toby Horhorta, all them wearing a smile on their face as they greeted the missed mages of Fairy Tail

"You guys!" Gray said in shock, standing up from his seat.

"Lamia Scale" Lucy gasped. It'd been a long time since she last saw them, as they were Fairy Tail's alliance during the battle against one of the strongest Dark Guild of Balam Alliance, Oracion Seis.

"It's been a while." Sora greeted them.

"When we searching for Tenrou Island, Blue Pegasus and Lamia really helped us out" one of the Guild's members informed them, forcing Gray to make a force smile as Lyon's smirk.

"Looks like we're in their debt now."

"Don't worry about it, Blue Pegasus made it out there first, but we have much more power" Lyon smirked confidently.

"Who cares about that" Gray sweat dropped, saying uncaringly.

"Well, in these past seven years, we Lamia Scale have climbed up to the number two guild in Fiore" Sherry said with a smile, putting her hand to the above of her sizable chest "too bad for you, Lucy."

"So...does that mean number 1 is Blue Pegasus?" Lucy asked.

"Of course not!" Toby cried "There's no way that could happen!"

"Settle down" Yuka calmed his friend with his usual expression "No, it's not Blue Pegasus"

"Well, enough about that..." Jura nodded his head "What's important is that everyone is okay." 

Lyon spots Juvia and is instantly smitten with her, throwing her into bewilderment of all the possible love triangles in the guild, while Gildarts asks the others about his connection to Cana, much to her embarrassment.

Sora smiled as the looked around at the guild, watching everyone party the night away. He then looked over at Lucy and noticed she had a bit of sadness on her face.

"Hey what's wrong, Luce?" He asked concerned.

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked looking over her boyfriend.

"You look sad." Sora stated.

"Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry." Lucy told him turning away before he gently grabbed her chin and turned her head to face him.

"I can see it in your eyes that you're upset." Sora said. "What is it?"

Lucy didn't answer immediately as she turned to look over at everyone in the guild. Taking a deep breath, she spoke. "It's just that...to us, it seemed like only a week's time had passed. But for everyone back here, it was a long seven years. When I think about what they went through, I can't help but feel a strange sense of guilt for their pain. It must've been a longtime to wait...."

Hearing that, Sora understood why Lucy was a bit upset. It had been 7 years since they last seen their other Fairy Tail friends and how it must have affected them. He also thought about how it would've affected her and the others if he and Lucas weren't saved by his mother.

He then pulled Lucy into a hug, much to her surprise. "Don't worry about it, Luce." He said. "We're all here together again. We make up for all those years that we weren't here for, okay?"

Lucy couldn't help but smile as she snuggled more into Sora's chest. She was so glad that he was with her, she had no idea what she would do without him.

Sora then thought of something. "Hey Luce, how do you think your landlady is going to react when she finds out you're back after being for 7 years?" He asked.

Lucy's eyes widen at that as she pulled away from Sora. "Aaah!!! You're right! She's probably going to demand 7 years worth of rent!" Lucy cried out as she wept comical tears. "Where am I supposed to get that much cash!?"

Sora begin to think for a moment before he got an idea. "If you need a place to stay, why don't you move in with me?"

Lucy looked at him in shock. "What?"

"Yeah, it's pretty cozy and the rent isn't that bad." Sora told her. "Also, I have an extra room where you can write and I'm sure you'll like it." Sora said with a smile.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother." Lucy asked. After receiving a nod from Sora, Lucy though about it before a smile grew on her face and she agreed.

"Alright then, I'll do it." She said.

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(Later that day...)

"Damn!" the landlady grumbled as she stomped up the stairs, "That girl's late on rent again!" 

She banged on the door.

"Lucy!" she bellowed, "Come out this instant! You owe me 7 years worth of rent! 5,880,000 jewels! " There was no answer. Not the most patience of women, the landlady promptly kicked the door down.

"Now girl....," she stopped when she saw everything. There were boxes all around, and the room was looking strangely empty.

"Oh, hello!" Lucy said politely as she came out of the bathroom, smiling.

"What's going on here?" the landlady asked, "Where's the rent?"

"Oh, I'm moving out," Lucy said, still smiling.

"You are?" the landlady asked in surprise. She knew that the girl was often tight on money, so she tried to be reasonable on the rent. But if she was moving out...

"Did you find a cheaper place?"

"In a way, yes," Lucy said, as she put another book in a box, before turning, and grinning bright, "I'm moving in with my boyfriend!"

"Your boyfriend?" the landlady asked.

"That's what she said!" Sora said, as he  and Lucas jumped into the window with a grin.

"Hello!" Lucas said with a wave.

"You're the brother of that boy who is always breaking things!" the landlady said angrily, "Get out of here!"

"Don't worry, we're both in the progress of that," Lucy said, as she handed Sora a box, who handed it off to Lucas. Sora then jumped in, and picked up several boxes on his own, not showing any strain.

"Why this all of a sudden?"

"Well, since we're a couple, we thought it would be great if we got a place together" Lucy answered, rubbing her arm." Sora smiled.

"And I enjoy being with her!" he said. Lucy grinned, and kissed him on the cheek. The landlady smiled at that.

"Normally I'd ask for this month's rent anyway, but I guess I can make an exception" she said. Lucy paused, before smiling big.

"Thank you, ma'am!" she said, "That means a lot!"

"Don't worry, ma'am." Sora said to the landlady. "Once I get enough money, I'll get you the rent."

Eventually, the group had gotten out all the boxes, and were now heading to Sora's house. He was carrying most of them in his hands, while Lucy dragged her suitcase behind her. Lucas was also carrying two boxes as well.

"I'm glad you're moving in with us, Lucy!" Lucas said. 

Lucy looked down at him and smiled. "Me too. Though I should probably get some money, because I'm so broke."

"Not to mention the guild in shambles and everyone else is probably in the same boat too." Sora said.

"Seven years....I still can't believe it's been that long." Lucas stated.

"Yeah" Lucy agreed, "We missed out so much: Romeo's grown up into a handsome young wizard, Jet and Droy changed too...Alzack and Bisca even have a kid!"

"Everyone was even shocked about Cana and Gildarts too, huh?" Lucas said, recalling the shock on everyone's faces.

"Yeah..." Lucy said as she looked up at the sky. "Makes me think of my Dad."

Sora looked over at Lucy as she continued. "I haven't been in touch with for 7 years now too...He's probably worried. Maybe I should go pay him a visit."

"How about we go see him tomorrow?" Sora asked.

"Huh? Really?" Lucy said, looking over at him in surprise.

"Yeah," Sora nodded. "I'm sure he'd be happy to see you after all this time. Who knows, maybe he's warmed up to me too."

Lucy giggled at the last part as she smiled. "Sounds great. But don't think I'm going to see him to ask for money."

Soon, they arrived at Sora's house, which was only two stories high, it was nestled in the middle of Mango Row, which led down to Strawberry Street and wasn't too far from Fairy Tail. From the outside it looked like a stretched out cottage, but looks could be deceiving.

"Alright, now let's get everything moved in," Sora said, as he placed his key in the lock and opened the door. Lucy stuck her head, as she looked around. In short, it was downright enormous, and this was only the front room. The walls were a plain Magnolia colour, and the carpet was a pale beige, with a fireplace set against a wall. There also a medium size kitchen as well. There were three bedrooms and a bathroom down the hall. Large windows allowed the sun's light into the room, Lucy moved over to them quickly staring out of the window to check out the view. 

"Wow, this is amazing..." Lucy sighed in wonder as she stared out of the window. The river flowed gently just below her, and in the distance the sea could be seen colliding with the sky. Blues clashed together in an array of colour.

"It's so go to be home." Sora said with a smile.

"Yeah, no kidding." Lucas agreed.

"This is such a nice place Sora. I think I'm already in love with it." Lucy replied.

"Great." Sora said as headed to his bedroom. "Let's get you settled in."

"Okay!" Lucy said as she followed after him with Lucas.

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Meanwhile...

The rest of the missing members are also finding out the harsh realities of their absence: Alzack and Bisca go to talk to Erza about Jellal. talks to Marakov about a certain Guild and Zeref. Lyon tells Gray what happened to Ultear and Meredy . And Natsu and Happy find out their savings are gone from their house.

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Back at Sora's house

Sora, Lucy and Lucas all stood in the middle of the main bedroom, smiling and looking proudly around. Lucy's clothes were putted into the closest with Sora's and some inside drawers, the second bedroom was turned into a guest room and the third room was going to be used as a study room for Lucy.'Yep, I'm gonna love it here...' Lucy thought.

"The place looks amazing guys..." Sora smiled happily, it was cute seeing Sora beam like a little kid. 

"Roger that!" Lucas said.

"It sure does." Lucy said before looking over at Sora. "Thanks again Sora, for letting me move in."

"No problem, Luce." Sora said as he stretched, "It's late, we should get some sleep."

"Yeah, you're right." Lucy said as she yawned.

"Night guys." Lucas said as he flew into his little bed and immediately fell asleep.

Sora just fell back on his bed pulling Lucy with him and wrapped his arms around her. Lucy couldn't help but blush as she made herself more comfortable. "Are looking forward to seeing your old man tomorrow?" Sora asked.

Lucy yawned again as she snuggled up against her boyfriend. "Maybe. This is first time that I miss him."

"Don't sweat it." Sora said with a grin. "I know he'll be happy to see you."

"Yeah, you're right. Night Sora." Lucy mumbled already drifting back to sleep.

"Night Luce." Sora yawned out before he gave Lucy a kiss on the forehead and drifted off to sleep.

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The next day, Acalypha Town

Sora, Lucy and Lucas all headed over to Acalypha Town to see Lucy's father, but they weren't the only ones.

"Urgh...I'm never riding in a carriage again." Natsu groaned as he swayed back and forth.

"You say that everytime," Happy reminded him.

"He's has a point." Sora said.

"Yeah, at least we arrived." Lucas spoke up.

"How come you two tagged along?" Lucy asked Natsu and Happy.

"We don't have any money!" Nastu replied as he shed comical tears with Happy.

"We though Lucy's Daddy might know a quick get-fish-quick scheme to save our tushies!" Happy said.

"You mean a get-rich-quick scheme, right?" Sora corrected him.

"I don't even understand why you guys would even need one. Like Sora and Lucas, you didn't rent a house." Lucy told them.

"Our stupid safe ran off while we were stuck on Tenrou Island!" Natsu cried out.

"So did our food budgets!" Happy cried out as well. "How are we supposed to eat now...!"

"Geez..." Lucy sweatdropped.

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Market guild - Love and Lucky

Soon, the group reached the market guild as Lucy walked up to the desk to speak with the clerk.

"Excuse me? May I ask you something?" Lucy asked.

"Yes, ma'am?" The clerk asked in a polite voice. 

"I'm looking for someone named Jude Heartfilia." Lucy answered. "He's still a member here, right...?"

The  clerk looked up at Lucy in shock. "Ah! Are you Jude's daughter by any chance?"

"Yep!" Lucy nodded.

Hearing that, the clerk looked down in sadness.

"Is there a problem, lady?" Natsu asked.

"Is he out sick today?" Happy asked.

"I think it's a lot more complicated than that guys." Sora told, guessing what had happened.

"Yeah?" Lucas agreed.

"Do you have his home address?" Lucy asked the clerk.

"Actually, I'm very sorry to have to tell you this but....Jude passed away a little over a month ago. It was a shock to all of us." The clerk told Lucy, shocking her.

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Later...

Lucy goes to visit her parent's graves before heading back with Sora, Natsu, Lucas and Happy in tow, with them being worried about her.

"Lucy..." Happy began to say before Natsu stopped him.

"Happy." The fire dragon slayer said, shaking his head.

The five of them pass by two girls who are obnoxiously talking bad about their fathers.

"My dad smells so bad and he never shuts up! Just talk, talk, talk!" The first one said.

"Well, my dad is, like, suuuper annoying! Y'know!" The second girl said.

"What makes him so annoying?"

"Well, like, y'know, right!"

"I wish he'd just hurry up and die."

"Right? Like, totally! For sure!"

Having enough of the girls, Natsu snapped. "What's the matter with you!? Are you loudmouths really that dense! Read the mood!"

"Yeah! Do you realize how many girls would want their dads with them!?" Lucas shouted.

"Wow. Rude much?" The first girl said.

"For real? Like, who even cares about reading?" The second girl remarked.

"Shut up! Just get lost!" Natsu yelled.

"Yeah, scram!" Happy yelled.

"Sayonara!" Lucas shouted.

"We were already doing that!" The first girl said. walking away.

"He's, like, totally, gross, like, totally, y'know?" The second girl said stated, following her friend.

Sora looked back at them. "Let it go, guys. They aren't even worth it."

Seeing them calmed down, he looked back at Lucy. "Are you okay, Luce?" he asked her.

"Yeah." Lucy replied, looking over at him. "Sorry...for making you worry about me. I'm just a little shock about my dad is all."

Sora and the others looked at Lucy in silence as she continued. 

"Two months ago...er, that's not right...It's already been 7 years, hasn't it? In Acalypha back then, that was the last time I saw him. Ever since I was little...I never really got along with my dad. On top of that, there was the thing with Phantom. But...then after the incident in Acalypha, I felt like my relationship with my father changed for the better." A small smile appeared on her face as she looked up at the sky. "He's the kind of person that would work his body into the ground. What's strange is that even though I'm sad and I miss him, I can't cry....Maybe I really do hate my father." She looked down sadly.

"That's not true." Sora said after Lucy was done. "I don't really know how to say this, but I do know what's it like to lose a parent. So whether your tears fall or not, I know that has nothing to with how you feel, Luce."

"He's right." Nastu agreed.

"Yeah...thanks you guys." Lucy said with a smile. "I feel better already."

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Meanwhile, Marakov, along with Erza and Mirajane, is talking with the leader of Twilight Ogre, Banaboster, about the money Fairy Tail owes them. Banaboster constantly keeps demanding they pay him. Marakov assures him that Fairy Tail always pays back what they owe...including pain, which he informs Banaboster they owe Twilight Ogre for seven years of mistreating their guild. Erza, Mirajane and he proceed to trash the Twilight Ogre guild, much to the chagrin of Macao and Wakaba who wait outside, having believed that Marakov would just talk things out. Natsu and Happy happen among them and are told of what's going on in the Twilight Ogre's guild, but Natsu ignores the excuse to fight, much to Macao and Wakaba's surprise.

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With Sora and Lucas

"I sure hope Lucy is okay..." Lucas said as he flew beside Sora. After they got back from Acalypha, Lucy told them she wanted some time alone. so the duo decided to walk around town to kill time.

"I'm sure she is." Sora said, before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a red box. "I was going to give this to Lucy today, but I guess I need to wait a bit." With a sigh he put it back in his pocket.

"Ah! there you are!" A voice said from in front of them. The duo looked up to see Lucy's old landlady standing there.

"It's Lucy's landlady!" Lucas said in surprise.

"Hello, ma'am. Is there something we can help you with?" Sora asked her.

"Yes, there is." The landlady replied with a nod. "There's a few things that came for Lucy every seven years and I was wondering if you could come get them for her."

"A few things for Lucy?" Sora asked in confusion. Who could have got Lucy something for the last seven years?

"I wonder what they could be?" Lucas wondered.

"Come with me. I'll just you." The landlady said, before she turned around and walked back to her building.

Sora and Lucas stood there for a moment before looked at each other. With a shrug, they followed after the woman.

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Elsewhere...

Lucy is at the towns fountain, sitting next to a tree moping about her dad. With her head down, she lets out a sigh.

"LUCE!!!"

"LUCY!!!"

Hearing two voices calling her name, Lucy lifts her head and looks to the side to see Sora and Lucas coming towards her. "Sora? Lucas?" She asked.

Once they reached her, Sora slid in front of Lucy with a huge grin and put his hands on her shoulders. "Luce, you gotta come home now!" Sora said happily.

"Let's go! There's something you need to see!" Lucas exclaimed.

 "Uh? What are you gu-wah!" Lucy didn't get to finish her sentence because Sora snatched her up, bridal style, and made a mad dash for his house with Lucy flying right behind him.

"No time to explain! You just gotta see this!" He said as Lucy held onto him tightly.

"Okay, okay I get it! Just slow down!" The embarrassed teen pleaded.

Within no time at all, they reached the house before Sora kicked open the door and put Lucy down. Lucy put her hands on her hips. "So? What did you need me for so badly that you had to carry me all the way here?" She shivered. "And who travels like that? Jumping from building to building, that was scary!"

"Hehe, sorry about that." Sora said sheepishly then he nudged his head behind her. "But you had to see all the mail that you got on the table."

"Mail?" Lucy asked as she turned around and saw some presents on the living room table. "Presents...?"

"Your old landlady asked us to come pick them up for you and bring them here. Apparently, they showed up on the same day, every year." Lucas told her. 

Lucy walked over to the gifts and read the card. It said: "To my beloved daughter, Happy Birthday. From Dad." Lucy's eyes widened at the card. "He....remembered?" She muttered softly, thinking back to how her dad never seemed to remember her birthday.

Sora walked over to the couch and picked something up. "Another gift arrived this morning." he said as he walked back over to Lucy and handed her a envelope. "So did this."

Lucy took the envelope and opened and saw a letter inside, which read: 'To my beloved daughter, Lucy. Happy Birthday. Even if  I say that...I wonder if you'll read  this letter someday. It's been a long time since I heard that you vanished along with your friends. I was incredibly worried, but I kept believing. You resembled your mother so much...you really are a "Blessed" child. So I kept on believing that you had to be okay and that we would be able to meet again. I'm getting ready to finalize some big business negotiations in the west. It keeps me busy, but I still just think of those days when I was fulfilled. I think of when I was with you and Layla everyday. You are mine and Layla's pride. All I want is that you live strong down whatever path you believe in. I hope I can see you again soon. Lucy... I've always... loved you.'

Upon finishing the letter, tears began streaming down Lucy's face as she realized her father really did truly love her as a daughter. "I've always...loved you too, Daddy." Lucy as she contined to sob.

Sora kneel down by Lucy and brought her into his arms, where she cried into his chest. Sora just let her do so as he rubbed her back, "It's alright, Luce. I'm here for you." He told her soothingly. Lucas looked on in sympathy.

Lucy cried a little longer before she began to calm down and lifted her head to look up at Sora and Lucas. "Thank you." She said. "Thanks you both for being by my side."

Sora wiped the tear tracks away from Lucy's cheek before speaking. "No problem, Luce."

Lucas then looked over at Sora. "Hey Sora, don't you have something else to give Lucy?" He asked, getting said dragon slayer's attention.

Sora looked over at Lucas in confusion before his eyes lit up in realization. "Oh, right."

"You got me something?" Lucy asked him. 

"Yeah." Sora replied as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the little red box. "We have been dating for...I guess over 7 years," he started and handed it to her "and I wanted to give you this back on Tenrou Island after the trial was done, but after the incident with Acnologia and stuff....anyway, this is just my promise to you that we will be together forever."

Lucy looked from Jack back to the box in her hands before slowly opening it and gasping loudly. Inside, was a cyan ring band with a clear diamond on it.

"Sora... It's beautiful." she said. This couldn't be what she thought it was...could it?

"Levy help me with it." Sora told her. "The diamond was from the gem we got at the Drifting Mountains. It's a promise ring."

Lucy stared at the ring in shock. He made this for her? This was the most sweetest thing anyone has ever done for her.

"May I?" Sora asked.

Lucy wordlessly handed Sora the ring right before he slipped it on her right ring finger and gave her a warm smile. Lucy jumped over Sora to give him a warm hug. Sora slowly wrapped his arms around Lucy tightly, like they never wanted to let go again.

"Sora, would you like to finish what you were going to tell me before you were stopped?" Lucy whispered.

"Huh?" Sora asked in confusion.

"When Acnologia almost...killed you, you looked at me and said something. Would you say it again?" Lucy asked looking up at Sora, a smile on her face. 

Sora thought back to what she was referring to, when he suddenly remembered what it was. He then looked at Lucy and replied, "Gladly. Lucy, I love you." This brought a big smile onto Lucy's face before she brought her face closer to Sora's. 

"I love you too." She said. With that, they shared a loving kiss that needed no words to speak how they felt.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door that caused them to end the kiss. "Yo Sora! Lucas!" Natsu's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Lucy's landlady told us Lucy moved in with you guys! We wanted to know if you guys wanted to come on a Job with us!" Happy's voice called.

"Guys...these guys." Lucas muttered as he flew to the door to talk to Natsu and Happy.

Shaking his head with a smile, Sora held his hand out to Lucy. "What do you say, Luce?" He said. "We can pick up some white clovered dumplings on the way back."

Looking at Sora's offered hand, Lucy looked back up at him and smiled. "Yeah!" She said happily as she took his hand. As they ran out the door to join the others, Lucy gazed down at her ring and thought. 'We lost 7 years worth of time...You could consider that a lot. But even so, in spite of that...We're going to keep living in this world.'

And there you have it! This chapter may have been a bit long, but it was worth it. I'll try to have chapter 5 up as soon as possible. Comment on your favorite parts and don't forget to vote!

Be sure to review. Until then, see ya!!!