T w e n t y O n e

Seven days since the last update... I'm so sorry minna-san I've been so stressed this week! Booth's no excuse, I hope you enjoy this chapter:)

(Y/N)

I had been out of the infirmary for almost a week now, though I hadn't been taking on any jobs. Not that I hadn't tried to, I was itching to get back to work but Mirajane and Master refused to allow me to take on a quest.

Laxus barely let me leave his house. I was staying with him until I was back on my feet. I didn't mind it though; having Laxus at my beck-and-call was actually quite entertaining. Laxus hadn't been home recently though, he said he was arranging something with the Thunder God Tribe. I didn't question it.

I was currently lying on the sofa reading some random novel, though I couldn't get the guild out of my mind. Almost every member had taken up a mission to save Erza from the "Tower of Heaven". I had begged Master to allow me to go, Erza was my closest friend, yet he wouldn't budge.

I had actually tried to sneak out and join the rescue mission multiple times, yet Laxus caught me each time and he eventually made Freed set up a rune around the house that didn't allow me to leave.

With a frustrated sigh I blew my hair out of my face and continued to read, only to be interrupted by knocking on the door. My ears perked up and I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked in the direction of the door.

No one ever came to visit Laxus, only the Thunder God Tribe and even then they just walked straight in, well except for Freed who claimed it was "rude" to just walk into his "beloved master's" home... Freed was a strange one but I loved him nonetheless.

I slowly got up and walked towards the door. As I turned the doorknob a letter floated through the crack of the door and an unknown force pulled the door shut. I jumped back in shock then ripped open the door, peering out and looking for who the perpetrator was. The porch and front yard was barren, however. I shut the door slowly and bent down to pick up the letter.

"(Y/n)" was printed on the envelope in elegant scripted letters. I peeled open the envelope and took out a small strip of paper that was inside. It had beautifully crafted calligraphy on it, if I had to guess I'd say it was an ancient language.

Along with the strip of paper, a Roman golden laurel wreath crown was inside the envelope. I delicately turned it in my hands, examining it carefully. I hummed to myself and placed it on my head and glanced in the mirror. The shining gold contrasted with my (h/c) hair perfectly and it looked as if the crown were made for me.

I hesitantly took it off after a minute or two and placed it in my jewelry box, along with the paper. I locked the chest with a small key and put it back in its hiding place. I had a feeling that the paper and crown would hold some significance later on.

* * *

After hours of begging Laxus to take down the rune over a communication lacrima, he finally gave in since he was returning to Magnolia soon anyways.

I took in a deep breath as I stepped outside, the spring sun warming my skin. I decided to stop by the South Gate Park before visiting the guild; I wanted to take a couple minutes to myself before entering the chaos of Fairy Tail.

As I walked towards the park I heard grunts and saw flashes of magic in the distance. I narrowed my eyes in curiosity and walked a little faster.

When I arrived I saw Jet and Droy beating up Gajeel, and him just taking it. Levy was frightened and hiding behind the huge tree she was just chained to just a week ago.

It was obvious what was happening, Jet and Droy were "teaching a lesson" to Gajeel and Gajeel was not fighting back, as he wanted to gain their trust, being a new member of the guild.

Master had actually contacted me and asked if I thought allowing Juvia and Gajeel join Fairy Tail was a good idea, I agreed. My philosophy is that everyone could change, for better or for worse. And if they wanted to change for the better, they deserved a second chance. That didn't mean I trusted either of them though, I would be keeping a close eye on them for the coming months.

None of them had noticed me watching them and they continued beating Gajeel, that is until a familiar voice interrupted them.

"You're not giving the newbie a hard time, are ya?" A sudden voice commented.

Laxus sauntered over to them menacingly. Everyone took in a sharp breath as they saw him and the air became tense.

"But seeing as this is the punk that tore down our guildhall, I understand how you feel." Laxus condescendingly sympathized.

He began to make his way to Gajeel who was kneeling on the ground holding his shoulder in pain. "I bet the only reason the old geezer let you join the guild was because he was scared of you wrecking the place again."

Laxus had remained emotionless until now, but his face began to contort with anger and annoyance as he glared at Gajeel. "We've become the laughing stock of the magic community, because of you!"

Gajeel continued to stare Laxus dead in eye as Laxus took a pause.

"On my way from my last job," Laxus continued, "I stopped off at a few pubs and I heard some things that really pissed me off! Everybody was talking about how weak the Fairy Tail guild is now. No one dared say that about us before you came along!"

Gajeel began to yell in pain as Laxus' magic engulfed him, sending sparks through the air.

"Now you're gonna pay!" Laxus punched the ground and sent a magic force towards Gajeel, which violently crashed into him head on. Gajeel disappeared in the magic though we could still hear his grunts.

It collided with a tree and Gajeel slumped against the tree like a rag-doll.

Why is Gajeel still not fighting back? I thought to myself.

Jet and Droy seemed to notice the same thing as they talked to one another warily.

Why is he still trying to gain our acceptance?!

Gajeel slowly began to lift himself from the ground but Laxus' booted foot collided with Gajeel's face as he kicked him around.

"Should've never messed with Fairy Tail, punk, 'cuz now you're gonna have to deal with me!" Laxus snarled.

"Give it a rest, Laxus. He's had enough!" Jet reached out.

"I'm not taking orders from you!" Laxus retorted, sending a charge towards Jet, though it missed him and shot towards Levy.

This is what broke me out of my shock and sprung me to action.

"Laxus!" I growled just as Gajeel appeared in front of Levy, blocking the lightning from hitting her.

"You through with me now? Because I got other things to do." Gajeel said lowly, walking away from us all.

"Um, Gajeel... I-!" Levy cried.

"Leave me alone." Gajeel interrupted tersely.

"Tch." Laxus gritted his teeth and turned around. I grabbed his bicep and pulled him towards me.

"Laxus, what the hell was that?! This isn't you, where is your brain, your heart?" I sent daggers at him, though he refused to even look at me.

He ripped his arm away from me and snappily replied, "I'm not arguing with you. Go home."

My eyes widened as I watched Laxus walk away, his black fur coat blowing behind him.

I couldn't help but shake an ominous feeling that something was going to happen. Something bad.

LAXUS

I can't take much more of this. Fairy Tail has become totally pathetic. It's nothing but a joke now!

I clenched my fist and felt the veins in my forearms popping out.

The stupid old geezer's running it into the ground. When I take over the guild, things are going to change!