Chapter 38 - The Island of Abundance

Well here is the next chapter i hope you enjoy it, i am currently on holiday and so my internet connections aren't what they should be so expect updates to be irregular for the next two weeks the next one will probably be on Friday.

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Enjoy!

With a blue flash the mages found the arena of Domus Flau disappear from in front of their eyes, being replaced instantly by thick tropical forest. The mages looked around confused until they heard the voice of Mato, mascot of the Grand Magic Games.

"Hehehe, welcome Mages to this year's grand magic arena." A lacroma screen flashed open next to team Fairy Tail as they struggled to find their bearings. "Now I am sure you're all rather confused but it is time to reveal all, kabo. The theme of this year's grand magic games is 'survival' and so you have all been teleported to a special arena to allow for such an event. The island you are on is roughly five thousand square kilometres large and each guild has been placed at different positions on the island. Your first aim is simply to survive you have been sent to this island with nothing but your magic and intuition to help you so I would recommend finding food and shelter… Especially before nightfall kabo. You'll get more information later on in the games so good luck kabo!… You'll need it." The pumpkin head mentioned eerily before the screens vanished.

"Wait, does that mean we're stuck here?" Natsu said shocked,

"Humph looks like it." Gray answered

"Link, get your sword and shield out, I expect we will need them soon." Laxus stated looking around warily. "Ugh, I can't believe I have to spend a week with you idiots."

"A week, how do you figure?" Natsu asked.

"Well the grand magic games are normally a week long with a big finale on the last day, I assume this will be no different. For now let's just make do, we are going to have to find food and water so for now we will scout our surroundings." Laxus explained.

"That makes sense, what should we do if we encounter another guild?" Erza asked.

"There doesn't seem to be any need to fight, an early knock out won't mean points but a late one might so I would say avoid combat, that means you two as well if I find you've gone awol I'll punch you into the dirt." Laxus said heavily glaring at Natsu and Gray.

The pair quickly saluted in fear of Laxus.

"We should split up to cover more ground." Link suggested.

"Of course, right Erza you're the only one who can keep these buffoons in check you three head west, Link you head north and I'll head east."

"Wait, Laxus don't you think we should at least travel in groups I know your strong but we can't risk you bumping into an entire guild we don't know who could be close." Erza suggested

Laxus grunted, although it hurt his ego Erza was right if he bumped into Sabre-tooth right now he might not win on his own. "Fine, Link you're with me." He announced. "Once you find a beach head south and we should meet up from what I can tell we are at the very southern end of the island."

"How does he know that? Kinda sounds like he's making it up," Natsu whispered to Gray. Before Gray could answer Laxus shot them a look that could kill.

"When you get strong enough maybe you'll know." Natsu nodded in fear, "Right let's go."

Link looked at Erza glumly, Erza nodded back at him and mouthed "See you in a bit." Link's heart sighed as he caught up to Laxus.

(…)

"Well, folks looks like almost every guild has had the same idea all of them are now on the search for food and water." Chapati announced. Lacroma screens surrounded the arena allowing all the spectators to watch.

"It did seem like the obvious decision but of course some guilds have it easier than others, Yew can produce water from thin air for phoenix grave and Azuma has an incredible advantage when it comes to scouting." Yajima pondered.

"I do hope they will all be alright." Hisui worriedly said as she watched Sabre-tooth walk through the forest.

"I am sure they will be, this is known as the Island of Abundance in the West Sea, it is filled with fruit and fresh water so that is not the issue when it comes to survival. The issue is the events that occur at night," Chapati told Hisui

"Ahh yes this island is famed for being a natural paradise until darkness falls." Yajima mentioned.

"Why what happens at nightfall?" Hisui asked.

"Well my dear, they say this island is cursed beyond measure, anyone who partakes of its fruits during the day will be ravaged by monsters during the night." Yajima explained

"That sounds horrifying." Hisui said shocked.

"You needn't worry these are the best mages Fiore has to offer, a few scary beasties aren't going to stop them… I hope." Yajima finished.

"Hmm that sounds like an interesting place I've never heard of it but it does seem like a challenge." Makarov pondered.

"But that can't be it, can it?" Lucy asked her guild glumly, she was sad her Natsu had been stolen from her for a whole week.

"No that won't be it." A voice came from above.

"Mavis!" The guild said surprised. The young ghost sat on the top of the box and smiled.

"What do you mean that's not going to be it Mavis?" Mira asked.

"Well, just that will be boring, what everyone wants to see is a bunch of mages fighting so I imagine as well as the night time attacks there will be challenges during the day."

"That makes sense, but now I'm even more worried about them." Wendy said as she peaked over the railing. Mavis glided down next to her.

"Come on Wendy you don't have to be worried, I'm sure they will all be fine, besides they have Laxus with them." Freed comforted.

"I'm sure they will be fine," Mavis said chirpily,

"I believe they have also been sent to the island for another reason. There is something dark on that island something that I cannot foresee. No doubt there is something wrong here." Mavis told Makarov telepathically. He adopted a worried frown.

"You sent him for a reason didn't you."

"Whatever is on that island is linked to him, only by sending him can we find out what is truly occurring, besides the event should be fun anyway so why don't we enjoy it while we can?" She finished optimistically.

"Humph I suppose that's all we can do for now." Makarov sighed.

(…)

Link walked beside Laxus as they explored the jungle. There seemed to be dirt trails running all around the island that were followable, what made them neither of them were sure of.

"Your hand okay?" Laxus said without looking at Link.

Link looked at his left hand and saw it was still glowing. "Its fine I'm used to it by now."

"Humph…" There was an awkward silence.

"A…" They both said together feeling the need to break the silence they immediately stopped as Laxus let Link talk.

"Urm… Well I was going to say we don't really fight together much do we." Link said brushing away a vine.

"And?"

"Well I don't really know very much about you either, I mean it's weird how we are in the same guild but only we've spoken once."

"A fair point, don't take it personally I don't interact with the rest of the guild very often."

"Why?" Link asked possibly out of place.

"Because I don't need to." Laxus said, Link remained silent reading between the lines. "Ugh fine, Gramps used to say I was a bit of a loner and it's probably true but the reason is I just don't connect with many of the people in the guild, not that I don't like the oafs but you know."

"Yeh, I see your point I'm the same, before Fairy Tail I probably had like two friends, coming to the guild was pretty intimidating heck some of the people I haven't met still are."

"Wait are you saying I'm being intimidated by those fools." Laxus raised an amused eyebrow.

Link chuckled nervously, "No, I mean people like you and your Thunder Legion are the intimidating ones, I guess you make yourself kinda unapproachable."

"Tch, what are you? gramps? Since when did you start getting so conversational from what I heard you weren't the one for needless conversation?"

"I could say the same thing for you." Link said catching Laxus off guard.

"Very good elf boy but you continue with such annoying drivel I'll blow you back to Crocus." Laxus chuckled. The pair stayed silent for a bit, "so… How are you and Erza doing?"

"What?" Link shouted. Apparently even Laxus had noticed.

"You just started dating didn't you? It's written in your body language, any idiot with some experience would notice." Laxus mentioned.

"Who else do you think figured it out?"

"Well gramps for one, possibly some of the much older members but no one else will know they're far too boneheaded to realise." Laxus explained.

"Phew." Link sighed,

"Why are you trying so hard to hide it?" Laxus asked.

"Well I'm not really, we just couldn't find the opportunity also I guess I'd want them to hear it from both of us rather than from rumours."

"Listen Link, trust me it's best not to keep a relationship bottled up for long or it will fall into a doldrum, make sure you let everyone know soon." Laxus said not once moving his eye off the track. "Hey Link, shoot those down, they look edible." Laxus changed the subject as he pointed at a bunch of large fruits hanging from a tree. Link grinned and nodded pulling out his beetle to help collect the fruit.

(…)

The sun was beginning to set as team Fairy Tail finished eating. The five members sat silently around a campfire, courtesy of Natsu. All of them were reasonably silent not having the usual joviality of the entire guild with them. Link sighed and looked over the forest. Overall it had been a productive day, the team had found food and water and were now camping next to a small lake, they had scouted a rather large region without bumping into any other guilds proving just how large the island was. The portion they were in was rather flat but heavily forested, large boulders peaked above the tropical trees looking out of place against the horizon. Towards the centre of the island, far in the distance, the island rose into a short peak Link could tell the area ahead was certainly a more rocky and difficult terrain. There was no doubt in Link's mind that there would be a fight on the peak before the week was through.

It was soon Laxus spoke up. "So what's the game plan for tonight? No doubt something is going to happen."

"Well since we don't know what it's going to be, what can we do?" Gray asked.

"I say we should ambush another guild give ourselves an early advantage." Natsu said smashing his fists together.

"Natsu, I've already told you that's a bad idea we need to save our strength." Laxus cautioned. "Link do you have any ideas?" Laxus asked.

Link looked up surprised, "Urm well, I guess in the end anything could happen tonight but the best thing to do would be to find a defensible place to weather out whatever is going to happen."

"That seems sensible perhaps there is a cave nearby." Erza suggested.

"No, we've been scouting all day, the land is too flat, we may however be able to take refuge under one of the larger boulders." Link suggested.

"If we have time we can set up a few traps to tell us if something is approaching." Gray spoke.

"Alright then we'll do that, Link you lead the way." Laxus said. Link, once again a bit surprised, stood up with the rest of the team and they all journeyed towards one of the larger boulders. Erza walked beside Link.

"You seem to be on pretty good terms with Laxus,"

"Really? We haven't really spoken much."

"That may be true but he seems to think highly your judgement he's rarely asks for another's opinions even amongst the Thunder Legion. I guess he must see something in you."

Link pondered it for a moment, "well then, I'd better not mess up."

Erza chuckled.

They reached the rock just as night fell and so the team quickly decided who was going to take watches as the others slept. They knew it probably wasn't the best idea to sleep tonight but it was an hour after sunset and nothing had happened yet. And so Link volunteered for first watch he laid the Master sword next to him instructing Fi to scan for other nearby lifeforms. Meanwhile he himself had transformed into his wolf form to help him watch over his friends. Link was beginning to use this form more often, in his wolf form his senses were sharper especially at night he also had better traction allowing him to run at twice the speed of his human body and with a better sense of dexterity helping him carve his way through forests without losing pace. It was a useful ability but the wolf lacked the combat skill and range of abilities his human body had. Still for now sitting as the guardian wolf of Fairy Tail was the best option for this evening, if something even moved in the nearby vicinity he would know about it.

Link looked down at the four sleeping mages, he could smell their individual scents and hear their hypnotically slow breathing. In his human form he would have chuckled at Natsu as he muttered sweet nothings to an invisible Lucy. Link would be lying if he said he wasn't also tired but he had stayed awake for much longer before and he would dutifully stay awake until morning if he had to.

Link's ears twitched as a sound came from behind him, it was slow and grating. Link instantly decided to investigate. He prowled around the perimeter of the boulder looking into the dense jungle listening for anything that could be perceived as a threat. Once he had made a circuit he decided there was nothing there. He noticed the Master Sword glowing, Link had learned that it normally meant Fi was processing something. Link went over and sniffed the sword, Fi responded immediately, she flew out of the sword and hovered next to Link.

"Link, there is an increasing probability it is no longer safe here I would highly suggest evacuating the immediate vincinity around the boulder."

Link took a second to transform back into a human. "Why, what have you found?"

"I have been doing a scan af the area and have discovered numerous structural anomalies inside the stone behind us, I have sufficient evidence to conclude that the stone is showing increasing levels of …" As if on cue the stone began to shake, "sentience." Slowly it began to rise out of the ground as if it was becoming animated.

Link turned around instantly, after gaining balance on the shaking ground be ran to wake his friends up.

"Guys somethings up, wake up… Now!" Three of the four mages woke up leaving Natsu fast asleep on the floor.

"What on Earth is going on Link?" Laxus asked watching as smaller rocks seemed to gravitate towards the larger one.

"I dunno but it's not good we have to get out of he…"

"Link watch out!" Erza yelled as she dived towards him knocking him a few yards to the side and leaving them in a rather undignified position that made both of them blush and avoid eye contact. Momentarily after there was a loud crash Link looked round to see that a stone hand had just smashed into the floor where he was just standing crushing the foliage in the area and throwing up a cloud of dust. Erza rolled off Link and stood up, Link joined her.

"Ice make, seal." Gray yelled, ice crossed the ground and crystallised over the hand locking it in place.

The four awake mages looked up to see and almost humanoid 25 foot giant made of rocks of all sizes, it didn't have a head but rather it held facial features on it's body which was made of the the boulder they had recently used as a shelter. With ease it escaped the ice shattering it as it raised itself to its full height. Fi retreated back to Link and the others leaving the Master sword and Hylian shield on the ground near the monster.

"Gray, wake Natsu up. I'll deal with this." Laxus said throwing off his thick black cloak. He raised a single fist in the air and suddenly the atmosphere became statically charged. In a flash a lightning bolt was dropped on the rock giant. Blasting it with enough electricity to make Erza's hair stand on end. The giant dropped to its knees from the impact. The static dissipated and the rock was left smoking. After a moment of peace it began to move again. Link's face hardened he knew it wouldn't be so easy.

"Fi, give me an analysis as fast as possible." Link shouted as he ran towards his sword and shield that lay ar the foot of the giant.

"Of course master, this being is known as a guardian golem native to this island, Initial analysis shows they have no physical weaknesses however it is magic that binds the rocks, the Master Sword will be an effective weapon due to it's ability to cut though magic, this however may only result in temporary defeat." Link rolled underneath a leg of the monster and drew the Master Sword from the sheath. Ignoring the nearby shield, it would not be particularly effective against the giant's attacks and it would take too long to reach. Gray was still trying to wake Natsu up who was still soundly sleeping. Fi returned to the Master Sword and Link got to work. Skidding to a halt behind the golem he changed direction and began skirting it. With a burst of speed he launched himself at the legs of the monster and with two accurate swings cut the magic between the boulders separating them from the body. The giant soon tumbled forcing everyone to jump out of the way. Gray jumped out of the way carrying Natsu who was busy dreaming about talking rocks.

"Link catch!" Erza shouted throwing her Holy Hammer at the warrior. Link caught the hammer which was larger than he was with a single hand swung round and brought it down on the body of the giant cracking it in two. The dust of the fight settled, Gray and Laxus looked at the Hero of the Sky in awe. He had just taken out the enormous giant with a savage and terrifying efficiency. With a rumble the stones began to once again gravitate towards each other slowly reforming to remake the giant.

"Master, I believe it will not be possible to completely destroy such an enemy, as you can see it can regenerate using any static objects surrounding them." Fi announced from inside the Master Sword.

"We need to get out of here," Erza announced, if it could regenerate it was not a creature they could defeat with any ease.

"I agree, Link let's move out." Laxus ordered.

"Two seconds, Gray I need you to stop it moving for a bit." Link shouted.

"You got it! Ice make, shell!" He yelled, once again ice covered the body of the giant pinning to the floor. Link ran towards it, rolling as it began to break free scattering large shards of ice he picked up his shield and scabbard and strapped them to his back. He used the broken rock golem to throw himself back to the team.

"Alright let's go!" Link yelled running towards them. Gray shouldered Natsu and ran ahead of Laxus and Erza, Link transformed into a wolf to make running easier and closely followed behind. Natsu woke up whilst on the run the first thing he saw was the rock giant behind them.

"Hey, Rocky you're all grown up," he said deliriously. Gray heard this and threw him on the floor to make sure he was awake. The giant launched a boulder like a canon at the team and Natsu narrowly avoided it now fully awake in surprise. "Jeez, Rocky calm down I'm sorry I stole your food alright!"

"Get up you oaf." Laxus yelled he gave him a small shock as he ran past. Erza picked him up and plonked him on his feet and Link barged into his legs to get him running. "What's going on guys?" Natsu said keeping pace with Erza and Laxus. They didn't answer but looked around the island. Where there were once large boulders there were now large rock giants.

"Oh." Natsu said looking at the oncoming giants.

Link sighed, it was going to be a long night.

(…)

Morning was a welcome relief for the mages taking part in the grand magic games and it was safe to say that not one guild got any sleep that night. And so as the sun rose and the giants shut down the guilds slept. None however were foolish enough to not leave someone awake to watch over the others. Within Fairy Tail Erza sat with her back against a tree watching and listening as her companions slept she was admittedly tired but that was not going to stop her fulfilling her duty. She looked to her left, Link in human form slept next to her his head lolled to the side and drool crept out of his mouth. Erza couldn't help but let out a childish giggle as she watched her boyfriend sleep. She quickly decided that his position didn't look very comfortable so she repositioned him so his head was on her lap and his body was out stretched. She gently played with his sandy locks smiling without a care for the world, blissfully unaware that the entire nation was watching her from their lacroma screens.

Time ticked on and the sun rose higher in the sky. Erza predicted it was precisely mid-morning when an enormous gong was heard. She looked to her guild, none of them woke up but despite this a lacroma screen opened up at the head of their makeshift camp. Mato the mascot for the grand magic games appeared on it as excited as usual.

"Well then, combatants I have to congratulate you all on making it through the first night without any eliminations but I'm sure you are all wondering what is to come-kabo."

Erza's eyes sharpened with distaste, she was starting to really dislike the mascot.

"It is time to explain the rules of this entire event, 8 guilds are on the island each with 5 members, this is an elimination competition. Challenges and fights will constantly be thrown at you however if a person loses even one match he or she will be eliminated from the competition and be teleported back home. There will be no replacements sent, once a team loses a member it is permanent kabo!"

Erza frowned slightly she was expecting something like this she imagined by the end there would be a lot of eliminations.

"There will be an overriding goal for this event however it will not be revealed until tomorrow, kabo. Now from your guild we have collected certain… Care packages. They have sent you supplies to make your time on the island that much easier however we are not just going to hand them over, kabo. If you look to the horizon now you will see four beacons."

Erza looked to the sky, sure enough there were beams of light shooting out of the ground in the distance.

"The beacon closest to each team will hold your guilds care package, you must race towards them and overcome the challenges they present to get your care package, oh and there is an hours' time limit, kabo. Good luck and enjoy the games, kabo!"

Erza huffed, everyone else was out cold and she did not want to disturb their sleep. Besides they needed the energy for this evening. She quickly decided to head out alone. She nudged Link awake it took time but eventually his eyelids parted.

"Hey Erz, is something the matter?" He said quietly.

"Yeh, how are you feeling?"

"I feel fine, a bit tired but nothing I can't handle."

"Our guild has sent us a care package and I'm going to head off to collect it I need you to stay on watch for a bit, okay?"

"That's fine by me, are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Link asked worried.

"Don't worry about it just get some rest and keep an eye out for the other guilds I'll be back soon,"

"Right," Link suddenly noticed the position they were in, he had to admit it was comfortable but Erza seemed to be forgetting something, he pulled his head out of Erza's lap and moved to her ear, "Erza you know the whole of Fiore is watching this," He quietly said.

Erza blushed slightly realising she had forgotten. Link laughed at her reaction.

Erza annoyed that Link was laughing decided to get back at him, "Well best give them something to talk about then." She purred pulling him in almost roughly for an overlypassionate kiss that left Link as red as a tomato. "And there'll be more of that when I get back, but only if you're a good boy," Erza said with a seductive smile, that made Link squirm.

"You'd better hurry up then, I don't want to be waiting all day." Link said shyly a blush appearing on his cheeks. Erza's heart skipped a beat and all she could think about was how cute Link looked.

With another chaste kiss Erza stood up, "I'll be back soon,"

"Good luck," Link waved happily back.

Erza began to run into the jungle, for now she had decided to not tell Link about the elimination rule, if she had, he wouldn't have let her go alone. Link had worked hard last night as he was the only one who could successfully fend off the golems, Natsu had tried only to be thrown over a mile away by the giants. Laxus had cursed his recklessness and gave him a nasty shock after they regrouped. Erza brought her hand up to her lips and blushed, if anything tasted better than a strawberry shortcake it was Link's lips. She sighed contentedly there was no way she was going to fail what was coming, she simply would not be separated from Link.

(…)

Meanwhile the whole of Crocus was just as excited about that one tiny event, almost every guild looked on in shock as they saw the battle hardened Erza Scarlet blush as some stranger stole a kiss from her. The single men were furious that Erza who was remarkably high on the 'the witch I'd like to be my girlfriend' list, had been stolen from them. The thief was now all anyone could talk about after his show of skill the previous night and now with this event Link had become quite famous amongst both the jealous guys and the now swooning women.

Despite everyone being in uproar at the revealed relationship between Link and Erza there was one guild who was totally unsurprised, Fairy Tail silently exchanged gambled money Makarov winning a huge majority of his guild-mate's money.

As the crowd became silent a booming voice came from the commentary voice.

"Now this is it folks, the first two guilds have both made it to their beacon. It appears that Jenny from Blue Pegasus and rising star Lisa from Lamia scale have bumped into each other. The face-off between them is quite something to behold. Both the women are incredibly popular models in their field with Jenny trying to pull herself back up to the Miss. Fiore throne after Fairy Tail's Mirajane Strauss stole her crown and the newcomer Lisa who is attempting to find her claim to fame in her debut match let's cut now to the action."