Upon arriving at the guild, many of the Fairy Tail members waited for their return. Each jumping in showing off their own 3 months achievements.
"Wow Elfman- you really packed on some muscle there big guy!" Natsu complimented noticing the middle Strauss sibling
"The three of us all trained really hard up in the mountains these past months!" Lisanna chimed in
"I got the muscles that a REAL man dreams of-" He rose an arm up
"Well- I hit my own milestone over the past 3 months... and now I can finally eat fermented soybeans." Vijeteer nodded proudly
"And i'm proud to announce I am now over my once crippling fear of heights!" Warren saluted
"I don't think that'll be very helpful to us..." Happy whispered
"My honey-kin and I have got our sharp shooting skills to an all time high-" Bisca pulled out her snipper as Alback nodded with Asuka on his shoulders
"And I finished reading a whole thirty volume horror novel!" Nab gave a thumbs up making Vyra and Gray sweat drop
"My sandstorm is more powerful than it's ever been before! I bet I could even beat Natsu if we fought again!" Max shouted egging on the dragon slayer
"Oh yeah!?" Natsu took a step closer as Makarov came forth
"Good work everyone-"
"Oh! Hey gramps!" Natsu turned around
"It appears you all worked very hard to prepare for the Grand Magic Games."
'Um... I wouldn't go that far exactly...' Lucy thought as she sweat dropped
"Now, I'd like everyone to join me inside-"
.
.
.
"Listen up kids, it's time to announce the five who will be representing us in the Grand Magic Games" Makarov stood at the podium
Everyone stared at the guild master in anticipation. This is it. Who's it going to be?
He cleared his throat before saying the first name
"Natsu."
"Oh Yeah!" He cheered
Vyra looked over to the dragon slayer. If anyone can do it, it's totally him.
She smiled as the next name was called.
"Gray-"
"I'm honored" The ice mage smirked to himself trying to play it off cool as bluenette began shaking his shoulder in excitement
"Erza."
"I won't let you down." She nodded confidently
The girl stopped her playful attacks on the ice wizard as she looked back over to the master in anxiousness.
"Of course-" Mira let out a sigh "Those three were kind of a shoe in-"
"Who will get the last two spots?" Lisanna questioned
The anticipation was at an all time high as all the members stared at Master Makarov praying their names would be called
"-And the remaining two will be..."
"Vyra and Lucy!"
The bluenette jumped out of her skin as did Lucy- but for a totally different reason.
"MASTER YOU REALLY CHOSE ME?!" Vyra cried comically as she ran up to Makarov
"THANK YOU SO MUCH" She sniffled
The celestial mage stood in shock not moving a muscle as Erza put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We weren't chosen for our individual strength, but for our combined strength as a team."
"So let's make him proud and give it our all" She smiled
"Right. Good point" Lucy nodded in agreement
"Oh you guys, this is going to be great!" Vyra spazzed as she wrapped both her arms around Natsu and Gray's shoulders pulling them into a side hug
The three all had cheeky smiles as they couldn't contain themselves. They were the ones representing Fairy Tail this year. Them five are going to be the team that will make the guild number one again.
"Vyra-" Makarov spoke looking over to the trio as he now had to rain on they're parade
Natsu, Vyra and Gray all blinked, noticing the expression of the master.
They were puzzled.
"Vyra dear, you are one of our strongest growing fighters in our guild so it was a no brainer to put you on the front lines-" He paused looking into her eyes
"But know, I almost didn't." He said sternly as the girl's demeanor changed now removing her arms from Natsu and Gray sitting in the middle of the two
"Gramps what the hell are you talking about?!" Natsu shouted
"I've caught wind of recent events… during the three month gap." He spoke as her eyes widened
'Damn it Erza...'
"I know for a fact that the magic council will be at the games-" He shuffled taking something out of his pocket offering it out to her
A pen?
"If the magic council is suspicious, they will not hesitate to take you into questioning concerning the whereabouts of Jellal or worse." He spoke as she analyzed the magic pen in her hand
"Because you are a target the magic council is keeping an eye on. We've been gone for seven years... so at the moment we supposedly don't know anything, that's why I need you to cover it up" He rose a hand to his cheek referring to her red face tattoo
The bluenette was still in shock.
'The magic council was keeping tabs on her?'
"How did you find this master?" Vyra questioned raising the yellow magic pen
"Ironically, Laxus is the one who told me all this valuable information regarding the magic council and such" Makarov nodded
"He gave it to me before leaving on a job." He continued
"Oh." She gasped
She slightly smiled at the thought of Laxus worrying about her.
Anxiety started to whirl around the bluenette as she looked down.
"M-Maybe someone else can take my spot if the risk of that is too high..." She faintly began to bubbles as her hair shagged over her eyes
"Vy!" Natsu shouted
"Vyra come on what are you saying?!" Gray spazzed as Makarov began to laugh
"Nonsense my girl!" He shouted cheerfully chuckling as the girl's saddened eyes met his brown ones
"I wanted you to be aware of the situation before hand, were going to kick some heinie at these games so the other guilds better watch out" He started to box the air
"You're going to compete and we will all be there cheering in the stands!" He showed off a toothy smile
Thank you... Master.
"Alright team, the Grand Magic Games present a perfect opportunity to claim the prominence that we once held!" Erza stood on top of a table
"Today Sabertooth is regarded as Fiore's number one guild. Let us take that title. Fairy Tail will be the top guild again!"
"Yeah!"
This majestic city is Crocus. The flower blooming capital of the Fiore kingdom! Once a year a huge festival of wizardry The Grand Magic Games are held in it's orders. The streets are filled with excitement with the hustle and bustle of hopeful wizards and spectators alike. At the heart of it all stands the king of Fiore's castle the Luminaries Mercurous. Sitting atop a mountain to the west would be the arena where the Grand Magic Games are held- and huddled somewhere among all this craziness is us...
I'm so tired..." Lucy moped
"I really hope that unleashing your second origin thing wasn't a sick joke to make us lose the contest..." Gray groaned looking over to his girlfriend to see if she felt any different due to her healing abilities
Nope, she's just as bad.
"I do sorta feel like I have more magic power- but everything else in my body feels like i've been hit by a train..." Lucy sighed dropping her shoulders
"Chin up. There's no time for whining" Erza said standing proudly
"Why aren't you feeling like death on a cracker?" Lucy sweat dropped
"I think she already has her second origin-" Vyra commented
"That makes perfect sense" Lucy nodded
"I don't think I've ever been in such a humongous city before in my life-" Natsu said sitting up from the ground
"Aye!"
..."I see you kids finally made it" Makarov approached the ground with Team Shadow Gear, Wendy, Carla, Bisca, Alzack and little Asuka slightly behind him
"Master!" Erza jumped
"We just finished with the registration process heheh-" He chuckled
"Let's show everyone why Fairy Tail is the number one guild in Fiore..." He spoke as civilians in the courtyard began to notice the guild
"Hey, looks like the Fairy Tail guild is here-"
"Those clowns?" They joked
"Well, somebody's gotta come in last place right?"
"Hey! Are those guys laughing at us?!" Natsu snapped narrowing his eyes
"Calm down-" Vyra said next to him putting a hand on his shoulder
"Come on! You guys finish in last place every single year!" The older man replied
"You know Sabertooth is taking the top spot!" The younger one shouted grinning
Natsu growled as Vyra stepped in front of him holding him back from doing anything reckless.
"If anyone wants to laugh they can do it all they want-" Makarov scowled
"Don't forget, were doing this for the 30 milli-" He shifted clearing his throat
"I mean, were doing this for the honor of being Fiore's top right guild of course" He pointed
"Our master rose from her eternal slumber to save our lives so lets make her proud!"
"Now then-" He took Asuka off his shoulders
"We know that the games will begin tomorrow, but unfortunately we don't know what they'll be..."
"Didn't you guys do this every year?" Gray spoke up directing his attention to the married couple
"But the games change every year-" Alzack replied picking up Asuka
"The year my sugar pistol and I didn't participate, they had a big ol' target shooting game" Bisca rose up her sniper
"And the year I decided to sit out they had a foot race-" Jett said smugly
"They like to mix it up, I looked at the records of the previous games and there's no real consistency to them..." Levy crossed her arms
"Well I guess we'll just have to play it by year, but I hope there's so kind of fight~" The dragon slayer sung smacking his fists together
"Erza, I'd like you to read through the official rule book by tomorrow." Makarov placed the thick rule book into the redheads hands
"I am to read all of this?" She questioned
"Oh don't worry! I have my wind reader glasses with me!" Levy pushed up her glasses as Jett and Droy ogled over her
"Levy to the rescue!"
"Hmmm... okay... to sum it all up- I would say there are three major rules" She scanned the pages
"The first one, is the master of every guild isn't allowed to participate-"
"Well yeah, that makes sense" Vyra put a hand on her hip
"A guild can't have anybody who doesn't wear their respected emblem participate on its behalf"
"I took that one as a given-" Gray said
"and every game will remain a mystery until the very moment it is announced, only then will the games be explained in detail."
"That's certainly not very helpful..." Erza looked down
"O-Oh, this one could be important too-" Levy went on
"All participants must return to they're designated inn by 12 o'clock"
"There's a curfew?" Erza questioned
"Strange-" Vyra tilted her head
"Cool! We got lots of time until midnight!" Natsu shouted
"-And since this is everyone's first time in the Capital- let's go check it out!" He ran forward with Happy and Lucy following
"Air sir!"
"Wait for me!"
"Hold on!" Erza spazzed
"Do you know where we're staying!" She shouted
"The Honey-bone inn right?" Lucy replied as Erza sighed
"Just be sure to be back by 12 o'clock!"
"You hear me?!" She shouted as Happy replied
"Aye!"
She then turned around to see Vyra and Gray run in the opposite direction.
"Come on Vy!" He ran grabbing her hand
"We can finally go on a date!" She hurrayed
"You too! Vyra! Gray! 12 o'clock!" Erza shouted
"Okayyyy!" The bluenette replied back with a reassuring hand in the air
Erza sighed once again. She was left all alone. One the bright side, she could sit back and relax until midnight... but what was so special about it?
"Look how pretty it is Gray!" Vyra said as they walked down the cobblestone sidewalk in awe
Purple and pink flowers were in bloom all across the capital. She wore her lilac sundress with beige flats as Gray wore his usual outfit
"Here ya go!" She reached over on her tiptoes to throw the purple flowers over the boys head
"See, now we match~" The girl sung as she put the necklace on her head wearing it as a crown
The ice mage groaned.
"What's a matter?" She turned to face him as he looked at her face with a frown
"It's nothing-" He scratched the back of his head looking the other way as Vyra eyed him
"If it's nothing, then why can't youuu look at meee?" She appeared in his eye line once again cutely
"It's just-" He began shifting his body again avoiding her gaze as a slight hint of pink dusted his cheeks
"Not cool that you have to go hiding who you are- again..." He admitted bashfully shoveling his hands in his pockets
Vyra blinked. Well that definitely took her by surprise.
"Oh, that's okay Gray you don't have to worry about that-" She swatted her hand back and forth
Before the guild left for Crocus, the moonlight mage took it upon herself to use the transformation magic she once used as a child to hide her tattooed mark. All the Fairy Tail members know Vyra's true identity, but that doesn't mean the rest of the world did.
So that's what's bothering him.
"I mean yeah it kinda sucks but the Master's just trying to protect me-" She went on as he rose an eyebrow
"Now can we enjoy our date nowww? Pleaseeeeeee?" She whined shaking their intertwined hands
Seeing as how it didn't bother the girl that much, it made the ice mage feel ten times better.
"pfft." Gray smirked taking full control of their position as he twirled the bluenette around dipping her down in his hold
"I mean...if you say so..." He said enticingly narrowing his cerulean eyes down at her small figure
Her face was flushed as he now took this time to plant a passionate kiss on her strawberry tasting lips.
The townspeople began cheering and whistling seeing the two lovebirds in the middle of the street.
Vyra fell into the kiss as she tried to reach the loose flower crown falling off her head until Gray grabbed her wavering hand with his and deepened the kiss.
As she slid lower to the ground falling into his touch, the bluenette was at a complete loss.
Woah. She really liked this side of Gray.
Lifting her back upwards, he began to walk on ahead leaving her there on the spot- speechless and flustered.
"Let's get this date on the road" He turned back waiting for the bluenette offering out a hand towards her as he smiled cheekily
Gray knew exactly how to push the girl's buttons and quite frankly, he was very good at it.
The girls cheeks were as bright as Natsu's flaming pink hair.
She steadily walked forward, lining in sync with him as he wrapped an arm around her waist "Whatcha think?" He teased whispering into her ear as others were still whistling in the background
"Now that's my prince charming!" She smiled squinting her nose in joy looking up to him
It's about time.
The two continued to enjoy their evening together. First they decided to grab some dinner at one of the caverns. After dinner, the streets were more packed and bustling with guild contenders in hand. Eventually, they had a run-in with Lyon and Lamia Scale.
"Gray, don't let what Lyon said upset you too much-"
"The nerve of that guy! He actually thinks they can win against us?" The ice mage spazzed
"A-And challenges me?!"
"He must be out of his mind! Thinking he can steal you away Vyra!"
"Hey Gray, they can boast all they want-" The bluenette gripped her hands on his biceps trying to calm the boy down
"We've been out for seven years so of course they think they're the top dogs around here, or let me rephrase that-" She cleared her throat
"Every guild thinks they can beat us... but we'll show em' up. They don't know any of the hell we've been through as a guild. We're taking first place no matter what!" She threw him a thumbs up
"Also-" She circled around him
"I'm not a piece of meat to be fought over, but love I this jelly welly side of you Gray I have to admit-" She poked winking
"Yeah you're right. I'm sorry-" He sighed wrapping an arm around her pecking the girl on the lips
"YOU SCUM THOSE WERE YOUR PARENTS!"
"Hey, that sounded like-" Gray began as Vyra finished the sentence
"Natsu-" She untangled herself from Gray's grasp in worry hearing the tone of the dragon slayers voice as they both began to make their way to the hoard of people circling around the street
"Hey outta the way-" Vyra pushed through the crowd ultimately making it to the front
"Natsu!" The girl shouted causing the boy to turn around
"Vy!" He jumped at the sight of the bluenette
Vyra looked around the scene. Lucy was on the side with happy and two other kitty cats as she was now next to Natsu.
"My oh my! The Moonlight Goddess in the flesh, how I do apologize-" The blonde bowed down sarcastically kneeling in front of the bluenette as she watched him closely yet coldly
'Who the hell is this cheap shot?'
She scowled at him in disgust as he slowly stood up hovering over her.
'Someone very full of himself obviously" She rolled her eyes
"Ah, that scent is deliciously intoxicating-" He inhaled smelling the air as he bit his lip with his fang, eyes landing back to her cerulean ones
He took a step closer only to be halted by a path of ice blocking his way.
Civilians jumped at the sight of the ice to reveal a severely pissed off Gray.
"Sting, don't engage. Fighting before the games can lead to disqualification" The dark haired mage said sternly
"Tch. There not even worth my time-" Sting scoffed
"Let's go Rogue." He turned back around meeting up with his guild mate
That must be the Sabertooth guild...
Honey-bone Inn
"You're all late." Erza sat one her bed as she tapped her fingers on her arm looking down at the four who were sitting on the floor
"Explain yourselves. Where have you been this whole time?" She questioned angrily as each one of them dared not to look at her in the eye
"We were on a date that turned into something else..." Vyra mumbled
"And we ran into some other contestants... a real nasty pair if you ask me-" Lucy frowned as Natsu and Happy tried to hold in their rage
"THOSE STUPID JERKS ARE GOING TO WISH THEY NEVER MESSED WITH ME!" They spazzed as the hotel room opened revealing Elfman and Lisanna
"Hey Hey!"
"We brought you some supplies to get you through the tournament!"
"Tomorrows going to be a big day" Lisanna put the bag of snacks on the table
"Aw thanks a lot you guys-" Gray thanked
"You came here to see us kick some butt?" Natsu smiled
"I mean, I originally wanted to get in on the action to impress my sisters... but a real man knows when to quit-" Elfman grinned
"You guys!" Levy came shouting down the hall was gasping, soon leaning her hands on her knees due to her spiriting
"What's wrong Levy?" Vyra asked running to the door in concern noticing the girls expression
"We can't find Wendy anywhere-" She look up with eyes full of worry
"What?!" Natsu shot up
"You don't think she got lost do you?" Lucy questioned standing up
"I don't know, we have half the guild looking for her right now" Levy responded
"Anywhere there's a Wendy, there's a Carla" Vyra turned around
"Happy, you think you can look for them through the skies?" Erza questioned the cat
"Aye! You can count on me!" Happy confidently nodded as he flew out the window
"We can't leave the room, we have to wait till twelve-"
"What happens at twelve?" Lisanna questioned as Gray scratched his head
"Well, were not exactly sure what... but the rules say we all have to be back here by midnight- which is...right now" They all looked over to the clock as a bell began to ring all throughout the capital
"ATTENTION ALL PARTICIPANTS COMPETING IN THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES!"
"GOOD MORNING!"
"It's coming from outside!" Erza proclaimed as they all ran to the balcony
"Woah! What in the heck is that thing!?" Natsu shouted
"Is it some kind of hologram?!" Lucy questioned watching the projection
"TO NARROW DOWN THE 113 GUILDS IN THIS YEARS GAMES TO A MORE MANAGEABLE 8, LET'S BEGIN THE PRELIMINARY ROUND!"
"A preliminary round?"
"Seriously?"
"Well this is new-"
"THE RULES FOR THIS PRELIMINARY ROUND IS SIMPLE-"
"What's happening?" Lucy shouted hanging on to the side
"The inn is rising up!" Erza shouted
"Look! The other ones are doing it too!" Gray pointed
"NOW YOU ALL WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN A RACE! THE FINISH LINE IS AT THE COLISEUM! ONLY THE FIRST EIGHT TEAMS TO REACH IT WILL MOVE ON IN THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES!"
"A path-" Vyra gasped as a pathway began to paint it's way in the sky
"YOUR WELCOME TO USE MAGIC IN ANYWAY YOU SEEM FIT THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS! BUT REMEMBER, ONLY THE FIRST EIGHT TEAMS TO REACH THE FINISH LINE WILL CLEAR THIS ROUND."
"ONE MORE THING... WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS OF LIFE THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE LABYRINTH…"
"Say what-" Natsu gasped
"SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET THE PRELIMINARY ROUND IN THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES BEGIN!"
A/N: Sting is finally here! I waited so long to get to this part omg. You guys get ready.
