As the sun rose, its early rays bathed all of Magnolia in warm light. The annual Harvest Festival had arrived right on schedule. Every household was decorated with lanterns and banners, the streets filled with endless streams of people, laughter echoing everywhere.
The aroma of delicious food mixed with the sweetness of fruit wine drifted through every corner of the city.
Fairy Tail's guild hall was even livelier—so much so it felt like the roof might be blown off at any moment.
Makarov stood on the second-floor railing, while Mavis sat beside him, swinging her legs, her bright eyes fixed excitedly on the bustling guild members below.
"Ahem."
Makarov cleared his throat, silencing the noise. With one hand behind his back and the other holding a light pen, he wrote glowing words in midair:
Harvest Festival – Badge Snatch Battle
"Alright everyone, quiet down. As you know, it's that time of year again. Before tonight's magic parade, I've decided to add a new event this year—a badge snatching battle."
"The rules are simple. Last night, I hid fifty Fairy Tail badges around the plaza and nearby areas. You have one hour. Whoever collects the most badges wins."
"You can use magic, you can fight, and you can steal from others—but no serious injuries. The prize? Five hundred thousand jewels."
The moment he finished speaking—
The guild exploded.
"Awesome! I'm definitely winning with Happy!" Natsu laughed, flames already flickering in his mouth.
"Aye! Victory belongs to me and Natsu!" Happy declared, landing on his head.
"Hmph. Brute force alone won't win this," Gray scoffed, already missing his shirt. "Once I get badges, I'll just hide them where you'll never find them."
"You bastard—!!" Natsu instantly snapped.
Just as they were about to start fighting—
BAM! BAM!
Ur knocked both of them on the head.
"Stop arguing. Instead of fighting here, think about where to find badges."
The two fell silent, though their eyes still burned with rivalry.
Not far away, Erza had already changed out of her usual armor… into a cute mouse costume. She stretched lightly, her eyes filled with determination.
"I will win. Even against Arlen, Ultear, and Ur—I won't lose."
"…Erza, are you serious about that outfit?" Cana couldn't help but comment. "You really think dressing like a mouse helps?"
"This is a solo match… no teams this time," Ultear said with slight regret.
"Hahaha! Erza, stop dreaming! I'm the one who'll win—just wait until you're crying!" Mira laughed provocatively.
"The one crying will be you, Mira," Erza shot back.
Meanwhile—
"Kagura, even if it's an individual match, it doesn't say we can't cooperate. Want to team up?" Lisanna suggested.
"Sure. Please take care of me, Lisanna," Kagura smiled, shaking her hand.
Leaning against a pillar, lightning flickering at his fingertips, Laxus sneered.
"A bunch of weaklings. The champion is obviously me."
"Still as confident as ever, Laxus."
Arlen, dressed in a black cross-top with long pants and a gray cloak, walked over with a faint smile.
"I declare—the battle begins!"
With Makarov's command, the hourglass flipped—
And chaos erupted.
Everyone rushed toward the plaza and surrounding areas. Magic circles flared, spells flew everywhere, and every guild member became both hunter and prey.
Soon, only Makarov, Mavis, Ur, and a few others remained in the hall—along with Arlen and Laxus.
"Well then, I'm off," Arlen said calmly.
His figure faded away.
"…A thought projection. Nice one," Laxus grinned. "But the winner will still be me."
His body also vanished in a flash of lightning.
At the plaza—
Natsu was the first to arrive. He had just grabbed a badge from a tree when—
"Ice Make: Ice Lock!"
Gray ambushed him, freezing his ankle.
"Damn you, Gray! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Natsu burst free in flames and swung back.
Fire and ice collided violently, shockwaves spreading as the two fought while chasing badges across the streets.
"Natsu! Left side—there's a badge! Ah! Gray's going for it too!" Happy shouted from above.
Elsewhere—
Erza moved swiftly, avoiding unnecessary fights and targeting hidden locations. Her strategy paid off—within minutes, she had already collected ten badges.
Though… her mouse costume made her impossible to miss.
Anyone who tried to ambush her was instantly knocked down—and looted for badges.
Just as she moved to her next location—
CRACK!
An ice wall rose before her, and two icy vines shot toward her arms.
Erza's eyes sharpened. With a quick motion, a magic sword appeared in her hand—
Slash! Slash!
The vines were cut instantly as she leapt back.
"Impressive as always, Erza," Ultear's voice rang out as the ice wall shattered. "But hand over those badges."
"Ultear… I didn't expect you," Erza said, her fighting spirit rising. "If you want them, come take them."
Before they could clash—
BOOM!
Lightning struck the ground.
Laxus appeared, electricity crackling around him.
"Laxus?!" both Erza and Ultear exclaimed, their expressions changing.
If there was one person they least wanted to face right now—it was him.
"Well, since you're both here…" Laxus smirked. "I'll take your badges."
Erza and Ultear exchanged a glance—
Instant alliance.
First: defeat Laxus.
Then: settle things between themselves.
Laxus didn't back down—instead, his battle spirit surged.
Lightning exploded outward as the three clashed instantly.
Ice shields, sword strikes, and thunder collided, their magic intertwining in a dazzling storm of power.
The sheer intensity of the fight drew others nearby—
…who immediately turned around and left.
Yeah.
Not worth it.
Not even a little.
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