Cynthia had trouble maintaining her excitement, she was restless and didn't keep herself immobile. She turned toward Aura with wide eyes and smile.

"Isn't that exciting Aura ? We are going to fight the guild's strongest . Do you think we can win ? No, we will win. You're pretty strong as I am. But will it be enough ? Raah I'm so impatient "

All Aura could do was looking at her, who in the moment reminded her someone.

She look like Mare when he is exciting Then her lips bended downward I can't believe what I'm thinking, but I start to miss him Just like her brother, Aura felt strange with the time without her sibling, they could not be separate like that after all, she wondered if her creator would feel the same way with his brother.

She shook her thoughts away and looked at the man before them, it will be difficult to her, but in another way than we thought

He hide it, but he actually has some power. Better be cautious. But I think he will go easy, never he will hurt hard kids, right ? She tighed her whip.

Gildarts stood there, smiling "I guess you 're ready ?"

"We are !" the children exclaimed

Levy tilted her head "Now I'm thinking, we never saw Aura using this weapon "

"She must use it for taming creatures " Gray theorized.

"But then, why use it right now ? Isn't her magic just about taming beasts ?" Carla wondered.

"Maybe she will domesticate the old man " Natsu said nonchalantly, resulting in a hit by Lucy who huffed.

'Things promised to be interesting ' Erza and Laxus though.

Cana facepalmed "This will be a massacre" This was not reassuring for Wendy, who was praying for Cynthia to remain in one piece. Juvia noticed it and pat the bluenette "Juvia thinks they will be doing fine. Cynthia and Aura are strong " Wendy slowly nodded without leaving her eyes out of the imminent fight.

"Why didn't we stop them ? " Lucy asked.

"It seems flamehead have a bad influence on children" a shirtless Gray replied .

"Hey !"

Gildarts made a hand sign to the kid duo "I'll let you kiddo going first". Cynthia saw no objection and rushed at him, surprising Aura "Hey wait !" The tanned girl dragged behind Cynthia who engulfed her fist in flames "Omega Fire Dragon's fist !" She swung her fist at Gildarts, who didn't break his smile. The flaming fist was caught by one hand without a flinch. This surprised Cynthia, clearly she didn't think someone could stop her like that " W-What ?"

Gildarts lifted his eyes to see Aura with her whip backward "Thank you for the bait". Gildarts simply moved his metallic arm, allowing the whip to wrap his arm

"Not bad" Gildarts exclaimed as he brought down his wrapped arm, dragging Aura while Cynthia tried to remove her hand from his grip, without success. This resulted in a harsh collision between the two children, both of them on the ground. The first to got up was Aura who held her head.. I almost felt that one

"Come on, I didn't even start" Gildarts brought his organic fist backward while Cynthia was ready to continue.

"Watch out ! He is going to hit" Aura warned as Gildarts threw his fist forward, but thanks to Aura, she and Cynthia managed to avoid the attack by jumping sideways. They felt the wind being crushed by the pressure as the shockwave continued. Cynthia wided her eyes If I was caught by that…

"Oops, sorry, I was getting excited. I didn't mean to scare you" Gildarts said, giggling nervously .

Yep, this guy is definitely stronger than CZ Aura remarked. She got closer to Cynthia. "This guy seems to be rather on brute strength"

"So we must focus on speed to outturn him ?"

"You learn fast " Aura took a fight stance once again "Teamwork this time "

"Got it " Cynthia ran once again, but this time it was coordonate with Aura . Gildarts got ready for another front charge. Instead, Cynthia jumped, flaming her arms as she turned on herself, an orange barrier was forming. "Omega Fire Dragon's tornado !" She lunged herself toward Gildarts, who noticed his other foe this time . The said girl ran on Gildarts 's side. She threw her whip at one of his legs, but he had other plans.

"I won't let you !" He slammed the ground with his foot, the dirt Aura was landing began to crumble, making her trumble, making her released her grip.

Now free of troubles, Gildarts swung his right fist at Cynthia 's tornado. The impact created a shockwave that echoed through the field . But the stalemate didn't last as Cynthia was pushed back until she was totally overwhelmed. She gasped as she flew away , hurting the ground.

"Now…" Gildarts turned toward Aura, who managed to stand. He brought his metallic fist backward.

Oh... Aura could only cross her arms to block the incoming attack. As the contact was made, Gildarts felt a stronger resistance from the blonde. He frowns as he adds more power. Maybe too much, since Aura was flying until she rolled on the dirt. She stood, removing the earth from her mouth. "You're better than expected"

Gildarts smiled at her "You both are not bad either. Honestly I was expecting you to be already down by the first attack. I'm impressed "

"However…" Cynthia said "We're not finished yet !"

Aura lifted a brow to her Seriously ? After knowing what he's worth, you still want to continue ? He's stronger than you and you know it. She saw Cynthia flared her magic, letting her aura off. Aura sighed "I guess I don't have much choice" She extended her hand [ Summon : Red One !] A blinding light suddenly appeared, before being replaced by a strange red creature in a golden armor. Whispers echoed through the crowd, talking about the strange monster Aura summoned from thin air.

"Where did that monster came from ?" Natsu asked disbeliefed .

"I never saw that one before" Wendy gasped.

So Aura 's magic allow her to summon creatures at wil, I would said precisely when they are tamed Erza though, eager to discover more about her

Gildarts stared at the creature, impressed by Aura's ability "That's a nice magic you have, kiddo"

Cynthia looked at the red dog. Carla noticed that look, it remind her a certain girl who threat to broke her back multiple times under a helpless Wendy . No. Not her too.

"Heh, you're serious now ? Then…" The ground trembled, the air felt heavy and the pressure was palpable as he let his magic flared. Cynthia felt the difference between them U-Unbelievable.

So he free his power now. Aura's smile wided. Today is rich in informations

Gildarts 's aura diminished, but don't seems less dangerous, it was more like he control more his strenght. He took a fight stance, waiting for his foes.

Aura and Cynthia noticed it and charged at him simultaneously. Aura whispered some buffs for her beast while Cynthia rushed at him.

Gildarts was about to counter Cynthia when he saw a shadow over him When did it -? The Red One was way faster than intended, it lifted its claws while roaring, Gildarts didn't have much choice but to block it with his good arm. Such a beast can't travel with this fast His eyes locked on Aura Unless…

The girl jumped from the beast, preparing a down kick. Gildarts brought his other arm since the first one was already taken, the force behind it pushed down him and the dirt under It's not only her creatures, she is strong by someone her age, not only by her magic but also physically, who is she ? His thoughts were pushed away when he saw Aura who smirked "Got you" . It was only then he saw orange light by his side, Cynthia was rushing at him in the shape of a firewall "Omega Fire Dragon's charge !" Gildarts widened his eyes Shit !

Cynthia collided with him at full speed like a battering ram, sending Gildarts away. He slid on the ground until he stopped. The guild went silent. These two children, who were still new, managed to hit the legendary Gildarts Clive, who made the entirely of Tenrou Island tremble by his magic power alone. However, things were not finished yet. Cynthia, who was still in contact with him, began to sweat "It… didn't work ?"

"On contrary" Gildarts, who had his face shadowed, lifted his head, revealing his half pissed and half proud face "I perfectly felt it"

Canna hit her face with her hand It's done for them .

Cynthia sweat more, realizing her position now. Before she could move, something grabbed her ankle. She was lifted from the ground and was slammed on it, then another time, and another. Gildarts stopped when he noticed the ravenette was unconscious. "One down".

"Cynthia !" Wendy screamed, worried.

"He really go hard" Gray said.

"That's left Aura, I don't think she will make it" Carla stated. It was hard to admit, but things seem to not be going well for the blonde.

Aura stared at him I think we make him mad . She jumped on her beast before charging at him. Seeing her getting closer, Gildarts prepared his punch. When the creature was in reach, both of them brought them fist forward, ending in a stalemate, but the tammer noticed something With my buffs, Red One is around level 55, and this guy still managed to push him ' her lips curved upward a little 'He continue to impress me.

Gildarts used his other hand to catch the beast's "That's the end for you big one !" With brute strength, he lifted the creature before slamming it on the ground, leaving a crater. Upon the impact, there was a white light accompanying it, reinforcing the power behind it, creating a dust cloud. Once the dust cleared, the body of Red One disappeared, leaving only a crater and a small figure who crawled out " *Cough cough* It's hurt, you know ?" She got up painfully.

Despite the face he made before, Gildarts continued to smile " You definitely are beyond my expectations, you and the other one, Cynthia I think. But unfortunately , this fight must end here and now "

"I agree " Aura prepared her whip again "But I have the intention of fighting until the end !"

" Heh, I appreciate you, kiddo "Gildarts slammed his metallic fist at Aura , but she ducked and wiped his face. Gildarts groaned and cought the weapon. He tried to do the same strategy with Cynthia, but the blonde won't let her go. While she was in the air, she landed on his shoulder and began to slam him with a plethora of hits . Gildarts tried to grab her, but she jumped before doing an acrocatic landing . She used this momentum to observe her foe, but the old man stood already in front of her "W-When -?"

She didn't have the time to reply when his organic fist punched her in the stomach. Aura's eyes widened as she flew backward. Gildarts didn't waste time and went above her. He slammed here with his other elbow, sending Aura crashing on the ground, unresponding .

There was a moment of silence "Phew, finally it end".

Laxus, Erza and Makarov looked each other, before the old man exclaimed " The fight is over"

Wendy rushed through the crowd. The closest to her was Cynthia. She extended her palms, a soft green light emitted and healed her injuries. After a time, Cynthia opened her eyes and got up slowly " Wendy ?"

The bluenette sighed in relief "I'm so glad you're alright"

"And .. what about the fight ?"

"You and Aura lost " Carla said dryly

"C-Carla !"

"I 'm just telling the truth "

"So we lost." There was a little disappointment in Cynthia 's voice , but it was quickly replaced by a soft laugh " Well, that was fun. This man is really strong"

"What did you expect ?" Carla scolded, pointing a finger at her "It was totally reckless of you wanting to fight someone like him ! And that one too. Once she will be awake, she, and you, will heard one word from me" She turned, huffing

Wendy scratched the back of her head, sweat on her temples "I- I'm going to heal Aura-san" she quickly ran off Cynthia and Carla to look after the elf in disguise.

The discussions resumed at the back. "That was something"Gray said, stull digesting what they saw.

"They are real men !" Elfman shouted .

Erza nodded "Even if he held back, they managed to back him off. " 'And we know how Aura's magic work '

"To think they teamed up, even if they don't really know each other" Lucy remarked.

Canna drank a flask, seemingly unimpressed "I told you how it's going ".

"But at least they still manage to hurt him, it's good enough " Lisanna optimistically tried to assured the drunk, without success .

Meanwhile, Natsu standed here , not saying a word, which interpellated the celestial mage "Natsu ?"

He didn't reply. Lucy put a hand on his shoulder . "Something is bothering you?"

"...After watching them, I realized something. I need to be stronger. Cynthia and Aura held good against Gildarts, way longer than me . If I want to defeat Zeref, or that dragon 7 years ago, then I should ask them to give a hand "

He noticed Happy, who had the mouth wide open and widen eyes "N-Natsu, you said something sensed, what happened to you ?"

"How should I take this ? It's still me, buddy " Natsu lifted Happy. The guild began to went inside while Gildarts volunteered to carry Aura, who was still unconscious, or so they thought.

Aura opened her eyes. She stood in the infirmary. Wendy healed her, but the person healed may still be out, so they let her here. She was alone with Shizu standing here, waiting for her to wake up.

"You were still conscious all this time, weren't you ?" She was direct.

"Yeah. I wanted them to believe I was out. You noticed it ?"

"At first, I was very surprised someone managed to hurt a Guardian like you, but I quickly saw something was off. So I knew you were holding back a lot. If I may ask, why ?"

"It's to not attract much attention. This guy is the ace. Even if for them I look like a child with a lot of talents, being toe to toe with him will be weird, right ?"

CZ bowed her head in apology "I understand, forgive me for such an obvious question . Also, were they real injuries ? Did they hurt ?"

"To be honest, it inched. I was unequipped and I let him hit me at full force. I know he held back too, but saying I didn't feel anything would be a lie. I was really amazed when he took care of Red One. He didn't kill it, but if he was at max, even with the buffs, he would not have a chance "

"One final question . What do you think about Cynthia ?"

"This human ? She has a hard head and a lot of firepower. She held much longer than I expected. Our lady will be delighted to hear that such people of this caliber exist. They will make excellent allies"

"She sure will be " CZ 's lips curved into a smile .