1

All was quiet in the peaceful city of Magnolia.

Touted as one of the happiest towns in the Kingdom, one would think that the populace would be out and about enjoying the lovely sunny day to its fullest? In reality however, the title was earned mostly through the efforts of a certain Guild based there.

A Guild by the name of Fairy Tail.

It was no secret that the majority of its members were comprised of the dregs of society. Orphans, violent youths, adults mired by scandal. Fairy Tail was a Guild that accepted all comers, regardless of their past.

On the surface, a Guild comprised of society's worst sort would be a recipe for disaster. One would expect conflict to arise within its ranks rather quickly, what with so many rough individuals there. And yet, despite all that. Fairy Tail didn't just survive, it utterly thrived.

Its members became a close-knit family. One that cared deeply for each other through thick and thin. They all had troubled pasts, but came together as a family. As the First Master might have put it, were she still alive …

It was nothing short of magical.

When one of their members celebrated, they all did. When one of their members felt pain, they too felt pain. The mood of the Guild would shift almost chaotically from day to day as its members lived their lives to the fullest.

So, it was rather easy to tell that something was amiss.

The usually rowdy Guild Hall was almost deathly silent. Its members were present, but no one had much to say. Morale had plummeted quite drastically over the last few days, with most members merely going through the motions of their usual routines.

The doors to the Guild Hall opened slightly as a portly man entered, carrying what appeared to be painting materials. He walked slowly, and with purpose, toward the center of the Guild Hall. At its heart was a bar, and seated upon the bench, was the portly man's target.

"Master…"

"I take it they're together?"

"Oui…"

Across from the portly man sat an elderly man. He was extremely short, was balding with only the outer rim of his head having aged white hair. He stroked his thick, white mustache, pondering the portly man's words with a deep hum.

Guild Master Of The Fairy Tail Guild

One Of The Ten Wizard Saints

Wizard Saint Rank Six

Makarov Dreyar

"It's been close to a week now, hasn't it Reedus?"

"Oui…"

"Then that means its already too late," the elderly Guild Master sighed as he looked down at his mug of alcohol thoughtfully. "I suppose I have little choice but to officially announce to the rest what happened."

"Pardon? Er-I mean, do you think that's wise," Reedus asked nervously, the portly man's eyes shifting immediately off to Makarov's right.

The old man knew exactly who Reedus was looking at. He was right to. That group in particular were his next generation of promising Mages. He knew full well they'd stupidly try something.

"What other choice do I have Reedus? The longer I keep it from them, the worse a situation I'll have on my hands when I do."

"O-Oui," the portly man sighed, knowing the older man was right.

"I know you're just as worried as the rest of us Reedus," Makarov sighed as he slowly rose to his feet. "Just have a bit of faith."

Makarov launched himself up to the second floor of the Guild Hall. This had the effect of immediately drawing the attention of the entire Guild upon him. Makarov only ever stood up there when addressing the Guild on important matters, after all.

"All right everyone, listen up! I know we've all been down about this Natsu situation! With many of you having come to confide in me over the past few days about it, I owe you all an update. I want to preface what I'm about to say with how proud I am to see how you've all come together over this."

No one said a word. He knew they wouldn't, because they only cared about one thing he had to say right now.

"As you know, Natsu was reported missing several days ago by Erza and Gray. At the time I first announced this, I already had my suspicions regarding where he disappeared to," Makarov explained as he knew the next part was going to cause an uproar. "I've just received word that has confirmed my suspicions. Natsu has left with Gildarts on his Century Quest to the Scarlione Emp-."

Makarov didn't even get a chance to finish as the entire Guild Hall erupted into chaos. A mixture of shock, fear for Natsu's safety, and outrage that it was even allowed to happen came at Makarov from all sides.

"Master! How could this be allowed to happen," a familiar voice cut through the cacophony like a knife as everyone fell silent. "I doubt you approved Gildarts to take Natsu on that Century Quest, right? And Gildarts is the most senior Mage here, aside from you, isn't he?"

"He is," Makarov agreed as his eyes fell upon the scarlet haired Mage before him who was visibly shaking.

"Then how did something like this happen," the Mage whispered as they grit their teeth and glared up at him. "You suspected this yet did nothing to stop Gildarts from taking Natsu along!? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS MASTER!?"

S Class Mage Of Fairy Tail

One Of The Guild's Rising Stars

The Titania Of The Fairies

Erza Scarlett

"You think I approve of this Erza," Makarov asked calmly, if a little irritated internally.

"You should have sent us out to drag him back days ago Master," Erza spat, her whole body visibly shaking as she clenched her fists and took a step forward. "You should … YOU SHOULD …!"

"Erza," came the calm, yet stern warning from the older man as he saw how angry she was getting. "Control yourself-."

"Can you blame her Master," another voice chimed in, surprising many as a newcomer stood at the doorway. "You think a dork like Natsu can survive where Gildarts is going? What are we supposed to think?"

Erza seemed surprised at the support as the newcomer moved to stand next to her. It was obvious they didn't particularly like one another, as many seemed shocked to see them side by side.

"I don't agree with what she has to say very often. But Master, how can you allow something like this to happen so soon after …"

Makarov's gaze hardened, as did many others. They all knew what the white-haired girl was referring to. Another dark day in their Guild's history.

S Class Mage Of Fairy Tail

One Of The Guild's Rising Stars

The Mistress Of Demons

Mirajane Strauss

"That isn't fair, Mirajane."

"Fair? This isn't about what's FAIR," Mira snapped back, a scowl on her face. "Natsu's barely even as strong as Reedus or Wakaba! How the hell do you expect him to survive on a Century Quest!?"

"She's right Master, you should have acted much sooner," Erza agreed as both girls glared up at him. "After what happened with Lisanna, you swore you'd be making sure younger members of the Guild were kept safe!"

"And I meant every word-."

"You call sending a kid off to a war-torn country with Gildarts on a Century Quest SAFE!?"

"That's enough," Makarov snapped as he leapt off of the balcony and landed before the pair, their eyes widening as they took a step backward subconsciously. "I will not stand there and have the two of you, two S Class Mages, telling me that I am in any way agreeable to this situation!"

"But Mas-!"

"ALL OF YOU WILL BE SILENT," Makarov thundered, flexing his monstrous Magical Power as the very Guild Hall itself groaned under the strain. "Especially the two of you…"

Both girls backed away, shocked. Never had Makarov done something like this, even when they had pushed him in the past.

"I care for all of you like my dear children. I do my best to ensure that you are all kept safe, well fed and happy. However. This is a Guild, not a daycare center. You all know that every job you go on there will be risks-."

"But-."

Makarov's glare forced Mira into complete silence. Looking around the room, no one dared to utter a peep. Once he was convinced no one was going to interrupt him again, he continued.

"When you step outside of those doors and out into the world, there is only so much I can do for you. I will do all that I can, of course. But I'm just one man." Makarov explained as the Guild listened with rapt attention. "Natsu has made a choice. It is a foolish one, and one I would certainly have stopped him from making had I been aware of it. But, it has been made."

"So what? We just accept that he's gone off with Gildarts to his death," Erza asked after several moments of tense silence.

"We must have faith that Gildarts can either protect him, or help him grow strong enough to survive."

"I can't believe this…"

"There was nothing that could have been done Erza," Makarov sighed as he looked up at the scarlet haired girl. "I know you were good friends with him Erza. I know that you're probably scared for him-."

Makarov paused. His eyes widened slightly as he was rendered speechless by the girl before him. Next to him, the usually antagonistic and rowdy Mirajane had a hand to her lips. Not even she would dare say anything to make fun of Erza in this moment.

"I'm going to go look for him," Erza whispered. "I don't care what you have to say!"

Erza spun on her heel and bolted out of the Guild Hall, leaving behind a tense silence as Mira looked back to where Erza had been standing.

"I knew she cared about him," Mira muttered. "But for her to actually cry about this is…"

"You had your siblings when you arrived Mira. Erza arrived here with nothing but the rags on her back," Makarov replied quietly. "The other children were initially afraid of Erza because of how serious she was. But Natsu immediately approached her and was there for her."

"I never knew that," Mira whispered as she looked back at the exit. "Should someone…?"

"No. Erza isn't actually going to go after him. She knows its futile, that's why she's so upset," Makarov responded as he slowly made his way back toward the bar. "I don't want to hear about anyone trying to go find Natsu. Am I clear?"

The Guild murmured a response. It was good enough, he supposed. He knew they were going to be mad at him for a little while. But, in the end, they'd all realize that there wasn't much he could have done.

It wasn't often he had to take a hard-line stance with the Guild. But, considering the situation, he wouldn't risk anyone else's life. Natsu and Gildarts were gone. They all just had to accept that as the reality they lived in.

"I suppose I might look at keeping a tighter lock on the S Class Board for awhile though," Makarov hummed to himself as he pondered how to best prevent a future situation like this from occurring.

After all, he was the Guild Master. At the end of the day, he needed to make sure his Guild were safe.

***POTD***

Erza ran through the woods just outside Magnolia.

She ran without even knowing where she was going, her mind a jumbled mess. She knew she wasn't going to find Natsu and Gildarts, especially not as she was now. She might have made S Class, but she wasn't the strongest Mage in the Guild.

Her distraction led to her lack of awareness in her surroundings as she tripped over a stray root, falling face first onto the dirt path. Instead of immediately getting up, Erza lay there, sniffling as she felt some pain from her fall.

But the majority of it, however, stemmed from Natsu's disappearance.

Rolling onto her back, her forehead had a scratch on it and was bleeding a little. She had also scraped both her knees as well. The blood flowed much more freely down her legs as she got up and looked herself over.

"Why Natsu," Erza asked as she sniffled again. "You promised you'd always be there…"

Her thoughts drifted back to a much darker time in her life. When she was relatively new to the Guild. Everyone avoided her because she supposedly looked scary. But not Natsu.

He had walked right up to her the day he arrived and said he wanted to fight her. Naturally, she had agreed, and soundly beat him.

"Heh."

Erza couldn't help but smile as she remembered how he laughed, even as a big bruise came up over his forehead. He grinned at her and told her she was cool. That her Magic was awesome.

It was after he'd said that, that she'd smiled for the first time since arriving at Fairy Tail. It was the first time she felt like things might actually start to be okay. She'd fought him plenty of times since then, of course. He'd improved as she did.

But he never surpassed her.

Looking up at the sky and ignoring the scrapes and scratches on her, Erza pondered that thought. Could he actually do it? Could Gildarts make him strong enough to survive a Century Quest at such a young age?

"I have to believe," Erza whispered as she looked down at her hands, covered in dirt, clenching them tightly. "He never once doubted me. Even when everyone said I had no chance of beating the S Class Promotion Trials … he believed in me."

Turning to look out at the winding path that led further out of Magnolia, Erza sighed. There was only one thing she could do for Natsu now.

She had to believe in him, just as he had done for her.

"You told me you'd always be there for me, Natsu. You said after I told you of my past, you'd make sure I was never alone again."

Erza turned and began walking back to Magnolia, wincing slightly from her scraped knees.

"I'll believe in you this time … I promise."

***POTD***

Several years have passed since Natsu Dragneel and Gildarts Clive departed Fairy Tail to parts unknown. Many had assumed they had already crossed the border into the Scarlione Empire within the first few weeks.

However. That wasn't the case at all.

On the Scarlione/Fioran Border, several loud explosions shook the area. The local wildlife had long since vacated this area, as it had been a well-worn training ground for two individuals.

The first figure was a young teen of average height. He wore only a pair of loose-fitting combat pants, all other clothing items discarded. His figure was well-toned from what was clearly signs of intense training, a four pack slowly forming around his abdominal area.

The teen had medium length, shaggy pink hair and the burgeoning signs of stubble appearing on his face. His eyes were narrowed, much like that of a predator with wild, sharp teeth set in a feral grin. On his upper right shoulder is the Guild Mark of the Fairy Tail Guild, a dark red in coloration.

A Member Of Fairy Tail

Son Of The Fire Dragon Monarch Igneel

The Mighty Salamander

Natsu Dragneel

"I thought I had you there, old man," Natsu panted slightly as he wiped some sweat from his brow. "But you move so damn fast!"

"Heh. I'll admit that your last attack was impressive," the taller figure across from him replied with a small smile. "Despite my cloak being resistant to Fire, you actually set it alight for a brief moment there."

The man across from Natsu was around eight and a half feet tall and had slicked back, dark orange hair and a stubbly beard. His body was clearly muscular, his build however proportional to his height. He wore simple plate armor on his upper body, a tattered black cloak and loose-fitting dark pants complete with plate armor boots.

The older man certainly struck an intimidating presence. No one could deny him that.

Extending his right arm out, Natsu tensed as orange sparks started ripping throughout the training area. The man grinned as he then held out his left hand, the entire area shaking as the ground around them started to be shattered into cubes.

"You ready for this one Natsu," the man smirked. "Because now that you got a bit of battle damage out on me … I get to do the same."

The man vanished, Natsu doing the same as he reappeared high in the air. Looking down, he saw the man had punched the space he occupied moments prior. The entire area was completely ripped apart by the man's Magic in seconds, rendered into cubes.

"Well done, Natsu," the man called out over the roar of the earth being gouged out. "Situational awareness at all times, just like I taught you! Foes like myself aren't gonna cave to mindless brute force, as you very well know."

Natsu landed outside of the radius of the man's attack as the chunks of earth fell back down, slotting right back into place as if an attack had never struck there to begin with. The man slowly rose back into a neutral stance, closing his right hand as the cracks in the earth faded away.

"Good job. You actually managed to avoid a punch from me when I was partially trying."

"Gee," Natsu snorted as he rolled his eyes. "Thanks."

"You'd be surprised how slow a lot of Mages are Natsu," the man chided knowingly. "Especially here in Fiore. Getting your speed up to match your strength is gonna be one of the keys to making you a powerhouse."

"I…I guess, yeah. You've got a point."

"You should be proud. You've really taken well to my teachings, harsh as they are," the man continued as the pair both sat down in the barren field. "I won't lie when I say I honestly didn't expect you to make this much progress this quickly."

Natsu nodded stiffly. He couldn't exactly argue that point since he was incredibly weak when he'd first started training with the man. And in just two years, he'd gone from a weakling, to being able to impress the man.

S Class Mage Of Fairy Tail

The Ace Of Fairy Tail

Grand Wizard

Gildarts Clive

"Thanks Gildarts," Natsu sighed. "I've been trying to get as strong as I can so we can head into Scarlione quicker. I know I'm holding you back and all-."

"Enough of that Natsu. There isn't any rush to get into Scarlione to get this Century Quest done," Gildarts replied as he pulled out the poster for it. "They call these things a Century Quest for a reason, you know?"

"Right," Natsu replied quickly. "Sorry."

"Don't be. You're doing good kid. Real good," Gildarts replied firmly. "You do realize just how good you're doing, right?"

"Real good," Natsu smirked only to get bonked on the head by Gildarts' fist. "OUCH!"

"Don't be a smart ass. Anyway, let me give you an idea of how good you're doing," Gildarts began as he stretched. "Right now, you're stronger than Mirajane and Erza were when we left."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah. You're actually about where Laxus was."

"Now I know you're messing with me-."

"I'm not. I'm being serious kid," Gildarts responded as he placed a firm hand on Natsu's shoulder. "Do you honestly think I'd lie to you about that?"

"No…"

"No. I wouldn't do that to you."

"It just seems kinda hard to believe, is all I'm saying."

"I get it. But don't worry Natsu, you're well on track to where I want you to be by the end of the year."

"You think we can head to Scarlione by then?"

"Yep."

Natsu pondered that. Gildarts had said he needed to be stronger than Laxus was for him to go to Scarlione. And Laxus was really powerful compared to him. So, was it actually possible that he was going to reach that stage?

"You remember how you got me to take you along?"

"By stamping my feet up and down like a whiny brat until you had no other choice," Natsu grinned, eliciting an amused chuckle from Gildarts.

"Nah. I'm not talking about the part where you acted like a whiny little bitch. I'm talking about after that? When you laid out to me why you really wanted to come?"

Natsu's grin faded somewhat as he nodded. He naturally remembered it, almost as if it were yesterday. When he told Gildarts the truth about why he really wanted to grow stronger.

"You aren't gonna be around forever Gildarts. Someone else has to get to your level so that we can keep everyone safe. Lisanna died because Mira wasn't strong enough to stop Elfman."

"Its harsh to say, but true," Gildarts admitted quietly. "Mira should never have gone after that Demon with her younger siblings. Especially Lisanna. She paid the ultimate price for her arrogance in her own power though, as sad as it is to say."

"Which is why I wanted you to teach me," Natsu agreed. "Erza and Mira are strong, but they aren't experienced like you. Its one thing to be strong, but another to know when to run or avoid a fight. I struggled to break out of that mentality back at Fairy Tail. But you've all but beaten it out of me by now."

"I don't do so because I enjoy it, Natsu. You realize that as I do that, I'm beating away your childhood innocence, right?"

"I know. But given the positives of you doing so, I can't complain."

"Don't let the others at the Guild hear you talking like that," Gildarts chuckled in response. "I'd be torn apart for having you thinking that way."

"Speaking of back home. Do you ever think about how everyone is doing back at Fairy Tail?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, like, if the Guild is doing okay or something? Is everyone safe and happy? Stuff like that?"

"Oh, of course. Natsu, I think about that kinda stuff all the time," Gildarts replied instantly. "Its hard not to actually. Everyone at Fairy Tail is like family."

"I've just been thinking about them a lot more than usual lately," Natsu admitted as he looked back to the older man. "I just wondered if thinking like that is normal, is all."

"I sometimes forget that you're just a kid Natsu," Gildarts sighed as he laid down and looked up at the sky. "When I first started wandering, I'll admit that I didn't think about the Guild as much. I was newly promoted and eager to prove how great I was. But, as I got older, I realized just how much I was missing out on."

"Really?"

"You leave for the first time, and you think about how much you'll bring back to show everyone. How proud all of your friends will be. You might be gone for two years and come back, keen to tell that one friend about this amazing thing you found…"

Natsu remained quiet as he saw a shift in Gildarts' entire demeanor. One he rarely saw the older man adopt.

"Then you find out that he died fighting Dark Mages. You were out exploring and taking scores and your friend got blown up by a Dark Guild in a sacrificial Blood Ritual."

"Gildarts…"

The older man seemed to stare out into space for a moment before looking at Natsu. His gaze pierced right through him as he spoke with complete seriousness.

"This is the life you've decided you want for yourself, Natsu. Once we cross the border, you can't go back. We'll be partners, a team. You'll grow stronger and see a lot of new things, sure. But you might not see anyone in Fairy Tail for years to come. Everything will change with them and you won't be there. But, not only that. You'll become someone who can't stay still."

"What do you mean by that," Natsu whispered, somewhat shocked at what Gildarts was dumping on him.

"You'll become someone who tries to do everything himself, like me. You'll be powerful, but you'll also struggle to delegate tasks when in a team."

"You're telling me all this as a final warning," Natsu muttered as he met the older man's gaze. "My last chance to go back to Fairy Tail before we go through with this Century Quest…"

"I won't lie to you Natsu. Even I'm nervous about this job. But you've done really well so far. If you keep improving, then I think that we'd make a good two-man team."

"I'm not ditching you now, Gildarts. We've spent almost two years training for this," Natsu replied firmly. "I know that I'm probably walking down a bad road doing this … I just want to grow strong enough to protect them."

The two stared at one another for several moments before Gildarts gave him a small, yet accepting smile.

"You're a strong kid, both in heart and mind. I'll make a monster out of you yet," Gildarts said softly as he held out his right hand. "Take my hand Natsu, and we'll see this through to the end. No matter how long it takes."

Natsu looked between Gildarts' hand and his own before steeling his gaze. Clasping the older man's hand as firmly as he could, he met his gaze.

"I'll become strong enough to help everyone in the Guild. And right now, I wanna get strong enough to help you."

"To the end, then."

"To then end," Natsu agreed as they shook on it.

Gildarts chuckled darkly as he shook his head, knowing full well he'd essentially just committed Natsu down a similar path as him. Reaching around to his pack, he pulled out a worn flask.

"Here," Gildarts said as he tossed it to Natsu who caught it easily.

"What's this?"

"I know you're still a young teen and all, but I think this is a special occasion. I want you to have your first drink with me."

"Y-You mean like … alcohol? Right?"

"Yep," Gildarts grinned. "I just wanna share this with you, if that's alright?"

Natsu wasn't really too sure what the significance of this was, but decided to humor Gildarts anyway. Taking a sip from the flask, he was surprised at how it tasted. Swallowing several mouthfuls before stopping, he was clearly mulling over what it tasted like.

"Well?"

Holding up a finger, he mulled it over as he swallowed his last mouthful before responding.

"Why does it taste like honey?"

"It's a special blend of ale," came the amused response. "Did you like it?"

"You know what," Natsu said as a small smile came across his face. "I actually did."

"Well then, we'll have to have a proper drink together," Gildarts grinned before suddenly coughing slightly as if clearing his throat. "I mean, only on special occasions though. You know, since you're still a kid."

"Hey Gildarts?"

"What?"

"Thanks for looking out for me," Natsu said with a small, innocent smile that had the older man's eyes widening slightly. "I promise I won't let you down."

With that, Natsu promptly got up to go clean their training area of debris. As he left, Gildarts sat there, deep in thought, as he pondered what he was doing.

'Don't thank me yet kid. We're not even in Scarlione yet,' the Crash Mage thought as he watched Natsu picking up sticks and rocks around the area. 'I just hope you don't come to regret this path.'

***POTD***

"Looks like its business as usual over there, doesn't it?"

"Like we never left Natsu," Gildarts smirked as they gazed out upon Magnolia.

Gildarts looked almost identical to how he did years ago. Only now, the man sported several somewhat obvious injuries that were partially covered up by his plate armor. His left arm and left leg were also now prosthetic instead of his actual limbs.

Natsu however had changed the most. He was now around eight foot three and had filled out considerably, sporting a rugged, muscular look. He wore baggy, worn, traveling clothes with a tattered coat to protect him from the elements. His hair was overgrown and messy, like a lion's mane. He also had several small scars around his head and neck region as well.

He'd certainly grown. No one could deny that.

"So," Gildarts hummed as they started walking forward. "You ready to greet your eager audience?"

"Am I ready to cop a beating from probably half of them, you mean?"

"Well, I didn't wanna be the one to say it," the man replied cheekily as Natsu shoved him playfully. "Come on man, you jinx yourself by saying stuff will happen ALL the time!"

"I do not. Besides, this is different," Natsu huffed. "Plus, you'll be copping flak too."

"Oh yeah…"

"Not so funny now, is it?"

"Because it now involves my well-being. No."

Natsu chuckled as Gildarts motioned for him to follow him. The pair walked down the dirt road before making a slight detour onto a side track.

"Where are we going?"

"You forget already?"

"Forget what?"

"The Gildarts Shift," the older man replied as they hiked up a small hill. "You ever wondered how they know I'm coming to start the Gildarts Shift?"

"Your smell?"

"Har-Har. You're a real comedian," came the dry response as they reached a small, old looking tower that was at the top of the hill. "Come here a minute."

Natsu nodded as they both walked up to the small tower and opened the door. The inside was almost completely barren, save for one thing. At the center of the room was a single, big red button.

"I'm guessing you press that?"

"And watch the Magic happen," Gildarts grinned as he walked over and pressed it.

The moment the button was activated, everything started to shake. Exiting the small tower, they made their way back to the main road just in time to see the city beginning to change shape.

"I always wondered what it looked like from this side," Natsu mused as they strolled into Magnolia. "You must have a real stick up your ass to need the town to do this for you, huh Gildarts?"

"Mouthy little shit today, aren't you?"

"You're just barely taller than me. Shut up."

Both men grinned as many in the city clamored on either side to openly gawk at the pair. They all knew the story about how Natsu had run off with Gildarts on a Century Quest. Absolutely none of them expected to see either of them return. Let alone alive, for that matter.

The pair reached the steps of the Guild Hall which had gone noticeably silent. They stopped before the main doors, the two men turning toward each other and sharing a brief nod. They both moved to open the doors before Gildarts stopped him.

"Hold on."

"What?"

"I just realized something…"

"Realized what," Natsu asked with a raised eyebrow.

"What if, after we go inside, Makarov decides to give us … that?"

"Oh shit…"

"Should we run? We might be able to get away?"

"We're in too deep now," Natsu sighed. "We're just gonna have to pray."

"Oh man. Now I know we're screwed if you're talking about praying-."

"Shut up," Natsu hissed in response. "Let's just get this over with!"

"Right … Right."

"Ready?"

"No-."

"You're ready," Natsu snapped as they both moved toward the doors and pushed them open.

The duo was momentarily blinded, before the Guild Hall started coming into view. It had been a long time since either man had seen it, yet it hadn't changed at all. Though, the faces occupying it however, certainly had.

The pair walked inside and shut the doors before turning back to face the deathly silent, gaping crowd. Neither of them moved for a moment until Gildarts elbowed him in the ribs and whispered in his ear.

"Say something."

Rolling his eyes, Natsu did something he often found worked to great success. He smiled and waved.

"Hey guys," Natsu said, somewhat awkwardly. "We're back!"

Someone in the back dropped their glass, the sound of it shattering only further serving to make things awkward. He heard movement from up on the second floor where Makarov's Office was as the old man came out, a stern expression on his face.

"We're so fucked," Gildarts muttered as Natsu looked beyond Makarov to a familiar, scarlet-haired Mage.

Erza looked down at him, her eyes wide. It was as if she didn't believe what she was seeing, even as she slowly descended the stairs with Makarov. The pair approached Natsu and Gildarts, not giving away anything more than surprise that they'd returned.

Once they were within arm's reach, Erza stepped up to Natsu, extending her hand out to touch him. She traced several fingers across his rugged face, slowly moving down toward his neck.

"Hey Erza, I'm-."

Once her fingers reached his neck area, they suddenly clenched his cloak tightly as she pulled him forward sharply. Natsu's eyes widened in surprise before he was suddenly punched in the stomach.

Hard.

In fact, she punched him so hard that he flew back into the doors behind them, knocking one down in the process. Said door then fell on top of him as the entire Guild Hall erupted into chaos.

As he lay underneath the door, clutching his stomach. Natsu could only grin as he heard everything devolve into a mess due to his return.

"Yep … I'm definitely back home