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

Enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY: KAGURA VS. YUKINO

"Your lives...? Hey..." Natsu trailed off.

"This is getting vicious." Gray commented.

"Even though that's not something you bet on..." Lucy muttered.

"So if one of them loses, the winner has to kill the loser?" Hana asked.

"I sure hope that's not what it is. But knowing Sabertooth, I wouldn't put it past them." Akame replied.

"That's our Yukino-kun! That's why she's part of Sabertooth!" Lector informed.

"Good luck, Yukino!" Frosch cheered.

"This is getting interesting." Sting commented.

"Does that Yukino chick have all her marbles?"

"Kagura-san..." Beth mumbled.

"Even though her opponent is Kagura, the strongest wizard of Mermaid Heel, it seems she's got confidence to spare." Risley said.

"If you are sincerely prepared to do this, then accepting it is the proper thing to do." Kagura claimed with her eyes shut before she opened them back up. "Fine. Come and get me."

"Seriously?!"

"They bet their lives, so whoever loses dies, right?!"

"Can they do that?!"

"Well, things have taken a serious turn. Just what's going on here?!" Chapati questioned.

Jason stood up from his seat. "This is not cool!" He exclaimed.

Yukino began pulling out a gold gate key. "It's bad luck to be standing before a member of Sabertooth." She stated.

"Hana, is that..." Julian started to say.

"That girl is a Celestial Spirit Wizard?!" Hana exclaimed.

The gate key soon began to glow. "Huh... A golden key. One of those 12 Zodiac Gate things?" Kagura asked.

"Gate of the Fish, I open thee." Yukino began.

"Gate of the Fish! I like the sound of that!" Happy said.

"What kind of Celestial Spirit is it?" Wendy asked.

"I don't know..." Lucy answered with honesty. "I don't think it was in the Celestial Spirit World when we visited."

"Going by the usual pattern, it's probably something like this." Erza said as a half-fish, half-man appeared.

"That's kind of unsettling..." Wendy mumbled.

"But there are ones like the Gemini twins too, so my guess is that it'll be like this." Gray stated as two pairs of people in fish costumes appeared.

"I have a feeling you've hit the mark..." Lucy said.

"Happy will be so pleased!" Natsu exclaimed as a random thing appeared next to him.

"That's not even a fish..." Wendy informed.

"Wendy, don't waste your time contradicting that guy. His stupidity will rub off." Gray stated.

"Pisces!" Yukino shouted, holding the gate key above her head and a light green Magic Circle appeared. A door chime was heard as two large fish appeared in the arena.

"They are fish!" Happy waved his arms in excitement.

Pisces headed straight for Kagura in which she easily dodged out of the way. Beth closed her eyes.

"Don't worry!"

"Take a good look. See?" Risley added.

Kagura continued dodging Pisces attacks. "Wow!" Natsu exclaimed.

"She's dodging their attacks with just the slightest movements." Gray pointed out.

"There are all kinds, huh?" Wendy asked.

"Pisces..." Lucy muttered.

Kagura lands on the ground before jumping up again and running on Pisces. "Huh. She's not bad." Sting said.

"What? She's no great shakes. All she's doing is dodging." Lector stated.

"Fro thinks so, too." Frosch agreed.

"Just wait and see. It's not wise to underestimate Mermaid Heel's strongest wizard." Risley said.

"Whoa! She's deftly dodging Pisces' fierce attacks!" Chapati exclaimed.

"Impressive." Yajima commented.

"Cool!" Jason shouted.

"Why is she escaping the fish? All she has to do is eat it..." Happy said. "What a waste."

Yukino held another gold key in her hand. "If you're so good at dodging, then all I need to do is ground you." She said.

"Two gates open at the same time?!" Hana questioned in shock.

"Glittering gold!" Frosch exclaimed.

"That's right! That's one of the 12 Zodiac Gates, too!" Lector shouted.

"Gate of the Scales, I open thee." Yukino swipes the gold key in front of her as another door chime was heard. "Libra!"

The men in the audience had heart eyes at the celestial spirit's appearance. "A-Another stunningly beautiful Celestial Spirit!" Chapati shouted with hearts in his eyes.

"She's a sight for sore eyes!" Yajima said.

"Gate of the Scales! Cool!" Jason exclaimed.

"Libra, alter the target's gravity." Yukino ordered.

"As you wish!" Libra said as Kagura was grounded and Pisces surrounded her.

"That's gravity manipulation!" Beth exclaimed.

"That Libra character can use the same magic as me?!" Risley questioned.

"So she made Kagura heavier?" Arana asked.

"Pisces..." Yukino said as the two fish headed for Kagura, who was seen in the air.

"She blew off Libra's gravity power?!" Lector exclaimed in shock.

"How?" Frosch asked.

"That girl's awesome!" Akame exclaimed.

"Her jumping ability is remarkable." Zack complimented.

"No, that's..." Ezekiel trailed off.

"Libra... Make the target's gravity go sideways." Yukino said.

"As you wish." Libra responded as Kagura was slammed into one of the statues.

"Ouch! She was only able to escape the Celestial Spirit's gravity altering for a short time! Kagura is pinned to the statue! What a pinch!" Chapati announced.

"Gravity is cool!" Jason exclaimed.

"Pisces!" Yukino said as Pisces flew into the air.

"This is what I'm talkin' about! The highlight of two gates open at once!" Lector cheered, waving his arms rapidly.

"Highlight!" Frosch repeated.

"I guess it's all over... Or I wish it would be..." Sting said.

Pisces charged at Kagura, however, Pisces stopped in mid-air before dropping to the ground. "The fish stopped!" Akame exclaimed.

"What the...?" Julian questioned. "Is she out of magic?"

"That's not it. Take a look." Ezekiel replied, pointing down into the arena, causing his teammates to look down to find that Libra was being pinned to the ground by gravity, as well as Pisces.

"I can't move!" Libra informed.

"I see..." Yukino said.

"Don't tell me she can use gravity magic too?!" Lector exclaimed.

"How?" Frosch questioned.

"Kagura's the one who taught me gravity-altering magic. Better not underestimate Kagura-chan!" Risley declared.

"That's right!"

"That's our..."

"...Kagura-san!"

"Now, finish 'em all at once!"

Kagura flew down from the statue. "Oh, my! Kagura is undaunted by two Celestial Spirits! This is amazing, isn't it, Yajima-san?" Chapati asked.

"Experience and grit... She certainly does have fortitude." Yajima responded.

"I'm so excited about getting to see a showdown like this right before my eyes! Cool! Cool!" Jason exclaimed.

Pisces was on top of Libra. "Heavy..." Libra muttered.

"Pisces, Libra, go back." Yukino ordered as the two Celestial Spirits went back to the Celestial Spirit world.

Kagura soon landed on the ground as her and Yukino stared at one another. "Yeesh. This is gettin' monotonous." Orga commented with his arms crossed.

"Yukino..." Frosch mumbled.

"She's fine! The fight is just startin'! Right, Sting-kun?!" Lector asked.

"That's right. Yukino's gonna bring out her real power now." Sting answered.

"You're going to make me open... the 13th Gate?" Yukino questioned as Kagura was shocked by this.

"The 13th Gate?!" Hana repeated in surprise. "Is that what she just said?!"

"What's wrong, Hana?" Julian asked.

"There are 12 Zodiac Gates and hence 12 keys... But I've read somewhere about there being a 13th key... and an unknown Celestial Spirit that's superior to the other 12!" Hana explained.

Yukino pulled out a gold key that had a black swirl wrapped around it. "Opening the 13th Gate... That means you're out of luck." She said as the key started to glow a dark purple and it turned dark.

"Luck, huh? I haven't relied on luck since the moment I was born." Kagura claimed before rushing forward. "Everything has come about through choices that I've made!"

"Gate of the Snake Bearer, I open thee!" Yukino shouted.

"That's what's leading me to the future!" Kagura said.

Yukino held the key up into the air. "Ophiuchus!" She called out. A dark purple Magic Circle appeared above her and the sound of a door chimed once more. A large snake soon appeared in the arena, leaving the audience in shock.

"What is this?! I didn't know a Celestial Spirit like this existed!" Happy exclaimed.

"It's humongous!" Akame shouted.

"Serpent Bearer?! The thing itself is a serpent!" Zack added.

"So this is Ophiuchus..." Hana muttered.

Ophiuchus headed towards Kagura, who clenched her sword. "Blade of Resentment, Achenemy." Kagura said, making both Erza and Ezekiel widen their eyes. "Style of the Unsheathed Sword."

Kagura easily defeated Ophiuchus as the sky went back to normal. "Is she for real?!" Sting exclaimed in shock.

"Unsheathed..." Erza mumbled.

"She defeated that thing without unsheathing her sword?!" Ezekiel finished in shock.

"You really wouldn't want Kagura-chan to unsheathe her sword."

Kagura was soon in front of Yukino. "I don't believe it!" Yukino said.

"You made a cheap bet." Kagura claimed as Sabertooth stared in shock. Yukino was on the ground, defeated. "Sometimes, mermaids eat tigers."

Everyone continued to stare in shock as it fell silent in the arena. "T-T-The match is over! The winner is Kagura Mikazuchi of Mermaid Heel!" Chapati announced as the audience cheered.

"I knew Kagura-chan could do it!"

"Yeah!" Beth cheered.

"Told you not to underestimate Kagura!" Risley claimed.

"That Celestial Spirit Wizard is powerful in her own right, but Kagura is just too tough." Arana commented.

"It's unbelievable, but Sabertooth got zero points on the second day!" Chapati said.

"This is getting interesting." Yajima commented.

"Cool! Kagura-chan is cool!" Jason exclaimed.

"Was the Saber woman weak? Or was the Mermaid woman strong?" Julian questioned.

"The latter..." Ezekiel responded. "I didn't know somebody like her existed... But it seems I was wrong."

"I-I lost... Sabertooth lost..." Yukino sobbed.

"Yukino..." Frosch muttered. Sting clenched his fist in anger, breaking part of the railing.

"Sting-kun..." Lector said.

"Your life... Your life belongs to me. Understand?" Kagura asked.

"Yes. As you say..." Yukino replied.

"And thus ends the second day of the Grand Magic Games! Raven Tail gained ten points today, giving them first place with 36 points! Sabertooth gained zero points today, but their 20 points from yesterday keeps them in second place! Likewise, Lamia Scale is tied in second with 20 points!" Chapati announced.

"And Mermaid Heel is moving up. They gained ten points, putting them in fourth place with 19 points."

"In fifth place, one rank down, is Blue Pegasus with 17 points! Cool!"

"And in sixth place, one rank down them, Quatro Puppy!"

"S-Seriously?! Um... Our guild name has become Quatro Puppy..."

"Can't help it. A promise was made between two men." Bacchus said. "Alright! I'm gonna drink again tonight! Wild..."

"...Four..."

"And getting ten points each, but still tied in last place, are Twilight Phoenix A Team, and Twilight Phoenix B Team, both with 12 points! Tied with them are both of the Fairy Tail teams!" Chapati continued. "What kind of battles are in store for us tomorrow, the third day of the tournament?!"

Later that night...

"You don't sense the magic power?" Erza asked. Her and Ezekiel were currently meeting up with Jellal.

"Right. The power that was similar to Zeref's, that we felt every year... I haven't sensed it this time, not yet." Jellal replied.

"That's very unsettling..." Ezekiel commented.

"What does it mean?" Erza questioned.

"I can think of many possibilities. If it came from a person, maybe they're not in Crocus this time. Or maybe they're in Crocus, but not using the power." Jellal answered.

"It's also possible that they're a contestant in the Games, but haven't participated yet." Ezekiel pointed out.

"If that magic is from some kind of device or a set location, perhaps the device isn't in operation, or there's some sort of filter that keeps the magic from leaking outside." Jellal added.

"At any rate, as long as you don't sense that dangerous power, nothing should happen." Erza said.

"I hope you're right. Maybe I'll check out the organizers from tomorrow." Jellal stated.

"Don't do anything to stand out." Ezekiel warned.

"I know. Ultear already reminded me." Jellal said, walking away as both Erza and Ezekiel gave a slight smile.

"And try not to get yourself killed." Erza said.

"Or arrested." Ezekiel added.

"Got it. Good night, Erza, Zeke." Jellal wished them goodnight before putting back on his disguise.

"I'll walk you back." Ezekiel offered, making his sister nod.

The two of them began walking side by side. "It's gotten late. Is the dinner party over already?" Erza asked herself.

"Fairy Tail's having a dinner party and you didn't think to invite me? I would've loved to meet your other guild mates. The only ones I really met were Gray, Elfman, and Lucy." Ezekiel claimed, causing Erza to chuckle.

"I found you at last!"

"Who are you?!" Erza questioned the hooded figure while Ezekiel just smiled, knowing who it was.

"Feelin' spiffy?!"

Erza widened her eyes. "You..." She trailed off as the person took off her hood, revealing Millianna.

"Er-chan, long time no see!" She greeted. "Ezekiel-kun, nice to see you again!"

"Millianna!" Erza exclaimed as Millianna jumped into her arms and Erza caught her.

"I missed you!" Millianna said as Erza spun her around.

"Millianna! You're in a guild?" Erza asked.

"Yep. Mermaid Heel." Millianna replied.

"Are Sho and Wally in the same guild?" Erza questioned, making Ezekiel chuckle.

"Nee-chan, Mermaid Heel is a woman-only guild." He replied.

"Ezekiel-kun is right." Millianna confirmed.

"I see."

"Those two are still traveling. I hear from them once in a while." Millianna said.

"I see. It really is great to see you, Millianna." Erza stated, hugging her.

"Me too, Er-chan." Millianna agreed.

"I'm so happy to see you doing well."

"Er-chan, don't cry!"

"What about you?!"

Ezekiel chuckled, smiling at Erza and Millianna's reunion.

At a random bar...

Akame slammed an empty mug on the table. "Alright, another round!" He exclaimed, making his guild mates groan. "Come on, you lousy wimps! I can do this forever! Dusk, how about you?"

"I'm going to have the worst hangover tomorrow." Dusk groaned, rubbing his head. "If I have to participate, I'm blaming you if I lose, Akame."

"Zeke hasn't returned yet." Zack pointed out.

"Now that you mention it, he is late..." Atlas agreed.

"He mentioned he had something to do." Julian informed, looking at Hana. "What's wrong?"

Hana snapped out of her daze. "Huh? Sorry... I was thinking about Saber's Celestial Spirit Wizard..." She replied.

"Yukino I think her name was, right?" Ajar questioned.

"That was amazing. She had the other two of the 12 Zodiac Gate keys and the 13th one. Even though she lost..." Julian trailed off.

"They said they bet their lives, so I was wondering what's gonna happen now..." Hana confessed.

"True, it is worrisome..." Atugia agreed.

"Even though we're in no position to be worried about other people..." Zack muttered.

"What? We've still got three days left!" Akame informed.

"You're right. First we need to focus on winning and do our best!" Hana said.

Sabertooth's inn...

This is Crocus Garden, the inn where Sabertooth is staying.

All of Sabertooth's members were standing in front of Jiemma with their hands behind their backs. "It's so pitiful that I can't even cry, you scum. Remember why we're the top wizard guild. Don't look at the insects around you. Don't talk to them. Just crush them. Our eyes are on something far greater. Making the heavens roar. Setting the land aflame. Silencing the seas. That's Sabertooth." Jiemma spoke.

This man is Sabertooth's master, Jiemma.

"Sting..."

"Yes?" Sting walked forward.

"I'll give you just one more chance. Don't you ever make such a pathetic scene again." Jiemma told him.

Sting nodded. "Thank you. I swear that I'll measure up to your expectations." He promised.

"Yukino..." Jiemma called her next.

"Yes." Yukino said as Sting walked back in line while Yukino walked forward.

"You have no excuse. You do know that?" Jiemma asked her, holding a vine of grapes.

"Yes." Yukino bowed her head before continuing, "I lost to the member of another guild. I brought shame to Sabertooth."

Jiemma through the vine of grapes at her head in anger, letting the purple juice cover her light blue hair. "That's not what I'm talking about! You wagered your life and lost, and not only that, the enemy took pity on you! On Sabertooth!" Jiemma said.

"Yes. I will submit to any punishment." Yukino stated.

"Then throw away everything." Jiemma ordered.

Yukino bowed. "Yes. I will do exactly as you say." She said.

And so ended the second day of the Grand Magic Games. Somehow, Twilight Phoenix emerged as a contender, even while staying in last place, but on the underside of the spectacular festival, something most of them never dreamed of was slowly set into motion.

A/N: Another chapter is completed!

Thanks for reading!

~ Kaleb.