(Yo, my power was going on and off on Mondays, that's why there were no chapters; the snowstorm fucked us over.)
An awkward silence enveloped the guild as everyone stared at Laxus, waiting for him to speak or make a move; compared to everyone else, I was the only one who remained calm.
"Where is Gramps?" Laxus's question was met with obvious resistance as they clearly voiced their distrust of him. "What? You expect us to just let you see Master?" "Tch, we can't allow that so easily, Laxus." "Yeah, for all we know, this could be a trick to attack Master."
Despite their words, Laxus stood firm, hardly reacting save for his brows furrowing slightly; however, before it could get out of hand, Erza hushed everyone. "Alright, that's enough, be quiet… I'll take you to him." Addressing the crowd, causing them to reluctantly lower their voices, she shifted her gaze to Laxus while heading to the staircase, prompting him to follow.
However, as he made it halfway through the guild, Natsu suddenly confronted him, a scene that quickly made the already tense atmosphere even more so. "Oi, I want a rematch, Laxus! Next time, just you and me!" Yet, despite being confronted by Natsu, unlike what most expected, Laxus didn't lash out or respond with his usual arrogance. "Sure."
With a casual shrug, Laxus glanced at Natsu before walking past him, following Erza, who was already halfway up the stairs. "Eh? Y-You're agreeing that easily? What about the da–" Before Natsu could finish speaking, I grabbed him by the nape and picked him up, causing him to instantly seal his mouth shut while nervously glancing at me. "Stop trying to instigate a fight while you're injured. If you do so again, I will send you back to Porlyusica."
As Natsu nodded like a woodpecker, I tossed him to the side while returning to my spot behind the bar, refilling Macao and Wakaba's cups. "Laxus seems to have changed. Usually, he'd react fiercely to Natsu." "Yeah. It's got me curious why he wants to visit, Master… What do you think, Cooper?" As the two old men curiously looked at me, I raised an eyebrow, briefly glancing at the second floor where Erza was currently returning before shrugging my shoulders.
"I don't know. It's not to fight, I know that much, so I don't care much… You two haven't heard the saying that a punch to the face will set someone straight?" Lightly shaking my head, I leaned against the counter, propping my head on my hand while tapping my cheek.
"I'm more inclined to believe you just made that saying up, Cooper." "However, we can't deny it holds some truth." "Heh, I never said that. Instead of 'The Beast', we'll start calling you, Cooper, 'The Scholar'." Rolling my eyes at their nonsense, I ignored their jokes and continued to perform my duty as the bartender, though secretly I was listening to Gramps and Laxus's conversation.
While listening, the entrance to the guild is opened once more, a trio of mages entering, one of whom everyone gave irritated looks at. As we all stared at them, the three of them suddenly bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle while their voice echoed throughout the guilds.
"We're sorry!" The three of them, Evergreen, Bickslow, and Fried, continued to bow, not showing any signs of movement. "Fufu, of course, we accept. We're family." With her charming laughter, Mirajane skipped towards the trio, enveloping them in a hug while smiling brightly.
However, she was just the beginning, as everyone else also joined Mirajane. "We forgive you!" "Yep!" "You guys were assholes, but Fairy Tail isn't so easily broken." "Just promise us you won't do that again!" "Apologizing is the first step to forgiveness. Though they say presents work wonders as well, especially a strawberry cake."
As everyone forgave the Thunder God Tribe, displaying Fairy Tail's true strength, they broke down in tears while being comforted.
Eventually, after a while, they managed to regain their composure, integrating back into Fairy Tail where they should've always been; however, not even five minutes later, Laxus was seen walking down the steps, prompting everyone to look at him with Evergreen, Bickslow, and Fried rushing towards him.
"L-Laxus, what happened?" At Fried's question, Laxus glanced between the three of them before responding. "I've been excommunicated from the guild." Although he spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, his response took everyone, especially the Thunder God Tribe, by surprise. Even I had been slightly surprised when I heard Gramps, though at the same time, I also understood his reasoning; though that didn't mean I agreed with him.
While the trio were behaving borderline crazily from learning Laxus had been excommunicated, remarking how they'll go change Gramps' mind or how they'll follow him, Laxus promptly shot down any attempts. "You will do nothing. You three will stay in Fairy Tail." Hearing his firm voice, the three of them opened their mouths, wanting to refute, before eventually nodding while lowering their heads.
Briefly smiling, Laxus walked past them, heading to the entrance of Fairy Tail while everyone silently watched him; when he reached the entrance, he briefly stopped. "Sorry." Without turning his back, Laxus opened the door and left, his figure vanishing behind the closing door.
We were barely given time to process Laxus being excommunicated before Gramps suddenly leaped onto the railing of the second floor, his enthusiastic voice echoing throughout the guild. "Alright, listen up! We've delayed the Fantasia Parade by two days! We can't wait any longer, so get ready. By tonight, I want to see everyone dressed up and prepared with their floats! The Fatasia Parade is happening tonight!"
At Gramps' statement, no one complained or made excuses about their injuries. Whether it was because they also wanted to participate in the Fantasia parade or because they knew how much heartache Gramps must be experiencing to be forced to excommunicate Laxus, everyone agreed.
"Haha, Parade!" "Shit, where did I place my outfit?" "Gray! Gray! Where are you, Gray! I think we need to get dressed together!" "C'mon, Alzack, we've got to get ready!" "Damn, I completely forgot about the parade."
As the guild grew chaotic with people leaving, preparing for the Fantasia Parade, I resumed being a bartender as my stuff was already prepared. 'Welp, I guess I just have to wait now.' Yawning slightly, I chugged a pint of alcohol. "Ah, that hit the spot."
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'This is so demeaning.' Growling under my breath, I pulled the several floats from the front while dressed in a Vulcan suit. As for why it was a Vulcan suit, it was either that or a lion suit, and I was not walking on my arms and legs.
Pulling the floats through the streets, which were crowded with the city's residents, I happened to glance at a pair of siblings eagerly jumping and pointing at me while hitting their chests, mimicking the actions of a Vulcan, causing my face to twitch before deeply sighing. Taking a breath, I promptly beat my chest and roared. "Roarr!" Succeeding in satisfying the pair of siblings as they smiled in glee.
'I'm so glad this is a full body suit.' While shaking my head, I continued walking, following the path Gramps had already planned, taking the main streets of Magnolia. However, while doing so, I heard Warren in my head. 'Big bro, do it.' Faintly nodding, I raised my arm, pointing to the sky; I didn't need to look back to know Gramps and everyone else were doing the same.
After some time, I lowered my hand down, resuming the act of pulling the several floats for the next hour before ending the fantasia parade back near the Guild.
"That was pretty fun." "Hehe, everything is fun with you, Gray." Seeing Juvia openly flirt with Gray, a common occurrence, I removed my Vulcan suit and slicked back my hair. "Oi, Gray, Juvia, I'll be back." "Hmm, okay."
Leaping onto the roof, I dashed across the top until I reached one of Magnolia's entrances. Jumping over the wall, I leaned against it, waiting only a few minutes before a cloaked figure exited the city, stopping after a few steps.
"Tsk, and here I was actively concealing myself." Rubbing my head in annoyance, I glanced at the cloaked figure, which turned around and gazed at me. "What do you want, Cooper? Come to gloat about your victory?" Pulling his hood back, Laxus gazed at me with a raised eyebrow, causing me to grin as I approached him.
"I do admit that it's hella tempting, though I'll save it for when you return." Rubbing my chin, I stopped before Laxus, who curiously stared at me. "Watch out for the Dark Guild Tartarus… Now get going. Oh, also, you'd better get stronger next time we meet, because I'll be much stronger as well; I'll be disappointed if you end up being weak."
After giving him a warning, I faintly smirked before lightly punching his chest, causing him to fiercely grin in response. "You defeating me was a miracle, and they only happen once." Pulling his hood back up, Laxus turned around, walking off, leaving nothing but a faint whisper. "Thanks, Cooper."
Snorting, I returned to Magnolia, leaping onto the wall, giving Laxus a final look before heading back to Fairy Tail.
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Man, I know some of y'all cried, don't hide it. Just admit it like a man.