After leaving Magnolia, Rhodes noticed how much the outskirts had changed.
New self-built houses clustered around the city, almost surrounding it completely except for the great lake to the north and the mountains to the northwest.
The houses looked rough, no better in quality than Natsu's little home, and their style was nothing like the structures within the city.
Rhodes couldn't figure it out. Why would Magnolia keep building taller buildings in the center instead of expanding outward?
Was it because of laws from the Kingdom?
Or perhaps even if the land expanded, the families here still couldn't afford to live inside the city proper?
Puzzled, he and Wendy passed through the strange residential zone and entered the eastern forest.
Signs of logging dotted the woods, but it wasn't clear-cutting. A stump here and there, and some already sprouting fresh branches. The forest, on the whole, still breathed with life.
Porlyusica's hut hadn't changed. The same quiet wooden home stood tucked into the trees.
Wendy dashed to the door and knocked. The moment it opened, she cried out, "Grandeeney!" and threw herself forward.
Porlyusica caught her in her arms. The old woman was so surprised she didn't even scold Wendy for the name.
Six years hadn't left much of a mark on her. Her pink hair was still neatly coiled into a bun, pinned in place with her long hairpin. Wendy's enthusiastic pounce didn't even budge her, showing she was as strong as ever.
Rhodes clearly saw the corners of her lips curve upward as she stroked Wendy's long blue hair. Then her gaze moved to him. She studied him carefully for a moment before asking, "You're all back?"
Living alone in the forest, she was rarely up to date with news.
"Everyone's back," Rhodes said. "The Guild Master asked us to come see you for him since the Guild's been so busy."
He tried his best to make it sound convincing, but Porlyusica knew Makarov too well. That old man was no doubt celebrating with a bottle by now. He'd be lucky to remember to visit her within a week.
If not for Rhodes and Wendy, she would probably have learned about Fairy Tail's return secondhand.
Seeing her expression darken, Rhodes quickly pulled out a food box. "Mira and the Guild Master asked Mr. Cook to prepare some of your favorites. They wanted me to bring them."
Porlyusica nodded knowingly. That girl Mirajane must have worried Rhodes would get smacked with her broom and had prepared a peace offering.
"Come in," Porlyusica said at last. It was a kind gesture, and she didn't want to ruin the reunion.
Inside, Rhodes noticed the broom had been replaced with a Magic-powered one, supposedly able to repel intruders. She wondered idly how much it would hurt when swung at someone.
He and Wendy sat down, surprised when Porlyusica herself poured tea for them.
Rhodes, without needing to be asked, began explaining what had happened on Tenrou Island. Wendy sipped her tea, legs swinging since they couldn't reach the floor, occasionally chiming in.
If not for their different hair colors, the three of them together almost looked like three generations of a family.
Rhodes half-expected Porlyusica to snap at them, saying something like, "Humans never stop throwing themselves into meaningless battles."
But she didn't. She only glanced at the bandages wrapped around Wendy and leaned forward to unwrap them herself.
The smell of the medicine made her frown. It wasn't terrible, but it was nowhere near as effective as the new salves she had developed in the last six years.
Rhodes didn't mention that the healing magic he'd gained from the Ocean Dragon was already more effective than any medicine. He simply let Porlyusica fuss over Wendy in her own way.
As she changed the bandages, she casually asked about the condition of the other members. In return, Rhodes inquired about her life these past six years.
There wasn't much to worry about in terms of material needs. A pharmacist of Porlyusica's caliber could make a living easily, even if Fairy Tail had gone bankrupt.
But emotionally, Rhodes worried. She valued her comrades deeply, yet her unwillingness to deal with people left her alone, stewing in her thoughts. He quietly reminded Wendy on their way back to visit more often, just to cheer her up.
Before they left, Porlyusica stuffed them with two large bags of medicine, claiming she'd "made too much and couldn't sell it." Wendy invited her to come celebrate at the guild, but as expected, Porlyusica refused.
By the time Rhodes and Wendy returned, the guild feast had already shifted into the inevitable brawling stage.
Tables and chairs were overturned, and when the space inside proved too cramped, a crowd poured into the backyard for one-on-one duels.
Rhodes fell in step with Mira and Erza at the back. He gestured to the wreckage inside the hall. "It's a mess, and you didn't stop them?"
Mira only smiled. "Because it's fun."
Erza gave a rare laugh. "The guild's been quiet for too long. Fairy Tail only feels like Fairy Tail when it's noisy."
Rhodes chuckled. If even Erza thought so, there was no need to argue.
Mira tucked away the bags of medicine he'd carried. Seeing that his clothes weren't torn and his hair wasn't mussed, she relaxed, at least Porlyusica hadn't hit him too hard.
"Come on," she said with a grin. "Max is challenging Natsu. That's rare."
"Who?" Rhodes blinked, surprised.
They squeezed into the cheering crowd just as Cana was calling out, "Place your bets!" and Makarov raised his hand to start the match.
"Begin!"
In a flash of fire, Natsu launched forward like an arrow, his fist aimed straight for Max's chest.
Six years ago, a serious Natsu would have flattened Max in ten seconds. But this time, Max caught the flaming punch in one hand. Effortlessly.
Gasps rippled through the onlookers. Lucy's eyes widened. Gray muttered in disbelief. Even without flame, the raw force behind Natsu's strike was obvious, and Max hadn't even flinched.
"I might not have been motivated," Max said evenly, tightening his grip on Natsu's fist, "but I've trained these past six years. Underestimate me, and you'll regret it."
With a sharp twist, he swung Natsu overhead and hurled him across the yard.
Natsu landed on one hand, flipped, and came up grinning. "So I can fight you with everything I've got, huh?"
Max smirked, sand swirling in his palm. "Bring it on."
Flames erupted around Natsu's fists as he charged again.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
"Sand Wall!"
A wall of shifting sand rose to block the strike. Natsu's fist slammed into it, flames roaring hotter as if to punch through. The wall rippled like water under the impact, but held firm.
For the first time, Natsu's fiery blow had been stopped cold.
...
Stones PLzzz
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