One's Road to Remembrance

by Insane Dominator

For 4 years, a lone guy has been suffering from memory-loss, and can only remember his name: Craig Crius. The 4 years have been very unfriendly, and in turn has become rather desolate. With the help of Cana Alberona and from Fairy Tail, Craig will endure horrific hardships, take on dangerous tasks, and unleash power he never knew he had in order to understand who he was. OCxCana.

55. Setting Our Sights On The Prize

The crowd inside Domus Flau was going absolutely ballistic as the new day has dawned. The time had come, many were ecstatic to finally be at the halfway point. They were waiting so anxiously, and now the third day has finally arrived.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! We're here to bring you Day 3 of the Grand Magic Games, and boy has this year's games been something of a treat so far!" Lola announced. "I'm your favorite host with the most, Chipati Lola, with my good friend and secondary commentator, Mr. Yajima."

"Good morning to everyone here." He greeted.

"Now, picking up from yesterday, there were some intense moments between our top contenders. We've had our fair share of shock and excitement, and we were far from disappointed. In the lead with 31 points, we have the underdogs turning top dogs, we have Fallen Prometheus!"

The crowd cheered for the mysterious guild that was sitting in its stands. The five contenders were solemn, and they looked far from happy with the crowd cheering for them. Their prime concern – and main reason for being here – wasn't among Fairy Tail's team.

"Tch, where the hell is that rat?" Scythe growled. "Don't tell me that Craig's gone and bailed on us."

"I told you I should've sent the message." Monarch insisted. "I have a ways with men and giving them firm warnings rather than scare them off like you do."

Scythe looked back at his associate, giving a stink eye beneath his dark hood. "Why you…!"

"Give it a rest, you two." Navice interjected. "I'm sure our target has his reasons."

Shinigami nodded. "I agree. Besides, after what happened yesterday, you can't say that shame didn't leave a little dent in his reputation. He's still around, that we know. He's bright enough to not cower after a threat like that; he's just laying low for the steam to settle in the air is all." His confident smirk was a sure sign he knew this fact, and no one really said anything. "Besides, he knows actions speak louder than words alone. He wants us to prove it."

Scythe looked back at the competition. He knew that deep down, Shinigami was right. Craig doesn't deny a challenge, but it still annoyed him to no end that he had to bide his time and linger with lower cockroaches.

In the fairy Tail stands, everyone was set, and among those present, Makarov looked down with arms crossed. "Here we go, this is our big comeback. Everyone should stay on their toes."

"Yeah, we know." Jet said. "The competition's a little wacky today."

Droy was munching in a drumstick and gnawed on the tender meat as he noticed something off with the team in their box. "Huh? Say, where's Craig?" he muffled.

"Didn't you remember man? He's taking today off." Jet notified.

"Oh. So that's why Gray's down there right now."

Jet could only sigh at his friend's clueless numbskull. 'I think all that meat's stuffing his brain.'

Laki looked around, noticing something off as well. This didn't go unnoticed by Romeo.

"Hey, Laki, everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think so…" she looked around, realizing something was off. "Is Cana absent, too?"

Mirajane giggled in delight. "Looks like it. Probably babysitting Craig again." Her head tilted with her swooning smile. "It's just so adorable how she's always watching him."

Jet and Droy looked at each other, processing what Mirajane said about Craig and Cana. What they did was completely as expected – they laughed out loud. They were just baffled with the very thought that it was almost sad. Mirajane just looked at them in confusion, to which they turned away and awkwardly silenced themselves.

Gildarts showed his own smirk as he sat back. "Alright, let's see what we have today."

Juvia was looking over at Gray as he stared calmly out at the arena. Steam was coming out of her nostrils with each breath as her cheeks were hot red. "Oh good grief, my darling hunk of a man is finally down here. He's gonna go and show off for me~!" she squealed.

"I don't think this is about you, Juvia." Lisanna sweat dropped.

"Gray, go out there and show the world our burning love!" Juvia screamed.

In Team Fairy Tail's box, they all could hardly hear a word as the arena was packed full of talkative bunches. However, for some reason, a chill went up Gray's spine. "Huh? Did someone say something?" he wondered.

"Gray, are you sure you want to do this?" Erza asked.

Getting back to focusing, he looked back at her. "Well it's not like I have a choice. Craig gave me this chance, so I can't exactly say no."

Natsu scooted on over, happily patting Gray on the back. "There we go! Good ol' deliverance!"

Gajeel folded his arms and looked away. "Pfft. Still say I should get another shot."

"Oh relax, you'll get another shot eventually." Laxus said. "Just try and enjoy it, otherwise your face will rust."

Gajeel shot him a look. "Oh yeah?" he growled.

Gray adjusted his top. "Right, then I'm set."

In Sabertooth's quarters, the team was modestly quiet. They were confident as of yesterday, but today, they had but one thing in mind, and the reason was not too far away and in black. They – mostly Minerva and Sting – were eyeing Fallen Prometheus, and they were doing so like preying animals. What only irritated them was how they were being ignored.

"You enjoy your little laps for now, but the feast has yet to be fully consumed." Minerva sniped.

Little were they also aware, they weren't the only ones eyeing Fallen Prometheus. Raven Tail was looking at them suspiciously, but in their way, a more menacing way. Iva =n glared at the five hooded beings, his teeth showing as even now, their power hidden was making his heart skip beats.

Lola looked down at his papers with a big smile. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, now that we've finished our little recap, let's see what today's contest will consist of, as our old friend and referee, Mato, takes the field."

Mato gained wondrous cheers as the pumpkin mascot took to the arena. He smiled wide as he lifted his hands. "Alright, pumpkins, looks like it's a new day, and that means we have a game changer right here!" he announced. "That's right! When I say game changer, I mean we're going to switch things up with today's contest."

Eve blinked. "Switching it up?"

"I wonder what that means for us?" Ren wondered.

"It's very simple. Today, instead of just 1 contestant for each team, we'll be allowing 2!" Mato chimed.

"2 contestants?" Elfman parroted.

"Well I certainly wasn't expecting that." Levy admitted.

"Yeah, me too." Lucy added.

"I wonder what this will do for us." Warren admitted nervously.

"Maybe some sort of tag team thing, I guess…" Vijeeter questioned even his own logic.

Team Fairy Tail looked at the other confused. They, too, were caught completely off guard. Gray especially was rendered startled. "Hold on, what?"

Natsu immediately rushed by the balcony, clutching his fist tight. "Alright! This means I get another shot!"

He wasn't the only one, however. A gloved fist arose as tough as iron. "Dream on, Salamander, I'm taking today's second spot, so sit back down!" Gajeel retorted.

Natsu battled his shoulder against his. "Oh yeah, ya bog creampuff?"

Gajeel pushed harder. "Yeah, I can do twice as better as you can!"

"Not if I prove you wrong!"

Taking advantage of the situation, Erza walked passed the occupied Dragon Slayers and stood beside Gray. "You wouldn't mind, right?"

Gray looked towards the redhead and back at the arena. A small smirk came across his face. "You sure? Don't wanna overkill the competition now."

Erza showed her own smirk. "Modesty's only going to get you so far." She teased.

As Natsu and Gajeel were glaring angry daggers at one another, they came back to reality once they realized that Gray and Erza were already walking out to the field. Their hearts only dropped like rocks and left them in stone as they completely missed it all.

"HEY! NO FAIR!" Natsu shouted.

"YEAH! WHAT ABOUT ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD?!" Gajeel roared.

Hearing their shouts, Erza kept on walking with a smirk. 'I won't lose with you watching, Natsu.'

Both Dragon Slayers only slumped over the balcony in defeat, with Laxus sighing in pity. "What whiners."

Lyon adjusted his collar, smirking. "Well then, if Gray happens to be entering, then it's my obligation to follow suit." He turned towards his master. "May I?"

Obaba nodded. "Good!" she spun her fingers. "Just don't make me want to spin you when this is all over! Ya hear me?!"

Ignoring her loud yelling, Lyon kept his composure as he turned away. Surprising enough, he was followed by Jura, who smiled in delight. "May I accompany you?" he asked.

Lyon didn't waver from his course. "Well, as long as we don't literally blow away the competition, I suppose."

"Looks like we have this round in the bag." Yuka snickered.

"ABOUT TIME WE GET SOME POINTS!" Toby roared.

"C'mon, Arana~! Let's go! I don't wanna be behind Erzy if she's into this, too!" Millianna cheered happily as she dragged Arana along, who complied whole-heartedly.

"Do your best out there for us!" Beth cheered.

"Milady." Sting stepped up, a dark, serious expression fixed on his face. "Please, let me."

The sexy lady had a sway in her hips as she stepped up beside him. "Very well then. As long as I accompany you."

Jiemma crossed his arms and glared down at Sting and Minerva. His thoughts ran back to last night of taking down Fallen Prometheus. Even now, his skin tingled from recollecting their magical energy. His fists clutched tighter than before, almost shaking.

"Me~n! Eve, let your frosted tips break wind on this new dawn, shall we?" Ichiya posed.

Eve adjusted his tie, smirking. "You got it!"

"Make sure to leave as good of an impression as yesterday, okay guys?" Jenny remarked.

"WILD~!" Both Yeager and Semmes stepped up, with their other guildmates roaring right behind them.

For Raven Tail, both Kurohebi and Flare stepped up. Both smirked maliciously as they were plucked by the orders of Alexei.

Both Shinigami and Gates stepped up, the former smirking as he was going to give a little show.

---

It was at another local bar, and for what was the fourth time, a beer bottle slammed against the counter. A brunette sighed as she inhaled that bottle in only a few good gulped, much to the indifference of her associate beside her. Of course the rest of the bar couldn't be said otherwise.

"Alright, looking good you guys!" Cana slurred in an uproarious fashion that caught many stares from the locals. It only served to make Craig's face contort with a twitch…constantly.

"Uh, miss?" the nervous bartender tried to approach her. "We just opened, and you're a little…"

Cana shot him a look, one that knew she was out of it. "Ah, don't be such a buzzkill!" she grabbed Craig by putting him in a headlock. "Besides, this big lug's the one who brought me here."

The bartender looked at Craig, who in turn gave him a stone face. Even behind that mask of darkness, the bartender knew Craig was in no position. The worker only sighed as he pitied Craig.

"If you say so." He could only resume his work cleaning glasses, while Craig was forcibly placed on the underside of Cana's chest, holding in every fiber of his annoyance at the slightly drunken woman. The only indication of his stability was his eye twitching.

---

Mato looked all around him, seeing the many faces that were representing the eight teams competing. "Okay then, it looks like all of us are here then, pumpkins!" he chimed. "Now, the competition will begin shortly, now hang on…" with a snap of his fingers, everyone suddenly disappeared from the arena.

It all happened in a flash, and up overhead, a light projected a rectangular screen, showing a dark, decrepit-looking plateau. Onscreen, the sixteen contestants were centered around Mato as they reappeared in the valley.

Looking at their new surroundings, Millianna looked over, seeing a decrepit skull sitting a small ledge. "AH!" she shrunk back in fear at how close it was.

"Millianna, relax. It's just a skull." Arana insisted. She then got a good look at it. "…right?"

"Well this certainly lifts spirits." Lyon sarcastically said.

"Indeed." Jura agreed.

"This leg of the competition is what we like to call an old fashion relay race." Mato informed. "This will be a two-part competition. One of your partners will carry a baton, and then you will race across this desolate valley, but rest assured, the only real dangers is just straying from course. We've made sure that there wouldn't be major obstructions such as valley serpents or venomous insects you may or not step on. Once your partner reaches the halfway point, you pass your baton over to the next partner, and they continue the race." Mato pointed upwards. "Also, I wouldn't advise crossing the finish line without that baton. You won't get credit if you forget or misplace it."

Lyon crossed his arms, smirking. "Well now, guess this will be like the prelims then." His attention shot towards Sting. The recipient only frowned in seriousness at his adversary. It left Lyon a little confused, but he did not bother questioning.

"Ahem." Coming from the side, Eve adjusted his tie. "So I guess it's come to this then. May the better man win."

Lyon looked towards him and smirked. "Ah, yes, that so it may be." Unlike Sting, who was bent on winning, Lyon took Eve's hand and shook it with dignity.

Millianna scooted up beside Erza, showing a chastire smile. "Meow~! Erzy!" she went and hugged Erza, surprising the recipient.

"Millianna." She smiled. "I'm glad that you're doing well."

Millianna pulled away and looked all too happy for her friend. "Oh yeah, we're feeling pumped today! We have a good feeling about this one! We'll catch up so fast that not even Sabertooth or that other guild will see it coming!"

Erza nodded. "Then I hope for the best."

"Say, how do you want to go about this?" Gray asked his partner. "Do you want to give us a start, or should I?"

Erza looked towards him, her face showing seriousness again. "If it's all the same, I'd like to start us off this time. Would that work?"

Gray shrugged. "Sure. I don't care."

"Is that so?" Lyon called. "Then perhaps this should be all too easy for me then."

Hearing his fellow student, Gray shot Lyon a look. "Well look who's deciding to show now. Recovered after that first day, perhaps?"

Lyon kept his smirk. "I see your sense of humor is as cold as your heart, Gray. It just so happens that I have no intention of losing this waged war. Neither to you or to your friend. Make no mistake, I'm now fully equipped to handle this competition."

"Yeah, we'll see about that." Gray challenged.

"Alright then, if the two groups have been decided, we shall transport you to the midpoint, so those in the second leg, up front!" Mato announced.

"Guess it's my cue. See ya later, Erza." With that, Gray walked off towards Mato.

The group that accompanied him was comprised of Lyon, Eve, Sting, Flare, Yeager, Gates, and lastly Arana. The eight competitors lined up in front of Mato, who snapped his fingers and teleported them out of sight.

Meanwhile, batons materialized in the other competitors in the running, which were Erza, Millianna, Ichiya, Minerva, Jura, Kurohebi, Shinigami, and Semmes. The eight were all lined up before a starting line, where they were all in grasp attention as holographic lights appeared over their heads, like the stop and go.

"Alright, everyone, I expect a clean race." Mato said. "We'll be allowing magic, and we are not responsible for any lethal deaths or injuries in the matter, understand? Now, let's get this race started!" he rushed out of the way to give the competitors room. Once he was out, the first signal showed, then the next.

Erza took a runner's pose, as did a few others. They all had serious looks or smirks on their faces as they had their eyes set forward on the dark, desolate valley before them. Their heartbeats intensified, but they didn't waver.

'I'll have to give it my all, no matter what.' Erza thought.

The light turned green. "…go!" Mato shouted.

"Right!" With no time to spare, Erza glowed, requipping into her own Flight Armor. She sprinted ahead with great speed, such a speed that surprised even the likes of Mato that his hat almost flew off.

"And look at that!" Lola commented. "It looks like Titania Erza is taking the lead by storm with a burst of speed!"

"That indeed. That's her Flight Armor, which is unique to increasing her speed." Yajima commented.

The crowd cheered in glee over the competition getting in a frenzy. Natsu was especially enthusiastic over the competition that he was over the balcony with a smile. All of Fairy Tail uproariously cheered for their S-Class mage taking their chances of victory to a new level.

Minerva smirked. "Well played, but…" her hands glowed a greenish energy, which manifested into orbs.

Erza raced ahead of the others, hurrying to where she could lose them. 'I'll have to distance myself as much as possible. I can't give ahead to leniency. Jura's a tough opponent, I'm sure he'll slow me down by altering the terrain, and then of course there's Ichiya, his parfume at close range could hinder me. No, no chances. I'll have to-!' She was cut off as she found her step altering. Before she even knew what happened, she suddenly found herself near the start again. Her position was off, much to her shock. "What?!"

"Oh mama! What just happened out there?!" Lola gasped. "Erza suddenly fell short of the lead in a flash!"

"What?!" Natsu exasperated.

"How did that happen?" Makarov wondered.

Lisanna looked up at the projection screen. She saw the culprit up ahead, hence the reason. "Look there!"

Everyone's attention went towards the front, where they saw that instead of Erza having the lead, someone else was might swift about it. With fast thinking, Minerva was running with a smirk on her face, arms out with baton in hand. Suffice to say Sabertooth fans were going wild.

"And there's your culprit! Minerva's swapped Erza's place with her own, and now she's using the distance to her advantage!" Lola shouted.

"That's the unique property of her Territory." Yajima explained. "A very powerful Spatial Magic."

"So then does this mean she can switch places by using space?" Romeo questioned.

"No way, that's totally unfair!" Happy protested.

Carla sighed. "Guess we'll have to be careful this time around. Seems we'll be having to hold back until we reach the midpoint then."

The race continued, and passing over rocks and boundaries comprised of cracks, Minerva kept her lead. She kept her smirk as she went on ahead. 'You may be on my target list, Erza, but alas, we of Sabertooth are having much more promising competition to deal with. You'll have your chance yet.'

In the back, taking his sweet time, Shinigami kept a calm grin.

Trying to pick up her pace, Erza sprinted for the front again, with Jura and Millianna not far behind. The Wizard Saint, to even the competitors' shock, was remarkably fast. Though as sturdy as a rock, he wasn't above being light as a feather when it came down to it.

"Alright, go Jura!" Chelia cheered.

Obaba snickered as she saw Jura catch up. "I was worried that Lyon may have picked the wrong candidate, but it looks like we have this game."

"Wild!" Semmes sped from behind. He was catching up with his Spin Magic, which, again, forced Millianna to get out of the way.

"Meow~!" she dodged to the side, leaving Seemed to kick dust in her face. She coughed apprehensively, her pace slowing down. "This *cough* sucks!"

However, she wasn't too far behind. In the back, Ichiya was moving as fast as his legs could carry him. He was hightailing it, and yet behind him was Shinigami, who was walking rather swiftly to give the appeal of jogging.

Kurohebi was moving like a ninja. He was making great progress with his speed, staying ahead of Semmes even. His thin body was light, making him move to where he was hardly having trouble. As he continued to press on, Semmes was on his tail, which he noticed.

"Heh. Well try and spin in this, tubby." As Kurohebi raced harder, his feet left sand behind. A trail of sand was being made that followed him, and Semmes instantly regretted it. He rotated into the sand and found himself slowing falling over with a loud thud. He face planted hard, leaving an impression of himself in the grains.

Millianna ran right pass him, giving a short "Serves you right!" to his face.

Erza hurried to catch up with Minerva. She saw a ramp made out of fallen rock with decrepit plants on it and hurried up towards it. She made haste and shot off it like a rocket. The way she looked was nothing less of finesse and dignity. She landed, immediately sprinting and hurrying with her speed for Minerva.

Having a feeling, Minerva looked over her shoulder, seeing Erza close in. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." She reached her one arm to the side, where a green orb of her magic appeared.

Erza realized the mistake and instantly shifted towards the side, dodging the spot that she was originally at erupting. A trail of explosions followed her as she sprinted sideways, causing alarms to the Requip Mage. She sprinted left and right, lunging in all directions to avoid the explosions.

"Crap! Erza's slowing down!" Jet exclaimed.

"Erza's going to have to find a way to get past her without having to deal with her magic." Lucy figured.

"Well she better think fast, because look who's catching up behind her." Levy referred to the monitor, revealing Jura, and he was doing something rather remarkable, and that was what got even the audience and even competitors' attention alike.

All eyes went towards Jura, who had hands clasped together and riding an arch of rock that reached far ahead. It went on for so long, and continued to do so at such remarkable speeds.

The audience cheered loudly as Jura showed his Wizard Saint stature. "And just like that, Wizard Saint Jura proves why he's the best!" Lola exclaimed. "He's using his magic like it's nothing!"

"That's some good improvising right there." Yajima noted.

Jura rode the arch of rock right over everyone's heads' they all looked up in shock as they found and archway of thick slab. He left the whole competition in deep shadows as he began to arch over Minerva's head. 'I was fortunate to have learned this trick from seeing young Craig in action. His improvising sure saved me the trouble.'

Her attention turning towards Jura, Minerva glared up and reached for the space in front. "Not so fast!" Using her magic, she made the space in front of Jura explode, quite massively at that. As he rode into the predicament, he had no choice but to jump. He flipped over the explosion, allowing the path he made to stop. However mince he got overhead, he clasped his hands again, summoning a collage of rocks that he made use of into a smoothed slide. He slid down it with arms still beneath sleeves.

Minerva was about to break the slide until she saw a red blur pass. Her attention went towards Erza as she realized her fault. "You're not going to forget about me, Titania!" Minerva reached out, implementing her magic to where she swapped places again with Erza. She found herself running beside Jura, leaving the redhead to catch up.

"Damnit." She cursed before speeding off.

"My honey, wait for me!" Doing his best, Ichiya leaned forward and sweated profusely. He ran slightly faster, but not enough to get him too far.

"Folks, it looks like it's a neck and neck battle for Jura, Erza, and the leading feline of Sabertooth, Minerva!" Lola exclaimed. "While not far behind, Kurohebi of Raven Tail is making excellent timing. This means Millianna, Semmes, and Ichiya are all still falling in the bottom half. And as for Shinigami, uh…" he fell short of words to say as the monitor showed the Fallen Prometheus cloak. They all looked so confused as it showed him fast walking, rather than what looked like running.

Lola blinked. "It looks like Shinigami wasn't built for speed it seems."

"Huh?" Gajeel deadpanned.

"What the-?! What are they up to?! Are they here to try and shirk now that they're ahead?" Natsu questioned.

"Beats me." Laxus said.

---

Still in the bar, Cana was sipping from her bottle, yelling at the screen to no end for Erza to kick some butt or something. As opposed to her rowdy self, Craig was leering at Shinigami, his threats from last night resurfacing. His brow only furrowed.

---

After another short stretch through dead trees, there were many zigzags that had to be taken, otherwise they'd topple over like Semmes did about a hundred times. Apparently his strength didn't couple with his rotation speed.

After the clearing, the second half was seen. The pass-off point was within sight, and waiting patiently was a shirtless Gray, standing alongside the other competitors. They were starting to get signs of their first-half allies rushing for them.

"And here comes the pass-off point, folks!" Lola shouted. "It's looking like we'll be having our competitors pass of all responsibilities and batons to the next leg of the race!"

Jura was riding a stone slab of rock across the terrain, with Minerva sprinting and Erza constantly trying to get ahead, but falling short thanks to Territory. However, once Gray was in sight, Erza saw the shot, and leaned forward to give it one more burst of speed. This time, she did it so fast that even Minerva barely saw it.

"Curses." She sniped. As Erza pulled ahead, she reached out to Jura's slab and caused a small rupture around its space. She managed to make Jura fall off the slab and onto the ground. Once planted, he, too, vanished in the blink of an eye, rushing at Lyon.

With what energy she needed, Minerva reached back, and green orbs enveloped her hands and baton. The space behind her began to erupt like fireworks, making a bright array of flashes that caused shockwaves to shoot her ahead, sailing with such a vivid tailwind.

It was a three-way sprint for the second-half, and at last, the order was in…

"Gray!" Erza reached her baton to Gray, who caught it behind.

"Got it!" Without wasting a heartbeat, Gray sprinted off, starting the next leg of the race.

Minerva passed her baton to Sting, in which she was very close to his ear. "Don't forget." She growled.

With a serious face, Sting readied to pounce. "I know, Milady." His fists enveloped in light, and he burst them at the ground to force propulsion. "I won't fail you!"

Catching up, Jura stopped in front of Lyon, reaching into his sleeve to hand the baton. "Can I trust you to keep going in my stead?" he asked.

Lyon accepted the baton, immediately turning ahead. "I'll do what I must to earn us this victory." With that, he also went off, leaving Jura to catch his breath.

"And there you have it, the competitors are off for the second leg of the race!" Lola announced. "It's looking like Sabertooth and Lamia Scale are rivaling with Fairy Tail now. The three underdogs are pulling ahead, just as everyone else is coming in from behind!"

The next to enter the next leg was Flare, as her fingers gingerly accepted Kurohebi's baton. With a small turn, she shuffled her feet and hurried next. In the order, Millianna passed over to Arana, and Semmes made it to Yeager. To finish the last bunch closing in was a sweaty Ichiya, who was wheezing and ready to vomit as he ran in slow motion, much to Eve's chagrin.

"Poor boss." He murmured.

Finally coming to a stop, Ichiya panted and sweated bullets down to his knees. He huffed and breathed to no end with wheezing gasps. When he managed enough strength, he shakily presented Eve with the baton.

"My brethren." He coughed. "Go on…without me…" with no strength, he simply fell face first.

Eve's eyes widened. "Boss?! Boss!" He got to his knees and turned Ichiya over. "Hey, stay with me! Boss!"

"M-meeenn~…" he murmured in unconsciousness.

Realizing he was Blue Pegasus' only hope, Eve stood up tall and pooled tears down his cheeks. "I swear on my life! I will make you proud!" Though it pain him to swallow, he did and took off with as much speed as he could get into the sprint. "FOR MY SENSEI!" he cried out.

Watching from the bar still, Craig raised a brow and grinned. "Well, the guy's got dedication there." He mused.

"You empathize with him?" Cana questioned.

"Shut up."

Finally catching up and stopping, Shinigami didn't even look remotely out of breath. He grinned as he passed the baton over beneath his dark sleeve. Gates didn't look at all fazed.

"Shall we continue as planned?" the cylindrical top asked underneath the shroud.

"…for now. Besides, you would enjoy the sights a little if you kept a nice, easy pace." Shinigami said.

"I suppose." With that, Gates took off in a steady pace, swiftly walking rather than outright running like the remainder of the competition.

Gray was doing his absolute best. He ran ahead, considering he was ahead of most of the competition. Sting wasn't too far behind, and his constant burst of light wasn't making it better. The brighter it got, the closer he drew in.

"Gotta change this up, fast!" Gray's fist were enveloped in his magic, and he stepped a foot onto the ground. The ground beneath him instantly started to freeze over, much like the tactic Lyon used in the prelims.

"Copycat." Lyon teased.

"Would you get a good look at that, folks?! Gray has frozen over the entire terrain using his magic!" Lola announced. "It looks like there's even more lessons learned from the preliminary rounds! Now look!"

"Bet Lyon's not too pleased." Yajima noted.

"That indeed, Mr. Yajima."

Happy clutched his fists. "Now that's how you slow down the competition!"

Pantherlily nodded in agreement. "That was excellent. We'll see how this works later on."

Lucy smiled. "Let's just hope Gray keep a good lead, right Juvia?" She didn't get an answer. "Juvia?" She looked over in inquiry, seeing why Juvia didn't respond. When she looked at her, she saw that Juvia was completely out of it. "Juvia…?" She waved her arm in front of her face, but even then, she looked like she had seen ghost. "Uhh…"

In Juvia's mind, her mind was flashing back to Erza passing the baton Gray. The way she gave it to him was almost too passionate, and in her horrors, she could even see the two around a vast frame with flower petals.

"I won't let you down, not in a million years." He told his beloved.

"Keep your word, as I shall mine, forever." Erza softly grinned. "If I let go, don't forget about me."

"I won't, not ever." He took off for the race. "I'll be waiting at the finish line for you, and you alone~!"

Juvia shrieked in a panic over the scene that played in her mind. Her mind was long gone, and the alarm went off for the guild as they looked towards a panicking Juvia. "Darling, don't do this to me!" she cried.

"Uh, what's wrong with Juvia?" Lisanna worried.

"Knowing Juvia, I'm sure I wouldn't like to know." Lucy sighed.

Gray pulled ahead by sliding on his heels. With every shift, he drew towards the lead. He didn't bother looking back as the opponents were tripping, some slipping. A smirk crossed his face. 'Alright, guess I should thank Lyon. He made this look so easy…'

He fell short of his earning when the ground beneath him cracked. "What the-?!" Suddenly, vines and thorns shot straight up, sending him soaring backwards. He shouted aloud as Yeager wasn't far behind, and he looked overhead to shoot daggers at the arching Gray.

"Like I'd fall twice to that trick." He retorted.

Gray slammed on his back on the hard ice, the shock so great that he felt stunned. "Ompf!" he grimaced as he tried to get up, but unfortunately, something else knocked him for a loop, and that was something moving remarkably fast and pushing Gray to the side. "Ow!" he yelped. "Okay, what now?!"

"FOR BOSS ICHIYA~!" Eve was running as fast as he could across the ice, only snow was paving his trail as he pressed on. Sometimes repeat help you better prepare yourself.

Arana was shooting webs and threads ahead, causing herself to stick rather than slip. And Lyon, on the other hand, was still so far ahead that the ice didn't reach him, nor Sting. When Gray realized it even, Gates was closing in, albeit slowly, and Flare was lifting herself off the ground by using her hair to spider crawl. She actually crawled over Gray, leaving him to cover up as broken ice from the heavy locks was shifting beneath. He fumbled about as Flare caught along.

Barely getting up on the broken ice, Gray looked ahead at the competition getting ahead of him. "Great, guess they're not as dumb as I thought."

Natsu raised his fist at the scene. "Hey man, the hell you call that?!"

"Well , looks like that backfired on us." Laxus remarked casually.

"If he blows this whole thing, I'm knocking his teeth in!" Gajeel snorted.

"And from 1st place in the race all the way to 7th; things aren't looking too good for Fairy Tail this competition." Lola said. "And of course in the back, Gates is taking it nice and easy after Flare's ferocious hair went and done the land in. And now let's see what's up front for everyone, shall we?"

Back at the front of the pack, Sting and Lyon were almost neck and neck. They were propelling themselves using either bursts of light or ice, leaving dust of stalagmites of ice. The extra obstacles left everyone to find ways around, slowing them down some. Even in dirt again, they had to stay weary.

"I see you've improved since the prelims, Sting." Lyon sneered. "But so have I! Ice-Make: Eagle!" He reached out ahead, manifesting a rather large ice bird. Lyon took a big leap and sailed on its back. The extra glide along the ground gave him levity as he pressed on ahead.

Sting only served to make more light bursts in rapid successions, gritting his teeth as he sped on.

"Alright, Sting! You show'em!" Lector cheered.

"Fro thinks so, too!" Frosch cheered.

"It looks like Sting's getting really anxious to win all this." Rogue evaluated.

"I would be too if I were to be picking up from last race." Rufus tipped his hat. "If memory serves, they were both severely owned by Craig Crius and his…craftsmanship. But since he's out for today, it appears we have a chance to get 1st place yet."

While the competition was getting worked up, following in the midway of the pack was Arana. As she ran, she noticed how it was getting really cold. It only her run faster, but she was only blank in the face with Eve catching up from out of nowhere. He was moving in dedication to Ichiya, which was admirable…but excessive.

"Well…aren't you…the trooper." Arana huffed as she carried her baton.

"I'm doing this…for the boss…" Eve was trying really hard not to fall over. He began to slow down some as he paced with Arana.

Arana only served to smirk. "How cute."

Eve blushed, but took it in stride. "Oh c'mon beautiful, it's not polite to get into a flirt during a race."

"Coming from someone who's been looking at this chica since day one." She playfully scoffed.

"All's fair in love and war!" Eve hurried along, hurrying to 1st. Although the real intentions were to get as far away as possible to hide his embarrassment.

As Eve soldiered along, Arana got a good look at Eve, licking her lips as she followed the competition.

The competition was heading up to a cliff, where Lyon's bird flew over. The eagle soared and cawed as the aerodynamic properties controlled by his magic were making it far too easy to reach over the twenty feet that the space covered.

Sting came to a stop on the cliff's edge. He looked down, staring intensely as the grip on his baton hardened. Small rocks fell into the gorge, which was a river and flat white land along the bottom. He looked back up, seeing Lyon land on the other side just as the eagle faded.

"Nothing personal." He said, carrying on.

"And Lyon takes the lead, leaving Sting to lose his momentum and fall behind with the rest!" Lola announced.

"YES, HAHA! WAIT A GO, LYON! YEAH!" Obaba shrieked in joy as she spun ridiculously fast. "FIRST PLACE HERE WE COME!"

"Well she's worked up." Yuka sweat dropped.

"Yeah, perhaps a little too much if you ask me." Sherry said.

Lyon hurried along with his baton, while on the other end of the small gorge, Sting had to wait and think while the rest of the competition caught up with him. They all gathered, even Gates, who still managed to keep up, though just barely.

"Looks like we're all at a dead end here." Eve said.

Yeager punched his fists together. "Not for long! HRAH!" He reached his fists out as they were close. At the base of their side of the gorge, thorns and vines began to erupt, shooting ahead to create a bridge. The thorns stabbed the rock on the far end, making the bridge complete.

Goldmine smirked while his guild hollered out in cheering. "Now that's using your head right there." He said.

Gray put his hands together, making ice once more. "Alright, fine! Let's collaborate a little!" He reached out and put his hands on the vines. In an instant, they all froze over, creating a slightly curved-in bridge that went on till the end.

"Would you look at that! They're all collaborating at this point, ladies and gentlemen!" Lola shouted.

"A common goal can do that to enemies." Yajima noted.

"Now hurry, everyone to the other side!" Eve warned.

Everyone rushed on over the bridge, keeping their batons in check. They all agreed, and thus they hurried along with the other end. The ones to reach the end first was Sting, and the moment he set foot, he ignited his fists in light and made bursts, shooting himself ahead.

"Showoff." Gray sneered as he picked up his speed.

Not far behind, Arana, Eve, Yeager, and Flare were hurrying. That left Gates to lazily make way as he shuffled along the ground. The fact that this was happening was what intrigued Ivan, though it hardly showed as he only kept his eyes on the odd Magic Power sensed.

'Those fairies are wretched indeed, but I'm curious about these folk that have much potential. What secrets are they hiding? What kind of power are they holding beneath those hoods. Flare, keep a close eye on your target, understand that much.'

As if she knew, Flare's pacing slowed down. She began to lose lead to Yeager as she was more or less closer to the far away Gates. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes staring at him, but not the same way around.

Up ahead, Lyon was getting a view of something in the open. As he passed a few trees opened to his sides, he spotted a large banner over a white line, labeled FINISH. He knew that if he made it pass the rock formations just before that, he was in the clear.

"You're not getting away!" Behind him, Sting was catching up, and quite aggressively at that.

"Huh?" Realizing Sting was on his tail, Lyon was looking to get desperate. "Great, guess I'll have to use this again." He continued running ahead, rushing with all his might as his palms faced downwards.

"Ice-Make: Geyser!"

With what Magic Power mustered, Lyon propelled himself by shooting his geyser forward in a diagonal train. It arched at high speeds, all the way towards the finish line.

Sting's eyes widened. 'Crap!'

'Thanks to Jura for showing me this trick before he passed the baton over. Now!' Jumping off the geyser of ice, Lyon dove and landed on a knee behind the finish line. He kept the pose while confetti rained down on him, the audience cheering in upmost surprise.

"And Lyon Vastia is the winner!" Lola exclaimed. "Team Lamia Scale earns itself 10 points for today's competition!"

Obaba was spinning so fast that she was almost toppling about. She was squealing all about while spinning Toby in her satisfaction.

"Man, that sucks. I thought Gray was good enough to get there." Natsu huffed.

"Yeah, guess there's always someone who pulls a fast one." Gajeel retorted. "He better not get last place."

"The jury is still out on that one." Laxus said.

Back on the race course, everyone was falling into a pack. Gray was moving as fast as possible, and Eve was no different. The cool guys were racing neck and neck with desperation, while Flare was still slacking behind. Yeager was bursting not far away, and Gates was still shuffling.

"I need to pick it up. Now!" Sting burst for the rocks that formed in front of the finish line like two pillars.

"Not so fast, moi compadres!"

The audience wondered where the sound was coming from, but something clicked. "Hang on…where'd Arana go?!" Lola's exasperation turned towards the screen, seeing threads and webs that suddenly shot towards the dead trees. The origin belonged to the one that was in question, who was smirking. "Woah mama! What is Arana trying now?!"

"Huh?" Eve looked back, seeing the Thread Mage pulling herself in the opposite direction of the competition.

Arana kept pulling back, harder and harder, until finally she found a good momentum. With kinetic energy on the rise, she narrowed her eyes. She focused hard, ready to fire.

"Hang on, is she…" Beth trailed off.

"She wouldn't! That's a long shot!" Risley exclaimed. "Is she really going to try and fling over the whole competition?!"

Kagura kept her focus solemnly on her teammate. The way she was coordinating was innovative, but something even Arana herself wouldn't think of. She knew where this was all coming from. 'Craig Crius, you're a very interesting motivation.'

With one swing of her legs, Arana's elastic webs puled her forward. She went flying through the air, soaring so fast the webbing undid itself. There she went, the flying spider woman. She showed great form as she flew over Gray, Yeager, and a gawking Eve. She even went over Sting's head, much to his disbelief. The audience, once again, was blown away with everyone flying now today. It was breathtaking, and slightly annoying.

Arana lost momentum as she descended, but as she did, she flipped and faced the two rock pillars. "HRAH!" A magic seal appeared before here, and from it fired several streaky threads. The threads all got several corners of the pillars, and they worked their way up from the bases to the center.

"HUH?!" Before Sting realized it, he went face first into the center of a massive spider web. The thread bounced from the force and vibrated constantly, while Arana tucked her head in and rolled along the ground. Of course she still hit pretty hard and grunted harshly as she tumbled through the dirt.

She laid in the dirt, groaning, but on the upside, she was over the finish line.

"Ouch! That's gotta hurt…but I'm sure she'll be fine knowing she earned her team 8 points!" Lola exclaimed. Once again, the audience cheered and clapped for Arana improvising.

The rest of the competition was literally stuck. Before they had the chance, they didn't realize it until the web was within sight. All went wide-eyed as Gray, Eve, even Yeager were encased with it. Even Flare closed in too much and used her locks, but they were stuck nonetheless.

In the depth of the struggle, Gates was the only one who didn't seem fazed. He was the only one who actually wasn't stuck in the web given that he was much slower. He looked up, seeing the whole competition completely stuck. It was bizarre, but he didn't bother to stop and question it all.

"What a strange coincidence this may be." He causally started to stroll around the pillars. "If this is a joke, it's of poor taste."

To everyone's complete shock, Imaci was making slow progress around the whole pillars. They watched in complete disbelief as the man was making way, but while the crowd was sitting on the edge of their seats, Sting was completely in deep disarray. He watched in horror as the Fallen Prometheus member crossed the line and earned his team 6 points.

Once more, the audience was ballistic over the one member wo wasn't trying earn himself the lead. "I'm at a complete loss here, folks! It looks like due to everyone completely stuck, Gates has earned a true medal for 'slow and steady'. It looks like the mayhem these guys bring is only just beginning, folks. 3rd place goes to Fallen Prometheus!"

"Well, how fortunate." Navice mused.

"Indeed." Monarch deadpanned.

Though not interested, Scythe smirked. "Heh, guess this is what happens when you don't look ahead."

As Gates continued walking pass the finish line, Sting was stuck on the web, along with the others. His teeth began to grit, and his frustration served to only make his fingers curl over the webs. "Gnnnngh!" His whole body began to ignite in a slowly expanding light, one that was beginning to envelope the atmosphere around him.

"What the?! Watch it!" Gray warned.

"Oh snap!" Eve exasperated.

"Go Sting!" Lector shouted.

"GAAAH!" Finally snapping, Sting's Magic Power flared in a white blitz. He propelled himself as a white flare that broke all the thread around him. The bright light was like that of a sun, of a beacon with many suspended and slowly falling behind.

Rufus smirked. "Oh my, looks like Sting's a little upset. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I'd be, too, if I were shown up by that turtle." Orga huffed.

Natsu leaned over the balcony, eyes wide. "Gray, land first, dummy!"

"Come on, Eve! Make it!" Ren shouted.

Sting fell first above the rest, making his landing clear as day for everyone to bear witness to. Meanwhile, all the contestants were fumbling of the shattered web into dirty ground. They thudded gradually, one that made dust flare.

"Who went next?!" Happy panicked.

In the next instant, the dust settled, allowing Lola to view the results. "It…It's a huge mess, folks! But it looks like Sting gets 4 points! Eve of Blue Pegasus gets 3, and Gray of Fairy Tail gets 2! Yeager gets the 1 point needed to get ahead, and unfortunately, it looks like Raven Tail's falling behind with 0 points for this leg of the race!"

The audience cheered with the results; some were mixed, and some were vaguely disappointed, but more or less, those chances were completely random due to the incident.

The field suddenly flashed, and in an instant, all the competitors returned to the arena in a flash. They were still in the same positions, even when Gray was on the ground with the others. Sting slowly arose to a knee, giving a deep frown as his eyes kept shut. While he didn't seem at all pleased, what mattered was that the chances of getting to Fallen Prometheus only slimmed.

He glared at Gates, who was hardly paying attention to his surroundings. In fact, him and Shinigami were standing right beside one another, already turning away. Minerva approached him from behind, a hand to her hip.

"Sting…"

"Don't say it. I know." His fists slowly balled, his composure beginning to stiffen. He looked dead at Fallen Prometheus, the guild and all with his blue eyes. "It's just as you said, we still have time. We'll get them, even if it's step by step. I won't slip up this time."

Jura approached Lyon, giving him a modest grin. "I must say, Lyon, great work."

Lyon smiled in modesty of his own. "It's all really thanks to your genius, Jura."

Jura gave out a hardy laughter. "Who? Me? Well isn't this ironic. I actually got my experience from that one lad with the sharp teeth."

Lyon raised a brow. "Craig?" When he thought about it, Craig did in fact flew everyone's head. Even his own. The irony only made him snicker. "Well, you are right. This is in fact ironic."

As the two shared a good conversation, Eve was groaning as he tried to get up. Ichiya was no different some feet away. As he was lying down, facing the sun, a shadow appeared over his head. With the bright sunlight, he squinted, and even then it was hard to make out the figure.

The figure closed in, revealing herself to be Arana. She smiled down at Eve, giving him a flirty wink. "Nice try, lover boy. I had fun, let's do this again sometime."

Even though he didn't get too far as he wanted, Eve gave a tired grin. "I'd be obliged to do just that." He groaned.

"Aw man…" Gray slowly got up, grimacing from that painful fall. "What just happened?"

An armored boot stopped just in front of him. When he realized it, he looked up to see Erza with an arm down to get him up. "You did well, Gray." She commented. Even if it wasn't much, it was still a good shot at which direction they wanted to get to.

Though he was disheartened with how he fell lower compared to Eve, he took what he got and hoped for the best. He reached up and accepted Erza's hand. As well as gave Juvia a dazed reaction. As the rain woman passed out, Gray looked back at Lyon, a deep frown plastered on his rival.

"But this game isn't over yet. One way or another, he's gonna learn that." He declared.

Lola cleared his throat, moving the games right along. "Now that the contest is settle, let's see where everyone has been placed."

Fallen Prometheus – 37

Mermaid Heel – 27

Sabertooth - 25

Blue Pegasus – 23

Fairy Tail – 21

Raven Tail – 19

Lamia Scale – 19

Quatro Cerberus – 11

"Well, it looks like Lamia Scale's finally caught up with that performance." Lola commentated. "And it looks like they've managed to get the luck needed to tie with Raven Tail for 6th place, while it appears Quatro Cerberus has lost valuable placement, bringing them to last place. But, in a shocking move, Mermaid Heel's 8 points got them to 2nd place in one massive move, bringing them 10 points below Fallen Prometheus, and barely between them and Sabertooth at 25! It looks like Blue Pegasus is still ahead of Fairy Tail, but let's see just how long this will last."

In the bar, Cana slammed the mug against the top for the umpteenth time. "What the hell was that all about?! You call that dumb luck!" she berated the screen. "All that stuff everyone did came from Cranky right here! Isn't that plagiarism?!"

Craig, however, said nothing. He looked up at the screen, staring at everything. His glare was focused, but at the same time, all those moves he saw, he took deeply into his noggin.

He suddenly got up from his seat, leaving Cana by herself. "Wait, where are you doing?" she questioned.

Craig casually strolled along without much to care. "Gonna go sit out somewhere. Gotta think a few things over." He waved to her with the back of his hand. "Let me know what goes on."

As he left, Cana stared at his back. She didn't feel hesitant about getting by his priorities or what he intends, but her attention drew back towards the screen as the contestants cleared.

A few passive minutes went by for the heat to die down. As the crowd began to settle in with the contest results, the tension in the air only built between the rivaling guilds. Sabertooth especially was on pins and needles as they were glaring daggers at their team, while Minerva and Sting were ignoring the commentary and glared at Fallen Prometheus, while said guild being talked about was casually standing by, waiting for whatever results that were to come. They looked so calm; like they knew they were going to win – at least to Sabertooth. They couldn't stand it, and not far behind was Fairy Tail. Lamia Scale's Lyon was also looking at Sting as to how their rivalry this time felt…shifted. Whatever tension was building, it was clear that their focus was no longer bent on the guilds overall.

This was the pinnacle of tension, and with every leer that was given, there was not one person who showed their usual emotion. The anxiousness was drawn forth as Lola was heard clearing his throat.

"And now, after that little enterprise, what do you say we move right along with the battles!" he announced. "Our first battle of the Day 3 competition is…oh dear! This is going to be some hefty firepower right out of the gates, ladies and gentlemen! It looks like we're going to be having some serious head-to-head battling between two powerful mages, these two coming from both Lamia Scale and Fairy Tail!"

"So it's one of us then." Erza figured.

"Wonder whose gonna go up next." Gajeel questioned.

Natsu crossed his arms. "Better be me. I'm strong!"

Erza smiled. "We know, Natsu."

"And the matchup for this one is Laxus Dreyar of Fairy Tail versus Jura Neekis of Lamia Scale!" he announced.

"Wait, did I hear that right?" Bickslow questioned.

"Please tell me he didn't say what I thought he said." Evergreen grimaced.

"So then Laxus is going up against a powerful opponent indeed." Freed put a hand to his chin. "For Laxus to be going up against one of the Ten Wizard Saints, it could be best described as a blessing in disguise."

"Blessing is one word. We'll be blessed if we see him get out of this with just a concussion and broken bones." Bickslow stated.

Evergreen's expression contorted. "Oh don't be silly, Laxus wouldn't think of going against someone like Jura without thinking this through." She watched as Laxus made way out towards the field. "I hope…"

"Good luck, Jura!" Chelia waved.

"Try to put on a good show for us, would you?" Yuka called.

"Well, Mr. Yajima, what do you expect out of this fight?" Lola inquired.

"Hmmm…" Yajima groaned. "How to put this? Jura surely is someone who you shouldn't let your guard down with. He's very coordinated, not to mention ranked 5th among the Ten Wizard Saints. This makes his power a very formidable essence for Laxus to be weary of."

Staring at his upcoming opponent, the smile on Laxus' face was stone cold. "The monster's coming. Guess this should be entertaining."

Jura glared at Laxus, smiling with upmost anxiousness.

"Jura! You get out there and hang that sucker dry!" Obaba shouted.

"As you say." He exited the balcony, making way for the arena down below.

Both Laxus and Jura met down at the arena, the two met with their own expressions. All the cheering and the anxiety that was in the air was droning on, while Laxus on the other hand was having his own heart race before the Wizard Saint. Even from the proximity, the Magic Power was another story. Nevertheless, he did what he could to be brave and put on a show.

"I am very much intrigued by your guild." Jura admitted.

Laxus paid no heed to the comment. "Is that right?"

"Indeed. I've been sensing a very formidable energy that has been keeping even me on my toes. That one member with the mental distress it seems, I believe there is something compelling that I want to confirm. What does he have against a Wizard Saint?"

Laxus snickered as static flared around his body. "Hate to break it to ya, but your fight's with me."

"You're absolutely right." Jura lowered his head. "I shall test his strength at another time."

Hearing the conversation, Gildarts looked at Jura with a knowing smirk. He couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. 'Guess that guys' quite the ambitious one if he wants to take on Craig. He must feel pretty anxious from seeing it. But…' The middle-aged man thought back to Craig and his confrontation. Even then, he knew the full extent f Craig's power, and in such a case, it made him clutch his arms. 'The kid, he's still went a long way. I doubt anyone can stand in his way.'

Makarov thought back to Craig and his performance yesterday. He recalled the terror he was against Bacchus, and that was horrifying enough. He thought deeper to the ventures that Craig took, crossing strange places and parallels that he didn't know existed. The brief flashes of monsters Craig's dealt with and had to surpass, while at the same time maniacally unleashing newfound strength at the cost of pain and dear ones. He event recounted the one war where Craig had to manslaughter days on end against so many armies, and got arrows, gashes. Even against those odds, from 4 years to now, what made Jura think even him or any Wizard Saint could even come close to Craig when he has something to protect or go after. It only made the elderly master nervous.

"Laxus, we have complete faith in you!" Freed encouraged. "You can do this!"

"We got your back, so don't worry, alright?!" Bickslow yelled.

Mato came between the two, looking at their faces. "Alright, it looks like we're set! You both have 30 minutes to seal this deal. And with that…begin!" He backed off, allowing the gong to go off.

As the battle began, Laxus and Jura continued to look at one another with their own expressions. Static began to flare around the Lightning Dragon Slayer, crackling as he took off his huge coat. It went on the ground, his fist raised.

"My, you're looking rather anxious." Jura commented. "Are you perhaps challenged by the fact your grandfather is a Wizard Saint, as I am?"

"Save that grab-ass crap." Laxus rebuffed. "Look here, there is no 'grandfather' in this fight, and there is no 'Wizard Saint' titles that comes between me and you. As far as I'm concerned, we're just two men."

Jura's smirk intensified. "So be it."

There was a stiff tension between the two, the audience going silent as they waited for who was to make the next attack. A foot left a ground, and a lightning blur dashed in the blink of an eye. Laxus was the first to attack, reeling his fist back.

"And Laxus is attacking first! Will he get the big blow in first?!" Lola announced.

"Alright, go Laxus!" Natsu cheered. Erza stood beside him, watching carefully.

All eyes were on Laxus as he closed in. Jura stayed absolutely still as the S-Class Dragon Slayer bolted on in. In one chop, he struck Laxus' back, hurling him towards the earth beneath. The ground shuddered with the sound of thunder as he was engraved in the dirt. The whole audience was in awe and gaping as Laxus was brought down.

"Gauh…uh…" Makarov's gaping expression was completely rendering him speechless.

"D-did that just do that?" Lector pointed out.

"Yeah." Frosch nodded nervously.

Sting looked wide-eyed at the scene, showing his own distraught. As he did, Minerva scoffed.

"Tch, nothing special." Scythe huffed.

"Agreed." Shinigami said. "One blow, no big deal."

Jura stood over Laxus' fallen figure, arm still in the chop position. "I believe that Fallen Prometheus has quite the reputation for knocking out their foes in battle quite easily. Well, there's always someone out there who can do that to an extent."

The audience slowly began to come around, realizing what's happened. Slowly, their awe turned to cheers as they felt ecstatic.

Natsu was also at a loss for words. "You've gotta be kidding!"

"No way! Laxus?!" Gray snapped.

Erza's own shock was in her dilating eyes. "I knew Jura was this powerful…but I never thought it'd be this high of a level."

"So that's what baldy can do, man." Gajeel grimaced. "And here I thought we'd get something out of this other than a concussion."

"That's a lot to ask for, Gajeel. His Magic Power is nothing to joke about. Even the likes of Mirajane and I put together couldn't come close to him."

"What? He's that strong?!" Natsu exclaimed. "But what about old man Gildarts?! The bald guy can't hold a candle to him, right?"

"That's debatable."

Laxus laid on the ground, seemingly not moving. As he stewed in his own dirt, Jura overlooked him and retracted his hand. "My apologies for getting so rough, but holding back when there's a competition of competitors doesn't exactly follow as easy to follow."

"…yeah…"

Jura's eyes widened.

"I know what you mean." Slowly, Laxus began to stir and slouch up. "So I guess…" he clutched a fist, encasing it in crackling electricity. "I shouldn't be holding back either!" With one mighty roar of thunder, the downed man shot up again in a surprising uppercut. His attack completely caught Jura by surprise, knocking him off his feet and flying back. Once again, the audience gaped their mouths.

"What?!" Obaba shrieked, right beside her guild's exasperation.

The audience broke out in a small roar as Jura slid backwards to a halt. He wiped his chin and sneered, mentally cursing his own guard dropping.

"Aw yeah! That's it!" Evergreen shouted.

"YES!" Freed cheered.

"Hell yeah! I knew he had juice in him!" Bickslow roared.

Within all of their shock, Laxus was back on his feet. He put one foot in front of his other, making the ground crackle with the static enveloping him. His fists were clutched, and he glared at Jura with a serious expression. The way he eyes him proved he wasn't messing around.

"HAHA~! That's right! You better watch out now!" Natsu beamed.

"The guy had me worried there." Gray admitted.

"Uh huh, but it looks like the light bulb's glass isn't shattered yet. Not until the last fist drops at least." Gajeel said.

Jura looked back at Laxus, recovered from that blow. A smile formed on his face. "Very well then." He also threw off his coat, ready to show seriousness. "Then show me what you've got to prove, sir Laxus!"

Without words to rebuff the Earth Mage, Laxus grunted and enveloped his whole body in lightning. It crackled and discharged, rattling the ground beneath. Raising his arm, a spherical shining hemisphere of lightning appeared. It grew in size to where it was a giant globe.

With one swing of his arm, Laxus sent the hemisphere downwards.

"Raging Bolt!"

As the attack closed in on Jura, the Wizard Saint made many signs using two fingers. "Iron Rock Wall!" Summoned beneath were slabs of rock that crossed over and layered beside the other and in front. The barricade was matched by Laxus' attack, igniting everything in the area with a flashy yellow discharge mixed with broken rock.

As the audience screamed, Pantherlily was covering his ears at the crackling sound. "AH! Somebody get some earmuffs or something!" he panicked.

As the lightning faded, there wasn't a moment's hesitation as Jura uncovered from the rocks flying pass him. He looked up, seeing that Laxus used the flash and closed the distance. He went for a punch, but Jura narrowly dodged by stepping back. Landing on one foot, Laxus pivoted, sending a roundhouse kick with lightning in it from the side, again missing as Jura jumped to dodge.

In midair, he looked down with a smile at Laxus. "Not bad."

Not so flattered, Laxus craned up at the Wizard Saint. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!" This time, he unleashed a full-scale beam of compressed lightning. With Jura in midair, the attack swallowed up the Wizard Saint, pulsing higher and higher until the flash wave burst into many ions. With them was Jura as he descended head first, his body crackling in static.

As he fell, his eyes opened, albeit swiftly. He caught himself and landed on his two feet, planted and glaring at Laxus with only minor scrapes. You'll have to do a lot more than that!"

Laxus sneered in annoyance.

"This is truly what we call anticipation at its finest, ladies and gentlemen!" Lola exclaimed. "Laxus is actually keeping up with Jura in this epic battle, but for how long will either side hold out?!"

"There's a lot riding on this fight." Lucy noted.

"The points are one thing, but our health is another." Lisanna worried. "I'm worried about Laxus. If he gets too carried away, he'll end up down like before."

"Well he isn't as gung-ho as some people are." Warren reminded. Unknowingly, not far off, Natsu blinked.

"Something wrong?" Erza asked.

He looked around, looking suspiciously anywhere. "Huh, thought I heard someone say something."

"Well you hear a lot of things." Gray scolded. "Look, Jura's getting into it now."

Using his two fingers, Jura magnified the rock around him to make it all float. He aimed them at Laxus, who waited for them to come closer. Once they were close enough, Jura watched as Laxus' body transformed into a lightning entity. He zigzagged all around the rocks, dodging every single one with flashy zags and turns. Once he got pass the rock field, he got around Jura in a streak of lightning.

Once behind, his physical body showed as he pulled back a fist of lightning. "Now I got you!"

Jura glanced back. "Is that so?"

As Laxus closed in, the ground beneath him shot up as a flat-faced pillar. He was shot into the air above with a growing foothold, but the speed threw him off balance.

"What in the hell?!" He fell backwards off the pillar and flipped. Regaining his balance as he fell, Laxus created a massive swell of lightning compressed into what looked like a halberd.

"Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!"

He threw the halberd of intense lightning at Jura. The Wizard Saint kept his position as the fast-moving projectile closed in at remarkable speeds. All the while maintaining a smirk.

"Rock Mountain!"

Clasping his hands together, the ground beneath him suddenly shook up. The earth burst with what looked like a golem entity with a crown behind his back. The whole upper body of the monster hunched over and braced Jura behind its huge form. The halberd met the defensive play head on, creating a shockwave of rampaging earth and lightning to create cracks within the earth.

Laxus covered up from the force of his own attack, staying weary as cracks of lightning opened from beneath. Everyone else gaped and panicked as the entire stadium was ignited in discharging energy. All that was seen for a full minute was flashes and yellow.

Once it settled, Natsu and Gray gaped their mouths in unison. Clearly both were speechless.

"Oh man, are they crazy?!" Lucy gasped.

"No, just powerful." Makarov responded.

As the lightning and rock settled into the arena, Orga watched from his team's balcony. He smirked, black lightning crackling to no end around his body.

As the lightning settled. Dust was like a mist. Laxus held his position while Jura's silhouette was slowly revealing itself from within. He was seen smiling through the dissipation. "You are indeed a worthy foe."

Laxus looked back up as the dust settled. To his utter shock, Jura was seen without much harm. In fact, the attack looked like it hardly fazed him; if the golem meant anything.

"There aren't many who can lay waste to my strongest defense. Many were able to chip my Rock Mountain's defense, but crushing it all in one blow…" he stepped up, a rather hefty smirk rising on his face. "You have indeed captured my excitement, sir Laxus."

"It looks like Laxus' attack just aren't cutting it. Jura's offense may be something, but he is as solid as a rock!" Lola stated. "Breaking through all that defense surely left Laxus in the open."

"The boy needs to find a tactical margin in that defense." Yajima hinted.

"Come on, Laxus!" Happy boisterously cheered.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Wendy worried.

"Let's hope for all our sakes, he makes it out at least alive." Carla replied. "Jura's no slouch if he can defend against even that might."

"Well I won't sell him out, not even for all the jewel in the world." Evergreen said. "Get out there!"

"You can do this, Laxus!" Freed supported.

Laxus adjusted his footing, getting a shoe back. The look on his face did in fact show annoyance. "Well this bites. Guess finding an opening's going to be harder than I thought."

Jura stepped forward, having full dominance showing. "What's wrong? Are you perhaps trying to find ways to strategize around me? Perhaps this shall make you think a little on your feet!" he stretched an open palm out, causing the earth beneath Laxus to crack apart. In a blinding second, Laxus jumped above as adjacent rocks enveloped the he was from below.

With his opponent in the air, Jura crouched and reappeared in a flash in front of Laxus. With him startled, the Earth Mage raised a hand and karate chopped Laxus' shoulder, sending him smashing into the rock formation beneath.

Once landed, Jura stood still, awaiting for what attacks or offense that may as well come his way from the dust cloud. "Well, have you conceded yet…?"

His answer was clear – in the form of a lightning bolt. Out of nowhere, a thunderbolt crashed down from his site, encompassing him in a massive discharge of lightning. The attack pulsated and made his body inside stunned. His own shock was both literal and mental.

The dust around Laxus cleared, just as the bolt he unleashed vanished as well. The Lightning Dragon was hunched over, body crackling in electricity. He panted as he clutched his shoulder, showing signs of wear.

Obaba was completely out of it. She was watching the fight like she was seeing someone grow a tail. "H-how…"

"Is this for real?" Sherry worried. "Is Jura actually being matched by Laxus?"

"AROOF! WHAT IS WRONG HERE?! THIS IS CRAP!" Toby roared.

"It looks like Jura is giving it his all, right Lyon?" Chelia's inquiry and attention directed towards Lyon. She could see the perplexed look on his face, too.

"…no, I'm sure Jura will find a way, yet. He knows what's at stake here."

Chelia looked back, focusing on the battle.

Laxus looked up at Jura, who was recoiling from that lightning strike from before. "Hate to break this to ya, pal…but my guild's never been accepting of that word." He labored. Once his breath was caught, he stood back up. "Now, what do you we go again, only this time, I put you in the dirt."

Jura smirked at the challenge. "If you insist."

The smirk was shared by Laxus. The two were once again found rushing right for the other, this time, it appeared to be without magic. Each pulled back a fist, whereas they simultaneously pulled forward and traded blows. Each fists collided with a cheek, knocking the other away.

In the slowest motion, everyone could see that even in the pain, both contenders were still glaring daggers at one another. The looks they had scared them to where some spines shivered.

They both caught themselves, again facing the other and trading physical blows. Palm strikes. Punches. Kicks. Attacks that even Jura didn't see coming, and yet kept fighting on. This was a sheer battle of brutality at its own level, and not even Laxus was recoiling as he roared into battle.

"Excellent!" Jura sidestepped to dodge a punch. He palm struck Laxus's shoulder, sending him tumbling sideways.

Laxus caught himself in his slide, anchoring himself on a knee and wincing.

"This looks like it could be trouble for both mages." Lola noted. "We're running low on time, but the battle is as intense as one could expect. If this keeps up, it's anyone's guess who'll emerge on a foothold, and who'll wind up in an infirmary bed!"

The battle went on, with Laxus swinging with lightning fists and meeting Jura's cheek. The audience cringed at the power of the right hook.

"Alright, Laxus! Kick his ass!" Natsu cheered.

Jura pal struck Laxus' chest, sending him flying back.

Ivan smirked at the battle. 'What strength you have, Laxus. To think that my very son could rival a Wizard Saint. However…' Slowly, his face turned towards the Fallen Prometheus folk, who were watching with what seemed to be little regard. 'I have much more interesting fish in this sea I wanna flush out first.'

Both Laxus and Jura fell on their backs; the former yelling as his repulse was harsher. Both slid back harshly, their bodies suffering deep scrapes from within the dust clouds. Slowly, but nevertheless surely, the dust cleared, and both managed to their feet again, dazed it seemed.

Laxus' breathing was deep, but he wasn't the only one. Jura was also raspy of air. The rock himself was wearing down.

"It looks like Laxus is getting through to him!" Bickslow smiled.

"Yes! That means we can still turn this around!" Evergreen cheered.

"Laxus…" Freed murmured off, his heart skipping beats.

Sting and Minerva were watching the fight carefully, frowning heavily with every fragment of magic they've been sensing. It was making their skin crawl.

"I gotta…say…you pack a pretty good punch." Laxus labored.

"As do you…" Jura panted. "It's been quite some time since I've felt this challenged." He took up another stance. "Unfortunately, as much as I am enticed with what you have to show me more of, my Master's patience is running low. So I'll be ending this here and now!" He clasped his hands together, in which the energy around his body began to shimmer in gold.

Laxus stepped back, his nerves crawling as he saw the aura around Jura. 'This power change, it looks like he really means it. Guess that means I better finish up here, and quick!' Like Jura was doing, Laxus was concentrating his magic. He focused a large sum of lightning into his fist, which crackled profusely. The charge was immense, so much that individual hairs were starting to stand on end.

Lola blinked down at the sight. "It looks like the contestants are readying what looks like they're final attacks! Mr. Yajima?"

"I say brace yourselves." He answered.

On the battlefield, Laxus pulled his fist back, just as numerous rocks were floating around Jura. As the Magic Power built up in both assaults, the air between the two was crackling with heavy pressure. The pressure change itself alarmed even Kagura as she narrowed her eyes.

"Let's end this, old man!" Laxus roared.

"Come, if you dare!"

With a loud shout, Jura sent the rocks at Laxus, and they closed in and surrounded him. As he was losing visual, the Dragon Slayer roared as he reeled his fist forward. And at that same time, the rocks enclosed him.

"Lightning Dragon's Demolition Fist!"

"Supreme King Rock Crush!"

The massive lightning fist left Laxus, enlarging and running across the ground. As it did, the rocks enveloped Laxus, burying him in a mound of hefty boulders. With him trapped, the demolition fist continued to sail. At the exact point of Jura joining his palms, the fist collided with him. The entire mound of rock and Jura were enveloped in a massive hurricane of magic. The energy in the atmosphere released shockwaves of rock and lightning that stirred about through the battlefield. Not a sound could be made out as a pillar of raw energy enveloped the center of the arena.

All that could barely be made out was Laxus suspended in midair, as was Jura. Both mages were warped in the magic, their bodies unable to maneuver as they saw fit. Each gagged as the discharge repulsed their bodies, spilling blood.

Everyone looked in horror; no words to describe any of it. They all remained petrified as such until Laxus and Jura both hit the ground simultaneously, just as the energy and thunder began to settle. The vibrations that ran through the atmosphere were calming, and yet everyone was on the edges of their seat, seeing the two with tattered clothing and dirty forms.

Finally, after a long silence, Lola spoke up. "Are…they okay?"

"Well I sure wouldn't be if that happened to me." Yajima admitted.

"Man, talk about a killer." Sting exasperated. "You think they're still alive?"

"Don't be naïve." Rogue chided. "Just look."

Back down in the arena, Laxus' body was twitching profusely. His teeth gritted as he craned his neck around. The downed Dragon Slayer slowly slouched up, while the Wizard Saint was struggling to do so as well. Both looked like they were going to fall over completely, but they kept fighting their urges They each labored with every second they took to straighten out, their breathing completely rasped.

"Oh man, is the big guy okay?!" Bickslow worried.

"It looks like he's about to keel over." Evergreen evaluated.

"Keep yourself together, Laxus! C'mon! You can stand!" Freed cheered.

Chelia leaned over her balcony. "Jura! C'mon!"

"Is he really that badly wounded?" Yuka inquired.

Obaba was biting her aged lips. She was on pins and needles as she looked down at Jura. She wasn't the only master worried, as it was Makarov, who also showed worry, but just like the old hag, he showed it in a more serious light.

Slowly, but nevertheless hesitating, Laxus was coming around. He was on a knee, with Jura doing the same. Both labored to no end, and their heads looked to find the other glaring dead into the other's eye. Dark eyes against blue ones, and neither was going to give in.

DING!

The bell went off all around, signaling the results. "And that's it, folks! That's enough!" Mato announced. "I hereby state this battle as a draw!"

The audience cheered as both contestants finally backed off from the other. It was a deadlock that was to be resulted in another way at another time. With the battle tied, both Laxus and Jura stood up, at last accepting the results.

"Both contenders really put of one heck of a battle out there. And yet it looks like we'll just have to make do with 5 points each. What an upturn for all of us, wouldn't you say?" Lola spoke.

Chelia put a hand to her chest, sighing in relief. "Phew. That battle had me going there."

"That makes two of us." Lyon said. 'So that's the strength above Erza herself, is it? To match even a Wizard Saint as skilled as Jura, and yet…'

"Aw man! I wanted to see Laxus beat baldy just a little more." Natsu whined.

"Well, can't say this was better than nothing, I suppose." Gray said.

"Now that's saying something." Gajeel added. "But you know, old thundercloud kept us going."

Finally accepting of their results, both Laxus and Jura got one more look at one another. Each had a frown of resolute, but slowly Jura's turned to a grin and nod.

With respect gained, Laxus sighed. "Well that was a downer."

"Indeed. And it was riveting nonetheless." Jura turned around and seized his coat, which was lying somewhere close by. Not far away, Laxus' was as well. He grabbed his and both draped them over their shoulders.

As they walked away, both suddenly stopped. Before they got too far away, Jura spoke up once more.

"Tell me something, is that Craig person stronger?"

Although caught surprised by the question, Laxus didn't hesitate. "Yeah. Stronger than old Gildarts." He continued to walk. "But trust me on this, you don't want to mess with him. The guy's had enough burdens to reflect on."

Though confused by Laxus' warning of Craig's history shared, the Wizard Saint accepted it and carried on. However, as he walked towards his tunnel, he was aware of something that tingled in the back of his neck. 'I'm sure we've all been holding back this whole competition. If what you say is true, then perhaps I shall indeed keep my guard up around him, Laxus.'

"Man, that was intense." Elfman said. "I thought my heart stopped several times over."

"Oh please you oaf, like Laxus was that likely to fall over." Evergreen chided. "Honestly, you call yourself a man?"

Elfman flinched at her accusations. "What?! I'm twice the manliness of manliness itself!"

"Well don't stress it while proving it." Lisanna giggled.

"Man, the guy's definitely grown stronger, that's for sure." Gildarts examined.

"Indeed." Makarov agreed. He could've said some sort of retort to embarrass his grandson, but after seeing that heart-racing battle, he thought better than going senile. He just watched with a stout resolute as Laxus entered the tunnel.

Natsu crossed his arms in front. "Man, did he seriously just lose it out there or what?"

"He didn't lose, moron. It was a tie." Gajeel reminded.

Natsu snorted in retort. "No way. A win's a win only if the other guy's outcold, right?" His logic was most definitely questionable, but as much as they wanted to question, they just let him have his ideals.

"Idiot." Gray murmured.

---

The sky was completely clear, with hardly anymore than a few clouds coming in from the northwest. They were still far, allowing sun to beam down on an open field just outside of an inn. On the back end of the inn itself, the atmosphere was clear and crisp as an open wind brushed every blade of grass into wavy locks. This feeling. This energy. The very air itself was taken in by a figure crossing his legs and sitting in a meditative stance.

With eyes closed, Craig breathed in and out, his very essence reaching harmony. He thought little, as he instead focused on visualizing. His mind was a clear void, shrouded in an enigma of plot points that extended far into the winds of the atmosphere.

Inhale. Exhale. It was all taken in, the very chi energy he felt was breathing inwards, his body synchronizing with the spiritual energy he was aligning with. The chi waves were visible in his mind, and it was fresh and lively as before. In and out, and have been doing so for a short while. Even now, his mind was so clear, and he drew the spiritual power his mind and soul had to become empowered by the calm he exerted.

'The chi is strong. I can feel it course even through my fingertips.' He didn't think too hard about it, but he knew it was still there. As he stayed blank in thoughts, a flash of his mind reminded him of Sama's warning about Primal Force and this creature known as Nine-Gem, or Slayos. As much as he wanted to question, he knew better than to do just that. He instead drew more chi, his mind digging into the wavelengths of the chi energy themselves. He just…did it. Same as before

And also, just like before, the blue wavelengths he saw were beginning to flash red.

'This feeling…just like before!...no, don't back out of it now. You can do this.' Keeping as calm as possible, Craig breathed and maintained the stability. As his mind entered the crevices of the red wavelengths, he saw flashes of what looked like the sun again. The brief flash from before was instead a prolonged vision, where he saw black scales and blood red spikes. As far as what he knew, he was feeling every fragment now more than before.

In the plane of deep wonder, there he was, Craig, deeply engrossed in his physical absence. With his body in confines unknown, what mattered was how he was against something of gigantic proportions. He stared in deep shock to where he could've sworn his own heart stopped. The power and pressure he felt, it was like being in a place of asphyxiation. And yet, he was breathing fine; like he was accustomed to it.

He looked confused as he looked down at the horrendous creature, the background of magma-like essence making his black scales almost like a silhouette. Nevertheless, he had a pretty good idea of who this guy was. 'A black-scaled dragon with blood red gems. Just as I thought…'

The eyes of the behemoth slowly opened, the blood red eyes with black feral slits showing. When said eyes did in fact open, it was like a switch turned off. Craig's essence was rendered immobile as he froze before meeting a stare down with the odd but ancient power this one had. There was no question about it – this power was of so much intense pressure and potency, that even his own heart couldn't stop racing. Still, he wasn't a coward. He just id whatever he could to put on a brave face as the black dragon continued to stare him down.

They both said nothing, but at the same time, it was like there was some form of…link. Neither explained it, nor could they. Still putting on a brave face, Craig's mind flashed figments of what looked like the same dragon, roaring and bellowing as red meteors rained down. Chaos flowed as his power and what looked like several other larger beasts were alongside him against something of greater proportions at what felt like the edge of the ozone layer. Craig was in an odd form of rainbow shimmers as the nine creatures were behind him against something that looked like either an angel or a devil in dazzling disguise. Celestial was one word of how it felt, but its radiant and infinite energy was anything but.

He was pulled back to the psyche plane where he looked at Slayos, albeit with a little dazed state.

The back dragon continued to eye Craig, his red eyes glaring daggers. "…nice try." That was all he said, and suddenly Craig's essence was pulled out of the plane, back to reality.

His eyes snapped open, his body getting a recoil with the forced shove out of Slayos' lair. He reeled forward with a hitch in his breath. He looked down with eyes wide and his face contorted in shock.

'I saw him. I actually saw that dragon.' He thought. 'That one; the one Sama spoke of, that had to be Slayos, right?' He looked down at his hands and arms that rest on his knees. They were unsteady. Not trembling, but shaken up. 'I gotta learn how to keep myself in control of all this chi, maybe that's how I'll stay longer and get answers…'

As he dawdled in his thoughts of chi, two huge airbags cupped in a bra placed themselves on his head. He gave a deadpan look as he realized who came around. "Oh great." He sighed.

"There's my little cranky buddy." Cana smirked as she coquettishly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him tighter into her chest. "So this is where you've been, eh? Man, what's with you and fields lately?"

"What's with you violating my space?" he retorted, trying to hold himself together with her huge valleys sitting on him like a hat. It only served to make Cana's smirk widen.

"So you've been doing nothing but sit put here alone? Don't you nee a lawn chair or something?" she asked.

"Nah. I hate those things. They don't help me think."

"Really?" She let go of Craig and bent down to his level, giving him an earnest gaze of inquiry. "Like what?"

Craig looked down at the ground, his brow furrowing. He thought back to meeting Slayos face-to-face, before being shoved out. And the brief flashes of images he saw with those beasts left him contemplating. In the end, even he wasn't that dumb to get obsessed. He shrugged. 'Sama's right. Maybe I'm too engrossed in all this. I'll just play where it lies.' He turned back towards Cana, giving her a grin.

"About stuff." He deadpanned.

Cana rolled her eyes at Craig's answer. As undisclosed as it seemed, even she knew Craig didn't know what went on in his enigmatic fog of a brain. She just chose to let it by. "Well when you're done getting some piece and quiet, you should know we ties with Jura with 5 points."

Craig looked back ahead, getting into a meditative stance again. "So that Lamia Scale Earth Mage, huh? Bet that was tough for you."

"You could have at least cheered or support us, you know." She sniped.

"I don't cheer. Now either can it and let me find peace in my mentally ill conscience, or you can go to a bar again and drink them dry. Your call."

As Craig droned back into his calming embrace of the chi waves he was seeing all around and breathing in, Cana chose to slump back onto the ground with one leg out and another up. She leaned against Craig's back, sighing as she pulled another bottle out of her purse.

"You really *hic* are something." She huffed. With that, she begun another bottle, while Craig shut her out of his mind.

---

The second battle was over before everyone else knew it. It was so fast that even Sabertooth was again speechless. For the umpteenth time, a pulse of magic rendered the crowd petrified as Ren of Blue Pegasus was hammered hard by a single pulse of Monarch of Fallen Prometheus. What barely was recognizable was the tips of what looked like monarch wings beneath her cloak, but what intrigued many others instead was how their hearts skipped beats; even Jura was starting to sweat a little.

The match after that was a bit longer since Millianna was forced to fight against Rufus. As expected, Sabertooth proved brawn over brains worked in their favor. Rufus at least made sure to leave minor injuries after his Memory-Make Spell did wonders. Nine lives or not, 10 points went to Sabertooth.

"And it looks like Sabertooth has made its comeback!" Lola exclaimed. "And with those 10 points, they've made it to 35 points!"

"Aw yeah!" Lector happily shouted. "We're back in this game!"

"Yeah, take that!" Frosch cheered.

Orga crossed his arms. "Give me a break. We should've had that finished within the first 10 seconds."

As the field again cleared, the final match of the day was to begin. "And with that, it looks like our little contest of skills and wits are drawing towards our last battle for the day, ladies and gentlemen. We've had a little guild vs guild replay of day 1 and the prelims today, with most of the contestants of that day placing today, but now to wrap it up with a score settler! For Quatro Cerberus, we have the spinning rampage himself, the underdog of turning your world upside down…Semmes!"

"YEAH!" Semmes roared as he was called to battle, earnings cheers from his peers.

"And representing Raven Tail, we have Flare!" Lola finished.

"So it's that Raven Tail chick, huh?" Gray wondered.

"The one with the freaky hair powers, last I checked." Gajeel said bluntly.

"Do you think they'll pull dirty tricks again?" Happy worried.

"We'll just have to wait and see." Gildarts said, showing a laid-back demeanor.

---

The field was crisp and clear still, and Craig and Cana were still back to back. Frankly, despite their conflicts, they were now looking rather tired. Craig was so drawn into his spiritual chi that his body was asleep, and eventually he did, too. Beside him was Cana, and she leaned against his back and had her head craned. She had eyes closed and breathed softly.

The two lost friends had finally found solace as they slept peacefully. Even when asleep, they continued to support one another.

---

"And that's it! Raven Tail's Flare Corona gets 10 points for her team!" Lola's announcement made the bells go off, and the crowd cheered as they saw Semmes all tied up in a hairy mess of orange locks that went all the way to Flare. She had hands together and smirked sadistically.

"W-wild…" Semmes groaned. The flocks lifted him in the air, in which they undid themselves. He fell to the ground like a blob of dough, thudding hard to reveal scorch marks from Flare's hair.

Fairy Tail glared as they witnessed their rivalry battle. They didn't like how they won, but they were even more annoyed with how Flare got her opponent in a bind and burned him up.

"Well done, Flare." Alexei growled. "You have earned your redemption." The armored man turned his attention towards the Fallen Prometheus guild, hoping to get a reaction. However, the way they looked as like the rich paying attention to the poor – uncaring. The challenge of power only made him clutch his fists, his anger rising up.

"That wasn't so bad." Sting said with a frown.

"Well at least it was a bit longer and entertaining." Rogue sighed. "Still, rather vulgar to see."

"If it were vulgar, I'd be shaking in my boots." Minerva smirked.

Flare gingerly walked back towards her tunnel, smiling wide with that same heinous look. She was very much lucky that Alexei and Ivan were willing to show leeway after feeling Fallen Prometheus' power. With their focus on Fallen Prometheus and off of Fairy Tail, Flare only had one thing that was told to her: Show the enemy her true power.

"And with that, Day 3 comes to a close, ladies and gentlemen." Lola announced. "So, with that battle out of the way, let's get to the scoring, shall we?"

Fallen Prometheus – 47

Sabertooth – 35

Raven Tail – 29

Mermaid Heel – 27

Fairy Tail – 26

Lamia Scale – 24

Blue Pegasus – 23

Quatro Cerberus – 11

"Looks like Fallen Prometheus still has quite the hefty lead to follow up on, folks. With 47 points on just the 3rd day, it's going to take effort and earnest for Sabertooth to reach the 12 points needed to catch up. But it looks like Raven Tail is making headway as they jumped up to 3rd place!"

"That's some impressive pulling through for the many teams today." Yajima commented.

"That indeed, and not far behind with 27, Mermaid Heel is climbing up the ranks! Just a sliver and close call, Fairy Tail, Lamia Scale, and Blue Pegasus are looking to be almost consecutive!"

"How did we end up in 7th place already?" Eve grimaced, disappointed in his feeble attempts.

"Probably because you were making googly eyes at that web chick." Jenny teased.

Eve's face began to grow flustered. "I-I mean I…!"

Hibiki chuckled as he tapped in his Archive Magic's keyboard. Panels and diagrams showed as he checked the score. "Well, depending on how the events go and who we pick, we could get lucky tomorrow with a full 20 points to at least make 2nd place again."

"Right! Then let us prepare!" Ichiya declared.

"Right!" Eve and Hibiki saluted.

"Man, we're still not 1st?!" Natsu whined. "This is your fault, admit it!" He pointed at Laxus, who rolled his eyes away from the annoying Dragon Slayer.

"Oh be quiet." Gray retorted. "We still got two days to get the points needed to catch up. Tomorrow, we'll do even better."

"Gray's right." Erza said. "There still is a chance to win. We'll just have to focus and keep believing in our strengths to overcome this."

"Well, I'll believe when I see it." Gajeel groaned. "Less talk, more brawl; that's the way."

"This is Chapati Lola, and right beside me was Mr. Yajima, and this was Day 3 of the Grand Magic Games!" Lola announced with such pride. "Today was the climax of what will be a boiling point, so with the 3 days up, day 4 will surely test everyone's ability to bounce back! We'll be seeing you then, so stay safe, and stay tuned!"

The crowd cheered loudly for the accepting results of Day 3. The air was still as boisterous as it was at the beginning, and continued to be so as the spectators and crowds filed out.

---

Here's Day 3 in a nutshell. Hope you guys were okay with how I did things with this one. I chose to give no additional forewarning or extra scenes to save time and effort to pack it all into less than 17K. If I had another scene, that would've been around 20K that totaled, but this worked, too. I chose to also make Day 3 a more solid sign of how things were different compared to the prelims and Day 1, when there was open rivalry, now turned selective. A lot of focus is now directed towards Fallen Prometheus, specifically for Raven Tail and Sabertooth. And as expected, I made sure to show some screen time for Craig and Cana's day off.

So for all who were aware, there's major Net Neutrality ordeals happening lately, and frankly it scares me to no end. With this whole thing going on, I'm worried if FanFiction will be effected, and if it'll get restricted. I'm honestly paranoid because I love to write and post on FanFiction, but if we lose FanFiction and this Net Neutrality thing doesn't go our way, could this be the end? I pray it isn't, because I have so much more I wanna write, including the conclusion of this story.

So if odds are going to go well for the time being, maybe one more post before New Year's Day, that's my best guess. Until then!