"speaking"
"thinking"
On with the story
It was the next day, the day of the CMC
The train had stopped at the train station in Crocus as the 8 remaining teams got off the train
"so this is Crocus, huh?" Lucy said seeing that they were in a very large city, bustling with people "it's huge!"
"this is the capital city after all" Mira said looking at the tall buildings everywhere
"to all 8 team members of the CMC! Please follow me!" a man in a suit exclaimed as other teams went to him
"let's go" Erza said as everyone followed behind
Natsu followed behind as the man watched forward before taking a glance to the side
Behind a metal pole was Sayla who watched him before disappearing
"what are you after?" Natsu thought before following the others
They rode a bus as it was driving in the bustling street of the city
"talk about purely crowded" Lucy said seeing so many people walking around in Crocus
"just wait and see the Magic Stadium" Mira stated as Lucy looks to her "that place is 2x crowded than the own city"
"really!?" Lucy said before shaking "it's going t-to be n-nerve wrecking for m-me!"
"just focus on the competition, that way you won't be nervous" Erza told her
Natsu sat by in silence as the man watched the crowd filled streets
Demonic Natsu soon appeared in the window's reflection as the demonic spirit hummed in amusement
"a place filled with so many humans, how fun!" he said sarcastically "I'm guessing the Competition is today?"
"yeah" Natsu replied to his demonic self
"and there are teams too" Demonic Natsu said looking at the other teams "amusing"
"why is that vampire here?" Natsu said as Demonic Natsu looks to him before to the side as he sees a shadow looming around above the roof
"a vampire, huh? All I know that it wants blood" Demonic Natsu said before looking to Natsu "our blood that is"
"I see" Natsu caressed his neck as he remembered having two bite marks on it a few weeks back "it has a taste for the blood"
"well then, its your problem and your problem only" Demonic Natsu said while folding his arms behind his head "I'm just a spirit after all"
Demonic Natsu soon disappears as he was gone from the reflection
"boorish spirit" Natsu thought before seeing a big dome like building come into view
"there it is" Kagura said looking at the big dome "the CMC's Domus Flau"
Arriving at the Domus Flau, the entire crowd seat was filled with many spectators
The crowd were wild as the Competition was about to begin
There is a large square arena as there was also 8 entrance tunnels and each are representing each school's team
At one entrance tunnel, on the above part has the insignia of Belserion High which is a scarlet dragon insignia
In the waiting room of Natsu's team, everyone was getting ready
"this is cute" Lucy said as she wore a red uniform with a skirt and on the back was the Belserion High Insignia
"same old same old" Mira said wearing an identical uniform but hers has some goth theme added to it "this does not match the color"
"don't argue" Kagura said as she was in the middle of wearing her boots while already in the red uniform "the competition's rules"
"it's a god damn stupid rule" Mira grumbled
"Minerva, put on yours" Erza said as she was adjusting her uniform on
"an Empress like me does not need such uniforms" Minerva said all proudly "I will wear what I desire"
"wear it" Natsu said as he took off his shirt before grabbing his uniform and wears it "remember our deal."
Minerva looks at him with keen eyes before scoffing and grabs her uniform, as she leaves to change
"wow, never thought I see the day Minerva listens to someone" Mira said whistling a bit
"what's the deal that you made with her anyway?" Lucy asked curious
"later" Natsu said as he wore on a scarlet red vest and wore some fingerless gloves then wore his black shoes "focus on the competition"
"it's that time of year again folks!" an excited voice announced over the stadium intercom. "It's time for the greatest magic spectacle in all of Fiore, the Crocus Magic Competition or CMC!"
The crowd roared with excitement as they were cheering and screaming
"I'm your commentator, Lola Chapati and joining me is retired Fiore Army Strategist and owner of the famous 8island restaurant; Chef Yajima! Thank you for joining us, Yajima-san." Chapati announced.
"It's nice to be here." Yajima said over his microphone.
"And our guest commentator for the day is none other than the Head Chief Magic Security from Magnolia, Makarov Dreyar!"
"Thank you for having me." the old man said with a bow before grinning and had some flags with Fairy Tail High's mark on it "go Laxus! Go Fairy Tail! Banzai!"
"last year's CMC was amazing, right? With the level of this year's teams, it's anyone's ball game. Speaking of game, let's get on to announcing our competitors, shall we?" Lola said
The crowd continued to show their anticipation for the competition as the teams began to exit from their respective tunnels.
Lola called out to them as each Team from their school came out of their tunnels
Mermaid High, Sabertooth High, Fairy Tail High, Cerberus High, Belserion High, Pegasus High, Lamia High, and Raven High
Natsu and the team entered as the crowds cheered for them all
In Magnolia, Éclair and the others gathered in Natsu's apartment as they watched the tv
"there they are" Ultear said as on the screen was Natsu and the team
"good luck, Natsu, everyone" Éclair said praying for them
"many strong ones are here" Lucy said looking to Pegasus High, Lamia High, Cerberus High, Sabertooth High, and Fairy Tail High's members "I don't think I can stand a chance against them"
"believe in yourself" Mira said patting Lucy's shoulder "fight that fear and pushed it back down hard"
"i-I'll try" Lucy said shaking a bit
"what a joyous competition it will be!" a short pumpkin headed man exclaimed as he came into the picture "I have never been so excited-kabo!"
"a m-man? Or a pumpkin?" Lucy asked pointing at the Pumpkin headed short man
"that's Mato, the CMC's Mascot" Kagura told her "he's also the Referee of the arena"
"M-Mascot?" Lucy said with a sweatdrop
"nice to meet you all-kabo! Have you all chosen the five representative and the one sub members?" Mato asked as everyone looks to their team
One of the rules of the competition is that five members will be the main members of the team while the sixth member will be the reserve, who will fill in when one member is injured to fight again
"Lucy is the reserve, the rest of us are the main, got it?" Natsu said as everyone nodded while Lucy sighs in relief
"now that the teams are all in! let's start with the ranking!" Lola exclaimed as a giant stone slab arises out in the middle of the arena and on it are the names of each school's team with the position they are in "and without a doubt, last year's winner Saber High is still in first place! Will they win this year's competition too!?"
"first is Saber, then Fairy, Raven, Lamia, Cerberus, Pegasus, us, and Mermaid" Mira said seeing the ranking "we're in 7th place, huh?"
"now! It's time for us to see the events and matchups of the competition-kabo!" Mato exclaimed as the slab of rock glowed and the writings on it changed
Mato began to explain the logistics of the Competition as each day started with an event where in each team would be ranked and awarded points based on their performance. First place earned ten points, eighth place received zero points, and every ranking in between were awarded points on a specific scale. While teams could choose their representatives for events, battle match ups were determined at random.
"random pick?" Lucy said "that's not good at all!"
"That's not all." Mira added in "any of us chosen for the event means we could be completely worn out before getting chosen to fight."
Mato further explained that while a team may lose in an event, they could make up for it in the battle portion of the day. In battles wins totalled ten points, loses resulted in zero points, and draws awarded five points per participating team.
"now that we all know the rules! Let's begin with the first event-kabo!" Mato exclaimed as a giant iron rock appeared out of nowhere "Test and Destroy!"
The rock had many burn marks, cut marks, and even explosions marks
"test and destroy? What kind of event is this?" Kagura said looking at the giant iron rock
"let me explain-kabo!" Mato exclaimed as he jumped to the top of the giant iron rock "what I'm standing is a very heavy Gantetsu Rock-kabo, this type of rock is known for its heavily thick structure and the high defense. The event is we will measure how much destruction can one mage inflict upon it-kabo!"
"ho? Sounds like my type of event" Mira said cracking her knuckles
"wait," Natsu said holding a hand up to Mira "Gantetsu Rock is a magic Rock, it can deflect any magic attacks that is inflicted upon it. Those marks on it are the aftermath of mages who tried to destroy the rock but nearly lost their lives in doing so"
"nearly lost their lives?! Are they trying to kill us?!" Lucy exclaimed
"this is the CMC, after all" Erza said as her eyes keened
"now then! Let us begin!" Mato exclaimed as one member of each team stepped forward
"I think I should go, I have stronger sword swing after all" Kagura said volunteering
"that's a Gantetsu Rock, it's harder and stronger than steel" Mira said "I should go instead"
"if you want to break your bones that is" Erza said "we have to be careful in choosing"
"no need" Natsu said as he walks forward "I'll go first"
"are you sure? This is a very hard rock that can deflect magic attack" Lucy said as Natsu nodded
"I can do it" Natsu said as he stood forward with the other team's representatives
"with the representatives chosen, let's start-kabo!" Mato exclaimed as a magic Roulette appeared and it had the names of each representatives "let's! Roulette!"
The Roulette soon spins fast as it spins and spins
Everyone looks at the Roulette as it was slowly decreasing in its spinning speed
Slowly and slowly, the roulette slowed down as the arrow was slowly its speed
After a few second, the roulette stopped as the arrow picked Natsu's name
"and the first participant is Belserion High's Team Representative, Natsu Dragneel!" Lola exclaimed as Natsu steps forward and stood in front of the Gantetsu Rock "let us see how much damage he can inflict!"
Natsu looks at the Gantetsu Rock as he placed a hand on the surface
"I see" Natsu thought as he pulled back his right fist before punching it straight at the rock
CRACK!
Everyone heard a crack as some team members laughed
"he broke his arm!" "what a fool!" "this is why our teams are better!" the members laughed before seeing Natsu turns around while having a smirk
CRACK CRACK CRACK!
Everyone heard more cracks as they look at the Gantetsu Rock that had many spreading cracks on it
"let me tell you all one thing" Natsu said looking at the other representatives "never underestimate me or my team"
The Gantetsu Rock cracks even more before it shattered and crumbles to small rubble
"U-U-U-U-UNBELIEVABLE! THE GANTETSU ROCK THAT HAS DEFLECTED AND WITHSTAND MANY MAGIC ATTACKS FOR 10 YEARS! IT HAS BEEN DESTROYED!" Lola exclaimed in shock as so were the crowds
"h-h-how-kabo!? That Rock withstood the attack of a Saint Mage!" Mato looks in shock at Natsu who smirks "w-who and what are you-kabo?!"
"me?" Natsu said as he looks to the Mascot before to the representatives "I'm Salamander Natsu Dragneel, the Dragon Emperor!"
The crowds instantly went wild as they all cheered for the man
"show off" Mira said with a grin
"he sure is" Erza stated in agreement
"all of you are 100 years too early to underestimate me!" Natsu said having a taunting smirk
That's a wrap!
Bye bye
