A Saiyan Among Wizards

Chapter 23

A Calm Between Storms

A/N: This is gonna be the last chapter until I catch up and go back over the Tenrou arc a bit more thouroghly. Also, Marcus's berserker mode may come up again sometime later and he may do more damage than last time.

*Insert TFS disclaimer. Fairy Tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and Funimation. I do not own any other mentioned properties.

Marcus jerked awake to hear a book slide to the floor beside the armchair he was sitting in. He had fallen asleep while reading a story that Lucy had recommended, not because it was boring but because he was so God damn sore and tired from all the extra training he had been doing to fully rein in the power of his new form. Not to mention, he still hadn't fully recovered from the fight with Anubis two weeks ago and neither had his patiance for a few things. Touchy and irratable were the closest words that described him right now, it wasn't as bad as it had been though. Thankfully, he had choosen to stay home most of the time, otherwise Natsu would have a few more bruises to add to the ones from his first and possibly last attempt in trying to roughhouse with him. Marcus had now become the third person in the guild that could make the pinkette behave with a single look. Gajeel, who had sat back grinning as he watched the show, knew full well that it would be best for everyone in the house if he gave the saiyan his space until he had a better grip on things, which would be rather soon. The iron dragon had taken to spending time with Levy, finding that her and Marcus were very similar in a lot of ways.

This soon led to him coming back with the book Marcus was currently reading, Lucy having given it to Levy to give to Gajeel before they were both pulled off on jobs by their respective teams. It was about two warriors who met on the battlefield, from opposing sides, both mortally wounded and unable fight each other. As the two sat and awaited death, Dez, an intellectual and open minded, thought it good to strike up conversation with his deathmate and ensure that he didn't feel alone in his last moments. He learned that the man's name was Noxx and was brutish in his mannerisms, which Dez found endearing. They talked for a long while, despite their wounds, and they began to delvelop something that resembled love as they shared things that they had never told anyone. Before the blood loss took it's toll, they knew that this was the last that they would see each other and made a prayer, a wish, to whoever was listening that they could find each other in the next life. With hands intertwined, they had lost consciousness as, by some miracle, a local farmer and his wife were passing through as they buried the dead. Fortune smiled on the two warriors as they made a full recovery and found that the two warring nations had formed a treaty, ceasing all disputes and bringing peace for the time being.

What peace the two lovers had found in each other was short lived, for the now unified countries were soon under the threat of a larger country from the south. They were quick to join the ranks of the military once again, but as allies. They became known for the beautiful way they seamlessly fought together as one and their enemies soon learned to stay clear of their path if they could. But in the last battle, Dez had been forcably seperated from Noxx by the tide of the men they had so effortlessly slaying up until now. Both were overwhelmed, but somehow made it out alive. Dez had one or two serious wounds that were easily treated, but his love had been knocked unconscious when a mace collided with his helm. Noxx slept for two days and when he finally awoke, it was clear that there was something different about him. He had lost all of his memories about his feelings towards Dez and began to fall for a young maiden who often visited wounded soldiers, leaving his lover in distaught as he watched him leave his arms forever.

This was as far as Marcus had gotten and he knew something else was going to happen, for the book was called Shades of Love & Tragedy. Marking his page, he set the book down and stretched his stiff muscles before grabbing his sound pods and walking outside to his clearing for today's training. Removing his shirt and shoes, the saiyan grabbed his Buster Sword and set the gravity lacrima for two thousand times the planet's own gravity on himself and the blade. Almost immediatly floored, he transformed into super saiyan two right out of the gate and let his music conduct the flow of his movements. Often times, the songs were either upbeat and called for swift movement or were warlike and needed more aggression. But everynow and again, something slow would make it's way into his playlist and his movements became more graceful and fluid as he almost danced through the stances and the ridges of his muscles were clearly defined by the sheen of sweat he had aquired. Both of these things captivated a silent visitor in a tan cloak, unable to make himself known as he could not take his eyes off the beautiful elegance of the saiyan's single-minded intent of control.

The spell was broken when Marcus froze as he felt a pair of hands he didn't recognize on his sides slide down to his hips, making him shudder as someone breathed in his musk. Subconsciously shutting the lacrima off, the saiyan had the owner pined to the ground in less than a second with a blade to his throat. The cloak's hood dropped to reveil a stunned Laxus, who was just as surprised as Marcus to be were he was.

Standing, Marcus held out a hand and pulled him to his feet, "The fuck was that about?" he asked with a growl, pulling off the sound pods.

"I-I don't know, I was passing through and I thought I'd stop by to say hello. I didn't hear anyone in the house so I just followed your scent here. Last thing I remember was watching you train, the rest is blank." he explained, confused. For some reason, his instincts were telling him to be afraid of Marcus as his sharp, cold turquoise eyes bore into him.

Leaning the sword against a fallen tree, he let out a sigh and softened his gaze. "It's fine, I sometimes do the same thing to Gajeel without meaning to. You know, I always had a feeling that you swung that way." He said with a smirk as Laxus began to get flustered, "I'm surprised that you hadn't given in and had your way with Freed, I sure he'd be more than willing." His grin grew as the dragonslayer's face became the same shade as a tomato. Letting his form go, he gave Laxus a light slap across the shoulder, "I'm just fucking with ya," he laughed as he pulled out a small package.

This pulled the blonde out of his embarassment, "I didn't know you smoked," he commented as the saiyan lit one up.

"And I didn't know Gajeel was bi until I saw him flirting with Levy, but you learn something new everyday." he said after the first drag, "But I don't really, I've had this pack for probably six months now cause I hardly ever want one, plus Gajeel hates the smell they give off."

"I kinda like it, gives your scent an extra kick." He admitted, reluctantly.

Marcus blinked a couple times, opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it. After a pause and another drag, "You know, strength can be a real bitch sometimes." he said simply, changing the subject.

"What do you mean?"

"When you have more power than you know what to do with it quickly becomes pretty annoying to keep it under wraps so you don't do more than you mean to. And when you suddenly break past your previous limits, you have to repeat the process of familiarizing yourself with your new abilities. I had been fine with my previous power level cause I knew how to get stronger if I needed to, but I didn't and I'm pretty pissed off about that. Hell, I had more than I needed before I hit this new territory." He explained, still a little cross with Gajeel who poured gasoline onto that particular fire.

"Pfft hahaha, you've got to be the only person to ever bitch about getting stronger," laughing contently.

"And why shouldn't I, it's a burden and I fucking hate it!" Flailing a little bit and accidently burning himself with the cigarette, "Fuck," he hissed, trying to hold back a moan.

"You alright man," raising an eyebrow at the peculiar look on the saiyan's face.

"Yeah," sounding strained as heat rose in his face.

"Well alrigh...," he started before he was assulted by a blast of arousal from the saiyan, "What the hell, do you have a burn kink or something?"

"Sort of," forcing himself to think of other things, "I only found out about it on my last job when I was burned by an enchanted doorknob while sneaking around a bandit fort. Damn nearly got me caught." Finally able to will away his erection, Marcus let out a breath of relief. "I had to clean myself up before I returned to camp."

"Does Gajeel know?"

"Smelt it as I walked into camp, and knowing him, he might be coming up with some way to use it to tease me with."

"Does he tease you a lot?"

"Well it's the one of two things he can do to feel superior, which I could care less."

"What's the other thing?"

"He tops." Marcus admitted shamelessly.

"Wha.. I thought..." Laxus began, his face turning red again.

"That I did because I'm stronger? Doesn't always work that way, besides," a thought occuring to the saiyan that made him grin mischieviously, "those cock piercings of his feel amazing." When Laxus turned an even deeper shade of red, "Why are you so surprised and embaressed by this, you worse than teenager. If I didn't know any better, I'd even say you've never even kissed a guy before." he teased.

"I have too," he said defensively.

"Prove it to me," tapping his own lips, "plant one here and I'll take it all back." having made out with enough guys to know the difference.

"Fine!" Stomping up to Marcus,he bent down, cupped his chin, and gave him a brief kiss blushing, if even possible, harder.

"You call that a kiss," floating to eye level and grabbing him gently behind the head, Marcus pulled him into a deep, almost erotic kiss that left them both breathless. "Now that, was a kiss," he said with a sultry flair.

His words fell on deft ears, Laxus was still stuck in his own little world of bliss. Marcus couldn't blame him, cause it was nothing like all those lustful kisses with Gajeel, he had felt fireworks. Snapping his fingers, the dragonslayer came to his senses.

"If you want," Marcus said softly, "this can be our little secret. Just think of it as a lesson."

"I think I might need another session professor," he said shamelessly, surprising them both.

"You're a greedy one aren't you?"

~~~~The next day~~~~

In a considerably better mood, almost suspiciously so, Marcus took the day off from both training and isolation and took a walk around town by himself. Having vented the last of vestiges of negativity by teasing Laxus and those secret kisses, the saiyan finally felt like his usual, cheery self. Every now and again he would walk into a store to inspect new wares or stop and talk with passing guildmembers, all glad to see he was in a happier state of mind. He had stopped for lunch at one of his favorite restaurants, a cafe with a balcony overlooking the canal, when Mirajane had come up to him with a bright smile on her face.

"Hiya Mira," he greeted warmly as she approached his table, "What brings you here?"

"Why you of course," sitting in the chair the saiyan offered, "the Master said he will be annoucing the names of the particapants for the S-Class trials this afternoon and he wants everyone to be there. I guess I got lucky running into you here." As she spoke, Marcus sensed a certain pinkette moving away quickly, used for his nose only.

"Oh," there was a flicker of saddness in his eyes before he hid it.

"Is something wrong," concern and curiousity adorning her voice.

"No, I was just caught of gaurd, that's all," playing off his usual mannerisms. "So," he asked, "who do you think will be choosen this year?"

After ordering a cup of tea, "Well, it goes without saying that you, Natsu, and Gray have a chance at this year. Other than that, I haven't got a clue," she said thoughtfully.

"You really think Gramps will choose me," he said, flattered.

"Of course, I still remember how you won that duel against Erza of all people. I don't think I've ever seen the guild that surprised before," she said sweetly.

"I'm surprised I didn't wreck the guild, I mean, I was really, really drunk."

"And I'm sure the Master has taken that as how well you can control yourself."

"You call picking a fight with the Queen of Fairies self-control," raising a meaningful eyebrow with a smirk.

"Oh look! Our tea's here," she laughed nervously, avoiding the question. Marcus let it die there, her silence on the matter was answer enough.

Marcus paid for his meal and their tea a little while afterwards and walked with her to the guild. As they walked, the saiyan looked up, slightly bemused by the mass of dark clouds that had came out of no where. But he shook it off and hoped that it was just a freak storm or something.

No one noticed them as they walked in, everyone's eyes on the closed curtains of the stage. Mira had disappeared as soon as they had stepped inside so he just stuck his hands in his pockets and casually floated over to Gajeel and Lily. The exceed took his now familiar place on the saiyan's shoulder, finding mutual comfort from it and that it annoyed Gajeel. The both of them having teamed up to torment the dragonslayer whenever he started to get out of line.

"Hey babe," Marcus greeted, kissing him on the cheek, "anything happen yet?"

"No, but I think Salamander's about had it with waiting, come to think of it, I am too!"

"Well, I don't think it will be long now."

Just as Marcus finished his sentence, the curtains pulled back to reveal Makarov and the three S-Class mages of Fairy Tail. He went on to name Natsu, Gray, Elfman, Freed, Juvia, Levy, Cana, and Mest as eight of the nine contestants this year. Marcus's eyes narrowed as he looked at the mage, not fooled by his illusionary magic. "And lastly, but definately not least, Marcus Sabeth, our very own Golden Warrior!"

"Oh now he's teasing me too," recognizing the name was stuck with since Sorcery Weekly gave it to him when he, somehow, lost the twenty-four hour race with the other four guys. It wasn't a terriable experiance, but he and Gajeel were put into rather compromising poses to appeal to the yaoi fangirl/fanboy fanbase.

"At least you were picked, this blows big time," growled Gajeel, muttering a few choice curses under his breath. "So I'm guessing you'll want me as your partner."

"Nah, I'm thinking about flying solo. Besides," a sly smirk on his lips, "I think someone else may want you as their partner, you know, blue hair, really into books, seems to have a thing for you now."

"Shu-shut up! I was just kiddin' with her. I'm dating you aren't I," he said, blushing.

"Define dating and besides, wasn't it you who started the whole 'you can sleep with anyone you like if I can' thing when you paid Gildarts to fu...," was all he said before Gajeel covered his mouth as people started to pay attention to the conversation.

"Paid Gildarts to do what," asked Lily, rather amused.

"I'll tell you when we get home," promised the saiyan.

"No you won't!"

"I'd like to see you stop me, besides, you're just jealous he was better at it than you."

"Stooop," he groaned, shunting them outside as others were begining to catch onto the saiyan's suggestive comments and tone.

"Now you've got to tell me what happened," Lily said, smirking just as much as Marcus. "Nooo," he gasped when the saiyan whispered the story into his ear.

"Yep, it was one hell of a night," he boasted, remembering it fondly.

"And the whole thing was Gajeel's idea," chuckling as the humor of the situation became apparent.

"I think he's begining to regret it too," Marcus smirked as the dragonslayer flew off towards the house.

They soon followed suit, but at a slower pace. As they did, Lily asked, "So what kind of training are you going to do for the next week?"

"Quite honestly, I'm not going to. What I'm need to do is get some rest so I don't collapse halfway through the trials," he answered tiredly as it began to snow.

"I guess you're right, you've already been working hard. You deserve a break."

And so, for the next week, Marcus took it easy and mostly goofed off for the entire time. He read a couple more books in that time after finishing the one he got from Lucy and took a lot of naps to take care of his fatigue. By the day it was time to gather in Hargeon for the trip to Tenrou island, he was back at one hundred percent and ready for the fights ahead as he stared solumnly out towards the sea. The others believed he was just serious about winning but Gajeel had noticed that he had been a bit distracted as the day approached. True to his past record, the saiyan shared nothing with him and pretended that everything was fine. One day, he will tell the guild everything he knew. But for now, he was focused on one thing.

Stop Acnologia before it can destroy Tenrou island and freeze them in time for seven years.

Alrighty, Imma just jump into the next chapter as soon as I get this posted and get it done as soon as possible. Until then, leave a review and I'll see ya later!