Did I leave on a cliffhanger? Yes, yes I did? But we will finally, finally get into the tournament. Sorry for the wait. But every good thing needs a build up. Reviews and constructive criticism is welcome. Enjoy!

Chapter 9: The Announcment

Natsu sat up quickly, panting. He looked around around to see he was in Fairy Tail's medical room, with Wendy, Gajeel and Laxus all in beds around him. They showed concern as Natsu moved, wincing as he did so.

"You're awake." Wendy smiled.

"What happened?" Natsu asked in annoyance, noticing the bandages around his arm and torso. "Where's that slayer?"

"Left." Laxus growled.

"How come we're in here!" Natsu snapped. "Thought we were fighting."

"He beat us you idiot." Gajeel told him. "Beat us then left."

"No way..." Natsu gasped, looking at each of them, thoughts swirling his head. This random guy, Elemental, comes out of no where, claiming to be a dragon slayer, with multiple elements, beats four other dragon slayers, then vanishes. He couldn't believe it.

"Not true." A voice said. The slayer and turned to face the door, just to see Erza standing there. "He came shortly after we moved you in here."

"He did?" Gajeel asked.

The doors swung open. Elemental strolled through the hall, his hooded partner behind him. Fairy Tail stood up instantly, glaring at him.

"Are they ok?" Elemental asked.

"If you mean the dragon slayers, then they are fine." Erza replied. "Why are you here?"

"I was going to say thank you for the fight, but if they aren't here I won't bother." Elemental said, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I'm off in that case." He turned to go before Erza called to him

"Are you a second generation dragon slayer?"

"A what?" Elemental turned to her. "I've said, I don't know what that means."

"Well are you a first generation?"

"What's this generation stuff?" Elemental raised an eyebrow.

"We're you raised by a dragon?" Cana chipped in.

"Don't know." Elemental shrugged.

"How do you not know?" Cana narrowed her eyes.

"I've lost my memories of when I was a child." Elemental told them. "I simply don't know. Sorry."

"It's fine..." Erza said.

"Oh, who's that?" Happy asked. He was pointing towards the hooded figure.

"Oh yeah. Come in Tyler, take it off."

The hooded figure looked at him, before shaking the hood off. The entire cloak fell to the floor, reveal a maroon coloured cat on stilts. The cat has a scar above his right eye, and a chunk of his ear was missing.

"This is my partner, Tyler." Elemental introduced.

"Another's exceed?" Carla looked at the cat, who just waved back.

"Makes sense. All dragon slayers have an exceed." Cana muttered, taking a sip from her bottle.

"Well, we're off!" Tyler said. The exceeds voice was upbeat and joyful, which contrasted Elemental's colder tone.

"And last thing." Elemental looked back as he reached the door. "You all competeing in the tournament?"

"Of course." Erza nodded. "So you're in a guild?"

"Guild?" Elemental narrowed his eyes. "Course not... I hate them." With that, he left in silence, Tyler following him.

"He hates guilds?" Natsu asked.

"Yes, but how does he expect to compete without being in one." Erza placed a hand on her chin in thought.

"Guys!" Happy flew thought the door. "The lacrima announcing the Grabd Magic Games is here!"

Erza didn't even have time to blink before the slayers had rushed past her into the main hall. Fairy Tail was gathered around a table, the small lacrima in the middle.

"Well!" Natsu barked.

"Ill do it." Lucy reached over and gently tapped the lacrima. It lit up, showing the announcer for the Grand Magic Games, Chapati Lola.

"Greetings to any guild or family watching this." Chapati said proudly. "As you are aware, in three months time, our yearly competition will be held. However, this year, the Grand Magic Games will not be happening..."

"WHAT!" Natsu roared, fire raging from his mouth. The whole guild erupted in cries of anger and annoyance.

"... as a new tournament will be held." Chapati continued. The guild silenced, staring at the lacrima.

"The Grand Magic Games tells Fiore who the strongest guild is. But, wouldn't it be better to know who is the strongest mage? This year, a tournament to find out who the strongest mage will take place. It's name?"

"The Trail Of Magic."

Fairy Tail was stunned. Chapati carried on. "As usual, it will take place in three months in the city of Crocus. We will use the same arena as the Grand Magic Games. Anyone can enter, if you're in a guild or not. But remember, if you enter while you're in a guild, it's likely you'll have to fight some of your guild mates. Only rule is, no one from dark guilds, or have been kicked from dark guilds can enter."

"We hope to see many of you in three months. May the best mage win!" With that, the larcrima shut off.

"We're... against each other?" Gajeel slowly asked. Fairy Tail looked around, analysising their future competition.

"EASY!" Natsu yelled, his hands setting alight. "Gajeel! Gray! Cana! Elfman! Erza! Laxus! Everyone!" He pointed at people in turn. "I'll say this now, I'm coming out on top! I'll prove I'm the strongest in this room!"

"Good joke." Gray challenged. "I'm taking that top spot."

"None of you are real men! The winner will be me!" Elfman shouted.

"Gramps!" Natsu barked towards Makarov, who was deep in thought. "Whoever wins gets to be S-Class, right?"

Erza raised an eyebrow. "And what if me or Laxus win?"

"Then you become SS-Class." Natsu snapped. "But that won't happen."

"We've all been training together for three months. We know all of our new skills." Lucy placed a hand on her chin.

"We still have three months to train." Natsu told her.

"Alright!" Makarov raises his voice. "Listen up Fairy Tail. Yes you'll be against each other. However, other guilds will enter. As well as some who aren't even in guilds. There will be powerful opponents, such as Jura and that Elemental person. I don't care who wins, I'd like someone in this guild to win this! Train and become number one!"

"YES!" Natsu let a stream of fire into the air. "I'm all fired up!"

Its finally been announced. One more chapter, then time skip three months ahead. Then it all begins. Hopefully you all enjoyed!