Chapter 104: Maybe This Was A Bad Idea . . .
"Welcome back, everybody! I'm Chapati, and we're here for the battles portion of Day 2 of the Grand Magic Games!" the commentator exclaimed. "I'd also like to welcome today's guest of honour, finally. Give a rousing welcome to; Lady Akari Demuri!"
Everyone craned their necks as a tall woman with neatly cut, bright pink hair, dressed in a straight, low-cut, sleeveless red dress that looked more accustomed to a ballroom than the Grand Magic Games, her face slathered with make-up and lips set in a seemingly permanent scowl. "Good afternoon, one and all,"
"And now, what you've all been waiting for. The first matchup of the day is Lamia Scale's Lyon Vastia, versus Phoenix's Eye's Emanuel Arestrad!"
This was met with silence. Even Chapati seemed confused. "Wait. I don't remember seeing an 'Emanuel' on the list,"
Huffing with irritation, Boomer stomped out of Phoenix's Eye's bay and yelled up at the box; "I haven't gone by Emanuel in years! People call me Boomer!"
"Right, thanks for the clarification," Chapati nodded, handing the sheet to Yajima so that he could make the necessary adjustments.
"How uncouth," Demuri quietly huffed.
Lyon also strode out of his own team's bay and the two faced off. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Boomer," he cordially greeted his opponent.
"Same to you," Boomer nodded.
"If everyone's ready, let's kick this match off!" Chapati declared. "Ready, set, fight!"
"Sonic Shield!" Boomer immediately threw his boombox to the ground and caused it to project a spherical wall of sound that encased him.
Lyon immediately clutched at his ears, murmuring something. Subtitles, though, were provided.
It's so loud!
Chapati tried to talk into the microphone, but faced a similar problem; the echoing sound was so loud that it drowned out all other noise.
It appears that Boomer is protecting himself with a generous supply of Sound - can anyone even hear me? Hello?
Demuri was similarly displeased, shouting in vain into her mike.
What in the world - I want you imbeciles to find the idiot who agreed to this match transpiring and bring me their - are you listening to me? Good God!
Gritting his teeth, Lyon pressed his hands together and cast.
Ice-Make: Tiger!
A frozen feline emerged from his hands and leapt towards the Phoenix . . and was immediately shattered into snowflakes by the frequency of the sound. Boomer grinned.
I know you can't hear a thing I'm saying, but I've adjusted my boombox to put out a frequency that can shatter ice at close proximity!
Lyon staggered forwards, realising that his magic would do no good. He frowned, thinking this over, and came to a realisation.
Wait. We're at an impasse. As long as you keep that shield up, I can't attack you, but also you can't attack me. Are you trying to score a tie?
Boomer squinted, trying to read his opponent's lips.
Did you just say tie?
Lyon cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled something indiscernible.
I can't hear you!
Boomer frowned, shaking his head vehemently, and declared;
I'm not trying for a tie! What sort of self-respecting wizard would I be if I went into a fight without a way to win? I'm just buying myself some time, is all!
Lyon blinked.
Pardon?
Shaking his head and giving up the conversation, Boomer checked the device strapped to his wrist and murmured something.
Any minute now.
Chapati and Yajima looked at each other nervously. Were they really going to have to endure this for a full ten minutes until the match could be called as a tie?
Lyon cast another spell experimentally, summoning another sabre-toothed tiger, but the ice was shattered by the oscillations in the air. He sighed and decided to conserve his strength, just in case Boomer was planning something.
And then the arena wall exploded between the Phoenix's Eye and Blue Pegasus bays. Lyon drew back in surprise as a three-wheeled black magic-mobile, painted with white circuit decals and bristling with speakers, burst through the gaping hole in the side of the arena, and drew to a halt right behind Boomer, who quickly shut off his boombox's shield, tossed the speaker into its slot behind his seat, and climbed into the Sonic Boom's driver's seat.
It took everyone in the arena a moment to realise that the deafening music had stopped. "Oh, wow!" Chapati exclaimed when his hearing returned. "It appears that Boomer was just biding his time until - wait, is this even legal? Mr. Yajima, is calling a vehicle like this a breach of the rules?"
"Well, these are one on one duels. So technically that young man can do whatever he likes as long as he doesn't receive assistance from any other person. And it doesn't look like there was anyone else driving that car. So I suppose it's technically not against the rules," the chef shrugged.
"Any input, Lady Demuri?" Chapati suggested, and the noblewoman shook her head. "That vehicle is remarkably vulgar,"
"You hear that? Technically not against the rules!" Master Feng crowed, ignoring the lamentations of "I don't think I can hear anything." "That's how we do it in Phoenix's Eye!"
"Master, that makes it sound like we cheat," Eve put forward, and the guild master paused, realising that she was right. "Um, nevermind!"
The Sonic Boom drifted around, spinning on its tyres before pointing its nose at Lyon. The Lamia drew back as the massive speaker mounted on top of the vehicle folded forwards and aimed towards him. "Mega-Bass!" Boomer roared, firing his ultimate attack before Lyon could reacthfx.
The Ice Wizard couldn't dodge. The hypersonic quantum attack was too fast; faster than sound itself. The sheer concussive impact threw him straight across the arena and slammed his head into the stone wall.
Everyone fell silent at this. "Um," Chapati stammered.
With a quiet moan, Lyon collapsed to the ground.
"I . . think we have a winner, folks! In a shocking turn around, Boomer held out and retaliated, taking Lyon down and earning ten more points for Phoenix's Eye! That puts Phoenix's Eye in first place with 26 points!"
Phoenix's Eye erupted with cheers, and at this point some of the crowd joined in.
"We might just have a new champion approaching, folks! But let's see if they can keep this up! Because our second matchup today is Fairy Tail A's Erza Scarlet versus Black Eye Pirates' Artorias . ." Chapati trailed off. "Does no one in this guild have a surname?" he protested.
"Now be nice to the boy, he is an orphan," Yajima frowned.
Artorias quietly grumbled to himself. Because he needed that detail to be broadcast all over Fiore.
"If it makes you feel better, I never knew my parents either," Erza admitted as she joined him at the centre of the arena.
Artorias nodded his gratitude wordlessly, but the knight wasn't finished. "I can't say that I'm particularly happy about this," she addressed Chapati and Yajima.
"Don't think you can win?" Artorias quietly questioned, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Hardly. But you are still tired from the event this morning, whereas I am fully rested. I would much prefer to fight you at your full strength," Erza admitted.
Over in the Lamia Scale bay, Chelia was about to speak up, but Jashie cautioned her. "Not a word. Phoenix's Eye is in first and second place right now, if you help them it'll be that much harder to catch up. Better the points go to last place Fairy Tail," Chelia pouted, but nodded.
"It's quite alright," Artorias, whose hearing was better than Jashie remembered, assured the Lamia. "I have more than enough magic to fight,"
"Well, this looks set to be an exciting bout! The two strongest fighters of Fairy Tail and Phoenix's Eye alike -"
"Oi!" Natsu, Gajeel, Laxus and Masquerade all protested as one.
"- going head to head in a no holds barred showdown! And because Artorias already burnt his magic to win Dungeon Duos for his team today, he's at a disadvantage right off the bat! Can Erza Scarlet of Fairy Tail A pull out a victory against these odds? Let's find out! Take your positions!" Erza and Artorias obligingly crossed to opposite sides of the arena.
Sif whined from the Black Eye Pirates bay, and Artorias cast a glance at her. "No, girl. Stay. This is my fight," he commanded her. Obediently, the «Dire Wolf» planted her rump on the ground next to Kenzie, letting out a mournful growl at the fact that her master was fighting without her by his side.
"Ready, set, go!" Chapati declared.
In a fluid motion, Artorias drew «Sleepless Dream» and levelled it at Erza with his right hand, before turning his left palm upwards and beckoning her towards him.
"You're a Blood wizard," Erza recalled. "Your Magic uses living tissue to fight. Which means;" She raised her arms and commanded; "Requip!" In a burst of light, she was clad in a white/Sky blue armour with gold trim and a dress split into three petals, and wielding a long, navy blue staff with a golden orb at the end.
"Lightning Empress Armour," Sarph recognised. "She's going to use electricity,"
"Very astute," Artorias nodded as Erza charged toward him, bringing her spear to bear. He raised his arms and swing «Sleepless Dream» downwards. "Bleeding Tsunami!"
In a rush, a gigantic wave of blood surged out of the ground to intercept Erza, catching her in the swell. Artorias smirked; she couldn't use electricity while submerged or she'd just hurt herself.
"Requip!" There was a flash of light, and Erza burst from the blood, clad in black armour with leathery wings spread wide. "Black Wing Armour!" Swooping downwards, Erza brought the spear of her Lightning Empress Armour towards Artorias. The Blood wizard blinked, realising that she was combining the powers of two armours to attack, and dashed sideways, leaving Erza to hit the ground. As soon as she had, her spear vanished, replaced by the sword that matched the Black Wing Armour, and she leapt at him - only to have her sword blocked by a slick, bloody blade.
The two redheads locked eyes. "I'm going to defeat you," Erza declared, pushing against Artorias.
Artorias pushed back equally, calm and collected. "I can't allow that,"
The wings of her armour flashed forwards, hoping to strike while Artorias' hands were occupied, but he leapt skywards, causing her to miss again.
And suddenly a pair of floating Heaven's Wheel swords shot from where they had been concealed behind Erza's wings and struck at Artorias, knocking him backwards.
"And after a tense conflict, Erza lands the first strike!" Chapati narrated.
Artorias landed in a crouch, before picking himself up. "Fine, then. I'll go on the offensive," he hissed, coaxing «Sleepless Dream» into the shame of a large battle axe, before charging at Erza. The knight held up her sword to block, but Artorias spontaneously transformed his weapon into a ball and chain and swung through her guard, pounding her in the chest. He whirled and struck again, pushing Erza backwards, before bringing the morningstar over his head to strike from above - only Erza blocked it with her sword, causing the chain to wrap around her blade.
With a grunt of effort, Artorias pulled her sword out of her hands and tossed it aside, before liquefying his weapon and converting it back into an axe as light flashed behind him. He brought the axe downwards - and there was a clang as it hit metal.
Artorias paused, seeing the massive shield that blocked his strike. "That's Erza's Adamantine Armour!" Elfman exclaimed from the bay.
"Indeed. The Adamantine Armour is said to be the ultimate defence armour. Artorias will be lucky to make a scratch!" Chapati exclaimed.
"I see," Artorias nodded, stepping backwards. "So that's your ace in the hole? An armour that can block any attack?"
"Hardly. But I think you'll have trouble with this one," Erza evenly retorted, splitting her shield in two and striking towards Artorias with a shield bash.
"But you trade mobility for durability," The Phoenix dodged her with ease. "Still. I suppose I'll have to get serious, then," he resolved.
"You mean you weren't serious before?" Erza irritably challenged.
"I don't see your Purgatory Armour," Artorias retorted.
A smile tugged at the Fairy's lips. "I wouldn't insult you by using that armour in this fight,"
The Phoenix nodded, stepping back and discarding «Sleepless Dream». The weapon clattered to the ground, and he pressed his palms together. Erza paused. 'He dropped his weapon?' she thought in surprise.
Artorias smiled savagely and declared; "Second Origin; release!" This statement was met with surprise from all who heard it as a wide magic circle, glowing blood red, erupted from the ground around Artorias for a moment, spinning around before liquefying and forming into a circular trail of blood that span around him. "Rise, my Bloodlust," he hissed.
Artorias flung his hands up, spraying blood from his fingers, which coalesced around his head, forming a gleaming crown that was adorned with a pair of long, curved, demonic horns that swept backwards from his brow. The remainder formed gloves with sharp claws almost a metre long over his hands, and Artorias opened bloodshot eyes, piercing gold streaked with red, as he lifted off the ground, the circle of blood erupting into a small hurricane that held him, levitating, in an updraft.
And then he lanced forwards, clawing at Erza's Adamantine Armour and beating at it with the tornado of blood that encircled his lower body. His claws liquified as he lashed out with them, penetrating the cracks in her armour and systematically dismantling it, piece by piece. With her reduced mobility, Erza struggled in vain as the Adamantine Armour was broken apart like a jigsaw puzzle.
"Oh my!" Chapati exclaimed. "It seems that Artorias has entered a powered-up form by releasing his Second Origin! Mr. Yajima, can you please elaborate on the nature of this phenomena?"
"Well, Second Origins are a recently discovered secondary reservoir of ethernano contained them. Some wizards have natural access to these reservoirs. It appears that Artorias ranks among these lucky few," the chef narrated.
Erza winced as every segment was stripped away, the two large shields eventually falling off. "You're vulnerable!" the Blood wizard declared, whipping her with streamers of blood from behind and sending her flying forwards. Erza, clad in only the few remaining chunks of Adamantium Armour, landed, span, and stared the bloody wizard down.
Artorias smiled darkly, raising his arms, still suspended within his whirlwind of blood. "I am the weeping Phoenix who sheds tears of blood as it rains down destruction upon its foes. I am Bleeding-Vein Artorias," He spoke softly, but every word echoed through the stadium. "And you have no armour that will not suffer the same fate as the Adamantium. Do you intend to continue the fight?"
In response, Erza drew herself to her full height and spreadeagled her limbs. "You're wrong. I have one set of armour that is unaffected by your power. And one weapon that will cut through your claws," she commanded, glowing with golden light as her body was cloaked in magic.
'Can I bring myself to do it?' Erza asked herself. 'Can I unshield my heart in front of all these people?' But she shook her head and told herself; 'I must. For my friends. For our guild. For Fairy Tail!" she roared, before commanding, "Requip! Clear Heart Clothing!"
"How exciting! Erza seems to be invoking some power of her own! What manner of monstrous armour will she - huh?" Chapati blinked.
When the smoke cleared, Erza was dressed in plain clothing; a simple bra covering her chest and loose red pants with orange flame decals hanging from her waist.
"What sort of armour is that?" Yajima questioned in surprise.
"Does she intend to seduce him with those scanty garments?" Demuri hissed in displeasure.
But Fairy Tail went slack-jawed, seeing her change. "Her Clear Heart Clothing?" Gray spluttered.
"That's her most vulnerable armour," Lucy recognised. "She only wears it when she's taking down the barriers around her heart . . and for one other reason," she suddenly remembered.
Erza reached to her hip and, with a flash of Requip, a sword appeared, a seemingly plain katana with a black tassel and bandages around the base of the blade. "Come forth, Demon Blade Crimson Sakura," she invoked, drawing the weapons and holding it with both hands.
"The Demon Blade Crimson Sakura," Lucy whispered in recognition.
"It seems she's removed all of her armour to focus exclusively on that sword," Yajima observed.
"That must be one powerful weapon for her to leave herself so vulnerable in order to use it," Chapati observed.
Artorias raised an eyebrow, and used his typhoon of blood to lift himself higher in anticipation. If Erza had to aim higher, it would make her strike a tad less effective. "Are you planning to entirely forgo defence and focus exclusively on offence?" he questioned.
The crowd was silent. You could have heard a pin drop.
With a frenzied roar, Erza threw herself forwards, pelting across the arena and targeting Artorias, who reared back to buy himself a couple of extra seconds. "I'll end this with a single blow!" the Fairy shouted, bringing Crimson Sakura back to deliver a devastating slash. The redhead's eyes went wide as the blade inched closer, time seeming to slow down.
Erza' weapon flashed through the space that Artorias had occupied. The bloody tornado around him dispersed. But the blade met no resistance.
Just a fraction of a second too late, Erza realised that Artorias had just barely dodged the strike by dispersing the tornado that held him aloft and falling out of her path. As her sword cut through the air, it severed a single hair from Artorias' head.
And in an instant, time returned to normal, Erza flying past and hitting the wall, gouging a deep slash into it, as Artorias landed in a crouch, spinning and righting himself.
The crowd was silent for a moment, and the red hair that Erza had cut slowly fluttered to the ground.
"Incredible! Artorias narrowly avoids Erza's assault!" With Chapati's declaration, as though they had received permission, the crowd erupted in cheers, some rooting for the Fairy, some for the Phoenix.
Erza and Artorias stared each other down. "Clever," Erza acquiesced as Artorias lifted back into the air, reconstructing his tornado of blood to gain a height advantage.
"This fight isn't over yet," the Phoenix snorted, baring his claws.
"You're quite right," In a flash, Erza was charging at him again. Focusing the telekinetic abilities of her magic, the Fairy threw herself into the air and aimed downwards from the apex of her jump, bringing forth an overhead thrust that would prevent Artorias from dodging the same way.
The Blood Wizard surged upwards, forming a lattice with his two-foot claws and angling it ever so carefully. Again, time seemed to slow as the Demon Blade met Artorias' demonic claws at an angle, penetrating the condensed blood but being deflected a scant few degrees; enough that the sword missed its target. Erza barely had time to register what Artorias had done before he lowered his head and head-butted her with his demonic horns, sending her flying away even as his liquefying claws wrapped around the sword, hoping to pull it out of her grasp.
Bu Erza wouldn't let go. The backwards momentum from the headbutt was forestalled as she and Artorias pulled on the sword in a brief tug of war, and, spreading her legs, she channelled telekinetic magic into her feet to hold herself in midair. Unfortunately, Artorias had no such recourse, and in a sudden, explosive motion, she swung the sword that he was still clinging to in an arc, causing him to lose his grip and go flying into the arena wall.
The entire encounter took barely ten seconds.
"Did - did anyone see what just happened?" Chapati questioned, at an honest loss for words.
"I think Erza has the upper hand," Yajima observed.
Sif howled in horror, watching the beating her master had taken, and would have leapt out into the arena if Kenzie and Donna hadn't held her back.
Artorias struggled out of the crater left by the blow, but Erza had already landed and was charging with her katana. "For Fairy Tail!" she roared, slashing from shoulder to hip at her vulnerable opponent.
Her blade caught the single piece of blue shoulder armour Artorias wore on his left shoulder, slicing straight through it and cutting his «Bloodstained Tunic» open across the chest, knocking the Phoenix to the ground.
"Impressive," Artorias weakly murmured. This time, though, he didn't get back up.
"And with an unstoppable strike, Erza Scarlet claims victory for Fairy Tail A! Who would have guessed that such a come-from-behind victory could be achieved by the last place guild?" Erza turned and glared at Chapati. "They were the number one guild six years ago," Yajima reminded his fellow, and the bald man nodded. "Look at that fierce, unwavering conviction! Is this the face of the Fairy Tail that was once Fiore's top guild? Are we bearing witness to the beginning of the resurrection of the Fairy Tail of old? Well, either way, Erza Scarlet scores ten points for Fairy Tail A! That gives them exactly twelve points!"
Chapati paused, remembering the had a guest. "Lady Demuri, what are your thoughts on this unexpected twist ending?" he questioned the noblewoman.
Demuri scoffed. "When Fairy Tail fell six years ago, I thought it was good riddance to bad rubbish. Now it appears that a mangy animal is clawing its way back into the house, and I can't say I'm too happy about it,"
"Harsh words from our guest of honour. Let's see if our next bout will change her mind, shall we? We're about to see a battle of the babes in Blue Pegasus' Jenny Realight, versus Fairy Tail B's Mirajane Strauss!"
-[CoT]-
While the preparations for the next match were ongoing, and Fairy Tail was congratulating Erza for a well-fought match, Donna and Sif were helping Artorias stagger back into Team Black Eye Pirates' bay. Team Pierce, knowing they would not be called upon again that day, had joined them, as had many concerned members of Phoenix's Eye.
Sif, however, was hovering over Artorias' bench, growling at anyone who dared come close, and most of the guild were wary of the angry beast.
It wasn't long until Sensho, the guild's resident Tea Wizard and medic, was on the scene, armed with a teapot full of Vitali-Tea - and scampered back upon a growl from the angry «Dire Wolf». Artorias mumbled something, but Sif took no notice.
"I can't heal him with that wolf hovering over him!" Sensho protested weakly.
The wizards present exchanged glances. No one wanted to hurt Sif, but Artorias needed healing.
Pierce gulped. "Sif?" he tried, approaching the angry beast. She barked, and a harsh, female voice echoed in Pierce's ears; "No one touches master!"
"Sensho can help him. His tea can heal people's injuries," he explained, gesturing at the man in his conical straw hat.
"Don't trust strangers," Sif growled.
"You've met Sensho before," Pierce coaxed. "Artorias trusts him,"
"He smells like plants," The wolf spat the word like an insult.
The others present exchanged glances, hearing nothing from Sif but growls. "Is Pierce really talking to her?" Donna questioned in disbelief.
"As far as I can tell, yes," Sarph admitted.
"Artorias isn't like you. He can't live only on meat, he needs plants sometimes," Pierce gently explained.
Sif paused, before gesturing with her snout at Pierce. "You should give master the plants. Not him!" she commanded.
Accepting the compromise, Pierce held out his hand. "Sensho? The teapot?" Sensho obligingly handed the white porcelain teapot over to Pierce, and instructed, "Just pour it into his mouth. I made sure it's not too hot,"
Sif watching his every move, Pierce inched towards Artorias, who had enough awareness to open his mouth, and fed a dribble of warm liquid into his throat.
A moment later, the S-Class Phoenix pushed the teapot away, moaned, and sat up. "Sensho?" he muttered, massaging his temples.
"Yes?" the medic inched forwards, still staying well clear of the pet wolf.
"Why couldn't you have invented Coffee Magic instead?" Artorias protested.
There was a round of chuckles, as Artorias groaned and lay back down, Sif lying protectively next to him.
"Hey, everyone?" The Phoenixes looked up as Kenzie called from the edge of the bay. "You all might want to come and see this!"
Chapati was shouting over the intercom. "Two bodacious babes who are both masters of Transformation Magic? This is truly the stuff dreams are made out of! Somebody pinch me!" He drew breath, before continuing. "Of course, we're joined by a real ladies' man, Mr. Yajima. And I'm sure that our special guest Lady Demuri can over some insight into . ." The commentator trailed off, feeling a glare like needles dig into his skin.
"I'm really feeling like a young man today," Yajima admitted, oblivious to the tension between the people be was seated between.
"Ladies?" Captain Black "The Succubus" Kenzie ripped off her shirt and breeches, revealing a swimsuit underneath.
"Do you just wear a swimsuit under your clothes twenty-four seven?" Sarah, who was present in the Black Eye Pirates bay to show her support, questioned.
"Only for the Games. I thought there might be a water sports event. But this works too!" Kenzie exclaimed, before striding out into the arena. "Everyone, stop!" she yelled with the authority of a captain.
The lust-filled male population of the crowd all paused, seeing a third scantily clad woman enter the arena. "Stop and check me out!" Kenzie commanded, striking a pose.
"I didn't know they made swimsuits that small," Grace obliviously pointed out, looking at Pierce for answers - only to find that he was resolutely staring at the wall. "I have a girlfriend," he muttered.
"Not so fast!" Most of the crowd paused as Mermaid Heel sprung into action. "You don't expect us to let these bubble-headed bimbos hog all the attention?!" Risley demanded, and Arana chimed in; "We have strong and beautiful chicas as well," In perfect sync, "Team Mermaid Heel is the ultimate in girl power!" Meanwhile Beth just whimpered; "This is embarrassin',"
The four represented guilds exchanged glances, sparks flying between Jenny and Kenzie, as Chapati narrated, "Well, I certainly did not see this coming! Black Eye Pirates and Mermaid Heel have joined the party! Even Risley's ditched the junk in the trunk and brought the ba-ba-boom!"
The pirate smirked, tossing her black/red hair, and looked back at her bay. "Ladies? Are we going to stand for this?"
"Can't disobey the Cap'n, see!" From the stands, Tulip Shelley, loyal member of the Black Eye Pirates and professional thief, discarded her bandanna and frock, leaping down to join her captain with nothing but lacy underwear.
"Yes! We are!" Donna, who had been a conservative dresser ever since Mordonna had spent fifty years prancing around in a tigerskin leotard, hollered back. Masquerade, on the other hand, seemed to be struggling with himself. "I am not letting - my sister - go out there and - demean herself!"
Everyone was interrupted by Lamia Scale. "Hold it, you guys!" Two voices spoke in unison, as Sherry and Chelia leapt into the arena. "All these girls are missing the most important thing! What good is skating around in your little swimsuits if you don't have the love to back it up?" they demanded, landing in a crouch and having also stripped to their bikinis. "If you want love, then you've gotta give love~" Sherry declared, and Chelia chimed in; "And we're both busting at the seams with it!"
"Oh, so it's a doubles act, is it?" Shelley grinned. "Well, I can do yas one better, see! Many-Many!" With that, she clapped her hands several times, and an entire mob of clones of herself appeared to flank Kenzie.
Hearts burst out of the audiences' chests as the dozen Shelley clones joined arms with "The Succubus" and promptly started doing an Impromptu line dance before the competition, kicking up a leg at a time and providing an excellent view of twelve identical cleavages.
"Lamia Scale has joined in, but they're being blown out of the water by Phoenix's Eye's pirate division! Look at those legs!" Chapati cheered.
"Oi, you lot!" Master Feng looked around at the female Phoenixes in the stand with her. "Get down there and show them what we've got!" she commanded, folding her arms impatiently.
"But . . master, we don't all wear swimsuits under our clothes," Eve meekly protested.
"Who says we have to?" Balance challenged. "I can be plenty attractive just with what I normally wear!"
"Well, Ariel's beating you to it," Hare snidely pointed out, causing Blanca to promptly froth at the mouth as Ariel, who seemed to have borrowed one of her cousin's cardigans and shrugged it on over her receptionist's blouse, had already joined Kenzie and Shelley and seemed to be performing some kind of schoolgirl routine. "Hey boys, I'm new here," the bluenette cooed. "Mind showing me around?"
"Why you -" Blanca was prepared to leap down and tear Ariel limb from limb, but Feng held her back. "You should sit this one out. Most boys aren't into yanderes. Eve, Hare, Fleur? Get going," The mute Petal wizard was already perched on the edge of the stand, beckoning to her guildmates and shedding her clothes. Totomaru watched in disbelief.
Between Feng and Master Mavis' spectral encouragement of Fairy Tail - complete with inexplicable showers of swimsuits from the sky - it wasn't long until the vast majority of female wizards present were out on the arena in various poses. Even Alice had finally won out over Masquerade and was giving Lync something to drool over. Donna, who remained resolute on the bench next to Artorias, and Jashie, who regarded the posing witches with disdain, were the only holdouts.
"That's my girl!" Hephaestus roared encouragement of Tyria - who had shed her coat and corset - before being promptly restrained by Lance (another of Captain Black's crewmates). "Do you want to sound like you're attracted to your granddaughter?" he hissed, and the god paused. "Good point," he admitted, settling down.
"This situation has gotten pretty out of hand, wouldn't you say?" Mirajane questioned, and Jenny shrugged. "Yeah, but it's all in good fun and the fans are totally eating it up," she purred.
Chapati was somehow remaining professional, declaring; "If you wanted a heaping helping of fanservice, then, ladies and gentlemen, Domus Flau is most definitely the place you'd want to find yourself today!" Yajima promptly observed; "And unless we want an actual riot on our hands, we have no choice but to let this madness continue," The chef didn't seem too unhappy about this fact, which was more than could be said for Lady Demuri, who scoffed and observed; "Filthy plebeians,"
"But remember, folks, this is supposed to be a one-on-one fight, so Mirajane and Jenny will be the only ones scored!" Chapati declared.
Tyria swallowed, reluctant to admit how much she was enjoying the experience. Sensing her discomfort, Kenzie sashayed over to her, swaying her rear in the process, and clapped her on the shoulder. "Aw, relax, it's all in good fun. And you know Pierce is enjoying it," she gestured back at the bay, and, following her gaze, Tyria observed Pierce blushing and unable to look away from her.
"Wardrobe change! School swimsuits!" Chapati hollered, and suddenly everyone was in a matching blue plastic leotard. "Well, I can work with the theme," Ariel smiled, producing her fountain pen and spraying a transparent mist of water droplets into the air, creating wet glitter on the ladies' skin.
Tyria just groaned, and Kenzie ruffled the younger woman's hair. "Hey, it's your colour,"
"And now, bikinis and thigh-highs!"
"I still don't really get this," Grace observed.
"Just enjoy the attention," Hare advised her.
"Exactly," Jenny provided from a few metres away. "Doesn't it feel good to have so many people watching you? Don't you want to give them a show?"
"So it's like acting! Right!" Grace realised, beaming, and Jenny nodded encouragingly while some of the others sweat-dropped. Chapati's subsequent call of "Oh, look at that sweet little smile," didn't help matters at all.
"Who likes girls in glasses?" the lead commentator suddenly challenged. Tyria fingered the metal-rimmed glasses that had appeared on her nose. "These are messing with my HUD," she complained.
"At least you look cute," Turning, Tyria guffawed at the big, ugly glasses that had appeared to cover Hare's face.
Chapati suddenly turned to see Penny Prince, her purple half-moon spectacles glinting in the light, appear between him and Yajima with a smile. "I just couldn't pass up this one," the reporter beamed.
"What in the world?" Lady Demuri spluttered, fingering the sophisticated reading glasses that had suddenly appeared on the bridge of her nose.
"Cat ears!" Chapati shouted, and five duplicates of Shelley wearing bright pink fake ears lay down together, while Kenzie rubbed the lead one's head, clad in her own black cat ears and loincloth. "I'm a bad kitty," she hissed with a seductive smile.
Over in the Black Eye Pirates bay, Donna spluttered in disbelief as a very familiar tigerskin leotard appeared on her body with a matching orange headband that bore black stripes, her usual thick swarths and hat being deposited on a nearby bench. "No! I will not stand for this!" she declared, gathering up her robes and ducking into the bathroom to get changed.
"Bondage gear!" Chapati chimed in. Deciding it was best to just go with it, Tyria commanded; "TechType: Charge Whip!" and cracked a flailing cord of electricity in the air. She winked at Pierce, who felt a nosebleed coming on.
"You are all going to bow down to me because I'm the best at bondage!" Blanca roared at the assembled crowd.
"Know your place, you common cur!" Hare hissed, glaring down at her with royal authority, and Blanca flinched, before quietly inching away.
"Way to show her," Kenzie teased, having somehow produced iron anklets and handcuffs. "Come and dominate me, boys and girls," she winked at the audience.
"And now, how about a blushing bride challenge? Ladies, grab a lucky guy and squeeze into some wedding dresses!" Chapati commanded.
"Where is that blasted king when you need him?" Demuri growled.
"I swear, if any of you even mention Sigurd -" Hare roared, before pausing as Totomaru, who had somehow replaced his robes with a black suit, strode into the arena. Her breath caught in her throat.
"May I have this dance?" Lync offered to Alice, who gracefully accepted his hand with a warm smile. Meanwhile, Kenzie, seeing that Artorias was sitting up, sent a tendril of Shadow Magic arcing across the stadium. Before he knew what was going on, his loose robes had been replaced with a form-fitting tuxedo and the redhead was staring at the pirate's barely constrained cleavage.
Unfortunately, this was the exact moment at which Donna emerged from the changing rooms. She spluttered for a moment, staring at Artorias and Kenzie together, before sighing and shaking her head, sitting back down. Sif whined in understanding.
"Can I get a deckchair over here?" Pierce called from the edge of the Phoenix's Eye A bay. One promptly landed at his feet from Erza's direction, and he draped his orange jacket over the backrest, before beckoning to Tyria. "I think we should elope on some tropical island," he suggested, smiling as the Electrian lay down with him in the sun.
"I guess that's technically in the theme," Sarph shrugged, before scooping up Grace, who looked lonely, surrounded by couples. "And it's healthier than that," he observed, looking at Totomaru, who looked like Hare and Fleur were about to rip his arms off.
Meanwhile, the Eve of Phoenix's Eye was nervously holding hands with the Eve of Blue Pegasus, who chastely kissed her hand.
"Oi! Are none of you boys man enough to get with the best girl in the arena?" Blanca challenged, noticing that everyone was giving her a wide berth.
Ariel was similarly alone, and she sighed. "We do need more young men in this guild," the witch murmured, avoiding the lecherous eyes of Phoenix's Eye's older male population - but suddenly a flash of dark blue swept over her, and she found herself staring into Lorus' warm smirk. "Does the princess need a knight to rescue her from this shame?" he questioned.
"I thought I was your sub-plotting love interest?!" Blanca spluttered in the background.
"My character development has outgrown you," Lorus unrepentantly shrugged.
"Now that the wedding's over, let's get back to another swimsuit round!" Chapati eagerly shouted, but he was interrupted.
"Stop everything!" Every eye in the stadium went sky high, looking up to one of the statues that adorned the stands, where a tiny figure was perched. "This is an outrage!" Ooba Babasaama shouted, spinning her finger in a circle. "You foolish young people! Let Ooba teach you a lesson! So pay close attention, and learn . ." In a flash, she jumped down into the arena.
". . what it means to be a real woman!" In a flash, she had shed her coat, revealing a wrinkled, shrivelled body clad only in a skimpy swimsuit.
Everyone's libido immediately died a horrible death. Kenzie in particular was affected, her face turning a nasty shade of green that was particularly noticeable against all the white that had replaced every other colour in the arena, and she managed a few tottering steps before blowing chunks all over the floor.
"And with that crash course in reality the mood in the arena has been brought down to Earth Land," Chapati moaned. "It's over, folks, the other teams on the field have begun to clear out. We're also going to need a janitor,"
As the last few minutes of the match played out in the background, Tyria smiled at her boyfriend. "So, what was that about eloping?"
"It'd be nice. Warm sun, cool drinks, beaches, no judgemental grandparents -"
"What was that last one?" Pierce drew up short, seeing Hephaestus waiting for them in the bay with a stormy expression. "Umm . ." Tyria quailed.
But then he smiled and chuckled a little. "I'm just joking. You kids have fun. If you'd like, I know a lovely little island I went to a couple of centuries back with the sweetest little -
"Grandpa, I really do not need to know about all the other woman you dated before and since my grandmother," Tyria flatly interrupted him.
"Alright, alright," the god smiled tolerantly, before leaning into Pierce and whispering; "You should know, her grandma was very ticklish, especially under her -"
"Grandpa!" his granddaughter protested, which just sent the blond man into upracious laughter.
In the background, Chapati announced; "And the final match up of the day is; Mermaid Heel's Kagura versus Sabretooth's Yukino!"
Tyria stiffened, turning to look at the witch from Mermaid Heel with pity. She'd been on the receiving end of those monsters yesterday. She did not envy Kagura this fight.
Ten minutes later . . .
The demigod in question stared, slackjawed, as Chapati declared Kagura's victory. "Damnit . . am I really still that weak?" she groaned.
A/N
A/N
Running totals!
Phoenix's Eye: 26
Black Eye Pirates: 22
Sabertooth: 20
Blue Pegasus: 20
Mermaid Heel: 20
Lamia Scale: 16
Fairy Tail B: 12
Fairy Tail A: 12
Now, let's discuss this chapter.
I never really thought about it before, but Pierce would definitely prefer eloping over a standard marriage. (You know all of Phoenix's Eye would follow him and Tyria wherever they go, though.) Clearly, this is the most important part of this chapter and Artorias' powered-up 'Bloodlust' state is completely inconsequential.
Now, let's talk about Artorias' Bloodlust!
Funny story, I originally planned to debut it during the fight against the Oracion Och. But it sort of just didn't happen - and here we are, almost eighty chapters later, finally seeing it. It's only reasonable that the two wizards who can use Second Origin fight, right?
note to self find an excuse for all of Team Pierce to get their Second - I'm not saying anything! Nothing to see here, folks! Peace!
-[CoT]-
"Hey," Kynigós greeted Hisui as she returned to her quarters from dinner. The princess gasped in surprise, before frowning. "You shouldn't surprise me like that!" she snorted. "And - I told you not to startle me at this time of night!"
"Well, I figured you'd want an exception, since I have a theory about where the dragons are hiding," Kynigós explained.
The greenette blinked, before smiling. "You do? That's brilliant! Where are they?"
"It's quite simple, really, when you think about it," Kynigós admitted, striding out to the balcony. "What's the one place where no human has ever set foot? Where the terrain is so barren that only something as powerful as a dragon could sustain themselves? They've been hiding in plain sight all along," he growled, leaning on the balcony.
Hisui left her room and joined him, watching him intently. "Well? Spit it out, where are they?"
Kynigós took a deep breath, before looking up, where a pale, cyan, partly-lidded eye shone down at them. He pointed upwards, targeting the celestial body in the sky above, and declared; "Isn't it obvious? The dragons are hiding on the moon!"
Hisui blinked, and quietly repeated to herself; "The dragons are on the moon," She shook her head in confusion; it sounded ludicrous, yet at the same time, it was the most sensible explanation anyone had come up with yet.
"Well . . then what are we supposed to do?" she questioned in confusion.
"We need . ." Kynigós paused, drawing breath. "To destroy the moon!"
(And in a completely unrelated incident, a certain elder on Galuna Island spontaneously sneezed.)