Hi guys! Sry for such a late update, I decided to take a week off updating because I needed to focus on a few tests. At least they're over now c: Anyways, this chapter isn't as romantic (we're taking a break after that kiss last chapter XD) its pretty much just setting up so I apologise for that.

Also, there might be some OOC-ness. I didn't check cause I wrote this like last night and my Beta just got it to me this morning. But if there is, I apologise. Thank you guys again for the support and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 24 (Reasons Why)

Normal POV

The arena was alight with noise as representative players from all eight guilds stood in the streets of Crocus, a good way away from the Domus Flau.

Before them, a long line of platforms stood on wheels, making two of the Dragon Slayers that were playing a little nauseous.

Gajeel smirked at the other two as they turned away from the 'vehicles', trying their best not to puke everywhere. He already knew Salamander wasn't going to make it to the end; neither was Lightbulb, by the looks of it. So he had two less people to compete against.

He looked around the people that were competing again, determining who would be a threat and who wouldn't.

His gaze landed first on Ichiya, the representative from Blue Pegasus, who was, at the moment, busy harassing the girl from Mermaid Heel. Gajeel couldn't help but feel a little sick himself as his eyes scanned the red-haired man.

He had been sniffed by Ichiya one too many times not to be somewhat disturbed by him and his obsession with perfumes. He wasn't sure if Ichiya was a threat or not (According to the others, he was supposed to be) but Gajeel doubted the man even knew anything outside of perfume.

He guessed he would just have to find out.

Next up was Eyebrows (Yuka), who (to his knowledge), was the representative for Lamia Scale. Yuka was actually standing a little way away from the rest of the players who were talking pretty loudly, wearing his usual unamused scowl.

Gajeel stared at the short man for a minute before turning away. He didn't look like much - maybe he wasn't much either.

Third was the girl from Mermaid Heel, who had somehow fought her way out of Ichiya's harassment and was standing next to Bacchus, the representative for Quatro Cerberus.

Gajeel gazed at the two for a minute, most of his attention focused on Bacchus who was busy drinking away from a flask he always seemed to be holding. He had no idea what was in his flask, but he didn't really want to find out.

"Bacchus of Quatro Cerberus, also known as the Drunk Falcon." Gajeel muttered under his breath as Bacchus started laughing drunkly about nothing in particular.

The guy definitely didn't look like much but even Gajeel had heard of how powerful this man really was.

"Some say his power is equal to even Erza's."

Gajeel clenched his teeth; Bacchus: definitely a threat.

Gajeel quickly turned away to look at the others, not that it really mattered. Bacchus was the person he had to defeat, after all. No one else.

His eyes landed on Kurohebi who was also standing quietly to the side of the group. Gajeel couldn't help but feel nervous standing around Kurohebi. He was from Raven Tail, after all - a Dark Guild.

But that wasn't what was really bothering him. It was something else, something else way worse.

Suddenly, as if on cue, Chapati began to speak.

"Welcome, everyone, to the second day of the Grand Magic Games! Our first game today is called Chariot. I will explain the game once more and then introduce you to the representative players. Please direct your eyes to the Lacrima Screens."

Somewhere far off in the arena where Gajeel couldn't see, screens had appeared in the middle of the arena, showcasing himself and the others beside the platforms/vehicles.

"This game itself is pretty self-explanatory. The game will consist of eight players (A representative player from all eight guilds) and the objective of the game is to be first one to get back to the Domus Flau."

"You may use all magic abilities to your advantage, but it is compulsory you stay on the platforms. You may not travel beneath or above the platforms unless your form of magic is touching the platforms."

"The points given to the winner and so on are scored the same as yesterday."

Chapati hesitated for a minute before gathering the papers stacked messily on the right side of his table and reading them.

"Now please welcome our players! First up, from Quatro Cerberus, Bacchus Groh!"

A picture of Bacchus chugging booze from his flask, flashed on screen. The crowd exploded into screams and applause; it was clear that Bacchus was a crowd favourite.

"Second, from Raven Tail, Kurohebi!"

As soon as Chapati finished, the picture of Bacchus was quickly replaced by Kurohebi. His eyes in the picture were extremely slanted and stood out a lot, not just because they were slanted at such an extreme angle but because they were lined entirely by black eyeliner.

His thin lips were also coated in what looked to be black lipstick. In short, he looked almost severe.

The crowd was silent for few minutes, unsure of how to react. Suddenly from the silence a single clapping noise echoed from the stands.

Raven Tail's stand, in particular.

Everyone turned around, curious to see the single person who would be clapping, only to meet eyes with none other than Raven Tail's guild master, Ivan Dreyar. Ivan grinned at the evil looks people were shooting at him as he lounged on his chair, his eyes focused on the screen before him.

He missed this feeling, having this much attention focused on him. It was nice, very nice indeed. Somewhere on the other side of the arena, his father, Makarov was steaming away, his eyes narrowed at the screen.

It was one thing winning the Grand Magic Games; it was another thing putting his children against Ivan's monstrosities. But he knew neither Team A or B would ever forgive him if he dragged them away now.

Not when Sabertooth was already on their case. Plus, he wasn't going let Lucy Heartfilia down either; he had promised her a good fight, and he was going to give her a good fight.

Suddenly, Chapati began to speak again, a little hesitantly but he quickly sped up back into his usual pace. "Third, from Mermaid Heel, Risley Law!" Risley's face appeared on the screen underneath her guild name, inciting screams of admiration and wolf whistles from the spectators.

Erza who was sitting one of the seats provided for the competitors, her arms crossed against her chest, couldn't help but sneak a glance at Mermaid Heel's stand where most of Team Mermaid Heel was sitting at.

She was more interested in a single person though - the Mage who was sitting on the edge of the stand, her face hidden by a purple cloak. She had looked familiar when Erza had first seen her yesterday, but she just couldn't pin point who she was.

And for some reason, Erza couldn't let it go that she didn't know who this person was either.

Erza quietly stood up as Chapati continued introducing the players, skimming over Yuka then Ichiya. Just before she could walk herself out of the backdoor, she was stopped by Gray who had noticed her get up.

"What are you doing? The game's starting soon." He hissed. Erza nodded. "I know." Gray looked puzzled for a minute. "You.. Don't want to see the game?" Erza bit her lip before quickly looking over to Mermaid Heel's stand again.

"Does she look familiar too you?" Erza whispered, pointing to the cloaked Mage who hadn't moved an inch since Erza had last looked at her. Gray was silent for a few minutes before nodding. "Yeah, yeah she does. What? You think she's the person Jellal was talking about?" Gray asked, lowering his voice as he mentioned Jellal's name.

Erza shook her head. "I don't sense anything for her, I just.. I can't just leave her nameless in my head." Gray cocked his head to one side as Erza spoke. "Well, she's gotta participate at one point, you'll find out then."

Erza hesitated before nodding. "Umm."

Before Gray could say anything else, Chapati spoke again. His voice a little more enthusiastic than usual. "From Fairy Tail's Team A, Natsu Dragneel!" The crowd rang with applause as Natsu appeared on the lacrima screen.

Gray frowned at his rival's name. "Why didn't you go stop them? When Natsu, Gajeel and that Saber guy started fighting before the game? They could have all been disqualified." He hissed.

Erza didn't meet Gray's eyes and looked towards the lacrima screen. "It wouldn't have done much good, even if I did. Besides, the person those two were fighting about has to choose for herself who she wants."

Gray followed Erza's gaze at the screen. "What do you mean?" Erza chuckled. "I'm saying that it's rude to leave two guys knocking on your door..."

Erza went quiet for a minute before adding, "She'll have to let one of them in, sometime. I just wonder who'll she let in."

Gray's eyes widened as he realised what Erza was saying. "I mean, we all saw that kiss, but... I didn't think Fire Breath would care." Erza turned around to face Gray.

"I didn't think so either, but the way he reacted after Lucy left and then seeing her again after almost a year, only to find out that someone else had beaten him to it..."

"I doubt he even knew he liked her in the first place." Erza finished quietly. Gray sighed and leaned against the wall, looking up at the lacrima screen again.

"Well, this is going to be... Interesting." Erza nodded. "Indeed, let's just hope that Natsu knows whether to put his feelings first or the guild's pride." Gray stared curiously at Erza for a minute before nodding. "Yeah, yeah."

Outside the Domus Flau,

Natsu leaned against one of the store fronts farther away from the walking hell that people called 'vehicles', trying and failing miserably to hold in his puke.

He could already taste the bile that made his way to the back of mouth and his entire body felt colder than usual.

Damn it. He thought, as he looked over to Sting who wasn't having anymore luck with the idea of getting on those things. Natsu couldn't help but smirk at the green tinge that now coloured Sting's face.

Heh, he's already paying for doing this to Lucy. It's not enough though, not nearly enough.

Before Natsu could say anything to Sting though, he was interrupted by Gajeel who didn't look the least bit sick. "Oi, Salamander. Can't handle a little run?" He snarled.

Natsu glared at his fellow guild mate, resisting his every urge to punch him. He couldn't punch him now, not when Iron Butt was the only way to find out what was going on with him. And Lucy. And Sting.

And because he hardly had enough energy to walk himself to the starting line. Yeah, that too.

"Why aren't you... Sick?" Natsu groaned as he tried to straighten up from his hunch. Gajeel smirked. "Cause Salamander, I'm a better Dragon Slayer than you."

Natsu's eyes twitched as he absorbed what Gajeel had said. "Why don't you prove it... Iron Ass." He growled, his voice low and deadly. Gajeel heard Natsu's tone but wasn't fazed by it. He mockingly poked the other Dragon Slayer's forehead.

"I already have, Salamander." Gajeel gestured around the place. Natsu, who had finally managed to get up, stared Gajeel right in the eyes. "You haven't even won yet." Natsu snapped as his right hand shot out to steady himself from falling on his face.

"Who's going to stop me?" Gajeel retorted, grinning smugly at the Fire Dragon Slayer. Natsu smiled back menacingly. "I am."

Gajeel raised an eyebrow at Natsu as Chapati began the count down for the race to start. Gajeel smirked and jogged towards the starting line. "I'll see you at the finishing line, Salamander."

Natsu panted harshly as Gajeel walked away. No way was he getting on that thing, no way.

Before he could doubt himself anymore though, Chapati's count down had somehow reached 3 and wasn't stopping anytime soon.

Natsu groaned and gave one last look at his fist which was nestled deep inside the brick wall. He bit his lip as he stared at it, the delayed pain finally hitting him as he stared at it.

He bit his lip harder, suppressing the pain. He couldn't just sit here, he couldn't. He had to do this, for his guild. For the seven years they had been embarrassed, the seven years they had been harassed.

And of course, to pay Sting back for what he had done to Lucy tenfold.

No one was going to help him do any of that, either.

He sighed and straightened up, his shoulders shaking as he dragged himself towards the starting line, the ringing sound that had established itself in his ears earlier never leaving.

"Two."

Natsu stared at beyond the starting line wistfully as the people around him began to kneel down for a head start.

One, one, one. Just say it, damn it.

"One."

As soon as the word left Chapati left his lips the players were off. Or rather one of them.

Kurohebi raced forward towards the Domus Flau. Leaving clouds of dust behind him.

Everyone else was stunned for a minute before clicking back into reality, Yuka being the first one.

"Wave Blast!" He announced before jets of water burst out of his palms, propelling him towards the finish line.

Risley was next to snap back into reality, dishing out her Gravity Change just in time before the jets of water hit her. Smirking she ran after Yuka as the rest of the players stood in front of the starting line.

Suddenly, Ichiya awoke. Looking around he realised that he was one of the last ones to start. He quickly grabbed one of his perfumes that was supposed to improve speed and also ran after the finishing line, leaving the last three Dragon Slayers standing wide-eyed at the starting line.

Gajeel was next to wake up and try his luck on the first vehicle, oblivious to his motion sickness.

"Oi, Salamander, Lightbulb. This is how to be a real Dragon Slay-" Gajeel didn't get to finish his sentence as his face suddenly turned an ugly shade of green.

Natsu didn't know whether to jeer at the Iron Dragon Slayer or not. He wanted to, don't get him wrong. He couldn't find enough stamina to do so, that's all.

Gajeel, suddenly realising that he couldn't exactly get up on the vehicle without at least puking up his dinner from last night, ran back off the vehicle, both his arms clutching at his stomach.

Natsu turned away from his fellow guild mate's misery and looked over to Sting, who had pushed his motion sickness down enough to get onto the vehicle.

Sure, he was bright green and bile was already filling up the back of his throat. But he was on the platform. That was what counted after all. Natsu, realising that Sting was about to beat him, ran straight onto the platform.

The whole time screaming, momentarily forgetting his motion sickness altogether. It didn't turn out well.

As soon as he stepped onto the platform, all of his previous bravado crumbled and he fell to his knees next to Sting who was lying face down to next to him.

They sat/lay like that for a few minutes, both their breathing quick and heavy. Suddenly Sting spoke up, a tired smirk gracing his blue eyes and full lips.

"Can you still kill me, Natsu-san?" He whispered. Natsu narrowed his eyes at Sting who had raised his head slightly to look at him. "Don't push it Saber, I ain't here to kill you. Not yet."

Sting grinned. "Why not? Scared you'll lose?" Natsu scowled at Sting, his fury rolling off him in waves. "It's your fault, its your fault! You did this to Lucy, you asshole!" Natsu snarled, posting an accusing finger at Sting.

Sting looked confused for a moment before, his smug grinned returned. He knew this was very, very stupid of him. But he couldn't stop it now, Lucy had kissed him after all.

She was his. All his.

"How do you know she didn't do it to me, huh, Natsu-san?" Natsu didn't even hesitate before answering him. "Lucy would never do that!" Sting sighed and shook his head as he slowly got up. "Oh yeah? Maybe she kissed me first, maybe she hated you enough to do it."

Natsu stared at Sting wide-eyed.

He had never thought of Lucy hating him.

Natsu gulped as his entire image of Lucy shattered. He had always called it Lisanna's fault, sometimes even Lucy's fault for why Lucy had left. But now...

What if it was his fault the whole time?

He couldn't bear the idea of Lucy hating him. It would break him if she really did. He couldn't live knowing Lucy hated him.

He couldn't live knowing his best friend hated him.

Natsu's head was beginning to hurt with all of this confusion as Sting crossed platforms ever so slowly.

Urgh, why did this have to be so god damn complicated?

Natsu could only think of one answer to this, and one only.

Kill Sting.

Natsu got up from his stance on the platform, his body suddenly forgetting his motion sickness completely. His mind moved full time, refusing to stop until he could see trembling beneath his gaze.

Natsu was convinced this would fix everything, everything would go back to normal.

Right?

Without a second though he raised his right fist that was already alight with bright red flames and rushed towards Sting.

"FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!"

Natsu was a whole lot more... Gruesome in the first draft XD I hope I made him a little more like Natsu. Anyways, hope you enjoyed. Probably finishing up their fight next chapter and maybe Erza vs Bacchus. Read and review.