Night time —
In the quiet solitude of his chamber, Makarov sat cross-legged, eyes closed, hands resting gently on his knees. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls as his mind wrestled with an immense burden: choosing the next Guild Master.
Faces floated through his thought
Laxus, he mused. His strength is undeniable, but his temper could fracture the guild.
Mystogan—a guardian yet removed, unable to connect with the everyday struggles.
Erza's loyalty runs deep, but can she bear the weight of unity without breaking herself?
And Yume, a quiet protector, strong and thoughtful, yet still stepping carefully on his path.
Each name carried strengths, but also concerns.
Despite their virtues, Makarov sensed for each the potential to become a problem—for themselves and for the guild.
Before he could reach any conclusion, the door creaked open. Mirajane entered hurriedly, face pale but determined.
"Master," she said softly but urgently, "Erza's team… they've… destroyed half a city during a mission. The Council is furious. They're demanding a report—and quickly."
Makarov's eyes snapped open, the weight of his decision replaced by a surge of panic and frustration. His heart hammered in his chest as fiery emotions swirled inside him.
Perhaps... I'm not ready to let go—not yet.
With a resolute breath, he rose from his seat. The path ahead was uncertain, but tonight, retirement was not an option.
***
The Next Morning
Fairy Tail Guild Hall
The guild hall buzzed with morning activity. Yume and Lucy sat side by side on the bar counter, the latest bread loaves stacked nearby—tokens of Yume's recent mission.
Mirajane approached, a bright smile warming her usually composed features. "Congratulations on completing the mission," she said cheerfully. "How did it go?"
Yume shrugged casually. "It was alright. Didn't even have to lift a finger." He gave a small grin. "More practice for my shikigami than anything. The reward was decent—150,000 Jewels. And, well, I got bread for a lifetime." He glanced fondly at the stack beside him.
Lucy's smile faltered, her gaze dropping to the table. "I wish I could afford that kind of luck… Rent's due soon, and I'm still short. With everyone's destructive chaos around here, it feels like there's no peace to save or money to make."
Both Yume and Mirajane exchanged a glance filled with pity—well aware of how Team Natsu operated. If a mission didn't end in some kind of destruction, then it probably wasn't really their mission to begin with.
Yume leaned forward slightly, thoughtful. "If the problem is destruction, then maybe you should take on a mission that requires it. Something that calls for a little chaos. It might help channel your team's… tendencies, and who knows—it might even cover your rent for once." He gave a small, wry smile. "At least for now."
Lucy looked up, considering Yume's words carefully. The idea of a mission that welcomed the very chaos she feared felt oddly reassuring. She bit her lip, then nodded slowly.
"Maybe you're right," she said quietly. "If destruction is inevitable with my team, better to put it to good use."
Mirajane smiled encouragingly. "There are definitely jobs out there that need a bit of controlled chaos. You just need to find the right one."
She glanced toward the glowing request board and tapped a particular mission with a knowing look. "Like this one—'House Demolition for Reconstruction.' It's a B-Class job near Magnolia. The village council wants several old, unsafe houses cleared out so they can rebuild new homes for residents."
Yume raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Lucy's eyes widened, both aware that a demolition mission could stir up the kind of controlled chaos their guildmates thrived in.
"But," Mirajane warned gently, "it comes with a catch. The area is close to a magical ley line, so things can get unpredictable. The council requests that you avoid damaging the line—it's fragile, and if disturbed, it could cause serious problems for the entire region."
She gave them a pointed look. "If you take this on, be prepared. It's perfect for letting loose a bit, but you have to be careful not to let things spiral out of control."
Lucy nodded thoughtfully, determination sparking in her eyes. "It sounds like just what we need."
Yume smiled. "A chance to turn chaos into something good."
Makarov shuffled into the guild hall, slow steps carrying the weight of both age and anxiety. His eyes landed on Yume, Lucy, and Mirajane chatting quietly near the bar counter. A sudden, almost theatrical sniffle escaped him as he approached, drawing their attention.
"Ah, Yume... Lucy... Mirajane," Makarov began, his voice trembling slightly. "There's a mission—requested specifically by the village mayor of Mistwood. They're in desperate need, and... they've asked for you, Yume."
Yume's brow furrowed in curiosity. "Me? I'm honored... but why would they specifically ask for me?"
Mirajane giggled softly, clearly amused by Yume's obliviousness. Lucy glanced at Yume, equally puzzled.
Mira smiled teasingly. "Yume, you're kind of popular around here—your looks, your magic... and, let's be honest, your reputation for not destroying everything you touch."
Yume blinked, processing the comment, clearly unaware of the charm and reputation he'd unintentionally built.
Makarov's eyes welled up as tears spilled down his cheeks. He sniffled again and wiped his face with a trembling hand. "I'm so proud of you, Yume. Unlike the rest of these reckless guild members, you don't leave destruction in your wake. You're a real credit to Fairy Tail."
The three of them exchanged amused smiles as Makarov's heartfelt pride filled the room, lightening the mood despite the weight of their responsibilities ahead
Lucy glanced up from the mission board and tentatively asked, "Master Makarov, what about the house demolition mission? It sounds like a perfect fit for controlled destruction, and maybe Team Natsu could handle it?"
Makarov's face tightened instantly, his eyes narrowing as the gears began turning in his mind. Visions flashed before him—Natsu's wild flames engulfing more than planned, Gray accidentally freezing vital water pipes, and the relentless chaos that always seemed to follow their every step.
He sighed deeply, the weight of responsibility pressing down. After running through countless worst-case scenarios, he shook his head firmly. "No. They are not qualified for this job."
"But Master Makarov," Mirajane gently interrupted, placing a calming hand on his arm, "we were just discussing the house demolition mission. It sounds like a job perfect for some controlled destruction."
Makarov's eyes widened, and he straightened, voice cracking with a mix of fear and exasperation. "Controlled destruction? With them? If this mission goes wrong—even slightly—it could disrupt Magnolia's entire water supply! The compensation fees would bury me in debt!"
He paused, pacing a few steps as his imagination spiraled further. "Can you imagine the Council's wrath? The endless lectures... my friends mocking me for not being able to complete a simple demolition? It's a nightmare I don't want to live through."
Mirajane and Yume exchanged a glance, their eyes softening with quiet sympathy as they watched Lucy caught between chaotic expectation and harsh reality understanding the depth of Makarov's dread.
Lucy's smile faltered, her voice trembling slightly with over-the-top drama. "I... I really need money to pay rent." She blinked rapidly, voice softening into a mock-serious tone. "If I don't, I might end up living under a bridge... which might be cheaper, but then... where would I charge my phone?"
She sniffled dramatically, wiping away a pretend tear. "And I'm not sure if bridge water tastes as good as Magnolia's... or if the rats there would count as guild friends."
Yume and Mirajane blinked, their initial surprise giving way to amused smiles as they caught her playful act. Unable to hold back, they both burst into soft, genuine laughter. Even Makarov's stern face twitched, the corners lifting into a small, reluctant smile at the lighthearted moment.
Mirajane leaned in, grinning. "Don't worry, Lucy. If you end up under the bridge, we'll come visit… just make sure the rats don't charge us rent."
Lucy shot Mirajane a playful glare. "Better they don't or the rats are getting magical lessons."
Yume chuckled softly, "Sounds like an ultimate guild expansion plan—rat recruitment."
Makarov sniffled again, waving a hand dramatically. "Ahh, the woes of rent… may your enemies be fewer, and your paycheck grander, Lucy."
The tension broke with laughter filling the space, the guild's unique blend of chaos and camaraderie weaving even tighter despite the worries.
Lucy wiped her eyes in mock seriousness, then cracked a genuine smile as the laughter around her eased the tension. "Alright, alright, maybe I'm not quite ready to become a bridge dweller just yet."
Mirajane stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with renewed energy. "Don't worry, Lucy. We'll find you the perfect mission—something that lets you earn without the chaos. Maybe even a quieter one!" She glanced at Yume, who nodded in agreement.
Yume added thoughtfully, "There's actually a request on the board that might suit you perfectly. It's a low-risk mission, peaceful and quiet—and the reward is good."
Lucy's curiosity peaked. "Really? What kind of mission?"
She pulled up the request board and read aloud with a playful smile:
"Mission: Operation House-Sit Cat-astrophe!
Rank: D-Class (due to potential property damage)
Requesting Party: Mr. & Mrs. Periwinkle, renowned cat breeders.
It's called 'Operation House-Sit Cat-astrophe.' The Periwinkles—renowned cat breeders—need someone reliable to look after their cottage just outside Magnolia. The important part? They have a champion show cat named Princess Fluffington. She's... delicate. Needs constant care and a very specific diet."
Yume smirked. "And, most importantly, no noise, no fighting, no magic. Just peaceful, drama-free house-sitting."
Lucy's eyes lit up at the reward—from what Mirajane read aloud, it was a solid 100,000 Jewels for three days and two nights.
"That's just enough for Lucy's rent next month—with a little left over for sweets."Yume said, teasing.
Lucy shot Yume a mock glare, narrowing her eyes in playful reproach. Then, with a hopeful glance, she turned to Makarov, silently asking for his permission.
Makarov sighed deeply, his stern expression softening as he met Lucy's eager gaze. "Alright, alright… You have my blessing," he said, the weight of responsibility momentarily lightened by her hopeful enthusiasm.
Lucy immediately cheered, pumping her fist in the air as Yume, Mirajane, and Makarov watched her with amused smiles.
The brief warmth of their shared joy filled the guild hall, a rare moment of calm amidst the usual whirlwind of energy.
Makarov let out a relieved breath, the tension in his shoulders loosening. At least this mission won't have me writing a self-blame letter to the Council, he mused internally, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth
Despite the challenges looming on the horizon, moments like these—the laughter, the camaraderie, the simple warmth of shared jokes—reminded him why he bore the responsibility in the first place. In that smile lay a fragile hope, a flicker of light pushing back the shadows of doubt.
The endless wreckage left in their wake—not from malice, but from their boundless enthusiasm and lack of control.
But as the laughter filled the hall, a small, uneasy thought crept into his mind
an echo of caution that tempered his fleeting peace. He knew all too well the nature of Fairy Tail : that even the simplest missions could spiral into chaos.
Makarov's chest tightened as he foresaw the calamities waiting to unfold. How easily a task meant to be straightforward could become a disaster, Makarov thought, a heavy sigh escaping him. The thought of explaining yet another catastrophe to the Council tightened in his chest, filling him with dread.
Yet, almost immediately, Makarov found himself questioning that worry. How could they possibly mess up a mission that requires no fighting? he asked himself with a hint of self-assurance.
This was different. No battles to rage, no explosions to ignite. Just simple house-sitting, calm and controlled. Surely Lucy and the others could handle something so straightforward. No chance for Natsu's flames to go wild, no Gray ice to freeze more than necessary, no wild magic spiraling beyond control.
Makarov allowed himself a small, confident smile. If anyone in Fairy Tail could pull off a mission where the only real challenge was peaceful stewardship, it was them. He trusted in their adaptability—after all, they had surprised him before.
This time… it will be different.
Oh, how wrong Makarov is.
End of chapter
Author's note:-
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Spider-Man: Legacy of the First Hokage