Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

109. Adventure 109

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.

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In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.

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PREVIOUSLY, on Fairy Adventure: Ena's time at Savant Hall came to rear its head. Between Atticus' cryptic speaking, Mother Clarion, and this "High Brother", Ena has her work cut out for her. Gale and Gajeel have Briar tucked in a hospital, but without her awake, all their questions about why she tangled with Deathhawk remain unknown. Gary and Nashi have a tough conversation that leads Nashi to an even tougher theory about the truth behind the two souls in Gary's body. When Nora helps Ena see the flaw in her arguments with Silver, Ena can't help but shatter upon Silver's return and they decide it's time for them to put aside pride and panic to build an equal partnership. Carlisle's confession to Dante adds more proof to the pudding—Carlisle and his cousin Lucifer were the ones to care for Gary upon his escape from the bureau. But who exactly did he send to watch over Gary?

All in all, Ena and Silver's stay at Savant Hall was one they'll never forget. But while they leave behind all the drama from the stay, Silver's secret carries with him.

"Forgive me, Mistress. Forgive me for being selfish with you."

Considering Denver's connection with the Scarlet Warlock, Silver's kept secret might not be the only thing that could shatter her.

---

It was not that Levy was a workaholic—ignore what anyone told you about that. It was that she loved what she did. When you loved what you did, it was no longer work. With her Gale-Force glasses set to its lowest settings, she reviewed the essays submitted for one of the classes she was teaching about—History of Runology—in regard to some of the ancient religions with her brow furrowed just a smidge as she focused breaking down a run-on sentence.

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK.

Gajeel opened the door to the study with a grin on his face. "Time for a break, Shorty," he drawled.

"After I finish this essay," Levy determined without looking at him. "I want to finish hacking through this essay since it really needs editorial notes and…" She heard her husband close in on her and tensed. "Gajeel, come on, I have a lot of essays to…" She huffed when he smoothly took off her Gale-Force glasses. "Gajeel!"

Gajeel tipped up Levy's head with that sharklike grin and a glint of amusement in those rubies clashing with annoyance in her hazels. "Get angry with me, Shortstack, and I'll have no choice but to fuck the anger out of you."

Levy puffed her cheeks, but pink slapped on her skin. "Oh, don't even go there, lug head." Even with her half-hearted insult, her eyes fluttered closed when Gajeel slanted his lips on hers for an adoring kiss.

"Come on, Shorty," Gajeel cajoled against her lips. "Take a break for me. Got somethin' for ya downstairs."

Now Levy was suspicious as Gajeel pulled back, but she let him take her hand and guide her out of her chair. "This surprise better not be something you can eat or else I'm making you have rust for breakfast tomorrow."

"So much attitude for someone so tiny," Gajeel mocked with a grin (and Levy tried to hide her own). "Nah, Shorty, I ain't gonna do that to ya. Just trust me, though." His eyes twinkled as they walked down the hall. "You'll like this surprise."

Levy wanted to tell him that no she would not, but murmured laughter and conversation caught her attention. She frowned hearing Panther Lily's low chuckle. What's going on?

Gajeel stopped her before they left the hall. "Now don't get too emotional," he warned her. "I'm not tryin' to go to bed with you and a thousand tissues."

Levy's frown deepened. "Gajeel, what's going on?" But when all Gajeel did was step aside a gesture, she threw him a hazel glare before striding past him—

She froze.

Galileo, Gale, and Panther Lily had large smiles on their faces, but they moved aside the moment they caught Levy had joined them in the room. She took two steps in, taken back, like she had seen a ghost.

"Olivia?" she breathed.

Olivia stood in the living room, but something about her had changed. She might have been dressed in a hoodie and some shorts with a duffel bag over her shoulder, but those pale hazel-reds looked like there was something more in her eyes. Her untamed hair had been brushed out underneath her bandana into two thick braids with intermittent ribbons, and her skin had a bronze shine to it that was not there before.

Levy took another step. "Is that…really you?"

Olivia smiled and showed those canines. "Hi, Mom." She adjusted her duffel. "I know I said I'd come home tomorrow, but… I wanted to surprise you—"

"OH, MY BABY!"

It was fortunate Olivia had readied herself when her mother threw herself at her, all snot and sobs, because she would have collapsed with Levy's body-checking.

"Oh, Livy…!" Levy sobbed, clinging to her daughter. "I-I've m-m-m-missed you s-s-so much!"

Olivia sighed. I'm going to need to take a shower after this. But those hazel-reds warmed, all soft and fond. "I've missed you too, Mom."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

kazoekire nai hodo no omoi wo

itsu made mo okuri tsuzuke te kun da zutto zutto sen mo

•

kurikaeshi gokoro ni chikau yo

te wo nigiri zutto soba ni iru n da soshite kesshite hanasa nai yo

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

HYU…

DON-DON-DON!

Daytime fireworks shot into the air and left behind prismatic bursts that looked too whimsical to be true. The entire town dressed up in streamers and balloons and banners of all sorts of bright colors, and the townspeople were just as colorful. Stores had blasted their specials for parents and their children, and it did not matter what sort of parent or child you were. If you were a cat mama and brought along your fur child or a guardian to your nephew or parents of your adopted teenager or you were 90 and your child was 65, people would welcome you with smiles at the ready and quick to give you a deal.

A popular bakery had their bakers running rampant with their discount on their novelties—parents paid full price, but each of their little ones received a percentage off. West Gate Park was having an outdoor dog and cat parent event where pet parents guided their fur children through obstacle courses and see how many commands they could follow. South Gate Park hosted an outdoor concert, and the group on stage was a group of dads who showed their children they had yet to lose their musical touch.

The Magnolia Public Library was all set for free parenting classes for new parents and parents who wanted to attain a skill or two and cool down at the station. Magnolia High School hosted a plethora of events today and treat this like "sport's day", where students and whoever they considered a parent to them dressed in athletic wear (gym clothes for the students) with their hachimaki and participated in indoor and outdoor events, from swimming to relays and obstacle courses. A pet adoption fair happened in North Gate Park to help these strays find a family.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« Today is a special event for Magnolia Town called "Parent's Day" where parents of all kinds and ages can participate in events with their children, human or animal. All around Magnolia will these events take place and helps raise money to help orphaned children and pets with much-needed supplies as well as helping parents who struggle to provide for their children.

But gear up. Because tonight, Fairy Tail brings the house down with their "Parent versus Child" melee event. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Tail was a riot inside and out as they hosted people from all over for drinks and good food while a talent show of parent-child teams went on stage. Outside, they kept serving, but they helped out with the pet adoption fair with magical creatures, hopeful they could find their forever home with the curious humans who cooed at them and made them feel loved. Kinana managed the floor today with Orochi giving henna tattoos to parents and children. Reedus was more than happy to do fun caricatures. Thirteen had been more than reluctant to help, but the ever-mysterious noir man had the shock of his life when Vinyl surprised him with her latest shirt that read DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL. A family sweatdropped as a drunken Cana told their fortune between sipping her bottle of booze.

"Phew!"

Nashi wiped her forehead with her towel as she wore her Fairy Tail athletic tank top and a pair of shorts. She squinted up at the clear sky. "Wow. It's hotter than I thought it would be for the last day of March." She felt something cool touch her and looked over to see Luke offering her a water bottle as he wore his summer Fairy Tail gear. "Thanks."

"No problem." Luke sighed. "Honestly, it is a little warmer, but…"

"I'm all fired up!"

Natsu cackled to himself as heat waves rolled off him in droves as he psyched himself up. People had given him a wide birth as he sweltered the air around him.

"I think Dad's the one making us all sweat like pigs," Luke dryly muttered.

"Mind your father," Lucy chuckled as she heaved the cooler. She had done her signature side ponytail that went down past her waist and some shorts and a crop top. "He's just all excited for his fight with Lu." She shook her head. "I'm sure she's ready to pummel him for all the trash-talking he's done to her."

• — • — •

"Come on, little girl, you can eat more than that." The dinner table felt like a cowboy showdown as Luna gripped her silverware with her eyebrow twitching and her tick mark pounding as Natsu goaded her (and everyone wisely minded their business and eat their food).

"You're even losing to me just by eating!" Natsu's grin broadened as he patted his irritated daughter's head. "Aw, don't worry. You're already used to losing to me, so this is nothing new!"

It was later when an agitated Luna swaddled in blankets and two tick marks on her face endured her father while she tried to watch LV. Natsu poked her cheek as he crooned, "It's just like a little girl to watch little girl shows. I'll make sure to give you a handicap, little girl. Wouldn't want you to go crying to your mom, huh?"

Luna pitched a scowl as she laid ramrod straight in her bed in the dead of the night as her father cajoled from the other side of the door, "Are you asleep yet? Wouldn't want to beat you down when you're half asleep. Then again, the way you move, you're even worse than a half-asleep person. Get all the rest you can! You're going to need it to last all five seconds against me!"

• — • — •

All three sweatdropped as Natsu continued to cackle. Wow. What an immature man-child.

"He's been egging her on night and day." Nashi shook her head. "I'm surprised Lu hasn't snapped yet. She might swear at him when he's training her, but she zips her lips and takes it off the matt."

"She's biding her time," Luke reasoned. "She's just like Igneel. He waited for the perfect opportunity to shut someone down. And considering she stayed home for some last-minute training, she really wants to beat Dad."

Lucy placed a hand on her opposite shoulder with an arm tucked under her breasts. "I just hope he's not pushing her too far," she worried. "Natsu promised he wouldn't cross any lines but still. She's already been through so much. I don't want her to be too angry at him.

Luke's eye twitched, and he shifted his gaze to the sky. "Um, Mom?"

"Honestly, I wish Anna would come down to Magnolia to watch the fight," Lucy desired. "She already threatened your father than if he hurt Luna, he'd answer to her. You should've seen his face. He looks terrified."

Nashi's eyebrow twitched. "Mama?"

A grand idea hit Lucy. "Maybe I can FaceCall with her so she could still see the fight—"

"Mama!/Mom!"

Lucy blinked at her children, confused. "What?"

Luke had covered his face while Nashi pointed at her, disgruntled and embarrassed as many people had turned to ogle, and hissed, "Your clothes."

Lucy blinked twice. "My clothes?" She looked down— "AH…!" Her clothes were melting before her eyes! Panic, shame, and embarrassment fought for control as she tried in vain to cover herself. "My clothes! Why me! Why me…!"

"Whoa, Lucy, you look great!" Natsu had popped up with an innocuous grin, but those eyes drank in his red-faced wife and her exposed skin with great pleasure. "If this is what you're wearing to cheer me on, you should do this for all my fights!"

"You idiot! Your freaky heat is melting my clothes!" Lucy barked.

Natsu frowned, cocking his head. "No one else's clothes are melting," he pointed out. And he was right. His wife was the only one affected. Everyone else's clothes were intact. "Maybe you just didn't wear good clothes for this weather, Lucy. I mean, didn't ya used to wear skirts in dead winter?"

Luke and Nashi grimaced. He does have a point.

Lucy's eyebrow twitched. "You… You…!" Fire was in her eyes. "You absolute jerk! Lucy-Kick!"

BAKI!

Bystanders sweatdropped (or panted—if was hard to tell) as Lucy laid into an on-the-ground Natsu, spewing profanities and not realizing the more she moved, the faster her clothes melted. "You stupid jerk! I can't believe you do it again!"

"Lucy…!" Natsu bemoaned as he cringed back from her hits. "I gave you a compliment and everything! Why are you abusing me now? I said you looked great!"

"To Hell with that, you're just trying to get me naked, you pervert!"

Nashi and Luke turned away from the spectacle with a dreary aura around them. Why are they our parents?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 109

•

The Chronicles of Parent's Day

•

両親の日のクロニクルス

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"My daughter is home, wa…!"

Olivia felt like she was dragging her clinging mother because she was. People did not know what to make of Levy attached to Olivia's side, bawling, while Olivia kept their place at the registration line as Magnolia High School for them to compete with other mothers and daughters. The front entrance had been divided into different lines: maternal figures and daughters, maternal figures and sons, paternal figures and daughters, paternal figures and sons, and those who identified in neither category but still had a parental-child relationship.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Magnolia High School

Front Entrance

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"You're home! You're home…!"

TICK!

Olivia closed her eyes as her eyebrow twitched. Okay. This has gone on long enough. Getting her mother off her was like picking up a cat who clearly did not want to be picked up and dug their claws into the carpet. After three tries, Olivia unstuck Levy from her person and set her down, her comically large hazel watery as she tried not to sniffle.

Olivia sighed. "Yes, Mom, I'm home, but it really isn't that big of a deal—"

"Yes, it is!" Levy gasped. "You came home! It's been so long since you were h-h-home a-a-and—!" She sniffled. "Oh, Livy, I missed you—!"

Olivia put a hand on her mother's face to keep her from clobbering her into a viper-tight hug. "Yes, Mom, I missed you too, but how about we register for our events first and then we can"—she grimaced—"have mommy and daughter catch up time."

"Really?"

Olivia squinted against the vibrant aura Levy gave off. Oh, no, what have I done? "Sure, Mom."

"Yay!" Levy looped her arm with her daughter's, determinedly beaming. "Then let's go! We have so much to catch up with!"

Olivia blinked at the whiplash of her mother's emotional state before she softened. Oh, Mom. You really never change.

°•°•°•°

Magnolia High School had the entire PTSA committee alongside other clubs host an entire festival for today to entice people to financially support after-school activities. The band would be performing with other ensembles around campus. Other club members and parents would take this opportunity to help prospects understand the nature of the club and how parents could get involved. The cafeteria was full of people buying snacks and drinks while outside had food trucks.

Olivia and Levy had decided to eat from a pizza food truck and sat on the grassy hill near the soccer field where it was parents versus their children. The game had turned hilariously rambunctious, and the referees did not have the heart to stop such merriment. Dressed in their Fairy Tail summer outfit of fitted athletic tees and shorts, Olivia and Levy watched the game for a moment.

Levy turned to her daughter, eyes sparkling. "There's so much I want to ask you." She pouted. "You barely called home."

"I'm sorry." And Olivia was sorry about that. "There's just been so much going on in Wu Xing that it's hard enough for me to send off texts. But Chief Mina has been amazing." She glowed mentioning her new teacher. "Her family might be a little crazy, but they remind me a lot of Fairy Tail."

Levy's beam softened. "I remember you spoke about Chief Mina, but who else is in her family?"

"Her husband Zihao is an architect," Olivia listed. "And they have several kids together. Wang-wei, Wang-lei, and Wang-yong are triplets. And then there's Liang—he does a lot more artistic licensing with his Magic. Yue is their only daughter." She smiled. "She's pretty chill. And then there's the oldest, Guang, and also there's…"—a bit of pink tinged her ears—"Jian."

Levy caught Olivia's red-tinged ears and nonchalantly picked at her pizza in a cone. "And is this 'Jian' someone special?"

"Well…" Olivia cleared her throat. "He's my sparring partner. I met him the first time we went to Wu Xing. He's okay."

Levy tittered. "You know, you remind me a lot of your dad acting all casual when you talk about someone special to you." She could not hold back her laughter when Olivia grunted and tore into her pizza. "I'm sure your dad would love to hear about your sparring partner—"

"No, don't tell him!" Olivia blurted.

Levy pitched up an amused eyebrow. "And why shouldn't I if this boy is just a sparring partner?"

Olivia shuffled her feet and looked at her pizza. She muttered, "Okay, so he's not just a sparring partner."

Levy hummed and stopped eating to observe Olivia. "When did this start?" she asked, tone soft and encouraging.

"Chief Mina paired Jian with me when Leo and I first visited Wu Xing," Olivia slowly explained. "We really were sparring partners. It just…" She forced a shrug. "I don't know. Nothing happened. We just danced around it. But then I saw Gale and Luna…" Hazel-reds saddened. "I wish I had been here to stop him." She tightened her hands around the cone. "I'm happy he's getting help, but I can't believe all that happened while I was gone."

Levy saddened as well. "I know." Quiet words. Despondent words. "I don't think any of us could have seen that. And Gale's been so tight-lipped about why he even did that. If he had bitten her…" Her stomach coiled. Such an action would have done unfathomable damage.

"He came with Oreo and Leo to pick me up yesterday," Olivia told her mother. "I have to leave tomorrow morning, but I told him I'd fly back here if he tried to pull that again."

"What did he say to that?"

"He told me therapy's been helpful." Olivia hesitated. "He gave me a cliff note's version of what was going through his head. It's no excuse. But he explained himself. And I agree, therapy's definitely the way for him to go."

A whistle blew as the first half of the game concluded.

Levy pushed back a lock as a spring breeze kicked up and rustled through hair and grass. Her hazels dimmed with grief. "I told him I'd like to know what happened someday." The wind threatened to steal her words. "We haven't celebrated his birthday in a decade."

"Yeah." Olivia's face hardened. "Emma made sure of that."

Levy latched onto that harsh statement. "What do you mean?"

Olivia kept her angered silence.

A dejected puff left Levy. "I understand it's not your place to say anything, but I…" She sighed again. "I'm…aware I was grieving for some time—"

"We all were, Mom," Olivia quickly interjected. "We were all in mourning—"

"I know, but…" Levy grabbed her drink, but she did not take a sip yet. "I hate that it feels everyone has something to hide around me. I'm happy I could work my grief out with a counselor. But it feels like I missed so much. And then Emma left that September…" Hazels grieved. "And she hasn't been home since…"

Olivia had much to say, but she had to choose her words carefully. "I think it was good Emma left. It wasn't…healthy for her to stay in the house, Mom. And I'm sure she was happier in her boarding school than she would've been surrounded by all the…memories." She clenched her jaw. I don't know if Gale would've survived her sticking around any longer either.

"Maybe you're right." Levy's shoulders sagged. "She needed to leave. But I do wish she'd call or write or…something. To let us know she's okay."

"Yeah." But Olivia said no more on the subject.

Levy studied her daughter for a moment. "I know you and Emma were never close—"

"Mom—" Olivia stopped herself before her emotions got the best of her. "I'm sure Emma's doing…fine for herself. No, we weren't close and honestly, I don't care that we weren't." Her lips set into a firm line as she looked out onto the soccer field. "I had Gale and Galileo, and she had…him. If she comes back when she wants to, that's fine, just…" She gripped her cone tighter. "Just…give us all some warning, okay?"

Levy deeply frowned. "Olivia—"

"Mom." Serious hazel-reds clashed with hazels. "Please. We need some warning if she's coming back home. All of us."

Levy hesitated before she nodded. "If she ever reaches out to me to come home, I'll let everyone know." She took a bite of her pizza. "It'd be nice to have the whole family together for the anniversary," she chirped in continuation. "Maybe she could surprise Gale for his seventeenth." She pouted. "I'd love to plan a party for him. I'm sure she'd want to be there."

"Yeah." Olivia forced herself to engulf another mouthful. I'll have to tell Gale. I don't want him anywhere near Emma if she comes home. Not after all she did. And as badly as I want to tell Mom…

• — • — •

"Pl-Please, Livy, it's o-o-okay!"

Blood and sweat splattered the floor with no remorse as those rubies filled with tears were wide and hysterical.

"Don't tell M-M-Mom," came bloodied plea. "She d-didn't mean it! I-It's my fault! Please, Livy, promise me! Promise!"

• — • — •

Olivia tried to keep her body from tensing too much to let others know her fury. We all knew something was off, except for Mom. She was too busy grieving, and Papa was consoling her. Emma might've been a good actress and gotten away with it if I hadn't snuck back home. She ground her teeth as hatred burned in her eyes. Nothing excuses Gale from being an ass. However, Emma doesn't even deserve to breathe in his direction.

Her heart broke remembering those tear-stricken reds pleading with her. I hate I had to make that promise. But the alternative… I couldn't handle it.

"Olivia?"

Olivia blinked out of her sobering thoughts. "Yeah, Mom?"

"You said Orochi picked you up from the Sky Port?" Levy remembered. "How's he doing? Kinana says he's working himself to the ground these days."

"Oh, yeah." Olivia smiled at the mention of her best friend. "He's doubling down on work lately. Now that Misses Dreyar and Miss Kinana are handing him a lot more managerial duties, he's working hard on his degree. But he's got some clients stacked up for tattoos." She chewed on her next bite of pizza. "He told me he's been going back and forth with a client for the perfect tattoo. He's been doing some cool new designs."

"Really? That's great!"

"Yeah…" Hazel-reds softened. But he still can't let go of that butterfly, can he?

Levy had a sly smirk on her face as she chewed on her pizza morsel. "You know your dad's going to want to meet this 'Jian' and fight him."

Olivia narrowed her eyes at her mother. "You said you wouldn't tell him anything."

"I never said that," Levy sung. "But I won't tell him on one condition…"

Olivia smiled in disbelief. "Of course it wouldn't be so easy. Fine. What do you want?"

"I want…"—Levy whipped out two shirts that said in strange writing MOM-DAUGHTER SQUAD UNBREAKABLE BOND, and those hazels glistened—"you to finally wear our matching t-shirts for Parent's Day just this once!"

Olivia's eyebrow twitched as she wore a disturbed look at the shirts. "Mom, can't I just…do anything else?"

"You have to wear it!" Levy cried.

"But—"

"You have to!"

"But I—"

"HAVE TO!"

Olivia huffed. "Why? Why do I have to?"

Levy sniffled as she forced her eyes to water more. "I'll start crying again and your dad will come and when he comes, I'll talk!"

Olivia shrunk back, wary and a bit afraid. "You wouldn't."

Levy sniffled, but she refused to back down. "Try me."

Hazel-reds narrowed.

Hazels narrowed back.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Two minutes later…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Oh, look at us, it fits so well!"

Olivia looked like she was attending a funeral while Levy was overflowing in her lovely flower aura and had to take pictures.

"Smile for the camera, Livy!" Levy chirped. "I can't wait to post this on Fatesbook! Everyone will think we're the cutest!"

Olivia's death-like dreary aura intensified. This. This is what I get for coming home. I should've stayed up north. You married a manipulative mastermind, Papa.

°•°•°•°

The park lacked very little with a large playground, three pavilions that came with benches, tables, and outdoor girls, and also a public swimming pool. Shrieks and laughter could be heard as little ones and their parental figures chased around and swung on swings. Families had staked their claims on ends of the pavilion with burgers flipped and endless beers. Food trucks had parked it with vegan options, and a face painter was having a blast creating a popular superhero on a little boy's face. Book Land had sponsored this park with proceeds going to donate books to children and parents in need on all different subjects. A fun jamboree played on the basketball court as people blew bubbles and got balloons.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

East Gate Park

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The arm-wrestling competition was easy enough to register, but anyone could compete in it. A father took it easy on his little daughter as she used both hands to try and take him down. An elderly woman heartily laughed as she faced off with her elderly daughter with their aides delighted to see them both in good spirits. But a crowd had gathered at one station.

A sharp grin. "Having some trouble, darling?"

A wide smirk. "Nah, baby, just want to take it easy on your delicate body."

The Strauss-Dreyar Clan had decided to divide and conquer today's events, considering the massive family they had. But onlookers consisted of curious bystanders, betting men, and relatives as everyone watched Mirajane and Laxus in a stalemate for their arm-wrestling. She sweetly smiled, not breaking a sweat at all, while Laxus broadened his smirk, at ease.

But everyone could feel the power around them.

Mary Jane shook her blue and white pompoms with the women of her family and cheered, "Go, Mom, go!"

"Come on, Dad!" Lance urged with Bixslow and the triplets at his side. "You have to win! We're counting on you!"

Laxus drawled, "Take it easy. I'm in no hurry." He made a show of settling into his seat. "I like to take it slow when it comes to my wife. If I went too fast and hard, she wouldn't be able to handle it. She might just break."

Gasps and low "ooo"s buzzed about the crowd.

Mira cocked her head and never lost her smile. "Oh, Laxus, you're so hilarious. You might be right about that. But, well…"—those blue lit in dark mischief—"I'd have to actually feel something for you to break me. It's a shame I don't."

Oooh's and snickers and a few claps passed along at the comeback while Laxus locked his jaw.

Mary Jane wrinkled her nose and whispered to Ellie, "Go, Mom, but also, ew, this is so gross."

"Hey, she's doing what needs to be done like a true woman," Ellie whispered back. "We need her to win so we have more wins so the boys pay for our vacation, vous vous souvenez? Whatever it takes." She ruffled her pompoms and shouted, "Go, Auntie MJ, woo, take him down! Go, fight, kill!"

Mira simpered as the women of the family hooted for her. "Simmer down, ladies. As my husband pointed out, we should take it slow. After all…"

JERK.

Laxus tensed when Mira had moved their clasped hands down a centimeter.

"…I wouldn't want to break him just yet, would I?" Mira finished. "I don't like that look on your face, Laxus. It's almost how you look every night—like you can't keep up."

Laughter roared about and Bixslow hollered, "Damn, Mira, remind me not to get on your bad side."

Mira put her free hand on her cheek as she laughed. "Oh, Bixslow, I'm not that bad of a person! This is all in good fun! Right"—those blues darkened as her smile turned demonic—"Laxus?"

Laxus offered her a dirty grin. "Yeah, baby, all in good fun." He pushed back a centimeter, and they were at a stalemate. "Don't you worry about paying for my vacation. I promise I'll keep my fangirls away from me."

"Oh, Laxus, I know you will." Mira's smile sharpened. "Because you know better than to test me." She trilled loudly, "But I'm not sure I can make the same promise. It's nice when a nice young gentleman offers a helping hand, and who am I to say, 'no'? Right, ladies?"

Laxus growled as the women in the crowd surged with their amused agreement. "No one's fucking touching my woman, Mira."

"Good thing I'm not just your woman." Mira leaned in to purr coquettishly, "I'm also your mistress."

That caught Laxus off-guard as red burned his ear and static clacked about—

SLAM!

Cheers and applause went about when Mira had Laxus' hand down for the count for three seconds and won the competition. She stood up as her relatives and daughter swarmed her with eager words of praise and gratitude.

"Mom, you're so awesome!" Mary Jane admired as she hugged her mother. "We're so much closer to them paying for our vacation!"

Mira tittered as she hugged her daughter back. "I'm just happy I got to participate. The vacation is a bonus."

"Oh, please, the vacation was the incentive," Evergreen huffed, but she had to grin with Eloise on her hip. "I think we could all use the trip for some relaxation." She tweaked her youngest's nose. "I'm about to go crazy with Elfman."

Lisanna snorted. "Please. You're crazy in love with my brother. Every time we've won the summer trip, you get weepy the second we make it to the hotel room."

Evergreen radically blushed as everyone laughed. "No, I don't! Stop lying!"

Bixslow clapped Laxus' shoulders with a mighty grin on his face and taunted, "Well, well, not even the hard-ass Thunder God can take his dainty wife, huh? You're blushing like a little girl, man. It's honestly so adorable."

TICK!

PIKA-PIKA!

An electrocuted Bixslow laid on the ground, twitching.

Lance came forward with a grin and nudged his father as he slowly rose from the table. "Come on. No need to look so sour. We still have a bunch more competitions. We win them, and that vacation is ours."

"That mother of yours sure knows how to kill a man's pride," Laxus rumbled. "You be careful with Aine. The women we love somehow know the best ways to knock us down a peg or two."

Lance cracked up, eyes shining. "I'll remember that."

Mira turned to her husband with a sly smile and crooked her finger to beckon him. He strode over, towering over her a full foot, but she merely beamed at the brooding look on her face and smoothened a hand along the roughness of his jaw. "I'll make it up to you later," she promised.

"You better," Laxus grumbled. "Killing my damn pride out here. Driving me crazy, woman."

Mira hummed. "Well, I certainly keep things interesting for us." She welcomed his kiss with equal fervor, but she giggled when he tried to deepen it. "Laxus, there are little ones present."

Laxus grin and nip her bottom lip before pulling away. "Such a damn tease." He kissed her forehead, then her nose. "I—"

"So I take it the ladies are in the lead?"

Laxus paused hearing the voice and turned his head, stupefied at the people he saw coming in close. What…?

Mary Jane squealed. "Ronnie! You're back!"

Veronika had come with her matching Strauss-Dreyar shirt and her hair twisted up into twin buns. Lisa-Jane and Ivan had their own family shirts and little backpacks, but Ivan clung to his mother's leg, uncertain, while Lisa-Jane looked ready to play.

Jaws dropped as Veronika accepted Mary Jane's enthusiastic embrace with a warm smile. "Yeah, I came back," she said. "Just for today, though."

"Uncle Lance!" Lisa-Jane rushed away from her mother for Lance to catch her with a laugh and pick her up. "We came to kick your butt!"

"Oh, did you now?" Lance tickled his niece, eliciting her giggles. "I'll have you know us Strauss-Dreyar men are pretty darn tough to beat, LJ." He looked on at his older sister with love in his eyes. "Good to see you, Ronnie."

Veronika softened her smile, "Yeah, well, Lisa-Jane and Sprite wouldn't stop talking my ears off about Parent's Day here in Magnolia," she jested. "Mom made sure we registered in some of the later events, so…" She shrugged. "Here we are."

"And we're happy to have you back." Mira came over to hug her eldest daughter and kiss her cheek. "Thanks for coming, sweetie. How's Miss Chelsea?"

"Better." Veronika bent down to gather Ivan into her arms. "She went to Minstrel for the weekend to see her own relatives, but she'll be back on Monday morning. Thank you for coming up and helping out. You didn't have to."

"Nonsense," Mira admonished. "You are my daughter. And I'd do anything for an excuse to see my grandbabies." She kissed Ivan's cheek and stroked his hair. "Hi, Ivan. Are you ready for some of your events today?"

Ivan offered his grandmother a nod as he still tucked himself into his mother. "I'm ready." He smiled a little. "Daddy said if I win today, he'll buy me a new lacrimagame."

Mira shot Veronika a questioning smile. "He did, huh?" But when Veronika mouthed later, Mira took the hint. "Well, why don't we get you all settled in? We have to get moving since we've got a lot of events to go."

"Yeah, sure, Mom." Veronika adjusted Ivan on her side as she fell in step with her mother. "We'll do a quick check of your sugars before you can play, okay?" She paused however when she saw her father watching and all her smiles and warmth fell into a cold indifference. "Laxus."

Laxus nodded to her. "Hello, Veronika."

Lisa-Jane loudly said, "Mommy, you didn't tell Granddaddy he would be doing his events with Ivan!"

Laxus' eyes widened at the news. "I am?" He shot Veronika a wary yet hopeful look. "Are you sure?"

Veronika feathered a hand down Ivan's back as she sniffed, "It was their idea, not mine." She wanted to make that clear. "And I'll be close by for anything." And she walked away.

Laxus blinked, stunned, but he softened a moment later with a sad but happy smile on his face. Thank you, Veronika…for giving me another chance.

Ivan tugged on his mother's shirt to whisper something that had her simper. She relayed to her mother and her aunts, "Ivan wants to know where Liberty is. He might have brought her a present, and he'd like to give it to her."

"Another one down," Evergreen teased.

"Tell me about it," Lisanna laughed. "The triplets trip over themselves to bring Liberty anything and everything. And now Ivan's doing it too, aren't you, little man?"

Ivan flushed and hid his face in his mother's neck.

Ellie chortled. "Don't worry, Ivan. You'll see Liberty when we all meet for a late lunch. She's with Justin and Uncle Freed for the parent-child relay race."

Veronika frowned, worried. "Is that okay? Considering her…you know…"

Lisanna nodded as she caught Pim before he could run rampant. "She's been practicing hard to control her powers for her relay. We were all against implementing any sealstone jewelry, so she had to prove to Freed she had a good grip before she could compete." She tapped her chin. "Although, if Liberty gets excited enough…she might enact that power…"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

HYU…

DON-DON-DON

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The daytime fireworks puffed into the air as a warning while announcements popped off. The stands had scattered groups all conversing and some had even brought along banners and vuvuzelas for the occasion. The concession stand had reopened—courtesy of the PTSA—and a crowd had gathered for hot dogs, burgers, and popcorn. The track had been cleared off with the home sidelines bombarded with tents, water coolers, and a first aid station just in case. The potato sack race ended with a clean winner and those in charge of the track events were in discussion with the first, second, and third winners about what came next.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Magnolia High School

Track Field

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gajeel had come with his bandana headband, a tank top, and some shorts and rolled his shoulders (and ignored the drooling women and a few men ogling from their places in the bleachers). "Let's keep it clean, all right, boys?"

"Yeah, yeah." Natsu had rolled up his sleeves for the event with his scarf acting as a headband. "Just try to actually put some effort in, Metal Head. When I beat you, I want to do it because I'm better. Not because you're slowing me down. That goes for you too, Stripper!"

"The fuck are you calling a 'stripper', asshole?" Gray growled.

"You're the one half-naked, you creep!" Natsu and Gajeel accused.

Gray looked down to see he was down to his boxers once again. "Dammit."

"Ugh." Gale crossed his arms. He had decided on his Fairy Tail crop top and a bandana headband to match his father, but he shook his head when the three men started another argument. "The Hell do we have to put up with this?"

Luke finished guzzling his electrolyte drink. "I don't know, but I'm starting to really like just having a mom for a parent more and more every day," he muttered. He choked when Gale swung an arm around him. "What are you—!"

"Least we're not like them and we're not at each other's throats every five seconds, right, buddy?" Gale grinned. "C'mon! We're practically best friends!" He looked over to see Silver a little bit away with his own hachimaki and tank top and barked. "Fullbuster! Get your pansy-ass over here!"

"Save yourself!" Luke rasped from Gale's grip. "I'm dying!"

Silver nervously backed away when Gale had the glint in his eye. "Gale… Don't look at me like that—Ack!"

Gale's grin broadened as he had a choking Silver and a dying Luke tucked under his arm. "Come on, boys! Let's keep it clean today! A good, fair race, yeah?" He let them go to smack their backs, and both toppled over. "This is gonna be fun."

Luke shot Gale a dark glower. "This is a nightmare."

Silver pouted as he rubbed his back. "I didn't even want to do this," he complained. "I wanted to go watch Mistress do the fencing tournament." He snuck a fearful look at Gale. "But he bullied me into being here."

"Psh. I did not bully you," Gale snorted. "Not my fault you take all my jokes as threats."

Silver gaped. "What type of person jokes about exposing all my dancing videos on YouView!"

Gale picked his ear. "Someone with humor, duh."

Luke comforted a drooping Silver, who looked betrayed. "There, there. Ignore him. He's just a bully who likes to hear himself speak. In fact"—he pushed up his glasses—"I have a few funny jokes of my own about him and how he would've Marked someone against their will—"

"H-H-Hey! Come on now, don't be like that, buddy!" Gale forced a grin as he sweated when Natsu served him a fearsome look that spelled trouble. "Hakuna matata and all that. I wouldn't do all that now."

"I don't know what Lulu sees in him," Silver mumbled to Luke. "He's so mean and nasty." He mumbled even lower, "Lulu probably pities him. No one would want him with that horrible personality."

Gale's eyes glowed a violet ruby. "The fuck did you say about me, runt?"

Silver cowered behind Luke, terrified, and squeaked, "N-N-Nothing!"

"Yeah. That's what I thought." Gale crossed his arm. "Say stupid shit, win stupid prizes."

"Those are no-no words!"

Gale blanched when Liberty stormed over something fierce with her black cat in his little red harness keeping up with her strides. Gale sank down to her level as she put her hands on her hips and socked him with a chastising scowl. "Yeah, well, I'm allowed to say 'no-no' words, Libby. Deal with it."

"Nuh-uh! My baba says no one is allowed to say no-no words, Mister Gale," Liberty scolded.

Gale scowled back at her. "Yes, I am."

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh—!"

"Gale, be quiet!" Luke snapped, fed up and feeling a headache come on. "For gods' sakes, you are arguing with a nine-year-old! What is wrong with you!"

Gale drew up to his full height and childishly muttered, "She started it."

Liberty stamped her foot. "No I didn't!"

"Did too!" Gale snapped back.

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not—!"

"Ladybug," came closing-in chide, "we won't argue with riffraff. That's beneath you, remember?"

Justin had come to join with his backpack strapped on. He had made his Strass-Dreyar family t-shirt into a knotted crop top and twisted his hair into a high side ponytail to mimic Lucy's signature style. With some high-waisted legs, platform sandals, and some sunglasses, he looked ready for all today had to offer. "And Gale, Luke's right. Stop arguing with Ladybug. You'd think someone turning seventeen this year would stop being such a kid."

"I'm not a kid!" Gale snapped, cheeks red. "She started it!"

Liberty sniffed, all haughty. "A lady never starts fights, but they finish them."

Gale growled, "Yeah, well—!"

"I'm going to tell Miss Luna you were mean to me and then she'll never like you again!" Liberty declared.

Gale gawked. "Justin, your sister is threatening me. Me."

"I know." Justin grinned. "I've taught her so well how to handle unsavory men, haven't I, Bugaboo?" He sweetly pinched her cheeks and his smile broadened when she giggled. "You guys are in this heat too?"

Silver huffed and muttered, "Yeah. Not by choice." An idea hit him and he loudly whispered to Liberty, "Libby, you should tell Lulu Gale's been bullying me again too while you're at it!"

Liberty beamed. "Okay!"

Gale snarled in Silver's direction. "You wanna take this outside, Fullbuster?"

Silver, once again, cowered behind Luke. "N-N-No, sir!"

Luke growled. "This is going to be a long day." He patted Silver's shoulder. "Silver, don't worry. Gale's all bark and no bite. He won't hurt you.." Gale tried protesting, but it all died in his throat when he saw hints of red in Luke's glare. "Gale, so help me, if you make me stay outside any more than I don't want to, I will personally tell Luna all of your wrongdoings against her." He took off his glasses to show that demonic red bleeding into his glower. "Do we understand each other?"

Gale gulped. "Aye, sir."

"Good." Luke smoothly put on his glinting glasses. "Glad that's settled."

Silver snickered. Ha! In your face, you big jerk! That's what you get for bullying me! He stiffened, horrified when Gale glared at him and kept behind Luke for protecting. He's a mind reader! He inwardly cried. Lulu, I need you here to tame the beast! Mistress, don't fall in love with Nora if Gale kills me! I'll haunt him if I have to!

("Achoo!" Nora blinked as he paused in his work in his study. Someone must be talking about me…)

Luke smiled at Justin and Liberty. "Which one of you are doing the relay with your dad?"

"Me!" Liberty raised her hand, proud. "Baba said I've gotten really good controlling my power and Justin said it was okay if I did the relay today!"

"That's awesome!" Luke cheered. "You'll have to take it easy on us, though. We don't have as much energy as you." He shot the sun a grim look. "I hate being in sunlight for too long."

"Right!" Silver looked like he found his soulmate. "It's so awful! I feel like a beached whale when I'm out in direct sun for too long!"

Gale rolled his eyes and snorted. "Yeah. I remember you'd have major meltdowns about possibly getting any freckles."

"I didn't have meltdowns!" Silver huffed. "It's a serious thing!" He balked. "Oh, no, do I have freckles right now? Is it happening?" He whipped out his Compact to frettingly check his reflection. "No, no, I can't cheer on Mistress at the fencing tournament with freckles!"

Luke and Gale sweatdropped. We could tell him he'll never get freckles, but he's a lost cause at this point.

"Miss Ena is fencing?" Liberty questioned as Justin tried to pick up James (and was in some sort of standoff as James hissed and crouched down, tail whipping back and forth). "I want to go watch! She's awesome!"

"Isn't she?" Silver looked like he was bursting with pride. "I didn't want to compete in the relay since it was going on at the same time as her fencing tournament with Master. I was looking forward to cheering her on." He sulked. "Instead, Gale and Lady J bullied me here, so she gets to do the swim stuff with Mom. Not fair."

Liberty shot Gale a stern look. "Mister Gale, bullying isn't nice," she scolded.

Gale gawked. "I do not bully him! It's not my fault he's a wimp!"

"I'd be careful insulting him if I were you, little Redfox," Justin teased. "Silver is under Ena's jurisdiction. Her pet might tell her he's being bullied, and you know she'll retaliate with her sword."

Gale scowled. "I'm not afraid of her."

"You should be," Luke laughed. "Bambi is absolutely terrifying if you get on her bad side." He grinned. "Though she's definitely pretty when she's pissed off. I certainly will be in the front row if she decides to incur her wrath upon you."

Silver frowned as he remembered Luke and Ena's closeness and spritzes of envy filled him. Does he like her too? That envy grew as he could see a hyper-imaginative memory from New Year's Eve when Ena was touching Luke all over. They even planned to kiss on New Year's… They would've kissed…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver's Imagination

3

2

1

GO!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A saxophone rifted up to a smoothly romantic song with the strings backing it. A pink aura filled the space with rose petals raining from above.

"Oh, Luke!" Fantasy-Ena looked smitten with a shy blush on her cheeks. "I can't wait to kiss you and for us to be together forever!"

"Oh, baby." Fantasy-Luke cupped Fantasy-Ena's cheek with his glasses gone and an arrogantly love-struck look on his face. "One kiss from me and you'll never want another man—especially that pathetic pet you have."

"No…!" Fantasy-Silver reached out all shackled and chains with his dog ears and tail and comical tears raining down his cheeks. "Mistress, you can't!"

"Oh, Luke," Ena breathed.

Luke leaned closer to her. "Ena…" Their lips were a breath apart. "I love—"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

KRRRRRRRRR

We interrupt this program on account of traumatic heartbreak.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luke took a deep breath, only to scrunch up his face when he smelt thick envy. He turned to see a struggling Silver. What's he so jealous about? A light bulb went off. Oh, right. He has a thing for Bambi.

WHAM!

Silver choked and shivered when a hand smacked his back and out of his envious thoughts. "What the—!"

"No need to get jealous, Silver. Bambi is all yours." Luke gave him a thumbs-up with the power of support glinting around him. "Show her she's a lucky girl!"

Silver turned red, mortified. "Wh-What's that supposed to mean?"

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

"Attention all relay racers," the announcer hollered from the press box. "We will now begin the first heat of the parent-child relay event. Parents of Heat One, please make your way to the starting line. Children, please be on deck. Those in Heat Two, please come to the check-in station for final evaluation."

Justin hummed. "Looks like you're in the second heat, Ladybug," he reminded her. "Do you want me to go wait with Ace and his grandma in the stands or do you want me to be down here?"

"Can you be down here?" Liberty requested. "And can you keep James safe?"

Justin and James glared at each other for a moment. "Yeah. I'll keep your little plague cat safe," he grunted. He made kissy noises. "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty. Come to Mama J…!"

"Miaow!"

Justin quickly retracted his hands when James swiped at him. "Ugh!" He stood with his hands on his hips. "Ladybug, if your Chat Noir doesn't calm down, he's going to learn what it's like being in an outdoor-only cat."

James gave Liberty big eyes and a pitiful meow.

Liberty giggled and picked up her cat. "Come on, James, you have to be nice," she chided him. "It'll only be for a little while, okay?" She passed off James to a wary Justin while James looked nervous about the affair—a little too expressive for a regular cat. She swung herself to look at the three young men and warned, "Mister Eiji said I'm really fast, so you better watch out, okay? I'm not going easy on any of you."

The three boys shared amused grins before Silver squatted down to tickle Liberty's stomach. "You're on, Libby," he quipped. "I don't think any of us stand a chance against the famous Lady Luck." And…

The three tried not to show their sweating as they felt a venomous aura coming from Freed, who sat in the stands, and a terrifying aura radiating from the beaming Justin. We don't think your dad or your brother would let us live if we beat you.

Justin settled an anxious James into an over-the-shoulder hold. "Dad said he'll come down. He just wants to speak with Ace's grandmother for a bit." He shot a trembling James an inquisitive look. "I didn't think cats could shake like chihuahuas. Honestly. Can't he be without you for, like, fifteen minutes?"

Somehow, James' feline face contorted into pure horror at the thought. "Miaow…"

Liberty pouted in worry. "It'll be okay, James. I'll be back soon, I promise."

James still looked terrified and nervously glanced around.

"Oh." Silver blinked over to Luke. "Where's Aunt Lucy and Nashi? Lulu didn't tell me what events they were doing."

Luke touched his glasses' frames. "Well, since Lu is prepping for her fight tonight with our dad, our mom and Nashi decided to take it easy and do some of the 'high heel' events, I think. Isn't Oliviia doing it?"

"Pfft." Gale cackled. "Yeah, she is, and she's pissed about it." He grinned. "Man. What I wouldn't give to watch that."

°•°•°•°

CLACK-CLACK!

High heels clacked upon the pavement as parents and children of all genders came through the balloon arch to see the various spunky events. A father wore heels as he and his daughter participated in the squatting event, and his wife was happily cheering them on. A toilet paper dress contest was going on with children as the designer and the parents the models that would be hitting the runway once their looks were complete. Musical chairs in heels had on a Queen B song that suddenly came to a jarring stop and everyone scrambled for a seat, trying not to stumble on their heels.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Magnolia High School

West Parking Lot

Magnolia Town

Fiore, Ishgar

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Ugh…" Julia looked at her heels like they offended her. She had donned her Fairy Tail crop top with her hair in Perench braid that ended in a wavy ponytail. "This is stupid. Why couldn't Silver do this?"

"Because you and Gale tormented him to do the relay," Nashi said dryly. "Or did you forget that?"

Julia waved a hand. "Please. All we did was give him some incentive," she excused. "My mom totally tricked me. She said she would be doing the swimming competition, but of course she pulled a fast one." She shot her mother a dirty look.

Juvia merely shrugged with her hair in a high ponytail and her Fairy Tail shirt knotted at the bottom right. "Juvia knew Julia wouldn't agree to do the high heel race. Gary would have, but Gary is in Arcticados. And Silver would be too embarrassed. So Juvia had a plan."

"I hate this plan," Julia muttered.

"At least you still have your dignity," Olivia rumbled with her dreary aura hanging onto her. "I come home for one day and my mom is determined to make my life Hell."

Levy popped up with her Compact and flowery aura. "Come on, Olivia! We have so many more pictures to cram in—!"

"Would all contestants for the high heel egg race come to event space A?" came announcement.

"All right!" Lucy had changed into a knotted Fairy Tail crop top and skirt for the event and had the fire of determination roaring in her eyes. "Nashi, let's win this! There's a huge prize if we can do this!"

Nashi sighed as her mother did her happy dance. The things my mother does for a reward, I swear.

Princess?

Nashi blinked in surprise. Býleistr, what's wrong?

Nothing. Little moon is hungry. Is it okay if I use the kitchen?

Sure. Nashi crossed her arms as she followed after her mother. How's she doing?

Býleistr chuckled. She's definitely psyched to face the King. I've been giving her pointers left and right. She might not win the day, but she'll impress everyone with what she's got.

Good. Nashi grinned. This is one fight I can't wait to see.

°•°•°•°

"Ha!"

"Ha-ha!"

The gymnasium had been filled with the sounds of swords thrashing and clashing. Sabers, foils, and épée were parrying and thrusting with referees and the two fencing coaches monitoring each match for fair play. Most who took part in the fencing competition were pay-to-play students with their expensive gear as they matched their swords with their parents for bouts.

But a mother and daughter dueling duo sought the most attention…

CLINK-CLINK!

"Halte!"

Ena and Erza were no simple fencers, lest no one mistake them for beginners. Unlike most who wore the standard white fencing uniforms, mother and daughter had scarlet uniforms that did not do their hair justice. They battled with their sabers as a thirteen-point tie broke between them.

The referee called, "Point awarded to Ena."

Applause went around as Erza and Ena broke apart to go back to their ends of the strip and readied themselves in their en-garde position.

Ena swished her sword and taunted, "You're getting slow, Mother."

"Or perhaps getting you too comfortable with an advantage," Erza mocked.

The referee started, glancing between both women, "En garde! Prêtes?" He blew his whistle. "Allez!"

Both women started their attacks with such speed and precision, it was difficult for spectators to keep up. The Lacrima scoring equipment would be a fair judge, but the referee kept his eyes vigilant as he watched the women battle for the upper hand. Just when you thought a touch had gotten in, one would parry the blow and go for a precise counterattack. Fencing might have been a nine-minute bout but watching them attack each other with quick feet and level heads made anyone want to see this battle go on longer.

SHING!

Both froze when they had both touched the tips of their sabers to each other's chests. The timer froze, and the Lacrima scoreboard ended up blinking an error had been made.

The referee called, "Halte!" He jogged over to the other sideline just to briefly discuss who deserved the point.

Ena asked in sickening jest, "Finally keeping up with me, Titania?"

"You forget who taught who, Enchantress," Ezra reminded. She backed away as she spun her saber. "You're only this good thanks to me."

"Hmph." Ena straightened. "I perfected what was taught to me. There's always room for improvement, right, Mother?"

Erza laughed. "If only your sword was as sharp as your tongue."

"Well then." Ena transitioned her saber into Lunagr'an and summoned Soledia into her free hand. She sliced down both swords and a powerful gust of wind rocked the entire gymnasium. "Let me show you how sharp my swords have gotten, Titania."

Erza hmphed in amusement. "If that's what you want…" She dropped her saber to summon her broadsword. "Just remember, Enchantress." She flashed forward—

SHING!

Metal combatted metal as sparks flew.

Erza taunted, "Mother knows best."

Ena growled and pushed back before she unleashed the full fury of her swords.

The referees both stopped and sweatdropped as they watched Erza and Ena challenge each other with real swords. This is why both of them are banned from fencing here.

°•°•°•°

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

"Attention all relay racers. We will now begin the second heat of the parent-child relay event. Parents of Heat Two, please make your way to the starting line. Children, please be on deck. Those in Heat Three, please come to the check-in station for final evaluation."

Gajeel, Natsu, Gray, and Freed had come onto the track with their batons as sizable cheers came from the stand. As Gajeel, Natsu, and Gray stretched, Freed—with his green hair pulled into a bun and wearing his Fairy Tail short sleeve rolled up—said to them diplomatically, "May the best team win, gentlemen."

Gray snorted. "Yeah. Don't think we'll go easy on you just because you have Libby on your team. All of this is fair play."

"I wouldn't dream of any of you being fair, Gray," Freed said, tone dry as he stretched his arms. "I fully expect to win based on you three being too competitive with each other."

Natsu grinned as he jumped up and down and shook out his hands. "Those are some strong fightin' words, Justine."

"I have every intention of winning today's event." Freed leveled them all with a cool look. "So please continue with whatever debauchery the three of you get into. It'll give me an advantage."

Gajeel cackled. "Damn. If even Justine is throwing the gauntlet, better get serious." His pierced eyebrow twitched as he glared at Gray. "And put some fucking clothes on, ya damn stripper!"

Gray cursed when he realized he was down to his underwear yet again. "Shit!"

The timer and the starter came over eventually. The starter raised their toy gun and called, "On my signal, you'll begin your two-lap leg of the relay. Upon the halfway mark of your second lap, your children will be waiting for you in these positions to receive the baton. They may begin their lap once you are within the exchange zone marked with a green tap for each of your lanes. After the exchange is complete, you will be asked to wait on the sidelines for your children to complete their two-lap leg. Do you understand?"

"Yes," all four men chorused as they got into their starting positions.

The starter nodded at the person with the timer. "All right. Runners, on your marks… Get set…!" He pulled the trigger.

POP!

Gray, Gajeel, and Natsu gaped when Freed sprinted with a trail of dust behind him. He's fast! But they exchanged grins before they took off down the track.

Liberty cheered from the sideline. "Go, Baba, go!"

"Come on, Old Man!" Gale shouted as he cupped his hands around his mouth. "Work those legs!"

Not even thirty meters into the race, Natsu growled and snapped at Gray, "Hey, loser! Stop trying to bust into my lane!"

"I'm not doing anything!" Gray snapped back. "Stay on your side of the line, you idiot!"

"Take your own advice, asshole!" Natsu growled as he shoved Gray. "Stop trying to cut into my lane!"

Gray shoved him back. "Can't you act mature for five seconds of your life, dumb ass!"

Natsu butted his head against Gray. "I'll show you 'mature', you stripping freak!"

The fight was instantaneous as Natsu and Gray comically went off on each other, running and trying to throw punches at the other. Most ignored the spectacle, too used to this immaturity, while out-of-towners looked scandalized two grown men were fighting on the school track.

Luke and Silver turned away from their fathers, sighing and disappointed. This is why we didn't cheer for them. Why can our fathers get along for one day?

°•°•°•°

Burgers, hot dogs, chips, and potato salad—everything a picnic at the park needed.

Bixslow managed to calm down the triplets enough as the trio stuffed their mouths with their food and alternated with their MagiSwitches to play Maria Kart. Elouise was adamant she wanted to eat as much as her father would normally eat, no matter how much Evergreen dissuaded her. Penelope, Paige, and Lisanna had a quick bite to eat before racing off for their event.

Veronika watched with a shy Ivan tucked to her side as Lisa-Jane had to explain in great detail to her grandfather that under no circumstances was she a bully for punching two boys who called her "ugly". Laxus listened with everything he had with clear love for his granddaughter shining in his eyes.

"Here you are."

Veronika saw a burger and some chips plated had landed before her, and she shot her mother a tentative smile. "Thanks, Mom."

"Of course." Mira settled beside her daughter, but her blues fell to Ivan. She softly asked him, "Not hungry, Ivan?"

Ivan shook his head, but his eyes focused on in MagiLite. "No."

"We had some food before we got to Magnolia," Veronika explained, though she was eager to bite into her cheeseburger. Cerulean shrouded in sunset ricocheted back to Laxus and Lisa-Jane.

Mira studied her before sipping her drink. "Nik and Laxus started talking once a week again."

"I know," Veronika breathed. "Nik told me. You know, before he decided to do a suicide mission."

Mira chuckled. "You have to admit. Considering Nikolai's personality, the military suits him."

"Yeah, well, he certainly likes hazing people," Veronika muttered with an eye roll.

Mira hummed. "I take it you think Spencer does as well?"

Veronika slowed her chewing.

Mira continued, "Jenny told me he's been sending emails when he can."

"He…has," Veronika reluctantly agreed. "They're sporadic, but he sends them when he can." Now that she was talking, she felt the need to keep going. "Lisa-Jane gets so excited about the emails. Same to Ivan. It's just…" She sighed.

Mira put a placating hand on her daughter's arm.

Veronika confessed in a low voice, "Lisa-Jane asked me if it's okay she could tell her friends she had a dad in the military. I never kept it from her who her actual dad is, but… I knew she meant Spencer since she never acknowledged her birth father ever." She blinked rapidly.

"It's overwhelming," Mira filled in, understanding. "No one is asking you to make a decision until both you and him are ready for that conversation."

A panicking thought hit Veronika. "Oh my god, Misses Lates—"

"Isn't pressing and neither is Hibiki," Mira soothed. Her lips quirked into a smile. "I'll admit. When your father and I got together with Jenny and Hibiki for dinner, I could tell Jenny was excited we could be in-laws." She laughed when Veronika blanched. "But she and Hibiki know that they love Spencer. And they support whichever decision you and he make together."

Veronika let out a shaky breath. "He just needs to come home safe. That's it. Just safe."

"I know." Mira gave Veronika a one-armed hug. "I know, sweetie."

Veronika fell into her mother's touch and sapped in that warmth and comfort for as long as she could before she pulled away and took a napkin to blot her face. "Ugh. Enough of that. We didn't come here for that. We came for the games." She looked around. "Where is everyone else? I remember when the entire family was here way back when, and it'd be absolute chaos."

"Things are changing," Mira tittered, though a flit of sadness passed through her eyes. "It was all so hectic when everyone was home, but…"—she heaved an exhale—"time moves on. This will be Ellie's last Parent's Day with us since she'll be off to school Lagelands."

Veronika's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, wow. That's amazing for her, though, but wow."

"I know." Mira glanced over to Evergreen. "I know Evergreen's trying not to take it hard all her kids live in different countries. Ezra is in a different continent. It'll be Elvin and Elouise soon enough, but Elvin will be graduating. And who knows where he'll go?"

Veronika felt a pang as she could imagine Lisa-Jane and Ivan all grown up and an empty home by her lonesome with only Miss Chelsea to keep her company. I always knew my kids would one day grow up and find their own path. But is it selfish to want to cling to these years I have with them?

"But," Mira continued, "as for the events, Lisanna took Paige and Penelope to the kite-flying event. Freed is with Liberty for a relay race. And Elfman and Elvin went to the high school as well for, I think, discus." She whispered, "I'm pretty sure your uncle is desperate to find something he and Elvin can bond over."

Veronika snickered. "Yeah. I remember Esme would happily do strength training with Uncle Elf, but Ezra always tried to hide."

"True," Mira remembered in mirth. "I do wish he'd come home for his spring break. Pacer and Pearson will be making the trip back home. From what Lisanna says, Pacer's been taking his grades seriously and made a drastic improvement to have B's all around without using the curve."

Now that shocked Veronika. "Oh, wow." She shook her head. "Well, whatever's motivating him to keep up the good work, I hope that motivation stays with him forever."

°•°•°•°

"Go, go!"

"Come on, you're so close!"

"A few centimeters more; you've got this!"

The egg-and-spoon race was not simple by any means. In addition to high heels, contests had to keep their hard-boiled egg and spoon in their teeth with their hands behind their back and had to walk perfectly on their white line from the starting line to the checkpoint and back. The penalties were dished out in a set of two. If you dropped you egg or both egg and spoon and caught them before they hit the ground, you could reset and carry on. But a full assault to the ground meant you started from the starting line with a clean spoon and hard-boiled egg waiting for you. Giggles and gleeful shouts rang about as Single Ladies aided the competition.

Lucy jumped up and down as Nashi gave a steady gait back to the starting line. "Come on, Nashi! You've got this! Come to mama!"

Nashi tried not to go cross-eyed as her mother's frantic cheering flaunted her assets and attracted less-than-innocent stares to her person. Mama, you really need to calm down before we get the wrong sort of attention.

PLOP!

"Dammit." Olivia glared at her fallen egg and spoon in her hands like they wronged her. "I didn't train in a secret sanctum for this," she growled.

But Levy was not having it as she cheered loud and proud. "Come on, Mom-Daughter Squad! Woo…!" And to make it even more embarrassing, she used her Sold Script Magic to draw the words MOM-DAUGHTER SQUAD in bright flashing lights.

Olivia's eyebrow twitched as she repositioned her spoon in her teeth and balanced her egg. Just kill me now. Someone kill me now.

"No!" Julia looked in horror when her spoon and egg fell to the ground. "Ugh, I hate this!" She swiped her spoon and egg to stamp her foot only to gasp when her heel cracked and broke. "No…!" Frustration took over her face as she snarled, "This is bullshit! Silver and Gary should be doing this, not me!"

Juvia hollered as she held up a new pair of heels. "Julia! Juvia has spare heels for Julia to wear to complete the challenge!"

"Of course you do," Julia muttered mutinously under her breath as she angrily took off her heels. This is what I get for Silver being a pushover and not standing his ground. He better win that stupid relay race.

°•°•°•°

"Achoo!" Silver shivered as he waited at his starting point on the track and rubbed his nose. I think someone was threatening me. I doubt it was Mistress. He felt all gloomy. Knowing her, she's probably forgotten I existed.

Liberty shouted to her approaching father. "Come on, Baba, you can do it!"

Luke whispered, "Libby, when your dad gets past that green line, remember, you can start running, okay?"

"Right." Liberty slapped her cheeks, determination ironed onto her face. I can do this. I'm going to win today.

Gale drawled to Gajeel, "If you're losing steam at half a mile, old man—"

"Shut up, Pipsqueak," Gajeel barked as he crossed the green line. "Get ready!"

"Luke, you get ready too!" Natsu called as he gained ahead of Gajeel.

"Silver!" Gray shouted. "I'm coming for you!"

Luke, Gale, Silver, and Liberty started their slow run with their hands out to receive the baton. Freed had reached Liberty first and she squealed her glee as she received that baton and ran her little heart out while Justin loudly cheered for her. It was seconds apart for all three boys as they got the baton from their respective fathers. None of them bolted. It was an unspoken agreement that they would take this at a nice jog to let Liberty have her fun.

Liberty whooped. "I'm going to win!"

Gale hollered, "You just wait until we get our second wind, Libby! Then it's game over!" He eyed an already sweating Silver. "Dude, you're on the swim team. I know your ass does dryland conditioning."

"Shut"—Silver sucked in a gulp of air—"up." He pulled at his tank top. "It's hot today, okay?" The flesh on his neck felt sensitive and agitated and itchy all around.

I don't get it. I was fine in the shade. But I feel like a fish out of water being in the sun this much. My throat's all dry. He huffed and puffed. Ugh. I'm going to need a long shower and a gallon of water after this. He secretly pouted. I can't greet Mistress all sweaty. She'll get all mad at me.

• — • — •

"That smell is offensive." Fantasy-Ena glared daggers at him with her twin swords and an eyepatch and a fur-collared cape billowing in the wind while he cowered at her feet. "Don't show your presence before my eyes, you disgusting pig, until you're clean."

All of a sudden, the fantasy turned sinful as war-lord Ena turned seductress as she lay in a bubble-filled bathroom with those sultry browns pinned on him. "Let me wash your back, my pet," she purred. "I'll make sure you're clean all over. You'll be my good boy, won't you"—she blew bubbles towards him—"Sil-ver?"

• — • — •

POOF!

A dazed and drooling Silver lazily smiled to himself as steam puffed off him. "Yes, Mistress, I'll be a good boy," he dreamily sighed. "I'll be your perfect pet."

Gale and Luke had shadows over their eyes as they glanced in disgust at frolicking Silver. It's better if we don't ask questions to someone who puts the 'lewd' in deluded.

Meanwhile, Justin met with Freed as he came over to the water station and surprisingly kept a still James in his hands with the black cat watching Liberty like hawk. "Great job, Dad!" he chirped. "Thanks to you, Libby got a head start."

Freed chuckled as he finished his cup of water. "She was looking forward to doing the relay race when she could show me she'd keep control of her emotions enough to not use that power." He frowned as he looked at James. "He's acting…well-behaved towards you."

"I know, right?" Justin thumbed down James' spine, but the cat twisted to keep watch of his mistress. "He normally shreds me if I'm holding him and Ladybug tries to move away, but he calmed down when Ladybug promised him she'd be back."

Freed hummed, but he cast a cursory glance towards the tomcat. For a cat, he certainly understands human speech…and is much more expressive than he should be.

"Justin! Mister Justine!"

Freed and Justin looked to see Ace coming over to them as he shuffled over to his grandmother. James' attention briefly snatched onto the Shadow Cat who greeted him with a high tail and eyes that spoke volume. James' ear twitched, and he blinked as though he were communicating back.

Justin beamed. "Hey, baby!" He and Ace shared a chaste kiss before he smiled down at Ace's grandmother. "Hey, Mama Norma-Jean. Your shawl looks fabulous as always."

Norma-Jean laughed as they exchanged cheek kisses. "You're even a worst flatterer than my late husband, Justin," she laughed. "Sorry for coming down. I just couldn't wait to meet your adorable Liberty."

"She's going to adore the blanket you made for her, Norma-Jean," Freed assured. "I'm so happy you could make the trip. And you're sure it wasn't any trouble."

"Not at all!" Norma-Jean patted Ace's cheek lovingly. "Anything for my grandson. I practically raised him myself. It's only right we celebrate the day together. And what's a better way to celebrate than meeting the newest member of my family? I always wanted another granddaughter."

Justin laughed. "Liberty's always wanted a grandma. It's a match made in heaven."

Norma-Jean tittered and looked onto the track to watch Liberty when pink hair caught her by surprise. "Oh, my."

Ace instantly fretted. "What's wrong, Grandma?"

"Nothing, dearie, I just had some déjà vu," Norma-Jean told him. "I've met that boy before. He was one of the boys who came to question me during that awful murder case at home."

Justin squinted as he watched the race. "Which boy? There's Silver Fullbuster, Luke Dragneel, Gale Redfox—"

"Oh! That Gale and Luke came to see me," Norma-Jean remembered. "Such sweet boys. I ought to say, 'hello'. Lord Black loved having Luke around." She waved and cupped a hand around her mouth. "Yoo-hoo! Luke, dear! Little queer boy!"

Luke's ear twitched.

Silver snapped out of his daydreaming for him and Gale to exchange stunned looks.

Ace facepalmed, Freed had no words, and Justin looked like he was about to die with laughter.

Ace hastily tried to shush her, "Grandma—"

"Hush, Ace, I'm trying to call the little gay boy," Norma-Jean scolded. She loudly caterwauled, "Luke…! It's Misses Benson from Deutzia Falls!"

Gale had to cover his mouth as his comical tears corralled in the corner of his eyes while he tried not to cackle. Luke's face had darkened with shadows. Silver, however, had question marks around his head and wondered, "How come she called you 'little queer boy'?"

Norma-Jean muttered, "Maybe he doesn't know I'm calling to him." She shouted, "The pink-haired fem-boy! Yoo-hoo!"

Justin was on his knees, crying with laughter, and Freed got another cup of water and turned a deaf ear to the chaos. Ace looked like he needed to take several seats and scolded, "Grandma—!"

"What? You told me 'fem-boy' meant feminine boy," Norma-Jean said in her defense. "They even said it in that The Bachelor season we watch together. And that darling Gale told me Luke is on the feminine side." She called again, "Oh, Luke…!"

Gale ended up bursting into wild laughter. "Man, oh man, who would'a thunk Misses Benson would be here in our little neck of the woods?" he guffawed. "You certainly left an impression on the lady, buddy."

Quiet.

"Gale…"

Gale wiped away his humored tears and tried to control his cackling. "Yeah? What is—?"

A murderous Luke with a demonic glare gunned for Gale. "I'm going to kill you!"

Gale paled. Oh, god, oh fuck. He sprinted down the track with a furious Luke charging behind him. "This is just a misunderstanding!" he yelped. "If you just calm down—!"

"Stop running, you son of a bitch, and face your punishment!" Luke snarled as his demonic presence added a grave weight to his voice. "Look at me when I kill you, you coward!"

Gale gulped when he narrowly avoided Luke's claws to his back and shrilly cried, "You crazy fuck, you're actually going to kill me!"

"That's the point!"

Silver might have felt sweaty and hot, but he took a moment to revel in a terrified Gale running for his life as though Luke was the grim reaper trying to claim his soul (which was a bit true at this point). Hmph. That's what he gets for being a big bully.

Liberty giggled as she watched Gale and Luke's shenanigans. "They're so silly! I can't wait until I'm in Fairy Tail It'll be so fun!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

LUB-DUB!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Justin's mirth was cut short when James wriggled like a worm, meowing like crazy. "Hey, hey, slow it down, Thackery Binx," he grunted. He finally squished James into a holding position, but the black cat looked worried beyond belief. "What has gotten into you?"

Freed's brow furrowed. "He normally doesn't get this out of control unless…"

A horrifying moment of clarity hit Justin and Freed. Liberty's about to use that power!

°•°•°•°

A grumpy Ena walked into the track field stadium with her Fairy Tail short sleeve rolled up into a knotted crop top and her scarlet mane tamed into a braided high ponytail with her signature braided side lock free and down her shoulder. Erza walked beside her with Number Five trailing behind them.

"I can't believe they kicked us out," Ena grumbled. "It's not like we were doing anything wrong."

Erza nodded in sage agreement. "We simply used Old Era fencing rather than Middle-Current Era fencing," she reasoned. "There was no reason for them to treat us like we were criminals."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Note:

They brought deadly, magical swords to a traditional fencing competition.

Punishment? Banned from fencing events for three months.

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Ena sighed. "There's nothing more for me to do today than to wait for the parent-child fighting tournament set on guild property." She tried to sound casual as she asked her mother, "Unless you're available—"

"Master," Number Five politely interjected. "If we are to get to the guildhall in time to supervise set-up, we will need to leave soon."

"I suppose I'm not available." Erza could tell Ena was disappointed even when her daughter put up an indifferent front. "I'm sorry, my little fairy, but there's always work that needs to be done."

"I know." Ena refused to show her sadness. "I understand, Mother. I have work of my own to attend to."

Erza wanted to protest that, but she found a better argument when she looked at the racetrack and smiled. "Not without your trusty assistant you don't." And she pointed to the track.

Ena frowned, confused. "What do you…?" She blinked when she saw—

Silver? It hit her. Oh, that's right. He did tell me he was doing a relay. In her memory, she saw Silver with his fiddling thumbs, red on his cheeks, and his droopy puppy ears and tail. He didn't sound all that happy about it when he told me, though.

"M-Mistress, I'm not sure I can cheer you on at your event." Puppy-Silver sounded so adorably distraught. "I got peer pressured into doing the relay. I'm sorry, Mistress." His ears further drooped before he looked up at her with those soulful blues all large and shining. "Will you forgive me, Mistress?"

Ena covered her mouth with a dollop of pink on her ears. He certainly uses that innocent nature of his to his advantage. Just like a puppy.

She banished the memory to observe him run, but she cataloged the wrongs with his technique. For a swimmer of his caliber, I would think he would be a better runner than this. He looks like he's drenched in sweat and exhausted. A tick mark beat her skull. Don't tell me that fool didn't properly hydrate himself. He's a Water Mage. He should be constantly hydrated. She huffed. The idiot. Does he not understand his shortcomings are my shortcomings?

"Silver!"

Silver's ears perked and his blues instantly sought Ena glaring at him from the opposition side of the field. Mistress? All his exhaustion and heat vanquished as he beamed. "Mistress! You came!"

"Yes, I did. And it's a good thing," Ena snapped. She lifted her gallon water bottle she carried with her and shouted, "You need to stay hydrated, you fool! I will not have you besmirch my name because you aren't taking care of yourself!"

Silver's beam widened. "Is that for me?" He veered off the track.

Ena scowled. "Don't get distracted in the middle of a race!" she barked, but it was too late as Silver speared for her. She rubbed her temple, sighing. "Silver, you can't just run over to me in the middle of a race."

"How come?" Silver innocently cocked his head. "You're my mistress. You come before anything else."

Ena sighed again. "We'll talk about appropriate sportsmanship and athletic etiquette upon a further date." She lifted her jug over the fence. "Here. Your lack of basic hydration is irritating me."

"Oh, thank god, I thought I was going to die!" Silver greedily took hold of the water bottle and guzzled an ounce of water in one sitting before he was satisfied. "That hit the spot! I feel better!" He flashed a smile. "Thanks, Mistress, for taking good care of me!"

Ena blinked, taken aback. But then her eyes focused on his teeth and a fact surprised her. His… His teeth… He has canines? "Silver—"

"Anyway, it's not like I wanted to do the stupid relay race, anyway." Silver huffed and looked over his shoulder as Luke swiped at a frantic Gale. "I hope Lady J and Gale get their just desserts for bullying me into this."

Ena cleared her throat. "Yes, well, you should continue on with the race since you made a commitment," she scolded. "I will not have you abandon your commit—What on Earth Land are you doing?" she gaped when Silver gripped onto the railing.

"Hold on a second." With ease, Silver launched himself over the fence to drop down at Ena's side. "There. Now I'm honoring my commitment."

Ena did not understand. "What commitment?"

"You're my number one commitment, Mistress," Silver said with ease. "It's only natural I'd abandon everything else to be by your side, right?"

"Ah…" Ena had little words as a heat touched her cheeks, much to her astonishment. Am I getting a fever? And my stomach feels strange. Have I eaten today? She blinked when Silver took several steps away from her. "What are you doing?"

Silver blushed a bit, scratching his cheek. "Well, um… I'm all sweaty, so… I just, you know…didn't think you'd want to be next to me since I might smell and everything…"

Ena's brow slowly came together. "Silver, sweat is a healthy, biological reaction," she reminded him, as though he were stupid. "I would be more worried if you never sweated. I mean, even I sweat. It's natural."

"But you don't sweat," Silver pointed out. "You glisten."

Ena shrugged. "That might be true, but I'm certain I don't smell fantastic when you wait on me after a workout. And I don't hold your smell against you either. It's merely sweat. I'm a little sweaty too. We can be sweaty messes together."

Red blotching his face, Silver's eye twitched as censored, steamy images racked up in his brain with its own sensual soundtrack. S-S-So mature! He viciously shook his head. No, no, don't think about that! But his mind slipped back into such mature debauchery. Even if I really want to…

Ena sweatdropped as she watched Silver's externally expressive internal struggle. Does he realize everyone can see him?

°•°•°•°

Elvin's eyebrow twitched. "Um… Dad?"

The field part of the track contained a secondary track with a faked grass field, a sandpit, and bars for pole-vaulting, long jumping, hammer, discus, and javelin, and had many children and their parents milling about. The track and field team used this as an opportunity to encourage children to try out their "kiddie" versions of such events while track and field parents dished out their rhetoric to interested parents about what being part of the team meant as an involved parent.

But there was a noticeable unease set as Elfman warmed up for his javelin through.

Elvin (he wore his Fairy Tail tank top and hachimaki to keep back his hair) tried to appeal to his father, "Dad, look, it's okay. We don't have to win this—"

"Winning is manly!" Elfman roared.

Elvin cringed at all the attention they were getting. "I-I-I mean, I guess, but… Dad, I think you're winding up too much. And when you get too excited, you don't temper your strength—"

"Let's do this!"

Elvin sighed as his father picked up a javelin. What am I, invisible?

Elfman twirled the javelin. This is it. If I win this—inwardly, he shed tears with a flower aura about him—Elvin might actually think I'm manly for once!

"Wow, Dad!" Fantasy-Elvin breathed with admiration shining in his eyes. "You're the manliest dad ever! I can't wait to grow up into a manly man like you!"

Elvin shivered, spooked. Someone must be thinking about me.

Elfman gripped his javelin and looked at the referee, who offered him an encouraging nod. Elfman lifted his javelin as steam snorted from his nose. All right. He broke into an earth-shaking run. Let's show them how men do this! The moment he got to the end, energy swirled around his arm.

Elvin paled. Oh, no.

Elfman huffed steam as his arm grew black fur. "Beast-Arm…Black Bull…"—his body curved for the throw—"Gatling Throw!" He released the javelin and for a mere moment, it felt like that javelin stopped as wind swirled around it until—

BOOM!

Screamed and cries of alarm and panic ran out as wind gusted around and kicked up dirt and debris. Elvin was the only one unaffected, though it looked like his soul had left his body. Great. He broke the sound barrier again.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Meanwhile…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Veronika smiled to herself as she watched the triplets include Ivan in their Magimon gaming. While Ivan did not look as soft and bashful as he had in Liberty's presence, he blossomed underneath the care of the triplets as he joined them in their childish trash talk and ribbing like he had been doing so all his life.

He's fitting in so well, Veronika fondly thought as she snapped a picture. Spencer would love— She faltered when she realized where her thoughts were going and lowered her Compact. Spencer…

A cleared throat.

Veronika looked to her right and her mask slipped back on when Laxus haltingly approached her. When she did not storm away or give him a cold glare, he took it was safe for him to stand at a respectable distance at her side. Silently, they watched as Lisa-Jane bonded with Elouise with both of them obsessed with talking. TikTak and Ivan grinning with his cousins.

"They're beautiful," Laxus' first dropped words, hushed and proud and soft.

"I know." Veronika did not sniff the words, but she could not put that same tender timbre in her voice. "They're everything to me."

Laxus nodded. "I understand."

"Do you?" Agitation itched Veronika. "Because they mean so much to me that I would never make them feel disgusting in their own home."

"I deserved that," Laxus agreed without a shred of shame.

Veronika scoffed. "You deserve a lot more." All those years of anger and tears and malice reared inside her, but she struggled to flay those spiteful words at him. There was too much pain for her to unpack.

"I do." Laxus would never dare deny it. He scrubbed his jaw, grayed orange-jades poisoned with grief and remorse. But a calm had washed over that guilt. A calm that knew he was in the wrong and knew how to word everything. "I did so many things wrong. I can't change the past." He clenched his fist. "I know I'm the reason you turned your back on your powers and the Dreyar name. And I'm the reason for so much of your pain."

Veronika kept her hiss low. "If this is your apology—"

"No. It isn't."

That took Veronika back as startled cerulean shrouded in sunset connected with calm grayed orange-jades.

"I will never ask for your forgiveness because I'm not so sure I deserve it," Laxus told her, honest. "I don't want your forgiveness, Veronika. The only thing I can do is try and atone for all the wrong I've done and the pain I caused you. I…" His eyes fell as he gritted his teeth. "I understand if that's something you don't want. I will never go against your boundaries, Veronika. You don't consider me your father. I know…I failed. But I hope I can at least prove to you I could be your friend."

He glanced at his grandchildren with clear love and longing. "And that I could be the same grandfather your grandfather was to you."

Veronika closed her mouth. She opened her, but nothing came out. And she closed it again.

Her hands, fisted, shook. Why?

She could remember those rotten years like the back of her hand. Those memories stained her. She remembered the arguments, yes, fueled with hatred and malice, but she remembered which one of them felt those emotions. And she remembered which one of them looked worried and exhausted. She remembered that party, where she felt childishly humiliated her own father dragged her out when her then-boyfriend had lined up powdery drugs. She remembered slamming doors in his face and scoffing when she caught him with his head in his hands. She remembered—

• — • — •

"I hate you!"

Stunned grayed-orange-jades filled with unbridled pain and hurt.

"I hate you! I wish I never had you for a dad! I hate you! God, I wish you'd just die!"

• — • — •

Her knuckles turned white.

Laxus' ears pricked when he heard a whistle. Incoming projectile. Golden lightning wound around him, obedient and understanding, and it lit his eyes. I can—

Platinum blonde flared with pink static clacking.

Laxus' eyes widened as he watched Veronika stride forward with her impressive pink lightning vibrating all around her like submissive snakes. Veronika?

Veronika could feel time slow as she saw the whistling javelin gun for the park. She looked like a vision with her neon pink lightning gaining power by the nanosecond until she was the embodiment of lightning. She reached into her pocket to pull out a coin.

DRIP.

Laxus. There's one thing you need to know.

FWIP.

A coin toss into the air with one side the queen's face and the other side the crocus flower.

DROP.

A tear slid down Veronika's cheek. You didn't fail me.

The coin dropped closer to Veronika's waiting fist.

Another tear shed as Veronika's trembling lips upturned into a last-second smile, sad. You loved me.

The coin landed on her finger as the javelin gunned for them—

BOOM!

The javelin stopped dead in its tracks as a hurricane of pink lightning consumed it. The sky darkened as businesses and homes fluctuated with the electric output too much for their structures to handle. But that pink lightning was too much of a beast to be reckoned with. The javelin twisted and shot back from where once it came.

Veronika twisted as her pink lightning danced in her eyes and a bolt shot out to Laxus—

ZZZT.

Laxus did not care his eyes clouded when his golden lightning entangled with pink static. Veronika…

Mira watched them with a relieved smile on her face with Mary Jane all teary-eyed. Lance could not help but be in awe and wonder, but he hid his smile. One thing's for sure, Ronnie. You would've made a great Railgun.

°•°•°•°

"Don't actually kill me!"

"Stay still and I'll make it painless, you son of a bitch!"

"That's my ma you're cussing out, bro, show some respect—"

"DOES IT LOOK LIKE I CARE!"

Liberty giggled even more as she watched Gale narrowly avoid Luke trying to pounce on him. This is so much fun! I don't want this fun to end! She did not even realize a red aura tickled her body as she kept running in her lane. I feel…so lucky to get to see this!

CHOMP!

Justin cursed when James' bite forced him to drop him. James did not care one bit as he made a beeline towards Liberty with his wide eyes panicking and his paws furiously moving. But everyone was too focused on Gale and Luke that no one outside the Shadow Cat noticed James' black fur turned darker than black.

Lucy felt like a winner as she made it to the last leg of the egg-and-spoon relay race with the balloon archway calling her name. I'm going to do it! I'm going to win!

I'm going to die! Gale cried as he sweated bullets avoiding Luke's blows with the finish line one hundred meters away. I feel so—!

Happy! The red aura spawning around Liberty heightened and brightened as she beamed. I feel really, really happy! Her entire body glowed a fearsome red with gold spots almost like a ladybug.

Freed and Justin looked on wide-eyed. Oh, no. She's going to use…that!

James gave a screeching meow as her darker-than-black fur swirled the second he crossed Gale.

Several things happened in a domino effect like you would not believe. The first was—

BOOM!

Devastation raked that track field with winds so strong that it knocked drinks and food out of hands and a few bags blustered in the bad water. The entire campus shook with excessive force, dirt and dust bowling the entire school and field. Ena brought out her swords, ready for a fight, but Silver shocked her when he covered her with his body and his eyes glowing a lethal blue. Screams jerked about as Gray and Gajeel were quick to clamp down anyone who could not withstand the severe winds with their respective element.

Car alarms blared as the high heel events incurred broken heels and shrieks. Lucy, only steps away from the finish line, had staggered, knocked off-kilter, and stumbled over where her skirt flipped as she tripped and exposed her panties. And the two holding the balloon archway so tightly lost their grip (and their grip on the reality that a natural disaster could be happening) and the archway flowed away.

Gale looked dirtied, done, and like he had a mild heart attack with his ears ringing. He groaned as he got up. What the…? His eyes bulged when a crater laid before him with the pink static javelin pitched at the center. Oh my god, I could've died!

"You…!"

Gale looked to see a red-eyed Luke with black hair streaking his pink locks glowering at him. Shit.

Luke panted, shrugging off the destruction. "I…"—he charged forward—"am going to kill you!"

Gale, frantic, wheeled his arms around to crouch and duck beneath the ramp over earth he covered himself with. Dammit. He really is going to murder me.

But Luke was unable to change trajectory and accidentally ran up the ramp to fall into the crater. Snarling, he shook off the pain as that black, demonic energy outlined in red-cloaked hands. "Gale…!"

Liberty (somehow untouched in all the chaos) kept running with her baton, but she saw the upcoming devastation. Oh, no. The finish line… But she saw the shoddy earth ramp and resolve hardened within her. I can do this! She picked up the pace. I can win!

Luke's eyes gleamed as energy swirled in his palms as he glowered at Gale. "You…"—he aimed for a scrambling Gale—"are mine!"

The balloon archway fluttered down over the crater, too weak to carry itself even further—

James sprinted for his mistress—

Liberty bolted up the ramp and took a big leap—

Luke's attack fire as Gale shored up his defenses—

BOOM!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silence.

No one could breathe with their jaws dropped and their minds blank from the abrupt end of the chaos.

Dead silence.

Smoke and debris billows into hapless low-hanging clouds. The entire stadium could barely fathom what had happened, but the spectators looked on in apprehension to see what had happened to the runners. A few volunteers on the sidelines were shot with panic, but before they could move, Freed stopped them and put a finger to his lips that said wait.

More silence.

A subtle footstep alerted the entire stadium.

The next thing people could see, a balloon arch drifted out of the settling smoke. A powerful gust of wind bowled over the track to reveal the wreckage.

"I…" A blossoming smile came upon Liberty as she jumped up past the finish line. "I won…!"

Silence.

Then…

Thunderous applause and cheers roared across the stadium as praise showered down.

"Just like Fairy Tail to do something big!"

"Nothing's boring in our town with Fairy Tail around!"

"Go, Fairy Tail!"

Justin shook his head as he brushed back his bangs. "We can't fault them for thinking this was part of our big scheme," he supposed. "It's better for them to think this was planned than start asking questions. Master's going to be pissed when she gets the bill."

Freed crossed his arms with a small smile as he watched Liberty whoop and holler with James prancing around her feet, purring like crazy. "All in all, it turned out better than expected."

"Baba, Baba!" Liberty scampered over to her father with shining eyes and ran into his hug. "Did you see me? Did you see me win?"

Freed smiled, thumbing her cheek. "I did, Ladybug. You did amazing!" He lightly scolded, "But you did use something you promised you wouldn't today."

Liberty pouted. "I know. I didn't mean to, I promise!" she insisted. "Mister Gale and Mister Luke were acting so silly though!" Those golds lowered, upset. "I'm really sorry, Baba. Does this mean I didn't really win?" She looked up when she felt a hand on her head.

Freed had softened. "Not all, Ladybug. You won today, and you made all of us very proud."

Liberty's eyes shimmered for a moment before she threw her arms around her father and hugged him tightly. "Thanks, Baba!" She was vibrating with excitement as she turned to her brother. "Justin, Justin! I won!"

"I know. I saw." Justin crouched down and Liberty instantly hugged him too. "You did awesome, Ladybug. Those other boys didn't stand a chance, huh?"

"No way!" Liberty put her hands on her hips with her chin raised. "I told you I'd be the fastest!" She pouted again. "I just wish Luna was here to see me win."

Justin tickled under Liberty's chin. "You'll see her tonight after her fight with her dad, remember? But I know someone else who wants to congratulate you on your win." He stood up and took her hand.

Liberty blinked owlishly at him. "Who?"

Ace peered into view. "Hi, Liberty!"

"Mister Ace!" Liberty rushed for him and giggled when he swooped down to pick her up. "Mister Ace, I won!"

"I know you did, little lady. That was a crazy race." Ace chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Maybe if it's all right with your dad, we could celebrate with some ice cream, yeah?"

Liberty beamed. "Yeah! I want ice cream!" She shot her father pleading eyes. "Baba—"

"No need for that," Fred laughed. "A little ice cream is okay." All three men chortled when Liberty looked like she could burst with excitement.

As Justin beckoned, Ace told Liberty, "And there's someone else with me today who wants to say congratulations." He turned and showed Liberty Norma-Jean waiting patiently for her turn. "Libby, this is my grandma, Norma-Jean."

"Hi, Liberty," Norma-Jean greeted as she shuffled over. "My, aren't you a beautiful young lady? All the photos Justin's showed me couldn't do you justice."

Liberty snuck Justin a curious look. "You showed photos of me?"

"Of course!" Justin kissed Liberty's cheek. "I have an adorable little sister. Of course I'll want to show her off. And Grandma NJ has been excited to meet you ever since she saw your photos."

"Oh." Liberty tugged for Ace to put her down. Once he did, Liberty turned to Norma-Jean and did a cute curtsey. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Norma-Jean."

Norma-Jean could not get enough. "Heavens, you're too sweet!"

Liberty blinked when Lord Black wove around her legs, purring, and James sat back, content. "Cool! You have a black cat too?" She bent down to stroke Lord Black's spine and giggled. "He feels all tingly."

"His name is Lord Black," Norma-Jean told. "He's a Shadow Cat, and my only cat I can take outdoors with me." She whispered to Liberty conspiratorially, "But I personally think black cats are the best cats."

Liberty gaped, sparkling. "Me too! They're really cool! Everyone says they're really unlucky, but I don't believe it!"

A glint entered Norma-Jean's eyes. "Me neither. I think black cats can bring out the best sorts of luck."

"Me too!" Liberty surged forward to eagerly grab Norma-Jean's hands. "Can I call you Grandmama NJ too?"

Oh! Internally, Norma-Jean wanted to cry as she was overloaded with cuteness. She's too much of a darling! "Of course you can, Liberty! You can call me whatever you like! And…" She patted her bag. "I brought a present just for you."

"Really?" Liberty jumped up, eagerly impatient. "What is it? Can I have it now?"

"How about we wait until later, Ladybug?" Justin proffered. "We still have some more events, remember?"

Liberty pouted, but she stopped trying to see her gift. "Okay…"

Justin laughed and held out his hand. "Come on, Bugaboo. Let's get you over to the winner's table, okay?"

"'Kay!"

Freed watched as Justin, Ace, and Norma-Jean escorted Liberty to go turn in her baton and collect her winnings. But his smile faded for a serious frown as he watched his daughter merrily grab onto Norma-Jean's hands and chatter way while both black cats hurried after their mistresses. When they were far enough way and with no one close, his irises circled violet as he touched the ground.

A square of runes glowed and shifted beneath his hand before they locked and sunk into the ground.

Freed stood and glanced about the stands, but the spectators were too enthralled at the chaos they witnessed. Thank goodness I put discreet runes up. I know Liberty's been working hard to control her Luck. But I wanted to take my precautions even so.

Gale had comically passed out, disheveled, drooling, and his eyes swirling. Luke popped up with shadows enshrouding him and only his red eyes prominent. But claws came out from his nails.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'Liberty's Luck is unpredictable once she's alone. The stronger her emotions, the more unnatural her Luck shows to give her what she wants.'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Ahem."

Demonic Luke held a frothing and unconscious Gale by his collars, but he snapped his head to the interruptions, only for the demonic rage to frighten out of him when angry PTSA mothers glared with their eyes red with ire and steam puffing from their nose. He sweated considerably in his pink hair and scared honeyed amber eyes,

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

'When she was only a baby, she couldn't control her Luck. And I refused to ever put a sealstone bracelet on her. Which is why it's curious…'

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As Luke bowed profusely at the angry mothers, Gajeel whistled as he loaded his spiraling son over his shoulder. Liberty got to choose from an assortment of prizes and was boasting about her win to an amused Gray and Natsu while Justin, Ace, and Norma-Jean look on fondly.

Freed, however, looked at James as the black cat curled his tail around Liberty's leg and looked so proud of her. We like to joke James is an unlucky black cat and that's why Liberty can control her Lucky, but… He's much more expressive than any cat I've witnessed. I've heard of separation anxiety in animals, but when Liberty's Luck was activated… He looked too panicked for a reaction.

James meowed as Liberty rubbed his head, those greens sparkling.

I know black cats in myth are unlucky…

James butted his head against Liberty and closed his eyes, happily purring.

…but sometimes tell me, he's more than just a regular black cat.

°•°•°•°

Silver knew his body had tensed and the stir in his chest rumbled, ready for a fight. The activity trickled back to normal, but his mind fell in a dizzying headspace. A need. He had a need. He needed to protect—defend. He needed—

"Silver?"

Silver blinked, and the blue glow in his eyes faded. He looked down to see Ena tucked into him, only to realize it was because of him she was stuck like that. He gaped, face red, and let her go. "I-I-I'm sorry!" he blubbered. "I-I didn't mean to do that, Miss—"

Blues widened. Whoa…

Ena stood stock-still as her swords left her, but that was not what brought Silver's attention. Her arm came up to try and cover her face, but pink had slapped her ears and cheeks. Those eyes of hers might look irritated at first glance, but they were embarrassed mostly.

She's blushing a lot, Silver realized, dazed. His mouth parted on instinct. She tastes really sweet too.

"There was no need for you to protect me," Ena said, voice tight. Though as harsh as she might have sounded to others, her actual tone was strangled and a little shaken. "I could have defended myself just fine." She looked away from him and tried to regain composure, but her hand clutched the material over her pounding heart.

What is wrong with me? I feel like I have heartburn or an allergic reaction. Her eyes twinkled as her hand came to touch her nose. I could smell…rain…and the ocean… It smelled nice, but… Her fingers dug into her shirt. Is this some sort of allergic reaction to his smell?

"Mistress?"

A lightning strike of awareness made Ena flinch when she felt cool fingers touch her cheek. Those fingers froze before they gently turned her head.

Soft blues connected with troubled browns.

"I promised to be your shield, Mistress," Silver reminded her, tone pitched low and hypnotic like the tides. "I'll always protect you, even if you don't want me to. For all time." He tipped his chin down and inhaled her thickening sweet scent. "Always."

Ena opened her mouth, but she lacked words to say.

LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB!

Ena covered the hand clutching her shirt to shield that it was trembling. I… What is…wrong with me? She wanted to break away from those intense blues, but she felt cornered—stuck. His eyes…

"Your heart is beating fast, Mistress." Somehow, Silver's words sounded like they were silky and silver-tongued. Even with his title to her meant for subservience, it did not bend to submission. "Are you okay?"

A partial rasp expelled from Ena's lips, but she could not push out full words.

LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB!

Ena shakily swallowed. "I…."

VRRRRRRRRRT.

The vibrating Compact served as a welcome reprieve, and Ena pivoted away from Silver with her face flushed to dig out her Compact from her shorts. She saw the message and texted back. "That was L." She congratulated herself on how steady she kept her voice even, though the tremor in her hands lingered. "That's our queue to make sure the final product works on her."

She tried not to stiffen when she felt Silver's presence overwhelm her back. Why am I nervous? It's Silver. He should be nervous around me.

That was enough to make her spine straighten, and she faced him with her chin raised. "Time to go." She tried not to show anything when Silver stared at her with unreadable eyes. "Well? It's best for us not to linger."

Silver stared for a moment more. Then a smile broke out as all that relaxed innocence flooded back in an instant, and he rubbed his neck. "Right. Sorry. We wouldn't want to keep Lulu waiting. She's already hyped enough for her fight."

"Agreed." Ena nodded and whirled around. "Come."

"Yes, Mistress." Silver fell behind her like a taken puppy happy to follow the steps of his mistress. But his eyes fell to the naked juncture of her neck and shoulder. And for just a moment, his tongue ran subconsciously over fang.

°•°•°•°

Parent's Day was as much of a bonding experience as it was a comedic one. Angry mothers had bowled over the two who had looked at Lucy's flipped skirt while Lucy was red as all get out and had succumbed to Nashi's demand she wear spanks beneath her skirt. Erza had nearly unleashed Hell on Luke and a swirly-eyed Gale for the damage they caused to the high school. But more events still took place.

Ellie and Evergreen participated in a fun tag-team obstacle course event with knee pads and helmets. Lisa-Jane, Veronika, and Mira looked like they had slaughtered dozens when they won the paintball course with their opponents knocked out and covered in paint and dirt. Paige was mortified when her mother and twin sister ganged up on her for the make-up competition. She sat in a corner, defeated, as Lisanna squealed over all the pictures a stoic Penelope had taken. Laxus and Ivan had entered the toy boat competition held in one of the closed off canals. They had thirty minutes to build a toy boat and then they put it to the test to race on the waters with other pairings. Ivan hugged his grandfather when they won, and Laxus scooped him up to put his grandson on his shoulders, grinning from ear to ear.

And even Veronika had a small smile on her lips.

Races and competitions continued all over. Galileo, Gajeel, and Natsu had fattened up from an eating competition while Luke looked unbothered and had consumed the most out of everyone. While he plotted his lips daintily with a napkin, the onlookers were shocked out of their mind. The kite-flying contest elicited giggles from Liberty as Ivan blushed showing her how to fly a kite (and the triplets eyed him in jealousy they missed their chance). Vinyl had been helping with the pet fair when it surprised her Thirteen showed up with a sweet corgi on a leash (and he scowled how easily his own dog betrayed him cuddling with Vinyl).

The Parent's Day parade went off without a hitch with candy and laughter and love spread across the street of Magnolia Town. The sun felt drowsy as his blues skies darkened without permission. Lights came on with the market open as food stalls and vendors called out for discounts for those who brought with them their "child", furry or human. But masses swarmed to get tickets to enter Fairy Tail's backyard with jewel in the air and demands for entry cried the moment the sun would set into the horizon's depths.

And there was one reason why…

DING-DING-DING!

A roar of cheers sliced through the air like thunder as cameras went off and a Lacrima Drone Camera did its work to circulate the staged arena in the middle of all the people. A Lacrima Screen showed the Mage profile pictures of Cana and Cane alongside their statistics and a list of spells they had used in the battle.

Erza announced as she came into the ring with her Microphone Lacrima, "The battle between mother and son has ended! Cana Alberona is the winner!"

More applause rang as Cana helped Cane get to his feet with humored grins between them. They took a sweeping bow to the thunderous audience before they exited the ring.

Erza smiled and held her hand for quiet, which fell in a matter of seconds. She declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, Fairy Tail thanks you for joining us at our Generation Smackdown! As we have pledged, we will donate all your proceeds tonight to our partnered adoption agency, Kardia Orphanage, and our partnered animal shelter, so all may have a warm and safe place to live until they find a family of their own."

She strode around the ring in a slow lap. "But there's more to our fighting than meets the eye. As you are aware, every year, we make things interesting between our dueling generations. Whichever generation racks up the most wins gets a prize. And this year…"

Excited gasps went around as the Lacrima Screen showed the popular city with its famous cantilevered observation wheel and the staggering clock tower in all its majesty.

"…we are offering an all-expense-paid, luxury trip for either generation to Lincoln City in Minstrel!" Erza decreed.

What a prize! Wild applause and crows blustered at such an audacious reward!

Erza continued her saunter. "Now. This year, we have had an even number of competitors. And as it stands…"—she turned to the screen as matches from the tournament lined up with slitted photos of determined eyes of each Mage, their Mage Name, and it darkened the ones who lost while brightened the ones who won—"our Fairy Tail parents and our Fairy Tail children are at a tie!"

Gasps and groans and boos went around.

Erza chuckled as she stopped dead-center of the ring. "But that's all right. Because we have one match left—a match, I'm sure, most of you have been anticipating. And this match has been one even I'm excited to announce." She looked around with a grin. "Are you ready?"

Screams and cheer tore up the air.

Erza cleared her throat and extended a hand. "Tonight, for our last match of Fairy Tail Generation Smackdown, we have a king stepping into the ring—Natsu Dragneel!"

The cheers increased and shook the ground the second a theme song popped off as Natsu hopped into the ring with his trademark grin. Athletic tape wrapped around his hands and feet as he opted to fight with over-the-knee loose pants colored black tied with red ribbons. He gathered in the chants of his name and clapped his hands before he roared fire. The crowd went wild as some of the more zealous fans called out lewd mewls.

Gray shook his head with a smirk. "Show off."

Natsu shouted, "I'm all fired up!"

Nashi rolled her eyes with a shake of her head as Natsu made the Fairy Tail insignia with his flames. She muttered to her mother, "God, can you believe this?"

"I know, right?"

Nashi's eye twitched seeing how flushed her mother had gotten with eyes pinned on Natsu. What are you, a horny teen girl now?

"Fire me up, Daddy!" came shrill scream.

"I'll be the queen to your king!"

"I want to lick those abs!

Nashi visibly sickened. Oh my god, the entire crowd is filled horny teenage girls—and they're drooling over my father.

Erza laughed as Natsu winded down his show. When the whistles and shouted faded, she went on with her decree: "And in the other corner, we have a very special fairy who has come to compete. So far, those who have come to previous Generation Smackdowns to witness Natsu take on his sons Igneel and Luke and his eldest daughter Nashi. And he's remained undefeated against his children."

Erza's eyes twinkled in mischief. "But there is one more child left to stand in the ring with their father and shut him down once and for all. She's been waiting for this moment to debut in Fairy Tail battle events, and she finally has her chance to take on the king. So it is with great pleasure I introduce to you the youngest princess to the king and my niece—Luna Dragneel!"

GAO…!

Icarus jumped into the ring in his Natural Form with a silk-robed Luna on his back. A hood shadowed her face, but that did not stop the crowd and her family from standing and clapping and hollering. Awe rippled through the audience when Luna stood atop the saddle, but people were losing themselves in excited mayhem when her body stretched and she back flipped off the saddle.

SHIIII…

Her silk robe disintegrated into particles of Ethernano. The moment her feet touched the ground, and she posed, everyone was whooping and gawking at her snow-white ensemble of an intricately designed sports bra and skin-tight athletic capris with beautiful blue floral line art. Snow-white tape banded her feet with matching fingerless gloves covering her hands, and her tight braid completed her look.

Before, some would see her smile and find her delicate and breakable princess.

But now, all could see she was a fearsome warrior.

Luna turned to her father with her lips pressed into a frown while he grinned at her. Natsu taunted, "Bad day to wear white, baby girl."

Icarus offered a subtle growl as he rested his head near Luna. You will win. He thought this to her with such certainty. Remember what you were taught, Pup.

Luna nodded. I know. She clenched her hands.

Natsu drawled as he crossed his arms, "I didn't realize how much you wanted to be a Magia princess. You even have the whole pet friend and dainty figure down!"

Luna took a deep breath.

Icarus growled to her, Every king must fall. Teach him that lesson and teach it well. I will be watching. He nosed her cheek and sent a final frosty look to Natsu before he bounded out of the ring.

Erza stepped between Natsu and Luna. "I want a good, clean fight." She emphasized these words to a grinning Natsu. "You both agreed that this would be a No-Magic battle. Ether Sensors will be on alert. Should you try to discreetly use your powers, you will automatically be disqualified, and the win goes to the other party. No hits below the belt, back of the head or neck, throat, kidneys, joints, or eyes, no headbutts or strikes, no spitting, no hair-pulling, or no intentional bone-breaking.

"This fight will have three rounds where the winner must succeed in a five-second touchdown during the three-minute bout. And you will have three rounds to prove yourself. Gajeel will be refereeing, and I expect you both to listen to all his judgment calls." Erza looked between them. "Any questions?"

Natsu hunkered down as he adjusted his mouthguard. "You might want to go a little slower for my little girl, Erza. She's not used to roughhousing."

Erza cocked her head at Luna. "Do you have any other questions?"

Luna shook her head and made sure her mouthguard was in place.

Erza nodded and brought the microphone back to her lips. "Ladies and gentlemen, the rules have been stated and our challengers can't wait to show you which generation will come out victorious. Are you ready for the battle between the king and the princess?"

Roars and howls quaked the area.

Gajeel came up the stage. He nodded when Erza whispered something to him as he took the microphone from her. The moment she was safely down, Gajeel crowded into the mic, "Challengers, last chance for you two to make nice and touch gloves."

Natsu and Luna stepped forward. They bumped cloves, but neither pulled away as mischievous onyx stared into unreadable chocolate.

Natsu quirked an eyebrow. "It's cute you tried to cram last minute"—he leaned forward—"but no amount of training in the world could get you to beat me." His grin broadened when Luna remained quiet. "Nothing to say? Damn shame." He mockingly shook his head in sadness. "At least your siblings put up a fight. What's wrong?" The wild and the darkness flickered in his eyes. "Are you really that weak?"

Luna pulled away, but she stared him in the eyes and said nothing back.

Gajeel drawled, "Challengers, back to your corners."

Natsu's grin turned into a smirk as he backed into his corner. "C'mon, baby girl, show me all that training you've been doing!" he hollered.

Luna rolled her shoulders, but she readied herself into a fighting stance in her corner.

Gajeel backed away as his right hand turned into a large iron cowbell. "All right. And…!" He rang the bell.

Natsu and Luna simultaneously moved towards the others with their arms up and their eyes vigilante. Barely anyone could breathe as father and daughter circled one another for weakness, for an opportunity. But some in the crowd were startled when the opportunity struck.

The jabs and kicks were quick, but seconds into the fight made it clear these two suffered from more than an experience gap. Natsu's movement was that of a hardened predator, hunter, and each step he took came with strength and precision that had been molded from raw instincts into flawless talent. But Luna's moves were a far cry from a Dragon King. Toned was she, but her body would never meet the same muscle and stature of her father. But that was okay. What she lacked in his power was her agility that he could not touch. Her fluidity and flexibility outmatched him ten to one.

And she would be remiss if she did not use it to her advantage.

Natsu smirked when Luna flipped away from him and landed on quiet feet. "Maybe I should start calling you 'twinkle toes'," he mocked. "I thought we were here to fight, not do a dance battle."

Luna said nothing as she came in close for her next kick.

Gale (who had miraculously covered from Luke's beat down) sat beside Luke (another miracle), but he watched fight intense eyes and traced Luna's every move against Natsu. Elbows on his knees, he leaned forward. He did not want to spare a single moment of this fight.

She's using her dancing and gymnastic background to her advantage as she should, Gale noted. Her flexibility is unmatched by most people in Fairy Tail outside Aunt Lucy, maybe. Those rubies steeled. However…

Natsu got the drop on Luna when his fast moves knocked Luna off-kilter. But he took her momentary imbalance with a double-leg shot and followed through with an uchi mata (an inner thigh throw) that had Luna tossed like a rag doll and slammed into the ground. Hisses and winces passed along at the throwdown as the timer for five seconds came up and buzzed once the five seconds were over.

Gajeel rang the bell. "That's a touchdown!"

Natsu sprung back up to his position, but Luna stayed on the ground on her side, curled up.

Lucy could not help her worry and went to get up—

"Mama, it's okay." Nashi slid her hand into her mother's, but she kept measured eyes on her sister's form. "Sit. It's all right."

Lucy worried her bottom lip. "But—"

"Mom." Luke kept his eyes focused on Luna. "It's okay."

Lucy settled back down as all eyes were on the still Luna. She tightly clasped Nashi's hands, but a mother's worry would not leave her. Please be okay. Please be okay.

Gajeel eyed Luna and gruffly said," Squirt, you've for fifteen seconds to get back on your feet before you're out of this."

Another three seconds passed when Luna rolled to all fours. With great effort, she pushed herself back to her feet and such effort gave her applause from the crowd and words of strong encouragement.

Gajeel observed her for a quiet moment, but he said nothing directly to her. "Technical five-second touchdown on Luna," he threw to the crowd. "Natsu Dragneel wins the round. Challengers, back to your corners."

"I could do this all day!" Natsu crowed. "You and me, baby girl, you and me!" He fell into his fighting stance and took in her unreadable expression. "Don't think I'm gonna take it easy on you just because you're my daughter. We fight this fair and square." He knocked his taped fists together. "But I guess I shouldn't have expected much from you, the runt of the family."

Luna's eyes narrowed only just.

Lucy scowled and tried to stand up, but Nashi kept her steady. "I can't sit and watch this," she hissed at her daughter. "Natsu is taking this too far—!"

"He's not," Luke assured his mother. "You might think this is cruel, but…"—honeyed ambers darkened—"he's doing her a kindness."

Lucy could not believe it. 'Kindness'?

Nashi laid another hand atop Lucy's and soothed, "Don't worry, Mama. Papa knows what he's doing."

Wanting to argue but unable, Lucy reluctantly kept in her seat. Natsu… I really hope Nashi and Luke are right about this.

Gajeel called, "Ready? And…!" He rang the bell.

Luna was late to throw the first punch, but she took cover as Natsu rained Hell down on her with no remorse. All she could do was dodge and bob and weave from all the blows and wait for an opportunity to dish back his perfect effort.

Gale watched the bout and cataloged every movement. Blondie's lack of experience could make her lose everything. Some people are born able to take punches. And those who aren't born with it, they learn to take them. Blondie has jumped back into training, but it can take a while to shake off throwdowns. Even so, I know Uncle Natsu won't do anything that could shatter her. But he's showing her what it means to step into the ring with him.

Still. Luke clenched his hands on his shorts as he watched Luna take a punch to the side. It's not easy to watch this. Everyone out there probably thinks it's abhorrent for someone of Dad's skill level hitting this hard on Lu. In a Spiritless match, this would be illegal. But the bigger they are…

Luna dodged another punch.

Nashi's hickories glinted. …the harder they fall.

And Luna's lips curled into a small smirk.

Natsu got in five quick jabs to Luna's side only to get a blow to his cheek. "Now if only if you had some power in your punches, you'd be an actual threat," he cackled. He caught Luna's kick to his chest.

"A 'threat, huh?" Luna cocked her head. "Just like how Uncle Ignia was a threat?"

Onyx widened.

BAM!

Natsu had not expected Luna to drop and was a fraction too late to grab her ankle when he suffered a blow to the gut. It knocked him off-kilter, but he thrashed, determined to buck her off. But Luna's nimbleness made it a program. Like a viper, she entangled him, enduring his hits and bucks, until she let up a little. The second he shifted, she engulfed his back into a rear-naked choke.

Natsu snarled and writhed, trying to break free as red climbed his neck, but Luna kept her vice grip as cheers erupted and people counted with the timer.

Luna whispered in feigned sadness to her father, "I hurt for you, Papa, really. It must hurt to be the runt, huh?"

DING-DING-DING!

"Takedown on Natsu," Gajeel bellowed. "Round goes to Luna. Back to your corners."

Luna released her father, and the pair rolled away from each other. Energy high, they backed into their corners as a pensive expression drew in Natsu's features while Luna had unreadable innocence on hers.

Gale, Luke, and Nashi were crowing their encouragement to Luna with Icarus howling. Lucy gave a sigh of relief. Oh thank goodness.

Ena had a full smile of approval. That's my girl. She flinched when a hand threaded through her own and found Silver the culprit. "What are you—?"

"I'm nervous," Silver told her as he kept looking at the ring. "I can tell this last round is about to get even more serious. I know Lulu's been training. But still, I…" He held Ena's hand tighter. "Please, Mistress. Lend me some of your strength to endure this."

That surprised Ena, but she turned back to the ring. "Your concern is valid," she supposed. "Lean on me if you must. But know this. L"—those browns took in Luna's posture—"has more strength than anyone could think."

Gajeel looked between them. "Last round. You both have one round under this belt. Whoever wins this, not only wins that match, but they bring it home for their generation, you got that?"

Natsu and Luna nodded, but they did not take their eyes off each other.

Gajeel held up his hand-turned-iron-bell. "Ready? And…!"

DING-DING-DING!

Silence.

Neither moved.

And neither did anyone in the crowd.

As if rehearsed, Natsu and Luna took their first steps, but it was not towards each other. They circled and assessed. War and the need to win dowsed the silly and loving relationship between father and daughter. The Wild reared into Natsu's eyes, but he did not snarl and growl like he would with Igneel and Luke and Nashi. Where he showed them his teeth. His youngest was different. Not delicate—she had proven she would not let a delicate illusion proceed her—but she was different.

Luna taunted in low breath, "Don't worry, Papa. I can take whatever you throw at me. As runts have to stick together." Her eyes gleamed. "Uncle Ignia taught you that, right?"

The Wild gave a rumble, but no growl would leave Natsu's throat. Instead, appraisement and then approval glinted in onyx tinged with emerald. "You've got some claws and teeth on you," he noted in compliment. "But are you sure that'll be enough? You got behind me once. Bad move showing me your hand."

"Don't worry."

They both stopped.

Luna cracked a smile. "I have more."

She threw the first punch.

You might find it stupid for the weaker and lesser opponent to dish the first hits in a brawl, but you would be mistaken. The best advantage a smaller fight could get came from ending a fight before their opponent had a chance to react. Luna's speed and agility were both traits Natsu trained again in his own time, but that hair of a second off gave Luna the advantage with a clean punch to his jaw.

But the first hit was not the most important one. The second one was just as imperative. The second Natsu staggered an inch back, Luna came full force in quick succession with elaborate body strikes. Not as flashy, but with a loose abdomen, they could be detrimental. But these strikes were not mere punches. Eyes focused, her hands went for pressure points that whittled away Natsu's strength.

Natsu countered with a butterfly kick that Luna blocked with her arm, but she got a punch to her cheek. It should have knocked her over, and Natsu was quick to position himself, but he never would have expected Luna to use the momentum from falling to grab his shoulders and saddle his back for a back mount. Natsu sensed her motive and leaned forward and grabbed her feet. His grip was not enough to break her, but he lifted her feet before breaking her legs off his sides.

Luna grunted, pained, but she was not done. Her fingers pressed down on pressure points on his shoulders that had his knees buckle a bit, and she used the momentum from Natsu's wild throw to jump off him and jab down his spine.

Natsu growled when a back point she hit made him shudder and pain ran rampant shocks. But he swung with a right hook. Luna narrowly ducked down to avoid it. While some pitied her in thinking she wanted to wrestle him, she shocked the masses when she struck up his body and swirled around for a kick to his shoulder. Natsu went to catch her when she fell back, quick on her feet. He crowded her with punches, two that missed, one that hit, and he followed through with a kick that got to her stomach.

Silver clenched Ena's hand.

Gale could feel the Wild dig its claws down to shove the instinct to protect. Come on, Blondie. Come on.

Natsu used Luna's recovery to try and grab her for a fatal takedown, but his daughter was much quicker than that. When his arms opened, she gripped his shoulders and sprung up and locked her legs around Natsu's neck. Howling and screaming pierced the air as Natsu tried to yank her off as he punched her back. Luna gritted her teeth to take the blows and held on when he thrashed.

Nashi leaned forward and could feel Cael and Seraphim peek through her eyes, tense and expectant. Almost there, Lu.

Luke locked his jaw. Wait for it…

The second Luna's legs loosened the noose she put on Natsu, he scrambled to slam her down. But Luna bent backwards, making him stagger from her sudden movement, and she grabbed his waist. Her body twisted and her legs came back around to lock on his neck as she hung onto his right arm for support. The speed and dexterity forced Natsu to crumble backward—

SLAM!

Luna held her armbar position as red from exertion sprouted across her face while Natsu flexed his arm. But this submission could cost him a broken limb the more he bucked and shifted, and he knew that, but he still tried.

The audience chanted when the timer came on. "Five! Four!"

Natsu struggled until he looked to the side to watch Luna hold him down with everything she had. He gave pause before a small smile lit his features. I've seen enough. He tapped the matt. You win, baby girl.

DING-DING-DING!

HOOOOOOOOOOOONK!

No one could sit with everyone on their feet, clapping and rooting, as the screen prattled on the final result.

NATSU DRAGNEEL

TAP OUT

LUNA DRAGNEEL

WINNER

Gajeel smirked and gave to the crowd, "Takedown on Natsu Dragneel! This round goes to Luna Dragneel! And the winner of this match is Luna and the winners of this year's Generation Smackdown are the damn brats of Fairy Tail!"

POOF!

Confetti burst down to shower the hounding masses as Luna's chosen theme vibrated in the air.

Liberty hooted as she jumped up and down with a wide-eyed James in her arms. Mary Jane was waving her pompoms as she shouted her glee. Ena, too excited, kissed the corner of Silver's mouth before cheering for her best friend (and Silver melted as red covered his face and steam burst from his ears). Lucy nearly staggered from her relief while Nashi was shaking her mother's arm, howling. Luke and Gale grinned as they gripped hands to release and bumped fists. Erza lifted her chin with merry approval in her eyes.

Gray watched with a grin and crossed arms. You know, Natsu… You might be a better dad than you give yourself credit for.

Luna squeezed her eyes shut as she kept a firm lock on her father. Blood pounded in her ears and she could feel that metallic tang in her throat as her heart pounded—

"Squirt?"

She popped open one eye to see a grinning Gajeel standing over her. All her tension and the need to win faded into confusion. "Oh… Is…? Is it over?"

"Yeah. It's over, kiddo." Gajeel pointed at a quickly-turning-blue Natsu. "But it might be over for your old man in a hot minute."

Luna gasped and quickly let go. "Oh my goodness!" She tended to her father with fretting hands and worried eyes. "Papa, are you okay?"

Natsu coughed and wiped his mouth with his arm before he sniffed. "I'm good." He sat up with pride lighting his features and a ready smile. "You did good out there, baby girl," he complimented. "I'm impressed you got the drop on me. Not many can say that." He ribbed, "I take it your last-minute training session helped a little, huh?"

Luna smiled and shook her head as she sat on her knees and rested her rear on her heels. "Mmm-mmm. I've been training this whole time, but I guess the last-minute stuff helped too," she supposed. Chocolates looked down. "It's just…" Her fingers curled into tight fists. "I've been so afraid," she disclosed to her father. "I kept thinking I'll never be me again. And maybe I still do, but… It's a little different." Her lips pressed into a sad frown. "I learned…I really can't protect anyone."

The earthy darkness spread around her. Nashi's blank hickories. Flames spewing into the streets.

"I can't even protect myself from things that hurt."

Furious ruby-emeralds. The steam from a boiling hot bathtub and hands that felt all sorts of wrong.

"But it wasn't because I'm weak." Luna looked up. Resolved chocolate clashed with understanding onyx. "I was never weak." Strong words. "But I can't protect anyone unless I can protect myself."

Gale's rant came back to her. "First and foremost, you fight for yourself. Do shit for you. Be selfish with your health and take no shit from anyone."

"You've done enough, Luna." Tesla's sweet croon. "You've done enough for everyone. But you haven't done enough for you."

They were right, Luna realized with her stomach clenching. I was so focused on everyone else, but… I never focused on me, not really. But their words started to hit me. I had to be enough for me. I had to learn to protect myself before I could protect others. So I asked.

She could remember Nashi's lessons with Býleistr as the larger opponent and all the advice both of them gave. I asked Nashi to help me learn self-defense against bigger opponents after I saw her fight Býleistr. All her lessons with Silver late at night as they knelt beside a dummy, and his thorough explanations. I asked Silver to teach me more about chi and pressure points. And the sweat and exhaustion that weighed on her under Libra's strict teachings. I called Aunt Yukino and asked if Auntie Libra could push me harder.

Luna looked down with a hard frown. I know I still have a lot to learn. And I know I'm not even close to how I was before. I still get nightmares. And the thought of being in a bathtub or in a crowded place… It terrifies me. But… I can't rely on anyone else fighting for me. I have to fight for me. I have to be selfish and be enough for me. Maybe I'll still get things wrong. And maybe I'll never be okay, but…

Tesla's soothes. "You're right to not be okay with all this. It's okay to not be okay."

"But I believe one day"—gentle rubies—"you will feel like you again."

DRIP.

Luna's lips trembled. But… But I'm going to try. I just…want to be enough for me.

DROP.

A warm hand came onto her head and rubbed it. "Luna…"

Teary chocolates connected with soft onyx.

"You won," Natsu told her in tender tones. "I'm so proud of you, Luna. It's not easy to fight back, especially when what you're fighting against might not fight fair. They might say things to you or"—he adopted an even gentler timbre—"do things to you that you never expected. And it might hurt. And you might not know how you'll react every time. But today, you won." His smile widened. "Didn't it feel great to win for yourself?"

Such a question startled Luna into a moment of silence. But her face crumpled a moment later as fat tears rolled down her cheeks, and she threw herself into her father's waiting arms. "It f-f-felt r-really good," she cried. "It felt good, P-P-Papa."

"I know." Natsu hugged her tight. "I know it did, baby girl."

Gajeel hopped from the stage to face the approaching Erza and Laxus. He changed the iron bell back into his hand. "Thanks for lettin' me ref, Titania."

"Of course." Erza inclined her chin and her eyes softened as she watched Luna and Natsu. "I have to say, I was a little worried that first round."

"Tell me about it," Laxus grunted. "Seeing Sunshine down like that had me ready to gun for Natsu."

Gajeel chuckled. "Yeah. But Salamander would never truly hurt her. But it did teach her a lesson." He rubbed his neck. "To be honest with ya, that last armbar she pulled for a submission wasn't all that perfect. Salamander could'a lifted her up with one arm if he wanted to."

"But he didn't." Erza stated this rather than questioned.

"Nah." Gajeel watched Natsu comfort his youngest. Maybe he would never admit it aloud, but he felt a swell of pride for his king. "He taught the Squirt she's capable of fighting back…"

Natsu pulled to kiss Luna's hair. What he murmured to her had her wetly laugh with her small shoulders shaking, but no one could deny the strong bond between father and daughter.

"…and winning."

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And then…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

The festivities of Parent's Day had come to a winding close. Shelter workers and volunteers loaded animals that had not been adopted back into their cages with their bellies full and already sleep from so much playtime and humans to meet. Prizes were distributed (Luke and Gale hugged each other when a furious Erza loomed over them the moment Number Five showed her the invoice for the damage the pair of them caused on the track) and the restaurants were merrily selling away the last of their Parent's Day goods. The marketplace broke down booths, and some had gathered at the train station to say their goodbyes to their parents or children who made the trip.

But most in the town had trickled down the lane to end up on Fairy Tail's backyard. The ring and the stands were easy to remove (it was difficult to get Gajeel to stop eating the metal stands) and the patio reopened for business were waiters were happy enough to serve drinks and the surly chef of Fairy Tail was delighted the new items on the menu were selling well. The food trucks had corralled in the grass as people had brought their chairs and blankets to settle in.

A stage was prepped for the final concert of Parent's Day. Acts of comedians and local bands had come out to celebrate parents and their bond with their children everywhere. Currently, Vinyl led Magnolia High School's wind ensemble into an ode to commemorate Parent's Day with Lake Sciliora behind them. Some were pop songs that had people bounce along and other were dedicated orchestral pieces from Magia movies that held so much nostalgia and emotion.

With Gajeel and Levy still choosing what food to get from the trucks, Olivia settled between her brothers as she ate her macaroni and cheese loaded with bacon, mushrooms, breadcrumbs, and sausage. "I hope you know just because I leave tomorrow and I'm back in Wu Xing doesn't mean I won't fly back here and murder you if you post those pictures of me today anywhere online."

Galileo and Gale snickered. Galileo nudged his twin, "C'mon, Liv, you looked all cute matching with Mom."

"You'll look cute when you get a matching metal arm," Olivia grumbled.

Gale snorted. "Please. You wouldn't dare hurt your favorite humans who"—he lifted a finger—"not only painstakingly made sure your drum set was packed and shipped but kept their mouths shut about your precious boy toy." He slurped his alcoholic milkshake. "Not our fuckin' fault you blabbed to Mom. You know the woman guilt-trips you since you're the girl of the family—Ow!" He rubbed his sore arm. "What the fuck is up with everyone wanting me to die today?"

"Maybe if you were less of an ass, you'd live longer," Galileo said cheerfully. He cackled when Gale flipped him off. "Good luck paying for the school repairs, by the way. And nice going tell Ace's grandma he's gay."

"Fuck you," Gale grunted. "I said he had a feminine side. That could mean any number of things? And it's whatever. I leveled the field with my Magic. Just have to split the bill with Luke to get the track rebuilt and fake grass installed."

Olivia sighed. "You really do have a way of getting into it with literally every Dragneel."

"Haven't with Aunt Lucy."

"Your time is coming." Olivia forked in more macaroni and cheese. "You'll piss her off. Your personality dictates you will."

Gale scowled. "Well, fuck you too."

The three stewed in silence.

"Mom talked to me about Emma."

A sober silence spilled over the siblings, but Galileo's stare cut to a tense Gale.

"Yeah?" Gale could not keep the edge from his voice. "What about her?"

Olivia finished her next mouthful to mull over what words to say next. She placed her tin of macaroni and cheese before her. "She thought it'd be nice to have us all together for the anniversary." A kind delicacy carried the statement. "I told her she needed to warn us if Emma contacted her and wanted to come back to our home."

All three knew in what context Olivia meant for "our".

Gale remained silent.

Galileo murmured, "Whatever you want to do, Gale, we're in. You need to know that." He hesitated. "If you want us to tell Mom—"

"Don't." Gale threw his older brother and sister a look so unlike him—imploringly vulnerable and fearful. "You promised. You promised."

Galileo clenched his jaw. "I know we did."

"Then you won't say anything." Maybe to someone else's ear, it sounded like Gale was threatening them. But there was a barely-there break in his voice. "No one says anything."

Galileo opened his mouth, but Olivia placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Those hazel-reds took in Gale with sober regard. "And there's more," she told him. "Nothing is concrete, but about your birthday—"

"No." Gale violently shook his head. "No. I'm not celebrating it—"

"Mom wants to." Olivia hated saying these next words, but she had to. "She thought it'd be nice if…if Emma was there for it."

Gale's shoulders shook as a disbelieving smirk tainted his mouth. "Of course she did," he laughed, bitter. "It's not her fault. Don't worry about it. It's fine."

"Are you sure?" Olivia kept her gaze locked on him. "I know September is still months away, but… Gale, you're always welcome to stay with me in Wu Xing."

Gale snuck her a look. "In an entire nation of metal for an Earth Mage?"

"We're neighbors with western Zhōnguá," Olivia reminded him. "And there, their spiritual deity has his element lined with Earth. You could be happy there. I think the deity is named Báihǔ. As long as you're an Earth Mage, they'll grant you a visa since you're aligned with his element."

Sycaña stirred, surprised. Báihǔ?

You know him? Gale asked.

Not personally, but while Dragons are arrogant and have no respect for Gods or Demons, we share a respect towards the Spirits. For it is them who gave us the power we have, Sycaña told him. As my drake, you will be naturally close to Earth Spirits.

Gale thought about that. I guess—

A white stag. The ripples of a pond. Glowing antlers drizzled in jewels.

"Gale?"

He snapped back to attention to see Olivia and Galileo looking at him, concerned. He waved a hand. "Thanks, Livy, but I'll be okay here, really. But if I never need to hide my ass if I piss off a Dragneel again, I'll let you know." The flashed memory came back to him. The Boundary Forest… That stag… Was it the Spirit of the forest Sycaña mentioned?

Olivia turned to Galileo. "And you're welcome too."

"What?" Galileo barked a laugh. "Yeah, right."

"I'm serious." Olivia let him know this with her eyes. "If you ever need an escape, Wu Xing welcomes you."

Galileo's smile faded into an exhausted expression, tired to the bone. "I'll think about it," was all he gave her. "I still have things to think about." His eyes subconsciously drifted to Nashi's form as she sat with her siblings. A lot of things to think about it…

Olivia glanced between her twin and her youngest brother before she reached up and yanked on their ears hard.

"Ow!"

Gale pulled away with a glower. "The fuck did we do to you?"

"Maybe we should post those pictures, little Miss Mom-Daughter Squad," Galileo muttered.

Olivia rolled her eyes, but a pleased smile toyed on her lips. "I miss putting you two in pain all the time."

"Why can't you just cry or some shit like normal people when you miss people?" Gale grunted.

Olivia shrugged. "I cry on the inside."

"I'll cry on the outside if you start getting softer." Galileo laughed when Olivia elbowed his stomach. "Oh, I'm sorry. Is this where Gale and I are supposed to tearfully tell you we missed you too?" He exchanged an amused look with Gale and both dramatically placed their heads on her shoulders. "Our lives were complete messes without you," Galileo croaked.

Gale forced a sniffle. "I couldn't stop crying that my big sis abandoned us."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Galileo sighed. "We did miss you, Liv."

"Yeah." Gale sounded a little embarrassed and uncomfortable. "It's boring and shit with you. So you better be doing some good stuff out there in Sela."

"I am." Olivia could not stop it when she softened, and her nostrils flared to scent the comforting smells of her brothers—her family. "I missed you both too."

°•°•°•°

The Strauss-Dreyar Clan had clustered together with overlapping blankets and food to pass around. Norma-Jean had fallen in love with Liberty as the small Lady Luck enthusiastically boasted about her tumbling skills while she rubbed the stomachs of James and Lord Black. With Ace and Freed past the "getting to know you" phase, Freed offered Ace a place for the trip he, Justin, and Liberty would try to take to Andüsa. Lisa-Jane was still going strong tonight and had a blast speaking with her favorite aunt (and only aunt) about anything and everything under the sun. But Ivan had felt too sleepy to continue and nestled against his grandfather to doze. Laxus lazily stroked his grandson's back as he and Lance talked about magical politics.

Veronika kept to herself. She gave tidbits of comments to her aunts, but she could not help but glance over at Ivan and Laxus ever so often.

"Jewel for your thoughts?"

Veronika blinked when loaded potato skins in a disposable tray took up her field of vision. Her mother offered them, and she took it slowly. "Thank you." Her eyes cut Ivan and Laxus again before she indulged in dipping her loaded potato skin into sour cream. "It's nothing, Mom."

"I think I raised you long enough to know it's not 'nothing'," Mirajane tittered as she settled beside her.

Veronika heavily exhaled, shoulders sagging.

Mira daintily forked her cheesy fries and nudged Veronika. "I know it still might not be 'cool' to talk to your mom. And I understand if you'd rather keep things to yourself. But I'm always here as a listening ear." Those blues fell. "I know I failed to be that for a while—"

"Mom, no," Veronika hurried to assure. "It's just…!" She shook her head, and those ceruleans shrouded in sunset bounced from her son to her daughter. "Spencer FaceCalled us the other day," she confessed in a hushed tone. "And…" She thickly swallowed. "I've told Lisa-Jane and Ivan before they should call him 'Mister Spencer' and that he's a friend. But watching them talk…" She blew out her cheeks. "Hearing them slip-up and call him 'Daddy'…"

Her throat constricted.

Mira offered a comforting hand on Veronika's own. "Jenny told me he's been doing okay out in the Amazone."

"He is," Veronika agreed. "I just didn't expect him to be so communicative." A bitterness and old anger ate at her appetite. "Neither Lisa-Jane nor Ivan's father ever wanted to talk. I was just so naïve when they told me deployment meant maybe I'd get a call or it'd be dead-silence. And he's sending messages and FaceCalling and it's so…so…"

"Overwhelming?" Mira gently supplied.

Veronika nodded when she could not trust her voice.

"I trust today's been overwhelming for you too," Mira added with a glance towards her husband and grandson. "I think you gave Laxus the shock of a lifetime when you used your Lightning." A hint of understanding held in those blues. "I remember how desperate you wanted to rid yourself of every part he gave you."

Veronika looked away.

"Oh, Veronika, I'm not accusing you or blaming you," Mira soothed. "I know being in Magnolia brings back unpleasant memories. And I know how unhappy you were when you were a teenager."

"How much of a nightmare I was more like it," Veronika muttered.

Mira laughed. "Well, you and Nik certainly had personality," she cheekily remembered. "Nik was born with the same arrogance and persona Laxus had when he was a teenager. And you reminded me of me when I was younger."

"But you did the best you could," murmured Veronika, quiet. "You… You both did."

Mira gentled. "No one is perfect," she reminded. "We all have our flaws and imperfections." When Veronika snorted, Mira continued, "Veronika, we didn't do everything perfect. And neither did you. And I'm sure you're learning things you never even thought about when it comes to Lisa-Jane and Ivan. But even if we recognize our faults, what comes next?"

"What does come next?" Veronika asked her mother, looking at her like she had the answers to everything. "What happens next?"

"It's up to you, sweetie," Mira told her. "You will never be forced to do what you don't want to do. And I can't tell you what the right course of action." She leaned closer to murmur, "But letting Laxus interact with your kids seems like a positive step so long as you think so."

Veronika's stare swept to Laxus and Ivan for the dozenth time, but she observed grandfather and grandson. How Laxus had softened his tone to speak, but he would occasionally check to make sure he had not disturbed the sleeping child on his chest. And how much love glowed in those graying orange-jades.

"Laxus might not be your family." Piercing gunmetal navies. "But he is to them."

Veronika turned back to her food. "We have to leave since I promised Lisa-Jane and Ivan I'd take them to their favorite amusement park." A beat. "But…" She rolled her lips. "But maybe…we could…meet again? They don't come to this side of Fiore often, but…"

"I think we'd all love that," Mira assured her. "Pacer and Pearson are returning for their spring break in April. If you're interested, we're planning to go to Ryuzetsu Land and stay in Crocus for two days. If you're interested…"

"I…" Veronika smiled a little as wetness crowded the corner of her eyes. "I think we'd like that a lot, Mom."

°•°•°•°

Silver did not mind squeezing in with his teammates and goofing around. Julia had mysteriously disappeared (and hey, where was Dash by the way?) and his parents had gone to get some drinks and grossly flirt with each other, but he felt at ease joshing around with the teammates who had come for the outing.

He listened with a grin as one of the varsity swimmers bemoaned her date with a rugby player—

"Ena?"

Silver instantly zapped out of the conversation and swiveled his head, confused. Huh… I could've sworn I heard—

"Jasper, hi. How are you?

Silver tensed while his eyes quickly scanned the year. They should be close by if I can hear them. But… His knuckles turned white. What does he want with Ena? He made a lame bathroom excuse as he stood and tried to figure out where the conversation was coming from.

"I'm okay. Tired as Hell since my parents dragged me into almost every event. What about you?"

"I think I share some of your exhaustion. I had an…eventful time at the fencing tournament."

Silver's brow furrowed as he toed over people to get out of the hoard of families, friends, blankets, and food. I can't really see them… Something inside him pinched as the spreading darkness sharpened and all that had been blurred if they hid in the shadows became crystal clear. Wait… How did I—?

"Really? Tell me about it."

"Oh, I'm sure the semantics are boring, but let's just say I've been reprimanded thoroughly and will take the time of my banishment from the grounds to reflect on my actions."

"Oh, damn. Isn't someone a bad girl?"

The stir in his chest rumbled, angry when that suggestive tease hit his ears, his hackles rising. His head swung, and he unmistakably saw that favorite shade of scarlet alongside Jasper's frame. There. His strides turned a stomping angry sort of gait—

"Silver?"

A furious growl tore from his throat at being blocked from his—

A cold hand clamped down on his shoulder. "Silver."

Frustrated blues snapped onto unreadable darkness.

Silver blinked and blinked as he tried to calm down his pounding heart and the rush in his ears. "Ah…" What was that? He managed a strangled smile. "Sorry, Dad. I guess I didn't hear you." With great strength, he turned away from Ena and Jasper to face his father. "Where's Mom?"

"She's talking to some of the other moms on your team." Gray studied his son. "You sure you're good?"

"Yeah. Fine." Silver rocked on the balls of his feet and widened his smile in a lame attempt to come off perky and at ease. "Why? What's up?"

Gray took a long moment to respond. "The firework show will start soon enough," he remarked. "If you see your sister, let her know to come by."

"Right," Silver chirped and inwardly winced how quick and high-pitched he sounded. "Got it."

Gray nodded and slid his hand away from his son's shoulder, but not without searching his eyes first. His dark regard swept into the distance. He must have found what he was looking for once he turned back to Silver and lowered his voice. "Are you still having dreams?"

Silver forced himself not to freeze. "I, um…" His eyes flicked to Ena and Jasper as whatever Jasper said made Ena laugh. Why can't I hear them anymore? "A little, I guess, yeah."

"And have you given thought to what they might mean…or what Master said?"

Silver snapped his attention back to his father, pale. "What do you mean?"

Gray tilted his head. "Dreams can be the gateway to a lot more out there in life," he murmured gently. "When you're ready—"

"I'm not. I'm not ready," Silver instantly put down. The stir, agitated, spurred him on when downwind brushed Ena's sweet scent into his nose. He shuffled his feet and twitched his hands, impatient and irritated. "They're my dreams."

"I know," Gray calmed. "I just want you to consider what they could mean for you."

"It doesn't matter." Those blues flashed to Ena again. An odd noise wanted to come from his throat. A Call. "Look, Dad, I'm okay. The dreams are fine." More frustration poured into him when he watched Jasper reach out and touch Ena's hand. Fury for his friend fueled him when he caught Ena's minute flinch. Why is he touching her? His mouth parted and tasted sweetness mixed with a touch of sour. She's uncomfortable now.

"Silver—"

It was purely instinctive when those mayan blues glowed and his teeth were out—

A heavy snarl.

Another instinct. Retreat. Submission. Silver's stare dropped and all his agitation threatening to come out to the surface buried down with his lowered head.

"Gray, hey." Natsu came to join them with his signature grin. "Yo, you're missing out. They're selling snow cones, snowcone. They even have one named 'the stripper' after you."

Gray shoved him with a scowl. "Fuck you."

Natsu snickered and nudged him. "Come on." He nodded at Silver. "I'm stealing your stripper old man for a minute. Sorry."

"N-No, it's fine." That last word came out as a whisper. "I, um… I'll go then." And Silver rushed away.

Natsu's grin fell into a hard frown as he watched Silver. He rumbled, "He can't stay here without control, Gray." He shifted his stare to Gray and made it known the Wild was present. "He's listening to me."

"I know." Gray rubbed his face. "Juvia's going to lose it." He shook his head. "We were promised more time."

"Whatever that chick did to him in Margaret Town gave you a lot less time," Natsu told him in subtle warning. "I can get him controlled, but only if he's near me." He sighed. "And his instincts are kicking in hard from the way I smell it."

Gray sharpened. "What the Hell does that mean?"

Natsu nodded towards Ena in the distance. "Gajeel and I could smell him on her and not just a normal way." Onyx filled with emerald. "His instincts are driving him to do the same mistake we failed to stop Igneel from doing."

The Wild pivoted to look at the glowing Mary Jane before he looked at Luna as she giggled blowing bubbles and making the Celestial Spirits go crazy popping them. And what Gale would've done to my own daughter.

°•°•°•°

Jasper and Ena were tucked away from the main function and underneath one of the few trees that were planted this close to Lake Sciliora. Smaller groups and couples had come here for an intimate setting. Some slunk into the darkness for physical intimacy away from prying eyes and ears, and others wanted a quieter place to discuss serious topics.

Jasper smiled. "So wait. How many fashion weeks do you have to do?"

"Not as much as you might think," Ena promised in light teasing. "My summer will be stacked since I took my mentor's advice and accepted invitations to a few 'house' shows and parties happening around the globe." She shrugged as she sipped her drink. "A lot of networking, really."

"You say, 'networking' and I say, 'that's freaking awesome'," Jasper admired. "Seriously, Ena, that's pretty damn amazing you get to do all of that." He rubbed her arm. "I'm sure you'll do great."

Ena's smile tightened and subtly stepped back to get his arm off. "Thank you." He's been nothing but kind to me. He's been a great friend. She tried hard to dismiss how conscious of her body she was. But this is nothing like how Nora touched me. And… She could remember those vivid blues. And it's nothing like how…

"Hey, you guys!"

Jasper and Ena looked up to see a beaming Silver approaching them, and Ena tried to not let her relief show. "Silver."

"What's up?" Jasper and Silver did their handshake before Jasper ragged, "Heard you got pretty distracted during the relay." He winked at Ena. "And pretty distraction at that."

Ena swallowed as a pit buried in her stomach—

"I'd say more like it was divine intervention," Silver easily parried as he sided with Ena. "Dude, I was about to die on that track. Outdoor running is not for me." I don't think I've ever felt so sweaty and horrible in my life…

Jasper chortled. "You've never liked it when we had to do dryland outdoors," he remembered. "You loved being in the air-conditioned gym instead of roughing it with us when we'd run through our trails in the forest."

Silver wrinkled his nose. "Yeah, I'll stick to indoor workouts, thanks. The sun hates me." He bumped his hand with Ena's and wrapped his pinky around hers. "Are you going to Simone's party?"

"Probably." Jasper made a show of rolling his eyes. "She'll blow up the Com of whoever doesn't show." His eyes dropped to Ena. "Has Bullet invited you yet? The party's in Magnolia and everything. It's with a few people on the swim team and then some friends we know from school."

"Oh! I see." Ena tightened her pinky around Silver's own as she offered a rueful smile. "That does sound fun, but even if I was offered to be a plus-one, I'd have to decline. But I hope you both have fun."

"But if you don't go, who will I do Seven Minutes in Heaven with?" Jasper joked.

Silver saved Ena from faking an answer. "Everyone's practically got a crush on you, Jazz. I'm sure you'll find someone to make out with in a dark closet because that's romantic."

Jasper quirked an eyebrow. "Says the one who could make his crush's sneeze sound like an entire springtime opera had played."

Silver coughed and blushed a bit. "Yeah, well, I've changed," he defended. "And anyway, I'll text you later." He slid the rest of his fingers into Ena's own and clasped them together. "Our parents want us back since the fireworks show will start."

"Oh, sure." Jasper gave them an easy smile and a lazy salute. "See you both later."

Silver and Ena offered their farewells as Silver escorted her away.

Ena kept in her relieved exhale. Thank goodness. I was trying to finesse a polite way to end the conversation. She paused when Silver stopped. Confused, she asked, "Silver?" But she nearly choked when intense blues pinned her.

"Are you okay, Mistress?" Silver asked her, low and grave. "You looked uncomfortable."

"I, um…" Ena's gaze switched to the ground. "No, I was fine. But you offered a convenient exit to the conversation. I feel indebted to you and I…" She trailed off when cool fingers ran down her chin to lift her head up and open chocolate connected with tender mayan blue.

"No debt," Silver promised her. "I'm your shield, Mistress, remember?"

Ena's eyes flickered down for a moment. "Right." She sighed. "You must think I was being foolish—"

"Not at all." Silver was honest in that. "You felt uncomfortable, but you didn't want to make a scene." His lips quirked upwards. "Though you always are quick to raise your swords against me." Internally, he hung his head as he remembered how easily Ena would threaten him with weapons. It's so natural for her to do that too.

Ena laughed. "I have a little more leeway since you're mine."

"Huh?" Silver whipped up his head, startled. "Wh-What did you say?"

Ena raised an eyebrow. "I said I have a little more leeway since you're my assistant," she slowly repeated. "Are you okay? You look a little red."

"O-O-Oh, I'm fine!" Silver turned away with a hand pressed against his reddening cheek. These hallucinations are going to get me in major trouble someday. He blinked when he felt Ena's hand try to relinquish the hold they had.

"But the fireworks are about to start," Ena mentioned. "I'd better go to my mother." Her eyes sparkled. "I had fun being in the fencing competition. I know she's busy—we both are—but it's little moments that make everything okay."

Silver weighed on that. "Do you ever blame her?" A careful question. "Do you ever…cry over her?"

"No." Ena shook her head. "I know my mother did everything she could. How could I blame her?" Something in her stare saddened. And in the end, I never wanted to add more of a burden on her shoulders than she already had. I couldn't live with myself if I was the reason she was stressed. She doesn't deserve that. A stiffness took over when she felt her hand being lifted. "Silver—"

She instantly quieted.

Silver kissed her knuckles for a few moments before he showed her serene blues. "I know you feel guilty telling Master your worries," he murmured. "I know how much you admire her and love her and that's why you keep things to yourself. But…if you truly feel like you can't talk to her, I'm here, Mistress. You can share your worries with me. I don't mind."

"Silver…" For a moment, such a silky promise caught Ena in its web, but she blinked it away as her ears warmed and her stomach fluttered. There goes that sickness again. But against it, she softened and moved her hand to caress his cheek, smiling when he splayed his fingers atop hers. "I know," she murmured. "My faithful Silver. Where would your mistress be without you?"

"You'd be fine." A small smile played on Silver's face. "But I like being by your side, anyway."

Ena hummed her quiet mirth. "I'm sure. It's beneficial for me to keep you if I want to have perfect tea."

Silver pouted. "Mistress…"

"I'm not going to shower you in praise," Ena snorted. "When you do something worthy of praise, I'll give you praise. If you're desperate for approval, I could turn you into a dog and you'd have people falling over themselves to coo at you and pet you and call you 'good boy'." She glanced away. "We should get going—"

"But I don't want their praise."

When Ena turned, her heart leaped to her throat the moment she realized Silver had closed their distance, and she had no choice but to be swallowed in those penetrating blues that hypnotized her.

"The only praise I want is from you, Mistress." Each word felt more meaningful than the last, laden with dark emotion. "If I really do something good, will you praise me?"

"I…" Ena felt her hands shake. His eyes… It's like…I'm looking into the ocean… A fog dizzied her when she drank in his scent. He smells so much like rain… I can't think. She could tell his eyes flickered down, but it was difficult to put together for what purpose. "Silver…" A plea. To let her go? To stop? She was unsure—

"Boo!"

The spell woven around them shattered so jarringly that Ena saw the angered expression that flickered on Silver's face and heard something she never thought she would hear. Did he…? Did he just growl?

Julia had launched onto Silver's back with a smug grin and cooed, "You two seemed awfully close. Thought I'd come and break up the romantic tension—Shit!" She fell back when Silver violently shook her off and scowled at him. "Asshole—"

The insult caught in her throat when she met Silver's glowing glare. What the…? What's wrong with his eyes?

"You'd be wrong, Julia," Ena inserted diplomatically. Her hands pressed together to stop their shaking, and she forced her smile to be light. "There's no romantic tension. In fact, Silver has someone else he's in love with. And I'm sure she'd be heartbroken to hear such words." She aimed her last sentence for both siblings before she nodded. "I should go find my mother. Good night to you both." And she placed one steady foot in the other as she restrained herself from walking away.

LUBD-DUB-LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB.

A shaky breath expelled from Ena as red covered her nose and cheeks. Maybe I'm allergic to the smell of rain.

Julia studied her brother as he watched Ena leave with longing clear on his face. A wariness shielded her as she asked him, "In love with someone else, huh?"

"Don't." Silver broke from watching Ena to throw Julia a sour look. "Don't even. Not when you reek of Dash all over."

Julia groaned. "Shit, really?" She smelled herself when a thought occurred to her and made her eyes narrow. "Hold on. How do you know it was Eiji? He wasn't wearing any body spray or cologne."

Silver froze, paling. "Um…" He glanced away. "It was just a guess and a pretty legit one since you're normally with him, anyway." He tensed his shoulders. "Does it matter how I know? It's not like you don't have your own little secret," he snapped in a hiss.

Julia's gaze sharpened. "What the Hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." Silver stalked away. I can't forget what Caeryssa said. It's not like I could believe her, but… If she was right about me, then maybe… His stomach churned out of nerves and anger. It just couldn't be possible. Julia won't do that to herself. Because if she did—his lips parted to show fangs—she'd be nothing more than a monster.

°•°•°•°

Murmured conversation floated about as the wind ensemble exit the stage and brought their chairs and stands with them as the jazz band took their place on their chairs and risers. The drummer was tapping the bass drum experimental as Vinyl was speaking to the keyboardist over some of the sheet music and stressing about a few measures. With the food trucks winding down for the night, stragglers had come out the woodwork to attend the incoming show.

Applause rang as the mayor of Magnolia Town came up onto the stage with a Microphone Lacrima in hand and in his outrageous floral print suit. He gave a slight cough to gather attention, and the claps faded.

"Thank you all for joining us on another successful holiday to celebrate parents and the bond they have with their children," he started. "There are no rules, no regulations, and no guidelines for who can be a parent or a child. Because the blood you share doesn't matter when it comes to parenthood. What matters is the love and care and trust and respect that you share with your child who could be a seventy-year-old grown woman or a twelve-year-old grumpy cat."

Laughter perused the audience.

"Everyone deserves to have that one older role model to shelter them from the storm," he continued, "care for them when they're hurt, and remind them they are loved and wanted. So it brings me great joy to announce this year, we have managed to raise seventy-five-million jewel that will be donated to Project Humane, A Child's Heartbeat Foundation, and the Crocus Animal Protective Shelter so that these children and pets can be provided with all they need as they find their family."

Whoops and cheers and passionate applause filled the scattered across the green.

The mayor coughed again for attention to be pulled back to him. "I thank you all for your participation and donation to these causes." His face darkened. "Every day, more and more travesty hits around the world where families are being torn apart by the unfairness of it all. While our home is safe, others have no home and love to turn to for stability. But with your help, we can give them a fraction of what they deserve. B

"Because the essence of family is not a place—it's a people. It's the people around you that you chose as your family. And we will help others find their own family to choose. Today, you might have participated with your aunt because she's the mother in your life." A whoop sounded. "Or maybe you came with your grandfather because to you, he has given you the love and care you deserved." Some clapping and a whistle. "Or maybe your older brother or your sister or your cousin was the parent today because they have been like the parent you've always known. Or maybe you had your parents with you today. What matters is that those people gave you love."

Rancorous applause emerged.

"Those people gave you what you deserved," he continued against the loud encouragement and ovations. "We all deserve to have one person to count on be it your friend or your father, be it your aunt or a grandparent, be it your sister or your brother. So as we close today's Parent's Day, I hope all of you have that someone in your life you can thank for helping you on your journey. And I proudly present to you our last act of the evening—the Magnolia High School jazz band!"

As the mayor stepped away and more applause came through, lights shined on the high schoolers with their trumpets and trombones and saxophones at the ready. Vinyl had taken the stage with an acoustic guitar and a smile as she spoke into the microphone. "Is everyone having a good time?"

Gleeful crows sounded.

Vinyl laughed. "Well, uh… This is just something that the students and I have been working on. So for all of you out there who came with the family you were born with or the family you chose even if they're friends—we wish you a happy Parent's Day and want to remind you that family can come from anyone. So here we go." She glanced at the drummer and offered a four-count.

Vinyl started to strum her guitar with the tambourine player keeping tempo. "F-A-M-I-L-Y…" she started with the band chanting with her. "F-A-M-I-L-Y… F-A-M-I-L-Y…" She raised the neck, and the band came on her signaled downbeat. "Family…!"

A Lacrima Screen projected atop as a slideshow started featuring picture contributions of families that could be two people or twenty. Some had even popped up from the Parent's Day event when pictures were quickly taken and submitted last minute for the show.

"When you're in my heart," Vinyl sang, "you're in my family… When I'm in your heart, I'm in your family…"

Liberty gasped when she saw a picture of her as a baby with Freed holding her and Justin to the side, shier than he was now. But Freed and Justin grinned at how starry-eyed she had gotten seeing how different their family had been then.

"When you're in my heart, you're in my family… When I'm in your heart, I'm in your family…"

Veronika hid her laugh when a picture of the entire Strauss-Dreyar clan from a decade ago showed up as they all wore matching t-shirts and were soaking wet for the water balloon fight they had participated in.

"Oh, fathers, mothers…!" Vinyl belted as the band picked up with her. "Sisters, brothers…!"

Julia buried her head in her hands when a picture from long ago surfaced from childhood days. Silver and Gary were beaming as they showed off their flower crowns with an irate and embarrassed Julia between them.

"Cousins, friends…! Sons and daughters…!"

Smiles passed around as a collage came up of the elders from the Magnolia Nursing Home and pictures of them with their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and some had the honor of meeting their great-great-grandchildren.

"Uncles, aunts, and grandparents…! I'm so glad you're my family…!" Vinyl nodded to the band as she went into a driven chorus. "Oh, I'm so glad! You're my family!"

Side-by-side photos showed Lucy and an infant Luna dancing to a song on the left while the right showed a teenaged Luna and her mother doing more perfect steps to their song.

"I'm so glad! You're my family!"

Another picture sprung up of little Olivia sitting her father's lap with Gajeel behind a drum set and how happy she was when she guided her sticks to beat against the drums and cymbals.

"I'm so glad! You're my family!"

Ena leaned into her mother as she, Erza, and Aine witnessed a selfie a teenaged Aine had taken with little Ena snuggled against her mother on the couch as they both slept.

"I'm so glad! You're my family…!"

This was a picture taken a few years back when Wendy and Cheila shared tea with Porlyusica in her hut and the elderly Healer had softened in the presence of her ward and her wife.

Vinyl and the jazz band went into the bridge: "And even if you're far away, or if I see you every day…! When you're in my heart to stay, you're my family…!" She broke back into the next verse, "When you're in my heart, you're in my family…! When I'm in your heart, I'm in your family…! When you're in my heart, you're in my family…! When I'm in your heart, I'm in your family…!"

The next montage of photos shifted to the pets and pet parents of Magnolia Town. Liberty and James got their time with James docile and happy as he proudly wore the knitted sweater Liberty put on them for their walk. Another showed Dash being tackled in licks and nuzzles from Wally while Iris giggled. A secret picture had been taken of a pregnant Lucy curled in bed with Actaeon, Lelantos, and Plue surrounding their mistress in warmth and love. Lance and younger and sprier Illumi were playing tug of war with a rope of lightning. Ena took care of one of the mares she frequently rode to Býleistr (in Cat Form) drooling as he nuzzled in Tesla's chest as she and Nashi took a picture together. And another picture showed Icarus wagging his tail as Luna tempted him with bacon.

More pictures of pets across the town showed. Some came from the local animal shelter as pets found their forever home. An old woman was laughing as her Phantom Cat fazed through her, curious about what she was knitting. Orochi had a docile ball python on his shoulders as he showed terrified yet interested little ones about caring for a reptile. Rika, Cayenne, and Mint were fawning over their turtle.

"Fathers, mothers…!" Vinyl crooned. "Sisters, brothers…! Cousins, friends…! Sons and daughters…! Uncles, aunts…! And grandparents…!"

More photos piled on from over the year. Some had families of two with an adult and a parent. Others broke out in large gatherings with the matriarch or patriarch hooked onto their oxygen tank and wheelchair, but they smiled toothily for the camera. Photos poured in from the events of today with Mira's epic win against her husband in arm-wrestling making an appearance and Ena and Erza startling the gymnasium as they broke into their regalia and swords.

Another showed Gale and Luke lifting up Liberty on their shoulders as she beamed and displayed her first-place medal. Olivia smiled a little in the photo with her, her mom, and Lucy, Juvia, and their eldest daughters with the destroyed event. Elvin winced beneath his father's heavy hand atop, but his eyes were smiling as Elvin was hooting another "manly lecture". And another showed Laxus throwing back his head and laughing as Lisa-Jane looked so stunned Ivan had socked her with a water balloon.

Vinyl beamed as her eyes twinkled. "I'm so glad you're my family…!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

HYU…

DON…! DON-DON-DON!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gasps of oohs and aahs and cool whispered through the crowd as fireworks burst into the sky, unannounced, with the reds and blues and greens and whites. The colorful phenomenon reflected in eyes as grins and smiles could not be stopped.

The band kept playing as the fireworks bloomed over Lake Sciliora, and Vinyl chaunted, "I'm so glad…! You're my family…! I'm so glad…! You're my family…! I'm so glad…! You're my family…! I'm so glad…! You're my family…!"

With Vinyl's go-ahead, the spotlight shined down onto one of the year-thirteen saxophonists, and applause was met as she sunk into her improvisation.

Luna tucked into her mother's side with her father on her other side. Nashi and Luke flanked either side of their parents. Icarus had settled in his Dog Form with Býleistr sitting in a cat loaf on his back as the two enjoyed the fireworks with Star Hounds and Plue.

Lucy caught Luna's sigh. "You okay, Lu?"

"Mmm." Luna nodded into her mother's shoulder. "I feel better."

"That's great, baby." Lucy rubbed Luna's arm. "We've all been so worried about you." She heaved a breath. "But there's no need to push yourself, okay? Go at your own pace and we'll support whatever decision you want to do."

The saxophonist sat down for one of the trombonists to take a whirl at improv.

"I know." Luna flexed her toes.

Natsu dropped a kiss on Luna's temple. "You know, both your granddad would be so proud of you right now."

Luna looked at her father, perplexed. "Really?"

"For sure." Natsu softened as he nuzzled his forehead against her temple. "He told me before he did that watching me grow was the happiest he had been. There were moments I doubted that. But seeing you and Nashi and Luke and Igneel grow are the happiest moments of my life and your mom's, baby girl." He grinned as he drew back. "He might've been an ass at times, but if he was here right now, he'd be bragging to Gajeel's old man for sure."

"And your grandparents on my side would be gloating," Lucy put in. "Anna will be tooting her own horn for a while once you tell her."

Luna smiled. "Really? I can't wait to tell Granny then."

One of the trumpets had decided to go for an improv lick and earned a round of applause.

Natsu's onyx regard flickered to show the Wild and the immense care for his young. "You have so much family around you who can't wait to see how you grow." He threw an arm around his son and how him his darkness that Luke's own darkness shone in his eyes.

Lucy smiled as she and Nashi laid their heads against each other. "And we all know that your futures are going to be as bright as the stars. We have complete faith in you. And we'll do anything to help make what you want come true." She clasped Nashi's hands and lightly teased, "If it's steps in your relationship with someone…"

Nashi flushed.

Natsu tightened his hold on Luke. "If you're having doubts about yourself and what you're capable of…"

The darkness in Luke's eyes looked vulnerable.

Lucy and Natsu turned to Luna, love clear in the eyes. "Or if you just need a shoulder to cry on," Lucy breathed. "We'll still be there."

"We promise," Natsu vowed. His nostrils flared when an August breeze touched his nose with hints of fall and flame. "We'll be there for all of you."

MERA-MERA!

Shock and awe filled every person when bright orange flames interwoven with gold accents flared up into the sky. The flames churned and fiddled into the Fairy Tail insignia shined as brightly as the sun for all those who lived around the lake to see it.

Bewildered, Mary Jane froze as the flames consumed her eyes. But when an August breeze pressed on her skin like a phantom kiss, she felt at ease. Igneel…Her hand came up to wrap around her acorn button charm on her necklace.

Nashi tensed when she felt that August breeze, but she relaxed when it billowed through her hair, grinning a little when her pink strands were teased and tugged. Lucy closed her eyes and lifted her head went that breeze embraced her and she could feel that warming love and apology. Luna laughed a little when the breeze nudged her harder until it kissed her forehead. Natsu cocked his head as the breeze ruffled his head and pressed against his chest. And Luke drank in that ember scent and let it linger and press apology and affection.

Icarus and Býleistr sniffed, curious, when the breeze circled them, inspecting them, but Býleistr purred when the breeze slowed down his spine and Icarus' tail thumbed, pleased.

Natsu could hear that familiar rumble breeze past his ears. Well done, my son. He could feel those strong flames that coddled him and nurtured him. For I, Igneel, am always with you…and so is he.

Vinyl brought the band back into the chorus: "And even if you're far away, or if I see you every day…! When you're in my heart to stay, you're my family…!" But she was shocked when a grumpy Thirteen took the stage with his silver saxophone and wailed away.

The Fairy Tail flaming insignia disbanded into a winged creature, powerful and a master of its fire. It looked like neither Phoenix nor Dragon, but a beautiful combination of both with its burning green eyes flashing for a moment before it was torn apart by more fireworks.

Luna could feel her eyes cloud. Please… I know he has things to do, but… I want to let him know we're here.

Silence.

Then a gentle voice prodded her. May your wish be granted.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Somewhere else…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The view of the island was one you could not replace. Low-hanging clouds clumped together like gossiping teen girls and lazily drifted. The ocean was such a clear huge of blue that it looked too magical to be real—or perhaps the Magic in the air forced the ocean to look cleaner and more mesmerizing to the eye. Healthy emeralds and jades sprung up upon the island in masses of trees with the occasional deep cavern that would lead to an oasis. For all it was worth, the island was nothing short of a paradise—if people could make it past the thick band of magical barriers that deterred any stragglers venturing too close.

The volcano was humble and resting, but that did not bother him. He stood at the edge of one of the cave entrances only one with wings could reach. His hand splayed on the black scar on his abdomen that would be maintained until he needed another healing session. He heaved a quiet inhale—

Comforting vanilla and maternity. Strong flames and paternity. An affectionate darkness. A teasing summer divinity subtly meshed with a devilish winter. And a youthful spring.

He paused. Then lips pulled into a grin.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

When you're in my heart, you're in my family…

When I'm in your heart, I'm in your family…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

He took a deep breath of the amalgamation of scents—of his family—before his eyes rolled and closed. He removed his hand from his wound to jump from the ledge and freefall down the waiting side of the volcano.

Flames puffed from his mouth. Thank you. And embers and steam consumed him as his silhouetted human form shifted and morphed into that of a beast.

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— • — • — • —

When you're in my heart, you're in my family…

I'm so glad you're my family!

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Vinyl and the jazz band brought it home with the ending lick. "F-A-M-I-L-Y…! F-A-M-I-L-Y…! F-A-M-I-L-Y…! Family..! Oh, I'm so glad!" She raised her hand with her pick and shouted, "Good night, Magnolia!"

HYU…!

DON!

The firework spectacular exploded the night sky in an endless parade that had the audience whooping and clapping. And as everyone could not take their eyes off such an amazing display, a trickle of golden Ethernano danced in the wind and carried a girlish laugh of the heart of Fairy Tail.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

My… What beautiful Magic…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

— • — • — • —

Come on now, dance tonight

We can boogie till the morning

There's no plans tonight

We gonna have a Good One

Mizugiwa no playground

Konna kyouku wo play

And we can dance tonight

Hey we gonna have a Good One

— • — • — • —

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Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Gajeel Redfox – David Wald

Levy Redfox – Kristi Kang

Olivia Redfox – Laura Bailey

Nashi Dragneel – Laura Landa

Luke Dragneel – Alan Lee

Natsu Dragneel – Todd Haberkorn

Lucy Heartfilia-Dragneel – Cherami Leigh

Mirajane Dreyar – Monica Rial

Laxus Dreyar – Patrick Seitz

Mary Jane Dreyar – Erica Lindbeck

Lance Dreyar – Johnny Young Bosch

Ellie Strauss – Alexis Tipton

Bixslow – Tyler Walker

Evergreen Strauss – Caitlin Glass

Veronika Strauss – Hilary Haag

Vasilisa "Lisa" Jane Strauss – Laura Woodhall

Ivanushka "Ivan" Strauss – TaraSands

Gray Fullbuster – Newton Pittman

Silver Fullbuster – Yuri Lowenthal

Liberty Justine – Mela Lee

Justin Justine – Ian Sinclair

Nora Gosling II – Brad Swaile II

Ena Fernandes – Xanth Huynh

Julia Fullbuster – Michelle Ruff

Juvia Fullbuster – Brina Palencia

Býleistr – Josh Tomar

Erza Fernandes – Colleen Clinkenbeard

Freed Justine – John Burgmeir

Ace Benson – Billy Kametz

Norma-Jean Benson –

Elvin Strauss – Micah Solusod

Elfman Strauss – Christopher Sabot

Icarus – Christopher Sabot

Luna Dragneel – Brynn Apprill

Galileo Redfox – Josh Grelle

Spencer Lates (voice only) – Christopher Wehkamp

Jasper Lates – Zeno Robinson

Mayor Alaric Elric – Chuck Huber

Vinyl de la Muse – Alison Viktorin

Igneel (Dragon) – Jim White

Mary Jane Dreyar – Erika Lindbeck

Igneel Dragneel – Bryce Papenbrook

Mavis Vermillion – Leah Clark

• — • — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Episode Introduction Announcer –

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING SONG

⟪ Walking with You ⟫

Novelbright

Lyrics by

雄大 / 勇太朗⌟

•

⌜INSERT SONG

⟪ My Family ⟫

The Laurie Berkner Band

Lyrics by

The Laurie Berkner Band⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Good One ⟫

HIRAIDAI

Lyrics by

EIGO, Dai Hirai⌟

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•

•

•

•

— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 110

•

LA PACHANGA

•

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•

•

•

•

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

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Begin speech.

I am going to routinely update 「Finding Fairies: An Incomplete Guide」 and 「Mischief, Magic, and Magizoology」. I will try to start a location guide book for anyone to reference the cities and places I have created in Fairy Adventure. If you feel it isn't necessary for me to make a guide, then I will not.

In my world, sweet Mirajane would be a dominatrix and a closet dorodere, sweet on the outside and talks about murder and bloodshed like she's chirping on about the weather. If I could, I would write a short Rated-M story between dominatrix Mira and sub Laxus.

I will not.

Because Fairy Tail had a stone age OVA, I would like to do OVAs of different time periods and feature them as bedtime stories Justin tells Liberty. Guess, if you can, which couple belongs where.

「Fairy Adventure: The Middle Ages」

A submissive servant is eager to service his cold-hearted mistress and the second princess to the kingdom, but beneath that innocent smile and clumsy persona is a deadly assassin protecting her from enemies that come from within.

「Fairy Adventure: Ancient Egypt」

In a twisted re-told love story of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra, a brooding warlord bent on finishing this assignment for his mother, the Empress, ends up dangerous smitten for the sultry pharaoh of Egypt who wants to talk less of politics and more about his body.

「Fairy Adventure: Imperial Times」

One of the worst assassins in the world ends up adopting an innocent little girl after he receives an urgent message. With the held of his geisha son and the quirky memories of his assassination clan, this killer must learn how to keep his adorable new daughter from learning the truth of her new home and out of the hands of villains seeking her power.

「Fairy Adventure: The Roaring 20s」

She's oblivious she's the daughter of a criminal mastermind while her father tasked him to keep his princess away from the chaos. But when she sneaks into a speakeasy to watch her friend perform, it looks like her introduction to this peculiar and weird world of crime is about to come all too soon.

「Fairy Adventure: The Renaissance Era」

This princess' plans to stop her engagement fall through and she's trapped in a secluded manor with her husband, an infamous Duke known for his killing touch and cold heart. But the rumors were lies. Now, she's stuck trying to avoid her overly-affection Duke of Death who wants to touch his new wife at all costs!

If you have immensely enjoyed Silver's imagination, I'm so hyped for you to meet adult Silver who is to come…very, very in the future. The draft has progressed to our younger protagonists reaching teenaged to adult status. And I am not ashamed to say adult Silver is every bit as eager to please his demanding mistress as he works under her. But you would be surprised at their behaviors behind closed doors and what lurks behind his innocent smile.

Changes to the episode.

Due to inspiration loss, I will be scrapping 「CoP: Short Tales」. And we will proceed to the following episode. But here is my speech from Short Tales.

I'm excited for Anna Heartfilia's debut in FA. I was never on board to ship Acnologia and Anna. However, I mentioned albeit briefly that Time Magic can be wound into objects, and Luna and Gale now can use Time Magic. I have every intention of Anna showing them more about her life 400 years ago, how she met Acnologia, how she approached King Igneel with his fiery temper and distaste of humans (that is canon—Igneel did not like humankind until he raised Natsu), Ignia and Anna's meetings, and the reason Ignia isn't welcomed.

Ignia will become more and more prominent, especially in The Disappearance of Igneel Dragneel (should I ever release it). Like his father, he's selfish and brash and has a temper. But the more time he spends time with Igneel as both teacher and uncle, Ignia finds his greedy and asshole-ish nature compromising for valuing humanity and understanding complex emotions.

In FA, Ignia will meet the Dragneel Family. I immensely enjoy his and Natsu's reunion. To sum it up, Ignia is that tsundere older brother dealing with his happy-go-lucky younger brother who waves off his death threats. Like many before him, not even Ignia can be mean to Luna or refuse her what she wants (so long as she helps him patch things up with his favorite Star Maiden). The ever model uncle, displeased with how Luke refuses to use his strength, gangs up on Luke with Natsu to force him outside.

I think I like Gary's interaction with Ignia the most. Ignia is naturally intrigued and wary of Gary since their elements are polar opposites, but Ignia knows what sort of power a born-Devil has and even he isn't eager to start a battle. The serious conversation between Ignia and Gary is one that shows not only why Gary and Igneel are close, but it goes to show Ignia's changes.

For Episode 110, I have made the ultimate decision that when Tesla's family speaks in Sinnish, their words will be italicized English. Small phrases most English speakers have heard will be used or small words like por favor, baila conmigo, muévete, or terms of endearment to spare confusion.

Nos vemos en la pachanga.

End of speech.