Beta read by Shigiya and Darklord331
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-Magnolia-
"Cana?" Standing outside the brunette's room within their new abode, Broly knocked on the card user's door to check up on her. "Is everything all right?" He was asking because of what had happened earlier and because she had gone upstairs so suddenly, without giving anyone a chance to reach out to her. Her behavior felt strangely distant compared to her usual relaxed and lackadaisical mood, and even someone as unconcerned as Broly could tell that something was genuinely wrong.
"Can we do this another time, big guy? I'm not feeling too well." Her voice came from the other side of the door, thin, as if speaking took more effort than it should have. The more he heard it, the more concern settled inside him, so he knocked again with a firmer rhythm.
"It's better if I check up on you. If you are feeling sick, then I can bring you to Ms. Porlyusica so she can heal you."
"No! I mean-I am not sick," she answered after a brief silence. "I just don't feel like doing much today and wanted some alone time."
Stubborn... at least that part remained unchanged.
"I remember you told me that if something is bothering me, something I'm trying to bottle up, I should share it with my friends so the burden eases. You were the one who kept reminding me of that. So now that you're going through something similar, I'm wondering if you're willing to do the same as well." He spoke calmly, unwilling to walk away. The door could have been removed from its hinges with barely any effort on his part, but he refused to force his way in. He stood there waiting, hoping she would open it on her own.
Time drifted by in a slow stretch, long enough for him to think she truly did not want to talk to him. Just as he began to accept that possibility, he heard soft footsteps approaching from the other side, followed by the quiet click of the lock turning. The door opened slightly, and Cana peeked through the narrow space with tired eyes.
"Hey, big guy." She tried to sound cheerful, but the effort only made the tone feel hollow and worn. The Saiyan eased the door open a bit farther, and she offered no resistance. She stepped back to let him inside. He entered and saw her standing, her gaze lowered, one hand behind her back. Her hair looked tangled and unkempt, and her room was in complete disorder, though he suspected the messy state of the room was simply her habit rather than a sign of whatever was weighing on her.
"You really didn't need to come all this way to check on me," she managed, her voice pitched somewhere between embarrassment and resignation. "It's just something small. I'll bounce back in a few days, as soon as I stop being stupid, hahaha." She tried a laugh, but it held none her usual humor. He listened, and it became painfully obvious: whatever front she was putting up, she was nowhere near all right.
Broly didn't bother with any more questions. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and set a massive hand upon her forehead. The movement was abrupt enough to make her stiffen on reflex, surprise flashing across her features, but she quickly mastered herself and remained still, allowing him to perform his check.
"You don't seem to have a fever," he noted quietly. He felt her heartbeat quicken for a brief moment before she turned her head aside and pushed his hand away with a light touch.
"It's nothing like that. I'm fine. Just thinking about something, that's all."
"Would you care to share what's wrong then? I was told that it is usually best to talk with someone when you're feeling lost or uncertain," he said, repeating the same advice several servants from Lucy's mansion had given him before, Lucy included. He felt a faint sting of hypocrisy as the words left his mouth because he rarely voiced his own thoughts. He never lied or twisted anything; he simply stayed quiet and let silence do the work. "Is it because of Gildarts?" Even he had noticed that her mood shifted the moment the man appeared. Broly could tell nothing was threatening about Gildarts, and the man himself had given a warm first impression, yet Cana's reaction was strange enough that it stayed in his mind. He assumed they must have some sort of history, and he wanted to understand what he was missing.
"If it is something too personal, then I will not pry any more, and I'll get out of your hair. But if there is anything I can help with, I will try my best. We are teammates after all. It should be my responsibility to look out for you just as much as you, Lucy, and everyone else in Fairy Tail looked out for me when I needed it the most."
Cana sat on her bed with her head lowered, her long hair spilling forward and hiding her expression until a soft chuckle slipped out. "It just feels really dumb now that I think about it. Compared to your problems, I shouldn't have any problems solving it myself."
"So?" he said, one eyebrow rising. "Not everyone needs to have problems as intense as mine for them to matter. People deal with different things. You don't need to compare your situation to someone else's."
"I guess that is a good point. If everyone had problems like yours, we would not have a moon by the end of the day. Maybe not even the world we are standing on."
Both of them laughed, the heavy atmosphere easing until Broly quietly sat beside her. Cana leaned into him, resting her head against his arm, her voice lower now. "Yes, it is related to Gildarts."
"Did he do something bad to you before?" Broly asked, his tone sharpening just a little. Cana sat up straighter immediately and shook her head fast enough for her hair to sway.
"What? No, no, no, nothing like that, I swear!" Hearing that only made him more curious, and her nervousness made him pay closer attention.
After some moments of hesitation, her hands clenched and she exhaled slowly. "Alright. I will tell you, but promise me that you will not repeat it to anyone. Not even Mirajane or the Master knows about this... I think."
Her voice changed in a way he rarely heard from her. The girl was usually relaxed, casual, and difficult to rattle, the type of person who made jokes even in trouble. Seeing her the opposite made him more careful. "All right."
"Did you know I have been a part of Fairy Tail for a very long time? Longer than Natsu or Gray. I think I was six, maybe seven. I can't even remember clearly anymore."
"You basically spent your entire life here," he said, keeping his voice steady.
"Yep. They are my family just as much as they are the annoying bunch I deal with daily. I care about them. Well, almost everyone. There are a few dicks in the guild and even a few bitches. But nobody pays them much attention."
"Am I one of them?" he asked with a teasing grin, copying the mannerisms of a certain Celestial Spirit would have with him at times. Cana gave him an exaggeratedly thoughtful look before leaning in and whispering, cheeks flushed but a wide grin plastered on her face, "You? Well... huge dick might be an understatement."
"What!?" That wounded him more than any spell Irene ever hurled at him. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Pft, hahaha~!" She let out a melodious laugh soon after. Gently slapping his shoulders, "Oh come on, lighten up. I did not mean it like that. You are like a lovable bear with the strength of a thousand Vulcans... or a dozen dragons - most likely more, but who's comparing. You could be the scariest person in the world, but you usually end up looking silly instead. Which I found adorable."
He had no idea if she was complimenting him or poking fun at him, but he accepted it anyway. Liking the idea of not looking scary.
"But yeah. My story starts a long time ago, and it was around the same time my mom died. I came to Fairy Tail for one reason. I wanted to look for my deadbeat dad."
She paused, her fingers curling into the blanket beneath her. Cana's voice did not crack, but something in it grew heavier, like someone finally speaking a truth they had avoided for years. She shifted slightly, as if gathering her thoughts before she went any further.
"Both my mom and dad met here, and the former was also a Fairy Tail member, so I thought joining the guild would help me find him. I imagined he would be out there somewhere and that someone here would know something. I didn't really come here with some grand reason compared to the others. I just wanted some answers. And I wanted to meet the man who disappeared on us and left my mother to raise me alone."
Broly listened quietly, nodding along as she went on. He hesitated after learning that part of her past, not knowing how to respond, so he let the moment unfold and gently tapped her head with a slow, careful motion he hoped felt reassuring. "I am sorry for your loss."
"Thanks. I do miss her a lot. But I managed to accept what happened and move forward because the people in Fairy Tail helped me through it. They kept me... whole, mostly, even on the days when thinking about her felt too heavy. Nothing a barrel or two of beer can't fix."
"Did you ever find your dad?" This question in particular plagued his mind, for it felt like she had accomplished her goal, but also not entirely.
"Yup, I found him alright. In fact, I already knew exactly who it was. My mum gave me his name, described how he looked, and even kept a picture of him. So, honestly, it did not take long. A few days after joining Fairy Tail, I saw him with my own eyes."
That made things easier. "That is good. Did he recognise you? Surely he must have been happy to see his daughter join the same guild as him." Broly tried to think back on anyone who looked similar to Cana, at least anyone with a face similar to hers, but no one came to mind. Maybe it was someone who had left the guild before he and Lucy joined, or someone that he rarely saw around, like that Mystogan fellow. Not able to think of anyone who can be Cana's dad, he decided to just listen to the rest of Cana's story.
"Recognise me? Of course not. He did not even know he had a daughter. He left my mom before I was born."
He immediately fell quiet again, wanting to smack his head against the wall for not realizing that part. The atmosphere shifted again, more awkward than before. He could not help comparing her situation to Lucy's. The latter at least knew who her father was and lived in the same mansion. Their relationship was strained, but she could still speak to him, argue with him, or even ignore him if she chose. She still existed in his world. Cana did not even have that.
"Turns out my dad is someone very famous in the guild. So famous that I did not feel right walking up to him and suddenly saying that I was his daughter. And even if I tried, he probably wouldn't have believed me. I'm probably not the first person to claim that I was his kid."
Broly narrowed his eyes. Starting to see where this was going. "Is that really the only reason? I do not see why those things should stop you. If you mentioned your mother's name, he might remember her. He might even accept you."
There was that same brief flash of uncertainty going through her eyes. "It... It's not as simple as you think it is, big guy."
"But you make it sound harder than it needs to be. If I were in your situation, I would have walked up to him and explained everything."
She laughed softly and shook her head. "You could do that because you are you. And I am... not you. Let's be honest. Any wizard would be thrilled to learn they have a son like you. If I were a dad and found out my kid could destroy the moon whenever he felt like it, I would be terrified and proud at the same time. But my situation is nothing like that. How is Gildarts supposed to feel anything close to pride when some girl with weak card magic suddenly walks up to him and says she is his daughter? There is nothing there except disappointment... worst case scenario is that he just thinks of it as a joke and tells me that it was nice meeting me before heading off who knows where."
Broly listened closely, his expression tightening. He wanted to stop her, to tell her she was wrong, to tell her she had worth even if she did not see it herself. Every sentence she spoke hit something inside him that reminded him of Paragus. His father never saw him as a son, despite how powerful he turned out to be. There was pride, sure, but not the same kind of pride a father would have for their son. He saw a weapon, a tool, something to control. Strength never guaranteed love. Power never guaranteed acceptance. If anything, it only made things worse for him.
He drew a breath, not exactly ready to share even a fraction of what he had experienced, but the last part of her explanation slammed into his mind and put a hard brake on his thoughts. His eyes widened. His mouth opened slightly as he stared at Cana, trying to confirm he heard her correctly.
"Your father is Gildarts?"
In return, she nodded her head weakly.
"Seriously?"
"Yup. No doubt about it."
"..."
Gildarts Clive is known throughout Fairy Tail as the strongest wizard in the guild. A man who could walk into a century quest, vanish for years, then return with nothing but a tired grin and a few stories. Someone whose casual stumble could flatten a neighborhood without him even noticing. That was the man she called her father.
Several thoughts drifted through Broly's mind. He pictured the wizard, the rough lines of his face, the easy smile, the relaxed way he spoke, and then he looked at Cana, quietly comparing the two. The eyes matched neatly, carrying the same colour? But almost everything else felt different. Their personalities lined up in small but noticeable ways, cheerful and outgoing in a manner that felt naturally inherited.
Realising this truth only deepened the confusion, because Gildarts never struck him as someone who would keep his distance from his own child. The man did not give off the impression of someone who cared about status or talent. Even if Cana had been a normal girl with no magical ability at all, Broly felt certain he would have cherished her just as fiercely.
Cana lowered her gaze before speaking again. "My plan changed the moment I discovered who he was. I told myself that if I became an S Class wizard and earned that title through my own power, it would be easier to reveal the truth. I thought it would prove something, not just to him but to myself. But with you here, and I don't mean that in a bad way, but I just can't see myself ever reaching that level. No matter how long I train or how many years I put into improving my magic, I'm never gonna be able to blow up a mountain like you, big guy."
Broly had heard plenty about S Class wizards, both from Makarov and from Erza and Lucy during their many conversations. The title was not handed out lightly. Erza carried it along with Mirajane, and even without seeing them fight at full strength, he already understood the amount of authority and respect it carried. It was a recognition given only to the strongest mages in Fairy Tail.
"So, you won't reveal to him that you're his daughter even if I tell you?"
He got a head shake as his answer.
"I still don't understand why you can't just tell him. We fought, and he gave me the impression of being a pretty nice guy." Seeing how she was not reacting, he figured there was no point in pushing this matter if she did not wish to do so.
Then another idea came to mind.
"Let's make a bet then." He said, catching her attention. "I don't know how a person can become an S-class wizard, but I do have something that may work just as well. Since you want him to be impressed with you, then just fight against him and defeat him!" He said it loudly and with confidence, slapping his knees, convinced this method was completely foolproof!
"Do you want me to die?" The brunette asked with a dehydrated tone and a deadpan face.
"Why would you die? It's just Gildart-ugh!" He was immediately pushed onto the bed, with Cana on top of him, holding onto his collar.
"Are you out of your mind!? 'JUST' Gildarts!? He's known as the strongest for a fucking reason! He wouldn't even need to lift a pinky finger to flatten me like a pancake! It's like if I were to challenge you to a fight, how do you think it would go!?"
"I never underestimate my opponent and I would've taken you seriously."
"Don't say that with such a serious face, it's scary!" Cana exclaimed with a pale face of the implications of her fighting Broly seriously before looking at him straight in the eyes. "Again, are you crazy?"
Rather than nod, he shook his head. "No, I really believe you have the means to challenge Gildarts in a battle and even impress him more than anyone else. It will most definitely be far more impressive to him than you earning a title, you have my word on that."
"You're actually being serious... " she said in disbelief, covering her face with both hands. "I must be dreaming. No way you would ever think someone like me could pose any sort of challenge to him. You're either too optimistic about my strength, an idiot, or both."
She really had little faith in herself from what he was seeing. With his hand on her shoulders, he made the girl look at him again. "I don't make false promises, and I do not bother to sugarcoat things or lie when it comes to a person's potential. Just like with Lucy, I know you are quite capable, and if given enough time, I promise you I'll make you reach a level that will be beyond anything you ever thought possible. Just believe in me, please? That's all I ask."
Her expression went through various phases, from hesitation to anger to disbelief. Until its strength seemed to have left her body, and she collapsed on top of him with her head resting on his broad chest. "It's really not fair when you say such sappy things, big guy."
"Is it working?" he asked, hands gently patting her back.
"Fine... I'll trust you. So just shut up and stay like this for a moment, I'm feeling a bit sleepy." That was all she said before a few seconds later, he heard her snoring quietly, not trying to push her away. He covered both of them with the blanket and decided to catch some sleep as well since her bed turned out to be quite comfortable.
Cana had potential as a wizard; he was not even thinking about giving her the ability to use Ki since that would not make her suddenly stronger than Gildarts. She just lacked self-confidence, and if Lucy could reach her current level through discipline and dedication, then so could the woman on top of him.
{Break}
(Next day)
"Alright, people, come on now, whoever is ready for the Magnolia Harvest Festival Swimsuit Competition, enter now! Let's see who will be this year's Miss Fairy Tail!"
The announcer's voice echoed across the plaza. The crowd erupted in loud cheers, filling the entire street with an excited roar. Broly had only recently learned about the event, a spirited competition where the guild's women showcased outfits, magic tricks, and various other talents that drew a huge turnout every year. The name made it sound like a simple fashion contest, but everyone called it the swimsuit show because almost every participant wore such clothing. Only the girls were permitted to enter, and nearly all the Fairy Tail women were taking part, including Lucy, since the cash reward reached a promising two hundred thousand jewels.
"I can see all of you are excited, and so am I! Let us find out which of our local beauties will win this year and claim the crown from last year's champion!"
"Wow, this sure brings back memories." Gildarts stood beside Broly, cheering along with the crowd. The familiar scent of alcohol drifted strongly off him, reminding Broly once again of the traits Cana shared with her father. "Let me think. Last time I was here, the winner was Evergreen. She really earned it, too. Shame she is not here this year. I was hoping to see Laxus around as well. I wanted to slap some sense into the boy since I heard he has been an ass to his grandpa, then when I'm done whooping his ass, share a drink with him and talk about old times."
Broly watched the arena with a curious gaze, sensing several familiar Ki signatures on the stage. "Everyone does not seem to have a good impression of him," he said while the next contestant stepped forward. The first to appear was Levy, and her squad immediately erupted with the loudest cheers of the entire section. They waved bright flags with her name painted across them in uneven strokes, clearly homemade but full of enthusiasm. The blue-haired wizard wore a simple one-piece in the same soft blue shade as her hair. The outfit gave her an innocent charm that washed over the crowd like a gentle breeze, and Broly understood why so many people were taken by her presence.
"I can see why," Gildarts continued while observing her. "Even during the times I met him whenever I came back, it was clear the boy had changed from how he was when he was younger. Now he focuses on Fairy Tail's reputation and on making the guild something bigger, something more respected and even feared if needed. The goal itself is not bad, but the way he goes about it is not something I agree with, and Makarov feels the same. Go for it, Levy!"
The middle-aged man's encouragement blended with the others' voices. Levy grew embarrassed at the sudden wall of support, but she still pushed through it. She performed a short dance composed of careful steps, light turns, and small gestures that revealed both her nerves and her determination. Somehow, it captured the attention of eveeveryone'sryone attention. By the time she left the stage with a shy smile, the crowd's cheers had grown even louder. Broly found her courage admirable.
"It is strange he is not here yet," Gildarts added while scanning the area behind the stage and the crowd itself. "Normally, during large events, he wanders around and reminds certain people not to cause trouble with Fairy Tail. He even puts Natsu in his place when he acting up."
The next contestant emerged, and Broly recognised her instantly. It had been a long time since he last saw her, not since the day they all left the resort. The moment she stepped into the light, a familiar rough voice boomed through the crowd.
"Go for it, Juvia! Show these Fairy Tail punks why Phantom Lord reigns supreme!"
Gajeel's shouting was followed by the loud encouragement of several Phantom Lord members. Their enthusiasm only made Juvia more nervous. She lowered her head and fidgeted with her hands, growing tense and shy until her eyes finally landed on Broly.
'Wasn't this a Fairy Tail member-only contest?' He thought to himself with some confusion, but looking at the people around, along with the judges... no one was pointing that out.
"Hello, sun man!" she called out, instantly brightening. Her earlier hesitation disappeared, replaced by a cheerful expression that made several spectators lean forward in surprise. She removed the robe around her shoulders in a smooth motion and revealed a deep blue bikini decorated with wave patterns. The simple design seemed almost made for her.
The reaction from the audience was immediate. The cheers exploded in volume, and a few dramatic spectators even collapsed from excitement. Juvia lifted her arm with confidence.
"Witness me! Water Parade!"
She activated her magic, forming a clear ribbon of water that twisted upward in a spiral around her body. The flowing water caught the light and made her movements appear smoother and more graceful. Broly could not deny that the display made her look striking. The crowd watched in awe as the water circled her like a living curtain.
Gildarts slapped his shoulder with a loud laugh. "Holy shit, you even have her under the bag? What is your secret, man? At this rate, I will be falling behind you."
Broly blinked, unsure what the brown haired man meant, but before he could speak, the announcer started shouting.
"Amazing display from the members of Phantom Lord! Look at the amount of cheers and look at that score! A near-perfect result! Will this be our winner for the year? Will Fairy Tail's winning streak finally be broken? WILL IT BECOME MISS PHANTOM LORD!?"
Broly sensed several unfriendly glares coming from backstage. They were all aimed at Juvia, who seemed completely unaware of the situation. She kept her eyes locked in Broly's direction while continuing her water performance. Broly felt it would be cold to ignore her, so he gave a wave and a thumbs-up.
Juvia reacted immediately. "Did Juvia finally earn your approval? Yes! I have beaten that blonde bimbo at last!"
A sharp voice shouted from behind the curtains. "Who are you calling a bimbo!? Your turn is over, so move away! You're not even supposed to be here!"
Several ropes snapped out and seized Juvia, winding tight around her limbs and pulling her backstage no matter how hard she struggled. Then, after a tense moment, two new figures emerged into the arena lights. Lucy stepped out first; the yellow bikini she wore shimmered as it hugged her curves, the fabric pressing in so snug it left little to the imagination, accentuating the lines of her body. Cana walked alongside her, striking a matching pose, utterly at ease. Her black lace bikini revealed even more skin than usual, provoking a wave of cheers and whistles from the crowd.
The announcer's voice cracked with excitement. "What is this? A tag team strategy? Is this even allowed? Because I do not care, and I accept it! Ten points!" he shouted with full enthusiasm, his voice carrying across the arena while most of the crowd agreed with him. Cana stepped forward and scattered her cards in a sweeping arc that burst into a fireworks-like display. Lucy followed by retrieving several keys and calling forth her summons to brighten the sky with flickers of light. Lightning trailed between the sparks while Taurus lifted both girls high into the air. They balanced on his broad shoulders and struck matching poses as the crowd cheered.
"My dream has come true, Mooooo! Two beauties on top of me. I can die happily from now on, and I will always be at your service till my last breath, Lucy-sama! Ugyah!" His words came to a stop with Lucy kicking his face.
"Shut up and stay quiet before I unsummon you. I told you no weird comments!"
Even Broly could not help laughing. He liked that bull. The strange comments were constant, yet Taurus genuinely cared for his summoner. Seeing Cana look more cheerful than she had yesterday eased something tight in his chest. The gloom that clung to her before was gone, replaced by a confident smile. He wondered if it was genuine or something she put on for the show.
"Ten out of ten!" Gildarts shouted beside him. "I knew that girl had potential, but I did not expect Cana to work in a tag team with her. You are a lucky man. Both girls are sexy and I am jealous, also did you see how that black fabric is being tightly pulled around her as-urgh!"
Broly moved before he finished.
His fist struck Gildart's square in the head, slamming him down to the ground with a plum of debris and knocking the S-Class mage out. Now that he knew Gildarts was Cana's father, having him make comments like that about her felt wrong. Broly preferred to spare him the embarrassment and the awkward moment that would come when Cana eventually revealed the truth.
The show continued with Lucy and Cana ending their display with a short coordinated dance. Then came Erza's turn. She stepped forward wearing a bunny girl-themed swimsuit, something no one expected. She froze the moment she saw Broly. Her eyes widened, and nerves stiffened her posture. Even with the entire crowd cheering her name, she could not move. Several Fairy Tail members hurried over and gently pulled her off the stage before the audience noticed how rattled she was.
"Is she embarrassed because I am here?" Broly wondered. The idea was almost amusing but also a little concerning. He could not tell whether she feared he would disapprove or whether she simply hated appearing vulnerable in front of him.
Then the final contestant stepped out, and the crowd erupted louder than before. Broly did not need to guess who it was. Long white hair slid into view, and Mirajane walked forward with a calm smile that somehow drew more attention than the flashes erupting from the cameras aimed her way. Remembering the photo shoot he helped her with not long ago, Broly immediately understood the excitement. People whispered about which swimsuit she might wear. Others lifted their cameras early, waiting for the perfect shot.
To everyone's surprise, she did not appear in a swimsuit at all. She wore the same red dress instead and stopped in front of the cheering crowd. That choice only raised the anticipation even more as the energy around the arena grew sharp with eagerness.
"I am so glad so many people came to see my performance. But I am feeling a bit shy. Maybe a louder cheer would give me the courage to change~?"
"Mirajane!"
"Mirajane!"
"Mira!"
The voices rose higher than for any of the previous girls, even surpassing the cheers Lucy and Cana received. He realized at once just how beloved she truly was.
"It's been so long since I performed, and I decided to do so today for a special friend of mine. I dedicate this transformation to him, and you will be seeing more of it in the upcoming issue of Sorcerer Weekly." She spoke in a cool and practiced tone while giving the crowd a deliberate wink. Broly doubted that anyone was actually listening to her words. Most of them seemed far too lost in their own excitement, their eyes practically turning into cartoon hearts as they shouted her name. Some held up posters with her smiling face, and a handful were crying or even getting nosebleeds from the sheer thrill of standing this close to her. The atmosphere was lively to the point of chaos, and even Broly, who had seen plenty of strange things across worlds, started to feel overwhelmed by how unrestrained the crowd had become.
"Okay, here I go. This is a new look I just came up with, and I am sure everyone will love it."
A burst of white smoke erupted around her, puffing out in every direction and covering her from head to toe. It rose in a thick cloud that swallowed her silhouette, and the cheers somehow grew even louder. The volume struck Broly like a physical blow. His ears rang from the shrillness, and he winced while trying not to cover them with his hands. Slowly, the smoke began to fade, thinning from the edges until fragments of a shadow inside became visible. At first, he assumed Mirajane had simply switched to one of her more dramatic takeover forms.
Then something felt wrong.
"Did she get bigger?" he thought, leaning slightly forward as more of the figure appeared through the settling haze. The outline was wrong in every direction. The shape was broader, taller, and the posture did not match Mirajane's usual confident stance. The fading smoke drifted off in small streams until a soft force pushed the last of it aside. The transformation was revealed in full.
"-!"
What stood onstage was not Mirajane in a new outfit. It was Broly himself, wearing the bright green Speedo Mirajane had jokingly shown him during their photo shoot. His jaw dropped, and for a moment, he felt like his soul had stepped out of his body and left him behind.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The entire venue fell silent.
The roaring crowd that had nearly deafened him just moments ago now sat frozen, as if time had suddenly stopped. The excitement drained from every face in the stadium. Color fled from their skin until they looked pale and on the verge of fainting. A few mouths hung open in expressionless horror.
"Flex!" the false Broly declared in Mirajane's sweet voice before striking a pose that the real Broly had never performed in his life. He watched the announcer drop the microphone with a loud metallic clatter. Judges slid off their chairs and slumped onto the floor. Even backstage, he caught a glimpse of Juvia collapsing, though for reasons beyond his understanding, she was still somehow bleeding from her nose.
"Urgh!" Someone vomited, and chaos erupted all across the area.
"M-My eyes!"
"Nooooo! My beloved Mirajane!"
"Who is this muscled abomination!? I will kill him! Why does Mirajane transform into him!?"
"Uuuuuuaaa! Mommy!"
"This is maybe a bit embarrassing," he muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck with a nervous chuckle. He took a slow step backward, trying to slip away unseen before anyone realized the real Broly was standing at the very back of the arena. Just as he turned to leave, someone bumped into him.
"Oh, sorry," he said automatically, but when he looked up, the figure had already dissolved into a thin curl of black smoke. Broly blinked in confusion and glanced down at his hand, where something had been slipped into his palm. He opened the folded piece of paper to see a short message written in quick, sharp handwriting. The words left him frowning.
.
.
.
On the outskirts of Magnolia, just outside the main entrance and atop a quiet hill at the forest's edge, Broly descended from the sky. He still held the note tightly between his fingers, and he had wasted no time in following its instructions. Below him, a hooded figure sat calmly on a large stone. Broly could not make out the person's features, but their presence felt familiar, tightening his chest.
"Who are you?" he asked at once. "And how do you know about that boy?" He clenched his fist, the note crumpling in his grip. The message written on it had been simple: "I know where Jellal is. Meet me near the forest. You will know where to find me."
The unknown figure let out a quiet huff. "It is strange how you have not changed at all after all these years. Your face remains the same, which only makes it more obvious that you are not human the way you claimed." The stranger raised his hood just enough for the lower half of his face to become visible. A dark tattoo marked the left side of his cheek, and strands of blue hair slipped through the shadows of the hood.
The longer Broly stared, the stronger the recognition grew until it struck him with full force. His initial instinct to begin an interrogation faded completely. His entire body went still in midair.
"Jellal? Is that you?" he whispered, unable to keep the disbelief from his voice. His tone wavered, unsure if he should trust what he was seeing.
Slowly, the hood was pulled back, and only then did the Saiyan see a face he had not seen for years. Ever since the incident at the tower of Heaven, someone he promised Erza to find and bring back. That very same person now standing right in front of him, though this time covered in some strange dark markings all across his body. Strange patterns moved across his skin, creating an almost ominous aura around him.
Like snakes slithering all over, along with several scars across his forehead.
Scars that were not there the last time he saw the boy.
"Hey... It's been a while, Broly."
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The next 5 chapters of Snafu, and my other Fate fics (Fate Coiling Sword with 3 chapters, A Fake Familiar Reborn with 3 chapters, Steel Eyed Faker soon to be 3 chapters, Hound having 3 and To love a sword having 4 chapters) are already available on my P@treon. With 4 more Broly chapters at /NimtheWriter. Also, I post commissioned arts on each story, already posted a few on an Archer's Promise, Broly and Snafu.