SSD: Alright, here's the next chapter!
Lucy: Finally!
SSD: Hey, I've been really busy!
Lucy: I know, I'm just glad you haven't given up.
SSD: Of course not, I have too much vested in this now. Especially since I dusted off my Sony Vegas…
Lucy: Wait…does that mean…
SSD: *puts on shades* *smirk* Oh yeah…AMV time.
Lucy: …oh boy.
SSD: I own nothing but my own characters and the side plot(s). And, ACTION!

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Chapter 34: A Long-awaited Reunion

Lucy hung her head as the group was lead on the train, and into the luggage compartment. The conductor gave her a slightly abashed look.

"I'm sorry, Miss Heartfilia, but even we have to follow certain restrictions. Any animals larger than a medium sized dog have to be transported in the luggage compartment, properly contained." He showed them to a cage for such specific purposes.

Getsuga twitched. "…this is so demeaning…if I still had a human form…"

Lucy sent her an apologetic look as the dragon walked into the cage and was closed in. "Sorry, Getsuga-san…"

"It's fine…let's just get to your guild so Seiryu can be seen to."

Lucy nodded and took a seat on the floor beside her, the conductor and the others blinking.

Cana looked at her oddly. "Uhh…Luce?"

Lucy shook her head. "Getsuga is one of ours now, I'm not leaving her in here alone." She looked up at them in determination.

Laxus snorted. "Of course you'd say that." He strode over and sat beside her, leaning back against the cage.

Cana shook her head and looked at Kalia. The other brunette just smiled apologetically and went to sit on the other side of the cage. With a sigh, Cana turned to the conductor. "Looks like we're staying here for the trip back. Thanks, though."

The conductor sweatdropped and nodded as he left them.

Lucy blinked as a thought occurred to her. "Hey, Getsuga-san?"

The dragon opened an eye lazily. "Hm?"

"Gray said his mother's name was Mika…but how…?" Lucy tried to work out how to properly ask the question.

Getsuga snorted, huffing out a slight cloud of dark energy as she chuckled. "That would be the work of my husband. When I first met him, I knew that Getsuga was uncommon, if unheard of, for a female name and that it would easily lead my parents on my trail. So instead, I went by the name Mikage Getsuga. Silver had to be an idiot and be original…instead of calling me Kage-chan, he had to call me…Mika-chan…" She blushed under her scales, a faraway look in her eyes. "He said it made me sound more feminine."

Kalia sighed. "That's so swee-"

"I kicked his ass for it, telling him I don't need to sound like some pansy woman." The girls sweatdropped as Laxus barked out a laugh. "Didn't stop him from using it every chance he got so I just…let him." She sighed and rustled her wings a bit as she shifted them. "You know…he actually was trying to mimic Slayer magic to keep up with me. I guess he succeeded finally after Deliora." She smiled a bit.

Lucy winced, remembering what had become of the woman(dragon)'s husband. "…yeah…he did…"

Laxus gave her a look, slightly glaring and Lucy tried gesturing him to stay quiet. "Blondie, Gray said both his parents were killed, remember?" Lucy facepalmed as Getsuga's eyes shot open, staring at the two blondes.

"Silver is…dead?"

Lucy didn't know a reptilian face could look so…broken…at that news and was swiftly reminded of Azule and her loss several months back. She sighed and nodded. "…yes…"

Getsuga hung her head, eyes closed as silent tears slipped down her scaled cheeks. "Idiot…I had told him to take Gray and run…why couldn't he have listened to me…?" Her head rested on her forepaws as she grieved.

Lucy put a hand on the bars, about to reach in and comfort her, but Laxus put his hand over hers. "…let her. You shouldn't have tried lying to her."

Lucy shook her head, sadly looking away. "…I wasn't, not really…just not the whole truth since she wouldn't know. I just thought…that Gray should've been the one to tell her."

Laxus grunted and pulled her to him. "Get some sleep, Blondie, the flame head will be pestering you to bring back Igneel when we get back.

"I know…" Lucy sighed as she rested against him, curling into his side. "…I hope Seiryu will be fine in the spirit world for a while…"

"You're spirit's there with her, I'm sure she's fine, Luce." Cana called out from the other side.

Kalia sighed. "Let's just…get some rest…we didn't sleep on the hike back." She yawned widely. "Not all of us have nii-san's endurance…"

Cana grinned lewdly. "Hey, Luce, don't forget to share the details of that "endurance" once you test it out."

Lucy flushed hotly, Laxus smirking down at her. "Cana! I am so beating you when we get off this train for that…"

Cana laughed loudly, glancing at Getsuga as the dragon seemed to lighten slightly from the mood change.

"Judging by the scent I picked up, that won't be far off. Even if he is a pedophile." Purple eyes glared at Laxus.

Laxus froze and twitched. "I'm not a fucking pedophile." He growled out.

Kalia nodded. "Right, he only has eyes for Lu-chan, so he's a Lucy-phile."

Lucy sweatdropped. "Whatever happened to sleep?"

"The drunk ruined it by being a pervert." Laxus rolled his eyes.

"Pot calling the kettle." Cana smirked back.

A rumbling laugh filled the compartment, Getsuga throwing her head back. "Thank you…get some sleep, kids…I'll keep a look out."

The teens and one twenty year old settled back into comfortable positions and did as ordered.

The dragon shook her head, sorrow filling her eyes once more. [Gray…you've been on your own for so long…don't worry, Mama's coming back.] Her eyes narrowed in determination. [Skiadrum did show me that one move before…and he had been in a human-like form at the time…I can do this. Gray, Seiryu…I'll do this for you.] As the "kids" slept on, Getsuga began practicing.

Virgo patiently changed the bandage on the unconscious girl, careful to not disturb her wounds. Her blue eyes narrowed as space rippled behind her and she spun, settling into a fighting stance. A blonde man with deeply tanned skinned held his hands up, wearing nothing more than a white tunic with gold patterns along the edges. Orange-yellow wings folded up behind him, each feather giving off its own subtle light as a flame flickered within them. Gold armbands encircled each upper arm, glinting in the refracted light. Green eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Virgo! My dear maide-" Virgo cut him off, borrowing a certain move from her master. "Phoenix…my Princess has been looking for your key."

Phoenix rubbed his swollen cheek, hand glowing white as he healed it. "Mm, I'm aware. I've actually been conducting research on if I should let her find me." His gaze turned serious when he saw Seiryu. "What is a mortal doing here?"

Virgo stood defensively in front of her. "She is my charge until Princess gets to her guild for treatment."

Phoenix held his hands up. "I'm a healing spirit, despite my Fire alignment. Renewal, remember?"

Virgo still didn't lower her guard.

The blonde ran a hand through his spiked locks. "Let me see her. I can't do much without a master, but I should be able to minimize some of the critical areas. She won't make it otherwise and you know this." He glared at her slightly.

Virgo tensed and slowly moved to the side. "Princess wants you…so she won't lose anyone else. We told her of your abilities and you would be most useful in the coming fights ahead."

Phoenix walked over and knelt beside Seiryu, hovering glowing white hands over her. "I don't fight, Virgo…not anymore." He closed his eyes. "I won't be used like that again, and you know that…you were at my side then."

Virgo didn't remove her gaze from him. "…which is why I know that Princess will be good for you. You followed me before, you still follow me here, why will you not follow me when I recommend this owner?"

Phoenix opened his eyes and stood up. "I took care of the internal bleeding and mending the fractured spinal cord. She still needs to be moved carefully though or it could be undone." He turns away, stopping when the maid spirit grabbed his wrist, broken manacles clinging slightly in the still air.

"Phoenix…Eluriel."

Phoenix grit his teeth. "Virgo, I love you, but I know that you won't see me that way. Working beside you…I won't bear that pain again, especially when you still wear those things." He spread his wings and broke her grip, taking off of the Maiden's star.

Virgo stared after him, her neutral expression morphing to one of sorrow. "You still…won't forgive my mistake." She touched the manacle on her right wrist, tracing an engraving of a bird in flight. "…how can you when I still don't forgive myself. I don't deserve forgiveness…only punishment…" She turned back to her charge, pushing wistful thoughts of the other spirit from her mind.

Phoenix flew back to his roost of a star, desert sands spreading out over the expanse and trickling over into the space beyond. He sighed at the comfortable, unbearable to anyone else, heat and laid back in the sands. His eyes narrowed on the portrait painted in streaks of color in the "sky" above him.

"Lucy Heartfilia…what makes you so special that the entire Zodiac would stand behind you? That the King wouldn't punish you for touching the One Magic…why do you stand out among all the other Celestial Mages that came before you?" He clenched his fist as he felt the familiar pull of a summoning and forcefully kept his gate closed. "I won't be a tool…never again…"

On the other side of the Gate…a pale blue haired six year old gazed despondently at the second key to have rejected her. "I guess…I'm not supposed to be a Celestial Mage…" She sniffled and wiped at the tears. "I'm sorry, Daddy…I can't follow you…" Yukino Aguria crumpled to the floor and started bawling as disappointment and failure filled her. In front of her laid a gold and silver key, a coil of black metal encircled the gold key while the silver took the shape of an elegant tail curling up and coiling around a flame-shaped ruby, spread wings forming the teeth. She gathered up the keys. "I'll just hold these then…and remember you…" She nuzzled the cold metal, still sniffling.

Lucy sat up groggily, feeling someone shake her awake. She looked up and saw Laxus, Kalia and Cana already awakened by the conductor and Getsuga was-

The blonde shot up. "Where's Getsuga-san!?" She looked around wildly, barely noticing the…woman? Lucy blinked, examining the other presence with them.

Raven hair that glinted purple dimly hung down past her waist, almost nearing her knees. She was rather tall…easily a head or two taller than Lucy…black scales formed a triangular pattern on her cheeks that trailed down from slitted purple eyes…large black wings with translucent purple membranes…

Lucy gawked at the woman standing there with only Laxus' jacket covering her and a towel wrapped around her waist as a skirt. "G-Getsuga-san?"

She smirked. "I remembered Skiadrum taking a human form once and wanted to see if I could as well. I managed it. You guys were out the entire trip, you really pushed yourselves too much."

Cana was trying not to drool at the sight Getsuga provided. "For being a mom of two, you've definitely still got your figure."

The dragon-returned-human raised an eyebrow. "…I'll take that as a compliment. Now…let's go find my son and heal my daughter."

Laxus stared at her. "…you're going out like that?"

Getsuga gave him a dry look. "I'm not exactly human, I think they'll be more distracted by that than what I'm not wearing. I want my children back and in full health."

Kalia nodded, smiling. "I know Gray will love seeing you again."

Cana ribbed her friend, grinning slyly. "Yeah, since he gets to introduce his future wife to his mother."

Kalia blushed horribly, swatting at Cana in mortification. "Cana, please! We aren't, er…"

Getsuga smirked slightly. "It's alright, you'll make a wonderful daughter-in-law if your sleep-talking was any indication."

Kalia darted over behind Laxus and pressed her face to his back, trying to hide. "Nii-san…they're being mean to me!"

Lucy giggled at the banter, especially as Laxus started playing along and sparked "dangerously". "Alright, guys…let's get going. The sooner we get to the guild, the sooner Wendy can take care of Seiryu."

The group left the station. On the way to the guild hall, though, Getsuga's prediction proved mostly true…she was stared at for her lack of clothes first before her inhuman traits registered to distract them. When they entered the guild, Gray was sitting at one of the tables with Lyon, Juvia and Yuka, both ice boys looking to get ready for a brawl as their shirts were still drifting in the air as they glared at one another.

Getsuga twitched. "Gray Kuroshi Fullbuster! You put your shirt back on this instant!"

Gray froze, and not from Lyon's attack as they had gotten into fighting positions. He slowly turned his head, eyes wide in shock and disbelief, lips moving silently. "M-mom…mom?" He stood there, not moving an inch as he looked at Getsuga, a little older than he remembered…and so changed.

Getsuga stepped forward, awkwardly spitting out a bit of the fluff that lined Laxus' jacket that she had to wear backwards due to her wings. "I'm here, Gray…I'm not leaving again." She held her arms out.

The Ice Devil Slayer (in training) darted his eyes towards Lucy and Kalia, trying to comprehend that this wasn't some sick joke…not now that he knew his father was still, technically, alive from his memories of the future. His dark eyes took in the woman claiming to be his mother, noticing the scales that ridged over her knuckles and other portions of skin that were exposed. He took a step forward, mind still suspended in disbelief. Before he knew it, warm arms encircled him, pulling him into a soft, warm cushion.

[I…remember this…] "Mom…it really is you…"

Getsuga combed her fingers through the dark locks he got from his father. "I'm here, Gray…a little different, but I found my way back."

Laxus twitched slightly as he smelled salt and ice, knowing that it was Gray that was crying…and now staining his brand new jacket. He growled slightly and got a smack from Lucy before she went in further to find Wendy. Luckily the girl was present, with Mystogan and Siegrain both, and quietly pulled the girl away from them so she could inform her of the situation.

As they were heading up to the infirmary, Lucy was tackled in a hug, crushed to Gray's chest.

"G-Gray! What?"

Gray gave a look of sincerest thanks. "Thank you…I know that she won't always be around, since she's under your contract but…thanks for bringing my mom back…maybe you can save my dad too?" He looked at her hopefully.

Lucy shuffled awkwardly, aware of the guild now looking their way. "Gray…I didn't use the Dragon Star spell on your mom…that's actually her…"

Gray blinked. "What? But…" He turned back to his mother, who had her arms crossed uncomfortably.

"I…used too much magic against Deliora. I was a Dark Dragon Slayer, I…ended up in a state of hibernation as I underwent a drastic change. I only recently became aware and regained a human form."

Lucy gently pried Gray from her. "Talk to the other Dragon Slayers, Gray…they can tell you more until your mom is ready to actually tell you. I need to get to the infirmary though as your sister was hurt pretty bad in our fight-"

Gray turned back to her. "Sister? Fight? What are you talking about?"

Lucy winced. "Kalia, can you take care of this, please? I need to get Seiryu out of the spirit world before any negative effects happen."

Kalia walked up the stairs and gently tugged Gray away, heading to the ground floor. "Gray…come on, I'll tell you what happened."

Lucy felt guilty about the lost look his face. She took Wendy's hand.

"Lucy…what happened?"

"I'll explain in a bit." She took out Virgo's key. "Open, Virgo!"

The maid appeared with Seiryu on a stretcher. Lucy briefly caught the look on Virgo's face before shaking it off as her imagination, the maid was her usual self.

"Princess, a…fellow spirit intercepted me while in the spirit world. He did treat what he could before leaving so Miss Seiryu wasn't in as critical condition."

Wendy gasped and kneeled beside the teen. "What happened to her?!"

Lucy shifted awkwardly as the girl got to work. "…Laxus' fist and a cliff wall…"

"You fought her?!"

"She was the mission target! We didn't know that she was protecting Getsuga-san…" Lucy winced in guilt. She turned to Virgo. "Thanks for your help, Virgo…would you…that is…could you thank your friend for me, please?"

Virgo nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "I'm sure he would be glad to hear that, Princess."

Lucy smiled back, having a faint hunch on what spirit it may have been. "Tell him, that I'd be more than happy to thank him in person instead of sending a messenger if I had the chance."

Virgo's blue eyes shimmered briefly before they hardened to normal again. "Of course, Princess…I'm sure that will make him quite happy." [Phoenix…Lucy will be able to heal you of the scar you keep tearing open…I know it.]

BAM! CRACKLE! SNAP! CRUNCH! CRASH!

Lucy and Wendy both winced, the younger quickly recovering her focus.

"…I think Gray just got into a fight with Laxus…"

Virgo tilted her head. "Punishment, Princess?"

Lucy sighed. "Please go down and make sure they didn't kill each other…"

The spirit nodded and left the infirmary.

"Lucy…I won't be able to use Milky Way for a couple days after this." Wendy frowned as she drew in air for more magic. "Even with the help that spirit gave, these are still really extensive wounds."

Lucy nodded. "I understand, Wendy, Natsu will just have to understand. He can wait another two days." She smiled at her. "As for Grandeeney…I may be able use the Dragon Star spell without Milky Way so long as you're using some form of Sky Dragon Slayer magic."

Wendy nodded as she continued healing. "Okay."

Lucy waited and watched as Seiryu slowly started regaining some color. [Fairy Tail really is a home…it's led to so many reunions lately.] She smiled. [Maybe, Gray…maybe we can bring your dad home, too.]

Far away from Fairy Tail…a dark head lifted to the darkening sky, fingertips coming up to brush an old scar of a bite mark on his neck. "Mika…?" He gazed sorrowfully at the family that lay dead at his feet, covered in ice. "…wait a little longer, it won't be long until I can rejoin you and Gray…and we can watch over Seiryu together." His gaze grew more dark as he walked towards a looming, twisted castle. "…home? …not my home." He entered the doors as vermin began to desecrate the corpses he left behind.

"Ahh, Silver…welcome home." A low mutter echoed in the empty hall.

Silver glared up the current source of his misery, the skeleton priest "looking" down on him like an insect. "Keith. Mission complete. I'm heading to my room."

As he walked up the stairs and passed the Black Priest, he stalled as the Etherion began muttering again.

"I heard a strange rumor from the West…apparently a group of S-Class was sent out to take care of an Ice Witch, using two staffs for her attacks. What a pity the girl didn't survive and her body wasn't found…Seiryu Fullbuster would have made an interesting experiment." Dark holes bored into the resurrected Devil Slayer.

Silver felt his heart freeze, if it could even still beat. "Seiryu…"

A low chuckle filled the hall. "North of Mt. Hakobe, I think. A team from the guild Fairy Tail, if I'm not mistaken."

Silver clenched his fists. "Fairy Tail…" He headed into his room and locked the door. [A temporary target for my revenge…Fairy Tail…] He punched the wall, glaring into nothing as frost covered his room. "You'll pay…for taking away my daughter's chance of life…"

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Lucy: Wow…getting heavy now…
SSD: Right? Gray may be…errr. oh boy…
Lucy: You just realized the mindset you left in Silver, didn't you?
SSD: …yes…
Lucy: Well…next few chapters will be interesting…right?
SSD: Yeah…oh man…this is going to be a train wreck…don't forget to review/favorite/follow, guys! I'll see you all next week, probably if not sooner. I'll probably end up writing a kind of prequel for this based on the Celestial Spirits, since I have the End Game planned out…it'll probably throw a few of you for a loop. But still, Bye!