Chapter 116: The Final Day Begins!
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome back...to the final day of the Grand Magic Games! I'm your host, Chapati Lola, and beside me are two very important figures to help commentate on the final event! First, beside me is the newly appointed Council Chairman, Kemuri!"
He waved, smiling ever so genuinely. "It's a pleasure to be here."
"And beside him is the one and only... Kaiser Lucius! Wizard Saint and overseer of the guild filed with former famous criminals, Empyrean Dawn!"
Kaiser simply smirked, leaned back in his seat as he watched everything unfold before him. A slight wave was all he gave for now. "Now then! Lets recap the entire week, shall we? It all begin with the preliminary rounds. Once again they proved effective as only the top guilds were able to finish this course let alone in time, but it was Twilight Zone who surprised everyone — breaking the preliminary time record by a margin that will probably never be passed!"
"Never say never, but having a speedster on the team really gives you an edge." Kemuri chimed in. "That is, until the shock factor wears off." Kaiser added. He would then continue. "Because as I recall on the first day events, Flynn of Twilight Zone seemed to be in a very comfortable lead before he allowed his overconfidence take him away. And just like that, Twilight Zone was no longer in first place like they were presumably projected to be after a single day."
"Speaking of projections!" Chapati exclaimed. "No one expected neither the Council nor Empyrean Dawn to do so well against a bunch of guilds who are well established in these games! What do you two think about that, being the Council Chairman and the owner of Empyrean Dawn, Kemuri and Kaiser?"
Kaiser simply laughed, running a hand through his slick backed ruby colored hair. "Don't put me in the same tier as our prestigious Chairman here, Chapati. I'm simply running a program to reform these criminals. I will admit the tension itself has created a sparking little rivalry, but outside these games it's very clear who the superior group is. No need to venture any further in that."
"That was a very vague answer, Kaiser." Kemuri added ominously, raising a brow. Kaiser only continued to give that smug smirk of his, never elaborating on what he meant. "Uh..." Chapati attempted to break the silence; awkward for him, but tense for the other two. "Well then, back to the recap! From day one, White Eclipse showed an impressive dominance! From Jaxon Meteoro's come back victory in the first event, to Waiston Tunundra's outright victory over the Council's Captain Correll! They had everyone on their heels until r fourth day! That's when things fell apart for them and Fairy Tail due to interference!"
Kemuri then picked up where Chapati left off. "How unfortunate. A rivalry so strong, it costed both teams an insane amount of points. Takeru and Natsu. I'd put money on it that both are participating here today as well."
"What a privilege." Kaiser admitted with a nonchalant wave.
"Mermaid Heel made quite the comeback throughout the week, Sabertooth and Quatro Cerberus are still hanging around as well, but it's really been Empyrean Dawn, Twilight Zone and the Council who are up on the boards! But don't take my word for it! Lets look at the current standings leading up to today's final run!"
1Empyrean Dawn: 106
2The Council: 87
3Twilight Zone 67
4Mermaid Heel: 59
5Quatro Cerberus: 51
6White Eclipse: 50
7Sabertooth/Black Phoenix: 44
8Fairy Tail: 38
9White Eclipse B: 30
"It seems that Empyrean Dawn has a commanding lead! But don't fret if your favorites are down, because there's still a chance for anyone to make a comeback, because this year, there's been a rule added and rules changed! The first notable rule change is this. The captains of each team are now worth ten points for each knock out!"
Immediately Reve grinned maliciously, a sinister aura coming over him and the rest of White Eclipse. "The plan stays the same. The effort stays the same. Lets make this the greatest comeback in history."
Just like a mirror, Laxus, Natsu and Fairy Tail had the same exact look. "From thirty to one hundred? Not a problem!" The Salamander boasted.
"To add on to that, a surprise!" Chapati announced. "For every five eliminations your team receives, you'll gain an extra five points. That's potentially a lot of points on the board!"
"HAAAAAA!" Marshall shouted. "It just sounds like we'll finish with over two hundred at this point!"
"Now, lets introduce everyone's final roster from bottom to the top! First up, in last place it's White Eclipse B with Ralo Reiss, Ilaria, Tyson Bryant, lluvi Palmero, and Micaiah!" Reiss and the others retained a serious visage, warming up as their names were called. "They may be in last, but these newcomers of the guild have been more than impressive given their lack of experience. Up next! It's the defending two time champions backed into a corner, Fairy Tail! Laxus Dreyar, Erza Scarlet, Gray Fullbuster, Mirajane Strauss and Natsu Dragneel! Will they be able to make the comeback all the way from thirty points!? If anyone can, it's definitely Fairy Tail! Following next, it's Black Phoenix! Esmerelda Higa leads the team with Asuka Ichiro, Ethan Star, Diamond Ice and Chiara Taranto!"
Kemuri raised a brow with amusement. "Oh? Black Phoenix decided to leave Tristan and Leon out of it?"
Chapati then turned to Kemuri. "They're a fairly newly guild competitive wise. Are you telling us that these aren't their best weapons, Chairman?"
"Not at all, but it seems they're sitting this year out. How disappointing. Though I'm sure Esmerelda will hold her own long enough for some amusement."
"Well next up is Sabertooth. Former champions of their own right, will this be the year they reclaim their throne?"
"Doubt it." Kemuri boldly stated with a grin, causing Sting to look back his way with a glare.
"They stuck with the original roster it seems. Rogue, Minerva, Rufus, Orga and Sting Eucliffe of course! Up the ladder it's White Eclipse! Last year they came in second place, and their motto just doesn't allow that. Will they pull off the upset and reach the top? Ask Reve Volver, Skye Ravenwood, Zalen Castle, Takeru, and Cygnus Gwydion!"
Cygnus began warming up, readying himself as Kuro's words played in his head once more from yesterday.
{Kuro: I want Cygnus to take my place. Is that okay, Sidney? I just don't want to hold down the team when my mind is subconsciously on Daityas. That's what I trained so hard over this year for. I want White Eclipse to succeed, so give my spot to the guy who worked his butt to be recognized in this situation.}
A small grin appeared on his features. "Kuro. I'll repay you by destroying everyone here and making sure we win this thing! I'm so hyped, I'm almost excited. The demigod is about to go to work."
Zalen stood tall and proud. The thought of last year still loomed in the back of his mind, how he dropped out before they could even start, but today he was ready. He nodded to himself once, flexing his hands over and over again as he readied himself.
"Quatro Cerberus's Bacchus Groh leads the usual pack of Kuro Chi, Blues, Rocker and Yaegar! Wild!"
"FOURRRR!"
"Now for a dark horse of a team, Mermaid Heel! This roster change started in the middle of the week, and it's only right to see them standing together here at the final day! Kagura Mikazuchi, Melody Silver, Miya Crosse, Millianna and finally the newest member that we've yet to see in action, Rea Leone!"
The ladies of Mermaid Heel kept focus as their names were called — Kagura looking up to the competition with a determined visage. "This is our year..."
"For third place Twilight Zone, they've gone with the roster of Evanee Carlisle, Flynn, Rylo Yutaka, Kaden Carlisle, and Kairi Ayres. All eyes are on the Ace. She's shown spectacular skill, and now it's time to see it in the most hostile and unpredictable environment!
Next it's The Council! Kemuri, would you like to do the honors?"
He cleared his throat. "Surely. We have the captain, Crisdelin. Exene, Correll, Xaviere and Vivi. The most efficient squad we could muster."
"Not bad." Said Kaiser as he rose to his feet, arms spread. "But let me introduce to you, the team that's been dominating the entire games, and who will take it all the way home! Empyrean Dawn! That's Marshall Izumi, Nina and Julia Roulette, Hubert Ozwell, and finally, Ano Lyrai! Overall we have a stronger lineup, but this is all that's necessary!"
"Esmerelda, or Vivi? Or even that Crisdelin woman. Or what about..." Marshall was basically drooling at the mouth as Hubert turned to him, sickened. "Are you thinking about that at a time like this?"
"Oi...you know I can't help it, Hubert. Sometimes Lust just takes over and.. I just want to make someone's life hell! But I know the answer to all of this." He pointed towards the Council's whereabouts in the city. "Vivi."
"That's the competitors for this final event! Now it's time what everyone ss been waiting for. Competitors...are...you...READY!?"
"Don't hesitate." Reve.
"Stay in the fight." Skye.
"Stay alive." Zalen.
"Destroy him." Takeru.
"LETS... GOOOOOOOOO!" Cygnus belched out the exclamation so loud, the competitors could barely here Mato and Chapati who started the match with their own words at the same time. "Well then. We know where White Eclipse is." Said Evanee as she began walking forward with Twilight Zone next to her. Each guild did the same, picking up into a run as some went their separate ways while others stick in groups. Mermaid Heel elected to do just that as Kagura led the pack. "I'm ready to get started! Lets collect these points!" Miya shouted, throwing her arms in the air. "I hope I run into Gray-Sama!" Melody added in a loving manner. "Focus, you two." Rea stated. She walked right beside Kagura, just a bit taller. She had dark blue hair that sat up in a banded ponytail, and greyish eyes. She wore a black tank top that revealed her abdominal muscles, and baggy camouflage cargo pants, constricted at the waist by her belt and black combat boots on her feet with black fingerless gloves on her hands. "We have a mission to uphold. Then we can celebrate and lax once Mermaid Heel is top guild."
Millianna squinted, giving a comedic look. "Kagura is the leader ya know.." Before anyone could say anything else, Millianna's ears perked up. "Wait. Someone is coming this—"
Kagura's eyes widened as she was just able to raise her sheathed blade in time. That and another blade would collide instantly, almost too fast for the other members of Mermaid Heel to see as Kagura was no longer in front of them. They followed the skidding trail, turning to see Kagura now holding a stalemate with none other than Skye Ravenwood.
"Are you insane!?" Rea shouted angrily, making her way towards Skye. "You've come alone to come after Mermaid Heel's Ace while she's with her guild!? I'll—"
"GO!" Kagura shouted, stopping the others in her track. "Go! Carry out the plan, and stick together! I'll handle this one..."
"But.." Miya objected. "Go!" Kagura interrupted once more. With a bit of hesitation, Mermaid Heel ran off. When the coast was clear, Skye leapt backwards, breaking the stalemate between them as she sized Kagura up. The Mermaid did the same, holding her ground. "So eager to be defeated." She said, causing Skye to grin. "That's my line. I was planning to take all five of you out, but you've made this easier to gather the ten points I need. Kagura Mikazuchi, I challenge you. Lets finish what you started in the preliminaries."
.
.
.
.
"That was a loud clash there off to the east." Marshall whistled, all alone. He sniffed the air a few times as if he was a Dragon Slayer, but in all honesty, he was simply adept in his senses in the most psychotic way. "I would go interrupt, but...I have other fish to fry." Once he found who he was looking for, the Walking Sin ran off down the street. "I'm on the way!"
.
.
.
Black Phoenix was another guild that decided to split up. Ethan Star the Machina Soul Takeover Mage was jogging down an open street when suddenly he was forced to leap to the side thanks to an incoming wave of uprooting concrete. "Huh?" He questioned, looking around before seeing the culprit at hand, and it caused him to gulp.
"Oh? The cutie from Black Phoenix. Too bad you were really unimpressive in your match against Elfman." There she stood in fishnet stockings and her leather jacket. Crisdelin Shepard, the Council's Captain. She was alone, but she needed no escort. As she cracked her knuckles, she walked towards Ethan with a sultry grin. "It's a shame I have to break you, but it's for the Council. Don't worry, I'll make this quick."
.
.
.
.
Hubert and The Roulette Sisters sat upon a high point; a building where a good bit of Crocus was visible. That's when Nina groaned in annoyance. "Come on! I want to fight! I'm so bored! Why do we have to stake out!?"
"Because we're winning." Hubert said adversely. "No reason to risk giving up points when they need our points."
"Correction, oh temporary leader." Julia objected. "They need your points. We're so far ahead that the rest of us could go out and have fun until we lose, which we would have to exhaust ourselves because no one is beating us, and they still wouldn't be able to catch us. We're only four points together. You're ten, and even then they'd still be behind."
Hubert simply sighed. "Short sighted. One, what do you mean no one is beating you? You fought to a draw with a rookie from a guild." A tick mark appeared on Julia's forehead from that comment. "Second, your theory only lasts if we're the only points they accumulate. Momentum is a key factor here, and the best way to avoid a momentous turn, is to stay out of its way. Until a team comes close to threatening our first place standing, or until someone seeks us out, we stay here."
That's when Nina smiled, noticing the lone figure walking towards them. "Well then. It looks like the latter has appeared."
Hubert looked up, fixing his glasses to see exactly who was dumb enough to appear before them. He stepped lively, and once he was before them, he began laughing as he held his gourd up over his head. "My soul is quivering already! Alright, I can take all three of you on at the same time, or you can get your asses kicked one by one! Either way, this is about to get WILD!"
"FOUR!" Nina shouted, causing Julia and Hubert to look her way in disappointment. Hubert then cleared his throat as he thought to himself. "He split up from his guild?" He then spoke to Bacchus aloud. "You know you have zero chance of beating us one on one, and an even slimmer chance of us at the same time, correct?"
Bacchus then laughed again. "I ain't worried about winning or losing! I'm just looking for a helluva fight! That's what this is about, right!? I could careless if ya killed me right here! I've been through the ringer and now at this stage in my life as a mage, it's simply about slamming my head into brick walls until one finally shatters my skull! So who's up first!? Come on now, don't kill my buzz! Lets get WILD!"
Nina was nearly drooling at this moment. "I'm in love!"
Hubert then turned to her with that same look from before, but this time she was alone as Julia was also looking on starstruck and excited. "What a man.. just progressing on through life looking for a good fight."
That's when they both shouted, "I'LL TAKE HIM!"
Comedic tension was created as the two bumped heads, but Bacchus broke that quickly as he placed his gourd down softly. "Aye, ladies. Don't worry. I don't mind having you both at once. It's always been on my list of things to do anyways. Keheh.."
.
.
.
Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. Natsu was in a full sprint, turning the corner over and over again as he searched for his one specific target. That wouldn't take long to find either.
{Sidney: Tak. You have one job. Find and beat him. You taking Natsu out of the fight early by occupying his time and then beating him, will slow Fairy Tail's miraculous momentum down by a good bit. But even then it won't be enough. Don't ever count them out. Ever. Even if only one Fairy remains, don't count them out. You want your grudge match...}
Well here it is.
Natsu leapt away, just narrowly avoiding the incoming shadow infused fist that slammed into the ground. As he landed, Takeru stood, and the two exchanged grins as Chapati screamed. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! LAST YEARS FINAL TWO ARE FACING OFF IN THE BEGINNING OF THE FREE FOR ALL!"
"Natsu.." Lucy looked on in concern. "You got this..."
"Finally..." Takeru murmured, his aura radiating greatly. "...It's been one long year. And I'm here to even the score."
Natsu had the exact same look upon his face as Fire would spread from his body, colliding with Takeru's shadowy aura. "Me and you both, Takeru! You ready? Because I'm all fired up!"
"Heh.." Tak slid into a readied stance. "FINALLY! Show me what you've been up to this past year, Salamander! Come at me with everything that you've got!"
.
.
.
.
Twilight Zone stuck together. Everyone...but Evanee Carlisle, and that was what led to the latest encounter. It was Twilight Zone versus the rest of Mermaid Heel. The eight of them stood off in the middle of the street, leaving just a large enough space as they all prepared to rumble. "Watch out for the quick one." Miya whispered. "No.." Rea added. "Don't let him distract you. The magician is their next strongest mage, and Kairi used to be of White Eclipse. An all around force is needed here."
That just led to the question of where was Evanee Carlisle. She was exactly where everyone expected her to be. On her own. The one and only Ace in the games, and a formidable one at that, Evanee elected to go off on her own because she knew that her enemies, the ones that plotted on her wanted her to do. And pride, along with the want for a good fight caused her to oblige. Unfortunately for her, she didn't expect this group to be the ones to show.
"The bottom of the barrel? Really?" She asked herself, now surrounded by White Eclipse's team of rookies. They kept their distance, waiting for an opening they would never find, even when she seemed completely off guard. "Lluvi?" Reiss asked. Lluvi shook her head. "I don't see any openings at all.. she is even more frightening up close."
"That's not something to admit in front of her." Tyson chimed. Evanee didn't care for the comment either way. Instead, she rotated her wrist as she prepared to attack. "Alright. Here I come."
"Not without me!" He shouted, hopping down from the building he was perched upon. Reiss and the others looked on in confusion as Cygnus arrived, now standing between his juniors and Evanee. "What are you doing, Cygnus? We have plan."
"Yeah, keep that plan in motion. It's time to learn on the fly. How to keep your strategy in tact when a wildcard is thrown in. I'm taking these ten points in the end though."
"Are you admitting that you need our help?" Ilaria asked with a crooked smirk. "Don't be stupid." Cygnus retaliated. "Of course I need your assistance against this monstrosity before us. I won't cap! But I know I'm strong enough to knock her out, so imma make history with you guys as my background characters. Besides, I made Kuro a promise, so stop hesitating! Do your thing, and I'll blend in so well, that it'll look like I'm conducting the entire thing anyways!"
"For some reason that pisses me off." Tyson said with a grin of confidence. "I don't mind it. This is for the guild and the ones we dragged into this after all!" Micaiah added. "Alright then! White Eclipse! Take her out!"
As Cygnus pointed, Evanee simply stood there as her aura slowly rose. As seconds passed, a rumbling began, heightening and heightening until finally it almost become unbearable for even Cygnus to stand in. She slowly looked up with a menacing look, crouched and ready.
"Sounds good! Don't disappoint me, Cygnus or whatever your name is. You have all the help you need, right?
Then lets see what you're made of!"
