Lucy smiled as she watched their oversized group make their way through the streets of Magnolia on their way to the Guild hall. The train ride back had been mostly uneventful, the only exception being when Wendy's Troia spell had run out halfway back and rather than risk another second in the train Alva had instead chosen to literately break out of the cabin. Instead the half dragon had simply flown alongside the train carriage, much to the shock of the other passengers.

The job had been completed without a hitch, the reward being split amongst the members of team Natsu excluding Lucy. the others had been adamant about Lucy and everyone taking their own share but as she and the rest of her team had more than enough money saved up from their previous demon hunts they refused. And now that they were finally off the train they were currently headed back home to report to Mira and the Master that the job had been completed.

"Home…" Lucy murmured quietly to herself as a smile crept onto her face. In the seven years that Lucy had been traveling around seeking strength and answers she had never once had a place that she could comfortably call her home. Sure, she did have the guild hall that they had built as a base of operations but that's all it was to Lucy, a place to plan for their next mission, but going back to Fairy Tail once again just made her want to drop all the walls she had put up around her emotions and relax for once, or relax as much as she could in a guild like Fairy Tail.

It was at that moment that Erza, completely oblivious to the blonde's happy musings, turned to speak to her. "So now that you have captured these creatures Lucy what are your plans with them? Surely it cannot be a wise decision to try to keep them contained for long."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that Erza, with Abaddon guarding them they couldn't make so much as a squeak without him knowing. And I'm not planning to do anything to them myself; I'll leave that in Abaddon's capable hands." Lucy said, noticing the shudders from the other Fallen Celestial members but choosing to ignore it.

"Then does that mean that we can go on another job when we get back? I didn't get much action during that fight and I'm itching for another fight." Natsu asked excitedly, his childish grin once again present on his face as he stared back at Lucy.

"I guess so, just so long as Alva's up for it." Lucy answered with a shrug before gesturing to the red headed half dragon that was currently walking very close to Lucy, so close in fact that they kept bumping shoulders as the moved.

Lucy could see Natsu glare at Alva and knew that she was returning the gesture right back. "What? Why? It's not like she's your mother or something, why do you need her permission?"

Lucy scowled slightly at Natsu's implied meaning, but otherwise didn't raise her voice as she answered. "I don't need her permission Natsu, but since she follows me almost everywhere I go it's only right to ask her too."

"…Fool." Was all Alva said but the smirk on her face clearly conveyed a message of gloating to everyone present, causing Natsu to growl at her and lunge which was something Alva was more than happy to return.

Despite the fact that the two fire mages were trying to rip each other's throats out the group still managed to make their way to the large wooden doors that marked the entrance to the Fairy Tail guild hall, hearing the usual rowdiness that one would expect from Fairy Tail.

Pushing open the doors, Lucy smiled as she casually walked into the guild. "We're back everyone!"

"Hey! I'm the one who's supposed to say that!" Natsu shouted his fight with Alva instantly forgotten.

Lucy, along with most of the guild, laughed at Natsu for a second before turning to the bar to see Mira and the Master smiling at their group. Even Laxus, who would normally just be sitting on the second floor with the rest of the Thunder Legion, was leaning against the bar with his eyes closed almost as if he was waiting for something.

"Hello Mira, Master, we completed the job without any issues." Lucy said as she approached the bar.

"Good work my dear; it's nice to see your team completing jobs without destroying half a town." The Master commented with a chuckle before taking a sip of whatever alcohol was in his mug.

"Yes welcome back Lucy, we have some good news for you." Mira commented with a knowing smile as she marked the job as completed in the guilds register.

"Really? That's…good, what exactly is it?" Lucy started to reply before noticing the almost prankster like grins that the two had, causing Lucy's eyes to narrow in suspicion.

Mira's smile remained as she stared back at Lucy. "Did Natsu or any of the others ever mention the wager we had for the Grand Magic Games?" She asked, Lucy shaking her head in response. "Well, the Master declared that whatever team won would get to ask the losing team to do whatever they want for a day."

Oh, that's…cool." Lucy murmured the feeling of danger growing worse and worse as she examined the barmaid's smile. "But didn't the two Fairy Tail teams get combined into one? How will you choose which one is the winner?"

The Master chuckled. "Oh not to worry, after all your team and you just so happened to give up the fight before the end…didn't you."

"Wait, what?!...but where weren't even part of Fairy Tail back then!" Lucy shouted out, the smirks on the two's faces now making perfect sense.

Mira's smile didn't falter at Lucy's cries, the rest of the guild now looking at the three of them. "But didn't you have our guild mark on your hand Lucy? Wouldn't that still make you a member of Fairy Tail and therefore a Fairy Tail team?"

Lucy was about to argue against it, knowing full well what would come from having to listen to the orders of anyone in Fairy Tail for a day, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, Lucy saw Lilith standing behind her, a defeated look on her face and her hand on Lucy's shoulder.

"Just give it up Little Lucy, if there's one thing I've learned about this place it's that you don't challenge these two when they have their minds set on something." The demon declared as she gestured to the Master and Mira, the two mages in question never ceasing to smile.

Lucy regarded the three for a second before sighing, her hand rubbing her temple. "Fine…I guess we lost…"

Lucy watched as Laxus exchanged a glance with his grandfather before walking up and placing his hand on Lilith's shoulder. "Well then, I guess I'll take this one for the day, have fun Blondie." He commented before beginning to drag the lust demon away.

While very curious about what the older dragon slayer was referring to, Lucy still made sure to catch Lilith's eye and letting her know that she wouldn't stand for Lilith doing to Laxus what she normally did to the poor young men she dragged around. And while Lucy could see the disappointment in the older woman's face, Lilith still nodded back.

"Gee hee…so we get to pick one for ourselves Old man?" Gajeel questioned as he approached, his usual arrogant tone present.

"That's correct Gajeel."

"Well then, I'm taking the little dragon chick." Gajeel declared as he lifted Alva by the back of her shirt and began to walk off. "From what I've seen you're quite the little fighter and I'm itching for a good match."

"Don't hurt him too bad Alva!" Lucy shouted to the two as they made their way outside the guild hall, Alva's predatory instincts causing her to grin savagery.

It was at that moment that Natsu seemed to realize what was going on as he practically leapt to stand in front of Lucy. "Is that true Gramps?! Then I call Lucy for the day!" Natsu turned to face Lucy then, an arrogant smile on his face. "Well then Lucy, my first order of the day is for you to fight me!"

Lucy sighed loudly, having fully expected Natsu to leap at the chance for another fight but still not really wanting to duke it out so early in the day. "Seriously Natsu? You only managed to land a single hit on me last time, what makes you think that this time is going to be very different?"

"I'm stronger now than I was back then, and I was going easy on you of course!" Natsu cockily declared as he slammed his fists together, wisps of flames flying off his knuckles at the impact.

Lucy was about to continue to argue against dueling when she noticed that nearly the entire guild was watching them now, some even going up to Cana and betting on the outcome. Well…I guess I can play with Natsu for a while. Lucy decided as she cracked her knuckles and smiled back at the dragon slayer.

"Alright then Natsu, but if we're going to do this we're going to do this outside. I don't want to be the one responsible for destroying the guild hall." Lucy said with a smug smile of her own and began to casually walk out the front door, the rest of the guild following shortly after.


Lucy and Natsu continued to walk away from the guild until they reached a hill east Magnolia. As the rest of their guild mates began to circle around them, Lucy smiled at Natsu and manifested her celestial sword, the thin blade of dark matter appearing in her hand.

Lucy could see Natsu's eyebrows twitch for a second before he lowered his stance. "You're not going to call out to your spirits Lucy? I've got no problem taking on you and whatever else you want to throw at me." He challenged as fire began to wrap around his limbs.

Lucy, not willing to give in to his taunt, simply chuckled as she pointed the blade casually at Natsu. "I only call out to demons and my spirits if the opponents strong enough, and frankly Natsu you don't fit the bill."

Lucy couldn't help but smile as Natsu reacted to her own taut, his eyes narrowing and his flames flaring slightly. "Oh, you're so going to eat those words Lucy…"

The two regarded each other in silence then as Mira walked to the front of the crowd that surrounded them. "Are you two ready?...then let's begin!" She shouted.

Lucy watched as Natsu lunged forward, his fists covered in flames. She could tell from his gaze that he expected Lucy to jump backwards, as that's how she would have reacted seven years ago, but rather than meet their expectations she instead moved just as Natsu did, her body low to the ground and her blade at the ready.

As the two closed in on each other Lucy could see Natsu's eyes widen slightly in surprise but to his credit he didn't hesitate to lash out with his fists. However, for someone who had fought against the pinnacle of demonic strength, the speed of Natsu's fists was painfully slow and Lucy easily twisted her body out of the way of his blow.

The moment that Natsu's fist harmlessly passed by Lucy's body Lucy brought her own weapon to bare, the shadowy blade cutting through the air and leaving a thin gash on the pink haired boy's cheek.

Natsu hissed in pain but didn't slow down, his left leg sweeping out and knocking Lucy off balance. As Lucy began to fall, Natsu grabbed her arm and flung her over his head, sending Lucy spinning through the air.

However, the celestial mage wasn't the least bit disturbed by the fact that she was currently flying through the air, as she simply righter herself and landed about ten feet away and her magic gathering in the hand that wasn't holding the blade while at the same time Natsu was gathering magic into his mouth.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!"

"Celestial Strike: Beam!"

The two mages shouted out, their respective attacks flying directly at each other. However, it was quite clear that Lucy's attack held more strength behind it as it began to break through Natsu's flames.

The fire dragon slayer yelped in surprise as he dropped to the ground as Lucy's beam traveled through the air that he had been occupying moments ago before dissipating into the air.

"Ok, I admit it Luce…you might be a little stronger than you were seven years ago." Natsu commented with a grin. "But I'm not gonna lose to you! Lightning Fire Dragon Mode!" He shouted his flames exploding around his body now with electricity arching across his form.

Lucy instantly took a step back, having no idea what Natsu had just done but could feel his magic levels increasing drastically. What the hell is this? How come Natsu can use lighting now? Lucy thought in a slight panic as she once again gathered magic into her left hand.

"Celestial Strike: Rain!" she shouted, the orb of dark matter in her hand shattering and sending bolts of magic directly at Natsu. However Natsu's new power seemed to have increased his speed as well, as he was able to dodge out of the way of Lucy's attack and was quickly closing the distance between the two of them.

Lucy couldn't help but smile as she drew Loke's key from her side, despite the distance that had formed between them she was enjoying this fight more than she would have first thought she would. It was no wonder Natsu was always challenging everyone the first chance he got.


Lilith's casually turned her head to stare through the wall of the guild in the direction that she felt Lucy's magic swell, a smile on her perfect face. After seven long years of moping around Lucy was finally truly happy again, and that was more than enough reason for Lilith to fight to keep things as they were.

"Something wrong?" The blonde hottie, Laxus if Lilith remembered correctly, questioned from the wall he was leaning against.

"Oh, nothing really. Just little Lucy enjoying herself." Lilith commented with a giggle before turning back to Laxus. "Well then, Mr. Tall, blonde, and brooding, what did you want with little old me? A day of me teaching you about the reason I'm known as the Demon Queen of Lust?" She asked as she walked up to the taller man and ran a finger across his chest, enjoying the feeling of the muscles beneath his shirt.

"I'm afraid I asked him to bring you here." The solemn voice of the guild master echoed from behind Lilith, causing her desire to fade away almost instantly.

Frowning slightly, Lilith turned to see exactly who she was expecting to. "Ah, if it isn't the Master of Fairy Tail and the astral projection, what can I do for you?" She asked to the short man and the spatial warping that stood just off to the side.

Lilith couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the shocked look on the old man's face. "You are aware of the first master's presence without a guild mark?"

"Oh please, I am one of the seven lords of sin and a mage who manipulates reality through illusions, detecting an astral projection is Childs play for me." Lilith commented, "Although I admit that I can't hear whatever it is that is standing behind you." Lilith's frowned then, her face serious for the first time in years. "Well then, what can I do for you three? Surely you didn't separate me from Lucy just to find out if I can see this spirit?"

Lilith watched as The Fairy Tail Master closed his eyes in thought for a moment before staring at her with an equally serious expression. "Tell me…what exactly do you know about Abaddon? What is his intent in this realm and what does he plan to do to Lucy?"


Mard Geer narrowed his eyes as the strange demon approached his throne and kneeled in respect. The strange shadowy humanlike creature had shown up a little over a week ago at their base with a strange proposition, that he and his followers would travel around the world and awaken Mard Geer's fellow Etherious from their tomes.

Of course he hadn't believed the creature at first, but as he could find no real reason to refuse the creature he allowed it to perform its tasks. After all, if it failed even once he could simply destroy it.

But Mard Geer never got the chance, the creature known as Lucifer and its minions had preformed beyond Mard Geer's expectations. Awaking Etherious that hadn't been heard from for over three hundred years. Slowly but surely the armies of Zeref were awakening from their slumber and preparing to bring their creations longest held wish to fruition.

"…you have done well Lucifer, Mard Geer is pleased by your actions."

"Your praise is wasted on one such as myself, Lord Mard Geer, I am simply obeying the desires of my own lord."

"Oh? And what desire would that be?"

"To bring judgment down on those who have earned his wrath, To destroy those who have harmed his pride and joy."