"Hey so how have you been doing Gajeel?" The Iron Dragon Slayer shrugs and chomps down on another plate of metal; it hurts my teeth just watching that. Juvia had asked me to try and hangout with the man as she worried about his lack of socializing. Now Gajeel doesn't have the absolutely terrible rep he got in canon because no one got hung from a tree but he was not a social creature; ergo here I am. I do note his hair is nearly all the way back to normal; I hold back on asking if he visited the hair dresser in town that has actual hair growth magic.
"Meh you guys got better food and all that but a guild's a guild. Juvia likes it here, likes you all, so that's a plus. Honestly it's good to have another dragon slayer to spar with as well." I nod and lean forward; letting a grin show on my face as I recall a couple interesting tidbits I'd heard.
"I heard you and Laki were forming a duo though; got to admit didn't expect that." Gajeel looks like he wants to argue but then stops and grimaces before replying.
"Surprised me as well; I just decided to get it out of the way and apologize. Figured I'd clear the air and make life easier for me; well she seemed to take that as a reason to latch onto me and 'show me how thing work in my new place'." I blink at that and bite my tongue, clearly she hasn't made a move yet but I know what that chick's tastes are.
"Well look at it this way; it's a sign you're one of us."
"One of the Fairies, geh if you told me that even a few months ago I'd have laughed at you."
"And probably tried to ram a iron log into my face.
"Hehe can't say you're wrong about that." As Gajeel and I share a laugh and slam our mugs together I note Laxus up on the second floor; I hadn't had a chance or reason to interact with him so far but I know what he's got planned for the festival.
I do want to be more proactive after how the Tower of Heaven nearly went down but there's a reason that as much as I hate it I have to let the Festival go down the way it did.
Laxus's growth.
Ignoring his strength a good chunk of Laxus's character growth came from his journey after being exiled. It at least started him on the path to being the kind of guy that would beat down his father and the bastard's entire guild over their actions rather then saying their victims were just too weak. So I need to let it start; just don't have to let the timer get as close as it did before.
"Hey by the way what's up with Salamander?" We both look at the slightly queasy Natsu whose been slurping down fires Lupus keeps making for him.
"He's ate Ethernano crystals so got a lot of non-fire magic in his system, honestly he's doing a lot better then he was a few days ago."
"Shit I'm amazed he got back up, Metalicana beat it into me how risky that is."
-x-X-x-
"Alright everyone I'm your host Max Alors and it's time for the Miss Fairy Tail Contest, where we let our lovely ladies show off their beauty and magic to determine which one can be called Miss Fairy Tail."
A roar goes off as everyone cheers, Gajeel one of the few exceptions by my side while Natsu is still rather restrained although he has all his color back.
"Okay I really don't see why you all enjoy this so much. Like the parade I can see but we can't even do anything." Natsu is the one to answer with a chuckle.
"A) it's because everyone enjoys a competition and B) well its the girls." And there's a reminder of Natsu not being completely dense. Gajeel smells blood in the water and grins at him.
"Oh; so who are you looking forward to seeing up there." I elbow him in his side and the glare in Natsu's eyes before he looks away makes Gajeel grimace.
"Ah, my bad Salamander." Natsu nods and we focus back on the stage as Max finishes his opening speech.
".. and so give it up for our first contestant Laki Olietta." That has my attention as the wood mage walks onto the stage in her regular outfit.
"Hello gentlemen!" She calls out with a smile, a round of cheers greeting her as she holds out her hands and the stage warps to encase her in a cocoon of wood for a couple seconds that then recedes down to reveal Laki dressed up with a sadistic grin.
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------------->
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A whip of wood forms in her hands and she cracks it along the stage before pulling it back and pulling it tight with both hands, a block of wood rising so she can step on it and lean forward.
"Now are any of you boys in need of some guidance?" I look over at the blushing Gajeel and smirk.
"Still not seeing the appeal?"
-x-X-x-
Laki struts off the stage, the wood turning back to normal and once Max's jaw gets back in place he clears his throat and starts back up.
"Right, next up is our very own Mirajane Strauss!"
"YEAH!! GO MIRA!!!" Elfman screams, holding up two giant signs with chibi Mirajane faces on them and wearing a matching headband. Mirajane walks out in her regular dress with a smile on her face waving to the crowd and when our eyes meet she blows me a kiss.
"Hey there everyone; now I've know I've been your waitress for the past few years and I know a lot of people were sad that I'm stepping back from that role as I work to get back into being an active mage but there is one thing I wanted to try out before I do." With a snap of her fingers dark purple 'lightning' engulfs her, everyone stepping back in shock at the sight of Mirajane using her signature magic again.
"I always wanted to try my hand at mixology, tee-hee!"
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-------------->
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Well now that's a sight I wouldn't mind seeing across the bar.
-x-X-x-
"Now give it up for our new girl Juvia Lockser!" Juvia steps onto the stage with a grin, her eyes fully focused on me. I whistle in response and her grin grows even further.
"Juvia wants to thank you all for welcoming her into your family. Juvia promises to embrace being a Fairy Tail Wizard and …." Water drops from the Ceiling like another curtain even though the stage doesn't seem to get wet at all; parting in the center to reveal the now changed Juvia.
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"… To do her best to keep you all safe PHEFT!!" Said speech gets a roar that only grows as Juvia shows off her outfit. Gajeel and I heads and shoulders above the rest of the crowd.
-x-X-x-
"Now then put your hands together for our lovable cutie Levy McGarden."
"LEVY!!!!" Jet and Droy scream; dressed up like idol fans with jackets stamped with her face and glowsticks in hand.
"Hehe thank you Max but don't think cutie is the only label you can stick on me." Levy grins at everyones faces as the confusion grows and words created by her Solid Script start wrapping around, holes and spaces barely showing a thing but just enough to tease, a bare leg, an arm sliding a shirt on, and if you're able to pick out the words.
"Hmm, what do you say. Anyone interested in the after-hours reading program."
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------------>
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"DUCK!!" The cheers are people dive down from the twin simps getting launched back from their nosebleeds.
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"Next up, the woman that'll drink you under the table just as easily as she'll see your future, Cana Alberona!" Cana walks out to a wave of cheers, tossing a mug aside as she does so much to the amusement of the audience.
"And don't you forget it Max. Now thenI might not control luck…" Cana smiles as tosses her cards into the air and they start spinning around her, forming a tube that blocks her off from sight entirely "… but that doesn't mean I don't think of myself as unlucky."
"So, who wants to see just how lucky they are? I'll deal you in." The cards scatter and Cana stands with her back to the crowd, head turned back with a smirk as she cocks a hip.
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I feel my mouth go dry as I take in the outfit, the fluff ball above her ass drawing attention to it while the side view helps make it perfectly clear she's not wearing a bra.
Needless to say the crowd is still going wild.
-x-X-x-
"And now give it up for our Celestial Spirit Mage, that lady of the stars Lucy Heartfilia!!" Lucy doesn't come out in her regular outfit, instead already in her costume for the contest
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"Hey there everyone; you've all been great at cheering me on as I've gotten used to the guild so let me show my appriciation with a cheer of my own." With a shift of her hand her pom-poms move to show her holding two keys.
"Open Gate Of The Scales, Open Gate Of The Water Bearer!" I blink; unaware that Lucy had managed to get to the point she could open a second gate. Then as the two spirits appear on stage while Virgo pops up from the ground it makes sense as I feel their magic. They're just appearing, barely stronger then civilians. Still keeping three channels open at once even with minimal draw is impressive.
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------------->>
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"Alright give me an F!!"
"F!"
"Give me a A!"
"A"
This one goes longer then the other contestants by far but no one cares as they gladly cheer along. I'm impressed Lucy managed to get Aquarius to play along but she keeps her scowl to a minimum as she and Virgo match Lucy's movements while Libra floats along in the air as though she's a flyer.
-x-X-x-
"And now; the winner of last year's Miss Fairy Tail and our Titania. Erza Scarlet!" Erza walks out to the cheering crowd; in her go-to armor; waving with a smile on her face as she steps into the center.
"Thank you Max, I'm hoping to keep the streak going but everyone has really shown off their strengths today. I'm happy to close the show however with a dance. Requip, BladeDancer Armor." The light of Requip is brighter then usual and everyone has to look away as it shines.
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------------->
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"Hehe, now then let me show you all this dance of blades." Two sword form in her hands while half a dozen dance in the air around her.
That certainly has me cheering as Erza starts working through a masterful dance of steel and grace; the cheers and cries never dipping as she shows off her skill.
-x-X-x-
"Alright people, that's all our lovely contestants so now it's time for the votes to be taken and we find out who will be our Ms. Fairy Tail for the year." And I abstaining because that's just a wise way to keep living happily.
"Wait just a second." Evergreen cuts in, stepping past the curtain on the stage with a smirk hidden behind her fan. "How can you say we're done. If you talk about fairies you talk about me. If you talk about beauty you're talking about me; therefore the obvious candidate is right here."
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The crowd had been cheering for the 'unexpected entry' but the cheers died off as she tried to cut out the competition itself. Max rubbed the back of his head with a nervous look on his face.
"Well sorry Evergreen but you didn't register so …"
"What does that matter when I'm the only competitor left?" With a snap of her fingers the curtain parts and every competitor is revealed to have been turned to stone. Natsu erupts in flames beside me and Gajeel's arms turn to metal while others start getting read to attack; Alzack even has one of his guns drawn and pointed right at Evergreen's face.
"Evergreen, this is not a funny joke." Makarov's stony tone cuts through chaos and he starts to grow. "Turn them back right now."
"Oh we can't do that old man." The crash of lightning echos through the guild as Laxus comes into existence between the statues, throwing his arms around Erza and Lucy's statues. "That ruins the fun."
"Laxus what are you doing!?" Makarov cries while Evergreen floats into the air and flies away.
"What should have been done a while ago. It's time for a change and the festival is the perfect time. You guys want your favorite gal to turn back; you got to beat us unless you just want to step down old man."
"Laxus this is absurd. What makes you think I'd do that?!"
"Right the fun way it is. The Thunder Tribe and I will be taking on all comers. You want us come and find us." I feel the Dragonslayers next to me start to rise up and put a hand on them to stop them.
"Don't waste your time, that's a thought projection." Because if you look closely you can see Laxus's arms clip into the statutes he's up against.
"Fine, I'll come sort this out myself! You better be prepared for a wallop…Gah!" In two strides the enlarged master is at the door and then bounced off the glimmering wall of Freed's magic showing.
"Sorry Old Man but my competition my rules and the number one rule is no geezer's allowed. Now then come on people, I want to see which of you deserve to remain in my guild." With an arrogant smirk Laxus's projection cuts out. Evergreen has already slipped out from the looks of it.
"You fucking coward, a real man wouldn't be hiding Laxus!" Elfman is the first to charge, Alzack not that far behind him and soon the rest of the guild is starting to stream out.
"That asshole, I'm going to roast him."
"Not if I get him first Salamander."
'THUNK'
'THUNK' And there it is; both slide down to the ground with bumps on there heads. While I get up and note Ur, Makarov, and the dragon slayers are the only ones left.
"Well then, think Laxus banned dragonslayers?" Makarov shakes his head and looks at the glimmering wall.
"No… I'm not seeing a rule like that built into this. There's some parts about … shit that brat's going to have all the of Fairy Tail fighting each other… but no reason these two should be here. Now why are you still here? If anyone was going to be after my grandson's hide I figured it be you." I give the guild master a grin, aware it's tinged with anger because I hate this but Laxus needs to get kicked out to grow so I played along. Doesn't mean I like it.
"Oh trust me; I want to kick your grandson's ass but I also didn't want to leave without trying something first. Lupus if you would." I pull Lupus into existence and blink at the sight.
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"One magical nurse coming up Master."
"What's up with the outfit?"
"Come on all the others were dressing up, you think we wouldn't get in on it. We'd have joined in if Makarov didn't say it was unfair." I stare at the old man and he doesn't even blink.
"You have a succubus as a familiar, that little vampire lady can use charm magic, and summons aren't allowed unless used like Lucy did. We learned that the hard way years ago and don't ask." So many questions but I obey.
-x-X-x-
"Srry Master." Lupus pouts as she says that. The statues still remaining despite her best efforts.
"No it's fine; I'll moving up the chain it is." Lupus doesn't even sound upset at that because she is more then willing to acknowledge the gap between her and Shalltear.
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"Don't worry my glorious master, I shall be more then capable of handling this."
"Huh I didn't realize you could shapeshift." Natsu says without a care in the world; Shalltear's glare making him 'eep' and duck under the table.
"Oh she can't." Lupus happily sells the vampire out and only laughs at Shalltear's glare turning it's way to her.
"Tch I couldn't get the chest altered in time so I padded. I'm well aware Master loves me how I am. Now then time to show a little puppy how it's done.
-x-X-x-
"Oh hello Ev.."
"… THE!!"
"SHIT LOOK..!!" All the girls look cut off what they were saying and look around and as Shalltear dispels the petrification.
"Master what happened?" Erza is the first to ask the Master who's on his perch looking up at the floating billboard that had formed, already a few fights have broken out. Ur is beside him with a drink and cheering on Gray whose gotten into a fight himself.
"Laxus decided to be an idiot." As he starts explaining the situation I look at Ur.
"Kind of surprised you aren't out there.
"Oh I'm not a member yet, no telling how that little baby might act. Plus Porlyusca told me not to do anything too strenous and I might have pushed it with our training so…"
"Oh yeah no, better to not have the old lady angry at you."
"LAXUS YOU IDIOT!!" The Master's cry draws my attention and I turn to see what's … ohh right those things.
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-x-X-x-
"Okay so we have a few hours to beat Laxus to a pulp or the Thunder Palace will wipe out Magnolia. We can't destroy the Lacrima themselves because …" I trail off and look at Lupus tending to Bisca, the sniper was quick on the draw and shot one down. Thankfully for her we have Lupus for healing so she's not extra crispy. Erza nods and gestures at the screen where the numbers continue to drop as more and more members of Fairy Tail are forced into fights.
"And we have to split up or we'll just take ourselves out because of this and Natsu and Gajeel are unable to pass for some reason." Lucy looks worried for a second.
"Do you think it'll count my spirits?"
"No it's only humans as far as I can tell." I perk up at that.
"Oh sweet, Happy go and play spotter." Happy stands up from where he's finishing off a fish and salutes me.
"Aye Sir!" The exceed flies out and I crack my knuckles.
"Okay then; lets move out and get to work. We got four targets, one of whom is S-Class and given how he acts that means each of them is tough so everyone be careful." A chorus of positive responses and we make our move. Erza, Mirajane, Juvia, Lucy, and I moving out to fight while Levy works on the barrier keeping Makarov and the Dragon Slayers trapped while Cana tries to divine Laxus and the other Thunder Tribe member's locations
"Right, lets move out." It's been a while but I think it's time I head to church.
-x-X-x-
"Dang it!" I tried so hard not to get caught but here we are. The purple barriers setting up and I don't even see my opponent.
"Get them Pii-Chan!" I roll out of the way and look at the fireball I dodged turning back into a bird. My opponent jumping down from a roof top and her bird flying back to her.
"All right; can't say I'm happy about this whole thing but I've been wanting to try my hand at fighting you."
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"Sorry about this Mickey."
"Ah it's no big deal; we're Fairy Tail after all." Well that's true.
-x-X-x-
Mickey Chickentiger was that weird middle ground when it came to background Fairy Tail characters. On the one hand she left the guild during the hard times so I didn't really make an effort to try and get to know her, on the other hand she was a more then capable combatant who lasted a good while during this whole thing in canon and did incredibly well in the battle against Phantom Lord. Since then I heard the only reason she wasn't considered a higher ranked mage was her tendency to resort to fists first.
It needs to be said that Fairy Tail wizards are saying she's punch happy.
I can confirm that A) she is and B) she is very good at it.
"HAHA!! Come on Roxas; show me what you got." Mickey is a martial arts master, I don't know what style she's throwing at me but the way she moves shows how much practice she's put in and talent she has. The magic bird dive bombing me doesn't help; at least he hasn't tried biological warfare.
Another fist is thrown at my face, I bring up on arm in an upward sweep to catch her wrist on mine and force it up but she lashes out with a leg that catches me in the side and then follows it up with backflip that turns her stabilizing foot into a swinging that catches me in the chest and forces me back. A wild grin is on Mickey's face and I have to hold in a sigh; I was hoping to not use any magic an conserve energy but that isn't happening now; still I'll try to stick to some lower level stuff such as Vinelash.
Throwing some vines out Mickey flows around them; focusing on getting close to me and laying another beatdown. That's to her disadvantage when I make more vines sprout from the current vines and catcher her in a spiked 'cage'. Slamming it around a bit keeping an eye open for the second the barrier drops so I don't go to hard.
"OW OW OW!! Why did you have to make thorns!" Mickey cries out from inside and then the vines are cut apart and Mickey leaps away, dress in tatters. She looks at the damage and shrugs, ripping off the ruined clothing and squaring up again.
"Sorry but I really got to hurt you know, I don't need people thinking I'm like Gray."
-x-X-x-
"MICKEY CHICKENTIGER!!!" Said mage charges forward, gleam in her eyes as she readies another strike and then she steps on a piece of vine that hasn't quite vanished yet and trips. She falls flat on her face and slides across the cobblestones to stop as my feet.
"Mickey?" The barrier dropping is answer enough. Pii-chan landing on her head and shaking it's own.
"Right… you'll keep an eye on her?" Pii-chan nods and I head off towards the church.
-x-X-x-
"FALL TO THE POWER OF TRIANGLE MAGIC!!"
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"Nope not wasting more time. Sorry Niggy." I don't let Niggy have time to make his attack any larger, instead forming a dozen Gaster Blasters to fire off a barrage right at him.
"TRIANGLE SHIELD!" Niggy cries out in a panic, converting his attack into a shield that holds up for a second before getting torn through. I kept the power low but he drops to the ground slightly smoking.
Again sorry dude."
-x-X-x-
"Shit what the heck happened!" Looking back from my spot on a rooftop where I climbed up to reorient myself I see the guild surrounded by even brighter purple walls that crackle with energy.
"ROXAS!" Happy flies down, worry in his face as he land before me.
"Happy what happened."
"Levy was .. she was trying to change the rules but Laxus noticed and … Gajeel and Natsu tried to block the attack but his lightning bolt still got her. Lupus said she can heal it but .. but …" But Laxus better pray I don't DIG THAT FUCKING LACRIMA OUT OF HIS CHEST AND MAKE HIM SWALLOW IT! but those thoughts can come latee. For now crying Happy to deal with.
"Hey don't worry Happy, Lupus is great and if worst comes to worst I have a way to heal her when I get back to her. Now have you seen any of the Thunder Tribe?
-x-X-x-
Take-Over Magic was like walking a tight-rope; you had to maintain a careful balance between taking on the aspects of what you took over and not drowning in them.
Elfman… Elfman was one of the more extreme examples but Mirajane could admit she had been handling it badly for a while before that. Her pride, mindset, and behavior constantly drawing upon aspects of the demons she had consumed and following nearly two years of forcing every bit of the demonic power within her down and out of sight it was not an easy task to maintain control.
Her latest form especially; the creature having been a living bastion of hate and anger. No other thoughts but putting it's targets down in it's mind; when she wasn't in a fight it was docile thing, for a general term, to drawn upon but in one each attack was a force of will to keep at a level that wouldn't tear through anyone she fought.
Between Jellal and Freed she was finding it hard to care as one went after Erza and the other had hurt her brother.
"GET BACK HERE YOU MAGGOT!! DEMONIC GATLING!!!" The green haired mage threw up walls of magic to try and block her attacks but they only bought him seconds before they shattered and the The Demon of Fairy Tail was upon him.
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Juvia loved her new guild. She loved the atmosphere, the comradary, the fact Gajeel has joined her and seemed to find people he was willing to interact with, and the fact she had found Roxas-Sama and the others.
People that threatened that; they made her mad. Made her water boil and froth and this thunder tribe following the Master's Grandson had her steaming.
"Haha; so I get the Water Witch of Phantom Lord. Alright Laxus was pissed about you and the metal lizard."
"Juvia does not care; you are Bismark yes. The one that plays with dolls and whatever eye magic you have."
"Well informed I see but don't think that'll help you take me down. You might have been S-Class in Phantom Lord but Fairy Tail has higher standards even now."
"Juvia will not argue with you about that but if you think you can take Juvia you are mistaken." Let the anger flow, let the steam bellow, hear the screaming as the dolls that tried to surround her are torn apart by writhing whips of boiling water.
The rebellious wizard scowled and at the destruction of his soul's housing of choice and lifted his mask; switching straight to his eye magic only to pause as Juvia's face above the nose was just a flat, smooth surface.
"Juvia's body is water, water Juvia can mold into any shape she desires. Taking away sight does nothing to stop Juvia because she can just sense you through the water in the air." Bickslow looked around, the steam the water wizard had pumped out surrounding him and then could only scream as the boiling water whips pounced.
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"Stop this now Evergreen; this won't end well for you." The Queen of Fairies cried out as she and her opponent danced in the sky; the Gale Force Armor helping her keep up with the flight magic Evergreen used.
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"Not this time Scarlet; there's only room for one Queen in this guild and I'll show you why it's me."
"I wasn't the one to give myself that title but if you want to try and take it from me you should have done it without betraying the guild!" The scarlet haired mage danced around more needles of light as Evergreen deployed her attacks, the rebellious mage taking full advantage of the fact Erza refused to position herself where a dodge from her would see the spell fly into a crowded area.
"I am sick of everyone acting like you're the only one fit for that title. I will not let you win today; Leprechaun Gattling!" A wall of wind is thrown up with a swing of her sword and Erza lets out a sigh. Laxus at least seemed to have some ideals behind this stupid crusade but this was just … petty.
"Very well; then in respect of your challenge I shall give it my all." Or at least her all without it being lethal. A storm of blades formed around her wind and telekinesis making it so they swarmed around her in a spinning ball of steel; following her as she charged at the challenger to the throne.
Needles of light shot out at blistering speeds, slamming into the swords surrounding Erza, some breaking, some bending, but not enough to put a dent in the swarm before it engulfed Evergreen. The mercy of Titania was all that let her live; magic dulling the blades so that her flesh wasn't torn to ribbons by the weapons surrounding her. The screams of the wannabe fairy queen swallowed by the raging wind.
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"NGGH!"
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"Consider yourself lucky I'm taking the time to drop you back at the guild instead of leaving you here unattended." Titania towered over her defeated challenger, eyes cold and unwavering as she stared down at the bound and gagged mage. Picking up the female Thunder Tribe member Erza took off again, careful to keep Evergreen's state hidden, ignoring the further cries of her prisoner as her mind wondered
'It's a little odd on this side of the rope but… it's not the worst thing. Hmm… Mira in rope was a nice sight …'
-x-X-x-
I slam the doors of the church open, Laxus leaning against the pipe organ in the back.
"Hmm, oh someone actually got here. Let's see Roxas right, you actually caught my eye. So you do have a place in Fai…" He cut's off as I open fire with a Gaster Blaster, turning into lightning and dodging to the side while the back wall gains a new hole.
"You hurt Levy, you fucked with the guild, and you have a literal circle of death surrounding the town. I don't give a damn about your sales pitch or whatever mental illness made you think this would work in your favor no matter the outcome. So shut the fuck up and fight." A nearly feral grin forms on Laxus's face and lightning surrounds his fists.
"Heh so you're actually attached to that little bookworm, I figured she was just a side piece for a bit of fun considering you got Scarlet and Strauss. Alright; I'll let you have a taste of why I'm going to be the one to rule Fairy Tail!"
"RAHHH!!!" Laxus didn't bother with a spell; lighting shot out at me in over a dozen bolts that raced towards me. In a blink of an eye I have dozens of chains erupt between us, the metal chains drawing in the lightning and leaving me a path straight at him. The look of shock on his face changing to one of pain as I slam my fist right into ribs. Daily Grind showing off it's gains as he doesn't react in time to turn into lighting; fist projection firing off at close range and sending him flying out the side of the church and digging a trench in the ground.
I follow out the new hole, a couple Gaster Blasters forming and firing at the prone form of Laxus and driving him back another couple yards. When the beams stop Laxus stands up and cracks his neck with a grin; tossing aside his ruined shirt and rubbing the spot I hit. A slight wince on his face but grin keeps going.
"Okay that was a good one; clearly you got some spunk. Heh I'll got to give this some more effort then just a quick zap; it's been a while since I had to do that."
-x-X-x-
Laxus opens his mouth for a spell and cuts off as I'm in front of him a Gaster Blaster forming around my fist and blazing with energy. I can tell his next move; forming behind me and going for a shot at my back. Chain's already erupting there to wrap around his arm as I stop and spin.
"GASTER KNUCKLE!!!" Laxus turns back into flesh and blood right where I predicted shackles snatching his limbs, he manages to tear one off by the time I slam my attack into his face and drive him into the ground chains wrapping around his legs and I snatch them to start swinging him over my head and back into the ground repeatedly; if it worked for the Hulk after all…
"YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!"
'SLAM'
"YOU KNOW MASTER CAN'T LET THIS GO!? HE'LL HAVE TO PUNISH YOU!! IT'LL BREAK HIS HEART!!!"
'SLAM'
"THE ENTIRE FUCKING TOWN AT RISK!! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK WE'D ALL KEEP OUR MOUTH'S SHUT!!
'SLAM'
"THIS COULD HAVE BEEN THE END OF FAIRY TAIL!! ALL BECAUSE YOU DECIDED YOU HAD TO BE IN CHARGE!! GROW THE FUCK UP!!!"
'SLAM' I take a moment to breath, Laxus letting out a groan as I stop slamming him into the ground.
"Shut up!! I… I'm keeping Fairy Tail safe, no.. no one will mess with us again under my leadership I…"
"You're a child trying to say he doesn't need Grampa's help anymore and decided mutiney was a better choice then therapy." I tighten my grip on the chain and yank him towards me. Another Gaster Knuckle to the face sends him flying into a boulder as the chains vanish and the stone explodes from impact.
"Now are you ready to sit down and talk or do we have to keep fighting?"
"RAHHHH!!" Lightning shoots out into the sky and Laxus emerges from the rubble. body bruised, one eye swollen, but his fangs are coming out and I can feel a similarity to Natsu's magic start to emerge; looks like he's finally using everything he's got.
"Good, I'm rather keep hitting you. Shalltear, Albedo, Ushi lets do this." Both Floor Guardians and my Rider come into existence beside me, weapons in hand and a lust for violence in their eyes.
-x-X-x-
"LIGHTNING DRAGON'S BREAKDWON FIST!!" Laxus rushed forward fist wreathed in lighting that was far more alive and wild then his last few attacks. Albedo step in front of me and blocked the attack with her ax; Laxus's eyes bulging as he took in the smiling succubus who didn't even take a step back before he shot away as Shalltear swiped at him with her new lance; it lacked the abilities of her old one but it was sturdy and she liked having one once more.
He then got a nasty surprise once more as Ushiwakamaru caught up to him, swinging at his lightning form with glee, I'm guessing dragon instinct told him to dodge because he didn't try and see if Ushi's blade would just pass through him. Instead forming a wall of lightning to cut the Rider off and turning back into human form, already reared back in a stance you can't mistake when you work with Natsu. I'm already responding, creating a massive Gaster Blaster in response.
"LIGHTING DRAGON'S ROAR!!"
"GASTER ROAR!!!
Blue laser meets condensed lightning, the two attacks crashing into one another and having a stalemate. Lighting crackling around the edge of my attack but my own slowly piercing into the mass of Laxus's roar.
"RAHHH!!!"
"AHHH!!!" We both pour more power into our attacks and then something gives.
'BOOM' A detonation happens at the core of our attack's contact and Albedo and Shalltear shield me while Ushi rushes behind us. When the smoke clears a massive crater eats into the ground and other side Laxus stands, breathing heavily but he doesn't seem anymore injured.
"That.. that's not enough.. not enough to take me down. I AM THE STRONGEST IN FAIRY TAIL!!!"
-x-X-x-
"GAH!!" Right Laxus has a knockoff dragon force, I forgot about that until he returned the favor from before and drove a fist into my gut; electricity sparking at me and giving me a shock as I'm sent flying back. The world's a blur for a second until Ushi catches me.
"Master are you alright." I wheeze for a second and then shake my head and nod.
"Nothing a bit of healing magic won't fix." Ushi nods back and rushes us back to find Laxus pumped up and with scales on his arms fighting Albedo and Shalltear, managing to push Albedo back while keeping Shalltar at bay with snaps of Lightning shaped like dragon's maws.
"Tch! NOTHING BUT GNATS!! I won't loose to someone that hides behind others!!"
"Heh, alright then. Albedo, Shalltear, lets unite. Ushi fall back for now and go check on the others." I get concerned looks from all three but they do as I say. Albedo and Shalltear returning to familiar space to be used for United We Stand while Ushi heads back into town.
"Hehe and you say I'm arrogant. DON'T BLAME ME IF YOU DON"T SURVIVE THIS!!" Laxus rushes forward, another Fist spell thrown and I catch it.
"I could say the same to you." I throw a fist that slams into his jaw and the fake dragon slayer stumbles back but recovers returns the favor and soon it's an all out slug fest. No defense on either or our parts, just straight up slug fest to see who goes down first.
-x-X-x-
Laxus is amazing at hand to hand, I can give him that and his power-up form makes him a beast but between Daily Grind and United We Stand I can keep up and now Laxus is getting sloppy. Might have hit him in the head too hard but I'm not in the mood to care.
"You say you want to protect Fairy Tail but you've forgotten what it is. It's a place for dreamers, a place for all dreamers! Maybe we need to pull our own weight but this place doesn't turn anyone away for not meeting some stupid benchmark like that!" I block his next blow and follow up with a shot to stomach that has him bend over and hammer blow to the back of his skull into my knee. He stumbles back nose bleeding and grab him; jumping in the air and flipping him around to put him in a piledriver.
"All you'd succed in …." We start to drop as gravity takes hold. "…IS DRIVING THE GUILD INTO THE GROUND!! IS THAT WAHAT YOU WANT!!" Laxus struggles but can't break my grip, not even turning into lightning for whatever reason, concussion, lack of magic left, don't know, don't care.
'BAM' Into the ground we slam, Laxus taking the brunt of the impact. Hopping off I note he's still breathing but finally down for the count but the Thunder Palace is still up. Well then I was hoping we could just be done with it once he was down. Right so we'll need to see how many… Oh.
Cracks start to form on the lacrima surrounding Magnolia, the orbs staring to sink down in the air slightly before detonating in a blasts of energy that look more like fireworks then anything else. I look back at the defeated Laxus, the fake dragon force's effects fading away; deflating him and the scales vanishing.
"Right come on." I hoist him up over my shoulder with one hand and start walking back to Fairy Tail.
"W..why…" Well that's some impressive recovery time but if he tries anything I'm pulling a Bane.
"Because as much as I'm pissed at you you're still a member of the guild. Now shut up and don't move your neck." Laxus goes fully limp after that and I call in the Pleiades.
"Ladies; gather up the guild members and get them back to the guild. Lupus I'll be relying on you to get them fixed up as best you can."
"Yes Master!" With that detail taken care of I keep walking back to Fairy Tail.
-x-X-x-
Defeat Laxus Dreyar: Advantage Platinum Ability Ticket
Prevent the Thunder Palace from going off: Gold Trait Ticket
[Diamond Draw] - |Epic Ability| - Allows you to temporarily summon an item from the Diamond Item Gacha that lasts for 1 hour before disappearing(You roll the gacha). The item given is random as the user is given a temporary ticket to roll. This ability starts its 8-hour cooldown the moment it is used. If the item pulled is an elixir, the effects of the Elixir are made temporary. 24 hour cooldown.
or
[Trance] - |Rare Ability| - Allows you to snap your fingers to put anyone who has their attention on you in a trance, you can subtly influence them in their trance or take other advantages, and being harmed snaps them out of their trance. Cannot be used on especially strong willed people or people stronger than you.
[Hentai Protagonist] - |Elite Trait| - Apparently your fate has changed, you are much more likely to encounter and fall into situations one might consider "erotic" such as encountering a hot single mom that moved next door, getting into situations that are much more likely to end up in sexual encounters, and people in general seem to be far more affected by sexual situations involving you.
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