Hello everyone! Sorry this took so long! It's a bit short, but I really wanted to give you something.

Now,

Good news: The next chapter will explain everything about Kyodo and Ur. I know some of you have been dying to read this.

Also, contrary to the title, this isn't anywhere near the end of this story. That's still a long way off.

Bad news: It won't be published for at least two weeks due to unavoidable commitments in my personal life. Really really sorry.

In other news…

Hooray! New story favourite! Cheers InfiniteHellblade!

Also, thanks to Black Talia Rose and chichiace for following! You're awesome!

Kyodo POV

I woke up and looked down to where Glae should have been.

I frowned. Glae, where are yo-

Then the events of last night came flooding back.

Jiemma. I clenched my fist. He...he...

I looked out the window. The only thing I could do was with fight well tomorrow. I got up and stepped on something. I looked down and saw…

A letter! Just like the one I had received last night. I opened it up and read it.

Sorry, no can do. Will find you after the tournament.

I stared at the letter, frowning. Who on Earthland was this person? I mean seri-

Ultear.

I smacked my head. I'd been such an idiot! Why didn't I think of that before? Lahar had said she was a felon, so she must have been trying to contact me in secret.

I frowned. What had Ultear done? I gulped as I realized my sister might be a Dark Mage. But surely she wouldn't be, wouldn't she?

I concentrated hard and tried to remember the year of my life I had spent with Ur. In all of the memories I had experienced, Ur was the only person I could remember. No one else.

So…did Ultear-

Then it clicked.

Ultear must have been separated from Ur at some point. Ultear had probably been kidnapped or something…which explain what had happened to Ur after I 'died'. Losing one child would be horrific, but two…

I took out Ur's photo from my pocket. "I'm sorry." I whispered. Then I got dressed rapidly (at least I knew WHY now) and headed out the door. I walked down the corridor and almost bumped into no other than Minerva. She turned to look at me but said nothing.

We walked down the hall in silence.

"You disagree with my methods." Minerva said, breaking the silence.

I nodded.

"But you agree with what I was trying to accomplish."

I paused for a moment but nodded.

"So what is your problem?"

I was quiet for a bit. Then I spoke. "The means should justify the ends, not the other way around."

"Who told you that?" Minerva asked as we reached the door to the food hall.

"Aisuma." I replied, opening the door.

I left Minerva to ponder that and walked over to get some ice to eat. Because we didn't have anywhere to be today, a lot of people were sleeping in. I crunched the ice cubes in my mouth and smelt (Dragon Slayer senses, remember?) Rogue walk in. He got some food across from me. We sat in silence for a while.

"I miss Frosch." He said quietly.

I looked up at Rogue in surprise. Rogue was VERY uptight with his feelings. He almost never let any of his personal feelings out of his shell.

Minerva chose that moment to sit down across from us. "Alright, we've got the day off. There's no point training today, we'll just be tired tomorrow. But we do need to form a strategy. I say we meet up back here at ten o'clock."

"Sounds good." Orga said, coming up behind us. Sting was next to him.

I looked at Sting in shock. He had a look of incredible sadness on his face that I had never seen before on him. He glanced at me then wandered off to get breakfast.
After breakfast everyone went back to their rooms but eventually we met earlier as we had nothing better to do. We sat down at a table and waited for Jiemma, who eventually stomped in and glared at Sting and Rogue.

"You should count yourselves lucky." He said. "Given that we have no one powerful enough to replace you, I will not excommunicate you. But DO NOT disappoint me." He said.

"Yes, Master." They said.

Jiemma glared at the rest of us. "The same goes for all of you."

Orga, Minerva and I nodded. Jiemma turned to his daughter. "So Minerva, I presu-"

"EXCUSE ME-KABO!" We all turned around to see Mato run through the doors and stop before us.

"What do you want?" Jiemma growled.

He panted slightly. "Sorry. But there's been a change in the rules. We've decided instead of five members per guild participating tomorrow, you will need to use your reserve-kabo! Bye the way, you need to elect a team leader for tomorrow's event! The team leader is worth five points if defeated, but all of the other members are worth one point." Then he ran off, presumably to tell the other guilds.

I stared after him in surprise for a few moments. "Well, who should be the extra member tomorrow?" Sting asked, capturing my attention.

"Hang on." Jiemma said. He closed his eyes, using his telepathy. Seconds later, Dobengal appeared.

"Yes, sir?" The ninja asked.

"Dobengal, we require an extra member for tomorrow's event. Would you like to fill the spot?" Minerva asked.

Dobengal nodded. "Good." Minerva smirked. "Now, down to business. I'll take the role of team leader, since I can teleport out of the way of attacks." Everyone nodded.

"Now, we need to think of a strategy. Obviously, our main target is Fairy Tail, but there are some other important players tomorrow, such as Jura and Kagura. I suspect Kagura will go after Erza, so I shall join in their battle."

"My lady." Dobengal said.

She turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I request permission to fight Kagura."

Everyone's eyes pretty much bulged out of their heads. "Oi, Dobengal, you don't chance against her!" Orga said.

"I would advise against fighting her." Rogue said.

And to make things even crazier, Dobengal slammed his hands on the table. "Will you quit underestimating me because you're stronger than me!" he shouted.

Everyone stared, shocked at the ninja. Dobengal rarely spoke, and he never lost his cool either. "I understand that Kagura is strong. But I am sick and tired of being second best!"

"Dobengal…" Sting muttered.

"I will also use Yamisetzu if necessary."

My face, along with pretty much everyone else, went pale. "Dobengal, you know that thing's-"

"I'm aware of the difficulty associated with controlling that blade. But," he said. "I want to prove myself!"

He breathed in and out to calm himself. "Sorry, that's just the way I feel."

I smiled. "Dobengal, you really are strong, but Kagura…she took out Ophiuchus in one hit. I don't even think Yamisetzu could do that."

The ninja looked at me for a moment, but nodded. "Very well."

Minerva smirked. "Actually, there is something you could do. People have lost faith in Sabertooth. If you want to prove yourself, do what Kyodo did."

"Pardon, my lady?"

"Take out Quatro Puppy by yourself." Minerva smirked.

Dobengal pondered. "I could take down all of them quite easily."

Minerva smirked. "Good. Now, I don't believe we'll need to take everyone else out by ourselves. But ideally we should eliminate as many key players as possible. However, we should leave some behind to battle Jura. Failing that, we could all unite and strike him as one."

Orga looked up. "I want to fight Laxus. My lightning slays gods; fairies should be a piece of cake."

Minerva nodded. "I shall fight Gajeel." Rogue said.

Minerva frowned. "I don't think that's wise, given yesterday's defeat."

Rogue shook his head. "I'll be fine. I observed his fighting style on the third and fourth day. I should be able to pull it off."

Minerva shrugged. "Fine. But if you can't beat him, Sting, back him up. I remember hearing that Natsu was superior out of him and Gajeel. Speaking of Natsu-"

"I'll do it." I said, standing up. Minerva turned towards me, frowning. "Are you sure? Even with your impressive battle on the third day, Natsu was able to overpower Rogue and Sting in Dragon Force. You of all people should know how powerful that is."

I nodded. "I know. But I've wanted to fight Natsu for a while. I won't lose."

Minerva frowned but nodded. She turned to Sting. "What about you?" she asked.

"I'm going to wait till everyone's too weak to stand then take them out." Sting said.

Minerva nodded. "Excellent." She smirked and stood up. "Tomorrow, we shall reclaim our title. Tomorrow, we shall be the number one guild again."

Everyone nodded and walked away. I went back to my room and sat on the bed. I wanted to leave the guild more than ever now. After yesterday…

A week ago, I was proud to be a mage of Sabertooth. But now…I just felt disgusted and ashamed.

But… I would win tomorrow, no matter what.

General POV

"So First, how are we going to do this?" Gajeel asked.

Mavis thought for a moment. "I agree that we can't just storm into the castle, but...we also can't abandon a comrade."

"So what do you propose?" Erza asked.

Mavis looked around the room. "Tomorrow, we will need six members to compete. We will also need a rescue team to save Lucy."

Natsu stood up. "I'll go. I want to save Lucy."

Mavis shook her head. "It would be suspicious if you didn't compete. Natsu, Gray, Juvia, Gajeel, Erza and Laxus, you will fight tomorrow."

The six mages nodded.

"But who will save Lucy?" Juvia asked.

There was a puff of smoke and Leo was there. "I'll go. I won't let harm come to my master."

Mavis nodded. "I'll go to." Mirajane said.

"Me too!" Wendy piped up.

Mavis nodded. "An excellent combination. Mirajane and Leo can break through the enemy with their strength, and Wendy can heal and assist them."

Pantherlily stepped forward. "I would like to go as well."

Charla stepped forward as well. "I'll go too. I'll keep an eye on Wendy."

Happy raised his paw. "In that case, I'll come too."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Neither of you can fight though."

"That's true, but Lucy and Yukino may be too injured to walk. Happy and Charla can carry them" Leo piped up. "Anyways, they don't have their keys."

Mavis nodded. "Just out of interest, have we contacted Sabertooth?" Erza asked.

Everyone stated at her. "Why would we ask them?" Gajeel said.

"They don't care about Yukino. They excommunicated her!" Natsu shouted.

"Salamander, calm down. I think what she meant was have we asked Kyodo." Laxus said.

Mavis nodded. "He seems to car-"

Everyone turned in shock as Gray slammed his fist into the table.

"No. We are NOT asking Kyodo for help." Gray said, gritting his teeth.

Makarov stepped forward. "Gray-"

"No. First he humiliated me, but now he's gone and lied about being Ur's son."

"But doesn't he use the exact same magic as her?" Laxus asked.

"Yes, but Ur's been gone for seventeen years. That kid's fifteen, tops. Not to mention, Ur never mentioned him." Gray replied.

"He is very young for a Dragon Slayer." Gajeel added. "Maybe he's older than he looks."

Mavis considered her options. "Alright, so we won't be getting any help from Sabertooth. Now that we've sorted out our teams, we need a strategy to beat Sabertooth and the other guilds." Mavis said.

Gajeel stood up. "If they haven't excommunicated him, I'll take Rogue." He said with a grin. "We never did finish our battle."

"I'll take the green-haired guy with the black lightning." Laxus said.

"Minerva's mine." Erza, fire in her eyes.

"Juvia will fight whoever is Saber's reserve member." Juvia added.

Mavis shook her head. "A good decision, but I believe Chelia will go after you. Fight her."

Juvia nodded. Mavis looked at the team. "Now that leaves Sting and Kyodo-"

"I'll do it." Natsu and Gray said at the same time, standing up.

Gray looked at Natsu. "Stay out of this, Flame-brain. This is personal."

"Gray, with all due respect-" Mavis started.

"I don't care if he's an Ice Dragon Slayer. He has to pay for insulting Ur."

"Gray, he's most likely as strong, if not stronger than you."

"I don't care!" Gray roared.

Everyone was in shock. No one had ever seen Gray like this.

Erza put a hand on his shoulder. "Gray, I know-"

"No you don't!" Gray shouted.

"But there are some fights that you simply can't win." Erza finished camly. "If you really want to talk to Kyodo, do it after the Grand Magic Games."

Gray stared at her and looked at his feet. "I guess." He mumbled.

"I have a proposal." Mavis said.

Gray turned to her. "Talk to Kyodo, but do not engage him."

"Then who will?" Gray asked.

Mavis's eyes wandered over to Natsu, who grinned. "Sure thing, First. You can count on me."

"Good. That leaves Sting and the reserve. I propose that when you have finished your preliminary opponents, you team up and take them out. It will be difficult, but together," she made the Fairy Tail symbol. "Our feelings can triumph any obstacle!"

Ultear gazed out over Crocus. Brother…Kyodo…she thought. Tears came to her eyes. Oh god, what would she do? Her sins…she had wanted to…

She stared at her hand shakily. I…wanted to kill my mother…Kyodo's mother…how can he ever accept me?

She tilted her head up to look at the sky. Is this the consequence of my sins? Is this what it means to be a member of Crime Sorcière?

Yukino buried her head in her knees. Kyodo…if Eclipse is used, Deliora…would never have existed…and your mother….

Would still be alive…

Grandeeny stirred but then smiled as she recognized the scent of her mate flying towards her.

"How many times have I told you not to wake me up?" Grandeeney said, stirring.

"Sorry." Aisuma replied. Grandeeney noticed that he appeared uneasy, something which he hadn't been for years.

"What's wrong?" The Sky Dragon asked.

Aisuma sighed. "It's likely that Natsu and Kyodo will fight tomorrow."

Grandeeney smirked. "Well, that should be lively. Fire and ice…those two will certainly put on a show…"

Aisuma nodded. "I know, but…Kyodo definitely won't hold back. He…he could die."

Grandeeney sighed. "You worry too much. If he's anything like you, he knows when to fight and when to run. But, if worst comes to worst…"

Aisuma shook his head. "No. We can't go back yet. As much as I would like to see Kyodo again…that time is not upon us."

Grandeeney sighed. "I know. You're not the only one who misses their child."

Aisuma nodded. "Yeah. Well, Kyodo and Wendy have finally met up again…maybe they'll track us down themselves."

Grandeeney smiled. "Well, he hasn't found her daughter yet."

Aisuma frowned. "Who do you-" he froze. "Oh god."

Grandeeney laughed. "I wonder if Atlanta will be anything like her mother. Oh well, it should be entertaining."

Aisuma nodded, but Grandeeney took a more serious tone. "Anyways...Kyodo's real father…"

Aisuma snarled, but Grandeeney laid a claw on his arm. "It's alright, I feel the same way."

Aisuma stared at his mate for a while then sighed. "I guess…"

Grandeeney frowned. "Although…a day will eventually come…

Where those two fight…"

And the plot thickens…

As for next time…

Everything will be revealed…Ur's greatest secret is about to be revealed…

Coming 25/08/13-The Ice Dragon Slayer Games Chapter 22: Painful Memories