(Edited 05/03/24)

(Edited 14/03/24)

(Edited 20/03/24)

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

Return From Scarlione

***POTD***

The small group watched from the Fioran Border, as Illyandra was soundly torn apart by Achnologia. They didn't waste time, quickly fleeing the moment Achnologia had actually struck the final blow, the pair seemingly swallowed up by the sea.

The walk was silent. Solomon was carrying the still unconscious Shrikke, and an extremely fatigued Elise held her tongue, knowing full well she'd be filled in on what happened later.

After half a day's travel in complete silence, Irene and Brandish slowly came to a stop.

"I think this is where we shall part ways," the Spriggan murmured, clearly contemplating the events of the day.

"I think that would be for the best," Solomon replied with a curt nod. "Thank you for helping us escape Achnologia."

Irene nodded curtly, walking over toward Brandish, whose eyes were locked onto Natsu. She could tell that he was processing Illyandra's death, bottling it up as best he could.

"Natsu."

"…"

"You'll get through it, just like always," the younger Spriggan said in a supportive way, though her voice retained its usual hollow tone. "Just keep what you've still got close to your heart."

"…Thanks, Brandish."

The Spriggan's lips twitched upward slightly, as Irene placed a hand on her shoulder, and the pair vanished.

"Okay, now that those two are gone-?"

"Not now Elise," Erza replied sharply, looking toward Natsu. "Are you alright?"

"I-I'll be fine," Natsu replied with a curt nod. "For now, I think it'll be prudent to head back to Fairy Tail and report in to Makarov. From there… Well, we can figure it out."

"We will eventually need to make our way to the Scarlione Embassy in Crocus," Solomon chimed in, looking at Natsu specifically. "You carry all that remains of Scarlione now Natsu, it must be secured for the future."

"I know, but I think we should still head back to Magnolia first," the Dragon Slayer sighed. "I think we all need a few days rest…"

The group silently agreed with his reasoning, both audible and implied. The entire group was drained, both physically and mentally, and several days to rest would give them precious time to recover from their ordeal in Scarlione.

"Come on, let's move out," Gildarts said, as he took point, Solomon bringing up the rear, as they began the long and arduous journey to Magnolia.

***POTD***

Three weeks had passed since the group had been dropped at the border by Irene. The group traveled up to where the Guild had been holed up prior to their departure, only to find the place closed up.

"Hmm. Guess they used the money to buy back the actual Guild Hall," Elise mused, as they traveled into Magnolia proper.

Making their way inside, they found themselves greeted excitedly by the others, as Makarov himself came down to meet them.

"You've all returned, and with some new faces I see?"

"These are some of our good friends from Scarlione Makarov," Gildarts replied, as he motioned to each of them. "This is Alyssa Fawley, Solomon Duvorn, and you already know Shrikke."

"Speaking of Shrikke, we should really get him to Magnolia General," Natsu chimed in calmly. "I'll cover the bill, just tell them to check him out straight away."

"You got it Natsu," the Crash Mage replied with a nod. "I'll let you explain to Makarov what went down, okay?"

Natsu nodded stiffly as the older man departed with Shrikke's unconscious form, before looking toward the others.

"Erza, Elise," Natsu said, drawing the attention of the two girls. "Can you take Alyssa and Solomon back to our house and set them up somewhere? I'll fill gramps in then head on over."

"Sure thing Natsu," Elise nodded. "Guess you're staying with us for now?"

"I hope we are not intruding," Solomon replied, only for Erza to snort and shake her head.

"We bought a manor, so there's rooms upon rooms to spare. There are quite a few others who should be living there at the moment, but I know you'll all get along well enough," Erza replied, as they all departed, leaving Natsu alone with Makarov.

"Come, let's go talk out the back," the old man muttered, motioning for Natsu to follow him, as they head out to the pool area, sitting down under the shade of the nearby tree, drinks in hand. "Alright, let's hear it?"

Natsu spent the next hour relaying a condensed version of the events in Scarlione. From their initial arrival, Pilgrim's Woods, finding Alyssa, the Kaarth Mountains, Erza and Gildarts dealing with the forts, Natsu and Elise's antics in the Capital and the mission to find Felix.

However, Natsu completely omitted the details regarding E.N.D, adamantly refusing to share that with anyone. It wasn't that he didn't trust them, since everyone at Fairy Tail who was higher up had their own fair share of dark secrets, but him being the Demon Lord E.N.D was an entirely different ballgame.

He refused to run the risk of the Guild suffering as a result of what he was. Of course, there were also several members of the Guild who would most definitely take issue with what he was as well. Gray and Elfman immediately springing to mind.

So, to explain how he defeated Harbinger Famine, Natsu used Igneel as the excuse, claiming that the Dragon had gifted Natsu his power, and still resided within him. It wasn't exactly a lie, but definitely a half truth at the very least. But most importantly, it was one that Makarov believed.

Once he finished relaying the story, Makarov took a sip from his mug, mulling over what he'd been told for around five minutes or so. Natsu knew this was the old man's way of preparing a series of questions.

And sure enough, they came.

"Let's start at the most obvious question I have," the old man sighed. "You said that Queen Illyandra absorbed the entire Scarlione Empire into herself, including every living being within it?"

"Correct."

"And you don't see anything wrong with her doing that, even if it was to stop Achnologia?"

"Here's the thing, I can't really explain to you the specifics of what she did," Natsu replied slowly, mulling over how he was going to avoid answering the old man for the moment. "How about you come with me when I head on over to Crocus with Solomon, Alyssa and Gildarts in the morning?"

"You four are headed to Crocus? Why?"

"We have to go to the Scarlione Embassy as soon as possible, since they wouldn't know what's happened," Natsu explained, with the old man nodding slowly in understanding. "I'm also going to need to speak with King Toma E. Fiore as well…"

Now that had Makarov's eyebrows raised, though it was clear that Natsu wasn't going to say another word on that front, most likely due to some sort of sensitive information Queen Illyandra had tasked him to deliver.

"Very well, I'll come with you to Crocus tomorrow Natsu," the old man nodded stiffly. "For now, I'm curious about some of the other things you've told me…?"

"Such as?"

"This temporary truce with Irene Belserion and Brandish My, for one? I've been reading reports on them since we came back, and the Council is rather concerned about their power."

"As they should be. As it stands, Irene would probably crush the majority of Fiore with zero effort by herself. At least, that's if things haven't changed much around here in the last seven years?"

"Quite a number of things have changed, though, not all for the better," the old man grumbled in reply. "Regardless, we can discuss that at a later time. I think its time we discussed the rather alarming appearance of one of the Four Harbingers of Achnologia?"

"If we have to," Natsu sighed, not looking forward to having to try and avoid slipping up on these questions.

"There hasn't been a Harbinger sighting since the time of the First Master, back when Harbinger Pestilence manifested in Bosco, crippling their population in the far north," Makarov explained darkly. "How powerful do you believe Harbinger Famine was?"

"He'd be around the level of the Ishgar Four I'd say," Natsu replied, eliciting a curt nod from the old man.

"That seems to line up with what you said Famine told you before he faded away. From what little we know, the host that these Harbingers occupy will determine their level of power. The strongest manifestation was Harbinger War back during the unification wars seven hundred years ago, when he took control over a powerful Battlemage and tore across Ishgar for five years."

"Well, either way, I managed to stop Harbinger Famine, and learned that Achnologia can seemingly sense their defeat, and comes rushing to the location," Natsu replied contemplatively. "I don't know if anyone was aware of that?"

"I'm not sure either to be quite honest? Either way, this will have to be reported to the Magic Council."

"Fair enough…"

"Now then, just one last thing and I'll let you go and get some rest, alright," the old man said, as Natsu gave him the go ahead to ask his question. "You said that you were the one to suggest leaving Scarlione after dealing with Felix, right?"

"I did," Natsu replied with a deep sigh. "It was a hard decision, but I had to make it. Erza and Wendy weren't strong enough to face what was coming, and I had to protect them…"

"I understand Natsu, no one in their right mind could judge you for thinking that way. You care for Erza, and it seems like you see something special in young Wendy as well, don't you?"

"I do. Erza and I are officially together now," Natsu replied with a small smile, which brought a genuine smile to Makarov's face as well.

"Congratulations Natsu! I was wondering when you two would finally hit it off!?"

"Thanks gramps. We're keeping it quiet for now, just letting certain people know…"

"I understand. I'm honored you'd trust me to be one of the few that do know," Makarov smiled.

"Anyway, getting back to what you said, I'll move onto Wendy, since my feelings there are a bit different."

"Different how?"

"She reminds me of myself when I was younger, but she's got more potential. At first, I took her under my wing because I felt sorry for her, and because I found her shy attitude adorable," Natsu explained, his eyes narrowing as he thought about the younger Dragon Slayer. "But honestly, I don't know if its because I'm getting older, but I feel love toward her, not in a romantic way, know what I mean?"

"I know exactly what you mean Natsu, and I assure you that it isn't exclusive to you getting older," Makarov smiled knowingly. "You see her in a paternal light, and it makes you want to teach her everything you know, to help her grow and flourish into the adult you can see she's destined to become."

"See her in a … paternal light," Natsu hummed, pondering the idea. "You know, you might be right?"

"Just think about it, maybe speak with Erza about how you feel, since I've noticed she spends a lot of time with Wendy as well?"

"Interesting," Natsu hummed, deep in thought. "Yeah, I'll have to do that."

"Go on now Natsu, I won't keep you any longer," Makarov smiled, as Natsu slowly rose to his feet. "What time are you planning on leaving tomorrow?"

"Probably around eight?"

"I'll stop by your home in the morning and we can all head to the station together," Makarov smiled, as he also got to his feet.

"Are you going to be able to come? I mean, aren't you Guild Master again-?"

"Oh, Gods no! We've been waiting for your group to return before we officially announce who the Fifth Master is going to be," Makarov laughed in response. "No, I think its time I let someone else take the reins, and Macao doesn't want the responsibility anymore."

"I can't blame him. Poor bastard had it rough the last seven years," Natsu replied, as the pair nodded solemnly. "Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow gramps!"

"See you in the morning Natsu," Makarov replied, waving, as Natsu walked out the back of the Guild, headed toward the nearby forest.

***POTD***

Instead of heading home right away, Natsu decided to walk into the woods just outside of Magnolia to clear his head.

Finding himself in a small clearing, he sat down at the center, closing his eyes as he tried to access his Mindscape, only to be rebuffed.

"Damn you Igneel," the Dragon Slayer hissed, eyes narrowed as he kept trying to force his way in, only to continue failing time and again. "Stupid old bastard…"

You know, I never took you as a person who could meditate?

Natsu's eyes shot open to see none other than the First Master, Mavis Vermillion, sitting across from him. She was sitting on a mossy log, her legs gently swaying back and forth as she smirked in his direction.

"Mavis!? How the Hell are you here!?"

"Oh, I've been with you the whole time," Mavis replied casually. "Tenrou was getting a bit too boring, and I wanted to go on an adventure! That tattoo I gave you allowed me to hitch a ride with you. And boy, did I pick a winner to travel with!"

"And… I assume that means you were with me during the entire time I was in Scarlione?"

"Yep! I was also there when you were talking with Igneel in your Mindscape," Mavis replied, her eyes twinkling in amusement. "I know the truth of what you are, E.N.D…"

"Judging by the fact that you're cheerily confirming you know the truth, I take it you're fine with it?"

"Its like you said to Irene back in Scarlione, you're more than just E.N.D, you're still Natsu Dragneel, S Class Mage of Fairy Tail," Mavis replied with a much more reserved smile. "If I had any issues with what you're doing, it would be that you aren't telling anyone in the Guild the truth. That being said though, I do completely understand and agree with the necessity in keeping it quiet."

"Well, knowing that the Fairy Tactician agrees with me makes me feel better about that decision," Natsu chuckled lightly in response, as Mavis got up and began to pace back and forth.

"Considering the known bias and hatred against Demons many within the Guild share, keeping what you are quiet for now is the wisest choice. In addition, if the Magic Council were to ever catch wind of what you are, it would cause no end of problems for the Guild."

"Yeah, that's why I figured it'd just be easier to keep it to myself."

"I won't say anything to anyone about what you truly are, unless it becomes necessary, of course."

"Thanks Mavis, I appreciate it," Natsu replied, the pair sharing curt nods. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure?"

"Why didn't you make your presence known earlier?"

"Well, I didn't want to get in the way of letting you figure things out on your own," Mavis replied. "How else are you supposed to grow if I'm there whispering in your ear on the best way to approach everything?"

"I guess that's fair…"

"Also, I don't want to reveal myself in front of the rest of the Guild. I'm being rather naughty by even doing what I'm doing now…"

"I take it this has something to do with the super-secret thing I'm not meant to know about?"

"The very same."

"I won't even ask then," the Dragon Slayer chuckled in reply. "But still, I feel like you could have told me you were tagging along at some point?"

"But where would the fun be in that?"

"Define 'fun' for me Mavis?"

"I think it's best for your sake I don't elaborate," the First Master smirked, eyes twinkling playfully. "And besides, what if you had told me I couldn't come along? I couldn't have that!?"

"Actually, I probably would have said yes, since you saved us all back on Tenrou Island. Don't forget, I did say I owed you big time?"

"Hehe… Well, I guess I forgot that part," the First Master grinned childishly, tongue poking out the side of her mouth as she ran a hand through her long blonde hair. "Oh well!"

"So, how long are you planning on sticking around?"

"Of course I am! Although, because it takes Magic for me to project myself here, I'll be coming and going through the seal I placed on you."

"Fair enough, just don't go straining yourself, okay?"

"I should be telling you that," Mavis smirked as she stepped up to him. "Speaking of which, don't fret too much on the things that have yet to come, its not healthy. Remember, you have a family that cares for you, and will help you shoulder the burden, should you let them in."

"I know Mavis, but like we discussed just before, I can't tell them about E.N.D."

"Of course, I wasn't talking solely about that," Mavis replied with a shake of her head. "I'm talking about everything else. You're a strong man, but you are just one man, remember?"

"I suppose you've got a point," Natsu sighed, as the First Master stepped back, her form beginning to flicker. "You going?"

"Yes. I think its time you went home," Mavis smiled. "Back to the family that's waiting for you…"

"Goodbye for now, Mavis," Natsu smiled, turning on his heel and walking back toward Magnolia.

Mavis smiled sadly in response, knowing full well that Natsu was still hurting inside. She could only hope his trip to Crocus tomorrow would be the beginning of some closure for the poor man.

If anyone deserved a break, it was him, after all.

***POTD***

Walking through town at a sedate pace, Natsu watched the goings on with mild interest. Civilians were going about their daily lives 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 to himself, as he continued on his way.

On the way to his house, Natsu walked past Magnolia Park, and noticed a somewhat familiar person standing before the main tree at the center of the park.

They stood at an impressive eight foot two, had medium length shaggy black hair, and was wearing a pair of long, baggy black cargo pants with black combat boots, a dark blue button up shirt with a long white coat, complete with a light blue scarf wrapped around their neck.

It took Natsu a moment, but the Dragon Slayer eventually recognized who it was, slowly making his way over.

"Well, long time no see," the Dragon Slayer smirked, seemingly snapping the other man out of their musings as they spun around, eyes widening in shock.

"Natsu… Natsu, is that you!?"

"And are you the real Gray," Natsu replied, the two men smirking as they firmly shook hands. "You got a little taller, and you don't look like a stripper anymore!?"

"You're one to talk about getting taller," Gray snorted in response. "You're one of the tallest people I know now!?"

"Blame my Dragon heritage for that one buddy!"

"Damn man, I can't believe you're here! I got back about a week after you, Gildarts, Erza, Elise and Wendy left for Scarlione. I'm glad I decided to stick around for a bit this time," the Ice Make Mage replied, his cheery expression falling slightly. "I heard you took out Twilight Ogre…"

"What happened with that man, I know you wouldn't have let them walk all over Fairy Tail?"

"Politics," Gray scoffed. "Without its biggest names, Fairy Tail got tossed aside by the Council like yesterday's trash, at least for the most part."

"What happened Gray?"

"You probably heard the gist of it from Macao, but let me tell you man, it was fucking bad after the first year. The Council stopped sending us higher paying jobs, then Twilight Ogre moved in. Without higher paying jobs, we lost the Guild Hall in the second year… That's when Twilight Ogre started their crap."

"Extorting the Guild?"

"Yeah. They'd only ever do it while I was away with Juvia, never when I was here. The one time they did try it, I sent forty of their thugs to Magnolia General."

"I don't blame you one bit," Natsu replied with narrowed eyes. "I was pissed when I found out what they were doing."

"Yeah, well… Either way, I had Macao promote both me and Juvia to S Class, and we did every last S Class Job we could get our hands on."

"Whilst Ur handled the Decade and Half-Century Quests?"

"Yeah. I take it Macao explained his reasoning behind promoting her and letting her do that?"

"No explanation needed on that one buddy, Ur's a fucking beast of a Mage, and that was seven years ago."

"Heh. Very true."

"Listen Gray, I know it probably doesn't mean much, but thank you for everything you did these last seven years. Really."

"…It was hard man," Gray muttered in reply, eyes watering slightly as he grit his teeth. "Juvia and I went through some rough times; we came close to giving up on a few occasions. Sometimes, we'd get back from a bunch of S Class Jobs, only to find that ramshackle Guild Hall we made trashed by Twilight Ogre, or someone who'd been roughed up… We'd look at all that, and we'd feel like fucking failures man…"

"Gray…"

"I used to think to myself, what would you have done if you were in my place? Would Natsu have let the Guild fall this far if he were here in my place?"

"You did all you could Gray, and everyone respects you for it. Believe me."

"I know. It took a long time, but I finally came to terms with it," Gray nodded stiffly in response, as the two men met each other's gazes. "Honestly, without Juvia, I probably would have snapped years ago…"

"Speaking of Juvia, did she make that scarf for you?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, she did," Gray replied with a somewhat goofy grin. "It was a gift."

"Are you two…?"

"Y-Yeah," the Ice Make Mage replied awkwardly, running a hand through his hair. "We're together."

"Nice," Natsu grinned, patting the man on the shoulder. "How long?"

"It'll be our four-year anniversary in October."

"Four years!? Damn man, you two are going strong!"

"Sounds so weird hearing you say something like that," Gray chuckled, trying to shake off the embarrassment of the situation. "But yeah, we're definitely going strong."

"Well, you should probably know that Erza and I are official now," Natsu replied, Gray's eyes widening comically.

"Since when!?"

"We got to talking in Scarlione and it just sort of… happened. You know how it goes, I'm sure?"

"Yeah, tell me about it," the Ice Make Mage laughed in response. "So, you and Erza? Man, the media is gonna lose their minds once that gets out into the public, considering your new title and all."

"Heh. I suppose it is fitting, isn't it?"

"I don't think anyone else could have the title," Gray agreed, before his demeanor grew much more serious. "By the way, there's something I want to ask you about?"

"What is it man?"

"Okay. So, there's this tournament that gets held every year to decide which Guild in Fiore is officially the strongest," Gray began, with Natsu's eyes widening slightly in surprise and intrigue. "I'm thinking that now that you're all back…"

"We could go in there and dominate," Natsu replied slowly. "Is it just for clout, or is there some other incentive?"

"A massive cash prize and whichever Guild is declared the strongest gets the primary contract from the Magic Council when it comes to job requests."

"Okay, now you've got my attention," the Dragon Slayer replied thoughtfully. "We could use those contracts…"

"That's what I was thinking. With all of you back, we're gonna have more mouths to feed and not enough jobs to go around."

"Bring this up with whoever you have to, I'm liking the idea," Natsu nodded after several moments of thought. "How long until this tournament takes place?"

"It's in three months."

"Perfect. That sounds like enough time for the others to get into top form," Natsu nodded. "Look, I've got to get home, but let's talk about this in the morning man, okay? This definitely sounds like a good idea."

"No problem Natsu, I'll bring it up to gramps and Macao tomorrow," Gray replied with a grin, as the pair walked out of the park and toward the main road. "I'll see you in the morning."

"See you in the morning Gray," Natsu grinned, as the Ice Make Mage took off down the road, clearly excited at the idea of taking part in this tournament. "Wonder what everyone else will think of it?"

***POTD***

The sun had set as Natsu arrived back home, slipping through the front door only to be greeted by the smell of some lovely food. Following his nose into the kitchen, he noticed a large ham in the oven.

Looking around, making sure no one else was there, Natsu slowly crept toward the oven and moved to take the unguarded ham.

"You'd better not be planning on eating that all by yourself," Ultear asked darkly, suddenly appearing in a seated position on the nearby countertop.

"I was just making sure it wasn't going to burn Ultear," Natsu chuckled awkwardly, as the Time Mage pointed to the nearby dining table, indicating that he should sit. "Yes ma'am."

Taking a seat at the table, the rest of the occupants of the manor wandered in, Erza and Jellal moving to help prepare everyone's plates, as Elise, Wendy and Meredy sat down around the table with him.

"So Natsu, where did you end up going," Wendy asked curiously, as Erza served the young Dragon Slayer her plate.

"Well, after I spoke with gramps, I went for a bit of a walk in the woods, before heading back into town where I met up with Gray," Natsu replied, as the last of the plates were served. "Gray told me about something interesting actually, something I think the Guild might want to get in on?"

"I assume you're referring to the Grand Magic Games Natsu," Ultear asked, eliciting a curt nod from the Dragon Slayer in response.

"Oh, the Grand Magic Games are always so cool to watch! You get to see some of the strongest and well-known Mages duke it out in the Domus Flau Colosseum," Meredy added cheerfully.

"Yeah, well, I think it will be good for the Guild to take part. Apparently, whoever wins gets all the good Jobs sent their way by the Magic Council, and considering how many of us there are now, we kind of need to secure that."

"How long until this tournament takes place," Elise asked curiously.

"Three months from now is what Gray told me, so, plenty of time for all of us to get some training in, right?"

"Well, I do agree that if the number of Jobs handed down to our Guild is tied to this tournament, that we should do everything in our power to win," Erza chimed in. "With three months to prepare, that should be more than enough time."

"And, speaking of the Grand Magic Games, we actually wanted to speak with you about them Natsu," Jellal cut in smoothly, all eyes shifting toward him. "You remember what I told you about our Guild's primary mission, right?"

"To eliminate all traces of the Dark Guilds, right?"

"Correct. Well, every year, we detect Dark Magic coming from somewhere deep within the heart of Crocus. It only ever manifests during the Grand Magic Games, and only lasts for several minutes at the most."

"We'd like your assistance in investigating this mystery," Ultear continued. "Aside from the three of us, you and your team are the only other ones aside from us who have experience dealing with Dark Mages in such a capacity."

"Whatever you need me for, I'm in. Dark Mages operating in Fiore's Capital is the last thing we need."

"Thank you Natsu, I knew we could count on you," Jellal smiled, as they continued to devour their meals.

Eventually, once their meals were eaten, the group made their way to the living room, where the alcohol was promptly brought out. Natsu discreetly slipped some to Wendy whilst Erza wasn't looking, bringing a finger to his lips as the younger Dragon Slayer wrapped an arm around his abdomen, giving him a brief hug.

"We never really got the chance to celebrate our return, did we," Natsu grinned, as Elise snapped her fingers, summoning a party favor from her Requip Space and began blowing on it. "I'll give you five minutes with that, no more."

In response, the God Slayer blew it right into his ear, the Dragon Slayer flicking her nose in response.

"You're lucky I like you, Elise Faulkner."

"Noted," the God Slayer smirked, as she went over to annoy Erza with it, as Jellal approached him.

"Hey Natsu, can we speak out the back for a minute?"

"Sure man, lead the way," Natsu replied instantly, as the pair refilled their drinks before heading out the back, sitting down on some plastic chairs. "What's up?"

"Remember how I told you I might have a way to repay you before you left for Scarlione?"

"Yeah?"

"I've prepared it, if you're willing to accept it, that is?"

"What is it," Natsu asked, as Jellal reached into his coat, pulling out a thick book, a golden Magic Circle on the front cover. "Hold on…"

"Here," Jellal smiled, as Natsu gently took the book from the man. "I knew that if I was ever going to repay you for what you've done for me, for giving me a second chance when I really didn't deserve it… Well, I knew my gift had to mean something."

"Jellal," Natsu muttered in reply, as he read the front cover of the book. "This is probably the best thing you could have picked out for me man. Truly."

"I'm glad you like it. But Natsu, I want to make it clear, I'm not trying to bribe you with this or anything, nor am I trying to imply this makes us even. I know for a fact I have a long way to go before I've made up for the terrible things I've done-."

"Jellal?"

"Yeah?"

"Just shut up," Natsu chuckled, holding up his glass. "Let's just celebrate the now, yeah?"

"…Heh. Alright Natsu," the blue haired Mage smiled, as they clinked glasses. "What did we just toast?"

"Fucked if I know? To the fact that despite our stupidity, we're still alive somehow?"

"I'll drink to that," Jellal chuckled, as they both downed their glasses in a single go. "Haah! It's been a while since I've done that."

"Same. What is this stuff?"

"Brandy, I think? It's from Ultear's stash."

"Figures," Natsu chuckled, as the two men got back to their feet, heading back inside to join the others. "Ur loves brandy as well."

"Don't let Ultear hear that…"

"My lips are sealed," the Dragon Slayer replied with a cheeky smirk, as we end up back in the main living room.

The small party was now in full swing, going late into the night. Wendy was the first to go to bed, followed by Meredy, then Jellal. Eventually, it was just Natsu, Erza, Ultear and Elise left awake.

"It's unfair that the two of you don't get drunk," Ultear sniffed, raising her glass in Natsu and Elise's direction. "Still, even sober, you two are pretty fun to hang out with."

"Seems like you've mellowed out these last seven years," Natsu replied with an amused smirk, garnering a delicately raised eyebrow from the Time Mage. "How many times did we run into each other before Tenrou, and you were either aloof, or sucking off the name of Zeref?"

"True. I'll admit, I was a rather foolish woman back then," Ultear replied, resting her head in her right hand as she gently rocked her glass of brandy. "The only man I suck off nowadays is Jellal-."

Erza spat out her drink, some of it coming through her nose as she began to cough whilst trying not to laugh. Elise's mouth was drink free, so she merely burst into laughter as she gave Erza's back a firm pat.

"You two official or what?"

"No, we're not official, or whatever else you'd want to call it. We both agreed that until Crime Sorciere finished its work, we wouldn't get together."

"But you two are fucking though, right," Natsu followed up, with the drunk Erza nearly falling out of her chair in a fit of giggles.

"We are, yes. Don't tell Meredy though, she doesn't know about what Jellal and I get up to, okay?"

"Fair enough. I'm just glad you guys are doing okay," Natsu smiled in reply, as Elise picked up a nearly passed out Erza.

"I think its probably time we wrapped this up Natsu? Erza's about to pass out for the night it looks like!"

"Get her up to our room, I'll come see you before I head to bed."

"Got it," Elise smiled, easily hoisting the nearly passed out Erza over her shoulder. "Let's get you some water then off to bed!"

Natsu sighed, shaking his head as Erza was hauled away. Erza had never been able to handle her liquor, though it was surprising to see how docile she was in her drunken state for once.

"I know you've been waiting to talk to be alone all night Natsu," Ultear said quietly, snapping him out of his musings, as she refilled his glass, before refilling her own. "You want to know where Ur is, don't you?"

"Have you seen her?"

"Not in a few years, though, Macao should have activated the medallion that let's her know you all returned," Ultear replied with a shrug. "She'll likely be back sometime soon, or not?"

"Did you two…?"

"Reconcile? Yeah, we did. There were a lot of misconceptions to clear up, and a bit of traveling to do in the beginning…"

"To that facility where she sent you?"

"Yes. We did some digging; the place was crawling with Dark Mages that used to serve under Grimoire Heart… It was an enlightening experience, and I'll leave it at that."

"I won't pry, I just hope you two found the answers you were looking for?"

"We did," Ultear replied softly, meeting his gaze with a soft one of her own. "But to heal wounds like those I have, it takes Time. Even for one such as I, who can wield Time as a weapon, I can't just reverse the clock and act like that old part of my life never happened."

"I know, and I'm sure Ur knows that too."

"She does, which is one of the reasons why she's not been back in years," Ultear sighed in response. "Of course, providing for the Guild was her primary goal, but-."

"I get it Ultear," Natsu cut in, drawing a small smile from the Time Mage. "Hopefully she comes back soon, I'm looking forward to seeing her again."

"I think you'll be quite surprised Natsu," Ultear smirked, as she slowly rose to her feet. "In fact, I think that you'll be shocked."

"Will I? Well, now you're promising me something interesting," Natsu chuckled, also getting up as he downed his entire drink. "Well, time for me to get ready to go to bed, I've got a long day ahead of me tomorrow."

"Of course you do Hero," Ultear smirked, downing her drink, as the pair left their glasses behind before heading to the stairs, ascending to the second floor. "Night Natsu."

"Night Ultear," Natsu smiled, as the pair playfully bumped shoulders, before splitting off from one another.

Natsu looked into his shared bedroom, seeing a naked Erza laying on their bed, passed out. Chuckling, he closed the door, continuing down the corridor until he hit Elise's room.

Knocking once, he heard Elise tell him he could enter, as he opened the door, entering the room of the God Slayer.

"Do you seriously still sleep in a dog bed Elise," Natsu asked, seeing the naked God Slayer laying on her back on a large, puffy, plush dog bed that was large enough to accommodate her full size.

"I quite like it actually, it's feels like I'm floating on a cloud," the God Slayer replied, before motioning for him to shut the door. "Fuck… I'm glad we're home."

"I know," Natsu sighed, sending most of his own clothing to his Requip Space, save for some basic shorts. "Feels like forever since we could sleep in our own beds, doesn't it?"

Elise hummed, motioning for him to sit on one of the cushions scattered around her dog bed, which he did after several moments.

"Hey Natsu?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you feel strange, being stronger than everyone else in the Guild," Elise asked curiously, avoiding his gaze as she played with her hair that was splayed out above her. "Like, you and I, we're the strongest now. The feeling of responsibility is… I can't really describe it?"

"I know what you're talking about, because that's how I've felt pretty much since I returned from Scarlione the last time. I was leagues beyond almost everyone else, with only gramps and Gildarts being around my level. But now…"

"Its me and you, two fools," Elise giggled, as she rolled onto all fours, crawling over toward a low-set cupboard, flashing Natsu in the process.

"Are you fine with me seeing you like this?"

"Huh? Oh, you mean you seeing my…uh, my pussy," Elise asked, only blushing slightly, before returning to scrounging in the draw. "After that talk we had that night before the incident at the Ichor City where I-I told you about Lahar… I feel more comfortable around you, I guess?"

"Bit of a jump though, don't you think?"

"Well, from what I've heard, its nothing you haven't seen before," Elise smirked in reply. "Aha! Found it!"

Pulling out a four-liter bottle of a bright blue liquid, Natsu's eyes widened in shock, as the God Slayer crawled back onto her dog bed, laying on her front now as two glasses appeared before them.

"Did Eliza give that to you?"

"Yep! She gave me this shortly before we came back from that training trip, the one where we all split up for months," Elise replied, pouring each of them a glass. "This stuff can get us drunk… Are you in?"

"After all the shit I've been dealing with… Just try and keep that bottle from me," the Dragon Slayer grinned, as they both clinked their glasses together, before downing the lot in one go. "PHEW! Man, that's some strong shit!"

"I know, right!?"

"You know, I'm glad to see you're feeling relaxed enough around me to be this open Elise," Natsu smiled, as they refilled their glasses, drinking at a steadier pace. "How do you feel?"

"How do I feel? About what specifically?"

"About this? About us, and what we're doing?"

"Oh… Well, you and I are close, like I told you back in that lake. I'm also close to Mira and Erza, both of them being more than happy to let their hair down around you. I suppose I just have this feeling where I know you're nothing like Lahar… You're my best friend, the guy who I don't even have to ask for help, because I know you're just there for me like that. Know what I mean?"

"I get it Elise," Natsu smiled, draining his third glass. "Now that we're the two strongest members of the Guild, its important now, more than ever, that we're on the same page."

"Its nice, actually being able to rely on people… I love this damn Guild," Elise yawned, as she tossed the now two thirds empty bottle his way. "We'll get through what's to come Natsu, together."

"Together," I smile, giving her a gentle pat on her exposed, muscular back, before rising to my feet. "I'm going to drain this, then go pass out in my bed."

"Make sure you close my door on the way out," Elise mumbled, nuzzling deeper into her bed as she fell asleep.

Natsu quietly left, downing the rest of the Godly alcohol before reaching his own room. Upon entering, he dismissed the rest of his clothing, choosing to drop next to Erza, not even bothering with blankets as he pulled her closer to him.

As he held his girlfriend in his arms, his thoughts shifted to the day ahead. His trip to Crocus, to the Scarlione Embassy.

And…

His impending meeting with the King and Princess of Fiore.

It didn't take long for these thoughts to get themselves mixed up, as he felt his consciousness beginning to fade away. Feeling Erza's grip on him tighten slightly, he smiled faintly, falling into complete unconsciousness.