Author's Note: Hey guys! So…super long time…figured you deserved a super long chapter…with a twist? Either way, so funny story, I woke up in the middle of the night with my boyfriend glaring at me. When I asked him, what was wrong he said "Write. Why you never write the chapter! You had another reviewer today ask you why! No more kisses until you write!" So…here I am…not gonna lie…I love his kisses…and it was about time. I have written a few chapters ahead and I need to get back into the swing of posting a chapter ever couple weeks. So now that he lit a fire under my ass, literally he was literally going to do it, I need to get back to writing this!

So a lot of things have happened in my life that kinda had put a damper on me updating such as work crisis with dangerous situation, moving, finances, and your good old buddy depression. So yeah…I know I suck. Anyway, it has kinda put a hinder on my inspiration for this work, but like I said I have been trying to get ahead of the curve and write a head…just sitting down to type it up while having a kid at work threatening to pop off if you don't sing them to sleep kinda puts a damper on my creative outlet. Either way wanted to communicate the hinderances and that I promise to finish this! And no, where are nowhere near done. If anything, this chapter might be the halfway point (finally!).

I also want to give a quick shout out to my best friend Sanshi Love (author), she has asked me to help collaborate a story with her. So, while I am writing this story, I am also working on a second story and helping her out. It is called Chasing Stars if anyone is interested and want to read our work. It is a Bulma Vegeta one from the anime Dragonball Z. So, if you like my attention to detail to this one, you should also check that story out as well.

So, while I have been busy with life, I have been also looking for new music for my chapters. I stumbled upon my good ol' friend Kesha and fell in love with her new album. I listened to Good Old' Days by Macklemore Feat. Kesha and felt that this song fit the chapter. I hope that you will give it a listen and enjoy the work. While you are at it, leave a review so we can both fangirl together the twist that is gonna happen later! I hope you all enjoy it!

Better Than It Was

~Chapter Forty-Nine~

Lucy watched her daughter sit on the ship railing with her legs dangling over the sides with her face upturned towards the sky in a thoughtful expression. Not too far off they had spotted the isles coming into view. The three large islands were not far off the ship. One could hear seagulls calling out in a welcome of new sailors coming into ports, while other ships left. It was a large trading port, if not the largest, with a variety of large mountains that rose from the sea and people that lived there. The mother watched the trade winds gently go through her daughter's long lock as it shimmered in the afternoon sun. Excitement in her eyes as they were only getting closer by the second to port. The twin was playing behind her in their game of sword fighting with two mops they found on deck as Happy plopped down by Luna's side as they began to have a conversation about what kinds of fish are the best to catch in the ocean.

"Lu-chan, are you spacing out again?" Spoke up an amused tone next to her. Blink, the woman in question turned to her best friend.

"Sorry. I have a lot on my mind lately…"

"Yeah, we get you." Spoke up the unfazed captain while she took another swig of her mysterious, alcoholic beverage. Levy gave an even look as this was the fifth drink and it wasn't even that long into the afternoon.

"You might want to cut back before seeing your Dad, don't you think?"

"Hey, you don't tell me how to live my life and I don't tell you how to use condoms. Your kids are eating me out of ship and home. They have broken at least 3 of my mops with their adventures of being pirates." The dark-haired woman slurred her words teasingly.

"Come on Cana, why'd you have to take it there?" The celestial mother intervened with shaking her head. She gave her best friend a sympathetic look.

"My babies are not that bad." Unfortunately, she was met with her pair of friends giving her an unapologetic stare. "Oh, come on!"

"Levy, hate to remind you, but they ARE Gajeel's kids."

"Lucy!"

"Heh, nice one Luce!"

"Not a word Cana! And, you know, Luna isn't that innocent either!"

"Well duh! She is Flame Ass's kid! I mean, don't get me wrong that damn if she isn't as cute as a button, but let's call it what it is: She is a hellion. Doesn't she probably get it from him with all her fire antics? As far as bad influences go, She has Levy's kids beat when they play their little pirate games."

"Cana!"

"You know Cana, you do make a very valid point." Smugly the blue hair script mage sipped on her tropical drink.

"Hey!"

"Looks like we need more drinks and food."

"This isn't a contest to see who can get drunk the quickest."

"Who said anything about a competition? I am getting drunk with my two really good friends."

"Says the one insulting our children?"

"Dunno, know why you two had babies anyway? You both used to be wilder before then."

"And this would be my cue to go find Natsu." Lucy finished her drink with a few sips before setting it down.

"Ooh, off for some afternoon delight?" The captain wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Contrary to your devices Cana, I was only going to touch bases with my husband about what our plan was once we arrived at your home."

"Uh huh, sure, whatever you have to say. We both know exactly what you are going to 'discuss'." The bluenette chimed in.

"Not you too." She sighed annoyed. By now the two women were in a fit of giggles while she gotten up and went in search of her mate. She hadn't need to wander long as she found him in the dining cabin for his daily treatment from Wendy for his motion sickness. Carla wasn't far from her partner as she sat slightly annoyed at the table watching him get healed. Neither paid no mind to the pure white exceed as they both seemed to be more interested in catching up with their conversation. It appeared the tween was beyond her years of being quite useful. They were idly chatting about her studies and how far advanced she had become under her mother's lessons. Her mate watched fondly from the doorway while her mind was recalling memories of more than several years ago. She reminisced about the times she was first introduced to his cousin. She recalled being so terrified back in those days. She had been such a naïve thing from the darkness of her years of slavery and Wendy had been one of the kindest of her friends. Her soft smile only deepened as she thought back to how Natsu explained how there was a deal struck to meet her and that led to them all being so close. This dragoness helped her more times than she could count. Even now, the sky girl was putting her and her mother's lives in jeopardy for their sakes; and all for what?

Everyone believed in their cause; that was a fact. But she wasn't blind to the notion that they were all sacrificing great many things for what is right, and she would never forget that. Their costs would not be in vain, and she had made up her mind a long time ago that she would pay back it at least one hundred-fold. But the debt they had racked up over the years was quite a bit; not that anyone would ask for any form of payback for what they aided. Regardless, she owed it to them all to meet their expectations.

"Luce?" Asked the surprised tone of the Prince of Dragons. Both him and the girl were facing her.

"It is rude to linger, you know." Carla stated boldly.

"Sorry, I didn't want to interrupt." She sheepishly moved into the dining cabin fully.

Wendy rolled her eyes at the Exceed whom was shaking her head in disapproval. Without waiting for his healer to stop, Natsu stood and move towards his mate's side. With his warm embrace, he gathered her in his arms and pulled her close to his chest. "Don't mind Carla. You should be fine until tomorrow as usual" Wendy giggled at watching her affection cousin kiss his wife's temple. Even after all these years, they still appeared deeply in love.

"Thank you, Wendy. You are the best." He murmured against the love of his life. Lucy couldn't seem to push the man away as he was warming her heart with his affections.

"We will take our leave." Quietly, the girl and her companion, left the holding couple. Being left behind, she allowed her lover to nestle against her as she cradled him.

"What's wrong hunny?"

"Tell me everything is going to be alright?"

Blinking, his beloved looked at him with a perplexed complexion of curiosity, but then softened in realization. "More than alright, Natsu. I promise, we will be more than alright. We are, after all, among friends."

"I thought everything would have been more difficult…"

"Life's funny that way."

"You would never leave me?"

"Not sure where this is coming from, but my love, I will never leave you. I will always be on your side. We will always be together. So long as you love me, we can get through anything-even your crazy ass brother."

"…I never thought Zeref could be capable of this…"

"Doesn't surprise me. You chose his enemy over his side. To him, I guess, we are just traitors now."

"He's the real traitor." Bitterness seeped out of his tone with no hint of hiding. He gazed sternly at her shoulder as his grip only held onto her tighter.

"Guess it is all a matter of perspective."

"Perspective or not, he went after my friends and my family. He's lucky I didn't fucking kill him right then and there. I almost did…"

"Why didn't you…?" Ever so gently her hands crept up to his cheeks and turned him to look at her with deep concern swimming her in warm amber of orbs. Emotions surfaced that contained concern and curiosity. Her palms felt soft against his worried features; a small comfort that he sought to bring him peace in his storming mind.

It took a moment or two for him to summon up the courage to ask the question weighing heavily on his tongue, "…Could you kill your family to save me?" It came out in barely an audible whisper. His gaze couldn't seem to find its way to reach her as he took this moment to cower before seeing the disappointment in her beautiful eyes. He heard her take a sharp intake of breath at the stung of the question and just what he asked her. It wasn't completely out of the question to ask and didn't he deserve an answer to know? She still held onto him; still refused to let him go. But she didn't answer right away. The pregnant pause in the room made him even more nervous by the second. Did he cross a line? Did he ask for something too much? It was agonizing to not know what exactly what going on that head of hers.

"I…I understand it and I hope you don't think I blame you. I could never blame you Natsu; not ever. You did the best decision regardless of the outcome. This is our family by blood; no matter what he says or do. He has his reasons for wanting me dead and you have yours for keeping me alive. I don't think we will ever see eye to eye because we don't even have the answers of our pasts; and I don't think we ever will. So, if he is killed or not by your hand I want you to know that I trust you completely. That fact will never change."

"And what if my decisions separate us? Destroys us and everything we built to protect? What if- "

"Shh, shh enough talking like that." She made him face her with her divine hands and captured his lips with her own. This had silenced the storm for just but a moment. After that brief reprieve, the concern was evident on his features.

"No sense in worrying about what might be or could have been. If anything, we only punish ourselves twice. We are together, alive, and we have our friends beside us. That is enough for now; that is good enough for now. Anything else will be crossed when we come up to it. But until then, lets focus on the baby steps ahead of us." Lucy could only gently smile in the storm she could see. Usually she was the worrying one and he was the rock. It wasn't odd to think that the roles were reversed. She didn't mind being his rock since they were partners. Natsu rarely let her know what was troubling him as he always appeared carefree and eager to be strong for his family. So, when times like this, when he appeared overwhelmed, she knew she needed to be there for him.

"Gods I love you, sensible woman." He stole yet another kiss.

"We will be alright." She tenderly reassured once more. She tightened her grip around him as they were pressed so closely together. The sexual tension almost crackled around them. It had felt like ages since they were this intimate without their baby around them. She pulled him close and gave him as much comfort as he sought out. She had goosebumps from where his lips were gently caressing her supple neck and resting on her shoulder. Her hands rubbed his strong back with her calming hands.

"Tell me we are gonna see the Old Man soon?"

"Pretty soon actually. We have begun to reach port and I believe we can almost see Cana's house. So, I am fairly certain we will be arriving in a couple hours."

She felt him peek an eye up at her. "This is your first time seeing this place, isn't it?"

"Luna too. She has been pestering Happy all morning about everything about this adventure." Her mate straightened himself as she smiled at him coyly. He did not release her however.

"I am sure she will still be excited to see Gramps." He smirked.

"Don't let Gildarts catch you calling him that." She chuckled lightly.

~Shore~

Accurate to the Celestial Queen's estimate, the ship had docked port. They were greeted by the island's strongest men and, of course, Cana's beloved father. Still as gruff and ruggedly handsome; Gildarts stood proudly with his arms crossed and that cocky smirk on his expression. The female captain was the first to descend from the ship while she led her group of companions in her confident stride to the safety of the land. She approached him in her strong confidence and stood before him with her chin jutted out and eyes matching his.

"You know, I specifically remembered telling you before this trip to be on your best diplomatic behavior. I think my words were 'to keep yourself out of trouble'?"

"Well yeah, but you should have known better than to trust me on that Old Man."

The group watched the King of the Isles shake his head in feign disappointment, "Seriously Cana, can't you come up with anything better than that term?"

"With all due respect Gildarts, Zeref finally pulled the trigger on this one." Levy spoke up.

"It seems we got our letter of declaration of war the same time Panther Lily showed up on my doorstep. It seems your brother made it exceedingly clear that I was to turn over your family within the week, or it would be a war for all. It doesn't take it a scholar to figure out where your brother is heading towards. He wants to siege if his justice is not served."

Lucy felt her hand was squeezed by the small hold of her little girl by her side. She peered down to see her daughter looking up from her gown that she clung to. Her mate moved towards her other side subconsciously. It seems her little family were seeking her comfort in this moment. She peered to those around her to notice their anxious glances. Suddenly the tension among the group was broken up by the child female twin.

"No one is going to hurt my friend!" She declared.

"Alex is right! Luna, we are gonna protect you!" Steel turned to his cowering friend with his face a familiar determination. His own father smirked proudly at his children's boldness. From the mouths of babes, the whole group suddenly felt relaxation sweep through them all. It just took children's logic to remember that no matter the force that threatened them; they would never back down.

"I think your son said it best Gajeel. C'mon kiddos, it seems we might be late if we keep standing around." The ruler chuckled as he turned to walk back to his own men.

"Everyone is here, Old Man?" The Dragon Prince spoke surprised.

"That is what I said, isn't it?" Their gracious host continued to lead the traveling group to their awaiting carriages. It didn't take them all to grasp what the prince had confirmed as they all were quickly loaded and headed towards Cana's home. A large castle on the highest part of the main island. Like many times in the Celestial Queen's life, she found herself awestruck by new surroundings. She may have traveled to different places, but nothing was quite like the place her friend Cana came from. An island surrounded by other smaller isles in the middle of the ocean. It was a huge trading post that she had been told, but what amazed her with how friendly, and normal the people were. Sure, her drunken friend may have been an outlier, but it was something else to see happy people trading and young children running around. No one knew of the threat that was on the horizon. That is when it weighed on her mind. There was a great possibility of war. None of these people have been through traumatic experiences, much less seen battle. Her young life may have started that way and into her slavery, but these past, recent years she had found peace. Sure, her life was hidden, but there was peace in that. The queen looked from her window to her small child curled against her side and looking out to the same landscape. Were they truly ready for this?

With a small hand she reached up and pet her child's locks and their eyes met. It pained her heart to know that under that curiosity, there was concern. She offered a warm smile. "Nothing to worry about Luna. Leave this to us. You and your friends are going to be more than alright." She warmly spoke. It amazed her that just a smile word and the worry melted from her little girl. She watched as Luna returned her carefree gaze back to watching the moving world around her. However, she missed her parents exchange different glances and her mate looking at her.

One of the more happier sights to see for the crowd to see was the younger children being reunited with their oldest child of their own group. Old friends greeted each other as all gathered to embrace one another. Friends from Yukino and Minerva hugging Juvia and Lucy. Sting and Rogue getting into the rumble between the three Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel. The fight was short lived however, as Erza had come and ended up using her infinite number of swords to chase them all around. It was a sight of a reunion of children all talking excited to the women rejoicing and almost in tears catching up and the men all rough housing. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits with laughter radiating from the group. Wendy and her mother were conversing with Jellal and the exceeds while the children were near by coming up to join the conversation themselves.

"Cana, why not help me show our guests where they can freshen up?" The voice of the heiress's father called out from the front of the steps.

"OI! YOU LOT! Follow me unless you want to sleep on the decks! Sting, Rogue! Grab your group! You are first!" The drunken woman seemed to sober up and took charge as she began to group everyone and having them all follow her. It had taken most of the afternoon for all to get settled in their own suites and take in the sights. Natsu had to practically stop his child from sneaking out the door every so often as they were getting ready for dinner later to go visit with her best friend.

"Luna, you will see them all soon enough."

"But Papa!" His daughter whined.

"Natsu, why not let her go."

"Because, someone needs a bath." His sensitive nose pointed in the direction of their pouting child.

"You heard him Luna. You need to get ready."

"But dinner isn't-"

"The sooner you get ready, the sooner I will personally take you to see Storm." She rationalized. Both her parents never seen that child move so fast in their lives as she bolted towards the restroom.

"That was easy." Her mate chuckled.

"She is just as bad as you."

"No way. She gets her impatience from you." He chuckled as he approached his wife and took her hand into his. "You sure you are doing alright?"

"Not really. But I don't want you and Luna to worry so much."

"Luce, since when do we keep secrets?"

"It isn't really a secret as taking in this situation." She watched his eyes narrow in realization.

"You aren't blaming yourself again?"

"How can I not? This whole situation has my hand in it. If I-"

"I won't hear any of this Luce. You are not to blame for how my brother is handling this. You and Luna did nothing wrong but just live. And, it is my responsibility to handle this."

"Natsu, we are talking war here. How many innocent people are going to get caught up in this?"

"That is Zeref's problem, not ours."

"Call it what you want, but this isn't on just his hands. Our friends, those people, and events that will happen will be on all of us."

"Then I rather share it with only you. I am sorry Luce you feel that you need to be responsible, but I won't apologize for protecting my family and feeling honored my friends want to help us. We all know what is at stake here. You would have to be a fool to think otherwise. The best way to honor us all is to focus on who the real enemy is here."

"But at what cost?"

"Think of it this way, how many more lives will continue to be lost if my brother got his way?" Her mate placed a tender kiss upon her neck and pulled her close to him.

"Natsu."

"It doesn't make me feel any better that there is a possibility that we are going to war either. But I will never put you in that kind of danger again. I will not lose you or Luna. I will destroy this entire world if anyone comes between that ever again. You are precious to me; you and Luna. And our friends. The rest of the world could burn for all I care."

"You shouldn't think like that." He watched his mate face him and wrap her arms around his shoulders while she rested her head over his heart.

"We shouldn't think a lot of things. But that is the nature of the beast I am afraid. But take comfort that we aren't alone. That our friends are fighting right by our side, and for me, that is all I ever need."

"I know that…but I think of children as small as Luna who may not have been lucky to have you in their lives being a possible sacrifice of getting caught up in this. How far could that be?"

"It isn't, and the best way to repay that is when this is all over, then we will make sure this never happens again. We will change how things are. No slavery, no running, and everyone has a voice."

"Could such a future like that exist?"

"With us in charge, and our friends with support, I like to think so. We need to change how things are for not just her future, but for the future of everyone else. Luce, a war with my brother is a terrible thing, but something I am more than willingly to accept full responsibility for if that means that Luna's future is secure. Can't you say the same?"

"Doesn't mean I like it any better."

"No, doesn't mean we have to like it. But I will protect both of your futures at all cost." He looked back and stared back into her own eyes with his fierce conviction.

"Natsu Dragneel, you are quite the force to be reckoned with when your heart is set on something."

"I made you my mate, didn't I?" He chuckled darkly and leaned down to capture his lips with her own. A pleasing moan escaped her lips as the inner beast in him chuckled while he pulled her close to him. "In all seriousness Lucy, I promise that no matter what course happens, I will do my best to help fix all the wrongs that happen."

"We will do it together." She gently kissed his lips briefly this time.

"Gross!" Came a voice from the doorway as they heard their little girl come out dressed and ready to head to dinner. She had come to the sight of her parents embracing each other.

"You are right Luna, very gross. Now, don't ever do this with boys." Her father removed himself from her mother and went to scoop up his daughter in his arms and put her on his shoulders. He heard her giggle.

"No Papa! Boys have cooties!"

"That is right! Boys do have cooties! So, no gross kissy, kissy stuff!" He rejoiced with her. He caught his mate's eye as she folded her arms and rolled her eyes at how childish her mate had become.

Escorting his family to the dining hall, they had met up with the large number of guests that had came all the way from the four corners of the world to be with them all in this moment. The hall echoed with merry talk and bustling conversation as there was plenty of meal to go around and endless drinking that Cana and her personal crew took into consideration. It was a lovely moment to come together and catch up with new and old friends alike. Lucy had found herself conversing with most of the women, especially Erza and Yukino as both were excited to talk about Luna and life living in the palace before Zeref's discovery; especially about how Natsu finally came around to letting Luna know that he was her father. Natsu had found himself almost rough housing and insulting Gray most of the night while both drank with the others. Even though their conversation may appear harsh, one couldn't miss the fact of how close they sat and exchanged their own silent conversation as they caught up with Gildarts and Sting. Shortly after the meal, Wendy offered to watch the children while the rest of the group headed towards Gildarts's personal warring room. Sting and his group ended up by a bench by one of the walls. Lucy and her mate sat next to Gray and Juvia near the end of the long table while Gildarts, Grandine, and his daughter on the opposite end. On the left side of the table was Erza and her husband Jellal and across sat Levy and Gajeel. By the window sill sat the three Exceeds enjoying the fresh breeze from the ocean and the moonlight. Lastly, in the darkest corner of the room leaned the head of Cana's personal fleet of ships; a drunkard that sat close to Cana the entirety of dinner-a man named Baccuas.

Gildarts had already begun the meeting by recounting the past few days, Zeref's discovery, and the endless problems that would go with their future for those that may have not been communicated. Once everyone had been informed and caught up on the current events, many of the ideas had been thrown around the group to be analyzed and criticize for their next course of action. Mostly it was Jellal and Juvia that remained silent throughout the process while the dragons and Erza were more outspoken. Gildarts, Grandine, and Lucy attempted to keep peace while Levy and Gray only spoke with logical reason.

"Alright! Enough!" Cana hit her mug on the table to silence the room. "We need to actually start planning something concrete guys and stop bickering among ourselves! We all know that every second we spend here arguing is another minute that, that fucker gets closer to us!"

With the threat of the real enemy hanging over them, the room suddenly had become quiet. "I have an idea." Jellal, the once unspoken man, appeared to be the first to speak.

"Let's hear it." Levy encouraged.

"As it seems, we all have a position to play. If you will allow me, I have gone over the best options for everyone, but I will need all your best support."

"You have it." Both Natsu and Gray spoke in unison.

"You may not like it." The calculating eyes warned as the man stared at the two determined fathers down.

"It cannot hurt to hear what Jellal has to warn?" Juvia also spoke up.

"We need to separate again; and ideally before morning light. Zeref knows our location and roughly an idea of whom are now his real enemies. The element of surprise is no longer to our benefit. All we have is time and a few hours left to decide."

"Alright, so we separate to who knows where?" Gildarts, rarely somber as he is, agreed. Already the group as at an uneasy stillness as they now all dreaded the plan that may keep them all away when they just so recently reunited; and what is worse, may end up killing them in this upcoming, inevitable war. The tattooed man looked around the room with his unreadable expression before he spoke, "I don't like to see any of us separated as there is strength in numbers, but our strengths are needed elsewhere. This is my plan based on each of us all. Erza and I will continue to protect the Celestial Kingdom and make it a refugee point until we can transport people to Erza's father kingdom in the desert. We know the lay of the land and our best armies now reside there. It will be a place of sanctuary. Does anyone object to this?" With nods of agreement, the resourceful man continued, "Gray?"

"Yes?"

"As King of the North, you are under obligation to not only protect it, but to aid your allies?"

"That is correct."

"Then I will need you and Gajeel to be stationed there. Zeref may hit either of us first, and we need to be prepared to have the other's back for when he does strike."

"Juvia and Storm will-"

"I'll get to you in a second Juvia." Jellal cut her off. The Water Queen looked almost taken aback from the sudden interruption, but a hand over hers quieted her before she spoke again from her husband. They eyed each other and returned their attention back to the meeting at hand.

"The North and the Celestial kingdoms will be no longer safe, and we should start having those who wish asylum to head towards the Celestial kingdom for transport. Can we all agree to this?" Again, with everyone's agreement, he continued, "I am afraid there are other important positions that need to be happening at the same time." At this, he turned his sights to those sitting on the bench. "Sting, Rogue, you both are needed more than ever. We will need to access your network and your spying skills to infiltrate Zeref's war. You both know him better than any of us now; especially with his future plans that may come up. After all, you very well be the critical key to our success and our survival. Will you both do this for us?"

"Count us in! I am dying to stick it to that prick!" Sting gloated proudly.

"You have our support. Let's make Zeref pay."

"Thank you both. Now Gildarts," The man of the hour turned to their host, "You and these ladies," He motioned to both Yukino and Minerva, "will be staying here and defending the seas against Zeref. This will put us all in a position to corner him towards his own kingdom and push back his advances."

"What about the rest of us?" Lucy spoke out.

"I am still figuring that out…right now the rest of you need the most protection and there really isn't a place that is the safest-"

"Ah, then I might have a solution that you don't." Sting interrupted smugly. All eyes turned towards the group by the wall as he pulled out an envelope from his chest.

"What is that?" Gajeel gruffly asked on behalf of the group.

"Our good friend Lisanna." Rogue replied.

"Lisanna?" The Prince of Dragons inquired almost shocked.

"What does she write?" Erza, the warrior woman, urgently demanded.

With that, String reopened the letter ad begun to read aloud,

Hello Everyone! I had gotten word that we all need to meet up at Gildarts' for an emergency meeting? I am sorry that I couldn't be there in person as there is business with my siblings in Fiore.

"Did she say Fiore?" Lucy cried out most shocked of all.

"That would be correct. It appears her older sister was engaged to marry a young man in Empress Mavis' court. A skillful and talented electric dragon named Laxus." Practically the whole room was floored by this news.

"How strong is he! I wanna fight him!" Natsu proclaimed loudly.

"Oi! Can it psycho! The Strauss siblings are in enemy territory! Our fucking problems got a hell of a lot worse!" Cana threw her empty bottle at the excited man.

"Maybe not. Let Sting finish." Minerva grabbed everyone's attention once more. Sting cleared his throat once again and picked up where the letter last left off,

There is only one reason to call everyone to meet up. Tell Natsu and Lucy that I am so sorry for not being there in person to help. I hope my prayers are answered and that everyone reached the Isles safely. I might have a solution to help aid however. Tell Natsu and Lucy that I have personally met with Empress Mavis on this matter. She wishes to extend asylum for the Dragneel's and all our friends. I have told her about everyone; especially Lucy. I hope you won't think I am mad to go to her as Zeref claimed her enemy, but I trust her, and she knows more than we could ever imagine. I won't write them as this letter could get seen by unwanted eyes or end up in the wrong hands. But I must plead with you all; please come. Natsu, Lucy, anyone that wishes to journey with them. I also must implore you not to judge Empress Mavis on the orders of Zeref. If we had followed him then Lucy would have been killed to begin with. I believe she has everyone's best interests at heart. She has so much precious information to share that could clear everything up. To give you an idea, specifically, Igneel and Lucy's parents. Hopefully that can prove that she is trustworthy. We look forward to your response and will welcome anyone who makes their way here. All my best, -Lisanna

An unsettling hush blanketed the group. It seemed all attention found their way back to the Dragneel couple; both wore matching grim expressions.

"I am going. If this Empress knows anything about my Dad or anything about Luce's parents; then she is right. That is enough reason to go."

"I agree with Natsu. She offered safety when she could have sent a fleet instead to kill us all." His mate agreed.

"What if this is a trap?" Levy cautioned.

"Lisanna is with them. She wouldn't give us her word for just anyone." Erza countered.

"Unless it was forced." Gildarts took a drink of his own liquor.

"I know Lisanna. She wouldn't fake something like this with such sincerity. I believe in her. It is a chance we need to take a gamble on." The stubborn Dragon Prince wasn't deterred.

"But you would risk everyone's innocent lives? Your family lives?" Jellal spoke.

"We aren't asking anyone to join if they don't want to, but Natsu and I are going with our daughter. This seems like the safest bet."

"It would put everyone out of harms way." Cana shrugged.

"What would be the alternative?" Yukino asked.

"They could stay here?" Gildarts offered, "But it wouldn't be safe."

"So, who wants to come with us?"

"Juvia and Storm will."

"Then I will with the twins." Levy joined despite the unhappy look her mate was giving her.

"Wendy and I as well. We will be able to heal anyone and provide safety."

"Where Natsu and Lucy go, I will go as well." Happy spoke from the window.

"Sounds like everyone's in agreement." Gajeel grumbled with tight, folded arms.

"Juvia, are you sure this is the right plan for both you and our son? You could take him back to your mother's?"

"Where Luna goes, Storm I am sure will follow. Juvia would like to meet this Empress too. Besides, Lucy is Juvia's friend and Juvia won't abandon her friends; like Gray doesn't abandon his friends.

"When do we leave?" Cana asked on behalf of those traveling.

"How soon can you all be?" Jellal replied. This set the tone for the meeting. It was all agreed upon that there would be no time to rest. Without a pinpoint of Zeref's location, time was no longer on anyone's side. Sting sent the reply back to Lisanna as everyone broke into their respective groups. After a quick loading of the ship they had been traveling on, quickly lovers and families spoke final partings to their loved one with promises of safe returns and new adventures to go on. A tearful farewell and ships heading off in different directions; a new chapter, a critical turning point was beginning as it appeared in their lives. Natsu stood by his wife as they peered out to the endless blue shimmering by the light of the full moon in the sky.

"Do you think we made the best decision?" She eyed him out of the corner of her gaze.

"Nah, we are just taking another step closer to discovering the truth." He gently kissed her locks and pulled her closer in his embrace.

"The truth, huh?"

"Think of it this way Luce, we get to go on another adventure together. Whatever comes our way, we always handle things."

"For some reason, I am actually excited." She gave him a bright smile as the ship continued to sail to their unknown future towards the Kingdom of Fiore.