Chapter 15: A New Beginning
The ship creaked against the dock, smoke rising faintly from Bora's collapsed body. His thugs lay sprawled across the deck, groaning in defeat.
Menma's chains slithered back into his sleeves, clinking softly. He exhaled, crimson eyes fading to their normal glow. "…It's finished."
Natsu dusted off his fists with a grin. "Hah! That was easy. I didn't even get a good warm-up."
Happy, still munching on a fish he had snatched from somewhere, pointed his tail at the unconscious Bora. "I dunno, Natsu. You looked pretty seasick to me."
Lucy giggled despite herself, covering her mouth. "Yeah… you could barely stand up."
Natsu turned red. "Oi! Don't laugh at me! Motion sickness is a serious curse!"
"Sure it is," Happy said, chuckling. "Aye, sir."
Menma ignored their bickering, stepping past them to kneel near one of the freed women. She was trembling, fear still clouding her eyes. With a faint gesture, he uncoiled the last of his chain binding her wrist. "…You're safe now. Go home."
The woman blinked up at him, then nodded tearfully before rushing away with the others.
The Guard's Arrival
By the time they regrouped on the dock, the Hargeon town guards had arrived, lanterns in hand.
"W-what happened here?!" one of them exclaimed, gaping at the unconscious slavers.
Happy hovered proudly. "We happened!"
Lucy quickly stepped forward, pointing at Bora. "That man—he's a criminal! He was using charm magic to abduct women!"
The guards exchanged grim looks, immediately cuffing Bora and his men. "You have our gratitude, strangers. We'll see to it they're punished."
As they hauled the slavers away, Lucy sighed with relief.
Natsu stretched his arms behind his head, already relaxed. "Welp, guess that's done."
Menma glanced after the guards, his voice low. "…They won't be missed."
Lucy's Decision
Later, the four sat by the quiet port, the sea glittering with moonlight.
Lucy hugged her knees, staring at the rippling water. "…Thank you. Really. If you hadn't been there, I… I don't even want to think about what would've happened."
Natsu waved it off casually. "Eh, don't worry about it. We just don't like creeps like that."
Happy grinned. "Yeah! Plus, we got free dinner out of it!"
Lucy laughed softly, then her expression turned more serious. "But… watching you three fight, I realized something." She held up one of her silver keys, letting it shine in the moonlight. "I've been chasing this dream of joining a real guild for so long. I want to be strong too. Strong enough to stand beside people like you."
Natsu blinked, then grinned ear to ear. "So join Fairy Tail!"
Lucy's heart skipped. "Fairy Tail…?"
Happy nodded excitedly. "That's our guild! The best guild in all of Fiore! Full of fun, chaos, and the strongest wizards ever!"
Lucy's jaw dropped. "W-wait. Y-you're Fairy Tail mages?! And you didn't say anything?!"
Natsu scratched his cheek, laughing sheepishly. "Heh, guess it slipped our minds."
Menma finally spoke, his voice calm as always. "…You'll see for yourself soon enough. But if Fairy Tail is your dream, then follow it."
Lucy stared at him, then smiled with renewed determination. "Then it's decided. I'm coming with you."
Natsu pumped his fist. "Alright! Let's go home!"
Happy cheered. "Aye, sir!"
Menma stood silently, his crimson eyes watching the stars. Deep inside, something stirred. Another soul was joining their family… and for the first time in years, he wondered if this warmth was what he had always been searching for.