Back in Crocus, Wendy, Romeo, Happy, Carla, and Yajima stood watch over Lucy's lifeless body, anxious of where Natsu had been. Their answer came in the form of a heavenly light shining from the distance. Emerging from the light was Natsu, carrying Lucy's soul in his arms, and his godhood restored. Wendy, Romeo, Happy, Carla, and Yajima gasped in amazement and delight, and they kept on staring without saying a word. They realized that their friend succeeded in defeating Mard Geer, and went through the Underworld and back. With his act of true bravery, he was a god, a denizen of Olympus once again.
Natsu kneeled down and placed Lucy's soul back into her body. And soon, life and color returned to her as her first breath came sharp, with no recollection of what happened.
"N-Natsu…?" Lucy opened her eyes, noticing the figure of a smiling, shining Natsu in front of her. "What… why did you…"
"People always do crazy things when they're in love," Natsu chuckled gently, echoing Lucy's words from before.
That compliment brought joy to Lucy's heart as she stood up. Her love for Natsu was so deep that she sacrificed her life to save his, and ironically, he sacrificed his life for hers. The two leaned in for a kiss…
...but then, a giant cloud appeared under their feet, and Wendy and Romeo boarded it, before it whisked them up into the heavens.
Wendy asked, "So, now that you've gotten your godhood back…"
Romeo added, "…what are you gonna do now?"
"Isn't it obvious, guys?" Natsu laughed happily. "I'm going home to Mount Olympus!"
Wendy and Romeo swarmed around Natsu, laughing and hugging their friend for his greatest accomplishment.
Wendy cried joyfully, "We're so proud of you, Natsu! We knew you could do it!"
Romeo shouted happily, "Yeah! You're the man! You rock, bro! You're an Olympian again!"
Natsu smiled, "I couldn't have done it without you guys. Thanks, everybody!"
"Hey, wait for us!" Happy cheered, and he carried Yajima with his paws and flew up with his wings.
"You can't leave an old man behind!" Yajima laughed.
"I'm coming, too!" Carla flew with Happy after the cloud.
As soon as the five disappeared from sight, Gajeel Redfox reappeared, carrying assortments of hotdogs, sandwiches, and hamburgers. He said, "I'm back! I bought some snacks. Did I miss anything?" He paused and looked around to see that everyone was gone. "Where did everybody go?"
All of a sudden, he bumped into Levy McGarden, who was looking her own way around. Gajeel apologized, "Oops. Sorry, miss."
"It's alright. I'm…" Levy then stopped and stared at Gajeel with a blush around her cheeks. "Oh, hello. I haven't seen you before. I'm Levy."
Gajeel grinned, "I'm Gajeel."
Levy shyly asked, "Would you like to help me rebuild the town?"
Gajeel shrugged, "Sure, no problem. I've got nothing else to do, anyway." With that, he followed Levy out of Lucy's former resting spot.
By the time the cloud soared up, Natsu and his friends found themselves on Mount Olympus. It was no longer the place ravaged by the Demon Gates, but the same place restored to its beautiful, rightful glory. When Natsu and the others stepped forth, the gods and goddesses cheered and applauded, and the young heroes felt a wave of appreciation.
Weisslogia applauded, "Three cheers for the mighty Natsu Dragneel!"
Kemo-Kemo cheered, tossing flowers everywhere, "Oh, yeah! Flowers for everybody!"
Skiadrum added, "His friends are the bravest of all mortals!"
Aries sobbed happily, "We love you! All of you!"
Aquarius smirked, "Not bad, kids!"
Metalicana laughed, "Way to go, Ig! You're lucky to have a great kid!"
Taurus cheered, "Nice mooooooove, Natsu!"
Natsu and his friends stopped in front of Igneel and Cassandra, who stood behind the repaired gates. Without a word, the salmon-haired boy walked up the stairs and approached his parents.
"Natsu…" Cassandra was close to breaking tears. "We're so proud of you." The queen of the gods hugged her son, and Natsu hugged back. She had been waiting seventeen years to see Natsu return to their heavenly home. Seeing her son's face filled her with great joy.
"Mom," Natsu said warmly.
"Fine work, my boy!" Igneel laughed proudly, giving a pat to his son's back. "You've done it! You're a true hero."
"You were willing to give your life to rescue this young woman," Cassandra explained, gesturing to Lucy. And right she was: Natsu's deep feelings for Lucy and sacrifice enabled him to bring back his godhood long gone.
"For a true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart," Igneel clarified. "Now at last, my son…" He placed a gentle hand on Natsu's shoulder, "…you can come home."
Igneel gestured to the open gates of Olympus, revealing the entrance to the golden paradise of the gods. The rest of the Olympians circled around Natsu, praising him for his deeds. This young Fire Dragon Slayer, a god transformed into a mortal, realized that every accomplishment, every effort, and everything he went through led to this moment. He had proven his unshakable resolve under the stress of having it broken by mistakes he made, proving that he was indeed a true hero. At long last, he would finally return home. He felt more happier than he had ever been in his life…
…but not really. Though it was his dream of rejoining the gods, the truth is, he wasn't sure if that's what he really desired. And it was for a different reason.
Wendy, Romeo, Happy, Carla, and Yajima smiled as they observed the scene in front of them. Shedding tears of joy, Wendy wiped her eyes, "Isn't this amazing? Natsu's finally home."
Romeo nodded, "Yeah. We're gonna miss him, though. He's probably got his hands full, now that he's a god again."
Happy smiled, "We'll come and visit Mount Olympus anytime we want."
Carla agreed, "Natsu would be most delighted to see us again."
An elegant voice spoke up from behind the group, "Yes, indeed. We Olympians recognized you as the friends of Igneel's son, so we bid you permission to come visit us at anytime." Wendy and the others turned to face the owner of the voice. That's…
"Mother!" Carla exclaimed.
"It's Chagot!" Romeo identified.
Happy recognized the figure walking alongside Chagot, and said, "And Grandeeney, Goddess of the Sky!"
"Grandeeney?" Wendy gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. "My real mother?"
As the two goddesses approached, Wendy and Carla's eyes watered with tears, delighted to have seen their mothers again. They rushed towards Grandeeney and Chagot and crushed them in a tight embrace. "MOTHER!"
Wendy cried joyfully, "Mother! You have no idea how glad I am to see you!"
Grandeeney chuckled, "My darling daughter, look how much you've grown. You've become a true Sky Dragon Slayer. When Olympus was threatened by an event of cataclysmic proportions, you stood tall, you weren't afraid, and you fought alongside my brother's son to defeat the monstrosity that was the Demon Gates."
"You mean the monsters?" Wendy giggled blushingly, "No, I didn't fight any of them, Mother. I just fought some of Mard's goons, and I set free the rest of the Olympians. Remember?"
"But still, your achievement is remarkable," Grandeeney admired. "Your cousin is very lucky to have found such a valuable ally. At any rate, you could have your name engraved in the Olympian pantheon."
Wendy complemented, "I admire Natsu a lot. Though he's my cousin, he's like a big brother to me."
While Wendy and Grandeeney continued their conversation, Carla and Chagot took their own time to speak to themselves. Carla said, "I thought Mard Geer trapped you and all of Extalia in his thorns. How did you escape?"
Chagot explained, "Jackal the Lava Etherious accidentally spilled a small amount of lava, burning away the thorns and facilitating our escape."
Carla admitted with a giggle, "That would've been both realistic and bizarre."
Chagot asked, "So now that Mard Geer is defeated, what will you do next? Will you return to our home in Extalia?"
Carla answered, "I think I'll stay with Wendy for a while. She still has a long way to go before she matures into a responsible adult."
Chagot smiled, placing a paw around her daughter's shoulder, "I understand, child. You can visit Extalia whenever you wish."
Carla nodded, "Thank you, Mother."
Amidst the celebration, Lucy observed the scene with a sad smile. Natsu had indeed returned home, but due to his status as a god, he could no longer be with her. The blonde-haired girl wasn't a goddess, but at least she could see Natsu one last time. She would always remember him in her heart, and in her mind.
"Congratulations, Fire Dragon Slayer. You'll make one heck of a god," Lucy breathed. "I'll never forget you. And I love you. Forever."
And with that, she turned away from the gates, her heart heaving with sad happiness. From the circle of congratulating gods, Natsu spotted her, about to leave Mount Olympus.
"Dad?" Natsu interrupted, causing everybody present to stop. Igneel and Cassandra turned their attention to their son and listened. Natsu continued, "Dad, I just wanna say that this is the moment I've always dreamed of. But…" He followed Lucy to where she left and took her hands, "A life without Lucy, even an immortal life, would be… empty. I…"
Wendy, Romeo, Happy, Carla, Yajima, and the Olympians stared in curiosity. Natsu's eyes glowed with sincerity.
Living the life of a god would be lonely. He didn't wish to remain here, knowing he won't be with her.
Finally, Natsu made his choice. "I made up my mind. I wish to stay on Earth with her. With Wendy, Romeo, Happy, and all my friends. I finally know where I belong."
Igneel and Cassandra exchanged glances, but nonetheless gave a nod as blessing and approval of their son's request. After all, Natsu and Lucy were in love with one another. Who were they to deny their son's wishes for a happy, better life?
"Well, c'mon! Kiss her!" Happy urged excitedly.
"Kiss her! Kiss her!" Wendy said eagerly.
"Come on!" Romeo added.
Lucy rested her forehead against Natsu's, and the two inched their lips closer, giving a loving kiss as the Olympians cheered on. Though Natsu's godhood disappeared again, he reveled at the kiss as he lifted her off the ground, not breaking it up. Grandeeney wrapped her arm around Wendy's body and gave a gentle kiss on the forehead, making her giggle. Carla and Chagot clapped their paws, and Romeo, Happy, and Yajima watched on with smiles.
Yajima shed tears of joy, "Don't you just love happy endings?"
Happy agreed, "Aye. That's Natsu for ya."
Romeo smiled proudly, "Yep. That's my bro!"
Leo gestured to a large cloud nearby and signaled, "Hit it, ladies!"
And just like that, the Muses emerged from the cloud in a heavenly light, performing their last song number.
Muses: Oh…
Ultear: Gonna shout it from the mountaintops
Muses: A star is born!
Brandish: It's a time for pullin' out the stops
Muses: A star is born!
Meredy and Zera: Honey, hit us with a hallelu...
Éclair: That kid came shining through
Girl, sing the song
Muses: Come blow your horn
A star is born!
Everyone on Mount Olympus celebrated. Natsu, Lucy, Wendy, Romeo, Happy, and Carla gave each other playful handshakes and hi-fives. Yajima saw Imitatia and attempted to woo her, but before he could act, the goddess kissed the old man crazily, making his eyes pop out. Natsu and the others laughed as they scooped Yajima up, with Brandish blowing a horn, Lyra playing her harp, and Leo playing his accordion.
Ultear: He's a hero who can please the crowd
Muses: A star is born!
The gang returned to the city of Crocus, where the citizens hailed their heroes' return. Natsu was reunited with his adoptive parents Makarov and Porlyusica, while Romeo reunited with his father Macao. During the celebration, Wendy kissed Romeo on the cheek, making him blush.
Ultear: Come on, everybody shout out loud!
Muses: A star is born!
At Mount Olympus, Igneel, Grandeeney, Weisslogia, and Chagot used their magic to make a picture in the stars, the image of the world's hero, Natsu Dragneel. This constellation was made by the gods to commemorate Natsu's heroism— a symbol that will shine bright in the night sky forevermore. Yajima's eyes widened in surprise and happiness: Natsu's image was in the stars. His dream had finally been realized!
Just remember in the darkest hour,
Within your heart's the power
For makin' you a hero too
So don't lose hope when you're forlorn
"That's Yaj's boy!" Macao smirked, pointing at the stars.
Yajima began to cry, having witnessed the image of the hero he trained formed into a constellation. His old student, Gildarts Clive, would be very proud of him. Natsu, Lucy, Wendy, Romeo, Happy, and Carla joined him, proud of his greatest accomplishment as a hero trainer.
Just keep your eyes
Upon the skies
The scene switched back to the gallery, with the Muses dancing around a vase of Natsu.
Every night,
A star is right in sight,
A star is burning bright,
A star is born!
The song number ended with the Muses assimilating with the vase and freezing in place, making dynamic poses towards Natsu's painting.
Like a beacon in the cold dark night
A star is born!
Told ya everything would turn out right
A star is born!
Just when everything was all at sea
The boy made history
The bottom line (Bottom line!)
He sure can shine (He can shine!)
His rising sign is Capricorn
He knew how to
He had a clue
Telling you
A star is born!
Here's a hero who can please the crowd
A star is born!
Come on, everybody shout out loud
A star is born!
Just remember in your darkest hour
Within your heart's the power
For makin' you a hero too (A hero too)
So don't lose hope when you're forlorn (No, no!)
Just keep your eyes
Upon the skies
Every night,
A star is right in sight,
A star is burning bright,
A star is born!
Meanwhile, from a dark empty space, Mard Geer's voice was heard. "Ah, yes! It's happy ending time! Everybody's got a taste of glory. Everybody but me. I got nothing. I'm here with nothing. Anybody listening? It's like I'm… what am I, an echo of something? Hello? Hello? Am I talking to, what? Hyperspace? Hello! It's me!" The voice then sighed, "Nobody listens."
THE END