Author's Note: Hi guys! Since your reviews were very cute and positive, I've decided to give you a little gift - next chapter. Originally I planned to upload it tomorrow, but oh well... Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Angelic Sacrifice

7 years later

Fairy Tail guild doors opened once more this day. Macao, now the 4th master of guild was sincerely hoping that this time it will be good news.

These last 7 years have been hard for Fairy Tail mainly because the strongest wizards had not come back since the Acnologia wiped out the Tenroujima island and guild members would often leave their guild to search for them, abandoning their jobs. After 3 years they stopped searching and would instead pray for their safe return...

Macao finally managed to get out of the memory lane and looked up to see who the visitor was. He couldn't contain surprise he felt. Members of Blue Pegasus.

Blue Pegasus was one of the guilds that helped Fairy Tail members in their search for their missing friends. Their relationship was good ever since so it was common for them to come for a chat, but this visit was different. They had Christina with them.

When Hibiki told them that Tenroujima island still exists, even Macao, who was still holding onto hope, was doubtful. But even the slightest chance of those words being true made them board Christina.

After the Mavis was spotted standing on water near the place where Tenroujima once was, everyone knew that today they would know the truth. And they were right. Thanks to Mavis's guidance, they found their missing friends one by one. Until there was only one person left to find.

The first one to ask that question was Laki.

"Where is Lucy?"

To this none answered. Their gazes full of hurt and sorrow fell to the ground. Minutes of silence spoke for themselves.

It was broken by Mavis. "She is not here." She knew her next words would greatly hurt them. "I cannot even tell whether she is still alive. That shouldn't be possible since she bears the mark of Fairy Tail but I cannot detect her."

At this, Natsu balled his fists and punched the ground. "Dammit, Dammit, DAMMIT!" Each word was followed by one punch, until his fists were cloaked by blood.

Sobbing Levy approached Natsu and gently placed her hand on his shaking shoulder. He didn't look up. "Why? Why did she leave the barrier?" his voice was never this full of hurt. Not even when he was telling someone about how Igneel had left him. All of his friends winced. They too wanted to know.

"She knew." spoke Mavis, willing to give them an answer to question they did not expect to be answered.

With stronger voice now, Mavis repeated. "She knew. She knew what I wanted to do. She knew there was not enough time for me to convert your bond into magic power and create barrier. She decided to sacrifice herself to give me enough time... And she managed to do so. Without her..."

Now that the fire mage knew why, he wasn't mad at her anymore. He was mad at himself. Why? He did not know. Somewhere deep inside he felt that he could have done something to help, to prevent her from sacrificing herself.

Levy, as though reading his thoughts through their touch, let go of his shoulder, lifted his chin, so that he was looking at her and slapped him hard. Stunned silence followed. Levy NEVER resulted to violence and even when she did, it was always using magic, not physical touch. "DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD WANT YOU TO BLAME YOURSELF FOR IT? She did it so that we could go on and live! You, as her teammate should know that the best..." she whispered trying to hold back her sobs.

When she finally stopped shaking, she looked at everyone and decided to tell them her theory. "Mavis said that she couldn't tell whether Lucy is alive. But that doesn't mean that she really is..." she couldn't bring herself to say the word. "I refuse to give up hope. Lucy is my best friend so I know her very well. I'm sure she had some kind of plan when she left the circle. Lucy would never willingly leave Fairy Tail. Never. We are her family..."

"I also think so." said gently smiling Erza while patting Levy proudly on the back. "That's why we have to know what she told you." said Titania turning to the pink haired dragon slayer.

They're right. thought Natsu. She would never leave the guild. She would never leave ME...

Once again fully recovered Natsu stood up. Now he has a goal. And he knows where to start.