Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.
Behold, the beginning of the Grand Magic Games arc! I might put the second dates chapter up later, but I haven't gotten around to writing it yet. Oh well.
Enjoy!
*A few months later after the Fairy Tail guild arrived in Crocus, where the GMG are held.*
The clock struck twelve.
"Attention all contestants competing in this year's Grand Magic Games!" Team A heard. "Good morning!"
Toph cheered, eager for the challenge to begin, before the six of them ran outside.
The mages blinked at the giant projection of a pumpkin.
"To narrow down the 113 guilds to a more manageable 8, let's begin the preliminary round!"
"Seriously?" Gajeel asked, looking annoyed.
"Well this is news." Erza said.
"Has there been a preliminary round in years' past?" Ichiya asked, glass of wine in hand.
"No." Hibiki answered. "This is completely new."
"So this must be the reason we were required to take our places at midnight." Lyon stated.
"113 guilds narrowed down to a meager 8 in one fell swoop." Jura said.
'This doesn't make sense. Why would they keep this preliminary round a secret till now? Why all these new procedures?' Erza wondered with a frown.
"The rules for this preliminary round are simple!" the pumpkin thing announced. "
"What the—" Gray cried in shock as the world started moving around them. Or more specifically, the building.
"What's happening?" Erza asked, grabbing a post to keep her balance.
"Look, the inn is rising up!" Erza shouted.
"The other ones are doing it to!" Mirajane yelled.
"Now you will all be participating in our race! The finish line is at the Domas-Flau coliseum! Only the first eight teams to reach it will fight in the Grand Magic Games!"
"That's a path!" Juvia cried, as a staircase made of wood appeared before Team B.
"I suppose we'll be following it?" Erza asked.
"You're free to use magic in any way you see fit!" the pumpkin continued. "There are no restrictions! But remember, only the first eight teams to reach the finish line will clear this round! However, all five team members must cross the boundary to count!"
Team B (the Tenrou S-Class group) gasped.
"One more thing! We are not responsible for any loss of life that may occur in the labyrinth." The pumpkin said slyly.
"Say what?" Laxus asked.
"So, without further ado, let the Grand Magic Games preliminary round, Sky Labyrinth, begin!"
The contestants all saw a large sphere made up of buildings and staircases.
When Team A had reached the Sky Labyrinth, Toph took a deep breath, extending her senses. After a long moment, her eyes snapped open as she felt the pumpkin man sit down at the finish line. Considering she could feel him through the earth, she could also feel which route to take to get them there.
"Got it." She announced.
"Then let's go." Raven murmured, levitating higher than the others so they would have a warning of any threats, whether from the other guilds or the labyrinth itself.
"From the ground, the coliseum was to the east." Erza murmured, pulling out a compass.
After Team A reached the finish line, they watched the video lacrima of what was still happening in the maze, sweat-dropping as they saw Team B beating up other guilds to acquire their maps.
"Well…whatever works, I guess." Ultear decided.
The next day…
"Attention everyone, the 8 teams have been determined!" the pumpkin announced.
1st Fairy Tail Team A!
2nd Fairy Tail Team B!
3rd Sabertooth!
4th Raven Tail!
5th Lamia Scale!
6th Blue Pegasus!
7th Mermaid Heel!
8th Quatro Cerberus!
"WHAT THE HELL!?" the other guilds shouted in shock.
The three judges went on to explain that the council had added the new rule to 'keep the preliminaries' interesting, though apparently no one but Makarov had known about it.
"That's not fair, if you ask me." Jenny Realight, guest judge said with a sniff. "What if one of the events is a battle royale between the guilds? There's nothing to stop Fairy Tail from teaming up."
"Guess that's their reward for being the only guild with two teams." Yajima said with a laugh. "Go Maki!"
Makarov cackled.
"There a reason you keep gawking?" Gajeel growled as the Sabertooth guild walked out.
"Nothing important." Rogue said dismissively. He glanced at Raven, who nodded in greeting.
"At least we know who our biggest competition is." Gray said from the stands.
Natsu scowled. "That blondie really rubs me the wrong way…"
Please review!
I know you guys probably have questions, such as 'where is that mysterious thing' Crime Sorciere was searching for? Well, you'll find out eventually.