Date: July 10, X791 — Royal Castle, Crocus, Fiore
The royal castle of Crocus glowed like a golden lantern against the night sky. Dozens of chandeliers sparkled overhead, their warm light bouncing off polished stone walls and tall windows. Outside, stars blinked in the darkness, but inside the great hall, the glow of celebration pushed back the weight of everything that had come before.
This night was a reward. A breath after the storm. A rare, shining pause.
Fairy Tail had won. After dragons, dark guilds, and too many battles to count, they were once again the top guild in all of Fiore. And tonight, the kingdom honored that victory.
Banquet tables stretched wall to wall, heavy with food and drink. Roasted meats steamed beside baskets of fresh bread and bowls of fruit so bright they looked like gemstones. Crystal goblets sparkled with wine, juice, and every kind of toast-worthy drink. Servants moved quickly between tables, making sure no plate stayed empty for long.
At the center of it all, Lucy stood quietly, a glass of juice in her hands. Her cheeks hurt from smiling, but she didn't mind. Around her, the guild buzzed with joy — laughing, shouting, eating like they hadn't seen a real meal in weeks.
Across the room, Natsu tried stacking slices of meat into a tower taller than his head. Erza noticed and immediately scolded him — while still managing to eat two pieces of strawberry cake between her words. Happy hovered nearby with a fish sticking out of his mouth, muttering that the meat tower looked better.
Gray stood near a tall pillar, arms crossed, pretending to be above it all. But Juvia clung to his arm, eyes sparkling as she pulled him closer into the fun. Every time he tried to sneak away, she reeled him right back in.
Wendy, Carla, and Sherria shared a table near the window, giggling over something as Carla tried to act unimpressed. For once, their shoulders weren't tense. For once, they were just kids.
At the high table, Makarov lifted a giant mug with both hands. His voice trembled, and his eyes were damp with tears.
"To Fairy Tail!" he called out. "To every fool, fighter, and friend who brought us through the fire!"
The room answered as one, loud and proud.
Beside him, Mavis stood glowing faintly in her ghostly form. Her hands were clasped at her chest, her face full of emotion. She looked like she was trying to take in every voice, every laugh — like she wanted to wrap the whole guild in her arms.
Near the edge of the crowd, Sting looked slightly out of place. He shifted awkwardly, not quite sure where to stand. Yukino approached him in a soft white dress, her smile warm.
"Sting," she said. "Thank you. For today."
He looked down, voice low. "I'm the one who should thank you. I… I let you down before."
"You're changing," she said, touching his arm gently. "That's enough."
Nearby, Rogue gave them a rare, quiet smile.
Not far off, Gajeel had stacked his plate with more desserts than seemed physically possible. Levy gave him a look that said she was unimpressed. Panther Lily sighed deeply, calling him a child — before passing him another fork.
"Real men eat everything," Gajeel announced, crumbs flying from his mouth.
Half the table burst into laughter.
Elfman raised a full ale barrel over his head with a roar. "A real man drinks it all!"
Cana shouted back, raising her mug and nearly knocking Lisanna off her feet. They both laughed so hard they nearly fell into their chairs.
Lucy wiped her eyes. Not because she was sad — but because seeing everyone like this, happy and whole, was more than she'd expected. After all they'd been through… they deserved this.
Her eyes found Natsu again. He was chasing Happy around the room now, shouting about stolen meat. Erza had joined the chase, waving a fork and yelling about wasting food. Lucy laughed, clutching her side.
Mavis floated closer.
"You see it, don't you?" she said softly. "This is your echo, Lucy. The warmth that holds you all together."
Lucy turned, surprised. Her voice caught. "Mavis…"
She didn't know what to say.
But Mavis just smiled.
"This is the proof," she said. "That you never stopped believing."
Lucy blinked as more tears welled up. She wiped them quickly with the back of her hand.
"I'm not crying because I'm sad," she said. "I'm just… really happy."
Natsu appeared beside her, looking puzzled. "Huh? What're you crying for?"
She laughed again, sniffling. "Don't worry, Natsu. I'm good."
Across the hall, Gray raised his glass.
"To Fairy Tail," he called. "The loudest, craziest, strongest family you'll ever find."
Erza slammed her mug against his. "Yes! To Fairy Tail!"
"Fairy Tail!" Natsu shouted, punching the air.
"FAIRY TAIL!" echoed Gajeel, his voice muffled by food.
Even Sting and Rogue raised their glasses. Yukino clapped along beside them. Macao and Wakaba clinked drinks, and Kinana passed by with a soft smile, balancing a tray of glasses.
Near the wall, Mira leaned back and watched them all — her gaze warm and calm, like a mother watching her children. Lisanna handed her a pastry, and they laughed together, just the two of them.
Lucy looked up at the balcony above, where a large Fairy Tail banner hung proudly. The fabric swayed slightly with the breeze from the open windows. She reached toward it without thinking.
"We did it," she whispered. "Together."
Her mind touched on old battles, the weight of loss, the near misses, and the moments when it almost all came crashing down. But none of that filled the room tonight. Tonight was light, and laughter, and life.
Outside, the summer wind moved gently through the streets of Crocus. The bells in the distance rang slowly — a peaceful rhythm for a city that had finally exhaled.
Fairy Tail had made it. Scarred but not broken. Changed, but not lost. And for one shining night, they stood side by side — voices raised, hearts open.
Together, they were more than a guild.
They were a home.