I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

Return From Scarlione … A Tournament?

It had been three weeks since Natsu and the others had departed from Scarlione and the group were dead tired, about half way Wendy began to complain and used her fearsome pout ability to coerce Natsu into carrying her back to Magnolia much to his dismay.

The group had finally arrived back, Erza wasn't happy that she missed out on a potentially good fight, Elise was still mad at Natsu for forgetting about her, Wendy was just glad everyone was ok and Gildarts … well he just needed a stiff drink.

Natsu on the other hand was keeping the details of his fight atop the mountain where Felix was located a secret; it wasn't that he didn't trust the others rather he didn't trust anyone besides them. Being E.N.D could bring forth dangers by the likes of which Fairy Tail had never seen before and Natsu would die before he ever put them in danger because of him.

So he simply made up a story one that even Gildarts managed to believe after a little convincing of course Natsu knew that the old man would figure it out eventually as he always does but for now the lie will do.

The team had arrived in Magnolia and began to make their way over to where the relocated guild hall was, it had been so long since they had been there that they initially forgot and went to the original Fairy Tail guild hall.

As the group entered the hall the loud drunken cries soon went silent as the group made their way inside, Natsu was making his way to the bar when his old rival suddenly made his presence known.

"Oi Natsu," Gray shouted as he turned him around and was about to punch him in the face only to stop and look at him in concern. "Hey are … are you ok?"

"Everyone in the guild looked at Natsu not sure at what Gray was referring to but several people did know one of them being Makarov.

"Mira get me two of the strongest drinks you have and bring em outside for me," Makarov said as he whispered for Natsu to follow him to which the pinkette could only nod.

Once the two were outside Gray rounded on the rest of the group. "So what the hell happened over there Natsu looks like he's just come back from a war!"

"That's because he did Gray," Elise replied as she went to the bar to get a drink herself.

"Wait … so that wasn't just some lame excuse?"

"Gray you've had seven plus years to mature and the first thing you do is say some stupid shit like that … I'm disappointed in you," Gildarts sighed as he went over to the bar gunning for the strong stuff.

"Don't look at us we missed most of the action the most I saw was Gildarts lose his metal arm," Erza said as Gray scratched the back of his head.

"Damn I … I didn't actually think that you guys were going to a warzone I shouldn't have tried to start anything."

"I'm sure Natsu understands that he just … needs some time."

Meanwhile outside Makarov and Natsu sat on a fencepost silenty drinking when Natsu began to speak.

"So I had to make a call … a big one and the actual effects of it are only just starting to hit me."

"Oh and what might that be?"

"Well basically I found out that the enemy commanders were some of the Spriggan 12 who I'm sure you know all about right?"

"Yes the Council never stops going on about them why which ones did you get?"

"Dimaria Yestia, Brandish and Irene Belserion."

"Not her," Makarov said as he visibly paled.

"At the time I was freaking out since Scarlione was being crushed, Queen Illyandra no longer had access to the power that made her feared and Alvarez was undoubtedly going to win the war. So I told Illy that the team and I … we were gonna go find Felix and settle that matter then leave."

"Felix was one of the ones on that team you were a part of years ago wasn't he I remember Gildarts mentioning him?"

"Yeah that'd be him anyway we start heading to the mountain where he was last sighted right and everything was going smoothly when suddenly while me and Elise are out hunting bloody Irene herself appears and said she had business with me and to get me alone she released a god damn Demon on the others that only Elise could combat since it could manipulate time!"

"My that does sound rather troubling."

"Yeah well then Irene whisked me away to the top of the mountain and suddenly I'm met with Felix but … but … but he's already dead," Natsu choked out through pained sobs. "The guy was standing right in front of me with holes in his face and chest yet was slamming me for the decisions I made back when I was younger!"

Makarov looked at Natsu with a worried expression he couldn't remember the last time Natsu looked genuinely sad let alone breaking down like this.

"And then … he starts spouting this stuff about Achnologia and just like that … he's gone … and in his place was … one of Achnologia's Harbingers!"

Now this had Makarov's undivided attention it had been a century at least since a Harbinger had last been sighted and that one alone took six of the ten Wizard Saints to defeat.

"So I fought him … some stuff happened … I learned a few things … and … I killed it but … but then it turned back into Felix and then Irene appeared again and then Achnologia appeared then-!"

"NATSU," Makarov shouted getting the young man's attention. "It's alright you're home now it's safe, by the sounds of it you are suffering from seriously delayed shock how much sleep have you had since you left Scarlione.

"A few hours."

"You need some time to rest I think you seem to wind up in such stressful situations far too often, considering that you managed to fight and defeat a Harbinger alone and then face down one of the strongest Spriggan and deal with Achnologia in the same day I'd say you did pretty good."

"But I left them gramps I abandoned Scarlione and Illy when they needed my help!"

"Tell me this Natsu what could you have honestly done had you have stayed?"

"Well surely I could've … well maybe I would've …"

"Natsu sometimes a leader is forced to make hard decisions and ones that can lead to people they care about resenting them for it, I myself face the consequences of decisions I make every day. Just look at that whole mess with Laxus that all happened because I decided to kick my son Ivan out of the guild a decision that although it earned me the resentment of my grandson for a long time it was ultimately necessary for the survival of the guild."

"So what you are basically saying is that sometimes no matter what choice we make there will be consequences?"

"Precisely my boy though I must say the odds of Scarlione winning sounded pretty slim so I'd say you made the right call after all you didn't want to put the lives of the others on the line did you?"

"They're the reason why I made the decision it's just … war is so fucked up."

"Heh well that's a colourful way of putting it but yes it is Natsu, sometimes things like war just happen for the most petty of reasons but we must never lose faith in ourselves for the day we do will be the day that this world truly ends."

"Hey old man … all these years I spent being so sure of myself yet I was shaken up bad within a day … do you ever recover from stuff like that?"

"I won't lie to you sometimes people don't but it more depends on the person in question, you Natsu are a person with a strong will, keen mind and a good heart so someone like you would fare far better than someone like … oh let's say Nab for example."

"Mmhm its just I learned a few things about my past while I was in Scarlione and it's taken me awhile to absorb it all and really understand who I really am and to be honest I don't know how to feel. But when you mention what it takes for a person to make it through the tough times I think of Erza, Wendy, Elise, Gildarts, you and even the ice pop and somehow I find the strength to keep going."

"That's one thing that's always been a given about you Natsu you let your emotions fuel your power which is one of the most powerful sources to draw from, I won't pry into your personal life Natsu because everyone has their secrets but I will say this … even if the world turns on you Fairy Tail will be there for you as you have been for it time and time again."

"Thanks gramps … I mean it, so are you Master again or …."

"Oh gods no we've been waiting for you lot to get back to announce the Fifth Master but I think I'll hold off on it until tomorrow alright."

"Thanks I need a little more time to clear my head I think," Natsu said as he made his way over to the forests edge. "Can you tell Erza and Wendy I'll be home tonight?"

"Of course just look after yourself my boy," Makarov replied with a wave as he watched Natsu disappear into the forest.

"Everyone has their dark days Natsu … even you it seems."

In the forest Natsu walked into a clearing and just laid down enjoying the sounds of nature around him.

"Well you've certainly been a busy little fairy haven't you?"

Natsu shot up from his position and his eyes nearly burst from their sockets when he saw a familiar face sitting on a log.

"First Master how the hell are you here!"

"Oh I've been with you the whole time Tenrou was boring and I wanted to go on an adventure, that tattoo I gave you allowed me to hitch a ride and boy did I pick a winner to travel with."

"So you know what I really am?"

"Well I was there when it happened I was even there for all the mindscape stuff too."

"Oh … and what do you think about all of it?"

"Hmm that's a tough one … well if I had any comments about what really happened then it'd be that you aren't telling anyone. But I understand why you are choosing to keep silent something like that being made public wouldn't look to good on the guild and could lead to all kinds of trouble."

"Yeah," Natsu said as he looked away from Mavis who paced around the clearing.

"You know from what I saw you doing in Scarlione I'd say you did the right thing getting out of there, from a professional point of view things were going downhill for the rebels in almost every way and those few victories you did earn them weren't anything that would have made any significant difference."

"Well if the Fairy Tactician herself believes my decision was a good one then who am I to argue," Natsu said with a small smile but Mavis could still see the pain behind his eyes.

"I went through the same thing as you when I was your age you know during the wars right around when Fairy Tail was first founded, making decisions that weren't always clear cut you don't really get over them and nor should you instead you just accept that what's done is done and move on."

"Yeah gramps was saying something along those lines too."

"He too has the age to back up such a claim after all you don't get to that age without gaining some knowledge on the subject."

Natsu and Mavis sat in the clearing in silence for a few minutes until Natsu thought of something.

"So why did you never make your presence known before now if you were there?"

"Oh I didn't want to get in the way besides only those with the Fairy Tail guild mark can even see me so to anyone else it would have looked like you were talking to yourself."

"Even still you could have told me you were coming along Mavis …"

"But where's the fun in that besides you might have said no and I couldn't have that!"

"I most likely would have said yes since you pretty much saved us all back on Tenrou I owed you big time remember?"

"Hehe well I guess I forgot that part oh well," Mavis said with that cute childlike innocence that Natsu swore was all an act.

"Right sure you did … so are you planning on sticking around?"

"Of course but only for a little while it takes magic for me to be here so I'll be coming and going through the seal I placed on you."

"Oh … wonderful," Natsu said dryly.

"Anyway don't fret too much on things it's not healthy remember you have a family that cares for you let them shoulder some of the burden for you they'd be more than willing to help," Mavis said as she vanished leaving Natsu alone.

"Family …. I can't tell them about it though …. Not after all I've learned. Hang on wasn't Igneel supposed to fill me in on what he's been doing, oi old bastard!"

Natsu received no response which only annoyed him even more as he tried and failed to enter his mind as he did before.

"You're a real bastard Igneel you know that," Natsu sighed as he got up and made his way out of the clearing and into town.

Walking through town Natsu watched the goings on with little interest, civilians going about their days without a care in the world not knowing that a Demon walked among them.

"They lead such simple lives free of most of life's problems," Natsu muttered as he made his way home.

On the way to his house Natsu walked past Magnolia park and noticed Gray sitting under the large tree, sighing he made his way over.

"So what's eating you ice pop?"

"Oh hey Natsu look I'm sorry about earlier I wasn't very considerate of your situation, we're both adults and I acted like a child."

"Its fine Gray but if you don't mind me asking why were you gonna punch me in the face?"

"Well it's just … you and everyone else were gone for seven years, that's a long time to live thinking all your buddies are dead. One day I come back from a job with Juvia to find you all suddenly back and none of you had even aged a day I was stunned, I thought it had to be a miracle. But then I start looking around some more and I didn't see you, Erza, Wendy, Elise or even Gildarts so I ask gramps I say 'hey where's Natsu and the others?' Gramps looks at me and says that you all went off to fight in some war the same day you all got back and … and I got mad. I was mad because I heard that you and Gildarts had to go but you went and dragged the others into it, you'd all just escaped Achnologia and then you go off to fight in some war at the time I couldn't handle it I thought that you were full of shit and just opting to run off again like you did all those years ago."

"Gray …."

"The seven years were hard Natsu Fairy Tail has fallen to the state it's in now because Juvia and I weren't strong enough to defend it and do you know what I thought every time I looked at the guild hall, I bet Natsu could have done it he could have done nearly anything if it meant helping the guild. So when you went off to Scarlione without so much as a goodbye it made me so mad."

"You did all you could Gray no one was asking any more of you."

"When you came back today I couldn't believe it you were all there right in front of me and you went straight for the bar as if you'd been doing it alongside everyone for the last seven years and that got me really mad, I went up to you thinking I'd punch your lights out for abandoning us but when I saw your eyes … those eyes all I could see was sadness, regret, anger and confusion. The eyes that all of us had for those seven years that all of you were gone and I … I just couldn't even bring myself to hit you my anger just died there replaced by shame."

"Gray listen you had nothing to be ashamed of you didn't know the extent of my prior commitments to Scarlione you could've been right for all you knew, as for the others coming well you know how Erza is about me she flat out refuses to let me out of her sight unless it's necessary since I left all those years ago, Elise always looks to fight stronger opponents and Wendy is much like Erza she doesn't want me abandoning her like her old guild and Grandina did. Scarlione was a war torn country that I already didn't have the fondest memories of but when I got there it was even worse since some of my former teammates were either dead, captured or had their powers taken from them. The Alvarez Empire were either killing or enslaving the citizens of Scarlione and I couldn't do anything long term to save them so I made a choice that we all leave since I couldn't risk putting the others in harm's way."

"You know if this was the me from seven years ago I'd have chewed you out for running but now your decision makes perfect sense, you wanted to protect them since you didn't know if you had the strength to do it if things went south."

"Yeah that's the conclusion I'm coming to, as things stand all the stuff that happened in Scarlione is still processing in my mind and it might take a bit for me to really understand exactly what happened."

"Well me and everyone else at the guild will be there for you Natsu like always, Fairy Tail always takes care of its own you know."

Natsu nodded as the two sat in silence for a few minutes when Natsu began to speak.

"Since when did you wear a scarf didn't think any sort of clothing item suited you?"

"Oh this … it was a gift."

"Really … from Juvia?"

"Yeah we're …. we're a thing now," Gray said as he scratched the back of his head.

"I was wondering when that was gonna happen nice job, Erza's gonna go nuts when she finds out."

"If that's true she'll die when she finds out Alzack and Bisca got married and have a kid," Gray said with a small laugh as Natsu looked at him in shock.

"Really that actually happened what else did I miss!"

Gray suddenly turned serious when he looked at Natsu. "Actually there is one thing I wanted to ask you about."

"Oh this ought to be good."

"Basically there is this tournament right that gets held every year to decide which guild in Fiore is the strongest, Fairy Tail hasn't even made it past the prelims since really it was only like three of us who could actually do anything. So apparently they want Fairy Tail to participate this year and you'll be in it so they can hold your test in front of the public to demonstrate how the process works."

"Oh yay I'm so excited," Natsu said in a monotonous voice.

"Hey it's not so bad there are some pretty strong fighters who get to participate, Jura will be in it for Lamia Scale."

This piqued Natsu's interest as Gray continued.

"Plus the prize money would be enough to buy back the old guild hall its worth a shot you know!"

"Hmm well you do make some pretty convincing points … how long until this tournament?"

"Three months."

"Alright we'd better go ask the guild tomorrow and make sure everyone else is on board," Natsu said as the two grinned.

"I'll see you there Natsu," Gray said as he began to walk away.

"Try not to be late ice pop," Natsu said as he went on his way.

Arriving at Dragneel Manor he went inside and was greeted to the smell of some lovely food, making his way into the kitchen he noticed that no one was in there however there was some meat in the oven.

Grinning he simply stuck his hand in and grabbed the rather large portion and prepared to take a bite only to feel many sets of eyes on him, turning around he was met with the rather annoyed look from Erza, Wendy, Elise, Ultear, Meredy and a smirking Jellal.

"Uh … thanks guys you really know me oh so well I'm 100% grateful for this delicious feast you all made for me?"

"Put it back … now," Erza said in a commanding tone as Natsu sighed and did as instructed.

"At least he's getting back to his old self," sighed Elise as she went over to the fridge and began pulling out various salads and sauces.

"We knew you'd be back so we thought we'd prepare something nice to eat … you know instead of playing lucky dip with the wildlife," Erza said as she gave Natsu a kiss on the cheek and sat down at the table.

"So where did you end up going Natsu," Wendy asked curiously as he sat down next to Erza.

"Just walking through the forest and the town, ran into Gray just before too he told me something pretty interesting."

"Oh and what was that he better not have been harassing you," Erza said in an annoyed tone as Natsu began to wave his hands in front of him.

"No no actually he apologized and even explained why he was mad, not my place to say why but he told me that there was this tournament that is held every year that we should participate in."

"Ah you mean the Grand Magic Games," Ultear cut in.

"Oh those are always so cool you get to see all the big name mages fight each other in the Domus Flau Colosseum," Meredy added cheerfully."

"Yeah well either way I have to participate since my Wizard rank trial will be held to see where I stack up now compared to the others."

"Makes sense considering Jura was moved up to rank five whilst you were away," Ultear said as Natsu looked at her shocked.

"He must be super strong they must want me to fight him!"

"Natsu we were actually going to speak with you about this year's Grand Magic Games, you know of our guilds mission right?"

"To eliminate all traces of the dark guilds yeah."

"Every year we sense dark magic coming from Crocus and it grows with each passing year, we were hoping that we could ask for your assistance in solving the mystery?"

"You got it Jellal if its Zeref or someone tied to him we'll find em," Natsu said confidently.

"Thank you I knew we could count on you, now let's eat that meat looks delicious," Jellal said as everyone looked at him confused. "What you don't think I'm all dark and depressed all the time I'm a human too?"

The house was full of laughter and excitement for most of the night and its occupants ended up getting drunk minus one Natsu who simply decided to feign it and pass out on the roof to get away from the crisis that was a drunken, enraged Erza below.

"All this power and I still can't stare her down when she gets like that," Natsu said to himself as he slowly fell asleep.

Natsu was having a peaceful sleep when he was suddenly hit in the head by sharp objects, groaning he tried to ignore them and roll over only to fall off the roof and into the garden.

"GOD DAMMIT!"

Natsu opened his eyes to a smirking Elise and concerned Wendy who were standing over him.

"Whyyyyyy," Natsu groaned as Elise shrugged.

"Because I thought it was funny, also Gray called everyone in the guild together and we had no idea where you were until we noticed you sleeping on the roof."

"Alright I'll be there in a minute let me just … wake up."

"Falling off a couple story roof isn't a big enough wakeup call?"

"Apparently not," Natsu said in mild annoyance. "Look I'll be there after I've had a shower ok."

Satisfied Elise left with Wendy as Natsu slowly went through his morning routine, after slowly making his way to the guild hall he walked inside and everyone went silent.

"My backs killing me!"

"Shouldn't have slept on the roof then," Elise said with a smug grin as the guild began to laugh at his misfortune.

"Alright you brats listen up Gray has a request that he wants to put to all of you so shut up and listen," Makarov shouted as Gray stepped up.

"Ok guys I'm not gonna sugarcoat things the guild right now is in a bad way, we've got the lowest ranking and we get the least amount of jobs so we can't really make much with what we've got. Natsu and I were talking last night and we agreed on a solution that could bring the guild back to how it used to be seven years ago!"

"Aww don't tell me your talking about the Grand Magic Games again we suck at it," Wakaba said as he let loose a puff of smoke.

"Listen we didn't have the Tenrous Team all those other times with them the guild is at full strength, just think about it with a full strength guild we could dominate the competition!"

"Gray you know Sabertooth will just win it again the members they have are just too strong," Max said. "Besides the Tenrou Team have missed seven years that's seven years worth of training and experience they lack compared to everyone else."

"Max is right we know Laxus, Gildarts, Natsu and Elise are utter powerhouses but everyone else couldn't hope to beat them," Macao added.

"Guys we have to do this not only for Fairy Tail's reputation but also for the 300 million jewel priz-!"

"We're in," Makarov shouted as everyone turned to see the man with jewel signs for eyes. "We'll win that jewe- I mean win so we can reach number one!"

The guild erupted into cheers when Makarov quieted them down so Gray could continue.

"Alright since we're doing this we'll all have to train really hard, its three months until the Grand Magic Games so everyone will have to work themselves into the ground! All of us should get prepared for intense training and meet back here in three months to decide who will represent us!"

The guild cheered and began to disperse until Makarov began to shout once again.

"Hold up you brats I have one more announcement, Macao has decided that he doesn't want to be Master anymore and I'm too old so we've decided on who the new Master of Fairy Tail will be, the name is inside this letter right here," Makarov said as he pulled the letter out of his coat.

Macao took the letter and opened it. "The Fifth Master of Fairy Tail is Gildarts Clive!"

Everyone began to cheer until they quickly realized that the man was nowhere to be seen and Natsu waded through the crowd and slipped Makarov a letter.

To Makarov and the Guild

Hi

I gave Natsu this letter in case the scenario where I became Master rose up so I figured I'd make myself useful.

First off Laxus, you were an idiot when you got kicked out of the guild and although I laughed at you about it what you did was a very serious thing. But from what I saw on Tenrou you understand that and have lost that cocky attitude of yours and are finally becoming a real man as Elfman would so expertly say.

This is why I am bringing you back into the guild as an S Class Mage once more and you can't be kicked out for the old reason again, for God's sake kid don't screw up like that again…

Laxus who had been standing there stunned was suddenly enveloped in an unwanted group hug by the Thunder Legion.

My next order is that Nab has to pick a job in the next 24 hours or he no longer can be a member of the guild, sorry Nab but you get fed for free like everyone else yet haven't brought a single jewel into the guild in the sixteen years I've known you so please just pick a damn job!

Next is my bar tab is wiped … that is all there.

Finally I choose Makarov Dreyar as my successor as Sixth Master of Fairy Tail, sorry guys but being tied down just really isn't me you know.

"You ungrateful brat Gildarts oooh I'll never retire I'll be the Master of this guild until I die!"

Everyone began to laugh as Makarov went on a rant about ungrateful brats when Erza, Elise, Wendy, Gray and Juvia came over to him.

"So what's the plan Natsu," Elise asked as Natsu pondered the question.

"Wendy I think it's time I taught you the next level to your Dragon Slayer techniques."

"You mean the-."

"Yep that's exactly what I mean, sorry you guys but this is private Dragon Slayer stuff."

"It's fine Erza and I will train really hard just you watch," Elise said as Erza smiled.

"If Wendy gets hurt I'll beat you to within an inch of your life Natsu," she said in a sickly sweet voice.

"Aye," Natsu said with a sweat drop as everyone began to file out of the guild.

"So are we going to train with Lykyria again?"

"Nope this is papa Natsu's crash course Wendy so be prepared because I won't let up!"

"Of course I won't let you down," Wendy said as she ran off towards Dragneel Manor to grab her things.

"Oh man these next few months ought to be interesting," Natsu said to himself as he trailed behind the girl.

Yep we've finally made it this far the Grand Magic Games the arc where like 90% of all Fairy Tail fanfics seem to either start or end or collapse somewhere in between. Honestly still surprised I made it this far and I'm really looking forward to this arc so I hope you all enjoy what's to come and as always I'll see you in the next one!