I do not own Fairy Tail. Thanks so much for the reviews. Oh, and if anyone was worrying if Gray ends up with an OC don't worry, I mean, accidents do happen *cough.*Also, don't panic if the story seems to be getting of Gray as the hero, this chapter just works on setting up the conflict. Sorry if this chapter may seem confusing, I tried to clear things up the best I could. Basically there's a time skip but I didn't want to just say however many years later and then dump all this new stuff on you guys. I hate when authors do that unless they make it work really well. It's like saying "One hundred years later," well what the hell happened during the last century? Were the characters just frozen or what? Enough with my rantings, enjoy!

Arian, Year Y461

If Gray found out one thing in his life, it was that if he wanted to survive he had to adapt.

When Ur had found him years ago he hadn't. He had too much on his mind and refused to focus on reality. That didn't end real well.

After that, he made sure to always become accustomed to whatever situation he was thrown into. He had joined Fairy Tail, and made himself apart of the guild until it was his family. There were always ripples in how comfortable he was. Like when Erza first joined and they didn't get along. But over time he thought of her as one of his closest friends. Or when Natsu joined. They had fought endlessly but that didn't stop the ice mage from getting past that and thinking of him as a good friend. When guild members joined and left he became used to it. When he and a majority of the guild had disappeared for seven years and finally returned, he adjusted to how much the world changed in those years.

So if he didn't try to adjust to this world then his whole life he would have been doing so for nothing. Even though there was a pain in his heart from being away from his family.

Earth Land, Year X791, Three Weeks After Gray's Disappearance

"This is ridiculous!"

Erza held her fist back from hitting the map posted on the search board in anger. If being a mage of Fairy Tail had taught her anything, it's that you don't give up on your friends. That was the rule she lived by, and the rule that she forever will. So when a nakama was torn away she refused to let them go without a fight.

"Gray was in this radius. No farther, even if he was we couldn't find him." The scarlet's eyes began to glaze over from looking at the map of so long. She was tempted just to let Natsu burn the forest down so none of the land features on the map would be in their way from finding their ice mage.

"You said you couldn't find a trail, correct?" Makarov sat at the Fairy Tail bar, a grim expression set on his face.

Natsu gave a short nod. "I could trace his scent up to a point. Then it just stopped suddenly for no reason."

The elderly man scratched his chin in thought. All this time and no idea of what happened to the ice mage had surfaced into his mind. He had the three mages and cat that where there during the incident to retell the story of what happened countless times. Each time hoping a detail they had missed would arise and lead them to the lost mage's location.

"Let's go over this one more time…"

Arian, Year Y462

A heavy pant escaped the ice mage as he exited the mage test that a demon from hell had created. Fresh claw marks were present on his skin and parts of his clothes that he was wearing were either singed or torn in shreds. That had to be one of the most difficult tasks he had ever suffered thru but a feeling of accomplishment rose in him as the as the test administrators came into view.

One administrator in particular was worth take noticing of. His now close friend and trainer for the exam waited for him as he approached. A smile was placed on her lips and she gave him a small nod, letting him know he passed. She slung her arm around his neck and punched him playfully in the shoulder. Aino had proven to be as loyal a friend as anyone back at Fairy Tail. She was a strong willed as Erza and as kind as Lucy. Best of all, she was as competitive as the ice mage. When she had received her second S he made it his goal to surpass her.

Thus he was on his way to becoming one of the strongest mages on the continent.

Another administrator walked up to him and calmly placed his hand over the green S on the ice mage's right arm. The guild stamp shimmered for a moment and the man took his hand away from him. A new crimson colored S was stamped across his arm, letting everyone know what he was capable of.

Earth Land, Year X791, Five Week After Gray's Disappearance

"Master!"

Makarov gave a weak smile to Lucy whom waved at him as soon as he walked through the guild doors. An optimistic grin stretched across her face. Her smile faltered as the old man lost his.

"What's wrong? What did you find out?"

The elderly man let out a long sigh. Other members gathered around him, hoping for the good news he did not possess. "I fear there wasn't a dark guild that abducted him in hopes for some sort of deal from us. I truly believe Gray's disappearance had no motivation to it."

Makarov's heart clenched as the faces of his children fell at hearing the news. They had thought they had a lead on the ice mage, only to find out it had been a sick rumor to get their hopes up.

Arian, Year Y463

"Don't even think about it."

A frown stretched across Gray's face at that statement. He had snuck up behind Aino and had planned out a long complicated plot to pay her back for all the "suffering" she's caused him lately only to have his plans foiled so easily. He will never understand how girls seem to know everything. "How did you know it was me?"

"Simple, whenever you come around the temperature drops ten degrees."

Gray let out a "tsking" sound and sat down next to his fellow mage. He watched as the other casually flipped thru the pages of an old tomb on ancient magic. Turns out that Herman guy had a lot of books stuck in that attic with him that were supposed to be lost to the ages. Course he only let trustworthy people borrow them. The ice mage had been lucky enough to have the old man lend him a book on ice magic once. Though the senile coot still had a habit of throwing dangerous elixirs at the ice mage at times, despite how well Gray was beginning to know him.

Aino finally glanced up at him after about a minute of his watching her. "What are you looking at?"

"You."

"Why?"

"No reason, just thinking for much you owe me."

Aino made a face at that which was actually quite charming in the ice mage's opinion. "Now why in the world do I owe you?"

"Well the way I see it, on the last mission you made me live bait. That was strike one."

"Strike one?"

Gray nodded. "Then later you let me almost fall to my doom into a live volcano. Strike two."

"Oh please, we both knew you had both times cover-"

"Lastly," Gray smirked and leaned closer to her. "You just ruined my ingenious scheme to get back at you. Strike three. Three strikes you're out."

"First of all, if it was so ingenious you wouldn't have gotten caught. But I'll play along. What do I get for being 'out,' as you put it?"

Gray's smirk turned into a daring grin. "I think going on a date with me would make us even."

Earth Land, Year X791, Two Months After Gray's Disappearance

Natsu rubbed his temples in exhaustion. Life had more or less been forced to return to "normal." Or at least as normal as it could get without a core member of the guild present. He, along with Lucy and Erza, had taken it upon themselves to be the ones in charge of the still ongoing search. They had been the ones with the ice mage when he disappeared after all.

They couldn't spend all their time on searching though. Rent had to be paid and foodstuff had to be bought. Taking time out to go on missions cut time out from looking for Gray. It couldn't be helped. The world moved on even if they weren't ready for it to.

But on his name as a Fairy Tail mage he wasn't giving up.

Arian, Year Y464

"They hated me."

Even in the dark night Gray could see Aino trying not to roll her eyes at his statement. They walked together down a dirt road leading back to their city of residence. He had been thrilled to meet her family at the beginning. But as it turned out her father was the epitome of distaste against human beings, especially human beings that breathed. He had a particular hate against the living ones. "They did not hate you."

"You're father tried to turn me into a human statue."

"That's just how he shows his affection. Besides, my mom adores you."

"At least one of them does. I thought your dad was going to have a heart attack when we told him. I can't believe you didn't say anything beforehand."

"About what? This?"

Aino held up her hand, a thin silver band was located on one finger. Moonlight gleamed off of a few diamonds that were set in the metal in a simple yet elegant design.

"You're unbelievable."

His fiancée just smirked at him. "Think of it this way, if I had early I doubt you would have been allowed in the house."

"Speaking of your house, why didn't you tell me your parents were loaded? If I had known I wouldn't have dressed so casual. It was like a museum in there." He wasn't exaggerating either. The estate wasn't as large as Lucy's family back when they had money. It was humble compared to that. But the home was elegance in its finest.

Aino shrugged. "No reason, and I thought your regular appearance was fine. At least you kept your clothes on the whole time."

"The things I do for you." Gray sighed. They walked in silence for a moment. A thought of something Aino's father had said came into his mind. He hadn't thought much about it early, but he was curious now. "So who's this Malachi you dad apparently says has to deal with me now?"

A groan came from the female mage at that name. "Trust me, the longer you can go without knowing him the better."

"Who is he?"

Aino was silent for a moment, mulling over how to start describing him. "Well I don't know about where you come from, but here we have a certain thing called 'guardian.' Though guardians mostly exist in wizard families only."

"Guardian?"

Aino nodded. "It's sort of like a family protector. He works as a protector for whatever family member that has him. Right now I'm the one who received the misfortune of dealing with him."

"Why is it a misfortune? Having someone looking out for you is great."

"Nah, Malachi is kind of an asshole."

Gray raised an eyebrow. Asshole isn't exactly a word he would use to describe someone who watches over him. "You're kidding, right? I've got to meet this guy."

Aino groaned in annoyance. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you." She reached behind her neck and began untying the dragon pendant always wore. Gray watched mesmerized as she laid the piece of jewelry on the ground and smoke began to rise from the piece. A bright flash went off and blinded him temporarily. When he could see again a dragon was lying on the ground. Yes, a dragon. He had learned they were as common as any other animal here but it was still weird to see them and everyone not panic. It was roughly six feet long and had light blue scales on its backside. Dark blue spikes covered trailed down its back, white scales covered its underbelly. It didn't have wings like most dragons would, just a long body.

Then a heavy tail lashed out and hit Aino in the back of her head.

"OW! Dammit Malachi!"

"Are you oka- Dammit! That hurt!" Malachi looked content as both mages rubbed their throbbing heads from where the dragon hit both of them.

"Serves you right. I hate being disturbed. Now why have you called me out for such a pointless reason as him?" Malachi pointed his accusing tail at the ice mage. Aino was right, this guy was an asshole. Even his mouth was impolite.

"So is he like a celestial spirit?" The ice mage kneeled down next to the reptilian creature.

The reptile narrowed its catlike black eyes at him. "It will do you well to not group me with a spirit. Unless you prefer you limbs apart from your body."

Gray gulped and back away from the creature. "Not quite." Aino answered. "You told me a friend of yours used spirits once, right? Well Malachi isn't the same. It doesn't require any magic to summon him or keep him here. He's independent minus the fact he's forever obligated to work for anyone who's part of my family. So congrats, in a few months you're stuck with him too."

"This miserable being?" Malachi gave the ice mage a look over. "Surely even you Aino could do better."

Gray repressed an insult he desperately wanted to throw back at the awful creature. Now he knew why he'd never seen him before. Mayhap if this had been back in Earth Land he would have asked Malachi if he was knew Porlyusica, they were both misanthropes after all.

Earth Land, Year X791, Four Months After Gray's Disappearance

Lucy traced circles on the bar counter. It was unusually quiet in the guild building. It wasn't a mystery why. Things where always quite now that there was one less member of their family. Not as much arguing happened and fights didn't break out that much. It was less lively here. The case had long gone cold, no evidence was left behind, whatever happened to the ice mage was truly a mystery.

It was like a part of Fairy Tail had been cut out was never put back in place.

Arian, Year Y467

A low morning yawn escaped the ice mages lips as he rolled over in bed. He stretched his arms above his head and felt his muscles relax at the action. He turned his head to the side and saw his beautiful young wife still sleeping next to him. A red and green S was visible on her right arm, just like the two S's on his. He snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to his body. He ran one of his hands loving thru her dark hair. The other he rested gently on her swollen stomach. He smiled to himself as he felt a small kick under his palm.

Aino blinked her eyes open lazily and gazed at him. "You couldn't have let them sleep? You're going to see them in a few weeks anyway."

Gray gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I guess I'm just impatient."Aino let out a sigh and buried her head in the ice mage's chest. She muttered something against his skin and he had to struggle to hear it. "Could you repeat that?"

Aino smirked "Why? Are you losing your hearing now that you're an old man?"

"I'm only twenty-four! Not to mention the exact same age as you."

The other just laughed at him. "I said did you think about a name yet?"

"Hmm," Gray took a moment before replying. He already had a pretty good idea on the name. "You can say that."

Earth Land, Year X791, Six Months After Gray's Disappearance

Makarov smiled as exuberant laughter rang out through the guild hall of the Fairy Tail guild. His children joked and laughed around him. Enjoying themselves for one of the few times in months. After all this time of not knowing the answers it was nice to have everyone joyful once more.

The pain of losing one of their own was still there, but the guild was strong enough to make it through. They laughed, and smiled, and were merry. Just like the ice mage would have wanted them to be.

Arian, Year Y470

"Well isn't it Mr. Big Shot himself."

Gray cracked a smile as he was greeted by his wife when he walked into the guild building. He had spent the last week away from his family and friends to train and take an ability trial. Now two crimson S's were present on his right arm, letting everyone know that he was one of the best of the best.

"Congrats on making SS-Class." Aino reached up and pecked him lightly on his cheek, causing his smile to turn into a wide grin.

"I do believe I'm the better mage now." Gray teased, earning a light punch from the other.

"Don't get so cocky. I'm taking the trial next year."

"Until then I'll just enjoy teasing you." Gray felt a small tugging on the leg of his pants. He looked down and saw a small child of only three years staring up at him with wide, dark blue eyes like his own. Brown hair so dark it could almost be considered black in some light covered her head. Her skin was pale like his, but her features were finer like Aino's. Gray beamed at the small girl. He reached down and lifted her up, hugging her tightly to his chest in a warm embrace. "Why hello to you too, Ur. Were you a good girl while I was away?"

Ur nodded in response. She placed her head on Gray's shoulder and closed her eyes, happy to use the ice mage as a bed.

It was good to be home.

Earth Land, Year X791 Eight Months After Gray's Disappearance

Erza let out a laugh at her friend's antics. Natsu was brawling with every possible mage he could, claiming he could beat them without even trying. The guild hall was a mess. Chairs and tables were over turned and at times a mage or two would fly across the room from a direct hit. Lucy and Wendy coward in the corner, trying not to fall victim to a piece of furniture or person.

The scarlet took another bite of her strawberry cake and let the scene unfold before her.

"Aren't you going to join them?"

Erza looked over to the white haired bartender that asked the question. Mira cast her one of her famous caring smiles. "I don't believe so. I just find I'd rather not at the moment."

"Really? I thought you'd like to join in the fun. Although I suppose you're about to either way."

"Why do you say that?" Mira just gave the scarlet another smile before leaving to wipe down the bar counter. Erza thought about her words for a moment before shrugging them off. Sometimes the bartender could be too vague to figure out. The scarlet raised another forkful of the sweet delight to her mouth. She was just about to indulge in the sweet treat before something struck her from behind and caused the plate of cake in her hand to fly from her grasp and clatter to the floor. Titania stared in horror at the now smashed pastry. Her scrumptious treat now nothing put a pile of cream and sweetened bread.

Erza clenched her fist before turning around and smashing her fist in the mage that dared destroy her moment of bliss.

Mira watched as the terrifying mage joined the fray and made each and every mage regret the day they dared to mess with the requip mage.

Life was finally returning to normal.

Arian, Year Y474

"Why are there guards over there?"

Gray glanced over to where his daughter was pointing. A group of soldiers were marching down the street, making sure they were in plain sight of everyone in town. The ice mage let out a long sigh before replying. He reached down and took one of her small hands in his and pulled her along. "It's complicated, sweetie."

"But why?"

"Well," Gray took a moment to consider what to reply. How do you explain this to a seven year old? "Do you remember when we told you about the Great Threes and how they're the most powerful wizards, right?"

Ur nodded. "Uh huh, and everyone says you're going to be one someday."

Gray smiled down at her. "Well I don't know about that. What I do know is that one of the three is very sick, and people are expecting he'll have to say goodbye soon." A sad look crossed Ur's face at the news. "So because of that, mages are gathering to meet the other two, hoping they can become on close terms with them."

"But why are there guards?"

"You see sweetie, the three Greats are in charge of magic and deal with whatever problems arise in the magical world. Sadly, there's a rumor going around one of them isn't exactly a good man. That same man is gathering mages in his favor and using them for his dirty work. Some even say a civil war may break out because of this. Those soldiers were mages who worked for that man."

Ur was silent as they walked back to the guild. A thoughtful look was set on her childish face. Or as thoughtful a look a young child could muster. He hoped he didn't worry her too much. Even at her young age she understood a scary amount of what real life was like. At least he watered down the situation this time. She didn't need to know how bad the circumstances were becoming. He'll need to make sure Malachi kept watch over the small girl, just in case.

Earth Land, Year X792, One Year after Gray's Disappearance

Plue more or less walked across the table, shaking uncontrollably as he did. Lucy opened her arms and the celestial spirit fell into them. Happy was next to the blonde, munching gleefully on a fish Natsu had caught for him. No one was fighting too badly at the moment. They were just loud. But that was okay. It meant they were happy, not angry.

Lucy closed her eyes and enjoyed the peace of the moment. Life was good.

Arain, Year Y481

A young girl of fourteen years made her way down the crowded streets. A sword in stone necklace hung down from her neck, as was tradition to wear in her family when someone left to go on a mission. Located on her right arm was a dark crimson S. A guild was coming into view, two heavy doors keeping it closed from the outside world. She pushed open the heavy wood and stepped inside.

"Ur!"

Said mage watched as a small child of only six wrapped her skinny arms around the S-Class mage's waist. She reached down and began to pry the much younger girl off her. She wasn't one for affection.

"I'm right here, Tara, that doesn't mean you have to tackle me."

"But, Ur-nee," Tara gave a small pout. "I missed you. I only had Malachi and he was mean to me."

"Not my problem." Tara followed her to the guild bar where Ur took a seat. A blue and white dragon was lying atop of the countertop, looking very smug. "I thought I told you not to cause problems." The mage scolded the reptile.

Malachi cracked an eye open. "Why is it you may complain about being a babysitter at times when I'm constantly one? Honestly, human, I have no wish to deal with you people."

"Bloody dragon."

Ur watched as her younger sister struggled onto the tall barstool next to her. Tara looked up at her older sister and grinned one of those goofy grins kids have. This of course went ignored by the teenager.

"Where's dad? I need to give him the necklace back." There was that family tradition again.

"I think went to go see mom. Something about stopping by before he had to go to the regular meeting." Ur didn't say anything to that. For his sake her dad better hope the meeting went well.

"Here, you can give it to him when he gets back." Ur pulled the silver chain from around her neck and placed it around her younger sisters.

…

A lone figure stood in a misty garden of the deceased. Graves were lined up in perfect rows, each stone carved with a name. The figure walked over to one grave in particular. Two red S's could be seen on the man's right arm along with a green crest. The crest of the Great Three, which he wore since the day he became one of those three mages. He kneeled down in front of a grave and ran a hand over the cold stone, clearing off fallen leaves and water droplets. A sad smile graced his lips at seeing the name carved in the stone.

"Hey, Aino."

Gray felt his heart clench involuntarily. Five years and it still hurt to know she was gone. He placed his fist against his open palm and ice magic flowed around him. Ice began to crystalize until a bouquet of iced roses were lying on the grave. She always liked those, how the sun sparkled of the frost.

The ice mage sat down on the ground and began telling her everything that has happened since his last visit. "Sorry it's been awhile, everything just got so busy. The girls are okay, just to let you know. I think I'm going to have to go to the frontlines soon. I hope they'll be okay while I'm gone. Though I'm sure they will be. They're our kids after all."

Silence surrounded the ice mage as he sat there. Not like he was expecting a reply.

"The again, I guess that means they're bound to get into trouble too."

Again, if there's any questions just ask me. In case you didn't figure it out there's a time difference between the two worlds. Kind of like the celestial spirit world and Earth Land, except where Gray's at time goes much faster. Twenty-one years have passed for him and only one back at Fairy Tail. So 1.75 years for every month in Earth Land.