Hey there guys. I am so sorry for not updating sooner, but since it's the end of the year, I've been busy with getting a head start on all of the college stuff, as well as working on a year-long project for the way, did everyone watch the new Fairy Tail episodes? They're awesome! I'm not a fan of NaLu though, so the opening and closings annoy me a little. Anyway, how about we get started? I don't own Fairy Tail. Hiro Mashima does.

Chapter 22: Let the Games Begin

Lucy POV

I kept staring up towards where the Master had been standing, unable to process the fact that I had been chosen to represent Sabertooth for the Grand Magic Games. My shock was broken though, when Laxus pulled me into a hug and said, "Congratulations Lucy. You deserve to be on the team."

I turned to Laxus and said, "I can't wait. We'll be unstopable!" As I was about to continue, I remembered something that Rufus had said. 'It's a large competition where different guilds choose a team to represent them and compete against each other to determine the number one guild in fiore, not to mention a grand prize of three million jewels for the guild'.

I gasped slighly and then pulled Laxus outside. When he gave me a questioning look, I said, "Rufus said this was a competition between guilds. Doesn't that mean Fairy Tail will be there?"

Laxus stopped for a second before pulling me into a hug and whispering into my ear, "Don't worry about them. They won't do anything, and if they try anything, I'll be here to protect you." I smiled at him and then pulled him into a kiss. Just as the kiss was about to deepen, someone said, "Jeez…Can't you guys save that for when you're alone?"

With a sigh from me and a growl from Laxus, we turned to see Sting with his arm crossed and the rest of Team Sabertooth behind him. "Hey guys. I can't wait for the Games." Lucy shot a competitive look at Minerva before saying, "I can't wait to show everyone who the number one mage in Sabertooth is…"

Minerva smirked and said, "Don't get your hopes up. I'll be the one showing everyone who's the best."

Sting then pumped his fist into the air and said, "Hey! Don't forget us Dragon Slayers! We pack quite a punch ourselves." Rogue simply nodded his head slightly.

Laxus smirked at everyone and said, "Please. All of you are pushovers. I'll be the one dominating the games."

Orga, who had been standing in the sidelines, decided to say, "Don't forget about us. Just because we're in the reserves doesn't mean you can underestimate us. I'll show everyone that I'm the better lighting mage between Dreyar and me."

Laxus laughed out loud and said, "You wish Nanagear. I'll take you on any time, any where, just to shut you up. Or did you forget who defeated you easily to get into Sabertooth?"

Orga flinched at his words before saying, "You just got lucky. Next time will be different."

"Sure it will. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Nanagear…"

Before the two could continue their argument, Minerva interrupted them by saying, "All right, calm down you two. Anyway, we're going to be training for the next three months for the Games. Don't slack off and work hard to show everyone that Sabertooth is the best guild there is!"

We all nodded and then headed off towards Akane Resort, where we would be training for the next three months.

Timeskip to Grand Magic Games

The Grand Magic Games would begin tomorrow and for some reason, the organizers of the games wanted us to be in our inns by midninght for some event. That's why we were now currently waiting for whatever thing was going to happen.

I turned to Laxus and said, "What do you think is going to happen?" Laxus shrugged and said, "Who knows?"

I sighed and just as we were going to continue to talk, the inn began to shake. After a couple of seconds, the inn was raised upward into the sky, and we found ourselves staring at a staircase that led to some sort of maze. Before any of us could say anything, a giant hologram of a pumpkin appeared and said, "Hello there everyone! My name is Mato! I am the official mascot for the Grand Magic Games. I guess you all are wondering what is the event that you were all told was going to take place? Well, allow me to enlighten you. What you see in front of you is something called the Sky Labyrinth. The purpose of this labyrinth is to reduce the amount of teams participating in the games to eight. The first eight teams to get through the labyrinth and reach the stadium, Domas Flau, will participate in the games. You can use any means to get through the labyrinth. Also, a quick note. The Grand Magic Games organization does not take responsibiliy for any lost lives that might happen during the games. Without further ado, start!"

We all looked at each other and shrugged. As we began to walk through the maze, I got a great idea. "Hey guys! I know a way to ensure that we're the first team to get there!"

Everyone turned to me and Sting said, "Oh yeah? And what's your plan?"

I smirked and then called out, "O God of Time, Beckon my Call, Come to my side, Kronos!" Suddenly, Kronos was standing in front of me, kneeling in front of me. "Hello milady. You called?"

"Yes Kronos. Can you freeze the time around everyone else in this maze? That's guarantee that we'll be the first ones to the stadium."

Kronos nodded at me and then, after a blinding flash of light, he said, "It is done, milady. Is that all you need today?"

I nodded and then said, "Yes, thank you. Also, can you undo the freezing once we get to the stadium."

"Of course, milady. Now, if you'll excuse me…" With another flash of light, Kronos was gone. I turned to see the smirking face of Sting and Laxus, while staring at the bored look from Rogue and the slightly annoyed look from Minerva.

Sting walked up to me before slapping his hand on my back and saying, "Not bad Blondie. That's some cool trick you have there."

I was about to thank him about the compliment but then said, "Hey! Don't call me Blondie! You're blonde too!"

With a laugh from everyone except Rogue, who simply smiled slightly, we began to head towards the stadium. After walking for half an hour, we reached the stadium. The moment we opened the door, Krono's magic undid itself and suddenly, behind us, the maze began to rotate. "Huh, so I guess the maze would have rotated on us… Well lucky for us, Kronos was able to prevent that by freezing the time."

As we walked through the door, we were met with Mato, who looked surprised that we had finished already. "How did you get here so fast?"

I smirked and said, "We froze the time around everyone except for ourselves and then walked over here."

He seemed to deflate a little before saying, "I guess congratulations are in order. You're the first group to make it here. For now, just wait for the other seven teams." We nodded and then began to wait for the other teams.

After about three hours, the other seven teams had finally arrived and we were ready to start the games.

"Ladies and gentleman. Welcome to the Grand Magic Games. My name is Chapati Rola, the official commentator for the Grand Magic Games. Next to me as co-commentator is former council member, Yajima. It's a pleasure to have you here with us today Yajima."

Yajima, who was wearing his chef outfit, nodded and said, "It's a pleasure to be here."

"Today, we also have Jenny from Blue Pegasus as a guest commentator. Say hello Jenny."

Jenny waved at the crowd and said, "Hey there everone. It's a pleasure being here. I wish everyone good luck in the games."

Chapati then said, "Without further ado, let's introduce the teams. First, in eigth place, a team that will be sure to bring a lot of energy and excitement to the games, Team Fairy Tail!"

With a loud cheer accompanying them, Team Fairy Tail walked out. The team consisted of Natsu, Erza, Gray, Elfman, and Wendy."

Lucy looked away quickly and hid out of Team Fairy Tail's sight before they saw them. Laxus saw this and stood in front of her, blocking her view of Team Fairy Tail.

After the crowd calmed down, the introductions continued, "In seventh place, a team full of men with a wild spirit, Team Quadro Cerberus!"

The members of Quadro Cerberus walked out, and were greeted with a large cheer. "Introducing next, in sixth place, a team full of woman with a large fighting spirit, Team Mermaid Heel!"

Once Mermaid Heel were out, Chapati continued. "In fifth place, a team who is striving to fly straight to the top, Team Blue Pegasus!"

From Blue Pegasus, Hibiki, Ren, Eve, Ichiya and a person in a bunny suit walked out. The moment the women in the stadium spotted the Trimen, they began to cheer loudly, screaming each of their names.

After a few seconds, Chapati continued, In fourth place, another guild raging to become number one in Fiore, Lamia Scale!"

Team Lamia Scale walked out, with Lyon and Jura leading them. Similar to the other teams, they received their own cheers, before everyone calmed down when Chapati began to speak again.

"In third place…oh what's this? Apparently, Fairy Tail is going all out. From Fairy Tail, Fairy Tail Team B!"

Walking out towards the stage, Mira, Juvia, Gajeel, Cana, and Mystogan walked out. They were met with confused looks, but then the crowd cheered when Chapati explained that a guild could register multiple teams. After some commotion between the two Fairy Tail teams, Chapati continued.

"In second place, a guild that was recently accepted as a legal guild, Raven Tail!"

The members of Raven Tail walked out and simply ignored all of the talk around them. Finally, Chapati began to introduce the final team. "And in first place, having completed the labyrinth in a record time, Team Sabertooth!"

Rogue, Laxus, and Minerva walked out calmly, but Sting walked out waving at all of the people cheering for them. Lucy, though, walked out still hidden behind Laxus, but open seeing Laxus not panicking, she walked out from behind him. They were met with a shocked look from everyone from Fairy Tail, and before she knew it, Erza, Natsu, and Gray began to run towards her, "Lucy!"

Hey there guys. Sorry about the wait. I'll try and not fall behind so much anymore, but I make no promises. For now though, it seems things at school are finally starting to slow down, so things look positive. Till next time. Later.