Juvia opened her eyes. She was dry. She was no longer out in the rain. In fact, the morning sun was shining in the window and warming her skin. She looked around and realized that she was back at Fairy Tail, in sick bay. Porlyusica was the only presence in the room with her. This made her sad. Seeing Gray's face when she woke up would have meant everything to her. The last thing she even remembered was enclosing Bone Crusher in a sphere of water using her body, and being hit with all her comrades attacks at once. She remembered the pain she felt, but also the feeling of victory that made her heart sing. Now she was laying in a warm bed being tended to, and she was home.
"Juvia, you are awake. Good." Porlyusica said. She walked over to the bed and wiped Juvia's forehead with a warm washcloth.
"How long has Juvia been sleeping?" the blue eyed girl asked.
"Oh not long. You stumbled into the guild hall in the middle of a rain storm yesterday. You have been sleeping ever since."
"Juvia doesn't remember anything, since the battle."
"Maybe that is for the best. I am sure everyone will be glad to hear you have awoken."
Juvia felt really tired. Her body felt weak and numb all over. All she wanted to do was sleep, but she wanted badly to see her friends. As if he had sensed that she had opened her eyes, Gray walked into the room. He greeted Porlyusica and sat at the edge of Juvia's bed. He looked down at her, into her eyes, and grabbed her hand. His hand felt both cold and warm. Just like her heart.
"Juvia….how are you feeling?" Gray asked.
"Better. But Juvia doesn't remember much." She said shyly.
"All that matters is that you came back to us. We were all so worried. You were gone for days."
"Days?"
"Yeah."
"How is everyone else?"
"Well, Evergreen is on her feet again. She hasn't changed."
Juvia laughed. She had been so worried about Evergreen after all the bones in her legs and arms had been broken. It all had happened so fast. She also wondered how Lyon was doing with his wrists. She didn't ask Gray because she figured he wouldn't know, but she was pretty sure that Lyon was doing just fine. Just like Gray, he was a strong Ice-make wizard. One injury would not bring him down.
"But there's some bad news." Gray said, his face growing sorrowful.
"W-What?" Juvia asked, her heart stopped in her chest.
"Natsu, Ember and Happy have yet to come back. They have been missing since the dragon slayers battled an Earth dragon. They defeated it while the rest got to safety. But they were nowhere to be found and still have yet to be seen."
Juvia gasped. Gray turned his eyes from her. She knew this was because he didn't want her to see the pain that was in them. For once Juvia didn't feel jealous that Gray was concerned for the well being of another girl. She didn't think about love rivals. All she could think was that her friends were out there somewhere, and they were either really injured or possibly dead. This pained her to think about. And again all she wanted to do was sleep.
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Lucy woke up and could barely open her eyes. They were pretty much crusted shut from all the crying she had done before she finally fell asleep. She rubbed at them violently with her knuckles, but they still remained hard to open. She let out a stressed sigh and rolled over in her bed. Levy was asleep next to her, softly snoring, her blue hair a mess ontop of her head. Lucy smirked. She didn't even realize it, but it had been the first time she had smiled in days. The fact that she had such a caring friend that had been by her side during such a hard time in her life, it meant a lot to Lucy.
"Levy?" Lucy whispered, poking Levy in the face until she woke up.
Levy's eyes snapped open and she twitched with a startle. She looked at her friend and happiness rushed through her. Lucy looked a mess, with her knotted blonde hair and puffy eyes, but she was smiling. Lucy was finally smiling. Levy sat up in bed with a giant smile on her face and tackled Lucy in a hug. The girls giggled.
"Lucy! I am so excited to see you smile!" Levy chirped.
"Yeah, I woke up this morning feeling...different." Lucy said, and let out a sigh.
"What do you mean?" Levy asked, scooting closer to Lucy. They both looked out the window at the bright and warm summer day.
"I don't know. I just woke up knowing that Natsu was coming home. I just know he is." Lucy smiled, still looking out into the day.
Levy's heart sank. She didn't want to spoil Lucy's mood, but she wondered if her mind had cracked. Had she not realized how many days it had been since the dragon slayers arrived home from their battle without Natsu? Levy decided it wasn't a good idea to press the issue. She would grant Lucy her enlightenment. She would let her friend smile, even if it was only for a short period of time.
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The sun may have been shining, but Laxus was sitting in the dark. His eyes were heavy with sleep because he had barely slept in days. Weakness, nothing but weakness consumed him. And he hated himself for it. He swore to himself he would never be weak again, but it was as if his mind and body had turned their back on him. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't climb out of this dark pit of sadness. And he hated it down to the very bones in his body. When the tears came, and they came in waves, he hated himself even more. Pitied himself. He was strong. He was a Fairy Tail wizard. And here he was acting like a punk.
There had been knocks on the door periodically. His friends coming to check up on him. But he always ignored them, or yelled at them to go away. The never tried to press his buttons and they always left. Evergreen, Bickslow, and Freed came by frequently, but he never let them in, even though they were his closest friends. He knew they would understand, maybe not right away, but at some point they would. At least he hoped so. One time Master Makarov had come by and almost burst the door down. Laxus was pretty sure that the sound of his sobs was what initially made his grandfather back off and leave him alone. And also caused him not to return since.
Laxus looked out the window by the bed and out into the day. The day was endless and full of promise and possibilities. But to him it was full of nothing but shadows.
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"Mira. Can I ask your advice?" Lisanna sighed.
Lisanna was sitting next to Cana at the bar in the guild hall, Mira in her usual position behind it. Ready to serve drinks and food to whoever wanted them.
"Of course Lisanna. What is it!" Mira chirped.
"Well…." Lisanna shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
"Come on kid, just come out with it." Cana groaned.
"Remember how Lucy snapped at me? Saying that I don't love Natsu the way she does if I was able to so easily smile?" Lisanna said.
"Yes. But I told you, that doesn't mean anything. Everyone handles their sorrow differently." Mira nodded.
"No. I think she's right."
Cana and Mira turned to look at Lisanna with shocked looks on their faces. Lisanna blushed and hung her head with a sigh. She had been doing nothing but thinking about what Lucy had said to her since it happened. She also couldn't help thinking about if Lucy was right or not. And she was honestly starting to believe that she may very well have been.
"Explain!" Cana exclaimed, leaning closer to Lisanna.
"Well, I thought I loved Natsu like I could marry him. We were so close as kids. I mean, back then I did want to marry him! Even when I first came back from Edolas, seeing Natsu again was like I had never been gone. But now, I think I tricked myself into thinking I loved him in a way that faded a long time ago. But I am scared that he may feel that way about me." Lisanna sighed.
"Whoooa hoh hoh! Why do you think he may feel that way for you? I mean, Natsu is not the romantic type." Cana smirked.
"The way he kissed me before he left. It was really something. But, I don't think it's right." Lisanna blushed.
"He kissed you?" Mira and Cana gasped.
"Yeah. But anyways…..maybe Lucy is right." Lisanna giggled.
Mira and Cana just looked at the younger white haired girl. They couldn't get over the fact that Natsu, the dense and immature fire breather, had kissed her. Actually put his lips on hers in a romantic way. They were baffled, and shocked. For a second they had forgotten that Natsu hadn't been around for days, and then it hit them, and their shock turned into a deep sadness. The guild hall just wasn't the same without Natsu and Gray causing a ruckus.
"Heyyyyy Lisanna, you still owe me that date!" A gravely voice said from behind them.
The three girls turned around and saw Bickslow walking over to them. He lifted his helmet off his head to reveal what could possibly be a handsome face. But the giant black X that went through the middle of it, and his crazy black hair took away from the handsomeness that resided there. Cana and Mira's jaw dropped. They had forgotten about the dating game! And they had forgotten that Lisanna had to go on a date with Bickslow!
Lisanna turned around on her stool and looked shyly at Bickslow. She actually smiled. He stopped in front of her and smiled back. Mira almost choked when she saw that Lisanna actually blushed!
"Do you want to go now Bickslow?" Lisanna asked.
"Sure thing little lady! Might as well get it over with!" Bickslow snickered.
"L-Lisanna….." Mira whimpered.
Lisanna smiled at her older sister and Cana and jumped off her stool. She linked her arm with Bickslow's and they walked out of the guild hall. Cana and Mira just looked at each other in shock. Had Lisanna gone nuts because Natsu hadn't come back yet? Had she absolutely lost her mind?
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"You guys are almost home. Are you prepared for the celebration that is going to happen once you return?" Jellal asked.
Erza, Jellal, Cobra, Natsu, Ember, and Happy were all on their way to Magnolia, and the Fairy Tail guild hall. The two dragon slayers and Happy had been treated for their injuries and were now on their feet. They still had some pain, and a lot of healing to do, but they were functional and could walk on their own two feet. Happy was flying above the group as they walked. They hadn't walked the entire way, they had taken a boar-drawn carriage most of the way, but now that they were about to enter Magnolia, they traveled on foot.
"I just can't wait to see everyone. I can't wait to see their shocked faces!" Natsu cheered.
"I'm sure they are going to be more excited to see you!" Erza laughed.
"Lucy and Lisanna must be heart broken. When they see your face Natsu, they are going to lose it." Ember giggled.
"Lucy….Lisanna….yeah." Natsu said softly.
He hadn't even considered how hard his disappearance must have been on them. The state they were in when they had to say goodbye to him was bad. He didn't want to think about how much they must be hurting now. He only wanted to think about how happy they would be when they saw him again. The thought of their smiles brought a huge smile to his own face, and he looked up to the sky and took in a huge breath of fresh air.
"They know I will be back. I told them I would be!" Natsu chirped.
"Of course." Jellal smiled, admiring Natsu's attitude.
"Ember. How do you think Laxus has handled all this?" Cobra asked, walking closely to his sister.
"I-I don't know." Ember sighed. Laxus. His face was all she saw when she was unconscious after the battle. She hoped he wasn't in bad shape, but at the same time, she hoped he hadn't moved on from the thought of her either. She knew he was hard shelled. She wouldn't be shocked if she returned home to a Laxus that had moved on from what they had together.
"Why do you look so heart broken?" Cobra gasped, getting defensive.
"Well, I mean. Laxus is a really resilient and tough guy. He has probably moved on by now." Ember sighed.
"That isn't even remotely true. The moving on part." Erza said, smiling at Ember.
"How would you know?" Ember asked, turning to Erza.
"I've talked to someone. Before you guys were brought back to us. Last I knew Laxus hadn't left your room since he got back." Erza smirked.
Ember blushed and smiled. Now she knew how Natsu must be feeling. She didn't want to think about the sadness Laxus had felt over the past few days, but she did want to think about the look on his face when he saw her again.
"Well, you guys are almost home. Ready?" Jellal smiled.
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Freed and Makarov walked into the guild hall at the same time. They hadn't really arrived together, they just happened to arrive at the same moment. Hushed whispers spread through the guild hall at the site of Makarov. He had been pretty scarce and rarely seen since all the wizards returned from their battles. The reappearance of Juvia had brought back some light into his heart, but the fact that Natsu, Ember, and Happy were still missing still weighed heavily on him.
He walked over to the bar, followed by Freed. He took his normal seat on the bar top, and Freed took a seat next to Cana. Makarov noticed that Juvia was awake and back on her feet. She sat at a table with Gray eating lunch. The friends smiled and looked generally happy to be reunited, and this in turn made Makarov happy.
"Glad to see Juvia is on her feet." Freed said as Mira handed him a drink.
"Yes, it's amazing!" Mira smiled.
"Have any of you seen Bickslow?" Freed asked.
"He went out on his date with Lisanna!" Cana laughed.
"What?" Freed and Makarov gasped.
"Why are you so shocked old man? You are the one that is the reason behind it!" Cana said, pointing an accusing finger at Makarov.
"Well….they are an odd couple, aren't they?" Makarov laughed. Mira, Freed and Cana all laughed along.
"That reminds me, don't we have a date to go on Mira?" Freed said, looking at Mira shyly.
"I suppose we do!" Mira smiled brightly, little pink roses appearing on her cheeks.
"Awww how sweet!" Cana swooned, and then fake gagged.
"Don't you have a date with Macao, Cana?" Makarov said, glaring at her.
"Already went on it. We met Baccus out at a local pub and drank the night away!" Cana laughed.
"Baccus." Makarov groaned.
"WIIIILLLDDD!" Cana laughed hysterically. She slurped down her drink.
The doors to the guild hall slammed opened. Makarov immediately looked, thinking an enemy was about to enter his territory. But what he saw before him made his defensive shields go down. He started to shake, and tears fell from his eyes. The entire guild hall was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Mira laughed, it was all she could do. Cana and Freed sat slack jawed.
Standing there, smiles on all their faces, was Jellal, Cobra, Erza, Natsu, and Happy. No one in the guild hall moved. It was as if they didn't know if what was in front of them was real, or only a mirage. Then all at once everyone jumped from their seats and rushed Natsu and Happy, crying, cheering, laughing. Natsu and Happy laughed as their friends couldn't stop hugging them and asking them questions.
"What happened?"
"Where were you guys?"
"You beat a dragon?"
"Are you hurt?"
So many questions, but the answers could wait until later. Natsu just wanted to find Lisanna and Lucy. He needed to let them know that he had returned home. Carla and Pantherlily flew over to Happy and tackled him out of the air. The exceeds cried and laughed together. Wendy and Romeo launched themselves at Natsu and wrapped their arms around him, holding him tight and never wanting to let go.
"Natsu, I am so happy you are back!" Romeo laughed, tears coming out of his eyes.
"I was so worried!" Wendy chirped, wiping the tears from hers.
"I told you all I would be back! What did you have to worry about!" Natsu laughed.
"Natsu. Welcome home." Makarov said, misty eyed and smiling.
"Gramps!" Natsu hooted.
"Wait, Where is Ember?" Cana asked. She had noticed that her friend was not there, and this worried her.
"Oh, don't worry. She went to Laxus. I am sure you will see her later." Erza smiled at Cana. Her, Jella, and Cobra had stood back and let the guild revel in their excitement of Natsu and Happy's return.
"Erza! You finally came back!" Gray cheered.
"Yes. And I am glad to be home." Erza laughed.
"Master Makarov, is it okay if me and Cobra stay for a little while?" Jellal asked politely.
"Of course Jellal. You two have done us a great service. You are always welcome here!" The Master smiled.
"Hey, where are Lucy and Lisanna?" Natsu interrupted. He was taken back by the fact that neither of them were present.
"Lisanna went on her date with Bickslow!" Cana laughed.
"And Lucy hasn't been here at all since the other dragon slayers showed up without you." Mira smiled.
Natsu nodded. He hadn't expected to hear that Lisanna was out on a date with Bickslow. She had been so broken apart by him leaving, and her fear of him not returning. Why was she out on a date? He knew that the dating game had dictated it, but during his disappearance was that really the time? This detail sparked a small flame of anger in his gut. But then he thought of Lucy. She had locked herself at home. He hoped she was alright. He thanked everyone and ran out of the guild hall, Happy flying after him before he was to far to catch up to. Natsu was on his way to Lucy's.
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Knock-knock.
"How many times do I have to tell you jerks to leave me alone?" Laxus yelled at the door.
He laid on Ember's bed, staring up at the ceiling. He was dressed in only a pair of shorts, the same shorts he wore for days. His spiked blonde hair was shaggy and messy, jutting out in all different directions. He could smell the stink of his own unwashed feet, and he crinkled his nose in disgust of himself.
Knock-knock-BANG
"What did I say?" He growled.
He closed his eyes and sighed. Some people just didn't listen. That made him feel angry, which was better than the sadness he had been feeling. So he let himself be angry. He let his muscles tense up and could feel a slight throb in the lightning shaped scar over his right eye.
The door handle started to jiggle. A low growl came from his throat. He would blast whoever came through that door, disrespecting his wanting to be alone. His eyes were still closed and he smirked. Oh well, their funeral.
The handle stopped jiggling, but he heard the door creak open. A few foot steps, the sound of shuffling, the door shutting.
"You know, I expect my door to be answered if I knock on it." A tired voice said.
Laxus's eyes snapped opened. He didn't look. He couldn't. He knew that voice. But he had to be hallucinating. It was like when he saw Ember sitting at the breakfast table smoking a cigarette. His mind was playing tricks with him.
"You're not even going to look at me. This isn't the welcome home I expected. Laxus." The voice said again. A hint of a laugh in there. Her laugh.
Laxus slowly turned his head. His breath left his body, his muscles tightened. He felt as if he was seeing a ghost. He was sure that's what it was. Ember stood there in the center of the room, leaning her scythe against the wall by her coat rack, her torn and battered robe already hanging on it. Her clothes were ripped and shredded exposing her bruised skin. The two blue braids that came down each side of her face were coming undone. Her dark brown hair in messy waves. She was smiling a crooked smile at him. She wasn't disappearing.
He got up off the bed and took a step toward her. Every second that passed he expected her to disappear in front of his eyes. His breathing was shallow and his scar still throbbed. She stood there in front of him, not making any movements to come closer. But she tilted her head as if curious of him. Like a dog would do.
"Ember? Is it….are you real?" He stammered.
"Yes Laxus. I'm home." She smiled.
In one quick movement he lunged at her and took her into his arms, both of them dropping to their knees onto the floor. She wrapped her arms around him, holding on as if her life depended on it. His smell revived her, and made her feel whole again. The oncoming storm. The spark of electricity through the clouds. Tears started to pour down her face in a flood of emotion. Laxus buried his face in her hair. The smell that went up his nose and touched his soul confirmed that he was in fact holding Ember. He was in the middle of the forest after a rain storm. He let all his weakness release itself from his body in the form of joyful tears. He could feel his strength returning.
"I thought you were gone." He gasped.
"I know. But I'm not. I'm sorry I had you worried." Ember smiled, she nuzzled her face into his neck.
"I fucking love you Ember. Don't you ever disappear again." He said through his teeth. She could feel the electricity spark on his skin.
"I won't. I promise."
They sat on the floor in that embrace for what seemed like an eternity. Laxus finally released her and lifted her face to his, so that he could look into her eyes. He leaned his forehead against hers and he smiled. She smiled back, her cheeks turning red. He grabbed her hair in a fist and kissed her hard. So hard she fell backwards and onto her back. While she wanted nothing more than to kiss him, she put her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away. He looked at her confused, his pride hurt.
"Nuh uh. Your feet freaking stink. Go take a shower."
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Lucy got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. She breathed in the steam that had filled the room from the hot water, and let out a relaxed sigh. The shower had felt wonderful. She had no idea how she had gone so long without taking one. She grabbed her hair brush and brushed the knots out of her hair, and then walked out into the main room. Levy was looking at her with tears in her eyes and a shaky smile on her face. Lucy looked at her confused.
"Levy, what is it?" She asked.
"N-Natsu…." Levy cried.
Lucy just looked at her even more confused. She had no idea what Levy was going on about. She shrugged it off and went over to her writing desk. It had been a long time since she had written one of her letters she wrote to her mom. The ones she never sent, but knew that her mom knew about. One day she would publish a novel in her moms memory. She smiled thinking about it. Lucy couldn't find her pen, so she turned around to ask Levy if she had seen it.
She jumped out of her chair and let out a scream. Sitting in one of her chairs was Natsu, Happy in his lap. His clothes were a mess and he was all dirty. His pink hair was a disaster. The smile on his face lit up the room.
"WHY ARE YOU IN MY HOUSE?" Lucy yelled out of instinct. Then the realization of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks.
Lucy stood there in her towel, her wet hair tied up on top of her head. Her mouth hung opened and her eyes were opened as wide as they had ever been. Her hands shook at her sides and she balled them into fists as the tears began to flow from her face. She ran at Natsu and jumped on his lap, curling up against his warm body and crying into his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and laughed. She grabbed Happy and brought him to her chest, pressing him in between her breasts and Natsu. Happy gasped for breath as she squeezed him. The smell of them, their touch. It was all real. She knew Natsu was coming home, she felt it in her heart.
"Lucy! Calm down! I told you I would be home!" Natsu laughed.
"AYE!" Happy cheered, and then gasped for breath again.
"I-I was so scared. I couldn't live thinking I would never see you again. I just couldn't Natsu." Lucy cried, her body shaking.
"Well you don't have to live without ever seeing me again. I'm right here. And I always will be." Natsu said, still smiling. He hugged her tightly.
"Natsu….." Levy stammered, and she smiled so wide it hurt her face. She ran at the hugging group and wrapped her arms around all of them.
They all laughed. They all cried. The sun was finally breaking free of the clouds for them. Everything was okay. Everyone was home. Fairy Tail's family was back together again. They no longer had to try and live on without their friends by their side, because their friends were right there. And they had been all along.
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Ember and Laxus entered the guild hall, all cleaned up and in fresh clothes. No more messy hair or smelly feet. Nunu walked at their feet. Considering all that had happened, Ember figured that Nunu deserved to be hugged and pet and embraced like everyone else. He had helped in the battle as well. He was Fairy Tail family too.
Cana, Mira, and Evergreen jumped at Ember in a flurry of happy tears and squeals. All the girls fell to the ground in a pile, laughing and hugging. Laxus rolled his eyes and walked over to Jellal and Cobra. Ember had told him everything she knew. He stood in front of the Crime Sorciere men, looking at them with a serious look on his face. Erza was standing close to Jellal, and looked at Laxus with speculation. She never knew what he would say or do. He had the tendency to be unpredictable at times.
Laxus held out his hand to Cobra. Cobra let out a shocked gasp and hesitantly raised his hand to grab Laxus's. Their hands gripped each others, and Laxus squeezed Cobra's tight, bringing it to his chest.
"Thank you. Brother." Laxus said, and then let go of Cobra's hand and walked away towards Master Makarov.
Cobra looked at Jellal and Erza for answers. For some sort of explanation. Or anything really. They just shrugged and laughed at him. He looked to his sister, on the floor surrounded by her friends, laughing and happy. He smiled. He had done something good.
Freed pushed Cana, Mira, and Evergreen out of the way. He reached his hand down to Ember and she grabbed it. He helped her to her feet. As soon as she was up and steady, he grabbed her into a hug. She smiled and hugged him back.
"So glad to see you home safely. Laxus must be so happy." Freed sighed.
"Yeah, I guess he is." Ember laughed. The loyal Freed, always worrying about Laxus.
Ember looked around the guild hall and spotted Juvia, Gray and Wendy. She went over to them and smiled. She had heard about what Juvia had done, and she admired Juvia so much for it. She had risked her body, and her life, to help her friends. To defend what had happened to Gray, her, and the others during the first Bone Crusher battle.
"Juvia. Thank you for taking down Bone Crusher. He deserved it. And you are absolutely amazing." Ember nodded with a smile.
Juvia turned red and smiled back at her shyly. She nodded her thanks to Ember. Gray put his hand on Juvia's shoulder and nodded a thanks to Ember as well. Wendy hugged Ember around her waist, and Ember hugged the tiny girl back. It felt so nice to come home to a family that loved you, and cared about you. Ember couldn't have been any happier to be home.
Natsu, Lucy, Happy, Gajeel, and Levy walked into the guild hall. The atmosphere of everyones celebration and happiness rubbed off on them at once. Happy went and joined Carla and Pantherlily as Levy and Gajeel walked over to a table and sat down next to each other. Natsu and Lucy stood close together, smiling and a general happy air around them.
Lisanna and Bickslow came in shortly after them. Lisanna saw Natsu and let out a huge gasp. Bickslow ran over to Ember and grabbed her in a hug from behind, letting out a creepy laugh. Natsu looked at Lisanna with a smile. Not a big one, not necessarily a happy one. He was happy to see her, but he didn't know how he felt about her going on a date with Bickslow, even if it was only because of dating game. She looked at him, her eyes beginning to water. Lucy looked at Natsu and then walked away. She didn't want to be near their reunion. She didn't want to let herself get angry when she was so excited for Natsu to be home.
"Natsu…." Lisanna said in a low voice.
"Lisanna." He nodded.
"I'm….I'm so happy you are home." She smiled at him. But she didn't run to him for hug. She stood where she was.
"Me too. " Natsu smiled back.
Laxus took a seat next to Makarov. He leaned back on the bar, spreading his arms like wings on top of it. He closed his eyes and cleared his throat. Makarov smiled and looked at his grandson. He was so proud of how much he had grown since he had snapped and made Fairy Tail fight each other and he was forced to exile him. He had grown into an admirable and strong young man.
"I'm sorry for how I yelled at you old man." Laxus said.
"No. I'm sorry you ever had to go through what you did." Makarov nodded.
"Thanks. Gramps." Laxus smiled.
The wizards of Fairy Tail were in high spirits again. Positive energy flowed throughout the guild hall freely. The day was young and the night long. The celebration of their victories over Bone Crusher and an Earth dragon, and the return of their missing friends, would carry on well until the next day. Macao would even be letting Romeo stay instead of sending him home when it got too late. Wakaba would not be going home to his wife tonight. Hearing of the dragon slayers return, Sting and Rogue of Sabertooth had stopped by, with their exceeds Lector and Frosch. The two exceeds joined the Fairy Tail cats, and Sting and Rogue made their rounds congratulating everyone and welcoming them home.
Lucy and Natsu sat at a table with Gray and Juvia, and were shortly joined by Levy and Gajeel. The fire dragon and iron dragon bickered, but then Gray stepped in and it was a battle of fire and ice as usual. The girls all laughed and made jokes at their expense. It was as if Natsu and Juvia had never even been gone.
The drinks flowed freely at the bar. Cana and Freed toasted to Ember's return as Cobra stood with his arm around his sister. Jellal and Erza sat close together and celebrated with their friends. Evergreen hooted and hollered with a drink in her hand on top of Elfman's shoulders. She was letting go of all the pain she had been feeling, not only in her body but in her heart. Lisanna had joined them and was getting on well with Bickslow, hinting to everyone that their date had gone much better than anyone could have expected. They seemed to be friends. Mira smiled and cheered, even drinking herself. Ember looked down the bar and her eyes met with Laxus's, they smiled at each other.
Makarov knocked his walking stick onto the bar, sending an echoe through the guild hall. He waiting until his children calmed down and averted their attention to him before he began to speak.
"I have here a letter from the Magic Council." He said holding up a piece of paper. "They want some sort of payment for the damage to Mount Florencia. Apparently the citizens in the town at the base of the mountain are not to happy about it's destruction. Natsu and Ember, you bring me headaches. How am I going to deal with two destruction children? Oh well. Good riddance."
Makarov held the piece of paper in the air and Laxus brought a bolt of lightning down onto it. It burst in yellow light and then burned up in flames. Everyone laughed and cheered.
"Anyways. Here we are children. All of my children. We as a guild have gone through a lot lately. We gained a new member and it didn't start off well. There was a lot of bickering and negativity. But we got past it. We battled formidable enemies, and suffered horrible injuries. But we prevailed. Fairy Tail won, as we always do. I see before me a family, a family closer than any other. Partnerships and relationships that have formed in the most dire conditions. Sometimes unexpected. I see before me all my children, ready as always to fight for their family, and what they believe in. Giving everything they have no matter what it takes. I have seen the pain you all suffered, the tears we have all shed, and those things weigh heavy on my heart. But here we are, together again. No more tears, no more pain. We will always pull through the dark, no matter how deep in it we get. We will always prevail! Because we are Fairy Tail!"
The entire guild hall erupted into screams, cheers, laughs, and chanting. Friends clinked their glasses together, drinks spilling onto the floor. Small magic battles erupted in the excitement, causing the average day to day damage Fairy Tail was used to. The hugs were many, and the love was strong.
Ember walked over to Laxus and he put his arm around her pulling her close. Makarov smiled giddily at the both of them, and they laughed. Ember had come to Fairy Tail after being alone for so long. She had struggled to make friends, to fit in. She hid her true self and held herself back. But it was all different now. She embraced who she was, and enjoyed the relationships she now had. For the first time in her life she was really happy. She finally had friends and a family to be proud of. To fight for. To live for. She was finally home. And she couldn't wait to continue her adventures with Fairy Tail.
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**Thank you everyone for reading! I hope you liked it. I plan on writing more Fairy Tail adventures with Ember, Laxus, Natsu, Lucy, and everyone else. :D**