For whom do you stand for?
Summary: What if Levy had participated in the Grand Magic Games? She became stronger with every obstacle she faced and now was the time to stand up for her nakama. She'll show the world how strong and stubborn a little fairy can be.
This is an idea that just popped in my head and couldn't stop myself from writing it down. I'll try to stay as cannon as possible but I'll also take a few liberties. Hope you enjoy it!
It was the second day of the Grand Magic Games, Raven Tail just won against Lamia Scale and ripped Toby's lost sock in front of the whole arena. It brought everyone on edge but the competition had to continue.
"Well… let's compose ourselves and move on to the second match of the day" said the announcer/judge Chapati Lola "Quatro Cerberus - Bacchus!" The whole stadium roared in cheers when said competitor came forward.
"Against Fairy Tail A's…" the judge continued
"Us, uh…" Erza said.
"What'll we do if it's Natsu?" Lucy questioned worriedly.
"We'll smack him awake" Gray replied.
"That guy… was on par with Erza, right?" Elfman wondered.
"There he is! I don't care who does it! Take revenge for me!" Cana exclaimed angrily from the audience seats, Macao alongside her trying to comfort her "Cana, calm down…"
(A/N I don't give a damn about the part of the king and Arcadios so I'll just ignore it… go read the manga if you're interested in that)
"Elfman!" the judge announced. Said mage widened his eyes in shock at hearing his name being called for battle.
"Go forth, there is no path for us but that of victory" Erza stated, encouraging (?) Elfman.
Once he took his place in the arena in front of Bacchus, he could hear the different reactions amongst the crowd. Some encouraging him, but most of them stating how the battle was decided in favor of the Quatro Cerberus' competitor.
"Uhmm… wait a moment, please…" they heard the judge said in a hesitant tone, causing the crowd's attention to go back to the judge's panel "There seems to be a problem with the registration form of Elfman Strauss... which means that he cannot compete in this battle"
"EHH!" was the collective shout from Fairy Tail and some of the audience. Elfman was in shock about the news! Did this mean that they automatically lost 10 points for some paperwork crap?! It couldn't be!
"Master! What happened?" Lissana asked Makarov as the old man tried to shake out from the shock. He shoved his hands in his pockets trying to find something and, sadly, he did. With an abashed expression he took out the piece of paper that needed to be attached to Elfman's registration form and without it, said mage wasn't allowed to compete.
"Seems I made a tiny bit mistake, hehe" the master said while rubbing the back of his head shamefully.
"YOU THINK!" came the shout from all the Fairy Tail mages in the audience.
"Does this means that we lose the match automatically?" Lissana asked.
"No, it doesn't!" Levy replied with confidence. They all look at her to urge her to continue with the explanation. "According to the Grand Magic Games rulebook, when a participant is disqualified due to technicalities such as this one, the reserve member from the team can take his or her place. In this case, since Elfman is the first reserve member of team Fairy Tail A and Wendy is yet to recover, the one that will take his place in the battle shall be the second reserve member" she finished proudly, everyone around her calming down after her explanation.
"Then, who is the second reserve member?" Bisca asked to no one in particular. They turned to look at the master, since he was the one who submitted all the paperwork for both teams.
Makarov stroked his chin, trying to remember the order he placed the mages in the file. Then, realization hit him and his eyes widened as he now knew who was going against Bacchus. He turned slightly to look at Levy and muttered a low "I'm sorry"
"Master, what…?" before Bisca could finish her question, the voice of the judge resonated through the arena once more.
"Okay, fellas! With Elfman's technical disqualification, Fairy Tail A's second reserve member shall take his place in the battle. Without further stallment, the battle shall be Quatro Cerberus - Bacchus against Fairy Tail A - Levy McGarden!" the judge finished with excitement.
"WHAT?!" the whole arena was able to hear the high pitched shout that the solid script mage let out after the news.
The judges conceded 5 minutes for Levy to prepare before the battle started (and for her to make it from her place in the audience to the battle arena). She was in the lockers room, mentally preparing herself for the battle. She knew about Bacchus strengths, she had study them beforehand in order to help Fairy Tail teams with strategies if needed to. She never thought that she would be the one needing a strategy right now.
Her fighting style was more concentrated in range attacks, but they were slow and weak, whilst Bacchus attacks will be close ranged, fast and powerful. She had to concentrate hard in order to find a way to defeat her opponent. She knew she could do it, she had the confidence in doing so. After everything that went down in Tenrou Island, after Acnologia's attack, and after unlocking her second origin, she knew she had the ability to come forth victorious in this battle.
Still, she couldn't help but to feel unease by the situation. She wasn't a fighter; she avoided fights whenever she could. But this time, there was no way around it; she'll have to fight, for Fairy Tail, for her nakama, for her team. Her shoulders shook with nervousness as she kept trying to find the right way to defeat Bacchus.
3 minutes before the battle starts.
I can do it. I know I can. I know I will win.
"Levy-chan" Lucy's voice dragged her out from her inner thoughts and she looked up to see the blonde standing right in front of her. "You okay?" Lucy asked in concern.
"Yeah, just trying to calm my nerves…" she tried to say it with confidence but ended up sounding like she had already lost the match. She hated when her nerves made her sound weak and small; that wasn't how she felt right now, quite the opposite, she felt big and strong, with a great opportunity to show the world what Fairy Tail was capable of.
"You'll do great, I have faith in you" Lucy said with a smile. She was one of the few persons that never dared to underestimate Levy. She knew that her friend was a force of nature that wouldn't be stopped when put into action. Still, the stellar mage was a little nervous too by the match, she didn't wanted Levy to get hurt, but all she could do right now was to give Levy her support in any way possible. "If there's anything I can do, just say so, ne?"
"Thanks, Lu-chan. It means a lot that you're here" Levy replied with a wide smile. Confidence started to flow through her body as her posture straightened, shoulders squared. She thought for a moment and an idea came to her mind in an instant. "Actually, there is something you can help me with"
"Alright, what do you need?" Lucy said.
Levy smiled at her, this will give her the last boost she needed so much.
2 minutes before the match starts.
The thundering of the arena resounded in her ears. It was almost as loud as the beats of her heart.
I can do this. I can do this.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Let's keep going with the battles of the day. The second match of the day will start in a few moments! The competitors of this match: Quatro Cerberus- Bacchus..." the judge said through the loudspeaker and the audience went crazy as Bacchus once again entered the arena through the door that was opposite to the one she was standing right now.
"... versus Fairy Tail A - Levy McGarden!" the judge finished and with the cue, Levy entered the arena. The noise wasn't as loud as it had been when Bacchus entered, but it was louder than the day before and she could clearly distinguish the voices of her nakama calling at her 'You can do it, Levy!' 'Show them what you got!' 'Kick his ass!' were the phrases she managed to recognize.
None of those shouts were as loud as her mind's.
This is your chance.
Show them how big you are.
Do it for them! Jet, Droy, everyone, for all of you, I'll become bigger than a dragon!
She squared her shoulders and firmly locked her gaze on her opponent.
She entered the battle arena, and whilst he hadn't moved from his spot against the wall with either of the previous battles, Gajeel couldn't help it when he found himself leaning on the railing of the 'palco' (A/N couldn't found the translation, someone please help me with that). He didn't doubted Levy's ability to win the match, he was certain that she had already figured out a way to outsmart the idiot that was laying on the ground lazily in front of her. No, he had faith in her, but he couldn't help the uneasiness he felt about the battle.
The night before, he heard Titania talked about the drunkard that defeated Alberona in a drinking match. He heard the wariness that her voice tried not to show when talking about that man. He knew that if anyone managed to make Titania talk that way when describing that person, it meant that this Drunk Falcon was more dangerous that he let it show.
He felt uneasy because he didn't wanted Shorty to get hurt. And he knew that, if that was the case, he wouldn't be able to do anything about it, he would just have to stand there and watch as someone hurt her. That thought made the hairs in his nape to bristle.
He noticed then the outfit she was wearing and grinned, that stupid grin that showed he was proud to be part of the same guild and proud that she had become one of his closest friends.
She let go of the orange sundress, that beautiful piece of clothing that make her look more gorgeous if that was even possible, and traded it for a black tank top, orange tight sport shorts and snickers. Her guild mark was visible on her shoulder blade and her hair was tied high in a ponytail with a few strands of hair framing her face and a black bandana with orange stripes holding the rest of the hair out of her eyes. He then saw her wrists. Two grey bracers, one on each hand, looking very similar to the cuffs he wore. Of course hers weren't made out of metal, that would be uncomfortable, but they still made her look tough and he knew she had a plan on how she was going to use them for her advantage.
She looked like a warrior. A tiny warrior but still fierce like a dragon. Gajeel couldn't be prouder of her.
"What's with her outfit?" Gray asked Lucy after she got back from the lockers room.
"Virgo gave us a hand" Lucy said smiling and leaned further into the railing to have a better sight of the battle.
"Shouldn't she worry more about the battle than what she wears?" Gray said unimpressed.
"You know Gray, sometimes the right outfit can be the difference between victory and defeat in a battle" Erza said, nodding in approval of Levy's clothes.
"Ugh… why did I even ask?" Yes, Gray, why did you even bother to ask the re-equip mage and the cosplay girl about clothing choices?
"This shall be an interesting battle" Erza noted. "Levy is a ranged attack mage, as long as she keeps her distance from Bacchus, she has a chance at winning this battle"
"Is he really that terrifying, Erza?" Lucy asked, concern could be noticed in her voice.
"Bacchus's magic is a type that focusses magical energy in the palms of his hands. It's a relative orthodox magic. However the secret to his strength is mastery of a martial art that allows him to use that magic to its fullest potential. It's called the hanging-chop fist. It's a martial art that uses special stances to make particularly effective use of 'palm strikes'" Erza said "What's even scarier is that he's added some improvement to that and created a drunken hanging-chop fist"
"Drunken… like with booze, you mean?" Gray asked.
"Yup, it's impossible to predict the drunken falcon's attacks. On top of that, the destructive power is enhanced as well, which is part of his key to victory" Erza continued.
"So, that's what he has in that gourd?" Lucy asked, pointing at the container that lay beside Bacchus.
"No doubt about it. If Levy wants to win, she must defeat him before he has even a single drop of alcohol in his system" Erza finished.
The match was about to start.
Bacchus was just lying down on his side lazily. Like there wasn't about to be a battle right there and then. It made her feel insignificant, like he was underestimating her.
Good. Let him think that way Levy thought.
She stopped a couple meters in front of him. Her eyes never leaving her foe.
"Cute little fairy, eh? Hey… why don't we make a bet like those guys just now?~" Bacchus said carelessly.
"Hm?"
"You look like a nice woman, even when my tastes are a little bit curvier~… If I win, you'll spend the night with me and I'll show you how a man can make a woman squirm" he said with a look full of lust.
Levy tried not to react at his words. She tightened her fists. She was disgusted by this man's words, but knew it was just for a show, to taunt her.
Good, let him think he can get into my head she thought.
"You're a sick bastard!" "Crazy perv!" she managed to hear the angry shouts of Jet and Droy. Of course they heard Bacchus' words; the arena was enabled with screen and audio lacrymas for the audience to see and hear clearly everything that went on the arena.
Levy's gaze shifted quickly to the area where Team Fairy Tail B was standing. They were far away from her, but she managed to notice Gajeel tightening his jaw in anger. Maybe Bacchus's words got to him too.
Don't worry guys, I got this.
"And if you win… let's see…" Bacchus continued.
"You talk too much" Levy said strongly. She readied her stance, hands brought forward glowing from magic power.
"I'm glad we could come to an agreement" he sat up straight, pushing himself up to his feet "My soul is shaking"
"Let the match begin!" the judge said and the arena erupted once again into loud cheers.
"Good, we made it on time!" Freed said as he entered the area where Team Fairy Tail B was standing. Pantherlily flew beside him and landed on the railing at one side of Gajeel.
"The hell you're doing here?" Gajeel asked Lily with an incredulous expression.
"We wanted to have a better view of the battle" Lily said and I plan to stop you if you try to do something stupid. Lily needn't to voice out the last part for his dragon slayer to know it to be true.
"Tch, whatever." Gajeel said crossing his arms over his chest and returned his attention back to the battle arena.
"This is going to be an interesting battle indeed" Freed said as he stood closer to the railing between Mirajane and Lily. "I think that she has the upper hand as long as she can keep her distance from him"
"It's unusual to see you so excited about a battle, Freed. Especially if it's not Laxus who is fighting" Mirajane said and giggled.
(A/N I'm not into MiraxFreed, I'm more of Miraxus but I think Mira and Freed are good friends, don't interpret their interactions as more than friendly, that's not my intention. Also, I don't think Freed as gay, not that I have anything against it, but he seems to be just someone who is very apprehensive of his friends, not in a romantic way.)
"Well, of course. Levy is a script mage and even when our magic techniques are different, the bases are the same. I want to see the strategy she'll use to win" Freed finished and rested his forearms on the railing.
Gajeel heard the conversation and inwardly smirked. Of course, the nerd would be excited about another nerd fighting. Sure thing, Levy would be doing the same if the roles were switched.
Then, Gajeel heard the bet Bacchus offered and he felt his jaw tightening in anger and disgust.
Fucking bastard, talking to Levy like that. Try to lay one finger on her outside the battle and I'll rip your balls out.
He heard the shouts from Jet and Droy and he was glad he wasn't the only one thinking of shredding to pieces that Quatro Cerberus shithead. After all, Levy has a lot of friends that cherish her deeply, so if this bastard thought it a good idea to dream of having a night with her, he was in for a sea of pain delivered by at least the two males of Team Shadow Gear and Gajeel.
He smiled when he noticed Levy readying her fighting stance. She seemed undisturbed by the bastard's words.
You can do this, Shorty.
"Let the match begin!"
That's it for Chapter 1. I have all the story written down, so it should come up really fast, just need the time to edit it. Hope you like it and please tell me if there are any grammar mistakes (English is my second language and I want to improve at it).
Question: Does it makes sense that I'm going from one POV to another and that I'm sometimes rewinding in time a little bit (like the last part with Lily and Freed)? Or would you find it easier if I just put whose POV it is? Thanks! I'll upload the next chapter tomorrow