Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Final Chapter

Magnolia had been eradicated, but everyone remained unharmed. Lucy thought that it was the greatest mercy ever given to them, especially after seeing how haunted Natsu looked at the ending. Not only had he defeated his brother, but he had also slain Acnologia, the single most deadliest threat to mankind after the black wizard.

That corpse took many hands to clean, but scientists sent in from the kingdom had eagerly tried to chart it away for testing and magical analysis.

"No," Gajeel spoke calmly, "he may be an asshole, but as a dragon, we can't let you dig around in his body like that. He'll get a proper funeral, even though he might not deserve it."

In that moment, Lucy never imagined seeing Gajeel so serious and mature; she could tell that Levy felt the same. When Wendy and Natsu agreed, dragging Sting and Rogue in reluctantly, she knew it was far deeper than a simple burial. She felt better that Acnologia's body was in their hands, as Natsu guided them away to a clearing, she smiled at the group of dragons tending to one of their one. One who had strayed but understood the meaning of how life was precious in the very end.

She could live with that.

After they had found everyone, dug a few from the rubble, they stood on the grounds of the destroyed guild hall, wood and stone malted into the ground awkwardly. Natsu stood at the very back of the crowd, regret, and remorse on his face. Gramps grimaced as he lightly touched the burnt dirt with his sandal. Lucy bit her lip. She knew they wouldn't be able to salvage anything, though they would try.

She leaned against Natsu comfortingly, rubbing his back with smooth, gentle circles. Happy clutched Natsu's calf, purring quietly as he nuzzled the skin with his cheek.

"I'm so sorry," Natsu voiced as everyone turned to look back at him, it was almost as if he had shrunken in on himself, ashamed of the damage he'd caused, Lucy frowned as he spoke again, "I-I didn't mean to—" his voice cracked with anxiety. This was the most vulnerable she had seen Natsu act in front of people. Ever.

"Don't apologize, Natsu," Erza said, holding Wendy close, alongside her stood Jellal and the members of Crime Sociere who surrounded her protectively, "none of this is your fault. You did what you had to do to defeat them, we all understand that."

"I destroyed everything—the guild hall, the town," he mourned.

"But you saved us, you saved everyone, Natsu," Wendy piped in, her small voice drawing attention despite its softness, the soft smile plastered on her face spoke volumes despite the cuts and bruises on her, "you did us all a great service. Thank you so much."

"Yeah, man, don't feel," Gray coughed awkwardly, "don't feel bad. It's over, I'm pretty sure I speak for everyone when I say we're thankful that it's just finally over."

A chorus of agreement sounded amongst the people gathered.

"Natsu," Master's voice called, Natsu's head immediately snapped up, ears twitching as he waited for him to speak, "what you have done here is remarkable. Incredible. To know I have an individual in my guild capable of beating the odds, defeated both Zeref and Acnologia is enough for me. It's nice to know I taught you at least one thing but really, its thank to Lucy you have grown so much in such little time." He chuckled quietly, "You may not know it or you may choose not to believe it, but in all my years, I have never thought any less of you or loved you any less because of who you are. I promise you that."

Lucy heard Natsu's breath hitch.

"T-thank you, sir," he said quietly.

Lucy just knew in her soul that everything would be alright.

And it would be.

Reconstruction of the city began in the following weeks, and it was an incredibly lengthy and long process. So incredibly long and lengthy that one morning, Lucy found herself retching into the barely there grass outside of her and Natsu's tent. The dragon slayer stumbled out after her, pulling her hair back as Happy peeked out curiously after them. Natsu was instantly alert, trying to soothe her nausea as he rubbed her back.