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.

58. One Day

Heinous fights and cheers were gone and in the past, and by past, that meant not even 24 hours ago. The air in the inn in which held a bed was cool due to the fast-moving fan high up over the center. On a familiar bed, laying on his side facing the nightstand, Craig began to stir with a low moan. He curled up a little and adjusted his head on the pillow. It was so soft, but something that felt like wavy brown hair was tickling his back, which was what was concealed by a black shirt.

Realizing he was awake, Craig uncurled from his slumber and straightened out his body and joints. A few tendons popped, and bones were no less loud. Slowly turning over, he saw that Cana was starting to stir, only her grunts were much more obnoxious, and looking at the blinds concealing them, he could comprehend why.

"…somebody turn off the light…" she mumbled.

Seeing her stir, he looked nonchalant as he put his hands behind his head on the headboard. "Well somebody do something to get that big ass of yours to stop growing. Somebody could mistake those for burger buns and bite them off." He tested.

Hearing the call of Craig, Cana opened her eyes, but still faced the blinds as her vermilion eyes glanced towards him. "Well you sure know how to greet people in the morning." She teased tiredly.

Craig glanced at her. "Not people, just you."

Cana started to rise, stretching her arms overhead. "And…" she groaned as she felt her back get a nice stretch in. "I suppose you just make fun of their jiggles while they're sleepin', right?"

He shot her a slightly hardened look of offense. "Not funny."

"Alright, alright. Guess you don't sleep with many chicks then, huh?"

Craig pulled the blanket over him and got up from the cushiony mattress. "Probably not as much as you have with guys." He mumbled.

Cana followed. "Touché."

Today was the day off intended for the competition, and Fairy Tail's confidence had really skyrocketed ever since they got up to 2nd place. They were all rowdy and full of the most explicit of cheers given to each other and their alleged fans they gained throughout the games. There was still a lot of ground to cover, but the final day was to have all contestants at full power, and that meant this day of rest was important for not just them physically, but also mentally. Rest was best if you wanted to make with the biggest mess, at least to how that psychology plays out in Craig's case.

After along night of partying, Fairy Tail was supposedly sleeping in or suffering hangovers. Craig was far from a party folk, but he stuck around just because of mages of guilds getting discounts at the tavern they partied in…that is until Natsu and Gajeel got into an argument over the battle they had against Sting and Rogue. Suffice to say that was yet another joint they could cross off their 'party central'.

And the best part – to him – was how he did the one thing no one could have ever done, and it defied even logic itself: Keep Cana sober. The majority of his time last night was just talking to her about random stuff, followed by their roaring and bellowing that could've been heard from the other end of the tavern. At least that was a distraction, and Cana was looking well…that is, if the two or three liquor bottles on the wooden floor counted as an accomplishment.

Craig bent down as he plucked up another empty bottle. He placed it in his other arm where he hugged the few other. "You'd think people would learn to clean up after themselves." He grumbled in distaste. He wasn't wrong, but the fact that it's what he's seen proved the laziness that the world had to offer. It utterly revolted him, but it wasn't like he was gonna make a protest to recycle. He's been to a few good rodeos and the usually the bull is tougher than one would've thought.

The bathroom door finally opened, revealing Cana in her black and white bra with a white tie-on blouse with slits in the sleeves. She had black cargo pants that hugged her curvaceous thickness and reached down to the shins. She looked down at Craig, seeing him clean up her mess she made.

"Sorry about that." She said as she passed him. "Guess I went a little overboard in the hauling last night."

Craig walked over to the nearest trash bin, where he dropped the glass bottles inside and heard the bag cushion the fall. "Hey, no skin off my bones." He reached and tied it up. "But seriously, the smell just hurts to even think about."

"Well it isn't like we have air fresheners you know." Cana rebuffed as she went over to the blinds. She pulled the chord to make light pour in. Craig blinked to adjust to the new lightning.

"Yeah."

Cana turned around to face him. "Guess you're up next..." She nudged towards the bathroom. "Don't take too long."

Craig nodded solemnly and headed into the bathroom door, closing it.

As faucet water ran fast, Craig washed his hands with warm water, but not too warm. His reflection showed him his head, but he paid no heed to looking at it. He looked up towards himself with a knowing look. It was a straight face, but that straight face was what was perhaps the most complex thing ever. And there were reasons. It was a number of them he could list.

Façade. Contemplation. Forgiveness. Folly. Redemption…Peace. All these words he didn't know the meaning of, until he saw it with his own eyes. Seeing the most beautiful of lands, and the most fantasy-like of places no one could fathom; all scenes and feelings only people could dream. The beauty of it all was enough to make him cry over the hard effort he poured into making everyday worth it. It was all a struggle to see the next tomorrow, and who knows what emotions he feels? Whether or not he maniacally laughs or stays serious in battle, it mattered not. It was Craig's way, and Craig was Craig. That was identity, and that's what the mirror told him.

Finally done with his business inside, he opened the door to get a good look at Cana once more as she was seen making way out the door towards the inn's breakfast hall. As he followed behind, he stayed on the same path, keeping the same pace as her. He watched her back, quite literally, as well as what lied below it, with swayed with its enormous proportions. "You know someone's gonna mistake those for burger puns." He teased.

Cana looked over her shoulder with a nonchalant smirk of her. "Why you even looking away?"

"Blame the hormones."

"Well your hormones apparently got better taste than your mouth does."

Craig cocked his brow. "That makes two of us. Better hope all that alcohol is to blame."

Cana cocked her own brow. "That so? So you basically want me to keep drinking so I'd get more bottom heavy?" in her own tone, it was much of tease than an actual question, but it would be something to see how Craig reacted.

Surprisingly, much to her shock. Craig shook his head. "Nah, I'm not making ya do anything you don't want or need. Just please yourself, I'm just an observer."

Given Craig and his wisdom beyond the likes of a thousand years, Cana didn't have a say. She knew men were picky, and Craig is…well, he wasn't. Sure it was obvious he liked to have her around, but he never told her how to live her life to an extent. They bickered and were at the other's throats, but they stayed the same, and that proved Craig's point of having what only the individual conceived as themselves/

A smile crossed her lips as she slowed down her pace, allowing Craig to catch up beside her. "You hungry?"

Craig gave his own smile in return. "Starving."

---

A ladle poured maple syrup over a fresh pancake. A customer moved to the side to reveal the inn they were staying at, the dining area that a lot of people were apparently eating at. It wasn't the classiest breakfast joint, but it made it all feel cozy.

Sitting along the center tables was Cana and Craig, sharing one small table for their two plates. It wasn't much for Cana other than some eggs and sausage patties. For Craig, it was scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit in a ceramic cup, bacon, hash browns, and a few more assorted breakfast foods to make up food groups.

Picking up his fork, Craig prodded the scrambled eggs and ate them up.

Cana watched him eat with subtlety, but with some wonder in her gaze. "Eating with a fork? I thought you would've ate like a wolf." She admitted.

Craig swallowed. "I have some mannerism, okay. Look, I may be a crazy nutcase who eats raw meat and live animals, but even I can still have a touch on society."

Cana cocked her head up in understanding. "So have any of these other places taught you how to use chopsticks?"

"Yeah, but I rather save you the slow descent to insanity."

Cana prodded another patty. "Well that's considerate." She looked up at him to see him eat a whole patty, the massive chop not leaving one piece if meat on the fork. "And that is not."

Again, Craig swallowed. "Well I can love how much you adore my personality from all around, I wanna know something."

"Such as?"

The mood of the breakfast area shifted. It was like it went from peaceful to a serious vibe. All that could be heard was a lone fork of someone running through a sausage link, tapping the glass with an echo.

"What do you wanna do for today?"

Cana raised another brow, blinking at Craig's question. "…huh?"

"You heard me. What do you want to do today? It's your call." He clarified.

Cana leaned back in her seat with her elbow on top of the wooden backrest. "Well that's a tough one. Why are you asking me? Don't we just go with the flow?"

"Brownie." The name called caught Cana's attention. She could see the look in his blue eyes. She saw the look of seriousness with a low, disgruntled feeling shivering up and down the base of her own neck.

It wasn't like she liked the feeling that was being felt, but just looking into his eyes, she could see reflections of Fallen Prometheus. She knew then and there what was to come; today was certainly a day of rest, but tomorrow is the day everyone will be heading right for them. Or to be more accurate, they would be going for him. Blood was going to shed, and she wasn't going to like it one bit. Of course it wasn't that common for Craig to ask what Cana wanted or needed, mainly because he had perplexed on the "needs" and the "wants" that a human must and think they need and desire. He doesn't "want" to fight, that much is true. But he also "needs" to. A definite need he had on the agenda was one thing: to live. And Cana, she was more of a complicated mess of her own. As Cana, she had different needs and wants out of people and herself, but they weren't as simplified as Craig. That's when another question was put into place: What did she want? What did she need? For some reason, she feels good around Craig, no matter how much he makes her want to choke him in his sleep. Did she "want" that? What boggled her more was how she never considered what Craig wanted or needed, he never had to explain it. He lived everyday without hesitation being his emotional self, and Cana was beginning to worry, because she might not know if Craig will live another week, or another month.

A new feeling got to her – fear. She feared of what may happen to her now that Craig has become an important aspect for her. He may leave or be gone one moment, or maybe come back when she least expects it, but if this was her one chance, she had to take a risk.

Finally taking a deep sigh, she placed her hands beneath her chin, fingers folded as she gave Craig a blank stare. "Well, look who's being the most chivalrous amongst us?" she chimed.

"That so?"

"Why yes." She smirked. "How considerate of you to be asking what a girl wants. You're just so full of surprises today, mister hissy-fit." Of course she knew why he'd do this for her, but it wasn't like she was going to play his game.

Of course, Craig wasn't blind. Facetious tone, willing smirk; just a few signs and he knew she was concealing her own worries. She got his message. Like her, he played into the tune. "Alright, don't go lying to my face. Just tell me what you want before I change my mind, alright?"

Understanding, Cana's smirk widened as she eyed him. "Well, that's a hard debate." She leaned backwards and crossed her arms beneath her ample chest. "You never told me to do anything, and you're pretty much someone who likes to keep it even. So why don't we just cut ourselves a little break today."

"As in what? You stop drinking? I rather not care." He deadpanned.

"Not exactly. Why don't we hear the other out. You ask what you want and I'll do the same, and just for today, we'll just try and do that and do as they ask? That fair?"

Craig was intrigued by this offer, but the more he consciously pondered, the deeper his consciousness drowned. He never likes to ask others of anything that they wouldn't be willing to do. He'd much do it himself. He had arms, he had legs, and he had a mouth. In his time of slavery for a short while, he did things he didn't want to do; in concentration camps or in Bosco a while ago, or even where he was chained in dungeons and tried to think of ways he somehow got out of. But Cana, she was willing to be of help. She wanted to help. It wasn't an ask of change, and he prayed it wasn't like fight wild animals or something unnecessary.

In heavy inquiry, he gave her a look of wonder. "Okay…?"

Cana gave him a coquettish smile. "Well, what I would like is if you can just give me a little fine dining."

"…huh?"

"You heard me. A nice dinner date. If we're making this day off worth it, we'd at least throw the other for a loop, right? So what I want is a nice little dinner, your treat. Try not to leave this mighty fine lady disappointed, okay?" she gave him a playful wink.

"That's…" Craig moved to make something of words, but nothing short of wonder came from him. The realization struck him like bricks. "…worth a shot I guess." He said. 'God, this is going to feel bizarre.'

Cana clapped her hands and did a little swaying dance in her hair. "Yeah, now you're speaking my language!" she looked at him now. "Alright, now this is my question for you today: What do you want?"

Craig rustled in his seat for a moment, trying to think of something we "wanted" instead of just "needed". What he wanted was…nothing. At least, that was what he originally thought. He slumped back into his seat a little more as he pondered about his needs and wants. Basically a lot of what he had in mind was a need. To live. To keep going as far as possible despite the potential lives at risk. And some things he already had found and kept; peace, strength, his childhood friend, and…

Something in his mind clicked, and his eyes widened when he figured out what he wanted. 'What do I want? I never really thought of that question before…' he looked at Cana, seeing her look at him with anticipation. 'Well something's better than nothing I guess.'

Cana's patience was running a little thin. "So…?"

Taking a deep breath, Craig readied for what he was about to ask. One breath in, and one out. "I would appreciate it if you could do me a favor."

Cana blinked. "Favor?"

Craig nodded. "It's nothing explaining can do to help understand, I'm sure you have the brain cells to know what one even looks like…" he paused for a moment to consider how he could put it in words she could understand. "Think of it like a check you should be cashing in."

"O…okay? But why not ask me something right now?"

"Because I don't feel like it. So we got something we both owe then, deal?"

Cana was more or less confused about the subject at hand, but it wasn't like Craig to offer something so weird. Then again, explaining things just isn't his style. This was perhaps as best of an explanation that she was going to get. "Sure, I guess…?"

Craig smirked. "Then it sounds like a date." He looked down at his plate. There were only a few pieces of bacon left. He swiftly dunk his head and sank his teeth in faster than a squid striking prey in water.

Cana watched him eat as usual, a twisted look of scrutiny forming on her face. 'Maybe I should've asked him to try and not act like a savage animal instead.'

---

"MAN, I AM ON FIRE TODAY!" Natsu yelled out to the world with arms up and a wide smile on his face.

Happy jumped in the air behind. "Aye, aye, sir!"

Inside the tavern that everyone was in for the day, Fairy Tail's rambunctious bunch had come together to do their usual. They were celebrating another day, and yet the few patrons out of the establishment and in were looking at them – mostly Natsu – with nervous inquiry. But it wasn't like Fairy Tail minded at all.

Natsu punched the air in front of him. "Alright! Let's get a few practice rounds in before I kick some serious butt! Who wants to be first?!"

Elfman cam from the side, punching Natsu with his guard down. In the distance, he crashed onto the floor. "Hey, don't think that we can't give you a run for your money, Natsu!"

Getting up, Natsu smirked. "That was a pretty good punch there." He shot his legs up and lipped onto his feet. "But I got a fire in my belly today, and it's aching for some burning!"

"Oh yeah?! Then how's about you me-!" Elfman was cut off when Natsu's fist collided with the side of his face. He had a maniacal smile on his face as he sent Elfman crashing head first into Max and Warren, sending all three men to the ground.

He raised his fist high. "HAHA! And round 1 goes to me!"

Gray stepped up, apparently shirtless. "Hey, charcoal-brain! Can't you just settle for even two seconds?!"

Natsu glared at him wide. "That depends. Can you stop stripping in public?"

"My body's got nothing to do with you being a child!" Gray's remark was met with Natsu blindsided him with a sucker punch, sending him reeling.

"It does when I'm hitting it! That matters!" Natsu laughed.

Gray's swollen cheek was met with a twitching brow. He growled low as he approached Natsu. "That does it…" he pulled a fist back as he walked towards Natsu. "Now you're dead!"

The two went back and forth in a dust cloud, pulling, yanking, and making a scuffle within the ball of mayhem. Happy cheered loudly or Natsu, but showed nothing short of support to stop the fight. Lucy watched from a table she shared with Wendy and Carla. A nervous bead of sweat on her face as she watched their scuffle turn hectic.

"Well those two sure know how to make a day's worth of rest work." She deadpanned.

"Well, I guess it's something better than nothing." Wendy smiled.

"Well what do you expect? They are rambunctious after all." Carla explained. "They wouldn't know the meaning of relaxing even if you spelled it out for them."

"Yeah, sounds about right." Lucy chimed.

Watching from the bar, Erza looked over her shoulder as she watched Natsu handle a fight with Gray. As much of a fuss as it was, she was rather letting this one slide for the time being. Of course knowing Natsu, no matter how much affection she had for him, it won't save him from her wrath if he subconsciously hits her.

"Erza?" a voice called.

Realizing she was being talked to, Erza looked back at the person sitting next to her. "I'm sorry, Mirajane, what were you saying?"

The barmaid gave a really perky smile. "Oh nothing. Just wondering what you were going to do for today?"

Erza began a low chuckle. "That's a pretty standard question if you ask me, wouldn't you say?"

Mirajane tilted her head in question.

"I think I'm just going to find it in my heart to look around a little, maybe try some of those bake shops and cheesecake. I haven't had much since I came here. And, well, I've been dying to try them all out."

Mirajane stifled a laugh she was trying to suppress. "Oh dear, better hope you don't keel over before you reach the last shop." She teased.

Erza smirked at her challenge. "With heart and pride on the line, I'll savor each flavor with what vigor I stomach. I assure you, this is a personal mission that I must-!" she didn't finish because a projectile in the form of a chair leg struck the side of her head. Her eyes widened as she stared at Mirajane like she was a ghost, while the white-haired mage put her hand in front of her mouth in a gasp.

The dust cloud spewing more Fairy Tail bodies and furniture was shouting and screaming. Pink and raven hair was popping in and out comically with fists going in and about. It was the shouting inside that proved the point.

"Is that all you got?!"

"You call that a punch?! That match made you look like you were playing with kids!"

"Then how's this?!"

"OW! Then screw this!"

Natsu and Gray were getting their energy out left and right to no end, but they were so self-absorbed that they didn't realize they were causing collateral damage. And soon enough, with Erza slowly getting up from the stool she was on, they were about to be collateral themselves.

She stood on front of the cloud of dust, watching the two fight and glare daggers. The dust cloud eventually faded to reveal Natsu ad Gray both glaring daggers at the other as their heads butted against one another. They were no less intended to punch the other's teeth in as they were to quit fighting.

WHAM!"

A blow to both their heads came from two armored gauntlets throbbed. They yelped as they held onto the bumps of their heads, the pain snapping them out of their fight.

"Ow, that hurt." Gray grimaced.

"Hey, that was a cheap shot." Natsu growled. "Who sucker punched me this t…uh…" all the fight on his face went to a deep pale as he looked up the breastplate that lead to a red-haired figure with a pair of glaring eyes. The brown orbs were sharp and intense, and no words were said as Natsu felt a chill run down his spine.

"Eh…"

Gray looked at Natsu, but when he felt a chill run down his spine, he caught whim of Erza as well. He flinched hard. 'Aw crap!'

Erza summoned a sword, griping the guard tight. "Now tell me…which one of you intends to repent with your lives first?"

Natsu and Gray screamed loudly as they held one another, much to everyone's grieving.

---

While a bar could be heard with girlish squeals and the sound of panics and wails, the in in which housed Craig and Cana was much more quiet and serene, just as some of whom preferred. With the atmosphere inside Craig and Cana's room more or less quelled, it was really due to the fact that Craig was laying on the bed again with hands behind his head and staring up at the ceiling fan again.

He frowned as he kept silent in contemplation. It wasn't because he was tired, but more of how his mind was spinning. It was a lot that happened this morning, but what mainly was stuck on his mind was how he asked Cana to help him with something she may never understand. How does one explain to another something about spiritual energy and connected to beasts who could destroy the world? It was a deep thought, but dwelling on it wasn't helping either.

'Maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe she could help see what I see, but even that would be complicated.' He thought as he thought about the usage of chi once more. 'You can't predict the future, but you can change it. Even dreams can come true if to try hard enough…' a half-grin formed on his lips. "…oh well, guess we'll find out."

The door to the bathroom opened at long last. Craig glanced over with a hum as he saw what Cana was wearing. It was something that him raise a brow.

"So that's what you have in mind?"

The brunette leaned against the doorframe with a shift in her weight going out to one hip, giving Craig a coquettish smile. Befitting her lustrous form, she adorned a tight, black, sleeveless dress that hugged her form and knees. It was a hem that showed an abundant amount of her ample bust, and stopped two inches above the knee. The way she looked was a sight any man would kill for, although, the person she's dragging along isn't as typical.

"So~, how do I look?" she cooed. "Am I royal enough?"

Craig stood up and gave his own playful smirk back. "Disgustingly ugly." He replied.

Cana waved at him bashfully. "You always know what to say to make me want to choke you." He looked at him up and down, inspecting his attire. It wasn't anything too fancy like her; a simple short-sleeved black shirt with a folded collar and buttons on the upper top. He had nice black pants, but the shoes, swords, and jacket all stayed. "As for you, just looking at you makes me want to puke."

"You flatter me." He teased.

"So, Cranky, where to?"

"Anywhere that'll keep from talking for the next few hours."

"So dinner then?"

"Sure." Craig started for the door. "Beats a movie, that's for sure."

Cana had an extra sway in her hips as she walked out of the door, the one that Craig was willing to keep open. As she passed him, she kept her expression dead ahead. "The only thing scarier than horror movies is you."

"You and your drinking is my nightmare…because it never ends." He followed behind, closing the door and making sure it was locked.

---

The two were making way down the streets of Crocus as the sun was waning to the west. The many of patrons and males walking about idly nearly fell over if not stared blushingly at Cana as she walked in high heels down the pavement. As lustrous as her form was, their hopes of scoring were dashed when she was found with another guy, their arms locked rather hand holding hands.

As they walked down the street, Craig glanced at his date. "Well, Brownie, guess it's my job to make sure this night is the best in your pitiful, little light of a life."

Cana returned the joking smirk. "And I guess I'll have to do my worst to make sure you choke on your dinner."

Given that Craig was proposed the date by her earlier, he had to spend a majority of his afternoon trying to find decent clothing stores to find the pair of clothes he was wearing right now. It took him ages to find the right ones, and the pay wasn't all that cheap. The reservations for that matter and the place for their dinner date wasn't anything to scoff at either. It was a jewel-pinching load of work that took him well through the afternoon, and when he got done, there was the matter of resting up and washing. At least smelling like spearmint is better than his usual.

Soon enough, they stood before a gray building with what had about four stars lined across the entrance roof. It was many of white and yellow flowers; the colors instantly making Craig ponder to their meanings and where he saw them before. He hurriedly dismissed it so as to pay attention to the glorified bane of his existence.

Craig smirked as he started opening the door. "May the hideous be first." He gestured for Cana to waltz in, but apparently she wasn't having it.

"That'd be you."

"Well the ladies actually think I'm quite the charmer."

"What ladies?"

"The ones that know charisma when they see it."

Cana rolled her eyes. "Well they sure have bad taste."

Soon enough, the two – after several minutes of playful banters – made their way inside, with Cana leading and Craig falling behind. The two found their reserved seats in a very classy area of the restaurant and took it upon themselves to be seated. Soon enough, they got an order of water to start and menus to look at.

Ignoring the few stares Cana was getting from the men around her, the lustrous brunette looked at her menu with a bored expression. "Mmm, maybe not that…that's got enough calories…" she shot a glance at Craig. "So what you have on your mind?"

Craig raised a brow towards her with a half-grin. "You know, something that'll satisfy me."

"I was talking about the food."

"Funny, because you're so ripe that it makes me want to cry on the inside." He insisted mockingly.

The smirk on Cana's face returned, albeit a more flirtatious one. "Oh, is that so?" she leaned against the tabletop a little, giving an exemplified view of her massive valleys that anyone would kill to see. "Then I guess I'm eye candy that you can't stomach. For all we know, I could eat you up and spit you out like plain gum."

Craig remained unfazed. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind when I'm on the bottom of your shoe, and never be scraped off. Ever."

Cana leaned back against the backrest. "Then I'll just put the shoe in the fridge and then pry you off."

"Giving me the cold shoulder already? Well suite yourself. I'll be beaming on you like a sun."

"And I'll be a cloud that blocks out the sun."

"And I'll get so hot that when you look at me, all you'll see is alcohol."

"Not even when I'm having a hangover, sweetheart."

"I'm sure they all they that."

As they went on and on, they were getting a few stares by the adjacent tables. They weren't particularly enticed with what Craig and Cana were saying to one another, so much that the volume hadn't shockingly went up, but they chose to discard it once their orders arrived and welled on their own conversations. Like them, Craig and Cana's orders came around. The brunette got a pasta dish with fine wine to go with it. Her partner in crime, however, had no qualms with going crazy. He was all for the whole iron steak with crab legs to go along with it. It was a lot of jewel to stomach, his being nearly 80,000 jewels, about double what Cana had in mind, but knowing him it probably didn't matter.

Before the waiter could question Craig's appetite like anybody else, he looked at Cana to see if she had anything to say about the order. Apparently nothing could be said about Craig as he took one bite of the crab legs – carapace and all. The waiter shakily retreated as per his training, allowing the two to carry on.

Cana relished in her dish. It was a nice blend of vegetables and assorted creams that went into the pasta itself. She was honestly pleased with how it all tasted. Although, the ripping and tearing of a certain someone alarmed her, and she wasn't fazed in the slightest anymore. "You're such an animal." She sighed.

Craig snapped his jaws straight through the end top and spikes of the crab leg like it was made of candy. "Huh?" hearing what she said, he raised a brow as he chewed on his refined delegacy. "Thanks for the compliment. My goodness, Brownie, you being such a smooth talker for little ole me? You're such a kissup."

Cana winked as her lips glistened in the candlelight. "Oh really? Well there's plenty more kissing to coming up if you play your cards right."

Catching the notion, he swallowed and snickered back. "I think that wine put your brain on hold, because you're the one who uses cards here, lady."

"I sure can." She held up two fingers that had a tarot card wedged between. "How's about I give ya a reminder sometime?"

"If I wake up to something that spells out 'BROWNIE RESPECTS AND ADORES CRAIG CRIUS TO THE UNIVERSE'S END AND BACK' maybe then we'll get somewhere, otherwise all you'll be tasting is that wine."

Cana's eyes narrowed with her widening smirk. "You really suck."

"And you whine a lot."

For the patrons that were all around, and the staff, it was going to be a very long time. With the sight of steak torn up and swallowed so easily, to seeing crab legs chewed on like candy, it was mind-blowing the where the wait staff were stuttering. It was indeed a date to remember.

---

Things on another leg of the elated city was on another foot completely. While others were enjoying themselves with festive and making do with the day off and its joyous sunset, the elation did not spread to one inn in which the Sabertooth guild was housed.

Leaning against a balcony with a frown, a blonde person was looking bandaged up. Sting Eucliffe was all fixed to where he could walk at least, and thanks to medics, he and Rogue were on their feet once more. However, given the circumstances, they won't be for long.

Rogue approached from behind, standing at the entrance to the balcony. "Sting."

He didn't want to go in. How could he? That would mean facing something of grievous consequences that he and the others weren't prepared for. But ultimately, he had no say. He sighed as his head went down. "Yeah, I know." He answered.

Rogue turned his back towards him. "Then let's go. Master Jiemma would want us to be there."

"Yeah…"

The fun and games were over, for Sabertooth that is. Yesterday was perhaps the biggest blow they could have suffered to date. All the members fell into place around the chamber hall in which Master Jiemma was confined in. All of them stood with arms behind their backs and serious frowns on their faces as they were petrified by the demonic and soulless glare of Jiemma.

The time had retribution had come, and not even the hardiest of members weren't able to feel amusement, not after yesterday's downfall that is.

"You all are dare to look at me so proudly?" Those were the first words that came out of Jiemma's mouth, and they boomed like a roar. "What is there for you simpletons to even think you can look up from the very ground you stand on. Those feet you all put your weight on doesn't carry anything put pounds of meat."

The bitter words of the master made Lector and Frosch look down. Rufus tipped his hat so as not to look at Jiemma directly.

"We took it upon ourselves to stun the heavens themselves, and silence the seas. That is the Sabertooth way…but now…" his grip on his armrests began to tighten, the fingers beginning to shake. "The sea down in the colosseum was far from silenced. It raged and swept up our pride like it was a castaway…as all are you." He inspected every face that was present, his hate-filled daggers leaving even Orga with swallow a lump. "Minerva. Sting. Rogue…up front, now."

The three mages called cautiously stepped up from the crowd and stood in attention. Unlike Sting and Rogue, Minerva had minor cuts from her participation in the contest, but she dared not speak of the humiliation that befell her. The pride of Sabertooth had suffered shame from interfering in a battle she couldn't win, and it boiled her inside.

"You three have any idea on what you've done? We of Sabertooth swore to make everything deemed nothing short of insects get crushed like the bugs they were meant to be! But now look at you, you three just rolled in the mud and let those pathetic flies buzz around without being swatted!" his eyes narrowed in hideous disgust. "What a sad excuse you turned out to be. I expected more from you."

The scolding didn't go without say. A few members reveled in the scolding Jiemma was giving to his subordinates, but alas they knew if they spoke up or even a chuckle was heard, they'd end up like the Twin Dragons and Minerva.

It was a long while before anyone could have spoken, but with a shamed look, Rogue spoke. "There is nothing that could be spoken about today. We were defeated." He balled his fists as the memory of Gajeel using Iron Shadow Dragon Mode. "Natsu and Gajeel…their power had far exceeded what we were capable of. We didn't stand a chance."

Jiemma shot up, his foot stomping a crater beneath. "Is that what you think I want to hear?!" His voice boomed through the chamber with the rage of a monster. It made Sting and Rogue flinch. "Does being the strongest mean anything to you three?! Or are you all nothing but dimwits who don't even know how to prove it?!" He frustratingly lashed at the table beside him, flipping it and the wine over. The contents spilled all over the ground, but no one cared.

Minerva's scowl served to harden.

Jiemma stepped before the three, his fists balled and his anger spiking to where the muscular arms were showing veins. "You promised me a victory in time, and I have been very patient for expectant results…so tell this then: How could you three fail to keep that promise to destroy Fallen Prometheus and the other guilds beneath our feet?!"

"We're sorry…" Sting muttered.

"Shut up!" Jiemma backhanded the blonde across the face, sending him tumbling across the ground.

Lector gasped in alarm. "Sting!"

Sting struggled to stand as he tried to get up from the ground. "That is only an excuse that the weak use! We are not like the other guilds! We crush whoever we want, and show no mercy! And you!" Jiemma turned his attention towards Rogue. "You thin weasel!" He kicked Rogue straight in the gut, sending him back so hard that he hit a pillar.

"GAH!" he gagged as the shock went through his body, causing intense alarm in Frosch.

"Rogue!"

"This isn't what a guild is supposed to be!" Jiemma continued. "These games were meant to prove how far superior we were, but instead we were completely deprived by our goal because some amateur guild that wasn't even heard of came out of the alleys of some backwater place and kicked us around! We are the strongest, and not one of you has the guts to prove it to me!"

Sting slowly stood up, with Rogue supporting himself on the pillar.

Jiemma turned to one more person in particular. "And you."

All eyes went towards Minerva. The Sabertooth Princess had a grimace on her face as she glared darkly at her own father. Granted he was flesh and blood like her, but that ideal was nothing but weakness. There was no such thing as pity.

He towered over her with a dark aura starting to erupt around him. "You are the epitome of weak. You kissed up to the enemy like you were little smut begging to have attention. That is not what I had taught you, nor the likes of you all for that matter!" he bellowed at everyone at the last half of the sentence, his voice echoing like a sound system. "We stood up as gods, and now we are challenged, because this one did not have the resolve to put herself up on the pedestal that we have worked so hard to forge for us alone!"

Minerva glared darkly in silence.

"You three weren't strong. Remove your emblems and crawl away like disgraced primates you are!" He raised a bulky arm towards his own daughter. "Or so help me…!"

A green, watery orb suddenly expanded out of nowhere. It erupted around Jiemma's body, leaving the master and everyone in deep shock. The master of Sabertooth had lost his balance and was lifted into the air by the lustrous green space.

Sting and Rogue were watching with wide eyes and lips parted. What they were seeing was nothing short of scrutiny at its finest. "Milady…"

Jiemma was wide-eyed as he couldn't find an opening to get out of. "What is this?!" He looked towards Minerva. "MINERVA!"

The Sabertooth mage had a blank look in her eyes as she stared at Jiemma inside her Territory.

"What are you doing?! You miserable little…" His voice began to fade with his body into the green hemisphere. "You…can't…"

With a swipe of her arm across, the sphere enveloping Jiemma glowed a bright light, making it flash and rattle like a stadium before it faded away. By the time the light had vanished, all that replaced it was a crater the size of it and a smoldering stream boiling upwards.

Nobody said anything to comply. They were at a complete loss with what fell before their master. Lector and Frosch were shuddering in place with little to speak about the sight that haunted them.

"Milady…you…" Lector trailed off.

"Did she really…?" Frosch was petrified without say.

Minerva had a blank, dark expression that never left her face. All the arrogance and snickers that she once held was completely erased, instead everyone could see a look of resolution. The Twin Dragons were without breath over the actions that she had done, and frankly, no one blamed them.

"Milady…what have you done?" Sting gasped with shuddering eyes. "You…did you really just…?"

"As much as a despotic rule that he perceived, I didn't." she clarified. Her tone was bitter cold. "I merely transported him to another sanctum outside of Crocus. He'll be back no less…" she shot a look at Sting. "But we'll have all the time in the world, at least for now."

Rogue stepped up. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying what must be done. We pf Sabertooth are at wits end with how this game is played. We have undergone an era in which we have been scrutinized to use every bit of our talents and abilities in order to destroy all who stand in our way." She walked up the red carpet to stand in front of the spot where the crater lied, a wrist going to her hip. "However…it seems that we have overestimated our chances here. Or at least that's what that tyrant Jiemma thought.

"Is she talking about Fallen Prometheus?" Orga questioned Rufus.

"That would be an accurate assumption." He replied.

"I understand that this is probably a dilemma for all of us, so let me clarify this for you." She turned and looked at all of them, seeing their petrified gazes. "Understand this, we are at war with the most powerful of guilds, and we have suffered greatly from this guild known as Fallen Prometheus. What strength they held in not just magic, but also skill, it does beg the question if they are really related to gods. Or do they have sort of secret underlying those rags that they carry. Fathom as we might, it doesn't change the fact that we do not have the necessities to take them on directly like this…for from any other angle. I hate to say such a morbid remark, but…we may have to go to extremes now."

"What are you saying?" Sting uttered.

Minerva had her eyes closed as she thought long and hard about the events of Day 4. She even went as far as think about Day 2 when she fought Shinigami. That Magic Power she had faced before, and she was downright terrified at 15%. But what she felt at that moment when Craig and Scythe collided was way more, and that almost rendered her speechless the entire day. She never felt so inferior in her entire life. Their chances were truly zero.

"…our new objective is simpler now. Rather than prove our strength to Fallen Prometheus as before, I have decided that we shall stake claims in robbing them of what they desire then."

"Robbing them?" Lector blinked.

"I don't get it…" Frosch murmured.

"Wait, hang on. You mean they want to win this thing, right?" Sting asked. "Isn't that why everyone who competed is here?"

Minerva pointed straight at his nose. "You're mistaken. Their aim isn't something. It's someone." Her eyes narrowed as a smirk came across her face. "Come on, don't tell me you didn't see the looks that they gave that Fairy Tail man. That one that they call…Craig Crius. Ring any bells?"

Sting's ears twitched at the name. His head slowly lowered at the memory of the preliminary round again, and once again yesterday. It was a horrendous sight to behold to see Craig go up against such monsters. The way he looked, and the way he fought them, it was like he had power above them.

"Whatever is with that guild certainly paints targets on their backs, that much I now realize. If we are to show the world once more that we of Sabertooth are to dominate…then we must dominate what they perceive as territory first."

Rogue's eyes were wide. "Is she saying…?"

Rufus smirked beneath his cap. "Well, well. Certainly a poem of many twists."

A grin cast on Orga. "Heh, what a surprise."

All of Sabertooth turned towards Minerva as she faced them. She housed a stature of sheer dominance as she had a hand to her hip still. A dark smirk cast upon her face, her eyes glaring daggers of fire that burned with a determination. It was as if Sabertooth then and there realized what their new goal was, and frankly, it was starting the scare Yukino and the Exceeds.

"…we're getting to Fallen Prometheus, and their power and secrets will be revealed." The smirk she was giving was getting more and more sinister. "After we show them the body of that animal."

---

In the Crocus Gardens, there were still people out, even as night had fallen. It was a rather lustrous sight to behold on the typical aspect. Many people who are out late know that the center of the palace plaza was illuminated by light lacrima to give it a luminescent vibe, and it only made the white flowers all around have a blue hue. They gave off a fresh vibe that flowed through the gardens, where many people walked and talked. And amongst them was a familiar duo with the nicknames that continue to be said.

"So that's why you always get out of the way as you open doors then." Cana surmised. She had been given details of why Craig always veered at times out of the way of opening doors of many kinds, especially fridge doors.

He nodded. "Yeah. Still gives me shivers."

"I swear, I don't know if I should be pitying you or not."

Craig shrugged as his hands tucked into his pockets to keep warm. "Doesn't matter I guess. Not to me anyway."

"Guess so…"

The two had been going on for quite some time about their own adventures and what not. Cana was really more into the history of her own drinking habit, as opposed to the numbers of battles Craig had to take up when he was just 14 and had to use miscellaneous materials such as food, or even the kitchen utensils. Their individual histories, as interesting as they were to some people, really didn't have anything more than a means to pass the time. They had been walking well into the night, and after a "moderate" meal that Craig devoured, the best exercise was to walk it off.

As Cana continued walking beside him, she slyly smirked as she slipped her arm around his. She leaned against him, allowing the privilege to give off her ample succulence for his view. "So~, now that the competition is down a team, looks like we're on a roll then."

Craig dismayed himself from the opportunity and looked at her like any other person. "Yeah, I remember. Now that your little guild dispute with Raven Tail is under the bridge, that just leaves seven teams left. Easy enough for you guys."

"And thank god! About time those dunces picked a fight with the wrong team!" she cheekily yelled with a smile.

Craig pressed on his course, dragging the bombshell with him through the palace gardens. The two had been going about it for hours on end at this point, but it wasn't berating, not by a long shot. In fact, it was enjoyable. He always hung out with Cana – probably because he has mental issues only she can quell. And that was the thing, it was just her. Her alone. The more they went on, and the more appeal Cana gave to him acting all charismatic for a guy to obey like a dog, it wasn't fazing him or his mentality. He was immune to hypnosis, sure, and that was proven by incidents best left undescribed. But more reasons why he wasn't making any moves was also due to the concentration camps and the stone age-like environments he traveled through at one or two points. When you see people in birthday suits all day and getting killed in ways also best left unsaid, it wouldn't matter anymore these days if someone was clothed or not. But the mental scars aside, when he looked at Cana, it was like seeing the childhood friend that he never thought he had…which was pretty much the truth. That's when something went on inside: How can you possibly tell someone like Cana that you're her childhood friend that she vaguely remembers? The answer was simple. You can't.

It was hypocritical, considering Cana hadn't told Gildarts yet about her being his daughter that he never knew he had, but it's just one of those things that are best left unsaid. Then again, Craig can't explain it. He would need Cana to know on her own somehow. Maybe there wasn't a way now, but surely he'll make her recall him. He won't give up, and never lose his hope.

"You hoo? Hey, buddy, you in there?" Cana waved her hand in front of his face, seeing as how he was giving her a blank face. "Cranky!"

"Hey, I'm not deaf yet!" he barked back. "But I will be if you keep yelling in my ear like that."

Cana backed off and half-grinned. "Well, anyways, what's next, buddy-boy?"

Craig looked ahead. "From here, wherever adventure takes me. That's how I roll."

"If you say so, but that isn't exactly helpful when t comes to plans."

"I like to keep it guessing. Keeping you on your toes is my specialty after all."

Cana rolled her eyes with a long sigh. "You're a real piece of work."

Up ahead, a pair of boots kept trekking up the pathway. A cape flowed as someone was taking a wonderful stroll. With a smile on his face, Gildarts enjoyed the sights for his own leisure, and of course the "sights". As he walked about, the enthused S-Class Mage smiled on and minded his own business.

"Huh?" he noticed two similar figures up ahead, getting his attention. "Hey, is that…?"

Walking up the path, Craig and Cana got closer within eyesight. They stopped in place when only so many meters away. Their eyes widened when they saw how Gildarts was before them.

"Gildarts?" Cana froze.

"Oh great." Craig sulked.

Gildarts approached them, and Cana hurriedly got her arm out of the loop of Craig's. She stood right beside him, clearing her throat, while Craig just gave a nonchalant look like it wasn't anything new, which really, it wasn't.

"Hey, you two. I didn't even recognize ya." Gildarts started. "Man, either I must've been drinking too much this whole time or I need glasses."

"Hey, Gildarts." Cana said flatly. It was like she had quite a bit of her energy drained, much to Craig's leisure.

"Yo, Cana. What's up?" The S-Class father raised a brow as he looked up and down at Cana, getting a look at her figure and the dress she wore. "Hey, looking all dollied up I see. What's the occasion?"

"Nothing." She lied.

Gildarts let out a hardy laugh. "Come on, like I'm not that blind."

"You might be, because it's not what it looks like."

Gildarts put his hands up in innocence. "Hey, I didn't say what you were doing. Don't get all jumpy on me, alright? Besides, the big guy beside you doesn't seem to think like it's nothing."

Cana looked over towards Craig, who just had a cocked brow and a smirk. "Well what do you expect, the ladies just can't seem to keep her hands off me." He played out in a tease. Much to the annoyance of Cana.

Gildarts uproariously laughed. "Spoken like a real ladies-man. Gotta say, kid, didn't peg ya to get so touchy with the ladies."

Now it was Craig's turn to raise yet another brow in innocence. "Hey, I'm not the one touching her. She's the one touching me."

"That so, huh?" Gildarts looked towards Cana, who was just looking at Craig in slight surprise.

In a way, he was right. On the entire date, Craig didn't at all lay even a finger on her. He didn't put a hand on her shoulder, didn't yank her arm, he didn't even playfully spank her large posterior – to his leisurely opinion. In a way, he kept his space, and he kept his respects, and that's what reveled with Cana. Maybe that's why she was so comfy around him. He allows her to touch him, but he doesn't touch her. A code of man and woman that Craig followed apparently.

This served to make a smirk form on Gildarts' face. "Well I can see you're no fun."

"Oh on the contrary. This guy…" Cana snuck her arm around his neck and pulled Craig into a surprise headlock. She kept a tight hold knowing that it was beside her chest. "He's actually a smooth dater once you get past the hideous features. He's sure a rowdy piece of crap, aren't you?"

Craig gave a twisted look of annoyance, but also some heat on the face. "And you're the loudest gulper that people mistake you for a fish." He muffled.

Cana cheekily smiled. "See? A rotten sweetheart." She facetiously chuckled as Craig groaned, earning herself another round won. Apparently with Craig giving her power for the day, she felt so good having been playing their banter. It was…nice, and this only left Cana all the more surprised.

Gildarts blinked as he watched the two go back and forth meekly. It was comical to say the least, but all he did was dismiss it as some lovely quarrel…or a blessing in disguise. 'Hard to believe that this guy can actually bite people's head off.' He looked at Craig, seeing how he was trying to pull away as Cana kept embarrassing him by bumping her hip into his own. 'Man, I may not understand what the hell goes through that skull of his, but I think the kid's probably got something to prove other than his heart. Just…'

"Hey, save that stuff for when you're not smelling like a beehive." Craig berated.

"Oh come on, big boy. Don't tell me you can brush off girls like that."

"Not girls, but I said you're Brownie!"

"Well you're just a picky Cranky."

Seeing as how the two were messing with another, Gildarts knew that his business lied elsewhere. With a smile on his face, he withdrew and turned around. "Well I can see where this is going. Be seeing ya." He waved back.

Craig and Cana turned towards Gildarts, seeing him take off. "Wait, what?" Cana exasperated. "Gildarts!"

Gildarts kept walking a few more steps, until he stopped in place. His back was turned until he forcibly looked over his shoulder with a grin. "You both better get some rest. You had fun, right?"

The revelation he gave made both Craig and Cana blink. They turned towards one another, seeing the confirmation on one another.

"Thought so. Just keep that thought in mind for tomorrow, Craig." He turned and began to trek on once more. "Because it's those happy thoughts that'll push you forward."

As Gildarts went on, Craig's head went down a little. He looked somberly towards the ground with his eyes half-open. "…Yeah, I know…"

Cana sighed as he watched Gildarts walk off in another direction. "Well, there he goes again." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Honestly, he can be a real annoyance sometimes…"

A hand reached out to her in front. Her attention drew down towards it, and realized where it came from. Looking towards the side, she saw that it was Craig who was holding out his hand, his head turned away, but a half-grin and sincere blue eyes aimed specifically for her.

"What do you say we get your big ass some rest?"

Cana wasn't so sure what to say, but she looked down at his hand and saw it staying there. A small grin came on her face and snickered some. She played along and accepted his hand. "How revolting of you to be giving this fine ass of mine some rest and not me." She playfully mocked.

They started walking off. "Well I did enough to make sure you were scarred for life by this date you wanted me to give you. And from the looks of it, you're as hideous as you were this morning."

Cana feigned shock by putting her free hand up to her face. "Really? I didn't notice. The mirrors must've shattered by your face, not mine."

"You just didn't look at it deeply enough."

"And you're just a bad boy."

"Not bad…just messed up I guess."

Cana sighed. "You said it, not me."

"Hey, at least I'm honest and straight. For example, you suck. A lot."

---

Within the dark alleys that continued to feel desolate and abandoned, in the far reaches that lead to a dead end, Fallen Prometheus kept their cloaks on as they were continuing to hide out. Scythe and Navice were sitting on cart boxes, while Monarch and Gates were standing perfectly fine around a sitting Shinigami, all their dark cloaks cascading their looks that they had.

"Finally, I've been waiting for tomorrow like crazy." Scythe said.

"The competition will try to be after us most likely. We can erase them if we wanted to." Monarch suggested. She then looked at Shinigami. "But you have something else in mind, don't you?"

The question was more rhetorical, but Shinigami said nothing still beneath his cloak. As if knowingly, they all had a gut feeling of what he had in mind.

"Sounds to me that there'll be a change up in the games tomorrow." Gates said.

Navice's tattered scarf shifted a little in the alley gusts. "Destroying them all in one spot would be most fortunate for us, but what we can do will leave Craig most…unfortunate for him."

Scythe gritted his teeth in a scoff. "As long as I call first shots on him. Nobody's laying a thing on him until I get a few good kicks in of my own."

Shinigami smirked beneath the flowing cloak. "Dually noted, old friend." He glared up, his eyes showing gold. "We won't let anyone stand in our way. As much as we'd enjoy seeing them try, I think the real entertainment lies in their human instincts." His pupils began to glow. "You know the humans' old saying, a lone wolf is vulnerable without his pack."

---

It was the dead of night, and everyone was resting up their reserves. All the fun and games played today were over, and now it was time for everyone to focus on the final day tomorrow. There was no room for margin of error, and as Fairy Tail and the other guilds rest up for the events to come, in Craig and Cana's inn, someone was more or less the exact opposite.

Opening eyes for probably the third time that night, Craig watched as the ceiling fan spun around and around constantly. He stared despondently as his inability to sleep was weighing him down. It wasn't because of nightmares of past events of gore, no. The real answer lied in the upcoming battle.

An image of Scythe heading after him back in the Rift Raft competition flashed in his mind. His heart continued to race like a jackrabbit, but in a good way. He was feeling adrenaline, and a lot against the five powerful foes to aim solemnly for him. But he also wasn't dumb. He knew they'll pull tricks up their sleeves to divert his attention and possibly weaken him first. And so, that means the only thing he will, can, and must do what he does best…improvise.

'Guess I'm gonna have to wing this one like always.' He turned his head to look at Cana, who laid beside him like a baby. She was on her side and softly breathing, her head on a pillow and her lustrous form concealed by the blanket. He gave her a blank look as she was out. 'I still say your butt's too big from that booze you gobble up.'

Can stirred in her sleep. "And you…eat raw fish…worse than Happy…" she said between breaths. It was as of she subconsciously knew what Craig was think.

Craig gave her a despondent look and looked up at the ceiling fan once more. "Pfft, women. How come they're the ones who get mind-reading powers?"

The fan continued to circle overhead, flowing like time. As much as Craig would try as he might, it was pointless. He couldn't sleep, so he would have to do something else to pass his time. That's when he got yet another realization.

'Well, guess since that I'm already relaxed…' He slowly undid the covers over his lower body, allowing him to gently sit on the mattress. As off balance as it was, it didn't bug him in the slightest. With arms resting on the knees and back straight, he closed his eyes, allowing his mind to clear away.

In…and out. In…and out. The breathing he did was flowing like water, the energy he was feeling within the room being of divine principle. His mind was relaxing, his spirit quelled, and the thoughts of Fallen Prometheus and the games and Brownie gone faster than a snap of fingers.

Chi began to flow through his body, each breath exemplifying the rising kinetic energy that fluctuated inside his core. He could feel his fingertips flow and pulsate, the air around him becoming one. He could hear everything, even the air currents and the vents of the room. He took it all in, the energy in which he saw being of upmost potential for him to join forces with.

With his body at rest and flowing calm energy into the crevices of his hands, his mind was once again drifting off into a fog. The fog shot him beyond peaks and mountains, until he had reached the massive plateau where a certain someone was sitting cross-legged much like him. It was time once more, and Sama was having eyes closed.

Opening his eyes calmly, Craig looked at his master with a half-grin. "Yo." He said.

Sama opened and eye. "Eh? Craig?"

"That's my name, last I checked."

Sama closed his eye once more. "So then, you find your way here instead of having me pull you out. I don't know if I should call that a blessing or a misfortune."

"Hey, I've seen people pee before and read magazines, it's nothing I don't care of."

The hundred-year-old man chuckled. "Well then, it looks like you're understand well about chi. If you're in tune with nature and the voices of the world, you have what it takes."

Craig understood what he meant, but the concept was still befuddling him. He knew Primal Force was the ultimate form of chi when gathered enough and the mind is but a relaxed shell. In the past, he was one with nature, and has been since his hellish adventure. From caves, to talking animals, hearing the jungles and seeing the beauties of the world, he could hear rivers flow when he stopped talking and thought nothing.

He heard fish pounce out of waterfalls. The rage of some animals competing for food. Life. Death…the one thing Craig was in tuned with – Balance.

"You have your center, and you have used it before." Sama questioned. "But now tell me this: Are you willing to use it to combine with all of nature?"

Craig's eyes were kept shut as he thought of the potential. He kept silent as he thought to when he had forgiven his sins and accepted his loss of lives. As traumatic as they were, he learned to move on, but keep all the friends he made inside his hearts. He was doing this for them, as well as for himself. "I am." He confidently answered.

With a smile, Sama kept his eyes shut. "Then it looks like your time has come. It's time for you to ready yourself for the true battle that awaits you. If you wish to use Primal Force, your subconscious will draw chi in naturally, which you can do from enemy attacks and the energy around and within you. With this energy, I am sure that the Gemmed-Beasts will be at ease. Make sure that your old friends recognize this talent of you."

"My old friends, huh…?"

Sama snickered. "Ages ago, when you used Primal Force, even I could feel it. I can feel the sting reigniting that flame. This time, it won't wither away, not after the efforts you put into remastering the basics."

Craig asked a lot of times what Primal Force was, and what he knew was that it was the ultimate form of chi, spiritual energy within all things, even nonexistent. Questioning now would be pointless. He asked so many questions before, and sometimes the best answer lied within waiting. That's what he was going to do. Granted, patience was a virtue, but against power enemies to come when he hadn't reached a level yet, that was troubling. But it wasn't like he did it before. With will and pure luck, he prevailed. And now with chi, even if not fully mastered, he will use his resources, and stop Fallen Prometheus from destroying their world once and for all.

With a nod of his head, Craig grinned. "I'm sure you'll know either way."

The old master chuckled. "Touché."

With a sense of confidence now, Craig was ready to go back. Concentrating, he closed his eyes and rewind back into the fog. The next moment, he opened his eyes to be back in his room, into reality.

When he took notice of the room's light having changed, he noticed how the blinds were lighting a little, indicating that daybreak was on the rise. With his body rested while the mind was back, he felt revitalized. It was like being asleep and yet awake. He was hollow yet fulfilled. The feeling was even more fulfilling as Cana continued to lay beside him like nothing had happened.

With a small grin on his face, he faced the blinds, a determined look mixed with hidden dread was set. 'Alright, looks like I know what I need to you. I'll have to get to everybody first, before they do. Or should I have them come to me?...you know what, fuck it all. If it happens, it happens.'

---

The colosseum raged with a loud roar, but not one of anger and spite like a dragon, no. This was of the cheers and merry, the adrenaline everyone has been feeling and letting it all out for this day. This day was the day, the day that the remaining 7 teams were to show off what they had. This was Day 5, and Chapati Lola was leaning into the mic to start it all off.

"Well ladies and gentlemen, here we are, gathered here today for a grand ending to what is to be the Grand Magic Games. But make no mistake, this won't be the end, not by a longshot. Today, we're making this go out so that you'll be standing on the edges of those toes, because everyone will be pitching in for this glorious rumble!"

The audience cheered and clapped loudly, the stadium practically shaking.

"All that blood, sweat, and the tears shed have finally come to a boil. This'll be the groundbreaking bonanza that'll rock Fiore from east to west! And to share this moment with me is my good friend, Mr. Yajima." He looked over towards Yajima. "So, Mr. Yajima, anything to say?"

"Just glad to see such a healthy competition is all. Best of luck to you all." He praised.

"That indeed, as I to you all! And for today only, we're having a special guest with us in the booth. So, care to explain yourself…Mato."

The pumpkin head raised his arms with a huge smile. "Why hello~, pumpkins!"

Yajima grinned. "Well, we can see you're looking in a whole new perspective today."

Mato looked towards them. "That's because I won't have to referee anything today!"

"Sounds relieving."

"That maybe so, but that won't stop our competitors from settling the competition with an old fashion showdown." Lola pointed out. "Now, to all the fans that have been waiting ever so patiently, here are your 7 teams that made it through the 6 days!"

A pair of footsteps made way out of a tunnel, the lead being by none other than the roaring Bacchus, who flexed with his guild.

"Sitting in 7th place with 13 points, we have Quatro Cerberus!" Lola announced. The audience cheered and clapped for the dogs who were waiting patiently to bark and bite for this occasion. "They've been sitting in the kennel for a while, but can these hounds pull off a bite that'll turn them to underdogs yet?"

"WILD!" Bacchus and Team Quatro Cerberus flexed. Bacchus looked up at the audience, giving them all – ladies especially- quite the rowdy smirk. Some were swoon, and some felt a chill run up their spines.

"Hehe. Gets them every time." He teased.

"And next up in 6th place, we have the definitions of feminine beauty. The sirens who call out to pull you under…Mermaid Heel, sitting with their 32 points!"

Mermaid Heel entered the colosseum, met with loud cheers and whistles from its adoring fans, and a few banners that had their names, and bodies, shown. Fanservice for those who loved them, Kagura showed no appeal, as she frowned with a determined look in her eyes. Her eyes searing gaze was a clear indicator she was after something.

Millianna punched the air before her. "Meow! Look out guys, because the girls are out to play, and we won't be so nice about it!"

"That's saying it mildly." Risley said.

"Ah yes, the guys guild and feminine guild. The two conflictions that'll race for this next spot." Lola continued. "In 5th place with 33 points, we have Lamia Scale! Give it up for the team who's not backing down this time around!"

The audience cheered loudly as Team Lamia Scale entered out into the arena. They all had focused looks and confident grins, Lyon especially. There was no way his guild was going to fall that far behind Gray's guild, not by a longshot.

"Good luck you guys!" Sherry cheered with her guild.

"YOU BETTER KICK ALL THEIR ASSES, OR THERE'LL BE MORE THEN JUST YOUR HEADS SPINNING AFTER THIS!" Obaba angrily shouted as she twirled her finger. Her need of motivation was nothing short of spines shivering.

"You hear that? Sounds like the old hag is at her wits end." Yuka acknowledged.

"Then we mustn't hold back." Jura said.

"Next up with 36 points is the stylish guild that makes star twinkle…Blue Pegasus!"

Spotlights and stage lightning darkened the atmosphere around the tunnel as the Trimens and Jenny followed Ichiya out, his pose more serious and full of pride for the guild. Many were startled by how they had 0 points before, but in 4th place was a pretty good achievement. As they were given cheers and praise, Jenny waved to them all, and Eve kept his suave. Of course that didn't last long when he looked at Mermaid Heel, where Arana sent him a flirty wink, consequently sending a chill down his spine. Irony on a Snow Mage sure is cold.

"And now…here's a plot twist you all haven't seen coming from lightyears." Lola's voice had some suspense, but enough only to hold back some of his own shock. "They've been reigning over our heads, the dominators who crossed over all paths and treaded with their claws bared all the way…" the cheers were intensifying further with the innuendo. "This is the guild who's been fighting hard to take back their stolen crown. So, everyone, let's hear it for Sabertooth!"

The cheers deafened as the underdogs, once former champions, entered the arena. All five members gave off a serious but also dark vibe, and many of the spectators caught onto the feelings they had.

"Man, they sure look tense." A spectator said.

"Well can you blame them? The competition's been brutal to them."

"Yeah, not to mention Fairy Tail's Dragon Slayers did a number on them."

Insult to injury was far from their minds, Minerva steeled hard onto that concept and made sure the old "wounded if cared" philosophy got through to them last night. From the look Sting had, he sure had it down to the syllable. He looked at Fairy Tail's tunnel, his glare having only one person who he intends to crush.

Frosch and Lector watched from their balcony, silent dread painted on their faces.

"And now, the team who has finally come to snag 2nd place as of Day 4…" Lola continued through the increasing cheers. Five silhouettes followed closely behind one another as they came from the tunnel that now got everyone's attention.

"Alright, here we go." Lisanna said with a rush.

Happy balled his paws. "Oh yeah! Burn them up, Natsu!"

The silhouettes ventured into light, the four fixed and ready for the reveal of themselves. "It's the tale of those who fell short, but staggered into the big leagues. This is the guild that's made themselves for all to be heard. Everyone…with 46 points…Fairy Tail!"

The audience roared loudly for the 2nd place team that entered the fray. They all were so excited for what was to come, and what to be expected of this team. Though Gajeel and Laxus looked fixed, Natsu stood by Erza with a serious look of passion and determination, the same look she shared with him. However, there was another twist, and that was Craig. The way he looked was, in a way, mutual. And that wasn't all that was different about him.

Today, he wore a new attire. Thanks to yesterday's shopping spree and date he shared with his…lady friend…lost Brownie…he gave no crap, but case and point he scraped up some Jewel to at least look the part she wanted him to. He wore black baggy pants with the usual titanium leg weights and boots, and a black t-shirt as well. But while his jacket was still draped and wrapped around his waist, he had on a new white jacket that had sleeves stopping below the elbows, with black cuffs no less, And to add to the massive length to make it look like a coat, there was also a red cape adorned. The cape swayed with the winds. It was colored blood red, his signature color, and he looked ready to spill it.

"And it looks like they are all dressed for success today!" Lola announced. "Man, it looks like everyone's out to look the part for champions!"

"Pffft, fashion victims." Craig hushed.

"Yeah, you go get'em!" Cana mockingly waved her arm as she cheered over the stands. "And be sure to look good with that on!"

"I'M BURNING THIS THING AND ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS WITH YOUR NAME ON THEM ALL!" Craig angrily retorted. It was only because of Cana's swaying argument she had going this morning that he agreed to where it. He still was pissed he lost to rock-paper-scissors to her. He tugged in the cape he had tied. "I can't even wear these things. They're freaking deathtraps in drape form."

"Hey, can it, alright? What's so wring with a cape?" Gajeel inquired.

Craig rolled his eyes. "Don't get me started." On his list of all the stupidest ways he saw villains die, it involved capes getting stuck on weapons, blades, anchored by miscellaneous creatures only to be drawn in and meet fates most unforgiving, and sometimes vacuumed to shreds or strung up. He prayed he wouldn't have to wear it long. Just for today, and that all that Cana wanted.

"Looking good~!" she chimed.

"Yeah, I am so cutting up her bras. That'll keep her in bed all day." He groaned.

While he was pestering with Brownie over his own fashion victimization, he was being glared at by all of Sabertooth, and partially by Jura and Kagura. In fact, all of the competition was shooting glances at him. When he took notice of their heads turning towards him, he tried to take it as a stride.

He raised a twisted brow. "…well, guess they don't like the cape look either, huh?"

With the audience's tension simmering some, the energy in the atmosphere was only serving to rise. Once the turn was up, all eyes and mouths opened as cheers went rampaging around another tunnel, the last one for that matter.

"And now…the moment you've all been waiting for…"

"Looks like the show's about to start." Natsu grinned.

"The guild that marked its territory high up in the heavens, making themselves the prime number that everyone has been bawling over…"

"Here they come." Jura said. His grin was replaced by a dead serious look at one of the keen enemies approaching.

Slowly, footsteps echoed and made its own chorus as the five figures of terror entered the stadium. They were met with cheers, come of which being forced out of fear.

"The guild above everyone at 67 points, and a call of the angels themselves…give it up for FALLEN PROMETHEUS!"

None of them had any means of showing off, much like Sabertooth and Fairy Tail. Their cloaks weren't even shifting, yet a crazy amount of power was already making several heartbeats accelerate. The pressure they had suppressed still rendered the other competitors nervous. Laxus and Jura glared cold daggers at the cloaked figures, and Kagura and Minerva were leering harshly as hidden beads of sweat went down the sides of their faces. They swallowed.

"This is it. This is the competition that'll finally be everyone's biggest challenge to overcome. Will these questionable menaces steal the rug that's been pulled under their feet, or will they at last sweep the red carpet from behind? This guild, though its members are discrete, can they in fact reign this year?"

The question was up in the air as the audience spoke and chatted in question to themselves. They weren't sure of what to think, but what they knew was that they were glad they weren't down there. After the events of Day 4, they were all downright terrified. All that magic pit against so few mages. It'd be a miracle if anyone survived.

Fallen Prometheus frowned heavily as they glared at Craig, who shared the same serious look of his own. No growls; no scoffs; just a complacent stare from both sides.

'The time of reckoning has come, Craig.'

'…this cape is itching my neck! God, you suck at wardrobe choices, Brownie!'

"Everyone, remember the plan." Erza said.

"Got it." Natsu maniacally smirked. "I know what I wanna do first."

"How's about staying alive long enough to tell us about it." Gajeel said.

"Now, all contestants, get ready for the all teams' battle!" Lola exclaimed.

With the guilds glaring serious daggers at one another, the ground beneath them began to light up. As teleportation began to occur, the glares of everyone to Craig and Fallen Prometheus was still lingering.

Within a flash, they were all gone.

"Woah, what the heck?!" Lucy shouted.

"Another transport?" Wendy questioned.

"It appears so. How annoying." Carla huffed.

"Agreed." Pantherlily said. "I just hope Gajeel hold out okay."

Happy slid on over, padding his back. "He'll be fine. After all, he's a Dragon Slayer, just like Natsu."

Pantherlily looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. They're tough competitors, they'll be just fine."

"I still worry about Natsu's reckless behavior." Makarov said as he watched the team emerge on a lacrima-vision screen. He saw that they were in a street of Crocus. "And this is just great."

"Woah, it looks like they're in Crocus." Romeo pointed out.

"What's that mean for us?" Elfman questioned.

"As far as I know, it'll be distractions." Gray said. Juvia was right beside him, looking up at the screen instead of him for once.

"Here is how the rules work." Lola said. "All of Crocus is the battlefield for this final day. All 7 teams have been diverged together in separate areas in the city. From there, they will strategize and find a means to scatter and gain points by engaging another team player. Once two opposing teams meet, they ensue battle. The victor will earn 1 point for their team. Once all five members of your team are out, you are officially out of the running. In addition, every team will have a leader, this leader will be decided by them, but will remain a mystery to everyone else. This leader is worth 5 points! So in retrospect, if one team is lucky, there'll be a grand total of 63 points! 4 points from the those beneath the leader, and an extra 5 to make 9! Man that is a lot of numbers…but anyways, that means anyone is eligible to snag that first spot!"

"Should teams work together, or should they divide and conquer? That is the question." Yajima hinted.

"Oh, a mystery challenge! This is going to be sweet!" Mato gasped.

Gildarts looked at the screen, seeing the group talk with Erza taking the ropes in the center. "Heh, looks like they got it covered."

"They better, because there's a lot at stake there." Cana said. And she wasn't wrong, but chose to hold her tongue on how she felt about all this.

"Think of it like a check you should be cashing in."

"O…okay? But why not ask me something right now?"

"Because I don't feel like it. So we got something we both owe then, deal?"

Cana went silent as she worried about what Craig would want from her. Surely it wouldn't be drastic.

Finally with a plan, Erza turned her back towards everyone. "Listen, we just have to make sure that we stay in long enough to meet up. Understood? We'll need every bit of strength from everyone in this fight. We have a lot of contenders to go up against, but we can't let our true objective be out of reach. We're in second place, so we need to make sure we find as many opponents as possible and make sure we hit them hard and fast."

"Hard and fast is my specialty." Gajeel said.

"Yeah, we need to keep our fuels up if we ought to hold our ground against the tougher competitors here." Laxus smirked.

Natsu shared his own smirk. "I say we hit them where it hurts."

Craig gave no reply. Instead, he stared out in readiness. In fact, he looked like that from the start. He didn't even listen to Erza's plan to begin with. In fact, even he was aware of the competition, and this wasn't his first rodeo. He's taken bulls by the horns once, and that got him hurt in places he didn't know he had. Learning from mistakes and after all that crap he went through, he went with the strategy he knew best: If it happens, it happens.

"We'll have to be careful of who we fight to begin with." Erza explained. "Against foes like Minerva first-hand can be tough."

"Yeah, but then they'll get all the points. I say we bust the big ones up first." Natsu punched his palm to illustrate his resolve.

"But we don't even know who they are, dimwit." Gajeel said.

"Then we'll beat them up and make them talk."

Gajeel sighed.

'If it happens, it happens.' Craig repeated to himself. 'But I still have to be smart about this. Doubt anyone'll try and not try and target a new object in mind.' It wasn't his first rodeo. He knew psychological warfare as well as regular warfare. If you want someone's attention, you need to have something they want. Or in this case, someone who they want to kill. What better way to get their attention than by killing the person before them? 'Boy this sure is my day.'

"Here we go." Makarov stared at the screen, waiting for what was to come.

All of Fairy Tail and the guilds watching stared up at the sky as balls of fireworks shot up from midair. They whistled as they left streaks, reaching higher and higher.

"This is it, this shall be a free-for-all rumble. The winning guild title is on the line, and so…LET'S RUMBLE!"

The fireworks exploded, signaling the beginning of the end. The crowd's shouts were as loud as the explosions themselves.

Erza bent her knees. "Everyone, remember to stay cautious!"

"Got it!" Natsu sped off in a frenzy, darting into a random direction with a maniacal grin on his face. "First place, here we come!"

A smirked crossed on Laxus next. "Guess we should get this party started then." He started in a direction.

"Well fine, be my guest." Gajeel started as well.

As Fairy Tail diverged to separate quadrants as Erza discussed, that left little room for Craig to do…well, anything. Erza had taken south, Natsu north, and Laxus volunteered east and Gajeel west. Craig virtually said little to nothing, so instead he half-heartedly looked around and took in a deep breath and sighed out loud. "Great."

As Natsu made way through the vacant streets, he had a confident stride going for him. 'This is gonna be great! I winder who I'll beat first? Oh! I know! Maybe I'll knock up that Jura guy, he's strong. Or maybe I can beat the lightning guy from Sabertooth, or that book nerd.' He smiled eagerly at all the options he had to use to his benefit. 'Oh man, I'm so gonna rock this-!'

As he dashed, something picked up on his radar. He looked up as he ran, seeing a weird purple sphere floating over his head. "Huh?"

Erza darted through the streets. She looked up upon noticing something and slid to a stop. She glared up with squinted eyes at a purple sphere of her own.

"Huh?" Gajeel saw a purple sphere. And on the opposite end of Crocus, Laxus had one as well.

"Wait up folks, it looks like something's up with Fairy Tail already." Lola examined. "It…it appears to be some sort of energy."

Craig looked up to his head, but only found vacancy in thin air. His brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing at what he saw in a nearby lacrima-vision. "…oh no." he realized.

As Natsu kept powering on, he tried to outrun it, but his sphere suddenly vanished, along with him. The same went for Erza, and Gajeel and Laxus. All four competitors disappeared offscreen, much to everyone's shock.

"What?!" Makarov gasped with his guild.

"They're…gone?!" Mirajane hushed.

"What…happened?" Wendy worried.

"I don't know." Lucy said, but her brown eyes saw something forming in front of their team. "Look! Down there!" she pointed out at the ground.

All of Fairy Tail looked down at the arena, where they once again saw their four members that disappear reappear. They were clustered together, and the spheres over their heads were one big one, the size of a bowling ball. It glinted once, before ethereal purple lines arched down in front of them before they had the chance.

"What the-?!" Natsu was cut off as the lines anchored into the ground, making it shudder. The lines were firm and thick, in a way, resembling that of a birdcage.

The team went shocked as they were trapped inside, and the audience looked equally as shocked.

"Wha…what in the world?!" Lola squealed. "What in the world just happened to Team Fairy Tail?! They were just teleported, and now they're inside what looks like an ethereal cage?!"

Yajima had no words to describe what he was seeing. His glare was sharp and heavy.

"What the hell?!" Max shouted.

"How did that cage get there?! No, how did this happen?!" Macao exclaimed.

"Are they okay down there?!" Wakaba worried.

Makarov's eyes shuddered in surprise. They were completely blindsided in just a few seconds and they didn't even account for that. He talked through the plans of attack with Erza as of last night, but he never saw this coming. He just saw his children imprisoned like animals, and they didn't even know it.

"Where are we?" Gajeel questioned and he looked left and right. "The hell's this cage for?"

Laxus suspiciously looked around, but even he was staggered for words.

"Natsu, are you alright?" Erza asked the Dragon Slayer beside her.

"H-huh? Yeah, but…" he shot a glare at the bars again. "What the heck just happened?"

"I am at a complete loss here, folks. It seems that for some reason, Team Fairy Tail was incapacitated, but we can't tell why or how?" Lola reasoned. "W-we can't explain this at all…"

"Someone's magic's up to this, but our sensors or detectors can't tell whom." Yajima explained through the intercom. "I'm afraid this goes into the gray area, but for now, it appears that until we find reason, we can't do much other than see what happens next."

Kagura looked up at the nearest lacrima-vision in the vacant plaza she was in. Her arms were to her side as her yes were shrunk in shock. No words came to mind. In another part of the city, Jura was looking up with lips parted and an exasperated feeling crawling up his nerves. Quatro Cerberus, Blue Pegasus, even Sabertooth was at a loss for what just happened out of the blue in regards to Fairy Tail. They were going to do something about them to get to Craig, but something went wrong, and they didn't know why.

"Crap! What the hell?!" Natsu tried to kick one of the ethereal bars, but his kick was met with repulsion. He fell back with a shout into Gajeel, sending them both to the ground.

"Natsu!" Erza worried.

Groaning, Natsu was in a daze. "Uuuugh, my head…"

Laxus looked at the barrier with wide eyes. "This thing just bounced him off like a fly, huh?"

Natsu sat up, his head still spinning. "Ow…that actually stung a bit…"

"It stung?" Erza parroted. She looked back at the barrier, looking at it with scrutiny. She approached it and stood before it. Her finger was out, and she tried to get for the openings, but some forcefield made it bounce off, and like Natsu said, a sting went through her finger. She flinched in the pain.

"Erza!" Natsu shouted.

Gajeel looked at the nearest opening and clutched his fist. "Oh yeah?!" He threw a right hook, but it also bounced off. His arm flared in pain as it felt like a hornet stung it in every inch.

Makarov looked down at them in rising anger. There was a glowing aura starting to emanate around him, and he looked up at the lacrima-vision to find the monsters all having some sort of person on them. He knew, just knew, someone in there did this. Hs teeth clutched in bitter spite, his frustration and shock growing as the competition and the plan was out of the water.

"This is bad. What dies this mean for us?" Lucy asked.

"Are we…?" Wendy didn't finish. She'd hate to say it, not after everything that happened.

Happy's paws balled again. "No…not like this…?"

Cana was feeling uneased about these chances as well. She frowned heavily but realized something wrong. "Huh?"

"What is it?" Gildarts asked.

"Wait, hang on." Cana looked down at the cage, seeing the number. There was one thing missing. "Where's…!"

It hit her like a ton of bricks. With a hefty gasp, she whipped her head up and looked at the monitors. Shockingly, there was still someone else, and everyone in the lacrima-visions were seeing him. Standing in place with a serious look on his face.

Lola looked up at a monitor, his face already covered in sweat. "I…I don't know how, but for some reason, not all of Team Fairy Tail was out! There's still someone in the game!"

"What?!" Natsu shifted his eyes towards a screen, seeing through his prison with everyone just who was it that was still able to do their job of winning.

A passing wind shifted a red cape, revealing a tied jacket that held the swords to a certain someone. His arms were crossed, and he had eyelids half-open and sulked forward. It was Fairy Tail's lifeline and seeing him…only made things complicated for Fairy Tail.

"You've gotta be kidding me." Elfman said.

Cana looked at the screen, completely perplexed. "…you've gotta be joking here…"

Lola peered up at the screen, eyes wide. "I-It looks like Craig Crius is the only one who wasn't affected for some reason! Ladies and gentlemen, Fairy Tail is still in the game, but only by the one hair!"

"No way…" Gildarts gasped.

Cana gave a gravely sigh. "Should've guessed it. It just had to be him."

On the battlefield soon to come, Craig had arms folded and a knowing, but also dead serious, look set on his face. The wind dialed down, and realizing he was the only one to fight left, his brow furrowed and twisted.

"…this is all because of the cape, isn't it?" he wittedly snarked.

---

Hey guys, I know this chapter took nearly a month to update, but I am SO sorry! I know what you are thinking: 'What the heck took so long man?!', well I had a very serious problem. I was about to wrap up the last 5K for this chapter, but then the next morning, my computer's CPU fan malfunctioned. So I had to take it to get the fan replaced, and that took me 8 DAYS to wait. So I had to without writing ANYTHING for a week. Imagine how I felt during that time; I lost my sanity and felt bored. Again, I know you have every right to hate me, but bear with me on this when I say this wasn't my fault. My laptop was down, so I really couldn't do anything other than draw and play my video games.

But, on the upside, thanks to this little "vacation" from writing, I was able to get a lot of art accomplished, which I posted on Deviantart. Plus big news for all of my fans for my NicxErza series. I finally started the plans! So once I finish this story, I can get to writing the final installment of my Pokémon/Fairy Tail story, working alongside my Bakugan fanfic.

Again, sorry for the long wait and inconvenience, but I pray you guys understand, and I will try to work harder in catching up in finishing this by the end of February. So please review and let me know if you still enjoyed Craig and Cana still this chapter!