Back with the next chapter!
"Speaking"
""thinking""
On with the story
The next day
the talk of the town was the attack on the Sabertooth guild. One could barely walk five steps without someone mentioning it to some capacity.
"Did ya hear what happened at Sabertooth's inn last night?"
"Yeah, I heard they got attacked by someone from another guild."
"You think one of the teams was trying to cheat?"
"That has to be it. They were jealous and tried to get ahead."
Yukino walked through the marketplace, her luggage bag rolling on its wheels behind her. She caught hints of conversations here and there as she made her way to the train station. She stopped just before turning the corner towards the station, turning her head to look at the Domus Flau stadium. A small smile appeared on her lips.
3 Hours Earlier
"I can't believe you, Natsu!" Lucy shouted.
"yeah yeah" Natsu waved her off as he yawns to her scolding while sitting on a chair with Mary on his lap as the child was eating her breakfast
"What if someone saw you? We could have been disqualified, you idiot." Gray scolded.
"Just how dense are you?" Charla interjected.
Yukino was among the group as well, having just finished making the bed that she and Lucy slept in. She stood back a small distance from the others, still uneasy around all of the interesting personalities around her.
"Why is everyone mad at papa?" Rose asked her mother while drinking her morning milk.
"it's nothing for you to worry about." Erza replied to her as she patted her head with a smile
"Please don't be angry with him." A small voice said. Lucy and the others turned around, surprised to see Yukino bowing before them. "It's my fault that Natsu attacked Sabertooth. If you must be angry with anyone, please, be angry with me!" She pleaded.
The Fairy Tail wizard's looked at her with surprise and curiosity. Here was a stranger, a former rival at that, fully accepting the blame for something a member of their own guild did. They honestly had no words.
Unnerved by the silence, Yukino opened one of her eyes and looked up. To her surprise, she saw everyone smiling back at her.
"There's nothing you need to apologize for, Yukino." Lucy said.
"Yeah, he's the jerk that ran off without thinking," Gray said, pointing back at Natsu with his thumb.
"yeah, yeah" Natsu said while pouring some milk into Mary's cereal bowl
"Lucy and Gray are right. None of this is your fault, so there is no need for you to offer apologies." Erza chimed in
"We're just glad you're ok." Wendy smiled.
"Really?" Yukino asked. She raised her upper body until she stood upright again.
The Fairy Tail wizards nodded.
Tears began to pool in Yukino's eyes. "Thank you."
"Now, now." Charla said. "There's no need for you to cry."
"I'm sorry." Yukino sniffed as she wiped away her tears, a smile on her lips. "It's just no one has ever treated me so kindly before."
"Man, I hate making girls cry," Gray said as he scratched the back of his head and looked away.
"Have you learned your lesson, Natsu?" Erza asked, looking at him as she stood up from the bed.
"Yes." Natsu answered, bowing his head apologetically.
"What are you going to do now, Yukino?" Erza asked the Celestial Spirit Mage
"I'm not sure." she answered her
"I suppose I'll go back home and find another guild to join." She looked down at the floor with slight distress. A saddened smile sat on her lips as she thought about her plan.
"Join Fairy Tail!" Rose exclaimed happily to Yukino as she holds her hands.
"yeah! Join Fairy Tail!" Mary agreed with her sister while milk was spilling out of her lips
"Calm down, Rose, Mary." Erza said with a smile as she held Rose's shoulders.
"Don't scare her away." She looked up at Yukino with a warm smile. "But they're right, the door is always open if you wanted to make Fairy Tail your new guild."
Yukino's eyes widened as she twiddles her thumb in nervous
"I-I wouldn't want to impose." Yukino stammered, holding her elbows close to her body.
"What are you talking about?" Natsu inquired with a smile. "We're always looking for new members."
"But you already have a Celestial Wizard." Yukino said, looking towards Lucy.
"We also got three take over wizards, two requip wizards, two cats, and four dragon slayers." Gray smirked before hearing Milo meowed to him in anger
"I mean three cats, pretty sure one more celestial wizard wouldn't hurt."
"Gray's right." Erza nodded. "You would fit well in our guild."
"I-I don't know." Yukino answered nervously. "Are you sure your Master wouldn't mind?"
"Nah, the old man would probably be the happiest one." Natsu said.
"Indeed, he would." Charla nodded.
"I'm still not sure." She said while rubbing her hands over the other
"That's ok." Erza reassured. "I realize this offer is rather sudden considering what happened to you. Just think about it. Our doors are always open."
Yukino beamed and nodded. "I will. Thank you so much."
To the present
Yukino smile grew a little as she resumed her walk towards the train station.
""I wish you good luck, Fairy Tail."" She thought with a smile
In Domus Flau
The crowd was in their usual frenzy as Day 3 of the Grand Magic Games got underway.
"Welcome ladies and gentleman to day 3 of the 7th Annual Grand Magic Games!" Lola announced. Curiously enough the GMG announcer was sporting a new hairdo. It was a short ensemble with cut bangs, those less involved would have mistaken him for a woman. "As always to my left is my broadcast colleague, Mr. Yajima!"
"As always it's a pleasure to be here." Yajima said.
"And our special guest commentator for today is the Captain of the Magic Council's Custody Enforcement unit, Lahar!" Lola introduced.
"Thank you for having me. It's an honor to be here." Lahar smiled.
"If you don't mind me asking…" Lola began. "What is a magic council captain doing guest commentating?"
"Well aside from being a fan of the games themselves, it is my duty as a member of the council to ensure the safety of all participants and patrons by making sure no injustices take place here at the games." Lahar answered.
"A worthy cause indeed." Lola nodded.
Within the boisterous crowd sat a bored and rather irritated Doranbolt. He was actively immune to the atmosphere surrounding him. "I can't believe Lahar dragged me along with him." He sighed. He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
"It's time to start the event portion of day three," Lola said over the speakers. "Pandemonium! Let's take things to Mato, who is already in the arena center with today's participants."
In the middle of the arena stood:
Erza for Fairy Tail A, Orga for Sabertooth, Nobarly from Quatro Puppy, Millianna from Mermaid Heel, Obra from Raven Tail, Hibiki from Blue Pegasus, Jura from Lamia Scale, and shockingly Cana representing Fairy Tail B.
"Good luck, Erza!" Lucy shouted.
"We're rooting for you!" Wendy added.
"You can do it, mama!" Rose yelled as she leaned over the railing with Mary cheering as well.
"go! Go!"
"Be careful, you two," Mavis warned. "You don't want to fall in."
"the first is correct," Ikaruga said as she pulled back the two children behind
Erza heard her children's voice and smiled. She turned and waved back at her daughters.
"Good luck, Cana." Mirajane encouraged with a smile.
"It should have been me," Juvia mumbled to herself.
"Don't complain." Gajeel chided. "You were the one who let her take the spot from you."
"Where's Mystogan?" Laxus asked, seeing no sign of the masked wizard.
"Hmm." Mirajane hummed. "Come to think of it I haven't seen him since yesterday."
"I don't see him either," Juvia said.
Millianna locked eyes with Erza. "I'm not gonna lose to you, Erzy!" Millianna declared with a smile.
"We will see," Erza replied with a determined smirk of her own.
Erza recalls the words that Millianna said to her last night.
""we will kill him! We will!"" Milliana's words were full of hatred and vengeance
Erza quickly smacked her palms against her cheeks. "I mustn't lose focus!" she declared.
"Do you think Orga will do well, princess?" Rufus asked Minerva.
"He has no choice but to do well." Minerva replied with a smug smirk. "He knows the consequences of failure."
""If Natsu-san's not participating then I don't care who goes for us."" Sting thought.
Rogue's mind dwells on last night as Natsu's parting words sounds in his mind over and over
"Treat your friend's right.""
"Mr. Jura's really going?" Cheria asked aloud with widened eyes.
"It was Master Obaba's order," Lyon answered, having nearly fully healed from the injuries he sustained yesterday. "We had no say in the matter."
"Show'em whose boss, Jura!" Toby shouted.
"Calm down." Yuka chided.
A loud rumble was heard as everyone looks up and sees a reverse position castle appears out of nowhere as it was emitting a rather dark feeling
"Wow." Millianna gasped in wonder.
"What is this?" Erza asked.
Hibiki, ever the collected one, began gathering data on the castle using his archive magic.
"That place is huge!" Cana exclaimed before taking a sip from her flask.
"This is the palace of evil monsters…PANDEMONIUM!" Mato announced.
"A palace of monsters, you say?" Jura repeated.
Mato nodded. "That's pretty much the set up. -Kabo!"
"That castle is quite enormous." Ikaruga said.
"Yeah it is." Warren nodded.
"Looks scary too." Droy said with a hint of fright.
"I wonder what they have to do in there." Levy inquired.
Mato began explaining the rules to the participants and by proxy, the audience. The walls of Pandemonium housed one hundred monsters artificially created by the tournament committee that were split into ranks of: S, A, B, C, and D. D being the lowest. Each rank had a set number of monsters for it inside the castle walls.
Despite D being the weakest rank, the monsters in that class were still strong enough to defeat a wizard of considerable power single-handedly, which was demonstrated by a D rank monster completely destroying a stone statue within the castle in one swipe. C rank was two times stronger than D, B two times stronger than C and so on and so forth in that order until reaching S rank – whose monsters were rumored to even be stronger than Wizard Saints. Suffice to say Jura took exception to this rumor.
The challenge posed before the wizards were to enter the castle and decide the number of monsters to fight, the catch being that no matter what number they chose, the ranks of the monsters would be picked at random. This meant that one could fight the S-Rank monster on their first attempt.
The number of monsters a participant defeated contributed to that wizard's overall score. Once one wizard exits the next one enters, picking any number from however many monsters remained in the castle. Each monster defeated added one point towards the wizard's score, regardless of that monster's rank.
However, if a wizard were beaten inside the castle, they would sit out the rest of the event with however many points they accumulated while in the castle. Also, a contestant could not leave the castle until they defeat the number of monsters they chose or were defeated themselves.
"Does everyone understand the rules? -Kabo!" Mato asked, raising his index finger.
"I guess so," Cana spoke up.
"Good." Mato pulled out a small box with sticks coming out of the opening in the top. "Now we'll draw lots!"
"So eagerness could easily be your downfall in this contest." Pantherlily deduced.
"but you want to defeat as many monsters as you can in order to stay ahead of everyone, right?" Charla
Milo meowed as the old cat meowed as Charla and Lily nodded in agreement
"what did Milo say?" Macao whispered to Wakaba
"don't know" Wakaba replied
All of the participants drew their sticks, each of them showing a hologram of their number. Erza's eyes slightly widened in surprise.
"I'm number one." She said.
"Better you than me, sister. Seriously." Cana grinned. She kissed her stick. "Lucky number eight."
"It looks like the game is going to be set based on my number." Erza said.
"Huh?" Mato caught wind of Erza's words. "Well maybe, but the game is really determined by how well you pace yourself and your situational awareness."
Erza smirked. "No, this is already over."
"What?" Mato asked. He was still smiling, but one could tell he was nervous about Erza's rather confident look.
"I will take on all of the monsters myself." Erza declared. "I choose the number 100."
Everyone was starstruck of Erza's words while Fairy Tail just smirked as they knew that this would what she will do
"Looks like you're rubbing off on her, Natsu." Gray teased, lightly poking his elbow into Natsu's ribs.
"yeah," Natsu said with a smile
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Gray smirked. "Think she can do it?" Gray asked sarcastically.
"I know she can." Natsu nodded.
"Is she serious?" Mavis asked.
"With Erza, I can safely say she is." Makarov sighed.
"Go, mama!" Aura shouted.
Erza walked towards the castle entrance. Her stride is ever confident.
"But it's impossible!" Mato shouted after her, his smile giving way to a worried grimace. "Those monsters were created to annihilate a single wizard single-handedly. You won't survive!"
"I'll be the one to determine that," Erza said as she walks through the castle before disappearing into it
"A-are you sure you don't want to reconsider your number?" Mato asked nervously over the communication lacrima in the room.
"I said to bring all of them," Erza repeated sternly.
Mato gulped. "A-as you wish. Just remember that the tournament committee is not held responsible for any serious injuries sustained in the games." He explained nervously.
"I'll be sure not to forget." Erza retorted. Her head was tilted downward. Her eyes closed.
"Ok then, let Pandemonium begin!" Mato shouted.
A loud rumbling echoed throughout the castle room as the large stone gate in front of Erza slowly raised. Slowly but surely a legion of one hundred monsters flooded the room. As monster after monster entered, tension began to fill the entire arena as everyone else watched on the lacrima vision monitors.
"She certainly is a brave one," Minerva commented facetiously.
"I was thinking more along the lines of foolish." Rufus retorted with a smirk.
"Do you think she can win?" Jet asked.
"She must have a screw loose if she wants to take all those monsters," Gajeel said. "Although, I probably would did the same thing if I went first." He muttered under his breath.
"Really?" Mira tilted her head with a smile. "She looks like the same old Erza to me."
"This should be fun," Laxus smirked.
The gate closed once all of the monsters entered the room. They were either growling or roaring, baring their fangs as they salivated at the sight of their newfound prey.
Erza took a deep breath before she equips into her Heaven Wheel armor and summons her swords to her side
"come," Erza said as the monsters went on the attack
"Blumenblatt!"
Erza's swords circle around her before they flies towards the monsters asone by one was destroyed in an instance.
"Erza starts off in a fury!" Lola announced. "Thinning out the D-Ranks monsters one by one!"
Everyone watches the screen as they see the number of D monsters slowly dropped from 33 to 25.
"Is she trying to wipe them all out?" Romeo asked.
Mavis shook her head. "I suspect she's feeling them out." She answered. "Gauging just how strong their defenses are and how they will react to her strategy."
Erza reequips into her Kureha no Yoroi as she slashes the monsters that were attacking her
"and just like that, Erza has slashed 5 C-class in just one hit!" Lola commented on the mic
A couple of C-class monsters came and fired fireball attacks on Erza
"Erza-san!" Wendy exclaimed in worry
"don't worry, if the opponent uses flames" Gray said as Natsu smirked when they all see Enryuo no Yoroi appearing in front of Erza as the armor had just defended her
"what is this!? Natsu Dragov is in Pandemonium!?" Lola exclaimed on the mic
"no, it is just his armor" Yajima explained to him
"ever since Natsu-kun and Erza got married, his armor has come to give her aid at any time of danger"
"come," Erza said as Enryuo no Yoroi glowed and equip itself onto Erza
"if Natsu-Kun wears the armor it's called Enryuo no Yoroi, but if it's Erza, we might as call it, Enjou no Yoroi" Yajima commented
"the armor for the Fire Dragon Queen"
Enryuo no Kiba appears out of the ground as the sword flies to Erza who catches the sword and lit it on fire
"Haaaa!" Erza slashes the flaming sword as 10 C-class were annulated in an instant
Erza then continued attacking the monsters as she summons weapons from her other armor sets
Defeating a B-Class monster, Erza fell to one knee. She stuck her sword in the ground in order to keep herself upright.
"Just like I thought." Orga sneered. "She's nothing to worry about. She's about to fall over."
Millianna clasped her hands together. "Come on, Erzy." She cheered for her old friend as she prayed
An A-class Monster came jumping in on Erza as it pulls back it's massive and brought it down upon Erza
"above you!" Lucy shouted before she sighed in relief as Reiter no Yoroi appeared and defended Erza against the attacks
"You sure are helping her," Gray said to Natsu with a grin as the man shrugs his shoulders
Reiter no Yoroi pushes back the A-class monsters before cutting it into two with its Halberd
It then helps Erza up before it glowed and disappeared into her necklace
Erza smiles to the screen as Natsu smiles back
She then continued her assault on the monsters as she cuts down another A-class monsters before destroying two B-class
"By the counter, Erza has defeated 84 monsters," Lola said. "How long do you think she can keep this pace up, Lahar?"
"Erza Scarlet is an exceptionally skilled wizard, easily a candidate for Wizard Saint Status. There is no doubting her fortitude and ability. That being said, this may be a situation where her eagerness will come back to bite her." Lahar answered.
Five B-class monsters went to attack from behind Erza before 2 metallic objects came flying and attacked the monsters
Erza looks behind as she sees Natsu' sluggers flying around and attacking the monsters before flying to her
She caught the sluggers as they glowed to her before glowing as they combined into their crescent blade from
Erza readied the weapon to her side as she dashes towards the B-class monsters before cutting them down to pieces with the blade as the monsters disappeared
"can she use all of your weapons?" Gray asked Natsu who nodded
"Only the ones that want to help her," Natsu told him before they all see Erza cut through more and more monsters, she could feel her body slowing down. Her muscles and bones screamed with each movement, blood dripping from multiple cuts on her body. As she defeated the last A-class she fell to one knee again.
"It looks like Erza's on her last legs," Lola said. "But there is still one monster left for her to defeat!"
"The S-Class." Mavis said with a hardened glare.
Erza stood back up as she looks up ahead and sees a small monster that only one eye and looks to be a spider
"so, you're the S-class monster," Erza said as she summons two blades at her side
"That little thing?" a spectator said.
"She's gotta be joking." Another person in the crowd said. "Maybe she beat the S-Class already."
"Is she serious?" Orga said. "There's no way that puny thing is the S-Class."
"No, she is correct," Mato said. "That is indeed the S-Class monster, Kabo!"
"come" Erza said as the small monster flashes and she was then transported to another surrounding
She was now standing in a dark place as a giant black armored monster was in front of her as it then started to attack
"This is why I told her it's impossible! the S-class monster was designed to have its strength multiplied by ten if it became the only remaining class of monsters-kabo" Mato said
"S-class, huh? Then it will be meeting the S-class Erza" Gray said as he sees Erza attacking back the monster
Natsu smiles as Erza destroys part of the S-class' head before getting kicked away by it
Erza crashes into a wall before the S-class monster stomps its foot on her
She tried to push it back before she sees her necklace glowing as Enryuo no Yoroi and Reiter no Yoroi appeared and attack the monster in her stead as it was pushed back by the attack
Erza stands back up as Enryuo no Yoroi equips itself onto her before Enryuo no Kiba appears beside Erza once again
She held the sword upright as flames started to circle around her before flying into the sword as Enryuo no Kiba became a flaming sword
Reiter no Yoroi glows as it disappears and let Erza deal the final blow
Wings folded out on her back as the wings were lit on flames
"it's over!" Erza exclaimed as she flies up before slashing the flaming sword at the S-class monster that was cut into two halves
As she becomes covered with wounds, the Fairy that should have fallen to Earth dances. Here is TITANIA.
The destroyed S-class monster disappeared as Erza raise her sword up and it shines with glory
Almost like... A scarlet flower, blooming with pride.
"S-she did it!" Lola exclaimed in disbelief and awe. "Erza Scarlet has conquered Pandemonium by herself! She wins the event, earning Fairy Tail A 10 points!"
The entire crowd cheered in excitement as Erza appears back into the stage
"That was incredible!"
"How did she do that?!"
"That's Titania Erza, right? Wasn't she Fairy Tail's strongest female wizard?"
"Looks like the crowd is still in a frenzy." Lola said.
"That was quite a sight." Yajima grinned happily.
"Indeed.' Lahar nodded
Erza turn to the side and sees everyone running to her
"That was amazing!" Lucy said. "I felt like I was going to cry."
"Me too." Wendy nodded.
"You were incredible out there." Gray congratulated.
Erza smiles before getting carried up into Natsu's arms as the Dragon Slayer smiled proudly to her
"that was great" Natsu said as he gives her a peck on the lips
Erza smiles back before she hugs Natsu while in his arms
"Mama!" Rose and Mary shouted out as they waved at their parents
Erza and Natsu looks at their twins as they smiled happily
"It seems Fairy Tail possesses some worthwhile prey after all," Minerva said with a smirk
Kagura looked down at Erza from Mermaid Heel's section. "Erza Scarlet." She said aloud.
Now as for the rest of the participants, who didn't get a chance to be in Pandemonium
"No need to worry folks," Lola said. "We have just the thing to resolve this issue."
As he spoke, Mato brought over a medium-sized floating object to the remaining competitors, with what looked to be a lacrima sphere on top of it.
"This is the Magic Power Finder or MPF for short," Mato explained. "Each of you will attack it and the point value that appears above the ball will be your score. Whoever has the highest score will be awarded second place and so on in this fashion until all of you have gone. I suggest using your most powerful spells to get the upper hand on your opponents, -Kabo!"
"Not the most glamorous way to end the contest," Charla said.
"Well, what do you expect when Erza-nee blew everyone else out of the water?" Romeo replied.
"On the plus side, we get a small glimpse into the power of the other teams," Pantherlily said.
"So, it's a test of power?" Hibiki inquired. "I may be at a slight disadvantage in this contest."
"You never know unless you try, right?" Cana said, her cheeks red from her alcohol consumption.
"You're right," Hibiki smirked. "By the way, Ms. Cana, would you happen to be free this evening?"
"You're a *hic* quick one aren't you?" Cana grinned. "I am free, although I won't be able to drink much."
"It seems like you've drunk enough already." Hibiki smiled.
"Oh my." Mirajane giggled.
"That damn drunk!" Gajeel yelled in irritation.
"Guess she's useless to us now," Laxus said.
"Cana! Wait until the contest is over!" Juvia called to her.
Cana lazily looked over to her team. "Huh? *hic*"
"How do we decide who goes first?" Millianna asked, her hand raised.
"We will continue in the same order as the Pandemonium event, -Kabo." Mato answered.
"Oh." Millianna said with widened eyes before pointing to herself. "I guess that means I'm first."
Millianna walked towards the MPF. Holding her right arm behind herself, an orange swirl began forming around her hand. "Here we go!" She yelled.
"Kitten Blast!
She attacks the object with her magic as this got her 365
"That certainly is a high number." Lola said with slight confusion. "But with nothing to compare it to, we can't accurately gauge how strong Millianna's attack was."
"Mhm." Yajima nodded in agreement.
"Please, allow me." Lahar said. "We Rune Knights use this same method in order to ascertain the powers and abilities of new recruits." He explained. "That attack was indeed a powerful one. I'd say it was comparable to that of a squadron leader."
"You heard it here folks." Lola said. "Millianna has set the pace for this event. Let's see how the other participants will fare."
"Millianna's power really isn't in magical strength though." Beth commented.
"She might be in trouble here." Risley grinned nervously.
Nobarly stepped forward.
"Next up is Nobarly of Quatro Puppy." Lola said. "How will he measure up?"
Nobarly drew back his fist before punching the MPF with all his might. To his shock and shame, his score was only 124.
"Oh, that's gotta hurt Quatro Puppy's chances." Lola said as Nobarly looked back at his team in stunned shame. They were disappointed to say the least, save Bacchus who laughed in a drunken stupor. He encouraged Nobarly to try harder next time.
"I guess I'm up next." Hibiki said as he straightened his tie and walked towards the MPF. Nearly all of the women in the audience swooned.
"This is going to be tough with Hibiki's skill set." Eve said.
"I should have gone instead." Ren grimaced.
"Shame on you, men." Ichiya chided.
"Master!" Eve exclaimed. "You've returned?"
After his defeat by Gajeel, Ichiya recovered in the infirmary. Jenny briefly taking his spot.
"You're feeling better, sir?" Ren asked.
"I am." Ichiya nodded before striking a quick pose. "You two should have more faith in your teammates. Believe and we will succeed."
"Yes, teacher!" Eve and Ren exclaimed in unison.
"What a disappointing score for the playboy!" Lola shouted.
Ichiya and the remaining Tri-Mens looked to the arena to see Hibiki on his hands in knees in defeat. Confused, they looked at the MPF, shocked by their teammate's abysmally low score of 95.
"Ms. Cana!" Hibiki cried as he ran to the Fairy Tail wizard. He wrapped his arms around her waist as he rested his head on her cleavage.
"Aw don't feel bad." Cana drunkenly comforted as she rubbed Hibiki's head. "There wasn't anything you could do."
"I guess you're right." Hibiki sobbed.
"Next up is Obra from Raven Tail!" Lola announced.
"Who is he?" Pantherlily asked.
"meow (that's the guy who attacked you two, right?)
Milo meowed threateningly as Charla nodded. "Indeed he is."
Wendy watched intently from Fairy Tail A's balcony. "What other type of magic can he use?"
"Do you remember anything about that man, Shizuka?" Makarov asked.
Shizuka shook her head. "Not fully. Although, I do have vague recollections of that creature on his shoulder."
Makarov and Mavis briefly exchanged a look before looking back at the event.
The black creature leaped from Obra's shoulder, attacking the MPF with a shoulder tackle. A score of 4 appeared above the MPF.
"Was he just messing around?!" Gray asked, equally surprised.
"That can't be his real power, right?" Lucy asked Wendy.
"I'm not sure." Wendy replied as she shook her head. "He seemed much stronger when he attacked me and Charla."
"I wonder." Pondered Erza.
Lucy looked to her left, surprised to see Erza standing next to Natsu. She was bandaged from head to toe, no doubt due to the injuries she sustained in Pandemonium.
"Shouldn't you be in the infirmary?" Lucy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm fine." Erza replied
"thanks to Natsu' potion, my wounds will heal faster" Erza smiled to her husband who smiled back before pulling her by the waist to him
"That was certainly disappointing." Mato said. "Sadly, there are no do-overs." He looked back and saw Cana playing around with his hat, putting it on her head as she drunkenly wobbled around and sang incoherently. "Hey give that back, -Kabo!"
"Oh lighten up." Cana smiled.
"What kind of attack was that, Obra?!" Flare shouted from Raven Tail's balcony. "Are you a moron or something?!"
"Silence, Flare!" Alexei scolded, frightening the redhead. "You know he mustn't show his true power in public."
"I-I'm sorry, Master." Flare apologized. her head tilted down in shame. "I forgot."
The score board appeared as it shows that Milliana was on top.
"Yay." The mermaid heel member cheered. "I'm number one."
"We'll see about that." Orga said as he lightly pushed her aside. It was his turn to attack the MPF.
"Just listen to those cheers." Lola said as the crowd chanted Orga's name. "Sabertooth isn't number one for nothing."
Orga cracked his knuckles before cupping his hands, holding them chest height in front of himself. Electricity began crackling around him as a small black and yellow ball appeared in the space between his hands. Once the ball was about the size of his head, Orga shot it towards the MPF.
"Hyaku niju Mili Koku Rai Hou!"
The attack struck the MPF with a loud zap. All were amazed to see a very impactful 3825 displayed above the MPF.
"Th-three thousand…?" Lola stammered.
""We don't have anyone that powerful among the knights!"" Lahar thought in shock.
"ten times more powerful than mine!?" Millianna squealed in disbelieve
"What in the world was that?!" Gray said
"He's even stronger than I thought." Lucy said with a whimper.
"Yeah." Wendy nodded, equally worried.
"That's the way, Orga!" Lector yelled as he and Frosch danced on the balcony railing. "Show them why Sabertooth is the best!"
"Yay!" Frosch exclaimed.
"That was certainly an overwhelming display." Juvia said.
"Eh, he wasn't that tough. I bet I could take him." Gajeel commented uninterested.
Laxus grinned in anticipation.
"What else would we expect from the strongest wizard in Sabertooth?" Lola asked rhetorically.
"It seems he's singing again." Yajima said, returning Lola's attention to the arena.
"I'm the best! I'm number one!" Orga sang on a mic that he seemingly produced from nowhere.
"You can stop singing now, -Kabo." Mato said.
"Next up is the Wizard Saint, Jura." Lola announced. "Will he be able to top the score set by Orga?"
"You think he'll be ok?" Cheria asked Lyon.
"Don't underestimate Jura, Cheria." Lyon said. "Remember he's the strongest wizard in our guild. Besides, there's something else we should be worrying about." Lyon grinned.
"Am I allowed to give it my all?" Jura asked Mato.
"Of course!" the mascot answered. "Use whatever you feel necessary, -Kabo."
"Thank you." Jura bowed before walking to the MPF.
He closed his eyes, tilting his head downward as he clasped his hands in a prayer-like pose. A rumbling was heard below, shaking the entire stadium as Jura's body emitted a yellow aura. As pebbles from the ground began slowly hovering around him, Jura opened his eyes.
"Meido Fugaku!"
An enormous pillar of magical energy broke through the ground and shot into the sky, enveloping the MPF. Once the light faded, the MPF gave a reading of 8544!
"What?" Orga blurted out, he too was surprised by Jura's show of force.
"I expected no less from a Wizard Saint." Erza smirked.
"he's gotten better over the years" Natsu said with a grin
"I knew it." Lyon said.
"Knew what?" Cheria prodded.
"Jura asked about using his full power because he was worried that his title as Wizard Saint would cause the tournament committee to restrict his abilities." Lyon explained.
"That was amazing!" Lola shouted. "We have a new record for the MPF and a new leader. There is no doubting why Jura is a Wizard Saint."
Jura bowed, a grin on his lips as the crowd roared in approval.
"Atta boy, Jura!" Obaba yelled from the stands.
"That was quite a display!" Makarov shouted in astonishment. "He and Gildarts would be a great match to see."
Mavis giggled at the guild masters surprise. "Although Gildarts isn't here, we do have the next best thing."
"And now we turn our attention to our final contestant, Fairy Tail B's Cana Alberona!" Lola announced. "Will she be able to follow Jura's performance? I doubt it, but we'll just have to wait and see."
"It's finally my turn?" Cana slurred with a drunk smile.
"Great, she's completely hammered." Warren sighed.
"Even if she wasn't, it would be nearly impossible for her to beat Jura." Max commented.
"She could at least aim for third if she placed in the three-digit range." Macao pointed out.
"Is Ms. Cana ok?" Rose asked.
"her face is all red" Mary added in
"Yeah." Asuka added. "She's all wobbly."
"She's just drunk." Bisca answered with a smile.
"Oh." The three girls said in unison.
"Mm." Cana mumbled before she pulled off her shirt.
"This is no time for stripping!" the entire Fairy Tail guild shouted.
"Here we go!" Cana shouted with a smirk as she threw her shirt behind her. "Time for the comeback!" she held up her right arm, the mark for the Fairy Glitter spell tattooed on it.
"That mark!" Charla gasped with widened eyes.
Mavis giggled in delight. Makarov slowly turned his head and looked at her, terror on his face.
"Master Mavis, tell me you didn't…" he began.
"I did." Mavis nodded with a smile. "I lent it to her for an occasion like this."
"But why?!"
"So we could win." Mavis winked.
Makarov's jaw fell to the floor as fear and disbelief completely covered his being.
Cana raised her fist above her head as the air around her began to swell and swirl about.
Tsudoe!
Yōsei ni Michibikareshi Hikari no Kawa yo!
"Cana has always had an amazing wealth of potential stored within her." Mavis said. "I have no doubt she can use this spell to it's fullest."
Terase!
Jyanaru Kiba wo Messuru Tameni！
Fearī Gurittā!
Light burst through the sky as it nearly blinded everyone
Ivan grinned with sadistic delight.
""So, Cana possesses one of the three great fairy magics?""
Once the dust from Fairy Glitter settled the MPF was nowhere in sight, the number 9999 in its place.
"I-I can't believe what I'm seeing." Lola stammered, trying to regain his faculties. "The MPF has been completely destroyed. Not only that, but the score has been maxed out as well. Just what exactly is this guild made of?! After winning in both Pandemonium and the MPF events, can anyone stop Fairy Tail?!"
Cana held out her arms, a wide smile on her face. "No one's gonna stop us!" she declared. "Fairy Tail's going straight back to the top!"
The crowd cheered in approval. Some even waved Fairy Tail signs.
"Now with the events completed, we can move on to the battle portion of the games." Lola announced. "Will all event contestants please return to their respective teams."
"Good job." Mirajane smiled as Cana returned.
"Aw, thanks." Cana smiled before hiccupping. She was still tipsy.
"I'm surprised Master Makarov let Cana use Fairy Glitter." Lucy said.
"I'm sure Master Mavis had something to do with that." Erza smirked.
"time for the fights" Natsu said while pounding his fist to his hand
With Yukino
She was sitting at a café as she had just missed her train home
"what I'm going to do now?" Yukino said before she hears the crowds cheering in Domus Flau
Yukino thought of Rose's and Mary's a bit before she smiles
She stands up and paid for her tea before heading towards Domus Flau
At Domus Flau
On day three's battle portion, Millianna faces Quatro Puppy's Semas, gaining 10 points for her team. Sabertooth's Rufus faces Eve of Blue Pegasus, easily giving Sabertooth their points.
"now for the third match of the day!" Lola commented on the mic
"Fairy Tail B, Laxus Dreyar vs Raven Tail, Alexei!"
"SMASH HIM, LAXUS!" Makarov screeches, everyone else cheering him on.
"Since the first day it's turned into a father and son guild showdown, huh, Yajima-san."
"Mmm." Yajima then turns the mic off and whispers to Lahar. "Lahar-kun, you brought along people from your unit, right?"
"Eh? Yes, regulations and such." His eyes turn stern as Yajima gives a more serious vibe.
"Look out for Raven Tail. If there is any impropriety, stop the match immediately." Down below, Makarov speaks more calmly.
"Warren."
"Understood." He raises his hand, preforming his telepathic magic. "HQ here, Bisca, can you hear me?"
"What do you mean HQ, Warren." She says from her spot up above everyone, gun in hand as she stakes out. "No movement from master Ivan, over." Understood, team Rajinshuu + Lisanna, how about on your end?
"Rajinshuu + Lisanna here. No conspicuous movements from Raven Tail's current location." Lisanna puts her binoculars down and gives a determined smirk. "We won't let things be like the first day, little Ravens." Giving them the death stare
"Just you try to injure Laxus' pride. We, the Rajinshuu, cannot make guarantees for your lives."
"Ever says she'd like to go back to where Elfman is, so please give permission, over." Bickslow sticks his tongue out, effectively irritating said female.
"I DIDN'T SAY THAT!"
"Ivan... I won't allow your cowardly tactics a second time." Makarov said with an angered look on his face while Mavis giggles by his side. "Is something the matter, first?"
"No, nothing at all." She grins at him. "You'll do anything to protect your friends. I'm enjoying the situation just a little bit." This makes the old man blush slightly and turn to his elder in shock. "It's splendid. The ultimate form of the guild that I've hoped for is now right before my eyes. Please don't forget this, third... um... or was it sixth?"
"*sob~* Thank you for those words... and it's third, actually."
"actually, he's the sixth" Macao said with a sweatdrop
"START THE MATCH!" Everyone cheers as the gong is struck
The match was on the way as Fairy Tail cheered for Laxus only to stop cheering as they gasped in shock as Alexei was beating Laxus who couldn't fight back
"These are raging attacks from Alexei! Laxus can't even lift a finger!"
"No way..."
"Just who is this masked guy..." The Fairy Tail members stare in awe as they see the battle rage on.
But they don't see Laxus looking down at the image of him on the ground, being beaten by the man who stands across from him. Two versions of themselves.
"What's the meaning of this..."
"It's a kind of illusion magic. The others around here can't see our real bodies, the ones that are talking right now. Nor can they hear our voices. Rather, right now they're watching illusions fighting." Alexei explains. "Well done, right? Not a single person has noticed. The spectators are watching a scene of that Laxus unable to even lift a finger."
"WHY IS LAXUS SO ONE-SIDEDLY GETTING..." Makarov screams, Warren getting in contact with all the mages they have spread around the arena.
"It seems you're admired even in the guild. I wonder what your friends are feeling right now, as they watch this."
"Oi, oi, I don't understand your intentions at all. What's the point of you winning with an illusion?"
"Exactly. Our aim isn't victory. This illusion is just a smoke screen."
"Huh?" Laxus brings his brows closer together as the conversation continues.
"Illusions are illusions. We can change the results however we'd like. Depending on our discussion, I can even let you win."
"There's nothing to discuss." Laxus unfolds his arms and drops his cloak, electricity flowing around them. "This has nothing to do with illusions. Right here, right now. I'll dispose of you and put an end to this."
"That's impossible," Flare speaks up from behind Alexei.
"Reality sure is cruel..." Nullpudding adds.
"Even you wouldn't be able to simultaneously defeat all of Raven Tail's elite." Alexei points out, the said people coming up behind him. Giving them all a glare, he watches as Alexei takes off his mask. "And, one more thing... You should know of my strength, right. Stupid son." It's Ivan, with a smirk controlling his lips. He doesn't show emotion, rather irritation, and Laxus simply says;
"I figured it would be like that. Shitty pops." In the crowd, Makarov shakes in confusion and anger, watching his 'grandson' getting beat by the 'Raven Tail member'. Unaware of the current situation.
"Makarov would die before he opened his mouth." Ivan continues. "But you're different. Let's have you tell us, shall we?" Half his face is shadowed as he finished. "The location of Lumen Histoire."
"What are you talking about?"
"You don't have to pretend... Makarov must have told you."
"I really don't know..."
"No, you must know."
"Well, even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"Oi, oi... You're saying that you'd pass on a 'victory', even under these hopeless circumstances? If you don't accept the conditions then... Just having your illusion lose wouldn't be enough..."
"You always did things in such a roundabout manner... And I know all about how gramps cut you out..." Laxus puts his hand out to them, lightning twitching around him. "Bring it, all of you at once. Gramp's enemies are my enemies, after all."
"It seems you need to be taught a lesson. About the strength of Raven Tail, the specialized anti-Fairy Tail guild." They all get prepared for the seemingly one-sided battle.
Natsu looks over the stand as everyone watches on how Laxus was getting beaten up by Alexei
""how stupid can the humans even be?"" END said as Natsu's eyes glowed red
He is the only one who notices that an illusion spell was put up as the real fight was happening in the illusion
"Even though Gramps knew that much, he didn't make a move on you." This makes Ivan's eyes widen, as Laxus begins to reminisce a moment after they had returned.
"Gramps... probably believed in you, somewhere in the depths of his heart. Because you're father and son."
"SILENCE!" Ivans screams, throwing his magic towards his son. Laxus holds them back as his father goes on a rampage.
"I'VE LIVED IN THE SHADOWS ALL FOR THIS DAY! ALL TO OBTAIN LUMEN HISTOIRE! You thought I didn't want to hurt you these past seven years!? I DIDN'T BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY AN EXPELLED MEMBER LIKE YOU WOULD KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LUMEN HITSTOIRE!" The odd, human shaped papers still attack the second-generation dragon slayer, and Ivan continues his speech.
"The guild, the city, Tenroujima, every place related to the guild... I'VE SEARCHED THEM ALL! EVEN SO I COULDN'T FIND IT! Where is Lumen Histoire!? Where is it! TELL ME! LAXUSSS! AREN'T YOU MY SON!" He screams, his attack growing stronger, forcing Laxus to block, holding his ground.
""shall we intervene?"" END said to Natsu who nodded as the man equips on Enryuo no Yoroi and flies up
"what are you doing, Natsu?! what the heck are you planning?" Gray asked the man as everyone looks up at him
"this" Natsu said as he took a deep breath before firing a fireball at the arena as the illusion magic was burned away
The illusion disappeared and revealed the real fight that was happening
"what is this!? Natsu Dragov came into the arena and the fight we've been seeing was just an illusion?!" Lola exclaimed on the mic
"I knew it" Yajima said with a dark look on his face
"this match is by default canceled," Natsu said as he landed in the arena
"how?!" Ivan exclaimed at Natsu before he disappeared as Natsu appeared in front of him and elbows his face
"guh!" Ivan was sent flying to the wall as his face was bruised and his disguise was revealed
"It's Ivan! The Participant Alexei is actually Raven Tail's Master Ivan-KABO!" Mato exclaimed as everyone looks at Raven Tail with a disgusted look
"tch!" Ivan curses as he tried to get up but Natsu holds his sword to his neck
"don't even think about it" Natsu threatens him
Natsu looks behind and sees that Laxus had just finished taking care of the rest of Ivan's guild
"all yours" Natsu said as he grabs Ivan's face and throws him towards Laxus
"I don't care if you're my dad, anyone who hurts my family, Fairy Tail, will pay!" Laxus said before he punches Alexei with a lightning fist to the face
"Gauuh!" Ivan crashed to a wall before sliding down as the man was out and so was the rest of his team
"since Raven Tail has been caught doing Foul Play, their rights to join the games have been revoked for three years" Lola said as the guards came and took them away
"Laxus, today is my loss," Ivan says as he gets taken away by the guards. "But... Know this much... Lumen Histoire is Fairy Tail's darkness. Eventually you will come to know... Fairy Tail's true colors." Laxus watches as Ivan was then taken away by the guards and so was his team
"can't believe I owe you one now" Laxus said to Natsu who shrugs his shoulders
The two then walked back to their stand as the next fight was about to begin between Wendy and Cheria from Lamia Scale
The fight went on as both girls use sky base magic
The match ended in a draw as both teams gets points
"it was a great fight, Wendy" Cheria said as she reached her hand for a handshake with Wendy
"yes" Wendy smiled and shakes Wendy's hand
"What a touching scene!" Lola whimpered happily. "A beautiful friendship born from a fierce rivalry." He wiped his tears away. "This is Lola Chapati signing off!"
"See you all tomorrow." Yajima said.
"Please be safe on your way back to your residences." Lahar said.
"But before you all leave…" Mato began. "Here are the standings for Day Three!" He pointed at the standings on the lacrima screen.
1st Sabertooth – 44
2nd Fairy Tail A – 35
3rd Fairy Tail B – 32
4th Mermaid Heel – 30
5th Lamia Scale – 30
6th Blue Pegasus – 15
7th Quatro Puppy – 12
"we're going to get first place!" Gray exclaimed as he and Lucy high fived
Wendy cheered with a big smile while Natsu and Erza just smiles as their road to victory was closing in
But unknown to them, a cloaked figure was watching the whole fight as tears were falling as the figure's lip quivers in sadness
The cloaked figure then leaves the arena before we see Jellal who was dressed as Mystogan follows the figure
That's a wrap!
Bye bye