8/3/15: Also, as promised, I totally updated Chapter 54 so that the original smuttiness was back in it. I know you pervs won't mind. Plus, I did promise!

A/N: And this is it. The. Very. Last. Chapter. I've kept my promise. It is done. I would like to thank each and every one of you for following this story. I had a million different endings and instead chose this one, as I felt it did justice to the rest of the story. The support, words of wisdom (and criticism), and the following have been overwhelming. I appreciate each and every one of you and I always enjoy reading what you have written to me, both good and bad (because, certainly, there is some bad to this story). I've mentioned before that this was originally about a dozen chapters and it exploded into dozens of chapters. The chapter in this journey is closing, so thank you for coming along with me. Again, my heartfelt thanks for your encouragement and patience.

I take no credit for FT characters, only my OCs.

~OoOoO~

"That's not how it happened!" the Eksheed shook his head, paws crossed in front of his chest and eyes narrowed in irritation as his foot tapped on the hard surface.

"It is, too!" Natsu howled his rebuttal with childish defiance.

Lucy didn't look up from her coffee, instead choosing to watch the milky steam slowly saunter off of its surface. The two friends had this argument nearly every day, now. She could probably recite it, word-for-word.

"You're an asshole, dude," Gajeel muttered under his breath, chin resting against his chest as he listened to the bickering from a seat nearby.

"What'd ya say?" the fire dragon slayer turned on his friend, room growing quiet for a moment. Smoke was pooling from his nostrils.

"Ya heard me, ya piss ant!" Gajeel growled glancing at Natsu from the corner of his eye. Happy was smiling with satisfaction at Natsu's shock.

Lucy sighed and closed her eyes, her head heavy in the palm of her hand. Her java was growing cold, but she wasn't sure she wanted to be awake to listen to the bickering any more than she had this past week.

"They at it again?" she heard Ezra attempt to slide into the seat next to her. After a few oofs, the redhead had managed to squeeze into the narrow seating across from Lucy after the sound of wood scraping on the floor boards announced her shift in position.

"Every. Single. Time." Lucy grumbled, annoyed.

"Well, they are just boys!" Levy shoved a fry into her mouth as she waved at Gajeel, who was making a gun-to-the-temple motion. Natsu had returned to his one-man show, arms waving in frantic emphasis of his battle re-enactment. Lucy watched the blue-haired mage smile softly at her lover. They were "on" again, Lucy guessed. The pair had a tumultuous relationship, mainly due to Gajeel's jealous streak. Lucy had nearly thought their last breakup would it, but apparently she was wrong. Again. Despite their disagreements, the pair were meant for each other, their passion the glue the bound them. Lucy just hated seeing Levy hurt more often than she deserved, but Gajeel was, as the scholar put it, "a work in progress". And progress he was, Lucy thought. But he, too, was a product of hurt—and she knew healing those wounds took time. Besides, who was she to judge their relationship?

"You'd think they'd be bored with this story already!" Lucy moaned, reaching for one of Levy's fries. She felt relief as soon as the saltiness touched her tongue.

"No one gets bored with being a hero, Lu-Chan!" Levy countered mischievously, "Even you."

Erza said nothing, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as Lucy felt her face grow red. Her brow furrowed in fury as she stuffed her mouth with the greasy potatoes. "Thatsh noth tha shame shing!"

"Oh, it's not?" Levy waved a fry in emphasis. "The ever-so-popular-and-beautiful Lucy Heartfilia Who Saved the World?" She smiled as she chewed, triumphant that she had partially quoted The Sorcerer's cover story. The one in which Lucy wore a bikini during the interview, no less.

Lucy swore under her breath, her impressive string of profanities borrowed from an old friend. She chewed angrily at first, her mind wandering over the interview. Slowly her anger melted away. "Yeah, I guess you have a point. Natsu hates not getting all the credit."

Levy swirled a fry in tomato sauce before popping it into her mouth. "People come from all over to hear their story. I think we should just let them tell it however they want." She looked to Gajeel, who was embellishing the saga in his own way. She shook her head, swallowing. "However self-serving that may be."

Lucy studied the dragon slayers at the head of the room, their audience captivated by the story-telling. The tension was….so…palpable. Gajeel and Natsu were now nose-to-nose while Wendy and Juvia were off to one side, distancing themselves from their counterparts' childish antics. Nani visited from time-to-time, but had quickly fallen into the role as the leader of her tribe. She had held good on her promise to change her clan's barbaric ways, mainly pertaining to her mysteriously handsome brother. Regardless, her ferocity as a dragon slayer was known throughout, and it made Natsu pout.

Despite the story tellers' argumentative set-backs, the tale was relived as they had fought: in a beautiful synchrony. Lucy had memorized their battle details —every word and move. She didn't blame Natsu for embellishing it from time to time for dramatic flair. It's not every day that one defeats a monster that's about to destroy the world. She let her mind wander back to that fight, cautiously at first—afraid that it would evoke the flashbacks she'd fought so hard to suppress…..

Bahamut's demise had been an effort of gigantic proportion, and the dragon slayers had worked as a cohesive unit to protect their comrades in that final assault. She could vaguely recall Natsu landing on Bahamut's back, slamming a fist into its spine. Its thick armor had faltered, its spine jolted from the force of the dragon slayer's fist. The beast had turned on Natsu, only to be met with Gajeel's fierce attacks. In a moment of sheer brilliance, the slayers had managed to combine their elements to reduce Bahamut to a lesser state. First Gajeel and Natsu coated the black scales in a molten mixture, though it did little to fully deter the beast—who was determined to eliminate their world from existence. Natsu and Nani countered with a sheet of silicone: the clear layer of melted sand adding weight to the beast's frame. Despite the inevitable demise, it was Wendy's wind that had truly ended Bahamut's tirade. Her immensely powerful wind attacks brought the monster careening to the earth, where Juvia's water quickly cooled his many coats. Its body was preserved in a foreboding statuesque form, forever a reminder of the danger they had barely survived. Lucy could still recall the smell of Bahamut's charred flesh, and the taste of blood in her mouth from biting her cheek out of fear for her friends' safety. The scraping of a chair somewhere in the room brought her out of the musings of her mind as she blinked the past away from her present. She was certain that monster's body was still where they left it, on one wanting to come close the ominous reminder of their Armageddon.

"Exactly thirty seconds since the last debate. We're going for a record dry spell," Ezra sighed, holding back no more and shoving a fistful of fries into her mouth and chewing with a ferocity that scared Lucy. Her lips were covered with grease as she hungrily eyed the remaining items. Levy gently pushed the basket of food toward her, a look of fear in her eyes. Erza smiled gratefully as she grabbed a second fistful.

As if on cue, Natsu and Gajeel were back to arguing. Happy and Panterlily didn't have much to add other than clarification of Natsu's "mis-rememberings" as Happy cautiously called them. They had served as vehicles for their dragon slayer counterparts, but as a populous, the Eksheed had played a greater role before the head-on attack. The humble animals quietly disappeared after the battle, only Panterlily, Charle and Happy staying behind. Charle's mother had left with her people, her duty to lead greater than her maternal instinct. It had hurt Charle, Happy shared with them later, in hushed tones and a look of concern on his face.

As the two dragon slayers were growling at one another, foreheads pressed together and wisps of smoke coiling from Natsu's nostrils, Lucy shook her head. It was really the men who behaved badly. She noticed that Wendy and Juvia distanced themselves to speak to tourists who were asking for autographs. Wendy had grown beautifully over the last year, now as tall as Lucy with the tell-tale shape of a woman. She signed autographs from men (and some women) hoping for a chance to sway her away from her handsome barbarian lover.

Magnolia had tourists, now.

In fact, Magnolia had become a hub of traveling excitement. The mages that remained at the guild, for the most part, were famous. People came from far and wide to meet them and hear about Bahamut's defeat. They were world renowned heroes- Lucy most of all. She had received a lot more recognition than was welcome, most days. From pictures to marriage proposals, she grew tired of the steady barrage of admiration, though she was deeply honored to be so revered. Natsu was given interviews as well, though more to garner gossip about his relationship with Lucy. He did beautifully at allowing Lucy to take the limelight—though she quickly realized she was happiest when she shared it with her friends. She smiled to herself, remembering her hunger to be recognized just a few years earlier. She would have killed to get a magazine cover. Now she would kill to have her friends back, if even for one more day.

Truth be told, there was one person who truly deserved recognition more than she, but that person hadn't survived the battle. Lucy's heart ached when she thought of Adie. She knew that Natsu had contracted someone to do a sculpture of the demi-spirit as a tribute to her sacrifice to save them. Its likeness was in the village square, where Lucy and she had once faced off after the ball. It seemed like eons ago. Lucy chuckled softly, thinking about how Adie would skin them all alive if she were here to see a giant metal replica of herself. In public. She ignored the tourists' ooh-ing and aah-ing at Natsu and Gajeel's grand tale. Every day, it was the same story, the same arguments, and the same reactions.

Fairy Tail had saved the world, but the guild refused to take the credit alone. All of the guilds had aided in the battle. All had lost loved ones. In a tribute to the unity the magical world displayed that day, the guilds broke faction and united under one symbol. Every mage now wore the emblem of Fairy Tail, and when they came upon another mage, they greeted one another with the fervor of long lost friends. They were no longer separatists; they maintained their own chapters in various locations, but were united. The members elected leaders communicated bi-monthly to discuss the goings on in the magical world and how to handle inter-chapter relations and quarrels. And there were a few quarrels at their site, Lucy knew. She was glad that MiraJane handled that.

She glanced at the Guildmaster and smiled to herself. Mirajane had become quite the formidable master over the past year she had been in her designated post. Hibiki and she were to be wed in the upcoming weeks, and they had quietly arranged their nuptials, though the media had gotten wind of it and Lucy was certain it would be the "Event of the Year". Mirajane also accepted her electoral offer as the upcoming Mage Guild President. She would replace Porlyusica, who was all too welcoming of disappearing back to her seclusion. Porlyusica hadn't been by to visit them in some time, and had been coaching Mirajane from her home, Lucy suspected.

Erza burped, interrupting Lucy's thoughts. She shook her head at her friend. Erza's eyes flashed their challenge regarding a comment on her sudden flatulence. Instead, Lucy decided it was time to discuss business.

"So, what mission are we going on?" she asked, itching for the thrill of adventure. It had been so long for them and she needed to get out of Magnolia. She missed the careless freedom they shared before….

Before Ultear…

Erza shrugged, wiping her mouth. "We can discuss it later, when everyone's around. First, I need to pick up my new armor."

She was annoyed by Erza's avoidance. Her eyes narrowed, "Is there even a mission?"

Erza looked at her for some time, saying nothing and acting as if she could see through the spirit mage. A chill ran up Lucy's spine. "Yes. Yes, there is."

Lucy felt exasperated as she sat back, her shoulder blades digging into the booth. The blonde sighed her frustration. "What's wrong with the armor you're wearing now?"

Erza eyed the bottom of the now empty fry basked longingly. "Too tight. Gained weight."

Lucy shook her head but didn't comment. Erza had been exceedingly excited for the new armory to open in Magnolia. She even got to name it Lion's Den. Lucy thought it was a lame name, but she didn't dare detract from the pride Erza displayed when revealing her choice of monikers. Lucy also knew that the Wisteria survivors had stayed in Magnolia and were responsible for the weapons shop. She raised an eyebrow as she saw Erza's excitement wordlessly grow. Titania could barely contain her glee as she considered running her hands over her new armor. She hated her new puffiness and wanted a much more comfortable suit that would accommodate her bodily expansions. Her breasts were so sore from the restricting breast plate she was currently wearing. In her hastiness, Erza pushed herself up, only to fall back onto her rear.

"Oof!" the air shot out from between her lips.

Levy quickly rose, and Lucy lifted herself into a half-standing position. Erza hissed, eying them. "Don't. You. Dare!" She began to slowly inch herself out of the booth onto bent knees before straightening herself and pressing on her lower back with both hands.

Lucy's eyes darted to her swelling belly, and she smiled warmly as Erza's right hand slid to cup her lower abdomen. "That baby's really cramping your style," the blonde pointed out.

Erza took a few deep breaths, her lips curling up at the corners of her mouth. "Yes he or she is. But some things are worth it."

"And you wear it well," Jellal offered, coming up and kissing Erza on the top of her head in a rare display of public affection. They had quietly married soon after the war, and were ending their spree as newlyweds. Lucy could barely believe it'd had been a year since the War and nearly so since Erza's nuptials.

"You're next," Erza winked at Lucy as she steadied herself with her husband's arm.

"Me? N-No way!" Lucy waved her hands frantically. "We're not even talking about marriage!"

It was the truth. She and Natsu were going strong, both publically and privately, but their long-term aims were never mentioned. They had earned "The Wizarding World's Most Beautiful Couple" this year, much to her surprise—mostly that it was even a title. She wanted to vomit when she remembered the hoopla surrounding that photoshoot. It took Natsu weeks to recover from the experience.

Her eyes glanced through the hall, and she felt an odd tug at her heart. Her friends were getting engaged, married, having children, or moving up in the world. Their happy-go-lucky childhoods were over. They were officially growing up. Part of that notion made her incredibly sad.

"So…" Lucy straightened, smoothing her hair, which she had cut to her chin in an angled bob over the past few months. "Are we ready to go? I always wanted to see what maternity armor looked like."

Titania shook her head, grabbing Lucy and pulling her by her arm. The spirit mage squealed in pain as Levy waved goodbye, wearing a grin from ear-to-ear. Mirajane gestured at them before they exited the guild, though Lucy couldn't fathom how she knew where they were going.

"Wait for me!" Natsu yelled as he leaped across the room when he noticed his friends exiting the Great Hall. Happy quickly followed, despite his earlier disagreement with Natsu. The crowd begged the dragon slayer to stay, but he informed them he had an important event to attend. Lucy cringed with his lie, but enjoyed having him at her side. "You going to the new store?" he asked, to Lucy's surprise.

"Erza's getting her armor," she gestured to her stomach.

"I saw that," the red-head hissed. "Don't get on my bad side." Jellal cast them a look of concern, shaking his head from behind Erza in emphasis.

Natsu's eyes widened and he grabbed Lucy's hand and pulled her quickly away. They walked in gentle silence as Erza led them with her waddling gait. Lucy took in the town's sites, now a booming commerce due to the tourism. There were statues depicting the heroes of the war, some accurate and some gross exaggerations. She saw the likeness of Cana, Makarov and Adie. People waved at them from the streets, and Lucy obligingly gestured in return. She had barely noticed they were outside the new armory already. She had very few moments to take in the scenery these days.

"This is it, huh?" Natsu whistled, looking up at the woodwork on the outside. A basking lion looking skyward was the emblem outside the shop. Lucy enjoyed the smell of new paint and wood stain. Erza was glowing as she excitedly pushed her way into the store. Jellal held the door for all of them.

"Hello?" Erza called out once they entered, as if she owned the place. It smelled of turpentine and the floors glistened with reclaimed knobby wood. The countertop was a vast expanse, and weapons neatly lined the walls behind it. They shined with the beauty of their make, and armor shimmered in the bright indoor lighting like glittering sea glass.

"Hello?" Erza called, louder this time. "Anyone here?"

"Does your, erm, dad run this place? " Lucy asked, awed.

Erza shook her head. "He's an expert in weaponry, but in no way is he a craftsman," she explained.

Lucy dragged her fingertips along the counter top, her mind itching with something. She wondered if the chemical smell was making her woozy. "This place is huge, Erza!"

"She has a playground," Natsu whistled. "It's scarrry."

"And she won't have to look far for what she may need," came the smooth male's voice.

Lucy's mouth fell open as her head whipped toward the newcomer. "Leo!"

He nodded at her, his hair slightly longer than when she had last seen him. She felt a pang of hurt that he hadn't visited over this last year, but she knew that Adie's death had been difficult for him. He wasn't wearing his glasses, and he appeared thinner. He was dressed less formal that Lucy was used to, though it felt more appropriate.

"My dear Lucy," he purred, bowing his head at the Spirit Mage.

"Hey, now," Natsu jokingly growled, though there was a hint of mistrust in his expression.

Loki raised an eyebrow, winking at Lucy. He held a hand over his heart and pretended to pout, "You haven't even called me! I'm hurt!"

Lucy sighed, rolling her eyes. "You haven't visited me!" Natsu was looking between the two of them, a mixture of confusion and protectiveness in his features. Erza had proceeded to pick up something shiny nearby, easily swinging it. She held it out, testing its weight in her fingertips before continuing.

Jellal watched her, amused from where he was leaning against the counter. He had a feeling it would be an expensive visit, though he'd pay anything to see her smile. "Even the shift in her center of gravity hadn't affected the grace at which she could decapitate a man," he muttered to Natsu. He half-heartedly shrugged, eyes darting between Lucy and Loki.

"I think he's hitting on her, Natsu," Happy goaded.

"He's not hitting on me, you idiots!" Lucy snapped. Happy hid his mouth behind a paw as Natsu continued to look between them, wrinkling his nose.

"No, he's definitely not doing that," came the purring deep voice of Morpheus.

"You!" Lucy spun again, dizziness nearly causing her to collapse. "And just what do you mean by that?"

Morpheus' sharp white incisor popped out over his dark furry lip. "Heh. Merely an observation, girl." He tapped his head. "Glad to see you, too."

Leo chuckled, "Stop reading my mind."

Lucy glared at Leo, slightly hurt, "And why would you be thinking of not hitting on me?"

Leo shrugged, "I'm not in the market to look."

Lucy grew silent at his remark. She knew that he had cared about Adie more than she—or anyone-gave him credit for. He was a womanizer, sure, but he had a kind heart. And it had been broken into a million tiny shards.

"I suppose she's not thinking good thoughts about Loki?" Happy ventured.

Morpheus shook his head, "Definitely not."

"Hey!" Lucy hissed. "Enough mind-reading!" In her frustration, she focused on her pregnant pal, who was using the expansive shop as a playground. "Erza! Stop swinging things, you'll hurt yourself!"

Erza, who had been feigning a sword fight, looked at Leo, her eyes shining like a child's, "Is this mine?"

He smiled and nodded, "As you requested."

Lucy's brow knit. "Wait, are you running this place? You?"

"Lucy, my feeling are hurt," he jut out his lip in mock offense.

"I-I," Lucy began, feeling sorry for her presumptive outburst; Morpheus tsk-ed, only serving to increase her embarrassment. Her face grew hot.

"Great workmanship. I'd like to compliment the smithy if possible," Erza smiled softly, eyes gliding over the blade as it delicately balanced on one fingertip.

Lucy remarked. "It's a bit disturbing how at peace you are, surrounded by weapons."

Erza smiled at her before looking at Jellal. Leo's attention was drawn away as the half-doors swung open. Lucy took notice of the protective wear over the newcomer's body, and made the assumption that this person was the weapons master.

"Ah," Erza waved the sword. "It's perfect. I was just saying I had wanted to pass along my compliments."

The smithy nodded. Morpheus was studying Lucy's face, and she was growing annoyed at his scrutiny. She filled her mind with inappropriate pictures, and he didn't even flinch. In fact, she thought he seemed rather amused at what she was showing him.

"I was hoping," Erza interrupted, "That you had finished my armor to better…." She gestured at her abdomen. "Accommodate."

The smithy nodded again, a garbled oozing out of the headwear. "Dft urns a gffft. Brr da behbeh."

"What'd he say?" Natsu scratched his head.

The newcomer looked toward Natsu, slowly pushing off the heavy gloves to reveal slender hands that reached up to lift the mask's visor.

"I said," she spat, "That one's on the house. It's a gift from me. For the baby!"

The color drained from Lucy's face as she immediately recognized the familiar voice. Even with time, it was unmistakable. Her mouth grew dry, as it so often had when the nightmares came for her. She stared in wide-eyed shock at the smithy—who was definitely a she. "Y-You!"

Her palms were growing sweaty and her mind was racing with the steadily growing pace of her heart. It was all she could take. Then the world grew black.

Lucy's eyelids fluttered as she felt the cool compress on her forehead. Tender fingers rubbed her wrist and palm. "Luce?" she heard Natsu softly calling.

"She's coming to," Happy pointed out, manually lifting her eyelid.

Lucy swatted him away, her voice weak as she spoke. "I-I'm sorry, I thought I heard—" She licked her lips, palm rubbing her forehead to dispel the overwhelming nausea. She sat upright, slowly at first, her head spinning.

Her nightmares still came, though now only once a week. Every time, she awoke in a sweat, screaming and crying as Natsu held her to his chest until the episode passed. Sometimes loud noises would introduce intrusive thoughts, and she would run to the nearest bathroom and crouch on the floor, hands over her ears as she forced the visions from her head. It had taken time and counselling for her to learn to adapt to that fight or flight response, and she had been making progress. They all had baggage from the war, and this felt like a nightmare. She just wanted Natsu to hold her and make the feelings disappear. Her fingers closed around his warm, calloused hands. She felt him excitedly squeeze in return.

"Me?" the woman's voice was once again in Lucy's ears. Her hands clamped over them and she squeezed her eyes shut. She felt someone gently pull them away from where they cupped her head.

"It's OK," her voice cooed. "It's OK, look at me."

Lucy shook her head. Eyes were still closed. It's not true. It's all in your head, Lucy!

"Girl," Morpheus spoke, voice firm. It chilled her to hear his tone. She peeked out of one eye. The woman's face was six inches from her own. Bluish gray eyes watched her from under blonde eyelashes. Her platinum blond hair was short, falling over one eye. It was pushed behind her ears and her mask was on the counter. Lucy studied her face as tears blurred her vision and she threw herself forward and wrapped her arms around Adie's neck.

The woman sat there, eyes wide as Lucy's body rocked with sobs. She glanced at Leo, who smiled warmly. Adie patted Lucy's back, awkward at first, then in a more familiar pattern. "It's….OK."

"I-I can't believe it! We thought you were dead!" Lucy drew back, anger taking over. "Why didn't you visit? Where have you been? Why didn't I know?"

Adie nodded in understanding of Lucy's anger and inquiries. She licked her lips, sitting back on the floor, legs crossed. "I wasn't…well."

"How did you—" The words tumbled freely from Lucy's mouth. "Survive?"

Adie looked around the room, where she was met with expectant stares from most. Natsu remained at Lucy's side and Happy was quieter than he had been in some time.

"Ah, I'm not entirely sure about that, either," she explained, brow furrowed as she tried to remember. She shuddered, shaking her head. "It was so cold and dark." She glanced up at Morpheus. "There was nothingness, Ultear, and myself." There had never been a Zeref, only the myth of the mage that had propelled people to do ugly things in his name. The Weaver had been correct, and Ultear had recognized that in her dying moments, when she called out for Ur in apology. The pain was the last thing Adie could remember.

"But to seal—" Lucy began. "Are you a human? Spirit? Certainly not Amarok!"

"No," Adie laughed glancing at Leo, then Morpheus. "Definitely not an Amarok."

"Then how?" Happy ventured, curiosity getting the better of him. Lucy knew that the Eksheed, too, still struggled with the vision he saw in Veleda's image. Erza and Jellal were seated the farthest away, taking it all in. Lucy suspected they had known for some time, and she felt a pang of jealousy and a twinge of anger at them for knowing and keeping secrets.

"It's purely speculation on my part," Adie raised an eyebrow. "But I lucked out, and was able to survive as a spirit."

"You were in your human form when you disappeared with Ultear," Lucy firmly conjectured, eyes closed. She had thought of a million possibilities of how Adie could have survived, but none of them validated. "I thought you looked sick. I can still see it…." Like it was yesterday, she wanted to scream.

Adie's face grew solemn. "Yes. I had some suspicions that perhaps, erm…..it would help. I wouldn't have survived in that form very long, regardless. It was my best shot in such a limited time, which Morpheus tried to sabotage."

Morpheus answered, "Damn girl knew it was me!" He was referring to when he attempted to seal Ultear with himself and Adie blocked his attempt.

"And Ultear was bit by one of those dog things," Natsu added. He had tried to rationalize away Lucy's oft-wild theories, but it appeared as if he, too, had hoped that perhaps the spirit mage was correct. "So…dog thing and human. Leaves a spirit. Easy, see?" He beamed at his conclusion.

"You're right, Natsu," Lucy breathed. It was perfect: Amarok and human. That must be it. She narrowed her eyes at Adie, "But how'd you know to do that?"

"I didn't," she answered simply. "When you have years to think about things, you come to some pretty funky conclusions. Something Veleda had said, once: that demi-spirits are a byproduct of necessity…."

"Did you know about this?" Lucy looked at Leo. He said nothing, simply shaking his head. She could recall how devastated he had been after Adie had sacrificed herself. He had been beside himself. No, of course he hadn't known. The room was quiet. Lucy leaned forward, interested in hearing more.

"I got the idea from….Veleda," Adie offered, as if it would suddenly make sense.

"What about her?" Lucy asked, wanting to know more about what had happened to her friend. She was giddy with excitement.

"She was born of both worlds, perfect for sealing Zeref," Morpheus intervened. All eyes shot to him. He looked at the floor for a few moments, allowing an unsettling silence to fall over them before continuing. "But her parents couldn't let that happen. So they sacrificed themselves. And I was left with a promise I made to protect her." Always.

Parental love, Lucy thought. She could sense the bond between Morpheus and Veleda. It was one bound out of honor and something deeper—love. Her parents had freely given their lives to protect the child they created—the child created out of an unknown necessity and of love. Morpheus was always prepared to act on the promise he made her parents, centuries ago while Veleda felt nothing but guilt that she had lost both parents to spare her.

"I see," Lucy nodded. Her eyes darted back to Adie. "I'm glad you're well! And you're….here!"

"We still have some, erm, kinks to work out," Adie cryptically added. Lucy saw Leo's hand dart to his neck as Adie flinched. She noticed that he bore a long scar at the nape that was hidden by his shirt, and likely more expansive. She hadn't noticed that before.

"How long can you stay?" she asked, excitement growing. "Erza's gonna have a baby shower in a month, and—"

"I can stay longer than the average spirit, but there will be times the shop will be closed as I'll be…out."

"I'm so glad to have my own place in town, finally," Erza crooned.

"Now that we've reunited," Leo interrupted, his expression serious as he clapped his hands together, "Something…has, um…arose."

This piqued Natsu's interest. He leaned forward. Even Lucy felt a twinge of excitement mingled with annoyance that their happy meeting was sabotaged.

"Bahamut." Leo confessed.

"Bahamut?" Lucy repeated softly, her hands squeezing together as Morpheus watched her. He could sense the panic that was creeping forward in her mind. He gently reassured her without her noticing it. He'd ask Veleda to help her when he returned. She wasn't aware of how fragile Lucy still was, or she'd have returned sooner to see the mage. Both she and Lilith were serving the remainder of their sentences, requiring them to avoid the Human World for a set duration.

"What about it?" Natsu's demeanor changed as he smelled Lucy's panic. He could sense it anywhere, it was so strong.

"It's missing." Adie finished, looking at each of them. They may broach the discussion about finding Freya at a later time, as that had been in the forefront of Adie's priorities. But, finding the displaced Eksheed's home was a less pressing issue at this point. It'd be another mission for another time.

"Wha? How?" the dragon slayer's jaw dropped open. "That body was way too heavy! Impossible."

"We thought so, too," Leo said. "So, this is…"

"Not good. Not good. Not good," Happy repeated softly, shaking his head.

"Not good," Leo agreed.

Lucy squeezed her eyes shut. Not now. It had been a year of peaceful bliss. A year to make up for all the time she didn't appreciate those around her. She treasured her friends who had survived. She loved Natsu with all she had. She mourned everyone she had lost, past and present. Why now?

"Lucy?" Leo's voice was soft as Morpheus tried to cut him off with a flicker of his paw. "You don't have to go. It's OK—"

"When do we leave?" she asked, eyes snapping open. She flashed Leo a look of annoyance for suggesting she would stay behind. Adie chuckled as Leo's face turned red.

"Tomorrow," he replied. "If you can be ready. And I'd recommend you bring your keys." We need all the help we can get. We don't know what to expect.

Tomorrow! Lucy's mind roamed. She would need to pack. And what would she need to wear? She glanced at Natsu, who was trying to consider what was shared with them. She wondered if she'd need lingerie….

"Stop it, girl," Morpheus grumbled. "Is that all humans think about?"

Everyone looked at Lucy, whose face was hot at Morpheus' intrusion. "Stop snooping you perverted cat!" she hissed.

Natsu looked between the two, unusually quick to pick of the gist of what had passed, considering no one else had. He winked at her, and her face grew redder as she looked away. He crossed his arms over his chest, his forearm brushing over the customized jeweled piece in his front pocket that he had picked up a month ago, debating how to best bring up the subject to Lucy. Every time he considered it, they ended up in bed. He guessed tonight would have to be the night…

"You. Enough." Morpheus hissed at the dragon slayer.

"Me? What'd I do?" Natsu asked innocently, though mischievously sending a few select pictures Morpheus' way.

Morpheus showed a sharp incisor, "Want me to tell you what the answer would be?"

Natsu straightened at the thinly veiled threat, sweat beading on his upper lip. "I prefer to be surprised."

"You should prefer to remain alive until then," the spirit warned.

"Enough, you two." Adie groaned. "And to think I may have actually missed this."

"You missed us?" Happy perked up.

"How long can you stay?" Lucy asked, "Are you…"

"She's full spirit, you could say," Morpheus finished the thought.

"Feo," Adie warned, her voice soft, "Enough. Seriously." The spirit frowned, bowing his head briefly in recognition. She turned to Lucy. "I can stay longer than most….without it affecting me."

"How long?" Lucy wanted to know.

Adie thought for a moment, counting on her fingers to calculate the time between their worlds, "Depends. Right now, I have to be here for a year. But if we're talkin' about how long I can stay before I get sick, it's probably longer."

"Why do you have to?" Natsu asked.

Adie shrugged, glancing at her hands, which were splayed on the wood floor. "Well, it turns out…erm…the Amarok part of me doesn't respond well when our three moons align."

"The fabric between the three worlds is thinnest at that time," Leo added in explanation to the silence that had taken over the room. "And there's an..influence."

"So, what happens? You grow facial hair?" Natsu grinned, not understanding the brevity of the situation.

Adie glared at him, voice threatening, "I become a blood-thirsty predator." Natsu shrank back. "So, you see, facial hair is the least of my problems."

"But you don't have a problem if you stay here for that time?" Lucy wondered aloud.

"Nope," Adie sighed, eyes lowered. "It's an annoying side effect, but it's better than what the alternative could have been."

Death. She meant dying, Lucy knew.

"But you can live with this," Leo pointed out.

"I can," Adie nodded.

Lucy changed the subject, "You don't know how much we've all missed you." She tried to hold back the tears as she turned to Leo, "You could have visited, you know! You never so much as let me know you were OK. You looked so devastated when she left; I worried about you, you know!"

"I-I'm sorry," Leo whispered, his expression oddly somber and cheeks pink as Adie watched him, eyebrow raised. "It was wrong of me. But, I had to make sure…" …make sure she was really gone. He didn't elaborate further the pain he suffered thinking he had lost Adassandra.

He had found Lilith and hounded her for details of what had passed between her, Adie, and their mother. He had recognized she was in her human form when the void closed, and that Ultear was technically becoming an Amarok. He searched with Lilith and Faux, the latter sharing that his mother could not sense Adie's spirit as the void closed, but could pick up a human and beast. It was Lilith who had felt her first, in Elysia—the endless dessert from where only a few spirits ever returned from their journeys. She was wandering in the same attire she had worn on the battlefield; unable to recognize them for days in her state of disorientation. He had nearly believed her memory would never return. Then the moons of their world aligned and she began to change. Leo had panicked, dragging Peony to them. The healer suspected that the Amarok form, without her humanity to balance it out, appeared to be taking over. He had picked up her morphing body and carried her to Porlyusica for another opinion, as she had helped Adie the first time. The trip wasn't without risk to his life. Adie had torn open the flesh of his neck as she changed, and would have likely killed him without a single thought. Upon arriving in the Human World, an immediate drastic change in her physique was noted by both Leo and Porlyusica. The transformation had been thwarted; it seemed that being in the Human World healed her, and she would have to commit to being there during the time of Alignment. It had taken time for her to recover, physically, emotionally, and cognitively. When she did, she found that Leo had refused to leave her side. He spent weeks telling her of her past life, supplementing her slowly recovering memory. He had long given up hope that with her memories, her feelings for him may grow, and only wanted her to be happy. Lilith would send him messages, her ban not allowing her to leave their world and furthering her panic. Leo would write frequently to alleviate her concerns. Lilith shared their correspondences with Adie, relaying all that Leo had done in hopes of finding his former betrothed. Somewhere in the depths of his devotion and her rejuvenation, they grew closer. It was actually Adie who had taken a risk and showed her feelings to Leo. He hadn't left her side before that, and he certainly had no plans to do so, ever again. This time, only death could part them, not duty.

Leo felt Adie studying him, and he met her gaze. Despite not speaking, he knew she was aware of his feelings. There were no barriers between them, and even Morpheus could sense it without delving into their minds.

"So, are you two doing it?" Natsu grinned, interrupting Leo's thoughts.

Lucy hit him on the back side of his head as Adie chucked whatever was within arm's reach at him. Leo, for once, was at a loss for words. Erza wanted to grab him by his collar, but Jellal was restraining her between fits of laughter.

Natsu yelped as he rubbed the back of his head, "What? You were all thinking it!"

Lucy began to argue, but Morpheus interrupted, matter-of-factly. "He's right. You were."

Adie shook her head in disbelief. "Unbelievable! I leave for a year—one year-and some things never changed." The room was silent until Happy sniggered. A slow smile crept across Adie's face. Lucy thought she looked beautiful when she smiled. "I suppose I did miss you all."

"So, it's all of us going?" Lucy asked, looking around. "On this mission, I mean. I guess that's what we're calling it, right?"

"Gray'll want to come, too," Natsu said. "He'd be pissed if we left him out. He's such a baby."

"Juvia will probably join as well," Happy pointed out, "And maybe Levy. Which would mean Gajeel, too. Wendy may even want to come, as well as Charle. Should we send word to Nani? She may want to go if her brother is going, because he probably will want to go if Wendy is going. Laxus and his dad may even come, now that they are both back from their mission. And Mira—"

"Wait, Mirajane's wedding!" Lucy pointed out. She inwardly groaned. There was no way they could go looking for the monster's body so close to the guildmaster's betrothal.

"She's getting married?" Adie looked surprised, eyebrows raised.

"To Hibiki. In two weeks. We really can't miss it," Lucy admitted, looking around the room.

Leo nodded his understanding, "Perhaps reconnaissance first. We don't know what we're dealing with. That would be less intensive."

"I think that's appropriate," Erza agreed. "Happy, perhaps you, Charle, and Panterlily?"

"We're on it!" Happy saluted.

Lucy beamed at them all. Adie raised an eyebrow, before looking at Leo and shrugging. It is great to have the team back together, Lucy thought. She saw even Morpheus nod to that. She felt tears sting her eyes.

She stood and walked over to Adie hand outstretched to help her up. "We can talk more over dinner."

Adie watched her for a moment, before she accepted the proffered palm. She dusted off her pants, "Sounds like a plan."

Leo looked at Morpheus, "Would you mind scoping it out, too? Maybe take my Veleda with you?"

Morpheus looked at Adie, who nodded her agreement. "She can project what she sees to Lucy, it'd be objective evidence." Lucy perked up, feeling important once again.

The feline spirit bowed to take his leave, casting one last look at the room. He smirked. "Until next time, Humans." Then he was gone.

"Now what?" Natsu asked, scratching his head. "We just go back and not tell anyone?"

Lucy thought for a moment, "We'll tell them, but after the wedding. Mira and Hibiki deserve a carefree day."

Their silence was taken as agreement. Lucy turned to Adie, "So, then, we'll have time to party tonight." She smiled sweetly at the spirit.

Adie was beginning to have a foreboding feeling in the pit of her stomach. She shook her head and began to protest as Leo laughed. Lucy linked her arm into Adie's, blinking innocently, "You know, for old time's sake, Ms. Marigold?"

Adie pressed her lips together, eyes widening as Leo snorted. The spirit had nearly forgotten that period of her prior life. She closed her eyes for a few moments, then she glanced around the shop. "I guess I do have everything I need done around here…done."

"Good," Lucy grabbed Leo's arm, as well. "Because a lot of people are going to want to see you. You've been missed. Royally."

Adie groaned. She knew she owed her friends to their questions. She was sure there would be many upon her return to the main hall. Perhaps she even owed them an apology. And certainly a lot of catching up would be had. "This is exactly what I didn't want to deal with."

Lucy continued, "Too bad. You can't run from everything forever." She winked at Natsu who paled slightly. "Besides, you're now family."

Her words surprised Adie, but the spirit said nothing though her gait eased. Family. Friends. She had grappled with those relationships her entire life. It wasn't until she met Lucy Heartfilia that those bonds easily fell into place.

"Family…" she murmured the word, adjusting to the familiarity of it. It will be nice to have family.

Natsu grew serious, his voice low as he spoke to Happy, "I have a feeling this mission is not going to be easy."

"Nope. We don't do easy," Happy chimed in, softly.

"That you don't," Leo agreed as Lucy dragged him past the duo.

The group of friends walked out of the the Lion's Den, Adie not even bothering to lock up. They made their way to the main hall, with Lucy gesturing to Natsu to block Adie's statue from her view. It was not the time to give the spirit an aneurysm. She knew that the guild would celebrate like they had after Bahamut's defeat. It would be a night they remembered, for many reasons.

A night of love, remembrance, hope, and celebration.

A night of drunken debauchery.

A night of destruction and mischief.

For some, a night of romance.

And, for once, not one of them would have it any other way.