Save Me From Myself \\ ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕦

Illusion Replacement

"Time remaining: Two hours and eighteen minutes. Participants remaining: Forty two." Happy informs, growing uneasy at the remaining time, as well as the people left standing. We all tense at the new information. 

"That can't be all that's left, that means more than half the guild has wiped itself out in less than an hour!" Master exclaimed. I close my eyes in angst. 

"Evergreen vs. Elfman. The winner is Evergreen. Elfman Co'ed." I flopped backwards so that I was lying on my back as Master and the other two read the details of the fights on the shield.
"I thought he would have no problem beating her." Happy states in slight disappointment. I hear Natsu huff out slightly, but otherwise ignores it. Laxus... just what do you want? Money... power...? What is it that you want that could make you do such horrible things to the guild? Wait a minute... the first time I met you. After our fight. You couldn't wait to get this place, the guild... could you want the guild? Don't tell me you're really doing this just to get the guild, or is there something else, more to it? I remain sprawled on the floor, staring stodgily at the ceiling.

"I think I know what he wants." I mumbled.

"It doesn't matter what he wants, he's just bluffing." Natsu states firmly. I sit up promptly, my incredulous look meeting his inscrutable one.

"He's not, you don't know what h-." I throw back.

"I'm just bluffing, am I?" Laxus's voice bellows out. I snapped my head behind me, seeing that it was him. Something was different about him, the shape of him was staticy. A hologram or projection of him, perhaps?

"Where'd you come from?" Natsu exclaims. I sent daggers at Laxus, hidden perplexity as he scanned me over.

"It's a thought projection." Happy explained. Laxus walked past me and up to Natsu.

"Natsu? What are you doing held up in this dump, are you scared?" He taunts. 

"I'm not scared! I'm stuck!" He snaps back in defense. He then flickers his gaze at me.

"And how are you back? You were turned into stone." His gaze intensified heatedly. I scoff cockily, flashing an equally cocky grin.

"Oh, that? Guess it wore off." I gloat connivingly. His eyes narrowed, leaning back into his crossed arms as he looked down his nose at me.

"Then how come you're still here?" He tries instead. I sneered, stepping towards the shield, and slammed my fist back into it indignantly.

"Does it look like I can leave!?" I barked at him.

"What do you want?" Master interjects, purposely capturing his attention now.

"How does it feel? You think of the guild members as your children, right? Must be hard watching your little kiddies tear each other apart? It's too bad Natsu and Erza can't join the game, right? 'Cause you don't have anybody else who's strong enough who can take on the Thunder Legend." I simmer in fury as he speaks, knowing each word he spoke was hurting the old man.

"Let me out and I'll beat you, no problem!" I cut in. He raised a brow, turning back to me.

"Just who are you supposed to be anyways?" I couldn't tell if he was serious or just trying to piss me off.

"My name's already been said." I state simply while crossing my arms. I almost smirk at his vexation.

"You're that pest, Mara, aren't you?" I rolled my eyes and head at his answer, him over it already.
"You ready to throw in the towel? " He turns back to Master Gramps.

"Hey, it's not over yet! Don't forget that Gray is still in the game and he's just as strong of a wizard as Natsu!" Happy declared. I bite back a grin as Natsu turned to him in betrayal.