It's Time pt. 1:

I did one for the Fullbusters, Redfoxes, and Fernandezes. Now it's the Dreyar's turn! Also, two-parter for the win! (second part won't focus solely on the Dreyars, though…)

Farrah Lee-Dreyar: 7 ½

Nashi Dragneel: 4 ½

Storm Fullbuster: 4 ½

Cato Dreyar: 4 ½

Roman Fernandez: 3 ½

Persephone and Koree Redfox: 3 ½

Bianca Fullbuster: 2

Lorelle Strauss: 1

Eva, Minette, and Von Fernandez: 7 months

Layla Dragneel: 5 months

"Hey old timer!"

Makarov turned to find Laxus walking towards him. "Well, hello there, Laxus. How can I help you?"

"I've got something I want to show you," Laxus gestured with his hand. Makarov hopped off his usual stoop on the bar and followed after his grandson.

"So you know those five farmer siblings that showed up?" Laxus asked.

"Ah, yes. The Burkharts," Makarov nodded sadly. "Bless their hearts."

About two weeks ago a group of five children, ranging from ages 17-12, showed up at the Guild Hall. Their family farm had caught fire, destorying everything. Both of their parents had died in the blaze. The children knew a little bit of teleportation magic, as their family had used it to make grazing their flocks and tending to their fields a little easier, so they had come to Fairy Tail in the hopes of being able to become full-fledged wizards so they could provide for themselves. Mest had even agreed to help them advance their magic. Still, they had been very gloomy since they had arrived, and Makarov couldn't blame them.

"Well, I've been talking to them a little bit, and the oldest-Frida I think her name is?" Laxus began as he and Makarov made their way towards the back door.

"That's right," Makarov nodded.

"Yeah, Frida said she and her siblings still felt like they didn't have a place in the guild. So I began looking around for a place for them to plug in, and I think we came up with something that might help all of us," Laxus pushed the back door open and led Makarov out. Makarov's eyes grew wide at the sight before him.

"What's this?"

"This is the official Fairy Tail stables," Laxus said. "C'mon, I'll show you around."

"Stables?" Makarov asked.

"Yeah. The kids were syaing how much they missed beign around animals, so this last job I stumbled on a livestock auction and got some horses."

"Just for them?" Makarov arched an eyebrow. Not that he didn't appreciate his grandson's generosity, but this seemed a bit extreme. Couldn't he have just gotten a kitten?

"Nah, not just for them Up until now if someone had to go to a far off job they either had to walk or pay for a train ticket. Now you can just rent a horse," Laxus explained as he opened the door. "And with the dragon slayer's penchant for motion sickness on transportaion, this is a way that myself and the others can get around quicker without puking everywhere."

Makarov stepped inside and looked about. There were ten horses all stored in their select pens. The Burkhart children were all smiling ear to ear as they fed and brushed them. Frida was busily painting the horses names on their pens. She stopped her work to wave to Makarov, though.

"Hi, Master!"

Makarov smiled back "Afternoon!"

This was the first time he'd ever seen these children actually look happy. He approached one of the horses and reached out a hand to pet it.

This was actually a brilliant idea. A mode of travel that all members of the guild could use and that gave these five orphans a niche in the guild that they were comfortable with. He turned and beamed up at Laxus who was listening intently as the youngest, Apollo, was excitedly explaing how they were setting everything up and how the horses would be cared for.

Not only had Laxus addressed the need of five of their most vulnerable members, he'd found a way to do it that the whole Guild could benefit from. He'd grown up quite a bit from the cocky hot-head he'd been in his youth. No doubt becoming a husband and father had helped with that.

Makarov smiled softly and nodded his head. "It's time."

After Frida had finished giving the two men a tour of the whole place, they began to walk back towards the Guild Hall.

"So, whatcha think?" Laxus asked.

"I think it's a grand thing you've done, my boy," Makarov answered. He took in a deep sigh. Yes. It was time. "And I think you're ready."

"Ready?" Laxus arched an eyebrow. "Ready for what?"

"To take over as Guild Master."

"What!?" Laxus stopped dead in his tracks.

"Let's face it, Laxus. I'm getting old," Makarov chuckled. "Every year it's getting harder and harder for me to keep up with you crazy kids. And, though I might be slowing down, the Magic Council and their complaints aren't. I think it's time I let someone else lead the charge."

"Yeah, but, Gramps. Are you serious? You're going to retire now!?"

"Why not now?" Makarov asked with another chuckle. "Now is as good a time as any. Besides, the timing of this is actually perfect. Your first task as Guild Master will be picking out the team for the Grand Magic Games. A nice, easy job to get your feet wet on."

"But, Gramps-"

"What?" Makarove looked up at his grandson. "I thought you wanted this."

"Back when I was a dumb kid who didn't realize the weight of this responisbility! I gotta play dad to a bunch of crazy wizards now!?"

"Well, sure," Makarov said.

Just then a burst of giggles filled the air. Both men turned to find Mirajane carrying Cato on her hip and leading Farrah by the hand, heading to look at the horses.

"Look at those two children," Makarov pointed. "So full of life and kindness, with good heads on their shoulder and good hearts beating in their chests. You've done a fine job raising them, Laxus. That's how I know Fairy Tail will be safe in your hands."

Laxus shook his head. "Eh, they've only turned out so well becaue I had Mira helping me."

"And you think she won't help you with this?" Makarov laughed.

"Well…"

"She's a great woman, Laxus," Makarov patted his knee. "If I might be so bold, marrying her was the best choice you ever made."

"You got that right."

"Between here and your friends you'll have plenty of help should you need it. And at times you will. But overall you'll do fine. If I didn't think that I wouldn't be handing you the reigns."

Laxus thought for a moment as he watched Frida help Farrah onto one of the horses. Mirajane had set Cato down, holding his hand as she knelt to his level and explained everything to him. As she tended to their children she caught him staring at her and blew him a kiss. He playfully caught it and placed it to his cheek, face not betraying how viciously the wheels of his mind were turning.

"I'll have to talk it over with Mirajane first," he said.

"Of course, take your time," Makarov nodded. "Just know that when you feel ready the door's open."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Am I ready? Laxus asked himself for about the fifteen-millionth time that day as he absent-mindedly scrubbed at a dinner plate. Before he would have jumped at the chance, but now…? Well, he had more than just himself to think about now. He had a wife and two children who needed him. Would he be able to be Guild Master and Husband and Papa all at the same time.

On the one hand he'd be on salary from the Magic Council for being Guild Master. No more taking jobs. He could stay home with the kids. That would give Mirajane plenty of opportunities to go on missions with Elfman and Lisanna. But just because he would be staying home didn't mean he'd be, well, staying home. He'd being dealing with the magic council, making choices for how the guild would oppearate, examining all the members for potential S class promotions, planning guild events, making sure all the members were taken care of, scanning job offers to filter out any phonies or scams, the list went on and on. He'd definately be busy. Too busy, maybe?

"Hey, handsome."

"Gah!" Laxus jumped as he was broken out of his trance, dropping the plate into the sink with a Clunk-Crack.

"Oh, hey Mir-OUCH!" Laxus reached back into the soapy water to pick the plate back up, not realzing it had broken, and slicing his hand open. "Ah, crap."

"Oh, dear!" Mirajance raced forward. "Let me see."

"It's not that bad."

"Laxus, let me see," Mirajane said firmly as she curled his fingers open, gasping at the bloody gash across his palm. She snatched a rag out of a drawer, wet it, and pressed it against the wound.

"You shouldn't have been so quick to try and pick it back up," she scolded. "Should have been careful incase it broke."

"Yeah. Sorry, babe," Laxus said meekly. "I don't know why I did that. Guess I'm just not myself today."

"I've noticed," Mirajane replied, concern in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, I just-" He stopped and peaked behind her. "The kids asleep?"

Mirajane's eyes darkened in concern as she answered: "Cato is. I told Farrah she could stay up a little while longer if she was quiet. She's in her room coloring right now. Why?"

"Well, I've got something I wanna talk to you about," Laxus explained.

"What is it?"

He sighed. "Today Gramps told me that he thinks it's time that I took over as Guild Master."

Mirajane gasped, clapping her hands to either side of her face. "Really?"

"Yeah. I-oof!"

Mirajane let out a small squeal and threw her arms around Laxus' neck. "Oh, I'm so proud of you!"

"Geez, not the reaction I was expecting."

"Well, what were you expecting?" she asked brightly.

"Honestly, I'm not sure," Laxus admitted.

She giggled and kissed his cheek. "So, what did you say?"

"I said I'd talk to you about it first."

"Alright, so-" Mirajane sat at a chair at the kitchen table, pulled one out in front of her, and patted it. "-let's talk."

Laxus chuckled slightly as he sat down. "I have told you how great you are, right?"

"Mm-hmm!" Mirajane nodded brightly. "So, whatcha thinking?"

"Well," Laxus sighed, staring at his feet.

"Do you not want to be Guild Master?"

"I don't NOT want to be Guild Master, I just...I don't know…"

Mirajane giggled. "A few years ago you couldn't wait for the Master to retire and pass the mantl on to you."

"Yeah, well, that was before Farrah and Cato came along," Laxus said. "Historically when a Dreyar guy took over as Guild Master, or tried to take over as Guild Master, that's when things between father a child broke down."

Mirajane's brow furrowed slightly. "I see."

"I just don't want what happened between my dad and Gramps, or me and my dad, or me and Gramps to happen between me, Cato, or Farrah."

Mirajane nodded. "I understand. But I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"Hm," Laxus murmured. "Maybe not, but-"

"Afterall, where did those problems start? I mean, really start?"

Laxus shrugged. "I don't know, Mira. They started before I was born."

"Which means…"

Laxus' brow furrowed as he thought, then a small smile spread on his face. "Which means they started with my dad."

"Who is one of the biggest monsters I think I've ever encountered," Mirajane added, cupping Laxus' face in her hands. "Which is the exact opposite of you. He was a selfish, power-hungry, cowardly murderer. You're not. You're a loving, hard-working, brave man."

"I wasn't always though," Laxus said with a sad voice. "There was a time when I was very close to following in my father's footsteps."

"But you didn't," Mirajane reminded him. "And you've done everything you can since then to atone for those dark times. That's why you'll make a great Guild Master."

"I don't follow you," Laxus furrowed his brow.

"Whether we want to admit it we all have a dark side. And that side of us can sometimes be hard to suppress. You know how easily it can be to give into your darkness, but you also had the stregnth to come back from it. Though I hope our has numerous happy years ahead of us, inevitably there are going to be bad times. And when that happens we'll need someone with your stregnth and your eperience to keep us on the right path."

"How do you come up with stuff?" Laxus said with a smile.

"Oh, doesn't really matter," Mirajane shrugged. "The point is I know you'll do great. And I'll be right here by your side every step of the way."

"I know," Laxus smiled taking her hands in his. He took a deep sigh. "I guess I'll give the old man my answer tomorrow."

"Which will be…?"

"Yes."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

The guild hall was abuzz the next afternoon once the anouncement had gone out.

"I had a feeling he'd step down soon."

"I gotta admit, I'm gonna miss the old guy."

"I'm sure he'll still stick around. We'll be seeing a lot more of him for a while now."

"Looking forward to seeing how Laxus is gonna do."

"It's kinda exciting, actually. The beginning of a new Era."

As everyone kept gossiping about the new Guild Master, Laxus was seated at a table on the second floor, musing over the Grand Magic Games Applications.

"How's it all coming along?" Freed asked as he sat across from his old friend.

"How would ya feel about competeing this year?" Laxus asked.

"Me?" Freed blinked. "Well, hadn't quite thought of it to be honest."

"Aw, c'mon, sure you have."

"Well, yes, I have. But not seriously. I'm not one to voluntarily get messy in overly rambunctious trifles, yout know that."

"Heh, you may put on a good show, but I can see right through you. You've been itching for a chance to get in there and show off."

"Alright, alright, I'll do it," Freed sighed.

"Good," Laxus let out a sigh of relief. "Because most of our regular players are out of the running. Natsu and Lucy just had a baby. Lorelle's still a little tyke so I don't feel comfortable putting Elfman or Evergreen in there. Erza probably won't even come with us to Crocus given how small Von still is, and I don't blame her. Putting Mira in would just seem like I'm favoring her because she's my wife. I guess I guess the twins are old enough now I could put either Gajeel or Levy in, but I'm not sure which…"

"Levy," Freed said.

"Why?"

"Because it would annoy Gajeel."

Laxus grinned. "You devious little-"

"Oh, come now, you know you want to…" Freed propped his face in his hands, batting his eyelashes.

Laxus rolled his eyes. "Okay, so far I've got you and Levy…"

Freed let out a devious chuckle.

"Bianca's still really young too, but maybe one of the Fullbuster's too-"

"Oh, you haven't heard?" Freed asked.

"Is she pregnant again!?"

"Yes."

"Good grief, all those two do is make babies!" Laxus shook his head. "Well, nevermind!"

"At least we know they have a healthy marriage," Freed shrugged.

Laxus snickered as he began thinking again.

"Might I suggest throwing Bixslow into the mix? He is quite capable."

"Well, duh! What's wrogn with you Laxus," he grumbled as he wrote it down. "So, now you, Levy, and Bixslow," Laxus tapped his pen on the table. "Hm. Guess I could throw Lisanna in there too, but she's still my sister-in-law, so would that-"

"I think it's far enough removed that you would be fine," Freed assured him.

"Hm…" Laxus pondered. "I'll put her as a reserve player."

"She probably won't like that," Freed warned in a sing-song voice as he took a sip out of his mug.

"I know, I know. But I'm still brand new so I don't need any accusations of favoring anyone because of family ties."

Freed nodded. "Understandable I supposed."

"...erm...no news on when Cana and Guildarts are coming back?"

"Afraid not."

"Crap! That's who we really need," Laxus muttered. "Guess I'll put in Romeo and Wendy. Now I just need a few more reserve-"

Zap! Crackle! Zap!

Both men jumped at the sound and bright light of lightning. Laxus groaned.

"Freed, remind me, how many lightning wizards are in this guild?"

"Only two I'm afraid."

"So that was definately my kid?"

"Afraid so."

"Ugh…"

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"I just hope this doesn't turn out like last time," Wakaba muttered.

"What do you mean last time?" Macao asked.

"Y'know, crazy grandson, weak grandson, put in a lacrima, both try to tear the Guild to shreds…"

"Ah, c'mon," Macao brushed his friend off as he took a swig out of his mug. Neither man noticed the two children sitting nearby.

"What they talking about?" Cato asked.

"Not sure," Farrah answered.

"What did they put a lacrima in?"

"Not sure."

"How do you tear a Guild to shreds."

"Not sure."

"Is that just your answer to everything now?" Cato asked, arms crossed.

Farrah rolled her eyes. "Well, ask me a question I know and I'll give you a different answer."

"I'm just saying," Wakaba continued from the other table. "So far Cato hasn't exactly shaped up."

"What do you mean by that?" Macao asked.

"Farrah," Cato's brow furrowed. "Are they talking about me?"

"I mean that so far Cato hasn't been able to perform any kind of magic," Wakaba continued.

"That's not true," Macao said. "I mean there was that time he...uh...or how about the time he...erm...and then there's…"

"Uh-huh, ya see?"

Macao shrugged. "Oh, whatever. He's four. He's got plenty of time to learn."

"Sure, but his sister was already sapping Ivan's mug off at his age."

"Oh, Farrah's a prodigy!" Macao exclaimed. "It ain't fair to compare him to her. How many kids do you know who can do that kind of magic at 4?"

"Nashi can," Wakaba pointed out.

"Oh, come on that's not fair, she's a freaking Dragneel!"

"And Storm."

"Storm cannot do tha-"

"But he can do magic."

"So what?"

"I'm just saying out of his age group he seems to be the late bloomer," Wakaba said.

Macao shrugged. "What's the big deal about that. Lots of kids are late bloomers. And Persephone hasn't used any magic yet either."

Wakaba nodded. "That is true."

"See? Different kids develop at different rates."

"I'm just saying," Wakaba said. "Laxus was also a late bloomer and his dad took it upon himself to inject a dragon-slayer lacrima into him."

"Laxus is nothing like his father," Macao sighed.

"Not yet. But now that he's the Guild Master he's gonna be feeling a lot of pressure. Especially when word gets out that his only son can't use magic. That kind of thing does things to a man. Pretty soon he's gonna start getting embarassed, and then…"

Farrah frowned as she listened to the men. What did they know to talk about her family like that?

"Farrah?" Cato asked in a soft voice.

"Hm?" she turned to her little brother and saw tears in his eyes.

"Is Papa mad at me because I can't use magic yet?"

"No," Farrah shook her head. "Don't listen to them, Cato. They're just a bunch of crazy old men."

"...then he's gonna put a lacrima in him to make him stronger…"

Cato gasped and the tears began to fall. "I don't wanna lacrima in me!"

"They won't do that to you, Cato," Farrah promised, trying to smile even though she was fuming on the inside.

"...and it'll be just like last time. Father and son hatin' each other, civil war in the guild, and utter chaos…"

Cato gasped, sniffled hard, and then ran off crying.

"Cato!" Farrah gritted her teeth and turned on the older two men, fists cackling with lightning. "Shut up!"

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" Macao and Wakaba shouted as they convulsed and jerked about through the blast until it ended and they both collapsed into the floor.

"Darn it, Wakaba, I told you to come off it!" Macao shouted.

"I didn't know they were listening!"

"Just shut up!" Farrah shouted. By now all eyes were on her, but she didn't care. "You don't know anything about our family! Nothing's wrong with Cato! Papa's not embarassed of him! I'm not better than him! Why would you even say that!"

"Look, kid, we were just talking, we didn't mean it," Wakaba said.

"It doesn't matter! You still made Cato cry!" she shouted.

"We didn't mean it, though. Look, you've gotta nice family, Farrah. Us old timers just like to talk about you younger folks."

"Stop trying to justify it," Macao muttered. "Look, Farrah, we're really sorry-"

"You should be!" Farrah shouted, throwing and waving her arms about in the air angrily, making the men shuddered and wince out of fear of another lightning blast. "You're mean, y'know that! Mean! Mean Mea-"

"That's enough out of you, young lady," a firm voice came from behind her and a strong hand clamped on her arm. Farrah turned to find Laxus standing behind her, an angry scowl on his face.

"It's alright, Laxus, we were askin' for it," Macao said.

Laxus shot the a questioning glare, but said nothing as he began dragging Farrah away. He quickly noticed the dozen of eyes staring at them.

"Shows over, folks. Back to mindin' your own business," he said, still dragging Farrah towards the kitchen. Lisanna and Mirajane were inside cooking when he walked in. At seeing the look on his face Lisanna chose to slip out, guessing where this was going. Mirajane opened her mouth to ask what had happened, but Laxus cut her off by mouthing:

"Find Cato."

She nodded and walked out. Laxus picked Farrah up, set her on the counter, and crossed his arms as he stood in front of her.

"So what the heck happened back there, Farrah?"

Farrah drew her knees to her chest and leaned her forehead against them.

"Farrah?" Laxus asked.

Farrah muttered something inaudbible against her knees.

"I can't understand you."

She drew herself in a tighter ball.

"Farrah Rei Lee-Dreyar, you don't start explaining yourself right now-"

"They said mean things about you and Cato," Farrah finally said, lifting her face just enough to speak.

Laxus' brows furrowed in concern.

"They said Cato wasn't good enough and that you were embarrassed of him because he can't use magic yet and they made Cato cry," she explained.

Laxus let out a deep sigh before nodding. "I see."

"They shouldn't be so mean!" she growled. "They don't-"

"Farrah," Laxus cut her off. Though his voice was still firm there was a gentle tone to it. "Do you remember what I said this morning?"

Farrah nodded. "You said that you're becoming Guild Master instead of Gramps."

"And what else?"

Farrah thought for a while. "That things are going to be a bit different?"

"Yup," Laxus nodded. "This is one of those things. Farrah, you're probably going to hear a lot of people saying some mean things about me from here on out."

"Why?" Farrah asked, eyes full of worry.

"Because I'm Guild Master now. I'm in charge. And when you're put in charge of a group, especially a large and powerful group like a Guild people are going to be critical of you."

"But why?"

Laxus shrugged. "I don't know. Just the way it is kiddo."

"Well, it shouldn't be."

"No, but it is what it is," Laxus set his hand under his daughter's chin and turned her face up towards him. "People are going to talk, Farrah. About me, your Mama, even you and Cato. And I don't like it anymore than you do. But you can't go zapping everyone who makes you mad."

"They didn't just make me mad, though!" Farrah insisted. "They made Cato cry!"

"And that was wrong of them. And I'm glad you're willing to stand up for your little brother. But there are ways to do that without nearly electrocuting two of our veteran members."

Farrah frowned as she stared at her feet. Laxus bent down to her level.

"Hey, I'm gonna tell you something, and I want you to pay attention because this is a lesson that took me a long time to learn."

Farrah looked up at him.

"Pick and choose your battles," Laxus said. "If no one's getting hurt and if there's nothing you can do to make the situation better, walk away. That's not always easy, I know. You're a Fairy Tail wizard through and through, Farrah, your first instinct is to put your fists up and fight. But fighting isn't always the answer."

He set his hand on top of her head. "Next time something like this happens, come find me or your mother, okay? We'll handle it."

Farrah sighed. "Okay."

"That's my girl," Laxus picked her up and hugged her to his chest. She responded by slipping her tiny arms around her neck.

"Sorry you had to hear all that, kiddo," he said. "Trust me, I'll have a talking to them later. But from now on when people talk bad about us you don't get involved, okay? Just come find me."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"Cato?" Mirajane called as she wandered down a hallway. "Cato?"

She heard a sniffling noise as she rounded a corner. A suspiciously Cato-sized lump sat under the drapes to one of the windows. Mirajane tip-toed towards it and lifted the curtain. There was Cato, red-eyed and puffy-faced.

"Aw, sweetie," she crooned as she sat next to him, pulling him against her into a hug.

"Mama?" Cato asked.

"Yes?"

"Is something wrong with me?"

Mirajane gasped. "No! Of course not!"

"But why can't I use magic?" he asked wiping his nose on his sleeve.

"You just haven't found the magic that works for you, that's all," Mirajane assured him, pulling a handkerchief out of her pocket to hand to him.

Cato blew his nose into the handkerchief, sniffling loudly. "But what if I never find a magic that works for me? Will you and Papa not want me anymore?"

"No!" Mirajane brought him into another hug. "No, no, no! Of course we'll still want and love you, Cato. You're our precious little boy. Nothing you could do would change that."

Cato snuggled closer into his mother, climbing up into her lap. "What if I never learn to use magic, though?"

Mirajane ran her hand over his hair as she began rocking him. "I'm sure you will. You're only four, Cato, you've got time."

"But Farrah, Nashi, Storm, Koree and Roman can all use magic. So why can't I?"

"Because it's simply not your time," Mirajane answered. "It doesn't matter if they can use magic at your age because you're not them. You're not Farrah, or Nashi, or Storm, or Koree, or Roman. You're Cato. And Cato will learn to use magic when it's Cato's time."

"Really?" Cato asked, wiping his tears away.

"Really," Mirajane placed a kiss on the top of his head. "Besides, Persephone hasn't learned to use magic yet and she's abotu the same age as you. So not everyone your age is using magic."

"Oh, yeah, that's right," Cato nodded.

Mirajane smiled as she hugged him tighter. "Don't worry about what other people say, Cato. Just focus on being the smart and sweet little boy you are."