Author's note: I'm sorry I haven't updated for a long time. I've been busy with work and other personal things. I'll be posting new chapters slowly, so I'm begging for forgiveness. Thank you for those who follow, favorite, and left reviews! TheLittleKittyMeows, I'm working on the fanfic I promised you before, but I'll be needing more time. Giotto27-san, thank you for your wonderful messages! Guest-san, there's no need to thank me, because I've planned to include Lucy since the beginning.

Important Note: I know I said the Supremacy Exam is annual, but I decided against it to make the event look more important and exhilarating. The exam happens every after five years, the reason why the characters take this seriously.

Also, I'm not good at describing outfits, so if you're wondering what Sabertooth's uniform looks like (I know I should have wrote this note in the first or second chapter), take a peek at my Profile Avatar (credits to the owner of the pic). Can you see Gray's clothes in the photo? Just change its color from green to white, and the same goes with the hat and cape. Their uniform has gold linings. In short, they're wearing an all white outfit with gold linings… I don't think I'm making much sense.


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. . .

He could feel the tension in the air. It felt as though they were inside a gladiator's' arena, where thousands of people watched them for entertainment. The ring seemed to reach about two kilometers, with an enormous screen flashing the image of the battle ground on the invisible barrier surrounding the entire field. He gazed at the sky and saw the picture of different logos being showed to the audience.

Sabertooth's logo came next.

The loud cheer from the crowd gave him pleasure, and he knew very well that his brother was wearing a prideful smirk at this moment.

"After another five years of waiting, we welcome you to the 27th Supremacy Examination, where the whole police army in Fiore gather and compete for the most honorable title: the 'Supreme Force'." Sting felt his hair stood on edge upon hearing the announcer's voice. He glanced at Rogue who kept in line behind him along with the rest of Unit A. On his right was a thrilled captain with pink hair and a grumpy lieutenant one arm away from his back.

Last time's victory fell in the grasp of the 25th AND 26th victor of this special event. Now, will this group continue to hold onto the trophy, or will another name be written on the golden wall? Let's call upon… the most respected… the feared force… SABERTOOTH!"

Screams, squeals, and thunderous claps filled the stadium.

His feet gradually led him toward the entrance door while the noise got louder in each step they took. When they finally came out and faced the crowd, they were met by the viewers' deafening roar and rude stares from the other competitors.

It was the last day of their training before they head off to the western forest, and they'll be sharing this day with the rest of the cops coming from different parts of Fiore.

Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, Mermaid Heel—

"Are they new," Rogue asked, pointing his finger at the men beside Mermaid Heel. They wore a long-sleeved white polo shirt under a black vest with silver outlines flowing from its V-neckline down to the slit— a pocket on each side of the chest area. The right side, however, displayed the silver badge representing their agency. A similar image of it was also drawn at the back of the vest in silver as well. Their unfolded collars reached just below their chin. Slacks were tucked in knee-high dark leather boots.

Their women were wearing the same vest, although it was dirty white in color, and their sleeveless onyx turtleneck shown beneath it. White camo cargo pants were tucked in their knee-high black leather boots like the males' had theirs.

"I think so." Little did they know, the same conversation was occurring somewhere near their place.

"I've never seen them. Are they new?" Natsu tilted his head towards the unfamiliar faces.

Gray surveyed the stony-faced group with bored eyes.

"I don't really care."

He was about to set his gaze back on the stage where Makarov was giving his speech when a familiar shade of blue made him double take. There, in the middle of tall and well-built guys, was a girl he will be able to recognize even hundreds of meters away. Her arms raised, crossing in front of her blessed bosom in an annoyed fashion.

It sort of worried him to see her bruising left cheek. What is she doing here?

"I don't think Erza would want to see this," Natsu blurted out all of a sudden, dragging him out of his reverie. He trailed after where the salamander was looking at and found someone who they thought was dead, since he had gone missing three years ago.

"Is that Jellal?," Gray choked out his question. " He's their general?"

Jellal—hearing his name— turned to them with a smug expression. Natsu frowned, finding the current events confusing at the moment. Things just became more perplexing when Mira ran towards the tattooed face and offered him a bear hug.

"Jellal! I can't believe you're alive! Where have you been?"

Oh, right! They were childhood friends together with Erza.

Jellal leaned into her ears and whispered, "Is she here?" The albino tried her best to hide her smirk by burying her lips into his shoulder. She had been teasing him to the scarlet head since they were kids, but the male would deny her accusation like the professional liar he was.

"She's not here. Probably talking to Laxus."

It was his time now to grin. "Is that jealousy I hear?"

"Jealousy? I'm not jealous! You're the one who's jealous! I can't be jealous!"

"I doubt it. Anyway, I'll pretend I don't know you, alright?"

"Of course! The amnesia thingy and got adopted by a newly formed police force plan!"

Juvia watched them do their act while huffing every now and then. Her nasty bruise kept bothering her, creating a stinging sensation that reached her temple. Jose had given her a horrible beating, even going to the extent of electrocuting her twice in one evening. It was his way of disciplining his pets, the perfect reason why she hated breaking a single rule in the list.

Suddenly aware of the yellow flash nearing her direction, she stifled a curse as she was tackled none too gently by a flying man. "Juvia," Sting cried out, "why didn't you tell me you were planning to work in a police force?" A waterfall of tears flowed out of his sockets. He rubbed his face against her like a father would after being reunited with his long lost adorable daughter.

"Sting-kun is squishing Juvia!" She whined, trying to push him away from her aching body. When he didn't show any sign of letting go, she used the most convenient yet risky way to make him do so.

"Sting-kun, stop! You're hurting Juvia!"

She was dropped in an instant. Now that she mentioned it, she did appear a little... messed up.

"What happened to you?" Concern shone in his eyes. She gazed at them with guilt building up in her throat. She attempted to swallow her shame, and she knew it would eat her up completely one day.

She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by the announcer who took the stage once again.

"We just received a message from the chairman... hmmm… it seems that things will be heating up more than usual!"

The audience roared.

"Mr. Hyberion sent the official announcement! This coming Supremacy Exam will be something more special… it has turned into an event that offers one of the greatest opportunity…"

Makarov listened intently— beads of sweat dripping down his forehead.

"We've heard of the unfortunate death of Sir Lahar, and his spot has been offered to the general of whoever the victor of today's Supremacy Exam!"

The crowd may have become more livelier, but the rest of the competitors had this ghostly aura emitting from them. Nobody expected this to happen.

"Is this a vicious battle I smell ahead?" The announcer pumped a fist in the air.

. . .

. . .

It turned out he was correct.

Sting forgot how to breathe for awhile as he watched Juvia sidestepped her opponent's fist, flawlessly evading the attack the fuming female sent her. She grabbed the pinkette's forearm and pulled her forward, a force which made Sherria lose her balance for a short moment, although that split second was enough time for Juvia to swing her foot towards the girl's tarsal and trip her down.

The pain of the fall caused Sherria's grip on the wooden knife to loosen, letting it land on the ground next to the winning fighter.

It was a good fight, she had to give her that.

Juvia scanned the crowd in search of a particular boss she'd been wanting to strangle lately. When she finally found him sitting beside Makarov, her glower deepened upon noticing the sarcastic yet expectant look he was throwing her.

Impression is your best ally, so make use of it.

His wicked grin elaborated everything she needed to understand.

Give them no reason to question why we'll receive that reward.

She gritted her teeth.

It was either get electrocuted for disobeying, or do his deed and ruin her reputation. She glanced at Sting's direction after carefully contemplating on her following move.

I'll have to find a new apartment.

"Seriously, he creates the worst strategy."

Then, an ear-splitting scream shoved the entire audience off their seats.

"MY ARM! HELP! MAKE HER STOP!" The female on the ground cried her pleas as she helplessly watched her arm being twisted in a disgusting angle.

Authorities and a part of Lamia Scale immediately ran towards the scene, pushing Juvia away from their agonizing comrade.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

"Are you out of your mind?"

Even with all their exclaims, she remained indifferent.

She obviously wasn't bothered by any of it...

And that's what sparked Laxus' curiosity most, especially since Mira had often made the very same face.

"Hey, Erza," he called, earning him the attention of the said person. She hummed her response without losing sight of the unraveling events before them.

"Are you aware of the darkest fact about betrayal?"

Erza's body stiffened from comprehension.

Subsequently, she clenched her fist.

She knew the answer, and it was difficult to accept it.

"Only those people who are close to your heart can betray you."

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I'm so sorry it's a short chapter! I'm trying to make it up to you, although I really got a lot of things to do. I've been losing sleep since I can't remember. We have seven nights in one week, and I only get 4 nights of sleep... three hours each. I hope you're not mad at me! I'm still working on the second chapter of Weapon Master for my Navia readers. Again, I apologize! Please, motivate me with your reviews!