Chapter 20 Training and Crocus

"WOW, this beach looks amazing," Wendy cheered,

"It's so beautiful," Lucy stretched.

"You're right it's so pretty," Levy smiled.

"Looks like fun," Gray smirked.

"This resort is even bigger than last time," Happy smiled.

"It has been 7 years," Carla told him.

"Yeah let's party," Jet and Droy cheered.

"Remember, we're here for training, there's a lot for you guys to catch up with, right now you guys are only a little stronger than Max," Erza told them.

"Yes ma'am," the group said.

Erza took a breath "Okay let's begin,"

The former members of Team Natsu plus members of Team Shadow Gear began their training and Juvia followed Gray. Gray practiced new kinds of ice molding magic, Juvia practicing her water magic, Lucy learned to focus magic power, and Wendy learned new spells she received from Polyusica who received them from Gradine. Levy also helped Wendy with her training, while Jet and Droy trained as well. They continued to train and relax for about 2 months.

Erza was also doing her own solo training.

"Hmm, are you sure you're not overpreparing yourself," Kurama asked.

"I need to be ready, there will be plenty of strong foes, especially Jura-san," Erza swung her sword.

"Hmm, you can easily beat that bald old man," Kurama scoffed.

Erza chuckled "Yeah if you say so,"

Erza then looked at her friend's training, she can tell they are putting their all into themselves "But I feel the 3 months wasn't enough for them to catch up,"

Kurama nodded "yes the other guilds have 7 years worth of experience, while they only got 3 months to catch up to that, that's nearly impossible,"

"If only there was a way for them to level up in a short amount of time," Erza said.

"Erza you okay," Gray and the others asked.

Erza jumped in surprise "Ah, um I mean yeah I'm fine,"

"It seems something is on your mind," Levy asked, "What's wrong,"

"Well, I'm just thinking it will take longer than 3 months to catch up to the other guild who have 7 more years of experience," Erza answered.

Gray nodded "Yeah you have a point, I mean it's been almost 3 months, I feel stronger not as I should be," the others nodded in agreement.

Carla nodded "You all may have gotten a bit stronger but I fear its not enough,"

Happy nodded "Aye,"

"Yeah, we need to get stronger and fast," Lucy said.

"Perhaps we can help,"

The group of mages all turned and saw three hooded figures.

Erza narrowed her eyes, "that's," she recognized the people coming towards them.

"Who's that," Wendy asked.

"I don't know," Gray said.

It was then the three removed their hoods and all of them besides Erza were shocked.

"Jellal," Erza said.

"Ultear," Gray shouted.

"Meredy," Juvia said.

It was Jellal and the two former members of Grimoire who stood before them. Meredy now much older than they last saw her, she's now a fully grown adult.

"Hey, Juvia," Meredy smiled innocently.

"Jellal, what's going on, why are you here," Erza asked.

"We heard the Tenrou group was back and going to participate in the Games," Ultear answered.

"Help us? Why." Lucy asked "Aren't we enemies,"

"Yeah, how can we trust them when one of Grimoire's guys took Natsu," Gray scowled.

"No, not anymore," Erza said "They've been trying their best to redeem themselves, they're an independent guild, and they also have been giving us any intel they can on Orochimaru"

"An independent guild," Wendy tilted her head.

"A guild that has no affiliation to the council," Ultear answered "a guild whose goal is to find and defeat Zeref,"

"We are Crime Sorciere," Jellal declared.

"Crime Sorciere, I've heard of them, they took down a lot of dark guilds," Jet shouted.

"You guys are famous," Droy said.

"We have all committed great sins in our lives and we have a lot to make up for," Jellal looked down.

"I see, well guess back to the point how can you help us," Gray asked not wanting to hear the sob story, already knowing what the three have gone through.

"With this," Ultear held out her crystal ball "I've improved my Arc of Time Magic, with it I can accelerate your body's magic power to increase in power by 7 years,"

"WHAT! REALLY!" they all shouted.

Ultear nodded "If you are willing then I will help you,"

Gray smirked and the others smiled "Of course we accept your smile,"

As of right now, the members of Fairy Tail, besides Erza, were going through a painful experience to unlock their Second Origin, with Ultear and Meredy's help.

Erza sweatdropped when she heard the painful screams from outside the cabin "Wow,"

Jellal smirked "Don't worry this kind of thing is normal,"

Erza smirked as well "Yeah I know, Thank you Jellal,"

"No problem, Erza," he smiled.

"So I guess you guys found nothing too," Erza looked down.

Jellal nodded "Yeah, we've checked all of Orochimaru's facilities that Ultear and Meredy knew about but nothing, no signs of Natsu,"

"I see," Erza said.

Jellal signed "I want to find him as much as you do, I mean his goal and ours are basically the same,"

Erza nodded "Yeah, he's just doing things differently,"

"Erza, I promise you we will find him," Jellal told his friend with a smile.

Erza smiled "Thank you Jellal,"

...

In an unknown field, two men stood before a pile of defeated enemies.

"Hey Rogue you here Fairy Tail is participating this year," the blonde man smirked.

"Hmm, like I should care," Rogue responded. "Sting,"

Sting smirked "Come on, I know you're excited to see Gajeel-san, I mean Natsu-san won't be there, but I'm looking forward to beating Laxus-san,"

Rogue just scoffed "Gajeel Redfox, and the other dragon slayers are nothing compare to us, we will show them we are true Dragon Slayers,"

Blue Pegagsus Guild

"Hmm," Ichiya smiled.

"You seem excited, Ichiya," Bob smiled.

"Why yes, Fairy Tail will make the Games much more fun," Iciya said.

Lamia Scale

"hmm, we got this in the bag now that Jura is participating," Obaba laughed.

"YEAH," Toby cheered,

Lyon smirked "This will be our year and when we win Juvia would want me,"

Yuka signed "Not so sure,"

"be sure to show them what you got Chelia," Sherry smirked.

Chelia grinned "You got it, I'll show them, love,"

Mermaid Heel

"Ne, Yukino-chan are you excited," a cat girl smiled.

The white-haired Yukino nodded "Why yes very Millianna-san,"

"Let's win it all you two," Risley slapped both of them.

Quatro Cerebus

"LET'S SHOW THEM HOW WILD WE ARE!|" Bacchus shouted.

"YEAH WILD!"

…

Crocus

Erza and the rest of her guild have arrived at Crocus, the city where they host the Grand Magic Games.

"Woah its Fairy Tail,"

"Wow, they're participating this year,"

"You think they actually have a chance?"

"Man can't wait to watch this massacre,"

Gray growled at the comments.

"Gray, calm down," Erza ordered "Besides we'll show them we're here to win," she smirked.

The others smiled as well.

"Now let's head to the hotel, Master has already decided our teams," Erza charged,

"YEAH LET'S SHOW THEM WHAT WE GOT!"

The group cheered loudly. The team then proceeded to their hotel, until Erza suddenly froze.

"Hey Erza you alright," Gray asked.

"Kurama, did you feel that," Erza asked the fox spirit.

Kurama nodded "yes such strong energy from a place like this,, but it just vanished,"

Hey Earth to Erza," Gray said.

Erza quickly shook off the feeling "Oh I'm fine Gray, just a bit nervous,"

Gray smirked "Wow, didn't know you do nervous,"

Erza laughed at the joke and she quickly followed after her friends but turned her head behind her.

"What was that?"

Outside the city of Crocus, 7 hooded figures stood looking over the city.

"Now I don't particularly care if you win or not, just be sure to stick to the plan,"

The 6 nodded at the leader. The lead hood then turned to one of them. "You will stand back with me, you will enter when needed,"

The hood man nodded, and he turned to the city, the man's eyes narrowed, but he turned to follow the leader hood, leaving his 5 teammates behind.

AN hey here's chapter 20, another short chapter sorry, but didn't need to do much here just mini training, and getting to Crocus. In the next Chapter the Ganes finally begin, and you can probably guess who the hooded figures are already. So Yeah be sure to review and I will see you next time. Now why I switched Yukino to Mermaid Heel, just had her be there because Kagura is with Natsu's team.