SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 17 out, this is Chapter 18 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.

Chapter 18: Home

"What's the meaning of this?" Erza was stunned when she awoke. "I'm alive?" Natsu? She turned to see Natsu carrying her. Did you… me? You managed to find and pull me out amidst the chaos of that magic vortex?

"We're the same." Natsu stated. "It's the same for all of us."

"So, don't think of pulling a stunt like that again." Ulyo chided. "Never again." She drew Erza into a hug.

"Is this guy gonna be okay?" Gray wondered, the gang having returned to Mongolia and Natsu was snoring on Lucy's bed.

"He's been sleeping for three whole days." Lucy added.

"Geez," Gray sighed. "He actually ate Aetherion. What a monster."

"What was that, Gray?" Natsu snapped.

"He's up." Happy remarked.

"Nope, he's still asleep." Ulyo corrected, Natsu falling back onto the pillow.

"If you aren't strong enough to fight, why did you bother waking up?" Gray retorted.

"I'm actually surprised he didn't suffer from magical poisoning." Ulyo stated. "Goes to show that Dragon Slayers' immune systems really are something."

"I caused you all so much trouble during this journey." Erza admitted.

"Enough…" Lucy chided. "We keep telling you it's not your fault."

"By the way, what happened to that girl?" Erza asked.

"Juvia?" Ulyo blinked. "She left earlier. I remember her saying something about joining Fairy Tail as soon as possible."

"What a surprise…" Erza gaped, the group having arrived at the rebuilt Guild.

"They've finished it." Natsu and Happy beamed.

"We have an open-air café now?" Ulyo echoed in shock.

"Welcome." Max greeted. "Oh, it's you guys. Welcome back."

"Max is running the shop." Happy flew over. "It's been ages."

"Master suggested I learn how to do this kind of job." Max explained.

"What are you selling?" Happy peered.

"We got T-shirts, wristbands, mugs and towels." Max grinned. "But our number-one seller is…"

"A Lucy figurine." Happy gushed.

"Don't make those things without my permission." Lucy whined.

"The clothes are removable, of course." Max added.

"How nice!" Lucy oozed as the group entered the Guild Hall.

"It's impressive." Erza admitted.

"What's up, Natsu?" Gray inquired.

"It's different." Natsu muttered.

"Lu-chan, welcome home." Levy greeted. "Amazing isn't it? We've got a swimming pool behind the bar now. Downstairs, there's a rec centre. But the biggest change is the second floor. Now everyone is allowed up there. Of course, taking on an S rank quest still requires having at least an S rank mage on your team."

"Finally back, my wayward children?" Makarov stated.

"Master." Ulyo smiled.

"This girl is our newest member." Makarov introduced. "Juvia."

"You really joined up, huh?" Ulyo chuckled.

"Then there's our other new member." Makarov added. "Come, introduce yourself."

"Another one?" Happy wondered as everyone turned.

"You can't be…" Gray gasped, seeing Gajeel seated on a bench.

"Gajeel!" Natsu glared, both boys shifted into attack mode.

"What's this bastard doing here?" Gray demanded.

"Wait," Juvia protested. "Juvia asked him to come along."

"Juvia is acceptable." Erza growled. "But this guy was the main perpetrator in the destruction of the Guild."

"Now, now." Makarov chided. "Yesterday's enemies are today's friends."

"I'm not against it at all." Levy admitted.

"Don't joke around!" Natsu slammed the table. "Like I could ever work with this guy!"

"Rest assured," Gajeel smirked. "The feeling is mutual. I just need jobs, after all. Never thought that'd mean I'd have to work for thus puny, annoying Guild."

"What was that?" Natsu glared.

"Old folks like me have to take responsibility for guiding young men who have strayed off course." Makarov explained. "He's not completely bad, you know."

"If that's Master's final decision, then I won't oppose it." Ulyo relented.

"But for the time being, it's best if we keep him under observation." Erza suggested.

"Those two act more like alpha males battling for territory than dragons." Ulyo shook her head as Natsu and Gajeel snarled at each other.

"I have a strangely unsettling feeling." Natsu muttered. "We're home, Mira." He called, when the lights suddenly went out and Mirajane appeared on stage.

"Welcome home." Mira smiled, a hovering microphone about her head as she held her guitar. "So to congratulate Natsu and the rest on making their way back safely, I would like to sing a song for this party." Strumming her instrument, she started her song.

"That's the spirit!" Marco shouted after Mira ended her song. "Who's up next?"

"What the…?" Natsu gaped, when the spotlight returned, showing Gajeel on stage, in a white business suit.

"This is a song I wrote called 'Best Friend'." The Steel Dragon Slayer announced. "Listen up."

"Like we're gonna listen to that!" the crowd was in an uproar. "And why are you in a suit?"

"Colourful, colourful…" Gajeel started, ignoring the objections. "Shoo-bi-doo-wah! The shiver of love, Metallica."

"I've never heard such a sorry excuse for music before!" Natsu exclaimed, covering his ears. "Wanna fight?" he glared, Gajeel tossing his guitar at him.

"Shoo-bi-doo-wah!" Gajeel yelled, both Dragon Slayers meeting each other in aerial combat.

"Stop it!" Makarov teared.

"Who threw that mug?" Natsu demanded, a wooden cup slamming into his cheek.

"Natsu, show a little social decency!" Gray barked, accidently knocking Erza's strawberry cake onto the ground.

"All of you!" Elfman roared, stepping onto the demolished cake. "Real men don't quarrel; they fight!"

"Shut your yap!" Erza snapped, already ex-equipped her armour and kicking Elfman off.

"This is just the way Fairy Tail oughta…" Natsu beamed as an all-out fight broke out, only to be cut off when Gajeel's steel pole smacked into his face.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.