I guess by all means you could call today a nice day the wind was gentle and the trees glistened a bright green under the gleaming sun. Most people would enjoy walking along this path on a nice day like this but to me today was anything but a nice day. As I walked along I looked to the side of path where the hill dipped into the docks. On the docks were people mostly sailors walking around getting ready for whatever voyage was next. They didn't think of much of the ground they walked or how much I hated theses docks. It was just a normal day for them but my fist tightened around my messenger bag's strap. Today was anything but a normal day for me but I force myself to keep walking. I kept walking till I reached the stairs that lead down to the docks I jumped down the steps and onto the docks. I kept walking clutching my bag closely as the warm sea breeze grazed my skin but I paid no attention to that. I walked further and further till I saw the stone peer that lead out to the sea. Behind that peer was a cliff that loomed over it. I swallowed and began walking up the stone steps that were built into the side of the cliff leading to the top. Reaching the top the cliff I walked to the edge where two trees stood a few feet apart giving you a view of the sea. But in the middle of those two trees was an iron pedestal that reached to my waist and balanced on the pedestal was an iron cast of an open book. And there in its frozen pages was an engraving of the Fairy Tail emblem with a name etched below it.

Levy McGarden

Tears began to fall down my cheeks as I read her name. Looking out to the ocean I could remember that day so clearly now it certainly felt like a year without Levy but at times like this that day seemed like yesterday. That day a sailor had found Gajeel passed out on the stone peer surrounded by the fallen dark mages. Seeing that Gajeel was still alive and seeing his Fairytail emblem Fairytail was summoned to the docks. No one really knew was going on all we knew was that Gajeel had been badly hurt in battle and that Levy was missing. We all wanted answers but Gajeel was to healed and tended to first which was made perfectly clear by Wendy. But then Levy's team Shadow Gear arrived and everything went downhill from there. Master knew full well that if anyone deserved answers it was Levy's team I didn't agree with letting them talk to the Gajeel first but he let them. Never in any point of my existence did I remember seeing Gajeel so close to tears as he sat there in silence while Shadow Gear dug at him. They cursed at him blamed him for Levy disappearing even punched him at one point.

"I GUESS YOU HAVEN'T CHANGED FROM YOU PHANTOM DAYS AFTER ALL! YOU STILL DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT LEVY!" Jet screamed.

At that point Gajeel snapped launching from his bed and pinning Jet to the wall one hand crushing his neck.

"Listen here we might be guild mates but say I don't care about Levy one more time and I will snap your neck in two." Gajeel sneered.

Erza broke them up eventually but that didn't stop Shadow Gear from blaming Gajeel. But Master insisted that we had to focus on finding Levy and from there two theories were made one that Levy could have been killed in the explosion and her body was obliterated. Or the other option that didn't make Jet and Droy nearly collapse from heart ache was that she was blasted out to sea. FairyTail of course took the other option and launched a search party for three months every member of FairyTail would search the sea for Levy. But after three months Levy was never found eventually Master was forced to turn the case over to the council and Fairytail was ordered to stop the search. That was nearly nine months ago and the council hadn't given them any news since. It was around that time that Gajeel was still continuing his search and he fashioned this pedestal as a promise to Levy. That he wouldn't stop looking for her convinced she was still alive. Since that day Shadow Gear and myself would come as often as possible and leave a flower for Levy praying she would come back of course that prayer was never answered. It wasn't just us who left flowers Gajeel would come nearly every day that was until….

Suddenly my train of thought came to a halt as a flash of blue appeared I felt a powerful body slam into me pinning me to the ground. Both my arms were pinned and my skull hit the ground making my brain bounce painful within my skull. Dark spots danced in front my eyes and while one arm remained pinned I felt a thin blade press itself against my skin. As my eyes adjusted I noticed strands of blue hair that hung above me. Looking up my heart seized, tears rushed to my eyes, I began to shake and any response died in my throat.

"Levy?" I choked tears streaming down my face.

Looking up at my attacker she no longer had her head band and her once pixie short hair was nearly waist length now. She looked learner and more built her eyes were slightly colder but it was still her it was Levy. Her round innocent face looked confused for a minute but soon they expanded and tears flooded her eyes. She gritted her teeth and she moved off me and kneeled at my side as I sat up.

"Lucyy…?" she stuttered as she shook violently.

I sobbed and grabbed her thin arms wildly crying and sobbing into her dainty shoulders.

"L-Levy…Where h-have y-you been?!" I sobbed gripping her tightly.

Levy couldn't answer as she dug her face into my arms sobbing and screaming she was shaking. As I held her I saw that she had actually gotten smaller but she had muscle now. She smelled like wild flowers mixed in with the fresh ocean breeze but she was still Levy finally my sister had come home. I was so happy but somewhere deep inside I was still angry at her. I gripped her shoulders again and pushed her away .

"L-Levy! W-Where w-were you?! W-We've b-been looking for you! For a year! Me, J-Jet, D-Droy, everyone even G-Gaje.." I began to scream but stopped myself.

I heaved on all fours in front of Levy crying.

"W-We thought you were d-dead." I sobbed.

I sobbed and violently shook till Levy crawled over and held me in her arms.

"I m-missed you too." She said softly holding me tight.

Fresh tears ran down my face and I gripped her tighter before we broke apart and began to laugh in between the crying and hugging.

Nearly an hour later after we had cried out every tear and hugged each other I began walking back home Levy at my side. As we walked I looked at her she seemed so different yet still Levy. She wore the same outfit she had on the day she went missing expect now it was worn and faded in some places. A dagger was attached to a belt that she now wore and she now wore multiple bracelets around her arms. Her hair was extremely long now and had a mixture of white feathers clipped onto it. Her bag also seemed worn out but now it was decorated with a multitude of various paints and beads. She was seemed to have lost weight if that was possible but she looked more pronounced but her physical stature and magical energy seemed stronger. After a while she clasped her hands behind her back and looked up to the sky as we walked and began to speak.

"So how was Fairytail while I was gone?" she asked softly looking up to the sky.

I brushed some tears from my eyes before answering I realized just how much I had missed Levy. But they weren't just tears of joy it was also tears of sadness. Levy had already left once for seven years that may not have been her fault but she still felt guilty for leaving Jet and Droy. Now she had lost another year with them I couldn't imagine how she was still on her feet.

"Devastated after you were gone as to be expected we looked for months till the magic council asked for the case. Master didn't have much of a choice it was an order more than anything. After that things sort of got back to normal we still searched but everyone did it on their own time especially Droy and Jet. As for everyone no one has really changed still crazy as ever had to rebuild a decent part of the guild hall once last month. Next week would have been the anniversary of your disappearance we had this whole big thing planned but now well we can party all till next week." I answered softly.

Levy smiled but kept her eyes on the sky.

"No one has changed huh…that's good." She said softly.

I gave her a sympathetic smile because I probably just gave her the answer to the most important question.

"No one has changed"

That's probably what Levy wanted to hear the most. But I felt a pang of guilt in my heart because that wasn't entirely true in one year so much had changed. I looked over at Levy she seemed so happy taking everything in how could I destroy that? How could I tell the truth more so how could I get her to believe me? I bit my lip I knew I had to tell her but first things first get her home after that I could tell her the full truth.

"Levy where have you been?" I asked trying to change the subject and because of my own curiosity.

Levy took a deep sign and lifted the side of skirt just a bit to reveal a small tattoo of a trident.

"When the lightning hit Gajeel the blast threw me off and into the sea I was blasted miles off shore. Just as a storm was rolling in causing the waves to push me further out to sea. I barely had enough magic energy left to summon a raft so I wouldn't drown. I tried to call out but once I was on the raft I blacked out and when I woke up it turns a cargo ship had seen me floating and saved me. I was too weak to really move from the cell they kept me in so I stayed on the ship for a week bed ridden. When I got better I found out that the crew was returning home from a three month journey to Fiore. I tried my best but I couldn't convince the captain to turn around and I was considered a prisoner so I was forced to stay on the ship. But then again I was in no condition to actually make the voyage back. Since they were already on their way back I was on the ship for only two months. I know Natsu would find the idea completely nauseating but honestly I learned so much. Of course I was focused on getting back but the voyage to their home was beautiful I saw so much. Eventually once we reached their homeland I was completely healed and ready to make the voyage back. " Levy said staring off into the distant.

"So why didn't you?" I asked

Levy shifted uncomfortable and gave me a sad look before pulling down the back of her dress. On the crook of her shoulder was a bite mark it looked pretty deep but Levy simply smiled and pulled her dress up again.

"Believe me I tried once we got back to their home land I immediately asked to be taken back but the crew said that it was impossible. The voyage required a full food storage and other supplies which would take months to refill. No matter how much I begged the captain refused I even commandeered my own boat once but as you can see the journey didn't go so well. I was attacked the voyage back to Fiore is dangerous to say the least and only the captain knew the quickest and safest way back. Even Fiore's best crew would have a hard time finding the place where I was." Levy finished giving me a sympathetic look.

I smiled even after all this time Levy was still Levy she wasn't about to let anyone blame themselves for her disappearance.

"What did you do while you were there I doubt all the books in the world could have kept you busy for so long." I said laughing.

"You're close the villagers took me in and housed me in return I helped them with the harvest. I helped with the crops, fishing, hunting and anything else they wanted. I was determined to get back and all that time increased my magical powers I was even able to unlock my second origin. It became home honestly I was happy there but even so…." Levy started trailing off.

I sighed Levy always got attached and being there for nearly a year had to be hard for her. I kept staring at her despite what people say about Levy her size has nothing to do with her strength. Looking at her now she was so much stronger because of all the pain and ordeals she has been through. I always admired Levy for that but seeing her still standing tall didn't make me feel any better about telling her truth. The truth was cruel it would push Levy to brink and after being separated for nearly a year she would no doubt blame herself. Honestly considering what could have happened that would be more humane then the actual truth.

"Even so Fairytail is my home and thanks to me the sailors were able to set out to sea early. I can't wait to see everyone it's been so long." Levy finished breaking my train of thought as a single tear dripped down her face.

I smiled and took her hand dragging her up the path despite what waited at home getting Levy home was more important. After another two hours we reached the hill that overlooked the city as we stood there looking at the city I could see the tears filling Levy's eyes. I smiled but suddenly we heard a small explosion my neck snapped as I turned back to the city. My body froze coming from the direction of the guild hall was a plume of smoke and soon the flames appeared.

"Not again not now." I said through gritted teeth.

"Lucy what's going on?!" Levy asked alarmed.

I looked back at Levy tears forming in my eyes I hadn't expected to tell her this quickly but now I had no choice.

"Levy I can't explain it all right now but we need to get to Fairytail they need us. I'm sorry I was hoping to spare you the truth for a little bit longer but I lied things have changed. I will explain everything I promise but please for now just trust me." I pleaded staring down Levy.

I could see the confusion in her eyes all the hurt all the pain surfacing I didn't know how much more pain this girl could take. But she bit her lip and nodded I smiled and grabbed her hand pulling her down to the city but just as we reached the entrance Levy stopped causing me to be pulled back. I looked back at her wanting to yell but the words died in my throat. She was gripping my arm tightly staring at the ground her eyes were stone cold it was like seeing a completely different Levy. All the warmth was gone.

"Lucy tell me honestly what has changed?" she asked coldly not taking her eyes off the ground.

I froze my mind racing I felt my heart jump to my throat I nearly choked on the answer. But this was Levy how could I hope to hide this she must have known somehow that he would be different after all this time. This different none of us could have guessed that but Levy was always close to him.

"It's Gajeel." I answered.

Levy's grip tightened and she bit her lip I could see her shaking but suddenly she stopped. All emotion drained from her face and her eyes grew cold as she walk forward unsheathing her dagger.

"Let's go Lu." She said deathly serious.

But I stood frozen I had seen Levy go into battle before but a battle with Gajeel could she really do this?

I am so beyond late I am so sorry but life got in the way and I know that is a horrible excuse. But i really hope you guys like this chapter and as an apology the next chapter should be post tomorrow morning I am currently editing it now. thank you to everyone who has been alerted and who are following the story it means the world. Much love! POKEMONLOVEFAN OUT!