Everyone in Fairy Tail was stunned by the little girl's words.
Su Yan quickly realized who she was: the First Guild Master, Mavis. Her appearance meant that it really had been seven years.
Not long after, with the First Master's guidance, Fairy Tail members began searching Tenrou Island. They soon found everyone – none of them had died. All were preserved in the state they'd been at that final moment of Acnologia's attack, scattered across the island by the shockwaves.
Once everyone had been gathered, Mavis explained the reason:
"At that time, I turned all of your bonds and trust into magic. Your collective wish activated Fairy Tail's Three Great Magics: Fairy Sphere.
"It's an absolute defense spell that protects the guild from any danger.
"But sealing everyone in stasis meant you remained frozen for seven years until the spell finally released."
Makarov's voice trembled as he smiled. "So it was the First Master who protected us… When I faced Grimoire Heart, I prayed for your protection and was answered."
"It wasn't me alone," Mavis replied. "I'm just a lingering soul. I used all I could of everyone's strength and faith to shape that magic. It was your unbreakable bond that brought about this miracle. You've done well looking after the guild, Third Master."
—
Magnolia
Fairy Tail Guild
"Romeo, you're sure you don't want to head out with them?" Macao asked.
Romeo spoke calmly, "Even if they find Tenrou Island, it's impossible that everyone survived."
"That's not true!!" Macao protested.
Romeo just shook his head. "They've been missing for seven whole years."
Seeing him like that, those who remained at the guild could only look on in helpless silence.
Suddenly, the guild doors were kicked open. Tebo and his goons swaggered in once again.
"Hey! There are even fewer people here today. This is barely a guild—more like a fan club!"
"Pffft, hahaha!"
Wakaba scowled. "Tebo! We said next month for the payment, didn't we?!"
"Our boss says otherwise. If you don't pay on time, not our problem. He's the one who's calling the shots here," Tebo replied dismissively.
"Enough!" Romeo stood up. "We don't have any spare cash for leeches like you."
"Shut it, Romeo!!" someone hissed.
"What's with the attitude, you brat?" Tebo sneered.
Romeo clenched his fists. "If we keep letting scum like you push us around, Fairy Tail's reputation is finished!" Flames flickered in his hands.
"Hmph!" Tebo puffed out a breath, and Romeo's flames vanished.
"Reputation? You clowns have already ruined Fairy Tail's name yourselves."
With a grin, Tebo hefted his mace. "You'll never be above us!"
"Stop—!!" Macao shouted.
Suddenly, a powerful presence—overwhelming and dragon-like—swept through the guild. The entire building seemed to tremble. Tebo's arm froze in place, fear pounding through him. He felt as if a monstrous beast from the depths was glaring at him, waiting to tear him apart if he so much as twitched.
Fairy Tail's remaining members began to quiver, too, but for a very different reason.
"This…this aura…" Macao murmured, excitement making it hard to speak.
"No doubt," Wakaba said, equally moved. "It's him!"
"Who?" someone asked.
A new voice rang out: "What are you punks trying to pull with my guildmates?"
"That voice…"
"No way!"
The Twilight Ogre members whirled around to see a young man standing there. Romeo burst into tears.
"B-brother Su Yan…"
"Who the hell are you?!" Tebo demanded, rattled.
Su Yan ignored his question. Strolling right up to Tebo, he grabbed the thug's mace.
"That belongs to Big Bro Tebo!" one of them protested. "Let it go!"
"Were you scumbags hurting my comrades?" Su Yan asked, eyes narrowed.
One of Tebo's men lunged. Su Yan swung the mace in response.
"Gwah!!"
"Ughhhh!"
The man howled in pain as he was knocked flying. Su Yan struck three more times, sending the rest of them crashing across the floor.
Tebo stood alone, legs shaking. He realized the aura that frightened him so badly was coming from this young man right in front of him.
"Y-you… who are you?" Tebo choked out.
"No need for you to know. A mace like this doesn't suit you. Stop using it. Tell your boss that Fairy Tail will pay every penny of your so-called debt. And soon."
With that, Su Yan smashed Tebo in the face with the mace.
"Wahhh!" Tebo screamed, landing outside the guild in a heap alongside his knocked-out buddies. Su Yan flung the mace after them. It clanged against Tebo again, leaving him in a groaning pile.
By then, more people were arriving—those who'd been on Tenrou Island and the group that went to find them.
"So this is our Fairy Tail guild now?" Makarov rubbed his chin, staring at the small, shabby tavern that had replaced the old building.
"Tiny!" Happy commented.
Lucy laughed. "Well, it has a certain charm."
Cana, meanwhile, looked pleased. "A tavern, huh? Great—time for a drink!"
Macao saw all these familiar faces and burst into tears. "You…you're all…"
Su Yan grinned. "We're back!"
"Welcome home!!"