Back with the continuation
"speaking"
""thinking""
On with the story
The fireworks exploded over Domus Flau Stadium as the crowd roared in both excitement and anticipation as this was the last day of the GMG and the winner will become Fiore's number on guild
"After six long days the moment has finally arrived!" Lola announced over the cheering crowd. "The closing day of the Grand Magic Games is here! All of the battles, blood, sweat, and tears have all been for this moment. Today we will finally determine just who the strongest guild in Fiore is! As Always I am your favorite color commentator, Chapati Lola. With me for the final time is Mr. Yajima."
"Thank you for joining us." Yajima said.
"And our special guest for this momentous day is none other than our games mascot, Mato!" Lola introduced.
"Kabo." Mato said.
"Um, Mr. Mato." Lola began. "Shouldn't you be refereeing?"
Mato shook him pumpkin head. "With today's event, I won't have to do a thing."
"You sound relieved." Yajima commented.
"Well with that, let's get to the arena where our top 8 teams will be making their final entrances. First up, in 6th place, the wild dogs of Fiore. The Hellhounds without a leash: Quatro Puppy!"
Quatro Puppy entered the arena center with their usual vigor, howling and roaring through the crowd's cheers. Bacchus led the charge, followed by Rocker, Semmes, Nobarly, and Yeager.
"Can these wild beasts make the comeback of the century today?" Lola asked rhetorically. "We will find out in minutes. Next up is the team that came in 5th. The beautiful rogues: Blue Pegasus!"
Blue Pegasus exited the tunnel next. Led by Ichiya, the team was composed of the Tri-Mens and Jenny.
"Our next two teams are nearly tied for 4th and 3th place. That's never happened before." Lola announced. "But both of these guilds are more than capable of taking the title number one: Lamia Scale and Mermaid Heel!"
Both teams entered behind one another with Lamia Scale in front. Their team was led by Jura who was followed by Lyon, Cheria, Yuka, and Toby.
Behind them was Mermaid Heel. Led by a very intense Kagura; Millianna, Risley, Arana, and Beth all made their way to the center of the arena.
"now for our top two guilds!" Lola exclaimed on the mic
"In 2nd Place! Sabertooth!"
Sabertooth came out as Minerva lead the team
"Well Sabertooth seems radically different then they have been in previous years." Lola observed.
"With so many strong teams aiming for their position at the top it seems they have decided to take this much more seriously." Yajima said.
"They look good to me, Punkin!" Mato said.
Sting's eyes hadn't left the ground since he exited the tunnel. Lecter. He thought. He looked up to the balcony, seeing a silhouette of Lecter cheering him on.
"Remember our agreement, Sting." Minerva said not looking at him.
"Yes, Princess." Sting nodded. "I won't fail you." He raised his head, his gaze laying upon Natsu.
The two dragon slayers stared at one another; their respective resolves painted on their faces.
""Just hold on a little longer, Lecter."" Sting thought. ""You'll be back home soon.""
"and now! For our number one team! Fairy Tail!" Lola exclaimed as Natsu and the others came in as the crowds cheered on for them
"Let's hear it for Fairy Tail!" Makarov shouted from the stands, the rest of the Fairy Tail guild following his command
"Do your best, guys!" Lisanna yelled.
"Show them the power of a real man!" Elfman added.
"show them whose boss, Laxus!" Evergreen shouted out with Freed and Bickslow joining.
"Show them the fruits of your training, Gajeel!" Pantherlily encouraged.
"go! Papa!" Aya cheered for her father with Ultear and Meredy joining as well
Natsu waved to his family before hearing Lola announcing the games
"With all the teams assembled let's start the Grand Magic Game!" Lola announced.
A glow emitted from the bottom of the arena center, catching all of the team's off guard.
"what the heck?!" Gajeel exclaimed
"we're being transported" Natsu said calmly before in a flash the teams were gone, all of them reappearing in the city a few seconds later.
"We're back in town?" Gray asked.
"The final event must take place in the city itself." Erza surmised.
"Let's get down to the rules of the game, shall we?" Lola said.
"The entire city of Crocus is the battlefield in this final event. The teams have been scattered throughout various parts of the capital and are awaiting the sound to go. Whenever members of the opposite team encounter one another a battle will immediately ensue, whoever wins that battle gains one point for their team. Also, each team has a designated leader. The leader is a mystery to the opposing team but when that leader is defeated the team that beat them receives five points! This means that any one team can score a total of 45 points, which also that means that every team is eligible to win."
"This will be an interesting contest." Yajima nodded.
"Will the teams split up or stay together?!" Mato exclaimed. "That's the question."
"Who's the leader?" Gray asked as everyone looks to Erza
"me" Natsu said as he summoned Drac on
"If you say so." Gray sighed. "We'll follow your lead, but you better not mess this up." He told the man as Natsu nodded
"Now are all the teams ready?!" Lola announced over the intercom. "Who will climb the mountain and secure the title of Fiore's strongest?! Let the Grand Magic Game…begin!"
The gong sounded and the crowd went wild.
"The last fight is about to start."
"As expected, most teams separate."
"Everyone! do your best!"
"Sabertooth has skilled fighters so they separate. Some fight in pairs. Some in groups of three."
Rufus who was standing on top of a tower with Orga beside him, looks up at a Lacrima Screen, as Orga saw his friend's behavior
"What's up, Rufus." He asked the masked man
"They're not moving..." Rufus replied
"WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" Chapati screams out in shock, everyone else doing the same.
"Fairy Tail members... Are standing still with their eyes closed!" As he says this, a lacrima shows them on the screen, they're all lined up, standing as described. The members of Fairy Tail scream out in confusion and protest
"What the hell are they doing!?" Makarov screams out in confusion and anger.
"What's going on?" Lisanna asks Cana.
"No idea."
"First come first served!" Max cups his hands around his mouth.
"no, it is going according to my plan" Mavis said with a smile as Makarov looks to her
"1st master, what do you mean?" Makarov asked her
"Fairy Tail's behavior is curious but... In the meanwhile, someone already met the enemy!" As he says it, they see Toby and Yuuka attack a member of Quatro Puppy.
"While I seal his magic..." Yuuka says, canceling his magic and Toby paralyzing him as this got their team 1 point
"Too bad we ended up against two women." The trimen comment, taking out two from Mermaid Heel.
"The points are changing! And Fairy Tail still isn't moving!"
Lyon and Jura both eliminated Rocker and Yeager and got their guild points. "Lamia exterminated the puppy!"
"As long as we have Jura, no one will win against us!" The guild master of Lamia Scale cackles.
"Indeed..."
"Is there anyone able to defeat Jura...?" The crowd mumbles in agreement.
"As long as we have Jura and Lyon we're safe." Yuuka speaks to Toby as they run through the empty streets.
"Cheria is strong too!" Toby exclaimed at him
"I wonder?" Bacchus says as he slides out in front of them.
"Bacchus!"
"He's invincible!" Toby shouts out in anger. No one sees someone coming down from above them until it's too late.
They were about to fight but Sting came and defeated Bacchus before he could fight the two
"ohhh! Sting came and took out Bacchus!" Lola commented on the mic
"he defeated the leader of Quatro Puppy! Five points!"
"he got us, damn." Yuuka mumbles, while Toby screams out.
"LET'S GET HER, 2 vs. 1!" but as just as they were about to attack
WHOOSH!
"Wha!?"
"AGH!"
"Kagura is here!" Lola commented as Kagura had taken out Yuka and Toby out as this got her guild 2 points
Kagura looks over to Sting but he was no longer there
"that is fine, avoid Kagura and Jura. Let them exhaust themselves out" Minerva said with a smile as she watches the screen
"now that I think about it, Quatro Puppy is out" Yajima said as Master Oldmine had fainted
"The numbers are moving so fast, it's confusing! But, Fairy Tail still hasn't moved!" The camera once again shows the still members.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING! WE MUST WIN!" Makarov yells at the people who can't hear him.
"That's why... That's why we must keep calm..." Mavis says in an even tone. Catching Makarov's attention. "In these four days I recorded the enemy's battle skills, magic, mental and action patterns... I memorized them all. And based on that I simulated countless fights."
"First, what do you..." Romeo drones off, but this gets Levy's attention on the spirit.
"I predicted the enemy's victories and movements. This is all my foretelling." Makarovs face drops in realization and horror. All the Fairy Tail members now open their eyes. "I already told them the strategy." Mavis' eyes show a shine in them, as she looks at the screen with wisdom glowing from her irisis. "To lead our comrades to victory. That is my fight." Standing up, she points to the screen with her forfinger, shouting out;
"Strategy of the fairy of the stars... Go!"
"YEAH!" They all scream out in agreement, moving in different directions.
"Fairy Tail is moving!" Chapati's voice booms, and eveyone watches, waiting for the outcome.
"Everyone spread out! Move to your next destination!" The members of Fairy Tail in the crowd look at her with blank expressions. Confused at what she's saying. "At this point, there is a 97% chance that Rufus will make his move."
"I saw it." Rufus speaks up from the streets of Crocus. "they shouldn't underestimate my ability in finding enemies. I'll take you on altogether." He says cockily.
"Memory Make: Hoshi Furu Yoru Ni!"
Dozens of light blast flies around the sky before falling down
"This magic...!" Lola exclaimed
"It's a magic that annihilated their enemies on the first day." Yajima commented
"So pretty-kabo!" Mato commented with a smile.
"Within 2 seconds from the time you see the lights in the sky it's possible to evade it with an emergency dodge." Mavis calculates, everyone doing as she said.
"I'm not gonna fall for the same trick twice!" Gray screams out.
"The magic uses lightning as its element. Laxus alone can guard it." Just after she says it, Laxus is seen holding up his arm and taking in the attack. The ground beneath his feet breaking.
"WHAT!?" Rufus looks shocked at the turn of events.
"He blocked it!?" Mavis looks at what Laxus had done. Before getting back into the business. "Because of this, there is a 68% chance that Rufus will try to approach us. 32% that he will wait where he is now... but even if he does that, it won't be a hindrance to our strategy."
"What's she saying...?" Max asks Elfman.
"No idea..."
"The Fairy Star Strategy..." Lisanna converses with Cana.
"Well, I get it that it's a strategy to win." Mavis watches the battle with a sharp eye,
"At this point, Erza will go north-west to come in contact with the enemy."
"It's as first said. Quite a terrific person." Erza says, meeting up with Jenny.
"GEH! Erza!"
"and defeat her"
Erza quickly takes her out with the swing of her sword.
"Gajeel and Gray head east" Mavis instructed as the two defeats Eve and Ren with ease and got their points
"Is there someone in Fairy Tail able to surpass the calculations of my archive!" Hibiki shouted while running away.
"There is." Gray said with a grin while freezing him and got another point for the guild
"After defeating the enemy that had escaped to the fountain square... Gray heads straight to point B-4."
"Fairy Tail is on a roll!" Lola commented on the mic
"YAY!"
"the firsts strategy is hitting the mark!"
"Natsu will now provide logistical support by looking for enemies. Laxus will move to F-8." She has the plan laid out in her head as she describes the strategy. "Erza to S-5. The enemies are active around there."
"I-I remembered..." Makarov speaks up with a quiver in his voice, a tense aura soon surrounding him. "The first's nickname... She led her team to victory in many battles thanks to her prodigious ability in making strategies... The Fairy Tactician, Mavis."
"She's skilled..." Macao has tears in his eyes.
"So she wasn't just cute." Wakaba blushes.
"Fairy Tactician" Lucy said a bit in amazement
"Well you know... She is the one who created Fairy Tail after all." Alzack sighs.
"Ichiya-san... I'm sorry..." Hibiki says through the ice.
"Uhm. Leave the rest to..."
POW!
"MEEE!" Jura attacked Ichiya from behind as this got his guild 5 points
"Got you." He said with a smirk
"It's Jura of the Ten Wizard Saints! He defeated Ichiya, leader of Pegasus, and gained 5 points! And Cheria beats Risley, taking them to 35!"
"Sorry!" Cheria says, kicking the Mermaid Heel member in the back of the head.
"Don't underestimate the Mermaids!"
"What a passionate battle," Lola commented
"Uhm... So the Pegasus is completely defeated." Yajima said while feeling a bit sorry to his friend's guild
"The number of people has quite decreased, kabo!" Mato commented
"From now on it will be a hard battle." Mavis speaks up, again.
"What are we gonna do about Jura in the end?" Kinana asks.
"Have you thought about it?" Laki adds on.
"I have," Mavis said with a smile as she looks to a screen that had Natsu in it
"Breath-taking fights continue in the Daimatou Enbu. And I'm sure from now on they'll become even more hot-blooded." Walking to an old, beautiful building, Gray steps towards a throne of sorts.
"The first told me that if I came here I could meet you. Indeed."
"Well. Well." Rufus chuckles slightly. Sitting in a throne in front of a large library. Book opened in hand. "My memories... were about to forget you. Will you help me remember." Gray looks at the Sabertooth mage with malice.
"You don't have to remember. Because this will be your end."
"In the library area, a clash between Gray from Fairy Tail... and Rufus from Sabertooth!"
"Was this also planned!? First." Lucy asked the spirit
"Yes." Mavis replied to her
"Then it means Gray will win the fight!" Warren smiles
"I don't know." This makes Elfman speak up.
"What!?"
"However, he has to win. Rufus is a key person in Sabertooth's strategy." Mavis said as she watches the screen
"Sometimes feelings can surpass calculations," Mavis concludes, keeping her eye on the soon-to-be epic battle. The two stares down and Mavis narrows her eyes. "Show me... Your feelings."
Natsu was standing on top of a house's roof before his eyes spotted Cheria walking around in the streets
He then looks around before spotting Lyon on the other side
"even if you're Ur-san's disciple, I won't be holding back" Natsu said as he jumps down before
BOOM! BOOM!
Two explosions were heard and we then see Lyon and Cheria flying away
"Natsu Dragist took out Lyon and Cheria-tan! Earning him 2 points!" Lola exclaimed on the mic as Ur laughs when she sees Lyon all black from the explosion and his hair was burned into an afro
With Gray
"I'm coming, masked bastard!" He screams out, moving his hands back, a cold mist enveloping them. Rufus closes his book, a smirk forming on his face.
"Ice Make! Freeze Lancer!"
He shoots out a multitude of the cold item, only for Rufus to dodge each one.
"memories
"You won't getaway! ICE IMPACT!" A huge ice hammer of sorts smashes into the ground. Destroying the flooring below.
"Memories..."
"What are you mumbling?"
"Memories can become weapons," Rufus says as he lands, fixing his hat on his head.
"I can memorize types of magic I have seen before... And forge new kinds of magic based on those memories."
"What do you mean?"
"Memories of you, ice magic. Memories of Orga, thunder magic." He explains.
"I remember."
"Memory Make: Kogoeru Kokurai no Tsurugi"
Ice and black lightning erupts around Gray, and he looks down in shock as ice crawls up his side, much like his battle against Lyon.
"GUWAH!"
"GRAY!"
"He can create as many new kinds of magic as he wants?!"
"Araburu Fūga no Yashiro." Rufus moves his arm out to his side. Torrents of wind forming and attacking the ice mage.
"SHIELD!" He screams out, The half dome forming in front of him.
"Shield memory. And oblivion." With the flick of his wrist, the ice shatters, letting the wind attack move forward.
"My shield vanis-GUAAAHHHHHH!" He screams out, being swept away by the mini tornados.
"THE HELL!"
"He can make him forget as well!?"
"Rufus can create new kinds of magic freely."
"Does it mean that Gray can't use any magic he already used before?
"That's a complete disadvantage!" The Fairy Tail members scream out in rage, while Mavis stays silent, with a watchful eye.
"I'll sing this fight for you. Requiem. You should remember it. You can't win against me." Rufus states, holding his fingers to his temples.
"I wouldn't be..." Gray heaves, covered in scratches and bruises. He discards his shirt out of habit,"...so sure..."
"He stripped!" The crowd looks in shock.
"He stripped?"
"He stripped?!" Chapati says into the mic, exclaiming everyone's shock.
"Gray-sama..." Juvia turns from the screen, a blush clear on her face.
"the one thing that never changes about him" Ur said while shaking her head without realizing that she was just wearing her underwear
"your clothes!"
"As long as the mark of Fairy Tail is on my body... I'm not gonna lose to the same opponent twice." Gray vows.
"Oh. Do you have a strategy?"
"Ice make..." He watches as Rufus says his magic word; memory. And the glow of Gray's magic casts a shadow on his face as he glares at Rufus. Finishing his attack. "UNLIMITED!" Gray transforms the ice as he creates multiple ice weapons
"My memory..." Rufus begins to panic, "can't keep up!" Gray sees this and makes his move.
"That was a good move, but unfortunately for you I've already memorized magic that can defeat ice." Rufus pressed his fingers against his temples
"Memory Make: Moyuru Daichi no Gō"
The flames engulfed Gray, but the ice wizard was unharmed as he dashed towards Rufus. "Is this all you got?" Gray taunted as his head poked out of the flames. "I've felt fire way hotter than this." He held out his arms, summoning twin ice blades.
"Ice Bringer!"
He swung the swords across his body as he ran past Rufus, slashing the masked wizard and sending him flying into the air. As Rufus fell back to the cracked library floor, Gray grabbed his hat that floated in the air. He placed it on his head, before walking towards the library exit, a smirk on his lips as he titled his new hat down over his eyes.
"He did it!" Max exclaimed.
"that's how you do it!" Ur shouted out with a grin on her face
Cana grinned. "He really does know how to show off."
Jet and Droy high-fived one another.
"he did it!"
"I knew he'd pull it off."
"Excellently done." Mavis praised.
"Gray has done it!" Lola shouted.
"He has defeated Rufus. Fairy Tail A earns 1 point."
Yajima gave an approving nod. "An impressive victory."
"But Rufus has never lost!" Mato exclaimed in shock.
"Well it seems like today is full of surprises."
"So Rufus lost after all," Rogue muttered to himself as he watched Gajeel from behind one of the pillars of a covered walkway. "Fairy Tail really is a strong guild, but that doesn't matter to me as long as I can defeat you…Gajeel." Rogue stepped out from the pillar, following behind Gajeel for a few seconds before holding out his hand in front of himself.
Gajeel felt an unfamiliar presence and instantly sidestepped into the walkway, seeing a shadow pass him by. "What the?"
"It seems you finally noticed me…Gajeel." Rogue stepped into view, revealing himself to the Iron-Dragon.
"now or never" Gajeel said as he punches his fists
with Erza
"Erza should already be engaged in battle with Minerva." The ghost couldn't help but smile with pride as she explained her plan.
"You seem a bit too Happy about that," Max commented.
"Wait, you mean Erza's gonna fight that Sabertooth woman?!" Elfman asked.
"Yes." Mavis nodded. "She's the one best equipped to fight her."
Erza walks around the place where she was told to go to as she looks around and sees no one
""If Master Mavis' prediction was correct, then I should encounter Minerva here shortly."" Erza thought before she quickly looked behind herself as she hold up her blades
CLANG!
"It's Kagura!" Lola shouted. The ace of Mermaid Heel dashed towards Erza, her sword Archenemy at the ready.
"Huh?" Mavis gasped in disbelief. "That's another thing that managed to slip past me. They weren't supposed to battle this early."
Erza quickly summoned twin katanas, using them to block Kagura's initial strike.
"The First Master didn't foresee this."
The two swordswomen parried and blocked one another's strikes. Their clanging blades echoing in the air.
"What an amazing display." Lola said in awe as everyone watched Erza and Kagura's clash. "This is truly a battle to determine the strongest woman in the world."
""Her skill is quite amazing."" Erza thought as she and Kagura continued to counter one another move for move.
""Show me why you were once considered the strongest, Titania."" Kagura thought.
"What's going on, First Master?" Levy asked.
"She's really keeping up with Erza." Lisanna said in disbelief.
Mavis' eyes began to mist over. "M-my plans." She whimpered. "They're…they're…" she then began to cry.
"Don't cry, First Master." Lisanna said trying to comfort her.
"I'm not crying…I'm not crying at all." Mavis protested between sobs.
"Quick! Someone cheer up the First Master!" Makarov panicked.
Erza and Kagura went into a close combat battle as their swords clashed with each other
""Even with her sword still sheathed, she emits a great deal of pressure."" Erza thought.
The two women moved to attack one another again, but they suddenly stopped. Having been caught off-guard by a mysterious blue-green blob floating between them.
The blob expanded and out emerged two arms that grabbed Kagura and Erza by their faces. From the blob emerged Minerva. She spun around, throwing both Kagura and Erza to the ground to shock of all those watching in the crowd.
"W-what just happened?!" Lola shouted as he, Mato, and Yajima looked at the sequence in disbelief; their jaws nearly on the floor.
"I'm sorry for intruding." Minerva simpered as she landed on her feet on the ground. "I hope you both will let me join in the fun as well."
Erza and Kagura both stood up, their hardened glares now on their newly appeared trespasser.
Mavis looked at the screen in both shock and fear. Her plans had slowly but surely unraveled in front of her very eyes.
"What's wrong, Mavis?" Makarov asked.
"I-I have no idea what is going to happen now." Mavis stammered. "It's all jumbled."
"What started as a one on one battle has turned into a three-way free for all!" Lola announced. "Three of the strongest women in the Games are now in the same place! Who will emerge the victor?!"
With Natsu
Natsu was walking around in an alleyway before his nose picked up a peculiar scent
He looks around before he spotted some blood stains on the ground
""is someone injured badly?"" Natsu thought as he kneels down and smelled the area
With Laxus
He was battling Orga before meeting with Jura who came and defeated Orga with ease
"-huff- -huff- talk about a real pain in the ass" Laxus said as he wipes off some dirt on his face
"There is a reason why he is the fifth strongest wizard saint." Obaba stated with a prideful nod as Jura and Laxus did a stand off
"the Four Emperor of Ishgal, they're not human at all, only Dragist who is called the Bringer of Catastrophe can defeat them single-handedly" she said while spinning her hands
"so, far Jura is the strongest human Wizard Saint"
"I'm at a loss for words. You have so much strength left after our earlier battles. I haven't felt this excited in years." Jura said to Laxus with a grin
"so did I" Laxus replied with a grin of his own before he and Jura punched fists at each other
With Erza
It was a stalemate, Erza, Kagura and Minerva, the three women stood in silent as they were not moving
"It seems I am two teammates short." Minerva announced, breaking the silence as she refers to Rufus and Orga.
"I should have expected both of them to fall, but not this easily. It's quite disappointing." She said in amusement
"You should be more concerned with your own well-being." Erza's voice out towards the Sabertooth wizard
Minerva gave an amused huff before turning her attention to Kagura. "You also seem to be down a few allies. Would it not be best for you and I to join forces against our biggest threat?"
"I require no help to fight. Least of all from you." Kagura replied curtly. She then looked over to Erza, remembering the reason she sought her out in the first place.
""Why do you choose to protect Jellal? You suffered the same horrors as Millianna, so why would you…?""
Minerva shrugged, unfazed by the pairs harsh words.
"No matter. The people have begun to lose faith in Sabertooth over the course of this year's games. It goes without saying that your two guilds are at fault for this offense. Erza…Kagura…I will prove once and for all that Sabertooth is the strongest, by crushing both of you ants under my feet."
"You're quite sure of yourself." Erza replied.
"I've grown weary of all this talk. Come." Kagura demanded.
The three women stood in silence again. The entire crowd was on pins and needles as they waited for one of the most anticipated battles of the games to start. In an instant all three women darted towards the center of where they were standing, Minerva summoning more green orbs as Kagura and Erza brandished their blades. Their initial clash blew a fierce wind through the surrounding area before they backed off to try again.
The three women went into close combat with each other as the crowds cheered like crazy
"I see you." Kagura said as she clashed swords with Erza before Minerva intervened
she pointed the index and middle finger of right hand at the palm of her left hand, opened her finger of said right hand into a v.
two orbs encompassed up Kagura and Erza, causing them to hover in the air.
Mavis' eyes widened as she took another look at Minerva's magic. "It can't be! That's one of the magics of the Yakuma Eighteen War Gods!"
Minerva swirled her arms around, green-blue energy waves gathering as she began to chant in an unknown language. "Niel Wielg Mion! Derse Elcantaeus!"
"Yagdo! Rigora!"
A huge god-like man appeared above the three women, intricate designs on his body and grin on his lips. Erza, Minerva, and Kagura were then enveloped in a bright light that shot into the sky above. The structure the three women were standing on was nearly destroyed.
The light could be seen from the stadium. It was so bright it blocked the screens.
"Her power is amazing." Makarov said as he covered his eyes from the light.
Minerva smirked amused as the dust kicked up by her spell started to dissipate. To her satisfaction, both Erza and Kagura survived even with their clothes in shreds
"T-they're all fine?!" Lola exclaimed.
"How is that possible?" Yajima asked in utter shock.
Mato was speechless as his mouth hung open.
"their magic balanced out each other" Ren said from the sidelines
Hibiki nodded in agreement. "That seems to be the case for now."
"It's anyone's guess as to who will prevail, men." Ichiya mumbled "Be sure to watch carefully."
"You should really be resting, sir." Eve nervously laughed.
"Atta girl, Kagura!" Beth cheered.
"If she keeps this up we can win." Arana said.
"That's what happens when you underestimate Kagura." Risley nodded with a grin.
"I must say you have both done well in order to last this long against me." Minerva smugly praised.
Erza and Kagura gave no reply.
"As things are now, this battle could go on for days before we reach a climax." Green energy once again gathered around Minerva's hand as she waved her arm. "It seems that I may have to change my strategy some." A large green orb appeared behind Minerva, this one containing a person. Someone that both Kagura and Erza knew very well.
"Millianna!" they both shouted in shock.
Milliana moans in pain as she looks to have been tortured
"This is the kitten I have captured," Minerva said.
"As you can see, the poor child is suffering terribly. The space that I have placed her in is stealing away her magic little by little."
"That's a dirty trick!" Arana spat.
"Millianna." Beth fretted.
Risley fumed. "Why that…"
"You think this will make us concede?" Erza interrogated.
"You needn't be so hostile, Titania. I have no intention of using her as a hostage to force a surrender out of you two. But I did mention that I was making a change to my strategy."
Kagura and Erza's calm demeanors gave way to rage as they both glared at Minerva through clenched teeth.
A sadistic tone of satisfaction entered Minerva's voice. "That's the look I have been wanting to see."
"Release Millianna now!" Kagura demanded.
"Not just yet. I want you two to show me how strong you are when you battle each other."
Kagura took a step back, clutching her sword under her arm, her muscles tensing. "I will not repeat myself. Release my guild mate while you still breathe."
Minerva's sick grin widened. "Come take her from me."
Kagura instantly closed the gap between herself and Minerva.
Erza watched with astonishment.
""She's fast!""
"I gave you your chance." Kagura stated as she swung her sword.
"It seems that's where you were failed." Minerva replied as she disappeared, Erza reappearing in her place.
The two looked swordswomen looked at one another in surprise before Erza moved her sword to block Kagura's strike. Both of the swordswomen were dumbstruck by the situation.
""they switched places!?""
""she switched place with me!?""
"You two sort this out amongst yourselves." Minerva teleported Millianna away with a wave of her hand. "I'll face the winner."
"You're quick to run for someone who interrupted our battle. How unbecoming of a 'noble'." Erza taunted as she continued to hold Kagura back.
"You misunderstand." Minerva answered, her back was still facing the two. "A 'noble' moves pieces on the board according to their will alone. You should consider it an honor that I have chosen to 'run'. I admit I made an error when I elected to take on the both of you. No matter the tactics, it is a noble's duty to win." Minerva began to walk away as she waved her hand to signify a goodbye.
"Let Millianna go!" Erza shouted after her.
"You dare…" Kagura snarled, catching Erza off guard. "Say her name as if she were a comrade?!" Kagura forcefully pushed forward, head-butting Erza and staggering her back.
"It seems you two have a personal matter to discuss. I'll let you get to it then."
"Only if you release Millianna!" Kagura said. She turned her head to confirm, but Minerva was already gone.
Erza wiped the blood from her lip. "That was a bald escape plan."
"Be quiet!" Kagura snapped, she turned back to Erza, her eyes darkened. "I will cut both her and you down."
With Laxus
"this is exhilarating" Jura said to Laxus
"I think it's time we settle the score" Laxus said to him
"come! We shall battle to the limits!" Jura said as the two continued their fight
"go! Laxus!" Makarov cheered for his grandson
Back with Erza
The crowd watched as Erza and Kagura stared one another down, their battle was about to resume in earnest.
"Minerva has left, putting us right back where we started with Erza and Kagura." Lola commentated. "Which one of these mighty women will prevail?"
"Come on, Erza. You can do it." Levy said.
"It seems it's time for us to resume our battle from earlier." Erza said.
"Good." Kagura took her stance before swinging her sword. "I won't be holding back this time!"
"Neither will I!" Erza moved to block with her own sword, but she misjudged the force of Kagura's swing, causing her to be overpowered.
Erza backflipped as she flew backward, requipping into her Heaven's Wheel armor. She used her wings to slow her momentum before dashing forward with her twin swords.
"Pentagram Sword!"
Erza crossed her swords and slashed out a pentagram pattern. Kagura evaded each strike effortlessly as she jumped into the air, aiming her sword downward.
"Go no Kata!"
Kagura fell on top of Erza, the impact causing the ground underneath them to give way. Erza gasped in pain as she and Kagura entered freefall. Kagura repositioned her sword in mid-air.
"Sho no Kata!"
Erza's eyes widened as she watched Kagura fall towards her. She held up arms in front of her body, requipping in her Adamantine armor. To her shock, Kagura slashed through her shield, inflicting some cuts on Erza in the process.
"That's impossible!" Max shouted. "She stopped the Jupiter cannon with that armor!"
"She didn't even draw her sword." Warren gasped.
Erza clutched her teeth to block out the pain as Kagura fell passed her.
Kagura looked up at Erza. "That's not enough."
Erza looked down at Kagura in anger before her body glowed again.
"Sonic Claw!"
Erza zoomed past Kagura in her flight armor, slashing at her with her twin knives but to her surprise
"Gaaah!" she was attacked with an unknown force as she falls to the ground.
"She…" Jet began.
"Attacked while being attacked?!" Droy finished.
"How did she manage to do that?" Levy asked.
Erza looked up and sees Kagura looking down on her
"I had no idea that there was someone as strong as Erza." Ren commented in surprise.
"It goes against all of my calculations." Hibiki smirked.
"Kagura has quickly gained the upper hand in this fight!" Lola commentated. "It seems Erza is no match for her!"
"Come on, Erza-san! get up!" Wendy shouted.
"This Kagura is something else." Charla said.
Lily nodded. "Indeed she is."
"I never expected, there was someone as strong as you here. I'm surprised." Erza huffed as she tried to stand. "Your strength…it draws from your grudge against…?"
Before Erza could finish her question, Kagura kicked her in the ribs, sending her rolling along the ground and into a pillar.
Fighting through the pain, Erza slowly sat up against the pillar. "I don't care…how much you hate…Jellal." She tried to catch her breath. "But Millianna…" Erza managed to make it to one knee. "She is trying to start over…don't drag her into your vendetta."
Kagura angrily glared at Erza. "You know nothing." She swung her sword, knocking Erza into another pillar. "She chose this of her own accord. Her will and mine are one and the same. I will end Jellal's life!"
Erza violently coughed before she spoke again. "What happened…to make you this way?" she looked up at Kagura with anger.
"You of all people should know what that man has done. Simon…" she let his name hang in the air.
"Simon?" Erza repeated with widened eyes as she remembered her friend, but more importantly she remembered his death.
"He was my brother, and Jellal killed him." The venom oozed from Kagura's words.
Erza gasped in disbelief. ""Simon's little sister?!""
"We were never the wealthiest of families." Kagura began as she thought back to her childhood. A village that would be easy to miss if you weren't looking forward. A rundown home that smelled of aging wood. A kitchen no bigger than one's bedroom. A small table where she sat and smiled with her brother.
"Then seventeen years ago, during the 'child hunts' he was suddenly taken away from me. I was lost, endlessly searching for him as I grew older. Then I met Millianna. She told me of his death. How he sacrificed himself to save you and the others. Being enslaved for all those years, only to be murdered in cold blood by someone he considered a friend. Hearing that made me lose faith in everything. So, I made a vow to myself." She held up Archenemy, clutching tightly on its sheathes. "Only when I came face to face with my brother's killer would I ever draw my sword."
"Millianna's wrong." Erza muttered.
Kagura's body tightened. "What?"
"She wasn't there when it happened." Erza continued. "The only ones there to witness it were myself, Natsu, Jellal, and Simon…" Erza tightened her fist, scrapping her fingernails against the ground. "Jellal's hand may have felled Simon…but the one who killed him, the one truly responsible for his death..." Erza looked up at Kagura, tears pooling in her eyes. "Was me."
Kagura's pupils dilated as her blood pressure rose and she shook with anger. "You…you would go so far to protect him?"
"It's the truth! If I wasn't so weak…" her tears began to run down her cheeks. "Then Simon would still be alive."
Kagura's body began to shake even more, tears of anger pooling her eyes as she gripped the handle of her sword. Her heart began to beat louder and faster, each thump a different memory of her brother. She clenched her teeth, her adrenaline spiking as began to unsheathe her blade.
"Kagura what are you doing?!" Arana shouted from the stands.
"Don't!" Beth pleaded.
"You can't draw that here!" Risley yelled. "You know what will happen!"
Unfortunately Kagura didn't hear her friend's pleas and warnings. She let out a primal scream, all of her rage, pain, sorrow, and grief coloring it as she fully drew Archenemy. She swung it towards Erza, whose head was bowed in shame.
Makarov and the rest of Fairy Tail looked on in shock.
""even from this far, I can feel the blood lust
"Forgive me." Erza pleaded before everything went white.
BOOM!
Kagura looked down in shock as she saw Erza still kneeling, her own sword raised to block Kagura's attack.
"I'm not going to die here." Erza declared as she stood up, equipping into her sarashi and her hakama pants. She pointed her sword at Kagura. "Simon gave his life so I could live, Grandpa Rob gave his life so I could live. My friends give me the strength to live on. My family gives me the strength I need to live on. Dying here would be an insult to everyone that helped bring me to this point."
"Shut up!" Kagura shouted as she rushed towards Erza. "I'll kill you! You and Jellal will die for what you did to my brother!"
"Do you really think vengeance is what Simon would want?" Erza loudly asked while summoning Benizakura to her side
"You have no right to speak his name." Kagura retorted as she destroyed another pillar. "You were supposed to be his friend, but you betrayed him just like Jellal. You and Jellal both will atone for your sin."
"Kagura, neither you nor Millianna have to go down this path. There are other things in this life other than vengeance and hate. That is not the only way to gain strength."
Kagura briefly thought of Erza's words before replying. "That may be true, but that is all I have left to drive me." Erza's words were starting to reach her, if only a little. "There is nothing else for me."
"I used to feel that way too." Erza said as she finished trying her makeshift sling. "Then I found Fairy Tail. I found him. I found a new purpose in my life. A reason to live. I can never repay what they did for me."
"I will kill you! I will kill you and Jellal!" Kagura said with finality as the two clashes as Erza creates a devastating blow on Kagura as she falls
"down! Is Kagura out!?" Lola shouted on the mic
"Come on, Kagura!" Risley shouted. "Don't fall now!"
"I…I won't lose." Kagura fought the pain shooting throughout her body. "Simon…I have to…"
Erza heard a rumble and looked up as she sees a giant rubble falling on top of Kagura
"Look out!" Erza pushed Kagura out of the way, the boulders falling on top of her instead. The crowd gasped in shock.
The dust cleared, showing Kagura safe from harm, but Erza's leg was trapped. Her right ankle had been crushed by the weight of one of the falling rocks. She grimaced, trying to hold down the pain. Kagura sat in front of Erza, her face frozen in complete shock and confusion.
"Why? Why did you do that?"
"I…remember who you are now."
Kagura's eyes widened.
"Forgive me…I never knew your name before. I just knew you as Simon's little sister."
"What are you talking about? You're not making any sense."
Erza gave Kagura a weak smile. "I was born in Rosemary Village as well. Just like you…and Simon."
Kagura slowly shook her head. "No…y-you're lying." Kagura's mind began to drift again, this time back to when the followers of Zeref raided Rosemary village.
Kagura clutched her hand over her mouth just as she did all those years ago, tears once again streaming down her face as she looked at the wounded Erza. She slowly shook her head as everything began to sink in. "No, it can't be you…I thought you were-"
"Simon told me a lot about you." Erza said. "I always hoped that you were doing ok. I hoped that you were living a happy life like he wanted." She smiled. "I still hope."
Kagura dropped her hands to her sides, gripping her arms and sobbing for a few more seconds as she thought of how her life changed after that moment in the village. She felt ashamed, saddened that she had wounded the person who had allowed her to live. She then stood up, removing the rubble that was atop Erza.
"I…I still don't know what to feel." She stated calmly, but she was still very confused.
"But I do know, that this battle is my l-?!"
ZWORSH!
Minerva appeared behind Kagura as Erza's sword was in her hands and had pierced Kagura from behind
Erza's eyes widened in horror and shock
Minerva smirks as she pulls out the sword and Kagura falls down to her side
"You may have won the battle, but I take the points," Minerva said to her
"Did I not say I would return once your issue was resolved? A noble always gets their pick of the most delicious specimens, and today I'm fortunate enough to eat a Mermaid's head, as well as a wingless Fairy." Minerva began to laugh maniacally as she threw Erza's sword to the side.
"Damn you…" Erza snarled, her rage building once again.
Kagura laid on the ground as she clutches her wound
"You're next, Titania. Although with those injuries I doubt you'll put up much of a fight." Minerva told her
Erza clenched her teeth as she reached back and placed her hand on her bloodied ankle.
"Mi…lli…anna." Kagura said to Erza, her voice shaking. "Save…her."
Erza gave Kagura a firm nod. "I understand."
"Millianna?" Minerva questioned upon hearing their exchange. "Oh, you mean the kitten."
she waved her hand, and Millianna appeared and fell to the ground, unconscious
"I'm afraid she's unable to continue. I take that point as well."
"ooh! Mermaid Heel is out!" Lola commented on the mic.
Erza crawled over to Millianna, the blood from her ankle trailing along the ground. "Millianna?"
Millianna slowly opened her eyes, smiling weakly upon seeing Erza. "E-Erzy?"
"Hang on." Erza pulled her up. "I'll get for you and Kagura soon. Just stay with me!" Feeling something wet on her hand, Erza slowly raised it. Her palm was completely covered in blood. "W-what's this?" Erza laid Millianna on her stomach before lifting the cat girl's cloak and sees dozens of slash marks on her back.
"I grew bored of waiting for your battle to finish. So I decided to have some playtime with my new 'pet'." Minerva deviously grinned.
Erza began to shudder as her rage built even more. She was reaching her breaking point, Minerva's' final words pushing her over the edge.
"Her scream was most pleasing."
The knight's pupils dilated, her teeth clenched tight enough to bend steel as she turned her gaze towards Minerva. Minerva's words played over and over in Erza's mind, her sole focus becoming the destruction of the Sabertooth wizard.
Back to Gajeel
He had just finished teaching a lesson to Rogue who was sitting on the ground
"take this as a lesson" Gajeel said as he walks away
Rogue nodded before his eyes widen
"kill him, kill Gajeel"
A voice spoke in his head as Rogue looks behind and sees his shadow was talking to him
"Kill him"
Rogue's eyes widen as his shadow overtook him
"gaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!" Rogue screams as Gajeel looks back and sees Rogue had entered his Dragon Force
"what the- gah!" Gajeel was then attacked by Rogue
He circled around Gajeel, sending him flying into the air.
Frosch fretfully stared at the screen in the stadium, scared of the hardened look in his friend's eye. "Rogue."
Gajeel stood upright, noticing Rogue was nowhere in sight. "Where the hell did you go?!"
"Here." Rogue's voice echoed from behind Gajeel. He emerged from Gajeel's shadow, his black aura surrounding his hand.
"Eiryu no Zangeki!
Gajeel howled in pain as Rogue's attack sliced into his arm.
Makarov watched Rogue completely outclass Gajeel. "What's happened to him?"
Mavis sat next to her successor, equally dumbfounded. "He's fighting like a completely different person."
Gajeel swung his arm, but once again Rogue became a shadow. He then quickly reappeared, assaulting Gajeel with right and left hooks. Gajeel staggered backwards as Rogue continued to taunt him. "As I said earlier, your attacks are weak."
Gajeel clenched his teeth. "You little…" He quickly jumped back, his cheeks puffing out as he gathered energy.
"Tetsuryu no!"
Gajeel's spell was quickly interrupted by Rogue. The shadow dragon closed the distance with his magic, grabbing Gajeel by the neck. Rogue tightened his grip on Gajeel's throat as he lifted him off the ground.
Levy looked on in shock as she watched Gajeel gasp for air. "Stop! You're killing him!"
Frosch left his spot on the balcony, making his way towards the city. "Fro has to go to him. Have to help Rogue."
Rogue dropped Gajeel, the Iron Dragon limply falling onto his back on the ground. Shadows began to leak out from under him.
"This is the end, Gajeel. You will be swallowed into the darkness, alone. For all eternity." Rogue said with an evil grin
""I know this is a stupid idea but gotta try!"" Gajeel thought
Rogue's eyebrow twitched as he looked down at his adversary.
Gajeel clenched his fist tightly, sucking in the shadows near him
Rogue's eyes widened at the sight. "What are you doing?"
"He's eating the shadows?" Levy gasped.
Gajeel began to stand up. "I don't know who you are andI don't care, but that guy you're using is my former disciple, Ryos."
Rogue's mouth opened in surprise after hearing his old name.
"I remember when you used to shake when I ever I came around." Gajeel said as his body turned black and shadows covered his whole body
"Let me help you remember, how scary I am!"
"this is!" Rogue said in shock
Shadow and iron burst around Gajeel as the man grins
"Tetsueiryu"
Rogue swung his arm, but Gajeel disappeared.
"He vanished!" Bisca gasped.
Alzack shook his head, correcting his wife. "No, he turned into a shadow."
Gajeel appeared behind Rogue, striking him in the back with a newly created Iron Shadow Dragon Club. Rogue stumbled forward before merging with the ground as a shadow. I have to get away.
Gajeel continued to grin, as he too became a shadow. "Where are you going?"
The two raced along the ground in their shadow forms, the crowd trying to figure out just what was going on.
When the two shadows were next to one another, Gajeel's arm rose up, reaching and grabbing Rogue's shadow. The two slowly began to raise out of the ground, Gajeel clutching Rogue's collar.
Gajeel dragged Rogue threw the scattered debris of the archway before slinging him into the air.
He then cucked in his breath as he grins
"Tetsuieryu no Hoko!"
The enhanced breath attack enveloped Rogue, the Shadow Dragon howling in pain before he fell back down to the ground with a loud thud. Gajeel reverted to normal, his breathing ragged as he looked back at Rogue.
"Gajeel's won!" Lola shouted. "Fairy Tail earns a point!"
The crowd cheered in excitement.
"Don't hurt Rogue anymore!" a small voice yelled as both of them looks behind and sees Frosch standing in front of Rogue's feet.
Gajeel glared at Frosch for a few more seconds before sighing. He sat down on the ground, an annoyed look on his face as he rested his head on his palm. "Relax, the fights over. I'm not gonna do anything."
Frosch ran over to Rogue's side, lightly shaking his upper body. "Rogue! Rogue!"
Rogue slowly opened his eyes as he heard his name. "Frosch? Why…are you here?"
Frosch face lit up upon seeing Rogue still alive. "Rogue!"
"I…lost."
"Of course, ya did." He heard Gajeel retort. "There was no way you were gonna beat me."
Frosch smiled, tearing up. "Rogue…"
"I really can't beat you after all."
Gajeel replied grinned again. "That's obvious. But I'm ready anytime you want to give it another shot."
Levy watched the monitor along with the others, a smile on her face as she listened to the two dragon's words. Lily nodded in approval.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye