SailorStar9: So, after getting Chapter 89 out, this is Chapter 90 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OCs.

Chapter 90: The Games Continue

"Gray Fullbuster won the Molding Magic showdown!" Chapati declared. "He's brilliantly avenged the robbery of first place during the 'Hidden' event on the first day of the Grand Magic Games!"

"The invincible Rufus…" Mato gaped.

"What a close contest." Chapati noted.

"I guess he was just out-endured by Gray." Yajima remarked.

"Fairy Tail receives precious points here." Chapati continued.

"That was wonderful." Mavis nodded.

"'Sometimes feelings outweigh calculations.'" Makarov quoted. "Just like you said, Shodai."

"The strong feeling that you're definitely going to win." Mavis added. "Without that, all calculations are for naught. All I did was bet on that feeling. Gray's emotional strength trumped Rufus'."

"That's because we can't afford to lose here." Makarov remarked. "For the sake of Natsu and the others who went off to rescue Lucy, this fight has only just started. Fairy Tail is the strongest guild in the kingdom of Fiore! We'll prove that to them!"

"Now, let's take a look at the current scores." Chapati brought out the scoreboard. "Fairy Tail's in first place with 50 points. There are five people left, with the leader and four normals."

"Sabertooth's in second place with 49 points." Mato took over. "Rufus lost, but with fluctuating points, there are three normals and the leader left."

"Tied for second place is Lamia Scale with 49 points." Yajima continued. "They've got two normals and the leader left."

"Mermaid Heel is in fourth with 43 points." Chapati added. "They've got the leader and one normal left." Well, Fairy Tail is alone at the top."

"And all five members are in good condition." Yajima noted.

"Fairy Tail has gained the advantage." Mato added.

"What's wrong, Master?" Romeo blinked when Makarov suddenly shivered.

"Nothing." Makarov replied. "For some reason, I just recalled all the letters of apology I've written. Come to think of it, we've caused our share of problems here and there."

"Where is this coming from?" Bisca wondered. "Don't bring that up now."

"What's a 'letter of apology'?" Asuka asked.

"You don't have to know just yet." Alzack told his daughter.

"We haven't heard anything since Natsu and the others left." Romeo remarked. "I hope they're okay."

"All we can do now is wait and have faith." Makarov replied.

"We have to think that they're going to return safely." Mavis agreed. "if we win here, we'll have an audience with the king and can explain the circumstances… but I doubt a letter of apology will cut it."

"Yes." Makarov muttered. "If only a letter of apology could resolve it…"

"Now that you mention it, I was also burdened by letters of apology." Mavis stated. "Once the guild's storehouse was filled to capacity with bundles of them piled high. There were also claims for ruined items, bills for damages, written repair estimates…"

"It was tough on you too, huh, Shodai?" Makarov sighed.

"But that's also the guild master's duty." Mavis pointed out.

"No one's here." Millianna peered from a wall. "That being said, it's suddenly down to me and Kagura. And the odds are totally against us. What should I do? Maybe I should look for Kagura and team up with her. A cat!" she gushed, spotting a meowing kitten. "Come here! So cute!"

Hm, I was told to be here right here, right now. Ulyo mused, stopping.

"Boreas, God of the North Wind!" Chelia sent a whirlwind at the water mage.

"Just as Mavis-sama predicted, huh?" Ulyo muttered. "Chelia and I will clash."

"You're the one Lyon loves!" Chelia glared.

"Er…" Ulyo blinked in confusion.

"In that case…" Chelia growled. "Vanish!"

"This is going to be troublesome and annoying." Ulyo stated, her water barrier was immediately in place when Chelia sent another blast of wind at her.

"Do you mind if I play too?" Minerva taunted, appearing between the battling Erza and Kagura via a bubble and pushing them off to the sides. "People have lost a lot of confidence in Sabertooth. Naturally, it goes without saying that your guild is responsible. Erza, Kagura, to prove to everyone that our guild is the strongest," she powered up. "I'm going to get rid of the two of you together."

"You talk a big game." Erza tightened her grip on her sword.

"No need to tedious talk." Kagura agreed. "Come!" with that, the trio went into a three-sided battle.

"The 'Yagdo Rigora' spell, huh?" Ulyo snorted, locked in a stalemate against Chelia when she noticed the huge light pillar.

"I see." Minerva remarked, when she saw the two swordswomen were unscathed. "I certainly didn't expect you to make it this far. Titania, Erza Scarlet. And Kagura Mikazuchi; we'll get nowhere at this situation. I'm going to make a little change." And brought out the unconscious Millianna within a magic bubble. "The kitten I captured earlier."

"What are you doing, wretch?" Erza demanded.

"Can you see this girl suffering?" Minerva chuckled. "I'm stealing her magic, even now in that space. Relax, I'm not using her as a hostage to make you give in. As I said, I'm going to make a change. That's it." She grinned, seeing the furious expressions on the two swordswomen's faces. "That's the expression I wanted to see."

"Chelia, do you mind pausing this for a second?" Ulyo requested, hearing the smirking Minerva's taunt. "Chapati-san, Mato-san, Yajima-san," she addressed the lacrima screen directly, her voice eerily calm. "May I inquire the ruling on this?"

Elsewhere, both Lyon and Gray felt a shiver down their spines.

"Someone just pissed Ulyo-imouto off." Lyon muttered.

"Someone's gonna die, or get mortally maimed." Gray mumbled.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.