Round Robin

Ch. 6

The sun came over the horizon, bringing the new day. And not long after people had woken up, they began filing into the arena for Day 2 of the Round Robin. The fans were still buzzing about all of yesterday's fights. The two most popular topics seemed to be the astonishing upset in the match between Reve Volver and Chelia Blendy, and the instant classic between the formerly unknown mages, Emerita Megido and Minoru Kanemoto. And as the people made their way to their seats, Chapati and Yajima's voices rang through the arena.

"Hello and welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to the inaugural Round Robin! We know you're as excited as we are, and we'll get to today's matches momentarily. But first, lets take some time to recap yesterday's events and remind you all of what you have to look forward to today! Yajima-san, what would you say is the most important thing we learned from Day 1?"

"Hm...There's many things I could say about yesterday's bouts. But if I had to pick one thing in particular, it'd have to be that anything can happen in this tournament."

"Ah, very true. Of course the example that stands out would be Chelia Blendy's huge underdog victory. But of course that's not all. Reviewing the current scores, Block A is currently led by Chelia Blendy, Emerita Megido, Orga Nanagear, and Ichiya Kotobuki. I never would have guessed that this would be the case, or that Bacchus, Erza Scarelet, or Reve Volver would all have 0 points at the end of the first day."

"Indeed, I was surprised as well. And Block B has been interesting as well. While its had fewer upsets so far, I didn't expect to see Gajeel lose yesterday. With him and Erza both losing, that means the defending champions from the Grand Magic Games are still scoreless at this point."

"Who would've thought? Though they aren't alone. Quatro Cerberus and White Eclipse have also failed to score any points thus far, while Mermaid Heel, Sabertooth, and Black Phoenix are all undefeated at this point."

"Hm. But as we've said, anything can happen. It'll be interesting to see where everything stands after today."

"Speaking of which, Yajima-san, lets take a moment to go over today's fights. Erza vs Chelia, Kagura vs Eve, Milliana vs Minoru, Blues vs Mathias, Rita vs Bacchus, Aira vs Gajeel, Tsuki vs Rogue, and Orga vs Reve. What're some important things to look at with these fights?"

"Well, Milliana and Aira each had their bye yesterday, and will be making their tournament debuts today. Both of their opponents, however, are likely still feeling the effects of their fights yesterday, so that could give Milliana and Aira big advantages today."

"Good point. Something else to keep in mind is the fact that Tsuki Mizuki used her tag partner yesterday against Gajeel. She earned two points from a victory in the process, but she will not be able to call on a partner for the remainder of the tournament unless one of her opponents chooses to do so. It's still early in the Round Robin, but it'll be interesting to see if anyone else elects to use their tag partner today. Now then, it's time to begin Day 2 of the inaugural Round Robin!"

By now almost all of the fans had found their seats, and Mato stood in the center of the arena, microphone in hand.

"Welcome back, kabo! Lets start today's matches! Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail, and Lamia Scale's Chelia Blendy, please step forward!"

Erza strode out to the center of the arena, looking much more calm and mentally collected than she had yesterday before her fight with Ichiya, while Chelia jogged out with a beaming smile as she waved to the crowd. Erza smiled to the young God Slayer as the two stood in front of each other, and held out her hand for a handshake.

"Good luck, Chelia."

Chelia returned Erza's smile and shook her hand, and the crowd applauded the display of good sportsmanship between the two.

"You too! Don't hold back on me now, alright?"

"Of course. I expect you to go all out too." Erza replied with a nod, and the two backed up to create a bit of distance between them.

"Are both mages ready, kabo?" Mato asked, looking at Erza and Chelia, and both nodded. The fans seemed a little surprised that Chelia wasn't using her tag partner, but the gong rang to start the match.

"Begin!"

Erza was the first to act, as her body became engulfed in the bright light of her requip magic's activation. When the light died down, the audience cheered and applauded seeing Erza in her Heaven's Wheel Armor, with one sword in each hand, and several more floating around her. Erza rapidly charged straight forward, hovering slightly above the ground as she did so. Remembering Jura's advice yesterday, Chelia responded by gliding away from the scarlet-haired mage, using her magic to carry her. But Erza immediately spun to face the God Slayer again.

"You're not getting away!"

All the swords that had been floating around Erza then were sent hurling right toward Chelia. The young girl wasn't fazed, however, and expertly maneuvered through the oncoming blades without being cut even once by any of them.

"If that won't work, then I'll just try this then." Erza said as she requipped again, this time appearing in her Lightning Empress Armor. Aiming her spear toward Chelia, she opened a magic circle at the tip, firing a blue beam of lightning. Seeing the attack coming, Chelia reared her head back.

"Sky God's Bellow!" she shouted as she thrust her head forward, sending a vortex of black wind from her mouth. The two attacks collided, creating a large explosion in the center of the arena.

Erza cautiously scanned the area, waiting for the smoke to die down so she could see her opponent, but was surprised when Chelia came charging from the side.

"Sky God's Dance!"

Chelia rotated her torso and extended her arms, generating a spiraling current of black wind that launched Erza into the air before she had time to react. However, once she was high in the air, the black wind suddenly dispersed, revealing Erza, who had now requipped into her Black Wing Armor. Erza then came flying down toward Chelia, swinging her sword once she was near, though once again, Chelia glided away at the last moment, avoiding Erza's attack. Erza was now starting to get frustrated with the fact that despite being on the offensive for the majority of the fight, she hadn't landed a hit yet on the God Slayer. But if that was the case, maybe she just needed a speed boost. With that in mind, she requipped into her Flight Armor. Erza then charged once again, and this time was too fast for Chelia to keep up with. The Lamia Scale mage managed to dodge a few swings from Erza's sword, which seemed to be coming from every direction, before feeling Erza's leg slam into her stomach, the kick launching her back several feet. As she stood up, Chelia's body began to glow as she used her Sky God's Healing Spell.

"Your speed's impressive, Erza-san. But as long as I can heal myself like this, it won't be enough." Chelia said, her usual friendly smile still on her face.

"We'll see about that, Chelia." Erza responded with a grin before charging again. Chelia began to jump and glide around, doing her best to avoid a series of rapid attacks that Erza sent, but soon found herself wincing in pain as the sword cut her side, and a fist crashed into her cheek, sending her to the ground again. It seemed as if Chelia was down now, and as Erza landed on her feet, Mato went to check on Chelia. But just as he reached her, the God Slayer once again rose to her feet, glowing again as her injuries began to heal themselves. But still, she panted as she stood. Even if her injuries had healed, she was tired and had used a lot of magic energy.

"I'm impressed, Chelia. You've fought well." Erza said with a small smile. "But if you don't surrender now, I'll have to end it."

"Of course I won't... You're doing your best, so it wouldn't be right if I didn't keep trying too." Chelia responded.

"I understand." Erza said, before charging once again, reaching Chelia and connecting with a strong kick that sent her into the air before she could react. The young girl seemed to be unconscious even as she went into the air, and everyone knew the fight was over. However, black wind suddenly began to gather around Chelia's right arm. And while she was still in the air, she twisted her body and threw a massive, spiraling current of black wind down at Erza.

"Sky God's Boreas!"

"What?!" Erza shouted, surprised that Chelia still had enough strength to fight, and the attack hit its mark, creating a large dust cloud in the process. Chelia then landed on the ground and fell to a knee as she watched on.

"Oh! Did we just witness Chelia Blendy pull off another colossal upset?! What amazing resiliency!" chimed in Chapati from the announcers' booth as everyone waited to see the result of the attack. When the dust died down, Erza was panting, but still standing, now in her Morning Star Armor, and a sword in each hand.

"You almost had me, Chelia. But it's over now!"

Erza pointed her swords at Chelia, and a large yellow energy blast launched forward.

"Photon Slicer!"

Unable to dodge the attack, Chelia could only put her arms up as the blast hit, causing another explosion which sent the young girl flying back. Chelia remained motionless as Mato went to check on her. Not seeing any immediate sign that she could continue, he raised his hand, and opened his mouth to speak. But before any words had left his lips, he stopped when he saw Chelia start struggling to her feet once again. The crowd was on their feet in disbelief at what they saw. It was obvious Chelia no longer had the magic energy left to heal herself, and was covered in cuts and bruises. Yet still, despite all the damage she'd withstood, she managed to get back up again. Erza smiled in admiration of the young mage, who reminded her a lot of Wendy Marvell. She started to move forward, preparing to attack and most likely knock Chelia out for good this time, but stopped when the sound of the gong rang out through the arena, signaling for the match to end.

"The time limit has been reached! This match ends in a draw!"

The fans cheered and applauded as the announcers commented on the fight.

"What an incredible match! Even though Chelia wasn't able to pull off a win today, she still emerges from an intense battle with a point. And though I doubt this was the result Erza had hoped for, Fairy Tail is finally on the scoreboard now with a point."

"Indeed. That was a tremendous display of endurance from Chelia, and a good fight from Erza as well." Yajima replied.

Back in the arena, Erza requipped back to her regular armor, and walked over to Chelia, again offering her hand for a handshake. Despite her injuries and fatigue, Chelia gave a bright smile and shook Erza's hand again.

"Good match, Chelia. I'm sure you'll do well in this tournament."

"Thanks! You too, Erza-san!" Chelia replied.

Erza nodded before walking back over to her guildmates, where Lucy was the first to congratulate her.

"Nice job, Erza! You were great!"

"Thanks, Lucy. I wasn't able to get two points this time, but it's better than nothing."

"Don't sweat it, Erza." said Gray with a grin. "There's still plenty of people for you to beat. Who do you fight tomorrow?"

Erza's smile suddenly turned to a more serious expression as she thought about the opponent she would face tomorrow.

"You'll find out soon enough." was all she said.

Chelia slowly limped back toward Lamia Scale's section, but the other members rushed over to her well before she made it back. Jura picked the young girl up as they all started walking back together.

"You were excellent, Chelia-dono. I see you put my advice to good use." Jura said.

"He's right. That's two days in a row you've scored points for our guild against very powerful opponents. Good job, Chelia." Lyon added.

Chelia smiled and gave a slight nod. "Thank you all. I promise I'll keep doing my best."

Mato once again stood in the center of the arena.

"It's time for our next fight! Mermaid Heel's Kagura Mikazuchi and Blue Pegasus' Eve Tearm, please step forward, kabo!"

Both mages made their way out into the arena, and Mato looked at both mages as he spoke.

"Are both of you ready, kabo?"

Kagura gave a silent nod, but Eve didn't.

"Actually, I think I'd like to use my tag partner now."

"Very well, kabo! Eve has elected to call on a tag partner! Who will it be?"

Striking a pose, Eve pointed back to his guild's section.

"The beautiful miss Jenny Realight of course!"

"E-eh...? Me?" Jenny said, surprised and confused, but she shrugged made her way out, standing by Eve. "I wasn't expecting this, but it seems I'll have to do my best, I suppose."

"Kagura, who will be your partner, kabo?" Mato asked.

"Arania Webb" she answered immediately, her facial expression never even slightly changing as Arania made her way out and stood next to her.

"Just like you predicted, Kagura. This shouldn't be too difficult."

Kagura remained silent as Mato held his hand up and the gong sounded.

"Let the fight begin!"

Immediately, Eve held his hand out with his palm pointing toward Kagura and Arania.

"White Out!"

As he shouted the words, a magic circle opened in front of his hand, releasing a large snowstorm which quickly encompassed the Mermaid Heel mages, who put their arms up to keep the snow from getting in their eyes.

"Now's your chance, Jenny!"

"Right!" she responded, as her clothes then transformed into her Battle Form. While their opponents were still distracted, Jenny leapt into the air and descended into the snowstorm, catching Arania off guard with a strong kick to the head which sent her flying backward. As the snowstorm died down, Jenny smirked to herself, but was then surprised as she saw Kagura already rushing at her from the side. However, Eve wasn't about to let her harm his teammate.

"I don't think so! White Fang!"

Again he outstretched his hand, sending more snow towards Kagura, intending to surround her. But Mermaid Heel's S-Class mage wouldn't be caught so easily, and after lightening the gravity around her, she effortlessly leapt high into the air over it, and once again moved to attack Jenny as she came back toward the ground. Jenny had enough time to anticipate the attack this time, and managed to jump back to avoid it, but suddenly found herself wrapped up in a large spider web as soon as she landed.

"Wh-What the...?" she struggled against the webs, but couldn't free herself.

The webs had come from Arania, who had recovered from the hit she took earlier, and was now smirking at her trapped opponent.

"You shouldn't have taken your eyes off me." she said as Kagura moved in for the knockout blow. A second later, Kagura swung her Archenemy in a horizontal motion as she dashed past Jenny, and the female mage of Blue Pegasus fell unconscious.

"Jenny!" shouted Eve, but there was nothing he could do to help her. And as he saw Arania shooting another web at him, he was able to jump in the air to avoid it, but his eyes widened as he saw Kagura just above him, as if she'd been waiting for him.

"You're finished." she said, then swung her sheathed sword down at him, strengthening the gravity around them to increase the already intense strength of the attack. Her Archenemy connected with it's target, launching Eve into the ground, and the impact creating a large crater under his body. As Kagura landed on her feet, Mato ran over to check on Eve, before facing the crowd again.

"Eve and Jenny are down! Kagura and Arania win, kabo!"

The crowd cheered as Kagura and Arania began walking back to their section.

"Well done, Arania."

"Thanks, Kagura. I'm glad I was able to help."

Kagura nodded. "Now, once Milliana wins her fight, Mermaid Heel will have made it through the first two days of the Round Robin without suffering a single defeat. We're on our way to winning this tournament."

As Eve regained consciousness, Ren was crouching next to him.

"Are you alright, Eve?"

"Y-yeah... Sorry I lost again. Is Jenny alright?"

"She'll be alright. Hibiki's already helped her to the infirmary."

"I see. Sorry to worry you, Ren."

"Tch. Not like I care. It's natural I'd check on an injured teammate." the stereotypical tsundere said, turning his head away as Eve chuckled.

"Understood. Would you mind helping me back?"

"Yeah yeah. Lets go." Ren said, putting Eve's arm over his shoulders as he helped his teammate back to the infirmary.

"Now then, we're only two fights into the second day, but there's still plenty to talk about so far!" Chapati said from the announcers' booth. We've had our first draw of the tournament with Erza vs Chelia. That means despite still being low on the scoreboard, Fairy Tail has at least made some progress since yesterday. And the draw also means that Chelia Blendy has at least momentarily retaken the lead in Block A! The young god slayer has certainly put on inspiring performances during these first two days, but can she keep the momentum going through the remainder of the tournament?! And in Block B, Kagura has taken the lead after a dominating performance, despite her opponent using his tag partner. With Milliana still to compete later, can Mermaid Heel keep their undefeated streak alive through the second day?! And with six more fights to go, what will the scores look like at the end of Day 2?! Stay tuned to find out!"