Chapter 43: Ranking New Friends

"Welcome children of the guilds Blue Pegasus!"

Master Bob pointed to the group of four kids. Hikari and Koga standing next to each other with Eve and another girl by the name of Leu on the other side. "Fairy Tail!" He pointed at me and Cobalt who smiled and continued to listen. "And Lamia Scale!" Claire and Dennevah whispered excitedly to each other as the boy, Pirhanna, and the girl, Cherise, gave each other looks.

Like me, Hikari, and Cobalt whoever came with them to Forza was 'kidnapped' but was here now cheering us on. Uncle Natsu had a hissy fit after learning that it was just a trick. I had laughed as Aunt Lucy screamed Laxus's ear off about scaring the shit out of her. Master Makarov and Mistress Ooba Babasama had chuckled as all the family members of each contestants laughed at Fairy Tail's antics. Seriously they couldnt act a little better?

"Shall we start with the rankings for the Preliminary round?" The small crowd cheered as Jii-Chan started calling kids out.

"In first for the Preliminary Round we have Phiranna of Lamia Scale!" Everyone cheered as he stepped up and bowed politely. "This young man had gotten past both Gildarts and Mirajane Strauss with not a scratch on him."

Whoa...

"Please pick a letter A-J." Mom said with a polite smile. "C." Phiranna said shyly, keeping his head down. She handed him a blocky letter C and directed him onto the side where everyone could see him. Everyone clapped again because THAT was a feat. So my question was...

How crazy strong was this guy?!

"In second place, Cobalt Loxar of FairyTail!" My eyes widened in shock as Cobalt swaggered across the stage away from me. "This young man got passed Erza Scarlet and Laxus Dreyar with only one hit from her." Erza smirked and Cobalt asked for the letter E, scince her name was an E. He got the blocky letter and stood next to Phiranna.

"In third place, Kuma Scarlet of Fairy Tail!" Oh good Lord, Mom was beaming. Stepping up I hear the cheers as Master Makarov exclaimed my case. "This young woman got passed both Gildarts and Mirajane with only one scratch." "Wait wha?" I ask and Cousin Mira chuckled. "I scratched you with my claws." "So thats what that was!" Donning on understanding, I ask Mom for the letter J. My earth bending teacher started with a J. Jani. Standing on the other side of Cobalt I already know who's coming up next.

"In fourth place with only one mark from going against Laxus Dreyar and Erza Scarlet, Hikari DeFourde." Clapping and smiling at the shy girl she walked up and asked Mom for the letter I.

And thats how the night kept going. Naming everyone and what rank they got. After Hikari the order was Dennevah Shaffer with the letter A, Leu Erazia with the letter D, Koga Delmas with the letter B, Claire Shaffer with the letter G, Eve Tilm with the letter H and Cherise Tilm with the letter F. They all went down with 6 hits and under from one opponent. The top four were the only ones who went against two people.

I feel awesome.

"Ok now that we know you brats can run away well enough, lets eat." Gildarts yelled out and everyone said a loud "Aye Sir!" because I think our hunger could overcome any enemy at the moment.

"That was awesome!"

We were watching the video of how we did so we could see any mistakes we needed to fix. Uncle Natsu had yelled that when he saw mine and I felt like dying. "Mine's looked terrible. It was sloppy and rushed and I couldve done so much better. I did when we were at the casino."

...And I really need to learn how to keep my mouth shut when Im thinking. Mom sighed and patted my back. "Akane was just a rush of adrenaline. A bad memory that needs to be casted away." Aunt Lucy walked over to me and passed me a bowl of stir fry. "She's right. Back then you sort of had a guess because Reiga was after you right? He was a freakin psychopath."

"Yeah along with that betraying bastard Jadin." Cobalt inputted. "And that freak Jellal." Uncle Gray added softly. The table got quiet as everyone looked at me with pity in their eyes. I dont need there freakin pity. I dont even know half of these kids anyway, who are they to look down on me?!

"Yeah whatever. Im gonna...go. For a walk." Standing up and grabbing my sketchpad I walk out of the luxorious hotel dining room and walk out into the streets of Forza.

"Hey, you missed the cake!"

Looking up, Hikari is standing above me with two plates. Patting the seat next to me, she sits and passed me a plate with a big piece of vanilla bean cake and whipped cream icing. Ohhh it looked so good!

"Your mom and brother almost had a fight when you walked out." She commented casually, making me want to choke on my cake. "Why?"

She pointed at my sketchpad and I nodded, letting her know she can look through.

"Ms. Scarlet wanted to go after you but Mr. Dreyar wanted to let you have some time to yourself. I swear I saw lightning come from your mom!" I laughed and smiled at Hikari. She was so polite. "And you know what was surprising? Ms. Heartphillia took Mr. Dreyar's side. I mean after watching all those episodes of Demon Hunter 101, you'd think they would disagree just to urke each other." Almost choking again, but on my own saliva, my eyes widened. "D-Demon Hunter 101?! What the hell is that?!" She looked at me confusion written all over her pretty little face but took out her iPod and we watched the first four episodes. And she was right Aunt Lucy and Big Brother were always down each others throat. Same with me and Cobalt. When we were done she sighed and had a dreamy look in her eyes.

"I swear when Ms. Heartphilia and Mr. Dreyar kiss its amazing!"

Me on the other hand wanted to barf. Transferring demonic energy?! I am so sorry Aunt Luce.

"Cmon, lets head back. We want all the rest we can before part two tomorr-" She cut short and tilted her head. "WHO'S THERE?!" She called out dangerously which was a shocker from her tiny voice. She took off running and I went after her, grabbing my sketchpad while I was at it.

"You were watching us! Who are you?!"

"I am not a threat."

I sighed in relief as I caught up to Hikari and the man standing in front of her and threw my arms around him. "Papa!"

"Papa?" She questioned and blushed furiously. Hikari bowed repeadtly and kept saying "G-Gomen ne sai!" Dad chuckled as he patted Hikari's head, purple strands going everywhere. "There is no harm done. I believe you all will be on guard since the Preliminary Round." I sighed and cringed. "S-Class mage...oh God your in it too." Papa chuckled almost evilly and I could see the mischeif in his eyes. "What makes you think I am? Now you two really do need to head on to bed. It's 10:45." Nodding I give Papa one last hug and Hikari bows once more before we run back to our dorm room, giggling the whole way.