As everyone looked at the scores after the exciting event and battles of day three, many observations were being made, mostly how the two Fairy Tail teams were miles ahead of the core of the competing guilds. Secondly, between the two teams, Fairy Tail Team A had the definitive upper hand. This bothered many members of team B.
All the members of team B minus Zeldris and his friends were at one of the quiet bars in Crocus discussing the predicament.
"Every step of the way, we've been denied victory by Natsu and his bunch" Laxus said, bitter about their losses every step of the way.
"It's not like we haven't been trying," Gajeel protested.
"Gajeel's right, Cana's use of Fairy Glitter, your defeating of all 100 monsters during pandemonium, and Gajeel's attempts in the maze race today. Everyone has been giving it their all" Freed said.
"Yeah, if it wasn't for the one-on-one battles, we'd be worse off than Twilight Ogre," Bixlow added.
"The less said about those losers, the better" Laxus said, looking down at the beer stein he had been drinking.
Mira was next to pipe up, "if we don't get a handle on things soon, Master's bet just like in 791 might have to come into play", the entire group of wizards shuddered. Their minds full of what would happen if the members of Fairy Tail team A would be allowed to ask of team B whatever they want for a day.
"Well, what can we do that we haven't already done?" Evergreen said, dismayed by the enormity of the task.
The group of wizards looked at each other, still with worried glances as nobody could think of any answers or admit to any answers.
Finally, Freed spoke up, "at what point do we throw Zeldris into the fray and see if he can do anything more".
"What can he do that any of us haven't done already?" Gajeel retorted, almost offended by the mention of Zeldris.
"Besides, Cana used one of the three grand fairy spells, and even she couldn't beat Natsu" Laxus added.
"Hell yeah! If I can't beat that flame freak, who can?" a drunken Cana said, slurring her words as she drank more.
Freed rolled his eyes at this, "my point is, I've seen his power, and" he added ominously, "for better or for worse, we know he is powerful and that cannot be denied" he finished.
"So ultimately, it comes down to the Zeldris question, does it?" Laxus said, still dismayed.
Mira then settled the debate, "we'll put him in, but only if the event is right".
Gajeel then quipped in with, "plus, there's no telling whether he will be selected for the battles".
"I'll go along with this, but I still don't like the idea of hitching our hopes on that unproven kid that almost ought to be kicked out of the guild, '' Laxus said. Everyone mirrored Laxus's sentiments to some degree, nobody held Zeldris in high regard outside of Zeldris's friend group and Master Makarov. His incident back on Tenroe island still holding firm in their minds. Even if Wendy had fully recovered since then, that was no way to compete against a member of their own guild.
Meanwhile, Zeldris, Gabriel, Romeo, and Terre Mere were at a separate restaurant, having an enjoyable meal as they looked at the standings through the course of the three days.
"So, it seems team B is starting to fall behind" Gabriel said, acknowledging the elephant in the room.
"Yeah, with Gajeel's second place today, unless team A slips in an event on day four or five, team B is going to have to come back in the very final event" Romeo added.
"The battle royale you mean?" Zeldris asked. Terre Mere and Gabriel looked at Zeldris and Romeo with interest.
"It's usually a battle royale, yeah, 792 was different since none of the major players really competed because Fairy Tail was disbanded" Romeo said in response.
"I see, well, we can only hope it's a battle royale if the team wants any chance at winning" Zeldris speculated.
"Speaking of which, how did you know the last event was usually a battle royale" Romeo asked, rather inquisitively.
"I thought I told you I attended the games last year" Zeldris said, a bit put off. However, the trio that were his friends shook their heads.
"Yeah, I was at the games last year, I didn't get there until day three, but even then, it was incredible to watch Fairy Tail compete" Zeldris said, his eyes getting rather dreamy. He reminisced about the incredible displays of magic and power than Fairy Tail gave during the 793 games.
Romeo could only nod in agreement, Terre Mere and Gabriel listened on to Zeldris's remarks about the games from the year before and just how incredible Fairy Tail can be at their height. Both newer members could not help but feel a bit timid at how powerful the members of Fairy Tail could be as Zeldris and Romeo recounted the 793 games.
Zeldris finished his story with, "and that's why I hope to never cross them and get on their bad side".
"Considering you nearly did that with Freed, Wendy, and Carla back on Tenroe" Romeo said, looking at Zeldris ominously. Zeldris only nodded and sighed.
"What's sad is how many still don't seem to trust you even after you apologized profusely to everyone involved" Terre Mere said.
Zeldris put both of his elbows on the table, putting his hands one on top of the other and rest his head on both. He then said, "well, it's not like that was the first time Wendy and I had fought against each other".
Romeo looked over in surprise at first and then remembered, "that's right, that was the time she managed to go dragon force" he said, noting the details Zeldris said of the battles, plus the rumors he heard.
"Yeah, she went dragon force during the Tenroe battle too" Zeldris said, still rather quiet.
"And it was because Freed threw the fight" Terre Mere started, then paused, "tried to throw the fight that you sent you over the edge?" she asked. Zeldris could only nod. The table sat in a solemn silence for around five minutes before the silence was broken.
"You know, Zeldris you're quite powerful, I would be surprised if team B didn't put you in to turn the tide of the battles" Gabriel said, getting back to the topic at hand.
"I can only hope they do, plus, there's still two days and two battles before the final event" Zeldris said. The trio nodded in an understanding of this.
"Additionally, there was something else I wanted to discuss," Zeldris added. This piqued the trio's interest.
"I want to do some training this fall before the next s-class trial. We should be competing in the trial for ourselves, not as partners for others" he said, with a renewed hunger.
"Indeed, and I want to prove myself to the others in the guild" Gabriel said, before adding, "and to each of you". Zeldris, Romeo, and Terre Mere raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I do want to continue to prove myself, I have never had such a drive to better myself as a wizard since I joined the three of you" Gabriel said.
Zeldris could only smile and nod as he said, "and we are glad to have you on our team, you are powerful and a worthy asset and a good friend". The quartet of wizards nodded to this.
"It's settled then, a nice fall training session will be great" Terre Mere said, as she lightly tugged on Romeo's shirt sleeve.
"I think though it is time to return to the inn" Terre Mere said, "what do you guys think?" she asked.
The trio nodded, before Zeldris said, "I will take care of the bill, my treat". The trio thanked him as they left. Not thirty seconds after they left, the man known as Jellal Fernandez walked up to the booth Zeldris was still sitting at.
"Zeldris, do you have a couple minutes to talk?" Jellal asked of him, his presence seemed to chill Zeldris to the bone.
"Uh sure, be my guest," he said.
Jellal then sat down in the seats opposite of Zeldris, saying, "don't worry, this isn't something bad".
"I see," Zeldris said, letting his guard down some.
"I wanted to tell you something, and to propose a proposition" he said. This raised Zeldris's interests.
"First and foremost, that Master Mavis of yours is nothing but trouble, and is stoking animosity against you" Jellal said.
Zeldris returned to his face resting on his hands position from before, "I see, has Erik found out about why she is doing this?" he asked.
"No, Erza has been the one to tell me the details of the falsehoods Mavis is spreading" Jellal said.
"I see, maybe that's why everyone has seemed to be more hostile?" Zeldris pondered.
"Of course, your actions in the past have only helped to put a grain of truth in her falsehoods," Jellal said. Zeldris could only nod as the two sat for a couple of minutes in silence.
Jellal then broke the silence, "I have been talking with Erza and Master Makarov about something else" he said.
"Oh? Well, do tell" Zeldris said.
"The two of them wanted me to train you this summer after the games, they spoke of your power and all the incidents that have happened during the year" Jellal said, before adding, "and how you called Erza mother".
"Silence" Zeldris glared back, "I was talking in my sleep about someone else" he said, embarrassed.
Jellal only laughed, "should I tell Meredy about that to help matters?" he said, teasingly. Zeldris went as red as his clothes.
"In all seriousness, I want to start the training after the games. There are still a few dark guilds that need to be stomped out, and it will be Meredy and I doing the hunting.
"I see, are you there to be chaperoning the two of us" Zeldris said.
Jellal shook his head, "no, Erza wants to join us for the training too, and Master Makarov only gave his blessing if she joined us".
"I see, and I accept your offer Jellal. It will be a joy to train with you and the others" Zeldris said, before adding, "it will be nice to do some dark guild hunting".
"You're only doing this to see Meredy aren't you?" Jellal said, returning to his teasing ways, as Zeldris again blushed thinking about the pink haired maiden, his mind wandering to things that I cannot repeat here.
"Anyways" Jellal said, "I need to leave, those members of the Alvarez Guild still bother me and we are investigating currently".
"I see and good luck with that" Zeldris said, as Jellal turned to leave, and Zeldris paid the bill of him and his friends.
As Jellal left, he ran into Erik, who said to him, "so, training with Zeldris and Erza, eh?".
"Yes, is that so surprising?" Jellal asked.
"One would think the two ladies would come back pregnant" Erik said, as Jellal glared at him.
"You're one to talk, it was all I could do to sell Zeldris on this" Jellal said, regaining his composure.
"Including that line about Makarov being involved? Even though it was just Erza who proposed this?" Erik said, bringing the point he desired to bring up.
"Well, it was worth it in the end, Erza is concerned about him. I think she feels like she bears some responsibility for what happened on Tenroe island" Jellal said, as the two looked at Zeldris as he left the restaurant.
"Considering that Wendy is almost like a daughter to her" Erik said, before adding in a more lighthearted tone, "and Zeldris called Erza mommy", Jellal only glared at him. "Ok, I'll drop that. Let's just hope the pair of you aren't married by the end of this training mission" Erik finally finished.
Jellal could only let out a chuckle, "we won't be, don't worry" he said, "at least not yet" he finished.
Zeldris joined the others back at the inn, as they all were turning in for the weekend as he informed them of Jellal's proposition and his acceptance of it. The trio of them congratulated him as he then went to his room to sleep.
Of course, it took him a while to rest, as he looked out to the dark night sky that cloaked the capital city of Crocus, on his mind was one question.
"When will I be able to enter the games and prove myself to the others of my guild?" he thought to himself.
