Author's Note: The longest chapter to date, I believe. Maybe not...enjoy!
Also, I do not own Fairy Tail.
Chapter Twenty-Three - The Opening Ceremony
The cameras were flashing while the press room was filling inside the great conference center of the Olympic headquarters in downtown Era. It was now the morning of the X792 Olympic Opening Ceremony, which was set to start later that Saturday evening. Tomorrow morning, the Games would begin, and Game 1 of the Men's basketball tournament would commence with a well-awaited match-up.
"Alright, Coach Gaebolg and the Fiore National team are ready for questions." One of the room officials gave the green-light to dozens of reporters packed inside the pressroom, one of which was a rather inexperienced yet determined intern, Lucy Heartfilia.
A random reporter from Fiore started things off. "Coach, you spend so much time fine-tuning your Olympic roster, then it comes to be that your first opponent is against the Gold Medal Alvarez team. Did you anticipate this match-up early on, and is that why you amassed the level of talent that you did from the FBA?"
Precht's stone cold expression nearly answered the question for him, but he was obligated to provide a more verbal response. "If I knew what opponents we would match up against in the group stage, I would have won a Gold medal every year of my international coaching career thus far."
The room laughed, but none more than the players roared as loudly at that jape from the commanding Coach Hades. The reporter responsible leaned back in his chair with a look of self-disappointment, and left time for another to take their turn.
"Jura, you've been on this national squad more than any Fiore player in history. Would you say this is the most impressive group you've been with?"
"Hmm…" Jura combed his long beard for a moment before leaning into his microphone. "I suppose I have been with this team for a while. This is set to be my fourth and probably final Olympic Games...I'd say I feel very honored and blessed to share this moment with the ladies and gentlemen on this team. From our coaches, trainers, and my fellow players. We hold a rather strong bond heading into tomorrow's competition, win or lose."
The reporters took time to write their notes down, while another spoke up. "Laxus, you come from a rather royal family in the FBA, what was your reaction when the entire starting line-up for Magnolia made this team?"
Laxus kept his arms folded and laughed to himself. "I thought 'that seems about right.' There's a reason our team won back to back titles in the FBA. Not to take away anything from my fellow teammates who aren't from Magnolia though…"
He was looking at a now smiling Jura, but all the Fiore players busted out laughing from the jest as Cobra took his own mic.
"He's just tryin' ta throw shade while he can, but Magnolia ain't winning that trophy next season."
More laughter filled the room, then settled as a new question was thrown out. "Gray Fullbuster, can you talk about your connection to Alegria, and how you feel about choosing Fiore over your home country?"
Gray paused for a moment, then put the mic to his mouth. "Uhh, last time I was in Alegria, I was trying to learn my ABCs, so I don't really…"
His teammates interrupted him with a series of laughs, but Gray waved them down as he shrugged his shoulders. "No, I'll be serious. The first person I talked about it with was my dad. He gave me his blessing, and thought it was the right move. Natsu and the others had my back too. They probably woulda killed me if I didn't try out for Fiore's team."
"Speaking of Natsu!" One person yelled out. "What are your thoughts about playing Alvarez, first? There are still the rumors about the Fairies being sold to your brother overseas. Do you think that will happen?"
"No Alvarez questions for me, please." Natsu leaned forward. "I'll just say tomorrow is going to be a win for us, and if we happen to play them again in the final game, then I'll put all those rumors to bed then."
"Even the rumors about another Dragneel on the Alvarez squad? They say one of the players is going to be…"
A hush fell over the crowd, and Natsu's eyes grew very wide at hearing that, until a blonde report from FNN cleared her throat loudly.
"Uh-hem, I think what he's talking about is the news of Alvarez's Larcade Dragneel making the team, Natsu. How do you feel about your cousin making their team?"
Natsu's eyes met Lucy as she finished her question from the back of the room. Lucy knew that Natsu's first cousin, Larcade, was on Alvarez's roster, and despite the fact that the coaches from Alvarez were primarily keeping their full team a secret, some reporters heard rumors about a Dragneel showdown.
Natsu scoffed. "Oh yea, they say we'll see some Dragneel family battle. Look, I haven't really seen my goofy cousin in years. He's…eh, I'll just say we're gonna beat Alvarez, that's all I'm stickin' with."
Lucy leaned back in her chair and sighed to herself as she let a small bit of guilt take her mind. "That was close. I heard rumors about a Dragneel playing for Alvarez, and something tells me Larcade isn't going to be the only one doing it…if Zeref's playing in the Olympics, I'd like to be the one to break that to Natsu."
"How about a word from Black Steel!" One cocky reporter rang out. "You've been quiet about the first game. What are your thoughts on Alvarez?"
FBA players were very famous for having to put up with lousy press reports, but no one hated going through these monotonous conferences more than Gajeel Redfox. The smart mouthed Power Forward felt now would be a good time to keep up his witty reputation and leaned forward with a smirking face.
"I don't know a thing about Alvarez, but I do know that we're gonna beat 'em. Simple as that."
The conference continued to share laughter and ridiculous answers from there, and eventually all the players and people left the room to carry on with the rest of the Olympics' opening day.
Natsu and Gray were leaving the grounds together, and while the fiery Salamander stopped to gather some autographs from fans waiting outside the hall, Gray looked around the reporters gathers outside the main door.
"Man, did Lucy ditch us? I thought we'd all go out for lunch before we split for the evening."
"Nah man, she's super busy, today." Natsu gave some very patient fans high-fives as he left with Gray. "I think she has ta help Loke with stupid work stuff, or something."
"Geeze, and you're okay with that?" Gray asked with concern. "I mean, I'm not trying to make it sound like you should lord over your girlfriend, but I'm just curious."
"I dunno…" Natsu and Gray were making it over to the door. "I've barely talked with him. I just keep my nose out of it since she's trying to get her degree. I don't wanna ruin her big shot with my outbursts."
"Wow, pretty mature of you." Gray looked genuinely impressed with his rambunctious friend as he opened the hall doors to the outside. "Guess you are getting older."
"Watch it, now." Natsu put on some sunglasses as they made it outside for the gorgeous sunny day in Era. "I was about to invite ya out for a round of golf with the big devil, but not if you keep talkin' like that."
"What? You and Hades?" Gray looked stunned as Natsu wondered over to a pre-parked limousine. "Are you two super chummy now, or something?"
"Dunno!" Natsu gestured for Gray to get in the back seat with him. "He invited me and Laxus to a round before the opening ceremony stuff. I doubt he'll mind if ya tag along!"
Gray realized that he left Juvia alone to catch up with Meldy and Yukino, then gave his old friend and shrugged as he followed Natsu into the back seat and drove off for a round of mid-day golf with the others.
The sun over Era was beginning to do down on that late Saturday afternoon. The great Olympic stadium was starting to fill with spectators and sports fans from all over the surface of Earth-Land. Major news networks were setting up their booths and starting pre-game discussions, none more professional than the Fiore News Network.
Lucy was with that same crew as they claimed one of the best spots in the entire Olympic Spire. She spent most of her time looking out over the railing at the thousands of fans from around the world take their seats and felt her skin tingle as she anticipated the great opening ceremony to begin any time within the hour.
Sadly, she also had her current job to perform, which was already starting to turn downhill as he first suggested interview guest was forced to bail at the very last second.
"And you think she's okay? I'd hate to begin the Olympics with that kind of news for Fiore."
Lucy tried to calm down Loke between a long commercial segment as she nodded her head. "Yes! Levy is fine. She's just really tired after the flight. Gajeel also sent me a text saying she's A-Okay. They're just waiting in her hotel room until the ceremonies."
"That's good to hear." Replied Loke's co-star, Karen Lilica, from the other end of the desk as she primped her lush green hair. "But that interview was set to be our main story of the pre-show. We still have one segment left before the Opening Ceremony begins. Filling it with the legendary GM who leads half of Fiore's Olympic roster would have been nice."
"I know, she said she feels really bad!" Lucy pleaded with the newscast as much as possible. "We could try to get my friend Coco's parents? She's the youngest Olympian here, that may make a good enough story!"
"We're saving to reach out to them until after she wins her first event." Loke admitted. "We know she's a shoo-in to win the 100-meter sprint, so we don't want to overload the audience with the same stories twice."
Karen laughed to herself, then gave the two a smirk. "We could get that ditsy cousin of yours to come in early, Lucy? She's supposed to be our guest-anchor and fashion correspondent for the Parade of Nations. Just get her on the phone."
"Yea, you probably don't want to do that…" Lucy remembered how Michelle would not be quiet all afternoon about her extra-long bubble bath before the ceremonies, and knew interrupting her any earlier than needed would not go well for her personally.
Lucy's main goal for the Olympics were of course to see Natsu as much as possible, and cover Team Fiore as best as she could. However, since Michelle was still threatening to sell the Fairies to Alvarez, and since her relationship with her beloved cousin was at best referred to as 'delicate', she felt like not bothering the girl would be in her best interests.
Loke stopped the two women there, though, and turned to give Lucy a smile. "Fine, then let's get the cousin of the Fairies' owner instead. I think she's an intern for us this summer. I wonder if she's free to…?"
"ME!?" Lucy gasped as she nearly dropped her clipboard containing Loke's schedule for the next few days. "What interesting stuff would I have to say!?"
"I dunno…" Karen was also intrigued with that idea but shrugged as she waved to her camera crew. "But you better make up your mind quick before the green light turns on."
"Oh please, Lucy!" Loke gave her a sincere smile as he took her hands before the cameras turned back on. "I'll do anything that you want for the next two weeks if you just give this a shot!"
"Absolutely not!" Lucy put her foot down and turned away from the crew. "I'm not embarrassing myself on this kind of stage just to keep a job! I've said time and time again my best work is in the field and in the form of writing, not behind some camera with a fake smile and half-interesting things to say!"
"And we're glad to welcome you all back to our home for the next two weeks, as Team Fiore is here inside the golden city of Era. As stated earlier, Karen and I will be your primary hosts for the duration of these Games, and we wish to welcome you into our pre-ceremony celebration here at FNN. This pre-game show is presented as always by Lacrima Software, Heartfilia Airlines, and clothing by Michelle Lobster.
A rather playful smile took Loke's face as he swiveled in his chair, then followed with a wink to his off-camera crew as he looked right at his summer intern.
"Well we've just heard from Magnolia Fairies GM and basketball fan, Levy McGarden, who was going to grace us with her awesome presence for the last segment leading into our coverage of the Opening Ceremonies. But unfortunately, she has to take one more night of rest in her hotel room due to some extra-long jetlag, so she will not be able to make it to the desk, tonight. Miss McGarden is expecting twins this fall, so we're willing to give her a few extra days of rest while she visits Era with her team. In the meantime, we have a stand-in guest waiting right here in the wings!"
He turned to a different camera that shared the lens with an empty seat. "Coincidentally, Levy McGarden's best friend is one of our extra special summer interns here at FNN, and she also happens to be the daughter of the late former Fairies owner, Jude Heartfilia. Please welcome a member of our broadcast team, Lucy Heartfilia!"
The extremely timid blonde had no choice but to take a seat beside her old friend Loke, whom she now wished to push over the stadium railing to their backs as fans filled up the Olympic Spire in the background. Lucy shook with overly nervous bones as she slid onto her chair and gave the two hosts her attention.
"U-um…thanks…thank you for having me on, guys. This is great! ehehe…"
Loke took control as he tried easing her into her role. "Lucy's been our main correspondent for Team Fiore thus far, and she's had the chance to talk with athletes all across our Olympic roster. Of course, most of her loyalties lie with her favorite sport of basketball, where five members of her cousin's championship Fairies team will be competing for gold, including her very close long-time friend, Natsu Dragneel."
"Yes, he does…" Lucy still felt awkward, but less so when talking about people other than herself. "Natsu and the Fiore basketball team seem pretty pumped to compete tomorrow…er, as do the other athletes, obviously!"
"So Lucy," Loke adjusted his glasses as he read from a fake script. "You've put in a lot of research work for this year's Games, and for our network, so far. What are some of your predictions for Team Fiore across the board, this year?"
Lucy noticed she had the full attention of Loke and Karen, then let out another sigh as she tried to reply honestly. "Well, I'm expecting to see some pretty good things, actually. A few of my former classmates from my high school back in Magnolia are competing in events for Track and Field. Elfman Strauss is competing in four field events and will probably win Gold in javelin. Then my other friend, Coco Cracy, is actually set to become the youngest Olympian in Games history."
"So we've heard." Loke smiled at her while he looked at his sheet of paper. "Age 16, and she's already competing in 5 events."
Lucy nodded. "She's expecting to dominate the sprinting events, but her personal goal is to set a world record in the women's long jump. I'll be rooting for her every step of the way while I'm here in Era."
"Ah, with front row press seats, I imagine." Karen gave her a smile as she too looked down at scribbles on her paper. "Can I just say, for all of our interns, you are without a doubt the best dressed in the group! I just have to believe that fashion runs wide in your family at this point."
"O-Oh yea, well thank you!" Lucy treaded very lightly through the next watery set of dangerous questions. "My cousin, Michelle, is quite the icon. I-I usually get most of my fashion tips from her…ehm, I guess it's no wonder why she was able to afford running the Fairies after my father passed away."
"Mhmm." Loke nodded slowly, as he did not want to dwell on that fact for very long. "News of which was not taken lightly here at the network, or across the FBA. I can personally say that you've really shined as one of our interns this year, and we're glad to have you on our team."
"Well thank you." Lucy's face flushed with several different shades of red as she looked at her co-anchors, and around at the entire spectacle that was the Olympic stadium. "I'm just hoping Team Fiore can bring home as many Gold Medals as possible, especially the one for Men's Basketball."
"I think we all have to agree with you on that one." Loke clicked his pen on the desk as he turned back to Camera 1. "The three of us will be right back with more stories before we kick off here in Era. Stay tuned to hear Lucy's take on Team Fiore's first match against the former Alvarez Empire when we return, and be sure to catch her cousin, and current FBA owner, Michelle Lobster as our guest star anchor for the Opening Ceremony, brought to you by ManderAid: for athletes that need a little Fire in their Belly."
A sweat drop ran down Lucy's face as the cameras cut to commercial. "IIII'm not so sure about that slogan…I'll have to talk to Natsu about that one…."
The green lights switched to yellow for commercial, and Loke turned to pat Lucy on the back right away. "Lucy, you were a total natural! I knew you had it in you!"
"R-Really?" She awkwardly replied as she tried to gage the truth. "W-what did you think, Karen…?"
"Eh, you were a little stiff, but you handled it well as we went along." Karen shrugged as she cleaned her nails. "Probably better than Brandish would have done."
Loke took her focus back as he looked Lucy right in the eyes. "So what do ya say, Lovely? Mind staying on camera while the pregame show comes to an end?"
Lucy still hated it when Loke referred to her using those pet nicknames, but she also admitted to enjoying the slight rush of having the camera on her for a world-wide broadcast.
"Oh, what the hell? I can stay for one more segment at least…eh, just go gentle on the questions about Natsu."
Finally, the day shifted to night, the grand Olympic Spire Stadium was filled to brim with spectators, and the Games officials were all prepped and ready to go for the largest stage of the sporting world to begin its greatest show.
"Well Michelle, we're so thankful you were able to join us this year as both a sponsor and co-host for the Opening Ceremony." Loke gave the camera fresh new smile as the real events of the evening were starting to commence and turned to gesture at his other counterpart. "I'd say I'm more excited to have you here than Karen, but judging by her reaction to having you here, I can't say that's true anymore."
Karen laughed with the others a she leaned past Loke to talk to Michelle. "Oh, I just know Loke isn't the same type of fan of your brand that I am. Your current summer line is beyond fabulous, this season."
"Oooh, it means so much to hear you say that, Karen!" Michelle slapped her rosy pink cheeks with delight as she tried to hide her waxing emotions. "I'm so happy that you all invited me to come out! And I must say, it was so touching to see my younger cousin, Lucy, here a few hours earlier talking to you in the pre-show. She always has nice things to say!"
"She is a pretty special person. "Loke admitted, though he also tried to measure the authenticity of Michelle's comment. "Anyway, why don't we turned our view down to the field, where it looks like the IOC is about to go underway…"
"Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, and all the athletes of this year's Games, we wish to welcome you back to Era for the return of the Twenty-Fifth Olympiad!"
A booming voice rang out across the stadium in several languages, but all the messages were met with the same roar as fans cheered on the introduction of the athletic spectacle. The stadium lights dimmed, and a slow procession of drummers followed by horns and woodwinds rounded the stadium's outer track as the grand Olympic anthem rang out for all to hear.
Era had been the host of this great sporting stage for almost one hundred years, and even more historical evidence dates back to ancient times where that very city and site hosted grand competitions of all sorts atop the great mountain spire of Era. It was a city dedicated to the Gods, and the central mountain was their gateway into the heavens. The mountain was separated from the rest of the city by a moat to symbolize humanity's inability to touch the divines.
Great athletic events were created as ancient figures carved that great city out of stone, most of which were competitions measuring strength and endurance. The athletics events of track and field, wrestling, archery, and the equestrian arts were some of the first to be introduced from the ancient times, and swimming came closely after, followed by archery and gymnastics.
Some of the more modern sports included rifling, diving, and distance sports such as cycling and the triathlon joined later. Eventually the Games became an established four-year event starting in X696, and added team sports such as basketball, baseball, volleyball, and football (or as some refer to it, soccer.) Eventually the winter edition joined with more competition, and a world tradition was born.
The first portion of the Opening Ceremony was usually used as a dedication to this storied history. Performers would introduce the display of the Olympic Rings in some ornate fashion. This year it appeared in a pool of liquid, where a strange fire-laced arrow hit the stadium's center as five glowing rings lit up in blazes for all to see.
From there, performers and musicians danced and honored athletes and traditions of the past. The spectacle of the arts programs would have been enough for a standard show, but this being the grand stage, it was merely only the first portion for an exciting night to come. The second phase of the ceremonies was without a doubt everybody's favorite—The Parade of Nations.
"And we've come to the big event of the night, the moment where most of our athletes will walk through the Olympic Stadium for the first time, this year, to showcase their faces to the rest of the world. "Loke continued talking through a quieter part of the show, and more announcers rang through the stadium as a first group emerged from the far-left stadium tunnel.
"Dear friends of the Olympic Games, and spectators from all over the world! The great moment has come…joining us now, from all four continents…led by the great flag of the Independent Principality of Era, the Athletes of the World!"
Fans cheered and chattered as the performers in the middle of the arena now turned to bow as a procession of people left the main tunnel, the middle figure of which hoisted the great powder blue and white banner of Era. Afterwards, the nations of the IOC followed in alphabetical order in the old Eranese language.
"And we begin with a wonderful sight at this year's Parade of Athletes as the Era flag emerges from the hole." Loke spoke with his commentating ladies as they all three analyzed the arrival of the main competitors. "Starting the procession as always, are the athletes from the host city Era, which looks to be fielding fifty different sportsmen and women for the competition. Era always out-performs in swimming and the track and field events."
"The uniforms are marvelous!" Michelle leaned forward with star-filled eyes. "Just a fabulous use of warm blue tops met with all-white pants! I feel fine grading them with an A for the night!"
"And behind them, we begin with the actual A's. As always, this group begins with the country of Alegria. The Alegrians are notably excellent in their team sports, but their usual talent comes on the basketball court. They brought home silver last time, and might I say these outfits are far more refreshing than their ones four years ago!"
"Absolutely!" Michelle rang out soon after. "The ceremonial black robes line with navy blue embroidery look very sophisticated, along with their white slacks and black shoes. Very unisex, and very in the now!"
"Funny that the basketball Silver Medalists enter first, because following them is the country that took home Gold in men's basketball during the last Olympiad; The former Alvarez Empire. Alvarez is sporting some sort of black sweaters with multi-patterned pants dominated by greens, but those white toga cloths running around their shoulders and waists look very original compared to year's prior."
Several nations from there on also managed to capture the spotting eyes of the three newscasters, specifically the colorful uniforms of Bella, the sturdy and stoic figures dressed for the nation of Bosco, and the rather lacking outfits from the island nation of Grimoire.
Eventually, the E's turned into the F's, and a new series of athletes emerged in bright smiles and warm hearts.
"And here we have our boys and girls from back home, the proud Kingdom of Fiore emerges in their finest purple and gold attire!" Loke clapped a bit as the Fiorens entered the stadium, and the two women beside him immediately began critiquing their home country's choice in uniform.
"The purple is in, but it looks like they're going for less gold and more white, this year." Karen nodded with acceptance. "White pants are a popular piece in this year's parade, but those purple blazers and black undershirts really stand out."
"I was so proud of my design team's work, this year!" Michelle's fashion label was responsible for outfitting Team Fiore every four years starting in the last Games, and while her first try at dressing the Olympians ending in utter failure four years ago, this year seemed to be different.
"This time around the gold was kept to just the metals; buttons on the jacket, buckles on the belts and shoes, a few jewelry accessories here and there…the ladies really wear the white hats nicely, though! Oooh I couldn't be any prouder!"
Loke nodded as he leaned forward holding onto his glasses. "And it looks like the Fiore Team is being led out by a rather young flag-bearer. A young Track and field athlete out of Magnolia, Coco Cracy is set to be one of the biggest names at this year's Games."
The young Coco led a parade of Fiorens in with a bright smile on her face as she waved the flowing flag of Fiore back and forth for all in the stadium to see. Vertical thirds of purple, white, and then purple were centered in the middle by the flowery golden seal of the ancient royal family of Fiore.
The descendant of that ancient house, and current President, Toma E. Fiore welcomed his men and women with a standing ovation as he and his daughter, Hisui, waved to the entering athletes from a luxurious press box on the middle section of the arena.
In the middle of the pack sat a series of familiar faces, as Natsu Dragneel sat on the shoulders of his former teammate, Elfman, while he waved to the adoring audience.
"HERE'S TA YOU, FIORE! WE'RE WINNING YOU AS MANY GOLD MEDALS AS WE CAN AHAHA!" Natsu waved two small Fiore flags as he tried to smile and cheer for the audience, but Elfman was struggling to hold on due to all his fidgeting.
"Ah, come on, man! Cut it out with all the crazy movement!"
"Just go ahead and drop him on his ass whenever ya feel like it, big guy." Gray walked by Elfman and kept his hands behind his head as he enjoyed the lights and scenery from the spectacle before him. "We already have two other point guards that can take his place."
"Yea, maybe I'll get a room to myself if he falls hard enough." Gajeel made himself laugh as he waved to a series of Fiore fans to the right. "Wouldn't be a bad way to spend my time here."
"Way to be team players." Laxus rolled his eyes and kept his arms crossed as simply followed the other athletes onto the track. "We'll need all the bodies we can get."
"Oh, don't act like you wouldn't want ta see Salamander bust his face all over the ground." Gajeel smacked Laxus hard on the back as he startled the blond center. "It'd be good to see him get a little humiliated in front of a crowd this big."
"I'm not sick enough to watch us lose our star player heading into a tournament we may not be able to win. Just keep it quiet and stick to waving…and put your damn jacket back on, Gray, before the sweater comes off with it."
"AGH!" Gray noticed his jacket had fallen off his waist after tying the arms around him earlier, and now noticed the sleeves to his black sweater were pushed up signifying his annoyance with clothing.
Luckily, though, Lyon managed to snag it before it fell on the ground. "I'll pick up after you for now, Gray, but let's not be this sloppy come tomorrow's match, okay?"
"Whatever, just remember to keep yours on too, okay, buddy?"
"WE'RE GETTIN' WILD, TONIGHT, BOYS!" Bacchus raised his hands in the air, then took a long drink from an over-sized flask hidden in his jacket pocket. "Oooh yea, this stuff's like medicine for my soul! I'm ready for the after-party!"
"Let me try some of that crap." Cobra stole the flask and downed some on his own as he nodded. "Anything just to get me away from the rest of these sops and get on with my night. Did we come here ta play ball or dance on a stage?"
"The Opening Ceremonies are some of the greatest traditions carried out by the Olympic Committee." Captain Jura Neekus walked from behind as he tried to correct the youth on his team of their poor attitude. "Simply walking through this Parade of Nations is considered to be just as great an honor as winning a medal."
"Maaan!" Ichiya's large nose was swimming through the air as he looked around at the surrounding athletes. "And the fellow company we walk with, tonight, is brimming with the fairer sex. Ohhh man, their parfum smells absolutely wonderful!"
He then turned around and took several extra sniffs at the glowing beauty walking behind him. "Ahhh, sweet Erza, your radiant parfum stands out most of all!"
"You'll be playing in tomorrow's game without a nose if you say that one more time." Erza growled as she walked with several other Fiorens behind Ichiya and the rest, but Jellal seemed to be smiling brightly at her amusing situation.
"Perhaps I won you over prematurely, Erza. It looks like the two of you have a more storied history than I realize."
"I believe her father used to coach Ichiya when he was younger in the league." A woman walking beside Erza with deep purple hair and a white bow tied upright looked on with an equally disgusted face. "He is a foul little beast when left uncontrolled, though. I don't blame her one bit."
"He's fine, I can at least be happy to find you here, Kagura." Erza smiled to her old friend as they waved to the audience together. "I cannot believe you made it to the Games with your brother, this year. Two former basketball players excelling in outside sports."
"I was happy too, especially when I heard you'd be here coaching Fiore's men's team. Simon and I couldn't wait to see you again."
"Yes, it'd been quite different for me ever since I left the FBA." The towering Simon walked behind Jellal as he smiled for his old friend. "Basketball was always my second sport, so I'm glad to be back in the field where I belong. Or should I say pool!"
Jellal turned to deliver a calm smile. "Your silver medal performance was quite impressive four years ago in the 400-meter freestyle. I hear you're looking to compete in seven different events this time around?"
The Fioren swimmer nodded proudly. "I usually perform better with a team. My solo events never end as well as they did four years ago. That was mere luck."
Titania boasted. "Oh, I sense great things coming from all of us, this year. Kagura was our star foil back in Hargeon."
Erza thought back to their days in college and remembered that while Kagura was her teammate for a few seasons in girls' basketball, the Mikazuchi girl was a true prodigy in fencing.
Kagura blushed. "Well, I honestly did enjoy my time on the basketball court more in college, but eventually I learned to recognize my true passion. I hope to not make a blunder of myself in my first time here."
"Relax." Erza hugged her old friend from the side. "Most of us are also new to Era here. If we lose, we'll do so together with conviction and comradery!"
"Thanks…" Kagura awkwardly smiled back. "That's sort of reassuring…I guess…"
The Fioren elites made their way through the entire track and continued to enjoy the buzzing scenery as more cameras and cheers rang out all around them. Cell phones took the hands of many athletes throughout the stadium's in-field green, which was covered by a thick tarp to allow maximum capacity from all countries involved.
Once every country filtered into the arena, the stadium hushed, and a jutting platform at the northern half-field side of the stadium lit up, revealing two figures walking out to its end.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed guests of these wonderful Games, we would now like to welcome Gran Doma, President of the International Olympic Committee! Along with Crawford Seam, the Chairman of the X792 Organizing Committee for these Olympic Games!"
People celebrated the arrival of two very bizarrely dressed men from the city of Era as Gran Doma and Crawford Seam took their spots in front of the grand rostrum to address all in attendance. Crawford Seam sighed peacefully as he gave the audience a smile from his perch.
"Welcome to the Games of the Twenty Fifth Olympiad! Welcome to a very special anniversary and homecoming to this extraordinary pastime!"
Crawford was a very tall man, and broad enough to take up most of the view for cameras at home. His face was covered with a large bushy beard, knotted into two separate buns on either side of its end. He also sported a small bun atop his nearly bald head, marking his older age compared to other co-workers.
He was dressed in a very ornate fashion for these Games as well. Crawford wore a black undershirt paired with a robe that he usually kept tied tightly shut. Atop this robe, the chairman wore a dark-cuffed coat adorned with diamond patterns decorating the outer edges. Over that, his shoulders were draped with a shroud baring the Olympic ring emblem.
His eyes looked grey around the rims, but his smile looked bright enough to carry his somber words. "To our athletes, young champions of your sports. You are all descendants of the ancient Olympians, and shepherds of this great spectacle. The blood of old Ankhseram, the first athlete of these Games, runs in your veins. May you carry this gift throughout the coming weeks and bring glory to your home nations!"
The athletes continued to cheer with the crowd, but some tuned the goofy chairman out as they gathered together and took pictures with others from around the world. The large Crawford Seam, who spent a great portion in the middle of his speech to talk about his passion for herbs and gardening, finally ceased his rambling to turn over his microphone to the real man in-charge.
"Now, a-hem, may I please introduce the President of the International Olympic Committee, Gran Doma."
Gran Doma was a far different figure than the overly portly Crawford. He was much taller and more fit as an elderly man, with long graying hair and a low-hanging beard. He was moderately clad in a fit overcoat, with an ornate cape draped over his shoulders much like Chairman Seam.
He also sported a bizarrely wide-brimmed hat that could have better fit an old-fashioned wizard or western cowboy. He also seemed to carry around a large ceremonial staff with a designed serpent head on it. The serpent's mouth had five chain-linked rings dangling from it in five different Olympian colors.
President Gran Doma also held a different voice and demeanor than Chairman Seam. His was booming and stern. He held no warming smile, but a face that looked as if it was carved from the same rock making up the Olympic Spire mountain.
"Thank you all, and might I thank Chairman Crawford for his hard work and dedication to this event. Thank you to our dedicated staff, both paid and volunteer, without whom none of this would have been possible. Thank you to all the supporters for funding us and bringing the spirit of these Games to life, year after year. Finally, thank you to the athletes, who above all others embody honesty, and integrity. Those who refuse to stoop to the lower levels of cheating, doping, and respect fair play will always be allowed to walk through these monuments and venues as proud Olympic participants."
Fans and Athletes roared for the noble President as he tried to finish his speech to round down the Opening Ceremony. Gran Doma carried on. "Thus, I declare the start of the Olympic Games...and the celebration of the 25th Olympiad of our modern era."
From there, out of the tunnel, came running a single athlete dressed in all white. This person was carrying a great torch lit by a medium fire. The fans were all out of their seats, and just as the eyes settled on the lone runner, sparks of flair lit up among the rest of the athletes.
"WOAH ICHIYA!" Natsu yelled out with startled eyes. "YOU'RE POCKET'S ON FIRE!"
"No kidding!" Sting and Rogue stood by while the White Dragon yelled with Natsu. In fact, everybody by Jura and Bacchus from the basketball team looked nervous for the small Blue Pegasus point guard.
"Maaan!" Ichiya laughed at the concerned point guard with a grinning face as he pulled out a tiny purple box, and opened it on its hinge to reveal a shining hot golden flame. "Curb your fear, my friends. I come to these Games bearing the torch for our glorious nation, Fiore!"
Each nation of the Olympics had one athlete responsible for carrying a concealed fire in a box. This box miraculously stayed lit for four years, hiding a single ember of the previous Olympic Flame from four years prior. All participating nations were responsible for selecting a member of their athletic team to carry the flame for the off-season, and last time in the year X788, Ichiya Vandolay Kotobuki was the one to seize the charge for Fiore.
"I shall honor my motherland with the glorious parfum of victory! MAAAAN!"
He ran with the other athletes, as much as his tiny feet could take him. Seeing a man of his size running that fast would usually illicit laughter from other notable athletes, but alas, Ichiya was a professional FBA player. His fame gave enough backing for Team Fiore and all its athletes to cheer him on as he ran up to the far-right side of the stadium and ascended the great medal stairs to deposit his version of the flame in the great base of a towering caldron.
Natsu tried to follow, but stopped smiling as one particular athlete took control of his focus. He was absurdly tall, much taller than the other men and women running up the steps, and in fact, after depositing his flame, the mysterious figure simply walked back down the steps to return to the track at his own pace.
His head was covered in a bushy blue mess of long curled hair. His arms were swollen past normal size, and his sleeveless shirt actual made him stand out in the uniform of his home country, Alvarez. Finally, sharp blue tattoos dotted his great arms with ornate tribal patterns, and a similar steel blue color shaded his angry eyes as he looked forward to return to his team.
Natsu's eyes were for once in his lifetime frozen with fear. He never even had to guess what sport this man played for. He knew well enough that the Alvarez team would be the toughest opponent he had faced yet. Things were just about to get very interesting for Fiore basketball.
As each ball of fire was lit with the fuse down below, the mighty Olympic cauldron grew larger and larger. Finally, the original white-dressed athlete from Era, having performed an entire lap around the Olympic track, made his way to the alter and lit the final spark of fire through the pipe. He watched as the mighty Olympic cauldron roared to total life over the upper edge of the stadium for all Era to see.
The Olympic flag, branded by the five colored rings of blue, yellow, black, green, and red, also flew at the far-left side of the stadium opposite of the flame. Now, with the sendoff guided by fireworks and more cheers by the audience, the Twenty Fifth Olympiad could final take place.
Well, that athlete Natsu spotted running (or rather walking) to the torch seemed suspiciously familiar...I guess he's from Alvarez. More chapters when I can get to it!
Until next time!