The Fairy Contender

by Insane Dominator

One day, Nic Pularis is drawn into a sub-dimension, where he encounters Legendary Pokemon. He is entrusted with Plates by Arceus, and send to the land of Fiore, where he encounters Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza. He must go through multiple perilous journeys with his Pokemon and Fairy Tail, and triumph and endure hardships to master all eighteen Plates and save the universe. OCxErza.

73. Friends and Foes Alike

Chapter 73 – Friends and Foes Alike

Hey guys, here's the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy it! I'm trying to as fast and as diligent in my updates as possible, because EDventures in Kalos is nearing its finale, so more attention will be put there. Still, I am hoping for this story to be finished by the end of the summer.

Guest: All good questions, but I won't spoil.

Guest Valvrave: I have it all planned, so I won't say; as for the children part, I didn't think that far ahead.

Okay folks, on with the reuniting of Minerva, among other things!

To Recap:

Day 2 commenced, with Nic meeting Bacchus again at the bar beforehand. Natsu and Gajeel participated in the Chariots competition; and though they got 6th and 7th place, Natsu's speech got Fairy Tail fans. The battles were of Kurohebi defeating Toby, Elfman barely defeating Bacchus, Mira defeating Jenny after a beauty contest, and Kagura defeated Yukino, earning Fairy Tail A a spot for 2nd place with Fairy Tail B tied for 7th with Quatro Puppy, dubbed after Bacchus lost a bet.

---

Chapter 73 – Friends and Foes Alike

Night soon fell onto Crocus. Underneath a bridge that overlooked a canal that passed through the city and connected to the sea, three individuals were present. All three were at the rendezvous point, and they had concern on their faces.

"Have you been able to trace the Magic you've been looking for?" Erza questioned.

On the opposite side underneath the bridge, Jellal was unhooded and was the recipient. "No, not yet at least. This Magic represents Zeref, but there's no solid lead."

"Why do you think that is?" Erza asked.

"There can be a number of possibilities. Let's say a Mage alone is responsible, then the odds would be that they're not attending this year. Or they are here, but they haven't used that particular Magic yet."

"Maybe it's someone who's entering the games, but hasn't competed yet."

"If it's a device or a specific location, that makes things more complicated. If that were the case then, the device hasn't been activated, or there's a filter that prevents the Magic from being sensed."

"If you can't sense it at this time, then there's no need for us to worry." Erza said, relieving them.

"I hope so." Jellal said otherwise. "However the scenario goes, we can't lower our guard, not with your guild's rivalry with Raven Tail and the mishaps looming in and out of the ring. I'll take a look tomorrow for any clues while everyone is watching the festivities."

A third party nodded his head in understanding of Jellal's plan. "If that's the case, I'll ask Cana to step in." Nic said.

"I'd very much appreciate that. Thank you, Nic." Jellal said. He put on his hood and mask began to walk away. "I hope you two do your best."

Nic grinned at Jellal, but it was but a half-grin. "We will. Make sure to keep discrete as ever."

"I'm aware…Ultear made it clear last night." Jellal nervously pointed out, recalling the scolding he received. "Goodnight."

As Jellal walked away, Erza paused for a moment before she and Nic turned and walked away. They didn't see Jellal turn and look back at the two walking the ways back. 'It was nice to have talked again like that.' He thought before heading away into the shadows of the night.

Nic and Erza both traveled through the streets in a smile yet comfortable silence, mild easiness as they walked from lamp post to lamp post. They had no aim nor objective. They just wandered through the streets a little, walking and enjoying what peace they had as their fingers interlocked.

"Still no stars." Erza voiced. "But it's still a peaceful night."

"Yeah, it is." Nic agreed. "I'll bring those stars back to life." It sounded like a promise, but that wasn't his intention. He was true to his word that he would do whatever it took to bring the unstable universe back to its feet again, and that was enough for Erza.

The redhead and her lover turned a corner and began to make way towards the inn, but then something was caught on Nic's sensory as he suddenly stopped.

Erza took notice. "What's wrong? Someone there?"

"I finally found you!" A voice called out.

Both individuals turned their gazes towards the moon. On a bar balcony, a hooded woman was sitting on the railing. Thye both realized that it was the hooded woman that belonged to Mermaid Heel. "Hello, Erzy!"

Erza's eyes widened. "Erzy…?" Her body suddenly began to shudder as memories of one person began to fill her mind. The same one whose calls her that. 'Only one person ever calls me Erzy…'

The hooded woman revealed herself, showing herself to be something they haven't seen in the longest time. "Long time, no see!"

"Millianna!" Erza exclaimed happily.

Nic was left just as surprised. He only remembered Millianna as an old friend of Erza's and meeting her in the Tower of Heaven. He backed away as the cat woman jumped and hugged Erza, both beginning to glisten tears.

"I've missed you so much!" Millianna smiled.

"It's great to see you too." Erza said with a smile. "So you've joined a guild now?"

"Mhm! I'm in Mermaid Heel!"

"And what about Sho and Wally?"

"No silly. Mermaid Heel is a girls only guild, so they continue their travels. I still talk to them every now and again."

"I see." Erza pulled Millianna into another blissful hug. "It's so good to see you alive and well."

As the two old friends embraced the other, tears running down their faces, Nic just looked on with a soft smile.

---

Crocus housed many inns, but in a particular inn knows as Crocus Gardens, one of the more decorative and expensive inns. This housed the current champions known as Sabertooth, but instead of celebration, the guild members were in front of a large room with a red carpet that went up to a lone couch.

All of the members had hands behind them and frowned. They could only be appalled by today's actions, invoking the notice of their Master, and by all means he wasn't pleased as the five competitors were standing affirm in front of him.

"Pathetic." He roared. "You disgust me with your performance today." He sat the glass of grape wine right beside him. "Did you all forget how we stand above all else? We stand above the insects and crush them beneath our feet. They are not worthy of being acknowledged, they are only worthy of defeat and our wrath." His guild members were stiff at his cold, hard tone and berating comment.

"We make the heavens roar…to make the land shake…to silence the seas, that is Sabertooth!" He roared.

The person was none other than Sabertooth's Master, Jiemma. He hasn't changed in appearance at all, and his demeanor was just as volatile as before. The only difference at all was that there was a mark in his center, and a scar over his chest, from Nic's Focus Punch and Kecleon's Slash from seven years ago. The memory still burns with intensity to this day.

"Sting!" He roared.

Sting stepped forward away from the crowd. "Sir."

"Your performance was but a disgrace. However, since this is a Dragon Slayer's unconditional weakness, I am allowing the matter to slide but this one time. I don't ever want to see you fail again. You understand?" Jiemma said.

Sting bowed. "I understand, Master Jiemma. I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

Jiemma's glare darkened as he held up a bushel of grapes from the tree beside him. "Yukino!"

"Yes sir." Yukino stepped up this time, looking into Master Jiemma's dark gaze.

"This is no excuse for your failure in your match today. You are another matter to be dealt with." He growled. "Do you realize what you have done?"

Yukino's eyes were shut as she bowed. "Yes, sir. I was beaten by another guild. I have disgraced what Sabertooth has preached."

"No!" He silenced her by throwing the bushel of grapes that landed in her hair and falling to the ground. "You bet your life! A gamble that you hopelessly lost! You embarrassed Sabertooth with no exception!"

"Yes, Master…" Juices dripped from her hair as she felt remorse. "I am ready for whatever punishment is fit for my disgrace."

Jiemma's glare darkened. "Good, now strip yourself."

"As you command." Yukino nodded, and complied by taking off her clothes.

Normally the guys would be panting over her figure, but this matter was but another story entirely. A small fraction of Sabertooth was lowly growling at Jiemma, the handful that watched him through the years and put up with him, as they stood by the other's side, only Yukino wasn't part of their group, but that never stopped their pity.

Yukino's naked form was exposed, and she covered her breasts as cold air through the room made her stiff. She never felt so embarrassed in her life.

"Now, rid yourself of your guild mark. You are not worthy of it." Jiemma ordered.

Yukino nodded, holding back tears in her misty eyes. "Yes…as you wish." She closed her eyes and managed to focus her Magic Power. Everyone watched as her guild mark glowed a green light and it vanished. She got to her knees and bowed. "Even though it was for a short time, I thank you for letting me be a part of Sabertooth." She said, choking back any sorrow in front of Jiemma.

"Now…begone." Jiemma growled.

Yukino nodded and she grabbed her clothes. Everyone made way and watched with hollow gazes as Yukino passed them with a gaze down to the ground. She exited the room, closing the door behind her.

"That is a lesson to you all." Jiemma warned. "No matter who you are, despite these years you've been in Sabertooth, you shall forfeit your dignity and be damned. We shall accept no further mistakes. Dismissed."

"Yes, Master." They all said in unison. They all exited and left the room. As they all went down the hallway, and Sting and Rogue and their Exceeds followed.

"Man, that was harsh." Sting said. "He can rule with an iron fist and all, but come on."

"Well that was done." Lector commented. "Sabertooth's gotta be the strongest, right?"

"Fro is sad." Frosch admitted as he walked down the hall, distraught in the eyes.

"I know, Fro, but I won't let Jiemma hurt you…I swear it." Rogue assured, picking up his Exceed and the two smiling, relief washing over Frosch.

Sting stopped for a second and turned towards Rogue. "Come on man, don't be soft."

"And why not?" Rogue argued. "Yukino was a comrade as well. She deserved respect."

"Yeah, was, Rogue." Sting turned away. "She was weak, there you have it. We don't need people like that."

Rogue just glared at Sting as he kept on walking ahead of him, not valuing Sting's ill-will.

"Oh, right!" Lector looked up to Sting. "Sting, I heard milady's gonna be back soon!"

Sting looked excited. "Really? That's awesome! With her in the games, she'll take Yukino's spot and we'll be sure to climb back to the top!"

"I don't know." Lector said, shaking her head. "You know how Milady can be. She'll only participate if she wants to. Knowing what happened to Yukino, she's gonna be pissed with Master Jiemma again."

---

Team Fairy Tail exited the pub they partied in from the previous night, with Natsu patting his stomach full of food, and Wendy accompanied them.

"So is it really okay for me to join you guys at the inn?" Wendy asked.

Lucy turned towards her. "Yeah, no sweat. There's like six beds. You just need to worry about Natsu's snoring and Gray sleeping naked." Lucy nervously reminded herself of that last night. "And yet Nic and Erza share a bed and sleep like babies. It's adorable when you see it."

"Speaking of Nic and Erza, where are they?" Carla asked.

"They went for a walk, I think." Happy answered.

They all turned the corner, reaching their inn. Yet something stood out front with luggage.

Natsu blinked. "Huh? Wait, hold on…"

"Isn't that…?" Happy trailed off.

"Yeah, it's gotta be…" Wendy and everyone noticed the person in front of their inn's entrance was someone they knew from before. Yukino. "It's that Yukino from Sabertooth!"

"What does she want?" Natsu growled.

Yukino turned towards them, showing no ill will. "Good evening."

---

In the city park, Nic, Erza, and Millianna were sitting on a bench near a tree. The park wasn't too far from the hotel Fairy Tail stayed at. Erza and Millianna did most of the talking, and Nic just sat right besides Erza, remaining quiet.

"So why didn't you reveal yourself at the start of the games?" Erza asked.

Millianna smiled. "Well to be honest, I wanted to wait until after the games…" She then pulled Erza into a hug. "But I wanted to meet you again so bad! The last time we saw you, you were all sad and miserable!"

Erza frowned at the remembrance of that time as Millianna and the others left, and she could only mourn and cry over Nic's 'death'. She was so happy to have him back right now.

Millianna took notice of Nic at long last and her eyes widened. "Oh, Nic! I was shocked when I saw you on the first day! I didn't know you were alive!" She apologized.

Nic didn't show any ill-will. "It's okay. I don't blame you." He got up from the seat right next to Erza and turned away. "I think I'll head back to the inn. I'll leave you two to catch up."

"Okay." Erza agreed. "Be careful."

"I will, besides…" Nic smirked as he looked back over his shoulder. "I have my Pokémon with me, remember?"

Erza smiled softly as she watched Nic walk off, with hands in his pockets. She was a little concerned after all that's happened, but she knew better than to underestimate Nic and his Pokémon. They can handle anything thrown at them. Besides, she knew he was right when she was left alone to talk to her old friend. She turned back towards Millianna and kept a smile.

"Nic is super strong! He wiped that Raven Tail girl out in one blow!" Millianna said. "And you two are so close."

Erza laughed at the amusement. "Yes, we are." Her smile softened as she looked back at Nic and his black and purple coat as he disappeared behind a street. "The truth is, we love each other."

"So that means…" Millianna gasped. "You two are a couple!" She grabbed Erza's hand and fiercely shook it. "Oh, congratulations, Erzy!"

"Thank you, but really, I should be the one to congratulate you." She reasoned. "You've joined such a strong guild to compete."

Millianna sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "Oh, thanks, but we're not that strong."

"Don't be so modest. I'm impressed by your guild. Especially by that swordsman." Erza admitted.

"You mean Kagura? Yeah, she's super strong!" Millianna said with cheer. "She's the strongest Mage I know!"

Erza raised a brow. "Is that so?"

"Yeah…" Millianna paused. "Although, I don't think she'll show her power to anyone."

"What do you mean?" Erza questioned.

"You remember that sword she never sheathed once? That's her blade, Archenemy." Millianna explained. "As the name implies, that sword shall never be drawn until Kagura comes face to face with her sworn nemesis. A person that has ruined her, and shall never rest until that person is slayed."

Erza sat quietly, listening as she felt uneasy. She frowned as she felt a shift in the air. Millianna's face darkening with her tone most certainly didn't help. Millianna finished with one last sentence.

"That person that she seeks to slay for all of his crimes, the person that shall die by her hand…is Jellal."

Erza's eyes widened as her heart skipped a beat. A gasped escaped as she heard the name loud and clear. "Jellal?"

Millanna's smirk darkened. "Yes, and I'm with her all the way." She said in a sinister tone, the mood dialing to a darker level than before. "You feel the same, don't ya? That fiend murdered Simon. I hate him as much as Kagura could. I can never forgive him for making us slaves again, and he took our friend away. He'll pay, and by joining a guild, I can help Kagura and stop him."

Erza could only frown and mourn. She felt the venom in her words, her feline friend lost in the demons of the past she couldn't let go. Erza was able to let go of the past entirely and move on to the future, but Millianna was another story entirely.

---

Yukino sat on the cushion chair in front of the suspicious Fairy Tail members. They weren't fully trusting of Yukino considering that she was an enemy in their eyes. Fairy Tail A, minus Erza and Nic, gathered around Yukino.

"So hold on, let me get this straight." Gray intervened. "You wanted to see Nic?"

Yukino nodded. "Yes, I wanted to tell him about something. Something important."

"It better not be a confession, because Erza would be pissed." Natsu said in suspicion.

"Natsu." Lucy chided. "Sorry Yukino, you were saying?"

Yukino reached into her pockets and pulled out her two Zodiac Keys, getting everyone's attention. The two keys were present and Yukino looked down at them.

"Are those…?" Lucy spoke.

"Yes." Yukino nodded, her tone sullen. "Up until recently, my Spirits were unable to beckon at my call. I was so disheartened, and I thought it had something to do with me." She looked up at everyone, mainly Lucy. "But Lucy, surely you must have realized what happened too, right?"

Lucy nodded, her mood getting infected with sadness as well. "Yeah, Nic's mortal nemesis. Lysandre. He made a genocide in that world and chained the Zodiacs. If it wasn't for him, we'd never been able to see our Spirits again."

"I was gonna go and thank Cana Alberona and Sophie Lednick, after I was able to thank Nic and his Greninja. I learned about all the members of the Celestial Crew, and I want to thank the ones that are possible and appreciate them for helping save Libra and Pisces."

Gray crossed his arms, having no shirt on. "Well when you put it like that, I guess we can't blame you. I guess you can stick around until he and Erza get back." He complied. "But don't get any funny ideas while you're waiting."

Yukino nodded. "Thank you."

Lucy caught onto something. "Wait, hold on. How did you get finances if your Spirits were chained or…" She decided to not say the last part, knowing what happened to a lot or most of the Spirits.

Yukino looked away. "The truth is, Minerva helped me in finances."

"Minerva?" Wendy questioned.

"She's Master Jiemma's daughter, but the two are at war with the other." Yukino explained. "She's much more sympathetic, along with other guild members. They helped me on my feet when I couldn't get up…but I wasn't safe with her out on a job. She was out on a job, so I was a step-in."

"So the Master's daughter isn't as disheartened as Sabertooth in general?" Gray questioned.

Natsu's eyes narrowed. "So what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back at your guild?"

Yukino looked away, her eyes misting. The slow emerging of tears caught Natsu off guard as he backed away.

She wiped them away. "The truth is…"

---

Nic walked silently through the streets, remaining as quiet and as on-guard as possible. He knew that due to the disturbances, he shouldn't be alone, rather in a group. He traveled in discretion and kept his senses sharp.

'With all that is happening, I hope everyone is safe.' He thought back to Sabertooth, and Raven Tail alike. He most certainly didn't not show any likes for Sabertooth, but then there was that one side with full of concern. It revolved around the past, and his mind drifted off to when he fought Jiemma and assisted Minerva in rebuilding her confidence again. To this day he still wondered what happened to her.

He was so caught in his musings that the voice behind him barely managed to get through to him. "Nic…Nic…"

He turned around, and he saw Erza, finally caught up. He was a little surprised, but he didn't show it. "Oh, Erza it's you." He watched Erza approach. "How was your talk with Millianna?"

Erza didn't show any moral joy or sadness, but instead showed just a mild disposition. She thought back to Millianna's venomous comments, which discouraged her. "It was…memorable to say the least." She said. "Your pacing was rather slow, are you okay?"

"Just…contemplative is all." He looked up. "Sabertooth is a formidable adversary to say the least."

Erza smiled at him. "Yes, they are. But we'll surpass them."

Nic softly smiled at his lover and girlfriend. "Yeah, you're right…"

A small explosion erupted in the distance, bringing the two back to reality as their eyes were wide. They turned their heads towards the explosion and where it came from. It sounded unpleasant, and smoke could be seen.

"What's going on?" Erza questioned.

"I don't know." Nic pivoted and sped off, faster than what Erza could trace. "I'll go and see!"

---

"Out of my way!" Natsu rampaged through Sabertooth's inn as to get his hands on the Master for what he did to Yukino. He swatted a ninja member with a flaming fist and he smashed into a wall, falling to the ground with a thud. Sting's eyes were wide in horror and disbelief.

"Holy crap! Dobengal was taken down just like that?!" Lector exclaimed.

Jiemma glared at Natsu as veins were on his forehead.

Sting stepped forward, all tensed up. "Master, let me-!" Sting no longer advanced as Jiemma's arm was right in front of him.

"No." He ordered, stepping forward as he alone faced Natsu as the enraged Dragon Slayer enflamed a fist and roared a cry. "We don't have someone like you in our guild, you brat." His glare was hollow. "Interesting."

"Take this you jerk!" Natsu fired a blistering blow into Jiemma, but the large man blocked with his forearm and didn't budge. The impact sent a shockwave that force Natsu into a skid.

"Your spirit is not enough!" He roared at Natsu.

The Dragon Slayer slid across the floor from Jiemma's shockwaves, covering up from debris. He regained footing and enflamed another fist and drove it up into an uppercut, scoring a burning blow to Jiemma's gut.

Sting and Rogue were in shock, and the rest of Sabertooth was left in unbelievable shock as Natsu scored one blistering punch after another. Each punch was like a flaming hammer that shot as fast as bullets. Natsu reeled back a fist and Jiemma's eyes widened as lightning began to crackle with the flames. Natsu then punched forward.

"Lightning Flame Dragon's Firing Hammer!"

He punched forward, and a hole was blown through the inn's top floor, catching the attention of a few citizens out and about on the streets, Erza included. The smoke from the attack went through the room and dispersed, but then a woman stood in between Natsu and Jiemma.

The woman had long black hair, with a few braids in as well. Two bangs framed her face and parted in the middle. She had eyelashes and black lipstick. Two bun-shaped loops were on her head. She was considerable curvaceous as her figure was hugged by a black and blue dress with the same colored gloves that covered her arms. Her light colored front had a saber-toothed cat on it.

The woman smirked.

"Minerva?!" Jiemma exclaimed.

"Who?" Natsu growled.

"I believe this calls for a ceasefire." Minerva said. She turned towards Jiemma, showing contempt in her look. "Wouldn't you agree this has gone on far enough? I think a time-out is in order." Her hands drew back and relieved the spatial energy. All eyes were open at Minerva's appearance, with a handful of guild members smiling upon her return. "Jiemma, don't be so foolish as to get a quarrel out of hand as it already is."

"You dare…" Jiemma growled at his daughter.

"I know the boy started the altercation, but think about the guild. If you were to eliminate or have quarreled with Fairy Tail, you would have sullen Sabertooth's reputation. I believe it's wise for both parties to back down…if they know what's good for themselves."

Jiemma growled down at Minerva as she looked away at Natsu.

"As for you, you seem to have been quite the handful." She told Natsu as he glared at her. "However as much as I would enjoy to see how this plays out, I say this party comes to a close. You seem to have injured quite a few of our guild members, some of my comrades included." She frowned. "That I don't appreciate."

"Who are you? Tell me!" Natsu bellowed.

A sudden blur entered the room, entering the domain as his coat shifted. His back was too Minerva as the rest of Sabertooth diverted their attention to him instead.

"Enough! Everyone!" Nic roared, silencing the whole room, leaving Natsu, Jiemma, and Minerva all in a shocked disposition.

'Nic's arrived?' Rogue questioned.

"Hey, wait, isn't that…?" One member started.

"It is, it's Nic Pularis!" Another member exclaimed.

"I haven't seen him in a long time! And now here he is again!" Another mage smiled, and several more began to cheer just a little, much to most of Sabertooth's disbelief. Orga and Rufus both looked surprised as well, among the rest of the elites.

Nic turned his head back to meet with the girl's gaze. He only stared in slight confusion before the eyebrows and the hairstyle began to come back to him. He gasped and his eyes widened as he realized who he was staring at, and vice versa.

"Minerva?" Nic asked.

"Nic?" Minerva responded.

A sudden pressure filled the room, and the ground shook as all attention drew towards Jiemma. His body was giving off grand pressure. Natsu, Minerva, and Nic all looked back as Jiemma had veins all over his body.

"Nic Pularis!" Jiemma howled. "You!"

Nic was ready for whatever he could throw, but rather he took an alternative. He glanced at Minerva. "Minerva."

Minerva smirked. "Of course. Let's get some space from this beast, shall we?" Her hands gave off the spatial energy again, engulfing her, Nic, and Natsu, and the sphere taking all three in vanished before a blast wave left a crater where they were.

The members all were shocked as Jiemma huffed in frustration over Nic returning. The scornful memory arose again of him losing to that man and his Kecleon. Jiemma only stared in growling frustration at the crater.

"Damn you Nic Pularis…Minerva…" He cursed.

Sting looked down at the ground, his body quivering. 'That was insane. Natsu's way stronger than what I thought.'

Rogue's eyes narrowed. "What's going on? Why has Milady sided with Nic and Natsu of all people?" He questioned.

"Do you not know? She has a history with the last party." A female voice called from behind.

Sting and the other members turned their attention towards the feminine voice that aroused from within the crowd. Her shoes tapping was heard as she approached the Dragon Slayer in question.

She was a slim young woman of average height, much like Minerva. She had brown eyes and dark pink lipstick on her smirk. She had long, sky-blue hair that reached down to her lower back, with two bangs reaching her shoulders, with the right bangs being at a lower point. A guy would be craving her as she was the curvaceous body, and her ample bust size was held in place by a tight garment of sorts that showed a massive load of her bust and stopped inches from her stomach, showing her smooth waist. The garment was a neon green with dark blue edging. Her gloves were neon green as well, stopping at the elbows in a dark blue edging as well. Her dark green leggings were over her thighs and tucked into her neon green boots. Around the waist was neon green armor with dark blue edging, similar to Erza's waist armor of her Flight Armor. Her neck was hugged by a fur-lined mantle that was like a mini cape that reached down to her lower waist. The inside was dark blue while the outside was dark green.

She stopped and shifted weight to one hip. "Are you aware of Nic Pularis's history with Master Jiemma?" She questioned.

Sting looked shocked. "Lady Bellona!"

Rogue's eyes narrowed. "You mean that Sabertooth has a history with Nic?"

Bellona's smirk never left her scoffing expression. "It was such a shameful time, and I believe that Milady has told this tail, but never expressed names, now, am I right?" She looked around at the quiet guild members and chuckled. Her smirked widened. "Well then, let me tell you what I learned from her colleagues that are just as free-lifting as her…"

---

Underneath yet another canal bridge, refuge was upheld. Four figures met up after the scuffle at Sabertooth's inn was abandoned, and that was where Erza met up with Nic, Natsu, and Minerva.

Natsu was met with a fist to the back of the head. "Ow!" The bump enlarged as he whined. "Erza? What was that for?"

"You deliberately assaulted a guild outside of the arena. Do you have any idea on how much trouble we can get in for this?" Erza roared lowly.

"Be calm, Titania." Minerva insisted. "Natsu has his reasons that we can understand."

Erza turned towards Minerva. "And who might you be?" She questioned, her guard up high.

"Everybody calm down." Nic said, walking in between Erza and Minerva. "Let us just take a moment to take this matter one step at a time." He looked to Minerva and back at the two. "Natsu, Erza, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Minerva."

"So, you're the Master's daughter that Yukino told us about." Natsu growled.

Minerva smirked. "Indeed. Then I guess Yukino is left at your domain then."

"Natsu, what is she talking about?" Erza asked.

Natsu looked down at the ground, his gaze glowering as he growled. As the canal glistened with a half moon, Natsu told everyone there of what Yukino told them. He left nothing out as he told of her being shamed and stripped, and left to be excommunicated for her failure. By the time he finished with his tale, Erza and Nic were left in shock.

"That's borderline cruel." Erza said with crossed arms. "I know Sabertooth has standards, but what they did was unforgiveable."

"That's why I came around, to knock some sense into them." Natsu said.

Minerva frowned. "I see…I just got back, and now I left Yukino to be bared with a burden." All attention was turned to her. "I leave for a job and now Yukino is out of the guild."

"It wasn't your fault, Minerva." Nic said. "If anyone's to blame, it's Jiemma. I see he hasn't changed."

Minerva chuckled. "True. Regardless of how the circumstances came around, it's great to see you again." She grinned.

Nic grinned back. "It's good to see you're doing well too." His eyes widened. "Of course, I'm sure you want to see another old friend of yours again, right?" He pulled out a Poke Ball. "Come out, Kecleon."

The Poke Ball opened, and Kecleon emerged in front of everyone, tilting her head and looked at Nic and Minerva.

Minerva smiled down. "It's great to see you again as well, Kecleon."

"The celery is still fresh from the day it was plucked from the dirt! Minerva!" Kecleon cheered.

"What'd she say?" Natsu questioned.

"She said she remembers her all too well." Nic told.

"Oh…"

"So Minerva." Nic asked. "How's Sabertooth through the years?"

Minerva crossed her arms and grinned away at the two that helped her in her past. "That's a good question. It's a long story, but I'll indulge you." She recounted. "After you and Kecleon left, me and the present guild mates, we all were rather close, and we still are to this day. Unfortunately after that new members joined such as Orga and Rufus, and Sting and Rogue joined, and they all never decided to partake in my inner circle of family rebels. I guess you can say there's two sides to Sabertooth; one that's a friendly housecat, and the flesh-eaters sort of speak." She closed her eyes and closed away, still smirking. "Jiemma and I never interacted afterwards. I did as you and Kecleon did and me and my inner circle always stayed away and trained hard, far from Jiemma's reach. He knows we're one of the more stronger members, but he thinks little since they side with me and prefers to acknowledge the ones that follow under him."

Erza looked at Minerva in curiosity. "If that's true, then couldn't you have made a guild of your own?"

"Perhaps, but we all stayed to show that we can fight the power too. We're not a cowardly bunch, but they see me as a ringleader."

"So follow the leader." Kecleon tilted her head a little.

"Precisely, Kecleon." Minerva frowned. "That's why we couldn't do anything about Yukino, since I wasn't there to defend her. In any case, Jiemma and I never see eye to eye, but he does know of my power, and that's why we only agree or disagree if I enter the games or not."

"I see." Nic smiled. "I'm proud that you managed to hold onto faith."

"A very tight grip that you never let loose of." Kecleon added.

Minerva chuckled at Kecleon and her way of talking and she turned towards Erza. "Titania, Erza, would it be alright if I meet Yukino?"

Erza. With her guard lowered due to Minerva being an ally, nodded. "Of course. A friend of Nic's is welcome."

"Just don't do anything that we should regret." Natsu warned.

"I am aware. Thank you." Minerva then followed along back towards the inn, trailing behind Nic and a happy Kecleon. She smiled as she remembered that day full well. 'You two, thanks for being alive.'

Half an hour came and went, and the five entered the inn. Immediately they were caught with the attention of everyone there, including Yukino, who stood up immediately as Nic entered the room.

"Where have you been you idiot?!" Gray barked back, holding Natsu by the scarf. "What the heck was your problem?! You told us you went for a walk!"

"Honestly, must we resort to barbarism for everything? Obviously nothing else comes to mind for Natsu." Carl chastised. "That was very uncalled for."

"Yeah, and who's she?" Lucy asked, her attention towards Minerva.

"Milady?" Yukino questioned.

Minerva grinned. "Yes, Yukino." She frowned. "On behalf of my fraction of Sabertooth, we're very sorry for how we couldn't have saved you. I feel accountable."

Yukino looked down, a little sad. "It's okay, it happened." She held a clutched hand to her heart. "Still, I can't thank you enough for your gratitude and help in finances for all this time." She bowed. "I will forever be indebted to you."

Minerva just grinned and kept her gaze at the ground. "t's with a heavy heart have I have to bare your place. It's something that I feel humiliated to do, but I believe that I'm obliged to uphold that burden."

Yukino nodded. "I'd like that, thank you."

All around the room, everyone just smiled, and Kecleon tilted her head.

Yukino turned her attention towards Nic. "Nic Pularis." She said. "On behalf of what you and the Celestial Crew has done for the Zodiacs, I cannot repay you enough for freeing my friends." She got to her knees and bowed to Nic, the action making Nic raise a brow and look down at Kecleon. "I am forever in your debt if kindness, as I am to your Greninja, and Cana and Sophie."

Nic knelt down to her, keeping a warm grin. "Yukino, there's no need to feel so guilty. We were all risking our lives so free them from Lysandre. There's no need to bow before me."

Yukino looked up at Nic, a smile and tears pouring down her face. "Thank you…thank you so much…" She sobbed to her hands and continued to cry tears of joy, with everyone smiling all around.

Erza nodded. "It seems that we are on good terms with two of your guild, right?" She asked Minerva.

Minerva nodded. "Indeed. But don't think that I'll hold back in the arena. Nic and Kecleon may be my friends, and we may have gotten acquainted Erza, but I shall show you why I'm the strongest in all of Sabertooth."

Erza and Nic smirked at her challenge.

"We're all a bunch of good eggs." Kecleon said. "And we taste delicious."

Minerva chuckled. "Speaking of food, why not have a little snack while I'm here?"

"No way!" Natsu exclaimed, perking up. "You mean you can cook?!"

"Oh yes, Minerva's one of the best cooks in Sabertooth." Yukino said. "And she really is unrivaled in it too." Of course the white-haired mage seemed a little confused as she also recalls the references that Minerva made, a small habit of food that she seemingly picked up from a certain someone.

Kecleon smiled. "She is a tree above all others in her forest."

"I'm in." Gray shrugged.

"Yeah, I'm a little hungry myself!" Wendy smiled.

Later on during that hour, Minerva had decided to cook and had small desserts and meals all planned out. She laid them all out and everyone indulged in her cooking, with Erza marveling in the cheesecake she managed to make. Greninja ate along with Kecleon, getting acquainted with Yukino and Minerva and having small bites to eat as well. All in all, it was a fun time, despite Minerva being a part of Sabertooth, she made a great impression. She recounted the long story of how she met Nic and Kecleon and how he defeated Jiemma with the new Fist Plate at that point in time, shocking everyone about Nic and Kecleon's connection to Sabertooth.

"So Minerva?" Nic questioned as he sat his plate down. "What are you gonna do now?"

Minerva swallowed her food and turned towards Nic. "Good question." She sat the plate the plate down on the table. "Nic, I'm indebted to your kindness, but I'm still obliged to not hold anything back in the games." She snickered. "If I'm honest with myself, I'd like Fairy Tail to surpass Sabertooth for once, that'll show Jiemma why I think our guild is rather troublesome in its own right."

"The empire shall soon strike back." Kecleon noted. "Patience is the key."

"You couldn't be anymore right." Greninja said as he sat right beside her.

"I'm still stuck on the fact Nic fought their Guild Master years back and actually won." Gray said.

Natsu chomped into a piece of small meat, shoving the whole thing into his mouth. "Aw man, and I really wanted to smack some sense into him too."

"Jiemma won't change, no matter how hard you try." Minerva admitted. "Still, if he finds me being friendly to enemies, there's no question we'll get into a scuffle, but I'll manage like I have all these years."

"Your endeavors are admirable, Minerva." Erza complimented as she sat her plate down. "It's nice to see friendly competition rather than mediocre melee."

"That we can agree on." Minerva replied. "I'm just waiting for my Master's empire to turn on him, then I shall be satisfied. But for now, I'll enjoy what company with my associates."

Nic held up a water bottle to Minerva. "I hope we be fair in the arena."

Minerva held up a wine glass and toasted to Nic. "And to whomever guild comes out on top."

---

Sting's eyes were wide with horror. "No way!" He almost stumbled. "You serious?! Nic and his chameleon friend actually defeated our Master seven years back?"

Bellona turned away. "Yes, and I'm afraid that because of him, Minerva is how she is now." She took a few paces with a sway in her large hips. "I'm afraid Milady is a handful, among her followers that are under Nic's influence."

"No wonder Milady and a few others are more compassionate." Orga said.

"I most certainly can't recall Milady ever mentioning that tale to us in person." Rufus acknowledge in disbelief.

Bellona turned towards another wave of members. "Milady is soft. She has no desire to rule over such a filth of a guild that she believes we are. She tries to keep her handful of friends and whatever sanity she harbored and keep Sabertooth as a caring guild, just like Fairy Tail is. Wouldn't you all agree that's the reason how Fairy Tail has become so pathetic? Are bonds really such a thing that grants one power?" She turned away to another section in the room. "I say, that's such a foolhardy belief. Haven't you all heard nice guys finish last?"

Rogue looked down. 'Honestly, I wish Sabertooth really wasn't so disheartened. Milady and her followers have that concept. I just wonder…'

"You got that right, Lady Bellona." Sting smirked. "Comrades really are a burden if they're just weak. If they're not with you and can't jeep up, then they won't be any help at all."

Rogue could only glare at Sting.

"That's a good boy, Sting." Bellona said with a smirk and such an erotic tone. "And be sure to stay to those beliefs, and show everyone that Sabertooth tramples over the weak. Show them why bonds only hinder. Show them, why we shall never let Fairy Tail have their way. Nic's infectious bonds shall not be tolerated!"

She pivoted and turned to meet the guild members with a malicious smirk. "Milady may be participating in Yukino's place, but if she believes that we'll let Sabertooth get soft on her watch, she'll have to go through the second strongest in all of Sabertooth."

Sting clenched a tight fist. "That's right, and I'll show Natsu and Nic no matter how strong they may seem, the Twin Dragons will squash them like insects." He scoffed with hidden excitement as he remembered what Natsu did, and hearing what Nic and Kecleon did to Jiemma, he could hardly contain himself.

Orga punched his own fist. "I'm stepping in tomorrow. They'll all get a taste of my Black Lightning."

"I remember your lightning being most destructive. I agree that you should do the honor." Rufus said.

Bellona smirked. "Fairy Tail may have its fun yet, but we'll prove our power is superior. Milady will allow the matter to remain silent since she seemed to enjoy her father getting a lesson..." Her eyes narrowed as the tone in the atmosphere grew venomous. "But we shall have the last laugh yet. We shall keep our title as the strongest guild, and all shall tremble."

Her face cast a shadow of darkness as the elite smirked and agreed out of fear. Bellona turned towards the vast window that showed the black night sky.

"Perhaps I should show her what true power is when the time comes."

---

Everyone was exhausted. After stuffing themselves, and Minerva left to head back to her inn and Yukino went elsewhere; Natsu and Happy fell asleep, snoring with bloated stomachs. Gray was practically naked under his sheets as he was out. Lucy was sleeping on her side and having a pillow to cover her ears from Natsu's snoring. Wendy and Carla were both sound asleep beside the other, leaving Nic the only one awake.

Erza was still in the bathroom, drying herself from her bath as Nic was silently resting his head back against the pillows and seemed placid yet contemplative at the same time. He used his knees as a board to hold a sketchpad in place as he lightly drew a small scenery from Kalos.

He lightly applied shading to the seawater of Route 8 as the coves and cliffs were of the right hand side. Little Dwebble and Binacle could be seen among with Wingull flying overhead. Shellder and Clauncher were seen peering out from the isles and small rocks and sandy mounds far out to sea. By drawing Route 8 again, he reminisced in the training he shared with Frogadier, Charmeleon, and Kecleon at the time, all training for the heck of it on the beach, of course they all relaxed too, but it was the thought that counts.

Nic sat the sketchpad aside with the pencil as Erza emerged from the bathroom and walked over. She looked a little tired as she crawled underneath the sheets and got cozy as she laid on Nic's naked upper body. She didn't mind that he slept with a shirt off. She never cared if he was shirtless or was, but Nic had a long night, so she can't blame him.

"Minerva seems like a reasonable person." She said quietly.

"Yeah. She is." Nic said in a quiet tone. "I just wished Sabertooth was like that in general."

Erza adjusted herself and was pulled into an embrace as Nic used an arm and turned the lamp off.

"You think Yukino will be alright?" Nic asked.

"I'm worried too, but we gotta focus on winning." Erza pointed out, the side of her head on Nic's chest as the mentioned laid his head down onto soft pillows. "I know you're worried, but she has her Spirits to look after her, like you have your Pokémon. Let's just do what we can and give Minerva a run for her money."

Nic smiled softly as he bent over and kissed Erza's head softly. "Okay." The two accepted the other's embrace as they fell asleep.

---

The crowd was going nuts as the third day has arisen.

"It's time, folks! Welcome to the third day of the X791 Grand Magic Games! I'm Chapati Lola!" Lola announced as he sported a new hairdo. His wig was a long blonde one, making him almost look like a woman.

"I hope today's events make the last two days worth the wait." Yajima hoped.

"And our special guest today is someone to be on your best behavior for." Lola announced. "Our guest today is Council member, Lahar!"

Lahar leaned into the microphone. "Thank you for having me today."

"As head of the Custody Enforcement Unit, you're in charge of stopping any crime and bad guys, right?" Lola asked.

"That's right." Lahar said. "So all you cheaters better not be in my sight, or you'll be in trouble." He teased.

In the entrance of the hall to the stands, Doranbolt was oblivious to the crowd as he was zoned out. His head was lowered as he was in his own thoughts. "Damn you, Lahar. You just had to go and drag me into this mess."

Doranbolt nearly dropped the book he was putting away. "You serious? They want you to be a guest at the Grand Magic Games? What did you tell them?"

"I told them that I'd be happy to. You should come along." Lahar insisted.

"Thanks, but no thanks." Doranbolt said, turning back towards the shelves.

"The full ranks of Fairy Tail will be there." Lahar informed. "I'm sure you'd want to see them again."

"After what I did, abandon them and have them travel through time and have you guys get scolded by Nic…I doubt they'd want us there." Doranbolt's head lowered.

"Doranbolt." Lahar took a long pause to let Doranbolt see his grin. "That's in the past. You did it to save your life. Just look to the future, everyone else is."

Doranbolt walked along and saw Romeo, Wendy, Carla, and Happy running along as they were late. As they ran ahead, Doranbolt walked along slowly and kept his eyes on them.

"Time for our event! Pandemonium!" Lola announced. "As before, we'll have one member from each team competing, so choose wisely!"

Natsu held up a fist. "I got this one! I'm still burning up from last night."

"Don't be stupid." Gray said. "You went yesterday."

"Right…" Erza's arm were crossed. "So I'll go." She began walking off, leaving Natsu enraged.

"Hey no fair!" Natsu whined.

"Good luck Erza!" Wendy cheered.

"Erza, do your best." Nic supported her all the way.

Cana had weight shifted to her hip. "I'll go. Nic asked me to step in, so that's what I'm doing."

"Oh no you don't. I gotta redeem myself from yesterday." Gajeel countered.

"Say, where is Mystogan anyway?" Laxus questioned.

"He's a recluse, but why go into hiding at this time?" Sophie asked.

Cana leaned into Mira, whispering. "The guest announcer's the same guy who arrested him, so he decided to hide."

"Oh, makes sense to me." Mira said, uneasy.

"If Erzy's going, I am too!" Millianna cheered.

"Very well." Kagura agreed.

Millianna rushed onto the field, passing Erza. "Sorry Erzy, but I'm not gonna lose!"

"We'll see." Erza watched Millianna pass her, and seeing her brought them back to last night. The shrill venom in her words over her hatred for Jellal. The redhead could remember her words clearly, but realized where her attention was entitled to be. She smacked her palms against her cheeks. "I mustn't lose focus!" She proclaimed.

"Obra, be sure to not show anyone your Magic." The armored man enforced.

The man with the blue head nodded as he entered the arena.

"I should go, for the fans." Hibiki said, making girls squeal.

Orga clenched a fist. "I said I was gonna take this!"

"Just be sure to not go overboard." Minerva said.

Sting just stared. 'I don't care who goes. If Natsu isn't competing, then why bother?' He thought to last night as he remembered Natsu's raw power first hand. He was still left surprised, but amazed at the same time. He could still feel his bones shuddering.

Rogue was another story. He was so troubled over how Bellona's words was the opposite of what Minerva operates. If he were honest with himself, he was confused at the tales and beliefs being tossed all around. He thought back to how Nic and Kecleon influenced Minerva a long time ago about the value of friendship, something the rest of Sabertooth neglected.

Jura rubbed his long beard. "Victory shall be mine, don't you worry."

Nobarly stepped forward for Quatro Puppy. "WILD!"

"It looks like the competitors have been chosen! Give them a rousing applause folks!" Lola announced. The crowd cheered for them, and then Lola announced once more. "And now the rest is up for Mato to explain. Let's start Pandemonium!"

A dark Magic seal appeared high above the castle. The whole area began to shake as something appeared out of the Magic seal. A malicious castle of a massive spire emerged. The theme was more of a deadly gothic than anything else. Four large monster skulls were on the top roof, and chains were all around, connecting to other corridors and buttresses. The gigantic structure was more menacing since the entire thing was completely upside down.

All of the participants look in awe and with slight fright.

"Holy crap." Cana muttered.

"What is this?" Erza said in shock.

The spire touched the bottom, and the entrance opened up, and the stairway was open.

"Before you is Pandemonium!" Mato announced. "Welcome to the castle of monsters!"

Jura looked down at the pumpkin man. "In other words, you want us to do battle with these monsters."

"That's right, pumpkin!" He explained, shocking the audience. "Inside are a total of 100 monsters! Don't worry though, they're Magical Projection solemnly for this game, and harm shall fall onto the crowd. They are classified by their level of difficulty, and the rankings are divided up as D, C, B, A, and S. If you really want a first-hand look, then here!"

A projection showed the inside of Pandemonium. A D-Class monster was white and armor-looking. It alone was enough to smash a pillar and end up unscathed. Its image alone was enough to frighten many, but what made many scared was the fact the C-Class monsters were red and were twice as large and powerful, B were twice as strong than C, and so on. However the S-Class was but a mystery, as it was told that it might put a Wizard Saint through its paces.

Natsu and Gray glared with shaken eyes at the monsters inside the projection, but, unlike them, felt a chill of adrenaline, but in a good way. He and his Pokémon lived for this thrill, and the fact they all fought Hydreigon and Gurdurr way back in Victory Road made him a little envious of Erza.

"You will all take turns in fighting these monsters. We call it the competitor's writ to challenge." Mato said.

"Writ to challenge you say? So we get to choose?" Erza asked.

"That's correct, pumpkin! So if you wanted to fight three monsters, then that number shall appear before you; of course you'll go in alone. Once you have dispatched those three, you will be given three points. The next competitor in the rotation shall then pick a number out of the 97 that still remain. The game will end when either all the monsters have been vanquished, or when everyone runs out of Magic Power; whichever comes first. Keep in mind that all of these monsters aren't equal. They're random, so you may end up with a couple B or C-Class monsters. The points are added up by the total of monsters you can defeat."

"So what happens if we get knocked out?" Cana asked.

"Yu will keep the points given from the previous rounds, but you'll be out of the game." Mato answered.

"So Erza and Cana have to be careful in choosing the number of monsters, and yet choosing so little won't give them much points." Vanessa said.

"This is on the more gruesome scale if you ask me." Braixen said, slightly uneasy by the gothic theme and large monsters.

"Now…" Mato materialized a box with sticks in front. "We shall draw straws to determine who goes first."

Erza and everyone drew their individual straw. Her stick had a Magic seal with the number 1, startling her. "I'm first?"

"Lucky you." Cana remarked. "That also means you'll get the most turns." She showed hers, revealing the number 8. "Meanwhile I'm stuck dead last."

Erza looked up at Pandemonium, inspecting it in all. "I see…I would've expected the luck of the draw to be a factor."

"Actually, the list can go on and on for pacing, monster levels, opponents, etcetera." Mato explained. "It's all how you play the game."

Erza smiled. "No, in fact, this isn't even a game anymore."

"Huh?" Mato questioned.

Erza stepped forward, facing the entrance. "Inside this castle…awaits 100 monsters. I choose to fight…all 100."

"WHAT?!" Mato screamed, and every single person in the stands were left speechless. Cana, Millianna, even Jura and Orga were left speechless by Erza's declaration. All eyes were wide, including Krokorok's. Many questioned her health, her sanity, and yet Natsu and Gray could only laugh. Nic, unlike all of them, smirked with excitement underneath his sunglasses.

Erza walked passed everyone, her stride reflecting her confidence.

"B-but that's impossible!" Mato exclaimed. "You can't be serious in challenging all 100 at once! It's designed to have equal chances for competitors!"

"Watch me." Erza challenged as she embarked for the stairway up to the entrance. Everyone watched with heavy breaths as Erza embarked inside the castle. She traveled through the dark corridor and her armor clanked as she emerged from the shadows.

In a large room, she looked at the many accommodations and stood affirm. "I am Erza Scarlet of Fairy Tail Team A. I choose to fight…100!"

Emerging from doorways, all 100 monsters emerged. It was one by one, but then horde by horde. Monsters of various sizes in their respective categories emerged and gathered around Erza, snarling and growling at her.

"You think she's gonna be alright?" Lucy asked.

"I certainly wouldn't wanna face that many." Juvia admitted.

"What was she thinking?" Gray wondered.

"Erza can do this." Nic caught their attention. "This is Erza, she never disappoints." He smiled. "She won't let us down."

"This is crazy and reckless, but expected." Sophie said.

"She'll pull through somehow." Gajeel said.

Laxus crossed his arms. "That's right, just relax and let her go to work."

In the stands, Doranbolt watched through the monitors as the monsters closed in on the infamous Titania. "There's their famous recklessness. Looks like Tenrou Island hasn't changed them one bit."

Erza was in the middle. She relaxed all of her tensed muscles and her eyes shot open. "Come." She demanded.

As all monsters swarmed her, she glowed and suddenly sliced through a few D-Class monsters with her Heaven's Wheel Armor. She perched herself atop of a spire in the middle of the room, where her arms were spread out, and hundreds of other swords appeared in a circle around her.

"Blumenblatt!"

Swords rained down on the multitude of monsters, all yelling and covering up, some weaker one getting eliminated right on the spot. Her eyes caught the sight of a small little eye bouncing off, which caught her attention and suspicions.

"And just like that, Erza has gone all out, elimination more than a few monsters just like that!" Lola announced.

"Did she just try and wipe them out at once?!" Romeo asked.

"Doubtful." Mavis said. "I think she was testing the waters, to see how and in what way her opponents measured up."

"Requip!"

"Yes, that must be it." Makarov said. Everyone watched as Erza requipped into her Black Wing Armor, amplifying her single sword swipe that eliminated several D-Class monsters at once. "She discovered their weaknesses with that one attack."

Erza slashed again, sending a wave at several more at once, eliminating them. From her side, a C-Class monster that was red and had a triceratops head opened its mouth and let loose fire, blasting Erza full force.

"Erza!" Wendy exclaimed.

"It'll take more than that." Nic said, keeping his confidence high. "Remember…"

The smoke cleared, revealing Erza in her Flame Empress Armor, and yet she had the sword of her Sea Empress Armor in hand.

Nic smirked as he watched Erza eliminate the C-Class monster that blasted her. "She is very skilled."

Erza slashed and posed again, eliminating five more C-Class monsters in mere seconds. The crowd was thrilled as Erza was dwindling the numbers.

"Using Water against Fire. That's a strategy that'll put her at an advantage." Vanessa smiled, feeling better knowing Erza knew what she was doing.

"It's like Types, interesting." Magnezone said.

Erza flashed a Requip and brought another sword up, blasting and swiping many more foes that fell and sliced into ribbons. When she came to a B-Class monster as it materialized from bubbles, it roared at her, and yet its attack was nothing as she requipped to her Sea Empress Armor and used the spear that went with her Lightning Empress Armor. She electrocuted and slayed many B-Class monsters then and there, but as she flipped, her mental and physical strength was starting to add up, and she was hit by a claw from a B-Class and smashed into the wall.

She recovered as she requipped into her Flight Armor with her Purgatory mace, slicing her many C and D-Class monsters at once. Her mace hit the ground, and she used it as support as she panted, trying to keep herself up.

"She's amazing." Mavis admitted. "An amazing Mage to behold."

"I don't believe it! 50 monsters have already fallen!" Lola announced. "What raw power she has!"

"Erzy's amazing!" Millianna cheered.

Orga however wasn't so easily impressed. "Seriously? Look at her. She looks like she was gonna keel over."

Erza panted as she saw more monsters heading her way. She requipped her Lightning Empress and Sea Empress spear and sword alike and sliced again through many that came her way. She was swatted with a tail and smashed again into the wall, but that didn't stop her as she evaded beams and blasts of fire, countering with her own blows of aquatic waves and electricity.

The dust and smoke cleared, and Erza was on a knee and at the feet of a massive A-Class monster, which resembled a red ogre with a mask almost. The beast punched down at her, and the audience immediately panicked.

In Mermaid Hell's balcony, Kagura spectated. "Interesting…using its power against itself."

The dust cleared, revealing Erza with her Adamantine Armor and shielding the blow, shattering the A-Class monster's arm. The audience wowed with wide eyes at her counter, and watched with greater awe as she used The Giant's spear and forced the A-Class monster out of the room.

Erza ran out and onto a bridge, chasing the small creature she saw before. B-Class monsters shot beams at her, but she shielded with the shield and eliminated them when she threw her spear, eliminating nearly ten at once.

Requipping to Morning Star, to Purgatory, too many combinations in the blink of an eye, and everyone was growing ecstatic over her counters and strikes. Monster after monster fell before her, and she just couldn't stop. The more Nic watched her, the more joy he couldn't seem to hide.

Erza panted when she requipped back to herself, using her Purgatory mace for support. "Titania cannot be stopped folks! 96 monsters have fallen! 4 remain!" Lola screamed into the microphone.

As Erza raced for the A-Class monster on the other side of the bridge, she passed the jumpy eye again, this time catching everyone's attention.

"Did you see that?" Juvia asked.

"What was that?" Bisca said.

The A-Class monster smashed its fist into Erza, but it failed to land a blow as she was in her Adamantine Armor with the hammer she got from back in the Starry Sky incident. She requipped in time, slicing the A-Class monster in half while in her bandages and red hakama, holding but a single sword.

The bridge gave way and she started to fall. The last two B-Class monsters pounced on either side. Erza turned and sliced into the head and then raced along the back, swiping but once. She turned back and vertically flipped, slicing into the other B-Class monster. She landed on a chain and panted as both monsters vanished.

"Amazing! 99 are down! 1 remains!" Lola shouted. "Just what is our heroine up against now…w-wait a sec-what?!"

Lola and everyone gaped their mouths at the sight. Erza was standing affirm, her posture ready as she stared at the small eye creature that was constantly bouncing around. It looked uneasy at Erza. "I thought it was you."

"That thing?!" Natsu and Gray exclaimed in disbelief.

"For a monster, it's kind of cute." Wendy said.

"This is gonna get bad." Nic said, not lowering his guard.

Erza requipped two katana and stared cold and assertive at the S-Class beast. Her posture was stiffer than before.

Happy snickered. "Looks like Erza's going overkill."

"No." Lily said. "Take a look at her body language. She's readying for the real fight."

Erza's eyes narrowed further. "Come at me."

The little monster's eye widened, and then a purple shockwave went through the whole Pandemonium castle. A bright light engulfed everything, and suddenly Erza and the beast were no longer there. All attention instead went to the top of the tower.

"I told you it was impossible." Mato said, shaking his head. "The monster's strength was to increase three-fold if came to the last one standing. You had a good run, but now it's game over."

Erza was trapped underfoot as the top, or in this case the bottom, of the tower had blue flames all around. Darkness loomed all around as she and the S-Class beast were on a platform. The S-Class beast turned into a humungous black demon, heavily armored like a dark knight with the eyeball in the space between the lower and upper body.

The monster had Erza under foot and tried crushing her against a stack. It kicked Erza off and smashed her into the middle of the arena, where she laid there, struggling to get up as the S-Class beast towered over her.

"I most certainly wouldn't wanna be in her shoes right now." Yajima admitted.

"This place certainly deserves the title of Pandemonium." Lahar added.

"Get up, Erza!" Natsu shouted.

The beast kicked Erza, sending her soaring, but she still had both katana in hand and slashed twice, evading and slicing off the sharp fingers of the beast. While Mato was left baffled, Nic smirked out of pride and being proud of her.

"HRAH!" Erza appeared behind and slashed the back of the beast's head, slicing off a horn. The crowd, including Fairy Tail, was beginning to cry over how Erza swatted down once again, but soared back into the fray, showering strikes as she never gave in, like a scarlet rose that bloomed through the dark times. All eyes were left in tears over the beauty as Erza sliced clean through the center eye, and the beast crumbled as she looked away with a pose.

Erza took a sigh and stood triumphantly with bruises and injuries, but no matter what, the sword was still in hand as it was aimed to the dark sky as her ponytail shifted through the dust.

Lola and Yajima gaped their mouths in disbelief, so much that Yajima didn't realize his cap tilted.

"That…was…UNBELIEVABLE! Erza Scarlet has single-handedly defeated all 100 monsters!" Lola screamed into the mic. Fairy Tail A has swept today's contest with no question! Let it be known, the strongest guild from seven years ago has returned from the grave!"

The castle disappeared, and the dark Magic seal shrunk and lowered to the ground. In front of everyone, the seal vanished, leaving Erza to take its place.

The entire crowd went ballistic as they screamed to the heavens.

"WOOOOOO!"

"THAT WAS AWESOME!"

"That's Titania! Fairy Tail's most powerful female Mage!"

"Hail to the queen! Wooo!"

"And the crowd is growing nuts!" Lola shouted.

"I honestly thought the suspense was gonna kill me." Yajima admitted.

"That was absolutely breathtaking." Lahar admitted.

Doranbolt smiled as he wiped away the tears in his eyes. 'It took me the longest time, but now I see it, the strength within your recklessness.'

Erza sighed and relaxed. Her sword lowered and she heard her comrades all coming to her, racing across the field with huge smiles on their faces.

"That was so beautiful, I'm still crying!" Wendy said, showing tears in her eyes.

"That was totally awesome!" Gray cheered.

"That was just too good!" Natsu agreed.

"That was amazing, Erza!" Nic said, a proud smile on his face.

Erza smiled back at her lover. "Well I couldn't afford to lose with you cheering for me, right?" She asked him.

Nic's cheeks showed a small shade of pink as he just continued smiling. "True."

Makarov and everyone was cheering with pride at their balcony. "Erza, you made our guild proud!" Makarov cheered.

"LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, ERZA SCARLET OF FAIRY TAIL TEAM A! THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL THAT IT MADE KROKOROK FEEL HIS FACE LEAK WITH TEARS!" Krokorok shouted, his eyes still listing.

"Yay! Erza!" Lucy yelled.

"You were awesome!" Levy cheered.

Erza smiled at everyone and raised a fist, and at once, all of Fairy Tail raised their fists as well with proud and cheering smiles.

"Fairy Tail A earns 10 points from that stunning display!" Lola announced. "All of that jeering turned into cheering; the chiding feels but a distant memory for them."

Cana held up a bottle. "That girl is in a league of her own."

"Erzy's the strongest!" Millanna cheered.

"Nic's girlfriend is a fight to behold. Those two have showed a dazzling display." Hibiki said with sparkling passion.

"What?! That chick wasn't so great!" Sting exclaimed. "Orga could've beaten them all 10 seconds flat!"

"She was awesome though…" Frosch admitted.

Minerva smirked. "Seems Nic's guild has some fangs of their own. This makes things very interesting."

Kagura of Mermaid Heel glared down, studying Erza. 'Erza Scarlet.' She thought. 'She's the closest to Jellal.'

Mato approached the remaining seven left. "Okay, under this revelation, we've established Plan B." As he noted the claim, a medium-sized device floated appeared right beside him. It had a blue orb standing atop of a black structure like a pod with measurement arrows. "This may be on the boring side compared to Pandemonium, but I think it'll suffice."

"And what might that be?" Hibiki asked.

"The Magic Power Finder, or MPF for short." Mato answered.

"So in other words, it measures a Mage's Magic Power?" Jura asked.

Mato nodded. "That's correct! You cast a spell on this device and displays its power in numerical form. We'll use it to determine the rankings instead."

"Is this solemnly a question of strength?" Hibiki pondered. "I wonder if I can work around that…" His gaze followed to Cana, who was drinking right next to him. Being the ladies' man, he slipped an arm around her. "But the bigger question is if you're free tonight."

Cana smirked. "Well I could be, but then there wouldn't be enough booze to go around." Right behind her, barrels upon barrels of booze were piled about, scaring Hibiki some.

"How in the world are you not dead yet?!" Nobarly exclaimed.

"The boozer is drinking on the job! I knew I should've gone ahead." Gajeel said in disbelief.

"Well, she's useless." Laxus groaned.

"Cana, pull yourself together!" Sophie exclaimed.

"Eh?" Cana gave a distraught and questionable look that was plastered onto her face. She was clearly not listening and just noticed them in her stupor.

"Let's continue in the order that you drew straws in, shall we?" Mato started. "That means Millianna of Mermaid Heel is next!"

"Meow! I'm ready!" Millianna swiped and removed her cape and hood, showing her skimpy clothing. She put her hands in front, where a Magic seal was seen. "Kitten Blast!" She fired a tube in a spiral, in which hit the orb. Immediately it read 365.

"And Millianna scores 365!" Lola announced. "But…does anyone know a benchmark for these things?"

"Perhaps I can be of help." Lahar said. "We Rune Knights use MPF in training often. That number Millianna scored can make her a squad captain."

"That's great and all, but raw power ain't Millianna's specialty." Beth noted.

Nobarly went, but his score only measured up to 124, much to his own despair. Then came Hibiki, in which he despaired further with a score of 95, leaving him sobbing to the ground. Of course again he tried to flirt with Cana, but she only provided a pat on the back through his despair. Then came Obra.

"Raven Tail." Natsu growled.

"The same one who attacked Wendy and Carla." Happy growled.

"I wonder what he'll do?" Vanessa wondered.

Obra spread his arms and something emerged from the shirt beneath. The small animal from before emerged and lunged at the MPF, tackling it, scoring 4.

"Obra clocks in at…4 points?" Lola questioned.

"Uh, does anyone buy that?" Wendy asked.

"No." Erza said. She had bandages on her arms, and one on her cheek. She had a black skirt as she also had a white shirt on.

"Uh…sh-shouldn't you rest?" Wendy asked. She looked at Nic, and realized what Nic had done before. She remembered he could use Heal Pulse. She sweat dropped. "Oh, never mind."

"Obra! You idiot! We can't get points!" Flare shouted.

"Quiet Flare!" The armored man scolded. "You know Obra can't reveal his Magic to everyone."

Orga then stepped up. "Okay, now it's my turn." He said, getting the crowd all worked up again. He put his hands together as he smirked. "Watch and learn…" Black lightning began to surge in his palms. "120mm Black Lightning Cannon!" A compressed beam of the entire black lightning blasted the MPF, leaving it smoking a little, and the MPF displayed 3825, startling everyone there.

"Oh my god! Orga's attack just shot down everyone's scores!" Lola shouted.

"He's 10 times stronger?!" Millianna exclaimed.

"WHAAAA?!" Natsu exclaimed.

"That can't be right!" Gray shouted.

Lahar stared with wide eyes. 'I've never seen such a score like that in my life.'

Jura stepped forward. "Very well, do you mind if I give it my all?"

"Well that is the point of the game." Mato said.

Jura put his hands together and inhaled. Almost immediately an immense pressure could be felt, in which the entire stadium had begun rumbling and quaking violently. All spectators could barely sit still as an intense Magical pressure escalated, and it all was because of Jura.

His eyes opened up. "Rumbling Mt. Fuji!"

A pillar of huge light and Magic shot through the earth and expanded, quaking and rising hundreds of meters into the sky. It rattled like an eruption until it faded, revealing the MPF being 8544.

"I don't believe this! Wizard Saint Jura has made MPF history!" Lola shouted.

"What?!" Orga shouted.

Erza smirked. "And here I thought it'd be higher."

Lyon crossed his arms. "Looks like we were worried for nothing."

"Outstanding, folks!" Lola said. "And that shows the power of the Ten Wizard Saints! And so, we move on to Fairy Tail Team B's Cana Alberona!"

"*hic* That's so thoughtful of you saving the best for last." She cooed.

Makarov looked ahead. "I knew Jura was strong, but I never expected him to be that strong. He may be the same level as Gildarts. I wouldn't wanna follow Jura after that."

"Perhaps." Mavis smiled. "But remember Cana's his daughter."

As Cana dropped a booze bottle and advanced towards the MPF, everyone in the stands were rather unsure.

"Well we're screwed." Happy said.

"You never know." Lily said. "If she can beat Millianna's score, she'll nab 3rd place…" His brow wrinkled when Cana took off her white blouse, showing her bra. "What?!"

All eyes widened as they saw something they only saw once, twice in some cases. Nic and Sophie grinned as Cana's arm had the red tattoo, the same one she had back in the Andromeda Tower awhile back. They knew what she was gonna use.

"Time for the grand finale!" She shouted.

Mavis smiled as she remembered granting and bestowing that spell to Cana awhile back. She watched with happiness as Cana raised her arm and the tattoo glowed. "Cana, remember what you're fighting for. Remember those that give you your strength. Remember the promises and the conviction behind everything that you do."

A pillar of light risen from her and she made the chant. "Now! Gather, O' river of light guided by fairies!" An immense Magic Power was felt and all eyes widened as a ring of light shined down from the sky. "Shine! In order to perish the fangs of evil!" The ring slammed down onto the MPF. "Fairy Glitter!"

The remaining competitors, even Jura, had their jaws drop as the ground shattered as the MPF vanished from within the light. Ivan looked with wide eyes as well, startled at Cana's spell as it was one of the three Grand Fairy Spells he's never seen before.

The dust faded, and Cana's arm was sizzling gold. A hand was to her hip as the MPF was destroyed, leaving 9999 in its place.

As Sting was filled with shock, Fairy Tail cheered happily at Cana.

"OH MY GOODNESS!" Lola screamed. "Cana Alberona had just eliminated the MPF! Fairy Tail is taking today by storm! This must be their strength! Can anyone stop them?!"

Cana smiled as she faced the crowd. "There's no stopping up! Fairy Tail will be number one again! We're just getting started!"

The crowd screamed out in cheers for Cana, and Sophie and Nic both showed smirks at their friend.

Mato turned away from the crowd that was in a frenzy over Fairy Tail. "Well this is a turnover. I'll have to rethink this through." He mumbled.

Nullpudding of Raven Tail handed the armored man a small piece of paper. "Here's the lineup boss. I think you'll be most pleased with the lineup."

The boss accepted the note and he turned away, with Raven Tail walking down the dark corridor to deliver it to Lola. "Yes." He answered. "This one in particular. Time to close in on Raven Tail's true objective."

Lola smiled back outside. "Now, let's see that scoreboard!"

Fairy Tail A – 32

Raven Tail – 26

Lamia Scale – 26

Sabertooth – 24

Mermaid Heel – 22

Fairy Tail B – 20

Blue Pegasus – 18

Quatro Puppy – 14

"In 1st place…It's Fairy Tail A!" The audience went wild for Fairy Tail, compared to the last few days. Their cheering put smiles on Fairy Tail's faces. "Tying for 2nd is Raven Tail and Lamia Scale! 4th place belongs to Sabertooth!" Even though their rank decreased, Sabertooth still got cheers. "Mermaid Heel has 5th place, and Fairy Tail B has gained ahead with 6th place." Again, Fairy Tail gained cheers, much to their delight. "And…among others."

Rocker's hair drooped. "Nah! Fine! I don't want out name being called anyway!"

Ichiya clenched a fist as he had comical tears. "M-man! What a parfume of ridicule we smell! How am I to win My Honey now?!"

"Looks like we're back on top." Nic smiled.

Erza smiled. "For now, but we still have to keep our guard up for the battle round."

"Now it's time to shake up the scoreboard further folks! Time for the battle rounds!" Lola moved the audience ahead to the action at long last.

"This should be proven to be entertaining." Yajima smiled.

"Let's see…" Lola looked at his sheet given to him. "Our first match is Mermaid Heel's Millianna! Versus Quatro Puppy's beast of a giant, Semmes!"

Semmes was the tallest and largest on Quatro Puppy's team. He had a yellow X over his black shirt. His headgear had two gyros on either side, and he had red shorts.

Millianna stepped forward, pumping a fist. "Meow! I'm ready!"

"You got this Semmes! I know it!" Rocker shouted. "Because we're…WILD!"

"Let the match begin!" Mato announced, and the gong went off.

Immediately Semmes's headpiece brought a shield to his face as he began to spin fast, showing everyone his spinning Magic. "Wild Spin!" He spun like a top into Millianna, but the cat woman dodged him and tried to gain some distance, but Semmes was spinning faster and faster, changing his course and maneuvering towards Millianna.

"How about this? Nekosoku Tube!" Millianna shot an orange tube, but the attack only bounced off the spinning man, resulting in her getting hit and sent flying. The action made Quatro Puppy smirk while Mermaid Heel looked distressed.

Millianna regained footing as Semmes advanced further. "Then try this! Kitten Blast!" She shot a pink spiral at Semmes, but yet again her attack bounced off, resorting to getting yet another spinning blow.

"Come on! Fight!" Beth cheered.

Kagura, however, didn't seem fazed. "There is someone Millianna must defeat; until then…she will not fall."

Millianna got back up, ready as her body still had some energy left. "I won't let myself being apart of Mermaid Heel be in vain!"

Semmes ran ahead. "It's time I finish you! Wild Spin!" He zoomed ahead, his spinning faster than before.

"Nekosoku Tube!" Millianna shot another thick tube at Semmes, this one aimed low. The tube tangled around the bottom of Semmes, and Millianna struggled as Semmes was like a raging top as she slid and skid around as Semmes refused to stop. Semmes lost his balanced and he and Millianna crashed into the ground, dust blowing.

The dust settled, and Semmes was seen on his stomach with Millianna having his limbs tied behind his back. "W-wiiillld…" He groaned.

"Meow. I am feeling pumped up!" Millianna said.

"And Mermaid Heel takes the win!" Lola announced, getting the crowd cheering for Millianna. "That gives Mermaid Heel 10points, giving them a total of 32, tying with Fairy Tail A!"

Quatro Puppy was pale as they had their mouths gaped. Yet again victory slipped from them, and they just wallowed in despair.

Erza smiled as Millianna pranced back to her tunnel with cheering, but her smile turned into a frown, recalling her talk with her last night.

"And now, we move on with the second match! Our match is Sabertooth's Rufus Lore, and Blue Pegasus's Eve Tearm!"

The crowd once again grew ecstatic over Sabertooth. Rufus entered the battlefield, as did Eve. Rufus had a calm grin on his face. Sophie kept her eyes on Rufus, narrowing them.

"So this guy uses Memory-Make just like Sophie." Gray recalled. "And to boot, they're cousins. Let's see how he improvises."

"Go, Eve!" Ichiya cheered. "May the parfume of triumph reek you in itself!" Ichiya cheered.

"I may have had the disadvantage before, but I'm ready today!" Eve declared.

The gong went off, signaling the match to begin.

Eve started off almost immediately. A blue Magic seal appeared before him. "White Fury!" A small blizzard was unleashed, shot straight at Rufus. The Sabertooth member smirked as he took the attack, and yet to all, the attack went through him. "What?"

"What you struck was but a memory of me." Eve turned to the side to find Rufus in the same stance, unhindered.

"It's just like Double Team again." Nic mumbled.

Eve snickered. "I got a taste of your style back in the first day, but now I'm ready!" He ran ahead after Rufus, ready to attack. Suddenly Rufus vanished, and in his stead was a terrifying image, something that left Eve baffled – Ichiya in a bubble bath.

"Man." He said.

Eve skidded to a stop. "Sir Iciy-AH!" Eve was struck behind by Rufus, being duped by his Magic yet again.

Blue Pegasus, especially Ichiya, was left mortified by the image. Mawile, however, could only laugh aloud, while others including the other Pokémon Vanessa had included was just confused.

"Wait, what?! This was in Eve's memory?!" Hibiki exclaimed.

"Sir, you have explaining to do!" Ren shouted.

"Ah..ahhhhh~!" Ichiya was still trembling and he looked away. "Believe me and my parfume when I have no memory of such a thing, men!"

The sky turned dark as Rufus made a chain of memories like Sophie does. "Memory-Make: Night of Shooting Stars!" A comet of light swam through the air and struck Eve directly as he was on a knee, but as everyone was shocked, Eve suddenly dissolved and disappeared into snow.

Rufus turned around as Eve was unscathed.

"Nice job, man!" Ichiya praised.

Eve smiled as white flurries picked up, and another Magic seal appeared. "White Blizzard!" He shot it at Rufus, but Rufus didn't budge, however Eve only smirked as he turned his attention elsewhere. "Now…White Fang!"

He actually swung his free arm behind in a claw-like slash, and a cyclone of snow blasted at a spot, and yet the real Rufus arose, dodging his attack.

He smirked. "I have it memorized; still, not a bad tactic." He landed as the raging attack faded. He put both fingers at his forehead. "Time to warm things up; a counter if you will."

Another Memory-Make seal emerged and Sophie's eyes widened as the sky and the whole area had begun to turn orange, almost like that of a sunset. It filled the area with an increased temperature, bringing surprise to all.

Molten rock arose around Eve, and Nic's eyes narrowed as lava and rising earth made a shiver crawl up his spine. 'This Magic, it's like Groudon's power…no, it's of a lesser scale.' Nic felt the power, and it was a lower caliber compared to when he went Primal Groudon a long while back, where he completely raised the entire and all over the Celestial World. Still, this was a first for him.

"Memory-Make: Karma of the Burning Land!" Rufus brought his arm down, and the land cracked apart, unleashing an explosive blaze that sent Eve flying. Rufus kept his smirk as the orange and the molten land faded away, leaving everything the way it was as Eve slammed to the ground, cringing as his clothes were all torn.

"And that's the match! Rufus has scored Sabertooth 10 points!" Lola announced, making the crowd go nuts yet again.

'Using Memory-Make like Sophie, huh?' Gray thought as his fists clenched.

Sophie leaned against the balcony of her own team, her fists clenching as well. She felt a small shudder run down her spine as Rufus walked away, and yet she knew that she had to be the one obliged to show Rufus his wrong doings. 'Rufus, you never changed. I'll make that happen, yet.'

Ren sighed. "Well at least he tried."

Hibiki turned towards Ichiya. "So what do we do now? Our rank is falling behind."

Ichiya turned towards them, along with the guy in the rabbit suit, both having sparkles as they shared the same poses in sync. "Rest assure men, for we have a secret weapon yet."

The rabbit stepped forward, nodding. Hibiki and Ren just stared.

"Ah yes, a secret weapon so important that I mentioned it twice." Ichiya said.

Both bowed. "Very important indeed."

Hibiki looked at Ren. "I still wonder who's inside the suit."

Ren sweat dropped. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."

Mato called out to everyone. "Alright everyone, time for the third match!" He called out. "This match…it shall be Fairy Tail B's Laxus Dreyar!" Mato took a second to allow the fans and crowd to cheer him on. "Versus Raven Tail's ruler of darkness, Alexei!"

The armored man and Laxus both glared at the other, both meeting the other's field of vision.

"Come on, Laxus! Kick his butt!" Natsu cheered.

"Of course it's someone from Ivan's guild." Erza pointed out.

Nic nodded. "I have an odd feeling about what might transpire."

"Good luck, Laxus!" Mira cheered.

Gajeel snickered. "No doubt we're gonna win."

Cana smirked. "Well this is Laxus after all."

"Go, Laxus! Defeat Raven Tail and show them why we're better!" Makarov shouted wildly.

Laxus and Alexei paid absolutely no attention to the crowd, as both gave off a serious aura that each could not back away from. Something about Alexei made Laxus get an awkward feeling, but he knew better than to have that little matter get the best of him. He crossed his arms and glared at Alexei, knowing that despite his father's guild as his adversary, he knew he had to triumph.

Both remained silent and watched the other step forward. Meanwhile as they advanced slowly, Vanessa looked over to her side to see Makarov berating Raven Tail as they stood there in their corner, and yet she felt something was very wrong from the get-go. 'Raven Tail.' She thought. 'Why is your aura…not there?' Vanessa turned her attention to the stadium, where her eyes narrowed as she felt a strong horde of aura. She began to mumble. "Wait…if there's just the two…then why do I feel more signatures?"

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And thus I cut it off from there. This wasn't so bad in my terms. I got the night of Day 2, and half of Day 3 picked up. How was Bellona? Did you like Minerva being nice? Comments are appreciated.

I didn't squeeze all of Day3 in like planned, but I'll wrap up Day 3 and the night of Day 3. I'll also try and squeeze in the Naval Battle so that the tag battles will be its own chapter.

Please Favorite, Follow, & Review this story and/or chapter if you guys are loving the GMG and whatever changes I made.

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Next Time: Two Sides to Every Rivalry