X791 arc

The  (also known as the Seven Years arc) is the twelfth story arc of the Fairy Tail series. The arc details what has happened in the Seven Years since the end of the Tenrou Island arc and the possibility that those who've disappeared on the island may be alive after all.

Seven Years Later: The New Fairy Tail, A Shell of Its Former Self
Seven years have passed since the destruction of Tenrou Island, and Romeo Conbolt stares out at the sea. Bisca and Alzack, now married, tell Romeo their job is done and they should head back to the guild, as they don't want Macao to worry about his son. Bisca tries to comfort Romeo, but Alzack stops her, mid sentence.

At the Fairy Tail Guild, now a small tavern, Macao, the new Guild Master, is angry Romeo hasn't come home yet. Wakaba, now Macao's advisor tells him to calm down, which ends in the two arguing. Max Alors, Warren Rocko, and Nab Lasaro, complain about the lack of jobs, as their guild is so small. Meanwhile, Laki Olietta makes fun of Droy, who is now fat. Jet also insults Droy, and tells him even Reedus has trimmed down weight. Reedus points out he was slim in the first place, anyways. When Levy is mentioned, and somebody shouts about how she is never coming back, everybody gets silent. Just then, members of Twilight Ogre come into the guild and ask for their payment for the month. One of the members remind Macao how Fairy Tail is no longer the strongest guild in Magnolia, and how Twilight Ogre had helped Fairy Tail keep their tavern after they started to fade out. He then kicks Macao in the face. Just when everyone is about to fight, Macao yells at them not to. They all leave after trashing the guild, and warns Macao they will be back next month.

After they leave, everyone notices a painting of Makarov that had fallen out of Reedus's sketchbook. They look through all the other pictures of the guild seven years ago. Everyone reminisces on that day, and how Acnologia destroyed Tenrou Island, and left a strange emptiness in the Eternano Waters. Macao gets up and starts crying, saying how Romeo has never smiled ever since that day.

Just then, Blue Pegasus arrives on Christina. Ichiya Wanderlei Kotobuki, and The Trimens come to the ground, and after patronizing Laki, they reveal they had detected something in the Eternano Waters. Ichiya says that Tenrou Island still exists.

Based on the information received from Blue Pegasus, the guild forms a search party (consisting of Bisca, Alzack, Max, Warren, Jet, and Droy) and sets out to the Eternano Waters in an attempt to locate their missing members. However, upon arrival, the guild does not see any sign of Tenrou Island still existing. While Jet and Droy remained positive that they'll get to see Levy again, most of the members feel that they shouldn't get their hopes up. At that moment, the despondent group noticed a girl standing on the surface of the ocean.

As the girl lifted her hands, the waters began to rage behind her and Tenrou Island emerged from the ocean, encased in a bubble-like barrier with the Fairy Tail insignia on it. She then began heading towards the resurfaced island with the search party chasing behind, believing that she will lead them to where everyone is. Shortly upon arriving on the island, the party finds an unconscious Natsu buried beneath some dirt and debris.

Back at the Fairy Tail guild, Macao asks Romeo if it was a good idea for him not to join the search party. To which, Romeo replies that even if Tenrou Island was found, there is no knowing if everyone survived as seven years have gone by without any word from them. Just then, Teebo and his group of Twilight Ogre members barged in again, jeering the guild and belittling it. When Wakaba told them that their payment is only due next month, Teebo retorted that they were acting on the orders of their Master, who felt that it is a problem if payments are not made on schedule. Having heard Teebo's remarks, as well as feeling upset at his guild's cowardice, Romeo prepares to fight back, demonstrating his new ability to conjure fire. However, his attempt proves to be futile as Teebo easily extinguishes his fire by simply blowing it out. Annoyed by Romeo's resistance, Teebo raises his kanabō and prepares to strike.

Just as Teebo's attack is about to land, he is sent flying by a kick from a silhouette. As everyone looks in surprise, the remaining members of Twilight Ogre were knocked out by several other unseen characters. With a familiar smile, it is revealed that all the missing S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial candidates have returned to the guild. While Makarov commented on how small the guild has gotten, Nab and Laki notes that everyone still looks young and has not aged a single day since their disappearance. Without a doubt, everyone was overjoyed with tears that the guild is finally reunited.

It is then explained through a flashback that after the search party had woken Natsu up, they ran into the mysterious girl again, who now reveals herself to be Mavis Vermilion, the First Master and founder of Fairy Tail. Although unable to believe their ears and more than surprised to see Mavis in person, the party continues to locate the other missing members. Having assembled everyone, Mavis proceeds to explain how the island had survived Acnologia's attack. By amassing everyone's faith and bonds and converting them into Magical power, the guild's unanimous thoughts and feelings activated Fairy Sphere, one of the three Great Fairy Magics and an absolute defensive Magic that will protect the guild from all evil.

However, due to Fairy Sphere's activation, everyone was sealed in a state of stasis for the entire 7 years. Though Makarov comments that they were protected by Mavis, she states that she is just an ethereal body and that the guild's unwavering faith and resilience will create even miracles. In return, Mavis notes that the guild has grown wonderfully and praises Makarov for it.

As Makarov finishes up his explanation to the guild, Natsu notices Romeo and comments how he is all grown up. Tears began to fill up his eyes as Romeo heartily welcomes them back with a smile that has not been seen for seven years.

The Years Lost: The Changing Times
The guild celebrates the return of their missing members with a party that last three days. During that time some revelations come up, Natsu learns from Romeo that he can change the property of his fire such as cold, stinky or purple like his dad. He also mentions that he received lessons from the ex-Phantom Lord member, Totomaru, though hasn't told his father about it. Gajeel is happy to hear about him much to Patherlily's amusement. Meanwhile Marco offers Marakov's position of guild master back but Marakov lets him keep it much to his surprise. Erza is shocked that Bisca and Alzack are married and when ask by Lisanna if they have any children. They reveal they have one daughter named Azuka.

Wendy looks over some of Reedus's artwork and finds a picture of her more grown up. However she is dumbstruck that he forgot to figure her breasts into the drawing. Charle also doesn't approve of his drawing of the Exceeds with more humanoid bodies. Happy brings up that the their fellow Exceeds were probably worried about them, though Patherlily comments that time travels differently for them and the years that passed probably won't seem like a big deal. Its then Lamia Scale come to visit with Max revealing that they helped out with the search for Tenrou Island along with Tenma. The Lamia mages also reveal that they've climbed to be the Number 2 guild in Fiore over the years.

Lyon spots Juvia and is instantly smitten with her throwing her into bewilderment of all the possible love triangles in the guild. While Gildarts ask the others about his connection to Cana much to her embarrassment. The celebration continues on but Lucy notes the bitterness of the seven years that have passed and how hard it must've been to wait of any news of their missing members. She soon returns back to her old residence. But is met by her landlord who, while happy shes alright, demands a back payment of 5,880,000 Jewels for her house or she won't let her in. Obviously Lucy doesn't have the money to pay her and worries what to do. Thinking how the others must have the same trouble (such as Wendy though she more fortunate as Laki agrees to help her out). Her thoughts soon turn to Cana and Gildarts reminding her of her own father. Lucy decides to pay him a visit.

The rest of the missing members are also finding out the harsh realities of their absence: Alzack and Bisca go to talk to Erza about Jellel. Jura talks to Marakov about a certain Guild and Zeref. Lyon tells Gray what happened to Ultear and Meredy. And Natsu and Happy find out their saving are gone from their house. The next day, Lucy heads to the market town, Acrifa, with Natsu and Happy following as they hope Lucy's father can help them with their money trouble. They soon reach the market guild, Love and Lucky, where Lucy asks the clerk on where Judo Heatfilia is. The clerk reluctantly informs Lucy that he passed away a month ago much to her shock.

Lucy goes to visit her parents graves before heading back with Natsu and Happy in tow, worried about her. The three pass by two girls who are obnoxiously talking bad about their fathers. Natsu yells at them for this but Lucy calls him off and apologizes for making them worry. She explains that her relationship with her father wasn't the best especially after the Phantom incident. But after the encounter in Acrifia it changed for the better. Yet after hearing of his death, she couldn't bring herself to cry and wonders if she really did hate her father. Natsu assures her however that thats not the case.

Meanwhile Marakov, along with Erza and Mirajane, is talking with the leader of Twilight Orge, Banaboster, about the money Fairy Tail owes them. Banaboster constantly keeps demanding they pay him. Marakov assure him that Fairy Tail always pay back what they owe...including pain of which he informs Banaboster they owe Twilight Orge seven years worth of it for mistreating their guild. Erza, Mirajane and he proceed to trash the guild. Much to the charign of Macro and Wakaba who wait outside hoping Marakov would just talk things out. Natsu and Happy happen and are told of whats going on in the Twilight Orge's guild but he ignores them much to their surprise.

Lucy is at the towns fountain, moping when the landlady finds her and drags her back to her house and throws her inside. Lucy is surprise to find that the place is still clean after seven years which the landlady reveals she did that. She also directs Lucy to some presents on her dresser, telling that one came on her birthday for seven years including one that came that morning. Lucy goes to it and see a letter for her from her father. Reading it reveals that Judo had heard about her missing status but believe she was alright and that, despite how busy he had gotten, he really did truly love her as a daughter. Lucy cries upon finishing the letter and indeed realizes she loved him too. Natsu and Happy come by as they had found a job and invite Lucy to come along with her. The landlady tells the two to give her some time also mentioning that her father has sent her seven years of rent meaning she has her place again. But Lucy cheers up and calls for them to wait up.

Two New Dragon Slayers: The Strongest Guild
In an unknown region, two men are talking to each other about the return of the missing Fairy Tail members. But the one named Rogue Cheney isn't interested.

At Era where the Magical Council member Org is speaking with Lahar and Doranbolt are speaking about the same topic. Lahar assumes Doranbolt is relieved they're alive but Doranbolt thinks to himself that he had already forgotten about them. Org goes on about a new guild called Sabertooth and about Tartaros the remnants of Grimoire Heart. As well as his uneasiness of the silence over the seven years and he feels that's it about to break soon. When Dorabolt ask if its due to Fairy Tail, Org laughs it off.

Two weeks pass and the news of the missing members return spreads. The guild becomes much more lively as a result. While talking with Romeo, he mentions the Sabertooth guild and how it rose to prominence when the guild master recruited five members. However during that time, Fairy Tail has fallen to last place over the seven years. Natsu however is excited as it a chance to climb the ranks. Cana comes by and asks about her fatherm which Erza tell her he went with Marakov back to the old guild building. Cana dashes off to do something.

At the old guild location, Marakov leads Gildarts down a secert passage which none of the members have known about. They eventually reach a chamber with two large doors. Marakov opens them and shows Gildarts the guild's greatest secret, Lumen Etoile. As Gildarts looks on shocked, Marakov tells him it's the true nature of Fairy Tail before telling him he is to be the next guild master.

Back in the unknown area, the two men continue talking mentioning that one of them was a apprentice of Gajeels, Rouge tells his partner Sting Eucliffe not cling to the past. A soldier attacks them with a bow and arrow, but Sting manages to catch it and eats it before sending a Dragon Roar the soldier's way. It barely misses him and blasts a hole in the ruins behind him. The soldier gets scared and runs off. Sting calling him scum for leaving his wounded members behind and mentions he was part of a Dark Guild. It is then revealed that they are a Dragon Slayer duo, Sting the White Dragon and Rouge the Shadow Dragon. Soon two Exceeds meet them, Lector and Frosh citing they were doing reconnaissance. The four head off with Sting wanting to fight Natsu, but Rogue continuing that hes not interested.

The New Master and the Familiar Smell
In an open field, Natsu is battling against Max Alors but is having a difficult time competing. Max states that everyone has been practicing for the past seven years and dodges or blocks several of Natsu's attacks until Natsu activates the Lightning Flame Dragon Mode and uses Lightning Flame Dragon's Roar to devastate the field, nearly missing Max. Though Natsu claims it's not as strong as it used to be, Max ends the battle, admitting that he could've been killed. After Natsu collapses, Wendy compliments Max's improved strength while Charle wonders why the guild didn't fight Twilight Ogre with their strength, Max stating that it wouldn't have solved anything since they still owed them money.

Gray comments that aside from monstrously powerful members like Gildarts Clive and Laxus, the rest of the guild from the island is not strong enough in this new world, Lucy agrees seeing how much trouble Natsu had against Max, Happy wonders if there is a way to raise magical power by a great deal quickly.The team visits Porlyusica who immediately tells them to go home, though they, aside from Wendy, ask if she has anything that can help them. She angrily states she doesn't and quickly chases them away with her broom. Back at the guild, Makarov states that he is retiring and the new guild master will be Gildarts Clive, though he is shocked to find Mirajane in Gildarts place holding a note. In his letter, Gildarts states that he is not suitable for the position of 5th guild master of Fairy Tail but as his first order of business, he allows Laxus to return to the guild and subsequently nominates Makarov Dreyar to be the 6th guild master of Fairy Tail. He then states that he is going travelling again and apologizes to Cana for leaving like this and that she can stare at his card if she wishes, though she states that she doesn't need to. He states that when he returns, he hopes Fairy Tail will be #1 again and that it is their job to make it so. Makarov angrily claims that he will never retire again. When the guild comments on how hard it will be to be #1 since Sabertooth is now #1 and Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus are also stronger, Romeo claims there is a way.

Elsewhere, Natsu and the team have finally escaped Porlyusica when they notice Wendy crying. Natsu gets angry at the old lady for doing that to a child but Wendy states it wasn't her but it was because her voice, scent are similar to Grandeeney, the dragon that raised her.

The Truth About Porlyusica and The New Festival
The others question Wendy's statement that Porlyusica was like Grandeeney, but Wendy once again repeats that they have the same scent and voice. Gray comments that it was strange that Grandeeney could possibly transform into a human, Lucy adding that Porlyusica's relationship with the other Masters went back before, when the Dragon Slayers were still being trained; thus, she couldn't be two people at once. However, Wendy notes aloud that she had a different attitude and tone than Grandeeney, also adding that Grandeeney was a really gentle dragon.

Suddenly, Porlyusica grumpily states from behind them that she was sorry for not being "gentle", shocking Gray and Lucy, who didn't hear her. Porlyusica states that she had nothing to hide from them, and that she would tell them everything. She states that she was a real human through and through. Natsu expresses his confusion that a human would hate humans. Porlyusica states that she didn't know anything about the dragons, remorselessly apologizing, but reveals that she was the "Grandeeney" of Edolas, as she got lost and stranded in Earth Land years ago. Porlyusica reveals that she had many chances to go back to Edolas, but that she decided to stay in Earth Land, as she liked it. She, however, states to Wendy that Grandeeney had talked to her through her heart with Magic, and that she had compiled a stack of papers with notes that contained information on Sky Dragon Slayer Magic, which would help Wendy get stronger: Milky Way and Shining Wave: Air Drill, two secret Dragon Slayer Magics left to her by Grandeeney. Porlyusica cautions Wendy, stating that if not practiced carefully, her body would be destroyed. Wendy bows happily and thanks Porlyusica, also uttering Grandeeney's name. Porlyusica, while walking away, smiles.

Back at the Fairy Tail Guild, Macao and Romeo are arguing about the participation of the Fairy Tail in something. Most of the guild members disapprove, but Romeo goes on to reveal that the Grand Magic Games were created in the last 7 years and that the winner would be considered the strongest guild in Fiore as well as getting a 30,000,000 (jewel) prize. This motivates the missing Fairy Tail members as they are invigorated, excitedly planning to prepare for the battle. Natsu asks Romeo when it was occurring, the latter replying that it was in three months. With this statement, all the missing members are fired up even more. The grown-up Fairy Tail Mages, however, dissuade them, telling them that they had come in last place in every competition. The missing core members then shout out that they were going to aim for the number one guild spot in Fiore; they shout that they are Team Fairy Tail!