Chương 27: 27

Laxus sat upon the foot of the altar steps, his eyes glued to the results on the Runic Array Freed had set up for the Battle Of Fairy Tail. His expression was neutral, yet to any who truly knew the man, they would have already beat a hasty retreat.

"So, they've all abandoned me," Laxus muttered, his head in his hands, as he pondered his current situation. "Guess they weren't cut out for my dream after all…"

Golden sparks danced across the concrete floor, as he held in his steadily climbing rage. Laxus knew well that he was the sole target remaining in the game now, with the elimination of Freed.

"So what if they're gone, they only held me back anyway," Laxus continued, as the sparks grew in intensity. "With them gone, now I can take the Guild through true force-!"

Laxus paused suddenly, his ears twitching slightly, as he heard soft footsteps approaching the front of the Cathedral. His eyes darted upward, and he couldn't help but widen his eyes in genuine surprise.

"Well now, I had assumed you'd have gone straight to the old man," Laxus chuckled, with a smirk worming its way onto his face. "I'm honestly flattered you'd come directly for me, Mystogan."

"There is still time for you to stop this, Laxus," Mystogan began, the smirk on Laxus' face being wiped away as fast as it had appeared. "I'm sure if you put an end to all of this now, the Master will be lenient with you-."

"You weren't here when I made my little announcement, so I'll give you a little recap," Laxus shot back in response, as he rose to his feet. "As of two hours ago, I'm making a bid for Fourth Master. This little game is designed to weed out the weak and feeble trash that the old man let wash through our doors over the years, so I can kick them out, leaving only the strongest where they belong!"

"I had heard tales of your descent into ruthlessness on my travels… Yet, standing before you now, I can't even begin to compare you to the man you once were, Laxus," Mystogan sighed, with Laxus sneering in response. "As a Mage who passed the S Class Promotion Trials, you should understand what defines true strength Laxus? Or have you perhaps forgotten those important lessons?"

"Oh, I haven't forgotten a single damn thing from those trials," Laxus sneered in response. "I've just come to realize just how flawed that way of thinking really is!"

"Be that the case or not, your change in ideals should hold no sway over the Guild at large," Mystogan countered evenly. "Fairy Tail is not, and will never be, yours to change. The ideals you have gained will not cow those of the First Master, and the founders who created this Guild. And, should you not be capable of accepting that truth, then you should consider leaving the Guild, and find one better suited for you?"

"Leave the Guild? Why the hell would I do that," Laxus scoffed in response. "This Guild is mine; my Great Grandfather was one of the founders, and that makes ME a prime candidate over what to do with it! And face it, times have changed, and the ideals of weakness can't keep up in the modern world! I'll take the reins of this embarrassment, and forge it into the power it was always meant to be!"

"I must admit, hearing such things from you pains me," Mystogan sighed sadly. "After everything the Guild has done for you, you would turn on them so viciously? Not to mention all that Master Makarov has done for you as well, yet you would throw his generosity back into his face?"

"I couldn't care less what the old man thinks," Laxus growled, as the sparks around the Cathedral began to flare up once more. "Don't think you can guilt trip me Mystogan …"

"This has gone too far for me to resort to such methods," Mystogan replied, as his arms tensed. "What you are doing is eerily similar to the actions of your Father, Ivan-!"

Before Mystogan even had a chance to finish, Laxus had extended his right hand, and fired a bolt of lightning in Mystogan's direction. The S Class Mage, in turn, had already reached for a staff, well before Laxus had even moved more than an inch to attack, firing back a light purple beam of pure Magical energy in response.

The two attacks clashed, fighting against one another for a mere moment, before setting off a powerful explosion that produced a shock-wave that shattered every window in the Cathedral.

Mystogan narrowed his eyes at Laxus, the man no longer wearing his coat,now down to his purple dress shirt. His eyes were clearly conveying how angry the statement he never was able to finish made him, and he then conveyed that anger verbally.

"You keep him out of this Mystogan, or I'll show you what TRUE power feels like," Laxus hissed, as both Mages took several steps backward. "Then again, it isn't like I'm the only one with baggage, is it? After all, a face like yours would certainly raise questions now wouldn't it, J-!?"

This time, Mystogan had attacked first, though Laxus was already moving by the time it had begun.

"Two Layered Magic Circle – Sonic Blast!"

Firing a solid blast of light purple Magic at Laxus, the larger man surprisingly spun around the attack with ease, a solid bolt of lightning forming in his right hand that he threw at Mystogan once his spin was concluded.

Mystogan arched out of the way of the attack, watching as it sailed over him, and smashed into one of the nearby pillars, causing a sizeable explosion. Righting himself, Mystogan assumed a defensive stance, as Laxus shot a smug grin in his direction.

"Well now, that got a real reaction out of you, didn't it," the larger man chuckled darkly, as their eyes met. "To think that the great Mystogan has the ability to panic after all? How interesting!"

"Where did you learn that information," Mystogan asked, his tone dropping an octave, as Laxus clicked his tongue in response.

"Funny, I can't quite remember," came the teasing response. "Though, I suppose that I'll give it up, if you manage to beat me, eh?"

Mystogan narrowed his eyes before sighing, lowering his staff as a powerful Magical pressure settled all around Kardia Cathedral. Laxus' eyes widened in a mixture of shock and excitement, as the shrouded S Class Mage responded.

"You will regret this, Laxus."

"Is that so?"

"Since you refuse to stop this madness, and are threatening the Guild, I have no choice but to face you," Mystogan began, as the staff in his hand lit up a faint blue. "But be warned, you are about to face Magic the likes of which you've never faced before!"

Mystogan slammed the end of his staff into the ground, hard enough to embed it into the stone, as Laxus chuckled, whilst entering a defensive stance.

"Ooh, how scary! Give me your best shot by all means buddy," Laxus taunted, his facial expression morphing into one of pure rage. "But don't even think of looking down on me just because you use some obscure Magic … I'll show you the difference between us, and the oceans' worth of a gap in power you've failed to account for!"

"Is that so?"

Laxus' eyes widened as an explosion went off at his feet, the sheer level of power behind it enough to embed him into the roof, as he glared down at Mystogan's position.

"One Layered Magic Circle – Mine Glyph!"

"You cheeky shit-!"

Mystogan pointed his staff at Laxus, two Magic Circles forming around the tip, as a much larger third one manifested in front of Mystogan himself.

"Three Layered Magic Circle – Vanity Missile!"

A solid blast of light-purple Magic was fired directly at Laxus, who grinned sadistically in response. His laughter being was the last thing Mystogan saw, right as the other S Class Mage's position was struck by his attack.

The attack blew open a massive hole in the Cathedral, the entire area shaking violently, as a good section of the roof supports snapped from the strain causing, much of it to begin collapsing.

"How exciting! To think you'd actually go so far, Mystogan," Laxus cried out in excitement, as he reappeared in a flash of lightning at the far end of the room, his hands pulsing with lightning, prompting Mystogan to immediately enter a defensive stance. Lightning Magic – Lightning Shower!"

Laxus laughed, as dozens upon dozens of lightning bolts were produced from the palms of his hands, fired directly at Mystogan, who was clearly surprised at the man's attack. Nevertheless, he was already moving to counter them, the moment Laxus had begun his attack. The three Magic Circles he'd produced earlier had ceased to move, before beginning to rotate in the opposite direction.

"Three Layered Magic Circle – Mirror Water!"

Laxus' attack crashed into Mystogan's own, before being reflected back at the blonde, who only laughed harder in response. His laughter was short lived, however, as several stones around him morphed into dark purple lances, and shot into his position.

"What-!?"

"One Layered Magic Circle – Morph Alter!"

To Mystogan's surprise, Laxus' entire body turned into pure lightning, right as he was about to be impaled by his attack, slipping through, before reappearing nearby with his lower half still transformed.

"So, that's how he does it," Mystogan mused, as Laxus made several swift motions with his hands. "He can turn his entire being into pure lightning …"

"HAHAHAHA! GOOD, VERY GOOD MYSTOGAN," Laxus jeered, as massive bolts of lightning from his lower half ripped through the Cathedral. "Don't hold back, use everything you've got! Lightning Magic – Lightning Rush!"

Mystogan was caught off guard as Laxus vanished, suddenly reappearing right in front of him, before smashing him in the face with a blow of ordinarily lethal volts that any lesser Mage would have died from. Crashing into the back wall before falling to his knees on the ground below, Mystogan winced, as Laxus reappeared nearby.

"So, how was it? Do you understand your place in the pecking order yet, Mystogan!?"

"You are certainly strong, Laxus," Mystogan muttered, as he steadily rose to his feet, the grin on Laxus' face growing wider as he did. "But …"

Laxus felt a shift in the air above him, and looked upward, only to gape in shock at five Magic Circles situated above his position. Snapping his attention back toward Mystogan, he was shocked to see the man aiming a staff in his direction.

"HOW!?"

"All I needed was a moment's contact to land a homing spell that my attack could lock on with," Mystogan replied sharply, as his staff was enveloped with a light-purple aura. "I've had these prepared since before we began!"

"Heh! Seems the reports of your intelligence weren't exaggerated," Laxus replied with mock-praise, before clenching his fists as his entire body began to release sparks. "Come on then!"

"Five Layered Magic Circle – Sacred Song!"

Laxus grunted as a massive blast of Magic smashed into him, the attack setting off a massive explosion that shook the entire Cathedral to its core. Mystogan knew, however, that it wouldn't be enough to take down the man, his still standing shadow within the attack not even budging, despite the raw power being slammed into him.

"It seems it wasn't enough," Mystogan sighed, his attack ceasing to reveal Laxus, still standing there with the same grin as before.

"You get it now, Mystogan? No one in this Guild is stronger than me," Laxus said, as he rose back to his full height. "But it seems people still aren't quite getting the message, so I'm gonna change that."

"You cannot change the minds of those who refuse to believe Laxus," Mystogan replied, only for Laxus to chuckle darkly in response.

"Then I'll MAKE them believe it," Laxus spat as he clenched both his fists, lightning exploding from his body, as an unbelievable amount of power came down upon the entire town.

"Laxus, what are you doing!?"

"I'm showing the entire town the future," Laxus roared, as Mystogan looked out one of the holes in the Cathedral only to gasp in genuine shock. "FAIRY TAIL IS MINE!"

"This is madness, Laxus," Mystogan replied sharply, turning his attention back to the larger man, who only laughed maniacally in response. "The Magic Council will have you for this if you go through with it!"

"I don't fear the Council, nor anyone else," Laxus snapped in response. "They're all weak, forced to rely on numbers to win! MY POWER IS MY OWN, AND IT WILL FORGE A NEW FAIRY TAIL! A FAIRY TAIL THAT'LL TAKE THIS COUNTRY BY STORM-!"

"Laxus, that's enough!"

Interrupted before he could finish his speech, Laxus snapped his attention to the entrance of the Cathedral, and narrowed his eyes at the doorway. Standing there, with a deep frown on his face, was Natsu. Gajeel was at his side, with the latter clearly shocked at what he was doing.

"And just what do you think you're doing here," Laxus growled, as the sparks around his body died down. "And with that piece of trash with you!?"

"Gajeel is here because I asked him to be," Natsu replied evenly, as both he and Gajeel entered the Cathedral. "You know why I've come Laxus, let's not play any games today."

Natsu and Mystogan looked toward one another, before sharing a brief nod. It was one that didn't go unnoticed by Laxus, who grit his teeth in anger. The blonde knew that with Natsu's arrival, Mystogan would leave, and it ruined his fun.

"I'm glad you got here Natsu," Mystogan said softly, as he motioned outside. "This is certainly spiraling out of control."

"I'll say," Natsu replied, before shooting a glare directly at Laxus. "What the hell do you think you're playing at Laxus? Call off the Thunder Palace, right now!"

"What am I playing at? What the hell do you think you're playing at, entertaining the idea that you can tell ME what to do," Laxus snarled in response. "I've just about had it with that cocky attitude of yours Natsu! Ever since you got back, you've been pissing me off!"

"And that's my problem why?"

"You don't get it, do you!? You break one of the strictest rules in the Guild, disappear for a decade, yet come back and get given S Class right off the bat," Laxus snapped back furiously. "The old man has lost it, there's no way you should've been able to do what you've done and still be in the Guild!? And yet, he rewarded you for it!"

"You think what gramps did was a reward," Natsu replied icily, as he met Laxus' glare with a look that had the blonde actually taking a subconscious step backward. "You have no idea what I went through over the time I was away! Not a fucking clue to the amount of pain and suffering I endured to get back here!"

"Even if that's true, it doesn't change the fact that you should've been kicked out for what you did," Laxus replied in a slightly subdued tone. "Face it, the old man has gone soft, and the Guild is suffering for it! Just look at the whole Phantom incident and tell me that would've happened if he wasn't weak!?"

"The incident with Jose and Phantom was inevitable," Natsu replied, as he glanced a look at Gajeel, who looked understandably uncomfortable with the current topic. "Jose had a personal grudge against the Guild, and was gonna use everything he had to take us all out. He used his Guild as a weapon against us, and ultimately lost, leaving us to teach the members of his Guild who want to change, the right way to do things."

"Teach them? What, you mean like this bastard," Laxus snapped back, as he waved his arm in Gajeel's direction. "How can you just stand there and want to help the guy who trashed out Guild Hall!? Made us look WEAK!?"

"What Gajeel did was terrible, I won't deny that," Natsu began, before looking to the fellow Slayer with a slight smile. "However, that doesn't mean I'm going to hold it against him if he's willing to change."

"Salamander …"

"He swallowed his pride and asked gramps to join, the first step on the road to redemption," Natsu continued, as Laxus sneered in disgust at his words. "Gajeel and Juvia aren't bad people, they've just been manipulated by someone who was truly evil to strike at us Laxus! The sooner you realise that, the sooner you'll see that they aren't so different from you or I-."

"Those Phantom scum are nothing like me," Laxus roared, as his body released a torrent of sparks in Natsu's general direction. "THEY'RE BENEATH ME!"

The sparks struck Natsu's Crash Barrier, shattering instantly, much to the surprise of Laxus, who hadn't considered his Crash Magic as a factor. Mystogan looked between Natsu and Laxus, before humming in understanding.

"It appears you will have this situation well in hand, Natsu."

"Yeah, thanks for fighting him until I got here Mystogan," Natsu replied thankfully. "Can you head back to the Guild Hall; gramps might need your help, since his heart is acting up."

"I'll head there right away, but remember Natsu-."

"The Thunder Palace, I know," Natsu sighed. "I'll be careful."

"That is all I ask," Mystogan replied, before fading away in a swirl of Mist.

"Seems even Mystogan is content with helping weaklings," Laxus sighed with a shake of his head. "And here I thought there was something to him? But I suppose he's had enough time to be ruined by you lot."

"That weakling you're referring to, is helping is your own Grandfather, Laxus," Natsu snapped in response. "Show him some damn respect!"

"I respect those who deserve my respect, and none of you deserve it," Laxus countered venomously. "The Guild is mostly full of weaklings, and those who are actually strong are either lazy, or too scared to use their power! It makes me fucking sick every time I go into that place, seeing you all lying around like garbage!"

"You really are delusional Laxus if you truly think power is the only thing that matters? Even if we were to adopt your idea that strength should determine who gets to be the Guild Master, you wouldn't even qualify!"

"How do you figure that one, enlighten me!?"

"Gramps is stronger than you, that's an undeniable fact. Gildarts would tear you apart without even trying, Eliza would rip you apart faster than Gildarts if you pissed her off, and they're all stronger than me. So, if you're weaker than me, then where does that leave you?"

"I must have misheard you; it sounded like you just said that I was weaker than you," Laxus replied through grit teeth.

"Because you are," was his simple response, one that had the blonde visibly shaking. "Like it or not Laxus, my being stronger than you is just a simple fact. I spent years training and fighting under some of the harshest conditions in the known world. I was trained by Gildarts, the strongest person in the Guild, if you don't count Eliza, and have fought against a Grand Wizard and TWO Wizard Saints!"

"You'd better watch your mouth before I shut it for you," Laxus muttered darkly, only for the Dragon Slayer to continue.

"I've spent a decade constantly honing my power against some of the strongest, Meanwhile, what have you done with that same time, Laxus? Aside from turning against your own, you wander around with the Thunder Legion, refusing to help anyone but yourself!"

Lightning began to surge throughout the cathedral, as Laxus prepared to attack Natsu. His rage was now at its peak, as the pink-haired Slayer looked over his shoulder toward Gajeel.

"I want you to watch this fight Gajeel," Natsu muttered, as he vanished his jacket and shirt into his Requip Space, revealing his scarred upper body to the Iron Dragon Slayer. "If you take my advice, this is what you could become …"

"You think you're so great just because you did a bit of training with Gildarts, don't you!? Well, I've got news for you Natsu, you aren't shit to me," Laxus roared, as he slowly lifted up off of the ground, as his lower body transformed into pure lightning. "You're nothing but a rotten little punk who got a few too many bright ideas in his head … And I'm gonna bring all of em crashing back down to reality!"

Laxus disappeared in a flash, surprising Gajeel. He was suddenly pushed back by a powerful shock-wave however. And, as he looked forward, he could only gape in shock.

"What …"

Natsu had moved several feet in the blink of an eye, a blazing foot striking a shocked Laxus directly in the chest.

"Fire Dragon's Talon," Natsu said, right as Laxus vanished, and smashed into the back wall of the Cathedral. "No games this time Laxus. I was already in a bad mood, but you've actually pissed me off."

"What the fuck is this," Laxus gasped as he coughed up blood, whilst ripping himself free from the wall. "How did you do that!?"

"I told you just before Laxus, you're not as strong as you think you are," Natsu replied, as the blonde grit his teeth in frustration, before sighing and shaking his head.

"I guess I'll have to admit that you aren't exactly a weakling," the blonde conceded, before beginning to generate a massive amount of power that had Natsu raising an eyebrow in surprise. "But don't think something so absurd as me being weaker!"

Laxus' body began to expand, his purple dress shirt being ripped to shreds as his muscle mass almost doubled in size, exposing his entire upper body. The blonde grinned, as scales began to form across his arms and chest, whilst his canines lengthened slightly to signify his more feral appearance.

"Hold up a minute, no fucking way," Gajeel hissed, as Laxus laughed mockingly in his direction.

"Oh, I bet you'd hate seeing this, wouldn't you, Phantom scum," Laxus jeered, as he looked toward Natsu, who was only mildly impressed, if the look on his face was anything to go by. "So, what do you think now!?"

"A Second-Generation Dragon Slayer," Natsu hummed in response as he crossed his arms. "You're acting as if this is news to me?"

"So, you knew all along, huh?"

"The nose of a Dragon can always identify another, Laxus," came the blunt reply. "That's the first thing I learnt from Igneel. Though, I will admit, I'm surprised you can use the Dragon Force. The surprise starts, and ends, there though."

This clearly wasn't the answer Laxus was looking for, a momentary look of shock quickly morphing into one of seething anger, as he clenched his fists, lightning spraying out of his body as the larger man struggled to hold himself back.

"And just what the hell is that supposed to mean!?"

"You can use the Dragon Force, impressive. But you wouldn't have had to work hard to achieve it compared to me. Therefore, that makes it a far weaker variant than mine overall."

"You little shit-!"

"I'm well aware of how Second-Generation Slayers work, Laxus. I know that you have a Lightning Lacrima infused into your body, which grants you the power of a Lightning Dragon," Natsu explained, before turning toward Gajeel. "Thing is though, by default, a Second-Generation Slayer doesn't have the raw potential a First does, simply because they weren't trained by a Dragon. Elise is in a similar situation, where she's a First-Generation God Slayer. Her potential is greater than any Second-Generation God Slayer you'll see running around."

"But blondie is still stupidly strong though," Gajeel countered, with Natsu nodding in agreement.

"He is, but that's the Lacrima infusion at work. He's received the bulk of the power upfront, with stunted potential growth. His own power can grow, but his Slayer abilities have an apex that he can't ever surpass."

"I'll show you who's the stronger one here," Laxus growled, as he smashed a pillar next to him to dust with a single backhand. "You think I'm just gonna stand here as you talk shit about my power!?"

"I'm not talking shit, it's just a fact," Natsu replied casually, as he began releasing his own power. "Watch closely Gajeel, and you'll see what I mean…"

As scales began to cover Natsu's own form, Gajeel could immediately sense the difference between the pair. Laxus was an absolute monster thanks to the power of the Dragon Force. Natsu on the other hand, was something else entirely.

"It's time to show you the place where you belong," Laxus growled, as lightning struck behind him, followed by several more, to form a Dragon made of solid lightning. "Hope you like the dirt Natsu, because that's all you'll be able to taste once I'm done with you!"

"I don't think so Laxus," Natsu replied firmly, as fire exploded from his form, the temperature of the room increasing sharply and forcing Gajeel to back away in shock. "If gramps isn't willing to smack some sense into that thick head of yours, then I will!"

Behind Natsu a massive Dragon made of solid crimson fire had formed. It was present for but a brief moment, before vanishing, as Natsu and Laxus charged toward one another. Both men yelled as they clenched their left fists, adjusting their bodies, before delivering brutal shoulder-charges against one another. Their heads collided with enough force to crack the ground beneath them, as fire and lightning ripped the area apart.

Both Natsu and Laxus grunted as they hit each other, before pushing each other away with enough force to send the pair skidding backward. Laxus was already moving, however, taking two sprinting steps to the left, before vanishing in a flash of lightning.

Spinning around with his leg ignited, Natsu narrowly missed Laxus, who had pulled back at the last moment, before unleashing a swift series of flame enhanced blows to the blonde's chest.

Laxus winced, but endured the rapid series of hits. After taking a dozen, his right arm shot out and grabbed Natsu's wrist, jerking him toward the blonde, who had already prepared an attack with his left.

"Lightning Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Striking Natsu across the jaw, Laxus was shocked that Natsu hadn't been sent reeling by the attack. He was shocked further, when he began to feel resistance pushing back against his attack.

"You call that a punch," Natsu growled, as Laxus' fist was pushed right back. "This is a punch! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

This time, it was Laxus who was struck in the head. The shock on his face spoke volumes, as he had neither expected the attack to bear such power, nor for it to outclass his own by such a wide margin.

After several moments, Natsu's attack exploded, sending Laxus flying across the Cathedral where his body turned into lightning, and he shot up into what remained of the ceiling, before quickly reforming. Now standing atop one of the pillars, Laxus opened his arms up wide, as they shifted back into lightning, sparks shooting out in all directions.

"Let's see how you handle this," Laxus snapped. "Lightning Dragon's Lightning Storm!"

A resounding bang echoed across central Magnolia, shattering most windows in the area, as massive lightning bolts erupted from Laxus' arms, instantly striking Natsu's position, as the pink-haired Slayer expertly dodged at the last moment.

Sprinting off to the right, the attacks simply followed his direction. The thunderous booms accompanying them were messing with his hearing, however, forcing him to rely on his other senses. Eventually however, he managed to reach a considerable distance from Laxus, and began charging up his own attack in turn, both his hands becoming coated in crimson flame.

'As long as this doesn't go beyond the Cathedral, then it should be fine to use,' Natsu thought to himself as he weighed the options of his attack. "Fire Dragon King's Quaking Nova!"

Spinning around with a rapidly growing sphere of flame in-between his hands, it got to around Natsu's size, before the Dragon Slayer threw it at Laxus' position. Laxus redirected his own attack to fire at Natsu's attack, but was shocked to see it simply being blasted into cubes.

"Crash Magic," Laxus hissed, as the attack drew closer. "You little shit!"

"Still think I'm messing around Laxus," Natsu asked in reply, as Laxus was forced to cease his attack. His entire form converted itself into lightning, and shot off to the right, just as Natsu's attack smashed into his former position.

Making a closing motion with his right hand, Natsu's attack detonated before it could escape the inside of the Cathedral, setting off a massive explosion. His attack shook a good portion of Magnolia, kicking up winds so powerful that it even knocked Laxus out of his lightning form.

"You getting it through that thick skull of yours yet, Laxus," Natsu continued, as he slowly advanced toward the blonde who was on his knees. "Call off the Thunder Palace and surrender, and I'll make sure gramps is lenient-."

"You think this is enough to put me down," Laxus growled, as power exploded from his form, prompting Natsu to cease moving toward the man, and instead assuming a defensive stance. "All you people ever do is look down on me … WELL NOT ANYMORE!"

Launching himself toward Natsu, his fist was surrounded by lightning that quickly formed a much larger version of itself. To Natsu's surprise, a yellow Magic Circle appeared in front of Laxus, as he threw the punch at the air before him.

"Lightning Dragon's Breakdown Fist!"

The attack coating Laxus' fist traveled through the Magic Circle, quadrupling in size, so that it was now the size of the inner Cathedral itself. This left Natsu no room for evasion, despite the pink-haired Slayer standing his ground.

"Crash Barrier!"

Pumping the barrier around his body up, a thin yet visible bubble was erected around Natsu's form, right as Laxus' attack crashed into him. The sheer power behind Laxus' attack had Natsu and his barrier skidding right back toward the edge of the room, until he was blasted out onto the main street.

The barrier absorbed the brunt of the damage, however, Laxus' attack wasn't over yet. Once it burst through the front of Kardia Cathedral, it then exploded, shattering Natsu's Crash Barrier, and striking him with countless miniature lightning strikes that tore the ground around him to pieces.

Many who had been crowding around the Cathedral perimeter were shocked to see the attack Natsu had just been struck with. The illusion of this being something harmless was now firmly shattered in the minds of the citizens.

However, there were also many Mages from Fairy Tail present, and they were less than pleased with what they'd seen.

"I've got to admit it to you, I can't call you weak anymore," Laxus chuckled, as he appeared on the roof of the Cathedral, the same smug grin as earlier plastered on his face. "To endure that attack, you'd have to be made of something else!"

"I assure you, Laxus, I've definitely taken worse," Natsu muttered, as the smoke cleared to reveal his slightly damaged form. "And I'll admit, taking out a Crash Barrier definitely wasn't something I expected from you, even if it was only at quarter strength."

"Seems you still need a few more blows before you realize your place," Laxus shot back, as both Mages began to power up again. "Hope you stop holding back, because this next one's gonna hurt!"

Laxus leapt off of the roof and began charging toward Natsu's position. However, Natsu suddenly shot toward Laxus, fire exploding from his right fist, as everyone nearby ran for cover from the searing heat it produced.

"What the-!?"

"Fire Dragon King's Demolition Fist!"

Laxus had no chance to counter, as the pair were both mid jump, and was forced to try and block the massive fist made of crimson fire that smashed into him. Subsequently, he was blasted back up onto the roof, landing atop one of the few remaining spots where the roof hadn't collapsed, with Natsu landing nearby.

"What kind of attack was that," Laxus spat as he rolled onto his front, wiping some blood from his face before looking directly up at Natsu with a scowl. "That was as good as my Breakdown Fist!?"

"Is it really that hard for you to believe that I'm strong Laxus," Natsu sighed with a shake of his head. "For every attack you have, I guarantee you that I've got something just as dangerous. That being said though, we can't take this too far, or we'll risk the town."

"You think I care about them," Laxus snapped in response, as he slowly rose to his feet. "I don't care what happens! No one is gonna stop me from taking control over this Guild, not even you!"

"Then like I said earlier, you'll have to learn the hard way," Natsu replied evenly, as Laxus' scowl deepened.

"You talk a big game, Natsu… But let's see if you're still cocky after I hit you with THIS," Laxus roared, as he arched his neck back, sparks escaping from his mouth, with Natsu instantly doing the same.

"Lightning Dragon's Roar!"

"Fire Dragon King's Roar!"

Initially confident, it was immediately replaced by shock, as Laxus' attack was dwarfed by Natsu's own. The two attacks collided, with Laxus' only capable of pushing back for a mere moment, before being blasted apart.

"No way-!?"

Dropping right as the attack was about to approach, Laxus converted his body to lightning and slipped around the attack, before appearing right in front of Natsu with both his arms held above his head.

"LET'S SEE HOW YOU HANDLE THIS, NATSU," Laxus roared, as a powerful rumbling shook the area. "Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!"

This attack had Natsu immediately on guard, as Laxus threw a massive halberd made from solid lightning at him from near point-blank range. Spinning around on the spot, both arms were coated in fire and orange sparks, as he reached out and grabbed the attack just before it could pierce him.

Almost immediately, he was skidding backward, the tiles of the roof being shredded. He continued to skid backward, until he was firmly clinging on the edge of the roof with all he had.. Many down below were in shock at what they were seeing, and this is the scene that Erza arrived to witness.

"NATSU!"

This momentary distraction was enough for his grip to weaken for the briefest of moments. That one instant was enough for the tip to pierce his chest, as Natsu felt the volts tear through his body. Any further, and he could very well die from the sheer lethality of the volts alone.

"Hah! Guess this proves just how weak you really are Natsu," Laxus taunted from behind his attack. "All that talk about being stronger than me got you exactly what you deserve!"

"Call off … your attack … Laxus," Natsu ground out, as he grit his teeth defiantly. "Last chance…!"

"Last chance!? You think you're in any position to say something like that you little shit," Laxus roared back, as he spat on the ground in front of him. "That's all I've got to say that pile of shit you just said!"

Instead of a response, Natsu's expression shifted even more, as his grip on Laxus' attack tightened. Within moments, his attack started to show signs of cracking, as Natsu funneled an enormous amount of Crash Magic into it, shocking the blonde, as he took several steps backward.

"No way … THERE'S NO WAY!?"

Laxus' attack shattered into cubes, Natsu already advancing toward the stunned blonde. His left hand ignited with crimson flame, and the right surrounded itself with orange sparks. Extending his right hand out to his side, he began commanding his Crash Magic, as Laxus began to move.

Converting his lower half into lightning, he started to move backward. However, by that point, it was already too late, as he was slugged across the face and sent crashing through one of the Cathedral towers.

Flying out the other side, Laxus didn't even have the time to fall, as Natsu advanced upon him, the shattered remains of his own attack floating behind him. Watching as Natsu clenched his right hand above his head, Laxus was stunned to see Natsu reform his Heavenward Halberd, before quickly realizing the situation he was in.

"Wait a sec-!"

Receiving a blow to the chest that knocked him out of the sky and down toward the main street below, Laxus was suddenly pierced through the chest by his own attack, as the entirety of the town watched on in shock.

Striking the ground with enough force to knock everyone off their feet, Laxus was left within a sizeable crater, impaled on his own attack, as he cried out in pain. His cries turned into angered roars, however, as he saw Natsu land at the crater's edge with a blank expression, the pain within his chest overridden with anger.

"YOU THINK THIS IS ENOUGH TO BEAT ME," the blonde roared, as he extended his right hand up to the skies. "I'LL SHOW YOU ALL … MY TRUE POWER!"

Natsu's attention immediately shot upward, along with that of everyone else, as Laxus activated the Thunder Palace. The dozens of Lacrima surrounding the city lit up the skies so brightly, that many quickly averted their gaze.

To those that didn't, however, they noticed something off about it. The Lacrima fired large beams of lightning, but not down toward the city. Instead, all the Lacrima seemed to fire toward a central point, where it began to pool into a rapidly growing sphere of destructive energy.

"Natsu," Erza shouted through the rapidly rising chaos. "You have to stop Laxus right now! He's not going to use the Thunder Palace on Magnolia! He's-!"

"You're too late Erza," Laxus laughed, as he managed to rip the Heavenward Halberd out of himself and dispel it, rising into a sitting position. "I WIN!"

Beneath the massive pool of power formed a giant yellow colored Magic Circle. It began spinning rapidly toward the right, as a second one of equal size formed beneath that, and began spinning to the left. Both then tilted on a slight angle to face Natsu directly.

"Let's see you survive this you little bastard," Laxus laughed maniacally. "Thunder Dragon's Zeus Cannon!"

The moment the colossal attack was fired, everyone, save for the strongest, were knocked down by a powerful sonic blast. As for Natsu himself, he was already preparing himself to block the attack, as he held both his hands out to his right, conjuring two orange colored Magic Circles around his hands.

"You've gone way too far this time Laxus," Natsu snarled, as fire escaped through his grit teeth. "Erza!"

"Y-Yes Natsu!?"

"Find Eliza! I need both of you to take out those Lacrima," Natsu barked out, before looking directly up at the colossal blast heading toward him. "I can't hold something this big off for long, so hurry!"

Erza didn't even respond, knowing full well what to do, as she vanished in a burst of speed to find Eliza, leaving Natsu to face down the incoming attack.

"I can't use this kind of Crash Magic properly yet when I combine it with my Dragon Slaying abilities … But maybe separating it will help," Natsu hissed, as he moved his hands up to face the incoming attack, projecting both the orange-colored Magic Circles in front of him before taking a deep breath. "Fire Dragon King's Reverberating Roar!"

Firing out an impressive attack, it was only half the size of the Zeus Cannon. That being said, however, it easily passed through the two Magic Circles filled to the brim with potent Crash Magic, which meant that at the very least, it was still capable of barely matching it.

As the two attacks collided, it almost halted the Zeus Cannon in place. However, it was clear to everyone, that Laxus' trump card was slowly but surely gaining ground.

"You really are a cocky bastard if you think you can stop it," Laxus coughed, as he slowly got out of the crater. "This attack has over a decade's worth of my power stored in it; you don't stand a chance!"

He couldn't exactly refute Laxus' words, even if he wanted to. Whilst he was clearly stronger than Laxus by a considerable margin if one were to put the pair against each other in a no holds barred fight. The full might of the Thunder Palace, was another story entirely.

'Even Gildarts might've had trouble with this,' Natsu thought to himself, as he felt the ground beneath him crack, his feet sinking into the stone pavement as a stark reminder of the lethal attack he was currently fending off. 'I hope Erza finds Eliza and they take out those Lacrima soon … I don't know how long I can hold this back!'

***POTD***

Erza flew through the city streets, a maddened gleam in her eyes, as she rushed to find Eliza. She couldn't recall the last time she'd moved with such haste. And yet, she knew deep down that, should she falter for even a moment, Natsu, and by extension, most of the city, would pay the price.

"Damn it… Where the hell are you, Eliza!?"

"Come now Erza dear? Surely you know by now that you need not shout for me," Eliza called back, as she lazily strolled out from a side alley. "I would ask what has you in such a frantic mess, however, I feel like doing so would be a complete waste of time, all things considered…"

"Look, Eliza, can we please save the wordplay for later," Erza huffed, as she spun around and pointed at the lightning ray of death bearing down upon Magnolia. "I really need your help in taking that out!"

"It seems Natsu allowed his feelings to get in the way of knocking that Laxus fellow out of the game quickly," Eliza mused, as she ran a hand through her long, silky black hair. "Quite the impressive feat of power though, holding back such an attack, I must say. Even if it is ultimately futile..."

"So, does that mean you'll help," Erza asked quickly, practically bouncing on her feet in a mixture of worry and frustration, as the Goddess' gaze snapped toward her.

"Why?"

"Wh-What do you mean 'WHY,' Eliza!?"

"Why should I help?"

"Wh-Bu-I-Ah-!?"

"This mess could have been entirely avoided if Natsu had just attacked Laxus with his full strength… With the intent of critically injuring, maiming or even killing him," Eliza continued, speaking over the stuttering, and utterly gobsmacked Erza. "This mess is one entirely of his making. I saw the whole thing."

"B-But he'll die if you don't help!?"

"Perhaps he will? But, such is life," Eliza replied with a shrug. "A man such as him, a specimen of one of the greatest conflicts ever crafted upon this world, should have known far better when dealing with Laxus. This potential death scenario is one entirely of his own making."

"How can you say that," Erza muttered in sheer disbelief. "Don't you care at all!?"

"In the grand scheme of things … I can't really see it, no."

Erza could only stare at the woman, no, the being before her, unable to even begin forming a response. Surrounding herself with a bright golden light, Erza Requiped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor, and shot the Goddess a dark glare.

"After all the things we've done together, I thought I could rely upon you," Erza said coldly, as she turned around and floated up into the sky. "I know that if it were Elise, she'd have helped in a heartbeat. Unlike you, she's not the kind of person to abandon their friends."

"…"

"I wish you were the one in the coma, and Elise were here. She's far better than you'll ever be," Erza spat, as she flew off and landed on a nearby rooftop.

Landing with an audible thud, she took a moment to recollect her thoughts, as she steeled herself for the arduous task to come. Without Eliza's support, she had no choice but to try and destroy the Lacrima on her own.

"Knowing the way Laxus thinks, there's no doubt that he's placed some kind of trap on these things in the event that they're destroyed," Erza mused aloud, as she grit her teeth. "Regardless, I can't let that stop me!"

Multiple flashes went off around her, as Erza started summoning dozens of weapons around her. She quickly pushed the summoned weapons out in order to make space for even more of them to be summoned. With each individual weapon summoned, a bit of her reserves were drained, yet she knew she needed at least a hundred separate weapons in order to take out all the Lacrima in one go.

After summoning over forty, she felt the strain on her core and winced, magical exhaustion settling in. And yet, she refused to budge, as she quickly pumped out twenty more in a matter of moments.

"This is … rough," Erza huffed, as she summoned another five. "Really rough!"

Looking over toward the clash between the Zeus Cannon and Natsu's attack, Erza steeled her resolve. Seeing what Natsu was contending with, she grit her teeth, and summoned another twenty weapons even as she dropped to her knees from the strain.

"Just … fifteen … to go," Erza gasped as she summoned another ten, as blood began to trickle down her nose. "If … Natsu has to suffer … then so … do I!"

Defying the odds, Erza managed to summon all one hundred weapons needed to stop the Zeus Cannon, right as she collapsed. Lying face down, everything hurt, and her vision was shaky. And yet, she knew her work wasn't done yet, based solely on this already noteworthy feat of Magic.

"Natsu … needs me," Erza hissed, as she shakily pushed herself up and rose to her knees. "I won't … let him down!"

Rising into a semi-standing position, Erza sent the weapons out into the skies above Magnolia, where they came to rest before a Lacrima. This, however, had her thinking of the potential immediate aftereffects of what she was about to do.

'If I strike these, and Laxus has indeed placed some kind of trap on them, I won't survive it,' Erza thought, as her blurred vision managed to just barely make out Natsu still sustaining his own attack in the distance. 'But even still, I won't let that stop me. It might not be much in comparison to what you're having to deal with, Natsu, but I won't let you down!'

Giving the mental order, all one hundred weapons pierced through the Lacrima at the exact same time. Almost immediately, the Zeus Cannon fizzled out, as Natsu's attack pierced through the massive ball of lightning it had been coming from, setting off a massive explosion high above the city.

As Erza collapsed onto her back, she looked up to see all the destroyed Lacrima had left behind massive lightning bolts. The trap Laxus had set upon them had been activated, and they were all forming into another ball of lightning above her. Despite the seemingly perilous situation she was in, Erza couldn't help but laugh weakly, as she struggled to even stay conscious.

"So, I guess I'm going to die by the Zeus Cannon after all? How ironic …"

Her laughter slowly died, however, as a shadow moved over her immobile form, as a familiar scent hitting her senses, followed by a deep sigh.

"Honestly, you lot truly don't do things by halves, do you?"

"E-Eliza …?"

Stepping over her downed form, was indeed the War Goddess, her piercing red eyes meeting her half lidded own. Though she was clearly being somewhat judgemental of Erza's decision just now, there was something else within the Goddess' gaze that hadn't been there before whenever they'd locked eyes…

Respect.

"We shall discuss this later, when you aren't half unconscious," Eliza answered the unspoken question on Erza's mind, as her attention moved directly upward toward the rapidly massing attack intended for Erza. "Rest assured; I shall handle this."

With those words, Erza fell unconscious, leaving Eliza alone to stare up at the second coming of the Zeus Cannon. Her eye colour shifted from their usual red, to Galaxy Blue. An Aura of pure power coated her entire form as she flew off of the rooftop, to hover high above Erza's unconscious position.

"Honestly," the War Goddess sighed, as she extended her right arm outward, and summoned an Ebony bastard sword that she easily held with one hand. "This reminds me of the old times… Such recklessness!"

Vanishing from place right as the remnants of the Zeus Cannon fired, those who were watching were shocked to see the attack split cleanly in half. The two halves were cut so precisely that they veered off into the empty countryside surrounding Magnolia where they safely exploded.

Eliza reappeared on the rooftop as she dismissed her blade, her Galaxy Blue Aura vanishing as quickly as it had appeared, as the War Goddess looked down at the unconscious Requip Mage.

"You mortals really do know how to get yourselves in the direst of scenarios," Eliza sighed, as she picked up the scarlet-haired Mage. "But still, that's probably why I like you all so much?"

Vanishing from the rooftop, the Battle Of Fairy Tail had reached its apex. The last battle to decide the fate of the Guild was now reaching its climactic finale.

***POTD***

Silence reigned supreme outside Kardia Cathedral. The stunned citizens and Fairy Tail Guild members alike were unable to process what had just happened over the last ten minutes. Even Laxus was stunned, unable to even process what had just happened before his very eyes, as he watched his Thunder Palace be completely destroyed within a matter of moments.

"My Thunder Palace," Laxus muttered to himself, as he looked over toward Natsu, who was clearly tired, but not out of energy just yet. "How did you do that!?"

"See, that's the problem with you Laxus," Natsu sighed tiredly, as he rose back to his full height. "You can't even comprehend that I didn't pull that off by myself?"

"You're lying! I saw you match my Zeus Cannon! You had to have done something!?"

"Erza and Eliza helped me take out the Thunder Palace and stop the Zeus Cannon," Natsu snapped back, clearly frustrated with the blonde. "Stop being a stupid prick and get this through your thick skull! Having friends to rely on isn't a burden!"

"Who needs friends … when I have power," Laxus chuckled maniacally, as he cupped his hands in a familiar stance only Natsu truly knew. "I still have one technique left that'll get you out of my way for good!"

"Fairy Law won't save you Laxus," Natsu said sharply, with the blonde faltering slightly, not having even begun to form the attack. "For one, you don't have the time to form it in the time it'd take for me to kill you. And let me assure you that, if you truly did try and use it to harm the people of Magnolia … I will kill you before you can fully form it."

It was in that moment, Laxus knew, looking into the cold, almost haunted gaze of Natsu, that he was truly beaten. The man before him wasn't a boasting brat who just happened to have a bit of spare power and bravado, he was a warrior.

This was a man who had seen things, done things, killed things… All for allegiance.

"Heh. Guess that's that then," Laxus sighed, though Natsu's unnerving gaze never once faltered, despite his words. "You win."

"…"

"What do you want from me? Some sort of song and dance about how I renounce my wicked ways and return to the light of sunshine and rainbows," Laxus spat bitterly, as he turned his back on Natsu and began to walk away.

"I would think long and hard about what you've done, Laxus," Natsu's voice echoed across the silent street, as many in the crowd parted in fear of the blonde.

"Oh yeah, why's that," the man asked, not turning around in order to avoid that freaky gaze that he knew was still firmly planted onto his back.

"You were a good person once. You someone I actually had a lot of respect for, before that day you put me in the hospital ten years ago." Natsu's voice echoed, as Laxus stopped in place. "Seeing what you've become, how you've somehow managed to fall even lower than that these last ten years … I couldn't be more disgusted with you."

"Is that all?"

"Not even close," Natsu replied firmly, as the blonde started walking away again. "Because at the end of the day, my disgust and disappointment in you is a world away from what your Grandfather is feeling."

Again, Laxus stopped in place. This time, however, he actually turned around, and met Natsu's gaze, which hadn't shifted in the slightest. Although it unnerved him, he refused to back down, even as Natsu continued to speak.

"He loves you more than his own Son, Laxus, and you tore his fucking heart out with what you did today. And for what, huh? For an attempt at getting into the good graces of your Father, a despicable, vile, cowardly, conniving little traitor who tried to assassinate his own Father?"

"…"

"You think your Father is some kind of hero? Someone to look up to? A victim," Natsu asked, each question making the blonde wince, as many of the bystanders looked between one another in confusion. "He loved you more than Ivan, HIS OWN SON, and you threw that love back at him, just like the ungrateful bastard Ivan was!"

"…"

"And now, he's got to repeat history with you Laxus," Natsu continued, the venom clear in his, tone as many looked between the pair worriedly, as if Natsu was going to attack Laxus after he'd surrendered. "All of us love that old man, and I wish, I FUCKING WISH he was my real Grandfather, and yet he's got to deal with an ungrateful bastard like you as his Grandson-!"

"Are you done?"

"Are you going to go back to that Guild Hall and apologize for what you've done," Natsu asked bluntly, as all eyes moved toward Laxus, who didn't really seem to be looking at anything at all, a faraway look in his eyes.

"I'll get there when I'm good and ready," came the almost robotic reply, as the blonde turned around slowly and walked off into Magnolia, leaving Natsu to address the crowd at large.

"All right everyone, listen up," he cried, as civilian and Guild Mage alike stood at attention. "First off, an official address from the Fairy Tail Guild regarding this incident will be given tonight instead of the Harvest Festival celebrations as we work with the Mayor to resolve this incident. All Fairy Tail Mages are to return to the Guild Hall immediately! No exceptions! Thank you."

Summoning the rest of the clothes for his upper body, Natsu walked as confidently as he could off in the direction of the Guild Hall, as the talk of the crowd quickly erupted, with none being aware of unique individual amidst their rank that had been watching Natsu intently.

***POTD***

It had taken just a little over two hours for word to spread across Magnolia that Laxus' game had ended, and everyone was meant to return to the Guild Hall. The many Mages of the Fairy Tail Guild stood around in the main hall. The usual, easy-going mood was completely non-existent, as many awaited the address from Makarov that Natsu had announced earlier.

As for Natsu himself, he was currently off in a side room with a rather important individual. This person had arguably more interest in what had transpired throughout the Battle Of Fairy Tail than any other. And, unfortunately for Natsu, it appeared like this person deemed him the representative to speak to.

"So, to be quite clear, the destruction our fair city has endured was all thanks to the machinations of a rogue member of Fairy Tail, correct?"

"As unfortunate as it is to admit such a thing, I'm afraid so," Natsu sighed tiredly, as the elderly man before him stroked his grey beard thoughtfully. "What Laxus and the Thunder Legion have done will most certainly see them face consequences, you have my word on that."

"Oh, I most certainly don't doubt it Natsu," the older man replied with an understanding nod. "As hard as it will no doubt be for Makarov to do what is right and just, I know full well he will do what is necessary. My problem, however, does not lie solely with the actions of these rogue members of Fairy Tail alone, you no doubt know?"

"Yeah … I get it," Natsu sighed, idly wondering if this is how Makarov felt every time details from one of their jobs came back in. "Rest assured that Fairy Tail fully intends to assist in the reconstruction efforts around the town, free of charge, and that our Master and his assistant will discuss appropriate financial compensation with the Treasury at a later date. We fully intend to repay our debts, Mister Mayor."

Mayor Of Magnolia Town

Former Member Of The Fairy Tail Guild

Two-Time Champion Of The Endurance Road Race

Kenta Miyura

"You must understand that it isn't like I want to be the one coming here to ensure you are all aware of the consequences," Mayor Kenta sighed with a shake of his head. "But the Treasury simply does not possess the funding necessary to repair the damage to the town..."

"I understand Sir, believe me, I do. Although I'm not authorized to permit the movement of Guild funds, I can ask that you write up a series of job requests for us, and submit them by tomorrow afternoon," Natsu began as the Mayor scribbled into a notebook he had drawn from his coat pocket. "Don't bother filling out the payment section, and make sure you clearly list the urgency of each job, so that we can get the appropriate people out there as soon as possible."

"I'll have our advisors look into that for you," Mayor Kenta agreed with a stiff nod. "I dare say, however, that the damage to Kardia Cathedral and the Residential District shall be high on the priority list …"

"I'll comp Kardia Cathedral personally if Mystogan and Laxus don't chip in," Natsu replied with a wave of his hand. "The damages surrounding that area lie at our feet. And, although I can't speak for either Mystogan or Laxus, I'll certainly do my part."

"I must say, you aren't quite what I'd imagined," Mayor Kenta muttered, more to himself than to Natsu, who only raised an eyebrow curiously in response. "Forgive me, but the stories of you depict a man more aligned to action than to the art of the tongue … so to speak."

"I get what you mean," Natsu replied with an understanding nod. "Though I am a fighter primarily, I also had diplomacy and debate drilled into me during my time serving the Scarlione Empire. I'll admit though, that it isn't entirely my forte …"

"Not your forte? Nonsense!"

"I prefer action, Sir. Though I'll freely admit that diplomacy certainly has its place," Natsu chuckled softly, as the Mayor hummed in response. "Even the way I'm speaking now isn't how I would normally behave, owed primarily to my harsh tutor, who ensured I wouldn't slip up when my skills were needed."

"Well, I dare say whoever trained you did a fine job Natsu," Mayor Kenta replied brightly, as he gave Natsu a gentle pat on the arm. "In fact, those skills may come in handy for where life shall most likely take you moving forward from today!"

Natsu was about to respond, only for Mayor Kenta to remove a letter from his coat pocket and hand it to Natsu, who took it hesitantly. Looking between the letter and the Mayor, the older man could only chuckle.

"People can say what they want about you Fairy Tail Mages, but you've all got heart," Kenta beamed with pride, as Natsu's eyes widened at the familiar seal on the front of the letter. "I'll leave you to discuss this with Makarov."

"Wh-When did you get this!?"

"The letter came through yesterday afternoon, straight from Era," Mayor Kenta replied easily. "I was planning on coming over earlier to give it to Makarov. However, it seems circumstances had their way with things, as they so often do. Though, we got there in the end, didn't we!?"

"…"

"For what it's worth young man, I truly do believe that you should accept this offer," the Mayor began, with Natsu's eyes not leaving the letter itself. "You remind me of Makarov and his friends back in their younger days… Truly something special that this town could be proud of..."

"I-Thank you Sir," Natsu stuttered, as he slowly started making his way toward the door. "I'll go see Master Makarov now, if you don't mind?"

"Of course. I trust we'll discuss the rest of this issue at a later date," the Mayor replied with a casual wave of his hand. "Don't let me ruin such a momentous occasion for you!"

"Thank you, Sir," Natsu nodded with a small smile as he left the room, and made his way out into the cacophony that was the main hall. Easily pushing his way through the crowd, he saw Makarov was discussing something with Mira at the bar, and quickly made his way toward them.

"Ah, Natsu," Makarov sighed weakly. "Mira just told me you were discussing the incident with the Mayor?"

"Yeah, I've got the beginnings of something going with him. Although, we'll need to discuss it a bit more later," Natsu replied. "You won't be surprised, but he wants us to fix the damage to the town."

"And your response?"

"Committed Fairy Tail to completing a bunch of jobs free of charge to fix the town, and that you and Mira would discuss the finer details with the Treasury at a later date for repayment costs."

Makarov sighed as he downed his entire mug in one go, Mira's expression not all that different from his own, as all three pondered where to go from there.

"By the way gramps, we need to discuss a few things in private."

"My office then," Makarov replied, with the Dragon Slayer nodding stiffly in response. "Alright then, we'll head on up now."

"Come get us if we're needed Mira," Natsu said, as Mira nodded in reply, looking somewhat out of it. "You alright?"

"I'm fine Natsu, just … tired."

"Hecate?"

"She's not making it hard for me or anything. Actually, it's quite the opposite. No, the transformation just took a lot out of me, is all," Mira sighed as she leaned up against the bar, with both Makarov and Natsu watching the normally cheery barmaid in concern.

"If you want, you can head home and rest Mira? Natsu and I can handle the Guild for today," Makarov offered, with the white-haired girl looking between both men, before nodding gently.

"I assume Elfman is at your house?"

"He's asleep at the moment. Porlyusica has already seen him."

"Then it seems like you should join him, Mira. Gramps and I can handle things here."

"Are you sure Natsu? Isn't Erza still unconscious?"

"She's in the infirmary still with Eliza, and I haven't even gotten that far yet," Natsu replied with a tired sigh. "From what I've been told, it's just Magical Exhaustion, so she just needs rest."

"I might stop by and see her before going home then," Mira sighed, as she moved around to their side of the bar and stopped before Natsu, shooting him a tired smile. "Hecate was really happy to see you again, you know?"

"Don't be surprised if she asks for permission to fight me at some point then," Natsu snorted in amusement, with Mira giggling a little in response. "Knowing my luck, she'll want a no holds barred fight."

"She did mention something to that effect, yeah."

Oh boy," Natsu replied sarcastically. "Well Hecate, I'm gonna be a little bit busy cleaning up after the Guild, so it'll have to wait, I'm afraid?"

"Hecate said that you're just making excuses, but she'll allow it," Mira replied in place of the Demon, with Natsu snickering in response.

"Alright then. I'll graciously accept that, but only if YOU go get some rest Mirajane," Natsu responded, as he motioned toward the open doors.

"Using my full name? Seems like you're serious about this? But don't worry, I will," Mira smiled tiredly, as she started making her way toward the exit, leaving Natsu and Makarov to share a look as they walked up the first flight of stairs, and entered Makarov's office.

Shutting the door, the old man made his way over toward his chair, with Natsu opting to sit directly across from the old man, rather than take a seat on his couch like usual.

"So, what is it," Makarov asked, as Natsu tossed the letter toward the old man, who caught it expertly. "I was wondering when this would arrive?"

"You knew about this?"

"I'm a Wizard Saint myself, remember," Makarov replied, with a look that told Natsu he was an idiot for asking such an obvious question. "Not only that, I'm your Guild Master as well. Of course I knew about it ahead of time, since I voted on it."

"…"

"You don't seem excited," Makarov noted, as he opened the letter and skimmed it, before looking back at Natsu again. "You know, most people who get asked to become a Wizard Saint are usually excited about it?"

"Do you really think me accepting this is a good idea," Natsu asked, as he leaned back in the chair he was in, a thoughtful look on his face. "Yajima said I should think carefully about it? I'll admit, it has been something I thought about on and off, but-!"

"It is a rather weighty responsibility if you actually plan on taking the job seriously," Makarov replied, as he placed the letter down on his desk. "I can't answer if you should accept it or not Natsu, only you can. What I will say, however, is that if I were in your position, I'd accept it."

"Why?"

"Aside from the fact that it's a rather well-paying position, the title alone opens countless doors that would forever remain closed to almost all others in Fiore," Makarov began, as Natsu listened intently to the old man's words. "Look at how handy my title was in saving our hides for killing Jose? Now, imagine if we were both Wizard Saints?"

"So, you want me to take the title just to get away with breaking the law?"

"In a roundabout way of speaking … yes," Makarov replied with a ghost of a smirk that had Natsu wide eyed. "Come now, surely you can understand the benefits of being virtually untouchable by the law?"

"I do, it's just weird hearing you say it, is all," Natsu replied, with a look that had Makarov chuckling softly in response.

"Will you take the position; I'd be rather happy with you if you did?"

"I suppose I'll do it, but mainly because of the freedom it gives me," Natsu replied after several moments of mulling it over.

"Excellent! Then you'll need to get a good night's sleep," Makarov replied happily, as he tapped the letter, as the pair watched it vanish with an audible pop. "We'll both need to head to Era tomorrow, since the induction of a new Wizard Saint requires the presence of all the others."

"Fair enough I guess," Natsu replied, as he looked out the window toward the setting sun. "A lot happened today, didn't it?"

"Indeed it did Natsu… Indeed it did."

"Have you spoken to Laxus yet?"

"I was about to before you came along," Makarov replied, losing his cheer, as the man visibly deflated like a balloon. "It's the last thing on my list for today …"

"I understand gramps, I'll leave you to it then," Natsu sighed, as he turned around and began walking toward the door, only for Makarov to clear his throat. "Yeah?"

"I just wanted to say … I'm glad you didn't hurt Laxus as badly as I thought you would. I know what he had done to Erza and the others angered you, but I'm glad you were still able to give him a chance to surrender."

"I don't doubt that what you're about to tell him will hit harder than anything I did," Natsu replied, without daring to turn back and face the older man. "Good luck, Master."

Opening the door and shutting it just as quickly, not daring to look back at Makarov's expression, Natsu looked down the stairs to see Gajeel awkwardly standing there. In most other scenarios, he'd have made a joke about it, but the current situation had put a clamp on that for the day.

"You doing alright Blacksteel?"

"You're a friggin monster… Anyone ever tell you that?"

"Not really the greatest way to open up a conversation Blacksteel, is it? But, luckily for you, I know what you mean by that. So, I won't take offense," Natsu replied with a slight tugging at the corner of his lips. "But yeah, I've been called that by a few people, why?"

Walking down the stairs so that the pair were on the same level, Natsu motioned for Gajeel to follow him out the back of the Guild Hall, as Gajeel responded.

"I dunno … I guess when I heard you went toe to toe with Jose, I still didn't fully believe it, y'know? But seeing how you held back blondie's city leveling attack, I can't help but look at my own power, and wonder where I went wrong or some shit?"

"The first mistake you've already made is considering yourself as weak, Blacksteel. You're already setting yourself up for failure for if you try to improve," Natsu sighed, as the pair walked past the pool and sat down at a table that was far from the others, who were also mingling outside. "You have the potential to be powerful, Gajeel. But first, you've first got to find a reason to attain that power? Wanting power for power's sake will only get you so far before you hit an insurmountable wall. Tell me, up until recently, what's been your goal to grow stronger?"

"To be the strongest guy around," Gajeel snorted in response. "I was part of Phantom, Salamander, remember? That was what most of em were in there for?"

"Fair point."

"But y'know, I've never really told anyone this before… aside from you… But my other goal was always to try and find Metalicana," Gajeel continued, without meeting Natsu's gaze. "I never told anyone because I figured it'd be embarrasin to bring up..."

"I know what you mean. You don't want others to make fun of a dream they all see as hopeless, right? I'm much the same with Igneel in a lot of ways. I don't often talk to the others about him, because as far as their concerned, the Dragons are history."

"But we're proof they aren't-!"

"I know Blacksteel, but we've been raised by them from babies," Natsu countered evenly. They've never even seen a Dragon before, so you've got to look at it from their perspective?"

"But what about the God Slayer chick who has a literal God walking around in her right now!? How can they accept that, but not that Dragons exist!?"

"In my experience, people only believe what they are forced to perceive as real," Natsu replied softly, as he looked beyond Gajeel and out toward the sea. "Back in Scarlione, monstrous fighters from across the sea were invading … I've seen a Dragon Slayer that could rip apart a countryside with a wave of their hand, a God Slayer who could manipulate time itself, and a Mage who could shrink a city down into the palm of her hand and crush it effortlessly..."

"Holy shit …"

"I've seen all sorts of things, Gajeel. Feats of power that ninety percent of people wouldn't even encounter in their lifetimes," Natsu continued, seemingly lost in his own memories. "To someone like me, I can have a pretty open mind on what is and isn't possible. But, to the average person in there, they wouldn't, and likely won't ever have a clue."

Sitting up straight and meeting Gajeel's stunned gaze, Natsu's expression had the normally stoic man shrinking in on himself. It was a gaze he'd only seen on veteran Mages, ones who had seen things no one should, almost appearing unhinged in a sense.

"We are the story, Gajeel. The children stolen and raised by Dragons, and yet the Dragons abandoned us once we were old enough to fend for ourselves. The only proof of their legacy is the Magic we wield in their name… And honestly, that's all that matters."

"Damn … I never really thought about it like that," Gajeel muttered, as Natsu seemed to pull himself back together somewhat, running his hands through his hair, before sighing deeply.

"Getting back to the main topic at hand, and my point with all of this," Natsu sighed, as Gajeel sat up a little straighter in response. "Find yourself a new reason to grow stronger, and I promise that you'll see the results much quicker than if you don't."

"Find a reason," Gajeel muttered, as he hummed Natsu's words several times over. "Find a reason …"

Just as Natsu was about to continue, he shut his mouth, as a familiar scent struck him. Looking upward, he saw Levy making her way toward their little spot. Gajeel seemingly froze up, immediately avoiding looking at the blue-haired girl. Although, Levy herself showed no such reservations, and eagerly addressed them both.

"Hi Natsu, Gajeel. I'm glad to see you're both doing alright after today," Levy smiled, with Gajeel lightly grunting in response. Though, if Levy heard it, she didn't acknowledge it.

"Hey Levy, you doing alright?"

"I'm fine. I just wanted to let you know that Erza just woke up."

"Did she? Guess that's my cue to leave then," Natsu joked lightly, as he lightly glanced at Gajeel, who was doing everything in his power to avoid Levy's attention. "Hey Levy?"

"Yeah?"

"Gajeel was just telling me about how he still doesn't know Magnolia too well, and he wanted some help getting around," Natsu began, as the Iron Slayer nearly choked on his own spit in response. "I'm a bit busy dealing with the aftermath of all this. So, do you reckon you could show him around a bit?"

"Sure!"

"WHAT-!?"

"Great! Thanks Levy, I knew I could count on you," Natsu grinned, as he placed a gentle hand on the blue-haired girl's head, which elicited a small blush from her in response.

"O-Oh, well … I don't mind helping out, it's not that big of a deal!"

"You're a lifesaver Levy, thanks a bunch!"

"OI SALAMANDER! WHAT THE FU-!"

"No need to thank me Gajeel, just doing my job as an S Class Mage of the Guild," Natsu grinned cheekily from behind Levy's back. "You two have fun tonight! I've got an undoubtedly hungry red-head who'll need some cake waiting for me!"

Natsu vanished in a burst of speed, leaving Gajeel and Levy to awkwardly share brief looks with one another, until the small girl finally dared to speak.

"S-So… How about we check out the best eating spots!?"

"S-Sure," Gajeel stuttered, inwardly cursing Natsu with every fibre of his being.

***POTD***

Having woken with a rumbling stomach and a blistering headache, Erza wasn't in the best of moods. Seeing Eliza sitting next to her bed, and remembering what she'd said prior to her rather impressive feat of Magic, certainly didn't help matters.

"You must be rather angry at me," Eliza mused, snapping Erza out of her thoughts as she shot her signature glare in the Goddess' direction, with no result. "I would ask that you let me explain myself before you decide to outright hate me though?"

"Why should I?"

"Because, I know for a fact that Natsu would understand and empathize with my methods, as he has personally endured them, and knows that they work."

"Methods? What the hell are you talking about!?"

"I'll take that as a sign to explain my reasoning for making you do what you did without my help," Eliza sighed, as she stood up and paced across the room. "To put it bluntly, I made you solve your own problem to the best of your ability, because I wanted to see what your limit truly was?"

"What my limit was?"

"I've taken a keen interest in your little group specifically," Eliza continued, as she counted Team Natsu off on her fingers. "I know where Elise and Natsu stand in terms of their upper limit, and now yourself. I know just how much power you can produce before you falter, just how far within yourself you can truly dig for that last scrap of Magic. And with that information on hand, I can better assist you all."

"I-I'm totally lost?"

"I'm a God of War, dear. My job is in conflict, in the most literal sense," Eliza explained gently, as she came and sat back down next to her bedside. "Knowing how far you and the rest of your team can be pushed means I can better guide you on the path to becoming the strongest you can possibly be."

"So, you didn't help me because you wanted to see how far I could go before I collapsed from exhaustion? You did that … all in the name of a test?"

"That's the gist of it, yes."

"And you said just before that Natsu has experienced this firsthand?"

"Back in Scarlione, yes."

Erza didn't really know what to think about that? On one hand, Natsu would have endured a similar scenario under significantly harsher conditions, which meant that she should accept her reasoning. Yet, if she had failed today, then people could have potentially been killed as a result…

"I know what you're thinking Erza dear, and you need not worry," Eliza said, slicing through her internal thoughts like a knife. "Had you been incapable of destroying all one hundred Lacrima yourself, I would have done so in your stead."

Erza wanted to argue with that, but she honestly couldn't. After all, even though she was on the verge of unconsciousness after destroying the Lacrima, she knew Eliza had stepped in and somehow stopped the last burst from the Zeus Cannon.

That didn't mean the whole situation didn't annoy her though?

"I cannot tell you what your future holds in store, Erza dear," Eliza continued, immediately capturing her attention with what she'd just begun to say. "However, I can tell you that your enemies from here on are going to grow stronger than ever before…"

"What do you mean by that exactly!?"

"I cannot tell you specifics, it is forbidden," Eliza replied firmly, only to relax her gaze at the clearly confused girl before her. "To be truthful … I do not wish to see you all fail, so I shall do everything within my permitted ability to aid you all."

"I think I get what you mean," Erza replied slowly, as Eliza met her gaze. "You like us, and don't want to see us die to these powerful enemies, right?"

"…"

"Right?"

"You would be … correct … in such an assertion, yes."

"Alright," Erza sighed, as she sat up in her bed, Eliza's gaze never once leaving her as she got comfier. "Then how about instead of testing us during moments of crisis, you just come to us and tell us to go all out against you, and see where we stack up?"

"I thought that testing you in such a situation would draw out your maximum potential, or is that not the case?"

"I often forget you aren't human," Erza sighed, as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Alright, look. Just don't do that anymore and we're good, okay?"

"I suppose that's fair enough," Eliza sighed in response. "If only all of us had it that good …"

"What?"

"Nothing dear, merely thinking aloud is all," Eliza laughed, as she got up and made her way toward the door. "At any rate, Natsu will be here for you soon, so I should really be going!"

"Eliza?"

"Yes dear?"

"I'm not mad anymore, just don't do it again please," Erza sighed with a shake of her head. "That's all I'm asking… Nothing more than that, okay?"

"As I said just now dear, I suppose that's fair enough," was the immediate response, as the War Goddess practically fled the room right as Natsu came charging inside.

Seeing him hone in on her made Erza blush a little. Said blush only increased as he stopped before her, and brought her into a tight hug.

"You alright Erza?"

"I am now …"

"Eliza briefly mentioned what happened out there, you doing alright," Natsu asked, concern clearly evident in his eyes as he cupped her cheeks, and placed his forehead against her own. "You seem physically fine …"

"As flattered as I am Natsu, it's just exhaustion," Erza giggled, as she pecked him on the lips quickly, and shyly smiled his way. "Thank you though."

"I couldn't have won today without your help you know," Natsu whispered, with Erza shaking her head in response.

"You would've found some way …"

"Not one that wouldn't have gotten people killed," came the quiet response. "Even though Eliza tested you at a really shit time, you really pulled through for me Erza."

"Natsu …"

The two gazed into each other's eyes for several moments before leaning inward and sharing a passionate kiss. Natsu cupped Erza's right cheek as she ran a hand through his hair, their tongues almost immediately beginning a battle for dominance, until suddenly, a small squeak snapped the pair back to reality.

The pair swiftly broke apart, with Natsu spinning around to spot a fiercely blushing Juvia standing in the doorway. Her gaze, though averted, made it clear she'd seen their entire interaction.

"J-Juvia," Natsu laughed weakly, as he shot up from his seat. "Something wrong?"

"I-I just came to get you N-Natsu b-because L-Laxus came into the Guild Hall, and everyone is …"

Natsu's embarrassment vanished completely as he looked back toward Erza, who was already getting out of bed. Her regular Armor appeared in a flash as Natsu turned back to look at Juvia.

"Thanks for letting me know, I'll handle the Guild," Natsu replied as he walked out of the room, and out into the audible chaos that was the main hall.

Narrowing his eyes, Natsu watched as Laxus endured the anger and hatred of the others without so much as flinching. Noticing that someone was about to throw something at the blonde, he decided enough was enough.

"ALL OF YOU, CUT IT OUT RIGHT NOW," Natsu roared, as he flexed his power, silencing the room almost instantly, as Laxus looked in his direction. "The Master is in his office, Laxus."

Laxus simply nodded wordlessly and made his way through the parted crowd, quickly disappearing into Makarov's office. Once the door was shut, that was when the crowd decided to get rowdy again.

"How can you just let that bastard walk back through here!?"

"Yeah!?"

"We should give him a taste of what he's given us!"

"You'll all keep your mouths shut if you know what's good for you," Natsu snapped in response, as he flexed his power once again to silence the crowd. "Laxus' fate is in the hands of Master Makarov, not the rest of us!"

"Natsu's right," Erza's voice echoed in agreement, as she appeared alongside Natsu, Juvia opting to remain out of sight nearby. "You should all know better than to supersede the Master's judgement!"

"But if any of you try and go over the Master, you'll have to go through the two of us first," Natsu stated firmly, as many of the regular members of the Guild immediately backed down, knowing full well they stood no chance against Natsu AND Erza. "That's what I thought..."

"Now all of you, go about your business until the Master is willing to address us," Erza barked, as the crowd quickly dispersed.

Once the crowd was dissolved, Erza sighed, and leaned against Natsu for support, as he wrapped a gentle arm around her waist.

"Where's Mira?"

"At home," Natsu muttered in reply. "She's in a similar state to you after reawakening Hecate after all this time."

"So, that was her," Erza hummed softly. "I'm going to go see her tomorrow before she opens up the Guild, see how she's taking it?"

"I don't think it'll be like before with her Take Overs," Natsu replied, as the pair slowly made their way toward the bar, with Erza taking a seat and Natsu making his way behind it, to serve the pair some drinks. "I spoke with Hecate myself. And, although she's still on her cryptic shit, she doesn't seem as angry as she once was."

"Really? I wonder why?"

"Who knows," Natsu shrugged in reply, as he served Erza a drink. "By the way, gramps and I have to go to Era tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Reformed Magic Council decided I'm apparently prime Wizard Saint material," Natsu snorted in response, as he took a sip from his drink.

"Oh, that's nice."

"…"

"WHAT," Erza screeched, nearly choking on her drink as she put together what Natsu had just said. "THEY'RE MAKING YOU A-!?"

"SHH! Not so loud," Natsu hissed, as he clamped a hand over Erza's mouth. "I don't want people to know until after I've gone!"

"O-Oh, sorry."

"But it's true though," Natsu continued. "Gramps convinced me to take it because its paid, and because it'll give me immunity to the usual laws Mages have to deal with, if you get what I mean?"

"You're lucky I know what you mean by that Natsu Dragneel, or I'd be rather concerned," Erza replied, with Natsu rolling his eyes. "Still, this calls for a celebration, doesn't it?"

"Maybe once I'm back? For now, I just want to go home to my big bed, and potentially get to snuggle with a certain Queen I know…?"

"Shut up," Erza snorted between fits of giggling, as the pair each downed their drinks. "But yes, I concur."

"Then it's a date!"

"Oh no you don't! Our first date has to be something a lot fancier than snuggling in bed," Erza replied with a shake of her head. "Especially now that you'll have all that Wizard Saint clout and capital at your disposal…"

"Oh, but of course Madame," Natsu replied in a mockingly posh tone. "Would the Madame like me to wipe her ass with my newfound status as well?"

"Shut up you dork, and let's go home," Erza huffed, swatting his arm playfully as they both got up and departed the Guild Hall. "And for the record, I was only joking about wanting something lavish-."

"I know."

"But maybe ten strawberry cakes…?"

"No."

***POTD***

Makarov could only stare at the blonde before him with a blank expression on his face, even as the larger man shuffled awkwardly in his seat. This was almost a repeated scenario from another he'd been forced to carry out over a decade ago.

As he looked at the young man across from him, a million memories ran through his mind. All of them, of a time before Laxus had turned into the terrible person he'd become…

"I'm here," Laxus muttered, with Makarov humming in response.

"That you are."

"So, you gonna kick me out already, or what?"

Makarov frowned in response, crossing his arms as Laxus scowled, clenching his fists. The two family members struggled to speak more than a scant few words before clamping up, neither entirely sure how to tackle the topic at hand, until Makarov decided to just go right for the biggest question surrounding the entire incident.

"Before I do anything Laxus, I want answers," Makarov finally spoke, with a tone that brooked no argument. "First off, was Ivan involved in any of this?"

And there it was, the worst question none had been willing to ask openly, was laid bare by the one who arguably had the most to lose because of it. They both knew what it would have taken for Makarov to even utter the words, Laxus' face becoming scrunched up in response a telling sign in of itself.

"He wanted involvement," Laxus began, as Makarov sucked in a sharp breath. "But I told him to butt out."

"So, Ivan knew about all of this," Makarov repeated, with Laxus nodding in response. "How long have you been in contact with him?"

"A couple of years, on and off. It was nothing frequent."

"And he wanted to join you in taking over Fairy Tail?"

"Yeah," Laxus replied bitterly. "But like I said, I told him to butt out."

"Why?"

"What do you mean by that," Laxus asked heatedly, as he snapped his gaze up to Makarov's almost immediately. "What are you trying to say!?"

"Both Natsu and Mystogan suspected Ivan's involvement in all of this," Makarov replied calmly, with Laxus narrowing his eyes in response. "It seems their concerns weren't totally unfounded. But what I find strange is that you turned him down, despite your goals aligning… Why?"

"Why? I'll tell you why," Laxus hissed, as he cracked the armrests of the chair he was in. "Because I saw right through the bastard and what he wanted! He didn't care about me, he only cared about getting the Guild! I was just a means to an end, and no one uses me like that!"

"And yet, in your foolishness, you very nearly did become the tool Ivan needed regardless," Makarov countered sharply, silencing the blonde, whose eyes widened in response. "You don't even realize that, do you?"

"Wh-What do you mean!?"

"Had you taken Fairy Tail by force, taken me out of the position, and defeated Erza, Natsu, Mystogan, Mirajane, and the rest of the regular members here… You would have only weakened the Guild."

"But-!"

"Once the Magic Council re-establishes itself in full, what you had done would be brought before them by a sizeable number of people and organizations," Makarov continued. "From Magnolia and her citizens, to our allies in Blue Pegasus, Quattro Cerberus, Lamia Scale and Cait Shelter. I even have allies within the Ten Wizard Saints, three of them a part of the Ishgar Four. None would have stood for what you had done, Laxus."

"…"

"And even if you somehow avoided having the Council come down upon you like an all-encompassing wave, you would then have to contend with Gildarts, who would likely have killed you for what you'd done."

"Gildarts wouldn't kill me-!"

"He most certainly would," Makarov replied sharply, cutting the blonde off with a look that told him all he needed to know. "You don't know anything about what either Gildarts or Natsu have done, boy. You should count yourself lucky that Natsu didn't kill you for activating the Thunder Palace against the citizens of Magnolia! Because I assure you, that if he was in Scarlione, you'd be six feet under instead of in that chair!"

Laxus wanted to argue the point, but thinking back on that look Natsu gave him toward the end of their fight, he knew Makarov wasn't lying. The more he thought about it, the more he realized just how overconfident he had truly been, yet Makarov's words kept coming.

"But even discounting Gildarts, you would have weakened Fairy Tail to the point that Ivan would have come crawling back to take the Guild over. Without her pillars, the Guild stands no chance against a man like Ivan, you see?"

"But I wouldn't have let him take the Guild-!"

"I have tried everything in my power to teach you the harsh truths of the world, Laxus, yet time and time again you fail to heed my warnings," Makarov growled, as he leapt out of his chair, and walked around his desk to stand next to the blonde. "Not only have you disregarded everything I've taught you, and spat on the very foundations of this Guild… You almost lead to its complete destruction, and the deaths of thousands …"

"Hold on a second … you aren't saying-!?"

"For your brazen disregard for every tenant this Guild was founded upon, I have no choice but to revoke your status as a Mage of the Fairy Tail Guild," Makarov uttered firmly, as he held out his right hand, as a sliver of Magic washed over Laxus.

The blonde didn't need to check, as he knew that his Guild Mark had just been erased. However, he couldn't even so much as speak. But for Makarov to actually kick him out for real … It still hit hard, regardless.

"As of this moment, you are hereby banned from all locations associated with the Fairy Tail Guild. This includes the Guild Hall, any affiliated Fairy Tail safe houses, and Tenrou Island," Makarov said, as he turned his back on Laxus and walked across the room.

"Hold on a second-!"

"My decision is final," Makarov snapped, as he cut Laxus off before he could even press a case. "You have twenty-four hours to collect your things from the premises, before you will be forcibly removed..."

Finally, Laxus fell silent, accepting the reality of his situation, as he slowly rose to his feet. Looking down at the old man who refused to look back at him, Laxus sighed.

"Well… I guess that's it then?"

"Indeed."

Laxus was about to speak again, but hesitated, unable to bring himself to say what he wanted to, and instead, opted to clench his fists and walk toward the door. Placing his hand upon the handle, he paused again, as that same feeling welled up inside of him, urging him to speak once again.

"Oi?"

"What?"

"Just one last thing before I leave," Laxus muttered, as he removed his hand from the door, and turned back around to find Makarov still in the same spot from earlier.

"What is it?"

"Even if you hate me for what I've done, I'm still gonna surpass you, old man," Laxus began, as his voice managed to gather strength. "Not for something stupid like helping my Father, but for myself!"

Turning back around and placing a hand firmly on the door, Laxus took a deep breath and sighed, before opening the door and stepping through. Turning back to close the door, Makarov still had yet to move.

"I'm gonna grow stronger, so I can become a man in my own right," Laxus concluded, as he slowly shut the door. "That's all."

As the door shut quietly, Makarov's form shivered ever so slightly, as the moonlight peeked through the darkened room to illuminate the man's tear-streaked face. Through his blurred vision, his eyes could just barely make out a photograph on the shelf he stood before. It was a photo of a young man with spiky blonde hair, and an older man with fading blonde hair. They were sharing a drink together, laughing heartily alongside a group of familiar figures in the background.

"Oh Laxus, you foolish boy," Makarov sniffed, as his resolve began to leave him. "I look forward to the day you'll stand before me again

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