FTRJ: Chapter 90

"Hey, Laxus, wait a sec…" Cana called out, halting Laxus's departure.

"We were just surprised things got this serious. The vote hasn't started yet, right?"

"Yeah, yeah! The vote hasn't even begun! You can't leave that easily!" Gray added, his voice echoing Cana's protest.

"Laxus, you're still our comrade! Even if we fought, we're still partners! And I haven't had my rematch with you yet! You can't just leave like this!" Natsu exclaimed, his fists clenched, his excitement barely contained.

"Yeah, we still have unfinished business! Someday I'm challenging you, Laxus, hehehe!" Gajeel, leaning heavily on his cane, limped over, his signature smirk plastered across his face.

"Natsu…Gray…Gajeel…everyone!" Laxus looked at the guild members, their voices a cacophony of anger and concern, yet none were trying to force him away.

"This…is what comrades are like?" he murmured, the question seemingly directed at himself.

Makarov, watching from the infirmary window, smiled happily. He then looked down at Finn. "Finn, thank you so much."

The vote concluded swiftly. To Laxus's astonishment, there wasn't a single dissenting vote; everyone unanimously supported his remaining in Fairy Tail. In that moment, Laxus seemed to grasp a new purpose in life: to protect this warm and welcoming guild with his life.

…

Magnolia experienced its most vibrant night of the year. The town was filled with magically created bubbles, and magnificent fireworks bloomed in the night sky, signaling the start of the Magic Parade.

The wide streets were thronged with people—not just the town's residents, but tourists from far and wide had come to witness the Fairy Tail Magic Parade.

Fairy Tail's Preparation Room.

"Seriously, I'm completely unprepared! Do I really have to do this? And I'm covered in bandages!" Laxus looked at his jester costume, his embarrassment evident.

"It's not so bad," Fried said, stroking his chin, nodding occasionally.

"But why a jester?!" Laxus's face clearly showed his disapproval.

"The Master's too ill to participate. But the props and float are ready. As his grandson, who else will do it?" Finn said nonchalantly.

"Easy for you to say. Want to switch?" Laxus looked at Finn in his princely attire; Mirajane was still adjusting his collar.

0 ··Please leave flowers·· 0

Laxus felt incredibly resentful of the situation.

"Laxus, we think it looks great! Do your best! We'll be cheering you on from below!" Evergreen gave Laxus a fist bump for encouragement.

"Come on, come on, we're about to go on stage," Marcus, the parade director, hurried them along.

"Okay, coming right away," Finn replied.

Watching them go, Fried smiled. "It seems everyone genuinely accepts Laxus now."

Bickslow nodded. "Let's try to fit in, too."

"Ah, I'm so excited! Fairy Tail is the best!" Evergreen's excitement was palpable.

During the recent battle, they had found themselves and, like Laxus, wanted to fully integrate into the guild.

…

Leaving the preparation room, they were met with a massive roar of cheers from the enormous crowd.

——————

"Grandpa, why aren't you in the parade this year?" Young Laxus asked Makarov.

"It's your big moment to shine. Grandpa will be watching from the audience," Makarov replied.

"But I won't see you, Grandpa," Laxus said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"That's alright. I can see you," Makarov reassured him.

Laxus stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Then…how about this? During the parade, I'll do this!" Laxus raised his hand, his palm facing Makarov and the back of his hand facing outward, forming an upside-down 7.

"What's that?" Makarov asked, looking at the gesture with curiosity.

"It's a message for you, Grandpa. Even if I can't see you, it means I'll be watching from afar!" young Laxus explained.

His thoughts drifted back to the present. Laxus looked at his hand, forming the upside-down 7. "But I haven't been in the parade since then," he mused to himself.

"So…Grandpa, can you see me now?"

The Fairy Tail parade began moving.

"Fairy Tail's here!" the crowd roared, their voices a wave of excitement.

All eyes were on the parade as it proceeded down the street. Guild members danced, followed by elaborately decorated floats, each carrying several members who either performed dances or showcased spectacular magical displays.

Fireworks constantly lit up the sky, pushing the crowd's excitement to fever pitch, wave after wave of cheers echoing like an unending ocean.

At that moment, the entire city was filled with laughter and joy!

Lucy, Levy, and Bisca performed a lively dance routine on a brightly decorated float.

Behind them, Elfman, transformed into his Beast Soul form, and several guild members in monster costumes formed a captivating monster exhibition float.

Further back, Erza commanded her own independent stage, surrounded by dozens of gracefully swirling swords, performing her signature sword dance.

Natsu, as he walked along, unleashed bursts of flames into the sky, creating the Fairy Tail emblem and name in fiery letters.

Happy, dressed in a tiny tuxedo, soared through the air, cheerfully waving to the crowd, eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the numerous cat lovers in attendance.

Next came Gray and Juvia, their combined magic creating a breathtaking ice castle.

"Look! There are people inside!" someone exclaimed, pointing towards the slowly opening doors of the magnificent ice castle.

The crowd's attention was immediately drawn to the ice castle.

"It's…Finn and Mirajane! What a perfect couple!" someone shouted, recognizing the pair.

The castle doors swung open, revealing Finn, who with utmost gallantry, took Mirajane's hand. Flame flowers bloomed beneath his feet, providing a magical pathway as he escorted Mirajane to the main stage float. They performed a joyful and enchanting prince and princess love story, culminating in a breathtaking finale where Finn conjured a shower of magical flame flowers that cascaded down upon the crowd.

The audience erupted in a thunderous applause and cheers.

Inside the Fairy Tail infirmary, Makarov watched the parade through the large floor-to-ceiling window.

"Master," a voice called out.

Makarov turned, seeing Gajeel leaning on his cane. "You're not going to the parade?"

Gajeel shook his head. "They invited me, but I think I'll pass. It's not really my kind of thing."

Makarov turned back to the window, a teasing tone in his voice. "You're brave saying that. Didn't you sing 'Shubi Dubba' before?"

Gajeel's face flushed crimson with embarrassment, quickly changing the subject.

"Master, here," he said, handing Makarov a slip of paper.

"I found Ivan. I found your son's location."

Makarov accepted the note. "I'm sorry to have given you such a dangerous task."

"Don't worry about it. No one suspects I'm a double agent," Gajeel replied with a chuckle.

Makarov patted Gajeel on the shoulder—though his height was insufficient, he could always resort to his Giant transformation.

"Thank you for your help. I won't let him get away with this," Makarov said, his eyes filled with a steely determination. His son, Ivan, had left the guild with information that could potentially harm Fairy Tail. Makarov had been deeply worried about this, fearing that Ivan might do something to jeopardize the guild.

On the parade route.

"That's Laxus! He's all grown up now. This is his first time in the parade!" some local residents commented, their voices filled with amusement and surprise.

"Haha, you're right! That makeup is hilarious!" another resident added.

"Laxus, go get 'em!" Evergreen shouted, her voice full of encouragement.

"Laxus, the The Thunder God Tribe are all here to support you!" Bickslow and his puppets chanted in unison.

"Laxus, move it! You look incredibly awkward standing there like that!" Fried urged, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and amusement.

Laxus, standing stiffly on the float, felt utterly out of place. He'd never participated in anything like this before.

He raised his hand, waving awkwardly, his movements stiff and jerky, resembling a zombie more than anything else…

The crowd below erupted in laughter at the sight.

"Laxus, don't be shy!"

"Yeah, yeah, don't be shy!"

The cheers and encouragement from the local residents were deafening.

Looking down at the sea of happy faces and the countless people cheering him on, and thinking of his grandfather watching from somewhere, Laxus steeled his resolve.

"Well, I'm already here, might as well go all the way. Looking this awkward is even worse. Finn will definitely make fun of me later," Laxus thought to himself.

"And…" The memories of everyone accepting him once again flooded his mind.

"I'll start fitting in, right here, right now!" With that thought, his stiff movements began to flow more naturally, and he started to perform a series of increasingly comical and entertaining gestures.

Makarov watched this scene unfold, a wave of relief and pride washing over him as a heartwarming smile spread across his face.

"Laxus, you're finally willing to truly become a part of the guild. I…I have no regrets," he thought quietly to himself.

Suddenly, Makarov vigorously wiped his eyes, his gaze once again fixed on Laxus. Laxus raised his right hand high above his head, his palm facing towards Makarov and the back of his hand facing outwards, forming the now-familiar upside-down 7. A flood of memories washed over Makarov.

Laxus's action was like a signal. All the guild members raised their right hands, mirroring his gesture.

__________________

for more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.

For 10$- All advance chapters.