Here is the last chapter, a bonus for you all!... It's my way of saying thank you to all of you who have followed, favoured and reviewed my story. Without your support and encouragement this story would never have been... :)

Chapter 11 - Last Man Standing!

Fairy Tail - One-Hundred and Twelve Years Later...

Makarov's POV

For some time flows by slowly, for others it rushes past like a speeding train but for me it stood still... For more than a century I've stood by and helplessly watched as my beloved children grew into adulthood, married and raised families of their own.. They've all since left this world, only their descendents and my vivid memories of them remain!

...And now the last of my children was at death's door!

"Hey Gramps, how's Granny doing?" The young blonde-headed boy asked as he took his normal seat besides the old woman. She stirred from time to time but at the moment was resting rather uncomfortably in a private room that Fairy Tail had arranged for her. Her long stay was occasionally interrupted by momentary lapses of familiarity and for the most part she was unaware of who we were and at times who she was... Old age had taken it's toll on her small frame and dementia had long since become her jailer.

"Not so good..." I sighed as I leaned in and gently ran my hand through her silver locks. "...I fear her time is close!... As is mine, I'm afraid!"

"What do you mean by that Gramps?" The fourteen year old boy sighed as he too leaned in and sighed as he held the aging woman's frail hand.

"Oh it's nothing to concern yourself with Laxus, my boy..." I grinned. Although I hadn't aged, I still felt the weight of a long life. "...Just a sentimental old fool's ramblings, I guess!"

"So Laxus why isn't her family here with her?"

"Unfortunately her family is all in Crocus at the moment and if you remember, last week there was a flood that destroyed the rail-line, so they won't be able to make it... They asked if I'd be here with her when her time comes!" Laxus raised her hand to his face and gently nudged it as a blank look graced his face.

"I know you two were very close but I want you to remember that all life must come to an end at some point... Just remember to cherish those you love and keep their memories alive in here!" I smiled as I gently tapped my chest.

"I will Gramps!" Laxus tried to force a smile but an overwhelming feeling of anxiety and loss was slowly weighing upon the young mage as he shyly wiped his nose. "She means a lot to me!..." I nodded in understanding. "...She was my mentor, my friend and when my Mom and Dad died when I was very little, she raised me as her own... Other than you, she's about the only family that I have left!"

"I know my boy!... I think it's a family curse or something. It seems that every generation of our family has only had one child and it's been a boy since before my time!" I sighed as I thought of how disappointed Mira and Laxus were when all those years ago they tried so desperately to have more children but were unable to... And then his early departure from this life only complicated matters for my dear sweet Mira.

Thinking back now I remember the day when news reached us that my grandson had perished on a mission... It devastated the guild and Mirajane in particular! A week later we received his body and laid him to rest in a new cemetery that I had created solely for those from Fairy Tail, our family graveyard if you will! Funny thing is... That was the first time that I saw 'them' since that horrible day so many years before. They have since returned to guide each of my fallen children to their final destination... I think they felt it was their honour or perhaps their duty to be there for their fallen nakama and soon I will see them again for the very last time... When they come for her and then me!

"No Gramps it's not a curse..." Laxus said as tears started to slowly roll down his cheeks and pooled on the bed below. "It's a gift!"

"How so child!?" I wondered as I stared at the boy, he had me confused to say the least! For a child so young he was quite wise for his age... The complete opposite of his namesake Laxus Dreyar, the Lightening Dragon Slayer!

"Gramps!... I got to be here, to live and breath in life's wonderful aroma!... I've had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful people and make many, many friends... Life itself is a gift and anything else is just icing on the cake!" He said as he wiped away his tears and smiled. "So, 'no' it's not a curse at all!"

"You're wise beyond your years, my child!" I felt warm inside as I watched my Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandson smile. It was a genuine smile that reminded me of Fairy Tail's Golden Age, when there was laughter and merriment everywhere.

"Thank's Gramps, but I had two of the best teachers..." He grinned. "...You and Granny Asuka! Besides I promised I'd send her off with a smile!" He said just as a very familiar flash of white light enveloped the room. When it died down, standing at the foot of Asuka's bed was Natsu and Lucy! Their eyes radiated with love and warmth and to those that knew them, this was their true selves!

"Ah!... You've finally come!" I could feel a wave of relief rush over me as I knew my long journey was finally coming to an end. Natsu smiled and slowly nodded.

"Who's come, Gramps?" Laxus starred at me like I was speaking a foreign language.

"I-I... I think my time is up my boy!" I tried to force a smile by failed and then I heard what I knew would come at some point... Asuka's last breath! It was quick and painless as death took the frail old soul and it's reaper was in the form of the beautiful blonde-headed demon, Lucy.

"I watched as Natsu slid up to the side of the bed and gently kissed Asuka's forehead, she glowed for a moment and a four year old child sat up in her bed and smiled at the sight of a grinning Natsu. He spoke to her but I couldn't understand what was said but she happily jumped around the bed and leaped into Natsu's arms... 'She's going home!' I thought as I watched her lean forward and gently caress Laxus' cheek before she disappeared into a beam of white light.

"Granny!" Laxus cried as he broke down, his tears flowed in a non-stop torrent as he held her limp hand in his and gently kissed it one last time. "I'm gonna miss you so much!" He cried out in agony as his head dropped to the bed... His pain evident with each passing moment!

And then I saw something that surprised even me... Lucy walked up to him and leaned down and whispered something into his ear. He was startled for a second but his charming smile returned as he looked me directly in the eyes and grinned.

"Gramps!... I'm gonna meet someone very special soon and It seems I'll be also following yo..." Laxus exhaled and closed his eyes for the last time... His body went limp as a white glow surrounded him and a moment later he was gone in the same fashion as Asuka before him.

It took everything I had to force the tears back but it was a battle that I was quickly loosing... I had expected Asuka to pass-on and then my time would come but the realization that my last living relative was now gone before me just seemed to be too much as the pain in my heart grew.

"WHY?" I screamed but received no response from either Lucy or Natsu as they both stood over Laxus's body. A smile graced their faces as they slowly turned and walked towards me. I wanted to run, even hide away but I knew that wouldn't work... There would be no hiding from either the pain of loosing my dear sweet child or from my own faith.

Lucy bent down and smiled... A sweet voice etched throughout the room, 'Makarov, it was his time!' She reached out her hand and I nervously accepted it, just like this fate of mine that I knew I would someday face, I now accepted it wholeheartedly and everything that came with it! And then everything went dark...

...My debt, paid in full!

Somewhere, out among the countless stars...

"So!... Layla!... Laxus!..." Lucy smiled as she leaned against Natsu, soaking in his warmth, all for her own personal comfort and joy. They were all standing on a strange world void of any atmosphere, staring up into a brilliant night sky... Countless stars twinkled as if to beckon the four travellers to come play! "...Everything you see up there, is yours!..." Lucy pointed up as she rested her head against Natsu's shoulder "...That is your playground!... Now go and enjoy!"

"Thanks Mom, Dad!" They both said in unison as they lovingly embraced Lucy and Natsu before disappearing with a flash of white light.

"Oi!... We want grand-kids!" Natsu chuckled as they too started to fade away.

"...And 'LOTS' of them!" A faint female voice laughed, it was a sweet laugh that echoed throughout the cosmos...

The End!

Myths, legends or just some old stories told around a late-night camp fire!... Who can say for certain what the true story behind Fairy Tail is. Maybe it's nothing more than a lingering thought buried deep in the back of some God's mind but out there somewhere out there lies the truth...

...And if you ever meet a beautiful young demon by the name of Lucy, say hi and tell her the Bay Man sent you!

I really hope that you've enjoyed my story because it was an honour and a joy to write it for you...

Thank You.