CH12: Change for the Better

Morning came quicker than expected. Zancrow was having the best dream about Erza and Laki pertaining to bedtime activities and he was in heaven. But before the dream sequence ended, he was rudely interrupted by the unlocking of his cell door. Immediately he woke up to find the actual scarlet wizard before him wearing her normal breastplate and blue skirt. Outside of his cell stood Grey and Natsu, obviously here to back up Erza should he cause any trouble.

But Zancrow was thrilled to get his magic back. He extended both his arms to Erza. "If you would be so kind." He said with his signature smirk.

Erza undid the first magic sealing bracelet. Zancrow felt a rush of magic run through his body. It was such an invigorating feeling. Now all he needed was the second one removed. But Erza made no such accommodations.

"What are you waiting for babe. You heard the master yesterday. He expects both these babies off as of now."

Erza grabbed Zancrow by his robe and pulled him towards her. "I warn you. Once I release you from your second binding you will be at full power. But should you try anything at all, at the first sight of trouble, I will kill you. You'll be begging for Makarov's punishment by the time I'm through with you. Do you understand?"

Zancrow could hear the seriousness in her voice. This wasn't just a threat; it was a promise. 'Have I not had enough death threats to last me the year.' He asked himself. "Yes ma'am." He responded.

Taken aback from such a response, the scarlet mage released Zancrow from his second bracelet. Immediately, Zancrow powered up, engulfing himself in his black flame aura as he felt his God Slaying magic come back to him completely. He smirked evilly as he shook the room. When he was done intimidating his guildmates, he looked to see both Gray and Natsu now in his cell, battle ready. The only calm one was Erza holding them back.

"Calm down kiddies, I'm on your side now. Hehehe."

"Yea right." Natsu said skeptically.

The God Slayer proceeded to exit his cell and go upstairs to the main lobby where all the food was. Once there, he was greeted by a whole guild staring at him. All of them looked cautious, especially Wendy and Lucy whom both have experienced the God Slayer's brutality firsthand.

"Why don't you all paint a picture? It will last longer!" Zancrow stormed out of the guildhall. As good as the food smelled today, he didn't want to be anywhere near the guild. After all, he was on probation. All eyes were going to be on him for quite a while. He decided to eat out for breakfast this morning. He had lived in Magnolia for seven years so he knew just where to go for the best pancakes. There was a privately-owned shop not too far from the Magnolia Bakery which Zancrow loved. He made his way through the crowds and finally found his target.

"There you are." Zancrow said dreamily.

The place was called Lacey's Cottage. It certainly did not look like much. After all, it was embedded in between two clothing stores. However, Zancrow knew its potential. He walked in and sat himself in the bar area. He was greeted by the owner which was none other than Lacey. She had blonde hair down to her shoulders which was complimented by her dazzling blue eyes. Her bosom was of average proportion like Erza's and her height didn't exceed 5'2". She was a cutie.

"Hi Zancrow." She said with a smile. "What can I get for you?"

Zancrow placed in his usual breakfast order and Lacey went to the kitchen to prepare it. "Too bad more people don't know about this place. Great waitresses…" Zancrow pictured Lacey in her sexy maid uniform, "and the food is great."

After he chowed down on a massive stack of pancakes, eggs, and bacon, he was stuffed. He thanked Lacey for the meal and was about to head out but he decided to stay a little longer. After all, just because he wore the Fairy Tail guild mark didn't mean they wanted him back in the hall anytime soon. He thought about what Makarov said. Could he come to eventually not hate the guild? Or at least Natsu? That would be a start. He gritted his teeth just thinking about him. His thoughts were promptly interrupted by a rude gentleman across the restaurant.

"Come on baby don't be like that. I heard you provide sexy services in this dump."

"Not those kinds of services sir!"

"Serving customers with a smile, is that not what your motto is here?" he asked.

Zancrow looked over to see Lacey being manhandled by what looked like a merchant traveler. He was guarded by two bodyguards both smirking as their boss grabbed Lacey and pulled her into his lap against her will.

"Would you change your mind if I throw in a hefty tip? Or do I have to threaten to burn this establishment down?" He said with a smirk.

The other customers looked nervous when they saw the merchant forcing himself on the waitress and Zancrow decided, probation or not, he cannot let this scum get away with this. He got up from his spot after leaving a tip for Lacey and approached the merchant. Naturally his body guards got in his way. He looked at Lacey then to the Traveler.

"I don't think she finds your lap comfortable." The God Slayer said.

"And what are you going to do about it boy."

Zancrow's cockiness disappeared. Nobody calls him boy and get away with it. All hell was about to break loose.

…

Erza was shopping in downtown magnolia for new outfits. She had gotten a new top that would look cute on any girl and carried a brand-new purse for her assets. 'This certainly makes up for dealing with Zancrow in the morning.' She thought.

(BOOM)

Erza saw a small shop's door explode whilst being consumed in black flames. She saw multiple customers running out of the building including one scared Lacey. "Goddammit." She said as she darted in the store's direction after dropping her bags. She reequipped into her Sea Empress armor and barged into the establishment. What Erza saw shocked her. Furniture was everywhere, plates were broken, and two men were on the floor unconscious. She then saw Zancrow in the corner holding up what seemed like a businessman against the wall by his shirt.

"What's the meaning of this Zancrow?"

"Why don't you ask this gentleman here." He responded as he threw the merchant across the room towards Erza.

She caught him and he grabbed ahold of her armor in fear. "You gotta help me lady, he's crazy! He attacked me and my men."

Erza shoved the man aside and drew her sword. "I thought we were clear on the rules." She said calmly.

"I figured this situation called for an exception. But of course, you're not even going to try to listen to my side of the story are you?" the God Slayer said whilst crossing his arms and frowning.

She looked back at the merchant who seemed pissed and back at Zancrow who seemed to have calmed down.

"Zancrow! Look what you did!" A furious Lacey walked into the building.

"What's going on?" Erza asked her.

Lacey calmed down and explained to the wizard all that had happened before the explosion. She told her about the shady men and how they were manhandling her in front of customers before Zancrow stepped in. She then faced Zancrow.

"I appreciate what you did for me, but next time tone it down. It's going take weeks to fix this mess." Lacey said while holding back tears. "I will put up with a little sexual harassment if it means that my business won't be burned down to the ground by your crazy magic! Zancrow, we go way back, but you owe me big time for this."

Zancrow felt sheepish and apologized to Lacey giving her a hug. "I will take extra job offers back at the guild to help you pay for this mess of course."

"You better. You do realize you won't be getting any of my pancakes anytime soon right. I mean, part of my kitchen was incinerated due to your rash actions."

Erza was stunned when Zancrow started apologizing again. He was actually trying to make amends for what he had done. Good intentions or not, Zancrow messed up and he was willing to rectify that mistake. Surely he never would have apologized back on Tenrou.

After talking to the law enforcers and signing some paperwork, Zancrow and Erza began making their way back to the guild. The merchant and his goons were arrested, and Lacey decided not to press charges on her friend if he paid her for the inconvenience.

"Who was she?" Erza asked.

"Who? Lacey? She's a friend of mine. Been going to her place for some good chow for the past couple of years. Small place but it has great food."

Erza looked at him puzzled.

"Yes, contrary to popular belief I do actually have some friends Erza. Even in our guild." Zancrow pulled ahead of her picking up the pace of his walk.

Erza smirked a bit at how already the guild was starting to change the God Slayer for the better.