Lucy woke up the next day with oddly empty thoughts.

Really, no matter how much she wanted to think of anything, her mind wouldn't cooperate. It's like she was numbed.

How else could she describe yesterday's events?

There wasn't any good way too, simple as that. Lucy could never remember being that depressed ever, nor could she remember the rage that coursed through her veins after it happened. It was a miracle she managed to calm down afterward. For a moment, common sense entered her head and she remembered why he died. He went into an uncontrollable rage she tried, and failed, to pull him out from. She had just gone and done the exact same thing, and only just barely reclaimed her mind after the enemies ran off. She was just fine physically, even if they were formidable enemies, they couldn't match her at all. Mentally, she was far from fine.

Her room was still the same as ever, unaware of its occupant's thoughts. The sun shone brightly through the window, yet the light wasn't fitting. Lucy immediately went to the closet and picked out an outfit of pure black. Today was the funeral, and she had to look like a strong magic knight in front of everyone. There wasn't any time to mourn on her own.

Lucy can't say she knew Leo for all that long. Yet, for the short amount of time she knew him, he struck a chord with her. Here he was, another ambitious fire mage with a hidden kindness and respect for pretty much everyone, especially apparent in how he declared Asta his rival despite being a peasant. He looked at you only for your strength and ability to grow and could put aside social standing completely, which was such a breath of fresh air. Now, she would have to go to a funeral that all the nobles in the kingdom would attend, and no doubt cause more mischief, especially for her, since she was the only direct witness to his death. Well, that's a breath of stale air, she thought.

The main issue for my psyche is how similar he was to Natsu. When I saw him die in front of me, I couldn't get my mind off images of Natsu in that same position. Wouldn't he also go crazy if a Fairy Tail member died in front of him, especially if it was one on our team? He absolutely would do that and end up the same, which terrified me. No, Lucy, no thinking of that anymore. You need to go to the funeral now, make sure Leo's bravery is well known, and preserve his memory. That's the least you can do for your friend.

With that, I walked out to the dining hall. My team was there, but no words were said. Silence speaks volumes. I didn't bother saying anything either. I simply ate and left quickly. The funeral would be happening in an hour.

I left right after that and headed into the capital. As was fitting for a royal, everything was shut down and a few quickly painted portraits were up on the street vendor's shops instead. I simply continued walking until I arrived at the church. It didn't take long for everyone else to fill in. The Golden Dawn was seated close to the front, though the captains were elsewhere. Mimosa was in the very front as a family member, along with another red-haired woman I didn't recognize. Given how close she was and her similarity in look to Fuegoleon, I could only assume that was Mereoleona Vermillion, the last of the three siblings. This must have been even worse for her, losing not just one brother but both, with Fuegoleon still missing an arm and yet to wake up. I wonder how she was handling it. Probably worse than me. The rest of the royal family was also present.

At the front stood a priest and nun. The nun was old, but not frail in the slightest. I had heard about this sister Theresa before, and she was known to have raised Fuegoleon and was close to the family. No wonder they have her here.

"Today, we are gathered in memory of beloved Leopold Vermillion. He came to us from the royal Vermillion family, and lived up to the name in his noble deeds. He bravely stood against dastardly enemies to defend the Clover kingdom, and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. There will never be another like him again. As is tradition, I would like the closest family member, Mereoleona Vermillion, to give a few remarks, then the others invited by her may speak if they feel it is appropriate."

The uncrowned lioness actually looked a bit shaken, which must be a new feeling for her. Nevertheless, she took the stand. "I've known Leo for as long as he's been alive. Throughout all that time, he's always been dedicated to his craft of magic and looked forward to spending time as a magic knight, bravely protecting the kingdom and growing stronger. Underneath all that, he could be quite the prankster at times, and had a lighter side not many outside the family saw. Yet, it's still a big part of who he was. I want to show Leo the family man, the little brother that grew up next to me along with the magic knight you all knew." She along with other speakers kept going after that, giving their heartfelt memories of Leopold, while I had to try not to cry.

Soon enough we were at the graveyard, and a hole was already dug. The royals stood and watched as a wind mage lowered the coffin into the ground. Family surrounded the hole to throw their flowers, and a few minutes later, the ground was covered. It was time to put this all behind us.

At least I would have liked to. I was stopped before I could leave by Mereoleona. Right, how was I going to explain everything to the scary older sister. "I take it you're Lucy Heartfilia. Stay back for a moment."

"Yes, what is it?"

"You were the only one there. Tell me, Lucy. Was there really nothing you could do for my brother?"

"There wasn't anything else I could do."

"Start from the beginning. I want to hear exactly how it happened."

I did exactly that. She didn't look like it at the memorial, but she's a very scary woman. When she tells you to do something, you do it. And so I told her the story from my eyes, and how I watched Leo die in his rage before nearly succumbing to the same thing myself.

"You don't think there's anything you could do?"

"Maybe I could have restrained him before the fight, not let him out in that mental state. That's not something I could predict, and he was plenty strong, fighting off everyone until the leader showed up."

"Yes, their leader. He survived your most powerful spell, and even I've heard how hard it is to tank that. Leo wasn't wrong in wanting vengeance. Anyone who dares harm our family must pay. Will you let Licht get the better of you next time?"

"No ma'am."

"Good. He should learn that Lionesses are furious hunters. I won't stop until I get him. Be sure to train hard, I expect you to beat him next time. Oh, don't look at me like that, you know you're going to run into those Eye of the Midnight Sun bastards again, they always follow you. If I don't get my hands on him, you better not fail. How about this, I'll bring you along with the rest of my squad when we do our next training session. I'm going to make sure you're strong enough."

"Sure, I'll join in."

"Oh, and one more thing. I don't blame you for Leo's foolishness. As much as I hate it there's no one else to blame but Licht."

Well, that went surprisingly better than I expected. I really thought she was going to chew me out. But training with the crimson lions with her leading the way? Yeah, even after all the time I spent with Natsu I still don't like getting burned.

I went straight back to the base after that. All I wanted was to put the day behind me and move on. Why did the last few days have to be so bad. I'd finally been getting used to living in Clover; I could finally put my thoughts away from Fairy Tail and everything that went wrong when Zeref attacked, and all I could get was another reminder not everything was fine when my newest friend died. I didn't really want to be alone yet, so I went to one of the lounge rooms in the base, where Yuno and Mimosa were already sitting.

"Are you feeling alright Lucy, I know today was rough on you." Mimosa said.

"I'm really not, but I can't expect anything else. Just need to stay strong you know. What about you, you knew him much longer than I did."

"Of course I'm still sad, but I didn't see it happen in front of me. That was only you. They always say that watching death makes it that much worse. I'm lucky to not have been there."

"Yeah, you really don't know what it's like to see someone so energetic and determined just fall apart like that. I'm barely holding it together. And he was so similar to my old friend too."

"You mean Natsu? You've mentioned him a bit, but what about him was so much like Leo?"

"He was the one to introduce me to Fairy Tail and all the people in it. He was a fire mage with a powerful family, and was always looking to protect his family and get stronger. He was of course a bit simple-minded and a hothead, much like Leo, I guess that's why he kept coming into my head today."

Suddenly, Mimosa got up and was embracing me. Was she already that close?

"You know you're so strong for standing by us this whole time. You don't need to act strong all the time." And she just hugged me tighter. I finally was able to let go and returned the hug with the same intensity, trying not to weep in her shoulders."

"She's right Lucy," Yuno spoke up at last. "You'll always remember and keep your closest friends dear. I don't know what I'd do if Asta went missing, as annoying as he can be. I remember when he helped me against a noble who assaulted me when we were young, and I let myself be emotional and weak for a moment in front of him. As much as I hate it, it's a good way to let go of the past."

I knew they meant well, but did they need to remind me of everything! I just want to forget it for a moment, or forever. I don't want to feel like this ever again. Yuno is right I guess, if I let it out once it won't bother me again, and I never really got to grieve over losing Fairy Tail, everything had moved too fast since that day.

"I miss them! I miss them so much! I want to go back home, to my own house and guild! I want to see Natsu again!" I cried. "How can I go back, it's all hopeless." I was completely sobbing into Mimosa's shoulders now, completely losing it. All she did was pull me in tighter. I Sobbed and sobbed until she calmed me down, all while holding me tight.

"It's all right, just let it out. We all need to grieve our losses and you never got to. You don't have to act so strong. You've more than earned my trust"

"Oh Mimosa, how can I ever thank you. You're the best. I really needed that."

"You've inspired us so much to stand up for the weak, it's my turn to help you when you're weak. You more than deserve everything you want. You deserve the world Luce. Just, take a break for now, feel better in the morning. Yuno, help me carry her to her quarters."

"Of course."

They were still standing by me after that? That's what close friends do, they comfort you at your weakest, which I didn't realize how much I needed until now. I was right about one thing before, which is that I need to move on. I've finally been able to grieve for my lost friends, but I have new ones now. A new team that stands by me whatever I do, just like close friends should. I went to bed tonight with those thoughts on my mind, and I was finally clear of all the bad memories associated with the Fairy Tail name. This is my new adventure with new friends, and I look forward to experiencing it for everything it has to give. Yeah, it's a new chapter to my life, and I'm excited.