Chapter 21 The Games Begin: The Labyrinth
Two days ago, Fairy Tail GuildHall
Members of Fairy Tail were now gathered in the guildhall minus a couple of people who are still training. Makarov stood before all the members who were present.
"Now we have already decided the team to represent our guild," Makarov said.
"Erza Scarlet,"
Erza nodded "I won't let you down, Master,"
"Gray Fullbuster,"
Gray smirked "Obviously,"
"Elfman Strauss,"
Elfman shouted "YEAH! OH YEAH I'M THE MAN!"
"Eh, Elfman really, why not Mira?" Warren said.
"Hey shut up, Sis may be stronger than me, but I'm a real man," Elfman told them.
"It's okay I'll cheer for you," Mira comforted her little brother.
"And lastly, Lucy, and Wendy,"
Both Lucy and Wendy were in complete shock. "EH!"
"Why me, why not Laxus-san or Gajeel-san," Wendy asked.
Makarov signed "Well you see they're not back yet,"
Erza then patted the two girls on the shoulder "Master chose this based on teamwork, not an individual power, plus Elfman is just there to fill a spot,"
"WHY YOU GOTTA TEAR ME DOWN LIKE THAT!" Elfman shouted.
"Okay," Wendy nodded "I'll do my best,"
Lucy also nodded and smiled with confidence "Yeah I'll do the same,"
…
Now, Crocus
"Hey, how about we go exploring the city," Lucy smiled.
Erza thought for a moment "I mean we have til Midnight, so I guess that's okay,"
"Wow, really Erza-san," Wendy smiled.
Erza nodded "Yeah, you guys can go explore I'll drop the stuff at the hotel,"
"Thanks, Erza," Gray smirked "I want to check this place out,"
"I want to see all the shops," Lucy smiled.
"I want to go sightseeing," Wendy smiled.
Erza smiled "alright you guys go have fun, and be sure to get back to the hotel by Midnight, you know which one right,"
"Honeybone, see ya Erza," Lucy ran off with Happy following her.
"Let's go, Carla," Wendy said and Carla nodded, the two then went off.
"Alright see ya at the hotel," Gray said as he walked off, unknowingly being followed by Juvia.
After they left, Erza thought for a moment "why do we have to be at our hotels by midnight,"
"Hmm, who knows," Kurama scoffed "are you still thinking about that power we sensed earlier,"
Erza nodded "yeah, it was there and then it vanished. It must have something to do what Jellal and them are investigating,"
"Every year at the Games there's a spark in dark magic,"
"Maybe that is what we felt," Erza thought.
"We'll think about it later, just head to the hotel," Kurama told her.
Erza nodded and headed straight to Honeybone inn. Once she arrived she inspected everything in the room, she then took a bath, polished her swords and started to relax.
In the city, the other members of her team were enjoying themselves sightseeing in the capital. Lucy, Wendy, Happy, and Carla, all of them enjoying the city and buying souvenirs to bring home.
"Gray-sama," Juvia called.
"Juvia, why are you here," Gray asked.
"We're all here to cheer you on," Juvia smiled.
Gray signed "You guys have way too much free time,"
Juvia blushed and shook nervously "Um Gray-sama do you want to have dinner with me,"
"Now that you mention it, I'm pretty hungry," Gray responded.
"If that's the case, then I know a perfect restaurant," Lyon interrupted, making Gray and Juvia jump.
"Lyon," Gray shouted.
Lyon then started to escort Juvia away "It a very romantic, it's a restaurant and aquarium,"
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" Gray shouted. "Don't take our guild member,"
Lyon stopped "I heard you guys are participating this year, but sorry Lamia will win this time,"
"HUH!" Gray grew a tick mark and he and Lyon bumped heads "I hear you guys always get 2nd place,"
"That's because unlike last year I and Jura are participating," Lyon glared "Besides you guys never participate what gives you guys the right to talk,"
"Well you know what they say, 2nd place is the first loser," Gray glared.
"Then how about wager, if my guild wins Juvia will join Lamia," Lyon said.
"HUH! Why what do we get," Gray questioned.
"Juvia can be with your guild," Lyon answered.
"She's already our dumbass," Gray shouted.
"This is a gentleman's wager Gray," Lyon told him "Don't tell me you scared,"
Gray glared "Huh?!"
Juvia was red and stood between the two flailing her arms "GRAY-SAMA DO YOU WANT ME OR LYON-SAN!" she shouted, misunderstanding the conversation.
"You misunderstood everything we said,'' Gray sweatdropped.
Back at the hotel, Erza was resting in her bed.
"Your platitudes is what makes you weak,"
Erza's eyes shot open and she sat up from her bed, breathing heavily "Natsu,"
It was then suddenly, Ichiya broke into her room making her jump.
"Ichiya," she said disgustedly.
"Hello Madam," but Erza immediately punched the troll man out of her room "Get the hell out!"
"Hello Erza," the trimen entered, but Erza kicked them out too.
"Go follow your troll master," she yelled.
Erza's anger then subsided, and she took a breath "why did I think of that, Natsu,"
It is now nighttime, it is almost nearly midnight. Wendy and Carla were near the castle gardens, Wendy smiling running towards the flowers.
"Wow, so pretty," Wendy smiled as she ran to each flower patch.
"Wendy be careful, you'll fall again," Carla said.
"I'll be fine Carla," Wendy responded, she was then about to run to the next flower patch until she bumped into somebody. "Ouch," she said. Wendy felt like she hit a stone wall, "Sorry,"
"Are you okay," the man asked.
Wendy nodded "Yes I'm fine," she then looked up and her eyes widened in shock, the man she bumped into was a large towering man with dark orange hair. "He's huge,"
"Are you alright, miss," the man kneeled down.
"Yes, I'm sorry," Wendy bowed.
"Wendy, I told you to be careful, I apologize for her," Carla bowed.
"It's alright, she was excited to see the garden, as was I," The man smiled as he looked at the small birds and flowers.
"Hey why'd you go off on your own, seriously man," another man appeared.
"Sorry, I wanted to see the garden," the large man said.
"Seriously a big guy like you is such a softie," the smaller man signed. "You even almost hurt that kid, sorry for my friend he gets lost in thought a lot,"
"It's okay, it was my fault," Wendy bowed.
It was then two men noticed her guild mark.
The smaller man smirked "I see so she's, Anyway, we got to go see ya kid," the man then lead his larger friend away from Wendy "Come we're going to be late,"
"Bye," Wendy waved.
"We better go too, it's almost midnight," Carla told her.
Wendy nodded "Oh right,"
"Hey Wendy, you okay," Lucy called.
"Lucy-san, Happy," Wendy said. "We're okay,"
"Come on, let's get going before Erza gets mad," Happy said.
"Right," Wendy nodded. "What did you buy Lucy-san,"
"Some new clothes. I can't believe they sell this for cheap, it's super cute," Lucy gushed.
"Are you sure it doesn't seem to fit you," Happy teased,
Gray and Juvia exited the restaurant, with Juvia gushing him as usual.
Gray was still feeling ticked about his earlier interaction with Lyon.
"Wasn't that romantic," Juvia gushed.
"Yeah sure," Gray groaned.
As the two were walking, Gray's shoulder accidentally hit someone causing them to drop their basket of herbs.
"Oh sorry," Gray apologized.
"We'll pick it up," Juvia and Gray kneeled down to pick up the herbs.
"No it's quite alright,"
Gray looked up and he was greeted by a beautiful looking woman in a light purple sleeveless kimono. "Thank you though," they put all the herbs in the basket.
Juvia pout think Gray is eyeing the woman "has Gray-sama fallen for this woman,"
"Are you two on a date," they asked.
Juvia blushed and Gray jumped.
"No nothing like that," Gray shook.
"WHY YES ME AND GRAY-SAMA ARE TOGETHER," Juvia gushed.
"Get off," Gray groaned.
The person smiled "I see, are you mages as well,"
"Yeah," Gray and Juvia nodded.
"Don't you think it's rather dangerous doing something like that," they asked.
"Hmm, of course we know that," Gray answered.
"That's why we are part of a guild, to help and protect each other in those dangerous times," Juvia said.
"I see," they looked down. "Why do you chose to study magic,"
"So I can protect my friends," Gray bluntly answered "I lost people, that's why I need to be stronger so that never happens again,"
"That's truly remarkable, when doing something for people precious to them it truly makes them stronger," the person smiled.
Gray smirked "Of course I know that,"
Juvia smiled and nodded "As do I,"
"I see, then have a good night, I know you'll get stronger and we'll meet again," the person was about to walk away but stopped "Oh and by the way, I'm a boy,"
Both Gray and Juvia froze and after 5 seconds of processing the information.
"EHHHHH!"
…
The Fairy Tail team has finally returned to the hotel, much to Erza's annoyance.
"What took you so long," Erza glared.
"Sorry," they all apologized.
"I was caught up in shopping," Lucy said.
"I was on an awkward dinner date," Gray groaned.
"We're sorry," Wendy teared.
Erza signed "its fine, everyone is here at least,"
"YEAH LETS GO!" Elfman shouted.
"Shut it," Erza shouted, making the man cower.
It was then a loud bell rang through the city.
"Good Morning Everyone!" a loud voice said.
Fairy Tail ran out onto their balcony and to their shock It was a hologram of a pumpkin man.
"What's that," Elfman shouted.
"A three dimensional image," Lucy said shocked.
"A pumpkin," Happy cheered.
"Today we will begin the qualifying rounds for the Grand Magic Games by reducing the 113 guilds to 8 with an elimination round,"
"An elimination round?" Erza said.
"This is the first time I'm hearing of it," Lyon shouted.
"Interesting," Jura said.
"113 guilds, that's way more than Fiore had years ago," Lucy thought.
"They couldn't notify any guild of an elimination round beforehand, peculiar behavior. There are too many guilds," Erza thought. "A mysterious magic power,"
"Maybe the sponsor is the one your friend warned about," Kurama said.
The pumpkin man then started dancing, "Every year, the number of participants increased and was pointed so we decided to have an elimination round so the games won't drag on too much. This year only 8 guilds are allowed to participate, and the rules are simple,"
It was then the ground started to shake and in the center of the city appeared a floating fortress shocking all the bystanders. Not only that all the hotels the guilds were staying in started to rise as well.
"What is that?" Gray shouted.
"A floating city," Wendy said.
"The 8 guilds that finish the Sky Labyrinth the fastest will get a spot in the games, you are free to use your magic however you please, but be warned all five team members must finish or it doesn't count," pumpkin announced "and if any of your teammates fall out of the labyrinth you lose,"
It was then bridges to the labyrinth connected to the balcony,
"The Finish line is Domus Flau, Now lets begin,"
"Alright everyone let's go," Erza ordered.
"YEAH!"
Erza and her team then ran off to the Labyrinth.
"Good luck you guys," Happy cheered.
"Be sure to pick up the pace," Carla shouted.
"Alright, be sure to stick together," Erza said.
"Yes Ma'am," Lucy and Wendy said.
"You got it," Gray and Elfman shouted.
Once they arrived at their entrance they were all shocked at what they saw. Everywhere around them staircases everywhere, on the ceilings, the walls, different kinds of doors everywhere.
"This place is amazing," Wendy said.
"I know how we are going to get through this," Lucy wondered.
Gray smirked "Don't worry we got this,"
"Yeah a Man always finishes First," Elfman shouted.
"We should try east first, that's where the arena is," Erza said.
Lucy smiled "Leave that to me,"
OPEN GATE OF THE COMPASS PYXIS
A red penguin with a compass on his head then appeared out of a puff of smoke.
"Pyxis which way is east," Lucy asked, Pyxis then pointed in the direction and Lucy imitated it "That way,"
Erza coughed "Um sorry Lucy, I already have a compass," she showed.
Lucy and Pyxis then slumped in embarrassment "Oh I see, sorry Pyxis, good job,"
Erza and they then started heading east, they continued down their path but it felt endless. They wandered, opening doors but only found dead ends.
"Seriously how do we get out of here" Lucy groaned.
"This whole place is a maze," Wendy said.
"I can tell heads or tails of this place, and that's not manly," Elfman shouted.
"Seriously, how are we going to find an exit," Gray signed.
"We should take notes and map the places we have been to," Erza said.
With that, the group agreed and started to map out their surroundings. As they map out the area, they finally feel like they're getting somewhere.
"Hey, I think someone is nearby," Wendy said.
Erza nodded "I hear it too,"
"Okay if we go this way then,"
Erza was surprised to see the ones they were hearing was Twilight Ogre.
"Twilight Ogre," Erza said.
"Fairy Tail,"
"Who are those guys," Gray raised an eyebrow.
"Another guild," Wendy tilt her head.
"Oh they're just some no-name guild that tried to threaten us back then no big deal," Erza shrugged.
"HUH!"
"You want to say that again,"
Erza signed "We got no time for them to let's go,"
"Alright if you say Erza," Gray said.
"Don't ignore us,"
"We'll get our payback right n…"
It was then suddenly the labyrinth started to rotate.
"What the" Gray shouted.
"It's rotating," Erza said.
As the labyrinth rotated, both Wendy and Lucy fell of their platform.
"AAAH!" they screamed.
"LUCY! WENDY!" Erza shouted.
"If they fall they are eliminated, and we lose," Gray said.
"I got 'em," Elfman started to run and jump, and luckily he caught them. "Yeah, I'm the man,"
"Thank you, Elfman," Lucy signed in relief.
"Thank you," Wendy said.
Erza got back on the platform and found papers on the floor "more maps, this must be Twilight Ogre," it was then a lightbulb went off in Erza's head, "I see I know how we'll get out,"
"Oh I see, we combine our maps with the other guilds then,"
It was then Erza, Gray, and Elfman all made the same face, scaring both Lucy and Wendy.
"Oh no," Lucy said.
"I don't like that face," Wendy said.
"We'll beat other guilds we run into and take their maps," Gray smirked.
"Now that's a man's plan," Elfman said.
"Just like Fairy Tail," Erza smirked.
"Yup, I knew it," Lucy signed.
And like they said, Fairy Tail beat up other teams and stole their maps, eliminating team by team until they found a clear path, other guilds such as Pegagsus, Lamia and Quatro did the same.
"Okay the map tells us to go this way," Erza pointed.
"I see a goal," Lucy smiled.
"Yeah, we made it," Wendy cheered,
"Alright," Gray and Elfman shouted.
Pumpkin clapped "Congratulations you completed the Labyrinth Fairy Tail,"
"Erza Scarlet,"
"Gray Fullbuster,"
"Lucy Heartfilia,"
"Wendy Marvell,"
"And um Muscles,"
"IT'S ELFMAN!"
"Okay, you finished the labyrinth,"
"Well, what place did we get, first right," Gray smirked.
"You guys got last," pumpkin said bluntly.
"What," they blinked.
"Last, you barely made it," he said again.
"WHAT!"
…
Morning, Domus Flau
"Man I know we made it, but seriously last," Gray groaned.
"Hey don't fret, we made it didn't we," Lucy said.
"Yeah getting last isn't manly," Elfman slumped.
"Come on guys, be happy," Wendy smiled.
"Yes, we have to put our game faces on," Erza told them. "We'll be heading out soon,"
The others collected themselves and all nodded.
Outside, Yajima, Chapati, and Jenny Realight were sitting next to each other on the announcer table.
"Hello ladies and gentlemen, I'm you emmc Chapati, and with me are Yajima and Blue Pegagsus Jenny Realight, we will be hosting the Games today,"
"It's an honor to be here," Yajima said.
"Wow it's finally time," Jenny smiled.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, let's meet the 8 teams who will be participating this year," Chapati announced.
"In 8th place, a guild no one expected to see this year always evading participating, The former Number 1 guild Fairy Tail,"
Once Erza and her team exited the arena, they were greeted by boos and insults.
"Eh, why are they booing us," Wendy wondered.
"It's our first time participating," Lucy said.
"Don't mind them, we'll show them what we are here to win," Erza told them.
"This is Fairy Tail's first year participating and yet they are facing hostility from the crowd, with the return of the team lost o Tenrou will they reclaim number 1,"
Yajima smiled "Well I for sure am rooting for Fairy Tail, I'm happy they have returned,"
"COME ON GUYS 30 MILLION JEWEL!" Makarov shouted, and the guild cheered from their booth
Erza smirked "With our friends cheering, I feel more than confident," and the others nodded. But it was then their faces turned into ones of shock.
"Yah, yah, Go Fairy Tail,"
The ones in the booth were in shock and awe sitting before them was First Master Mavis.
"GO! Fairy Tail GO!" Mavis cheered.
"Master Mavis," Makarov said, shocked. "Why are you here,"
Mavis smiled "Of course I'm here to cheer my guild on,"
"But but,"
"Don't worry only members of Fairy Tail can see me," Mavis told them.
"Well, that's not,"
"I also got bored on Tenrou and I wanted to watch," Mavis smiled.
Erza smiled "Even the first master came to watch us, I feel as though we are going to win already,"
"I mean she's a ghost so yeah," Lucy signed.
"Let's move on, in 7th place we got Quatro Cerberus," Chapati announced.
"WILD!" Bacchus and his crew rolled out.
"In 6th place, we got some beauties before us, here comes Mermaid Heel,"
.
It was then a group of 5 women entered, all being led by a chubby dark-skinned woman, alongside her one wearing a hood and a woman in white. All the perverts of Fairy Tail all got nosebleeds just from looking at them.
"In 5th we got Blue Pegasus,"
Ichiya followed Trimen and a bunny-suit man entered the stage.
"Yeah the winners have arrived," Jenny cheered.
"Favoritism much Jenny," Chapati said, "Moving on, in 4th place we got Lamia Scale."
It was then that Lyon, Jura, Yuka, Toby, and Chelia entered the arena.
"Yo Gray," Lyon said. "Hope you didn't forget our wager,"
Gray smirked "As if I lose to you,"
"In 3rd place, wait hold on is this right," Chapati asked and getting a confirmation "Okay, in 3rd place we got Fairy Tail team B,"
Everyone in the arena went wide-eyed in shock, and out of the smoke appeared a second Fairy Tail Team.
"Gajeel,"
"Laxus,"
"Juvia!"
"Nee-chan,"
"Mystogan,"
Erza and her team were shocked by this revelation.
"Why are you guys here," Gray questioned.
"Is this kind of thing allowed," Chapati asked.
"Yes, it's in the rule book, each guild was allowed to enter two teams, they thought it makes it more fun," Yajima answered.
"Doesn't that give Fairy Tail an unfair advantage," Jenny asked.
"Oh, well that sounds like a not Fairy Tail Problem," Yajima retorted.
"What the hell! I thought we were only the ones," Gray grunted.
"Well the old man wanted a backup just in case you guys screw up," Laxus smirked.
Gajeel smirked "Yeah looks like you almost did though too seriously last place,"
"Grrr," Gray growled.
"Jellal, what are you doing," Erza questioned.
"Makarov allowed me to act as Mystogan to help you all, it's the least I can do," Jellal answered.
"I see, just don't blow your cover," Erza told him and Jellal nodded.
"YOU SEE THAT'S THE FAIRY TAIL WAY!" Makarov and the rest of the guild shouted.
"The masked one isn't a Fairy Tail member," Mavis pointed out.
"Well technically he is, well a parallel version of him anyway," Happy explained.
"So that's Earthland's Prince Jellal," Pantherlilly said.
"Well, it seems he's trustworthy. I sense no evil in him," Mavis said.
"He's also super strong. He was once a Wizard Saint like myself, he's probably on par with Jura," Makarov said.
Mavis twinkle "I approve, if it's for the guild then he can participate,"
"Next up in the 2nd place, wait what?" Chapati was shocked again "Well this is another surprise in 2nd place it's the reigning Champ Sabertooth!"
Sabertooth then entered the arena, Sting, Rogue, Orga, Rufus, and Minerva all entered in confidence, well except Sting who was groaning because they got 2nd.
"Seriously 2nd, who can overtake us," Sting groaned.
"Relax, we'll win in the end anyway," Rogue told him.
Rufus nodded "Yes its in my memory, we never lose,"
"Yeah, but who can finish the thing faster than us," Orga questioned.
"Who cares? They'll grovel to us like all the rest," Minerva smirked.
"Wow Sabertooth got 2nd,"
"No way,"
"So that's Sabertooth," Gray said.
Erza nodded "Yeah this is my first time seeing them in person, I only saw them through newspaper and Lacrima vision, but from what I know they are extremely powerful especially the blonde and black haired one, they're known as the Twin Dragons,"
"Twin Dragons," Lucy said "Does that mean,"
Erza nodded "Like Wendy, Gajeel, Laxus, and Natsu they're Dragon Slayers,"
Both Laxus and Gajeel just looked at the two so-called Dragon Slayers when Erza said that.
"If Sabertooth is 2nd then who's in first," Wendy wondered "I mean they are the champions,"
"They probably got past them by luck," Lyon said.
"Now for 1st place, we have Hydra Fang,"
It was then everyone felt a feeling of dread as Hydra entered the field. The guild consisted of a white-haired male in a loose-fitting long sleeve light purple shirt and black pants. The second person wore a dark green haori, their hair in a bun and a full face mask. Another male had a mischievous look and he wore a simple dark purple shirt and pants, he had light blue hair. The largest of the group wore a large cloak over his shoulders and he had dark orange hair. The last was a young beautiful-looking woman with a large bust, her dark purple hair tied in a bow, and she wore an elaborate blazer with gold trimmings with a blade at her side.
The other guilds were left in shock feeling the power coming off of them. Even Mavis felt pretty shaken at what she felt.
"This power is something I never felt before,"
AN Here we are chapter 21, the Games will now officially begin, next chapter. So to answer questions yes Hitomi will be androgynous don't hate. Anyway, what you think of their small interactions with Fairy Tail, not the best I wrote tried. Anyway be sure to review and I will see you all next time.