Wendy had never really been on her own; at least that's what she thought when travelling back from a recent job that she had taken. She always had someone beside her; whether it was the Cait Shelter Guild, Team Natsu, or being in Fairy Tail, Wendy was never truly alone. She often thought about her old guild and as she did so, her hand rested on her shoulder, and when she closed her eyes she could still see the symbol that once donned her skin. The young girl sighed, and continued her trek forward.

She was used to having Carla beside her, someone to break the silence that Wendy almost always found herself in. She was a shy girl; didn't always have a lot to say. Yet, when she did, her small and meek voice turned into something powerful – something she had learned from being in Fairy Tail for so long, that no matter how small you feel in this world, you can make a difference. You can be bigger.

At this thought, Wendy had found herself opening the doors to her guild. She was greeted with large smiles and a welcoming feeling, and her mind flashed back to Cait Shelter. They were part of her past, but they lived on her heart. She thought of them wherever she went; they were her first family – excluding Grandeeney - so they were never really gone. After all, they had taken care of her so well for the few years she had them.

Carla rushed up to her and began scolding Wendy for leaving her behind. Wendy laughed nervously and tried to explain that she wanted to do this job on her own – to prove that she was capable, though she would never admit it to the rest of the guild. Being a Dragon Slayer around Fairy Tail seemed to mean that those with the power, could take care of themselves. Wendy wanted to be that strong, but she knew that she wasn't there yet – not on her own anyways. When she fought in a large group, Wendy was one of the most powerful people; with her support magic and her Dragon Slaying powers alone, Wendy was strong. But, on her own, Wendy didn't know if she was strong enough. There always seemed to be a certain stigma attached to her; she was a Dragon Slayer, yes, but that didn't mean she was strong. That didn't mean she was like the others. Yet, everyone expected her to be.

Though she was plagued with these thoughts, she managed to keep up a steady conversation with her Exceed. Happy was not too far behind, keeping a steady watch on the cat he loved, but he noticed a change in Wendy – something in her eyes seemed duller than they should have. Before he could ask what was wrong, Natsu was thrown across the guild, Gray's shouts of profanity plaguing the serene air around Wendy; this made her sigh. She began to giggle as this was an event not often missed in this guild. Fighting was common in Fairy Tail; often causing destruction and disturbance of the peace for those who lived around the area, but due to Fairy Tail saving them on countless occasions, they let the fighting slide.

Lucy managed to find her way through the brawling to find the young Mage and sit beside her. They both let out a long and exasperated sigh, but they laughed. They knew there was nothing they could do to stop the fighting, so from their seats, they watched with an ongoing curiosity. The guild would often place bets on who would win specific brawls, yet when Guildarts was home, there was no point in betting – everyone knew who would win. Cana, however, always managed to get a few people to bet on her father, she enjoyed the money and it paid off her booze tab.

"You were gone for a while," Lucy noted as she looked at Wendy. "Did everything go alright?"

Wendy nodded, a cheery tone in her voice. "It was an easy job, no need to worry! I just got a bit distracted. There were a few sweet shops around and I thought I could bring some back for Erza and myself."

"You're such a sweet girl," Lucy gushed, pulling the bluenette close to her chest as she hugged her tightly.

"I heard sweets," Erza's voice commented as she made her way skillfully through the guild. "You're willing to share?"

Though her voice held such power and commandment, Wendy giggled and nodded – unafraid of the powerful Spatial Magic Mage. Out of her small bag, Wendy pulled out a box in which held a few pieces of Strawberry Cake. The young Mage held out the box towards Erza and smiled.

"I know these are your favourite, I hope you like it!" Wendy's sweet voice melted Erza's heart and the elder Mage pulled Wendy into a hug, forgetting that her armour often hurt other's heads. Erza mumbled a thank you into Wendy's hair and gracefully took the box from Wendy's hands, sitting beside her. Two of the most beautiful girls in the guild smiled at the young Mage in adoration.

"N-no worries!" Wendy laughed, rubbing her now aching head. She glanced around the guild and spotted Natsu and Gray during the fighting; throwing profanities at one another and causing a bigger scene than needed. Gray, in the midst of everything, had seemed to lose the majority of his clothes; though they were safely folded and held in Juvia's arms as she cheered her beloved on.

This was her family; Carla, Happy, Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza. This was home. Fairy Tail was her home. She could feel her tears welling as she thought about all the events that happened these past few years, but, she held them back – she shouldn't be upset in a time of happiness. Everyone was joyful, so she would be too.

She would never forget what brought her to where she is now. If she was with Fairy Tail, they could conquer everything. Together. Nothing is more powerful than the bonds of friends; nothing would ever tear them apart.

Nothing.

But… what if something did?

What would they do then?

Would they still be the same Fairy Tail? Different? Would Fairy Tail even exist if something were to happen?

These thoughts began plaguing Wendy's mind, and though the world continued around her, time seemed to freeze for the Mage.

Would it be another case like Cait Shelter? Wendy thought to herself. Is Fairy Tail even here? Am I going to be alone again?

Wendy felt a shiver pass through her. These negative thoughts were taking a toll on the young Mage, yet, no one seemed to notice; they were too busy laughing and being joyful. Wendy hugged her small frame and the smile once on her face had become a ghost; no longer there but she could still feel it.

Fairy Tail had been through a lot together; even before Wendy arrived. Lullaby, Galuna Island and Deliora, Phantom Lord, Lucy's adventures with Loke and the Celestial King, The Tower of Heaven, the Fantasia Parade – Wendy has missed all of it. She couldn't make the bonds with this guild strong enough before she arrived to help defeat the Oraciòn Seis, and even then, Wendy wasn't of much help. She still blamed herself for not doing enough, even after all these years later. Even after Edolas, the S-Class Promotion Trials, Acnologia, the Grand Magic Games, Wendy still blamed herself. Even after the Sun Village, Tartaros, the time they all spent apart, Avatar, and the reestablishment of the guild Wendy still felt like she was that weak child from all those years ago. After the time skip, Wendy was supposed to be nineteen. She felt like she was supposed to be stronger, wiser, more accomplished – yet, she didn't. Even after releasing her Dragon Force, Wendy still felt like that weak little girl.

Deep down, Wendy knew this wasn't true. Deep down, Wendy did feel strong but lately, after seeing everyone's power after their year apart, she felt like she hadn't improved at all. She knew if she voiced this opinion, everyone would shut it down – she felt that it was best if she just let it be; to let it dwell inside of her.

Natsu was successful in bringing the guild back together, like he promised. He brought all of them back home. They rebuilt their guild, and they were all a family once more. They went on jobs like usual, laughed and talked at the bar like usual, they all went home and came back in the morning. Everything was as usual. Yet, Wendy felt that something would be different – that something would happen. Even though they rebuilt the guild in no-time and were back to doing Fairy Tail things, something would happen.

The whole guild knew this. They knew something would be coming. But, they didn't know what. They didn't let it bother them though, they just pushed this thought to the back of their minds. They were Fairy Tail, nothing bothered them until it had to.

No one knew that it would have to very soon.