Chapter 156: The Thunder God Tribe Returns
The air in the guild hall, which had been thick with the smell of ozone and shattered wood, crackled with a new, suffocating pressure. It was a standoff between two of the guild's most powerful S-Class Mages.
Laxus Dreyar, his face a mask of cold contempt, saw Ren appear and deflect his attack. A proud, arrogant sneer emerged on his face. "I'll do whatever I want. I don't remember when it was your turn to tell me what to do, successor?"
He spat the last word like it was a curse.
Then, Laxus's gaze shifted back to Gajeel, who was pushing himself up from the rubble, his body still smoking from the lightning. Laxus's expression turned utterly ferocious.
"Is it because you caused trouble in my Guild? Because you destroyed it?" Laxus snarled, his voice a low rumble. "And the old man, in his infinite weakness, took you in as a 'companion' to avoid further trouble? Is this why people look down on us! Is this why every piece of trash in a backwater bar thinks they can mock the name of Fairy Tail?! Damn it!"
His roar was a physical force, echoing the shame and rage he'd felt in the tavern. He was looking at Gajeel, but his anger was aimed at the entire guild's perceived weakness.
"This matter is over. Gajeel is now a companion of the guild," Ren stated, his voice as cold and unyielding as Laxus's was hot. He stood his ground, a calm bastion between the attacker and his target.
Laxus curled his lips into a sinister smile, a low, dangerous cackle building in his chest. "Over? When was it over? Did you ask me? I'm an S-Class Mage of this guild. I never agreed that this filth was welcome. I never agreed that it was over!"
"Whether you agree or not, Gajeel is now a member of the guild," Ren repeated, his eyes narrowing. The magical power around him began to coalesce, a visible, shimmering aura of pure energy. "Guild companions must not fight each other. This is a guild rule, Laxus. You, of all people, should know that."
"Heh! Now you're talking about rules?" Laxus's own body began to spark, golden arcs of lightning dancing across his shoulders and illuminating the terrifying grin on his face. "What about the 'rule' of strength? What about the 'rule' of not letting your enemies spit in your face? What if I insist on fighting him? What if I insist on purging this... weakness... right now?"
The pressure in the room became unbearable. Natsu, who had been ready to jump in, was frozen, sweat beading on his forehead. This wasn't a brawl; this was a war about to happen.
Erza had already Requipped into her Adamantine Armor, her expression grim. "Laxus, stand down. Ren is right."
"Shut up, Erza! This doesn't concern you!" Laxus barked, not even looking at her.
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly, his patience gone. "Then I don't mind letting you rest in the infirmary for a few days to calm down."
His statement was flat, devoid of bravado, which made it all the more threatening. He was preparing to use his Take Over Magic. As an S-Class Mage and the acting Guild Master, he couldn't stand by and watch Laxus attack a guild member, regardless of their past. This was a violation of the guild's very core.
Crack! Crack!
"Ha!" Laxus laughed, the golden electric arcs around his head intensifying. A ferocious, joyful smile appeared on his face. "Finally showing your true colors! Ren, many people now say you are the strongest in the guild. They whisper about you, the new monster who beat Jose! I've long wanted to compete with you. Let's do it today and let everyone know who is the real strongest in Fairy Tail!!"
"What?!"
"No! They're serious!"
"Ren and Laxus are fighting?"
"The guild has just been built! Is it going to be destroyed again?!"
The guild members immediately became very worried, backing away to avoid the impending shockwave. This wouldn't be a fight; it would be a catastrophe.
Suddenly!
"STOP IT!! YOU TWO BRATS!!"
A voice, booming with absolute authority, shattered the tension. Makarov, his face crimson with rage, walked in from the front door. He wasn't in his giant form, but the sheer force of his magic power and his fury made him seem ten feet tall.
He didn't care how much he was scolded at the Magic Council. He didn't care about the press or the kingdom. But he would not tolerate this. He would not see his children try to kill each other.
"Laxus! Apologize to Gajeel! Now!" Makarov commanded.
"Hmph!"
Laxus saw Makarov return and knew that the fight wouldn't happen. Not now. The old man had ruined it. He snorted coldly, the lightning around him dissipating. He gave Ren one last look of pure hatred before turning to leave.
"Laxus!!" Makarov roared.
Laxus ignored him completely, his body transforming into a golden lightning bolt. He shot through the open doorway and disappeared in a blinding flash, his thunderous, contemptuous energy left hanging in the air.
Makarov shook his head, his shoulders slumping, his anger replaced by a deep, helpless exhaustion. He didn't know why Laxus had become like this.
He turned to Gajeel, who was now standing, brushing dust and splinters off his coat, his expression unreadable.
"Gajeel... I'm sorry," Makarov said, his voice heavy. "It's all my fault for not raising that brat properly."
Gajeel froze. He didn't expect this. He didn't expect Makarov to apologize to him. The other party was the Fairy Tail Guild Master and one of the Ten Wizard Saints. How could he possibly deserve an apology?
"Please don't say that," Gajeel said gruffly, looking away. "Consider this... punishment... for what I did to the guild before."
Makarov shook his head. "What you did before was an act of war, and it is in the past. What he did just now was an attack on family. I promise, there will absolutely not be a next time. If he dares to attack you again, I will severely punish him!!"
Hearing Makarov's words, Gajeel felt something unfamiliar and sharp in his chest. He was... moved.
In the Phantom Lord Guild, it was always the law of the jungle. If you were weak, getting beaten was expected. If you were strong, you took what you wanted. He grew up in that environment, so he didn't find anything that wrong with Laxus's actions. It was just a strong guy picking on a new, weaker-looking guy.
But when Ren, the guy everyone called a monster, stepped forward to protect him... his heart was touched. He had never been protected like that since... well, ever.
And now, Guild Master Makarov's apology... it made him feel guilty. Although it was Jose's order, he was the main culprit in destroying the Fairy Tail Guild. He'd crucified Team Shadow Gear. And here they were, protecting him and apologizing to him. He didn't understand this place at all.
"Phew~~! That's great! Luckily the Guild Master returned!"
"I thought I was going to have a heart attack!"
"Otherwise, I really don't know how we would have handled Ren and Laxus fighting."
"Yeah! You scared me to death! I thought the guild was going to be destroyed again."
Many people in the guild couldn't help but breathe a collective sigh of relief, slumping against walls and tables. Ren's strength was self-evident; his track record was clear for all to see.
Laxus was also a powerful, terrifying S-Class Mage, inheriting immense magic power from the Guild Master since childhood. Even someone as strong as Natsu was instantly defeated by Laxus every time, treated like a mere plaything.
If those two had really fought, it would surely be earth-shattering.
Ren returned to his previous position at the bar, the tense aura around him slowly fading.
Mira, her face still a little pale, quietly placed a drink in front of Ren. "Ren... you were a bit impulsive this time. You know how Laxus is."
Ren raised the cup and took a sip, his expression still hard. "Perhaps. But Laxus attacked a guild member in front of so many people. What would our companions think if I, as acting Master, did nothing? What would you think?"
He shook his head. "And that guy is really infuriating. If he dares to do something similar next time, I will definitely teach him a good lesson. I'll make him understand why that crossed a line."
Ren was also a hot-blooded young man, but more than that, he disliked Laxus's behavior. That guy's actions were becoming increasingly excessive. Attacking a guild member in front of everyone had already crossed the line.
Mira smiled softly. She knew Ren was right. Earlier, during the Tower of Heaven incident, when Laxus saw Happy steal an S-Class Quest and ignored it, even acting as if it had nothing to do with him... she was also furious.
She had no objection to Ren teaching Laxus a lesson. But she was worried about the Guild Master. Laxus was his grandson. A fight between them would make things very, very difficult for Makarov.
Meanwhile, in Shiloh City Market...
The city was a grimy, shadowy place, a stark contrast to the bright, cheerful Magnolia. In the back alleys, a rundown building bore the mark of a Dark Guild: Corpse Soul.
BOOM!!
The guild's main gate was violently broken open, blasted off its hinges. Three figures stood silhouetted in the entrance, a new, intimidating light source in the dimly lit hall.
"How dare you mock us... You guys are brave," a woman's voice drawled.
The three figures were Laxus's personal guard, the Thunder God Tribe.
"They actually broke into the guild?! These bastards!!"
"You're the ones who picked a fight with Fairy Tail! Don't think you're leaving alive!"
Many members of Corpse Soul, seeing that the intruders were from the guild they'd been mocking, all rushed forward, weapons drawn.
"How annoying," said Evergreen, the only woman in the trio. "A sneaky guild in the shadows dares to go against a legitimate guild. What kind of world is this?"
She raised her glasses. Three mages who had just rushed in front of her met her gaze. "Don't look into her—" one of them tried to warn, but it was too late.
A faint purple light glowed in her eyes. "You're frozen. Stone Eyes."
The three men's expressions of rage turned to ones of sheer terror as they felt their bodies stiffen. Gray stone crept up their skin, and in seconds, they were three perfect, horrified statues.
"Damn it—!!"
"Kill them!! Kill the witch!"
Everyone immediately became enraged when they saw their companions defeated so easily.
"My, my, my... so much energy!" a new, cackling voice rang out. "My babies are getting hungry! Papparappa!"
At this moment, five strange, floating wooden puppets flew into the air, hovering around a large man with a bizarre mask and a long, metallic tongue. This was Bickslow.
"Go get 'em, babies!"
The puppets' mouths opened, and they continuously fired green laser cannons.
Boom boom boom boom boom!!
"Ah ah ah ah ah!!"
"Ugh ah ah ah ah!!"
The guild hall erupted in explosions and pained screams. Under the laser cannon bombardment, everyone in Corpse Soul was blasted back, their attacks completely useless.
A short while later, the hall was filled with smoke and groaning bodies.
"That's enough, Bickslow. We're not here to exterminate them. Just to teach them a lesson," a calm, cultured voice said.
Freed Justine, the green-haired, elegant leader of the trio, hadn't moved from the entrance.
At this point, everyone in Corpse Soul had been knocked to the ground.
"Huh? Is that all? Not fun enough!!" Bickslow complained. The puppets around him all clamored for more. "These guys are too weak!!"
"It's precisely because they're too weak that they can't become a legitimate guild," Evergreen said, adjusting her glasses with a huff.
Freed stepped over the broken threshold, looking at the cowering, defeated dark mages. "A message, from Laxus. Never speak the name 'Fairy Tail' again."
He raised his hand, and a communication lacrima in his pocket glowed. He'd just received a new message. He listened for a moment, and a rare, thin smile touched his lips.
"I have some new information for you two, about Laxus."
Hearing Freed's words, Evergreen and Bickslow both stopped their posturing, their expressions turning serious.
"Is it finally time to act?" Evergreen asked, her voice sharp with anticipation.
"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time!!" Bickslow cackled. "And so have my babies!!"
"It's time to go back to Fairy Tail," Freed said, turning to leave.
The three stepped away from the smoldering Corpse Soul Guild.
"Just... just three people defeated our entire guild?" a survivor whispered from the rubble.
"The long-haired one... he didn't even make a move. In reality, it was just two people."
"Is this... Is this Fairy Tail? Laxus's personal guard, the Thunder God Tribe?"
"Eek ah ah ah ah!!"
Not long ago, they were still mocking Fairy Tail. At this moment, they realized how terrifying the strength of the guild they mocked was. Just the Thunder God Tribe's actions wiped them out. How terrifying then must be the strength of the even more powerful S-Class Mages? They were utterly, completely terrified.
At this time, on a hill overlooking Magnolia, Laxus also received the message. A small lacrima in his hand pulsed with a green light.
[Freed: Lesson taught. We are returning to Magnolia. At your command.]
A ferocious, triumphant smile appeared on his face.
"The Thunder God Tribe is returning. I've finally waited for this moment."
He looked down at the new guild hall, a beacon of light and laughter in the town. It looked weak. Pathetic.
"I've had enough of this weak guild," he growled to himself. "Fairy Tail's internal strife is about to begin. Old man, your era is over!!"
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