Ashes to Ashes
Characters: Laxus Dreyar, Makarov Dreyar
Genre: Angst, T
Summary: The heroes in our stars.
Ashes to Ashes
(We can be) Heroes
.
Laxus looked around to all the destruction, all the bodies lying on the floor, all the hopelessness of the people still breathing.
It was useless. No matter how hard he tried, how powerful he got, it would never be enough to save everyone he loved.
He closed his eyes, clenching his fists tightly, and punched the floor beneath him.
Useless.
Blood dripped on the floor as Laxus stood up with difficulty, panting heavily, and staggered to the large piece of lacrima standing in the middle of the conflict, still intact. When he finally got close, his legs faltered and he fell on his knees, lungs burning.
He reached over the crystal and touched it, feeling the strength of the magic it contained.
Just for one day, he wouldn't be useless anymore.
Someone approached from behind and he turned his head to find Mavis' sad expression. She didn't say anything, though, when he started gathering all the power he had left in his palms.
Laxus looked up for the last time, meeting several pairs of eyes.
He saw Freed shaking his head in disbelief. He saw Mirajane on her Sitri soul, shedding a single tear. He saw Erza's fierce gaze as she struggled to stand on her feet. He saw Makarov's gigantic form letting out a loud cry of desperation before shrinking to his original size.
Magic vibrated between Laxus' hands until it was too hard to keep it restrained, but instead of putting them together, he pressed his palms against Lumen Histoire.
The surge of power overload hit him fast, but he managed to shoot a smile at his old man before the light of Fairy Law engulfed him, erasing him from existence.
Just for one day.
.
The stars (are out tonight)
.
Makarov looked down the hill where Fairy Tail's building stood and stared at Magnolia. It had been a year since the war and the city still bore its consequences, but was slowly being rebuilt.
He then tilted his head to the left, where a cloaked figure hid between the forest trees, away from the crowd that gathered outside the guild, and sighed deeply.
"Master," Mirajane's soft voice spoke from behind, dragging his attention. "it's all set."
She handed him a paper lantern and Makarov nodded thankfully at her before taking it into his tiny hands. He stared blankly at the unlit center for a while, not finding the strength to set it to work.
He looked away from the object and up to the clear sky. The weather had been stormy all week, but the clouds suddenly vanished that night, showing the sparkling light of a billion stars.
His throat went dry and his chest tightened with pain.
"Son," He called, his voice cracking with each word. "I can't do this alone."
The cloaked figure hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the shadows and approaching the old man.
"Please," Makarov begged, with shaking hands. "for our boy."
Ivan slowly pulled out his hood and bent down on one knee, lighting up a match to ignite the lantern's core, and united his hands with his father's. Makarov's shoulder trembled with his heavy sobbing as they let the lantern glide away.
Dozens of other lanterns followed right after, filling the sky with colorful lights as they gradually ascended together.
Makarov involved Ivan's hand with his and watched helplessly, hoping his grandson would see them from wherever he was now.