Ch. 9- A Happier Future
Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima
Story and OCs © Me
Haru groaned as she clung to Blue Fang's back, her body and mind exhausted from the earlier battle. The ocean's frigid temperature only served to sap away whatever strength she had. Blue Fang panted as he fought against the current and rough waves, paddling towards the shore... where he saw everyone waving to him and Haru.
"Haru! This way!" Lucy called.
"Come on, paddle faster!" Gray shouted.
Before too long, Blue Fang pulled himself onto the shore, allowing Gray to pull Haru off his back before the silver wolf shook himself dry.
"Haru!" Lucy exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
"I... I think so," Haru said as her legs buckled, but thankfully, Gray and Juvia managed to keep her standing. "I'm just... really tired."
"Thank goodness you made it out of there!" Juvia said in relief.
At that moment, Shô approached along with Wally and Millianna... and that's when they noticed that someone was missing.
"...Where's Simon?" Millianna asked, causing Haru to gasp silently as she remember what had transpired in the tower... before she sighed, sadly.
"What happened?" Shô asked, his worry and dread steadily growing. "Where's Simon?!"
"...Don't tell me..." Wally said, just as dreadful as his younger brother figure.
"...Mr. Simon is dead," Haru answered, causing the three former slaves to gasp in horror. "I'm sorry... he gave up his life to protect Natsu, Erza, Blue Fang, and me. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't even be here, right now...!"
"No...!" Shô whispered with tears welling up in his eyes. "Dammit, not Simon!"
Millianna had already broken down at that point, sobbing as she hugged Wally, who held a hand over his face as tears fell from his eyes as well... and Haru could only hang her head, sadly.
"Haru?" Happy asked, causing the Beast Wizard to glance down at the little blue cat. "W-where's Natsu?"
"Yeah... where is Natsu?" Lucy asked. "And Erza, too?"
"Wait... they're not here?" Haru asked, her eyes widening in horror. "But... but they were right behind me, I swear!"
"If they're not here, then where..." Gray started, only to trail off as the realization hit him and he looked back toward the tower. "...Oh, no..."
Haru gasped as she looked back at the tower, as well... and before she could react fast enough, there was a huge flash of light, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. As Haru opened her eyes back up, she gasped as she saw that the Etherion magic was being absorbed into the sky in a huge cyclone... and she could only gape in horror as she realized...
Natsu and Erza were still inside.
"No!" Haru cried. "NOOOOOO! NATSUUUUUU! ERZAAAAAAAA!"
Then... the Etherion disappeared... and the tower was gone. Completely vanished off the ocean's surface. It was just... gone.
Haru stood there, her eyes wide in disbelief... but then she whimpered as she felt her tears beginning to blur her vision. Lucy, just as teary-eyed as she was, walked over and hugged her while Happy clung to her ankle, sniffling as his tears fell. Gray seethed before he punched a palm tree in frustration while Juvia mournfully hung her head. Wally, Millianna, and Shô all stood together, crying over the death of their two friends while Blue Fang howled mournfully to the sky.
"I'm sorry, Haru...!" Lucy whispered as she held Haru. "I'm so very sorry!"
"They're... they're gone...!" Haru sobbed. "They're both gone!"
XXX
Sometime later, the group was still standing on the beach, staring out toward the ocean... as if they were waiting. Waiting for a voice... a sound... just any sign of life. They knew what they saw... but they refused to accept that Natsu and Erza were possibly dead.
As for Haru... she sat at the base of a palm tree, curled up in a little ball. Blue Fang lied at her side, whining as he nuzzled her in an attempt to comfort her. She sniffled as she raised her head, revealing her red, puffy eyes before she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his fur.
"I understand, you know."
Haru turned to see Shô, who sat down beside her and looked at her with soft, sympathetic eyes and a warm but sad smile.
"Big Sis... she was really awesome, wasn't she?" he asked. "I always looked up to her... because she was the bravest girl I ever knew... and she always wanted to make things fair for everyone."
"...Yeah... that sounds like Erza," Haru said. "I guess she was always that way, even before I met her." She paused. "You really loved her... didn't you, Shô?"
"We all did," Shô answered. "I can tell you loved her, too."
"...Erza was like my big sister," Haru said. "She was beautiful... and strong. I wanted to be like her... and now... I haven't just lost her, but I lost my brother, too." She sniffled as she buried her face in her arms. "It's my fault... if I wasn't so weak... then maybe...!"
"No, please... don't blame yourself," Shô said. "None of this would have happened if we hadn't kidnapped Big Sis Erza in the first place! It's our fault, not yours!"
Before Haru could say anything more, Blue Fang suddenly sat up on his haunches, his ears pricked up in alert.
"Blue Fang?" Haru asked. "What is it, boy?" As she followed the wolf's line of sight... she gasped in disbelief.
There, wading through the ocean... was Natsu, carrying Erza in his arms!
"...Natsu... Erza...!" Haru whispered before the biggest smile appeared on her face and tears fell from her eyes, once more... tears of joy.
Soon, Haru practically jumped to her feet and ran down the shore, confusing the others at first. However, once they saw why she was running, they soon ran to join her.
"NATSU! ERZA!" Haru called out. "YOU'RE ALIVE!" She then threw herself onto the pair, causing them to fall back into the water, but they laughed nonetheless. "I was so scared! I thought I'd never see you both again!"
"...Sorry, sis," said Natsu, tiredly.
"Yes... we're sorry, Haru," Erza said.
"What happened in there?" asked Haru.
"...I was... prepared to sacrifice myself to the Lacrima," said Erza, hanging her head in shame. "I wanted you all to live a long, happy life... but... for a brief moment... I saw my own funeral... it was nothing like I wanted." She looked at Haru and gently placed her hand on her cheek. "I saw you... and everyone else... you were all crying... crying for me."
"Of course, we would cry for you," Haru said. "Erza... you're an important part of our family... the guild just wouldn't be the same without you, or Natsu." She pulled Erza into her arms, her tears falling at full force. "Erza... you're one of the people who made me who I am, now! I'd be lost without you! And Natsu!"
"...I realize that, now," Erza said as tears fell not just from her left eye... but her right eye, too. "Haru... your brother saved me."
Natsu smiled at Erza. It was a tired smile... but it was also one of triumph... before he frowned.
"Erza," he said. "What you said about Fairy Tail... it's the same for me. I can't imagine my life without you... or the guild."
Erza smiled, realizing what he meant.
"Erza... promise me you'll never do something like that, again," he said with tears forming his eyes.
"...I won't," Erza said.
"PROMISE, DAMMIT!" Natsu shouted... causing Erza to smile as she pulled both him and Haru into a hug.
"I promise," she said. "Thank you, Natsu... and you, too, Haru... for never giving up on me."
"...We love you, Erza," Haru said, causing Erza to smile as tears fell not just from her left eye... but from her right eye, too. At that moment, Lucy, Gray, and the others joined them, all of them wrapping their arms around the group in a big hug as they rejoiced in their survival
'This experience has taught me a very important lesson... you don't die for your friends... you live for them... because their future wouldn't be as happy without you in it.'
~3 Days Later~
The gang had returned to Akane Resort to rest and recuperate from the battle. During this time, Juvia had left, saying that she had something to do but she promised that they would meet up again in Magnolia. Haru was a bit sad to see her go, but she wished her the best of luck.
Right now, she just got through shopping at the gift shop and was returning to the group's hotel room. She wanted to bring back some souvenirs to remember their trip by and to bring some presents back for the others. As she entered, she found her brother lying in bed, snoring like a train while Erza, Gray, Lucy, Happy, and Blue Fang sat nearby.
"Is he still sleeping?" asked Haru.
"Yeah, he's been asleep for 3 days, now," said Lucy. "I'm almost a bit worried."
"I guess the idiot's body is still trying to work off that Ethernano he ate," Gray speculated... and almost instantly, Natsu sat up, wide awake.
"SAY THAT AGAIN AND I'LL POUND YA!" Natsu shouted.
"You're awake!" Happy exclaimed... only for the Fire Dragon Slayer to flop back down on the bed. "HUH?!"
"THAT PUNK WOKE UP JUST TO PICK A FIGHT WITH ME?!" Gray questioned, causing Lucy, Erza, Haru, and Happy to laugh.
"Hang on, I think I know what might wake him up," said Haru as she reached inside one of her shopping bags and pulled out something wrapped in paper.
"What's that?" Gray asked.
"Well, I figured that he's probably starving since he's been asleep for 3 days," said Haru as she unwrapped the object, which was revealed to be a cheeseburger with bacon, grilled onions, and two beef patties in between. As the Beast Wizard held the burger to her adoptive older brother's nose, Natsu's nose twitched and he raised his head up.
"Food?!" he asked as drool dripped from his mouth.
"Works every time," Haru said before Natsu practically snatched the burger in his maw. "AH! Hey, easy! Don't bite my hand off, bro!"
"Mmm! Thanks, sis!" Natsu said as he chewed the whole burger and swallowed it one gulp. "You got any more?"
"Figures he's still hungry," Lucy mused, unsurprised at all.
Later that day, the group had a party to celebrate their victory over Jellal. Natsu stuffed himself on so much until his belly was as big as a beachball, and even then, he still ate more. He even showed Millianna (who was cuddling Happy in her arms) his fire breath to impress her. Gray was stuffing Shô's mouth with food, even the young man was saying that he was already full, and Wally was attempting to impress the girls with his "dandy" catchphrase.
During this time, Haru noticed that Erza was standing out on the balcony by herself, watching the setting sun. For once, though, she wasn't wearing her armor. She was actually wearing a simple lavender dress... but she looked rather comfortable in it.
"Hey, Erza," Haru called as she approached, causing the Requip Wizard to smile as she glanced back at her.
"Hello, Haru," Erza greeted.
"I noticed," Haru began, "you're not wearing armor this time. How come?"
"...I figured that just this once... I don't need it," Erza replied, causing Haru to smile even more before she went up and put her hand on her shoulder.
"I'm proud of you, Erza," she said.
"Thank you, Haru," said Erza. "After all this time... I feel like I'm finally comfortable enough in my own skin. My body may be scarred... but I'm not ashamed to show them anymore... because they tell the story of my 8-year-long battle... and how it finally came to an end."
Haru chuckled... but then she frowned as she looked to the horizon with a contemplative expression.
"Hey, Erza?" she asked.
"Hm?" Erza hummed.
"There's one thing I don't get," said Haru. "If you didn't stop the tower from exploding... who did?"
Erza's eyes went wide... before they softened, and for a brief moment, Haru could see just a flicker of sadness in them.
"It sounds crazy," Erza began, "but... I think it might have been Jellal who stopped the explosion. I think that at the very last second... he was freed from Zeref's control... and he finally returned to his old self. He must have switched places with me and got absorbed by the Lacrima in my stead. I think that's the only way Natsu would have found me."
"...Oh..." Haru muttered, sadly. "Gee... that's pretty sad when you think about it."
"In the end... Jellal was never truly evil," said Erza. "He was just as much a victim of Zeref's influence as me and my friends were."
"...Well... look on the bright side," Haru pointed out. "At least in a way, Jellal really is free... he's finally free from Zeref's control... and he and Simon are watching over you, Wally, Millianna, and Shô... right?"
"...I hope so, Haru," said Erza. "I really do."
Haru's eyes softened before she gave her older sister figure a big hug, which she returned.
~That Night~
"Ugggh..." Natsu groaned as he lied in bed, rubbing his bloated belly. "I am so stuffed!" He then let out a noisy belch, a small flame escaping his mouth as he did. "'Scuse me."
Blue Fang whined as he lied on the floor, his belly just as bloated as Natsu's. Haru sat beside him, rubbing the wolf's aching tummy in an attempt to soothe his aches.
"Poor Blue Fang," Haru cooed. "It's okay."
"Man... I'm so full, I may not have to eat anything for a month," Natsu groaned.
"That's surprising, coming from you, Natsu," Lucy said. "Then again, I guess if you pig out after sleeping for three days, even you can get a bellyache."
"Honestly," Haru said as she kept rubbing Blue Fang's belly, "between the two of you, Natsu, I can't decide who's the bigger pig: you or Blue Fang!"
"Hey, now, Haru," Gray said as he sat on the other bed. "At least Blue Fang's got better manners than Dragonbreath."
"If my belly wasn't achin', right now, I'd smack ya, Ice Prick," Natsu said as he glared at the Ice-Make Wizard. "Also, where the hell is your shirt?"
"What?!" Gray questioned as he looked down and saw that he had stripped off his shirt, once again. "Oh, come on, again?!"
Lucy couldn't help but laugh... but then, out of nowhere, Erza entered the room, and for some reason, she looked a bit panicked.
"Hey," she said. "Has anyone seen Shô? Or Wally or Millianna for that matter?"
"Nope, not me," Happy replied.
"Me, neither," Natsu muttered before he burped, again. "Ugh..."
"I haven't seen 'em since the party," said Gray. "Why?"
"I thought they'd be staying at the hotel like us," said Erza, "but when I went to check their room, they were gone, along with all their belongings!"
"That's strange," said Lucy. "I thought they were gonna check out with us, tomorrow morning!"
"Where do you think they went?" Gray asked.
"Hey," Haru said, worriedly. "You don't think that... they left without saying anything, do you?"
Erza gasped before she looked to the others, who looked back at her... and it was then that the red-haired wizard made a serious expression.
"Natsu! Gray! Haru!" she called. "Get the fireworks ready!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Gray and Haru exclaimed before they turned and ran out.
"Lucy, you come, too!" Erza requested.
"Wait, what?!" Lucy asked as she got up and followed after them. "Wait, what is going on?!"
"Hey, wait up!" Natsu called as he struggled to get out of bed while Blue Fang groaned and got to his paws.
XXX
Soon, the Fairy Tail wizards had found Shô preparing to head out on a boat with Wally and Millianna. When Erza pressed them, Shô revealed that he didn't want himself or Wally or Millianna to burden her any more than they already had. They had decided that if they were really going to make it in the outside world, they had to see and experience things for themselves. They didn't want to spend their lives relying on someone to lead them and wanted to be able to live for themselves.
"That's what freedom is... right, Big Sis?" asked Shô.
Erza stood silently... before she smiled.
"I see," she said. "I did want you to join our guild, but I see that it's pointless to stop you. Well... if your will is strong, I'm sure you'll find a way to survive. I'm actually glad to hear that from you... especially you, Shô. You're really becoming a man... Simon would have been proud."
Shô smiled and nodded his head.
"However," Erza said as a familiar light began to envelop her, "there are three conditions a person has to meet when they leave Fairy Tail... so burn these words into your hearts!"
"Hey, wait a minute, dame!" Wally cried. "We weren't even part of the guild, see?!"
"Erzy, what are you talking about?!" Millianna asked.
Soon, Erza had requipped in another set of armor... one with a long cape and golden hems. In her hand was a banner that held the Fairy Tail guild mark with olive branches around it.
"First," Erza began, "one must never reveal information that could potentially harm the Fairy Tail Guild! Second, one must never contact former Fairy Tail clients without permission in order for their own personal gain!" She paused... trying to choke back her tears. "Third... and most important of all... you must live your lives to the fullest! Don't treat your life as something worthless! And no matter what... never forget the friends that you hold dear!"
"...Big Sis...!" Shô whispered as tears fell from his eyes, along with Wally and Millianna.
"Begin.. the Fairy Tail Farewell Ceremony!" Erza called out.
"All right!" Natsu exclaimed. "I'm all fired up!" With that, he raised his head to the sky and shot several fireballs into the air, which exploded into fireworks!
"Here we go!" Gray shouted as he shot several ice shards into the sky, which exploded into fireworks in the shape of snowflakes!
"My turn!" Haru called before she sang a high note, which sent balls of blue light in the form of musical notes into the sky, which burst to reveal a paw print pattern!
"Check this out!" Lucy said as she twirled one of her gate keys into the air, shooting off beams of golden light that exploded in a burst of stars!
"I really did want you to join us," Erza said, "but if being with us would hold you back... then the least we can do is send you off with our blessings!"
"No, Erzy!" Milliana sobbed.
"We're the ones who would hold ya back!" Wally cried. "We didn't bring back any painful memories for ya, that's why we're leavin'!"
"Go wherever your hearts take you," Erza said with tearful eyes. "Just know... that I'll never, EVER forget any of you! Any painful memories I have will only help to make me stronger, tomorrow! So walk strong... and I will be sure to do the same! May fate allow us to meet again, one day! Take care of yourselves!"
"Bye!" Haru waved. "Goodbye!"
"So long!" Gray called.
"See ya later!" Natsu shouted.
"Aye!" Happy cheered.
"Safe travels!" Lucy added.
"Goodbye!" Millianna called. "We'll miss you!"
"Thanks for everythin'!" Wally exclaimed. "You were a dandy bunch of folks!"
Shô sniffled, but smiled nonetheless before he waved goodbye, as well.
"HARU!" he called out, causing Haru's eyes to go wide. "YOU AND THE OTHERS TAKE CARE OF BIG SIS ERZA, OKAY?!"
A pause... before Haru grinned and chuckled heartily.
"You bet we will!" she declared before she looked at Erza, who smiled back at her, even as her tears fell.
'...Erza... you're free now,' thought Haru. 'You're finally free.'
And thus, the Tower of Heaven is concluded! That said, I've done enough of Fairy Tail for right now. Hopefully, I'll be able to get back into One Piece soon. And for those wondering, I do plan on writing more of Wano, soon. It's just been a while because I lost the motivation to do so.
Review, please!