Time to catch up on some Fairy Tail. When we last uploaded, the Fantasia parade had just finished, and Laxus had been kicked out of the guild.
This chapter will follow up on that in a unique way, it's a bit short, but it works just to be almost an extended omake after the parade.
Please enjoy and feel free to leave your thoughts.
Chapter 34: The Feelings of a Machine
Title Song: If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking (Variation) - Honkai Star Rail OST
Rain. Of course. The day following Fantasia… was rain.
Labrys sat on the beach, completely ignoring the cascading water falling from the sky. I can't get over it… Laxus… She thought.
Behind her, watching from the guildhall balcony door, was Sarah.
"She's still out there huh?" Gajeel asked, walking up to her.
"Yeah…" Sarah sighed. "She made it through the Fantasia, but after that… she shut herself in her room and locked the door. Not even Erza was able to get her to come out. Honestly, we're lucky she decided to come out today."
"Cuz of Laxus. Right?" Gajeel asked.
"It's related…" Sarah nodded. "Labrys met Laxus the day she joined, and she pretty much had-"
"Love at first sight? Never would have guessed that," Gajeel blinked. "The machias falling for the wizard who's magic is a hard counter to her people…"
"A bit poetic, isn't it?" Both turned, seeing another face join them. "I honestly never knew that Labrys was smitten for Laxus."
"Evergreen. I would have thought after the beatdown you got, you'd hate Labrys," Sarah said.
"No. I will agree, we maybe went too far," Evergreen shrugged. "Bit of advice, don't take her rocket knuckle to the face. It hurts."
Suddenly a rumble of thunder came from above. That got Labrys to come in. But it didn't change her mood. She just sat on the second-floor railing with her back against a post.
Sarah sighed. This was gonna be a long day.
The rain lasted for several days. The girls of Fairy Tail tried all they could to get Labrys to cheer up, but the machias was just not accepting any form of support.
Eventually, Master Makarov took Labrys into his office. "Labrys my dear girl. I won't pretend to not know what's eating at you. I know Laxus was something special to you," The small master said.
Labrys glanced up from her knees. "Then why'd you do it?" She hissed.
"Because despite our personal feelings… Laxus threatened the lives of his fellows, as well as the peace of Magnolia. That is inexcusable," Makarov sighed. "Just like his father. Ivan too threatened his fellows and learnt about Fairy Tail secrets well above his understanding."
"Yeah… I understand that. But it hurts," Labrys admitted. "Is this what love feels like when forced apart?"
"Love is a fickle thing. When you find it? The feeling can be the most exhilarating experience you will ever have. But that can lead to the worst imaginable feeling when love is pushed away. All I can offer is that if Laxus ever harboured feelings for you… he will come back one day," Makarov assured her.
"I guess…" Labrys sniffed. "You're right. Before Mr Ivan was expelled, Laxus was much kinder. He was loyal to those around him. He'll be back. It may be years… but he'll be back."
"That's the spirit. If he comes back a changed man, I'll let him re-join the guild," Makarov smiled, standing on his desk and patting her on her shoulder. "Be strong. I've watched you grow with the rest of my brats, you can overcome this."
"I will try. Thanks Gramps," Labrys smiled.
Makarov's pep talk helped. Sarah beamed, seeing Labrys coming back from a job two days later, the storm lifting at last. "How'd the job go?" She asked, when the Machias parked at the bar.
"Alright. Ships were blown as far as Galuna Island. Worked with several wizards from other guilds to bring them all back," Labrys said, ordering a round from Mira.
"Search and rescue huh? I don't think you've gone on one since Laxus was on admin six years ago," Sarah raised her brow.
"Yeah well… I've been experiencing quite a few memories lately…" Labrys sighed. "But it helped. I'll be ok. Laxus… he probably needed expulsion. It woke him up from that power hungry daze he was stuck in."
"I'm sure he'll come back a transformed man, right when we need him the most," Sarah chuckled.
"I think you're both right," Mira smiled. "Despite his recent faults, Laxus will always be a Fairy Tail member."
Labrys took a swig of her root beer, smiling at the idea. A large shape slid onto the stool to her left. "Looks like you're finally getting back from your slump," Gajeel grinned.
"I am. Took some wise words, but Labrys Papillion is on the mend," Labrys nodded. She then had a smirk. "I need something to take my mind off this. Come on Black Steel, care to test your mettle against me?"
"Ya know what? I was about to offer you the same idea, I've been wanting to see how you fight myself," Gajeel gave a sharp smirk back. "Let's take this outside."
Word quickly spread around the guildhall about the fight, and soon Cana was holding a betting stand as both stood on the beach, the afternoon sun shining down.
Makarov stood between them. "I hope to see a clean fight between you two. Nothing that's going to kill or seriously maim. I know that might be a challenge for you considering your abilities, but at least put the effort in to avoid it."
"Sure thing gramps," Labrys nodded.
"Yeah. Got it Master," Gajeel grunted.
Makarov stepped back to the crowd. "I'm seeing a few extra bets for me… seems a lot of the guild want me to win for some reason…" Labrys said, an eye flicking back from the betting board.
"Eh. Let em. It'll make the victory taste sweeter when I beat you down," Gajeel cracked his knuckles.
From the crowd, "This outta be good," Gray shrugged, making a deckchair of ice, kicking up his legs.
"Been a while since I've seen Labrys fight," Erza noted. "It'll be a good experience regardless of the result."
"Wish I could fight either of em…" Natsu grouched.
"Well, Labrys asked first, besides, you fight Gajeel every day anyway, what would be the difference?" Lucy shrugged.
"Aye!" Happy simply agreed.
On the other side, "I hope Labrys has a plan," Droy said.
"Doesn't matter really, no plan survives first contact," Kione shrugged.
"Gajeel can take and give a real beating, but Labrys isn't the type to pull her punches either. This fight is gonna be good," Jet agreed.
Levy silently watched between Kione and Sarah.
"Alright! Let the fight commence!" Makarov called out.
"Iron Dragon Hard Fist!" Gajeel started, reeling back his fist.
"Rocket Punch!" Labrys answered the challenge, charging forward with her own fist up.
The first punches hit, Gajeel's hardened iron. Labrys' enhanced by a booster in her elbow.
Both were knocked back an impressive distance from that punch alone. Labrys rolled back with the landing, then kicked back towards Gajeel, who had gotten up.
"Code Override! Paladin!" Labrys called out. Her body flashed black with green ones and zeroes, before it faded and revealed her clothes had shortened, but her body was now more obviously robot-like. Her axe also appeared now. Above her eyes was the face-mask of a knight, and her hair was tied in a ponytail.
"Chain Knuckle!" She called, her arm shooting off from the elbow towards Gajeel.
Gajeel swatted it aside, and grinned. "Iron Dragon Club!" He called, a hand morphing into a bar of iron that extended. Labrys caught it with her other hand. Then the fist she launched bashed Gajeel in the head as it came back to her.
The two metal-headed battlers leapt at each other, engaging in an incredible display of their skills. Labrys ducked under Gajeel's large arm swing, then got caught by his leg. Before he could land a finishing punch, she rolled, kicking him in the stomach as she got up. He wasn't done though, recovering faster than Labrys anticipated, his fist slamming into her stomach so hard she felt her body cave slightly. "That'll take some time to fix…" She muttered.
"Gihi! Not bad Machias. I can tell you've honed your power to your strengths, but let's see you handle this next one. Iron Dragon Sword!" He called, his other arm morphed into a menacing blade with spikes, then with a little encouragement, the spikes spun around the blade like a chainsaw.
Labrys whistled. "That looks like it could do some damage…" She observed. "Let's see it take on my faithful friend! Equip Axe!" Her trademark axe appeared, and she flourished it with a spin before landing it over her shoulder. "Let's go Dragon boy!"
Both leapt forwards, weapons brandished. With a mighty clang, they struck together. Labrys however was surprised to see Gajeel's teethed blade cutting into her axe. Changing her plans, she lowered her left arm, morphing it into a launcher, firing a blast of energy into Gajeel's chest.
He grunted but stayed standing. "Nice try. But a little peashooter ain't gonna stop me!" He grinned.
Labrys fired four more shots, each with more power than the last. The last one pushed him back. "No more messing around! I think it's time we wrap this up. Dragon Slayer Secret Art!" Gajeel began, his magic power skyrocketing.
Labrys' eyes widened. She'd seen Natsu's secret arts when he was still practicing them. Even then, they were just as destructive as his spells now.
"Code Override! Black Lotus!" Purple code surrounded Labrys as she began to shift again. When she was seen again, she wore a black full body leotard. Her limbs were seen to have lost all human form, now resembling armoured but sharp needles where her arms and legs were. A full helmet was over her face, with a green visor lighting up.
Sarah whistled. "I've seen this once. The guy didn't get back up for a week. The fact she deems Gajeel worthy of it speaks volumes."
"Yes. When she used this form in our training… Master would often have to step in…" Erza nodded.
"Karma Demon: Iron God Sword!" Gajeel put his hands together, his magic swelling massively. From his hands, an absolutely humungous sword formed, towering to the height of the guildhall.
Labrys called out, her voice given a slightly metallic effect as she spoke. Her right bladed arm glowed bright green, followed by her left, which she brought together in an X.
Gajeel gave a battle bellow as he brought the Iron God Sword down, Labrys raised her arms, catching the blade in her green weapons. "Nrrgh! Damn! This thing is heavier than it looks!" She gasped.
"Whaddya expect? It's a freaking massive sword of iron!" Gajeel grinned. "I'm impressed you can catch it at all!" He grunted.
"Yeah… about that…" She said, her leg rose, aiming at Gajeel. "Vorpal Strike!" She called out. Her bladed leg glowed red, and shot out towards Gajeel, stopping right under his chin. "Check."
"Clever…" Gajeel grinned. "But can your toothpicks do this?" From the sword, several iron clubs extended, raining down on Labrys.
The Machias lost focus immediately, and Gajeel slammed down the flat side of his sword.
Everyone waited, until the dust cleared to see Labrys on one knee, damaged, but conscious. "I'll concede for now. You're something else Gajeel," She said, panting.
"You're not too shabby yourself. The books don't do you guys credit. That Black Lotus form of yours looks like it can do something serious," Gajeel said, walking over to Labrys and holding down a hand.
"Heh. You have no idea. If you think I'm something serious… you should meet my family," Labrys laughed, taking the offered hand. She winced, sparks coming from her shoulder. "Yeah… I'm taking the rest of the day off…"
The crowd watched the two. "They're two peas in a pod," Lucy blinked.
"Man. Now I wanna fight!" Natsu pouted.
"I'd be happy to take you for a flight again Natsu!" Labrys called up to him. The dragon slayer turned green. Clearly this has happened before.
"Labrys takes time to repair her damages. She'll be resting for the remainder of the day," Erza pointed out.
That night, Labrys stood alone in her room at Fairy Hills, looking at herself in a mirror. The damages from her fight were healing nicely. She could repair them much faster if she relinquished her human form altogether, but she shook her head. She came here to Fiore to learn to be human. That's why her body was as humanlike as possible.
Her shoulder wasn't sparking anymore, and the dent in her stomach was partially repaired. By tomorrow, she'd be back to operating strength. Before she settled down for the night, she looked out the window. "I know you're out there, you big blonde doofus… watching the same stars… thinking about your family… I'll be waiting. As long as it takes." She held up her hand in the Fairy Tail salute, then headed to bed.
Sitting in the mouth of a cave, looking out at the stars, a blonde figure was looking down at his hand, in the Fairy Tail salute. He smiled, before getting some sleep.
Marcus: So, what'd you think about this little thing.
Wendy: I think it's sweet that Labrys is heartbroken about Laxus being expelled.
Emma: Yeah. She really came to love him, and it seems maybe he's starting to get an inkling of the same feelings too?
Marcus: I'll leave that to your imagination.
All: Next time: Dark Legacy!