I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

The Tenrou Team Returns

/Natsu's POV/

Natsu slowly opened his eyes and found himself in a strange room, within the room there were two doors with a glowing pillar in the centre.

"Where … am I," Natsu asked as he struggled to stand up."

"We are within your consciousness Natsu," a voice said as Mavis appeared next to him.

"Mavis … why are we here and … why is my body so … heavy?"

"Do you remember how you cast Fairy Sphere Natsu, your magic container is about to be completely empty. In front of you is a choice all casters of the spell must choose, continue to keep the spell active at the cost of your own life force or cancel the spell."

"Oh … is Achnologia gone?"

"I don't know we are in the pocket dimension still, it has been quite some time so it's likely Achnologia is no longer there."

"So if I release the spell … we end up back where we were before, will everyone be ok?"

"They may be disoriented but other than that they will be fine, I am here to make sure you know what your choices are and help you choose the right one."

"Well how long has it been exactly since I cast the spell?"

"Like I said it's been a long time, a few years perhaps?"

"Well then releasing the spell would be a good idea then right," Natsu said as he slowly rose to his feet.

"If you don't want to die then I'd say so," Mavis said with a smile as Natsu nodded.

"Which door is the one that cancels the spell," Natsu asked as he looked between the two."

"The one on the right, remember time will have passed for you all in the real world whilst your friends have remained the same."

"Wait what about me wouldn't I have stayed the same age too?"

Mavis shook her head as she sighed. "The consequence of being the caster of the spell is that you must take the long road of time whilst your friends will only experience a passing moment."

"Well I guess that makes sense Erza might not be too happy about that though."

"Oh I don't know you've grown quite handsome, plus you've gained quite a bit of height on you. I know you can't really tell but now you look more like an adult now than you did before."

"Well maybe that is kind of cool," Natsu said as he slowly walked over to the door.

"Anyway I wish you luck for the future Natsu it was nice getting to talk to someone for once," Mavis said as Natsu gave her a toothy grin.

"See ya later," Natsu said as he opened the door and walked through.

/Team Tenrou's POV/

With a sudden flash Tenrou Island reappeared as everyone looked around confused.

"What … just happened," Erza asked as everyone began to scratch their heads.

Whilst everyone was trying to figure out what had happened Elise took off in the direction of the Tenrou Tree.

"Elise what's wrong," Mira called out before gasping in shock and pointing towards the tree.

Everyone looked at what Mira was pointing at and were shocked to see Natsu suspended above the tree before slowly starting to fall.

Everyone darted towards the tree as Natsu began to pick up speed before Elise caught him in midair as she grunted.

"What the hell you're really heavy, why do you look older?" The two hit the ground as everyone quickly caught up and were surprised at Natsu's appearance.

"What in the world happened to him," Makarov asked as Elise checked his pulse.

"He's alive but his pulse is faint and he doesn't have any magic in him at all, what did he do?"

"That's a good question wasn't Natsu with us at the camp when that Dragon attacked," Mira asked as everyone nodded in agreement.

"I'm not sure what's happened but it seems like he's visibly aged he's the same build and height as Gildarts now?"

"Before you all start theorizing may I please say something," a voice said from the back of the group as Makarov nearly died on the spot.

"First Master what are you doing here!"

"Please I don't have much time to explain but Natsu sacrificed years of his life to protect you all, to you only a moment has passed while he has spent years having his magic constantly drained to maintain the spell to keep you all safe."

"That idiot why does he always have to play the hero," Erza cried as she went down and hugged his unconscious body.

"It's alright Erza now Natsu looks quite attractive don't you think," Mavis teased as Erza seemed to be visibly embarrassed. "Anyway once I disappear he will awaken from what will have been the worst sleep imaginable so please try not to be too hard on him."

Several people were about to protest when Makarov cut them off. "Very well First Master we won't force him to do much until he's ready."

"Thank you for understanding now I must return to my body, goodbye Fairy Tail," Mavis said as she vanished.

Natsu suddenly woke up and had suddenly jumped ten feet in the air dragging a completely shocked Erza with him before realizing where he was.

"Whoa my legs hurt so bad," he said as he landed before sitting down. "Aww looks like none of my clothes fit me anymore."

"Hey Natsu you er feeling alright," Gildarts asked as Natsu shook his head.

"Magic exhaustion and my whole body is practically a wooden board at this point, still at least no one died right?"

Elise went and punched him in the side of the head. "Look at what you went and did to yourself Natsu you got all old on us!"

"Eh better than being dead I guess, so anyone got any food?"

The group collectively sighed as Gildarts gave Natsu his cloak as the group made their way back to camp.

Once the group arrived Natsu immediately sat down and began massaging his legs as Erza looked down at him worried.

"Are you sure you're ok Natsu, with the way you are now I mean?"

Natsu sighed as he looked up at Erza with a small smile. "I did it to protect everyone Erza I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but I think the real question is are you ok with the way I am now?"

"You idiot of course I'm ok with it you might be a few years older than me but your still my boyfriend, besides you did turn out how I pictured you would so I'm not complaining."

"Is that so well I'm glad you like how I am because how I felt was riding on how you felt, anyway I need to ask you something more serious how's Wendy?"

"I won't lie Natsu she's going to have some rather large scars on her arms and across her stomach in fact with the one on her stomach the gash was inches away from spilling her guts so she got lucky."

"By the sounds of it she might be unconscious for a few days then, the last time she got hurt while we were training she fell unconscious for a few days to repair internal injuries using her magic so I'd say she's more seriously wounded than you think."

"I got the guy who did it you know, burnt him to a crisp," Erza said proudly as Natsu looked at her amused.

"The lacrima, I'm guessing Eliza showed you how to use it properly then?"

Erza nodded as she told Natsu the details of the fight while Natsu rested his head on her lap.

"Fire Dragon Queen's Roar," Natsu said mockingly as Erza playfully hit him.

"Shut up what would you call it?"

"No Queen's Roar is the accurate term for it I just thought back to when you were all feral like doing it, knowing that you can use it properly now is just nice to know."

Erza sighed as she recalled biting Natsu as she looked down at the scar she'd left on him before Natsu shook his head.

"I told you I forgive you for that Erza we all make mistakes, speaking of mistakes though how do we get off this island if you let the others sail off with the boat years ago?"

"We'll deal with that when it comes I mean Laxus managed to get here without a boat I'm sure he'd be able to get back to the mainland and get one over here."

"Actually Erza I could only get here because there was a thunderstorm and I was able to ride the electric currents here, until we get another storm I'm goin nowhere," Laxus said as he sat down next to them.

"Thanks for taking out that heart thing for me, what was it anyway?"

"Dunno really it was just this overly large heart attached to the airship by a bunch of wires and stuff so I just roared at it until it blew up."

"Do all Dragon Slayers solve their problems by roaring at them," Erza asked as the two nodded.

"So Natsu do you feel alright after eating some of my lightning, remember the last time you tried that as a kid?"

"Eugh I was in the infirmary for a week but nah I feel fine, well as fine as you can be when you do what I did for who knows how long."

"Well that's good I wondered how you'd do since the little God Slayer told me that you ate actual lacrima crystals once I'm sure that was fun."

"Once again Laxus no it was not but I did what had to be done, so you joining the guild again or what?"

Laxus looked away from the two as Natsu noticed Makarov was listening in on the conversation.

"I dunno it's up to the old man you know that."

"But would you want to join Fairy Tail again, you don't seem hell bent on changing things now and honestly I don't really know if I'd have been able to hold back Hades for as long as I did if you didn't chuck me that extra magic so you basically saved everyone's asses."

"Yeah well like I said it isn't my decision, honestly I do miss the guild and those three over there but I did some messed up stuff and gramps had every reason to kick me out."

"Just stick around after we all get back to the mainland I'll get gramps to let you back in no problem I am the strongest one in the guild now after all."

Natsu began to laugh before a hard boot to the head knocked him back to reality. "What was that I heard you saying Natsu, something about being stronger than me," Gildarts said with an evil grin as the two began punching each other while Erza sighed.

"So much for letting him rest like the First Master wanted."

"Come now Erza you know Natsu doesn't need much rest," Makarov said before clearing his throat. "Laxus I want to talk to you."

"Look I'm sorry I came here alright," Laxus said as the old man shook his head.

"No this isn't about that so just sit down and shut up for a moment so I can say my piece," the old man said as Laxus just sighed and sat down. "Now thanks to you Natsu was able to defeat Grimoire's guild master, from what I understand you came here because you had a feeling we were in trouble and came to help is that correct?"

Laxus looked at Makarov before he nodded as the old man continued.

"From what I understand you helped Natsu in defeating him in more ways than one so you have my thanks, also since it seems you learnt your lesson I'll let you back into the guild BUT you aren't allowed to go bad again," Makarov said with a smile as Laxus just looked at him shocked.

"You're letting me back in, for real?"

"You've learned your lesson I can tell I mean you and Natsu are acting like friends so that's proof enough."

Just as Laxus was about to say something a large airship came into view.

"We aren't under attack again are we," Gajeel grunted as Natsu shook his head.

"That's the Blue Pegasus airship guys can't you recognize it?"

As the airship landed the members of Blue Pegasus walked out and greeted the group.

"So it seems your friends were indeed correct that you all would return some day, the parfum of friendship must be extra potent to sense something such as that," Ichiya said as he did a pose.

Erza was getting visibly annoyed at Jenny who was making no attempt to hide the fact that she was checking out Natsu's practically naked form as almost all the men including Natsu himself put a few metres between them.

"Care for a ride back to Magnolia valued friends?"

"Yeah but can you answer us one question, how long were we gone," Natsu asked as Ichiya stopped doing his usual routine.

"Seven years, officially all of you save Makarov and Natsu are considered dead. The Council still believes that the two of you would have survived given both of your track records."

"So I'm seven years older huh," Natsu said as he looked at himself in the reflection of the airship.

"And lookin mighty fine too meow," Jenny said as Erza looked like she was about to tear her apart.

"Come now you all must be starving, we shall prepare a most wonderful feast full of fabulous parfumes for you to enjoy, after all a seven year appetite must be quite awful to be grappling with after what you went through."

/Outskirts of Magnolia/

The airship had taken a few hours to reach Magnolia but finally arrived sometime just after lunch or in Natsu's case fifth lunch, the airship landed outside a strange looking farm as everyone looked confused.

"Listen Fairy Tail didn't fare so well after you all disappeared, while you aren't the worst guild in Fiore thanks to the work of the members that managed to escape Tenrou it was agreed by all your remaining members that you simply couldn't afford to keep your original guild hall," Hibiki said as the other Trimens nodded in agreement.

"So this is our guild hall now," Natsu asked as they nodded in agreement.

"Not for long though now that your back right," Ren said as they nodded in agreement. "We'll leave you guys here I'm sure the others will want to come over and see you guys."

Natsu nodded not really paying attention as he walked towards the front of the guild doors as ten men came out shouting about debts. One of the men bumped into Natsu and fell over as the rest surrounded him.

"Hey watch where you're going Fairy trash or we'll quadruple your debt again!"

"Come on now man look at this guy he doesn't even have any pants he can't pay shit," another one said as they began to laugh.

"Well then boys you know what we do to a Fairy who can't pay back his debts now don't we!"

"I'll tell you bastards what you are gonna do," Natsu said as he picked up the man in front of him. "You're gonna give back every last cent you took from everyone in there, then your all gonna turn around and apologize to them and then you're gonna pray to whatever God you believe in I don't break your thieving little hands," Natsu said as all the thugs quickly began to attack him attracting the attention of the others.

"Not even back a minute and he's started a fight," Makarov sighed before realizing Natsu wasn't playing around.

Dropping the man who he was holding onto his knee a loud crack could be heard as the man's back made contact. "You wanna play it like that huh, fine."

Natsu began taking out each and every one of the mages while everyone looked on in shock until there was only one left. Natsu punched the mage in the chest sending him flying through the door startling everyone inside.

Making his way inside Natsu heard several glasses shatter as he picked up and threw the thug back outside.

"Sorry that trash told me he was taking your money so I just thought I'd get it back for you," he said with a grin as Macao walked up to him before seeing the crowd gathered outside.

"Guys they're finally back," Macao shouted as everyone began to cheer except Natsu who walked past Macao and over to the purple haired girl at the bar who was blushing furiously at Natsu's lack of clothing.

"Hey sorry about the lack of clothes but I don't have any right now, so how about a drink and filling me in on what's been going on these last seven years," Natsu said as he dropped some jewel on the table with a grin.

After several people explained what had happened to the guild over the last seven years and its decline from the top Natsu could only sigh.

"Well at least Gray, Juvia, Ur, Cana and Elfman did their best, speaking of those guys where are they?"

"All out on jobs at the moment though most of them should return within a week," Macao said as Natsu looked at him confused.

"So who isn't returning in a week or so?"

"Ur, who knows when she'll be coming back we haven't seen her in years. A few weeks after the initial search for you guys found nothing she went up to the S Class board and took everything that wasn't a Century Quest and left with her daughter and Meredy, every now and then one of the missions is mailed to us saying it's been completed so who knows when she'll be back."

"Damn she must have actually been taking that quite hard," Natsu said as everyone nodded in agreement.

"We all did Natsu to lose all of you like that was damn heartbreaking you know but deep down we all knew you guys would come back so we hung on as best we could."

"Yeah taking crap from those thugs and other horrible stuff," Natsu said with a frown.

"Oh yeah Twilight Ogre, a year after you guys left they came and set up shop immediately extorting us for the right to operate in their territory whenever Gray and the others weren't in town."

Natsu stood up and made his way to the door. "I'm gonna go into town and get some clothes so I'll see you guys later."

Walking outside Natsu's face turned deadly serious as he looked to his left and saw Elise sitting on a hay bale sharpening one of her ebony swords. Nodding at Natsu she stood up as he looked over at a nearby tree as Erza and Mira both nodded in his direction.

"Don't want to ruin the seriousness of the moment but I'm gonna need clothes before we do this," Natsu said as Erza pulled some from her requip space.

"Mira and I went and got them while you and the Master were talking to everyone, using Gildarts as the scale these should fit you quite well," Erza said as she handed Natsu a pair of long black pants with a red coloured button up shirt.

"I'm fine going barefoot for awhile now let's go," Natsu said as the three girls nodded.

Erza couldn't help but look up at Natsu as he seemed so much older and more confident, she couldn't help but be awestruck by the way he carried himself.

"Natsu you could almost pass for the Master looking like that," Mira said with a small giggle as Natsu looked at her confused.

"Mira means the beard and hair you idiot," Elise pointed out as she tugged on his beard.

"Oh right I honestly didn't notice that hang on," Natsu said as the hair on his face seemed to set alight leaving him with nothing but a smooth face. "Think I might keep the longer hair though this time just have train my bangs to not cover my eyes and it could be cool."

"Why not just do what Gajeel does and slick it back that way there isn't a chance of it getting in your eyes," Erza asked as Natsu mentally pictured himself looking like Gajeel.

"Nah I'd rather have my own look you know, maybe I'll just shorten my bangs at the front," Natsu said as he summoned a small dagger from his requip space and cut the bangs back just above his eyes.

"So your keeping the wild hair now huh, you know when you first came back I didn't like it but now that I look at it it's kind of cool," Erza said as she looked at the hair that went down Natsu's back.

"Anyway enough of the fun stuff we've got a job to do," Natsu said as the three turned serious again as they entered the city. Speaking to some of the locals they quickly found the guild they were looking for.

Natsu knocked on the door three times as a man answered. "Yeah what do you want?"

"We're from Fairy Tail and we want to talk to your guild master about our debt," Natsu said calmly as the man at the door asked them to wait a moment before running inside.

After several minutes the man returned with a grin and let them in, taking them to the main hall he motioned for them to sit on a couch opposite a very smug looking man who was smoking a cigar.

Natsu took a seat as Erza and Mira stood on each side of him as the man began to laugh.

"So you're the one that did in me boys eh honestly you don't look like much to me, still at least you had the sense to come and talk business."

"And what is your name," Natsu asked with an amused look on his face.

"Eh you don't know who I am, come to think of it I don't think I've seen you lot around before. Well I'm Banaboster the master of this here guild."

"So you're the main man in charge huh good because I'm not here to play around just to talk business."

"Alright then have it your way I can see you're a reasonable looking guy so here's the way I see the new deal, you give us 95% of your guilds earnings plus pay for my boys medical costs and we'll call it even."

"95% huh, see the way I see this going Banaboster is that you not only return everything you took from the guild since you arrived but also cover the costs of every last thing your guild members broke of ours while doing so and we can call it even," Natsu said with a smug grin.

"Eh what the hell do you think this is pal you ain't the one callin the shots here, I give you a pretty reasonable deal and you go and try to pull a stunt like that! Besides you ain't even offered the alternative if we say no, you already know what ours will be but let's hear yours?"

As Banaboster finished his sentence hundreds of guild members filed into the hall with grins on their faces as Natsu just simply sighed.

"Well we tried to be fair but you just had to be like this huh, alright I'll tell you the alternative. You give us every last bit of Jewel you own and we don't plaster you and your thug's faces along the streets of Magnolia."

"Yeah you see as tempting as that is I'm gonna have to decline both options pal, guess no ones gonna miss you anyways so take care of em boys."

Just as the mages behind the group were about to attack they suddenly dropped to the floor as a single orb of blood red could be seen in the darkness.

"In a war it always helps to be three steps ahead of the enemy," Elise said as her one eye bored into Banaboster's scaring the wits out of him. "Then again this isn't war, just sport," she said suddenly appearing next to Natsu.

"You see you guys think your guild is strong because you have numbers, because you can bully others and take their things without them putting up a fight.

Banaboster was on his feet as a cold black mace crushed the desk between the two as Erza requiped into her Purgatory Armor.

"You think that you can just run all over people all the while hiding behind your guilds oh so mighty name."

The room started to become encircled in darkness as Mira entered her Satan Soul.

"But guess what Twilight Ogre, you messed with the wrong people," Natsu said as his skin began to turn into scales and his teeth became razor sharp. Pointing one of his claws at Banaboster Natsu grinned slyly. "Just remember you had a choice."

Banaboster and the members of Twilight Ogre were frozen in fear as they looked at the monsters in front of them before they quickly went about demolishing everyone in the guild.

An hour later the group stood outside the Twilight Ogre guild as Natsu wiped some blood off his hands.

"Natsu we just got you that shirt don't dirty it," Erza sighed.

"Hey nowhere else to clean my hands except the river and that's across town, besides we've got to put this money away until we can use it later."

"Your house has that vault right," Mira asked as he nodded.

"Yeah we can keep it in there for now, it's a bit of a walk but who's really gonna mess with us anyway."

"Can we get something to eat on the way I'm starving," Elise said with a desperate look.

"Afterwards we can, we're carrying a lot of jewel so we need to put it away as soon as possible."

"Aww but I'm hungry," she whined in response as Erza gave her a pat on the back.

"Its ok we'll all go out and get something to eat right after I promise I'm pretty hungry too."

"That makes three of us," Mira added as Natsu sighed.

"Alright I'm hungry too where are we eating AFTER we put the jewel away safely?"

"How about that restaurant that your friend owns Natsu," Erza asked as Mira was in his face in seconds.

"Your friends with a Head Chef Natsu which one is it tell me tell me tell me!"

"Shrikke," Natsu sighed as Mira practically exploded asking him all sorts of questions as they made their way to Dragneel Manor.

Arriving at the manor Natsu was surprised to see that the house was in as good condition as they had left it, walking up to the front door Natsu opened the door and was met with a knee in the face.

Natsu merely stood there processing what just happened as the three girls behind him looked at the scene in shock.

"Who are you and why are you here," a familiar voice asked as Natsu removed the knee from his face.

"You smell familiar but it can't be you, you look so … grown up?"

"You'd better start talking before I get my friend over here to finish the job buddy!"

"Would that friend be Ultear by any chance," Natsu asked as the girl looked at him in shock.

"How do you know that!"

"Well for one her scent is all over the place and two I think I remember you too but you looked like a kid back then."

The girl looked embarrassed as Natsu sighed. "Look the owner of this house isn't here right now so you don't have any business here!"

"Yeah the owner of the house is here and he wants to go inside," Natsu said as the girl looked at him before recognizing his salmon pink hair and her eyes widened in shock.

"Oh my god it's you," she almost screamed as Natsu heard a second pair of footsteps making their way downstairs.

"Meredy what's taking you so long it's probably just another-." Dropping everything in her hands the second woman was immediately in Natsu's face poking him.

"Uh guys a little help," Natsu asked as Erza, Mira and Elise just began laughing at him.

"You can't be here that's impossible and you look so … so …?"

"Handsome," Erza added as she nodded.

"Well I was going to say dashing but- oh my god you're all here!"

"Can we come inside now," Natsu asked as she nodded quickly as the group made their way inside. "Alright let's get down to the vault quickly."

"There's a vault in this house," Meredy asked as Ultear nodded.

"Mother told me to guard it before we left it has all of Natsu's money in it that he doesn't use."

"Yeah well it's about to get a lot more after out latest conquest."

"I was about to ask where you got all that jewel from?"

"We took everything Twilight Ogre had," Natsu said with a smug grin as Ultear sighed and shook her head.

"Well they had it coming I suppose, guess you found out what they did to Fairy Tail then?"

"Yeah and we kicked their asses for it," Elise said as the others nodded.

"So what are you doing living here, I don't mind I'm just curious," Natsu asked as Ultear nodded.

"A fair question, since we are technically still criminals we've been forced into hiding so mother brought us here before she ran off on her crazy S Class crusade. She told me to protect this place with everything I've got because it contains everything the two of you treasured most."

"Well she's right about that, gotta say I don't regret giving her a key now," Natsu said with a grin as they reached the kitchen. "Alright everyone stand back."

Natsu held out his hand and suddenly one of the kitchen walls disappeared revealing a stairway that went downward.

"This was here the whole time," Meredy asked in disbelief.

"Yeah but I'm trusting you not to tell anyone ok," Natsu replied as she nodded before the group made their way down.

After walking for a few minutes the group hit a door and Natsu pulled out a key and unlocked it as a large vault door began to make all sorts of strange clicking noises until it swung open slightly and a bright light began to shine out.

With one hand Natsu opened the vault door completely revealing his entire fortune.

"Huh it got bigger in seven years," Natsu said amused as the others excluding Erza looked at him completely stunned.

"This is a cave, a cave full of treasure! How is all this down here," Ultear asked shocked.

"This is where my Saints pay ends up, Erza and I agreed not to touch it to see how much we could get and it's looking pretty good. Hey Erza we could build you a jewel armor out of this wouldn't that be funny!"

"Speaking of armor the armory seems to be full of jewel now we'll have to work on shoveling it out later."

"You two are never getting free stuff from the guild again," Mira said as Natsu suddenly looked worried.

"No come on Mira we're saving it for later don't do this to us!"

"Natsu look at how much jewel is down here you could swim in that!"

"Natsu and Erza's shout for lunch," Elise said as she dived into the jewel leaving Natsu to just sigh and shake his head before grabbing all the bags of jewel they'd taken from Twilight Ogre and putting it into a corner.

"Alright fill your pocket then we're leaving," Natsu said as everyone except Erza looked at him hopeful. "Yes you all can too," he sighed as they began quickly stashing jewel wherever they could.

"Oh man I'm going to buy sooo much food with this," Elise said as the group made their way back into the kitchen.

"Thank you for letting us have some too Natsu," Ultear said as he waved his hand.

"Look I let Ur take whatever she wants from there since she takes care of my house and since you've been doing that for who knows how long I figured you may as well do the same. By the way you're welcome to stay we've got more rooms than Erza has armor."

"Thanks Natsu we'd love to stay but we should probably let you know about something we did during the seven years you were gone."

"Ok it's not bad is it?"

"Well … we kind of broke Jellal out of prison …"

Erza looked shocked while Natsu simply shook his head. "As reckless as that is I don't mind, where is he at the moment?"

"Hiding in the attic," Ultear said which shocked Natsu as he was upstairs in seconds climbing up the ladder.

"Oi Jellal," Natsu shouted as the blue haired man appeared fearful for a moment before Natsu sat down across from him. "What was the big idea attacking me like that back during the Nirvana incident huh!"

Jellal just looked at him in shock or confusion as he looked around him before back to the man. "Was it something I said?"

"No it's just … your alive … Ultear said that all of you were blasted by Achnologia so I'd assumed-."

"Oh that yeah nah I saved everyone but it put us in an alternate dimension for seven years. So anyway why are you living up in my attic?"

"Well I am a wanted criminal you know so it's not like I have a lot of places to go, right now I've just stopped off to resupply before I go back out and continue my work."

"Your work, what type of work are you doing?"

"I've formed an Independent Guild called Crime Sorciere which exists to eradicate Dark Guilds from Fiore."

"Hey that's not a bad idea how many people are in it?"

"Just myself, Ultear and Meredy for now. I suppose you could also call this guild a guild of redemption for those who have committed crimes against the people and are looking to atone."

"Well I've got no problem with you using my house if that's what your gonna do but get out of my attic and use one of the many damn rooms in the house there's heaps of them you could've picked instead of here!"

"Alright it is your house Natsu, also I'm glad you didn't die," Jellal said as Natsu stood up and jumped back down to the third floor.

Making his way back downstairs he noticed everyone waiting for him at the door.

"Natsu you promised we could go eat after we put the jewel away I'm starving," Elise whined as Natsu shook his head.

"Alright we're going, you two need us to pick anything up while we're out?"

"Oh we're coming too Natsu did you forget that I'm a master of disguise," Ultear said as both her and Meredy turned into two average looking women.

"Poor Jellal has to sit inside while we get to go party, suppose I'd better bring him something back," Natsu sighed as the group made their way to Shrikke's restaurant.

As the group turned the corner Natsu pointed at the restaurant before realising something was off.

"There's no one here, Shrikke's food is second to none," Natsu said confused as he made his way to the front door which was boarded up.

"You won't find any service here sir," an old man who was sitting on a bench next to the door said as Natsu looked at him confused.

"What happened to this place old timer?"

"Chef Shrikke had to leave due to some letter he received two years ago, closed the business and away he went. He did tell us before he let us go that there may be a pink haired man who might stop by one day and should he ever appear to give him this," the old man said as he handed Natsu a letter.

Opening the letter Natsu could only gasp in shock.

Natsu

If you've gotten back to Magnolia and I'm no longer here then you know what's happened, both yours and Gildarts' letters are currently above you I'm sure you'll figure out where.

Please thank my staff if they've stuck around this long for me for I do not deserve such loyalty.

Shrikke

Natsu immediately looked up and noticed two letters sticking out of the roof, jumping up he grabbed them before realising who it was from.

"No … oh no … don't tell me!"

Everyone was looking at Natsu concerned as Erza touched him on the shoulder lightly.

"Natsu what's wrong," she asked before he took off in the direction of Gildarts' house.

Running as fast as he could Natsu arrived at his house but flew straight through the door causing the Crash Mage to jump in the air.

"Natsu what the hell do you think you're-." Gildarts stopped speaking as soon as he saw the letters in Natsu's hands and immediately helped him up.

"Where'd you find these?"

"Shrikke's left two years ago he left the orders at his old restaurant," Natsu said as he handed the orders to Gildarts and opened his own letter.

Dearest Natsu

As the design of the letter suggests you know what this is, the war has escalated and the Council is requesting all assets be returned to Scarlione immediately. I'd heard that you and Gildarts were both attacked by that monster for a third time and your whereabouts are currently unknown but I believe you both still live!

So here I am officially ordering you to return to the Scarlione Empire as soon as you have read the orders, I know I told you I wouldn't ask you to return but my hands are tied on this matter.

Please have a safe journey and I pray for your swift arrival.

Queen Illyandra Scarlione VII

"We're being recalled," Natsu said as the others had just arrived.

"Looks like it we have to go immediately," Gildarts said as he started packing his things.

"Hold on slow down a minute where are the two of you going," Erza asked as Natsu sighed.

"The Queen of Scarlione has recalled us to fight in the war that's where Shrikke is too, if she's recalling us then things must be bad."

"So you're leaving again, for how long?"

"I don't know," Natsu said as Erza crossed her arms.

"Well I'm coming this time no questions about it!"

"Erza you'd be walking into a full on war you realize that right," Gildarts said as Elise piped up.

"Well that means I can come then right since I'm a War God Slayer?"

Natsu just looked at the two before sighing. "There's one person you're all forgetting you know, who's gonna look after Wendy?"

Elise and Erza suddenly looked guilty as Natsu sighed.

"Actually Natsu the kid woke up before you guys left she was looking for you," Gildarts said as Natsu looked at him shocked.

"And you didn't think to say that earlier because …?"

"Well this is a pretty important issue, go grab her and lets meet at the station in twenty ok."

Natsu was out the door in seconds as he raced to the guild, seeing the blue haired slayer sitting outside by herself he seemingly appeared out of thin air startling her.

"N-N-Natsu where'd you come from!"

"Sorry … just running … really fast," Natsu said between breaths as he sat down.

"Why do you look so old?"

"Magic I used to save everyone Wendy now look I don't have time to explain but I need to ask you something, wanna come to Scarlione with me?"

"To Scarlione that's the place you became really strong isn't it," Wendy asked as she traced her scar subconsciously as Natsu gave her a pat on the head.

"I hope you don't feel bad about losing to that guy Wendy it sounds like he even gave Erza a run for her money, besides now you're like me with some sweet battle scars."

"They won't go away will they," Wendy asked as she leant on Natsu as he shook his head.

"No but the way I look at it why would you want them too if they can serve as a reminder of previous mistakes and how to do things better the next time around?"

"Is that how you look at all your scars?"

"Well all of them except the one on my neck that one is first lovers spat but still you get my point."

"So you still want me to come with you to Scarlione, what about Erza?"

"Erza's coming too so are Gildarts and Elise, I was worried about leaving you here alone since I thought you were still unconscious and I didn't want you to wake up thinking I had abandoned you."

"I'll come to Scarlione then but when are we going?"

"That's a good question boy when are you going," Makarov asked as Natsu sighed.

"Gramps I'm in my late twenties now I'm not a boy you know."

"Your forty years younger than me so I'll call you boy all I want now answer the question."

"We have to leave right now, Erza and Elise want to come and now Wendy's coming too."

"Well I understand the politics of it so I won't argue but where is all the money you took from that guild?"

"You knew about that huh?"

"Yes I knew you'd go to get it back at some point today," Makarov replied.

"Take this key and give it to Mira for me gramps, that key leads to my personal vault and Mira knows where it is."

"All right I'll take it to her now you lot better all come back safe."

"Don't worry I won't let anything happen also what do I do about the Council wanting to see us about our Wizard Saints positions?"

"I'll just tell them you've been called to Scarlione on a job and that'll be the end of it until you get back."

"Ah ok thanks gramps," Natsu said as he picked up Wendy. "Alright Wendy you know the drill," he said as she held on tight before he took off in the direction of the station.

Arriving at the station Natsu put Wendy down as Erza and Elise walked over to them. "Look at you Wendy now you're a real fighter like us," Elise said with a grin as she pointed at the scars.

"Do you guys have bad scars like this too?"

"Well yeah but in places I can't really show you in public," Elise said as Erza sighed.

"Alright enough teasing her let's get on so Gildarts and Natsu can tell us a bit about what we're walking into," Erza said as the group boarded the train.

Making their way over to the booth Gildarts had found for them they all sat down as Natsu sealed the door to the room.

"Alright now I'm not gonna sugar-coat this for you three where we're going if you screw up you have a high chance of dying."

"Well if Natsu was able to survive there as a kid surely we should be fine," Elise asked as Gildarts shook his head.

"You have no idea how many times he almost died there, barring the obvious Achnologia threat there are still countless others including a full on war that's been raging for the last twenty four years."

"In other words go for the kill in any fight then?"

"Exactly it seems you three understand the importance of that now after Tenrou but Wendy still needs to be eased into it."

"Killing you mean," Wendy asked as the group nodded. "If they threaten us then we should kill them without hesitation right?"

Natsu raised an eyebrow at the statement as Erza looked at her slightly worried. "Wendy are you sure your ok with what happened to you?"

"I'm fine Erza really, to be honest killing people who try to kill you or your friends makes sense otherwise I could end up like I did before or worse."

"Don't look at me Erza I taught Elise that not her," Natsu said as he felt her glare on him.

"Well it's one thing to talk big kid but another to perform the act, still at least you understand the importance of it," Gildarts sighed.

"So how long is it going to take us to reach Scarlione," Erza asked as Natsu sighed.

"Try six months."

Erza, Elise and Wendy looked at the two shocked as the train slowly made its way out of Magnolia.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you in the next one!