After Gramp's use of Fairy Law, the rest of the guild converged around Lucy and I while she began bandaging my wounds. "I beat up Gajeel for you, big bro!" Said Natsu with a grin as he stood before me and patted my chest, only to hiss in pain since he was injured pretty severely after his fight with Gajeel, though speaking of that, I could say the same, especially for Erza, who Gray was carrying on his back. With careful movements, Gray placed Erza beside me, prompting me to glance at her injuries before raising my head, curiously looking into her eyes. "You can't move either?" "No." Erza gave me a once-over before closing her eyes and facing forward.
"So, is the war over? Has Phantom Lord been defeated?" Said Gray as he asked the question on everyone's mind, though I couldn't help but scoff at his words while nodding. "Hmph, Gramps just used Fairy Law; whoever hadn't been defeated yet has certainly been defeated now… Phantom Lord lost." At my words, there was a moment of silence, only for Natsu to release a fiery breath into the sky. "WE WON!" "Haha, take that douche lords!" "That's what those bastards get for attacking one of our own!" "Fairy Tail is the strongest guild in Fiore!" "We've avenged you, Shadow Gear!"
Watching everyone shout in joy at Phantom Lord's defeat, I would've joined them, but even after that short nap, I was still immensely exhausted; however, after a few minutes, by the time the initial excitement began to die down, Gramps was seen walking down the hill toward us. "So, what now, Gramps?" Gray asked as he folded his arms and looked at Gramps, who entered the huddle while glancing at everyone before faintly smirking. "Well, considering we destroyed a rival guild, I'll need to report this to the Magic Council… However, I can do that later. Let's return home; you all deserve a long and much-needed rest." Said Gramps with a deep sigh as he placed his hands on his hips while lightly nodding.
Gramps wasn't as energetic or joyous as everyone expected him to be, but none argued back, after all, every single one of us was exhausted and in pain. "Sounds like a plan to me, Master. My body is aching!" "Heh, well, you're old Macao." "Tsk we're the same age, Wakaba!" Macao and Wakabe led the way to the train station while Gramps picked up Erza and I with his giant hands. "You two fought really hard." Snorting at Gramps' praise, I shook my head; I couldn't accept his words considering what I'd done, which was nothing. "Good job, Erza. Holding your own against Jose, you might be qualified to become a Wizard Saint now." Rolling onto my side, I looked at Erza while flashing her a smile, though she shook her head.
"Enough with the jokes, big bro, that's not like you." Said Erza lightly as she side-glanced me before closing her eyes, causing me to internally chuckle, though I didn't press the issue and plopped onto my back. 'Yeah, I think I'll go to sleep.' I felt no need to stay awake with Gramps here, so with a yawn, I closed my eyes and swiftly drifted to sleep.
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After returning to Magnolia, Lucy and I got the privilege to learn our guild had been reduced to ruins thanks to Phantom Lords' Jupiter Cannon; however, thankfully, no one was present when it happened. All of Fairy Tail was attacking Phantom Lord, except for Droy, Levy, Jet, and Porlyusica, who had all returned to her cabin in the woods so she could better treat them. Speaking of Porlyusica, I heard from Gramps she was pissed when we returned since she had a few extra people to look after, though despite her anger, she treated them as well.
A few days later, we received constant visitors from the Magic Council, which left Gramps busy, but once everything settled down a week later, they released an official statement stating Phantom Lord had been disbanded and Jose is no longer a Wizard Saint, which I teased Erza about since they had an open spot for her; though honestly, she wasn't quiet there yet. Also, since our guild was razed to the ground, Gramps had people reconstruct it, which would probably take a few weeks, so until then, we're using the backyard as our meeting place so Fairy Tail could continue operating.
Regarding the two groups that happened to be absent during the war, the Thunder God Tribe has yet to return, but Mira and Elfman arrived a few days later, and when they did, they brought along the flags of every sub-guild of Phantom Lord they destroyed.
Currently, it's been just over a week since the war with Phantom Lord, and I've been using this chance to rest and heal. 'I finally feel great… Heh, I'm even stronger than before.' Exiting the shower, I looked in the foggy mirror and clenched my fist, grinning at the power I could feel coursing through my body. The growth wasn't much, only a small increase, but I was satisfied nonetheless, considering what I went through. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I exited the shower and stepped into Lucy's room, where I saw her sitting at her table and writing; leaning over her shoulder, I saw her write about what transpired the past couple of days, causing me to narrow my eyes. "Hmm, big bro, what are you doing?" Asked Lucy as she snapped her head upwards and gazed at me, causing me to step back while shaking my head.
"Nothing, just reading what you're writing." "Well, this is my diary, so could you maybe not?" Lucy gazed at me wryly, though I promptly ignored her and lifted her shirt, revealing a large bruise that hadn't healed yet. "Does it still hurt?" "Only when I touch it… Miss Porlyusica said it should heal in two weeks, and one week has already passed." Said Lucy lightly, causing me to nod as I lowered her shirt. "However, I think we should be discussing your injuries." "What injuries?" "Exactly, big bro. You were a step away from dying, and in one week, with just basic first aid, you've fully healed while I'm still dealing with this bruise." Stated Lucy as she looked at me with an incomprehensible gaze before she outstretched her hand and felt my abominable muscles, causing me to smirk.
"My body's a weapon, Lucy, and what good is a weapon that isn't usable?" "N-None? But that doesn't explain why your body is so freakish." Chuckling at Lucy, I gently rubbed her head and turned around, heading to the bathroom to get my clothes; once I put my clothes on, I returned to Lucy. "Oi, Lucy, I will be gone for a few days." "Gone? Did you get us a quest?" Asked Lucy curiously as she put her diary away while standing up, though I shook my head. "No, it's not a quest per se." "Oh. Well, when are we leaving?" "Ah, about that. I'm doing this solo. Sorry, Lucy… It's something personal. Besides, you still need to heal." Lucy gave me a slightly skeptical gaze before lightly nodding. "Oh, okay, well, stay safe, big bro." With a cheerful smile, Lucy approached me and stood on her toes before kissing my cheek.
"Think of it as a good luck charm from your little sister." Glancing at Lucy's playful expression, I faintly smiled and rubbed her head again before promptly leaving her apartment through the window. Landing on the ground, I walked through the streets of Magnolia, and while doing so, my expression hardened. 'Now I can kill them all!' Exiting Magnolia, I enhanced my body and darted into the distance, heading towards Crocus.
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Jose POV
Gazing out through the bars of the carriage, I ground my teeth in fury as I glared at the Magic Council knights; these stupid bastards, blindly trusting the stupid Magic Council. 'I did nothing wrong! It was Fairy Tail!' Clenching my fists, I would've broken out of this cage and slaughtered them all if it weren't for the magic sealing cuffs.
"With a Wizard Spot opened, who do you think will take that Spot?" "I don't know. Maybe someone from Fairy Tail?" "Fairy Tail? Isn't their guild master already a Wizard Saint?" "Yeah, but haven't you heard rumors about their two top S-class mages?" "What rumors?" "Apparently, they have the strength that rivals a Wizard Saint!" "Alright, you're just talking out your–"
Listening to those stupid knights discuss my hated enemy was akin to torture. 'Speaking of them as if I'm not just sitting right here! What strength that rivals a Wizard Saint!? That little brat isn't even half my strength!' Slamming my fist into the ground, I began to think of ways to escape this stupid cell so I could one day get my revenge, but while doing so, I heard commotion coming from the front of the carriage, causing me to furrow my brows as I stood up and approached the bars.
"Ugh, s-stop!" "W-We're the-" "I-Inform the Magi-" Hearing faint thuds, after a few moments, silence was all that remained, followed by the sound of footsteps until a tall man appeared in front of me. Gazing at him in confusion, I tilted my head, only to smirk, realizing it must've been one of my guild members coming to rescue me. "Hehe, splendid job! Now quickly free me!" Grinning, I backed away from the bars while the man pried them open with his bare hands, making a hole big enough for me to squeeze through. Stepping onto the ground, I outstretched my arms, prompting him to use the key he must've stolen from one of the guards to free me; the instant the cuffs dropped, I grinned as my magic power was again under my control.
"Good. GOOD! Hehe, I can't wait! It's only a matter of time until I get my revenge and slaughter every one of those pesky Fairy Tail brats!" "You won't get the chance." Furrowing my brows at the man's words, I saw him walk away, allowing me to just barely view his back that a nearby light source illuminated, and what I saw confused and angered me. "F-Fairy Tail? What?" Gazing at the man, he turned around and removed the mask covering his face, while dropping a glowing golden stone onto the ground, causing my force to contort into fury when I laid eyes upon the man before me.
"C-COOPER!!" "I told you, did I not, Jose? I'll kill everyone in Phantom Lord… And you're first!"