Much can change in a year, yet it went by so quickly. Mavis and I spent practically every day together on Tenrou Island, where I mastered a new magic that I knew would be the key to defeating my father in time to come, though Mavis informed me that before I could face my own demons, I would be needed in order to defeat a new enemy that would soon be upon us. I suspected she meant Acnologia as well as Zeref, but I knew better than to ask as the one time I did, she had gone dark and brooding for an entire day before she recovered.

My steps were soundless and graceful as I walked barefoot on the grass. It was a habit I had picked up from Mavis and I could understand why she preferred bare feet as it was rather enjoyable. My hair flowed loosely like a river of pure midnight black, shimmering from its recent wash. My usual clothes had become worn out from overuse in work, so I had elected to mend them but then fold them away for another time, choosing to spend my days in my long green skirt and a white blouse which sat just off my shoulders with loose sleeves which then gathered at my wrists.

It was a peaceful day and I walked alone, enjoying the feeling of sunlight on my skin and taking in the fruity smells of the air around me. I was in such a tranquil state that I almost missed my communication lacrima bleeping at me, but my sharp hearing caught onto the sound and I blinked, reaching into my pocket to pull it out. It was a message from Lucy, she'd been reunited with Natsu and Happy and now they were reviving Fairy Tail. She was asking me to come back.

Come back? But my healing was not yet complete. Mavis said that it could be another year before I was completely healed, however if Fairy Tail was being brought back then there was no way I could miss the reunion. Besides, I am healed enough now that I am back to my old strength with even more magic than before. I felt like I could take on a thousand dragons by myself, though I knew in reality it would be unwise to do so. Turning around I returned to my camp where I found Mavis standing in the centre, smiling softly at me.

"It is time for you to go, young one. Spread your wings and let Fairy Tail guide your way." She murmured before fading from sight, giving one last smile in farewell until I felt her presence disappear.

"Thank you First Master." I murmured to her in the utmost respect and gratitude before gathering everything together. I had not brought much, so it all fit back into my bag and soon enough, I was ready to fly. Lucy had said everyone was meeting back in Magnolia. I hope the others return also. I will be heartbroken if they had decided to move on with their life and forgot all about the guild. We always worked best as a family and my happiest memories were all made in that place.

The day was still young, so I rose up into the air and flew away from the island, glancing back to see it gradually reduce itself into the distance before it was swallowed by the horizon. The glimmering sea was my only companion until I finally saw Magnolia in the distance. The cathedral spire shone brightly, the city remained peaceful, however as I landed on the docks and started to walk myself back to the guild, I took the time to familiarise myself with my surroundings.

The ocean air filled my nose as I inhaled, walking calmly down a street that I had walked countless times before. Nothing had changed, yet it felt a little strange to be back, almost as if something was different however as I walked, I realised I was the one who had changed, not the city itself. I felt a little out of place, as if I did not belong but, when I approached the guild and saw everyone gathered there, I stopped and stared to drink in the moment.

My eyes were wide, staring at beloved faces as their smells intermingled in a delicious mass which brought a warm comfort to my chest. Relaxing, I fell into an effortless smile as I approached where Lucy stood, crying with joy as we stood before our guildhall. "I'm back!" She sobbed, holding her hands in her face, however when Natsu noticed that I was standing behind them all, he gave a broad grin and waved.

"Hey Fae, what's up?"

"Fae? Fae's back?" Instantly everyone turned around to see me there, greeting them all warmly as a soft chuckle escaped me.

"It is good to see everyone again." I said, looking over their bright faces, noticing even the most subtle of changes. "I'm glad we're home."

"Fae!" Lucy ran to me, still sobbing and she flung her arms around me as her face buried itself into my chest, crying against me as I enfolded my arms around her and rubbed her head affectionately. "I'm so glad you're here, it's been months…I thought you'd disappeared…but then I finally got a message through…my lacrima broke so I had to…" She couldn't get the words out so I lifted her chin, noticing that I now stood a little taller than her so I had to lift her head so that our eyes could meet.

"Everything is alright now, Lucy." I assured her before I took her hand and led her over to the gates, everyone parting was to let us through as we stood before our guild.

"Hey, wasn't this all blown up when we left?" Natsu questioned and Erza smacked him on the head for reminding everyone about what had happened.

"I rebuilt it when everyone else had gone." I explained, reaching out and touching the barrier that I had sealed over the guildhall. "Then I enchanted it so that no one could get inside unless they had the Fairy Tail guild mark." Nodding to Lucy we both lifted our hands and pressed them against the centre seal at the gate, making a light burst outward and everyone stood back and watched in wonder as the seal lifted away, opening up the guildhall once more.

"That's so cool!" Happy cheered and I laughed as he swooped overhead, greeting me with a request for fish so I promised that once I had the kitchens up and running, fish would be the first thing on the menu. Everyone filtered inside, racing about to claim seats and familiarise themselves with the hall, reminiscing and starting to tell stories of the best adventures we'd all had.

Mirajane and I embraced when we saw one another before together starting up the kitchen, sending Lisanna and Elfman to fetch some supplies as everyone laughed and cheered. I stepped back and allowed the good atmosphere to wash over me. It had not changed one bit, not even a year later. "So what do we do now? We have to get Fairy Tail back on track." Someone called out so Levy stood up, lifting a finger to explain studiously.

"According to protocol, we must file a request to reform Fairy Tail with the magic council. I can sort out the details, however there are some things we'll have to take care of before we can do so." Just like Levy, straight to the point and factual. "We need to discuss who is to be the seventh guild master until Master Makarov returns!" There was a mixed response, everyone instantly voicing their opinions as I dried off a tankard.

"Surely as it is only a temporary position, anyone would do?" Carla reasoned smartly as she sipped a cup of tea that I had made her, sitting on the bar counter as I leaned against it next to her.

"Perhaps, but you have to remember Carla, we are quite a rowdy bunch." I said with amusement as a fight broke out between the boys, started of course by Natsu, who else? "The Seventh will have to be someone who can keep everyone in check. After all, the Sixth was always having to settle down disputes." I noted, putting down the tankard I'd dried then picked up a waitressing tray, casually holding it front of Carla just as a cup flew at her but it bounded off harmlessly.

"Goodness! You have my thanks." She breathed as the fighting got worse and worse. Oh how I had missed this, I couldn't help but beam happily and enjoy the mass destruction that everyone was joining in on until finally, someone stood up and stomped their foot on the ground.

"Enough." Erza was a force to be reckoned with and no less terrifying, her dark glare instantly silencing everyone in the guild. I arched an eyebrow, entertained by the way everyone instantly squeaked in terror and resumed their seats. Levy gave a grin at me and I nodded my head, giving her a wink as she stood up once more.

"Then it's decided, the seventh guild master will be Erza Scarlet!" Shocked by the decision, Erza grew nervous and sweetly bashful, trembling and stuttering as she held out a hand to stop Levy who had already started filling out the forms.

"What? M-Me? When d-did this…"

"There's no one else more suitable, qualified and competent than you." A voice announced suddenly as a person walked through the open doors, approaching us and everyone watched in surprise. I stood up straighter, noticing the insignia on his shoulder and his scent was very faintly familiar, but I could not place it. His face, however, I did recognise though it was a very long time ago since I last saw him, and even then it was very brief. Mest, I thought we would be seeing him again. "I've been biding my time for this very moment, when everyone would once again gather together. Because you are the only ones that can save the sixth master, Makarov." Mest announced and there was a collective gasp.

Mest requested Erza's presence alone and the two of them went down into the crypts, however up here things were becoming a little frantic. "Oh my…" Mira murmured as everyone started to panic, wondering what had happened to the master. "This is not going very well."

"It's alright, I can handle this." I reassured her, placing a brief hand on her shoulder before I clapped my hands, smiling sweetly as everyone turned towards me. "Now, now, let's not become anxious and worry about Master Makarov, he's the toughest of us all so I know that he will be absolutely fine no matter where he is." I said, everyone listening to me as I made sure everyone was paying attention. "Whilst we're waiting, I want everyone to grab a mop, bucket, broom and brush, this place needs to be cleaned spotless as it has a year's worth of dust that needs shifting! Jett, Droy, you boys start on the pool, Macao, Wakaba, start dusting in the library!"

Everyone blinked at me blankly so with a sigh I placed my hands on the counter, a rush of dark energy swarming around me as my eyes turned red. "Do I need to repeat myself?" I asked but everyone ran to do as they were told.

"No ma'am!" A chorus answered and I beamed, the energy disappearing as I clapped my hands.

"Excellent! That's more like it!" And so, to keep everyone distracted, I worked them hard to clean up the guild and have it spick and span for when the master returns. Mirajane gave me a look of thanks as everyone bustled around the guild, mopping the floors, sweeping the patio, dusting the rafters and polishing everything in sight as I oversaw everything, getting things back to the way they were.

They were all so busy that they did not even notice Erza, Mest and the others leave. I knew that Natsu, Lucy, Wendy and Gray would tag along, so I simply gave them a nod of encouragement as they snuck out the doors, Happy and Carla glancing back before leaving too. Hopefully, they'll be able to bring the master back.

With everyone so busy, they also didn't notice Gajeel and a few others had left to go find Laxus and the thunder legion. I certainly kept them on their toes. I wonder if mine and Levy's house is still untouched? I had locked it up before I left, so I should probably go check on it. There might be some repairs needing to be done. Additionally, I have a feeling that there is someone else that we're going to need to find.

"Mira, you can hold down the fort here, right?" I questioned as we helped clean up the kitchen along with Bisca, Asuka and Romeo. "I'm going to go and find Gildarts. We'll be needing him soon, I think." Mirajane blinked at me in surprise.

"Gildarts? Well, I'm not sure that anyone knows where he is. Not even Cana could locate him, but of course. I can certainly keep everyone occupied whilst you're away." She affirmed so I thanked her, ruffled Romeo's hair and told him I'd be back soon.

"Ah, can't I come with you big sis?" He asked, following after me to the door.

"Not this time Romeo, I have to travel fast and I need you here to keep your dad and Wakaba out of trouble. Can you do that for me?" I challenged him with a smile, looking down to him lovingly but he only scowled and folded his arms across his chest.

"I'm not a kid so you don't have to treat me like one."

"I know that Romeo." I assured him, leaning down and brushing my lips against his cheek, making him blush bright red. "But this is me asking you to be mature and make sure that nothing happens whilst I'm gone, you're going to have to be strong until I get back. Now, can you do that for me little brother?" I asked him again and he relaxed slightly, still a little flustered from my kiss.

"Sure, I can do that. Just hurry back okay?" Nodding my head I brushed my hand against his shoulder before I head out of the guild. This was going to take a while as Gildarts was a very difficult man to find when he wanted to be alone and there was no scent trail for me to follow. I'll have to rely on the old fashioned method of tracking him down but I'll have to do it quickly. Judging by how swiftly events were turning, we didn't have much time.

So, with nothing on my back and with empty pockets, I set out into the wild in search of the infamous Gildarts Clive.