Hello, everyone. This is your author in-progress, ArtLotus! I hope all of you have a nice day up until now because I really am sorry for the delay. So, without further ado, I present to you, The Blue Flame of Fairy Tail
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!
Chapter 9: Third Day of the Games!
Flashback…
"So, you're going to take it this far? You've just started, you know?"
Makarov stared hard at the blonde in front of him adorned in nothing but a simple zip up black hoodie with a red vest underneath and matching black khaki pants along with white toned tennis shoes. Strapped to the blonde's back was but a simple backpack which carried all of his clothes. Makarov then thought about the blonde's journey since then which started after he'd beat Erza, earning him the official rights to take on S-Class Jobs whenever he wanted. After receiving the rights, nobody had protested towards it since they fully acknowledged the blonde to have the rights after passing the test requested of himself; beating an S-Class wizard assigned by himself. The S-Class Wizard was Erza who had battled against the blonde without holding anything back and fairly loses, much to everyone surprise.
After being officially capable of beating an S-Class Wizard, Izayoi started taking on S-Class Jobs left and right whenever it comes around, much to everyone's awe. The first S-Class job Makarov recalled was for Erza to accompany the blonde and observed his capabilities while under the situation. But the blonde protested against the option and convinced him to handle it by himself, much to Makarov's frustration. He tried to explain the benefits of having a partner around while under dangerous situations revolving around S-Class Jobs. Unfortunately, the blonde did not listen and attempted to convince him again. With that, Makarov scolded him once over before Izayoi had tempted him to another one of his bets.
"How about we decide this with a wager? If I win, then you'll have to let me go at it alone. If you win, I'll back off and Erza can come along with me."
At the tempting offer, Makarov accepted the wager before he asked what of the conditions. To say, the blonde was smart to begin with as he suggested exchanging a single punch with each other. A single punch that will undoubtedly decide everything. Makarov accepted and there after the fight, he had loss fairly easy, much to his own shock. With that loss, he'd allowed the blonde to go at it all alone and he returned from the quest a day's time, unscathed. In that time, he'd started to look up at the blonde differently and he vowed to himself to observe him after that.
After the course of time the blonde had dealt with S-Class jobs, he'd started to converse with Erza well along with Lucy surprisingly. This course of action led to him befriending Natsu, Happy and Gray. Then, him along with them took on quests for a period of time and at that moment, Makarov was undeniably happy to see everyone associated with the blonde and was happier with his presence. The blonde mage then was scouted by the Sorcerer Weekly and he along with Mirajane started attending the photo sessions that will represent them as Fairy Tail in the Sorcerer Weekly. This event leads him to knowing Mirajane as a idol and more as a friend overtime, along with conversing to her little brother, Elfman more often in the guild. After that, the other guild members started conversing with the blonde after having seen him friendly enough to talk to and they were pleased after learning his nonchalant personality they like so much. By the time the blonde had befriended the entire guild, Makarov was entirely pleased by his performance as a Fairy Tail guild member; both in duty and in life. He does not know how it had started to begin with but he was grateful all the same to be able to know the blonde as he did now.
Just as he stood in front of the blonde today, Makarov knows that the blonde had made a decision on his own will to explore the entire country of Fiore, knowing that the blonde had situated himself well within Magnolia and some towns from his S-Class jobs over the month. Makarov stared at the blonde who answered to his statement.
"Yeah, but the journey ahead of me is still so far. I just gotten here and somehow I need to explore it further. You know what I mean?"
"If those kids encountered a problem they couldn't solve alone. What then?" Makarov asked referring to Team Natsu who grown attached to the blonde over the past time of knowing him and going over quests with him.
"They can handle it. Hey, I'm not here to babysit a group of wizards nor I'm not going to stay in Magnolia for the rest of my life, waiting for quests to come through. So, don't be so negative, old man. If you're injured or worse, I'll be here to replace you anytime."
"Why's that?"
"If we bet on who wins on the title of Guildmaster in a fight, who will win?"
"It will undeniably be you, boy." Makarov answered. "But do you want to become a Guildmaster that badly? It's always a pleasure for me if you take it from me now." Makarov raises his eyebrow pointedly as he chuck a laugh.
"No. You're better upholding the title than ever now while you still got it." Izayoi explained with a shrug of his shoulder. "Per say if you still got it."
"Do you underestimate me, boy? I've been a Guildmaster even before you were born."
"So you should be able to be the Guildmaster until then, right? It'll be a duration of time until someone replaces you, old man. So, don't fall over until that happens."
"I'll try to." Makarov answered with a small smile. "Anyway about the fight you've speak of, we've already initiated it a while ago if you don't remember." He explained as he brushes his left cheek with his left hand, recounting himself the immense pain he experienced from the blonde's punch.
"What? We've bet ourselves to land a single punch and I'd said you could show your true strength. You weren't kidding, old man. You've got quite a punch." Izayoi smiled. "But it's not quite enough, is that really your all in that punch?"
"Is he joking?" Makarov thought in surprise. "Sadly, yes. That's all I have, unfortunately. But if I was in my prime, I would surely blow you off your feet with ease, boy."
"I'd like to see that happened, if you ever grow any younger." Izayoi smirked in amusement at seeing Makarov's glaring look.
"You really don't have any manners now, do you boy?"
"We'll see after I come back. Maybe I'll respect you after that."
"No, it's alright. I don't think you'll respect me anytime soon, boy."
"Yeah, I don't think I will." Izayoi absentmindedly said as Makarov sighs and a grin stretches across the blonde's lips. "I should get going, old man." He exclaimed as Makarov looked up to see the blonde had walked out of the room. He walked out of his office and walked downstairs towards the main lobby to see the said blonde walking pass everyone who focused their attention on his leaving form. His eyes then focus themselves onto the white haired bartender who walked out from the bar and runs towards the blonde.
"Izayoi!" Mirajane shouted ahead as the blonde stops at the call of his name. He looks back to see Mirajane stopping to stand in front of him with a small frown. "Where are you going like this?" She asked.
At the question, the blonde only pull out the piece of paper from his pants pocket and showed her the alphabetical letter S on the printed paper.
"But you can complete it easily, right?"
"After this," He gestured towards the quest paper. "I'd have an entire country to explore."
"You mean…?" Mirajane trailed off as the blonde nodded.
"I'll come back if you're that worry, Mira." Izayoi assured smiling before touching her left cheek with the palm of his hand. "Don't worry about me much, you hear?" At the request, Mirajane only nodded before Izayoi let down his hand and turns around, leaving. "Oh, be sure to tell the others I'd say good luck. They'll need it more than me." He lastly says before he walks out of the guild, never to be seen from again.
Time Skip
"Ha! Wasn't that a quest? Should we get another?" Natsu asked laughing as he, Happy, Gray, Erza and Lucy walked inside the guild after completing a B-Class Job.
"Are you sure? I'd think I'm pretty tired from doing just that." Lucy tiredly sighs as she stretches.
"Yeah, Natsu. All of us freaking tired from that quest. I don't think we should get another soon."
"Oh, alright." Natsu answered to Gray after sensing his friends were tired except Erza. "Yo, Erza! You wanna go on a quest?" He asked as Erza survey the entirety of the guild in slight confusion. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"This is…too quiet." Erza answered as Natsu, Gray and Lucy looked at the guild members quietly talked to each other before stealing glances at them every once in a while.
"What do you think they're saying?" Natsu asked.
"How do we know, fire flake? They're whispering!" Gray answered glaring at him to which Natsu immediately glares back.
"I was just asking, snow cone!"
"Well, don't ask such stupid questions!"
"You wanna go?!"
"Do I want to?!"
"Quiet." Erza silenced the duo with a command before she steps forward towards the bar as every eye was focused on her. Just as the red head arrived near the bar, she looked at Mirajane who was cleaning the beer glass and mugs with a dishrag. "Mira, what happened?" She asked to which Mirajane stopped cleaning and fell silence with a visible frown on her face.
"…Izayoi says good luck to all of you." Mirajane raises her head and smiles sadly at Erza and the others.
"Thanks a lot, Mirajane!" Natsu replied. "Say good luck to him by the way! He'll need it more than us!"
"Well, he said all of you needed it more than him." Mirajane replied to which causes confusion amongst Team Natsu.
"What…?" Natsu stared in confusion as he glances at Gray who adopted a confused look. Suddenly, Lucy's eyes widen and she immediately goes straight out of the guild, surprising Natsu and Gray.
"Where's Lucy going?" Happy frowned.
"…Why would he say something like this…?" Erza uttered before her eyes adopted slight realisation and she looked at Mirajane smiling sadly at her. "Where's Izayoi, Mira?" Erza asked finally and both Natsu along with Gray looks around to spot their blonde friend around the guild. But after a while of searching, the duo cannot find any signs of him anywhere.
"He must be going over an S-Class job, right? So we shouldn't even be worry about that? He'll come back!" Natsu smiled as Gray raises an eyebrow at him before he looks at Erza looking at Mirajane.
"Yes, as Natsu says it is. Izayoi's going over an S-Class job."
"See what did I tell you—"
"But he wouldn't be returning anytime soon."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean, Mira?" Erza raises her eyebrow in mild confusion.
"He said he'll spend his time travelling around the country until his return." Mirajane answered smiling sadly at the red head.
"Which is when?"
"Probably a month or so." Mirajane smiled sadly which brought a frown to Erza's face before she sighs in slight relief and nodded to Mirajane. "But I don't know if he'll return within that duration. He only carried a backpack and nothing else."
"Thank you, Mira."
"I'm sorry, Erza. But I can't stop him. He looks like he really wanted to go. "
"If I'm here, I can't stop him also. Nobody can stop him from making his own decision. That is his personality overall." Erza explained with a hint of smile before she looks at Natsu, Gray and Happy. "Pick another quest. Any kind you want." She said to them before she looks at Mirajane. "We have to get busy until he returns, right? It'll be easier that way." She smiled as Mirajane seemed surprised at this before she too smiled and nodded at the red head.
"Yeah, you're right, Erza." Mirajane smiled as Erza nods before she turns towards her team mates.
"What are you guys standing around for? Didn't I said pick a quest?" Erza scolded as both Natsu and Gray saluted her.
"Hai!" Quickly both mages rushes towards the quest board and immediately searches for a fitting quest. At this moment, Lucy appears at the doorway of the guild and Erza looks at her, noticing the piece of paper held in her hands. The red head watches the blonde slowly approaches her before stopping to stand in front of her and extended the said paper towards her.
"Sorry for being a nuisance in your home, Lucy. But I won't be after you read this. Anyway, I'll see all of you later. Bye."
"He only wrote this?" Erza asked as Lucy shrugs but with a small smile. "Well, he did left us a note for being absent. If he left without saying anything…" Erza's tone darkens as everyone in the guild immediately retreated back towards the bar.
"It's alright, Erza. I think Izayoi understands that and left a note instead. Anyway, Mirajane had already said his words to us. So I'd think that's good enough." Lucy beamed in happiness as Erza looks at her before nodding in agreement. "We'll be sure to be lucky in all of our quests!"
Present
"Your life now belongs to me." Kagura said to the fallen Yukino laid down on the ground in a crying mess.
"Yes."
Standing from his position, Salamander watches from afar as Kagura left while leaving Yukino.
Time Skip
"Another Celestial Spirit Wizard...It must be destiny...Now the project is even more certain to succeed." Captain Arcadios inwardly stated with a smirk across his face as he walked along the dark corridors of Mercurius. But he was unaware of the Minister of Defence hiding behind one of the pillars.
"This can't go on. I have to do something quickly..."
Fairy Tail B Stand
"It is strange...Even though the second day is over, I haven't sensed the magic power that I perceive every year." Mystogan asked in thought as the revelation of what he said come to mind.
Time Skip
Crocus
Night
Streets
"You don't sense the magic power?" Erza asked standing across Jellal in disguise of Mystogan. She was leaning against the wall behind her as she looked at Jellal after he voices out his confusion that he experienced earlier at Domus Flau.
"Right." Jellal answered with a nod. "The power that was similar to Zeref's, that we felt every year...I haven't sensed it this time, not yet."
"What does it mean?"
"I can think of many possibilities. If it came from a person, maybe they're not in Crocus this time. Or maybe they're in Crocus, but not using the power." Jellal speculated as Erza voices out her opinion.
"It's also possible that they're a contestant in the Games, but haven't participated yet."
"If that magic is from some kind of device or a set location, perhaps the device isn't in operation, or there's some sort of filter that keeps the magic from leaking outside."
"At any rate, as long as you don't sense that dangerous power, nothing should happen." Erza added.
"I hope you're right. Maybe I'll check out the organizers from tomorrow." Jellal said before putting on the scarf to cover half of his face.
"Don't do anything to stand out." Erza reminded the blue haired mage.
"I know. Ultear already reminded me."
"And try not to get yourself killed." She said as Jellal walked away.
"Got it. Goodnight, Erza." Nodding at his back, Erza walks away towards where her guild members were at the moment.
Time Skip
"It's gotten late. Is the dinner party over already?" Erza questioned herself as she continued walking along the streets.
"I found you at last!" A hooded individual with a girl's voice exclaimed in happiness at the sight of Erza who turns towards her standing above a balcony.
"Who are you?!"
"Feelin' spiffy?!" At the words greeted, Erza was reminded of her friends. One of which said the exact same words as the hooded individual.
"You…" Erza trailed off as she looks up at Milliana perching up over the ledge of the balcony with a hand raised in greeting.
"Er-chan, long time no see!" She greeted with a smile as she exposed herself.
"Millianna!" Erza said as Milliana jumps over to her arms and hugs the red head who spins her around.
"I missed you!"
"Millianna!" Erza exclaimed before putting her down. "You're in a guild?"
"Yep. Mermaid Heel." Millianna answered as she grabs both of Erza's hands with her own. "Are Sho and Wally in the same guild?"
"What are you talking about? Mermaid Heel is a women-only guild!"
"I see."
"Those two are still travelling. I hear from them once in a while."
"I see. It really is great to see you, Millianna." Erza exclaimed as she hugs Millianna.
"Me too, Er-chan."
"I'm so happy to see you doing well."
"Er-chan, don't cry!"
"What about you?!"
Time Skip
Crocus Garden
"Is this what a 'guild' is?"
"Hm?" Sting turns his head over his right shoulder to look at Rogue.
"Yukino-san was a comrade."
"She's gone because she's weak. The strongest guild didn't need her, right?" Sting questioned with a small smile before he and Lector walks ahead before they stopped at what Lector have to say.
"Come to think of it, I hear the lady will be replacing Yukino-san."
"Oh! Now that's what I call the strongest five members!" Sting said in excitement before he and Lector walked out of the scene while Rogue watches them.
"Rogue…" Frosch called as Rogue looks down at his Exceed. "Fro is weak. Is Fro gonna disappear too?" Frosch asked with tears in his eyes.
"You're not going to disappear, Frosch." Rogue answered. "Because I'm with you." A smile appears over Rogue's face.
"Right! Fro's not gonna disappear!"
Time Skip
Crocus
"Actually, I thought I'd surprise you by revealing my identity when we won the tournament, but I just couldn't wait that long, Er-chan!" Millianna said as she put her head against Erza's.
"Good grief…" Erza smiled. "Anyway, that Kagura on your team is some kind of strong…"
"You can say that again. In fact, when she gets serious, she may even be stronger than you, Er-chan." Millianna informed.
"I'd love to spar with her sometime."
"You may get your chance during the tournament. Although Kagura-chan may not go all out here at the Games…"
"Really?"
"You saw her sheathed sword, Archenemy, right?"
"That's a daunting name for a sword."
"She made a vow to only unsheathe the sword to cut down one person , like the name says. Someone she holds such hatred for that they can't co-exist in this world…The man who stole everything from Kagura-chan…That sword is meant to kill Jellal." Millianna finishes as Erza's eyes widen in shock. "I know. You feel the same way, right, Er-chan?" Millianna asked with a wide smile. "Right?" When Erza did not respond, Millianna continued. " I hate Jellal, too…He used us…and murdered Simon…I'll never forgive him…" Suddenly, a wide grin spread across Millianna's lips which showed off her teeth. "I'll never forgive him!" She said which made Erza sweat in worry of her friend. "That's why I joined Kagura-chan's guild."
"Millianna…"
Honey Bone
Lucy along with Natsu and Wendy including Happy and Carla looked at the occupant in front of them. They surprisingly met her while they were walking along the ravine in the city. Lucy stared in slight confusion at Yukino who sat across from her with a small frown.
"Actually…"
Streets
"I never thought a day like this would come…" Erza thought as she leaned herself against a balcony. "Not true. I don't know what Jellal's thinking…but between that time…and that Kagura…how long will it go on?"
Honey Bone
"You came to see me?" Lucy asked sitting across from Yukino dressed in street clothes while both Natsu and Wendy stood behind the blonde.
"Yes. I'm here on a very important business with you, Lucy-sama." Yukino stated looking at Lucy.
"What does Sabertooth want?" Natsu frowned at Yukino.
"Natsu-san, let's at least listen to her." Wendy comforted the pink haired.
"I know I have a lot of nerve approaching you…" Yukino then puts something on top of the table in front of Lucy which was revealed to be two Golden Keys. "…but here. The Key of the Fish and the Key of the Scales. I would like you to take them, Lucy-sama." She announced which surprises everyone in the room.
"But…I can't accept them!"
"I made my decision on the first day, after seeing you…To give you these keys after the tournament was over…"
"The tournament ain't over!" Natsu said to Yukino.
"My tournament is." She exclaimed. "I believe Minerva-sama is going to take my place. Then the team will be made up of the five strongest wizards who changed Sabertooth."
"That's…" Happy trailed off.
"Then you weren't one of them…" Carla finishes.
"I was still a newbie. They only appointed me to be on the team because Minerva-sama was out on a job." Yukino explained.
"But why give them away?" Wendy asked. "Those Celestial Spirits are precious to you, aren't they?"
"All the more reason for me to entrust them to Lucy-sama,a far better Celestial Spirit Wizard than me. And the Celestial Spirits will be happier this way." Yukino explained looking down with a small frown as Lucy immediately raises her hands up.
"I'm flattered that you thought of me…but I just can't…"
"You've already collected ten of the 12 keys to the Zodiac Gates. With the addition of these two…you'll have all 12 keys. The gate that will change the world will open." Yukino stated which surprised Lucy.
"The gate that will change the world?" Lucy asked herself in surprise.
"What the hell is that?" Natsu asked out of curiosity.
"Can you see anything, Carla?" Wendy asked referring to her visions as of late.
"It's not like I can see visions whenever I want to…" Carla answered with a shrug.
"It's just an ancient legend. I don't know what it means either. You may have already noticed this, but in the past few years there's been a large drop of in Celestial Spirit Wizards. And with the recent Zentopia affair, e may be the last Celestial Spirit Wizards. The Celestial Spirit love you and you love them. You should possess the 12 keys and walk hand-in-hand with the spirits." Yukino exclaimed before remaining silence as Lucy looked to be deep in thought. Meanwhile, Carla and Happy looked down at the two Golden Keys sitting in front of them.
After a while, Lucy finally decided giving her answer. "I just can't accept them." Lucy answered which surprises Yukino who looked up at her. "Celestial Spirit Magic is all about bonds and trust. You can't switch owners as easily as that." Lucy smiled at Yukino..
"It wasn't…an easy decision…" Yukino uttered.
"Huh?" Lucy looks up at Yukino who stood up from her seat.
"Never mind. I thought you would say that. Eventually, when the time is right, I'm sure you'll have all 12 keys." She said which made Lucy smiled in response. "I hope we can meet again.
Somewhere in Crocus…
Sitting on top of the roof of a certain building, Salamander stares out in the open and looked out far upon the city of Crocus in the night light. Sighing at the breeze that flows past him, his hair slightly flows behind his hood that was kept behind his neck. A peaceful smile presented itself on his lips as his elbows laid down on his knees while his legs dangled beneath the edge of the building.
When he was starting to enjoy the smooth and quiet atmosphere, thoughts were immediately swirling around his mind. One in particular was the conversation between him and the white Exceed, Carla. He'd remember the Exceed met up with him along with the Sky Dragon Slayer, Wendy.
Flashback…
"Are you Salamander?" Carla asked as she stood in front of Salamander standing nearby the corner that leads to Fairy Tail B stands.
"Why do you ask?"
Carla looks up at Wendy who stood behind her before she nodded.
"U-Um, I don't know how to say this but we're from Fairy Tail." Wendy gestured herself and Carla. "My name's Wendy Marvel and this is Carla."
"Alright. May I wonder why do you want to see me?"
"Um…" Wendy glances towards Carla.
"Do you believe in the future?"
"Carla?"
"It depends. What we choose to do, is what determines the future. Asking someone if they believe in the future, that's a little far fetch, don't you think? But I'll bite. Why?"
"Recently, me and Wendy had been kidnapped twice by the same group consisted of four. We were kidnapped the second time when they brought us from the infirmary." Carla explained to Salamander who stares down at the white Exceed. "We were told that their client is Raven Tail but I deny that admittance."
"Why?"
"Because their method of kidnapping is deniably wrong. Why would Raven Tail not send one of their own to kidnap Lucy?"
"Lucy Heartfillia?"
"Yes, their target is Lucy. The group that kidnapped us did not know who Lucy is, so they kidnapped us instead in confusion." Carla explained. "Luckily, Natsu caught up to us and apprehended the suspects to give to the royal authorities. But amidst their failure of kidnapping, I'm dumbfounded that I did not believe that Raven Tail is the culprit behind this." Carla said as she looks up at Salamander.
"…I believe you."
"Huh?"
"Raven Tail's entire existence is primarily hostile towards Fairy Tail. An anti-Fairy Tail guild sort to say." Salamander answered. "If they want Lucy, they'll like to take it by force and not by stealth. They're not meant to be that stealthy of a guild."
"How do you know?"
"As a member of the Ten Wizards Saint, I'd think you can find it out yourself." Salamander smiles beneath his hood as Wendy stares at him in realisation. "For the kidnappings as of late, it's done by no unusual means."
"What do you mean?"
"If Raven Tail wanted Lucy, why do they want her?"
"…I can't think of any possible reasons."
"That's right. And that's why we to have to think out from the box." Salamander said. "When do these kidnappings started?"
"When we arrived in Crocus."
"If any and other guilds wanted Lucy, they might have her already before the Grand Magic Games. But as the kidnappings started in Crocus, then the culprit is undeniably within Crocus. Someone that has enough power to hide himself to command the kidnappers to fake their client while remaining totally hidden in the shadows." Salamanders explained as both Wendy and Carla looks at him in slight awe. "…I'd think we have to wait for now until something happens. We don't want our expectations to be unexpected. We want them to be accurate." He said as he looks at both Wendy and Carla. "Don't tell your fellow members about this, alright? This meeting is between the three of us."
"Alright, I understand." Carla nodded.
"Yes." Wendy nodded as well.
"Well, since the two of have come here. Why don't we watch the match from here?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, don't worry."
"Alright, Salamander-san." Wendy nodded with a smile. "Let's go, Carla." Just as the two followed Salamander towards the Fairy Tail B stands, Wendy strangely looked at Salamander's back. "Why does he smell familiar?"
Present
Recalling about the flashback, Salamander thinks about Raven Tail's true existence. "Lumen Histoire…" He muttered with a small frown before thinking about a certain blonde. He then pushes the thought away as another thought came into mind. "Within Crocus…who would want a Celestial Spirit Wizard so badly?" He asked himself which he did not share the information with Wendy and Carla, knowing that they would not be able to answer the question. The Leader of the Four Gods of Ishgar looks up at Mercurius and he felt drawn by the sight before a smile appeared at the corner of his cheeks, knowing where to get the specific information he'd wanted. But he then wavered on doing so as he had to specifically know who and the only way to do that is wait for the other side to react. "If they want Lucy, their plan must be big…" Salamander thought as he recalled the last time Lucy was involved in some big scheme.
After that thought, a disturbing thought came into his mind when he recalled back to the final match between Kagura and Yukino. At first, he expected the match to be fought normally like any other matches but his expectation was shattered when he heard Yukino proposed bet; in which they would give their lives for the match. Although, he'd thought about bet to be of stupidity instead of actual thinking, he then thought about the reason behind the bet. He knew there must be a reason behind the bet in which she had proposed it at the first place, much to everyone in Domus Flau. After the bet was initiated with Kagura's approval, the two women battled it out. Yukino by using her Golden Magic Zodiac Keys and summoned Pisces along with Libra to corner Kagura. With Libra's anti-gravity magic combined with Pisces ferocious assaults, it did some good at first before Kagura countered with her own gravity magic which finished off both Pisces and Libra.
After that, Yukino revealed another Celestial Magic Key which was the 13th that is rumoured to be superior than the 12 Zodiac Keys. The Sabertooth mage summoned the 13th Zodiac Key which is a giant Serpent. But just as it went to attack Kagura, it was instantly defeated by her using her sword Archenemy which is sheathed the whole time. With that, Kagura easily beat Yukino and had told that her life belonged to her now to which Yukino complied. After that match, the second day of the Grand Magic Games was over and everyone had went back to their homes to rest.
At the recollection fresh in his mind, Salamander breathed in the pure air flowing past him before he pushes the recollection into the back of his mind, wanting nothing to relax underneath the soothing breeze that greeted him amidst the night. But just as he enjoyed the peaceful environment, the sound of a door opening interrupted him and he let down his head before slowly letting down his hood to cover his face.
"Hm? Salamander?"
A familiar voice greeted Salamander's ears as he glances behind to smile at the appearance of Kagura in a set of clothes consisted of a white hoodie matching with white track pants.
"You called me?"
"What are you doing here? How do you know Mermaid Heel's stayed here?"
"I don't. I'm just wandering overnight. I didn't know your guild stayed here. So, rephrasing your question, what are you doing up here? Don't you have a party to attend to?" Salamander asked playfully as Kagura slowly walk up to him before sitting down next to him.
"No. They're all asleep." Kagura answered as she looks down. "We don't do parties like your guild does every night." She stated as Salamander glances her out of the corner of his eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean? Have you ever attended a party before?"
"Yes, but it's not a party per say."
"A fancy one?" Salamander asked as Kagura looks at him before nodding. "Well, I wouldn't expect less from Mermaid Heel's strongest wizard or the top pick of female wizard in the Weekly Sorcerer. You must get invited a lot these days."
"Some but I intend not to. I feel I don't deserve to be there, in those parties." Kagura explained as Salamander frowned, reminding himself why the woman next to him felt this way right now.
"May I know why?"
"You know why…" Kagura answered as Salamander nodded before he turns his body and laid down his feet on the concrete ledge.
"Do you always blame yourself for his death?"
"I was little back then. I was powerless. I was a naïve girl wanting to achieve something more to impress her brother and to be look up by him." Kagura then held up her knees and hug them with her arms. A frown could be seen at the corner of her lips. "But that day happened, that day when he goes off to intend to him. To attend to the Tower of Heaven where we once been captured and tortured…That day when he died…That day when it is entirely his fault. I will never forgive him…" Eyes narrowed, Kagura gritted her teeth as tears were registered in her eyes. She hangs her head down in silence as Salamander looks up.
"You never answered my question." Salamander stated as Kagura shifted her position towards the left as her back faces his. "Do you always blame yourself when it's clear that you're not one to blame?"
"…I blame myself every day since then. But when I heard from Millianna about what happened that day, I swore to myself that I would get vengeance for his death."
"Is it that important to take vengeance? Is revenge the only thing that can solve everything?"
"…How would you know?"
"I lost a dear friend of mine years ago." At this, Kagura perks up at the statement. "She was special in a way that let me stay with her for the rest of my life. She'd helped me when I'm nothing but scrap to some people. In a way, without her I would have gotten revenge for those that treated me wrongly. But I didn't."
"…Why is that?"
"What would solving it with vengeance do to you? People will treat you even worse than they were before. Although I won't care if they did anyway, but I didn't because of her."
"May I ask who?" Kagura asked as she glances behind her towards Salamander.
"Canaria…That's my mother's name." At this, Kagura's eyes widen ever so slightly before she looks down in slight shame.
"I apologise. It's shameful of me to ask that of you."
"Don't worry. Hey, we lost someone dear to us. We're the same if you think about it, don't you think?" Salamander asked nonchalantly as a smallest of smiles graces Kagura's face before she brushes the tears evident in her eyes.
"If you think about it…Yes, we are the same." Kagura said leaning back before surprisingly brushing Salamander's back causing her to inch back. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You can do whatever you want. It's your day. By the way, congratulations for earlier." Salamander congratulated to Kagura who glances at him over her shoulder before she slowly leans back, brushing against his back before leaning against it, relaxing herself.
"It is of no way for you to congratulate me. Mermaid Heel has not yet won the Grand Magic Games."
"Yeah, well I was talking about your victory."
"Oh. Yes, I appreciate your support." Kagura said before feeling a tuft of hair tickling her own and she then realises that it was his hair flowing back once in a while against her own. Hiding her surprise, Kagura tried to stay calm as she looks down before trying to glance behind. But then, she decided against it and she visibly wondered in realisation. "Why do I want to find out about him?" She asked in realisation, wanting nothing more than to wonder how she acted around Salamander at this very moment. "Why do I feel like this…? I never show these emotions before…" Kagura thought before feeling her back soothes against his back and without knowing what happen, she found herself leaning her cheek against the back of his left shoulder and looked out into the city of Crocus together with Salamander. "Why do I act this way around him…? Why do I feel I acted differently whenever I am around him but when I am around others, I feel like myself?" She thought in slight confusion before realising her position. "…I never had gotten this close to a man before…" Kagura said inwardly before recalling the time where she held Salamander's hand which was fully displayed in the Sorcerer Weekly magazine. At that time, she didn't know the fuzzy and confusing feeling she felt inside her when he held her hand gently and soothingly. Ever since that day, she still felt confused about the unknown feelings blossoming inside her until now.
Amidst her thoughts, her arms unconsciously circled themselves around her before her eye lids slowly close.
"I'm sorry…" She uttered before closing her eyes.
"Don't be. It's your day after all, Kagura." Salamander smiled as he glances behind the sleeping Kagura.
Having returned from her time with Erza, Millianna arrives at the homestay building where she and the rest of her guild members. Just as she arrived, she noticed Kagura being carried by someone and she rushes inside the building towards the top floor where the roof was held. When she opens the door leading to the roof, she instantly spotted the person holding Kagura. She readies herself to fight before recognition came upon her at the sight of the sleeping Kagura. She then looked up at the hooded individual before recognising him as Salamander.
Gasping, she covered her mouth before allowing the sound to come out since it would possibly stir her sleeping friend awake. She then looked at Salamander who smiles at her.
"Do you know the way to her room?" At the question directed towards her, Millianna nodded before walking inside followed by Salamander. When the two enters a dark lit room right besides another, Millianna switches on the lamp besides the bed before watching Salamander gently lay Kagura down onto the bed. Her eyes widen as she caught Kagura's hands tightening around Salamander's coat before releasing it. After Kagura laid down onto the bed, she'd still fell asleep soundly as Millianna smiles down at her before she looks at the door to see her other guild members rubbing their eyes tiredly.
"Millianna, what's…?" At the gesture of Millianna's finger to her lips, she'd stopped before catching the sight of Kagura sleeping. "Oh…"
The other guild members then looked at Salamander who stood in the room and they were in awe at the sight of his appearance.
"Make sure she gets a lot of sleep." Salamander said to them before he opens the window near the bedside. "And since I'm not wanted here, I'll be going then. Take care, ladies." He smiled in farewell before he jumps out of the room and the other members quickly but quietly rushes towards the window to see nothing but the cold night greeting them from the streets.
"He's fast…"
"How can he disappear like that?"
"I don't know but…" She then turns to look at Kagura sleeping soundly on her bed. "I'd like to hear what happened while we were asleep."
Smiling in agreement, she looks at Millianna. "Can you enlighten us, Millianna?"
"Unfortunately, I can't. I just came here and saw him carrying Kagura-chan. He asked me to show him her room and so I did."
"He carried Kagura? But how…? I mean, how did that happen?" She asked but Millianna just shrugged off her shoulders in response.
"Did you read the Sorcerer Weekly a few weeks ago?"
"Huh? What do you mean? We've read the Sorcerer Weekly every week."
"I'd think you're missing one particular week." Millianna said smiling as she grabs a hold of a magazine inside one of the drawers below the lamp and handed the magazine to them to which the members got to take a close look at the front cover and they were immediately shocked upon the sight. "You can borrow it only for tonight. So, I'd think you should brush up on your cutest couple yet." Millianna tilted her head with a smile.
Crocus
Streets
Landing on top of a roof, Salamander stops before overlooking behind his shoulder where Mermaid Heel's inn was located a good distance away. Showing off a smile underneath his hood for the event that had transpired, Salamander turns around to leave towards his own inn to sleep for the night. But just then, he senses someone nearby to which he ignored it in place of interfering. Just as he about to leave, he'd stopped himself and glances at the direction where the said person was. He does not know how he cannot ignore the feeling, but believing in his instincts and gut feeling, he knew something was truly wrong for once. And that something he'd sensed within himself, he was sicken by it.
With that feeling overthrowing his mind of ignorance, Salamander immediately disappears within the night.
After a few moments right as he'd disappeared, he reappears on top of the roof nearby the presence he sensed earlier. Then, his eyes spotted clearly at the woman pulling onto her suitcase by the handle and he'd immediately recognized her to be Yukino, the opponent that went up against Kagura earlier.
Pulling onto her suitcase against the concrete floor, Yukino continued walking with a frown evident on her face. During her walk with her luggage, she was immediately stopped by a shout.
"Hey! Wait!"
"Wait!" At both shouts, Yukino glances over her shoulder to see both Natsu and Happy rushing towards her before standing in front of her.
"Natsu-sama, Happy-sama…"
"Um, sorry about before." Natsu apologises with a hand behind his head. "You're not a bad person after all!" At his statement, it completely surprises Yukino.
"See, Natsu here assumed you were a bad guy just because you're with Sabertooth!"
"And that's why I'm here apologizin'!" Natsu scolded Happy.
"Apologizing?" Yukino asked.
"My bad!" Natsu grinned.
"That's weak!" Happy exclaimed in shock. "I'm sorry. But for Natsu, this is actually being mature."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
"You ran after me just for that…?" Yukino asked her bangs covering her face from being seen.
"You looked really down, I thought maybe I put you in a bad mood…" Natsu smiled sheepishly as he scratches his right cheek with his finger.
"You didn't. I'm sorry."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! You're not supposed to apologize to me!" Natsu exclaimed scratching behind his head before suddenly looking at the tears running down Yukino's cheeks and he was completely dumbfounded. "And cryin' makes me feel even worse!"
"Wh-What's wrong?!" Happy asked as Yukino fall down on her knees as she cupped her face with her hands.
"I can't hold back anymore…No one's ever been nice to me like this before…" She trembles. "I always wanted to be a member of Sabertooth. And I finally got in last year…but now they won't let me go back." Yukino explained as she hunch her back forward as she cries. "I lost just one time…and they kicked me out." She then recalled her humiliation that she experienced. "I was humiliated in front of everyone…and made to erase my guild mark with my own power. It was so frustrating and embarrassing…My pride and memories were destroyed right there and then! But even so, now I don't have anywhere else to go!" Yukino sobbed as Natsu gritted his teeth in silence.
As the moment was struck in silence, Yukino kept sobbing as her tears fell down to the ground before she spotted a hand extended towards her through her hands which covered her eyes. Suddenly, a voice made its presence known to her.
"You have a place to go." At the voice, Yukino trails off the extended hand towards the smile hidden behind the hood. "Everyone has a place to go to even when they're lost. You're no exception, Yukino." Surprised, Yukino stopped crying before addressing the person in front of her, only ever saw him during the first day of the Grand Magic Games and heard him through the streets of Fiore.
"You're…Salamander-sama…I apologise for you to see me at the state that I'm in…" Yukino apologised as she attempt to brush her tears before Salamander brushes them for her, surprising her. Behind them, both Natsu and Happy were speechless at the presence of their Sixth Guildmaster appearing in an instant.
"Do you think I care about that now?" Salamander asked his tone ever so gentle. "…Don't worry, I know everything now." He exclaimed as Yukino express her surprise over her face. "You don't deserve the way Sabertooth treated you." At this, fresh tears begin to lodge up in Yukino's eyes at his statement, believing how true it was in her situation.
"Tell me, am I truly so weak to be treated like this? Like trash…?" Yukino asked in between sobs.
"You're not trash nor are you weak."
"Then why…?" Yukino looked up at Salamander, her tears filled up at the corner of her eyes.
"You don't have any friends that care for who you are. Those that casted you aside are not ones that can make you stronger. They just only held you back."
"Then…what am I supposed to do?" She asked looking down as she hugged herself before a hand patted her head, causing her to look up.
"You don't need to do anything…I'll handle it from here. But if you insist," Salamander slowly parted the bangs from Yukino's forehead. "Go to the inn nearby here, asked them for my room and get some sleep. You'll need it." He exclaimed with a smile as Yukino stared at him in surprise, never expecting the total kindness from him at all. "I don't accept any gift but I'll accept it if you have a good sleep, Yukino. Alright?"
Staring at him with none other than surprise, Yukino then watches as an arm wraps upon her back and a pair of lips greeted her forehead, shocking her. When he pulled back from the hug, Yukino looks at his smile that showed within his hood. A smile of reassurance that overwhelmed her greatly, noting that she couldn't have the ability to speak at the moment.
"You don't have to be sad anymore…I'll make you happy. I promise."
Balcony
"What are you doing out here, Erza?" Gray asked appearing up behind Erza who was still leaning against the balcony for a while.
"Gray…" Erza looks at him before turning her head around. "Nothing…Nothing important." Just as she finishes, Gray walk up to stand next to her.
"Why are you out here alone?"
"Until now, I was in the middle of some tug-of-war between Lyon and Juvia, and I have no idea what it was about."
"You have no idea what it was about? I wasn't there, but even I have a pretty good idea of what the deal was." Erza smiled as Gray sweat dropped. "You must realize by now how Juvia feels about you. Why not give her a clear-cut response?" Erza asked as Gray blushes before thinking deeply about the topic. "Never mind me…When it comes to love and hate, I've got too much baggage of my on to be giving out advice. But if you have time to spend with the one you love even if it was for a little while, wouldn't that be great?" She asked looking out into the city. "Even though I've already confessed myself to him…Even when I thought everything would be alright and nothing would be in the way…Unfortunately, I learned it the hard way…"
"Erza…" Gray frowned, knowing who she was talking about. Looking up at her, Gray suppresses the urge to be surprise at the sight of tears falling down from Erza's eye. He then watches Erza brushes off the tears before standing up and turning around to leave.
"It's late. Let's go back to the inn."
Mercurius
"One girl has ten keys, another girl has two keys…I'll get all 12 keys! Eclipse will work perfectly! Zeref! Zeref! Zeref! Zeref!"
After that, a dark laugh resonated throughout the underground halls of Mercurius.
Crocus Garden
"What the…?!"
Sting exclaimed after hearing a few explosion nearby, which he could sense were originated in the inn.
"Intruder!" Rogue said appearing inside Sting's room by the door.
"Lecter, wake up!" Frosch said flying up beside Rogue.
"Intruder?! All of the members of Sabertooth are staying' at this inn! Who the hell is it?!" Sting shouted before he and Rogue runs down through the halls of the inn and towards the loud ruckus initiated at the main lobby.
"I don't know…but they must not be expecting to leave here alive!" Rogue said before the wall besides them exploded and a member of Sabertooth flew back through the exploded wall and fell in front of them.
Streams of flames could be seen as the front doorway had exploded and members of Sabertooth gathered at front were instantly blown away by the strong flames.
"Where's…your master?!" Natsu shouted kicking up a member before landing down in front of every Sabertooth member gathered in front of the Dragon Slayer. "Where is he?!"
"You have business with me, kid?" Jiemma asked standing behind a member of Sabertooth who looked behind at his Master before promptly runs back towards his other members.
"Are you the master here? I hear you kicked out for losin' once? That gets me all fired up!" Natsu laughed. "In that case,if you lose to me! You're outta this guild!" Natsu bared his teeth as he glared menacingly at Jiemma who stood straight without any expression of fear evidence. A moment of silence overcomes the whole lobby as Natsu stood against Jiemma, his glare upholding the hatred towards the Sabertooth's Master.
But all of a sudden and without anyone's knowledge of, the sound of footsteps could be heard which resonated throughout the whole lobby. Everyone present looked around the lobby where the sound originated but unfortunately, they cannot find it. As they searched for it more, the sound was beginning to get louder and clearer to which everyone immediately focuses their attention towards the front doorway of the inn.
"Another intruder?" Sting asked baring his teeth as he readies himself into a fighting stance together with Rogue who prepared himself to face the intruder. As Sting focused all of his attention, he caught a glimpse of a glint of light that showed the medallion of the Ten Wizards Saint, which causes him to raise an eyebrow on who wore it. Then, realisation struck him out of the blue as he looks at the medallion once again. "Shit-?!" Immediately he was instantly cut off by a blast of flames that destroyed the front wall of the doorway, creating an even bigger hole than the size of the doorway. Steam spreads throughout the lobby as the edges of the hole was scorched and burnt purely to a scorching black. Amidst the scorching fire flakes surrounding the whole hole, a figure appeared out of it as he step forward and stopped to stand only a few feet from behind Natsu.
"I'd see you're already started the fight without me." Salamander showed off a smile that is visible to everyone. "What gives, Natsu?"
"Will you let me have some if you're here first?" Natsu asked glancing over at Salamander with a small smile.
"No, I don't think I'm that merciful. By the time you arrived, this whole building will go down to ashes already." Salamander exclaimed smiling which annoyed the entirety of the Sabertooth members at his insult, including Sting and Rogue. "It seems everyone is awake. This is pretty good so far. I'd have to congratulate all of you for waking up in this fine evening." Salamander said to everyone. "I reckon that all of you had a good night rest before this Dragon Slayer came?" He gestured towards Natsu. "I want to apologise but I don't think all of you are worth it."
"What did you say?!" Sting shouted in frustration as he glared at him before a hand blocked his mid-way. He then looks over at Rogue who blocked his advances.
"It is wise not to interfere." He stated calmly as Sting stared at him before expressing his disappointment and nodded but kept glaring at Salamander.
"It's a good thing you're here to keep him under control, eh, Rogue?" Salamander asked as Sting bare his teeth while Rogue frowned. "Anyway, I am sure all of you might know the reason of our infiltration?"
"What is that?" Jiemma asked as Salamander focuses his sights onto him before continuing speaking further.
"You might have heard her—No, you surely know her cause she's one of your own. The one you casted out ever so easily like trash. You sure know who I am talking about." Salamander said. "Yukino. She is one of Sabertooth if I am correct? I don't know about you but out casting people after a single loss? I don't think that could be qualify as the strongest guild nor be the strongest guild. You used them and throw them away after they exert their use? After, they don't have any worth to honour your guild?" He asked with a frown that was visible to everyone. "That's a load of crap. I don't even think you're suited to become a Guildmaster, Jiemma."
"How dare you?! How do you know he's not worthy to become our Guildmaster?" One of Sabertooth member named Dobengal asked.
"Simple. But…do you really want to know?" Salamander asked looking down as every Sabertooth member readied themselves. "I fear if all of you are curious, this wouldn't be fun as it is. Anyway, I'll answer it." He exclaimed. "He's a pathetic trash that needs to be thrown out!"
"That's it! You will not be spare anymore!" The Sabertooth who adorned a ninja-like suit with a scarf covering his mouth till his nose charges towards Salamander. But before he could get any closer, Natsu immediately stands in the charging Sabertooth member.
"Where do you think you're going?" Natsu questioned baring his teeth.
"I will not allow both of you to leave without being reminded who you're fighting against!"
"Don't make me puke! Both of us are enough to destroy this guild apart!" Natsu replied before the ninja-like member going by the name Dobengal started assaulting the pink haired Dragon Slayer.
"Don't bluff. You cannot bring this guild to its knees even if you wanted to." Dobengal said before throwing a few small balls down towards Natsu while he conjured up magic knives within his fingers. He then proceeded to strike the knives downwards to where Natsu was standing within the smokescreen that burst out from the small balls he'd thrown. Dobengal watches Natsu dodges his knives before he teleported behind the pink haired to strike him down.
"Don't make me laugh." Natsu answered before he turns around and punches Dobengal backwards which launches him outside the doorway while Salamander stood a few feet from Dobengal flying body.
"Dobengal's one of the ten top strongest member in the guild!" Lector said in surprise, which surprises everyone in the process.
"Since that's taken care of, why don't we start from where we left off earlier?" Salamander asked with a tone of amusement as he steps forward. "I've recalled that this is of yet the strongest guild, am I right? But that is all just a fluke, right?"
"You don't know that yet, bastard!" Sting shouted at him as Jiemma raises his arm to stop him from speaking. "Master, I will not let him trash talk our guild like that."
"Yes, I understand." Jiemma answered as Sting stared at him. "That is why I'll deal with him myself." He declared himself which surprises every Sabertooth member in the lobby. Contrary to what he said, every Sabertooth member retreated backwards to a safe distance inside the lobby as Salamander smiles.
"Oh, so the Sabertooth Guildmaster is brazen. But if I may ask, can you really uphold true to your words?" Salamander tilted his head amusingly. "Because I don't think you could. You're just going to show these people right here how much of a pathetic trash you are." He mocked before he tilted his head back. "Speaking of trash, I don't think you've experienced humiliation before, correct? If you did, how do you know Yukino is trash?" Salamander asked before recalling the sight of Yukino crying. "How do you know that you're indeed one in the same category of trash?" Salamander asked as a frown replaced his smile and the situation in the lobby turned mysteriously grave. "If you did experience such shitty humiliation in the past, then this one…" Suddenly a pair of red eyes glowed amidst the depth of the hood before a powerful burst of magic power flood out of his whole being. "Will be one imbedded in your skull to your grave!" He proclaimed before he instantly appears in front of Jiemma in mid-air.
"Do you think you have enough strength to overwhelm me?" Jiemma asked in time before he caught the glaring pair of eyes within his opponent's hood.
"Do you want to die that badly?" Salamander responded before landing directly in front of Jiemma and instantly punches towards his abdomen, and seconds later causing a defined sound of an explosion to occur from the assault. Meanwhile everyone who was standing nearby were eyed wide with pure shock evident in all of their expressions as they looked at the burst of blood bursting out their Master's back like a fountain.
Natsu who was also standing nearby watched in pure shock of Salamander's assault which showed his strength of piercing the flesh of Sabertooth Guildmaster with just his bare hand.
"Wh-What…?!" Jiemma asked in pure shock looking down at the arm piercing through his abdomen. Drops of blood drops to the ground as a puddle of blood could be seen accumulating beneath his feet.
"Don't be so shocked. This is in fact your weakness." Salamander said before pulling back his arm form Jiemma's abdomen and proceeded to hit him with the back of his left palm sending him across the lobby and crashes into the wall. Spotting his opponent standing up, he immediately sprinted forth towards Jiemma as his fists set ablaze. Just as he nears the staggering Jiemma, he jumps forward to lessen the distance between them. "Purgatory Dragon's Blazing Hell!" He proclaimed before punching his fist forth, releasing the infernal burning flames that explodes as it instantly becomes a colossal sphere of flames which envelopes Jiemma and incinerates the area.
Crocus
"What was that?" Erza asked looking back towards the rising smoke coming from the west side of Crocus, having heard the massive explosion occurred. "There…"
"Maybe it's just a rough bar fight." Gray assumed looking at the rising smoke as he stood next to Erza who stared at the smoke for a moment before she spoke.
"We should check it out."
"W-Why? It won't be our business once we get there, Erza!"
"But we aren't there yet." Erza responded running as Gray sighs frustratingly before following suit.
Crocus Garden
Charcoal black decorated a quarter of the main lobby which reaches the lobby's ceiling top and damages half of the lights hanging down from the ceiling. A colossal burnt hole could be seen over the giant wall as the double stairway that lead upwards towards the second floor had been incinerated, leaving only the corridors of the second floor visible to everyone. Lastly, steam rose up from the entire incinerated area and Salamander was the only individual standing at the center of it all. He looked down at the body of Jiemma lying down on the ground in front of him, unconscious but alive. He scans the damages around Jiemma's body, noting the high-degree burns around him before smiling to himself for the cost of Yukino's humiliation.
Looking down at Jiemma for a moment, Salamander looks up to look around the damages he'd done before smiling and swiftly turns around, finding his job was finished. But as he walk calmly across the lobby, he'd sense a presence and he stops to look back towards the newly arrived Minerva looking at him.
"Minerva Orland." Salamander said the woman's name in full which causes her to smile.
"I'm glad you recognized me, Salamander-sama." Minerva greeted with a slight bow of her head.
"Are you here for your father?"
"No. I am here primarily for Sabertooth. I've heard that you've participated in the Grand Magic Games by joining in Fairy Tail. How could that be?" Minerva asked with a hand underneath her chin as a sultry smile spread across her lips.
"I am here primarily for Fairy Tail as you are for Sabertooth." Salamander said before turning his head around and walking away just in time to see Natsu running up to him.
"You!" Natsu exclaimed eyed wide as Salamander stopped to listen to him. "You rock!" Natsu responded with a wide smile. "Yukino would be thrilled if she heard about this!"
"I'd think she should find out by herself without us telling her so. That would ruin the surprise." Salamander said as Natsu stare at him in realisation before nodding.
"Oh, Salamander-sama. Do you forget about one of your little friends somehow?" Minerva asked as both Salamander and Natsu looked at her holding up a tied-up Happy.
"Natsu! Help!"
"Happy! Let him go right now!" Natsu shouted as he steps forward before Salamander blocked him with his right arm, causing the pink haired to look at him in confusion.
"Do not worry. Have this as your token of appreciation, Salamander-sama." Minerva smiled before Happy disappeared in thin air and reappeared beneath Natsu's feet.
"Happy!" Natsu said as he kneels down and unties the blue Exceed before picking him up with his arms.
"Natsu! I'm sorry! They caught me at the entrance!" Happy said as he hugs the pink haired Dragon Slayer who smiles at him.
"It's okay, Happy. It's my fault for leaving you behind. Meanwhile, Salamander looked at Minerva for a moment before turning his head around.
"Let's go, you two." Salamander said to the two before walking away as both Happy and Natsu looked at him before glancing at Minerva for a second and then following the hooded individual. But before they exited the building, Natsu stops while carrying Happy which gotten Salamander's attention to stop as well.
"We ain't gonna lose to the likes of you. In fact, you won't be able to keep up with us." Natsu then turns around. "If you call yourself a guild, take care of your comrades." He reminded the Sabertooth members before Salamander smiled and leaves, catching his attention as Natsu followed him suit through the front hole which was the front doorway, leaving the eyed wide Sabertooth members in their wake.
Smiling at the sight of Salamander, Minerva licks her lips absentmindedly before she glances at her unconscious father, smiling out of appreciation for seeing her father looking beyond weak for the first time in her life. "Maybe that's what you get for all those years…" Minerva thought before glancing at where Salamander left. "You are interesting, Salamander-sama…You're just what I've heard…"
Crocus
Streets
"Salamander, wait up!" Natsu shouted to Salamander who still walked ahead before stopping at the call. Running up to his side, Natsu addresses him. "I'm just going to say, thank you."
"Why? You don't have to." Salamander replied as Natsu smiled.
"Well, I have to since you're with me on getting Sabertooth for what they treated Yukino."
"Aye, that's true."
"No worries. Although, I'd think the Sabertooth would be raring to fight us on from now onwards. We've already made enemies with them for what they did to Yukino. Though I don't regret a thing." Salamander smiled to which Natsu shares his own smile. "You should go back to your friends. Tomorrow's a long day for all of you."
"What about you?"
"I'll just observe from the side lines. I wouldn't expect my turn would be coming up pretty soon." Salamander exclaimed as Natsu nodded before he looks down at Happy.
"Let's go, Happy."
"Aye!" With that, Natsu looks up to Salamander.
"Night, Salamander!" Natsu bid before running off past Salamander with Happy flying overhead.
Staring at them for quite a bit, Salamander turns to his right before following the path towards his own inn.
Honey Bone
Running up towards the inn, Natsu and Happy smiled widely at the building before Natsu attempted to open the door and was blocked by a hand gripping onto his shoulder.
"Where were you this evening, Natsu?" Erza asked as Natsu freezes rigidly along with Happy.
Turning around to face her, Natsu smiled sheepishly.
"N-Nothing. We were just walking around town. Yeah, that's it! We were walking!"
"At night?" Gray asked standing next to Erza. "That sounds pretty fishy to me…"
"What's it to you, snow cone?" Natsu stated as Gray glares at him.
Looking at the duo, Erza sighed before letting her hold go on the pink haired Dragon Slayer.
"We'll talk about this upstairs. I'm sure everyone's awake from the sound of that explosion." Erza said as both Natsu and Happy looked at each other before rushing inside followed by Gray who normally walked inside. Erza looks back as she recalled Crocus Garden in ruins and smoke before she walks back inside.
Time Skip
"I can't believe it! You fought Sabertooth!"
"Yeah, I was getting all fired up about it too!" Natsu replied to Lucy looking at him with wide eyes.
"I'm sorry, Natsu. It's all my fault for getting caught!" Happy said crying.
"What are you talking about?! We're lucky it ended the way it did!" Carla said to him as she sat next to Wendy in front of them.
"That's right. If one of their team members had been injured, we might've been disqualified!" Wendy exclaimed.
"But they didn't do anything!" Natsu answered Wendy. "Anyway, one of them came at me so I have to fight back." He added.
"Will you use your head a little?" Gray scolded.
"Exactly! Pour it on, Gray! Read him the riot act!" Lucy said to him as Gray grabbed Natsu by the shirt.
"If you were gonna take the fight to them, you should've invited me! It's not fair, you getting to have all the fun!" Gray shouted at Natsu.
"You're missing the point!"
"Just because you're frustrated from losing a match, there's nothing admirable about getting payback in a fight outside the arena." Erza explained.
"That's not what it's about! I just wanted to deliver a message to that Rufus bastard…I'm not gonna lose next time!" Gray exclaimed punching his fist in his palm.
"Anyway, Salamander suggested we crashed our way inside their inn in the first place." Natsu explained out of obliviousness as everyone looked at him in surprise, more so Erza.
"He did that?" Lucy asked never expecting him to have a part in the event.
"Yeah, and he almost killed Sabertooth Guildmaster with just one punch!" Natsu explained in excitement.
"He what?" Erza questioned.
"He almost killed Sabertooth Guildmaster! He punched his way through his body like it was a piece of paper or something." Natsu explained before recalling the Dragon Slayer spell that Salamander used. "And after that, he used a type of Dragon Slayer Magic I never seen before…"
"What? He uses another type of Dragon Slayer Magic? I thought his element was fire?" Lucy stated in confusion.
"Yeah, I thought about it. But this kind of magic…is different. It's fire, but way more powerful. Its way more powerful than normal flames…like my flames." Natsu explained with a calculative look. He does not show a disappointing look rather he looked perplexed by the display of Dragon Slayer Magic performed by Salamander earlier. "Purgatory Dragon Slayer…" He uttered under his breath.
One of the Inn in Crocus…
Walking inside the front door of an inn, Salamander lightly walk upstairs and took the left corridor before stopping at his door from the right. He quietly turns the knob and walks inside before closing the door. He then looks around at the dark lit room before he focuses towards his bedroom where he goes off to check. When he arrived near his bedroom, he spotted the lock of white hair peeking out from the bed sheets and he slowly walk towards edge of his bed to looks down at the peaceful sleeping Yukino under the comforts of her pyjamas.
Smiling at the sight, Salamander turns around towards the bathroom to wash up for the night.
"Tomorrow's gonna be a long day…" He muttered before continuing to head towards the bathroom, leaving Yukino to sleep peacefully with a small smile across her face.
Time Skip
Crocus
Morning
Streets
"Hey, did you hear?"
"About last night, right?! It was so loud!"
"What are you talking about? Do you mean the explosion last night?"
"Apparently, somebody attacked Sabertooth's inn!"
"What kind of fool would pick a fight against Saber?" After the man said, Yukino appeared and walks past the two men next to her was Salamander who had asked to accompany her to which she accepted. As Yukino heard the two men talking about an individual attacking Sabertooth, her former guild, thoughts immediately swirled around her mind and she found herself stopping followed by Salamander.
"Beats me."
"Well, brawls happen outside the arena every year, right?"
"This is a festival, so they should take it public!"
"…Salamander-sama…?" Yukino asked turning towards Salamander and looking up at him in wonder. "Don't tell me you did it for...me?" As she asked, Salamander just smiled and holds up his finger over his mouth.
"You shouldn't be treated the way you did, Yukino. That's the truth." Salamander stated as fresh tears were visible at the corner of Yukino's eyes. "Anyway, I guess we'll be parting from here?" He asked as Yukino slowly nodded. "If you want, you can still stay in my room until then."
"Thank you for the offer, Salamander-sama. And also, thank you for last night. I slept pretty great…" Yukino stated smiling. "…But I'm good for now." Yukino nodded before she bows her head at him. "…Thank you very much, Salamander-sama."
"Don't thank me yet. I'd like to meet you again when you found something you'd like to do rather than joining another shitty guild like Sabertooth."
"I'll try my best." Yukino nodded in understanding before she smiles at Salamander and turns around. But then, she suddenly turns around to hug Salamander for a brief moment, surprising him. Then, Yukino smiled at him widely for one last time before she grabs her luggage and waved goodbye at Salamander who watches her walk away while raising his hand in response of her wave.
Domus Flau
"We're at the halfway point in the Grand Magic Games. The beginning of the third day!" Chapati announced.
"I wonder what kind of passionate dramas we'll see today?" Yajima asked.
"Our guest today is Lahar-san, from the Magic Council."
"It's been a long time, hasn't it? Yajima questioned Lahar sitting next to him.
"Thank you for this opportunity." Lahar thanked with a smile.
"Lahar-san, you're the Captain of the Enforcement and Detention Corps…"
"Yes. I won't stand for any shenanigans during the tournament."
"That's the captain for you. He never forgets his duties."
Elswhere in Domus Flau…
"Oh no, the match is starting!" Wendy exclaimed as she, Romeo, Carla and Happy rushes forward to the arena.
"It's all your fault! You just had to get that fish-kebab from that food stand!" Carla scolded Happy who held a fish-kebab in his paws.
"It smelled so good, so I couldn't help myself!
"Whatever, let's just hurry!" Romeo said to them as the four of them rushes towards the arena following a long corridor while Doranbolt watches them from afar.
Time Skip
"I'm going to announce the competition for this, the third day of the Games! The name of the event…is Pandemonium!"
"What does Pandemonium mean?" Romeo asked as Carla answered.
"It's an abode of demons. Like a building where lots of demon lurk…"
"I wonder if they're doing a haunted house…They're walking down a dark path and suddenly…something like this happens!" Makarov shouted at the last part adopting a scary face which terrifies Romeo, Happy and Carla.
"I don't think I like Pandemonium." Happy commented.
"I-I'm scared, too!" Mavis exclaimed as tears fell down on her cheek at the thought of the haunted house.
"Even though you're a ghost yourself?!" Romeo exclaimed in surprise.
"There will be one participant from each guild. Please choose your representative!"
"I'll do it!" Natsu step forward as he announces. "I gotta continue what I started last night!"
"You don't get to decide all by yourself!" Gray said to Natsu.
"If it's a revenge match, I wanna do it too!" Lucy offered.
"No. I'll go." Erza volunteered before looking at her team mates. "You going out there may only make things more complicated." She said before she walked towards the arena.
"I agree! Good luck, Erza!" Lucy cheered.
"Fight!" Wendy added raising both her fists upwards.
"Let me do it!" Natsu shouted at Erza.
"Would you calm down?!" Gray replied to the pink haired.
Fairy Tail B Stand
"So who's gonna do it?" Laxus asked his team mates.
"I'll participate for Fairy Tail B." Cana offered stepping forward.
"Wait a second! It's about time that I get to do something!" Gajeel stated in frustration.
"Cana, how could you go, when you're a reserve member?" Mirajane asked.
"What happened to Mystogan?" Laxus asked looking around for Mystogan.
"Juvia hasn't seen him yet today…" Juvia answered.
"With the guest commentator being a member of the Council, I should be able to participate, right?" Cana whispered to Mirajane.
"That's true…" Mirajane exclaimed sheepishly.
"You should go. It's about time you'd get some action right, Cana?" Salamander asked as everyone looked at him sitting on one of the seats with a relaxed posture. "I don't think I'll participate for this even if Erza participated."
"Why's that?"
"I don't want to crush everyone hopes by participating in this Pandemonium festival. They'll think it's cheating. Wouldn't you say?" Salamander asked Mirajane thought about it before nodding.
"Yeah, he would literally crush everyone hopes of participating…" Mirajane thought sheepishly.
"Anyway, I'm more than likely guess that Erza might be the one winning this event." Salamander answered crossing his arms.
"Really?" Mirajane tilted her head in curiosity as Salamander nodded, which caused her to nod in understanding and everyone to understand as well, knowing the red haired mage.
"We should let Cana have some fun once in a while, don't you think?" Salamander asked as Cana looked at him.
"Can I?"
"If the Council causes a few problems for you, I'll personally deal with them myself." Salamander said as the glinting gleam of his Wizards Saint medallion evident in front of his right side coat causes everyone to look at it.
"Thanks, Salamander!" Cana smiled before she walked towards the center of the arena, leaving behind her teammates to watch her.
"Are you sure she's alright?" Gajeel asked Salamander. "We don't know what kind of event it is…"
"If Erza's got the first event, we have to get the second." Salamander answered as Gajeel looks at him. "And I'm certain Cana will suffice to participate for now."
"When will you participate?"
"…When the top players step up, I'll participate. And I'd think that'll be a long time from now. So I'll think I relax for now." Salamander answered as Gajeel stared at him for a while before nodding.
"All of the participants have been selected! From Sabertooth, Orga! From Lamia Scale, Jura! From Blue Pegasus, Hibiki! From Raven Tail, Obra! From Mermaid Heel, Millianna! From Quatro Puppy, Novali! From Fairy Tail A, Erza! From Fairy Tail B, Cana! These are our eight competitors!"
Suddenly, a huge black magic circle appears above the center of the arena and a massive, purple, demon-like castle is summoned from out the magic circle and act as the event's main setting place.
"What is that?!" Erza asked looking at the appearance of the demon-like castle.
"Wow…" Millianna gaped.
"Pandemonium, a temple haunted by evil monsters!" Mato said to every participants.
"It's huge!" Cana commented.
"Haunted by monsters, he says?" Jura asked.
"That's the idea-kabo. There are 100 monsters inside this temple. That being said, they're actually magical manifestations that we created, so everyone can relax. There's no danger of you being attacked. The monsters are D,C,B, A, S! Those are the five levels of battle power the monsters are divided into. This is how it breaks down." Mato explained. "Incidentally…if you're curious about just how strong the D-Class monsters are…" Mato then showed an image through the Lacrima Vision in front of the audience who were shocked upon seeing the vicious life-sized creatures roaming in the demon-like temple. "and ones even stronger , 100 of them wandering around the temple…That's Pandemonium-kabo!"
"Even though he says they're just magical manifestations, if you get attacked by them, you're hurt for real, right?" Happy asked.
"Will Erza and Cana be alright?" Carla questioned in worry.
"I'd like to think that those two will be alright, but…" Romeo trailed off.
"This is a really extravagant competition, don't you think?" Mavis asked sitting next to the standing Makarov.
"Though it feels like they may be going a little too far…" Makarov added.
"Please note that as the class of the monsters goes up, their fighting strength increases exponentially. The S-Class monsters is so strong that there's no guarantee even one of the 10 Great Wizards Saint can defeat it-kabo—" Suddenly an explosion comes up inside the demon-like temple and everyone looks up at the big hole decorating the right side of the temple and completely wiped out the Class B's monsters near the area. Then the eight participants look across the Fairy Tail B Stand to see Salamander extends his finger in a flicking motion. "A-Aha! Y-Yes, I almost forgot! There's no guarantee one of the 10 Great Wizards Saint can defeat it except Salamander-sama! Sorry!" Mato apologized bowing his head at Salamander who smiles and nodded back.
"What did you throw in there, Salamander-sama?" Mirajane asked as Salamander looked at her sitting next to him.
"A pebble. My hand slipped." Salamander simply stated to which Mirajane smiled while Gajeel and Laxus looked at him in surprise.
"He only threw a pebble that can kill monsters?" Gajeel asked in thought.
"A-Anyway, let's get on to the event. "In order, each of you will choose the number of monsters to battle. It's called your 'right to challenge'."
"Right to challenge?" Erza asked.
"For example, if you choose three monsters, three of them will appear inside the temple. The person who chooses them enters the temple alone. If the player successfully destroys them, he or she gets three points. The next player then has the right to challenge up to 97 of the remaining monsters. And so on, and so on, until there are zero monsters left! Alternatively, if everyone runs out of magic power, the game is over at that point."
"It's like a counting game." Millianna bends over as Mato nodded.
"That's right! Accessing the situation when your turn comes around becomes important! However, as I mentioned before, the monsters are ranked. Whether the player uses their right to challenge one or five, the monsters appear randomly."
"In other words, you need a strategy to avoid running into the S-Class monsters, right?" Hibiki stated playing with his bangs upon his forehead.
"If it's random, having a strategy like that won't do you any good." Orga commented.
"Not true. Between probability theory and my Archive, strategy will work to some extent." Hibiki replied back.
"Irrespective of the monster's rank, you'll get one point for each monster you destroy. Once you enter the temple, you can't exit until you've succeeded." Mato exclaimed.
"What happens if we go down while inside the temple?" Cana asked out of curiosity.
"The number of points you've earned during your turn stays as is, but the number of destroys you've had that turn goes to zero, and you're out." Mato explained.
Fairy Tail Stand
"Then it's bad to get too greedy." Makarov exclaimed.
"But if you only go with one monster per turn, you'll fall behind the others." Happy stated with a frown.
"And you also have to consider how much magic you'll recover before it's your next turn." Carla added.
"This is surprising difficult, huh?" Romeo frowned.
"Well, let's see what happens…with the two from our guild." Mavis smiled.
Arena
"Alright, let's decide on the order." Mato said as he extended his hands out and a box with drawing sticks inside it. "Please draw your lots."
Picking one of the sticks from the box, Erza looks at the number magically appeared at the top of the stick.
"Number one!" That moment, Cana rounds up to stand behind her.
"You're lucky! It'll go back around to being your turn the most. I got number eight…" Cana smiles sheepishly as she showed her drawing stick that displayed the number eight.
"With this competition, I thought winning or losing all depended on the luck of the draw…"
"Luck of the draw? I don't know about that…" Mato exclaimed looking at Erza with Millianna, Orga and Jura. "More than the order of the battle pacing yourself and situational judgement are important in this game."
"No. This isn't a game anymore." Erza smiled before stepping forth to stand at the front entrance of the demon-like temple. Looking up at the temple, she declared out loud. "All 100 will be my opponents! I exercise my right to challenge…100!" At the declaration, everyone in the Dumos Flau gaped at her in shock. Both Natsu and Gray are laughing at Erza's declaration like it is a daily occurrence.
Smiling underneath his hood, Salamander uttered.
"I wouldn't expect anything less of you, Titania…"
And that is it for chapter 9, ladies and gentlemen! I hope all of you are satisfied! Because this is like the best I will do for now and I hope all of you would not be disappointed by this. So, I hope you will be patient and keep your inner fanboy or fangirl inside for the next chapter, alright?