Chapter 3:

"Ugh." Lucy groaned as she opened her eyes to her sunlit bedroom. Although the night before was amazing (they had all worn matching Santa miniskirts and headbands, and had drank and danced until 3 in the morning), her hangover was giving her a splitting headache and the light from the window just made it worse. She pulled the curtain shut so her head would hurt less. Then she groggily turned her head to the alarm clock, which read 9 am in big red numbers. She looked at her friends who were all sleeping on the floor next to her. Oh well. She thought. It's only 9, so I can sleep for a couple more hours before we help set up the guild for Christmas tomorrow. With that thought in mind, she went back to bed.

Time Skip to Christmas at the Guild

Despite not having arrived to help until noon the previous day, the girls had helped set up the guild into a beautiful holiday site. The tables were draped in greens and reds with fancy white dishes set up at each seat. There were banners and confetti decorating the beams holding up the ceiling. There was a long red carpet at the door and little gift bags for guests. (It had been decided that Team Tenrou's gifts would all be put in the guild's storage until they came back, so everyone took turns stacking the gifts they had bought for their missing nakama in the basement.) To top off the decorations, Lucy had used her magic to light up the guild with golden glitter. When the townspeople came, they were amazed. Despite the somewhat solemn atmosphere from the members of the guild, there was still an overall feeling of joy.

"To the Fairy Tail Guild!" A somewhat drunk man yelled. A cheer from everyone answered him. The people who came to celebrate with the guild were tripling the normal income from the bar than it normally got. Holidays were always beneficial to the guild because they provided a good chunk of the year's outside revenue. This time though, it was also helping the guild members by enveloping them in the smiles of others, despite their current feelings. Overall, it was a success. Of course, the joy of that day couldn't outweigh the sorrow of the funeral on New Year's Eve.

Time Skip to New Year's Eve, X784

Despite having unanimously decided that Team Tenrou was still alive, that could not stop the grief at the funeral. After all, most of the guild had been there since childhood, and having half of your family disappear in one day is not something that can be easily healed. The whole group- those who remained at the guild, some of Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale, and a few members of ERA and the Rune Knights (including Doranbolt)- were dressed in black, and soaked from the pouring rain that fell all around them. Those who remained of the Fairy Tail Guild were almost crying faster than the rain was falling. Despite having done their best to find Team Tenrou on the fairies' behalf, the other two guilds had nothing to say to console them. The other guild masters and Lyon joined the Fairies at the front of the group. Lyon, who was crying himself, could do nothing more than pat Lucy's shoulder when she began to cry harder at the speech given by the Funeral Director.

"Today we are gathered to celebrate the lives of many brave people. In losing them, we have lost friends, family, and heroes. But I know that they have moved on to a better place. Heaven has gained new angels, and their spirits will be with the stars tonight. (Lucy sobs harder at this.) May their souls rest in peace, and may peace come to those they left behind." The man paused. "I would like to have a moment of silent prayer." He continued, and the whole area grew quieter, other than the muffled sobs of those crying. After a minute, he continued. "If anyone else would like to talk, please come forward." A long line led up to where the man was. The Guild Masters and ERA representatives started. Then others went.

"Gray was like a brother to me, believe it or not." Lyon started. "We met when we were very young, and we were raised for a while by our teacher and adoptive mother, Ur. As many of you know, she passed away a long time ago, before Gray went to Fairy Tail. We separated after that, and though we have had many disagreements over the years, I have still seen him as a brother. Although I'd deny it to his face, I love him, and I wish he was here with us today. This world isn't the same without him." With that he let the next person speak.

"Many of you know that it was Natsu who brought me to Fairy Tail. He saved me from trouble and then took me with him to Fairy Tail. Even though we were getting chased by the Rune Knights because he destroyed a port." Lucy laughed a little through her tears. When I arrived here, I met so many amazing people, who became the loving family I never had. Natsu and Levy, my best friends. Erza, Gray, and Mira, the older siblings I never had. Gramps, who gave the best advice, Wendy, who was like a little sister to me, Happy, who made me smile as much as he tried to annoy me. Carla who I could always consult about style, Cana, who made me laugh when I had a bad day, even Gajeel and Juvia, who I had a bumpy start with, but I now trust with my life. I miss everyone who went. I want them back. I don't know what to do without them." Lucy burst into tears again and walked off. Lyon tried to comfort her when she went back to standing next to him. As the rain kept pouring, others gave their speeches. Finally, as the sun was setting from behind the storm clouds, the funeral concluded. Everyone went their separate ways, some back to the guild to have a drink and others home. Lyon walked Lucy back to her place to make sure she got back safely. "Thank you," Lucy said when she got there.

"No problem." Lyon answered with a small smile. He gave her a hug. "If you ever need anything, let me know, okay?" Lucy nodded. "Okay, you should go inside before you get hypothermia." He said.

"Thank you again." Lucy said, giving Lyon a weak smile."

"Anytime." He said, waving, and then he turned around and walked away.

Time Skip, New Years X785

The next day wasn't much of a celebration, as most of Fairy Tail had chosen to grieve from home. The guild was closed and everyone who had come to town for the funeral had left. Although the town was sunny, it felt like the sorrow had created a storm cloud over the whole town. The good thing about the Fairy Tail Guild though, is that they are resilient.

Hey everyone, it's your girl Salem. God, I am so sorry for taking this long to upload. Half of this chapter was done last summer, but I completely rewrote it today. I would like to say that I have EVERY intention of finishing this and the Siren's Wing Guild, but I cannot say exactly how long it will take me to do so. I will hopefully be able to start adding the other main characters in a few chapters or so. I'm a little impatient so I will likely be skipping through a few months in the next few chapters to show how Fairy Tail is doing, and so that I can get the story to progress faster. Anyways, I will try to upload more regularly. As always, please leave a review, because it helps me to remember to update. The next chapter will be longer, I just wanted y'all to know I'm not dead. I love y'all!

~Salem