ALTERNATIVE, SURPRISE ENDING

Readers' P.O.V.:

My heart hammered in my chest as I pushed it to its limit. My legs screamed for me to stop, but I didn't listen -- I kept running.

I was thankful that there was a breeze today because it was the one thing that was cooling me down as I produced buckets of sweat.

I don't even remember why I'm running in the first place. Everything that happened today is a blur.

I do, however, know that I have this strong urge to run because I have to save them.

But who is "them?"

And wait--

What happened to Magnolia?

I can't believe that I'm fully aware of this now, but as I look around me I notice debris and burning buildings. There's so much smoke in the air that it's completely unhealthy; there's visible air pollution.

I don't see a single person around, but I see several buildings that have collapsed to the ground.

It's like a war happened and I don't remember a single second of it.

My focus shifts to finding my friends -- Freed, Evergreen, Bickslow, Phoebe, Laxus.

I just need to know that they're okay!

It's in that moment that I start to make out a silhouette in midst of the heavy smoke.

I ran towards the faint silhouette, which became clearer as I got closer. My body screamed for a break -- for relief. I knew I was pushing myself too hard, but for some reason I felt like I had to get here as fast as I could.

I was finally close enough to this mysterious person to see two other silhouettes. These two new people appeared to be sitting down.

And is that a cliff?

I finally stopped running, coming to a halt as I saw that I had practically ran to the edge of a cliff.

I was a few feet behind the standing silhouette (back was facing me) and in front of the two sitting silhouettes (were facing me, but their heads appeared to be hung low as if they were asleep).

My chest rose and fell as my heart worked tirelessly to keep my body going. My legs, who previously were screaming for relief, shook from the initial shock of my sudden stop.

As if sensing my presence, the standing silhouette slowly turned around to face me.

"About time, (Y/N). I was starting to wonder if you'd just let these boys die."

I couldn't see a face, but by the deep sound of the voice, I knew this person was a man. He had a hood which hid his face well.

"Who are you?" I asked. I still had no idea what was going on and I was very confused.

"Amnesia, huh?" He said, "Maybe this will jog your memory." One at a time, he walked over to the sitting silhouettes (who were on both sides of him) and removed what appeared to be a bag from over their heads. "Surely, you remember Laxus and Sting, don't you?"

I was shocked after hearing those names. It was in that moment that I noticed the blond hair and I could see them better. However, to make sure that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me, I stepped forward.

I couldn't believe it . . Laxus sat to the man's left (also my right) while Sting sat to the man's right (which was my left).

"Both gentlemen are unconscious at the moment." The man kept talking, "I want to test something and you're going to be my test dummy. In a minute, I'm going to push these men off of the cliff. Your job is to pick which one you'll save and which one you're going to let die."

Is he serious? "Why not save both?" I asked, glaring at the man. Why would I pick between Laxus or Sting when I could save them both?

"Poor, naive young lady." The man sighed, "This is why." After he finished talking, he did exactly what he said he was going to do -- he pushed Laxus and Sting off of the cliff.

"No!" I shouted on instinct. My body moves on its own and I ran past the unknown man and jumped off the cliff.

I could see them. They were falling to their deaths and they weren't even aware of it.

I tried to use my magic, but I couldn't. "My magic's not working." I thought aloud. How am I suppose to save them? I can't reach them.

They're falling so much faster than I am.

"Your job is to pick which one you'll save and which one you're going to let die."

Can I really not save them both? But I can't just pick and let one die!

I grew increasingly frustrated to the point of tears.  I knew myself, so therefore I knew that I couldn't make a choice.

I'd feel incredibly guilty afterwards.

"I'm sorry, guys." I knew they couldn't hear me, but this was more so for my sake. "I can't do it."

Then everything went black.

And I woke up.

That dream haunts me because I can remember everything so vividly. I feel like that dream was telling me something about my current situation.

I knew my answer, and I knew what I had to do.

Later that day, around two o'clock,  I sent Phoebe to Sabertooth while I removed Laxus from the guildhall.

"You brought me out here to tell me that you like Sting now?" Laxus grunted.

I could tell that he was irritated with me, or maybe he was actually  irritated with himself.

"No." I shook my head, "What makes you say that?"

I saw the tension leave Laxus instantly. It was like relief washed over him.

I just hope he doesn't get the wrong idea.

"Nothin'." He mumbled and looked off at nothing in particular.

"(Y/N)!" I heard Phoebe's voice from behind me, "I brought Sting."

Not having to turn around, I replied, "Good."

"Ok, I'll leave you guys alone now."

"It's ok, Phoebe." I said before she could fly back to the guild. "You can stay." I figured it would be best for her to stay and hear what I had to say. For one thing, I wasnt going to take long.

Plus, she's going to ask about it anyway, so instead of explaining myself twice, why not let her stay?

"I'm sure you two know why I brought you here." I begin, referring to Laxus and Sting. They both nod, signalling that I can continue. "I have an answer."

The wind blew, making the trees sway along with it. I used that moment to take a deep breath and prepare myself for the news that I was about to deliver.

"I'm choosing myself." I announced.

Both Laxus and Sting raised their eyebrows at me.

"Yourself?" Laxus repeated.

"But that wasn't an option!" Sting whined.

I sighed, knowing that I was going to have to explain myself further. "Look," I said, "I can't choose between the two of you, so I'm choosing neither."

"Oh. ." Sting muttered, deflating in disappointment.

"Guess that makes sense." Laxus grunted. Still don't know why she didn't choose me. He thought.

"I know it's not what either of you wanted to hear," I spoke again to try to give them reason, "but I care about you both and I wanted to give you an answer as soon as possible. It has just been so difficult to decide who to be with. So much has happened and I couldn't bring myself to pick between you two."

"I understand." They both said in unison (not intentionally).

"Well, just so you know, (Y/N), I like this decision." Phoebe spoke up.

"Oh yeah? Why is that?"

"It means I get to have you all to myself! We can have a girls night!"

"Oooh, can I come?" Sting grinned.

"What the-" Laxus flinched, shocked by Sting sudden excitement and also creeped out.

"Sting, it's called a girls night for a reason." I chuckled at his enthusiasm. "No boys."

"Oh, come on." He whined, "I can gossip and stuff!"

"I don't think you plan on going just to gossip." Laxus commented.

"That's dirty!" Sting gasped, pointing an accusing finger at Laxus.

I couldn't help but laugh at the small banter that continued back and forth between them. I truly do enjoy being with both of them.

When I first met Sting, I would have never imagined that I would develop feelings for him. Up until that point, it was always Laxus.

However, now, I don't want to choose between them. I want to be around them both.

They've both managed to make their way into my heart.

And I'm glad they did.

THE END