Fairy Tail: Metal and Threads

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Crocus. 

July 1, x790. 

"Alright, everyone!" Ichiya said loudly as he led his team into the waiting room. "This is our year! Blue Pegasus will come in first place this year! Men!" 

However, the cheers Ichiya expected did not reply to his manly exclamation. Instead, his teammates looked at the state of the waiting room with trepidation. The atmosphere in the room was just too heavy for even Jenny or Kai, the two who supported Ichiya the most, to cheer openly. 

"Huh?" Ichiya, confused by the lack of a response, intoned in confusion. 

A moment later, Ichiya finally noticed the atmosphere in the room. And when he saw what caused it, a standoff between the members of Team Fairy Tail and Team Sabertooth, his eyes widened and a drop of snot oozed out of his rather large right nostril. 

"Oh my, what's going on here?" Ichiya asked after taking a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and wiping his nose. "Come now, although we're competitors, we should strive to be friends outside of the competition. Now, how about we put down all this animosity and get together for a cup of tea after the events for today come to an end." 

As he spoke, Ichiya walked between the two teams. Then, he tried to grab Alfonzo's hand and pull him over to make up with the members of Team Sabertooth. 

*Smack!* 

*Bang!* 

"How many times have I told you not to touch me, you little gremlin?" Alfonzo asked after slapping Ichiya's hand away without taking his eyes off the members of Team Sabertooth. 

Although Alfonzo only slapped Ichiya's hand away, Ichiya's whole body was sent flying while spinning like a top thanks to the force. Then, he slammed into a nearby wall. Luckily, Alfonzo controlled his strength enough to make sure that Ichiya slammed back first into the wall. Otherwise, when the opening ceremony started, he would more than likely have a huge bruise on his large nose. 

"*Sigh* That idiot's never gonna learn, is he?" Sorano asked while shaking her head with a smile fill with schadenfreude. 

Meanwhile, Karen, seeing that Elicia was part of the stare down, sprinted forward to ask her what was wrong. 

"Elicia, did these new comers do anything to make you angry?" Karen asked, glaring at the members of Team Sabertooth with hostility. 

In response, Elicia smiled cunningly. A moment later, outside of Karen's field of view, Elicia's eyes were filled with tears while she started to pout in an extremely aggrieved way. 

"Yeah, that guy called me a wench." Elicia said, sounding as if she would cry at any moment, while pointing at Rufus. "He really hurt my feelings." 

Immediately, Karen's glare zeroed in on Rufus, its intensity making the blond take a step back on reflex. Meanwhile, everyone who knew about Karen's obsession with Elicia could only shake their heads, feeling a bit of pity for Rufus. They then turned to look at Elicia, whose teary-eyed expression had turned into a wide, cheshire grin by now. 

'She's so vindictive.' Everyone who saw Elicia's smile thought to themselves simultaneously. 

Eventually, the staring contest ended when Team Fairy Tail decided to just show Team Sabertooth what a bad mistake it was to make enemies of them. Around that time, the rest of the teams entered the waiting room. However, they did not have much time to examine them. Because, Loli Chapati's voice echoed throughout the arena shortly after the last team to arrive, Team Final Fantasy, stepped into the waiting room. 

{"Ladies and gentlemen, hello and welcome!"} Loli said over the arena's broadcast system. {"Like always, I'm your host, Loli Chapati! And with me is former Magic Councilman, Yajima, here to do color commentary! And together, we would like to welcome you to the x790 Grand Magic Games."} 

{"Hello, everyone."} Yajima added, his smile was audible in his tone. {"I'm glad to be here with all of you again."} 

{"Now, I'm sure most of you saw the feats of power everyone showed during the preliminaries last night."} Loli continued. {"So, you've probably all seen the names of the teams competing in this year's Games. Still, I am obligated to introduce them to you. Though, I must admit, I really like this part. So, without further ado, help me welcome the eight qualifying teams!"} 

*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~!* 

"Hey... Um... Is anyone else a little nervous?" Marin asked while smiling nervously. 

"Nope." 

"Nah." 

"Not really." 

"Of course not." 

Elicia, Alfonzo, Sun, and Brandish replied to Marin's question in that order, making Marin blush a little in response. 

{"First, the team who came in eighth place, with a Magic Power Finder score of 1,999 during the preliminaries, it's their first appearance in the Grand Magic Games."} Loli said, starting his introductions. {"In fact, they are the first of three first time appearances in the Grand Magic Games this year. Now, let's give it up for the members of Team Twilight Ogre!"} 

With Loli's announcement, five young men that no one in the waiting room deemed a threat, walked towards the large entrance leading to the arena. However, all those waiting to be introduced noted that they all looked like the minor villain type. 

*Cheer~!* 

The lack of heavy cheering made it obvious that the audience thought so, as well. 

{"Next, in seventh place, with a Magic Power Finder score of 5,022, is the second of the three first timers in the Grand Magic Games."} Loli continued once the cheers for Twilight Ogre settled down. {"This guild has gotten quite a bit of renown for destroying Dark Guilds since it was created eight or nine months ago. Now, join me in welcoming Team Final Fantasy~~~!"} 

*Cheer~~~!* 

With that, another group of five, this one consisting of two males and three females, with the young boy, Vivi among their ranks, stepped through the large doors into the arena. However, with their names having just been called out, everyone was able to focus on them. 

The first of the unfamiliar wizards, and the one who seemed to be their leader, was a fair-skinned young man standing at about 5'10" with unruly brown hair and light blue eyes with a diagonal scar between his eyes and wearing a white V-neck shirt under a black, leather, bomber jacket, black pants with three, interconnected red belts, black boots, and black leather gloves. This young man also had a strange sword with a revolver's cylinder and handle integrated into it strapped on his back, as well. 

"Hey, that looks like the sword Mira uses when she takes on her [Satan Soul: Gilgamesh] form, doesn't it?" Marin asked in a whisper. 

Alfonzo, Elicia, Sun, and Brandish all nodded in response before going back to observing the members of Team Final Fantasy. 

"That's Final Fantasy's ace, Squall Leonhart." Brandish said, introducing her teammates to the members of Team Final Fantasy. "From what I've been able to gather, he was raised by their guild master and her husband from a young age after he was orphaned." 

The second member of Team Final Fantasy was a beautiful young woman, appearing to be in her early-twenties with black hair flowing down past her waist and tied off near the ends to create a dolphin tail split, red eyes, an athletic, yet slender, figure and relatively large breasts standing at 5'6". Her attire consisted of a white, sleeveless crop top that exposed her toned abdomen, a black, pleated mini skirt with a black leather belt and suspenders to hold it in place, black and red elbow length gloves, and red ankle-length boots with black socks. 

"And that's Tifa Lockhart." Brandish said, pointing at the black-haired young lady. "She's a hand-to-hand expert. But I really don't know much more about her than that." 

"She's really pretty." Sun muttered while watching Tifa walk towards the doors. 

"She is." Elicia added with a nod. "I'd love to get my hands on her." 

"That's such a misleading statement." Marin said with a grin. 

"It's really not." Alfonzo countered. "Lici meant that in every sense of the word." 

"You know me so well, Fonzie." Elicia said with a grin. "But I could make something much better looking for her to wear. And she'd still be able to show off that figure of hers perfectly." 

The third member of Team Final Fantasy was another beautiful young woman, looking to be about eighteen years old and standing at 5'3", with green hair tied into a ponytail, green eyes, a red, sleeveless top with gold accents, a purple skirt, purple shoulder pads, red bracers, and red, high heeled boots with a slender western sword strapped on the left side of her waist. Also, as she got closer to the doors leading to the arena, she looked to be rather uncomfortable. 

"That's Terra Brandford." Brandish said, introducing another member of Team Final Fantasy. "The rumors say that she's not completely human. Though, only the members of her guild seem to know what the other half of her bloodline is. And that's Aerith Gainsborough." 

Alfonzo, Elicia, Marin, and Sun then shifted their gazes to the last unknown member of Team Final Fantasy. She, Aerith, was also quite beautiful, appearing to be in her early twenties, standing at 5'4" with long, light-brown hair styled into a long braid with a white ribbon tied at its base and emerald green eyes wearing a calf-length white dress with a low neckline that showed off some cleavage, a red bolero jacket over the dress, three bracelets on each wrist, a gold, silver, and bronze bracelet on each, and brown boots. She also carried a mage's staff in her right hand. 

"From what I know, she's pretty good with [Healing Magic]." Brandish said, continuing her introduction. "But she's also got pretty good control of offensive magic, too. And the last one is Vivi Ornitier, who I talked about earlier on our way back to the hotel." 

The rest of Team Fairy Tail nodded in understanding as the members of Team Final Fantasy disappeared past the doors to the arena. 

*Cheer~~~~!* 

"Big surprise, they're a hell of a lot more popular than Twilight Ogre." Alfonzo said in a dry tone. 

"Well, that's probably because they don't look like the villains of the week." Elicia added. 

Although Marin, Sun, and Brandish did not recognize the term, "villains of the week," they understood the meaning. So, they all nodded their heads in agreement. 

{"Next up is the last of the new comers to the Grand Magic Games!"} Loli shouted, continuing his introductions of the competitors as the crowd's cheers died down. {"In sixth place, with a score of 5,138, Let's welcome Team Sabertooth~~!"} 

With that, led by Minerva, the members of Team Sabertooth started walking towards the arena's entrance. And as they passed Team Fairy Tail, they all looked in their direction with provocation, before snorting and continuing on their way. 

"Those brats don't know the immensity of heaven and earth." Alfonzo said disdainfully. "They're courting death." 

"OH, dear God, please stop, Fonzie." Elicia said in an exasperated tone. "No one in this world is ready for a Xianxia protagonist." 

In response, Alfonzo only smiled at Elicia. Meanwhile, the rest of their team decided to just ignore them, as they were once again using terms that they were not familiar with. 

*Cheer~~~~~!* 

{"So, Yajima, let me ask you what you think of the three new comers to the Grand Magic Games."} Loli said as the cheers for Sabertooth died down. {"Do you think any of them have a chance at making an upset and becoming this year's champions?"} 

{"Of course."} Yajima replied. {"They all have a chance. But it won't be easy overcoming the teams who have been here so many times before."} 

{"I see."} Loli replied. {"Well then, let's continue. The fifth place team, with a Magic Power Finder Score of 8,700, is one of the most popular guilds in Fiore thanks to their charming ladies and handsome gentlemen. But you shouldn't think that looks are the only things they have going for them, as they have the potential to fly just like the mythical beasts they are named after. Everyone! Help me welcome Team Blue Pegasus~~~~!" 

*Cheer~~~~~~~!* 

Before Team Blue Pegasus even stepped out into the arena, the cheers were deafening. And when they finally entered the arena under Ichiya's lead, they got even louder. 

{"Next up is the guild that epitomizes wild manliness!"} Loli continued. {"With a score of 9,028, in fourth place are the Wild! men of Quatro Cerberus~~~~~!"} 

*Cheer~~~~~~!* 

With Bacchus in the lead, Guy, Genma, Ikkaku, and Yumichika made their way into the arena. And although their applause was not quite as loud as Blue Pegasus', it was clear to everyone that Quatro Cerberus still had its fair share of fans. 

{"Moving on to the top three teams, in third place, with a score of 9,238 and led by one of the illustrious Ten Wizard Saints!"} Loli said, pausing to build tension. "Give it up for the team who just might break the balance, Lamia Scale~~~!"} 

*Cheer~~~~~~~~!* 

Just like Blue Pegasus, lamia Scale's welcome from the crowd was intense. In fact, it might have been even louder than the cheers Blue Pegasus received. Meanwhile, Team Lamia Scale, led by Jura, walked calmly to the arena's entrance, nodding at both Team Fairy Tail and Team Mermaid Heel as they passed. 

{"Next up are last year's champions."} Loli continued loudly. {"The only all-female guild in Fiore, the Jewels of the Deep! With a Magic Power Finder Score of 9,983, nearly reaching the limit and taking second place! Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming the ladies of Team Mermaid Heel~~~~~!"} 

*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!* 

If Blue Pegasus' and Lamia Scale's welcomes could be considered deafening, the volume of Mermaid Heel's welcome was loud enough to seemingly shake the entirety of the Domus Flau. 

Meanwhile, Team Mermaid Heel, led by Yoruichi walked calmly towards the arena's entrance. Along the way, Yoruichi turned to look at Team Fairy Tail with a mischievous grin, though the serious glint in her eyes could not be hidden. 

"Well, it looks like it's time." Yoruichi said while looking at Alfonzo. "We've heard that keeping the title as champion is harder than getting it in the first place. But don't think that taking it from us will be easy. We'll show you why we won it in the first place." 

In response, Alfonzo maintained eye contact with Yoruichi while wearing a confident smile. 

"I would expect nothing less." Alfonzo said, confidence radiating from his entire being. "But we'll show you the difference between us and other wizards when we compete. So, you better bring your best, or you'll have no idea how you even lost." 

As Alfonzo's words ended, the two held eye contact for a moment longer. Then, Yoruichi turned away and led her team into the arena. 

As soon as Team Mermaid Heel stepped into the arena, the cheers exploded. If before Team Mermaid Heel entered the arena, the volume of the cheering seemed to shake the Domus Flau, then there was no doubt that the newly raised volume was doing so. 

{"And last, but certainly not least, is the guild, who until last year, had been the reigning champions and holding the title of Fiore's strongest guild!"} Loli, after a long pause to let the audience calm down, continued. {"Led by the newest of the Ten Wizard Saints and the man who evaporated the Magic Power Finder while lighting up the eastern sky of the capital as if he were bringing the sunrise! The guild with plans to regain their lost glory with a completely new roster of team members. Give it up for Fairy Tail~~~~~~~!"} 

*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!* 

With Alfonzo's fame as a magic item crafter that made the lives of citizens all over Ishgar, let alone Fiore, easier, the crowd went absolutely crazy. And if you add Elicia's fame on top of that, the cheers from the crowd could be heard from every corner of Crocus when Team Fairy Tail was introduced. In fact, the cheers were so loud that Alfonzo, Elicia, Marin, Sun, and Brandish could only exchange glances, because they knew that if they even tried to speak to each other, they would not be able to hear what the others were saying. 

So, the five Fairy Tail wizards shrugged before making their way into the arena. And when they did, all they could do was take in the sight of every person in the stands, other than the members of Sabertooth, standing and cheering at the top of their lungs. 

The group of five then took in the sight of the Domus Flau from the same view as all the other competitors for the first time. Just like when seen from the outside, the Domus Flau looked as if it was inspired by the Roman Coliseum in Alfonzo's and Elicia's past life. There were three levels of seating, each higher than the last. As for the arena area in the center, it was large enough to hold a town the size of Magnolia, making it possible to host some truly large events. 

Meanwhile, as they looked around the Domus Flau from the inside, Alfonzo, Elicia, Marin, despite her nerves, and Sun waved to the cheering crowd. Brandish, on the other hand, only followed along with her usual, somewhat bored, expression on her face. 

{"Now that all the teams have been introduced, I'll give the stage to the Grand Magic Games' most popular figure."} Loli said once the cheers died down. {"Mato, take it away!"} 

{"Thanks, Loli."} Mato said in his characteristic tone as an image of Mato appeared on all the Lacrima-Vision screens set up around the Domus Flau. {"The first game of this year's Grand Magic Games is called, 'There can only be one.' So, I ask that each team select a member to participate. Then, once your member is selected, all the others should vacate the arena. Once the eight chosen wizards are the only ones left in the arena, I will explain the rules of the game."} 

With that, the words, "There Can Only Be One," replaced Mato's images on the screens. Then, the discussions between the members of the guilds began to see who would participate in the first event of the x790 Grand Magic Games.