CHAOS XXI
For the dragon slayers, the day dragged on. Being stuck in the guild sure was torturous. Though it had never been this quiet, that was a good thing.
Natsu slumped into his seat, arms crossed over his chest as he watched Levy scurry around, furiously scribbling notes on a piece of parchment. She was muttering to herself, trying to decode the runes blocking their exit. "I've almost got it… just gotta move this…"
Gajeel had taken up residence on the floor, lounging against the wall with his arms propped behind his head. His eyes kept flicking over to Natsu, that irritating smugness never quite leaving his face.
"So, while we're stuck here, can you teach me the elemental exit?" Gajeel asked, his tone gruff but his curiosity genuine.
"What are you on about?"
"You know, the outro." Gajeel gestured vaguely with his hand. "I dunno if it's an S-Class thing or somethin', but you and Laxus both do it. You disappear in smoke and lightning. Lookin' all dramatic and mysterious, leavin' everyone in the dust and shit."
Natsu made a face. "Don't bother me."
"Come on, I'm serious." Gajeel's smirk turned into a scowl. "I'm the Iron Dragon Slayer. Why can't I do some cool metal storm exit or somethin'? Seems like a rip-off if you ask me."
"Maybe 'cause you're more of a blunt instrument than a storm. And why the hell would I teach you anything?"
"'Cause we're both stuck here, and ya got nothin' better to do," Gajeel grumbled. "Or maybe 'cause you owe me a few good punches for what I did to your guild, and having you teach me something would be more painful than all of 'em combined."
Natsu's temper flared. "The whole point of a dramatic exit is to leave. Not to stand around like an idiot bragging…" his voice trailed off. Why was he even arguing with this guy?
"Well?"
"It's not even magic, dumbass." Natsu rolled his eyes. "It's just raw power. Something you wouldn't understand."
Gajeel snorted. "Oh, like you're cool. Goin' around calling yourself Chaos and actin' all detached. You've got an image to maintain, huh? Big scary 'Chaos Dragon' and all that edgy crap."
"I am Chaos, moron. It's not some stage name." Natsu stood, moving to a farther table. "Do you have anything better to do than talk to me?"
"Yo, I'm stuck behind these same runes. You think I like being here forced to make small talk while that egotistical lightning freak fucks with everyone?"
"Then shut up and let Levy do her thing."
"Um..." Levy cleared her throat, eyes flicking nervously between the two bickering slayers. "It's... actually really hard to focus when you two are throwing verbal punches at each other."
They both grumbled something under their breath but quieted down, if only slightly.
"How long's this gonna take, anyway?" Gajeel grumbled.
"As long as it takes," Levy replied curtly. "These runes are complex. Whoever set them really didn't want anyone over eighty getting involved. Or anyone who happens to have a destructive streak, apparently?" Her pointed glare at the two of them was not lost on either dragon slayer.
"Yeah, yeah, take your time, shrimp." Gajeel muttered, glancing away. He turned back to Natsu. "So… the exit?"
Natsu let out a deep, frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples as if that could somehow ease the headache. "It's just a starter teleportation spell and some mana, alright? Just cast some iron spikes and teleport a few metres away. No one ever notices cause of the effects."
"Sick. Ghi-hi." He turned his attention back to the scoreboard. "Evergreens rackin' up a ton of hits." He whistled. "Can anyone take her down?"
"We still have some heavy hitters out there," Happy murmured. "Gray. And Elfman."
"I don't think the two of them can beat the Raijin, let alone Laxus." Natsu huffed.
"Can you have some faith?!" Levy snapped. Natsu raised his hands in mock surrender. Gajeel broke out into laughter. Suddenly, a new duel flashed on the scoreboard.
Gray vs. Bickslow
"Look, Natsu, you jinxed it!" Happy called.
Seconds later, another.
Elfman vs. Evergreen
"I jinxed it, huh?" Natsu grumbled. Happy took a mournful seat on the floor.
Meanwhile, Magnolia's shopping district was lively as ever. The sun was high overhead, and the streets were packed. Decorators hung banners from the rooftops, shopkeepers hammered in stands, and kids darted around with armfuls of paper lanterns.
"I told you to angle the lights to the left, not fry them with the sun's glare!" one vendor barked, waving at his assistant perched on a ladder.
"Sorry, boss!"
They didn't get the chance to fix it. A sudden whoosh of air blasted through the marketplace, knocking the ladder sideways and sending the string of lanterns scattering like dandelions in the wind. "What the—?!"
A whirlwind of sand tore through the main road, obliterating a flower vendor's carefully arranged crates in seconds. "My chrysanthemums!"
The storm passed as fast as it came. And right behind it flew Macao and Wakaba, fists locked in a midair struggle, crashing into the side of a bakery and sending bricks crumbling to the street.
"GET DOWN!" someone screamed, and half the street dove behind carts and barrels as the two older mages rolled through a market stall and vanished in another tornado of smoke and shouts.
A fruit vendor peeked up from his overturned crate. "Aren't those Fairy Tail idiots supposed to be helping this year?"
"Yeah?" his wife snapped. "Tell that to the cartload of tomatoes they just murdered."
All around them, shopkeepers slowly stood, brushing off dust and broken bits of their morning's labour.
"I swear, if they ruin the Harvest Festival again—"
"They're fighting each other this time!"
"Why?!"
No one had an answer. Just more rubble, more noise, and distant magical booms echoing through the streets. From somewhere near the plaza, a geyser of purple light shot into the sky.
"...I'm writing the carpenters early," a man sighed, hands on his hips. "We're gonna need repairs by sundown."
Just then, Gray Fullbuster rolled into a barrel of fruit. Bickslow's laughter echoed across the cobbled street as his floating dolls hovered like vultures around the rooftops.
"C'mon, ice boy," Bickslow taunted, tongue flicking. "You can do better than this. Don't tell me you're sweatin' already!"
Gray stood, brushing peaches off his arm with a scowl. "Your little freakshow's been a pain in the ass all morning." He flicked his wrists, magic sparking at his fingertips. "But I've got enough for all five."
The dolls chanted in unison, charging forward in a scattered swarm.
Gray met them head-on. "Ice-Make: Shield!" The first few attacks collided with a thick wall of ice. "Ice-Make: Hammer!" He smashed down, scattering the dolls and sending one hurtling into a store window. He chased it down, but it vanished before he could reach it, returning to Bickslow like nothing happened.
"I already told you," Bickslow called, retreating backward into an alley. "You break 'em, I just move the souls. You're not fighting toys. You're fighting me."
"Then quit running and fight me!"
"Oh, I am. Right where I want you." The Rune lit up as soon as Gray crossed the alley's threshold.
His magic fizzled. The runes along the brick walls pulsed with a sick green light, closing the trap. "What the hell—!?" Gray tried to summon his ice again, but his hands sparked uselessly.
Bickslow's smirk widened from the shadows. "Freed's little pet project. No magic in, no magic out. And you just waltzed into it like a good little ice cube." The dolls circled again, this time firing at will. Blasts of compressed magic energy tore through the narrow corridor, hitting Gray from all sides. He ducked behind a dumpster, but it offered little protection. "Ain't it funny?" Bickslow mused from above. "You're one of Fairy Tail's finest. But without your magic? You're just a half-naked idiot with attitude."
Blood dripped from a cut above Gray's eye. He gritted his teeth and surged forward anyway. No spells. No fancy tricks. Just fists. Bickslow barely had time to react as Gray tackled him into the side of a building. He landed a solid punch to the face, then another.
"You talk too much," Gray growled.
But Bickslow's eyes gleamed, the dolls swooped in from behind. "And you fall for bait."
A final blast sent Gray flying backwards into brick. He slumped to the ground, unconscious before he could even try to stand.
Bickslow wiped his mouth, smearing a trail of blood from his lip. "Damn… shouldn't've let him get that second punch in." He looked down at Gray with something bordering respect. "You're tough, Gray. Just not tough enough."
He snapped his fingers, and the dolls swirled around him as he disappeared deeper into the city. And in the guildhall, Gray's name was struck out.
"That's no good." Gajeel mumbled. The numbers were dwindling fast.
The chances of Fairy Tail winning this "game" were grim. More names crossed out by the minute. No one who could hold a candle to a single Raijin member was even left. Levy sat with her knees hugged to her chest, staring at the board like sheer will could turn it back.
"It's okay," Happy tried again. "We still have Elf—" Before he could finish, Elfman's name vanished, struck clean through right beside Evergreen's.
"Oh," Levy whispered, heart dropping. Makarov's shoulders slumped. The room fell quiet again.
Natsu leaned forward in his chair, expression unreadable as he stared up at the board. He hadn't said anything in a while, but his fingers were twitching. He didn't like feeling cornered. Didn't like being stuck. And the more names that disappeared, the more it felt like something was slipping out of his control.
His eyes drifted to the stage. Then his hands. And then, he had an idea. Without a word, he rose. Wary eyes followed him across the guildhall as he made his way to the stage.
"Chaos?" Master Makarov stood slowly. "What are you doing?"
Natsu didn't respond. He stepped right up to the statue that was Erza and tilted his head. "We've got half the guild's firepower right here."
"Yeah, but… they're all stone," Levy said nervously.
Natsu ignored her. He raised a hand, and flame bloomed across his palm. Then, without hesitation, he ignited Erza in fire. Everyone jumped into action.
"Natsu, stop! You'll kill her!" Happy flew forward, grabbing onto the hood of his cloak and trying to pull him back, but it was no use.
The statue cracked. Everyone froze, except Natsu. Then it cracked again. And again. Makarov held his breath. And then it shattered. Stone erupted outward in small bursts, fragments clattering against the floor. But beneath the dust and smoke, Erza stood. Blinking, dazed, and very much alive.
"Why is it so hot?" she grumbled, her voice dry. Her eyes narrowed as she locked onto Chaos, who stood in front of her, still wrapped in flame.
"My bad," Natsu muttered, already turning back to his table. The rest of the guild was left stunned. Erza was back.
"Chaos… how did you know that would work?" Makarov asked.
Natsu only shrugged. "The Raijin use eye magic. Erza's got one eye. Halves the effect."
"I have two eyes. One is artificial." Erza blinked again, still disoriented. Heat lingered in her lungs like she'd woken up mid-inferno. "So… what happened?" she muttered, trying to get her bearings. Her armour clinked softly as she shifted in place, eyes scanning the silent room.
"You were stone," Levy breathed.
Happy floated nervously near her shoulder. "Until Natsu decided to light you on fire," Happy finished.
Erza narrowed her eyes. "He what?"
"You're welcome," Natsu muttered, arms folded across his chest, smoke curling off his cloak.
"That was reckless," Makarov chastised. "You could've hurt—"
"But I didn't," Natsu interrupted, sharp and calm. "We don't have time to play careful anymore, old man. Your last A-ranks are down. How long's it gonna take Bickslow and Evergreen to find Macao and Wakaba when they're probably tearing through the city?"
A quiet silence settled across the group.
Erza furrowed her brows. She turned her head and spotted the petrified forms of her comrades scattered across the stage. The other girls. Cana. Bisca. Juvia. Lucy. It was unsettling to see so many warriors rendered helpless without a fight. Only one person could do this. "Did Evergreen…? Why would she do this?"
"Laxus started a game to take over the guild. Everyone's been fighting each other just to stay in." Happy informed.
"Set up enchantments all over town," Levy added. "Traps and runes, makes it impossible to move freely without ending up in a fight."
"Master tried to stop it, but Freed's barrier won't even let him leave the building!"
Erza's fists clenched. Her voice dripped with disgust. "He intends to steal the honoured seat of our master?" Her aura darkened. "Disgraceful."
"That's the game. Defeat the Raijin, win your freedom. Lose, and it's lights out." Natsu stated.
"And why aren't you out there fighting, Chaos?" She turned toward the dragon slayer who'd slumped back in his seat like he hadn't just ignited her into consciousness.
"We've been banned." Gajeel scowled, answering before Natsu could.
Erza stared for a beat, unreadable. Then she sighed, straightening. "Fine. The girls are all stone, and we need them back." She turned toward the door, fire lighting in her eyes. "So I just need to take out Medusa."
The guild didn't move right away. They were still recovering from the fact that Natsu had gambled with the life of one of their strongest and won. But Erza Scarlet was back on the board. That was what mattered.
It wasn't long before new names popped up on the scoreboard.
Erza vs. Evergreen
Levy's eyes lit up. "She's in!"
The few left in the hall crowded closer to the lacrima. Another name blinked into existence right beneath Erza's.
Natsu grinned. "Look who finally showed."
Mystogan
Gajeel tilted his head. "Rarely hear about that guy. Didn't think he liked the spotlight."
Happy flew up to get a better view. "Mystogan doesn't do anything without a reason."
Somewhere else in town, back in his hideout, Laxus stood before his own scoreboard, arms crossed until he saw the new additions. He paused. Then he burst out laughing. "Oh, now this is rich. Right on cue, two of Fairy Tail's finest step into the ring."
Freed stepped up beside him. "…Makarov's last cards, huh? Erza and Mystogan. Figures he'd finally crawl out from wherever he was hiding. But how did Erza break free?"
"Doesn't matter. Chaos must be stewing in that little cage. Bet he's losin' his damn mind, knowing the real fight's out here without him." Laxus smirked, sparks flickering from his fingertips. "Shame. He's the only one left worth punching."
Back in the guild, Evergreen's name was crossed out almost instantaneously. No one was surprised.
"She never stood a chance," Levy murmured. Evergreen could go around all she wanted calling herself the Fairy Queen, but Titania had earned her title.
Slowly, Evergreen's petrification spell dissipated. One by one, the statues of Fairy Tail's women began to crumble until they weren't statues anymore. A few blinked through dizziness. Some collapsed forward in confusion. But they were back.
Levy was the first up, sprinting to the stage with a cry. She pulled Lucy into a hug. "You're all okay!" The other girls moved carefully, gasping and stumbling, still regaining their senses.
Lucy rubbed her temple groggily, drowsily wrapping an arm around Levy, returning the embrace. "Ugh... what happened?" she turned her head slowly. "Natsu...?"
Chaos stood a few steps behind Levy, arms crossed, irritation in his eyes. "Laxus happened. We're in the middle of a civil war, and I'm not exactly thrilled about it."
"...Seriously?"
"He's trying to take over the guild. Turned the whole damn town into a battleground just to prove a point." The girls started glancing around, slowly understanding the gravity of the situation. "We're down to a handful. Erza's out there. Mystogan too. But we need more. So get out there. Take down the fucking Raijin." Natsu pointed toward the exit.
Lucy startled, then nodded quickly. "Right!" She scrambled for her keys and started towards the door.
"Happy, go with Lucy."
"Aye, sir!" Happy saluted and zipped after her.
Before any of the girls could reach the exit, a flicker of static hummed through the air. A nearby lacrima buzzed, brightening suddenly. Everyone turned as Laxus's face appeared, grinning from ear to ear. "Well, well. Glad to see you're all back on your feet. Just in time for the fireworks."
Makarov stood slowly, his expression dark. "Laxus…"
"Oh, don't look so grim, old man. I just thought this little game could use a proper grand finale."
The lacrima image panned upward, revealing the skyline of Magnolia. High above the city, suspended in a perfectly spaced ring, hovered dozens upon dozens of glowing orbs. They pulsed with a violent golden light, electricity writhing inside waiting to be released.
Makarov's face drained of colour. His knees buckled. Mira was at his side in an instant, catching him just before he collapsed to the floor.
The lacrima crackled again. "That's right," Laxus continued, tone almost bored. "The Thunder Palace. It's active. And if you think this guild's been through hell already, just wait. The whole town's gonna light up like a damn lantern if things go sideways."
"You bastard! You wouldn't!" Mirajane shouted.
"You think I won't?" Laxus grinned. "I've already won. This city's mine. You're just dragging out the end credits." The feed cut. For a moment, silence.
"The Thunder Palace…" Natsu muttered, jaw tight. "He's serious."
"What is that?" Lucy asked, eyes wide.
"Shitload of thunder-filled lacrima orbs," Natsu explained. "Each one's packed with enough magic to level a building. All together they can make a storm big enough to wipe Magnolia off the map."
"I remember seeing it for the first time," Mira whispered, voice distant. "Years ago… during the S-Class trials. He didn't use it fully. Just a warning shot and the sky went white."
"This isn't an attack," Natsu said, all too calm. "It's a goddamn execution spell. He's holding the city hostage."
Levy looked toward the ceiling, as if she could see the death hovering through the roof.
Natsu went on. "Worst part is whoever hits those orbs gets hit back. It'll take your attack and multiply it, so you can't just blast 'em out of the sky."
Happy's wings drooped. "So, what do we do…?"
Gajeel scowled, eyes darkening. "Win. Fast."
Cana clenched her fists. "We can't let this happen. We can't let him destroy the city just to make a point."
Juvia and Bisca were already gone. The rest exchanged tense glances before sprinting outside. Mirajane didn't follow. She stayed with Makarov, watching him sway as he tried to stand. "Master!"
"I'm fine, child—" Makarov started, but his body betrayed him. His legs buckled and he collapsed back into her arms.
Mira caught him fast. She held him carefully. "You're not fine. Just rest. We'll take it from here. Let's get you to the infirmary."
Chaos stared at the ceiling. No matter how far he stayed from this place, they always found a way to drag him back into their messes. He should've gone on that damn job. He glared at the door. This was far from over.
And just moments later, new names were up.
Lucy vs. Bickslow
Natsu let out a heavy sigh and took a seat next to Gajeel.
"What?" Gajeel grunted. "No faith?"
Natsu didn't respond. Just watched in dismay as the next set appeared.
Alzack vs. Bisca
He shut his eyes. Yeah. That wasn't happening.