Author's Note: I am so so sorry for the hiatus! It was unexpected, but a lot has been going on. I presented research at a conference in a different state and I've actually been sick for a few weeks, but I am finally back on track! While this chapter is more Grace-centric, I hope you still enjoy it. I edited this chapter fairly quick, so I am sorry for any grammar mistakes.

Thank-you so much for sticking around and please let me know what you think. Enjoy the chapter!

April 20th

Lucy

"I just need you to know that I love you. Remember that, okay?" Lucy jolted awake, heart thundering in her chest as tears flowed down her cheeks. Her eyes burned from the make-up crusted from her tears. Groggy and drained, she furiously rubbed her eyes. After the group had fled the mansion, Gajeel had carried her to the hotel where they currently resided. Wendy was curled up next to her, sharing a blanket. The top of the soft material was crusted with what Lucy assumed was her own tears and snot. She only clutched it harder as her mind flicked back to the night prior. She remembered crying in the tub while Grace washed her hair. Wendy had healed the others before healing her wounds and curling up with her. Gajeel had left to find a phone, wishing to hear Levy's voice. Grace had left with Cobra, slipping out of the room with a soft click of the door.

Wendy stirred, sitting up to wrap her arms around Lucy. Her sleepy eyes were worried and she only held on tighter as Lucy tried to sniffle.

"Why? Why would he just vanish like that? Where did he go? What if he was hurt?" Her voice was mumbled, distorted by her heaving chest.

"We have altered thought processes in our natural forms. It's why Natsu's true power was a last resort. We all would have fallen to Zeref's followers if he didn't give in. We've been away from hell for too long and he was the only one who still had a strong enough connection to do it. I suggested it and I am so sorry, but it was the onl-" Her words rattled off until someone by the door cleared their throat.

"For what it's worth, he was thinking about you throughout the entire battle. Even when he left, you were there, in the back of his mind." Cobra was leaning against the wall by the doorway, his left eye watching Lucy as she glanced around the room. Grace was sitting on the floor by his feet, cross-legged and leaning against his legs. Gajeel was seated on the chair under the window, eyes shut with his face tilted toward the ceiling. She hadn't even noticed that the group returned in the morning. "We were here all night. Good friends don't abandon their friends in times of need." He huffed, a small smile on Grace's lips as she glanced up at him.

"Thank-you." Lucy let out a long breath to steady herself. "Cobra. Do you know where he went?"

"Natsu's pretty good at disappearing. He filled his thoughts with you and then he fell off my radar. I was a bit preoccupied by other things and I can't hear the deep thoughts people keep buried, only what's on the surface." He sighed, glancing down at the ground.

"Salamander was sensing something that we couldn't. His nose kept twitching and he kept looking at me in anticipation. Then he huffed at me and went to leave. I tried to grab him and he attacked, saying I wouldn't understand." Gajeel grumbled, stretching his limbs as he opened his eyes to meet Lucy's gaze. "It had to be important. He wouldn't have left you behind if it wasn't. He's going to come back. If not for us or this mission, for you. You're his future Bunny girl. There's no escaping it."

"And if it makes you feel better, Natsu can heal all his wounds with his scales. So, there really isn't anything to worry about in regards to his safety." Wendy smiled widely, trying to cheer up her friend.

"Kid's right. You gotta have faith in Natsu and focus on helping him finish this fight." Gajeel shrugged and the room fell silent, everyone lost in their own thoughts.

Grace

They were right. If they sat around worrying about Lucy who was worrying about Natsu, they would get nowhere. Something from last night could serve as a clue to where Natsu went or to where the actual twins were. Though, Grace didn't actually get a good look at the fake twins, let alone hear anything they had said. She also was busy distracting Lucy to pay attention to Natsu's final fight. The conversation that erupted around her slowly faded away and Grace had zoned out of it, brow furrowed as she flipped through her memories of the night prior. She remembered Lucy fighting that huntress and Natsu throwing himself at her before shifting into a winged demon that was equally badass and terrifying. She remembered dragging Lucy away and trying to keep her safe with her practically useless dagger. Then she remembered the claw slashing through Erik's eye, the adrenaline flowing through her veins as fear overwhelmed her and sent her to autopilot. She had felt her magical energy envelope her like an aura before expanding outwards, but that was really it. She knew she had targeted the creature's, attempting to manifest their master. Had that been Zeref?

"It was Zeref." Erik's soft whisper brushed her ear and she tensed. The others turned their attention towards the pair and she sighed. "The man Grace manifested last night was Natsu's brother, Zeref and the dark magic that decimated the creatures was his magic."

"But-" Grace paused, frowning as she glanced up to meet Erik's gaze. "I've never been able to use a manifestation's power before. I can sometimes control what I fabricate and I can use the memory as a puppet, but that's it." She mumbled and Erik smiled softly at her.

"I've only ever seen Zeref's magic once, but I know that's what that was. There's no mistaking it for anything else. You tapped into the demon lord's magic." Gajeel mumbles, eyes trained on her. "Maybe that is the true extent of your power. It's not like you had the freedom to train like the rest of us." He added and the others nodded.

"Something probably triggered it. When it happened, your magical energy rolled off you in waves, expanding outwards. It was incredible." Lucy added softly and Grace met her honest gaze. Her friend was distraught, but seemed okay with the temporary distraction. "I think it was Cobra." She added and Grace startled. Erik leaned forward, a small smirk on his lips. "You wanted to stop the creature from killing him. That's what triggered you. You had no other choice, but to just unleash your full power. It's like there was a gate around your energy, keeping it under control and you completely busted through it in response to the fear and adrenaline." She sniffled, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

"Bunny girl has a point. Can you try doing it now without a trigger?" Gajeel placed his elbows on his knees, eyes now fixed on her.

"I can try. Did you have anyone in mind?" She pushed herself to her feet, separating herself from Erik. He muttered something under his breath, but she couldn't catch it and didn't dwell on it.

"Yeah, my girlfriend, Levy. She uses script magic. Just make her do a solid script or something." He closed his eyes and Grace nodded, focusing in on his mind. She weaved her magic through the intricate framework of his memories, settling on the one of a tiny blue haired woman dancing with him. It quickly flicked to a memory of the woman nestled against Gajeel, reading under a tree. The memories were personal and sweet, capturing the essence of Levy perfectly, despite Grace not knowing her. She let out the breath she had been holding as Levy took shape in front of them. Gajeel shot up from his seat, his fingers delicately brushing the fabrication's wrists. Grace shut her eyes, focusing on script magic and the delicate mechanics behind it. It was difficult, without a memory of her using the magic. She dove deeper into Gajeel's mind until she found a memory of Levy using magic to light a candle when their home lost power. She tried channeling that, her own magic trying to change confirmation to fit a different style.

She felt her body swaying, her mind hazy as her magic fully retracted. The moment her eyes opened, the fabrication of Levy vanished and her legs gave out under her.

"Grace." Erik sounded desperate, as if he had been saying her name multiple times. He slipped his arms under her armpits, helping her gently lower her body onto the ground. She gathered herself, pulling her knees to her chest as she leaned back against his legs. The contact helped ground her, no matter how subtle it was.

"I'm sorry. I was so close, but I couldn't make the last connection." Her shoulders curved forward as she placed her chin on her knees. Gajeel shrugged, dropping back down.

"It was worth a shot I guess. We just know that we can't depend on that happening now." He muttered, shutting his eyes once again, uninterested in future conversations. She had failed and she couldn't help, but feel guilty about it. She didn't even understand her own magic, so how could anyone else? She was of no use if she couldn't get a handle on it. Erik's hand settled on her shoulder, gripping it gently. He squeezed and she relaxed into his touch.

"For now, I think we should focus on tracking down Natsu and the others. If the twins caught wind of the events that transpired, knowing their names were dragged through the mud, they'll be heading towards the mansion. Gajeel, Wendy, and Grace. You should circle the perimeter with Cubellios and keep a look out for the twins. I want to take Lucy to a seer. She was the one who informed me of Natsu's location the first time and I'm sure she can be of use once again. All she requires is snake venom and an item connected to the one you seek. I have ash from one of Natsu's attacks. She will only speak to an individual once and I think Lucy should get a chance. She has the deepest connection to Natsu out of all of us." Erik explained slowly, letting the group process his words.

"Cobra, I think that's the smartest thing you've said in your entire existence. Let's get moving." Gajeel shoved himself up and Grace noticed Wendy whisper something to Lucy before hugging her. The smallest slayer climbed out of the bed, standing by Gajeel's side. It was interesting how the group dynamic changed to follow Erik's opinion in Natsu's absence. Grace was too busy being annoyed to ponder that for the moment.

"I'm not staying here. I'll go with you guys to the seer."

"No. The seer does not like to be crowded. I am only going as a guide for Lucy and she can handle this interaction alone. Stay with Cubellios and the others. Look for the twins. Please." He spoke softly and she pushed herself to her feet to meet his gaze. His was unmoving and she huffed.

"Fine. But you better do a damn good job protecting her. She's been through a lot and her magic hasn't had time to rejuvenate." Grace gestured to Lucy before glowering at him. And keep yourself safe too, asshole. The bite to her thoughts were playful and Erik smiled, nodding in understanding.

"Keep your minds clear and stay focused. We will be back in a day or so. It's not far from here." Erik gestured for Lucy to follow him and she quickly said her goodbyes before slipping out the door. Grace was saddened by their departure, but she quickly got herself in focus when she realized Wendy and Gajeel had already left the hotel. Jerks.


Grace fell into step behind the slayers, Cubellios watching the group from the forest. Gajeel figured she would cause too much commotion in the town and he wanted to mitigate any potential distractions from their task at hand. The town was calm, people going about their days shopping and chatting with friends. Gajeel and Wendy were talking in hushed tones and Grace felt like she could ignore them for a little while. She just wanted a break from the madness, if only for a few minutes. As she wandered, a storefront window caught her eye and she sidestepped away from the slayers. They were too engrossed in their conversation to notice her absence, and she gave a quick wave to Cubellios, letting their guard snake know she was okay. She slipped into the store, smiling widely at the wall of knapsacks, running her fingers over the coins in her pocket. Erik had slipped them into her pocket on his way out the door and she was grateful for that. She didn't have a talent in thievery like the slayers.

She freed a deep purple bag from the wall, smiling at the stitch-work and thick straps. It would be perfect for their travels and Lucy wouldn't have to carry her belongings anymore. With bag in hand, she maneuvered to the front of the store towards the original item that pulled her focus. A white collared jacket resided on a mannequin in the window. It had black detailing that gave it a very similar appearance to the jacket Erik wore when they first found him. The original couldn't be salvaged, the white material soaked with his blood and ripped to shreds by the creature. Grace figured this could be a suitable replacement. She slipped it off the mannequin, wandering to the front register.

"Hello dear." The elderly woman greeted her, scanning the backpack and pulling the tag off for her. She held the jacket up, her nose crinkling. "Are you sure you want this dear? It's been here for years. My husband put it in the window as a placeholder, so the mannequin wasn't bare." She freed the tag, studying the price.

"Yep. I have a friend who lost a very similar jacket. It would make him very happy to have a replacement." She insisted and the woman smiled softly.

"Of course. I'll give you a discount on it then." She scanned the tag, typing in a few numbers on her register.

"Thank-you. I really appreciate it." Grace smiled gratefully, folding the jacket and slipping it into her backpack before hanging the bag over her shoulder. She handed the woman exact change and thanked her once again before slipping out the door. She managed to spot Gajeel and Wendy, not far from where she left them. She weaved through the crowd, set on her destination. Despite her best efforts, she smacked right into someone, nearly falling backwards from the impact.

"Someone is too busy daydreaming to pay attention to others. Jeez, you have a solid frame." A taller, blonde man's laughter roared from in front of her. Her cheeks heated and she stood her ground and fixed a glare on him.

"That's no way to talk to a lady, Sting. Just apologize and move on." A man nearby glowered at this Sting disapprovingly.

"Whatever Rogue." Sting muttered, before making a big show of swallowing his pride.

"You're the twins." Grace blurted, before he even had a chance to half-ass an apology. Both of their eyes darkened, staring her down with an intensity she wasn't accustomed too.

"Who the hell are you?" Sting's fists clenched as he stepped towards her, a snarl on his lips.

"Grace. I'm a friend of the others. We've been looking for you!" She answered quickly, frantically searching for Gajeel and Wendy.

"Why are yah looking for us? We made it clear we wanted to be on our own after the shit storm that Acnologia caused." Sting continued while Rogue quietly observed the interactions.

"Zeref is back. We need your help."

"You need our help? To clean up Natsu's mess? Yeah, I don't think so." Sting huffed a laugh, stretching his arms behind his back while Rogue maintained a stoic expression.

"And why's that? We swore to follow Natsu, so sounds like a group problem to me." Gajeel huffed, maneuvering to stand beside Grace. Wendy stood on her other side, flashing her an apologetic smile.

"Gajeel. Wendy. Great to see you, really. Did you take care of the phony dragon slayers for us?" Sting mused, glancing at both of them in acknowledgement.

"It's taken care of. You're welcome. You can repay us by helping with the Zeref thing." He grunted and Sting smirked.

"Yeah, see…" He glanced at Rogue before continuing. "We have our own problems. We aren't cleaning up everyone else's messes anymore."

"Sting, we talked about this." Rogue huffed and Grace took this as an opportunity to slip behind the dragon slayers. She wasn't a fan of the twins and if she had a way out of the conversation, she would take it. It didn't really involve her anyway.

"No, we have a guild to look after. We aren't attack dogs. Just find two wizards with souls as strong as ours and you'll manage just fine without us." He pointed at Rogue before fixing a glare on Gajeel.

"Sting...Rogue…" Wendy's tone was pleading and disappoint was clear on her face.

"Sabertooth needs us. I'm the guild master and I can't just abandon them. Natsu can figure this mess out without us. Get some of your Fairy Tail friends to help you." Sting turned swiftly, stepping away from the group. "As a thank-you, I'll tell you this much. Natsu's blue cat found us in the night. We found him some fish and I'm sure he's still there. We will point him in your direction, so don't run off just yet." With that, he carried on with his stride away from them, Rogue on his heels.

"Bastards." Gajeel growled, crossing his arms over his chest. Wendy's shoulders slumped as she let out a long sigh.

"Well that was useless." Grace huffed. She had managed to sit on the ledge behind them, kicking her legs back and forth. She pulled her focus from the slayers, not interested in their bickering. Her thoughts wandered to Erik and his eye. Sure he can defend himself, but he left her Cubellios. What if he ran into trouble? She had complete faith in him, but couldn't manage to shake the worry. A soft nudge against her leg startled her and she looked down to see Cubellios staring up at her. The snake clicked, swirling around her feet before slithering away from the group. When Grace didn't move, she looked back, narrowing her gaze. Grace glanced over at Gajeel and Wendy, who were too busy sulking. She wasn't one to sulk so she dropped down, following after Cubellios. They walked for miles, weaving around towns and through overgrown shrubbery. Grace was torn between begging Cubellios for a break and just picking up her pace. Fatigue and curiosity battled for dominance in her mind. Curiosity won that battle. If Erik trusted this snake, she would too. They eventually came to a cavern, surrounded by weeping willows. Below one of the curved trees was Erik, his eyes shut as he rested peacefully.

"Thank-you Cubellios." She rubbed her hand in a circle motion on the snake's head. The snake blinked before weaving around her legs and nudging her shoulder with her head. She left Grace to circle around the area and Grace smiled. Erik seemed at peace, lost in his dreams. Her smile flicked into a smirk when she realized how vulnerable he was in that moment. It was a rare occurrence and she did want to deal out some payback for all the times he snuck up on her. She tiptoed towards him, dropping down to her knees in front of him.

"Sneak attack!" She shouted, gripping his shoulders with a bright smile. His whole body twisted away from her, talons dripping with poison a centimeter from impaling her face. Her heart faltered, time slowing as her breath caught in her throat. Damn, that was a poor decision on her part.

"GRACE?" Erik choked out, gaze bewildered as his eye flicked from her to his hand. "What the hell are you doing? I could have killed you." His hand shifted back to his familiar tanned skin before he shoved her away, pushing himself to his feet. He paced around her, a scowl on his lips.

"I'm sorry." She squeaked, eyes perfectly round spheres as they tracked his every move.

"If I wasn't so attuned to your thoughts, I would have attacked. While the claws may not have killed you, the poison would have. Without Wendy, it almost killed one of Fairy Tail's strongest wizards. What the hell are you doing out here?" He growled and Grace gulped, trying to ignore the guilt settling in her core.

"Gajeel and Wendy were sulking and I was worried about you, okay? Cubellios brought me here and I wanted to surprise you. It's probably the only time I could get the jump on you."

"It's not worth it. That was stupid and childish." He snapped and she frowned. Anger was rolling off him in waves and Grace wasn't good at dealing with that much emotion directed at her.

"Oh don't worry. It'll never happen again." She shoved herself off the ground, pushing the worry she once held for him to the back of her mind. In its place was annoyance and a tiny sliver of fear. She smacked his shoulder with her own, stomping off through the forest until she reached the edge of a town. With a glance over her shoulder, she noticed that he wasn't following and she huffed. Pushing forward, she found herself wandering the streets. There were plenty of stores to entertain her with window shopping for a few hours. Eventually, she found herself in the town square, enjoying the normalcy of the townspeople's' chatter around her as she indulged in a chocolate croissant from a bakery nearby. It was decadent and she happily sank her teeth into it, savoring the flavors on her tongue. There was a hint of orange under the chocolate and it was lovely. It would have to go unfinished though, because her arm was yanked behind her back. She was pushed off the chair, shoved to the ground in a single motion. Her knees smacked against the cement heated by the afternoon sun. A grunt escaped her lips as her other arm was yanked back, just before she could grab the dagger tucked under her shirt. Shit.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here." A snarky voice barked, a tongue clicking behind her.

"Princess Grace. It's truly an honor." A man knelt in front of her, tucking her hair behind her ear as she snarled at them. She spat at the man's feet and he chuckled. "I see you live up to you reputation. I'm glad, for it would be terribly boring if you didn't." His emerald eyes stared her down and she clenched her jaw.

"Did my father raise the bounty on my head or something?" She growled and the man behind her cackled.

"Oh, no no no, my dear. We aren't after your kingdom's pathetic reward." He curled his finger, lifting her chin with it so she met his gaze. "We want to extract every last drop of magic and soul energy from your body until your left with nothing but a heartbeat and some memories." He grinned like a Cheshire Cat and her stomach dropped. "Then we will give your lifeless body to the king for the reward if he still desires you after. Let's go Chauncey." He shoved himself to his feet and had a bounce in his step as he pushed through the crowd. Cold metal clasped around her wrists, locking her arms behind her before she was yanked from the ground. The man beside her was rounder, his face fuller. He wore a similar grin to the taller man and Grace swallowed down the bitter taste in her mouth. She had to think of a plan, something that would let her escape long enough to find Erik, Cubellios, and Lucy. They were her only hope. She closed her eyes as her body was shoved by people and she tried to focus on either man's memories. They were scattered terribly and besides each other, they didn't seem to be attached to anyone. A scream tore from her throat as she fell forward, the sudden jolt to the back of her skull sending her to her knees.

"Stay out of our heads. Boss gave me the go ahead to zap the shit out of you." The man holding her snickered in her ear. Her limbs were trembling, her thoughts jumbled. There was a lingering tingle in her brain that kept her from forming a coherent response or thought for that matter.

"Keep moving." The taller man ordered over his shoulder and Grace was shoved to her feet once again. Her legs were shaking, hardly able to hold her weight as she swayed down the sidewalk. The only thing keeping her upright was the man's tight grasp on her arms. As the group reached the outer edge of town, opposite of the cavern, Grace cursed softly. The man holding her either had some kind of electrical magic or a taser and she really didn't want to find out which. Her best guess was that the other man had an ability to sense the use of magic. If she could just reach her dagger or summon someone from her own memories, she might have a chance. She'd have to access their power though, otherwise the fabrication would be useless. With her mind still scrambled, it would be increasingly difficult to do so, but she was out of options.

Erik. His smirk flashed before her eyes and she shut them, focusing on his features and his magical aura. He wielded dark, toxic magic that stunned her with how powerful it was at times. She knew it well though, eyes never straying too far from him on the battlefield. He was rhythmic with his attacks, having them perfectly timed to deflect his opponent. He could hear every decision before the opponent had a chance to strike and she had to channel that. She held her breath, allowing magic to seep into her own mind. Another scream formed from the back of her throat, her body hitting the ground. Her muscles were spasming, brain glitching as she writhed on the ground. The man had jumped away, not expecting her reaction.

"I didn't mean to hit her so hard. I swear."

"You better hope she can still walk after that, you imbecile. Or you will seriously regret your choices." The taller man snapped, his calm demeanor cracking.

"Both of you idiots are going to regret turning your back on your prisoner." A familiar voice snarled from above Grace. She could hardly manage to lift her head from the scratchy grass, but she was grateful for even the smallest range of motion.

"Erik." His name came out in a huff, tears welling in her eyes. It was all she could manage, unable to form other words with her lips. Erik was crouched defensively in front of her, talons dripping with poison on either side of him. He glanced over his shoulder, meeting her gaze with his narrowed eye. His snarl softened ever so slightly, as if to reassure her, before his head snapped back to face her attackers.

"Well this is an inconvenience. Please see to it that it is handled promptly Chauncey." The taller man leaned his body against the tree, studying Erik's position.

"Right away sir." The shorter man clenched his fists, bright blue lightning engulfing them. Erik didn't waste anytime, sprinting forward with his talons raised.

"Poison Dragon's Fang Thrust!" He shouted, a wave of poison countering the energy bolts targeting him. It smashed into the shorter man, sending him sprawling backwards. The rounder man chuckled, jolting forward with speed Grace had never seen before. He managed to counter every one of Erik's attacks. From his spiral jaw attack to his dragon's roar, his opponent was one step ahead. Despite hearing his plans, Erik couldn't move his own body fast enough to get the upper hand. He was stuck on defense.

"You'll have to do better." The taller man smirked, lifting Grace's head off the ground by her hair. She squirmed in his grasp, begging Erik to focus on himself with her thoughts. She still couldn't see clearly, but she could pick up on his sudden motion.

"Brace yourself." It was a soft whisper, delivered right to her ears. She relaxed her muscles and shut her eyes, putting all her faith into the dragon slayer. "Sound wall." The words were solid, a snap of fingers following. It was as if that snap broke the sound barrier around them, a wall of pressure sending them all flying. Grace fell victim to it like her attackers, her body jolting backwards until it hit something that curved to follow the motion of her body. Her eyes slowly opened, widening at the decimated trees surrounding them. Erik stood in the center of it all, only dirt remaining in the nearby vicinity. She glanced down, noticing dark purple scales surrounding her.

"Cubellios?" Her voice cracked as she wrapped her arms around the snake. A smirk touched Erik's eyes as he stepped forward towards the men who were sprawled out in the dirt. Chauncey sprinted forward and Erik smashed the heel of his palm into the man's jaw.

"Sound palm." He growled and the man's body ricocheted off his hand. From the impact, Chauncey's body shot upwards and arched far away from the group, his screams fading until they completely silenced.

"Well this didn't go as planned." The taller man shoved himself to his feet, spitting blood from his mouth.

"Sorry about your attack dog." Erik grunted, cracking his knuckles. The man raised his hands in surrender, stepping towards Erik.

"I think you have it all wrong my dear demon." A devilish smirk touched the man's lips and he raised his hand. "Purify." A bright light arched from his hand and Erik crossed his arms to brace for the attack. A shield of deep red poison countered the attack, but Erik's feet were slipping through the dirt from the force of it. Grace dropped off of Cubellios, trying to focus on the man's mind. It was jarring, his mind mostly empty. She dug deep, nearly losing herself in his thoughts before the flickering of a woman caught her attention. She tugged on the memory, yanking on it with all of her strength to bring it to the surface. Her magic was fading quickly, this fabrication consuming it faster than any other. A woman took shape between the two fighting and the man tensed.

"Geoffrey. You know better than to play with demons. You fool!" Her voice was shrill and the man visibly shivered in response to it. Grace dove into the woman's memories and managed to slip out one word of her own. "Counter!" The woman's voice melded with Grace's weakened voice and a light cut through the man's magic. The beam reflected back at him, sending his body crashing through the trees. As he lost consciousness, Grace's grip on the memory vanished and the woman dissipated into the dry breeze. Grace managed to meet Erik's bewildered stare before slipping into her own darkness.


Heat. Sweat. Sticky. Her brain pulled together simple words to explain her environment and her body's reaction to it as she regained consciousness. Her limbs felt heavy and she knew her magic energy was depleted. That was all she knew though.

"You're an idiot." At the sound of his voice, her eyes fought to open, settling on the fire being put out. Erik dumped water on it, the embers crackling as they died out, leaving ash and charred wood in its wake. "You nearly ran yourself dry and your body was shivering. I thought the fire would help." Grace mumbled some kind of noise in acknowledgment, noting that she was propped against a tree. The bark was rough against her cheek and she struggled to hold herself up. It was a failed effort, but Erik quickly maneuvered to sit behind her. The grass was indented where he slid his legs, as if he had been there for hours in that same position prior to her waking. With his legs on either side of her, he leaned her body back gently. Her back pressed against his chest as his knees bent to brace either side of her. She turned her head, pressing her nose to the base of his throat.

"You came after this idiot." She choked out, her voice hoarse. His chest moved under her as he chuckled, sliding his arms to wrap around her.

"Makes us both idiots." She nodded in agreement at that statement. "Are they dead?" She forced herself to whisper and he sighed.

"The one with a stick up his ass was still breathing, but the other one passed on. I buried him after getting you back here with Cubellios. When I went back for the taller guy, he was gone so I came right back. I couldn't hear his thoughts anywhere, so I can only assume he was long gone." Erik's words were almost regretful and Grace tried to curl herself closer to him. She wasn't accustomed to this much contact, but she was grateful for it. "Were they after the bounty? Did they say?"

"My magic and soul." She coughed harshly and he gently tilted her head back, touching a canteen to her lips. The cool water slipped down her throat, saturating the dried surface. "They wanted to drain me and give my lifeless body to my father." She winced as the pain in her side became more apparent. "That's all I know." Erik tucked her closer at that, placing his chin on her head.

"They were part of a cult, seeking to destroy Zeref. Which, technically, puts them on our side." He grumbled.

"That's terrifying." Grace whispered and he nodded.

"People get desperate and make bad choices. I was one of them once, before I decided to follow Natsu." Curiosity clouded Grace's thoughts and he sighed, easily picking up on the shift without her speaking. "My sound magic. I did some really bad things to obtain it. Things that I regret. I was naive and craved power. I wanted to lead the dragon slayers and I wanted Natsu to fall." His shoulders slumped as he held her tighter.

"So what changed that?" She pushed and he clenched his jaw.

"He kicked my ass. I put up a good fight and things weren't looking good for him, but the guy is strong and reckless. He throws himself head on into danger and his power is unbelievable." Erik paused, lost in his own thoughts. "After he defeated me, he offered me a chance to atone for what I did. He told me I could follow him to hell with the other slayers to seal Zeref away. I didn't know Zeref, but I had heard stories. His power surpassed Natsu's and he was set on destroying all life in existence. I spent many years in hell after that, only to resurface and find that Acnologia took Zeref's place while we were gone." Grace knew where this story was going.

"And that was ten years ago, when the slayers were forced into hiding and magic was banished." She concluded and he nodded.

"That was ten years ago and now we are facing Zeref once again. At the end of all this, I just want to overthrow the corrupted government and return this world to its natural state before we messed everything up."

"Natural state?"

"Yeah, a place where magic flowed freely and guilds could coexist peacefully. You could join a guild and form a team, go on quests to support yourself and never see your father again. You wouldn't have to live in fear of being hunted for your magic or for your status. You'd have a group of friends to trust" He explained and her eyes widened.

"I already have a group of friends that I trust. They aren't perfect and some are a little rough around the edges, but we make it work. There's even this one friend that can hear my thoughts, literally hear them. He's in denial about a lot of things, but I hope he pulls his head out of his ass and sees I feel safe with the group I have around me already. Plus, I think he could rock an eyepatch and channel his inner pirate. I can't pass up the potential opportunity to see that" She admitted softly and he tensed.

"Grace…"

"The dragon slayers and Lucy. You guys are my guild. Erik, I thought I was going to lose you back in that stupid mansion. That's how I reached an entirely different level of my magic. I did it to try and save you. Yeah, you lost an eye but you're alive. And today, I thought I was going to give my life trying to get away from those guys and then you showed up with a vengeance. Even when I thought you wanted nothing to do with me, you were listening and tracking my movements. That should make it clear enough to you that I'm not going anywhere without you when this is over." She mumbled, making circles on his shin with her finger. "And anyway, we have a kingdom to overthrow when this is all over and I don't go back on my agreements. I was raised better than that." That got a laugh out of Erik and the pair enjoyed each other's company in amiable silence for a few minutes. "That reminds me. I grabbed you something from the town." She reached out for her bag that was propped against the tree. She almost forgot about it . Almost.

"What, why?" He reached out, snatching the bag and depositing it in her lap. Grace had done a good job of clearing her mind and she hoped he was clueless.

"I wanted to get you something nice." She unhooked the bag, freeing the jacket from inside. She felt Erik lean over her as he sucked in a breath. "It's pretty close to your old jacket, right? I couldn't just leave it to collect dust in that store." She beamed, lifting it up so he could see it better. He maneuvered her gently, resting her back against the tree. He slid his arms through the jacket, adjusting the collar and jacket until it settled over his body. His wide smile was enough for Grace and she returned it.

"Thank-you Grace." His smile held such adoration that Grace turned away, leaning back against the tree.

"No problem." She choked out as the focus shifted from the palpable awkwardness emitting from Grace to Lucy as she stumbled out of the cavern with a frown and furrowed brow.

Lucy

Lucy had been kneeling on the sharp stone for hours, the offering of bottled venom from Cubellios and soot from one of Natsu's attacks still nestled in the tiny basket. She was beginning to doubt Cobra and this mystical seer when a soft glow filled the cavern. Her skin warmed as a figure took shape in front of her. The seer was an elderly woman, blanketed by a smokey blue aura. Her hair hung down her back in ringlets and a cloth covered her eyes.

"Lucy Heartfilia. Hello celestial wizard." Her voice was quiet and Lucy leaned forward, bowing her head as Cobra had instructed.

"Hello. I have come with gifts of venom and soot. May I speak with you?" She hopes that was what Cobra had told her to say, but she was caught off guard and couldn't remember it word for word.

"You may rise. Please, sit more comfortably. A comrade of the dragon slayers', is a comrade of mine." At the seer's words, she rose, leaning back with her legs in front of her. "Now tell me. What is it that you seek?"

"I seek the location of Natsu Dragneel." Lucy whispered softly and the seer clicked her tongue.

"Ah, yes. Lean forward a moment dear." The seer extended her hand, fingers arched. Lucy did as she was told and the seer's fingers pressed into her scalp. They sat like this for a moment, Lucy's breathing slowed before the seer's voice echoed through the cavern.

"He was born of wrath and fire, bones reinforced with brimstone and smog in his lungs. The fire dragon slayer does not know peace. It's a foreign concept to him. Peace of mind, times of peace, even the ideology perplexes him. He was raised in a time of constant war, tortured and twisted into a demon soldier, a warrior. If Dragneel truly has your heart, I think you're asking too much of him. He does not have a warm, loving heart to give you. This is why you cannot find him. This is why he fled from you. He does not wish to be found and I will not go against his wishes." Lucy yanked her head away, gaze narrowed as the seer tilted her head curiously.

"You're wrong." Lucy growled, fists clenching.

"Pardon me?"

"Natsu has a warm and pure heart. He has mastered the fire inside of him and uses the pain he went through to fuel his fight. He consistently puts himself at risk for the sake of those close to him and for the sake of the world. Though reckless, he is willing to die for a world in which the majority of the population views him as a monster. He craves peace and he longs for the day he can have a permanent home. You cannot put him in a box. He may be a demon, but he is just as complex as a human being. His brother may have been twisted into a monster, but Natsu is stronger than Zeref. Don't underestimate him and the other dragon slayers." Tears welled in Lucy's eyes and she scowled at the seer.

"I think you put too much faith in a demon and I fear that you will be severely disappointed in the end. That, or dead." The seer concluded and Lucy rolled her eyes.

"And I think you're wrong. I'm going after him and I guarantee our friends will come with me."

"You have foolish friends."

"They were his friends first. I thought you were one of them." The seer laughed at this.

"I'm nobody's friend. We are simply of use to one another for the time being and that is all."

"Then I feel sorry for you." Lucy shoved herself to her feet, jaw clenched as she turned her back on the seer.

"I cannot tell you where the fire dragon slayer resides, but I can give you something else you seek." The seer's voice caused Lucy to pause and she glanced over her shoulder. "The final slayer. Follow your original instincts." She started before vanishing, taking the only source of light with her. The basket also disappeared, a small stone in its place. Lucy scooped the stone up, cupping the smooth sphere in her hands before slipping it in her pocket. Cobra said to take everything the seer offered, and she would follow his advice. She wandered from the cavern, finding Cobra no longer alone.

"Grace?" She spoke up and her friend took a deep breath. Her body seemed battered, clothing disheveled and Lucy felt the worry blossoming in her core.

"Hey. Gajeel and Wendy were kind of boring, so I set off to find you guys with the help of Cubellios." She gestured to the trees nearby, but there was no sign of the snake. "She was there earlier." Grace added, seemingly unconvinced by her own words.

"What did the seer tell you?" Cobra pushed himself to his feet, stepping towards her.

"That Natsu didn't want to be found. She wasn't much help in that regard." Lucy grumbled, her words touched with bitterness. Her fingers settled around the stone in her pocket, but she kept its existence to herself, focusing on the words the seer said to her instead. "I think I know where to find Laxus though. She told me to follow my original instincts and I'm sure I could find the village if I had a map." She explained and the pair nodded.

"So it was a success then Bunny Girl?" Gajeel emerged from the low-hanging branches, Wendy on his heels. Cubellios returned to Grace's side, weaving between her and Cobra.

"Not in terms of finding Natsu, but I know where Laxus is." She forced an encouraging smile and Wendy swiftly grabbed her hand.

"Perfect! Let's get going then. I'm sure a nearby town has a map we can borrow. The twins are out, which isn't really a surprise." He added quickly, turning to head towards town.

"What?" Cobra growled, his fists clenching as Gajeel glanced over his shoulder.

"We have a plan, so calm down." He snapped and motioned for everyone to follow. The group fell into step behind them, Cobra falling behind to cover tracks, Grace walking with Cubellios weaving through her feet, Wendy skipping beside Lucy. It was back to normal, for the most part. Only, part of Lucy's heart was missing. She was startled from her thoughts when a weight settled on her shoulder. She turned her head to come face to face with a blue cat. A shrill scream escaped her lips and she fell backwards, the cat forming wings to float by her head.

"You sure are jumpy! I thought you said she was strong Gajeel." He whined, crossing his paws in front of him. Gajeel cackled at that, not paying much attention to them.

"Are you-" Her words trailed off, eyes wide as the memory from that night replayed in her mind.

"My name's Happy! I heard that Natsu loovveeesss you and I wanted to find out why." He snickered, covering his mouth with his paws.

"What did you say?" Lucy narrowed her gaze on him in an instant and he snickered again, flying around her shoulders.

"Happy, just tell her the truth." Gajeel grumbled.

"Fine. You're still no fun Gajeel." Happy puffed his cheeks out before meeting Lucy's gaze.

"I was looking for Natsu when I found the mansion you guys destroyed. Leave it to Natsu to go overboard as usual." He added slyly, before continuing. "Anyway, I called out for him, but he had already left. I tried to follow his trail and ended up finding Sting and Rogue who gave me lots of fish! They went on their way, but came back to tell me you guys were near the mansion. Since I can't find Natsu, I guess I'm stuck with you now." He shrugged, his wings vanishing as he dropped onto the ground.

"You're actually alive…" Lucy was back to being in awe of that simple fact.

"Yeah. Back when everything happened with Lisanna, I got separated from Natsu. I also lost my memories for a while, but this old lady found me in the forest. She fed me lots of fish until my memories started coming back! Gajeel also told me that you've been watching out for Natsu, so I wanted to thank you." Lucy threw herself to her knees, hugging the cat tightly to her chest.

"Natsu is going to be so happy." Her own happy tears were falling down her cheeks and Happy squirmed in her grasp.

"We just have to find Laxus and Natsu!" Happy mumbled against her chest.

"We will, I promise." Lucy assured him. It was a promise to Natsu's best friend, to their friends surrounding her, and to herself. It was a promise she was going to keep.