Wishfull-star: (*´▽`*) My first comment on this story! Glad someone is enjoying it.
Ace sat on the roof of the new Fairy Tail, which wasn't so new to anyone but the Tenrou group, and watched as Max whooped Natsu's butt at fighting. His sand magic had gotten more powerful, and even bothered Natsu, giving him a hard time. It was crazy to see, since Max had never been that strong. But he'd improved in the seven years, while Natsu had not, being asleep the whole time and all.
Max only lost when Natsu unleashed a fire breath with lightning in it. Apparently that was from when he ate Laxus's lightning in the altercation while Ace was gone. It was a big altercation that ended up with his exile from the guild. But he was staying there for now, even if he hadn't been completely accepted back.
"It looks like none of us have improved, and everyone else moved on," Lucy said in disappointment as Natsu laid on the ground, exerting himself too much with the lightning breath.
"Besides Ace. He's the only one that stronger." Ace dropped down, using his wings a bit to break the fall and risk hurting his legs.
Ace said, "I sort of cheated. I only got stronger because of the first Master's interference. I'm just happy I can still use magic at all." Warren told him to stop being so humble. Nab said he deserved it, after everything that happened. "I guess."
"I wish there was a way to power up fast," Lucy complained. "We can't access others' magic like Ace could. Will we have to train for seven years to get up to the level of other guilds? And even Max?" The sand magic user was insulted but took it well.
Gray was watching, and said all of them being behind everyone else would make it impossible for Fairy Tail to trump them all and gain their place again. "We have to be stronger than everyone. We're not right now." Happy said they should find a cheat to power up.
"No! We have to train to get stronger!" Natsu shouted. "I won't cheat!" But ten minutes later, his team minus Erza left to go and try to find a way to power up quickly. Ace stayed behind, not part of their group. Marco and Sabo accepted that their magic wasn't the kind to be powered up. Marco could age from a baby to an eldely man. There was no way to really improve that. Sabo could already duplicate most things, but personally refused to try and duplicate living things due to his own principles.
Master - Makarov - came outside and said he had an announcement, and everyone was to come inside for it. They all went inside, Natsu's group not present, as the former Master had something important to say. He stood on one of the round tables to be seen by everyone in the crowd.
"So. I have decided to retire," he said bluntly. Everyone was shocked, and Ace was bothered. The only Master was him. He was the Master. It would feel wrong to call anybody else that. He'd not called Macao "Master" because it felt wrong. Wakaba kept telling him to do so, but it just wasn't sticking, and he gave up only a few days ago.
Everyone were shocked, but stayed quiet, knowing he wasn't done speaking. "Now, I present you new Master!" He didn't wait for everyone to prepare before he announced that the new Master was Gildarts. But he wasn't there, and the air was kind of awkward.
"Actually, he left. He left this letter though," Mira said politely, though even she looked a bit awkward. The former Master took the note and read it aloud. "'To Master, and fellow members of the guild. Being Master just ain't my style'." The only surprised person present was Makarov himself. "'But what the heck. As the fifth Master of Fairy Tail, there are a couple of things I will order. First I approve the reinstatement of Laxus as a Fairy Tail member."
While Ace had hated Laxus for much of his life, he had to admit he'd grown as a person and was nicer now. He hadn't been disrespectful to Ace a single time since Tenrou. But he was already back in the guild, it just wasn't official until now. Laxus was shocked by it. His team, which was now complete, was overjoyed for him to be back.
"'And second, I name Makarov Dreyar as the sixth Master of Fairy Tail'." Ace grinned brightly. Gildarts was awesome! Even if he was a total flake. But Ace couldn't see him being a very responsible and involved Master, since he was gone most of the time. The new/old slightly angry Master continued to read, though his voice was thick with irritation now. "'I'm going on a journey. I'll be back when I feel its the right time to return. So, everybody take care. And hey, Cana. Sorry to be so selfish, but if you ever want to see me, ask the card to call me anytime'."
A card with Gildarts' face on it was given to her. It was sweet, how much he cared about Cana now that he was told she was his daughter. It happened before Acnologia ruined everything for seven years. But Cana ripped the card up, surprising them all. "Come on old guy, I want things to be how they always were," she said, though she sounded happy.
Nobody knew about Ace's dream about his father dragon. He'd thought about it a lot, but still didn't speak of it. Marco and Sabo didn't mention it again, either. Maybe they forgot. Ace hadn't. The letter finished with Gildarts saying Fairy Tail was his home, and he'd be back, wishing them all luck to bring the guild back to the number one spot. It was the Master's job to help give them victory over other guilds.
Ace wanted to trump Sabertooth just to get back at those two for hurting Woopslap's belongings. Like losing the only photo of his late wife. That was something Ace couldn't forgive, when he was usually forgiving. Or he tried to be. Makarov agreed to be the Master again, refusing to give the position to anyone else, since he didn't seem to trust them anymore.
Things were back to how they were, and Ace was glad to be calling the actual Master, Master.
Even being told to climb back up to number one in Fiore, it would be hard. They all acknowledged that. Combined, they were strong, but behind the times. All of them, besides maybe Ace, but his case was special. It would take time and training to restore their name, but nobody truly thought it was impossible.
Fairy Tail always pulled off the impossible. And they wouldn't allow the guild to be shamed how it had been the last seven years, losing the heart and strongest of them. But Romeo interrupted all of them coming to terms with the long term goal, by saying there was one way to rocket up to the top again.
Ace was interested, wondering how they could beat Sabertooth quickly. It would be best to do it while Ace was still young. Just to rub it in their faces that he was little, but strong. Though they probably despised him, or was suspicious of his power, for blocking dragon slayer magic. The boy looked at his hands, wondering just what they were capable of.
"We can't do that! We promised to never do it again!" the seven year members shouted, bringing Ace's attention back to the present conversation.
"What is it?" Sabo wondered.
"The Grand Magic Games!" Romeo cheered. "It's a competition in the kingdom by guilds to find out whose the strongest! It happens every year! That way we can rocket up to the number one spot," he said proudly, confidently. But those who weren't missing seven years were all against it.
"What's so wrong with it?" Elfman asked. Natsu's group walked in at this point.
"We lost terrifically when we last entered it. It's humiliating!" Warren said, sounding disturbed. "We were dumped to the worst guild over night because of our performance. Sure, it would get us to the top fast, but we could just disgrace ourselves again!"
"Even with the Tenrou group, imagine failing badly with you guys. Nobody would have any hope in us by the end," Max reasoned.
But the Tenrou group were more than glad to take part. It sounded fun. Ace would have fun watching, though he hoped he wouldn't see a complete failure. It would be disheartening. Romeo was still pressing it, trying to convince everyone, the returning and older members. "If we win, we'll be number one, though. That's our goal isn't it? Who wants to wait years to get there?!"
The Master was hesitant about it. "Maybe the way you are now is strong, but I have my doubts that we'd actually win." Macao agreed with this, not wanting to ever take part again, even if he wasn't Master anymore. Though he had been the Master when they were humiliated. Ace could only imagine how terrible it would be to lose so badly in front of such a large crowd. To be shamed and mocked for it.
Just thinking about it made him want to avenge his family's humiliation. Prove to everyone that Fairy Tail really was back. They weren't dead and gone, and they shouldn't be forgotten or looked down on. They were all together again, and Ace wanted them all to join and rocket back up. It would be so fun!
"The winning guild gets 30 million jewel," Romeo added to the Master. Ace already had that much, but the Master absolutely refused to use it for the guild, which Ace was annoyed about.
"We'll join!" he cheered.
"No way, Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus are there!"
"Not to mention Sabertooth."
"Ace whooped their asses! Who cares about them?!"
"It's only because their magic didn't work on me, and I don't think it counts as whooping their asses," Ace replied.
"Hah, we did verbally, at least," Marco joked. But the others were still against it. Ace said it was worth a shot. Even if they didn't get first place, as long as they didn't get last, it would be improvement.
"You say it like its so easy!" Droy complained.
"We'll beat 'em one at a time!" Master said confidently. "When does it start?"
"In three months."
"More than enough time! We'll get super strong by then! I'm all fired up! Let's become number one again, in a flashy way!" Natsu said brightly. "Nobody can beat Fairy Tail when we're all united!" Ace smiled in agreement.
Erza agreed with that. United as one, there was no way they'd lose. Ace nodded, and grinned at Sabo and Marco, who both looked excited, too. While the older members were still complaining, the Master shut them all down. They were entering, no matter how much they didn't want to. They would all train in those three months. Not just those who wished to enter. All of them had to get stronger to keep that spot even after winning the games.
-x-
Ace was walking along the canal when he smelled something familiar that he couldn't really remember. He turned around and saw a man in a black cloak. He was standing behind Ace, and he got a terrible feeling from him.
"Shut up, I'm almost done with you!"
"Stop, it hurts!"
"Shut it or I'll do it on your eye, you little shithead!"
"No! Help me! Someone!"
Ace gasped, remembering something unpleasant. He knew who this man was. He didn't know his face, but he knew. He was the one to curse Ace! And Ace remembered how he'd done it. It was a long process. He backed away, and the man quickly advanced. His familiar voice shouted, "You're mine!"
He was about to run before he stomped his foot down, and transformed into a dragon fully. He shot forward, and in broad daylight, slammed his tail into the enemy, throwing him into the water. Ace leapt in after him, and pushed him down and down, holding his breath as he held the man under the water.
He tried to use his magic against Ace, but he was immune. He wasn't weak and clueless like he had been before! He'd been through too much with this evil son of a bitch to run, to flee or get caught! He would act first, he would win and defeat him, even if it called for murder. Which he was doing, and didn't care.
The man thrashed around, but Ace held him down, even as he needed air. Ace grabbed his face with large taloned hands, and pressed it down, then pushing it to the side. Even in the water, he heard the crack, and saw the life leave the man's eyes instantly. Ace swam up, taking a deep breath.
People were around, and he changed back into human form. He climbed out of the water, and started to cry, falling to his knees. He'd just killed someone. Someone who he felt deserved it, for causing him pain and torment, torture, but he was a human and Ace killed him. He grew his wings and flew to the guild as fast as he could.
He ran in, soaking and sobbing, getting a ton of attention as he made a beeline for Makarov, and told him in a hurry what had happened. His face went furious, but not at Ace. At the man who attempted to curse his kid a second time. Who had caused him so much misery and fear. "Take me there." Ace nodded, and held the small old man as he flew back to the canal.
Ace was told to bring him up, and the boy turned back into a dragon, finding the enemy's body had drifted a bit. He was dead, and Ace dragged him back up, tossing him onto the cobblestone. A crowd was gathered, and Makarov took his cloak off. There was a guild mark. But it was nothing familiar.
Makarov didn't hesitate to obliterate his body, and any threat he may still have proved to be. "It's over, Ace. He'll never hurt you again." Ace felt a stabbing feeling in his head before the black magic circle appeared, and cracked apart dramatically. Sight returned to Ace's left eye, and it threw him off.
"I- I can see out of it!" Ace cried, and hugged Makarov, who was surprised it still lingered somewhat. But it was truly over, and Ace's sight was his own again. He was so happy, and ran straight home to tell his best friends the good news. They didn't hate him or look down on him for killing his captor and a still dangerous man.
Ace felt better than he had in months. It felt like a ton of weight had been lifted off of him. Any fear that the curse lingered was banished.
-x-
Ace was training with his friends and Gajeel and Lilly. It was an unexpected team up, but Gajeel was the one to suggest it. They had healing medicine in case one of them got very hurt. Sabo was duplicating things as much as he could, pushing the limits, while Marco worked on strengthening his body, trying to age himself in different body types.
Gajeel was battling Ace and Lilly at the same time. Ace was trying to learn and was doing so quickly. He was using his dragon claws to slice at Gajeel, cutting him in some places. He also attempted to fly and attack. He kept getting hit in the face, but it didn't cause any damage, even if it didn't feel nice.
The older man wasn't holding back at all, and Ace was hit with his breath attack more than once. He wasn't going easy on Ace at all. He was either heartless, or he thought Ace could handle it. Ace assumed it was a bit of both. When he wasn't battling, he was practicing controlling the flow of magic that seeped out of him.
He also tried to implant his own magic into Lilly and Gajeel to see if he could strengthen others like he had at Tenrou island when he healed the Master. It seemed it gave the other two a short boost, which ran out fairly quickly. Ace was tired after it, so he was learning to monitor and pace himself in lending it to others.
It wasn't like Wendy's support magic, it was much weaker and took up more energy. He probably wouldn't use it much. So he focused on the physical aspect of being a dragon, and raced Lilly in the air, while he also helped to teach Ace to fly with more confidence and grace. Surprisingly, they were actually both very helpful, and he was feeling stronger every day.
The whole three months, he could use his dragon side, and magic continued to come. It didn't seep out at night anymore while he slept. Only when he was awake, which was nice. He didn't ruin his bed in his sleep, as if wetting the bed from all of his body. It was annoying to wake up to ruined sheets. He'd started laying on towels, just to be safe.
He wondered how strong everyone else was getting while they were training. While Ace did get much better at combat, he still wanted to do simple jobs with his friends. Marco was now able to age himself up in different body shapes. Either very muscular or lean. Without any work. Sabo was able to duplicate anything that touched him he wanted. He didn't need to use his hands anymore.
So they all improved in their own ways. Gajeel's steel body grew stronger so Lilly's sword strikes and Ace's slashes didn't do any damage at all. It was fun, even if it was exhausting and he was tired of sleeping on the ground. He missed his bed.
When they finally headed back home, they flew. Sabo and Marco were on Ace's back, and Gajeel was hanging onto Lilly. It was much faster flying than walking the whole way. When they got there, the group competing was already chosen. Natsu, Gray, Erza, Lucy and Wendy. It wasn't that surprising, to be honest. They were the best team for the games, and were used to team work.
But the night before they were to all head to Crocus, the city the magic games were held at, as well as the country's capital, Makarov called Ace to the guild before he went home, and after everyone else was busy. He told Marco and Sabo to go without him.
He saw Laxus, Gajeel, Mira, and himself. "The others don't know this, but each guild is allowed to make up two teams. I want all of you to be a team." Ace blinked a few times.
"WHAT?! Me, too?!" he asked in shock. Laxus seemed surprised, but the other three weren't. "But I'm not a fighter."
Gajeel laughed. "That's not true. You did hella good during our training. Besides, you're immune to a lot of strong magic. Not to mention smart." Ace's face was pink, not expecting Gajeel to compliment him like that. Mira nodded in agreement. Ace was flattered, but unsure of whether to accept.
While he felt stronger, and helpful, he wasn't sure he could handle being known by everyone. He was a Fairy Tail member who laid low and did small jobs. "I'm rooting for you, Fairy Tail kids!" Woopslap's genuine words came to his mind. He believed in Ace. Maybe others could, too. "I… I don't know. There will be a lot of people watching," Ace mumbled.
"If you fail, you'll just know how everyone else felt. It'll perhaps bring us even closer to what our family has gone through while we're gone, right?" Mira asked brightly. "Besides! You'll be a good surprise. Sabertooth will fear you. I think you'll do a great job." Tears came to Ace's eyes, and he wiped them.
He nodded. "I'll do it. I'm sorry if I mess things up."
"That's not a good attitude to have," Laxus said, but not in a cruel way. "Who would have thought the magicless brat would be asked to take part like this?" Ace blushed and smiled. He was the youngest of the guild to be grouped. Wendy was a year older than Ace. Ace wondered about the fifth member.
"Mystogan. Or at least, someone with Mystogan's face and magic." Ace was confused, but it was kind of obvious he shouldn't ask too many questions. They all were to meet in the morning at the guilt to take a ride on a carriage to Crocus. Ace then went home, skipping. He was nervous, but felt honored that they had confidence in him, after everything. He knew his magic wouldn't leave him at just the wrong time. He was confident it was there to stay. His own magic. Very useful or not.
When he got home, he shouted what happened to his friends. Their jaws dropped. "Congrats! That's amazing!" Marco replied just as brightly. "You're very different than the others, so you'll stand out. The smart and collected one."
"A weak looking little boy with tough looking big guys. And Mira, too," Ace said. "I have to sleep! I gotta be well rested and all!"
"It's not for a few more days, though," Sabo said, seeming amused. Ace still went to bed, excited beyond belief. His heart was pounding, but he fell asleep. He hoped he didn't mess things up. He didn't want to be a burden anymore. He could take care of himself now, he even defeated the man that tortured and cursed him! He was a different person now. He left the old him at Tenrou island. He didn't miss that person at all.
-x-
"So, we have to go to a hotel before midnight," Mira said, reading the rule book with her reading glasses borrowed from Levy. "All in the same room, huh?" Ace was used to sharing a room, but Laxus and Gajeel looked uncomfortable. Mystogan would be joining them soon. Ace knew it wasn't the Mystogan from Fairy Tail, since he was in Edolas. But he didn't ask too many questions, trusting Master and the others in his team to not be doing anything wrong.
While Gajeel went with Lilly to look around, Ace went to the hotel room three hours early. He wanted to get some sleep. Sabo and Marco were in a different hotel with the rest of the guild, a regular hotel. Ace was sleeping soundly, curled under the covers of his bed before he woke up when Laxus came in loudly.
"Ace. I have something to say to you," the blonde, S-class wizard said bluntly. Ace sat up, in his clothes, curios and kind of worried by the tone. "I am sorry for all of the things I've said to you over the years. I feel like I've grown a lot as a person after being kicked out of the guild. I was wrong to mock you for not having magic, and not being a strong wizard." His voice was full of sincerity. Ace smiled, and said he forgave him for it all. "I'm not surprised by that one bit."
"Aww, how sweet," Mira said. Laxus looked a bit embarrassed before chuckling. Gajeel slammed the door open obnoxiously loudly. It was so not the crowd Ace was used to. Not at all. He wished he could be with Marco and Sabo, but they weren't upset, and were rooting for him. Saying he deserved to be recognized more.
Ace did wish he hadn't shown Sabertooth that he could stand dragon slayer magic, but they didn't know much about him other than that incident. But Ace knew what kind of people they were, and wouldn't show mercy. He worried over any battle he'd have to take part in, but planning on not turning into a full dragon at all.
He could fly without it, and didn't want people to know his big secret. Who knows how people would react if they knew there was another living dragon besides Acnologia? He could be kidnapped again, even though he wasn't someone who became distracted when on his own anymore. He'd learned his lesson the hard way to pay attention to his surroundings.
By killing his tormentor, he still didn't know who he was or what his aim was. But being free was good enough in exchange. It had taken a bit to get used to having both eyes functioning normally again. But it was nice, even though he didn't find a big difference in his day to day life with having only one eye. But now, both belonged to him alone.
The group ate some dinner from the hotel brought up, and Ace was given a new outfit from Mira to match them. It was a black tank top and shorts. What he usually wore, but darker colors. Then were were his boots. An armband to look cooler. Unlike what Fairy Tail Team A was wearing, their theme was darker and rougher. Though they had a baby faced child with them. Twelve years old and with adorable freckles all over his face and shoulders.
Ace was sleeping again when the bell for midnight rang. It was more than loud enough to wake him. Laxus had told him to keep wearing his clothes for the night, thinking something was up, considering how they all needed to be in the hotel by an exact time.
A projection was made outside of the balcony of their hotel room. It was a short man with a pumpkin head! "To all the guilds that have gathered for the Grand Magic Games! Good morning!" Ace would still consider this night, but didn't say anything about that. Mystogan appeared in the room just in time. He was dressed like he was before. Ace really would ask no questions. "We will now winnow down the 113 teams to eight!" Only eight?! Ace grew nervous, and Mira put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a kind look. He was glad she was on the team, too.
"To do that, we will start our preliminary competition! There are more and more guilds participating every year, and we don't want to spread the fun too thin! So this year, the competition will only be between eight teams!"
"We'll make it, even if those losers in Salamander's team don't."
"Now now, don't be too harsh," Mira replied to Gajeel politely. It was hard to believe now that she'd ever been a bully.
The pumpkin continued, claiming that the rules weren't too complicated. "We wish to engage you all in a race! Your goal will be the stadium the fun will take place in! The first eight teams there will take part in the official tournament!" They were given permission to use whatever magic they wanted. Since all five of them were gathered, they were qualified to take part. That's why they were all in the same palace at the same time. Because the competition started now.
"If any of you should lose your lives in the labyrinth, the organizers bear no responsibility!"
"We're going to die?" Ace asked in worry.
"Of course not," Gajeel snapped. Mystogan told Ace to be confident in himself. Besides, they wouldn't let any of them die. Ace felt calmed that they weren't completely annoyed with him. They had faith in him, and he wouldn't disappoint.
A path was formed form their balcony to a sphere of all different shapes. It didn't look like an ordinary maze/puzzle, since it was three dimensional.
"Let the preliminary contest to the grand magic games, the sky labyrinth, begin!" the pumpkin man shouted, and then the projection disappeared. The five of them got moving immediately. Mira asked if Ace and Gajeel could find the way to the exit with their senses.
"What does the exit smell like, though?" Ace wondered. "Maybe it would smell like expensive stuff."
"Expensive stuff?" Laxus asked.
"Yeah, it's hard to explain," Ace said unhelpfully. When they got inside, it was confusing and busy. So many different shapes. Looking down, Ace grew fearful of the height before remembering he could fly. He had to get ahold of himself! He could do this! Laxus asked if he could smell the expensive stuff. Ace smelled deeply, and was surrounding by the smell of metal stone, and wood. But he did smell the scent of much more expensive material.
He said he could smell something other than other people, wood, stone and metal. "It's that way," Ace said, pointing east.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Laxus asked in his bland voice. They all started running, and Ace was sweating in nerves, his magic dripping down and off of the labyrinth to the ground below. The place was confusing, and it moved multiple times, but the exit always stayed in the same place.
Laxus took out anyone who was nearby them, whittling it down even more. They followed Ace, and when they got to a chasm, Ace able to tell the exit was just across from it, he flew them each over, one by one, unable to carry more than one person in human form with wings. He slipped, but caught himself with a clawed hand, and pulled himself up easily.
They continued on, through the door. "You did it, Ace!" Mira said encouragingly. Ace beamed and blushed, feeling more confident now. He had lead them, not fought, but he was a big help getting him there. Gajeel wasn't angry about it. He seemed to respect Ace. When they made it through the door, the pumpkin greeted them.
They came in second out of the eight teams. They didn't see the other teams, so didn't know who they were all up against, other than their other group, who they didn't know made it or not. After they were given their place, and what time to meet at the stadium, they were let back to the hotel like nothing had happened. They had no idea if the other team made it. Ace hoped they did.
If he failed, then there were nine others there to win for him. He wanted that, not just four.
They returned to the hotel, and went to sleep. He'd do well! He vowed to.
I go into a lot of detail about the GMG. My other Ace in ft world didn't have a lot of grand magic game content because I put most of it into this story. See you next week.
