It was the second day of the games. After seeing the board, I now knew that my team were in fifth place because of my battle. My teammates were extremely pleased. Lioness didn't like leaving me, but we were on two different teams so she had to. I was happy. The first event was something called chariot, and for reasons I cannot comprehend, Team A chose Pinkie and Sabertooth chose Cocky. It was called chariot, that was a very large clue as to what this game entailed.

Vixen wanted to go and beat Pinkie, but we eventually sent Aqua. When the game was explained, they were thankful that I, the amnesiac who has been isolated from humanity for hell knows how long, has more common sense than them. It was quite entertaining to watch. Aqua was embarrassing us by fawning over Ice Prince and I made a mental note to talk to Bubbles and Vixen about this.

While her magic would be useful, Aqua was too distracted. She basically refused to see or hear reason and would cost us greatly. I didn't like it. If we were to win this then we needed everyone ready. Maybe she was a handicap because all of our members were really powerful? I wasn't sure. I'd ask Bubbles to get a reserve member and she wouldn't come back until she got her head in the game. It was a little sad, actually. She smelled like she wanted offspring from Ice Prince, but he wanted little to do with her. One day she would realise this and pursue happiness with someone who wanted her back.

While it looked like a nightmare, the contestants did their best. A fellow called Bacchus got in first place and seemed to be quite the interesting character from Quatro. The slim brat from Raven came in second. That meant Red went back. I'd have to look for her again to make sure she was doing alright. The chubby woman from Mermaid came in third. The eyebrow guy came in fourth. Aqua barely managed to get fifth, all four of us having to shout at her to stop staring at Ice Prince. The sixth went to Blue Pegasus, seventh went to Team A and Cocky dropped out like a wuss.

We now had nine points while Pinkie's team only had two. I was a little saddened that Lioness wasn't doing well, but I blamed her teammates. Tigress was ok, but the others weren't exactly very helpful. The Giant had a hamster and wheel in his head, Ice Prince was being a grump, Pinkie was being Pinkie and Lioness was the only one who possessed any sanity. I didn't know if Tigress was sane or not at the moment.

Ever since the night I spent with Lioness and my morning sunbath, Devil had been looking at me funny. I could see gears turning behind her eyes, plans being formed and schemes being tested. She was a very terrifying woman. I looked into Raven's stands and saw Red. She had more bruises than I had last seen her. She looked terrified. When she saw me, I think a little light came into her red eyes. I pitied her.

Wow. Ivan's quite the asshole, isn't he?

That can be taken so many ways.

Not now Durham.

He doesn't deserve a Guild. Not with the way he treats people.

I was on the side that favoured eating humans and I wasn't this much of an asshole.

I see where Sparky gets his issues from.

He looks like a mutant garden gnome. If that goblin was my dad, I'd be a rebellious prick as well.

"It's that woman," Devil said when she looked in the same direction I did. "Why would she go back to someone like that?"

"It's the mental trap of abuse," Aqua said as she walked in. She looked sad as well. "Juvia has had experience with such a problem. Juvia didn't think that she would ever escape if not for Black Steel. Even then, it took a long time for Juvia to be how she is now. Juvia was much like that woman." I wouldn't have guessed it. Bubbles scowled at the man I had been informed was his father. He looked more like the Gnome than the ugly man and that was a good thing. "Laxus. I suspect Ivan was unkind to you as well?"

"Pretty much. Bein' a stupid kid, I didn't know I wasn't supposed to get the crap kicked outta me. I'm still tryin' to get over it." I had a sense that Vixen understood what they were talking about. He'd been a bit quiet around me lately, but I didn't ask. It might be something personal I had no place in knowing. "I have a feeling you're gonna try helping her again, aren't you?" I nodded. "Not everyone can be helped, mate. You can only help those who're willing to accept it. Don't mean you shouldn't try though."

What's that thing Zadoshi used to say?

Something about iron fists.

"The iron fist of a tyrant rusts eventually."

That's the one!

"That's some powerful shit there. Where'd you hear that?" Devil asked what I'd said and he told her. She agreed that it had 'power'.

I looked down, trying to figure out who told me that once. I remember it being a female voice, so a woman had said it. She said it to me and my... My old guildmates. Yeah, I was in a guild once. Draconium Soul was my Guild. Many faces flashed before my eyes, some that I recognised. I didn't have names for them right now, but there was one I could give a name to. Master Zadoshi Blakgoyle. My old Guild master.

"Zadoshi Blakgoyle."

"Zadoshi Blakgoyle, huh? I'm gonna have to see if I can find her. She sounds like a cool woman."

Zadoshi Blakgoyle, the master of Draconium Soul. Good luck finding her, she's been dead for centuries.

Maybe they'll have writings about her?

I know they have writings about me! Gihi, The Nightmare Dragon will never die! Even when he's dead.

What about me? I was the Sun Prince!

And I was Hurricane's Heart.

You three still care that much about some guild four centuries ago?

Of course! I raised my daughter there. If not for its end, I would've raised my grandson there as well.

Same for Natsu. He'd fit right in with Draconium Soul.

I wish our children could know who their parents were. Goraheb, Alice and Gadra were such wonderful people.

The latter wasn't. She scared the urate outta me!

Goraheb didn't pass down his smarts, such a shame.

Gadra passed down her attitude in a very watered down dose.

The first battle of the day started. The dog man from Lamia Scale and the slim guy from Raven Tail. It ended quickly, but the one called 'Toby' put up a decent fight for his magic type. I was surprised to learn that the sock around his neck was 'lost'. When the Raven pointed that out to the dog man, he sobbed and called the Raven a good guy. That was a mistake. The Raven grabbed it and tore it apart, grinning while doing so. The dog man started crying and I didn't like it. I looked at the other Raven's, watching Red's reaction. She was still terrified. The fat purple male beside her didn't say anything, but his expression was telling.

It'd be a few minutes until the next fight and I was going to end the crying. I hated tears that were formed because of grief or loss. Even if it was as minor as a sock, the smell was bitter and vile. I doubted that Vixen was going to like what I'd done, but I don't think he'll hate me for it. I walked silently to the area Lamia Scale was and heard the dog's friends trying to cheer him up. I knocked on the door, alerting them to my presence. It was a pleasure seeing Iron Rock again.

"Blue. What brings you down here?" He said in that calm and warming voice. I held out my hand to the crying dog boy. It might seem stupid to people, but I wasn't sure what else I was supposed to do. I'd made sure to take a clean one as I assumed the dog would be able to smell if it was used. I would've given Bubbles' but his foot odour could murder a wyvern. "You've come all the way down here for that?" I nodded.

"All of this is happening over a sock," Said Eyebrows. "It's ridiculous. Jura, aren't you annoyed by this?" Iron Rock shook his head.

"Not at all. To see someone in distress and go to help them is very honourable, especially if you're helping someone on the opposing team." The dog boy perked up at the sock. He appeared to have the mentality of a child, but that made my offering more important to him. Dog Boy hugged me after removing the sock from my grasp. I didn't touch him, but I smiled. The smile that Lioness said was very warming. "Thank you for coming to cheer up Toby. I look forward to the next event we can compete in."

I nodded and made my leave. This was a festival, one that I was going to enjoy. It wasn't fun if I was the only one enjoying it.

By the time I got back, the next fight was already starting. It was Giant VS Bacchus. I climbed onto the barrier and sat on it, crossing my legs to achieve optimum comfort. I didn't know Giant very well but I had a feeling that this would be an interesting battle. Devil seemed to be worried. Then it started. This character called Bacchus was more impressive than I thought and I wanted to have a got at him. He seemed like he'd be exciting. Giant got his ass kicked, then thanks to a bet, he started to drink. I heard Devil explain his magic and was slightly more pumped.

Then Giant transformed into a Gormagander. He probably didn't know, but that was a demon. They called themselves Lizard Men to make people leave them alone, but Gormagander's weren't a joke. They had really tough hides, they were hunted to near extinction because of it. Giant turned himself into a punching bag, allowing Drunky to start beating him. It went on for seven whole minutes. It was less a battle of physical power and a battle of wills.

I didn't give the Giant enough credit. He'd managed to win a fight with a powerful mage and the Quatro's were now called Puppy. I liked it. The Giant had gained some respect from me because of this battle along with some amusement.

Everyone came to see how the big guy was doing. He looked like a mummy, much to my amusement. Tigress was giving a speech about how well he'd done, and she wasn't the only one surprised.

I still call bullshit.

Yeah, how did he manage to do that?

Probably Sombra. He has a habit of giving magic to whatever guild his kid is in.

Does that make us Sabertooth?

Nah! We're Wild!

We've got a puppy lover.

I liked the Toby kid. He was nice.

"That's wonderful and all, but you have a tournament to win. Leave the man to get some rest." They nodded at the woman that struck me like lightning. I'd seen this woman before. She was younger and didn't have gold bits in her hair, or a weird hairstyle, but she was familiar. Someone I used to call Gran. Someone who mattered to me. The woman looked at me carefully. "Lucy, I want you to stay so I can talk to you about your charge." I looked at her nervously but she waved her hand saying that she'd be fine. I didn't want to leave her but I saw the old woman slowly reach for a broom. Not wishing to be beaten with it, I said my farewells and left.

Devil was supposed to fight a female called Jenny. While I expected a fight... I didn't expect them to remove their clothing. Bubbles had the hots for her, I could smell it. Vixen looked a bit confused but curious. Aqua looked jealous and I had no idea what they were doing. What was so impressive? Then the Mermaids joined, and then the Lamia. Then all the females were in the arena, even Cowgirl. I was only confused. They kept ordering the girls to change and I had no idea what I was supposed to do.

Then we were supposed to act our a bride thingy. I didn't feel like joining in but Bubbles got me in. How? He kicked me into the arena. I scowled at him, but I wasn't angry. I was merely annoyed. Lioness looked as confused as I did so I just walked over to her. I shrugged with a perplexed expression. Feeling embarrassed, Lioness hid under my cloak. I took it off and tied it around her.

"Strange humans," I commented. I made a sour expression at their silly white clothing that was getting dirty thanks to the still scarred ground. It had been fixed by the staff, but there were still patches of black. I was proud of it. She sighed, holding the cloak around her tightly with a warm red on her cheeks.

"It's marriage. When two people love each other, they become bound to one another till death does them part. That's what it's supposed to be." I still didn't get it. "I don't expect you to understand. I don't really understand it myself." Kitten appeared in a similar outfit to everyone else. I suspect he appeared to show off to Lioness. I didn't like it. I saw some of the males holding the females a certain way. I felt a bit isolated. I tried my best to avoid touching people because of how easily they broke. I haven't actually tried hitting someone until Iron Rock. !I know why you're afraid to touch people. After seeing the fight with Jura, it's understandable. I'm sure you'll be confident to hold people one day, but baby steps, y'know?" I didn't know what that meant, but I guessed it meant we were taking things slow. I was pleased that I didn't have to try explaining my predicament to her. She just knew.

Then an elderly woman entered. I didn't know why everyone was suddenly quiet or staring at her. Humans continued to confuse me. Not knowing what else I was supposed to do, I gave a shaky thumbs up. The woman seemed to appreciate it. Lioness returned me my cloak and once again we were made to part ways. I was still confused, but I didn't have the strength to ask what had just happened. Vixen and Bubbles didn't appear to be talkative either.

The two women were now alone, and then the wager they proposed made everyone act even weirder. The 'Jenny' suggested that the loser will be in some kind of magazine and be naked. I didn't know what the fuss was about. The Jenny transformed and was wearing a very ridiculous outfit. The Devil transformed using a demon soul. Interesting. I haven't seen a Yalit transformation in a human before? I would ask Bubbles for information about this later.

Devil took her out with one hit, earning us ten points. We now had nineteen, a very nice count compared to Team A. We waited for her at the entrance tunnel thingy. I really needed to ask someone what I was called... Anyway, we greeted Devil as she returned from her battle.

"That was amazing! Juvia was so thrilled by both the costume game and your combat!" Aqua praised.

I ship it.

"Good Devil," Was what I could come up with. "I wish to do combat with her. She seems to be interesting."

"You were good enough to get Oreo here to wanna fight ya." Did he just name me after one of those biscuits he was always eating? "You're still good. Y'know, for a barmaid."

"Your praise never ceases to both annoy and please me Laxus." He was proud of that. "And I would love to have a spar with you sometime Blue, it feels nice to oil the gears a bit." I didn't know what that meant, but it sounded like a yes.

The next battle hadn't been as nice. A female called Kagura and a spirit mage like Lioness fought, and it was a very short battle. Kagura destroyed the spirit magic, crushing her spirits under her power. Literally. The female seemed like she would be a good opponent against me. Lioness was sad at the moment, worried for her fellow mage because the young girl had betted her life on the game. It was silly, and she was too confident in her ability.

Lioness sat on the edge of a bridge, holding a snowman creature in her arms and looking at the stars. I sat next to her to provide company. She felt better whenever I was there and I felt the same. Today had been extremely strange and I had three more days of this insanity to go. Hopefully, we would come out on top. Being in the strongest guild in this country certainly sounded like an achievement.

"Are you worried about that girl as well?" She said in a concerned tone. I envied her compassionate nature. Even when she'd been told that I tried helping the female who'd hurt her and tried hurting Cowgirl, her compassion didn't waver. I wanted to be like her. "She better her life on that game, Blue. She might die because of it. I don't want anyone else to die..." I could hear the hurt. She was trying to be brave for me. While I hated tears, I had a strange feeling that she needed to release hers.

"Neither I." If people died, the game wouldn't be very fun.

In the Dragon King Festival, we fought to the death. It was bloody, dangerous, and the truest sport I've ever seen!

That's then, not now you dolt.

"Can you walk me to Honey Bone?" She asked me. She looked tired and I felt pleased that she'd ask me. I hopped off of the bridge and stood on top of the water. It wasn't difficult to do if you know what to do with your magic. "I wish I could do that." I held out my hand and she gladly took it. I allowed my magic to pass through her body and compress it at the bottom of her feet. I lowered her onto the water, and she stood on it like it was solid ground. "wow, I didn't know you could do this." I let go and she took a couple of nervous but curious steps.

"Lots I can do," I smiled. I mimed for her to take her shoes off, and she did it. She giggled at the cool feeling on her feet. "Lioness. Ask you?" She nodded at me. "Want to talk better. Help me?" She turned around and gave me a large hug.

"Of course I will Blue. Or should I say 'Azure Oberon'?" She smiled, lightly tapping one of my guild marks. "Hm. Maybe I'll get another on my other hand. It'd be a uniquely Fairy Tail thing, wouldn't it? Fairies can't fly with only one wing, can they?" I shrugged. "Come on, let's walk like Jesus!" I did not know this person. Perhaps he was a water mage?

The spirit in her arms returned from whence it came and I was able to watch her skip on the water. I used this mostly for travel as it was easier than getting wet. I looked down at the ripples I caused. Lioness didn't make any ripples, meaning the water was avoiding me. I looked at her and saw her golden hair waving while mine was still. I felt no wind on my face like she did. Even my cloak didn't move. I looked to the side and rats were racing away from me. Birds wouldn't fly over me either, they had to go around me even though they were in the sky and I was on the ground.

"It still avoids..." I said sadly. She looked at the goings on and understood what I was mentioning. "Why?"

"I don't know why. Maybe it's because you're so strong?" Maybe. I wasn't quite sure. "Come on, I don't want Erza to tell me off for being late." I smiled again and walked beside her.

She talked about a lot of things that went over my head, and she knew it but liked having someone listen to her. I liked being a listener. It made me feel special to her. I wanted to stay special to her. It may sound selfish, but that's how I felt. I wanted to be the only one who'd be able to share her bed. I couldn't tell her what to do, and I wouldn't. It didn't feel like my place.

I walked beside her, watching her enjoy herself. She even did a cartwheel. I didn't expect it and had to form magic around her hands as well to keep her from falling in. She pressed her hands against the water and then slapped it like it was a hard floor. She giggled, finding it amusing. I found it amusing as well. Seeing her so pleased by something I did for the sake of easier travel was pleasant. I wished to show her more things I found mundane that she may enjoy.

"Lucy!" And there goes the mood. "Lucy, where are ya?" Called the Pinkie. It was unwise to have two different packs in the same territory, there would come a time where the two would clash. He'd have to join our pack or he'd end up being outcasted by the others. It wasn't a conscious thing, but it was inevitable. If he wished to remain friends with Bubbles, Blueberry, and Vixen, he'd have to stop being a brat. "Huh? What're you doing on the water?"

"Blue's magic!" She smiled, jumping up and down. The water barely made any movement making me slightly self-conscious of the ripples beneath me. "What're you doing out here?"

"I was wondering where you had gone. Can't have you walking around on your own."

"She's an adult Pinkie. You don't have any authority over her even though you foolishly believe it to be so. Leave. She's part of our pack, not yours." Lioness looked at me, hearing some of the growls I made. Pinkie scowled at me and growled back.

"What makes you say that? Didn't you just say that she was her own adult?"

"At least I don't constantly insult her and treat her like garbage." That started to set him off. "Don't think she hasn't talked to me Pinkie. She tells me everything. She tries to play it off, but I can see it upsets her. Constantly commenting on her posterior, her weight, it's unnecessary. It's a wonder that you've managed to form a pack at all, not that it's going to last much longer."

"Fight me bastard!" He jumped at me like an idiot and I stepped out of the way. He ended up in the water and had to swim while I and Lioness stood above him. "You don't know anything about my pack!" Lioness looked at me with confusion. "And why shouldn't I be allowed to talk about her? She's my friend and I can say anything I want." I weakened the magic around one foot so I could kick water into his face.

"Being one who is constantly under pressure by unkind voices, I'm aware of what it can do. Words can be sharper than a knife and you're too stupid to know when to hold it back. Think before you speak unless all that is between your ears is emptiness. Lioness deserves more than your stupidity." Vixen and Bubbles could make some harsh comments at times, but they said it in either Draconic to kept it to themselves. Pinkie had no restraint.

Come on ya blue prick, kill him.

Too much blue. Needs more red.

That idiot should suffer, shouldn't he?

"What's going on?" Lioness demanded. Like the twit that he was, Pinkie explained. He understood less about humans than I did apparently because he'd just made himself look like a moron before her. He might not mean to be so stupid, but he was making it hard to ignore my voices. Only a few wanted his blood spared, the ones of reason. The rest didn't share this feeling. I crossed my arms and shook my head. I would be sure to find a rock brighter than he. "Oh, so that's what's going on?" She didn't sound happy. "Blue, can you confirm?" I nodded. "Natsu, I'm a grown woman and I can make my own choices. And I'd appreciate less of the insults. I put up with it because you're my friend, but I guess it's my fault for letting it go on for so long." I shook my head. "It feels like my fault." I shook my head again and pointed at Pinkie. "Why's it his fault?"

"Can't be quiet. Words sharper than knife. Is idiot. Lioness deserves better than sharp words." I tried to sound confident, but speech always made me feel anxious. Even so, they were important to her. "Keep your comments to yourself," I warned.

"Aww, you're so sweet." Pinkie didn't like her comments. "Is it because he's a dragon slayer?" I nodded. "When I get you talking, you can tell me all about it." I wasn't telling her about Fire's Flare. She could see that when it was ready. And I hoped that Bubbles would grow his own guardian. It'd be so amusing. "Natsu can walk himself back. No, I'm gonna stay with you tonight. If Erza comes, you'll protect me from the big bad tiger." I grinned, lifting her off her feet and sitting her on my shoulder. "Later Natsu!"

She liked that I had stood up for her. She was sitting on me and she felt relaxed. She had also said something I looked forward. She said that she'd get me talking. I wanted to say so much to her but I wasn't able to. She was going to help me. And if anyone said something unkind to her, I'd help her. I looked forward to our next time together.