The sun had just set in Magnolia bathing the city in a cold blue, making the shadows of the destroyed buildings far longer and deeper than they should have been, but they weren't in any way ominous though. They were just mere shadows.
Lucy watched the town through her window, purposefully avoiding looking at the water of the canal, but her mind was rather far away. She was thinking of what she was going to do. She was originally going to go train by taking jobs, but now there was a lack of stable income to worry about as well as the lack of a guild. If anything she had about two weeks left before having to pay rent, but she was likely going to have to move.
Looking to her bed where a head of blue hair could be seen, she knew she would also have to worry about Wendy's and Carla's needs now.
Pouring herself more raspberry tea, she drank a hefty amount of the scalding liquid before putting it down. Sighing, she got up from the couch and walked over to her desk and sat down. Grabbing a few sheets of paper, she dipped her quill in her homemade never-drying- ink well, it kept her ink fresh and it had a charm to prevent the ink from spilling. It was a necessity after the one time Natsu spilled ink all over her novel.
Stopping her train of thought before it led to roads she rather not travel, she set her tip to paper and began to write.

'It was the second week after the fall of Tartarus and the death of the dragons. We all thought that this was our guild's greatest hurdle, but perhaps we were just not prepared for the following aftermath. I mean it does sound like something particularly simple and maybe it is, but the disbanding of Fairy Tail did not feel simple though. We were left dumbstruck and confused, but most of all I think we were angry. Honestly, we had just recovered from the battle against Tartarus, it felt like the last thing we needed or wanted at the time was to have our family split apart.
It was too late though. Natsu left first. Erza, Gray, and Juvia soon left as well. I'm not sure if they even know the guild disbanded, they weren't at the announcement.
Our family was falling apart at the seams.
I remember trying not to break down in sobs, to wait till I got home, but then I saw Wendy. She was curled up on the ground, her face practically being pushed into the dirt from the force of her sobs, and I realized this was probably harder for her than it was for me. She was only 12 and she was already losing her family for the third time. First Grandeeney, Cait Shelter, and now... Fairy Tail.
I vowed to myself in that moment that I would watch over her in Fairy Tail's absence if she let me, and as any good celestial mage I will always keep my word.'

Pausing, she looked back over to Wendy. Wendy looked exhausted even while sleeping. Her skin was pale and red from crying, but what stuck out the most was the deep frown marring her innocent face. She didn't deserve this. Having to worry that her next family would leave her again, no one that young should have to have that worry.
Lucy was more angry at the guild than she was sad at its disbandment though. How could they practically leave Wendy and Carla behind? They were still children by law, they could not legally take care of themselves. Not only that, but despite all the battles and things Wendy has seen or experienced there are many things she still has to learn. She was still rather naïve and innocent, she was only twelve after all.
If Lucy was being honest with herself, she was also upset that many of her family left without any goodbyes, and those that did they were vague at best. Lucy knew things wouldn't be the same after Tartarus, especially after losing Aquarius, but this was almost too much. All she wanted to do was break down and cry, but right now she needed to be strong for Wendy and Carla even though she was practically drowning in her emotions.
Turning back to look at her paper, she felt tears coming to her eyes. It was just so damn unfair. None of them deserved this. Why did Master have to disband the guild? She couldn't make heads or tails as to why and it was driving her ragged. She wanted to know so badly, but unless she found the Master she wouldn't know. Now that she thought about it she couldn't call him Master anymore. That thought caused her vision to blur as tears threatened to fall. She squeezed the quill in her hand trying to stop the trembling that started in her hands.
Small hands snook around her neck, hugging her from behind. While shocked to find Wendy awake she put her quill down and turned around to hug the young girl.
Wendy simply just buried her face in Lucy's neck as they both silently cried. It was hard for the young girl to accept the disbandment, and she was so grateful that Lucy was still there. Even though she knew Carla wouldn't leave her, it wasn't the same as having Lucy there with her, and she hoped, prayed, that she could accompany the celestial mage wherever she decided to go.
So many people had already left, and she was pretty sure they were some of the last Fairy Tail mages in Magnolia. She also didn't have anywhere else to stay since Fairy Hills was also closed now that Fairy Tail is gone. While she new that Lucy would most likely let her stay with her like she was now, she still held that one mounting fear that Lucy would say no.
Since first meeting Lucy she began to see her as an older sister, but she feared what Lucy might think if she told her. Lucy seemed to return the same sentiment as well and often indulges her in sweets and other stuff, but Lucy was generally a nice person who liked to give gifts to others.
Pulling away from Wendy, Lucy wiped away some lingering tears from her eyes before looking at Wendy again. Taking a calming breath to sooth her nerves she rested her hand on the shoulder of the sniffling girl. Watching as Wendy calmed down a little she thought of what she wanted to say. Obviously she would need somewhere to stay and she honestly would love it if Wendy lived with her, but they would need to find some form of income soon or leave. She could probably ask Virgo to hold anything of Wendy's that they didn't have space for, and... now she was getting ahead of herself.
"Wendy" She spoke softly to gain the girl's attention and to maybe help calm her down more. "I've been thinking that since Fairy Hills is likely to be shut down you should live with me." Realizing she sounded like she was demanding her to stay with her, she began to panic and tried to frantically explain herself. "I mean not to sound demanding! But with the guild gone and everyone leav- oof!"
As soon as Wendy heard Lucy ask her to stay she was ecstatic, and she stopped her mid sentence by tackling Lucy to the floor while hugging her neck.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
Realizing she practically slammed Lucy into the floor, she quickly scrambled off her. "I'm so sorry! I just got so excited that I didn't think and tackled you to the floor, and now you're probably mad. I really didn't mean to do that! I-I... please don't be mad at me!"
Wendy clenched her hands together in front of her as she berated herself. Why did she have to do that? She could have just said thank you or yes, but did she have to tackle her? God, she was such an idiot! Lucy was probably not going to want her to stay with her now and-
There was a giggle. A giggle.
Looking up from the floor (when did I look down?) Wendy's eyes widened in surprise. Lucy was laughing. It was a real laugh. It was nice hearing her laugh again. She hadn't laughed in awhile.
"It's fine Wendy. I'm not mad at you." Lucy sent her a kind smile hoping to ease the young mage.
Wendy felt her anxiety leave her all at once and instantly felt foolish. She knew Lucy wouldn't get mad at her for simply hugging her in her excitement, but she let her insecurities get the best of her. Besides if Lucy didn't want her around she wouldn't have asked Wendy to accompany her, she knew that.
Seeing Wendy relax, Lucy pulled herself up from the floor and stood up facing the younger girl. Even though she was genuinely smiling she was internally frowning. Wendy's belief that she would be mad her for simply hugging her struck a chord in her, and it wasn't a good sign. Wendy's faith in her self worth and friends was dwindling. Lucy felt her anger and sprouting resentment towards her fellow ex-members growing. She still couldn't believe the ignorance of them! Leaving Wendy and Carla to fend for themselves while they left, completely forgetting that Wendy and Carla have no one to look after them was unacceptable! They speak of family yet they leave some behind! Uh, it just infuriated her!
Stuffing away her growing ire with her family she stepped forward and pulled Wendy into an embrace. She felt in her gut that the young mage needed all the reassurance she wasn't alone, and besides Lucy was glad Wendy and Carla were going to be staying with her. She didn't feel so lonely right now.
Wendy snuggled into Lucy and hugged her around her waist. It felt nice to be hugged. She felt so warm and fuzzy, like she was loved. She truly saw Lucy as an older sister.
They stayed like that for a few minutes before they were interrupted by a loud yawn. Separating the looked over to see Carla looking over at them still in a sleep induced daze from the pink comforter on Lucy's bed.
Blinking lazily to clear out the last vestiges of sleep, she examined the two mages standing in the middle of the light pink bedroom. Both their eyes were slightly puffy like they were crying as well as small gentle smiles on their faces. Carla blinked in surprise at their expressions. They giggled at her blank expression causing the exceeds white ears to twitch.
"Did you have a good nap Carla?"
Looking over to the Celestial mage, she merely nodded her head. Thinking it over a second she realized that was one of the best sleeps she's ever had. "What kind of bed is this? It's like a cloud."
"Is it really that soft? I mean Natsu, Erza, Happy, and Gray say that all the time, but I thought they were just exaggerating."
Cocking her head to the side, Wendy sat down on the bed and pushed down on it slightly with her hands. Realizing it really was the softest mattress she ever felt, she fell back and snuggled into the comforter. She turned her head to look back at Lucy. "It really is super soft, Lucy! What's it made of?"
Putting her hand under her chin, Lucy tried to remember where she got the mattress. It hadn't always been this soft. Honestly, it use to be rather hard and it felt like sleeping on an ironing board. "I actually don't remember."
Both girls sent Lucy a curious looks. "Really?" Asked Wendy.
"Yeah, and now that I think about it, it wasn't always this soft either."
"What! How could you not know?!"
Turning to look at the exceed she shrugged her shoulders. "Honestly, I think I bought it from a yard sale for like five jewels. It was pretty old and had stains."
Hearing this both mages scrabbled to get off the bed, but got tangled in the comforter instead. They fell of the bed to the carpet with a loud thud. Shooting disgusted looks to the bed, they looked back at Lucy with surprise and confusion. Why anyone would sleep on used disgusting mattress like that was beyond them.
"What possessed you to sleep on a bed like that you stupid girl?!" Exclaimed the disgusted exceed.
"Well, it was the only mattress that fit my budget at the time. This apartment isn't cheap you know." Suddenly growing a little irritated over all the money problems she's had since living here, she sat down on the couch. Running a hand through her blonde hair, she sighed from exasperation. All of this conversation reminded her was that Natsu left, the guild disbanded, and now she had rent to worry about!
She felt like the world was out to get her at this point, and honestly she felt like giving up. It was too much. Not just this but everything, especially the loss of Aquarius. Lucy would admit to anyone that knew of what happened that she was avoiding the issue, burying it down and throwing down slabs of distractions. She felt that if she were to stop for too long she would drown and this time there was no one to save her.
Feeling the couch dip next to her she saw Wendy and Carla giving her a concerned look. Seeing them she immediately killed her inner thoughts and threw them down an abyss. There was no need for that depressing crap. For a moment she idly wondered if she was depressed, but she threw that thought out immediately. She had no time to be depressed! She had to take care of Wendy and Carla and train!
Feeling satisfied with her inner pep talk she returned to reality to find Wendy waving her hand in front of her face trying to get her attention. Flinching in surprise she sent the other two apologetic looks.

Wendy and Carla were still concerned but let it drop. They were pretty sure that whatever brought that blank look to Lucy's face was rather personal and they didn't want to pry.
Thinking back over the past hour, Lucy realized she had forgotten to talk to Wendy and Carla about what they were going to have to do now. Turning she faced the two mages.
"So, since Wendy has agreed to stay with me, I was wondering if you were going to be staying with us too Carla?"
Blinking in surprise, Carla sent the celestial mage an incredulous look. "Of course I'm staying with you. Do honestly think either of you are going to survive on your own without me? You both are bound to do something incredibly stupid and get yourselves killed. Humph." Glaring at the two she huffed a second time exuding a superior aura.
Nodding in agreement despite the obvious insult, Lucy took it in stride, they didn't have time to argue. "So now that we got that out of the way, what are we going to do now? I only have two weeks left before my rent is due, so that leaves us until then to get ready or decide what we're going to do."
"I'm not sure, but I don't think we should stay in Magnolia. What do you think Carla?"
"You're right Wendy, but I think we should also train. You just gained the ability to use Dragon Force you need to learn to use it without great physical or magical drain."
Looking to Wendy in amazement and surprise Lucy examined Wendy with a critical eye, before nodding in agreement. "So we leave in two weeks. We travel and train, but what do we do about money? We could take jobs posted on different town boards for freelance mages, but that will only get us so far."
Sighing in resignation, Carla nodded in agreement. It was honestly the best plan they had besides if they needed to they could fish and hunt for food. Blinking in realization, Carla remembered Wendy's and her apartment at Fairy Hills still held all their stuff.
"It will have to do for now." Wendy said coming to the same conclusion. "Besides at least we have a plan. That's better than nothing."
"You're right Wendy." Lucy stood and turned to face them before suddenly clapping her hands together. "Okay, so what do we do now?"
Fidgeting, Carla felt a little embarrassed. "Well, considering Fairy Hills is likely to be closed we need a place to hold all our stuff. Um... can you hold our stuff for us?" A light blush rose the exceeds cheeks as she felt the amused gaze of Wendy and Lucy.
"I'm actually glad you brought that up. I was thinking of asking Virgo to hold all of your stuff and my stuff in the Celestial World till we have a permanent residence. Is that alright with you two?"
Receiving both nods in agreement, she turned picking up the cold tea kettle and cup. She carried them to the kitchen and put them in the sink to be washed later. Now they had plans to put in motion.