Author's Note: A big thank you to all those people who favorited and followed this story! And of course, a special thanks to my reviewers: SisterShoOk, valerioux, FireShifter & GothBanshee! You guys are the best!

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"Grandpapa Makarov?! But how?"

Makarov chuckled at Lucy's dumbfounded expression.

"Do you think that you are the only one who can sneak out of the castle to meet magical friends, my dear?"

Lucy blushed. "Oh! Of course not… My apologies Grandpapa, I did not pose my query to question your ability to do so, I suppose I am just a bit shocked to see you here…"

Makarov let out a deep-throated guffaw. "Nay, my precious one, you have every right to question me any way you wish! I owe you many explanations, which I will willingly give you in good time, but at the moment we have some very urgent business to attend to." Makarov composed himself, sitting up a little straighter and gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.

Lucy took the preferred seat, a giddy smile upon her lips. "Please let me be a part of Fairy Tail, Grandpapa!"

Makarov's eyes softened as he took in the eager little girl in front of him. He cleared his throat. "As much as I would love to do just that, I need to ask you a few questions first, my little one. The first of which is - why do you wish to join?"

"To be with all my friends here, of course!"

"Is that the only reason?"

Lucy hesitated, thinking over his query. "Err… Yes, it is. From what I have heard so far, that is what Fairy Tail is for, right? To meet and make merry with those you care about?"

Makarov raised an eyebrow. "I suppose that answers my next question as well. So, is that all you know about Fairy Tail?"

"Yes, Grandpapa."

Makarov sighed, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest. "I see. You are partly right - on the surface, Fairy Tail is exactly that, a place for friends to enjoy each other's company in the midst of good food and entertainment. But it is also a place of absolute safety. Every being who walks through that door follows an unspoken rule that everything important that transpires in Fairy Tail, stays in Fairy Tail. We protect each other like we would our own family. That is probably the best way to describe this eclectic group - a haphazard, mismatched family. Do you understand, my dear?"

Lucy nodded slowly, her eyes wide and shining with affection. "I understand, Grandpapa. And I don't think it will be difficult for me to follow that rule, for the magical friends who have brought me here are already my family. I love them all so much…" Lucy's voice lowered into a shy whisper towards the end, her eyes dropping to her fidgety hands in her lap, and a blush rising on her porcelain cheeks.

Makarov's smile widened, his own eyes shining with answering affection and a twinkle of mischief. "I believe you, my child. Especially since I can sense the spell of a dragon's treasure upon you - I suppose that would be impetuous Natsu's doing?"

Lucy sighed. "Aye, and the rash boy did so without even asking me. Now I am fated to be a part of a dragon's hoard for the rest of my life." Lucy halted abruptly, suddenly realizing how despotic her friend might appear to her protective grandfather. "But I assure you, it is not nearly as bad as it sounds! I really do not mind for I know he had the best of intentions. He cares for me, and does all manner of foolish things out of the goodness of his large heart. In this case, he only wished to provide me with more protection, for I am not magical, after all."

Makarov coughed, shifting uneasily in his chair. "Ah. I see. He assumed you have no magic…"

Lucy looked up, her eyes sharp and attentive. "Nay, he knows I have no magic - for he, as well as the rest, have not sensed any latent magical potential from me at all."

"Even so," Makarov spoke, seemingly ignoring Lucy's words, "To place a spell of a dragon's treasure upon you is not a decision he would have taken lightly. For not only does it warn off those who may mean harm to the object, or in this case person, but it also gives the dragon the ability to track that person to the ends of the earth. And above all else, it gives the person full knowledge and access to the dragon's hoard."

Lucy gasped. "I had no idea… Wait, what do you mean by 'track to the ends of the earth'?! He will now be able to follow me everywhere?! Why that… grrr… He has entirely invaded my privacy, the brute! He shall not get away with this! Perhaps I should raid his hoard of gems and jewels in retaliation?" She mused.

Makarov chuckled. "At your own peril, my little imp! But what Natsu's gesture conveys to me is that this boy has placed an immense amount of trust in you, Lucy. To earn the trust of a fire-dragon is no small feat. He is a friend to be cherished."

Lucy's eyes softened, her ire completely gone in an instant. She bowed her head a little, a small sigh escaping her. "I am well aware, Grandpapa. From the moment I first met him, I've realized he is a being to truly hold dear. I do everything in my power to be as loyal, kind and caring towards him as he is to me… But, I fear I will never be truly worthy of being his friend since I am…" Lucy stopped abruptly, tears brimming from her brown orbs. She buried her face in her hands, sobs shaking her delicate frame.

Makarov rose from his chair, briskly walking around his desk to stand beside his beloved granddaughter. He placed a comforting hand on her head, allowing her to express her sorrow, before gently coaxing her face up to look into her eyes.

"Lucy. What troubles you, my child?"

Lucy hesitated, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I-I have not been entirely honest with him, Grandpapa. With most of my magical friends, in fact. I could not tell him… who I really am." Her eyes grew wide with fright, her entire frame trembling with the strength of her emotion. "I dread the day they find out that I am the Princess of Pergrande… And his daughter."

Makarov's face became solemn. "I do not blame you in the slightest, my dear. I am not proud of my nephew - especially with the way he acts with regards to you, his own precious daughter. I know why you fear discovery, and I assure you I agree with your decision to keep your heritage a secret. Though not exactly for the same reason you have expressed - I doubt your friends will treat you any differently if they know who you truly are, and they will continue to care for and protect you - but they are still flippant and innocent younglings, after all is said and done. There is a chance that a slip from one of them could lead to an attempt to harm or kidnap you whilst you are away from your castle. It would be wise to be discreet while sharing this knowledge." Makarov sighed, running a calloused hand through his sparse white locks. "Even I keep the knowledge of who I really am restricted to a select few. In Fairy Tail, I am simply known as the Master or Gramps, a mage who enjoys traveling the world and occasionally resting his weary feet in this humble establishment."

Lucy nodded in understanding. "So far, only Erza and Cana know of my true position."

Makarov rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Good. Erza is your friend and confidante in the castle as well as your battle companion. And Cana is Gildart's daughter and a talented young witch. Both of these individuals have proven themselves discreet and trustworthy. Gildart's knows about me, by the by, and he may already have guessed your heritage as well… So, let us keep this knowledge between these people for now, Lucy."

Lucy nodded once more, her eyes serious and somber.

Makarov chuckled as he ruffled her golden locks, earning a petulant 'hey!' and a pout from the little girl.

"Don't be so serious, my little flower! Let's put aside these depressing thoughts and focus on the best news to arise from this heavy discussion - it is time to get your mark, for you are now a part of Fairy Tail!"

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Natsu looked up at the second floor balcony for the umpteenth time, his pout becoming more and more pronounced. Happy sat next to Carla, a few feet away, nervously nibbling on the claws of his fingers. Wendy watched the pair with amusement, chuckling when an exasperated Carla finally lost her temper and swatted the nervous tomcat on the back of his head.

"Stop that infernal claw chewing, Happy! It is a disgusting habit."

"I'm sorry Carla!" Exclaimed a distraught Happy, "But I'm so nervous! What is taking Gramps so long to decide? It's Lucy! She may be strange, but she's such a nice person! She's perfect for Fairy Tail!"

"I like her." Mirajane mused out loud. "She's so lively and exuberant yet prim and polite at the same time - she's going to be so much fun to get to know better…"

"I truly wish you had introduced her to me as well, dear sister. She sounds amazing." A soft voice beside Mirajane rebuked.

"Don't worry Lisanna," Natsu interjected, turning to the pretty elf-maiden with a fiery look in his eye. "You'll have plenty of time to meet her because there's no way I'll let Gramps turn her away from Fairy Tail! If she doesn't come down from the second floor as our newest member, I'll burn this whole place to the ground with a fire dragon roar!"

Levy rolled her eyes at his hyperbole. "Natsu, that won't help her become a member, it'll only ensure that you get kicked out! Besides, I'm 100% confident that Lucy will be made a member. The Fairy Tail Handbook is very clear on the rules of membership, and Lucy fits the description required to a T."

"We have a Fairy Tail Handbook?" Gray blinked.

Levy shot him a glare before squeaking and hastily averting her eyes. Cana cackled at her discomfiture, throwing Gray an evaluating glance out of the corner of her eye.

"Put yer clothes on, ya perv! Or do ya wanna look like yer bed-ready when yer darlin goldilocks comes prancin down tha stairs?"

Gray blushed at her implication, glaring back at the smirking witch before glancing down at his state of dress. With a squawk he jumped out of his seat, hurriedly scrambling about searching for his clothes, his blush growing steadily by the second.

"Has anyone seen my breeches?!"

"Oh for the love of…"

"Not again boy! It can't be that hard to keep goddamn clothes on!"

"Here you go, Gray." Lucy's sing-song voice cut through the noise of Gray's hecklers. "How, in all that is holy, did you manage to lose them in the corridor on the second floor? You know what - never mind, I do not wish to know…"

"LUCY!"

Natsu and Happy launched themselves at the golden-haired damsel who deftly side-stepped at the last instant, causing the pair to crash into a pillar instead. The table of younglings roared in mirth as the dragon and his exceed hopped up on their feet again with not a speck of damage - identical pouts on their faces.

"That was mean, Lucy!"

"Aye! No fish for you!"

Lucy glared back at the duo. "Well pardon me for not wishing to become Lucy-jam between you two ruffians!" She slipped her arm around her dragon friend's, and hugged the little blue cat to her chest, gently steering the pair back to their table.

"Lucy-dear?" Levy piped up hesitantly. "So what did the Master say?"

Lucy gave her a solemn look, casting her eyes down a moment later with a resigned sigh.

"Oh, Levy-dear… I am afraid…" She paused, a tremulous note in her voice.

The eyes of all those at the table widened, every being leaning forward to listen to her next words with bated breath.

But before she could speak, an armored hand clamped down on her shoulder, earning a squeak of surprise from the girl.

"Ignore Lucy's theatrics. The Master has approved of her. She is our newest Fairy Tail member."

The deafening, joyous, uproar from their table had the rest of the patrons in the hall pausing their merriment to see what all the commotion was about.

Lucy huffed, pouting at Erza over her shoulder. "You're no fun!"

"So I have been told, Milady." Erza replied dryly, an amused smile on her lips. "But perhaps you can save your incessant pranks for a later time? You must get the Fairy Tail mark right away, and then there is a little bit of spell work we must do with you to ensure you receive access to certain parts of the Fairy Tail estate."

"The Fairy Tail Estate?" Lucy queried, eyes wide with surprise. "Is there more than just this building?"

"Of course!" Happy piped up. "There's an entire portion of the woods protected by enchantments that's entirely for fairy tail! And I know all the best fishing ponds in that part of the woods!"

"There's an amazing library in the basement!" Levy chirped, her eyes sparkling with glee.

"And doncha forget tha best wine cella this part o' tha continent." Cana volunteered with a raucous wink.

"There's a beautiful garden in the back." Gray coughed, a faint blush coating his cheeks. "And I'd be happy to show it to you… If you'd like, of course…"

"Why the hell would she want to see a garden, icy stripper?" Natsu roared, turning to Lucy with a blindingly bright grin. "You've gotta come with me and Happy to the training grounds! I'll show you just how I beat up this frozen cream puff on a daily basis!"

"In your dreams, flame brain!"

"You wanna go, popsicle pants?"

"ENOUGH YOU TWO!"

gulp "Aye, Erza!"

"Apart from all those wonderful places," Mira added in her melodious voice, "We've also got a private lake just a few steps away from the main building. It's where most of us gather to swim and play during the hottest days of summer."

"Don't forget the wounded animal sanctuary right next to the lake." A sweet and timid voice intoned, the elf girl Lisanna waving a shy hand in greeting to Lucy.

"Or the infirmary on the second floor." Wendy offered in her soft and gentle voice. "As well as a few spare rooms for weary travelers or guests."

"Oh!" Lucy exclaimed breathlessly, "All this sounds…"

"Stupendous? Amazing? Glorious?" Natsu volunteered with a grin.

"... Actually I was going to say - overwhelming." Lucy giggled a little nervously.

"What's there to be worried about, you strange one?" Natsu queried, his brow furrowed. "We're all here to help you every step of the way!"

"Absolutely," Sang Mira, as she leaped nimbly to her feet. "I have the kit to create your Fairy Tail tattoo right there by the bar. If you would follow me, I'll have you set up with your own Fairy Tail mark in no time."

"Aye," Cana crowed, "So get yer cute ass ova there an get yer mark!"

Lucy grinned, gazing excitedly at all the eager faces smiling back at her. She twirled on her heel, falling in step behind Mira as they made their way to the bar. The beautiful hostess rummaged in a cupboard behind the bar, drawing out a plain wooden case. She opened it and pulled out a stamp shaped instrument made of a lacrima crystal, pausing for a moment as she considered the assortment of colorful vials that remained in the case.

"What color would you like your mark to be?"

"Pink!" Lucy trilled. She had decided the moment she set eyes on Natsu's mark, that hers would be in her favorite color, and she would have it placed on her…

"And where would you like to have the tattoo placed?"

Wordlessly, Lucy stuck out her right hand, gesturing to its back.

Mira smiled back, delicately fishing out a vial of pink ink from the case, and shaking one drop from it into an aperture at the top of the lacrima stamper. She then took Lucy's hand gently in hers, placing the instrument neatly on the back of her hand and murmuring an incantation as the crystal began to glow. Lucy made a sound of delight as her hand began to tingle with magical energy, a pink shape forming on her skin. When Mira lifted the lacrima instrument a few moments later, Lucy laughed, surveying her brand new pink Fairy Tail mark with joy.

"That mark will only be visible to you and other members of Fairy Tail. There is a small spell that can be performed to make it temporarily visible to non-fairy tail beings, but that can be learnt on an occasion that warrants it." The deep voice of Makarov explained from behind Lucy and Mira.

"Master!" Mira chirped. "Down at last from your office? Have you come to greet our newest member?"

"Of course!" Makarov laughed, throwing Lucy a secretive wink. "She's practically like family already! And that means…"

Lucy watched in shock and awe as the form of her grandfather suddenly began to melt and shift. His limbs began to grow rapidly, his torso widening and lengthening until a few seconds later, a bulky giant towered in the same spot where her beloved Grandpapa had just stood.

"Listen up, everyone!" Makarov boomed, his deep rumble easily cutting through the cacophony of the noisy hall. "A new member has just joined us today! And you all know what that means…"

"IT'S TIME FOR A PARTY!"

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"I have just received word that Lucy has joined Fairy Tail."

"Huh. And how is that little brat finally making some friends reason enough to call a celestial meeting?"

Aquarius glared imperiously at the lion spirit. Leo sighed, rubbing a tired hand over his jaw.

"Because the Guardians of the Vow are members as well. They will be able to keep an eye on her. She is, after all, an important element of the vow."

Aquarius tched but did not say anything more. The remaining spirits let out a sigh of relief.

"How goes the search for Her? Have the other two guardians had any luck so far?" Virgo queried in her usual monotone.

"There are a few leads… They've been able to narrow down their search to a specific location. It will only be a matter of time now before they can locate and secure Her." Leo responded.

"I hope they don't have any trouble rescuing her…" Aries murmured tremulously.

"Yukino…" Libra breathed, gazing at the crystal ball floating in the center of the chamber, observing the image within it of the lovely little maiden with white-blonde hair who sang softly to herself as she worked.

"Aye." Leo nodded gravely, gazing into the crystal orb intently. "Fear not sweet Aries, Yukino will be safely retrieved. And then the first stage, the awakening, will begin…"

The remaining spirits sat up straighter on their respective thrones, gazing into the orb as well, each lost in reflection of the challenging days to come.