Alex stood ready and waiting to take out fifty lacrima from the East when she heard Warren in her head. "Can everybody hear me?" He asked. "This is an emergency! Look up at the sky! Wake up, you lazy bums!" The rest of the guild started waking up and looking to the sky to see what Warren was talking about. "And if there's anyone still fighting, hold up for now! Listen up, everyone! We have to destroy those things floating in the sky with all the magic power we got! It's a magic spell from Laxus that'll attack the city! There's no time, so everyone should help!"

"Warren," Erza said. "How do you know about the Thunder Palace?"

"That voice...Erza?" Gray asked. "You're okay?"

"Gray?" Erza asked. "I see, so it was you."

"Yeah," Gray confirmed. "It took me a while to find the guy."

Alex smiled when everyone started talking to Erza. They were relieved she was alright, and worried about the other girls. Cana, Elfman, and Mirajane confirmed that everyone was alright.

"Sorry," Warren said. "My telepathy can't reach to the guild. We'll have to do this with the people who can hear me. Destroy those things up in the sky!"

"Damn you, Warren!" Max shouted. "Did you forget what you did to me?" Warren apologized, but Max wasn't the only one to start voicing grievances. It seemed everyone was holding grudges about getting beaten during the Battle of Fairy Tail. Gray tried to stop the fighting, but it wasn't getting any better.

"Hey!" Alex shouted. "We don't have time for you to be arguing! Everyone was desperate to help the ones they loved, so let bygones be bygones for now. We have something a little more important to worry about right now."

"And why should we listen to you?" Macao demanded. "Aren't the Raijinshuu your friends? You were probably in on this whole thing! That's why you didn't bother fighting with the rest of us." The others quickly started agreeing. Alex felt tears in her eyes, but couldn't think of the words needed to defend herself against the accusation.

"Why should we even trust you?" Laki demanded when Alex didn't bother to defend herself. "You were in the guildhall all day before this whole thing even started. Who's to say you didn't help with the barriers and hide Evergreen?"

"Alex wouldn't do that!" Gray defended. "She was more upset than any of us when the Raijinshuu took the girls captive! Don't go blaming her for their screwups!"

The others continued to argue when Lucy spoke up. "Everyone, listen!" The shouting stopped. "This isn't the time to be fighting or pinning blame! The people of the city are in real danger! We have to all work together to protect the city of Magnolia! If we combine our powers, we can overcome anything! That's what I've learned after coming here. I know I just joined Fairy Tail recently. But my feelings for this guild are as strong as anybody's! Fairy Tail has been my dream since long ago...It's always been my goal. Even now. So, please...Let's all work together. Let's protect our guild and our city! And if that doesn't convince you...I'll destroy all the lacrima myself!"

The link was silent for a moment; then, someone spoke up. "Listen up, people!" Cana shouted after a moment. Are you going to let the newbie one up you like that?

"She's not new anymore," Max said. "She's got more Fairy Tail spirit than the rest of us!"

"Lucy," Wakaba said. "You're exactly right. We'll settle things later." Everyone started agreeing with each other, and they came up with a plan on how to take care of the lacrima. Happy pointed out that they have body link magic protecting them, and Alex probably wouldn't be able to redirect all of it. Lucy just said she would take care of the lacrima anyway.

"I have another hundred over here on the East," Alex added when Erza said she had the two-hundred to the North.

All of the guild members attacked some of the lacrima, destroying them all at the same time. They cheered, but Alex braced herself. "Lightning Devil's Shield!" She shouted, aiming a hand to the sky and forming a large lightning dome. The lightning magic from the lacrima absorbed into the shield and went back down into her, where she redirected most of it back into the sky, forming a giant Fairy Tail emblem.

"We're okay?" Warren asked in wonder. "Was that you, Alex?"

Alex nodded, still sparking with energy. "Was anyone hit?" She asked through the communication link.

"Everyone's fine," Erza assured. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Alex grinned. "I'm alright. I'm sorry I wasn't able to stop all of this sooner," She apologized. "But don't worry, I'll make it up to you." She started walking back to the Cathedral. "It's time I end this, once and for all."

"Let me join you," Erza said, but Alex wasn't listening. "Everyone else go back to the guild and rest. We'll finish this."

By the time Alex made it back, Natsu was in the middle of his battle. "That's enough, Natsu!" She said sternly. The two boys stopped fighting. "He's mine now."

"Aw, come on, Alex!" He whined. "Just a little bit longer!" She glared at him, and he sulked. "Fine." He stormed over to the side where Erza was.

"I didn't think you were coming back," Laxus grinned mockingly. "I was starting to think you were too afraid."

Alex only responded with an angered yell and a blast of purple lightning. Laxus smirked and used his lightning travel to dodge. "Alright, then. Have it your way." They spent the next few minutes, trading blows, and Alex was getting angrier by the minute. Gajeel had shown up a couple minutes into the battle.

"They're really going at it, aren't they?" Gajeel muttered.

Erza nodded. "You can see why Laxus wouldn't want to face her," she said. "Alex is quite a formidable opponent when she chooses to be."

Gajeel was about to respond when he heard Alex start a spell. "By Odin's eye and Thor's rage, I call from the heavens. Hear me, Oh God of Thunder, and answer my prayers." The ozone in the air got heavy, and the sky outside darkened.

"We should back away," Gajeel remembering what happened the last time Alex used that spell, muttered, pulling Erza and Natsu a little farther away from the battle.

They all looked to see Alex hold one hand out in front of her, pointing to Laxus, the other hand pointed to the sky."Heaven's judgment." Thunder crashed as lightning burst through the air. Laxus dodged it using his lightning body spell.

He smirked. "So we're pulling out the big guns, are we?" He raised a fist in the air. "Resounding through the air, the roar of thunder, plunge from the heavens and reap destruction! Raging Bolt!" A massive ball of lightning crashed on top of her. She ate it and smirked. "Thanks for the snack." She raised her arms. "I have one more trick up my sleeves." She took off into the sky, lightning enveloping her. "I call upon the Heavens to hear my cry. Give me your strength, oh great Zeus, and help me right the wrongs done today." She faced Laxus, the lightning around her crackling dangerously. She cocked her head and grinned. "Divine Lightning Impact!" Lightning enveloped the Cathedral. Laxus wasn't able to escape with his lightning travel as there was no room. It also hit Natsu, Erza, and Gajeel. She stopped when she heard their screams. She turned over to them to see they were sparking a little.

Gasping a little, she flew back down to the floor. "I'm so sorry!" She cried. She got out of her demon form. "I forgot you all were in here!"

She was about to check on them when Laxus started laughing. "It serves them right for being in the way," He said, standing up from the floor. "That was pretty good. You should fight like that more often." He brushed off his pants. "But I think it's time to end this, don't you?"

She glared at him, lightning sparking off her. "You need to stop this, Laxus," Alex said, trying a different approach. She started walking over to him. "This has gone on long enough. I'm tired of fighting you. I told you I didn't want to hurt you, and I meant it."

Laxus grinned. "Then this should be easy." He stood up. "I usually hate listening to the old man's lectures, so I tend to keep this a secret. But I think I'll let you know now," He said, looking to the three behind Alex. He closed his eyes and activated his Dragon Force. His teeth sharpened, and his muscles grew. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!" He roared, and lightning was launched at Alex. She waved her hand, and the lightning redirected and hit the wall to her right. He growled, ignoring the gasps of surprise from their audience. "Why won't you just go down?"

"Because I said I was going to stop you!" Alex shouted, upset. She had tears in her eyes. "Why do you insist on going through with this?" She asked. "You don't need to prove yourself to anybody."

"That's not true!" He shouted, launching more lightning at her. Alex just absorbed the attack and kept walking. "Everyone only sees me as Makarov's grandson. I can't do anything without being compared to him. This is the only way I can escape his shadow."

"I've never seen you as his grandson," Alex shook her head. "You were my teacher when I first got here. In many ways, you were my first friend." She laughed. "Maybe that's why the guild members started blaming me for all of this." She looked at him. "Surely, out of everyone, I should have been able to stop you from doing this."

Alex ran the last few steps up to him. He braced himself for some kind of attack when he felt her arms wrap around him. "I'm sorry," He heard her mutter into his chest. "I should have been a better friend to you. Maybe none of this would have happened."

Laxus stared at her in shock, his anger leaving him. Was she apologizing to him? He couldn't understand why she would do that. "You're not responsible for me, you know," He said, calming down. "My choices have nothing to do with you." He sat down and pulled her in his lap, hoping to calm her down.

Alex choked back a laugh. Her tears were falling freely. "I know that," She lightly punched his chest. "But I still should have been able to stop this. I should have been more convincing, or I should have been able to do something." She leaned her head against him. "Fairy Tail is the only home I have, and you were going to destroy it. I should have done more than tell you you were going to fail." She looked at him tearfully and moved to sit beside him. "Do you want to be Master so bad you're willing to destroy everything that makes it so special?"

Laxus looked at her and thought about it for a moment. Before he could respond, though, he heard someone shout his name. "Laxus!" Levy shouted, standing by the entryway. "The master...Your grandfather is on death's door!"

Laxus looked up in shock. He looked to Alex, then to the others who were still hurt from Alex's last attack. He sighed. "Alright," He said, standing up. He pulled Alex up with him. "I'm done fighting. Let's go and make sure the Old Man makes it to see the Fantasia parade."

Alex grinned softly. "I'm sure he'd like to see you stopped trying to destroy Fairy Tail." They helped Erza and the others up, and they started walking out of the Cathedral.

"You guys go on ahead," Alex said, standing at the door and holding Laxus's arm. "I need to talk to him for a moment." The others nodded, and she walked to her house with Laxus in tow.

"I thought we were going to the guild?" Laxus asked curiously.

Alex nodded in confirmation. "We will. But we need to talk in private first. The Master will be fine for a couple of hours. I need to get you bandaged up before the other guild members see you."

They walked in silence to her house, and she wrapped most of his wounds without talking either. "You know," She said, when she finished wrapping his torso. "The Master doesn't pick favorites. When he banished your father, it was because he had to. Not because he wanted to."

Laxus sighed. "Yeah, I know." He looked at Alex. "He's going to have to banish me too, isn't he?"

Alex nodded. "Probably. He won't be lenient just because you're his grandson. He can't afford to, or the other Masters could accuse him of picking favorites."

Laxus nodded in defeat. "I figured that would be the case." He stood up, Alex following. "Let's get this over with then."

They walked into the guild together, the conversation stopping as soon as they entered. Laxus walked in proudly, Alex following close behind to make sure he didn't fall.

"Alex! Laxus!" Someone shouted, shocked.

"Where's the old man?" Laxus asked.

"How dare you..." Jet said, angrily.

"No matter how much you hang your head, you think we'll let you see the master?" Droy added. The others quickly agreed.

Alex walked in front of Laxus. "He's here to talk to his grandfather," She said sternly. She looked to Erza. "He's upstairs, right?"

Erza nodded, and they walked up the stairs to the medical bay. The Master was laying in bed, staring at the ceiling. It was quiet for a while as Alex and Laxus stood against the wall. The guild members were downstairs getting ready for the Fantasia parade, which was postponed for the next day. "What a noisy bunch," Laxus muttered. He got up and walked over to where the Master was getting out of bed.

"Do you realize what you've done?" The Master asked. He looked at Alex. "What are you doing here?" He asked. "This doesn't concern you, you know."

"If it weren't for Alex, I probably would have done a lot more damage," Laxus said. "She stays for this."

The Master nodded and faced Laxus again. "Guilds, you see...They're a place where friends gather...They're a place where you can get work...And to kids with no place to go, they can be a home. They're not something you can own. A guild is the confidence and goodwill of each individual, and from them, the strong bonds that are formed. You went against that goodwill and threatened the lives of your fellow members. That is not something that can be forgiven."

"I know," Laxus said. He clenched his fist. "I... wanted to make this guild... stronger.

The Master sighed and stood up. "You're so awkward. Try relaxing a little, would you? If you do that, maybe you'd see things you can't right now. You'd hear words that you can't hear now. Life is more fun!" The master smiled. "Raising you was like a new lease on life for me. You don't need power. You don't have to be smart. Just be happy and healthy. That's all I ever wanted for you." Laxus's shoulders started to shake like he was about to cry. "Laxus," The master said. He swiped his hand to the right. "You are expelled!"

"Yeah..." Laxus sighed. "Sorry for the trouble." He turned to walk away.

Alex stepped up. "I'm going with him," She told the master. He looked up in shock. "I didn't stop him, even though I knew what he was going to do. I'm just as responsible as he is."

Master Makarov looked at her. "Are you sure?" He asked quietly. "This isn't a choice you can so easily change your mind on."

She was about to nod when Laxus put a hand on her shoulder. "You can't come with me," He said. When she was about to argue, he continued. "I need someone to look after the Raijinshuu. They'll need someone to help them interact with the rest of the guild members. They'll need you." She looked like she wanted to argue more, but she didn't. He smiled and patted her head before walking away. He paused at the door. "Old man...Take care of yourself."

Master Makarov looked at the window to hide his tears. "Get out!" Laxus walked out the door; Alex followed quickly afterward.

The guild members let Laxus walk outside before they swarmed Alex. "What happened?" Levy asked. "Is everything okay?"

Alex forced a grin on her face. "Everything is fine. What can I do to help with the festival preparations?"

The guild spent the rest of the day preparing for the parade, occasionally stopping to thank Alex for helping them end the Battle of Fairy Tail or apologizing for accusing her of helping start it.

On the night of the parade, Alex went to find Laxus, who was telling the Raijinshuu of the master's decision. "Alex!" Evergreen shouted. "Tell Laxus he shouldn't be going alone. He'll listen to you!"

Alex scoffed. "I already tried that. He refused."

Laxus smiled and started walking away. "Be well," He said, waving goodbye.

"What the hell!" Bickslow cried. "What'll happen to the Raijinshuu?" They started crying as he kept walking away.

"We should go get ready for the parade," Alex said. "The rest of the guild is waiting." The Raijinshuu followed silently behind her.

The parade was a huge success. Alex stood on one of the floats, launching lightning fireworks into the sky. She wore a bright purple dress with matching heels and her hair in curls framing her face. The Raijinshuu were beside her. She made sure to wave goodbye to Laxus as they went past him and gave the Fairy Tail salute when the others did. She smiled with tears in her eyes. "Goodbye, Laxus. We'll see each other again," She whispered so the Raijinshuu couldn't hear her.

When she got home, there was a note on the table with a lacrima beside it. Call me anytime you want to. It read. I want to make sure you are safe and happy, even when I'm not there. Laxus signed it. Alex grinned and went to bed for the night. "Yeah, we'll see each other soon," She promised.

Hey everyone! So this wasn't how I had originally planned on this ending. I had no intention of her actually fighting Laxus if I'm being honest. But I think I'm satisfied with how I managed to end this arc, and I hope you're happy with it too. I think it's important that this battle wasn't ended with Laxus getting the stuffing beaten out of him by Natsu, but ending it because he chose to, don't you? Anyway, that's all for now, and I planned on her making actual changes later on, just not too many, right? See you next time! :)