I wasn't planning on showcasing Ciara's abilities this early. I was going to do it during the Nirvana arc. But then I got a bunch of great ideas for it, and I think I can fit it into the story without messing up the canon events. Let's just say that Freed, Bixlow and Evergreen are in for a shock, Laxus is going to have a fun time, and Ciara is going to get a chance to whoop some ass…before the effects of Etherion kick back in. At this point, Natsu is only just recovering from eating ether-nano, and as Ciara is far more prone to getting sick than Natsu, it only stands to reason that she would suffer the effects longer than him. And since it's Fairy Tail, I'm going with Murphy's Law. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong.

I'll also be giving Freed a chance to look at things. Mostly because I want Ciara's entrance to be absolutely spectacular, and to give an outside perspective to exactly how strong she is (because most people can't really give a full view of what their abilities do to their surroundings). I do so hope that I pull that off. I also hope that I pull off Freed well, I don't want him to seem OOC.


Ciara's P.O.V

I'd completely forgotten about the festival. Magnolia's annual Harvest Festival. You'd think that since I've been in the Fantasia Parade before, that I wouldn't have forgotten about such an important event, but with all of the chaos lately, it's no wonder. First, the issue with Eisenwald, then the Galuna Island incident immediately afterward, the war with Phantom Lord a month ago, and then the fiasco with the Tower of Heaven. We've had a pretty busy couple of months.

And now, we've got the parade later today to get ready for. Oh, and the Miss Fairy Tail pageant. I honestly don't see the appeal to parading around in skimpy clothes, trying to win money. But for some reason, the other girls really seem to like it, hence all of the buzz around the guild lately.

As I sit at the bar, eating some breakfast, since I felt too sick and lazy to cook for myself this morning, Mira eyes me mischievously. "So, are you going to be entering the Miss Fairy Tail contest this year? They accept entries until lunchtime!"

"No." It's my usual response to her antics "Why would I? I don't need the money, and I don't feel like prancing around in a bikini either. And I'm already known for my pink hair. I really don't need to keep advertising it." I'm still feeling a little sore about being called Pinky by Gajeel. "Besides, I'm saving my magic for the parade later. I'm still sick from eating ether-nano at the Tower of Heaven, and my magic hasn't completely regenerated in the last week and a half. I've spent most of my time sleeping off the nausea. And converting wind into magic through my stomach might just set off the hurling again. And I really don't feel like projectile vomiting in the middle of the guild hall."

"I see…well I hope that you feel better soon." Mira sounds rather disappointed. "That's too bad, though. I think that if you decided to enter, you would win for sure!"

"You think…?" Somehow, that's hard for me to imagine. "But you, Erza, and Lucy are all prettier than me. Plus, my magic is hardly something that I would consider to be show-worthy. I'm better at destroying things than doing some glittery show." It annoy me to talk about how much like my brother I am. "Actually, even Natsu's magic is more suited for a stage than mine. The parade is fine, since I'll be providing effects for one of the floats in collaboration with Gray and Juvia. But a stage? No thank you. I'll just hang out and watch until the pageant is over."


Around lunchtime, people start filing into the guild hall, all of our members currently in Magnolia gathering to watch the proceedings of the Miss Fairy Tail contest. And as promised, I have not entered. I'll just watch from up on the second floor.

As the announcer, Max gets right into his role. "The long wait is finally over, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the one and only Miss Fairy Tail contest, where your favorite fairies fight in a battle of beauty!" He gestures with a flourish. "I'm Max Alors, sand wizard extraordinare, and I'll be your host for this exciting event! Now, let's meet entry number one! The exotic beauty who'll drink you under the table any day of the week! Cana Alberona!"

The first one out on stage really is Cana, though she isn't dressed in anything particularly spectacular, it's the same skimpy outfit as always. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I can smell the alcohol that's soaked into her clothes from too many long drinking sessions. I could probably smell her coming from a mile away, if I cared enough to anticipate it. The only reason that I couldn't in here is because her smell is overpowered by the overall smell of the alcohol and food in the guild hall.

"Now bust out some magic and show us your stuff!" Cana just laughs in response to Max, her cards flying through the air and spinning all around her. "She sent her deck spinning! What could she be doing behind all those cards?" And when the light dies down, there she is in a bikini. "She changed into a swimsuit!

Cana exits stage right, and Max gets the crowd even more worked up. "On to entry number two! She may be new to the guild, but her magic is S-Class! A radiant beauty in rain or shine, Juvia Lockser!"

Juvia shows up on the stage next, her outfit very different to what she wore at the Tower of Heaven. Her hair is shorter now and rather spiky, and her outfit is almost entirely white, instead of blue. But just as I observe that, her outfit disappears as she turns mostly to water, looking rather like an angel or a bird. And following up just like Cana, she changes into a bright white and blue polka-dot swimsuit.

"And the lovely lady is all set for a fabulous day at the beach!" Max is sure doing everything he can to get the crowd worked up about all the skimpy swimsuits. And this is precisely why I didn't want to enter. "Next up is entry number three, Fairy Tail's famous centerfold! Her beauty has stolen the hearts of men and women all over the land! Mirajane! Now show us your stuff!"

Mirajane takes to the stage next. And normally, this kind of contest would be an easy win for her. But somehow, I get the feeling that she's going to try and get creative. Things go very wrong when she gets creative. "My specialty is transformation magic, so I'll show you a new side of me!" She raises her hands to her face, and while the crowd is expecting something pretty, I'm expecting something stupid.

Mira does not disappoint. "This is my Happy face! Aye!" She turns her head into a perfect replica of my pet's face. And she doesn't stop there. "Here's my Gajeel face! Cool, huh?" Her replication of Gajeel's face is so bang on that it's terrifying to see it on a female body. And judging by the sputtering reaction of our Iron Dragon Slayer, he agrees with me.

To get the crowd back under control, Max moves on to the next contestant. "Entry number four! The Fairy Queen who needs no introduction, Erza Scarlet!"

Erza comes flipping out onto the stage, drama ever so strong in her blood. She laughs at the applause, since she thinks she's got this in the bag. "Let me show you a requip you don't get to see every day." Light flashes around her as she switches out her armor for a new outfit. And of course, she just has to go overboard with a lacy gothic lolita dress. Yep...she's got this in the bag.

After Erza leaves the stage, much to the displeasure of the crowd, Levy comes up next for an introduction. "And here is entry number five! Petite and cute, this Fairy is as smart as she is charming! Let's hear it for Levy McGarden!"

She flashes her ever-present smile to the crowd. "Let me show you my Solid Script!" She writes words all across the air, for metal, butterfly, flowers, and snow. It's definitely a flashy and special ability, and it gets her all the attention she deserves, especially from Jet and Droy, her personal fanboys.

"Here we have entry number six!" Max picks up the pace as Bisca walks out onto the stage, another one clad in only a bikini, though unlike the others, she came out dressed that way. "The sniper with her sights set on your heart the one and only Bisca Mulan!

Bisca pulls out four tiny gold coins, adorned appropriately with little hearts. She throws them into the air with a laugh. "Requip time!" A rifle appears in her hands and she points straight up. "The Gunner!" She shoots single shot into the air, piercing all four of the coins.

Alzack is falling all over himself at the display, practically drooling over Bisca. "That's hot!" I roll my eyes at his silliness. Yeah, and we all know you have the hots for her, so why don't you two just get a room already? Preferably far away from the guild.

"Let's move on to entry number seven! Fairy Tail's rising star!" I smile at the introduction, because there's only one person that could be. "She shines as brightly as the spirits that guide her way! Lucy Heart-"

"Ah! Please don't say my last name out loud!" Lucy sprints onto the stage, trying to shut Max up. She must still have some conflicting feelings about what happened with Phantom Lord. But she waves to the crowd with a smile, dressed in what looks like a cheerleader's outfit.

"Now show us what you've got!"

Lucy pulls out a couple of pompoms, laughing nervously. "Me and my Celestial Spirits are gonna do a cheer for you guys!"

Suddenly, I smell someone approaching, someone that I really don't like. Evergreen… And lo and behold, she appears there on the stage. "Entry number eight!"

Oh hell no, I am so out of here. I race along the second floor, dropping quickly to the ground right next to the doors. I don't want to be within five miles of that bitch. Pageant or not, no one could pay me enough to stay and watch her strut around on stage.

I run straight out the doors of the guild hall, without a single backward glance. But just as I step foot outside of the guild, a wall of runes goes up behind me. I spin around, staring at the runes, and I clench my fists. Freed? What the hell are you trying to pull?

Moments later, the crowd starts pouring out of the guild hall in a panic. The hell!? What's going on in there!? I move to step back inside the guild, but the barrier won't let me. Freed!

I can smell them in there. Evergreen. Freed. Bixlow. Laxus. The entire Thunder Legion, plus their leader. Evergreen is disdainful of anyone she perceives to be competition to her in terms of beauty or power. Bixlow has always enjoyed messing with me if possible. And I've found those 'babies' of his in all the wrong places. Freed, well, I think he's seen enough of the books I bring home to have some kind of respect for me. But Laxus…that guy hates my guts, and the feeling is definitely mutual. It has been since day one. Ever since the days that he used to tease me and Natsu about being raised by a dragon.

Lightning bursts through the doors of the guild, heading off into the city. That's gotta be Laxus! But just after him, the rest of the guild comes racing out, all of them frantic, and paying me no mind.

Eventually, Gray comes running out and nearly slams right into me. "Ciara! There you are!"

I grab him by the jacket and glare at him desperately. "What's going on!? What is Laxus trying to pull?"

Gray's eyes widen, then immediately narrow. "Evergreen turned Lucy, Erza, Cana, Bisca, Juvia, and Mira into stone statues, and now, Laxus is holding them hostage for the next three hours. We have to find him and beat him before those three hours are up, otherwise he's gonna kill them! It's some sick game to find out who the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail is!"

I let go of Gray's collar and nearly stumble backwards. "Too far…" I shake my head and turn in the direction of Laxus' scent. "He's gone way too far this time!"

As I make to take off, Gray grabs my hand. "Wait! You can't fight them alone!"

I turn to him, my eyes glowing with anger. "Trust me, you don't want to be within a mile of me when I find them." I wrench my arm out of his grip and race off through the gates. I'm going to find those four and teach them a lesson in pain!

I know that Freed has probably laid all sorts of traps on the ground. So the safest place for me to be is in the air. So I shoot straight into the sky, sniffing around for Laxus' scent. And I find it. I direct my gaze onto one of the most iconic buildings in Magnolia, Kardia Cathedral. So that's where you're hiding…coward.

Ciara! Where are you!?

I frown as I hear Natsu's voice inside my head. Natsu!? Where are you?

I'm stuck in the guild hall!

I see… It makes sense. If I couldn't get back in, then Natsu might not be able to get out. But that begs the question of why. Maybe there's a dragon slayer clause built into the barrier somewhere, and that's why we can't get across it. That sounds like something that Freed would do. I guess I was lucky then, I stepped out of the guild hall just before the barrier went up.

No way! So you got out!?

Yeah…? I'm tracking Laxus right now.

Where is he!?

Looks like he's holed up in Kardia Cathedral with the Thunder Legion. I'm about to go and give them a pounding.

Wait for me! I wanna give that jerk a piece of my mind!

I grit my teeth and close my eyes. Sorry Natsu. But since you're stuck in there, I can't wait for you. I've got to do this myself. I need to bring this to an end, now.

Ciara!

Also, apologize to Gramps for me. I think Kardia Cathedral is about to suffer some damage.

Wait!

I ignore his protest and focus on the grand cathedral below me. Looks like I won't be able to save much magic for the parade. I'll need a snack before taking on this enemy. I suck in a deep breath and reach for my hair, ready to break the rules one more time for the sake of my friends. "It's time to pay Laxus a visit…"


Freed's P.O.V.

The game has only just begun, but I can sense that some of my traps have been triggered. The battles have started, and now we must simply watch through to the conclusion of the collapse of Fairy Tail. Through this, the guild will be reborn anew, stronger than ever before.

However, sitting around in Kardia Cathedral is hardly what I would call exciting. Both Evergreen and Bixlow appear to be weary of the proceedings as well. But it is not yet time for the three of us to join the battle. Laxus' orders stand that we are only to leave and join the battle when there are less than half of the original participants left. And so far, no more than a handful have been eliminated. And those eliminated this early in the game have no place in the strong new Fairy Tail. This is Laxus' vision.

Suddenly, the windows and floor begin to shake, and a huge magical pressure surrounds the cathedral. I recognize it faintly, it's from a member of Fairy Tail. But I can't identify it any more precisely than that. Could this be a member that I hadn't accounted for?

Evergreen stumbles, nearly falling over from the pressure. "What the…? Who is giving off that magical pressure!?"

"Whoa!" Bixlow tumbles out of the rafters, landing unsteadily on his feet. "I don't think me and my babies have felt anything like that before. That's crazy!"

"She's here…" An amused smile crosses Laxus' face, as he apparently recognizes the magical pressure. "Hey Evergreen, I thought I told you to freeze all the girls in the pageant. It looks like you missed one."

Evergreen doesn't seem to understand where she went wrong. "I didn't miss one! I froze all seven contestants!"

"Huh…" Laxus smirks. "Then I guess that means that she skipped out again. Figures…she never did like being in the spotlight, no matter how hard Mira begged and pushed her."

The doors blast open, banging against the walls as the hinges creak under the strain. "LAXUS!"

"But she's just like her brother…always one for a grand entrance…" Laxus gets to his feet, brushing dust off his coat. "So, you're the first to get here, huh?"

A single form walks through the cloud of dust, dirt and pollen. And through the dust, I see a long mane of hair swinging freely in the wind. "You should never underestimate the nose of Fairy Tail's fastest Dragon Slayer!"

A huge gust of wind blows into the cathedral, dispersing the cloud of dust, and revealing the one and only Ciara Dragneel. And she sports a look of annoyance, irritation, and most prominently, rage. But how…? I don't remember her ever having this much magical power! I knew that she was a member of the S-Class, but I believed that she achieved the rank using her intelligence, not this kind of power!

But there's no mistaking it. All of the overwhelming magical pressure is coming from her. It does indeed feel similar to that of Natsu Dragneel, however, while his is wild and without focus, hers is as sharp as a blade, while possessing the crushing properties of a landslide.

She is far stronger than I had previously imagined.