A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter!

Enjoy!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: DAY 2, CHARIOT

In a random bar in Crocus...

The Black Sun guild members and representatives were gathered in a bar. "We should be happy. At least we got one win, thanks to Maxim." Kross commented.

"I'm slowly realizing that the Games will be a lot tougher this year. Is it just me who noticed Sabertooth has gotten a lot stronger since last year's Games?" Kida pointed out as the ones who participated last year hummed in agreement.

"Not to mention Fairy Tail's core members have returned. No doubt they're competing to be the strongest again." Zane stated.

"It's only day one. We still have a long ways to go." Sebastian informed.

"Seb's right." Orion agreed. "Let's kick everyone's asses and show them the strength of Black Sun."

"Yeah!"

"And now, what you've all been waiting for, the second day of the Grand Magic Games has begun!" Chapati announced the next day. "Our guest on this second day is reowned reporter for the Weekly Sorcerer, Jason-san!"

"Cool!" Jason exclaimed.

"Okay, the competition part has already begun! And its name is... Chariot!"

"This competition takes place on top of a line of vehicles, with the idea of being able to reach the goal without falling off! As the vehicles are always moving, just one moment of carelessness could lead to a misstep! The vehicles will wend their way around the sightseeing spots of Crocus, but which team will arrive at Domus Flau?! Everyone in the stadium, you can watch the race here on Lacrima Vision!" Chapati finished.

"Cool!" Jason shouted.

"At any rate, Yajima-san, who could have predicted this turn of events?!" Chapati asked as Yajima only hummed.

"Why did Natsu sign up for this?!" Gray questioned.

"You'd think he would've been able to tell what kind of event it was from the name, "Chariot"!" Lucy replied.

"Once he made up his mind to do it, he doesn't listen." Erza claimed.

"He probably thought he'd been fighting the chariots themselves..." Elfman commented.

"Oh, my! Way in the rear is a groggy-looking Natsu from Fairy Tail A!" Chapati said.

"This isn't gonna work..." Jet mumbled.

"And that's not all! Right in front of him is Gajeel from Fairy Tail B and even Sting from Sabertooth, all moving like molasses!" Chapati stated.

"W-What's wrong with me?!" Gajeel asked himself.

"What's going on here, Yajima-san?" Chapati questioned.

"I suppose the three of them have something in common." Yajima responded.

"Motion sickness... That's the Salamander's thing..." Gajeel groaned.

"What's going on?! Why is Gajeel like that?!" Lily asked.

"Don't swipe Natsu's character!" Happy cried out.

"And a member of Saber, too..." Levy added as Sting looked sick to his stomach.

"This doesn't look good... I never thought the invincible Sting-kun's one weakness would be revealed..." Lector said with his arms crossed.

"Fro thinks so, too!" Frosch agreed.

"At least we were smart enough to choose Daegon. Otherwise, Seb would've been in the same boat." Orion commented. Aster snickered while Sebastian just sent a glare towards his best friend.

"Do you know you get funnier everyday?" Sebastian said in a sarcastic tone, rolling his eyes. "Besides, Daegon only went because Team B had chosen Kross."

"Alright! Let's check in with the leaders of the pack! It's a fierce dead heat at the front! In the lead is Blacksnake of Raven Tail! Ichiya of Blue Pegasus is on his heels, followed by Yuka of Lamia Scale, Risley from Mermaid Heel, Daegon from Black Sun A, and Kross from Black Sun B!" Chapati announced.

"Men!" Ichiya commented.

"I'm surprised you can keep up with that body type!" Yuka said to Risley.

"Never underestimate a chubby girl!" Risley claimed.

"Some distance between them is Bacchus from the reserve squad of Quatro Cerberus!" Chapati said.

"I'm pooped... Haven't thrown off the effects of last night's booze yet..." Bacchus stated.

"Wave Boost!" Yuka uses his wave boost to go faster. "You can't use magic while you're in my shockwave!"

"Never underestimate a chubby girl!" Risley repeated, moving to the side of the chariot.

"There it is! Risley's gravity-altering! She avoided the surge by running to the side of the vehicle!" Chapati exclaimed. Ichiya puts perfume bottles in his nose as he passes Yuka.

"I suppose it's my time to show off as well. Chimerism Magic: Railgun!" Daegon shouted, his arm transforming into a deadly cannon before firing at Yuka and Ichiya, who dodged.

"I think it's time to tone down that overgrown ego of yours, Daegon." Kross spoke. "Infinity Blade Magic: Steampunk Edge!"

Kross summoned an impractically large and heavy greatsword that spun with copper gears and hissed out steam. He swung it around, striking Daegon, Yuka, and Ichiya, catching Erza, Kagura, and Lily's attention.

"W-What is that magic?" Erza wondered while Kagura stayed silent.

"Another swordsman, huh?" Lily questioned.

"Everybody's trying their best... My soul is quivering... Maybe I'll try a little harder, too!" Bacchus stomps on the chariot with his foot, causing Ichiya, Yuka, Risley, Daegon, and Kross to fly in the air.

"W-What's this?! Bacchus used his power to destroy the vehicles!" Chapati announced.

Bacchus rushed past Ichiya, Yuka, Risley, Daegon, and Kross. "See you later! If you fall, you're out!" He called out.

"What is that?!" Ichiya asked.

"That's playing dirty..." Yuka mumbled.

"He's underestimating a chubby girl..." Risley said as her appearance changed.

"You're not chubby!" Chapati exclaimed.

"Gravity altering is cool!" Jason shouted.

Bacchus eventually sped past Blacksnake and got first place. Blacksnake got second followed by Risley, Yuka, Ichiya, Daegon, and Kross. "All that's left are these three, battling it out at the bottom ranks!" Chapati said as the screen showed the three Dragon Slayers.

Natsu tries not to hurl and Gajeel covers his mouth. "I-I don't believe this... I never had a problem with transportation before..." Gajeel muttered.

"Well... I've finally gotten used to it." Sting stated as Gajeel looked at him in confusion.

"Congratulations to the..." Sting paused as he almost hurled. "...real Dragon Slayer... Newbie..."

"Why, you...!" Gajeel exclaimed as the Dragon Slayers rammed into each other. "Can't muster any power..."

The audience starts laughing. "Natsu!" Jet shouted.

"Gajeel!" Droy added.

"Is this what he meant by making it fun?" Orga asked.

"He's not trying to be funny, right, Rogue?" Rufus questioned.

"Dragon Slayers get motion sick on vehicles... it seems..." Rogue replied. "I thought it was just Sting and me..."

Natsu tried to go forward. "Move... forward!" He exclaimed as him and Gajeel tried to push forward. Sting stayed behind the two.

"Lame... You're totally serious even though you can't draw any power..." He commented as the two continued going forward.

"Go ahead. I'll give this match to you. After this one, we're going to keep winning anyway. We're not gonna miss one or two points." Sting informed.

"Don't cry about that one point later, kid!" Gajeel claimed as him and Natsu continued onwards.

"Would you answer me one thing?" Natsu and Gajeel looked back at Sting. "Why did you decide to participate in the tournament? I wouldn't believe you were the same Fairy Tail from back in the day. Are you worried about the strength of your guild? About your public image? The Fairy Tail that I knew were more like... They did everything at their own pace... They didn't give a damn about what people thought of them."

"For... their friends..." Natsu replied, making Sting get taken aback. "Seven years... All that time... they were waitin' for us... No matter how painful it was... No matter how sad... Even if people made fun of 'em... they held on... They held on... They protected the guild... for their friends... And now we're gonna show everyone... the proof that Fairy Tail's been walking on all this time! So keep on goin'!"

"Natsu..." The Fairy Tail members had tears coming out of their eyes as Natsu kept on going until he crossed the finish line.

"Goal! Natsu of Fairy Tail A, 2 points for being in eighth place!" Chapati announced.

"I got our first points!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Gajeel of Fairy Tail B, 1 point for ninth place!" Chapati continued as Gajeel collapsed on the ground beside Natsu.

"They're tenacious, I'll give 'em that!"

"Yeah. Wow..."

"Who are those guys?"

"Fairy Tail, huh? I kinda liked that..."

"I'm a little touched..."

"I think I might cheer them on..."

The audience started to clap.

"Good going, Fairy Tail!"

"I'm gonna be rooting for you guys from now on!"

From the Fairy Tail stands, everyone was getting emotional and crying. "And Sabertooth's Sting gets 0 points for dropping out!" Chapati said.

"For their friends? What nonsense..." Sting muttered to himself.

"Alright, now Raven Tail is in first place!" Chapati announced.

"Cool!" Jason exclaimed.

"Sabertooth has dropped to second place!" Chapati informed.

"Sabertooth is in second?!" Lector questioned.

"I think it's Sting's fault..." Frosch replied.

"Okay, now onto the much-anticipated battle part! In the first match is Blacksnake of Raven Tail, a new guild that's currently the front runner, versus Lamia Scale's Toby Horhorta!" Chapati said as Toby howled.

"It's a confrontation between snake and dog! Which will win?!"

"I hope we see a fair fight." Yajima commented.

"Toby is way dog! Cool!" Jason exclaimed.

At the sound of the gong, the match soon started. "Super Paralysis Claw Mega Mega Jellyfish!" Toby tried to swipe at Blacksnake but he dodges. Blacksnake soon disappears.

"He disappeared!" Toby exclaimed.

"Fool! It's Mimic Magic!" Jura warned.

Blacksnake then attacks Toby. "Sand Rebellion!" Toby goes flying as sand attacks him. Then, Blacksnake appears again.

"That's my magic!" Max exclaimed.

"So he can mimic the properties of anyone's magic!" Laki stated.

"Mimic... That's unusual magic." Mavis commented.

"Do your best, dog-like person!" Romero cheered.

"Bust up Ivan's guild... dog-like person!" Makarov encouraged.

Toby howled. "You're strong." He said.

"You're tough, too." Blacksnake stated.

"Blacksnake's a cool name!" Toby said.

"It's not my real name..." Blacksnake told him.

"It's not your real name?!" Toby exclaimed in anger.

"That ticks you off?" Blacksnake questioned.

"You! If I win, you're tellin' me your real name!" Toby informed as he tried to attack Blacksnake with his claws, but Blacksnake dodged.

"That's fine, but what if I win?" Blacksnake asked.

"I'll tell you a secret about myself!" Toby replied.

"That sounds interesting." Blacksnake said.

"Apparently, they've made a weird bet." Chapati commented.

"I'm not interested in learning either one, though..." Yajima said.

"Cool!" Jason exclaimed.

"A bet? I like the sound of that..." Bacchus said to himself.

Toby keeps trying to attack Blacksnake, but Blacksnake keeps dodging his attacks. "Why, you! C'mere! Fangface!" Toby insulted.

Elfman grinned. "A Man!" He simply said.

A/N: Another chapter is completed!

Thanks for reading!

~ Kaleb.