"Awesome guys! I think that's a good way to end our training!" Lucy cheered.

The group sighed in relief and got up to stretch out their sore muscles.

"Lucy and I wanted to compliment everyone on their improvement." Erza smiled, pleased. "We will inform you of your most improved area as you stretch so go ahead and start."

The mages began their stretches and popped some of their sore muscles with grins on their faces. It had certainly been a long session today, seeing as it was their last. All of them felt more ready than they had before to take on the Grand Magic Games. It was no secret both Erza and Lucy were happy with their progress and the pride the two had for them made the results they had earned even sweeter.

"Romeo." Lucy began with a grin. "You improved the most when it came to flexibility. It was really cool when you finally learned how to do the splits. I was very impressed."

The boy blushed happily. Wakaba ruffled his hair with a kind smile and the kid batted at him playfully.

"Alzack," Erza said. "You made the most improvement in your endurance. I have a feeling this will really help you out. Good job."

"I can't tell if she's complimenting me or not..." Alzack whispered to his girlfriend.

She replied with a chuckle.

"Droy. Your strength improved a lot, as I'm sure you've noticed." Lucy teased lightheartedly. "You have gotten quite muscley and it was cool to see in progress."

The large muscled man ducked his head sheepishly, rubbing his neck.

"Wakaba. It was interesting to see your magic grow in Lucy's meditations. You impressed me with your concentration." Erza nodded at the man.

He gave her a thumbs up.

"I think it was impressive because no one's seen you concentrate before. It's a real improvement." Macao teased under his breath.

Wakaba elbowed him in the ribs sharply with a roll of his eyes.

"Kiyoko." Lucy absentmindedly stopped said girl from tipping over when she did a pose similar to a flamingo. "I was surprised to see how much your magical bond with Droy has grown. Teamwork is a wonderful thing and it's great to see that in your magic."

Her cheeks reddened but the corners of her lips turned up nonetheless.

"Macao. You improved the most in endurance." Erza announced. "Good work."

"Er, thanks Erza..." Macao replied awkwardly.

"Wonder why she didn't say something nice about you, huh?" Wakaba goaded him.

The fire mage shoved him and Wakaba laughed. Macao shook his head good-naturedly.

"Bisca." Lucy interrupted, entertained. "You improved the most in strength. I was very impressed when I compared your first score to your last."

Bisca grinned proudly and Alzack shot her a smile.

"Thank you guys for working so hard!" Lucy clapped her hands.

"Thanks for teaching us, Master." Wakaba grinned.

Lucy blushed scarlet and Erza huffed, amused at her reaction.

Erza wondered privately if Lucy would ever get used to the title.

Fairy Tail was always a crazy guild but after most of their more wild members left to Tenrou Island, the guild tended to be calmer unless something was happening. And boy, was something happening.

All of Fairy Tail was gathered around, chaotically spread across the many tables that filled the guild hall. Most, if not all of them, had angled their bodies towards the stage where Lucy and Erza would soon appear.

"So, Macao, how'd training go with the Masters?" Vjeeter asked, in the middle of a dance as always.

Macao slung an arm around Wakaba's shoulder before answering.

"Really well actually. I mean just look at Droy, the dude looks like Elfman used to."

There was a collective wince.

"Sorry, didn't mean to mention it." Macao scratched his cheek, eyes drifting. "Droy really did bulk out though, Master Erza is a slave driver and Master Lucy isn't much better when she gets into it."

The guild went wild when Lucy and Erza finally made their way to Fairy Tail's stage, cutting the conversation off.

"Calm down, everyone!" Lucy motioned for them to be quiet. "I know you all are excited!"

Cheers rang throughout the guildhall, one mage yelling out an enthusiastic "HECK YEAH!" to the enjoyment of his guild mates.

"Lucy and I have thought long and hard about who we want to be in our team for the Grand Magic Games." Erza continued, ignoring the outburst. "And we have officially made our decision."

The Fairy Tail mages murmured to themselves, all excited to see who had made it onto the team. They quieted when they saw Lucy was waiting for them to settle down. She cleared her throat before speaking.

"Jet, Droy, Kiyoko, Bisca, and Alzack." Lucy smiled. "Welcome to the team."

The guild exploded into congratulations and small amounts of teasing.

"Nice job, Jet!" Max punched the man in the shoulder. "I'm going to join the training sessions next year so don't get too comfortable."

"I won't." The man laughed. "But don't be so sure you'll replace me."

The mages were laughing and joking with each other, all excited for the Grand Magic Games. The beer was already flowing, and most knew it would be a long night of celebration.

"Woah, Kiyoko!" Kinana cheered as she made her way past the girl, balancing a tray of beers. "Nice work! I can't wait to see you compete."

"Ah... thank you, Kinana-san." The girl blushed. "I'll do my best."

The girls smiled at each other before Kinana left to deliver beers to a rowdy table of Fairy Tail members.

Fairy Tail continued to make fun of and congratulate each other as the night went on and the party grew chaotic.

Lucy and Erza retired to their office upstairs when 11 pm hit. The party had started at 8 that night and didn't seem like it would stop anytime soon. They began preparing transportation for the guild so everyone could watch their team compete in Crocus.

"We're lucky Magnolia is kinda close by, huh Erza?" Lucy mused.

"Indeed." Erza smiled. "It makes things much easier."

A knock sounded at the door and Lucy opened it.

"Hey, Warren. Need anything?" Lucy asked curiously.

"No, I'm fine." The man smiled briefly before holding out a letter. "Kinana asked if I could bring this to you because she's busy manning the bar. Everyone is really excited about the Grand Magic Games."

Lucy sweatdropped. She was very glad she was not in charge of the bar right now. She wouldn't be surprised if the girl was absolutely swarmed, seeing as most of Fairy Tail was drunk off their butts. She was certainly glad to be upstairs.

"What is it?" Erza inquired from her desk as Warren made his way out of the room.

Lucy frowned before looking closer at the parcel.

"A letter from my father."

Erza's eyes widened in surprise.

"What? What's it say?"

"Dearest Lucy." Said girl snorted at that. "It has come to my attention that you are one of the new masters of Fairy Tail. Congratulations. I... know you will do well?"

Lucy blinked at the letter, stunned.

"I... am deeply sorry for how I have been treating you since your mother died. There is no excuse for my actions. My regret is so immense that there are no words that can properly express it. I am sorry."

She blinked heavily before clearing her throat.

"Lucy." Erza interrupted softly. "You don't have to continue reading. This sounds like a personal letter."

"No, it's alright," Lucy responded a bit absently. "I don't mind."

She took a breath before moving on.

"I understand if you don't want to see me again. That's fine. But Lucy I do miss you and if you want to see me again you can contact me anytime. My address is on the back of this letter." Lucy swallowed thickly before continuing. "I will leave you to your duties now, I know you must be busy as a guild master. Hopefully, I can help you out some. I rented out the Honey Bone Inn for your guild to use and anyone with a Fairy Tail guild mark will be allowed free entry to the train for the Grand Magic Games. If you don't want to use the hotel or the train rides, that's okay as well. I... I love you, Lucy. Sincerely, your father... Jude."

Lucy gripped the piece of paper tightly and stared intensely at it.

"At least we have the transportation figured out." She joked lightly, her voice breaking.

"Lucy..."

That was all it took for the dam to break and for tears to stream down Lucy's cheeks. She sniffled and hid her face from Erza, who stared at her quietly. The redhead slowly got up and made her way to Lucy before engulfing her in a hug.

"Why does he want me now?"

Erza sighed and stroked Lucy's back soothingly as she cried.

"I don't know, Lucy. Perhaps he's finally opened his eyes."

The next week the guild made their way onto a Heartfillia train, ignoring the looks Erza's luggage bag garnered.

They flashed their guild marks to the train conductor, who paled slightly at just how many Fairy Tail wizards would be on his train. No doubt he did not want to see his train blown up. The Fairy Tail guild had a... pretty destructive reputation after all.

Lucy gave him a smile as if that was enough to resolve the man's worries. It wasn't.

They settled themselves in about six different compartments, seeing as each compartment could comfortably fit around four or five people.

Erza guided a distracted Lucy to a random compartment where they sat across from Nab and Warren. Erza greeted them with a soft smile and moved to look over Lucy's shoulder, where she had taken to working on some paperwork.

The train whistled and then began chugging it's way to Fiore's capital.

The train pulled into the Crocus station, thankfully in one piece. It slowed to a stop and the passengers disembarked.

"Woah!" Romeo cried. "Look at all the flowers and the people!"

Crocus had been decorated with white, purple, and yellow flowers to an almost overwhelming degree. They hung on street lamps, shop signs, and were even decorating the hair of some of the people walking by them. The city was also very crowded, no doubt filled with mages and magic enthusiasts who were here for the first ever Grand Magic Games.

"Well, Crocus is known as the Flower Blooming Capital." Lucy chuckled, looking around appreciatively. "I guess everyone here is really excited about these games."

Erza cleared her throat before calling back a few Fairy Tail mages who had already run off to explore.

"Now then. You all can explore as long as you don't get into any sort of shenanigans or I will personally make sure you receive proper punishment."

The group standing before paled.

"Meet us at Honey Bone at around 9 pm, okay?" Lucy smiled. "I know you're all excited for tomorrow and it's important you guys go to bed at a reasonable hour and sleep well."

"Sure thing, Lucy!"

"We gotcha, Master!"

A few more agreements were called out but the majority of Fairy Tail took it as a dismissal and readily hit the streets, excited to explore the beautiful capital.

Flowers fell all around Lucy and Erza as they themselves made their way through Crocus, marveling at the vendors and sights they walked past.

Erza caught sight of a pretty red flower crown and grabbed Lucy's hand with a grin, dragging her over to it. Lucy stumbled a bit, surprised before easily following the redhead towards her destination.

They stopped in front of a booth that looked like it was about to burst with the sheer amount of flower crowns, necklaces, and bouquets it was holding. Erza picked up the red flower crown she had spotted and twirled it around, taking a good look at her find.

"How much for this?" She said, looking at the flowers admiringly.

"3,000 jewels." The shopkeeper replied with an easy smile.

Erza hummed before requipping the required amount and handing it over. She looked at the crown with a pleased smile before putting it on Lucy.

Lucy blushed pink.

"Erza?"

"Just as I thought." Said girl hummed. "Red really is your color, isn't it Lucy?"

Lucy's soft pink blush turned scarlet.

"W-What?" She put a hand over her face flustered. "Erza!"

"Come now Lucy, it's nothing to be embarrassed about." Erza laughed. "Everyone has a color that suits them."

"Well! Then you get one too!" Lucy protested, hurriedly grabbing a flower crown, carefully not crushing it.

She paid for it quickly before plopping it onto Erza's head.

"There!" She stepped back and admired her work.

Erza blinked.

"What do you think about blue?"

"Hmm... I do tend to wear cooler colors more... I suppose I like it." Erza peered up at the crown on her head.

"We're even then." Lucy beamed happily.

"I suppose." Erza chuckled and threw her arm around her friend's shoulder, maneuvering them away from the booth and back into the crowd.

She smiled a bit bitterly. The blue reminded her of Jellal.

Erza missed him. She missed how he used to cheer her up even though they were both hurt, she missed how he smiled at her, soft and sweet and full of affection. Erza wanted that again. Jellal had hurt her but he had also claimed a piece of her heart that would never fully be hers again. She frowned.

"Erza?" Lucy asked from beside her. "You okay?"

"Yes." She replied. "Just thinking."

There were more important things to worry about at the moment than love.

They get settled in their room at Honey Bone with quick efficiency. The room was a master suite with two large beds, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

"My father really did buy out the whole inn." Lucy sweatdropped, looking around. "Our guild will definitely have their pick in beds."

Erza hummed in agreement.

They prepared for bed quickly, changing into pajamas and brushing their teeth, before settling into their beds. The room stays silent for a good while but neither girl can sleep.

Lucy huffed, sitting up. Erza looked over at her quietly. Lucy leaned forward, resting against her knees. They stayed quiet for a bit longer before Erza moved to talk.

"Things have changed a lot, haven't they?" She murmured, sliding out of her own covers and heading over to Lucy.

"Yeah." Lucy agreed, staring at the sheets beneath her resolutely. "I..."

Erza moved to sit next to her, pressing against her side.

"It's a good change."

She circled an arm around Lucy's waist.

"I wish they were here to see it," Lucy confessed a bit brokenly.

"Me too."

They looked over at one another solemnly before Erza pulled the sheets around them both and cuddled close to Lucy's side, both now laying down.

"I'm glad I have you," Erza whispered long after Lucy fell asleep.

She stayed there for the rest of the night.