(Edited 06/02/25)

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

An Afternoon Of Discussions

*POTD*

Arriving back at the Honey Bone Inn, Natsu was surprised to see just how crowded the place was.

Mages from all sorts of Guilds littered the area, Guild Masters from many prominent Guilds swarming the area, the cacophony near deafening as many seemed to be discussing the events from the recent historic meeting at the palace.

But the moment he entered the main room alongside Elise, the chatter became positively thunderous, with many Guild Masters immediately approaching him to pledge their support and trust. He quickly found himself at the center of many, shaking hands and offering words of thanks, noticing Makarov, Mavis and many of his friends off to the side watching in amusement.

"H-Hey guys, I have a lot of important work to do," Natsu called out over the chaos, still shaking hands as he started wading through the crowd. "I appreciate all the support everyone, but the Defense Minister will have the battle lines for all registered Guilds distributed by five o'clock this afternoon-!"

Several minutes later, he finally managed to disperse the crowd, reaching his friends as Makarov passed him a drink. Eagerly gulping it down, the Hybrid sighed, shaking his head with a bemused smile on his face.

"Well, can't deny I'm popular again!"

"You handled that rather well, considering the circumstances," Makarov chuckled in reply, as Mavis giggled in agreement.

"I can't remember the last time I've seen someone from Fairy Tail be so relevant to world events since…well, ME!"

"You're still plenty relevant Mavis, Miss Fairy Tactician," Natsu replied with a roll of his eyes, noticing Jellal descend from the upper floor of the inn. "Right then, I think I've put this off long enough…"

"We'll make sure you aren't disturbed," Makarov said quickly, grabbing onto the sleeve of his coat to hold him back a moment. "Take all the time you need. This is something you've spent a good majority of your life seeking, so make sure you get all the answers you want."

"I will. Thanks Makarov," Natsu smiled, as the old man let go so that he could go and speak to Jellal. "Hey."

"Finally back I see, and not a moment too soon. Most of us retreated upstairs after the Guild Masters showed up."

"Aren't you a Guild Master?"

"…Shut up."

"Hehe… Anyway, is Anna-?"

"She's in her own room. The old man, Cid, got called away by Gilda."

"I still can't believe that guy is THE Cid, the guy who basically pushed the technology of the world ahead by hundreds of years in just a measly ten."

"I'll admit, I was worried you'd try to attack him because he used to be a big shot for Alvarez?"

"I won't lie and say the thought didn't cross my mind," Natsu admitted slowly, as the pair ascended the stairs, heading up to the third floor. "But you guys found him not with Alvarez, but with Anna. What's more, you guys said he had fought and killed multiple assassins from Alvarez, which means he's no longer affiliated with them in any way shape or form. It wouldn't be right to go after him at this point, since he seems to have turned over a new leaf."

"You've always been the forgiving type Natsu," Jellal chuckled as they reached Anna's room. "I of all people should know this better than most."

"Forgiveness isn't entirely free Jellal, its also earned. And let's face it, you earned yours a long time ago," Natsu smiled, as he knocked on the door. "Even if you might want to believe otherwise."

Jellal looked away, knowing full well he'd been caught yet again doubting himself, and decided to bail before he got another lecture for it. With a subtle nod, the man swiftly departed, right as the door opened, revealing Anna.

"O-Oh!"

"…Hi," Natsu replied curtly, unsure as to how he should approach conversing with the woman who he now had memories of, with her being a loving, honorary Aunt.

"Y-You must be free to talk now, right?"

"Yeah. I-If that's okay, of course-?"

"YES-! Ah, I mean, yes… C-Come in," Anna spluttered, the awkwardness between them only growing as he entered her room, as she swiftly shut and locked the door. "I'm such a fool for thinking I was ready for this…"

"Likewise," Natsu laughed awkwardly, looking around before sitting in a chair near her bed, as she sat down at a respectable distance, eyes firmly centered on her lap. "I'm willing to start this off if you want?"

"Sure…"

"Alright then," Natsu sighed, clearing his throat as he sat up a little straighter. "I know everything from before I died. I know about you, what you were to me and my family, as well as how I ended up dying."

"That makes this marginally easier," Anna sighed, finally meeting his gaze, clearly both ecstatic to see him, but also extremely worried and guilty. "You've certainly grown since we last met. Such a big, strong man… Tall too."

"A lot has happened, as you no doubt already know," Natsu replied, eliciting a slight nod from Anna. "You've not aged a day from the memories of you I've reviewed, which is certainly strange."

"Perks of being the wielder of the Twelve Zodiac Keys," Anna smiled lightly, waving her hand as all twelve manifested in front of her. "I stopped ageing due to the Magic of the Celestial Spirit King once I hit thirty-five years old."

"Ah, I see…"

"But that's not why you came to talk to me, though I don't doubt we'll be discussing my Magic later," Anna sighed, dismissing the keys with another wave of her hand. "I can think of the first question on your mind, so go ahead and ask it now…"

"You brought myself, Wendy, Gajeel, Sting, Rogue and Erza to the future," Natsu began, his voice losing any modicum of warmth it once held. "Wendy was alone until I found her over a decade later. Gajeel fell in with a Guild that was borderline Dark. And Erza… I don't even know where to begin with what happened to Erza-."

"I know the fates of everyone who I brought with me to the future," Anna cut in quickly, wringing her hands nervously. "Jellal and Ultear told me everything…"

"I want to know what your excuse was for not coming to collect us," Natsu asked, his expression firm yet controlled, though there was an undercurrent of anger hidden deep within that she could only faintly detect. "Why were most of us forced to suffer, Anna?"

"It's a bit of a complicated story, but I'll do my best to explain it as quickly as I can."

"Go ahead then."

"Alright. So, you know how I worked with Zeref to create the Eclipse Gate, then traveled through it with yourself and the others?"

"Yes."

"The Magic I used to allow the Gate to move its occupants through time was based upon the Celestial Spirit King's own Magic. However, my calculations were slightly off when creating it, which caused not just myself, but all of you to appear randomly across Ishgar at differing times according to your ages at the time."

"So, when did you appear?"

"About nine months after all of you had already appeared across Ishgar," Anna sighed sadly, looking out the window deep in thought. "By the time I started finding all of you, you'd already begun new lives, found new friends. Erza for example had been adopted by a kindly old couple at Rosemary Village. You had just joined Fairy Tail, and Wendy had been taken in by the kindly old man from Cait Shelter, who I didn't learn until recently was merely the spirit of a long-deceased man…"

"So, you genuinely didn't know about Wendy or Erza's situations then," Natsu replied, mulling over her words as he studied her closely. "I assume you didn't keep tabs on us after that point?"

"I-I initially did," Anna admitted, looking back toward him. "But around three months after I'd arrived in the present, that was when the first assassins from Alvarez found me…"

"Ah. So you were forced to go into hiding then?"

"At first, I dispatched them myself. But after the tenth one was slain, stronger and stronger ones were sent to eliminate me. I wasn't as strong back then as I am now, so I had no choice but to flee and hide."

"Spending the next few decades hiding?"

A"Hiding, training, learning," Anna listed off, eliciting a curt nod from the Hybrid. "The truth of the matter was I simply had no clue who or what the Alvarez Empire even was. All I knew was they knew who I was, what I could do and that I was to be killed the moment they found me."

"I assume the learning part involved you figuring out who Alvarez were?"

"That's correct. When I last met Zeref, as well as Irene Belserion, the only thing they had told me was the concept of creating a nation that would unite the world under one flag to face Achnologia. The way Zeref spoke of it made it sound like a heroic endeavor, like a King and their armies facing down a great evil for the good of the world…"

"But then you were faced with the reality of what Alvarez truly was I'm assuming?"

"A nation borne from the conquest of multiple nations at Zeref's hand alone, forced into unification with any dissenters swiftly purged. Wars fought until the entirety of Alakitasia was under his thumb, all so he could then set his sights on Ishgar, Draconia and any other continent."

"How did you learn about Zeref being Emperor Spriggan?"

"Well, that would be all thanks to Cid," Anna admitted, though Natsu didn't seem all that surprised. "He happened upon me one day, having fled the Alvarez Empire under the guise of tracking me down. We spoke, and he told me the truth of Alvarez, and we ended up agreeing to work together."

"And how long ago was this exactly?"

"Probably about… seventeen years ago, give or take a few years?"

"And in all that time, you didn't once have a chance to check in on any of us," Natsu asked again, clearly not fully believing her story. "Seventeen years and you couldn't find out anything about us-?"

"You should know better than anyone how persistent Alvarez is when they're after someone! You of all people should understand that it took everything I had just to remain hidden from them for as long as I did! If it weren't for you and that Demon Assistant of yours, Jellal would never have found me in the first place!"

"…Look," Natsu sighed, running his hands over his face as he let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry. Most of us had shit childhoods Anna, so you can't blame me for pressing you on why you didn't check in on any of us all these years. But you're right, I do understand, and I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"It's alright Natsu. I can't deny that I ultimately failed all of you," the Celestial Mage sighed sadly, meeting his gaze. "I can't make up for the past, but the future is another matter entirely. I know that it's been a very long time but, well, I would like to try and restore the bond we once had?"

"I'm certainly not opposed to that," Natsu replied honestly, eliciting a genuinely happy smile from Anna. "But I sense that your words have a double meaning…?"

"You're definitely a smart one, just like your Mother," Anna giggled lightly, as she nodded. "Though I may not have been around for you all these last seventeen years, that doesn't mean I've just been idle."

"Go on…"

"As you know, I brought you children to the future, with your Dragon Parents bound within you," Anna began, her entire demeanor changing to one that reminded him of an instructor. "The plan was to evade the Black Dragon Achnologia, biding time until a plan to eradicate that vile menace was conceived once and for all!"

"…Are you saying that you've found a way to actually kill him?"

"It will require a lot of preparation, but there is a way to defeat him. From all the data and calculations Cid and I have run over the years, it all boils down to one stratagem…"

"I'm sensing a but in there?"

"Indeed. For you see, once the war between Ishgar and Alvarez kicks off, Achnologia will not stand idly by and wait for a decisive victor to emerge. No, he'll most certainly attempt to join the fray and combat both sides."

"You think he's gonna jump into the war?"

"I don't think he will," Anna corrected him, slamming a fist down onto the bed. "I know he will. For this war will be the last great battle Earthland shall face in many lifetimes. The victors will either emerge united, or be slain to the last by Achnologia. There is no alternate outcome."

"So, what's the plan then?"

"Well, it goes a little something like this…"

*POTD*

Elsewhere in Crocus, Wendy stood atop a spire overlooking the vast city, her eyes locked onto an all too familiar building about a kilometre from the castle.

The Magic Council Branch in Crocus was mostly used for Rune Knight business, as the Councillors had their lavish floating city over in Era. But following its destruction years ago, the place had found more use by the former Chairman Crawford Seam, its dungeons in particular getting a thorough workout.

Gritting her teeth, Wendy growled lowly, her canines becoming slightly more pronounced as the wind in the area picked up. It took great self-control not to conjure a dozen cyclones and have them lay waste to the area, to purge the sinful acts committed deep below.

But she wouldn't. Despite her anger, she was better than that, and her promise to Porlyusica would not be broken under any circumstances. No innocents need suffer to sate her fury.

Not like the last time.

"So, this is where you ran off to?"

Looking out the corner of her eye, she saw Natsu sitting on a nearby ledge, as if he'd always been there. Looking back toward the Council Branch, the younger Dragon Slayer gave a rather blunt response.

"I thought you'd still be talking with Anna Heartfilia, Dad?"

"As much as I'd like to, there are only a set number of hours in a single day, and I only have two of them before a world war begins," the older man chuckled softly. "But never you mind that for now, alright? Instead, what's going on with you?"

"…Nothing."

"Don't bullshit me Wendy, I'm a pro at it," Natsu laughed in response, which somewhat annoyed her. "Just be honest and tell me what's wrong?"

"Fine," the young woman huffed, finally deigning to look at him with a deep scowl. "You want to know what's pissing me off? That fucking eyesore over there is where Porlyusica was tortured and killed! There!"

"You mean they dragged her back here? Why?"

"I don't know," Wendy sighed, clenching her fists as she looked at the building again. "I assume it was to try and bait members of Fairy Tail into trying to break in? You know, playing on our Guild's tendency to do stuff like that to save our own?"

"That's actually a solid possibility," Natsu agreed, mulling it over in his head. "But you got her out though, right? You told me you buried her, which is where you got those pins on your ribbon from. The same sun and moon Porlyusica used to have?"

"I got her out, but I killed a lot of people to do it," Wendy admitted, now fully turning to face him. "The Dragon's Fury just wouldn't stop, and I just kept ripping them apart until none were left. And the best part, I don't even feel bad about it."

Natsu remained passive as Wendy almost cackled with sadistic glee, as if remembering her actions from that day down to the last-minute detail. He could see the twitching of her fingers, the slight shudder of her knees.

She was reliving the carnage in her head, just as he had often done.

"You know I'm not going to judge you for what you do," Natsu cut in gently, as her cackling dropped to a low giggle. "You know that I too have become a little too desensitized to dealing death. It's an unfortunate byproduct of being a successful Mage who can thrive in the upper echelon."

"Don't I know it," Wendy snorted. "Grandina won't stop telling me about it."

"Well, she's not wrong. Igneel told me the same thing, both before and after I became what I am now. But its also important to keep trying to be better, even if it seems like the world wants to do everything in its power to keep you the same."

"…Do you think if we survive this war, that we won't have to fight anymore?"

"Do you want the honest answer?"

"Obviously," Wendy scoffed, as Natsu hopped over to join her, moving so fast she barely blinked and he was right there next to her.

"Well, truthfully, I don't think so," Natsu answered her, which didn't seem to surprise the younger woman all that much. "The idea of true peaceful global coexistence is an impossibility, much like the idea of a perfect Utopia. It is something all peoples aspire for. But the sins of the past are forever burdened to be passed down from generation to generation, staining any chance of true lasting peace."

"Well, then can I ask you something else?"

"Of course."

"Do you think that you can actually do it," Wendy whispered, a hint of the nervous young girl he once knew shining through as she met his gaze worriedly. "Do you think you can actually win this war, beat monsters like August and Zeref?"

"Had you asked me that question years ago, it would've been a definitive no," Natsu replied, gently taking her hand into his own. "But my power since becoming a Hybrid has grown exponentially, and continues to grow. Even now, my power has more than quadrupled since we saved Mavis."

"S-Seriously!?"

"Dead serious. It's almost like a mutation of sorts, my Magical Core constantly expanding as my body adjusts to it. I feel strange, but in a good way, though it remains to be seen if there will be any negative side effects from it?"

"D-Do you think that power will be enough to take down Zeref? Or August?"

"Hard to say," Natsu shrugged, before figuring out a better way to explain things. "Let me put it to you this way, just to give you an idea how relative I am to the likes of them. Right now, my power is able to press up against the Alvarez Invasion Force, despite them being several thousand kilometers away. I can feel Zeref, and everyone else aboard it, quite easily."

"That's… Honestly, that's kind of unnerving," the younger Dragon Slayer admitted, eliciting an amused chuckle from her foster Father. "Power like that just doesn't seem real, know what I mean?"

"Believe me, I do. It baffles me as well, and yet I possess it all the same. Yet even with it, I don't like my chances against so many top tier foes," Natsu admitted, as he felt Wendy's grip on his hand tighten slightly. "But even if that's the case, I'll fight as hard as I can all the same. For you. For Erza. For all my friends, and all those I've lost on the way."

"That's a promise I know you'll keep," Wendy smiled, as Natsu let go of her hand and slowly rose to his feet. "You need to check in on someone else?"

"Gajeel's next on my list. He's done a lot of good work for me over the years, and for so little reward. I need to let him know how appreciative I am of him and everything he's done for us. Well, there's also the matter of his kid with Levy to discuss too…"

"Don't be hard on him for that Dad," Wendy replied, as the older man laughed and shook his head.

"Believe me, that's the last thing on my mind. Despite what he once did to her; I know he'll treat Levy right. That's not even a question. No, I just want to tease him a little and congratulate him."

"Fair enough," Wendy replied, an amused smirk on her face. "I doubt you'll be as gracious when I get pregnant one day, will you?"

"I don't need to worry about you getting taken advantage of by some creep since you'll probably gut them yourself."

"Yep. Trust me, I know what to look out for from personal experience. Handled it well enough the first and fiftieth time."

"Fiftieth? Eh, look, I'm going to go before you actually bait me into hunting down some people," Natsu huffed, waving Wendy off before abruptly turning back to face her, his face stern. "Wendy?"

"Y-Yeah," the younger Dragon Slayer stuttered, surprised at his immediate about-face."

"That anger and rage welling up deep inside you toward the Council… You know Alvarez were the ones pulling the strings of the Fioran Council now, so redirect it toward the war," Natsu suggested, as the Sky Dragon Slayer looked back toward the Crocus Magic Council Headquarters. "Show them no mercy, like a true Dragon."

"…I won't," Wendy nodded after several seconds of tense silence. "Thanks Dad."

With a silent wave, Natsu was gone, leaving Wendy behind to contemplate his words.

Her anger did indeed make her strong, and it was revenge she sought for Porlyusica's death. Just the thought set her Draconic blood pumping, her fingers tensing as she grit her teeth, a sadistic smile on her face as she thought about the hunt to come.

"Soon, Porlyusica… Soon, you'll be repaid for everything."

*POTD*

An hour later, Natsu appeared in the center of Magnolia, exiting a Gate in a rather casual manner, having appeared right out the front of Gajeel's home.

The moment he arrived however, two unexpected men were leaving the man's home. The Twin Dragons of Sabertooth stood mere meters away from him, both looking shocked and somewhat nervous under his steely gaze.

Though they had indeed done much wrong in the past, he wasn't going to hold it against them. They were merely ignorant and arrogant, not spiteful or hateful. Therefore, he would approach them in a more neutral sense, curious as to why they were even here to begin with.

"The Salamander…Natsu Dragneel," Rogue whispered under his breath, as Sting seemed to struggle to speak up for a moment.

"Well now, if it isn't the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth," Natsu smiled in response, though both men kept their heads bowed. "Stop that, I'm not your Guild Master or anything."

"R-Right," Sting blurted out, bowing again before rapidly shaking his head and snapping upright faster than Rogue could blink. "W-We were just-!"

Before Sting could continue, Natsu raised a hand, silencing him. The White Dragon Slayer was sweating profusely, clearly extremely nervous, possibly outright frightened of him. Even Rogue was looking at him in a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"Calm down Sting. Seriously, you'll give yourself a stroke or something…"

"Sorry about this, he's just… It's a long story," Rogue sighed, leading Sting to a nearby bench so he could sit.

"I think I'd like to hear the story about why my mere presence nearly caused him to have a heart attack?"

"Well, like I said, it's a bit of a long story. You see, after Wendy soundly trounced us, and you went on to slay all the Dragons the rest of us combined couldn't, then defeat Tartaros and be revealed as Lord E.N.D, Sting's been convinced you'll come for him."

"…What?"

"I tried to tell him it was a ridiculous thing to think, but he wasn't having any of it. He kept on bringing up that time you stormed out Guild Hall and-."

"Okay," Natsu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I get the picture. At least you're still the reasonable one."

"Oh. Uh, thank you."

"As for you," Natsu said, rounding on Sting, who was shaking like a leaf. "I didn't realize you'd lost your spine?"

N-N-No! I h-haven't!"

"If you're going to deny something, at least try to make it seem convincing? Anyway, all that aside, I'm not hunting you, or whatever other ridiculous delusion you've got floating around in that single digit IQ braincell you've got. Pull yourself together, you're embarrassing not just yourself, but Rogue too!"

N-No I'm not!"

"Yes, you are," Natsu repeated, placing his hands on his hips as he glared down at the man. "Why the Hell would I come after you over some petty Guild rivalry crap!?"

"…I dunno."

"You don't know? Seriously?"

"Well, I mean… I thought it was possible," the White Dragon Slayer mumbled, not meeting his gaze.

"Anyway, I don't have a lot of time so I've got to run, but-."

"Wait," Rogue cut in quickly before Natsu could announce his departure. "Although Sting is being stupid right now, both he and I need to apologize to you for our behaviour when we last met-."

"Don't worry about it," Natsu replied, smoothly waving off Rogue as he walked toward Gajeel's home. "From what I've heard, the two of you cleaned up your acts since the Grand Magic Games I attended years ago. That alone is far better than any apology. Just keep doing your best to help Fiore like you have been, and we're all even."

Turning around, Natsu was about to enter Gajeel's house, when he was abruptly halted yet again.

"Wait!"

Looking over his shoulder, he could see Sting standing just a few feet away from him, head bowed with a stiff posture.

"Even if you don't want to hear it, I'm gonna say it anyway! I'm sorry for how I acted toward you and Wendy, and for all the terrible things I said! I won't ever let myself or anyone from my Guild ever act like that again! I promise Natsu, I won't let this second chance go to waste!"

Looking down at the man, he couldn't help but smile and pulled him back into an upright position, before placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You're alright Sting. You're alright."

Turning around and entering Gajeel's home, he didn't see the blonde-haired Dragon Slayer tear up, as Rogue smiled on from behind him. As the two men departed, they couldn't help but feel grateful that they had at least made amends to the person they'd offended the most.

To the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth, it was a great end to an old chapter of their lives. And now, they could fight harder to ensure the next one was something much greater.

*POTD*

"Oi, Gajeel," Natsu called out, reaching the living room. "You here?"

"Upstairs," came the gruff response, as the Hybrid quickly ascended the stairs, hearing hushed whispers at the end of the hall.

Opening one of the doors at the end of the hallway, he was met with the Master bedroom, where Gajeel was taking away a tray for a heavily pregnant Levy.

"Natsu," Levy smiled warmly, beckoning him to enter. "It's been ages since I've seen you!"

"Likewise Levy. I was shocked to hear you were pregnant, but you're about to pop!"

"Don't say it like that Salamander," Gajeel huffed, though he was clearly proud of it regardless.

"He's not wrong though, is he? I'm eight months," Levy replied, rubbing her very visible baby bump lovingly. "The Doctor said our child is on the larger side, so they probably will be built more like Gajeel."

"Big and strong," the Dragon Slayer grinned happily. "Just like their old man!"

"You're not quite old enough to be an old man yet," Natsu laughed, still taking in the sight of a pregnant Levy. "Honestly, I know I said it to you at the Guild Hall, but congratulations to both of you. I know you'll make great parents."

"Thanks Natsu! Although…"

All three lost their cheerful looks, the topic on the tip of Levy's tongue obvious.

"Try not to think about it Levy, and just focus on resting," Natsu sighed, looking toward Gajeel, who nodded thankfully. "I just came to talk to Gajeel for a bit, if you don't mind me stealing him?"

"It's fine. I know that you're going to need him for the upcoming fight, so before you go beating yourself up about asking him, know that I fully agree and support it. Even if-."

"Don't you dare even think about saying that," Natsu cut her off, eliciting a stiff nod of the head in kind. "Gajeel will be fine."

"…I know," Levy sighed, clearly not fully buying it, but understanding all the same. "I'll call you with the Lacrima if I need you Gajeel."

"No problem," Gajeel smiled, bending down and kissing Levy on the forehead as the two men walked out of the room, heading downstairs and into the kitchen. "You want a drink?"

"Fuck yes. I've been dealing with some insane shit today, and it just keeps on coming," Natsu sighed, as Gajeel tossed him an all too familiar beverage. "Oh yes…"

"You look like shit, so drink up."

Taking a deep swig from the bottle of homemade brew, Natsu sighed, clearly enjoying the contents before taking a seat at the table.

"Saw Sting and Rogue leaving earlier, had a quick chat. Didn't ask what they were doing here though?"

"I sort of took em under my wing, taught em a whole bunch of the things ya taught me. Made sure they got that part too."

"So they'd be leaps and bounds stronger than when I last saw them then?"

"Oh yeah. Workin together, those two'll be able to fight a Spriggan or Leichart Officer I reckon."

"And you," Natsu asked curiously. "Don't think I didn't notice you holding back when I folded everyone at the Guild?"

"I took what ya said to heart Salamander, bout havin somethin to fight for," Gajeel replied quietly, looking up at the ceiling. "I can't afford to lose, or worse, die. I've got a little one on the way now, an I ain't bout to leave Levy to carry raising em alone."

"Good. Keep that in your mind Gajeel, throughout the war. It will help you keep focus," Natsu nodded, clearly glad Gajeel finally had found what he'd been subtly hinting at all these years. "You've done Fairy Tail a great service over the years Gajeel. From all those special missions you've done for me, to the…off the books stuff, I won't allow that all to be forgotten."

"I had a lot to make up for-."

"Fuck off with that shit man, you made up for that Phantom shit well over a decade ago! No, as the current Master of Fairy Tail, I won't allow your service to both myself and the Guild be forgotten."

"The Hell are ya saying?"

"I spoke with Makarov, and he agrees you should've been made S Class years ago. So consider that effective immediately," Natsu began, surprising the Dragon Slayer. "But that's not all."

"You serious!?"

"For your service in the shadows to the Guild, whilst we can't openly recognize all that you've done, we can still make sure you're given your just reward for said achievements," Natsu continued, as Gajeel just gaped at him in shock. "Effective immediately, you've got a special pension of five thousand jewel a month for the rest of your life, access to any formerly restricted location, document or object under Fairy Tail's possession, and your child will be given everything should anything happen to you."

"…S-Natsu," Gajeel whispered, his usual gruff and stoic demeanor faltering. "Is this for real?"

"From this moment forth, consider yourself an Ace of Fairy Tail Gajeel," Natsu smiled, seeing the shock yet genuine appreciation in the Dragon Slayer's eyes. "Without your efforts, many lives among our rank could have been lost at the hands of many of Fairy Tail's enemies. You thwarted these attempts behind the scenes, infiltrated Ivan's mockery of Fairy Tail and proved yourself dedicated to the Guild even during its tenure as a Dark Guild by upholding the Guild name and assuring its allies we would return. And yes, don't think I haven't heard about that."

"Fuck Natsu I-."

"You don't need to say anything," Natsu replied, taking another sip from his drink. "You've more than just redeemed yourself Gajeel, and everybody knows it. You're family, and your name will be written alongside mine, alongside the likes of Makarov, Gildarts, Mavis and all those who have fought to uphold the very foundation of our Guild."

"…Man. I don't even know what to say," Gajeel mumbled, stunned beyond belief.

"I should also note that this makes you eligible to become Guild Master one day," Natsu added, as Gajeel nearly choked on his own spit. "You ever wonder why Makarov wouldn't give the position to Laxus? It's because he hadn't proven himself to be someone who would fight and die for the very ideals and foundations the Guild was built upon like we have."

"Well shit," was all Gajeel could respond with, leaning back in his chair as he started to process everything. "I'm grateful you and the old man are comin through with all this, but it's kinda funny since we're about to enter the largest war in written memory that you'd do it now."

"We'll get through the war Gajeel, just like we get through everything else. You've got Levy to fight for, and I've got Erza. We'll win, come back home, and make a better world so that our kids one day don't have to suffer like we have."

"That's a message I'm down for fightin for," Gajeel replied, grabbing his drink and raising it high. "To the future!"

"To the future," Natsu repeated, as they both drained their respective bottles, letting out audible sighs.

"So," Gajeel smirked, leaning forward once again with an amused smirk on his face. "You ain't denying ya wanna have kids with Erza?"

"Of course I do," the Hybrid scoffed in reply. "I suppose its just lucky we haven't gotten around to it yet. Er, no offense."

"Eh, I get it."

"Once everything settles down, I really want to, though. But obviously Erza's got to agree."

"I don't think that'd be too hard to get her to agree to," Gajeel laughed, as Natsu pondered on the topic for several moments, before shaking her head.

As he pondered the idea of a pregnant Erza, a bright flash lit up the room, startling the pair, as a neatly folded note gently floated down onto the table.

"A note?"

"Wonder who it's from," Natsu mused, reading over its contents, eyes narrowed. "Mm."

"Everything good?"

"Someone wants to talk to me. Alone."

"Someone?"

"Someone from my past who is now technically an enemy," Natsu sighed. "But the note assures me there won't be any sort of trap or anything so…"

"You gonna go?"

"Yeah. As weird as it sounds, I do trust her," Natsu replied, slowly rising to his feet. "You'll hear from Makarov soon regarding assignment since the Guilds are uniting to face Alvarez."

"Understood," Gajeel nodded stiffly. "Good luck on your end, Salamander."

"Same to you, Blacksteel," Natsu replied, snapping his fingers to open up a Gate. "See you round."

Walking through the Gate, Gajeel noticed he'd accidentally left the note on his table. Curious, he decided to read it, eyes widening considerably at the signature at the bottom.

...could come and have a talk with me before the whole war kicks off, I'd appreciate it.

What were did when we were young, and what we are now, I won't forget it. You and I, we're adults, and it's time we just talked about it all in the open, no bullshit. I'm not asking you to start something with me again, nor am I angry about it. But I don't want anything left unsaid like last time.

I care about you, even if you no longer care about me.

I've arranged for Lady Irene to drop me on an island about twenty kilometers west of where the invasion fleet will eventually be passing.

I do hope to see you there...

Yours…

Brandish My

"Only he could end up with attention like that," Gajeel chuckled lightly, shaking his head as he pocketed the note. "Still, can't exactly blame him."

With a final shake of his head, Gajeel returned upstairs to fuss over Levy, pushing all thoughts of the war from his mind.

If these were to be the last days of peace, he wanted to spend them with her…

The one who gave him his life back.