Song: We Have to Go (Slowed + Reverb)
             By: Steve Jablonsky

~Two Years Later~

In the dark closeted room sat three men. Each of them waiting, one looking at his handheld clock, whilst the others play with the chips on the table. "Where the hell is he? He's always late when we play poker!" One of them muttered under his breath. The one with a shaft temper was bulkier than the other two men. He wore a sleeveless shirt that had been ripped to become sleeveless with dark green trousers and heavy black boots. His glaring eyes counted his chips again to pass the seconds that went by. The candle that lit the small corners of the room showed he was shaved clean including his head. A long scar went from the top of his mouth down to his neck. The second man closed his handheld clock and then fixed his charcoal-colored three-piece suit. "He'll be here, Boris. Mr. Kallaghan will never miss an opportunity to gamble. Patience." The eloquent man that spoke was the most well-dressed out of all the men sitting at the round table. His hair was well kept and straightened as his mustache curled around the ends. He also happens to have the most chips on his side likely to show off his wealth.

The grunt, Boris, muttered profanities about the tardiness of their fourth person. The final man seemed bored as he leaned his head against his hand on the counter. He wore a cloak that appeared translucent with countless colors wavering within the cloak. His hair was long and braided to the side when he let out a huff. "Kallaghan is late, but never this late." The man with the cloak said sighing. The businessman was about to pull out his clock again until a certain count of knocks came from the only door in the room. The businessman smiled. "Enter!" The door slowly drew open until the final person entered. The man was shrouded in a dark cloak with his hood pulled over his face as he carried a large bag over his shoulder. Boris glared at the man that sat himself down at the only open chair. "What's with the getup Kallaghan? Going for an ominous look today?"

"Let's not upset him now Boris. He just got here." The businessman explained when he smiled widely. "Happy for you to finally join us Mr. Kallaghan. I hope you brought a fine prize to bid." Mister Kallaghan didn't move for a few seconds. He just stared from underneath the hood as if he was analyzing them. The cloaked man eventually moved to his bag and then pulled out a pristine emerald that was as large as his hand. Boris's eyes grew wide. "Where the hell did you find an emerald that big Kall?! That's bigger than Mander's forehead!" The colorful cloak man glared at Boris. "My forehead is not that big. If anything it's bigger than your brain."

"Wha'd you say?!"

"Gentlemen," the businessman warned. "we all agreed to not throw insults when we meet at the poker table. Mr. Kallaghan, place your bid in the center." The quiet man did as he was told and placed the heavy gem around the other treasures that sat in the middle. Some being Jewels, gold, or even potions that some had never seen. The gem, however, was what caught the men's eyes. "Now, let's begin." The businessman shuffled the cards with such diligence some would think it was a trick in their eyes. The businessman cleanly threw the cards across the table and landed in front of the gamblers. The game had begun.

Boris grimaced at his hand. "Hit me." A card was given. Mander's turn. "Hit me." The dealer threw his card. Next was Mister Kallaghan's turn. He knocked on the table once for him to be hit. A card was given again. Boris was already sweating bullets. "Ah shit, Blackjack has never been my game. Hit me." The dealer smirked as he gave him the card. Boris groaned whilst throwing his cards over. "Bust." Mander couldn't stop the snicker from leaving his mouth. "Your luck is just as small as your brain. I stay." Mister Kallaghan knocked once. After being given the card he knocked twice signaling he'd stay. "Let's see boys." The businessman said just as he was shown the cards. "Ah. Seems Mander is in the lead. Here's the start of your chips."

"Seems like Blackjack is good to those with the bigger jackpot." Mander took his chips with a grin. Boris rolled his eyes. "Your score for this month was a couple of potions and ten gold pieces. Kall over there seems to have gotten the best score out of all of us. What's your secret huh Kallaghan? Whose grave did you rob to grab that?" The man said nothing as he continued to ignore them. Mander cut his eyes to Kallaghan that sat next to him. "You're usually a chatter during poker night. What's got your panties in a twist? Hah, let me guess, one of your girls giving you grief!?" The men laughed, except Kallaghan. A new round began with the men still talking. "I hear another celebration will begin within the cities of Fiore. You know what that means for us boys," Boris grinned with mischief. "we're gonna have a lot of places and a lot of people to rob." Mander and the dealer cackled. "What's the celebration for again? Gods it's for that chick; the one that croaked to save the Realms!" Mander laughed at his mockery of the celebrations. The businessman's eyes suddenly glimmered. "Rumors have been spreading that the mausoleum that carries the girl holds treasures beyond our wildest dreams. If we get a hold of that we can finally leave this piece of shit place and go to Stella!"

"No thief can go near the mausoleum. Not even a powerful dark mage can touch the vicinity of the area. It's protected by not only the Council's Magic but there's a set of guards always on watch at the entrance. No one can go in there, 'cept for those filthy Fairies." The men around the table fell silent. While the dealer moved out their next hand Boris punched the table. "Those Fairies! Ever since the Council and King announced Fairy Tail being Fiore's Protectors they've always been in the way of everything! If I could find one right now I'd smash their skull in. Hah! Maybe if they watch one of their comrades die again that'll finally shut them up for good." The dealer cut his eyes to Kallaghan who has been listening in silence. The man's hand was resting on the table, but even the businessman could see the white knuckles of someone holding their temper in check. "Enough about the Fairies. I have a lead of my own." The dealer placed their next hand of cards in front of the players. Kallaghan peered closer to listen in. Boris, again grimacing at his hand, perked his interest at the dealer. "Oh yeah, we were showing off our scores, but what about you Lexten?" The businessman, Lexten, smiled as he showed off his pearly white teeth. "I have found information about the Phoenix Stone."

The men gaped in silence. "You're lying! It's been left as a myth for centuries! How did you manage to find any information on the Phoenix Stone!?" All the men knew the mythic tale of the Phoenix Stone. Though once it was an egg of a Phoenix it over time became harder than a diamond. Smelting the Phoenix Stone can have the ability of healing beyond a wizard could ever do. Some even say it could bring one deceased person back to life. "I have my ways old chap. But with this knowledge, we can sell the Stone and have an opportunity to leave this old life behind. We can finally settle as we so deserve!" Mander and Boris cheered to Lexten's words, but Kallaghan had heard what he needed to. "Where is it?" The silent man muttered with both fists on the table. The other three halted their celebration. The voice that just spoke was not familiar. It was not Kallaghan that asked the question. "You're not one of our associates. How did you manage to enter!?" Lexten asked accusingly. Boris and Mander kicked their chairs out with weapons and spells ready at the unknown stranger. Lexten grabbed the stash in the center including the emerald. "Boris! Mander! Stop him at all cost!" Lexten fled the room with the loot leaving the warrior and wizard.

Boris was the first to speak. "You made a mistake in snooping in our business! This'll be your grave!" Boris lunged his heavy mace at the cloaked man. Just as the weapon was about to make contact the stranger ducked by jumping into the air and then landed behind Boris. The warrior had little time to react until he felt a powerful kick land on his back which made him fly into the wooden wall. Mander gritted his teeth. "Damn you!" The wizard cast a purple flame in his hands readying his offense. "Dark Enchant: Hell Flame!" Fire spawned out of the man's spell. Purple flames wrapped around the cloaked man whilst eating the floor and ceiling of the building. "You can't escape my fire intruder! No one has the capability of withstanding the heat!" However, Mander didn't expect to see what happened next.

The cloaked man inhaled as if he was swallowing the flames. The fire was sucked into the man's mouth until there wasn't a flame left around them. Mander trembled back stunned at what he witnessed. "Wh-What the?! How is that possible!?" The stranger burped proudly then patted his stomach. "Not the best fire I've had, but it'll do. Thanks for my dinner pal." The man spoke when he threw his scorched cloak off his shoulders. Mander and Boris saw the person standing before them, and they knew then they were goners. "It's you! The Duel-Sign Salamander!" On the man's olive-toned skin held a red insignia with a fairy and a tail, but what many people were now calling him was another insignia on his right hand. It was the same print of a fairy with a tail, but this insignia was the color pink.

The man standing before them was Natsu Dragneel.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

~Natsu~

I knew when they saw my two guild marks they would surrender. Ever since I returned to the Guild Hall from Crocus two years ago I was stamped with a second guild mark that was the same as Lucy's. She lost her mark in the war against the Gods so now I wear it in her stead. I wear my second mark as a reminder of what I'm doing to bring the woman I love back. Mander stumbled back in fear. "We-We didn't mean any of it! We know what she did for us and her sacrifice was honorable! We owe everything to your comrade!"

"Is that so? Didn't your friend behind me say he wanted to crush one of my guild mates' skull?! Didn't you laugh when he said we should witness one of my comrades die again!" My wings expanded out from my back. My wings had healed months ago but to this day I can't use them to fly. Now and then I feel the phantom pains in my wings the same as in my right arm and left eye. I didn't want to fly anyways; it's not like I would enjoy the motion sickness. They did help me appear more threatening due to the scars they carried. Mander fell to his knees begging with his hands up. "He didn't mean any of it! We're lowly thieves that can barely scrap by-"

One of my wings knocked the wizard into the wall to my right. He hit the wall hard to where he coughed up blood as he shuffled away into the corner. I slowly made my way to him as I extended my arm out. "You're lowly thieves alright. But not low enough to have information about the Phoenix Stone! What do you know about it!?" White fire conjured into my palm until I picked the man up with my other hand. I held the flame close to his face so he could feel the intensity of the heat. Mander screamed as he cowered against my grip. "I don't know! It's Lexten you want he has the information you need! Please I'm begging you!"

"That ain't gonna cut it. You showed me your flames, huh?! Now it's time to see some real fire!" The Soul Fire went closer to Mander's face as he could only thrash against my steel grip. Pitiful tears fell from his face until he screamed. "Don't kill me! Find Lexten and he'll tell you anything you want!"

"Give me one good reason to not end your miserable life!" The flame almost touched Mander until his legs gave out. "I-I'll change! I'll be a good person from now on! I promise I'll never steal again!" I stood over him with my irises glaring into his very soul. In reality, he was a pathetic little man that stole against the weak. He wasn't worth killing. I released his collar to let him fall to my feet. Mander held his face and throat when I peered down at him with cold eyes. "The only reason why you're still breathing is because I allowed it. You're lucky that I simply don't care enough to deal with you. Your friend behind me...I made sure he won't walk ever again. If you ever step in my line of sight...I will be the last thing you see until the light in your eyes is snuffed out. You will wish for death to take you until I'm done with what I could do to you. Leave Fiore...and never come back."

Mander shuffled until he managed to leave the trashed room. Boris behind me moaned from his broken spine, but I decided to leave him as well. Killing these thugs wouldn't do me any good. I left the secret room and went back to the front which was a thrift shop mostly for stolen goods to be sold at a higher price. The cashier hid behind the counter as I continued going outside until I felt the warm spring wind tousling my hair that has grown over the past two years. I looked left and right until I heard the sound of my Exceed calling my name over my head. "Took you awhile in there Nat-zu!" My eyes moved to the sky when I saw Happy carrying Lexten as he thrashed around and screamed angrily at my Exceed. "Let me go, you ugly-fur creature! Unhand me or else-"

"Or else what?!" I yelled. Lexten's eyes found me when he stopped thrashing. I called for Happy to drop the man down until I took over and choked-hold him against the wall of the shop. "Talk. What information do you have on the Phoenix Stone?!" Lexten attempted to fight against my grip against his throat proving himself it was futile no matter how much he clawed and fought back. I didn't take my eyes off the man that's ego was higher than any mountain on EarthLand. With his fitted suits and money, he may seem like he was invincible. With a man that had plenty of money to laugh at the suffering of others, I wouldn't be as kind to him as I was to his lackeys. Lexten even stole from his gang of thugs; he proved that to me when he took the stash on the poker table and ran. "Every second you keep me waiting is another bone I'm going to break."

"Okay! Okay, I'll talk!" Lexten put his hand in his pocket until he pulled out a yellowed paper. I took the paper and opened it when it showed a map of Iceberg. "I found out the Stone could be in Iceberg. Deep within the snowy mountains the Phoenix once lived which kept Iceberg warm, but when the Phoenix vanished winter came and stayed since then."

"What does this have to do with the Stone?" I asked choking his throat as a final warning. Lexten coughed and gasped. "The stone at one point was an egg! But, since it was too cold it never hatched! It fossilized until it became a stone! If you go to Mount Risi and find the abandoned nest you may find it! It's only rumored though! The village that lives close to the mountain can't even go near since it's too cold for any of them to survive!"

"I'll take my chances. And while I have this I'll keep the map." I noticed a shiny glimmer in Lexten's coat until I realized it was the emerald. I put the map in my pocket and then took the emerald. "If it weren't for the fact we're in a city with guards roaming around I'd gladly end your life." Lexten panicked as he still feasibly try to get out of my grip. "Get out of here before I change my mind." Lexten ran out of my sight. I stood still glimpsing at the emerald until I threw it up to Happy that caught it. "Iceberg. That's a long way of traveling Natsu. That'll take almost two months for us to make it to Mount Risi-"

"Did you get my order?" I asked cutting Happy off. Happy sighed but was used to my cutoff dialogue. "Yeah. A hundred EverLasting Candles." Happy went to the roof and returned with a heavy sack of the red candles; all of them being unlit. "Okay. I'll walk you to the train so you can go back to the Guild." I began walking in the direction of the train station until Happy spoke. "Natsu..." I stopped walking. "can I come with you this time? You disappear for days, sometimes weeks when you go to the Abyss. Maybe if I go with you-"

"You can't. You know this already Happy." I didn't turn to look at my Exceed but I didn't need to see him shaking from my answer. "But why? You go there! You haven't come home in months! Everyone is worried about you! Why should only you go to the Abyss and look for Lu-shee-"

"BECAUSE I SAID SO!" My head turned and yelled at the small cat that winced. My eye and arm flared up when I was suddenly holding my head from the pain that escalated. Without looking at Happy I muttered impatiently. "Go home Happy. After I find the Stone, I'll come back and catch up with everyone. I'll show everyone I'm fine and not dead and we'll be done with it."

"But Nat-zu...it should be more than a check-up. We miss you..." My tight fists gradually fell to my sides when I faced Happy once more. I fell to one knee and rested my hand over Happy's head. "I miss them too. When I come back I'll stay for a while. I'll be back before the end of next month. I have to look in the Abyss for any sight of Lucy and I gotta get the Phoenix Stone. It'll probably be a dead end like the others, but I have to try. If the Stone can bring her back then it'll be worth it. Trust me Happy."

"Is this what Lucy even wanted? What if she isn't even in the Abyss? The Giver might have been wrong about Lucy..."

"I don't think so Haps. The Giver had been right about everything else that happened years ago. I'm not gonna start doubting the Giver after looking for so long." For two years I've been searching for my wife. With the Everlasting Candles, I place markers that'll never die out so I knew where I've searched so far. The candles are always lit, giving not only me hope that my search is coming closer to an end, but also hope that Lucy will see the candles I've left so she knows I'm looking for her. If there's a chance of finding her I have to do it. Happy's expression fell somber until I picked him up and placed him on my shoulder. "How's everyone doing anyway? Aren't Gajeel and Levy about to get married?"

"Not yet. They're waiting until she gives birth to get married. You'll try to make it right?" I didn't reply, only thinking of the future I dreamt of when Lucy was still here. So many of my guild mates are slowly moving on and living their life. New guild mates joined as the years moved on. Veda's small guild eventually decided to join Fairy Tail but still traveled just like the nomads they were. Avery and her guild went home after the celebration two years ago, but they still send letters now and then. The humanoid Dragons had begun construction of their city on vacant land that King Toma gifted them. Everyone was moving forward in life...but I was frozen. Trapped. Stuck.

Endlessly looping in a circle.

I eventually answered Happy. "Maybe. I'm not sure yet." It was better to keep the invitation open rather than promising to go.  I had a history of not being able to keep my promises. Happy just sighed from my honest answer. "You already missed MiraJane and Laxus's engagement party and the celebration of our new guild mates! Everyone is saying you're beginning to come and go like Gildarts." That brought out a chuckle. "Don't be serious Haps I'm just busy. Gildarts goes on those S-Class missions whereas I'm on my mission. Besides, I haven't seen him in years so what of it."

"He was at the Guild a couple of months ago. Just like everyone else he's worried about you too." My grim face returned. "So I've heard. Everyone is worried and they want me back home! If I give up then there would be no reason for me to come home! I'll find the nearest cliff and just throw myself over to be done with it."

"Natsu!" Happy gasped aghast from what I said. I didn't mean it for the most part. None of them realize my search for Lucy is what's keeping me alive. If I stop now then so should my heart. "Look, I haven't done it so don't look at me like that. I won't do it okay? Just tell everyone I'm fine and I'll be home soon." I stopped at the train station and placed Happy on the train cart. "Make it home safe. You'll see me before the end of next month." Happy's ears fell. "Promise?" My guts twisted by his question. I pushed away the throbbing in my chest and did my best to show a smile. "I'll do my best." Happy didn't say anything. The train door closed between us as I watched the train take my Exceed back to Magnolia. I stepped away from the train tracks and started to look for a secluded spot to take myself to the Abyss. The thought of Happy going home alone always killed me. It wasn't fair for him either when it came to how everything was right now. He was close to Lucy too, and he lost her. Now, I know by looking into his eyes he's slipping away from me. I could see him in pain by my choice of looking for the ghost of my wife. Happy, just like all of my guild mates, think this is my mourning. If I go to the Abyss and waste the years I spent looking then somehow I'll heal over time. Maybe they are waiting for me to give up the search. They believe if I give up I'll come home so they can comfort me. I didn't want their comfort two years ago and I don't want it even now. If my search for Lucy is in vain then my life has no meaning.

My life without Lucy meant nothing.

"Let's see if this is the one." Ducked under the shadows of an alleyway I created the portal with a wave of my hand. With my final breath of fresh air, I returned to the Abyss.

~~~

Time felt the same just as when I left EarthLand. I knew by then that wasn't true after staying in the Abyss for some time. It felt like lifetimes in the Abyss, but when I return to EarthLand it could have almost been a week since I was gone. I didn't mind by now how long it felt when I traveled in the Abyss. It gave me more time than EarthLand could give to think. I learned to walk through the Abyss with ease and did to the best of my ability to map it. It was always difficult hence I could enter one space and then come back again in a completely different place. With my fingernail, I labeled the candles by numbers so I can have a sense of where I have been. With the sack of Everlasting Candles, I pulled out the first one and labeled it.

4,562

I've spent more jewels on these candles than actual food for the last two years. They weren't cheap, but it was worth it if I could find Lucy. On the days I didn't have a lead for a way to resurrect the dead or wasn't in the Abyss I was doing missions. Missions weren't for having fun or helping people anymore to me. They were now my only source of being able to buy Everlasting Candles. A small flame sprouted from my finger when I lit the candle and melted the wax to the ground to keep it upright. After that, I marked my number on the paper of the map I currently used and then moved forward. I would do this repeatedly until I ran out of candles, and when I was out that's when I would keep walking to call out for my wife. The Abyss was a space of void and emptiness. I used that to make my voice echo so she could hear my echoed voice calling out to her. I stopped at approximately a quarter mile for the next candle.

4,563

This was going to be a long run in the Abyss.

~~~

MiraJane

The sound of chatters and laughter always brings me joy in the Guild Hall. Fairy Tail jas grown after the war against the Gods as more people joined our guild than ever before. Not only have new mages joined our guild, but so has the new generation of future Fairy Tail mages. Erza and Jellal were feeding Layla that played with her strawberry cake on the plate until she would feed some to her mama. Layla would turn two years old in two months. She had her father's blue head of hair that was slightly lighter in tone with a replica of Erza's hazel irises. Layla could not only walk but could run as well. She was starting to learn how to swim and can speak in full sentences that were advanced for a two-year-old. At first, we were worried about Erza and Layla when they were brought back from death. Erza needed more time to recover due to the Gods's curse that was placed on her during childbirth. We were all worried that Erza still suffered the curse even after she returned, and after many tests, she came back negative from any curses. Layla was healthy and also free of curses.

Levy and Gajeel had been engaged ever since we came home from Crocus two years ago as they decided to take it slow to plan a wedding. Then their plans changed six months ago when Levy found out she was expecting not just one baby but twins. Even at six months pregnant Levy looked like she was about to pop from how round her belly was. Gray and Juvia were still in the dating phase, yet I knew the look in a man's eyes when he was ready to propose. I could tell by Gray's nervous smile whenever he was around Juvia that the proposal was going to happen before the end of the month or maybe the end of this week if I'm lucky. Wendy had grown up somewhat. If I called two inches a growth spurt then I'd laugh, but it was adorable how excited Wendy reacted when come to the guild and tell everyone she grew another centimeter. What was more adorable was how Santos had a crush on the Sky Maiden no matter how hard he tried to hide it. That relationship would take time to flourish.

I leaned against the counter of the bar, fiddling with my engagement ring on my left hand, in deep thought. Laxus and his teammates were currently on an S-Class mission so I expected him to be away for a few months, but I didn't mind waiting when I knew he would always come back home. I planned on a wedding for next year during the springtime of a small gathering of our closest friends and family at the newly built cathedral in Magnolia. April sounded like a good month to have a wedding. I first thought about May...but that month belongs to Lucy... Even though the celebration of the Savior lasted for a week some cities celebrated Lucy for an entire month. Every year, on May 8th, citizens of Magnolia will pluck one of Lucy's Lilies and give it to their significant other as a way of offering their devotion. It was merely a way to confess your eternal love to someone as Lucy did for Natsu. That's how people tell the story of the Savior anyways. Two years and there are already multiple stories of the reason why Lucy sacrificed her life to save the Cosmos. In some stories, it tells that Natsu had actually died and to bring him back Lucy gave her soul to him. Other worshippers explain that Lucy's love for humans is the reason why she saved EarthLand. No one truly knows the full story except for us. In reality, Lucy couldn't live whether or not she had a choice. For the best outcome for the sake of the Realms, she bargained her heart and life to save us.

The real story was that Lucy was selfless. If she couldn't win then she made sure everyone else could.

"It's about to be May," I murmured. In Magnolia, the citizens come to Fairy Tail and give gifts and goods to us as a way to thank Lucy. On May 15th, they build a pyre in front of the statue that was built as a memorial for Lucy. The pyre only holds one of Lucy's Lilies that Natsu personally picks and then burns the pyre. Natsu doesn't like how he's been involved in these new traditions. It was only a constant reminder of his deceased wife whom he believes left him. To this day Natsu will never understand why Lucy did it. It didn't matter how many times the Giver told him the story word for word; he simply couldn't believe Lucy's decision. Now, he's on this search that will only hurt him even more in the end.

My fingers clenched. I remember finding the letters Lucy left behind when she left the Guild Hall that day. It was addressed to me with another letter tied behind it and a black lacrima that I wasn't meant to open. I gave Gramps the one that was for Fairy Tail, but I kept the others to Lucy's request. I can remember all of what happened when Natsu came back to the Guild that day...

~~~

I was helping Lisanna unwound the gauze of an unnamed soldier when the guild door opened to the sound of anguished cries. The group that volunteered to go with Happy to find Natsu and Lucy returned...but with only one person. Natsu had his arms slung over Gawen and Gray's shoulders as they dragged him up the stairs to the infirmary room. His wings were hanging on his back by a thread and a miracle. Blood stained every speck of his clothes as my nakama had tears falling down his face. I knew that the tears he was crying were not from the pain of his wings. I knew immediately what the grief-stricken sobs meant.

Lucy was gone.

Lisanna and I shared a look of horror until I excused myself to follow them. Before I could even touch the handle of the infirmary door I was pushed back and told Natsu needed space. "He just lost his wife. Leave him be to grieve." Gawen said when he and Gray pushed me to take a step back. I could still hear his heart-ripping screams through the walls of the infirmary. No one was hurting as much as Natsu felt that day. My wobbled steps took me to Gramps as I did my best to hold my tears in. "Master, Lucy..." Master shook his head. "I know. Natsu's reaction told me everything I needed to know."

I bit my bottom lip. Right now I had to stay strong in front of my nakamas. Some of them were already crying from the news that didn't need to be announced. We just knew... "I-I'll clean where she was resting. I'll properly burn the sheets." Gramps was silent and only closed his eyes to hide his pain. I passed my guild master and went to his office where Lucy lay broken and mangled just an hour ago. Her blood was dried and beginning to oxidize from the night she was lying there barely breathing. The Giver forced the healers to put her here in Gramps's office away from everyone else so they wouldn't see her. If the soldiers or mages saw their strongest ally in such a terrible state then all hope was lost. Lucy had given the army time to retreat to the guild when fire rained on EarthLand. I sat down beside the makeshift bed that was made of bed sheets and a blanket we were able to spare for her. Lucy deserved more than lying down on the hard ground like this...

Lucy deserved more than what fate had forced on her...

Being alone where I last saw Lucy alive I couldn't keep in my tears anymore. I cried my guilt out as well as my anger to myself. Lucy shouldn't have died. She was meant to be with us forever. How could we have lost someone that was supposed to be here forever? Amid my crying, I carefully folded the bloodied sheets. I was almost done until I picked up the pillow that was also a sheet when I found folded pieces of paper. There were three to be exact and a lacrima that was dulled of any color. "What are these?" I picked up the first one signed to Fairy Tail. The writing wasn't as eloquent as Lucy's handwriting, but I knew she wrote this. Only Lucy would spare the time she had left to leave us a letter. I put the one addressed to the guild down and picked up the second one. These two were tied together, but when I read the name I gasped.

The letter was addressed to me.

I undid the thread and saw the last letter was for Natsu. Focusing on my letter I unfolded it and began to read.

Mira,

If you are reading this then my plan must have worked. Which also means I am dead. I'm so sorry about everything Mira. I'm so sorry you have to be the one to come here and do the hardest thing by cleaning up the mess I left behind. I knew you were the only person strong enough to come into this room and clean up the place I last rested. I'm honestly not too sure if anyone could have done what you're doing.
It hurts me even more about what I'm about to ask of you. If you have found this letter that also means you've found the other two and a lacrima. The one that is for Fairy Tail is my final goodbyes to my family as my final thoughts will always be about Fairy Tail. My final regret is the fact I could not personally tell all of you of my choice in giving my life in exchange. Even now I'm a coward for telling the truth and would write it on a piece of paper after I've already hurt you and our nakamas with my decision. Mira, you had always been kind to me since the very beginning. You have a heart made of gold and a spirit that shines brighter than any star in the known cosmos. I ask you to give my letter to Fairy Tail to Fairy Tail but I am sure you will already do that. My real and final request is something that you will have to rely on based on your heart.
Do not give Natsu his letter right now. The lacrima also goes to Natsu but do not give that to him as well. If I know my husband, and I know him certainly well, he will search for me. Even in death, Natsu is so hard-headed he refuses me to die. You will wait until you feel he is ready to receive my letter and the lacrima. Right now, Natsu will need this futile search of finding me. It could be a couple of days or even years until you give his letter and lacrima. Please, as my last wish, do not give the letter or lacrima to him. When the day comes that he is truly broken he will be ready to have both said items.
I know this will not be easy. Natsu will be hurting every single day so you'll want to just give him the letter and lacrima. If you give it to him too early...I fear the worst.
Please, Mira, hide the items only you know where to find them. Tell no one what I said in the letter. I am so, so sorry to ask you this. Watch over Fairy Tail and the love of my life for me. Take care of my husband and make sure he eats.
I love you all so much.

With love,
Lucy

~~~

I'm keeping my promise to Lucy's last wish. No one has found out about the two letters or lacrima I've hidden within the Guild Hall. Under a plank that's beneath the bar counter where I have the ale cups stored is where I hid them. No one ever comes behind the bar except for me or Kinana. It's not noticeable of the wooden plank didn't have any nails holding them down. I knew to avoid suspicion it would have been better if I burned my letter from Lucy...but I couldn't. Lucy entrusted me with her last wish for Natsu which she gave me a personal letter. It was a small part of her that I was given. I couldn't burn that part of her away from the world. Most of everything personal to Lucy was in the mausoleum where the real statue of Lucy rests. Her letters to her mother were with her as well as her celestial keys and a hairbrush that still had strands of Lucy's hair. We even put the Royal Family's treasured jewels in the mausoleum as we all agreed they belonged to her.

Even Natsu placed his scarf, which was stained with Lucy's blood, in the mausoleum.

The last time I saw Natsu he now wore a chained necklace that carries the engagement ring she wore only for one day. I'm sure to Natsu the time he spent with Lucy only felt like a day. Not even an eternity was enough time for Natsu and Lucy... I was thinking so much I didn't notice the petite woman standing in front of me. "Excuse me, ma'am, are you the person I talk to about joining a guild?" I broke out of my thought process a little disoriented until I excused myself. "I'm sorry I was in deep thought. How can I help you?" I stared at the woman before me admiring how pretty she was. "I-I would like to join Fairy Tail." Her timid voice said to which I smiled. "Anyone that wishes to join is always welcome. Tell me, what kind of mage are you?"

"I have Fortune Telling Magic. Though it's still new to me I also have combative skills to fend for myself. I wish to learn more magics that's more fighting worthy than fortune telling." The woman bashfully said with her cheeks pink. I noticed the light freckles that dotted across her nose due to her flushed face. "That's amazing! Let me get Master Makarov so we can sign the paperwork and you'll get your Fairy Tail insignia!" The kind woman smiled still a little nervous. "I heard only the strongest can join Fairy Tail. Before we do all that I want you to know I'm not strong. Is it okay that I join?" I kept my smile to reassure her. "Just because we're the Protectors of Fiore doesn't mean only the strongest joins! If you're a good person that values family then you're more than welcome to be a part of Fairy Tail!" The woman's eyes glistened like stars. "Really?"

"Of course! Come on I'll introduce you to Gramps!" I left the bar and took her hand to lead her to Master's office. "By the way, I didn't ask your name. What's your name?" The woman's beautiful eyes looked up at me as we went up the stairs. "My name is Vivian. Vivian Veasna." I tripped over my footing. I yelped and hit my knee on the staircase as Vivian asked if I was alright. Quickly I glanced back to see if she fit the description. It's been so long that I had forgotten about the mysterious Vivian we saw in the cave years ago taunting Natsu as he was gaining the Sight. Her hair was a strawberry blonde with a small beauty mark close to her left eye. The beautiful irises that looked at me were a clear emerald green. She was so beautiful because she almost looked exactly like my comrade that died years ago...

This was Vivian. Natsu's true soulmate.

~~~

~Natsu~

No luck in the Abyss, and so far no luck in Iceberg. I had been here almost two weeks searching for the Phoenix Stone in Mount Risi. After I had finished traveling the Abyss I made a portal to Iceberg in the town Lexten spoke about on the map where the rumors were. Thanks to my scales and natural body heat I was fine enough to speak to a few townspeople and buy enough food to find what I'm looking for. I thought I bought enough food until I saw I was almost out. The cave system was bigger than the townsfolk assumed and I was beginning to get lost. "If I run out of these frozen jerkies and bread then I'm screwed and I'll have to return home. It's been a month and I told Happy I'd be back before the end of this month. Shit, I spent too much time walking up to the mountain." I drank my water sparingly quenching every drop on my parched tongue.

This would be easier if I still had my Sight. After the Souls Connection was split so did my ties with the Gods. I was almost a regular human again if I didn't have a Spirit Dragon tied to me in place of my missing soul. I again marked the icy walls with a big 'X' until I moved further down. Thankfully the cold was waning away the further down I went which I hoped was a good sign. The ice floor suddenly became slippery when my balance was off-centered until I was suddenly sliding down. I lost my bag and my cloak as the walls of the cave started to grow inwards. "Son of a-!" I outstretched my arms to catch myself on either side of the wall when I barely managed to hook onto the cracked stone that had a thin layer of ice. My bag kept sliding until it hit my head which made my mood even better. "Nice Natsu you go down a freezing slide and your bag hits you. Not to mention you probably lost your cloak." I grumbled like an old man. After getting my bag over my shoulder I glanced back to see if I can get back up, but the slide appeared like it was too steep to get back up. Did I somehow fall off the side of a cliff? "Dammit. The only way to go is down from here on out." The walls were closing as I continued to move down with caution.

Just when I thought I would get myself stuck I noticed an opening I haven't seen yet. Unlike the cold air that stung my lungs, I felt a warm breeze hit my face. For the first time since I stepped foot on Iceberg ground, the air wasn't freezing. The ice around the opening was melting to the point I saw the stone walls of the cave. I kicked away the excess ice until it was big enough to get through. Before I decided to jump head first, I threw my bag and counted how long before I heard it land. Thankfully, the fall wasn't long after counting four seconds. Whatever part of the cave I'm getting into, it was a huge space pending the echo of my bag hitting the ground. I fell feet first until I landed without injuring myself. The ground wasn't iced over at all. It was fresh green grass. When I took in my surrounding I noticed a large nest made from tree roots that have moss covering it. The nest was huge. I'm sure depending on how big the nest was the Phoenix was significantly bigger than the Guild Hall. My bag was over my shoulder again as I moved to climb into the moss-covered nest. If there was grass and a nest then this was my best bet to find the Phoenix Stone. However, I couldn't shrug off the fact it wasn't cold in this part of the cave. It was warm that plant life can sustain without sunlight; so how could an egg fossilize if it isn't cold? "What the hell!?" I only had a glance in the nest and my questions were instantly answered.

The Phoenix never left.

There was a large, red bird in that nest. It wasn't what I imagined when I visioned a Phoenix. Phoenixes were birds of flames. They rely on their eternal flames to survive. If I wasn't quiet when I entered then I definitely wasn't quiet when I shouted from seeing it. It wasn't moving or defending its nest. I peeked again to look at the real live Phoenix. It was one of the most beautiful birds I've ever seen. It had a slender neck with a small head and long beak. The feather on the wings and tail were a golden yellow color whilst the rest of its body was red. It was very warm being around it, but I couldn't find any flames. There was just steam emitting from its body. The bird looked sick as I inspected it more. Without many choices, I did the first thing I thought of doing. "Hey, bird! You gonna move or what?" The bird made no effort in moving. I did my next choice by entering the nest. The closer I got to the bird the warmer the atmosphere became. The bird must have been alive if it was warm. Maybe it was just sleeping? I quietly stepped around it to face its front side when I saw a glimpse of something under its wing. The object was relatively round and the shade of a pale blue.

The Phoenix Stone.

Only it wasn't a stone. It was still an egg. "For Gods sake. I came here to find a stone, not an egg!" I reached my hands out to grab the egg until the Phoenix cried out and raised the wing hiding the egg to whack me away. I narrowly dodged and jumped back to the moss part of the nest and inspected the Phoenix again with caution. The Phoenix defended its egg but didn't stand up to ward me away. I inspected the Phoenix's amber irises that had been closed before when I noted the feathers around its eyes were faded. Long streaks of old tears had stained the bird's face. "What's wrong with you? Why won't you get up!?" The Phoenix squawked in my direction as it told me to go away. "The egg hasn't hatched after all this time. Why are you trying to keep it warm?"

The Phoenix curled its body to protect its egg. I was starting to understand what was going on; at least I think I knew. "When was the last time you left your nest?" I asked the bird like I knew it would answer. It must have been hundreds of years since the last time it's even seen the sun. I don't know what Phoenixs eat or if they even eat at all. Some people speculate the Phoenix will fly to the sun and become rejuvenated by the intensity of the light from the sun. It was just a theory. Maybe this Phoenix couldn't leave the egg or else it would have gotten too cold for it to survive. I pulled out a jerky and showed the Phoenix the dried meat. "You hungry?" The Phoenix's entrancing eyes glanced at the jerky for mere seconds when they closed again. I put the jerky back up. "Alright. You don't like human food. Maybe I have something else in here?" I tried to rummage in my bag. "Gods, it's a little dark to see anything!" I put my right hand up and ignited a flame in the palm of my hand to get some better light. But when the Phoenix saw the fire it was suddenly squawking and chirping with both wings flapping in the air. The speed of the wind and the Phoenix caught me off guard I was thrown off the nest into the grass. "Woah Woah Woah! What did I do?!" The large bird perched itself where I was as it leaned its head down to stare at the fire in my hands. What stood between me and a scary red bird was the small flame in my palm. "Do you...like the fire?" The Phoenix inched closer until its head was resting in my palm. My fire danced on the bird's body whilst its feathers began to glow. The fire changed to all sorts of vivid colors as the Phoenix looked like it was drinking the warmth in my hand. Then it finally clicked for me.

"Ah, you need to be reignited. It's too cold for you to stay here, but when your egg came you couldn't leave. You've been trapped here doing the best you could to protect your egg from the cold. I understand now." I pulled my hand away from the bird's head. Its eyes pleaded to bring back the fire until I ignited both of my fists. "Alright! I'm gonna set you on fire! Get ready!" To get a better vantage I jumped into the air when I cast out my spell. "Fire Dragon: Roar!" The Dragon flame flew from my mouth and burned the nest. The Phoenix waved its wings whilst soaking the heat of the fire with its body now beginning to burn like an ember. The Phoenix cried out what sounded like joy when its feathers once again had fire dancing over it. I watched with fascination as the bird picked its egg up to its long beak and picked itself up over its burning nest. I ducked to avoid the flapping wings of the Phoenix still watching it fly above the ceiling of the cave. Just as I thought I wasn't able to escape the Phoenix screeched sending a massive heat wave around itself. The ice shattered overhead and fell around us which made the mountains shake and tumble down on us. I knew if I was going to make it out alive I had to leave now. I placed my hand out to call a portal home when I saw the last glimpse of the Phoenix flying straight up to the sky to find the sun. As quickly as I arrived, I left Iceberg to go home.

~~~

The portal closed behind me when I found myself in the Town Square of Magnolia. I was facing the memorial statue of my wife standing with a passive expression. When I first saw the memorial statue I almost lost it. First of all, her proportions were all wrong. The architect focused on the areas of her bust they were overdone of her actual size and her waist was too small for any regular human being to have. Secondly, she was holding a staff when her choice of weapon was the Goddess Sword. Not only that but she was holding the staff in her left hand when she held her actual weapon in her right hand. The third reason was the one that pissed me off the most. Her face wasn't right from her actual one. Lucy's eyes were very doe-like with high cheekbones. Her jawline wasn't so round as the statue was and her neck was a lot more slender as well. Her lips weren't thin like this one showed...they were plump and soft to the touch.

"I thought I told them to take this one down." My teeth gritted together when I moved to go to the Guild. Without my cloak, I was easily noticeable with my two insignia signs and my war-torn wings. People already crowded around to whisper how I was the Savior's husband or I was the Duel-Sign Salamander. I wasn't Natsu of Fairy Tail or simple Salamander to my enemies or allies anymore. I didn't care about those titles...not anymore. I kept walking forward simply ignoring the comments or whispers that surrounded me.

The Guild Hall was bigger the last time I saw it. It had an additional floor with extra buildings on each side of the old walls. I wonder how many people joined the Guild the last time I was here? "Let's get this over with." I was making plans for when I got to my empty home I was going to clean and sleep off the exhaustion that was making my eyes heavy. I haven't had any rest in days much less any sleep for the past two weeks. When I entered the newly furnished Guild Hall I was surprised to see so many unfamiliar faces mixed with old comrades. New and old guildmates talked and laughed as if they've known each other for years; meanwhile, I'm still stuck in a long-forgotten past. Erza was the first one to notice me while she was holding Layla. "Natsu!" She ran up and give me a strong sidearm hug. Her eyes looked me up and down until she smiled. "It's so good to see you're alright, but you've lost some weight. Come on, let's catch up at the bar." Erza dragged me to the bar area as she called out for my old teammates to come visit. Lots of people were happy and welcoming me home even some new guildmates excited to see the Duel-Sign Salamander in the flesh.

Wendy hugged me the second she saw me also noting I have lost some weight. Gray bumped my shoulder with a grin. "Glad to see you back. What's been happening?" I sat down at the bar with my comrades just as Mira placed a meal in front of me. "I didn't order this," I said pushing the meal back when Mira shook her head. "It's on the house. Don't worry about paying, just eat." Mira winked and smiled. My stomach growled from the aroma alone of this warm meal that I caved in and began eating. I began telling my story of the Phoenix Stone from the moment I caught wind that an item like that existed. I told them everything from feigning my identity to going to Iceberg. "You found a living Phoenix!?" Erza exclaimed cooing her daughter. I chuckled shyly. "Yeah. And the Phoenix Stone wasn't even a stone. It was still an egg that the Phoenix couldn't leave due to how cold it was. I helped the bird by setting the place on fire and it left with its egg."

"That's amazing Nat-zu!" Happy said with sheer excitement. I just nodded and continued eating my meal. It was a rare sight of seeing a Phoenix, but it was the Stone I was after, and I came back empty-handed once again. "Yeah. It was pretty neat." My nakamas worryingly watched me play with the remainder of my food. Before one of them even spook I interrupted. "I'm alright. I'm just tired."

"We don't need to ask to know that you're tired Natsu-san. But we do want to make sure that you're okay." Wendy explained with concerned eyes. I pinched the bridge of my nose to keep myself upright. "Yeah. Yeah, I just said I'm alright and I am. When I get some sleep I'll look better."

"But will you feel better?" Erza asked with her hand on my shoulder. I didn't want to be coddled by them again when I just got back. It was the same question every single time. "Will you guys just quit it? I'm still me for Gods sake. Stop walking on eggshells around me or you're gonna drive me nuts!" I thanked Mira for the meal. When I stood up to head home I bumped into a person as she yelped from running into me. "I'm sorry!" She said catching herself before she fell. Though some of the newcomers hadn't noticed, I could feel my nakamas watching me and this woman. Everyone was steadily watching from the corners of their eyes. "No worries. I wasn't aware of my surroundings." After the woman checked to see if her nose was broken she looked up at me. The world immediately stopped turning. Her tinted blonde hair, the emerald green eyes peering into my soul, that damn beauty mark near her left eye. She resembled Lucy to the point she had taken my breath away. I already hated her for taking my breath away. "Sorry about running into you. I'm-"

"Vivian..." My voice came out a snarl that she retracted away. "You know my name? I haven't seen you at the Guild but I'm aware you're Natsu Dragneel." Vivian giggled. My stomach felt like there was sour milk sitting in it. I wanted to throw up, scream, or hurt something. "I hope we can be friends Natsu. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Vivian put her hand up to shake. My eyes cut to her hand waiting to meet mine when I saw a red guild mark on her right hand. This was torture. I'm in hell. Why was she here? Why now? Why!? "Move." I pushed her aside to leave the Guild Hall. The ground was spinning and my meal was starting to come back up until I made it outside to catch my breath. My hands were on my knees as I was visibly shaking. Hundreds of thoughts overwhelmed me. Hundreds of questions made me want to rip my skull apart so I can cease the constant voice in my head.

Why was she here? Why did Vivian show up when I knew I wouldn't fall for her?!

"What more can you do to me!?" I yelled not fully aware of who I was yelling at. Fate? The Gods? Lucy? How many more times must I continue to hurt? All for what? Would I let Vivian stop me from finding the woman I want to be with!? Not a chance. I will never stop looking for Lucy even with her in the picture. "Natsu wait!" Mira called out when she caught up to me. "I'm sorry. We all knew Vivian was here before you and we didn't tell you."

"How long has she been here exactly!? We're you gonna wait to tell me when I saw the girl like what just happened?!" Mira grimly shook her head. "No! It's not like that! Vivian joined almost a month ago! We just-...We missed you so much. It's been months since the Guild had seen you. We're worried and we're starting to get scared about your health Natsu. You tell us you're fine when you're not. You look sick and every time we see you it grows worse. We just want you to be happy again."

"Happy again!? I can't be happy, MiraJane! I lost the only happiness I was given! She threw it away Mira! She threw me away like it meant nothing!" Mira and I both had tears falling down our faces. The white-haired mage covered her mouth with her hands whilst shaking her head. "No, she didn't. Lucy wanted you to live. She wanted all of us to live. You don't know if you'll be happy again unless you try. Why can't you give Vivian a chance? She's kind, friendly, and cares about her comrades. It's been two years, Natsu. When will you start to live again?" I turned my back on Mira. When I started to walk home I wiped away the tears that I'd been holding in for years.

"When I bring Lucy back, or until I join her in the Abyss."

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We're close to the conclusion now. Stay tuned Lovelies.

As always...love you all.❤️