Author's Notes: Soooo… You might be wondering as to why I'm writing a second chapter to a story that I updated less than an hour ago? The answer my friends is because, to be blunt, I have an absolutely terrible memory and when inspiration strikes I have to mine my forgetful memory for the imaginative gold that comes out, in like one of the rusty mine carts because I'm pretty sure I forgot where the pretty and clean ones were. Anyways I appreciate the people who responded to my story so quickly, you have no idea how good it makes me feel to see those wonderful, yet slightly annoying, notifications pop up on my phone with that peeving little ding! So without further ado… Let the awesomeness begin! (If you haven't read my other stories like Shattered Glass or Darkness, which means you should, you'll learn quickly that I am very fond of the word awesomeness, my arrogant side showing through slightly)

Chapter 2

I looked at the request in my hand slightly cursing to myself for grabbing an easy mission. The flaw in my plan to "liberate" myself was the aftereffects might actually receiving attention from the guild. Entailing that consequence would be not being able to steal requests from the S-class board. Sighing heavily I decided that I would return to the guild after I had finished the request, which consisted of watching a dog, later that evening and request that the Master should allow me to pursue S-class missions.

Walking towards the residence of the requester I readied myself for the long day that was sure to come with many irritating mishaps along the way, I can't wait to get this over with.

Time Skip

Later that night when I returned to the guild I noticed that the people that were there during my announcement, and then some, were still there, most likely awaiting my arrival. Here we go. I thought as I threw myself headfirst into what could be considered one of the biggest headaches ever.

I didn't stop when questioning glances where thrown in my direction, I just continued my casual walk and aloof presence as neared the stairs up towards the Masters office. Everyone's eyes seemed to scream:

Who is that?

Is that Lucy?

What is she wearing?

What's with that walk?

What did she mean solo?

What about Team Natsu?

When did she get tattoos?

Did she pierce her lips?

"Hold it." The sound of Erza's voice that saturated the air with authority, caused all eyes in the guild to land on the great Titania's next victim. Me.

I stopped in my tracks and turned my head lazily towards the red head, who currently had her sword pointed at my neck. My eyes languidly looked her over and with a shrug of my shoulders I started to again head towards the stairs. Gasps could be heard throughout the guild, in utter shock that someone had disobeyed the frightening and almighty Erza, but I didn't care I only had one thing on my mind and it wasn't fighting. But she wasn't having it, I could already feel the headache approaching.

Now I felt the tip of her sword press into my back and heard her repeat again, "Hold it!" But this time she said more words than I wanted her to. "Who are you?!" She said, trying to make me fear her signature glare into frightened submission, but I wasn't having it.

I turned to face her fully, raising my arms mockingly in over my head and said loudly so everyone could hear me. "Aww… I thought you would recognize your own 'teammate.'" Everyone just looked upon me with shock, taking my new appearance in one article of clothing at a time.

Orange and blonde hair.

Snake bites.

Harshly drawn eyeliner.

Fingerless gloves.

A white shirt with colorful pieces of shattered glass decorating the front.

Yellow and black checkered skinny jeans.

Black combat boots.

And for the finishing touch they finally noticed the tattoos that covered both of my arms, swirling upwards to reach either side of my neck.

Erza didn't say anything… but she lowered her sword. I smirked when I didn't see her put it away though, she still had one hand tightly gripped onto the base of it.

"Luce…" I heard someone say, who revealed himself from behind Erza. He looked at me with similar shock in his eyes. "That can't be you right?" He said almost to himself, but everyone heard him. Then he asked something dangerous, for him. "Why did you change so suddenly? Why didn't you tell us yesterday when we saw you?" I gave him a feral grin, earning a few fearful faces from my audience.

Before anyone could react I was standing next to Natsu, my hands gripping his shoulders and lips pressed against his ear. I whispered, "Think. When was the last time you actually talked to me Natsu? How old do you think I am? Think." I left him frozen, his face contorted into a confused scrunch (almost like a pug). I laughed as I walked away earning another weird look, and yet again another sword pressed into my back. Come on! How many times are we going to have to go through this?

"What'd you do to Nat-" I heard he start but stop immediately stop, which I hate to say peaked my curiosity. When I turned around I saw Natsu, his face covered by his bangs and his fists clenched, one tightly placed on Erza's shoulder.

When he lifted his face I could see tears streaming slowly down it as he hoarsely whispered, "I'm so… so… sorry… Luce… I'm sorry…" He hiccupped and sobbed more quietly to himself. Since everyone was so quiet I thought I'd break it, while having my own fun.

"Ahem!" I said gaining everyone's attention and then continued. "What Flame Brain is crying about over here is over these few questions. Firstly…" I said starting to pace back in forth in front of them in a professor-ly type fashion, waving my hands for emphasis, "When Natsu had asked why I had changed so suddenly… I simply told him the truth. I first started to dress like this a year and half ago. With that said let me ask you my "family" when was the last time you actually had a conversation with me? How old do you think I am? Because I sure as hell am not 17 anymore." With this I saw Natsu's face reflected on many of my fellow guild members. And… here comes the water works. As if on cue the whole guild burst into tears upon realizing what they had done, Lisanna even had the decency to do so.

I heard sorrowful wails of repeated:

'I'm sorry'

'So sorry'

'I'm sorry Lucy'

'SORRY!'

'Sorry!'

'SORRY'

With the final sob I heard everyone look at me with silent tears, the majority of the guild probably still riding on the fact of my old kindness asked this one final question with a burst of hope blooming.

"Can you forgive us?" I smiled genuinely at the guild as a whole, letting the levels of hope soar, and then turned my expression into a menacing sneer.

"No." I said calmly as I turned and finally made the trek to the stairs reaching the top of the stairs I turned around to meet the faces who looked at me so pleadingly. When I said with finality, "Never."

And in winter came crushing every living thing in its path, hope plummeting, pain inflicted, and only one came out victorious…