Back with the next chapter!
"Speaking"
""thinking""
On with the story
In the infirmary
Erza and the team gathered around Elfman's bedside in the infirmary, they having brought him there after his match. The middle Strauss sibling was covered from head to toe in bandages.
"I apologize for underestimating you, Elfman." Erza said. "You did well today. Your strength and resolve have opened the door for all of us. We will make sure not to waste the progress you have made for us. You certainly are a real man." She nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Looks like even Erza's acknowledging you now." Gray said.
"You were great out there." Lucy praised.
"Stop, you guys are saying to a dying man." Elfman said. "Oww." He winced as Lisanna padded his head with gauze.
"You always did have a thick head and a stubborn body." Lisanna smiled with a little laugh
"You should be the last person laughing!" Elfman shouted.
"you really did an amazing job, Elfman-san" Wendy congratulated with a warm smile.
"Sorry to ask ya to do this, but you gotta take over for me, Wendy." Elfman said.
"Don't worry." The young girl said confidently. "You can count on me."
"The next match is starting so hurry up and get out." Porlyusica scolded. "Learning about your enemy is the first step to defeating them."
"here" Natsu said as he passes a vial with green liquid to Lisanna
"make sure he drinks that, and he will be good as new in no time," Natsu said before turning around
"go it," Lisanna said as she took a whiff of the potion's smell and her face turned blue a bit
"I feel a bit sorry for you, Elf-nichan" Lisanna said
"get well soon" everyone said to the man as they left the room
"I'm really sorry, I really want to stay here" Lisanna said as she looks at her big brother
"don't worry, Nee-chan's match is next, right? cheer her on for my part as well" Elfman told her
"don't worry, the Raijinshuu will protect him" Bickslow told the two
"I put a rune that forbids strangers from coming in" Freed said as he holds his sword's hilt
"we won't allow anyone to attack this place ever again" Ever said
"sorry…." Elfman told them
"there's no other choice, right?" Ever told to him with a smile as the two looked at each other
"any way, he's injured and in need of rest" Freed said while closing his eyes and broke their stare at each other
"how about we have Ever sleep with him then?" Bickslow suggested while pushing her down to the bed
"Don't joke around!" Ever and Elfman shouted at the two as Freed smirked to the two
In the hallway
Natsu and the team were on their way to their stand as they started discussing on their comeback against Raven Tail
"I don't think that it was Raven Tail at all" Charla added in as everyone looks at her
"I think that the kidnappers real target was to kidnap Lucy" Charla started explaining her assumption on someone else was involve with the kidnapping that turned into a mistake to the kidnappers
"let's worry about that later, Raven comes second to the match" Natsu said as everyone nodded and went to the stall while Charla was still afraid to the vision, she had just had (the one about the Dragons coming)
The group re-entered the arena, each going to their respective areas.
"Hey Lisanna, welcome back." Cana smiled. "How's the big lug?"
"a bit banged up, but he will be fine thanks to Natsu's potion, Did we miss anything?" Lisanna asked as she sat down.
"You're just in time." Cana answered. "The next match is starting."
Charla started to walk to the rail where Lily and Milo were at
"I see your injuries have all healed." Lily said to her while Milo meowed to her
"They have." Charla nodded. "Wendy is fine as well. I would have stayed with her, but apparently only active participants in the tournament are allowed to watch from the balconies." She said a bit despondent.
"is the match starting?" Charla asked to Lily who nodded
""I really shouldn't be so worried about such an obscure vision. I should be focused on supporting my guild.""
"go! Mirajane! Do your be- !? what is this?!" Charla exclaimed as she stops when her eyes went wide from shock
"well…" Lily tried to answer but couldn't put together an answer
"nya" Milo meowed before yawning
"Ohohohohoho oho hohoho" Makarov swoons, hearts in his eyes. Romeo looking at him.
It was Mira vs Jenny in a gravure show off
As they were posing to the camera while in swimsuits
"what the heck!?" Gray exclaimed on the stand
"Mira-san" Wendy said while in disbelieve
"aahhh" Lucy wowed as she had no idea what to say
"this?" Mira said as she posed to the camera
"hi~" Jenny greeted the camera while posing
As this made all of the male in the crowds have drool on their mouth and hearts in their eyes
"they have this type of event?" Wendy said while pointing at the arena
"looks like this a special rule for them" Lucy replied to her
"As expected, you're quite formidable, Mira."
"You as well. It's been a long time, Jenny."
"I didn't think you would have gone for a swimsuit contest like this."
"Yeah... After all, I don't really like slugfests. We're better off if we can reach a result peacefully, no?" Mira said with a smile
"The former swimsuit model colleagues! With both of them employing transformation magic... This battle is a dream come true! The judges will be the three of us here at the scene." Chapati announces, naming himself, Yajima and Jason as the judges.
"It's a heavy responsibility." Yajima gives a simple comment.
Suddenly, all of the guild's female joined in to the match as they started posing
"looks like the crowds are enjoying, so let's just continue!" Lola commented on the mic
"we're gonna get into trouble if we stop the event like this" Yajima said with a blush on his face
"cooooool! Beautiful and cool!" Jason shouted
"but this is still a match between Mirajane and Jenny!" Lola exclaimed on the mic
"what's the point of joining when the points won't be add?" Lucy asked while in the arena with the others
"isn't it fine doing like this once in a while? Just to have fun!" Mavis chimed in
"for a ghost, you're really a spirited one" Cana said while wearing her swimsuit
They all started going with the match as everyone started dressing up from bikinis,
School swimsuit
"why do we need to change too?" Levy said while blushing
"looks like the outfit suits you, Wendy" Lisanna said with a smile
"it doesn't make me happy at all!" Wendy exclaimed to her
Bikini and knee sock
"This is a bit more embarrassing than with just the bikini," Lucy said while a bit embarrassed
Glasses
"well it's the same for me, though," Laki said as she was the only female in the arena who usually wears glasses
Cat ears
"Is there a point in me wearing this?" Charla said while wearing a headpiece that has cat ears while she already has cat ears
Bondage
"This is also a form of love as well," Sherry said while whipping a whip as she wears a bondage
"you're too in it!" Cheria said to her cousin
"how about it, Erza? Do you admit defeat?" Ever said to Erza while posing in a bondage outfit
"huh? Did you say something?" Erza replied while wearing an even more extreme bondage outfit
"I admit defeat" Ever said while doing a dogeza to her
Wedding dresses
"the next theme is wedding dresses, please pick your partner and get ready for your dress!" Lola exclaimed on the mix
"sorry for this, Master" Mira who was wearing a wedding dress apologizes to Makarov who was wearing a tuxedo
"this is also a master's duty" Makarov told her
"well, I choose you" Jenny said as her partner was Hibiki
"it's more nicer this way" Hibiki said with a smile
Everyone got into their wedding dresses as they pick a partner
Jet and Droy were fighting over on who becomes Levy's partner but Levy's eyes were on Gajeel who was laying around lazy
"Juvia! I am the only man for you!" Lyon said while carrying Juvia
"Lyon-sama! But Juvia is" Juvia tried to say but Lyon was kicked away by Gray
"Gray-sama!"
"sorry, but it's not nice taking someone else's guild members" Gray said to Lyon
"Juvia is so happy!" Juvia exclaimed as she hugs Gray before the two falls down
Ren partnered with Sherry as the two were actually a perfect match for each other
"so annoying" Natsu muttered out as he wore his old Tuxedo back then when he married Erza as the man was forced to join in by Gray
Lucy and Cana were pushing Erza who wore her wedding dress, towards Natsu
"just go already!" Cana told Erza
"but what if…." Erza tried to retort
"just go! I know this will work!" Lucy told her as they pushed Erza towards Natsu's back as the man looks back at her
"um" Erza tried to make up an apology as she looks behind and sees Lucy and Cana signaling her to do it
Erza gulped nervously before she looks at Natsu who crosses his arms
"Natsu….i" Erza tried to speak but her words were caught in her throat
"what?" Natsu asked her while raising an eyebrow
Erza tried to speak but her emotions took the best of her
"nothing, I'm sorry" Erza said as she turns around and was about to walk away but Natsu stop her when he hugs her from behind
"i may not be able to forget, but I am able to forgive" Natsu whispered to Erza as she turns around to look at him
"I know that I let my emotions get the best of me, and it's partly my fault for letting it all happened this way…but I'm willing to give you a second chance" Natsu told her as Erza's eyes widen in joy
Natsu smiles before he combs a part of her hair behind her ear
"I love you, Erza" Natsu said with a soft smile as he gives her a kiss to her lips
"but don't betray my trust again, alright?" he told her as Erza nodded before she hugs him and Natsu hugs back
"thank….you" Erza whispered to Natsu as he smiles before hugging her even more
Some of the crowds awed at the scene as they clapped for the two
"yay!" Lucy and Cana high fived each other for their plan was a success
Makarov smiled with a nod as he was glad that the two were together again
Natsu gives a peck to Erza's head as the two started heading back to the stand
Everyone then went back to swimsuits before it was stopped when Lamia Scale's master, Oba Babasama came in and ruined the whole thing as she came in wearing a swimsuit while spinning her hip that made everyone stop and walk back to their stand
The match then continued to the fight where Jenny made a bet with Mira as the bet was to whoever loses must do a nude photoshoot on next week's Weekly Sorceror's Magazine
This cause all of the perverts to have nosebleeds
And to everyone's surprise, Mira agreed
"WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE WAGER!" Lola commented on the mic while sweat was falling all over his face as he blushed
The next them was Battle form as Jenny transforms into hers while Mira transforms into her Mirajane Sitri that ended a match in one attack
In the castle
a certain knight walks along the large halls as he stops when his name was called
"Captain Arcadios."
"Why, if it isn't the minister of defense."
"Just what do you think you are doing?" The old man speaks up, and the knight gives a look of confusion.
"What... do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb with me! Why are you trying to get your hands on the stellar spirit mage?" His T-shaped brow's creasing as he bores holes into the younger man. "Don't you think your timing is quite premature!?"
"I wanted to try a test run as quickly as possible..."
"It's still too early! It hasn't even been completed yet!"
"minister of defense... your voice is a little loud. And moreover... it's already complete."
"What... what did you just say?"
"It was just for the sake of budget estimates that we said it hadn't been finished yet. As long as the stellar spirit mage is present, we'll arrive at a stage where Eclipse can be used."
"That's ridiculous... to have finished something like that in just seven years..."
"The plan is now moving into phase 4, plan B. Therefore, we will definitely acquire the stellar spirit mage." The old man visibly shakes at the gained information, Arcadios continuing. "It's already common knowledge that you've been opposed to the Eclipse plan. However, now that we've come so far, we can no longer stop."
"Are you a demon...?" At this, the captain smiles.
"For the sake of his king... for the sake of this country... a man can become a demon or a god." Standing before a large gate, with designs of all colors and kinds, the knight nears the end of his speech. "Before Eclipse, the gateway to changing the world... The price of a single girl's life is indeed quite cheap."
Back to the arena
"Great work, Mira-san." Juvia congratulated her comrade
"I feel like I'm showing quite a few inappropriate sides of myself..." She blushes, caressing her cheek.
"I feel that the last one really showed much" Gajeel added in
"Now for the final match of Day 2!" Lola announced. "It will be Mermaid Heel's Kagura Mikazuchi Vs…Sabertooth's Yukino Agira! It looks like we're moving on from the battle of the beats to one of the beauties." Lola said.
"Who do you think is going to win?" Frosch asked Lector, the ever wide smile present on the cosplaying exceed.
Lecter glared at his companion. "Yukino's gonna win of course!" the red exceed shouted. "What are you some kind of moron, Frosch? How could you not know that already?"
"Fro thinks so too." Frosch said.
"Well we're in the lead right now, so we don't have too much to worry about," Orga smirked.
"Indeed." Rufus agreed.
"Yukino." Sting said, his tone serious. "Do you remember what it means to be a part of Sabertooth?"
"That I mustn't bring shame to the honor of our guild." Yukino answered.
"And how do you do that?" Sting asked.
"By winning."
"Then go do it."
"Yes." Yukino nodded as she stepped out from the tunnel towards the arena center
"Make sure to do your best, Kagura." The hooded woman said.
"Win it for us." Beth smiled.
"She's going against Sabertooth…" Risley said, her voice a bit wary.
"It doesn't matter who it is, Kagura's stronger than all of them," Arana said.
"Be at ease," Kagura said to her teammates. "I have seen the path that lies ahead. I know where my sword must proceed."
She stepped forth from the tunnel, meeting Yukino in the center of the arena.
"I don't suppose these two will sing as well?" Yajima asked Lola.
"Umm, I don't think so Mr. Yajima," Lola answered.
"A shame, I bet they have lovely singing voices," Yajima said, a bit downtrodden.
"With these two we shouldn't even expect anything like that," Jason said with a grin.
"Sabertooth is up," Gray said, he and the rest of team looking down at the two combatants.
"Watch her carefully," Erza said. "That is the guild that blocks our path to the top."
"Right." Lucy and Wendy said in unison.
"Those two are quite the lookers, huh?" Macao grinned.
"I'll say." Wakaba said.
"I don't remember either of them at the last tournament." Jet said.
"I've heard of Kagura Mikazuchi from Sorcerer Weekly," Laki said. "They say she's one of the strongest female wizards in the kingdom."
"Really?" Lisanna asked.
"This should be an enlightening matchup," Makarov said.
"Most people may know Kagura from the Sorcerer's Weekly 'Best Female Wizards' list," Lola said. "And while this is Yukino's debut match, her being a part of the reigning champions, Sabertooth, should be all the evidence we need of her magical power. Who will come out on top in the final match?"
The gong sounded.
"Let the match begin!" Lola shouted.
The two women stood across from one another, their resolve painted on their faces.
"May you fight well," Yukino said with a bowed head.
Kagura was initially caught off-guard but soon followed suit. "The same to you." She said.
"Before we start," Yukino said. "It seems the previous two battles had wagers placed on them by their participants. Shall we do the same?"
"I am sorry, but things like that hold no value to me," Kagura replied plainly.
"Are you by chance, afraid of losing?" Yukino provoked.
"I have no such inclinations. However, when I agree to something, I see it through to the end without fail. I never gamble for amusement."
"Then shall we wager for something serious?" Yukino said, her tone growing heavy. "Like our lives?"
The entire crowd's jaws dropped in shock. All of them were taken aback by the declaration, save Sting who simply smirked.
"Does she have a screw loose or something?" the Mermaid Heel's hooded member asked.
"She seems pretty confident in herself," Risley said.
"If you are serious about taking this course of action, then it would rude of me to ignore you." Kagura said. She readied herself. "I accept your terms. Come."
The crowd once again fell into shock, this time at Kagura's acceptance to Yukino's wager.
"Well things have certainly taken a turn." Lola said.
"Hmmm." Yajima breathed.
"Did they say they were putting their lives on the line?" Gray asked in surprise.
"That is a very bold wager to make." Erza said.
Yukino reached into her cloak, pulling out a key. "It is by a cruel twist of fate that you were placed in front Sabertooth."
"OPEN GATE OF THE PAIRED FISH:"
"She's a Celestial Wizard?!" Lucy shouted.
"A golden key." Kagura observed. "So you're just like the blonde Fairy Tail wizard from yesterday."
"Pisces!"
Two fish, one white and one black, emerged from Yukino's key. They were hundreds of meters long, their speed astonishing as they rushed towards Kagura.
"so big!" Lily exclaimed in surprise.
"there's a celestial spirit like that?!" Charla exclaimed as well.
Kagura jumped out of the way of the twin spirit's initial attack, landing on her feet a few feet away. The twin fish charged her again, and once again Kagura jumped out of harm's way. As Pisces continued their attacks, Kagura continued to dodge, leaping gracefully from fish to fish.
"She's pretty good." Natsu said amazed.
"Yes, she is." Erza agreed, her focus entirely on the fight.
Kagura jumped from the white fish's body once more, this time landing on the black one's head. She ran down its body, her sword at the ready.
"You are quite skilled at dodging, but it's time I bring you down to earth." Yukino said, pulling out another golden key.
"OPEN GATE OF THE HEAVENLY SCALES: LIBRA!"
Another spirit emerged from the second key. This one was slender woman with tan skin. Her dark hair was tied in what looked to be an ox horn style, and she wore what appeared to be a belly dancer's bikini top and skirt, a cloth bearing her symbol wrapped around her mouth. Small scales also hung from her hands, tied to strings dangling from her fingers.
"She can perform a double summon too?" Lucy said.
"Libra, shift the target's gravity down," Yukino ordered.
"As you wish." Libra complied. She danced and a force overtook Kagura, slamming her down to the ground.
"Kagura!" Beth called out.
Kagura slowly stood up, her body still being weighed down. What's this? she thought.
"What's happened?" Lola said. "It looks like all of Kagura's speed is gone."
"Don't tell me that Libra girl uses the same magic as me," Risley said in disbelief.
"That's the way, Yukino!" Lecter shouted.
"Yay!" Frosch exclaimed.
"Pisces!" Yukino called out.
The twin fish once again rushed towards Kagura, who was now weighed down by Libra's magic. The fish collided, but when the dust settled Kagura was high in the air.
"Kagura's in the air!" Lola shouted. "How did she do that?!"
"She's so cool!" Jason exclaimed.
"She must have really strong legs in order to jump that high." Gray said.
Erza shook her head. "No. It's something else."
"Libra, shift her gravity to the right," Yukino commanded.
"Yes, ma'am." Libra nodded. She danced once again and Kagura felt another push. This one sending her flying into one of the statues overlooking the arena.
"Once again Kagura has been pulled by Libra's gravity change," Lola said.
"This one's over," Orga said. "About time too, I was getting bored."
Sting rested his head on his open palm a smug smirk on his lips. "Yeah, I wish Yukino would quit toying with her already."
"Pisces, finish her," Yukino commanded.
Once again, the twin fish flew towards Kagura.
"Oh no!" Beth fretted.
"Calm down, Beth." Risley grinned. "It's not over for Kagura yet."
Just before Pisces attacked, they suddenly fell to the ground.
"What?" Yukino said with widened eyes.
"I-I can't move?" Libra said. Her body was being weighed down by an unknown force.
"Libra?!" Yukino shouted. She looked up, seeing Kagura now standing atop the statue she was flung into.
""She can use gravity magic as well?""
"Don't underestimate, Kagura." Risley said proudly. "She's the one who taught me gravity magic."
"Whoa!" Gray exclaimed.
Kagura's gravity shift continued weighing down the three spirits until Pisces fell on top of Libra, immobilizing all three of them. Kagura jumped from the statue. Using her Gravity magic to slow her descent, she landed safely on her feet on the ground.
The crowd cheered at the display.
"In a spectacular turnaround, Kagura has immobilized Yukino's spirits." Lola commentated.
Kagura started at Yukino with a superior air running around her
"Libra, Pisces, come back." Yukino waved her keys, recalling her spirits back to the celestial world. "You're strong," Yukino said to Kagura, once again reaching into her cloak. "I never thought I would have to open this so early." She pulled out a third golden key. "The thirteenth gate."
"Thirteenth Gate?" Lucy repeated in shock.
"What is that, Lucy?" Wendy asked.
"I had heard rumors about a 13th zodiac key with a spirit that was supposedly stronger than the previous 12, but I thought it was just gossip. I had no idea it really existed." the blonde answered, her body trembling with bot anticipation and fear.
The air around Yukino and Kagura grew dark and heavy as the key started to glow.
"You're luck has run out." Yukino said.
"Luck?" Kagura said. "Such a thing has been foreign to me since my birth." She grabbed her sword and dashed forward. "My life now has been due to the choices I have made."
"OPEN, GATE OF THE SNAKE CHARMER:"
"Only I guide my fate." Kagura said, as she began to narrow the distance between her and Kagura.
"OPHIUCHUS"
From Yukino's key emerged a snake of immeasurable size, its enormous fangs sending a chill through the spines of the spectators in the arena. Its body, oddly enough, appeared to be both organic and mechanical.
"That thing is huge!" Gray shouted as everyone looked at the towering serpent spirit.
""heh? So she can summon that snake, huh?"" END said with amusement as if he knew of the spirits' existence
"So this is the 13th spirit," Lucy said astonished.
"I never knew such a thing existed," Makarov said.
"Neither did I," Mavis added.
Kagura continued charging ahead undaunted, gripping her sword hilt tightly.
"Fugutaiten. Battou"
In a flash Kagura cut Ophiuchus to ribbons, her sword never leaving its scabbard.
"What?" Sting said in disbelief.
Yukino watched as Kagura continued approaching her, unable to speak due to shock.
"She never drew her blade." Erza gasped. "How was she…?"
The hooded woman sported a Cheshire grin.
Within seconds Kagura was upon Yukino, her eyes still as fierce as when their battle began. Yukino's will, however, had long since wavered.
""This…can't be."" Yukino thought in fright.
"Your wager was a foolish one." Kagura said. Her sword still sheathed she swung upward, knocking Yukino off of her feet and onto her back on the dirt.
"There are times when even a mermaid feasts on tiger's meat," Kagura said, standing triumphantly.
The entire crowd was shocked, none expected the fight to be won by Mermaid Heel. Once more they never expected it to be won so decisively.
"T-t-the match is over." Lola stammered. "The winner is Kagura Mikazuchi! Mermaid Heel earns 10 points, and Sabertooth earns zero!"
"What an unexpected turn of events." Yajima said.
"Kagura is so cool!" Jason exclaimed.
"That's our Kagura." Risley grinned.
"I knew she would win." Arana smirked.
"Yay, Kagura!" Beth shouted happily.
Kagura made her way towards the tunnel, all of the competitor's eyes now on her.
""I never knew someone like her existed."" Erza thought. ""Kagura Mikazuchi.""
""I…lost."" Yukino thought surprised. "Sabertooth has been…"
Sting looked at the downed Yukino and the victorious Kagura, his teeth and fist both clenched in shocked anger.
Kagura stopped short of entering the arena tunnel. "Your life…" she said to Yukino. "It belongs to me now. Understood?"
Yukino nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Yes."
"With the last battle of day 2 concluded, here are the current rankings," Lola announced.
1st Sabertooth – 30
2nd Fairy Tail A – 24
3rd Raven Tail – 22
4th Mermaid Heel – 17
5th Lamia Scale – 17
6th Blue Pegasus – 15
7th Fairy Tail B – 14
8th Quatro Puppy – 12
"Looks like there has been quite a shakeup in the rankings," Lola announced.
"Fairy Tail A manages to climb to second place, I believe that we're about to see the former number on guild regaining their title."
"Today was certainly an entertaining one," Yajima said.
"Everything was so cool!" Jason said.
"And with that, we will see you all tomorrow for day three!" Lola said.
"Bye-bye," Yajima said.
"They really changed it." Rocker said in humiliation as the newly christened "Quatro Puppy" team stared at the leader board. Bacchus simply laughed.
"that girl," Natsu said as he somehow found a similar old scent coming from her
"Hey Natsu" Gray called out as he and the others were going back to their inn
"You coming?" he asked
"yeah," Natsu said before taking one last look to Sabertooth last participant, Yukino Agrio who was being given the cold shoulders by her team
Nighttime
Under a bridge over the canal that separated Crocus' up and downtown areas stood three individuals: a man, a woman, and a child.
"I'm sleepy," Mary said groggily as she rubbed her eyes.
"I know, honey. I know." Erza cooed.
"Go to sleep, ok? We'll return to the inn soon." Erza carried her daughter up as she places her head on her shoulder to let the child sleep
Mary nodded as her eyes started to flutter close
"Good night." Erza smiled as she caresses her head
"Good night, Mr. Jellal…" Mary's voice trailed off. Soon after she was fast asleep.
"Good night, Mary." He said. "She's just like you." He said to Erza.
"Really?" Erza asked, looking at her daughter.
"I think she's a lot like Natsu than me."
The two were having a secret meeting as Erza was telling Jellal on how the GMG had no signs of the dark magic.
"congrats on getting back with Natsu" Jellal told to Erza as she nodded
"to be frank, I almost thought that I will never be with him anymore," Erza said in reply
"but you did, and that's something to be grateful for," Jellal said with a smile
"For the past few days I've been sensing the magic we told you of, but it's faint. It's nowhere near as strong as it was the previous years." Jellal explained.
"What does that mean?" Erza asked.
"There a few possibilities:" Jellal began. "Either the magic is connected to a person who may not be attending this year, they're not using their magic within the city, or perhaps they're aware of our watching them and they're hiding their presence."
"Do you think that's the case?" Erza asked.
"I'm not sure. Ultear and Meredy haven't been able to find an explanation for the sudden drop in power since the preliminaries."
"all that matters is that we need to keep a close eye on Raven Tail" Erza said as Jellal nodded
"You're right." Jellal said.
Jellal put his mask back on and started walking away. "Tomorrow, I'll see if I can investigate the tournaments backers. They may also be connected to the presence."
"Try not to get yourself noticed," Erza advised.
"I know." Jellal grinned under his mask. "Ultear is still hammering in the fact that I almost blew my cover."
"I bet she is," Erza smirked. "Don't overdo it, ok?"
"I won't," Jellal said. "Goodnight, Erza."
"Goodnight, Jellal." Erza returned.
Jellal walked away. Erza watched him for a bit before going her own way.
"It's gotten late," Erza said as she walked the streets towards the inn. "Even all of the drinking parties are finished."
"Mmm." Mary stirred in her sleep.
"It's ok, we're we're heading back now." Erza cooed as she caresses her head
"Finally!" a voice called from above putting Erza on guard. "I've found you."
"Who's there?" Erza asked, clutching Mary close to her for safety. She looked up, seeing the hooded woman from Mermaid Heel looking down at her from one of the bar balconies.
"You're always so serious, Erzy." The woman grinned.
Erza's eyes widened.
"Erzy?" She thought as a smile began to appear on Erza's face as the woman above her took off her hood.
"Long time, no see." The woman said now sitting on the balcony. Despite the slight change in appearance, Erza knew exactly who was looking at her.
"Millianna!" she exclaimed happily.
The cat woman leaped down from the balcony in front of Erza, tears beginning to pool in her eyes. "I missed you so much." She smiled.
"Millianna." Erza said softly. "You're in a guild now?"
"Mhm." Millianna nodded. "I'm a part of Mermaid Heel."
"Did Wally and Sho join as well?"
"No, of course not." Millianna smiled. "Mermaid Heel is only for women. They're still travelling around, but we keep in touch every now and again."
"Is that so…?" Erza smiled wider, a blush painting her cheeks. She pulled Millianna in for a hug. "I'm so happy to see you, Millianna." Erza said, trying to hold back tears.
"Me too, Erzy." Millianna replied also fighting back tears. Eventually the waterworks flowed from both of them.
"I'm so glad you've been keeping yourself healthy." Erza sniffed.
"Please don't cry, Erzy." Millianna said. She was also sniffing.
"You're crying too." Erza retorted with a smile.
With Natsu
He was at the garden with Rose as the child was playing around with Milo as she rubs the fat cat's back
Natsu smiled to the playful twin before he hears footsteps coming from behind him
"Are you coming to chat or what?" Natsu said as he stands up and turns around and was face to face with Kagura from Mermaid Heel
"as expected of someone of your caliber, Salamander" Kagura said in praise as she walks towards him
"You didn't answer my question," Natsu said as he crosses his arms
"I wish to have a conversation with you," Kagura told him as Natsu looks at Rose who was playing with Milo before looking back at her
"let's take this somewhere private," Natsu said as he snaps his fingers and summons Enryuo no Yoroi to take his place in looking after Rose
Kagura nodded as Natsu leads her to the inner garden where Rose and Milo just look at them before looking at Enryuo no Yoroi who stood beside them
"carry," Rose said to the armor as it did what it was told to by the child
With Erza
In a park even distance from the inn, Fairy Tail was staying in, Millianna and Erza sat on a bench in front of a tree. Mary was still asleep and was laying her head on her mother's lap
"Why didn't you reveal yourself earlier?" Erza asked while caressing Mary's head as the child continued to sleep.
"Well to be honest…" Millianna began. "I was going to wait until my guild won the games, but…" She leaned onto Erza's shoulder, a wide smile on her face. "I couldn't wait!" she squealed. "I wanted to see and talk to you as soon as possible!"
"What are we going to do with you?" Erza sighed with a smile.
Milliana smiles as well before she turns her attention to the sleeping Mary
"she must be Mary, right?" Milliana said with a smile as she stares at Mary
"how did you know she was Mary? People usually mistake the two for each other" Erza said to Milliana
"I just know," Milliana replied to her
"because she's Erzy's little girl!" Milliana smiled wider to her friend
"I know that this is a bit late, but I just want to say Congratz on your marriage and the kids, Erzy" Milliana hugs Erza as she hugs back
"Thank you, Millianna." Erza said. "But I should really be congratulating you. You have joined a fairly strong guild."
Millianna blushed and looked away. "We're not that good."
"Not true, I've been impressed with all of you so far. I was especially blown away by the strength of your swordswoman, Kagura." Erza praised.
"Kagura-chan iss amazing. She might even be stronger than you, Erzy." Millianna grinned.
"Oh really?" Erza raised an eyebrow. "Well hopefully she and I will be able to fight at some point."
"You might." Millianna said. "Although, Kagura-chan may never show her real power in the games."
"Is that right?" Erza said, slightly intrigued as to why.
"You remember her sword, Archenemy, right?" Millianna asked.
"I do." Erza nodded. "She never once unsheathed it during her fight against Sabertooth."
"That's right." Millianna said. "As the name implies, Archenemy is to only be drawn when Kagura has come face to face with her nemesis. A person that she despises so much that even their very existence in this world offends her."
Erza sat curious, yet slightly unnerved, by Millianna's explanation. She noticed that her friend's expression had subtly grown darker as she spoke.
"That sword was created and only to be used to take the life of only one man"
"Jellal" Millianna finished.
Erza's eyes widened. "What?" she gasped.
Back with Natsu
"Is this place good enough?" Natsu asked as he and Kagura were standing in the middle of the garden
"yes" Kagura replied with a nod
"so? What do you want to talk about?" he asked her
"first, I would like to say gratitude to you" Kagura said as she bowed to him
"gratitude? For what?" Natsu asked her
"for saving my brother from the tower in the past" Kagura said to him
"your brother? I see, no wonder your scent has a bit of his combined" Natsu said with an amused smile
"you must be related to Simon in a way, aren't you?"
"yes, my brother, Simon. Thank you for saving him" Kagura told him
"I see, did you two meet each other again?" he asked her
"no, not yet, but I was hoping when he hears Mermaid Heel's victory in the games, from somewhere, he will know where to go," Kagura said with a little smile as Natsu nodded in understanding
"a bit full of yourself, aren't you?" Natsu said in amusement
"so, is that all you wanted to say?"
Kagura shook her head to his question as she stares right at him
"Jellal" she said as Natsu's eyes went hostile for a second before relaxing a bit
"the one who tried to take away Simon's and Milliana's freedom"
"he is somehow alive after the reports of you ending him in the past"
Natsu looks at her before END appeared beside him
""looks like you're not the only one who hates that Tattoo boy"" he told to Natsu before seeing Kagura speaking again
"so? What does he get to do with this?" Natsu asked her
"this sword," Kagura said as she raises up her sheathed sword
"was meant to end his life but after I heard that his life was already taken away, I wanted to focus on the search for my brother, but…," Kagura said as Natsu looks at her with a raised eyebrow
"he was reported to be sighted near Magnolia," Kagura said as Natsu can see the intense hate and anger in her eyes
""this girl…..has more hate for him than you"" END said as he found the conversation to be quiet amusing for him
"so, I will finish what you have begun….with this sword, Archenemy…I will take his life in your stead"
Natsu looks at her for a moment before he turns around and walks away
"I won't stop you if you can, then do it…..but," Natsu said before he turns his head to look at Kagura
"Remember this… that anger and hatred in you….don't let it take control of your actions… or you will regret it….like me" Natsu told her before he walks away and leaves her there with his words in her mind
Back with Erza
She was walking back to the inn with Mary in her arms as she was coming back from chatting with Milliana
""Jellal is somehow alive, I thought it was just a lie, I thought that Natsu had already ended his life from back then, but he is somehow alive."" Milliana words rang in her mind as she stops
""so, me and Kagura-chan will find him and kill him in his stead, we will definitely kill him, that Jellal""
""they don't know, the real truth"" Erza thought before she sees Enryuo no Yoroi walking towards the inn with Rose in its arm while Milo on its shoulder
"Rose?" Erza looks at the child as she was ordering the armor around
"where's Natsu?" she asked her child
"don't know" Rose replied as she ordered the armor to carry her into the inn
Erza looks around and didn't see Natsu following behind
"where is he?" Erza said before she went into the inn where everyone was chatting with a certain someone from Sabertooth
"you are.." Erza spoke as everyone looks at Erza before looking at their guest
With Natsu
He was walking back to the inn as he knew that Rose had ordered his armor to bring her back to the inn with Milo
""that child is very smart for her age"" END appeared as he laughs a bit
"she must've gotten that IQ from Erza" Natsu said before he stops when he sees Yukino coming out of Fairy Tail's inn and was now walking away after paying her gratitude to Fairy Tail
""isn't she with that blonde brat's guild?"" END asked before Natsu sees the tears in her eyes
"something's not right," Natsu said before he followed Yukino
A few moments later
BOOM!
Inside Crocus Gardens inn, a loud boom shook the building; waking up all of the Sabertooth wizards.
"What the hell was that?" Sting asked groggily as he sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes to clear his vision.
"We have intruders!" Rogue announced as he and Frosch burst into Sting's room.
"Intruders?! At our inn?!" Sting exclaimed. He quickly put on his clothes. "Lecter wake up!" Sting shouted.
"What's wrong, Sting?" the exceed yawned.
"We got intruders!"
"Intruders?"
"Hurry and get changed."
"Ok."
Sting followed Rogue down the hall, a still tired Lecter following close behind.
"Who'd be dumb enough to come at us like this?" Sting asked Rogue.
"I don't know." Rogue answered. "But whoever they are, they must have not intended to leave this place alive."
The four heard a crash as one of the doors in front of them blew off its hinges and into the hall.
"There!" Sting pointed. "They're in the main room!" The four ran to the now open door.
When they reached it one of Sabertooth's members flew past Sting, hitting the wall behind him with a loud thud. They all looked ahead, their eyes widening when they saw a familiar Crimson red armor in the clouds of dust.
"Natsu?!" Sting shouted in disbelief.
"What's he doing here?!" Rogue asked aloud.
"Where is your master?" Natsu demanded them as he pummels every Sabertooth member who tried to attack him
The twin dragons and their exceeds looked on in disbelief as they watched their comrades fall one by one to Natsu's attacks.
Soon enough Jilemma entered the main hall, moving his guild members out of the way as he walked towards Natsu.
"You have business with me, you insolent brat?" Jilemma roared.
Natsu dropped the Sabertooth member he was holding by the collar and focused on the massive man walking towards him.
"So, you're the master?" Natsu asked.
"State your business." Jilemma demanded.
"You kick someone out of the guild after just one loss?" Natsu asked.
"That's pretty immature."
"What?" Jilemma furrowed his brow in anger.
Flashback
Natsu was talking with Yukino as she explains how she was no longer a member of Sabertooh and how she was kicked out after just joining the guild the year before
""what are you doing?"" END asked Natsu who was walking straight to the direction where Yukino told him of where Sabertooth was staying at
"Ending a Worthless scum's life" Natsu said as he equipped on Reiter no Yoroi
Flashback end
"how about we make a bet?" Natsu said as he summons his halberd into his hands
"if I win, you get out of your own guild
Soon the entire Sabertooth guild had arrived in the main hall in response to their noisy guest. All of them were stunned by Natsu's declaration to say the least.
"Fairy Tail…?" Rufus said shocked.
"He came to pick a fight with the Master?" Orga inquired.
"He must be suicidal." Lector said.
"Fro thinks so too." Frosch commented.
Natsu and Jilemma stared at one another. "I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into, brat." Jilemma said to Natsu.
"I know exactly what I'm doing." Natsu retorted as he spins his halberd around before pointing the scythe at him
"anyone who expels their own family deserve no respect from me" Natsu spoke in a dark voice as a negative black aura appears on his halberd
""Is he talking about Yukino?"" Rogue thought.
""But that's got nothing to do with him."" Sting thought confused.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Jilemma said. "But clearly you are a man who lives by his own set of rules. Somehow I have broken those rules."
"Are you afraid to lose, Jillema?" Natsu mockingly asked to him
"Enough of this, Dobengal!" Jilemma shouted. Out of nowhere, a man in ninja gear appeared next to the master.
"Yes, Master?" Dorvengal said.
"Deal with this nuisance," Jilemma ordered.
"As you command." Dorvengal nodded.
"afraid that you'll lose?" Natsu asked.
"Nonsense." Jilemma retorted. "Brats such as you are too low to even step on. If you wish to reach a master, then you better be prepared to show your resolve."
"Fine then" Natsu said as he started to approach the Master of Sabertooth
"You will not reach the Master!" Dobengal sprinted to intercept Natsu. He lunged forward with a finger jab but Natsu caught him before he could strike
"you're in my way" Natsu said as he punches Dobengal's gut and sends the man flying to a wall and had crashed to it
Sting's eyes widened in shock as he watched Dobengal hit the ground.
"But Dobengal is one of the top ten strongest wizards in Sabertooth!" Lector shouted in shock.
"Oh no!" Frosch fretted.
Jilemma continued looking on, his body slightly shaking in excitement.
Sting stepped forward. "Master, if you'll let me I can-"Jilemma held out his arm, cutting off the blonde Dragon Slayer.
"Stand back," Jilemma ordered, much to Sting's surprise. Jilemma then refocused on Natsu who was drawing back a flame fist.
"We don't have anyone in Sabertooth like you, brat." Jilemma said.
"Interesting!"
Natsu dashes towards the Sabertooth's master before he punched Jilemma, who blocked with his forearm, the impact shaking the room around them.
Jilemma tensed up his forearm, using his magic to push Natsu back. "Is that all you have?!" he taunted.
Natsu lit his legs on fire as he did a flaming spin kick at Jilemma's gut before punching his face then sending an uppercut to his chin
""He landed a hit on the Master!"" Sting thought.
""That's impossible."" Rogue thought.
Natsu didn't let up as he continued raining blows down on the Sabertooth Master. Each strike more powerful than the last.
Natsu spins his halberd as flames started to circle around Natsu before the flames flied into his halberd
"take on this for size" Natsu said
"Pyro Cutter!"
he throws his spinning Halberd straight at Jilemma as the flames on the spinning halberd grew hotter and the flames turned crimson before an explosion was cause from collision with Jilemma
BOOM!
The blow caused a hole to be blown into the top of the inn, which could be seen by anyone strolling the streets at the hour. Although when the dust settled, a woman with long black hair now stood between Natsu and Jilemma, a weird energy projecting from her hands.
"Minerva?!" Jilemma shouted.
"Princess?" Sting said.
"That will be all for tonight." Minerva said to Natsu, a superior smirk on her lips.
"Who're you?" Natsu said as he glared at Minerva
"Minerva!" Jilemma shouted. "You dare interrupt…"
"If this battle were to continue you would have, of course, been the victor, Father." Minerva said to the enraged Jilemma
"But in a position, such as ours, appearances are everything. Even though this boy provoked you first, you striking him down would only bring ruin to Sabertooth's reputation. Although I can understand why you would respond in such a way, Father." She turned her attention to Natsu.
"So what do you say? Will you give us the opportunity to save face?" Minerva waved her hands, the weird energy reappearing.
In a flash, Mary appeared in her hands as the child was asleep
"you!" Natsu exclaimed as he re-equips to Enryuo no Yoroi
"I believe a deal can be made," Minerva said to him
"Even though you injured a number of our members, we will agree to keep this matter silent. I trust you will make the right decision."
"For your daughter's sake." Minerva caresses Mary's hair as Natsu glares at her
""they're weak, take them out now"" END told to Natsu who stayed silent
"do we have an agreement?" Minerva asked to Natsu who nodded
""Hey!"" END exclaimed at Natsu
""Mary's safety is more important"" Natsu told him as he was in front of Minerva
"splendid" Minerva said as Natsu walks towards Minerva and took Mary into his arms
Mary stirred in her sleep before Natsu caresses her head and started walking away
"That brat has guts," Jilemma said of Natsu.
"He certainly is an interesting one." Minerva agreed.
"but he will fall like the others"
Natsu stops as he turns to look at them
"don't bite what you can't chew, tiger." Natsu told them as he sprouted his wings
"even a fairy, can't kill a tiger"
Flames appeared around Natsu before it all dimmed
"If you call yourself a guild. Treat your comrade's right. That's what I came to say."
Natsu then flies away and leaves Sabertooth's inn
""Comradery…?"" Rogue thought.
Sting looked down, a sadistic smile on his lips as his body shook in excitement. He chuckled.
""so strong! So very strong!""
The night then goes on as Natsu returns to Honey Bone inn where everyone was waiting for him to come back
That's a wrap!
Bye bye