~Normal POV~

Loke teleported Lucy right in front of the average looking guild hall. Lucy's eyes bore into the door. Ever since she mastered most of her dragon slayer magic, her eyes were more blue than brown. 

'Here I am...for the third time,' She thought to herself. The first being when she arrived at Fairytail, second when she returned from her training, and third, was now. Her hand hovered over the brass handle for a split second.

The guild was a lot smaller than it once was, Lucy noted. Probably, because they couldn't afford the old one. Lucy nudged open the door and nearly gaped at how empty it was. It was like a ghost of the old Fairytail. Like an empty shell.

She quietly observed her surroundings, taking in everything. She spotted Wakaba and Macao drinking sake slumped in their seats. Laki and Max were seated at the bar, Laki poking at her food. Kinana chatted with the two, seemingly the only upbeat person in the whole building. Jet and Droy were staring at the mission board. Nab was nowhere to be seen, probably out on a request. Reedus was painting, a sad smile plastered on his face. Bisca and Azlack sat together, seemingly in love. Warren and Vijeeter were both out as well.

Lucy felt like slapping herself. They all looked so much older, much more mature. Much stronger.

Then her attention got caught on a specific kid in the background. He was sitting alone, reading a book. He was about ten and had dark violet hair and coal black eyes. Lucy then spotted the glossy black-haired exceed seated a table away, picking at a bowl of kiwis. Romeo...Pantherlily....She had nearly forgotten that Gajeel had left him here.  Lucy tugged at the scaled scarf wrapped around her slender neck. She was wearing Natsu's scarf and Laxus's jacket. She didn't care if she looked like Edolas Gray, it was comforting to wear them. Almost like she was carrying a piece of them around with her.

Lucy hesitantly walked farther into the building, closing the door softly.

"I-I'm back!" She said, her voice echoing across the small guild. Everyone's eyes turned to stare at her in shock. Romeo's head snapped up. It couldn't be...It had been years. Four years to be exact. She actually came back!

"Lucy-nee?" He whispered out, holding back his tears.

"Lucy!" Pantherlily exclaimed, flying to her, his kiwis forgotten.

"Oh my god!" Kinana yelled happily. She dropped the glass she was holding and it shattered on the ground.

"Lucy!~" She chirped, hugging the startled blonde. Lucy smiled but started to lose air.

"Ki-nana...ca-n't br-eathe..." She choked out. Kinana giggled sheepishly.

"Sorry," She said. Everyone had gotten over their shock. They swarmed Lucy, reminding Lucy that these people really were her family. 

"Stop guys. Let her sit down. She must have been through quite an ordeal," Kinana ordered. For a second, Lucy swore she saw Mira. Beautiful, strong, kind, Mira. She shook her head and the image flickered back to Kinana.

"So...Lucy. What exactly happened?" Macao asked. Lucy took a deep breath. She had already mentally prepared herself for this. She just wished she didn't have to be the one who crushed all their hopes. 

"Everything was going smoothly at first..." She started, avoiding their hopeful gazes.

"But...Grimoire Heart attacked us for Zeref, who is very much alive. We barely defeated them. Then, the worst happened. Acnologia, the black dragon attacked us. We were already weak, and even though we had five technical dragon slayers, we couldn't defeat him," Lucy said, her eyes downcast. It hurt to talk about this. Saying it all out loud made it all final. That her friends were really all dead. That it was the bitter, ugly truth, and final. Unchangeable. God, did it hurt.

"Five?" Questioned Romeo.

"I'm a water dragon slayer. That was the awesome magic I learned while I was away," Lucy said. Tears nearly burst from her eyes at all the amazing memories she had from her training journey. 

She remembered, one day Happy and she decided to go swimming in the river. She was in a black two-piece, and Happy was dressed up in his adorable little swim trunks and cap. Then, right as they were about to jump in, Laxus picked her up and tossed her in. She was angry at first, but then she noticed Happy sneaking up behind him. She had to push down her giggles. 

"What?" Those were Laxus's last words before Happy yanked him up and chucked him into the icy water. He broke to the surface sputtering. Lucy let the laughter she was holding breakthrough. He puffed up his cheeks in anger and embarrassment.

"Shut up Blondie!" He exclaimed, splashing her. Her laughter still didn't cease.

"Make me, Pikachu!" She giggled out, splashing him back with more force.

"Splash War!" Happy yelled suddenly, joining her team.

"Why are you helping Lucy?" Laxus whined.

"She's my favorite," Happy said bluntly. Laxus growled. Lucy stuck her tongue out at him.

"Plus, she's definitely going to win. Umm, WATER dragon slayer. Moron," Happy muttered.

"We'll see about that..." Laxus quipped back.

They splashed each other, with Lucy using her magic to make extra huge waves that would knock Laxus off his feet. They played in the water till dark. Then they went out for dinner at a restaurant. It was so much fun...

"Laxus...Happy...I miss you guys so much..." She whispered quietly to herself. But, luckily no one hears her. Right...no dragon slayers to catch her whispering.

"That's really cool Lucy. Say... where's Natsu? I got my guild mark right where he got his!" Romeo bubbled.

"I-I'm really proud of you Romeo," Lucy stammered, narrowly avoiding the 'Natsu' question. She had a lot of good memories with him too. 

Happy, Lucy and Natsu were at a small cafe with live music. The owner was arguing with the manager of the singer who was supposed to perform.

"She promised to perform! What am I going to do? My customers expect music!" The middle-aged woman said angrily. Natsu watched the argument with interest.

"It's not Miss Mary's problem, nor mine. Figure it out yourself. I've only come to inform you she won't be showing up," The tall, dark-haired man said coldly. He stalked out of the restaurant.

"What am I going to do now...?" The poor woman cried out, panic-laced in her weary voice.

"Luce can sing!" Natsu exclaimed suddenly, startling Lucy and Happy. 

"No! I mean- no, I can't," She stuttered, nervous at the desperate look the lady was shooting in her direction.

"Yes, you can! I've heard you in the shower," Natsu argued back.

Lucy blushed. No one was ever supposed to know that she sang in the shower. It was embarrassing...because she didn't just sing, oh no, she had a full out concert in there. She sang to her heart's content and even danced.

"Well, I've got no other option. Consider yourself hired," The lady decided.

"Wait! If I'm singing....then so are you, mister!" She cackled, grabbing Natsu by his scarf.

"Me?!" He protested.

"Yeah...I've heard you sing too. Except you were singing in the middle of the woods one day like an idiot," She smirked.

"What are you, a stalker?" He grumbled out.

"I-wah! No, I was just out with Happy fishing!" She defended. 

"Would you two stop bickering like a married couple!" The old lady barked suddenly, reminding the two of Erza's fiery temper.

"Yes, ma'am!" The both exclaimed.

"Get ready to sing!" She ordered, and they flew to the stage. Happy sat down at one of the many tables and started munching on a fish. Oh, this would be good...

"Hey, Luce? What the hell are we going to sing?" Natsu worried. She pondered over it for a second.

"How about this..." She said, whispering him the song.

"Sure."

They got situated on stage, and everyone's attention flew to them. Lucy took a deep breath.

"You and I, we're like fireworks and symphonies exploding in the sky
With you, I'm alive
Like all the missing pieces of my heart, they finally collide," Natsu sang, his voice clear, and stunningly beautiful.

"So stop time right here in the moonlight
'Cause I don't ever wanna close my eyes."

"Without you, I feel broke
Like I'm half of a whole
Without you, I've got no hand to hold
Without you, I feel torn
Like a sail in a storm
Without you, I'm just a sad song
I'm just a sad song."

"With you, I fall
It's like I'm leaving all my past and silhouettes up on the wall
With you, I'm a beautiful mess
It's like we're standing hand and hand with all our fears up on the edge," Lucy joined in, her eyes shining. Her voice was smooth and sweet. She was an amazing singer, both of them were.

"So stop time right here in the moonlight
'Cause I don't ever wanna close my eyes."

"Without you, I feel broke
Like I'm half of a whole
Without you, I've got no hand to hold
Without you, I feel torn
Like a sail in a storm
Without you, I'm just a sad song." (Natsu)

"You're the perfect melody
The only harmony I wanna hear
You're my favorite part of me
With you standing next to me
I've got nothing to fear." (Both)

"Without you, I feel broke
Like I'm half of a whole." (Natsu)

"Without you, I've got no hand to hold." (Lucy)

"Without you, I feel torn
Like a sail in a storm
Without you, I'm just a sad song." (Both)

"Without you, I feel broke
Like I'm half of a whole
Without you, I've got no hand to hold
Without you, I feel torn
Like a sail in a storm
Without you, I'm just a sad song, I'm just a sad song." (Both)

They ended, breathing deeply. Everyone cheered loudly, even Happy.

"You guys were awesome!!" Happy praised. Natsu beamed.

"Thanks, buddy! I think we both rocked it!" Natsu flashed her an adorable lopsided grin. She couldn't help but blush. Maybe this is where her little crush on Natsu started...

"Lucy!" Laki urged, shaking Lucy's shoulders.

"Yes?" She asked.

"We asked you to finish the story...say are you okay?"

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine," Lucy muttered with a sad smile. She had to stop getting lost in memories.

"So, as I was saying before, we couldn't defeat Acnologia. So...we held hands, We wanted to stay together to the bitter end. But, before Acnologia blasted the island, Horlogium saved me."

"So the others are..." Wakaba mumbled.

"Dead. Well, most likely they are," Lucy said plainly. She wouldn't sugar coat it. They deserved the truth. But, the word 'dead' felt weird on her tongue.

"All that's left of them is this," She said, gesturing to Natsu's scarf and Laxus's jacket.

"Why have you been gone so long?" Droy asked suddenly. Lucy blushed at the question.

"Three months here is one day in the spirit world. I woke up six days after the accident, and two years had already passed here. I ended up locking myself in my room for another six days...I'm sorry, I should have been here..." Kinana placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder, comfortingly.

"We don't blame you, Lucy. We were all messed up about the whole thing," Her face full of serenity.

"Thank you, Kinana," Lucy whispered. Lucy glanced around the room, and her nose wrinkled up with distaste at the basically empty request board.

"First off, we need to get to work," She declared. Everyone just stared blankly at her.

"Look...I'm as miserable as you guys. I lost everyone I care about. But, this isn't what they would want. Aquarius and Loke helped me realize that. We have to keep living, for them. That's what they would want. For us to live on, and make Fairytail as great as it can possibly be!" Lucy shouted. Bisca stared at her in admiration. Her tummy looked ready to burst. Azlack was next to her, supporting her. 

"You're right Lucy," Pantherlily agreed, landing on her shoulder. Lucy ignored the sharp pain as she recalled at how often Happy would land on her.

"Okay, guys! Don't you worry, we'll have this place in tip-top shape in no time!" Lucy exclaimed.

Lucy then approached Kinana. Everyone watched curiously. 

"Say...Kinana? Do you think you can move my guild mark?" She asked gingerly.

"Yeah...I think so. Mira used to do it for a member who changed her mark with every different outfit she wore." Kinana took the stamp and pressed it on Lucy's right hand. She whispered reverse, and Lucy's hand reversed back to the light fleshy tone it was before she joined.

"Where do you want your new one?"

"I...I would like it on my right shoulder, in black" Lucy said softly.

"On my shoulder like Natsu, and black like Laxus..."Lucy said smiling. 

"Sure thing," Kinana beamed. She stamped the mark on Lucy's shoulder and Lucy admired it. She was going to become strong...she'd make her friends proud of her.

She had a lot of things to do.