Disclaimer: I (unfortunately) do NOT own Fairy Tail or any of the characters. I only am responsible for the (albeit poorly written and devised) plot.
Thank you.
All of you.
Thank you.
I know the ending's been ruined now. And for that, I am truly sorry. But you all told me, through wonderful, amazingly sweet words, that the journey is the important part. You all liked this story. You actually liked it. And I... I think I just love you all even more for that.
Have I ever mentioned that I love birthdays? Birthdays, Christmas, even Valentine's Day. Because I love the excuse to give people presents. I love watching their faces and seeing their whole body just become electrified with excitement. Surprising people with gestures... It's rather fun, isn't it?
And so, because I love you all, I've been thinking of how to maybe do something kind for all of you. And this... this was my best solution.
Constellations will not die here. It can't. I hate leaving things without finishing what I started.
And though I can't see your faces, or hear your voices, I have always been able to feel the kind things you've had to say about me and my story.
I haven't been able to put my usual specific, proper thank-you's in the ANs in the beginning of the past two chapters. That stops now. I owe so many people a proper thank you, and I'm sorry that I will not be able to go back and than everyone I didn't properly address in the beginning of Chapter 4.
So, if you are reading this, I'm sorry for this rather long chapter, that is mostly comprised of my gratitude for all of you. I'sorry I wasn't able to write back to everyone who left me an amazingly thoughtful review, but I promise I tried to at least mention everyone who supported me. And so, I present to you, the reasons I continue to write this story:
iliketrains33
MidnightGrasshopper
Amari Mizuki
Daniyia87
6raindog
xdtyr8
Mini jo
warriormaiden52
felic42- that you for the kind offer. I'll be sure to keep that in mind.
YouCanCallMeSister
Amelia0902
IdentityCrisis. 03
Yuraookami
armygal
MusicalDays
Misaki-chu
Soulreaper743
xXYuseiXAkikoXx
Tobias97
Slayer4546
Ichiru no Are
ANG3LBL00M
OtakuLover43
nalu143
pastel dandelion
Fanfic Devil
MisfitsAndOutcasts
KatoRiChan
kittyinabubble- dude, I'm SO sorry that this site's PM setup doesn't let you paste pictures in. I'm not sure if you're still doing it, but I'd love to see what you've created!
bellazurin
JcL107
sama775
bleachTG. GC
huert018
Whatstoknow
GlassyTheRosePen
Thegirlwonder09- Yo. I'm glad you believe this to be not terrible, and I promise, I don't think anyone will kill you for saying your honest opinion. (At least, not the decent people in the fandom.) Personally, I am more fond of Gruvia, (I am not hating on your ship, I promise), and I know I wouldn't be able to convincingly write that ship. But thank you, for your suggestion.
maidenoftheluminousrapture- dude. Wow. You guys are just really good at predicting the future of this story, aren't you? I honestly hadn't decided yet, but I was thinking about it... Tell me what you all think of her idea in the reviews, would you?
Shadowhunterchronicleslover13
OMGShamrock123- Well, I won't stop, and I'm so glad you believe the journey is the important part.
Jozanimelover
Titan O' Chocolate
wishyouweremedontya- thank you. You honestly, made me feel great when I read the kind things you had to say about this fic.
BaconDaUnicorn
Fall3nSt4rr567
Shamrock0311
Cries of the Damned
DystopianKitKat
marissa4ever
phoenixflamemarauder
Lucy Goddess of the Stars
EchizenRyoma
Rekunae
StormyKnight39- Thank you, for encouraging me to take pride in this... amazing community that I've created. All of you... I am proud to have created something that led me to all of you. I treasure all of you, and all that you have to say.
petpermint
HazelDragonNora
Grin like the Cheshire Cat
samurai of sunflowers
serioushugsies- Thank you, for taking the time and effort to really try and lift my spirits.
ShugoYuuki123
singer321
AprilJane01- Well, good news, I have taken you pronoun into account and well, I hope you continue to like this story as I continue to write it.
TezlaPanda
104688
panickingathogwarts
mkben
Empress of Everything- Wow. Thank you. So, so much. (Also, long time no talk, what's up?) And I promise, I'm not even close to being done writing. No way in hell. While you love my story, I love your reviews. I hope I can keep the cycle going.
Johnny Spectre
Tawny
DonutSenpai
Ms. CookieSmuggler- Hey! Dude, I missed you! Where have you been? And I checked out your song recommendations. Good taste dude. (Oh and for anyone who was curious, I'm a girl. Just for future reference.) Thank you, for wanting to get everyone reading to make me feel better. It made me happy.
Skyline179
Koko
Anon for Now- that's the thing. This, all of it, is worth it if at least one person loves it. And I am thrilled that I've found that certainly have more than one reader who wants this to carry on.
Lisa- OTP justice... I like the phrase. I think every fic writer should stick to that policy.
FinnytheFirst
KoolBrunette06
nerdcandy- well, I promise that I'll finish this story now. I will not disappoint all of you, who are clearly the kindest, and most thoughtful people on the whole goddamned planet. I'm SO SORRY I made you so sad, and I promise, I won't do it again. (Unless, of course it's happy tears or an angsty scene *hint hint*)
Mini jo
JacklyinKarst
tokonee
rnssupergirl
Catherine Uslexar
Darthtraytus
CrimsonLightKey
buttercuprocks101
HoneyWriter78
booklover21567
Serene Serious
SkaianDragonSlayer
the-clumsy-one - Aww, thank you! Your note was so sweet! (Oh and about your username, I have the same problem...)
And I'm not sure why I have to keep saying it, for heaven's sake, but the guests... Please leave a name. I can't give you a proper thank you if I don't know who you are.
Wow. That was... a REALLY long AN. Sorry, but I just thought you all deserved to be mentioned for the great things you said and did.
Well, below, is the product of all of you being amazing individuals. Hope you like it!
Something was wrong with Yukino, Sting realized almost immediately.
It wasn't just the obvious thing, about her still mourning Lucy's death. He knew sadness. And he knew, despite the fact that she was still sad, she was getting better. She was living proudly for her friend. And though she'd never forget her, she'd move on, carrying the memory of her friend with her as time passed.
Yukino was going to be okay. But...
Why did she seem to be avoiding him?
Since that day, in the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, she wouldn't even look at him, not a single damn word.
It was stressing him out.
He was going crazy, trying to figure out if it was all in his head.
Maybe he was just overreacting. Maybe she was still just trying to deal with all of her emotions, and she needed some space to do that effectively.
But then why was she still with Rogue every goddamned minute of the day!?
No, she was avoiding him. Definitely.
But he didn't know why.
Maybe he'd done something...? Maybe he had offended her in some way without meaning to? Perhaps he somehow reminded her of Lucy, with the blonde hair and everything...? (He knew it was stupid and probably completely off, but he was running out of ideas at this point. He was desperate.)
And then he'd heard her sniffling that one night, as he'd dropped by her apartment to check on her, and he'd found her crying not over just Lucy, but himself as well...
He heard the sobbing before his hand even touched her doorknob.
The door to apartment had been left slightly open, letting the cries from her bedroom float out into the open hallway.
Even if he hadn't possessed superior hearing, Sting would have picked up the small hiccups and whimpers.
Stepping inside silently, Sting closed the door behind him as he ducked around the corner. He knew the layout of her house by now (get your head out of the goddamned gutter; they hung out a lot, especially when he was hungry and she'd cook dinner for both of them), and though it was pretty late already and the lights were out, Sting knew exactly where he was going. (That, and superior senses, remember? Dragon Slayers can probably see in the dark or some super-human shit like that.)
Concern flooding his entire body, Sting had instantly been on red alert, and now he dashed as quickly and quietly he could. (The first scenario that had popped into his mind was a hostage situation; Yukino was a capable Mage, she would have probably kicked an intruder's ass unless they had gotten the jump on her.)
What is she was injured? Or bleeding? Or being held captive with a bandit's gun held to her head an oh go he was starting to panic-
Until he heard her trembling voice.
Oh.
So, she wasn't being attacked. That was good. Kind of.
"Lucy," she said first, her wavering voice making the room feel much, much colder. With every light off, and the windows open, her house could have passed as abandoned, as if she hadn't been home in years. But Sting's ears and nose told him otherwise, and he could just... feel it, as weird as that might sound.
He wondered if this intuition would grow stronger when their souls were officially tethered.
You know, if she by some miracle actually accepted.
Just thinking about it was stressing him out, anxiety and adrenaline forming a dangerous mix within him.
Shaking his head, Sting cleared his thoughts. Yukino's window was even open, letting cool air fill her room. The moon was pale and shining, a huge orb throwing light onto Yukino's defeated form. She was folding in on herself, clutching at her chest like she was...
Almost like she was trying to rip her heart out.
God, she was in pain.
She was writhing on the floor, tangled in her sheets. Her breathing was labored, and by the light of the moon, Sting could see her chest rising and falling irregularly, as she struggled to take in oxygen. Her hair was messy, but that didn't make her look any less... amazing in his eyes. Any less beautiful.
His heart rate was elevating just looking at her, as he heard a sharp cry resonate through the room. He stepped forward, his instinct screaming for him to just swoop in and take her in his arms and shush her, rocking her until she calmed down-
But then she whispered his name, so brokenly and hopelessly that he was sure he'd imagined it.
Said Dragon Slayer froze. it was a mistake. it had to be a mistake beach there was no reason as to why Yukino would-
But the she said it again.
"Sting," she repeated. She hiccuped, and if he didn't know better, he might have assumed she was drunk. But Yukino didn't do wasted (at least to his knowledge) and he couldn't smell alcohol on her breath. She just smelled... like herself. (And believe me, he knew what Yukino smelled like... They were teammates for god's sake jesus you guys have such dirty minds.) Her shoulders were shaking horrendously, as she tried to rise to her feet. Unsteadily, she wobbled towards her bed, failing halfway and just crumpling to the floor.
"Sting, why?" she sobbed.
Her heart was falling apart in her chest, and Yukino didn't know how to just make the hurt go away...
Clutching at her short hair, she sank to her knees. Burying her face into a pillow that had been haphazardly been strewn among other possessions on her floor, Yukino muffled her scream.
Standing, utterly confused and devastated at the same time, Sting just stood in the doorway, like an idiot. Man, looking back at it, he had been so fucking lucky that Yukino hadn't spotted him. that would have been... indescribably worse. With another heart-wrenching noise resembling a shriek, Yukino dissolved into sobs.
And so, confused and scared and very concerned all at once, Sting did the one thing his Dragon Slayer mate instincts were telling him not to do.
He ran.
He'd called in Rogue to get some perspective. Rogue of course, had been utterly baffled as to why their friend had been crying, over his 'twin' no less.
He was well aware of Sting's affections, even without him confessing several weeks ago. Sheepishly, Sting had told him that he was pretty sure, rather, he was certain that he'd found his mate. He'd been confused for ages, Rogue honestly found it ridiculous, about whether or not it was Yukino.
It wasn't... it wasn't the most ridiculous notion in the world. Sometimes, you wouldn't just instantaneously know someone was your mate. And Sting... Sting seemed to almost not want Yukino to be the one.
"She just... She deserves better," was his lame excuse. "I mean, we were such jerks to her back then, mostly me, and I don't... I don't know if- I don't think I deserve her after that."
Of course, after that being said, there was no more debate that Yukino was the one. Rogue argued this point to his partner, and Sting groaned.
Rogue had agreed to keeping an eye on her Of course, not until after he'd accused Sting of being her stalker. Which had led to some very concerned (for Yukino's sake) Guild mates approaching the Dragon Slayer.
Terrified.
Sting was terrified.
Had he... had he really hurt her so badly? And how?
Now, sitting at his desk, Sting had never been so glad his own office. The rest of the Guild really didn't need to see him have a meltdown. Well... not a 'meltdown' per se.
The Guild Mater of Sabertooth, Legendary Light Dragon Slayer, Sting Eucliffe, was mentally running through every single interaction between them prior to Yukino's sudden change in behavior. He was aware that he probably looked nuts, his eyes wide and frantic. And to be quite frank, he didn't care in the slightest.
Maybe I offended her? Did I do something? Maybe I hurt her unintentionally. Or-
Sting's paranoid trail of thoughts was abruptly cut off, when someone knocked at his office door. Straightening his posture, and smoothing down his hair, Sting fought down all of his conflicted emotions and replied with a dignified "Come in."
It was Rufus.
"Master?" He inquired, respectful as ever. Sting sighed.
"How many times will I have tell you, just go on calling me Sting."
"Very well, Master Sting," Rufus responded, his voice laced with humor. It was no secret that Sting hated being being called Master. He thought it made him sound all stuffy, as if he was acting like he was a superior. The way Jiemma had treated everyone. (He'd been reassured by many people that he was nothing like their old, abusive Master. But even then... he still felt like he was filling a position meant for someone with much greater abilities.)
Rolling his eyes at his childish attempt to get a reaction out of him (although it had worked), Sting cracked his neck. Though, Rufus didn't miss the way the corners of his mouth curved up slightly.
"I'm sorry, but did you need something?" Sting finally asked as Rufus gave him an amused look.
"The team roster is due soon. We need to know what the official team will be. Five people per team this year, and one back up."
"Ah. Right." Sting rubbed his temple. Just one more thing to think about.
If he had to guess, the hardest part of the whole thing this year, for any of the guilds, was going to be facing Fairy Tail. Natsu in particular. He himself hadn't seen Natsu since that day at Lucy's funeral. After that, all he had to go on that the other Dragon Slayer was still even in Fiore was the occasional tale of him beating the crap out of someone or something on a job. (He didn't doubt the rumors. From personal experience, he knew that people with extreme emotions always fought much harder.)
"Great."
Fucking. Great.
Erza Scarlet.
One of Fairy Tail's strongest, undoubtedly. She had fiery red hair, and a glare that could stop someone cold in their tracks from the sheer intensity. On the battlefield, she was an unstoppable force that had earned her the title "Titania, Queen of the Fairies."
She also had a dead friend.
Which was something that she, among many others, was not handling well.
Seated at the bar, she had her head hanging low, and her spirits even lower.
It was late. Or rather, almost really early, depending on how you looked at it. She and Mira remained silent and solemn, as the clock struck midnight.
Another day had passed; another day with Lucy dead and gone and buried down underground, in an over-glorified box. Another day, and Fairy Tail just wasn't getting better. They were trying; they were trying so hard. Master Makarov didn't think he'd ever seen a group of people pour so much of their heart and soul into something.
But it killed him a little, to watch them rise higher and higher, in hopes of moving on, and then just plummet down to the ground. (Would it be immature to add 'just like Lucy' right here?)
They were getting nowhere. Every day, they were still just mourning their loss. And every time they seemed to be making some progress, something would set them off. Whether it was seeing yet another article honoring her and her bravery, or an old issue of Sorcerer Weekly with her plastered all across the cover turning up...
They were back at square one. But if all went well at the Grand Magic Games... Maybe they could make some actual progress. They wouldn't spend every waking moment missing her, or thinking about how she was encased in a coffin beneath the dirt, in the very same cemetery where Lisanna had been 'buried.'
If only they knew... If only they would dig up that stupid human-sized box and crack it wide open...
They'd see it was empty.
The blue feline hadn't seen Natsu for over a week.
Gray had told him about the events that had transpired int eh cafe, and Happy had sadly shaken his head, not having heard the rumors either. (Because they knew if Happy knew that Natsu would know and then something caught have happened between him and Lisanna. Which, would lead to a heartbroken Lucy... if they had been right with their hypothesis in the first place. Which, they hadn't been.)
Natsu had left on a mission straight after lunch. Something hours away, somewhere in a forest.
Gray supposed it was for the best, that he take it out one something far, far away from any form of civilization.
And then the whole guild, of course, ad learned of this development, and the ones who had known about the rumor couldn't help but feel... guilty. Responsible. Maybe Lucy couldn't have been saved. But...
Maybe the two could have found happiness together before it all went south. Though, it was hard to decide, which scenario was worse. Natsu and Lucy, never having gotten together and them both secretly pining for each other or... they could have gotten tighter, officially become mates, and Natsu having to watch the girl he loved, who he also knew loved him with equal intensity, die.
It was hard to say.
Happy came home to Natsu draped rather ungracefully across their couch that night. His eyes were red and puffy, and for once, he seemed to be crying openly. (He'd been hiding in his room most of the times when he broke; he didn't want Happy to know. Though, he honestly wasn't fooling anyone.)
On the floor, was a duffel bag, clothes having been shoved in at random. (Really though, 'random clothes' meant several vests and pairs of pants in varying shades of navy blue and black.)
Ah. Right.
Th Grand Magic Games.
One week left.
Tick. Tock.
It was elegant, and it was beautiful.
It was golden, and it was intricate.
Her key.
It was something that she was strangely proud of, though she wasn't sure why.
Lucy had the tiny gold piece clasped in her hand, as the King gave the newborn Spirit her final instructions.
"-and as a former Celestial Mage, you should be familiar with all I've told you already," the King finally finished after his long speech. "But the last thing for you to do, is to finally pass your key on. I assume you remember what your old friend who you will sign a contract with looks like?"
Lucy nodded.
"And do you remember one of your old keys' energy?" Lucy nodded, recalling the sort of 'feel' each of her keys had.
"Well, this will save a lot of time then. Pick any one of them, and see if you can hone in on that energy. Not the energy that they themselves are radiating, but the magic released when the Gates are opened."
Shutting her eyes, Lucy did just that.
"As you know, the keys we leave in the Human World are our tethers between our worlds. It makes it possible for us to quickly move from one world to another when we've been summoned. The keys automatically hone in on our energy when commanded to by the key holder. This causes a link, and helps us figure out where we're supposed to go. Of course, eventually some Spirits don't need the key anymore to appear in the human world, but... It's best for beginners. Though, I have a feeling that you'll practically be an expert on this in no time, having vast experience in this area."
"So... What am I trying to do here?" Lucy asked, a clear image of Loke's key in her mind.
"Well, since you know what your old key's magical energy feels like, you're honing in on it's signal, and using it as a bridge. But it is your first time, so i wouldn't be surprised if it-"
Then the key vanished from Lucy's hand. They both blinked.
"Well then."
Glad that she wouldn't have to spend the entire train ride avoiding Sting, Yukino sighed as she glanced over at the two sleeping Dragon Slayers. They had both been violently ill the second they stepped onto the train. (Even though the train hadn't been actually moving, which was something Yukino still didn't understand.)
At first, she'd been contemplating all of the methods she'd have to resort to using to avoid her Guild Master. But then he'd gotten so woozy he'd passed out on the spot, taking an equally queasy Shadow Dragon Slayer down to the floor with him. (She didn't know how they did it; through pure coincidence, or sheer stupidity.)
Now seated in the train cart, Yukino looked over at her two motion-sick Dragon Slayers.
She looked at her watch, all of her nerves still tingling in anticipation.
Just a few more hours.
Taking out her keys, Yukino winced as the tinkling noise resonated through the car.
Please don't wake them up. Please... She thoughts, crossing her fingers. She waited a few seconds, before sighing and continuing.
(WARNING: Okay, because I'm epically unoriginal, I guess I'll just use the same Guilds as the first Grand Magic Games Fairy Tail competed in? I mean, it's really up to you guys, and I can change it later. But just so you know, the only Guilds I'll really be talking about, despite the other teams, are Sabertooth, Fairy Tail, Lamina Scale, and maybe some Mermaid Heel and Blue Pegasus...? I dunno, but I am not writing about Quarto Cerberus.)
Alright. So on the chance that I'm set against Lyon it would be pretty easy to first use Virgo and then... As Yukino trailed off, developing battle strategies for almost every member, from every guild in her mind, the sky outside darkened.
And then there was only Fairy Tail left.
There was no strategy to form, no tactics for prepare, not even a single scenario to run through. Because Yukino knew, no matter how much she prepared, she was not going to be ready to face any of there members. No way in hell. There just... How could was she, how could anybody for that matter, bring themselves to fight against someone who has already in so much pain?
This year was... definitely going to be interesting.
Yawning, Yukino stretched out her arms, and leaned against the window, already drifting away.
And at the very stroke of fucking midnight (because convenience), a burst of golden light filled the car. Then the key ring rose from her lap, so it was just parallel with the ground, each key equally distant from each other. Then each key slid closer together, creating a gap...
Just big enough for a new key to blink into existence, golden and radiant and beautiful, shining as if it were made of stardust.
Then the warm glow dissipated, leaving the car dark once more, with no trace.
Other than the key of Andromeda, hidden between the Lion and the Mermaid.
Hey guys.
So, I know you all said you liked this story (for the most part) so far. But if there's anything you think I need to change, let me know. Love you!
-Pyro