The Final Calm

Natsu ran as fast as he could through the battle ravaged tower, everywhere he turned he saw members of Oracion Seis' alliance or his own guild. Some were fighting and some were strewn upon the rubble either knocked unconscious, or dead. He tried not to think about as he made his way to the top of the tower.
His enemy's attack had driven him straight to the bottom of the structure but Natsu knew he had to get up and return to his friend's sides. He rushed into the opening of the top floor and emerged at the top of the tower. He saw his friends down for the count, but more shocking to him was the person still standing.
There she stood, the red haired knight. She was barely conscious but still had the where with all to stand and grip her sword. Her eyes were glazed over, almost completely devoid of life but she managed to look over to a running Natsu. She smiled as he reached his hand out to her, a white light enveloping her.
"Erza!" Natsu yelled as the light enveloped him.
Gasp "Erza!" Natsu yelled as he awoke in bed, the sun shining on his face and his hand stretched towards the sky. He sat up and laid his hand on his lap to look at it. Happy stirred awake and rubbed his eyes with his paw.
"What's wrong Natsu?" he asked groggily.
Natsu continued to look at his hand, clenching it tightly into a fist. What was that dream about?
"Did you have a nightmare?" Happy asked again, this time fully awake.
"Huh?" Natsu said abruptly, Happy's question blowing his concentration. He smiled wide, "No, it's nothing don't worry about it. Let's get ready to go."
"Aye." Happy replied, although he was still a bit worried about Natsu.
Natsu got up and began to get ready for the day ahead, Happy following him. He sat in the bath and looked to the ceiling, a huge smile on his face as he thought of what today was.
Today's the day, he thought to himself, his smile growing wider. "Everyone's coming back!" he threw his fists into the air in excitement. "I have to make sure I'm ready."
"Do you have to get ready here?!" a voice called from the other room. Natsu looked to the doorway to see Aura poking her head inside. Through their aimless walking Natsu & Happy had wound up in Lucy's apartment, which was being watched by Aura in the celestial wizard's absence.
He scratched his head, "Sorry haha, I'm just so used to popping in when Lucy was here." He replied smiling.
"Well she's not here yet, and she'd kill me if she found out you guys showed up without her here." She said shifting her glare to Happy, who happened to be eating a fish on Lucy's desk.
"You're right." He replied still smirking.
"Sowwy." Happy replied, mouth full.
Aura turned and walked towards the bedroom, "Just hurry up. Erza said she wanted us there by 10."
"Aye!" They yelled in unison.
Aura simply smiled and looked out the window at the rising sun.
Maybe we can finally relax today.
…
Natsu, Happy, & Aura walked into the guild a couple of hours later. Aura was exhausted, Natsu & Happy on the other hand were perfectly fine and smiling wide.
"Good morning you three." Mirajane greeted happily.
"Good morning." Wendy also greeted, Carla waved nonchalantly.
"Hey guys." Natsu said as he and Happy walked towards the bar.
Aura scratched behind her head, "Sorry we're-"
"You're late." A frightening but familiar voice called from the second floor of the guild hall.
The trio nervously looked up, all of them shaking as they followed the voice. Sure enough their fears were realized when they spotted Erza standing on the balcony, her back turned to them.
"E-Erza." Natsu said still shaking. He tried to give a smile but his lips wouldn't stop quivering.
"Uh oh." Happy commented also shaking.
"Natsu." She said in a chilling tone.
"Y-yes ma'am?"
"I specifically told you to be here by 10 am. It is 11, why are you late?"
"W-well I-I-" he began to stammer as he sweat bullets.
"It's not his fault Erza." Aura interjected, "Natsu and Happy helped me clean Lucy's apartment after Natsu-" She trailed off, she was beginning to realize what she was saying.
"After he what?" Erza questioned.
Aura remained silent much to Erza's annoyance.
"Aura." She said with a more commanding tone.
After a few more seconds of her lips quivering, Aura finally gave in to her mother. "He came in and took a bath." She confessed looking at the ground full of guilt.
"Natsu, come here." Erza said calmly, walking away from the balcony.
Natsu looked down at the ground frightened and began to walk to the stairs. "Yes ma'am."
"Nice knowing you buddy." Happy said mournfully.
"You too Happy." Erza added.
Happy's face turned white with terror. As the two walked up the stairs Aura, Wendy, Carla, & Mirajane couldn't help but notice that Natsu & Happy looked as if they would never live to see the rest of the day.
A few minutes later the pair returned with giant bumps on the back of their heads.
"What happened?" Wendy asked staring at their wounds.
"We don't wanna talk about it." The two replied glumly.
"Alright." Erza began as she walked down the stairs, stepping between the still frightened Natsu & Happy, "Let's begin the party preparations."
Aura, Wendy, & Mirajane nodded happily while Carla simply smiled; Natsu & Happy managed to muster smiles through their pain.
…
A train departing from Onibas station pulled into Magnolia and off it stepped 2 men, 3 women, and 1 cat.
One of the group, a blonde haired girl, looked up to the sky, placing her hand over her eyes to shield them from the light. "It's only been a couple of months, but it feels like forever since I've been home."
"Yeah I know what you mean." Added a black haired young man, who was suspiciously not wearing a shirt. "It's nice to look at something other than snow for a change. Right?" he gave an expectant look to a girl with blue hair who was standing behind him.
"R-right." The girl replied nervously, "It does feel good to be home."
The other girl with blue hair looked down at the ground sullenly as she spoke "It's too bad Jet & Droy couldn't come."
"Eh you ask me those guys needed more training." A young man with long black hair said, a sly grin on his face.
"Don't be a jerk Gajeel." The light blue haired girl scolded.
"I wonder how are friends have been doing." The cat commented looking up at the sky.
"Yeah," added the black haired young man grinning, "I wonder how strong Salamander's gotten."
"Me too." The other black haired young man also added, his clenched fist beginning to ice over. "I'm not going to let that idiot get ahead of me."
"Well that settles it then, let's go to Fairy Tail." The blonde haired girl said, looking back at the group with a smile.
Her four companions nodded and followed her lead towards the Fairy Tail guild hall. It was official: Lucy Heartfilia, Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser, Gajeel Redfox, Levy McGarden, & Panther Lily had come home.
…
Lucy and the others walked into the guild hall, but were surprised to see it not only barren, but dark.
"Where is everyone?" Juvia asked confused.
"I don't know." Lucy replied, "I'm sure I told Aura we were arriving today."
"Yeah I told Natsu too, I bet the idiot forgot." Gray added in an irritated tone.
"Well even if Natsu & the others forgot, Mira would still be here right?" Levy inquired looking around the guild hall.
"Yes this is odd." Panther Lily remarked placing his paw under his chin. "Someone should be here."
Gajeel began to look around for a sign until his nose picked up something. Suddenly he saw a flame flicker in the distance and it was coming closer!
"Ah! Gajeel?!" Levy yelled as Gajeel suddenly pushed her out of the way.
Gajeel sidestepped the oncoming the flame. Reaching through the darkness he grabbed what felt like an arm and slammed something against the floor. At the moment of impact the lights came on, confusing everyone but Gajeel.
"I knew I smelled you…Salamander."
Everyone looked down at Gajeel and were surprised to see Natsu on the ground, Gajeel's forearm pressed against his neck. Despite his uncomfortable position Natsu still had a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Natsu?!" Lucy said confused, "What's going on?"
"SURPRISE!" A group of voices yelled from above.
The group looked to the second floor balcony and saw Erza, Mirajane, Aura, Wendy, Carla, Cana, & Happy all assembled and smiling at them. "WELCOME BACK!"
Lucy looked down at Natsu who had his signature grin on his face. "Welcome back guys."
Gajeel got off of Natsu and helped him to his feet, the group then walked up to the second floor and saw table set a small distance from the job board. On it was a large buffet of food and drinks and banner hanging above reading WELCOME HOME. Around the table were 10 chairs for everyone to sit in, the exceeds sat on the table.
"Wow this looks amazing." Levy said surveying the feast.
"Erza, Mirajane, & Aura made it." Natsu said eager to eat, but Erza held him back.
"Calm down Natsu."
"Really you guys made all of this?" Lucy asked astonished, everything looked so delicious it was almost too good to be true.
"Well it was mostly Mira & Erza." Aura replied with a smile, "I just watched and made sure Natsu didn't come in." she chuckled a bit to herself.
"Well it looks good." Gray said with a small smile.
"Can we eat now?" Natsu whined.
"In a minute, first we have to toast." Erza answered standing up, a mug of juice in her hand. Everyone else raised their juice in the air, save Cana & Gajeel whose mugs were filled with beer.
"A toast, to Fairy Tail and to friendship. No matter what the coming months bring, or how the upcoming battle will turn out: we will never quit, we will never back down, and we will never abandon each other." Erza looked around at her smiling friends faces as they clanged their mugs together.
"CHEERS!' they yelled in unison and began to eat the buffet.
"Where is Master Makarov?" Lucy asked ignoring the flying food coming from Gajeel, Natsu, & Happy.
"He had a guild masters meeting to attend, he should return tomorrow." Mira answered with a smile. "He told me to tell you welcome back though."
"Have you heard from Elfman or Lisanna?"
"Lisanna stayed here for a little while before following Elfman to train, they send letters every so often but they won't return until it's time for the battle." Mirajane looked a bit distraught when she spoke of her siblings.
"They'll be back soon Mirajane. I'm sure their ok." Said Lucy, comforting the silver haired barmaid.
"Thank you Lucy." Mira replied smiling.
"How are you all fairing in your training?" Erza asked sipping from her mug.
Natsu shot his head up from his plate, "Yeah, how stong hab do guys godden?" he asked his mouth full of food.
"Finish chewing before you speak." Erza scolded.
Lucy giggled to herself as she watched Natsu and Erza begin to argue. Looks like their getting along better. She then shifted her attention to Aura who was casually chatting with Wendy & Juvia. I guess Aura has nothing to worry about.
"So Lucy, about your training?" Erza asked again as she dropped an unconscious Natsu on the table.
"Oh yeah. I'm close to learning the sealing spell." She then held up her keys, "Aquarius, Cancer, & Loke have been helping me out a lot. I also learned a couple new celestial spells."
"I see, that's good. What about you Levy?"
"Me?" the script wizard asked off guard. "Well I haven't learned too many new spells, I've mostly been helping Gajeel with his training." She said blushing her gaze shifting to Gajeel who was talking to Cana.
"How has his training been coming along?" Erza asked interested.
"Gajeel's abilities have improved a good amount in past couple of months." Panther Lily interjected, walking towards the three. "He said it's because of that light he saw."
"Light?" Erza asked confused.
"Yeah, this red-orange light shot up into the sky about a month or so ago. It was so bright we could see it all the way in Oak Town." Levy commented.
"I saw it too." Lucy added, "I had no idea what it was but I saw it while I was at my mother's grave."
"Gray and I saw it as well." Juvia also added making her way to the other side of the table. "It was so bright, and warm."
"So we all saw the same light?" Gray asked aloud. "Where do you think it came from?"
"I don't know, but it looked like fire. Do you think it was Natsu?" Lucy asked, her eyes turning towards the now conscious Natsu.
"Light? What light?" He asked looking at every confused.
"Well if it wasn't Natsu it had to be…" everyone's eyes shifted to Aura who became uneasy once everyone started staring at her.
"Wh-what?" Aura asked nervously scratching her head.
"Well whatever it was, it made me want to train harder." Gray commented breaking the awkwardness.
"Yeah you're right. I don't what it was but it made me want to try even harder to get stronger." Lucy added.
"Well it is nice to see all of you are doing well and I can tell you have all gotten stronger." Erza remarked with a smile.
…
An hour after finishing their meal everyone had made their way to the first floor of the guild hall. Natsu, Gray, & Gajeel were arguing over who had gotten stronger, the exceeds were happily chatting with one another, Wendy & Aura were chatting with Mirajane, and at a table near the entrance to the guild; Erza, Lucy, Levy, Cana, & Juvia were sitting and chatting.
"Things look like their back to normal." Lucy commented with a soft smile as she looked around at the guild hall. "Like we don't have the weight of the world on our shoulders."
"Yes it is nice to relax every now and again." Erza commented, taking a sip from her mug.
"So Erza what's going on with you and Natsu?" Lucy nonchalantly asked.
Erza almost spit up her juice.
"Yeah I was wondering that too." Levy added, "You guys seem to be getting along a lot better than when we left. You seem like your back to your old self."
"What are you talking about? I didn't change at all." Erza protested, although the girls could see the hint of red in her cheeks.
"She's lying." Cana interjected drinking her beer. "She didn't talk to anyone for weeks."
"Cana!" Erza yelled, her face turning redder.
"She didn't even talk to Natsu again until Mirajane knocked some sense into her."
"Sh-shut up!"
"Mirajane?" Levy asked confused.
"Yeah. Mirajane and Erza had a fight and Erza lost so she had to go make up with Natsu."
"Erza and Mirajane fought?!" Lucy yelled in disbelief. Cana simply nodded.
"And Erza lost?!" Levy added also shocked. Cana nodded again.
"Erza and Mirajane had a fight?!" Natsu yelled from across the guild hall, overhearing the girls chatter and came closer to the table.
"You lost to the bar girl?" Gajeel asked Erza surprised.
"Hey don't sell Mira short." Gray rebuked Gajeel. "She's still an S-Class wizard."
"Man I wish I could have seen it." Natsu said with a dreamy look in his eyes.
"Yeah I haven't seen Mira & Erza fight in years." Gray added with an equally aspiring look.
"Hey guys why don't we go see what Wendy & Aura are up to. You can ask Mira how she beat Erza." Lucy suggested trying to move Natsu & Gray away from the table.
"Yeah Gajeel let's go." Levy also suggested grabbing Gajeel's arm and following Lucy's lead. The three guys all had confused looks on their faces, but nonetheless the relented and walked to the bar.
Erza, Cana, & Juvia were left at the table and silence began to come over them. Erza's face was still slightly red and Cana staring at her didn't help matters. Although Juvia was confused by their tension.
"What is it Cana?" Erza asked slightly irritated.
"You let Mirajane win didn't you?" Cana accused.
"Why would I do that?" Erza retorted.
"You tell me." Cana replied, getting up from the table and walking towards the bar.
Once they were alone, Erza couldn't help but notice the lonely look in Juvia's eyes. She was looking at the bar and it was obvious her attention was fixed on Gray.
"Are you still scared to talk to Gray?" Erza asked.
"W-what?" Juvia turned around her cheeks red. "I mean, yes I guess so." The look of loneliness returned to the water wizard's eyes. "We've been on Mt. Hakobe for 2 months and we barely say anything to each other." She sighed, "I hoped that my going with him would get him to notice me more, but I think it's the exact opposite."
Erza smiled softly at Juvia. "It's ok, you don't have to rush things. They may not want to admit it, but Natsu & Gray are a lot alike, especially when it comes to romance." She reassured Juvia as they both looked at Natsu & Gray arguing again at the bar. "Besides your situation can't be as bad as mine." She said laughing softly.
"What do you mean?"
"I still don't fully know how Natsu feels about me. On top of that I find out that we have child, so things are a bit hectic right now." Erza explained, her eyes looking at a laughing Aura.
Juvia's eyes widened, "You know?"
Erza nodded, "Yes she told me about a week ago."
"You seem to be handling it well."
Erza chuckled, "Don't get me wrong, I'm still shocked. I mean me having a child is one thing, but having one with Natsu of all people is more than a little overwhelming."
"Does he know?"
"No, I'd rather not burden him with it now. Besides knowing Natsu, he would just freak out."
The two girls laughed and Juvia couldn't help but feel a warm sensation in her heart. She and Erza didn't talk much since she joined the guild but it felt right that she could confide in her about her feelings.
"What I'm trying to say is Gray will come around, just give him some time. And if he takes too long, make him notice you." Erza reassured Juvia with a soft smile, Juvia returning it with one of her own.
Juvia rose from table. "Thank you Erza." Juvia said with a smile on her face.
"You're welcome Juvia."
"I'll give Gray some time, but I won't give up either." Juvia said with a determined look. She then looked at Erza, "Don't you give up either." Her final words as she made her way to the bar to talk to the others.
Erza sat alone at the table. She placed her head on her hand as she watched all of her friends talk and carry on at the bar. Soon her gaze became fixated on Natsu, who was talking and laughing like the others, a toothy grin plastered on his face.
Erza couldn't help but smile.
Don't worry. I won't give up.
…
The night fell on Magnolia and with it an end to the festivities. Everyone had gone their separate ways after the guild hall closed its doors. Aura, Wendy, Carla, Happy & Lucy went to the latter's apartment, Cana & Mirajane returned to Fairy Hills; and Gajeel, Pantherlily, Gray, Juvia, & Levy we to train, much to the two girls chagrin.
In Lucy's apartment Aura & Wendy sat at the small table in the celestial wizard's room while Lucy herself sat on the bed, Carla & Happy had just left out of the window to go flying for a bit.
Lucy sat on her bed and looked up to the ceiling, "It feels nice to be back in my room instead of a hotel room for a change. Thanks for looking after it while I was gone Aura."
"Yeah sure it was no problem." The young girl replied with a smile.
"So Erza knows about you now?" Lucy asked looking at Aura and Wendy.
"Yeah she does. She seems to be taking it well, I expected her to freak out." Aura replied with a small smile.
"Well that's a good thing right?" Wendy asked.
"Yeah, but it's still a bit weird that she's so ok with it. She's even started giving me life advice and some fashion tips." Aura replied leaning back in her chair.
"Well that's Erza for you." Lucy said laughing. "Where is she anyway? I thought she was coming over." Lucy inquired placing her hand under her chin.
"She went for a walk with Dad."
…
On the other side of town, In the lightly lit streets of downtown Magnolia walked Natsu Dragneel & Erza Scarlet. Natsu was set on training with Gray and the others, but Erza dragged him along on a walk. Despite being initially irritated that Erza prevented him from training, Natsu eventually relaxed when he saw the smile on Erza's face.
Wow, I forget how pretty Erza is sometimes. He thought to himself still looking at her face. Natsu saw Erza's mouth moving but clearly he wasn't listening to what she was saying, he was too focused on her lips. They glistened in the light. They soft, supple, and he could see that her eyes sparkled a bit whenever she spoke at length. This was a completely different side of Erza and Natsu was the only one who got to see it.
"Don't you agree?" Erza asked Natsu, startling him and causing him to quickly look away and blush.
"Y-yeah." Natsu answered despite not knowing what Erza was asking about.
"Is there something wrong?" Erza asked the red faced Dragon Slayer.
"N-no, there's nothing wrong." Natsu denied nervously, waving his hands in front of his face.
Erza chuckled to herself, "Okay then."
They walked until they reached South Gate Park. The lights illuminated the area and brought out the colors of the leaves on the huge tree in the center, fireflies dancing about it. Erza liked to come out at night and look at the tree when she was younger, it always brought her a sense of peace.
"I remember when we would come here when we were younger along with Gray." She reminisced with a soft smile.
"Yeah, it's still nice here." Natsu added. They looked at the scenery for a few more minutes before Natsu spoke again. "Hey Erza?"
"Yes?"
"How come you act so different when we're alone?"
"What do you mean?" Erza replied still looking at the tree.
"When everyone is around you act normal, but when it's just us you act kinda weird."
"Define weird."
"I don't know. You're nicer to me for one, you don't scold me as much."
"So you're saying I'm a nag?" Erza asked feigning anger.
"No, I'm not saying that." Natsu quickly replied not picking up on Erza's joke. "I mean you seem happier, I don't know. You smile a lot more."
"Is that a problem?"
"No actually…I like it when you smile. A lot."
Erza's eyes began to widen when she looked at Natsu. His signature ear to ear grin was painted on his now blushing face. She then smiled back at him and laughed softly. "You're such an idiot."
They both laughed for a bit until Natsu looked back at the tree, a serious look replacing his smile. "I'll beat Oracion Seis and this Draven guy." Erza could feel the resolve radiating from Natsu's voice as he spoke, it made her feel warm inside. "I'll protect everyone in the guild, and I'll protect the future."
"Idiot." Erza remarked as she slowly reached for Natsu's hand. "You're not alone. Everyone in Fairy Tail is fighting for the future." Their palms touched and their fingers began to slowly interlock. "And I'll be right by your side…if you let me."
Natsu blushed and rubbed the index finger of his free hand under his nose. "Y-yeah, where else would you be? I still have to prove I can protect you."
"Then it's settled." Erza said with a smile as the pair looked up at the tree.
The last two months seemed to pass in a flash. Training & relaxation all occurred at a steady pace but there were a few missions thrown in for good measure. Everyone was getting stronger as the day for battle drew closer. On the final month everyone went their separate ways to do their final bits of training and before they knew it, the time had come.
…
"Where the hell is Natsu?! Being late isn't manly at all." Elfman asked searching through the guild hall.
"Calm down Elfman." Lisanna said trying to appease her brother, "He'll be here."
"You told him what time we would be leaving right Erza?" Lucy asked slightly worried.
"Yes I told him a month ago what time and day to be here." Erza answered peeved, her arms crossed.
Lucy looked nervously at Erza. You didn't think to remind him a couple of days before?
"Are you sure you're ok to fight Erza?" Levy asked slightly concerned.
"Don't worry Levy, I'm feeling better today." Erza reassured with a smile, "Nothing is going to keep me out of this battle." Erza said with a determined look.
"Well we can't afford to wait on him." Gray interjected, "We're already losing time as is."
"I hope he's okay." Wendy said worriedly.
"I'm sure he's fine." Aura said comforting her.
"Where is that boy?" Master Makarov asked irritated. "It's just like him to be the last one to show up for something so important." He then rose from his seat and walked to the stage. "Well we can't wait any longer, we have to get going."
Makarov walked the stage a grabbed a microphone. Everyone grew silent as Makarov began to speak.
BAM!
Just then the doors of the guild hall swung open revealing a panting Natsu & Happy. Everyone began cheering loudly.
"Finally." Gajeel remarked with a grin.
"That guy sure knows how to make an entrance." Gray added.
"Natsu." Lucy sad with a smile.
"We've been waiting for you." Mirajane commented with a smile.
"Sorry we're late." Natsu apologized.
"Natsu overslept." Happy said deadpan.
"Whaaat?!" Everyone in the guild hall said in unison as they fell over in disbelief. Everyone save Erza, Aura, Wendy, Makarov, & Mirajane.
"You idiot!" Gray yelled angrily. "Haven't you ever heard of an alarm clock?!"
Everyone began to yell at Natsu except for Wendy, Mirajane, & Makarov. Aura & Erza looked at one another both sharing a smile because of their idiot.
"AHEM!" Makarov cleared his throat and everyone instantly quieted down. "Now that everyone's here, I have something to say." He looked around at everyone in the guild hall. "It has been a long four months and I can see that all of you have gotten stronger. I'm so honored that I have been able to watch my children grow and change over the years. Each of you is precious to me and precious to each other. Today we go into battle, not as a wizards, not as a guild, but as a family. We're not only fighting for the safety of the present-"he shifted his gaze to Aura, "but also for future generations. We'll show Oracion Seis that as long as Fairy Tail stands that evil will never triumph!" Makarov then shot his hand into the air, showing the guild's signature hand sign, everyone else in the guild followed suit.
"Now, LET'S SHOW THEM WHAT FAIRY TAIL IS MADE OF!"
"YEAAAHHHHH!" Everyone yelled in unison, smiles and grins on their faces. They could all feel the energy welling up inside of them as they yelled out.
Natsu smashed a fire fist into his palm. "Now I'm all fired up! Let's go!"
"Yeah!" everyone cried out again as they followed Natsu's lead outside the guild hall. The fight for the future was finally beginning.