TWO YEARS LATER

I have finally been able to dodge all the blows Marina sent at me. After all this time, I have learned to predict moves. At first when we started, she would knock me over back and forth. It was so annoying. It only bothered me and reminded me of the neglect from the guild. I guess that is what drove me forward to continue the rigorous training.

I was in a small cottage waiting for Marina to come by and tell me what we will be doing today. This space wasn't all that special. Literally a sack to sleep on and a small desk that I haven't used since I got here. Marina would tell me that she could get me things to write if I wanted to but I never got a chance. At first, I was way too tired when I got back from training that I just knocked out. Writing had always been therapeutic and I thought I would need it after getting with the flow of things. It was strange, I didn't need it anymore. Training with Marina was all I needed to forget about old habits that remembered me of the guild.

"Youngling!" Marina called out from a distance. I stepped out of the small cabin and got ready. She tends to try and get me when I'm not expecting it. When she finally reached me, she smiled very widely.

"Marina? Are you ok?" I asked still expecting some type of hit or something. "It is time."

"For?" I asked not understanding what she meant. She pulled out the pack I brought when I first started training. She took it away and now I think I know what she means. "After two years you have managed to change to a force to be reckoned with. I believe it is time for you to go back and deal with the biggest challenge you will have to face, your past. I know that you will be able to overcome it for now you are more powerful than anyone could think possible. Yes, you were strong when you first got her but now you have reached a level that will help you for times to come. You have built a wall these past two years. Hopefully it will stay strong when you face those who have did you wrong."

I looked down at my hands. I only saw the ghost of the pink mark that once was my pride and joy. Considering Marina's eyes determined, I simply nodded and grabbed the pack; not hesitating at all, I threw it into the small corner that I have slept in for the past two years. "I won't be needing that anymore. It isn't me anymore."

"I was hoping you would say that." She smiled and then picked up a small bag that I didn't even realize was on the ground and handed it to me with a wide grin. I took it from her hands and pulled out a beautiful garment. From what I could see, it was an aqua blue material with gold linings. "Marina, this is... this is beautiful." I hugged her and ran inside to put it on.

"It's from my home village. The queen actually chose it out herself." Marina watched me as I spun and the small droplet jewels shone with the daylight.

"You must get going now child. Come."

-Third Person POV-

Lucy followed Marina through the forest and they both stepped into a crystal-clear pond. Lucy alone emerged again but from the same lake that was at the waterfall on the day her life had changed.

"Thank you, Marina."

Lucy walked out of the lake with a small blue clear key decorated with gems that mimicked the trickling water from the falls.

BACK AT THE GUILD

Everything in the guild was back to regular. Natsu was in the corner with Lissana talking and laughing, Gray was on the other side of the guild with Juvia having a regular conversation of how things have changed, and Erza was walking up to the bar.

"Hey Mira, can I get a slice of strawberry cake?"

"Sure. It's been a while since you got one. You know, since.."

"Since thou's truly left." The guild's doors opened widely and bright confident Lucy made her way towards the bar. Everybody was awestruck with every step that she took. The old Lucy that had left depressed and lonely has returned with will to outshine anyone that tries to push her down. She had some fangs that appeared one day after the crystals were absorbed into her body. It took her time to get used to them and not pierce her bottom lip when she ate. "Oh, how I've missed you Mira!" Lucy exclaimed as she kept approaching the bar.

"LUCY!!" The she-devil tackled Lucy to the ground and started crying those exaggerated anime tears. "I have missed you so damn much!! Master is upstairs if you want to talk to him." She stood up and wasn't crying anymore. Lucy sweat dropped at her bipolar actions and hugged her once more before making her way to the master's office.

Lucy was making her way to talk to master when someone grabs and pulls her back slightly.

"Lucy," he said with tears threatening to fall. "You came back." Lucy snatched her hand away from Natsu's grip and looked at him sternly. "Yes Natsu, I am back but it is most certainly not for you or anyone from your team. I'm here for the people that never abandoned my trust and stood by me before I left." Lucy turned around once again and to continue walking but before she got any further, Master Makrov made an appearance on the second-floor balcony with a bright smile. "Let us welcome back one of our nakama. Lucy has returned! Mira, make her one of our own once again."

Mira was jumping up and down as she found her way to her blonde friend. Everyone in the guild began with their own conversations again. "Same place, same color?" She asked her. "No, actually I'm going to hold off with guild insignia Mira. There are still a few things that I am unsure of," she turned to look at Natsu while clutching her fists. "For now, I'll just be around." Lucy smiled at her dear friend and scanned the guild hall looking for a specific person. Her eyes lit up when she saw her. Wendy was soundlessly sleeping in a corner booth while Charles was reading some newspaper.

"Wendy..." Charles put down her paper and looked at Lucy wide eyed. "Charles, give me five more minutes please," Wendy mumbled. "Yeah Charles. Give her five more minutes," Lucy told the shocked Exceed and quickly Wendy reacted to her voice. She stiffened and took a minute to straighten herself. "Lucy?... Lucy-san!!" The young dragon slayer jumped into Lucy's arms, still in disbelief and utter shock that after two years of Lucy's absence, she has finally returned.

"Hey, how about we go on a job? I'll just be accompanying though. I'm not exactly a part of the guild right now." Lucy turned to another dragon slayer that wasn't too far from them, "You too Gajeel. How about it?" Lucy smiled.

"I already have the perfect one bunny girl," Gajeel smirked and pulled out a mission flyer. They three mages walked out of the guild since Gajeel had already gotten it approved. He was going to go on it solo but decided against it when Lucy showed up. "So how about we become a team. Like team DS for dragon slayer?"

Wendy looked at Lucy confused. "I'm sorry Lucy-san but that wouldn't make sense to people since not all of us would be dragon slayers." Lucy smirked. "Oh really?" She smiled brightly to show off her fangs. The two stared in awe and agreed shortly to the preposition.

"But you are going to have to tell us everything," Gajeel stated.

"But of course. It all started when I was kicked off Team Natsu..."

BACK AT THE GUILD

Lissana paced back and forth in the back of the guild. 'How could it be that after all this time that I finally have them wrapped around my finger, she decides to show up and ruin this. I have worked too hard for this to go down the drain.' She thought to herself and began walking to Natsu whom was sitting at the bar starring at his hands.

"Hey Natsu, let's go on a mission together," Lissana smiled at Natsu but he didn't look at her and stayed entertained with his hands. "Not today Lissana. Maybe some other time." Lissana shuffled her feet a bit before turning him to face her. "So, blondie shows up and suddenly it's ok to shut your girlfriend out?"

"Lissana, please. I just need some time to think things through. Please." Natsu stood up and walked past Lissana.

"Think what through?" her words were just left in between dry empty air.

TWO DAYS LATER

"Mira-san, we're back!" Wendy skipped into the guild with the two other mages trailing behind her to the bar. "It was a lot of fun to work with Lucy-san and Gajeel-san. Lucy-san was telling us about where she has been. It's a really cool story." Lucy shook her head and laughed.

"I would love to hear about it sometime," Mira wiped down a glass with her rag. "We are also a team now!" Wendy kept on, that's when Mira's smile died down a bit.

"Um Lucy, you can't be a part of a Fairy Tail team without being a part of the guild and bearing our insignia."

"Oh. Um. I'm still thinking about it."

"Alright, well you need to decide before I can make the team official." Lucy agreed and then noticed the time. "Ugh. Been back for like three days and I have no idea why I haven't even thought about my living situation." Lucy facepalmed herself and turned to look at some fellow guild members that were listening to the conversation she was having with Mira and the rest of the team.

"Lucy-Chan! You can stay with me!"

"I'll protect you Lucy!"

I'll take care of you! I haven't done anything to you... yet."

Lucy shook her head and grunted. "Wendy, can I stay with you?"

"If you want Lu-san, but just so you know, I've been staying with Erza." Lucy smiled and rejected the offer when Natsu walked up to Lucy.

"Hey, how about crashing at my place for a bit?" Natsu asked shyly. Everyone saw that it was so out of character for him. Lucy looked at him and wanted to walk away but she didn't.

"Um Natsu, why are you offering your house to her when you always send me home before sundown." Lissana approached the talking duo crossed armed. "This is unbelievable Natsu! I know you said that you wanted time but two days is enough. I am going to have you choose if this is what you want. You want blondie over here or me?"

Natsu looked between the two mages and left her eyes upon the celestial mage. Lissana saw that and stomped away mumbling not so kind words. Lucy looked taken back but nevertheless agreed. "Just for a few days until I can get my own place. I'm beat. Let's get going." She demanded more than asking which she should have done.

They left the guild and walked in silence. Happy was just a few steps in front of them. No audio came from them. Only the sounds of the busy street.

They walked until they passed the entrance to the forest and shortly after they reached Natsu's and Happy's cabin. Inside there was a mess. There was trash everywhere, the kitchen had stains on every surface spot, and it smelled awful above all. "ugh. This place is a dump. I should have just stayed with Jet and Droy." Lucy stepped over empty cans and started to explore the place. She stopped at the only room in the whole house. Unlike the rest of the house, it looked decent. The bed wasn't made but the rest of the room was well kept. Lucy made herself comfortable on the bed.

Natsu just stood at the doorframe looking at her on his bed. It gave him wild ideas. He quickly turned around covering his nose and walked back into the hallway.

"Natsuuu~" Happy followed Natsu. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing Happy. Um... I'll be staying in the living room." He walked away, hand still up to his nose. Happy walked back into the room. "Lushie, can I sleep with you? I don't want to sleep in the living room."

"Sure Happy." She laughed and tucked herself in.

"Goodnight Lushie!"

"Goodnight Happy." Lucy smiled herself to sleep remembering all the memories she tried so hard to suppress.

THE NEXT DAY

Lucy woke up to the chirping birds at the window and only slight sunlight seeping through the curtains. She didn't want to get up since she felt so protected and comfortable. She snuggled deeper into the blankets when she realized that they weren't the blankets she was cozying up to but a person. She got up on her elbows and turned to see the one and only Natsu Dragneel shirtless and holding her from the waist. Her face heated up and began to glow a bright red. 'Lucy. Stop thinking about his shirtless self. You are way over him,'

"Natsu! Take your hands off me!" Natsu didn't seem to notice. In fact, he did the exact same opposite of that. He pulled Lucy closer while mumbling, "You're mine Luce."

Lucy was about to give up when a golden puff of smoke appeared. "Loki, thank goodness. Can you help me?" She sounded a bit exasperated while the redness on her face began to dim.

"You didn't even have to ask." He cracked his knuckles before plucking Natsu off the bed and threw him onto the floor.

"What was that for?!" Natsu shot up and faced Loki. "Well you had your hands all over my goddess and she didn't like it," Loki yelled back. Natsu then turned to look at Lucy whom was still laying on the bed. His hand found his way back to his nose and he also found his way back into the hallway.

After thanking Loki, he disappeared and left Lucy to wash up.

Natsu, Lucy, and Happy traveled to the guild in silence and hoping for a change in atmosphere, they entered it only to be surprised with more silence in place of its hectic nature.

In front of the double maple doors was a message written in a black slime.

'SURRENDER THE MAGE WHOM CONTROLS THE STARS'

Sorry babes for the delay on updates. I will try my hardest to get more to you all. Thanks for those commenting and requesting more. Those comments are the ones that make me want to get updates to y'all. Thanks again! See you next time warriors! 

~MagneticWarrior