Part III Chapter 17 - Gray

It's day two of the Grand Magic Games, and they really can't get much worse than they have already. Okay, so last night was good, but that has more to do with how great Alexa is. Although if she ever decides to keep things from me, I'm not going to be happy. I doubt she would though. She trusts me, and she doesn't have to try to be someone she isn't when she's with me. I'd feel a bit sorry for Sting, if he wasn't such a jerk. Unlike me, he never got to know the real Alexa. I already knew her years ago way more than he ever did.

Still, we were trying to be optimistic. It's only the second day after all. But we're already starting to deflate again. Natsu had gone on and on about wanting to participate today, but you'd think that when he heard that it was called Chariot, he would have gotten Erza or Lucy to volunteer instead, but no, he's so stubborn he had to compete anyway. Lex was trying to stop him, but he wouldn't listen. Then Gajeel joined in, but Lex told me he never gets motion sickness, which isn't that weird, since Wendy doesn't get motion sickness either. I don't get why some dragon slayers get it and some don't, but what do I know? Dragon slayer magic has always been a bit confusing for me in some ways. Like this mating season I keep hearing about. Does it really exist? Maybe it's made up. Alexa hasn't mentioned it.

Then Alexa was freaking out because Sting decided to join. Now that's just plain stupid, because he does get motion sickness. Well, oh darn. How unfortunate. Luckily, Alexa didn't seem to notice that I was smirking. Well, he is the competition, and, yeah, him being her ex and a jerk might also have had something to do with it.

Still. This is ridiculous. There are three powerful dragon slayers competing, and they're all incapacitated. It just shows that everything has its drawbacks, even powerful magic like theirs, because even Gajeel has it now. I wonder if Ultear also gave him his second origin, and it was a side effect. Everyone else competing has long gone, and they're still struggling to move.

Then Sting, and I don't get how he can be this cocky while trying not to vomit, is managing to act superior and obnoxious and asking Natsu why we're even competing. And I would have answered, "Well screw you. We're competing for the same reason you are, and we're going to win," and maybe given him a couple of well-placed punches too.

Not Natsu. He started talking about how he's doing this for everyone who was left behind for seven years, and I don't know how he's able to be so eloquent and just so on target, although maybe I'm not so thrilled how Alexa is sobbing. I'm looking up at where the rest of the guild is and everyone is crying, especially the members who were here for seven years, and somehow it's finally hitting home just how hard it was for everyone. Alexa hasn't spoken so much about it to me, and we've been so busy, I just never thought about it this deeply before.

I feel like it was yesterday, when I needed to comfort her, although today she says it's a "good cry." I remember her telling me about good cries when she was a teen; I didn't get it, then and i don't get it now, but hey, who cares if it helps. Sting had nothing to respond to Natsu, aside from how one point wasn't going to make much of a difference for him. I hope that comes back to bite him. That's one thing about us. We might be last right now, but we're going to fight for every single point.

The first battle was ridiculous. I was barely paying attention, aside from thinking that since Raven Tail was being matched up with Lamia Scale, we'll have a much better chance when it's our turn. The Raven Tail guy was creepy and a major jerk. Toby isn't the smartest guy in the world, but it's like Raven Tail enjoys humiliating people in general.

The second game is Alexa versus the slimy Bacchus Groh, which does not make me happy. Cana's told me about him, because she's either dated him or wanted to, and I don't really see the appeal.

Alexa is looking hot though, in her purple tank top with a black mini skirt, leggings and sandals.

A lot of people battling each other have been making bets, and Bacchus doesn't seem to care that he's in a coliseum with thousands of people, including lots of kids.

"So, Alexa. Let's make a bet. I win, and you spend the night with me. The entire night. Know what I mean?" Okay, asshole, I think we know exactly what you mean, and I don't think so. One thing about Alexa is her stage presence, and she also knows how to handle slimeballs. She's giving him a look of repulsion and impatience.

"Okay, Bacchus, no. Just, no. I'm not for rent, my boyfriend is very jealous, and probably wants to rearrange your face now." He's not worth the trouble, but it's tempting. Laxus looks more than a little ticked off right now too.

"Oh. Yeah. You've got a boyfriend. I know who he is. He's Gr-" and when I'm just thinking he's going to yell out my name in front of thousands of people, Alexa has slapped her hand over his mouth. It's not like I don't want people to know, but I have a feeling he's going to get more obnoxious.

"Excuse me, but he likes his privacy. Ew. Don't lick my hand." She's wiping her hand on her outfit in a disgusted manner.

"Okay, well, I swing both ways, and I think he's hot. If I win, both of you spend the entire night with me." Okay. This guy's a class A creep. I'm relieved my name wasn't announced. Alexa quickly turns her head to me, and must be seeing my horrified expression, and shakes her head like she's about to scold a child.

"Do you really want to waste both our time on this ridiculous conversation, because that suggestion was even more insulting than the first one."

I can't believe that Bacchus is actually asking her why she won't go for it.

"I think it should be obvious why I'm not interested, and I think my brother Laxus might also want to re-arrange your face now." Okay, well, that works.

Finally, the idiot's decided that if he wins, she'll have a drinking contest with him, and she's agreed, but if he loses, then his guild will be re-named Quatro Puppy. It's Elfman's idea. He's only been yelling Quatro Puppy for the past five minutes, and Alexa's gotten the hint. These bets are getting ridiculous.

According to Erza, Bacchus is a lot stronger after he drinks. He's decided to take out his bottle now, and Alexa is so fast I almost missed it. She made a sword using ice make magic. My type of ice magic, I can't help but noticing, and she destroyed the container.

"Oh, no! I'm so clumsy with ice make magic. Did I do that? I'm so sorry! I better stick to my regular attacks. 'Ice Dragon Roar!'" 'Ice Dragon Spirals of Hidden Pain!'"

She's not even giving him time to get up before she's on to another spell. She'd better not overdo it.

"'Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Swan Dive from Hell!'"

And it's over. Bacchus didn't even land one hit on her. She's a little wobbly, but she's up.

The crowd went wild, but she still looked a little out of it. I obviously need to talk to her about making sure she doesn't use too much energy. She doesn't take care of herself enough.

Because it was so short, and she is a well-known performer, she's putting on a mini concert right in the Domus Flau. They even managed to bring her band in. It's like they knew it would happen. It's a huge improvement over Olga at least. He had sung the first day and his voice is worse than Gajeel's. She first did an old song from her troubadour days which was nice, because I never got to hear her when she used to sing them. They're still popular considering how the crowd responded. Then she sang a song that could be about the Tenrou members coming home or who knows. It was geared towards Fairy Tail, because she did the number one sign at least two times, with everyone from Fairy Tail all happily joining in, including First Master. It was about not giving up, but one part didn't quite apply. It was about getting up after hitting the ground, and in this battle, she never hit the ground to begin with. I don't know how, but she makes performing look so easy, and she's amazing with the crowd.

It feels good that for once, the crowd is cheering for us. Once Alexa has finished and comes back, we're high fiving each other, and I'm starting to see why maybe why it was a good idea to compete.

It seems odd to apologize to a fictional character, but still, apologies do go to Elfman, who is almost always substituted with OCs in fanfiction, and I'm no exception. I hope Alexa doesn't come across as too Mary Sue in her battle here.

I appreciate all the views and everyone who's been following the story and/or added it as a favorite. Thanks for reading!