Chapter 50: Final
"Everyone! Make sure you aren't forgetting anything!" Erza reminded her friends.
"I'll miss this place…" Gray sighed, checking his stuff in his luggage.
The resort vacation has finally ended, and the wizards began preparing to return to their guild back in Magnolia. It was an eventful trip, ranging from sailing a great ship to large-scale monster battles to intimate bonding moments between the members.
"Natsu, make sure you don't forget anything!" Wendy said as she remade their bed.
"Yep!" Natsu gave her a thumbs up. "Got everything right here!"
"It feels like only yesterday we just arrived here…" Juvia sighed, plopping on the couch.
"Time sure flies by when we're having fun." Gray said. "I'll really miss this place."
"I wanna carry the bed back to Fairy Tail!" A devilish smile appeared on Natsu's face. "It's so soft!"
"Don't steal anything, flame-brain!" Gray huffed. Even though I fully agree with you.
"Is everyone ready?" Erza asked, stepping out of her room after one last checkup.
"Yeah!" Everyone said in unison.
"Terrific." She nodded in approval. "Let's head down to the receptionist and checkout."
Led by Erza, everyone exited the hotel room with their luggage and went down the elevator. Natsu was just utterly grateful his motion sickness wasn't affecting him as much as before.
Once they reached their destination, Erza told everyone else to wait in the guest area so she could finish things up with the reception.
"Oh, that's interesting." Jellal commented, looking at the beach through the windows.
"What is, Jellal?" Gray asked.
"The repairs to the resort." Jellal replied. "They're much more fortified and well equipped now."
"Oh, you're right." Juvia said. "We wouldn't want a repeat of what happened last time."
"Do you think that incident affected the resort's reputation?" Gray asked, folding his arms. "It would be really unfortunate."
"I don't think the resort's defenses were weak to begin with." Jellal said. "Technically, we brought such a terrifying force of nature here."
"… And who do we have to blame for that?" Gray asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Everyone, look!" Erza walked to them, carrying gifts from the reception. "We got parting gifts from the resort!"
Everyone turned to look at Erza. They all had the same answer in response to Gray's question.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Erza asked, confused.
"No particular reason." Gray stood up.
"… Okay?" Erza blinked in a comical fashion. "Anyhow, our ship's ready to set sail!"
The day they arrived at the resort, the ship was maintained by the resort staff for the duration of their stay. They also made preparations for it out of their volition (expressing gratefulness for the wizards' help against the kraken.)
The group exited the resort and made way on to the bridge where their ship was docked next to it. They got on the wooden stair platform and walked up to the ship.
"So, who's gonna be our captain?" Gray asked, though everyone except Erza was already looking at Jellal.
"… Mnguh." Jellal let out a deep sigh. "I suppose I will be." For all our sakes.
"We could switch places, Jellal." Erza patted his shoulder, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Ahahah…" Jellal laughed awkwardly. I don't think we need another monster battle so soon…
With Jellal taking over the ship as captain, the ship began readying itself for sailing on the sea.
The group stood together, facing the island as the ship began sailing away. They all waved at it and shared joyful smiles together.
"Bye-bye, resort!" Everyone cheered.
"Next stop, Magnolia!" Erza exclaimed.
A lot had happened on this trip. It started off as Mirajane's plan to get the three couples closer to each other. How well did that fare?
Natsu and Wendy started off as a couple of young birds in love (or young dragons in love?), and they officially became each other's mates. This resulted in them having better sense of their feelings, as well as giving them the ability to use each other's elements: the Sky Fire Dragon Mode.
Gray took this opportunity because he truly wanted to grow close to Juvia. It's obvious how Juvia had always felt about him, and during this trip, he finally had the chance to return her feelings. He promised himself he would hold her close. And Juvia was ecstatic to finally be together with her darling. She was all he needed to melt the ice shielding his heart.
Erza had always felt left out after knowing Wendy and Juvia get together with their lovers. Her and Jellal's relationship was always a complicated one. Erza, who wasn't sure if she could break free of her own iron shell, and Jellal, who wasn't sure if he could stop gazing into the abyss and finally reach for the light. Fortunately, her worries were unfounded. Under the sky full of fireworks, their feelings reached each other. A new beginning they deserved.
Taking all that into consideration, Mirajane's plan exceeded all her expectations, huh?
Let's skip some time and move ahead to when they arrived in Magnolia.
…
..
.
"We have reached our stop in Magnolia. I repeat, we have reached our stop in Magnolia. Please don't forget your belongings…"
The wizards got off the train, one by one, now moving forward to their guild. Jellal, however, stopped walking with them.
"I believe this is where we part ways." Jellal said, facing Erza.
"Oh." Erza turned to face him, separating herself from the group. "I'm sure Meredy will want to hear everything about your trip."
"She will." He smiled. "Thank you, Erza… for inviting me on the trip. I had a lot of fun."
"Thank you for coming with me." She returned a brighter smile. "I deeply appreciated your company."
"It's time we return to our usual lives."
"What will you do next?"
"Hmmm…" Jellal crossed his arms. "I have a business to attend to. A certain someone I'm looking for."
"I see." Erza nodded in understanding. "What is it about, if you don't mind me asking?"
"… I can't say much right now." His eyes darkened. "You don't have to concern yourself with this." At least, not yet.
Erza's lips broke into a soft sigh. "Don't get yourself into too much trouble, okay?"
"I won't." He chuckled, gazing into her eyes. "After all, there's someone I need to return to now and then."
"… Mhmm." A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. She leaned closer to his face.
Chu!
"I'll see you later!" Erza spun around and dashed back to her group, but not before Jellal caught a glimpse of her flustered face.
"… Heh." Jellal placed a hand on his own blushing cheek, the warm sensation of her kiss still lingering across his skin. His lips curved into a gentle smile. He turned around in place and pulled his hoodie over his face, shrouding his eyes in shadows, but still keeping Erza at the corner of his vision.
Until we meet again, Erza.
"Bye-bye, Jellal!"
"Hmmm…?" That's Wendy's voice. Jellal turned around and saw the other members of the Fairy Tail group waving at him.
"See you around, pal!" Gray waved.
"Come visit the guild anytime!" Juvia followed.
"Thanks for coming along with us!" Wendy smiled brightly.
"Ya better come back to Erza soon, ya hear me?!" Natsu grinned.
And Erza was in the center of it all, facepalming herself.
How fortunate I am to have such valuable allies. Friends. Jellal waved back at them as he walked away. There never was a moment that struck his heart like this.
Until our next encounter, Fairy Tail.
…
..
.
Soon, the guild hall began appearing in full view. A home where they belonged. A home where'd they always return.
"It feels pretty nostalgic." Gray sighed in relief. "Even though it's only been a week."
"Instead of returning from a long quest, we're just returning from a vacation." Juvia winked.
"Home is where the heart is, after all." Erza smiled. "Natsu, will you do the honors?"
"Of course!" Natsu rushed to the guild doors and–
SLAM!
"EVERYONE, WE'RE HOME!" Natsu kicked the doors wide open with an audible thud, announcing their presence to the guild.
"Oh my!" Mirajane stopped rubbing her glasses with a cloth. "It's been a while!"
"NATSUUUUU!" Happy flew at lightspeed, slamming into Natsu's chest. Tears spilled out of his eyes.
"Hey there, little buddy!" Natsu caught his blue Exceed in his arms. "How have you been?"
"Wendy!" With a beaming expression, Carla flew to Wendy's arms. "You're finally back!
"Carla!" Wendy hugged the white Exceed close to her chest. "It's good to see you again!"
"They've finally returned." Gajeel smirked. "Finally gettin' the exceeds off my back."
"Don't lie to yourself, Gajeel." Lily put his paws on his hips. "You were more than happy to look out for Happy and Carla."
"Shaddup." Gajeel huffed.
"Easy there, Gajeel." Levy rubbed his back affectionately.
"Natsu!" Lucy walked up to him, happy to see him return safely. "You're finally back."
"Lucy!" Natsu grinned, pulling her into his embrace so he was hugging both Happy and Lucy. "Am I glad to see you, too!"
"We missed you… so much." Lucy whispered, wrapping her arms around him. "And what's with the bandages around you? Didn't you go on a vacation?"
"Oh, that." Natsu looked at the bandages covering his arms and some covering his face. "It's a long story, but a fun story!"
"We encountered a little something on our way to the resort." Gray said. No thanks to Erza. "But we handled it."
"Oh, and guess what, Lucy?" Natsu curled his arm around Wendy's shoulders. "Wendy and I are ma–"
"Natsu!" Blushing heavily, Wendy covered his lips, shushing him. "You shouldn't say that so loud!"
"Oh, this sounds like a juicy story!" Lucy clapped her hands together, genuinely happy for Natsu and Wendy.
"And I can't wait to hear all about it!" Mirajane unloaded a paper popper into the air. "This calls for a big celebration!"
"Yeah!" Everyone shouted in unison. It's as if things had never changed at all.
Natsu, Happy, and Lucy spent time together catching up with one another. Wendy shared about her trip with Carla (omitting her intimate moments with Natsu, another time for that.) Gray was surrounded by almost everyone as he acted differently around Juvia. Needless to say, the guild erupted, knowing they were both official. And as promised, Erza let Mirajane know most of the juicy details regarding everyone's relationship. Erza had to admit Mirajane was right because if it weren't for the trip, her relationship might not have progressed to this point.
All in all, it was a wonderful reunion.
Several weeks later…
…
..
.
"Do you really have to go, darling?" Juvia asked, clinging on to Gray's back.
"Yeah." Gray drew his head back, his arm cradling hers on his chest. "This is something I've been planning to do for some time.
"Why can't I come with you?" She asked in a sad tone.
"The old man was pretty clear." He chuckled softly. "Besides, it's pretty dangerous if you come along. I'd be too worried if you got hurt."
"But what if you got hurt?" she sighed. "What am I supposed to do?"
"I won't let anything happen to me." He rubbed her hand. "You can count it."
"Promise?"
"I promise." Gray smiled. "With you here, I have a pretty good reason to come back."
"… Stay safe, okay?"
"I will."
…
..
.
"Hum…~"
In front of the mirror in her room, Wendy was humming playfully to herself as she tied her hair into twin tails.
"You look much more confident, child." Carla said, crossing her paws. "It really suits you."
"Oh, really?" Wendy scratched her cheek.
"I wonder if Natsu has anything to do with it?" Carla smirked, putting a paw on her chin.
"W-Why would you think that?" Wendy blushed.
"Come on." Carla flew around her shoulders. "When are you going to tell where you got that mark from?"
"Huh?!" Her eyes shot open as she instinctively covered her mark on her shoulder. "W-What mark?"
"The one you're clearly hiding." Carla said. "I don't recall seeing it before you went on the trip."
"Oh, this is… well…" A faint red grew on her cheeks. The memories of her intimate night with Natsu flashed through her mind, making her feel all tingly inside. There's no way I can tell this to Carla with a straight face…
"So, something did happen between you and Natsu!" Carla landed on the table. "I knew it! You must have engaged in something indecent."
"… No comment." Wendy pouted.
"Oh, dear." Carla giggled. "I didn't realize my little dragon slayer is growing up so fast in the ways of love."
"Just what are you implying by that?" Wendy huffed.
"You aren't denying that something happened between you and him." Carla said in a suggestive tone.
"… No comment again." Wendy facepalmed herself. "Listen, Carla–"
"Wendy!" A few knocks could be heard through her window.
"… Natsu?" Wendy recognized that voice all too well. She rushed to the window and opened it. A familiar pink hair and blue cat popped in.
"Hey!" Natsu climbed on to it. "Got the right room!"
"Hiya, Wendy!" Happy perched on Natsu's shoulder. "Oh, hi, Carla!"
"Natsu?! Happy?!" Carla narrowed her eyes at them. "What are you doing here? This is a girls-only dormitory! Erza will have your head–"
"Erza isn't here, so I'm taking my chances." Natsu stuck his tongue out. "Besides, what's so wrong about me wanting to see my girlfriend?"
"Gee, Natsu… it's getting hot in here." Wendy fanned her reddened cheeks.
"I am a fire wizard, after all." Natsu replied dryly.
"That's… not what I meant."
"…" Carla was left dumbfounded. At least I know they love each other.
"Why did you come here?" Wendy asked, though she was happy to see him, despite Carla's nagging.
"Ah, right!" Natsu jumped into her room. "So, what do you say to going on a job right now?"
"Oh, a job…" Wendy put her hands behind her hips. "I would… love to…"
Tears began welling up in her eyes. Memories from the day they met until now began flashing before her eyes.
When they first met each other as part of the guild coalition.
When he promised to keep her home safe.
When she jumped into his embrace.
When Erza brought her to Fairy Tail, to where he was.
When they survived through Edolas together.
When they fought side-by-side countless times.
When he searched for her after his disappearance from Fairy Tail.
When he brought her back to where she truly belonged.
When they finally became mates.
"Mnngh…" Tears dense with many emotions streamed down her cheeks, and she gently rubbed them with her hands.
"Oh…," Natsu blinked in surprise, concern settling on his lips, "uh… is something wrong?"
"Do you have a tummy ache?" Happy asked.
"Is something the matter, child?" Carla flew to her shoulder level.
"N-No, I just…," she sobbed faintly, overwhelmed by her emotions, "… started remembering a lot of stuff… and I can't stop crying…!"
Wendy ran towards him and wrapped her arms around him, crying into his chest.
"Thank you… for loving me." Closing her eyes, she buried her head into his chest. "For allowing me to love you. You've made me so… happy."
"Wendy…" Natsu curled his arm around her, stroking the back of her blue hair to soothe her.
"If we had never met, Natsu… if I had never joined Fairy Tail," she sniffed, "I wouldn't have become the person I am now."
"…" He remained silent, letting her cry for as long as she needed.
"Thank you… for everything."
Turning his head to the right, Natsu stared at Happy who, in turn, stared back at him. They exchanged concerned glances.
Wendy… Carla sighed, and her lips broke into a smile. I'm so happy you found someone you can open your heart to.
"Hey, Wendy?" Natsu whispered her name. His hand dug into his pocket, taking hold of something polished, circular, and hollow between his fingers.
"Mnnh…?"
"There's something important I've been meaning to give you." He clenched the item in his hand.
"What is it…?" Wendy rubbed her eyes.
"… I suppose it'll have to wait!" Natsu carried her in his arms bridal style and jumped through the window, forgetting about the item in his pocket. "We can talk about it after this job!"
"Aye, sir!" Happy flew out.
"Hey, be careful!" Carla followed them.
"Here I am, a crying mess…!" Wendy pouted as she wiped her tears away. "And you're telling me it can wait?!"
"It's fine!" Natsu chuckled and gave her a bright grin. "Cause we're mates! We're always gonna be together!"
Mates… Wendy gazed into his onyx eyes, looking back at her own. That's right… we'll always be together.
"Is your stuff ready?" Natsu landed on the ground safely and let her off.
"Yeah, I'm ready to go!" Wendy mustered the brightest smile she could give.
"Great!" Natsu grabbed her hand and ran to the others. "Let's go!"
It didn't take too long till they found the others.
"Hey, guys!" Lucy waved at them. "Hurry up! You sure are taking your sweet time!"
"You don't want us to leave you behind, do ya?" Gray chuckled.
Natsu and Wendy quickly joined up with Lucy, Gray, and Erza, now forming all the members of Team Natsu.
"Remember how I was saying there was something I wanted to do after the fighting was over?" Natsu asked her.
"Oh, yeah!" Wendy nodded. He had been planning this for a while. "You were talking about this job?"
"I finally got permission to do it!" He flashed his signature smile.
"Now, let's go!" Erza nodded her head in approval.
Natsu held Wendy's hand, intertwining their fingers together. "Ready for another adventure, Wendy?"
"Yeah!" Wendy squeezed his hand and grinned.
I never thought you'd love me the same way I love you.
Sometimes, I think it's a dream… that I don't want to ever wake up from.
When I confessed to you, I believed you'd never feel the same way.
For so long, I've always had feelings for you… and you returned them.
You've chosen me as your mate, and I couldn't be any happier.
I'm so grateful to have you in my life.
And I can't wait to make many more memories with you.
"One Hundred Year Quest, here we come! We're all fired up!"
The end.
.
.
.
Hey there! I just want to say if you've reached this far, I want to say thank you for reading my story!
This has been an absolute journey. I started writing this on February 4, 2021... and it's finally over a year later.
It has been a joy to see your reviews, follows, and favorites. I'm honestly mind-blown by how much interaction this story has received. For a small author like me, that means a lot to me! I'm glad this story succeeded the way it did.
And I have no one to thank but you, my fellow readers! You have made this possible, and I'm truly grateful to every single one of you.
Now here are some pre-emptive questions I'd like to answer that you might be curious of:
Is this the end of Once the Sky Reaches the Flames story?
Yep, this is the end of this story. After about 25 chapters, it has been really exhausting sometimes trying to write an average of 3000 to 5000 words on a weekly basis (because the original work this was based on had 5000 words on average, though granted, it wasn't on a weekly basis).
I wanted to discontinue this, but I thought it'd be unfair to you, dear readers. There have been plenty of NaWen stories that have been forgotten or discontinued. I don't want this story to be that.
With other two stories I'm writing (on Wattpad), it can get quite hectic. Next time, I think setting an average of 2000 words per chapter will be easy on my mind.
Will I write more NaWen stories in the near future?
It is a possibilty. I've thought about writing an R-18 mature story that explores Natsu and Wendy's relationship as mates.
I've also thought about continuning this story directly with a new chapter 50 and retconning the ending if needed be.
Once the 100 Year Quest sequel gets adapted into an anime, who knows... I might adapt and reframe it to fit Natsu and Wendy's relationship in another fanfiction.
But for now, I don't want to write any more NaWen stories. Writing 52 chapters averaging 3000 to 5000 words has been... a long journey, and I really need a break. A 4-month break.
In fact, this might be one of the, if not the, longest NaWen stories ever.
Looking back on this story, there are some things I wish I did differently. But you know, it's all part of the learning and writing process. I don't claim this to be a well-written story, but I enjoyed the process, and if you enjoyed reading it, that's all that matters to me.
I am an amateur author who simply wanted a discontinued NaWen fanfic to continue, so I took it upon myself. This is will be my first and last story for a long while here.
SilverWrath, if you read this someday, I hope you'll continue your NaWen story to the end.
And who knows, I'm sure there are other NaWen stories out there waiting to be discovered.
.
Anyhow, it has been joy writing for you, dear readers...
Thank you so much for all the support until the end.
Until we meet again next time.
Stay safe, my Kings, Queens, and everything in between.
.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
