Disclaimer - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima & all things Pradesh belong to DESNA

A/N - It's kinda hard to believe I actually finished it. I learned a lot writing this story. Painted myself into a few corners that were difficult to manage but they were valuable lessons. This is by far the longest anything I've ever written for any reason. I hope everyone enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.

Epilogue

He stayed low and in the shadows of the trees and shrubs lining the area as he crept along slowly. His breathing was even and controlled, he was downwind to ensure those with sensitive olfactory senses didn't notice him. Everything was perfect, he had trained for this. He kept his eyes on his prey as he crept ever so slowly forward until in range. Steadily he raised his weapon of choice and took aim.

"Jerico Jude Pradesh!" He froze as if he just gazed upon a medusa as the shrill yell reached his ears. Not daring to move he pulled his eyes from his prey that was now looking at him angrily and shifted them to the side to see a terrible sight. The mage staring him down was dressed all in green and gold, a golden bow in her arms, the arrow strung and aimed for him. Her golden hair blew in the wind behind her. A hush settled over the land as the arrow was loosed. He was petrified, unable to move as he watched it fly towards him and pierce the weapon in his right hand. Shimmers of color exploded around him and he sagged to the ground in defeat.

The blond shimmered as her green outfit and bow disappeared, putting her back into the azure bikini and sarong she was previously wearing. Seeing her storm over to him, he closed his eyes and waited. The punishment would have been worth it if he had only succeeded. He opened his eyes to glare at his sister who was now snickering at him. She was playing in the grass sea with his Aunt Emi and Uncle Natsu. Both he could see were shaking their heads at him. He didn't have to look around the yard to know everyone else had the same expression.

"You are grounded young man. And I mean GROUNDED. No flying for two weeks."

"But Moooom…" he whined back.

"Don't you 'But Mom' me! I would have had to spend the rest of the day picking glitter out of your poor sister's hair. You deserve what you got. You are also not allowed into the house until you scrub the glitter off yourself. You can use the outdoor bathhouse and you will clean it spotless when you are done. I'm not about to have poor Mrs. Elan clean up this mess after you. Honestly, what were you thinking?" Lucy stared down at her overly colorful pouting son. She was doing her very best to keep a stern look on her face when internally she was dying from withholding the laughter. Twice her expression broke, but her son didn't notice as he was busy looking down at his glittered hands.

"I almost made it," he mumbled under his breath.

"Oh really? You realize that this yard is literally littered with dragon slayers. Even downwind you didn't think one of them would notice you?" He sighed. She was right, he was practically doomed from the start. But he was so close. "Where is your Uncle?"

"Which one? I have lots of Uncles."

"Don't get smart, you know exactly which one I am talking about." She should have listened. She should never have named the boy after him, even if it was just his middle name.

"Why are you looking for him?"

Lucy had to give him credit, he was doing his best to look innocent. "Don't deflect. I know you can't lie so just tell me where Vander is. That way I can deliver his punishment as well. This whole mess has his name all over it."

Jerico sighed again and ran a glittery hand through his mahogany bangs. He then cringed as he realized he was just spreading the mess into his hair more. "He said something about chasing shadows."

Poor Rogue. She thought to herself. "Alright go clean up. I will deal with him later." It was her birthday and most of her friends from Fiore had made the trip to celebrate. It was also her daughter Layla's first birthday. Arman was holding nothing back with the party he was hosting at the estate. She looked over to see him bouncing her daughter on his knee a grin on his face as he watched the seven-year old trudge off with slumped shoulders. Lucy walked back to the porch where he was sitting and laughing with her husband, Erik, Freed, Gajeel, Levy and Gray. "Your son is a terrible influence on my son."

Arman laughed, "He is indeed. Jerico almost succeeded. It was actually impressive."

She sat with Zen on the loveseat and leaned back against him. "I know, if it wasn't for Erik he would have." She looked over to the smirking poison slayer, "Thank you."

"Just don't tell the kid it was me that ratted him out. Let him figure out where he went wrong on his own." She nodded in return.

"Two weeks?" Zen hugged her from behind. "Do you honestly think you'll be able to enforce that?" He loved her dearly and she was a great mother, but she could never punish the children for long.

"No. I'm sure I'll cave and let him off for good behavior early. Just help keep me from doing it too early please?" She enjoyed his warm embrace as she looked over the grounds. Xally and Wendy were chatting while watching the exceeds play. Sting was trying to talk Yukino into swimming and she was blushing furiously. Rogue was missing, either hiding from or captured by Vander. Cristoff, Beck and Kaleb were chatting with Erza and Jellal. Farron was unfortunately away on Embassy matters. Bickslow was with Laxus and Evergreen. Natsu and Emzadi were still watching Aurora.

Now that had been a surprise, although thinking back it probably shouldn't have been. The two slayers were mates, but hadn't mated yet. They wanted to take it slow. Natsu was shy and not very worldly, meanwhile Emzadi didn't want to repeat any past mistakes. The two flitted around each other like moths trying not to get burned yet yearning for the flame. They spent a lot of time with Aurora as they could heat the surrounding area to lessen the impact of the cold she exuded. That had made things difficult when she was a toddler. Temper tantrums meant sub-freezing temperatures. Older now, and with many slayers around she was learning control when her emotions were in check.

Jellal had helped to explain that heavenly magics were powerful and hard to contain. Lucy needed a medium to push her magic through so it wasn't an issue for her normally, but she could overuse it and drain herself to a point of endangering her he and Zen had been enslaved and repressed which kept them from causing problems at a young age, but it was difficult for her children to control that strength while little. At one point they considered suppressing their powers, but both had gone through that enough that just couldn't shackle their own that way. Freed had helped immensely with creative protection runes throughout their home. Zen, Cristoff, Bickslow and Vander trained the two endlessly to keep them tired. Lucy was sure she couldn't have done it without them all.

Layla started to fuss in Arman's lap. She was about to get up to fetch her and start working on nap time when Virgo appeared and picked up the baby. She stopped fussing and smiled up at the spirit. Virgo was her favorite, much to Loke's despair.

"You have a visitor Miss Lucy." Mr. Elan appeared with the elderly Dean Kalperdean trailing behind him.

Lucy jumped up and hugged the man. After their rescue she finally had her meeting with him and ever since they met regularly to discuss all things celestial. "I'm glad you could make it!"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world. Happy birthday to you both. Miss Layla is growing quite well and she takes after her mother."

Lucy grinned, "It was about time one of them did."

"I have an interesting gift for you. A key came into our possession from Stella a few days ago," he started. "As you know, this is unusual for them to give a key up but this particular spirit is quite difficult. They flat out refuse all contracts." He handed her a blue box with a gold ribbon. "I thought that perhaps you could change their mind."

Lucy eyed the box, excitement coursing through her. She loved meeting new spirits, but she tamped down her emotions. It was possible this spirit wouldn't contract with her either. She opened the box carefully to look at the gleaming key inside. Zen jumped up to catch her as she fell to her knees. Tears streamed down her face. She put a hand on his arm to let him know it was okay. She wasn't capable of speaking right then. Wiping her eyes she walked to the beach and waded into the water up to her waist. Taking the key out and touching it to the water she called out firmly, "Gate of the Water Bearer, I open thee! Aquarius".

"Well you finally summoned me in a proper place, only took you 30 years brat." Lucy jumped into the mermaids arms sobbing hysterically. Aquarius smiled down at her and held her tight. "I told you I would come to you," she whispered. Looking up she saw smiling and tearful faces all around. "Well, I hear you finally got a man and created more brats. You should introduce me."

The rest of the day was a blur of love and happiness for the blonde celestial mage. Zen pulled her close as they lay in bed after having finally gotten the kids to sleep. She couldn't help the tears that began again. "You okay?" he asked her.

"I'm not okay, I'm perfect. You are perfect, everything is perfect. I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm finally home."