Chapter XXXII: Fairy Tail- Year X791 part II
New Beginnings and Old Threats
The Guild's Restoration
In the days following their return, Fairy Tail underwent a transformation that seemed almost magical in itself. The peeling paint was replaced with vibrant colors, new furniture appeared courtesy of various guild members' newfound enthusiasm for home improvement, and the atmosphere crackled with the energy that had been missing for seven years.
Macao stood behind the bar, no longer bearing the weight of guild leadership alone as Makarov resumed his role as master. The relief in the older man's posture was evident as he served drinks with something approaching his old enthusiasm.
"It's good to have you back where you belong, Master," he said, sliding a tankard across the bar to where Makarov sat reviewing guild finances with a concerned expression.
"Seven years of debt," Makarov muttered, his small frame somehow managing to convey immense frustration as he reviewed the ledgers. "How did we accumulate this much money owed to other guilds?"
From across the hall, Gildarts looked up from where he was helping Cana organize job requests, his expression sheepish. "That might be partially my fault. S-Class jobs don't exactly come with damage insurance."
Teilanne, who was seated nearby reviewing their family's own financial situation, raised an eyebrow at her husband. "Partially?"
"Okay, mostly my fault," Gildarts admitted. "But in my defense, how was I supposed to know that destroying an entire mountain to catch one dark guild would affect the local ecosystem so dramatically?"
Lamia Scale's Arrival
The guild's celebration was interrupted by the arrival of five figures at the main entrance. Lyon Vastia led the group, his white hair and confident posture immediately recognizable despite the years that had passed. Behind him came Sherry Blendy, Toby Horhorta, Yuka Suzuki, and most imposingly, Jura Neekis himself.
"Well, well," Lyon announced with his characteristic dramatic flair, "look what the tide washed back to shore."
The older Fairy Tail members rushed to greet them warmly, with Macao stepping forward first. "Lyon! Everyone! Thank you for coming."
"We couldn't miss the celebration," Jura replied, his deep voice carrying genuine warmth. "Lamia Scale has been searching for Tenrou Island alongside Blue Pegasus for years. Seeing you all return safely... it's the best news Fiore has received in seven years."
Sherry clapped her hands together excitedly. "Oh, the romance of it all! A guild lost to the depths, returning home after seven years of separation! It's like something from a fairy tale!"
"Speaking of fairy tales," Yuka interjected with obvious pride, "you might be interested to know that Lamia Scale has risen to become Fiore's second strongest guild during your absence."
The announcement drew impressed murmurs from the Fairy Tail members, though it also served as a reminder of how much the magical world had changed in seven years.
Lyon's Love at First Sight
Lyon's dramatic entrance came to an abrupt halt when his eyes fell upon Juvia, who was standing near Gray and chatting with some of the other guild members. His expression transformed from casual confidence to stunned amazement in an instant.
"By the frozen heavens," Lyon breathed, his hand dramatically placed over his heart, "who is that vision of aquatic beauty?"
Before anyone could react, Lyon was striding across the guild hall with purpose, his ice magic unconsciously creating small crystalline flowers in his wake. He approached Juvia with the fervor of someone experiencing a religious revelation.
"My dear, radiant water goddess," Lyon announced loudly enough for half the guild to hear, "I believe I am experiencing love at first sight! Your beauty rivals the morning dew, your presence makes my heart race like a winter storm!"
Juvia's reaction was immediate and spectacular. Her water magic began swirling around her as her mind raced through the implications of suddenly having two ice mages interested in her attention.
"Juvia doesn't understand!" she exclaimed, her third-person speech becoming more pronounced as her emotional state escalated. "First Gray-sama ignores Juvia, then Lyon-sama declares love, but what about Gajeel-kun's kindness, and now there's this new attention, and—"
Her rambling devolved into increasingly frantic speculation about potential romantic scenarios involving various guild members, causing Lucy to cover her face with her hands in exasperation.
"This is getting way too complicated," Lucy muttered, while Gray looked between Lyon and the increasingly flustered Juvia with growing alarm.
"Why do all the crazy ones target me somehow?" Gray asked the air in general, receiving unsympathetic looks from several nearby guild members.
Kizuna followed her gaze, his analytical mind processing the subtle changes in dynamics. "And now?"
"Now we figure out how to be a family again," Mirajane replied. "All of us."
Developing Relationships
Across the hall, Cumber was engaged in what could generously be called conversation with Wendy, though the interaction consisted mainly of him nodding at appropriate intervals while she explained the intricacies of Sky Dragon Slayer magic recovery techniques.
"The important thing is to maintain proper breathing patterns during magical exertion," Wendy was saying, her hands moving animatedly as she demonstrated the concepts. "Most people don't realize that dragon slayer magic puts stress on the respiratory system in ways that—"
She paused mid-sentence, noticing that Cumber was staring at her with an expression of focused attention that made her suddenly self-conscious.
"Am I talking too much?" she asked, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Carla's always telling me I ramble when I get excited about healing magic."
"No," Cumber replied in his characteristically economical manner. "Continue."
The simple response somehow carried more encouragement than a lengthy compliment might have, and Wendy found herself smiling as she resumed her explanation.
The Lightning Couple's Integration
Near the guild's main entrance, Laxus and Gine were having a more complex conversation about their place in the restored guild hierarchy. The lightning dragon slayer's exile had been officially lifted, but the question of his role remained unresolved.
"I could take on S-Class missions again," Laxus said, though his tone suggested the idea held less appeal than it once had. "Help with the debt situation."
Gine shook her head. "That's not what you want, though. I can see it in your posture—you're suggesting it because you think you should, not because you actually want to."
"What I want," Laxus replied, his voice dropping to a more private level, "is to figure out how to be part of this guild without falling back into old patterns. Without letting my pride make decisions for me."
He gestured toward where Makarov was arguing with Erza about guild policies, their discussion animated but lacking the underlying tension that had characterized such interactions before his exile.
"I spent seven years learning who I am without the guild's expectations defining me," he continued. "Now I need to figure out who I am as part of the guild, but on my own terms."
Gine's hand found his, their fingers intertwining automatically. "Then we'll figure it out together. No rush, no pressure to be anyone other than who you've become."
The Destroyer's Recognition
The jovial atmosphere took on a different quality when Jura's eyes fell upon Teilanne, who was standing beside Gildarts near the guild's main bar. The Wizard Saint's expression shifted from casual friendliness to something approaching reverence mixed with wariness.
"Gildarts," Jura said carefully, his deep voice carrying across the conversations around them, "I see you've brought your wife to the celebration."
The way he emphasized 'wife' caused nearby conversations to quiet as guild members turned their attention to the exchange. Lyon, temporarily distracted from his pursuit of Juvia, looked between Jura and Teilanne with growing curiosity.
"You know Teilanne?" Gildarts asked, though his tone suggested he already suspected the answer.
"Know of her," Jura corrected, inclining his head respectfully toward Teilanne. "The Destroyer's reputation precedes her, even among the Wizard Saints. Though I confess, learning that she married into Fairy Tail is... concerning news for the magical world's balance of power."
Teilanne raised an eyebrow at the formal address, her Saiyan heritage making her instinctively assess whether Jura represented a threat. "Concerning how, exactly?"
"With respect, ma'am," Lyon interjected, his usual dramatic flair replaced by genuine nervousness, "when Lamia Scale received word that Fairy Tail had returned, Master Bob immediately called an emergency meeting. Half of Fiore's guild masters are probably holding similar meetings right now."
Sherry nodded enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to the tension her words were creating. "Oh yes! The romantic tragedy of the Destroyer's seven-year disappearance had become quite the legend! Star-crossed lovers separated by magical catastrophe, only to return stronger than ever!"
"Sherry," Yuka said quietly, "perhaps this isn't the time for—"
"No, let her continue," Teilanne interrupted, her voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to command. "I'm curious about what version of events has been spreading through the magical world."
The Legend Spreads
Toby stepped forward, his mask making his expression unreadable but his body language suggesting discomfort. "The story goes that the Destroyer vanished during a battle so intense it erased an entire island from existence. Some guilds thought you'd been killed. Others believed you'd gone into hiding to prevent collateral damage to innocent people."
"Both theories," Jura added gravely, "assumed that your return would signal either celebration or catastrophe, depending on the circumstances that brought you back."
Kizuna, who had been listening from his position near Mirajane, moved closer to his mother with the protective instincts that defined Saiyan family bonds. "And now that we're back?"
"Now," Lyon replied with brutal honesty, "every guild master in Fiore is trying to figure out whether Fairy Tail's return represents a shift in the magical balance that they need to prepare for."
The Clive siblings exchanged glances that spoke to years of dealing with their mother's reputation and its consequences. Uruk stepped forward with his characteristic analytical approach.
"Quantify 'prepare for,'" he said, his tone suggesting he already suspected the answer wouldn't be pleasant.
"Some guilds are considering alliances," Jura admitted reluctantly. "Others are discussing whether Fairy Tail's return, combined with the Destroyer's presence, represents a threat that needs to be... managed."
The temperature in the guild hall seemed to drop several degrees as the implications sank in. Gildarts moved closer to his wife, his crash magic beginning to manifest unconsciously around his prosthetic limbs.
"Managed," Gildarts repeated, his voice carrying the kind of deadly calm that preceded volcanic eruptions. "That's an interesting choice of words."
Family Unity
Cumber appeared at his mother's other side, his quiet presence somehow more menacing than overt displays of power might have been. Gine stepped up beside her brothers, her recent mastery of Full Powered Super Saiyan making her ki fluctuate in response to the implied threat.
"Let me make something clear," Teilanne said, her voice carrying the authority that had earned her the title of Destroyer, "my family and I have no interest in conquest, domination, or whatever other scenarios your guild masters are imagining. We're here because this is our home."
She gestured toward the guild hall around them, encompassing the celebration that had temporarily stalled as the political implications became clear.
"However," she continued, her power beginning to manifest as a barely visible aura around her body, "if other guilds decide that our existence is a 'problem' that needs solving, they'll discover exactly why I earned my reputation in the first place."
The Lamia Scale members shifted uncomfortably, clearly caught between their desire to maintain friendly relations with Fairy Tail and their awareness of the broader political situation developing across Fiore.
Lucy's Departure
The tension was broken by Lucy's voice from near the guild's entrance. "I'm going to head home," she announced, her tone suggesting she wanted to avoid the political complications that were clearly brewing. "It's been a long day, and I need to... well, figure out what happened to my apartment after seven years."
Natsu looked up from his conversation with Romeo, his dragon slayer senses detecting the underlying stress in Lucy's voice despite her casual tone. "Want us to come with you?"
"I'll be fine," Lucy replied, though her expression suggested otherwise. "I just need some time to process everything. Seven years is a lot to catch up on."
As she left, several other guild members began to disperse as well, the political revelation having cast a shadow over what had been a joyful reunion celebration.
The Debt Reality
Macao approached Makarov with a ledger that contained seven years of accumulated financial obligations. "Master," he said quietly, "we need to discuss the Twilight Ogre situation. Their representative will be here tomorrow to collect what we owe them."
Makarov studied the numbers with growing dismay. "This is worse than I thought. Seven years of protection fees, plus interest..."
"We'll handle it," Erza said firmly, her strategic mind already working through possible solutions. "Whatever it takes."
Mirajane nodded agreement from behind the bar, her demonic heritage making her protective instincts flare at the thought of anyone threatening their guild family. "Fairy Tail takes care of its own. We always have."
Teilanne stepped forward, her earlier display of power fading as her maternal instincts took precedence over her warrior nature. "What's the total amount?"
"More than we can pay through normal jobs," Macao admitted reluctantly. "Unless we take on S-Class missions exclusively for the next few years, which would mean..."
"Which would mean putting the guild in constant danger to pay off debts incurred while we were gone," Gildarts finished grimly.
The financial reality was sobering, but the Clive family had dealt with worse situations before. As they looked around at their guild family—returned members still processing seven years of change, remaining members who had sacrificed everything to keep Fairy Tail alive—they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
Lucy's Homecoming
Lucy stood before her apartment door with a mixture of nostalgia and dread, the familiar brass number still gleaming despite seven years of absence. She reached for her keys, then paused as the reality hit her—seven years of unpaid rent, seven years of abandonment. What condition would her home be in?
Before she could insert her key, the door swung open to reveal her landlady, a stern woman whose expression could have curdled milk at fifty paces.
"Lucy Heartfilia!" the landlady barked, her voice echoing down the hallway. "Do you have any idea how much money you owe me?"
"I... well, I was hoping we could discuss—" Lucy began, but the landlady was already pulling out a calculator with the efficiency of someone who had been preparing this moment for years.
"Seven years of rent at 70,000 Jewels per month, plus late fees, plus property maintenance, plus the cost of preserving your belongings..." The numbers clicked rapidly across the calculator's display. "5,880,000 Jewels. Total."
Lucy's face went pale. "Five million, eight hundred—"
"Eighty thousand," the landlady finished with satisfaction. "Cash. Now. Or you can sleep on the street until you find the money."
The Apartment's Preservation
Despite the astronomical debt, Lucy found herself curious about the state of her home after so many years. As if reading her thoughts, the landlady stepped aside and gestured for her to enter.
"Go ahead, look around. See what seven years of preservation costs."
Lucy stepped inside and gasped. Her apartment was immaculate—not just clean, but exactly as she had left it seven years ago. Books were arranged in the same order on her desk, her bed was made with hospital corners, and there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere.
"How...?" she began.
"I may be a hardnosed businesswoman," the landlady replied with unexpected gentleness, "but I knew you'd come back eventually. Fairy Tail mages always do. So I kept everything exactly as you left it."
On her table sat a stack of packages, each wrapped with care and marked with different years. Lucy approached them with growing wonder, recognizing her father's handwriting on the labels.
"Those arrived one each year," the landlady explained. "Birthday presents. And this morning, a final package came with a letter."
A Father's Love Revealed
With trembling hands, Lucy opened her father's final letter, her eyes filling with tears as she read his words of love, pride, and unwavering faith that she would return safely. The letter spoke of his newfound understanding of her choices, his regret over their past conflicts, and his hope that she would know how much he loved her.
The final paragraph contained the greatest surprise of all—he had set aside money each year to cover her rent, ensuring she would have a home to return to no matter how long she was gone.
"He paid for everything," the landlady said softly. "Seven years in advance, plus extra for maintenance. Said his daughter deserved better than coming home to an empty, neglected apartment."
Lucy burst into tears, finally allowing herself to mourn the father she had never properly appreciated while he was alive. Outside her apartment, Natsu and Happy arrived with a job request, but the landlady shooed them away.
"Give her a few minutes," she told them gently. "Some griefs need privacy."
But Lucy's voice called out through her tears: "Wait for me! I'll be right there!" Because that's what Fairy Tail meant—family that waited for you, no matter how long you needed to heal.
Guild Reactions Across Fiore
Meanwhile, across the magical kingdom, word of Fairy Tail's return was spreading through guild communication networks like wildfire. The news that Teilanne the Destroyer had returned with her family sent shockwaves through the established power structure.
At Blue Pegasus, Master Bob paced his office while Ichiya provided updates on the situation. "The Destroyer's return changes everything," Bob muttered. "Fairy Tail was already unpredictable when they were just the strongest guild. Now they have a legendary Saiyan warrior and her family."
"Most fragrant concern, Master," Ichiya agreed. "Though perhaps we should focus on maintaining our alliance with them rather than viewing them as a threat."
At Lamia Scale, similar discussions were taking place, though Jura's presence as a Wizard Saint gave their concerns more weight with the Magic Council.
"The balance of power in Fiore has shifted," Jura observed to his guild master. "Whether that's for better or worse remains to be seen."
Sabertooth's Response
In the imposing guild hall of Sabertooth, Guild Master Jiemma sat upon his throne-like chair, his scarred face bearing an expression of cold calculation as he processed the intelligence report that had just been delivered. The guild's strongest members stood assembled before him in perfect formation.
"So," Jiemma's voice rumbled through the hall like distant thunder, "the Destroyer has returned."
Sting Eucliffe and Rogue Cheney exchanged glances, both dragon slayers understanding the weight behind their master's tone. This wasn't the casual dismissal Jiemma typically reserved for other guilds.
"Master," Minerva Orland spoke carefully, her spatial magic unconsciously fluctuating in response to the tension in the room, "perhaps we should consider this an opportunity. If Fairy Tail has grown too powerful—"
"Silence," Jiemma commanded, raising one massive hand. "You speak of things you don't understand, child."
He stood from his throne, his imposing figure casting shadows across the assembled guild members. "Teilanne the Destroyer earned her title through actions that make our conquests look like children's games. Entire dark guild alliances have been reduced to ash by her hand alone."
Dobengal shifted nervously, his feline instincts picking up on the genuine unease in his master's voice. "But Master, we are Sabertooth. We are the strongest—"
"We are strong," Jiemma interrupted, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "but strength has levels, and the Destroyer operates on a level that few in this world have ever reached."
Orga Nanagear, typically eager for any chance to display his power, found himself unusually quiet as Jiemma continued his assessment.
"Reports indicate she has four children, all trained in Saiyan combat arts. The eldest achieved Super Saiyan transformation years ago. The daughter has mastered Full Powered Super Saiyan." Jiemma's eyes narrowed. "Any one of them could challenge our strongest members."
"What are your orders, Master?" Rufus Lore asked, his memory magic already cataloguing every detail of this conversation for future analysis.
Jiemma was quiet for several long moments, his strategic mind weighing options and consequences. "We observe," he said finally. "We gather intelligence. We do not provoke."
The assembled guild members stared in shock. Jiemma, who had never backed down from any challenge, was essentially ordering them to avoid conflict with Fairy Tail.
"Master," Sting said carefully, "that's not exactly our usual approach."
Jiemma's gaze fixed on the White Dragon Slayer with the intensity of a predator evaluating prey. "Our usual approach assumes our opponents are bound by the same limitations we are. The Destroyer is not bound by such limitations."
He gestured toward the guild's battle records displayed on the walls. "We have built Sabertooth's reputation on decisive victories and overwhelming displays of power. But reputation means nothing when facing someone who has destroyed armies single-handedly."
"So we're afraid of one woman?" Minerva asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer wouldn't be pleasant.
"We are cautious of a force of nature that has been contained for seven years and is now free to act again," Jiemma corrected coldly. "Fear is for the weak. Caution is for the intelligent."
The distinction was subtle but significant, and every member present understood the implications. Sabertooth would maintain its strength and reputation, but they would not actively seek conflict with Fairy Tail while the Destroyer was active.
"Continue monitoring their activities," Jiemma ordered. "If Fairy Tail returns to their previous pattern of taking jobs and protecting their territory, we maintain our distance. If they show signs of expansion or aggression..."
He left the sentence unfinished, but the implication was clear. Sabertooth would respond to actual threats, but they wouldn't create conflicts unnecessarily.
For a guild built on the philosophy of strength above all else, it was a sobering reminder that there were still levels of power beyond their reach.
The Twilight Ogre Confrontation
Back in Magnolia, the next morning brought an unwelcome visit to the Fairy Tail guild hall. Banaboster, the master of Twilight Ogre, arrived with several of his strongest members to collect on seven years of accumulated debt.
"Makarov!" Banaboster's voice boomed across the guild hall. "Time to pay up, old man. Seven years of protection fees, plus interest. We kept your pathetic excuse for a guild from being disbanded, and now we want our compensation."
Macao stepped forward as guild master, but before he could speak, three figures moved to intercept the Twilight Ogre delegation.
Erza stepped forward first, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her sword. "We appreciate Twilight Ogre's... assistance during our absence. However, your tone suggests this is more about humiliation than business."
Mirajane flanked Erza's left side, her demonic aura beginning to manifest as her protective instincts flared. "Fairy Tail always pays its debts. But we also remember how our friends were treated during our absence."
The third figure caused Banaboster to take an involuntary step backward. Teilanne moved to complete the triangle, her presence alone making the air feel heavier with potential violence.
"You must be the guild master who thought it was appropriate to send thugs to rough up children and elderly members while we were gone," Teilanne said conversationally, though her power levels were rising steadily.
Banaboster's confidence wavered as he found himself facing not just Fairy Tail's tactical genius and their demonic powerhouse, but a legendary Saiyan warrior whose reputation had terrified dark guilds across multiple continents.
"I... that is, we were simply collecting legitimate debts," Banaboster stammered, suddenly remembering why Fairy Tail had been respected throughout Fiore before their disappearance.
"And we'll pay those debts," Erza replied firmly. "Every jewel we legitimately owe. But the interest you've calculated assumes we agreed to your terms, which we never did."
Teilanne smiled, and the expression contained enough latent menace to make seasoned dark guild members reconsider their career choices. "I think what my daughter-in-law is trying to say is that Fairy Tail is back. Fully back. And everyone who took advantage of our absence might want to recalibrate their expectations accordingly."
The message was delivered without a single threat being spoken aloud, but Banaboster understood perfectly. The age of taking advantage of a weakened Fairy Tail was over.
Lucy's Journey to Love & Lucky
The morning sun cast long shadows across Magnolia's streets as Lucy made her way toward the train station, her steps heavy with the weight of seven years of uncertainty about her father's fate. Behind her, the familiar sounds of Natsu's complaints and Happy's cheerful commentary provided an oddly comforting backdrop to her apprehensive thoughts.
"I still don't understand why you two had to come with me," Lucy said for the third time since leaving her apartment. "This is something I need to do alone."
Natsu kicked at a pebble on the road, his usual enthusiasm dampened by circumstances he didn't fully understand how to address. "Our safe got stolen while we were gone," he explained again, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. "All our savings, everything Happy and I had saved up over the years. We're completely broke."
"Aye," Happy added sadly, his tiny wings drooping. "Someone broke into Natsu's house and took everything valuable. We don't even have money for fish."
Lucy sighed, recognizing the familiar pattern of Natsu somehow finding himself involved in her personal crises. "And you couldn't ask anyone else in the guild for help because...?"
"Because everyone's dealing with their own problems," Natsu replied with surprising maturity. "The guild's in debt, people are trying to figure out their living situations after seven years... I didn't want to add to it."
The admission surprised Lucy. The Natsu she remembered from before Tenrou Island would have asked everyone in the guild for help without a second thought about their own problems.
But before she could comment on this change, two more figures fell into step beside them. Cumber appeared with his characteristic silent approach, while Wendy hurried to catch up, slightly out of breath.
"Cumber-san insisted on coming when he heard you were making a journey," Wendy explained, her cheeks flushed from the quick pace. "And I thought... well, I thought you might need a healer nearby, depending on what you find."
Lucy looked between the quiet Saiyan and the young Sky Dragon Slayer, both of whom were barely seventeen, and felt a mixture of gratitude and protectiveness. "You don't have to—"
"We want to," Wendy interrupted gently. "That's what guild family does, right? We support each other through difficult times."
Cumber simply nodded, his presence somehow conveying more comfort than words might have.
The Devastating News
The Love & Lucky Guild building stood exactly as Lucy remembered it, its cheerful exterior masking the corporate efficiency within. But as she approached the reception desk, she noticed the uncomfortable expression on the receptionist's face the moment her name was mentioned.
"Lucy Heartfilia," the receptionist repeated, her voice growing quieter. "You're... you're Jude Heartfilia's daughter, aren't you?"
"Yes," Lucy replied, a cold knot beginning to form in her stomach. "I'm here to see him. Is he available?"
The receptionist's discomfort became more pronounced, and she glanced around as if hoping someone else would handle this conversation. "Miss Heartfilia, I'm... I'm very sorry to have to tell you this, but your father passed away. One month ago."
The words hit Lucy like a physical blow. She felt Natsu's hand steady her shoulder as her legs threatened to give way, while Wendy moved closer with the instinctive concern of a healer.
"How?" Lucy managed to ask, though part of her didn't want to know the answer.
"Heart failure," the receptionist replied gently. "It was peaceful, from what I understand. He... he spoke about you often. Said he was proud of the woman you'd become."
The Silent Journey Home
The journey back to Magnolia passed in heavy silence. Lucy walked between her friends, her expression distant as she processed the reality that her father was gone forever. The others maintained a respectful quiet, each dealing with their own discomfort at witnessing such profound loss.
Their silence was broken by two women walking in the opposite direction, their voices carrying clearly in the afternoon air.
"I swear, my father is driving me crazy," one of them complained loudly. "He keeps calling to check up on me like I'm still twelve years old."
"At least yours calls," the other replied with a laugh. "Mine just shows up unannounced and rearranges my furniture because he thinks I'm not keeping house properly."
"Fathers are such a pain, aren't they?"
Natsu stopped walking abruptly, his dragon slayer hearing having caught every word. His face flushed with anger as he turned toward the women.
"Hey!" he called out, his voice carrying the heat of his fire magic. "How can you say things like that when—"
"Natsu, don't." Lucy's voice was quiet but firm as she placed a restraining hand on his arm. "They don't know."
"But Lucy—"
"Please." She looked at him with eyes that held more pain than tears. "Don't make this about other people."
Natsu's anger deflated as he saw the exhaustion in her expression. Around them, Wendy and Cumber maintained their supportive presence while Happy hovered uncertainly, unsure how to help.
Lucy's Emotional Struggle
As they continued walking, Lucy finally broke the silence that had stretched between them.
"I feel terrible," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "I'm sad, and I feel lonely, but I can't cry. I should be crying, shouldn't I? If I really loved him, if he really mattered to me, wouldn't I be crying?"
She stopped walking entirely, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "Maybe I never really loved him at all. Maybe everything that happened in Acalypha Town was just... just me trying to convince myself we had a relationship worth saving."
"That's not true," Natsu said immediately, his voice carrying absolute conviction. "Lucy, tears don't measure love. Some of the deepest grief can't be cried out."
Wendy nodded agreement, her healing magic allowing her to sense the emotional turmoil radiating from her friend. "Everyone processes loss differently. The fact that you're in pain proves you loved him."
Cumber, speaking for the first time since they'd left Magnolia, offered his own perspective with characteristic economy: "Love isn't always loud."
The Twilight Ogre Confrontation Intensifies
Meanwhile, back at the Twilight Ogre guild hall, the "negotiation" between Fairy Tail's representatives and Banaboster had devolved exactly as anyone familiar with Fairy Tail's diplomatic history might have expected.
The guild master of Twilight Ogre stood amid the ruins of what had once been his office, his face bearing the expression of someone who had just learned a very expensive lesson about the difference between taking advantage of a weakened guild and facing that same guild at full strength.
"Seven years," Erza said calmly, her sword still humming with residual magical energy, "of our guild family being threatened, intimidated, and humiliated while we were unable to protect them."
Mirajane's demonic transformation had faded, but her smile still carried enough menace to make hardened criminals reconsider their life choices. "We appreciate your... support during our absence. But support implies mutual respect, doesn't it?"
Teilanne stood amid the wreckage with the casual ease of someone for whom property damage was a minor occupational hazard. "I think what my daughters are trying to explain is that Fairy Tail's debts will be paid in full. But so will yours."
Banaboster, bleeding from several minor cuts and sporting what would likely become spectacular bruises, managed a weak nod of understanding. The message had been delivered with Fairy Tail's characteristic subtlety.
Outside the guild hall, Macao and Wakaba waited with expressions of resigned amusement.
"The plan was to talk it out," Macao observed, listening to the sounds of destruction from within.
"It was talking," Wakaba replied philosophically. "Just in Fairy Tail's native language."
They both looked up as familiar pink hair approached, but their calls of warning died on their lips as they saw Natsu's expression. The dragon slayer walked past them without acknowledgment, his usual energy completely absent.
"That's not the Natsu we know," Macao murmured with concern.
"Something's wrong," Wakaba agreed. "I've never seen him look that... empty."
The Apartment Discovery
Lucy found herself sitting on a park bench near the center of town, staring at nothing while her mind struggled to process the finality of her father's death. Around her, life continued with the oblivious normalcy that always seemed cruel in the face of personal tragedy.
Her solitary mourning was interrupted by a familiar and decidedly unwelcome voice.
"Lucy Heartfilia!"
Before she could react, her landlady had grabbed her by the arm and was physically dragging her back toward her apartment building. "You think you can sit around moping when you have responsibilities to face?"
"I don't have the money—" Lucy began, but the landlady's expression had shifted from stern to something approaching gentle.
"Just come and see," the older woman said, her grip loosening to become merely guiding rather than forceful.
Inside her apartment, Lucy stared in amazement at the stack of wrapped presents on her table, each one labeled with a different year. Seven packages, each representing a birthday she had spent in magical stasis while her father continued to hope for her return.
"One arrived every year," the landlady explained, her usual gruff demeanor softened by genuine sympathy. "Along with money to cover your rent and a letter asking me to keep everything exactly as you left it."
The final package, smaller than the others, contained the letter that would finally break through Lucy's emotional barriers. Her father's words spoke of growth, of understanding, of pride in the woman she had become and faith that she would return safely.
"I know I wasn't the father you deserved," the letter concluded, "but you became the daughter any parent would be proud to call their own. I love you, Lucy. I always have."
The tears came then, finally and completely, as Lucy allowed herself to truly mourn the father she had loved despite their complicated relationship.
The Job Continues
Outside her apartment, Natsu and Happy approached with a job request, but the landlady intercepted them with uncharacteristic gentleness.
"Give her a few more minutes," she told them quietly. "Some grief needs space to breathe."
"Is she okay?" Natsu asked, his dragon slayer hearing picking up the sounds of crying from within the apartment.
"She will be," the landlady replied. "Her father made sure of that. The last package included enough money to cover all her expenses. He wanted to make sure she'd have a home to come back to."
When Lucy finally emerged, her eyes red but her expression clearer than it had been all day, she found her friends waiting patiently for her.
"Ready for a job?" Natsu asked gently, holding up the request with hopeful optimism.
Lucy looked at the paper, then at her friends who had supported her through one of the most difficult days of her life. "Wait for me," she said, managing her first real smile since learning of her father's death. "Let's go take care of our guild family."
Because that's what Fairy Tail meant—family that waited through grief, that supported through loss, and that helped you find your way back to hope when it seemed impossible to continue.
New Challenges
As the Council delegation settled into their temporary quarters within the guild hall, the atmosphere shifted subtly. Conversations became more guarded, laughter came less freely, and the sense of being watched affected everyone's behavior.
"This is going to be a problem," Lucy observed quietly to Levy, both women speaking in voices too low for their official observers to overhear.
"We can't exactly have family arguments with government representatives taking notes," Levy agreed, glancing toward where one inspector was already documenting the guild hall's layout.
Near the bar, Gray was having a similar conversation with Juvia, though her attention seemed divided between the topic at hand and her continued fascination with his every movement.
"At least they can't regulate how we feel about each other," Gray said, then immediately looked uncomfortable at how that statement might be interpreted.
"Gray-sama is so romantic!" Juvia gushed, apparently finding deep meaning in his words that he hadn't intended to convey.
The Strongest Team's Reunion
Later that evening, after the Council inspectors had settled into their quarters and the guild had returned to something resembling normal operations, Team Natsu gathered around their usual table to discuss their changed circumstances.
"So we're basically starting over," Natsu said with characteristic bluntness, though his tone suggested the prospect didn't particularly bother him. "New guild marks, new paperwork, new rules to follow."
"At least we're together," Lucy replied, her hand unconsciously moving to where her Fairy Tail mark had been. The prospect of getting new guild marks felt like losing a piece of their history, but she recognized the necessity.
Erza nodded agreement, though her expression remained troubled. "The real challenge will be maintaining our guild's character while operating under Council oversight. We've never been good at following other people's rules."
"We've never needed to be," Gray added. "But if it means staying together as a guild, we'll figure it out."
Happy, who had been unusually quiet during the evening's events, finally spoke up. "At least the fish here is still good."
The simple observation somehow managed to capture the essence of their situation—some things had changed dramatically, but the core of what made Fairy Tail special remained intact.
Private Moments
As the evening wound down and guild members began to disperse to their homes, the couples found opportunities for private conversation away from official observation.
Gildarts and Teilanne walked along the river that ran behind the guild hall, their steps synchronized despite their very different backgrounds and fighting styles.
"Bureaucracy," Gildarts said with disgust. "I'd rather fight a hundred dark guilds than deal with one government inspector."
Teilanne's laugh carried genuine amusement. "Says the man who once destroyed an entire town because he forgot to control his crash magic during a celebration."
"That was an accident," Gildarts protested, though his grin suggested he wasn't entirely sorry about the incident. "And technically, I only destroyed half the town."
"The other half was evacuated," Teilanne reminded him. "By people who recognized the signs of impending Gildarts-related destruction."
Their comfortable banter continued as they walked, two powerful individuals finding peace in each other's company despite the complications surrounding them.
The Next Generation
Back in the guild hall, Romeo was having his own conversation with some of the returning members, his seven years of growth evident in both his physical development and his magical abilities.
"I kept training," he told Natsu, pride evident in his voice. "Every day for seven years. I knew that when you came back, I wanted to be strong enough to stand beside you as an equal."
Natsu studied the young man who had once been a small boy eager to prove himself. "You've definitely gotten stronger. But more than that, you've gotten wiser. Leadership suits you."
The compliment carried weight coming from someone who had watched Romeo grow from childhood, and the young mage straightened slightly at the recognition of his development.
"I learned from watching Master Macao," Romeo replied. "And from wondering what you would do in difficult situations. It helped, having examples to follow even when the examples weren't physically present."
Signs of Trouble
As the guild members settled into their first night back together, none of them noticed the figure watching from the shadows outside the hall. Dressed in dark clothing that rendered them nearly invisible, the observer took careful note of which rooms contained sleeping guild members and which areas remained unguarded.
After several minutes of surveillance, the figure melted back into the darkness, leaving no trace of their presence except for a small magical signature that would be undetectable to anyone not specifically looking for it.
The next morning would bring new challenges, new threats, and the beginning of conflicts that would test the restored guild's unity in ways their seven-year separation never had.
But for now, Fairy Tail was home, whole, and ready to face whatever the future might bring—together.
Dawn of a New Era
As the first rays of sunlight struck the guild hall's windows, illuminating the Fairy Tail symbol that had been repainted with loving care, the building seemed to pulse with renewed energy. The magic that bound this particular family together had survived seven years of separation, bureaucratic dissolution, and the threat of permanent oversight.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them as they always had—as family, united by bonds that no government inspection could document or regulate.
The age of Fairy Tail's second chapter was about to begin.
To be continued in Chapter 33: Shadows and Surveillance