After Mavis faded away, Makarov brushed the dust off his coat and turned toward Rowan.
"You said you’re the sixth guild master," he said slowly. "How did that happen?"
Rowan chuckled. "That story starts with the Grand Magic Gas."
He gave them the compressed version. He had beco the fourth master, handed the position to Macao, then taken it back again later. Two successions in between had pushed the count forward.
"So... technically, I’m number six."
Natsu froze halfway through stretching.
"You an all the guilds on the continent fought in one massive tournant," he said, flas sputtering from his mouth, "and I missed it?"
He spun in place, roaring in frustration.
"That’s not fair!"
Rowan laughed. "Relax. It happens every year. You’ll get your turn."
Makarov’s expression softened.
"If you hadn’t been here," he said quietly, "we’d still be sealed away. Maybe forever."
Erza stepped forward and pulled Rowan into a crushing hug.
He slipped out of it with practiced ease.
Mirajane hugged him next, far more gently, and he didn’t resist at all.
"Alright," Rowan said, extracting himself. "We’re on a schedule. If we don’t move now, we’re going to miss Alzack and Bisca’s wedding."
Everyone froze.
"What wedding?"
Rowan extended his tail. "Grab on."
A blink later, Tenrou Island was empty.
Magnolia City. Cardia Cathedral.
The old stone hall had been transford into a wedding venue. Flowers lined the aisle. Light stread through stained glass. Marcus had been drafted as an ergency officiant and was clearly enjoying himself far too much.
Alzack and Bisca stood at the altar, dressed in white, hands trembling.
Below them sat the guild.
Old faces.
New ones.
Macao. Wakaba. Levy. Minerva. Sting. Rogue.
"Think the boss will make it?" Macao whispered.
"He said he would," Wakaba replied. "No idea what he ran off to do."
Minerva smiled behind her fan. "Use your imagination."
The doors burst open.
"Did you really think we’d miss this?"
Natsu’s voice rang through the cathedral.
"We’re back!"
The hall exploded into shouting.
Bisca covered her mouth. Alzack’s eyes went red. Makarov stood frozen, tears streaming down his face.
After hugs, shouting, and far too much noise, the ceremony finally resud.
"Exchange the rings."
"Guild master’s address."
"Kiss the bride."
Cheers shook the cathedral.
In the front row, Mavis stood on a chair, pumping her fists.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
Makarov stared at her like his brain had short-circuited.
Rowan just smiled.
That evening, the celebration finally died down.
Rowan gathered the core mbers together. Mavis drifted in and took a seat too.
"There’s sothing you all need to know," Rowan said.
He told them everything.
Acnologia.
The Eclipse Gate.
The truth about Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy.
When he finished, the room was silent.
"You’re saying," Natsu whispered, "that Igneel has been inside this whole ti?"
Rowan nodded.
"Sa for Gajeel and Wendy. Their dragons are still there. They stayed hidden to suppress your power, prevent full dragonification, and keep Acnologia from tracking them."
Natsu clenched his fists, shaking.
"All these years..."
"If you want to see them," Rowan said gently, "I can make that happen."
He looked around the room.
"We’re not surviving this world unless we deal with Acnologia. Sooner or later, he’s going to co for all of us."
No one disagreed.
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