A/N: I guess I really dig prologues. I know I like Riverdale. And I haven't written a story for the Fairy Tail fandom. The result of all that..is this fic. Not gonna lie, the fic is inspired by Riverdale, but most of what I'm gonna take away from it is the trademark CW teen opera with a mix of mystery. Except the mystery part will be partly inspired by Pretty Little Liars, as well. And of course, the mother (known mother?) of small town mystery hijinks - Twin Peaks.

This prologue takes place an entire year before our current setting. A lot can happen in a year, wink wink.

Magnolia

It's a small town. Nothing like that happens here, right?

The story starts in a town called Magnolia.

Lush trees scattered around, rivers strewn right across the middle. Nature intended for Magnolia to divide, but the town has proven again and again that it was united. For as beautiful as Magnolia was, the real beauty lied in the residents. They lived peacefully. Families knowing other families. Local businesses, mom-and-pop shops, all allowed the town to be as close as they were.

Most of the children grew up together, resulting in long-lasting friendships and bonds. The town's flagship high school, Fairy Tail, might have a few mishaps now and then, but they and their students more than embodied the spirit of Magnolia, and of their country of Fiore, as well.

On this day, however, it was different. Magnolia's picturesque scenes were the same. Some of the townsfolk carried on their usual routines.

However, the school courtyard was silent for once. Hundreds of onlookers and those who had come to mourn filled every vacant spot. Some even leaning against the statue of M. Vermillion, Fairy Tail's first principal. The framed image of the girl with short, ivory hair and a bright smile staring back at every single one of them. Like she was still there. As if she was still alive.

Her older sister stepped up to the podium, her younger brother crying silently at her side. Her hands relaxed as she moved the microphone closer to her mouth.

"I..I'd like to thank you all for coming." Mirajane started. She was trying her best to steady her voice. "On February 24th, my younger sister, Lisanna, went missing. We spent a lot of time trying to find her. The police department utilized every resource they have to bring my sister back home. Unfortunately.." She took a deep breath. "Her..her body was found on March 6th. Yesterday."

Hushed voices swept across the crowd. Some had started sobbing, while others were still in disbelief. Elfman's sobs were drowned out by the crowd, and Mirajane let a tear run down her cheek.

There was nothing else left to do. Nothing else left to hide. But there was something that needed to be answered.

The chief of police, Captain Gildarts Clive, gently patted her on the shoulder and motioned for her to step off the podium. Mirajane abided and joined her brother, holding his hand in hers as they both cried.

"Now, we all knew Lisanna. We all loved her." The crowd had calmed down at this point, eager to know what the chief would say. "I would like to ask everybody to respect the Strauss' privacy at this time, and please-" He looked around, surveying all the townspeople. The police department didn't know much at this point. They needed all the help they can get. "If you have any information. Anything. Please, contact the police department tip line. It is anonymous, as to protect the safety of whoever calls." He took a deep breath, and nodded somberly. "Thank you. That is all."

Elfman continued to sob into his arm, Mirajane still holding on to his free hand. They felt their parents envelope them in a hug, tears flowing from their eyes too.

Gildarts had already left the podium, but even he was crying. He wished he could've said more earlier, but his mind had went blank. It would hurt him to lose his daughter like that. He could only imagine what the Strauss' were feeling then.

The crowd still hasn't split. They sat in their seats and cried. To themselves, to each other, to children who were too young to understand the current situation.

Some of them could barely look at Lisanna's portrait. They couldn't believe she was gone, just like that.

It never happened to girls like her, they whispered. Those never happened in Magnolia before, they'll argue.

By the time the sunset rolled around, there were memorials and shrines everywhere.

From the South Gate Park where Lisanna used to play with animals in, to the Fairy Hills dormitory where she hung out with some of the other girls, to the Kardia Cathedral in where she would always be found lighting incense and praying.

Praying for what, nobody knew. But Lisanna's kind heart and infectious, bright smile was not something that could be forgotten easily.

She'll be forever remembered.

She'll be in people's hearts, and her shrines would go on to be kept by the city.

Nobody will forget about her.

A/N: Titles are tricky. I decided to title it Magnolia in homage to the inspiration - Riverdale. I might change the title in the future if I ever think of a better one.

Anyway, there it is. Cat's out of the bag. Lisanna is our Jason Blossom. Loved by all, mourned by all. Or maybe, not all. Hmm.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you for reading!