Lia was soaked and the sleeves of her shirt charred and some of the bandages were untied now having to deal with devil enchantments till she managed to stop them, although she had to remember to replace them with her own now. She was in the entrance staring at the dust filled two-floored house. And she had to deal with the library in the basement too.
She was glad her house was off in one of the emptier areas of magnolia.
The house was normal sized, From the outside this house looks grandiose, it has been built with tan stones and has tan stone decorations. Small, squared windows allow enough light to enter the home and have been added to the house in a mostly symmetric way.
The roof is high and triangular and is covered with wood shingles. There are no chimneys. Several large windows let in plenty of light to the rooms below the roof.
the first floor had a living room on one side, a guest bathroom and kitchen to the other side, the stairs in the middle with the door leading to the basement on the side of the stairs.
The second floor had two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
"Porlyusica would kill me if she knew I was already using magic" Lia muttered to herself as she crouched as her fingers touched the floor and she gathered magic.
Dust particles started to gather around her for a few minutes, before she stood with the dust gathered in a pile in front of her and she dusted her hands. Before making the pile of dust turn into a ball. Before the ball disappeared.
Although that dealt with one problem she still would have to deal with the moth eaten curtains, weed the small garden, pay the bills…etc. but all that could wait to tomorrow.
She headed upstairs making her way to her room, when she opened her wardrobe she wasn't surprised to find just remaining of the fabric that was in there. She grabbed what she could and but around her like a cloak.
Gathering her magic again, a faint golden aura surrounded her as her cloth along with the extra fabric changed till she was wearing a short sleeved red pajama along with red pajama pants before she finally crashed into the bed, and drifted into sleep.
Lia didn't wake up till the afternoon of the next day, standing up and opened the window to let some light in, she did freeze in front the stand mirror as she looked at herself with a frown.
To her she was just 17 she had to keep reminding herself it has been four years. She was taller, her orange hair which used to be kept at shoulder height was now all the way to her waist, she was thinner like she barely ate, her chest was a little bigger too. Her feature that stayed the same was probably her golden yellow eyes and the red Fairy Tail mark on her right hand.
"Move forward, don't let the past hold you back and don't let your circumstances define you" She reminded herself with her mother's words with a small smile to herself.
Since the house had no water since no bills were paid for the four years, she just changed her outfit with magic.
First leaving to the bank where she was relieved to find her bank account safe and sound, with enough money in it and was thankful for the money she had saved. She paid the bills and then headed to the market.
She bought food, some new fabrics which she had sent to her house, some cleaning supplies to deal with what she knew her magic couldn't do, garden seeds and tools to fix the small garden, some medical supplies to handle herself, she was sure this counted as pushing herself but she didn't like just giving into her injuries.
When she made it home she started with her house and wasn't done except by nightfall but she was proud of her work as the house now didn't look like it was haunted and looked great if she could say so herself, she also managed to change the lock on her door so she now had a new key, and she placed some enchantments, to replace the previous ones.
She crashed in that night tired again after making sure to change her bandages. The next day after a hot shower and a small breakfast, she made her way to the guild, she was wearing a red tank top, a blue plaid shirt left un buttoned with long sleeves rolled to her elbow, blue jeans shorts that reached mid-thigh, with mid-calf grey boots.
Her hair was cut to mid-back and her bangs were brushed to the left while she had her hair behind her ear on the right side of her face.
"Morning" She greeted Mira and Juvia as she settled at the bar. Mira was behind the bar while Juvia sat beside Lia.
"Good morning" Juvia replied
"Good morning" She replied "You're managed to settle back in?"
"Yup" She replied with a grin before sweat dropping at the Cana who was drinking this early in the day.
"That's normal" Mira told her with a giggle as Lia shook her head. "You know you came back at the best time; the harvest festival isn't too far away"
"That's right" Lia reminded herself "I am definitely taking part this year in as many activities as I can this year especially fantasia"
"Fantasia?!" Juvia wondered confused
"You just came here, but it's the best thing ever" Lia told her as she remembered the years before "It's a parade held by Fairytail at the end of the festival every year, it basically everyone showing their magic in a beautiful demonstration"
"Speaking about magic, is your magic is fine?" Mira asked her "You used that teleportation spell to get out of that hug but…"
"It's good" Lia answered "I even feel a little more in control, probably body memory from those four years. I use particle magic, I heard you were a water mage so there's probably tons of things you could do for the parade"
"I am gonna be in it?" She asked surprised
"Of course you're a member of Fairytail after all" Makarov joined the conversation as he sat on the bar.
"That magic is…" Lia turned to look at the door with a smile "They're back, Natsu, Gray, Erza and Happy"
"Then I have the best welcome back gift" Mira said with a giggle as she headed towards the stage
"You're using your sensing ability?" Makarov asked her with a disapproving look as she just scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"I just want to get back into it" She said with a laugh as the guild doors opened and Lucy and Happy stood at the railings.
"How beautiful!" The two shouted as they stared at the guild.
Juvia and Makarov made their way towards the group who was being shown the new guild by Levy while Lia hanged back wanting to see how long it would take for them to notice her.
Lia was surprised when the smile Juvia was giving them turned to a glare directed towards Lucy. When she heard the words Love rival she sweat dropped.
Of course like almost everyone in the guild things didn't go well when they found out that Gajeel had joined.
Lia sighed as she walked towards the group, mainly Natsu, who was about to start a fight.
"It is the role of we elder to guide youth from the wrong path to the right one" Master told them as Lia approached the group "Deep down even he is good"
"You guys should calm down and listen to gramps" Lia told them as team Natsu froze and looked at her "Give him a second chance"
"Lia?!" Erza called shocked, Natsu, Happy and Gray were shocked as well while Lucy was confused.
"The one and only!" She told them with a wink, Natsu sniffed the air once he confirmed it he and Happy jumped at her screaming her name as they hugged her.
"Good to see you too Natsu" Lia laughed hugging him back, when she broke with him she ended up being hugged by Erza and afterwards Gray, when she didn't miss the look from Juvia.
She was surprised to see Erza was a little taller than her.
"But what happened?" Erza asked her to which Lia shrugged
"Can't remember" She replied before turning to the blonde "You must be Lucy, I heard a lot about you, I'm Lia Sephiran"
"Nice to meet you" Lucy said nervously as she was thinking about what could Lia have heard.
They were cut off when the lights went off and the stage lights were lit.
"We're back, Mira!" Natsu shouted to Mira who was on stage.
"Welcome back" She replied back "I will now sing a song commemorating the new guild and to welcome back Lia and Natsu's team."
Everyone was cheering Mira as we sat at one of the tables and listened. Lia closed her eyes and enjoyed the music.
Once Mira was done with her song, everything went downhill as Gajeel decided to sing which somehow led to a huge fight in the guild. Lia stared from the side as much as she wanted to join thought against it with her still healing injures. So she just opted to laughing, while Master cried and Lucy and Happy hid.
After things calmed down though Lia noticed Jet and Droy talking to Gajeel before leaving the guild hall with the three of them and Levy.
Lia decided to follow them, with sigh. She wasn't there when it happened and they have every right to be angry but she didn't want things to get out of hand.
So when they ended up at the park she opted to watch from a distance and only interfere if it gets out of hand.
Eventually Jet and Droy started attacking Gajeel who didn't defend himself or fight back, Lia understood what that meant but apparently they didn't even notice.
When she sensed a familiar magic though she frowned as Laxus joined the small gathering.
When Lightning gathered about to hit Gajeel, Lia appeared in front of him and raised her hand upwards.
"Destroy!" she shouted as the magic particles dispersed, before she glared towards Laxus, she knew she wouldn't be able to stop another attack like that.
"Using that much power on a guild mate Laxus?" She asked him angrily, as he just stared back not showing any kind of emotion.
"I heard you were back" He said "Now get out of the way"
"Not happening" She told him crossing her hands, but Gajeel stood up and put his hand too her shoulder to have her move out of the way. "Gajeel"
As soon as she was out of the way Laxus hit the ground and Lightning hit Gajeel sending him back.
"That's enough Laxus!" Lia shouted
"Stop Laxus! That's going too far!" Jet tried to reason with him.
"I knew Laxus was crazy strong, but…" Droy noted "it's that one-sided?"
"It's because Gajeel isn't fighting back at all" Lia shouted at them "He hasn't been from the start"
"Because he wanted us to recognize him as an ally…" Levy cried from the back. "He just took it without defending himself"
Laxus disappeared in lightning and appeared at Gajeel and started kicking him. Lia ran forward, her hand aiming at Laxus. "Magic missile, Fire!"
Three balls of fire formed and hit Laxus who stopped what he was doing and turned towards her.
"What was that about not hurting your guild mates?" He asked her
"Not when they're causing harm, now stop it!" She bellowed at him with a glare, understanding what Macao had told her.
"Stop it Laxus, That's enough!" Jet called from behind
"The weaklings should stay outta this!" Laxus called as he directed lightning towards them
"No!" Lia shouted as it went past her, she knew she wouldn't make it, all of them were surprised when Gajeel stood in front of Levy taking the hit for her using his iron as a rod.
"You satisfied?" Gajeel asked shaking slightly "I have work to do" He started walking away.
I frowned before angrily turning towards Laxus with a glare he just turned away leaving too. She sighed turning to check on Levy.
"Are you okay Levy?" She asked the petit girl who nodded. "You two…" She turned to Jet and Droy "Can you drop it now? And give him a chance?"
They just looked at the ground, so Lia sighed.
"He's trying to change; you know very well he could have beaten the two of you easily" Lia told them "I am not asking you to be best friends, but holding on to what happened wouldn't do anybody any good now"
She started running after the iron dragon slayer before he got of her magic sensing range. He was using his hand to hold himself against a building.
He was surprised when someone was under suddenly helping support him, looking at the Orange headed girl with shock.
"Let's get you to the guild" She told him "You said you had a job to do, wouldn't want to be late now, would you?" She asked him as he tusked
"I can walk on my own" He told her
"I know you could, but right now you don't have to" She replied surprising him as She started helping and he tusked again. "That what it means to have friends"
"Do what you want" He told her causing her to smile as he reminded her of a certain boy.
He did force her to let go when they were close to the guild and he walked in on his own.
Lia sat at in the guild lost in thought, out of everyone she couldn't believe how much Laxus had changed. That wasn't the reunion she had in mind, they grew up together after all but she would have never thought he would change this much.
The next day Lia was surprised to find Erza at her door.
"You want help with the clothing for Miss Fairy Tail?" Lia repeated what the red head had told her.
"You can still use your magic to make cloth right?" Erza asked as Lia nodded "Please help me!"
"Of course" Lia told her If she can't be in it because of her bandages, which was healing pretty good most of them were already gone, at least one of her creation would be in it.
Later, Lia sat at the bar in the guild beside Gajeel waiting for the competition to start. She was wearing a knee length black pencil skirt with a white button up long sleeved shirt and black ankle length flat boots.
The competition started, first off was Cana who used her cards to change into a swimsuit, afterwards was Juvia who changed into a swimsuit too calling for Gray at the end.
"At least Erza will be different" Lia told herself "Her biggest contestant is probably Mira"
"How do you know?" Gajeel asked her as he ate iron
"I designed her costume" Lia said proudly
When Mira's turn came and she used her magic to change her face to Happy, Lia secretly cheered.
"Erza is going to win this!" Lia cheered to herself.
But when Mira changed her face to Gajeel, Lia was holding her stomach laughing as Gajeel just lost it.
"Shut it" He shouted at the still laughing Lia.
Afterwards was Erza's turn, Lia cheered the loudest.
"I will show you a very special requip, a design by Lia Sephiran" Erza said from stage as she used her magic.
When Erza changed into the dress, seeing the crowd's reaction Lia smirked.
"And we have a winner" Lia said smugly
"You didn't look the type to be smug" Gajeel told her, he was behind the bar considering what Mira did.
"Mostly when it comes to my cloth designs" She told him
It was Levy's turn afterwards and she used her magic to form some words behind her.
Bisca came after already in a swimsuit she requiped a sniper and shot four coins at the same time while they were in air.
It was Lucy's turn she freaked out when max was about to say her last name, and came on the stage wearing a cheering costume.
She was about to make a cheer with her spirits when a voice interrupted.
"Entry number eight…" Evergreen came into stage surprising everyone "If you want a fairy, then you want me. If you want beauty, then you want me. Yes, I am all you want! The winner is obviously me, Evergreen! Okay! The Idiotic contest is now over!"
Lia stood up, she could feel something wrong. "Ever?!" Lia wondered she hadn't been focusing on using her magic sense so she didn't know she was here she used it and sensed Laxus, Freed and Bickslow too.
Lucy started to object when Evergreen started removing her glasses.
"Lucy, don't look into her eyes!" Lia and Gray shouted at the same time but they were too late, as Lucy was turned to stone.
"Everyone quickly escape!" Max yelled at the audience, who immediately started running.
Lia stood behind Master Makarov.
"What are you doing Evergreen?" He shouted at her "Do you plan on ruining the festival?"
"You need some entertainment for a festival, yes?" She asked laughing, as the curtain rose to show all the ones from the contest as stone statues.
"Stop this Ever!" Lia shouted at her glaring hard "Change them back!"
Lightning came from the ceiling and hit the stage, showing Laxus.
"Hey, you Fairy Fails!" He called "The festival's just getting started!"
"Laxus?" Master called confused
"Freed?" Gray called
"Bickslow over here too" Lia stated
"Thunder tripe?" Macao shocked
"Laxus's personal guard!" Wakaba stated
"Let's play, old man." Laxus stated as he stood on stage.
Lia appeared on his side with her hand extended.
"Explosion!" She called as an explosion happened as the smoke from it dispersed.
"Destroy!" Lia called as the lightning came at her and dispersed immediately.
"You really think you can fight me!" Laxus laughed as he stared at her, while she glared angrily back.
"Stop this right now!" She shouted at him. When she sensed ever beside her. She teleported from the stage while looking at the ground to stop from being affected.
"Enough of this foolishness!" Master shouted at Laxus "Return them to normal at once!"
"I wonder how many will be left to be in fantasia?" Laxus said making our eyes widen as lightning almost hit Lucy.
Lia immediately teleported next to Lucy, in case he tried anything again.
"Hurt my Guild mates Laxus, and I assure you won't be seeing the light of day!" Lia threatened even if she knew she couldn't hurt him that much, she wasn't going to back down when it concerned her guild mates.
He just laughed at her threat.
"These women are my hostages." He told them "If you break the rules, I'll shatter them, one by one. I told you remember, this is entertainment!"
"This isn't funny, Laxus!" Master replied
"I'm being serious!" He told him as the thunder tripe gathered around him.
"Let's just see who the strongest is in Fairy Tail." Freed said standing beside Ever.
"Time for fun!" Bickslow stated standing beside Laxus as his dolls repeated 'Fun!'
"The rules are simple! The last one standing is the winner! Battle of Fairy Tail!" Laxus stated
"I like it! Simple!" Natsu stated surprising us "I'm getting fired up!"
Natsu wasn't even understanding the gravity of the situation.
Lia on the stage beside Lucy glared hard, but being careful, right now she knew Laxus could be capable of following on his threat.
"I like that eager spirit of yours" Laxus stated as Master was surprised at Natsu.
"It's a festival, Gramps!" Natsu stated "Let's do this!"
"Don't you remember when you got beat by Laxus before?" Warren asked him as Natsu kept walking towards the stage.
"I was just a kid!" Natsu replied making Warren remind him that it was only last year.
"I was a kid last year!" Natsu replied jumping at Laxus.
"But I hate that you have no sense of flair" Laxus said "So cool down"
Lightning came down at Natsu and he was down with one hit.
"Natsu!" Lia and Gray called as Happy flew towards him.
"Aww, and he had just recovered…" Happy stated
"If you want these girls returned to normal, you must defeat us!" Evergreen stated
"There are 4 of us and around a 100 of you, right?" Bickslow stated
"100 on 4" His dolls said.
"You have three hours" Evergreen stated the thing Lia knew well "After that they turn to dust, I'm afraid"
"The field of battle is the entirely of Magnolia" Laxus stated "When you find us the battle begins."
"Laxus…" Master said as he changed into his titan form "Stop this foolishness!"
"Now, now! I said to cool down!" Laxus said "it's entertainment for the festival, see?" He started glowing with his magic blinding everyone in the guild "Let's have fun! Battle of Fairy Tail…Begin!"
When the light was gone the four of them had disappeared. Immediately almost all they guys had started running from the guild to find them.
Even Master started following them shouting he'll stop him. Lia followed behind him after giving the rest of the girls a look.
She stopped on the inside once she saw Gray trying to pull master through the door but It was like he was hitting an invisible wall.
"Damn it!" Lia cursed "Stop it Gray, it's one of Freed's runes"
He stopped and noticed the runes written.
"Freed's runes?" Gray asked so master explained to him
"What's written?" Gray asked
"Those older than 80 or stone status may not pass" I told him reading the runes
"A magic where the guy who sets the rules win?" Gray was shocked
"It takes a long time to write the runes" Master stated "it is not suited for sudden battles, but when it comes to setting traps, there's nothing better."
"which puts us in a terrible situation right now" Lia stated "They had time to prepare, the city is probably filled with runes"
"Can't you break it down, Gramps?" Gray asked
"The rune's rules are absolute!" Master stated.
"Man, they planned for everything!" Gray said frustrated.
"We'll have to be careful where to step" Lia said as she left the building too.
"Lia are you well enough to fight?" Master asked her concerned.
"I am fine, beside even if I was dying right now, I wouldn't sit still" Lia stated
"I don't care if he's your grandson or whatever, I ain't holding back" Gray stated angrily "I'll get Laxus"
Gray started running, Master looked down.
"No one out there right now can beat Laxus" Lia told him "Gildarts and Eiran are both away on missions, and the other S-class Mystogan we don't know where he is, Erza and Mira are frozen. So our best bet is to release them, which means taking down Ever!" She started to use her magic to change her cloth into something more fit for a battle.
Her cloth changed to a white turtle neck top and black skinny pants.
"Lia…" Master called quietly
"They're my friends after all, so…" Lia turned around "If anyone is bringing those three back to their senses It has to be me and I will to find Laxus and buy some time" She started running herself trying to sense Ever's magic and keeping an eye for Freed's runes.