Chapter 44:
A/N: Hello again! How are we today? Wait who am I talking to… Oh that's right! You the readers! Who don't talk back to me except for sashaXmafuyuFOREVER and brucie86 via their reviews… Shout out to those two as always! Now enough of my tomfoolery and on with the chapter! Enjoy!
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Same Day (Laxus POV)
I sit and tap the desk, bored, while I wait for Jura. 'Damn, he sure is taking his sweet time. I wonder if Bickslow is back yet? Along with everyone else in the guild.'
I looked up at a sudden noise, which snapped me out of my reverie, and saw Freed standing there with Jura looming over him. "Freed, leave us. Go and help Bickslow bring everyone here." I said and Freed nodded and scurried off feeling the tension in the room.
Jura closed the door and sat down, a bit stiff from the back injury but still looking just as intimidating as he always did. "So I assume you heard the council's choice?" I nodded and kept staring at him, my face unreadable, "Ok, and I know this will be tough for you but I hope you accept the choice. I would very much like you to be my number two in the coalition's ranks as you know the most about Natsu and Lucy. And you were the last one to fight him and be awake right now, the last few have been hospitalized and none of them are leaving any time soon. Especially anyone in Quatro Cerberus. Those guys are in some seriously bad shape, all one hundred and sixty nine of them. There were twenty broken necks, fifteen broken spines, fifty five broken legs, all of them have burns, ten of which are past third degree burns, and one traumatized guild ace who has been awake but hasn't said a word yet. That guild will be lucky to be around anymore after what just happened. This leaves us with only five viable guilds with which to use in the coalition. FIVE. What news do you have about anything else, I have been out of the loop lately." He said as I nodded at the stats not quite able to wrap my head around how Natsu beat the sixth strongest guild all by himself.
"Ok, have you heard what happened to Sabertooth?" I asked and he looked at me confused and shook his head, "Ok, well apparently Sting and Rogue got into an argument which caused Rogue to leave. Yes he left Sabertooth." I said this and immediately Jura jumped up.
"HE DID WHAT?! Goddamnit! He was gonna be a key part of the plan, but now he's gone. Shit. Ok, anything else?" He asked and I shook my head, He sighed and stood up, and held his out for me to shake, which I did and looked at me, "Ok, well I will head back to my hotel and wait. I'll see you tomorrow then, correct?"
"Yes, the funerals are tomorrow now. I'll see you then." I said and he left as Freed came back to my door, Jura walked by and clambered away a bit stiffly, "Ok is everyone gathered per my instructions?"
"Yes master Laxus, everyone is accounted for and is waiting for you to begin, are you ready?" Freed said and I nodded. We both walked out of my office and went to the edge of the balcony and looked down. Immediately I saw the guild hall was full, and every pair of eyes were on me, waiting for me to say something. Even the younger ones were waiting for me to say what I wanted to say. Even Gildarts had come back form his little exile and had come with Cana who had been forced to retire from fighting and had taken up a full time job as a fortune teller of cards and a bartender. Then I began to feel I nervous, as I had not really done this before and had no clue on how to start. Then I saw Olive who held Maks in her arms and smiled at me, telling me she believed in me.
It was enough to convince me to start as I cleared my throat and began, "Everyone as you must have heard or seen, Natsu has done it again. He defeated and destroyed an entire guild this time, Quatro Cerberus, and did so all by himself. Yes he beat a guild of one hundred and sixty nine mages by himself, he did it all yesterday, in the span of twenty minutes." I paused and saw no one who looked normal. Everyone was in disbelief and shock, especially Gajeel who didn't think Natsu was that strong, 'Sure strong enough to beat me and him, but an entire guild. Not just any guild either but the sixth highest ranked one in all of Fiore? And that ranking is skewed as they never send their S-class mages to the event, except for Bacchus.' I continued saying, "Yes, it is all true. And as such we will postpone the funerals for a day to allow everyone here to make a decision. As you all most likely know, Gajeel and his family are going to be taking a leave of absence to train for one year after the funerals. And now I offer the same chance to all of you to do the same. If you truly wish, you may leave and train for a year. Bit I must know by tomorrow, so I may take you off the active guild roster and that way it doesn't look like your not doing anything. So I will allow you all to ponder that, but for now go home, rest, reflect, and decide. And if you decide to retire, now would be the time. No one will look down on you if that is what you choose, I wouldn't let them. So if one of those decisions is wracking your mind, then decide quickly but at home. The guild hall is officially closed for the day. Goodbye, and please try and get some rest." 'I know I will, what a mess today has already been.'
Everyone nodded and murmuring began, many pondering what to do for the day and what they were going to do for their futures. Gray however was not among them, and stayed behind as I walked back to my office to lock it. I notice he is still there and I walk down to where he is, and see the look on his face that he had put on since he had woken up a week ago, cold and unreadable. "Lax, er master, I need to tell you my decision. I made it this morning before we were all called here." He said and I nodded, telling Olive to wait outside for me with the usual look. He continued after I nodded for him to continue, "I have decided to do the same as Gajeel is planning on doing. I will go with Lyon and we will train together, hopefully become twice as strong along the way. We never want what happened to us to happen again. I hope you can understand Laxus." He said, bowing his head in respect for his guild master.
"Of course I do. I understand fully and wish you and Lyon success on your travel and journeys. I hope your training goes well, and I have a job for you as well. If you hear anything about where Natsu and his group are hiding, please let us know. That is all I require of you. Now go and prepare yourself, you have a speech to prepare for tomorrow. Goodbye, Gray." I said and held out my hand and we exchanged a handshake, and I thought to myself, 'And I must do the same, I just pray that I can channel my inner Jiji and do this like he would.'
(POV Change to Natsu)
I arrive back at the mansion and see a very upset Lucy waiting for me, tapping her foot impatiently, 'Crap. I forgot she heard everything I thought. So gonna be on bottom tonight.'
"Natsu, why do all the newspapers say you destroyed the guild, not just destroyed the guild but almost killed all of it's mages? What happened to showing some GODDAMN RESTRAINT?!" She yelled the last part and I gulped audibly, knowing I was so fucked.
"Ummm, I wanted to prove a point; that I should be respected, as should everyone who is a part of Ronin. What, do you not approve of my methods, Luce?" I said and stepped close to her, looking her in the eye as she had given me a look that said she did not.
"You went too far and took too long. We both know that you didn't need to paralyze anyone, which five of them now are, one by the fear you instilled in him, and four from severed spinal cords from broken vertebrae. Was that really necessary?" She said and got closer to me, not afraid of me at all, which scared me and caused me to back down.
"I know. I felt the same way about how long it took. But I was extremely mad about the way we were disrespected by those idiots masquerading as the council members. Sorry?" I asked and opened my arms, wondering if she would take the hint and take the hug.
She did, while sighing and saying, "Ok, I understand you big oaf. I hope you just try and control your anger form now on. We have a kid who we should teach the proper values that you were not taught. IGNEEL, this child's behavior is your fault! You forgot to teach him manners!"
"Hey it's not my fault! He's an idiot who never listened! Plus I only had him for a few years, not a long time like most parents!" Igneel yelled in his own defense and they began bickering back and forth and soon enough it turned into a stare down that caused me to break out laughing.
"Hahaha, and I am the one who's called immature! You two are arguing like the kids here! Hahaha" I said and they both we're about to retort something, then stopped and looked at each other. They both smiled and laughed realising that I was right for once.
"You're right, sorry Natsu. Come on let's go inside and rest, it's late already. You can be on top tonight." Lucy said and I quickly picked her up bridal style as she squealed and we ran inside laughing all the way, our family perfect together once more, like my life was as of right now.
The Next Day (Gray POV)
I woke up in my usual sweat, trying to shake the image that had haunted me ever since I had woken up in the infirmary. 'Juvia, I miss you so much... Please wait for me. I will be with you eventually so we can be with you forever. But first, I must get through today.' I thought to myself, the usual mantra I wake up to saying everyday now. I roll out of bed and fix Juvia's hat for the last time, putting it on her pillow like she were looking for it like she always did in the morning but was never able to find as it was on the floor next to my side of the bed. I sighed at the memory and fought back the urge to cry again, I had done it too often lately and instead I thought of the person I hated with my very essence, 'Lucy...' I clenched my fists and stomped around the room putting my clothes on. I had on the suit that I had especially made for today and I kissed Juvia's hat, my way of saying goodbye. I walked outside and made my way to the church, the site of my nightmare.
I walked in and took my seat, barely on time as Laxus was taking the stage to start, "Hello everyone. Thank you for coming today, we are here today to remember those we lost two weeks ago. We know that they are never forgotten, just no longer here with us physically, but they are here with us emotionally, spiritually, and mentally and they always will be for as long as we remember them. We will have one person say some words about each person and then we will be done, first is Gajeel Redfox for Warrod Sequen." Laxus said and Gajeel stood up and made his way to the podium.
He reached the podium and began his speech, "I did not know Warrod well, I only got to know him for a couple of months. But in those two months I got to know him a bit and learned that he was man who loved those he considered his nakama. He loved them and would go to hell and back for them if they needed his help. He would anything for them, and he did, he died helping his nakama fight the enemy once again, the enemy of Fairy Tail as always. He was a man who epitomized the spirit of this guild, that nakama come first as they are your true family and will stay with you through thick and thin. He was the prime example of someone who loved his nakama more than life itself, obviously or else we would not be here. Even though I did not know him very long, I know that he was a man that epitomized Fairy Tail and deserved the title of Co-Founder of Fairy Tail. Thank you for listening." He said and sat down, his speech quick but said with purpose behind every word.
The crowd applauded Gajeel and Laxus made his way to the podium and said to everyone, "Thank you Gajeel, and next we have... myself speaking about Makarov Dreyar." A quiet murmur of surprise broke out among the crowd, stunned that he was going second and not last but he quieted them saying, "Makarov Dreyar was a great man who truly understood what the bond between nakama was. It was a bond made that was thicker than blood and could erase the pain of the past, it could heal any scar and grant immense strength. Every man and woman who walked through the doors of Fairy Tail knows his love for his nakama, just how deeply he cared and how they were the number one priority in his life. They were so important that he excommunicated his own son when he attempted to harm the guild, not even giving it a second thought as he knew that his son was a danger to his precious nakama. He gave everything to this guild and expected nothing in return, just like a father does for his children and to Jiji, everyone in this guild who grew up here was his own child. He raised them, taught them how to live, made them who they are today, except for certain cases. And unfortunately a certain case was his undoing as one of those he truly loved was the one who killed him. But he died doing what he always did, he died protecting his nakama to the very bitter end. He was a man who loved his nakama and like Warrod would do anything for them, even if that meant certain death, which this time was the result. But do not feel bad or sad for him because he died doing what he loved, and he died peacefully knowing he did all he could as Master of Fairy Tail, not only as the third master but as the sixth master as well. He now rests in peace and stands watch over us all, along with the other masters and founders of Fairy Tail. And let his favorite question be the last thing I say be his trademark question, 'Do Fairies have tails?'." He finished and the crowd, at least those who were not crying stood and applauded his great speech, and did so for several minutes before he spoke for the final time that day, or so the plan said, "And now the final speaker, Gray Fullbuster speaking about Juvia Fullbuster."
The crowd went dead silent and now understood why I went last, so I could leave and cry in a hole like I had been doing. I stood and walked over to the podium and began my speech, "Juvia Fullbuster was perhaps the greatest woman to have ever lived. She was loyal, kind, loving, and caring, and as we all know she was all of those things to me twice over. I loved her greatly and did from the moment i first got to know her, but she wasn't always one of us, no originally she was an enemy who saw the light. She saw the light that was Fairy Tail and was attracted to it like a moth to a flame. She never truly knew her family and was an outcast for most of her life but thankfully for not just her but me as well, we found her. Sure at first things were weird between us as she was a tad bit obsessive over me, but I grew to love that part of her. The part that loved and loved, yet never truly never expected much in return, the part that was fiercely loyal, to a fault at time but never did her conviction waver. I loved her with all my heart and know that if she were here today, I would be the happiest man on earth. So to forever immortalize her, I am going to make something for her." I paused and turned around and yelled, "Ice Make: Sculpture J+G!" and a sculpture appeared before me. The crowd gasped and applauded as they saw what it was, a sculpture of Juvia and me. We had our arms interlocked and were both fully clothed, which for once I actually was, and on our left ring finger we each had our wedding rings, the real ones with me on my necklace. Where they would stay forever, close to my heart, I turned around and finished my speech saying, "Juvia and I will never be separated ever again. For so long as I live so will this sculpture of us, and I hope she will wait for me, because when that day comes and I go to join her, I will need her guidance to find her once again." I felt a tear escape my eye and I walked away from the podium to a raucous applause, but I didn't hear it as i began to make my way out of the church so I could pack and prepare the next part of my life, 'Now comes the hard part, the revenge I so desperately desire. I hope it is sweet like always.' And I walked away, alone like always, no family anymore, the fact a perfect reflection of my life as of right now.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
A/N: Wow. That was sad. Kleenex worthy, really. I hope you guys liked this as it needed to be done and I hope you other time zone people do not mind the late update! REMEMBER, if you liked it show me that you did! READ AND REVIEW, OR FAVORITE OR FOLLOW EVEN IF YOU SO PLEASE! ADIOS!