==[o0o]==
The sixteen combatants were slowly corralled into the guild hall by a large gathering of towns folk and the rest of the guild members. All were cheering loudly as the excitement for the battle had been leaked by Makarov who wanted to make a bit of Jewel. He chuckled to himself as he stood looking at the Fairy Tail's stone walls from the arena.
He had constructed a large arena that buried its stilt legs into the lake floor stabilising it. Its upper level consisted of three floors. First the upper layer was very much the same as the Grand Magic Games sandy floor. The second had stone surrounding it, and the third had been reinforced steel and stone. This floated above the water causing the lapping sound to reverberate somewhat around the steel making unusual sounds if the hollowed floors were entered.
The seating surrounded the arena could house a fairly decent number of viewers and still manage to hold four dragon slayers. Or at least Master Makarov hopped.
With the audience heading over in small boats to sit and watch at upcoming battle the Fairy Tail mages all sat in silence feeling unnerved by the prospect of having to fight one another. They were unsure if it was going to be a free for all or if they were going to be pitted against one another. It was anyone's guess as Master Makarov had several plans up his sleeves at any one time.
Erza and Mirajane slowly walked in from the back door and walked around the front of the expansive bar. Gajeel and Levy sat next to each other as Gajeel attempted to reassure her that she had become far stronger but whether she believed that was another matter.
Gray leant against one of the wooden beams folding his arms as Juvia wobbled next to him, fretting about the possibility of having to fight him only to be reminded that even if that eventuality happened he would still go all out and she needed to focus if she wanted to progress.
Cana buried her face in several large bottles of beer as she mulled over whether or not she wanted to take part. She had managed to contact Gildarts and simply wanted advice on the situation, however in typical new father emotion he poured his heart out over the communication lacrima and told her that even if she didn't become an S-Class she was still immensely powerful and she only needed to believe in herself as he believed in her. She was his daughter and that she didn't need to become as strong as him but making her mind and heart become one she would have greater power over her magic. And whatever the outcome he was still proud of her.
Elfman sat with Lisanna who was busy trying to calculate which form she would take if she battled certain members she hopped that Makarov would do a two vs two battle and if they could pick she'd choose Elfman, she knew she could work off his Beast Form's and that they'd become unstoppable. Elfman agreed but reminded Lisanna not to work herself up so much in terms of winning due to Master stating that they didn't have to win to be selected. This brought her back down to earth as she beamed happily at him.
Max sat across from Romeo, he discussed several ideas he had if a tag team battle came out of it, suggesting that with Romeo's fire abilities and his sand the potential of making his sand turn into stone was a possibility making them more powerful. But he sighed realising that even then he needed to be sure that they'd become partners.
Alzack and Bisca sat quietly in the corner discussing which weapons would be best suited and what kind of playing field they'd have to work with. They knew their magic inside out and that Bisca worked better as a distance shot where as Alzack enjoyed getting up close and personal.
Jet and Droy sat on the other side of the bar trying to think of strategies but without Levy's help they were unsure of what to do. Jet had several plans up his sleeve but whether or not it would work was another question. He didn't want to fight Gajeel or Natsu but if he could get either Max or Romeo he would stand a chance. Fighting a Dragon Slayer with his magic was never going to work. Droy wasn't too fussed as long as he kept food in him. He was concerned that he and Jet would be separated and although they had trained alone Droy wasn't too sure he could keep up with the others.
Wendy sat next to Lucy and Natsu, fumbling with her dragon scaled dress, she was nervous but she had definitely grown in confidence over the past few months and fighting against Sherria was testament to that.
Lucy was busy thinking of ways in her head of which key to use against which opponent whereas Natsu was far too busy trying to sleep than focus on fighting. He had stayed up all night the night before with Lucy who was actually a nervous wreck. But after a good nights sleep she was a changed woman and ready for battle.
Erza cleared her throat looking at the empty guild hall with only the combatants waiting. The exceeds and rest of the guild who could attend were waiting in the booth at the arena waiting to cheer.
"The time is now, Master will be announcing to the audience shortly so I hope you are rearing to get started."
The nerves began building up again as Gajeel and Natsu caught eyes, a dark grin began forming over their faces, "Do we getta fight you Erza? Or Laxus?! Or You Mira?!"
Natsu flicked his tongue out excitedly. He wanted to fight them again. To test his power.
"That all depends on the Masters wishes, but I will say that we are your judges. Don't forget that." Mira gave a devilish smile before folding her hands neatly on the front of her maroon dress.
The sixteen mages sat distributed over three boats and began slowly sailing towards the large arena situated in the middle of the lake.
Natsu almost instantly the minute his sandalled foot touched the base of the boat hurled. His face puffed out and turned green. Hugging onto the side of the boat he moaned loudly about how the arena was on water.
Gajeel lent forwards trying to make less of a scene as he held his stomach. His face puffed out slightly as he winced, grumbling inwardly about the boat and wishing that it was on dry land.
Wendy felt sorry for both Gajeel and Natsu as she looked over from her boat at the two other Dragon Slayers hunched over.
The roar of the crowd was immense. Not as spectacular as the arena in Crocus but it was still pretty intense to listen as their boat slowly arrived at the stable platform.
Natsu groaned as Lucy sighed, pulling him by his arm and having to drag him off the boat in fear that he'd be taken back to port.
Levy felt herself turn back into a leaning post with Gajeel holding onto dear life his face had turned a slight shade of purple as he seemed to of stopped breathing for sometime.
"Sh-rimp.. Urk" he managed to get out, Levy pouted before trying to walk with the large raven haired man clinging on.
"Welcome! To a special event that we are holding this year! In honour of a Fairy Tail tradition we will be holding a grand battle to select several members who wish to become an S-Class mage! Its about grit, determination and above all honour. Each member will battle against one another in a one vs one. They will fight by the decision of fate! Our referee Asuka will be holding onto the straws that the contestants will select. Each straw is colour coded! There are 16 straws and only 8 colour variations! Those who score highly will be put forward to the final rounds there three lucky contestants will battle against our current S-Class ranked mages. I wish good luck to you all!"
Lucy, Jet and Droy's face dropped, "lucky...?"
They groaned, the last thing they wanted was to battle against those three. Let alone fight against several of the slayers.
Asuka skipped along the sandy ground in front of the 16 prepared fighters, the minute her eyes caught sight of her parents she made a direct beeline towards them, squealing loudly with laughter before Alzack ushered her back into the middle of the ring to begin distributing the straws.
She wore a little black and white dress as her pigtails flowed behind her head. She had donned a small cowboy hat and looked eager to dish out the small pot of straws.
Slowly she held up the pot as high as possible, occasionally above her head as the combatants took their straw and looked at the colour they had received.
"We have our choices made! And the first battle will be between-"
==[o0o]==
So who would you want to fight one another? :o