Story Six - Exceeds Expectations

"Hey Alissa!"

Alissa cracked open an eyelid as two bare legs pushed their way through the gap in the bench, taking a seat. Levy flicked her wrist to wave at the girl having a nap under the table, resting her head on it as she tried to peek through the cracks to look at the shy mage.

"You never told me who you're going to be training with for the next three months."

"I'm not going to be training. I'm going to stay here and continue doing jobs for the Guild while everyone is away."

"WHAT?"

Alissa let out an 'eep' as the bench was lifted, Master Makorov completely ignoring Levy's protests as she was lifted up with it, feet dangling as she screeched.

"What do you mean you're not training?" Master demanded, his head inflated to five times its normal size. "What about my 30 million… err, I mean restoring the Guild to number one."

Levy dropped from the table, letting out a small gasp as she found herself in the arms of a certain Dragon Slayer. She muttered a thanks before turning her attention back to Alissa, a rosy hue on her cheeks.

"It's a Fairy Tail tradition," Romeo grinned. "The Grand Magic Games comes around and Alissa goes 'missing'."

"So you've never been?" Levy frowned.

"Oh, she goes every year," Master Macao explained, grinning as Alissa squirmed under scrutiny.

"One year she took out an entire team," Romeo chirped up, finding himself being used as the girl's shield as he came in proximity.

"That's so strange. I would of thought the whole crowd thing would have put you off," Levy frowned, resting a hand on her arm.

"Oh, she's never taken part. She just sneaks in to watch and ends up beating up anyone that bad-mouths our team." Jet enlightened her. "That year she jumped in the middle of the arena and knocked out the guy with one blow before his team jumped in and she beat them up too."

"I think the only reason we weren't disqualified was because the fight was thought to be the highlight of the Games," Romeo grinned.

"Then that decides it, you're training just like everyone else," Makarov commanded.

"Fine I'll train, but there is no way I'm standing in front of thousands of people and taking part in a team," the girl shuddered.

"We'll see," Makarov muttered mischievously, causing Alissa to sweat drop.

"Well if you need someone to train with, you could always…"

"If there is anyone who Alissa will be training with, it's us," Evergreen announced, pushing her glasses back on her nose as the Thunder Legion stepped up.

"That's right," Freed agreed, causing half the member's eyebrows to shoot upwards. "Unlike the others we will be training hard as opposed to goofing off."

Freed gave a pointed look in the direction of Natsu and Gray who were carrying a multitude of items for the beach, such as a bucket, spade and deck-chair.

"Then it's decided. Alissa will be joining Laxus and the Thunder Legion in their training," Makarov announced, placing the table back into position and giving Laxus a sly smile. "I imagine there will be no objections."

"Sure, she can come," Laxus declared lowly. "If she can keep up that is."

"Screw you, Sparky!" came Alissa's shout from under the table.

"We all know you want to, ya sleaze" came Gajeel's taunt from across the room.

Next thing Gajeel knew, Alissa had warped dimensions, jumping on his back as she grabbed his neck and proceeded to choke him.

"Walking sucks," Evergreen moaned, slipping off her shoes as they decided to take a break thanks to her constant groaning.

"Walking improves our stamina, and can be considered a form of training in itself," Freed told her, whilst giving her a stern look.

"That's why we're walking? I thought it was because Laxus would get sick."

The whole group stared at Alissa openly, Bickslow going so far as to forget his tongue was hanging out of his mouth to chomp down on it with a shriek.

"You knew this entire time?" Bickslow exclaimed, once he was done trying to study his tongue in concern.

"Of course I knew. Natsu was well known for it and I still laugh every time I think of Sabertooth's Rogue when he..."

The group didn't get to find out what happened to Rogue from Sabertooth as the girl snorted and threw her head back to laugh.

"But Gajeel doesn't get sick. You went on a mission with him on a boat," Freed pointed out.

"He'll get there. He's just a late-bloomer," Alissa grinned at the ground, an evil flash in her eyes. "Plus I can't wait until I can stick his ass in a swing set and push him until he pukes."

"We're still walking," Laxus growled.

"Course, Sparky." Alissa blinked. "Trains are terrifying."

"They are?"

"Course they are! Horrible overcrowded things!" She shuddered.

"Could we just take a train this one time?" Evergreen complained, clasping her hands as she gave Laxus her puppy dog eyes.

"No," Freed barked. "We must do whatever Laxus finds the most comfortable."

"I find trains quite enjoyable," Bickslow grinned.

"Yeah, only 'cus you take advantage and draw on my face," Laxus grumbled.

Alissa snorted, shoving a hand to her mouth as Laxus gave her a glare.

"Or maybe we will take the train," he threatened.

"N-no, so mean Bickslow!" she cried, whacking him on the head for good measure.

"Like you wouldn't, Miss-Stick-Him-In-A-Swing-Until-He-Pukes," Bickslow grumbled, rubbing his head.

"Well you couldn't do that to Laxus, he just wouldn't fit," she laughed. "Instead we would have to…"

Alissa's eyes narrowed on the horizon, her eyes widening before she let out a deafening shriek, the only evidence she had once been stood beside them being the dust she left in her wake.

"I don't suppose we could just leave her to whatever she's doing, could we?" Freed sighed, already getting up.

"Great, more walking," Evergreen groaned, pulling on her shoes.

"And to think we ever thought she was shy," Laxus muttered. "Come on, let's go see what the idiot has seen."

"Soo cute!" Alissa shrieked.

The Thunder Legion sweat-dropped in sync as they encountered the girl with an arm full of Happy-lookalikes. But that wasn't all, the place contained Exceeds as far as the eye could see.

"Welcome!" came a high pitched voice.

The group turned to find a bright yellow exceed fly up to them.

"Have you wizards come to challenge the great Longclaw?"

"Longclaw?" Freed repeated. "No, we are merely passing through the area. We are supposed to be training."

At that he gave Alissa a long glare, causing her to release her collection of Exceeds with an 'awww' from both parties.

"Hey, maybe it's about time you followed trends, Laxus," Bickslow grinned, slapping the man on the back, tongue lolling.

"As if Laxus would want a silly cat," Evergreen said pointedly.

"Yessssss! Let's get one, oh please, oh please, oh please," Alissa raced up to him, hands clasped as she begged.

"Maybe you should go for this one," Bickslow laughed, holding up a bright orange Exceed in dungarees that was dribbling and letting out a low 'duhhhhh' sound. "He looks just like you!"

That earned Bickslow a multitude of mini bolts that felt like he had received one hundred electric shocks all at once.

"Well, if you're training, then there is no one stronger than Longclaw! Of course you would have to impress him and he sure is a hard Exceed to impress!"

"So this Longclaw is an Exceed, huh?" Laxus smiled slyly. "Strongest of them all?"

"No one is stronger than Longclaw!" The cat chirped. "Many people, both mages and hunters, have tried to defeat him, but he is just too strong."

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check this Longclaw out," Laxus commented lazily.

"Then we shall fly you over to him!" The yellow cat offered.

"Yes! We are so getting an Exceed!" Alissa beamed, finding herself being lifted up by the yellow Exceed. "This is going to be amazing. Then any of us can soar into the air and…"

"What are you talking about, Lissa?" Evergreen said, her wings fluttering behind her. "All members of the Thunder Legion can already fly."

"Even Bickslow?"

Alissa pouted as Bickslow came soaring past her, supported by his totems. Alongside him Freed floated in the air supported by his dark purple wings as Laxus began to spark, ready to take flight.

"No fair," she frowned, arms crossed.

"Alright," came a squeak at her back. "Just follow us and we'll take you to Longclaw! Let's go!"

Alissa smiled gleefully as they flew over the forest, landing just outside a cave with a dark and ominous entrance. Alissa landed on the ground, watching as the yellow Exceed looked towards the darkness.

"Oh, great Longclaw! Five wizards seek your wisdom to become strong!"

A deep growl came from the cave, shaking the surrounding rocks so much that Alissa thought it was going to cause a cave in.

"And which of these weaklings wishes to show me their worth for the honour of my time?" the reply came as an echo, bouncing all around the cave to make it sound like they were surrounded.

"Guess that would be me," Laxus stepped forward cockily, his lightning already flickering around his body.

"Very well."

Thumps rang out from the cave, rocks beginning to pour down the side of the mountain. Alissa scooped up as many Exceeds in her arms as she could, hiding behind them as her heart thumped rapidly.

"Longclaw accepts your challenge and the Exceeds hold no accountability for loss of limbs or instantaneous death," the yellow Exceeds grinned before moving out of the way.

"Shouldn't you have told us that before we agreed!" Evergreen gulped, her mouth dropping open.

"Do not worry, Laxus is strong," Freed announced confidently, a hand rested on his sword hilt.

All eyes were fixed at the entrance, an enormous outline making itself known. Emerging from the cave was an Exceed almost one-hundred times the normal size. He slowly held out his hand, everyone holding their breath as he revealed he was holding… a small electric blue kitten.

"Sooooo cute!" Alissa cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Don't you think you should get the kitten out of the way?" Laxus frowned.

"Who are you calling a kitten? Now fight me, ya big lug!" the kitten threatened, holding up a fluffy paw as he yelled at him in boyish tones.

"Pahahahahaha!" Bickslow laughed, clutching his knees as he bent over. "This is Longclaw? Pahahahaha!"

Laxus gave his companion a dark look.

"Don't focus on him, show me what you've got!" The kitten hissed, hair standing on end as he jumped down from the giant Exceeds hand, back curved.

"You've got to be kidding me," Laxus groaned, relaxing his stance.

"Too late," the kitten snapped, rising up like a bird and flying towards Laxus.

He kicked out a single fluffy paw, landing a hit on Laxus's chest… who went flying back into a nearby tree with an almighty crash. Everyone's jaw dropped.

"Laxus!" Freed cried, going to recover the lightning mage.

"That is one strong kitten," Bickslow gulped, his totems floating behind him echoing 'strong'.

"Lissa!" Evergreen scolded, finding the girl bowing to the electric blue kitten.

"Please show me how you did that!" she begged.

"Are you not concerned that the one you consider the strongest is dead?" Longclaw inquired, his cute, fuzzy paws indicating the distance.

"He's not dead," Evergreen huffed. "It takes more than that to defeat Laxus."

As if on cue, Laxus came staggering from the direction he was kicked, leaning heavily on Freed for support.

"So it seems," the kitten observed, his big blue eyes flashing. "Very well. For being the first to survive that particular move I shall award you some training, but please know it won't be easy."

"I'm not sure I can survive this training," Evergreen gulped.

"Me either," Alissa shuddered.

The electric blue kitten, barely the size of Alissa's palm walked across the ground, his soft, fuzzy paws clasped behind his back, looking between his five apprentices.

"This is stupid," Laxus muttered under his breath, standing straight as Longclaw's soft pink ears twitched towards him.

"Since this is training I will go easy on you," Longclaw announced, fluttering his cloud-like wings and lifting himself in the air. "Now, attack."

There was a crackle of lightning as Laxus launched himself in the air, flinging himself at the kitten. There was a blur of electric blue as he flew upwards, landing on Laxus's body to kick him into the ground, burying him in a crater in the ground.

"That was for your comment, next."

Bickslow pushed Alissa forward, making her grab his arm and fling him forward instead. The two ended up in a pitiful scramble amongst themselves.

"I will avenge you, Laxus!" Freed shouted, drawing his sword and charging.

He swiped at the kitten, who flicked out a single claw and cut the thin blade clean from the scabbard, causing it to fall to the ground. Freed just stared at it, open-mouthed.

"You call those claws?" Longclaw snickered. "Next."

"X-formation, babies!" Bickslow called to the response of 'okay'.

Unfortunately, Longclaw was already scratching at his neck and face with his back legs, as if he had just finished with the litter box. Bickslow shrieked, falling to the ground as he clutched his face.

"The physical body is obviously the weakness with this one. Next!"

Alissa looked towards Evergreen as she shook her head. Sighing, she charged in, finding the cat at her face, the hit already landing as she tried to cross dimensions. Turns out her dimension didn't want that monster in there anyway as she flickered back and forth in an instant and fell to the ground, feeling dizzy.

"Cover yourself, Alissa!" Freed snapped, making Alissa blink as she realised how much she had messed up, having lost her cloak, and her skin tight clothes, meaning all she was left with was underwear.

"Ohmymagic," she gasped, trying and failing to cover herself with her hands as her whole body ached as if she had just been hit by a train.

"Now that's just mean!" Evergreen yelled, eyes flashing.

"Needs confidence. Final one."

"That's it! You asked for this!" Evergreen shouted, lifting into the air with her wings. "Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!"

As great golden lights filled the air, Longclaw's eyes shrunk as his pupils dilated. Altering his course from targeting Evergreen, he proceeded to chase the lights as they scattered across the sky.

"I've got it! I've got it," the kitten yelped, wiggling his but as he pounced on the ground, his two fluffy paws intertwined before he lifted them to view his catch. "I… I don't got it."

Longclaw turned to Evergreen slowly, his eyes wide.

"You have bested me with your light."

The Exceeds that had gathered to watch all gasped.

"O-of course I did," Evergreen smirked, landing back on the ground with crossed arms.

"You have got to be kidding me," Laxus groaned from his hole.

"Never before in my life have I been bested!" Longclaw gasped, eyes pinned on Evergreen as he bowed to her, all the Exceeds copying his actions. "I would be most grateful if you could train me, great Lightbringer!"

"I suppose I could," the girl grinned, flicking out her fan to cover her grin. "Of course my friends still need to train, so perhaps you could help them a little more?"

"Ever, just lift my head up, just enough so I can see Lissa before I die," Bickslow requested from his sorry state on the ground.

Evergreen's only response was to light up the tip of her finger, launching the light as Bickslows's body as he found himself being pounced on by Longclaw.

"Thanks, Ever," came Alissa's voice as Evergreen picked up the cloak on the ground and wrapped it around the girl. "You're not really going to make us keep training with Longclaw though, are you?"

"He is rather strong."

"You're a cruel, cruel Fairy."

"That I am," Evergreen grinned, resting her lit up finger on her lips.

"More walking," Evergreen huffed, rolling her eyes. "We should have just stayed. You were all making great progress."

"Laxus never even got his Exceed," Alissa pouted, looking forlorn.

She hadn't been able to touch those soft electric blue paws once, despite the amount of times she had tried.

"I don't want one. Ever," Laxus grumbled from behind the bandages that covered the entirety of his body.

"I think that orange one took a liking to you," Bickslow grinned, his tongue hanging out.

"I think it is best we agree never to speak of this again," Freed commanded, giving each of them a pointed look.

The group walked in silence, Bickslow finding the corners of his mouth tugging upwards.

"Hey Freed, don't you think our training is going exceedingly well?"

"What did I just say, Bickslow?"

"Can't seem to recall. Your memory must exceed my own."

"Bickslow," came Freed's low murmur, which terrified all the other members of the group to no end.

"Truly, you've exceeded me."

"Dark Ecriture: Silence."

Alissa clamped a palm to her mouth, thinking the man had gotten off lightly. That was before his totems popped up.

"Silence is exceedingly irritating!"

"Aye, sir!"

"Exceeding all else!"

"Run," was all Freed said, his one eye dark, a purple glow acting as his pupil.

Alissa suspected that Bickslow would never be seen again.