Chapter 20

Their arrival back in Magnolia was a quiet affair.

They limped through the gates of Magnolia with the aid of some of the townsfolk and the guards that they had left behind. Natsu strode around to ensure that everyone was being taken care of. Gray had run off once they had spotted the walls, following Gramp's orders in going to find Porlyuscia. Erza had been feverish for the entire journey back, and the old woman was the best healer that Fairy Tail knew.

Natsu tried to ignore all the curious glares and worried gazes from the citizens around them while they marched back to the guild hall. There were questions being flung at them, all wondering about what had happened and what it would mean for them. Master Makarov did his best to control the crowd, but after getting a good look at the returning group, it was clear that nothing good had happened during the attack.

"What happened to Phantom Lord?!" a crowd member yelled. They had formed lines on either side of the street, watching them with intent gazes. "What is going to happen to us?"

"Did you rescue the other members?!"

"Have you seen my brother? He was with you guys when you left!"

"Is Phantom Lord going to be coming for us?! Do we have to leave?!"

Master Makarov stepped into the front of the group, both hands raised. Even from the back of the line where Natsu stood, he could see the weariness in the old man's eyes. It looked like he had aged ten years from the events.

"Please, everyone, calm down," Master Makarov said. "I will be speaking with the mayor soon, and we shall soon release details on what has occurred." He paused for a moment, and the crowd returned to their yelling in eagerness. Nonetheless, he continued, raising his voice to speak over them all. "Everyone simply needs to return to their homes for the time being!"

The crowd reluctantly began to disperse, disappearing into the many buildings and streets. Happy flew onto Natsu's shoulder, a somber expression across the cat's face. He had been trying to do anything to get the cat to cheer up, but nothing had worked. Not even talking to Charla had lifted his spirits.

"Natsu," Happy spoke, a waver in his voice. "What's going to happen to Lucy?"

Natsu didn't know what to say for a moment, his own thoughts in too much turmoil. Lucy had disappeared in the middle of the night before the attack had begun, and despite his best efforts, he hadn't even been able to get close to finding her. The Jupiter Cannon had made it near impossible to even get close to the Phantom Lord guild hall, if that had even been where she had run off too.

"I'm not sure, little buddy," he answered. "But no matter what, we will find her."

Happy didn't reply, but instead just snuggled into the side of his neck even further. They walked the rest of the distance to the guild in silence. The streets—now much emptier than they had been—seemed all too quiet. Natsu could remember the screams and panic in Oak Town, and he could never imagine such events happening in Magnolia.

Phantom Lord had fired that cannon without the slightest bit of care for their own citizens. Natsu clenched his fists, and he had to hold himself back from punching the nearest wall. They weren't a true guild, not when they committed such horrible acts.

As the large guild doors swung slowly open, creaking loudly, the members filtered into the hall, collapsing into the nearest seat that they could find. Natsu tucked himself and Happy in the corner, knowing that many of the other members needed much more attention than himself. What was supposed to be a place of joy and fun had quickly been turned into one of pain and hurt. Mira and a few others ran about the hall, seeing to the needs and aid of anyone that may have needed it. Elfman had carried Erza into one of the back rooms, which Master Makarov quickly entered as well, shutting the door closed behind him.

They had failed. Even though Natsu knew that he should be relieved that most of their members had made it out unscathed, the absence of Levy, Jet, and Droy stood out more than ever. And even more so than them, Lucy herself.

His thoughts were interrupted by Wendy making her way over to his corner. Charla was nowhere to be sighted, and the blue-haired girl herself simply kept her gaze locked on the floor. He felt a twinge of regret watching her stand before him. She had been dragged from her old guild unwillingly, only to be brought here and immediately thrust into the middle of a war. That was no way for a new member to be introduced, let alone someone as young as her.

"Wendy," Natsu called out, waving her over. She glanced up at him quickly, before taking a seat in a chair beside him. There was silence for a few moments, before Natsu continued, "I'm sorry."

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. The sounds of people being attended to filled the air, along with the discussions of what they thought would come next. None seemed to feel too strongly about what had happened.

"It's okay." Wendy's gaze turned back toward the ground, and they fell into silence once more. At some point, Happy stood from Natsu's shoulder before disappearing into the crowds. Natsu let him go, knowing that he wanted to be left alone.

"What will happen to Erza?"

Natsu started at Wendy's question. "I…I'm not sure, yet. Gray ran off to get the old woman from the forest. She might be able to help."

Wendy was silent, before she turned to face him once more, this time looking him square in the eye. There was a determination there that he had never seen before in the girl. "I want to try to help."

Natsu frowned, rubbing the back of his head. "I mean, I suppose you could ask Mira if she needs anymore help, but outside of that, I don't think there's much more we can do."

"No," she replied, shaking her head. "I want to help Erza."

As she finished her statement, she stood from her seat, fists clenched and trembling. There was a waver to her voice, as if she was unsure of what she was saying herself.

"I can heal others with my magic. It's the last thing that Grandeeney taught me to do before disappearing."

"You have healing magic?"

"Yes," Wendy replied. She grabbed ahold of his hand and began to pull him out of his seat. "That's what my Sky Dragon Slayer Magic is. I can use it to heal others."

"That's awesome!" Despite the mood in the guild, Natsu couldn't help but get excited at the prospect of being able to help Erza. "Let's go!"

Natsu took the lead, making his way to the door that he had seen Elfman bring Erza through. It had gone undisturbed the entire time thus far, and he still hadn't seen Master Makarov leave. When he knocked on the rough wood, there was no reply, and so he knocked again with even more force.

The master slowly opened the door, meeting Natsu with a furious look, before hissing out in low words. "Not now, Natsu. Leave Erza to rest!"

Natsu stuck his foot in front of the door to stop the master as he tried to close it once again. Master Makarov opened his mouth to speak again, but Natsu pushed Wendy forward before he could get anything out. "Not me! It's about Wendy!"

The younger dragon slayer stuttered a few times, fiddling with her fingers. Natsu could see the master slowly growing more and more irritated, so he placed a hand on her shoulder before continuing himself. "Wendy says that she has healing magic. She wanted to try to help Erza."

Master Makarov hesitated, before turning to Wendy with a frown. "You have healing magic?"

"It's my dragon slaying magic. Please, let me try!"

There was no response for a moment. Master Makarov looked back into the room, undoubtedly where Erza lay before turning back with a sigh. He slowly opened the door wider, allowing the pair to step into the room. "Try to be quiet, alright. I don't wish to disturb her sleep."

Natsu followed Wendy into the room and came to a stop at the foot of the only occupied bed. Another empty bed lay on the other side of the room. Erza was wrapped tight in a pile of blankets, the remnants of her armor laying off to the side. Her face was red, hair splayed out all around her, slick with sweat. It was difficult seeing her resorted to such a position, having been used to seeing her as nothing but the strong leader that the guild had known for so long.

"Your magic," the master said. "Have you ever used it on anyone else before?"

Wendy nodded, pushing her fingers together. "Only a few times, but it was for nothing more than simple cuts and bruises. I've never tried to heal something this bad before."

Master Makarov sighed. "That's alright, my dear. If you could do anything at all than that would be great."

The master guided her over to the bedside, right beside Erza's head. When he placed a hand across her forehead, Erza winced. "I think that it's the magic that the Jupiter Cannon was made from. It clearly has a lasting effect."

Wendy simply nodded again. She unraveled the blankets a bit on one side, allowing for them to see Erza's arm. It was battered and bruised, all from having to hold back the force of the Jupiter Cannon herself. The worst parts of the arm had been covered in white bandages, which had recently been replaced.

Wendy grabbed onto Erza's hand, before closing her eyes. Natsu and Master Makarov shared a glance, before returning to watching the girl in silence. A faint blue glow appeared around her, soon spreading across Erza's prone figure. The only sounds that filled the room were of Erza's shuddered breaths, and Wendy's low chanting. That soon changed, as Erza's breathing slowly began to steady.

There was sweat beginning to form around Wendy's forehead, and before long, the young dragon slayer fell back a step. Master Makarov kept a hand around her arm to prevent her from falling any further, but let her keep going, nonetheless. Natsu's eyes widened as his eyes fell back to Erza's arm, and he could only stare in disbelief as the wounds slowly began to fade.

This went on for a few more minutes, before Wendy's eyes slowly fluttered open, and she slumped back against the small master. Her breath was ragged and sweat dripped down her forehead, but she had a relieved smile spread across her face. "I've done what I could. I…wish I could do more, but that's all the magic I have left."

Master Makarov shook his head, ensuring that the girl was settled properly against the wall before moving back to Erza. Her breathing had settled, and it already looked as if her fever was beginning to decrease. Natsu took a step around the bed, standing on the opposite side. He and the master shared a glance before turning back to Erza. Already, she was beginning to look like normal.

"Wendy!" Natsu exclaimed, before being immediately shushed by the master. He smiled sheepishly and continued in a quieter voice. "That was amazing!"

She gave him a tired smile in return but said nothing else. Her eyes were blinking rapidly, trying to keep herself awake, but failing desperately. The master moved to her side, gently lifting her up to bring her over to the empty bed, and just as she was getting settled down, the door to the room reopened. Gray appeared, quickly followed by the looming form of Porlyuscia. Natsu shivered at the sight, remembering his previous encounters with the old woman.

She immediately began rambling to Master Makarov, stating many times that he was reckless and foolish, among other things. Gray helped her set up the few belongings that she had brought, and quickly left the room. Natsu was soon moving to follow but hesitated at the sound of Wendy murmuring. She was covered by a thin blanket, nearly asleep and whispering. It was clear that the others in the room didn't hear, but Natsu was able to, and the words made him shiver.

"Grandeeney," she whispered, before falling completely asleep. "Is that you?"


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