Chapter 86

Brains Over Brawn

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback you

Location / Date / Time Skip

"Looks like the fight is about to start." Laki said as the Dragon Slayer trio raced through the streets. "We need to hurry."

"But how are we gonna get inside without being noticed?" Wendy asked.

"I have an idea." Happy said, flying over to a costume store.

"That's not going to work." Carla replied.

"Actually, I heard that they were doing some renovations at the castle." Rose spoke up. "They have a lot of wood around there. If we could-"

"I see where you're going." Laki smiled.

"We'll do our best to save Lucy." Wendy declared, glancing up at the coliseum. "I wish Erza and the others good luck."

Domus Flau

"Show us your weapons, your magic, your bonds with your comrades. This is a survival game where everyone participates." Chapati declared to the roaring crowd. "The final day of the Grand Magic Games starts now! The battlefield will be the city of Crocus! The guild members have already filled the streets. You will run around the city and when you encounter an enemy, a fight will start.

"If your enemy loses consciousness or is unable to continue fighting, you get the point. Also, each guild will decide on a leader, unknown to the other guilds. If you defeat that leader, you will get five points. You can get up to 45 points, it's anyones game today. The strategy is entirely up to the teams."

"Listen well, we have to win to save Lucy." Erza declared.

"If Natsu and the others managed to get Lucy back, that would be the best." Juvia added.

"But we have another reason to win." Gray said. "To make up for our guild that lost for seven years."

"Let the final day of the Grand Magic Games begin!" A gong rang out and the lacrima vision filled the arena, starting the final fight.

"As expedited, most of the teams separated." Yajima said. "Sabertooth's fighters have separated, but others are fighting in pairs of two or three."

"What is going on!?" Chapati interrupted, staring at the camera with a dumbfounded look. "All five members of the Fairy Tail Guild are standing still with their eyes closed!"

"What the hell are they doing!?" Makarov growled out as battles raged on the streets. The quintet still refused to move as Quattro Puppy was left down to Bacchus.

The Drunken Falcon stumbled forward, ready to fight Yuka and Toby, only for Sting to crash down and slam him into the ground, eliminating the guild and giving Sabertooth five points.

"Sabertooth is in first place once again!" Chapati shouted, making Makarov panic.

The Lamia Scale wizards backed away only for them to get eliminated by Kagura. She looked up and found that Sting had suddenly vanished. "He's gone?"

"Why the hell aren't they moving!?" Makarov asked. "We need to save Lucy!"

"That's why we need to remain calm." Mavis said, catching his attention. "In these four days, I've recorded the enemy's battle prowess, magic, attack patterns... I've memorized them all. And based countless simulated fights from that. I predicted the enemy's victories and movements, this is my wisdom."

Makarove gasped in shock as the five in the battle finally opened their eyes. "To lead our comrades to victory, this is my fight. Operation Fairy Stars, begin!" The five finally started moving, making the crowd cheer.

Mercusius

Two guards stood at the metal gate, bored out of their minds. "Why do we have to do this job?" The one on the left asked. "Genkins doesn't have to do this."

"Genkins has a pregnant wife due today." The one on the right said back. "You want him working?"

"Better him than me, Limmons." The guard replied back. "And why is this stupid thing near us?" He asked, motioning to the wooden scaffold next to it. "What could this possible do?"

"The Princess wants it there. Are you gonna start arguing with royalty now?" Limmons asked. On the other side of the wall, Natsu held his hands up and caught Laki as she was the last to leave.

"Man, these guys talk a lot." Natsu whispered. "Now let's go find Lucy." The others nodded and raced into the castle, careful not to run into anyone.

Domus Flau

"Everyone, spread out! Move to your next positions!" Mavis shouted at the screen, confusing the members that stared at her. "At this point, there is a 97% percent chance that Rufus will make his move."

In the streets, Rufus smirked underneath his hat. "I see it. Seems they have underestimated my tracking abilities. I'll take you all out at once." He placed his hands on his temple and a light started glowing. "Memory Make: Night of Shooting Stars!" The same light from the first day rose up and started arcing towards the ground.

"It looks like Rufus is trying to take out all of Fairy Tail at once." Chapati commentated.

"Within two seconds from the time you see the lights in the sky, it's possible to dodge them." Mavis reported before four of the five dodged the attack. "Laxus alone can guard against the lightning element of the attack." The blonde raised his hand and tanked the attack, shocking Rufus.

"Because of this, there is a 68 percent chance that Rufus will try to approach us. There's a 32% chance that he will wait where he is, but that will not a hindrance on our strategy."

"The Fairy Star Strategy?" Lisanna asked.

"I get that it's a strategy to win, but other than that..." Cana confessed before shrugging her shoulders.

"At this point, Erza will go north-west to come in contact with the enemy." Mavis predicted as Erza came across Jenny. With one sword swing, the red head defeated the model. "Gajeel will defeat the enemy in the south." The Iron Dragon Slayer crushed Ren and Eve with a roar, forcing Hibiki to run.

"Is there someone in Fairy Tail able to surpass the calculations of my Archive!?" The playboy asked, only to get blasted with ice from Gray.

"After defeating the enemy that escaped from Gajeel, Gray will head to point B-4." Mavis declared as the scores changed again, making the crowd cheer. "Juvia will provide logistical support by looking for enemies. Laxus will move to F-8 while Erza will go to S-5. The enemies are still active around there."

"I-I remember..." Makarov mumbled in fear. "The First's nickname. She lead her team to victory in many battles thanks to her prodigious ability in making strategies... She is the Fairy Tactician, Mavis."

By the time Makarov picked his jaw off the floor, only four teams were still alive in the final game. "Now it will be a harder battle." Mavis said, staring at the screen at Jura. "I have given him much thought, but I cannot decide on a way to handle him. That's how powerful that man is."

Mercusius Depths

Lucy laid on the bed in thought as Yukino sat in the ground. "Lucy, Lucy!" She looked up and found Natsu and the others at the door. "Just stay back for a second." He gripped the bars and they started smoking before he bent them out if the way.

"I brought some clothes for you two." Laki said as the girls stepped out.

"Thanks, everyone." Lucy said as she dressed herself.

"Now to get out of here." Carla declared.

"Can we get out the same way we came in?" Rose asked.

"Wait, they still have my keys." Lucy spoke up. "I have to find them."

Suddenly, the ground open and the group fell through the open hole into a massive cave before quickly closing. They fell to the ground with Natsu being the unfortunate one at the bottom. "Ow..."

"Sorry about that." Laki said as she climbed off. "Where are we?"

"Welcome to the Hell Palace." A voice declared, echoing throughout the cave. "You fell perfectly into our trap. And now you will never leave this place. This is a place of death, the Hell Palace. The last bit of freedom allowed to criminals like you. And no one has ever escaped from her." A lacrima screen appeared, showing a green haired teen with jewelry and fancy clothing. "You thieves can rot here."

"Who is she?" Natsu asked.

"The princess of rhis castle, Hisui E. Fiore." Yukino reported, shocking the group before the screen ended.

Domus Flau

"Breathtaking fights continue here at the final day!" Chapati said, exciting the crowd. "And I'm sure even more hot-blooded battles will be coming our way!"

Gray walked into a large library and smirked, staring at Rufus as he sat in a chair. "The first told me if I came here I could find you."

Rufus closed fhe book he was reading and looked up. "My memories were about ti forget you." He confessed. "Would you help me remember?"

"You don't have to remember, because this will be your end." Gray retorted.

Back in the stands, Romeo leaned over to Mavis. "Was this also planned, First?" He asked, receiving a nod. "So that means Gray is gonna win, right?

"I don't know." The spirit replied, shocking the guild. "However, he has to win. Rufus is a key person in Sabertooth's strategy. When I explained my plan, he insisted on facing Rufus. I warned him that he might not win, but he demanded on it. Sometimes feelings surpass calculations. Show me your feelings."

Gray wasted no time and slammed his hands together. "Let's do this, you masked freak!" He shouted as Rufus closed his book. "Ice-Make: Freeze Lancer!" Frozen spears shot out towards the blonde, who jumped to the side. "You won't get away! Ice Impact!" A frozen spiked hammer appeared and crushed the ground as Rufus dodged again. "Quit running!"

"Very well, I shall give you a taste of your memories." Rufus declared, confusing Gray. "I can memorize any magic I have seen before and forge new kinds based on those memories. For example, your Ice Magic and Orga's Thunder Magic..." He started glowing as he placed his hands in his temple. "Memory Make: Freezing Blade of Black Thunder!"

Black lightning shot down around Gray before it erupted into ice, blasting Gray back. "Now Shrine of the Stormy Wind Fangs!" Rufus waved his hands, summoning a swarm of tornados. Gray countered with his shield spell. "Forget." Rufus waved his hand and the shield suddenly vanished, the wind catching Gray and spinning him around the room.

"This will not be a fight, but a requiem." The blonde declared as Gray crashed to the ground and slid to a stop. "Remember this, you cannot win against me."

"I wouldn't be so sure..." Gray declared as he ripped off his shirt, showing his emblem on his chest, as well as making the girls in the crowd blush. "As long as the mark of Fairy Tail has been on my body, I'm not gonna loose to the same opponent twice."

"Then do you have a strategy?" Rufus teased.

"Ice-Make: " Gray declared, slamming his hands together.

"Memory-"

"Unlimited!" Gray shouted, stunning the blonde. A swarm of different shapes and weapons suddenly surrounded Gray as she charged Rufus. "Memorize this!"

"My memory... can't keep up!" Rufus declared as the attack slammed into him. "However, it's too bad that it's pure ice. Because I remember the flames that can melt any ice! Memory Make: Karma of the Scorching Earth!" A wave of flames erupted and blasted Gray, who jumped through them with a smirk on his face.

"You kidding me?" He asked back. "I can remember flames way hotter than these. Ice Bringer!" He swung his hands with frozen swords in them before a chunk of ice exploded on Rufus' chest. The blonde hit the ground hard and rolled into a bookshelf, knocking it over and burying him.

His hat floated down and Gray caught it before donning the head gear. "Fairy Tail wins!" Chapati shoured, exciting the crowd as Juvia swooned. "Rufus is down! This leaves Fairy Tail as the only team with five members!"

Mavis smiled in the stands as her guild cheered behind her. "That was splendid." She smiled.

Back in the city, the members of Sabertooth stared at the screens in around them. "They got you, Rufus..." Orga mumbled.

"Fairy Tail is indeed strong, but I will not lose..." Rufus declared. "Not until I defeat you, Gajeel."

Minerva smirked as she stared at the screen, placing her hand on her hip. "Is Sabertooth going to crumble? Or will Sting lead us to victory?"

Last Night

Crocus Garden

Jiemma dropped to the ground and the entire guild stared in shock of the action. "That's good." Minerva said as she stepped forward, shocking everyone. "Let's put an end to my father's reign of terror. Sting has surpassed my father, therefore he is a worthy candidate to become the next master."

"Minerva..." Jiemma groaned out. "What are you..."

"Silence. We don't need loser." She snapped back. "According to your logic." She turned to Sting and walked forward. "There is one thing that Natsu has and you don't. That is the power of feelings."

"The power... of feelings?" Sting repeated in confusion.

"You were following my father's example." She explained. "'We don't need friends.' 'Power is everything.' But your battle with Natsu and Laki have proved his philosophy wrong. Look at what you just did. Your feelings for Lector have become power. With it, we can win the Games."

"Miss... I..." He mumbled.

"Do not worry, Lector is alive." She declared, shocking the blonde. "I sent him to another plane with my magic."

"Th-thank you miss!" He dropped to his knees and wiped tears from his eyes. "Please bring Lector back! I-"

"Do not whine." She ordered, suddenly in the face of him. "I will not give him until we win the Grand Magic Games. I am different from my father, but Sabertooth should still be the number one guild. You have your chance to prove that you've become stronger. By winning we will display our power to the people. And remember, Lector's life is in my hand."

Present

Sting looked up from the ground, anger in his eye. "I will win, no matter the costs."

Hell Palace

The Exceeds flew back down and shook their heads. "Natsu, the ceiling is completely closed." Happy declared. "We couldn't find an exit."

"Well, so much for that plan." Laki sighed. "Looks like the rescue team needs a rescue team."

"That reminds me, weren't you two supposed to be in the Games today?" Lucy asked.

"Gajeel and Juvia went in our place." Natsu explained. "We weren't gonna leave any of our friends behind."

"...I didn't think we were friends." Yukino confessed.

"Guys! I found a passage!" Rose shouted as she flew over. The group followed her and found the crack in the wall. Squeezing through the opening, they entered another opening with someone on the ground.

"It's Arcadios!" Yukino shouted as she sprinted over.

"He must have been thrown down here like us." Lucy realized as the others raced after her.

They came to a stop before the injured man, where he started gasping. "R-run away."

A sudden grumble forced the group to jump back, some liquid burning through the ground. "Acid!?" Lucy asked. Another noise caught their attention before water suddenly forced them up.

"What the heck is going on?" Natsu asked. A strange plant rose up before a pink haired girl rose out of the blossom. Paper flew in from nowhere and took the form of another girl.

"It's the independent unit that supports the kingdom from the shadows..." Arcadios groaned out. "The strongest executors in the whole kingdom. It is because of them that it is impossible to escape the Hell Palace: The Garou Knights."

A fifth man stepped forward, two massive scythes in his back. "Garou Knights: Mission 1500 start." The masked man said. "Within the special rights conferred to us, The Garou Knights, are going to execute you criminals."

Natsu puffed his cheeks and started laughing for no reason. "I'm sorry, but how are you supposed to be in a knights order!? Especially that guy!" He pointed at the bald fisherman, who blinked in response.

"Do not let their simple appearance fool you." Arcadios let out. "The magic they use... is meant only to kill people."

"The good news is that the exit came to us!" Natsu chuckled as he cracked his fist.

"Yeah, they can show us the exit after we thrash them." Laki added as she and Wendy stepped in front of Lucy and Yukino.

"You two stay back." Wendy requested. "Without your keys, you can't help us fight."

"Happy, Carla, Rose, stay back." Pantherlily declared as he entered his battle form.

"You plan... to fight them?" Arcadios asked in shock.

"Ignorant fools." The masked man declared. "The Garou Knights will show you the error of your way. You will return to the earth."

"Shall we, Cosmos?" The twin tailed girl asked as she pulled out a piece of red paper.

"Let us dance with beauty, Kamika." The plant girl replied.

Kamika blew the paper forward, where it spiraled and caught fire. "Paper Storm: Red Dance!"

"I got this!" Natsu declared as he ignited his hands. He grabbed the paper and waited for it to burn, only for the force to blast him back. "The hell?"

"You cannot burn the god of flames." Kamika chuckled.

"Sky Dragon Roar!" Wendy chanted before she blasted the paper back.

"Well done, Wendy!" Carla cheered as a large flytrap suddenly appeared under the girl.

"Beautiful..." Cosmos mumbled as the plant snapped shut. "Such a beautiful dance this doll this. It will flower the corpses that blossom in blood."

Instantly, the plant was sliced apart by Laki's Grain Blade before more tendril vines shoot forward. Pantherlily sliced through the plants before jumping back from the Acid Mage's punch.

"Paper Storm: Purple Dance!" Kamika declared as shards of purple paper shot forward, sticking to the wizards and freezing them in place. "Purple paper is the God of Binding." She chuckled.

"This is as beautiful a combination as you can get." Cosmos declared as a massive plant appeared over head. "Eat the lives of these sinners as beautifully as possible."

The plant suddenly created a vaccum and began sucking them upwards. "Hang on! I can heal us!" Wendy shouted as she hung on to a rock. "A strong body to ward of evil: Raise!" Everyone began glowing before rhe papers fell off.

"Nice work, Wendy!" Natsu cheered as he nodded at Laki and Pantherlily. "Let's destroy that thing!" All three roared and attacked the plant, creating a massive explosion.

Natsu popped out fo the rubble and looked around. "Laki! Lucy!? Anyone!?" He climbed out of the debris and looked around, finding only weird looking statues. "Where are they?"

"It seems that everyone was separated due to the shockwave." The pinkette turned around to see the masked man standing behind him. "My warriors are skilled. No one will come out alive."

"And after all this, I lose track of Lucy." Natsu grumbled as he dropped into a fighting stance.

"Everyone, where are you?" Wendy asked as she walked around.

A large flower suddenly rose up, making her jump back into a fighting stance. "Beautiful..." Cosmos declared as she came up. "Actually, it's lovely. I'm going to execute you now."

The acid mage chuckled as he walked towards Panterlily, who stood in front of Rose. "Looks like we're on our own." He declared.

"Lucy, Natsu! Where are you?!" Laki asked as she looked around.

"You should never look away in a fight." Kamika declared as she suddenly formed behind her.

Lucy and Yukino groaned as they pushed themselves up. "Did we lose everyone in the blast?" The blonde asked.

"We don't have our keys." Yukino reminded her. "If we get into a fight..."

"We need to find the others." Happy declared before he suddenly started floating without his wings.

"I got one!" The fisherman looking knight chuckled before sending the cat crashing into a pillar.

"Who is this guy?" Carla asked.

"The name's Uosuke." The man declared.

"That's a pretty lame name." Lucy said. "I beat we can beat this guy without our keys."

"Yes." Yukino added.

"This is bad..." Arcadios groaned out. "It's said that not even the bones are left when someone faces him." His words only scared the girls and crushed their hopes of victory.

Well this was a roller coaster of a chapter, wasn't it? Changed up a lot of thing about this chapter and I'm really happy they showed off a more strategic side to the Games. Add in a deadly group of assassins and an underground cavern of dead bodies and this is my kinda games. Hope you guys had fun reading it.

Beta read by General Feng Xiang