Author's note : Hi!
First and foremost, a big thank you to everyone who's shown support for this fiction by adding it to their follows or favorites, and of course, to those who've taken the time to leave comments. Even a single line of feedback means a lot to me and keeps me motivated in my writing :). I'll be sure to respond to your comments at the beginning of each subsequent chapter rather than through private messages. This way, everyone can see my answers, which can be interesting.
I hope you enjoy this new chapter! There are a few things I would like to discuss, but we'll save that for the end.
In any case, good reading!
kuroshiragami0 : What else can I say than : thank you? :p. I hope you'll like this chapter too^^.
0-Skyqt-8 : I know I've already sent you a PM to answer, but I'll put it here as well so everyone can read it :). Here it was:
Hey !
Thank you so much for your review, this is the best support you can give me ! ^^
About Zeref I understand, that's why I warned about him. Actually we don't see him until much later; he's more of a shadow hovering over them, inspiring dread with his power, legend and near-omniscience, if you see what I mean. But I couldn't include Mavis or Zeref's curse. The plot is already so complicated, I can't just mixt everything up.
In any case yes the plot is quite complex and had the time to be so :p. Indeed it's been a long time since I first wrote this story, and from this day to now I kept finding new ideas for it until I reached this point. I started to re-write the story because the writing was not good enough compared to the last chapters, the discrepancy with the first chapters was really awful. But I'm mainly talking about the French version, my English is not good enough to be able to gauge how my wrinting really looks like.
Thank you again for your support anyway, I hope you'll like what will happen next ! :)
Chapter 2: Goodbye, Fairy Tail
The main hall was once again filled with the uproar of the brawl. With the weight of worry lifted upon learning Natsu was out of danger, the mages swiftly resumed their fight from where they had left off. Chairs and tables were playfully tossed across the room, narrowly missing a few distracted spectators, as fists and blows flew in every direction. Amidst the chaos, Lucy and Gray remained disinterested in the revelry, too preoccupied with Natsu's condition and the Master's peculiar behavior.
They were discussing recent events when Erza burst into the guild upon her return from her S-rank mission. The moment the door swung open, the room fell into a silent stillness, as if time itself had frozen everyone in place.
Her stern gaze swept across the room, pausing on every detail and every person demanding her attention. "So? Looks like you've been causing trouble again?"
Sweat beads appeared on every neck as some attempted to discreetly slip away, only to be swiftly thwarted by a few merciless blows from the uncompromising mage. Ten seconds later, the center of the guild was piled high with moaning bodies, adorned with bumps and bruises. The miraculous survivors of the melee pleaded with their fearsome friend for mercy, dreading they would suffer the same fate as their unfortunate guildmates. Exasperated, Erza sighed as she ran a hand over her face.
"Oh, goodness… I always end up looking after you." She deposited her heavy belongings on a nearly table and joined Gray and Lucy, who breathed a sigh of relief as they envisioned themselves as among the knight's unfortunate victims. "What did I miss?" she inquired in a detached tone as she settled beside them.
Her question was ordinary enough, yet it was met with a worried, indecisive look from her two companions. This puzzled the young woman, who had expected a simple "nothing much" or a detailed account of trivialities.
Lucy hesitated no longer and decided it was best to inform Erza of the situation. With a quick glance at Gray, who nodded in agreement and encouragement, she took a deep breath and began her explanation. She started from the moment Natsu returned and went on chronologically until he was taken to the infirmary.
Erza listened without interruption, occasionally frowning or nodding. Her concern grew as Lucy spoke, particularly when she mentioned Makarov's strange behavior.
Once she finished her story, Erza remained silent for a moment, lost in thought. Makarov's reaction hinted at an unusual aspect to Natsu's injury, demanding their undivided attention, yet he appeared to be the sole keeper of this knowledge. Mirajane's examination revealing nothing out of the ordinary further added to the mystery, leaving them grasping for answers and intensifying the tension. The visible distress of her two friends only compounded the gravity of the situation.
To disturb them this much, witnessing Natsu collapse in his own blood and struggle for breath in Gray's arms must have been absolutely terrifying. As the details of the intense pain attack that had left the Dragon Slayer incapacitated were recounted, Gray's pale face and Lucy's quivering voice had been unmistakable. She dared not imagine how much their friend had suffered to evoke such strong emotions.
Erza exhaled deeply, trying her utmost not to let her worry show to her interlocutors, who were in need of guidance and comfort above all else.
"I don't know what to make of it," she finally said. "If Mirajane didn't notice anything while treating him, maybe it's not as serious as it seems."
"Anyway, that idiot really got himself hurt bad," Gray interjected, both mocking and suspicious. "Something's fishy. He may be a fool, but it ain't like him to come back from a mission in that kind of mess."
Despite Gray's lack of respect for their recovering friend, Erza had no desire to reprimand him. She understood that his behavior was merely a facade to conceal his genuine concern, and she was in agreement with his statement. It was indeed unusual for Natsu to embark on a mission alone, even with Happy, and it was even more concerning for him to return so severely injured. Her bad feeling took on even more meaning as she considered Natsu's uncharacteristic behavior towards Lucy before he left, alongside all these other anomalies. What disappointed her the most was her inability to formulate a single hypothesis despite the mounting evidence that something was amiss.
Only the Master appeared capable of providing answers, yet extracting the truth from him wouldn't be a simple feat.
"I think if the Master knows something about this, he'll tell us soon," Erza stated, trying to sound convinced by her own words.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you..." Gray objected. "I was the only one close enough to see it, but gramps had tears in his eyes when he examined Natsu." He lowered his eyes to the table, carefully avoiding the gaze of the red-haired mage, who keenly felt the heartbreak of witnessing their mentor in such a state. "It was as if he expected something like this to happen and that there was nothing to be done," he added. "I don't think he wants us to get involved."
The red-haired mage pondered his perspective, searching for a counterargument, but was disappointed to come up empty-handed. If the Master had displayed such emotions and if Natsu was their target, there was much cause for worry. Merely waiting passively for answers that might never arrive seemed futile; she would need to seek them out. Or, more accurately, demand them.
"I'm going to check on Natsu," she declared firmly as she stood up, determined.
Her stern demeanor perfectly illustrated her determination to do everything in her power to extract the truth from their obstinate Dragon Slayer, but her gleaming eyes betrayed the immense worry she felt for him. Despite his life being out of danger, her friend was still seriously injured. Lucy's detailed account of his excruciating suffering only fueled her eagerness to visit him and verify his condition firsthand.
Gray and Lucy nodded and rose to their feet as well to follow Erza, who was already heading for the stairs. Just then, Mirajane entered the room, having patiently waited for the sixty minutes of rest that Natsu had requested. All eyes turned to her, lighting up as she announced that he was awake and ready to receive visitors.
"Yosh!" Elfman exclaimed, raising a fist. "Let's give him a little nudge!"
This suggestion, a subtle code for 'cheering him up,' met with unanimous approval. The group eagerly ascended the stairs in an unbridled, gregarious over-excitement. Gray, Lucy, and Erza followed with subdued anticipation, equally eager to visit their mutual friend.
When they reached the infirmary door, Mirajane insisted on everyone showing more restraint before allowing the eager group of mages to enter, explaining that the fire mage had not fully recovered even if he was awake. Once she judged them to be quiet enough, she turned the handle and entered the room first. She froze before anyone else could take a step inside.
The room was completely empty, impeccably organized as if it had never been occupied. Not a trace suggested anyone had rested there. Yet, the most unexpected sight awaited her: the last person she anticipated sat calmly on a chair by the bed, facing the entrance.
"M-Master?" she called.
He looked up from the Lacryma sphere in his hand and set it down on the bedside table. "Come in," he said with an encouraging tone. "All of you."
She complied, followed by everyone else. The tension in the air was so palpable that no one spoke. Makarov greeted them with a nod, and they couldn't help but notice the old man's haggard appearance, dejected expression, and watery eyes. It was evident that he had recently succumbed to powerful emotions, further heightening their own anxieties. They had a strong intuition that these emotions were connected to Natsu, and they couldn't shake the feeling that his absence from the infirmary was somehow linked to that possibility.
Nevertheless, no one dared ask the essential question.
"What are you doing here?" Mirajane asked instead, her heart pounding.
"I was waiting for you," he answered, his voice steady yet tinged with apprehension. "I have something important to tell you and I knew you'd come here. I took the opportunity to tidy up the room." He paused for a moment, his eyes quickly scanning all the mages in the room. "Natsu and I had a long talk, and you should know..."
He took a deep breath. To his interlocutors, who were so anxious to hear his next words, that mere moment felt like minutes.
"He left the guild."
When the stinging sentence hit them, their initial reaction was to stare at Makarov, almost as if they expected to wake up from a bad dream at any moment. Some exchanged brief glances, struggling to grasp the true weight of this revelation and the implications it carried for the present and future.
"W-What?" Gray broke the silence, almost chuckling at the absurdity of what the master had just said. His slight smile vanished when he realized that he was not joking, turning into a shocked grimace as the last spark of hope was extinguished.
"He left Fairy Tail and won't be coming back," Makarov repeated more firmly, leaving no room for doubt in anyone's heart.
This time, their reaction matched the gravity of what was, finally and for everyone, the undeniable and absolute truth. Daze turned into understanding, apprehension into panic, and confusion into sheer horror. A nervous energy pulsed through all the mages huddled in the small infirmary as they struggled to process the true meaning of the Master's words.
Natsu had truly left with no intention of ever returning, leaving behind his one and only family.
The most painful reaction to witness was, of course, that of the fire mage's three teammates, who were assailed by a flood of images and memories of their friend. Although his behavior, as well as that of Happy and Makarov, had aroused their suspicions and given them a terrible foreboding that something serious was about to happen, none of the eventualities they had in mind reached that level of improbability. So much so that Gray felt the need to ask for the umpteenth confirmation, as if he expected at any moment to hear him exclaim "April Fool!" in the middle of October, as he had done on previous occasions.
"Is this some kind of joke?"
"No, Gray. I know it's hard to admit... but it's the truth. He left with Happy a few minutes ago."
"H-Happy too?" Lucy interjected despite her extreme state of shock.
She couldn't believe it, but deep down she already knew that there was no way the Dragon Slayer could have left the Exceed behind. She didn't even wait for confirmation, so obvious was this fact. An even more impossible event than Natsu leaving what was dearest to him would be a world where the two companions were separated.
In the space of a second, she had lost two of the people closest to her heart.
It was a nightmare. Against her will, theoretical images of a Fairy Tail without her two friends flashed through her mind, and she felt herself fading. Without the unstoppable ball of energy that the Fire Dragon Slayer was, their community would be half of itself, as if it had lost its soul, its greatest support, its will to shine. Natsu had always been her greatest source of courage and determination, beautifying life as it exploded with color and gaiety in his presence. In every battle, he had always been the one who helped her move forward without faltering, from whom she drew the strength to get up and fight again, to surpass herself.
He had made her a better person. Without him and his zest for life, her whole world would crumble, life itself would seem so dull... She couldn't let him leave them like that. It would scar her forever.
They all cherished Natsu and owed him something, if not life itself. She was sure that they felt no less than she did. So how could Makarov, who loved Natsu like his own son, remain so calm when he announced that he was leaving forever? Even though she knew that he had mourned the Dragon Slayer's departure before their arrival as much as they had, she couldn't understand why he had let him go.
She understood nothing at all. Hence, she stood motionless, uttering no words nor making any movements, detached from reality and unable to unravel the incomprehensible jumble of the Master's words. She implored some guiding star to pull her out of this bewildering nightmare.
Even Erza was petrified, though she seemed to have better control over her emotions than Lucy. Outwardly, she appeared thoughtful and surprised, but also unfailingly calm, forcing herself not to reveal too much of the whirlwind of fear and anger she really was inside. She tried to dissect the Master's sentence, analyzing every syllable in search of the best solution to this appalling situation, but her thinkings were constantly interrupted by the terror of finding none. Each time, her thoughts ended up wandering far from her mind to the sincerity of her heart, full of doubts and whys.
Natsu, their Natsu, akin to a little brother she had sworn to guide and defend, and a protective, loyal friend. He was the one who always made her feel safe, constantly filling her with warmth and joy. Was this man leaving them forever? That was simply unacceptable, regardless of the Master's opinion or orders.
Natsu had always been there for her, and she would defy the world and death itself for him if necessary. Makarov might have accepted his departure, judging by his passivity, but she had no intention of following him down that path, even if he ordered her to.
The ties binding him to the guild had always been what Natsu cherished more than anything else. He had fought so hard to preserve them, shed so much blood and sweat to protect them, so why give it all up so suddenly? It just didn't make sense.
It was inconceivable that Natsu would willingly choose to leave them; it was evident that he had been compelled to do so. As if he had left to protect them from something or someone.
In the end, it didn't matter why. They would never let him leave. Never.
This particular resolve eclipsed all others amidst Gray's tumultuous emotions, even though he struggled to express it at first. His initial astonishment metamorphosed into seething anger, contorting his expression from one of horror to a grimace of rage. His jaw tightened, eyes simmered with an angry intensity, and his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Never before had he felt such a fury. Natsu had always known how to get on his nerves and make him want to hit him, but this rage, so dull and blinding, nothing and no one had managed to trigger it until now. Reactions were many and varied, but Gray's response was undeniably the most vehement. He seemed to be the only one fully confronting the tragic reality conveyed by the Wizard Saint's words, expressing himself without any restraint. All the others remained dumbfounded, trapped in their stupor.
How dare that idiot impose such a sentence on them without saying a word? There was no way he was going to let him get away with it, not after behaving like a despicable thief. Not after he had caused so much pain to the guild, starting with the very person who had offered him such a wonderful home to live in. He simply couldn't tolerate Natsu leaving. It didn't matter if it was by mutual agreement with the guild master; he would use any means necessary to bring him to his senses.
He turned abruptly on his heels, following the lead of his anger. "That bastard... He'll see!" he growled, ready to chase after his rival.
Makarov jumped to his feet. "Not another step, Gray!"
The commanding tone of his voice alone halted Gray on the threshold. Still fuming, the ice mage turned back to him, afraid to understand why he was trying to prevent him from catching up with Natsu. Deep down, he already knew, but he couldn't accept that he could speak with such detachment and act as if the fire mage's behavior was legitimate. The fact that Natsu's leaving was the result of an agreement between them was unbearable to him. It gave him the terrifying impression that nothing could bring Natsu back, that they were trying to force him to accept a life without him, as if nothing was wrong. He glared at Makarov with deed reproach, his features painted with accusation.
"Don't tell me you're going to let him do this!" he snapped, unaware of the forcefulness in his own voice.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Let him go if he wants to."
"Are you kidding me?! Did he even give you a reason?!"
"Whatever the reason!" Once again, his interjection enforced silence and discipline. "No one has the right to dictate the path he must follow", he added. "We have to accept it. Have I made myself clear?"
His stern gaze dared anyone to defy him, yet Gray couldn't simply stand obediently by and watch his rival leave without explanation. It felt like he was trapped in a living nightmare, where everything was spiraling out of control, where one improbable disaster followed another. Natsu returning so badly wounded that he collapsed in his arms, Happy and him leaving Fairy Tail, Makarov allowing it without objection and even forbidding interference... What had become of the guild's core ideals? The ones praising the bonds between its members, extolling friendship, and prioritizing mutual assistance above all else? How could the founder of these noble principles forsake one of his sons?
Overwhelmed by the emotions welling up inside him, and refusing to bow to the master's aberrant demands, Gray turned away from him and lowered his head, his face hidden behind the dark mass of his hair.
"Maybe you're insensitive enough to accept that, but I'm not. He ain't leaving, got it? I'll beat the hell out of him, tie him up, and drag him back by force if I have to!" His voice grew harsher with each word, fueled by a smoldering rage that gripped his heart with sharp claws. He couldn't contain the rage seething in his words any longer. "I'm not going to accept that!"
The side of his fist slamming into the wall startled everyone in the room, while the tremors shaking the rest of his body stirred an overwhelming compassion in them all.
"Gray..." Lucy murmured, saddened by the hurt she detected in his voice.
She lowered her eyes to the ground, dejected by the situation. The special bond he shared with Natsu was more palpable than ever, underscoring the significance of their relationship to him despite their discordances. He had always been reluctant to admit it or show it, but she knew very well that he cared deeply for Natsu. The thought of the guild without his antics and cheerfulness was unbearable for him, as it was for her and their entire community. No matter what Makarov might forbid, they would bring Natsu back, even if it meant resorting to force.
Gray's sudden movement snapped her out of her thoughts, and she urgently raised her head. Without another word, the ice mage had stormed out of the room, driven by the urgent need to silence the whirlwind of fear and rage consuming him.
"Gray!" Erza called as she followed him. "Wait!"
After they left, all eyes returned to the guild master, anticipating an attempt to intervene. Instead, they were greeted by a devastated expression, conveying much about his emotional state. Their eyes cast downward in sorrow and empathy. They all recognized that his decision had not been made lightly, and that he had strived to fulfill his duties as a master, even if it meant enduring the unbearable pain of losing one of his beloved children.
At that moment, amidst the heavy, ominous atmosphere, Lucy slipped away discreetly. She couldn't let shock and grief deprive her of her only chance to bring Natsu back to them.
Back to her.
Natsu and Happy strolled wistfully through the streets of Magnolia for the last time, without a word. Since their departure, the fire mage had fallen into a profound silence that the Exceed had never attempted to break, deterred by his melancholy contemplations and his absent-mindedness. Despite his own gnawing anxiety, he remained equally quiet, using this unexpected tranquility to solidify his own resolves, stealing nervous glances at his best friend.
He had already made the irrevocable decision to follow him wherever he went, regardless of the dangers, obstacles, or his choices, but this determination didn't shield him from the terror of what might lie ahead. He feared that the upcoming events would irreversibly change the friend for whom he was willing to sacrifice everything, that their precautions would prove futile, that loneliness would gnaw at them, and most of all... he dreaded losing Natsu, of failing to keep him safe.
He would go to any length to shield him from harm, safeguard him from a fatal fate, help him overcome the trials that life would throw at him with his meager strength. All to ensure his closest friend never regretted his decisions or succumbed to despair. He would challenge the impossible to preserve his light and never let it fade.
He allowed himself an umpteenth glance at Natsu, who was walking beside him, hands buried in his pockets, seemingly engrossed in kicking a pebble along the path. Each step felt like a monumental effort, the urge to turn back growing more irresistible with every passing moment. Only his unyielding determination kept him from fleeing the impending suffering and returning to his friends to tell them everything.
"Natsu?"
He lifted his eyes from his turmoil, surprised that Happy had finally decided to break the silence. Though he wanted to retreat even further into his shell, he couldn't bear to leave his friend to face his torments alone. Happy needed him. He would never, ever abandon him, no matter how much he suffered.
"Hmm? What is it?" he managed to say, struggling to keep his inner turmoil from seeping into his voice.
"Where are we going first?"
An affectionate smile spread across the fire mage's lips at the question. "We're going to see Zexion," he replied cheerfully, delighted to provide Happy with a reason to be excited about the journey ahead.
As expected, the Exceed's face lit up with joy and excitement. "R-Really?!"
"The one and only! I can't wait to see him again."
"M-me too!"
The young man's smile widened, his friend's enthusiasm warming his heart. The kitten reciprocated, and in this lighter atmosphere they continued on their way to the eastern ramparts of the city.
As twilight descended on the horizon, they reached the border of Magnolia. Pausing, they turned to face the town that had witnessed their growth. Natsu admired the winding streets and the few inhabitants still strolling around despite the late hour, relishing the fresh, pure breeze gently brushing his hair.
As darkness encroached upon the landscape, it blurred the colors and softened the contours. Magnolia's lights glimmered in the fading daylight, casting large shadows of the houses onto the ground. Stars shimmered on the surface of the river, dancing like fireflies.
Natsu's heart raced as he admired the enchanted landscape of his childhood. His resolve wavered as the stars faded one by one, until the moon bowed out as well, hidden by thick gray clouds. He quickly looked away, resisting the temptation to change his mind.
"Let's go, Happy," he encouraged the cat to follow him, placing a gentle hand on his head.
Driven by an increasing determination, Happy nodded, resolved not to allow anything or anyone to burden Natsu with more suffering than losing his family to this terrifying fate. He trailed after his cherished friend beyond the city walls.
"Natsu!" shouted a voice from behind them.
Upon recognizing it, Happy first felt faint, then seethed with anger. Natsu was already exerting himself just to take each step and dispel the shimmering memories flooding his mind. He was already so drained from his farewell with Makarov… another one would be unbearable.
Natsu turned towards the source of the voice and took the punch aimed at him without reacting. He was hurled to the ground several meters away, barely avoiding crashing into the wall. Rising to one knee, he wiped the trickle of blood from his lip, his gaze fixed on his assailant.
"Gray..." he muttered almost inaudibly.
Before he could get up, the ice mage pounced on him, seizing him by the scarf and slamming him against the wall. His skull collided with the concrete, eliciting a grimace of pain.
"You fucking idiot!" His insult was spat out with a fury that Natsu had never seen from Gray before, catching him off guard. "What the heck is wrong with you?! You decide to ditch the guild out of nowhere, and you think we're gonna buy that crap without saying a damn thing?!"
Now was the time to summon all his courage, and Natsu found himself compelled to play the role he despised so much once again. Failing to maintain the facade in front of Makarov had left him vulnerable, he couldn't afford any mistakes this time.
"I didn't invite your nosy ass, Gray. I'm leaving whether you like it or not."
The indifference Gray heard in his voice shattered his already fragile composure, and Natsu knew he had succeeded. The ice mage tightened his grip so fiercely that his muscles began to shake with the effort, his features contorted with rage. His pupils darkened as he glared at him, but Natsu's eyes remained filled only with an infuriating coldness, revealing none of the infinite pain hidden behind them.
"Who the hell do you think you are?! You think you can just leave without giving a damn good reason?"
"Gray!" Happy interjected, tears in his eyes. "Try to understand..."
Gray shot him such a dark look that it immediately dissuaded him from continuing. An unparalleled fury surged within him, reaching levels he had never experienced before.
"And what the hell am I supposed to understand, huh?! If he wants to bail on the guild, he better cough up a good reason!"
"But..."
"That's enough, Happy."
Natsu's voice was so weak that he couldn't hold back his tears. His face drenched with tears, the kitten sniffed loudly as he was struck hard by the silent cries echoing in his friend's heart. Witnessing Natsu's intense suffering while he struggled to convey the opposite was agonizing for the little blue cat. He knew how much he was torturing himself, trying with all his might to ignore his heart's pleas urging him to drop the façade and beg for Gray's help. Despite this inner conflict, Natsu remained resolute in his decision to sever all ties with the guild, even if it meant resorting to the most hateful words and actions he could imagine.
He had to ensure that he was loathed and reviled by any means necessary, so that no one would mourn his departure or absence. He had to convey the exact opposite of his true feelings for them, hiding his emotions behind a mask of indifference and disdain. Resolute in his decision, despite the piercing ache of his torn heart, he endeavored to wear the most contemptuous expression he could summon.
"I don't have to give you a reason," he spat out in a monotone voice. "Fairy Tail's just a crappy guild, nothing more."
"Crappy?! After everything we've been through… how dare you say such a thing?! It's not like you!"
Natsu's unease intensified, making it even harder to hold back his tears. Gray's words stirred up a mix of memories. His arrival in the guild, his arguments with him and his spars with Erza, his encounter with Lucy and all the events that had followed... He would never forget the joys, the sorrows, and the dangers they had faced together.
Each face appeared to him distinctly, cheerful and smiling, yet he couldn't shake them off. He tried in vain to push them out of his mind with a jerk of his head, then looked down on his interlocutor, his heart weighed down so heavily it could crush a planet. His reaction had the desired effect; he felt Gray's hands tremble with rage. He forced his lips to curl into a contemptuous grin, and an obnoxious sneer broke through their barriers.
"Been through? Don't make me laugh! I've never felt the slightest sympathy for any of you, let alone for you, loser."
This sentence proved to be even more agonizing for Natsu to say than the previous ones, as the hurt surpassed the anger in Gray's expression, despite his efforts to conceal it. Seeing his rival express such emotions towards him both hurt and reassured him simultaneously, muddling his own. It was haunting to witness how much his words had hurt Gray, yet comforting to realize that he hadn't solely despised him all this time. Despite appearances, the sense of brotherhood he had always felt towards him might not have been one-sided. After all, Gray wouldn't have reacted so strongly if that weren't the case, right?
This hypothesis brought him deep comfort, even though he wouldn't have the chance to confirm its validity.
Once he was gone... Gray and Fairy Tail would become relics of the past, never to be seen again. They would curse him for the rest of their lives, for everything he had said and done. The thought of their hatred chilled him to the core, but it was the only way to prevent them from becoming entangled in the carnage that would consume his life.
He would have given anything to be allowed to mend the wound he had just opened in his rival's heart, to confess that he didn't mean a word of what he had said, and that he held him as dear as anyone else.
Resisting the urge was an ordeal, but miraculously, he managed to overcome it. As for Gray, after the initial shock of facing such profound animosity, he found himself engulfed in deep confusion, causing Natsu's words to suddenly lose coherence. He struggled to piece them together, akin to solving a jigsaw puzzle. Through initially futile efforts, perseverance eventually led to connecting words with emotions. Gradually, they took shape, weaving a complex pattern representing the only truth.
Instantly, everything became clear. The obviousness of this truth hit him hard, and suddenly, he felt foolish.
Maybe Natsu truly harbored hatred towards him, impacting him more profoundly than intended. Yet, it was utterly improbable, inconceivable, unthinkable that he had faked this devotion to the guild all these years. He was committing perjury with the sole intention of making them despise him, stirring up anger and hatred to ensure that no one would suffer from his departure or attempt to follow him.
Picturing how abominable it must be for him to force himself to hurl such atrocities, knowing how much he loved Fairy Tail, made him feel nauseous. His anger resurfaced, the difference being that it was no longer aimed at Natsu. He finally understood him, and deeply regretted almost falling into his trap. The combination of all these emotions left him paralyzed, as he no longer knew where to direct his frenzy.
Erza reached them, breathless, just as Natsu opened his lips to continue, taking advantage of his interlocutor's unexpected silence. She quickly spotted the two rivals just a few yards away and froze as she noticed Gray's expression, a mix of dejection and frustration.
"You've always been nothing but trash, Gray" the Dragon Slayer sneered. "I even wonder how the hell I've put up with you all this time."
The young woman thought she had misheard, as it was against Natsu's nature to utter such monstrous remarks. Yet she found herself compelled to accept the truth, as the fire mage continued to coldly belittle his rival.
"Pfft, you could even drop dead for all I care," Natsu spat, edging even closer to the point of no return.
Erza's eyes widened in shock this time, for never did these words capture the playful banter usually characterizing the insults exchanged between the two friends as part of their rivalry. Natsu's voice was dripping with a nauseating scorn, while Gray's face was a mask of mortification, frozen in horror and bewilderment at the cruelty inflicted upon him. She saw him release his rival's collar and close his eyes despite his clenched fist, heartbreaking her. He couldn't stand this crushing debacle any longer.
"Stop it," he eventually ordered, his firmness undermined by the hint of supplication in his voice, prompting it to quiver slightly.
He strained every fiber of his being to persuade himself that Natsu's words held no true meaning, that that they were merely pieces in his self-imposed scheme to be as detestable as possible and drive everyone away from him. Unfortunately, these words echoed what he had always thought of himself since Ur's sacrifice. He couldn't help but consider the possibility that Natsu felt the same hatred for him.
"I got it, so shut up."
The fire mage was more than eager to comply, no longer able to bear his own words. For a second, his expression mirrored the guilt and sorrow he felt seeing Gray in such a state because of him, a lump forming in his throat as tears threatened to well in his eyes. He tried to tell himself that he was making the right choice, as the truth would hurt him a hundred times more than anyone else.
"I'm sorry…"
His fists clenched at his sides, his heart pounding in his chest. He continued to mutter his apologies to himself, gathering the courage to continue his revolting remarks despite the pain he was exacerbating in his interlocutor.
"Fairy Tail ain't worth shit to me no more," he added coldly, "and if you got something to say about it, I'd be more than happy to beat the crap out of you once and for all."
"I fucking told you to shut up!" the ice mage exploded, grabbing Natsu by the collar again as he pressed him even harder against the wall. As his arms trembled with rage, he fiercely locked his gaze with his. "I don't give a shit about what you think of me, I ain't planning on letting you go! I'm going to bring you back, even if I have to use force!"
"That's a pity." With these simple words, the fire mage conjured a large amount of flames and made them swirl around his body, compelling Gray to let go of him. The ice mage had to take a few steps back to avoid being charred, and Natsu got into a fighting stance as he declared, "I didn't intend to come to this, but you leave me no choice."
Before Gray could register that the Dragon Slayer was about to attack, he was forcefully thrust backward by a flaming fist to the stomach, the full force of which was unrestrained by his opponent. The impact was so violent that it caused him to spit out bile, and he landed flat on his stomach several hundred meters away. Dazed, he lifted his gaze to behold his rival advancing towards him with heavy steps, entirely engulfed in his flames. Save for two ominous dark spots flickering menacingly amidst the curtain of fire. It was a demeanor he typically reserved for his sworn enemies, leaving no doubt in his mind.
Natsu meant business.
The physical and emotional shock of this first blow left him unable to react in time to evade the subsequent one. This time, it struck him squarely under the chin as he was lifted off the ground by an iron grip. His teeth chattered violently, jolting his lethargic consciousness, and he was once again ruthlessly thrown to the ground.
Gray stood up, staggering slightly. "That's enough, Natsu," he tried. "Cut the act."
"I don't know what you're talking about. You'd better defend yourself if you don't want me to kill you."
"Natsu..."
The ice mage closed his eyes briefly, resigned. If Natsu was truly putting on an act, he was doing it exceedingly well, and Gray was almost starting to believe that he wasn't feigning his intent to kill him if necessary. Erza seized the opportunity to rush over in a panic, positioning herself between her two friends. She turned to face Natsu, tears welling in her eyes.
"Natsu, please. Don't do this."
In response, the Dragon Slayer returned to his fighting stance, poised for battle. Erza stepped back, feeling cornered by her friend's unwavering resolve to fight them, even if it resulted in mutual destruction. Gray couldn't bear to see his usually strong friend so helpless and devastated by Natsu's behavior. He stepped forward to stand in front of her, extending a protective arm to urge her to stay back and let him handle the situation.
"Fine, Natsu. I got it. If you want to fight... then let's fight. But leave Erza out of this. If I win, you come with us without resisting."
Without waiting for approval, he unleashed the full force of his powers as well, freezing the air around the two combatants as they glared at each other, ready for battle. Their respective magic exerted pressure, manifesting in gusts of wind swirling around them and shaking the ground vigorously. Behind Gray, Erza realized too late that her closest friends were about to tear each other apart.
The ice mage had already rushed towards Natsu with no intention of holding back his upcoming attacks.
"NO! PLEASE STOP!"
She dashed forward just a second after Gray, but it was one second too late.
"GRAY!" she shouted in despair as she realized she couldn't catch him.
Despite the impending attack, Natsu remained motionless. He simply suppressed any manifestation of his magic as he watched Gray charge in his direction, furrowing his eyebrows in concentration. Even when his opponent was just a few centimeters away, he still hadn't made the slightest move to dodge or retaliate.
Anticipating an imminent collision, Erza hastily shut her eyes, refusing to be a helpless witness to this carnage.
No sound of impact. The waves of magic emitted by Gray's attack vanished, prompting her to open her eyes and face the result of this first offensive. She suddenly froze as she realized with shock what was happening, and her hands pressed against her lips.
Natsu still hadn't moved from his spot, and Gray had come to an abrupt halt just two millimeters away, eyes wide. The Dragon Slayer was holding in front of him, pressed against his rival's sternum, a rectangular piece of white paper with the word "Seal" written in black ink. It was undoubtedly a magical seal that Natsu had acquired before departing, in case someone tried to stop him from leaving as Gray and Erza had just done.
Time seemed to freeze, each second stretching indefinitely, as the actors and spectators grappled with what had just happened.
The ice mage couldn't make a single move, as if paralyzed. He continued to stare into Natsu's eyes with a mix of confusion and fear, desperately seeking answers within their depths. Unfortunately, all he could discern was an overwhelming sense of guilt, the undeniable proof that he bore responsibility for the incapacitated state he presently found himself in. Despite his best efforts, his body stubbornly refused to respond, instead trembling miserably. His panic skyrocketed as he had lost complete control of the situation, leaving Natsu free to act as he pleased. He particularly thought of Erza standing behind him and clearly not in a psychological state to fight, and his look turned pleading. While he didn't believe Natsu would harm her, he knew he would inevitably have to incapacitate her if he wanted to leave.
The Dragon Slayer's gaze softened as he empathized with the emotions being expressed. This was the last thing Gray witnessed as his vision began to blur, gradually pulling his consciousness away. His body numbed exponentially until he was completely insensitive, unable to support himself on his legs any longer.
He was about to collapse but Natsu acted just in time. Defiance and arrogance completely left his behavior as he grabbed him by the armpits to prevent him from hitting the ground too hard. In Gray's final moments of lucidity, all he could do was listen to his friend as he gently tightened the embrace of his arms around him.
"I'm sorry…" Natsu apologized sadly, "I had no other way."
"Natsu, you little..."
Gray lost consciousness mid-sentence, and Natsu gently lowered him to the ground. With a final glance of compassion and guilt at his rival, he straightened up to focus on Erza, who had collapsed to her knees in despair. She looked so bewildered that he couldn't muster the courage to resume his act, and he ceased to conceal his emotions.
Exuding sorrow and benevolence, he approached and crouched before her. Erza looked up at him, trembling all over.
Never in her life had the unshakeable Titania felt so vulnerable in the face of an enemy. She wasn't fighting against Natsu himself, but rather against whatever was forcing him to separate from them even if it meant resorting to this execrable behavior. She didn't even know what it was, so how? How was she supposed to defeat an enemy she couldn't see or touch? Even if she did take him back to the guild by force, what would happen next? Would they keep him locked up indefinitely to prevent him from leaving? It would simply entail bringing him back, only to see him leave again thereafter.
If Makarov had accepted his resignation, there was nothing to be done.
Her sole hope was to reason with him, but given the unwavering determination he had demonstrated in making himself so detestable, even to the extent of tormenting himself to achieve it, there was likely nothing in this world that could persuade him to renounce.
Even as he relentlessly spewed ignominy towards Gray, she could only discern the unspeakable agony of his heart hidden beneath, pleading for him to cease. She hadn't believed, not for a second, that Natsu could knowingly feign the happiness of being part of this warm and loving guild. He had risked his life for them on numerous occasions, he protected her from her past and Jellal's madness, unhesitatingly ingesting the crystallized magic of Etherion that could very well have killed him. Would all of this be a lie? Unthinkable.
Unfortunately, mere awareness wasn't sufficient to unravel the situation, and despite her certainties, she couldn't grasp why he was so determined to leave despite the pain it caused him. Why didn't he trust them to help him, or rely on them as they had so often relied on him? The answers to these questions might have helped her find the words capable of piercing through his shell of determination to reach his heart and reason, compelling him to reconsider.
But she had none. She knew nothing. She was lost.
"Why...?" Her murmur, faint yet echoing with the intensity of her despair, carried her plea as she raised her eyes to Natsu, who regarded her with a compassionate furrowed brow. "Why?" she repeated, her voice gaining conviction. "Why are you doing all this?"
The young man lowered his eyes without answering, devastated by his inability to fulfill her request, a desire burning within him to do so.
"Please, just talk to me," she continued, sensing she had struck a chord. "Tell me what's going on, let me help you..."
For a moment, she harbored the hope that she had succeeded in coaxing him to open up to her, as his steadfast expression faltered slightly and his fist tightened. Yet, he resisted the temptation, recalling the pledge he had made to shield them from harm at all costs.
"I'm sorry, Erza..."
The latter felt the hope she had nurtured shatter. Her helplessness weighed heavily on her shoulders, bringing tears to the surface. With Gray out of the picture, she found herself alone. Alone with her friend leaving forever, and she couldn't think straight.
Natsu was going to leave, and she would never see him again.
The image of her so morally shattered by his actions twisted his stomach with remorse, as if he were reliving the cursed day when she had almost sacrificed herself for him in the Tower of Heaven. He was subjecting her to the same traumatic experience and would forever hold himself responsible for it. Inspired by the memory of that moment, as Erza had done that day, the young man gently placed a hand on his friend's head, bringing her forehead closer to his, and closed his eyes.
"I love you more than anything in the world. That's precisely why I have to leave, and why you must not follow me."
Erza lacked the strength to resist her emotions, and bitter despair held her in an unyielding grip of inertia. Tears continued to flow, mingling with those of the sky as rain began to fall over the city.
"We love you too, Natsu... Please don't leave us..."
The young man felt his eyes stung by emotion, and he couldn't bear any more of it. Before his heart could falter, he delivered a sharp but cautious blow to the back of his friend's neck. She slumped unconscious into his arms, and he hugged her limp form, fighting back tears as he tenderly rested her head against his shoulder. He remained in this state for a while, regaining sufficient emotional equilibrium to confront his grief and mourn his beloved guild. During this time, Happy joined his partner, equally distressed as him.
He left her side when he felt prepared to proceed, gently laying her on the ground before rising to his feet. His teary eyes fixed on the ground, his hair dampened by the rain, he stood motionless beside the unconscious bodies of Gray and Erza. Beside him, Happy began to sob. In an instinctive desire to comfort him, Natsu gently placed a hand on his companion's head, causing him to cry even harder. After briefly contemplating the Exceed, wrestling with a burning sense of guilt, he suppressed his own tears by lifting his head to the sky, whose raindrops hammered loudly against his grief-stricken face.
His heart was suddenly crushed so hard by the invisible hand of fate that it finally yielded. Soon, salty water mingled with the rain on his cheeks, and he quickly hid them behind a trembling hand covering his eyes.
Torn apart and inconsolable, the two friends wept in unison for long minutes, patiently waiting to regain control of their emotions.
When he felt ready, Natsu tenderly ruffled the fur between Happy's ears, encouraging his friend to look at him. The kitten turned two glistening, tear-reddened eyes towards him, only to meet the sad smile of his friend.
"Everything will be fine, Happy. We'll get through this together, I promise."
The exceed simply nodded as he wiped away his tears, resolved to remain strong and brave. All for Natsu.
"Let's go," Natsu declared as confidently as possible, turning his back on Magnolia as he started to walk away.
Following the fire mage's lead, Happy fluttered behind him until he landed on his shoulder. Sensing his friend closeness, Natsu stroked his head once more.
He was about to take another step but was interrupted again, "NATSU!"
This voice was so electrifying that it sent a shock though his whole body, and he felt like his heart was about to shatter. The throbbing ache in his chest was so intense that it felt as though all the air was being sucked out of him, and his heart began to race. Just as he was scarcely recovering from his farewells with Gray and Erza… What else was fate going to strike him with?
His fist clenched at his side, and he squeezed his eyelids shut. Despair easily overwhelmed his courage, and he felt as if everything was crumbling around him.
He couldn't do it.
Lucy's panting caught up with him as she stopped a few yards behind. He knew he should confront her and resume this detestable role, that he was supposed to endure the pain of rejecting her and not flee from it, but his heart couldn't bear it any longer.
It was beyond his strength.
"Natsu... what are you doing...," Lucy stammered in a pleading voice, her tone laden with doubt and incomprehension.
It was precisely the moment when he should have turned around and spewed out his lies and false hatred, but he remained paralyzed. If he turned around now and laid eyes on her, he would fall apart.
"I'm off," he managed to say with enough assurance to deceive his friend. "I have nothing left to do here." He was on the brink of leaving for good, but stopped on his tracks at the last moment. "And I suggest you don't follow me if you don't want to end up like them," he added, his heart so close from breaking that he had to make titanic efforts to keep his voice from cracking mid-sentence.
Giving her no time to reply, he walked straight ahead without looking back and disappeared into the darkness of the woods.
His fate was now sealed. He was resolved to face it head-on, regardless of the suffering and obstacles, unaware of the hell of blood and tears it was about to plunge him into.
His martyrdom had only just begun.
Author's note: Consider this a bit of a teaser, but brace yourselves for what's to come. Hopefully, you enjoyed it!
At times, I may have gone a bit overboard. I must admit, I have a particular fondness for emotionally charged moments, which doesn't quite fit the usual lightheartedness associated with the manga. I'm aware of this, and it's something I particularly enjoy. Hopefully, it won't be too unsettling. I always try to imagine how each character would feel and react in a given situation while keeping their personality as intact as possible (or at least as I initially envisioned it). It's often challenging to stay within those lines when dealing with situations they've never experienced before, ones heavier or more impactful than what they're used to. It's minor for now, but you'll see better later what I mean.
Speaking of which, let's address Erza's reaction at the end. I've questioned it several times, and despite my hesitation, I left that passage as it is for the sake of the story. However, I think some of you might have been unsettled by her lack of reaction. I tried to justify it as much as possible by expressing how powerless she feels knowing that Makarov already approves of Natsu's decision to leave, and that regardless of what she does, that fact won't change. But upon reflection, she probably would have reacted more directly and determinedly. In the end, as much as I love the dramatic, I couldn't bring myself to change that passage (which I actually quite like as it is), even if it might be a bit out of character. I'm genuinely interested in hearing what you think about it.
Moving on to something else, I hope Happy's determination to protect Natsu touched you, and for those of you who know what happens next... I hope it left an even bigger impact :p. I really love their relationship, which I feel isn't explored enough even though it's incredibly fulfilling. I like to think they're so close that they know everything about each other, confide their deepest emotions without holding back, and are truly willing to do anything for one another. I find it particularly touching that Happy vows to protect Natsu, even knowing his power is limited and that it's more likely the opposite will happen. Anyway, I think they're absolutely adorable, which makes what I'm going to do even more horrible T_T.
What else... oh yeah, I don't know how you see him, maybe it's because I idolize him a bit too much, but I've always seen Natsu as exceptionally generous, with a strong sense of justice and an incredible propensity for selflessness. These are traits I love so much that I tend to embellish them and highlight them a lot. I love Natsu, in case you couldn't tell :p, hope you do too :). I admit I don't understand how some fictions can portray him as a jerk when it's hard to imagine anyone more lovable than him. Right? Or maybe I just love him too much and I'm talking nonsense? :p
Anyway! Natsu is the best, end of discussion. Wouldn't it be nice if all debates were settled this easily, huh? :p.
Okay, I'll stop here. I'll let you tell me what you thought. Don't hesitate to leave a little something, even just a line, if you enjoyed it ^^.
Until next time!