Authors note: I'm so sorry this took so long to get out. I wrote, re-wrote, deleted and started from scratch with this chapter so many times I think I almost gave up on it for a bit. But it did finally get done! I've also written in a little sneak peek to the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I, in no way, own Fairy Tail!

Previously:

"Well, are you ready Lucy?" Loke placed his hand in hers, tugging her forward while pulling a key from his pocket.

"As ready as I'll ever be." With a small smile on her face, she waited for Loke to unlock the door before she twisted the handle, ready to embrace her new future.

Chapter 11: Lost but Not Alone

They lowered the anchor just shy of the flaming debris that littered the ocean surface. The crew staring in shock at the sheer destruction that lay before them, even as Laxus barked orders, the fatigue in his voice heavy, did nothing to stir them all from the view.

"Geez. You guys are useless." Laxus huffed, staring into the flames that the water refused to extinguish.

"After sleeping for nearly two years you're still as grumpy as ever, aren't you my boy?" Makarov pulled himself onto the railing closest to Laxus, a mug of beer held tight in one hand.

"Yeah. Well a certain someone didn't exactly explain the repercussions of using Fairy Sphere now did they?" The blonde hissed, wrapping his coat around his shoulders, "Not like the warning would have put me off learning it… but still."

"Anyway. It seems that our hurried departure was unnecessary." Mavis hovered just above deck, her feet transparent as she glanced between the blonde man and the wreckage, "The most important thing is that the dark guild will no longer be harming anyone anymore."

"What about survivors? Whoever launched this attack would have had to leave bodies behind." Freed walked up the stairs to the Quarter Deck, joining the ever-growing group of guild members.

"A Fairy Tail mage never takes a life." Mavis whispered, staring out into the distance.

"With all due respect First Master, we know that. We want to know who did this?" Ever snapped open her fan, her irritation written all over her face.

"There are traces of the Fairy Tail mark here. She's taken the crew with her." Mavis refused to look at any of the guild members behind her.

"She? Who-" Laxus spun to stare at his grandfather, eyes narrowing to slits so rapidly that his team jumped, the blonde man's rage almost tangible in the air, "Gramps. What female has gone missing? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Oh dear… We'd hoped we could delay telling you…" Mira came to a stop at the top of the stairs, a tray filled with empty mugs resting steadily in her hands.

"Mira. What the fuck is going on? Who's missing?" Laxus stalked up to the silverette, ignoring the warning look both Masters' sent his way.

"Well we never really took her stamp away when you sent her away. But one day… she just disappeared. We all searched for her. But… it was useless. We spent a whole year looking…" Mira turned away, swallowing heavily, "Cana and Team Natsu still search for her whenever they're out. But I feel like Cana got along with her the most… so she still has more hope tha-"

"What are you talking about? Make sense woman!" His voice strained, heart pounding like a war drum in his chest, "… what happened?"

"We went to drop off supplies, but there was no one in the cabin. We waited for days before we started searching. But… she's missing. Lucy is missing. And has been for the past two years…"

xXx Contracted xXx

"Thank you very much Miss. We'll make sure they get locked away this time." The knight bowed to her, used to the way she hid behind her cloak.

"Make sure you do this time. You know how to reach me if the Crown needs anything else of me." With a subtle nod she turned on her heels, feeling the keys on her hip heat up, flaring in response to her mood.

"I know. I didn't push myself, I promise." She smiled to herself, one hand holding tight to her reward and the other clutching at her pouch of keys.

She walked through the crowded streets of Crocus, slipping easily between tourists and locals alike, skirting busy stalls and rushing across busy streets. The capital had easily become her home after one stormy night on the road and she had never looked back.

"This just keeps getting easier." Humming to herself she caught her reflection in a dirty shop window, noticing the long lengths of blonde hair that had slipped out of her cloak, "Geez, maybe I should get my hair cut soon."

She played with the ends of her blonde locks, glancing only briefly at the pink tattoo on her hand. The sadness had long since left her, leaving instead a determination to prove herself. Not just to the one that sent her away and those she had endangered so long ago, but also to prove to herself that she could make it on her own. That she wasn't weak.

"I've made it this far." With a nod, she turned from the shop window, ready to continue marching down the street when she heard name being called.

"My, you've certainly grown Lucy." With a squeak, Lucy spun, coming face to face with the transparent face of the First Master.

"M-Master Mavis. W-what are you doing here?" Anxiety flared, her eyes taking in the surrounding street, "Are you alone?"

Mavis giggled, walking soundlessly over the blonde, "Yes. I am alone. But I like to check in on all my children. And so long as you still have the guild stamp, you are my child. I became worried when Mira said you had gone missing around the time I went to Tenrou with the others."

"Tenrou… You mean when the island disappeared two years ago? That was your doing?" Lucy hummed, pushing back the hood of her cloak.

"In part yes. We came under attack during training. Nothing to worry about there. But the spell we used to protect us had an unwanted side effect due to using it so soon into training. Luckily, we were only gone for two years, it could have been anywhere from seven years to a hundred years." A knowing glint in Mavis' eyes put Lucy on edge.

"So… Who was on the island then? They probably haven't processed that they've lost two years while everyone else moved on." The blonde woman sighed, leaning against the shop wall, knowing the owner wouldn't have an issue with her loitering, "Two years is a considerable amount of time."

"That it is Lucy. But I see it served you well." Mavis moved to stand before the grown woman, staring at the now nineteen-year-old with an expression of wonder, "Your magic has grown exponentially. While you've also come in to your own. I could sense you when we where heading back to Hargeon, you still carry the mark of Fairy Tail. You're strong enough to take out an entire Dark Guild on your own now. Everyone will be impressed by your growth."

"You're wrong Mavis." Lucy shook her head, hands resting on her pouch of keys, "I'm never alone. My Spirits fight by my side and I by there's. Without them, I wouldn't be able to do anything." Affection laced her words and Mavis could only smile.

"You've grown up much Lucy. But now that Laxus and his team are back… they'll most likely resume the search for you." The small Master sighed, her words heavy, "I also know that the rest of the guild want you back as well. Would you consider-"

"No. I will not go back on my word. Unless he comes and drags me back himself…" Lucy closed her eyes, mouth pinched as she swallowed, "Even then… I don't know if I want to go back anymore."

"Lucy…" Mavis choked, shocked at the Celestial mage and her resolve but instead of trying to change her mind she just nodded, "Very well Lucy. Regardless of your decision, know that you have a home with Fairy Tail. I'm proud of you."

Just like that Mavis vanished, leaving the blonde mage with her thoughts as a stray tear trailed down her cheek.

"Two years huh? So, he's still a stubborn twenty-three year old." With a rough swipe of her hand, Lucy wiped away any evidence of her sadness, "It doesn't matter. I'm an established Mage now. He can't take that from me."

Lucy took off back down the street, determined to get home without incident. But her mind kept wondering back to the blonde man that had not only saved her, but had abandoned her as well.

"Just try and find me." She took the steps to her motel two at a time, pausing only long enough to catch a glimpse of the first stars of the night before she vanished inside.

xXx Contracted xXx

Ohhh connecting chapters! Sorry, doing the link between arcs is always a tough one for me (don't know why) Anyway, as promised, here's a sneaky peek at what's to come in the next chapter!

She could only stare, watching his muscles coil like a serpent, ready to sprint at the slightest provocation. This wasn't how she had expected to see him again, covered in soot, her clothes tattered and torn while her body was covered in cuts and bruises. But at the same time, she had never felt more powerful, her allies glowing with Celestial magic around her as the Guild Master slammed into the ground, unconscious. Adrenaline made its way through her veins like wild fire, every nerve in her singing with fatigue that was kept at bay by the burning inside her. She only hoped her wouldn't lose it too soon. She wasn't sure she could handle that.

There will be drama! And I feel I need to address another point from a reviewer. Laxus is a dick in my stories because it's what I need him to be. If you (anonymous) had read in detail you would see that he uses it like a shield but still tries to help others, so he comes across horribly. Now, I have creative obligations to use his character to progress my story. Which I do, so please, if you don't like it or how I write, I am not forcing you to read my work.

With that aside, to everyone that gives constructive criticism, love and your kind words about my writing, I thank you all so much! This chapter is for all of you that have stuck by me and the long waits between chapters when life rears its ugly head. Thank you to the following for leaving your views for the last chapter:

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