The morning came slowly. The usually beautiful and crisp mornings had been replaced by thick tension. The birds were not chirping, the sun was dim and the air was plagued with grey swirling fog.
The fire was re-lit by Natsu as they sat in a circle around the pit in silence.
No one wanted to begin the task hat lay ahead of them.
The castle stood eerily, as if waiting patiently for their attack
"Oi, old man, why can you make powerful mages, but not be as powerful as them?" Gray asked.
"Isn't it obvious? The magic I have is dark magic correct? And I have the power to implant seeds into others, which will change their souls into darkness. My magic itself is quite weak since that's all I can do beside giving solid blows with it, hard enough to knock you out, but people as powerful as Rose has enough power to dominate. But that was accidentally given to Zeref, which worked out okay I guess. Though Rose has a very small seed in her so it's there but not as strong."
"So the seed simply manifests the magic ability of the victim." Romeo said to no one in particular.
"It also maximizes their strength. Opens their second origin." the man said.
"Anno, Gray-sama," Juvia whispered, "Why is this stranger telling us this. It's unnatural for an opponent to tell his secrets."
"A man know when he's been defeated. That and he could probably feel Mavis presence and is getting freaked out." He whispered back. "Not to mention, Erza and Mira are here."
Juvia nodded in understanding and walked to the man in the cage.
"Stranger, what is your name?" Juvia asked.
"My name is... Delazi... Delazi Goturo." He answered.
"Juvia is wondering... why does Delazi want something so impossible?"
"Let me ask you, if you lived in a mansion in a faraway land, living rich and happy, would you bother leaving your happy perfect home?"
"Well... of course, Juvia likes to walk outside sometimes."
"You have you large back yard, why bother? You have servants to buy your groceries, your business runs entirely in your house, there is simply no need for you to leave the house, so why bother, correct?"
Juvia was taken aback a little, but continued to listen.
"You have children, then they have children and the cycle goes on, and you happy people seem to not know the truth of the outside world. This world is full of blind people. Unable to see the evil in front of them. The world must be purified. I will force everyone to see the truth of this cold, hard world and soon they shall appreciate the fact that there are people less fortunate than them. That life isn't perfect. Life is more than the stock market, a hole in your clothes, a missing dinner plate. No, there are lives of people, innocent people, forced to live on the street with starving children, infested card board boxes. This world will be punished."
"Foolish" Mavis said.
Delazi turned, feeling that cold presence once again, but too stubborn to mention his fear of what seems to him as nothing.
Mavis lay on top of Delazi's cage.
"I'm bored" She yawned as she stretched out.
"Only one more day, first master" Wendy chimed queitly, trying to b as happy as possible.
"Anno, Wendy... you don't have to do that" Elfman said. "Cana is sober. It isn't man for you to risk your back."
Wendy shook her head. "No, I have to, I feel bad about yesterday."
Cana was on Wendy's shoulders talking about the most random things as she pointed to the sky.
"Cana-nee, you're really mean to Wendy" Romeo said
"Shut up lover boy, my head still hurts from that blow. Why on earth would Wendy, oh-so-sweet-precious Weny, do that to such a beautiful creature as I? Ohoho!"
"Cana-nee" Romeo sweat dropped. This lack of drinking is really getting to her… And the rest of us.
Mira walked forward still sulking that she was the only one that was excited about the young couple.
"Mira, cheer up. They are just a couple of kids that are crazy 'bout each other. I mean look at them, their every move seem to just be in perfect sync with the other."
"That sounds awfully cliché, you know that Erza."
"I didn't know what to say, I thought you liked those sort of things. It seemed like the only way to approach the situation."
"That's okay Erza, you don't need to do that … Say Erza"
"Hmm"
"Where is Jellal-san? I haven't seen him in ages! You two are perfect together! you- oomph"
"D-Don't even joke about that Mira!"
Mira struggled to stand up as the blow on her stomach made a small... Well... Large... bruise..
"So... shall we begin?" Rose asked?
"Hai" They all answered as the team made their way to the castle. Each step made the castle seem larger and more dangerous. Levy and Lisanna walked a little behind Gajeel, as they poked their heads slightly out from behind him. Panther Lily sat comfortably on Gajeel's shoulders . Lucy, Natsu and Rose walked confidently with determination at the front. Makarov and Gildarts walked at the end.
When they were in front of the doors Rose took a deep breath in. Natsu looked down and mentally prepared himself for what he was about to do. Lucy put her hand on his shoulder and gave him an assuring smile.
Natsu opened the doors, but wasn't expecting what he was about to see.
"M-Mama?" Rose gasped.
There stood the mother of Natsu and Rose, although a ghost, she seemed as loving, kind and tender as before. Rose and Natsu ran to her and she hugged them dearly.
"My children all grown up. Ohh... you two are so big!"
"Mama! Where have you been?" Rose asked.
"I've always been here" Ignatia put her hands onto her daughter's face and lifted her head up. "Always. I love you so much"
She turned to her son and hugged him once more. "You've done so much in your lifetime. I'm so proud of you. "
"Thanks... Mom."
Igantia took a step back and looked at them seriously. "Now... why are you two here along with your accomplices."
"We... we have to kill... Zeref." Natsu confessed. Ignatia looked to them with sad eyes.
"I know your father has-"
"He is not my father" Rose said bluntly, a tear rolling down her face.
"Rose, he has become a puppet." Ignatia explained. "All you have to do is cut the strings. Even if you did kill him, his body can still be manipulated. Cut the strings and you can save his life and his soul."
Rose looked away while Natsu began processing what his mother just said. Strings huh?
"Well, this is as much as I can talk to you for now, but remember I love you and I'll see you again" Their mother Said as she faded away.
The rest of the group began walking to them. But Lucy was stopped. As she turned around, Ignatia was there "And thank you my dear, for being there for my son when he needed you the most." She said. "It may not seem like you've done a lot, but in reality, you have given him a great deal of support by just being there."
Lucy smiled and nodded her head, and just like that Ignatia disappeared.
They walked a couple of stair flights to the top of the castle.
"Levy, Lisanna, since you two didn't want to fight, secure the area and make sure no one enters the rooftop. PantherLily, you fly and keep watch from the air, if any of us enter a fatal state, be as fast as you can to take them to Levy and Lisanna." Makarov ordered
"Hai!" They answered.
"Zeref will be at the rooftop, preparing for the ritual," Rose explained "Although it is supposed to be at midnight, it takes about seven hours for the magic circle to activate. But be warned, Zeref can use other magical spells while the magic circle is gaining power.
"Hai."
They went up the last flight of stairs and there he was. Zeref began clapping as the group watched him walk around the circle.
"Well, it looks like you already have me figured out huh?"
Puppet. Only a puppet thought Natsu as his eyes burned holes into Zeref.
"Oh? Still have some hard feelings Natsu?" Zeref asked. It took a power of will for Natsu to stay in his position.
Natsu growled as his eyes followed the walking dark mage.
"Three..." Rose whispered.
"Oh and Rose, I'm not surprised that you were able to break that magical barrier. But how you esacped your state of mind I'll never know" He continued.
"Two..." She continued.
"I mean what can that blonde brat possiblydo to take you out of that situation?"
"Screw it. GO!" The group charged at Zeref. Lucy took out Aquarius.
"You idiot! My key!" Lucy who already anticipated this event and told the group, sighed as Aquarius swept the whole group including Zeref in a large wave. When the water calmed down Zeref stood up confused on what just happened. As planned the group surrounded Zeref and the battle began. Gildarts threw Makarov in the air who became enlarged as he flew and hit Zeref square on the face. Although seeming quite comical, the blow was harder than even a strong magical hit.
Zeref struggled to get up, but when he did he released a dark powerful energy into the sky making it dark and the winds began to pick up. Rose ran forward with two katanas and began to slash at Zeref, who blocked it by using small amounts of his dark magic and solidifying it as a barrier.
Rose jumped back and Gajeel stepped up from behind him and beat him to the ground. Zeref rolled on the floor and caught his iron arm and threw him to the side. Gajeel got up and was about to run forward to continue the fight but stopped as Natsu and Zeref began to stare each other down.
This was Natsu's fight now. They all took a step back, respecting the fact that Natsu had to do this. Rose stayed in place and watched in anticipation.
"Well, looks like it's the weaklings turn" Zeref said.
"I wouldn't be the one to say that if I were you"
"Oh please what can you possibly do to me?"
Natsu and Zeref stood at each end of the stepped forward, but Gajeel stopped her from going any further. Levy and Lisanna opened the door slightly to see why the battlefield became so silent.
"Stop this, Zeref." Natsu demanded as his hand lit on fire.
"I have something important to do Natsu, so don't bother" Natsu roared and ran to Zeref, his fire enlarging to an amazing size.
"Fire Dragon's-"
Zeref jumped and pulled Natsu to the air. He kicked him in the stomach and Natsu's spell was disabled. Natsu's eyes widened with rage as he kicked Zeref's head before they both landed on the ground on their feet.
"Uwah!" Zeref opened his arms, both hands controlling a small magic circle each. A dark substance began to form and those there felt the air thinning.
"Release!" The substance disappeared almost immediately and reappeared around Natsu, making him trap. He began to grab at his neck and knelt down.
"Natsu!" Lucy shrieked. Her body was shaking and her knees began to buckle as tears began to stream down her face. "No! No! Natsu!" She closed her eyes not wanting to bear the sight of Natsu in pain. But she then realised as she opened her eyes slowly. "I-I'm not controlling my body." Lucy tried to move her arm but nothing.
Natsu turned and saw Lucy in struggle in pain."Luce!" He choked out.
Natsu's body began to light itself on fire. The fire began to catch on the dark substance. The substance turned white and disappeared.
Lucy continued to shake in fear. What was controlling her?
Rose had her own problems."Th-thats m-my magic." She gasped.
Zeref turned. "Hai. Your magic is very mixed. I'm sure you understand that. But it isn't all your mother's magic. The reason you have such a mixed type of magic is because of a gene in your mother's bloodline.
"The reason why you have such a large array of magic is because of inheritance, a magical bloodline within the females of Ignatia's family. You have my magic and your mother's magic, your mother has her mother's magic and her fathers magic, and her mother has her grandmothers magic and her grandfathers magic and so forth. Do you understand? You have thousands of generations worth of magic in you. Magic control is what you have taken from me. "
Zeref's eyes glowed "and you also have the dark magic implanted in you, you are truly the strongest mage, you are the last female in your bloodline."
Rose took a hold of her katana, a tear rolling down her face. Gajeel stood still, trying not to hint to Zeref that Natsu was escaping.
"Don't talk about my family you piece of filth!" Rose ran to him with inhumane speed. She jumped and made seven cuts on his chest and stomach. He stood there not moving. Rose kept going, acting on her emotions. Her katana was back in its sheathe and her hands were open.
"Poison!" The cuts turned black and the rose began to creep. Zeref smirked.
"Wipe that smile off your face! You're open!" Rose said, her eyes beginning to glow.
"A dark mage cannot harm another dark mage that has the same creator of the seed implanted into them."
"My seed doesn't exist anymore."
Zeref's eyes widened. "Im-impossible. Th-that can't be true." He began to breathe heavily and laugh in between breaths. "Your'e bluffing!"
Rose stared him down. "Try me."
The poison began to take effect."Shit" Zeref used his dark magic to remove most of it, but the scar remained."Why you little-" Zeref was cut off by a flaming hand hitting his head.
"Oi! This is our fight!" Natsu yelled. "Roar of the Fire Dragon!" His fire let out and the glorious colours of orange and red surrounded Zeref. His screams were heard from miles away.
He collapsed with marks as Natsu towered above twitched. His head twisted in a disgusting manner, his tongue lolled out of his open mouth as he bared his teeth.
Natsu widened his eyes. He's been holding himself back. He's fighting the seed inside looked to Lucy, who was still frozen in that spot. Suddenly he noticed a figure embracing Lucy. He looked harder and saw it was... His mother?
"What? Oomph!" Natsu was punched in the face and tackled to the ground. Zeref had the upper hand as Natsu was beaten and kicked mercilessly by Zeref.
Then, all stopped when Lucy's eyes glowed and a loud yet angelic sound of bells filled the area.
"What's going on?" Makarov gasped.
Zeref turned, his patterned scars beginning to slowly stood up and outstretched her hand towards Natsu, who's eyes as well began to glow.
Natsu began to walk calmly in front of Zeref, who began to launch spells one after the other, but some sort of barrier stopped any harm to Natsu.
Lucy opened her mouth "Ignatia" she whispered, barely audible. Natsu began to mutter something inaudible and a light from the gray clouds to struck down, hitting Zeref. As Natsu's eyes returned to normal, Zeref's maniac eyes turned to Lucy, who was just beginning to regain control over her body, and inflicted a last spell that blew her off the roof with a yell. The light hit Zeref and Natsu ran and fell after her. He jumped down and caught Lucy in his arms and turned his back to the ground so that Lucy would feel the least of the pain. He braced for impact... Except he never felt it.
He looked up and saw Happy and PantherLily holding them up.
"Aye sir!" Happy beamed.
"Happy! Lily! Arigatou!"
Lucy looked up and gave them a thankful smile, still shaking from the blow. Happy and PantherLily put them down and left them to have their own moment.
"Natsu, wh-what in the name of Mavis happened? I-I just, I saw your mom and then I couldn't move and I was scared and then-"
"Sh sh sh Luce I know what happened. My mom helped us. You see I used too much magic power for her to directly give me her powers so she used you as the carrier. She put magic into you, which you gave to me and then I was able to land a powerful hit on Zeref."
"Oh." Lucy was still quite shocked and overwhelmed by everything. Natsu hugged her tightly and they slid to the floor. Lucy was cradled in Natsu's arms as the sky began to go a vibrant orange. The world around them seemed to no longer matter. They enjoyed the comfortable silence and stayed like that for what seemed like hours.
"Luce." Natsu said, breaking the silence.
"Hm?" Lucy looked up to him, her brown eyes locking with his. Natsu's head lowered and his lips touched hers softly. Lucy close her eyes and kissed back putting a hand to his cheek. They broke apart and stood up hand in hand.
"I guess we should go up and help the others now right?" Lucy asked.
Natsu nodded and they walked up to the castle. They walked a steady pace, Lucy being slightly injured and all. Not to mention Natsu was almost killed.
Master Makarov walked to them his hands calmly behind his back. He smiled with them as he saw their happy faces.
"Natsu, you've done well, but I believe you have yet to continue. Rose needs you."
"Y-you're alive... B-but w-why? H-how could th-this happen."
Her body shook and the air thickened as her magic escaped. She was breaking down. She was losing her strength to hold it.
"Oh crap she's gonna blow." Gildarts muttered.
"What do we do?" Gajeel asked, his calm demeanour failing as his body shook in fear and anticipation.
"We can't do anything. Anything can trigger her. One wrong move and we can all be dead."
Gajeel took a step back, not that it'd do anything. Zeref stayed calm and still, his body frozen. His mouth opened and black blood began to spill like a continuous waterfall. The blood began to pool at his feet and take its own form.
The black form began to stand and threw Zeref to the side, his body limp and lifeless. The form was resemblant of Zeref as it walked unstably to Rose, who's power was thickening by the second. Her head was down and her tears were freely flowing. She rubbed at her eyes as she began to cry and sob. Her wails resembled that of a three year old, as if she were crying now in place of her lost childhood.
Zeref's eyes opened slowly and he saw not his enemy but his crying daughter. He closed his eyes again and gathered all his strength to crawl forward army style. Gajeel noticed and was about to attack when Gildarts interrupted him.
"He is Zeref the father now, not the dark mage. He is no longer evil. He is no longer cursed with that demon." Gildarts explained as he motioned to the slow moving form.
It left a trail of dark magic on the floor as it seemed to limp, as if it was dripping with black hate and evil.
Rose continued to rub her eyes and Zeref was already half way there. The moving form began to move faster and all in one second Zeref mustered all his strength to tackle the form as Natsu slammed the door open.
"Rose!"
Zeref's magic began to drop on the creature, making it unable for it to move. Zeref went unconscious and Rose became frozen for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day. Natsu stood still. Master, Gildarts and Gajeel watched carefully as the creature began to struggle.
"Is Zeref... Dead?" Gajeel asked
"No, because his spell is still cast, he still has high magical levels. But his body is physically drained."
"It's common among S-Class wizards." Gildarts began."they create a spell but their physical body has no energy to continue, so until the caster wishes so or till their magical levels decrease completely. In this case, until Zeref wakes up or his magical levels run out completely, that spell is gonna keep on going"
PantherLily and Happy flew down. "Master, please let us get Wendy so that we can help Zeref" PantherLily said.
"Aye, if Zeref is a good person now, then we need to help him!" Happy said as he held his fist up in determination.
"Okay, Happy you go find Wendy, Lily, stay here just in case the demon moves.
Lily nodded and continued to fly around the area, Happy sped away to Fairy Tail.
"P-papa." Rose whispered as she walked unsteadily to her unconscious father. Natsu flinched at every step she made, fearing her instability. Lucy, who stayed behind the door, watched with Levy and Lisanna, they crowded close together holding each other's hands as if sharing each other's anticipation and fear. Rose' steps echoed across the floor, everyone's hearts were beating faster by each step. When she finally reached her destination she fell to her knees and slowly brought her hand to him.
"Papa." She whispered as she put her hand on his calm bruised face. She felt like she was going to burst, her magic was out of whack and her stomach was making a thousand turns per second.
Zeref's eyes opened slightly.
"Rose...I..I am so sorry."
"Papa, please. Please don't apologize. You've done nothing but saved my life." She whispered as Zeref began to fall back into unconsciousness.
"Impossible! In what way! How on earth was he released? No!"
The guild look at the maniac man whe was still imprisoned. They had been home for a while now, the journey was quickened when they found a shortcut. It took a while for the guild to understand, but when they figured that they have won, they rejoiced in the loudest possible way that Fairy Tail could. And as if on cue the magical council had arrived to collect Delazi.
"We will not be taking Zeref Jade under custody. We now understand the situation at hand. But to be sure, we would like Fairy Tail to be responsible for Zeref, so for the next few months we'll be keeping in touch" Lahar said.
"Hai, Arigatou for your help" Macao said as they both bowed respectively and Lahar left with his men. They dragged Delazi back as Juvia watched him intently as he left with a sullen face.
"Juvia thinks Delazi-san is not completely evil."
"What!" The whole guild said as the statement left her mouth.
"He killed thousands throughout time!" Said one.
"He took in puppets! The only one that lived was Zeref, and look what that has done to his life, his family!" Said another.
"Other people have chosen to follow Zeref and have made havoc all over the world!"
"Yes, but Juvia thinks it was Delazi way of getting his message across. What he did was terrible, but Delazi's message of higher classes being ignorant of all the people living in poverty is true. Delazi just went to extreme measures. He deserves to go to jail but Juvia will visit Delazi from time to time"
"So am I" Gray said as he stepped up. "I'm not gonna let you go to that monster by yourself"
The guild looked at him with suspicious eyes. He lllllllliiiiiiiikes her they thought simultaneously
"I think I'll go as well" Wendy chimed.
"Not without me"Charle added
"Or me" Romeo said as he put his arm around Wendy.
"Might as well" Cana said
Macao and Wakaba simply nodded, and the next thing they knew they all agreed to visit him every month as a sort of intervention. Happy came bursting in after their agreement.
"Wendy! Quick! Come help Zeref, he's hurt!" PantherLily urged.
"What happened?"
"I'll explain on the way, it's a long story. Quick! I'll take you there"
The trapped figure continued to struggle but under the power of Zeref's seemingly endless power.
"Papa! Please! Please don't leave me again. Please. She said as her bun began to unravel into her long plait, which waved about in the wind.
Zeref had heard every word and felt nothing but regret in himself. How could he do such a thing to his daughter. His son, his own son had completely omitted him as his father. "Papa, please" her voice continued to plead, "you saved our lives, I could have destroyed the world if it wasn't for you." Her voice began to whisper as if she was slowly losing hope of her father's life. He heard a flutter and a call, but what exactly he didn't know; he felt his life slowly slip away. Slowly, slowly he felt something drag him to a deeper and darker pit.
He heard a faint wail then felt a weight on his stomach and the feeling of Rose think he's dead? Is he dying? He felt the tears stop and the weight lift, her wails already muted. Everything was silent and could feel his magical energy still being used so he felt at peace.
At least that creature of terror will still be locked
He felt something cool cover his whole being and his wounds began to be more painful and his emotions began to feel much more real.
"Uwah! Ayah! Guwah!" His unconscious body began to yell.
"Wendy! Help him!" Rose urged.
"I am! I can't help the screaming. Just a few more minutes and he'll be fine just don't panic!" Wendy assured.
They were all on the rooftop now, Natsu, Master Makarov, Gildarts and Gajeel were destroying the last of the dark demon (they only had the right arm left) and Lucy, Levy comforted Rose who was still sniffing and crying.
Lisanna was talking to the magic council guard, who were rounding up all the Black Blood members.
"Arigatou Gozimas"
"No we should be thanking you. Just be sure to keep an eye on Zeref. "
"I'm sure he won't be a problem, but we'll do"
The guard bowed and left the rooftop and went to the stuffed truck of unconscious Black Blood members.
Once the demon was completely burnt, stepped on, crushed and pounded till there was virtually nothing, the men sighed a breathe of relief. With Zeref's magic holding it down, it wasn't very hard to defeat, though it was quite time consuming.
But because Zeref's magic was still continuing and was holding down nothing, the boys didn't notice the sinking feeling from a while back when the body was still intact. But after a while it became much more noticeable and now.
"We're stuck!" Natsu yelled.
Rose looked up and looked at them all quizzically, their knees buckling and faces distraught.
"Is Papa's magic consuming you? Natsu-nii?"
"Yes and the rest of us too" Gajeel grunted.
"Well you can't move till Zeref wakes up and ends the spell." Lucy said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Eh! But I'm gonna be so bored! Yuck!"
"You can't help it Natsu, that's just the way it's gonna be"
"Almost done." Wendy said as she stood up. "The pain has subsided and his body isn't as tired. For a normal person it would have taken from a week to almost a month of recovery but his magical energy and physical endurance is quite strong. In fact a couple of hours might be enough to completely recover him, and in a matter of minutes he might wake up... Natsu-San! Gajeel-San! Gildarts-San! Master! What are you all doing on the floor?!"
The four sighed at the girl who cocked her head in confusion.
"Long story" She blinked and nodded her head, understanding that they didn't feel up to talking about it.
When Zeref stirred, Rose let out a shriek of happiness and hugged him.
"Papa! Papa! I thought you were dead!"
Zeref was taken aback. "You... Really care that much for me?"
Rose nodded against his shoulder, what else could she feel? She had just gotten her father back. Not a demon, not a stranger, her father. The one that planned her birthdays, the one that loved their mother, the one that let her sleep in his bed when Mama was travelling, the one that taught her brother how to stand up for his family. Her dad.
Gildarts smiled at the scene as he felt some of Rose' magic thin out. There was only one thing left to do.
"Anno, Zeref-san... I know we had some bad times but now that we are all on good terms, do you think you could get your magic off of us?" Gildarts asked.
Zeref looked at them with a blank expression.
"No"
"What!" They all began talking nonsense demanding that they be let out. Zeref laughed a cheerful laugh which shocked everybody.
"I'm joking, I'm joking, gomen you just seemed so desperate." They were silent. "What? Too soon?" He looked at them with a worried expression. Are they still holding a grudge against him?
This was the true Zeref? Laughing ? Normally? Making fun jokes? This was what was hiding under that dark facade for thousands of years. Lisanna giggled. Then Lucy and Levy. Then Natsu, Gildarts and Makarov, soon even Gajeel began a long repetition of "gihi". The whole roof began to laugh their hearts out. For what reason, no one could even remember.
When Natsu, Gildarts, Gajeel and Makarov we're let out they began the day trek back home
It was about ten o'clock at night when they heard knocking. After the third knock the guild went silent as Mira opened the doors to the rescue group plus Zeref.
"We're back!"
The whole guild cheered and Zeref got his guild stamp (white on the middle of his back) and partied the rest of the night. But where was Natsu?
"Natsu..." Lucy called as she closed the back door of the guild. Natsu was playing with five small balls of fire, juggling them and moving them in a swift motion with his right hand.
"Pretty..."
Natsu looked back and smiled at her sat down on the grass at his feet and he followed suit, keeping the fire moving.
"Thanks, I do this when I get bored ya'know?"
Lucy let out a small laugh but then her eyes saddened as she looked at Natsu's face.
"Natsu... You haven't said a word since Zeref came back. You didn't even fight with Gray. Is something wrong?"
Natsu let out a a heavy sigh.
"I... I just don't know what to feel. Igneel is my Dad. But so is Zeref. So what do I see either of them as? Biological and Foster sounds too... It just doesn't seem to fit the title of both of them."
Lucy thought for a while... What was the easiest way to explain this.
"Look at Master Makarov. What do you call him?"
"Gramps... But what does he have to do with anything."
"What about Happy? How do you think he sees you as? As Lisanna?"
"He sees us as his sort of parents."
"Exactly, but his dad and mum is in Edolas. Makarov isn't your real grandpa but you call him gramps. I'm sure your real grandfather, whoever he was, would be okay with you calling Master that because he took good care of you. I'm sure Happy's dad is fine with you being seen as his Dad because you took care of him. The same thing goes with Zeref, Igneel and you. Igneel found you without any knowledge of who you are or where you came from. I'm sure he knew you had some history, which would be something to consider when you take in a young child. So you finding your real Dad is a good thing for Igneel. The same thing for Zeref. He raised you, but when he wasn't there Igneel was able to give you the love of a parent that you desperately needed. I'm sure that considering either of the as parents, as fathers, you will be doing the right thing."
Natsu blinked. Once. Twice.
"I don't really get it." Lucy almost fell over at that statement.
"Y-you don-"
"But I get your main point. Whatever I call Igneel or Zeref, that wouldn't matter. They both cared for me right?"
Natsu looked to Lucy who just stared at him in happiness. She nodded and hugged him, tears falling from her eyes.
This baka is going to be the end of me. But I think I'll be okay with that. As long as it's him
They stood up and walked back into the guild hand in hand to join the happiest guild in Fiore.
Okay this is long overdue and I am so so so so sorry (especially at this hour). It's been so long even I forgot the parts of the plot -.-' so if things are a bit messed up please tell me :D
Obviously, I've been lazy but hey! this is the last chapter! YAY I finished a story. Happy dancing!
Please review, I know it was a crappy ending but besides that tell me what you think! I am open to all types of criticism. I am trying to get better but I have absolutely no idea ^^'
And by the way HAPPY NEW YEARS YAY I love new years... and christmas... and holidays... yes I have been on holidays for a while meaning more time for me to update for the next month. YAY
Anyways, thanks for reading. Bye for now
~kochida