Dealana ran for the guild hall. She saw the familiar magic attacks all throughout town and needed to know what was going on. To speed up the process, she leapt off a balcony and while mid-air, conjured a cloud that sped off for the guild hall. The sky-blunette attempted to contact Erza with some thought projection magic, the redhead had insisted she learn a couple years back, but she got no response. It was all troubling.

Back at the guild hall, Happy read out some more battle updates, "Max versus Warren. The winner is Warren. Vijeeter versus Nab. The winner is Nab. Laki defeats four others. Macao versus Wakaba, in progress."

"Foolish children!" Makarov grumbled, "What do they think they're doing?"

"They really don't have any choice but to fight each other. Those enchantments are hidden all over town so they're impossible to avoid." Happy expressed, not looking away from the runes, "It's just like Laxus said––this is the battle of Fairy Tail."

"But why?" Natsu asked, "It doesn't make sense." he grunted and closed his eyes in anger, noticable to Makarov and Happy.

"Natsu..." Happy said softly before the dragon slayer's true intentions were revealed.

He slammed against the rune barrier, "I wanna fight too!" he yelled.

"Is that all!?" Both Happy and Makarov shouted.

"Aw, man you suck! Go away invisible wall!" Natsu complained before Makarov hit him over the head.

"Why do you want to fight your friends?"

"'Cause it's a tournament to see who's the strongest!" Natsu exclaimed

"This is not a tournament!" Makarov yelled at him, simmering down enough to speak calmly, "It's nothing but a trap. Laxus is playing you like a bunch of pawns. If we can't beat the Thunder Legion in time, the girls are going to be smashed to pieces." he looked at the stage with a sad expression, "I know that everyone's trying to keep that from happening, but they're going about it in the wrong way. If we keep fighting amongst ourselves then the girls are as good as finished. We can't let Laxus win."

"C'mon, Gramps, you don't seriously think he'd hurt 'em, do you?" Natsu asked, "I know he can be a real pain sometimes, but he's still one of us. This is obviously a bluff."

"You think so?" Makarov questioned the rather optimistic scarf-wearer.

In response, Natsu slammed against the rune barrier once more, "There's a fighting festival goin' on out there! Why do I gotta be stuck in this dump?" he yelled angrily.

"Beats me. I can go through just fine." Happy said, adding salt to the wound by flying passed the barrier with ease.

"Does this mean I'm over 80 and no one ever told me?" Natsu began to freak out, "'Cause I'd know if I was a stone statue, right?"

The runes shifted and Happy read the announcement, "Time remaining: two hours and eighteen minutes. Participants remaining: 42."

"That can't be all that's left. That means more than half the guild had wiped itself out in less than an hour." Makarov realized. "Evergreen versus Elfman. The winner is Evergreen." He then read the rune update, "Elfman K.O.-ed."

"I thought he'd have no problem beating her." Happy commented.

"Ah! Now it says that Gray's fighting against Bickslow?" Natsu read, "Why's he gotta hog all the fun?"

"It also says Freed is fighting against Reedus." Happy remarked seeing the battle listing, "The Thunder Legion is really making their move." It wasn't long after that Reedus was taken out.

"I knew it! He never could a beat Freed. That guy is good." Natsu said.

"I know he's cool and all, but you're cheering for the wrong side! Now we're not going to be able to get Porlyusica's help!" Happy scolded him, worry evident in his voice.

"We don't need it." Natsu crossed his arms, "Laxus is just bluffing about turnin' the girls to dust."

"I'm just bluffing, am I?" Laxus' voice came from behind them via projection, "You sure about that?"

"Where's you come from?" Natsu questioned.

"It's a thought projection!" Happy realized.

"Natsu, what're doing holed up in this dump? Are you scared?" Laxus taunted.

"I'm not scared, I'm stuck!" Natsu admitted.

"What do you want?" Makarov asked.

"How's it feel, huh? You think of the guild members as your children, right? Must be tough watching your little kiddies tear each other apart. It's too bad Natsu and Erza can't join the game 'cause you don't have anyone left who's strong enouhg to take on the Thunder Legion. You ready to throw in the towel?"

"No, it's not over yet." Happy burst out, standing up to Laxus without fear, "Don't forget that Gray's still in the game! And he's just as strong a wizard as Natsu! Dealana too!"

"He's as strong as me? No, way man!"

"Sorry, but you're in denial?" Happy told Natsu.

"Hah! The little runt is nowhere to be found, not to mention it sounds like she doesn't know what's going on. Taking care of her will be like swatting a fly. But, Gray huh? You're gonna put all of your hopes on that loser?" Laxus sneered.

"I wouldn't underestimate the boy's power if I were you! As for Dealana, she'll have no problem going to head-to-head with the Thunder Legion, don't forget she trained with you when you were all nicer!" Makarov informed Laxus before the fighting outside continued and Gray was unfortunately defeated.

"One more down," Laxus read not even bothering to read the name, "only 28 contenders remain." he began laughing, "And that chump was gonna save ya?"

"You cheater!" Happy accused, "I know you and your pals used some dirty trick to beat him!"

"Alright, who's gonna beat the Thunder Legion now, old man? I guess you'll have to hope the little runt can keep up with them, 'cause at this rate, she'll be the only one left!" Laxus asked.

"Gajeel's still in!" Happy burst out

"I don't think so," Laxus finally addressed Happy, "He's made it clear that he doesn't wanna play. Which doesn't surprise me. That guy couldn't care less what happens to the guild."

"What? Am I invisible?" Natsu complained loudly.

"You might as well be if you can't get past the barrier." Laxus retorted.

"Enough. It isn't worth it. I surrender, alright?" Makarov spoke up, turning to look at Laxus.

"Wait a sec!" Natsu protested.

"You've had your fun." Makarov continued, ignoring Natsu, "Now stop this."

"What's gotten in to you?" Laxus smirked, "I thought you were the master of the almighty Fairy Tail guild? You can't just give up at the drop of a hat. But if you insist on quitting then by all means, hand the guild over to me and take an early retirement." he offered

"Why you gotta play dirty?" Natsu questioned, angry at the prospect, "Why don't ya come here and face us? Huh?"

"I should've known." Makarov was shaking slightly, "This was your goal all along, wasn't it?"

"You've only got an hour and a half until the statues crumble. If you really wanna put an end to this, then announce your retirement to the whole town over the guild's loud speaker. I want you to tell everyone you're relinquishing Fairy Tail over to me! What means more to you? Your children or you title? Choose carefully." Laxus questioned before his thought projection disappeared.

➵

It soon became apparent that even Gajeel couldn't leave the guild hall. Natsu was convinced it was because the spiky black-haired male was over eighty years old. As all this occurred while the Thunder Legion was making their move and wiping out all those who still remained, until it was only those in the guild and Dealana left in the fight.

"Only three left in the guild?" Makarov questioned.

"Gramps!" they all turned to see Dealana drop from her cloud, landing with a roll before she was making her way toward the entrance.

"Dealana! Wait!" Makarov yelled bringing the girl to an immediate halt

"What's going on? Everyone's fighting in the town! I can't reach Erza..." Dealana's gaze fixed on the statue of the girl's on the stage. "No!" she yelled trying to run forward, but she never moved despite kicking her legs. Happy had lifted her off the ground in order to keep her from crossing just in case she would get stuck too.

"Let me go!" Dealana hollared.

"We can't! Freed set an enchantment around the guild hall and we can't risk you getting stuck too. You're the only one who's able to fight in the Battle of Fairy Tail!" Happy shouted at her. Dealana froze.

"Battle of Fairy Tail...Freed...Evergreen's stone eyes...Laxus." she growled coming to the realization. Her hands curled into tight fists, "What exactly is going on?" and with that, Makarov explained the situation. Gajeel and Natsu watched as she became increasingly angry until she was emitting a dark aura that lead Happy to set her down and hide behind his dragon slayer partner.

"You go and find Laxus, while we'll figure something out here." Makarov told her. Dealana's eyes were hidden behind her hair as she turned around to stalk away.

"I don't know if you heard what Laxus said a little while back, Gramps, but I think he was right." Dealana's voice was noticeably deeper and you could feel the rage rolling off her body in waves as she spoke, it sent shivers down even Gajeel's spine, "He really shouldn't have picked me up off the street, 'cause it's going to end up being his downfall."

Dealana moved toward Magnolia, a hard look of anger and betrayal written across her face while Natsu said something about bringing Erza back.

"Hold on! Was Dealana wearing a dress!?" Happy shrieked.

➵

Dealana sprinted through the town, her bare feet hitting ground as she wished Erza chose a different day for her punishment dress. Laxus was turning everyone in Fairy Tail against each other, it made her sick. She admitted that their relationship was severed and no means of mending it, but that didn't necessarily mean she couldn't be hurt by his actions.

The storm dragon slayer slowed to a stop on a balcony much like the one she had been prior to discovering Laxus' plans. The sky was darkening and storm clouds were rolling in. She looked out over Magnolia from her perch, her heterochromatic eyes carefully observing for any signs of where the Thunder Legion would be. Dealana's blood was boiling and she needed to release her anger, preferably on Laxus. It wasn't until she heard familiar laughter and high-pitched echos that Dealana finally smirked.

"Long time no see, little Lana. That's a cute outfit you got too."

"Cute ! Cute!"

Dealana turned around and met Bickslow's mask covered face with her livid one. The smirk she wore only made the Thunder Legion member's hair stand on end.

"You and I are going to have a little talk about hurting my family and calling me cute. But I have to offer you a chance to realize your stupidity." she offered, "Surrender now, and I'm sure you can help me end all of this madness."

"Hah!" Bickslow began laughing, "Hate to break it to ya, but this is the Battle of Fairy Tail, I'm not going to give up when we're so close to Laxus' goal." he sneered

"So close! So close!"

Dealana cracked her knuckles, the storm clouds above growing darker and lightning even began to crackle and flash with the sound of thunder following after. "I was actually hoping you'd say that."

➵

I'm excited! I'm excited! I'm super excited! I have nothing better to do today before I see my friend's play, so I'm updating, yay!