Two Weeks Later
Outside the Fairy Tail Guildhall
"Uh..." All the members of Team Natsu stared at the new and improved guild hall, which now looked like a castle.
"Well, this is a surprise." Erza said.
"They finished building it!" Natsu and Happy asked at the same time.
"Are you kidding me? We got a cafe now?" Gray asked.
"Why do we need a gift shop?" Lucy asked.
"Hey, glad you guys made it back!" Max said from behind the counter.
"You're working the gift shop, Max?" Happy asked as he flew over. "It's been a while since we've seen you."
"Hey, master's the one who insisted on me going back school for business lessons." The man chuckled.
"So what you got for sale here?" Happy asked, looking around.
"We got t-shirts, mugs, wristbands, towels, and our most popular item..." Max pulled it out and Happy snatched it.
"Cool, it's a Lucy action figure." The cat said.
"Don't make stuff without my permission." Lucy complained.
"It's posable, and her clothes come off." Max added as Happy snapped the clothing off.
"Nooo!" Lucy screamed. Natsu picked up the depressed Lucy and carried her inside. Her spirits lifted and she leaned against a railing.
"Pretty..." She and Happy said at the same time.
"I could get use to this." Erza added.
"What's wrong, Natsu?" Gray asked.
"I'm real not good with change." The pinkette mumbled.
"It's so good to see your back, Lu!" Levy shouted.
"Hi Levy!" The blonde said back.
"Isn't this awesome?" The petite girl asked. "Now we have a swimming pool behind the bar!"
"That's kinda weird..." Lucy mumbled.
"Not the same..." Natsu added.
"And we've added a game room in the basement!" Levy added.
"Doesn't need to be this big?" Lucy asked.
"I don't like it..." Natsu added.
"But the biggest change has to be upstairs, because now everyone can go on to the second floor." Levy added pointing up. "The master even lets some of us go on S-Class missions, as long as we bring an S-Class wizard with us."
"Well, look what the cat dragged in..." Makarov said as he walked forward. Gray gasped as he looked at Juvia standing next to him. "I'd like you to meet Fairy Tail's newest member, Juvia."
"Hello, everyone. I can't wait to work with you." She said.
"So you actually made it in?" Gray chuckled.
"Thanks again for your help back at Akane." Erza said.
"No, I should be thanking you." The bluenette said. "Because of you all I found a new guild."
"Hey girl." Lucy waved.
"We will battle for Grays love..." Juvia growled.
"Nope, not gonna happen..." Lucy said back.
"We've also added another member." Makarov said pointing behind the group. "One you might recognize."
"Who could it be?" Happy asked as they all turned around and went wide eyed.
"Are you kidding me, him?" Gray shouted.
"Gajeel!" Natsu shouted at the same time as the ice wizard.
"Why did you let him in, Gramps!?" Gray shouted.
"Calm down, I'm the one who asked him to join with me." Juvia said.
"Juvia is one thing, but he's the one who destroyed our guild hall!" Erza said as Gajeel rolled his eyes.
"Now, now, what do I always say?" The old master asked. "Yesterday's enemies are today's friends, right?"
"Besides, if I'm okay with it, than you should be too..." Levy said as she hid behind a table. Her teammates, Jet and Droy, glared at Gajeel.
"No way!" Natsu slammed his hand down on the table. "I ain't working with someone I can't trust!" Gajeel turned to the other Dragon Slayer.
"Don't worry, I don't wanna be your buddy." Gajeel said back. "I'm just here to get work. Nothing more, nothing less. I hate this stupid guild and everyone in it. But times are tough and I didn't have a choice but to join."
"Shut up, loser!" Natsu shouted back.
"I'm sorry, but Gajeel seemed so lonely, and I could just turn my back on him..." Juvia said. "But it's not like I have a crush on him or anything!"
"I know you kids don't like it, but as the master of this guild, it's my duty to help anyone whose gonna a stray find the correct path." Makarov said. "Give him a shot, you might find he's a nice guy, at least I hope so..."
"I don't like it, but if the master says so, than we have to respect his decision." Erza said. "But I'm going to be keeping an extremely close eye on him."
"Fine with me." The old man nodded.
"This new place doesn't feel right..." Natsu mumbled as the lights went out. Everyone stared at the stage as a spotlight turned on, showing Mira sitting on a barstool with a guitar in her hands. "Mira, we're back!"
"Good to see you." The barmaid said. "I'd like to dedicate this song to the strongest team, and congratulate them on a safe return." She strummed the instrument and began singing. Everyone loved the tune and cheered for an encore when it ended. The lights went out and Gajeel of all people took her place.
"What the?" Natsu asked.
"Here's a little diddy I call 'Best Friend'." He said as the crowd threw garbage at him. He started singing and it wasn't half bad. But the other half kept throwing stuff at him.
"This has to be the worst song I've ever heard!" Natsu complained. His words earned the guitar getting thrown in his face, sparking a fight between the the two.
"Natsu, quit screwing around!" Gray said as he stood up, knocking Erza's cake off her plate.
"He made me drop... My strawberry cake..." Erza whimpered as Elfman stepped on the slice.
"Real men would take this out side!" He shouted.
"Watch it you oaf!" Erza shouted as she kicked him into the fray.
Natsu looked around at the massive brawl he started and smiled. "Now it feels like home."
"Stop smiling!" Gajeel said as he slammed a pillar into the pinkette's face.
Outside the Guild Hall
"Am I at the right place? This looks nothing like what the picture shows." The door exploded open and Elfman flew on to him, sending him to the ground.
"Sorry, that Macao hasn't lost his-" He stood up and turned around, only to stare at the man he knocked over. "Hey! You're a criminal!"
"It's not that-" He started before Elfman grabbed him and threw him into the guild hall before slamming down on him.
"We got a bad guy! Help!" Elfman shouted and the whole fight stopped, minus Natsu, Gajeel and Gray, and piled on top of Elfman.
"Will you get off me!"
"Wait, I know that voice..." Natsu looked over and saw a head sticking out of the bottom. "Frosty. Good to see ya!" He stuck out his hand and offered a shake.
"I would do that if I could move."
"You guys mind getting off?" Natsu asked.
"No way!" Wakaba shouted. "This guy's a dangerous criminal."
"Actually, he was set up." Natsu chuckled as the other members of his team nodded.
"Do you have any proof?" Makarov asked. A messenger bird flew in with a note in its mouth and Makarov read it.
"Get off him, you idiots!" The whole guild jumped off and he stretched.
"Geez that was painful." Drake said as he rolled his shoulder.
"Sorry about that." Bisca said.
"So, how's things go?" Lucy asked.
"Excellent." Drake answered. "The captain's testimony really helped matters. Suishou and Astoroth will never get out of prison for what they did."
"What brings you here?" Erza asked.
"To be honest, I need something to do with my life now that I'm no longer being pursued." Drake admitted. "Joining a guild sounds exciting."
"Can he join, Gramps?" Gray asked.
"Okay, just one question." He said walking forward. "What kinda magic do you use? I heard from Erza that you're a great fighter."
"I'm a Ice Dragon Slayer, raised by the Ice Dragon Queen Glacius." Drake answered, making the whole guild stare at him. "What are you staring at me for?"
"THAT'S AWESOME!" The whole guild shouted.
"Now we have three Dragon Slayers in our guild!" Reedus shouted.
"Three?" He repeated.
"Yo." Gajeel raised his hand.
"So, you must be the third Dragon Slayer huh."
"I am." Gajeel nodded.
"Is your dragon named Metalicana?" Drake asked.
"How did you know that?" Gajeel demanded.
"Glacius once mentioned him before she disappeared." Drake stated.
"I bet you're just dying to meet Mirajane." Cana said as she took a swig of her barrel.
"Who?" Drake had no idea who Cana was talking about.
"You have to be joking right?" Macao asked. "Mirajane, the poster girl of Fairy Tail? The model for Sorcerer Weekly?"
"Running for seven years really doesn't give you a opportunity to keep up with current events." He admitted. "To be honest, I'm not a fan of models. They get very emotional too easy." Mira stood behind the Dragon Slayer and heard everything he said.
"Well maybe I can prove you wrong." She said before turning around and running, crying.
"Uh..." Drake stammered in disbelief. "How long was she standing behind me?"
"No one makes my sister cry!" Elfman raised his fists and started to bring them down when Drake kicked him out of the guild hall.
After that Drake began searching for a apartment to stay in.
Next Day
Magnolia Park
"So why'd you call me here?" Gajeel asked as he stood across from Jet and Droy. "Make it quick, I've got money to make."
"This coming from the guy who destroyed our guild?" Jet asked.
"You can go to any other guild and take jobs there!" Droy added. "Don't you have any shame?"
"Man, you two can really hold a grudge..." Gajeel chuckled.
"Jet, Droy, don't." Levy said from behind the tree. "I'm over that, really..."
"Not gonna happen." Jet said back.
"We can't let him mess with us." Droy added.
Gajeel grinned at the two as Jet launched forward. "You won't act so cocky for long!" He slammed into Gajeel and then jumped into the air.
"Plant Magic!" Droy threw seeds in the ground as vines grew up from them, taking the shape of a fist. "Knuckle Plant!" The tendrils slammed into Gajeel, brushing him.
"Falcon Heavenward!" Jet slammed his foot into Gajeel sending him sliding back. "Is this some kinda joke?"
"What happened to that tough guy act?" Droy asked.
"Do you mind keeping it down." The three standing looked up as Drake jumped down from the tree, rolling his neck.
"You were sleeping here?" Levy asked.
"Yeah. I'm trying to look for a apartment, but have nowhere to go at the moment." He answered. "Look, he's paid his due. But if you really wanna beat up a new guy, then take your best shot at me." Both Shadow Gear men looked at each other and shook their heads. "That's what I thought."
"Just to be clear, I didn't need your help." Gajeel panted, standing up.
"Sure you didn't." Drake remarked sarcastically.
Lightning struck him, making him scream in pain as he dropped to his knees. Shadowgear looked behind as Laxus held his sparking hand out.
"Hang on, Laxus." Jet started as the blonde walked forward. "He didn't do anything! He wasn't even near us when Phantom-" A backhand sent him crashing into the tree.
"You two have made us the laughing stock of the magical world!" He growled as he kicked Drake towards Gajeel, making the iron slayer look up. "On my way back from my last job, I stopped at a pub, and I heard somethings that pissed me off."
"A criminal and the punk who destroyed our guild hall had joined. People think we'll just bend over to their demands now! We're a joke because of you two!" Lightning shot down and struck both of them, making them scream in pain. "So pay up!" He slammed his fist down and a wave of lighting tore through the ground, slamming them into a tree.
"This is ridiculous." Droy said. "I know Laxus is strong, but Gajeel should be tougher than this. Drake, I get because Laxus is smothering him, but Gajeel's going down too easily."
"Wait..." Jet mumbled as he stood up. "He's not fighting back."
"He's letting them get their anger out from the start." Levy mumbled as Gajeel looked up. "Is he trying to gain our acceptance?"
Laxus walked over, still holding Drake and slammed his foot down on Gajeel and then punched Nicholas before repeating the process. "Neither of you should have come here! Cause now, you have to deal with me!"
"Laxus, stop!" Jet shouted. "You're gonna kill one, if not both of them."
"Butt the hell out!" The blonde turned and launched a bolt that flew towards Levy. Gajeel raced forward and turned his arm into a pole, taking the hit for her. This gave Drake a opportunity to cover his fist in ice and punch Laxus.
"You done with me now?" He asked. "Because I have work to do." He walked away, clutching his rib cage.
"Gajeel, listen-" Levy started.
"Leave me alone." He interrupted.
"Don't go forgetting about me." Drake called out. Laxus heard him and threw him into a nearby swing set, bending it and getting him tangled up in it.
'I can't take this crap anymore...' The blonde thought. 'Fairy Tail has become a complete joke. That stupid geezer is running it into the ground. Once the guild is mine, things are gonna change!'