The Next Day.
The golden light of dusk painted Magnolia in warm hues, as the city was full of people, eager to watch the Fantasia Parade. Crowds filled the streets, banners fluttered in the evening breeze, and laughter echoed through each part of Magnolia.
In the master's office of the guild, Kael sat opposite Master Makarov. The old man was dressed in a weird costume that was for the parade while Kael wore his usual clothes with his red cloak.
"It's a shame you won't be appearing in the parade," Makarov grumbled, tugging at his collar. "The people adore you, boy. They'd love nothing more than to see the Sorcerer Supreme take the spotlight."
Kael smiled faintly, folding his hands in his lap. "I'm already popular, master. Too much of anything is bad. Besides, I'll still help with the visuals."
Makarov gave a long sigh before speaking. "If that's what you wish...." His voice softened as he added, "Still… it's good you're back. Ever since you left for that job, things have only gone from bad to worse."
Kael's smile lingered, though his expression carried a hint of gravity. "I know. Laxus told me some of it while we talked. He… shared more than I expected."
Makarov's gaze drifted to the window, where the orange glow of sunset bathed the town.
Then, he pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice rising as he leaned back in his chair. "Do you even realize how much has piled up while you were away? First, Lullaby falls into the hands of a dark guild, then Natsu's team goes off and steals an S-Class job without permission. After that, Phantom Lord declares war on us, and before I can breathe, the brats got tangled up in that damned Tower of Heaven mess. And then... then... the Laxus' so called Battle of Fairy Tail! My own grandson leading a coup inside these walls!"
His tiny hands trembled, mustache bristling with frustration as his voice cracked. "Every time I turn my back, it's one disaster after another. I swear, if I still have hair on my head, I'd be bald twice over!"
Kael gave a sheepish smile at the rant, raising his hands in a half-shrug. "When you list it all like that, it does sound… overwhelming."
But the smile soon faded. His expression turned grave, eyes narrowing as the tone in his voice shifted. "However... Now that we're on that topic, master… I believe this isn't the end. It's only going to get worse."
Makarov froze as he heard this. Then, he folded his hands, voice low. "Yes... In a few days, there's a guild master's meeting to discuss the Balam Alliance. It seems that we would be attacking them soon..."
"If that's the case... Then I'll let you handle that, master... I'll focus on a theory that will quite affect the guild..." Kael spoke as he looked at the old man seriously.
Hearing this, Makarov leaned forward, his expression curious as he wondered. "And what matter is it you're speaking of?"
Kael spoke a few words, answering the master's question.
And as he did, the color drained from Makarov's face, his previous serious face seemed to grew even more serious. For a long moment, the master simply stared at Kael, unable to speak.
Scene Break
The night had settled over Magnolia with the moon rising high above a sea of stars. Yet tonight, the city did not sleep. Instead, every street leading toward the Fairy Tail guild was buzzing with life. Merchants were selling treats, children bouncing on their heels with excitement, couples holding hands, and groups of citizens craning their necks for the best view.
The long-awaited parade was about to begin.
Inside the guild hall, members of Fairy Tail bustled about in a mix of nerves and excitement. Costumes were revealed under lantern light, and floats were readied outside. Everyone was gathered, everyone except for one.
Makarov stood near the doorway to his office, tugging at the weird costume he wore. He glanced over at Kael, who was leaning casually against the railing of the second floor.
"Are you sure about being in the background?" Makarov asked.
Kael, in response, gave a small smile. "As I said, he crowd doesn't need me stealing the spotlight." His tone was light, but his eyes flickered toward the bustling guild members below. "Let them shine."
Makarov huffed, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward.
Then, Kael raised one hand and whispered calmly, "Brathium Spell of Invisibility." Immediately after, his body shimmered faintly before vanishing.
Seeing this, the old man released a breath before looking at his "children".
"Alright!" Makarov clapped his hands together, his booming voice cutting through the chatter. "Let's give Magnolia a show they'll never forget!"
And so, the doors of the guild burst open, and Fairy Tail marched into the night.
...
The streets of Magnolia were packed. Music echoed from all directions, and the crowd erupted as the parade began.
From above, Kael floated, invisible to everyone.
"Look! The parade's starting!" a child shouted, pointing at the first float.
"Fairy Tail's floats are amazing as always!" another voice called from the crowd.
The parade rolled past as floats with Fairy tail mages, each waving cheerfully to the crowd moved.
In one of them, Natsu leaned over the edge, his grin wide. "I bet this year's even better than last!"
"Aye!" Happy responded.
Then, above everyone, the night sky shifted.
Shimmering light appeared across Magnolia's sky. Various colors flowed in it. There was green, purple, and blue.
"Wha- what's happening?" a vendor muttered, shading his eyes. "Is that… an aurora borealis?"
"Impossible," another voice whispered. "Auroras don't even happen this far south!"
On one of the floats, Mira tilted her head, as she glanced in the sky. 'this has to be Kael'
On another float, Levy smiled softly as she glanced at her notebook before writing once again to use her script magic.
Meanwhile, Natsu's jaw dropped. "That's insane! Where did it even come from?!"
Happy twitched his ears, looking around. "Aye! That's gotta be Kael, right? Nobody else does magic like that!"
"Where is he?!" Natsu yelled, pointing at the sky. "I wanna punch him for kicking me out yesterday!"
"I'm not sure about that..." Happy chirped as he looked scared.
As the duo talk, a small flame appeared in floating above the crowd. Some people immediately notice and soon enough everyone turned their eyes to the sky.
"What… is that?" a bystander murmured.
Natsu squinted, "Fire?"
Then suddenly, the small flame burst, growing larger and brighter until it shaped itself into a magnificent golden phoenix. The phoenix danced below the aurora borealis.
The crowd erupted into cheers, clapping and pointing. "Look at that! A phoenix!"
Erza's eyes sparkled at this scene. "Beautiful..." She muttered before using her requip magic as she also prepared to entertain the crowd.
Above, the golden phoenix continued its dance. Then, it descended toward the crowd, sending the crowd into frenzy.
"Watch out! It's going to burn us!" one bystander yelled.
But the phoenix's flames didn't do that. Instead, a gentle warmth spread over the crowd, brushing against their cheeks and hands like a soft summer breeze. People froze in wonder, astonished at the comforting sensation.
"Wha… it… it didn't burn?" a merchant muttered, eyes wide as he held out a trembling hand.
"Wait… this isn't dangerous," a young girl said, laughing with delight. "It feels… nice!"
As the crowd went wild in amazement, other Fairy tail members also used their magic.
Additional flames lit the sky with the words "FAIRY TAIL".
Lucy, along with other girls danced to the music.
Juvia and Gray created a beautiful scene as their magic complemented each other.
And countless projectiles filled that air, making the overall mood of the city great.
Then a bead of water appeared, hovering in midair, catching the reflections of the aurora. In an instant, it swelled and stretched, forming a majestic dragon that twirled and twisted .
"Another one?!"
The dragon move around the phoenix, its watery form sparkling against the golden flames. The two creatures danced together, circling the floats as if performing a choreographed ballet. And surprisingly enough, the water dragon didn't seem to extinguish the phoenix.
Then, as if that wasn't enough fairies made of fire, water, and illusions also joined the fray.
It was a magnificent scene as the phoenix, dragon and many fairies roam around the floats while Fairy tail mages also added their own touched. All below the dancing Aurora Borealis.
Scene Break
In a dark alley, Laxus watched silently.
Bandages can be seen beneath his coat as he watched the parade. He saw the joy in the people's faces, and the way the crowd cheer.
As he watched this, he couldn't help but look back to the first time he watched the parade.
He still remembered how he sat at his grandpa's shoulders, asking the old man to grow taller so he can see better.
He smiled as this memory flashed to his mind.
Then it happened.
One by one, the fairy tail mages' hands rose high into the air. Along with it, the index and thumb pointed to the sky while the other 3 remained closed.
Seeing this, Laxus froze. His breath caught in his throat. He looked around and noticed that all the Fairy tail members he could see was doing the same thing.
Then, he a voice played into his mind.
"I'll go like this! It means even if I can't see where you are, I'm always looking at you..."
Tears blurred his vision as his body trembled. Memories once again flooded his mind as his heart ached. It was too late now. He already made the mistake.
Then the tears spilled freely, hot against his cheeks. He pressed a hand to his mouth, shoulders shaking as he let the sobs come. Hidden in the alleys, Laxus finally broke as he also put his hand up before pointing his thumb and index finger to the sky.
'I'll leave this guild to your care...'
Scene Break
After a long time, the Fantasia parade was finally nearing its end.
Smiles were etched in everyone's faces as they watched.
Similarly, smiles can also be seen in each of the Fairy tail member's faces.
They were all having a good time.
Then, before everyone's smiles and watchful eye, the phoenix, dragon, and fairies suddenly started to move to the sky. From their direction, a collision would be imminent.
People braced as their focus shifted to this. And as the expected collision came, a blinding light erupted, so bright that every eye was forced shut.
When the crowd dared to open their eyes again, the spectacle had transformed. The flaming phoenix, water dragon, and magical fairies, were gone.
Instead, the Auroras became larger and more vibrant than before. Fireworks were also seen as it showed a cascade of golds, purples, and greens, exploding in perfect harmony.
Then, it began to rain gently. However, it was not water. Petals drifted down alongside bubbles that sway in the air.
"Did… did that just happen?!" a child whispered, eyes wide and shining.
Meanwhile, Kael watched the crowd, in one of the alleys. The final firework burst in the sky, mirroring the aurora's colors.
Seeing this a faint, satisfied smile formed on his face.
For a moment, Magnolia's night was filled with countless display of magic. The crowd was also full of smiles. It was as if, there was no problems in the world.
'How I wish those smiles can be present everyday.' Kael thought to himself as he looked at the crowd.
Then, he suddenly turned around as if noticing something.
"Come out." He spoke.
Then, a figure slowly appeared. He wears a dark blue cloak and his arms and legs are mostly covered in bandages. He also wore a dark blue bandana with a silver forehead protector, and a green, camouflage-patterned mask that obscured the bottom half of his face
"I wondered when you'd show up," Kael said softly. His eyes turning back on the illuminated streets, the aurora swirling above.
"Your handiwork is… impressive," the man said, "Even I am surprised at the scale of it."
Kael then shifted his gaze toward the masked man, Mystogan. "I appreciate the compliment. But there's something we need to discuss after this."
Mystogan raised an eyebrow beneath his hood. "After the parade? "
"Yes... There are questions I need answered about Anima." Then Kael's gaze slowly returned to the streets, faintly smiling once more. "For now… enjoy the moment," he murmured, his voice almost drowned out by the crowd's jubilation.
Mystogan gave a subtle nod, the corners of his eyes softening ever so slightly, before melting back into the shadows, leaving Kael alone once again.