Banishment

***Unknown Plain***

A ball of light floated over streams of lava until it reached a crack in a mountain, where glowing eyes shined out. "What are you doing here, Grandeeney?"

"Just visiting an old friend." The ball said as it stopped in the air.

"Need I remind you that you're forbidden to come here!?" The creature in the cave asked.

"Your child is being reckless." Grandeeney said. "Reminds me of someone else I know. His good luck will only take him so far. In which case, he could die."

"Begone!" Flames shot out of the hole and the mountain crumbled to pieces. "Do not meddle in the humans affairs! Do so and you will anger me, the mighty Igneel!"

"There's no point in worrying when we can't change the outcome." The ball said. "All we can do is have faith in the humans. You know Zeref is... never mind. Well, I'll be off. Arnighte deserves a visit as well." The ball faded and Igneel breathed out smoke in anger.

***Magnolia***

Porlyusica walked down the street, listening to the humans complain that the Fantasia Parade wouldn't happen until tomorrow. Rumor of Makarov's condition travelled fast as people started wondering who the new guild master would be should his heath fail him.

"Laxus would make the most sense." Someone said as she walked by. "But he's a such a jerk. Who would put him in charge?"

"I've known him since he was a kid, and now he might be the new master." Another said. "Now I really do feel like an old man."

***Guildhall***

"Thanks to Porlyusica, the master is going to pull through." Erza declared to the whole guild. "He'll be back to work in no time." The guild cheered at the statement and raised their mugs in joy. "Still, he's not as young as he use to be. So any added stress could affect his health. So everyone be on your best behavior."

"Is it a good idea to hold the Fantasia Parade after that just happen?" Lucy asked.

"After everything we just went through, we need some happy times." Brianna said as she sat down next to her.

"And the master wants us to do it." Mirajane added. "It seems like the perfect way to cheer everyone up after that mess."

"I can't wait to see what you have planned for the parade!" Juvia cheered from behind Gray.

"You're not gonna watch it, you're gonna be in it." Cana said, shocking the bluenette.

"But, but I just joined..." Juvia mumbled.

"A lot of members were injured fighting against each other, so anyone who can move has to participate." Happy mumbled with a fish in his mouth.

"Does that mean I'm gonna be in it too?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah, we need all the people we can get." Gray answered. "Besides, it's not like those three can help out." He pointed over to Natsu, Gajeel, and Nicholas, all heavily bandaged.

"Screw you and your parade!" Gajeel growled.

"Well, me and Nickie are gonna be in it." Brianna said as she leaned against the table.

"I keep telling you not to call me that." Nicholas begged.

Natsu mumbled something under his bandages, confusing Lucy. "How are you gonna be part of the action? You're out of it." Gajeel said. Natsu mumbled something back, angering Gajeel and Nicholas.

"I can do whatever I want!" Nicholas shouted back.

"How is it that they can understand each other?" Lucy asked.

"Maybe 'cause they're just as stupid as Natsu." Happy suggested.

Erza stared at the hall and smiled at the merriment of her fellow members. Footsteps drew everyone to the front door in anger as Laxus walked into the guild. "What do you want?" Wakaba asked as he walked past him.

"Where's the old man?" The blonde asked Erza, throwing the whole guild into a frenzy of protest.

"Quiet!" Erza shouted, calming the whole guild down. "The master's in the infirmary."

"Are you serious?" Jet asked in anger. Laxus walked past him and Erza, as everyone else stared at him until Natsu and Nicholas slid in front of the blonde.

"You two..." Laxus mumbled as the three locked eyes.

Natsu pointed at him and mumbled something incoherent, leaving the whole guild flabbergasted. "And that goes double for me!" Nicholas added.

"Can you translate?" Lucy asked Gajeel as he walked over.

"He said next time, it won't be three against one." Gajeel's said. "Just you and me face to face, and I swear I ain't gonna lose again."

"Wait, I thought you guys beat him?" Lucy asked confused.

"More like a draw." Gajeel confessed as Laxus walked past Natsu. "Look at what he did to us. I don't even wanna think about what would have happened if he was around during the Phantom battle. I might be six feet under by now."

Natsu turned around in anger and mumbled again. Laxus waved his hand back and Natsu stared wide eyed. "Shows over!" Erza shouted. "Let's get ready for the Fantasia parade!"

Laxus walked into the infirmary and closed the door behind him. "A rowdy bunch, aren't they?" Laxus asked as his grandfather sat up.

"Laxus, do you understand how serious your actions are?" The old man asked, making the blonde look away. "Look me in the eyes, boy." The blonde obeyed and stared at his grandfather. Both looked at the door as Nicholas walked in.

"What? There was no way I was gonna miss this." The brunette said as grabbed some gauze and retreated his chest.

"Very well." Makarov sighed as he looked back at Laxus. "Laxus, Fairy Tailis a place where friends can gather. Where wizards can find work. And where children whom fate seems to have cursed, can feel like they are apart of something special. It's not something that can be owned. This guild was built upon the trust and honor of each individual member. Without that, no bonds will be formed and the entire guild will fall apart. Your actions have proven that you lack these traits, and you threatened the lives of your comrades. That is unforgivable."

"I'm sorry, sir." The blonde said, looking up. He clenched his fist in anger before letting out a heavy sigh. "I just... wanted to make the guild stronger... I never meant to hurt anyone."

"Did this come before or after you threatened to blow up the whole town?" Nicholas asked.

"Keep out of this." The blonde snapped back. "Seriously, do you get off on this Schadenfreude crap?"

"I swear, your just as high strung as I am." Makarov jumped off the bed and slid into his slippers before walking over. "You'd better relax or you'll end up here with me. Take some time and smell the roses. If you do, you'll be able to see thing you couldn't see before. Life is something to be enjoyed, you know?"

Laxus looked away in shame. "I've watch you grow into the man you are today. Where did I go wrong, what lessons did you not learn? The past is the past, and I am left with only one choice." The two stared in silence until Makarov spoke up. "Laxus, you are hear by expelled from Fairy Tail."

The blonde felt his whole world crumble around him. "Right... thanks." The two turned around and Laxus headed for the door. "Grandpa..."

Makarov tried to hold back his tears as Laxus walked out the door. "I still say he should pay a hefty fine as well."

***Magnolia Park***

"This has to be a joke, right!?" Evergreen shouted. "Why would he kick you out and not the rest of us!?"

"We're just as guilty as you are!" Bickslow added and his dolls repeated.

"Guess he doesn't see it that way." Laxus said back.

"If you're leaving, then I am two!" Evergreen shouted.

"There's no reason for us to stick around if you're not here!" Bickslow added.

"You guys are so annoying sometimes." Laxus smirked. "Can't you just say goodbye and be done with it?"

"I don't understand..." Freed mumbled, finally joining the conversation. "We're at fault too, so why are you taking the blame?"

"You got it all wrong." Laxus shook his head. "Say what you want, but you guys are way more attached to the guild than I could be."

"We'll ask the master about this!" Evergreen shouted. "Maybe we can change his mind."

"Natsu and Gray respect you, so I'm sure they'll back us up." Bickslow added.

Laxus grabbed his bag off the ground and flung it over his shoulder before he turned around and walked away. "Take care, you guys."

"Don't leave!" Bickslow shouted. "What's gonna happen to the Thunder Legion?"

His question went unanswered as Freed stared in silence with a smile. 'We'll meet again, Laxus.'

***Rocky Plain***

"Wonderful news, Ultear." A voice said through her orb. "What happened to Jellal?"

"Honestly, I couldn't care less." The woman said back.

"The buffoon never had a clue you were the one behind the whole thing... Pathetic." The voice added.

"He wasn't the brightest boy, but he was adorable." Ultear added darkly. "I still can't believe that in all those years, he never realized that I was pretending to be the spirit of Lord Zeref."

"Your ability set the stage for a wonderful play." The man said back. "The council is in turmoil and the etherion was fired. Out plan is coming closer to realization."

"I had hoped the confusion would have allowed you to move freely." Ultear said.

"It worked perfectly." The man said. "One of the keys needed is now in my position."

"That's good, master Hades." Ultear said with a chuckle. "I'm sorry things had to end this way, my dear Jellal."

***Magnolia***

Fireworks shot into the sky as the whole town cheered at the floats going past them. All the wizards of Fairy Tail shoes off their magic, starting with Cana making her cards float in mid air. She, Wakaba and Macao sent their magic into the sky and they collided, creating hearts in the night sky.

Laxus watched from the side with a smile smile as Bisca, Lucy and Levy followed on a float and did a fancy ribbon dance.

Elfmans float followed them as he stood in his beast form, roaring in front of a castle that was topped with a rose. The rose opened and Mirajane popped out, making everyone cheer. Those cheers died out the second she turned herself into a giant lizard.

Gray and Juvia, dressed in a king and Queen outfit, followed them as Gray created a castle of ice. He nodded at Juvia and she summoned a current of water above it and then Gray created the words 'Fairy Tail' in ice on top.

Next was Nicholas and Brianna's float. Brianna wis her Glastig dress while Nicholas was covered in his scales and torn clothing, giving him a troll look. He summoned a mountain of rock behind him that was quickly overtaken by plants. Flowers popped out of the ground and created the Fairy Tail symbol.

Near the back of the parade was Erza's float. Erza spun her swords around her before she twirled and glowed into a new revealing outfit with four pigtails.

Natsu walked behind her and behind him was a mountain of flames. He pulled his head back and spat the words 'Fairy Tail' in flames until he coughed, scaring Happy.

Other members followed them as Makarov watched from the very last float. "Hey master." The old man turned around and looked at Gajeel.

"You're not gonna be in the parade, Gajeel?" He asked.

"Spotlights aren't really my thing." He said back.

"Whatever you say, mister 'shooby do ba." Makarov chuckled.

Gajeel almost shouted back, but instead sighed and pulled out a piece of paper. "Here, this is for you. It took me a while, but I tracked down your son for you."

"Thank you, my boy." Makarov said as he took the scrap. "I'm sorry it was so dangerous."

"Not a problem." Gajeel said back. "It was actually kinda fun. That guy has no idea I'm a double agent."

"We can't let him do as he pleases..." Makarov said and then someone called for him. "Sorry, but my public awaits."

Laxus walked down the streets when he heard someone point out the master. A smile grew on his face and he turned to leave but something compelled him to turn around. His eyes went wide as the whole guild gave the symbol of victory to him. Nicholas refused to, but after an elbow to his sore gut from Brianna, his hand completed the guild.

The blondes eyes filled up with tears until they burst. "Grandpa..."

*'I may not be able to see you.'* Makarov thought to himself. *'They're maybe thousands of miles between us. But I'll always be looking your way. I'll forever be watching you.'* Tears fell faster from the blonde's eyes as he turned and left the town.

"The party's just getting started!" Natsu cheered. "Okay guys, who's proud to be a member of Fairy Tail!?" The whole guild erupted into cheers as the parade carried on.