A/N: Italic by itself is gonna be via Lacrima Vision, just a heads up!
Echoing throughout the dark eerie hallways of what looked like castle dungeons was the clinking sound of rocks against metal. With the concrete-looking ground, you'd think it was someone walking even if you were alone.
A pair of black glasses fell onto the ground, and someone sighed before they picked them up. In view was a black Exceed with dark brown eyes, wearing a light gray sweater shirt and a pair of black jeans. He used the end of his sweater shirt to clean them off before he put them back on.
He summoned a rock out of nowhere and threw it at the metal bars in front of him before he collapsed his body against them, a loud groan of annoyance escaping his throat. His back hit a wall the moment he turned, and he slid down it.
He heard laughing and he looked up, into the cell across from him. Another black Exceed was sitting in it, their eyes focused on the ground, stealing away from him the "honor" of seeing their eyes.
"Why are you laughing? You're just as stuck as I am." He said, gaining more laughter.
The other Exceed looked up, nearly giving him a heart attack with their blood red eyes.
"Because this is the end." She replied. That got his attention completely.
He leaned up against the bars, hearing his breathing in the deathly quiet environment.
"What do you mean "This is the end"?" He asked. She didn't answer. "Can you hear them, too? Do you know Abygale; is she coming with her guild?"
"I don't know anyone by that name. I've been in here for weeks, year's maybe. You look like you'd be a good dinner, you know that?"
He leaned away from the bars a bit from the statement, but nonetheless pushed on.
"Why are you here?" He asked, getting a low chuckle from the girl.
"I'm a vampire, and I'm off-terms with my own kind because I don't wish to tolerate the Seekers of Nothing. How about you, dinner?"
"I'm here because of my magic. They see me as a threat." He replied.
"What's your name...?"
"I'm not telling if you're not."
"Then you're making this awkward."
He sighed, leaning against the wall instead of the bars. He just wanted to get out, and away from the Seekers of Nothing. He wasn't actually a threat, was he? He couldn't have been, even if he could take them all out in a snap of his fingers, or maybe even at a thought. Why get on his bad side then, though?
"Nothing makes sense." He stated.
"Welcome to life, dinner."
Renee turned around to see Ethan walking into the place, wondering where he had been.
"Oh, Ethan! You've been go—" Natsu stopped when he saw someone behind Ethan/.
"Sorry. You guys don't mind someone from another guild being here... right?" Ethan asked.
Takanashi looked a bit scared and apologetic as she looked around Ethan, making everyone confused. She seemed really nervous as well, as she looked like she was sweating. Sina sighed from Takanashi's shoulders, most likely at her partner's reaction.
"We have a lot to catch up on, huh?" Fate asked, appearing at her partner's side. Ethan nodded.
"She better not be here to search for our strategies." Minx said.
"I-I'm not! Obaba-sama believes we're in for the win because we have Jura on our team, so..." Takanashi trailed off.
"To sum it up, we're just here to talk with some old "friends"." Sina said, surprising everyone.
"Let's not worry about it." Makarov said.
"But, Master—"
"I trust that Ethan wouldn't just waltz in with an unreliable stranger." Makarov cut off whoever was about to talk.
Everyone seemed to accept it, as they went back to what they had been doing before. Ethan grabbed Takanashi's hand, leading her over to who had kind of become his main group.
"I heard about the 7 year gap, it was hard not to hear of it every time I turned around. I had no idea that you guys even joined Fairy Tail." Takanashi said.
"How long ago did you join Lamia Scale?" Ethan asked.
"Only 3 months ago, believe it not. I'm grateful that they allowed me on their Grand Magic Games team."
"So, correct me if I'm wrong, but you would be older than me now, right?"
"Wrong."
Ethan blinked.
"Wait, Fate, do the math—"
"I've done it. Takanashi should be 21." Fate cut off Ethan, currently having her hands full with watching Abygale, even if she was with Chilled.
"That's the weird thing. Not only was Tenroujima on a 7 year lockdown, but there was this old, abandoned town that was, too. Sina and I happened to come across it, and with me being the klutz I am, I think I did something to get stuck there, too." Takanashi explained.
"I told you not to follow that weird person." Sina stated, and Takanashi laughed sheepishly.
Olivia's ear twitched, meaning that she was listening and Fate happened to notice. Not wanting anything to get fed up with Olivia asking questions, she asked them herself.
"Was there a sign saying what the town's name was?" Fate asked.
"Uh... no, I don't think so. There was a castle, though, and it was in good shape." Takanashi replied.
"What did the weird person look like, Sina?"
"They wore all black, and their hood was covering their face." Sina replied.
Fate and Ethan made eye contact and while she was telling him to tell Takanashi and Sina who it most likely was, Ethan was saying no.
"Don't trust anyone like that."
They looked at Olivia, who stood up from her spot. She looked at Takanashi, who almost flinched under her gaze.
"You could've got kidnapped or killed, or worse. And don't go walking into old, abandoned towns. They're abandoned for a reason."
They watched as Olivia walked away, and Fate sighed. She wasn't making any progress with socializing, and it made Fate think about the reason Olivia joined Fairy Tail in the first place. She just suggested it, and Olivia happened to take the suggestion.
"Don't worry about it, Olivia is like that." Ethan said, noticing his younger sister's look of shame. Takanashi nodded and the 2 started talking again.
'I need time to myself.' Fate thought.
"I'll be back." She stated, running off before Ethan could ask where she was going.
Fate took a deep breath, and then she exhaled.
Being outside didn't help anymore than not being a part of conversation or something, and it made Fate sigh. She was alone, and when she usually would have a panic attack, she actually felt mostly calm. Her heart rate would increase here and there, but otherwise she felt fine.
Abygale had just been born about 3 months ago, and she was already starting to learn some magic. Olivia, strangely, had offered to let everyone train while she took care of Abygale and taught the younger Exceed the basics of Mapping Magic. Since then, Abygale had been getting extremely amazing with the new magic, and now she had this new advanced kind of magic according to Hotaru and Charles.
The Grand Magic Games had just started, and everyone was already crazy. Tomorrow, Fate had promised Abygale that she'd go with her around town, for whatever reason the little girl had for wanting to. There would be Lacrima Vision around town anyway, so they wouldn't miss anything. Ruri had decided to tag along, and Cass had asked and forced Olivia to promise that she'd come along as well.
'How Cass gets along super well with Olivia, no one will ever know.'
"Hey."
Fate nearly had a heart attack, but once her mind clicked in the recognition of the voice, she completely calmed down from everything. She turned around, letting him hug her tightly before she hugged him back and decided to enjoy the moment while it lasted. She rested her head on his chest, enjoying her shortness just a little bit.
"You okay?" Destiny asked, getting a nod in reply.
"Just a bit overwhelmed... the games and all." Fate replied.
"Are you okay because of what happened today? It seemed like a rollercoaster of emotions for you, even more than it did for Ethan."
"Yah..."
"How about Abygale's progress? 3 months or so in this world, and she's already learning advanced magic all by herself, not to mention that she's closing to maxing out her Mapping Magic."
"It's amazing. Shocking and a bit too much at times, yes, but it's really amazing. She's... something else."
"You don't want to say special, do you?"
"Special can mean a lot of things..."
"I know."
They spent a moment in each other's arms, without any talking or moving. That was before Fate pulled away a little, and then pushed herself up to kiss Destiny's cheek before resting back in her previous position.
"Is there something else that's on your mind?" Destiny asked.
Fate thought about one other thing, which was a certain Exceed from Sabertooth, but wasn't sure if that was a problem she should mention or not. It was bothering her quite a bit, though.
"Not much." Fate replied.
'It's not like I can be forced into a relationship when I'm already in one... right...?'
"Alright! We're all here, yah?" Makarov asked, jumping onto a table and gathering everyone's attention.
"Listen up, brats! Today's defeat is the seed for tomorrow's victory! Let's rise up! 'Cause we don't know the meaning of the words "give up"! Aim for number one in Fiore!"
Everyone cheered in agreement.
"And now, what you've all been waiting for, the 2nd day of the Grand Magic Games has begun! Our guest on this 2nd day is renowned reporter for the Weekly Sorcerer, Jason-san! Okay, the competition part has already begun! And its name is... Chariot!
This competition takes place on top of a line of vehicles, with the idea being to reach the goal without falling off! As the vehicles are always moving, just one moment of carelessness could lead to a misstep! The vehicles will wend their way around the sightseeing spots of Crocus, but which team will arrive here at Domus Flau!?
Everyone everywhere, you can watch the race here on Lacrima Vision!" Chapati explained.
"O-Oh no..." Ruri mumbled, even though Fate just sighed.
"What is it?" Abygale asked, holding Fate's hand as they walked.
"Natsu and Gajeel are competing. Dragon Slayers get motion sickness." Fate replied, pointing it out to her.
"All Dragon Slayers?" Cass asked. Fate nodded. "And that would be...?"
"Natsu Dragneel,
Gajeel Redfox,
Wendy Marvell, although she hasn't gotten any sign of motion sickness yet,
Ethan Hibiki, although only a little and he can control it pretty well,
Takanashi Hibiki, that girl from Lamia Scale,
Akina Blake,
Namine Blake, though she usually doesn't show any signs,
Chilled Daznews,
Minx Daznews,
Adam Maalouf,
Cathy Dixon,
Jordan Marone,
Dan Hoyle,
Phil Ledger,
and Miharu Sakutaro." Olivia replied, making them all look at her. "What?"
"You've only been in the guild for awhile, how do you know all that?" Ruri asked.
"I'm an observant person? I don't know. It just all kind of... comes to me." Olivia replied.
Abygale suddenly stopped, and so did the others.
"What's wrong, Abygale?" Fate asked.
Abygale seemed to think about it, and she closed her eyes.
"Overlooking the city, watching the games... there are 2 people." Abygale stated. She seemed to think harder. "Female. One with pink hair, one with black hair... I sensed them for a moment and now that I'm looking for them, I've located them."
"Oh, I sensed them yesterday. Erza told me that they're called Meredy and Ultear, and they're here with Mystogan who's really Jellal because they felt some weird magic or something like that. They don't mean harm." Olivia assured her.
"But they aren't the only ones... there are 4 more, just not in the same spot. They're in the city and they've been watching the games since they started."
"Okay, I didn't sense them."
"Abygale, can you explain a bit more?" Fate asked.
"Um... there are 4..."
"Okay, but you've already told us that.
"Uh... they're, um, Exceeds, I think... but I can't see them... maybe they're wearing cloaks..."
All worry vanished upon what Abygale said, and Fate even started to smile.
"Don't worry about them, Abygale. They're friends, or allies... either way, we can trust them for now." Ruri said.
"You're sure?" Abygale asked.
"Of course."
"Look at Natsu and Gajeel losing..." Ruri sighed.
They had all stopped just to watch the competition and Fate had informed them that Sting and Rogue from Sabertooth were Dragon Slayers as well. Natsu, Gajeel and Sting were behind everyone else. Far behind.
"Do you think they'll at least get some points?" Abygale asked.
"Maybe..." Fate replied, sighing.
"Oh, look! Bacchus from Quatro Cerberus came in first!"
"Isn't he the reserve member?" Olivia asked.
"He's also the one who threw Cana under the table last night..." Cass replied.
"And next is Kurohebi... from Raven Tail." Ruri said.
They all sighed, looking back at their teams participants.
"Risley form Mermaid Heel... Yuka from Lamia Scale... Ichiya from Blue Pegasus... We're so behind." Cass sighed.
"Well, at least Sabertooth isn't in the Top 3, nonetheless the Top 5..." Ruri offered a semi-nice thought.
"Oh, wait! Isn't Laxus a Dragon Slayer, too?" Olivia asked.
The thought sent them all into their own small fit of laughter.
"Well, we all have our weaknesses." Cass said.
"Don't cry about that one point later, kid!"
They all looked up upon hearing Gajeel's voice.
"Would you answer me one thing? Why did you decide to participate in the tournament? I wouldn't believe you were the same Fairy Tail from back in the day. Are you worried about the strength of your guild? About your public image? The Fairy Tail that I know was more like... They did everything at their own pace... They didn't give a damn about what people thought of them." Sting stated.
"For... their friends..." Natsu mumbled.
Everyone watching via Lacrima Vision looked shocked.
"7 years... All that time... they were waitin' for us... No matter how painful it was... No matter how sad... Even if people made fun of 'em... they held on... They held on... They protected the guild... for their friends... And now we're gonna show everyone... the proof that Fairy Tail's been walking on all this time!"
Abygale felt Fate tug on her hand.
"Let's go. You wanted to see the town and stuff, right?" Fate asked.
"But..." Abygale trailed off, looking back at the Lacrima Vision.
"They'll win. From now on, we'll win."
Abygale noticed the smiles on Fate's face and she nodded, smiling as well.
"Let's go!" Abygale yelled, pulling Fate along.
"Okay, okay."
Olivia and Cass exchanged looks.
"I'm grateful that Fate's my Sapphire, no matter the responsibility weighing on us." Ruri said, gaining their attention. Her emerald green eyes seemed to ask them a question as she smiled. 'I'm glad to be a member of Fairy Tail."
Cass looked down, unsure of what to say.
"I couldn't think of anyone better to be the User of Jade, or any other guild that could possibly be better."
Cass looked up at Olivia, who was looking away from her. Cass could see the bright pink blush on Olivia's face, though, no matter how much the older girl tried to hide it. Cass smiled.
"I'm glad my brother has someone who'll be there for him, and that I'll have a home no matter what. Right, Olivia?" Cass asked. The older girl nodded slightly, causing Cass to smile even more.