Festival of the dragon

Chapter 13

I had quite the rude awakening the following morning. Sapphire must have woken up and panicked at our close proximity. Really close proximity I mean we were cuddling in our sleep. She pushed me away from her with full strength and I was flung into the wall. I rubbed my back and stood up.

"Well good freaking morning to you too."

"Are you okay? I'm sorry! I overreacted!" she looked like she just ripped my eye out by accident.

"It's alright I'm fine. Let's get some breakfast," I went down stairs and put some cereal on the table. After we ate, we went to the guildhall. Zeke came running I greet us.

"Good morning cutie did you sleep well. Jack, you little wimp, you need to see this," he grabbed me and spawned his angel feathers, grabbed Sapphire and I and flew us to the guildhall. He flew right through the front door and over to the request board. He put us down and pointed to poster hanging on the wall. It read 'festival of the dragon'

"What is this Zeke?"

"In two days there's going to be a huge festival celebrating the dragons. Continue reading," I looked down the poster. 'We ask that all dragon slayers attend.'

"Okay this could be fun. Let's do it."

"What are you so happy about Greyhound?" Kai had sneaked up beside me and was looking over my shoulder.

"There's going to be a festival and they specifically asked that the dragon slayers attend."

"Good for you. The rest of the guild is coming too you know," with that he walked off to Silver who was sitting and chatting with that guy she brought back from the mission. I guess he was doing better. I guess I should prepare.

"Hey Sapphire what do you think I should wear?" I laughed.

"Well let's see… I think one of your new outfits."

"Obviously."

The next two days went by ever so slowly. I constantly went to the city to see the progress on the setup of the props. It felt like two years had passed when the day finally came. I was nervous and exited at the same time. An event where I would be part of the center of attention, amazing. But at the same time, an event where I would be part of the center of attention, oh no I don't think I can take this kind of pressure. But I had to attend. I woke up early that morning and left a note for Sapphire on the table. I picked up my new dark green west, a white tank top and some dark red pants. This is fine. I went outside and headed towards the center of town where the carnival was set up. When I got there, I saw Natsu and the other dragon slayers from Fairy Tail.

"Morning Jack," Natsu shouted and the others turned their head.

"Hi, are you ready for this?"

"Whatever I'd rather be out kicking some ass. Gihi," Gajeel said in a monotone voice.

"Sure. This will be exiting" Wendy added with her innocent smile. I cringed a little considering that she was most likely stronger than I was.

"I'm all fired up."

"We are ready to have a great time right Rogue," Sting put his arm around his partner.

"Humph," was the only noise Laxus produced.

"…" Cobra was just sitting in complete silence. Looking at a rooftop.

"Is something wrong Cobra?"

"Someone else is here. SHOW YOURSELF!" the figure of a young man came into view. He was standing with his hands in his pockets and looking very relaxed in his posture.

"Well aren't we observant," the man said and laughed.

"Who are you?"

"You'll find out soon enough. I just wanted to check on you and see how my favorite dragon slayer is holding up," He disappeared. Cobra's eyes widened.

"Damn he's fast I didn't even hear him move," we all just looked at where he had been standing. After some time, other people started appearing. Soon the carnival was full of people and well under way. Everyone started going to the booths to win prizes. Suddenly there was a voice speaking over the speakers.

"Everyone listen up we are about to start the main event please gather around the center stage," I walked to the stage and looked over the crowd.

"Is everyone here? I'd like to welcome you to this years… FESTIVAL OF THE DRAGONS! Can I get a BIG cheer for Fiores dragon slayers? Come onto the stage everyone," I decided that I would sit this one out and just pretend I wasn't here.

"Everyone give it up for: Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy, Laxus, Sting, Rogue and Erik from Fairy Tail. And also…"

"Wait also I thought we were the only dragon slayers in Fiore," Natsu spouted.

"Well Mr. Dragneel you have another thing coming. Give a warm welcome to Joe of forest sprite…" A young girl came to the stage she had long brown curly hair and she was wearing a t-shirt with a piece sign on it. She looked like a typical Hippie.

"… Drake of an independent group called Dragons wrath…" This time it was a real a boy with a cigarette in his mouth and his hands in his dangerously low hanging pants. He had a weird shade of white hair and it was set to point in all directions kind of like gray's but longer. I could tell I didn't like this guy.

"…Lock of Dessert Hawk…" I couldn't tell if it was a boy or a girl because his or her face was covered with a dessert cloth much like Mystogan. It looked like it had endured its fair share of dessert.

"…Brawl of Dessert Hawk…" a large man came onto the stage. He wasn't wearing any shirt but that wasn't necessary because he was ripped beyond belief. His expression was completely blank. And his had his fangs on his bottom teeth and they were sticking out like tusks.

"…Zane also from Dragons wrath…" A boy dressed in all black with the sleeves missing from his shirt. He had many scars on his upper arm. His black hair and red empty eyes gave me the creeps and he was walking his arms hanging lifeless down the side.

"…Julia of Mermaid Heel…" I girl came walking. She was walking like she was really shy. She had long blonde hair. She looked really uncomfortable with the general situation.

"…Charles of the royal family of McAlister…" before anyone came walking a red carpet was rolled out over the stage and then a boy dressed like a king came walking. He looked like a real smug asshole who was raised over the rest of society. He was blonde and didn't look like he did anything himself.

"… and last but not least a dragon slayer who has refused to tell us his name please step forward…" a young man came walking. He walked with his hands behind his back. Both hands placed on top of each other stretched out. He didn't even pay attention to any of the others he barely noticed that they were there. His formal stature and his martial arts suit with the insignia of a dragon roaring made his blank grey stare even more piercing.

"These are the dragon slayers of Fior…"

"Wait a minute. Has anyone seen Jack anywhere? I know you're here Jack!" Natsu interrupted and he started sniffing the air. He jumped down from the stage and ran towards me.

"Mr. Dragneel where are you going," Natsu grabbed me, threw me over his shoulder, carried me to the stage, and put me down.

"Mr. Dragneel who is this?"

"This is Jack our newest dragon slayer," Natsu said.

"I see. Everyone and extra applause for the final dragon slayer." I must have looked like a dead body standing completely still and pale.

"Now that everyone is gathered it's time to announce this year's event…" everything went silent.

"…tournament… of the dragon! The rules are simple. It's a fighting tournament. Before every match, the two combatants will get a serving of their element and will be cured of any injuries. The victor moves on and the loser is out of the tournament. The grand prize is the title of strongest dragon slayer in Fiore and 10.000.000 jewel. The fights will take place on the fields."

"Alright I'm already fired up now."

"The matches will begin tomorrow. So combatants please prepare yourselves. Now as for as for the rest of the day you can buy tickets in booths all over the city. In addition, there will be bands playing here on stage and the booths games will reopen. Have fun celebrating the dragons," Oh god I'm screwed. They all look so strong. Before I could walk down from the stage, I was picked up and I started flying.

"Zeke?! Where are we going?"

"Well you are going up against another dragon slayer tomorrow and let's face it you're not the strongest. So we are going to do some hardcore training," he flew me into the mountains to the place I usually train. He put me down and we started training. It was some of the toughest training I've ever endured. After an hour, I almost couldn't move but I pressed on. This was my chance to prove myself. I had to get into the top four at least. After another 4 hours or so, the training ground was totally destroyed and so was I but I stood up and asked for more training and Zeke was happy to obligate.

There was no way I was gonna let down Fairy Tail!