The square was silent except for Wendy's muffled sobs.
She knelt on the grass, her small shoulders trembling. To let Master Rogue Cheney leave with a smile, she had held back her tears, only now allowing the grief she'd bottled up to spill out.
Carla hugged Wendy tightly, her soft fur brushing the girl's wet cheeks.
Mystogan's steps landed soundlessly beside them.
Wendy lifted her head; through blurred eyes she met those familiar ones.
Seven years ago those same eyes had found her shivering and helpless in the forest. Seven years later the tenderness hadn't changed, as though time had stood still.
"Big brother…"
Wendy choked and threw herself into Mystogan's arms, clutching his coat. "Grandpa Master is gone… he's really gone…"
Mystogan gently wiped the little girl's tears and patted her back. "Master Rogue Cheney fulfilled his wish; he saw the future he wanted to see."
"He left content."
"You've been very brave, Wendy. Let it out. The pain of parting with someone you love doesn't have to be carried alone. We're all here, with you."
Wendy buried her face in his chest, soaking his clothes, finally releasing her sorrow at Rogue Cheney's passing.
After a while, when Wendy had calmed, everyone boarded the christina and returned to the wooded wasteland where the ancient city had stood.
The miracle of magic the Nibelung Tribe had built to escape war should now return to the earth.
Under the combined power of Hope's Great Tree Arc, Jura's Rock magic, and Richard's Earth magic, the vast ancient city was swallowed by soil once more and buried deep underground.
At Plant magic's urging a tender sprout broke the ground, growing at visible speed; in moments it became a towering tree, lush and swaying gently in the breeze.
Using the Rock magic he had just decoded, Hope erected a Stone tablet beneath the tree.
—In memory of the people who lived for love and peace: Blue Moon and friends.
The dead have passed; the living must go on.
After the memorial, Mystogan invited Wendy and Carla to join Fairy Tail.
Because of Mystogan, Wendy agreed without hesitation, and Carla followed wherever Wendy went.
Neither Jura nor Ichiya felt any sense of loss at such a gifted child choosing Fairy Tail.
Lyon, Sherry, and The Thunder God Tribe exchanged knowing smiles.
Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, and Fairy Tail all valued the unbreakable bond between comrades, not mere strength or potential.
Though they wouldn't share the same guild, the friendship between the three guilds grew even stronger.
Ichiya suddenly struck what he considered a dashing pose: "To celebrate Wendy joining Fairy Tail, and to honor Master Rogue Cheney and Blue Moon! Come, ladies and gentlemen, let's dance!"
The Thunder God Tribe: "Yeah!"
Hibiki activated Ancient Texts, powerful music rang out, and Ichiya and The Thunder God Tribe resumed their earlier celebration dance.
Though Ichiya's moves were still comical, this time no one felt awkward or tried to stop them.
Natsu dragged Happy and a reluctant Lucy into the wild swaying, while Gray muttered "idiots" yet his body honestly swayed to the beat.
As the mood heated up, even the stern Jura set aside his dignity and imitated The Thunder God Tribe's steps.
Leaning against a nearby trunk, Hope folded his arms, a faint smile on his face.
Erza glanced over; their eyes met.
Hope blinked and suggested softly, "Shall we join them? Back home we call it 'square dancing'—hugely popular."
"No."
Erza turned away, ears reddening, then realized her refusal sounded too abrupt, as though she disliked Hope, and added, "What's square dancing? I've never heard of it."
"Oh, just something the grandpas and grandmas back home do—everyone gathers and moves to the music…"
Erza narrowed her eyes. "So you're calling me old?"
"Not at all—I just thought relaxing a bit might be nice." Seeing the red-haired girl pout, Hope laughed and raised his hands in surrender—though he actually couldn't dance at all—when heavy footsteps interrupted. A magic circle enveloped everyone.
Hope stilled Erza's sword-hand, looking toward the nearby woods. "Looks like law enforcement, forever late to the story, has arrived."
Following his gaze, Erza soon spotted soldiers in Magic Council uniforms; the leader was a 'familiar face' from the last Council meeting.
The commander of the Council troops said solemnly, "I am Lahar, Chief Commander of the Enforcement Division of the New Council."
"Uh-oh, the Council's here!"
Natsu's face paled; he grabbed Happy with one hand and Lucy with the other. "Let's run!"
Lucy watched Natsu bounce off the barrier and sighed, "Natsu, we haven't caused any trouble lately…"
"Aye! Lucy's right—we haven't done anything bad."
Natsu skidded to a halt, smacked his forehead, and grinned. "Right! This time we fought under orders—we're the good guys. Why should I feel guilty?"
Everyone face-palmed at Natsu's belated realization.
Just how much havoc has this guy caused that the sight of Council troops makes him bolt on reflex? Hope strolled through the barrier as if greeting an old friend. "Congratulations on the promotion—after the Council's reorganization you're practically second only to the councillors. By the way, where's Doranbalt?"
"He's leading another squad on business."
Lahar adjusted his glasses, offering no details, but his stern expression relaxed slightly; he had a good impression of Hope.
Hope nodded and didn't press further.
Once merely captain of a combat unit, Lahar had now risen to Chief Commander of the Enforcement Division of the New Council.
His deputy, Doranbalt—also known as Mest—had naturally risen with him.
With Mest in his current position, it probably wouldn't be long before he could obtain the intel Makarov wanted.
Just what information could drive the old man to Plant a mole inside the Council, such a dangerous move…
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