Before the chapter starts, I just want to say that I'm not completely satisfied with how this turned out. I may come back and edit it during the next summer or so if I have time.

Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter 2: Natsu

NATSU POV

Returning back to Earthland from Edolas was bittersweet to say the least. On the one hand, our friends trapped in the lacrima were alive and we all made it back home safe.

Well…almost all of us.

I left the group behind shortly after our return. Lisanna's return did little to lift my spirits. I couldn't bring myself to stay at the guild. I barely saw Lisanna's smile and laughter as it faded into the smile and laughter of a little blue-haired brown-eyed girl. Her eyes were so bright and hopeful. But before my eyes, I watched hers lose that light and turn blank. Her jaw dropped open, slack, and immediately, I was back in the cavern, restrained by anti-magic chains.

I slammed my fist against a tree and with just that touch, the bark and leaves disintegrated into ash. Throwing my head back, I let a roar escape my body, the flames becoming a huge column piercing the sky. While I had been in Edolas, I couldn't even mourn. Because I didn't believe it. She couldn't be dead.

No. She promised. She promised that she would stay strong.

It was only when we were all returned and Wendy was not with us that I realized that she was truly gone. Her body hadn't even returned to our dimension either. No magic in her body…no magic to be pulled back to Earthland.

Watching my magic swirl around me in waves, I only became angrier. Why?! Why do I have magic now?! More than enough to destroy the entire city of Magnolia? Why couldn't I have been stronger? Why couldn't I have protected her!?

Without even realizing it, I had walked back to my house, overlooking the entire city. Sitting down just outside it, I couldn't bring myself to go inside. Even though there weren't very many memories with Wendy here, there was a horrible pain in my chest. More than just despair and guilt. Sitting down on the hill, I sat cross-legged and straight. I remembered what I had done to escape from the anti-magic chains and I flinched. Looking down at the flames in my hands, I felt that anger, pure and raw, still lingering faintly within my heart. I hated even looking at myself. It was my fault. I could have saved her. If only I'd been quicker.

I heard a slight noise off to my left and tensed before relaxing shortly after. Very small footsteps and the quiet flapping of wings came towards me and one whiff of their scents made it obvious who was behind me. Without turning, my voice colder than I've ever heard before I said, "What do you two want?"

I could hear a small voice gasp and their body begin to tremble, and I immediately regretted what I had said. Slowly rising from the ground, I still didn't turn their way, but I acknowledged them a little calmer than before, "What are you doing here?"

The five year-old's high pitched voice squeaked, "Natsu-san," He hesitated before continuing, "I'm here because Erza-san told me to check on you. She was worried about you…"

He trailed off as I barked out in laughter. This wasn't my usual happy and carefree laugh. This was more forced and sinister. I finally turned towards my guests. Anger swirled out of me in waves, "Worried huh? Then why send you Romeo? A little child sent to poke a dragon." Snarling, I punched at another tree and instead of it burning, this time it was ripped up from its roots and projected outward to the side. Grumbling I muttered, 'If she really was worried, she would come and find me herself. Then I could fight her at least."

Finally, Romeo's companion Happy stammered, "Hey Natsu? Romeo was sent here since everybody thinks that you wouldn't hurt him. You've been really upset since Wendy…"

"Shut up."

Happy's voice tripped over his words. It wavered, softly asking, "What?"

I snapped around to face them, my scarf and vest blowing off to the side with the force of my movements. I screamed, "SHUT UP!" Without even thinking, my fist was encased in fire and I lunged forward. As I rapidly approached the fear-stricken Romeo, another face flashed into my vision and my fist stopped an inch in front of Romeo's face.

Guilt swept through me and in an instant, my magic dissipated. Turning back away from them, I let the hair drop over my eyes. Growling, I muttered, "Leave."

They didn't move farther away. Rather, I heard them come closer to me. Happy was close to my shoulder when he said, "You can't blame yourself for Wendy. It's not your…"

"If you say it's not my fault," I snarled, "you're wrong." Happy tried to interrupt again and in response, I flared up my flames again. He flew further back so he wasn't as close to me. Canceling the magic, sadness overtook me and I said, "She was like a sister to me. My little sister." I remembered when she joyfully hugged me after the entire Nirvana incident, the happiness overflowing as well as her tears of gratitude. It was then that I had sworn to myself that I would never let anybody hurt Wendy ever again.

"She went through so much at such a young age. Losing her foster mother, losing Mystogan, losing her entire guild. She was so strong, she inspired me to be strong to. But now she's gone," My voice cracked on the last word.

I sat down away from them and I heard Romeo whisper, "Natsu…"

"Please," I croaked, "Just leave me alone."

I don't know when they left after that. All I know is that they eventually did. I spent the rest of the night where I was, even though at some point it had started to snow. All I knew is that I needed to be alone. Alone with my thoughts and my memories, no matter how painful they might be.

So since this occurs before the Tenrou time skip, Romeo is still really young so that's why I did what I did.

I hope you enjoyed!

Next up: Gray