Hey guys! Kytrin here with your update! Apologies for being a bit late on this one. Work was hard and I crashed just as hard before I could even think of getting the chapter up lol. I'm certain you guys will make up the hours lost admirably though! Enjoy your extra long chapter!


CHAPTER 44

Run a Shot Across the Bow

Warning shot given to another boat's Captain


Juvia giggled, running through bushes that flowed with fairy lights. The bushes hung heavy with shimmering blue bulbs, flowering as she floated by.

They shone bright in each flaring movement, rushing in its brilliance before dimming once more in a wave. Gray ran through after her, body breaking through the brush as he was less graceful than the goddess.

He laughed when they rounded the bend to the outclave of the lighthouse they were docked at. Gray rushed forward, catching her around the middle and tumbling them into the springy grass.

A light curtain of summer rain fell on them, Juvia's laughter bouncing from her body and spilling out into the cliffs. They became soaked in the warm rain, Gray smiling with an ease that came effortlessly.

"Juvia, you know you are the worst distraction, the captain will have my hind when he figures out you came out of the ocean to spirit me away from my duties!" Gray chided her. Juvia just giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Oh I think ya may find your captain a lil' distracted. He's currently tryin' to swallow his betrothed princess in the lighthouse!" Juvia smirked at him.

"Oh that devil," Gray snorted, "Slacking off!"

"I agree," Juvia whispered, pulling him into a sultry kiss, "We should definitely get back at him!"

Gray chuckled and slid his hands down her sides, "Aye." He purred, "Show 'im how it's really done."

"Gray?"

Gray looked up at the hesitant question and smiled broadly at the goddess standing timidly in the door, "Hey." He greeted as he stood up, "I was hoping you'd come by soon." He gestured, "C'mon in."

Juvia stepped inside, her eyes locked on his, and his heart broke a little at her uncertainty.

"You're worried." He stated calmly as he slid the door shut behind her and moved to sit on his bed, "You have been since I got my memories back." He cocked his head slightly at her, "Why?"

Juvia ducked her head, "Juvia is scared Gray will feel differently now." She whispered, "That he will be angry for her selfishness."

And if that wasn't a sign of how much this was bothering her nothing was. The last time she'd spoken in the third person like that was during their last serious argument. She'd been terrified then that he would leave her, and it didn't seem the centuries had helped that any.

He sighed a little as he reached over and gently pulled her down next to him, "You are as ridiculous as you are beautiful my tempest." He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, "Did you seriously think my returning memories would make me think less of you?" His lips twitched with a humor that came to his face much more easily than it had before, "You already knew I'd get them back eventually."

"Aye, but I also didn't know what else could have happened to change your mind," Juvia murmured, bowing her head into his, "I'm sorry I didn't think you would be so happy with me."

Gray curled his arm around her body and pulled her close, "Don't. Enough of that, we've gone over this many times already."

"I have my memories just fine from this lifetime Juvia, and believe it or not that's what dictates how I feel and act," He cupped her cheeks in his hands to pull her gaze up to his, "I love you Juvia."

His eyes darkened with hesitation, his fingertips grazing through her hair, "I'm cursed now. Deeper than I'm afraid to even look. If there were one thing to stop us from going forward, this would be it."

Juvia smacked his hand away from her hair, giving him a look that was just as tempestuous as her nature.

"And don't you insult me by thinking I care one tick about your curse," Juvia growled back at him, surprising herself with the heat in her words.

Gray blinked at her and slowly grinned, "My Tempest indeed." He chuckled, "I should've known you wouldn't care about such a thing."

"You best believe I don't Gray!" Juvia replied, "I knew about your curse long before now, and I still pursued you." She frowned, "I only wish I knew more of it."

Gray stared down at his cursed arm for a moment, "It's a form of powerful ice magic." He replied softly, "My great-great-grand uncle was the first to tap into its power." He frowned, "At the time the family didn't know what the curse would do, or even that it was a curse."

"What happened?" Juvia asked curiously.

He sighed a little, "It was a hard year that year from what I understand.. The crops hadn't done well and the hunting was sparse. Hard times make for desperate men, and desperate men are quick to become bandits."

"A raid on the town?" Juvia breathed and Gray nodded.

"Aye. Some of the details were lost over time, but he tapped into the power to stop the bandits." A dark scowl crossed Gray's face, "And he did, froze them solid with a single hit, but there was a price."

"Gray I'm so sorry."

He looked at her in surprise, "What for? You weren't the one who cursed me. If anything, you helped." He smiled, "For all the hardships my family's suffered, we always had a sanctuary in you. Even before I got my memories back I was grateful for that."

Juvia smiled back and Gray stretched, "And anyway, cap'n," His expression twitched, "Natsu, won't let it slide. I'm certain he an' Lucy have a plan t' deal with that bastard. And I plan to be there when they do."

"Good," Juvia smiled, leaning towards him and placing her palms against his temples, "I can't say for sure what the consequences would be if you use your curse, but I can sense it is a power that will sink into your core and blacken your soul."

"The type of magic it is, there can be no other," Juvia gave him a gentle look and curled her fingers with his, "Perhaps soon we can eliminate it."

Gray nodded, taking in the sight of the beautiful Juvia with her delightful long hair curled over her shoulders and the trust in her eyes. How he earned it, he had no idea.

Never had he felt more unworthy of her, and there had been plenty of that feeling in his first life. Now he felt the flicker of shame for wanting what he did and not going through with it. The goddess had given him so much, and he had denied her time and again.

And yet there she was, waiting for him. No one could deny the steady patience of water. It could melt even the toughest ice, carve through mountains by the slowest trickle, and could simultaneously drown and revive all living things.

The patient Tempest.

"Aye, I'll do as ye say," Gray smiled at her, tugging a lock of hair between his fingers and bring the blue lock to his lips, "But first, what say we go down memory lane first?"

"That sounds like a mighty fine plan," Juvia agreed without hesitation, a warm blush crawling over her cheeks.

-::-

"Are ye sure 'bout this cap'n?" Gray asked as they pulled up to the small port closest to the mountains that would lead to his former home.

"Aye." Lucy replied firmly, giving the mountains a dark look, "I won't ask this of you, an' I remember the way." She flashed him a faint smile, "Besides, I need you here keepin' an eye on the Fairy Tail in case things go sideways."

"I still don't understand why we can't just fly you up." Sting grumbled, "It'd be a hell of a lot faster."

"Oh aye, have a dragon fly over a human population." Natsu drawled wryly, "That's a real good idea."

Sting scowled, "Well it's not like they'd hurt us!"

"No, but it'd cause panic." Gajeel rumbled, "Humans ain't used t' seeing dragons 'round these parts. These mountains were abandoned a long time ago when the nests here were wiped out. Ain't been a dragon here since. The humans would probably think it was an attack or somethin'."

"Not something that would help us keep our heads down." Lucy agreed, but smiled at Sting, "Still, your idea's a good one. I'd like you and Rogue to stay on standby in case we need a quick escape alright?"

Sting's chest swelled with pride and he nodded, "You can count on us cap'n!"

Gray hesitated as he watched Natsu strapping his sword to his hip and rolling his shoulders to swing their pack across his back. His eyes fell to where Lucy adjusted the pistols across her hips and the blades strapped to her thighs.

"Captain are you sure?" Gray cringed, hating how he was staying behind. Staying when he could be helping. Lucy just nodded without looking at him.

"Don't worry about it Gray, you've already done more than enough for me and I know the path. You and Levy drew out a map accurate enough it could lead a blind man out of the Abyss itself," Lucy snorted.

"I don't know about that," Levy grinned and looked back at where Juvia was moving to join the away team.

"Juvia, you're going too?" Gray asked, looking concerned as the goddess made her way towards the edge of the ship.

"Yes, the spell on everyone is weakening by the day, and I'm hoping to strengthen Jellal's by going with," Juvia explained, her expression looking resigned, "I don't know if it'll do anything but I'm hoping it will make a difference."

"Alright then sailor," Lucy grinned at Juvia, "Just keep up, sea legs are different than land legs!"

"So you've mentioned," Juvia pouted at Lucy as she swept off he ship trying to be as graceful as possible.

Lucy smiled fondly at the goddess, secretly quite grateful for the company. As much as she wanted to spend some time with just Natsu, this was hardly a pleasure trip and the divine backup was appreciated.

It didn't hurt that she'd grown quite fond of the sea goddess during the course of their voyage.

She paused as she neared the bottom of the gangplank, the familiar trepidation of going onto land stirring in her gut. She knew she would be protected, at least for a while, and they'd prepared for as many contingencies as they could think of, but the fear she'd carried her whole life wasn't easily dismissed.

"Trust your brother."

She looked over her shoulder as a warm hand dropped onto her waist and Natsu smiled at her, "An' if that still makes ye nervous, trust me. Human, dragon, or merman I'm still your champion."

Lucy smiled warmly at the unspoken promise he wouldn't let anything happen to her and took a deep breath as she took that final step off the ship for her longest duration on land since she was a child mourning her mother and learning whole new reasons to hate her father.

Natsu hopped down after her a moment later, and he slipped his arm around her waist again, "I ain't losin' you again." He murmured and kissed her temple, "Twice was two too many times."

Lucy smiled softly, her heart melting at the declaration, and nodded to Juvia, "Let's get this over with. I want us done and back at sea before anything can even think of happening."

—::—

Natsu looked around, his hand fisted around the reins of his mount. The giant riding cat ate up big strides of land, its paws crunching through snowy drifts as it moved quickly overground.

He glanced over at Lucy, where she was sitting on her own feline with Juvia's arms wrapped tight around Lucy's waist and looking completely green in her cheeks.

"What's the matter rain lady?" He called to the sick looking goddess, "Can't take the speed?"

"Perhaps what I can't take is Lucy at the reins. She seems to have forgotten I haven't ever ridden on anything over land faster than my own two feet!" Juvia whimpered into Lucy's bodice.

"I think maybe Juvia needs to get out of her comfort zone!" Lucy barked out a laugh that held a rougher edge to it. Her smile didn't quite meet her eyes, and Natsu could sense her discomfort.

The curse and her worry over Gray were apparent. In truth he was thinking about it too.

He remembered a cheerful, snowy village that laid nestled between two great mountains in the valley. It was cozy and held some of the most beautiful sights Natsu could remember.

He wondered how it would look, and if they would even have an opportunity to fix any of the damage done by Acnologia. They were working against a clock on Lucy after all.

He didn't have long to wonder as they rounded a bend and got their first look down at the little valley that had birthed Gray. A shocked gasp escaped him and he immediately reigned in his mount just so he could absorb what his eyes were telling him.

The valley that had once delighted him so was a ruin.

He could still see the marks from spells. Earth gouged in rifts too precise to be natural, shattered stone, and splintered tree stumps. He read it all easily. Where the armies had come up from either side, beaten paths still visible even after all this time, and met.

He could see where the panicked residents had desperately tried to hide behind defenses meant to protect them from wolves and bears, not men. He had no doubt they would've desperately tried to keep out of the way, and failing that, would've tried to hunker down in the hopes that the two monsters on their doorstep would leave them unmolested.

Except, of course, it never worked that way.

The town would've been rich in loot, and a good staging ground for launching an offensive down the other side. A downside to straddling a mountain pass such as this.

The conclusion was almost inevitable. Gray took after his people. Hardy, temperamental, and stubborn to a fault they would've refused to submit when the monsters turned on them. Preferring to fight than be abused.

And the knowledge shattered his heart.

Natsu didn't have the power or scope of skill to fixed what had broken. There was nothing to be done about the hollowed out town that had once been filled with cheerful faces. These people would be rightfully wary and ravaged by war. Natsu's chest clenched with anger.

Gray hadn't deserved to be cursed for standing up against Acnologia. He gave up his life, and even through each lifetime still had followed through with his orders. Natsu had seen the ghosts of the past haunt their way into the present, with Gajeel and the lost eggs of his nest, with his own curse...

But he had never seen such a widespread cause of destruction.

This had affected hundreds.

Juvia's mouth was covered by her palm, her eyes wide at the village. All of its splendor was gone, scraped out by the troops that had aimed to flatten their spirits.

"I've never been this far in, but by the accounts Gray told me, we're in the right place," Lucy cringed, her eyes dark and a slight shake of anger to her hands.

"What about his siblings?" Juvia spoke up, "Gray mentioned he had them in this life as well!"

Lucy shook her head and pushed her riding cat back into motion, "They don't have the best relationship according to Gray. His sister, Ultear, was a powerful mage, but she got captured by troops one night and tortured. Gray managed to free her, but she bares a heavy scar across her back from the incident."

"And his brother, well, Gray's mentioned he's been cold ever since that incident," Lucy murmured.

Natsu didn't know what to think of that, also knowing Gray sent most of the money he made out at sea on to his family. He hadn't changed in that regard once over the years.

He suspected perhaps Grays own fear and guilt over being unable to protect his family or town is what kept him away. And his sibling's anger might just be the result of losing their brother to the sea.

"He should have come with," Natsu grunted and clicked his tongue to encourage his cat to follow Lucy's. She looked over her shoulder at him, but he didn't elaborate.

Instead they took the narrowed path into the village. The buildings were strong like their people, many of them still standing even centuries later from when Natsu had last seen them. But many others were torn down and replaced with other, more temporary shelters.

It was difficult to build in this area, and these people didn't have enough resources.

"Is there nothing we can do to fix this?" Juvia asked quietly as they started making their way down to the valley, "These poor people..."

Natsu shook his head sadly, "Even if there was a sacrifice large enough for something like this, what could realistically be done?" He asked, "These people are as wounded as the land, and it would take much more than simply restoring their valley to take their pain and suffering away."

"They need a champion." Lucy said quietly, "Someone that can rally them and give them hope. Someone who can prove their claims aren't empty words and push them forward when their own fear would hold them back." Her hands tightened around her reins, "And they need friends. Long-term friends who would help them rebuild their home to its former glory."

"Such a thing would take years." Juvia replied, "Decades even. And of the three champions, only two are still mortal, and only one is still known as a champion."

"Aye." Natsu agreed, "And if I have to track her down at her nest myself when this is over I will."

"Do you think she would?" Lucy asked, torn between hope and doubt, "She's a dragon champion, not a human one."

"She's still a champion." Natsu replied, "And all champions are dedicated to serving regardless of species." He glanced around thoughtfully, "Besides, these mountains are prime nesting grounds. If a friendship between dragons and humans can be built..."

A prospect that would be tricky at best. Draconic mistrust ran deep, and for good reason. Setting something like that would would be quite a challenge. Still, the reward would be worth the effort if it could be done. He would have to have a talk with Jade and Erza when they were done with the immediate crisis. He was sure that between them they could come up with something.

"Dragons so close to humans though?" Lucy asked, speaking his thoughts aloud. He smiled, knowing she was thinking about their time in the nest and the various obstacles that had presented, "Sting would be happy to hear you eating your words."

"I'm sure he would, but it'll have its own difficulties. This town has no patron god either, it's too remote for it to be worth it for most," he frowned, "Shame. It's a little frosty, but the summer season is beautiful here and never gets too hot. Not to mention the natural springs, ores, and precious minerals around."

"It is beautiful, even with the war having wrecked it. I often wondered why no god would claim it," Juvia murmured into Lucy's back, "Its too far from the ocean for me to lay claim to it, and Levy was always better suited to larger cities with access to transporting books."

"What about Gajeel? Or Metalicana?" Lucy asked, her eyes flashing towards Natsu.

"Dragons," Natsu quirked a smirk back at Lucy, drawing her back to the previous point, "Dragon god draws dragons in. And many dragons don't like sharing. The last thing we would want is the dragons trying to push the humans off the land they've settled for hundreds of years. It'll have to be something very special to make it work."

"Seems like the only god that has managed to touch this place was War itself," Juvia frowned, hating that of all of them that Acnologia would be the most successful.

They finally made it through the town, earningthemselves distrustful glares from the gaunt looking populace that remained.

They didn't make it more than a couple of paces within the towns limit until a wave of birds, icy and swift began to circle around them, forcing their cats to stop where they were moving. It was a form of ice-make magic, and clearly they had been watched from one of the rickety looking rooftops their entire descent down.

The cats hissed at the birds, large paws lifting to try and swat at the intrusive creatures.

"What is this?" Lucy growled, her hand drawing towards her pistol, aiming for that rather than her magic to keep an element of surprise around her. Despite the magic rampant on her own ship, many people never possessed a drop of it in their blood.

"Familiar magic," Juvia noted, her eyes following the crystalline wings of birds scooping up and down around her.

She slid slowly off the back haunch of the cat, keeping her hands raised as one of the birds broke off and began to tightly circle her.

"Juvia, what're you up to?" Natsu grunted, his eyes flashing to the bird looping dangerously close to her head.

"Trust me," Juvia murmured and walked slowly in front of the two big cats, her arms still raised.

"We are simple travelers that are seeking passage through the mountain pass," she called out. Her eyes searched through the gathering crowd, aiming to pick up on the trail of magic, "May I speak with your leader, Lyon?"

Natsu raised an eyebrow at Juvia, who pointedly did not look at him. He could see the tinge of nerves at her temple where she tried to hide her anxiousness.

A guess then.

Gray was close lipped about his family in this life, so Juvia was making a gamble based off the magic and the natural cycles of life in reincarnation that were usually met. If Gray was here, so would his older brother Lyon. At leas, in theory.

The crowd murmured, and for a moment Natsu thought they would turn their blades to them.

At least until a familiar, but icy voice rose from the back of the crowd.

"Step aside."

The crowd parted with a quick ease, and a cloaked man stepped forward. His eyes were frosty with distrust, but reminiscent of Gray's. He held himself in much a similar way, but he turned his attention towards Juvia without much fanfare.

"Who are you, and how do you know my name? We don't get many friendly visitors," Lyon spoke, lifting his hood to yank from his face. From just under his eye, across his cheek to his chin was a scar that cut just across the corner of his mouth.

It seemed he had known a bit about war in this time.

"Forgive me for the impudence, I only know you by reputation," Juvia spoke smoothly, not at all flustered by his appearance. Or if she was, she hid it well.

"My name is Juvia Lockser, I sail aboard the Fairy Tail. This is her captain, Lucy Heartfilia and fellow sailor Natsu Dragneel." She bent her head.

Recognition sparked in Lyon's eyes, followed immediately by a wariness that Natsu noted skirted on the edge of fear.

"I see," Lyon spoke slowly, his voice deliberately calm and quiet as if he were testing the waters, "We've never had the honor of playing host to my brothers captain."

"Is he—...?"

"Dead?" Lucy spoke up, understanding at once where his sudden tension came from, "Nay, be at peace. We did not come here to bring you tidings of his demise. We are searching for an old relic beyond the borders of your town and Gray—"

"Did not see it fit to visit his family," Lyon cut her off with an impatient wave of his hand. The birds disappeared in a shower of snowflakes and he visibly seemed to relax, "That damned fool, counting his curse like it were the plague."

"That was hardly the only reason." Lucy replied firmly, "And you may lay the blame for that at my feet if you wish. As my first mate it was needful he remain on the ship." She sighed, "Though being here now I wish I'd insisted he come and found an alternative."

"You wouldn't have succeeded." Lyon reply dryly, though there was a twist of a smile curling around his lips, "My brother is as stubborn as a mule when he's so minded." He studied their little group, "Though that is perhaps something we can discuss later. Come. You must be freezing out here, and I would like to hear more about what brings my brother's captain so far inland."

Lucy studied her first mate's brother for a moment, but though he was not precisely welcoming them with open arms, it was probably the warmest welcome they were likely to get under the circumstances. She glanced at Natsu and Juvia and smiled when they both nodded.

"Thank you Mr. Fullbuster." She replied, "We would be delighted to speak with you further."

"Lyon." Lyon replied with a definite smile that time, "My brother may be an idiot, but I'm not foolish enough to hold you responsible for his actions." He smirked, "Our sister would have my hide if I did."

He nodded to the locals, who silently stepped aside to allow them through. There was little warmth in most of their eyes, nor did they drop their weapons, but it seemed that Lyon's acceptance of them had helped ease any overt hostility. And for that she was grateful. She had absolutely no desire for any conflict with these people.

Lyon noticed her glances and sighed, "Awful isn't it?" He asked, "It's been ten years and we still haven't made any headway on rebuilding."

"If it wouldn't be prying, might I ask why?" Lucy asked, "Surely traders would be interested in a pass so convenient to the port?"

"In times past maybe." The ice mage answered, a scowl crossing his features, "It was through trade that our town grew as big as it did. However, after the war that razed the town we were left with nothing to trade with and only the most basic means of survival. Not that it would've mattered. The conflict itself ensured the traders either focused on supplying one army or another or vanished altogether."

"Idiots." Natsu snorted scornfully, "A smart trader would've helped the town back on its feet and then reaped the benefits of the goodwill that would've followed. Sure there might've been less profit for a while, but you can't buy that kind of reputation and standing."

Lyon blinked at him for a moment and a slow smile worked its way across his face, "You're more than you seem Mr. Dragneel." He replied, "And you're right. Such a person would've had great influence here." He sighed again, "I suppose it doesn't matter. At this point, the trade routes have shifted and no one even remembers us as a waypoint anymore."

He trailed off as a cozy looking house came into view. Tucked away as it was it had clearly been spared the worst of the damages from their taste of war, but ten years of hard times were starting to show in the wear and tear of the place.

Still, the lights inside flickered invitingly, and as she slid off her mount Lucy was suddenly very eager to be inside where it was warm rather than talk more out here where the cold had begun to seep into her bones.

Lyon lead them to an outcropping where they could shelter their and water their cats. Natsu clicked his tongue to them and guided them into a sort of makeshift bedding of hay that had been laid out to keep the ground from frosting over.

Once they were settled, Natsu slid his thumbs into his belt as they stomped their way into Lyons home. They kicked off snow from their boots so not to track it inside, but swiftly shut the door to keep the warmth from escaping.

"I'm back," Lyon called out, sweeping his cloak off his shoulders and heading further inside. He glanced back at his guests, "Make yourselves at home by the fire. I'll round up my fiancé and sister."

They made themselves comfortable near the hearth, Natsu sneaking out handfuls of flames to snack on when they weren't paying attention. He waited for the fire to rebuild each time before swiping another flicker, but that didn't seem to slow him down much. It was a strange thing to see, and Lucy quickly realized Natsu had very poor impulse control when it came around to an open flame.

She was distracted from chiding him when they were soon joined again by a tall woman that walked with a slight bow to her step and another woman with pink hair curling around her face. The former watched them with a familiar frostiness, but the latter looked much friendlier.

Lyon joined them soon after, his hand supporting under his sister's arm, "Captain, this is my sister Ultear and my fiancé Meredy."

"Well met Captain Lucy." Ultear replied with a small smile as she waved for Lucy to sit back down, "And welcome to our home."

"The pleasure's ours." Lucy replied as she sat down, watching as Lyon helped Ultear to sit and then sat down with great dignity only for his fiance' to shatter it by plopping herself onto his lap.

"Meredy..." He sighed long sufferingly only to smile as his intended bride leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Don't make me use my magic on you." She smirked at him, earning a chuckle from her future sister-in-law.

"Meredy would you be kind enough to bring some refreshments for our guests?" Ultear asked, "I'm sure they would quite like something hot in them after trekking through the snow."

"Sure thing!" Meredy chirped as she hopped up and smiled at the three, "I'll be right back with some warm cider for you!"

Ultear smiled fondly as the exuberant young woman bounced out, "She's a breath of fresh air in this family." She said softly and shook her head a little as she focused back on Lucy, "Now, what brings you all the way out here and with my youngest brother not in tow? Lyon assures me he's not dead, but this is far out of your usual haunts captain."

Lucy frowned thoughtfully, "The short explanation is that we're hunting for an ancient relic, and time is of the essence. The rest is rather a long story."

"I would encourage you to make the time," Ultear said firmly, but not unkindly, "No matter what map my idiot younger brother might have drawn you, this is a treacherous season and the terrain has changed since the last time Gray was here."

"You will need an escort through this terrain, and not many will be willing to offer it despite your relation to Gray," Ultear sighed.

"In fact I'm afraid that your relation to Gray may work against you," Lyon shook his head, "There are some in the village less sympathetic to his curse."

"It's unfortunate I cant guide you myself but I'm not as mobile as I used to be," Ultear winced as she shifted in her seat, cringing as she had to remain bowed over like an older woman.

"Luckily I can do the task, but I will not leave my injured sister and fiancé alone. Not without good reason," Lyon said quietly.

Natsu glanced at Lucy and then at Juvia gave an encouraging nods, "Very well. I'll give it to you straight."

"The Destroyer has turned his attention towards us," Natsu said calmly, "And we aim to kill him."

Lyon blinked and shoved his way to his feet, looking enraged by the suggestion, "Kill the Destroyer? You believe yourself good enough to fell a god?! One older than the hearts of man itself?"

Ultear raised a hand, a shrewd smile flashing over her face.

"Why didn't you lead with that?" She asked in amusement, pushing her brother back down, "Of course we will assist."

"We will?" Lyon asked, looking taken aback by the certainty in her gaze.

"We will," Ultear confirmed, "I don't know about you Lyon, but any chance to save Gray from that curse and bring his sorry rear home is a chance I'm willing to take."

"What more can Acnologia do to us?" She grasped her brother's hand, "I am a cripple, our brother is an exile, and you are trapped here playing leader to a bunch of villagers who would sooner slit your throat and watch you bleed out."

"Only the fact that you are our last remaining ice mage stays their hand and keeps us safe," Ultear murmured, "But this is a real opportunity to change the hand we were dealt and bring Gray home."

Lyon frowned in hesitation, clearly afraid for his family as he knelt before his sister and took her hands in his.

"What about you? And Meredy?"

"Don't think of me as so easily taken brother, I have plenty of magic left in me to keep us both safe," Ultear smacked Lyon light against the back of his head, "After all, I can still tie you up in knots if I must."

"Over achiever," Lyon grunted.

He sighed, seeing the sense in his sister's words despite the fear around the new change. He rose, turning towards them and keeping his chin lifted.

"Very well, any enemy of the Destroyer is a friend to the Fullbuster clan," Lyon sighed, "We will help you bring Gray home. He needs to be back to attend my wedding after all, and I don't much care for a ceremony at sea."

"I promise I'll do everything I can to get him here." Lucy promised fervently, "And thank you."

"No, thank you Lucy." Ultear replied as Meredy walked in with a tray, "It makes me happy to know that Gray did not exaggerate about you one bit in his letters home."

A smile drifted over Juvia's face, "He still writes home?"

"Every chance he gets!" Meredy replied brightly, "We have a hard time writing back though. The only port we know you come back to is Magnolia, and it can be weeks or months before he gets a letter." She frowned sadly, "We're not even sure if Gray knows that Lyon proposed."

"Don't worry." Lucy grinned as she accepted a hot mug gratefully, "I'll see to it he finds out when we get back to the ship. When's the wedding?"

"Springtime!" Meredy replied happily, "When the valley's in bloom, but there's still a little snow in places. If the gods are kind the weather will be clear and it will be beautiful!"

"Oh that sounds beautiful!" Juvia gushed, "I'm certain Chelia would be delighted to bless the day for you!"

"I hope so!" Meredy blushed, curling her hand around Lyon's, "I want to be as light and happy as possible!"

"I'm certain it will be." Lucy replied and looked at Ultear, "And once we finish our current quest, I'll ask our ship's healer if she would come take a look at your wound. She possesses a rare type of healing magic and can work wonders on most injuries."

Ultear perked up with a smile at that, "That is a truly handsome offer! I would be glad to accept!" She glanced at the window and frowned, "It's getting late. It would be best for you to remain here tonight and depart with Lyon in the morning for your relic."

Lucy grimaced a little at the delay, but nodded, "Thank you, we will."

"May I ask why you're in such a hurry?" Meredy asked curiously, "I overheard your objective, but I can't imagine why speed is so important if you're being stealthy?"

Lucy glanced at Natsu, who nodded in agreement, and leaned back, "That's the really long version of the story I mentioned." She replied wryly, "And it begins with me. Or rather, a past incarnation of me. You see, about two thousand years ago..."


And that's the chapter! I hope you all enjoyed! No major notes for you this time, so I'll just say thank you to all of our amazing reviewers! You guys totally rocked it hard and earned yourselves a nice preview! Enjoy that my loves and we'll see you all on Sunday!

"Agh!" Natsu finally cried in frustration, "Why the hell is this so difficult? We got the right spot!"

"You have to be patient!" Lucy replied, "We'll find it! We know there's something here or Levy wouldn't have sent us out here."

"We'll never find anything around this white crap cap'n." Natsu protested, and ignited his fist, "I'm gonna melt it!"

"You're what?!" Lucy yelped, "Natsu if you do that-!"

But it was too late. Natsu plunged his fist into the nearest drift and watched it instantly turn into water. Which then proceeded downhill straight towards Juvia in a miniature waterfall.

Juvia let out a shriek of surprise and threw her arms up, flashing a slice of water up to cut through the drift of snow and water before it could bury her.

the goddess panted, giving Natsu a look that bordered on a crazed glare. He gave her a sheepish grin in apology, not having expected the mini avalanche he caused with his impatience.

"You need to be more careful!" Lucy hissed at Natsu, "Your fire could bring the whole mountain down on us!"