Author's Note: And let's continue where we left off. Had people wondering a bunch about some characters now and it is time for some answers and suspense! I hope everyone enjoys and let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
Sting awoke to an explosion, his eyes flaring open as he sat up in his bed. Lector stirred beside him as well, both looking to their room door as it opened with Rogue and Fro in view.
"Sting get up! There is an intruder!" Rogue shouted with Fro flying beside his head.
"An intruder!" Sting asked incredulously as he jumped up to get dressed. "This is where all of Sabertooth is! Who's this damn stupid!?"
He quickly got dressed and ran with Rogue down the hallway, their exceed following close behind. He could hear more explosions and the sounds of fighting. There was another explosion before them, a defeated member of Sabertooth flying out unconscious. 'What!? Who the Hell is attacking!?' he wondered as they raced down the halls to the main reception room of the inn. He was shocked to find the very mage he wants to defeat, Natsu Dragneel, barreling through any mage standing in his path.
"Where's your master!?" he roared as he delivered a flaming kick to another mage.
"Do you have business with me, brat!?" Master Jiemma asked as he stepped forward.
"Master …" some of the mages mumbled as they stepped aside.
"Kicked out because of one loss …" Natsu said as he glared at the master. "… I'm all fired up!"
"What?" Jiemma asked in a bored tone.
"If that's the case," Natsu continued as he slammed his fists together. "Then if I beat you, does that mean that you'll leave too?"
"Ho?" Jiemma mumbled as he scratched his chin in thought.
"Natsu-san …" Sting murmured in disbelief.
"He came here just to pick a fight with the master?" Orga asked in shock while Rufus paled beside him.
"That's suicide," Lector said as he looked at the fiery mage with wide eyes.
"Fro thinks so too …"
"Are you serious brat?" Jeimma asked.
"A guild that takes its comrades for granted," Natsu seethed. "Unforgivable!"
'Is that why he came? For Yukino? But why, it doesn't concern him,' Sting thought as he silently watched.
"I care not for whatever it is you say but it seems you've come with your own sense of judgement," Jiemma said as he looked back at Natsu without faltering under the glare.
"You don't care!?" Natsu asked as his anger grew.
"Dobengal … be his opponent," Jiemma said as he ignored Natsu.
"Understood," the mage dressed similar to a ninja said as he crouched by Jiemma's side.
"Running away?" Natsu asked with a scowl.
"It's too early for a guild soldier such as yourself to even dream of facing a guild master like me," Jiemma replied. "If you wish to fight me, prove yourself worthy."
"Fight with me!" Natsu shouted as he charged.
"I won't let you near the master," Dobengal responded as he charged as well.
They closed the distance quickly, Dobengal attacking with a right jab. Natsu easily ducked under it, his torso turning so that his elbow was aimed at Dobengal's chest.
"Out of my way!" Natsu shouted as he drove his elbow into Dobengal. "I have no use for you!'
Dobengal was knocked aside, already defeated as Natsu continued on his charge against Jiemma.
"No way, one hit!" some mage shouted in disbelief.
"He'd be strong enough to place in our top ten!" Lector added in shock.
"Master, let me …" Sting started as he tried to step in front of Natsu but Jiemma held his arm out to stop him.
"We don't have any brats like him here … how amusing," Jiemma said as he faced Natsu.
Natsu raced forward with an ignited fist, aiming it straight for Jiemma's face. Jiemma blocked it with one arm, his form not even budging under the considerable power behind the attack. He then responded with a blast of pure magic, forcing Natsu back as he raised his guard. However, Natsu found his footing as he grit his teeth before bringing in a low fist. To Jiemma and the rest of the guild's surprise, Natsu landed a sharp uppercut straight into Jiemma's gut.
Sting watched in disbelief as Natsu continued on, slugging Jiemma across the face without showing any signs of tiring. He rained blow after blow, his fists and elbows ignited for maximum damage as a burning light came from him. His assault was vicious, Jiemma having no time to raise his own guard or dodge. The fists continued until Natsu reared a fist father back, flames coated in lightning bursting around it.
"Lightning Flame …" Natsu called as the fist raced forward. "… Hammer!"
The explosion was so powerful Sting had to bring his arms up to his head as he closed his eyes. He could feel the scorching heat as the building shook, a hole blown through its roof. As the area settled, Sting opened his eyes only to be shocked. In between Natsu and Jiemma was Lady Minerva, the master's daughter and ace of Sabertooth. She'd blocked the attack, her hands surrounded in her War God magic as she smirked at Natsu.
"Minerva!" Jiemma said in surprise and irritation.
"Well now … have the festivities moved into the night?" Minerva asked in an almost teasing voice.
"Huh?" Natsu asked as he looked at her.
"Minerva, who said you could interrupt?" Jiemma asked hotly as he looked at his daughter.
"Oh, of course you would have won father," she said without a care. "However … We are in a public event and so must maintain appearances. It wouldn't be proper if father eliminated a participant in the games, even if you attacked us. It would be a meddlesome bind."
She then smiled slyly at Natsu before swirling her hands together, her magic coating them.
"So how about it? You leave, we don't pursue, and everyone gets to save some face?" she asked before a puff of smoke appeared in her arms to reveal a blue cat tied up and crying. "That way I can return the little kitten …"
"Happy!" Natsu shouted in alarm.
"I'm sorry Natsu!" the cat cried as Minerva caressed him.
"So … will you leave or do I have to play with the kitten?" Minerva asked in a sweet voice even as she sneered at him.
"Play with who?" asked another feminine voice suddenly.
The mages spun around in surprise to see another girl, the one from the Fairy Tail team B standing behind them with the cat now free and held protectively in her arms. Just at the sight of her Sting felt his legs begin to shake, his inner dragon wanting to turn tail as quickly as possible even though she wasn't releasing any magical pressure. He remembered the opening ceremony, her power, the way she defeated that monster from Immortalis … a fight that he couldn't even see! It was unspoken but most could agree … she was not someone to anger in any way.
"Diana!" Happy cried as he snuggled into her bosom.
She smiled down at the little cat before affectionately scratching his head.
"No worries Happy, you're family too and I won't let anyone touch you," she said gently before looking at Natsu past all of the stunned mages. "Hey Natsu, still making trouble?"
"Hehe … could have told me you were here," he replied with a grin.
"And miss that sweet speech and then you nearly taking out their trashy master? No way," she replied with a fanged grin, several mages shuddering as they looked at her.
"Who are you?" Minerva asked in a seething voice as she glared at the new intruder. "And how did you get the cat?"
"You're slow, I just passed you while grabbing him," she replied with a shrug, not bothered the slightest by the glare.
"You dare mock me!?" Minerva shouted as she raised her arms as magic swirled around them.
"Lady Minerva …" Rufus said timidly, flinching as she glared at him for daring to interrupt. "… she … don't aggravate her …"
"Listen to the boy-toy," Diana said as she started to walk forward, the mages parting out of her way. "… War God magic is pointless.'
"How did you!?" Minerva asked as she stepped in front of Diana.
"I wasn't part of the group gone for seven years, I've seen you all compete and know your magic … and weaknesses," Diana replied as she simply stepped around Minerva without another glance.
Minerva made a swipe at Diana but she suddenly blurred out of the way before appearing beside Natsu, Happy's eyes swirling from dizziness.
"Sorry about that Happy," she said as she handed him to Natsu.
"Aye …" Happy replied weakly while Natsu chuckled.
"WHO ARE YOU!?" Minerva roared, her patience gone after being flatly ignored.
"Oh, you don't know?" Diana asked with a tilt of the head while giving Minerva pitying eyes. "… You can just call me the Huntress."
"Huntress?" Minerva asked with narrowed eyes. Even she knew that name.
"Yep," Diana replied with a smile. "And this is Sabertooth, guild of the trash and home of the cowards."
"How dare you!?" Minerva and Jiemma shouted at the same time while some mages glared at her.
"It's true … don't you know?" she asked with a frown.
"What are you talking about?" Minerva asked as her magic flared more, some of the weaker mages beginning to sweat.
"You guys sent some mages to Elav Peed right? The S-class request for rescuing kidnapped children," Diana said.
"What of it?" Jiemma asked with narrowing eyes. "The fools never returned."
"Didn't you wonder why?" Diana asked with a sigh. "… They died …"
Several of the mages looked at her in shock, others glancing at each other as if to confirm it.
"They were capture by the monster. My partner and I freed them but when the monster appeared again, they turned tail and got killed by a trap," Diana explain while shaking her head. "Died like cowards … what a pity. So much for the strongest guild."
"Oh yeah, I remember that mission now," Natsu commented as he looked at her. "Lisanna said that monster was something else but that you took it out like nothing and saved the little girl's life making you a hero!"
Diana gave an embarrassed blush at the compliment.
"Then if they were weak, their fate was adequate," Jiemma stated flatly.
Diana and Natsu both glared at him for the comment, some mages flinching at the look from her especially.
"You really don't care huh?" she asked softly as her eyes lost the steely look. "What a sad guild … no wonder Horus wanted to look after her."
"Hmm?" Natsu murmured as he looked at Diana with a raised eyebrow.
"Remember who you were talking to? Well … you'll see what I mean soon," she replied cryptically while looking at Minerva and Jiemma. "You do realize what you did right?"
"What are you mouthing off now?" Minerva asked in disdain.
"Didn't anyone tell her about the bet?' Natsu asked as realization sparked across his face. "Or who her life belongs to now?"
Some of the mages looked at each other, wondering what they meant. Sting thought back to the fights before he remember Yukino facing off one of the monsters from Immortalis. His eyes widened as he remember the words spoken by the man as he calmed Yukino and looked back at them. 'H-he said that only … Diana could match him … and that he would … oh shit!' he thought as he unconsciously took a step back, drawing some gazes to him.
"Sting, what is it?" Minerva asked in a sharp tone.
"Lady Minerva …" he said as he looked at her with shaking eyes. "I think … we've made a grave mistake …"
"Indeed," a male voice said behind Diana and Natsu.
They all turned to see Horus calmly walking towards Diana's side as he looked over the guild. He eyed them all with impassive eyes, the amber color seeming to pierce into the soul of any who fell under his gaze. Like Diana, his presence was suppressed, allowing the mages to breathe normally even as some started to shake.
"One of the monsters …" a mage whispered in fear.
"Monster?" Horus frowned as he glanced to Diana. "Why is it that anything stronger is labeled a monster? Are all humans so petty?"
"Who are you?" Minerva asked in a low tone even as her magic flared again. She was ready to blow and yet neither Diana nor Horus seemed to care in the slightest.
"Horus Siriso, ace of Immortalis," he answered with a polite nod.
"Ace …" Rogue mumbled as he also took a step back. "Lady Minerva … please … be careful …"
"What? You dare tell me what to do!?" Minerva snapped before glaring at Horus. "And what business do you have here?"
"I wish to speak to your master," he replied before his eyes settle on Jiemma.
"Yet another brat wishes to speak to me?" Jiemma said as he looked at Horus. "I tire of this … leave or be destroyed."
"The mouth on that one," Diana muttered before looking at Horus with hard eyes. "I won't allow killing in my presence."
"You have my word," Horus replied with a curt nod before walking towards Jiemma.
"You dare challenge us!?" Minerva shouted as she stepped between him and Jiemma.
"Move please," Horus said without slowing down.
"Don't you dar—"
Horus' hand shot out, grabbing onto her mouth and cheeks as she looked at him with wide eyes.
"I said move," he said softly before flicking her aside, her body careening into the far wall before crashing into it.
She gasped from the impact before falling to the floor, too jarred to stand up as Horus kept nearing Jiemma. No one spoke or dared move, too terrified of the man that had just man-handled their ace without a care. He then stopped about a foot or so away from Jiemma, looking up due to the few inches in height difference as Jiemma looked back defiantly.
"You discharged Yukino-chan in a dishonorable fashion, correct?" Horus asked.
"Chan?" Diana and Natsu echoed as they looked at Horus.
"What of it? She was weak and lost while making a ridiculous wager," Jiemma replied while dismissively waving his hand.
"It may have been foolish but showed her dedication to this shameful guild," Horus replied while narrowing his eyes. "To treat your own in such a way … disgraceful."
"I will not be talked down by some upstart!" Jiemma shouted as his magic flared, the floor beneath him cracking.
"Her life is mine … I hold responsibility for her treatment. I cannot forgive such an act of defilement to one under my charge and therefore I shall answer it accordingly," Horus replied as his eyes slowly hardened as he looked at Jiemma. "… You humans have a saying … an eye for an eye … as this is a human matter, I shall follow your ways."
"Die trash!" Jiemma roared as he threw a punch at Horus.
Horus didn't react as the fist collided with his cheek, his head barely turning as he continued to look at Jiemma with a mix of pity and disappointment. Sting gawked at the sight, unable to believe that the master's attack was simply ignored without leaving any sign of damage. He could even see Minerva, having gotten back up with bruising along her cheeks looking on in shock.
"I can't believe that little tap turned your head," Diana commented as she watched intently.
"I didn't want his fist to completely shatter," Horus replied as Jiemma lowered his fist.
Now Sting could see it, the purple coloration of Jiemma's fist, evidence that at least three knuckle bones had broken. Jiemma did well to hide any signs of pain but could see momentary worry flash in his eyes.
"You made a demonstration of Yukino-chan …" Horus said as he looked at his armored hand. "… If it is your desire to be seen by all, then so be it."
Without being seen, Horus grabbed Jiemma by the throat, the older man gasping in surprise.
"Master!" Sting shouted along with the others but didn't move.
Why would he? He wouldn't reach in time and he certainly wouldn't be able to do anything even if he did. The guild watched as Jiemma grabbed Horus' arm, trying to pry it free but it was a vain notion. Horus then tightened his grip before sharply pulling down, forcing Jiemma to his knees. Horus then held a palm up as a golden portal formed above it, a small knife falling out and landing on his palm, the entire blade being pure gold.
"Be seen," Horus said as he slashed Jiemma across the head, right across his Sabertooth mark as he bellowed in outrage and pain.
"Father!" Minerva screamed as she rushed Horus, her fists coated in her magic.
Horus released Jiemma in the same fashion he did Minerva, tossing him aside and nearly bowling her over with his massive body. Then Minerva attacked him but like Diana, he blurred away to appear beside Diana with his back to them.
"I expect you to leave this guild by the end of this festival," Horus said and then started to walk away without another glance.
"Interesting," Diana commented as she tapped Natsu on the shoulder before the two and the cat walked away as well but then paused as Natsu glanced back. "We will never lose to a guild like you … and you will never surpass us." He then continued to walk along with Diana. Neither caring for the state of the guild they left behind.
Minerva screamed in outrage as mages distanced themselves from her, others glancing at their master as he slowly stood up. His mark was defiled, the skin of his forehead now marred by the strange knife of that monster. For the first time Sting saw something in his master's eyes he didn't know was possible … fear. Sting looked at the destroyed entrance of their inn, the forms of Diana and Natsu disappearing into the night. 'What have we gotten ourselves into?' he thought as he looked at his trembling hands …
"Welcome to the third day of the Grand Magic Games!" Chapati announced excitedly as the crowd cheered. "We have reached the middle portion of the event and will begin the competition segment."
"What sort of fierce drama will we see today?" commented Yazima calmly.
"Today's guest speaker is Lahar from the Magic Council," Chapati said. "Captain of the Custody Enforcement Squad."
"Indeed," Lahar replied with a stern smile. "And impropriety will not be allowed."
Diana caught his sharp glance at the Immortalis booth and then a quizzical one at hers. She gave a shrug, not really getting why the look for them but left it alone.
"Today's game is … Pandemonium!" Chapati announced with another round of cheers from the crowd.
Diana watched as the other guilds sent out their participants. Erza, the cat girl she talked to the other night, Obra from Raven Tail, some member of Twilight Ogre that she didn't bother to remember, Hibiki from Blue Pegasus, Orga from Sabertooth, and Novally from Quatro Cerberus … excuse me … Quatro Puppy. She then glanced at Immortalis and saw Horus give her a pointed look before hopping down. She smiled as she jumped as well, also spotting Jura coming down to the field as well.
"Oh my!" Chapati shouted with wide eyes. "It seems we have some of the biggest contenders all in this round. Iron Rock Jura, Titania Erza, Huntress Diana, and Immortalis Ace Horus!"
The crowd whispered and looked on in excitement, wondering how a challenge between arguably the strongest mages present would go down. Lord save them if this challenge involved direct fights between any of them.
"Now then we shall begin," the pumpkin man said, having returned from his break day. "Field open."
They watched as an enormous castle formed in front of them, as wide as the town from the first day but with towering spires and hidden chambers. It took all of twenty seconds of form completely as the mages admired it, impressed by the amount of magic it would have taken to form such a structure so quickly.
"Very impressive," Erza commented beside her.
"This looks like fun," she agreed while smiling slyly at Erza. "Hope you ready for this."
"Same to you," Erza replied with an equally mischievous look.
"I look forward to competing with you," Jura added with his own confident look. "I will shall give it my all, Diana-sama."
"Thanks, I expect nothing less," Diana replied.
"I as well," Horus added as he stepped beside them with a polite bow. "An honor to face off against such worthy adversaries.'
They nodded back, each growing excited for the event to start even as the other mages started to look nervous. Who wouldn't? A Wizard Saint, the Titania, and the two strongest mages present were all competing against them.
"Now then, this is the temple where monsters nest … Pandemonium," the pumpkin man said.
"Where monsters nest you say?" Jura asked with narrowed eyes.
"This is the setting," the pumpkin man explained. "Within there are 100 monsters though they are more specifically magical tools created for the games. They are divided into classes: D, C, B, A, and S at 50, 30, 15, 4, and 1 respectively. As for the power of a D-class …"
A screen depicted a monster rampaging in the castle, making short work of destroying a sizable statue. The crowd grew nervous at the display, some of the competing mages breaking into a cold sweat.
"There are more such as that one and stronger lurking within, this is Pandemonium," the pumpkin man continued. "With each increase in class, the power goes up exponentially. It is guessed that even a Wizard Saint may not be able to defeat the S-class monster. Now for the rules … each participant will draw a number of order and enter one at a time. Before entering, each mage has what is called 'right of challenge'. This right is the number of monsters you wish to face."
"So we can only face a select number?" the cat girl, Milliana, asked.
"Per turn, yes. Now, if all monsters are defeated, you get point's equivalent to how many, their power scale does not matter. Then the following mage will challenge and so forth until all monsters are defeated or all mages have run out of magic," the pumpkin man answered. "However, if a mage falls during a round, the points earned for that round are zero and the score remains with the monster count defeated in previous rounds. Also, the monsters are random, you could pick five all be D-class or one and it be the S-class."
"So a strategy to avoid the S-class would be the most advantageous way to go," Hibiki said as he used his Archive to formulate a plan.
"But it's random so it won't matter," Orga said.
"Probability can come into play," Hibiki answered. "… to some extent at least."
"Now please, draw your lots," the pumpkin man said as he held up a box with ten sticks leaning out of the top.
Each participant took one, looking at their given number and each other's. Diana got ten making her frown in disappointment. Horus, Jura, and Erza would definitely take a substantial amount before she got her turn. She glanced at said mages and noticed that they were, nine, eight, and one respectively. She then looked at Erza's face and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. There was a glint in them all Fairy Tail mages had at one point or another … the look of insanity and glee, a most terrifying combination.
"Erza …" she said shyly "… what are you planning?"
"I was thinking that this game would come down to the luck of the draw," she replied while moving towards the pumpkin man.
"Luck? Oh no, this game takes more planning and magic management …" the pumpkin man was saying but Erza continued on.
"No … with this it isn't a game anymore …" Erza replied as she looked at the gates. "All 100 will be my opponents … my right of challenge is 100."
"Eehh!" the crowd and most mages said while Diana pouted.
"Hey! I wanted to do that!" she whined cutely while waving her arms.
Horus and Jura chuckled at her expense while Erza smiled back at her.
"But this wouldn't even be a challenge for you. Let the crowd have some fun cheering me on," she replied as she entered the castle.
"Wait! But this challenge isn't designed for any one person to complete it!" the pumpkin man warned but Erza kept moving.
"I don't care," she replied before entering the castle, the war beginning between 100 monsters and Titania.
They watched as Erza attacked, her armor shining like a beacon within the horde of monsters. She ducked in and out, changing her armors at a breakneck pace as she cleaved through the beasts. Her attacks were relentless, flesh being rendered, armor being crush, monsters laying slayed. They watched in awe as the Fairy danced, her wings never flattering even as wave after wave of monsters attacked her. Titania, once the strongest woman of Fairy Tail and source of god like reverence and fear to most, showed her dominion. Diana watched as Erza pushed on, her form bloodied and hurt but she didn't stop, her eyes remaining clear as she faced her opponents.
Even back then, the few times she used to visit the guild, she loved to hear about Erza's conquests. She and Mira were the ones Diana secretly looked up to in hopes of one day standing with them in the pantheon of Fairy Tail women. They were strong, beautiful, mages of near unmatched caliber that had faced adversity in every form and surpassed it. She felt her heart warm as Erza fought like the very goddess Bellona, her enemies falling to the earth as she carved the very heavens on wings of light. She watched as Erza faced off against the S-class monster, the last one remaining between her and absolute victory.
Erza charged, a simple katana in hand, dressed in nothing more than red pants with flame designs and bandages to cover her sizable bust, her hair in a high pony tail. The monster roared in defiance, its kin scattered around it and soon to be joined by their greatest sibling. Erza moved with the ferocity of a storm, her blade cutting through the creature with ease as she appeared behind it, her eyes hidden under shadow. All stood silent as the creature gave a defeated exhale before falling, the last pillar defeated with one attack.
In the silence Erza stood, her body riddled with injuries that would hospitalize most instantly but she stood proud. Her blade was raised and pointed to the cloud in defiance, a red rose blooming amongst the blood of her enemies. Then, like a thunder storm breaking at last, the stadium roared with cheers. Several were moved to tears at the display of power and perseverance as Titania stood in all her glory.
"Un … Un … Unbelievable! All 100 monsters have fallen to one person!" Chapati shouted over the crowd. "Is this the true strength of the guild said to be the strongest seven years ago!?"
Diana cheered as well, clapping and smiling like a little girl at the circus as Erza limped back, her smile beaming as she looked around. The crowd continued, shouting praise as Erza's name was etched into history at her display. The Titania will not be forgotten any time soon. Diana ran to her before giving her a congratulatory hug, accidentally missing the pained groan as the announcers spoke.
"Incredible … the crowd as yet to calm down," Chapati said as he looked around.
"I give up," Yazima commented as he smiled.
"I have no words," Lahar added with a sigh.
"Magnificent," Jura said beside them as Diana released the wounded knight.
"That's Erza for you," Milliana added with a giggle.
"Need help getting back to the infirmary?" Diana offered as she looked Erza up and down.
"Thank you but you still need to compete and besides …" Erza said as she glanced at her team running towards them. "I got it covered."
As the team congratulated Erza, Wendy giving Diana a quick hug before returning with Erza to the booth, the pumpkin man continued on with the event.
"Pandemonium has been completely defeated! Erza Scarlet receives 10 pts for Fairy Tail A!" he shouted to another round of cheers. "Since we still need to set up an order of rank for the remaining competitors, we have set up a simple game."
A device with a floating lacrima on an alter was placed before them as the pumpkin man explained.
"This is the magic power finder or MPF. It gives a numerical representation for the power used against it. Now then, we shall follow the number order for Pandemonium and have each mage attack it to determine the remaining ranks."
The mages then lined up, Milliana stepping up first as she tossed off her cloak to reveal her rather skimpy bikini-ish attire. Some of her magic swirled along her hands as she approached the MPF.
"Kitten Blast!" she shouted as twirling cords struck the MPF, the number score soon appearing at '365'.
The crowd remained silent, unsure what to make of it.
"Um Lahar, could you give us a standard to compare that score to?" Chapati asked for everyone's sake.
"Of course, the Rune Knights use the same device for training," he answered with a nod. "That is a high score, enough to be a captain of a squad."
Milliana gave a small cheer as the next mage stepped up. Novally attack earning a score of '124'. He looked rather defeated as he backed up.
"My turn …" Hibiki said before his attack, a poultry '95'.
Diana winced as he sulked away, the voice of Ichiya saying 'men' ringing in her ears.
"Next is Obra of Raven Tail," Chapati announced as some mages narrowed their eyes.
He walked up to the MPF before the little imp like creature on his shoulder lunged, striking the MPF with a little punch reading '4'. 'Not showing what you can do huh?' Diana wondered as he backed up. Next came the Twilight Ogre one, scoring at '155', putting him in third place as of yet.
"Next is Orga from Sabertooth!" Chapati announced as the crowd cheered while the mage raised a fist to get pumped.
"120 MM Black Lightning Cannon!" he shouted as he blasted the MPF, the score coming out at '3825'.
"Ten times my score!" Milliana shouted in disbelief.
"Oh? That might have tickled," Diana giggled as Orga tried to shoot her a glare but quickly averted his gaze. She knew Laxus would love to put the so called God Slayer in his place, she could feel his excitement as his body sparked a little from their booth.
"Is it alright if I get serious?" Jura asked the pumpkin man as he approached the MPF.
"Of course," he replied.
Jura then closed his eyes and focused, Diana eyes widening at the magical pressure she felt. 'No way … he could fight with Gildarts! I want a rematch!' she thought as Jura clapped his hands together.
"Rumbling Mt. Fuji," he said as a pillar of power erupted under the MPF, scoring '8544'.
Diana whistled at that and she could see Horus nodding in approval beside her as the crowd was shocked silent. It continued as Horus walked up to the MPF, his gaze locking with Jura's for a moment.
"As respect for your display, allow me to use my true power," he said as he returned his attention to the MPF.
Diana watched intently as she felt his magical pressure be released, some of the mages standing beside her nearly falling back as they gawked at him. Horus raised a hand up, his body rigid for a moment before he attacked.
"Nova Dragon's Fallen Pillar," he mumbled before a pillar of golden light came down on the MPF.
The ground fractured as the stadium shook, most having to cover their eyes as the power blinded them. After a few seconds it stopped, all looking at the dust cloud obscuring the MPF. When it finally cleared all looked on in disbelief, the score reading '9800'.
"I … Incredible!" Chapati shouted as the crowd cheered. "A new record!"
"Most humbling," Jura said as he nodded to Horus as he turned around, however, the moment he did Diana's heart nearly stopped.
He was smiling back at her, enough to see his teeth. He had fangs just like her but what got her most was the overwhelming scent of dragon along with his eyes. The pupils had become slits like hers and his left iris was now gold rather than amber. Diana's frame shook as he walked up to her, not in fear but in a form of anticipation … for contact, to speak to him, to get answers but he only spoke on sentence.
"Tonight, meet me in the square near the gardens, I shall answer then … my fellow Dragon Knight."
He walked past her as she almost panted, sweat dripping down her brow as she looked forward, without really being able to see anything. She couldn't hear the crowd, didn't know if anyone had noticed her state, her thoughts racing along to her heart until she felt a tap on her shoulder. She jumped as she turned to see Jura looking at her in worry.
"Diana-sama … are you okay?" he asked gently as the crowd quieted down, now noticing her shaken form.
"I'm … fine," she answered with an uneasy smile.
Jura didn't look convinced but he didn't press the issue as he nodded and stepped back. She then looked at the MPF, trying to tune out the worried looks her guild was giving her. She just needed to focus for now, her frame calming as she approached the MPF. 'Ok … focus and win this! Vector won't do but then that means I'll have to use that. I really hope the MPF doesn't break … I'll use an uppercut in case to aim it out of the stadium …' she thought as she stood a meter from her target. She took a deep breath to relax before spreading her legs, her right hand balled into a fist at her side while her left palm pointed forwards. 'I really hope I don't overdo it …'
Makarov watched as Diana approached the MPF, her shaken form not being missed by his keen eye. He glanced to Mavis, the spirit also looking worried as she glanced at Horus as he stood back in his booth.
"Master …" Levy asked beside him. "What happened with Diana?"
"I'm not sure child," he replied before noticing that both Fairy teams had joined them, Mira heading straight for him.
"Is something wrong?" he asked as they gathered together to watch.
"I don't really know," Mira replied. "Originally I was coming to watch all together but then I caught what Horus said to Diana."
"And what was it?" Mavis asked as the guild listened intently.
"He's a Dragon Knight as well," Mira replied while frowning.
"Another hybrid? How?" Makarov asked.
"I'm not sure," Mira replied as she looked at Diana step up to the MPF. "But we can ask later, for now let's watch."
They turned back to Diana as she assumed a stance, her fist beginning to glow with light blue energy.
"Oh she's using it!" Mira said excitedly.
"What?" Natsu asked as he leaned forward to get a better look.
They could feel the magical pressure rising as the energy became more prominent.
"Well you see, Vector is purely physical in a sense and won't score much on the MPF, however, Abyss Inferno won't work either," Mira replied.
"Why not?" Levy asked.
"Because Abyss Inferno has a similar nature to Gildarts' Crash magic. It consumes another's magic meaning that it would destroy the MPF before a reading could happen. That's why Vector is the only magic Diana can use to fight Gildarts but the difference in experience and casting speed pulls it into Gildarts' favor," Mira explained. "Not to mention using Vector is highly taxing to the body and can't be fully mastered the way other magic can. Diana can't use it on pure reflex so when she fights and doesn't want to seriously harm her opponent she uses her strength. It would be too easy to accidently kill using Abyss Inferno against anyone but Gildarts so Diana decided to 'connect with her heritage' in a way."
"Connect with her heritage? What would that be?" Wendy asked as she leaned beside Natsu, watching as Diana's power concentrated along her fist.
"She's a Chaos Dragon but was born using Abyss Inferno. She spent the last two years learning to downgrade the inferno to the state of Chaos Dragon magic. By doing so she takes away the destructive property that eats away magic and life force from her flames but still keeps the power," Mira answered as she smiled down at Diana. "The magic is still highly volatile to anyone it hits since by nature, it disrupts another's magic but it can be controlled better and used on reflex. We sparred a few times and let me tell you, that magic is probably more dangerous than her Abyss Inferno and she hasn't truly mastered it yet."
"Wow …" some of the mages commented as they watched Diana, the pressure coming off her so great the floor around her had shatter into a crater around her.
They watched as she then opened her eyes, her dragon eyes out as she lunged forward with an uppercut, her fist hidden in the blue energy.
"Chaos Dragon's Crushing Fist!" she shouted before her fist collided with the MPF.
Then a blast of concentrated blue energy shot out and through the MPF, the angle aimed up as it went over the crowd's heads and out of the stadium. The stadium shook at the display of power, some having their eyes pop out of their heads as they gaped at the torrent of power. Another dust cloud obscured the MPF as Diana took a step back while flicking her hand, steam billowing off it as they all waited. Then it cleared, another round of gasps as they read the score, reaching '9900'.
"This is Fairy Tail!" Diana cheered proudly as she grinned for all to see.
"A … Amazing!" Chapati shouted as the crowd started to cheer. "Yet another new record! Fairy Tail has taken this competition by storm as the Huntress stands at the Pantheon of power! Fairy Tail B with 8 pts!"
Diana gave a quick wave at the crowd before walking to her booth, directing a quick smile to her guild before moving on.
"Incredible …" Makarov mumbled as he watched her. "So this is her true power …"
"Yep," Mira cheered with a smile before she started to walk back to her booth along with the other teams.
"Very impressive but …" Mavis said beside him as she frowned. "What about Horus? His attack was near instant while Diana still needs to master that power. I fear what could happen should the two collide."
"I understand …" Makarov said slowly with a serious nod, his words being caught by his guild around him. "… Should the two fight … this city would be wiped out in moments."
Some shuddered at the thought while others looked at the dragons in question. Both could be seen glancing at each other, a slew of questions in everyone's minds. Why are there more hybrids? Are these two the only ones? What power remains hidden in the shadows that could very well raze their world to the ground?
Author's Rant: Yeah ... another hybrid! What does it mean? How will it affect these games!? I have no idea ;) Hope you all loved it and are excited for the next one!
Let me hear your thoughts in a review!
A pleasure, Jbubu