Chapter 24

Confessions

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback / Mindscape

Location / Date / Time Skip

Laki's Mind

'So, this is what it's like to be dead...' Laki thought. 'I thought it'd be a lot colder.' Her eyes opened as she found herself floating about over a grave, surrounded by Fairy Tail. The grace was carved in front of a stone tree, forever in bloom. 'I guess this is my funeral...'

"Laki Olietta was as gentle a soul as I ever met..." Makarov said. "Her heart was as expansive as the forests she loved, and her glasses let her see the truth in other people. Her bountiful energy made us all smile and laugh. But now, it is with heavy hearts, that we.." Tears fell from his eyes as he continued. "We return her to the earth. Wherever we walk, we-we will feel her presence with us forever."

'Master...' Laki stared at the old master in silence.

"In the wake of this tragedy, we are left with two opened seats on the council." Laki turned as the magic council walked forward. "We have unanimously voted to award one to her. I, Org, am proud to declare Laki Olietta an eternal Wizard Saint."

"It's not fair..." Erza dropped to her knees and punched the ground with her bare fist. "It should have been me, damn it!"

Laki looked around as Happy started crying. 'Wait, where's Natsu?' She suddenly found herself transported outside Natsu's house. 'What's going on?' She floated over to a tall tree to see Natsu siting on the tallest branch, holding a picture the two of them when they were kids.

"That makes three people I wasn't strong enough to protect." He said as he wiped the tears from his eyes. He tucked the photo away and stood up, showing a length of rope under him. He tied one end around the branch before doing the same around his neck.

"Natsu, no!" Laki's cry went unanswered as he jumped off the branch, hanging himself. "No, you can't do this!" She tried to force him back up, but ther hands passed though him every time. 'This isn't what I wanted!'

Akane Beach

Laki opened her eyes and stared up at the sky. 'Where am I?'

"You guys!" She looked over as everyone else ran over to her.

"Wait, what's going on?" She asked.

"Laki..." She looked up at Natsu holding her as Erza was slung over his back.

'Natsu...' Laki didn't even try to hide her blush. 'He actually found me in all that magic energy and pulled me out. He's incredible...'

He dropped to his knees as the other ran closer. "Laki... Don't ever talk like that again." He said. "Who cares if you had a secret to hide!? What matters is that you let others know! Don't ever act like that again, do you hear me!?"

"I understand." Laki raised his head and put her forehead against his. 'That's right, I made a promise with Natsu. And it looks like he wants me to keep it.'

Three Days Later

Akane Hotel Room

Natsu lay sprawled out on the bed covered in bandages snoring. "Think he's gonna be ok?" Gray asked.

"He's been sleeping for that's three days." Luc said. "It's incredible."

"Yeah, guess it is." Laki said as she sat next to him.

"That's what he gets for eating all that Ethernano." Gray said back.

"Say that to my face, Gray!" Natsu shouted as he sat up.

"Natsu!" Laki shouted with joy only to have him fall back asleep. "Huh, must have been instincts."

"He trained his instincts to pick a fight with me!?" Gray asked.

"I know I've already said this, but I'm sorry for getting you all into this." Erza said.

"Come on Erza, stop apologizing to us." The blonde said back.

"By the way, where's your friend?" Erza asked Gray.

"You mean Juvia?" He asked back. "She left a while ago. She wanted to talk to gramps about signing up with the guild."

"I see..." The red head nodded. "If you two don't mind, I would like to spend some time with Laki." The other two nodded and left the room. "Laki, we need to talk."

"I know." The purplette nodded. "Ask me anything. I'm ready to answer."

"How did you learn this magic?" Erza asked.

"My mother." She answered. "Drusta, the wood dragon. She disappeared the same day Natsu's dragon did."

"Why did you hide this for so many years?" Erza asked.

"She hurt me." Laki confessed. "My real parents disappeared and she took me in. She promised me she'd never leave me, and then she did. I didn't want anything to do with her anymore, but I couldn't let Natsu die."

Erza walked over and put her hand on Laki's shoulders. "You'll have to tell master Makarov when we return." Laki nodded and Erza left the room.

Laki shifted and looked at Natsu as he opened his eyes a little bit. "Laki, your glasses..."

"Yeah." She took them off and stuck her finger through the slot. "I never really needed them. But you liked them."

"These new ones... Look better." He said, making her blush even more.

Akane Beach

"We're really sorry, Erza." Wally said as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Can you ever forgive us?" Millianna asked.

"I should be the one asking you that." Erza said. "I left you alone in that tower for eight years."

"We've already forgiven you sis!" Sho said.

"But if I had gone back, Simon might not have had to die." Erza said.

"Listen, there's something you should know about Simon..." Wally started.

"Wally, no!" Millianna shouted.

"It's fine." Erza said. "I already know about his feelings for me. He gave his life to save mine. I'll forever be grateful. I know it's hard, but we have to keep moving forward. That's what Simon would want from all of us."

The other three nodded as an idea entered Erza's head. "You could join Fairy Tail, give guild life a try." All three stared in cpshock and asked if she was serious. "Absolutely, but I don't want to pressure you. So you can think it over."

"I'm pretty sold on the idea already!" Wally said to Millianna.

"A new adventure everyday!" She cheered.

"It would be nice if we could all stay together." Erza added. "Let's head back, I don't think you've been properly introduced to Natsu or Laki yet."

'You've become strong, Erza...' Jellal's words whispered in her ears as she turned around.

'No, it's not possible he survived.' She told herself.

Night

After spending all day hanging out with Erza's old friends, Lucy wrote the whole adventure down in her journal. "Lucy!" Erza slammed the door opened. "Have you seen Sho and the others!?"

"Not since dinner, no." The blonde answered.

"I can't find them anywhere." Erza said, walking in.

"You don't think they'd just leave without saying good bye, do you?" Lucy asked standing up, making the red head nodded. "But why?"

"Tell the others to get the fireworks ready, and meet me on the beach." Erza said as she turned and ran out the room.

Beach Shore

"Are you sure this is a food idea?" Wally asked as the three prepared a boat. "We've never been on our own before."

"We're gonna have to try." Sho said back. "Erza has her own problems. She doesn't need us slowing her down."

"There you are." All three looked over as Erza walked into view.

"Please don't try to stop us..." Sho said. "We've all made up our minds. We've lived our whole lives inside that tower. Now we're adults and we don't know a thing about the outside world. This is our first chance to see it, were free to do whatever we want. We want to follow our dreams, but that's something we have to figure out on our own."

"Well, I have complete faith in you." Erza smiled. "And I know you all will do fine, I'm not worried." She glowed as she Requipped into a white and blue armor with a maroon cape. "However, there are three rules that any member leaving the Fairy Tail guild must always obey."

"Leave? But we never really joined!" Wally shouted.

"One, never reveal any sensitive information about the guild with anyone, for as long as you live." She said, ignoring the outburst. "Two, never contact any clients you worked for in the guild for your own personal gain. Three, though our patches may just stray, you must live your lives to the fullest! That means you must treat everyday like it's your last!"

All three stared at her as tears escaped her eyes. "Never forget your Fairy Tail friends! Treasure them for as long as you live!" She raised her lance to the sky and the banner flapped even more. "Let the Fairy Tail Farewell begin!"

"Yes ma'am!" The other team members appeared and started shooting off fireworks with their magic. Laki couldn't do that, so she created a giant Fairy Tail symbol and raised it to the sky.

"May all your journeys bring you joy." Erza continued as she cried. "I wish we could stay together forever, but I know in my heart I'd hold you back and I don't want that. After all the years you spent in that tower, you deserve to finally be free." The trio cast off with tears in their eyes. "No matter where you go, I will never forget any of you. This isn't goodbye, we'll see each other again."

Magnolia

Fairy Tail Guildhall

"Uh..." All the members of Team Natsu stared at the new and improved guild hall, which now looked like a castle.

"Well, this is a surprise." Erza said.

"They finished building it!" Natsu and Happy asked at the same time.

"Are you kidding me? We got a cafe now?" Gray asked.

"Why do we need a gift shop?" Lucy asked.

"Hey, glad you guys made it back!" Max said from behind the counter.

"You're working the gift shop, Max?" Happy asked as he flew over. "It's been a while since we've seen you."

"Hey, master's the one who insisted on me going back school for buisness lesson." The man chuckled.

"So what you got for sale here?" Happy asked, looking around.

"We got t-shirts, mugs, wristbands, towels, and our most popular item..." Max pulled it out and Happy snatched it.

"Cool, it's a Lucy action figure." The cat said.

"Don't make stuff without my permission." Lucy complained.

"She's posable and..." He stopped talking when he saw Laki. "Anyway, check out these cool lacrimas..."

"Max, what were you gonna say?" She asked as she appeared behind the counter.

"Well, you see..." Max mumbled.

"Look, Lucy. Your clothes can come off!" Happy said as he pulled them off, showing her in a bikini.

"No!" The blonde screamed.

"Get back here, Max!" Laki shouted as she swung her scythe.

"Don't kill me!" He begged as he ran around the building. "I just sell the stuff, I don't make it!"

"Laki, calm down." Natsu grabbed her shoulder and pulled her to the side. "I know you're nervous, but I'll be right by your side when you tell Gramps." The purplette let out a deep breath and dropped her scythe as all five walked into the hall, now giant with multiple rows of tables. "I don't like it."

"You took one step into the building!" Gray shouted.

"It's so good to see your back, Lu!" Levy shouted.

"Hi Levy!" The blonde said back.

"Isn't this awesome?" The petite girl asked. "Now we have a swimming pool behind the bar!"

"I'm not going in it." Laki said. "The old timers are just gonna give me pervy looks."

"And we've added a game room in the basement!" Levy added.

"Does it need to be this big?" Lucy asked.

"I don't like it." Natsu added.

"But the biggest change is upstairs, because now everyone can go on to the second floor." Levy added pointing up. "The master even lets some of us go on S-Class missions, as long as we bring an S-Class wizard with us."

"Well, look what the cat dragged in..." Makarov said as he walked forward. Gray gasped as he looked at Juvia standing next to him. "I'd like you to meet Fairy Tail's newest member, Juvia."

"Hello, everyone. I can't wait to work with you." She said.

"So you actually made it in?" Gray chuckled.

"Thanks again for your help back at Akane." Erza said.

"No, I should be thanking you." The bluenette said. "Because of you all I found a new guild."

"Hey girl." Lucy waved.

"Nice to see you again." Laki added.

"The three of us will battle for Grays love..." Juvia whispered.

"No, we won't." Both said back.

"We've also added another member." Makarov said pointing behind the group. "One you might recognize."

"Who could it be?" Happy asked as they all turned around and went wide eyed.

"Are you kidding me, him?" Gray shouted.

"Gajeel!" Natsu shouted at the same time as the ice wizard.

"Why did you let him in, Gramps!?" Gray shouted.

"Calm down, I'm the one who asked him to join with me." Juvia said.

"Juvia is one thing, but he's the one who destroyed our guild hall!" Erza said as Gajeel rolled his eyes.

"He also nearly killed me!" Laki shouted.

"Now, now, what do I always say?" The old master asked. "Yesterday's enemies are today's friends, right?"

"Besides, if I'm okay with it, than you should be too..." Levy said as she hid behind a table. Her teammates, Jet and Droy, glared at Gajeel.

"No way!" Natsu slammed his hand down on the table. "I ain't working with someone I can't trust!" Gajeel turned to the other Dragon Slayer.

"Don't worry, I don't wanna be your buddy." Gajeel said back. "I'm just here to get work. Nothing more, nothing less. I hate this stupid guild and everyone in it. But times are tough and I didn't have a choice but to join."

"Shut up, loser!" Natsu shouted back.

"I'm sorry, but Gajeel seemed so lonely, and I couldn't just turn my back on him..." Juvia said. "But it's not like I have a crush on him or anything!"

"I know you kids don't like it, but as the master of this guild, it's my duty to help anyone whose gonna a stray find the correct path." Makarov said. "Give him a shot, you might find he's a nice guy, at least I hope so..."

'Well, I'd guess it be nice to have another Slayer to train against...' Laki thought. 'Natsu might hold back on me...'

"I don't like it, but if the master says so, than we have to respect his decision." Erza said. "But I'm going to be keeping an extremely close eye on him."

"Fine with me." The old man nodded as Laki walked over. "What is it, Laki?"

"Master, can me and Natsu talk to you in private?" She asked. The master nodded and lead the two to his office as the lights went out. Everyone stared at the stage as a spotlight turned on, showing Mira sitting on a barstool with a guitar in her hands.

"Mira, we're back!" Lucy shouted.

"Good to see you." The barmaid said. "I'd like to dedicate this song to the strongest team, and congratulate them on a safe return." She strummed the instrument and began singing. Everyone loved the tune and cheered for an encore when it ended. The lights went out and Gajeel of all people took her place.

"What the?" Lucy asked.

"Here's a little diddy I call 'Best Friend'." He said as the crowd threw garbage at him. He started singing and it wasn't half bad. But the other half kept throwing stuff at him.

"This has to be the worst song I've ever heard!" Gray complained. His words earned the guitar getting thrown in his face, sparking a fight between the the two.

"Guys, please stop!" Lucy begged, unaware that she knocked Erza's cake off her plate.

"Not my... My strawberry cake..." Erza whimpered as Elfman stepped on the slice.

"Real men would take this outside!" He shouted.

"Watch it you oaf!" Erza shouted as she kicked him into the fray, making the brawl even larger.

Makarov's Office

"I see..." Makarov walked around his desk as Laki sat in a chair next to Natsu. "So, you've kept this a secret from all of Fairy Tail, and now you want to tell the whole guild?"

"Yes..." She nodded. "I'm prepared to face whatever consequences you have."

"Gramps, please!" Natsu shouted. "She was angry, she didn't know what to do. And I made a promise to her. Kick me out instead of her."

"I had no intention of kicking either of you out." The master said. "I merely want all my children to be happy. Now, are you ready to tell the world?"

"Yes." She stood up and the master opened the door. They walked down the stairs and found themselves staring at a massive guild brawl.

"Now it feels like home!" Natsu was about to jump off the railings when Makarov grabbed him.

"Natsu, I think she needs you by her side for this." Makarov motioned over to Laki, who was shaking in fear.

"Sorry." He climbed down and the three made their way through the melee until they all stood on the stage.

"LISTEN UP, BRATS!" Makarov shouted, and the whole guild stopped fighting, with some members still holding others in head locks. "Laki here has something she wants to tell us."

Laki looked out at the mass of members and felt scared. She looked behind her at Natsu who nodded. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to the mob. "I... Am a Dragon Slayer."

The whole guild stared at her. "Maybe they don't believe me?" She asked Natsu, who shrugged his shoulders.

"THAT'S AWESOME!" The whole guild shouted before mobbing around her, asking questions.

"I think they believe you." Makarov joked. "Alright, let's party!"

"Seriously?" She asked.

"Come on, it's not everyday a guild gains another Dragon Slayer." Natsu smiled at her.

"The hell am I?" Gajeel asked before punching Natsu, creating a second brawl.

"So, how does it feel to let everyone know?" Erza asked as she stayed next to the purplette.

"Pretty good." Laki answered. "Now if you'll excuse me, Max needs to be taught a lesson." She ran off the stage and jumped into the mob, laughing in joy.

Next Day

Magnolia Park

"So, why'd you guys call me out to here?" Gajeel asked as he stood across from Shadowgear. "Make this quick, I've got work to do."

"We've got a bone to pick with you." Jet said.

"After what you did to us, there's no way your joining our guild!" Droy shouted.

"So, you guys can't just forgive and forget?" Gajeel asked as the other two stared at him.

"Maybe he's right..." Levy said from behind the tree. "I mean, now that he's part of our guild, he won't do something like that again."

"We have to let him know." Jet said back.

"We can't let him mess with us." Droy added. Gajeel chuckled as Jet launched forward.

"Go ahead and act tough while you still can!" He punched Gajeel in the face before disappearing.

"Secret Seeds!" Droy shouted as he threw seeds at the ground. The seeds glowed before long vines shot out of them, tipped with fists. "Knuckle Plant!" The tendrils punched Gajeel repeatedly.

"Falcon Heavenward!" Jet extended his foot and slammed it into Gajeel pushing him back.

"Had enough yet?" Jet asked.

"Where's that tough guy act?" Droy added.

"You're not giving the new guy a hard time, are ya?" All four looked as Laxus walked into view. "But since this is the punk that destroyed our guild hall, I get the need for this. Let me guess, the old man took you in so you wouldn't cause trouble for him?" He stopped walking and glared down at Gajeel. "We've become a laughing stock in the magic community, and it's all because of you!"

"On the way back from my last job, I stopped by a few pubs, and I heard somethings that really pissed me off! Everyone was talking about how weak the Fairy Tail guild has become. No one ever said that about us before you showed up!" Lightning arched off his headphones before a bolt struck Gajeel. "Now pay!" He slammed his fist into ground and an arch of lightning slammed Gajeel into a nearby tree.

"Laxus, stop it!" Jet shouted. "You're taking this too far!"

"I know Laxus is strong, but this doesn't seem right." Droy said. "Gajeel's going down way too easily."

"Now that you mention it, he hasn't fought back once." Jet mumbled.

"He's letting them get their anger out on them..." Levy mumbled. "I think he's trying to gain our acceptance."

"Never should have messed with Fairy Tail, punk!" Laxus stomped on Gajeel again and again. "Cause now, you have to deal with me!"

"Give it a rest Laxus!" Jet shouted. "Leave him alone!"

"I don't take orders from you!" The blonde turned and fired a bolt at Levy, but Gajeel rushed over and blocked it.

"Gajeel..." She whispered.

"You done with me yet?" He asked weakly. "Because I have things I need to do." He walked away, clutching his stomach.

"Um, Gajeel-" Levy started.

"Don't worry about me." He interrupted. Laxus turned and walked away.

'I can't take much more of this crap.' He thought to himself. 'Fairy Tail has become absolutely pathetic! It's nothing but a punch line now. The old fart is running it into the ground. Once I'm in charge, things will change for good!'

And now the secret is out. The glasses were met with overwhelming desire to keep, so I figure just removing the lenses would be a good middle ground. What do you think? Next is the beauty contest, and yes, Laki is a participant. But don't expect a swimsuit from her, she doing this to get Natsu's attention, not for fanservice.

Beta read by digemsmack.