Ch. 6- Returning Home
Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima
Story and OCs © Me
"Goodbye! Goodbye, everybody!"
"Thank you so much for everything!"
"We'll never forget you!"
It was the following morning and the Fairy Tail Gang was on its way back home to Magnolia. Last night, Erza had actually figured out the solution to "the curse" that plagued the villagers. It turned out that due to Moon Drip being used so much, it developed a crystalline membrane in the night sky, giving the moon its ominous purple color. Thanks to Erza's Giant Armor and Natsu's fire, they were able to destroy the membrane that hovered over Galuna.
However... it was later revealed that the villagers were never human. They were all, in actuality, a tribe of friendly demons who used to hide their appearance from strangers. Being exposed to the Moon Drip's effects for so long had made them forget their memory of the fact.
What's more, the village headman's son, Bobo, was revealed to be alive, for he was actually the ferryman who brought Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Happy to Galuna in the first place. What's more, the curse never existed to start with: it was just a myth that the islanders made up to scare away any intruders with hostile intentions. Now that their plight was over, the demons happily celebrated along with Natsu and the others.
As for Lyon and his underlings, they decided to take responsibility for what they had done. Since they were once victims of Deliora's destruction and lost their friends and family to the demon, they sought revenge and followed Lyon's orders. However, upon their defeat, they realized the error of their ways and apologized for their actions.
Lyon was especially ashamed himself. He realized that in his obsession to surpass Ur, he had committed heinous atrocities against innocent people... and if his former master were still around today, he knew she would be disgusted and disappointed in the young man he had become. Thus, he decided to turn himself into the Magic Council, even though one of his friends, Sherry Blendy, offered to vouch for him "in the name of love", but he told her that it was for the best. He felt that this was the only way he could atone for his crimes.
"If you ask me," Haru told him, "I think you're well on your way, Lyon. Ur would be so proud."
Hearing that caused Lyon to smile gratefully before he thanked the Beast Wizard and apologized for wounding her earlier.
"These are some good friends you have, Gray," Lyon told him. "You better make sure you don't lose them."
"You've got some pretty good friends, too," Gray added as he looked toward Toby, Sherry, and Yuka Suzuki. "Take care of them, Lyon."
As Haru looked over at Gray, she noticed the scar that was now over his left eyebrow, the one he got when he lost to Lyon the first time. He didn't seem to mind it, though, as long as people could see it.
Thus, Lyon and his group left... and after spending the night at the village, which had somehow been restored to normal, Natsu and friends were on their way home themselves. The Demon Tribe offered them the 7 million Jewel as a reward, but Erza turned it down (much to Natsu, Gray, and Lucy's chagrin), but they did at least give them the Golden Gate Key of Sagittarius, which they offered as a token of friendship, something that Lucy was all too eager to accept.
Soon, the group was on board the pirate ship that Erza and Haru had hijacked and were headed back home to the Fairy Tail Guild.
"Goodbye, everybody!" Lucy called as she and the others waved goodbye... except for Natsu, who was leaning over the railing due to his motion sickness. "Take care!"
"We'll be sure to visit sometime!" Haru added.
"Aye!" Happy agreed as he sat on her shoulder while Blue Fang let out a long howl of farewell.
Later that day, the group finally arrived back in Magnolia. The townsfolk were rather surprised to see them arrive onboard a pirate ship of all things, but nonetheless, they were pleased to see them back home, safe and sound. However, despite the warm welcome, Erza had to remind Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Happy of one thing.
"Don't forget that you're still being punished. You still took an S-Class Quest without permission, regardless of your reasons. When we get back to the guildhall, Master Makarov will decide what to do with you."
Hearing that... their good moods immediately withered.
"I forgot about that," Lucy muttered.
"You don't think that he's gonna make us do that, is he?" Happy asked, causing Natsu and Gray to freeze in terror.
"NO!" Gray screamed. "JUST KILL ME, NOW! I DON'T THINK I COULD LIVE THROUGH THAT AGAIN!"
"Okay, you guys are starting to freak me out!" Lucy cried.
"Ah, don't let Gray scare ya," Natsu assured as he patted her shoulder. "I'll talk Gramps out of punishing us! That guy loves me!"
"Natsu?" Haru asked. "I don't think you're gonna be able to talk your way outta this one... so... if he decides you have to do that, well... it was nice knowing you, bro."
Hearing that caused Natsu to literally sweat buckets. In fact, he even looked like he was about to soil himself... and all he could do was scream as Erza dragged him away.
"NO! SAVE ME!" he cried. "Not that! ANYTHING BUT THAT! NOOOOOOOO!"
"Okay, seriously!" Lucy shouted. "What is THAT?! I am totally freaking out now!"
"Trust me, Lucy," said Haru. "You DON'T wanna know."
"THAT'S NOT HELPING, HARU!" Lucy cried.
Like it or not, the group had made it back to the guildhall, just as the sun was starting to lower beyond the horizon... and the moment they approached the aforementioned building, they saw Elektra standing outside, arms crossed and a stern expression on her face.
To put it simply... she did not look the least bit pleased.
"...Oh, crap," Natsu cursed under his breath.
"She looks mad," Lucy said, nervously.
"Aye...!" Happy squeaked in fright as he hid behind Natsu's backpack.
"Well... I guess we kinda worried her, too," Gray admitted. "We pretty much had everybody worried, huh?"
"Well, everyone was in a panic when you guys left, so yeah," Haru replied while Blue Fang whimpered in agreement.
"Enough," Erza said as she walked ahead. "It's time to face the music."
Natsu and Gray gulped while Lucy and Happy quietly said every prayer that they knew before they approached the doors of the guildhall, where Elektra waited for them. At first, her stern expression remained as she glared at the 3 teens and cat... but then she sighed, her seriousness giving way to concern and relief.
"Are you kids all right?" she asked.
"Well, aside from this," Gray said as he brushed his hair to one side, revealing his scar, "we're okay for the most part."
The moment Elektra saw that scar, she gasped as she ran over and touched it, gently.
"Does it hurt?!" she asked. "It wasn't too deep, was it?!"
"I-it's fine, Elektra," Gray assured. "It's just a little scar. It's not like it split open my whole head."
Elektra sighed, pulled the Ice Wizard into a hug, which he returned... but then she quickly pulled away before she turned and opened the door.
"March yourselves inside and sit down," she told them. "I'm going to talk to Grandpa about your punishment."
Nervously yet obediently, the quartet soon entered the guildhall and sat down at an empty table while Haru and Blue Fang stood near the bar where Mirajane stood with Elfman. Elektra had gone into Makarov's office with Erza to discuss their punishment.
"Thank goodness you all made it back," Mirajane said. "We were so worried."
"We're okay, Mira," said Lucy.
"Still," said Macao, "you guys aren't off the hook. Master Makarov still plans on punishing you guys once you got back."
"Oh, great..." Natsu murmured in dread.
"Well, hey," said a familiar gruff voice, "you should have seen this comin', Natsu. It was your fault to start with."
Everyone looked up to see Laxus, standing on the second floor with that smug grin of his and a cigar in his mouth, as usual.
"What are you doing here?" Gray asked with a glare.
"Oh, don't mind me," Laxus replied. "I'm just here to see you brats get kicked to the curb, that's all." His smirked widened as he puffed out smoke from his cigar. "I can hardly wait to see the looks on your faces."
"Now, wait a minute!" Natsu shouted. "They haven't decided anything, yet!"
"...Natsu?" Lucy asked, causing the Dragon Slayer to glance at her. "We're... we're not really get expelled, are we? I mean... I've always wanted to be in the Fairy Tail Guild... and now...!" She sniffed, trying her hardest not to cry... but the idea of getting expelled, even though she hadn't been in the guild for very long, was starting to get to her. However, she gasped as she felt a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look over at Natsu, who stared into her eyes with a look of seriousness.
"We'll be okay," he said. "We're in this together."
Lucy stared back at Natsu, feeling a bit reassured by his words and his action of comfort. Still, the nervousness was still there. As they sat waiting, they could just barely make out Makarov, Elektra, and Erza all talking at once, but their words were inaudible. Having to wait out in the main hall was starting to make them even more anxious, especially as the sky began to darken outside.
Eventually, Makarov, Elektra, and Erza all came back out, the first two wearing serious expressions on their faces.
"Oh, jeez," Gray muttered. "Here we go."
"Get ready," Natsu added.
"Please, don't let it be that...!" Happy whispered while Lucy just sat quietly.
"First of all," said Elektra, "the four of you should know that we're very disappointed in you."
"...We know," Natsu muttered in shame.
"Natsu," Makarov spoke, gaining the Dragon Slayer's attention. "We're not at all surprised at your behavior... but still, what you and Happy did was inexcusable. You can't become S-Class, just like that. It takes time, diligence, and patience. You have all the time in the world to get stronger, but stealing an S-Class Quest from the job board upstairs is not how to do it! If you want to be S-Class, you need to take the S-Class Promotional Trial just like Erza, Elektra, Mystogan, Mira, and Laxus did!"
"Master, please don't bring that up," Mirajane said. "You know I don't do that, anymore."
"Wait, Mira was an S-Class Wizard?" Lucy asked, quietly.
"As for you, Lucy," Elektra spoke, causing her to straighten up as she looked to the Magnetism Wizard, "words can't even begin to describe how shocked we are at what you did. Honestly... we thought that since you know how the rules were, you were actually going to follow them. However, it seems that if it means getting something you want, you're even willing to break those rules." Her eyes softened, sadly. "We're very disappointed in you."
"...I'm sorry, ma'am," Lucy said, hanging her head in shame.
"And Gray," Makarov said, causing Gray to turn to him, "we sent you to go after Natsu, Lucy, and Happy to bring them home, but instead, you let yourself get involved because of personal reasons!"
"But I-" Gray started.
"We know that Fairy Tail is a guild that expresses freedom," Elektra continued. "However, the four of you proved to us that you were willing to abuse that freedom. No matter what your reasons are, there is no excuse for this!"
"...So... what are you going to do?" asked Lucy, although she seemed to be dreading the answer.
"In accordance to guild rules," Makarov began, "your punishment... would be expulsion from the guild, effective immediately!"
Lucy and Happy gasped while Natsu and Gray visibly tensed, and meanwhile, Haru screwed her eyes shut as she turned to Mirajane, who hugged her tightly, placing the Beast Wizard's head against her bosom and stroking her green hair while Blue Fang nuzzled his partner, whining sadly. As for Laxus, he chuckled darkly as he watched the scene unfold.
"However," Makarov said, causing the 3 wizards and cat to look at him in surprise, "from what Erza had told me and also what she had gathered from Haru... it seems that the Demon Tribe of Galuna Island was in dire straits before you lot got there."
Upon hearing that, Laxus' smirk immediately fell, replaced with an expression of shock and disbelief.
"Therefore," Makarov added, "instead of banishment... I'm going to suspend you from guild work for 2 weeks."
"Suspend us...?" Lucy repeated.
"It means that you can still come to the guildhall," Elektra explained, "but you can't take on any jobs until your suspension period is over. In order to keep busy, you'll have to help around with chores here, such as helping Mira clean up the bar and tables, sweep up the floors, and help sort books in the basement library."
"Wait," Lucy said as she began to beam with hope. "You mean... we're not getting kicked out of the guild?!"
"No, Lucy," Makarov replied with a reassuring grin. "You, Natsu, Gray, and Happy are still members of Fairy Tail."
Immediately, the blonde Celestial Spirit Wizard squealed as she practically sprang to her feet and hugged Makarov, who laughed as he returned her hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" she exclaimed.
"YEEEEEEAAAAAAAH!" Natsu cheered, a plume of fire spewing out of his mouth. "WE'RE HERE TO STAY, BABY!"
"Hell yeah!" Gray exclaimed as he gave Natsu a high-five.
"Aye!" Happy chimed in while Haru heaved the sigh of relief that she didn't realize she was holding in.
"Thank goodness..." Erza whispered while all the other guild members around them cheered happily... except for Laxus, who growled silently as he turned and stormed out.
"See, Luce?" Natsu asked. "All's well that ends well, right?"
"Yeah!" Lucy replied. "I was afraid I'd have to kiss this guild goodbye!"
"Now then," Elektra began, "I know you kids must be hungry after your trip back, so how about I make you some dinner?"
"Oh, yes, please!" Natsu replied. "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!"
"And a fish for me, please!" Happy added.
And so, as Elektra and Mirajane got to cooking, Haru smiled as she sat between her brother, who was giving Blue Fang a belly scratch, and Gray while Lucy sat in front of her, laughing happily as Erza sat to her left and Happy floated above them with his wings.
'I'm glad that everything turned out okay,' Haru thought. 'Fairy Tail just wouldn't be the same without Natsu, Happy, Gray, and Lucy.'
And so ends the Galuna Arc!
Up next, an original story that takes place before Phantom Lord! But first, I'm gonna try and see if I can work on anything else. Also, sorry for anybody who was expecting that "body swap" episode.
Until then, review, please!