The train ride back to Magnolia was much quieter than the trip out.
The rhythmic clacking of the wheels against the iron tracks provided a steady, mindless soundtrack for the exhausted mages.
Natsu lay slumped across the carriage floor, his face a sickly shade of green.
He groaned, clutching his stomach as the motion sickness tore through him.
Wendy knelt beside him, her small hands hovering over his back.
A soft, gentle blue light pulsed from her palms, washing over the Fire Dragon Slayer.
"Troia," she murmured softly.
Almost instantly, the color returned to Natsu's cheeks.
He blinked, pushing himself up off the floor and looking at his own hands in sheer disbelief.
"Whoa... I don't feel sick anymore! I'm not gonna throw up!"
"It's a balance spell," Wendy explained, offering a small, tired smile. "It helps your equilibrium. But it's only temporary, and if I cast it too many times, your body will build up a resistance to it."
"Temporary or not, you're a lifesaver, Wendy!" Natsu grinned, wrapping an arm around her neck and pulling her into a tight, brotherly headlock.
"You're the best!"
Wendy flushed red, flailing a bit before Natsu let her go.
Carla hovered nearby, crossing her paws and huffing, though her tail flicked in amusement.
Ace sat in the corner of the carriage, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the interaction.
The heavy atmosphere that had followed Wendy since the disappearance of Cait Shelter was starting to lift, piece by piece.
She had cried until she had no tears left in that empty valley, mourning the illusionary family Master Roubaul had created for her.
But Fairy Tail didn't let people dwell in the dark for long.
Natsu, Erza, Lucy, and Gray had seamlessly pulled her into their chaotic rythem.
"We're almost at the station," Erza announced, looking out the window as the familiar architecture of Magnolia came into view.
"Wendy, are you ready?"
Wendy looked out at the bustling, sunlit streets of the city.
She grabbed the fabric of her dress, taking a deep breath. "I'm a little nervous. Fairy Tail is so famous. What if they don't like me?"
"They're going to love you," Lucy promised, bumping her shoulder gently. "We're a bit loud, and things get broken sometimes, but there isn't a better family in Fiore."
The train hissed to a halt.
The group disembarked and made the familiar trek through the vibrant streets of Magnolia.
Shopkeepers waved at Natsu and Gray, and children ran past them with bright smiles.
The city was alive and thriving, a stark contrast to the grim silence of the Worth Woodsea.
Soon, the towering structure of the Fairy Tail guildhall loomed ahead.
The massive wooden double doors were shut, but the muffled sounds of shouting, crashing timber, and rowdy laughter leaked out into the street.
"It sounds... lively," Carla noted, her ears flattening against her head.
"That's one word for it," Gray smirked, stepping up to the entrance.
Natsu didn't bother using the handles.
He reared back and kicked the heavy doors open with a fiery blast.
"We're back!"
The doors banged against the walls!
The scene inside was exactly as they had left it. Macao and Wakaba were in a fistfight near the request board. Elfman was holding a struggling Droy over his head, yelling about manliness. Cana sat on top of a table, chugging straight from a massive wooden barrel of ale.
"Welcome back!" a few members shouted over the noise, not even stopping their brawls to wave.
A rogue wooden stool flew across the room, hurtling straight toward Wendy's head.
Before Wendy could even react, Ace stepped smoothly in front of her.
He caught the stool out of the air with one hand with a deadpan expression.
He tossed it casually back into the fray, where it shattered against a stone pillar.
"Hey! Watch where you throw things!" Natsu roared, igniting his fists and jumping right into the middle of the melee.
"I'll take all of you on!"
"You want a piece of this, ash brain?!" Gray yelled, stripping his shirt off and diving in after him.
Wendy stood frozen in the doorway, her wide eyes taking in the sheer chaos of Fiore's strongest guild.
She looked up at Ace, who just shrugged.
"They missed each other," Ace said dryly.
"Enough!" Erza's voice cut through the hall like a physical blade.
The fighting stopped instantly.
Natsu and Gray froze mid-punch, wrapping their arms around each other's shoulders and pretending to be best friends.
The rest of the guild quickly scrambled back to their seats, whistling innocently.
"Welcome home, everyone," a gentle voice called out.
Mirajane walked over from the bar, carrying a tray of cold drinks.
She wore her usual warm, serene smile.
Lisanna followed close behind her, her eyes lighting up when she saw Ace and the others.
"You guys made it back in one piece!" Lisanna cheered, stepping over a broken table. "How was the mission? Did you beat the Oracion Seis?"
"We kicked their teeth in," Natsu declared proudly.
Mirajane's gaze drifted down to the small girl standing nervously behind Ace.
"And who might this be?"
Ace rested a hand on Wendy's shoulder, gently guiding her forward.
"Mira, Lisanna, this is Wendy Marvell, and her partner Carla, oh and also.. Wendy is a Sky Dragon Slayer."
A ripple of shocked whispers spread through the guildhall.
"Another Dragon Slayer?" Macao gasped.
"She's just a kid!" Wakaba added, his pipe nearly falling out of his mouth.
Wendy bowed deeply, her voice shaking just a little. "H-Hello! I'm Wendy. It's an honor to meet all of you."
"Oh, she's adorable!" Mirajane beamed, setting her tray down.
She knelt in front of Wendy, her smile radiating pure warmth. "It's so nice to meet you, Wendy. I'm Mirajane, and this is my little sister, Lisanna. You don't need to be so formal with us."
"A Dragon Slayer, huh?"
The crowd parted as Master Makarov waddled forward.
He stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the young girl with a soft, assessing gaze.
Wendy stood up straight, intimidated by the Master.
"Y-Yes, sir."
"Erza sent me a magical letter detailing the events in the Worth Woodsea," Makarov said.
"I know about Cait Shelter. I know about Master Roubaul."
Wendy looked down at her boots, her eyes stinging with fresh tears.
Makarov stepped closer.
He reached out and placed his rough, warm hand on her head, ruffling her blue hair. "You fought bravely, child. You saved your comrades, and you helped save this continent. Cait Shelter might be gone, but the spirit of your guild lives on inside you.... you did them proud."
Wendy sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "Thank you, Master."
"Now then," Makarov said, a massive, goofy grin breaking across his wrinkled face. "Fairy Tail's doors are always open to those who need a home! Where do you want your guild mark, kid?"
Wendy's eyes widened.
"My right shoulder, please," Wendy said, her voice steadying. "In light blue."
Mirajane fetched the magical stamp.
With a quick press, the Fairy Tail insignia appeared on Wendy's arm. Carla, not wanting to be left out, asked for a pink mark on her back.
"It's official!" Makarov yelled, jumping onto the bar counter. He raised a massive wooden mug of ale high into the air.
"Listen up, brats! We have a new member in our family! Let's drink!"
The guildhall erupted in cheers!
Barrels of ale were cracked open, food was brought out by the platter, and lively music filled the air as the brawling seamlessly transitioned into a massive celebration.
Wendy was quickly surrounded by curious and friendly guild members.
Levy bounded over to ask about her magic, while Cana offered her a juice box.
Even Gajeel walked over, crossing his arms and giving her a gruff nod of acknowledgment, muttering something about there being too many dragons in one room now.
Ace retreated from the loud center of the room.
He walked over to his usual quiet spot at the edge of the bar, grabbing a glass of water.
He leaned against the wooden counter, watching the celebration unfold.
He saw the tension finally bleed out of Wendy's shoulders as she laughed at something Natsu said.
She was going to be fine.
Fairy Tail had a strange way of patching up broken people.
He took a sip of his water, his mind drifting back through the years.
"Deep in thought?"
Ace turned his head. Erza stood beside him.
She had discarded her heavy armor for a simple white blouse and a blue skirt.
She held a slice of strawberry cake on a small plate, looking out at the guild with a content expression.
"Just reminiscing," Ace said, setting his glass down. "It's weird seeing someone else walk through those doors for the first time. It makes you realize how much this place changes you."
Erza took a small bite of her cake, humming happily. "This guild is a sanctuary. It doesn't matter where you came from, or what kind of darkness you're running from. Once you bear that mark, you are never fighting alone again."
She looked at Ace, her sharp eyes softening. "You've grown into a true pillar for this family, Ace."
Ace rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a rare twinge of embarrassment. "I just did what I had to do. Besides, I had a lot of help."
"Accept the compliment will ya," Erza smirked, nudging his shoulder with her own.