Façade | Jerza

16 | Battle of Fairy Tail

Nobody expected to find Gajeel being pummeled to the dirt in the park of Magnolia. Everyone who formerly feared his reputation was now watching the action in astonishment. Some thought he deserved it, while others thought this was another one of Fairy Tail's incompetent fights.

Initially he was on his way to perform his assigned task given by Makarov, infiltrating Raven Tail, until Jet and Droy lured him into South Gate Park. He found Levy hiding behind a tree as she nervously made eye contact with him.

Gajeel stood there, guilty for everything he'd done prior to joining Fairy Tail. He thought this was a way to make amends with the others. In his eyes, punishment was the way to atonement.

Jet was the one who broke the silence. "A person like you shouldn't be worthy of taking on jobs. Not after everything that happened."

Gajeel was keen on sharing his difference of opinion. He voiced his opinion easily back in Phantom Lord; albeit, he used lethal measures to convince people he was right. "I disagree. I've already apologized like the councilman asked, what more do you want?"

Droy snorted, "Are you asking for a fight?"

Gajeel held his ground. No sooner than he planted his feet, Jet raced towards him full speed and kicked him in the stomach, sending Gajeel flying. The Dragon Slayer coughed, not expecting the surprise attack. Jet sent him crashing to the floor with another speed-enhanced kick. By the looks of it, Gajeel didn't make any effort to avoid the incoming spells.

Levy pleaded, "Guys, I think he's had enough. Please stop."

The two ignored her comment—if they showed any sign of hearing her—and continued with their revenge.

"Knuckle Plant!" chanted Droy, causing seeds to sprout into fists out of the ground. They attacked Gajeel simultaneously, leaving bruises in their wake.

The two noticed he wasn't fighting back, nor did he protest. Vines grew from the ground and trapped Gajeel in his place, while Jet continued attacking him in his idle state.

Levy looked away, fearful of his fate. After a series of punches and magic attacks, Droy released the bindings from Gajeel. He dropped to the floor and panted from the aching pain. His wrists were red and bruised from the merciless grip of Droy's vines.

"Are you done yet?"

The two mages frowned, but showed no sign of attacking him any further. Only then did Levy's eyes reopen, only to widen in horror. Laxus appeared in front of him, shocking all the mages. Gajeel heard a few things about the Lightning Dragon Slayer, but dismissed them as rumours. However, seeing him in the flesh convinced him that Laxus wasn't just all talk.

Monster, thought Gajeel.

"Laxus," Jet and Droy mouthed in a trance.

The arrogant mage threw a menacing glare at Gajeel. "So, you're the one who destroyed our guildhall?"

If he thought Erza was scary, he was sorely mistaken. The man's magic energy was comparable to Jellal's, and that spoke volumes on how competent of a mage he was. Master Jose had always been reluctant about fighting Laxus, knowing well of his potential.

The next moment was a blur, but sure enough Gajeel was on his knees, screaming his lungs bloody. Laxus' lightning struck him with full force, showing the terror and power of the merciless wizard. The Shadow Gear couldn't bear the agonizing screams. The Lightning Mage stepped on the Iron Dragon Slayer, watching him writhe in pain. "Think about this the next time you destroy the guildhall!" he yelled, emphasizing each word as he kicked the mage brutally.

Jet spoke softly, interrupting Laxus. "Hey, he's had enough already."

Laxus immediately shot a malicious glare towards the three mages, pitying the man who—in Laxus' eyes—was nonredeemable. Preparing to attack them as well, Laxus raised his arm, aiming directly at the Shadow Gear before collapsing. He didn't feel a body under his foot anymore, and it couldn't have been Gajeel's doing, as his wounds took a toll on him. The poor mage was too weak to move after being attacked numerous times.