With their train to Magnolia not for 4 more hours, the next morning the group hangs out at Sabertooth. Gray and Rufus share make magic spells. Levy, Yukino, and Wendy chit chat about girl stuff. Laxus and Orga discuss whose lightning magic is better. And Natsu and Rogue talk about dragon slayer magic.

"Lucy, would you care to talk a walk with me?"

"Um, sure mom, Natsu, is that okay with you?"

"Sure babe, I'll just be here with Rogue."

"Where do you wanna walk?"

"I just want to be in the sun!" she beams. "I didn't go out much in the daytime." "Lucy, I just want to say thank you for giving me this opportunity to get to know you. I am truly sorry that your life started off the way it did, but I am grateful to have this second chance."

"I'm sorry too for snapping at you. Before I understood you're reasons, I thought maybe you just wanted to abandon me or something. But then again, I've had a pretty good life here. Layla was a wonderful mother to me. Jude was not the greatest father, but before he died we were starting to patch things up between us. Then there's Fairytail, and Natsu, and all my spirits and friends. Yeah I've had a fun and adventurous life."

"We'll have plenty of time to catch up on each other's lives. So, tell me about Natsu. How did you guys meet in this present time?"

"I had run away from home and was in Hargeon Port city, and he was there looking for Igneel. At the time no one knew that the dragons were hibernating within the dragon slayers. Anyways, long story short he ended up saving me from a slave trader who kidnaps young girls and offered to take me to Fairytail because that was my dream. We've pretty much been inseparable ever since, though it took 10 years for us to become an actual couple."

"What took so long?"

"Well, Natsu can be immature, and I don't think he understood what love was, plus 7 of those years we were in suspended animation after Acnologia attacked us. But luckily our first Master, Mavis Vermillion triggered a spell that saved us. Then the Alvarez incident happened when he killed Zeref and I almost died. When he almost lost me, is when he realized how he felt about me, and I for him."

"So you two have bonded as dragon mates, but you haven't gotten married yet? Any reason?"

"Um, just never got around to it. After I developed these powers we've been focusing mostly on that."

"Tell me about your spirits. How many keys do you have?"

"I have 9 gold keys, and 4 silver ones. At one point I could have had all 13 but I turned down 3 of them."

"Why'd you do that? It would make you more powerful."

"Because my friend has those keys and she loves her spirits. As long as she treats them well, I'd never break their bond. I can introduce you to her; she's here in the Sabertooth guild."

'This is perfect for my plans, I know where 12 of the keys are!' "Maybe when we head back in, so which gold keys do you have?"

"Leo, Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo, Cancer, Scorpio, Gemini, Aries, Sagittarius."

"What happened to Aquarius?"

"Well…" she pauses holding back the moisture developing in her eyes, "that's a painful story. When we fought the demon guild Tartaros, we were losing, I was almost out of magic and Aquarius helped me to summon the Spirit King, to do that I had to sacrifice her key because it had to be a spirit that I had the strongest connection to. In the end I was able to summon the king but I lost her in the process… But she told me there is a new key somewhere out there; I just need to find it."

"I'm sorry; I know how hard it is to give up a spirit. But I am amazed you were powerful enough to summon the king, not even I could do that."

"Oh mustache man loves me. I have other stories about him I'll tell you later. Maybe I can even take you to meet him when we get back to Fairytail."

"We can't go to the spirit realm!"

"Uh, yeah we can, I've gone there many times."

"Wow, I am so proud of the woman you have become!"

"and this was all before I became a dragon slayer." Lucy smiles

"I will help you find Aquarius' key, and I will teach you everything I know as well, both in Celestial and Dragon Slayer magic."

"Thanks mom. Before we head back let me explain about life as a guild mage, and for a wizard it's always best to be part of a guild. We do missions like the one where we found you. In return for the service we get a reward. Part of the money goes to the guild but most of it we keep to live off of. I called my old landlord this morning and my old apartment was still available so I've rented it out for you. The monthly rent is 70,000 Jewel. I know you aren't used to having to pay rent and such but don't worry we're here to help you get adjusted to living in the open again.

Fairytail is the strongest guild in Fiore. But more so, it's like a family where we all take care of each other. That's why I love it so much. When Sting became Master of Sabertooth he modeled them after us. It's up to you if you want to join Fairytail or not but I suggest you do for now."

"What about Sabertooth?"

"Ugh! Sting, are you following me!"

"You wish. So Anna, we'd loooove it if you'd stay here with us."

"Sting, don't even think about it!"

"Think about what? I don't know what you're implying."

"You know exactly what I'm implying!"

"Why, are you jealous?" he grins

"Ugh! No! Just leave my mom alone."

"Lucy, Sting, what are you two talking about?"

Trying to be the smooth talker he places his hand on Anna's shoulder, "I don't know what she's talking about but I'm just trying to be hospitable."

"You are trying to hit on my mother!" Lucy screams

"Uh, I am not!" trying to act shocked and hurt, "I can't believe you'd think I'd do that."

"Sting just go away before I hurt you." She flashes to her purple colored eyes.

"Fine Blondie. Anna we can talk later." He kisses her hand and walks away.

"Um, okay. Bye Sting." After Sting leaves, "What was that all about?"

"Natsu and I noticed him fawning over you yesterday, and he was doing it again."

Chuckling, "I know I look closer to your ages now but I think it would be awkward. Anyways back to our conversation. So where do you live?"

"Natsu and I have a cozy little cottage on the outskirts of Magnolia."

"Well I think I'll take your advice and join Fairytail, I may move on later but it would be best to be in a comfortable place while I adjust to this time."

"Great! Let's go back in and I'll introduce you to Yukino."

Finding her in the dining hall with the others, "Yukino, I'd like to introduce you to my mother Anna. Anna this is Yukino."

"It's nice to meet you Anna."

"Likewise Yukino, my daughter tells me you are also a Celestial Spirit Wizard."

"Yes, I have Libra, Pisces, and Ophiuchus."

"I can tell you love your spirits, I'm glad they have such a caring owner again."

"You knew them?"

"I once had 12; Ophiuchus was the one key I didn't have."

"Wow, that's pretty cool."

"That was many, many years ago. But please could you tell them Anna Heartfillia says hello?"

"I'll do that the next time I see them."

"Thank you Yukino, that means a lot to me."

Back home at Fairytail, the first stop is the guild hall. "Erza, could we meet in your office."

"Lucy, welcome back, and who is this woman that looks a lot like you?"

"This is Anna, my mother."

"How is that possible?"

"We found her in Inaka Village." After telling Erza the whole story, "could she join Fairytail?"

"Of course, I'd never turn away a family member."

"Thank you Erza for allowing me to join. I look forward to working with everyone here and getting to know my daughter again."

"We are glad to have you here Anna. I'm sure there is a lot you could teach us as well. So where would you like your guild stamp?"

"How about on my left shoulder blade."

"As you wish. Now that that is done, let me introduce you to the rest of our family."