What's up folks? How are you guys doing? Not bad I hope? Anyway! On with the chapter!

Laxus stared at the salmon haired man, "Why didn't my spell work? I cast it perfectly!"

Natsu watched as Freed pulled himself up in order to talk to Laxus. He looked like he was struggling an awful lot, "You did cast it perfectly but your heart wasn't in it. You don't see anyone in Magnolia as your enemy. You've inherited more than just your grandfather's strength."

Natsu laughed, "I wouldn't say it didn't work."

"What?" Laxus asked, "How could it have worked?"

"You might not think I was your enemy but you were afraid of me. When people are scared, it causes them to lash out. You thought you were in danger. You are in danger. But you aren't strong enough to take me down with a spell like that."

Laxus's eyes widened, "What do you mean not strong enough?"

Natsu tossed the golden ball of energy around in his hands, "You seem to forget that I'm far stronger than you."

"Like hell you are!" Laxus yelled, "Let me show you a true dragon slayer."

Natsu looked at him with disinterest, "I'm waiting."

Laxus growled before channeling his magic. Natsu shook his head as he watched Laxus bulk up. His magic flared and lightning lashed out around him. Well, Natsu thought, time to get this over with. Laxus rushed at Natsu who simply raised his hand and batted the punch away. Laxus's momentum carried him right into Natsu who slammed his knee into the lighting mage's gut. Laxus slightly curled in on himself before using his lightning body to get away.

Laxus distanced himself only to watch as Natsu appeared in front of him battered him away with his fist. Laxus tried to back up and dodge but wherever he went, Natsu was there too. Laxus yelled and used his lightning to form a little flash around him, essentially creating a barrier of lightning. Laxus tried to catch his breath but Natsu simply swept his hand toward the barrier and flames roared towards it. They easily ate through it causing Laxus to flee once again. He couldn't keep taking hits from Natsu.

Laxus hopped back a few steps and took a deep breath. He used his lightning dragon's roar. It screamed towards Natsu who sighed. Laxus thought he had gotten him but watched in horror as Natsu appeared essentially at his feet and delivered a strong uppercut to his open jaw. Natsu grabbed Laxus's leg and swung him into the air. Natsu appeared in front of Laxus once again and slammed his leg in a downward ark that caught Laxus in the chest. Laxus rocketed towards the ground and would have hit it but Natsu beat him there and brought his knee up straight into Laxus's back, causing him to scream in pain. Natsu looked at him in disinterest and stepped away.

"Are you done yet?" Natsu asked, "You're boring me."

Laxus screamed at him before channeling his magic into a Lightning Dragon's Heavenly Halberd. It raced towards Natsu who sighed and sucked in a bit of air. Fire burst into life around him as he bent back before expelling a torrent of flame that completely engulfed the other attack. Laxus's eyes widened before trying to use his lightning body. It mitigated part of the damage as he was able to avoid some of the attack but the searing heat still left him in pain as blisters broke out across his skin.

Natsu shook his head and walked forward towards Laxus who had bent over to suck in air. Natsu stepped towards Laxus and cocked his fist back only to watch the brunette stand in his way.

"One of the perks of my magic is that I can detonate my statues remotely. So, you take one more step and I'll blow them all to hell," Evergreen smirked, despite her condition.

Natsu sighed before snapping his fingers, causing Evergreen to be frozen solid in ice, "If you're going to lie, do it well."

Natsu was about to continue his path but felt something smash into his back. He wasn't entirely surprised when he saw Bickslow dragging himself to his feet.

"Your attempts to save your friend are admirable, but," Natsu said, "you've put yourself in a very bad spot."

Natsu dashed at Bickslow who tried to block. The attempt didn't save him. Natsu sent him flying into a wall and channeled a bit of fire to restrain him as it slowly wrapped around him and locked him down. Natsu looked over to Freed who sat there, staring at him, "You're not going to try to stop me too, are you?"

"No."

"Mmm. Smart move," Natsu said before turning to Laxus who was shaking with rage, "What's with you?"

"You can beat the shit out of me but I'll never allow you to hurt my friends," Laxus growled before charging at Natsu.

"There it is," Natsu chuckled before sidestepping Laxus's fist before bringing in his elbow down squarely in his back, sending Laxus straight into the ground. Laxus grunted but channeled his magic and lightning struck down where he was standing. Natsu didn't bother moving as it struck him.

"Stop fighting Laxus," Natsu said.

"Shut u-" Laxus said before he was thrown into a wall. He groaned in pain before slowly opening his eyes. Natsu stood several feet away, but he didn't care as much about him. Farther back stood a small figure, "Gra- Why are you here?"

"Give it up Laxus," Makarov said quietly, "You were supposed to take care of your family, not force them to hurt each other."

"But they're too weak to help themselves!" Laxus said. Natsu sat down.

"And so they are. Laxus m'boy it means it comes down to people like you to protect them, not hurt them," Makarov said sadly.

"But-" Laxus trailed off as his head dropped, "You're right."

"You knew it in your heart. What happened to you, Laxus?" Makarov asked. Laxus looked down at his feet.

"I'm sorry."

"I am too Laxus, but sorry doesn't cut it now."

"Yeah," Laxus said quietly.

"I have no choice but to remove you from the guild. You are no lon-"

"Hey now wait just a minute Old Man!" Natsu said, jumping to his feet, "Laxus may have made a mistake. A big, stupid mistake. But look at him! You can't kick him out. Give him a chance."

"I can't do that Natsu," Makarov said, looking at Laxus. His head hung low and Makarov could just barely see the light sheen of tears slowly trailing down his face.

"Like hell you can't!" Natsu yelled, "He may be an idiot but he's still your family!"

"So he is. As guild master, it's my job to take care of all of my family, and Laxus has put all of them in danger through his actions."

"So what? So does Gildarts every time he even takes a step! And don't argue about intent. You can see it as well as I can that Laxus's heart was in the right place, even if his mind was a bit misguided."

"I can't, Natsu."

"But-"

"Let it go, Natsu," Laxus said quietly before looking up at them, "thanks for knocking some sense into me."

"I won't let it go. I refuse to lose my family for some silly reason!" Natsu yelled, "You let in Gajeel damnit! Laxus is no different."

"But I was raised a different way and I still turned out this way," Laxus said sadly.

"And Gajeel was raised by one of the most loyal and kind- if hard headed- dragons to ever live and look at how he turned out," Natsu argued. He shook his head.

"That's enough Natsu," Makarov said, "My decision is final."

Natsu growled, "You're making a mistake. Look at the other people you're affecting!"

Natsu swept his hand out towards the rest of the Thunder God Tribe, though Freed was the only one who was conscious, "They took equal part in this and you're not kicking them out!"

"It was Laxus who orchestrated it," Makarov said.

"That may be true but those who follow are no better than he who decided it, Master. If two people murder someone, they are both guilty, even if only one came up with the plan. Through blind compliance, we are no better," Freed said, dragging himself to his feet.

"Makarov," Natsu said, "You are making a mistake. Are you willing to throw your own blood to the wolves? Dragon slayers are rare nowadays and those with a lacrima inside of them are at even more of a disadvantage because their magic can be ripped out of them and taken."

"I can take care of myse-" Laxus started before Natsu cut him off with a glare.

"What if I make myself accountable for Laxus's actions. You give him a second chance and I keep him in line?" Natsu pleaded, "Gildarts isn't around enough to but I'm here."

"I can't make you do that, Natsu," Makarov said.

"I'm offering to do it!" Natsu said.

"I'm sorry Natsu," Makarov said as a small tear.

"Natsu," Laxus said, "It's okay."

"What the fuck do you mean its okay?" Natsu yelled, "This is your family! How can you just leave?"

"It's not the end of the world, kid," Laxus said, "I'll see you guys again sometime."

"You're an idiot," Natsu said as he clenched and unclenched his fist before sitting down, "Fine. Do what you want. I won't stop you, but you won't be as strong away from your family."

"Well obviously that's true," Laxus smirked.

"No. Your magic won't be as strong," Natsu said, "As a second gen slayer, you're still part dragon. Dragons draw a portion of their power from their friends and family. Dragons are innately magical entities. Every part of them is magical, including things that you wouldn't think normally are. A portion of this magic is stored in pools around your body and are activated by certain things. They're called origins. Dragons have more origins than humans do, and one of them requires a certain feeling or emotion."

"Mmm," Laxus groaned as he heaved himself to his feet, "thanks for the advice. Guess I should get going huh, Gramps?"

Makarov didn't say anything as he turned away. Natsu could hear the subtle way that the master's breathing became less steady and more erratic. He didn't have to see the Master to know that tears and silent grief were wracking his body. Laxus looked at the master for a moment before looking down at his feet.

"You're making a mistake, both of you," Natsu said before silently leaving. He said his part. He tried. If they both had made their minds up, then there wasn't much he was going to be able to do. Both were stubborn and steadfast in their ways. There wasn't going to be any changing that. Natsu's ears twitched as he heard someone walking briskly behind him, even if it was a bit erratic. Natsu turned around.

"Hey," Laxus said, "Uh… I."

"Hmm?"

"Take care of them for me while I'm gone."

"They're my family too ya know?" Natsu said before chuckling, "you aren't a bad guy. Just-"

"Let me guess, misguided?"

"No, I was going to say idiotic," Natsu laughed, "You had one of the greatest leaders at your beg and call."

"Beck and call," Laxus corrected, a slight smirk twinging the side of his mouth.

"Whatever Sparky," Natsu said, "Watch out for yourself, Freed would probably melt down if you died."

"Yeah?" Laxus asked. Natsu raised his hand and waved at Laxus before turning on his heel and walking away.

"Yeah, and everyone else too."

"Huh."