Approaching Bickslow, Evergreen, and Fried with Lucy, they glanced at me, though before they could react, I swiftly appeared behind them and wrapped my arms around Bickslow and Fried's shoulders. "Tsk, let go, Cooper!" "Tch, not cool, man." Said Fried and Bickslow while trying to resist my playful hold upon them, though I wasn't allowing that to happen. "C'mon, what's wrong with you two? You return from a quest, and this is how you greet me? Not cool, also, it's big bro to you, Fried." Eying the two with a slight frown, I released Bickslow and rubbed Fried's head with my knuckles, causing him to hiss in pain before I eventually let him go, prompting him to distance himself while glaring at me.
Shaking my head at Fried, I glanced at Evergreen and went to rub her head, though before I could, she hit my arm with a small hand fan, causing me to frown slightly. "Hmph, do not touch my hair." Said Evergreen as she snorted while fanning herself, though instead of getting annoyed, I just let it go and gestured to Lucy, who had been awkwardly watching. "I don't know where you three were when it happened, but Lucy is our newest member, so introduce yourself accordingly." Pointing at Lucy, who waved her hand, I pushed Evergreen towards her first, figuring they'd get along best as they were both women, though I might've been mistaken.
"N-Nice to meet you, Evergreen." Said Lucy as she outstretched her hand to Evergreen, who not only refused to shake her hand but also swatted her hand away, making things increasingly awkward. "Tsk, so we're just allowing any slut to join Fairy Tail? Laxus was right; our guild is not what it once was." Said Evergreen mockingly, causing me to growl as I gently slapped Evergreen's head, causing her to howl in pain. "The hell is up with you, Evergreen!?" Narrowing my eyes at Evergreen, I suddenly sensed faint magic power from behind, prompting me to raise an eyebrow as I glanced at Bickslow and Fried, who were both dangerously eyeing me. "Huh, you three have changed… That fool Laxus has been quite the influence."
My lack of respect seemed to upset Fried the most as he narrowed his eyes, only for me to suddenly smirk. "Who the fuck are you calling a fool 'Beast'?" Said Laxus with a wicked grin as he stood behind Lucy, who fearfully approached me while I stepped toward him, staring him in the eyes. "I don't know if you've noticed, but you've been an ass lately, Laxus." Laxus merely smirked at my words while lightning flashed through his eyes. "Heh, I didn't know you were a comedian… But let's talk business, Cooper; when I become Guildmaster after that senile old man finally steps down, I want you to be my second-in-command." Stated Laxus with a faint smirk as he folded his arms while looking at me, though I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion since he spoke as if he'd soon be receiving the position of Guildmaster.
"Huh, the hell are you talking about, Laxus?" With a smirk, Laxus wrapped his arm around my shoulder and made us face the guild while he extended his other arm. "Just as I said. With that senile old man as Guildmaster, he's been worsening Fairytail, but when I take it, it'll reach the heights it once had and even further beyond; however, while I do that, I'll need someone to hold the fort down, and the only one strong enough to do that is you." Stated Laxus with a grin while firmly holding my shoulders, though I merely scoffed at his words while removing his arm from my shoulder. "Hmph, as if… I'm not working for anyone who isn't stronger than me." Stepping back, I folded my arms and shook my head.
"That's funny because last time we fought, I defeated you." "Hmph, that was nearly 7 years ago, AND you barely won; don't act like it was a clear victory, Laxus." Eyeing Laxus, who narrowed his eyes and snorted, I grabbed Lucy's hand and led us towards the crowd as Natsu had finally arrived to fight Erza. "I'm done; I don't have time to listen to your bullshit." Leaving Laxus with his stupid plans, I pushed through the crowd and arrived at the forefront, where Natsu was stretching, preparing for the duel. "Is Laxus always like that, big bro?" Asked Lucy curiously while gazing behind us, watching Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe leave the area. "No, he didn't used to be like… Anyway, it looks like the battle is about to start."
The mention of the duel starting shifted Lucy's focus to Erza, who had re-quiped into her Flame Empress Armor, which gave her an advantage against flame magic; Natsu, like always, didn't think twice and charged headfirst toward Erza with fiery fists. The two engaged in battle, though they were both holding back, feeling the waters and testing each other; however, just when it seemed like the two had done enough testing and were about to fight seriously, a Magic Council messenger suddenly appeared between the two, forcing them to a halt. "On behalf of the Magic Council, we've come to arrest Erza 'Titania' Scarlet of Fairy Tail for the damages she caused in Clover Town during Fiore's annual guild meeting."
Following the messenger's words, a troop of roughly twenty magic council knights busted through the back of the guild and entered the backyard, heading directly for Erza while Mest, a Fairy Tail spy, led the troop. However, although he was a spy Gramps planted in the Magic Council, I was the only one besides him who knew of this because before leaving, Mest erased everyone's memories of him, including himself and mine, though when I used my magic, all the erased memories came flooding back, which resulted in a long talk with Gramps, who reluctantly told me everything.
"Arrested?" "What did Erza do?" "Yeah, what the hell is he talking about?" "Hmph, about time; with her gone, I can have big bro to myself." "Didn't Erza's team stop a demon or something?" I wasn't the only one confused as to why the Magic Council was here to arrest Erza; several others were also voicing their confusion and frustration. 'Did one of those bastards snitch!?' Gritting my teeth, I cursed those stupid and weak guild masters and approached Mest, who was commanding the knights to detain Erza with magic suppressive cuffs.
"Detain Erza Scarlet… You will be taken to Crocus and be put on tri-" Before Mest could finish, I grabbed him by the neck and lifted him into the air while knocking away the knights nearing Erza, causing them to ready their weapons, which prompted everyone in Fairy Tail to do so as well. Although Mest was Fairy Tail and my secret little brother, I had to keep up appearances as I couldn't have his identity questioned in the slightest. "Who the fuck gave you all the balls to walk into Fairy Tail and arrest my little sister!?" Glaring at Mest, I squeezed his neck, causing him to grit his teeth, though before he could respond, I was slammed into the ground with a massive fist.
"Hmph, calm yourself, Cooper." Hearing Gramps, I raised my head and glared at him, though just before I could release my magic power in protest to his words, his massive hand slammed me to the ground again, yet he didn't release me this time. "Gramps!" "Haa, you've really got to fix that short temper of yours, Cooper…" Said Gramps softly as he gazed at me in annoyance while the Magic Council knights arrested Erza and took her away, leaving the guild in a slightly depressed mood. Once they finally left, several minutes later, only then did Gramps release me, prompting me to leap out of the small crater as I glared at him.
"You better have a freaking explanation, or I'll destroy the Magic Council HQ in Crocus!" Gramps merely sighed at my words before turning around while gesturing for me to follow, and although I did follow him, I snorted, displaying my displeasure with him.
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Exiting Gramp's office after he had just finished explaining the actual reason why Erza was arrested, I was still highly annoyed and had half a mind to destroy the Magic Council HQ in Crocus, but knowing Erza would receive no punishment placated me just enough. Leaping off the second floor, I approached the bar, where I saw a small lizard that looked oddly familiar to Natsu trapped underneath a glass bottle while Mira prevented him from leaving.
"So, what did Gramps say?" Asked Cana curiously as I sat beside her while I grunted. "A whole bunch of stupid shit… Anyways, why did you trap Macao?" "Natsu was saying he planned to raid the magic Council HQ to get Erza, so we had to contain him, as we all knew he was serious— Eh, what do you mean Macao, big bro?" Remarked Mira lightly in slight annoyance as she poured me a drink, only to freeze and glance at lizard-Macao, who dropped his Natsu act.
"Haha, can't fool your eyes, huh, Cooper? So, mind freeing me now? Natsu's probably already on a train to Crocus as we speak." Said Macao calmly as he sat down while glancing between Mira and I. "Oh no."