It's Thursday once more and I'm back with another chapter of Fairy Tail Shadow! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto and Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima. Anything written is purely my own thoughts.
Naruto: The Fairy Tail Shadow: Part 3: Chapter 7: The Grand Magic Games Arc Part 2: Crocus.
Location: Crocus.
Exactly three months since the master allowed Fairy Tail to train only a few members had returned, Naruto was the first being a whole month early. The rest barely made it back by just a few hours. Makarov then decided that the team should be Naruto, Erza, Natsu, Gray and Lucy Heartfilia with Wendy as back up.
This gave Lucy a shock as she was expecting Laxus, Gajeel or maybe even Mira to be in contention. Naruto on the other hand was expecting Jellal or Msytogan to show up. Truth was it would've given Makarov a great head ache trying to figure out a best team of five with one back up out of twelve mages to challenge for Fairy Tail.
The team soon arrived in the capital of Fiore, Crocus. During their training most of the team had also been in contact with Jellal and they had taken up Ultear's offer over opening up their hidden second origin.
Erza told Naruto about there run in with Jellal and Ultear once they left for the capital. Naruto acted surprised by this already knowing Jellal's intentions from these games. But he felt like he had to say something to Erza about them already having contacted Makarov. But since Erza never mentioned about Jellal saying he already spoke with other members of Fairy Tail he felt it would be best to say nothing for the time being.
"This is my first time being in a big city!" Lucy Heartfilia spoke as her jaw was nearly touching the ground.
"It's so cool looking!" Minato looked around the large building and small streets with amazement.
"Sure we'll be here for hopefully the next two weeks so we'll have plenty of time to look around, deal?"
"DEAL!" Minato shouted from his father's shoulders.
"Hey kids good to see your all here. Let's get on with this event already! KAHAHAHA! We'll show them all the power of Fairy Tail!" Makarov shouted at the guild to the members of Team Fairy Tail with Asuka on his shoulders. He arrived with team Lucy McGarden, Team Shadow Gear and Asuka's parents, Bisca and Alzack.
"Hey look it's Fairy Tail haha." A person shouted out loud as he laughed
"Those losers are gonna finish last again." Another random man shouted.
"Yeah you think they'd learn by now?" The first person answered back.
Naruto seen Natsu's face and had to hold him back from going over and clocking their heads in. "Easy Natsu. The world's changed in seven years. We're here to prove we're better. Remember that."
"Natsu, we have other things to worry about. The matches will begin tomorrow. Unfortunately, we don't know anything about the rules." Makarov spoke with a worried tone.
"Master's right they change the events as well every year." Alzack told the team as he pick Asuka of Makarov's shoulder on to is own.
"Sharpshooting popped up the year we didn't enter." Bisca said with a depressed look.
"The year I didn't take part there was a race." Jet spoke as he animated his running speed."
"Nothing to worry yourselves over kids. Naruto read this by tomorrow wouldya?" Makarov then handed Naruto a ten thousand page book entitled Grand Magic Games Rule Book.
"What the hell, are you serious gramps!?" Naruto shouted at Makarov with wide eyes from shock as he looked at the massive book.
Levy then barely lifted the book off Naruto. "Let me read it. I brought my wind reading glasses." Levy then swiftly scoped through the large book. "There are not alot of main rules other than the ones listed by the magic council already set for guilds but for the games there are three main ones. First of all Guild master's cannot participate. Secondly anyone without the guild's insignia cannot participate and must simply observe. And finally each event will remain a secret up until right before they begin, at which point the rules of that event will be explained."
"All those rules make sense I suppose. Except for the last rule." Gray looked at the group with a blank face.
"I'm guessing that's what makes the Games so interesting for spectators. The Games themselves are basically blind luck for the most part." Erza commented her opinion on the last rule.
"There is a warning at the end. All participant and reserve must return to the lodgings by midnight." Levy read the warning that was written on the last page.
"So tonight then?" Wendy asked the group.
"That gives us plenty of time to prepare then. Come on Lucy!" From his excitement Natsu grabbed Lucy Heartfilia's arm and dragged her as he ran.
"Wait Natsuuuu!" Lucy screamed as Natsu pulled her along.
"Hey wait for me!" Happy shouted out as he flew after the pair.
"Hey Minato how about you come with Granny Lu and Auntie Levy for today so your Mom and Dad can get ready?" Lucy McGarden asked Minato with a smile. Minato agreed and the three soon left to wonder around the city.
"Don't forget bring Minato back before Midnight ok!" Erza shouted as they left.
"Don't worry you two relax for a while." Lucy turned and winked at Erza who bushed in return.
"Come Wendy let's look around town." Sensing what Lucy McGarden meant Gray gently pushed Wendy and Carla away from Naruto and Erza.
The pair were then left speechless and the rest had also left them with out saying a word. "What now?" Naruto asked Erza. Erza thought for a moment as she had a million ideas running through her head. "I know. How about we go get something to eat." Naruto quickly suggested to Erza before she could reply to his first question.
"Deal. But we're getting cake before ramen." Erza ordered with her cheeks puffed outwards huffing. Naruto could help but laugh at Erza's response as they both left for food.
(Five minutes to midnight)
Every member of Team Fairy Tail were in there hotel room. Naruto and Erza after their meal decided to relax in the hotel before the rest arrived back. Natsu and Lucy were next to arrive back along with Happy. They had recently had a run with the twin dragons of Sabertooth. Their chance meeting had Natsu reeling with anger from their arrogance. Gray too was reeling with anger but Naruto joked with him saying that their might've been a hint of jealousy hidden behind his anger was well.
Last to arrive back was Wendy and Carla. They spent most of the day exploring the castle in the centre of the city. With only minutes left until midnight both Naruto and Erza were getting more and more worried over the fact Levy and her mother Lucy had not come back with Minato.
"Hey man calm down. It's Levy and Lucy we're talking about here." Gray was currently trying to calm down an animated Naruto.
"I know it's Levy and Lucy and that's what I'm so worried about. They would've left a message if they were running late. This isn't like them."
Erza then suddenly remembered the incident they day they left to train for the games. The hooded man seemed interested in Minato when he figured out that he was Naruto's son. "Naruto..." Erza softly spoke out but was stopped when the door slowly opened.
"Hey guys. Me and Lisanna thought we'd bring some snacks and drinks for you all." Walking into the room was Elfman and Lisanna both carrying creates of drink and food for the group.
"Elfman, is Lucy and Levy staying in your side of the hotel?" Naruto quickly asked Elfman.
"Yeah but they haven't come back yet. Why what's wrong?" Elfman answered Naruto. He was leaning backwards as Naruto was right in his face when he asked.
The clock when turned to midnight and the church bells of the city began to call out. the noise echo'd around the whole city. Then all the lights of the city darken down leaving the entire city pitch black. when the light re-emerged a giant 3D an with a pumpkin head was being projected over the city. "To All the guilds here for the Great Magic Tournament! Good Morning!" The image moved in a cartoony fashion as he spoke. "In order to reduce the incredibly high turnout of guilds of one hundred and fourteen this year down to just ten we will now being the preliminary event!"
"What the!?" Gray shouted out from confusion.
"No one said anything about that!" Erza was also shocked hearing this recent news.
"Wait... That thing said one hundred and fourteen guilds. That way too high for Fiore! Fiore only has eighty guilds!" Naruto shouted out.
"Every year more and more guilds come that's a sign this event was starting to be taken too lightly. This year, we've brought the number of final competing teams down to ten. The Preliminary rules are simple." The image was still dancing as he spoke but suddenly stopped moving.
The ground then began to shake and the hotel shifted upwards by large gears pushing the building upwards. The hotel that fairy tail was staying in wasn't the only one as all of the other hotels and B&B's around the city were lifted upwards into the air above Crocus. Everyone held on to something tightly as they moved into the air.
Meanwhile as the hotels and B&B's were being brought into the air a massive construction was taking place in the sky. When the hotels stopped moving you could clearly see that each building had a bridge build towards the massive construction. "This is the Sky Labyrinth. Each team competing has to do one simple thing. First ten teams to arrive win. Nothing can be more simpler. You are free to use your magic as well. But remember all five of your team members must be with you when you cross the finish line other wise you won't be allowed to continue. One other thing. We hold no responsibility for anyone who would happen to lose their lives while within the labyrinth. So let the games... BEGIN!" The games had finally begun and all of the competing teams charged forward. Except one.
Naruto grabbed Elfman and pushed his towards the bridge. "Hey what are you doing?" A confused Elfman asked.
"Elfman, congrats you've been promoted. Wendy I'm sorry but I'm taking you off the team. I'll need a dragon's nose to help me find Levy, Lucy and Minato. Happy and Carla your with me as well." Naruto after he stopped pushing Elfman picked up Wendy and walked towards the door. Turning around he seen that everyone was still standing gob-smacked looking at him. "What the hell are you all standing here for?! MOVE IT!"
Finally realizing what Naruto meant Elfman smiled and grabbed the rest of the team and swiftly ran towards the Sky Labyrinth. "Got it! I won't let you down!"
"AND YOU GUYS BETTER FINISH IN THE TOP TEN OR ELSE!" Naruto shouted back on e last time the the team before the rest of them left to search the city for Levy, her mother Lucy and Minato.
All four split into two teams. Carla and Happy serched in the air while running through the streets Naruto and Wendy both desperately tried to find the missing trio. Not knowing how the guild was getting on Naruto had to push those thoughts aside for a moment and focus on finding Minato. "Naruto!" Happy then called out for Naruto.
Naruto quickly jumped to the mark he placed on Happy's bag and raijin'd to him. "Oh you're here, We think we've found Levy's hair-band." Carla then pulled out a bag they found near a bush in the city's main public park.
"Where was it exactly?" Carla pointed in the direction where they found the hair-band. But there was nothing else to be found. "Wendy do you think you can track done Levy's scent?"
"I'll give it my best." Wendy was then given the hair-band by Happy but before she could try to track down Levy a voice spoke out to the group.
"That won't be necessary." The group turned to find a hooded man standing on top of the street light. His body was blacked out.
"Who are you? And more importantly do you know where my son is?"
"Rest assured he and the two females are safe. They are currently in the nearest hospital. They should be fine soon. As for who I am... You can call me Owl. I am the leader of the Hidden Beasts guild. I look forward to meeting you again... Naruto."
"Wait how'd you know my name?" Naruto shouted out the hooded figure but by the time he had finished speaking the man had disappeared. After a few moments the group had calmed down after there shock and confusion. "Let's go." The group then quickly left for the nearest hospital.
And Cut! It's been fun writing this chapter and I hope it's leaving you wanting more chapters lol. Anyway here is this weeks Q&A!
1) Will Minato be part of the GMG? No but he will have some part just not in the games themselves.
2) What Voice over actor would you love to be? Easy one. Chris Sabat! Elfman, Major Armstrong, Zoro and Vegeta the prince of all Saiyans!
3) Favourite One Piece moment? Tough one to be honest. Given it a hard bit of thought I'm gonna say Marineford and Luffy arriving in front of the three admirals. The whole battle is like about four hours long and its by far one of the best Manga Arcs of all time in my opinion and so it had to be my personal favourite moment of the arc.
Well that's all for this week folks! If you have any questions feel free to review or PM myself. I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter. Till next time!