"I can't believe that I didn't get to go S-class," Natsu fumed. Lisanna laughed. "And Droopy Eyes gets to."
"Next year," she assured him. "I'm sure that the master will let you try the trials next year."
"That's what you say every year," he complained.
"See you all in a few days!" they had laughed. Years passed. They didn't return. The guild grew smaller as the years passed. They received fewer and fewer jobs. Then one day, seven years later, they came back. Mildly injured, but alive. Everyone was overyjoyed to see each other.
"Is Natsu on a job?" Lisanna asked. At that moment, they realized that they hadn't seen the explosive fire mage. The joy on the faces of those who had been left behind vanished. Lisanna's heart fell at their faces. "He's not…" she whispered, not wanting to say the dreaded word.
"No," Macao sighed, "but I almost wish he was." Makarov raised an eyebrow, worried.
"Is there someplace quiet where we can talk?" he asked. "Erza, come with us." Ignoring the worried looks the others were giving her, Erza followed the two men.
"Now, then," Makarov said, once the door was closed. "What happened?" Alarm spread across his face. "He hasn't joined a dark guild, has he?"
"No!" Macao exclaimed, then lowered his voice. "Natsu went missing a week after you did. He was on a job and never came back." There was a muffled cry. Erza spun and pulled Happy out from behind a box.
"What are you doing here?" she growled. The cat was in tears.
"I just wanted to find out what happened to Natsu," he whispered. "I never should have gone to Tenrou."
"Don't say that," Makarov sighed. "We'll find him, don't worry. Is there anything else?"
Macao placed his head in his hands. His voice was choked. "He was captured by a dark guild," he said tearfully. "They've had him for the past seven years."