Song: Faded
By: Alan Walker

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~Lucy~

"So why are we up here again?" Gwen and her Pops brought me to a floating island that was being held to the world because of the roots. For some reason, both of them seemed excited about this occasion. "You ask too many questions Cub. Just let me and Pops do are stuff!" Gwen trotted over to the edge, glancing down real quick then came back to us. "Looks decent enough Pops!"

"Then I believe we should finally tell the girl what you're up to." Solantir said staring at his daughter, then to me. I could finally join Gwen and Solantir's discussions ever since Gwen gave me a piece of her soul. Because of Gwen's spirit, I suddenly feel...whole again. It was like a large boulder rolled off my back that was sitting on me for ages. I actually felt relief the moment I was given Gwen's spirit.

"Okay you two, Solantir had to fly us up here for a reason, can I know now?" Gwen nodded, taking a step away. "Just, look down real quick." Something was up to those two, and I didn't like it one bit. "Okay..." I took a couple of steps to the cliff, glancing downward at the sight of trees changing its color every second. The sky was becoming a warm orange as the blue moon was mixing between the color. "Wow. I understand now why-"

"Good luck Cub!" Gwen kicked my bottom, causing me to fall off the floating island. Immediately, fear struck me like a spear. I let out a long, terrifying scream as gravity pulled me closer to the ground. I can't believe Gwen and Solantir literally kicked me off the floating island! What in the Gods name is wrong with those two!? "Fly you fool! I thought you had wings!" Gwen's voice echoed, reminding me that I, in fact, do have wings. How could I have forgotten that?!

With the muscles in my back working, I felt my wings appear pulling me back up into the sky. My stomach was being lifted as my bones felt a tingle sensation moving all around my body. The feather feeling in my stomach and chest never subsided when I leveled myself with the air. My angel wings that were covered in scars made me feel as if I was a small bird. Adrenaline rushed throughout my entire system making the experience more memorable than I thought it would.

So this is what flying feels like...

I let out long cheer wanting to move faster with the wind when Gwen was beside me, riding on top of Solantir's back. "See what you've been missing?! I just had to help you feel what flying really feels like!" I couldn't have agreed more with Gwen. Even though she kicked me off the island without warning, this was nevertheless an amazing moment that I will always cherish.

Is this what birds feel like when they fly? Is this what the exceeds feel like? The feeling where they're free to move anywhere they desire with the wind helping them move? The warm air hitting your face as you are one with the sky? Is this freedom...I felt Gwen's hand took mine, as she leaned far out to grab ahold of it. "Let's land Cub. We need to get back to training."

I nodded with a smile on my face. "Thank you for making this happen Gwen, Solantir." Gwen winked with a star showing in her open eye. "Anytime Luce!"

Luce...if only Natsu could see me now.

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Natsu

"Fire Dragon's...Brilliant Flame!" I threw the attack over to Erza when she jumped to my left holding her Flame Empress Sword. "Too sluggish Natsu. You had to build your magic before hurling your attack. I clearly knew what you were going to do!" I wish Lucy was here. It would be better if she said this to me because I would actually listen.

"Okay, what do I have to do to stop doing that!?" I sighed sarcastically settling in the white sand. We've been training nonstop for a month, and I actually feel stronger than ever! Though Erza says I'm still slow, my senses feel much faster than they used to. It's only my magic speed, and fighting techniques I'm having issues with. Snowcone's gotten better in his ice-make magic also (but I'm still a better wizard than him) thanks to my helpful skills and patience. Wendy's healing has also gotten a lot better! Though Troja could use a little work, I'm sure Wendy will make a fine Dragon Slayer!

"Stop giving away your position so easily. I can read you like a book that only shows pictures. Make me intimated by you, show me a stance that'll put my tail between my legs. As long as you can, even for a second, make your enemy hesitate, you'll be unstoppable." Erza put her sword back in its sheath, then made it disappear into thin air. "Quick water break everyone! I'm going inside to use the powder room."

I never understood why girls called it the powder room. Just say bathroom there's no difference at all! I sighed, sitting on the beach as the salty winds of the sea blew over. It was cool, incredibly refreshing to feel on my skin. Wendy also sat down beside me, taking in the air that was still passing over us. "It's truly beautiful here, sometimes I wish I could stay on the island." Wendy admitted playing in the pearly colored sand with her toes. "Honestly," I began. "I wouldn't mind staying here either. It's really peaceful, soothing that eases the stress. If we could move the guild here I would do it in a heartbeat."

"Yeah, but then the entire guild would ruin this island. I mean, with the brawls and all." The small mage giggled at her comment, lying herself out on the beach. I also lied down noticing the stars beginning to show in the violet-pink sky. "There's Aquarius." I pointed while connecting the dots. Wendy glanced over to me. "You know the Celestial Spirits Constellations?"

"Yeah, Lucy would always enlighten me about the stars whenever we were outside, especially camping after a long mission." Lucy wouldn't really fight against enemies when we were on a mission. One is because her back was still pretty bad, two...she was too intimidated to use her powers. Lucy didn't want to use her Celestial Spirits if she couldn't help fight beside them. Lucy was basically our moral support, rootin' for us as we fought. I knew it made her feel horrible. I could see it clearly in her eyes even though she couldn't show the emotion...

"It won't be long until we see her again. Do you really think Gwen can help us get our Lucy back?" Wendy asked returning her gaze back to the stars. It was growing darker every minute, making it easier to find the constellations. "We do have our Lucy back, it was just a part of her was lost throughout the year. She's suffered through loss, guilt, pain, regrets... I can understand why Lucy went with that strange girl, but I wish she gave it more thought. I haven't heard from Luce since she left that morning." We both sighed, focusing on the sound of the ocean. I could take a nap right now, but I knew Erza was going to come back from the 'powder room' and get us back up for training. The four of us, six if you include Happy and Carla, have been training nonstop after the second day we got here. All of us have been getting stronger every day the more we push ourselves for the Games. It was not only to make sure we're ready for the competition but also ready in case the Council tries to pull something against Lucy.

And I'm not allowing that to happen as long as I'm alive.

"Oi! Wendy, Furnace Face, were starting back up!" Ice Freak called notifying us to get up. I got back on my feet helping Wendy up. "Well, I'm all fired up now!" I hit my fists together, ready for another match with Erza.

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It's been a long time hasn't it? Marching season is finally over, but the football team made it to the playoffs... yaaay...more marching :')! At least games are now on Thursdays, so it shouldn't be tooooo bad. Anyways, I hope you Lovelies enjoyed it. I'm really sorry if it wasn't that good, trust me I don't the chapter is good at all.😞 Another anyways my Lovelies as always...love you all!❤️