After hearing Laxus's demands, Makarov fixed him with a stern gaze, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Laxus, you don't understand what a guild truly is—or what it means to be part of one."
"If you truly understood that becoming Master isn't about honor but responsibility—a duty to protect your family—you wouldn't speak so carelessly about claiming the guild as your personal possession."
"Laxus," Makarov continued earnestly, "a guild isn't just a name or a position. Even if I agreed to step down, you still wouldn't qualify as Master."
"Are you saying those weak fools have any right to question me?!" Laxus snapped back, his face twisting in anger.
"Why do you always talk like this, Laxus?!" Natsu interjected fiercely. "Strength doesn't matter here!"
"If you want to become Master, you need everyone's approval—starting with mine!"
"Approval?" Laxus sneered disdainfully. "Natsu, come find me then. Let's see how much your 'approval' weighs."
With that, Laxus vanished into thin air.
"That jerk!" Natsu growled through gritted teeth. "I'll make him see reason!"
"But we can't leave," Gajeel pointed out grimly.
"Gray will figure something out!" Natsu declared confidently, trusting his friend completely.
*BZZT*
The barrier surrounding the guild updated continuously, displaying ongoing battles across Magnolia. One by one, combatants fell while others advanced deeper into the fray. Gray had already defeated several opponents—but now came the real challenge.
[Gray vs. Bickslow]
The moment the match was announced, eyebrows shot up all around.
This wasn't going to be easy!
"Happy, Bickslow's tough—he's probably guarding one of the magical barriers. Go help Gray," Natsu instructed urgently.
"Aye!" Happy took off immediately to assist Gray.
---
On the other side of town, Gray arrived at the square and spotted Bickslow standing guard over a statue encased in a glowing magical array—none other than Mirajane. His eccentric appearance was unmistakable: black-and-white striped clothing paired with thick purple stripes running diagonally from his chest to waist, a helmet covering half his face, and his tongue sticking out slightly, proudly displaying the Fairy Tail emblem tattooed on it.
"So, Gray, are you here to challenge me?" Bickslow grinned widely, showing off his sharp teeth.
"If we've met, then naturally, I intend to win," Gray replied coolly, steadying his breathing.
"Hahaha! Then let's get started!" Bickslow cackled maniacally.
His magic revolved around Doll Possession, allowing him to transfer his soul into puppets. Typically, he controlled five small cylindrical dolls, each adorned with different facial expressions and whimsical names. By combining these dolls in various configurations, he unleashed an array of devastating spells.
"Hahaha, Gray, feel the love from my babies!" Bickslow laughed as he manipulated the dolls into intricate formations, bombarding Gray with relentless magical attacks.
Gray countered with walls of ice, struggling to keep up. Spotting an opening, he launched a powerful spell directly at Bickslow.
*CRACK CRACK*
All five dolls froze solid!
Seizing the opportunity, Gray charged toward Bickslow—but the latter remained unfazed. After all, they were still far apart.
"It's useless, Gray," Bickslow taunted smugly. "My magic lets me transfer my soul between dolls. Freezing them won't stop me!"
He reached into a nearby clothing store and pulled out five mannequins, replacing the frozen dolls effortlessly.
"What annoying magic," Gray muttered under his breath. It seemed the energy he'd conserved during his encounter with Jehfrit would have to be spent here instead.
"Fine—if freezing your puppets doesn't work, I'll freeze you too! Can you transfer your soul when your body's frozen?!"
Gray unleashed his full magical power, creating a massive surge of icy energy.
"Whoa, dangerous magic incoming!" Bickslow exclaimed, turning tail and fleeing.
"Stay still!"
Gray gave chase but stumbled as he triggered one of Fried's traps.
Damn it!
A small barrier sprang up around him, trapping him inside. While there was an exit above, Gray couldn't fly.
"Gray, fighting Natsu for years must've dulled your brain too," Bickslow mocked gleefully.
*BZZT*
A message appeared before Gray: [**Magic cannot be used within this barrier!**]
"Crap!" Gray cursed, clenching his fists in frustration.
"Hahaha! The barrier only disables magic for those trapped inside. But since I'm outside—and rely on ranged attacks—I'm unaffected!" Bickslow gloated loudly. "Babies, send Gray off to dreamland!"
The five dolls swooped in, ready to deliver another barrage of magical strikes.
"GRAY!"
A shout echoed from above. Looking up, Gray saw Happy descending rapidly.
"Oh, Happy? If you enter the barrier, you won't be able to fly either," Bickslow chuckled mockingly.
*BOOM BOOM BOOM*
Amidst the explosions, Gray's clothes were sent flying skyward, revealing fresh bloodstains on his skin.
Seeing this, Bickslow hesitated, instinctively reducing the intensity of his attack.
"GRAY!"
Happy swooped down, grabbing Gray's discarded shirt and yanking hard. With surprising strength, he managed to pull Gray free from the barrier, though not without leaving him battered and bruised.
"Hahaha, babies, chase them down!" Bickslow roared triumphantly.
"Happy, throw me at him!" Gray commanded.
"But you'll get hurt!" Happy protested worriedly.
"It's fine!" Gray insisted firmly.
Happy surged forward briefly before hurling Gray straight at Bickslow.
"Looking to die, Gray?" Bickslow sneered, maneuvering his dolls to aim at Gray. "Without flight magic, how do you plan to dodge mid-air?"
"Try hitting me and see!" Gray shouted, channeling every ounce of his magic power.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Bickslow also unleashed his full force.
"Soul Blast Cannon!"
A terrifying beam of light rocketed toward Gray.
"GRAY!" Happy cried out anxiously.
"Ice-Make—" Gray remained calm, summoning his magic despite the danger.
"—Wall!"
A colossal wall of ice materialized before him, blocking the path of destruction.
Bring it on, Bickslow!
*BOOM*
The blast tore through the ice wall, leaving behind a gaping hole.
"Haha, Gray, you lose!" Bickslow crowed victoriously.
"Do I, really?"
Suddenly, Gray flipped down from atop the remnants of the shattered wall. At the last possible moment, he'd dodged the piercing beam and used its destructive force to shatter the ice into countless tiny shards, temporarily obscuring Bickslow's vision.
Crap!
Bickslow tried to retreat, but Gray was already too close!
"Ice-Make: Blade—"
"Sevenfold Dance!"
Long blades of ice formed around Gray's right arm and left elbow, sharpened edges glinting menacingly. Spinning like a whirlwind, Gray crashed into Bickslow with a devastating flurry of strikes.
*WHAM*
Unable to evade in time, Bickslow was sent flying backward, crashing violently to the ground unconscious.
*BZZT*
The magical barrier flickered and dissolved, freeing Mirajane from her petrified state.
"Phew—" Gray exhaled deeply, relief washing over him.
"Gray!" Mira and Happy rushed to his side, concerned.
Back at the guild hall—
"Haha, I knew Gray wouldn't lose!" Natsu cheered ecstatically.
Makarov sighed in relief, grateful for the outcome.