HIIIIIII EVERYONE!

Guess who's back! I am back! It has been a long and hard couple of months. I almost gave up writing o.O but your comments knocked me back to my senses. I want to thank you all for all the encouraging comments. You are so right. I shouldn't give up writing. My mom wouldn't want that. She would want me to do what I love. I am going to keep writing for you and all you guys. I am going to do what I love. I am going to make her proud.

Thanks to sereneskydragonslayer, prettykitty280, Kamoki-Hygerioshi, pikaree1, LiLyRoSe98, prettykitty280, JcL107, Natsu's Girl, lucyfan, RaffielHearfillia14, me, sugarbear42400, and TheDragoNSlayeRnATSU Nin-Nin for the review. Thanks for all the support and being with me every step of the way. I hope I don't disappoint.

A special super-duper thanks to: Elfen Children, TSW, and FT shipr..Your reviews have inspired me a lot to keep writing and to keep going. Thanks so much.

Chapter 20: The Darkness is Lurking

"Erza. I'm scared. What if mommy isn't there?" Taiyo voiced out in fear.

He stared out at the familiar lake and waterfall that was a portal to the Dragon Realm. Erza and the exceeds stood next to the boy staring in wonder at the scene in front of them. The overwhelming magic that surrounds the waterfall leaving them almost dazed.

The Scarlet woman turned towards him letting out a soft sigh. Her lips forming into a soft smile as she stared at the small boy. After showing his strength as well as his determination for the past few days he is afraid to keep going. Afraid to see what might come next.

"Don't be scared Taiyo." Happy spoke as he patted the boy's leg in comfort. Taiyo let out a shaky breath not wanting to show his weakness anymore.

"I am not scared. Just worried." He breathed out in a quick lie. Erza let her hand fall softly on the boys shoulder as she looked ahead towards the waterfall. Taiyo looked up at his trainer with admiration.

"It is ok to be afraid, Taiyo. Because it is fear that tells us we are still human." Erza spoke up. Her dark eyes looked to the side to the small boy who faced the waterfall now staring with a worried expression. His orange and yellow hair moved with the wind as his tan skin shined under the sun. "No matter what happens once we step through the portal know we are here for you. We will never leave your side, for you are never alone."

"And mommy?"

"Lucy will be there. I know Natsu. He would never let her die on his watch. He will fight in every way possible to help her. She will be there and so will he. Taiyo you must know that those two share-"

"A bond like no other. They are soulmates." Taiyo finished as he looked sadly at the waterfall.

He couldn't help but feel lonely. He feels alone in the world. Just him dealing with the burden of being a Dragon Spirit no one else. He is supposed to be wise and powerful now look at him. He couldn't even notice the red string of fate between Lucy and Natsu. All he worried about was keeping his mommy to himself. Now look what he did.

"You knew?" Erza questioned almost shocked. Everyone seemed to know about Lucy and Natsu besides the boy. His love for his mother clouded his eyes from seeing the truth. Erza let out a small breath knowing the boy most likely blames himself again for everything he has done to his mother. "You can't change the past. What has happened is meant to help us grow. It was written in the stars before any of this. All this happened for a reason. Taiyo. You have to look towards the future and mend everything with your strength and the knowledge you have learned. And know that no matter what goes on you are never alone. Your mother and Natsu love you very much as well as us all."

Taiyo looked up at Erza with a small smile hearing her sincerity in her voice. He knows everything she is says is true. It was time for him to move on. He can't blame himself anymore. He didn't go through all this training so it can go to waste now with fear. One becomes powerful by never giving up even when he wants to fall. One becomes wise by learning from the pain of the past. We aren't born wise or powerful. We are made wise and powerful. You can't change the past. No one can. All you can do is fight towards the future.

Taiyo eyes lit ablaze as he grabbed onto Erza's hand. He walked ahead over the lakes water not taking his eyes off the waterfall. Off the portal to the Dragon realm. The exceeds stared in shock as they followed behind.

"How are we walking on the water?" Carla questioned in shock as she watched the lake's sea life swimming under her. She walked over them her eyes wide with astonishment. Happy let out a gleeful noise as he witness the many fish under him. Pantherlily attempted to keep the excited blue exceed under control as he chased him.

"FISH!" Happy sang as he ran around on the lake's water with joy. They all watched in amusement as Happy jumped in the air to dive in only to be slammed on an invisible field over the lake.

"Happy!" Carla let out as she ran to him in worry. Happy laid over the water facing down staring at the fish with tears coming down his eyes. Taiyo looked at the blue exceed and smiled softly. His hand still holding Erza's as they walked towards the saddened exceed.

"Fishy…Why can't I get in?" Happy cried staring at the many tasty meals passing him almost mocking him. Pantherlily smacked his forehead in frustration. Taiyo let out a chuckle as he bent down to stroke Happy's fur softly.

"I'm sorry, Happy. Once I, Mommy, Auntie, or a dragonslayer step on the lake a force field goes on the lake so we can go to the portal." Taiyo explained. Happy let out a frustrated noise as he finally sat up staring at Taiyo.

"So I can't get fish cause you're here?" Taiyo nodded his head. Happy looked in deep thought as he looked away. "You guys go ahead. I want to stay here with the fish."

"Happy don't be ridiculous." Carla scolded as she grabbed onto his paw pulling him up.

"But fish."

"Happy, On the other side there are more fishes than you can dream of as large as you. You can have them all." Taiyo spoke the words the blue exceed needed to hear to leave. Happy lifted his head up staring at Taiyo with wide eyes. Drool coming out of his mouth just at the thought.

"Really?" Taiyo nodded at him with a smile. Happy immediately jumped in the air. "Then what are we waiting for! Let's go!"

Everyone shook their heads at the blue exceed in disbelief. They laughed softly to themselves as Happy jumped around excitedly yelling 'Fish'. Staring back at the waterfall Taiyo let out a heavy sigh. His heart beating in fear as he shook. His worries coming back to him. He then felt a hand squeezed his. Looking up he see the Scarlet warrior looking down at him with a reassuring smile.

"You have nothing to fear. We are with you till the end."

"They are going to kill me." Taiyo muttered out to himself.

He ran his small hand through his orange and yellow hair. He is going to get yelled at by the dragons and he knows it. Taiyo looked back up at Erza's reassuring face with a soft smile. With one last heavy sigh Taiyo led them through the portal to enter the dragon realm. Thinking that their problems are about to be solved and they can finally live happily. The boy will be without troubles once he finishes one last task. He can truly be a child and act his age. But unbeknownst to them a Darkness has followed them.

The Darkness watched as the five friends walked through the portal. It was lurking in the shadows waiting, calculating, and planning. For they can't go in, but they know the one's inside has to come out. And when they do they will attack. They will claim the mass power for themselves.