A Tale of Two Tails

A/N: What? It's a fun title.

The stadium thunders throughout all Crocus. Each person is stomping and screaming out for their favorite guild. The streets echo but they're empty. Shops closed hours ago in the hopes of getting in the gates, although they often don't make it in time. And this year everyone is anxious to have front row seats.

After all, they all know Fairy Tail has important people to debut. It's all anyone's been talking about. It's all they've been talking about for years.

Seven, to be exact.

After all, they were all witnesses to Natsu Dragneel's public breakdown.

He had been guild master for a little over a year and all of Fiore was aware that it had been a rough year. And suddenly they were all dependent on the dragon slayer. He had, single handedly, dealt with the only two demons Fiore had ever been afraid of.

People had taken to calling him The Dragon. Some people liked calling him The Phoenix, rising from the ashes that was Fairy Tail. Regardless, the effects became obvious to the people around Natsu.

At first, he didn't mind it. Kids would rush up to him like they had in the past, asking him questions with stars in their eyes. And most of the time they would agree to a game of tag. That would always brighten him up. And especially after the fight with Vespire, he had been more down than the guild had ever seen him before. Not that they could help him.

Why he took Proxi in was beyond them.

The people began visiting the newly rebuilt Fairy Tail.

They didn't trickle into existence in small pools of people. No, they surged towards the guild, interrogating Natsu and his guild on all number of things. The guild was worried Natsu was going to gray early.

He hid his stress well behind wide smiles, but when the guild emptied and he was left alone at a table, he would sag and sway beneath the stress. His eyes would droop in a Gray-like way (not that they would ever tell him,) and his aura could hardly be considered inviting.

It bothered them all. But what could they do? The pinkette would just shake his head, crack a small smile - probably one to himself about something silly - and head up to Proxi.

So when he got swarmed in Crocus after the Council had just berated him because your guild is still too destructive! - well, anyone could understand that it had become too much.

The paper the next day had an assortment of headlines, all of which involved the Natsu Dragneel sitting on the pavement, hands cupped to his face and tears streaming down reddened cheeks.

Some parts of Fiore still called him The Dragon, but for the most part it had stopped. As did the crowds and the questions. Instead, they would send gifts each time he defeated a demon or they won the Grand Magic Games. Although Natsu had never been so naïve as to think Fiore had forgotten, they did a good job at making him feel like it.

But how could they forget when that is how they learned about Tenrou Island? When he shouted to all the world that they'll be back! Erza - Luce - Gramps - everyone, they'll - they're coming back, they'll be back… they're coming back, and later had to explain himself.

Many people had even marked on their calendars the date the Tenrou Group was supposed to return. They were excited, for both Fairy Tail and Fiore. After all, there was no chance that the council could cover up all of Fairy Tail's achievements.

"I'm your announcer, Chapati Lola." The speakers boom, somewhat silencing the restless crowd. "And former council member Yajima-san has joined us as a commentator. Thank you for being here, Yajima-san."

"My pleasure," Yajima says and the crowd calms down a little more. Fairy Tail can't help but slow down at the familiar old man. He's still the same, even after seven years, and they have no doubt that there's an ally in that booth.

"For day one's guest, we've invited the sparkling Miss Fiore, Jenny Realight-san of Blue Pegasus," Chapati calls out although Jenny's special appearance had been known for weeks.

"We're gonna win this year, so look out!"

"And it's time to meet the teams! First off is -"

"Yes, thank you. I'll have a coffee."

"Yajima-san! Your microphone is still on broadcasting!" Yajima's obliviousness floors the audience, but they don't mind it at all. In fact, it sends a soft ripple of laughter throughout the stadium as Yajima sheepishly apologizes. "Uh - first off is the preliminary round's eighth place - oh? And here is… Fairy Tail!" The team walks out, heads held high and the stadium thunders in their ears. They call out familiar names, Go Titania! Go Gray! Go Lucy! Go Jellal! Go - Go - Go!

They would be lying if they said it wasn't exciting. It's what people hope for when they say I wanna be a mage! They want this rush, the sort of thing that only happened on the battlefield in the past. And now, their hearts pound alongside the shouts and their faces burn in pride and joy. It tingles from their hearts to their toes and Lucy has to fight back the tears.

"Congratulations, Fairy Tail. We've been anticipating your return," Yajima calls down. And while he does so through the mic, he looks at each of them with a twinkle in his eyes. After all, he had a relationship with those people, he was familiar with the infamous Team Natsu. And they had grown fond of him in return.

So it's a pleasant but no less exciting change.

"Surprisingly, Fairy Tail made eighth place this year. Will they be able to climb up to the top as they have so many times before? What is Master Natsu's plan, leaving such powerhouses like Sting and Rogue on the side?" The crowd murmurs along the comments, aware that Sting and Rogue had been a part of the Games winning team since the beginning. An achievement that Fiore won't soon forget. To leave them on the back burner was a disgrace.

Alone in the stadium, the five mages can't hear enough to try speaking. Instead, they send each other open looks. They're excited. And they trained hard for this. They are proud Fairy Tail mages and they will deliver the promise that is their strength.

"What is his plan indeed..." Chapati shushes Yajima more quietly than last time. But Yajima pays it no mind, more keen on staring at the mysterious pinkette. Especially after he caught an oddly mischievous movement the Guild Master made.

The rest of the announcements blur into the noise that is the stadium. Team Fairy Tail is left watching the teams enter and they strain to listen to any facts they can catch from Jellal and Erza. Bacchus, he is tough, Erza says as Jellal tells them the name. And that's how the rest goes, although they don't recognize Quatro Cerberus or Mermaid Heel.

(They choose to ignore the moment Ichiya steps out and the overwhelmingly female cheers.)

When Lyon steps out alongside Jura and the others, Gray is quick to meet them. He misses the announcers commenting on their familiarity or how the mages seem to be ignoring the competition for comradery.

"Now this is quite a surprise!" That one sentence calms the stands enough and Chapati waits. The mages stop their conversations as the microphone crackles. "In third place we have a first time competing guild." At that, people scramble to the edge of their seats. A first timer? In third place?

Natsu leans forward as well, but he doesn't look ahead. Instead, his gaze trains onto the bannister in front of him. The words Could it be fall from his lips for only those nearest to hear.

"The midnight raiders Raven Tail!"

Jaws drop - Makarov almost crashes through the floor.

"Buh - Ivan?" He spins and whips to look into the stadium. They give off nothing but bad vibes, their atmosphere something easily recognizable to every mage in the stadium.

"I've been keeping an eye on him, me and Lamia Scale," Natsu says with a nod towards Jura. "They're a legal guild now."

"Is he…?" The question is clear as Makarov finds his son in the audience. But he doesn't look different and the small bubble of hope in his heart died before it blossomed. No, he's the same.

Which could only mean that they were here for trouble, not that they needed to tell any of their mages that. It was clear from the moment they stepped into the arena.

"And now there are two teams left," Chapati calls and the stadium practically forgets about Raven Tail, because who could possibly be the final two? Obviously one was Sabertooth but the other? "In second, we have Sabertooth - ?"

The stadium cheers out and the team enters. Their appearance erases any comradery that had remained, that's for sure. With their glares and sneering, there was no doubt what they thought they deserved. They weren't playing games.

"And for the last team, in First Place we have - oh! Well now this is unexpected - or is it? Give it up for the only guild that could get First against itself - Fairy Tail Team B!"

The stadium screams and Natsu is forced to cover his sensitive ears. They shout at the reveal and when Sting and Rogue step out their fangirls enter a pitch higher than everyone else.

And what a stunning - intimidating - group it is.

Not only are Sting and Rogue the most famous mages on the continent, but Laxus had been known in his own right (although not all for the right reasons,) as was Gajeel, and Mira, well, she was self-explanatory.

Fairy Tail Team A was left speechless at the sight.

They tried to shout at the other team and argue but they could hardly hear their own thoughts let alone their voices. So, instead, they approach their family and stop only feet apart.

Gajeel has his infamous arrogant smirk, Laxus doesn't even give them that much. The other three however are mostly smiles but their intent is clear.

We're the better team.

"Um, Chapati-san, is this allowed?" Jenny asks and the arena calms considerably, all curious about the response.

"Uhm - yes, it is. An added revision to the rules, although for both teams to get through is something special, isn't it, Yajima-san."

"Maa-boy, did you expect anything less from Fairy Tail?" At that, Chapati can't help but laugh. He chuckles out a response before turning back to the mic.

"Well I think this explains what Fairy Tail's plan was," Chapati says although it is not as well received. And Jenny cannot help but worry for her own guild. She is more than familiar with Team Natsu and Mira is terrifying in her own right. For all these worrisome mages to compete? That did not bode well for anyone else.

"But isn't it unfair, Chapati-san? And what about Fairy Tail - will they really be able to fight against each other? What if they work together?"

Natsu had expected such a response. In fact, he had been waiting for it. And for Jenny to ask from the position of a commentator was perfect.

When Natsu Dragneel stands, only the people nearby notice. Gramps would not have done anything, but he doesn't stop Natsu. Instead, he watches the young Guild Master step onto the bannister

"Gramps, a little help?" He asks and that makes Makarov chuckle. But he complies with a silent whoosh of magic and Natsu can feel it warm his throat.

"'Xcuse me!" He shouts through a wide grin. And when Natsu Dragneel, Slayer of Dragons and Demons, calls out to a stadium of civilians and mages alike - well, they listen. Yajima even helps him with a short call of his name. "I know my guild is unfairly awesome -"

"We're winning this year!" Jenny tries but Natsu hardly misses a beat.

"Sure you will, Jenny. But in the meantime, how about Fairy Tail strikes up a deal so you won't have to worry about them?" The crowd likes that if the calls of questions and cheering is anything to go by. A bet alongside the games can really spice things up. And if Natsu knows how to do anything, it's heating up the game. "The winning team is the real Fairy Tail Team."

That gets an immediate reaction. The crowd almost protested, that is, if it weren't for the mages below.

"Eh?" Lucy questions as she sees the look in Natsu's eyes but she gets easily overshadowed.

"The real Fairy Tail Team? That's us, of course," Sting says but Gray is on him in a moment.

"We were here first."

"Yeah, in eighth place." The bickering continues and almost gets physical. Thankfully they have Erza and Laxus to keep them in line.

"Laxus, you know you will lose."

"Hm? That doesn't mean much, coming from a Team of Flies. How's that sound for them, Natsu?" the pinkette laughs as his keen hearing catches Laxus' words. Team Flies seemed like the sort of thing that they would hate. Their enemies love using it as an insult.

"I don't think there will be a problem now," he says and he's right, in an odd way. So he sits back and laughs at the mayhem he had spurred into action. It confuses most of the audience but it's plenty amusing for him and his friends.

So the Games continue with Chapati revealing the lineup, an assortment of battles and daily challenges. Throughout his explanation, an odd pumpkin mascot enters the arena. They had seen him when the maze had begun but his appearance still shocks the mages. As Chapati explains the games to the spectators, the pumpkin does his own rundown of the rules.

"Today's event will be… Hidden! Teams, choose your competitor," Chapati says and the stadium calms down for the first time that day. They watch the mages discuss and slowly leave until there are five left.

Gray glares at Lyon but he's more excited than anything. However, with Gajeel in the running, he can't say he isn't nervous. After all, it's a challenge called Hidden. A dragon slayer would no doubt have an easy go about it. He doesn't have any thoughts towards the other mages. Except maybe the one with the fancy hat.

Except, once the announcer has calmed and the games are expected to begin, the Raven Tail member - Nullpudding, was it? - speaks up.

"Is it really fair, having two members of the same guild compete in one challenge? That's a huge advantage."

"What?" The word falls from Gray's mouth but it had already processed in all of their minds. Natsu doesn't miss the shift. But he doesn't have to get involved and he'll avoid that at all costs. So he sits and waits, watching as the mages in the arena agree that it doesn't matter to them. In fact, it should hurt Fairy Tail, having to compete against each other.

But most of them should know that's not how their guild works.

"Okay then. Field… Open!" The mascot calls with a raise of his arms. A wall of magic glows within the arena and it forces the audience to shield their eyes. Thankfully, over the years they have grown familiar with such events in the arena. Soon, the lights fade and in its place is a city.

One that is almost too large.

"It's huge," Erza says but the words more fall from her lips. Jellal just nods but he turns to look at Natsu. The pinkette looks at the massive size for a moment before his gaze sweeps to the Raven Tail team. First, we'll deal with them.

"How did they do this?" Makarov asks but Natsu just shakes his head. Creating an entire city? Just what kind of magic power would that take?

Within the city, the mages aren't fairing any better. Gray finds himself frozen at the massive size. Of everything, he hadn't been expecting an entire city to appear around him. And full of clones, no less. Where had everyone gone?

"The spectators can watch on the Lacrima Screen," Chapati calls out. "The rules are simple: You are all looking for each other within this city. If you land a single hit, you steal a point from the victim." Yeah, Gray could agree that it was simple. But still!

"This is going to be tough," Erza says as she crosses her arms. She's already lost most of the contestants, seeing as they began wandering around and scouting the area. On the sidelines, Natsu can't help but laugh at Gray's expression. They hadn't really prepared him for the Games, had they?

"And if you attack a copy by mistake, you lose a point. Okay then… Hidden has begun!"

"Eh?" Gray squawks, how was he supposed to avoid hitting clones? Moments after the game begins Chapati is calling out points: Lamia Scales Lyon… Fairy Tail B's Gajeel…

It infuriates Gray but he's stuck, turning his head this way and that, looking for some sort of clue. Except, he isn't doing well, blending into the crowd.

"The real challenge here isn't hiding... It's figuring out a way to find," He says with a huff.

"Well, well, well, now if only you had grasped the rules a little bit earlier, hmm?" And Gray finds himself losing a point to Raven Tail's Nullpudding.

Except, as the game goes on, they witness Nullpudding continuously hunting down Gray and Gray alone. Any point the ice mage gets a point Raven Tail just steals it away. So Natsu turns to his teams and catches both Laxus' and Jellal's eyes. Raven Tail's intentions are clear.

"And right off the bat Fairy Tail's Gajeel has taken the lead. How are they to find their real opponents in this battle?"

"There are many ways, maa boy," Yajima adds, "they could sense magic pressure. Or sniff them out like Gajeel-kun."

"Yajima-san," Chapati deadpans, "I'm pretty sure only dragon slayers can do that."

"Well, Eve-kun will think of something more sophisticated than that," Jenny brags with a laugh. Her fans, of course, swell in agreement, more than excited to see it happen.

Their answer comes soon after the delegation of a few more points.

Snow? They all look up and children catch the small flakes in their mouths. They relish in the cooler atmosphere.

"What's this, snow?"

"That's Eve for you," Jenny says but not so excitedly. Instead, she rests her head on her hand and observes the familiar magic.

The results come soon as the air grows colder.

"Well, we don't have to worry about Gray then," Natsu says with a nod and all Fairy Tail agrees. As the temperatures fall, the participates shiver and puffs of air materialize into existence. For everyone except Lyon and Gray, and Eve, of course.

"How interesting," Chapati speaks up, "Rufus of Sabertooth has yet to move. But he hasn't been caught either."

"Sabertooth's gonna win this time," Natsu states as his eyes land on the statue-like Rufus.

"What about Gray and Gajeel?" Makarov asks and while Natsu smiles he also shakes his head.

"Don't worry, we still have nine events to go."

"Only nine?"

"The last day is typically some big thing," Natsu says with a nod.

Rufus begins whispering something but the entire audience has their eyes on him. Then, he begins to glow. Like a beacon in the last challenge he should do so. And he's on the highest tower, no less. Soon, almost all the mages are racing towards his position. But they don't hear his words and they don't catch his smirk.

He raises his fingers to his temples and magic begins spiralling.

"Is that creation magic?" Erza asks and Lucy mutely nods. They're more than familiar with that, so hopefully Gray will be fine. They can't afford to lose any more points.

"Into a Night of Falling Stars!" Rufus calls out and seven stars shoot out and hit all the other players. They shout and scream in frustrations because how did he do that? And so seamlessly?

"He - in one instant - got all of them. That's the power of Rufus, that's the power of Sabertooth."

The audience sits in silent shock for a short moment. In the balconies, Sabertooth sneers at Fairy Tail because this is their year. They won't be losing to the flies, not this time.

In the stands, Natsu sends a high whistle and claps his hands a few times. That was impressive and he had to admit that.

Although Romeo then punches him in the shoulder, hissing about how Sabertooth is their enemy right now.

"What? It was a good move," Natsu says with a shrug.

The other mages in the stadium cannot find a counter attack. Creation magic? That was something many of them had heard of but to see it was another thing. How were they supposed to beat it?

It frustrated Gray to no end.

"That's the timer everyone! As you can see on the board, here are the standings with Sabertooth in the lead with ten points and Fairy Tail A leaving the challenge with zero. But not to worry, the battles are still to come and this is only day one!" Chapati says and the stadium groans underneath all the stomping and cheering. "How long will Saberooth hold onto first?"

Forever, those mages exude the arrogance of a Dark Guild, full of smirks and a lack of comradery that sends a shiver down Fairy Tail's spines.

Dammit, Gray growls as the city disappears, dammit. He should have paid attention to the time, he should have been more prepared, trained more, he should have-

"Sup Gray," the voice comes right beside him. Gray jumps and looks around. He's the only one left. Instead, he just sat there and moped to himself. But he hadn't even brought Fairy Tail a single point. They're behind by ten points. And if that gap keep growing what are they gonna do?

They can't fail.

Then Natsu slings an arm around Gray's shoulder and begins to escort him out of the arena.

"Not now, Natsu," Gray growls and Natsu can't see Gray's expression from beneath the shadow of his bangs. So, the pinkette steps in front of Gray. They're close enough to the edge that it shouldn't be a bother and Natsu isn't known for his patience.

"Come on, Gray. We pick ourselves up and this is just the first challenge. We win and we lose, but that's what makes these games fun," the pinkette says and rests a hand on the ice mage's shoulder, "'cause we never give up."

Gray snaps out. He doesn't grab Natsu's collar, it isn't the same. But he does grab the hand that's on his shoulder. It's a close and easy swip of the arm.

Upon contact, the ice mage feels Natsu flinch. At first, it confuses Gray. But then, slowly, painfully, and through a heavy and uncharacteristic wince and trembling breaths, Natsu shifts their arms to between them. Soon, their hands are fisted together in the sort of way they would do before a battle.

Left hand, Gray tries to yank his arm away because he grabbed the wrong hand, right? It's Natsu's left hand. So then why does Natsu not let Gray go? It hurts - Gray can see it in those dark jade eyes: he's in pain. Although Gray can't tell how much, the pinkette has the occasional shiver that Gray can feel.

"Okay?" Gray knows Natsu has more words to say but it's all he can manage. A single, shaky 'Okay.'

"Let's kick ass," Gray says and finally Natsu lets go.

"Great! The battle part's next," he says although his lungs are shaking and Gray can hear it in each word. In a few stops, they're off the sandy arena.

"Natsu-"

"I gotta go, good luck," Natsu says quickly and he speed walks away without another look.

Shit, Gray groans because he knows Fairy Tail is gonna kick his ass for this. But he has to get back up on that balcony, so he leaves Natsu. For now.

He reaches the balcony just in time.

"Are we ready for the first match of day one?" They all shout and scream, most people calling for whoever they want to see fight. "The first match will be Fairy Tail A's Lucy Heartfillia," Erza immediately places a hand on Lucy's shoulder with a heavy pat, "And Raven Tail's Flare Corona."

"Shit," Gray's mouth drops and they all look over to the creepy red lady. Raven Tail as their first match was not something they would want.

"Blondie," Flare says and the malice in her figure makes Lucy shiver. She's strong, she knows that.

But she won't be fighting for the same thing as Flare, that's for sure.

Lucy can't really hear the cheers. They all blend into a mesh that makes her heart pound and her face buzz. Raven Tail, she gulps. Flare had been eyeing her for a while - maybe she knew the lineup? Lucy wouldn't be surprised if Raven Tail knew.

Although when she reaches the sand and looks to her family, she doesn't see Natsu up there. Her heart grows heavy but then she sighs, more than aware of how Natsu deals with that pain. He wouldn't be able to sit through her match but she would win regardless.

For Fairy Tail.

"We have to keep an eye on Raven Tail," Makarov says. Ivan would pull strings, no doubt. And they couldn't let Lucy get hurt because of that. They would protect her. She's strong enough to win on her own, in that they have no doubt. But if Raven Tail pulls some underhanded trick?

"Yajima-san, is it true that the previous master of Fairy Tail is the father of the current master of Raven Tail?"

"Hmm, I suppose. But they do carry the crests of different guilds," Yajima says and flicks his eyes to his old friend. Of course he knows what happened. But he also knows of the turmoil Makarov went through because of it. How he wished it had ended in a better way, how he always wanted his son to see the light.

There's no father-son relationship now, but all Fiore doesn't need to be putting their nose in that.

"You two, please go right ahead, pumpkii!" The mascot calls before backing off.

"The time limit is thirty minutes." Flare listens but she tilts her head and stares at Lucy.

"Blondie, blondie," she coos and flips her head to the other side. Lucy glares right back, more than ready because she is going to win. She is.

"Of course, if, within the time, one is rendered unable to battle, that's a win. And with that, the first match begins… now!"

The arena cheers and bends, calling out Lu-cy, Lu-cyy, Lu-cy and it makes her heart blow up.

They're cheering for her. They really are. She was famous back in the day, she remembers that. But how had they not forgotten about her?

That was probably Natsu's fault.

"Here we go," she pulls out a key, "Taurus!" The bull appears in a sharp ding and Lucy steadies her stance.

The bull charges as he always does, axe raised and a moo on his lips.

"Scorpio!" Lucy summons without looking away from Flare. She's effectively dodging the celestial axe but Lucy isn't worried. Not yet.

"Sand buster!" Scorpio calls out. At that, Flare finally reacts. She leans her head back and her hair falls from its braid.

Then, it moves. In a quick flare of a movement, her hair creates a dense shield that stops the celestial sand.

Lucy can't help but cringe. That's a lot of sand. And in her hair, that can't feel nice.

"Taurus, Scorpio," Lucy calls out as she readies her whip. She thinks she'll have to use it but she can't be sure.

"For Loocy!" Taurus calls out as he raises his axe. Flare stops as she sees the sands spiral around it, Scorpio right behind the bull.

The audience oohs and aahs, they're familiar with celestial spirits enough to understand that this is impressive.

"Of course she can have two spirits out," Erza says with a nod.

"Sandstorm Axe Aldebaran!" Tornadoes of sand erupt upon impact and Flare gets thrown with a cry.

Blondie wasn't supposed to be strong, she glares at Lucy and grits her teeth. This wasn't supposed to be hard but Lucy is still standing strong and sure. So she gets up and raises her hair, a snarl forming on her lips.

"Blondie," she growls, "Wolf Fang!" She screams and her hair turns into a large hungry wolf. It launches at Lucy and the audience exclaims at the change.

"Cancer!" Lucy does yell it out but she doesn't seem too concerning. In an instant, he's their and the wolf is cut to shreds.

"If it's a haircut, leave it to me-ebi." Flare stands stock still as she watches pieces of red strands float to the ground, the wolf long gone and in its place… nothing.

"My… my hair," she gasps and stutters at the thought. "My hair… you, you blondie, damn you!" She screeches, lost in her emotions.

Lucy doesn't often think someone's weak, but this? It's almost pitiful.

She waits for an attack that doesn't come.

Then she feels threaded rope come around her ankles.

Shit, Lucy screams as it twists her from the ground.

"Haha!" Flare cheers and laughs as she slams Lucy into the ground. "My hair moves however I want, you have no chance!" Lucy growls as she slams into the ground, again. She'll be bruised, no doubt. And her head is starting to feel like a ball of numb mush.

But she's not done. Not yet.

Whip in hand, she looks at Flare with a fire in her eyes.

"Well I… also have something that moves however I want!" And her Fleurs D'Etoiles flies out in a shine of light and latches around Flares wrist.

Flare screams out as Lucy flips her. Still stuck in Flare's hair, Lucy also goes flying and lands back harshly in the sand. It grates against her skin, reddening it and aggravating her wounds.

But the crowd cheers and Lucy can't help but crack a smirk.

I've got this. Flare caught her off guard, but she wasn't going to get another chance.

Lucy stands up first and stares Flare down. Not with anger, never with that. But she's clearly more determined to win than the Raven Tail mage.

"Whoa, there hasn't even been a time to breathe in this battle. Between father-son guilds, no less! Neither one is drawing back."

"You've… my sunset hair, my red hair," Flare draws herself to her feet with the help of her hair, moving like a puppet with strings rather than a fighter. Her face screw ups in a mix of emotions that Lucy can't quite track. It settles on a crazed look that makes Lucy's stomach twist.

Oh no.

She plunges her hair into the ground again and Lucy braces herself, keys in hand. Taurus and Scorpio had dispelled and she had let Cancer go, but she's more than ready to call them back.

Then Flare points. It's a subtle action but Lucy spins to look.

"Asuk-ah!" Flare's hair wraps around the blonde's mouth and Lucy gags on it. Asuka - Raven Tail! Lucy seethes and bites at the hair in her mouth.

Raven Tail really stooped to threaten Asuka.

"Don't make a sound." Flare waltzes towards Lucy, suddenly very sing-songy in nature. After all, she's won. "I don't know what might happen if you disobey. I might… do something."

She's acting like the classic villain and Lucy just wants to scream.

She has magic to spare, and although she's beat up she isn't done. Not even close.

So, Flare begins to torture the blonde. Because she cut my hair! And Lucy's stuck unable to do anything. And for each attack that strikes her and the echo of Flare's laughter, each time Lucy gets the chance to breathe she levels Flare with a gaze.

It's the sort of gaze enemies of Fairy Tail often receive. The one that makes their stomach drop and their thoughts churn because, suddenly, they aren't so sure. Lucy isn't sending her malice, in fact, there's a level of acceptance in her gaze. But she's also accepted the fact that Raven Tail will lose. They will. Especially after threatening Asuka.

There was no hope for them now. Not when their enemy is Fairy Tail.

"What is going on here? That heated battle has turned one-sided, and not in Lucy's favor. What..."

Lucy breathes and trembles through the pain and turmoil. Asuka, Asuka.

"I... ," she exhales, "I surreh-dmm!" Hair's once again on her mouth and Lucy screams into it, eyes not wide and pupils constricted as they land on Flare.

Flare then lifts her by her wrists (and ankles, how unnecessary,) and tilts her head. The gaze is gone and that's all that matters. Well, almost.

"No speaking," she coos and it makes Lucy's toes curl and her nose scrunches. "You Fairy Tail mages, you, you and - oh." She stops and smiles, a cruel and twisted thing and Lucy watches a clump of hair shift into the Raven Tail crest. "How about a brand, because you'll never defeat Raven Tail. And now, you'll never forget that."

Lucy sharply inhales and trembles, heart pumping and head spinning. But she can't lose herself - she can't. She has to breathe, and so she does. In a slow inhale through her nose, she closes her doe-like eyes and opens them again, fists clenched.

If Flare wants to brand her, she can go right ahead.

See what happens.

"Hmm, how about over your Fairy Tail crest?"

That newly reclaimed breath leaves Lucy in that second and her calm all but disappears.

No, anything but that! Please! She screams through the hair in her mouth but it doesn't work, even if she could speak Flare wouldn't listen.

Natsu walks back into the stadium in time to see the smoke rising from the brand. It's moving all too slowly but Natsu can tell where it's headed.

Lucy screams into the hair and tears pool in her eyes. And there's fear. It makes Natsu's stomach fall through the floor and his face warms.

What did I miss?

Then Lucy's eyes move. They land and Natsu follows the Lucy's afraid, but not so much for herself. She never really is and Natsu is more than familiar with that.

But if not for her, then what?

He finds it and his magic pulses for a moment, warm and angry it spazzes. It fluctuates enough to make Flare freeze.

She's close enough that Lucy can feel the heat on her hand and now her tears are rolling down her face, soaking into enemy hair.

Natsu doesn't run. No, but each step he takes his magic pulsates and anyone nearby is forced to step back from the heat. It's not enough to scare the entire stadium, not everyone is even looking at him.

But enough have noticed. And Flare is stock-still as it's all directed towards her.

Once Natsu reaches Asuka, his temperature cools and he looks at her with a calm gaze.

Slowly, he reaches for the strands of hair and yanks them up.

Flare screeches, eyes wide and pupils constricted as she makes direct eye contact with Natsu,

"Raven Tail's over," he says and pulls the hair, hard, throwing Flare to the ground and drawing all eyes to him. Lucy falls to the ground but by now everyone has seen the hair in Natsu's hand and the threat Flare had just imposed upon them. He tears the hair in half and in a moment he's landing in the arena, hair still in hand. "Care to explain this." He growls and Flare backs away.

"What is this?"

"It seems Raven Tail's been disqualified," Yajima says as his keen eyes watch Natsu's every move.

"You threatened Asuka and though nothing was gonna happen?" Natsu growls. The rest of Fairy Tail seethes at the declaration, both Alzack and Bisca on their child and checking her for any damages.

Those in the booths are glaring holes into the opposing team.

Raven Tail, however, stands still for a moment. Their jaws are dropped and their nerves are frayed with only anger at the ends.

Raven Tail did what?

The guild moves. In an instant, they're in the arena and Natsu is the only thing that stands between them and Lucy.

He glares at them all, fists trembling and the hair in his palm disintegrates. They can't see his eyes but they feel his aura. Dark and all encompassing.

And pissed. It's the only reason no one else moves.

Flare doesn't attack. She isn't as damaged as Lucy but she doesn't have nearly enough magic to fight the Natsu Dragneel.

"Luce," Natsu says and the blonde blearily looks up at him.

"I'm 'kay," she says but her pained groan says otherwise.

"You did a great job," he says before flashing a hard gaze towards Raven Tail. "Let me take it from here?" She doesn't respond and he doesn't see her smile, but neither things are necessary.

Natsu takes a single, heavy step, and the air around him thickens. It ripples, his magic warming it up in a controlled anger. Flare scoots back, eyes wide. That is, until Alexei kicks her.

She goes flying and skids in the sand. The entire audience screams at the action, but Alexei doesn't care.

"On it," Lucy says to the empty question. She's slow in getting up but she manages.

Kurohebi and Nullpudding launch at the guild master. But none of Fairy Tail - or any other mages - enter the arena.

After all, it's Natsu Dragneel.

Lucy moves sluggishly, covered in wounds but she makes her way towards the beaten Flare.

Kurohebi decides to use the sand, making it swell around him. And even against Natsu, his smirk spreads across his face like the snake he is. Nullpudding joins in the attack, but Natsu just waits. The needles and sand explode on impact and while the audience swells in a loud gasp, Lucy doesn't even look back.

She's reached Flare and helps the red head sit up. She's bleeding and hardly conscious, a feeling Lucy is more than familiar with.

At the sight of the explosion, Kurohebi and Nullpudding are cackling and Nullpudding is the first to look away.

A gloved fist puts him into the ground like a nail. He falls, a pile of bones as his eyes swirl, a one hit K.O.

Kurohebi shakes his head, black eyes narrowing and he takes a step back.

Only, Natsu is there in a flash of lightening.

He stands in front of Kurohebi and looks down at the shorter male.

"You underestimated Fairy Tail," he growls. Kurohebi tries to dodge but Natsu grabs his face and draws him close.

The dark mage doesn't breathe - he can't, and how could he when Natsu bends down to meet the males eyes.

The dark jade is no more. In its place are darkened irises with slit pupils, a dragon, or a demon, and he smiles. Dark and sure of his intentions.

The kick sends Kurohebi flying and he slams into the boundary of the arena, smoke billowing from the point of impact. Natsu stands with his foot outstretched and looks to Alexei.

"Well, Ivan, I thought your guild was supposed to specialize in anti-Fairy Tail," Natsu drawls as he draws his foot back. "Yet I don't even have to use magic."

"You fly," Ivan growls as he removes the mask that is Alexei. "You despicable thing."

"You wanted Laxus," Natsu says and Ivan freezes.

"What's this? Alexei is really Master Ivan?"

Ivan flares his nose and narrows his eyes. The unstable smirk on his face means nothing, though. Nothing at all to Natsu.

"Obra!" He calls and Obra flashes into view behind Natsu. He raises a puppeted hand and Natsu can feel his magic fluctuate without his control.

"I see, magic cancelling," he says and spins, fist landing right in Obra's cheek and sending him flying opposite of Kurohebi. "You did train some interesting mages."

"You - this won't be the last time you see me!" Ivan screams and his Shikigami fly towards Natsu in a mass of papers and magic.

They burn within several feet of Fairy Tail's master. Disintegrating and falling in a pile of useless ashes.

"You ruined these games, you threatened a child of Fairy Tail, and you think this isn't the last time you'll face us?" Natsu steps forward. Ivan doesn't stop the surge of Shikigami but it does nothing and Natsu walks straight through it.

They don't stay intact close enough to explode and Ivan screams at him.

"We are Raven Tail! To us, you are nothing?"

"Raven Tail?" Natsu says and they're face to face. Ivan sweats in the heat that is Natsu's magic. "Was that supposed to be intimidating?" He asks and tilts his head, showing Ivan one red eye. "No. This is intimidating."

His magic expands in a dark ripple. He doesn't let it reach anyone either than Ivan in full force. Being right in front of Natsu, Ivan collapses onto one knee, panting and looking up defiantly.

"We will-"

"Goodbye, Raven Tail," Natsu says blandly. He raises a hand and flicks Ivan. It's a small attack that, like his other members, sends the man flying and he slams into the boundary. Smoke billows from each of the four places, all of which create four points around Natsu.

It was a waste of an intimidation, Natsu thinks. He wasn't even able to use magic. And they thought they were Fairy Tail's rivals.

As the announcers discuss plans for something or another, Natsu approaches Lucy and the half-conscious Flare.

"I don't think she really knew what she was doing," Lucy says but she's also blearily and half-aware, wounds catching up to her in a numbing pain.

"I know," Natsu agrees. He watched Ivan kick his own guild member away. Anyone a part of such a guild gets a clean slate in Natsu's eyes.

Natsu lifts Lucy off the ground first and cradles her to his chest. Unevenly, she blinks up at him and mumbles into his clothing. Beside him, Laxus appears in a flash of lightening. He takes a moment and looks at the remnants of his father's guild.

"So, he was after me?" He asks as he looks down to Flare.

He would have loved to beat them all himself. And he knows it would have been an easy endeavor. But Natsu doing it was alright too. Instead, he scoops Flare into his arms. Although he's still upset, he can tell that isn't the case for Lucy nor Natsu.

So he'll help and put up with it. For now, at least.

"Ah, um, we will get back to the battles after a thirty minute - uh - break."

"Can we just combine Fairy Tail's teams?"

"Yajima-san, your mic!"

A/N: It's easy to forget your passion for a story. But changing things up really helps. Thank you all so much, can't believe you people are so patient and kind. We'll get through this (as in the story and Corona.) Let's do this!