(Edited 07/02/25)

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

The Past And The Future

*POTD*

Natsu emerged from the Gate at the island specified within Brandish's letter. Almost immediately he could feel her presence, her power having grown substantially since they last met.

Appearing along the beach where she was set up, he looked out to his left and saw the sun setting on the horizon, before looking back to the laid back Spriggan Commander, who was currently lazing about in a sun chair, her signature coat draped on a tree branch nearby, leaving her wearing very little.

"I'm not trying to seduce you," the young woman spoke up, shifting her sunglasses slightly so she could meet his gaze. "I've been here a few hours just soaking in the rays, that's all."

"Never said you were," Natsu replied evenly, taking the other sun chair offered by her as he allowed some of his clothes to vanish, leaving him in only his pants and nothing else. "I know you wouldn't do that. It's above you."

"Your faith in me is something I'll never take for granted," Brandish replied, looking toward him before removing her sunglasses, the last of the sun's rays vanishing on the horizon. "Care to light this little camp up for me?"

"Heh. I see my services are in high demand," Natsu joked, looking toward a nearby fire pit Brandish had prepared earlier, pointing at it to ignite a large flame. "Got anything special planned for this fire?"

"Hmm… Possibly," the Spriggan smirked, sitting up with a light huff. "You can call me out for wasting your time whenever you know?"

"It's not a waste of time. You wouldn't have called me here to do that, as you yourself hate people who waste time," Natsu countered evenly, prompting Brandish to scoff lightly as she got up and approached the fire.

"You know me well, even after all these years…"

"You said you wanted to talk, so I came. Like you said in your letter, we're adults, not two hormonal teenagers anymore, so we can speak freely as we like, right?"

"Heh. I wanted to see you one last time and talk about back then, in Scarlione," Brandish replied, flicking her wrist as a cigarette materialized from her Requip Space as she pressed the tip into the flames. "Want one? For old times sake?"

"…I shouldn't," Natsu replied, mulling it over. "It isn't that cheap shit still, is it?"

"Do I look like a low-level grunt to you," Brandish smirked, flicking her wrist to conjure the whole packet. "Premium Red."

"Fuck it," Natsu replied, motioning for one to come to him as he lit the tip aflame with his own power. "For old times sake, one won't kill me."

"None would. You're a Godlike immortal now," Brandish replied, an amused smirk as she took a drag, exhaling off to the side. "Though, you didn't care too much back when you were mortal either, did you?"

"A hormonal teen will do a lot of things for sex, as you later said yourself," came the amused reply, as Natsu took a drag of his own, exhaling away from Brandish. "Guess that Spriggan pay does get you quality?"

"Shut up dork."

"Not a dork anymore I'm afraid. My list of conquests is far greater than you could possibly imagine."

"Dork."

The pair looked to one another before laughing lightly, as the Spriggan Officer flicked some ash into the fire.

"I want to talk about back then. About what we once were…and what we became," Brandish said suddenly, though Natsu wasn't at all caught off guard by it.

"Which part do you want to start with then?"

"How about the part where you saved me from getting raped by my superior officer," Brandish replied bluntly, as Natsu took a modest drag from his cigarette before exhaling off to the right. "We never once talked about it beyond the moment."

"It's not something I figured was ever appropriate if you didn't voice it?"

"In a way that would be true. But…"

"I never gave you the assurance you could, either."

"Right."

"Given the bluntness in how you said it, I take it you're ready to just openly talk about it?"

"To you, yeah. I only ever told Irene, Sentomaru, August and Lord Zeref about it. So, you're joining a pretty exclusive club."

"And I'm honored," came the curt reply, before he elaborated, seeing her doubting look. "No, really, I am."

"I'll take your word for it," the Spriggan sighed, flicking some more ash from her cigarette.

"So, how about you start at the beginning?"

"He was my direct superior officer, someone I'd been told I had to obey without question," Brandish began. "Lieutenant First Class Garth Aschlind, an upcoming hero of the Empire. A man all of us were trying so hard to work for, since he was well on his way to becoming a member of the Liechart or Spriggan Twelve."

"So, you wanted to work under him?"

"In the beginning, yeah. I was already a personal apprentice of Lady Irene and Lord August, so my career was assured from the start. But in Alvarez, its always encouraged to draw experience from all sources, and Garth was one of them. No one, not even Lady Irene, knew about what he was really like, since no one had the need to check."

"So, he'd done that before? Assaulted other females under his command?"

"Yeah. He was a master at Memory Magic, and erased it from their minds after the deed was done," Brandish replied, a deep scowl on her face. "The day you saved me was the day he finally decided he wanted to…as he put it, have a taste of the upcoming talent."

"Until I stopped him."

"Yeah," Brandish nodded, her gaze hard as she thought back to that day. "He didn't get more than my bra off before you crashed through the window and stuck those claw-like fingers of yours through his face. I don't think I've ever laughed and cried so hard at something so gruesome, before or since."

"Let's just be glad I was there before it could've gotten any worse."

"Oh, don't worry, I'm eternally thankful you were there to save me," Brandish replied immediately, taking another drag. "But I think we need to talk about what happened since then."

"Right…"

"You came and made sure I was alright, before rejoining the Scarlione forces outside who were raiding the base. But in that brief moment you checked on me, it kind of broke something within me, and I ended up seeking you out later…"

"I remember. You actually hunted me down halfway across the desert," Natsu chuckled, thinking back on the memory. "I don't think I'll ever forget the moment I got effortlessly manhandled by you, and dragged off to that cave."

"Y-Yeah… Not one of my finest moments," Brandish laughed awkwardly.

"I remember when we got there, and I thought I'd been captured, only for you to start kissing me. My teenage mind immediately stopped caring after that moment…"

"As did mine. I remember our first of many nights together being one of awkwardness, yet I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Probably why I'm still messed up in the head I guess?"

"Believe me, you aren't as messed up as you think you are. I've seen WAY worse."

"My mental state aside, we started meeting up to have sex frequently. Even though we were at one point fighting each other, we were fucking at night, defying our countries to sate ourselves."

"Yeah, well, teenage hormones trounce borders I guess," Natsu joked, taking another drag from his cigarette. "But it wasn't to last."

"Yeah. Irene found out about it and had me reassigned. The reason you weren't obliterated on the spot is much clearer now, though I do wonder what she thought about it?"

"I feel like I don't want to know, seeing as she's my Mother-In-Law now," Natsu replied, eliciting an amused laugh from Brandish, as she turned and walked over to a nearby cooler, pulling out some skewered meat and offering him one, as they both moved to hold them over the fire.

"I prepared these earlier. Just simple boar meat, nothing fancy."

"Still good meat," Natsu smiled, as the pair remained silent for several minutes, roasting their food, before Brandish finally seemed to gather the courage to ask the one question neither of them wanted to.

"Do you regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Me? Do you regret me being your first instead of someone you liked such as Erza?"

"You want the truth," Natsu asked, fully turning to face Brandish, who, for the first time ever, seemed genuinely nervous and unsure if she even wanted to hear what he had to say.

"…Go ahead."

"I haven't once regretted it, not even for a second," the Hybrid replied firmly, surprising the Spriggan Commander as she hesitantly met his gaze. "We gave ourselves to each other in moments of passion, and that's not something to be ashamed of."

"But-."

"We were young, Brandish. The young always act with their hearts, not their heads," Natsu replied gently, as he removed his now well-done boar meat from the fire. "What we did, that was life, Brandish, a learning experience. We experimented, and grew as people, and there's nothing to be ashamed of about it."

"…So that's how you look at it?"

"I'll always care about you Brandish, be you on the side of Alvarez or otherwise," the Hybrid continued, as he finished off his cigarette. "My teen years were full of rebellion, and learning from the mistakes of doing so. But losing my virginity to you, that's not one of those mistakes."

Brandish stared at Natsu for a long moment, before the corner of her lips twitched upright, the rest of them following suit moments later. A low chuckle escaped her. Then another. And another.

"FuhahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Natsu could only laugh alongside her, as the pair both sat down on the cool sand of the beach, the night now fully set in around them, the fire their only respite from the darkness.

"Ahh… I don't know why I expected anything less from you," Brandish sighed, wiping a tear from her eye as she tore off a chunk of meat from her skewer. "You've never been one to regret personal attachments."

"Life is far too short to be regretting things like that Brandish," Natsu replied, taking a bite from his own skewer. "I'm just glad you can still laugh at the end of all you've been through."

"Always thinking about others over yourself," Brandish sighed, a light smile on her face. "I always did like that about you. In fact, that might even be your strongest trait?"

"Please, do keep lumping on the praise," Natsu joked in response, receiving a nudge from Brandish's foot in kind. "For real though, thanks. I've always respected your opinion, even if it might not look like it."

"…You know what's coming though, right?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And what?"

"What if-?"

"I'm not going to raise so much as a finger against you," Natsu replied instantly, cutting her off. "You know it, and I know it. Same with Irene, I won't fight her either."

"…Thank you Natsu," Brandish smiled, as she watched Natsu devour the last of his meat. "Regardless of who wins this war, I-I hope we can see each other again?"

"So do I Brandish, so do I," Natsu sighed, rising to his feet. "I don't mean to ruin the moment, but-?"

"I get it. You're one of the most important people on the planet now, and you have many duties and responsibilities to others. So, don't let me keep you. Just remember that you'll always have a place in my heart."

"…Just like you have in mine," Natsu replied with a small smile, opening a Gate and stepping through, leaving the Spriggan Commander alone to her thoughts.

"A man like you is far too good for this world," Brandish sighed, lighting up another cigarette and looking out on the dark horizon. "It's strange but…I'm praying for your victory."

*POTD*

Natsu emerged from the Gate, getting back on track with his tasks now that he'd finished with Brandish's surprise invitation.

He still had a list of people he needed to speak to before the day of the war, and one day had since passed from when he began. Time was short, yet the list had also shrunk, which gave him some hope he'd get to everyone before Alvarez struck.

Standing before the Guild Hall, the Hybrid sighed. The next person he needed to talk to probably was busy beating themselves up over the past. That had to stop immediately if his plan was going to succeed.

Entering the Guild Hall, he wasn't surprised to find the place mostly deserted. Only Laxus and Mira remained, the pair tidying up the place from the chaos of the day.

"Well, I'm surprised to see the mighty Laxus Dreyar cleaning," Natsu smirked, startling the pair who abruptly snapped their attention toward him. "Am I…interrupting something?"

"N-No," Mira replied quickly, shaking her head. "W-We were just-!"

"Stop looking to start trouble Natsu," Laxus said, cutting Mira off with a frown. "You just surprised us since you're meant to be in Crocus."

"Relax guys, I'm just messing with you," Natsu chuckled, deciding not to inform them about what he could smell. "Anyway, since you're both here, either of you seen Gray?"

"Gray was here earlier with Juvia, but then they went home," Mira replied, looking slightly thoughtful. "Is everything alright? They don't want to bring him in for-?"

"Oh, nothing like that," Natsu replied quickly, waving his hands rapidly. "You guys weren't there so you don't know, but all the Guilds are uniting to fight against the Alvarez invasion which is…well it's technically sometime tomorrow."

"Well, at least there's some good news," Laxus sighed, crossing his arms. "I half expected the Council to try something?"

"Seam got arrested by the Ishgarian High Council and the Guilds have sworn fealty directly to Hisui, who is Queen now by the way."

"…What?"

"A lot happened," Natsu chuckled, seeing the stunned looks from the pair. "Anyway, I need to see Gray about something important, so don't let me keep you from your…activities."

"Shut up!"

"Yeah. Keep your nose to yourself," Laxus growled, though there was no venom to his tone, as Natsu mockingly pinched his nose and marched out in an overly exaggerated manner.

"Right then," he sighed, opening a Gate and quickly heading to Gray and Juvia's house. "Let's see if he's home?"

Before he had a chance to knock on the door, it abruptly opened, as Gray quickly exited, shutting it before dragging him along down the street.

"O-Oi!? What's the rush!?"

"I sensed you coming, but I'd rather not disturb Juvia right now," Gray replied gruffly, dragging him down a side street before letting him go.

"You don't want to disturb Juvia so you dragged me half way down the street and into a dingy alleyway?"

"Yes."

"…You guys were fucking, weren't you?"

"Come on-!"

"Hey, I'm not judging-."

"Shut. Up."

"Shutting up," Natsu smirked, the two men staring at one another as Natsu couldn't help himself. "Must be something in the air tonight because over at the Guild Hall-."

"Adadadada! No! Don't want to hear it Natsu! Zip it!"

"Okay! Fuck! Fine…"

"Now what's up? I heard you were supposed to be in Crocus for that whole meeting thing with the King," Gray asked, eliciting a gentle sigh from the Hybrid.

"Okay. Basically, King Toma stepped down, Hisui got made Queen, all the Guilds in Fiore swore fealty to her with the Grand Chairwoman of the Ishgarian High Council in full support. Seam got arrested and Alvarez are about a day away before the invasion kicks off."

"…"

"Got all that? Good."

"Sort of? But all that aside, why does it bring you to me at two in the morning?"

"Simple. I have a job for you Gray when the war kicks off," Natsu replied seriously, as Gray tensed, knowing full well Natsu wasn't messing around. "This is something I can only have YOU handle."

"You serious? You want ME to handle some top-secret mission?"

"That's correct."

"Are you…sure?"

"Gray, I do believe this is one job you'll be more than happy to take up once I tell you what it is, so just settle down a minute," Natsu sighed, hearing the fear and self-doubt in the man's tone. "Once the Alvarez forces are firmly within Fiore, I want you to hunt down and eliminate The Darkness."

The moment Natsu mentioned the name of the target, Gray's entire demeanor changed. His gaze hardened, his jaw tightened, and his fists clenched tightly at his side.

"You serious?"

"Dead serious. I won't trust anyone else to do it," Natsu replied darkly, leaning back against the wall behind him. "I'm going to be preoccupied dealing with threats like Zeref, August, Sentomaru and a litany of other Alvarez High Command. But the Darkness is a unique threat in what it can do, but you are uniquely capable of slaying it."

"Because of the Devil's Aura my Dad gifted me through the Devil Slayer Magic," Gray asked quietly, eliciting a sharp nod. "Right…"

"So, will you do it?"

"I literally can't refuse, not after everything that happened," Gray replied, thinking back to all the terrible things he'd done whilst being possessed by it. "But how can I kill it?"

"With Devil Slaying Magic, you are uniquely positioned to damage that thing's true form. I'm the only other one who could do it, but like I told you before, I have far too many other targets to deal with."

"You're right. Your strength will be needed to fight the ones no one else can," Gray agreed. "Its up to me to put a stop to that thing before it can ruin the lives of others."

"So, you'll do it?"

"You better believe I will," Gray replied firmly, nodding stiffly. "I owe it to everyone to truly set things right!"

"Good man. Now, I've got to run, but I'll be looking forward to feeling that thing's presence vanish off the face of Earthland."

"You can count on it Natsu. I promise I'll kill that thing, for both of us," Gray replied, as the two men shook hands. "Now, I've got to get back to Juvia. So, if there isn't anything else…?"

"Nah. You're all good to go Gray. I'll see you later," Natsu smiled, as Gray departed, leaving him alone in the alleyway to contemplate his next steps, when he felt another familiar presence manifest across from him.

Looking back up to where Gray had been standing, Eliza was now in his place, a gentle smile on her face.

"Hello Natsu."

"Eliza. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I wanted to thank you for going back to Kihetai Village before I get into it," the War Goddess replied, stepping forward and pulling him into a surprise hug. "You know her happiness means a lot to me, and Kihetai has been a burden I couldn't relieve her of."

"I doubt it had anything to do with you personally. She probably just wanted someone physically there for her-?"

"No. The fact of the matter is there is only so much I alone could do for her. But someone aside from me whom she can trust was the key, of that I am most certain. And you, Natsu Dragneel, have a special place in Elise's heart, just like I do."

"Well, I can't deny that doesn't make me happy," Natsu replied with a slight blush, running a hand through his hair. "I did always tell her I'd be there for her, so…?"

"Exactly. And you were there for her when she needed you the most. It counts for far more than you may ever realize," the Goddess replied, releasing him as she cleared her throat. "The matter of Elise aside, there's somewhere I want to take you before speaking with you regarding a certain matter of the higher realms."

"And where would this place be, exactly?"

"It will work better if you just trust me," Eliza smirked, extending her hand to him, which he immediately took. "No hesitation?"

"You wouldn't screw me over Eliza, I know that," the Hybrid smiled, bringing a faint blush to the War Goddess' cheeks, not having expecting such kind words.

"W-Well then, all the more reason to show you this surprise," the Goddess spluttered, as they vanished and reappeared in a rather dull looking location. "Surprise!"

"…The Hell is this," Natsu blurted out, looking at the endless expanse of grey rock.

"Look up and you'll understand it a bit better I think?"

Sighing, he did as the War Goddess instructed, and was shocked to see he was looking up at the familiar continent of Ishgar. Looking left he could see Alakitasia, with Draconia up in the far northern region.

"W-What…!?"

"Still unsure of where you are," the War Goddess smirked, eliciting a fierce shake of the head from the Hybrid. "So, you know?"

"W-We're in space!"

"Correct! It's always amusing to see someone experience being in space for the first time," the War Goddess giggled, lazily floating up from their position. "Come!"

"H-How is this possible!? Does the moon have an atmosphere or something," Natsu asked, quickly joining Eliza as they flew out into open space, leaving the safety of the rocky moon behind.

"Not at all. You're a Godlike being now, but that isn't the only reason you can now breathe and speak even in the vacuum of space," Eliza explained, the pair stopping about half way between Earthland and one of its moons. "To put it simply, your level of strength since becoming a Hybrid has evolved so rapidly that you are now strong enough to fly, breathe and speak in space."

"…That's so weird and yet I can't help but think about how cool it is," Natsu mumbled to himself, looking around as Eliza brought him back into focus.

"I wanted you to experience what it was like being up here, floating above the planet where you were born," the War Goddess explained, as Natsu shifted his focus to Earthland. "Think about it. Hundreds of millions of beings have been born, lived, fought and died over all that down there. Yet here you are, floating above it all, the raw power within you to obliterate it to dust…"

"It's…certainly something to think about," Natsu replied quietly, his gaze shifting to the continent of Bosco. "Why are you showing me all this now though?"

"It's something that you'll find dreadfully important to know one day. You won't know when, but it will matter," the War Goddess replied cryptically, before looking away. "That aside, I need to inform you about something else."

"Such as?"

"Soon, I'll come and fetch you to bring you to the meeting Aizen spoke to you about, the one in Equilibrius."

"Ah."

"Lord Life and Lady Death have said they can only buy you a little more time. A few more hours at the most."

"I see…"

"Go and spend them with the one I know you want to the most," Eliza suggested, as Natsu looked back down at Earthland. "You won't have any more time until the war, after all."

"I understand. Thank you, Eliza," Natsu replied quietly, before meeting her gaze. "Thank you for everything."

"Hm? Where did that come from?"

"…From the heart," Natsu smiled after several moments of thought. "From the heart."

Opening a Gate, Natsu floated through, leaving the War Goddess floating alone in the cold expanse of space, a thoughtful look on her face.

"He really is one of the good ones, isn't he?"

*POTD*

Appearing in the middle of a forest was the last place Natsu had expected, as he looked around, a little more than mildly confused.

But then, the more he looked, the more the memories came flooding back. Memories of his first job, his first pay. Memories of learning how to count and wisely spend said money as he bought materials to build his first home.

Then, his eyes fell upon it…

There, covered by moss, vines and fallen leaves, was all that remained of his first house. A place he'd been all too quick to abandon on his quest for strength and fame. A place that held a lot of good and bad memories from a time he was far more innocent to the horrors of the wider world.

"I thought I sensed you…"

Natsu simply smiled as Erza slowly emerged from the ruin, her extremely long hair having been freed from its braid, flowing like a crimson waterfall down her back and past her thighs. It was mesmerizing to him in a strange way, like it was something hypnotic that all his power couldn't resist.

Clad in only a simple sundress, his Wife was clearly taking the time to enjoy the last day of peace before the inevitable chaos that loomed on the horizon. Despite being in her thirties now, she held a strange youthfulness in her in this particular moment.

Something truly bright.

"Keep staring like that and you'll give a girl ideas, dearest Husband of mine…"

"Ah," Natsu chuckled awkwardly, shaking his head rapidly to try and dispel her most bewitching curse. "Sorry."

"Don't be. I exist for you to stare at," Erza replied playfully stepping up to Natsu, as he adjusted his height so he was only a head taller than her. "Hold me."

Without a word, Natsu accepted her eagerly into his arms as she squeezed him tightly, snuggling into him as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I was hoping I'd see you before the war began," Erza whispered from within his chest, hearing the beating of his mighty heart. "I know you're a busy man and all, but…"

"A man is never too busy for his Wife Erza, anyone with a brain knows that."

"Ordinarily, I'd go along with that joke, but I was being serious this time," Erza sighed, gently releasing him before stepping back. "Everyone knows that the end could very well be on the horizon. I know you want to talk about keeping positive and having the confidence that we'll win… But I think its important we also face the reality that this fight will be the bloodiest in centuries, and we're at a major disadvantage."

"I know…"

Erza was about to continue, but noticed Natsu had stiffened, slightly hunched as his face twitched ever so slightly. Before she could ask him what was wrong, her eyes widened as tears began streaming down his cheeks, his entire body shaking as he dropped to his knees.

"N-Natsu," Erza gasped, dropping to her knees as she cupped his cheeks. "What's wrong!?"

"…I-I don't know if I can do it Erza," he croaked in response, sniffling as he clenched his fists. "Zeref. August. Sentomaru. Achnologia…"

After mentioning that they should acknowledge the reality of what was coming, the last thing Erza had expected Natsu to do was begin to break down in front of her. He who was always the bravest, smartest and strongest of Fairy Tail. The man who always had a plan, or some way of saving the day. The man who never failed to deliver in the face of overwhelming odds…

"…I'm afraid," he whispered shakily, as she gently held him to her chest as he fully broke down.

Shocked, yet also honored in a strange way that he would show such vulnerability in her presence.

And so, she held him as he let himself go, gently running her hands through his long shaggy hair as he sobbed into her chest whilst she rocked him back and forth gently. And, although it may have been selfish of her to think in such a way, she was glad he'd chosen her to fully open up to in a way no other would ever get to see.

This was why she was his Wife.

Several minutes passed as he cried, releasing what was most likely years of pent up emotional frustration and damage, as she held and comforted him in the way only a loving Wife could. And eventually, as his sobbing died down, she held him tighter to her chest, making sure he knew she was there for him, accepting him even now that she'd seen him at a weak moment.

"Fuck…"

"It's alright Natsu," Erza whispered, gently petting the top of his head as his shaking slowly began to subside. "I've got you…"

"E-Erza…"

"It's alright…I'm here for you," his Wife cooed, kissing the top of his head as she felt him relax in her arms. "That's right… I want you to relax for me, alright?"

"Alright…"

"Good," Erza whispered lovingly, as Natsu felt her shift him so that he was laying down on the grass, his head now in her lap. "There…"

"Mm… I love your lap pillow Erza."

"I know you do, and you've more than earned it, haven't you?"

"Have I?"

"Oh yes. No other man on Earthland could have done even half of what you have," Erza replied, gently running a thumb over his cheek as she gazed down at him lovingly. "It was your strength that helped us all survive this long, wasn't it?"

"Even if that's true," Natsu mumbled in reply, wiping his eyes with his sleeve before looking up into Erza's loving gaze. "Does that justify me lying to people and saying we're all going to get through this? You're right about having to face the reality of what's coming, and that many of us likely won't be surviving this war. I always knew that, but…but does that give me the right to inspire all these people into fighting? These people who are our friends, our family, our allies…?"

"Natsu, I understand why you're so conflicted," Erza sighed sadly. "But you know there's only one alternative available should we not fight, don't you?"

"…"

"Submission," Erza answered for him, as he struggled to respond. "Alvarez would have us submit, with many of us being captured, killed or forcibly enlisted against our will. You know it. I know it. Everybody knows it."

"…But is it morally right to send many of them off to their deaths, Erza, when they might survive?"

"I can't answer what is morally or ethically right Natsu. But what I can say is that you know this fight better than almost anyone around. You fought against them before for Scarlione, experienced the war firsthand. The war that comes will be that again, so why did you fight the last time?"

"…I fought because those I cared about asked me to."

"And why will you fight this time?"

Natsu looked away from Erza, pondering all that he had seen since his return to Fiore. All the friends he had made, all the good he had done and all the evil he had dispatched in the name of Fairy Tail.

He then thought about his friends and loved ones. About Erza, Wendy and Elise. About Gajeel and his now pregnant partner Levy, and their unborn child. He thought about Queen Hisui and her newly minted reign, and the reincarnation of Illyandra, who was counting on him to restore her kingdom.

"I'm scared, that much hasn't changed," Natsu replied after several minutes of silence. "But this war, what's coming… I'm not fighting to prove myself, or to grow stronger alongside other strong warriors. No, this time, I'm fighting for a future…"

"And what future is that?"

"A future where our children can grow up and not fear Blood Mages coming for their virginal blood and souls. A world where Demons don't stalk the forests, swamps and mountains hunting Humans. A future where Dark isn't a Magic, but an evil Mage only… A world where I can stand there with you, hand in hand and say that I made a real difference," Natsu replied, sitting up to face Erza, a newly lit fire in his eyes. "A world where our future children don't ever need to be like us."

"I'm glad you said that," Erza smiled, leaning in and gently pecking him on the lips. "As much as you mentioning us having children makes my heart flutter, that's the exact kind of future all of us are planning on fighting for. One where we can be proud to stand there and tell our kids we were the ones who made the world a better place for them."

"You're right," Natsu replied, as the pair both stood up. "You're absolutely right. We're fighting for the future, not just our lives, and that's what matters most. Because I do want to have kids with you Erza. I really do! But I don't want them to grow up in a world where they can't be whatever they want to be, or fear what's out there!"

Erza was somewhat embarrassed to hear how strongly he wanted kids, but also giddy at the same time, as he took her hands into his own.

"What would I ever do without you Erza?"

"Oh, I didn't do too much…"

"Wrong. You're there for me when I need it the most. That's probably the most important place anyone can ever be for me, and you know that," Natsu replied firmly, kissing the knuckles of her right hand. "You're the best Wife ever."

"S-Shut up! Stop flattering me!"

"Thank you, Erza, for always being there for me when I need it the most," Natsu said sincerely, leaning in and capturing her lips in a deep kiss, as she cupped his cheeks almost immediately.

The pair separated after several moments, before pressing their foreheads together, warm smiles on their faces.

"You realize the moment this war is over; I'll be holding you to that having many children statement."

"Oh, I know you will…"

"You've lit a fire within me Natsu Dragneel, and I'm going to be ruthless until you sate it."

"Consider it my final conquest before I retire from fighting," Natsu growled lowly, with Erza instantly going weak at the knees, only for the sound of someone clearing their throat to snap the pair back to reality.

The pair rapidly looked to their right to see an amused Eliza sitting on a piece of broken wall, looking down at them with her arms crossed.

"I figured it was only polite to interrupt before you started rutting like beasts, yes?"

"Oh my God…"

"Um…Yeah," Natsu replied awkwardly. "Yep. Definitely."

"If it makes you feel any better, I didn't come to interrupt you without good reason," the War Goddess continued, as Natsu quickly put two and two together. "Yes. It's time."

"I see," Natsu sighed in response, before looking toward Erza. "I've got some business in the higher realms that'll take me until the beginning of the war to sort out."

"Oh…"

"But I will see you again Erza. Count on it."

"I know. You won't break any promise to me Natsu," Erza replied firmly, the pair sharing a final kiss before Natsu pulled fully away. "I'll see you on the battlefield most likely."

"Right. I'll see you then," Natsu sighed, as he turned to look toward Eliza. "So, we doing this?"

"As soon as you take my hand," Eliza replied, extending a hand toward him as he looked back toward Erza a final time.

With a cheeky wave, he took Eliza's hand and vanished, leaving Erza alone amidst the ruins of Natsu's old home.

With a sigh, the Requip Mage turned to look at it, deep in thought. As her eyes surveyed the location, a thought popped into her mind that she decided to voice aloud…

"Perhaps I was a bit too hasty in burning down his house when he ran off? This place would've been nice to live in and raise a family…?"

With a gentle sigh, Erza departed from the ruins, heading back to Magnolia feeling slightly lighter inside than when she'd left.

All thanks to her Godly Husband and their love for one another.