This is the last chapter/epilogue! Thanks to everyone who's read it and reviewed! It means a lot to me! Hope you like the last little bit.

PART ELEVEN

The three mages and their unconscious captive came strolling into the village just a little past nine at night, all smiling triumphantly. The villagers stared, surprised at the sight of the villain being dragged by the startlingly beautiful redhead. And, also, at the fact that the two young mages they'd seen a lot of recently came in holding hands and smiling so brightly that half of them thought it was sunny again.

When they got there, Rune Knights had already arrived, probably with the help of Carla (who's magic must've surely been restored by now). They instantly set off with Nathaniel, ready to lock him up. Erza went with them, just in case.

The two young mages kept walking, looking at the many houses and wondering which one would be the town's doctor's house, since they needed to find Natsu and Lucy. Their hands stayed intertwined, their faces flushed though they both looked like they'd been through a heck of a lot. They seemed happy.

Suddenly, Wendy stopped, jerking Romeo to a halt with her. He turned to her, concerned. "What's wrong, Wen?" he asked. "Are you okay?" A sudden fear flared in his eyes, and he wondered whether Wendy was still very hurt.

But Wendy just shook her head, looking pointedly towards one house. Romeo followed her gaze and felt his stomach drop. Aiko sat on a porch swing in the house just a bit away from them. He felt a little sick, thinking Wendy still held feelings for the handsome boy…until he noticed a blonde girl sitting with him. They were both locked in a passionate-looking kiss. Romeo looked back at Wendy and saw her eyes ablaze with fury.

"He really strung me along," she said in almost disbelief.

"I'm sorry," Romeo said.

Then, Wendy pulled her hand from Romeo's. She stomped towards the house, up the steps, until she was standing just in front of Aiko and the blonde. Aiko pulled back from the girl when he noticed the Dragon Slayer. His eyes widened. "Uh, W-Wendy! I…" he stammered.

"Mmm-hmm. Yeah. Sure." Wendy stood there, glaring for a second…and then it all disappeared from her face. She smirked wryly, an expression that was unexpected from her. "You know, you're not even worth getting upset over." She looked to the blonde, who sat there in confusion. "Just so you know, you can do a whole heck of a lot better than this creep. Trust me." And with that, she walked back down the steps, hooked her arm through Romeo's, and kissed him on the cheek. "Come on. Let's go," she said while Aiko stared.

Romeo grinned. "Yeah." And when Wendy wasn't looking, he flipped Aiko off as he strolled away.

Eventually they came across a house that really wouldn't have stood out to them if Natsu hadn't been sitting on the front porch steps. Lucy lay beside him, her arms hugging him like he was a teddy bear, her head on his shoulder. She was snoring softly, fast asleep. Natsu smiled at them as they came closer. "You're okay!" he exclaimed quietly, so as not to wake the sleeping blonde.

"And so are you," Romeo replied, smiling back at him. "I'm guessing this is the town's doctor's house?"

Natsu nodded. "She said Luce will be okay…she gave her some medicine. She woke up for a bit, mumbling about golden bracelets, but…"

Wendy paled considerably, her eyes darting towards Romeo's pockets. He'd tucked the golden beads into his pockets to give to the master once they returned. They'd yet to start glowing, and she still felt apprehensive about him carrying them about in his pocket, for fear they'd start shooting out death magic again. But he insisted and she'd just, according to Romeo, died. She didn't feel like arguing.

"Tell her when she wakes up that there's no more bracelet," Romeo said. "Okay?"

Natsu nodded, but frowned bit. "So there was a bracelet?"

But Romeo just shrugged. Natsu frowned again, but didn't press him. After a moment, Romeo and Wendy sat down on the steps beneath the two older mages, still holding hands. Wendy looked up at him and smiled wide. "Thanks, Romeo," she whispered.

Romeo just shook his head. "No. Thank you, Wendy."

And, before long, they both fell asleep, too, still holding hands.

Gray came walking up then and looked from the kids to Natsu and Lucy. He frowned. "What did I miss?"

Natsu grinned. "Nothing much. You just owe me twenty bucks," he said, gesturing to the younger mages.

Gray's frown deepened. "Let me guess. Igneel always won bets, too, right?"

"Yup."

Gray just sighed.