Next Lucy steps over to Erza to see she's picked up her pace and she catching up quickly to Natsu and Gray.
Mirajane is taking a break, smiling, satisfied, up at the sky as she digests her food.
Elfman has gotten more fierce in ripping meat from the bone. He's picking up speed as he figures out how to eat more efficiently.
Bisca and Laki are both still eating steadily, both in their own worlds. Lucy can see they're both even with Elfman.
One minute left. Wendy stops in front of Elfman, who's started slowing down. he looks like he might be sick. She points to him and he stops eating and sighs heavily, falling backward onto the ground to relax.
Mirajane picks up her fork and starts shoving more fruit into her mouth. Lucy can see Erza's picked up her pace even more and she's surpassed Gray and Natsu. Bisca has called it quits, declaring she's had her fill. She gets up and she and Al go back into the school. Laki's starting to slow down too. Lucy suspects she might call it quits soon too.
Fifteen seconds to go and Lucy looks up to see Natsu and Gray both stop at the same time. Simultaneously they fall backwards onto the ground, both unable to move.
"So much food," Gray groans.
"My tummy is going to explode," Natsu whimpers.
"I doubt it. I ate way more than you, freak," Gray tells him.
"You wish you did," Natsu retorts.
Lucy looks over the table at them and decides they're fine. She holds up the flag and calls time. She looks into each person's portion and can tell instantly who won.
"Okay. So here's me guessing. In third is Laki, Mirajane is second, and Erza is first."
"What?" Natsu roars, sitting up. He looks up at Lucy and she looks away. He look disgusting with all that food on his face.
"As for you and Gray…" Lucy looks into their portions. "A tie."
"No way!" Gray protests.
"Actually you're both disqualified anyway because you stopped early," Lucy announces.
"You need to weigh the portions remaining to get an accurate judgement," Erza tells Lucy.
After Levy goes to get a scale, Lucy starts weighing the portions and recording everything. She'd made all the participants turn their backs until she finished. "Okay! So as for Gray and Natsu, since they aren't in the actual contest anymore… Natsu won by two ounces. Though I don't know how much that counts because of how much food he has all over his face,"
"What are the results of the contest? Erza demands over Natsu's obnoxious laughing and floorbound victory dance. He and Gray are actually so full that neither of them can get up. Wendy is poking at them and asking if they want the nurse.
Lucy looks down at the paper in her hand. "I was right, Erza. You're first, though Mirajane is right on your heels with just half a pound difference. Laki is three pounds behind Mira."
"Well I was just in it for the food anyway," Laki declares. "If I'd really been trying, I would have won!"
"I know, Laki," Lucy tells her with a laugh. "Anyway, this was pointless. I could have told you this would happen." She looks over at Natsu and Gray, who both look like they're about to puke. "Wendy, turn them over so they don't puke all over themselves."
Wendy does so and stands up. "We're going to be late for class if we stay here!" she announces just as the warning bell sounds.
"Yeah, lunch is almost over," Cana states from her chair. "I'm skipping out. If that counselor sees that I was drinking on campus again she'll lecture me and I'm not in the mood to deal with that. I'll watch the hot head and snow man for you guys."
Lucy nods in appreciation but looks over at Natsu, who actually does look miserable. "You know, I think I'll stay up here too. You can all go ahead," she tells the group.
With a few nods the group leaves the roof to go back to class. Lucy moves around the table to sit down next to Natsu. He props himself up on his elbows and looks at her.
"You were right about the contest," he says, surprising Lucy.
"Really?" she asks him warily. Natsu doesn't normally admit to his bad decisions. "You're not messing with me, are you?"
"When have I ever messed with you, Luce?" Natsu asks, confused.
"You pull pranks constantly," Lucy points out.
"Those pranks aren't supposed to be for you," Natsu counters, glancing over at Gray, who's asleep.
"You're so bad at remembering which seat he sits in," Lucy sighs.
"You have bad timing," Natsu tells her. "If you'd stop coming into class when you do, you wouldn't be the one to trigger pranks."
He pauses after that and looks alarmed just before he pushes Lucy back. She scoots backward just in time for him to vomit red.
"Oh, that's disgusting," Lucy groans.
"Pretty nasty, Natsu," Cana agrees, sounding amused.
Lucy glares up at Cana and stands up, going for a brown bag on the table. She comes back over to Natsu and shoves it in his face just as another round comes up.
Lucy sits Natsu up and rubs his back while he coughs into the bag. She knew it was the right thing for her to do, staying with him. What would've happened if she'd left? Lucy doubted Cana would have done anything when he started puking, and this way Lucy can make sure Natsu doesn't accidentally puke on Gray or himself.
After Natsu's done, he looks up at Lucy apprehensively. "Thanks and sorry. Didn't think this would happen."
Lucy shakes her head and stands up. She goes over to Natsu's food and grabs a spoon, scooping up some tofu. She tries it and nearly gags, it's so spicy. She digs her spoon into the ice cream next to it and shovels some in her mouth to sooth the burning in her throat. "And you ate nearly fifteen pounds of that! Natsu, you could seriously hurt yourself if you keep that up. You're only human, remember? Quit acting like you're some fire breathing dragon, because you're not!"
Natsu looks up at Lucy and back down at the ground. "Sorry, Luce. Hey, I think I'm fine now. Want to go to class now?"
"Yeah, let's get going." Lucy holds out her hand for Natsu and he takes it, smiling up at her. Lucy smiles back at him and the two of them head back into the school. "You need to wash up first though. You look totally disgusting."
Done! I hope you enjoyed my take on a fairy academy eating contest.