𝙏𝙃𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍 // 𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙭 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙨

The next thing you knew, you were in Alakitasia and Mest had appeared right in front of you with Makarov in his arms.

"Old man!"
"Master!"
"Gramps!"
"You're okay!"
"Master!"
"Wow!"

"Y-you're... you're here..." Makarov said, stunned.

"Zeref was there," Mest said, between heavy pants.

Natsu's eyes widened.
"Zeref," he hissed.

"I had no idea... that Emperor Spriggan was actually Zeref himself," Makarov said, "the fact that you are all here... means you heard the situation from Mest."

"Yes," Erza nodded.
"We're just happy yer safe, Gramps," you said.

"I didn't consider this deeply enough... they had no intention of negotiating from the start," the master sniffled, "all after I sullied the name of the guild to come here! It was all meaningless. I've never felt such regret."

"Meaningless? Not at all," Gray smiled, "this year made us all that much mature."
"And after that, we were able to form up as a guild again," Lucy added.

"I believe that when one commits an act out of love, it is always meaningful," Erza said, "for that is what you taught me."

Natsu walked over and held his hand out to Makarov.
"Gramps, let's go back to Fairy Tail!"
"Yes..." the master snivelled.

"We've got tons to talk about, but first we'd better get a move on," Carla put her hands on her hips.
"You're right!" Happy agreed.

"I've been overusing my Direct Line," Mest panted, "I can only transport us all one more time with the magic power I have left. I'd love to take us to Sorano's ship, but to do that, we'd have to go to a place where my Direct Line can reach it."

"Leaving so soon, Makarov?" a voice spoke, "and here I thought we were gonna be great friends... I hope you remembered your souvenirs! Because the trip six feet under is faster than you'd think."

"Who's this guy?!" you shouted.

"Ajeel!" Makarov's voice was wet with terror.
"Impossible! How did he..." Mest started.

"Sand," the man, Ajeel, said, "sand is real nice! It tells me whatever I need to know."

At the same time, everybody aside from Mest and Makarov got into a fighting stance.
"Nice!" Ajeel grinned.

"No! Don't try to fight him!" Makarov bellowed, "he's too strong! Run!"

"But..." Natsu pulled a face.
"We do as the master says — pull back!" Erza commanded.

"Dammit!" you cursed.
"All of you! Retreat!" Erza ordered.

"This way! We have a magic four-wheeler waiting!" Carla pointed.

You grabbed Kuschel's hand and began to sprint alongside your rescue team.

As a distraction, Erza sent a bunch of swords shooting towards Ajeel. They stabbed into the left side of his body as all of you mounted into the vehicle.

"Now's our chance! Everyone inside!" shouted Gray.
"Urgh, not again..." Natsu groaned.
"I'll drive!" Erza jumped into front seat, "S.E. plug, set! Let's go!"

The four-wheeler sped off at an alarming rate.

"Faster, Erza!" Mest screamed.
"I know!" Erza shouted.

"Here he comes!" Makarov said.
"Huh?" Gray looked around.

A whirling sandstorm was brewing towards the cart at, again, an alarming rate, though it easily caught up.