18 | Stupid Slayers

*Unedited*

Kagura

"Ladies and Gentlemen," The announcer's voice came from the lacrimas, "After a quick deliberation the winner is Minerva Orlando!"

What?...She won?

I looked over at Minerva as her teammates ran over to her, smiles bright on their faces. They weren't the only ones, though, Minerva herself was smiling brightly.

I lost...Again! I lost to Minerva Orlando!

I tried not to let the ugly feeling of failure build on in my heart...but I couldn't help it...It's who I am.

And I'm still not good enough to beat Minerva.

"Kagura!" I hear someone shout my name and turn to see Minerva herself.

"Minerva," I said, my tone even, nodding my head to her.

"You put up quite a fight today, it was an honor fighting you again," She said, holding out her hand for me to shake.

"Thank you," I said, my tone the same as I took her hand, "To you as well," I said, solemnly.

I saw Minerva's smile falter for a second as she looked at me, but it was back just as quick as it was gone.

"Minerva!" Sting shouted from Sabertooth's box, "C'mon, the next round is starting soon!"

Minerva turns her head back to me, "Again, it was an honor to fight you Kagura, you prove to be quite a challenge for me," She said before turning around and walking away.

"Minerva!" I shouted before she was completely out of hearing distance.

"Yes?" She asks, her long side braid swinging as she turns around to look at me.

"How'd you do that?" I ask, referring to when her eyes had changed to a darker color.

"Oh," Minerva said, rubbing the back of her neck nervously, "Well...long story short I changed myself into a demon and Porluysica wasn't able to completely heal me back to normal and remnants of it were still left behind...not much, though, hence why my eyes are the only thing that change. All it does is give me a bit of extra speed and strength," She says, before once again turning around and walking to her guildmates.

So she turned herself into a demon?

"You put up quite a fight today," A voice says from behind me, which I immediately recognize as Erza, "To say the least, your skills as a swordswoman have improved,"

"Yah but they still weren't enough to beat Minerva," I said disappointed.

I hear Erza let out a sigh, "You're still on that? Kagura, that was at least 2 years ago!"

"It doesn't matter," I answered harshly, "That should be even more reason why I should be able to beat her, or at the very least tie with her,"

Erza let out another sigh, "Kagura you were close to tying with her!"

"Close isn't close enough," I muttered.

Suddenly I hear footsteps coming towards us. After not hearing anyone respond, I realize they're probably talking to Erza.

As if on cue, I hear Erza mumble an ok to said person and then I hear more footsteps, only they're heading in the direction opposite from me.

"Kagura," I hear Risley's voice, "The judges are asking everyone to clear the arena so they can get setup for the next round,"

"Ok," I respond and then walk over to Risley, and then we walk back to our box next to the arena.

"Oh Kagura," I hear Risley whisper under her breath.

I know Risley, I know.

I raise my head up high, straighten my back...

Time to act like the woman Reina raised you to be Kagura. Head held high and filled with pride.

Erza

"Erza," I hear Jellal say as I enter the arena's infirmary.

"Jellal," I say, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing yet," He says somewhat bitterly, "What'd you find out about the Shadowalkers?" He asks.

I feel my insides slowly being to fill with rage at the thought of them.

"They're strong," I admitted reluctantly, "I don't even know where they found mages like that,"

I hear Jellal mutter something sharp under his breath, then he looks up at me, "How strong?"

"Stronger than Natsu," I say solemnly.

"What?" Jellal says, his eyes hinting disbelief, "How many did it take to beat him?"

"One," I say, gritting my teeth together.

"How many did it take for the rest of you?" Jellal asks, almost nervously.

"Well considering that we weren't really trying to cause a fight, two," I said, my teeth still clenched, "They caught us off guard," I say, feeling water gather in my eyes as I look up at Jellal, "They were choking him Jellal," I whisper, "They were drowning Natsu on land...it's one thing to watch someone get tortured knowing there's absolutely nothing you can do because you're chained up...it's another to watch someone drown knowing that there's absolutely nothing you can do because you're not strong enough even though you're perfectly capable to help them," I say, trying to form words of how I feel.

"Erza, please tell you aren't blaming yourself for what happened to Natsu, weren't you just giving Kagura a pep talk about this?" Jellal asks, his eyes sad.

He always said he hated it when I cried.

"What can I say?" I chuckle, humorlessly, "I guess I can't take my own advice,"

I feel Jellal gather me into his arms, just holding me as I cried.

I hate crying in front of people. I'm always afraid that they'll think it makes me weak. Not to mention, who wants to see the Great Queen Titania cry? I have to remain strong for everyone else...but Jellal is the one person who I don't have to remain quite so strong...I don't have to be Queen Titania, or the powerful Lady Erza...I don't have to be Erza from Fairy Tail...I just have to be Erza...Erza Scarlet...

Unknown

"Did Ali-san really have to do that?" A girl with a long, blue ponytail said, looking down at the knocked out guards stationed at the entrance of the arena.

"Yes I did," Ali replied, her long, black, spiky hair held back by a bandana.

"So according to the plan, I am going to participate in the competition as a rival contestant against who?" The girl with blue hair asked.

At that Ali smirked, "Who else?" She said, "Juvia Lockser and Ameonna,"

"What?!" The girl with, "No one ever said I'd be fighting them!" She exclaimed.

Ali rolled her eyes, "Well now you know,"

"Stupid slayers not telling me anything," The girl muttered under her breath.

Author's Note

Hey My Lil Donuts!

Shout out To: Amliha! She got it spot on with Minerva!

So what do ya think?

Sorry for being gone so long! I've been working on a lot of things lately!

Can anyone guess who the unknown's POV is yet?

If not then I must be doing something right!

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

Thanks for Reading!

Buh-Bye My Lil Donuts!

Rissa