Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master

Today was probably the happiest day of Juvia's life. After officially joining Fairy Tail, she was not only allowed to take part in the grand Magic Parade as a new member, but she even got to perform hand-in-hand with Gray-sama.

Hand in hand!

Lucy hadn't even held hands with Gray-sama!

Gray-sama had frozen her water magic into a sparkling ice castle. Ah~ wasn't this just like an engagement?

Juvia had to muster every ounce of self-control to avoid fainting in front of the crowd.

To keep herself from swooning, she forced her attention to the rest of the parade performances.

Erza's costume magic and festive sword dance dazzled the crowd.

Rhodes, Mira, Elfman, and Warm performed a lively routine- werewolf, demon queen, beast king, and adorable monster, bringing cheers from the audience.

Natsu and Loke had snuck into the show, releasing bursts of fire and light magic in a spectacular starlit display.

All kinds of spells and performances amazed the spectators, making their trip to Magnolia more than worth it.

Hidden among the crowd was Mystogan, disguised under a scarf and mask. Silently, he raised his staff and cast brilliant illusions, adding even more magic to the atmosphere.

Not far away, Simon, Wally, Sho, and Millianna, former captives of the Tower of Heaven, watched the parade quietly, their eyes focused on Erza.

"Since we came all the way here, why not say hello to Erza?" Millianna asked, her tail flicking with excitement.

Simon smiled gently and shook his head. "No need. We only just parted ways. Watching her shine from a distance is enough."

Sho nodded. "She's busy today. Let's not bother her."

Wally tipped his hat coolly. "If we show up now, we'll only bring back bad memories. Sometimes, real men just protect from the shadows."

Once Erza's float had passed, Simon took one last look, then smiled. "She's still the same strong, beautiful Erza. That's all I need to know. It's time to move on."

"Where to next?" Millianna asked cheerfully.

"I want to see snow! I heard it's soft and white like a kitten's fur!"

"Then let's head west! Sounds like a place for true adventurers."

"Idiot! The snow is in the north!"

The four former prisoners, still hopeless with directions, wandered off into the crowd to begin a new journey.

Elsewhere, a cloaked figure with a travel pack silently watched Lucy dancing atop a float, then melted back into the crowd without a word.

In the infirmary, Laxus stared at the fireworks outside. It had been years since he last joined the Magic Parade. As a child, it had been his favorite event.

"Laxus," Bickslow said carefully, "master really wants you to..."

"Yeah." Laxus didn't turn around. "People have to take responsibility for their actions. I deserve this."

Evergreen added, "Then we should share the blame too."

"You're different. I have no right to stay here anymore."

He watched a firework explode in the shape of the Fairy Tail emblem. That one was probably Natsu's doing.

Laxus smiled faintly. "If you want to atone, protect the guild. Take my share of the burden."

The three of them were stunned. It had been a long time since they'd seen Laxus smile like that.

But...If he truly had no attachment left, then why ask them to protect it?

You're lying to yourself, Laxus.

Freed nodded, a soft smile on his face. "I understand, Laxus. In that case, please take care of yourself, too."

"Freed..." Bickslow and Evergreen exchanged glances. They could tell Freed was the most heartbroken.

"It's his wish," Freed said. "The least we can do is respect it and say goodbye properly."

...

The Magic Parade ended in a blaze of lights and cheers. As everyone returned to the guild, the atmosphere quickly shifted to celebration.

A banquet erupted in the hall, as it always did.

Members showed off their talents, and none made a stronger impression than Gajeel.

He strode onstage with a beat-up guitar, announcing that he had written a song himself, titled "Best Friend."

He played and sang with passion, thanking the guild, the master, and expressing how happy he was to have found friends.

The lyrics were heartfelt, but also full of strange nonsense words like "dong-dong-dong," "shalala," "gajigaji," and "shooby-doo-wop."

It was weird.

It was loud.

It was Gajeel.

His guitar skills were a disaster, and his singing wasn't much better, but it was honest.

Normally, people would clap anyway out of politeness.

But this was Fairy Tail.

If it was terrible, they'd let you know.

Soon, people were booing, yelling, and even throwing things. Ironically, some of the stuff tossed on stage was made of metal, which Gajeel happily crunched down as a snack.

The chaotic celebration carried on late into the night, until one by one, everyone dozed off on the floor, the tables, or wherever they could find space.

By the next day at noon, everyone was assembled in the main hall.

It was time.

Makarov stood up, his expression solemn. He was about to announce the official punishment of Laxus Dreyar.

"Because he harmed his comrades, incited internal conflict, and seriously violated the values of our guild... I, as the Master of Fairy Tail, hereby declare Laxus Dreyar... expelled from the guild!"

The words hit like thunder. Although many had expected Laxus to face serious consequences, few imagined that Master Makarov would go as far as to expel his own grandson.

"Wait, what?"

"Master!"

Natsu was the first to erupt. "Old man! Isn't this too much?! It was just a fight! He can fix what he broke, can't he?"

Gray stepped forward too. "Yeah, the guy's an idiot... but I agree with Natsu this time."

Laxus, leaning on a crutch, stood silently. He didn't say a word in his own defense.

"Quiet!" Makarov turned away from them, raising his arm to hide the strain in his voice. "He committed an act that betrayed the guild. That's something I can't overlook. Now... get out."

What Makarov didn't say aloud was what he'd learned the day before: Laxus had stockpiled 300 lightning magic lacrima. His plan, had the petrification spell on the girls failed, was to use the entire city of Magnolia as a hostage.

That alone, even if the crystals hadn't been activated, crossed a dangerous line.

From both a guild's moral standpoint and a legal one, such behavior couldn't be ignored. If the Magic Council had still been functioning, Laxus would've been imprisoned.

Despite how much it hurt him, despite knowing Laxus had realized his mistake, Makarov made the only decision a Master could.

Some guild members still looked ready to argue, but Laxus had already turned and was walking slowly toward the door.

"I understand. Thank you... for everything... Grandpa."

Makarov's shoulders trembled slightly. It had been a long, long time since he'd heard Laxus call him that.

"Don't go, Laxus! I haven't beaten you yet!" Natsu shouted, charging forward, but Erza stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Let him go, Natsu," she said gently. "For his pride. And for Master's sake. Say goodbye properly."

Natsu lowered his gaze, biting his lip. To him, Fairy Tail was home. Laxus had always been the big brother figure, loud, annoying, but family all the same. In Natsu's world, when family made a mistake, you fought them, yelled at them, maybe even punched them. But you didn't exile them.

Rhodes didn't share Natsu's deep bond with Laxus. They barely knew each other. But even he could feel the heavy atmosphere pressing down on the guild hall, and he worried most for Makarov.

The silence was suffocating.

At the threshold, Laxus paused. He didn't look back, just raised a hand.

"One more thing," he muttered. "I'm sorry."

Then he walked out. As he did, the black Fairy Tail emblem on his left side shimmered, dissolved into golden stardust, and drifted into the air.