Disclaimer ~ I do not own Fairy Tail

"There is no other possibility. The mages that were on Tenrou Island are dead."

With those few words, Natsu felt her world shut down. Just a few minutes ago, everything was normal as they waited for those who went to the S-Class exams to return. Everyone was eager, but Gray and Natsu were the most hyped of them all. Both had missed out on their chance to go and were beginning to miss all their friends. Plus now that Natsu was fully recovered, she was itching for a good fight. What better opponent than the newly minted S-Class mage? Natsu and Gray had even agreed to put their rivalry on hold until they had milked every single detail of what they missed from their friends when they returned. Except...they never got to.

Natsu heard a group of people approaching the guild, and thinking it was their missing Nakama, ran outside to meet them. Gray and the others were hot on her heels. But instead of their friends, they were met with a group of Rune Knights instead, lead by Mest.

"What are you guys doing here? And why is Mest with you?" Natsu had asked, ready to fight if she didn't like the reason the Rune Knights gave.

Mest stepped forward and began to explain everything. How he was actually a Rune Knight that infiltrated their guild and then...the story of what happened on Tenrou Island. How Grimoire Heart appeared searching for Zeref, who was on the island. Then the island was attacked by Acnologia. Natsu had paled upon hearing this, much to the worry of her guildmates.

"Gildarts mentioned that name to me once. He had crossed paths with a dragon on one of his missions. He couldn't land a single scratch on him and barely escaped with his life. He said he was lucky to escape that fight losing only his arm and leg," Natsu explained quickly. Those who didn't know of this development were shocked. Everyone was getting a bad feeling about the rest of the story.

Doranbolt said he tried to get everyone to evacuate but none of them would listen. He finished the story by telling of Acnologia's final attack. One that wiped out every single trace of Tenrou Island and its inhabitants.

"You're lying," Natsu growled, clenching her fists hard enough to draw blood. She lunged at Doranbolt, ready to beat the truth out of him if she had to. Gray wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to prevent her attacking the Rune Knights. "YOU'RE LYING! They can't be dead!" she screamed, struggling to escape from Gray's hold.

"I'm sorry but it's the truth. We've just spent the last four days searching for any signs that someone survived. Everyone on that island was destroyed along with it," Doranbolt's voice was choaked with sorrow. The raw, genuine emotion in his voice was what broke Natsu. She couldn't take it anymore, turning to bury her head into Gray's bare chest as she sobbed. Gray clung to her just as tightly as he too lost the battle of containing his tears. He cried into Natsu's hair as he held her close, almost afraid that if he let her go then she too would disappear.

There wasn't a single dry eye to be seen. Everyone had turned to each other, seeking comfort as they grieved for their lost Nakama. Nobody paid attention as Doranbolt led the Rune Knights away, shedding a few tears of his own.

"We should have been there," Natsu cried. Gray felt his heart break a little more at the sound.

"I know. I know. And it hurts so, so much. But if we had been there, we would be g-gone as well. We...we have to be strong for them," Gray said, trying to reassure himself just as much as Natsu.

"I don't know if I can Gray. I-I can't lose anyone else," Natsu said, looking at him while tears continued to stream down her cheeks. Gray pulled her back against him and she didn't fight it. Natsu simply buried her head back into his chest and continued to cry.

"We can get through this together. I will never leave you Natsu. I promise," Gray continued to whisper comforting words into Natsu's ear. Both taking comfort in the other's presence.

Fairy Tail had taken a hit today. They would use this time to grieve. But with time and each other, they would heal. Fairy Tail will survive. In honor of those that were lost.

Here's chapter 2 of the rewrite! Chapter 3 is on its way!