Italics indicate thinking

Bold is for attacks

Scruff's POV

Lucy said that Arcadios, the knight from earlier, had told her if she escaped she should meet up with the Princess. The Princess was the one who dumped us down here so I didn't understand why we needed to find her. Our little ragtag group traveled through this underground cavern trying to find a way out.

"Look at the size of this door." I said.

Natsu, being the idiot, he is, punched the door.

"Natsu I don't think that will work." Michelle remarked.

The huge stone door creaked and groaned as it started to open.

"That worked?!" we all said stunned.

The door had opened just wide enough for a person to walk through. The woman was covered in a cloak but she had an air of familiarity around her.

"Who…are you?" Natsu asked.

"Natsu…"

The woman removed her hood.

"LUCY?!"

Lauren's POV- Back at the Start of Day 5

We watched these screens and followed the progress of our team. It had started out strong. Gray had defeated Rufus and the First Master's predictions were falling into place as expected. All that was fine until Erza went to her assigned location.

She was supposed to meet up with and fight Minerva, except Kagura arrived instead of the expected woman. The two exchanged slashes before another competitor jumped in. This time it was that green haired girl big bro had fought the other day, the Sand Dragon Slayer Diana.

Jeez Red you have shit luck.

That girl from Saber was on some kind of warpath. She was screaming and thrashing about attacking everything around her.

What is with her, it's like she's possessed.

Now when I joined Fairy Tail I could have cared less about Sabertooth. The others had it out for them but I was pretty neutral. Then I saw what they did to that Lucy girl…poor thing. Now I wanted to get them just as bad. Too bad I can't compete.

I looked over when I heard faint whimpering. Master Mavis was sniveling and crying because she had gotten her prediction wrong.

She's…she's…she's so adorable….

"You're just the cutest." I said giving her a hug "It's okay!"

"She's so loving!" all the men cheered.

"How are we supposed to compete with that?" I heard the drunk girl say…Cana, that's her name.

"I feel like we don't have a chance." What's her name…Lisanna said.

This guild so damn big I have too many names to learn.

I kept watching and held Mavis in my arms like a little doll. Erza kept fighting and then Minerva finally appeared. This fight had gone from a one on one to a three-way dance to now it was some kind of screwy handicap match. Minerva laid out her ultimatum and turned that catgirl, Millianna, into a hostage. She pitted Erza and Kagura against each other and told Diana to clean up the scraps.

"…anything for you…Young Miss…" Diana growled.

Her voice is so strained.

"Hey Gramps." I said "That girl…"

"What about her?" he said looking at me.

"There's no glimmer in her eyes." I said "She looks like she's in pain."

"Hmmm."

Diana's eyes looked emotionless and her voice pained with every word. There was no spark and her movements were clunky and lacking the grace they had when she fought Kanji.

"Lauren is correct." Mavis said from her position in my arms "Something is wrong with that child."

"So that's what it is…"

That guy from Laxus gang, Bickslow mumbled.

"What are you talking about?" Evergreen sneered.

"Let me get a good look." He said pulling his mask off.

This was the first time I had seen him with it off. Bickslow was a strange guy. His body was an eight or nine but his face was like a four.

"Yep…she's a puppet." He remarked casually.

"What do you mean?"

"That collar." He said putting his helmet back on "It's a controlling device. She's a puppet right now. I wager Minerva's the one pulling her strings."

"So you saying she's like a zombie." Kage asked.

"I guess." He said "She can't control her actions."

"So like Michelle used to be?" Laki added.

"Not quite." Bickslow spoke "Michelle was in control of her body she was just being led along, manipulated mentally not physically. That girl can't even move her own body. If Erza doesn't do something about that collar, Diana won't ever wake back up. The reason her movements are strained is because her soul is going a different direction then her body."

"What's this about Michelle?" I asked.

I had met Michelle briefly at the waterpark. Nice girl…I could tell she was going to be a problem when I came to the boys they always fall for the sexy but naive type. I had only been here a few days and much to my older brothers' chagrin I already had half the males in the guild wrapped around my little finger. I was worried that if Michelle ever actually realized what that body of hers was capable of, she might snag a few away from me.

"Michelle wasn't always on our side." Levy explained "It's a long story but you two have a little in common."

"How so? I thought she was Lucy's sister" I said.

"Michelle…she is and isn't human." Levy said "She used to be a doll but after a long chain of events she became a human. She was being controlled by the Oracion Seis. I don't know how he did it but your brother convinced the council to hand over Michelle…she's been with the guild ever since."

"Sounds like a really long story." I said "You'll have to tell me the whole thing some time."

"Michelle is a special girl." Mavis said "I could tell the moment I met her. Behind her bright smile and happy demeanor, she has many demons."

I kept watching the screen. My brothers had come face to face with Orga and Jura.

A God Slayer and a Wizard Saint…good luck you two.

"What do you mean by demons?" Cana asked.

"For one…due to the circumstances of her creation she questions what it means to be human, and if she even truly is one. She is haunted by her past sins. I feel that deep down she feels she has wronged you all and is unworthy of your forgiveness."

"Poor girl…" I mumbled.

"Fear not." Mavis smiled at me "She is a member of Fairy Tail too…and she will no doubt overcome those doubts that is what makes this guild special, the bonds of its members."

"I hope so." I smiled.

I looked back at the screen. Erza was holding her own against Kagura. Diana had vanished into the dust like Black Snake usually did. Gray and Juvia were going against Lyon and Chelia.

Juvia was one of the first new friends I had made. Nice girl, she and I got along well in the few days we knew each other.

Gajeel was once again staring down Rogue. I had no doubt that he could handle that guy. That left one fight, Laxus and Kanji vs Jura vs Orga. Orga was charging up a blast and he fired it off. In the blink of an eye Jura was pounding his face into the pavement.

"Holy Crap!" I screamed.

"That's it their dead!" Gramps yelled.

"Have some faith master!" Laxus friends yelled.

I bowed my head "I guess it will be up to me to continue the family line."

Kanji's POV- Shortly before Jura knocks out Orga

Laxus and I were staring down the other two men. While we did the air rippled with magic, but it wasn't from any of us.

"That must be the lady…" Orga mumbled.

Minerva…Erza be careful…

I was snapped out of my thought when Orga started charging his lightning. He said he was going for Jura but he was looking at us out of the corner of his eye.

"A misdirection." I whispered to Laxus.

"We're the target right?" he grumbled.

"Nope it's still Jura. He's trying a double fake…unless he knows we know and it's a triple fake…or he knows we know he knows and it's a quadruple fake…or he knows we know-"

"Enough." Laxus growled.

"100mm Particle Cannon!"

If I had blinked, I would have missed it. Jura flashed forward and slammed Orga into the brick road with one hard.

Oh fuck…

When I looked up and saw even Laxus was stunned, I started to get a little worried at that.

No…Erza's fighting I have to stay strong…We need to win and rescue Lucy…

"Ever since we first met back then." Jura said getting up and looking at me like he hadn't just crushed Orga in one shot "I've wanted to fight you."

"That is a mutual sentiment." I said "I've wanted to test myself against you as well."

"Well then." Jura said "Makarov's Grand-"

"Hold it." Laxus said taking his coat off "Stop right there."

Feeling the pressure in the air I threw my coat to the side.

"On this field you're not some old guy with a fancy title and we're not some guy's Grandkids." Laxus said "Were just three guys here to throw down."

"Such bold faces." Jura mumbled.

Laxus darted forward and went at Jura. With one chop the Wizard Saint slammed Laxus like into the ground.

"Laxus!"

He didn't get up.

Even Laxus…with one punch…I don't stand a chance.

"In this world there is always someone stronger than you." Jura said.

"You don't think I know that."

Laxus…

"But sometimes you need to look down too!" Laxus yelled

Laxus sprung off the ground and clocked Jura with an uppercut.

"Because sometimes they might be at your feet!"

Jura gained his footing and shaped the earth under Laxus into a bunch of pillars.

"Stop standing around Kanji!" Laxus yelled "Get in here!"

"Right!" I said shaking the cobwebs off "Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!"

I threw a spear but Jura blocked it by raising a pillar.

"Demolition Fist!" I jolted forward and tried to punch the older man.

"BAH!" I coughed and nearly threw up when he punched my stomach.

Laxus came in and tried to nail a blow and I dashed back.

"Lightning Body!"

I sprung back and bounced between Jura's pillars. Laxus was trying to land a hit but he was getting beat up too, Jura was strong he didn't leave openings.

"Electric Shotgun!" I blasted Jura back.

When the smoke cleared Jura was still standing. His clothes were singed and dusty but he still looked pretty much fine. My shirt was ripped by the right shoulder so now my tank only had one side.

"Well this has been quite the surprise." Jura mumbled "This is the first time in a while I've gotten so excited."

"You're just as strong as the rumors said." I spat "What a rush!"

"What is it that Natsu would usually say in a situation like this?" Laxus asked.

"I'm all fired up!" I smiled.

"Come." Jura said "Let us fight till one falls!"

"RAAAHHH!"

The two of us threw a few bolts at him but Jura blocked, he seemed surprised we'd keep trying the ranged approach but that was just our cover to get in close.

"This is it!" I yelled putting my hand back "Our Grand Finale!"

"Dragon Slayer Duo Art!"

My hand wrapped around Laxus'

"Raijin Wrath!"

The sky split and the ground shook as a huge bolt crashed to the earth and blinded even us.

The smoke faded and Jura fell to the ground.

"Splendid…" he said to us "…This is my defeat."

I really have gotten stronger…Back then I could barely last against Jose but now I beat a Wizard Saint…

I looked at Laxus and smirked.

"Gimme a sec." I panted to catch my breath "Okay, let's get moving."

I don't know what it was but something strange came to my mind. She hadn't come to mind in a long time…but something deep down was stirring up a memory, for a moment I felt like time froze, there was no competition just me and my thoughts.

"Did you see?" I asked the sky "…Mom?

"Who are you talking to?" Laxus asked.

"It's nothing?" I said picking up my coat "Come on let's go."

AN

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Till Next Time!