Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Crocus.
July 1, x791.
{"Ladies and gentlemen, we're back once again for the most popular event in the Kingdom of Fiore."} Loli Chapati said excitedly, his voice carrying over the Domus Flau's sound system. {"And like every year, I, Loli Chapati, will be your host. And former Magic Councilman, Yajima will be providing commentary."}
{"Hello, everyone."} Yajima, wearing a chef's hat with the 8-Island logo on the front, said in a calm tone. {"And don't forget, next time you're in Hargeon, please do stop by 8-Island."}
{"Oh, another shameless plug."} Loli said with a chuckle. {"Even so, that won't stop the proceedings. Neither will it stop me from introducing a fan-favorite guest from last year's Games. Now, everyone, please join me in welcoming General Roy Mustang, the commander of the Kingdom's Alchemist Knights!"}
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~!*
{"Well, hello."} Roy said in a frivolous tone. {"Thanks for having me. And let me extend a special thank you to all the ladies."}
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
Once again, the crowd cheered loudly. However, the ratio of men to women cheering was about 2:6. Meanwhile, had the cheers not been so loud, the sound of a certain blonde, major, formerly lieutenant, face-palming would have been audible through the broadcasting equipment.
{"Well then, now that we're done with our introductions, we'll get to introducing the teams participating in this year's Grand Magic Games…"} Loli said with great enthusiasm. Though, he trailed off at the end before his tone turned more subdued as he continued. {"Right after a word from our sponsors."}
Then, with the end of Loli's words, all the Lacrima-Vision screens in the Domus Flau turned to a pre-recorded advertisement for Sorcerer Weekly. Then, it turned to a recruitment ad for the Knights. And finally, an advertisement for Sixth Sense Holdings and all of its services rounded out the commercial break.
"You've turned into one of those evil capitalists." Elicia said playfully while the Sixth Sense Holding advertisement played as she nudged Alfonzo with her shoulder. "I'm so disappointed, Fonzie."
Alfonzo could not help chuckling because of Elicia's little jab. Meanwhile, Ur looked as if she could not believe that she did not think of something so lucrative while she was still the guild master. She then turned a glare in Alfonzo's direction.
"Hey, Kid, why didn't you think of something like this for last year's Grand Magic Games?" Ur asked sternly. "Everyone knows that Fairy Tail is a shareholder of Sixth Sense Holdings. And if you coupled that with the fact that we reclaimed the title of Fiore's strongest, we would have made a killing."
This time, Alfonzo could only smile awkwardly while Ur glared at him and waited for his response. Meanwhile, Elicia, Marin, and Sun looked at him with expectant gazes, looking forward to his answer.
"Honestly, I'd like to take credit for this…" Alfonzo said as he reached up and began scratching the back of his head. "But this wasn't my idea. Master Mavis came up with this while I was out at Sabertooth's guild hall."
'Of course, I didn't think of this shit.' Alfonzo thought to himself with disdain. 'I came from the internet era in my past life. And commercials and ads were fucking everywhere. And I fucking hated them.'
["Exactly."] Bedlam added. ["And now that they showed up in the Grand Magic Games, they're going to start showing up everywhere here, too."]
["We should kick Mavis' ass for introducing such culture."] Riot said angrily.
This time, however, instead of calling him names or outright ignoring him, both Alfonzo and Bedlam only stared at him with deadpans on their faces. Though, Alfonzo's was mental.
["Hey, don't look at me like that."] Riot said, sounding a bit flustered. ["I didn't actually mean it. I mean, she's our benefactor. I wouldn't actually suggest something like that for real. Otherwise, Alfonzo would have been the guild master by now,"]
Meanwhile, when Elicia, Marin, and Sun heard that the commercials were Mavis' idea, they all nodded in understanding. At the same time, Ur looked as though she had just been punched in the gut. She had been the guild master for around five years. Yet, with one advertisement, Mavis had potentially brought in more money for the guild than she had in her whole tenure.
Elsewhere…
In a corner of the arena, a man whose appearance was covered by a cloak sat in the stands of the Domus Flau with a dumbfounded expression on his face.
"Sixth Sense Holdings, what the hell is that?" The cloaked figure said with a male voice in an uncertain tone. "And what the hell are those little magic items everyone spends so much time looking at? I came to the past. So, why don't I remember anything like this?"
Unable to figure out why everything was so different from his memories, the cloaked figure shook his head vigorously. Then, he returned his gaze to the Domus Flau's VIP viewing box where Princess Hisui E. Fiore sat, overlooking the Grand Magic Games.
"It doesn't matter." The figure said. "As long as I can get that foolish princess to assist me, I'll be able to take control of the dragons that come through the Eclipse Gate. Then I'll be able to use them to kill Acnologia and gain the title of Dragon King for myself."
At the same time, a second cloaked figure was watching the advertisements, as well. However, this one, thanks to her figure, was clearly female. And like the first figure, she was also watching the advertisements and the lPhones in everyone's hands with confusion.
"Um… I don't think I ended up in the right place." The female cloaked figure muttered to herself. "I've never heard of this Sixth Sense Holdings before. Nor have I ever seen anything like these lPhones…"
Reaching that point, the female cloaked figure raised a slender hand, revealing that she had procured an lPhone, as well.
"If we had something like this, we wouldn't have been caught so off-guard when Acnologia attacked." The cloaked woman continued in a bitter tone. "And we might not have lost Natsu, Gajeel, Laxus, and Wendy… Or any of the other Dragon Slayers"
The cloaked woman had to fight back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes when she thought of all the friends she had lost.
"No, now's not the time for that." The cloaked woman said while forcefully shaking away the negative thoughts. "For now, I need to stop the Eclipse Gate from opening."
She then turned her gaze to the Domus Flau's arena with a yearning expression in her eyes.
"And I know just who to ask for help." The cloaked woman said, this time, unable to hold back the tears that had built up.
Unbeknownst to both cloaked figures, however, they had been noticed by the members of a certain, overly destructive, rowdy guild's members. And because of their magic power signatures matching ones they already knew, despite those people also being in the Domus Flau at the moment, there were already a couple of members moving to subdue them.
{"Now! Is everyone ready to meet this year's participating teams?"} Loli asked enthusiastically over the broadcasting system.
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
{"Then, without further ado, give it up for the eighth place team!"} Loli said. {"Last year, they finished in sixth place. But they were the eighth team to make it through the preliminaries this year. Is this a sign of things to come? Or will their Wild! Manly spirits guide them up the leaderboards? We'll just have to find out over the next few days as we watch Quatro Cerberus compete in this year's events."}
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~!*
As the crowd cheered for Team Quatro Cerberus, the gates to the arena opened. Through them, Baccus led Guy, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Genma into the arena.
{"They look quite confident."} Yajima said as he watched the members of Quatro Cerberus enter the arena. {"I get the feeling they'll have something good to show us this year."}
{"Perhaps."} Roy added in a somewhat uninterested tone. {"Their team would be more captivating if they had even one lovely lady on it, though."}
Even though most of those watching the team introductions were not surprised to see Quatro Cerberus in last place, the two cloaked figures were thoroughly dumbfounded.
'Wasn't Fairy Tail supposed to be in last place?' both cloaked figures thought simultaneously.
And that was the moment when both cloaked figures realized that something had gone terribly wrong.
{"Next up is one of the most popular guilds in Fiore."} Loli continued, his enthusiasm undiminished. {"With some of the most handsome guys and beautiful girls in the world of magic. Give it up for our seventh place team, Blue Pegasus."}
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~!*
With Loli's introduction, Team Blue Pegasus, led by Ichiya, made their way into the arena. However, there was a small difference from last year's team. Although Karen, Sorano, and Jenny were still on the team, Kai had been replaced by Yukino Agria, Sorano's younger sister.
{"Now this is what I'm talking about."} Roy said excitedly as he sat forward in his seat and peered down at Blue Pegasus' team. {"Such beautiful ladies. It's a shame their all gathered around a man like that, though."}
{"Yes, they really are quite beautiful."} Yajima agreed while nodding his head.
Meanwhile, the members of Blue Pegasus waved to the crowd like they were used to such attention. And with every wave, the cheers grew even louder.
{"In sixth place, despite their worse than average showing in last year's Grand Magic Games, is one of the strongest contenders for the championship."} Loli continued with the team introductions. {"Now, let's welcome Team lamia Scale!"}
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~!*
With the loud cheers, Jura led the rest of his team out into the arena. And just like with Blue Pegasus, there were some changes to their team's roster, with Jura and Lyon the only members present from last year's team. The new members consisted of Takashi Kamuro, Rei Miyamoto, and Sherria Blendy, Sherry's younger cousin.
And when Loli saw Sherria, the youngest wizard participating in this year's Grand Magic Games, with her petite figure, innocent expression, and pink hair tied into pigtails, he almost lost his mind, as his hair piece shot right off his head in his excitement.
{"Take it easy, Chapati."} Roy said in a stern tone, not matching the frivolous tone he had been speaking in since the broadcast started. {"I am the commander of the Alchemist Knights. I have the right to take you in if you get too outta hand with your preferences."}
{"*Sigh* I knew this would happen one day."} Yajima added in a disappointed tone while shaking his head. {"Well, it was nice working with you. But I think the committee will probably have your replacement ready soon."}
Hearing Yajima's and Roy's words, Loli was jolted back to awareness. He then picked up his hair piece while cold sweat dripped won his face. Then, not even realizing what he was doing, he started wiping his sweat with the hair piece in his hand.
{"Ha… ha… ha…."} Loli's hollow laughter rang out over the broadcast system. {"I was just kidding. It was just a joke, I'm not a criminal. Besides, She's already a proper adult. So, I'm not doing anything wrong."}
{"Oh, I know."} Roy replied, his frivolous tone returning. {"But you've got to admit, that was pretty funny."}
{"It definitely was."} Yajima added. {"Seeing you squirm like that isn't a sight you see every day, after all."}
This time, after hearing Yajima and Roy, Loli could only blink in dumbfounded amazement at being teased. Then he put his hair piece, wet from his sweat back on his head.
Meanwhile, as Yajima and Roy teased their co-host, the two cloaked figures realized that something else was different about the teams that had come out.
"Now that I think about it, the only person from Quatro Cerberus that I recognize is their ace, Bacchus Groh. But I've never seen the other four before." The male cloaked figure said to himself. "I've ne er seen some of those people on Lamia Scale, either."
"Wasn't Yukino supposed to be on Sabertooth?" The female cloaked figure asked herself from the other side of the Domus Flau. "And that's Karen Lilica, isn't it? But she was killed years ago, wasn't she? And why is Angel on Blue Pegasus? Shouldn't she be in prison right now? Just what in the world is going on?"
Unaware of the internal conflict from the two cloaked figures, Loli, tired of Yajima's and Roy's teasing, huffed. Then, he leaned into his microphone to forcefully change the subject.
{"In fifth place, we have a team that performed very well in last year's Games."} Loli said. {"Coming in in third place on their first showing was more than impressive. But will they capitalize on that momentum? Well, I'm sure we'll find out. Now, everyone, help me in welcoming Team Sabertooth."}
{"They were indeed quite impressive last year."} Yajima said with a nod. {"Even more impressive is how quickly they bounced back after the scandal with their former guild master, Jiemma, that was exposed after the Games last year."}
{"Indeed."} Roy said, his tone turning serious once again. {"Unfortunately, we were unable to bring him to justice. But we have yet to give up our search. And one day, that traitor to the kingdom will be found and punished for his crimes."}
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
Meanwhile, Minerva led the rest of Team Sabertooth into the arena. Unfortunately, they were all aware that the cheers they could hear were not for them. Instead, they were for Roy's declaration.
"Well, at least this team is how I remember it." The two cloaked figures said in relieved tones. "But they are a lot lower in rank than I remember, though."
"By the way, Irene." Mavis said from her seat in the Fairy Tail viewing area. {"Who did Sabertooth choose as the guild master? I mean, I expected either Sting or Minerva to become the new guild master."
"Some nameless wizard." Irene replied while smiling amusedly. "I'm sure that won't last for long, though. It was just a loop hole they exploited to be able to participate in this year's Grand Magic Games."
"I see." Mavis replied with a nod. "Then, I guess that means they won't be allowed to participate next year, will they?"
"Probably not." Irene replied. "Anyway, it's time to see how much your little scheme will surprise the crowd, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is." Mavis replied with a smile as she and Irene turned their attention back to the introductions.
{"The team in fourth place is quite a surprise!"} Loli said, drawing Yajima's and Roy's attention, not to mention the rest of the audience. {"Just last year, they were able to reclaim their title as the strongest guild in Fiore. But have they fallen so low in only one year? I guess we'll have to find out. Anyway, let's welcome Fairy Tail."}
In response to Loli's introduction, the crowd fell silent in disbelief. No one who was present for last year's Grand Magic Games could forget the dominant display Fairy Tail put on for the kingdom. However, when they saw the group of five wizards who entered the arena after the announcement, they were even more confused.
Leading the team who just entered the arena was Erza. Behind her were Ultear, Gray, Natsu, and Juvia, all of whom had never participated in the Grand Magic Games before, a fact that confused the crowd even more.
Yet, before anyone could start questioning Fairy Tail's team formation, Loli moved on to the next team, his tone even more confused than before.
{"And in third place is… Um… Oh boy, this is awkward… Um... I mean… It's Fairy Tail… again…"} Loli continued, his uncertain tone making the audience even more confused.
"What~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~?" The audience shouted in surprise.
Following that, another team composed of Fairy Tail wizards entered the arena. However, the audience was still dumbfounded. On the upside, they at least recognized two of the five members of the team, though.
Stepping through the arena's entrance, Laxus led Fried, Cana, Mirajane, and Gajeel to gather with the other teams. And when they arrived near the first Fairy Tail team, Gajeel broke away from the group and walked up to Natsu.
"Heh, looks like you lost to us, Salamander." Gajeel said with a grin. "Well, I always knew you weren't as good as me."
"What did you say, Metal Head?" Natsu asked, flames spewing from his mouth in anger. "You wanna fight?"
"Any time." Gajeel said as he leaned forward with a challenging smile on his face.
"*Sigh*" Levy, walking through the Domus Flau's corridors, and Lisanna, sitting in the Fairy Tail seating area, sighed in unison when they saw their husband and fiancé acting like they usually do.
{"Well, I must say, the last two teams have been unexpected."} Yajima said while rubbing his chin in the broadcast booth.
{"They sure were."} Roy said, his frivolous tone on full display. {"But what isn't unexpected is just how beautiful the ladies from Fairy Tail are."}
{"I wouldn't say that if I were you."} Yajima said while shaking his head. {"Look, there's already one member of Fairy Tail glaring up at you."}
And just as Yajima said, when Roy looked down to the arena, Gray was glaring up at him while standing in front of Juvia defensively. Meanwhile, Juvia was swooning over how protective Gray was.
{"Anyway, I think we should move on before things get out of hand."} Yajima said with a shrug. {"Loli, if you would?"}
{"Ah, right."} Loli replied as he looked down to the card with the second place team's information on it. {"Next is x789's champions and x790's runners up. You all know them as the Jewel of the Deep. And they're here to try and recapture their former glory. So, let's give it up for Mermaid Heel~~~~~!"
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
Happy to hear the name of one of the front running teams they were expecting, the crowd cheered even louder than before. At the same time, Yoruichi led Kagura, Sui-Feng, Anko, and Rangiku out into the arena
{"They are certainly five of the most beautiful women in Fiore."} Roy said in the tone he had maintained for most of the broadcast. {"It's just too bad they aren't members of the knights. *Sigh* Such a pity, indeed."}
{"That's an interesting opinion."} Yajima said while shaking his head. {"But now, I'm even more curious to know who came in first during the Preliminaries."}
Yajima then turned his attention to Loli, who was looking at the last card in his hand with a dumbfounded expression on his face… Again.
{"Well then, Loli…?"} Yajima continued in an even tone. {"I'm sure this can't be any more surprising than anything else we've seen today, can it?"}
{"I'm not so sure about that, Yajima."} Loli muttered, his volume barely audible in the arena. Anyway, I'll just get to it. And for a third time, please help me in welcoming a team from Fairy Tail."}
Once again, the crowd fell silent.
*Cheer~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!*
But when they saw the five individuals who stepped into the arena, led by the wizard who made the biggest impression in last year's Grand Magic Games, Alfonzo, followed by three of the four wizards who were on last year's championship team, Elicia, Marin, and Sun, and a wizard new to the Grand Magic Games, but no less well known, the former master of Fairy Tail, , the Ice Witch, Ur, step into the arena, the crowd nearly shook the Domus Flaw apart with how loudly they cheered.
Meanwhile, the two cloaked figures had two totally different thoughts when they saw the three teams from Fairy Tail.
"I can't wait." The male in the cloak said to himself while staring down at the five unfamiliar wizards on the last Fairy Tail team to enter the arena. "I don't' know what they are capable of. And that means they'll be the most unstable element of my plan."
"The me from this time period isn't participating for Fairy Tail?" The female cloaked figure thought to herself. "I don't' get it. Well, I'll just need to ask them about it. I mean, I wanted to talk to them and let them know what was coming, anyway. So, it should be fine… I think"
With those thoughts, both cloaked figures turned around, wanting to put their plans into motion. However, when they did, they both stopped when they each found someone standing behind them.
"Damn it! It's Gildarts." The man in the cloak said in a frustrated tone.
"Good, you know who I am." Gildarts said with a smile. "Then, this should make things easy. Why don't you come with me. Master Mavis would like to have a chat with you."
Gildarts' expression then hardened as he let some of his magic power leak.
"But if you wanna do things the hard way, I'm okay with that, too." Gildarts continued.
*Smack!*
"If you do that, you'll end up destroying the Domus Flau." Irene, having just appeared behind Gildarts and slapped him upside the head, completely neglecting his [Crash Magic], said in an exasperated tone. "If he resists, I'll handle it."
"Geez, you didn't have to hit me so hard, Irene." Gildarts said while rubbing the back of his head where he was just slapped. "I was just trying to scare the kid, that's all."
Meanwhile, the cloaked figure could only look on in horror. He recognized Irene, the Scarlet Despair of the Alvarez Empire. But he could not understand what she was doing in Ishgar so early in the timeline. Yet, when he saw her, his thoughts of escape evaporated immediately.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, the female cloaked figure was stunned when she saw who was standing behind her.
"Levy…" The female cloaked figure muttered as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Your magic power signature is exactly the same as the Lulu I know." Levy said with a slightly confused smile on her face. "It's really incredible. And from the way you said my name, I know it's you, Lulu. But what I can't figure out is why there are two of you here."
"I…" The cloaked woman, apparently, Lucy Heartfilia from the future, muttered, not knowing where to start her explanation.
"It's okay." Levy said with a smile as she took a step towards this second Lucy. "I'm sure the master would like to hear your explanation. But I'm sure that can wait until after the day's events are over. For now, come with me. We'll watch the Games together."
As she spoke, Levy held out a hand with a smile on her face. Meanwhile, the tears that had gathered in this Lucy's eyes started to fall. She then cautiously placed her hand in Levy's just in time to hear Loli give the stage to Mato.