The mission to rescue Wendy Marvell was over. Despite some rough mishaps, the team who left for Exahelm were able to bring back Wendy successfully. As well as prevent the country's collapse, even if it meant obliterating it all together. However, this entire ordeal left many of those involved in low spirits. Although, since Wendy was safe and home, that was what mattered most to them.
Hours had passed ever since everyone had landed back on the surface, the country in the sky now long gone. The ranchers dropped off the ones they helped carry down a bit away from Magnolia but everyone involved with the mission had returned to Fairy Tail. The sun is finally beginning to set. Many members of Fairy Tail had already gone home, sparing a few.
While the team was met with celebration and relief that they all returned home, they themselves responded with lukewarm reactions. Whether it was exhaustion or feeling a heavy weight on their hearts, like Team Natsu.
When Hahlos was brought in to be patched up in the infirmary, many members questioned it since he was responsible for attacking their guild. However, Lucy insisted he rest here in which the guild quickly complied. He alongside Carla, Chelia and Wendy all slept in the infirmary with Mirajane watching over them.
Once everyone was settled in and patched up, Erza immediately went over to report to the guild master Makarov. The elderly man listened to every detail while smoking his pipe.
"Hrm…good work, you all." Makarov praises, letting out a puff of smoke.
Erza bows her upper body. "Apologies. But our actions could very well affect the guild's reputation."
"Think none of it." Makarov lazily waves his hand. "You all only did what you believed was right. That is the responsibility of a mage after all."
Off at a small dining table to the side of the guild, Gajeel was having his fill of various scraps and rusty weapons. Both Levy and Lily were with him, the former sitting across from Gajeel and the latter standing on the table with his arms crossed.
"Congratulations on the victory, Gajeel." Lily grins. "I'm pleased you've returned in one piece."
Gajeel swallows his fill and narrows his eyes towards the window. "Eh, I wouldn't call it a complete victory. Can't say I feel happy with myself on how it ended." He proceeds to sigh and lowers his head. "I'm starting to feel like how I used to be."
Lily frowns at the sight while Levy gently places a hand over one of Gajeel's. The iron dragon slayer looks up and is met with a reassuring smile from her.
"I'm positive Wendy would be happy you've helped save her either way. No matter what, I believe you did the right thing." Levy comforts the tough guy.
Gajeel only responds with an exhausted grunt.
Up by the guild entrance stood the Sabertooth members Sting and Rogue who seem to be discussing something amongst themselves. Natsu approaches the two with a toothy grin.
"Hey! I wanna thank you two again for the help! We wouldn't have gotten as far as we did without you both!" Natsu thanks, offering a hand to them.
Sting and Rogue stop their conversation and put their attention on Natsu. Sting grins back and grips the fire mage's hand tightly.
"Of course! We made a promise to each other after all!" Sting reminds. "Don't forget it, y'hear!"
Natsu chuckles. "Of course!"
Sting releases his grip and scratches the back of his head. "It's getting late, but we really should be heading back to Sabertoo-"
"We're staying at an inn here tonight. We'll return back tomorrow." Rogue interrupts. "We won't be able to get a ride home at this hour and I refuse to run back."
Sting slumps his upper body and sighs. "Fine, fine…our lady is most likely going to kill us when we get back…" He shudders.
Rogue places a comforting hand on Sting's shoulder. "We'll bear it together."
The two say their goodbyes at the guild, making mention of checking in once everyone is healed up, and left the building to find an inn in town.
Up at the guild bar, Gray and Juvia sat together in awkward silence. Gray appears to be in deep thought, laying his arms on the table and staring down. Juvia darts her eyes back at Gray and into space, unsure if she should say something to him.
The awkward scene was broken as Meredy ran up to the two and greeted them abruptly, snapping the two back into reality.
"Welcome back you two!" Meredy waves bubbly. "Congrats on saving your friend!"
Juvia waves her hands nervously at her. "O-oh! Th-th-thank you!"
Gray leans back, arms hanging off the chair. "Right. But until we know for sure Wendy is alright, I wouldn't call this mission 'complete' just yet." He brought up before turning his head at Meredy. "By the way, where did Jellal go?"
Meredy perks up. "Oh! He said he needed some fresh air. He's standing right by the entrance!" She points towards the front door.
Erza overhears the conversation and decides to check up on her old friend. She passes by Lucy who is laying her head on a small round table, staring into space while Happy sat on the table having a well deserved fish.
The swordswoman pokes outside and spots Jellal on her left. He was leaning his back on the wall and looking up at the sunset. Erza approaches him and stands next to him.
"It's going to get cold soon. Although perhaps our trip up above has made us immune to chilly weather." Erza jokes.
Jellal doesn't respond, earning a sigh from the swordswoman.
"I suppose now is a bit ill taste in quips…" Erza notes.
"...For several years, I have been living and struggling. Pushing and risking myself. All to make amends for my past sins." Jellal shakes, raising his palms and staring at them. "Yet…I was never satisfied with my results…"
Erza frowns but keeps on listening.
"And now…with what I had just done. I feel like I've now gone backwards." Jellal clenches both fists and his teeth, filled with frustration.
Erza wraps an arm around the blue haired mage and pulls him towards her embrace. Jellal got caught off guard, thankfully Erza wasn't wearing any armor this time.
"This weight is not yours alone to bear." Erza assures. "This time, we can struggle together." She releases her embrace and her eyes meet with his. "Besides, don't forget who you did this for. There's still a 'thank you' you haven't heard yet." She smiles.
Jellal briefly widens his eyes before softening his face, smiling back at his old friend. "...Of course. I suppose I should take your advice and get on inside now."
Erza and Jellal walk back inside the Fairy Tail guild, various members still mingling or taking it easy. A rare moment of quietness in the guild.
"Unfortunately, we can't have you stay the night in Fairy Hills. Those dorms are for women only. And the infirmary is pretty full. I hope you understand." Erza informs Jellal.
Jellal adjusts his coat. "That's perfectly fine. I can always set up a camp outside of town. I've done it many times before."
Erza's eyes shine fiercely. "Nonsense! You of all people need a well deserved rest!" She places her hands on her hips and shakes her head. "I've made a decision. You will stay the night at Lucy's place."
Jellal nods. "Very well."
Lucy overhears this and shoots her body up, slamming her hands on the table. "Huh?! Hold it! Where do I get a say in this?!"
Jellal approaches Lucy and bows his upper body respectively. "I appreciate your hospitality. You have my thanks."
Lucy stammers back, sweating profusely. "H-h-hold on! You all can't just *decide* this!"
Their banter was interrupted however, as Mirajane swung the infirmary door open. She appears to be panicking.
"Everyone! Something's wrong!" Mirajane blurts.
In a heartbeat, several of them rush to the infirmary. Hahlos, Chelia and Carla were all patched up from their injuries while Wendy didn't need any. However, her skin didn't have much color as usual.
Mirajane walks over to Wendy and feels her forehead. "She's been getting cold. Plus her breathing hasn't gotten any better. Wendy may be very sick right now…" She informs.
Erza approaches the other side of Wendy's bed and gently lifts her left arm. She feels her pulse on her wrist. "The pulse is certainly there, and her body isn't as cold as before. But Mirajane is correct, something is definitely wrong with her body."
"I don't get it! Her soul is back in her body, right?!" Gray exclaims in frustration.
"Maybe we should wake her up?" Happy suggests.
"Just what I was thinking, buddy!" Natsu approves, walking over and about to shake Wendy awake.
Lucy grips both Natsu's and Happy's ear and pulls them back, the two yelping in pain. "Yeah, no way. That won't help at all." She groans.
"Are you all idiots?" Stark questions.
Silence filled the room. Every one of them simultaneously darted their heads towards the infirmary entrance and there was Stark standing there. His arms were crossed and his expression clearly unimpressed.
"Hey. Watch it." Gray threatens.
"How and why are you here?!" Happy exclaims, pointing at the angel.
Stark groans, rubbing his head. "Isn't it obvious? I'm here for Hahlos." He enters the room. "As for the 'how', we simply tracked down this location. You lot are ridiculously easy to follow." He points back at the infirmary door with his thumb.
Stark wasn't the only one who showed up, as Sync shyly pokes her head by the side of the door. She slowly enters, holding her buzz orb like a teddy bear. "H-hi…" She was clearly nervous about this new environment.
Lucy smiles widely seeing Sync walk in. "It's you! How are you?" She greets.
Sync smiles back, walking over to where Hahlos laid. She sees the shape the older angel is in and she feels her heart break at the sight. But relieved at the same time since he still draws breath. Sync lays her upper body on top of Hahlos and embraces him.
"Explain yourself." Erza demands Stark.
Stark rolls his eyes, walking over to where Wendy laid. "Her soul had been taken out of her body this early morning. And it's practically evening now." He starts, pointing down at Wendy.
"...And that means?" Natsu tilts his head.
Stark pinches his nose and lightly groans. "It means, for a whole day this body had no soul. Therefore, no blood had been flowing. She is basically in a comatose state as we speak."
The Fairy Tail members widen their eyes in shock. They all look over at Wendy with signs of worry or panic. Stark sighs and gestures his hands down, signaling them to calm down.
"Relax. She isn't in any real life threatening danger. But it's going to be awhile until the girl wakes up. Give it a day or two." Stark assures. "I would suggest getting a doctor to treat her, however. To aid her body in getting a recharge."
Erza holds her chin. "I see. Then we should retrieve Polyushka as soon as possible."
"There's no need." An elderly woman announces her presence, shoving those out of her way. It was the doctor Erza had mentioned, Polyushka. Wearing her pink cloak and all. "I'm already here."
"How did she get here so quickly…?" Gray whispers by Natsu and Happy.
"Maybe she can also see into the future…?" Natsu whispers back.
"Aye. She definitely does." Happy concurs.
"Shut it. I can hear you three." Polyushka badgers before checking on the conditions of the four, starting with Wendy. She examines Chelia and Carla next. Once she checks on Hahlos, Sync nervously moves out of the way so she can examine him too.
After examining all four patients, Polyushka deeply sighs. "An easy task, these four. It shouldn't take long for me to operate on them." She assures.
"Oh, thank goodness." Lucy relives, holding her hands together.
Relieved silence fills the room. It was just long enough for Polyushka to grow annoyed.
"That means you all should *get out!*" Polyushka demands, kicking most in the room out while some fled the infirmary. She slams the door and gets to work.
As she gets started, Polyushka has another look at Chelia. After double checking her condition, her brow lowers.
"This one forced magic out of her body…" The doctor realizes. "What a stupid girl, what were you thinking?"
"Apologies, I know you said you were here for Hahlos. But he would have a better chance of recovery if he stays here for the time being." Erza notes to Stark and Sync, her arms crossed.
Stark smirks. "That's perfectly fine. I have plenty of time to kill." He proceeds to kick back by one of the tables, sets up some tea and opens a book he brought with him.
Sync sits across from Stark, playfully kicking her legs. "So this is Wendy's home? It feels more cozy than the castle!"
"You settled in quickly…" Lucy points out.
Stark turns a page, not looking at the wizards. "We'll just have to stick around until Hahlos wakes up."
"Hold it!" Gray interjects, pointing at Stark. "The kid is fine. But no way you're staying here! Don't forget what you did!"
"Oh gimme a break." Stark spat. "It's not like we have a home to return to right now." He shuts his book with one hand. The slender angel glares at them. "I'm sure you know who's responsible for that."
Gray retracts his finger and cringes at Stark's response, but also growls at the angel. The other Fairy Tail mages didn't respond, feeling the knife metaphorically stab them. Jellal in particular instinctively looks away, clenching a fist tightly.
"Starky! You promised you wouldn't antagonize them!" Sync calls out, smacking her hands on the table.
"I'm only stating the truth." Stark corrects. He leans on his knee and continues to glare at the humans. "Speaking of…what do you all plan on doing now?"
Erza furrows her brow. "What do you mean?"
"How do you plan on taking responsibility for the hundreds of civilians you've traumatized? As well as account for the disappearance of Izanagi."
~~~Author's Notes~~~
This was meant to be longer, but I decided to have the second half be a separate chapter. And hey, that'll create a even 50 chapters once this is finished!