Hey guy's I'm back again. Off sick from school which is not so good for my education but good for this story. So why is Lucy about to be sad? Just read to find out.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail (It's magic is credit to the amazing Hiro Mashima), only the my ideas and love for the show.

Chapter 4
Bittersweet Endings

Juvia P.O.V

When Queen Layla collapsed Juvia doesn't think anyone knew what was going on. Not even Juvia knew what was going on. For the first time Juvia felt panic. She had not seen the Queen look so frail, she was always so bright and full of life. The only sound Juvia heard was Lucy's scream and her crying, yet Juvia could do nothing to help her. All Juvia could do was look on, while Gray wrapped his arms around her and let her lean on him. At any other moment Juvia would have been happy, but now she could only taste fear.

Lucy P.O.V

I heard the music stop. I glanced up at the band, confused as to why they cut the music short. I was having fun and Natsu wasn't a bad dancer. I was about to shout when I saw the face of our pianist, Evergreen. Her eyes, behind her glasses, are wide and staring. I follow her gaze and almost faint.

My mother -my strong, happy, cheerful Mother- lies sprawled on the throne podium, her blond hair falling from its tight bun. My Father leans over her, hand on her forehead, her chest, her pulse. He turns to look at me shocked and I realise I have screamed. I've never screamed in my life. I push away from Natsu and run, flinging myself down beside her. I grab her hand and sob, noticing how cold she is. She looks so peaceful, her eyes closed and her breathing soft, you would think she had simply fallen asleep.

The next few hours are a blur of tears and hugs. My Mother was brought in the infirmary, seen to by Dr. Porlyusica, our grumpy but kind doctor. Now I sit by her bedside, Levy's arm around me and Juvia's clutched in mine. Natsu and Gray stand at the end of my Mother's bed, arms crossed and head's down. I stare blankly at the wall. Nothing could have prepared me for what Porlyusica told me.

Flashback

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, Princess," Porlyusica says, her tone soft. "There is nothing I can do. She has been touched by dark magic."

I sob, unable to control my emotions. Father wraps an arm around me and I bury my face in his shirt. He doesn't seem to care that I'm crying on silk, like he usually would. His shirt will have to be thrown away but he is to distracted to care.

"Are you positive, Porlyusica? Your skills are unparalleled," Fathers says, squeezing me slightly.

"I am, you Highness," she reply s her voice catching. Everyone loves my Mother. "We can make her comfortable but only for a few days. She will pass on then." She gives us a final smile and walks away, disappearing into her office.

I broke down then, falling to my knees and sobbing into my hands.

Flashback end

"Lucy?" Levy says beside me. I shake my head and look at her, ridding myself of that memory. "Please, you have to eat." She nod to the door and I turn to see Lisanna and Mira with trays of food. I simply nod and they enter.

I can't help that, while she still looks sad, Lisanna has a certain skip in her step. She takes her tray to the boys, smiling brightly at Natsu, and I suppress the urge to hit her. She doesn't even seem to care Mother is dying, just that she gets to see Natsu.

Mira places her tray on the table next to my Mothers bed and hugs me. I can tell she's putting all her unsaid thoughts and feelings into the hug, and I clutch her, burying my face in her neck. Mira has always been like an older sister to me and she has always been there to help me through anything.

"Keep strong, Lucy," she whispers. "Keep strong." With that she straightens and walks away, after tugging her sister away from a bemused Natsu. Levy hand me a bowl of soup and a spoon, telling m to eat. I do, taking slow, calculated bites, will watching my Mother. How am I going to live without her?

Levy P.O.V

I've never seen Lucy so broken. It hurts me so much to see her normally bright chocolate colored eyes so dull and lifeless. It's as if she's no longer there. Her body now just a husk. An imitation of it's once cheerful self. I can only hold her and pray that she comes back. I wouldn't be able to live if my best friend suddenly disappeared. She means so much to me. To the Kingdom.

We all need her.

Natsu P.O.V

I haven't known Lucy for very long; only a few hours, but I know she's not a mean or spiteful girl. She's got a big heart and will always be nice to those around her. So to see her this broken, it hurts. She was so warm and happy only a few hours ago. This change scares me. Levy and Juvia whisper to her before standing up. The nod to me and Gray before exiting the infirmary.

I glance at the raven hair boy, his blue tie now gone and his white shirt crumpled. His hair sticks up in tufts about his head and his dark eyes are have a dead look about them. He looks at me for only a moment before walking over to take Juvia's empty seat and placing a hand on Lucy's shoulder. I follow, taking up Levy's seat.

"Come on, Lucy. Queen Layla wouldn't want you to be sad," Gray murmurs to her. Lucy look at him and half smiles.

"Your right, Gray," she whispers, her voice slightly horse. "She wouldn't. But what am I going to do without her? I love her so much."

"Luce," I say, not noticing the nickname I've suddenly given her. "You have us, your friends. And your Father. We'll be there for you if you need us." Before I even blink she's flung her arms around me, sobbing thank you into my shirt. After a slight hesitation, I place my arms around her, pulling her tightly against me. "It will be okay. We will look after you." I look at Gray who nods.

I don't know how long we sit like that; Lucy sobbing into my chest and Gray looking on, but it feels like an eternity. I may not know this girl well but I know I have made a friend for life.

Layla P.O.V

I'm slipping. I know I am. Voices float to me as if through a curtain, muffled and quiet. I can;t quite hear them. I move closer to the voices, determined to know what is happening. I freeze when I hear Lucy crying and a boy -Natsu maybe- speaking softly too her.

I know I'm dying. I understood that the moment I opened my eyes in this bright white world. It's beautiful. I wonder if the after life will be too.

I listen to my daughter calm down. I listen to Natsu promising her that he, and her friends, would be there for her. I smile. At least I know I have left her in good hands.

"Good bye, my beautiful girl," I say, slipping further. "You will always be loved." I let go and everything is black.

Not to sure about the ending. I wanted to make it sad but I have never been great at those type of things. Let me know if you liked it.

I find it hard writing from guy's P.O.V's, so let me know if I'm doing anything wrong. Chapters a bit shorter but I didn't want too drag it on.

I hate that I had to do this to Layla, I really love her, but it's an essential part of the story line.

Till next time guys :)