Whike others were still spazzing over results of what the master imposed, others were already setting up for the long trip ahead of them. They knew it was going to take awhile before they head to Crocus, but within the time they still had left in Magnolia, they could make do. This concept went well for Craig and Cana as the evening rays were shimmering down onto them.

The two were seen in Craig's house; no surprise there. They were doing whatever was fitting. Craig was laying back on the couch lazily while Cana was on the opposite end, sipping from her alcohol every now and again. Just another evening that rolled over their heads.

After a while of solitude, Cana pulled the tip from her lips and turned to look at Craig. "So, you ready?"

Craig glanced over, giving her a look of wonder. "Sure." He slurred.

"Could you at least show some excitement for these games?" She asked.

"Could you go five minutes without liquor in your throat?"

Cana leaned back, groaning at Craig's unwillingness. "You're unbelievable."

"Thank you."

After another minute of silence and distilled air, the atmosphere was again ignited by the sound of Cana's voice. "So the master chose you in the end, huh? That's a pretty big deal if he's putting that much faith in you."

Craig hunched over, relieving his eyes by rubbing them to rid of any fatigue coming along. "Guess so. Sounds like these games are gonna be a heck of a show. No surprise to what he chose for the team, huh? If I knew any better, I say he's playing with a full deck."

"Given the competition, it makes sense for us to step up our game. This is a pretty big deal for us, and looking back, I think I can get the idea as to why the master chose you."

Craig slouched and rest his elbow on the armrest. "Explain it to me as though I were an idiot."

Cana raised a brow. "Well, considering you are one…" She paused to hear a grunt from Craig. "When you think about it, this is a result of what experience and an asset you are to us. You're a heavily experienced person, so you're basically a pro in all the fields of combat and strategy. You're a mutation of a lot of things that make you immune to certain qualities, and though you don't have magic, you have a unique power we don't know of yet. That's grounds for someone who can get us a big jump to first place."

Craig, however, didn't seem so enlightened by Cana's explanation. Rather than rely on what others perceived, the way he heard it, he was aware of the guild being otherwise selfish, but for victory – an important victory. However, what could this really mean? The Grand Magic Games were designed for all over Fiore to participate, but with the widespread results being shown live, it only served to furrow his brow and show a less than ecstatic expression.

Taking notice of his plight, Cana raised a brow of confusion. "What's with the face?"

"Nothing…" He paused, taking into account the media. "It's just…you know as well as I do that I have a bunch of enemies out there, right? So think, what would you think would happen if they saw me on a lacrima-vision screen, still alive and centered around a specific location?"

Cana was confused at first; she had to even put a hand to her chin to think. When she recalled the events, all those enemies revolving around Grander, the Three Kings, even Ace and those dinosaurs, it was starting to make sense. They were all so powerful, that not even Fairy Tail alone could easily take down. It was all Craig's problem that he had to put up with.

"Now let me explain it to you as if you were the idiot this time. You know as well as I do that those yahoos out there who got in touch with otherworldly powers, or maybe local aliens or rabid squirrels or whatever bullcrap; point is that they're all still alive, and by remote chance see me, then they will do whatever it takes to break and destroy whatever stands between me and them…that goes for you guys, too."

Cana knew Craig had a point and couldn't argue. He wasn't wrong, but she also wanted to say he wasn't right…but she couldn't. His burdens were his alone, and they all dove head-first into his dilemmas without even thinking as to why he locked them up to begin with, and so far, he trounced them all.

Craig looked up, staring at the ceiling. "I hate to say it, but if I stick around much longer…" He trailed off, the insinuation unfolding inside both their heads. He shook his head, refusing the acknowledgment. "Forget it. You guys can do as you see fit. I'll just do what I have to do when the time comes."

"Yeah, you'll be fine. Don't worry about us." Cana sympathized.

With another sigh of relief, the two decided to call it. After a quick shower from each, the door to the bedroom opened, and Craig took one side, with Cana taking another. The two "friends" acquiescently complied to sleep, and of the two, Craig was the last one still awake.

He looked over his shoulder, seeing Cana's face still acing his. Just arm's length apart each, Craig stared at her within the darkness, his blue eyes fixated on her as though she were a gem stone. Cana's words echoed in his head, making him frown heavier than before. 'It's already too late to not worry.'

He turned away in his sleep, his insecurities taken away by the calling of rest.

For a brief moment, everything was a bright white for Craig. There was a dense fog that he looked around in, yet for some reason, his curiosity got the better of him. In questioning of his own logic, he raised a furrowed brow as he walked on, going deeper through the fog that was leading him to unknown wonders.

After a while of trekking, he began to feel solid ground. The gray atmosphere was brightened by greenery that touched Craig's bare feet. He looked down, seeing the familiar stones and the sound of running water. As he looked up, the fog slowly cleared away from a bright speck of sunlight that made Craig shield his eyes. Slowly, the fog dissipated and faded out of range, revealing the plateau he was on previously.

"This place…" He murmured, recalling the last incidental reason why he was here. Little did he know; two figures were stepping up behind him.

"Well, took you long enough."

Craig whipped around, his eyes widening at the sight of the elder Sama.

Sama laughed at Craig's surprise. "Oh come on, lighten up! It's just me." He chuckled.

Craig gave a disgruntled expression. "Yeah, that's what I was afraid of." He groaned, however, it only served to intensify Sama's laughter.

"You're a gutsy comedian, that's for sure." He smiled. Beside him, Batto-Ba ruffled his numerous scales, snorting at Craig.

The elderly man walked closer towards the amnesiac of a pupil, showing a gracious smile. "Well now, has everything been swell for you thus far?"

Craig put his hands to his hips, furrowing his brow deeper. "Well I would be making progress if I wasn't stopped every dream when speaking to you." He huffed.

Sama nodded in full understanding. "I see. So you haven't attempted the usage of anymore chi yet?"

As much as Craig hated to put down or tell his teacher otherwise, he showed reluctance before nodding his head with a pouty expression. It looked like another answer was given.

Sama shook his head, groaning. "Really now, are you thinking too hard about this?"

"Well, how couldn't I?" Craig reasoned.

"…fair point." Sama laughed at himself, letting all his insecurities be filtered out via the uproarious laughter. "Man I really laid it all on ya, didn't I!"

As his master chuckled in amusement, Craig crossed his arms, a smirk tugging on the side of his face. "Yeah, one could say that." After a small but distilled silence, Craig mustered up the courage to speak up yet again. "Say, Sama."

The over-a-century-year-old man looked at him in question. "Yes?"

"What was it you wanted to say? Is there a reason why I'm here again? Is this about chi?"

"I'd be lying if I said it was to see you again." He said. "It isn't such a good thing to think of all the time. If my bits and pieces meant anything to you, do keep in mind that all happened because you just followed them instinctively rather than manually. In other words, the more you practiced chi, have you noticed how you've made it subconscious in your battles?"

Craig grew mildly shocked when the realization dawned upon him. He didn't pay attention per se, but in a lot of his battles ever since he learned of chi, he's been utilizing it quite a lot. Almost half the time it wasn't even his own doing, it was all a spur within the moment sort of ordeal, at least to how it went against Gildarts, and partially with the Tahungadon blast.

"That means your body's physical and mental experience with chi is growing. Your body has used chi before that your muscle memory is picking up faster on wavelengths of chi energy within the atmosphere. It's a constant flowing force that is as infinite as magic itself."

Craig gave him a serious look. "Yeah, I remember you saying all that. So basically my loss of memory has to do with my past-self using chi in a way?"

The old man nodded. "Yes. You mastered chi so well before that time."

"What time? What is it that I need to know?"

"Like I said, be patient. The answers can't come at this time, so try and hold off on questions until a later date, alright?"

Craig folded his arms and murmured incoherently beneath his breath. Sure enough, there was some suggested language that thankfully didn't get through to anyone's ears.

"So any who, I do believe that it's time for a new lesson in chi!" Sama insisted.

Craig's attention was again at full grasp, he knew he was where he needed to be all along.

"This is perhaps a very important tool, the one step closer to the full chi concentration you once had. With this technique, you will be able to absorb chi naturally into your body much quicker than your previous moves. This is more of…how should I put this…?" Sama turned his back towards Craig, his bare feet touching the ground and churning soft, padded grass. "Maybe it's best that you see for yourself."

As Sama walked off, Craig was left with wonder. He wanted to question it all, but the truth was better sought than extorted. He watched in silence as Sama took place several meters in front of Batto-Ba. He took a fitted battle posture and he exhaled and inhaled, exhaled and inhaled. He calmed his mind, and very center, allowing cleansing for the very body to take in. At long last, as Batto-Ba readied, the arms began to take a similar pattern to when Craig uses Bide Exploder.

"Alright, now."

At his command, Batto-Ba opened his mouth, unleashing a streaming energy blast that traveled over the ground. It raced as a laser beam that went for Sama, who didn't budge an inch. The attack went pulsating with force, and the whole time, all Sama saw was nothing but a large mass of streaming chi in his vision.

Craig watched tentatively as the attack drew itself in. His eyes remained wide as he watched Sama flash open his eyes.

His arms moved in opposite circular motions that went like miniature windmills. The entire energy blast was drawn into the arms, drawn in by the very chi itself. The energy swerved and slithered into the mass forming in front of Sama, and said energy was what began to spread around him. Craig remained close at hand and stared on as his teacher was showing him the ways of his fine breathing and chi control. When filtered to a degree, and once the energy blast let up, Sama was seen with his entire arms covered from fingers to shoulders in Batto-Ba's energy blast, molded into gauntlets almost.

'That's almost like my chi blade technique.' Craig figured.

Sama faced one direction and immediately punched. The concentrated energy blast inside the right arm went blistering outwards in the form of a beam, one that was narrow but with piercing results. It ignited the distance, leaving Craig in shock. His head whipped around again to see Batto-Ba readying another energy blast.

Sama turned around, looking serious as his wyvern unleashed another blast of his energy. The attack wentt blistering at Sama, but he simply swung his left arm still engraved in the energy, and it deflected in another direction completely. The chi flow followed his direction, and said attack completely missed him.

As the attack dissipated completely, Sama moved his left arm forwards and back in an ovular manner. The magnified chi energy was following in his arm, directing into a semi-circular wheel that he drove into the grund wth one punch. AT that instant, all the energy he still had packed inside completely exploded beneath. Beams of Batto-Ba's attack went everywhere as a shockwave rattled the plateau. Craig covered up as the chi energy went everywhere, especially over his head. 'He made armor made completely of the energy he molded using his own chi. He used that and magnified his chi concentration further! And now he can make an indirect Bide Exploder and mold the chi into a destructive force using his body!'

As the blast wave subsided, the air was still roaring, but echoed out for Craig to see Sama still standing, and he looked completely unfazed as the dust faded. He was standing tall and proud, smiling as he exhaled.

"Well, that was a refresher." He huffed.

"Well, gotta say that was sure something." Craig examined.

Sama looked at him with a smirk. "Is that right? Well, suppose you can call this little technique as you see fit, but let's get straight to the point. The breathing and envisioning aside, the arm movements are not compressed like the beam attack I showed you, nor is it concentrating just to your fingertips like the chi blades. Rather, this form of chi is considered both. It's a compressed manner of chi that allows you of both forms of offenses and defenses. This is a way to enhance your chi experience. In this form, your body is getting a far greater physical contact with chi, making it easier for you to manipulate. In another set of words, let's say this way, you can absorb and control, and mold chi into a set of armor and deflect elements at the same time."

Craig crossed his arms, raising a brow. "So it's like chi armor?"

"Correct, or rather compressed physical chi molded from an attack. Any non-elemental attack can work for this one, so if you're hit with raw Magic Power, you can mold that into a chi field around you and either deflect or absorb it, and this will help you maintain your chi blades much longer."

Craig definitely felt confused, but thinking about it, he had a hunch as to how it could all go. In a way he saw it mentally, it was basically a man who moved his arms around and surrounded himself in a field of chi created from molding the incoming attack. As long as said chi was still around, it was like a mind game. He could make arm movements to absorb the energy around to make beams or make the chi blades, or even use his swords to make them stronger and cause massive damage like he did with the Tahungadon. It was a multipurpose field, and all for him to use.

"Well, guess I'm gonna be busy during this time period." He figured.

The old chi master nodded with a smile. "I can most certainly imagine. Now, remember, envision and control. You have considerate control already to do it subconsciously, but your body still needs more direct chi experience, so the field of chi you will be making can be breathed in, allowing a greater concentration for you to draw in. That will lead you to the prime level of all chi."

This news made Craig raise a brow. "Wait, what?"

"Don't worry too much about it, but improvise, and you'll be fine." Sama nonchalantly waved him off, showing absolutely no concern. He didn't seem too bothered before, but deep down, even he knew Craig had to remaster chi, and fast.

He coughed, getting Craig to almost jump.

"Hey, you okay?" He asked.

Sama continued to cough, but at the same time, he chuckled. "Don't *cough* worry *cough*. Just my age messing with me *cough*." He began to slowly sit down. "Ah~. Well, guess that's it for what we can handle for today. We'll check in soon."

Craig previous concerns were overlooked thankfully by the fact his own body was feeling a force drawing itself away. His mentality was returning, but he still had so much to ask. "Wait! Hold on! What is this thing you're talking about?!"

Sama took a meditative stance, eyes closing as his body was straight, taking in the very center of all the chi. "It is the primal essence of chi. The power that you can do alone. In due time, for now, just try and relax like me."

Taking one last look at his master's meditative stance, Craig was again speechless. With that last image fixed into his skull, everything around him turned to a fog, shrouding around him until it all went white.

Craig's eyes stirred open, his conscience returning to the very atmosphere that was his shabby place. Well, okay shabby would be a word, but to him it was lavish for his liking. He made headway in rolling his head to the side, away from Cana as the morning air was enveloping the room. Daybreak had just come, and that meant fresh air and morning sun to filter through the blinds. Craig looked away from the sunbeams and the lush that continued to sleep with him like he were a lost puppy. Though he didn't mind, other things occupied his head.

'That move…' He thought of what his teacher did, all those techniques that drew to a step away from what he spoke was the ultimate form of chi. 'All those chi tricks I was taught. It all comes down to this.' He thought of what his master did before he left then, thinking as to how meditation helped. The irony only made him groan towards the ceiling. 'Well this'll be a hoot. Let's see how much concentration I get with all these yahoos jacking up the noise pollution…'

…

In another dark void of distorted space, there was an eerie silence. All there was seemed to be emptiness inside said domain. It was a space that had but little meaning, a plane that had been forsaken. This very psyche plane, the one where only the most unreachable of phenomenon – a place never heard of by man – was where eight large silhouettes formed.

The massive silhouettes once again gathered in their respective forms. They all gathered in a circular motion, with an empty space filling the area to make it an almost-complete circle. As the black silhouettes came into view, the giant turtle-like creature with a clam-like shield helmet spoke up.

"Greetings to you all once again." He announced. "My brethren."

"Hello to you as well." The Pegasus announced.

"This is getting interesting." The scorpion said.

"How so?" The massive dragonfly-like creature asked.

"Well it's not often we have a meeting back to back like this. It's most interesting how he over there always has the call for us."

The massive spinal primate hollered with a hunched figure. "Spill it! We're all racing here, so don't waste our breaths!"

"Everyone, quiet!" The large tiger roared aloud, his huge vocal volume distorting waves throughout the dark psyche plane. The atmosphere instantly went stale, with all the beasts getting settled down again. They all looked at each other, a sense of calm washing over them. Once the tiger saw that everyone had quelled, he turned towards the massive Three-Gem. "Our apologies. May you speak about what you know?"

The turtle nodded. "I shall." He looked at everyone else. "I have sensed it, and I have come to detail what I know thus far. Our fellow young human has come to draw closer to Primal Force. His chi energy is growing stronger as of recently."

The long-neck wyvern raised its head. "Is that so?"

The Three-Gemmed turtle nodded, showing confirmation. The air was once again filled with a collective silence as they let the feeling sink in. The atmosphere was completely deprived of any negligence as a number of questions filled their minds instead.

"So then, how much more until he reaches his full power?" The massive ape asked.

"Hard to say. His energy isn't there yet, but he's progressing and adapting moderately." He explained.

"So it's still going to be some time before we all feel it from here." The massive spider silhouette said. "Although this waiting is most distressing, I can at least share your empathy. I, too, can sense fragments of his energy from here."

The scorpion hissed with his tail swaying about. "I can feel some of it, too! This is getting pretty good!"

"Easy. Let's not get hasty with any rash decisions." The tiger announced. He looked at the space that was supposedly the void down beneath. "My fellow brethren and sisters, you know about that man. What he has been taught and learned, we know cannot be rushed. It's that power that can surpass the very essence of magic, the force that defines us directly. If rushed with any interference, the results can be described as cataclysmic at best."

The massive Pegasus turned to look at him. "So what do you propose?"

The tiger looked back at his fellow brothers and sisters. "A conundrum as this is, we can't make full testament until we get word of Slayos. And I'm afraid he's more of a fighter than ever now."

The ape gritted his teeth, showing anger. "Bah! Seriously, what's with that black and red pest? He's just as stubborn as that fool!"

"More the reason why we need to let them both be." The turtle advised. "Slayos will come around as soon as he senses him as needed. He's just like us, maybe more so. He'll be the first to act of needed, but let's be sure to observe for now."

The gathered beasts nodded in understanding, fading away into nothing as the space again went into a dark void.

In unknown confines, a large, scaly black neck crackled as spiked red, bloody gems shimmered in the light that looked like lava. A large jaw was seen, and jagged front teeth were seen snarling. The red gems glowed on and off with every inhale and exhale, the beast made the space around him intensify in potency as his slumber went on.

"Alright! About damn time!" Natsu shouted into the air.

"Ugh~! Can it, will ya? My ears are cramping." Gray groaned.

"So is my spleen." Happy sighed.

"You didn't even walk here." Carla chided.

Lucy slumped to the ground, exhausted. "Are we there yet?"

Juvia followed suit. "I sure hope so."

"You can all relax. We're here." Erza stated.

The bustling city of Crocus, the capital of Fiore, and the largest city in the entire country. The flower-blooming capital was nothing to boast, for it was by far the most extravagant domain there was. No contest. It took a long time, and it took the entire guild various modes of transportation to reach the capital before the sun was starting wane west. It was a good thing they made it on time as well.

Wendy fell over, tired. "My legs…"

"This is what we get for walking halfway." Gray grumbled. "And because someone had to go and burn a hole through the door!"

Natsu glared at him. "It ain't my fault that carriage had a loose handle! Besides I had a big breakfast to fill for the trip!"

"Yeah, and you barfed it up!"

"You rather have me barf on you!"

"Your barf melted the wheel of that carriage!"

"I'll met your face!"

"Both of you, be quiet!" Erza shouted, making both of them shrink back in fright. With them quelled, she looked around, seeing the many bustling businesses still blooming, with many consumers going left and right. "I must say though, this place does have that charm. It's been awhile since we've seen such a site."

"Yeah, we haven't been to Crocus in a long time." Wendy pointed out.

Erza turned towards another shop. She noticed the many dresses that were on display, as to where her gaze also revolved to the massive displays of cakes she saw a few streets back. The more she pondered as such, the more her head began to stir. She looked back at Natsu, who was still stretching out his thighs and lower back from the last leg of the many mile long trek. 'Maybe while we're still here, maybe…Natsu and I can get to spend some more time together.' The thought was beginning to make her blush a small tint in the cheeks.

"Erza?" Lucy asked.

"Ahem. Over here, everyone!"

The group snapped out of their delights and turned their focus towards the sound of the voice, belonging to Master Makarov. Beside him was Bisca, Alzack, Asuka – riding atop his head – and Mirajane. All of them looked psyched to see two members of the upcoming team present.

"Master." Lucy said in surprise.

"I see that you're all getting accustomed to the surrounds." He said, smiling. "Good. Very good. We'll need that to our advantage if we are to get first place this year."

"But I thought the competition's in the colosseum in the mountains?" Happy figured.

"That was a rhetorical question." Carla pointed out. "Of course it's there."

Gray put a hand to his hip. "Don't get so hasty. You know these games are random, maybe they'll have an event or two besides being inside all the time."

"He's not wrong." Bisca pointed out. "There isn't any consistency to these games, so you'd best keep yourselves on your toes and expect the worst."

"But don't worry. You guys will do great." Alzack insisted.

Natsu looked at them and pumped his fist with a proud smile. "Ha! Just wait and see, we're gonna pound those chumps to submission! That first place is all ours!"

"By the way…" Lucy looked around, turning left and right to inspect the number of people present. "Where is everyone else?"

"Don't worry. They're all sight-seeing before the games' start. But I checked in, Laxus and Gajeel are here in Crocus as well. They'll be sure to rendezvous with us early tomorrow morning."

"And what about Craig? Is he here?" Erza asked.

Makarov let out a hefty sigh of irritation. "As one would expect, they took they're sweet time getting here. They chose to take trains rather than other means like we have. Rest assured, they both checked into the same inn, but close to where you all and the other team members will be staying."

"I see."

Makarov perked a bright smile on his face. "Anyways, let's not worry. Today why not just unwind and enjoy the shops and commodities. Afterwards, we'll be sure to aim for the top, so no time for rest, is that clear?"

"Right!" Everyone said.

Wendy held Carla as the Sky Dragon Slayer went off somewhere. "C'mon, Carla. Wanna go look at the clothes."

The cat didn't show plight. "A little accessorizing? Quite bold for you, don't you think?"

Lucy stretched overhead, her arm muscles getting a nice flex. "Man, I think I'll pitch in and look around. Maybe I'll find something to help me with my story."

Juvia scooted over beside Gray, hearts in her eyes with her hips wiggling. "Gray, wanna go and enjoy the streets with me?"

Ignoring Juvia's overzealous affection, he looked towards her and smiled. "Sure, I don't see why not."

As Wendy was followed alongside Lucy to look at shops, with Gray alongside a lovestruck Juvia going off someplace else, that left Natsu and Erza to themselves…and Happy, but he chose to fly off towards the fish market, for reasons even he caught onto fast.

With it being themselves, Natsu sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Boy that was quick." He figured, everyone off to their own business.

Erza nodded. "Well they're most certainly chipper."

"Yeah." He looked towards her, giving a cheeky smile. "But hey, let's go and enjoy some grab, too!"

Erza's heart almost stopped in place. Her eyes were wide, staring at Natsu. "'Let's'?"

Natsu gave her a confused look. "Hm? Yeah, that's what I said, right?"

"No, no! I uh…" Her embarrassment only grew. "I'm just a little surprised is all."

Natsu shrugged. "I don't see what the big deal is? We had fun eating last time, right? What's the problem this time around?" He reached out to her, giving another toothy smile. "C'mon! Let's explore a bit!"

Erza's heart was fluttering like a butterfly. She was more than thrilled that Natsu of all people was opening to her, even more so now that he's grasping the concept of affection – even if it confused him every now and again. Still, it was the thought that counts. With a steady hand, Erza took Natsu's invitation and the two wandered into another street of Crocus, looking for something to savor after a long walk.

In another part of Crocus, true to what Master Makarov foretold, the rest of the upcoming team was already doing as they saw fit. As for the duo dubbed as Cranky and Brownie, one could say that a certain pub was getting more than a few welcoming wagons in mind.

"Your face is the epitome of suckishness!"

"And your hair looks like it was styled by a porcupine!"

"Your own hair looks like a damp mop!"

"You wanna go and insult a girl's hair?!"

"Damage, no. Call out, sure as hell yes!"

It was just routine playing with them again. The whole pub was getting their undivided attention, and by the way they snarled at the other like rabid animals, even the waiters and waitresses were nervous to approach them. They looked pale enough from the pointless insults spoken in vulgar mannerism.

Craig and Cana were about to butt heads and glared menacingly at the other without batting an eyelash. After a few sets of trains, the two were tired, and they didn't even do much other than walk about until food became the topic at hand.

"Well I say bullcrap to all that!" Craig snorted.

"And I say screw that load and eat dirt of you're not gonna finish your plate!"

"You're so not my mom!"

"Well I have seniority!"

"Yeah, and that makes you how many weeks or months dumber again?"

Cana rubbed her clutched fist up her bare arm. "You wanna be deep fried?!"

"I don't eat deep fried!"

The sudden admittance stopped Cana. She raised a brow in inquiry. "You…don't?"

Craig sat back in his chair, arms crossed with a disgruntled look plastered. "Not a bit. It's just not the way I do things."

Cana was a little surprised at first, but in a way, she knew Craig had his reasons. She was ignoring how her attitude and his were simmering down, their argumentative styles completely shutting down out of the spur of the moment. The pub seemed to be quelling as the two were all fixed up in their change of heart. As Cana looked at Craig's plate and comparing it to her own, she noticed how varied the meats and food were, yet it was all cooked or grilled, unlike the deep-fried chicken she received. She in fact noticed how Craig eyed her chicken with uneasiness. It was like he hated it.

'I wonder…' She picked up the chicken, showing it to Craig's face. "Really? Then why not have this?"

Craig looked at the piece of meat in a deep-fried layer of crusty breaded unhealthiness. He only blinked once before he waved his hand and looked dismissively away. "Nope, sorry. Don't eat chicken."

Once again, Cana grew shocked. "Wait, let me understand this here. You're saying that you can just about eat anything, including raw, bloody meat from an animal, yet you refuse to eat deep-fried and chicken?"

"Pretty much." He shrugged. He looked towards the ceiling of the pub, looking mournful at best. "I still miss you, Chicken! I can still hear your calls and your ruffling feathers even when I look at birds!"

Cana sweat dropped. "Uh…"

"Don't judge me!" He knocked the chicken out of Cana's hand. "How daring of you defile a potential lost cousin of Chicken. Have you no shame in defiling your own body."

Cana grew more and more freaked out by Craig's enigmatic behavior…over a deceased Chicken that sacrificed itself at some point for his sake. "Um…sorry?" What could she say to that? Simple: nothing. She never saw this side of Craig, passionate and diminutive over poultry. 'Gee, and here I thought things were going to start settling down between us. Here he goes throwing another loop.'

"Damn straight." He huffed.

An uproarious laughter echoed through the pub suddenly. The place nearly rattled as attention drew towards the corner of said location. The place was huddled with what looked like a corner of drunken men – and some women – that were all sprawled over the ground as the sound of a mug slammed into the table hard. The person revealed himself with a massive smile as his cheeks were red. His laughter cackled to no end.

"What now?" Craig huffed.

Cana leaned off to the side, raising a brow. "Huh?" What she looked t only intrigued her.

He was a man who had dark eyes and black hair tied in a bud. He hiccupped as his bulk was bare for the world to see, yet his arms and shoulders had purple plates that looked like skin-tight sleeves. He had brown pants and black heels, with a 4 as a guild mark on his back. The man laughed as he lazily hiccupped for the umpteenth time.

"That's 20. Now that *hic* is how it's done!" He shouted, laughing instantly afterwards.

"There he goes again." A bartender groaned.

"Is it him?"

"Yeah, and it looks like he's jacking up the place as usual."

"Why here of all places?"

The patrons were looking at him with some distaste, while some knew to steer clear of him. They all had a good idea who he was given how he appeared and the guild mark he had. It was bewildering at best, but perhaps the most perplexed of everyone was Cana and Craig.

"Who's that guy?" Cana asked.

Craig furrowed his brow. "Beats me."

Bacchus lethargically got up, almost falling over as he caught himself. He nearly tripped as he moved over the stupor bodies and accidentally stepped on a man's arm. "Whoops, my bad." He slouched to the side, nearly grazing a woman's own buxom. "Pardon me~." He stumbled through his own field of fallen enemies until he at last made it to the clearing. The floor was clear for him to walk off. "Well *hic* guess that's it for this hotshot." He slurred as he looked like he was going to fall over.

As a bartender was cleaning the inside of glass, he gave the passing man a stare. "Hey, you pay?"

"*hic* Yeah, yeah. Bill me." He continued his trek out the door, but something else caught his eye. "Eh?" He looked down towards a certain couple that sat at a table near the window. Seeing a certain lush, his eyes grew curious.

He gave a curious disposition, but Cana had her own to dispute. "Hey." She said.

The man leaned in, squinting his eyes and blinked. "Oh, hey. It's Cana…from that Fairy Tail guild." He smiled. "Say, how's it going?"

"I could be asking you the same thing." She responded. "Sorry, I'm not so well with names myself."

Craig looked at Bacchus with wonder and slight contempt. In a way, the man's smell and drunken demeanor reminded him of Slob, but weaker to what he believed. From what he could see, just the way he acted by on Cana, it was making him…uneasy.

Bacchus reeled back, laughing once more. "Giving ya points there, hotstuff! You're as sharp as arrow, straight through this old falcon's spirits tremble."

Cana didn't seem to be warming up, but a sly smile appeared on her lips. "Well I wish I could say the same. You're with Quatro Cerberus, right?"

"The one and only ace of course." He coughed, giving himself a minute. "So tell me, guess why I'm here?"

Cana slowly grabbed her own bottle of wine. "Better not to steal my little souvenirs."

Again, Bacchus' smirk grew. "You'd wish, but sorry to say, my guild's in it for the top, so don't be too disheartened after we win the whole thing. I'll be sampling out every drop of liquor and get the biggest headthrob that I'll be in paradise." He leaned in again, smirking. "Besides, it's been awhile since we had our own round, right?"

At that notion, something in Craig clicked. Whatever was spoken, he wasn't liking it. He did what he could to ignore it, but in truth, he was feeling a heavy tug somewhere in his gut. A history is something he could understand, but something – just something – didn't feel right. He opened his mouth and snapped his jaws down on the meat slab in front of him, hoping he was alleviated of worries through taste. It failed.

Cana gave Bacchus a grudge-like smirk. "Yeah, I remember. I also remember you stealing something I needed."

"C'mon, what's one bra got to do with that?" He swayed. "It's the thought that counts, right? Had a blast?"

Cana held up her liquor bottle to her lips, her grip tighter than ever. "Depends, wanna try that cheap shot again?"

Bacchus smirked wider than before. "Ah~, there's that little fire. Forgot about that, boy did make shake and stir my soul. It's making me wild right now *hic*."

A massive gushing and ripping sound came from nearby. Both rival drunkards turned towards the disturbing sound, seeing how it was Craig munching up a vicious storm. The two saw how he tore off a piece with his sharp teeth and raised his head, letting it slide into his mouth and chewed about. He looked ahead, noticing the two grasping his attention.

"My bad." He said half-heartedly.

"Oh, yo. A new face?" Bacchus questioned. "Wait…hold on…you're that new guy I've heard rumors about, am I right?"

Craig shrugged. "Depends on what they said about me."

"You being the newest addition to this bombshell's guild and all. At first I thought it was a joke, but after hearing stuff about this guy who has massive teeth and this weird style of fighting, I began to stir." He explained. "So you're that guy, huh? Name's Bacchus." He lethargically reached his hand out, in which Craig begrudgingly shook it. He certainly didn't feel welcomed in shaking such a hand, then again, he's shaken hands with people who were really murderers before. What's the harm if he smelled like a trash heap. He still smelled worse enough to make him not smell anything for a few days straight.

"Craig." He replied.

"Craig, huh. Guess you'll be at the games then. Well I hope your spirits are high, because I'm gonna get my guild pass yours and that little group of Sabertooth, too. We're gonna stir up a hell of a lot of trouble that I just can't wait to unleash."

Craig didn't seem mused. "Keep talking, or rather you save your breath for when you prove it."

Again, Bacchus raised a brow. "I like this one, feisty, almost like Erza. Wonder how she's doing?" He looked up at the clock, noticing how late it was going to be getting. Looking outside, it was already dark. "Well, guess I better bolt. Already late and I'd rather be sober by tomorrow morning."

"That's what I'm trying to tell this yahoo over here." Craig referred to Cana, making her look towards him.

"It's not sober if it's a little." In contrast to her reasoning, she had over five beer and liquor bottles in total lined up and already empty.

Bacchus smirked. "Oh, looks like I missed a good shot at going at it again with ya." The comment made Craig's lips curl downwards, baring teeth. "Well, just for a souvenir, on the house!" He placed a fresh liquor bottle he was keeping in the one hand, instead giving it to Cana. "Here, just for a little pick-me-up if we ever get at another round during these games."

Cana accepted the glass with a knowing smirk. "You can be sure I won't lose again."

She was showing her competitive nature again, but seeing her with another guy with the same light she and Craig shared was making the latter all the more willing to throw up. After everything, he grew unsound as the two were exchanging drunken words. Granted, they were – partially – drunk, but they still had a history, and that was enough to make his blood stir.

Bacchus walked out, waving back. "Catcha later~!" He departed, leaving many of the bartender and waitresses relieved, but left a certain dup with mixed reactions.

"Well he certainly dollied up to a charmer." Cana playfully said, turning to look at her fresh liquor. "Guess I know what I wanna do during these games. Hm?" However, she was driven out of her thoughts when she looked at Craig. She saw how he was looking out the window, giving what could be described as a discerning glare as Bacchus lazily departed, sliding back and forth all tipsy.

"Craig?"

Craig didn't listen, or rather, he couldn't hear. He looked out at Bacchus, the looks and the smirks he was giving Cana. It was more playful than intended, and that was starting to make Craig feel something he couldn't understand. His blood boiled inside his stomach, making his appetite waver. He veered away and opened his mouth, gorging once more on the next slab of meat with extra vulgar tearing.

Cana looked at Craig, but given his reactions and him ignoring her, she shrugged it off. "Alright." She casually resumed her drinking, while her roommate focused on something that could sedate him as well.

As night was still fresh, the city lights were illuminating everything in sight. Businesses were as lively as ever, and the air was fresh with flowers, given it was the flower-blooming capitol. It was a lot of space to fill for a lot of people, especially since the guilds were integrated into the crowd. Among the crowd, there was Natsu and Erza, both walking side by side.

"And that's how I caught that big one." Natsu wrapped up, concluding on how he and Happy worked in getting a large fish the fish of a small dog caught.

Erza chuckled. "Seems you had quite the wrestle this morning."

"Damn straight! It took us all morning to catch that sucker!" He explained. "But now that I got a fire in my belly from that cooked fish, I'm gonna kick everyone's asses in this tournament."

Erza smirked at Natsu's way of riling up competition. She always was drawn to his gun-ho, even if it did annoy her at times. It meant he was ready for about anything. "Just be sure to save that energy for the events, would you?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'll hold it in."

As the two walked on and enjoyed the other's company, they were halted when a loud punch came from ahead, followed by a body falling. There was cheering and slight jeers, a sound that piqued Natsu and Erza.

"What was that?" Natsu asked.

Erza narrowed her eyes, seeing a crowd getting riled up. "Seems there's a commotion up ahead."

"A fight?" He grew anxious. "Well let's say we burn off our dinner and-!" He fell short of momentum when Erza grabbed him by the shirt collar, halting his advances.

"Not so fast, Natsu." She warned. "What did I just say?"

"Aw, but Erza-!" He grew stiff when forced to look at her directly. He saw the glare she gave him, making him have no say in the matter.

"But what, Natsu?" It was like she dared him to continue, but thankfully the Dragon Slayer knew better than to argue with her planning.

He sheepishly looked away, looking carefree. "Uh, nothing."

Another wham was heard and a body went flying over the crowd and landed in front of Natsu and Erza. Both grew startled and turned towards the commotion. The crowd gave way to give full view f who was causing the ruckus.

A pair of hands dusted against the other. "Heh, well that was a waste."

"Agreed." A calmer voice said. "If this is the competition this year, then we are to be in a big advantage."

Natsu and Erza looked ahead, seeing a blonde man and a black-haired individual side-by-side. Neither had a scratch as they instead looked like they needed a nice warmup. They were sound with the number of foes they attracted, but in a sense they were only getting so much of a workout that they weren't even sweating. The easiest detail out of them, however, was the fact that they had marks of Sabertooth on them.

Natsu's eyes widened. "Those marks…"

"They're from Sabertooth?" Erza figured.

Behind the two Sabertooth members, two felines waved at them. "Aw yeah, now that's how it's done!" Lector cheered.

"Fro thinks so, too!" Frosch cheered.

"This year is gonna be awesome, you know why? Because you're the man, and none of those other Dragon Slayers are gonna have a candle to you."

The blonde looked back, smirking. "Damn right."

The black-haired individual looked ahead, noticing something. "Sting, look." He got his attention, the Dragon Slayer looking at individuals whose hair color caught his eyes.

"Huh?" He looked at the faces of Natsu and Erza, his shock widening. "Wait…Natsu?!"

Natsu's shock widened with his eyes as well. "Yeah?"

Sting smirked. "Well I'll be damned. It really is Natsu Dragneel. Boy, in the flesh even!"

Lector crossed his arms. "We hit the jackpot today, pal!"

"Yay!" Frosch cheered.

Rogue looked ahead, frowning still. "And it would appear Erza Scarlet's here as well." He got no input from Erza as she instead stayed quiet like him. "I see."

Natsu advanced a foot, arms crossed. "Alright, so what're you guys doing here, huh?"

"Why else?" Sting asked. "Why do you think every guild in Fiore is here? We're here because we want to enter the Grand Magic Games, obviously."

"Huh?!"

Rogue nodded firmly. "That's right. And we intend to win just like last year. Our master has us aim for the top and nothing else. There won't be room to share spotlight, so my apologies if those circumstances don't comply."

Lector looked chipper. "Aw yeah, we're going smoke your hides!"

"I don't smoke." Frosch bluntly cheered.

"It's a figurative speech, Fro. Lighten up." Lector corrected.

Erza crossed her arms as she evaluated their guild marking. "So you're Sting and Rogue, the infamous Twin Dragons of Sabertooth, am I right?" She questioned.

Sting smirked again. "You remembered us, huh? That's a relief. It's been so long since we've seen any of Fairy Tail in person."

Natsu looked towards Erza. "Wait, what?"

"I've been doing research before I came here. On our way, I've been studying the previous rulings and competitors. For the most part, the winnings belonged to Sabertooth, along with their infamous Twin Dragon Slayers. One of light, and one of shadow. Sting Eucliffe and Rogue Cheney if I recall well."

"Guilty as charged." Rogue humbly answered.

"They're the best, and you chumps better believe it!" Lector boasted. "Because Sting and Rogue are gonna trounce this competition with Third generation powers!"

"Yeah!" Frosch agreed.

Natsu raised a brow. "Say what? What are you on about now?"

"Third Generation?" Erza repeated.

"yeah, so look at it like this: Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel are all Dragon Slayers who got their power from dragons directly. That's First Generation. The one after that is Second Generation, which is Laxus and that Cobra guy from the Oracion Seis, because they had lacrima planted inside of them. Then there's Third Generation, Sting and Rogue, which is both at the same time."

"Dragons and lacrima?" Natsu gasped.

Sting clutched a tight fist. "Damn right, and we're gonna show you First and Second Generation Dragon Slayers what we've got." His fist got so tight it was shaking. "I've been waiting a long time to show you, Natsu. And now, I might have a chance yet."

The anticipation around the group got heavy all of a sudden, everyone getting a four-way stare down. They all were set and fixed for combat right there and now. A rivalry between guilds, both competing for the top, and no one was going to be satisfied with second, at least according to the masters. Makarov was set on first, and so was Sabertooth's. This was one competition sure to be considered personal.

Rogue broke away from the stare. "We should get going, Sting, Master Jiemma expects us to be ready."

Sting huffed. "Yeah, alright." He turned and walked away from Natsu and Erza, leaving them begrudging in their own stares at the competition riling them up. Before he got too far, Sting looked over his shoulder. "Oh, and one more thing."

Both stayed quiet.

"…if you guys somehow make it past the preliminary round, we'll show you what a true Dragon Slayer's power is all about."

With that, they departed, with the Exceeds also in tow. As the crowd looked on, Natsu was clutching his fists in growing ire. He wanted to do something there and now to prove them wrong, but knew better than to save it for a better place at a better time. But that didn't mean he had to like it that way. His teeth gritted as the temperature around him was intensifying.

"Don't worry, Natsu." Erza assured, noting how he was looking angry. "We'll have our chance. We'll save it for the games. Just be sure to keep that in mind."

Within the Dragon Slayer's growing ire, and the crowd, there was an alleyway, where there was nothing but complete darkness. In the black of the abandoned way, there was a silhouette, one where there was a massive smirk with a familiar silhouette sneering. Before he got too carried away, he departed, turning with his hourglass-like blade following.

"Tch, what showoffs." He huffed, getting deeper into the darkened alley. Before long, he passed another silhouette, one with a massive, vertical cylindrical case-like head. The two armored men stopped when they passed the other, backs facing each other.

"You aren't going to stop low?" The one asked, his deep voice as gravely as ever.

A frown was seen on the blade carrier, showing dissatisfaction. "Why bother. I have no interest in the weak. All these chumps here don't even get the meaning of power, and besides, it's not like demonstrating it will resolve them."

"Be as it may, we still must keep in mind what us five must do." The deep-voiced figure reminded.

A snort came from the recipient. "I know." He walked on, with his companion following. As they both trudged on, the scythe-carrying man smirked once more. He looked glee to be getting set after so long.

"This'll be a synch. So he really is here then." His smirk widened in a dark manner. "I can't wait."

So if you guys are confused, I'm doing the X791 GMG, but I'm making it all completely original, so nothing about it will be anything like canon. This whole story so far has been original, and that's what I intend. Still having the timeline around said point, but I won't make it stray too far from the concept. My usual original twists will be in there, so hang tight until next time!