Fairy Tail couldn't return right away.
Before that, they had to help locate the magic crystals into which the Exceeds had been turned, and then ask Natsu and the others to help restore their forms.
Queen Shagotte had made a decision, to lead all of the Exceeds to Earth Land.
There were still a hundred children they had scattered across that world long ago. They had to confirm their safety.
Naturally, the parents of those children would go with her. While a few Exceeds hesitated, Queen Shagotte did not pressure them. The choice was theirs to make.
But after some thought, most of the Exceeds chose to go.
Though Mystogan had promised to protect them and grant them equal status alongside humans, the Exceeds couldn't help but feel uneasy. They were the only ones in this world who still had magic, and even then, they weren't strong enough to rely on it.
Instead of living in constant fear, they would rather return to Earth Land. At least there, magic wasn't rare, and they wouldn't be alone.
Once everything had been settled, Mystogan led both the Fairy Tail members and the Exceeds to the device that could reactivate Anima.
It was time to part ways.
The two Fairy Tail guilds stood facing one another, reluctant to say goodbye. Even Edolas Mira and Edolas Elfman shed tears for Lisanna, their dear sister who had to return to her world.
When the farewells were over, everyone turned toward Mystogan. Makarov stood at the front of the group, addressing them all with a solemn voice.
"All Fairy Tail members, listen up! Mystogan has requested to withdraw from the Guild. As the Third Guild Master, I hereby officially—"
Before he could finish, voices of protest were already rising from the crowd.
So Makarov chuckled, and declared loudly, "Request denied!"
"Master?" Mystogan blinked, surprised. This wasn't what they had agreed on.
But Makarov just smiled at him and raised his right hand, index finger pointing upward, thumb extended to the side, and a warm, glowing grin on his face.
That gesture… it meant: 'Even if you can't see me, even if we're far apart, I'll always be with you, always watching over you.'
Everyone else followed suit. They clenched their left fists close to their hearts, bent their arms, and raised their right hands high, thumb and index finger outstretched in the same sign.
"Today's parting is only to make tomorrow's reunion even more joyful. Even without magic, the bonds between comrades won't fade one bit!"
Makarov's voice rang out, full of pride and emotion.
"So let's part with a smile! As long as our hearts remain connected, we'll meet again one day! Now go, set out on your journey! And remember, your comrades will always be with you!"
Even Mystogan, who rarely showed emotion, couldn't help but lift a hand to his mouth. Tears welled in his eyes.
He fought to keep them from falling, and instead smiled just as the Guild Master had hoped.
"Everyone… take care!"
He turned to Lily. "Lily, protect the Guild in my place."
Then, with his voice filled with warmth and resolve, he shouted, "Everyone....farewell!"
"Farewell, Mystogan!" everyone shouted together.
Wendy called out with heartfelt emotion, "Goodbye, Jellal! Thank you for everything, you always took such good care of me!"
Panther Lily saluted from the air. "Prince...no, Your Majesty, take care of yourself."
As Anima activated, the members of Fairy Tail vanished from where they stood, and the Exceeds flying above the city disappeared alongside them in glimmering streams of magic.
Some bold citizens who had been hiding outside the city cautiously ventured in, curious after the prolonged silence following the fierce battle. Just as they entered, they witnessed the last of the Exceeds vanishing into the sky.
Seeing Mystogan reappear, the people naturally assumed it had been he who drove the Exceeds away.
The public knew nothing about the deeper truth behind the ETD plan. All they saw was a prince who had banished the invaders and, in the same stroke, removed the once lofty, mysterious race of flying cats. To the commoners, that alone made him a hero.
Mystogan hadn't anticipated this, sending the Exceeds away turning into a political "win", but it made the transition into his new role significantly smoother.
He turned back, but the place behind him was empty now. His friends had returned to their own world.
And yet, standing before him, with Edolas Lucy at the front, were new comrades, this world's Fairy Tail.
"To be clear," Lucy began, her voice firm, "we still have a bone to pick with the royal family. But Edolas is our home too. We want to help rebuild it."
Mystogan gave a soft smile. "Understood. Round up the army and the people. It's time to bring the war criminals to justice."
Though his original companions had gone, he wasn't alone. His new comrades stood with him, in every sense of the word.
Meanwhile, after several days in Edolas, the original Fairy Tail members returned home to Earth Land.
When they opened their eyes, Magnolia was covered in soft, steady rain.
Rhodes glanced around. Only Mira, Elfman, and Lisanna were with him.
"Cemetery?" he murmured.
"Lisanna!" Mira cried out and rushed forward, pulling her little sister into a tight embrace.
"Sister?"
Lisanna blinked, still disoriented, but then her eyes lit up.
"It's not a dream," Mira whispered joyfully. "You're really here!"
Tears streamed down Elfman's face. "Lisanna… you're back…"
Rhodes smiled warmly and quietly pulled an umbrella out of his storage magic space, holding it over the sisters as they wept in the rain.
Elfman didn't need one. A real man doesn't fear a little rain.
After the siblings had a few precious moments together, they made their way back toward the Guild with Rhodes.
As they walked, they realized everything around them looked completely normal. It didn't seem like being turned into magic crystals, restored, and transported back had disrupted anything.
That was a relief, they wouldn't need to rebuild anything or figure out where they'd been dropped off.
As they approached the Guild, they saw something surprising.
Dozens of Exceeds flew overhead, Happy's parents, Nadi and Nichiya, among them.
And down below, people packed the streets three layers deep. Almost all of Magnolia had come out.
This time, the chaos hadn't been caused by Fairy Tail. On the contrary, Fairy Tail had saved the entire city, protected everyone, returned safely, and not a single building had been damaged.
The townspeople had gathered of their own accord, braving the rain to welcome them home.
"There's Rhodes!"
"And Mirajane!"
"Elfman too!"
"Hey, who's that adorable girl with them? She looks kind of familiar…"
"Who cares! Thank you all!"
"Let me treat you to a meal!"
"No, let me! You guys were amazing!"
"My family runs a bakery, I insist!"
As soon as the group appeared, they were swarmed by a flood of smiling faces and grateful offers. The crowd erupted in good-natured bickering over who would get the honor of thanking them first.
Inside the Guild, things were no less chaotic.
The noise from outside startled Natsu and Gray, who instinctively ducked under a table.
It took them a few seconds to realize… wait. This time, they hadn't done anything wrong.
So the people weren't angry.
The Exceeds floated above the commotion, watching the scene unfold below.
"This place is so lively," one of them said.
"Are we… too eye-catching?" another wondered.
"They seem to really love their Guild," said a third.
Many residents of Magnolia were cat lovers, and they found the talking, flying Exceeds absolutely delightful. Naturally, invitations came pouring in from the crowd.
"Come stay with us!"
"You're welcome in our home!"
"It's true! Natsu and Wendy aren't the only ones with cute cat partners anymore!"
The Exceeds relaxed. It looked like they were being welcomed, not feared.
The atmosphere remained wonderfully chaotic, until the Mayor stepped forward and raised his voice.
"To thank Fairy Tail for everything they've done and to celebrate the safe return of everyone," he declared, "I hereby announce a three-day grand festival!"
"All of Magnolia will participate in the preparations! Eat, drink, and celebrate to your hearts' content!"
Cheers erupted from every corner of the city.
The rain might have been falling, but the hearts of everyone in Magnolia were full of sunshine.
...
Bonus @2000
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