✿Thanks to Ajerzaaddict, Ash Lite, MayeLamker, Thunder Explosion, Candied Snowflakes, ephemeralstorm, Babylovebug18 for taking the time to leave reviews on the previous chapter. And the guest whoever you are it's still appreciated even if I can't thank you properly :)

Heavenly Lightning Trials part 1

The sound of bells ringing spread across Magnolia.

"Magnolia will now change to Gildarts shift! Residents please move to the designated areas!"

Lucy was just about to enter the guild with Erza and Wendy when they heard the announcement and they turned to see Magnolia begin to rumble.

"Gildarts is finally back!" cried Lucy just as the guild doors burst open and Natsu stood laughing with blazing fire dancing in his eyes.

"Duh Lucy!" quipped Natsu still laughing with the prospect of fighting Gildarts now that he was stronger after the Grand Magic Games. A vein pulsed in Lucy's head and she whirled round giving him an infamous 'Lucy kick,' shoving him back through the doors into the guild. "Don't condescend me!" she shouted and Erza smiled approvingly, before stepping into the raucous inside.

It wasn't long before the doors swung open and there was the man of the hour; trademark long tattered black coat and all.

"GILDARTS!" The guild cheered in unison and he grinned at the exuberant welcome.

"HELLO STRONGEST GUILD IN FIORE!" He yelled causing Fairy Tail to erupt into hollering chaos as he walked across the threshold with his bag slung over his shoulder.

"Gildarts fight me!" Natsu dived at him with a flaming fist but Gildarts swiftly ducked, so instead Natsu went barrelling into Gray igniting another fight between the two.

"It's good to see everyone! Crazy as usual I see!"

Mirajane handed him a drink, as he sank down at the bar.

"You weren't gone as long this time Gildarts," she said with a heart-warming smile.

"Well the quest was easy this time…no barbaric dragon hah! And I had to come and see the winners of the Grand Magic Games after all! Actually speaking of dragons, I can't believe what you all went through. If only Cana used that card I gave her…Where is Cana? I need to congratulate her. Did you see her hit 9,999 on the Magic Power Finder?" He beamed, scanning around for his daughter.

"She went out drinking with Bacchus and the rest of Quatro Puppy- er I mean Quatro Cerberus- a few days ago and she hasn't came back yet. She's determined to out drink that Bacchus," chuckled Wakaba shaking his head before he registered the sudden deafening silence along with the deadpan looks of the rest of the guild. It slowly dawned on him what he had just done.

"Uh oh," said Wakaba as his pipe fell out of his mouth.

All eyes turned to Gildarts bracing for him to destroy the guild, as his was face devout of all emotion and he stood completely and utterly still. Suddenly he moved and everyone in the guild yelped, some even sprinted for the doors to escape their sealed fate. Instead Gildarts merely grinned and gave the shell-shocked Wakaba and Macao a thumbs up.

"That's my girl!" He announced proudly before downing the rest of his drink and then walked up the stairs.

"I'm going to go check in with Gramps." With that he disappeared on the second floor and the entire guild let out a unified breath of relief.

"For a minute there, I thought we were going to lose the guild hall again, after just getting it back too!" cried Macao as his head hit the table.

"The garden too!" added Romeo with a laugh.

That's when Jellal stepped into the guild confused at the haphazard state Magnolia was currently in. A chorus of "JELLAL!" greeted him taking him aback at the extravagant welcome. Laughing at his reaction, Lucy and Erza beckoned him over and he complied with his long navy cloak swishing behind him.

"It's because Gildarts is back in town," explained Erza gesturing to the guild who were currently hollering and clanking glasses in the air. "Everyone is in high spirits…even more so than usual."

"Ah, that'll explain the shift in Magnolia," Jellal replied. "I can't wait to meet the legendary Gildarts."

Kinana hurried into the guild.

"KINANA!" everyone hollered in way of greeting just as they did for Jellal and she smiled taking her space beside Mirajane behind the bar. "Sorry I'm late," she apologised. Not long after, Cobra slipped into the guild with his hands shoved into his pockets.

"COOOOOBRAAAAA!" The guild shrieked and the poison dragon slayer looked horrified.

His face was priceless.

Gildarts shut the door behind him and sauntered into Makarov's office.

"Gildarts, glad to see you back. You missed quite a bit," Makarov said in greeting.

"I think that's an understatement Gramps from what I've heard."

Makarov sweat-dropped. "You wouldn't believe the amount of paperwork."

"That's why I ain't guild master aha!"

Makarov clenched his jaw and folded his arms at the dig.

"Anyway that time has since past and I'm sure the rest of the guild can fill you in on the events. I actually have some things I'd like to discuss with you on a different note. It's about Jellal and-"

"Jellal? Well it's about damn time he joined the family!" rejoiced Gildarts and Makarov smiled.

"Yes. Anyway as I was saying it's about Jellal and Laxus-"

"Ah, my competition. Do you want me to fight them to determine if I'm still the strongest?" interrupted Gildarts.

Makarov let out a long exasperated sigh before answering. "No I quite like Magnolia the way it is and I'm sure Fiore would be less off, if it was completely destroyed."

Gildarts shrugged nonchalantly. "Fair enough. Okay if not that, then what about them?"

"I'd like to promote them to S-Class."

Gildarts snorted. "You mean you haven't already? Are you crazy?"

"It's not that simple though, because if I make another S-Class trial it isn't fair throwing them into the mix; not when Natsu is so close to obtaining the rank. Laxus once had the title but it was stripped when I denounced him from the guild," Gildarts gave Makarov a smug look as he said that last part since it was Gildarts's doing that got his grandson back in the guild after all. Makarov didn't give Gildarts the satisfaction of telling him he was right and continued on.

"Jellal was once one of the Great Wizard Saints when he was in the Magic Council as Siegrain, although don't bring that up in front of him Gildarts, the boy has had a dark past." Gildarts was nodding while Makarov spoke, a thoughtful expression painted across his features.

"They both are indubitably on par with Jura," Makarov stated and Gildarts raised his eyebrows.

"Stronger if you'd ask me," Makarov muttered under his breath. "There's no doubt in my mind that Jellal would have beaten Jura had his comrades not intercepted and Laxus actually did beat Jura, much to my utter shock at the time. Jellal took out the Oracion Seis single-handedly and Laxus took out Raven Tail with little effort on his own too."

"You want them to fight each other?" inquired Gildarts sceptically.

"Wha-? No! Again, I don't think that would be a good idea. We don't have Tenrou Island anymore and those two could easily destroy a town much like yourself," groaned Makarov.

"So…like challenges and trials?"

"Exactly. I propose we put them through events for the rest of the guild to watch."

"Why don't you just give them S-Class and cut out all the crap?" suggested Gildarts.

"Because if I do that, then they'll be an absolute uproar and everyone will want S-Class, but this is a special circumstance. The only exception," explained Makarov.

Gildarts chuckled and stood up. "Well I'm all for it. What exactly do you have planned?"

A devious grin spread across Makarov's features and suddenly Mavis appeared behind him and Gildarts's face visibly paled. "F-f-irst Master Mavis?!" he cried and she smiled sweetly as if she wasn't a ghost standing before him.

"Hello Fifth Master Gildarts. We have epic things planned. Lots of epic things," and her adorable face beamed with the anticipation of the events to come.

"I'm really sorry, I know how annoying it is when someone interrupts me when I'm reading but is that Dark Magic Within Us by Irisea Maya Waters?" Levy asked her voice rising as she uttered the name of the author. Jellal smiled and placed the green hardback on the table.

"Yeah it is but I've already read it."

"I've read it three times!" shrilled Levy enthusiastically shaking her arms in front of her. "Lucy said she liked it but it's not the kind of book that deserves to be simply liked. It should be treasured and loved." Levy realised she was probably embarrassing herself and decided to just stop talking.

"You're right, I do think multiple readings is worth it because you pick up on all the subtle hints weaved throughout it about Thornelea's true guise," Jellal replied without batting an eyelid. Levy stared at him agape and blinked several times before launching into pure bookoholic mode. Surprisingly, Jellal was able to keep up with the passionate bookworm's vehement rambling and even managed to get a few words in edgewise himself. The eagerness of the listener quickens the tongue of the narrator after all.

"Hey Levy, Jellal, Gajeel," greeted Lucy with a wave.

"He's one of us!" announced Levy happily pointing at Jellal.

"Us?"

"A book lover!" Levy practically sang and Lucy beamed sitting herself down at the table.

"Oh jeez. Shrimp, Jelly, Blondie. I'm off. Later dorks," Gajeel said getting up to take his abrupt leave.

The doors crashed open and Cana and Bacchus staggered in.

"Wild!" she cheered lifting up a bottle and her other arm was slung around Bacchus's shoulders. They staggered in and Bacchus let her sink into a chair and fall asleep with her head on the table.

"Fairy Tail are wiiiiiiiiild!" he yelled before stumbling over to Erza.

"Hey Erza, fine babe as always," he slurred and Erza smiled.

"Bacchus, how have you been?" She asked politely and Jellal's jaw notably clenched. Gajeel nudged Levy suddenly a lot more interested in the bookworm table. "Look at that. Jellal's jelly senses are tingling again. Isn't that right Jelly?"

"Why do you insist on calling me that!?"

"Oh kitty got claws," drawled Gajeel leaning across the table with a wicked grin. "Geehee."

"Do you think I'm just going to take that?" asked Jellal his face darkening almost to a certain red-headed mage's calibre.

"Yeah. I think you're always going to take it because you never get into fights, you'd rather just sit and talk books with a bunch of girls. Like a sissy," jested Gajeel folding his arms.

Jellal smiled. "You're trying to bait me and it's not going to work. I'm not such an imbecile who has to think with his fists," countered Jellal and Gajeel laughed.

"Throwing big words at me because you think I'll be impressed huh? 'Cause I'm not," stated Gajeel and Levy cringed and face palmed at how stupid and anti-climactic the iron dragon slayer's comeback was.

"And I'm not jealous. What on earthland gave you that impression?" Jellal asked, shaking his head.

Gajeel said nothing and merely pointed. Jellal turned to see Bacchus talking to Erza swaying on his feet like always, before he put his hand on her shoulder. Jellal flinched and made a small strangled noise in his throat but swivelled back around quickly restraining himself. Last time he actually punched Ichiya in the face and he wasn't about to repeat that with Bacchus.

"Erza is more than capable of taking care of herself," Jellal said tightly giving Gajeel a pointed look who shrugged seeing it was a losing battle and started talking with Levy.

Jellal snuck a quick glance behind him when Gajeel wasn't looking and grated his teeth together. That drunk had both his hands on either side of her shoulders, clearly invading her personal space but Erza continued to talk to him politely.

Awww he's jealous thought Lucy catching Jellal staring. That is so cute.

"You know we never have had a fight Titania with a proper victor. We should change that," declared Bacchus.

"Yes a fight would be rewarding," replied Erza, but Bacchus leaned in a little close for comfort- bold even for Bacchus, so Erza became immediately wary.

"If I win I'll need a trophy," he slurred. "Got any seductress armours ready to seduce me Erza?"

Erza scrunched up her face and pushed his head away with her armoured hand. "I don't think so Bacchus," she stated with a vicious edge to her words just as there was a flash of heavenly light and Jellal stood in between Erza and the Quatro Cerberus mage.

"Hey there Bacchus my name's Jellal I don't think we've ever been introduced," Jellal spoke quickly and through gritted teeth. Bacchus smirked with rosy cheeks, rocking back and forth before bending forward to Jellal. You could practically see sparks as they locked glares.

"Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllld!" Bacchus suddenly shrieked and took a swing at him.

"What the-" Jellal ducked and using only two fingers, fired a small beam of heavenly magic, that caught Bacchus right in the face, crumpling him to the ground. He went to get back on his feet but slumped back on the floor giggling instead. His head lolled back and he went silent.

"Maybe Cana gave him a run for his money, because that was bold even for Bacchus," Laxus pointed out over from the Raijinshu table. "That was how he normally treats other woman but not Erza. He must be really drunk." The rest of the Raijinshu enthusiastically agreed with their almighty leader.

"Jellal Fernandes! Who told you to do that?" Erza shouted with her arms folded.

"What? I never even used my whole hand!" Jellal said in his defence.

Erza scowled trying to look annoyed but her eyes were laughing. "Not that…defending me. I don't need you to defend me all the time. Especially not from men."

Jellal sighed and his shoulder sagged as he walked over and lifted Bacchus up.

"I know and I'm sorry. This is something I must atone for-"

"STOP SAYING THAT WORD!" the entire guild shrieked in unison and Jellal cringed slinging Bacchus' arm across his shoulders.

"Right, sorry. No more atoning," he smiled sheepishly as Erza tapped him on the back.

"Jellal. You can't be jealous of Bacchus - that's like the sun being jealous of a candle flame," Erza whispered quitely so that only he could hear and Jellal smiled but then grumbled under his breath, "I'm not jealous." He hoisted the unconscious mage higher on his back and Bacchus' head slumped forward. "I'm just going to take Bacchus here back to his guild," he announced and he didn't dare make eye contact with Gajeel.

He. Did. Not. Dare.

Laxus rolled his eyes and intercepted Jellal. "I'll do it. It won't look as odd if I do it. The last thing we want is trouble from the council."

"This is my mess, so I'll fix it. I'll bring him back and apologise," replied Jellal.

"Would you relax? Every time you do something impulsive and hell-human you feel guilty about it and all this atoning shit comes back. Look we messed up in the past but dwelling on it won't help-"

"I know that," said Jellal irritably.

"Blue, just sit down have a drink-"

"Laxus it's fine," Jellal made to move around him but the lightning dragon slayer grabbed Bacchus's other dangling arm.

"In the amount of time you've been in this guild you've already strung more words together than Mystogan ever did," said Laxus.

"That'll be because he was walking around... with the face of a convict!" Jellal snapped that last part.

Natsu and Gray had finally stopped fighting to watch the odd pair argue. Mirajane had her eyes glued to the spectacle as well but continued to dry a glass and Erza was attempting to conceal her growing smile with her hand as she watched them. She had never seen Jellal like this…the Fairy Tail spirit wasn't half rubbing off on him. She wished she could subtly requip into a helmet to conceal her blush that no doubt matched her hair.

"Alright brats! Listen up! We've got an announcement to make!" Makarov and Gildarts came down from the upper floor and their eyes instantly fell upon the soon to be S-Class wizards. Bacchus was unconscious, slumped forwards upright on his knees and Jellal held his right arm and Laxus his left. They kept tugging him back and forth. Makarov's eyebrow twitched, and his eyes bugged out of his head as he watched two of Fairy Tail's strongest wizards bickering like an old married couple.

It was one of the strangest things Makarov had ever seen and it was also the first time Gildarts officially met Jellal.

Gildarts was not disappointed.

✿The set up for the S-Class Trials to come. Much more lighthearted than the previous few chapters :) I think Laxus and Jellal are hilarious rivals. If Laxus thought he had his hands full with Mystogan he's in for a real treat. Thanks for reading and a massive thank you to all the follows and favourites as well. Sorry for playing the jealous Jellal card again but jelly Jellal is so kawaii. All reviews are greatly appreciated.

Also I will not be shipping Mirajane with anyone in this story, but if you want some spotlight on Mirajane you could check out ephemeralstorm's "A Match For The Matchmaker."

*Fairy Tail Salute*

In the meantime maybe you could check out a little Jerza one-shot I wrote called "I Believe In You." :) It didn't fit into "Free Fernandes" so it became a separate one-shot.