Emotionless

Chapter 76, Welcome to the Family

A/N: Hey guys,

So it's been a while huh? 6 months and 25 days I can hardly believe it. A lot has happened between those months but with the time I have left I figured I may as well as continue on with this story. It took me a couple rereads and a lot of note-taking but I think I'm finally back on roll and am ready to finally get on the move with this story.

I can't predict how this will go, but you've all supported me this far, and I believe its time I make use of your support.

So, thanks. And enjoy!

Disclaimer: No, for the 76th time I do NOT own Fairy Tail

"How you react emotionally is a choice in any situation." - Judith Orloff

Normal Pov

"Lucy!"

The victor smiled softly at the familiar sound of her partner's voice. The Pegasus barely touched the ground when Gray leapt off from the magnificent creature's back before sprinting over to Lucy determined to see that his partner was really there. "Lucy!" Gray laughed, lifting her up off her feet to swing her around in circles.

Lucy laughed, "I'm alright Gray, calm down."

The blonde nudged her worried partner after letting her down and shook her head in exasperation. Moments later did Gray get a good look at the destruction and blood stains around them and turned to question Lucy only for her to smirk at him and say, "I took care of it."

Lucy knew he would persist but found herself surprised when he decided not to and merely shrugged. "You know I don't really understand what goes on in your world Lucy, but I'm here, whenever you need me."

"Thanks Gray," Lucy said as they began walking to the Pegasus.

"So does this mean mission complete?" Gray asked, lifting himself up on the Pegasus after Lucy.

"I suppose so, strange. A lot has happened in so little time," Lucy thought aloud.

"We need to see Elizabeth before we leave, otherwise we just have a few more missions to go." Gray replied.

"How busted do you think Natsu and Lisanna are?"

"So dead!"

Lucy grinned and said, "Hopefully the next mission will be nice and boring."

"Nah," Gray answered, and the partners laughed as the Pegasus took flight back to Elizabeth.

"I must say that you two are by far the toughest mages I've ever had the pleasure to meet," Elizabeth said as the three stood out on the beach with the pegasi nearby. "Wait till you meet our guild," Lucy grinned.

"So what are you going to do now?" Gray asked, aware of the Sharpe's situation after Lucy gave him a vague breakdown of what Dontrell had informed her of. Elizabeth was silent for a while before whispering, " I don't know really... I can hardly believe what's occurred in the last few days." Elizabeth looked directly into Lucy's newly acquired blue eyes. "What you've told me about my parents, and why this man... Dontrell was after me. I don't know what to think anymore... I don't know if I'm even safe anymore."

"Then come to Fairy Tail," Gray said suddenly, surprising both women.

"We'll protect you," Lucy continued, bumping Gray's shoulder with a smile.

Elizabeth was breathless. "I'm not even a mage!"

"You don't have to be," Lucy said.

"We take care of anyone who needs a home."

"A family."

"You won't be alone anymore, Elizabeth." Gray finished.

Elizabeth had lost her calm sharp demeanor and was now crying, but this time it was in joy.

She knew that these mages had just changed her life, and she had never been happier.

Lucy found herself on a train alone to Osterg Cavern, her partner Gray had chose to stay behind as an escort for Elizabeth after she had everything she needed before officially moving into Magnolia to be apart of Fairy Tail. He offered for her to stay and help pack the boxes as well but even without emotions the Sharpe residence would bring back to many bad memories. So, here she was.

It was a bit of a disappointment for Lucy, Gray and her had only completed two of the missions together, and now there were three missions left. Granted they seemed easy enough but never has anything ever been easier in Lucy's life.

Taking care of thieves seemed like the most excitement left for her. She had about half an hour before she reached her destination and so with the time she had Lucy chose to meditate inside her mind.

Lucy walked along the edge of the river, the eternal setting sun illuminating the beautiful paradise she trained in. Black for the Lost Souls; symbolizes that darkness isn't always against ourselves. Red for the guardians of the casters. Gold representing the future. And lastly blue flames representing the soul of the firstborn dragon king. The inferno representing that the mistakes we've made in the past can be burned away so that the ashes may be reborn into something better.

"Well done," Kei said appearing in front of her.

"What do you mean? I lost control!"

"But you found a will. You found a way to find yourself again."

Lucy shook her head while Hikaru the phoenix, Radana the golden lion, Amund the phantom, and Cian the black cobra entered the clearing around Kei.

"And what's that supposed to mean? Why's that so important? There's nothing special about me."

Kei walked up to her before the two glanced at the river which was now colored in the radiant colors of black, red, and gold colors mixed in with blue waves of calm soothing water.

"Because you are... the key."

The sound of the train whistling startled her awake, echoing inside, causing Lucy to let out a curse. "What key Kei? Why all the puzzles?" Lucy wondered aloud as she grabbed her bag before dismounting from the train. She walked downtown, tossing jewels to beggars in the streets and children ready to steal from the wealthy. "Now what would the thieves find so valuable in a place like this?"

The blonde turned a corner and after a few feet found herself walking on marble towards a castle. She looked back seeing the dark and gloomy poor city highlighted by the castle of white marble and gold decorations. Lucy knew she would've found herself angry, angry at the mistreatment and loathing of herself for living such a similar life. That is, IF she could feel.

She knocked on the door three times, refusing to use the decorative fluffy white doorbell.

When the door opened she was greeted with the sight of a little brown-haired girl and Lucy found herself in a flashback.

The door bell chimed multiple times bringing a shy nine-year old girl running to the door eager to find a new friend to play with. She hoped it wouldn't be anymore boys though, they only proposed to her over three-hundred times and all the other girls bragged about their hair or picked on her for their crushes liking her. Lucy just wanted someone to play with her that played with her like her Mom did.

But when she opened the door, a man covered in black dressings looked back at her. He scared her, and without so much as a giving a greeting Lucy turned tail and ran back into the house, knowing he would be no friend of hers.

"Who are you'sa?" The girl asked in an incredibly innocent voice.

"Alexandria!" A women's voice called out, and a stern women caught her eye. She was dressed well but the devil-horned red glasses rather perceived a mean women. Lucy would hope that the women didn't live in the stereotype.

"Mooomh, I told you to call me Lexi!" The little girl whined but was shooed away by a flick of her mother's finely pedicured hand.

Lucy didn't like it, but she knew she was here for the mission, so she wouldn't think too much on it. No matter how wrong all this was.

"So you're a Fairy Tail mage?" The women sneered, clearly not approving Lucy's image.

"Yes."

"Hmm, well I guess you'll just have to do."

Lucy didn't reply, nor was she invited inside. The stern women merely gave her a leather purse of gold before closing the door in her face leaving flaming blue eyes to stare at the door in what any person with emotions would call contempt. Lucy tucked the payment in her barrowed coat from Elizabeth who insisted she didn't wander around in blood cloaked clothing. It made sense when Lucy thought about it even though she didn't a problem with it.

Well, she supposes it doesn't matter now anyways.

As she began to walk away Lucy spared a single glance back and caught the sight of the little girl before disappearing around the curtain.

"Well okay then."

"Gramps are we done yet?" Natsu asked, pleading for it to be over. Cleaning up all of Magnolia without using any of his fire to burn away all the trash or without having Lisanna with him who was split up into cleaning the sewer line and river route. The idea of Lisanna as a duck quaking in the river passed his mind before it vanished by the sudden appearance of his best friend's older sister standing over him.

"I don't know... you dig drag my little sister into your mess," Mirajane said threateningly with a smirk.

"Nah Mirajane, she insisted we steal the S-class mission!"

Thump

"Sorry, did you say something fish?"

"Owww..."

Suddenly Master Makarov slammed his beer on the counter. "Alright! I suppose a twenty-four hour shift of non-magical cleaning is punishment enough."

"Master, I must suggest he clean the toilets as a final-"

"No Erza, he's suffered enough. Natsu, go find Lisanna and relieve her of her duty"

"Yes!"

Everyone else in the guild groaned knowing their peace away from the boisterous dragon slayer would come to an end. "Nice try Mira!"

The guild gasped at the hated nickname for the demon and were basically shivering in their seats as the room seemed to rise hundreds of degrees.

"Can't save you from this one Natsu," the Fairy Tail master said before taking a long sip of booze.

"Haha Mirajane, I didn't mean it!"

"Too late..."

Natsu winced ready for the pain only to hear the doors burst open allowing the sunlight to block out Mirajane's angry wrath that shadowed over the guild.

Mirajane turned away allowing Natsu to scurry behind the bar thanking the distraction. In walked Lisanna who was talking with someone: a tall, thin women with curly blonde hair grazing off her strong shoulders. She seemed confident, her skin was also flawless and fair, radiated by the blue eyes beneath thick eyelashes. She was dressed in blue skinny jeans and a tight green long sleeved shirt which showed off her figure amazingly.

Another person revealed themselves behind the two, and Natsu growled when he recognized it was the scent and face of his rival - Gray.

"Where's Lucy?" Erza beat everyone to the question that was all on their minds.

"She's continuing the missions."

"Alone?" Mirajane replied, glaring at Gray who gulped.

"She can take care of herself," the new arrival said.

"And you are, my girl?" Master Makarov asked, grinning.

"Elizabeth... but you can call me Ellie," she said.

"Ellie," Gray said softly causing the newly nicknamed Elizabeth to smile.

"You shouldn't have left alone no matter how strong she is," Mirajane insisted.

"Why does it matter?" Gray asked.

"Why do you think Fairy Tail enforces team work?" Mirajane pushed.

"Because we're stronger together, as a family." Erza replied.

"Family sticks together Gray, none of us should fight our battles alone."

Ellie chuckled lightly, "You guys were right, Fairy Tail is truly a family."

"We are," Mirajane said and gave the master a look to which he responded with a nod.

"I owe her, so I'll catch up with her. You need to stay with Ellie and welcome her formally into the guild."

Gray nodded but the apology was clear in his eyes. Erza put a hand on his shoulder for a moment, telling him it was okay with the movement.

"Besides, I'd like to see what we can do as a team. Lucy and I."

For a returning chapter I know that this chapter may seem a little extra but I told you a while ago that I wouldn't give up on this story so here's the start off in the return. Mostly I stopped typing here because I have to go to sleep but I couldn't not post this tonight. I've been away from this story for far too long.

I believe its time we return to the craziness of Lucy's emotionless life story!

Stay with me readers, I'm not leaving yet.

Sincerely,

Gothic Rain