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.

76. Graveyard of Omens

Chapter 76 – Graveyard of Omens

Hey, Insane Dominator here! Like I said before, I was on vacation, and that meant a vacation from FanFiction as well. Now I'm back in action. I got a decent sized chunk done before vacation, and then I finished up right after I returned. This one includes a small bit of OVA 5 with my unique flavor added. This story also has reached over 1 million words in total! Let's add to that!

To Recap:

Fairy Tail Team A and B consolidated into one team of Nic, Natsu, Erza, Gajeel, and Laxus, and they readied for the Day 4 double battle against Sabertooth. After Quatro Puppy lost to Blue Pegasus, and Mermaid Heel tied with Lamia Scale, Nic and Natsu went against Sabertooth's Twin Dragons and were on fair grounds. Nic had an odd sensation during the battle, but he briefly overcame that and shocked everyone with his mastery of Legendary Force and his Groudon Force to win with no contest, putting Fairy Tail ahead of Sabertooth. That night, Jellal confronted two cloaked figures and was shocked by their identities. In space, Arceus anticipated the biggest scuffle that shall rise, and tells Dialga and Palkia to prepare.

---

Chapter 76 – Graveyard of Omens

In the darkness of the eternal dimension of darkness, dreadful, ear-bleeding silence shrouded Giratina, Mewtwo, Hoopa, and Darkrai. The four were in a rotting and dark energy that would've made human skin peel off and be reduce to literally nothing. The corrosive energy was like a veil around the four as they floated in suspense. They all had a bloody and look of pure retribution, more so more domination over the eternal void that'll undo the universe. The stars were dead mostly, and yet Arceus was holding on with the last hope in the universe – Nic Pularis.

Giratina's corrosive energy was followed by the Satan-red eyes he had. Looking at him would be looking at the ruler of all renegades and bloody murderers, making the demons of Hell rot. His aura was the vilest and massive, enough to blacken the skies and leave despair in dark hearts and make them explode and disperse into the eternal nothingness that was the void. That's how much hate and wretched contempt he had for all life. He was gonna have his way yet.

Hoopa chuckled lowly. "It's so close! The energy Lysandre's accumulated is almost there!" He yelled excitedly.

"Just a little more. Not much longer until everyone shall have eternal nightmares in Hell." Darkrai said, holding up a clenched fist. The more he anguished and the more he desired it, the tighter his fists clenched.

"Arceus won't have much longer. He shall perish before our hands before Nic Pularis gets that eighteenth Plate." Mewtwo scowled. "All humans and living beings shall be reduced beneath our feet.

Giratina's serpentine body moved up and he bellowed out, rattling the violent dread and desolate air. All that be caught in the universal genocide. Everything shall be extinct. Lysandre has been a help indeed. He's very close to accumulated ll the dark energy we need to break free, and exterminate all that is good." His energy became a dark and bloody red as it signaled his need to dominate and slaughter Arceus. "Nic Pularis shall fall, when Lysandre finally unleashes the infinite darkness that waits before us."

They all sneered and snarled as they fell back into contemptuous silence, waiting for the little time to pass.

---

The sun wasn't even up yet. The small and weak rays it emitted only peered over the mountain range pass Crocus. The sunlight reflected over the northern seas, where small crabs were washing up and scuttling along the damp shores before being whisked back into the waters. As the near-full moon was vanishing among the western horizon, all seemed placid and calm for a typical July morning.

In the Honey Bone Inn, the former Fairy Tail A's room had sun rays peering within. Everyone had yet to have awoken from their sleep, but Nic stirred awake, a weak groan coming from his throat as he opened his eyes. He was lying on his stomach with his head turned to the side. He felt the soft fabric the sheets and pillows were. It was still something he was getting accustomed to, but he wasn't complaining.

He laid there, his mind contemplating about yesterday's lamentation during the battle. 'What was that energy? Did it involve what Jellal had been looking for? Whatever it was, why is it still lingering around?' His eyes slowly closed again. 'This is getting tedious, whatever it may be or may become…'

"Mmmm."

Nic looked over his shoulder as he noticed the weight on his back. It was Erza, and she slept with a soft smile as she was hugging Nic with her body sprawled over him, hovering like a knight protecting her king. Her head rested on the back of his shoulders as she slept like a baby.

Nic smiled at his girlfriend and watched her sleep. It was a beautiful and comforting site to behold. Light began reflecting over her red hair and she stirred awake. A weak groan came from her and her eyes opened.

Her head moved a little and she saw Nic smiling at her from over his shoulder. She smiled back. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Erza." Nic responded. 'I shouldn't wallow in something like that…at least not of yet.'

Casting his worries aside, Nic stirred and turned over to lay on his back, with Erza laying her side right beside him, overlooking him. While Erza had pajamas on, Nic just slept with his shirt off. It didn't bother anyone. "You ready for the day?" He asked.

"Yeah." Erza saw the look of sincerity Nic had, but when he got up and got to his feet to stretch, there was something off. He wasn't all morning-person. He was always a morning guy, so she knew something was up. "Are you well?" She asked him as she sat up.

Nic looked towards her as he stretched his arms. "Yeah, I'm fine. Really."

Erza façade a grin. She let the matter slide, but she did keep it in mind that if Nic kept it up, things were gonna get rocky.

---

Breakfast came at a local bar, which of course supplied fruits, bread, and omelets for Nic. As they ate, they inquired how the day off was to be spent.

"A pool?" Erza asked, her eyes widened by Levy's explanation.

"That sounds relaxing!" Wendy cheerfully said.

"Is there one close to us?" Lucy inquired.

"Of course." Levy answered with a smile. "It's a summertime resort known throughout Fiore. Ryuzetsu Land."

"I'm down for that!" Natsu shouted with a fist high.

"Aye sir!" Happy exclaimed.

"'Bout time we go somewhere to cool off!" Gray said, his shirt off unsurprisingly.

Nic turned towards the conversation, a smile on his face. "A water resort, huh? Sounds entertaining; I say it's worth the trip."

Vanessa sat at the same table as her brother and smiled. "We could all relaxed there."

"I remember a word or two while out on some jobs. It's a highly recommended resort if you ever needed a day off." Sophie informed. "My vote is a definite yes."

"Well then I guess we have no choice! We're off to Ryuzetsu Land!" Natsu announced. "This is gonna rock!"

"Yeeeeah!" Everyone cheered.

---

Not even an hour later, with everything set and in order, everyone found themselves in Ryuzetsu Land, located near the seashores of Crocus. There was a limitless number of people all around, and their roaring and amusement seemed as lively as can be. There were numerous slides, wave pools, small lazy rivers, and the sunlight going through the clear glass of the resort made it seem safe.

"It's huge." Lucy said with joyous shock.

"That's an understatement." Sophie said.

"This is a lively atmosphere indeed." Erza remarked as she stretched her arms overhead.

"This should be very relaxing." Nic hoped with his sunglasses and black swim trunks on.

Lucy had a cheerful look as her view went from left to right and back. "This is amazing!" She turned towards everyone else. "Let's have some fun!"

There was no need to tell Natsu twice. He was already on it once they all dispersed and left to do whatever they seemed fit. Nic, Erza, and Vanessa all went off somewhere, and the same was said for the others. Everyone let loose and Natsu was riding a water train. "H'all right! A water train!" He suddenly fell forward and his cheeks puffed. "Urgh…ugh…"

"Why'd he get in that in the first place?!" Droy despaired.

"Just don't spew, ya hear?! The Master's never gonna let you hear the end of it!" Jet forewarned Natsu as he was holding in his vomit the best he could.

Elsewhere, Happy led the charge to the aquarium. "Come on guys! The aquarium's this way!" He shouted as his pace sped up.

"Now why do they have an aquarium in a place such as this?" Carla inquired. "But I guess it's worth looking."

Lily followed behind, kiwi juice in a cup being sipped. "Their kiwi juice is nice."

---

"Hmph, should've thought this through. Do they have beverages in here?" Cana questioned in mumbling groans. Unlike the other, she, unfortunately, didn't have a swimsuit on hand as she left it in the inn. However, Plan B was her undergarments, which got some attention.

"Underwear?! Seriously?!" Macao exclaimed.

Wakaba didn't look amused either. "Gee, her usual attire was swimsuit-like enough."

Sophie slid a glass of fresh water with a lemon on the side towards Cana. "It'd do you good to try and get natural fluids into your body, and not those that can turn a normal person's brain cells into mush." She insisted.

Cana leaned against the bar and looked over to her left and eyed the glass. "Geez." She accepted the glass. "You're like a broken record."

"Maybe a broken record, but my song still drills into skulls." Sophie reasoned on a metaphorical note.

---

"I wish we brought big brother Elf with us." Lisanna grimaced with a grin.

Mira turned towards her with the same expression. "Yeah, poor Elfman's still in the infirmary. Hopefully he's fine."

As the two sisters contemplated over their brother, a shadowy figure looked from behind and turned to hide behind a large rock in the water to be unnoticed when Mira and Lisanna looked over their shoulders as they had a feeling. It turned out that the figure was Elfman, his bandages gone and all well again. Evergreen accompanied him of course, and the two had to remain clandestine.

"If they find out the two of us came here, we'll be screwed." Elfman whispered.

"If they find out, I'll never recover from this." Evergreen sulked.

"Hey, it wasn't my idea! You brought me here!" Elfman argued.

Evergreen turned away. "Don't be ridiculous! I just wanted a change of scenery!" She huffed. "Clearly you're misguided if you thought we came here for any other means!"

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Elfman shouted, their conversation clearly heard, and yet got no attention.

"Nothing, moron!" Evergreen yelled.

Unbeknownst to them, Bickslow and Freed were watching the whole thing from above, snickering at the irony and tsundere type of love they displayed. The more they watched their 'old married couple' act, the more they snickered. It was something worth watching.

---

The Love Love Slider was one of the more renown parts of the resort itself. It was a towering slide that went all over the park, and each pair had to hold onto one another…if they valued their lives. Cupids were all over the design, with pink hearts as gates at the entrance when heading onto the slide.

Almost immediately, Juvia took interest and pointed at the slide. "My darling! Let's go on that ride together!" She insisted.

"Why that one?" He asked. He read the title. "'Love Love Slider'? Why the weird name?"

Juvia wiggled her hips, hearts pouring out from around her. "It's for pairs to hug and hold onto one another as they slide." She cooed with hands to her cheeks.

"No way!" Gray declined.

"Then if that's the case, allow me to assist you."

Juvia was suddenly picked up bridal style as someone came out of nowhere. Juvia looked up and shuddered in his clutches. "Lyon?!"

Gray looked just as astonished. "Wait, since when did you start popping up like weasels?!"

---

Everyone else was in their own amusements. Wendy was found by Chelia and they seemed to play, Quatro Puppy arrived and caused an uproar as well, Mavis was being lifeguarded by Makarov and Laxus, although they seemed the opposite of enthusiastic.

In a fellow wave pool, where but a few people were, Nic and Erza were on a two-person raft, feeling the waves rock them back and forth as they seemed unfazed.

"The water is very refreshing, despite the chlorine being bad for your skin." Erza said in a relaxed state.

"True. We'll take showers when we get back to the inn." Nic suggested. His head turned up to the sun overhead, his sunglasses shielding his eyes. "This break is just what we needed to keep our minds lifted from the scuffling."

"You're not wrong." Erza said, turning her head. "I wonder-!"

She suddenly was cut off when the raft rocked harder than before, catching them in an unsettling tide. The two were whisked all the way out from where they were to the shore of the pool, their raft up against the smooth concrete flooring.

Nic groaned and looked dizzy from that sudden tide. "I didn't think this suggestion of yours, really wasn't the best in mind." He groaned.

"I'm ashamed of this fault…gah!" Erza's eyes widened, feeling something heavy. She looked up and blushed. "N-Nic?"

"Hm…?!" Nic realized where he was, that his head was right into Erza's huge cleavage. That wave rocked Nic out of place and made him flip onto the other end of the raft, where his face fell right onto Erza's chest. Nic shot up, as well as a stunned Erza.

"Uh…s-sorry." Nic apologized.

"It's fine." Erza said. "It was an accident…" A small silence crept upon them and Erza looked down as her oversized bust. "Well then…"

"Let's just find somewhere less rough, like a lazy river?" Nic insisted, his suggestion beating Erza's by a mile. The redhead agreed and followed him away.

Around the same area, Vanessa was gulping down lemonade as she watched the scene before her. After finishing her second cup of lemonade, she giggled at the adorable couple playing out their embarrassment and got up. "Wait up guys!"

The three were then seen walking around, looking for the lazy river. Nic lead the charge as he walked towards a small sign close by. He leaned in and pointed at the red dot. "Okay, so we're here. We just need to head to the northern end of the resort."

"This place is so big that it needs its own map?" Vanessa nervously smiled.

"Well of course." Erza pointed out. "With all of these attractions and vast space, it's only natural just a place requires a little guidance."

"Okay, then let's get going." Nic led them yet again, passing by the slides with long lines.

Vanessa looked over as little Asuka was being watched in the kitty pool by her parents, and she saw the little girl laughing and looking blissful. Vanessa's mind traveled back to her past. When she was very little, her parents took her to a small resort, only Nic was left in the magnets of Magneton, probably shocked if he did something out of line. When she really thought about it, she also remembered how her parents didn't let her have much of any time with other people around the pool, not even allowing her on the slides. She was miserable. Things were a lot more fun when Nic was trying to cheer her up and putting a smile on her face at home, despite him getting a smack or two for even interacting with his little sister.

Vanessa looked around some more and she never seemed to be fully amused, in reality, her no-fun experience with resorts such as these never really made her feel welcome. Despite the past being in the past, it was something that made her wish never happened. Maybe she'd be amused like everyone else, but she didn't really have the energy like Natsu nor the perky smiles and laughs like Wendy and Lucy. She was just someone in her own place, just like Nic. The Pularis siblings; those who try to find peace in mind.

Stepping pass a caution sign, Vanessa slipped on some water and accidentally began falling onto Nic. "Nic, look out!"

"Huh?" Nic turned and was Vanessa accidentally shoved him into Erza. The couple plopped back down after what felt like a turbulence, Vanessa was on her hands and knees, shaking her head.

"Uhhhh…sorry guys," She apologized. "I wasn't paying attention…" She looked ahead and a small blush appeared on her face. She covered her mouth. "Oh my…"

Erza looked perplexed as Vanessa seemed nervous. Feeling something below, it was her turn to feel embarrassed. "Uhhh…eeh?!" She realized that her large butt was right on Nic's face, and Nic was muffling and looking like he needed oxygen. "Gaah!" Erza stuttered up and gave Nic some air. His face was red too from that display.

He sat up and looked at the ground, ashamed. "This is, uh…"

Erza cleared her throat. "I…apologies." She bowed to him, although secretly she got a funny feeling both times from when Nic was in her boobs and when her rump was on his face, though accidental. The culprit was clearly the funny books she had stashed away underneath her bed back in Magnolia. Her face blushed harder. "It wasn't what you think."

"N-no harm done…" Nic looked away, looking at some random direction. Although he did feel embarrassment from her assets being in Nic's face both times, not that it was too big of an issue, the real matter was that though he was trying to relax, he couldn't. It was frustrating. His eyes darkened beneath his sunglasses.

Erza's blushed vanished when she saw Nic looking uneasy, like he was before. "Nic, are you okay…?"

"I wouldn't imagine he needs more of those accidents." Vanessa said.

"Hush!" Erza silenced her, shielding her blush as well. She turned back towards Nic, seeing him just sitting there, uneasy.

"Sorry." He finally said. "I…I'm not feeling so lighthearted right now."

"Are you okay?" Vanessa asked, showing concern.

Erza walked over and knelt down towards Nic, a seriousness over her face. "Nic, I know there's something wrong. You've been like that after the battle yesterday, and with when you awoke this morning. If you have something to say, say it. We're here for you."

Vanessa nodded. "We have your back, so don't hesitate."

Nic softly smiled. "Thank you guys. I mean it." He slowly sat up, cracking his bones to loosen up a little. Despite his smile being soft, it was more remorseful than anything. "I hate to admit it…but despite this being a day-off, I can't relax. There's something wrong." He looked away. "Very wrong."

Erza felt the vibe coming from Nic. He was onto something, and there was no way this was gonna be dropped until it was resolved. Erza and Vanessa also realized something else about Nic. He had the burden of saving them all, and so in truth, he really can't relax. Maybe if they survive in the end, then they all can finally be in peace, but as of this point in time, Nic couldn't afford to waste anytime relaxing, sad as it may be. The two felt sad as well, knowing Nic wouldn't be able to enjoy anything out of a guilty and conspicuous conscience. They had to remain positive, knowing that Nic will finally get to relax after his mission is over, when he'll actually be able to enjoy himself, and settle down.

The two girls were by him all the way. "Very well, Nic." Erza said. "It would seem we have no choice."

Vanessa shrugged. "To be honest, I wasn't having much fun myself. I just wanted to sleep and have lemonade. The beach is honestly more soothing."

Nic snickered at his sister's remark. "Looks like the Pularis siblings think alike."

Both laughed a little before the matter got serious again.

"So Nic, you ready to go?" Erza asked. "If you're going, I may as well too. I'm with you, all the way."

Nic smiled at Erza's devotion. "Thanks Erza. Come on, let's leave."

As they began walking to the exit, with the resolve to choose beaches over noisy attractions, Vanessa followed behind the lovebirds and caught sight of what was the caution sign from before. Looking down, she realized the situation again. Her eyes cascaded up as Erza was about to step somewhere.

"Uh, Erza! Wait!" Vanessa shouted. "This is still a caution…"

She was too late as Erza's feet slipped underneath the wet, smooth surface and she found herself off balance. The redhead found herself falling forward just as Nic was turning around at Vanessa's warning. Vanessa reached over and tried grabbing onto her, but she also lost her footing and instead fell back while Erza fell forward onto Nic. Thuds were heard in the area, and Vanessa groaned as she sat up.

"Man, my head…" She groaned. She felt something in her hand and lifted it up. In her hands was the top of Erza's black swimwear – her bra. Vanessa didn't grab onto Erza if not for her bikini top laces. So when Vanessa fell back, it became undone and went with her. That meant…

Erza realized her bikini top was undone, and that meant she was exposed. She looked down and saw Nic was underneath her once again. She couldn't see his red and burning face as her exposed, heavy mounds her on him. Erza's face grew a bright red as she was stunned from the embarrassing and accidentally smutty dilemma with her chest on Nic's face.

Vanessa face palmed. "Oh geez."

---

A half hour later, now in their usual attires, Nic, Erza, and Vanessa were walking through the streets of Crocus as they were all bustling as ever and as lively as it was in Ryuzetsu Land. Vanessa didn't leave without a decent lemonade in hand and took it with her. As she walked through the streets, eating the lemon slice that came with the lemonade, Nic and Erza were recovered from those…certain scenes and were on the move.

"So Nic." Erza said, turning a glance at him. "So where might this odd feeling be coming from?"

Nic stopped and looked up at the western crags, more specifically at the Domus Flau colosseum in repair. The women followed his gaze and looked at the colosseum.

"The catacombs o the Domus Flau colosseum." Nic answered. "While I was in that dual form, I sensed some ghastly presence, and yet it wasn't tangible."

"So a spirit?" Vanessa questioned.

"Maybe." Nic took a turn and started walking towards the colosseum. "Whatever I was sensing, the answer lies underground. We have to head back there."

Erza nodded in understanding. "We'll follow."

Vanessa was taking a last-minute sip from her lemonade before it went empty. She turned towards the nearest garbage can and threw the cup in there. When she did, at that instant, a chilly atmosphere was felt and ice glistened from behind. She and the others turned around and widened their eyes as the Ryuzetsu Land was suddenly layered in ice.

"Wait, how is it…?" Vanessa was getting a bad feeling. Her aura sensory was picking up a strong confliction. And she felt a red hot aura beginning to increase in intensity. "Oh no."

"Vanessa, don't tell me…" Nic got a bad feeling from the start when Fairy Tail entered Ryuzetsu Land, and now this was the part were Natsu trashed everything.

And he did. The whole Ryuzetsu Land went up in flames, and Erza and the Pularis siblings grimaced irritably at the outcome.

"Well at least we left beforehand." Vanessa said.

"Another reason why we decided beaches over resorts." Nic mentioned. He turned away, back to the matter at hand. "Anyways…"

---

Domus Flau colosseum had a lot of workers there, getting paid and fed as they worked double-time to repair the damage Nic Pularis had caused. Since it was noon at this point, the construction had just started, and they were all primarily working on the now reshaped and leveled paths for the spectators to take for tomorrow.

They were too busy working as Nic, Erza, and Vanessa climbed up the crags and retained their clandestine route to evade detection. It was a matter of time before mountains of dirt would be filling up the hole, so they had to be quick. Nic was in the lead and crawled through the open hole from when he used Solar Beam. The molten rock had long since cooled, leaving a smooth, black layer all around the entire hole. The group walked in and looked around.

"So it was in these catacombs you said?" Erza asked again.

Nic nodded. "Yes." He took steps ahead, and he glowed. Vanessa and Erza alike saw him transform into his Ghost/Dragon Form, the same exact one that he used against Rogue. They both watched him advance forward, and he looked around with caution. It was still very spacious for them to move around the cooled debris carefully and quietly.

"The energy signature from before, it was faint, but it was here." Nic informed as he stopped and looked around. His eyes went from right to left, overlooking the layer of black and smooth rock. "It's a very spectral feeling, that's all I can say."

Erza stepped ahead. "You mean like a spiritual energy among the catacombs?"

"It's possible." Nic turned towards them. "But if it's linked with the Draco Plate fusion, then-!"

His eyes widened, which caught the attention of a startled Erza and Vanessa. Nic felt the pulse again. It was extremely faint, but it was there, hiding amongst them from deep below. His distraught expression returned like from when he fought the Twin Dragons. The signature was around again, and Nic was not gonna turn a blind eye to it again.

"Nic, you have it?" Vanessa asked.

Nic's eyes glanced towards his right. His body shifted and he looked intensely at the hole that wasn't blocked off by molten rock. It looked like a mine, which was the most ideal source. He clenched his fists and had a dead-serious look on him.

"I found it. There's no other way but down there." He said in a foreboding tone.

Erza looked at the mine, how it was dark beyond the black rock. She was morally surprised it wasn't affected or layered among the rest of the catacombs. "Stay on guard."

Erza and Vanessa were suddenly hauled up by Nic, one arm each. They dangled as he flapped in the air. "Let's go." He advanced slowly and dove into the mines, carrying the girls downwards into the mines. He descended slowly yet carefully downwards, getting darker as they went into the depths of the undergrounds of the Domus Flau colosseum.

"What is a mine doing down here? You don't think it's to hide anything like they did back in Terminus Cave in Kalos, with the whole Zygarde incident?" Vanessa inquired as they kept on going deeper and deeper into faint black. "If so, then why would the designers build a colosseum atop of it? Why above catacombs to begin with? I can't be sure."

"Neither can I. We'll just have to see if you're right. They may or may not have something hiding, we'll just have to wait and see what we can find." Erza said, her voice having a fierce intensity as she was getting one of those bad feelings as they trudged through uncharted territory.

"We're getting closer." Nic warned.

The three were set foot onto solid ground. The lower caves of the mines had no tracks, and only small glumps of moss was their lighting through the long tunnel. It wasn't as dark as they had thought it'd be thanks to the moonlight, but that was no reason to remain careful underground. The steps they made into the caves were hollow.

Nic felt a lump go down his throat. "The energy is starting to swell. There's no mistaking it's draconic energy down here." He slowly advanced with careful steps. "Stay close."

"Understood." Erza said.

The trio ventured on, their guards up high with this odd foreboding vibe. Nic was not gonna leave until he found what concerned him all this time. It didn't matter how long, but if it was close, then no matter what, it was gonna be big.

"Over here." Nic's spectral and draconic flow flourished as they reached the corner into another cave, this one being overly massive. "The energy is insi…"

"Nic?" Erza asked as she caught up. "What could be…?"

Vanessa was the third to have a loss for words. All three's eyes were wide and their mouths hung open in sheer disbelief. What was before them was what made their spines shiver to the core, the one thing that would leave even a Ghost-Type shuddering, and Nic was barely keeping himself from swallowing another lump.

Nic took a moment of silence and his eye narrowed. "…so, I was right all along."

Before them was a massive boneyard…Dragon bones. Skeletons and decayed skin. It was all there; the bones and shattered and broken spirits and anatomy of Dragons sprawled for what seemed to be a long ways. It was horrifying. A Dragon Graveyard.

"This was what was underneath the colosseum." Nic said in a dreading tone.

"You were right to be worried." Erza said, her tone at the same level of steadiness."

"Oh my god…" Vanessa said, covering her mouth as she gasped. "This…this is…"

"Yeah." Nic nodded. "A graveyard of Dragon bones. Now I get why my Spooky and Draco Plates were acting up. It makes sense now that we've made it down here. Guess there was a reason this was hidden after all."

They all stared at the desolate field of skeletons that laid waste in the caves ahead. Hundreds of meters long and high, the bones seemed to have stockpiled up to at least fifteen other Dragons, maybe twenty. Who knows what number was down where they were? Whatever the case may be, this was something gigantic.

Nic turned his back to the graveyard, his eyes set back from where they came from. "This is big, and yet this find brings up too many questions with so little answers."

"We need to at least tell the Dragon Slayers about this. I'm sure Natsu would want to see this." Vanessa pointed out, her tone quieter with the suspense around. "And we better move about quickly. This aura down here is making me tremble."

"We need to find the others, now." Erza turned with Nic and Vanessa as they left in a hurry, yet silently, back from where they came from, leaving the hollow bones to lie in pieces and remain unmoved…as they have been for centuries.

---

In another pub, to be more accurate the same pub Fairy Tail has been in after each day, everyone was alive and all as energetic and rowdy as they can possibly get. Yesterday in particular was very enthusiastic for them, for their guild had gotten to 46 points, putting them in 1st place, above the humiliated Sabertooth. They still couldn't get over the excitement as they channeled that energy even through today up to now. However, things weren't calm with a certain pink-haired Dragon Slayer clashing with an ice-cold Mage.

"You started it!" Natsu butted heads with Gray, fiery and icy auras around them.

"I don't care if I started it! At least I didn't go and blow up the entire stinkin' resort!" Gray retorted. He gained ground on the glaring contest. "Seriously, you're a moron!"

Natsu regained and added ground to his side, making Gray bare his teeth. "Oh yeah? I'll show you who's the moron!"

Elfman stood up and saw the two tussle around again. "There they go, being sour as lemons."

"Yup, those two really have too much energy." Mira said with her cheeky smile. Her smile grew nervous somewhat. "Although, you'd think they'd learn to not put that into punching the other."

"Tch, Salamander's got himself some sick trouble going on." Gajeel snickered from the bar.

"Well he did destroy Ryuzetsu Land to silence Gray and Lyon's frantic behavior. Sometimes people just can't get along." Lily pointed out.

"I'll kick your butt twice as hard as ever!" Natsu remarked as he pulled Gray's cheek.

Gray repaid the favor with more stretch in it. "I'd like to see you trump me!"

Lucy face palmed. "Why does it always end this way?"

"Aye!" Happy stated. "Natsu's burning butts across the land!"

"Well those two never change, that's for sure." Carla chastised.

Wendy sweat dropped with an uneasy smile. "Yeah, well, fire and ice don't really mix so well, right…?"

Makarov sulked in absolute despair in a corner. "M-my jewel…" He was still mortally traumatized by the events of Natsu demolishing Ryuzetsu Land to the ground. And as it turned out, Fairy Tail had to pay a very heavy amount, enough to leave Makarov weeping with tears running down his face. "I'll never be able to relax again."

Sophie was enjoying a small at a small, round table. She bit into it and raised a brow. She blinked, and she shrugged. It wasn't terrible, but the dish sufficed. As she chewed, her glance went behind. "This is a really long day." She muffled with small bits of food in her mouth.

Lucy looked back to her with a grin. "That's one way of putting it."

Cana sighed as she chugged down another booze barrel. She had a conspicuous look across the pub and wrinkled a brow. "Okay, I'll bite, the heck is taking Nic and his posy?"

"To be honest, I only saw them a little bit in the resort before they disappeared." Levy said.

"Not certain, but I think they decided on time away." Max thought out loud.

"Maybe they headed back to their inns for the day to sleep? You know those Pularis siblings like to sleep." Warren reminded everyone.

Speaking of the devil, the door opened up, and the missing trio emerged. Not much attention, but they were noted. The three walked through the area, all the way to where Natsu and Gray were pummeling away at the other in ridiculous fashion.

"I'll try you hard!"

"I'll chill you until your brain freezes over!"

"You walking popsicle!"

"Cheap-shot of a lizard!"

"Grrrrrrr!"

Both threw back and forth wallops followed by cheap retorts that seemed to go on endlessly. The wooden flooring and nearby support beams were being cracked, and the two were bombarding the other to no limitations.

They were both suddenly clutched by a crushing armored hand on their heads. They were lifted up and felt their bodies go numb as their heads smashed into the other. They slumped to the floor and twitched. Standing above them was none other than the 'mediator' of their scuffles, Erza. "Stop it you two. Enough hysteria goes around as it already does. You should try and lead an example for once." She scolded.

"Sorry…ma'am." The two mumbled.

"Oh, Erza, Nic, Vanessa!" Lucy said in surprise.

"There you guys are. We've been wondering where you've been." Wendy commented with a grin.

"Honestly, you three have been gone all day. What in the world could you have been doing?" Carla asked.

Lily walked up, piqued. "I assume that it's either training or something."

Nic looked at the two girls, all three having the same cautious expression on their faces. There was no easy way to explain what they saw. Nic decided to explain it as brief as he could.

"Natsu, Wendy, Gajeel. You come with us." Nic said. "There's something you have to see."

The three Dragon Slayers raised eyebrows in question and had no clue as to what they were about to behold.

---

On the other side of the city, in Crocus Gardens, things were less anticipated and more disastrous. And all knew why; when someone fails Jiemma, things never turn out well. Sting and Rogue were about to meet that bitter thought head on.

With dread and humiliation hovering over them, the Twin Dragons stood with their heads down in front of everyone. They all felt horror as to what might become of them due to their humiliating loss against Nic and Natsu. The safest bet is their fate with Yukino.

Jiemma glared down with anger being felt all across the room. "Sting…Rogue." He began with a boom in his voice. The bitterness in his voice reverberated off of every block within the room. "What do you two have to say for yourselves? Well?"

They said nothing, for there was nothing that could possibly cover up their loss. They never had a chance, and Jiemma wasn't accepting any excuse, no matter how reasonable.

"You two couldn't be anymore disappointing. All of your ranting and boasting of being Dragon Slayers was only for show after all. Not only did you two get your asses handed to you by another Dragon Slayer, but you were bested by Nic Pularis." Nic's name had a vile tone when spoken of. "I wanted you to eliminate him on the spot, and this happens."

"You were right. There is nothing to cover up our defeat by Nic Pularis." Rogue answered mournfully. His fists clenched tighter in frustration over his revenge never being accomplished. "Nic Pularis was able to best us with a Legendary Force, something that trumped our Dragon Force with no contest. We didn't even have a prayer."

A loud stomp quaked the room. A table was sent flying and shattered against the wall. Jiemma towered between Sting and Rogue. "That's not what the mightiest say! Does 'being the strongest of them all' mean anything when you can't beat anyone before you?!" Jiemma roared to their faces, making the two retreat back a step. Jiemma's demonic and strong aura could be seen all around. The other members of Sabertooth lost all sense of humor over Sting and Rogue's scolding. "You're nothing more than weaklings!"

"But, Master…" Sting tried insisting.

"ENOUGH!" Jiemma widened his eyes and his Magic caused a powerful shockwave to vibrate. Sting and Rogue were shot into the walls and landed with thuds. The shock from Jiemma's assault didn't retreat as their pride took more damage than what it should've taken.

"Sting!" Lector ran over to Sting.

"Rogue!" Frosch did the same with Rogue.

"You both have nothing to prove. If you're smart, you'll remove your emblems and get out of my sights." Jiemma threatened. "Remove them and crawl away like what befell Yukino!"

"Hold on, M-Master!" Lector finally intervened, he quaked his body with his voice in conjunction.

Jiemma's glare and attention went to the small Exceed.

"Lector…" Sting mumbled as he looked down at his pal defending him. "What are you…"

"I mean I know Sting lost, but he and Rogue really tried their best. They really tried, and that's what matters, right? I-I'm sure you're not pleased, but I say they should be proud, I know I am for Sting having a chance to shine."

"Lector…" Sting thought back to the promise that he made with Lector all those years ago. He may not have kept it, but Lector was okay with it.

"Who are you?" Jiemma asked.

"H-huh?!" Lector stepped back. "Uh, c-come on Master, you know me. Lector." Lector nervously laughed. "See?" He turned around and pulled up his vest, showing his guild emblem on his back. "I'm a member of Sabertooth like everyone else."

"Such nonsense!" Jiemma's voice boomed. His Magic was surging in his vicious rage. "Sabertooth's mark is for only those worthy and strong! You are nothing like that! A cat?! A worthless cat?!" The room rumbled as a Magic energy of purple began to engulf Lector. Jiemma's hand was shrouded in a bright purple. "Away with you, worthless insect!"

Lector's body shuddered as the Magic was beginning to engulf his body. Tears of distraught and confusion poured down his face.

Sting and Rogue gasped.

"Lector?!" Frosch yelled.

Lector was in suspense as he was seconds away from demise. "…Sting…" He whimpered.

Lector was then engulfed and erupted in the explosion.

"LECTOR!" Sting bellowed.

The explosion silenced everyone, as horror as on their faces. All, even Minerva, was horrified. The only one who didn't seem fazed was Bellona as she had a straight face.

Sting had no words as his heart was ripped right out. Tears fell as anguish filled him to the brim with his best friend gone.

"Hmph, guess this is what happens when I don't keep an eye on my guild. Minerva enough is incorrigible with her share of members with feelings." Jiemma scoffed.

"Lector…" Froasch was looking scared as tears swelled his shuddering eyes. "He…went boom…"

Rogue ran over and clutched and held onto Frosch tightly, shielding him from Jiemma and his tyrannical wrath.

Sting's body had broken down. On his knees, he cried tears that ran down and sprinkled across the ground. His lungs contracted and he let out a loud cry of anguish that could be heard throughout the whole inn. The cry was of a roar that echoed, like that of a Dragon's grieving breath.

"Keep it down, Sting!" Jiemma ordered.

Sting covered his face as he got to his feet. His tears kept flowing, but the tears began to change. Instead of mourning and grief over Lector, they were replaced by anger and vengeance. "You…what have you done?!" Sting yelled. "What have you done?!"

"Silence!" Jiemma ordered. "Bawling over a stupid cat is pitiful, even for you!"

Sting's head moved up, showing his eyes. They were feral with a Dragon's rage.

Jiemma never saw it coming. His eyes widened as Sting let out a cry when a punch of light bore through the Master's abdomen. The action caused all Sabertooth members to be riddled in horror and shock, although Minerva and Bellona seemed to be more intrigued by the action.

Jiemma gagged blood as he fell forward, a large hole in the same place Nic's Focus Punch got him all those years ago. The thud roared through the halls as Sting stood above Jiemma, huffing with exasperation.

The look Sting had was but of anguish and ferocity as he overlooked Jiemma as he was unable to get up.

"And so the empire falls." Minerva said.

"Sting…what did you do?" Rogue asked in disbelief.

"Mark my words, Sting. You will pay…I swear it!" Jiemma groaned as he was sprawled across the floor.

"I highly doubt that." Minerva intervened, getting Sting and everyone's attention. She walked up to them both. "I have finally seen it all, and now it's finally safe to say the reign you've had is now over." She stopped with a hand to her hip. "This is the dawn of a new Sabertooth, one that I have been trying to drill into your section's craniums. And rest assure, your seat shall be for someone worthy." Her gaze went towards Sting. "And I believe Sting has the honor of fulfilling such a role."

Sting stepped back. "Milady…"

"Minerva, you pathetic excuse." Jiemma coughed. "How dare you…"

"What was it you always taught your members? Something about 'the predator always preys on the weak', yes? Prey like you isn't worthy here, isn't that what you believe?" Minerva retorted with a grin.

Jiemma growled and succumbed to his injuries at last, leaving his reign to end, much to Minerva's delight.

Minerva turned the attention towards Sting. "Now that Jiemma's own hand choked him in a manner of speaking, we can settle this. Sting." She started. "This is your power, the power of emotions that I have held onto since Nic and Kecleon taught me such a thing, and now you've grasped it."

"Emotions?"

"Was that how Natsu didn't succumb to us?" Rogue muttered.

"Allow me to simplify the terminology for you." Minerva said. "What Jiemma believed, you thought differently. Your feelings for Lector are what gave you hope and power, to want to see him again. That strength is how you see it, but know that emotions are what drive many humans to act. You basically went on instinct for your friend. Friends are what drive Natsu, and Nic. Those two value friends more so than anyone out there."

Sting looked down. "Milady…I'm not sure if I have that strength anymore."

Minerva smirked. "Relax. Lector is alive and well."

Sting's eyes slowly widened. "…what did you say?"

"It looked like Jiemma's Magic reduced him to ash, but I teleported him at the last second. A close call, but he's alive.

"Y-you mean it, Milady?!" Sting fell to his knees.

Frosch smiled as his tears flowed. "Lector didn't die?"

"That's right." Rogue held Frosch tighter in rejoice.

Sting sniffled and wiped away the tears from his eyes. "Milady…thank you." He sniffled again. "Thank you! Thank you for keeping Lector safe and sound!" He bowed to her. "Please, can you bring him back?"

Minerva smirked. "Why of course. That's what guild mates are for, right? We have each other's backs. That's what I've learned from Nic and his Kecleon." Minerva held up a hands and readied her Territory.

"I think not." A voice popped up from the crowd. Minerva and Sting turned around as boots were echoing, and Bellona stepped up from the crowd.

"Lady Bellona?" Orga asked in disbelief.

Bellona stopped and had a hand to her hip. "Milady, with all do respect, I do admire Sting's actions for taking down Jiemma, but you also must consider our reputation. We're not so merciful on weaklings if all they do is beg."

"Bellona." Minerva said with caution. "Your views are no match for mine. I am nothing like Jiemma, as I do favors in kind for my own."

"Your father may be a tyrant, but keep in mind that we can't fall behind. We've failed to defeat Nic Pularis, Jiemma's adversary, the only other one besides you and Sting who can take him down. Such a role is only fit for someone that knows to keep an iron fist, and lead an example."

"Which is what I am doing." Minerva insisted. "I'm desiring for a guild of heart, not just power."

"Lady Bellona, just what are you saying?" Sting asked. "We don't understand."

Bellona gave a scoff as her presence darkened the mood. "I believe Sabertooth is the only guild fit for greatness. We have a reputation, and so we need every ounce of power and drive so that we can win. With no drive or motivation, all is for nothing." She turned towards Sting. "Sting was driven by emotions, so what's the point of giving Lector back now and Sting losses his drive?" She looked back to Minerva. "Milady, I'll only ask once, do consider Sabertooth and how we all must have absolute dominance. We came this far with such a belief, and so we must keep it. Survival of the fittest."

Minerva stepped in front of Sting, her eyes glaring down Bellona's. "You can't be serious. I believe a pack is stronger than a lone wolf. Bellona. Two heads are better than one. To be frank, I couldn't care less if we win or lose. All I care is that we shall reborn Sabertooth into a guild that everyone shall look up to and not by fear. This isn't a game where you misuse the pieces given."

Bellona grew quiet and frowned. Her eyes closed. "Very well then…you left me with no choice." She slowly raised her arms, where a hollow and dark purple energy spiraled like galaxies around her hands. Minerva and Sting both grew worrisome as to what Bellona was doing as she gave off intense pressure.

"Lady Bellona, what are you doing?" Rogue asked.

"Remember this well, Milady. This is all for keeping our glory. No hard feelings." She struck a conniving smirk. "Although I never guarantee satisfaction…for the recipient that is." The spirals in her hands became one, and Bellona aimed it at Minerva. Bellona became dark energy and entered the flat spiral. The spiral turned pitch black and dissipated, becoming streams that swirled around Minerva.

"Milady!" Sting shouted.

Minerva screamed as the dark energy slipped into her body, the cold feeling ran through her veins, taking her over from the inside. Minerva stumbled and grabbed her head as what appeared to be shadows entered her body.

Everyone watching felt the temperature drop in the room as the shadows faded, and Minerva finally stopped screaming.

"Milady?" Sting asked.

Minerva slowly turned around, and when she opened her eyes, they flashed a dark purple. Her demeanor was much more gruesome as Bellona was in complete control. Sting and Rogue were in disbelief as Bellona had taken over Minerva, physically and mentally.

"You naïve fool, it's me." 'Minerva' answered. "Since Milady's views are clearly inferior, I'll just have to burrow her for until she comes to her senses or when we win the games."

"Bellona, you used your Nightmare Magic on Milady?! Why?! How could you do that to her?!" Sting demanded.

"Silence, fool!" Minerva spat. She released a spatial energy and shot Sting to the ground, making everyone shudder yet again. "Now that I have control over Milady, I can use her Magic however I see fit. That's how the game is played after all. Use the pawns and watch them fall or protect, that's how a queen plays the game."

Sting got up to his knees and shuddered. "Lady Bellona, please, let Milady free from your control!"

"No." She said. "I don't take orders from desperate pawns. The only other way for Milady to become free is by her own will or if her body gives out. My Nightmare Magic can leave anyone in a dark state and so I can manipulate it at my disposal. If her will isn't strong enough, or if I choose not to lift this Magic from her, she'll be at my disposal for an indefinite period of time."

In her psyche, Minerva was floating in pitch darkness, struggling and hearing nothing but silence as she had images of ghosts resembling Bellona coil and chain her up. She could only shudder as she was floating in darkness.

"Lady Bellona, give back her body! Please! I'm begging you!" Sting begged. "She was about to bring Lector back!"

"No, silence Sting." Minerva walked on over and stood to face Sting as he was uneasy. They were only a few feet away, and Minerva smirked. "If you really want her and Lector back, listen to your queen."

Sting's fists clenched.

"Careful now." Minerva's hand was in her Territory and she held it up to her stomach. "You wouldn't want anything to happen to Milady now, would you?"

Rogue was left with no comprehension as his eyes widened. "She's been taken hostage by Bellona's Nightmare Magic."

Sting backed off and swallowed. He got to his knees and lowered his head in regret. "Please…I'll do anything you ask of me, just let her go."

Minerva was silent and turned her back. "Very well then. You may be a pawn, but I'll listen to a knight. In other words, prove to me that I can accept your request." She turned towards Sting again. "Heed my words, while I can't use my own Magic in a victim's body, I can still use Minerva's. I can use her Territory and any other Magic she's got, so that means if you want Lector back, I shall fulfill that request and leave Milady's body, freeing her from my Magic." Her eyes narrowed. "However, this shall only be possible I you win the Grand Magic Games. Unlike Milady, I won't ever accept defeat. Sabertooth shall win, no matter how tactful it may get. We'll show them all, that is an order."

"She's a monster." Rogue held Frosch tighter.

Minerva turned around. "Keep in mind, your actions will determine Milady and Lector's fates. Cross me, and I'll never let Milady wake up again, and that means Lector too shall end. Is that clear?"

Sting had a lot to take in, but he was in no place to turn it down. Lector was his friend, and Minerva was the more caring members. Both individuals appeared in his mind, and Sting had his resolve. He stood up. "Yes, I understand, Lady Bellona."

"Good." Minerva walked pass everyone, leaving them all in silent remorse. "Now you understand how the game is played. If you play by my rules like a good and loyal knight, and not only will I keep my word, but I might add some sweet treats for a good boy like you." Minerva turned her head back and licked her lips. "A queen can have pleasure, even when not smiting her victims." She turned back and walked down the chamber and into the darkness, her smirk as demonic as her threats.

Sting looked down in shame as he had to agree, but no one could blame him. All of Sabertooth had a threatened impression of Bellona as she knew how to play the game.

'Bellona, I'll win for Lector, and Milady's freedom.' Sting stared ahead, cold.

---

"What? That's inconceivable!" Ultear argued. "Is that really a possibility?"

"I didn't know that was even possible." Meredy said.

Jellal stood with them with their sanctum in the mountains. Under the cover of darkness, he just told everything he saw and heard from the two cloaked figures.

"That is what she said." He said.

"Did the other speak of such a thing?" Ultear asked.

Jellal lowered his head. "No, only quiet remorse." Jellal looked up at them again. "But it seems this a fate we cannot determine we'll come out alive from. We've been deceived by misconception. The Eclipse, it shall change the world…"

---

In the dark tunnels, Nic, Erza, and Vanessa led the Dragon Slayers and their Exceeds through to where the three saw an unholy wreck.

"Nic, so where exactly are we going?" Wendy asked.

"Just remain silent until we get there." Nic answered.

"Do you think it has something to with Dragon Slayers? I mean that's the only people brought down here." Happy said.

Carla turned her head. "Well except the peanut gallery of course." She noted, which was of Lucy and Gray following along.

"We have names you know." Gray argued.

"Let's all be nice." Lucy insisted.

Pretty soon they all met their destination. "We're here." Erza answered.

Everyone grew stiff as the Dragon Slayers were wide-eyed at the site before them. Gajeel's mouth hung open, as was Natsu's. Wendy gasped in shock.

"What the…?!" Lucy lost her words.

"Whoa…" Gray was in the same boat as he barely kept his cool.

Natsu slowly walked forward towards the bones, passing by a carcass and piles of other miscellaneous bones. "…a graveyard of Dragons."

Gajeel followed behind. "Luminous struck gold." He looked up at a huge skeleton of a Dragon as its massive structure.

"This is creepy." Happy remarked.

"If you wanted to know the existence of Dragons, here's your proof." Lily explained.

"What an odd find." Carla said.

Nic led the group as they stepped over a pillar-sized bone. "This wasn't anything I couldn't shrug off. Vanessa, Erza, and I left and we came across this. It's something we thought you could see."

Happy stopped and turned in curiosity, "Say, maybe is Igneel down here?"

"Happy!" Carla shouted at him.

Happy covered his mouth after realizing his mistake. "S-sorry…"

Natsu stopped in his tracks. A grim silence fell as Lucy looked at him. His face was filled with hidden anguish. "No, he's not here."

"Our Dragons disappeared 14 years ago." Gajeel reasoned. "The remains at rest here are more ancient."

Wendy seemed interested. "Ancient…ancient…!" She gasped and stopped in her tracks. "Milky Way."

Erza turned around to face her. "What is it, Wendy?"

"Milky Way. A Secret Dragon Slayer spell that Miss Porlyusica told me of." Wendy saw the faces of everyone, they were all at her attention. "It said 'Listen to the voices of the Dragon souls that continue to the heavenly river.' When I thought it was meant for attacking, I now see that it's meant for this?"

"'This'?" Vanessa questioned.

"I think Milky Way lets me speak to Dagon souls." Wendy elaborated.

"What?" Gajeel nearly lurched.

"Then…" Natsu turned his gaze from Wendy to the boneyard among them. "We can find out what happened here."

"And possibly ours Dragons too." Wendy added.

---

In an alleyway, two cloaked figures were seen sitting on a bench. One opened up a cap to a pen and began writing in the diary.

"Hey, you two!" A guard told them, getting their attention. "These areas are off limits. You'll have to-!"

A sudden blur and everything went black. The man was knocked out in a single shot, and the one cloaked figure stood with might before turning away. The cloaked figure walked pass the one still writing. It looked back and their faces met, and the one writing finally ceased and put the diary away.

The two thus walked off in the moonlight, away from the alley.

---

Wendy had just finished using the stick to write a Magic circle in the dirt. She stood in the center and overlooked her writing. "Okay, I think I got it."

"So this is called Milky Way." Vanessa parroted.

Wendy held her arm to everyone. "Everyone, step back." Everyone did as told and backed away a step each.

The caves remained silent as Wendy went to her knees and initiated the chant.

"Wandering Dragon souls, I would receive your voices." She moved her arm overhead. "Milky Way!"

The runes of the Magic circle drawn grew bright green and shot green energy up. There were green sparkle-like stars flowing with the pillar. Ripples went up overhead and scattered all across.

"Beautiful!" Lucy smiled.

"Stars? Wow!" Happy shouted.

Green firefly-like sparkles went all over the caves, where the bones were. As they went around, the bones rattled some, causing Lucy to hold onto Natsu.

"W-Wendy!" Lucy warned.

"I'm looking for remnants of Dragon souls…" Her eyes widened when a light came from a spot. "There!" Immediately, she clasped her hands together and concentrated. The green pillar she was concentrated on, was pushing out a lot of energy.

A green vortex was in the air, and it was growing large.

"That's a soul?!" Lily stepped back in shock.

"This is beyond extraordinary." Erza noted.

The vortex grew large, and then a ghostly green claw reached out, spooking almost everyone. Gray couldn't speak, for there was nothing to say. The Exceeds paled as well as the vortex became a ghostly Dragon.

The soul manifested into a large, green Dragon with light green membrane on the wings. He had a massive scaly mouth with all incisors. His jade-colored eyes were accompanied by orange eyebrows and two stands of skin that were like a moustache on the corners of his chin.

He roared down at them, causing the Dragons Slayers, and Exceeds, to grow spooked and scream. Nic and Erza stepped backwards and felt their spines cause a quake that nearly made them lose balance. Vanessa shuddered and nearly went blank.

The Dragon laughed mockingly at them and their frightened state. "Those horrified looks you humans give off never gets old." He told.

Everyone was left speechless.

"I am Zirconis, also known as the Jade Dragon. The spell used to summon the remains of my soul, it's by Grandeeney, the Sky Dragon, is it not?" He looked around at the faces of everyone, finally seeing Wendy on her knees and using her Magic. "Ah, so this little Dragon Slayer summoned me, huh?" Zirconis chuckled, making Wendy sweat drop.

"Hey, back off!" Natsu threatened, butting heads with Zirconis as his head was lowered to the earth.

"Fine by me, I can just eat you along with her!" Zirconis rebutted. He sneered at Natsu. "Kidding, look." His finger jabbed Natsu, but it went through the Dragon Slayer, in and out. "I'm an astral body, so I can't eat you even if I wanted to. You humans are so easy to play with."

Natsu grew a twitch in the eye. "Bastard."

"Of all the guys we can get, and we get this one." Lucy said in retorting disbelief over Zirconis's demeanor.

"Uh…yeah." Gray agreed despondently.

"Not very helpful." Nic noted.

"I am Zirconis, also known as the Jade Dragon." Zirconis repeated absent-mindedly.

"We heard you the first time!" Gray yelled.

"What happened here?" Carla asked.

Zirconis's attention drew towards the Exceeds.

"We want to know what happened." Happy added.

"That's why we summoned you here." Lily finished.

Zirconis looked up and lifted his head. "I have no business with humans. Go away!" He scowled.

Happy raised a paw. "But I'm a cat."

"Okay, let's see. It started roughly 400 years ago." Zirconis started.

"Gee, he's loose to his rules." Gray said.

"That's one way of putting it." Vanessa added nervously.

"Long ago, Dragons ruled the world. Everything was ours; the land, seas, and skies. It was all ours. We prospered with great satisfaction as we lived on and thrived…that is, until some foolish Dragons thought it was possible with coinciding with humans. They were our prey, but their views were no so lenient. Between those who agreed, and those who disagreed, a war broke out. I fought with the side that disagreed."

Lucy lurched in fright. "You…disagreed?"

"I am not fond of humans, unless there's food related to the conversation."

Natsu snickered. "heh, you're talking to your food!" He was whacked in the back of the head. "OW!"

"Quiet, Natsu." Nic scolded. "This isn't a joke."

"So then, what became of the war?" Carla diverted the attention back to Zirconis's story.

Zirconis continued. "Things heated up. The land was ravaged and all was torn to shreds. Then the Dragons decided to make a stupid strategy." Zirconis's eyes narrowed in spite at the memory. "The Dragons took the humans into the war with them. They gave them Dragon Slayer Magic, with could destroy Dragons."

Natsu and the other Dragon Slayers looked intrigued at the Dragon telling the story.

"So that was the origin of Dragon Slayers?" Happy asked.

Zirconis nodded. "Dragon Slayers had tremendous power. The Dragons that decoded to coexist with humans had turned the tide in their favor…however, there was one flaw they didn't take into account."

"Flaw?" Lily inquired.

"The Dragon Slayers that were given so much power, had too much of it. And because of that, they killed off the Dragons that wanted to live with them. There was one man in particular, who surpassed them all. He bathed in the blood of every Dragon he could find and slaughter. I fear to even say his name."

Everyone could see Zirconis looking uneasy as he seemed nervous just thinking of him.

"He continued bathing in Dragon blood. His skin became scales; his teeth became fangs; his human nature and body…became Dragon."

Vanessa swallowed. "Humans…becoming Dragons?"

"That's the consequence of Dragon Slayer Magic. The bones all here, they were all Dragons murdered by that one man, whom started another war…the Dragon King Festival. His name…was Acnologia."

Horror and shock swelled everyone. Lucy gasped so loud it echoed. The memories of Acnologia attacking them flooded into their minds, save Nic since he was out cold from Lysandre back then. Erza and Vanessa both were stiff to the bone as they never had a prayer against Acnologia, the Black Dragon of the Apocalypse, and the Dragon King who fought the Weather Trio and was forced to retreat. The memory made Natsu clench his fists so hard as he couldn't slay him, and instead the Weather Trio did all the work.

"Acnologia!" Gajeel shouted.

"Him?!" Lucy exclaimed.

Even Nic was so in shock it was hard to take in. "Acnologia…was human. This is beyond a revelation."

Zirconis's body began to fade away. "He slaughtered almost every Dragon…and that was 400 years ago…you all did this…"

Those were his final words before his body faded away completely, leaving green sparkles to flutter all around.

"Hey, we're not done with you!" Natsu yelled.

Nic and Vanessa went over towards Wendy as her Magic faded. "Wendy!"

Wendy sighed as the green light faded and she looked up. "that was the last of his soul. At least now, Zirconis can rest in peace."

"That was one hell of a history lesson." Gray said.

"Yeah." Gajeel mumbled.

"Dragon Slayers becoming Dragons…" Erza muttered.

"Things got very deadly all of a sudden." Nic said, assessing the facts.

Iron clad amongst the cliffs. Everyone's attention drew up to the cliffs and their guards went up. "Show yourselves!" Nic demanded.

Two figures emerged from the cliffs. One was Arcadios, and the other being Yukino.

Lucy gasped. "You're…Yukino?!"

"But who's the other guy?" Happy wondered.

Natsu's eyes narrowed. "I don't know, but he's got an odd smell."

Arcadios overlooked the people in front of him. "That's impossible." He countered. "Dragon Slayers killing Dragons to become one? Our books are all based on facts. Tell me, all of you, do you know of the Book of Zeref and its Demons?"

Gray grew an unholy dread up and down his spine. He remembered well the Demon known as Deliora, the one who destroyed his home and entire family. It was a gruesome realization that he wished he didn't know of. 'Deliora.'

"We believe Zeref turned Acnologia into a Dragon." Arcadios reasoned.

"Zeref?!" Happy exclaimed. He, too, recalled Zeref, despite seeing him once and being of no match for Lysandre back on Tenrou Island.

Arcadios smirked, but it was hard to tell if he was malicious or factual. "Therefore, Zeref is the root of all evil. Eliminating him means that Acnologia is another step to being subjugated." He made his way down to where the others were, with them remaining silent with what Arcadios has to say. When he came up to them, he bowed to them. "Apologies for myself and my intrusion. I am Arcadios, leader of the Cherry Blossom Holy Knights."

"And I am Sergeant Yukino." Yukino said.

"Well, we've kind of met. Ring a bell?" Lucy said to the sergeant.

"I wouldn't take it that you joined the army after Sabertooth kicked you out, correct?" Lily asked.

The matter was ignored, however, and Arcadios brought everyone to his attention. "Please, allow me to explain the scenario down here." He insisted. "Over the past several years, I have been operating in discretion on a top-class military project; however, this project's success required the assistance of a Celestial Mage, which is why Sergeant Yukino is here."

"A Celestial Mage?" Vanessa inquired.

Natsu stepped forward, patience thin. "We didn't ask for formalities, pal! So skip to why the hell your down here! And while you're at it, explain why you need a Celestial Ma-OW!"

Natsy was intervened and bumped on the head again. Erza plucked him up by the scarf and held him in place as Natsu was struggling to get to Arcadios. "Calm down Natsu. Patience, will you?" She scolded.

"When I ask a question, I want an answer! Let at him!" Natsu struggled to reach him, but that was no good as Erza's hold was keeping him at bay while Nic presented himself to Arcadios. His blue eyes met Yukino's, then they digressed to Arcadios.

"Arcadios and Yukino, I suppose you know who I am, correct?" He asked.

Arcadios grinned. "Ah, Nic Pularis, the one and only. I applaud for you and Salamander's victory yesterday. A splendid show indeed." He turned towards Yukino. "We will explain everything in full, but for now, follow us."

"You too, Lucy." Yukino insisted. "If this project is to work, we need all the Celestial power we can get." Yukino saw the distrusting looks, even from a dangling Natsu. "If this works, both Zeref and Acnologia will be defeated."

The reason made everyone grow goosebumps. Erza let Natsu down and they all followed Arcadios, but Nic was very unnerved. He hated authority, and if Arcadios tried anything out of line, he was gonna let loose hell. For now, he would remain steady and on guard.

---

"Holy cow!" Natsu shouted as he stood in front of the castle. "This place is freakin' huge!" His glancing went all over the place, as awe was all over the place.

"This palace sure puts Parfum Palace to shame." Vanessa added on.

Arcadios turned around to face the group before him. "This is His Majesty's home, Mercurius." He explained. "Inside is where the project lies. Please, follow inside."

Arcadios led everyone to the front door, where they were about to enter, and that's when he paused. "Before we enter, however, I want to apologize for the incident back on Day 2. I was too aggressive in my approach."

"What's he talking about?" Natsu asked.

Carla knew. She connected the dots pretty fast with Natsu saving her, Wendy, and Porlyusica. "Now hold on, you mean that bunch who tried kidnapping us?"

"You were behind that?" Lucy asked, fairly offended by the low tactics of the Rune Knights. Even Nic was left offended high and mighty people resort to such a thing.

Arcadios opened the door and diverted the group into a dark hallway. "My intentions were to never harm you." He reasoned as they walked pass each and every column. "I was too precarious with my beliefs. I honestly thought you were our only hope. It was a lack of judgment, and I'm sorry."

Lucy and the others narrowed their eyes at Arcadios. This wasn't gonna be easy for them to swallow; if anything, forgiveness was far from their minds. Nic looked to Erza, both having a look of distrust for Arcadios's actions. Nic shook his head to her, expressing his stand. Erza looked forward, almost ready to join Nic's boat in a manner of speaking.

The group kept on going, with Arcadios further explaining the concepts. "Answers are to come. The truth is that the Grand Magic Games is a ruse. It was deceit to accumulate Magic, or siphon it from the participants."

"Wait…" From the beginning, Gray remembered Day 1, and then Erza remembered her Pandemonium contest, then came Wendy with her match, and Nic and Natsu against the Twin Dragons. They all realized, with the exception of Nic for his otherworldly power, that their Magic was diverted from their bodies the whole time. Natsu was furious. "You're stealing from us?!"

"That's just messed up!" Gajeel shouted.

"Beyond deplorable, that's what your actions are." Erza scolded.

"That's beyond reprehensible." Nic chided. "Just why are you doing such a thing?"

"I don't blame you on the opinions you've had. I certainly am aware of Nic Pularis's reputation for insubordination against the Magic Council." Arcadios spoke as they closed in on their destination up ahead. "However, I believe the outcome will be worth it for all." His footsteps came to a stop. "We're here."

Everyone looked up to the massive gate that was constructed. The Eclipse Gate stood tall and mighty, a presence they did not see coming. The structure had a heaping amount of Magic Power, and an energy that left all of them startled. This project was by no means a joke if it was this amount of Magic Power.

"A…door?" Gray asked.

"A gate to be more accurate nonetheless." Arcadios corrected. "With this Eclipse Project, the Celestial Magic used shall open these doors. Lying behind, one can never say but only pure time."

"What does that mean?" Happy asked.

"It means, we can set the course to 400 years ago. We shall use that time and slay Zeref before gaining immortality. That is our true goal."

Everyone, once again, was shocked. They never saw it coming. It was nothing less but shock after shock.

"So…Jellal was right after all." Nic said.

Erza nodded.

Lucy seemed to be pondering as she stepped ahead. "But, how can Celestial Magic play a role?"

Yukino turned towards Lucy. "I know Nic and you all have been to the Celestial World before, and I learned that time flows differently." She explained. "With those time-dimensional properties, we want to use that and coordinate a lock onto a time period."

"When the sun and moon intersect on July 7th, the gates shall open with the help of all 12 Zodiacs and Yukino and Lucy's power. Their cooperation will lead to this being a success." Arcadios explained further.

The date was all too familiar, especially for the Dragon Slayers. Natsu jerked. "July 7th?"

"But that's…" Wendy trailed off as the realization dawned upon her.

Gajeel nodded. "Yeah, the date when our Dragons disappeared. This sounds more than just a coincidence if this is in two days."

"So I guess that's why it's called the Eclipse Project." Erza said.

"That would be enough from you all."

Everyone turned around. They were in trouble now with Darton and Rune Knights beginning to run around and surround them from out of the blue. Darton had a distrusting look as he was around the Rune Knights, and with them at his disposal he was gonna get what he wanted.

"Rune Knights?!" Lucy exclaimed in worry.

"Are they looking for a fight?!" Gray held his fists up.

"Arcadios, it's wise for you to surrender." Darton demanded.

Arcadios looked in shock. "Darton, what is the meaning of this?! Have you lost your mind?!"

"I could say the same to you." Darton rebuffed with a sneer. "This is treason, giving these secrets to outsiders."

"You are making a mistake, Darton!" Arcadios countered. "These people are not outsiders!"

"SILENCE!" Darton shouted. "You are gonna change history! We cannot allow the present to be altered!"

"Change history?" Happy asked.

"Wait." Carla said. "If we do change the past, the present will indefinitely change."

"A rather alter concept. This would certainly put up a two-sided war." Lily noted.

"Arcadios! You and the Celestial Mages are under arrest for your misdeeds! Take them away, and dispose the rest!" Darton commanded. The Rune Knights followed his lead and they all went to apprehend the three mentioned. "You are gonna make things difficult if you resist, all of you!"

Nic pulled out a Poke Ball. "Vanessa, you ready?"

Vanessa followed her brother's lead and pulled out a Poke Ball. She nodded in confirmation. "We'll make a break for it when we manage to do so."

"Then let's go!" Nic threw his Poke Ball. "Charizard!"

The Poke Ball opened up, and Charizard appeared in midair and landed on the ground. His thud caused a brief quake that made Rune Knights back off. Charizard spat out a roar that was hot and made them all back off.

Vanessa didn't hesitate to throw her Poke Ball next. "Braixen, go!"

Braixen appeared out on land as well, taking a step and showing her wand in her fur.

Darton's eyes widened. "What's this? Magic?!"

Nic extended his arm out. "Charizard, Heat Wave!"

"This won't take long! You're all going down!" Charizard brought his wings forward, and a hurricane of wot winds whipped up profusely. Rune Knights surrounding him all were whipped around and were blown away, the flooring was steaming as the Heat Wave went about, even cindering bits of clothing. The Rune Knights caught in the skirmish landed on the hot ground, unconscious without even a fight made. In that one blow, almost every Rune Knight, counting 90 to 100, were all defeated.

"Braixen, use Fire Spin!" Vanessa called out, dealing with the ones behind and on the sides.

Braixen twirled her wand and pointed it at a group. "Leave us alone!" She fired a tornado of fire that surrounded the Rune Knights grouped up and kept them there. She turned her attention to where Lucy and Yukino were getting apprehended.

"Hey! Let go!" Lucy shouted as the Rune Knights seized her.

"Stop this!" Yukino shouted, but the Rune Knights didn't pay heed.

Braixen slammed her wand to the ground, and a long trail of fire went at Lucy's spot. The Fire Spin arose from behind the blonde and engulfed the soldiers that were taking her. Lucy ran away and scurried to the group present. They all got in a circle, and the soldiers remaining backed off out of scarcity and the might of Charizard and Braixen.

"You are making this difficult!" Darton demanded. "You are-!" He was cut off when a knife hand strike landed on his abdomen. Darton gagged as he shot back, slamming into three other Rune Knights who failed to catch him.

Nic turned back towards the group and swiped his arm. "Charizard, Flamethrower!"

Charizard opened his mouth and let loose a blast of fire that bellowed. It raced along the pavement, melting it in whole. The soldiers all dodged, but the explosion's heated shockwaves sent them flying. Thudding and sprawling onto the ground.

"My word…" Arcadios muttered. He was hauled away by Rune Knights and struggled to break away. "Unhand me!"

Charizard knee-strike a fellow soldier being reckless and sent him flying into the few left standing. When took a stance, he huffed out a hot breath. "You honestly believe we'll listen to anything you say?"

"Don't you dare try and steal our own!" Braixen warned with her wand held out.

"Everyone, let's escape while we can!" Nic glowed and shifted into his Mind Plate Form. He jumped and twisted in the air, landing in the center of the group. "Everyone gather together!" He ordered. Everyone did as told and they all huddled around. Nic's eyes flashed. "Teleport!"

In a flash, everyone present escaped, save Arcadios and Yukino as they were hauled by the few soldiers still standing. They looked on in shock as to what they have just witnessed. The Pokémon, mostly Charizard, took out the forces in no time nor effort, but also caused some collateral damage.

Darton gagged and coughed as he sat up, pressing a hand to his abdomen. "Damn Mages." He muttered. He coughed again and was assisted up by other Rune Knights. "Just wait until His Majesty hears about those act of treason."

He looked over as a fellow Rune Knight that was in Braixen's Fire Spin from before was assisted away to the infirmary. In his hands was something that made Darton scoff. "At least we didn't let them go empty-handed."

---

Nic's Teleport led them to the front of Nic's inn. Everyone ceased huddling and gained space. They all took a second to gather the surroundings and confirmed they were safe.

"What the hell was that back there?" Gajeel rubbed the back of his head.

Natsu looked grumpy as he pounded his palm. "Who cares? I didn't have time to beat some of those punks!" He turned towards Nic angrily. "Why did you and Charizard get to have all the fun?!"

Charizard took a stomp and caused Natsu to jump. "You were fortunate we dispatched them before they got any upper hand on us. Not that they could in any way."

"Still, why would they be after us?" Braixen asked.

"I'm not sure, but what matters is that Darton and Arcadios are on opposite ends of the spectrum. At least Charizard's training paid off and they were easy to dispatch." Nic pulled out Charizard's Poke Ball. "Thanks Charizard, return."

"You too, Braixen, thanks." Vanessa said. Both Charizard and Braixen were then returned to their Poke Balls, and that left the two to turn towards the group. Vanessa seemed more anxious. "We gotta tell the others."

"You're right. We have to…" Lucy stepped forward to run, but she felt something not right. She looked down, and she realized that her key pouch was not there. Her eyes widened. "What?!"

"Her Zodiacs Keys are missing?!" Gray exclaimed.

Wendy gasped with hands covering her mouth. "Oh no!"

"It must have been when those Rune Knights seized her." Erza figured. "They must have taken the Zodiac Keys before anything else. Among Lucy's other Spirits, this leaves her vulnerable."

"Oh no…" Lucy looked down in shock and fright. "And they arrested Yukino." Lucy was having a hard time understanding the situation. Her Spirits were taken, the things she treasured. With them in custody, and Yukino, a fellow Mage of her kind, she couldn't help but feel guilty. "What have we done? We left Yukino to get arrested, and my keys are gone."

Natsu put a hand to her shoulder, comforting her. Lucy turned to see the determined look on his face. "Don't worry, we're gonna get those two out of there. I swear it."

Nic turned towards the street where the rest of Fairy Tail was. "There's no time to waste. Let's go."

---

When the group arrived at the pub, questions arose, but they were answered. Nic and everyone told them everything. Nothing was left out. The more they went on, the more piqued the guild was, and the more scared they got. More questions came, but when Zeref was involved, and Acnologia, everything dropped.

"To think Lucy and Yukino were a part of something so world-changing." Makarov spoke after a long period of silence. He had to process a lot. "A Dragon boneyard, and the history of Acnologia. Eclipse. And the assault against the Rune Knights. Things do not seem good on our ends."

"We can say in defense that it was an act of self-defense. They did provoke us by surrounding us first." Nic argued. "But now they might have something for us. With Lucy's keys in their possession, they may strike a bargain for us to get them back."

"Not to mention the arresting of Yukino." Gray added.

"Why'd they go and arrest their own?" Sophie asked. "I mean I know that Lucy and Yukino are needed, but that's no reason to take them into custody by force."

Makarov groaned as he contemplated. He was thinking hard, so he made up a decision. "They tried taking Lucy from us, and they arrested Yukino, someone who we see as an ally. Therefore, this is a hostage situation I am declaring."

"That we can understand, but if we attacked them, why aren't they swarming the city looking for us?" Gajeel asked. "It's like they're letting us go free."

"Those authorities never make sense." Natsu said.

Lily was among the other Exceeds in question. "It was obvious Arcadios was their primary target, so perhaps they let us go free so we can testify against him."

"I'm not so sure." Happy countered.

"They'd be risking their secret getting out." Carla reasoned. "If they didn't try and arrest us right after we've escaped, what could they be accomplishing?"

"Perhaps they think the truth will break out eventually. Otherwise they'd look all over for us by now." Erza said. She turned towards Nic. "As we came here, no Rune Knight was seeking us. It's as if they're letting us roam free or test us."

Nic looked to her, getting a familiar idea. "That's a good point."

"I can't be sure." Mira spoke up. "We're all a 1st place team in the games. Picking us off when he have a high profile would draw immense attention the kingdom couldn't afford. They'd have the other guilds against them, something they had no control over."

"With that in mind, we can't just sit by with Yukino in prison." Sophie reasoned. "She respects us, and she's a friend to us for what we did. It'd be insulting if we left her and Lucy's Spirits there."

Makarov closed his eyes and scratched the top of his head. He grumbled and mumbled incoherently to take the situation in. "The Rune Knights crossed the line with trying to take Lucy from us. They can send us bills, they can give restrictions, but taking our own against their will…this is war."

Natsu stepped atop of a table. "Count on it! Their asses are as good as roasted!"

"Aye!" Happy agreed.

Lucy was present and she looked determined. "If we have a plan, I'm all for it. I feel responsible for Yukino and my Spirits being taken. I'm going in, no matter what."

"And we don't blame you." Makarov said. "We won't let this deed go unpunished for them."

Nic stepped forward. "Master, with all do respect, I think I have a solution that can get us to Yukino and Lucy's Spirits while still taking part of the games." Nic's answer made everyone turn towards him, all ears as they heard Nic's plan of attack. If anyone could come up with a battle plan, if anyone could find a fail-safe, if anyone can strategize a two-sided confrontation; it's Nic.

---

July 6th, Day 5 of the Grand Magic Games. Fireworks went off as excitement filled the air. The final day of the exciting X791 games was just making people all sorts of emotions, the primary being excitement for Fairy Tail's comeback.

"Hello folks! It's Chapati Lola here, and this is the final day for the Grand Magic Games!" Lola announced. His hair was blue, with large spikes. "And you know Mr. Yajima, as he's the other commentator!"

Yajima nodded. "My pleasure once again."

"And our special guest today, it's the Grand Magic Games' mascot!" Lola announced. Looking over, it was Mato waving. "It's Mato!"

"Heya!" Hey waved to the audience through the lacrima-vision.

"Usually, he's the referee, but today shall not be the case, for today is the anticipated Battle Royal!" Lola reasoned. "And now, let's meet our teams and competitors!"

As the teams were being listed off, exiting the tunnels, Team Fairy Tail was waiting in its tunnel, all looking out in the lighting. They all had dead serious looks on them, as this plan Nic made was gonna be a real game-changer, quite literally.

"Nic sure knows how to keep us on our toes, that's for sure." Laxus said.

Gray and Sophie were standing in between Erza, who had a purple attire with flowers on. Gray seemed serious to the point being around him made a normal guy shiver. "This is all because Nic's plan's gonna work."

"I hope so." Sophie said. "This is a risk, but it's our only option. The authorities might get suspicious with Nic and Natsu out, but they won't have a prayer when they confront them."

"We'll have to give the public what they want. A good show." Erza said.

"You all be careful." Mira said. "We gotta get going right now."

Wendy nodded. "Don't worry, we'll be back. Promise." Wendy then turned and began running off with Carla.

Mira turned as well. "We'll be sure to give off a red flare if we find her. Good luck and win for us."

Mira turned away and took off. She and Lucy nodded and the two ran into the depths of the tunnels to the outside of the Domus Flau colosseum.

Lily glared up at Gajeel. "Gajeel, be careful, and be sure to get a few good hits in for me."

Gajeel held up a fist and smirked. "You don't have to tell me twice. I'll bash heads before lunch."

Lily thus flew off, leaving Nic, Vanessa, Natsu and Happy the only ones left.

"Hey Gray, if you lose to anyone, that means I'll beat you!" Natsu retorted.

Gray angrily smirked. "Gee, way to encourage me. Become a motivation speaker while you're at it."

Natsu held up a fist as he butted Gray's head again. "Just know you better not screw this up!"

"You better not either, because I'm not bailing you out, ya hear?!" Gray retorted.

"Hey, Natsu?" Happy told him.

Natsu backed off and gave a serious look to Gray and Gajeel, and Laxus as well. "Okay. Lucy's waiting for us. You guys kick ass." Natsu ran off then, with Happy following by his side.

Laxus looked back ahead. "Well that's one way of encouragement."

"Tch, Salamander's got some guts. Guts that I wanna bash if he annoys me anytime after this." Gajeel clenched his fists.

Vanessa looked to Sophie. "Watch out for Rufus. His aura is very…dramatic." Vanessa couldn't exactly find the words, but that was the only one that came to her mind.

Sophie nodded. "Will do. Save Yukino, get her out." Sophie turned ahead. "Vanessa, we'll meet you after we win, okay?"

Vanessa smiled and nodded. "Got it! And knock some out for me if you don't mind."

Sophie snickered. "That's what friends are for."

Vanessa left the tunnel to catch up with the others, leaving Nic the only one left. He looked at the expectant looks everyone gave him, especially Erza. They all knew this was his plan to follow through with, and so he must take action.

"Everyone give it your all. We'll be careful, but if we run into trouble, we won't hesitate to show them up Fairy Tail style." Nic said.

Gray snickered, as did Gajeel. Both didn't expect any other resolve.

Erza looked at him and had a hint of worry in her eyes. "Alright, we'll be careful too. If you need help, you can tell us, and we'll come racing to you."

"I think you're talking about yourself there, because I ain't taking a dive that easily." Gajeel pointed out, but he got a glare from Erza.

"Just fight on, for all of us." Nic said. He looked over his shoulder and saw his sister disappearing around the corner, following the others. He turned back towards Erza. "I gotta go. Win this for us."

Erza walked up, meeting him in the eyes. "I know, we will." He put her hands to his face and gave a warm smile. She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. The affection was pulled back and Erza kept her smile. "Good luck."

Nic recovered from the light shade of pink he had and nodded. He flipped on his sunglasses and turned his back. He darted down the tunnel, as to where the rest of Team Fairy Tail turned ahead and started walking out.

"And now…the moment that you all waited for!" Lola announced. "It's the guild that made a comeback and traveled through time! This is the guild in 1st place, and are on Sabertooth's target list! Please welcome, Team Fairy Tail!"

The crowd went nuts as screams went on. Team Fairy Tail had smoke for dramatic effect, and their figures were seen. The crowd suddenly grew startled.

"What?!" Lola shouted.

"Odd." Yajima said. "I didn't see this coming."

Everyone saw Team Fairy Tail. The members were all switched up. They were Laxus, Gajeel, Erza, then the twist was Gray and Sophie in place of Natsu and Nic. Nobody saw this coming. Even Darton, who growled down at them, didn't see this coming.

"Unbelievable!" Lola shouted again. "Team Fairy Tail is keeping us on our toes yet again! The team is without Nic or Natsu, and instead, have Gray Fullbuster and Sophie Lednick?!"

Rufus snickered upon seeing Sophie entering. "Well, well."

"Nic and Natsu are out?" Rogue asked.

Sting, unlike Rogue, showed satisfaction with the roster change. "Fine by me, that's the best news all day." He turned towards 'Minerva', who gave a look at Sting. He knew the consequences if he stepped out of line and didn't bring a win. The thought of Lector came to him again. 'Don't worry Lector, with those two out of the way, thing's got easier for me to beat them all.'

The crowd questioned one another over the roster change. They never expected this to happen, not in a million years. The Fairy Tail's almighty light and the flaming disaster weren't present, which sparked curiosity and doubt from Darton above. However he didn't see it as a major threat yet. He walked off from the stadium, his worries on the brink of action.

"Mr. Yajima, I thought each team only allowed one reserve member, is that correct?" Lola asked.

"Hmm…" Yajima crossed his arms. "Well, originally Fairy tail was two teams, and so they had a reserve for those two teams, but fused into one may seem like two reserve members. I say this should count for them as an advantage." He explained. "Besides, the committee didn't see Fairy Tail pull twists like this before."

Mato clapped his hands. "Oh~! This is so exciting!"

In the stands, Makarov sat and spectated, with everyone cheering. He couldn't believe that Nic's plan was actually one we couldn't say no to, and yet it was a good one. Mavis was beside him, looking with a serious and focused eyesight. Both Masters looked at their new team and saw that this was going to get interesting.

"A two-prong strategy, I never took into account that, but still…" Mavis nodded in approval.

"Yes." Makarov answered. "This is a very good plan, and the only plan I like. Nic outdid himself." He took a pause as straightened up, readying for the competition. "Everyone's focused on the games and we will cheer them on, just as they expect us too."

"But that's just a diversion." Mavis pointed out.

"Correct, and while we cheer them on and keep the attention, that leaves Nic's rescue squad to infiltrate and rescue. Good luck, Nic, everyone."

As he spoke, Nic led the charge through the city, leading everyone to Mercurius. He, Natsu, Lucy, the Exceeds, Wendy, Mira, and Vanessa all ran with gusto as they headed off after their objective.

"Let's head out! We're coming to help!" Nic yelled as he and the others picked up the pace as the final day of the Grand Magic Games began.

---

Here's the update guys. So how was it? I had to cut the OVA 5 bit short, sorry, but I added that hot flavor to make up for it. Everything else was as I had intended it to be.

As I was on vacation, I had a lot to think about, and I came to a few realizations on my part, so if you don't find me cooperative later on when PMing me, or if you ask or a collaboration or OCs, it's because I decided I'll do everything on my own with no interference. I like working by myself, and I like to keep to my own work; that means I accept nothing now. That's one of the realizations on my vacation.

Next chapter won't be long, but I'll try and work fast if I can.

Please Favorite, Follow, & Review this story and/or chapter if you guys are loving it all and the NicxErza moments, and the fighting and plot twisting about.

---

Next Time: Memories