Mama Mirajane-18
It was a bright sunny morning in Magnolia as Scythe sat up, stretching in his bed as he pulled himself out of bed, feeling like he had the best sleep of his life. With a smile, Scythe went through his daily routine with a flash of royal blue lightning, fully cleaned, dressed, and ready for the day.
"Morning mom." Scythe smiled coming out of his room. "Morning Uncle Elfman."
"Morning sweetie, breakfast is almost ready." Mira smiled stirring the pan with the spatula.
"Morning young man, did you sleep well?" Elfman asked reading the morning paper.
"I slept perfectly fine, better than I had in months." Scythe smiled, before noticing something, Scythe couldn't read the words on the newspaper, almost as if they were intentionally written in gibberish, or as if he had lost his ability to read.
"So, what's your plan for today?" Mira asked putting the plate of food down in front of him.
"You already know mom, I gotta get started on my float for the Harvest Festival." Scythe exclaimed as he began to eat, finding that the food had no flavour to it at all.
"Anything else?" Mira questioned sitting down beside Elfman with her own plate of food.
"No, I'll be working on my float for the next couple of days, if I work on it none stop, and only take bathroom and snack breaks, I'll have it done and ready in time for the Harvest Festival's Fairy Parade." Scythe explained as he felt like something wasn't right.
"You sure you've got nothing else planned young man?" Elfman asked, lowering the paper, causing Scythe to stare in shock.
"Uncle Elfman, what happened to the scar under your right eye? It's gone." Scythe questioned standing up a bit.
"Oh that? It was a fake, I put it on to seem manlier." Elfman smiled.
"No it wasn't." Scythe stated as he figured out what was wrong. "You got that scar when you failed a full body Takeover that resulted in Aunt Lisanna's death. I saw pictures of you after getting the stitches at the ER."
Scythe grabbed the knife by his plate and raised it up, thrusting it in to his heart.
~Reality~
Scythe woke with a start as his eyes shot open and he gasped for breath. He looked around, and found he was in a containment cell of some kind. His arms and legs were constrained holding him in the star position, blocking him from using any of his magic to break out of there.
"What the hell is this, where am I?" Scythe questioned struggling against his restraints.
"Good morning Son of Acnologia." A man wearing a lab coat, with emerald green hair, and a pair of goggles on his forehead, stated coming into the lab.
"Where the hell am I?" Scythe questioned. "Who the hell are you?"
"I am Professor Geld, I am the head expert for magical weapons and artifacts development and research branch, for the Magic Council's Department of Defense." Geld explained. "I had received a package from a concerned citizen. Inside the package was a lacrima video, and a letter explaining where I could find you, what you currently look like, and it also explained how I could catch you off guard in order to interrogate you and bring you here. You just broke free off my first attempt at finding out your plans of destroying the world."
"I don't have any plans of destroying the world you maniac. I'm a member of Fairy Tail, a guild that would defend the kingdom with our lives." Scythe shouted as he remembered, he was heading to the hardware store in order to get some materials for his float for the parade, but had suddenly passed out. "You had used an odorless sedative in mist form in order to knock me out and capture me didn't you?"
"How perceptive of you, no wonder you're a threat, Acnologia must be so proud of his son." Geld smiled grabbing a syringe and filling it with liquid. "Then again that was about a week ago, so sorry to say, you won't have time to finish your float before the parade tonight."
"Dumbass, my father doesn't even know I exist." Scythe growled. "Plus if you hadn't noticed, I use Godslayer magic, not Dragonslayer."
"Oh I'm well aware of the different types of magic you wield, the video lacrima also contained several snippets of you using your magic, including at the concert when you took that innocent boy's life." Geld stated flicking the body of the syringe.
"Jack wasn't an innocent boy. He lost his humanity when he unlocked a forbidden stage of his Demonslayer magic. He left me with no choice." Scythe shouted.
"Oh, I highly doubt that." Geld smiled holding up a familiar pendent.
"Grandmother's pendent." Scythe gasped.
"Oh, this belonged to your grandmother, I'll be sure to let you wear it when the council sends Weapon-Alpha, on missions." Geld smiled sticking the needle in Scythe's arm.
"What are you doing to me?" Scythe questioned.
"I'm just allowing you a chance to atone for the murder of that young boy, by serving as the Council's secret weapon, more powerful than the Etherion Blast, and the Faces." Geld smirked.
"The what?" Scythe asked.
"Oopsies, I blabbed, but in all honesty I'm not even supposed to know about it, because it's so powerful it could wipe out all the magic in the country. Only members of the actual Council are supposed to know about it, I'm just the head scientist. I had managed to overhear them blabbing about it when I stopped outside Councilman Org's office to hand in a report." Geld stated in mock shock. "Now be a good boy, and allow this drug to take effect."
"W-what did you inject into me?" Scythe asked as he felt his consciousness slipping away.
"Just a little sedative that will make the mind wipe go much smoother." Geld smiled as Scythe fell asleep. "Sweet dreams."
~Fairy Tail~
"Oh, where could Scythe be?" Mira questioned as she got impatient. "He said he was going for parts to finish his float with, but that was a week ago. The parade it tonight."
"Calm down Mira, true him disappearing is odd like this, so I'm sure he's fine; but still, I've called in a couple favors from some old friend of mine, they should be able to find him in no time." Makarov stated.
"I wonder what could have happened to him. He's usually not gone this long without letting either me or Elfman know." Mira exclaimed.
"We'll find him don't worry." Makarov smiled. "In the meantime, I believe it's time for the Ms. Fairy Tail Pageant."
"I suppose you're right." Mira sighed as she went to the backstage of the platform.
"The long wait is finally over, ladies and gentlemen." Max exclaimed over the microphone. "Welcome to the one and only, Miss Fairy Tail Pageant, where your favorite fairies fight in a battle of beauty. I'm Max Alors, sand Sorcerer Extraordinaire, and I'll be your host for this exciting event."
The crowd cheered as they were all waiting in anticipation for the Pageant to start. The scene moved over the crowd, stopping at Grey, Happy, Natsu, and Elfman, with Natsu stuff his face with food as his body was finally starting to feel the effects of the Ethernano he ate at the Tower of Heaven.
"I expected to see Elfman here, but why you?" Grey asked as Natsu stuffed a pastry in his mouth.
"Because he's a man." Elfman declared.
"Actually here's here to see Lucy in the cheerleader outfit she's going to be wearing." Happy teased.
"Now let's meet entry number one! The exotic beauty who'll drink you under the table any day of the week. Cana Alberona." Max announced as the spotlight converged on her. "Now bust out some magic and show us your stuff."
Cana smiled as she pulled out a deck of cards, and sent them spinning around her body in a show of magical skills.
"She sent her deck spinning. What could she be doing behind all those cards?" Max questioned as a flash of light erupted from the cards and revealed Cana in a seductive pose in an orange and green striped bikini. "She changed into a swimsuit!"
"The prize money can cover my tab." Cana smirked.
Behind the curtain at the entry side of the stage, Lucy was looking over with shock.
"A swimsuit, no fare." Lucy complained.
"That's a clever idea. Maybe I should do the same." Erza said peeking over under Lucy.
"You're in this too?" Lucy questioned.
"Whenever I hear the word 'contest', I get all worked up." Erza smiled.
"Bye-bye rent money. It's over for me." Lucy comically cried.
"On to entry number two!" Max announced. "She may be new to the guild, but her magic is S-Class. A radiant beauty in rain or shine, Juvia Loxar."
"Please." Juvia began. "Let these feelings reach you, my beloved prince."
"The lovely lady is all set for a fabulous day at the beach." Max exclaimed as Juvia had transformed into a purple dotted blue bikini.
"Look at me Grey, do you like what you see?" Juvia asked, her eyes dazzling like stars.
"Another swimsuit? Gimme a break." Lucy complained.
"Next up is entry number three, Fairy Tail's famous centerfold. Her beauty has stolen the hearts of men and women all over the land, and she is the mother of our infamous S-Class Etherion Godslayer. Mirajane." Max announced jumping out of the way.
"Whoa, Mirajane is a mother?" Warren, a somewhat tall man with date tan skin and black hair questioned as Mira came up on stage.
"Yeah, it's a bit of a story, but I'll explain it to ya later Warren." Grey chuckled, remembering how he was one of the few members who weren't present when Mira showed the reel of the home video taken during her last day of pregnancy.
"Now show us your stuff." Max exclaimed.
"My specialty is transformation magic, so I'll show you a new side of me." Mira smiled putting her hands over her face. "This is my, Happy face. Aye." Mira stated moving her arms away quickly before moving her hands over her face again changing its appearance. "Here's my Gajeel face."
"BOO." Gajeel shouted.
Over at the table with the quartet of men and one cat, Happy was laughing his face off as Natsu was still working on the same pastry as before.
"Well I'm glad at least someone's enjoying this." Grey exclaimed.
"She's a man?" Elfman questioned.
"Oh well, less competition for me." Lucy smiled. "Hey wait, on the flyer didn't it say Scythe was supposed to be judging this pageant?"
"He was, but he's been missing for a week now, so Mira still did her act that would have made him feel less creeped out by seeing his mother on stage." Erza exclaimed.
"Entry number four, the Fairy Queen who needs no introduction…" Max began.
"That's my cue." Erza stated jumping out on stage.
"Erza Scarlet." Max shouted.
"Wow she's really popular." Lucy exclaimed feeling bad about her chances of winning.
"Let me show you a requip you don't get to see every day." Erza smiled.
With that, Erza focused her magic on a specific outfit that didn't have any armor to protect her at all.
"Gothic Lolita?" Lucy shouted in shock?
"Looks like I win." Erza smiled.
"Never thought I'd see her dress like that." Macao stated.
"Oui." Reedus agreed.
"Here is entry number five. Petite and cute, this fairy is as smart as she is charming." Max announced. "Let's hear it for Levy McGarden."
"Levy." Jet and Droy cheered loudest.
"Let me show you my solid script." Levy smiled as she made the words, snow, metal, butterfly, and flower, appear floating behind her in their own unique design.
"Levy." Jet and Droy cheered again as they had hearts surrounding them.
"Here we have entry number six. The sniper with the sights on your heart, the one and only Bisca Mulan." Max announced as Bisca stood there already dressed in a purple bikini.
Bisca held up four coins with a heart on each of them, before throwing them up into the air, and reequipping her favorite sniper rifle. Aiming up, Bisca fired once, hitting all four coins before holding out her hand, and catching the coins, and holding them between her fingers, with a smile, revealing a perfectly aligned hole in each coin.
"That's hot." Alzak exclaimed hearts in his eyes.
"How can I top that?" Lucy questioned.
"Let's move on to entry number sever, Fairy Tail's rising star." Max began.
"Here we go." Lucy stated feeling determined.
"She shines as brightly as the spirits that guide her way, Lucy Heart-"
"Ah. Please don't say my last name out loud!" Lucy pleaded. 'There's no way they'll give me the prize money if they find out who my dad is.'
"Now show us what you got." Max cheered on.
"Me and my celestial spirits are gonna do a cheer for you guys." Lucy exclaimed.
"Entry number eight." A woman's voice called from behind the stage.
"Hey hold on. I haven't even started to do my cheer yet." Lucy complained as Max was looking around.
"I and the very definition of Fairy. Not to mention the very definition of beauty." The woman stated, coming up from behind.
The woman was dressed in a green ball gown like outfit, with a skirt that only reached to her upper thighs, with a pair of fairy wings on her back, and glasses on her face, while her hair was done up in a pin through it. (Think of an evil human sized Tinkerbell with brown hair, glasses, and a fan.)
"I'm the only woman here who embodies everything men desire. Therefore, the winner is… Me, the lovely Evergreen. Now this idiotic contest can end." Evergreen stated.
"Whoa. She's back?" Grey questioned.
"Then Laxus must be here too." Elfman exclaimed.
"Can't you go mess up a different contest? Give me a break here. I really need this prize money." Lucy complained.
"Lucy don't look her in the eye." Grey shouted.
"I'm sorry, what was your name?" Evergreen asked, lifting her glasses.
The moment Evergreen stared Lucy in the face, she turned the blonde cheerleader to stone.
"This is bad. Everybody get out of here now!" Max exclaimed to the crowd.
"What do you think you're doing Evergreen?" Makarov shouted as the crowd of nonmembers ran out of there. "You'll ruin the festival for everyone."
"Ha-ha-ha. On the contrary. I think things are just getting interesting." Evergreen declared as the curtain behind her rose, and revealed all the participants of the pageant to be stone statues.
"No Mira." Elfman shouted.
"She got Erza too?" Happy questioned.
"Don't be a fool!" Makarov began. "Return them to normal this instant. Especially Mirajane, or you'll be on the receiving end of her son's wrath."
A bright light formed on the ceiling of the guildhall before a bolt of lightning struck down on stage. When the dust cleared, it was revealed Laxus was now on center stage.
"Well, looks like all your fans decided to head home. Pity because the party's about to start." Laxus smirked. "But I wouldn't worry about that little brat of Mira's. The Magic Council's head weapon developer is currently in the process of wiping his mind, to make the brat more controllable to be used as a weapon for the council's bidding."
"I should have known." Makarov growled.
Laxus moved his head to the right as he dodged an attack from Velvet that came from behind.
"You told the Magic Council he was an Etherion Godslayer didn't you?" Velvet screamed landing on the ground, dressed in the bikini she was going to wear for the pageant.
"Of course not. The council already knew about his magic because of the job he accepted from Councilman Org. No, I simply told them where and when they could find and nab Acnologia's son." Laxus smirked. "And how they could do it without him noticing."
"You're a monster." Velvet shouted before she froze as she was instantly turned to stone, as she unwittingly stared into Evergreen's eyes.
"Velvet." Happy shouted.
Grey looked over and saw a green haired man dressed in a red suit, as well as a man dressed in a blue suit with a helmet on, and several wooden dolls surrounding him.
"Fried, Bixlow too?" Grey questioned.
"The Thunder Legion." Macao stated.
"What the heck are you guys trying to pull?" Wakaba asked.
"C'mon, let's have some fun." Laxus smirked.
"I've had about enough of your nonsense. Turn them back, or else." Makarov exclaimed.
"You'd better play nice if you want these ladies to join the parade." Laxus stated as a bolt of lightning formed over Lucy's stone head.
"No stop." Makarov shouted, just as the lightning bolt struck beside her.
"In other words, I'm taking all of them hostage." Laxus smiled. "Taking Mira hostage would have been a pain if that brat of hers had still been here, so I had to get rid of him first. Break the rules and I'll shatter these chicks one by one. Or I could just smash them all right now."
"I'm not amused Laxus. Stop fooling around." Makarov stated.
"I'm serious, old man." Laxus stated as Fried and Bixlow joined him on stage.
"I've always wondered who was the strongest in the guild." Freed exclaimed. "Now it's time to find out."
"Yeah let's have some fun." Bixlow smiled.
"Fun, fun." The dolls floating around him repeated.
"There's only one rule. Who's ever left standing in the end is the winner." Laxus stated with a smile. "It's a Fairy Tail, battle royale."
"Nice and simple. That's just how I like it." Natsu smirked. "I'm fired up now."
"Glad you could see it my way. If nothing else, at least you got the right attitude." Laxus smiled.
"Natsu." Makarov said in a warning tone.
"However, there's just one problem with your little plan." Natsu declared. "You had the council's weapons division kidnap my apprentice, as his master, I won't tolerate it, or you threatening to kill his mother, or the rest of the girls."
"Have you already forgotten how badly he beat you the last time you guys went at it?" Warren questioned.
"I was just a kid back then." Natsu argued.
"What do you mean? That was last year." Warren shouted.
"Yeah, but since then, I've become a man, who protects his family." Natsu shouted cocking back his fist.
"On the other hand I think that attitude of yours is gonna get you into a world of hurt." Laxus smirked. "Why don't ya sit back down?" Laxus shouted hitting the pinket with a lightning bolt.
"Natsu." Grey shouted.
"I told you so." Warren deadpanned.
"He's no man." Elfman declared.
"Poor guy, he was finally feeling better too." Happy sighed as Natsu landed on the ground.
"Naturally if you want me to turn the girls back to normal, you're going to have to defeat us first." Evergreen stated.
"But those odds aren't bad. There's four of us and like a hundred of you guys." Bixlow smirked with a laugh.
"Lots of you. Lots of you." The dolls behind him chanted.
"You have three hours and not a second more." Evergreen smiled. "After that, these pretty statues of your will be reduced to dust."
"You kiddin' me?" Macao questioned.
"All of Magnolia will serve as the battlefield. The fight will begin when, and if, you can find us." Laxus exclaimed.
"Laxus how could you?" Makarov questioned. "I won't stand for this." He shouted activating his Titan's Wrath magic.
"Now, now, simmer down, old man. It's all part of the festival right? It'll be fun." Laxus shouted with a mad smile on his face as he let of a flash of lightning. "Let the battle of Fairy Tail, begin."
"He disappeared." Alzack exclaimed.
"So it is high-stakes hide and go seek, huh?" Macao questioned.
"Let's go. We gotta man up and save our girls." Elfman shouted. 'Hold on Mirajane, I'm sure Scythe is fighting his way home as we speak.'
"You insolent brat." Makarov shouted as he began to run for the door. "Just wait. I'll stop you with my own two hands. Ah!" Makarov exclaimed as he hit an invisible barrier.
"What's wrong?" Grey questioned.
"An invisible wall." Makarov said as he tried to push himself through it.
"Don't be silly gramps, there's nothing here." Grey stated as he tried to pull Makarov through the barrier. "Man what's the deal?" Grey questioned before noticing something dropping Makarov on the ground. "What's that floating above us? Looks like some kind of writing."
"Must be one of Fried's enchantments." Makarov sighed.
"What do you mean 'enchantment'?" Grey questioned.
"It's a barrier formed by magic runes. Anyone who steps inside is bound by its rules and the only way to escape is to follow them." Makarov explained.
"Any idea what it says?" Grey asked.
"Stone statues and anyone over the age of 80 years shall not pass." Makarov read aloud.
"Whoever writes the rules wins the fight huh?" Grey questioned.
"Perhaps, but enchantments like these take time to write. As such they'd be useless in a one-on-one battle. Still as you can see, they're quite effective if set up as traps." Makarov exclaimed.
"You're really stuck? You can't break through?" Grey questioned.
"I'm afraid the rules of the enchantment are absolute." Makarov sighed.
"Well, I guess that settles it." Grey stated. "It looks like we're gonna have to go into this fight without ya, gramps."
"I'm sorry." Makarov sighed.
"I won't show mercy, even if Laxus is your grandson." Grey stated. "He's gonna pay for this."
'I don't know if Grey or anyone else in the guild is strong enough to beat him. Erza perhaps. Scythe definitely for sure, given how he stared Laxus down, and told him off for being such a coward. But Erza can't, not in her current condition.' Makarov exclaimed.
"Mm. I see you." Makarov said looking over to Reedus as he was trying to hid behind a pillar. "What's wrong Reedus?"
"Well, I'm afraid Laxus is gonna hurt me." Reedus exclaimed.
"It's all right. Why don't you visit Porlyusica in the east forest?" Makarov reassured.
"Oui?"
"She may have a potion to cure petrification." Makarov exclaimed.
"Oui." Reedus said with a bit more confidence.
~Elsewhere~
"Please, your majesty I beg of you. Reconsider what you're asking of me to do." Geld exclaimed, pleading with a short man with graying hair, a small mustache, and a crown covered in jewels atop his head, with Org standing right behind him, and another man dressed in white holy armor. "To release Acnologia's son would be an act of genocide. He's dangerous, and he's even taken the life of an innocent child."
"Not according to the report on which Councilman Org has given the king." The man in armor stated.
"Colonel Arcadios, please he is the son of Acnologia, he can be a very valuable asset to our military forces and arsenal." Professor Geld stated, trying to plead with them both.
"He is just a boy Geld, a boy who multiple times has proven he bears no ill will towards the Kingdom of Fiore. Now step aside or I will have Arcadios remove you by force." Toma E. Fiore, the King of Fiore, exclaimed with a scowl. "How could you think, I'd be perfectly fine with turning a child, into a weapon of mass destruction. He's barely a year older than my daughter Hisui."
"But your majesty."
"No more excuses Geld, either you release this child and put up with the sentencing of kidnapping a child, or I will execute you for treason, where you stand." Arcadios exclaimed grabbing the hilt of his blade. "You read the report this boy gave the Magic Council, did you not? He took down the man who was planning to overthrow the king, thus eradicating the building army under said man's control, and that boy he killed you claim was innocent, was actually a Demonslayer, who had spent three months in jail before escaping, for attempted rape on a girl younger then himself."
"But you must understand, I have proof that he's Acnologia's son. It was all given to me by a citizen who was concerned for his town." Geld exclaimed.
"We don't choose who our parents are Geld." Org shouted. "The council has known for quite some time who this boy's biological father is, how else would his body even be able to withstand the amount of energy released in Etherion Godslayer Magic? This boy has destroyed the tower of heaven, single handedly stopped a war that raged on between his guild and an opposing one that had attacked him. To top it all off, he's built himself back up from nothing after escaping captivity as Grimoire Heart's slave for six months, where they tortured him, broke him, beat him, and used him as a lab rat. So I say to you, release this boy, or suffer the wrath of the Council, and of Fairy Tail, once I disclose his location to them." Org threatened.
"You wouldn't really do that would you?" Geld questioned, sweating bullets in fear.
"I would, do much more, to make sure the lives of the innocent would be safe." Org exclaimed.
"Your majesty, shall I execute him where he stands?" Arcadios inquired the king.
"Now wait, hold on a minute. If you execute me here and now, you'll never be able to retrieve the boy from his gestation chamber." Geld exclaimed.
"Gestation chamber? Tell me what you've done Geld."
"You see that large iron egg right there? The one no bigger than an oil drum?" Geld asked pointing to the iron egg in the center of the weapons development center. "The boy is currently in that waiting for his mind to be wiped and reprogramed, if you release him now, we lose our only chance of having the ultimate weapon to defend our country with."
"Let me see if understand you correctly." Arcadios asked walking past Geld and putting his hand on the top curve of the iron egg. "The boy is in here, and if we release him now, nothing will have changed about him?"
"No, well, I'm not sure. This is still in beta test form, if he were to emerge now, I have no idea what could happen, or what could have happened to him while he gestated in the oxygenated liquid. There's the possibility his muscles could have atrophied or the exact opposite could have happened and the fat cells in his body could have been reduced drastically, and replaced with muscle, I'm not sure." Geld exclaimed. "If his muscles have indeed atrophied, then he'd have to be put on immediate life support, which would mean he'd be bedridden until his strength returned to him. Or there's the third option of his body having not changed at all since he's been gestating in there for about an hour."
"We'll have to take our chances." Arcadios exclaimed gripping the lid of the iron egg and prying it open.
"No stop." Geld shouted before he was held in place by a paralysis barrier.
"Geld, you are hereby sentenced to a life sentence of untested, unauthorized experimentation on a human child, and for kidnapping of that child." Toma exclaimed as Arcadios reached into the opened iron egg and pulled Scythe out.
Once his face was free of the liquid, Scythe began to cough up the remainder of the liquid in his lungs. It might have been oxygenated, but it didn't mix well with actual oxygen in someone's lungs.
"W-what happened?" Scythe groaned, his eyes barely open.
"It's alright now young man, you're safe." Arcadios stated as he covered Scythe with his cape, like a blanket.
"Wait, my… grandmother's… pendent." Scythe wheezed reaching for the ruby pendent hanging from Geld's desk.
Org grabbed the pendent and put it around Scythe's neck, knowing that it obviously meant more to him, than anything else ever would.
"Get him to a bedroom and call in the royal physician, to have a look at him." Toma exclaimed as two guards came in and dragged Geld away to the dungeons.
"After everything I've done to protect this country, this is how you repay me? I deserve better than this, I should be rewarded for trying to turn the son of the Dragon of Darkness, into our ultimate weapon." Geld shouted as he struggled against the guard's hold on him.
"Arcadios, after you get this young man some sleep, find those who were in on kidnapping him, and punish them accordingly." Toma exclaimed.
"Yes your highness." Arcadios stated, leaving the lab with a determination to never return to it under these circumstances.
~Back at Fairy Tail~
"Why do you wanna fight your friends?" Makarov shouted, smacking Natsu on the back of the head.
It had been apparent that Makarov wasn't able to leave the guildhall, and Natsu had woken up, but for some reason, he was unable to join the battle due to the rule that had been set out on the barrier around the guildhall.
"Because it's a tournament to see who's the strongest." Natsu exclaimed.
"This is not a tournament." Makarov exclaimed. "It's nothing but a trap. Laxus is playing you like a bunch of pawns. If we can't beat the Thunder Legion in time, the girls are going to be smashed to pieces. I know that everyone's trying to keep that from happening, but they're going about it in the wrong way. If we keep fighting amongst ourselves then the girls are as good as finished. We can't let Laxus win. Scythe is the only one besides you and Erza who can take down Laxus, if he puts his whole heart into it."
"C'mon gramps, you don't seriously think he'd hurt em, do you?" Natsu questioned. "I know he can be a real pain sometimes, but he's still one of us. This is obviously a bluff."
"You think so?" Makarov questioned.
"There's a fighting festival going on out there. Why do I gotta be stuck in this dump?" Natsu questioned slamming into the barrier again.
"Beats me I can go through just fine." Happy said teasing Natsu.
"Does this mean I'm over 80 and no one ever told me?" Natsu panicked. "Because I'd know if I was a stone statue right?"
"And here I thought we knew each other Natsu." Happy exclaimed.
'You still think of Laxus as part of the guild? Even after all this you don't believe he'd harm his fellow members?' Makarov questioned inwardly, looking at Natsu.
"Time remaining, 2Hours & 18Minutes." Happy read aloud as an update popped up in the runes. "Participants remaining: 42."
"That can't be all that's left. That means more than half the guild has wiped itself out in less than an hour." Makarov gasped in disbelief as another update popped up. "Evergreen-vs-Elfman. The winner is Evergreen. Elfman K.O.-ed."
"Oh Scythe's not gonna be happy about this." Natsu exclaimed.
"I thought he'd have no problem beating her." Happy exclaimed.
"Ah. Now it says that Grey's fighting against Bixlow? Why's he gotta hog all the fun?" Natsu questioned.
"It also says Fried is fighting against Reedus." Happy stated. "The Thunder Legion is really making their move." He complained as another update appeared. "Oh no. They took out Reedus."
"I knew it. He never coulda beat Fried. That guy is good." Natsu exclaimed.
"I know he's cool and all, but you're cheering for the wrong side. Now we're not gonna be able to get Porlyusica's help." Happy exclaimed.
"We don't need it. Laxus is just bluffing about turning the girls to dust." Natsu exclaimed.
"I'm just bluffing am I?" Laxus questioned. "You sure about that?"
The three of them turned around to see Laxus standing behind them.
"Where'd you come from?" Natsu questioned.
"It's a thought projection." Happy stated.
"Natsu, what're you doing holed up in this dump? Are you scared?" Laxus questioned.
"I'm not scared I'm stuck." Natsu glared.
"What do you want?" Makarov questioned.
"How's it feel, huh? You think of the guild members as your children, right? Must be tough watching your little kiddies tear each other apart." Laxus mocked. "It's too bad Natsu and Erza can't join the game, 'cause you don't have anyone left who's strong enough to take on the Thunder Legion. You ready to throw in the towel?"
"No it's not over yet, don't forget that Grey's still in the game." Happy shouted. "He's just as strong of a sorcerer as Natsu."
"He's as strong as me? No way, man." Natsu shouted.
"Sorry but you're in denial." Happy exclaimed.
"Grey huh?" Laxus asked. "You're gonna put all of your hopes on that loser?"
"I wouldn't underestimate the boy's power if I were you." Makarov exclaimed.
"Oh please, the only one who could stand a chance of even putting a scratch on me, is in the Rune Knights custody being turned into their ultimate weapon."
The runes popped up with another update, and to their horror it was about the Ice-Maker himself.
"One more down, only 28 contenders remain." Laxus smiled. "And that chump was gonna save ya?"
"You cheater. I know you and your pals used some dirty trick to beat him." Happy shouted.
"All right, who's gonna beat the Thunder Legion now, old man?" Laxus questioned.
"Gajeel will." Happy stated.
"I don't think so." Laxus stated. "He's made it clear that he doesn't wanna play. Which doesn't surprise me, the guy couldn't care less about what happens to the guild. All he cares about is himself and that's that."
"You're wrong Laxus." Makarov stated. "Gajeel cares about one other person, and that is the boy you had gift wrapped to the Rune Knights head of weapons department."
"What am I invisible?" Natsu questioned.
"You might as well be if you can't get past the barrier." Laxus sighed.
"Enough. It isn't worth it." Makarov stated. "I surrender, all right?"
"Wait a sec." Natsu exclaimed.
"You've had your fun. Now stop this." Makarov exclaimed.
"What's gotten into you?" Laxus questioned with a smile. "I thought you were the master of the all mighty Fairy Tail guild? You can't just give up at the drop of a hat. But if you insist on quitting, then by all means, hand the guild over to me, and take an early retirement."
"Why you gotta play dirty?" Natsu questioned. "Why don't you come here and face us? Huh?"
"I should have known. This was your goal all along, wasn't it?" Makarov questioned.
"You've only got an hour and a half until the statues crumble. If you really wanna put an end to this, then announce your retirement to the whole town over the guild's loudspeaker. I want you to tell everyone you're relinquishing Fairy Tail over to me. What means more to you? Your children or your title? Choose carefully."
"You're asking for it." Natsu growled running for the projection, phasing through it and hitting one of the pillars. "If he wants to be master, he should have the guts to face me in person. How come he won't fight me?"
"It was never the title I valued." Makarov exclaimed.
"Then you're just gonna give up?" Natsu shouted in disbelief.
"No, he may be strong, but he's not trustworthy. I'd never leave him in charge. It takes more than just magical strength to run a guild. He has neither the conviction nor the heart." Makarov stated.
"We gotta hurry and do something before he turns the girls into dust. There must be someone who can beat Laxus and his pals." Happy exclaimed frantically.
"Hey let go of me you big meanie." A child's voice exclaimed, from over by the bar, as it sounded like a tussle was going on.
"Hey guys." Gajeel said standing up, a couple bandages on his face.
"Gajeel? What happened to you?" Natsu questioned.
"This little brat happened to me." Gajeel said holding up a small girl with a scar on the right side of her face, and dressed in something she should not be wearing for at least ten more years as she struggled in his grasp. "She was eavesdropping in on everything that was going on since the Miss Fairy Tail contest started, and I found her when I jumped back here to grab a snack, at first I didn't notice her, but I did once that thunderhead's projection came in, so I tried to keep her quiet until he left."
"Let go of me meanie. I have to tell daddy what happened to grandma." Jack stated waving her arms about.
"Hold up Gajeel, I think I've seen her before." Natsu said hopping over the bar, and grabbing a picture Mira recently hung up. "Aha, I knew it."
"What is it Natsu, did you find something?"
"Remember how Scythe told us he bonded with a little girl in the Celestial Armory who was just like him, born to be the ultimate weapon, and that's the reason she calls him 'daddy' because she deemed him worthy to be her parent?" Natsu questioned.
"Yes, what about it?" Happy asked.
"This is her." Natsu said holding up the picture of Scythe and Jack standing between Shirou and Rin. Jack was hugging Scythe around his torso, with one of his arms around her shoulders, and his large weapon on his back, with one of Shirou's hands on his shoulder.
"Put her down Gajeel, if she can find Scythe and bring him home, then we need to let her try." Makarov stated.
"Daddy's not kidnapped anymore." Jack said as Gajeel put her down on one of the stools. "King Toma, and Org arrested the guy who kidnapped daddy, and are currently treating any injuries he might have. But if I tell him about what happened with Grandma, I can guarantee he'll be here as fast as possible."
"Thank goodness he's safe. Little girl, if you think you can manage to get him home, then do so as fast as possible." Makarov exclaimed.
"Yes sir, gramps." Jack smiled disappearing in sparkles of bright light.
"Whoa, just like a celestial spirit." Natsu smirked.
"I only pray that she brings him back in time. Gajeel, do you think you can go and buy us some time for Scythe to return?" Makarov questioned.
"If Salamander can't get through, I'd think it's safe to assume I can't either." Gajeel sighed.
"I was afraid of that." Makarov sighed. "I pray that the rest of my children will be safe."
~Fiore Clover Castle~
"Is the young man doing any better?" Toma asked as the royal physician came out of the room Scythe was currently in.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that sir. His condition is like none I've ever seen before. It's almost as if he's in some sort of metamorphosis sleep." The royal physician exclaimed. "He's safe to be around I assure you, I'm just not quite sure how to wake him up at this time?"
"Father." A young, 13-year-old girl with jade green hair exclaimed walking up to Toma.
"Ah, Hisui what are you doing up out of your room? Shouldn't you be studying?" Toma questioned.
"I've finished with all my studies father." Hisui stated. "Father, would it be alright if I were to watch over the boy in his current condition?"
"Always one with a big heart. Just like your mother." Toma smiled. "Very well, you may watch over him. But I would recommend you grab a book to read, there's no telling how long he's going to be unconscious for."
"Thank you father." Hisui smiled.
When in the room, Hisui grabbed a book from the bookcase, and sat down close to the bed, reading it happily, often closing it to check up on how Scythe was doing.
"I don't know if you can hear me. But you look really cute." Hisui smiled pushing some of his bangs out from his face. "I heard you're the son of a dragon and a devil. While I don't know about many dragons, I'd have to guess you're the son of Mirajane from Fairy Tail, the formerly famous She-Devil S-Class sorceress."
Scythe remained silent as she continued on, while he slept.
"I watched the video that was sent to Geld. I was amazed to hear your age was forcefully increased from Grimoire Heart's Master. Though I find it noble, how you risked your life to get payback for what your mother went through, and for stopping an illegal army from overthrowing and killing my father. You're quite brave. So I made you this in my magic class." Hisui exclaimed pulling a medal from her pocket. "I couldn't remember what our family's royal crest of protection was, so I just made one based of the Fairy Tail Emblem." She said clipping the ring of the coin sized medal on the chain next to his grandmother's pendent. "I'm not much of a metal working sorceress, I'm more of a Celestial Spirit Sorceress."
"Hisui."
The princess turned to see her father standing at the opened door, with a caring and touched smile on his face.
"Why don't we let him be my child? The physician concluded by looking over his results at a further depth, that he'll wake up within the hour." Toma smiled.
"Yes father." Hisui stated bowing to him, before leaving.
Toma smiled as his daughter left, leaving him alone with Scythe. With a heavy heart, Toma walked to the bed, and placed a medal with the actual royal family crest of protection in the sleeping boy's hand.
"Thank you young man, for putting a smile on my daughters face." Toma smiled before leaving, gently closing the door behind him.
Calm was the air and still was the light as it shined through the window, as Scythe's breathing was a steady, strong pulse, his eyes gently opening, as a spark of his Celestial Knight Magic, rushed through him.