Doing Bad to Do Good

There was an explosion off in the distance.

"What's going on?" a townsman asked.

"Fairy Tail's brawling again," another guy said.

"They are? I've never seen them fighting like that before," a third guy said, "Its almost like…" They were suddenly silenced, when the wall next to them exploded.

Vijeeter skidded to a halt, as Nab emerged from the dust, charging him.

"Just give up so I can go look for Laxus!" Nab yelled.

"This is a battle, I can't do that," Vijeeter answered, as he got ready o fight back.

(somewhere else in Magnolia)

"Purple Storm!" Macao said, as a flash of purple flames swarmed towards Wakaba, who breathed out a cloud of smoke in defense.

(somewhere else in Magnolia)

Warren ducked out of the way, avoiding Max's sand. He put his fingers on the side of his head to send his telepathic attacks.

(at the guild hall)

"Let me out of this place!" Natsu roared as he slammed into the barrier again. He backed up, before running head first into the barrier. He fell to the ground, spirals for eyes.

"I still doubt you'll be able to get through," Happy said, as he floated beside Natsu. Natsu got back to his feet, as his chest lit up, and fire blasted from his mouth, and against the barrier. It didn't do anything against the barrier.

"Stop wasting your power," Makarov said solemnly, but his attention wasn't there. All his attention was up at the barrier, as a series of names flashed across the screen.

Warren vs Max; Victor: Warren

Alzack vs Laki; Victor: Alzack

Those, and many other names appeared all over, as Makarov tightened his fists.

"Is this what Laxus meant when he said 'Battle of Fairy Tail'?" Happy asked. Natsu roared, as he butted his head against the barrier.

"Damn it!" he bellowed, "I've got to join the fight!" He was slapped upside the head by Makarov in response.

"What good would you joining do?" he scolded.

"I've got to go find Laxus, and save Lucy!" Natsu said, as he pushed up against the barrier again, "After I beat him, and prove I'm stronger, I'll make him turn Lucy and the others back to normal!"

"Prove your stronger?" Makarov asked, "You think this is what this is about?"

"What are you talking about?" Natsu asked, "We always fight!"

"Not like this," Makarov said, staring at the floor, "Our comrades lives are on the line! Laxus is using them to force us to hurt each other! We're losing ourselves in this!" Natsu was silent, as he looked at Makarov, and then at the girls.

"Laxus wouldn't do that," he said, with a smile. Makarov looked up at Natsu, in shock.

"No matter what, he's still one of us," Natsu said, "He talks a big game about hurting the girls, but he wouldn't do that." His eyes briefly looked to Lucy, and his smile wavered for a brief time. He remembered Laxus tried to blast her, but he intentionally missed.

"This is just a tournament to show whose the strongest!" Natsu said as he pressed against the barrier again, "Now if I could just get out!"

"I can get through just fine," Happy piped up as he flew in and out in demonstration. Makarov looked at Natsu struggling against the enchantment. Even after all this, he still considers Laxus a comrade he thought. However, Makarov could hear the doubt behind his words. He remembered seeing Natsu's reaction when Laxus' lightning struck the stage next to Lucy, and how he was screaming that he had to save Lucy.

(on the outskirts of Magnolia)

Reedus ran down the streets, taking the unused routes in hopes that it would help him avoid any of his guild mates. Makarov had sent him to go find Porlyusica, in hopes that maybe the apothecary may have something up her sleeve to solve the issue. The chances weren't that great, but it was all they had.

"Got to get to the house!" Reedus said, "Got to get to…" It was then that he slammed into thin air, and stumbled back.

"What?" he said, rubbing his nose. He looked up, and noticed a series of runes hovering in front of him.

"Don't tell me there's a barrier all around the town!" he said. As he was saying that, several runes began to hover through the air, heading towards the ground. They began to form into a person.

"I can't allow anyone to violate my rules," a familiar voice said, "Laxus decreed that the battleground is Magnolia, and as such, no one shall be allowed to leave."

"Freed!" Reedus growled angrily, as he picked up his paintbrush and palette. Freed picked up his sword, and pointed it at Reedus.

"You're a mage, and you carry the symbol of Fairy Tail, yes?" he asked, "Now its time to prove your strength."

(in town)

Gray ducked into a clothing story, as he scanned the area, looking for Laxus, or at least Evergreen. If Evergreen was beaten, than the girls would be set free, and Laxus would lose his leverage over everyone else.

"Damn it!" he said, not finding anyone, as he turned to continue looking.

"Yo!"

"Yo! Yo!"

Gray whirled around, and saw Bixlow standing before him, his hands in his pockets, and his dolls floating about him. His tongue waved around, showing off that Fairy Tail mark. Seeing that made Gray fume.

"Bixlow," Gray hissed.

(somewhere else)

Elfman was charging through the streets, as he scoured for his foes. He had managed to avoid fighting with any of his friends, but he knew that he could only do that for so long.

As he was running, he sensed something, and he looked to the left. Standing there, was Evergreen.

"EVERGREEN!" Elfman roared, as he shot straight at her. The green-clad woman sneered.

"Ever the brute," she said, as her hands rose to her glasses. Knowing what was coming, Elfman snapped his eyes shut, and looked down.

"Fighting with your eyes closed?" Evergreen said, "I fail to see how that is going to do any good." She then leapt into the air, and a pair of Fairy-esque wings appeared on her back, which started buzzing, as she rose into the air. Elfman then went right under her, and as he did, Evergreen held up her hands.

"Fairy Ray!" she said. A blast of light erupted from her hands, and hit Elfman in the back. It sent the Take-Over mage shooting through the air and a banner. Evergreen floated in the air, looking in Elfman's direction, grinning cruelly.

There was a growl, as Elfman emerged in Beast Soul, wearing a blindfold, as he attempted to attack Evergreen again.

"Not going to work," she said casually, as her hands started to glow.

(at Fairy Tail)

Elfman vs Evergreen; Victor: Evergreen

Freed vs Reedus: Victor: Freed

"Damn!" Natsu said, as he butted his head against the barrier again.

Makarov was silent, as his fists clenched so tightly, his nails were close to drain blood. With Reedus gone, he was officially out of options. There was nothing left for him to do at this point.

"Reedus was supposed to get a way to cure the stone spell!" Happy cried, "What are you going to do now?"

"It doesn't matter!" Natsu said, "Laxus is bluffing!" However, even Happy now could hear the traces of doubt in his voice.

"Oh I'm bluffing, are I?" Laxus' voice said. Everyone turned, and saw an image of Laxus standing there.

"A psychic projection?" Happy asked. Laxus glanced at Natsu.

"What are you scared to leave?" he asked with a smirk.

"No way!" Natsu answered angrily, "I can't get out!"

"I guess it doesn't matter," Laxus said, before looking to Makarov, "Tell me old timer, how does it feel seeing your wretches ripping each other apart like dogs? Considering that Erza's out of commission, and Natsu's trapped, nobody can take my Legion on." His face then twisted into an evil grin.

"Tell me," he said, "Do you surrender?" Makarov's remained silent, as he stared at Laxus.

"Gray's still fighting!" Happy piped up, as he floated up to Laxus, "Gray's as strong as Natsu! He can beat the Thunder Legion any day!"

"Whaddya you mean he's as strong as me?" Natsu hissed.

"He is!" Happy answered.

"Gray?" Laxus said, "Don't tell tell you have such expectation for that write off?" Makarov thought that over. Gray was powerful, and he could potentially defeat the Thunder Legion in a fight. Of course, the Legion wasn't known for fighting fair. But for now, Gray was their only hope.

"Don't underestimate Gray," Makarov said, "If you do, it may just help to be your downfall."

(somewhere else in Magnolia)

Gray skidded to a halt.

"Blast him!" Bixlow ordered.

"Blast him! Blast him!" The dolls of Bixlow shot at Gray.

"Ice Make Arrow!" Gray said, as a multitude of ice arrows shot at Bixlow. The dolls fired beams of magic energy from their eyes, destroying all the arrows.

Not missing a beat, Gray created a pole out of ice, which he then pole-vaulted towards Bixlow.

"Ice Make Rain!" A multitude of large piece of ice rained down at Bixlow, who managed to twist out of the way. Gray landed on the ground, as he turned to face his opponent. Said opponent just grinned maliciously.

"That's all?" he asked, "I'm disappointed. Now let's go babies!" However, his dolls didn't respond.

"Babies?" Bixlow looked over his shoulder, and noticed the dolls are frozen solid, "The hell?" Gray smirked.

"You always were easy to distract," he said. He then held up his hands.

"Ice Make: Harpoon!" A long, thin harpoon of ice then launched at Bixlow. Gray was smiling, thinking he had won. There was a burst of dust, and as the dust faded, Gray was shocked to see that in front of Bixlow, were mannequins.

"What the…"

"You don't understand my magic do you?" Bixlow said, "My Human Possession magic isn't limited to just my dolls. The souls that I've got, I can transfer to anywhere!"

"Then how about I put you on ice instead!" Gray said as he launched a blast of ice at Bixlow. However, the mannequins blocked the attack, as Bixlow turned and bolted.

"You're welcome to try!" he said.

"Get back here you asshole!" Gray yelled, as he ran after Bixlow.

The two ran down the street, Gray managing to keep pace with Bixlow if only barely.

"Ice Make Floor!" Gray said, as he slammed his hand onto the ground, as the ground was coated with ice, in hopes that it would cause Bixlow to lose his footing. Not only did it fail, but Bixlow managed to use it to his advantage. He slid down the street, with a sudden boost of speed.

"Thanks for that!" Bixlow sneered, looking over his shoulder.

"Ice Make Skates!" Gray said, creating a pair of skates, as he started to skate after Bixlow.

"Do your thing babies! X-Formation" Bixlow said. The mannequins floated over, and formed an "X", as they blasted their magic at Gray. Gray slid out the way, as he created a bow made out of ice, and shot more arrows at Bixlow, whose mannequins blocked it.

The mannequins then shot at Gray, intent on ramming him.

"Ice Make: Shield!" Gray said, as he created a wall of ice to block the attack. It succeeded, causing the mannequins to get stuck in the ice, and Gray quickly followed up, but getting together all the ice, and launching it in Bixlow's direction. There was another cloud of dust, but when it faded, Bixlow was nowhere to be scene.

"Over here!" Gray turned, and saw Bixlow in an alley, his legs propped up between the walls, as he stood over the ground.

"You bastard!" Gray yelled, as he charged at him.

"Bad idea," Bixlow sneered. And as it turned out, he was right. The moment Gray entered the alley, one of Freed's enchantments lit up. The mannequins then hovered in front of Gray.

"Its a shame," Bixlow said, "I had such high hopes for you…"

(at Fairy Tail)

Bixlow vs Gray; Victory: Bixlow

"What was that you were saying about Gray?" Laxus cackled.

"You mean to tell me Gray lost to that guy!" Natsu said, his chest flaring up.

"Bixlow must've cheated!" Happy said.

"Who cares?" Laxus said, "Fights aren't supposed to be fair, they're supposed to be won! And seeing as Gray's out for the count, I'd say I've won!"

"Gajeel's still here!" Happy said. Laxus let out a snort.

"That's idiot? He's not here! He doesn't even care about the guild!"

"Just fight me already! I'll incinerate you!"

"When are you going to shut up?"

"Laxus!" Everyone looked to the master, as he walked up to his grandson.

"You've made your point," Makarov said slowly, "But enough is enough." He then looked up, straight into Laxus' eye.

"I surrender."

"WHAT?!" Natsu roared, steam leaking from his mouth, "You can't let this guy have his way!"

Laxus was silent for a time, before a look of pure evil wormed its way onto his face.

"Oh I'm afraid that's not enough," he said, "If you want me to stop you'll have to give me something else." Makarov narrowed his eyes.

"And that would be…"

"Mastery over Fairy Tail!"

Note: I'm at a position where for the sake of the story, I have to stick close to canon for the next few chapters. I don't like it, but I have to, unless someone has an idea how I could alter the canon. But for now, I'm probably not going to dwell on the non-major battles. The best I could do is try and expand on Gray and Bixlow's battle slightly.

On an unrelated, I actually saw a guest reviewer essentially ordering me that I not do NaLu. Why you can feel free to have a different interest (I actually do like NaZa, though I like NaLu slightly more), I'm not making this for any one person. If you don't like NaLu, which I said would occur in this in the beginning, then don't complain when there are NaLu scenes.