Dragon's Dawn: Sabertooth's New Fear
The first day of the Grand Magic Games had concluded with surprising results:
Dragon's Dawn: 12 points
Raven Tail: 10 points
Sabertooth: 10 points
Lamia Scale: 8 points
Fairy Tail B: 6 points
Mermaid Heel: 6 points
Blue Pegasus: 4 points
Quatro Cerberus: 2 points
Fairy Tail A: 0 points
Lucy's defeat at the hands of Flare Corona had left Team Natsu without a single point, a fact that Gajeel couldn't help but rub in Natsu's face when they returned to their inn. The resulting scuffle was quickly ended by Erza's intervention, after which the guild turned their attention to the mysterious new competitors who had taken first place.
"First Master," Erza asked, addressing Mavis Vermillion, "what do you propose we do about this new guild that's appeared in the games?"
Mavis considered the question carefully. "For now, I'd say to keep a close eye on them. I'm not sure what their goal is here."
Makarov nodded in agreement. "The First Master has spoken. Do as she says and do not engage the members of this new guild under any circumstance." He fixed Natsu and Gray with a stern glare. "This especially goes for you two."
"Aw, come on, Gramps!" Natsu protested. "Can't I fight one of 'em?"
"No, Natsu!" Makarov bellowed. "I know how the two of you are. DO NOT FIGHT THEM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. AM I CLEAR?!"
"Yes, sir," they answered in unison, disappointment evident in their voices.
"We really don't know what that guild is capable of yet or how strong they really are," Makarov explained, his tone softening slightly.
Erza started to speak. "Master, if they're anything like we've heard then—"
"That would mean we're in real trouble if this new guild is as strong as the rumors say they are," Laxus finished, his expression grim.
Wendy looked troubled. "But Erza-san, if that's true, that would mean these guys are almost Wizard Saint level, wouldn't it?"
Mavis's face grew solemn. "No, Wendy. I am loath to admit this, but... I believe the true strength of Dragon's Dawn may be even higher than Wizard Saint level, especially their top members."
A shocked silence fell over the room.
"First Master," Erza asked, finding her voice first, "are... are you absolutely sure of that?"
"I know it may seem crazy, but we have to assume that this may be the case," Mavis replied. "This guild is much stronger than any foe we have ever dealt with before, with the exception of Acnologia."
She advised them to avoid challenging the top three members of Dragon's Dawn at all costs, suggesting they might stand a chance only against the lower-ranked two.
As the discussion continued, Wendy's thoughts drifted to the crimson-haired boy who had rescued her from Raven Tail. "What was his name again? Hmm... Koga, I think? I wonder what kind of person Koga is?" she mused silently.
Carla noticed Wendy's distraction and guessed the source of her thoughts. Just then, a vision flashed before Carla's eyes: ten figures in strange armor standing protectively around a weeping Lucy as a castle crumbled around them. The vision faded as quickly as it had come.
"Carla, are you okay? Is something wrong?" Wendy asked, noticing her friend's startled expression.
"It... was nothing, child," Carla assured her. "Nothing is wrong. I was just a little dizzy."
"Well, okay. Just let me know if something comes up, all right?"
"Of course I will, child," Carla replied with a forced smile. She couldn't bring herself to share the bizarre vision with Wendy; it seemed too outlandish to be true.
Later, Porlyusica approached Carla. "Why didn't you tell her what you saw?"
"I couldn't tell her," Carla answered. "There's no way a vision like that could ever come true. It was far too bizarre to come into fruition."
At the Sabertooth inn, Guild Master Jiemma addressed his wizards with barely contained fury. Though they had scored points that day, it was only by defeating weaker guilds. Being surpassed by some upstart guild that hadn't existed until four years ago was unacceptable.
"What do you propose we do about this Dragon's Dawn Guild?" Rufus asked. "We can't deny that each of them must be pretty powerful."
"Yeah," Sting added. "You saw their fight with one of Mermaid Heel's members. They completely destroyed them; it wasn't even close."
Jiemma seethed silently. Sabertooth's reputation as the strongest guild in Fiore was being threatened, and he would not tolerate further humiliation. He dismissed his wizards with a warning that there would be severe consequences for failure.
Once alone, Sting and Rogue discussed the competition with their Exceeds.
"You think we can beat any of them?" Lector asked.
Sting smirked confidently. "Yeah, we got this. They're probably not all that powerful anyway. Well... except for their leader... He might be a problem."
"Oh? Why do you say that, Sting?" Rufus inquired with a sly smile.
Sting's expression turned serious. "Rufus, surely you know why. Don't act like you don't. You felt that guy's power, didn't you?" He leaned forward. "That guy's power... it was even higher than Master's."
Rogue's doubts vanished instantly. He knew Sting would never make such a claim lightly. Lector maintained his unwavering confidence in Sting, but the truth was that none of them had yet seen Dragon's Dawn at full strength.
Later that evening, Erza walked the streets of Crocus with her old friend Millianna, seeking fresh air and trying to puzzle out Dragon's Dawn's objectives. Their conversation turned to Jellal, a subject that always brought tension, especially for Millianna.
Before they could delve deeper into the topic, Erza sensed someone approaching and quickly positioned herself protectively in front of her friend. From the shadows emerged a tall, auburn-haired woman with brilliant amber eyes, clad in sky-blue armor from neck to toe.
"Erza Scarlet and Millianna, correct?" the woman asked.
"Yes, that's correct," Erza replied cautiously. "Now, who are you and what do you want?"
"You'll have to forgive me. I meant no disrespect. I'm Skyye Blacksmith of Dragon's Dawn. I come in peace, friend."
Erza explained to Millianna that Skyye belonged to the new guild in the competition.
"You're from Dragon's Dawn? What do you want with us?" Erza asked.
Skyye smiled. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation about a certain man named Jellal."
Both women tensed immediately.
"You speak as though you know Jellal," Erza said carefully.
"Yes, I suppose I do know him a little," Skyye replied. "Jellal and his guild have been quite helpful partners to us over the last few years. In return for information, our guild has worked alongside his to completely eradicate every single Dark Guild that remains. But the one smaller dark guild that always managed to escape us was, in fact, Raven Tail."
"Crime Sorcière, right?" Erza asked, recalling previous encounters.
Skyye nodded, shocking Millianna.
"I actually came to warn you two," she continued.
"Warn us? Why would you go out of your way to warn me and Erzy?" Millianna asked.
"Because I believe you two are the ones I can trust with this information. This way it gets to your guildmates." Skyye's expression darkened. "We're unsure of Minerva, but we believe Jiemma may in fact be in league with the only remaining member of the Baram Alliance."
Erza's eyes widened. "You don't mean—"
"Tartaros," Skyye confirmed. "We don't have proof yet, but you can be sure that we'll be investigating this matter thoroughly."
She then turned to face Millianna directly. "Despite what you feel, Jellal is not the same man as the twisted one you knew. He's atoning for his sins the only way he knows how." Her voice took on a dangerous edge. "And Millianna... if you or any other member of Mermaid Heel make a move against Jellal, your guild will be crushed. That I can promise you."
With that threat hanging in the air, Skyye disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Millianna visibly shaken. Erza comforted her friend before they parted ways for the night.
The next morning, the second day of the Grand Magic Games began at Domus Flau. The day's event was announced as "Hidden," a special version of hide and seek. When it came time for Dragon's Dawn to select their participant, Koga was about to volunteer when a woman with yellow and black hair stepped forward instead—Yukikaze Ayakashi, the Lightning Demon Slayer.
The game got underway with Nelpudding quickly scoring the first points against Gray Fullbuster. As others began to accumulate points, only two competitors remained motionless: Rufus of Sabertooth and Yukikaze of Dragon's Dawn.
"Tsch, bet that overgrown feather boy is planning something," Yukikaze thought to herself. "Well... I've got something right up your alley, pretty boy."
As the game entered its final minutes, Rufus made his move.
"Here it comes. Rufus has this in the bag," Lector commented confidently.
"I think so too," Frosch agreed.
Rufus placed his fingers against his temples and called out, "Memory Make: Memory of a Thousand Stars!"
Countless bolts of lightning resembling stars struck almost every participant. A few managed to dodge or absorb the attack—Yukikaze among them.
"Pathetic!" she shouted. "Is that really the best you can do, Sabertooth?! Allow me to show you how it's done!"
She began a powerful incantation: "Heaven, hear my cry! Can you feel it? The raging torrents in the clouds! Raijin, Bestial God of Thunder, show this worm your power and rain down to Earth! Raging Torrent!"
Dark clouds swirled overhead as a massive magic circle appeared in the sky. In an instant, blinding lightning struck every participant except Yukikaze, paralyzing them and shaking the entire arena.
When the dust settled, only Yukikaze remained standing. After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers.
"Th-this is unbelievable!" Chapati announced, his voice cracking with excitement. "Yukikaze of Dragon's Dawn has single-handedly beaten every participant in Hidden!"
The guilds watched in shock, except for Raven Tail, whose master silently seethed with rage. Dragon's Dawn had always interfered with his plans, and now they had humiliated one of his guild members.
Jiemma fumed silently while the rest of Sabertooth's members reacted with fear. Even Orga, who tried to maintain his composure, couldn't hide his unease. Sting and Rogue exchanged nervous glances—if the third-ranked member was this powerful, what did that say about the top two?
"S-Sting..." Lector stammered, "I don't think we should mess with that guild. We've got no chance against that kind of magic power."
"And Master wants us to compete with THAT?" Sting and Rogue thought simultaneously.
Even Fairy Tail's strongest members were shaken to their core. Never had they witnessed such power outside of Acnologia.
"And we have to fight one of those guys?" Gray asked incredulously.
The battle portion of the day proceeded as scheduled. After victories by Elfman and Levy, it was Lucy's turn to face Flare Corona from Raven Tail. Though Lucy nearly won with her Urano Metria spell, outside interference caused her to lose. Natsu comforted his humiliated friend, assuring her that Fairy Tail wouldn't quit despite being in last place.
The final match was supposed to pit Koga against Arianna, but the Mermaid Heel wizard, remembering the display of power from Dragon's Dawn, forfeited. Thus ended the second day of the Grand Magic Games, with the standings as follows:
Dragon's Dawn: 25 points
Sabertooth: 18 points
Raven Tail: 18 points
Mermaid Heel: 15 points
Lamia Scale: 14 points
Blue Pegasus: 11 points
Fairy Tail B: 10 points
Quatro Puppy: 8 points
Fairy Tail A: 6 points
Natsu's team may have had only six points, but to him, that would only make their eventual triumph all the sweeter. Day two was over, but Fairy Tail was far from finished.
To be continued in Chapter 3: Fairies, Tigers, and.. Dragons?