Magnolia.
Although the morning sun had risen, the air remained thick with unease, heavier even than the tension that had filled the city the night before.
The streets were unnaturally quiet. No vendors calling out. No laughter. No usual hustle and bustle.
To prepare for a possible Phantom Lord attack at any moment, Mira, Erza, Lucy, Levy, and the others had already begun evacuating nearby residents in advance.
Back at the damaged Fairy Tail Guild
While the massive iron pillar Gajeel had lodged into the building had been removed, and the worst of the holes had been hastily patched,
The truth was... the damage was extensive.
Far from feeling repaired, the guild building now looked like it might collapse with the next strong breeze just like the stormy skies brewing above.
Inside the guild hall, nearly every member of Fairy Tail had gathered. Only a few, unreachable due to missions, were missing. The room was packed wall to wall with grim faces and clenched fists.
Standing on the battered bar counter, Master Makarov wore his Ten Wizard Saints cloak, his small figure radiating authority.
Flanking him were the three S-Class mages: Chase, Mira, and Erza.
"Insults, sabotaging our requests, even wrecking our guild honestly, we can live with all that."
Makarov's voice was low, calm, and measured.
"But "
He suddenly dropped the usual carefree elder act. His gaze turned piercing, and the pressure in the room spiked.
"The moment Phantom Lord and Saber Fang laid their hands on our children... they crossed a line they can never come back from."
"No father wants to see his children bleeding and crying. So if those ghosts think they can walk away after this "
"No. Even if they beg for peace, even if they grovel at our feet... this doesn't end here."
"They're going to remember exactly what it costs to pick a fight with Fairy Tail!!"
The entire hall erupted in a roar of approval.
Last night, after Erza and the others returned with the full report the Lane Engine team nearly annihilated, and Levy and the others ambushed
Makarov, who had been restraining himself until then, finally snapped.
Nothing enraged him more than seeing his family his children get hurt.
Not even the Magic Council could calm him down now. This conflict would shake the entire region if necessary.
And that's why, without hesitation, he had approved Chase's plan to strike back.
"So that's what you want, Jose? You want war?"
Makarov growled. "Then bring it on!"
He had then questioned Erza in detail about the Saber Fang member she had brought back.
The man, clearly no main character, had nearly fainted under Makarov's glare.
Terrified, he spilled everything he knew how Phantom Lord had joined forces with Saber Fang, how the attack was designed to provoke Fairy Tail, and how Aria, the wind-element warrior, had secretly infiltrated Magnolia ahead of time to ambush them from within.
Every plot. Every plan. Every sneaky trick was dragged into the light.
And that was why today's pre-battle mobilization had been called.
"OHHHHHHHH!!!"
The members of Fairy Tail roared in unison, their voices shaking the hall.
In that moment, they weren't just responding to Makarov's words they were unleashing a storm of pent-up rage. Ever since their comrades had been attacked, they'd been bottling up their fury. Now, with the floodgates open, that rage exploded into an unstoppable battle cry.
"…Although it really does feel like the guild's about to collapse because of you guys," Lucy muttered from within the crowd, sweat dripping down her cheek.
"Love~ Lucy, it's just a little structural damage!"
Happy swooped down from above with a cheerful flap of his wings.
"Ahahahaha! Come on out already, you Phantom punks!!"
Natsu slammed his fists together, flames erupting wildly.
"I'm already burning up!"
"I get it, I get it! But could you not literally burn the place down?! The guild's barely standing as it is!"
Lucy glanced around and flinched as splinters and wooden beams continued to drop from the ceiling. She opened her mouth to protest again but paused.
Because as she looked around, she saw the faces of her guildmates lit with fire, laughter, and fierce determination.
That's when she remembered.
The building isn't the guild. The people are.
Even if this place crumbled into dust...
As long as everyone was together, that was Fairy Tail.
A calm voice drifted in beside her.
"The building's just a shell. The heart of the guild… is right here."
A handsome man leaned beside her. Loke gave her a sideways glance and smiled.
"These guys have been holding it in for way too long. Let 'em blow off steam while they can."
Lucy blinked in surprise. "Loke, you "
"AHH WAIT NO I'M STILL TOO SHY TO BE NEAR YOU!!"
Loke's suave expression lasted exactly three seconds before he yelped and dove behind Elfman who was, of course, yelling "MANLINESS!!" at the top of his lungs.
Lucy puffed up in frustration. "Then what are you afraid of, you idiot?!"
Still... her mood softened. She took a breath and closed her eyes, feeling the heat, energy, and spirit all around her.
This was Fairy Tail.
She couldn't spoil the mood at a time like this.
"YEAH!! DOWN WITH PHANTOM!!"
Lucy flung her fist into the air, her voice joining the chorus of defiance and unity.
Up at the bar counter, Makarov looked away from the lively guild and turned to Mira, who stood quietly to the side.
"Mira. Still no word from the others?"
He didn't need to name them. Of course he meant Gildarts, Laxus, and Mystogan.
It wasn't that they were being summoned for backup Fairy Tail could fight its own battles. But with a full-scale war on the horizon, it was best to give the heavy-hitters a heads-up.
"Laxus just responded," Mira said.
But her usual gentle expression faltered. Even Mira, the soul of patience, was visibly annoyed.
"…But?"
Makarov raised an eyebrow, already sensing what was coming.
Mira exhaled, her voice flat.
"You should talk to him yourself."
Mira stepped behind the bar counter and activated the communication magic crystal embedded in the corner of the wall.
The connection established quickly. In the glowing crystal orb, Laxus appeared, wearing his signature spiked headphones.
Behind him stood the Thunder God Tribe Freed, Evergreen, and Bixlow. Judging by the rocky cliffs and sparse trees in the background, they were somewhere in a remote mountain forest.
"Laxus, where are you right now?"
Makarov's voice was cold and heavy.
"I'm working on a job. Why? You planning to talk me into coming back like Mira did?"
In the crystal image, Laxus spread his arms with a smirk and spoke casually.
"I'm not getting involved in some emotional drama. You've got Chase and that band of weaklings just have them protect your precious little guild."
If this war with Phantom Lord were about proving who the strongest in Fiore was, Laxus would have been first in line, ready to crush every last enemy.
But if this was about defending the "weak"? About protecting people he thought didn't deserve to be in Fairy Tail?
That had nothing to do with him.
In fact, deep down, Laxus was hoping this attack would finally open Makarov's eyes. That it would force him to face the truth that weaklings had no place in Fairy Tail. Then, maybe, he could finally lead the guild the right way.
"Laxus, do you even hear yourself right now?!"
Makarov's face darkened, voice booming with anger.
But the Laxus inside that crystal didn't even flinch. He just snorted.
"I've got a commission to finish. Later."
With that, the image cut out. He had hung up without hesitation.
"That brat!!"
Makarov slammed his fist on the bar, rage boiling over.
At that exact moment, Bisca burst in from outside, practically tripping over herself in a sprint.
"Master! A group of mages we've never seen before just appeared! Six hundred meters from the front gate of the guild!"
"The leader... he's a huge guy with monk beads around his neck and totally white eyes!"
The uproar in the guild went silent in an instant.
Every member's body tensed.
Hands clenched. Magic flared faintly. The air grew hot with focused energy.
"So... you've finally come, Germain."
Makarov's face turned completely cold. He crushed his wooden staff with one hand, jumped down from the bar, and strode toward the door, each step thudding like a war drum.
The entire guild followed behind him like a roaring tide.
Chase kept pace beside him, glancing up at the gloomy sky as he sighed inwardly.
Germain... buddy...
You were already being used as a disposable pawn, and now you decided to show up right after Laxus ticked off the old man?
You poor, poor soul. That's just asking for pain.
....
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