Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

Erza glanced at Su Yan. "That wasn't Take Over magic, was it?"

Su Yan shook his head. "No. I don't have any source of magic at all, so I can't really cast spells. That dragon form is a special power of mine, akin to my three-color Haki."

"No wonder my sword can't cut you at all." Erza sighed, recalling how her blades seemed useless against him. "So you're…a dragon?"

Su Yan gave a light cough, feeling somewhat awkward about Erza's fixation on testing her sword against him. "We should focus on the real issue now," he said. "Acting as the Master has been a headache—especially with a guild as lively as Fairy Tail. It's too exhausting. I'd rather not be Master any longer than needed."

Fairy Tail Infirmary

After Porlyusica finished tending to Laxus, she departed, leaving Makarov and Laxus alone in the room. Makarov, who was lying in bed, slowly opened his eyes.

"I know you're awake," Makarov said. "Open your eyes."

Laxus kept his eyes closed, feigning sleep.

"How long will you hide?" Makarov said, irritation creeping into his tone. "We'll settle things eventually."

Realizing he'd been caught, Laxus finally opened his eyes. Makarov sat up, staring at his grandson.

"You brat. Do you understand what you've done?"

Laxus didn't reply.

"Look at me," Makarov demanded.

Laxus reluctantly turned his gaze to meet Makarov's.

"A guild isn't just a place to gather for jobs," Makarov said, voice heavy. "For children without homes, it's a family—somewhere they belong. It's not your personal property. It's built on trust, morality, and bonds that hold it together.

"But you've tried to strip your guildmates of everything—exiling them, threatening their lives—and that's unforgivable."

Laxus's expression tightened. "I just wanted to make this guild stronger… Respected by everyone…"

Makarov sighed. He'd been conscious long enough to know Fairy Law hadn't harmed anyone. He understood his grandson's true feelings, however twisted.

"What a clumsy child you are. You should set down the burden you carry—relax, so you can notice things you used to ignore, listen to voices you used to shut out. That's how life becomes richer. Seeing you grow would be the greatest comfort I could have. I don't need you to be all-powerful; I just want you to have a decent spirit."

Laxus trembled. He had never realized his grandfather's expectations were that simple. Makarov clenched his own fists, steeling himself for a difficult decision.

"Laxus… I'm going to expel you from the guild."

Laxus's eyes went wide. He couldn't believe it. For so long, he'd chafed at feeling confined by Fairy Tail—yet now that he was losing his membership, his heart felt painfully empty. Then he noticed how his elderly grandfather's body trembled from exertion and illness. He realized, in that moment, how old and frail Makarov had become.

"Ah… thanks for taking care of me," Laxus muttered at last. He got up, pulled on his coat, and headed for the door.

He paused briefly. "Gramps…"

It had been years since he'd called Makarov that—both of them had forgotten how it sounded.

"Take care."

"Get out," Makarov growled, turning away. Tears slipped down the old man's cheeks.

"Sure," Laxus murmured, exiting the room.

When Laxus emerged from the infirmary, many guild members spotted him right away.

"Laxus! You bastard!"

"It's all your fault!"

"I want to make you pay!!"

They began closing in on him, the anger in their eyes still hot after everything he'd done.

"Stop!" Erza commanded. Her authority was enough to hold them back, though their hostility remained. Besides, they could see how injured Laxus was. None of them wanted to beat him further in such a state.

Ignoring the angry looks, Laxus approached Su Yan. "Take care of Grandpa for me. I'm leaving."

"Don't worry," Su Yan said. "I will."

"Thanks." A faint smile tugged at Laxus's lips. Then he turned and walked out of the guild. Many people watched him go in puzzlement—it was rare to see Laxus so subdued, thanking Su Yan of all people.

Moments later, Levy rushed out from the infirmary, crying, "No way… The Master just expelled Laxus from the guild!!"

"What?!"

Everyone reeled in shock. They'd wanted Laxus punished—he'd nearly destroyed Fairy Tail from within, threatened guildmates and citizens alike. But actual expulsion? And he was Makarov's only grandson.

Yet, as the reality set in, they understood this time Laxus had gone far beyond any normal punishment. Even so, nobody had imagined Makarov would go that far. But the deed was done: Laxus was gone, and the civil war was at an end.