Chapter 43

Clearing the Air

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback

Location / Date / Time Skip

The crowd cheered as Erza's team ran out to her. "I hope you can forgive me." The red head said. "Beating them took a bit longer than I expected."

"That was the greatest thing I've ever seen!"

"I can't wait to fight you!"

"That was so beautiful I cried!"

"I was so moved, I'm still crying!"

"Calm down." Erza chuckled. "You realized we haven't won yet, right?"

The others laughed as Mato stared in shock. 'Did I just hear that right?' He asked himself. 'Did she really just apologize because it took longer than she expected!?'

"That girl is in a league of her own." Cana chuckled, taking a drink from her bottle.

"I'd expect nothing less from Ichiya's girlfriend." Hibiki said.

"You just wanna get the crap kicked out of you, don't you?" Nobarly asked. "If so, go ahead."

"This was a waste of time." Orga mumbled.

"Get over yourself." Kuro said back, angering the Sabertooth mage.

The crowd started chanting her name as she held her fist to the sky. "And with that dominant performance, Fairy Tail Team A takes ten points!" Chapati declared, making the crowd cheer louder.

Mato walked over to the other seven as a strange device followed behind him. "Okay, after some deliberation, we have come up with a way to determine the ranking for the other seven teams. This is the Magic Power Finder, and it does exactly what you think it does. One by one, you'll strike it and that number will determine the rankings for you all.

"We'll use the same order we just drew to determine the order. So will number two please step forward."

"That would be me!" Millianna chuckled as she flew off her cloak. "Kitten Blast!" A spiraling binding tube shot forward and hit the machine before the number '365' appeared above it.

The entire crowd was confused by the number, as were the announcers. "Allow me to explain." Lahar spoke up. "We Rune Knights use this device quite often in training. That number is actually what a squad captain would have."

"Wow, what an impressive start." Chapati confessed as Norbaly was next, scoring only a 124. Hibiki did even worse as he couldn't even crack the triple digit mark. "Next up is Kuro from Raven Tail!"

"What is he gonna do?" Erza asked, having forced herself out of the infirmary.

The green-skinned man walked forward and held one hand at his hip. He then placed his other hand over it and leaned forward, a black aura coming off the boy. "Earth God..."

"Wait, what!?" Nicholas leaned into the railing and looked into arena. "Did he just say-"

"He's a God Slayer!?" Natsu asked in shock.

"Tamehagane Sword!" He swung the hand and a black stone katana appeared in it. With blinding speed and an Iaijutsu style, the Raven struck the orb. The shockwave cut through the stone wall behind it as the number '2469' appeared above it.

"Holy moly, folks!" Chapati shouted as Kuro sheathed his 'sword' and stepped back. "It looks like we have a new leader!"

"You know you can do better than that!" Flare shouted.

"Flare, be quite." Alexei growled. "It's enough to earn us some points. That's all that matters."

"I'm about to change that." Orga said as he walked forward. He pulled his hands back and lightning arched off his fingers before he thrusted them forward. "120 MM Black Lightning Cannon!" A beam of black lightning shot forward and struck the machine, generating a 3825 over the machine.

The crowd cheered at the number as Laxus smirked from the stands. Jura was the next to walk forward and smirked. "Do you mind if I go all out?" The Wizard Saint asked.

"That is the point of the game." Mato said.

Jura smiled and placed his hands together in a prayer position as he started glowing and the whole arena started shaking. "Rumbling Fuji!" A massive pillar of earthen energy shot up and shot into the sky before the MPF delivered score of '8544', shocking everyone.

"Jeez Louise, I'm amazed he let me last as long as I did." Nicholas confessed.

"You're saying he could have ended that fight earlier?" Juvia asked, earning a nod.

"And with that record breaking number, Jura has proven the title of 'Wizard Saint' isn't just for show!" Chapati declared as the bald man bowed.

"I knew he was strong, but over 8000?" Makarov mumbled. "He might be on the same level as Gildarts."

"And last but not least, we have Cana Alberona from Fairy Tail Team B!" The announcer declared.

Cana walked forward, throwing her empty bottle behind her before taking off her top. "Time for the grand finale!" She declared, the tattoo on her arm glowing.

"F-first master... you didn't..." Makarov asked, turning to the ghost.

"I leant it to her for this special occasion." The blonde declared. "Now she's sure to win! Using that spell is not easy. She's come a long way since Tenrou island."

Cana thrusted her arm to the sky as she started glowing. "Gather, a river of light guided by fairies!" A ring of light started swirling around her arm as she pointed it at the device. "Shine bright, so I might vanquish the fangs of the wicked! Fairy Glitter!" The light shot forward and obliterated the arena and the MPF, earning a score of 9999.

"And with that amazing blow, Fairy Tail takes both first and second place!" Chapati shouted as the crowd cheered. "Is there anyone who can stop them now?!"

"Boss, here's today's line up." Nulpudding said, handing the armored man a piece of paper.

"The match makers have done us a favor." The armored man said. "It's time for our true goal to be revealed."

The dirt ring was cleared of the competitors as Chapati rattled off the scores. "We'll just see how the battle portion of today's Games will shake things up. First up, Mermaid Heels Millianna will be taking on Quattro Puppys Seamus." The gong rang out and Millianna threw her cloak to the side.

The Quattro member started spinning like a top and she jumped around him before getting hit from behind. She tried to hit him with a spell, only for it to blast off and for her to get hit again. The girl stood up and launched a restraint tube that wrapped around the legs. Dispute getting dragged around, Millianna still managed to pull off a victory.

The crowd cheered and the cat girl waved back with a smile on her face. "Millianna really has improved." Erza said with a smile.

"When she gets someone in those tubes, she's way more powerful than that device makes you think." Lucy added.

"Yeah, she even gave me trouble back in the day." Natsu confessed, thinking back to the tower.

"The next battle of the day will be Sabertooth's Rufus Lore versus Blue Pegasus' Eve Tearm!" Chapati declared as the crowd cheered.

The gong rang out and Eve struck first. "Snow Magic: White Fang!" A flurry of snow shot forward and hit only an after image of the masked mage. Instantly from behind, a blast of magic hit the playboy and he fell over and crumbled to snow. Eve charged from behind and tried to punch the other blonde.

The fist mist and instantly a burst of magma erupted from the ground. "Memory-Make: Karma of the Scorching Earth!" The pulse hit the snow mage and blasted him into the sky. Eve hit the ground, his clothing burnt and his skin singed. The bell rang out and Rufus merely turned and walked back to his guild.

"And that's the match! Eve put up a good fight, but his attacks never hit Rufus!" Chapati declared. "The winner is Rufus of Sabertooth! He's as tough as we thought!"

Gray stared at the standing man and glared down with intensity. 'It's my job to take this guy now...'

"Okay, let's get ready for the third match of the day!" Mato declared as the medical team carried Eve off the field. "From Fairy Tail B, Laxus Dreyer! He'll be taking on the man in the metal mask, Alexei! Let's hope things go better for Fairy Tail this time around."

"Lahar, did you happen to bring any if your men with you?" The chef discreetly asked.

"Yes sir, a few. As per regulations." Lahar replied.

"I want you to keep a close eye on this match." Yajima ordered. "If you see anything suspicious, tell me and i'll have them stop the match."

"Warren..." Makarov spoke up, making the telepath stand at attention.

"Bisca says no activity from Master Ivan, and the Thunder Legion and Lisanna say the same thing for the other members." Warren said.

"Ivan..." The master growled as he stared at the opponent. "My children and I won't put up with anymore of your schemes."

The gong rang out and instantly, the armored man launched forward. He punched Laxus back and the coat flew off before the blonde was kicked in the face. A blast of dark magic shot out of the armored palms and hit Laxus, blasting him back. Blow after blow landed on Laxus before an uppercut sent Laxus to the ground.

Everything turned purple as Laxus looked to his own visage. "Care to explain what's going on?" He asked as his clone stood back up.

"A type of illusion magic." Alexei replied. "It's the only way we could have a private conversation in this crowded arena. No one can see or hear us, even though we're right in front of them. But it doesn't have to be this way; cooperate and I can change how this fight ends. You will be the victor without ever having to lay a hand on me."

"And why would you do all this for me?" Laxus asked.

"Because victory in this match is not our goal." The armored man replied. "I can have you win the match depending on how our negotiations go."

"No way I'm falling for this." Laxus declared as he dropped his cloak. "I don't care about your stupid illusion, but I can't wait for to get my hands on the real you."

"That's not going to happen." Sand whipped up from behind the golden clad man before the other members of the team appeared.

"Your powers are impressive, but they are no match for all of Raven Tail." Alexei declared as he reached up to his mask. "And there is one more thing to consider... I'm sure your know just how powerful I am, aren't you my boy?"

"Of course you'd be here, my deadbeat dad." Laxus said, glaring at the older man.

"Makarov would rather die than reveal the secret, but you are a different breed." The father said. "Surely I can count on my own son to tell me the truth. Tell me where to find the Lumen Histoire."

"Sorry, never heard of it." Laxus replied. "And honestly, even if I did know what you were talking about, I wouldn't tell you."

"I'm warning you; if you turn down these terms, your illusion won't be the only one to suffer a humiliating defeat." His father warned as the guild glared at the blonde.

Lightning bounced off the blonde as he stood stalwart. "Ypu can't scare me, old man. It's no wonder the old man gave up on you. Now come on, I'll take you all on at once."

"I think it's time your father taught you a lesson." Ivan chuckled. "This guild was specifically created to counter-act all of your pathetic guilds powers. And the five you see beside me are the most elite. Taking us all on would be akin to suicide. We spent years learning the best way to bring you to your knees."

"...The old geezers been doing his homework too." Laxus declared, shocking the six. "Everything from Raven Tail's location and rankings to funds and operations over the past seven years. He knows it all, and the stubborn old fool has been holding back when he shouldn't. After everything you've done to him, the old man still thinks of you as his son."

"Silence!" Ivan waved his hand and a flurry of paper dolls flew forward, finally putting a scratch on the real Laxus. "Every waking moment, I have lived in the shadow of Makarov's name! I have been preparing for this day for years, all so I can get my hands on the Lumen Histoire! I searched all of Magnolia, even Tenrou Island, and found nothing! So tell me where it is!"

The dolls swarmed together and formed a giant orb before it was thrown into his son, sending him sliding back. "Obra! Drain his magic! Show this ungrateful wretch the power of our hatred!" The blue skinned man raised his arms to the sky, only for Laxus to suddenly shoot forward.

"Next time you wanna mess with a little girl, make sure I don't hear about it!" He slammed his boot into the creatures face, sending him to the ground. Flare and Nulpudding jumped forward to attack, only for Laxus to avoid all of their attacks. "Gray sends his regards!" With one blinding punch, Laxus dealt with the imp as Flare wrapped her hair around the arm.

"You're mine now!" Kuro shouted, charging with the sword.

"You two don't belong here!" Laxus caught the blade and shattered it, before throwing him into Flare and blasting both with lightning. Sand whipped up around him and the Copy Mage appeared. "You are one creepy dude." Laxus declared before slamming his fist down, sending lightning down on him.

"N-no... it's not possible..." Ivan mumbled in shock. "My elite squad..."

"Listen up, deadbeat." Laxus declared. "I don't care what you want, but all you're gonna get is pain! And you..." He charged through the swarm of dolls and stopped inches from his father, electricity sparking off his fist. "Are no longer my family!" He punched his father hard and sent him flying out of the illusion.

The entire arena fell silent in shock as they studied the field and the guild members in the stands were revealed to be illusions. "This means the whole time, Ivan Dreyer was participating in the games!?" Chapati asked.

"That's a blatant violation of the rules, even if they hadn't tried to ambush Laxus in a one-on-one fight." Yajima added as the guards picked up the defeated members.

One picked up Flare and shook her around, stepping on her hair. "Get your hands off her!" Kuro shouted as he pulled against the guards.

"Well, in the midst of all that, Laxus has earned ten points for Fairy Tail Team B!" Chapati declared, making the crowd cheer as Raven Tail was dragged out of the arena.

"Well, I think we should brighten things up after that with our final fight for the day!" Mato told the crowd. "Our final match will be Wendy Marvell from Fairy Tail A going up against Chelia Blendy from Lamia Scale!" The crowd cheered in excitement as the two girls raced onto the field, only to trip and fall over.

With Crime Sorcière

All four gasped in shock and stared at the arena. "We've struck gold!" Meredy shouted.

"It's him..." Ultear mumbled before turning to the younger man. "Suishou!"

"On it!" The Crystal Mage placed his hands on the ground and his eyes started glowing.

Domus Flau

The two girls stared at each other as the gong rang out, starting the fight. "Arms! Verneir!" Wendy shouted as her body started glowing. Chelia blinked in surprise before Wendy charged forward, wind gathering around her. "Sky Dragon Wing Attack!"

The wind whipped forward and slashed the ground, only for Chelia to dodge each strike. She jumped up and pulled her arm back, black wind gathering around the palm. "Sky God Boreas!" The black wind shot forward and hit Wendy, sending her tumbling back as Natsu and Orga stared in shock.

"Another God Slayer!?" Natsu asked in shock.

Wendy rolled out of the way and charged forward, only for Chelia to appear beside her. "Sky God's Dance!" Black wind spiraled upwards and launched Wendy to the sky. "Not done yet!" The pinkette declared before she jumped after Wendy.

Wendy spun in the air before raising her foot as best she could. "Sky Dragon Talon!" She delivered an axe kick and sent Chelia falling to the ground. Both landed carefully on the dirt and stood up before Wendy pulled her head back. "Sky Dragon-"

Chelia pulled her head back and her checks puffed as well. "Sky God-"

"Roar/Bellow!" The two breath attacks hit and created an explosive torrent of wind, blasting snacks and hats away from patrons. The breeze died out and the two girls were standing, only Wendy having any kind of damage to her.

"I heard from Lyon that there was a wizard in Fairy Tail that used magic similar to mine." Chelia said before looking at the other girls arm. "Maybe I overdid it..."

"I'm fine." Wendy declared. "It is a battle after all."

"In that case..." Chelia smiled and gathered wind around her arms. "Let's have a lot of fun." Another blast of wind hit Wendy and sent her back. The little came to a stop and opened her mouth, air rushing into her open jaw. Chelia panicked and did the same thing, but Wendy was faster.

"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Shattering Light!" Wind whipped around and surrounded the two, confusing the God Slayer. Wendy waved her arms and pushed one forward, blasting a beam of light at her. Chelia was hit and blasted through the wind wall, sending her tumbling along the ground.

Mato quickly rushed over and checked on the pinkette. "Chelia is down!" The mascot declared, making the crowd cheer and Wendy smile.

"Sorry! Wait just a minute!" Wendy's eyes went wide eyed as Chelia stood up glowing, her wounds fading away.

"With Sky God Slayer Magic, she can do the one thing Wendy can't do, self-healing." Lyon smirked as he shared a glance at Gray. "Wendy cannot win this?"

Mest stared at the fight, worryingly concerned about how Wendy was doing when he looked to the side. "What the?" He tilted his head in confusion at a small, purple crystal rat perched at the ledge as if watching the battle.

Well, Raven Tail is done. And yes, I made myself a God Slayer. Seriously, why the hell are they're only three in the whole series? And at the end, there's only one. And not even a fun one either. But I'm ranting so I should probably stop myself. Anyway, see you all next time.

Beta read by General Feng Xiang.