Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

"What?!!" 

Almost everyone in the guild reacted with wide-eyed panic upon hearing Erza's name—except for Su Yan, whose face lit up with excitement. He hadn't seen Erza in over a year, and he missed her.

Mira, noticing Su Yan's eager expression, gave him a playful nudge with her foot.

Meanwhile, Natsu and Gray looked like they were breaking into a cold sweat.

**Boom! Boom! Boom!**

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed closer.

"It's Erza!"

"We're doomed!" Macao muttered, his face pale.

Lucy glanced around, bewildered by everyone's reaction. "Who is this Erza?" she whispered. "Why does everyone look so terrified?"

At that moment, a striking figure entered the guild. She was a tall young woman with long, scarlet hair, clad in gleaming armor over her torso and a blue skirt. Draped over her shoulder was an enormous horn.

"So beautiful!" Lucy murmured, captivated by the woman's appearance. Erza exuded both beauty and strength, like a queen.

**Boom!!** Erza dropped the massive horn onto the guild floor.

"I'm back. Is the Master here?" she asked, her tone steady.

"Welcome back, Erza! The Master's away at a regular meeting," Mira informed her.

"I see…" Erza replied, her voice calm.

"Uh… Miss Erza, what's that giant… thing you're carrying?" someone asked, eyes wide.

"Hmm?" Erza looked down at the horn. "It's the horn of a demon I killed. The locals gave it to me as a decoration. I thought it was beautiful, so I brought it back as a souvenir. Is it in the way?"

"N-Not at all!" the guild member stammered, nervously shaking his head.

"She killed a monster with horns like that…" someone whispered, awestruck.

Erza set her gaze around the guild hall, her tone suddenly stern. "But enough about that. I see you've all been causing trouble again. Even if the Master forgives you, I won't."

She turned to Cana. "Cana, stop drinking like that."

Then, to Vijeeter, "If you want to dance, go outside."

"Wakaba, your ash is getting everywhere."

"Nab, stop lingering around the task board and go to work."

When her gaze fell on Macao, he visibly wilted. "Macao… ugh!" She sighed, as though too disappointed to find the right words.

"Just say something already!" Macao exclaimed, unable to handle the silence.

Erza shook her head. "It's truly troubling. I won't say anything today."

Gray and Natsu, usually at each other's throats, had their arms around each other's shoulders, giving Erza nervous grins.

"Yo, Erza! H-How's it going? We're, uh… getting along great today…" Natsu stammered.

"Aye, sir!" added Happy.

Lucy's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Natsu has turned into… Happy?!" She couldn't believe her fearless, hot-headed teammate could act so docile.

Erza nodded approvingly. "Good friends might quarrel sometimes, but it's wonderful to see the two of you getting along so well."

"Uh… no… I keep saying we're not exactly 'good friends'…" Gray muttered.

"Aye…" Natsu echoed, deflated.

"I've never seen Natsu like this!" Lucy whispered in shock. In her mind, Natsu was the type who feared nothing and no one. Yet here he was, practically purring like a kitten in front of Erza.

Mira chuckled. "Both Natsu and Gray are afraid of Erza. Natsu once challenged her to a fight, and she beat him senseless. Gray was lounging around without clothes one day, and Erza took him down as soon as she saw him. And Loke… well, he tried to flirt with her once and nearly ended up in the hospital."

Erza smiled, satisfied. "I'm glad to see you two getting along."

"Miss Erza doesn't seem that scary to me…" Lucy commented.

Just then, Erza looked around. "Where's Su Yan?"

Su Yan stepped forward, raising his hand in greeting. "Erza! Long time no see. You're still as intense as ever…"

A cold gleam appeared in Erza's eyes as she swiftly drew her sword and swung it toward Su Yan.

**Ding!**

The blade struck Su Yan's forehead… and shattered.

Lucy fell to the floor in shock. "She cut his head off!" she cried, horrified. "Why is Erza attacking him the moment they meet?!"

To her astonishment, Su Yan's head remained unscathed, not even a scratch, while the sword itself had shattered to pieces.

Su Yan gave Erza a sheepish smile. "Erza, it's been over a year. Isn't that a bit of an enthusiastic welcome?"

Erza huffed. "You do know you've been gone for an entire year, don't you? Running off with no word… you had everyone worried sick. Be thankful I only used a sword."

"I was busy…"

"With what? Aimlessly wandering around the world, as usual?" Erza replied, unimpressed. She knew Su Yan too well—his so-called 'business' usually amounted to little more than restless wandering.

Su Yan hesitated, knowing she'd never buy the truth, even if he tried to explain it.

Erza shook her head. "Enough. I've encountered some trouble on my latest mission, and I wanted to discuss it with the Master. Since he's away, I'll handle it myself. And as for you…" She glanced at Su Yan and the others. "You all seem free right now, so you're coming with me to take care of it."