The Side Where No Stars Shine

It Will Fix Everything

Gray's POV

We were back out onto the road, though the day had grown long.

I knew we might have to stop in that little town again, though Erza and I agreed it gave off a strange vibe.

"I hope everyone ate enough earlier because we have a job to do. There's no time to stop back in that town and eat." Hothead calls out.

Erza and I both exchanged looks of surprise.

Neither of us had expected that from him, though we were glad to hear it.

We'd miss out on that creepy place, and we'd get home faster.

Admittedly, I'm stoked to get Lucy back on the team.

It's been weird not having her around.

I'm sure the others agreed, and I'm also sure everyone in the guild was missing her true self.

Lior was probably missing his cousin, especially since I knew deep inside he still had to get his apology to her off his chest.

"Erza, what time do you think we'll arrive back at the guild?" I ask.

"Hm... most likely it'll be earlier than I expected, though I can't say when."

I sigh, looking at the vast road ahead of me.

This will all have been worth it.

I know.

It's just a little longer till we reach home.

Later...

By the time we rolled into Magnolia, it had gotten pretty late.

We were tired, hungry, and ready to save Lucy.

When we arrived at the guild, our guild mates were going through another casual night.

They were surprised to see us back so early.

We all sat, taking a break.

"Alright, let's get some food in you four!" Mira exclaims, walking over.

"How was it? A success, I presume?" Master asks, walking over to the table.

"Yes, Master, we have the cure." Erza tells him.

"I didn't expect any less of you."

He walks off.

I look over to see Lior in his seat, still full of energy.

He anxiously waited, the serum bottle in his hand.

I could tell he didn't want to wait anymore.

"Mira, let's take a rain check on food at the moment." I say, standing up.

The others follow.

Lior realizes what I'm doing, getting up quickly and rushing next to me with Lucy's cure.

We all walk over to her.

Lucy was sat in her usual spot, staring down the wall.

I hoped breaking her focus wouldn't upset her.

"Lucy." I say.

She turns her head to us in silence.

Lior steps in front of us.

"Lucy..." He starts, sitting next to her on the bench.

He holds out the bottle to her.

"Drink this." He tells her.

She just stares at him.

What could he say that'd make her take it?

Before I could come up with anything, Lior was already on it.

"Lucy, it will fix everything..."

The words slipped out of his mouth uneasily.

I remember him mentioning that Lilith had once said that... to him.

Lucy looked at him a bit more before taking the bottle in her hand and chugging it down.

We all wait for the moment she's herself again.

Lior's POV

Suddenly, I could feel a change in Lucy's presence.

Had the cure worked?

She looked up at her guild mates with tears in her eyes.

"Everyone..."

I could tell what she was feeling right now.

She was no longer on the sidelines of her own destruction.

She was free.

I stepped away as her guild mates crowded around her in one large hug.

It wasn't my business to get involved.

It was something meant for Fairy Tail.

I backed away a little more before stopping in my tracks, watching all of them care for her.

It made me so happy to know she was okay, and that she was loved by so many people.

Before I had the chance to head to the back room, Lucy looked up, making eye contact with me.

I froze.

What was she thinking?

Did she hate me?

I knew I'd have to accept it if she did.

"Lior..." She mumbled.

Fairy Tail abruptly cleared a path, and she came crashing towards me.

Lucy encased me in her arms with a giant hug.

"You're back to your old self..." She whispers to me, more tears streaming down her face.

I feel tears escape my eyes, wrapping my arms around her.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done..."

She grips me tighter.

"I forgive you."

I was so glad to have my family back.