Chapter 73 : Apologizes!!

At Night

The guild was buzzing with activity. Members mingled and chatted, while Mirajane kept a watchful eye over the proceedings, as instructed by Master Makarov. She caught sight of Everit, who seemed slightly dejected, sitting on a stool at the counter.

"Everit," she called out with a warm smile, "Master told me to keep an eye on you tonight."

Everit glanced up at her, his expression somewhere between resigned and amused. He focused on Mirajane's busy back, letting his thoughts drift.

"Want anything to drink?" Mirajane asked, noticing his dazed look. "Just don't cause any trouble, okay?"

Everit raised an eyebrow and replied in a mock-hurt tone, "Of course not! Miss Mirajane, I'm surprised you don't trust me. My heart is wounded!"

Mirajane chuckled, touching her chin thoughtfully. "Oh, I trust you," she said, "but I trust you to never suggest any crazy ideas without a good reason."

Everit sighed dramatically, clutching his chest as if stabbed by her words. "Ah, your gentle words cut me like a knife!" he declared with theatrical despair.

Mirajane rolled her eyes and placed a glass of sparkling water in front of him. "Cut it out, Everit. Just don't go too far tonight, okay?"

Everit grinned and stood up, raising his glass to Mirajane. "Praise be to your kindness and gentleness," he said, before staggering over to the table where Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel sat, each wrapped head to toe in bandages.

The three were almost mummified, their bodies stiff and stretched out. They sat on stools, legs straight, leaning back against the table, with only muffled sounds coming from their bandaged mouths. 

On the other side of the table, Lucy, Juvia, and Levy were whispering and giggling among themselves.

"Mmmph↑?" Natsu mumbled, unable to move his mouth.

"Mmmph→mmph↑," Gajeel replied.

"Mmmph↓mmph↑?" Gray joined in.

"Mmmph→mmph↑mmph↓!" Natsu seemed to be getting more agitated.

"Mmmph↑mmph↓mmph→," Gajeel responded, trying to shift slightly in his seat.

"What's going on with them?" Lucy asked, a look of confusion on her face.

The boys continued their muffled conversation, each trying to outdo the other with unintelligible noises. It was just another chaotic night at Fairy Tail.

"Juvia doesn't understand either," she said, shaking her head.

"I don't know either," Levy replied.

As Everit approached, Natsu and Gray were making odd noises. 

Natsu: "Woo→Woo↑Woo↓Woo↓!"

Gray: "Woo→Woo↑Woo↓Woo↓!"

Gajeel just stood there, silent.

Lucy observed the commotion. "I think they're trying to call Everit's name," she suggested.

Juvia nodded. "That makes sense, Miss Lucy."

Everit entered the room, holding a cup in his hand, and greeted them with a playful grin. "Hello, beautiful ladies. You're looking as charming as ever today."

"Good evening, Everit," Lucy responded politely.

"Thank you for protecting Gray-sama, Mr. Everit," Juvia said earnestly.

"Everit, how are Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe doing?" Levy asked, a little concerned. After the recent events, they had disappeared without a trace after their initial treatment. Everyone was worried that they might have left without saying goodbye.

"Don't worry, they'll be back soon," Everit replied confidently.

After calming everyone down, Everit sat beside Natsu and casually rested her elbow on his shoulder.

"Woo↓Woo↑Woo↓Woo→!" Natsu hummed, sounding a bit uncertain.

"Don't worry, we still have time. There are about ten days left," Everit reassured him.

"Everit, do you understand what he's saying?" Lucy asked, curious.

"Yeah, he was asking about the machinery exhibition," Everit replied.

"Oh, the one you were talking about earlier? Is it about to start?" Lucy recalled that Everit had given Gray and Natsu a ticket each to Alex's Machinery Exhibition.

"Yeah, but they're concerned they might miss it. There's no need to worry; we'll definitely make it in time," Everit explained.

"Phew." Gray let out a sigh of relief.

Just then, there was a 'click,' and the lights in the guild hall dimmed.

A spotlight shone on the stage at the front.

It was some guild members taking advantage of the party's atmosphere to put on a show.

Natsu and Happy were entranced by the performance, though it was a shame Natsu couldn't join in because of his injuries.

Everit finished his drink and pulled out a playing card, spinning it between his fingers. He'd been performing a few tricks during the evening.

As the spotlight brightened and the room hushed, everyone turned to watch the stage.

Standing there were Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe.

All eyes were on them.

Everit flicked the card, sending it soaring upward, and it turned into a streak of golden-black light before landing back in his hand. He flicked it again, repeating the motion.

"Although everyone accepted Everit's statement about S-Class Mage Promotion Trial ," Freed announced, holding the microphone, "we all know that things aren't quite as simple as that."

Fried stood at the center of the guild, his voice low and filled with regret. "Laxus and our insistence have caused harm to everyone."

"We made a mistake, and we can't just brush it off with excuses," he continued, feeling the weight of the entire guild's judgment. 

Fried had heard about the commotion their disappearance had caused. For several days, everyone had been worried sick, imagining the worst. 

He had prepared a speech to explain everything, but now that he was in front of everyone, words seemed to fail him.

He put down the communication lacrima and bowed deeply, saying, "I'm sorry, everyone."

"I'm sorry, Alzack," he said, looking at him with genuine remorse. 

"I'm sorry, Elfman."

"I'm sorry..."

Fried's voice trailed off as he tried to find the right words. He felt the shame of his actions and knew he needed to make amends. He struggled to hold back his tears, his voice catching in his throat.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "But... I don't want to leave Fairy Tail."

"I know it's shameless to ask this," he continued, his eyes lowering to the floor. "But... please, forgive us."

He bowed again, his head almost touching the ground.

"I'm sorry, Gray," he said, looking toward the Ice Mage, who stood with his arms crossed. "I'm sorry, Happy," he added, seeing the blue Exceed perched on Natsu's shoulder.

Fried's apology hung in the air, the silence enveloping the guild as everyone took in his words. He knew that it would take more than apologies to earn back their trust, but he was ready to start trying.

"I'm sorry," Bickslow said, offering a list of names and then bowing.

"I'm sorry," Evergreen added, her voice filled with genuine regret.

All eyes were now on Laxus. He stood there, his lips twitching slightly, caught in a battle with his own pride. Deep down, he knew he was in the wrong, but admitting it was a different matter entirely.

"Laxus!" a voice called out sharply, interrupting his internal struggle.

Laxus looked up, just in time to see Everit throw a card in his direction. He reached out to catch it, but someone else got there first. It was Everit himself, appearing on stage and grabbing the card mid-air. He then reached over, placed a hand on Laxus' head, and declared, "I'm sorry, everyone!"

With that, he pressed down on Laxus' head, forcing him into a bow along with him. The scene brought mixed reactions from the onlookers.

"You guys are really something!" someone remarked, shaking their head in disbelief.

"Everit, this joke of yours went way too far this time!" another exclaimed.

"Fried, your magic is just too strong!" said a voice from the crowd.

"Bickslow, you idiot!" someone else shouted, "If this is an S-class trial, show some leniency to someone like me who's still learning to fight!"

"Evergreen, you've got it right! I think you're the real Miss Fairy Tail!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Laxus," Erza called out.

Everyone turned their attention to her, waiting to hear what she'd say next.

"Learn your lesson, you idiot!" Erza exclaimed.

"Make sure these morons get what's coming to them," Cana yelled, grabbing a bottle of beer and pouring it all over the stage.

"Cana!" Everyone gasped in shock.

****

Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/AniScout