A/N- First, I loved the reactions to the cliffy. Second, you all are so great, I decide to not be as mean and make you wait any longer. I hope you all enjoy what I have instore for ya!
I HOPE YOU ENJOY!
Disclaimer- I do not own Fairy Tail, If I did then I wouldn't be a poor college student.
Chapter 18
"Squirt," Laxus says looking to the short Dragon slayer standing between Gajeel and Natsu.
"Don't 'Squirt' me Laxus," Tawna spits, making the Lightning mage turn his gaze away from her.
"You're late, Calico," Gajeel groans sitting up.
"I was at the other end of town, it took me a while to get here," Tawna states rubbing her sore left wrist.
"Tawna, you need to leave," Natsu breathes, "He's dangerous."
"No," She snaps at her brother, then turns her attention to Laxus, "He's gonna listen to me, even if I have to make him." She glares.
"Stay out of this Katawna," Laxus states flatly.
"What the hell is wrong with you!" Tawna steps forward, "You have been acting different. Is this what you have been up too?" Laxus is glaring, but still unable to look her in the eyes.
"LOOK AT ME LAXUS!" Tawna shouts, "You can't even look me in the eye!"
"You don't know anything that is going on!" Laxus says loudly.
"I don't need to know what's going on!" Tawna yells, "What I do know, is that you need to stop this!"
"Tawna, he's not going listen," Natsu says finally standing.
"Stay out of this Natsu," She snaps, "What is left to be fighting for? The Thunder Legion have been defeated, the rest of the guild took out Thunder Palace. Just stop this!" Tawna shouts struggling to hold back tears.
"No!" Laxus snaps finally looking at her, "I'm too far in to stop now!"
"Who cares!" She shouts clenching her fists at her sides, "Man up and bring this whole thing to a stop!" Magic energy begins to build around the small Dragon Slayer
"I will stop once the Old Geezer hands the guild over!" Laxus growls.
"You're not getting the damn guild!" Tawna snaps as a magic circle forms in front of her and water jets out toward Laxus.
"Tawana, don't!" Natsu shouts.
"Calico, what are you thinking?" Gajeel gruffs as Laxus blocks the attack with lightening.
"I'm not gonna fight you Tawna!" Laxus shouts.
"Listen dammit!" Tawna shouts as she gathers the electrically charged water in orbs above her right hand and attacks once more.
"Tawna!" Natsu snaps, "Stop! Do you not remember what Nanami said about water and electricity!"
"I'm not stupid Natsu!" Tawna yells sending more attacks to Laxus.
"Katawna," Laxus shouts, "you're gonna get hurt!"
"And watching you act like this doesn't already hurt enough?!" Tears escape from her eyes, "Why can't you just admit your mistake and back down!"
"Enough Katawna!" Laxus yells blocking her current attack and making the water disperse.
"No one is gonna think of you any different if you stop now!" Tawna says through tears, "I'm not gonna think of you any different! Just stop!" She shouts as her attacks come to a stop.
"Why'd she stop?" Gajeel asks as the church fall silent.
"Who cares if Fairy Tail is a laughing stock," Tawna says,
"I've had enough of this!" Laxus snaps, "Fairy Tail has become weak! The Old Geezer will let anyone join!" Tawna's fist clench and her bangs cover her eyes as magic energy builds and flows around her. She raises her hand and a large blue magic circle appears.
"WHY CAN'T YOU JUST ACCEPT THAT WE ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK!" Tawna yells as water from around the room begins to flowing a cycle above her head. The room become darker as the cyclone grows larger with the electrified water.
"TAWNA!" Natsu shouts, "You're not strong enough for that attack!"
"WATER DRAGON HURRICANE!" The large storm swirls furiously in the air as it barrels towards Laxus. Using her hands, she swiftly moves her arms controlling the storm. Tornadoes of water touch down and all the water collapse on Laxus, knocking him back.
"Did she just land a hit on him," Gajeel's gapes with his mouth hanging open.
"Tawna, stop!" Natsu shouts seeing his sister struggling with the large amount of magic energy she's expelling. Laxus stands and shoot lighting into the eye of the storm, the water explodes with the new-found electricity, and unable to contain the attack anymore, Tawna collapse to her knees and the storm begins to dissipate.
"Do you have no heart!" Natsu shouts to Laxus, "All day she has been on edge, because of you!" Natsu's hands begin to glow red with fire.
"Natsu stop," Tawna breathes, standing from the ground.
"You're not even listening to her!" Natsu snaps, "Just accept you're wrong!" Natsu attacks Natsu again.
"I thought I already put you in your place, Little Man!" Laxus snaps attacking with Lightning sending Natsu back, "You can't beat me!"
"Stop!" Tawna shouts. Fire and lightning fly between the two. Laxus kicks Natsu back and magic energy builds in his hand pointing it straight to the Fire Dragon Slayer. Still breathing heavily Tawna raises her left hand and a small magic circle appears in her palm.
"You're so full of hatred you won't even listen to Tawna!" Natsu shouts. Just as the blast leaves Laxus's hand, his arm moves.
"huh?" Laxus says, then realizes where the attack is heading, "KATAWNA!"
Quickly Tawna uses her left hand to create a water wall, and the attack collides with it. The pressure of the impact is too much for Tawna to handle. She screams out as she feels cracking in her already injured wrist, followed by a snap.
"AHHH," She screams as the mixture of water and electricity blows her into the wall near the door.
"Calico!" Gajeel yells.
"Tawna!" Natsu screams. Tawna breathes heavily rising her head from the floor.
"Ahh," She hisses trying to push herself up, but collapses again unable to push up on her left hand. She raises her arm and realizes her wrist is hanging limp.
"Katawna," Laxus gasps in horror.
"YOU BASTARD!" Natsu launches himself at a mortified Laxus, with fist blazing, "HOW DARE YOU!"
"That attack was meant for you!" Laxus snaps dodging Natsu's swings.
"THAN WHY IS SHE THE ONE ON THE GROUND!" Natsu attacks once more, but Laxus shoots him back.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" Laxus roars, "YOUR TIME IS OVER!" Magic energy builds between Laxus's hands, creating a blinding yellow light.
"Where's all that energy coming from," Gajeel asks.
"Laxus no!" Tawna shouts struggling to rise. She knows this spell, it's one that wasn't used too long ago.
"It feels likes one of Gramp's spells," Natsu breathes.
"It's Fairy Law!" Tawna shouts to Natsu.
"The one that was used to defeat Master Jose?" Gajeel asks, "We're as good as dead."
"You're right Metal Head," Laxus laughs, "I've mastered it."
"Laxus stop!" Tawna yells, "Think about what you're doing!"
"What are you thinking!" Natsu shouts as the light become so bright it's blinding, "Don't do this!"
"Laxus, stop!" Levy screams as she appears in the door.
"Levy?" Natsu says.
"You idiot!" Gajeel shouts, "Take Calico and get out of here!"
"You need to see the Master!" Levy shouts, "He doesn't have much time." Laxus continues to build up the magic energy making the light grow, "Your grandfather is close to death!" Levy shouts making Laxus pause for a moment, "Please go see him one last time, before it's too late!"
"Laxus," Tawna breathes, "Please stop." The light fade slightly, followed by a deep chuckle.
"This is working out perfectly," Laxus sneers, "With the Geezer gone, I'll have an even better chance at becoming Master,"
"Laxus, you don't mean that!" Tawna cries, "Please stop!"
"This will be the dawn of a new Era!" Laxus shouts as the spell become brighter and beams of yellow light rise from the ground, "I'll rebuild everything from the ground up. I'll for the ultimate guild!"
"You can't do this!" Natsu shouts, "Don't you even care about Gramps at all?"
"Fairy Law," Laxus says expelling the light forward.
"LAXUS!" Tawna screams as the golden light washes over them all. Blinding light expands upward out of the cathedral, with a magic circle covering the church. As the light fades dust covers the torn-up cathedral. Tawna attempts to sit up against the wall coughing. Holding her limp wrist, she sighs in relief when the sound of Gajeel and Natsu's coughing cuts through the air.
"What the?" Laxus states, "Impossible, I casted the spell perfectly." He says shocked. Natsu and Gajeel begin to stand from the ground, breathing heavily.
"Levy, you all right?" Gajeel asks.
"Yeah," Levy coughs.
"Katawna?" Natsu asks glancing back to wall.
"Sssss- I'm fine," She hisses as she accidently tries move her broken wrist.
"The other guild members, and the citizens of Magnolia remained unharmed," A voice speaks properly from the door.
"Freed," Laxus says looking up. Freed's green hair strewn everywhere and clothes tattered from his fight with Mira.
"The spell didn't work," He says, "Not a single soul was harmed."
"I cast it perfectly," Laxus states.
"Maybe, but your true feelings have betrayed you," Freed says kneeling down next to Tawna checking her wrist, "It seems you have inherited more than strength from your grandfather." He says helping Tawna onto his back, "Deep down, you also have his heart. Whether you admit it or not, you care for your comrades. Fairy Law only affects those who the caster sees as their enemy. Since no one was hurt, we know how you truly feel.
"The magic saw into his heart," Tawna says from Freed's back, "That's why it didn't hurt anyone."
"You can try to hide your feelings Laxus," Freed states, "But your magic will always reveal the truth."
"That is ridiculous!" Laxus fumes, "The truth is anyone who stands in my way, is my enemy."
"This has gone on long enough," Freed snaps, "You need to go see the Master before he is gone."
"Laxus please," Tawna begs as his lightning magic begins to build up around him.
"Let the old man die!" Laxus shouts, "He maybe family, but he means nothing to me!"
"You don't mean that!" Tawna yells. Laxus lighting energy expands around the room.
"Katawna, duck," Freed says having the girl duck her head behind his.
"Who do you think you are!" Natsu shouts standing among the lightning, "You're not stronger than Gramps, you couldn't even pull of Fairy Law!" He yells ripping off his torn vest, "You maybe his grandson, but you are no better than the rest of us!" Fire engulf around Natsu as his temper rises, "Don't you know blood ties don't matter, cause everyone in the guild is supposed to family!"
"That's a lie!" Laxus yells, "Blood ties do matter!"
"You've been in Fairy Tail long enough to know better than that!" Natsu shouts as lighting and fire magic swirl aroud the church, "If you think that makes you above everyone else in the guild, YOU'RE WRONG!" Natsu shouts throwing a fire punch.
"AND YOU'RE DEAD!" Laxus shouts as their fists collide, their magic explodes and the two mages blast up through the roof.
"Natsu!" Tawna shouts as her brother begins to fight Laxus once again. Freed, Katawna, Levy, and Gajeel all hurry out of the crumbling cathedral. On the roof blurs of lightning and fire collide in battle, "They're gonna kill each other!" She yells from Freed's back.
"There's nothing we can do," Freed says calmly, "They are both to strong for anyone to interferer." Laxus sends Natsu flying into the wall of the church, falling to his stomach on the roof.
"Natsu!" Levy shouts holding Gajeel up.
"Why won't you just give up the fight?" Natsu asks, "The guild doesn't belong to you. IT NEVER WILL!"
"Oh yeah? LIGHTNING DRAGON DEMOLITION FIST!" Laxus sends a large amount of magic energy to Natsu.
"No!" Tawna shouts, "Natsu!"
"Didn't the Old Man every teach you to respect your elders?" Laxus states as the attack collides with Natsu. Punching the roof, Natsu stands wobbling on his feet slightly.
"He can still fight?" Freed says surprised.
"That was your last mistake!" Laxus shouts with a gold magic circle forms above his fist.
"No," Freed gasps, "Not that spell, that amount of magic energy could kill him!"
"Natsu!" Tawna yells as the spell is released. Before the spell could made contact with him, it changes direction. Gajeel uses his Iron Club and directed the lightning away.
"Gajeel!" Levy shouts as the Iron Dragon Slayer is blasted off the roof.
"What happened?" freed asks, "Did he use himself as a lightning rod."
"GET HIM!" Gajeel shouts in mid-air. Fire explodes around Natsu.
"FIRE DRAGON!" Natsu shouts flying towards Laxus, "IRON FIST, TALON, WING ATTACK, FLAMING ELBOW!" Natsu yells continually hitting Laxus with attacks, not giving him any time to react.
"He's amazing," Levy says watching in awe, "His magic is so powerful."
"The more you piss him off, the more powerful he becomes," Tawna says.
"FLAME LOTUS EXPLODING FLAME!" Natsu's attack sends Laxus soaring back onto the roof defeated.
"He did it," Tawna says.
"He beat Laxus," Freed says in unbelief as Natsu lets out a yell from the roof then collapse to his knees in exhaustion.
"We need to get back to the guild," Levy states, "You all need medical attention." She says looking to Gajeel and Tawna.
Upon returning to the guild, Freed set Katawna down and went his separate way back to town. Levy helped support both Gajeel's and Natsu's weight as they entered the hall. Most of the guild had made it back and had received medical treatment from Porlyusica.
"Damn," Gray states as they enter the hall, "You three look like hell." He says helping Levy by taking Natsu.
"Where is Porlyusica?" Levy asks helping Gajeel into a bench.
"She is checking on the Master," Erza says stepping forward, "She will be back in a moment."
"Good," Levy sighs, "These three need some medical attention."
"I'd say Calico goes first," That paw is gross," Gajeel laughs glancing at the girl holding her wrist.
"It was already broken before I got to the church," Tawna sighs, "That hit just made it worse,"
"How the hell did you break it before?" Natsu scowls.
"I, uhh," Tawna stutters, "I kind of lost a fight with a pile of bricks."
"Ha, you tripped over bricks?" Gray laughs, "Your wrist couldn't be that bad." Tawna raises an eyebrow at Gray and moves her hand that was supporting her wrist showing that it is just hanging from her arm, "Okay, never mind," Gray says cringing and stepping back as the healer exits the infirmary.
"About time you three showed up," Porlyusica snaps looking down at the three beaten and bruised Dragon Slayers, "Get over here," She says pointing to the edge of the guild hall. After getting casted up and a very long lecture from Porlyusica, about getting hurt and how it can affect her getting taller, Tawna is free to go back to the rest of her guild mates as the healer wraps up her brother and Gajeel. Once Porlyusica was done she told something to Erza and quietly left the guild hall.
"Thanks to Porlyusica," Erza states, "the Master will be just fine. So, don't worry, he'll be back to work in no time." She says receiving cheers from the guild.
"Thank goodness," Lucy smiles, "I was getting a little worried."
"It will take more than that to kill off Gramps," Gray smiles.
"Well he isn't as young as he used to be," Erza says, "Any added stress, could easily hurt his health. Let's be on our best behavior." Erza announces.
"Are you sure it's okay to do the parade still?" Lucy asks.
"Master wants us to do it." Mira smiles.
"Everything is gonna be okay Lucy," Tawna smiles.
"I can't wait to see it." Juvia grins.
"You're gonna be in it," Gray sighs.
"What?" She gasps.
"You're a member," Tawna smiles, "All members get to participate." She says raising her arms above her head, then flinching forgetting about her casted wrist.
"A lot of members were hurt during the fight," Happy says through a mouth full of fish, "So we need as many members who weren't hurt to be in it.
"That means I'm in it too," Lucy smiles.
"Well yeah," gray laughs, "We need all the people we can get. Especially since we aren't gonna get to use those two." He says pointing to thickly wrapped and bandaged Natsu and Gajeel.
"Oh yeah," Lucy giggles.
"Screw you and your parade," Gajeel states.
"mummumu," Natsu mumbles through the bandages.
"What did he say?" Lucy asks.
"Knowing him it was probably something stupid." Happy laughs.
"Be nice Happy," Tawna laughs, "He said he's still gonna be in it."
"You can understand him?" Lucy laughs.
"He's my brother," Tawna shrugs grinning.
"How's the wrist?" The blond says glancing to the thick cast.
"It's okay," She shrugs, "Porlyusica said I have to be in a cast for a while. The potions she used will heal it slowly, because I'm still growing. If she used potions that heal faster, it could affect my growth in the future." The girl sighs as Gajeel argues with a muffled Natsu.
"I wonder why Gajeel can understand him?" Lucy laughs with Tawna.
"He's just as stupid as Natsu." Happy says through a mouth full of food.
"You have a serious mean streak cat," The blond glares making Tawna giggle.
"I would say, be thankful you don't live with it, but since they break into your house all the time you actually do live with it." Tawna smiles as the guild falls silent. The look to the entrance and Laxus stands there all bandaged up.
"Laxus," Macao steps forward.
"What do you want?" wakaba adds.
"Where's the Old Man?" Laxus asks.
"We ain't tellin." Jet states
"You think you can just walk in here and ask to see the Master?" Droy says as the guild's voice mold together in shouts.
"Quiet!" Erza shouts over the guild, "The Master is in the infirmary." She crosses her arms as Laxus waltz past her to the stairs.
"MUNIDMUNUNUMM MUNUMNUMUMN!" Natsu attempts to yell jumping in front of Laxus.
"Natsu," Laxus sighs.
"MUMNUMNU MUUMNUM, MUNUM!" Natsu muffles pointing directly at Laxus.
"huh?" the entire guild sighs.
"Natsu, language!" Tawna reprimands. Her speaking brought Laxus attention to her and her wrist. His face was almost sad. He turns back to Natsu and sighs and walks past Natsu and to the stairs to the infirmary.
"Okay," Erza shouts, "Shows over, we need to get ready for the parade!"
The sun was beginning to set and Laxus, nor Master have come down from the infirmary. The guild is busily rushing to prepare for tomorrow night's parade.
"Tawna," Lucy smiles, "Where are you gonna be in the parade, with Juvia and Gray on the water and Ice float?"
"Ha!" Tawna smiles slightly, "Do you really think I'll be caught on that barf trap. I'm walking with Natsu in the middle of the parade." She smiles as the doors to the infirmary open and Laxus emerges. Slowly he walks through the guild toward the doors. Many of the guild members watch in silent as he leaves, then turn back to their preparation. Tawna on the other hand, sneaks away to follow him.
She follows far enough away so he doesn't know she's there. Weaving through the hordes of people preparing the streets for the parade. Laxus makes it to the park and meets with the Thunder Legion, where he tells them news that brings tears to Tawna's eyes.
"You got to be joking!" Evergreen shouts, "How could he kick you out, and not the rest of us?"
"Yeah, we're just as guilty as you are." Bixlow states.
"The Old Man doesn't see it that way," Laxus shakes his head.
"Well if you're leaving, then we are too," Evergreen states.
"You guys are such pains in the neck sometimes," Laxus sighs, "can't you just say goodbye and be done with it."
"I don't understand," Freed states, "We are at fault too, why are you taking all the blame."
"You can complain all you want," Laxus states, "But you guys are way more attached to the Guild than I will ever be."
"Maybe we can change the Master's mind," Evergreen argues.
"Natsu and Gray respect you," Bixlow says, "They would come with us, not to mention the Kid. He'll listen to them."
"You're really leaving?" Freed asks before Laxus turns to leave.
"Take care of yourselves," He waves, "And look after Squirt for me." He says walking away from the large tree and his friends. Tawna runs out and catches up to his back and freezes a single foot to the ground. Laxus stops and looks to his frozen foot and sighs. "Squirt," He turns and Tawna is standing in front of him with The Thunder Legion in the distance behind them.
"Do you really think you can leave without saying goodbye," She says quietly.
"I would have thought you'd be mad at me," Laxus says.
"I may be mad at you," She says with tears spilling from her large dark green eyes, "but, I still don't want to see you go," She cries. Laxus puts down his bags and kneels in front of her.
"Squirt," He smiles, "Don't be sad,"
"How can I not be sad," She says, "This maybe the last time I'll get to see you."
"I'm sure, sometime in the future, you will see me again." Laxus places a hand on her head. "Do you remember what I used to tell you when you were little?"
"Don't fall off the counter," Tawna say wiping tears from her eyes, causing Laxus to chuckle slightly.
"Not that," He laughs, "I told you that you are gonna be a great wizard. From what I saw today, you are definitely living up to it." Laxus says, then turning serious, "It was you wasn't?" He asks, making Tawna look down ashamed.
"I thought you'd would figure it out," She frowns.
"When my arm moved by itself, you were the only one who could have done it," Laxus states, "When did you learn to do Blood Grip?"
"I don't know," Tawna sighs, "It just happened, I was mad and I figured if I got hurt, you might have stopped."
"You know that is a really dangerous spell. You could have gotten seriously injured, more than that wrist." He says pointing to her broken wrist, "I thought I really hurt you."
"It was already broken before that, it just made it worse." Tawna says looking up.
"You gotta promise me you'll be careful," Laxus says sighing, "I'm gonna miss ya Squirt." Tears fall from Tawna's eyes again as she wraps her arms around his neck pulling him in to a hug. Surprised by the hug it takes a second for him to finally hug back. Standing up from the ground and grabbing his bags he places a hand on her pink head. "Take care Squirt," He smiles as he turns and walks away from her. Tears continue to fall from her eyes as she cries when three different hands are softly placed on both of her shoulders and her head. She turns and see The Thunder Legion smiling sadly at her.
"He'll be okay, Katawna." Freed smiles as they all watch Laxus disappear into the crowd.
A/N- AHHHHH! Oh my gosh, it is done. It was so hard to write some of this. I hope you all enjoyed. I love you all!