Well, this is it. The last chapter of this fic. For now, I'll cut this short. Enjoy!

Ultear and Meredy were now on their way to leave the island on a boat. Both were admittedly shocked to learn that Hades was defeated but were also relieved, neither of them wanted anything to do with Grimoire Heart. They were all set to dissociate themselves from the dark guild.

For a moment, she thought of Gray, while she had taken him to be a reminder of the past she had wanted to get rid of, he had in fact helped her come to terms with. Ultear couldn't help smiling to herself as she recalled how she restored the Tenrou Tree. A part of her wondered if that act had helped Fairy Tail. She felt indebted to the guild, being finally able to truly look forward and not stay beholden to the past.

She recalled how smug and pleased with themselves they had been when agreeing to those plans. The former Seven Kin had truly believed that they would finish their targets off but they were the ones in for a rude awakening. Truly, Fairy Tail seemed to have a way of turning perceived notions about them and destroying them.

The young woman glanced at Meredy, again wondering why she was so quiet as they began to sail. Was she also wondering what to do from here on out? She could understand, Ultear didn't even know where to start with that issue.

If only it were that...

Meredy was also reminiscing on recent events. The beginning of her fight against Fairy Tail before she wound up facing Hope. In a completely unexpected twist, he had been a big help to her and she would always be grateful.

It was just that her mind kept coming back to what she heard at the time. She had wanted to fight for Grimoire Heart's plans for two reasons, to get her hometown back and to help Ultear achieve her goals.

Now she learned that the woman who had helped raise her had been the one to destroy her home in the first place. To say that it was a shock would be an understatement.

She definitely didn't want to believe it. A part of her had been all set on ignoring that information but Meredy knew that she couldn't. She remembered how Hope's friend advised her to confront Ultear and knew he was right. It was the best course of action.

''Ultear...'' She said slowly. ''...before I heard...that you destroyed my hometown. Is that true?''

She didn't miss how her foster mother stilled at this, which only meant one thing...

''...It is.'' Ultear replied. ''We heard that a key to awaken Zeref was there.''

Meredy grit her teeth as anger well up within her. All this time, she was working with the ones behind that tragedy? How could Ultear be so calm about this?

''I know I've done terrible things.'' Ultear went on. ''Back then...I thought I could erase it all once we made the Ultimate Magic World a reality. I would be free to live the life I wanted. I know it was just wishful thinking now...and I'm not about to make excuses or deny a thing. I don't blame you for hating me, Meredy. We're free to live how we want. So I'll atone for my actions. Think of it as a fresh start...that's why, you should find happiness on your own.''

Then she did something Meredy never saw coming. She stabbed herself with a knife and threw herself into the ocean.

Meredy dove after her once she recovered from the shock seconds later, refusing to let things end this way. Thinking fast, the girl proceeded to use a sense link on Ultear. Then she felt it all, Ultear truly regretted her actions. While she believed they had no choice at times, she was saddened by the things they had to do. Her only consolation had been their goal. Ultear had believed that Meredy would want her to pay for her actions and she didn't want the girl to have any more blood on her hands.

Meredy pulled Ultear out of the ocean, leaving the stunned woman to ask ''Why?''

''Don't leave me!'' Meredy pleaded, sobbing. ''I forgive you, but please don't leave me alone!''

''Meredy...''

''You still took me in, you're my mother!'' The girl went on. ''Please stay with me, don't leave me alone!''

Slowly, Ultear wrapped her arms around the girl who was for all intents and purposes, her daughter. ''Yes, I understand...We'll always be together.''

Meanwhile, on Grimoire Heart's ship...

Rustyrose and Kain had found their way back to their HQ. Needless to say, they were shocked to learn their guildmaster had lost to Fairy Tail. But as it were, they were left with no choice but to retreat.

''To think we failed so terribly...'' Rustyrose lamented.

''We won't let things end like this.'' Hades assured.

''But what can we do now, Master?'' Kain inquired.

''For now...'' The man's eye suddenly went wide as he felt an intense presence closing in on them.

It didn't take him long to find the source, but it didn't come as any less of a shock.

It was Zeref.

His subordinates were also in a similar state but they quickly recovered and bowed to the new arrival.

''...I was wondering why something seemed familiar.'' Zeref said coldly. ''To think it was you. I never would've thought you'd change so much. Not with the faith those two had in you...especially her...''

Rustyrose and Kain were bewildered, what did that mean?

''L-Lord Zeref...'' Hades managed to find his voice. ''...quick, get the keys...''

''There's no need for those.'' Zeref cut in. ''I was never in any sleeping state. Those keys are useless.''

''But that's impossible!'' Hades uttered. How could Ultear have beaten him then?

''You lot really are fools of the highest order.'' Zeref continued. ''My power was never going to do you any good. You turned on your own former guild for such a thing? The only reason I couldn't stop that woman is because I lost control of my power. I've been cursed so that when I care for life, my power would kill but on the other hand, I can stop it if I forget the weight of a life...there was no other choice.''

Hades didn't know what to say to that. But one thing was clear, the way Zeref was talking, he didn't seem to want to kill a soul.

The dark mage's eyes narrowed ''It's people like you who created me. I will make you pay for your sins. You called that monster...and you made me forget the value of a life...'' Zeref brought his hands together. ''...Repent.''

At this word, Hades was engulfed in a black pillar of power, leaving him to collapse moments later.

Zeref glanced back at Tenrou Island in the distance, ignoring Kain and Rustyrose's cries as they discovered their master's death.

''It's almost here...''

Fairy Tail was busy planning to leave their sacred island and return to Magnolia. Mest and Lahar had left with the promise of explaining everything to the council and make sure Fairy Tail would be kept out of further trouble. While the latter was as curt and cordial as ever, the former seemed to have warmed up and softened somewhat to Fairy Tail.

''Man, I'll be so glad when we're back home...'' Gray stretched.

''Me too! I'll be preparing to become stronger like a real Man!'' Elfman stated.

''I hear you, it'll be great. I'll just make sure things won't be boring for me!'' Natsu exclaimed.

Lucy gave him a look ''Because all we do isn't enough excitement for you?''

Sadly, things couldn't end on this joyful note. For trouble was still brewing for the fairies...

It was as they were all preparing to leave that said trouble made its presence known.

The monster Zeref mentioned had indeed arrived. A powerful dragon with black scales, big wings and white eyes. It let out a roar that resounded just as much as its massive presence did for the observers.

''What the hell?!''

''You've gotta be kidding me!'' Gildarts scowled.

Endymion's eyes narrowed 'It's him!'

This was none other than Acnologia. The monster who had defeated the two of them in the past.

''A dragon?!'' Bickslow recoiled.

''They really do still exist...'' Freed uttered.

''That's not just any dragon.'' Makarov said tersely. ''It's Acnologia, the black dragon of the apocalypse...a monster whose known to destroy all in its path.''

Lisanna couldn't help recalling what Magnus told them in the sanctuary ''This is just like we heard...it's so powerful...''

''Oi!'' Natsu called out. ''You know where Igneel, Grandeeney and Metallicana are?!''

''Natsu, stop that!'' Makarov chided.

''But I've got to try and find out!''

''Idiot! It definitely doesn't seem willing to help!'' Erza snapped.

''Well then, I'll just...''

''Natsu.'' Hope cut him off then. ''This isn't the way. Remember what happened to Endymion and Gildarts. Even if he did know, we can't force him to tell. This couldn't have happened at a worse time...''

''So what, you're saying we run away?!'' He demanded.

The boy looked at Gildarts ''It's better if we hear from someone who's been there. After what we've heard about Acnologia, it doesn't seem like there's much of a chance we can avoid a fight. What do you two think we should do?''

'I'd have to say Magnus and his friends were right. That dragon's always intent on destroying whatever it targets. This is a fight in which we have very little choice.' Endymion offered.

''Afraid so.'' The crash mage affirmed, knowing that Hope was concerned with everyone's safety. A feeling he shared and approved of. ''He wouldn't talk to us at all, far as that thing's concerned, we're the equivalent of pests. We just have to give it our best shot and make a move at the right time.''

Makarov fully agreed with the previous statements. If they wanted to escape, they had to do it the right way. He raised a wall of light around his members, assumed his Titan form and grabbed Acnologia's head before throwing it back.

The dragon roared and pulled itself up, snarling. The next thing both knew, Acnologia was slammed by a golden blur that pushed it back.

Makarov's eyes widened as the blur appeared next to him to reveal Endymion. The phoenix then spoke with the guildmaster's behavior having confirmed his suspicion ''I should've known...you were planning to face him on your own.''

''He was what?!'' Evergreen exclaimed.

Gajeel scowled as he glanced at the wall ''This makes sense now...You're definitely going senile if you think anyone's agreeing with that.''

''Damn straight! We're all in this together!'' Elfman stated to many cries of agreement from the others.

''We're not leaving anyone behind, Grandpa.'' Hope stated.

Laxus cracked a smirk ''You should have seen this coming, old man. It's your guild we're talking about here after all.''

Makarov couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him then ''That it is...All right, you brats, give this all you got!''

While some of the Fairy Tail members hated the idea of running from a fight, the battle showed them just why some of their comrades were apprehensive about battling this dragon. Needless to say, they completely understood anyone's reluctance to fight it afterwards.

Nothing seemed to faze Acnologia at all, the black dragon merely brushed off their attacks easily. He pushed through whatever magic they could muster to slow or even stop it. Even the dragon slayers' techniques were no good! The best they had been able to do was merely push it back a little.

''How strong is this thing?! We haven't even made a scratch!'' Bickslow snapped.

''Maybe we wore it out a little?'' Juvia suggested.

''No...'' The two looked at Gildarts. ''...he's not taking us seriously. That's even less power than he used against me back in Mount Zonia.''

''You've gotta be kidding me!'' Gray's eyes narrowed as they saw the dragon fly up. ''...What's he doing now?''

Gajeel noted the dragon's movement now and grimaced. The sight was somewhat familiar from his days with Metallicana ''Looks like he's charging up a breath attack...''

''What do we do? I don't think we can avoid this...'' Happy trailed off.

''Then we won't,'' Erza decided. ''The best we can do is use defensive magic.''

''That's perfect, Erza! Freed, Levy?'' Lisanna prompted, knowing the two were the best at this.

''I don't have time to prepare runes now.'' The first said tersely.

''There is defensive magic we can use even without that.'' The latter stated.

''Everyone, get ready to share your magic with Levy and Freed.'' Makarov ordered. ''We're not about to give up now.''

''Then let's hold hands, we'll do this together.'' Mira said before proceeding to take each of her siblings' hands in her own.

With that, they stood tall and united. Even faced with this daunting prospect, Fairy Tail was never going to surrender.

''Don't slack off now, Happy.'' Carla said as she took the blue exceed's hand.

''No way, Carla, we're all giving this a hundred and ten percent!''

Lily smirked as he joined the two ''Well said.''

''I sure picked some time to get the truth out.'' Cana muttered.

Victor raised an eye ''You're not regretting it, are you?''

''No way!'' She said at once. ''That feels like I'm saying I'd throw in the towel. We're fighting to go back home, aren't we?'' She held out a hand and winked.

He took it, readily returning her smirk ''Definitely.''

''We have to stay strong,'' Juvia held Lisanna's other hand in hers. ''Juvia doesn't want to give up.''

''Good.'' Gray smirked as she took his hand with her free one. ''We feel the same way.''

''That's for sure.'' Erza agreed.

Gildarts grinned ''That's great to hear. I couldn't agree more.''

''You heard 'em, Shrimp. You're going to be getting one hell of a power boost, don't go flaking out on us.'' Gajeel warned.

''I won't, Gajeel!'' Levy looked offended that he even suggested that. ''We've come this far, haven't we? Let's see this through to the end.''

He grinned and the two held hands ''Now we're talking the same language.''

Makarov felt his heart fill up with the faith and strong bonds between his guild. He couldn't help the smile on his face as he took Hope's hand. Said smile grew bigger as he saw Laxus raising a hand to meet his free one before he held it.

Rebecca took Wendy's hand within her own ''This is some family we joined up, huh? We're all bad at giving up.'' The girl smiled at her and nodded, listening to her continue. ''No complaints here, I would never regret it.''

She shared a smile with Hope as she took his other hand ''I hear you. Safe to say, we all feel the same, Rebecca.''

''What're those tears for?''

Lucy blinked and looked at Natsu as he went on ''You better not be calling it quits now, Lucy.''

She smiled a bit and shook her head, stopping to wipe at her eyes. Truthfully, she had been afraid and she figured she wasn't the only one, seeing everyone's enduring faith was really encouraging. The blonde completely agreed, she wanted to believe just as strongly as they did. Her decision wasn't hard to make after that.

''No...we can do this.'' She said at last, holding his hand with hers. ''We're going home after all, aren't we?''

Natsu grinned ''You got that right. We're going...''

''...back to Fairy Tail!'' The rest finished.

Acnologia's attack hit the mark and Tenrou Island was gone. Numerous searches were conducted around its waters, by the council and the rest of Fairy Tail. The belief came to be that Acnologia destroyed the island.

Few would know what happened that day. A miracle took place, caused by the strong faith and bonds within Fairy Tail.

The truth would come to light after seven years...

You know the drill. We'll stop here.

To think I actually made it...For those who don't know, this is my first fanfic, so finishing it feels like a milestone for me. I just started this for a little fun but there were times when I really considered dropping the whole thing, but I guess I'm too stubborn. Hey, I actually finished it! That feels nice!

I tried to work things around and make my own little twists. Sometimes it worked, others I just couldn't...every time I came to this arc's ending, I found myself turning back to this. I tried to capture the characters, to be faithful to canon in a way but I still don't want to just stick to it. I really wasn't sure what to do about the end, but that's mostly because of Acnologia.

Okay, so I cut the fight out because it was practically the same as canon. Acnologia's just ridiculously overpowered, I didn't know what to do here. Oh and to avoid any confusion, the 'him' and 'her' Zeref was talking about are Ryner and Mavis. Zeref actually got along pretty well with Ryner (who even started looking for a way to help him after he heard about the curse). Those two would definitely hate to see how Hades turned out.

As I mentioned before, I'm actually working on plans for the sequel. I'm not sure when I can start posting but it should be soon as I'm really looking forward to starting on it.

I would just like to take a moment to thank everyone who read, favorited and reviewed my work. You guys are the reason I wanted to keep going. If there are people out there who enjoy my story, then it's more than enough. Thank you all.