Millianna flapped her wings harder, pushing herself to bring the letter that Natsu had handed her before even opening the one she had brought him quickly to her friend. When she heard of Acnologia's defeat and the scattering of the mages, she excitedly jumped up and down, knowing that Lucy would be thrilled to hear it as well. Other members of Natsu's family and Levy had letters for her to take too, but she knew Natsu's was the letter Lucy would be wanting to read first.

She had been flying hard for five days and she could already see Fairy Tail coming into view! Millianna would stop there for a few minutes to get some food and then she would push onward. Landing in front of the door, she changed into her usual form before walking inside. There she saw Lucy sitting at a table, having just been left alone there by Yajima who went to get her some food. The guild was empty accept for the two of them and Makarov, both having stayed behind in order to keep helping any magical beings that passed their way, though that was just one or two every week or so now.

Lucy was lost in thought, looking down at the scale in her bracelet and not for the first time was she tempted to use it. She missed being high up in the sky, riding a Pegasus like the one she used to come here today just wasn't the same, nor did it bring the thrill that it used to. Her thoughts were interrupted as Millianna called out "Lucy!"

Turning towards the Werecat, Lucy exclaimed "Millianna! You're back faster than normal, is everything alright?" Millianna nodded and said "Here." Lucy took the letter that Millianna had pulled from her bag and saw Natsu's handwriting. She smiled, she couldn't wait to read it and she had a feeling Millianna knew that. As Yajima and Makarov joined the two girls at the table, Lucy opened the letter and read. Her gasp of delight caught the attention of the two males as Millianna dug into the food that Yajima had brought her when he spied her coming through the door.

"They've beat Acnologia!" Lucy exclaimed, causing the two Brownies to jump up and down on their seats. "Keep reading." Millianna said around the food in her mouth. Lucy did so and let out a happy cry as she said, "Levy and Gajeel are finally going to get married and they want me to come out if possible!" Lucy shoveled a few bites of Yajima's cooking into her mouth to keep from hurting his feelings, but the Brownie wouldn't have been, for he could see how excited she was.

She then stood and said "I'm going to go home and tell everyone the good news!" Millianna said "Hold up, I'll be right there!" She pulled a letter from her bag and handed it to Makarov, who recognized the handwriting of his grandson, Laxus, and nodded his thanks to Millianna. The Werecat then followed Lucy outside, who was preparing the Pegasus for flight. Soon the two girls were in the sky and headed for Magnolia.

XXX

Lucy landed the Pegasus at the farm she borrowed it from and picked up Millianna before running towards the town. Upon reaching the gates, she slowed to a more graceful pace, though she still quickly made her way home. Upon arriving, she called out for her family and said "I'm back and I have letters!" The Heartfilias gathered around and each were given their letters. Lucy silently read the one Levy had sent her, extending an invitation to her wedding to both Lucy and her family.

Layla smiled as she looked up from her letter and said "Grandeeney wants us to visit her." "We've been invited to my friends', Levy and Gajeel, wedding!" Lucy announced. The women of the family started talking excitedly as Jude read his from Igneel. His dragon friend suggested that they may want to bring some form of protection with them, for while the mages were scattered there was no telling if they wouldn't try to follow Acnologia's original plan and steal Layla's scale.

Jude rose and said "While you see to the packing, I'm going to take some advice from Igneel and see if there is anyone willing to go with us to offer us some form of protection." Layla nodded at her husband and said "Why don't you stop by my mother's and ask her? She always seems to know who to ask about things." Jude nodded and Millianna excused herself to get some rest, it had been a long couple of days and she was ready for a soft bed before she would be sleeping on the ground for a while.

Lucy followed her father out and asked to join him, to which he of course agreed. Anna's house was just a few feet away so it didn't take long at all for father and daughter to reach it. The entered her house after she greeted them at the door and Lucy was surprised to see Hisui, Arcadios and Yukino were all there as well. "I'm glad you came Lucy, I was just about to send for you." Anna said.

Jude quietly stood by as Lucy asked "Is something wrong?" Hisui stood and went to her friend and said "No, nothing is wrong. It's just that I have to go home for a while and we were discussing what would be done about classes. I don't want to miss any, but I also can't bring Anna or any of you with me as it's a matter of state." Lucy smiled and said "We might just have a solution to that! My rescuers, as you all know, ended up being old friends of my parents. They have invited my family and I out to visit them and another friend I made there has invited me to their wedding. Why don't we all take a little break from our classes to attend to what we need to and go visiting?"

Hisui beamed at this suggestion, though she turned to Yukino and asked "Will this work for you?" Yukino softly replied "Oh yes, I'm sure I can find lots of things to do here." Lucy knew how lonely Yukino was, as her sister was away visiting friends of hers for the summer. "Why don't you come with us Yukino? I'm sure the Dragneels won't mind and you and I could work on our magic some." Lucy offered.

Anna beamed at this suggestion and Yukino accepted. While all the girls talked about their plans and Arcadios sat silently listening, Jude inquired of Anna what he had come to ask of her and she gave him a few names that might be helpful. There was still the matter of telling Yukino that the Dragneels were dragons and that Lucy's friend who was getting married was a Pixie, but that would be covered in due time.

XXX

The next morning dawned bright and early for the Heartfilia family. They were determined to leave as soon as the gates were open. Jude had arranged for several Pegasi to be rented by his family, they hoped to cut the travel time that it took Lucy and the mages in half and arrive there in roughly two weeks. They would be stopping by Fairy Tail before heading onward and so Lucy knew that she only had this short ride to explain everything to Yukino and she hoped her friend took it well.

After saying goodbye to the staff, who were getting full pay while the family was away, the Heartfilias went to their meeting point to join up with Yukino and the people Jude had hired at Anna's suggestion. Anna was also there, eager to see where the dragons had set up their residence after leaving Magnolia. A man, woman and child were introduced to Yukino and the rest of the Heartfilias by Jude as the Connell family. "This is Alzack, Bisca and Asuka." Jude told his family.

Just then the gates opened and all picked up their bags and headed out to the farm and waiting Pegasi. They were soon mounted and on their way. Lucy knew that now was the time and, taking a deep breath, she flew up beside Yukino and said "There is something you should know before we get too far that you can't turn back if you don't want to go with us." "Oh, what is it?" asked Yukino. So Lucy explained just what the Dragneels were and what her friends were that they were going to see get married.

Yukino was quiet for a minute or two and then she softly said "If you think they are safe and your family is old friends with them, I am willing to give them a chance to prove the stories wrong." Lucy beamed at her friend and pointed to where they would be landing shortly. Turns out the Connells had been to Fairy Tail many times, though not since everyone had left to go fight the mages which was why Lucy hadn't ran into them.

Makarov and Yajima greeted them all and invited them in for a meal. While they were eating, Makarov said "Would it be alright if Yajima and I joined you on your travels? My grandson Laxus wrote and I would like to go and see how he is really doing." Everyone agreed readily and Michelle and Lucy offered to ride double so that Makarov and Yajima could have a mount. As the family finished eating, the two Brownies went and packed a bag. They then closed up Fairy Tail and, with goodbyes to Warrod, headed in the direction of the dragons.

XXX

It had been over two weeks since Millianna had left the dragons with the letters for Lucy and her family. None of them knew that the Heartfilias were less than a week away from joining them. While most of the magical beings and wizards had left to go back home, several of Natsu's closer friends had stuck around to meet this girl they had heard so much about and to attend Gajeel and Levy's wedding. Romeo, Sting and Rogue were the dragons that had stuck around, Minerva, a fellow Neelja Dakini of Mira, Elfman and Lisanna's acquaintance doing so as well. Though he had already met her, Laxus had stuck around to spend time with his friends Bickslow, Evergreen and Freed who wanted to do so.

Juvia had been away when Lucy had been around so she was anxious to meet her along with Zira, who had heard much of her from her sister. Mira, Elfman and Lisanna had joined Laxus in waiting for her, all eagerly waiting to see her again, though none of course as eagerly as Natsu. Cana told him to take a seat as "Your pacing is annoying me and she won't be here for a few more weeks more than likely." Gildarts just chuckled at the poor pinkettes problem.

Erik offered "You know, I could just give you enough poison to put you out until she comes." Natsu glared at him before sighing and asking "Is it really that bad?" "Yes!" his friends exclaimed. Natsu looked surprised as Gray laughed at his expression from his place by Juvia's side. The teasing continued, though none of it was meant to be cruel or mean and Natsu laughed just as much as his friends. He blushed as he thought about finally getting to see Lucy again.

XXX

Meanwhile, Acnologia glared at the world from his prison. As far as prisons go, it was actually quite nice and they were by no means starving him. He was treated very well, for both Igneel and Grandeeney could not forget their friend from their youth. The voices and sounds of laughter drifted up through the air, putting Acnologia in an even darker mood. This wasn't how his plan was supposed to go! He wasn't supposed to be in here!

The sound of the key sliding into the door, alerted him to his keepers presence. Pasting on his smile, Acnologia turned and said "Ah Bhikhu, it's so good to see you. What have you brought this time?" The friendly dragon returned the smile as he said "Some roast beef, carrots and potatoes." Acnologia hid his look of repulsion, aided by Bhikhu looking where he was setting the tray down and not at the mage's face. He detested carrots. Still he carried on like the whole thing was the best meal he had ever had.

Just as he had after every meal, he bid Bhikhu to stay and chat a while. Bhikhu couldn't understand why Igneel had gone to war with Acnologia. He was very friendly and had told Bhikhu that it was all a misunderstanding that Igneel had blown out of proportion. "Why if I had your strength Bhikhu, I could have dealt with this quickly and the war would have ended the same day it started. Someone needs to show Igneel that, misunderstanding or not, that going to war over something so foolish as one of my mages accidentally stepping foot on your fields, which in and of itself wasn't against the treaty, was a stupid thing to do. Look at what it cost both sides."

Bhikhu nodded, he had lost a good friend in the fight and he still mourned him. Bhikhu rolled around a thought that had been on his mind lately, planted there by Acnologia himself of course and he looked swiftly at the cell door to be sure there was no one else around before he quietly asked "What if you did have a dragon's strength?" Acnologia was filled with glee, but he pretended to be confused as he asked "What do you mean?"

Once again Bhikhu cast fervent eyes towards the door before lowering his voice even more and said "I could give you one of my scales and then you could become a dragon yourself." Acnologia gave Bhikhu wide, innocent eyes as he asked "You would do that for me?" Bhikhu nodded, transforming his arm enough so that scales appeared, much like Igneel had done in the battlefield on the day Acnologia had lost his fight.

He yanked it off, blood pouring from the wound which he quickly covered with his sleeve. He handed the scale to Acnologia, pulling the magic from it and binding it to him as he did so, and said "Now, repeat after me." And Acnologia did, saying "I accept the gift freely given to join my friends in flight, I accept the path of the dragon as my future life." For a moment nothing happened and then Acnologia's body began to glow and soon he was a full sized dragon, rather than a normal sized human. As he had shifted, his bonds broke and with a roar he lifted into the sky, crashing through the ceiling to do so.

From down below, where Natsu had just finished blushing, the friends' eyes all flew to the roof of Acnologia's prison as a black dragon broke free from it. By its magical signature they knew it was him and Levy gasped "How did he get his hands on a scale!?" "We'll have to ask him after we take him down, shrimp." Gajeel said, earning a glare from his beloved before it swiftly turned to concern as she asked "Are you sure that is wise? To challenge him?"

Before anyone could respond, Natsu was flying through the air towards the black dragon. While Lucy may be several weeks away, he didn't want her nor her family riding into another war after they promised them it was over. Gajeel grumbled about Natsu being an idiot before taking flight after him, just like Sting, Rogue, Romeo and even Wendy were doing. Natsu slammed into the side of Acnologia, but the new dragon just chuckled before grabbing him in his claws.

As Natsu let out a cry of pain, Igneel came flying towards them from his position further away. Before the red dragon, or any of the others even, could reach his son or Acnologia, the black dragon leaned down and whispered "I have been hearing tales of you and the daughter of the one I used to love. I think I shall let you live so that both you and her mother can truly understand my wrath."

Natsu's eyes grew wide as he realized Acnologia was threatening Lucy, but before he could do anything, Acnologia threw him into Igneel's path and with few snaps of his wings, he was off. The only ones whose speed could match the black dragon that were close enough to follow him were the young ones, Romeo and Wendy, but they were quickly called back by Sting and Rogue, who worried for their safety.

Natsu, who had been caught by his father, tried to warn the others of Acnologia's threat, but the pain in his chest from being crushed in Acnologia's claws was already making black dots appear on the corners of his vision and his words came out incoherently. Try as he might to fight the darkness that was invading him, he soon lost consciousness as he heard his father yelling for Wendy and Grandeeney.

Quick little note here, I picked the name Bhikhu for the dragon guarding Acnologia because it meant naïve : )

As with the previous chapters, I'll answer the reviews right after my magical being info thing, so if you aren't curious about that and have a review that you wrote on the last chapter that you want to see the answer to, feel free to jump ahead to there!

This time I will be covering Phipthere! So to get an image of what I was thinking of when I chose Phipthere as the magical being type for Erik and Kinana, think of what Kinana looked like when she was still a cursed snake but when she was in her flying form, carrying Erik around in his battle against Natsu and that is there form in this story. Erik's coloring is the red that his scales were when he entered Dragon Force and Kinana's would be the same as she was in the pre-mentioned form of hers. They can breathe different kinds/levels of poison instead of fire, obviously can fly and have excellent hearing. They are close relatives of the dragons but have no magic of their own.

Answers to Reviews!

Ember Reverie: Dun dun dun! This story did get wrapped up a little faster then I wanted/planned on since I knew my bro, nephew and sis in law were coming to stay with us (that was about three weeks ago now and I'm glad I got it done before they got here as even though I started a new story, hoping I could have quite a bit of it done by now, I've only made it 2k words in :/) so I was hoping for the war part to last a bit longer, but as you can see the fighting is def not over yet :'D lol I'm still working my way through Power Rangers (wasn't allowed to watch it as a kid) and I'm doing it backwards so I haven't seen the MMPR movie, but I looked them up and oh my what happened to poor Warren :'D

Amanny: Sadly, yes it is. Wrapped it up a bit faster than the initial plan because relatives coming to stay with us. Wanted to cover a bit more of the war/letters exchanged between Lucy and Natsu, but alas it was not able to be done in the time I had to finish the story.

FTAnt: lol and a bit more of Natsu's brain being Lucyfied in this one too :'D Hope you liked the cliffhanger for this chapter :'D

FireShifter: Ahh as we can see defeating Acnologia is never simple :'D I hope you are pleased with what you see when we get there :D