Hello, everyone. This is your author in-progress, ArtLotus! I hope all of you have a nice day up until now because I really am sorry for the delay. So, without further ado, I present to you, The Blue Flame of Fairy Tail
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!
Chapter 8: Continuation of the Second Day!
Flashback…
"Unfortunately, I don't see the problem at hand. Care to elaborate?"
Izayoi asked standing over Makarov who sat on his chair behind his desk. The two of them were inside Makarov's office which was occupied by them only. The other guild members were all currently downstairs and were attempting to stay quiet to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Boy, you can't take an S-Class Job right off the bat!" Makarov crosses his arms as he frowned at the blonde who looks down at him with his own frown.
"Why not?"
"You have to pass the S-Class Examination to take on S-Class Jobs. For now, you'll have to stick with taking on A-Class's and below. Wait a second, B-Class's and below. There is no easy shortcuts, boy. Every guild has the same system." Makarov explained to Izayoi. "In the meantime, how about you explore by taking on quests that are related to it? You'll be amazed by the scenery."
"I'd think I'll be more amazed once I take on an S-Class Job. That'll be much more worth it."
"Then, do you care to elaborate your reason?"
"Simple; the harder it gets, the more fun it's going to be. I hate to burst your bubbles, pops. But I'm not fit to take on those side-quests you called C-Class's and below." Izayoi leans down his head to smirk at Makarov who looks at him pointedly.
"…Alright. If you want it so much, you can take on the S-Class Jobs." Makarov exclaimed. "But…you have to pass an examination. It will not be fair if you just take on S-Class Jobs without anyone's knowledge." Makarov explained strictly as Izayoi smirks at the sound of examination.
"What type of examination?" Makarov smiles and jumps down from his seat to walk out of the room.
Curious, the blonde followed after him to the main hall where everybody was talking to each other without a care and smiles were presented on each of their faces. Some argued about the quests tack on the quest board, some argued playfully and some argued indifferently.
"What's that, snow cone?!" Natsu asked butting his head against Gray's as they glared at each other fiercely. Sparks could be seen in the background as fire and ice represented both individuals. "Do you want to finish this outside?"
"You tell me, fire flake!" Gray responded. But before they could take their argument to another level, Erza appeared in the scene and grabs their heads; making them smiled and pat each other on the shoulders.
"Ha, how about we talked about something?" Natsu asked nicely.
"Yeah. Wanna talk about this nicely?"
"That's good, you two. Keep it up." Erza encouraged before letting her hold go and walk towards Makarov standing in front of the bar beckoning her forward. Complying with his gesture, the red head found herself standing across Izayoi who raises his hand in greeting. She smiles at him before she focuses her attention on her Master who smiles up at her. "Is there something you want to talk about, Master?" She asked in curiosity.
"Yes, there is." Makarov answered before gesturing Izayoi. "If it isn't much of a request, can you access this boy here? You see, he adamantly requested that he'd be taking on S-Class Jobs immediately." At the mention of S-Class, everyone perks up and focuses all of their attention towards their Master.
"Really?" Erza asked looking up at the blonde who nonchalantly smiles. "Then you want me to be his opponent like in the 'examination'?" Watching her Master nodded at her saying, Erza nodded herself before looking at the blonde next to Makarov. "It seems like we would have to fight. Do you mind?"
"No, I don't. But I was thinking I'd fight the old man myself. That's better than anything to fight a S-Class Mage, don't you think?" Izayoi simply said without any hesitation as he shrugs his shoulders with an easy going smile.
"We'll see, Izayoi. I'd hope I live up to your expectation when we meet in battle."
"So where's the battle being held?"
"Outside of Magnolia, there's a part of the forest that is decimated. We'll fight there. Are there any objections?"
"No. Not a single one. What about you?" Izayoi asked before turning to everyone. "If you want, you can come. I'm sure all of you are anxious to find out who will be the winner." He exclaimed as he looks at Erza who looks at him. The two stared it off for a moment before the blonde walks past her but not without patting her head before leaving the guild to head towards the designated location. "I'll meet you there. Don't keep me waiting, Titania." The blonde let out a nonchalant chuckle as everyone looked at his form before he disappeared.
"Erza?" Mirajane asked looking at her best friend who stood petrified on her spot.
"Did he just do what I'd think he did?" Erza asked while her face was shadowed amidst her bangs as Mirajane frowned.
"Uh…" She trailed off, not knowing what to say before she sensed an enormous amount of killer intent. Looking at the red head, she glances around her to see everyone stepping back a few after sensing the intent. Finally, Erza snaps as she raises her head with dangerously narrowed eyes.
"I'm gonna kill him."
Time Skip
Outskirts of Magnolia
Decimated Forest
Amidst standing at the center of the decimated area, Izayoi sat on top of the flat rock surface waiting for his opponent to arrive. A small smile of amusement slips past his lips as excitement slowly fills his entire being at the thought of fighting against a S-Class Mage before comparing it with fighting against a Wizards Saint. Although he knew the difference between the two Mages, he'd appreciate the red headed Mage who was willingly to fight him without any hesitation. As he sits on top of the rock, he'd started thinking about the world he now inhabits. He knew that he cannot get out since he does not know how he could be transported to this Earth Land except meeting with the First Guildmaster of Fairy Tail. But after reading the history about Fairy Tail itself, he'd know that the First Guildmaster had died and the whereabouts of the Second Guildmaster was currently unknown which leaves the Third Guildmaster to lead the current Fairy Tail, Makarov Dreyar.
As he started reading about the books related to the unknown world he'd transported to, he found himself to gain an immediate interest to it. Magic in its entirety was being used everywhere within everyone. With that, Guilds are created but the appearances of Dark Guilds are also included due to the person's dark will to do anything to destroy another Guild for greed and power.
"How long since I've been here…?" Izayoi found himself asking before he answered himself. "A week tops? Yeah…it had been a week since…" He muttered recalling about taking on high-ranking quests tacked upon the Quest Board after he had joined Fairy Tail, since he knows the low rank quests are not of importance or any interest of him to participate himself in. At that fact, it led him to speak with the Third Guildmaster to listen to his concern to which he'd protested accordingly. After that, it leads him to where he was sitting, awaiting a certain red headed Mage to show up. "Just as I wanted to fight the old man…I'd have to fight the prominent figure in the guild instead…I'd hope she can keep up or this'll be a dull fight." Just as the blonde thought, he instinctively looks up to see a figure walking towards him. The sound of metal shifting back and forth, as Izayoi found himself smiling at the appearance of his opponent. The blonde watches Erza nears him before taking to stand in front of him while he slowly stands up to properly greet her. "So I'm guessing you aren't chickening out…?"
"Why are you asking that kind of question? Do you think I am that kind of cowardice mage?" Erza asked quirking an eyebrow with a frown. "No, I am not that kind of mage. Not anymore…" She glances down for a split second, confuses him before he nods at her confirmation. "What about you, Izayoi? Are you not at all concern about the slightest possibility over your defeat in this battle?"
"No. Anyway, who says I'd lose?" The blonde spread his arms wide with an amusing smile. "Oh, about our audience. They're keeping their distance, correct?" At this, Erza was surprised. "If they are, that's fine. But if they stood any distance closer when we fight, I'm not gonna hesitate to warn him or her." He said to Erza who nodded. "Oh, and also…" Erza looks up to see the blonde smirks. "Don't hold back. It takes the fun away from this fight which I'd assumed you're eager to see the winner?"
"I asked myself that during my walk through the forest. I'm eager to see the winner. Though I cannot predict the outcome but I will do my best to win this battle for my pride."
"Pride? That's a good cost." Izayoi nodded in agreement before he shifted his footing. "Then, Titania. Which armor will you grace me with? Can you possibly start with the most destructive? I'd love to know if it can be of match and gives more fun to our battle."
"You'll see soon enough." Erza replied with a small hint of smile as she stares at the blonde while he stares back. After a moment, Erza immediately changes as Izayoi stood in his spot to await her transformation. Once she adorns her new armor, she'd immediately started going onto the assault by slashing head first towards the blonde. Flames licked at the sword she held as Izayoi dodges her attempt slashes with ease.
"The Flame Empress Armor...Interesting choice." Izayoi commented looking at the set of armor adorned Erza. "But do you think that will be enough?"
"I shall show you how this will be just enough to beat you."
"Strong words...Let's see how you back them up!"
Narrowing her eyes, Erza immediately changes her rhythm of assault and proceeded to stab her sword into the ground, causing the ground to shake and erupt into a burst of flames.
"Hahaha! That's more like it! Now you're getting the hang of it, Titania!" Izayoi jumps into the air when flames burst out from the ground. When he looks down at the flames littering the ground, he catches a glimpse of a sword appearing out from the flames and he grins. Instantly holding up his hands, he blocked the downwards strike as Erza stared on in surprise at his action. "Don't act so surprise yet, Titania. This isn't even the beginning yet!" Izayoi stated before blowing Erza backwards by spreading his arms out and he started falling back first.
At the chance that presented itself, Erza quickly charges towards the falling blonde and she summons forth the flames to cover her sword before she slashes her way at the pinpoint angle where the blonde will meet the soon assault.
"That's not even enough!" Izayoi mocked as he shifted his stance to face the incoming strike. Glancing down at the remainder altitude he got, he waited before he punches the fire ball and soon the remaining fire balls collided with the first.
"What?" Erza asked herself as she watched her fire ball accumulated to form a bigger fire ball as the blonde smirks. "How on Earth Land…?"
"I guess you should take this back!" At this, Izayoi punches forward as the giant version of the fireball flew across towards Erza who readied herself before slashing the fireball in the center, slicing it in half just as it dissipates into fire flakes littering around her. The red headed Mage looks down at the blonde standing on the ground awaiting her as Erza slowly lands down across him. "I'd admit it's interesting but if you want to win," Izayoi smiles before he disappears without a trace which causes Erza to be on guard.
Suddenly, a lock of blonde appeared amidst Erza's eyes before she watches the blonde flick his finger at the center of her armor, destroying it as parts of her armor flew backwards and falls to the ground.
"You have to be better than that!"
"...What?" Erza thought before she quickly dismisses it and jumps back in retreat, donning a set of new armor altogether. The Black Wing Armor. Without so much as hesitation, she quickly charges forward her sword in-hand. But just as she passes the blonde and thrust her blade forward, she was quickly awakened to the sound of her armor breaking and her sword shatters to the shock of her life.
"Good assault but that won't be enough." Izayoi said standing behind her. "
Quickly dismissing her shock, she dons another set of armor, Heaven's Wheel Armor and swiftly swipes forth her sword at the blonde who caught it with just his bare hand before shattering it with minimal force. At her failed attempt, Erza quickly jumps back before panting, recalling using three sets of armor which consumes her Magic by the minute.
"Are you really trying?" Izayoi questioned turning around to raise an eyebrow at the red headed Mage who stared at him.
"...What are you?" Erza managed to ask with narrowed eyes, wanting to know the blonde's capability that had been shown so far throughout their battle.
"I don't think you should be asking that kind of question. Instead, you should ask yourself-How are you going to win?"
Baring her teeth at the insult, Erza raises her right hand as hundreds of swords appeared hovering in the air behind her. "Can you handle this many at the same time?" Erza asked before letting loose the swords with an inward command.
At seeing the swords headed towards him, a smirk widens across his cheek as Izayoi prompted raising his right fist and punctured the ground beneath him, causing an earthquake to shake the area before it erupts ferociously, hitting every swords with stones that wound up falling to the ground or hit everywhere except the blonde. Amidst kneeling down, the blonde saw a glimpse gleam of a sword in front of him and he smirks, seeing Erza standing upon him to strike him down. But then, the blonde saw several swords hovering behind Erza and were bound to strike him down at the close range between them. Smiling, the blonde proceeded to stand and charges forward towards the red headed Mage.
"I got you!" Erza said in thought as she prompted to slash at the charging blonde with the several blades that hovered behind her acting as her support. But just as she bound to slash her opponent down, Erza was then strike with surprise as Izayoi lightly disappears from her sight, interjecting her from attacking. Looking around, Erza glares at the unknown whereabouts of her opponent before she promptly flew forward to avoid the stones from falling down on her.
During her retreat, she watches every side for the blonde before she quickly sense a large shadow behind her. Glancing behind, Erza quickly put a burst of magic to fly upwards as a large boulder collided with the ground, causing a large explosion of debris to cover the area. After some time, Erza looked upon the sight in front of her just when the smoke and debris disappears. The crater was roughly the size of the area itself and fractures along with cracks that could be identified to be stretching from the crater towards the whole area. The depth of the crater was not entirely deep as far as the giant boulder had break off once collided with the ground, which lessen the force but it did not stop the outcome. Though the damage was done, it did not damage those of the trees that were nearby, much to her relief.
"You're impressive so far, Titania."
Hearing the voice, Erza's ears perked up and she looked up to spot the blonde standing at the center of the crater.
"I didn't think you'd last this long. But what can I expect from an S-Class Mage?" The blonde shrugs his shoulder with a smile.
"Don't underestimate a Fairy Tail Mage." Erza replied as Izayoi chuckles.
"Yeah, I'll be sure to remember that. So," The blonde stared at her with a glint of excitement in his eyes. "How about we take this up another level? I'm feeling a little bit bored by our scuffle."
"What are you suggesting?"
"It's not much." The blonde then spreads his arms apart. "The only thing I ask of you is to entertain me with your strongest armor yet!" Izayoi smirked. "How about it?"
"What's the condition?"
"Condition? Hah, I'll give a little effort than I had before." Izayoi said nonchalantly as Erza perked up at the statement. "But if you comply to my request."
"He's not even serious yet?" Erza inwardly stated in confusion. "How can he possibly not be serious? Is he playing around since then? Until now?" She questioned herself before she stares at the blonde. "...I accept your offer."
"Really?" Izayoi quirked an eyebrow.
"It is just so you'll fight me seriously, I'm accepting your offer." At this, Izayoi let out a smile to cross his lips. Looking at him still, light started enveloping Erza and after a moment, she emerged in a new set of armor. One that no one has ever seen. The Purgatory Armor. "It's been ten years since then...Until now, no one has ever seen it to live the tale. But for this...I'll make an exception." Erza explained as she lifted the Spiked Mace which is larger than Erza herself with six large spikes running down the edge, getting progressively larger as they reach the hook end of the weapon.
A wide smirk appeared to stretch across Izayoi's face as he looked upon the appearance of Erza adorned in her armor. Just by looking at it, he knew that he'd be somewhat entertained.
"Yes, this is what I've been waiting for!" Izayoi shouted in excitement. "Let's get this part started already, will ya?!" Just as he finishes, Izayoi shoots himself forward as he prepares for a punch while Erza readies herself to counter. "Titania!" Shouting her title, Izayoi punches the Spiked Mace, delivering a single shockwave radiating throughout Magnolia and blowing the entirety of the trees furiously nearby.
Meanwhile, every Fairy Tail member hidden a good distance away was shocked by the force of the collision.
"This is too overwhelming!" Lucy shouted as she covered the front and back of her skirt from being exposed.
"Natsu, help me!" Happy pleaded as Natsu held onto his hand from being blown away by the strong shockwave.
"Hold on, Happy!" Natsu stated before his head collided with a rock and he immediately was blown backwards and collided with a tree followed by Happy. "Ow..."
"Aye..."
"I didn't he'd be this destructive!? And why all of a sudden we're here to experience it?!" Wakaba complained out loud as he held onto a tree branch while Macao held onto the tree bark nearby.
"Stop complaining, will you? It's not every day you'd get to see someone fight Erza and possibly matching her."
"He is...a man!" Elfman shouted out loud shielding his arms while his back was against a tree bark. Nearby, everyone sweat drop at his antics.
"Why is he a man?" Wakaba and Macao shouted back before the shockwave dissipates and everyone could relax. All of them survey each other to see if anyone was injured before they look at the decimated area for both Izayoi and Erza.
"Who won?" Gray asked as Natsu shakes his head and stands back up to look.
"Yeah, is it Erza?"
"I don't know." Lucy replied squinting her eyes to see beyond the dust that covered the area. Then, she shouted to everyone. "I found them!"
"So who won, Lucy?" Natsu asked as he and everyone stands near the blonde who pointed her hand in front of her. At the direction she was pointing, everyone squint their eyes to see. Just as they squinted, they immediately spotted a lock of blonde amidst the dust heading their way. Instantly, their eyed wide at the appearance of Izayoi walking out from the dust while Erza leaned up against his chest as she was being carried in his arms with half lidded eyes. Parts of her armor were still strapped to her body covering her chest and bottom half but the rest of it was destroyed.
"So, he won..." Natsu trailed off eyed wide.
"Against Erza..." Gray added.
"No less..." Macao added.
"You really are something, Titania." Izayoi complimented walking back to everyone. He looks down at the red haired as his blonde locks shakes with every step.
"Why the compliment...?" Erza tiredly responded against his chest.
"Can't I compliment someone without being asked?" Izayoi playfully raises an eyebrow.
"I was just asking..."
"I meant what I said. You're quite impressive, Titania. Nobody has fight me head on. So, you're the first who went all out to just face me head on."
"...You're welcome..." Erza responded with a hint of a smile evident on her face as she stared out into the air.
"You are something..." He stifles a chuckle as everyone cheerfully runs forward towards them.
Present
Sun Bar
"Blue Pegasus against Raven Tail?" Salamander uttered under his breath as he looks at the competitors fighting against each other in the Lacrima Vision. A small smile of amusement appears at the corner of his lips as he watches the two competitors issuing a bet between them. "Bets are always the best in fights…It's easier to settle…" He commented as he watches the competitors fight it off in the colosseum. As the fight continues onwards, Toby had displayed ferocious offence to harm Black Snake who always dodges. When a burst of sand dust covered the middle area of the colosseum where both competitors battled it out since, Toby's the only one who is lying down on the ground when the dust dissipated. On the other hand, Black Snake stood behind the Toby's form with a smirk on his face.
"Toby's not getting back up! The winner is Black Snake from Raven Tail!"
"Typical…" Salamander commented.
"This brings Raven Tail up to 36 points. And Lamia Scale has…"
"20 points." Yajima finished.
"Cool!" Jason yelled over his seat.
"So what's your secret?" Black Snake asked Toby who was crying.
"My socks…I can't find one of them…Even though I've been searching for it for the past three months, I can't find it for some reason…I…I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone…" Toby cried out before Black Snake pointed his finger towards his own chest and Toby noticed the sock dangling over his neck. "It was right here all this time?! You're a nice guy. I found it at last!"
"Yajima-san, what do you think…?"
"No comment."
"Cool! Cool"
"Good for you, dog-like guy!" Erza said brushing a tear over her right eye as Gray gaped.
"Unbelievably, I'm a little touched by this!"
"Um…" Lucy hesitated to even reply.
"Spin!" Obaba uttered in her stand.
"Oh my!" Chapati said as Black Snake extended his hand over towards Toby who looked up at the hand. "The two congratulate each other on a good fight and shake hands…" Pati was cut off as Black Snake snatches the sock from Toby's neck and reap it into shreds in front of him, much to Toby's shock. "Or rather, they don't!" At the action, every member from Lamia Scale including the recovered Jura looked down at Black Snake with a defining frown while Gray kept Erza from moving forward to reap him into shreds instead. "That was cruel! Too cruel!"
"It's my nature to destroy to want to destroy something precious." Black Snake said before walking towards his guild.
"What's his deal? There's a man with a sick sense of humor!" Evergreen look on in disgust.
"That's the true nature of Raven Tail." Wakaba explained.
"Nasty…" Macao commented. "I don't even know what Ivan's thinking…"
"I bet he was just being malicious, plain and simple!" Happy said.
"Okay, let's get back on track with today's second match! From Quatro Cerberus, Bacchus! Versus an opponent from Fairy Tail A…"
"Us?" Erza asked.
"What if we do if they announce Natsu?!" Lucy asked in realisation.
"I'll slap him awake." Gray answered.
"That Bacchus guy, he's on the same level as you right, Erza?" Elfman asked the red headed mage.
Fairy Tail B Stands
"There he is!" Cana shouted. "I don't care who does it, but somebody avenge me!" She said to everyone as Gajeel kept her still with a hand on her wrist.
"Calm down, Cana…" Mirajane smiled in sympathy.
"If it's Gray-sama, he'll win with ease." Juvia stated.
Domus Flau Balcony
"You did set it up as I asked?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Captain Arcadios replied standing behind the king.
"I can't wait! Bacchus versus Erza! This is definitely going to be a great match!" The King stated in excitement as Captain Arcadios looked dumbfounded.
"What?"
"Huh?"
"D-Did you just say Erza? I-I paired him up against…"
"Elfman!"
"What?!" The King exclaimed in surprise.
"Elfman?!" Mirajane said in shock.
"Elf nii-chan?!" Lisanna frowned.
"It's over!" Wakaba, Macao and Happy said it at the same time.
"That's a terrible thing to say!" Lisanna said to them from behind.
"Make us proud!" Erza said punching her knuckles against Elfman abs. "The only thing we can do now is win!"
"Y-Yeah…" Elfman said with an unsure look.
Sun Bar
"Oho…? Bacchus against Elfman?" Salamander asked in amusement. "This is something unexpected…" He uttered. "…and something interesting to watch…"
Domus Flau
"Hey, how about you and me make a bet like those last guys did?" Bacchus asked as Elfman stood across from him and stared at him. "Both of your sisters are delightful dishes…" At this, Elfman frowned.
"What do you wanna say?"
"It's an old story. If I win, they're mine. Both of them, at the same time…" Bacchus smiled widely with his eyes enlarged in excitement.
"Bastard…" Cana gritted her teeth.
"Two at the same time…that's a warped form of love!" Happy said trembling in fear along with Lisanna.
"You're disgusting!" Evergreen commented Bacchus's disgusting statement.
Putting down his drink next to him, Bacchus sat up. "If you win…Let's see…"
"Man…" Elfman walk one step forward. "There are some things a Man can't let pass…Hound dog…I'm gonna tear you apart!" He shouted through his lungs as his shout could be heard throughout the arena.
"Then we have a deal?" Bacchus smiled. "My soul is quivering…"
Sun Bar
"Does he really have what it takes to make a bet like that…?" Salamander asked watching the fight through the Lacrima Vision. "I don't think he would be dumb enough to after the last time…" He muttered as he calmly leaned against the bar. "Let's see if Elfman can serve him wrong…If this involved his sisters, then he'll let loose."
Domus Flau
Top Floor
"Hey, where you going?" Natsu yelled towards the four mysterious kidnappers adorned in red clothing as they held Carla, Wendy and Porlyusica. The pink haired gritted his teeth as one of the four kidnappers stood in his way with two guns in hand.
"Leave him to me! This is the best way to deal with wizards!" The volunteered kidnapper stated preparing to attack before he was swiftly punched in the face by Natsu.
"Move! Jackasses! Give me back Wendy and the others!"
"What is he?!" The short sized kidnapper stated.
"That crazy bastard is scary! And he'll catch up to us at this rate! What do we do?!" The tall sized kidnapper asked.
"No other choice! We dump these two!" The large sized kidnapper answered.
"Don't be an idiot!"
"The order was to get the girl in the infirmary!"
"An old hag and some cat aren't girls!" The tall one replied to his team mates.
"Then why'd bring them?!"
"Wait, when you look at this old woman from a certain angle…" The large one said as he looks down at Porlyusica.
"She's no girl!"
"Who gave you the order?!" Natsu asked directly right behind the tallest kidnapper.
"We're done for!" Just as he shouted, an explosion erupted from where they run but it was ignored by everyone who watches the current match between Bacchus and Elfman.
"Oh my! This is unquestionably a one-sided match! Elfman can't land a blow!"
"Beautiful sisters all to myself…Nice…" Bacchus licked his lips.
"H-Hey, is that…? Lucy pointed out in surprise.
"I can see how he'd fight you to a draw, Erza." Gray stated to the red head mage next to him.
"No, what's really hard to deal with is coming up." Erza answered with a cross of her arms.
"Elf nii-chan…" Lisanna uttered in worry.
"Don't worry! He's a man who gets down to business when he needs to, right?" Evergreen comforted Lisanna who held a small smile on her face at Evergreen's comforting words.
"Yeah. That's true…"
"Go, Elfman!" Happy cheered on as Elfman continues on charging towards Bacchus by transforming himself into a weretiger. But as far as his lightning-quick attacks, those did not land a single blow to Bacchus and instead he was getting beat on, much to everyone's worry.
Time Skip
Sun Bar
"Hook Cleaving Palm…What a lame technique…" Salamander said reminiscing the time where he fought with Bacchus over a bet issuing between his rank as the Leader of Four Gods of Ishgar and his title of being the strongest in Quatro Cerberus. He recalled once when Bacchus did drank a whole gallon of booze readied by him to fight him, he's certain that it would make the battle more interesting since he revealed his true colors. But when he decided to land a blow in the form of a single punch, he was only met with disappointment as the drunkard did not withheld nor demonstrated an ounce of excitement to him. From that day onwards, he was still disappointed. "Drunken Hook Cleaving Palm…" He muttered the technique once Bacchus had drank the booze after Elfman stated his winning condition. After that, Bacchus immediately goes into offence and decided to attack Elfman by charging towards him. It was a quick form of attack as Bacchus land seven blows in that instant.
Domus Flau
"What…?" Bacchus asked in confusion after seeing his hands were damaged.
"Come on! This is a fight to see which will break!" Elfman said grinning in his Lizardman form.
"Wild…" Bacchus smiled gleefully.
"That's some strategy." Mirajane said.
"It's crazy." Juvia said before answering to Mirajane's statement. "True, Lizardman's skin and scales are covered with innumerable spines, so it goes well against a bare-handed opponent, but this particular opponent can shatter Lizardman's tough scales."
"What's wrong?!" Elfman shouted to Bacchus while beckoning him forward.
"You're an interesting guy! My soul is quivering!" Bacchus said as he charges forward and land blows by blows to Elfman.
"It's a frenzy! More of a clash of wills than a battle! Will the attacker give out? Or the receiver buckle?! Just who…will win…this fight?!" Just as Chapati finishes, Bacchus kneels down on the ground panting which causes Elfman to revert back to his human form and panting as well.
"Your name…is Elfman?" Bacchus asked as silence overwhelms the situation. Suddenly, he burst out of laughter as everyone look on in worry. "Hey…About that bet…I lied about my bet." He stated to which surprises Elfman.
"Huh? Why?"
"Even if I did win, Lizar—I mean, Salamander, he wouldn't let me touch them or even stand a few inches from them...I can also tell you that he would roast my ass off and beat me into a pulp much more worse than this if I did something like that…I can tell you, he heard about our bet and he did not like it…Haha…" Bacchus trailed off as Elfman glances at where Fairy Tail B stands were. "Even if he isn't here...But he's listening...I can tell you, he's pissed off. And I wouldn't expect that he would find me after this. He's protective of your guild, you know? Not just the guild but its members too. Even fine babes such as your sisters...But the entire bet...It was just a fluke to rile you up. I hadn't had quite a challenge except Salamander..." Bacchus muttered as Elfman panted while looking at him. "Wild..."
"Four!"
"No…"Happy said with a frown.
"Bacchus is the one who got back up!"
"You know…you're..." Bacchus suddenly fell over to the ground. "…a man."
"D…? Down! Bacchus is down! The winner is Elfman! Fairy Tail A gets 10 points! This gives them a total of 12 poins!"
"P…Puppy?!"
Suddenly, Elfman let out a shout that resounded throughout the colosseum.
"Does this battle roar portend to Fairy Tail's comeback?! Elfman pulls off a spectacular victory over a formidable enemy!"
"Listen to that cheering!" Natsu smiled on top of the colosseum as he stood next to the recovered Wendy and Carla while Porlyusica stood behind them.
"Elfman-san did it!" Wendy beamed.
"Wendy, are you okay now?" Carla asked Wendy.
"Yeah, I feel fine now! Thank you, Grandine!" Wendy thanked to Porlyusica
"I told you not to call me that! Anyway, those scoundrels from before…" Porlyusica trailed off as Natsu recalled the four kidnappers admitting their crime by mentioning that their job was acquired from the order of none other than Raven Tail.
"Raven Tail…" Natsu gritted his teeth at the name.
"The girl…who was in the infirmary…Past tense?" Wendy said in realisation.
"There was one there. Salamander carried her in." Porlyusica exclaimed as Wendy looks at her.
"You don't mean…"
"Lucy!" Carla said.
Crocus
"The plan failed."
"Fool! In the first place, you had the wrong target. Didn't I tell you what she looked like?" Captain Arcadios said to the knight.
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, forget about it. It just means we'll move to plan B. Where are the actual perpetrators?"
"We arrested them and hauled them off into prison."
"Their cover isn't blown?"
"No sir. They believe their client is Raven Tail."
"We need to keep using the discord between Raven Tail and Fairy Tail like this. And while they're busy feuding, we'll grab a Celestial Spirit Wizard…for the Eclipse Project!"
Domus Flau
Top Floor
"Why the long face?" Porlyusica asked Natsu after seeing the frown evident on his face.
"Raven Tail…All they've been doing is playing dirty tricks…" Natsu answered.
"Natsu-san…" Wendy frowned at this.
"Certainly, Raven's Master is…" Carla trailed off.
"Yeah…Gramps'…Laxus's…"
"So what does that mean?" Wendy asked the pink haired Dragon Slayer.
"I don't really know, but this ain't over by a long shot!" Natsu shouted.
"Whatever the case might be for this, we have to inform another than just keep to ourselves." Porlyusica said to Natsu who held a confused look.
"Who?"
"Inform Salamander of this progress including the possible involvement of Raven Tail. I fear this is leading to a serious revelation later on." Porlyusica explained grimly as Wendy frowned.
"Grandine…" Wendy uttered before she adopted a confused look herself. "Might I ask, who is Salamander?" She asked both Natsu and Porlyusica.
"He's the Leader of the Four Gods of Ishgar which is currently residing amongst the Ten Wizards Saint. To cut it short, he's the leader of the entire organization." Porlyusica explained as Wendy and Carla both adopted awe looks.
"And you know what's even awesome? He's the Sixth Guildmaster of Fairy Tail!" Natsu exclaimed excitedly shocking Wendy and Carla including Porlyusica who did not know the piece of information from Natsu. "He's also participating in the Grand Magic Games. He's in Fairy Tail B."
"Really? That's wonderful!" Wendy exclaimed in awe and excitement.
"Yeah, he had gotten our first points when he fought Jura and won! That got us 10 points by the end of the first day!"
"That's a lot! Is he really helping us that much?" Wendy asked as Natsu grins cheekily and nodded. "Can I meet him?"
"I don't know. He said he was busy today. But we can find him later if you want."
"That'll be great!" Wendy exclaimed in excitement. "He's the Sixth Guildmaster of Fairy Tail…" A wide smile was plastered on Wendy's face as she beamed at the revelation.
"Anyway, all of you should go and inform the others. They might want to hear this and also, you've got other games today, correct?" Porlyusica stated as both Natsu and Wendy nodded before they left with Carla, leaving Porlyusica alone at the top of the colosseum. "What will happen next?" A noticeable frown smeared on her face as she thought grimly of the question hanging over her mind.
Time Skip
Corridor
"Still, those Raven Tail jerks play dirty right out in the open..." Natsu commented as he, Gray, Lucy, Erza, Wendy, Lisanna and Carla walk along the corridor.
"I wonder if their intention is to take us out one by one." Erza exclaimed standing next to Lucy.
"I've still got my doubts about what happened." Carla said stopping to stand behind the group as they stopped as well.
"What is it, Carla?" Wendy questioned turning her head to look at the white Exceed.
"I already heard the basics..." Erza said.
"We assume Raven Tail used a guild of bandits in an attempt to kidnap Lucy. But thanks to them screwing up the objective and Natsu's pursuit, the scheme failed twice over." Carla explained crossing her arms.
"Doesn't that make sense?" Lisanna asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Although we don't know what they were planning to do with her..." Erza said with a cross of her arms underneath her chest.
"Don't even go there!" Lucy said to Erza.
"The issue is the method of capture. One of the members of Raven Tail that attacked us has the power to reduce his opponent's magic power to zero for a moment." Carla explained about one of the Raven Tail's member ability.
"Right...Master suspects that he's the one who cancelled out Lucy's magic on the first day. It is also due to Salamander's certainty that he could sense which one did performed the interference." Erza added.
"They've got a wizard whose magic would be perfect for a kidnapping, so why wasn't he part of the operation?" Carla asked.
"Well, probably because of the rules of the battle part, which require all participants to stay close to the arena." Gray answered to Carla.
"That's because nobody knows who's going to be chosen for battle til just before, right?"
"You're over thinking it, Carla." Wendy smiled.
"Yeah, I know very well that results matter much more to them than means." Lucy nodded.
"Well, either way, if we're being targeted outside of the arena, we mustn't let out guards down and try not to be alone at any time." Erza explained as Carla recounted the visions in her mind before she abruptly says.
"Can I go meet this Salamander for a moment?"
"Why Carla?" Wendy asked in surprise.
"What really bothers me is the question of why they were after Lucy..." Carla thought before she answered to Wendy's question. "Because I want to meet him. I don't have an opponent waiting for me in the Grand Magic Games so it'd be best if I meet him instead. He is supposedly the Leader of the Four Ishgar, and what better chance than to meet him than right now?" She said to Wendy who adopted an unsure look before she nodded reluctantly.
"Alright, but do you want to find him right now?" Wendy asked. "Natsu-san said he's busy outside, so I don't think we should disturb him." Wendy inquires as Carla frowned before Lisanna glances at the corner of her to see a glimpse of Salamander walking a corner behind her, which leads to the colosseum.
"Wendy. Carla. I don't think he's busy now." Lisanna said turning around to face the way the hooded individual went as she pointed her finger towards the said same direction. "You should go right ahead if you want to catch him with him!"
Looking at Wendy, Carla nodded. "Let's go." Wendy nodded at the white Exceed before the two of them run forward and turns a sharp corner towards where Salamander went while everyone stared at them.
"Did you really saw Salamander, Lisanna?" Natsu asked as Lisanna in turn nodded.
"Yeah, he went passed the way Wendy and Carla went. So he's got to be there." Lisanna reasoned as Erza nodded at her explanation.
"Then we should leave them with him. Carla must have something to discuss regarding the kidnapping." Erza added. "For now, we should focus on our battles."
"Yeah!" Natsu and Gray smiled as they both said it.
Time Skip
Domus Flau
"It's the third match of the second day of the Grand Magic Games! Mirajane Strauss from Fairy Tail B versus Blue Pegasus reserve member Jenny Rearlight!"
"I'm back!" Lisanna said to everyone at the stands once she arrived.
"Welcome back. How is Elfman doing?" Cana asked turning to Lisanna.
"He's all beat up but no worries." She answered.
"So it's a showdown between two former models, huh?" Levy asked as she, and the two others looked towards the match.
"Jenny's incredible popular. I seem to recall that seven years ago, she was voted the Number One Wizard I Want to be My Girlfriend in Weekly Sorcerer." Cana explained.
"I remember reading she really looked up to Mira-née as a role model and aimed to be like her." Lisanna explained.
"But Mira-nee was asleep for seven years, so I guess Jenny's the older one now..." Romeo added appearing from besides the girls.
Suddenly, Makarov tongue hangs out from the middle of his mouth as he looked forward at the match.
"Master, calm down." Romeo frowned as he walk up to stand next to him.
"Like this?" Mirajane asked showing her voluptuous body in a pink bikini and holding up her breasts.
"How's this?" Jenny asked posing with her arms upwards towards her hair.
"What the hell's goin on here?" Both Natsu and Gray shouted in surprise.
"Like so?" Mirajane asked adorning a light green bikini as she parted her hair backwards nearby her forehead.
"Hi~" Jenny placed her right hand at the center of her breast and posed in a leather purple bikini.
"They do this kind of thing in the battle part too?" Wendy asked in surprise with a blush on her cheeks as she stood next to Salamander while Carla stood in front of them, face palming in slight disappointment at the scene she was greeted.
"They're former models. What can we expect? It's been a long time since the two met, I'd think this is their way of greeting each other." Salamander chuckled as Wendy looked up at him, seeing only his smile within his hood. "And to hype up the Grand Magic Games."
"You'd think so, Salamander?" Wendy asked before Salamander pointed his finger in front of him and Wendy looked at the said direction, spotting Jenny blowing a kiss towards Salamander who raises his hand in greeting as a response.
"I'd like to think so. I don't know the real reason behind this but would you know it better than they?"
"That's true..."
"As expected, pretty impressive. It's been a while since I've done this kind of thing." Mirajane smiled standing across Jenny in her Fairy Tail uniform.
"I didn't think you'd agree to do a pinup idol showdown." Jenny stated in her bikini as Mirajane replied.
"Yeah, well, I'm not too fond of slugfests. If we can resolve this peacefully, all the better, right?" Mirajane asked trying to dismiss the imagery of a smiling blonde in her mind to focus on her match.
"Two former pinup idols! And both of them using Transformation Magic, making this a dream battle come true! I'm Chapati Rola, a judge along with Yajima-san, and reporter Jason of the Weekly Sorcerer!" Chapati announced.
"It's a big responsibility." Yajima added.
"Both of them are cool beauties!" Jason complimented.
"What's the next swimsuit going to be..."
"It won't do to let these little girls get all the attention!" A voice said as everyone looks at the three individuals landing down near Mirajane and Jenny. "When it comes to strength as well as beauty..." Risley stood in the middle in her slender form.
"Mermaid Heel is number one!" Arana finishes posing by the right side of the three.
"Why do I have to be out here!" Beth suddenly asked.
"This is an unforeseen happening! Mermaid Heel has crashed the battle! And I'm happy to see that Risley is slender for the moment!"
"Stop right there!" Another voice cuts in as Chapati, Yajima and Jason looks at their right. "You people don't have enough love! If you think you can please the crowd just by posing in swimsuits, you're gravely mistaken!" Then two girls landed on the ground as the two posed together as one.
"It's all about love! Without love..." Sherry smiled in a bikini along with Cheria who wore the same color.
"you can't beat us!"
"And now Sherry and Cheria from Lamia Scale have joined the party!"
"I'm in awe of all of them..." Lisanna commented before Mavis comes to the scene as she, Cana and Levy looked at her.
"This is no time to just sit back and be impressed!" Mavis stated to the three girls.
"Don't tell me..." Levy trailed off.
"...you want us to get out there, too?!" Lisanna gestured to them.
"But I didn't bring a swimsuit..." Cana stated as Lisanna pointed to her current attire.
"Don't worry! I anticipated that so I came prepared with enough swimsuits for everybody!" Mavis said as suddenly and enchantingly swimsuits fell from the sky.
"You think of everything, First Master!" Makarov said. "Your keen insight dwarfs our imaginations!"
"Isn't it more like she just came ready to have a good time?" Romeo said in confusion.
"You three can't just sit back and watch either! Let's all join in!" Mavis said to Lucy and Erza.
"Why?!" Lucy asked.
"When other people from the cheering section take the field, doing nothing is not an option!" Erza said crossing her arms as Lucy looked at her in slight surprise.
Fairy Tail B Stands
"Swimsuits look best on Juvia, the water manipulating wizard!" Juvia explained as Gajeel and Laxus looked at her.
"What, you're going out there too?" Gajeel asked her.
"A woman in love has to battle at a time like this." Juvia answered with a loving smile.
"I'm sick of hearing about it..." Laxus said as Salamander smiled in amusement at the three from where he stood across from them.
"So are you going, Wendy?" Salamander asked turning towards Wendy who looks at him before shyly shakes her head. "Don't worry, you can stay here if you want to." He said which surprise Wendy before she nodded in appreciation.
"Thank you, Salamander-san."
"I think this has gotten out of hand..." Mirajane commented with a sheepish smile while the girls around them posed.
"Well, it's not so bad as a fun little stunt..." Jenny smiled.
"It's chaos here! And yet, the crowd is eating it up, so we'll go with it!"
"Not to mention we'd have a riot on our hands if we put a stop to the fun now!" Yajima said.
"This is great! It's so cool! It's settled! The next Weekly Sorcerer cover story will be a wizard swimsuit competition!" Jason quipped.
"Still and all, this match is just between Mirajane and Jenny!"
"In that case, there's no point in us being out here!" Levy said posing.
"Uh, the main thing is that we have fun!" Mavis commented appearing out from nowhere.
"How is it that a ghost like you gets such a kick out of this?" Cana asked at the curly blonde girl.
"I bet anything her personality has an effect on the mood of our guild!" Lucy added.
"What you're here too?" Erza asked posing with her black bikini while looking up at Evergreen posing.
"I won't let your people hag the spotlight."
"The next scheme is school swimsuits!" Chapati announced as everyone wore school swimsuits. "Next up is bikinis and thigh-high socks!"
"For some reason, this feels even more embarrassing than the swimsuit alone." Lucy stated embarrassingly.
"Moving on to girls in glasses!" At this, everyone wore glasses. "Cat ears!" Everyone wore cat ears. "Bondage!"
"This is also a form of love!" Sherry said whipping her whip out.
"You're too into it!" Cheria said to her.
"The next theme, is wedding dress! Prepare a partner, then get into bridal gear!" At this, Mirajane glances out towards her group stands and smiled at the appearance of Salamander with Wendy watching the battle. With a thought in mind, she'd suddenly rushes towards him.
"Is Mira-san going this way?" Wendy asked watching Mirajane entering the corridor before greeting them by grabbing onto Salamander's wrist and dragging him forward.
"Do you mind?" Mirajane asked Salamander who was being dragged towards the arena.
"Whatever suits you." At the response, Mirajane smiled happily.
Time Skip
"I'm sorry for suddenly dragging you into this, Salamander-san." Mirajane said before looking up at Salamander who was adorning a white groom tuxedo with an added hood. "Oh, I forget. Should I call you Salamander-sama since you're the Sixth Master?"
"You can call me whatever you want, Mirajane. You don't have to force yourself to call me Master either. Whatever suits you the most, it's alright." Salamander explained. "But I do question if this is a part of being Master?" Salamander asked as Mirajane stifle a laugh.
"Maybe...Salamander-sama."
As everyone was paired up, it only left Lucy to watch the pairs from her position.
"Who should I...?" Lucy asked as she looks left and right to see if anyone is available for her to pair with. But at this very moment, she does not see anyone who was available.
"Well, you look lonely." A voice said as Lucy turns to Salamander with Mirajane standing next to her.
"Salamander! Mirajane! Why are you two...?"
"Thought I'd picked you up since there's no pair for you." Salamander answered to the blonde who seemed surprised.
"But..."
"It isn't a problem, Lucy." Mirajane smiled at her, which surprises Lucy.
"Natsu!" Lisanna smiled as she runs towards Natsu decked in a white tuxedo added with his scarf.
"You look good in that." Natsu complimented to Lisanna standing in front of her.
"You too, Natsu."
"What? When did this...?!" Natsu asked looking down in surprise at his attire as Lisanna look upwards.
"Come to think of it, when we were kids, I imagined that we would get...married." Lisanna said as Natsu looked at her before smiling in reminiscent.
"Yeah, I remember that."
"Might I join in?" Erza asked as Lucy and Mirajane looked towards Erza standing in front of them adorned in a set of wedding dress with a veil covering her face. "I don't have a partner." She stated as Mirajane nodded.
"You can, Titania." Salamander stifle a laugh before he lifted up the veil from Erza's surprised face.
Suddenly, a ringing sound was issued as Chapati announces.
"The wedding theme is over! Let's go back to the swimsuit showdown!"
"I think it's about time for me to put in an appearance!" Chapati head the loud voice before looking up.
"That's..."
"Lamia Scale's Oba Babasama is going to show you what a woman's charm is!" Oba said as she jumps from the tower above the arena before pulling off her dress to show off her swimsuit, much to everyone's shock and silence.
"Haha! I don't think you're one suited for this theme anymore, Oba." Salamander chuckled as Oba looks at him and glares, spinning her hand to which Salamander remained laughing before Mirajane and Lucy laugh at his affectious laughter. Meanwhile, Erza looked at the three before she too stifle a laugh of her own.
"Looks like they're having a good time out there." Lisanna stifle a smile as Natsu nodded along with every Fairy Tail member who smiled at the three women smiling next to Salamander.
Time Skip
"It looks like playtime is over, huh?" Jenny asked standing across Mirajane as the two were the only ones standing while the girls from other different guilds had already returned to their seats.
"I'm a little disappointed. Because that was fun..." Mirajane said glancing out the corner of her eye towards Salamander standing next to Wendy again.
"This match has gone on much longer than planned, so the next outfit will be the last!"
"This is it! With apologies to Mira, no matter what the theme is, I've got a trick that guarantees my victory!" Jenny thought with an inward smirk. "Mira, this'll be the last one." She said to the white haired mage in front of her.
"Yeah. And I'm not gonna lose!" Mirajane said back.
"Why don't we go with the flow of the previous matches and make a bet?" Jenny suggested with a smile as Mirajane smiled.
"Good idea. What are the stakes?"
"How about the person who loses has to appear nude in the Weekly Sorcerer?!" Jenny pointed her hand towards Mirajane.
"Mira-nee..." Lisanna trailed off in worry.
"Sure, why not?" Mirajane answered immediately with a smile causing confusion amongst the Fairy Tail members.
"O-O-Oh my goodness! An unbelievable wager has just been made!"
"She fell for it!" Jenny smirked inwardly. "Between me and Mira, I don't know which one of us has more fans out of the people in the stands, but the key point is those three judges. I accidentally asked about their type of women during last night's dinner party, and it seems their preference is for younger women! Mira hasn't aged for seven years. Which means she's young! And Jason, I'm sure you'll choose Mira to sell more magazines. After all, a beautiful model comes back after seven years without aging and she's nude! There's nothing to even think about."
"Th-The final theme...is battle gear!"
"I'm sorry, Mira. Whatever the theme, I'll win. Just as I planned..." Jenny thought as magic flows out of her before she transformed into her battle gear. "This is my battle form."
"Then I'll change to mine. We went with the flow of previous matches and made a bet so maybe it'll be okay to keep going with that flow and finish this with a little dust-up?" Mirajane asked with a small smirk before she transformed in her Satan Soul: Sitri.
"What's that form?!" Lucy asked in shock.
"Mirajane's demonic Sitri form. From what I know, it's her strongest Satan Soul." Erza explained to the blonde.
"I accepted your bet. Now I want you to accept my power." Mirajane smiled at the surprised Jenny.
"What?!" Jenny asked.
"Okay?" Mirajane asked with pointed eyes before she passed Jenny who got thrown in the air.
"A complete change! In the end, we got a physical fight!"
"Well that is the original rule..."
"Cool! Cool! Cool!"
"The winner...Mirajane!"
Mirajane raises her fist up in the air before she turns around to look at Salamander for a moment. A look of easiness passes her as Mirajane spotted a smile within the hood which causes her to smile despite under her Satan Soul. After a while, she turns back into her human form to raise her hand over her shoulder towards Jenny.
"I'm sorry, I look forward to seeing you in your birthday suit, Jenny."
"No!"
"Fairy Tail B receives 10 points!"
"Congratulations, Mira-san." Juvia congratulated as Mirajane walk up to her group.
"I feel like I wore a lot of immodest outfits." Mirajane said with her hand over her cheek in slight embarrassment.
"Although that last one had the most impact..." Gajeel trailed off.
"So now we have 22 points, 10 points ahead of Natsu's team." Laxus smiled as Mirajane looks over at Salamander and walked towards him while Mystogan stood at the back of the group, contemplating something.
"Mira-san, congratulations!" Wendy congratulated smiling.
"Yes, you're remarkable, Mirajane-san." Carla added.
"Thank you, Wendy. Carla." Mirajane replied to both of them.
"Yeah, though I had my doubts when were you going to transform into your Satan Soul." Salamander exclaimed as Mirajane tilted her head and smiles.
"Really? Well, we have to save the best for last, right?"
"That's right. There are no rules for straight up fighting, eh?"
"That's absolutely right. Anyway, I hope Jenny's alright to pose nude later on." Mirajane stated as Salamander stifle a laugh.
"You'd think?"
"She had loss a bet after all." Mirajane laughs along with Salamander.
"Those two look chummy." Gajeel commented at the sight of the pair smiling by themselves. "Is she alright standing by him?"
"What are you saying, Gajeel-san?" Juvia asked with curiosity before realization came to he senses. "Oh..."
"What are we to mess around with her love life?" Laxus asked crossing his arms. "She's alright to consider things herself now. Even after he's gone..." Laxus silenced himself after that, adopting a grim look followed by Gajeel and Juvia.
"Who are you three talking about?" Mystogan whispered before Juvia looks at him to respond.
"I am sorry, but we can't possibly share that information with you yet. It's much too sad to tell about. Gray-sama also experienced that in which he loses a dear friend of his." Juvia explained to Mystogan's confusion.
"Yeah, even though you're here. You shouldn't poke into our past." Gajeel pointedly pointed out as Mystogan stared at him long enough before nodding in understanding.
"Who...did they lose?" Mystogan said in thought appearing to be confused by the whole sad situation looming over Fairy Tail. Suddenly, his eyes came into realization as he recalled his time with Erza when she and the rest of the non-aging Fairy Tail members trained for the Grand Magic Games. A frown curved downwards within his scarf that covered his mouth, recounting Erza's confession of affection towards a certain blonde in which she loss during Acnologia's attack against Tenrou Island. "Izayoi..."
Crocus
Mercurius
"Captain Arcadios!"
"Well, well, Defense Minister Darton..."
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"Doing about what?"
"Don't feign ignorance! Why are you trying to get a hold of a Celestial Spirit Wizard now?! Don't you think it's premature?"
"I want to make a trial run as soon as possible."
"It's still too early! It isn't ready yet!"
"Defense Minister, please keep your voice down. Besides, it is indeed complete."
"Wh-What?!"
"Saying it wasn't ready was a lie of convenience, in order to come up with a budget. Now all we need is a Celestial Spirit Wizard and Eclipse will have reached the practical stage."
"I don't believe it...You're telling me it's been completed in merely seven years?!"
"The project shall now proceed to phase 4, plan B. This time we will absolutely acquire a Celestial Spirit Wizard. It's already common knowledge that you're opposed to the Eclipse Project. However, we can't be stopped now after coming this far." Footsteps could be heard as Captain Arcadios retreated.
"Are you a devil?!"
"For the sake of king and country, a man may even become devil or god. Weighed against Eclipse, the gateway that will change the world, the life of one girl is exceedingly cheap."
Domus Flau
"Alright, the second day of the Grand Magic Games reaches its final match at last! Kagura Mikazuchi from Mermaid Heel versus Sabertooh's Yukino Agria! We've got another battle of the beauties!"
"Thanks to somebody, we couldn't get any points in the competition part." Orga said without hesitation as Rufus stifle a laugh.
"No. Sting-sama was just unlucky. If we'd known the competition was going to be on top of a moving vehicle..." Yukino said stepping forward towards the arena.
"Never mind about that. You do know what it means to be a member of this team, don't you?" Sting asked the woman.
"Sabertooth...It means fighting in that name without sullying it, and winning without question." Yukino reminded as she continued to walk towards the arena.
"Good luck, Kagura-chan!" Milliana cheered.
"Still her opponent's from Sabertooth..." Risley trailed off.
"Kagura is stronger than her!" Arana reminded her.
"Never fear." Kagura said to her members. "I saw the path...The destination of my sword..." Kagura said walking towards the arena.
"I guess we're done with the pinup model battles?" Yajima asked.
"Well, depending on individual taste it wouldn't be out of the question..."
"We couldn't as, this cool twosome to do that, right?!" Jason asked the two judges.
"Sabertooth..." Lucy uttered in her position.
"Watch closely. This is the guild we have to overcome." Erza said to the others.
"All of you already know how strong Kagura is. She's Mermaid Heel's strongest wizard as well as the Weekly Sorcerer's top pick for female wizard! Against her is Yukino, who's making her debut today. Still, she's a member of the strongest guild, Sabertooth, so we can expect her to be pretty strong! Alright, let the match begin!"
"I look forward to doing battle with you." Yukino said to Kagura.
"As do I." She responded with a nod.
"Before we begin, shall we make a bet too?" Yukino suggested as Kagura looked up at her.
"Sorry, but I'm not interested."
"Is it because you're afraid of losing?"
"I don't possess that kind of emotion. However, I believe that when one makes a wager, it must be followed through . So I'd like to abstain from any thoughtless diversions."
"In that case, let's make a serious bet. Let's bet our lives." Yukino said with a serious face as Kagura stared at her before she looks down for a moment and looks up at her.
"If you are sincerely prepared to do this, then accepting it is the proper thing to do. Fine. come and get me."
And that is it for chapter 8, ladies and gentlemen! I hope all of you are satisfied! Because this is like the best I will do for now and I hope all of you would not be disappointed by this. Anyway, I'm really rushing my ideas to combine two to three episodes in one chapter just so I can explain a lot of Salamander's involvement with Fairy Tail and the likes of his adventure, which in my opinion is really cool to read if I do say so myself. Furthermore, I really wanted to cover for the missing time I have absent from updating this story. So, I hope you will be patient for the next chapter, alright?
