Natsu couldn't stand the heavy mood anymore. He leapt up, pointing straight at Rhodes.
"That's way too sneaky! Training all by yourself in secret!"
Lucy quickly tugged at Natsu's sleeve, her eyes brimming with sympathy. "Natsu, don't say that. Mr. Rhodes didn't choose this. Just think, being locked away for six years, cut off from everyone you love…" Her chest ached just imagining it.
Rhodes smiled softly at her. "Didn't I already say it's in the past? What matters is the present. We'll have plenty to deal with once we return. For example, Lucy, your father is probably beside himself with worry. And Happy, Carla… when your families hear about all this, well…"
At that, many lowered their heads. Quietly, someone muttered, "I just want to go home soon."
Even though Rhodes had steered the conversation away, Gray and Gajeel exchanged uneasy looks. The same thought crossed their minds: 'Isn't Rhodes… a little terrifyingly strong now?'
Makarov broke through the tension with a firm clap of his hands. "What are we waiting for then? Go check if the airship still works! We leave immediately!"
Everyone answered at once. Whatever awaited them in Magnolia, they couldn't just linger here.
After inspecting it, they found the airship in perfect condition, as if time had frozen it too. Fairy Sphere's protection hadn't only saved them.
Once they all boarded, Mavis reappeared in a shimmer of light. "Everyone… it seems someone has come to meet you."
She pointed across the sea, and sure enough, a ship was sailing toward Tenrou Island.
It was a familiar sight, the very vessel they had taken here six years ago, though now weathered with age.
Makarov quickly instructed Lisanna not to take off but to sail toward them, rope ready to connect the two ships.
On the approaching vessel stood six figures, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Alzack, Bisca, Warren, Max, Jet, and Droy stared at Tenrou Island, which had long been nothing but empty waves, and now it had returned.
And so had the people they thought they'd lost forever.
"Guild Master!" Max shouted, his voice breaking. "It's really him! And Gildarts too!"
Bisca gripped Alzack's arm so tightly it made him wince. "Erza! It's Erza!"
Jet and Droy jumped up and down, tears streaming as they yelled, "Levy-chan!!"
"They're all alive, everyone's alive!" Warren couldn't hold back the sobs. Pressing his fingers to his temple, he sent out his Telepathy, calling each name aloud, voice trembling with joy.
When the ships finally closed the distance, the six leapt across the gap without hesitation, colliding into embraces of tears and laughter.
The deck erupted into chaos, crying, laughing, clinging to one another. Even Gildarts had to discreetly wipe his eyes. Only Natsu stood awkwardly off to the side, scratching his head at the scene.
It was a long while before the storm of emotion calmed and they could take a good look at each other.
Rhodes was the first to break the silence, tilting his head curiously. "Wait a second… was Alzack always this handsome? And Troy, did you get fat?"
Lucy immediately spun on him. "You're the last person qualified to say that!"
Max chuckled. "Well, it has been six years. It'd be stranger if none of us had changed."
"Levy-chan doesn't need to change at all!" Jet and Droy chimed in immediately, crowding around her.
"I don't want to stay this way forever," Levy muttered with a helpless smile, cheeks pink. In truth, she was just as relieved as they were.
When the fuss finally settled, Warren looked around at everyone with tears still clinging to his lashes. His voice came out low, edged with grievance. "What on earth happened all this time? Six years passed, and you never came home… why?"
Makarov exhaled slowly, his eyes shadowed with the weight of everything unsaid. "Because… many unexpected things happened."
He gave a small nod to Lisanna, who adjusted their course. Ropes were fastened between the ships, binding them together.
On the way back, Makarov explained everything to the six, Grimoire Heart's attack, Acnologia's arrival, the activation of Fairy Sphere, and the desperate battle that followed.
The group listened in silence, their faces full of emotion.
"Whatever the case, the best news is that you're all alive," Warren said, tears streaming down his cheeks again.
"Manly men don't cry so easily!" Elfman patted him firmly on the back. "Since that's the case, I'll share even better news. Laxus has rejoined the Guild. Mavis herself welcomed him back."
"What?!" The six were stunned.
Max looked around in confusion. "But where is he? I haven't seen him at all."
"He ducked into the cabin as soon as we boarded," Gajeel said with a crooked grin, jerking his thumb toward the ship. "That awkward guy's too embarrassed to face you right now. Gihiiii."
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles. Only Natsu was still leaning over the side, dry heaving from seasickness.
Erza stood beside Bisca, quietly observing her. It had only been a few days since they last saw each other, yet now Bisca looked several years older, carrying herself with a far more mature air. Compared to her, even Mira and Erza themselves seemed a little young.
"Speaking of which," Erza asked, "why did you come here to pick us up?"
Bisca's voice carried a trace of warmth. "Because this morning, Mr. Ichiya from Blue Pegasus arrived suddenly and told us that abnormal waves of Magic Power had been detected in this sea area. After careful analysis, they concluded that Tenrou Island still existed."
She paused before continuing. "Actually, we had come searching before… but after so many empty trips, we had almost given up hope. Still, none of us wanted to let go completely."
"Blue Pegasus…" For the first time, Erza heard Ichiya's name without irritation. She felt strangely touched. "So they've been helping to look for us all this time?"
Alzack nodded. "Yes. Not only Blue Pegasus but Lamia Scale has helped greatly too. Over the years, we've received a lot of care and support from them."
Makarov smiled softly. "Then it seems Fairy Tail owes them a debt of gratitude."
Gray thought of Lyon and groaned inwardly, already imagining himself standing a head shorter the next time they met.
Rhodes recalled Jura, who had once recommended him, and who had aided them once again. No matter what, when Rhodes got married one day, Jura would certainly need to be invited as an honored guest.
As for those Blue Pegasus men… perhaps they could be best men? Hm. Though after six years, who knew how much more handsome they had all become?
Everyone was, in the end, a good person.
Then Makarov asked the question that had been on everyone's minds. "Now it's your turn. Tell us, how have you been all these years? What has become of the Guild?"
The mood shifted instantly.
Alzack and Bisca managed to hold themselves together, but the other four suddenly looked very grim.
"Where do I even start…" Max muttered. "So many things happened while you were gone. It wasn't just the Guild. The entire Kingdom of Fiore, and even all of Ishgar, has changed dramatically."
Warren nodded, his expression heavy. "It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the whole world is completely different now."
Everyone's faces tensed. 'Could it really be that drastic?'
Max took a steadying breath. "The story begins with the news of your deaths, or rather, to be precise, it should start from the day we returned from Edolas."
He glanced around and continued carefully. "Do you remember that this airship was brought back from Edolas, along with many Magic items?"