Disclaimer: I (unfortunately) do NOT own Fairy Tail or any of the characters. I only am responsible for the (albeit poorly written and devised) plot.

So I'm going to make this fast because I know you'd probably rather get to the being said, I won't be able to respond to most of the reviews. (SORRY, I'M SORRY.) So, this chapter is dedicated to the following people:

itsfluffee

nerdcandy

Lucy Goddess of the Stars

mkben

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HazelDragonNora- Thank you so much for you're AWESOME reviews!

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Fanfic Devil

OfDragonsAndStars

Celestiallite

Ms. CookieSmuggler- Dude. DUDE. We must be psychic because I swear to god, the chain thing? That's kind of really similar to what I was thinking when I read the legend of Andromeda! (*fist-bumpss you through the screen but then I remember technology doesn't work like that yet whoops*)

OMGShamrock

Lucy was nervously tapping out a rhythm on her thighs, rippling the now much shorter fabric. (The first thing Lucy had done with her sword was hack off the fabric of her dress to knee-length. Having decided that it really would just get in her way, Lucy decided it was best to make the skirt shorter. Lucky for her, Virgo was a rather talented seamstress and hemmed it rather well.)

She'd put away the sword, having learned that she could make it appear and disappear at will with ease.

Now, with her laurel still perfectly in place on her head, Lucy hovered with her chin tilted up, as she stared at the stars and sky above her. There were planets and colors and it was all just... amazing. This place, this universe... This was Lucy's world now.

It was funny to think about; that she wasn't from Earthland anymore. She could masquerade as the human girl known as Lucy as much as she wanted, but that didn't change the fact that she wasn't her anymore. Not really. They had the same face and the same voice,and maybe even the same soul, if that's what you'd call it. But everything else... it was all different.

With one powerful stroke, Lucy sent herself farther up, feeling as if she did it enough times, maybe she would be able to reach those stars.

Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Lucy felt like things were clearer now. Things looked sharper, and things were louder. It was all... very different. Good, but different. If she were to guess, she'd say it had something having to do with her being a Spirit now. (And, if she were to guess that, she'd be correct.) It was just, there was so much to take in, and so much to think about. What really bothered her was the thought of her life now.

Maybe it was the fact that she would never age and die.

Yes, that was most definitely it. The pang in her chest at the thought of it was her proof.

Lucy ached to see her Guildmates, her nakama. While she knew it was wrong, she was more excited to see them than her Celestial Spirit friends. But, she had to start thinking about it, right? She had to spend every minute she had left with them, because before she knew it... They'd be gone.

My Spirits-

Dammit. Lucy cursed as she had to correct herself yet again. My old Spirits; we have forever together.

Her body went stiff at the thought of someday attending one of the funeral she knew would come too soon.

What about Natsu?

Lucy's eyes were gleaming with tears now, as she stared up at one of the far away stars.

I never... I ran out of time. For him, for everything.

There were things she could never do now. She could never finish her book, or become certified as an S-Class Mage... Or even have a family of her own someday. She'd never have children now, or get married-

Lucy's sob cut off the rest of her fantasy, which was probably for the best. If she let herself get too carried away; and let her head float in the clouds... the return trip on the way down would only be more painful.

Virgo, who was standing far below her, watched her dear friend (though, if anyone asked her, she probably would have phrased it differently) with her wings outstretched. Squinting, she was just able to make out Lucy reach her arms out, fingertips pointed towards the heavens.

Lucy just wanted to touch the stars.

Virgo had told the Spirits to gather in the pavilion-like structure. Deciding not to just dump her extraordinary find on them (she feared if Loke's sanity would stay intact if she did), she'd proposed they all meet up to discuss their new master.

Loke, at the moment, was attempting to get Aquarius to leave her own sanctuary. (Though, he was reluctant to go as well.)

It was when drops of water landed softly on Virgo's face, that she knew Lucy wasn't okay. Far from it.

But maybe... Maybe what she needed to see some old friends.

The human ones.

Not to mention... her best friend, who had held the potential to be more than friends.

"No," Natsu deadpanned. Gajeel rolled his neck, taking the rare chance to actually look at Natsu during one of the scarce times when he wasn't off beating the shit out of something. (On a job of course. He'd never just go around, completely unjustified, destroying things on purpose. If it happened unintentionally in the midst of a job... that was just added bonus.)

His skin looked a sickly white in comparison to the dark purple bruises under his eyes. Though, he was still physically superior to most people (as he had been before Lucy's passing), he seemed emotionally and mentally weaker then he'd ever been in his life. Including that brief period when Igneel had left him. Even after Lisanna's 'death' all those years ago when he had still been a child; it had never been this bad.

Never.

They were seated in Natsu's favorite café, the one he'd visited frequently with Lucy. They sat in that same table Natsu and Lucy used to always sit in, with an extra chair pulled up for the Iron Dragon Slayer. Nowadays, Natsu would usually go alone, or sometimes with Gray after they were both so miserable they took a job together. Misery loves company, right?

"See, that's what I told the old man you were gonna say. I'm still on the edge about it myself," Gajeel admitted.

Gray approached the table, having just returned from the restroom. Flopping down on the empty seat, Gray picked up his glass of water and sipped quietly.

"Did you guys order yet?" Gray inquired casually, eyes skimming over the lunch specials. They both shook their heads. Calling over a waitress, they all placed their orders, Gajeel asking for any pieces of junk metal they would be getting rid of. (The waitress didn't even bat an eye at his unusual order, this was Magnolia. They'd gotten stranger requests than that.)

"So, did I miss anything?" Gray asked, cracking his knuckles. Gajeel rose an eyebrow at the pink haired man who was glowering into his glass. Emptying his drink, Natsu wiped at his mouth, still wearing a scowl. Turning his head in the opposite direction as a refusal, Gajeel sighed. Combing his calloused hands through his long mane, he sighed.

"The old geezer registered us for the Grand Magic Games this year," Gajeel said, leaning back in his chair. Gray choked.

"Excuse me?"

"Yep."

"No, sorry I must have misheard you because that is the most ridiculous, ludicrous, stupid thing I've ever heard in my entire life."

"You heard me right. The team is you, me, the flame brain over there," Gajeel said, jabbing a thumb in Natsu's direction, "Erza and Juvia. Our backup is Mira. He thinks it's best that those who are taking it the hardest, and who have experience being in the ring to represent us this year. That's why the powerhouses (example: 'Mystogan' and Laxus etc. Oh, and Gildarts. But he's never around anyway so...) aren't gonna be up there this time," Gajeel explained. Gray scoffed.

"Why do we even need representing? We've go nothing to prove; we kicked ass last year and we won. Fiore knows we're good; the best of the best. Besides, if he hasn't noticed, it isn't exactly the best time for this."

"Master did say that it would be good for everyone, not just us on the team, to all be together and working towards on goal. Y'know, to unite us or some sentimental crap like that. But it seems like a pretty good outlet to me," Gajeel added. "He says kicking ass as a Guild will make us feel better. Also, he says we should win in honor of-" he cleared his throat. "Lucy," he said softly, though he knew Natsu would hear anyway. Natsu stiffened, his grasp on his glass tightening.

"...can we not say her name?" Natsu asked softly, his eyes brimming with tears at just the sound of her name. Grimly, Gajeel and Gray exchanged looks, nodding slowly.

"Yeah. Sorry Natsu," Gray apologized. "I... I miss her too." Gajeel waited a moment before speaking up.

"...did you ever ask her? Or even tell her?" He asked quietly, perfectly clear to Natsu, just barely loud enough for Gray to catch. Gray raised an eyebrow at the Dragon Slayer whose face was slowly but surely clouding with regret. "I always assumed you did but-"

"No," Natsu answered shortly. "I never did." Gajeel tensed.

"Dude..."

"I know," Natsu groaned, slamming his head down on the table. The salt and pepper shakers rattled, as did the glasses resting on the tabletop. His has went to his hair, tugging on his pink (or salmon, as he used to always insist) locks. "I'm an idiot."

"Uhh, someone want to let me in on whatever's going on?" Gray asked, thoroughly baffled.

"Natsu's a Dragon Slayer," Gajeel stated bluntly.

"Well, yes. I noticed," Gray retorted, with an obvious bite of sarcasm. "Kinda hard to miss, you know?" Gajeel rolled his eyes.

"I wasn't done yet, numbskull. I was about to say, before I was rudely interrupted: you know how Dragon Slayers have mates?" Gray's eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes, I believe Laxus mentioned just the other day," Gray recalled, tapping his chin. Purposely leaving out the context of that conversation, he avoided bringing it up. "Something like being 'soulmates' I think?"

"Pretty much, yeah. See, we only get one. Ever. I mean, we could try and be with someone else, but... it wouldn't be the same. It would just feel wrong. Any other romantic experience would just pale in comparison to just being around your mate."

"So? What's this got to do with Lu-" Gray's eyes widened. "Oh. Oh." At his obvious realization, Gajeel raised a studded eyebrow at Gray.

"'Oh?' You mean, you didn't- Are you blind?!"

"Dude! Natsu was like, the most oblivious guy on the planet! We all thought he didn't even understand the concept of a girlfriend! I mean, I had suspicions about him and Lucy, but I never thought he'd be in love with her!" Gray protested.

"Believe me, I understand the concept," Natsu grumbled, thoroughly disgruntled. "I just come off stupider on purpose. Makes my life easier. Less questions asked." Gray noted that he didn't deny the whole 'in love with' part.

"How the hell was I supposed to know?" Gray continued, deciding he would definitely be revisiting that in the future. He really, really needed to stop babbling. Now. But words were just pouring out, after Natsu's extremely unexpected confession. "I mean, after all, half the guild still thinks you've got a thing for-" Gray clamped his mouth shut, curing inwardly at slipping up so bad.

Dammit dammit god fucking dammit Gray. Nice job.

And then there was silence.

Dead. Silence.

Gajeel had gone mute, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Natsu, on the other hand, was wearing an expression comprised of what looked like confusion and disbelief. And was that... Was he angry?

"Hold up. Wait a second. Excuse me?" Natsu cut in, leaning forward. (If Natsu hadn't been staring so intensely at him he feared he'd burn a hole through his head, Gray would have been relieved. For the first time in a long time, his cheeks were a healthy color, and he seemed animated with passion.)

"I- well I mean, I wasn't -actually I mean, I wasn't saying that everyone thinks you, wait, actually no, I was but-" Gray's rambling was cut off by the sound of him facepalming.

I.

Need.

To.

Shut.

Up.

Gajeel looked half amused and had incredulous. (It was a real weird expression, I can say that.) He cleared his through, his hands splayed out over the table. He was laughing, a mixture of chuckles and snorts.

"So, you're telling me no one noticed Salamander's affections for Blondie?" Gajeel asked, disbelieving. Natsu winced at the very mention of her, even if it wasn't by name. "No one? It was just me, Laxus and Wendy?" This time, Gray held his hands up.

"Whoa whoa whoa back up. Wendy knew about this?" Gray asked. "About Natsu?"

"Well duh. It's a Dragon Slayer thing, I guess. Like how Natsu's always known who my mate is, and I know who Wendy's after (Gray snorted at this, knowing there was only one possibility in the small Sky Dragon Slayer's case), and Laxus has intentions for a certain girl that are crystal clear to the rest of us. Sting, Rogue, even Cobra. It's sort of a skill that we have so other Slayers know if that person is spoken for already. That way, we can sort of knowledge that someone else has a 'claim' on them."

Gajeel paused before adding hastily; "I think I should clarify, it's not as if we treat them like property or something. It's sort of a respect thing. You know. but in every case I've heard of, Dragon Slayers and their mates end up together. It's just how it goes."

Gray nodded, understanding everything that was being thrown at him so far.

"Wait, Gajeel, I know you're like, obsessed with Levy-"

"I am not, what- what the hell are you talking about?" Gajeel spluttered. Gray paid him no mind, the rush of the Grand Magic Games, Natsu having a really surprising romantic inclination towards a certain blonde, and then some thing about soul mates very fresh in his mind. he just kept talking and talking and oh god why couldn't he just shut his mouth.

"-and Wendy has that thing with Romeo, though I didn't even need to say that because wow, that's obvious-"

"Hey! I'm still talking! And don't go spouting off things that aren't true!"

"-and I have absolutely no idea if Sting likes some girl or if he and Rogue have some 'boy's love' thing like that crap Juvia's always going on about-"

"Would you just listen to me?"

"-and Erik has that thing for Kianna because she was his snake and all, and dude that's some weird shit right there I don't even know-"

"Gray. Chill."

"-But Laxus? As in, our Laxus? With some girl? As in, a female?" Gray stressed, very careful to get the whole 'girl' thing across. "As in a person with a vag-"

"Yes, Gray! A girl! With, you know... girl parts," Gajeel stumbled clumsily through the last part, all the exposed skin from his chest to his hairline turning pink. Natsu himself was fidgeting in his seat. Very nervously, Gray noted suspiciously.

"...what's with the look," Gray asked, narrowing his eyes when they both continued to act strangely for a few seconds.

"Well, it's just that..." Natsu trailed off, looking at Gajeel for assistance.

"...if anyone asks, just... just don't let anyone know we told you that Laxus likes someone, okay? I just- I'd really like to not die this early."

"Anyway," Natsu said, not-so-subtly sliding the conversation to the previous discussion. "Wait, what was it you were saying about half the guild earlier?" Gray swallow, thinking a) maybe he should learn how to get his rambling under control and b) maybe he wasn't the best one to explain the speculations to Natsu.

"Umm... I didn't mean-"

"Too late to go back now, stripper. I gotta say, I'm interested in what you have to say," Gajeel said, leaning forwards.

"Well, the thing is... I mean, I knew it wasn't true, and some of them think it's totally ridiculous-"

"Gray," Natsu's voice was warning.

"And she totally knows you don't think of her that way and besides she's into someone else now-"

"Gray."

"And I swear, I-"

"GRAY."

He gulped. Sighing once he realized Natsu wasn't going to let it go, as well as the fact that Natsu would be very, very upset when he found out that even Lucy had believed the rumor, Gray slouched in his chair. Suddenly very interested with his nails, Gray's voice was low and almost... ashamed.

"See the thing is... the guild thinks you're in love with Lisanna."

Grumbling, his hair in disarray and his jacket having been discarded somewhere along the course of the last couple hours, Loke gradually came into view, Aquarius in tow. He gave Virgo a disgruntled look as a greeting, which wasn't surprising, given the state he was in.

Behind Aquarius was a trail of spirits, first the rest of the Golden Keys, and then the few Silvers Lucy had owned.

Nikola was nestled in the arms of the rather... emotionally unstable mermaid. Shivering (though, Virgo wasn't sure if it was because he was cold, or the fact that Plue was always shivering), the little 'dog' was clinging to Aquarius like she was his life line.

Loke, noticing the emotions flitting across her face, gathered Plue in his arms, and deposited him onto the back of none other than Sagittarius. The two shared a look, Loke grateful and the man-horse understanding. Through the blue tint of his glasses, Sagittarius could see the raw grief in his eyes. He himself was upset, but Loke... Loke and Lucy had been friends, closer than most of them had been.

And he didn't even want to start on Aquarius. She and Lucy had been together for years, and while they didn't always get along... They were essentially family. Especially with Aquarius having been passed down from her mother and all. She was Lucy's first friend, Lucy having been cooped up in the mansion for most of her life before Fairy Tail.

It was hard to watch, for all of it to unfold around him.

Loke, finally satisfied that Plue wasn't going to fall the minute he turned his back, spun around to give Virgo a look. Frowning at her, he peered at her over the rims of his glasses.

"Virgo, you'd better have a damn good reason for this. Unless Yukino's life is in danger at this very moment, or Fairy Tail has suddenly been wiped of the face of the planet-" Loke's warning was cut off, a painful pang right over his heart having made him pause and grimace. "This had better be fucking important."

Aquarius simply stood (well, she wasn't really standing because she doesn't have legs so more like... hovering?) there, her face stony. Capricorn, who had originally been on of Layla's Spirits along with Aquarius, was wearing a similar expression.

"So..." Virgo began slowly, as she tilted her head up, craning her neck. While the others were confused to say the least by Virgo's strange behavior, they said nothing.

"I wanted to introduce you to someone," Virgo finally managed, her eyes glistening with... were those tears? From Virgo?

"Virgo, this really isn't the best time," Loke said as he stepped forward. Having taken her tears the wrong way, Loke's voice had taken on a hushed tone, the same one he'd been using on the others. But Virgo saw past all of that, and saw that while he put up a calm face, he was cracking a little bit with each passing hour.

"No, Loke, I'd say it's the perfect time," Virgo said, smiling. Steeping back and looking over his head, she smiled. Loke pivoted, eyes searching for the strange phenomenon that was making Virgo of all people grin. Her wry smile was enough to stop him in his tracks, especially during this time for grieving. Squinting, he scanned the starry sky.

Nothing.

Virgo, on the other hand, cupped her hands around her mouth. The dark spot was far, far above them. But Lucy was a Spirit now, and should have no problem catching her words.

"Come say hello," Virgo called up, her voice flat as usual. The twinkle in her eyes remained; she did have a reputation to keep up after all. "They're waiting." She patiently continued to stare up, expectant.

"We've got a new comrade. A new Spirit," Virgo began to explain, as a shadow began to descend. Loke pursed his lips; she'd caught their attention. There hadn't been a new Spirit in a very long time. In terms of human years, more than a few hundred. It had been so long ago, they themselves hadn't been around that long either. The memories from those days were fuzzy at best. "Her name is Andromeda. I assume you've heard the legend, in your three years spent in the human world." Loke nodded in response. "Well, it turns out, she'll be going to Yukino with the rest of us."

"Ah," Loke breathed, finally realizing what Virgo was trying to do. At least, what he assumed she was trying to do.

She's trying to distract us.

He honestly had to applaud her. It wasn't ideal for the new Spirit, he would admit. But taking their minds off of things would probably help. A lot. A new friend would never, ever replace Lucy, but it'd be nice to meet someone new. Especially someone they'd be working with for a very long time. And everyone was bound to be excited at the prospect of a new Spirit...

Too bad his theory was wrong.

Virgo stepped back abruptly, hands clasped behind her back.

And then an angel fell from the heavens, and slammed into the ground between the Lion and the Maiden.

Lucy could see the bright, vibrant speck of orange all the way below her. Among a cluster of what she could guess was the rest of her old Spirits, his head caught her eye first.

Loke.

Heart leaping at the prospect of seeing her old friend, Lucy suddenly dove, pulling her wings tight against her body. Plummeting towards the ground, Lucy smiled. The sensation of flying was something she'd never forget. (Not like she'd ever want to anyway.)

Quickly uprighting herself, she slammed into the ground. Landing in a crouch, she looked up to see a rather pleased Virgo. Flexing her wings, Lucy stood, brushing her dress off. As she shook her wings out, she grinned, completely at ease. When she tossed her hair back, it was easy to see why Lucy had been offered several modeling gigs during her time.

Loke had stumbled back and fallen straight on his butt, in his surprise at Lucy's sudden appearance. (Also, I think if a person came hurtling at you out of nowhere, stepping back is an appropriate reaction.)

"Princess," Virgo greeted, bowing.

"What?"

The voice was familiar.

Really.

Fucking.

Familiar.

Lucy turned, casually stretching her arms and rolling her neck as she did.

"Oh, Hey guys. What up?"

No one moved. They just stared. And continued to gape. Lucy, feeling self conscious, scratched her neck.

"...I've missed something, haven't I?"

Virgo then stepped forward, leaning in to whisper something in Lucy's ear.

"Yeah, I- Huh? They didn't- Oh. Oh," Lucy said, eyes going wide. Now thoroughly embarrassed, she nervously fiddled with her hands.

"So guys, uh... I'm not dead?"

And then it all went south from there.

So... How was it? Halfway decent at least? Okayish?

-Pyro