Hey Everybody!!!!

This is Part 3 of "The Missing Element"!

These responses will come in 2 parts or more. 

This request was made by Raijin456.

Feel free to comment and make suggestions!

Hope y'all like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own "Fairy Tail" and make no legal claims to the manga, anime, or featured art. "Fairy Tail" is owned by FUNimation, A-1 Pictures, Satelight, TV Tokyo, and Hiro Mashima.

Enjoy!

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The Missing Element

"No need to fear," the stranger called out. 

Juvia froze in place as she stared, gaping at the stranger. 'It's him...'

The stranger drew near and pulled back his cloak to reveal his face. "My name is (F/n) (L/n). I'm here to help."

The others echoed Juvia's reaction to the man's appearance as they stood, astounded. 

They'd found him! (F/n) (L/n) was alive! Now what?

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(F/n)'s POV

"Is anyone injured?" I asked the group. 

I received no reply at first, which was odd. The silence was making this a little awkward. Luckily, a young woman bearing crimson hair and armor stepped toward me. Her eyes were quite intense. 

"You said your name was (F/n) (L/n)?" she asked.

I nodded. "That's correct." 

I observed there to be a hint of surprise in her expression. "My name is Erza Scarlet," she said, introducing herself. "My friends and I hail from the Kingdom of Fiore to the south. We've been looking for you."

I couldn't help but jerk back in shock. "Looking for me?" I repeated.

"Yeah, you're a Dragon Slayer, ain't you?" a rugged-looking fellow with long, black hair and metal piercings asked.

"Well... yes, but..." I hesitated. How did these people know so much about me? 'Could it be?'

A white cat then spoke. "Mr. (L/n), my friends and I have come in response to a prophesy that we believe has a great deal to do with you."

I let out a deep sigh. 'So I was right. That's why.'

"I honestly hoped this day would never come," I said out loud. I then motioned for the group to follow me. "Gather your things quickly and come with me. We can discuss this at my home."

When the group had packed their tent, we set out into the storm. I kept us free of the icy wind with my magic as we trudged through the snow far into the valley. Soon, a flickering light broke through the darkness of the blizzard as we approached my home. The door was the only visible part under the mound of snow.

I held it open as the group filed through and down the immediate stairway to the underground cavern. 

I took note of each of these strangers as they passed me. Erza Scarlet led the group, followed by the rugged, dark-haired man. He didn't seem to be the friendliest of characters. Another, slimmer dark-haired man followed. I noticed he wore only a light jacket. He seemed very comfortable in the cold. A sweet, little blue-haired girl came next. She smiled cheerfully at me as she passed. Three cats followed. One white female and two toms, one black and one blue. The three were certainly eager to escape the icy wind.

A young, blonde woman then passed. "Thank you so much for your help," she said. 

I returned her smile. "My pleasure."

An enthusiastic, pink-haired fellow came after. "This is so awesome!" he shouted.

I had to laugh. This one would be quite entertaining.

Last to enter was a shy-looking, blue-haired woman. Her skin was very fair, and she wore deep blue winter clothing much like my own. I was taken at her beauty. I'd never seen anyone quite like her. 

She caught me staring and looked away with a light blush in her cheeks. I couldn't help but stop her as she passed.

She looked at me in surprise as I grabbed her arm. "What is your name?" I asked.

Her blush grew a little redder as she answered  quietly. "Juvia," she said. "My name is Juvia Lockser."

"Juvia..." I repeated thoughtfully. The name seemed to ring in my ears. There was something in me that resonated with that name. I was certain I'd never met this woman before, but there was something vaguely familiar about her.

I released her arm. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Juvia," I said.

She gave me a small smile before continuing through the door and down the stairs. 

I followed, blowing out the lamp and bolting the door behind me. One of the wood floor panels creaked slightly as I entered the large room that made up the main living space of my underground home. Most of the group had gathered close to the fireplace.

Those that weren't busy trying to warm themselves were already locked in conversation with Michelangelo, my black and white spotted cat friend. As always, his sophisticated manner of speech was making him sound a lot more intelligent than he actually was. 

"My, my! It's not very often that Master (F/n) has guests. It is such a pleasure to have you in our humble abode. You are most welcome!" he said. 

"Michelangelo," I called.

"Yes, Master (F/n)," the cat replied. "How might I be of service?"

"Make some tea and fix our guests something to eat," I ordered.

"Right away, sir!" The cat immediately set about the kitchen. We didn't have much to eat, but if that cat was good at anything, it would be creating plenty of something out of nearly nothing.

He proved me right, yet again, by whipping up enough food to feed the whole group. When everyone was sufficiently full and warm, Erza introduced everyone to me. She was obviously the established leader.

The white female cat, called Carla, began the awaited discussion. "Mr. (L/n)," she began.

I quickly cut her off. "Please, call me (F/n)."

She nodded and continued. "(F/n), when I first mentioned the prophesy that drove us to look for you, you seemed to know exactly what I was talking about. Is that the case?"

I nodded to confirm. "Yes, I do." I then recited the prophesy I'd heard a thousand too many times. 

"The Sun turns black with despair and pain, raining down pure destruction and chaos upon the world. The Fire of hope is burnt to a crisp. The Stone of fortitude is shattered in the quake, and the cool Breeze of peace is swept away in the whirlwind. Only the Flood can stop it. Only the Flood can wipe away that which is written of the world's demise."

"Ghiaccia used to repeat that to me over and over," I noted thoughtfully.

"Who is Ghiaccia?" Lucy Heartfilia asked. 

"Ghiaccia is my mother," I said.

"She's the dragon that raised you and taught you your Slayer magic," Gajeel Redfox butt in. "Am I right?"

I nodded. "That's right."

"Let me guess," Gajeel continued. "She disappeared back in X777 then turned out to be living inside of you the whole time. She reappeared a little over a year ago and then died again for real. That about cover it?"

I was speechless at how accurate his assumptions were. "Uhh... Yes... How do you know all of that?"

"Because I'm a Dragon Slayer too, kid." He then gestured to Wendy Marvell and Natsu Dragneel. "So are Salamander and the runt."

"Really?!" I asked in disbelief. 

Natsu put on a big, cheesy grin. "Yup! My dad was Igneel, the Fire dragon king!"

Wendy smiled brightly as she added. "And I was raised by the Sky dragon Grandeeney."

"That's amazing!" I exclaimed, then looked expectantly at Gajeel.

He wasn't nearly as enthusiastic. "I'm an Iron Dragon Slayer," he muttered. "I was raised by a stubborn, old clunker named Metalicana."

Pantherlily then spoke up. "(F/n), if you don't mind my asking, what element did you learn from your dragon?"

I smiled kindly at the black cat. "It's no trouble. Ghiaccia was a Frost dragon."

Erza suddenly stood. "Then it's true!" she exclaimed. "You really are the Missing Element, a derivative of water."

I sighed and nodded submissively. "I don't know about this whole "Missing Element" business, but yes."

As much as I hated the idea of being the center of the prophesy, I agreed to return to Magnolia with the Fairy Tail group. I couldn't hide from my destiny - my duty. Ghiaccia had taught me better than that. 

We set out at first light. The journey to the nearest train station took only most of a day, since I knew the northern country well. The South was much less familiar to me. 

Wendy cast a spell on me to stave off my motion sickness, so I was actually able to enjoy our travels. I spent the majority of the trip getting to know a certain water wizard that had caught my eye. 

Juvia was always so shy around me, which was really cute. I admit I didn't have much experience with women, but I just thought to be friendly as I would be with anyone else. It seemed to work fairly well. 

I would ask questions about her life before and after joining Fairy Tail. Her stories about being in a Dark guild then switching to the guild that defeated them were absolutely fascinating. She was very kind and had such a gentle personality. It made her only more beautiful in my eyes. What was ever more amazing was the feeling of familiarity that I always seemed to have around her. I wanted to ask her about it to see if she felt something similar, but I couldn't put it into words. 

I thought things were going pretty well between us until we actually arrived in Magnolia. As soon as the train stopped, Juvia bolted for the platform and was gone in a flash. I didn't really know how to take it. I had a feeling something was definitely bothering her. I didn't know at what it could be, but the other Fairy Tail wizards secretly smiled and laughed told me they knew something about it.

I was determined to find out what.