Hey, everyone.

Once again, I want to thank you for all your comments. It makes me really happy to see that you are enjoying this story.

I so wanted to post this chapter sooner, but since I hadn't written chapter 5 yet, I didn't want to keep you waiting for that one. Now that I've already gotten it started, it shouldn't take long for it to be posted.

Now, to the shoutouts:

NyanMew123: I'm glad! ;) Hopefully you'll feel the same after this chapter.

Guest 2: I know the type; I also watched too many Tv Shows involving doctors. House, Grey's Anatomy; you name it. That's so cool, you're like a miracle cause I can't imagine not needing explanations when being around med students. Although I have only one friend who's graduating from Medicine, but he lives in Spain while I live in Brazil; so we rarely talk face to face.

Anyways, I hope you really are ready for the angst, cause this chapter is just too much even for me.

Guest: Glad to hear it :) Good guess about the person who appeared in front of Lucy and Yukino, but SPOILER ALERT it isn't Future Lucy. She won't be in this story, as you'll find out next chapter. I love how you phrased what happens, it's exactly how I would've explained it: "Juvia who is nearby agrees to somehow (through magic I'm guessing) become pregnant with the child so it can live."

I also like NaLu and Gruvia, though for some reason I rarely write the former. And Juvia x Lucy is my second favorite Juvia brotp. First is GaJuvia, then JuLu, then Juvia x Erza.

I also think it's very touching that Juvia would agree to carry Natsu and Lucy's baby. You'll get to see this chapter just how deep the connection between her and the child goes.

daisy: Yep. Everything you said is correct.

MasterGildarts: I had fun writing Lucy's side and I think it fit her well. Lucy x Yukino is one of my Lucy brotps, so I had to add them. Aren't we all confused, my friend? I know I am and I'm the one writing this story.

I'm so glad you pointed out my inclusion of the other ships, mainly Elfgreen (I prefer to call it ElfEver). I have no idea why they tend to get ignored; they are such a great ship. I mean, I love both Ever and Elfman, so I always try to include them in my stories. In one of them (Demons) they are actually pregnant and almost engaged.

Also, AlBis, yet another underrated couple. I have no idea why they rarely show up in fan fiction, but they are too cute. I also try to include them as much as I can. There's even a chapter of Connections in which Gray and Juvia babysit Asuka (instead of NaLu) and it's the most adorable thing ever.

Star197: Here we go with more.

glodenglowingsnowdemon: I'm so glad you're choosing my story over your midterms. Just kidding, but thanks for reading. So glad you love it, hopefully you'll feel the same after this chapter.

bibliophileforevs: Your theories are correct; you'll get the full answer in the next chapter. Don't worry about ranting, I do that a lot too.

Sorry this was so long, guys, I just got excited from your responses. Please, keep them coming!

WARNING: This chapter deals with SUICIDE and there may be GRAPHIC descriptions of DEATH. Therefore, caution is advised when reading.


Much to Lucy's surprise, Natsu had been ecstatic when he learned of her pregnancy. He showed nothing but love and support, which helped calm her down.

"I wasn't expecting this." She admitted afterwards, to which he frowned.

"What were you expecting, Luce?" Looking away, towards where Gray and Juvia were watching them from the distance, she sighed.

"To be honest, I don't know. It just never crossed my mind that you would be so happy about this." Natsu smiled, placing a hand on her still flat stomach.

"Why wouldn't I be happy? It's our baby, Lucy." She placed her hand on top of his, unable to stop the small smile that came upon her face. "We created it together and that makes me happy."

"You're so sweet." She told him just before they leant in for a soft kiss.

"I'll always be by your side. You know that, right?" Natsu said once they pulled apart.

"I do now." Smiling brightly, Lucy threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "Thank you."

She hadn't known, but his reassurance was all she'd needed. The reminder that she had someone who loved her unconditionally was enough to chase away her fears and doubts. It was enough to make her happy.


A month passed. Lucy was about 3 months along and things were going relatively fine between them.

Even though they had a hard time dealing with the changes brought by the pregnancy, their friends were there to help out.

Levy and Juvia always offered to stay with Lucy when Natsu had to go on missions-mostly to rescue people from towns that were attacked by dragons- and even Gajeel stepped in sometimes. Gray, the Strauss siblings, Alzack and Bisca; everyone was there for them.

The latter gave plenty of tips to the celestial wizard about being pregnant, while also going through her own pregnancy. It helped Lucy a lot, knowing she had someone who knew what it was like.

The only person who wasn't there to help was Erza. The red head was too preoccupied with Jellal, who had recently become her fiancée, and figuring out a way to stop the dragons.

After Makarov's unexpected death on the same day Lucy learned she was pregnant, Erza was appointed Fairy Tail's newest master.

However, due to her engagement to Jellal, she had turned the offer down and passed it onto Laxus, who, alongside Mira-these two had recently gotten together somehow- became the master of the guild.

In any case, the guild was there to support Natsu and Lucy through their new challenge and so they were okay. Until that tragic day.


5 months. That's how long it took for the dragons to finally decide to invade Magnolia.

The attack was as unexpected as the first one; and much more brutal. Dead bodies spread like fire and the beautiful town was turned to ash.

For the first time in forever, Fairy Tail found themselves facing an enemy they couldn't defeat. Only 3 dragon slayers-the only remaining dragon slayers, since Sting, Rogue and Cobra had long since been defeated- were no match against hundreds of dragons.

Tragedy stroke that night, breaking many hearts and souls. Most Fairy Tail members didn't survive and the few who did, lost everything.

Juvia was one of them. She and Gray had been on a double date with Jellal and Erza that night, so they hadn't been at the guild hall where the dragons struck first.

They weren't forced to watch most of their friends' immediate demise or their home being burn to the ground, but that doesn't mean they were lucky.

After a commotion began and they realized the attack was happening, the group of 4 quickly left the restaurant and began planning an evacuation; knowing that fighting against the dragons would be futile.

It was decided that the surviving members of Fairy Tail would move to Blue Pegasus' hideout, where most of the surviving wizards were staying. It was the safest place to go.

They ran through the city, searching for their friends. However, before they could reach Natsu and Lucy, who had been having a nap when it all happened or Gajeel and Levy, who had just returned from a mission, everything fell apart

Erza was the first to be hit. It came out of no where, literally, but soon enough she had fallen to the ground, clutching her stomach. Jellal screamed her name before kneeling by her side and taking her in his arms while the other couple prepared to defend themselves.

The enemy this time were small dragons that appeared harmless, but were actually deadly. Gray and Juvia did their best to keep the monsters at bay while Jellal desperately tried to save Erza.

However, without a healer nearby, his efforts were futile. She died within minutes, after muttering those three words that should bring him happiness. I love you.

While he brokenly sobbed onto her lifeless body, begging her to come back, Juvia was targeted by a dragon coming from behind her. It would have been an easy kill if Gray hadn't acted fast, quickly pushing her aside.

Unfortunately, he ended up being hit instead. Not just once either, dragons from all sides aimed at him until he had been hit several times and his body dropped. He didn't even get to say goodbye to Juvia, all he managed was to share one last loving look with his girlfriend before he was gone.

His death caused her to completely lose it and a large amount of magic power was released, successfully eliminating all of the dragons.

The threat was gone, but so was the man she loved.

Just like Jellal had done before, she gathered Gray's body in her arms and cried while the skies turned black and rain fell harder than ever.

Amongst her grief, she missed the moment Jellal reached for a hidden dagger inside his coat. It wasn't until he called her name and apologized that she realized what he was going to do, but it was too late.

He slit his own throat before dropping, Erza's body falling on top of him. He held her in his arms while bleeding to death and Juvia could do nothing but watch in horror.

It were the longest minutes of her life, watching one of her closest friends kill himself without warning; but she didn't blame him. She understood.

Noticing that he had thrown the dagger in her direction, she was tempted to do the same. Without Gray there was no reason for her to keep living, so she grabbed the knife and held it against her throat.

Just as she had been about to do it, though, life chose to interfere.

Natsu and Lucy showed up alongside Levy, Gajeel, Alzack, Bisca, Asuka, Porlyusica and Dorenbolt-Jellal had long since contacted him and asked him to move them to the hideout.

The group watched the horrific scene in shock while Lucy quickly ran to Juvia's side. Kneeling down, she pleaded for the bluenette to live and, while at first she had been reluctant, Juvia eventually decided to follow her friends' words.

She didn't know exactly what it was that convinced her to keep going even after Gray's death, but she was grateful for it.

She knew he wouldn't want his sacrifice to be in vain, so she chose to honor it by staying alive.


"You okay, Luce?" Ever worried, Natsu reached his girlfriend as she lay on the couch; Juvia by her side.

"Yes, everything's fine." Lucy quickly reassured, a hand placed on her enlarged stomach.

"The baby was just kicking." The bluenette explained, placing a hand above the spot where she could feel it.

It had been 2 months since they had moved to Blue Pegasus' hideout and things were actually going well.

Just as Itchia had predicted, this was the safest place to be. There wasn't a hint of dragons approaching the giant mansion, as if the world was the same as the last time the Fairy Tail wizards had been there.

The only indication of the monsters' presence was the low number of mages living there.

Blue Pegasus' elite plus Jenny had long since escaped and it seemed as if Lamia Scale had joined them even before Fairy Tail. Although not all wizards from said guild were there. The ice mage Lyon Vastia had been killed months before along with wizard-saint Jura; surprisingly.

So that left Sherry, who had married Ren over the past few months; Toby, Yuka and Chelia.

Besides Lamia Scale, Sabertooth's Yukino-the only survivor from said guild- had taken solace in the hideout and constantly worked on finding a way to get the Eclipse Gate to function again.

It had long since been planned for them to go back in time and prevent the tragedies.

Lucy, Levy and the other Fairy Tail mages helped as much as they could, but there wasn't truly much they could do. The gate had been destroyed during the first attack, so all they had left were the pieces that Sabertooth had managed to gather afterwards.

"Really? Can I feel it?" The white haired celestial spirit asked, coming into the room.

"Of course." Lucy replied, smiling brightly.

Juvia stood up from the couch, letting Yukino take her place, and walked over to Gajeel. The two of them had grown even closer over the past two months since Gray's death and he had been really supportive.

"You okay?" The dragon slayer asked, noticing the unshed tears in her eyes.

"Yeah." She sniffled, attempting a smile. "I just miss him."

"I know." He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her and she hugged him tightly, allowing her head to rest against his hard chest while closing her eyes.

There were times when it was unbearable. The memory of Gray and the pain she had felt when he died still overwhelmed her.

She was broken. Heart and soul shattered to pieces because of his absence. Something was missing, which could never be replaced.

It was so hard, but it had gotten better. Juvia had found new reasons to live and keep going; always keeping the reminder that Gray's sacrifice would be in vain if she chose to take her life again.

Thanks to her friends, it had gotten easier over time. Not easy, no, losing him would never become easy. But it was better and the biggest reason for it was Natsu and Lucy's baby.

Every time she thought of killing herself, she would remember that new life. A precious life which she felt the need to protect with everything she had.

Juvia wasn't sure why she was so attached to the baby, but she guessed it must be the knowledge that she herself might never become a mother. With Gray gone, any desire she ever had to have a child vanished.

She wouldn't have wanted anyone to father her children; there had only been him.

So Natsu and Lucy's unborn child became her only chance of parenting-she knew they would need her help; both rather clueless about children-and the excitement of watching her friend's stomach grow and the wait for the baby's birth was what kept her going.

She wanted to be there when it was born and to raise it alongside her friends. She wanted to become an aunt, to love it and protect it like its parents. She wanted to be a part of their life; so she chose to stay.

"This is weird." Yukino said, breaking Juvia out of her thoughts.

"Yeah, but it's also wonderful." Bisca was the one who said it, entering the room with Alzack and Asuka behind her.

By then she was in her 8th month, very close to giving birth to her son. Everyone was anxiously awaiting to meet the precious baby boy; Asuka most of all-the little girl wanted nothing more than to become a big sister.

"I thought you weren't supposed to walk around." Gajeel told her, eyebrows raised.

"Try telling her that." Alzack replied, rolling his eyes.

"I'm tired of staying put; we've done enough of that ever since we got here." Bisca argued; and it was true. Ever since they had arrived at the hideout, the Fairy Tail wizards had to get used to being stuck somewhere without going on missions like they did before.

Gajeel and Natsu had the most trouble getting used to it.

"Wow, that was a big one." Yukino said, startled, while Lucy laughed.

"Yes. Looks like someone's excited today." A smile lightened Natsu's face at the sight and he quickly approached his girlfriend.

"Now it's my turn!" He sat down on Yukino's place and Lucy took his hands before guiding them towards the spot where the baby was kicking.

"Wow!" She laughed at the look of amazement on his face.

"I know." The couple was silent for a few moments before Natsu broke it.

"It's kinda crazy, isn't it?" She laughed, nodding.

"Yes. We're having a baby." He smiled brightly, taking one of her hands in his.

"We're having a baby." Overwhelmed with joy, they leaned in for a passionate kiss.

Despite everything they had lost, they were still able to feel happiness and it was all because of their unborn child.


"I have an idea of what we should name her." Natsu said a month later; after Porlyusica (finally) revealed that they were having a girl.

"You do?" Lucy was surprised; she didn't imagine that he'd actually think about it so soon.

"Yep." He lay by her side; they were currently outside of the hideout, where Lucy and Juvia had agreed to have a picnic. Although the bluenette had yet to arrive; she was probably working with Yukino and Levy on fixing the Eclipse Gate.

"So, what is it?" Lucy asked, a bit impatient after he was silent for a while as his hands caressed her stomach.

"Layla." Her eyes widened. "It's the perfect name."

"Natsu..." She turned to look at him, brown eyes shining with unshed tears.

"I know how much you miss your mom, so I thought we should honor her like that. Don't you like it?" He was a bit confused about her tears; still getting used to how over emotional the pregnancy had made her.

"I do, I love it." But she was crying and he frowned.

"Then why are you crying?" Lucy tried a smile, but it was hard when she was sobbing.

"I'm just so happy." Without warning, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug; to which he replied.

"It's okay, Luce." Natsu attempted to calm her down, still freaking out a bit, and that's how Juvia found them a few moments later.

The bluenette smiled before quietly sitting down and placing a hand on Lucy's back.

"Is everything okay?" She glanced towards the dragon slayer, who nodded.

"Yeah, Lucy's just emotional because of the name we picked." Her eyes widened.

"You already chose it?" He nodded.

"Layla. The moment Porlyusica told us we were having a girl, I already knew." Lucy pulled apart at that very moment and stared at him as many emotions crossed her face. Surprise. Sadness. Happiness. Gratefulness. Love.

"I love you so much." Natsu smiled brightly before bringing a hand to her cheek and wiping away a few tears. "I love you too, Lucy." They kissed then, desperately, happily, beautifully; and Juvia smiled bitterly.

She remembered when Gray used to kiss her like that or tell her that he loved her. It hurt, being reminded of what she once had, but she tried to focus on the happiness she felt for her friends.

A happiness that was about to be taken away, because Gajeel came running towards them, looking frightened. "You need to get out of here!" He yelled, ruining the moment.

"The hell you want?" Natsu angrily told him after pulling apart from the kiss.

"Gajeel, what's wrong?" Juvia quickly stood up, eyeing her best friend worriedly.

"Can't you hear it, Salamander?" The iron dragon slayer turned to Natsu instead.

"Shit!" The latter's face paled.

"What's going on?" Lucy asked when he quickly stood up before helping her.

"We need to go, Lucy." She furrowed her brows.

"Why?" She was worried by the paleness of his face and terrified look in his eyes.

"They're here, aren't they?" Juvia realized.

"We need to move." Gajeel replied, anxious.

"But where?" Lucy wondered.

"Antartica. It's the only place they haven't taken over; they stay away because of the cold." He replied and Juvia's face paled.

Antartica was Gray's old home town; the one that had been destroyed by Deliora.

"I can't go there." Everyone turned to her, understanding looks on their faces.

"Juvia..." Gajeel began, but next thing they knew a huge fire ball was heading towards the hideout.

Miraculously enough, Juvia managed to create a water barrier around it just in time to block the attack.

"Let's go!" Gajeel yelled, beginning to move towards the huge mansion. They could hear screams as their friends prepared to escape.

But it was far too late. The dragons were already beginning to burn down the forest and they knew their chances of actually getting away were slim.


So, what did you think? Anyone still alive after this chapter?

Did you enjoy the sweet NaLu moments? I'm afraid there won't be more of those :(

As for Gruvia and Jerza, God, why did I do that to them? I knew Gray had to die, but I have no idea why I included Erza's death and Jellal's suicide.

Guess I just figured I'd make this as angsty as possible since I'm allowed to kill characters-everything will return to normal in the past/present anyways.

Next chapter will be called Keep Her Safe. You'll get the last of NaLu before they reach their tragic ends, then some Juvia x Lucy friendship. We'll also go back to the present and you can count on some happier Jerza, worried Natsu and Gruvia.

Can we try 8 reviews by July 14th?