Last chapter! Yay! I've got to admit, I'm not completely satisfied with it (when am I ever?) but oh well. Practice makes perfect. Turns out I'm not very good at mushy scenes either xD Anyways, thanks so much for sticking with me through the story! I have sooo many plotbunnies going around so keep an eye out for more stories in the future :)

Oh! Also! Gotta give great kudos to TheFireDragon, for getting the cabbages reference xD Was so hoping someone would. You made my day.

"How are you feeling Levy?" asked Mira Jane, smiling at the bandaged bluenette. Levy leaned against the bar, looking tired and sore but managing a friendly grin all the same.

"Better now, thanks to Wendy."

"We're very lucky to have her as part of the guild," commented Mira, polishing a glass.

Levy nodded but didn't reply, suddenly looking troubled. "Have you seen Lucy? I was hoping to talk to her."

Mira shook her head. "She might still be with Damon." Levy giggled as Mira winked mischievously, before growing serious. "So do you know who attacked you?"

Levy grimaced. "I just talked to the Master," she said. "I didn't know him. I don't understand what I did to provoke him."

Mira shook her head and rested her hand over Levy's reassuringly. "You didn't do anything wrong. Whoever he was, he didn't have the right to attack you." Levy was slightly taken aback by the seriousness in Mira's eyes, but grateful for her words. Suddenly, the friendly barmaid was all smiles again. "Don't worry. We'll find him." She winked again. "And just wait till the Master's through with him."

Levy's reply was cut short as the guild doors slammed open. What's all the commotion about now? wondered Mira curiously as she looked up from her glass. There stood Natsu, panting heavily. His muscled body was littered with scratches and bruises but they didn't appear to be slowing him down as he looked wildly around the guild.

"Oh my god," gasped Mira as her hands flew to her mouth. "Not you too, Natsu?"

Ignoring the white haired mage he continued to search, his eyes flicking from one spot to the next in a kind of panic not many had seen Natsu experience before. "Where's Wendy?" he growled.

"She's resting," replied Levy guiltily. She hated that her predicament had drained her friend like that.

"And she's not to be disturbed," added a new voice. Carla had just walked out of the infirmary, her little paws on her feline hips. "She doesn't need to heal your scratches."

It was true, all things considered Natsu looked alright. He was walking and talking just fine, and most of the guild present had seen him looking one hundred times worse. But Natsu wasn't concerned about him.

"Natsu, what's going on?" asked Macao from a nearby table.

"It's Lucy," muttered Natsu, his eyes pleading. "She's - she needs help. Now." Natsu looked from Carla to Makarov, who had just appeared by the bar. "Please."

"Where is she?" Wendy appeared, walking out of the infirmary looking tired but confident. Natsu gave her a small, appreciative smile before turning back to the guild entrance.

"This way." With that, Natsu was off, running back into the heart of Magnolia. Wendy had to run flat out just to keep up with the fire dragon slayer, but she wasn't alone. Erza and Levy were following close behind.

As the rest of the guild began to rise from their seats, Makarov raised a hand. "Wait here," he commanded carefully, keeping the shiver of anxiety and anger out of his voice. His children were being hurt and he wasn't taking it lightly. "I'll have someone report back soon." He stepped out of the guild to follow the mages who had already left.

Back at the rubble-lined street, Gray was doing his best to keep cool - something he did not usually have a problem with. When he wasn't fighting Natsu, Gray Fullbuster was adept at keeping a calm outer-exterior, his icy magic mirrored in his expression. Gray was laid-back, relaxed, content. He wasn't irked easily.

But right now, that Gray was gone. Long gone.

"Stay strong Lucy," he muttered, unable to take his eyes off her bloodied body. "You've gotta hang in there…" Despite his efforts to stop the bleeding, Lucy had already lost a lot and her eyes were slowly fluttering closed. "You're strong, right Lucy?" Gray leaned down and whispered in her ear, hoping to whatever god was out there she could hear him. "Show us how strong you are. You're a member of Fairy Tail, Luce. That means you don't quit." He rested one of his hands on the unharmed side of her neck, the other behind her head. Gray studied her face, waiting for a sign that she had understood him. But there was no movement, her deep brown eyes finally closed. Gray pressed slightly harder against her neck, having to work harder to find a pulse. It was there… But it was slow… It was slowing down…

"Dammit, Lucy!" Gray fought to keep down the bubbling panic that threatened to overwhelm him. "Where the hell's Natsu?!"

"Right here, Ice Pick," said a voice behind him. Gray barely turned to see Natsu coming to a halt next to him, Wendy, Erza and Levy close on his heels. Gray kept his gaze on Lucy, watching desperately for signs of life.

"Excuse me," said Wendy seriously, moving to the other side of Lucy. Gray took his hand away from her neck but made no other attempt to move. Luckily, that was all Wendy needed. She leant over Lucy and begun to work her valuable magic. The other mages could feel it crackling around them.

"What… what happened to Lucy?" asked Levy in a broken voice, staring down with horror at her best friend. Erza too stood and stared but didn't reply, her face an expression of pure rage. Erza couldn't deal with fear. Not when anger was so much easier to vent. She'd just have to find who was responsible and…

It was then that Levy spotted the beaten figure across the street. "Is that… Damon?" Happy stood over his unconscious body, glaring at Damon with unblinking eyes. He had felt so useless during the fight, but at least he could make up for it now by making sure they were prepared if he wanted a rematch.

Natsu shot the unmoving Damon a look of hatred before turning his attention back to Lucy, glowing softly under Wendy's shaking hands. "Yeah. He's the bastard that did this. He's a shape-shifter."

"He's the one who hurt you too, Levy," Gray added.

"Why..?"

Natsu waved off the question. "Later," he said simply.

"Wendy…" Worry had begun to trickle onto Erza's features as she turned to the younger girl. "How's Lucy doing?"

Wendy winced as she continued to work, her tremor growing worse. "Give me… a minute…" she gasped out in concentration.

Suddenly Makarov had caught up, slipping amongst the small group of friends gathered around Lucy. He rested a hand on Wendy's shoulder comfortingly, giving more encouragement than he could have with words. Wendy simply nodded in understanding and leaned forward as her efforts became more intense. The Fairy Tail mages could see the wounds slowly healing, but would it be too late?

Erza wiped a tear away, frustrated. Lucy had to be alright. She had to be. She couldn't just… No. Lucy was a part of the team. Their team. Ever since Natsu had slammed open the doors with her by his side, ever since he'd first introduced her to the guild, Lucy had been a member of Fairy Tail. She'd made such an impact on all of their lives. Lucy Heartfilia had such a presence, such an aura, that she was missed every time she was gone. Erza, Titania, Queen of the Fairies, had developed a soft spot for the blonde mage. She was like a little sister.

Erza knew the others loved her just as much. Lucy was a part of all their lives in a big, irreplaceable way. If she disappeared, if she just faded away…

"Keep fighting Luce…" murmured Natsu quietly. His determined gaze alone could have strengthened anyone's willpower. If only Lucy would open her eyes and look at him.

With a final gasp, Wendy broke away, whipping her arms back to her side and falling to the ground. Makarov patted her on the arm as they all leaned forward to get a better look. All of Lucy's wounds were gone, the ice patch over her neck having melted away and showing nothing but unbroken skin behind.

"Good job Wendy," said Makarov gently. She looked up at him and nodded again before turning her attention back to Lucy like everyone else.

"Was it… Enough?" she asked tentatively.

Levy kneeled down next to Gray, taking up Lucy's limp hand in hers. There was a silence as they waited for a response from their friend, who remained still and unconscious. Gray put two fingers back over her neck carefully, as if worried a wrong move would open up all the wounds all over again. There was a pulse, very slow, very quiet, but steady, and strengthening even as he checked.

"Wake up, Lucy," Natsu pleaded, taking her other hand.

And, with a shuddering breath, she did.

Lucy's eyes opened wide as her entire body trembled from the sudden reawakening. There was a collective sigh of relief as her friends all let out a breath they had been holding for the past few minutes. Natsu and Gray helped her sit up as she coughed violently, getting the last bit of discomfort expelled from her body.

"G-guys, what - " Lucy managed to get no further as she was almost barrelled back over by Levy hugging her tightly. "Levy… Can't breathe…"

"Sorry!" exclaimed Levy, letting her go hurriedly. "Are you alright? How are you feeling?"

"Umm…" Lucy ran a mental check over her would-be injuries. "I feel alright, actually." She looked to Wendy with a tired but happy smile. "I'm guessing I have you to thank for that?"

Wendy smiled back, looking just as tired, and just as happy. "Just glad I could help," she replied earnestly.

"I owe you big time Wendy," Lucy announced, her smile growing bigger. But her face again fell serious as she looked back at Natsu and Gray, who were still studying her carefully for any injuries that might have been left out. Natsu had a goofy grin plastered on his face as he saw just how well his friend was suddenly looking. "I owe you guys too," stated Lucy, suddenly looking guilty. "I'm so sorry about - "

"Don't even," interrupted Gray, holding up a hand. "Don't you dare try to apologise. Not for his dumb choices." Gray didn't even move his head but the disdain dripping from the word 'his' let them all know who he was talking about.

"But - "

"Seriously, Luce," said Natsu, not one to be outdone. "Forget it. It's not your fault." His grin, if possible, grew wider. "We're just glad you're ok."

Levy nodded in agreement, though Lucy still looked unsure. Erza looked back over at Damon where Happy was still watching him carefully. "What do we do with him, Master?"

Makarov too looked over to Damon, then back to Lucy. "He's the one who's been fighting my children? He's the one that hurt you?" He directed the question to the majority of the mages there, who had all been subject to Damon's crazed wrath.

Natsu and Gray looked at each other seriously as Lucy averted her eyes to the ground. "Yes," she whispered almost inaudibly. "I'm sorry Master. It's my - "

Makarov shook his head. "I believe it's already been made clear it's not your fault, Lucy," he chided her gently. "Unfortunately, however, we are going to have to do something about him. I'm sorry."

Lucy nodded, her face set determinedly. "I understand, Master. He's… dangerous."

"It's a good thing you've started picking better friends Lucy," said Natsu playfully, reverting back to his carefree self. It was a lot easier to act normal when his nakama weren't being fatally threatened.

"Yeah, I really have," said Lucy, smiling softly. She stood up, helped by Gray, and nodded her thanks to him. Gray smiled but didn't let go of her wrist once she was standing, nervous she might suddenly collapse or do something equally dramatic.

"Hey Gray…" Gray turned to Natsu who was suddenly looking thoughtful.

"Yeah?" he asked warily.

Natsu's face lit up with cocky glee. "Did I hear you admit I'm faster?"

Sorry... this really isn't a good enough ending is it xD Ah well. You'll have to excuse my just slightly rushed job.

But anyways, thanks sooo much to everyone who reviewed, favorited or alerted this story... You all know the drill. I owe you all many virtual hugs and cookies. Which I'd be willing to send to you over my Facebook page. Feel free to look me up, just search NerdBurga on Facebook :) Thanks for all your support! See ya next time (hopefully)