Mavis: Previously on Challenge Island, the challenge was rather simple this time. The teams just had to collect a few hidden metal balls and then throw them down to get some points. Simple. During the course, relationship drama was coming out. Juvia and Natsu are getting antsy about Lucy and Gray, while Levy and Gajeel were starting to bond. However, just as they were making a good connection, Minerva managed to convince her team to turn against Gajeel and voted him off. Hopefully, this will make more of a splash. It's all on Challenge Island!
It hasn't been long since Gajeel has been voted out, but Levy seemed to really missed him. She just sat at her cabin and thought about him.
"You okay, Levy?" Erza asked as she sat with her.
"Yeah. I just miss, Gajeel." Levy said. "I can't believe Minerva. She took a personal conversation between him and me and used it to get him voted out. It seemed like we were just getting to know each other, and now he's gone."
"Sounds like you were quite taken with him." Erza said. Levy didn't think about it before, but now that she is, maybe she was.
Confessional (Levy): I never really got the appeal of the bad boy girls like until now. Gajeel was like a good book. It seemed like things were going good, and I wanted to see how it would end. Thanks to Minerva, I might not get the chance now.
"Good morning, ladies." Minerva said as she came over to them.
"What do you want?" Erza said as she was already annoyed with her.
"I just wanted to see how poor Levy was doing. I know it must have been hard to see Gajeel leave, but it's just part of the game." Minerva claimed, but the girls were getting the sense that she was actually mocking them.
"Don't go thinking you're in control of this game." Erza said.
"At least I have some control." Minerva said. "I also know about that little thing going on between you and Jellal, Minerva. Maybe I'll make Jellal the next one of the team voted out. Your alliance, or whatever it is, isn't going to get the better of me." Erza did think Jellal acted a little strange during the last challenge, but she now sees why.
Confessional (Erza): That Minerva... I swear that I'm not going to lose to the likes of her. She's going down.
...
Lucy
"Aw... This feels rather nice." Lucy said as she was just simply relaxing by the water. "This place isn't so bad. It's nice to just relax."
"Enjoy it while you can." Lucy looked up and saw Natsu coming over to join her.
"Hey. What are you doing here?" Lucy asked.
"I was hoping that maybe we could talk." Natsu said as he sat with her. "Lucy, is there something going on between you and Gray?"
"Me and Gray? Why do you ask?" Lucy questioned.
"It's just... You two seem to be getting really close lately." Natsu said.
"Does that bother you? Are you jealous?" Lucy said, but Natsu wasn't really sure how to answer that. In truth, Lucy didn't know how to answer his question.
Confessional (Lucy): Honestly, when Natsu asked me that, I didn't know how to answer. I like Natsu. He's been real help to me in this game. He's been giving me a little courage, but Gray has been supportive and have my back. They both seem great, but I can't like both of them.
"Hey! Mind if I get in on this?" Loke asked as he came over and joined them. The two of them were hoping to be alone, but Loke just ruined that. "Sorry if I'm interrupting, but I was thinking of taking a dive. Lucy, care to join me?"
"Uh... No thanks." Lucy said as she certainly wasn't interested in a playboy.
"Attention, contestants! Grab your swimsuits and meet me by the dock in fifteen! This next challenge is happening by the water!" Mavis announced.
"Looks like you'll be joining me in the water after all." Loke said as he gave her a wink.
Confessional (Lucy): Loke, I'm not too worried about. He does seem like a good guy, but I'm not interested in playboys like him.
...
The Docks
"Welcome, everyone. I hope you're ready to have some fun in the water." Mavis said. All of them gathered at the docks dressed in their swim attire. "Today's challenge is going to be completely aquatic, but it's also going to consist of three parts. The team that manages to get two out of three wins will be the winner of this challenge."
"All we've got to do is win two of them? We've got this." Natsu said.
"I wouldn't so quick to judge." Sting said.
"Well, sounds like you're all ready to go." Mavis said. "Here's how the first challenge is going to work. One person from each team is going to dive into the water. Down there are two keys, one for each of you. The first to find their key will win the first challenge. So, which two feel like going diving?"
"I'll go." Minerva offered. "I've always been great in the water. I can handle this challenge."
"Okay. Minerva is up for the Tenacious Tigers. Fierce Falcons, who will you go with?" Mavis questioned.
"Right here!" Erza said as she stepped forward. The two of them looked at each other with a strong rivalry as they both don't want to lose to the other.
Confessional (Erza): I am not going to let Minerva get the better of me. Someone has to stand up to her, and I'm not afraid of a bully.
Confessional (Minerva): If she thinks she's going to the better of me, she has another thing coming.
"This will be fun. It's Minerva vs. Erza in the first part of the challenge. First to find a key wins." Mavis announced. "If you are both ready..." Both of them got ready to dive and take the other down. "Go!" They dived into the water with their teams cheering for them. Erza and Minerva looked around under the water to try and find their key. They were also aiming to do it in one breath so that they could save some time. The problem was that there were a bunch of rocks, fish, and sand. It wasn't going to be easy to find one little key in this mess. Erza kept searching around until she felt the need for air. She tried to hold it in and swam back up to try and catch her breath.
"This isn't working. Let's try this." Erza kept herself just beneath the surface and just searched around from there. As she was searching, she spotted something shining near the leg of the dock and saw it was a key. Going back up, she took a deep breath and dived back down. As for Minerva, she kept searching around and soon spotted one resting against a rock. Both of them went for their keys, but Minerva got it first. Now, she just needs to get to the surface first. Minerva was almost there, but then she felt something grab her leg. She looked down and saw it was Erza. Erza pulled her back down and even kicked Minerva back with her getting to the surface first. Erza emerged and showed she had the key.
"And the Falcons win the first challenge!" Mavis called with all of them cheering. As for Minerva, she finally emerged out of the water, but was angry.
"You..." Minerva said.
"I'm impressed you held your breath for so long. Must be all the hot air you give off." Erza mocked. Now Minerva was really mad.
Confessional (Minerva): So, Erza likes to play hardball. I'll keep that in mind.
"On to the second challenge." Mavis said once they all gathered together. "I'm sure you're wondering what the keys are for. Well, they are for that." She pointed across the water and they could see jet skies out there and anchored down.
"Jet skies?! Oh, please tell me we're driving those bad boys!" Sting said.
"That's right, Sting." Mavis said. "The keys are meant to get those started. The second part of the challenge is a swimming race. One person from each team will swim out to those jet skies, free them, and can ride them back to the dock. First one to make it back wins the second part of the challenge. Since the Fierce Falcons already won the last challenge, they'll win the whole thing if they make it back here first. Also, you can't use the same person twice. That means Erza and Minerva can't partake any further. So, who is going in?"
"We have to win this and seal the deal." Erza said. "Who here is a fast swimmer?"
"I'm pretty decent, but I don't think I could beat any of them." Lyon said.
"Same here. I'm a good swimmer, but I don't think I can swim fast enough." Lucy said, but then a thought occurred to her. "Gray, you told me you were a part of your school's swimming team and brought back the silver."
"Silver, not gold, and that was back when I was in middle school." Gray said. "It's been a while since my high school doesn't have a swim team."
"The point is that you might be our best chance." Lucy said as she put her hand on his arm. "I'm sure you can do it."
"Okay. I'll do it." Gray said as he placed his hand over hers. Natsu and Juvia certainly didn't like how that looked.
"We can't afford to lose now." Laxus said with the Tenacious Tigers planning their move. "Who here thinks they can make it?"
"Let Sting do it. He's a great swimmer, and he's excited. He clearly wants to drive one of those." Rogue said.
"Don't worry. I've got this." Sting assured. Once both teams made their decisions as to who should go, they both stood ready to take part in this challenge with the keys in their hands.
"Gray vs. Sting. Ready... Go!" Mavis called. Both of them dived into the water and they both started swimming to the jet skies. Gray was actually doing pretty well. He did seem to be a great swimmer and was doing rather well. However, Sting was using his excitement and refusal to lose to move faster. Sting was pulling out ahead with Gray trying to get back in the lead. However, Sting reached the jet skies first and untethered his. Once he got it free, he got on, inserted the key and drove off just as Gray got to his. However, Sting was the first to make it back. "Sting is the first one back, and that means the Tenacious Tigers win this challenge! It's now tied one to one, which means the third challenge will be the tie breaker. Follow me." Mavis brought them to a different part of the water. When they arrived, they saw a course set out for them. "Here is where we will have the third challenge. A water skiing competition!"
"Water skiing?" Juvia questioned.
"Of course." Mavis said. "It will be fun. That's what the jet skies are for. One person from each team will ski across the water on the predetermined course. During the time you out there, there are five flags for you to grab. You have to grab them before crossing the finish line. Whichever team has the most flags wins, but if you crash and wipeout before reaching the finish line, it will count as zero. This time, you're going to need two people out there. One for the water skiing, and one for steering. Again, you can't use the same person twice. So, who is going out there?"
"Does anyone here know how to water ski?" Levy questioned.
"I've done it a few times myself." Juvia said.
"And I can drive the jet." Loke said.
"Sounds good. Let's bring home a win." Lyon said.
"I can drive the jet ski, but who can grab the flags?" Laxus questioned.
"I'll do it. This sounds like it could be a lot of fun." Mirajane offered. They all went with those teams, especially since they didn't have much other options. Once the pairs have been set, the first up were the Tigers with Laxus on the jet and Mirajane on the skis
"Here we go! Final challenge! First up is Laxus and Mirajane!" Mavis announced. "Go!" Mavis gave the signal and Laxus took off. He had to stay in the path that was already set for them with Mirajane skiing over the water. There were some turns, but Mirajane was able to stand up straight with the first flag coming at the turn. She reached out and was able to grab it. "That's one flag for the Tigers!"
"Heads up, Mira! Looks like you have to jump for it!" Laxus called. They could see the second flag hanging off a rod. Mirajane tried to make it to the ramp. She jumped, but she just missed the flag.
"Oh no! Mirajane missed the second flag and can't go back for it!" Mavis announced. Mirajane might have missed that one, but she got the others when she jumped off a ramp, grabbed one in the center of the path, and the last one on a sharp turn. In the end, Laxus crossed the finish line with Mira having all five flags.
"Tigers finish with a total of four flags!" Mavis announced as that seemed like a great score to them. "It's impressive, but if Juvia can grab all five flags on the course, the Falcons can win."
"Let's do this, Juvia. Are you ready?" Loke questioned.
"Yes. Let's go." Juvia said as she was excited for this. Both of them took their positions and were ready.
"Go!" Mavis called with the Falcons taking their turn. Loke drove the jet ski through the water with Juvia riding on the skis. Juvia was doing good, and then the first flag came up. She reached out for it and grabbed it. "That's one flag for the Falcons, but here comes the one Mirajane missed!"
"Get ready, Juvia!" Loke called. Juvia braced herself when she saw the ramp. She rode up the ramp and jumped for the flag...with her grabbing it.
"Juvia grabbed it!" Mavis announced. That looked promising to the Falcons. Juvia was doing great after that. The other three flags reached for each one. "Juvia managed to get all five flags! If she can avoid wiping out and cross the finish line, the Fierce Falcons will win!"
"Yes! Go, Juvia!" Erza called, but missed Minerva sneaking up on her.
Confessional (Minerva): I couldn't let them win so easily, and I owed Erza some payback. Two birds, one stone.
"Oh Loke!" Minerva called and got his attention. Then, she ripped off Erza's top and exposed her.
"KYA!" Erza was completely exposed with all the guys staring right at her. That included Loke and he couldn't keep his eyes off.
"Loke! Keep your eyes on the goal!" Juvia called, but Loke wasn't paying attention. He ended up crashing against the shore and Juvia was pulled in with him. Loke crashed against the ground and Juvia ended up flying with her crashing right into Lucy.
"Are you two... Whoa!" Natsu said as all eyes were on those two now.
"Sorry, folks!" Mavis said as she tried to keep the cameras away. "Those two ended up in a position that's not appropriate for the public eye. Obviously, Juvia didn't cross the finish line, which means the Tenacious Tigers win the challenge. Fierce Falcons are going to the Elimination Ceremony." That was that, but they didn't exactly celebrate because of what they were looking at.
Confessional (Erza): I can't believe Minerva did that! She's going to pay!
Confessional (Natsu): Poor Lucy and Juvia. That crash had to help, but the position those two were in... Woo...
Confessional (Juvia): Why?! Why couldn't I have crashed like that into Gray instead of her?!
Confessional (Gray): Well, Juvia wanted to get my attention. I say she got it after that.
...
Lucy
"Ow..." Lucy groaned. She stepped outside after getting changed, but parts of her hurt after that crash. "I think after that, I'm not going water skiing for a long time."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. It was a good show." Loke said as he walked over to her.
"Okay, keep it back." Lucy said as she held out her hand. "Don't get any ideas after what you saw. That whole thing was your fault."
"Yeah, and I have a feeling I'm going to get voted out because of that." Loke said. "In case I do, I wanted to talk to you Lucy. I want to give you some advice about your relationship issues with Natsu and Gray." Lucy was a little surprised that he knew about that. "Look, obviously you're trying to figure out how you feel. You seem to be drawn to both of them, but you don't want to get anyone hurt. My advice, figure this out and avoid anything serious that might happen. Otherwise, you're going to feel a strong temptation, and someone is going to get hurt."
"Wow. That's some sound advice, Loke. Thanks, but why do you care?" Lucy questioned.
"Because you seem like a great girl, and great girl like you should have a guy you really like." Loke said. Lucy appreciated him saying that. She thought he was just a player, but he doesn't seem too bad. After tonight, it might be his only chance to make peace.
...
Elimination Ceremony
"Welcome back to the Elimination Ceremony, Fierce Falcons." Mavis said as the Elimination Ceremony was underway now. "There are eight of you now, but there will be one less after that. First, I have to ask how the ladies are doing after what happened."
"In pain, but I'll be okay." Lucy said.
"Same here." Juvia said. They might be hurting, but it sounds like they're pull through and keep going.
"Erza? What about you?" Mavis asked.
"I'll be better when I get my hands on Minerva." Erza said. Clearly mad.
"Okay... Well, I won't keep you waiting." Mavis said. "The following players are safe because they have zero votes against them. Natsu. Lyon. Levy. Lucy. Gray. Erza." All of them were glad to be safe, but that only left Juvia and Loke. "Juvia and Loke, it's down to you two. Juvia, you had a chance to win it for you team, but you didn't cross the finish line to seal it."
"It's not my fault. Loke should have watched where he was going." Juvia said.
"Which brings me to you, Loke. You got distracted and ended up crashing. That too cost your team the win." Mavis said.
"You saw why. My only excuse is that I'm a guy." Loke said.
"And that excuse isn't enough because...Juvia is safe." Mavis claimed with Juvia glad that she is. "Loke, your time here is over."
"That's okay. I had a feeling it would come down to that." Loke said as he held his head up proud. "I'm just glad I got to be here, and I'm real glad about my final moments. I won't forget that." Just then, Erza grabbed him by the shirt and tried intimidating him.
"You better forget." Erza said as she was turning all that humiliation into anger. With how she was feeling, Loke was getting really scared now.
"I will. I will never speak of it again." Loke promised. With that, Loke got on the boat and that was goodbye to Challenge Island's other type of player. At least he gave Lucy some advice. Now, she just has to use it.
"We really made some waves on this one, but there is still a long way to go." Mavis announced. "How far will Minerva and Erza's rivalry escalate? What is going to become of this love square among the Fierce Falcons? Find out next time on Challenge Island!"