Crown Stadium was deathly silent. Erza had been defeated by Lucia, leader of the Wizard Hunters. The defeat was shocking enough to Team Fiore and the others that knew Erza, but Lucia then took it a step further. She forcibly removed Erza's Fairy Tail guild mark in front of the world. This was insult to injury, pouring salt on a deep open wound. Natsu could stand Lucia no longer and was ready to confront her. This was only the first battle of the Ishgar's Strongest tournament and things were already going south. "LUCIAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Can I help you, Natsu-san?" Lucia asked coyly.
"RAAAAH!" Natsu leapt from the railing and high into the air, vibrant orange flames igniting around his fist. He was going to strike.
"Is he serious!?" Jack's jaw dropped.
"Is that allowed!?" Daryan questioned.
"Hahah! That's it Natsu! Don't take shit from any of 'em!" Keele laughed. The fact that Lucia was on his own team didn't make a difference to him; this was far too good!
"Flame Dragon King's Demolition Fist!" Natsu swung for the fences, aiming to knock that stupid, smug, irritating grin off Lucia's face! There was an explosion on contact, a massive wave of fire erupting within Crown Stadium. The stadium shook and the crowd watched in shocked silence. Natsu held his follow through, eyes narrowed as he felt his fist hit something.
Lucia conjured a barrier just before Natsu struck her. This came from Excailbur itself and was far stronger than the borrowed blade she used in her fight against Erza. "Is that how you ask a lady a question? How rude. We fought fair and square, and I claimed my prize fair and square. You have no right to intervene."
"You went too far!" Natsu snarled. "She never agreed to removing her guild mark!"
"Ah ah…" Lucia waved a finger. "In her heart of hearts, I know Erza was fully aware of what was on the line here. Her strongest weapon is her family. I have stripped that of her. You know that to be true as well. She is a wonderful swordswoman, but her swings are empowered by her faith and belief in her family."
Emmeraude crossed one leg over the other, letting out a quiet sigh. "So this is the game they intend to play."
Waltz stared at Natsu. "Are you done with your little tantrum? Get this woman out of the field if you're going to barge in so suddenly." The count was not pleased with Natsu's actions; however it was technically legal since he barged in before Waltz could announce the next fight. Natsu's timing was his only saving grace.
"You're going to pay for this." Natsu snarled. He wanted to finish this right here, right now, but there were too many factors preventing him from doing so. The audience and progression of the tournament was not one of them.
"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed. She was just as angry as Natsu was, but they couldn't afford to do this. "Erza's hurt."
"….I know." Natsu grit his teeth, walking over to the unconscious Erza to lift her up. Their conflict with the Wizard Hunters was far from over. But for now, he carried Erza away.
"So sorry, Count Waltz. Fiore's mages can be so rowdy." Lucia shrugged her shoulders. "I'm going to get patched up."
"Hmph. Regardless, it's time for the next match. Joya vs. Midi. Tuba, you will fight." Waltz demanded.
The old man gave a nod. "Yes, sir!"
Prometheus stroked his chin. He was relishing in watching Makarov and Elieen's expressions at Erza's torment. But he wouldn't allow them or make them fight just yet. "Rahkeid, why don't you show your skills to the world again?"
"Yes…" Rahkeid looked absolutely unfocused. Probably due to the fact that the last thing he remembered before death was Zeref killing him; the man he came to know as father killed him in favor of his brother. Rahkeid's hateful gaze burned a hole into Natsu's body, but the Salamander was far too focused on Erza's wellbeing to notice.
Lucia let out a quiet sigh as she made her way through a tunnel towards the infirmary. While she was capable of withstanding Erza's blows, the worst injury she sustained were the two slashes to the chest. That was the blow that left a mark. "I had fun. But she wasn't as entertaining as I would've hoped.
"Is that so?" Yeager asked, leaning against a wall while questioning his sister. "It seemed you were having a little too much fun, hm?"
"Whatever do you mean, brother of mine?" Lucia held a coy smile, but Yeager didn't seem so pleased.
"Lucia." Yeager's gaze narrowed. "You were playing with your food and it very nearly cost you. You had your poor girls worried about your wellbeing because you wanted to play around.
"…." Lucia's smile faded. She did hear Yumia and Yukia's worried cries during her fight.
"Everyone knows you are a much better swordswoman than that." Yeager continued to scold his sister. "The people may not have noticed, but in the end, you weren't able to fulfill your own handicap. I saw you draw Excalibur in the final moments of that battle. You underestimated your foe, and you know full well Mii and Zelos didn't warn you about them for nothing, ja?"
Lucia remained silent as her brother continued to berate her. A quiet sigh escaped the leader of the Hunters and she crossed her arms over her wounded chest. "…Perhaps I did get a little carried away. I wanted to have a little fun. That spear would've hurt quite a bit, but I would've been able to withstand that blow. In the end, Erza was doomed to lose. I simply wanted to give her a fighting chance. But I promise, if she, or anyone, decides to challenge me, I will not hold back."
Yeager smiled. His sister could be a bit of a handful if left to her own devices, which is precisely why it was his duty to keep her grounded. "That is all I ask of you. You are the leader, thus you carry an image."
"And now everyone thinks they have a chance at me, when in truth, that borrowed sword wasn't even half of Excalibur's. If I decided to dual wield, or just use Excalibur from the beginning, it wouldn't have even been a fight. Fiore has learned the harsh lesson that they are the bottom of the totem pole in this tournament." Cockily stating this, Lucia kept walking to the infirmary. "That being said…the demon that heartless demon that killed our parents is in this stadium. I don't care what the rules state; I will end her life with this blade. That is my sole purpose…"
The next battle of the first day of Ishgar's Strongest was Midi vs Joya. Midi's team consisting of fallen souls from various time periods in Fiore's recent timeline. Rahkeid Dragneel, former Spriggan 12, was duking it out against one of Joya's finest soldiers: Tuba. To those from Seven, Fiore, and Bosco, this fight looked like it would be a wash in Midi's favor. "That old guy doesn't stand a chance…" Daryan remarked. He could never forget that fight with Rahkeid.
"…." Sting clenched his hand into a fist. The fact that he'd have to watch the man who murdered Orga fight in this tournament made his blood boil.
"Sting-kun…" Lector said softly.
"Calm down." Minerva told Sting. She knew he was angry. She was angry, too. But they couldn't afford to collapse in the first day.
"You'll have to forgive me, but I intend to make this battle quick." Rahkeid said calmly, swiping two fingers across the air. This sent numerous blades of pleasure towards Tuba. "An old soul like yourself…I'll bless your time on this earth with pleasure."
"I don't have time for such a luxury." Tuba responded gruffly. The old man held onto his weapon of choice; a large mace with a shaft that required both hands to wield. As the blades of pleasure came in, Tuba began to spin around; using his sheer might to break apart the blades of pleasure while rapidly closing the distance between himself and Rahkeid. "Mega Impact!" The large elderly man swung his mace for Rahkeid's ribcage, looking for a devastating opening hit.
Rahkeid brought his arm up to defend against the blow and stop it in its tracks. That was a mistake on his end as Tuba's power was a bit more than he anticipated. While the fallen Spriggan did not budge, his arm was bruised from the impact. This made him furrow his brows before shooting a palm forward, striking Tuba in the chest with enough force to knock him away. "Unfortunately for you, it is not a luxury, but rather, the instrument of your demise." With Tuba knocked away, Rahkeid then placed his hand on the ground, causing multiple tendrils of pleasure magic to appear around Tuba. "Now fall into the depths of pleasure!"
Tuba had other ideas. The old man slammed his mace into the ground, using the force to push himself into the air, much to the surprise of everyone who'd battle the White Dragneel. For an old man, Tuba's reaction time was impressive. Now in the air, Tuba aimed his mace down, descending rapidly at dangerous speeds. "Ha! Learn your place, peon! Gigantic Slam!"
"…!" Left with no options, Rahkeid had to jump back, just as his feet left the ground, Tuba's mace slammed into the location where he had just been standing. A violent explosion occurred upon impact, throwing the White Dragneel backwards. At the very least he avoided a direct hit, but he was still skidding backwards and caught some bruises from the attacks. As for where Tuba landed, there was just a gigantic crater.
"…What is this?" Kagura questioned. Rahkeid's strength felt the same as it was a year ago; he was still insanely strong, but this old man was pushing against him?
"…" Sting felt the same way.
"What…did you…do…?" Elieen struggled to speak. It was a feat that she could even mutter a syllable without Prometheus' say so. Pandora tilted her head curiously and Prometheus just laughed.
"Kyahaha! You think I hindered his strength? Not at all! That old man is just really tough!" Prometheus explained. "Although when you or August fight, I may have to neuter your power just to keep this competition interesting!"
"Had enough, runt!?" Tuba questioned.
Rahkeid brushed himself off. "We are only just beginning. I cannot lose to you. Prometheus promised me my chance at revenge if I succeeded." As he said this he flung that cross on his back forward. It was a surprising tactic and Tuba just barely managed to parry the cross away with his mace. But as soon as he swung, he was left open and Rahkeid was in his face! A simple slash of his hand left a deep gash in Tuba's lower left side, causing the old man to grunt in pain. "That is a more suitable expression for your elderly face." With a malicious smile, Rahkeid then infused his palm with pleasure magic, slamming it into Tuba's chest to send him flying. "When you receive enough pleasure, you will be lulled into a dream where your eyes may never open again.
"Tuba!" Polka exclaimed worriedly.
"He's fine." Jazz said calmly.
"That old fart's lived this long." Rondo rolled her eyes.
"This battle is fierce!" Chapati exclaimed.
"Considering what I heard, I think it's impressive that he's holding his own against this Spriggan. Former Spriggan, I should say." Calium corrected himself.
"But will he be able to win? I wonder who's really in control of the battle." Song stated curiously. This entire affair was nothing more than passing entertainment she couldn't not watch.
Tuba came to a halt, panting softly. Despite only being hit thrice, Rahkeid's strikes packed a lot of power in them. "It's been a while since this old man's been pushed."
"I will push you into the ground." Rahkeid said while clasping his hands together, multiple talismans appearing around him. "Soul of the Forbidden Meal!"
Grumble. Tuba blinked as his stomach felt empty. In fact, it felt like he hadn't eaten in weeks! "Oooh…" The old man hunched over for a moment. The hunger pangs hit and he was recoiling for a moment. "This hunger…"
"If pleasure does not suit you, then you can collapse from starvation. You may have strength, but even in the face of hunger, it simply does not matter." Rahkeid clasped his hands together. In his eyes, this battle was won. There was no way someone like Tuba could overcome the overwhelming sensation of starvation.
"This hunger…IS NOTHING!" Tuba roared while lunging forward. Yes, his movements were inhibited by his hunger, but the fact he still posed a threat was surprising. He aimed a full power swing at Rahkeid's left rib, managing the hit! It caught everyone off guard, especially the Spriggan. "I've been alive for more years than you could count! I've fought in many wars where hunger like this was common! Days on end without eating. I know this pain, but I fought through it anyway! You think this old man is just a pile of bones rotting away!? That's where you're wrong! FULL POWER!" Tuba's magic aura spiked through the roof, causing the entire stadium to shake and the crowd to gasp.
"This old man is nuts!" Lucy's eyes widened.
"Even when burdened by hunger…he still fights like nothing happened…" Brandish remarked quietly. The magic of the Spriggan 12 was mighty in all aspects, but to see someone simply withstand Rahkeid's magic was incredible to her.
"That is Tuba's power. His experience is world's beyond anyone else's." Waltz said smugly.
Tuba's power rose drastically, forcibly breaking through his own ceiling! Even Rahkeid was taken aback by the power of this man. "What are you?"
"A veteran soldier." Tuba responded before extending his palm forward. "Demonic Embrace!" From Tuba's hand, a massive wave of fire shot forth, consuming all in its path! Rahekid had no defenses for this and simply had to endure the hit, feeling the searing heat burn him to the core! His body was covered in burn marks as the attack ended and he didn't seem very happy about it.
"I see…then as an old soldier, you shall be put to rest and your soul will ascend to the heavens!" Rahkeid was losing his composure slowly. "R.I.P." A wave of sleep washed over Tuba. Rahkeid did have to tone this spell down for the sake of the no killing rule, but either way, as soon as Tuba's eyes closed, he would sleep and this battle would end.
Hunger, sleep, all of this felt like war: tired and hungry to the point of being on the brink of death. But Tuba persevered and pushed forward, even as his good eye grew heavy and wanted to close. "Come on you runt! Do you think this will stop me!?" Roaring, Tuba raised his mace over his head. "This is gonna be fun! HAH! MEGA MASH!" Tuba brought his mace down towards Rahekid, who avoided the hit, but the mace left a crater in the ground from its sheer strength. He simply repeated the motion, attempting to bring his weapon down on Rahkeid's skull. This second hit was blocked by the cross which the White Dragneel recovered, but now it was a relentless assault.
"Tuba has Rahkeid pinned down!? Is this the end!?" Chapati questioned.
"…" Sting wasn't sure how to feel about this.
"Finish him off, Tuba!" Allegretto exclaimed.
Tuba continued to slam his mace down on Rahkeid's cross. Each hit caused the object to crack and pushed Rahkeid into the ground. The fallen Spriggan could still feel each and every hit even with this defense up. This old man was truly something else. This continued until the cross finally broke, leaving Rahkeid defenseless! "…!"
"This is the end for you..!" Tuba screamed. But at that moment, his body halted. "…Gnk…! My…stomach…" As expected. Even though he was a veteran who had battled in these conditions before, it was only a matter of time until his body gave out. Rahkeid's magic was ultimately stronger than the natural sensation of hunger and tiredness. Still, the fact he managed this much was no energy was a frightening feat in and of itself.
Rahkeid saw his opening. Tuba could barely hold onto his weapon now that his magic had finally rendered him immobile. The White Dragneel palmed Tuba's face and viciously slammed him into the ground, rendering the old soldier of Joya unconscious. "…And it is over." Rahkeid stood over his fallen foe, clasping his hands together.
"A-And Rahkeid Dragneel takes the victory at the last second! This means Midi wins and gets 10 points!" Chapati exclaimed. The crowd was shocked, but some of them were excited.
"He lost…" The young Beat said with a frown.
"As strong as Tuba is, he's still human." Jazz calmly said, arms crossed over his chest. Battling against an opponent that can force the human body into a state of starvation or sleep is likely the most difficult thing one can do. Yet, he was one hit away from claiming victory. His life allowed him to deal with those conditions."
"And he still lost. What's he good for?" Rondo scoffed.
Yumia tilted her head. "Woooow. The old man was doing so well, too."
"Oh well." Yukia shrugged.
Julius shook his head at such a pathetic display. "Is that the extent of what a former Spriggan could do? Struggling against a man with one foot in the grave already. How pathetic. The old man won that fight and even he knows it. Just look at his face, filled with relief and anxiety."
"Useless old man." Waltz scoffed. He had so much pride for Tuba a moment ago, but now that he lost, it had all gone out the window.
"Useless?" Lucy said. "How could he say that about one of his own…?"
Emmeraude crossed one leg over the other, staring at Prometheus and Pandora. "I don't know what those two are planning in this tournament, but I've had enough of it already."
.
.
Next Time: Overwhelming Might.