Find a Way

Epilogue Pt.1

Seven Years Later

Mio's POV - Age 23

I walked through the dark, stars surrounding me. A glowing path illuminating the area around me. Leading to a light.

Hikari was flying beside me, holding one of my arms to supoort me. Helping me walk. I had gotten into quite a fight.

My black heels clacked and echoed through the nothingness, my black cardigan barely shielding me from the cold surroundig me.

"I guess I keep forgetting how cold this place is." I chuckled, my lips probably fairly blue.

"You really need to get warmer clothes." Hikari advised. "Or at least a pair of leggings or tights."

"Yeah yeah. I'll get some once we reach the city." I told her.

We kept walking. My leg hobbling along with the rest of my body. My right shoulder dislocated and a small cut in my left cheek. I had run into some gang by a back alley and they draghed me in. They thought I was just some pretty young lady and tried to take advantage. Too bad for them, I had my strength and managed to fend them off long enough to make a break for it.

Silence hung the area around us, except my heels of course and my occasisonal hiss of pain. The light got closer as soon the path came to its end. I pushed open the glowing door and stepped through it. My foot landing on the brick path outside the gate. I passed through completely and the dorr closed and disappeared behind me.

I hobbled up to the gate with the help of Hikari and entered the familliar city. Even the city was cold, which was excpected since it was nearing winter.

"Let's go get something warm before heading there." Hikari told me.

"Okay." I nodded. "I can't wait to see how everyone have changed."

"I'd be surprised if they recognise you." She laughed.

She had a point. I had changed in appearence a little. For one, my once light purple hair was now darker, although I had managed to keep the dark blue dye from when the girls gave me a make over before. Just thinking back to that time made me smile wider. If I wasn't hurt, I would probably be skipping.

"You're right." I giggled. "I wonder how they'd react? I wonder how all the other look and are doing... and him..."

"I'm sure he'll remeber you." My cat companion ressured me. "Along with everyone else. You are not an easy person to forget after all."

"Thanks." I took it as a compliment.

A rush of cold air blasted by as we searched the streets for a clothes shop. We entered inside and were greeted by a cheerful young girl, who was most likely the shop assistant.

"Hello and welcome! Thank you for coming in today. If there's anything you need just ask." She almost sang, looking up at us with bold blue eyes.

"Well, I'm sure you can tell my atire isn't much of a match for the cold." I chuckled. "Could you help me find something warmer?"

"Of course! Right this way."

She skipped off and we followed behind. She handed us some clothes and I went into the changing room and tried on the thick woolen tights with my purple dress, along with a much thicker and longer black leather jacket which had wool on the inside so it was warmer. I gave what small a twirl I could in the mirror. I nodded aty reflection and exited the small room.

"I'll take these." I smiled at the girl, handing her the money.

She ran off to give the money to the cashier. "Thank you very much." She gleamed.

I grabbed my bag with my old cardigen stuffed inside and headed for the door, when two familiar faces walked in.

"Wendy? Romeo?" I questioned, not sure I was seeing right.

Wendy had grown to match the images that Reedus had previously drawn. Romeo was looking more and more like Natsu. Only with black hair.
"Huh?" The now yoing woman questioned as the two turned to face me. Her eyes gave a quizical look before her realisation. "Mio?!?"

She ran up and hugged me. I gave a small grunt of pain but hugged back none the less. She pulled away at my sound of pain and asked what happened. I told her that I got in a fight before she used her, very much improbed magic, to heal my leg. It instantly felt better and I could stand easily once more and we started to walk around the City.

"Thank you Wendy." I hugged her again.

"Its nothing. So I take it you're back to fill your promise?" She asked.

"Indeed I am. Is everyone still at the Guild Hall?"

"Yes... but a lot has changed over the few years. We got attacked a few times and had to rebuild." Romeo informed me.

"I heard about that! I'm sorry I couldn't come help, but I had my own selection of problems. But I'm fine for now." I smiled sheepishly. "So...hows Natsu and Lucy?" A smirk pulled at my lips.

They both laughed.

"Well... Natsu managed to convince Lucy to move in with him not too long ago. Maybe a few months?" Romeo told me. "He still acts like a child and Lucy is still putting up with it."

"They still go on fun missions of course, you can never pull them away." Wendy added. "Carla also ended up getting her wall broken down and agreed to start being with Happy. I bet you could imagine how happy he was when she said yes to being with him more."

"I could only imagine him yelling with glee and flying into a tree." I laughed, as well as the other two.

"Well, we still have some earens to run." Romeo stated. "So we'll see you again later."

"Okay. Bye." I waved as they ran off.

"Oh! And Rogue is somehwere around here!" Wendy yelled back before they disappeared from sight.

I could tell my face flushed slightly pink before I turned on my heels and headed for the hall.