Chapter 5

Beige parchment floated along with the wind through the town of Magnolia; abruptly slapping against a brick walled building. The rustic stone it collided with revealing the stained letters on its surface.

"Missing: Lucy Heartfilia. Celestial Mage of Fairy Tail.

Last Seen in Haregon Port, at Lu-Anne's Bath and Spa House.

If Seen, Please Contact Fairy Tail Immediately.

Reward: $500,000 Jewels."

Similar fliers were strewn across Magnolia and all of Fiore. Three weeks has passed since Lucy's disappearance. The air within Fairy Tail was somber. Everyone there was on edge. Team Natsu had gone on a mission two days ago, chasing another lead on their missing friend. Totaling seventeen missions since Lucy's disappearance. Today is the day they are expected to return, hopefully with Lucy. The day drug on as many members awaited their return. Master sat on the banister of the second floor, opting for a better view of the entire guild and its doors. Mira stood behind the bar as per usual. She wiped down the cups that sat stagnate on her counter. Silent murmurs could be heard coming from the main floor.

Levy, with mountains of books piled around her, sat with her head buried in one; furiously translating an unfamiliar language. Gajeel sat at the same table, quietly nursing an ale as Lily napped on the smallest stack of books. Wakaba and Macao, along with Max, Warren and Romeo, sat together quietly discussing the latest issue of Weekly Sorcerer. The Raijin Shu sat close to the guilds stage, conversing on what their next mission should be from the several request lain out on their table. Elfman and Lisanna stood by the bar, informing Mira on the newest rumor of a vicious snow beast Elfman wanted to takeover. Mira ginned widely at her younger siblings, surprised by their need to become stronger all of the sudden. All seemed well within the guild, like they were completely fine. Like they weren't nervously tapping their feet, chewing their nails in between sentences, or anxiously holding their breath when they thought the doors were opening.

There was no doubt in Makarovs mind that his children were hiding their pain and being recklessly optimistic. From his perch above the rest, he watched as slow despair consumed his children.

"I have a feeling that this isn't going to end well." Stated a voice from behind. Mest came forward to lean against the same banister. His earlier statement couldn't be any truer. A low sigh was all Master responded with.

The abrupt slam of the front entrance startled everyone. All eyes were glued in the direction of the sound. The team they all have been waiting on entered. Sorrow filled their eyes, defeat evident in the teams' posture. They had returned with the same number of people they had left with. While Erza, Gray, Happy, Carla and Wendy all headed to the bar for drinks, Natsu continued walking straight. He strode through the center of the main floor, head hung low. He grabbed a stay knife on a passing table, the fist holding it alit with flames. With all his pent up rage and disappointment, he hurled the flaming knife. It collided with a dull thud against the map of Fiore. Embedding itself halfway into the wall the map hung on. Several other knives littered about in similar fashion. Each one the result of a false or dead end lead. His fist joined it soon after.

Leaning his head against the wall, he let a few tears run down his cheeks. Where are you Lucy? This question constantly ran through his head. The sorrow he felt for losing his best friend was crippling. Without the support of his friends and neighboring guilds, he wouldn't be able to stand and search for his missing partner. Grief consumed him as he melted onto the floor. He didn't know how much more of this his heart could take.

Happy soon glided over, forcing his way into Natsu's arms. The feline hated seeing his best friend so sad. He also hated not having Lucy around to make everything better. If she was here, she would know how to make Natsu happy again. They sat there huddled together, crying in each other's embrace. This was a normal occurrence now when the team returned from another failed mission. The rest of the guild grieved in their own ways with them. It was understood that long moments of silence followed their return.

After drying up their tears and composing themselves again, Natsu and Happy started to head to their shared home. Opting to take the scenic route and take Strawberry street, where Lucy's apartment was. Her scent faintly lingered there still. It wasn't as comforting as Natsu had once found it.

This routine of sorts continued on week after week. Teams would alternate in journeying to far places in search for Lucy. Other members would scout out areas where possible sighting were. Ally guilds aided in the search for the missing mage. Every lead had eventually gone cold. With each passing week, stress mounted onto the members of Fairy Tail. Without Lucy there, the guild just didn't function right. New faces came, but when they saw the mighty guild lost in their own little struggle, they soon left. Master rarely came out of his office anymore. When he did, he would sit on the second story banister and watch his children fall further into depression.

The most noticeable change was Natsu's. The once happy-go-lucky, lets destroy everything slayer sat still at the bar. He started to drink more than usual when the team would return from another failed attempt. Slowly but surely he started to not go out on missions all together. He would sit in front of the map, empty ale cups littered around him. Staring at the cursed map, the knives reminders of his failure. How he couldn't save his partner.

One afternoon he got so drunkenly mad, that he staggered over to the map. While muttering vile things to it, he tore it from the wall. Tearing every piece into tiny shreds. He threw the knives behind him, not caring if they hit anyone. Unfortunately for Natsu, one had hit Gajeel. Though he wasn't injured, he was pissed off at the pinkettes actions. "Oi! Salamander! What do you think you are doing?! You could fucking hurt someone with those things!" exclaimed Gajeel. He soon charged over to the drunken man when he didn't stop. Gajeel caught Natsu's wrist in his hand. "Are you deaf now, Salamander? I said to stop!"

The pinkette just looked at his captured wrist, not understanding what was really happening. With one look at the iron dragon slayer, Natsu erupted into flames. Fists collided with flesh. The men toppled over tables and sent chairs and cups flying. The brawl was short lived when a bluenette stepped in. Levy walloped both the slayers with freezing water, stopping them in their tracks. Tears stained her cheeks as she looked at the two. Her hands were clenched into fists, trembling with anger towards them. "You disgust me Natsu Dragneel. It has been weeks. Weeks since you have been out to look for her. Weeks of you siting on your ass drinking the days away! I'm tired of seeing you here. I'm tired of worrying about Lucy while you act like you don't care! How could you do that? After everything that you two have been through, you've lost your will to find her?! How do you think we feel? Why should we try to look for her when her own PARTNER won't! You are just confirming our worst fears."

She was only inches away from the sobering Natsu, tiny hands raised, ready to strike his chest in a fit of fury. Tears ran down her face as she finished her speech. Saying what needed to be said, what everyone was thinking. Hit after hit, she let out all her frustration on Natsu. Everyone else was quiet as she kept hitting and hiccupping. The sight of the tiny mage saddened them. This new revelation hitting home for those who listened.

With the guild eerily quiet, thundering footsteps could be heard outside the guild. The doors swung open as a familiar voice yelled out. "NATSSSUUUU!" Gray rushed toward the swaying slayer, anger in each step. "You Idiot! You should have come with us!". His fast approach was followed by a swift punch to the jaw. Gray had sent Natsu flying into the back wall. Without losing momentum, Gray was on top of him right as Natsu hit the floor. Landing punch after punch. "We could have found her! Wendy caught her scent! We could have been almost there! If you would have been there, we would be tracking her by now!" Natsu didn't fight back. Letting his friends attack and punish him for his failures. "Now we may never know where she is! The scent is gone! ITS GONE JUST LIKE HER!". The force behind his fists slowly decreased in speed and force until they stopped all together. His sobs could be heard as he finished his sentence. Tremors racked his body as he leant over a defeated Natsu. "We could have found her." He trailed on.

All of the ruckus and commotion had brought Master out of his office. Witnessing everything, he watched as the last little sliver of hope vanished from his children's eyes. He watched as they broke down into uncontrollable sobbing and wailing that could be heard all throughout Magnolia. It was with great sorrow and defeat that he spoke.

"Children, it is with great pain that I am announcing the cancelation of all remaining search parties for Lucy Heartfilia. With no leads and no sightings, our allies have concluded the worst. Mira, please inform our friends of the change in plans. Eight weeks have passed since her disappearance. It is with great sorrow that the bell will be tolled this evening in her honor." Makarov concluded, sniffling and crying with everyone else. With great effort, he raised his hand in the Fairy Tail sign, the entire guild following suit. "May your everlasting journey be full of new adventures!" He sobbed.

That night, the guild bell tolled for hours on end. Rain poured down on the town, relentlessly. It lasted for days. Heavy grey clouds hung above Magnolia, like the earth sensed its despair.

Two weeks had pasted since the tolling of the bell. The storm had moved on, though Fairy Tail hadn't. The guild was somber, an occasional sob ringing out amongst the crowd. Today was the day of the unveiling of Lucy's memorial. Laki and Reedus had created a stunning statue for the guild in her honor. Master had announced the unveiling of it two days prior. Many had gathered outside the guild building, at the northeast corner stone. There a twelve-foot figure hid behind a red cloth. With everyone gathered together, guild members and townspeople alike, Master Makarov took his place behind the podium.

"We are gathered here today to unveil the memorial built in honor of the late Lucy Heartfilia. From her first moment here, she changed us all. Warmth followed where ever she went. We cherish the memories that we share of her. She surprised us at every turn. From her magical abilities first shown during the thunder palace incident, to her unwavering will to fight for her nakama during the Grand Magic Games. We would have lost a member if it wasn't for her and her love for everyone. Her power was great and her spirit unwavering. She will forever be in our hearts and forever at Fairy Tail, where she was loved unconditionally. It is my honor to present to you, The Heartfilia Memorial.". As Master finished the speech on the note cards in front of him, the red cloth began to cascade from the statue. There stood before them an exact replica of their beloved Lucy. Clad in her Grand Magic Games uniform. She stood with her head turned toward the sky, arms stretched out beside her, hair flowing around her body mimicking her Urano Meteria stance. They captured her entire essence, forever to be carved from stone. From here on out, she would watch over Fairy Tail. Her beloved family, always.

The crowd awed at the statue. So much emotion and effort was put into making this. Tears of joy and sadness mixed together. Scattered claps were heard, growing louder as everyone joined. She wasn't gone, not completely at least. Here she sat, watching over us all. Protecting us alongside of First Master Mavis.

Natsu lingered in the back of the crowd. Crying silently as he witnessed the masterpiece his friends created for his late partner. The amount of love they held for her did not surprise him. All who met Lucy loved and respected her and her talents. He listened intently as Master spoke of his beloved child. As Makarov concluded, memories of his partner flooded his mind. Warmth filled his soul at the remembrance of her. He recognized every scene that played through in his head. From the first moment they met, to their most recent mission together. The smile that graced his lips at the thoughts slowly disappeared. One scene was unfamiliar to him. He did not recall any of this ever happening. He doesn't recall saying those word, but here he was. Spewing out harsh words at his partner. The scene would get blurry before focusing again. He didn't understand what was happening. Silent tears rolled down his cheek. Those were the last words he said to his partner, his friend, the woman he loved.

Author Note: This was a very emotional section for me. I hope you guys enjoy it. If you have any comments or criticisms, please feel free to leave a review. I am very interested in here what you guys have to say about the story so far. If you guys have any ideas on where the story should go, please say so. I am always looking for inspiration. Thank you guys for reading!