"Chen Fan!"
"Chen Fan!" The voices of Droy, Jet, and Levy rang out in a chorus of surprise.
"Hmph, I was wondering who it was. If it isn't the man known as 'God's Hand,' Chen Fan," Laxus called out, his voice dripping with provocation. "So what if I'm bullying your sister? You want to fight me for it? Huh?"
"Now, now... fighting and killing is so uncivilized," Chen Fan said, waving a hand dismissively. He knew that if he fought Laxus here, the first ones to get hurt wouldn't be Laxus himself, but Levy, Droy, and the others nearby.
"Tch... coward. One day, you'll be forced to fight me. Everyone in Fairy Tail will fight!" Laxus let out a booming laugh, turned on his heel, and walked away.
Chen Fan's brow furrowed. He wondered if the Fairy Tail civil war was being triggered specifically because of him. He didn't plan to stop it, but he hoped Laxus wouldn't take things too far due to his intervention.
He looked down at Gajeel, who was sprawled on the ground, and noted that the Iron Dragon Slayer hadn't sustained any truly life-threatening injuries. Chen Fan didn't actually harbor any ill will toward Gajeel. In his memories, Gajeel had saved Fairy Tail from several crises and had even nearly sacrificed his life for Levy in the future.
Having no desire to linger, he gave Levy and the others a brief wave and left. Levy opened her mouth as if to say something, but a sudden thought seemed to check her words, and she remained silent.
Only after Chen Fan's figure had completely vanished did Gajeel finally exhale a long breath. From the moment Chen Fan appeared, cold sweat had been trickling down Gajeel's back. Relying on his beast-like instincts, he knew that this seemingly disheveled guy was extremely dangerousfar more so than Laxus. He hadn't even dared to interject while Chen Fan and Laxus were talking.
The next morning, Chen Fan went out shopping with Mira and Makarov. Even though he had put on a disguise, he was simply too famous in this town. Many people still recognized him, greeting him warmly. A group of girls even shrieked and swarmed him for autographs, causing a prominent cross-shaped vein to pop on Mira's forehead.
Seeing Mira's growing anger, Chen Fan quickly rushed to her side to apologize, but she simply turned her head away with a soft "Hmph," ignoring him entirely. Chen Fan's face fell into a miserable pout as he followed dejectedly behind Mira and Makarov, listening to them chat.
Looking at the streets lined with decorated houses, Makarov said happily, "Since it's the Harvest Festival, the whole town has put on its holiday finery."
"Everyone is getting ready for the revelry," Mira replied with a smile, mirroring the Master's joy.
"This is also Fairy Tail's liveliest event on the entire continentthe Fantasia parade!"
"It would be nice if Laxus could participate too," Mira added.
At the mention of Laxus's name, Makarov's smile vanished. "Don't mention that fellow," he muttered darkly.
"I heard from Levy that they seem to have returned to town," Mira said.
"What?" Makarov stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide.
"Master?" Mira asked, startled by his reaction.
"To think it would be at a time like this..." Makarov lowered his head, lost in thought.
Pat. Chen Fan reached out and clapped a hand on Makarov's shoulder. "Hey, old man, are you getting senile? Why are you always spacing out lately?"
"Don't talk to the Master like that! You" Mira started to scold him, thinking he was joking again, but she stopped when she saw the look in Chen Fan's eyes. Gone was the usual playfulness; in its place was a rare seriousness.
"Don't worry, old man. This parade will be a massive success. I guarantee it on my character," Chen Fan said, thumping his chest.
Hearing this, Makarov felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Although Chen Fan was usually a clown, he was a man of his word. Still, Makarov couldn't stand that smug tone. He shot a sideways glance at him. "Do you even have any 'character' left?"
Chen Fan jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "What?! My character is as solid as a rock! I'm loved by everyone, flowers bloom when I pass, I'm known across the five mountains and the four seas, undefeated under thehey! Where are you two going? I have more to say!"
Chen Fan looked up to see Mira and Makarov already walking far ahead. When they saw him trying to catch up, they actually started running, laughing loudly despite his shouting.
Finally, the day of the Harvest Festival arrived.
Chen Fan stared at his voting ballot with a massive headache. This was always the most exciting yet most stressful time of the yearwho should he vote for?!
Suddenly, Max announced the start of the Miss Fairy Tail Contest. Chen Fan threw his worries about the ballot to the back of his mind and watched the stage with excitement. First up was Cana. Seeing that Chen Fan wasn't looking at her, she gave a huff of annoyance. Next was Juvia. The wife of a friend is off-limits, Chen Fan thought, passing over her.
Finally, it was Mira's turn. However, Chen Fan felt an ominous premonition. His memories of this part of the original story were blurry. As he liked to say, he had no memory for things that weren't beautiful.
When Mira stepped out, Chen Fan cheered loudly, pulling out a camera and snapping photos like a maniac.
"I'll be performing Transformation Magic," Mira announced on stage. Chen Fan's sense of dread intensified.
Poof!
Mira's head transformed into Happy's face. Chen Fan turned to stone.
Swish!
It changed again, this time to Gajeel's face. The "stone" that was Chen Fan shattered into pieces.
Clatter! His camera fell to the ground. He had never found Gajeel's face so repulsive before. Chen Fan's heart broke, and tears streamed down his face.
"Mira, you've fallen so far!" he cried out in mock agony.
Max then announced Erza's turn. Chen Fan somehow produced another camera from thin air, making Gray and Natsu break into a cold sweat. The rich are truly annoying, they thought, their envy palpable.
"Hmph, behold my unique Requip!" After a flash of light, Erza stood on stage in a gothic lolita outfit.
"Oh... not bad, not bad at all! Good, very good!" Chen Fan zipped across the stage, snapping photos from every conceivable angle. When he tried to crawl under Erza's skirt for a shot, she finally snapped and kicked him off the stage.
"Ooh..." Chen Fan let out a sound of pure bliss as he went flying. Everyone else shivered, a chill running down their spines. Is he a pervert? Mira glared at the flying Chen Fan, fumingmostly because he hadn't taken any pictures of her.
Suddenly, a discordant voice interrupted. "Contestant number eight! The one known as a fairy is me. The one known as a beauty is me. That's right, it all refers to me! The champion is obviously... Evergreen! Alright, this boring beauty contest ends now."
"What do you think you're doing? My performance isn't over!" Lucy shouted at the intruder.
Gray's voice suddenly rang out from below, "Lucy, don't look at her eyes!"
But it was too late. Lucy had already been turned into stone.
"Everyone, run!" Max shouted to the crowd. The audience scrambled out, leaving only the members of the Fairy Tail guild.
"What are you doing? Are you trying to ruin the festival?" Makarov roared at Evergreen.
Laxus's voice suddenly boomed through the hall. "No, I just wanted to add a little more entertainment."
As he spoke, the stage curtain rose, revealing the horror behind it. Every contestant in the beauty pageant had been turned into a stone statue.
"Laxus, what the hell are you playing at?"
Suddenly, Chen Fan's voice whispered right into Evergreen's ear. "Hey, could you please undo the magic?"
Evergreen felt a crushing pressure descend upon her. Thud! She dropped to her knees, her body trembling with terror as she looked at Chen Fan with wide, frightened eyes.
ZzzztBoom!
A bolt of lightning exploded right next to the statues.
Laxus's mocking voice rang out. "Oops, I missed."
Chen Fan withdrew the pressure he was exerting on Evergreen. She scrambled up and hid behind Laxus.
"Chen Fan, if you want these people to die because of you, feel free to try something," Laxus threatened.
"Are you threatening me, Laxus?" Chen Fan's eyes narrowed into slits.
"That look... it brings back memories. You want them back to normal? Then come and defeat me. Let the world know who is truly the strongest in Fairy Tail, and who is fit to be the Master! Hahaha!"
With a flash of golden light, Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe vanished, leaving only the statues on stage as a silent mockery of the guild's helplessness.
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