This chapter's song is Lone Digger by Caravan Palace.

Nexus' dragon falls to Mirajane, and he sighs. "I didn't think that could happen. Oh well." He raises it again, and another one comes together under his magic, smaller beasts guarding him, as well as his original skeletons, or what remains of them.

"It's so nice out today. I'm glad we're outside." he states, his beasts attacking Mirajane with accuracy and in defiance of her attacks. When she hits them, their bones just knit back together.

They crush her, finally, and she's ground into the dust to make sure she can't get up again.

"There. Now, attack the other enemies." Nexus directs of his two dragons.

Kagura drops down from a ruin's top, charging towards Nexus' back. He's alerted just barely by his skeletons, and tries to move back, only to get punched in the face and knocked backwards, skidding. His dragons pause, and dissolve as his Shadow form fades. He gets back up, though, and grins. "Thank you! I was getting hot in my armor!"

Kagura narrows her eyes and charges towards him again, ignoring the skeletons, or using gravity magic on them to make them collapse in on themselves. Nexus has enough time to stand up and equip a secondary magic, sending a wave of fire magic out in defense.

Kagura jumps over it and slashes him with her sword, drawing it in mid air.

He looks at the cut. "Good job."

Kagura takes advantage of this and slashes again and again at him, some hitting, some not, Nexus dodging them.

"You're a worthy opponent." he chuckles, and moves back and forth, trying to avoid the strikes. His fire magic has long been forgotten, and the skeletons can't do anything for fear of hitting Nexus.

He trips on a rock and falls on his back, where Kagura seizes the moment and holds the sword to his neck.

"I forfeit. You're honorable." he states, looking at his opponent merrily.

Kagura relaxes a bit, and the skeletons decompose, their bones literally delving back into the earth at astonishing speeds.

The mage of Mermaid Heel is subsequently hit by Rustyrose, who uses the Tower of Dingir to capture her and keeps her sword away from her. Cobra, nodding at Rustyrose, flies up and punches her in the face, knocking her out. The Tower fades out and Kagura falls to the ground graceless and unconscious.

"Only Rocker, Minerva, and Levy are left up against the members of the remaining Black Hand, Cobra, Rustyrose, Nightshade, Lucifer, and Kurohebi. Will the members of the Black Hand continue to dominate? Who will be the next to fall?" Jason commentates. "The anticipation is growing, folks. It's a nail biter for sure!"

Kurohebi finds Rocker, and uses his guild mate's Palm Magic against him, sending him into a pile of rubble with little effort. As soon as his head pokes up, he hits him in the head with his palms, amplified by the magic. This combination attack knocks out Rocker easily.

"Rocker and his Drill 'n Rock magic are out of the games!"

Levy and Minerva, sticking together, look around for any of their enemies. Our remaining fighters start appearing, not attacking, but just standing there and smirking, sure they can take the two of them. (158)

One by one, they appear, Cobra leaning casually against a pillar, Rustyrose standing with his hands in his pockets, Kurohebi sitting on a ruined gateway with his legs hanging off it. Lucifer stands, determined, gas mask in place, with his fists smoking a bit already. He faces Levy, while the others are all around them.

The last one to arrive is Nightshade, facing her prey, Minerva, on top of a ruined pillar. She grins, and snaps her teeth shut with a click. "For the Brotherhood."

"For Sithis." says Rustyrose, magic appearing around him.

"For our Brethren." states Lucifer, thinking of Noctus.

"For the Night Mother." Cobra talks, eyes focused.

"For Listener." Kurohebi responds, standing.

All of them jump to the battle, Minerva and Levy desperately trying to defend themselves. Kurohebi manages to separate them with a Sand Wall, and Nightshade manages to kick Minerva in the mouth as she turns to try and stop it, only ending with her in pain and on the ground.

"Don't take your eyes off the target, Minerva. Or is being the strongest not important to you now?" taunts Nightshade, Rustyrose helping her by creating a machine gun and firing it at Minerva, who is trying to get up. She holds out her hand, teleporting some of the bullets back at Rustyrose. He laughs it off, procuring a shield around him.

Minerva hits the sand wall, and Rustyrose's gun runs out of bullets, allowing Nightshade to kick her through the wall and hitting Levy with Minerva's body. This allows for a large scale attack every member of the Black Hand remaining powering up a spell that illuminates the entire stadium, making everyone shield their eyes.

A resounding 'BOOM' makes everyone look, as soon as the shock wave washes over everyone.

Looking at the carnage, you can see the pair twitching on the ground. Sand and Palm magic residue filter through the air, and tentacles, still moving, are all around the crater that used to be flat ground. Imagination magic keeps changing, Rustyrose thinking about it and laughing at the unconscious mages. Lucifer's fire has scorch marks as evidence and the smell of roasted flesh, and poison makes the duo in the center of the crater green.

"The Dark Brotherhood has defeated all the mages of Fairy Tail, Raven Tail, Quatro Cerberus, Mermaid Heel, Lamia Scale, Sabre Tooth, Crime Sorcerie, and Blue Pegasus! How about that." Jason mutters the last part, leaning back in his chair and whistling, long and low.

Medics attend to those in the crater, and the last 5 standing walk off the field, congratulating each other and laughing. People on standby move onto the field, taking everyone, injured or not to the infirmary, to be attended by Porlyusica and regular healers.

I stand, as Decimus and Fukuro crow about it. I want to congratulate my team. There will be an induction ceremony for Kurohebi, as well. When, though, I don't know. He's certainly earned it, though.

As well as that, I wish to speak to several people there. Flare Corona and Dobengal, I feel could make a good life in my organization. Lucy should be congratulated for defeating Morrigan, obviously.

I walk calmly down to the infirmary, only to be halted every few feet by reporters. "Listener! How are you feeling about your team winning against every other guild participating?"

I turn my head to respond, and state, "I'm pleased with their performance. They've done exceptionally well, every one of them."

"How do you feel about Morrigan being beat by Lucy?"

"Lucy is a very strong individual, evidenced by her use of Star Dress, and mixing her Spirits' abilities. If anyone could take down a member of my team, it would be her."

"Even though Morrigan beat her originally?"

"Yes. She made a wonderful opponent, obviously."

I move through the sea of reporters, and find myself stalled even more.

"What was that fight about during the final battle, just now?"

"I have no desire to comment on that particular event." I reply, and the reporters seem to ignore this.

"What happened with that?" "Who was that?" "Why would you act like that?"

"I believe I just said I wouldn't comment on that. The next person who asks me a question relating to that incident won't talk again." I state, annoyed. More pictures flash around me, and they hush unexpectedly, until another reporter pipes up.

"What do you think will come of this victory for your guild?"

I smile, turning to face the female reporter. "Submission from every mages guild. We are the best, and everyone has seen it. These battles the past few days are just a small sample, just a taste, a single facet, of our power. We are the Black Hand, and we obey the Dread Father until our dying breath. We do not back down, and we do not falter. This is our promise. No one crosses the Black Hand and lives, just the same way that no one will survive a contract when we go after you."

Everyone stops, until a camera flashes, and then it's a multitude of people, continuing to flash cameras to get a picture. I stop at no more questions, answer nothing else, and go to the infirmary.

We are Family, and I tend to my Family in the same way as everyone else.

With care, respect, and value.

I smile, and move into the healing building, where no reporters are allowed, courtesy of Porlyusica.

Nearly every bed is occupied in the building, some closed off for privacy, some open to be talked to. In one bed lies Laxus, Lucy at his side, both of them sleeping and snuggled close. It brings a smile to my face, and then I turn to glance at the others. Natsu and Lisanna, sitting on a bench, conspiratorily whisper about me and glare. Eve and Jenny cluster close together with Sherria and Lyon by them, peering up at me nervously. Mirajane and Minerva are both in beds, heavily damaged, both of them, unconscious. Levy is in another bed with Gajeel sitting beside her, awake but guilty looking. Sting tries to talk to Rogue, but he's unresponsive, refusing to speak to his comrade for some reason. I narrow my eyes and follow his line of sight. It's resting on Nightshade, who's laughing with Morrigan and recounting her separate battles to those not present. Lucifer and Noctus, both rather bandaged, but smiling, are nodding along, laughing and acting generally cute. Wendy lies still with her mate, Romeo, at her side, holding back tears and clutching her hand.

Arana and Millianna are attended by Kagura, sitting between her guildmates. She flinches away when she sees me. I smile coldly and nod at her. She is a valiant fighter. Dobengal, on the other side of Sting, talks to him, the White Dragon Slayer forgoing his partner's company. Gildarts lies on a bed while Cana is struggling to stay awake next to her. Bacchus, next to her, pats her on the shoulder, comforting her just a bit and making her smile, so that she leans back in the chair, finally able to sleep for a bit. Rocker is sitting next to Bacchus, asleep with his head bandaged. Is he unconscious or sleeping? Not sure.

Jura is on the other side of the building, resting comfortably in a bed next to Hoteye. On Richard's left is Meredy, Jellal sitting in the chair between them, asleep. Flare is lying in a bed, Nexus looking over her and any others he might have poisoned with a critical eye, watching for signs that he didn't quite cure them. Vidaldus, though, is sitting next to her, making me lift an eyebrow in surprise. A curtained bed that I pass through houses Ortelloth, with Kessie worrying over her. I place a hand on her shoulder, and she looks up. "You're not alone, Kessie. She'll be fine. I'll make sure of it."

She smiles, then turns her gaze back to her partner, relieved enough to stroke her hair back. Exiting the private area, I look around some more, finding Cobra by Midnight's side, Midnight doing what he loves and Cobra copying his mate. Rustyrose looks after both Racer and Orion in their beds, sitting between them and reading a Sorcerer's Weekly magazine, any bruises or cuts he has not visible under several bandages. Erigor is lying calmly, laughing with Kurohebi about something the snake like man said.

Morrigan, breaking off from the group, enters a curtained space, and I know that Hibiki is behind there. I smile faintly, knowing that they are quite alike and well suited for the other.

The last curtained bed, I enter, and find Bickslow in. He's still unconscious, but he's alive and breathing. I breath a sigh. I know I didn't injure him seriously, but I had my doubts. This is good, to see him in the flesh, alive and well under Porlyusica's care.

I feel the world around me disappear, and I sigh with relief, but I know that I have to move decisively, and soon.

Taking one last look at his sleeping form, I hesitate again, and reach for his hand, to show some kind of affection, but stop. Would he want that?

I turn and leave, not touching my Mate. My Dragon instincts are yelling at me, but I ignore them, allowing them to scream at me behind bars in my mind. I've been doing this for years; it's no difference.

Only that my Mate is currently injured, and I could literally have him on his feet in seconds. There's also the matter of our… relationship. (159)

Not the best.

I exit the infirmary and move off, seeking out Decimus and Fukuro. If I find one, I'll find the other.

The last event tied to this stupid proving is the ball, something I thought I'd keep, if nothing more than to purely show exactly how much power I have gained and now control in the world, in their world.

Reporters are already gathered outside, and I let one in, the one who actually listened to me.

"Off the record." Decimus commands, and she shuts off her recording lacrima, tapping her fingers together.

"You work for us now. You will never publish something that projects us in a bad light. Otherwise, your actual reporting skills will be fine. Any missteps will be recorded, and after three, we will find a new reporter to represent us. Understood?"

She breathlessly nods, and Decimus hands her some papers with a pen. Glancing around, she signs the contract, and he exits. "You have fifteen minutes; make it count."

Hastily, she turns on the lacrima again, approaching the throne I'm sitting on and bowing low. I indicate a seat for her and smile, looking the picture of a generous ruler.

She checks the lacrima, making sure it's recording, and pulls out a pen and paper as well. A back up, good thinking.

"So, Listener, what do you think will come about of your guild winning the Grand Magic Games?" she asks, clearing her throat.

I chuckle. "I'd like to know your name first. That'd be rude to not know such a charming woman's name."

She blushes, and answers, "Elena. Elena Windershins."

I smile, looking at her kindly. "Well then, Elena, would you like to ask me your questions in a more comfortable setting? We have a lovely chef here; makes wonderful cake. Tea's good, too."

She laughs a bit, and I stand, guiding her towards the tea room, with less space and more cushions. The throne room is really more for making an impression, and I have made that more than adequately.

Elena settles in with some tea and a piece of cake, her eyes sparkling when she tastes it.

My outfit is a red cropped shirt, wrapped around me with flowing sleeves, red and gold, exposing my stomach and several not-as-noticeable scars. A red belt keeps up my black pants, with boots sharpening the look. My circlet sits on my head, my hair twisted up, starting from below the intimidating crown. Earrings of skulls, a lone silver and emerald bracelet, black gloves, and a black choker collar completes the look. My wings flare out behind me, and my eyes keep up with black eyeshadow giving them more points with red. Black lipstick marks my lips in a smile, amused and happy to give answers.

Elena finishes her cake, and gets down to the questions. "Excellent cake."

I laugh. "I know; it's a fun recipe. I'm a disaster in the kitchen, though. Baked goods don't like me."

She laughs with me, and gets down to it. "What do you think the reaction will be with your guild winning the games?"

"I hope it's positive, of course; but everyone has favorite guilds that they wished to win. I can't control people's opinions; I'll be disappointed in them of course, but I can't blame them. Everyone has their right to their own individual views."

Elena, scribbling this down, smiles. "What do you think about the rumors of Acnologia flying around, terrorizing towns?"

I frown. "Obviously this is a problem. I myself will be on the lookout for the dragon; if I find him, or if he finds me, either way, he'll be gone."

"You can say this with absolute certainty?"

"Of course. I am a professional." I smile, and Elena chuckles.

"My time is almost up, it seems. What do you think about the perception about you as a ruler and a person?"

"I think that people are eager to judge me, but I won't let that stop me. I am confident that I can win the people over. Any person is welcome to lobby their case, no matter how small it is, to me personally. Fighting for equality and help for those in need of it is something I fully intend to do. Including holding people accountable for their actions."

"Does that include any mages who destroy property, like the reputation that the guild of Fairy Tail has?"

"That does, although I hope I won't have to. That's not a pleasant conversation to have, at all. I wouldn't want to have to disband them until they can take responsibility for their actions."

Elena and I chuckle, only disturbed by Decimus poking his head in. Elena takes this as her cue. She turns off the lacrima, puts her notes away in her bag, and shakes my hand. "It was an honor to meet you. I look forward to other interviews, hopefully longer."

I laugh, and nod. "Of course, I like nice reporters."

Sharing a final laugh, she's escorted out by royal guards, and in about five minutes this room is going to be full of hostile, angry mages, and protective, calm mages. This is going to be fun, isn't it?

158- Confidence? Or arrogance? I can use the former.

159- Is that what it's to be called now? I don't know.