Hey everyone! Mslead here with your Sunday update! The last one for Samhain! Hope you guys enjoy it! Notes at the end of the chapter!

EPILOGUE

Samhain

Samhain (pronounced /ˈsɑːwɪn/ SAH-win or /ˈsaʊ.ɪn/ SOW-in, Irish pronunciation: [sˠəuɪnʲ]) is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. Traditionally, it is celebrated from 31 October to 1 November, as the Celtic day began and ended at sunset. This is about halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasadh.

Lucy smiled as she strolled through the palace courtyard, nodding greetings to various demons as she passed.

The place had utterly transformed since the end of what had come to be called the Shadow War.

Natsu's first act upon taking the throne, after dealing with his brother's loyalists, had been to usher in a renaissance by flinging open the gates and welcoming trade and an exchange of ideas and culture from all races. Even human. Though that was largely limited to those few who were aware of the world that existed just beyond human perception.

The palace, and later the city, had been rebuilt with help from everyone involved resulting in a style that was an eclectic mix of everything, but still uniquely demonic. Something Lucy herself fully approved of. From what she'd seen before, demons had not had a use for gardens or fountains or anything ornamental really. But these days hundreds of gardens, large and small, dotted the landscape and new buildings bore intricate carvings and paint that couldn't rightly be called anything but beautiful.

"You can practically feel the excitement in the air." She noted in amusement to her lady-in-waiting and bodyguard Mirajane, "You'd think this was the first party we've ever thrown."

"Well can you blame them?" Mira laughed, "It's the anniversary of your bonding tomorrow. Two whole centuries since you and Natsu showed us another way was possible. That's something worth celebrating with all your heart don't you think?"

Lucy blushed a bit, but nodded, "I suppose so." She agreed, "It's just sometimes still a little hard to imagine that it's such a big deal."

She'd seen the evidence for herself of course. It was hard to miss when people stared at you in awe because you were bonded to their king. Even more so when Natsu had carefully made it known how she'd aided in the fight against Zeref, and their bond had been what carried the day.

Which, admittedly, was true, but he'd made her sound far more heroic than she'd felt at the time.

Still felt if she was being honest with herself.

Though she couldn't really complain. The story of her prowess had probably done more to protect her from Zeref's closet loyalists than anything else.

It didn't hurt that she really could back up the boasts these days. Countless hours of training had worked wonders on her ability to work with her spirits, and often her training sessions were a spectacle for the people.

At a respectful distance of course.

No one wanted to be the poor sap that got caught if she missed after all.

"It really is, you two have been the start of change for us," Mirajane laughed and escorted Lucy through the beautiful walk throughs, "You two have finally brought peace to our home. Zeref is now no more than just a memory."

"Though there are still a few who would follow by him," Lucy admitted, "But I don't believe many would act on it. Natsu and I have done our best to make a good change."

"And you have. Our home is green now, no longer ash and fire," Mira smiled, looking up at the clear sky overhead, "We no longer have to burn ourselves to the ground for supplies or fight amongst our kind for help. Not when finally demons can be seen just as prosperous and kind to our allies."

"You alone have done much to change the perception of my kind, making it far easier for me to be with my family," She pressed a hand over her heart in gratitude.

"Then let's hope for a peace that continues," Lucy smiled, "Although I tend to believe Gajeel and Natsu will end in blows more often than not."

They entered the throne room where her husband was sprawled out on the floor. He had abandoned his crown and royal cape, leaving both in a heap while he played with something far more precious.

Lucy smiled at the sight of her two children laughing side by side as their father poked at their stomachs and blew warm puffs of air at them.

"Sting, don't pull your sisters hair," Natsu growled at his son, lightly bumping the blond little boy with his forehead. His son pouted and reluctantly let go of a rosy lock of hair only for Natsu's daughter to let loose a little scream of outrage and pounce on both father and son.

Lucy burst into laughter at the sight as Natsu comically allowed himself to be bowled over. Though Sting wasn't quite so lucky as he got hit by a flailing fist. However, any retaliation was derailed as all three looked up at her.

"I see you three are having fun." She teased as her children squealed in happiness and rushed over to cling to her legs, "Conducting serious affairs of state no doubt."

She reached down and swung her daughter up on her hip, pleased she was still small enough to do that, and dropped a kiss on Sting's forehead, "I came to tell you Jellal and Erza have arrived. They're in their usual suite next to Gray and Juvia."

"When did droopy drawers get here?" Natsu smirked as he hopped up and leaned over to pull her into a long kiss that had their son gagging.

"You're never going to give that up are you?" Lucy snickered, and Natsu just cackled.

She rolled her eyes, "And Erza wonders why you two get into so many fights. It's a wonder there isn't an official betting pool for when the next fight between you, Gray, and Gajeel will break out."

"Yeah, speaking of... where is Metalhead. He's usually here first."

Lucy flicked a lock of his hair, "And if you'd been paying as much attention to what I was saying last night as getting my clothes off you'd know the answer to that. Levy's about to pop, so Gajeel's keeping her close to the nest until the twins are born. They'll come by once the hatchlings are strong enough to make the trip."

Natsu flashed her a roguish grin, "What can I say... my attention was occupied by more important things." He purred, "After all, I'm still fulfilling your wish."

"EWWWWW!" Sting exclaimed, somewhat violently in his reaction causing Natsu to snort out a laugh. Especially when his little girl echoed a much squeakier "ewwwwww!" After her big brother.

Natsu laughed and picked up his crown and cape. He dropped the crown on Sting's head, grinning as it went sideways. He buckled his cape around his shoulders and straightened up.

Together he ushered his family together and settled his hand on Lucy's back, "Come on then, let's go greet the Titania and Droopy Drawers."

Lucy snorted and settled herself next to her beloved king, "Yes, before that wish kicks back in again."

Over two hundred years and they were still together. It amazed Lucy just what could happen with what originally started off as a prank so many years ago.

A summoning circle filled with candy corn and bat confetti.

And look where they were now. The road had not been easy, or without its bumps, but they'd made it in the end and were still going strong. That was more than enough for her.

"I think next year I'd like to spend Halloween at the old house." She mused as they walked, "It's been a while and I'm feeling nostalgic."

Natsu smiled affectionately at her, "We can do that." He agreed softly, and caressed her hair, "After all, it's the best holiday around."

Lucy smiled and leaned into his shoulder, "It is."

After all, what other holiday was ridiculous enough to make her greatest wish come true?

And that's it! I'm glad everyone enjoyed this story, it's been a real pleasure to have you guys all standing by to read this one! We've taken a break from writing Reset (we've finished the first story), but we started up a new story. It's called tempest. We didn't have quite enough reviews for a sneak peek, but you did last chapter so here is the preview for our new story that will be coming out! Tempest! Thanks again, and it was a pleasure to write this giftfic for ya Phoenix-before-the-flame!

It had started off like a normal day for their crew, until the dragons of the sky sent a message whispering on the northern wind. Natsu had gone rigid, his face paling and his trademark grin had given way to an expression of fury.

Captain Natsu was not one to give up a fight, and his crew had known at that moment that they were about to go into battle.

They stole from a god.

And not one of them had regretted the decision. Not even now, with their ship burning in the choppy ocean, and with their half drowned captain barely clinging to life.

Gray knew he would have never forgiven himself if he had ignored his captain's orders.

"Where do you think you're taking this wretch?" A deep voice, cloaked in darkness rumbled behind him. The sled stopped moving, and Gray felt as if his legs had frozen solid.

He turned, fear clutching high in his chest as he looked into the face of destruction itself.

"Acnologia," Gray whispered.

He looked down at where the god's foot was pressing down on the sled, cracking it straight through the center without effort.

"Yes, that's the expression I want to see when you mere worms dare to oppose me," Acnologia spoke, his voice cutting through the raging storm.

The dark god stepped towards Gray, the man freezing in his spot in the face of such insurmountable power. He swallowed dry, his chest compressing in on itself.

"Are you proud of yourself for your insolence? For interrupting my wedding?" The gods voice was a deadly whisper, "Are you proud your captain stole my bride away?"

"She wasn't your bride," Gray found his voice, "she was our friend."

"SHE WAS MINE!" The god roared, fire and death lighting his eyes for a moment, "She was mine. Her beauty was beyond compare, and only my hand was worthy of it."