I am so so so so sorry this took longer than usual to update! I feel so bad :( I had writers block and then actually forgot about the story for a while :/

But finally, here it is! I hope you like it!

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 23

Back to the Real World

Lucy P.O.V

"That's everything you need to know," Mama says, smoothing her hands over her dress skirts. The others have gathered around her and each one nods. "Now, we just need to get you back."

"How do we do that?" Natsu asks, from his place beside me.

"There's a portal that you can use," Darren Fullbuster says.

"We can't use it, as we are already dead," Avery Scarlett says, his arms around his wife.

"But you both can, as you are alive," Mama finishes, tucking a strand if blonde hair behind her ear and smiling softly at us. "I'll take you there."

She stand up and we follow her from the cottage, waving goodbye to everyone in the room. As we walk away, I turn back in time to see the small house disappear into the white light that seems to shroud this world. I feel a slight pang in my chest, as I look away. In the short time I've been here, the small cottage felt like home. I would miss it. I look towards Mama and see her just ahead, talking to Natsu. The pink haired boy in blushing and I tilt my head, wondering what they could possibly be talking about.

Natsu P.O.V

I walk along next to Queen Layla, aware of Lucy a little way behind. I'm about to turn and tell her to hurry up when the Queen speaks.

"Treat her well, Natsu," she says, her voice soft. "My daughter has been through a lot and I do not want her to end up broken-hearted."

"I would never hurt her," I tell her, my voice devoid of any hesitation.

"I know, child. I can tell you love her," Layla laughs. I blush and scratch the back on my neck.

"I guess I do," I mumble. She laughs and I smile slightly. "You're not going to be mad at m for that, right?"

"Course not, but I will say this much. If you hurt my little girl in anyway, I promise to haunt you from the grave," she says, her voice still as sweet as before. I gulp and look away, just enough to see Lucy at the corner of my eye. She walks just behind us, though I doubt she can hear what we are saying.

"I think you would have to beat Erza and Levy to it," I say, slightly breathless. The light of this world catches the side of Lucy's face, lighting it up like a halo. She looks amazing. "The would kill me if I hurt her."

"You are very right. Those girls care a lot about Lucy," Layla laughs. She looks back at her daughter and smiles. "Lucy, hurry up, you can't keep the world waiting any longer."

"Yes, Mama," Lucy calls back, laughing. I hear her pick up her pace and soon she is walking beside me. She smiles brightly up at me and I grin back, my face heating up again.

"It will be good to get home," I say, looking forward and away from her eyes. "I miss the food."

"You always think with your stomach, don't you?" Lucy giggles. I laugh and playfully punch her arm. She responds by sticking hert tounge out and grinning at me.

"You got a problem with that?" I laugh, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. She freezes for a minute and I'm afraid I've crossed a line, but then she leans into me, laughing.

"I didn't say that," she says, prodding my side with her finger. I yelp, pulling away and she bursts out laughing. I glare at her, trying to contain a laugh, but this only sets her off again.

"You're mean, Luce," I say, finally laughing. She giggles, looking at me with bright eyes. I stare back, a soft smile on my face.

"What?" she asks, tilting her head to the side.

"Nothing, it doesn't matter," I say, still smiling and looking away.

"Are you two coming or not?" Layla shouts from up a head. Lucy grins at me and breaks into a run. I follow her moments later, watching her hair trail back in the breeze. I would tell her, just not yet.

Levy P.O.V

"She's not dead, Levy," Gajeel says, his arm wrapped around my shoulder. "Look, she's breathing. So is the pink haired idiot. You need to calm down."

After the blinding white light disappeared, we all arrived in what seamed to be a cell block. One of the cells was open and inside, Lucy and Natsu where lying. And I broke down. I ran straight for Lucy, pulling her too me and sobbing into her hair. I thought she was dead. Evidently, I over reacted a bit.

"Juvia think's Gajeel is right, Levy," Juvia says, her voice breathy. "Juvia can see Natsu breathing. It must be the same with Lucy."

I pull away and stare down at my best friends face, lifting a hand to place it below her nose. Sure enough, a light tickle of air brushes against my skin. Okay, good, she's alive. I can calm down now. Why am I still freaking out? Oh yeah...

"Why are they unconscious?" I blurt out, turning to look at Gajeel. He stares back, eyes burning, and frowns.

"I don't know, but we're going to find out," he growls, standing up. "Don't worry, Shrimp, we'll help them."

I nod and look back down at Lucy's sleeping face, just in time to see her brown eyes flutter open. I gasp and stare at her, as she blinks up at me. Her eyes look confused for a moment before they widen and she sits up, almost bashing her head off mine.

"Levy!" she yelps, flinging her arms around me. I sob, burrowing into her neck, and let the tears flow. She's okay. Thank god she's okay. "Where's Natsu?"

She pulls away, her eyes scanning the are around us. She stares at Natsu, not blinking, until she sees him move. She up before I can stop her, and scrambling along the floor until she's sitting next to him. I hear him groan and mumble her name, just before she pulls him up and hugs him.

"Thank god," Gray groans, sinking to the floor. I stare at my two friends, totally confused but happy at the same time.

"Em, care to explain?" Jellal says, staring at the two. Lucy pulls back and turns to us, her eyes wide.

"Yeah, that might be best," Natsu chuckles, standing up and pulling the blonde with him. "Do you want to or will I?"

"I'll do it. It is mostly about me," Lucy answers, turning to look at us straight on. "I guess I should start from the beginning That means telling out about my ancestors and about the power that slept within me for years."

I like a good story and I can tell this is going to be good.

Aine P.O.V

"This way, I think," Adan says, running ahead. I shake my head and glance at the others. Grace smiles lightly back, her hand clutched into her new reformed brothers.

"Your 'I think' gives me so much confidence," I groan, heading after him. I only get a grunt and a curse in reply. Idiot.

"You should have more confidence in him," Grace tells me, coming to walk beside me. "He has faith in you."

"I know," I whisper, blushing. "I'm just not that good at talking about how I feel. I tend just to ignore it and make a joke or snide comment."

"Don't waste your life, child," she reply, sweeping a lock of pink behind her ear. "You might not have it for ling. Trust me."

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't-" I start but Grace hold up her hand, smiling gently.

"I know you weren't," she says, patting my shoulder. "I was just warning you. Tell him the truth all the time. It's the best way to live."

She holds back, as I continue to walk after Adan, letting her brother catch up. I guess I never did really tell Adan how I feel. I just kind of went with what was happening. Grace is right. I should tell him exactly what I feel. The only problem is, how do I do that?

"Guys, I found them!" Adan shouts from up ahead, causing us to take off in a sprint towards him.

We turn the corner and I gasp. Lucy and Natsu sit curled up together, the rest sitting around them. Zeref is nowhere to be found. Anila leaps past me and flings herself at Lucy. She always was affectionate. Lucy hugs her back, a soft smile on her face.

"You guys okay?" Adan asks, kneeling down beside Gray and Jellal.

"We're fine now," Natsu says, returning the hug Ani gives him. "I'm not explaining everything again and I doubt Lucy wants to either, so here's the..."

He trails off, staring behind me. I turn and see Grace, standing beside Ace, smiling at her nephew. Natsu gapes back, his eyes wide and frightened.

"Hello, Natsu," Grace says, her voice soft. "I doubt you remember me, but I remember you."

"You-you look just like my dad," Natsu whispers, his voice bouncing off the cave walls.

"That's because I'm your aunt, sweetie," she answers, before gesturing to Ace. "This is your uncle."

"I though he was a Dragon?" Gajeel blurts out, pushing Levy behind him. "And I thought you where dead."

"The Spirit King is a powerful being," Grace answers, stepping forward. "I was permitted to walk this plain again until my brother was out of evil's clutches."

"Right..." Gajeel says, eyes narrowed. "And him?" He points to the red haired man, who grins sheepishly. 7

"My sister saved me. Somehow," Ace reply's, turning to smile at his sister. The he look at Natsu, his face falling. "I am so sorry for the pain I caused our family. I never meant for this to happen and neither did your dad. But it is my fault, not his. Please, do not hate your father."

"I never did," Natsu says, standing up. "And I don't blame you. I blame Zeref and his black magic. But we can stop him. Lucy can stop him. I know she can."

We all turn to stare at Lucy, who blushes but stares back. Raising her hand to eye level, she places her palm facing up. She closes her eyes and concentrates. Suddenly, a small ball of golden light hovers above her open palm and I gasp. Magic. Powerful magic. I turn to my sister and she shrugs, as lost as me. The humans don't look fazed at all. They must have already been told

"Yeah, I have magic," Lucy says, closing her palm and extinguishing the light. She opens her eyes and smiles lightly at me, then at the other three. "Magic that can stop Zeref. But I'll need the help of you four."

"We'll help," Kai says, walking forward and holding out his hand. Lucy slips her hand into his and grins. "I don't know how we didn't get bored without you guys."

"Total will power, I would say," I laugh, going over and placing my hand on theirs. Adan and Ani join us, smiling. "Of course we'll help. What are friends for?"

"Thank you," Lucy whispers, her eyes tearing up. "Really, thank you."

"So what't the plan?" Elfman asks, his arm wrapped around Lisanna.

"Mama gave me one," Lucy answers, pulling her hand away. She walks over to Natsu and take his hand, seeming to not realise it. "And it will involve all of you."

There we go :) I hope you liked it and please R&R, let me know what you think :)

I'm going to be writing a Gruvia fic next, as well as a possible Jerza one-shot, though I may make it longer :)

Till next time (I won't wait as long this time, I promise) :3