Thunder Legion

Looking back, Lucy figured another reason she may have wanted to get into Sorcerer Weekly, was it may have been able to help her money situation.

"I'll tell you Plue!" Lucy lamented, as she goose stepped along the edge of the canal, "No matter what I do, I'm always in the red."

"Pun." Lucy took a breath, as she opened the door of her apartment.

"Well, I guess I'll figure something out."

"Hi Lucy!" Happy said, waving.

"Eh!?" Lucy squawked. Sitting on her table, eating a fish, was Happy. Lying on her bed was Natsu.

"Are your brains black holes or something?!" Lucy demanded, before noticing Natsu groaning, "What's wrong with him?" Happy looked to Natsu, frowning.

"He's been like that for a while now," he said, "It probably the side effect of eating the Etherion."

"How do you that?"

"Because it happened when he tried to eat Laxus' lightning," Happy answered. There was a brief pause.

"Say what?" Lucy said.

"When Natsu was younger, he tried to eat Laxus' lightning," Happy repeated, "It didn't work."

"I thought as much," Lucy said with a sigh, as she looked down at the clearly uncomfortable Natsu. Damn my natural sweetness Lucy thought.

"You can stay here for a little while, at least until Natsu is feeling better," Lucy said.

"Really?" Happy asked, "So we can sleep in your bed?"

"Guess," Lucy answered.

"We can!" Happy said excitedly.

"You can sleep on the floor!" Lucy said.

The remainder of the night was spent with Natsu still groaning in bed, and Lucy doing a little writing. She was glad Cana wasn't there, seeing as the drunk would not doubt be all over this gossip.

"Hey Lucy!" Happy said, floating up, holding something.

"Yeah?" Lucy answered, turning.

"What going to do for the festival?" Happy asked.

"Festival?" Lucy paused as she thought, before remembering and saying, "Oh yeah, its the Harvest Festival! That means the Fantasia parade!"

"Aye!" Happy answered.

"Oh I don't know," Lucy said with a shrug, "I'll probably just watch, or maybe play a couple games."

"Really?" Happy asked, cocking his head, "You aren't going to be in the contest?"

"What contest?"

Happy held up a flier. The flier read: "Ms. Fairy Tail Contest". Apparently it was some sort of beauty pageant where the girls of Fairy Tail would use this opportunity to show off their stuff to the guild. But what really caught Lucy's attention was the prime.

"500,000 jewels!" she said excitedly, "With that I'll be able to pay my rent money!"

"Aye!" Happy said, "But you shouldn't get your hopes up." Lucy glared at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"Well, Mira and Erza are going to be in it too," Happy answered, "And one of them always wins!" Lucy fell to her knees in despair.

"What chance do I have?" she muttered.

"Aye, that's a good question," Happy said. Ironically, that actually served to make Lucy more intent. She quickly rose to her feet, and pumped her fists.

"I don't care if my odds are 10-1 or 100-1!" she declared, "I'm going to win that thing!"

(in the town Shirotsume)

There was a dark guild known as Ghoul Spirit. Not necessarily a dark guild with that great of substance, but a dark guild nonetheless, which meant it had to be removed. And Fairy Tail was in the process of doing that.

The last dark mage fell to the ground, defeated. Standing over him was a man with long green hair, carrying a rapier.

"These people weren't even strong enough to be considered a guild," he said. On his hand was a green Fairy Tail mark.

"Screw them being a guild!" a tall guy wearing a hood and a visor, "They aren't good enough to even be considered mages!" He stuck his tongue out, showing a Fairy Tail mark.

"Screw them! Screw them!" a group of dolls hovered around him echoing his words.

"They are beneath even our attention!" a woman with glasses said, as she fanned herself. On her breast was a Fairy Tail symbol.

One of the dark mages managed to climb to his feet, and began to limp away.

"Oh look, one of the rats is trying to escape," the woman said, as she collapsed her fan, and adjusted her glasses.

"He won't get far," the man with the vizor responded.

"Won't get far! Won't get far!"

And as it turns out, he was right. At that moment, a bolt of lightning struck down, blasting the would be escapee. The lightning then reformed, as it revealed Laxus. He smiled darkly, standing on the charred body of his enemy.

"The time has come," he said, "Let's set Fairy tail straight!"

(in Magnolia)

"I think everything's ready, Master!" Mirajane said. They were walking down the street, checking everything over again for the festival.

"That's good," Makarov said with a nod, "Let's make sure tomorrow goes off without a hitch!" Mirajane nodded with a smile, before pausing, her smile fading slightly, as something came to her mind.

"What about Laxus?" she asked. Makarov stopped abruptly. He took a breath.

"What of him?" he asked.

"I hear he's in town," Mirajane said, "I thought you knew."

"I do," Makarov answered with a nod.

(the next day)

As Lucy walked down the street, she noticed vendors lining the road selling Fairy Tail merchandise. She was a tad disquieted noticing a few of those Lucy dolls. The girl just hoped that no little kids picked those out. Natsu, who ended up spending the night with her, not something Lucy was entirely happy about (but not entirely unhappy either, which she found strange), was trailing behind her, still apparently slightly ill. When they got to the guild, they were met by Gray and Juvia.

"Must… eat…," Natsu stuttered as he headed to the food stands.

"Aye! Chow time!" Happy said excitedly.

"He's still feeling bad," Lucy said, sympathetic.

"From what I hear, that's too be expected," Juvia answered, "He did put a lot of strain on his body."

"Just let him eat," Gray said, "He'll be back to his old self in no time."

"I guess somethings never change." Everyone turned, and saw a man of average height, with big lips, tan skin, and black hair approaching them.

"Warren!" Gray said, "Its been a while since we've seen you!"

"You're Warren Rocko!" Lucy said, "I've heard about you!"

"Glad to know it," Warren said, smiling, "Sorry I couldn't have met you earlier. I take a lot of jobs."

"I'm one of the newest members! I'm Lucy!" Lucy said.

"I'm Juvia!" Juvia said, "And I'm with Gray!"

"That's not true!" Warren chuckled at that.

"I'll keep that in mind," he said, "Well I'e got to get in. Almost time for the contest."

"IT IS?!" Lucy cried, "I'm going to be late!" She then ran into the guild hall, pushing past Natsu, and too the stage. Natsu, who was snacking on a meet sandwich, looked up. He hadn't been really paying attention when Lucy said she was going to be the contest, but now…

"A contest?" Juvia asked.

"Yeah, its some kind of beauty pageant," Gray explained.

"Beauty pageant?" Juvia echoed, as her eyebrow arched.

"Yeah, not really something I…," Gray didn't get to finish as Juvia started to steam.

"I will not let that alone win," she hissed, as she ran after Lucy, "I'm participating as well!"

"Let's go watch!" Natsu said firmly.

"Since when were you into that?" Gray asked.

"None of your business Frosty!" Natsu said quickly, as he headed down to the guild hall.

"He's not pursuing a fight?" Warren said, "That's bizarre."

"Eh, who cares?" Gray said.

(in the guild hall)

Lucy peaked behind the curtain, seeing all the people, mostly guys, assembled before the stage. It suddenly seemed very daunting, something that strangely flared up when she saw Natsu sitting in the audience.

"You don't have to worry," Erza said, coming up behind her, "Just show your stuff."

"That's not what I'm worried about," Lucy said. Erza looked over the stage, noticing Natsu.

"Are you worried about Natsu seeing you?" she asked, a certain twinkle in her eye. Lucy jumped slightly, her face turning the same color of Erza's hair.

"No! No!" she said quickly, "Why would I be?"

"Of course," Erza said, with a grin and a shrug.

"Hello, Magnolia!" Max said as he came onto the stage, "Welcome to the Ms. Fairy Tail Contest! I'm Max Alors, the Master of Ceremonies in this battle of the beauties!"

In the audience, Natsu was sitting with Gray and Elfman, chewing on a piece of bread.

"Elfman I can understand," Gray said, "But why are you here?"

"Its because he's a man!" Elfman said.

"None of your beeswax," Natsu answered. Gray noticed he was blushing slightly. So he decided to get some mileage with that.

"You like one of the girls up there don't you?" he said with a smirk.

"He's in loooove," Happy said.

"What was that Ice Ass?" Natsu said, as he stood up to face his rival, ignoring what Happy said.

"You heard me Flame Brain!" Gray answered.

"Why don't you stop a little closer and say that again!"

"With pleasure!"

"Real men settle arguments like this!" Elfman said.

Their fight went unnoticed by the others, as the pageant proceeded.

"First in line is the woman who could either knock you out with booze or with her looks, its Cana Alberona!" The card mage took the stage, scantily dressed enough that Lucy wondered what she would even do at this point.

"Hate to start this contest with such a high note, but its survival of the fittest here!" Cana said, as she pulled out her cards. The cards then glowed, as they encircled her body. When they dissipated, it revealed Cana in a swimsuit, which earned her massive cheers.

"Amazing!" Max roared.

"Oh no," Lucy bemoaned.

"That's clever," Erza said, "Maybe I should do it too."

"Number two is the sun signing through the rain, Juvia Lockser!"

Juvia took a breath, as she held her arms in. Let this reach you my beloved Prince! she thought, before she turned her body into a torrent of water. When she emerged, she was wearing a swimsuit.

"Another swim suit? Damn her!" Lucy whined.

"Mhm!" Erza said with a nod.

"Can you see me, Gray?" Juvia called. Gray caught himself looking up briefly.

"Hey!" Natsu said, "Are we fighting are not?!" Gray just glared at Natsu, before pushing him off.

"I'm done wasting my time with you," he said, as he sat back down. Natsu just glared at him, before turning back to his food.

"Why can't I eat any fire?" he muttered.

"A real man knows when to stop!" Elfman said.

"Coming in number three is our own bar maiden, and the multiple time cover girl of Sorcerer Weekly, its the one and only… Mirajane Strauss!"

Mirajane came out to address the audience, still in her hair maid outfit.

"Even Mira's competing?" Lucy cried, "I'm so doomed!"

"This may be harder than I thought," Erza mused.

"Thank you all for coming," Mirajane said, "Let me show my transformation magic!" She then held up her hands over her face. Almost every male in the audience got ready to witness what Fairy Tail's famous hottie would do. She took her hands away…

"This is my Happy face!" Mirajane said, her head now Happy's, "Aye!"

"EH!" everyone in the guild lambasted.

"And if that's not enough…," Mirajane said, swiping her hand over her face again, revealing Gajeel's face, "Try Gajeel!" Said Dragon Slayer spat out his drink.

"Mira!" Elfman cried.

"That's the best ever!" Happy said jumping up.

"I had a feeling you'd say that," Gray said.

"Well that's a relief," Lucy said with a sigh.

"Now's not the time to laugh," Erza said as she jumped into the stage.

"Erza!" Lucy cried out, "Have mercy!"

"Number four, we have the re-quip wizard extraordinaire, the beauty whose name matches her name, its our own Fairy Queen, Erza Scarlet!" Erza cracked her knuckles, as she suddenly started glowing. When the glow faded, it showed her dressed in a gothic lolita outfit.

"Gothic lolita!" Lucy exclaimed, as she jumped a whole two feet into the air, "Why did I have to be the one going last?"

"Fantastic!" Max said, "Now let's go on to number five! She may be a bookworm, but she's more like a book butterfly, its Levy McGarden!"

"I may not be as sexy as the others," Levy said, as she took the stage, and pulled out her pens, "but I've got this…" She then used her Solid Script magic, and created a massive series of letters from different substances, spelling out "Fairy Tail".

"I don't even care anymore," Lucy said, as she lay onto the floor.

"In number six, its our slinger from the South, our very own cowgirl, Bisca Mulan!"

"Go for it, Bisca!" Alzack called out.

"Why are you two not together yet?" Macao asked. Alzack then immediately sat back down, his face even redder than Natsu's was.

Bisca appeared on stage, wearing a bikini, much to Lucy's chagrin.

"And this isn't even the show!" Bisca said as she pulled out her gun, along with three coins. She then tossed them into the air, and shot once. The gun mage then held out her hand, and caught the three coins. Bisca then held up the coins, each one a hole through the center.

"Try this on for size?" she said with a smirk.

Lucy stood up straight. It was her turn now. I can do this! Lucy said, pumping her fist.

"In number seven, the last, but definitely not least, its our Celestial Maiden, the Key to much of the guild's happiness, the legendary Lucy Hea…"

"Don't say my name!" Lucy said as she jumped onto the stage, in front of everyone. Natsu suddenly looked at the stage, strangely interested in what was going on.

"Why did you suddenly start paying attention?" Gray asked.

"Because he's a man!"

"I told you, he's in loooove," Happy chimed in.

Lucy took a deep breath, as she pulled out her keys, along with a couple pompons.

"We're going to perform a little cheer for you all!" she said, holding up a key to begin. Natsu suddenly was watching with great intent.

"Entry number eight!" a new female voice interrupted. Everyone turned, as a tall woman in a bright green dress, with dark blonde hair emerged.

"Hey, I haven't even started! Get in line!" Lucy demanded.

"No need, I am a true fairy!" the woman said, as she stepped forward, "And as such, I, the lovely Evergreen is the winner!"

"When did she get back?" Gray asked.

"Will you give me a freaking break!" Lucy demanded, "I need this money!"

"Lucy!" Natsu cried, as he jumped up, and started running towards the stage, "Don't look into her eyes!"

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Evergreen said as she looked at Lucy, and pulled up her glasses.

"LUCY!" Natsu cried. But it was too late. In a flash, Lucy had turned into a statue. The shock caused Natsu to lose his footing as he fell to the ground. He then looked up at Lucy. Natsu then let out an animalistic growl. His chest began to glow ever so slightly, as steam leaked from his lips.

"Everyone get out of here!" Max ordered to the crowd.

"What is the meaning of this, Evergreen?!" Makarov demanded, jumping onto the stage, "Are you trying to ruin everything?" Evergreen just snickered.

"Actually, I think things will be getting interesting here," she sneered. The curtain was then raised, revealing all the other contestants, also statues.

"Mira!" Elfman cried.

"Juvia!" said Gray.

"Even Erza!" Happy exclaimed.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Makarov roared, "Return them to normal now!" There was then a glow over the ceiling, and when people looked up, a bolt of lighting crashed down the stage.

"Well ain't this a shame? All the fanboys turned tail and ran." Standing on the stage was Laxus, grinning maniacally.

"A serious shame, since things were just getting interesting!"

That was when Gray noticed two other things.

"Freed! Bixlow!" Sure enough, both members were standing on the sidelines.

"When did the Thunder Legion get back?" Macao asked.

"I've had just about enough of this!" Makarov said, "Now turn them back!"

"I'd play nice if I were you," Laxus said, as he snapped his fingers. A bolt of lightning then struck down right next to Lucy.

"Now I think my message is clear," Laxus said, "I'm taking these lovely ladies hostage. And if you want them to be in the parade, I'd play along."

"I've always wondered who was strongest," Freed said as he jumped up next to Laxus.

"Let's fight and find out!" Bixlow said, as he landed next to him.

"Fight! Fight!" his dolls echoed.

"The rules are simple," Laxus said, "The last one standing wins! Its a Fairy Tail battle royale!"

"LAXUS!" Natsu roared as he jumped up, his chest now glowing bright. He inhaled, and got ready to breath fire, but Laxus blasted him with lightning, and he fell to the ground.

"Poor guy, just when he was feeling better," Happy said with a sigh.

"If you want to turn the girls turned back, you've got to beat us," Evergreen said, "You've got three hours, and if you fail, these girls are turned to rubble!"

"LAXUS!" Makarov bellowed as he grew to his giant size, "I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS!"

"Now that's the spirit!" Laxus said, as he suddenly flashed bright, "Let the battle begin!" When the light faded, he and the Thunder Legion were gone.

"Let's go!" Elfman roared, "Let's be men, and save our girls!" Everyone in Fairy Tail let out cries of agreement, and ran out to fight.

Alzack looked up at the statue of Bisca, and clenched his fist. Don't worry, I'll save you! he thought, and with that, he ran out as well.

"That insolent snot!" Makarov roared as he tried to run out as well, "I'm going to kick…" He was abruptly silenced as he ran into thin air.

"What's wrong?" Gray asked, turning.

"I'm trapped in one of Freed's enchantments," Makarov answered, pointing up at some letters, "It is says that stone statues and those over the age of 80 can't leave! The rules are absolute, and I can't leave!"

"Well then," Gray said, "It looks like you'll have to sit this one out." He then ran out.

Makarov took a breath, as he thought about what was going on. I'm not sure anyone can beat him at the time, he thought, Maybe Erza, but not in her present condition. And nobody else is in town. He then turned, and saw Reedus.

"Reedus?" he asked. The round man let out a yelp.

"O-oui?" he asked.

"You need to…," Makarov began, before being interrupted by Natsu's cry as he got up.

"Laxus!" he said, before looking around.

"You're awake!"

"Where'd everyone go?" the Dragon Slayer asked, before pausing, and looking towards the stage. He then saw Lucy as a statue.

"Lucy!" he cried. He then ran up to check that she wasn't damaged. As he did, Makarov combed his thoughts again. Maybe at his absolute best, he may be able to do it. After all, Erza said he managed to beat Jellal.

"Natsu!" Makarov called. Said pink-haired man turned.

"Laxus and the others are hiding somewhere in Magnolia!" Makarov said, "Now go out there, find them, and kick their asses!" Natsu looked again briefly at Lucy.

"I'll save you!" he muttered, before turning and roaring, "Alright! I'm all fired up!" He then ran towards the entrance.

"Here I come Lax…," he didn't get to finish, as he crashed into the the same barrier, much to everyone's surprise.

(in Magnolia)

"Find anything?" Droy called as he and Jet ran up to Alzack.

"No, I was hoping you did!" Alzack answered.

"Damn them!" Jet said, "Taking the girls hostage like that! I can't wait to find them, and beat them in!"

"First we have to find them," Alzack said, "Now, we've checked…" He was silenced when suddenly a massive wall of purple runes rose in front of him.

"What the hell?" he said.

"Isn't this one of Freed's enchantments?" Droy asked.

"I think so, what does it say?" Jet inquired.

"If two are more people enter this, only the strongest may leave," Alzack read.

"Strongest, does that mean…" A silent dread fell over them.

"Don't tell me we have to fight?" Jet said.

"I can't fight these guys!" Droy said to the runes, "What do we do now?" The duo looked towards Alzack, figuring he would have an answer. Instead he was silent, as he slowly looked up.

"I have to save her."

(at Fairy Tail)

"What the hell's going on?!" Makarov said, "You're clearly not a stone statue, and don't tell me you're over 80!"

"Are you?" Happy asked.

"I don't think so," Natsu said, as he pushed himself against it, before letting out an angry roar, as he started punching the barrier.

"Damn it! Let me out!" he roared, "I've got to save Lucy!" He didn't know why, but Natsu could only think of Lucy at this current moment.

Makarov pinched himself between his eyes, before he and the others noticed something. Alzack vs. Jet vs. Droy.

"Ce qui?" Reedus asked, "Why are they fighting?"

"They'd never," Makarov said, narrowing his eyes. It then changed to Victor: Alzack. The implications of that suddenly set in.

"Don't tell me," Makarov muttered.

(at the cathedral)

Laxus smirked, as he cracked his neck.

"Tell me old man," he said, "How long will you let your precious children eat each other alive?"

Note: So, let the battle begin. This was really long, as many of these will probably end up being. This arc may not be up to par, since I'm still not sure how to differentiate individual arcs. The same can be said for the other arcs.

Something about this, Natsu's growl is, again, similar to that of Smaug, which for the record, was based on the growl of an alligator.

I need to tell everybody something I'm going to do. I've decided to carry a few things from EOTBD into EOTFD. As to what said things will be, well, you're going to have to be patient I'm afraid.

Another thing I need to explain, is that it is highly recommended, that you be up to date with the manga. That said, there's a point deep into the story, where something will happen, and if you've read the manga, you know what I'm talking about. While its far off, I have two potential ways to take this concept. I could use another person's input on that, but ONLY (and I can't stress that enough) if you don't have a problem with a spoiler as to what could happen, you can PM me.