The roar of the crowd reached a fever pitch as the first notes blared from the glowing crystal amplifiers embedded in the float's frame.
A pounding electronic beat burst forth like thunder, charged with magic and electricity. The spell-harmonized remix of a song from Krampus's past life—an energetic anthem called "I 2 I" from an old world movie known as A Goofy Movie—rippled through the air. Krampus had painstakingly adapted the piece for Earthland, reworking its composition with Laxus and layering in enchantments to bring its soulful energy into magical harmony. It was a melody no one in Fiore had ever heard before, but one that instantly grabbed hearts and refused to let go.
🎵"Yeah, yeah / Hey, yeah"🎵
Krampus and Laxus stood side by side on the float, spotlights blooming around them like twin novas. A shimmering illusion of lightning and snowflakes spiraled behind them, timed perfectly with the music.
They raised their mics.
🎵"I got myself a notion / And one I know that you'll understand"🎵
Laxus's deep tenor melded with Krampus's rich baritone, harmonizing in perfect sync. Their voices thundered across Magnolia's parade avenue, bolstered by magical amplification that wrapped around every stone and brick.
🎵"We set the world in motion / By reaching out for each other's hand"🎵
With a sharp motion of his claws, Krampus spun into a dazzling dance routine. Every stomp released waves of glowing runes beneath his boots. Laxus joined him with practiced flair, flipping forward in a lightning-powered somersault that sent sparks soaring into the sky.
The float behind them came alive—guitar-shaped magic constructs flaring, illusion dancers performing synchronized choreography, glowing spotlights sweeping over the crowd.
🎵"Maybe we'll discover / What we should have known all along, yeah"🎵
Magical streamers shot into the sky, unfurling in midair with the images of Krampus and Laxus flexing, laughing, singing. The crowd was stunned into stillness.
🎵"One way or another / Together's where we both belong"🎵
Meanwhile, other floats began to surge into motion.
Ur's float glided by, a breathtaking glacial garden sculpted from magic and artistry. She stood in the center like a frost goddess draped in a flowing gown of spun ice, her elegant limbs weaving intricate arcs through the air. With each movement of her arms, crystalline roses bloomed from nothingness, their petals unfolding with a shimmer of blue, lilac, and silver.
Frozen vines spiraled up delicate spires of ice, intertwining with hovering snowflakes that rotated like slow, deliberate gears. Towering icicles shot skyward before bending in graceful curves to form a glacial cathedral of arches above the float. Snowflakes fell in a steady, choreographed flurry, each one unique, each one shining under the enchanted lighting like falling stars. Soft melodic chimes echoed with every step she took, and her float left behind a cold, glittering mist that trailed for meters.
Gasps filled the air as her float passed, followed by thunderous applause. Some spectators were openly crying at the sheer beauty of it.
In the next lane, Wakaba and Macao made their entrance in a raucous burst of theatrical energy. Wakaba's smoke magic burst from the float in giant looping coils, transforming midair into detailed dragons and flocks of doves that soared above the crowd before dissipating in showers of glittering ash. With each puff from his pipe, he summoned new creatures—a tiger leaping through rings, a cloud-serpent slithering across the sky, each one eliciting amazed cheers.
Beside him, Macao conjured massive purple fire phoenixes with wingspans that stretched across rooftops. The flames didn't burn but pulsed in rhythm with the music, flaring brighter with each chorus. One phoenix flared its wings and fragmented into dozens of miniature firebirds that circled above, bursting into harmless sparks that floated down like fireflies. Their float was shaped like a flaming coliseum, its pillars etched with runes that pulsed to the beat, and even the wheels churned out spirals of fire and smoke with every rotation.
Theirs was a wild, roaring display of primal magic and raw spectacle—chaotic, dazzling, and undeniably Fairy Tail.
🎵"If we listen to each other's heart / (Oh yeah) we'll find we're never too far apart"🎵
Back on the main float, Laxus and Krampus clapped their hands over their hearts as they sang, pointing outward toward the audience as magical hearts bloomed into fireworks behind them.
🎵"And maybe love is the reason why / For the first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye"🎵
Krampus pointed at Laxus.
Laxus pointed right back.
The crowd exploded with cheers.
Above it all, Makarov floated atop a grand magical platform shaped like an ancient observatory, trimmed with glowing gold. His light magic spiraled from his fingertips in brilliant, flowing arcs that danced and wove through the air like radiant silk. With deliberate precision, he conjured breathtaking illusions: constellations swirling and reforming into mythical beasts, historical reenactments of great mages long past clashing in ethereal duels, dragons and knights rendered in prismatic silhouettes locked in majestic combat. Each illusion would dissolve into a burst of fireworks shaped like musical notes, exploding into cascading rainbow sparkles that rained gently over the crowd.
As he guided the luminous spectacle, Makarov's heart swelled with emotion. His old eyes misted not just from age, but from pride. He looked down at the float where Krampus and Laxus belted out the next verse, their performance synchronized with the entire parade's beat. Seeing them like that—strong, united, radiant—filled him with the same awe and wonder of a child seeing magic for the first time.
"Would you look at those boys," he murmured with a tremble in his voice. "Heh… singing together, all lit up like stars. It's like watching your grandkids discover the world—and then set it on fire with glitter and harmony."
🎵"If a wall should come between us / Too high to climb, too hard to break through"🎵
The float passed by a viewing platform where the Gildarts family watched. Gildarts himself blinked, visibly impressed. Cana was openly cheering, holding up a glowing charm that spelled "KRA-LAX FOREVER!" in runes. Her stepmother Cornelia smirked with admiration at Krampus's flair.
Further down, Gray, Lyon, and Ultear watched in awe from a vantage rooftop.
"Mom's amazing," Ultear whispered, eyes wide with admiration.
"She looks like a goddess," Lyon breathed, watching Ur's float glimmer in the distance like a temple of frost and grace.
"She is a goddess," Gray muttered under his breath, not even trying to act aloof for once, his eyes reflecting the icy brilliance of their teacher's magic.
🎵"I know that love will lead us / And find a way to bring me to you"🎵
Krampus's coat swirled around him as he spun, the ceremonial bell ringing with a deep, resonant chime. The crowd along the streets stood wide-eyed, mesmerized not just by the performance—but by who was performing.
Townsfolk young and old gasped, screamed, and cheered.
"IS THAT KRA–?! IT'S KRAMPUS!!"
"AND LAXUS?! ON A FLOAT?! TOGETHER?!"
"MOM, THEY'RE SINGING!!"
Children danced in place. Elders clapped. Merchants leaned out of their stalls to gawk at the stage. Even shop signs began blinking in tune with the music as a dozen enchanted lacrimas picked up the beat.
🎵"So don't be in a hurry / Think before you count us out, oh"🎵
🎵"You don't have to worry / I won't ever let you down (nothing's gonna stop us now)"🎵
Laxus's lightning flared behind him in a glowing set of wings, sparking and pulsing with each step of the choreography. Krampus answered with glowing sigils and glittering magical snow that burst from his claws.
The two moved in perfect synchronicity, dancing not just with their bodies, but with the harmony of old trust and new passion.
🎵"If we listen to each other's heart / We'll find we're never too far apart (Oh yeah)"🎵
They stood back-to-back, arms wide, as magical spotlights formed a luminous eye in the air above them.
🎵"And maybe love is the reason why (Oh yeah) / For the first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye"🎵
The illusion above them changed—an enormous crystalline eye, reflecting their joined figures from every angle.
🎵"Yes, we are (eye to eye, we're seeing it) / Seeing it eye to eye (love is why we're seeing it)"🎵
Every float behind them began to light up in response.
Ur's ice garden shimmered.
Wakaba and Macao's magic synced with the beat.
The parade as a whole pulsed like a living organism.
🎵"(Eye to eye) seeing it eye to eye (eye to eye) / (We're seeing it) yeah, seeing it eye to eye"🎵
The crowd joined in, thousands singing and cheering, hands in the air.
🎵"(Love is why we're seeing it) I think we're / Seeing it eye to eye (eye to eye, eye to eye) / (We're seeing it) yeah, eye to eye"🎵
Krampus took one final pose, hand outstretched to Laxus.
Laxus grabbed it.
They raised their arms together as light exploded behind them in a magical aurora across the entire sky of Magnolia.
The Magic Parade of X774 had begun—
—and no one would ever forget it.
The city of Magnolia was only just beginning to settle after what had undoubtedly been the most explosive Magic Parade in Fairy Tail's history. Last night's celebration had been a blinding spectacle of light, sound, and magic, capped off by a performance from Krampus and Laxus that still had the media in a frenzy the next morning. Reporters swarmed the streets. Crystal Lacrima cameras hovered mid-air, snapping pictures. Guild wizards were now unofficial celebrities, none more so than the electrifying duo themselves.
Now, as morning sunlight filtered down through the debris-littered streets, Krampus and Laxus found themselves amidst the clean-up crews. Both had changed back into their everyday attire. Laxus wore his usual skin-tight black tank top that showed off his chiselled physique, paired with camo pants and sturdy black boots. Beside him, Krampus still towered, clad once more in his sleeveless red coat with its white fur trim and gold embroidery, military camo pants, black boots, and those signature golden chains hanging around his neck. Though his appearance remained imposing, his expression was less so.
"LAXUS! KRAMPUS! OVER HERE! JUST ONE MORE QUESTION!"
"WILL YOU FORM AN IDOL UNIT? GO ON TOUR?"
"WHAT WAS THAT SONG CALLED?!"
"WHEN'S THE NEXT PERFORMANCE?!"
Dozens of voices bombarded them as they attempted to help the clean-up crew. Several townspeople had stopped working entirely, crowding around with makeshift autograph books or Lacrima phones. Children giggled as they clutched Laxus's gloved hand. Some even dared hug Krampus's leg, their admiration unfiltered.
Laxus, to no one's surprise, took to the attention like a fish to water. He grinned, answered questions, and even struck a pose or two for the cameras.
Krampus, however, was another story entirely.
Internally, he was screaming.
He'd faced down beasts, criminals, and tyrants. But this? The smiling faces, the eager questions, the swarm of attention? It set his nerves ablaze. On the outside, however, Krampus was unnervingly calm. His deep voice answered with measured diplomacy, even warmth.
"We appreciate the enthusiasm," he said, nodding at a young reporter whose notepad trembled with excitement. "But we are Guild Wizards, not entertainers. Still, public morale is important, and we're glad we could contribute."
"Will there be another performance like that?" one journalist asked, nearly bouncing.
"Possibly," Laxus winked. "If you're lucky."
Krampus nodded beside him, arms crossed, his tone smooth and perfectly modulated. "We're not ruling out the idea of future collaborations, though our duties take precedence."
But in his mind, he was unraveling.
Why are they smiling? Why are they so close? I don't know how to respond to this many compliments. Do I nod again? Too much nodding? Fuck, I'm sweating under my fur. Can they tell I'm sweating?!
He clung to the mannerisms he had once relied on when forced into courtrooms and council chambers: precise speech, straight posture, measured breathing. A professional mask.
Just like in the old days, he thought. Be the mask. Be the calm. Be the control.
But beside him, Laxus offered a grounding presence.
At one point, Laxus leaned in slightly and whispered, "You good?"
Krampus gave the smallest of nods. "This is... confusing."
"Hah, well you're handling it like a champ."
A beat passed. Then Krampus mumbled so only Laxus could hear, "I'm freaking out."
Laxus chuckled and clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Come on, let's slip out the back."
Using the commotion of another floating lacrima drone arriving overhead, the two excused themselves politely and quietly ducked out of the main square. They moved through the alleys until they found a shaded bench near the canal, away from the crowds. The sounds of the city faded into the background.
Krampus exhaled slowly, letting his shoulders relax as he leaned back.
"That was… a lot," he muttered.
Laxus flopped beside him, legs splayed wide. "You're telling me. But hey, you pulled it off."
"Barely."
"You were smoother than grandpa's whiskey," Laxus smirked. "Didn't think you had that lawyer tone in you, though. Where did you learn it from?"
Krampus let out a low, rumbling chuckle, but not quite answering. "It's the only way I survive social pressure."
They sat there in silence for a moment, just enjoying the quiet.
Krampus looked over, his voice quieter. "I'm more used to being feared or scorned. This kind of admiration like I'm a superstar … I don't know what to do with it."
Laxus didn't laugh this time. He just gave a nod. "Then we'll take it one step at a time. Together."
Krampus smiled faintly. The warmth in his chest returned, like a note echoing from last night's song.
He wouldn't mind singing again. Not if it was with Laxus.
As the wind ruffled his fur gently, Krampus's thoughts wandered back to the stage. He remembered the intimacy of last night's performance—the way their voices had harmonized, how Laxus had looked at him under the light, that electric moment when their hands had brushed as the final note faded. The crowd's roar had been deafening, but in that moment, all he had felt was the heat between them. He blushed slightly under his fur, the memory stirring a warmth in his chest that was... different. Not the familial acceptance he had felt from Fairy Tail. This was something quieter, more personal. And he didn't hate it.
Time passed. A few weeks later, the energy within the guild had shifted from the explosive high of the parade to a different kind of chaos.
The S-Class trial loomed over everything like a storm cloud brimming with ambition. Tension ran thick in the air as guild members swarmed the job board the moment it was refreshed each morning. Missions were snatched up as quickly as fresh buns at a street stall during lunch rush, with arguments breaking out over who grabbed what first.
"Hey! I was reaching for that!"
"Like hell you were! I've had my eye on that B-rank since yesterday!"
"It's about time someone else got a shot, you hog!"
People pushed and shouted, waving slips of paper and bristling with intent. Even quieter members had started getting competitive, whisper-arguing over mission availability like desperate scavengers. Makarov had to step in more than once to prevent outright brawls.
For others, it was less about glory and more about necessity. Ur, surrounded by three energetic kids and their mounting needs, fought tooth and nail to grab enough work to keep her family stable. The pressure weighed on her like a second job.
And in the center of the frenzy, a few names were starting to rise to the surface—contenders clearly angling for the S-Class trial.
Two stood out. One was Billy Herrington, a sun-kissed warrior with a dazzling smile, bronzed skin, and a football captain's air of easy confidence. He looked like he'd stepped out of a heroic poster—muscles like sculpted marble, bright blue eyes, and an aura that screamed sunshine and swagger. His most infamous feature—his perfectly sculpted backside—had once made even Makarov question his own sexuality for a moment. Billy's soap magic was deceptively potent; he could literally wash away an enemy's strength, their magic dissolving like grime under hot water, before he finished the job with elegant tai chi moves that combined force and flow.
The other was Matthew Rush, a broad-shouldered powerhouse with warm brown skin, dreadlocks pulled into a short bun, and the aura of a beloved big brother from the block. Friendly, laid-back, but fiercely competent, Matthew was known for his mastery of wrestling and his booming sound magic. With a single clap or stomp, he could create concussive shockwaves or propel himself into blindingly fast charges. Where Billy was dazzling, Matthew was grounding—both looked like titans sculpted for battle, both were twenty, and both had the seasoned edge of fighters who'd been sharpening their skills for years.
And then there was Laxus. Just thirteen, but already built like a freight train—broad-shouldered, thickly muscled, and taller than most of the adults in the guild thanks to his draconic bloodline and relentless training. Since the age of six, he had been under Krampus's wing, both as a student and as something like a junior apprentice. Krampus's teachings were thorough and unrelenting—training the mind, body, and magic in equal measure.
Under Krampus, Laxus didn't just grow stronger—he grew sharper. His lightning magic, once raw bursts of power, had evolved into something multifaceted. He could emit blinding flashes to disorient foes, channel electricity into his limbs to boost his speed and striking force, form protective barriers of crackling energy, and even manipulate magnetic fields for strategic control over metallic weapons. Every day, he honed his precision and mastery further.
He pushed himself harder than ever, not only fueled by pride, but by the knowledge of who he would be facing—S-class candidates who were older, more experienced, and hungry for victory. And perhaps more importantly, he knew that two of the examiners would be Gildarts and Krampus himself. That alone made him raise the bar with every drop of sweat he spilled.