Smoke.

Smoke engulfed the sky, blocking out the sun. Dark shadows from the clouds covered the dusty ground. Everything was destroyed. Buildings, roads, rocks, mountains, all were but a bit of dust hugging the ground. The town that was once name Magnolia was disintegrated. All the residents' corpses were spread about the area. Even the corpses of the great Fairy Tail mages laid beneath layers of dust. Yet, flying above them wasn't a bird or debris, but a flag. A flag on a metal rod, hardly holding its weight. A flag that means don't give up, believe in yourself, be happy, stand tall, Together. A flag no other than the one wearing the insignia of the guild which it flies over, Fairy Tail.

Even in death, Fairy Tail stands tall together as comrades. Just as Mavis says, "Comrades isn't simply a word. Comrades are about heart. It's the unconditional trust in your partners. Please, feel free to lean on me... and I, too, will lean on you as well. There will be painful times... sad times... I'll be with you through thick and thin... You are never alone... The hopes we carry are matched by the number of stars twinkling in the night sky, the rustling of the wind on our bodies are premonitions for what's to come tomorrow. Now, let us take a stroll... to the melody from the song of the fairies..".

Death is just another obstacle, another mission to overcome. No matter the size of such an obstacle, Fairy Tails spirit lives, the journey will never end.

I know this within my heart that our souls are together and will stay together. That's what lets me know that everything would still be okay. Its a reason I can watch this destruction and still be able to hold my ground.

but do you want to know what hurts me the most about these dreams?

Its when I see, beside our flag that flows in the wind, a long white scarf stretched across the ground. With no dirt, no dust, but a scarf with no owner, no one to keep their neck warm. Its but a lone scarf that is much more than just a scarf but a sign of hope.

That hope which wins every battle, that gives you a reason to smile.

This is a future that will happen, I know it. But if there is a chance to change the future, i'm taking that chance. Even is that chance is slender, I won't give up. ill fight to til the bitter end and there is no way i will lose. My friends are the reason I am the person I am today. That's why i'll keep fighting, for my friends.

And maybe, just maybe, that lone white scarf will still have a neck to keep warm..

Maybe.

Rays of sunlight filled the small apartment which Lucy laid warm in her bed. The nostalgic feeling of waking up in the morning to see Fairy Tail in the morning made her smile. It had been a year since she has been in Magnolia. Since becoming a reporter she had no reason to return, Fairy Tail was no longer in action. Sitting up in her bed, Lucy rubbed her temple, remembering the constant dreams. They seemed too real and have occurred too many times to be a coincidence. Something was going to happen, she knew it. Once while returning to magnolia, Lucy wanted to tell everyone about these dreams. Although it gave her an uneasy feeling, she felt she couldn't jump to conclusions. Fairy Tail was just beginning to reunite, she couldn't worry them over just a dream.

Before Natsu had a chance to barge into her home, Lucy left her warm bed to wash. Stepping into the hot bath, Lucy had began to let her mind wander. It was her mother's death anniversary, July 7th. She hoped to be able to return to the Heartfilia estate to properly honor her mother. It has been a way overdue visit and it only felt right if she went to see her. Fairy Tail was still being united so there were no jobs and she had enough money to take a few day vacation. Besides, Lucy had given Eriza her map of everyone's location. They would be too busy with research so they wouldn't notice and she was sure they were capable to taking care of themselves. Lucy's mind quickly traveled to seeing everyone get into a big brawl and destroy everything near by. Knowing them, it wasn't impossible.

Lucy made her way to her bedroom to get changed. She picked out a dress the sorcerer magazine agency had given her when she used to model. It was a simple white dress that she wore with brown boots. Nothing special, but she actually had a chance to wear something nicer for a change. By the time she was done and packed for her trip it was almost noon and the train would leave in a hour. Without time to wish everyone goodbye, Lucy just wrote a note and left it on her desk. Knowing Natsu, he would break and see it while searching for her.

Grabbing her keys and whip, Lucy bolted out of the door. While buckling her belt around her waist, Lucy ran towards the train station. Taking a car or carriage would cost too much money. She only had enough for this trip and rent. She would have to submit a new report in order to get a paycheck, who knows how long it would be until she found a story. After what happened at the grand magic games this year, everyone knew the return of Fairy Tail. Every report out there would be trying to get information on their big return. If she were to get a good paycheck, she would have to find something really interesting.

Lucy sighed, knowing how much work she had to do after she returned home. Finally, she had reached the train station and made her way inside.

Time skip to Heartfilia Estate

Lucy felt the air get cool as the sun began to set below the mountains. The sky was a warm orange, light enough to still visit her mothers grave. She had forgotten how long the train ride was, but she was thankful she made in time.

Beside her mother's grave was her father's. He had requested to be buried next to his wife, beside her forever.

Lucy smiled at her mothers grave and began to tell everything about Fairy Tails revival. How Natsu and everyone had gotten so much stronger. Lucy felt like no match for any of them. As she talked, Lucy noticed a small flower rested at the foot of her mothers grave. No one other than Lucy would come to the graves, or so she thought. Looking around in hopes to see any of her old service men, Lucy wandered towards the estate. If they were here, then they may have a place for her to sleep. Lucy hadn't expected the trip to be as long as if was, it was too late to walk to the nearest Inn.

Upon approaching the mansion entrance, Lucy noticed that the doors were cracked open. Every light inside was off and she knew that the locks were enforced. No would of been able to pick the locks or use magic unless they had a key. Plus, there were no signs or forced entry.

Clutching onto her keys, Lucy crept into her old home. Dust and cobwebs hugged the walls and light fixtures. Still, cold air slowly filled Lucy's lungs, fearing to be heard. There was no clue who would be inside. It couldn't of been an old house keeper since no one was aloud inside of the mansion. Now the house belongs to the bank and all keys were confiscated.

In front of her fathers old office, Lucy pushed opened the tall wooden doors. They too had been opened and it was the only room anyone would be interested in. Walking further inside, she saw that no one was there. Only the tall bookcases filled with books and dust and her fathers desk were inside. It was odd not seeing her father behind the desk. It was where he would sit for most of his life, doing paper work. Now it sat, collecting dust, with no one to sit behind it. Lucy approached the desk and saw a small flower sitting on top of the dusty surface. It was the same flower which laid on her mothers grave.

"I am glad you could make it".