Almost at day two! This will be set up with four to five chapters of battles, then a rest chapter for the first four days of the tournament, so up until chapter 40. Anyways, thanks for reading!

P.S. Review! All advice, ideas, and comments are appreciated!

Chapter 25: Meetings and Reunions

"Cheers!"

At Bar Sun, Fairy Tail bumped their drinks together for the who-knows-what time that night.

Cana was totally sloshed, hiccuping as she commented on her guild's performance, "Was that all?-hic- Just fourth and fifth place..?"

Gray tch'd, "Ah shaddup. You weren't even there because you were too busy checking out all the bars."

"I was watching the whole time! They had lacrima vision in every bar in the city!" Cana retorted.

Lector sighed, "How about we just celebrate how awesome our teams looked out there? We went from drool to cool in a day! By the crowd's perspective, anyway."

"Frosch thinks so too!" Frosch chirped. Romeo thought about commenting on that, then remembered the stick and kept his words to himself.

At a table with the Master and Ur, Mira smiled at the Wizard Saint, "Still, to think you had an attack like Fairy Aurora up your sleeve…That definitely scored us a few points with the crowd!"

"It scored points with the other teams, that's for sure! We must have scared them witless!" Makarov laughed, a little woozy himself.

Ur shook her head with a sigh, "No, I still didn't master that attack. I've been at it for years, but I still…It's only recently I decided to consider using it in battle at all. Any earlier, and it probably would have had the same effect as Iced Shell."

Levy looked up as Lucy walked in with Sting and waved at her friend, "Lucy! Are you feeling better?"

Lucy nodded with a smile, "Yup, I'm feeling great!"

"Well, considering all the time you spent with Sting, how could you not?" Juvia said innocently.

Lucy reddened slightly, but Sting laughed, "Aw, come on guys! Let's just party tonight and get all fired up for tomorrow-gah!"

He was suddenly smacked over the head by an indignant looking Natsu, who growled, "What the hell did I tell you about stealing my lines?!"

Sting glared up at his brother and got in his face, "Ah?! You wanna fight or something, hothead?!"

"Bring it, you damn flashlight!" Natsu hissed.

Lucy sighed, "Weren't you just saying something about a party?"

The brothers no longer heard her, as they were too busy snarling in each other's faces like dogs over a bone.

"Flame brain!"

"White boy!"

"Human torch!"

"Squinty eyes!"

"Your eyes are the same as mine!"

"Whatever, vampire!"

Sting threw his hands up, "What the hell makes me a vampire?!"

Natsu grinned darkly, "Three things: You're white, you've got sharp fangs, and you bite girls!"

"Like who?!" he demanded.

Natsu dragged Lucy over and tilted her head sideways against her will, pointing at a spot on her neck that looked suspiciously like a hickey, "Need I say anything more?"

Sting yelled, "You suck!"

The Salamander laughed, "Nope. YOU suck, Mr. Vampire! Literally!"

"I'll kick your ass!"

Lucy squealed as Levy pulled her back quickly before she was caught up in the frenzied Dragon Slayers as they got into a fistfight on the floor. The guild laughed around them.

"That's it, boys!"

"Go for it, Natsu!"

"Sting, sic em'!"

Gajeel kicked the door open with a bellow, "WHO THE HELL STARTED A FIGHT WITHOUT INVITING ME?!" He roared and joined the fray, making people back up in a circle around the three screeching Dragon Slayers.

Lucy held her hands up in surrender, "Come on guys, don't fight here! Master, tell them to stop!"

Makarov was totally drunk and just raised his glass with a cry, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Pathetic!" Cana laughed.

Lucy sighed, "Where's Erza when you need her?"

Lisanna looked around, "You know, I haven't seen her for a while now. I wonder where she is?"

"The important thing is, she's not here right now to stop us." Rogue suddenly walked towards the brawl with a dark smile.

Yukino blanched, "R-Rogue, you can't be serious…"

The Shadow Dragon replied by lunging forward and vanishing into shadow, then popping up in the middle of the fight and punching Gajeel and Sting straight in the face. Natsu dodged a kick and bashed him in the head.

Within seconds, the four Dragon Slayers were a roaring mix of thrown punches, kicking legs, and jarring head butts. Unfortunate bystanders were dragged into the fray occasionally and beaten down mercilessly, then thrown out and replaced.

Lisanna laughed, "It's almost like we're at the guild!"

"Those four are completely insane." Gray muttered.

Rogue suddenly appeared in his shadow and kicked the unsuspecting ice mage straight into the waiting fists of the other three Dragon Slayers, who yelled, "PISS OFF!" in unison and sent him flying straight through the roof.

Watching the destruction, Levy protested, "Come on, guys! We actually have to pay for the things we break here!"

She was completely ignored, but then Sting made the potentially fatal mistake of hitting Ur with a sphere of light. The Wizard Saint got up abruptly and walked over with a shout, "Freeze!"

And just like that, the Dragon Slayers froze.

Natsu and Gajeel were still punching each other in the face. Rogue had Sting by the leg and looked like he was about to toss him out of the room, while the White Dragon seemed to be preparing to clothesline the Shadow Dragon.

The four stared at Ur with uncomfortable looks as she shook her head, "This isn't our bar. If you keep this up, you'll destroy the whole place, and repairs will come from your share of the prize money from this competition! Do I make myself clear?"

"…Yes ma'am…" they muttered.

Cana sniggered, "The mighty Dragon Slayers, reduced to putty at the word of a single woman. Pa-the-tic!"

She cackled while the insulted glared daggers at her, but said nothing in the presence of the Wizard Saint. Lucky for them, the girls decided to help preserve what dignity they had left and dragged them away to various parts of the bar for drinks and conversation.

As they found an empty table, Lucy glanced around, "Seriously, where is Erza?"

"Beats me…" Sting muttered.

A sly smile found it's way onto Lucy's face, "I don't wanna beat you, I wanna know where Erza is."

Sting rolled his eyes and smirked, "Cheeky." He kissed her anyways.

/

If someone was looking for Erza, they'd have to be at a dark alleyway under a bridge with a hooded stranger who Titania was all-too familiar with. In a good way.

Makarov had pulled her and Ur aside earlier and informed them that Crime Sorciere was stationed nearby the city. Ur had gone a few days before the tournament and had a heartwarming reunion with Ultear, but Erza was just now seeing Jellal- In disguise as Mystogan- since their meeting at the beach.

A quick hello, and it was straight to business.

Erza frowned at Jellal's information, "You haven't felt the mysterious magic pressure?"

"Yeah. That energy reminiscent of Zeref that we've felt every year is just..it's not there. I haven't felt even a glimmer of anything remotely like it yet." Jellal muttered.

She watched him seriously, "What could that mean?"

Jellal sighed, "There are a few possibilities. If it's a person, maybe they aren't at Crocas this year. Or maybe they're here, but not using magic. For all I know, it could even be a participant in the games."

Narrowing her eyes, Erza spoke slowly, "Could it be Raven Tail? They're rather..shady."

He shook his head, "No, they don't mesh correctly with the magic power. They're presence is foul, yes, but not deathly evil. It might not even be a person, perhaps it's a device that uses magic and simply hasn't been turned on yet."

"Well, in any case, if the magic power isn't there, there's nothing to worry about." she said with a smile.

Jellal crossed his arms, "I hope you're right…I think I'll take a look at the organizer's tomorrow."

Erza sighed, "Alright, just don't do anything conspicuous."

He rolled his eyes, "How many times has Ultear lectured me on that?"

Erza laughed, then smiled softly, "And don't get yourself killed."

Jellal put his camouflage bandana over his lower face, "Got it. Goodnight, Erza."

"Goodnight." Erza watched him for a moment, then walked away.

Jellal turned around and stared after her. Maybe it's not a completely normal conversation, but to speak with such ease…Thanks a lot, Erza.

/

Erza walked towards the hotel with a smile, "I wonder if the others are still celebrating?"

"I found you!"

Her head whipped up at a balcony above her as a hooded figure appeared. "Who're you?" she asked.

The figure smiled brightly, "Super strong, right?"

Erza froze, then a smile slowly found it's way onto her face. Is that really..?

The figure removed her hood and looked down on Erza, with hair in the shape of cat ears and a distinctive bell collar. She waved her hand, "Erza, it's been so long!"

"Millianna!" Erza cried.

Said girl leaped down from the balcony and hugged her happily, "I missed you!"

Erza hugged her in return and spun in a circle, "It's been years! So, you've joined a guild?"

Milliana nodded, "Yep! Mermaid Heel! Wally and Sho are still traveling around, but I get into touch with them from time to time!"

Erza smiled and hugged her again, "I can't believe you're here…It's so good to see you…"

"You too, Erza." she replied, her voice muffled by Erza's shirt.

The two friends sat down at a nearby bench. They were quiet for a bit, then Millianna twiddled her thumbs a little, "I was going to reveal myself after we won the tournament and give you a surprise…but I just had to see you as soon as I could!"

Erza smiled apologetically, "That's sweet, but it doesn't look like your team had a very good day."

"No, but we'll still win! We've got Kagura- there's no way we can lose!" Millianna declared.

Erza frowned, "Kagura?"

Millianna nodded, "Yeah! She's our strongest mage! A really powerful Swordswoman just like you! If she really got serious, she might even be stronger than you, Erza."

"I see…I'd like to spar with her sometime." she mused.

Millianna sighed, "Maybe you'll end up matched against her during the tournament, but she won't get serious in the games. Not while she's still using Archenemy. That's the name for her sword."

Erza raised an eyebrow, "Archenemy? That's a dark name for a blade…"

Millianna looked completely serious now, "As the name implies, it's a blade meant for killing just one person. She even developed a fighting style with an undrawn sword so she would only be able to unsheathe the blade to kill that man. The one that stole everything from Kagura..Archenemy's only purpose is to kill Jellal."

Erza froze, "Wh-what?"

"I know you feel the same, Erza. He killed Simon and hurt you. He was behind the Tower of Heaven the whole time. He used us, and then escaped the Etherion…"

Millianna hissed angrily, "He's unforgivable. That's why I joined Kagura's guild."

Erza watched her friend's expression sadly. Millianna, what have you become?

/

"Who's next?!" Natsu yelled, having successfully beaten the crap out of Max.

Macao cheered, "Hell, yeah!"

"Max sucks!" Wakaba proclaimed.

Warren and Vijeeter were sweating nervously, "How did he get that strong in just three months?" "Where do we even stand now..?"

Gajeel cracked his neck, "Alright, I'll take that challenge."

Laxus opened one eye, "Stop. If you and Natsu get serious, this is gonna be a hellhole in no time."

Gajeel grinned and started patting the S-Class mage's head like a dog, "Ooh? You've become a peace loving guy, Laxus."

The taunted mage glared at him while Levy tried to pull Gajeel away, "Quit it!"

Freed was furious, "You bastard! How dare you disrespect Laxus! Our pride, the purpose of the Thunder God Tribe, the fan club of Laxus! Members assemble!"

Evergreen and Bixlow were wasted on the floor, "No way…"

"Hic-pathetic!" Cana giggled.

A man suddenly approached her with a glass of alcohol, "Hey there, dime piece. You can really hold your liquor, huh?"

Cana glanced at him, "Ah?"

"Wanna drink against me?" he asked, a challenging look on his face.

Cana smirked, "I don't know where you came from, but you wanna drink against me?"

Macao waved a hand in front of his throat, "Hey, man, just move along!"

"It might not look like it, but this girl can drink an ocean's worth of alcohol!" Wakaba added.

/\/\/\/\/\

A while later, Cana passed out on the floor, completely wasted.

Macao and Wakaba screeched in unison, "Are you serious?!"

The mysterious man kept on drinking, then rose from his seat and laughed raucously in victory.

Jet's jaw dropped, "Really?!"

"Cana lost in a drinking match?!" Laki gasped.

Warren scratched his head in shock, "I've never seen her pass out like that…"

The man suddenly took Cana's top and stumbled off with it, "I'm taking this as a trophy."

Droy blanched, "Gildarts is gonna kill you…"

Macao and Wakaba blocked the man's path, "Give that back!"

Macao took a swing at him and connected, but the man just bounced off the ground and proceeded to slam the two men into the floor with surprising force.

Romeo shouted, "Dad!"

Mira frowned, "Haven't I seen you somewhere before..?"

"You know this guy, Mira?" Lisanna asked.

The man glanced at them and grinned, throwing his arms around the sister's shoulders, "Hey, pretties, how about we go for a little fun, yeah?" They tried to make him move, but the man was too strong for them as he laughed, "Aw, don't be like that!"

"Hey..."

The room froze as Natsu and Laxus glared at him, bodies flickering with flame and lightning.

The Salamander growled, "Let them go. Now."

The man raised an eyebrow, "This is big boy stuff, punk. Keep out if ya know what's good for ya."

Natsu got in his face and bared his fangs, "I told you to…Let…Them…Go…"

The man smirked and released the struggling sisters, who backed up quick, "Ohh? You wanna fight?"

"If you feel like getting your ass handed to you." the Salamander challenged.

The man shoved him back with a laugh, "This punk can talk big!"

Natsu was about to rush him, but at that moment Erza walked in and shouted, "Bacchus! What do you think you're doing?"

"Bacchus" looked over at her and grinned, "Why, if it ain't Erza! Been a long time!"

She wrinkled her nose at his breath, "You reek."

"Gorgeous as always, I see." he complimented.

Erza crossed her arms, "I thought you weren't participating in the Grand Magic Games?"

Bacchus laughed, "Gahahaha! I was gonna leave it to the young un's, but after seeing War Cry go down the way he did, my soul was howling for redemption. So by the substitute members rule, I'm entering the tournament. Maybe we'll fight it out and settle things there."

He glanced at Natsu and frowned, then grinned, "I got it! You're in the tournament to, right?! I thought I'd seen you somewhere before…Hah..interesting. See you on the field, punk." Bacchus cackled and walked out of the bar.

Natsu muttered once he was gone, "Can I just go kick his ass now?"

Erza sighed, "No, you'd better now. That man is Quatro Cerberus's S-Class mage, Bacchus the Drunk Falcon. I met and fought him many times on missions, but we never settled our rivalry."

Happy gasped, "On par with Erza?!"

Laxus huffed, "Whoever he is, I don't like how he was womanizing our girls."

Mira stared at him, "Lisanna I get, but just who do I belong to, exactly?"

The lightning mage shrugged, "Just sayin'."

Erza glanced at Natsu, "I don't know what you started with him, but be careful. Bacchus is no joke. He sees things through to the end, regardless of the outcome. If you fought here, he'll find a way to finish it later, mark my words."

"Good." Natsu growled.

Makarov, who had left the bar a little earlier, came back in with a shout, "It's bedtime for you kids! We've got a tournament tomorrow! Oh, one more thing! I need the Dragon Slayers to come with me- that includes you, Laxus."

Sting glanced at him, "What for?"

"The First Master wants a word with you about what happened a month ago." Makarov explained.

Lucy stared at Sting, "What happened a month ago?"

He was silent for a while, then answered slowly, "We got caught up in a..sticky situation..I'll tell you more later."

/

The guild filtered out of the bar while the Dragon Slayers following Makarov to the Master's room in the hotel they stayed at.

Mavis was waiting, and greeted them by dipping her head, "Hello. I know this is short notice and that Wendy is still in recovery at the clinic, but I needed to ask you a few questions about what happened earlier. I'm sure Makarov told you I'm interested in what happened three months ago."

Rogue nodded, "He did, but what about it?"

"You've discovered something interesting. I need details." she explained.

Gajeel grunted, "What does that have to do with anything?"

Mavis sat up straight, "I need to formulate a battle plan, and that tends to work best when I'm aware of what my mages are capable of. The last day is a mass battle between all the teams; I'm making a strategy by observing the enemies we face every day in the tournament. But I also need to know all your strengths as well."

Laxus shrugged, "That makes sense, but why am I here?"

Mavis smiled, "I'm going to experiment with something. And you're going to help me."

/

Porlysuca listed to Charle recount her vision at Wendy's bedside while the girl slept soundly. The old healer narrowed her eyes, "What did you see?"

Charle scratched her head, "Just fragments like the other times..um..A white knight..a huge magical array…"

"Anything else?" she prompted.

Charle's fur bristled, "Something impossible…"

Porlysuca stared at her. Charle looked terrified, like she was seriously about to start crying from fear. Quietly, she asked the question the white exceed was dreading, "What was it?"

Charle stared up at her with wide eyes, "Mercurius collapsing, what looked like Lucy singing in the chaos, and…"

"A crimson dragon...and a white dragon…tearing each other apart…"