Here is the thirteenth chapter of this story released when I wanted it to be in keeping with my self-imposed upload requirements for this series which I will actually clarify as a question about that has been raised so I may as well do that now. The preliminaries are over and this it is time for the Grand Magic Games to begin and for the teams that made it past the Sky Labyrinth to learn who they will be competing with over the course of the next 5 days of events and battles. That is all the administrative stuff I have for you but there was a guest review that asked when the next chapter would be out so I will answer that by giving a full clarification on how my upload schedule for this story, as well as two of my other active stories (Akame ga Clover and Black RWBY Academia) will work. Do keep the reviews coming as I enjoy hearing from those who enjoy my work.
As of right now, my upload schedule for this and two of my other stories it is weekly with a new chapter every week at 00:00 EST Thursday unless something comes up delaying it by a few hours though I do seek to have the chapter edited and ready to go before that time to upload then. This is the set time for all 4 of my active stories but only one, 'Miraculous Quirks' has it as a set schedule due to how long it currently is and the fact that it's been going for almost 18 months at this point. The other active stories I have (HRLG is on a hiatus as I figure out how to adapt the next volume) will hopefully be uploaded weekly however the condition is that I have the next chapter drafted before I upload the current one (that is to say that chapter 14 is currently drafted) so that I have progress. While I can manage this workload, I will do so but when a new story comes out in May that will supplant 'Miraculous Quirks' as my primary story due to it being the final installment in a series I began almost 3 years ago and currently has 189 chapters, almost 1.8 million words in the main storyline, two supplements and two spinoffs, this may change. When it does be it via the next story set to come out or just the real world reminding me that it exists my uploads will become more sporadic but will still be done as soon as I have the two chapters drafted requirement met. The support and enjoyment of my work has ensured that I am committed to this story but as time goes on things may get less frequent when they are out of my control. I hope that this clears up any confusion as to how my upload schedule will work.
Anyway, that is it for pre-chapter note so it is time to end it so that y'all can sit back and enjoy the thirteenth chapter in Black Bull Banishment.
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these two great animes.
Chapter 13: Let the Games Begin!
"At long last, after another year of waiting, the big day is finally here folks!" Chapati Lola, the announcer for the Grand Magic Games said as the packed Domus Flau Colosseum cheered, fireworks went off, balloons flew into the air, and cheerleaders performed in the center of the arena in front of a burning flame that would be removed before the first even started. "The Grand Magic Games are finally upon us and will begin shortly! After that exciting preliminary, for which we still don't know the results of as they're going to be revealed in reverse order of qualification in just a moment, I am sure that this will be a year for the history books!"
The crowd roared at that though in the wings Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, and Elfman just waited patiently in wings in their new purple outfits, which Natsu didn't approve of, for the games to begin as they got mentally ready for what was to come. As the 8th place finishers in the preliminary they would be the first team out, so they had to focus on it.
Things hadn't started well for them with Wendy and Carla's disappearance and then learning after qualifying that they'd been attacked and drained of magic, so they were naturally worried for her. Thankfully, there was an allowance for a reserve so Elfman joining hadn't been an issue for them and Wendy would now be their reserve so that if anything happened to one of them, she'd rejoin the team. Naturally, she was upset but she needed her rest to regain her magic, as did Carla, and they would make sure that their guildmates were avenged while also winning it for her and Fairy Tail in general.
That winning started now as they listened to the announcer open the games and the crowd cheering loudly in anticipation for them showing them just how excited Fiore got for the Grand Magic Games. It was time for Fairy Tail to return and remind Fiore that they were still the top Guild in the kingdom despite Sabertooth currently holding that spot.
They were ready for this even with all the people in attendance at the games. It sounded like the whole city and then some were present for them which made Lucy nervous about it, she voiced as much to the team, but like the rest she was still ready for them.
Naturally Natsu wasn't phased as he continued to complain about the color of their outfits that Makarov had chosen for them as he'd rather wear his usual attire for this. Erza disagreed as she found them adorable and was more than happy to wear it, as was Gray though seeing as he wasn't actually wearing it and just in his underwear his point was considered to be invalid.
Elfman was also in his underwear but at least he had an excuse, Gray's stripping habit was never an excuse, due to being the last-minute change which meant that there hadn't been a uniform for him but rather Wendy so all he had was a tiny, cute, dress designed for the smallest member of Fairy Tail who wasn't an exceed. That made Natsu laugh but they were still sober about it as Wendy and Carla were recovering with Porlyusica right now while a replacement uniform was made for Elfman and his considerable bulk. Still, the reminder of Wendy gave them pause for a moment.
They had to push past that though as Gray finally got dressed and Elfman's outfit was finished and he put it on his massive frame. They had to make their way to the assigned tunnel to the arena for the opening ceremony and did so but as they waited Natsu wondered if the monsters who attacked Wendy and Carla would be in the games.
There was a high probability that they were given that the attack had been on one of their members, and not just any one but the one who specialized in support and healing which rounded out the team, right before the games so it was clearly done for the games to weaken them though there could be more at play than just an attack on Wendy and Carla. They had no idea what that could be but the attack had felt personal to Fairy Tail so it could be more than just the games.
Still, they couldn't dwell on it, they had to focus and win the games as that was what Wendy and Carla would want so they focused on that as the commentators began their own introductions. Chapati would be the main guy who did the play by play commentary of the events while former Magic Council member turned restaurateur and chef and longtime friend of Makarov's, Yajima added commentary. They would be joined by a guest commentator each day with today's being Jenny Realite, the current top model in Fiore and a member of Blue Pegasus who Team Natsu were sure had made it into the games.
"Now, the time has come to meet the teams that have made it to the Grand Magic Games!" Chapati announced loudly as the intros for the commentators were over and the crowd cheering in anticipation of the long awaited reveal of the top 8 teams from the preliminary round. "Let's see who's made it to the games this year."
"Let's go." Natsu said seriously as he stepped forward in the middle of their row with Lucy and Erza on his left and Gray and Elfman on his right. "It's time to win this."
The others nodded as they walked forward to the light prepared to show the kingdom that Fairy Tail was back. That and learn who they'd be facing in the Grand Magic Games.
"First up, the 8th place team so the final qualifiers, it's an old school bunch of wizards known for the destruction from Magnolia who had luck in the preliminary and who might finally be ready to reclaim the mantle of Fiore's Top Guild that they lost 7 years ago." Chapati announced as they walked into the arena and Natsu raised his right fist into the air as they were introduced. "It's Fairy Tail!"
The reaction was not what Natsu was expecting because rather than cheers from the crowd there was a chorus of boos and jeers from the crowd that shocked him. True Natsu and the others on the team had been gone for 7 years and then again for 3 months other than Elfman but this was a bit much and really showed how far Fairy Tail had fallen because even when they were being destructive, they were still generally loved by the kingdom.
"What on earth?" Natsu asked as they looked around the crowd with a mix of surprise, anger and frustration. "This wasn't the reaction that I expected."
"Didn't see this coming." Gray admitted.
"I wanna go home." Lucy complained as the booing continued.
"Ignore it, use it and Wendy to motivate us to win it." Erza said seriously. "Let them jeer us, we'll be the ones to prove them wrong in the end."
"Who would have thought that they'd make it past the preliminary round after coming in dead last every year before this one, I don't think anyone expected them to be in the top 8." Chapati said. "Securing a spot out of the Sky Labyrinth was no small task for any team. Will this team of Fairy Tail members who were stuck on Tenrou Island for 7 long years help them become Fiore's best Guild again?"
"Well, I'm proud of them." Yajima said with a smile and a thumbs up showing his long standing support for Fairy Tail. "Way to go in getting here, show them what you're made of Fairy Tail."
"Hooray, hooray!" Came a voice from the box reserved for members of Fairy Tail and they turned to see Master Makarov standing on the edge cheering loudly for them while waving a Fairy Tail flag above his head as the others cheered behind him though notably a few members were missing it seemed.
"The cheers of our guildmates are all we need, they are our family so we can't let them down." Erza said with a smile.
"Yes." Lucy said motivated again to do her best and bring victory to Fairy Tail. "I'm sorry for having my doubts. We can't let the Guild down; we're doing this for them."
"Exactly." Erza said with a nod.
"Um guys, do you see what I see." Natsu said as he noticed something in the Fairy Tail section that shouldn't be there. "Because if not them I'm going crazy."
"What that Juvia isn't there for some reason, though you going crazy is normal Natsu." Gray said not seeing the blue haired girl who he knew was in Crocus after last night's awkward meal that Lyon joined them on, including his stupid bet that Juvia would join Lamia Scale if they won, not that it wouldn't be awkward regardless given her feelings for him, Lyon's for her, and his own undecided feelings on the matter. "Despite being in town."
"Nor is my older sister." Elfman added. "She's usually with the Guild for these things. Lisanna is there but not Mira."
"Neither is Laxus or Gajeel for that matter." Erza said confused especially because of who was next to Happy. "Which is really odd seeing as Lily is there."
"No, they're probably just sleeping or whatever." Natsu said dismissing the fact that 4 of the strongest members of Fairy Tail weren't present for some reason. "Look at the end."
"Huh." Lucy said and then she saw the small barefoot blonde girl in a pink dress at the end and gasped at the sight. "Oh…"
"What's she doing here?" Erza asked as she, Gray, and Elfman realized it as well and they all stared at their First Master. "Isn't she dead?"
"And on Tenrou Island." Lucy said as Natsu laughed. "Like I was surprised she had a spirit or ghost or whatever it is, but I thought that it was limited to Tenrou."
"Who cares, Master Mavis came to cheer for us, so we've got this in the bag." Natsu said with a grin not really caring why or how she was here. "We can't let down our First Master after all."
"Well, the ghost likes us at least." Gray said but before he could say anything Chapati began to announce the next team which got their attention as they turned to see who they would be beating in the upcoming games.
"Next up, the 7th place team from the preliminary round." Chapati said. "Give it up for the for the Guild filled to the brim with the fairer sex, the dancers of the great blue sea, it's Mermaid Heel!"
Natsu and his ream looked over to new Guild, one they'd heard very little about other than that they were sort of the flip side of Quatro Cerberus who they also expected to see in the games, to study their first confirmed opponents. The crowd cheered and swooned for them as did many male members of Fairy Tail but Natsu was just focused on the team itself.
The clear leader wasn't the girl in the center, that was a pale freckled girl with twin red braids in denim overalls with a clear country vibe to her waving to the crowd, but rather the tall, silent, calm, girl with midnight purple hair cut in a straight fringe wearing a double breasted white tunic with gold accents, white gloves to her mid forearms and gold cuffs, a white skirt and tights. Her whole vibe and composure marked her out as the strongest member of Mermaid Heel's team.
Next to her was a confident blonde woman in a skintight yellow bodysuit with a spiderweb design on it that smirked to the crowd as she walked out. The last two were a chubby black-haired girl in a blue belly dancer's outfit and a brunette carrying their flag wearing what amounted to black lingerie with of all things a cat's pawprint in the center of her bottoms right over her crotch while her face and most of her hair was hidden under a dark purple hooded cloak.
"In 6th place, with azure wings that glimmer as a light in the darkness…" Chapati continued not giving them a moment to really study their opponents but thankfully the next team was one that they knew well. "It's Blue Pegasus!"
This one got a big cheer from the crowd and plenty of support from Jenny in the commentator's booth, but she was their reserve after all. At least Natsu and the others knew this team well as they saw Ichiya pose on one knee with the three Trimens around him in the same pose as various women called out for their favorite Trimens. The only confusing one was the person in the full blue bunny suit doing the same pose that they had no clue who it was as they'd never seen that member of Blue Pegasus before.
"Next in a surprise 5th place in the preliminary round and current number 2 Guild in Fiore after being the runners up last year." Chapati said as colorful explosions went off and Natsu and his team once again recognized 4 of the 5 people who walked out though why one was wearing a sock around his neck they didn't know. "It's the goddess of strife, the sacred destroyer, Lamia Scale!"
"Huh I was expecting them to do better than 5th in the preliminary." Gray admitted as they all noted that the one who they didn't know was a young pink haired girl in a blue and pink dress with a white X and O on each breast that appeared to be around Wendy's age, maybe a few years older, with a surprisingly well developed body for her age that wouldn't help Wendy's insecurities as the Guild Master of Lamia Scale complained loudly at them only coming 5th. "With Lyon and Jura, I would have presumed that they'd come top 3 at least. Not that I mind, this will annoy Lyon which is good for me."
"Goes to show how good the others are I guess." Erza said just as confused as other that Sabertooth, the current number 1 Guild, she had no idea who could have bested Lamia Scale especially when they had a Wizard Saint like Jura on their team though the Sky Labyrinth wasn't the best venue for his primary magic. "Really shows that we need to be wary of the other 4 teams that made it past the preliminaries if all of them beat Lamia Scale."
"Well, I've never seen the pink haired girl before." Natsu mused as she tried to take the blame for their low placement and proceeded to fall flat on her face as she walked almost as if to prove her point. "She does look a little familiar though."
"She looks like a smaller version of that Sherry girl who's always going on about love." Gray said. "The others I expected, it's odd that Sherry not on the team though."
"Please try to avoid that." Lyon said to the girl as Fairy Tail discussed Lamia Scale's surprising finish. "It's not a good look."
"I'm sorry Lyon." The girl said from her knees apologetically as Lamia Scale came to a stop near Fairy Tail, their close relationship and healthy rivalry meaning that this would be some friendly banter if it happened. "You know I can be clumsy sometimes but I'm all good."
"This is Shelia, one of our newer members and Sherry's cousin." Yuka said gesturing to her having heard Gray and Natsu's musing so deciding to answer it. "She's actually stronger than Sherry hence why she's on the team and not Sherry."
"We're here to win that's why Jura, myself and Shelia are on the team this year." Lyon said as Natsu got the relation. "We may have had a slight stumble in the labyrinth but it's a clean slate now so we will win, and I'll win the fair Juvia from you Gray."
"I need a lot more love if I want to compete with Sherry though." Shelia said still on the ground. "I'm just glad for this opportunity to show that."
"Being love crazy must love in the family." Gray said though at least Shelia seemed to be more stable than Sherry was as he recalled how insane she'd been on the few occasions they'd crossed paths.
"Don't forget our agreement, Gray, our rivalry has a new level now that I've met Juvia, but it would be fitting that we have the same taste in women." Lyon said reminding him again as Gray had tried to deliberately avoid it but apparently, he couldn't. "So, if we win Juvia will become a member of Lamia Scale, remember that."
"We never agreed to that bet, you just got all forward and into it which is totally Juvia's style but not for you, not that I mind her getting a taste of her own medicine from time to time." Gray said with a grin, he wasn't going to let Lyon take a friend and guildmate from them. "Not that it matters because you lot will lose. I'd never let Juvia join Lamia Scale."
"If we're talking about taking fair maidens if we win then we'll take Erza if we win." Ichiya said coming up and into Erza's personal space sniffing as he did and causing her to shiver at his actions. "I'll take her as my one and only woman. She's the only woman who can tame me."
"You'll do no such thing troll." Erza said doing everything she could not to punch or kick him away as they were in the middle of the arena at the moment. "I'm never leaving Fairy Tail."
"Mhm you're parfum is like candy to my nostrils, a drug I can never get too much of." Ichiya said moving around Erza and sniffing her backside. "And an aphrodisiac without compare. All these years without you has only made it's return so much pleasurable."
"And I'll take you I guess but don't read too much into it cos it's not like I'm into you or anything." Ren said in a clearly disinterested tone to Lucy as he tried to put an arm around her waist while Erza again shivered at Ichiya's words. "So don't take it as such."
"Thank you Ren, good thing to know that some things stay the same like your aloof attempts to pick me up." Lucy said stepping away before he could touch her as she was not interested at all, she may never have had a boyfriend and she was still in a deep denial over who she liked but she was still able to ignore Ren without an issue. "You're still not my type."
"Then I'll take sweet Wendy." Eve said as he appeared before the final female he thought was present his eyes closed and proceeded to completely and spectacularly confuse Elfman for Wendy on a level that was as impressive as it was stupid. "Woah you really sprouted, no worries I'm into thick chicks as well."
"Er ok you need your eyes tested." Elfman said unsure what else to say to the small blond boy. "Because I'm not Wendy."
"Hey boss, if we lose can I be given to this Guild?" Hibaki asked as he pointed at the 5 members of Mermaid Heel who looked at him with a mix of confusion, disinterest, disgust, discomfort, and the kind of curiosity reserved for some strange vegetable that has sprouted and you don't know what to do with it. "They seem like the perfect Guild for me."
"Hey, I wanted to be given to them." Toby said getting in on it as well while Mermaid Heel continued to ignore the morons around them though two of them did have their eyes trained on Erza.
"Er, Erza, out of curiosity, where is Quatro Cerberus?" Lucy asked looking around for them while Elfman walked away from a still confused Eve and questioned the final member of Blue Pegasus who wasn't speaking while there seemed to be a deliberate pause to hype up the top four teams. "Shouldn't they have made it into the games? I get that they're annoying but it's not like they're a weak or mediocre Guild either."
"Yes, I too am confused as to why they're not here." Erza said noticing it for the first time while also not noticing the eyes on her. "I know that one of their best, Bacchus, an S-Class wizard for them who I've tangled with before and never really determined a winner between us, isn't present but I would have expected them to make it even without him on their team. I guess they are one of the top 4, a surprise but if they are and have Bacchus as their reserve then they're going to be really good this year."
"Huh well I…" Lucy began but she was cut off by Chapati's taking the mic again.
"Alright I'm sure you've had enough time to process the lower four teams so now to introduce our 4th place team…" Chapati said before he paused and looked at the name handed to him which got him really excited as it wasn't an expected one. "And this one is a shocker folks because they swooped in at the midnight hour to secure a spot in the Grand Magic Games. In fact, this dark and gloomy Guild are making their debut at this year's games. It's Raven Tail!"
"What?" Natsu asked as he looked over to where dark smoke and raven feathers were coming out to see a man in golden armor and helmet covering his face thus hiding his identity in a fur lined black cloak carrying their flag walk out leading his Guild into the arena. "What the hell are they doing here?"
With him was an assortment of sinister looking people. To one side was a tiny purple skinned man in a white cloak with a red sun on it, a sadistic grin on his face and oddly proportioned limbs while on the other was a red-haired woman in a revealing red dress and bicep length gloves that showed off a chest that dwarfed even the top ones of Fairy Tail and an odd look in her eyes. They were flanked by a skinny man in gothic makeup that was the most normal looking of the bunch and another masked and cloaked man that just gave off a lot of creepy vibes and not in the perverted way Ichiya did but a more evil one.
"This is bad, last I heard they were a Dark Guild led by Ivan, Master Makarov's son and Laxus's father." Erza said. "If they're here then this has to be bad news."
"So why is Dark Guild participating?" Lucy asked in confusion as Makarov asked the same question and then began ranting at the officials about their inclusion in the games.
There was an intense malice coming from Raven Tail as they made their way onto the arena floor and just stood there with the three who's faces weren't covered grinning unsettling grins that put no one at ease. They were an unknown to most, so they stayed away from the other Guilds and were not giving off a good vibe at all as Makarov continued to make a scene about it while a tall, tanned man in a black goatee and wearing a fancy outfit talked back to him from across the arena showing that he had to be Ivan though of course only Raven Tail knew the truth of the situation.
"Those are some serious accusations, but it appears that they're records are in order." Chapati said as he was handed the records to back up why Raven Tail had been allowed to compete in the games and began to announce them to the crowd. "They're not the oldest Guild in the games but they're an established one having been active for over seven years now at least but they've only recently gained official Guild status by the Magic Council and it says they are currently in good standing with it. Likely one of those independent Guilds that ended up becoming official to avoid issues."
"If they are official then they're technically not a Dark Guild." Yajima said his voice showing his concern but also resignation at the ruling. "So, they are eligible to compete in the Grand Magic Games."
That set Makarov off, and he ranted across the arena at Ivan about this because he knew that there was no way that Ivan went straight but all Ivan did was smirk and mock his father's health. Clearly there was a lot of bad blood there but before Natsu and the others could focus on that the gold masked leader of Team Raven Tail turned to them.
"Fairy Tail, I do hope that your little friend and her cat are recovering after that unfortunate accident they suffered last night." The man said in a horse, slightly metallic, voice as a creature on the other masked man's shoulder turned into a doll of Wendy with Xs for eyes. "Such a shame that even in a place like the Royal Gardens a tragic accident can occur."
"So, you were the ones who attacked Wendy." Natsu said his voice low and threatening. "I'll make you regret that."
That got a laugh out of the golden armored man as Lucy, Erza, Gray and Elfman all stared down the members of Raven Tail who met their gazes, well the three whose eyes they could see did at least, with hard, malicious, or crazy ones of their own. They were clearly here for some nefarious reason but there wasn't much that Fairy Tail could do about it.
"The games are just getting started." The gold armored man said. "This is but the beginning of your end, Fairy Tail."
"Hold on with this tension, we've still got three more teams to announce." Chapati said as he cut through the tension in the arena, but it was still there as it was clear that Raven Tail had their eyes solely on Fairy Tail for some reason. "They were the top qualifiers after all."
"One of them has to be Sabertooth and presumable the other is Quatro Cerberus as they're the only other notable Guild that hasn't been announced yet." Gray said. "But what of the last one? Who could that be?"
"Presumably it's tied to Zeref, it would explain how they did so well in the preliminary round." Erza said. "Assuming that Jellal was right. We'll know soon so keep a close eye on who is in the top three."
"Alright our bronze medalist from the qualifiers, not that that means anything but bragging rights and heightened status going into the games, is…" Chapati began as the other members of Team Fairy Tail nodded at Erza's words but they snapped to the announcer as his voice suddenly got even more excited than it had been when Raven Tail had been announced. "Oh my, it's one of the newest Guilds in all of Fiore that was formed a mere two years ago and is also making their debut in the Grand Magic Games but they've already making an impact coming in third in the qualifiers. Give it up for the Black Bull Guild!"
"What!" Pretty much everyone but Raven Tail who couldn't care less about any Guild that wasn't Fairy Tail said in unison as the crowd roared and they turned to the entrance for the team.
Striding out without any smoke like some of the other Guilds were 5 people all notable because they wore the same style robe over their shoulders, a black short robe that in 4 cases fell over both shoulders with a cord under their necks connecting it while the 5th, the short, jacked, gray haired boy in the center of the line, had it as a cape like over his right shoulder as he pointed his left arm to the box of cheering guildmates. The robes were black with gold edging and a golden bull's head emblem was on the left breast that was clearly their Guild's emblem and one Team Fairy Tail had seen once before.
That same emblem was marked on the kid in the center's chest, right over his heart, he wasn't wearing a shirt and only some strange ¾ sleeve like things, and on the neck of the punk looking boy to his left who gave off Quatro Cerberus vibes and was carrying their black flag with their emblem on it over their shoulder. They could also just about make it out on the thigh of the only girl on the team, an austere but strikingly attractive in almost a regal way girl with silver hair in twin pigtails who stood to the right of the boy in the center.
The last two had no visible Guild Marks on them but had to have it as they stood on the flanks of the team. One was a handsome man with brown haired dyed green at the tips that gave off a similar vibe to Loke for some reason while the other and enthusiastic looking blond boy almost sparking with excitement as he smiled cheerily.
Oddly all 5 had satchels on their belts that seemed to contain a book for some reason while the girl also had a wand that she held in her right hand. They were certainly an unexpected team to make it so Team Fairy Tail were looking at them closely as their only personal interactions with the Black Bulls had been at that store of theirs in Magnolia though to one of them, he wasn't so sure about that.
"Those two in the center." Gray said as the Black Bulls made their way out and took their place in the arena and Gray studied them closely. "The short guy and the girl, I am sure that I saw them at that magic ball we went to a few months back."
"Why they be there though?" Natsu asked as there was a loud cheer from the stands where the Black Bulls' box was, and the other Guild members were showing their support by cheering at the edge of the rampart thing at the edge of it. "And how did they come third? Aren't they like a small, middle of the pack, kind of Guild that runs a bunch of stores."
"Clearly they are a lot more formidable than we expected." Erza said thinking on it and what little they knew of the Guild. "We know they arrived 2 years ago while we were in stasis on Tenrou Island and that they are small with only about a dozen and change who bear their emblem but Natsu's right, they're a middle tier Guild from what I understand and are known more for their items and modeling than combat prowess."
"Yeah, we saw the store they had in Magnolia." Lucy recalled. "A lot of interesting stuff but mainly devices that were unique and merch for their Guild that focused mostly on their female members, mainly that one woman who was their version of Mira I think though I can't remember more than that. We have been out of it for a while though. Elfman, any ideas? You weren't in the Celestial Spirit World for 3 months."
"No clue, I never encountered them while I was training." Elfman said shaking his head. "This was unexpected."
"I recall that the member we met, who pretended that she wasn't one, if she even is a she given that she was unusually gifted in Transformation Magic." Erza said. "In a way that felt more than what it seemed, and they did use a member to pose as a non-member in Magnolia."
"What are you thinking Erza?" Gray asked.
"That we shouldn't underestimate them at all if they were willing to pull something like that in Magnolia right after we got back from Tenrou Island." Erza said looking at the Black Bulls. "Because I am almost certain that they are keenly aware of all of us and what we can do. They wouldn't have suddenly burst up to third without a lot of power and foreknowledge of what they'd face from top tier Guilds. They're a wildcard, a complete unknown so other than Raven Tail we must pay extra close attention to them."
"You think they may have something to do with Zeref?" Lucy asked.
"No, Jellal would have mentioned it as he's had two years to vet them." Erza said shaking her head. "Just that they're going to be strong and tough to face."
"Well, I say bring it on." Natsu said with a grin as he cracked his knuckles. "The more challenges we face the better for our return to the top."
The others nodded at that as the teams all gaged the newcomers and what they would bring to the games. Only Makarov was really studying the Black Bulls from his spot as he looked down at them and more importantly the bags on their belts.
Those looked very familiar to him, but it had been decades since he'd seen it or an emblem of that style. He needed more proof, but he had a gut feeling he knew who they were and more importantly where they were from, but he kept that to himself as he tried to figure out why they were here. One thing was certain though, they would be a test for sure but next up would be the little surprise he had in store for everyone, and which would ensure that Fairy Tail had the best shot at winning the games.
"So, the final team to make it past the preliminary was Fairy Tail." Luck said as they listened to the commentators and awaited their turn to head out which wasn't going to come for a fair bit as it was reverse order of qualifying. "Not a surprise they made it but only just which is a surprise, aren't they supposed to be strong? Last place doesn't sound strong."
"They made it to the games and that wasn't an easy event seeing as only 8 out of over 100 Guilds made it past the preliminary so they probably just had some issues in labyrinth that caused them to come 8th." Noelle said as they heard the boos from the crowd. "Wow they aren't liked at all. Even last year they didn't get that reaction."
"Must be coming last for so many years." Finral mused. "And then not failing the preliminary led to this."
"Whatever, it doesn't matter." Magna said. "A real man doesn't care what the crowd thinks of him and I'm sure that is a team of real men."
"And women." Noelle said with a sigh. "Remember that there is a high chance that one or more of the top women in Fairy Tail are on that team."
"Real men and women." Magna corrected.
"Idiot." Noelle said.
"Besides, they're in the games." Asta pointed out having not paid attention to Noelle and Magna's exchange. "Doesn't matter how you got there, only that you are and we're going to beat them."
"True." Noelle said with a flick of her hair. "We will do that."
"I wonder who else…" Finral began but then they heard the announcement that the 7th place Guild was Mermaid Heel and instantly he was focused on that Guild. "Oh man what luck, the lovely ladies of Mermaid Heel are in the games as well."
"Why does that not surprise me." Noelle said with a sigh. "So pathetic."
"They're a bunch of gorgeous beauties who are like our equivalent of the Blue Rose Knights, an all-girl unit, and here they're not misandrists like the Blue Rose Knights are." Finral said excitedly. "Strong, confident, sexy, they're the full package and…no Finral, bad Finral, think of Lady Finnis."
At that Finral had devolved to bashing his head on the ground and yelling about Lady Finnis. This was so typical for him that the others just ignored him and waited to hear that the 6th place team had been Blue Pegasus.
"They're expected, right?" Asta asked.
"Of course it was, Dorksta, they're up there with Lamia Scale and Sabertooth every year." Noelle said as she felt a shiver down her spine at the announcement because she knew that creep Ichiya would be on their team. "Though I am surprised they came 6th, I would have expected them to compete with us for a higher spot."
"Well, we did take third." Magna pointed out as Finral finally recovered and stood up with renewed vigor for Lady Finnis that would likely last until he saw which members of Mermaid Heel were in the games, as well as any of the other ladies in the games on the other Guilds that caught his eye. "So, one of the top three had to be replaced. They were third last time so most likely to be so. It's not like Lamia Scale or…"
Before Magna could finish the 5th place qualifier was announced and to their surprise it was Lamia Scale. The runner up from the year before who'd put their strongest team together for the competition this time around hadn't beaten them in the qualifiers. That was a real surprise to them.
"Something must have happened in the labyrinth." Asta mused. "We had a pretty easy time of it what with only one distraction and then just flying there thanks to Noelle with Luck directing us."
"Yes, it was all me why we were so fast." Noelle said as Luck just laughed at the fun he'd had in the labyrinth.
"Stuck up much." Magna said. "It was a team effort."
"I am royalty." Noelle said simply.
"Not here." Magna pointed out. "Here you're like the rest of us, another foreigner and thus a commoner at best."
"I wish we got to fight more though." Luck said as there seemed to be a pause in the announcements likely one to hype up the top four while Noelle just ignored Magna's point. "Those guys we faced were so weak that they weren't even worth it."
"They were a top level Guild." Noelle pointed out. "Or supposed to be at least and besides it's a good thing we didn't end up in fights or else we might not have qualified if we got distracted fighting everyone along the way."
"Yeah then we wouldn't have made it where there will be actual fights." Asta said.
"True." Luck said licking his lips. "I want to do an event that has a lot of fighting in it. That will be super fun and don't forget about the battles, I hope I get a good one of those as well."
"We will wait to see what the events are." Noelle reminded them. "And then we will decide based on the title of the event who is likely best for it. Also, those battles aren't up to us, remember that."
Noelle was referring to the format they got after the last team, Fairy Tail, made it past the preliminaries. They'd still have the whole unknown until the last-minute event in the morning for the first 4 days of the games followed by a break lunch and then in the afternoon there would be 4 one on one battles between the teams on the first three afternoons with the 4th day's being a tag battle so two on two battles.
These were half hour battles with the competitors not known until right before the match and worth 10 points to the winner, 0 to the person who lost and 5 each if it was a tie. They were a solid way to get points to add to the morning score and boost their total scores going into the final mystery event that concluded the games.
The points system for the events had also been explained to them with the winner of the event getting 10 points, so the max you could get for the day was 20, then second place getting 8, 3rd getting 6, 4th got 4, 5th got 3, 6th was awarded 2, 7th got a single point and last place got nothing. It made sense to do it like that and as they were going for the win, they wanted to make sure that they put forth their strongest for each event to try and win it before winning the battles as well.
This was just the first four days of the games however because the 5th and final day was a different format entirely. That they didn't know what it would be only that there was a different points system for it and designed in such a way that you could theoretically recover any bad showing, or even showings, in the final event. Still, they couldn't rely on it and had to have a large point total going into it if they wanted to win it all.
"True, I hope I get selected for that and can face someone strong." Luck said excitedly as he punched the air. "I need a good battle and I can tell these people here are strong so I can't wait to face some of them."
"You are one of our best for the battles." Noelle admitted. "So, it would be good to have you in a battle if you're selected."
"Battles are were the real men are." Magna said. "So, I want that as well."
"Yeah then we can see who wins faster." Luck said excitedly.
"I'll be the faster one you battle loving freak." Magna said.
"Nah you're to slow compared to me Magna." Luck said with a grin.
"Hey guys." Asta said as he thought on the 4 teams already announced. "Has anyone else realized that basically all the Guilds that Nero told us about that are likely contenders other than Sabertooth have either already been announced or were beaten by us in the Labyrinth. I know that we're going to be a surprise but still, who else has qualified?"
"Come to think of yes that is the case." Noelle said thinking on it. "I wonder why the notable names Nero mentioned qualified so low down. It could just be that two of the teams have a second one in the games, that was allowed, and it wouldn't surprise me. Sabertooth are supposed to be strong, and Lamia Scale didn't use their strongest last year so both likely did that. It would also explain why a Lamia Scale team came 5th, it's not their A team so to speak and their A team actually came 1st or 2nd."
"Well that just means that there are more from the top ones to beat." Magna said. "And show we're the best because we didn't need two teams to win it."
"Yeah we're going to win this with just us and Charmy." Asta said. "We're…"
"Alright I'm sure you've had enough time to process the lower four teams so now to introduce our 4th place team…" The commentor, Chapati Lola, said getting their attention and ending the speculation and break as he interrupted them and focused their attention. "And this one is a shocker folks because they swooped in at the midnight hour to secure a spot in the Grand Magic Games. In fact, this dark and gloomy Guild are making their debut at this year's games. It's Raven Tail!"
"Who?" Asta asked confused.
"No idea." Noelle admitted just as confused. "Nero never reported on them when she mentioned who the likely teams to face would be."
"Didn't she say that there might be a surprise like how we are one." Magna said. "This is probably that."
"Well, if they just appeared then I bet they're super strong." Luck said as they heard the announcer explain that they were an established but only recently recognized by the Magic Council Guild which added to their confusion, well other than Luck's because he was just focused on fighting them. "So, I can't wait to fight them."
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Noelle admitted as she felt a wave of sinister magic wash over them from the arena. "There's something up with it I think."
"Who cares." Asta said though he did take Noelle's statement seriously as he trusted her implicitly and he did note that there was some seriously malicious ki coming from the arena now that Raven Tail had arrive, but he opted to focus on them for the moment. "We're next so let's go."
"Right." Magna said as he picked up their flag to proudly wave it as they entered the arena. "Time to show Fiore that the Black Bulls mean business."
"True." Noelle said. "Get in position, we must be professional for this."
"Alright our bronze medalist from the qualifiers, not that that means anything but bragging rights and heightened status going into the games, is…" Chapati began, and they formed into the line they'd decided on in advance and began to walk forward so that they entered at the right moment and shock all of Fiore with their presence in the games. "Oh my, it's one of the newest Guilds in all of Fiore that was formed a mere two years ago and is also making their debut in the Grand Magic Games but they've already making an impact coming in third in the qualifiers. Give it up for the Black Bull Guild!"
"Raven Tail?" Yami asked confused as he sat in the chair that he'd had set up the center of the special suit that the other Black Bulls bar Henry who was watching from the tavern via a lacrima screen that was a safe distance away from him were in as they awaited their team's debut. "Who are they? Nero? Zora? What do you know about them because this is the first that I'm hearing of them."
"Captain, I, um, well I think that they're a Dark Guild." Nero said as she stepped forward to stand next to her Captain as the 4th place team was announced to the surprise of the crowd.
Up until this point it had been pretty standard for them as they watched the teams arrive with Fairy Tail first, much to the celebration of their rowdy box nearby but to the boos of the crowd, followed by Mermaid Heel, Blue Pegasus, and Lamia Scale in that order. Those had all been expected, albeit higher in the qualifiers after Nero's report on them being Guilds that could actually contend in the games, and the Black Bulls had been sitting back and awaiting their moment patiently.
That had been until after the small break were there was banter in the arena between all the teams, well all but Mermaid Heel as they remained quiet, and the 4th place Guild was announced. Yami was certainly surprised by it as it was one that they hadn't expected or even knew about hence why Yami had asked Nero and Zora, the two best intel gathers in the Squad, for their opinions on them.
"A Dark Guild?" Yami asked as Makarov made a scene from the Fairy Tail box nearby that was along the same vein as what Nero had said. "Those are illegal so why are they here?"
"I'm not too well versed in them; I focused on getting intel from the legal Guilds but from what I understand the Dark Guilds have some complicated alliance and structure." Nero said. "Zora? You know the underworld here better than me so care to elaborate on what you know."
"It was called the Baram Alliance back when it was still a thing." Zora said from where he was lounging on one of the benches in the box eating an apple as he wasn't really interested in the games but would support the Squad when it came time to it. "I've looked a bit into it over the last 3 months now that I don't have to annoy Twilight Ogre anymore. Basically, it comprised the top three Dark Guilds, Oración Seis, Grimoire Heart, and Tartarus, who formed a loose alliance with many lesser Dark Guilds under them who did their dirty work."
"Sounds about right for a criminal organization." Yami said as he thought on Zora's words and was sure that he'd heard of that alliance before but couldn't remember where. "But that's not the case anymore, is it?"
"Nope, that alliance is all but dead thanks to in large part Fairy Tail." Zora said. "Together with Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and some now nonexistent Guild called Cait Shelter they took down Oración Seis several months before their members disappeared. Then it seems that right before said disappearance Grimoire Heart attacked them on Tenrou Island apparently, an attack that cost Grimoire Heart several high-ranking members and they've seemingly become defunct in the years since that incident. From what I've gathered only Tartarus still stands."
"So where does this Raven Tail Guild fall into this alliance thing?" Yami asked as he looked at the exchange between them and Fairy Tail and frowned as he felt the ki coming from them while Yajima confirmed them as legal. "Because they're definitely not some legal Guild that I can tell, their ki reeks of malice and hatred and it's directed right at Fairy Tail. Haven't felt ki this evil since that devil bastard we faced in the Shadow Palace but his was worse I'll admit that."
"They were the sole independent Dark Guild not part of the alliance, apparently." Zora said. "So likely they used that to distance themselves from it and over the last few years did just enough to ensure that they could become legit though why now I can't say."
"It's not good but might be just a problem for Fairy Tail." Yami said thinking on what to do. "But look into it you two as best you can but be careful, these guys are no good and if they are after Fairy Tail then for Julius's sake we should at least be ready to assist them if need be. We need to keep an eye on them and act if needed."
"Agreed." Nero said as Zora nodded.
"Captain, it's time." Vanessa said with a slight slur as she lent over the edge of the box with a bottle of good wine that she'd been drinking in one of her hands. "Our team is up."
"Then let's show those knuckleheads that we expect them to win." Yami said with a grin as the Black Bulls were announced to the shock of the crowd.
Asta led the team out into the arena and pointed to the Black Bulls with a smirk as they cheered from their suit thing in the stands. Vanessa was the loudest as she lent over, wine in hand, and yelled for them her cleavage on full display and getting plenty of attention. Next to her Grey had her hands over her face but was standing there nonetheless to support while Mimosa cheered on her other side as loud as decorum would permit and Charmy stood on the edge eating as her Sheep Cooks did a cheer routine while also cooking behind her and Gordon stood on the other side muttering and holding a small flag he was waving.
Yami was still sitting but they could see him as Nero walked to the edge to add her support though not vocally as she was still the most reserved member of the Squad with Gauche next to her though he was staring at a picture of Marie. Even Zora got up to lounge casually on the edge as he looked down at them with a sharp toothed grin on his face.
"The Black Bulls are in the house!" Magna roared to the cheering crowd as they came to a stop and interrupted all discussions about them as Magna wildly waved the flag he was carrying.
They got some looks but none of the teams came up to them to say anything just yet as they were paying more attention to the fact that they'd made it as the third-place team despite no one expecting them to even qualify, if they thought about the Black Bulls at all that is. That meant that they had a lot of potential so were worth a look and gage but none of them could really do so with so much magic in the air. That meant that the Black Bulls would remain an unknown a little longer.
One thing was certain to Natsu and the others though, if the Black Bulls were the surprise third place team, making two surprises thanks to Raven Tail but this was an actual legit Guild and not one that was pretending to be legit like Raven Tail was, then that meant that the last two had to be Sabertooth and Quatro Cerberus. After all they were the only other two with notable recognition and skill to get past the preliminaries, so it had to be them after all, it's not like there was about to be another last-minute surprise or anything.
"Oh wow, our first-place runner up is another huge surprise because this competition has somehow just got even more interesting than it already was, not that any of us are complaining about that mind you." Chapati announced as the second place qualifiers stepped out and a storm of lightning formed the Fairy Tail emblem before them for a moment. "Because the second-place team to qualify for the Grand Magic Games is Fairy Tail Team B!"
"Big sis Mira?" Elfman asked in amazement as he stared at the second team that Fairy Tail had fielded which they as the main team didn't know about and in fact only the team, Lily as Gajeel's exceed partner, and Makarov knew about it.
"Gajeel?" Natsu added as Happy and Lily had an exchange on the edge of the suit where they stood as it was the easiest place to watch the games from as an exceed.
"Juvia?" Gray asked staring at the blue haired woman which now explained why she and Mira hadn't been in the support group.
"And Laxus as well." Lucy said as they all stared at the other Fairy Tail team while Erza noted the final member and knew at once who he was though why he was here was beyond her because he should be in the shadows trying to figure out the ulterior motive of the games that he'd been sensing since they began being held several years ago and doing something about it as part of his redemption. "That's not fair at all."
"I'll admit I didn't expect two Fairy Tail Teams." Ichiya said.
"Same but this does make things more interesting." Jura said with a smile. "Certainly, worth participating I'd say."
"So, they pulled it off." Asta noted. "Good for them, just means more of them to beat to win this."
"Yeah that big lightning guy looks tough." Luck said with a grin as his own lightning crackled in his palms. "Hope I get to fight him to see which of us is stronger."
"They can field two teams, but we'll still win." Noelle said dismissively though she did note that each of their power levels were really high.
"Wait up I want some answers." Natsu said pointing at them and then, in classic Natsu fashion, not questioning why the second team was even present but just one of the members. "How's Mystogan here?"
"It that…" Erza began looking at him, but he put a finger to his bandana covered lips to indicate silence and let Natsu's clear stupidity over the situation carry the day.
"You've got to be kidding me." Both Gray and Natsu said at the same time as the other Fairy Tail team chuckled or smirked at them other than Juvia who was oddly serious not that that minded to her new admirer in Lyon who was just glad that she was in the games as well as he could really show her that he was better than Gray was this way.
"She's just as beautiful as ever." Lyon said as he looked at her with a slight blush as Shelia pouted next to him as she wanted his attention though it was more because he was her guildmate, friend, and superior than any sense of romantic interest given their age gap. "I wasn't expecting her in the games but this only adds to it and my desire to beat Fairy Tail and Gray."
"So that's the girl you're smitten with." Shelia said still pouting. "She's pretty but I don't think she's into you."
"I wouldn't expect any less from Fairy Tail." Hibiki said with a chuckle. "If any Guild would get two teams past the preliminary round it would be them. Makes no difference to me and I see a few more lovely ladies are in it which is a bonus."
"Going to be fun and some more pretty women to face is always good." Eve added. "Can't say I disapprove of that."
"Looks like Laxus and Gajeel are in the games as well." The gold masked Raven Tail team leader who went by the name Alexei though his team knew his real identity, said. "How interesting that both of them would be participating too."
"It seems unfair that there are two Fairy Tail teams, you see." The short purple man in Raven Tail, Nalpudding, said. "Not cool at all."
"Must be handicapping Fairy Tail because they're so bad." The red haired woman, Flare, said her head cocked to the side. "And besides, it's more of them to beat so I'm good with that."
"I think the new rules have left the audience a bit confused." Chapati said as the crowd continued to murmur while the participants chatted. "Care to tell them what is going on Mr. Yajima?"
"Of course, this is a new rule started this year to add some more excitement and potential to the games that was combined with the preliminary round to really spice the competition up." Mr. Yajima said. "The committee in charge of the games permitted each Guild to enter two teams if they so wished, it was a way to increase the interest of the preliminaries with more competition. I don't think they expected two teams from the same Guild to make it, but it is certainly a bonus I think none of us are going to complain about."
"Ha, how do you all like that?" Makarov suddenly announced as Lucy turned to question him on the decision that her team hadn't known about. "That's how Fairy Tail takes cares of business."
"It is an interesting new rule but doesn't seem well thought out." Chapati said. "This is a team competition after all. Won't have two teams from the same Guild stack the odds in Fairy Tail's favor?"
"I think you're worrying too much, it's not a problem to me." Yajima said rubbing his moustache. "Each Guild had the same opportunity to field two teams and get them in the games, Fairy Tail just proved that they could actually do it. The way I see it, there was an equal chance to achieve this so all had the chance to boost the odds in their favor but only Fairy Tail pulled it off. They did it so they deserve the increased odds as a result."
"It's totally unfair if you ask me." Jenny said though she was clearly biased as Blue Pegasus's reserve. "If there's an event where each team chooses a member to compete against the others in a battle royal style, what's there to stop Fairy Tail's two teams from teaming up with each other?"
"It is an advantage but as Mr. Yajima said this was open to all Guilds and so it's just their reward for being the only Guild to achieve it." Chapati said. "With over 100 Guilds the chances were slim so they should get some credit for beating the long odds of getting two teams past the preliminaries."
"Fairy Tail has the upper hand for sure, way to go old friend." Yajima said with a nod towards where Makarov was still laughing at his Guild's success.
"Well, this is just a load of crap." Natsu roared loud enough to silence even the commentators as he approached his guildmates. "If I have to fight any of you I ain't pulling my punches, you got it? As long as we are both in the games together then as far as I'm concerned, you're my enemies just like any other team and I am not going to lose to any of you even if you are in Fairy Tail as well."
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Salamander." Gajeel said getting in Natsu's face as he grinned at his fellow Dragon Slayer. "I can't wait to make you eat dirt in the games."
"This is certainly interesting." Asta said looking at the Fairy Tail teams as they began to interact with each other in a way that showed that despite being in the same Guild they weren't going to collaborate to win this thing. "Doesn't change our plans though."
"No, it doesn't." Noelle agreed with a nod. "We'll get the info from Nero later."
Asta agreed, as did the other Black Bulls as they watched the scene play out. Clearly the commentators were doing the same as they let a pause happen to no doubt hype up the first-place qualifiers, so they had a moment to think on the situation and get ready for what was to come.
"Nero, who are they?" Yami asked as the rules allowing a second team were explained and people recovered from the shock of a Fairy Tail B team being present and beating their A team in the qualifier. "The other Fairy Tail team that is. Seems like they defied the odds and got two in, I can certainly see why they were once considered the best Guild in this kingdom."
"I recognize 4 of them." Nero said as she backed up to stand next to Yami and explain the other Fairy Tail team. "And all were expected on a second team should they field one, which I expected them to do so given what is at stake and how it will be a shortcut for them back to the top though we will prevent that from happening. Anyway, two of them are S-Class wizards, the blond guy is Makarov's grandson Laxus Dreyer and the white-haired woman is Mirajane Strauss, they are the two who hold that rank."
"You explained Laxus." Yami said. "He's got artificial Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic and was kicked out for a bit if I recall."
"That is a simplified account of what happened but accurate." Nero said with a nod. "And Mirajane has Take Over Magic, it's a kind that is similar to Transformation only soul based I think and allows for the user to tap into the powers of the beasts or demons or whatever they've taken over. It is not a magic that I can think of a strong equivalent in our world though she is also gifted at Transformation Magic. I'd say she's easily at Grey's level of personal transformation when it comes to Transformation Magic."
"Got it." Yami said doing his best to understand. "And the other two that you recognize?"
"The two former members of Phantom Lord that ended up joining Fairy Tail after Phantom Lord was disbanded by the Magic Council for starting a Guild War with Fairy Tail about 7 and a half years ago." Nero said. "The man is Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragon Slayer who uses that kind of Dragon Slayer Magic. The blue haired woman is Juvia Lockser, a former S-Class wizard for Phantom Lord who's gifted with Water Magic. I'd say her talents are on par with Noelle's based on what I've heard about her though her style and techniques are very different to Noelle's."
"Fair enough." Yami said as he looked over at the people. "And the last guy, the one hiding his face and carrying staffs and wands? Who's he?"
"That's what I don't know." Nero admitted. "His appearance matches what I heard about another S-Class wizard of theirs called Mystogan, I learned what I could from their records over the last few years, but he shouldn't be here, so I am really confused on that front."
"Why not?" Yami asked as the commotion that was caused by a second Fairy Tail team qualifying seemed to settle down.
"Because he was actually from the world of Edolas, another world that exists that Lord Julius mentioned but I don't know much about it, you'd have to ask Gordon on that front as he's the one who's researched it." Nero said. "I do know that he returned there though and left the Guild so likely that's whoever is his double here as I recall hearing something about counterparts between the worlds."
"Seems elaborate and odd." Yami said.
"Agreed." Nero said. "I could look into it if you'd like Captain."
"No, it's not an issue really, let Makarov have his fun and what he thinks is best for his Guild." Yami said shaking his head. "You've done more than enough and with this Raven Tail Guild now out there that should be our concern. Leave the games to the team from this point on."
"Yes Captain." Nero said with a nod as Sabertooth was announced and she returned to watch the opening ceremony as the final and current top Guild in Fiore entered the stadium.
Yami wasn't sure what Makarov was up to with all of this other than a clear desire to win which he could respect so he'd let that man have his fun. He still needed to meet and talk with him but all in good time as the games were about to begin and he expected his Squad to win it starting with the first event.
"And last but by no means least, it's the team that came first in the Labyrinth and the heavy favorites for the title yet again." Chapata said excitedly as the moment arrived and silencing all of the chatter in the stadium as he build up the moment and got louder as the crowd began to cheer as he spoke. "That right, you know them and love them so scream and cheer for the current number 1 Guild in all of Fiore, it's Sabertooth!"
At that Sabertooth walked out to the cheers of the crowd and everyone looked at them. The Black Bulls knew them from last year when they watched the games to get a sense for them and they all noted that 4 of them were the same, but one wasn't.
That newcomer was a girl with short periwinkle blue hair cut in a slightly choppy bob wearing a white dress and thigh high white boots that were mostly covered by a long white cloak with blue shoulders and a feathered collar that fell into 6 branches down at the bottom with a blue star-like clasp at the front and a white collar around her neck that was held there by a blue choker. Even with the cloak her ample bust was still just about visible.
They may not recognize her but as Nero had told them of the team, so they knew her to be Yukino, a Celestial Spirt Mage and the replacement for Minerva on the team. There was still a chance that Minerva would show up and if so, she'd be their reserve but for the moment the 5th member of Sabertooth was this Yukino girl who was the complete unknown to them.
The others were the ones they'd expected. They were the White Dragon Slayer Sting, the Shadow Dragon Slayer Rogue, the brawny and bare-chested Lightning Mage with symmetrical tattoos on his shoulders and biceps who used black Lightning Orga, and the flamboyantly dressed and spectacularly hatted Memory Mage Rufus. They were all back and seeking another win as they basked in the cheers of the crowd, well those four were, but everyone else was glaring at them ready to knock them down which led to Natsu exchanging words with Sting and Gajeel with Rogue.
"All in all, we have a seriously impressive group of wizards in the games this year." Chapati said as the crowd continue to roar their approval of the teams in the Grand Magic Games this year. "Your thoughts on them Mr. Yajima?"
"Mermaid Heel makes me wish I was a younger man in the vigor of my youth." Yajima said with a sigh. "How I miss those days."
"That's not what I meant but oh well." Chapati said. "We've kept people waiting long enough so now it is time to unveil the official schedule of the Grand Magic Games that has already been revealed to each of the teams that made it to the games but will now be told to all those eagerly waiting for them to commence."
With that there was a rumbling sound and suddenly a giant stone tablet appeared out of the floor of the arena with the days of the games carved on it and a large amount of question marks on it. The only things written were the days listed as DAY1, DAY2, etc. and the + battle at the end to show that the day ended with the battles or on the 4th day the tag battle. The rest were question marks but for one clear exception. The first event for the first day that was about to begin was listed and it simply said the word Hidden.
"There's going to a lot of action in the next few days." Gray noted as everyone looked at the stone slab. "We'd best be ready for whatever is going to be thrown at us."
"Now this is what we came for." Natsu said with a grin.
"Bring on the battles." Luck cheered.
"As you can see each day begins with a contest or event that won't be revealed until right before and not until all participants are determined will the rules be announced." Chapati explained as the tablet changed to show the point allocations for the events. "Participants will then be ranked from first to eighth using the points system you see on the tablet. Additionally, the teams will chose which of their members they want to send to compete in the respective events. After that it is the battles which have been explained to the competitors but should come as a treat to you loyal fans as it was your suggestions that will be used to create these exciting matchups."
"So, it is as we expected, the fights are chosen at the last minute without us knowing who will be in them beforehand." Noelle noted. "Should be interesting then."
"Yeah can't wait." Asta said with a grin as the other teams commented on how the games were going to go down as well.
"Does add to it however because you could use a lot of magic in an event and then have to battle later in the day." Noelle said as she realized the extent of it. "That makes it really hard to decide because we want our best for both."
"It will be fine." Asta said as Chapati went over the rules for the battles to the crowd. "We got Mimosa's healing magic and Charmy's mana recovery food so we're always going to be in tip top shape for this providing the injuries aren't severe enough that it takes Mimosa a while to heal us."
"True but let's avoid letting too many know about that." Noelle said as the rules were explained, and everyone got ready for the first event.
"Alright it is time for action, and we kick things off with the first event of the games." Chapati said to the crowd now that the rules of the battles had been explained. "And it's called 'Hidden.' Teams, please make your selections and then once they are done the rules will be explained in their entirety."
"Sounds like a hide and seek style game." Finral said thinking on the name of the game. "But almost certainly a game with a twist or two in it just like that labyrinth had."
"So that means we need people with the right search capabilities to find the other competitors in." Noelle said looking over the team. "So, Luck or Asta are our best bets in it."
"I've got this." Asta said with a grin.
"Oh man I wanted it." Luck said.
"This doesn't look like a speed or battle based one." Asta said. "And my ki will be better than mana sense with everyone around. I know you're good Luck but let me have this and you can have any brawl event that comes up."
"Alright sounds good, any brawl event is mine." Luck said surrendering it to Asta.
"Agreed unless it's water." Asta said. "Noelle is best there."
"Lightning would be good, but I am best in water." Noelle concurred though she couldn't help but blush a little at Asta saying that she was the best when it came to water even if she didn't know why she liked the compliment so much. "So, I'll take any water-based event."
"Awe man I wanted to fight." Magna said as well. "Fine, the shrimp's got this for us. Don't lose Asta."
"Wasn't planning on it." Asta said as he stepped forward and became the first competitor in Hidden.
"And our first challenger is going to be Asta of the Black Bulls." Chapati said to the cheering crowd. "Who will join him from our other teams?"
"I'll take the first one, it's going to be easy, and I can gage our opponents for y'all." Beth Vanderwood, the girl in the denim overalls, said volunteering for Mermaid Heel. "These varmints won't know what hit 'em."
"We're counting on you Beth." Kagura, their leader, said as the announcer confirmed that for the crowd.
"Nalpudding, you go." Alexei said to the short purple man. "Make sure you pay extra attention to the fairies in this event. We have to make it clear to them from the start that they're beneath us."
"I won't let you down boss." Nalpudding said as he was confirmed as the third competitor. "I'll make them realize how inferior they are, you can count on that."
"I've got this one." Eve said as the announcement for Nalpudding was ending and straightening his tie. "I've got just the thing for a hide and seek based event."
"Then go, we shall send you out in style." Ichiya said as Blue Pegasus sent off their member in their usual fashion.
"I shall handle this and win for our Guild." Rufus declared as Eve Tilm was confirmed as the 4th competitor for the first event. "I'm feeling inspired by the lovely songs of the birds today so I shall compose a victory for us in this event."
"Man, they're going wild for that pretty boy." Natsu complained as the crowd roared and Chapati gave an enthusiastic confirmation for Rufus Lore of Sabertooth's entrance into the event. "Why? He doesn't look anything special."
"Regardless he must feel like he's got it, and we should pay attention to the name of the event, that's got to be a clue as to what it is." Erza said seriously. "Stealth and guile will be the key to winning this event."
"Wendy would be our obvious choice for this one then." Lucy said sadly. "She's perfect at this kinda thing. I could take it if you want, some of my Spirits might be of use in it."
"I'll make up for Wendy and handle this like a real man." Elfman declared. "I could use a warm up."
"It's called Hidden and you're a mountain now Elfman, so this probably isn't a great idea." Gray said shaking his head. "Look, other than Rufus all the teams have chosen either their smallest or most unassuming members so far for a reason. Looks like the smaller you are the better, so we need to be sensible with our pick as we don't have Wendy."
"You or me Yuka, we're the smallest on the team." Shelia was saying at the same time as Lamia Scale had yet to decide a competitor either. "And both our magics are good for this kind of event if there's combat involved in it."
"No, you two stay back." Lyon said before Yuka could complain about his size. "We will take the lead from the start so leave it to me to do so. I'll be our participant in this event."
That was all the confirmation needed for Lyon to become the 6th to be announced as a participant. That just left the Fairy Tail teams as the ones without a competitor, but it also ensured that both teams had their person the moment Lyon threw his hat into the ring.
"If Lyon is participating then I got this, sorry Lucy but I can't let Lyon win this." Gray said with a grin. "I've been looking forward to seeing what this tournament is about and what better way than by beating him in the first event for all to see."
"And if my darling is competing then so must I." Juvia declared as Gray was confirmed as the 7th competitor in it though no one was surprised by that. "I can't resist this opportunity."
"Fine but don't throw it for your boyfriend." Gajeel growled. "Don't forget the deal."
"I know, I can't lose." Juvia said as she was confirmed as the final competitor. "I want to win that prize more than anyone."
"Well, we have our first 8 participants in this year's Grand Magic Games so finally the long wait for them to begin is finally over." Chapati said as the 8 competitors stepped forward to the stone slab that changed to list their names and Guilds, with corresponding Guild Marks, while the others left to go to their designated boxes for competitors or in Fairy Tail Team A's case wait at the edge of the arena for some reason. "Make sure you got your snacks and drinks ready because you're going to want to remain in your seats as you not going to want to miss a moment of this. It's time to play Hidden."
I just couldn't resist a little cliffhanger at the end like that but y'all know what is about to come. The long opening ceremony has come to a close, the competitors for Hidden are chosen, and all that is left is for the rules to be announced and the event to begin which is of course coming up next week. There really isn't much to actually say after this chapter as it's a simple opening ceremony with various perspectives but just in case there is some confusion, I primarily use dub terms and styles in this series hence why the alliance Zora mentions is called Baram not Balam as that is what the dub says and the same for Nalpudding's name. Also, after a lot of internal debate I decided that I'd use the dub styling for Juvia and have her speak in the first person not the third in keeping with the anime which will be the prevailing source material for stylings due to that being what I know of Fairy Tail and not the manga. Anyway, that is all that I have for y'all after this nice, long, chapter so I will leave it off here. If you liked this please favorite, follow, leave a review, or let me know in a PM and I will try to answer any questions posed in reviews and PMs as best I can. Until next time.
Stringdog