Yo, minna!  I'm back!  I hope you enjoy the following chapter.

(H/c) = Hair Color.

(E/c) = Eye Color.

Gomen-ne-sai = I'm sorry 

Demo = but 

Iyada = I don't want to

"Mystogaaaan~" you whined.  "Why do you have to go on another trip?  You just got back two days ago!" 

He sighed, slinging his pack of magical staffs over his shoulder.  "You know I have to close the Animas around the world, (Y/n)," he told you, grabbing stuff from around the room.  "It's my responsibility." 

"Demo, we don't even hang out anymore," you complained, puffing your cheeks out as you followed him around.  "Do you know how lonely it gets sometimes, even with the guild recklessly destroying everything everyday?"

He froze slightly at these words, and turned to you.  His dark eyes bored into yours, and you felt your heart beating slightly faster than normal.

"(Y/n)," he said softly, offering a small smile.  "Gomen-ne-sai.  If I don't close the Animas, you know many lives would be lost." 

You sighed, knowing that there wasn't any other choice.  "I know..." 

He lifted a hand and ruffled your (h/c) hair, making you giggle.  "I'll be back in three days' time," he promised, "in time for Magnolia's annual Harvest Festival, okay?  We can spend a day together then." 

Your (e/c) eyes brightened immediately.  "Really?" 

"Of course," he answered, putting his mask back on.  "Don't miss me too much while I'm gone, all right?"

Giggling, you tucked in a strand of blue hair into his mask, and replied, "Impossible." 

Time Skip brought to you by Gemini's "Piri-piri"

You hissed in pain as one of the lightning strikes hit your arm.  "Watch it, Bolt Boy!" you shouted, glaring at him.  "It's your fault that I'm not spending the day with Mystogan!" 

"That's what you're concerned about while I'm destroying Magnolia?!" Laxus demanded as you jumped back to dodge another attack.

You scoffed.  "Obviously.  Mystogan is my best friend and you messed up my chance to spend time with him!" 

"Tch," he muttered.  "I don't need annoying pests like you in my future guild!  Disappear, (Y/n)!" 

Your eyes widened as he gathered a great amount of magic power to blast towards your way.  You cursed under your breath and clenched your fists, preparing yourself for the worst.  Even you knew that you wouldn't be able to stand after this.

Suddenly, the familiar sensation of a presence you knew all too well appeared behind you, and the footsteps of your best friend echoed throughout the building.

You smiled, relieved that he was here.  "Took you long enough!" you teased, turning around to face the masked man.

"I apologize, (Y/n)," he greeted, his voice muffled as he stepped next to you.  "I was planning to arrive earlier, but my schedule got slightly held back." 

"It's all right," you reassured him, facing Laxus, whose attack had disappeared after realizing Mystogan was here.  "This psycho here was just about to attack me." 

"I see," he responded calmly, as if you had just told him you were about to go grocery shopping.  "Stand back, (Y/n).  Let me handle this." 

"Are you kidding?" you asked, shaking your head.  "We're partners!  We fight alongside each other!" 

Before you could continue, Laxus glared at you before shooting a bolt of lightning towards your way, catching you by surprise and effectively blasting you back.  You cried out in pain, holding the side of your stomach as your body tingled in pain from the electricity.

Mystogan's eyes narrowed, and turned to Laxus.  "What do you think you're doing?" 

"To be honest, Mystogan, I had not expected you to participate in my little game," Laxus admitted, ignoring Mystogan's question altogether.

Of course, Mystogan didn't beat around the bush.  "Deactivate the Thunder Palace at once, and maybe you'll still have a chance at redeeming yourself." 

"Actually, this is perfect," Laxus continued, still not listening to Mystogan's words.  "People have been debating on who is the strongest mage of Fairy Tail--you or me." 

"Aren't you forgetting Erza?" the blue-haired mage reminded him.  "She's also one of the tops, not that this interests me.  (Y/n) is also an S-Class, you know." 

"That girl may be S-Class, but she is still weak," Laxus insisted.  "As for (Y/n)...she was the last to become S-Class, and she prefers peace rather than fighting, and without a fighting spirit, you cannot be strong." 

"Erza?" Mystogan asked.  "Weak?  You must be blind.  (Y/n) is also one of the strongest people I've ever met, so I'd watch your words." 

Your vision was going blurry, and your hearing was fading.  Gritting your teeth, you blinked and forced yourself to get to your knees.

"Let's settle this, once and for all," the lightning wizard declared, grinning.  "Who is the strongest mage of Fairy Tail, Mystogan...or should I say, another--"

Mystogan's eyes widened, and he shot a blast of magic towards Laxus, who countered with his own lightning magic, a grin of delight on his lips.  A strong explosion gusted towards you, and you gripped the stone floors to make sure you didn't get blown back.

"Where did you learn of that?!" Mystogan demanded in a serious tone.

"Oh, how rare to see you lose your composure," Laxus taunted, smirking cockily.  "Good question.  Perhaps I'll tell you if you defeat me." 

You stood up, staggering slightly, and stumbled towards the cloaked figure.  "Mystogan..." you mumbled, standing next to him shakily.  "Let me fight, too." 

Mystogan took one look at you and sighed.  "No way, (Y/n).  I'm not letting you fight.  Get back." 

You shook your head stubbornly.  "Iyada!" you protested.

He sighed again, and pressed a hand against your forehead.  "Honestly, you're so persistent sometimes...forgive me for this, (Y/n)." 

"W-what are you...?" you asked, but trailed off as you felt the heaviness of your eyelids drooping down.  "M-Mystogan...you jerk..." 

You fell forwards, but was caught in the arms of your mysterious friend.

"Sleep well, (Y/n)..." 

Time Skip brought to you by Gajeel's "Shoo Bi Do Bop." 

You groaned, rubbing your head.  "What happened?" 

"Laxus happened," a familiar, deep voice answered, and your eyes shifted over to the source of the voice.

"Mystogan," you greeted, smiling softly.  "...Thank you for saving me." 

He handed you a glass of water, which you downed quickly.  "No problem.  I'm sorry we weren't able to spend the Harvest Festival together." 

You shook your head, hiding your disappointment so you didn't make Mystogan feel any worse.  "No, it's all right.  Just being here with you is enough...well, if you don't leave me, that is." 

He raised an eyebrow, smiling amusedly.  "If I leave you now, you would probably wreck the entire house in your condition." 

"Hey!" you defended, your face flushing as he chuckled.  "Would not!" 

"Whatever you say," he replied, feeling your forehead.  "At least your fever went away.  You were burning up last night." 

"How long was I out?" you questioned curiously.

"Don't worry, it's around 10," he informed you, "and I won't be leaving for a week, so you can rest assured." 

You smiled, warmth spreading inside you.  You were grateful for everything he'd done for you, and you wouldn't trade this moment, this precious moment, for anything else in the world.

Done!  Whew, I would say that this is pretty good.  What do you guys think?

Reader: NOT ENOUGH FLUFF!

Gajeel: When are you gonna let me Shoo Bi Do Bop, eh, Miko?!

*blinks at the complaints* E-eh?  Didn't you Shoo Bi Do Bop earlier?

Gajeel: THAT WAS DURING THE TIME SKIP.  IT DOESN'T COUNT.

A-ah.  Well, if enough readers comment, saying that they want to see you Shoo Bi Do Bop, then I'll consider.

Gajeel: *presses face against the screen* I see you there.  You better tell Miko to let me Shoo Bi Do Bop, or else!

*sigh* Gajeel, stop threatening the reader and stop breaking the fourth wall.  Ja, ne~