AN: Thank you Goku275, RabbitHaremLover24, Kriim-Sauce786, and name the missing.
I don't really have anything else to say, so enjoy!
"With only two events left, the most we can get is 20 points," moaned Jet, even though he had been cleared by Porlyusica to walk without crutches.
"With the current score, getting in the top three is out of the question," groaned Droy.
The event for Day 4 of the Grand Magic Games had not even had its theme announced, much less begun, yet the remaining members of Shadow Gear were already dispirited. The two had realized that, even if their guild's luck turned around, victory was impossible. The duo had failed to honor their missing comrade/crush.
Fortunately, their teammates were there to help pick them up.
"So what if we won't win?" said Max flippantly. "We're Fairy Tail; there's no way we can just give up!"
"Max is right," agreed Alzack passionately. "Fairy Tail mages fight until the end. Even if first place isn't possible anymore, we can at least pull ourselves out of last!"
"You're right!" exclaimed Jet and Droy. The words of Max and Alzack had relight a fire in the two, and now they were ready to fight again. Well, Droy was since Jet had already competed and the GMG rules only allowed each team member to take part in one event.
The four men turned toward Chapati and Yajima, who were announcing the day's event.
"…because 'Sharpshooting' is today's theme," spoke Chapati.
The four men were silent for a moment, before Max said what they were all thinking.
"Are we cursed? Is somebody sabotaging us? Or is the universe just angry at us for some reason? Because Alzack would have been a great choice for this event!
"I'm not sure," answered Droy. "But you'll have to try to do as well as Alzack would've. My Plant Magic isn't really meant for long-ranged attacks."
"Alright," accepted Max. "For Fairy Tail!"
"For Fairy Tail!" echoed the others.
After every team chose a mage, Mato explained the rules. Each mage would take turns trying to destroy as many targets as they could in a minute. There was a total of 50 targets, and any broken ones would be replaced between turns. However, unlike regular targets, these ones had wings that would allow them to zip around the arena at high speeds, sort of like the Aera Magic used by Exceeds. The participants would draw lots to determine their order.
When Max drew his lot, he got the number 1. The order after him was as follows: Twilight Ogre, Orochi's Fin, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, Titan Nose, Quattro Cerberus, Sabertooth.
"It appears that Fairy Tail's misfortune has continued," commented Yajima. "Today's event would have been perfect for Alzack, had he not competed yesterday, or Bisca, another user of Guns Magic in Fairy Tail. Moreover, having to do this event first means that they are going into it blind."
"Wow, it's hard to believe how unlucky they are," announced Chapati. "The only thing more unexpected is that their guild master hasn't had another outburst over these circumstances."
In truth, Natsu was barely holding it together. Even with Millianna holding his hand and Happy reminding him to save the fury for his next fight, his temper was on its last straw. A very dry, very flammable straw.
"3…2…1…start!" shouted Chapati.
As soon as Chapati finished his countdown, the targets began flying around Max at high speeds. Max reacted in moments, calling upon his Sandstorm Magic to fire a Sand Slash at one of the targets closest to him.
However, the target blasted through the attack like it was nothing.
"What!?" exclaimed the mage, confused. "How strong are these things?"
"It appears that the Fairy Tail mage underestimated the durability of the targets," noted Yajima. "They are made for Rune Knight Trainees and require a fair bit of force to break."
Max's mood shifted from confusion to anger, and he grumbled that they should have mentioned that before his turn began.
"If power is what I need…" began Max, his irritation fading. "Then I better use my strongest attack. Sand Rebellion!"
As he spoke, Max wrapped a large cloud of sand around two of the targets, then crushed them with a wave of his hand.
With the spell completed, the sand dispersed to reveal two shattered targets. Grinning, Max repeated this process four more times before his turn ended.
The Sandstorm mage was breathing heavily as time ran out, having used his magic to destroy a total of 11 out of 50 targets. He only hoped it would be enough.
"It's not like I'm excited about this," Ren said to himself. After Max's performance, the mages from Twilight Ogre and Orochi's Fin took their turns, destroying 6 and 16 targets respectively. Now, it was his turn.
"Begin!" shouted Chapati.
"For Blue Pegasus," exclaimed Ren as he called upon his Air Magic.
Unlike the previous participants, thought, Ren did not use his magic to attack and destroy the targets. Instead, the Air Mage redirected them, making the targets slam into each other. With how quickly they were moving, they broke to pieces after two or three collisions.
By the end of his minute, Ren had demolished an astounding 27 targets, putting Blue Pegasus into first place for this event.
"I'd like to see someone top that," spoke the tsundere to himself, confident of his victory. Sadly, pride comes before the fall.
"Doll Attack: Puppeteer!" exclaimed Sherry. "Feel my love!"
The mage from Lamia Scale had chosen to imitate Ren's strategy. Not only that, but her magic was much more suited for it, allowing her to control the targets more precisely. It only took one collision to destroy two targets.
Sherry would have destroyed all the targets within a minute, had she not exhausted herself before they were all broken. Even then, she broke 46 of them.
To the side, her guildmates cheered. Well, except for Toby, who was being spun around by Ooba, the guild master, as punishment for his failure the previous day.
Sherry's good mood continued as she watched the next two mages compete. The participant from Titan Nose was not well suited for the event, only breaking 8 of the 50 targets. Rocker of Quattro Cerberus did better, using his magic to drill through 20 targets, but still didn't come close to her score.
However, her mood dipped as Rufus, the Sabertooth competitor for this event, confidently walked up to the center of the arena. With how well the fresh guild had been doing these past few days, there was an honest chance that this mage could beat her score.
"Begin!"
Yet again, Chapati announced the beginning of the event. Unlike the others, though, Rufus did not rush into action.
"This challenge is far too simple," boasted Rufus. "I remember it perfectly; the starting positions of the targets, the paths they take, the way they shift around each other. I remember… I remember it all."
His monologue finished, Rufus brought his index and middle fingers on both hands to his temples and began casting a spell.
"Memory Make: A Night of Falling Stars," spoke the Sabertooth mage. He extended his arms, and from them ten beams of light, reminiscent of shooting stars, fired out. Each beam struck and destroyed a target, reducing the number from 50 to 40 in an instant.
Rufus repeated his spell four times, obliterating the remaining targets without breaking a sweat. The audience could only look on in astonishment.
After all, not even 30 seconds had passed.
Eventually, the crowd regained their wits and cheered loudly for the amazing display of magic. Soon, though, the applause was replaced with conversations.
Several different things were spoken. How could a single mage do that? Why had nobody heard of Sabertooth's mages before now? What insane display was their last mage going to perform in tomorrow's event?
Yet, one question was voiced more than anything else: How could any of the other teams defeat Sabertooth?
Indeed, Sabertooth was now 10 points ahead of Blue Pegasus, the guild currently in second place. Even assuming that Blue Pegasus came in first and Sabertooth came in last during the final event (which, given the last four rounds, was next-to impossible), the two guilds would only tie for first place.
Luckily, Chapati had an announcement that would change this.
"Now, everybody," started Chapati. "You may be thinking that the winner of the Grand Magic Games was just decided, but nothing could be further from the truth! Tomorrow's event is going to be bigger than all those before it, and the points for that competition will be similarly huge! 35 points will be available, either to be claimed by a single team or divided between multiple teams! The details will remain a secret until then, but for now I can tell you all that the theme will be 'Battle Royale' for this grand finale!"
Most of the crowd cheered at this, easily putting together what the event would be. But, one voice rose above the others, and it was anything but cheerful.
"Dammit!"
"Dammit!" shouted Natsu, enraged. "We'd have to get every single point just to tie with Sabertooth!"
"It's okay," soothed Millianna. "Even if Fairy Tail doesn't come in first place, we can at least rise up the ranks a little bit."
"Aye. People will know that we're still one of the best guilds in Fiore, even if we're not the best," added Happy. "Also, you're causing a scene again."
"That's not the problem," said Natsu, still frustrated but speaking at a regular volume. "We needed the first-place prize money to keep the guild hall."
"What!?" shouted every other Fairy Tail mage present (minus Macao and Wakaba, who merely facepalmed).
"Shit," cursed Natsu, realizing his slip-up.
Everybody began shouting at once, asking about what Natsu's comment meant for the future of them and the guild. The dragon slayer quickly grew annoyed with the cacophony of questions and decided to put an end to it.
"Quit!" shout Natsu, breathing a little fire for emphasis as he channeled his inner Makarov. "I'll tell you what's going on, but first we're somewhere more private! There's no way I'm gonna broadcast this to the whole world!"
Chastised, the mages of Fairy Tail followed Natsu quietly, their only words being a whispered explanation to the members of Team Fairy Tail when they joined the procession. Eventually the group arrived at the bar they had been visiting after every event.
"Natsu did say more private, not completely," mumbled Happy.
Ignoring his partner's comment, Natsu began his explanation. He told the rest of the guild what he had told Millianna and Happy after the second event, about the guild beginning to lose money and customers. Then, he told them something new.
"Unfortunately, things have gotten worse since then," spoke Natsu, downcast. "When Laki was electrocuted, her heart got damaged. Porlyusica found out yesterday and made a cure for Laki, but one of the ingredients for the medicine was super expensive. With how much we spent, there's no way for us to afford the guild hall's bills. Fairy Tail will be moving to a smaller building within two weeks."
Natsu's words were met with silence. Everyone found it hard to believe that there was nothing they could do to keep the guild hall, but they also knew that Natsu would not admit defeat unless it was completely impossible (and, even then, they would still expect Natsu to stubbornly refuse to accept it).
The quiet did not last long, though. Soon, it gave way to tears.
On that day, in that bar, everybody in Fairy Tail cried. They cried for the loss of a place that was like a second home to them. They cried for their absent, possibly dead, comrades. They cried for the downfall of Fairy Tail.
GMG Day 4 Final Score:
1st Place: Sabertooth, 38 points
2nd Place: Blue Pegasus, 28 points
3rd Place: Lamia Scale, 26 points
4th Place: Orochi's Fin, 15 points
5th Place: Quattro Cerberus, 13 points
6th Place: Titan Nose, 11 points
7th Place: Fairy Tail, 3 points
8th Place: Twilight Ogre, 2 points
Omake
"Hmph," puffed Sherry. She was annoyed that, not only had the Sabertooth mage bested her, he had done so with ease. To sooth her wounded pride, she had decided to get away from the rest of her guild and buy some ice cream. Currently, she was eating a bowl of strawberry ice cream alone, hidden in a backstreet.
"Hey, you're that mage from Lamia Scale!"
Sherry turned toward the person who made that comment, bracing herself for an insult. Then, she recognized the speaker as Ren, one of her competitors. More specifically, the opponent who she outperformed by copying his strategy.
This was going to be unpleasant.
"Don't expect me to congratulate you for doing so well earlier," said Ren bashfully.
Huh?
"Well, don't expect me to praise you for your excellent strategy," responded Sherry a little confused.
"Then don't expect me to compliment your Doll Attack Magic," replied Ren.
"Then don't expect me to commend you on your Air Magic."
"Don't expect me to flatter you about your beautiful red hair."
"Don't expect me to say something nice about your handsome tanned skin."
This continued for a bit, ending with the two setting up a date after the GMG. Sherry had completely forgotten about her earlier defeat, a new thought taking up the space in her mind:
"Is this love?"
AN: I did not originally plan for this chapter to have such a downer ending. But, when I was writing about them losing the guild hall, it just felt appropriate. The members of Fairy Tail have had a rough time, and this final loss was the straw that broke the camel's back. I suppose having a cheerful Omake afterwards is a bit of a mood whiplash, but I didn't want to get rid of it (especially after advertising it at the end of last chapter).
As a side note, the last paragraph of the main chapter has the first instance of Fairy Tail acknowledging that the Tenrou Group may be dead. I intentionally always put words like "missing" to show how the guild believed from the bottom of their hearts that their nakama was alive. Admitting they might be gone for good emphasizes how depressed they all are.
That's all for now. Goodbye!