Date: October 787
A couple days had passed since Wendy was taken under Porlyusica's care before being released. Natsu stood by her side as long as Porlyusica would allow. During the third day since the attack on Magnolia Wendy was released. No words were exchanged between the two dragon slayers; merely walking upon the ashes of the broken city and wrecked guild hall was all they could muster. An hour of silence sitting in the guild's rubble sobered their hearts of Fairytail's joy. However, silence needed to be broken. They had not spoken in years. Is she bitter? Is he disappointed? Timidity broke the silence.
"Thank you", Wendy said. Frailty became her voice. "If you hadn't saved me, I would have died." Waterfalls of tears streamed from her eyes, but through the grief, she formed a smile. The smile was filled with a pain which stood in defiance of tyranny. It held the simple human desire to live for and carry on the will of all who had and will ever love her.
"Don't mention it, Wendy", he said. His hands entered into a folded state. Anger lit his voice. "I failed you. I wanted to protect everyone, but I failed."
"You didn't fail, Natsu", she said. "Everyone is gone, but what would they ask us to do?"
"They want us to live", he said with stoicism. Wendy wiped away her tears with vigor.
"Exactly!" she said. "As long as we are alive, Fairytail is alive as well."
"How do I continue living when I have nothing left to live for but the past?" Natsu became stoic invoice, as if unaffected by the cruelty of the world. Wendy walked up to Natsu and slapped him. Shock fell on his face upon receiving the red mark.
"You still have friends who need protecting", Wendy said. "And you also can carry the hope of finding new friends. Don't give up." Natsu looked up at the girl. Her eyes held insurmountable determination. He grabbed her hand with both of his, which relaxed her fist.
Natsu smiled.
"You're right Wendy", he said. "I will live for you, and for all of who Fairytail will become." She gazed at him. His smile warmed her heart, slowly increasing her rhythmic heartbeat; beating harder every second.
"Are you ok, Wendy?" he asked, waving in front of her face. "Your face is all sorts of red." Wendy woke up from her daydreaming mind.
"I'm fine! Really! Don't worry about me." Her blush maintained with his eye contact.
"Oh!" He let go of her hand suddenly. "I'm sorry; you probably felt odd since I was holding your hand."
"Don't worry about it", she said. An awkward smile slipped through. "What do you want to do with Fairytail?"
"I don't know", he said. His head sunk downtrodden with guilt once more. "We don't have a guild master, nor do we have anyone capable. Honestly, until we find someone who is fitting, I wouldn't mind allowing Fairytail to be disbanded."
"Stop sulking, Natsu!" she screamed at him. She sat down beside him and rested her arm on top of his back. "What happened to you while you were away?"
"I lost some dear friends of mine", he said. She felt the muscles in his back tighten, readying for battle if need be. "I need to tell you about my journey, but for now let's leave it a mystery. I will tell you eventually; I promise."
"Is that a promise like last time?" she said. Bitterness stained her tongue. "Last time you made a promise and said 'eventually' it took nearly three years."
"You are mad about that", he said as if answering his own question. Her face sharpened, ready to cut his heart with her anger. Before she spoke, Natsu leaned over and hugged her.
"I promise you this time, it won't take as long. Whether we rebuild Fairytail or set it aside, I will be with you. I will go with you wherever you go. I won't ever leave you again." She blushed at his words. Thankfully, he couldn't notice it this time.
"I want to rebuild Fariytail", she said. "This is our home. It is all we have left."
"Then I will help you rebuild", he said.
"No, you won't." She pushed away his hug.
"What?" He looked frustrated and annoyed by her answer.
"You are the rebuilder", she said. "I'm helping you. You are the only one fit to be guild master. You are the hope and fire of Fairytail. I heard stories about how master Makarov acted when he was younger. It was no different than you. Only you can be the next guild master." Natsu stood up and put his hand on top of her head.
"What does that make me? The fifth master of Fairytail?" She smiled with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, master." She noticed black markings in his right arm. "Master?"
"Wendy, please call me Natsu." She nodded in agreement.
"Master, what are those black markings on your arm?"
"It's a tattoo of a dragon. I gained… a unique power while away. I will explain it in time." Unknown footsteps came from around a nearby corner.
"Is it true you want to rebuild Fairytail?", a voice asked. Kinana appeared. They both nodded at her.
"I'm going to be the fifth master", Natsu said pointing at himself.
"That's great news!" Kinana said.
"We have to rebuild the guild hall through", Wendy said.
"Which will cost a fortune", Natsu groaned.
"You probably also have paperwork to do", Kinana said. Natsu's face turned blue as if possessed with motion sickness. "But I can take care of that for you." She smiled gently at both of them.
"That's great!" Natsu waved his arms in the air. "Now for the money."
"We have several S-class quests to choose from", Wendy said. "We only need to find them." They searched and searched, looking for the S-class quests in the guilds remains. After a few minutes, Wendy shouted.
"I found one!" Kinana and Natsu sprinted over to her.
"What is it?" Natsu asked.
"We have to destroy a dark guild named Desert Scorpion in western Fiore- the port town of Normandy", she replied. Natsu sweated. He felt uneasy with what had happened, even if would be a cakewalk. His eyes drifted down to the reward.
"50 million jewels!?" he shouted. He stole the quest from Wendy's hands. "How powerful is this dark guild?"
"Extremely powerful", she said. "They aren't taking any illegal jobs, but they have kidnapped several important figures from the Alvarez Empire. They were also originally from the Alvarez Empire but left since they didn't want to be controlled by their emperor- thereby becoming a dark guild. Apparently, they are dangerous enough to where the Alvarez empire is offering 90% of the reward."
"Destroy a guild, save the captors, and get out", Natsu smirked.
"Not quite", she said. "There are no instructions to save anyone, only to destroy the guild and take their leader alive."
"What's his name?" he asked.
"Ajeel", she said.
The following day, Wendy and Natsu arrived in Normandy. Being a port town, it was surrounded by the ocean. Thousands of fisherman made their living every day off the coast. Despite the usual high population, there was no one in sight of Natsu or Wendy. Desertion clothed the town. Upon approaching their city hall, they began to hear the ruckus.
"Do you think they are Desert Scorpion, Natsu?"
"I'm not certain. Let's find out."
Barging open the doors, they came across a dark scene. A plethora of male wizards filled the hall; all watching a young green-haired woman, approximately twenty, with two blue crosses shaped objects on her head appearing as horns. She wore silver cross shape earrings, a golden choker, and chains on her wrists that appeared to disrupt and prevent the flow of magic power. Worst of all, she was dancing naked with the men throwing vile comments, miscellaneous foods, and alcoholic beverages at her body. Disgusted, the two dragon slayers began to slowly clench their fists tighter.
"Hey!" a voice yelled at them and ran over. "Who are you two? Don't you know who we are?"
"Yes", was all Natsu replied before wailing on the man's face. Everyone got up and began running to him.
"Sorry, Wendy", he said. "I know you would have preferred a quieter approach." She nodded recognition, as they began fending off enemies left and right.
"It's fine", she said. She smirked. "I'm actually excited. After you left, no one in Fairytail lived very daringly. All my missions were too careful. Sky Dragon's Roar!" She leaped and unleashed a hellish wind onto the unsuspecting victims.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu victimized several men as the blow pierced through the first and the sheer force penetrated each of the men behind him. "Don't forget you've become immensely stronger since I left." He blocked a blow with his left hand and tossed the man into a wall.
"Macao promoted me to S-class a couple of months ago as well", she said.
"Really?" He suddenly stopped moving and jumped behind Wendy. "Then I'll watch how strong you've become!" She nodded to him.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Sky Drill!" She crossed her arms and chopped forward as a guild sized whirlwind appeared outside, cutting through the foundations of the building, and followed with a wind blast counterclockwise to the whirlwind causing it to collapse on itself. Lifting everyone up, they swiftly crashed into the ground. The building was now in ruins. Stone and wood covered the immediate area. Everyone but Natsu, who carried the green haired woman over his shoulder, had been knocked out.
"Isn't there anyone of a challenge for a guild worth 50 million jewels?!" The tiny voice shouted out. No response was given. Suddenly a dark figure with tanned skin and pitch black hair appeared before Wendy. No words were exchanged- only a blast of sand quickly overwhelming the girl.
"Ajeel", the green haired woman said. Wendy, sensing the power of the foe, entered dragon force. "Hey, put me down!"
"Fine. Do you have any advice for us to fight this guy?" She shook her head.
"Do you have any idea who he is?" she asked. Natsu sat down, pulling Brandish with him.
"I have no clue", Natsu said jovially. Wendy launched a continually vicious assault.
"He's a member of the Spriggan Twelve", she said. "He's one of the twelve guards of the immortal emperor of the Alvarez Empire. He is stronger than any of the wizards you would call "Saints." You have no chance of beating him." On cue, Ajeel caught a Sky Dragon's Talon from Wendy and slammed her into the floor.
"He's toying with her", Natsu said.
"Do you see?" Brandish asked. "You have no chance here. I might be able to help you if you undid these restraints."
"No need", Natsu said getting up. "Wendy, tap out!" She looked back and shook her head. While not paying attention, Ajeel punished her with simultaneous attacks to the face and back. Wendy fell. Brandish blinked. Instantly, Natsu caught her and carried her over to Brandish.
"I've been looking for a challenge", he said. "Besides, you've endured through hell. You don't need to dirty your hands more. You seem like the kind of person who doesn't care enough." Natsu and Ajeel exchanged fists; testing the force of their ferocity. Wendy, who was laying in Brandish lap on the ground, opened her eyes and looked at Brandish.
"Is he always like this?" Brandish asked. Wendy blushed from the site before her eyes. Fire and sand swarmed to each other. It warmed her heart to witness the passionate fighter she admired.
"Yes", she said smiling. "He wouldn't ever call himself a hero, but it's his nature to fight for others he believes have been wrong." Brandish pupils dilated.
"Do you mean he's enraged because of me?" Brandish asked. In the background Natsu sent a roar attack at a tsunami of sand, disrupting the monstrous attack with ease.
"Definitely."
"Your friend is pretty cool", she said.
"Master is the one of the best", Wendy said. She now sat up observing the fight intently.
"Master? Are you his slave?" Brandish asked.
"No", Wendy said. "He's the master of our guild: Fairytail!" Brandish sunk her head between her knees.
"You care about each other?"
"Our guild is like a family, although…"
"What?"
"Recently, we were attacked. Every wizard but Natsu and I passed away."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." She squeezed her knees tighter. Wendy put a hand on her shoulder. Gazing into each other's eyes, they both found themselves crying. Brandish had been abused and lost her mother, although Wendy didn't know about the latter. Wendy had lost everyone she cared about. On an intimate sisterly level, they understood each other.
"Take these shackles off of me", Brandish demanded. "Let me help your guild master. I will crush Ajeel." Wendy used brute force to break apart the chains. Brandish finally got up to an unbecoming sight. Ajeel was unconscious with Natsu having one leg pinning him to the ground.
"When did you knock him out, Master?!" Wendy shouted. Natsu laughed at her flustered surprise and Brandish disturbed look.
"It was around thirty seconds ago", he said. "I've been watching you two talk. I didn't want to interrupt."
"How did you beat him?" Brandish asked.
"I have more reason to fight than he did", he said.
"You're right Wendy", Brandish said smiling for the first time. "He doesn't want to admit it, but he's a hero." Brandish walked over and found an empty beer bottle near the broken guild. Snapping her fingers, Ajeel was gone, and Natsu fell face first after losing his balance.
"What did you do? We needed the money for his body!" Brandish laughed awkwardly.
"Maybe I was wrong", she said. "It's alright. I shrunk him with my magic." She lifted up the empty bottle to show a sleeping, fingernail-sized Ajeel. Natsu and Wendy looked in awe of the power. Realizing introductions were in order, they introduced themselves.
Scanning around for a phone lacrima, Brandish found one and dialed a mysterious number.
"August?" she asked.
"She's talking to a month?" Natsu asked Wendy.
"Maybe it's a person that is named August", she replied. Natsu slammed his fist into the other hand's palm, indicating an imaginary lightbulb had gone off in his head.
"Yes, we captured Ajeel... Fairytail…Sorry, sir." Cringing every few moments from calm yells from the other side of the phone. Brandish finally hanged up.
"Lord August will be here in a few hours with your reward for saving my life and taking Ajeel alive." Her face was covered in fear. Natsu began smelling her. After a few awkward moments, he stopped and stared at her naked body.
"You should probably put on some clothes", he said. She held no shame, merely nodding and taking the clothes of a man of similar height. She wore a loose black shirt with long green shorts which she tightened with magic. Natsu kept staring at her.
"What?" she asked. She smiled slyly. Putting an arm behind her head and another on her hips, she posed provocatively. "Do you like what you see?" Natsu turned away, sat down, and crossed his arms.
"You smell like someone I know." Brandish only stared blankly back. She turned towards Wendy and whispered in her ear.
"Is that good or bad, Wendy?" she asked.
"I don't know", she said. Looking at Natsu she asked, "Natsu, who does she smell like?" He scratched the back of his back.
"She smells like Lucy", he said with his eyes looking away.
"Who is that?" Brandish asked.
"Lucy Heartphilia," Wendy said, "was a girl Natsu worked with and had feelings for." Brandish froze.
"I did not have feelings for Lucy!" he shouted. Wendy flinched back.
"Sorry! You had feelings for Lisanna?"
"No!"
"Erza?"
"That's gross, Wendy. Erza was like a scary, big sister." Wendy smiled mischievously before disappearing. She was gone in the blink of an eye.
"You know Lucy Heartphilia?" Brandish asked.
"Yes, she was a friend of mine."
"Then you must die!" Time seemingly slowed down for Natsu, as he saw waves of magic pour out from Brandish hand. Adrenaline kicked in. Moments later Natsu stood behind Brandish, remaining the same size.
"I'm not so easy to beat", he said. He grabbed Brandish's arm and pinned her to the ground. "I saved your life. Before you kill us, will you at least explain what is going on?"
"No!" Her own body began growing rapidly. Natsu's grip quickly fell flat. Before him now stood a giant, taller than the guild hall was.
"Fine! If I kick your ass first, will you talk to me after?"
"No!" She launched a rocket sized fist towards Natsu, forcing him to the ground. Followed after was another punch with her left hand. Alternating fists, Natsu was pummeled into a crater. After nonstop hits, Natsu got up, brushing off his injuries.
"Greater strength is needed to defeat me", he said. Brandish face turned sour. Lifting up her leg, she struck his head with her heel.
"Fire Dragon King's Demolition Fist!" Catching her heel with his left, he delivered a piercing blow to his right. Puncturing her leg, fire swelled over her veins. Blood-curdling screams left her mouth. Brandish fell back, shrunk to her original size, and held her leg while screaming for her life. Natsu motioned for Wendy, who was already at Brandish's side healing her.
"I'll do my best, Master." Brandish stopped screaming.
"She fainted from the pain."
A couple hours had passed by before Brandish woke up. Groggy and sore, she was lying down beside a fire on top of a cot. Sunset was approaching.
"Where am I?"
"You're still in Normandy", a male voice said. Turning to her left, Natsu was sitting beside the campfire. "We're waiting for August to come by with your reward. Wendy healed you after our fight. I hope you don't mind." Brandish looked to the fire with an empty stare.
"You only spared me to keep the reward."
"Foolish thinking that is", Natsu said. "I didn't kill you because I chose not to. Not to mention there was no requirement to save your life to receive a reward."
"Master…"
"Wendy, it's fine", he said. "She needs to know she cannot mess with Fairytail. I don't know what your problem with Lucy is, but she isn't a bad person. Neither are you." Brandish stumbled over her words, not knowing what to say.
"Was there really no job for saving me?" she asked. Natsu could only shake his head in her disappointment.
"No, but there's no monetary value to your life", he said. The fire crackled on the ashen wood.
"I'm sorry for attacking you", Brandish said.
"Master's use to it", Wendy said.
"What's that supposed to mean, Wendy?" he asked. Suddenly, a ship appeared out of a thick fog on the coast.
After docking, a figure of an old man with a staff came walking out. He had long hair white hair with an equally long beard and a stoic disposition as he walked over to the group.
"Ah, Brandish", he said. "It's good to see you alive."
"I managed to capture Ajeel like you asked", she responded.
"As expected. Are these the wizards who helped you?" She nodded. The old man motioned the boat and several large men carrying gold and jewels came out. "This is your reward, 45 million jewels in gold and jewelry. You can collect the rest from your magic council."
"Thanks, geezer", Natsu said as he outstretched his hand.
"You can't disrespect August like that", Brandish said. August met Natsu's hand with his hand and planted a firm grip. Eyes met and a battle of inner willpower erupted between them in their souls.
"I see how you managed to beat one of us", he said. "You deserve the reward." He turned his back and moved back to the boat with Brandish following and waving goodbye.
"Grandpa…"
"I'm not your grandpa, Brandish."
"Is it true no one cared if I was brought back alive?"
"We didn't know if you were alive, so we merely sent the order for Ajeel to be captured."
Outside the boat, shouts stormed through the skies to the ears of Natsu and Wendy as they listened passively.
"What are the odds Brandish likes you?" Wendy asked.
"This crap again?"
"Play along! What are the odds?"
"50/50"
"You're that unsure?"
"She only has two options." Wendy sighed. The heavy fog which outlined the docks began to lift as the ship left. When all left, Brandish stood there remaining behind with ferocious tears in her eyes. Looking back at Natsu and Wendy, she walked over with determination and perseverance in gaze.
"Let me join you", she said. Wendy jumped back, while Natsu looked on curiously.
"Why do you want to join us?"
"I like you guys, and now this all I have," she said looking down. Brandish leaned into Natsu and squeezed her bosom together with her shoulders. "Come on… Let me join. I'll do anything, Master." Natsu smiled and Wendy turned red.
"You can't let her seduce her way into the guild!" Wendy screamed. "She might be a spy." Brandish took a step behind Natsu and began gently placing her hands all over the fire dragon's torso.
"Don't be jealous because I have nicer boobs than you", she said while pushing her chest into Natsu's back.
"She said anything, Wendy", Natsu said. Wendy looked away in horror. "That means she will protect our friends with her life." Wendy looked back with teary eyes and Brandish's eyes were hypnotically depressed at Natsu.
"Pssh… He's lying, Wendy. You know what adults do when they're attracted to each other." Natsu broke free of her grip and walked up towards Wendy.
"You just want him for his body!"
"Don't be jealous of what we have, girl", she said.
"She can join Fairytail, Wendy", Natsu said. "And that's final."
On the way home, Brandish made constant passes at Natsu and snide remarks to a blushing Wendy. Wendy argued Natsu's higher morals and standards, while Natsu merely blissfully laughed as if not understanding the truth behind their argument.
As the group approached the guild's remains, they noticed Kinana talking to a blonde woman on fallen cement blocks.
"They're back", Kinana said and waved the group over. "Hello, Master! Fairytail remains a guild and you are officially the fifth Master." She noticed the green haired women at Natsu's side. "Who's this?"
"Her name's Brandish. She was one of the captured and decided to join our guild as thanks."
"That's not exactly how it happened, Master", Wendy said.
"That's great news!" Kinana said. "Two new members already!"
"Two?" Wendy asked, looking around Kinana to again notice the blonde woman, who promptly got up.
"I'm Jenny Realight, dear." She turned to Natsu. "Natsu, the fairy demon, or rather the spriggan, and my savior", Jenny said. Brandish stared vexed. "Master, will you please accept me into your guild as a thank you for saving my life?"
"Aren't you in Blue Pegasus?" Natsu asked. She looked away distressed.
"I talked to Master Bob. He's fine with me leaving to help my hero, and to help found a guild he formerly belonged to."
"That's great Jenny!" She pushed her finger sensually on his chest.
"I can finally make it up to you like I promised." Wendy turned red.
"W-what?!" she asked. Jenny moved her arms around Natsu the same way Brandish did the day before. Brandish approached Jenny and stared furiously into her eyes. Natsu quickly sidestepped from being in between them.
"Are your boobs as nice as mine?" Brandish asked. Jenny put her arms as to defend herself.
"What?" she asked. "They're the same as yours. Aren't they?" Wendy began to laugh hysterically out of nowhere. "What's so funny?" Then Jenny looked down to notice her breasts were gone. She was flat chested.
"Your boobs are smaller than mine!" Wendy continued to laugh. Jenny pointed and glared at Brandish.
"What did you do to me?" she asked. An instant later, Jenny's chest was the previous size. Brandish promptly walked up to her and glared at her right back. Slowly learning, Brandish twirled around Jenny and then began grabbing her breasts.
"What are you doing?!" Jenny's face turned sour.
"Master, her boobs aren't nice enough to join our guild."
"I don't think that's what qualifies a new member, Brandish", Wendy said. Jenny walked passed Brandish and up to Natsu.
"Remember, I said I need to make it up to you. Now, we could go on a night on the town and spend some time alone, or I can join Fairytail. If I do join, I will protect you and everyone else with my life. Well, even Brandish and anyone else who is a bit… odd."
"Don't act like you didn't like it blondie", Brandish said with a smile and a wink.
"This is great!" Natsu yelled. "Brandish and Jenny like each other, and we now five members of the guild already!" Jenny's anger boiled.
"Master, she groped me! How could I like her?"
"I don't know, Lenny", Natsu said while scratching his head. "Brandish is right. You seemed to like her touch." Wendy only faces palmed but was relieved. Natsu was still dumb, or rather innocent to a degree. Upon seeing women touching each other, even if one-sided, it was refreshing to know Natsu was unaffected. A wicked smile played on Wendy's face.
"What are you smiling at, Wendy?" Jenny asked. Wendy put her palms up in awkward defense.
"N-nothing!" she said.
"She's probably devising a means to kill you for flirting with Master. If only she knew she didn't have a chance with him."
"I would never do that!"
"Yeah!" Natsu exclaimed. "Wendy wouldn't need to plan a murder. She's strong enough to not get caught."
"That's not what I meant, Master", she sighed out.
The wind blew in their faces. Silence fell over their souls for minutes.
"What do we do now?" Wendy asked.
"Follow me", Natsu said. To which he promptly led them through town. Not a soul was in sight. Finally reaching Cardia Cathedral there was a large crowd surrounding everyone.
"Welcome one and all! Please sit and remain quiet upon entering to show your respects!" a stranger with a megaphone was commanding.
"It's Fairytail's funeral", Natsu said. "Along with those who died in Magnolia from the tragedy."
"I almost forgot", Wendy said solemnly.
"I did too", Kinana said.
"I've done my best to control the conversation since the last few days", Natsu said. "They wouldn't want us to be depressed. We must grieve, but we must also live for them. Come on. Let's go inside. All of Magnolia is expecting us." Heading inside, the group of five appeared to see the church filled without room for another person. Countless more stood in the aisles. Slowly but effectively Fairytail made their way to the front, all the while the mayor and priest of the cathedral spoke their tribute to the fallen city. Upon finding an oddly reserved seat in the front, they sat down and met the gaze of the Mayor who suddenly interrupted his own eulogy.
"I'm sorry", he said. "Like with all of you, this is incredibly difficult. However, we have a special speaker today. As you all know, Fairytail fell in battle to the same enemies we fought. They had survivors, including the man who saved us. You may remember the famed and destructive Salamander. On that fateful day, the destroyer became our savior." Natsu fierce and stoic gaze met the mayor's disheartened stare. Natsu nodded graciously at him. "He has a few words he would like to say." Natsu got up, with the wooden bench creaking over the silence. Each step and sound of his foot hitting the floor filled the hearts of everyone with immense anticipation. Pain, love, loneliness, grief, regret, rage and every emotion filled the sounds of the patterning stone floor.
Natsu reached the podium and cleared his throat.
"Pain, sadness, regret… These are powerful emotions grief fills us with. Several days ago, dark wizards came into Magnolia and caused a national tragedy. I beg you to not blame former master Makarov for never coming back or Macau for the guild slowly weakening. Don't blame anyone in Fairytail. They fought with their lives and for all of us. If you want to and need to target anyone for failing to protect this city, blame me. It's my fault Magnolia was attacked." The crowd erupted in whispers.
"Three years ago Fairytail had the greatest tragedy they could conceive of before a few days ago. Our third master Makarov, as well several of our strongest wizards passed away. Only I and Wendy Marvel survived. The famed Sky Maiden grew in strength and became beloved to this city. She stood strong and resistant to the grief, whereas it consumed me. I was determined to find the monsters to blame for killing my comrade- Acnologia and Grimoire Heart. I searched high and low for the dark guild Grimoire Heart, where I eventually found their leader and fought evenly with him, questioning his knowledge the Dragon of the Apocalypse. While I gave up my warmongering path thanks to the help of several comrades, Bluenote saw my potential and wished to challenge me again. He wanted revenge. He wanted to crush the one who defied him and lived. While he prepared his plan which erupted in our nightmare, I went on my own path for a while after, seeking the blood of the one who wronged me. Sadly, I centered myself on revenge and not on the life I was given. After two years of searching, I made many friends, and even found love for the first time." Wendy's thoughts wondered.
"On another date of fateful grief, I encountered the creature who caused my tragedy. But you must understand, revenge is not the path I'm meant to take. The dragon and I fought, and yet I was no match for him. He killed the young woman who had stolen my heart. As she lied on the ground, bloody in my arms, I began to hear a strange and familiar voice. Out of nowhere, my dad was at my side." Wendy's eyes widened at his painful declaration.
"After years of searching, both my greatest enemy and my dad were in front of me. In a blink, he was gone. Acnologia defeated him. My dad died protecting me." Tears streamed down Natsu's face uncontrollably.
"You're probably wondering where I'm getting at. You see, I've lost nearly everything and everyone I've ever loved. On my journey back, I was determined to become stronger than ever before. I delayed my return out of shame and fear. Yet, when I returned I lost all but one thing, my friend Wendy. After defeating Bluenote, I looked on the ashes of the city and my heart broke. If only I was here one day sooner… Upon talking to Wendy, the and seeing the pain and grief in everyone's hearts, my dad's last words flood back to my mind in an ever constant reminder. I was crying and miserable. I couldn't bring myself to stand, yet I heard my Dad's voice pushing me on. 'Do you remember what you do when you're sad?' he asked. I remembered as the words continued to echo through me. I forced myself up despite the weight of the world on my shoulders. He then told me, 'Show me how much you've grown. Show me how you live your life.' I screamed with all my might. I declared in my heart despite all the grief in my soul that I would live on. I would carry out my dad's last wish, of returning to Fairytail and becoming strong enough to slay Acnologia, not for the sake of revenge, but for the sake of the value of life. I promised him I would not give up. I will become stronger! I will! His last words as he responded to my heart, were the same words which echoed in my mind." Natsu's tears suddenly stopped and he smiled, taking every witness back.
"'That's my boy', he said. Speak of your future, and that shall become your will to live!'" Natsu's voice echoed in the cathedral. Firmness, anger, frustration, joy, were on the faces of his listeners.
"I will speak of my future here right now, Magnolia! I will be the fifth guild master of Fairytail. We will help rebuild not only the guild but also the city. We will protect this city and each other. I will impart the will of the previous masters in the new children of Magnolia, and I will spend every ounce of energy I have into bringing this city back to life. We will not lie down taking our last breath! We will get better! We will recover and become stronger! I promise. With all mine and my father's might, I will protect Magnolia, Fairytail, and Wendy all the days of my life." For a final time, Wendy's eyes opened even larger than before. Every word he said was incredulous. Despite the grief which overwhelmed her, his words warmed her spirit. He promised to be there for her in front of thousands of people.
"Don't mistake my words. I'm not saying I'm not grieving. Grief is necessary, and it would be foolish to believe I can pretend I'm alright. I won't lie to myself or those I love. However, I'm no longer living for myself. I'm living on and carrying the wills of everyone who I have ever known and cared for. I'm living for my family in Fairytail, and I'm living for all you. I'm not saying to put away our grief, but don't let yourselves be consumed by it. I beg you! You're alive, and everyone you love is living on inside you. Rather than becoming obsessed with what you lost, focus on what you have. What's gone is gone! Ask yourself: what remains? Pursue and live for that which is etched upon your heart and souls. If you have nothing, then take my hand and have faith something will come along, as I took my father's hand a year ago, and how I take Wendy's hand right now. So I implore you with this question: what do you do when you're sad? You know, don't you? So do it. Stand up!" With thoughtless hesitation, Wendy, Brandish, Jenny, and Kinana all stood up in the front row. Row by row, hundreds stood up every moment. Whispers of courage filled the crowd.
"Speak of your future, and that will become your will to live!" Natsu raised his fist in the air and shouted with an almighty breath. Cardia Cathedral roared with hope and grief of thousands of persons, each with determination to overcome the wall before them. Statement after statement appeared. Some declaring they will protect their family. Others declared they will find love. Several screamed the exploration of becoming wizards. Yet others shouted they will become stronger and will rebuild Magnolia. Echoes of their shattered dreams were placed together piece by piece slowly. This would become the day all of Magnolia would gain the strength to stand on its own two feet despite their greatest tragedy burning their lives apart mere days apart.
Hours later, after the funeral had finished, Fairytail was back at their broken guild hall. Brandish, Jenny, and Wendy argued, giving an odd sense of life and vigor which had been lacking since Tenrou was destroyed. Kinana was slowly cleaning up the rubble, giving the pieces out to citizens to help rebuild. Thankfully, the other three girls helped when not distracted. Off to the side near the ocean, Natsu was speaking to the mayor privately. After hours of discussion, he finally reappeared at the others' side. Everyone looked at him solemnly as he started with a half-sober expression.
"You're not going to ask what I was doing?" Wendy shook her head.
"There's no need", she said smiling graciously. "I know it was important."
"The mayor and I talked about life. Dreams, family, relationships, and the past. He told me of a story of how I accidentally helped get elected several years back, and he spoke about his wife and son who passed away in the attack. As much as part of him wants to blame me for not being here, he can't. He just can't bring himself to." Brandish, who was sitting on a cement block, got up and put her hand on her hips.
"I have a feeling the entire town feels that way", she said. "They want something to blame, but they know it's not actually your fault. No one can be blamed for the actions of a madman."
"You're right, Brandish", Natsu said. He gave her a friendly smile, returned by a brush by her and jealous stare by Jenny and Wendy. "Also, I decided to give all the reward money to the town." The girls smiled.
"I figured as much", Wendy said.
"You always care too much", Brandish chagrinned.
"What now?" Jenny asked.
"I don't know", Natsu said. "I figured it would be a good time to start recruiting new wizards. Anyone have any ideas?"
"What about the people in town who shouted to their desire to become wizards?"
"That's a bad idea, Wendy", he said. "They're still grieving. We should let them fully process everything before we start advertising like that. We don't want to guilt someone into joining when they aren't ready."
"It was fine with blond saggy boobs", Brandish said.
"Jenny still chose of her own volition. Besides, she owes me." Jenny slapped Natsu pseudo playfully.
"Don't degrade my choice in joining!"
"You know she likes it naughty."
"Brandish! Will you stop?"
"I said that one", Kinana spoke up. Brandish promptly gave her a high five.
"You see, ever year there are two huge tournaments in the capital of Crocus. One is the Grand Magic Games, which takes place at the beginning of July. It's a contest to determine the strongest guild. However, at the end of October, there is a tournament of all the youngest wizards in Fiore, who are graduating near the top of their magic school classes. It started a couple years ago when the trouble with the magic council and the different countries began."
"I get it!" Natsu declared. "So we head to Crocus and we ask all those wizards to join Fairytail?"
"Not quite. The tournament works like a draft. During the actual tournament, guild masters and their advisors are allowed to talk to the combatants in order to interview them. After it ends, each wizard approaches an order of the guild masters. If a guild master raises their hand, they are allowed to join that guild. If more than one raises their hand, they can pick and choose which guild. It works as a process to show off Fiore's youth while assimilating them into a guild."
"How many guilds typically show up?"
"Typically all of them but a few."
"Alright. We have a plan. We'll head to Crocus in the morning."
The sun began to set. Kinana left for her hotel room, and Brandish and Jenny followed, agreeing to lodge with her. Wendy agreed to stay in Natsu's house outside the city, albeit much to their relief wasn't thoroughly destroyed, although ransacked. Still, a bed remained and a few blankets. Wendy managed to bring a few remaining sets of clothes. Natsu slept on the floor, while Wendy rested in his bed. Only one odd question filled their minds.
"Does Natsu like me?" Wendy asked herself. She looked at his snoring disposition and chuckled. "No, of course not." She rolled over and stared at the wall until her eyes fell shut.
"Am I going to be a good dad?" Natsu thought. "No, of course not. I had Igneel, Makarov, and Gildarts. I'm sure they would say I'm going to be a great dad."