"Cheers!" Mugs were tapped and the scent of beer filled the guildhall. All of the members of Fairy Tail were celebrating over the fact that they won over E.R.7.

"Drink to you fill!" Makarov cheered, but most members don't need permission to do that. "Celebrate that we won over E.R. and rescued our fellow guild member: Natalia." Everyone was happy it was over now and their friend is safe.

"So you fought a stretching freak and that gave you trouble?" Natsu laughed at Laxus.

"Shut up. It's none of your business. Besides, you're one to talk. Look at those injuries." Laxus said and he had a point. Most of Natsu's body was covered in bandages after his fight against Rod.

"So what happened with E.R.?" Happy asked.

"Gajeel and Levy already contacted the Magic Council about it since they still have some connections." Lucy said. "Every member of E.R.7. has been taken in and will be joining some of E.R.'s other members from when we were in Enchant. What's more is that we contacted Princess Rose and told her the good news about what happened. She'll be sending some of our reward to us for it. Which is good because I need to make rent."

"I wonder how Platinum Angel is going to feel about this when they heard about it?" Happy said. "After all, they agreed to the job of taking E.R. down as well."

"Who cares?! It's time to party!" Natsu shouted as he stood at the top of a table, but some of his injuries stopped him doing something crazy.

"I know we're celebrating, but you need to take it easy before you reopen those wounds." Lucy said as she tried to help him down.

"What about the town? They made the mistake of going against us." Gajeel said. "I could probably arrest all of them for that."

"You can't arrest an entire town. Can you?" Gray said.

"I wouldn't worry about any of them." Erza said. "They only stood against us because E.R.7. was in control the whole time. When they heard they were defeated, it was like a huge weight was lifted off their shoulders."

"That's right. The town only resisted us because they were being force to by E.R. They were all just scared to defy them." Gray said.

"So let's stop worrying and let's have some fun." Levy said with a mug in her hand.

"Levy, you can't be drinking! You're pregnant!" Gajeel said.

"Relax." Levy said with an annoyed-look on her face. "It's not even alcohol. It's just juice." As those two were arguing a little, Erza and Gray were feeling a little sorry for both sides.

"It's going to be a long six months." Gray said.

"I think it's sweet that Gajeel cares so much, but they both should learn to take it easy." Erza said. Lucy was able to help Natsu down and helped him walk over to a seat at the bar counter.

"You're hopeless, Natsu. You can't keep doing something so crazy when you're injured." Lucy said.

"Oh my, Natsu." Mirajane said. "Even with all those injuries, you continue to be the life of the party. Should we get Wendy to have a look at you?"

"No. Wendy's been busy helping out a few of the others." Lucy said. She looked in Wendy's direction and saw Wendy was having some fun herself. "Let's just leave her to have some fun."

"I'll get you something easy to handle with those injuries." Mirajane said as she walked to the kitchen,

"Thanks, Mira." Natsu said. Lucy wrapped her arms around Natsu and was real happy for him.

"You really are something amazing." Lucy said. "Not only did you defeat E.R.7.'s strongest member, but it seems like you freed Natalia from what she believed was curse. I don't think we have anything to worry about again."

"You really think so?" Natsu said.

"Yeah and she's got you to thank." Lucy said and kissed Natsu for it.

"It's true." Natalia said as she walked over to them. "It's not just you, Natsu. It's everyone in Fairy Tail. I really do want to thank all of you. You saved my life even if I didn't really deserve it."

"Natalia, quit saying stuff like that." Lucy said. "I also think we didn't give you a real apology for how we treated you."

"It's fine. I deserved it. I probably would have felt the same." Natalia said. "It's just that after everything I've been through, I never really learned how to open up or trust anyone."

"Don't worry about stuff like that anymore." Natsu said. "You're part of Fairy Tail. You're free to be whoever you want or do whatever you want here."

"Just as long as you don't overdo it like Natsu does." Lucy said with a nervous laugh since she knows him so well.

"I suppose you're right. So since you mentioned that…." Natalia leaned in and whispered something in Natsu's ear. Lucy didn't know what it was she said, but she saw Natsu's face turning red. Natalia backed away and winked at Natsu with a smirk on her face. "Think about it."

"Hold on. What did you say to MY boyfriend?!" Lucy said.

"Natalia…" Natalia looked down and saw Makarov wanting to speak to him and she noticed everyone was looking. "Do you think you're going to be fine now after all that has happened recently?"

"I think so." Natalia said. "No one has ever stood up for me the way all of you have. Since you're all looking, I want to say thank you to everyone who fought for me. That's the second time someone in Fairy Tail has saved my life. I…." "Hold it." Gray interrupted.

"Don't say something like how you're in our debts or how you owe your life to us." Gray said.

"It's true. We did it because you're our friend, Natalia." Erza said. "We would have done it again."

"You may have had a rough past, but you don't have to let that bother you ever again." Wendy said.

"Everyone in the guild came from a past they might be a shame of, but that's what brought us all here in the first place." Gajeel said.

"And it's how we all made the friends we would risk our lives for." Laxus said.

"Natalia, if we constantly owe something to someone in the guild, we wouldn't be connected the way we are." Makarov said. "Fairy Tail is more than a place of business. It's more than just a guild. It's a place where you can call the members family. There should be no owing or debt in family. You're now part of that Fairy Tail family. Embrace it because you are free here." Freedom, acceptance, being heard, the things Natalia lacked in her life. Now that she's in Fairy Tail, all the things that she never had is right here. She couldn't hold her tears back from all of this.

"Damn it." Natalia said as she tried to get herself to stop. "I just can't seem to stop crying."

"Let it all out, Natalia. You deserve it." Makarov said and no one stopped her from letting those tears fall. "Now let's continue to party!" With the words said, everyone continued on with the party and it seemed like it could go on all day. Everyone was having a lot of fun, but you can't really expect anything less in this guild. Natalia leaned against the wall next to the door with a cold drink in her hands and looked around the guild to see how energetic it all was.

"This guild is certainly unlike any I've seen before. They went through a fierce battle, but they're acting like it's already a distant memory." Natalia said.

"Quite the lively guild." Natalia got nervous once more for she knew that voice and the cold feeling she was getting.

"Kojishi?" Natalia said. Kojishi was just outside leaning on the other side of the wall. He's trying his best not to make his presence known.

"You can relax, Natalia. I'm not here to fight and I'm not here to take you." Kojishi said. "I only wish to talk. It's amazing that after a century, two units of E.R. has been defeated. Those were quite some friends you made."

"I guess I have. They're….real friends." Natalia said. "I….I….don't want to lose this place."

"I can't say about that." Kojishi said. "You're worried the guild might be destroyed just like your old home. That's another reason I'm here. I can see you plan on staying here. So I'm here to tell you the truth about why we attacked the island you were on."

"Wasn't it just because you thought Eclear could have been there?" Natalia said.

"Yes, but there was more to it than that." Kojishi said. "It's actually about your mother."

"My mother?!" Natalia said.

"The truth is, Natalia, your mother was actually aware of Eclear and E.R." Kojishi said. That was a surprise to Natalia for she had no idea.

"Was she…." Natalia couldn't really bring herself to say what she was thinking.

"No. She wasn't a follower or anything. She was looking for a way to destroy Eclear." Kojishi said. Natalia didn't know about any of this. "I don't know how, but your mother learned about E.R. and Eclear. She was using every resource she to find the location and make sure Eclear is never revived. We soon heard about her and were under the impression that everyone on that island was the same. I learned we were wrong when you didn't have a clue as to what was going on when you joined us. I heard about the relationship between you and your mother. I know it wasn't easy and I know she hated it herself. She wanted it to be better."

"Yeah." Natalia said as she remembered her mother's last few moments.

"She gave up her life for yours. If that didn't say she cared so much about you, I don't know what does. I bet she be happy that you're here instead of with us." Kojishi said.

"Why did you spare me that day?" Natalia said.

"Because of that very reason. Your mother gave up her life so that you could live. I honored her last wishes and allowed you to live a little longer." Kojishi said.

"You certainly aren't like most members of E.R. You're more merciful despite how powerful you are." Natalia said.

"I suppose I am." Kojishi said. "This is where we part ways again, Natalia. You can do whatever you like. Since you're staying in this guild, it will make you an enemy. So if we meet again, if we have to face each other, I will bring you down like any other enemy. You're free….Natalia." Kojishi has always been merciful, but that's also what makes him mysterious by E.R. standards. Natalia still had so much she wanted to know. So she faced her fears and ran out.

"Kojishi!" She called out, but she saw that Kojishi was already gone. She knew that when they do see each other again, they will be enemies, but this time she isn't frightened by it.

"Natalia, what are you doing?!" Natsu called out. Natalia looked back in the guild and saw all the friends she has now and that she won't have much reason to be afraid. Not as long as she's with them. She's finally found her place in the world where she is accepted as she took her first steps to her new fate. "Who wants to rumble? We can't have a Fairy Tail party if we don't rumble."

"Not with those injuries you have." Erza said.

"What are you talking about? I'm fine. What about you, Natalia? Let's find out how tough you are." Natsu said.

"With you, Natsu, I'm willing to get in some positions." Natalia said.

"What is that suppose to mean?!" Lucy shouted. Two units down and only two remain, but those are stories for another day. For now, Fairy Tail continues on like how they beat any other enemy with one more joining in.

Book 2...End