A/N: Episode 180.

Enjoy!

edited on october 25th, 2024 @ 9:37pm

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝚆𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚈-𝚂𝙴𝚅𝙴𝙽,
𝓖𝙰𝚁𝙾𝚄 𝙺𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂.        

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"𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡!" Chapati announced. "He brilliantly avenged the robbery of first place during the 'Hidden' event on the first day of the Grand Magic Games!"

"The invincible Rufus...!" Mato exclaimed in shock.

"What a close contest!" Chapati commented.

"I guess he was just out-endured by Gray-kun." Yajima stated.

"Fairy Tail receives precious points here!"

"Yeah! I knew you could do it, Gray!" Macao cheered.

"They're on a roll, and I want 'em to stay on it!" Wakaba added.

"That was wonderful." Mavis complimented.

"'Sometimes feelings outweigh calculations.' Just like you said, Number One." Makarov said as Gray began to leave the library.

"The strong feeling that you're definitely going to win. Without that, all calculations are for naught." Mavis claimed. "All I did was bet on that feeling. Gray's emotional strength trumped Rufus's."

"That's because we can't afford to lose here." Makarov reminded. "For the sake of Natsu and the others who went off to rescue Lucy, this fight has only just started!"

"Fairy Tail is the strongest guild in the kingdom of Fiore! We'll prove that to them!"

"Now let's take a look at the current score!" Chapati announced as Fairy Tail's guild emblem flashed on the Lacrima screen. "Fairy Tail is in first place with 50 points! There are five people left, with the leader and four normals."

The screen showed Team Fairy Tail with Erza being in the center — revealing she was the leader.

"Sabertooth is in second place with 49 points! Rufus lost, but with the fluctuating points, there are three normals and the leader left-kabo!" Mato said.

"Tied for second place is Lamia Scale with 49 points. They've got two normals and the leader left." Yajima stated.

"Mermaid Heel is in fourth place with 43 points. They've got the leader and one normal left." Chapati continued on. "Well, Fairy Tail is alone at the top."

"And all five members are in good condition." Yajima pointed out.

"Fairy Tail has gained the advantage-kabo." Mato added.

"So Rufus has been trounced?" Orga questioned to himself as black lightning surrounded him. "That means the number of my prey has increased."

"Fairy Tail really is strong. However..." Rogue looked at the Lacrima screen that showed Gajeel. "... Gajeel, I can't afford to be beaten by anyone until I take you down."

"Rufus..." Frosch mumbled.

Minerva smirked. "Is Sabertooth falling apart? Or will you take us to a new level of the strongest guild with your power, Sting? Either way, I'm very curious." She claimed as Sting didn't answer her.

"Lector..." He thinks to himself.

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The night before . . .

Sting was breathing heavily as everyone looked in shock at Jiemma being defeated.

"Seriously?!"

"He struck Master!"

"What do we do?!"

"Sting..." Rogue mumbled, still holding onto Frosch.

"S-Sting... you think you'll... get away with this?" Jiemma managed to choke out.

"That's fine. Let's have that mark the end of my father's reign of terror." Minerva walked forward. "Sting, whose power exceeds my father's, is more fit to be the new master."

"You nominate Sting as master?!" Orga exclaimed.

"My lady..." Sting started to say.

"Minerva, you wench, what are you saying...?" Jiemma questioned.

"Silence!" Minerva ordered. "We don't need any losers, right? If we're following your philosophy, Father."

Jiemma gritted his teeth in anger. "Sting, what Natsu has and you lack is the power of feelings." Minerva claimed.

"Power of feelings?" Sting repeated.

"Without realizing it, you were influenced by my father. Thinking you don't need comrades... That power is everything... But that's not your true nature. Your feelings for Lector will turn into power." Minerva explained.

"The power of feelings..." Rogue mumbled.

"What does that mean?" Frosch asked.

"Sting, you have gained that power. You will even exceed Natsu."

"My lady, I can't..." Sting looked down.

"Fear not. Lector is alive." Minerva revealed as Sting widened his eyes. "In that instant, my Magic transported him elsewhere. Just before my father's Magic would have disintegrated him."

"Is that true, my lady?!" Sting fell to the ground in relief.

"Lector is alive!" Frosch exclaimed as Rogue hugged him.

"Thank you! Thank you, my lady! Bring him back! Thank you so..." Sting sobbed.

"Don't presume too much." Minerva interrupted. "I won't give you Lector until you win the Grand Magic Games."

"What are you saying, my lady?!" Sting exclaimed. "Please! Give him back to me now! Give me Lector back!"

"I'm not like my father. However, Sabertooth should still be the strongest guild in the land. You and Rogue decidedly lost. But with the lost of Lector as well, you gained a new power. One could say you've been reborn. You felt it, didn't you? The strength of your Magic as it struck my father... But that isn't enough. You have to demonstrate your newfound power. You must exhibit your power to the public." Minerva ranted before turning her back.

"I hope you harbor no foolish thoughts of trying to defeat me. Remember that Lector's life is in my hands."

Sting stood up. "My lady, if I win, you will return Lector safe and sound?" He asked.

"That's right. All you need to do is win. Show me the power of your feelings." Minerva replied.

Sting had a look of determination. "Understood. I swear I'll win." He promised.

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"Yeah! We're back on top!" Jet cheered.

"Keep the ball rolling, guys!" Droy said.

"They won one round, but can't let their guard down."

"We still got four healthy Saber members to deal with, not to mention Jura and Lyon."

"Then the real battle is just beginning, huh?"

"I'm concerned about Natsu and the others, too." Makarov stated.

"It is taking some time." Mavis agreed. "So we can probably assume that something happened."

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Hell Palace . . .

"Natsu! Natsu, come on! Wake up!" Lucy was trying to shake Natsu awake.

"He's not even twitching." Wendy muttered.

"Can't your Magic do something, Wendy?" Mira asked.

"No. My power isn't strong enough to do anything." Wendy responded, covering her face. "I'm sorry! If only I knew more Magic, this wouldn't have happened!"

"It's not your fault!" Samuel reassured. "Come on, Natsu-san, you're upsetting Wendy!"

"It ain't my fault! I'm so hungry I can't walk another step!" Natsu complained.

"And nothing in here looks the least bit edible." Mira added.

Lily was looking at a human skull. "Will we end up eating... you know?"

"That's scary talk, so stop it!" Lucy scolded.

"Natsu!" Happy called out as him and Carla returned.

"Any luck, Happy?" Natsu asked.

"No. Even the ceiling is totally sealed off." Happy replied.

"I don't think there's an exit in here." Carla added.

"Dammit! After we walked all the way here!" Natsu complained.

"The hunters have become the hunted, huh?" Mira asked sheepishly.

"Pitiful..." Wendy looked down.

"We've walked for miles. How big is this place?" Lucy wondered.

"I happen to overhear this. The underground area beneath the palace is ten times as wide as the capital, Crocus." Yukino explained.

"I didn't wanna hear that."

"If I'd known this was going to happen, I would've drawn a map on my body." Lily commented.

"Come to think of it, Natsu, what about the tournament?" Lucy asked.

"Juvia took my place." Natsu responded.

"He was all, 'I'm gonna save Lucy!'" Happy said.

"Yeah, well..." Natsu deadpanned.

"Oh, stop! You're making me feel bashful!" Lucy gushed.

"It's strange. Despite the circumstances, being with you all makes me feel at ease." Yukino said.

"Maybe that's because you're with friends." Mira told her.

"Friends..." Yukino muttered.

The group soon began walking. "I'll tell you one thing. I didn't forget about you either." Natsu said.

"Oh, you don't have to..." Yukino stated. "That aside, um, there's something I want to tell you, Natsu-sama."

"What is it?" Natsu asked.

"While we were in captivity, Lucy-sama told me." Yukino started to say as Natsu looked at her. "When I was expelled from Sabertooth, you became furious and stormed Crocus Garden."

"Y-Yeah... I remember that." Natsu looked away as he was sweating.

"This means he totally doesn't remember it!" Happy commented.

"He forgets things too quickly!" Lucy added.

"Anyway, aren't you with the kingdom's Alpaca Pals or whatever club? Sorry if we got you involved in our trouble." Natsu stated.

"It's Arcadios!" Happy corrected.

"No. I'd always wanted to be in Sabertooth, so I was truly shocked when they kicked me out. Right now, I'm just a provisional member of the Royal Armed Forces." Yukino explained.

"It's also true that she has nowhere to go home to. Both of her parents passed away when she was a child and her big sister went missing." Lucy added.

"I see..." Natsu muttered.

"That's why I felt so happy when I heard you fought on my behalf, Natsu-sama. Thank you." Yukino thanked him.

"Wha...?! I don't need any thanks." Natsu said.

"After all, you don't remember doing it, right?" Lucy teased.

"Yukino Agria. She's quite a loyal girl." Lily commented.

"You like making those kind of pronouncements, don't you, Lily?" Happy asked.

"You wanna have a talk later, huh?" Lily threatened.

"No, I was just kidding. Sorry..." Happy apologized.

"Hey, everyone, don't you think she kind of looks like Lisanna?" Mira asked.

"Now that you mention it..." Lucy trailed off.

"Who's Lisanna-sama?" Yukino questioned in confusion.

Mira gave her a close-eyed smile. "She's my little sister."

Yukino smiles, recalling her own older sister.

There was a sudden snap as the ceiling started to crumble, getting everyone's attention. Natsu sniffed the air. "What's this?" He wondered.

"I feel flowing air." Wendy commented.

"Which means..." Lily started to say.

"We'll check it out!" Carla finished, flying next to Lily.

"Maybe a wall crumbled from that shaking?" Lucy guessed.

"This smell... I remember it from somewhere." Natsu said.

"Everyone! There's a crevice over here! I think we can pass through!" Carla announced.

"Yay! You're my hero, Carla!" Happy exclaimed.

Everyone arrived at the crevice. "It seems more like it's been melted than a natural crevice." Samuel pointed out.

"We can just about squeeze through it."

"It is narrow..." Lucy mumbled.

"Are you okay, Yukino?" Mira questioned.

"Yes, more or less." Yukino answered.

"You can do it, Natsu!" Happy encouraged.

Wendy and Natsu managed to get out as Wendy fell to the ground and Natsu fell on top of her.

"I'm stuck..." Lucy said.

"You probably gained weight." Natsu bluntly remarked with his arms crossed.

"I don't need your rude comments, just pull me out!" Lucy sweat dropped.

Natsu pulled Lucy out of the crevice as Lucy landed on Natsu's face, making Yukino blush as she covered her mouth. "It was accidental!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Everyone, somebody's over there!" Wendy announced.

The group rushed over and saw an unconscious Arcadios. "Arcadios-sama?!" Yukino exclaimed.

"I get it. It was this old man's scent." Natsu commented.

"'Old man' isn't nice!" Lily scolded.

"Hey, are you all right?! Wake up!" Natsu shouted.

"A white knight..." Carla recalled her vision.

"What's he doing here?" Happy asked.

"He was dropped in here like we were." Lucy realized.

"But how did he get those injuries?" Yukino wondered.

Samuel kneels down and places his fingers against Arcadios's neck. "It's okay. He's alive." He reassured.

Arcadios begins to stir as he groans. "Run..." He warned, confusing the group.

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"Arcadios-sama, what happened?!" Yukino asked.

"Anyway, I'll heal him." Wendy offered as she began to work on healing Arcadios.

"Don't worry about me! Get away from here!" Arcadios ordered.

The group suddenly got attacked as a hole was in the ground. "That's..." Lucy started to say.

"... acid!" Lily concluded.

"The ground is melting!" Carla exclaimed.

"Then that passage was..." Wendy realized, backing up a bit.

"What a haul!"

Everyone flew up into the air, crashing to the ground.

"Ouch..."

"Who the hell are these guys?!" Natsu wondered.

Plants soon sprouted up along with purple paper. "Now what?!" Mira questioned.

"Confetti?" Yukino added.

Two women soon appeared. "Arcadios-sama, is this..." Yukino started to say.

"I told you to get away from here!" Arcadios interrupted, struggling to stand up.

"Old man, do you know these guys?" Natsu asked.

"They're an independent unit that supports the kingdom of Fiore from the shadows. They're the kingdom's strongest executioners. And their name is..." Arcadios began to explain.

"... the Garou Knights. Mission 1500, begin."

All five executioners were shown.

"Executioners?" Natsu quoted.

"The kingdom's strongest?" Lucy added.

"I thought they were an urban legend. They run criminals to ground and execute them. They're the kingdom's strongest execution machine, so to speak. That's the Garou Knights!" Samuel explained.

"It's impossible to get out of this Hell Palace alive because of them!" Arcadios added.

"We are Fiore's independant Garou Knights. And with the special authority granted to us, we will now execute the criminals."

Natsu soon bursted out laughing. "Hey, Natsu, at a time like this?!" Lucy scolded.

"Oh, sorry, but these losers don't look anything like knights!" Natsu stated.

"Well, true..." Lucy agreed.

"And their outfits don't match at all..." Wendy pointed out.

"Especially you!" Natsu pointed to one of the executioners.

"Normally, knights would all look the same..." Mira stated.

"With armor and a helmet..." Wendy added.

"We've got individual freedom-tai. We're an independent unit that operates undercover. If we wore matching outfits, we'd actually stand out-tai!"

"Did I touch a nerve, headband bastard?" Natsu taunted. "Then hurry up and bring it on."

"Hey!" Lucy shouted.

"Talking like that... will make me mad!"

"Don't be fooled by their appearance!" Arcadios warned as everyone looked at him. "The Magic they use is designed to kill people!"

"Huh. Magic designed to kill, eh? Perfect! Our way outta here has come strollin' up to us!" Natsu stated.

"That's right. They can tell us where the exit is." Mira claimed.

"Lucy-san and Yukino, you don't have your keys, right? Please back away." Samuel told them.

Lucy and Yukino walked away as they supported Arcadios. "It's frustrating just to watch at a time like this." Lucy said.

"Arcadios-sama, this way..." Yukino instructed.

"Happy, Carla, get back." Lily said, stepping forward.

"I'm gonna fight, too!" Happy claimed.

"Better not." Carla said.

Lily shifted into his Battle Form. "Been a while since I've been in battle. My blood is boiling." Lily stated.

"They intend to have it out with the kingdom's strongest executioners?" Arcadios questioned.

"Everyone, Natsu... Be careful!" Yukino wished them luck.

"I'm fired up." Natsu claimed.

"To show no fear before the Garou Knights betrays your ignorance, criminal. Return to the earth of the kingdom of Fiore."

"Leave them to us, first."

"Just two of you?! Then I'll take you both on myself!" Natsu claimed.

"Aw, I wanted to go first..."

"That's not fair! I'm gonna get mad!"

"Let's go, Cosmos."

"With our beautiful dance, right, Kamika?"

Kamika blew a piece of red confetti. "Confetti, Red Dance!" She shouted.

"Paper Magic, huh? You don't know who you're messin' with." Natsu stated he lit his fists on fire. "I'll burn 'em all to ashes!"

The fire was soon caught in the confetti. "What the hell?!" Natsu questioned.

"They aren't burning!" Lucy noticed.

"Red paper is the god of flames. Scatter!" Kamika shouted.

"If those are flames too, then I'm just gonna eat 'em!" Natsu said before he got punched by the flames.

"I thought you were going to eat them." Kamika taunted as Natsu was engulfed in flames.

"Natsu-san! I'll back you up!" Wendy shouted. "Sky Dragon's Roar!"

Wendy ended up blowing away the confetti. "Nice, Wendy!" Carla complimented.

"Go, go!" Happy cheered.

"Guess it can't be helped. Two against two." Natsu stated.

"Let's take them out." Wendy said.

"Beautiful..." Cosmos muttered.

"Let's jump in there!" Lily informed.

"Wait. Better leave it to Natsu-san and Wendy, and see what the other side does first." Samuel told him.

"Let's go, Wendy!" Natsu took off running.

"Right!" Wendy agreed.

"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" Natsu attacks Cosmos and Kamika with his flames.

"Hmph! Dragon Slayer Magic, huh?" Kamika questioned.

Wendy appeared behind her. "Sky Dragon's Crushing Fang!" She called out as Kamika blocked her attack with a shield of gray paper.

"Long hair..." Cosmos muttered as Natsu leaped behind her.

"Look over here!" Natsu shouted as he tried to attack her with a fire fist, but she ended up blocking it.

"You're not beautiful." Cosmos claimed.

"Huh?"

"I'm getting impatient-tai!"

"Are you playing over there?"

"Sky Dragon's Roar!"

"Fire Dragon's Roar!"

Both Natsu and Wendy attacked with their breath attacks. "Yes!" Lucy cheered.

"That was a great combo attack!" Yukino complimented.

"Both of them are gone. Vaporized?" Lily asked as Natsu and Wendy gave each other a high five.

"No. They're... hiding?" Mira responded.

A plant with red confetti showed when the dust settled. "A bud and red paper..." Wendy muttered.

Natsu and Wendy were raised into the air before falling onto the ground. The bud opened to reveal Cosmos and Kamika. "Now this is a beautiful combo." Cosmos claimed.

"A fitting punishment for criminals." Kamika added.

"The one with the hat controls plants..." Happy pointed out.

"Paper Magic and Plant Magic?" Carla added. "Even though Natsu and Wendy should have the advantage over them..."

"My name is Cosmos. You'll be executed shortly, but remember that." Cosmos claimed.

"Red isn't the only kind of confetti I have." Kamika added as yellow confetti appeared.

Everyone shielded their eyes. "I can't see!" Mira exclaimed.

"She can use paper like that, too?!" Lily said.

Wendy blew the paper away. "Gotcha." Cosmos muttered as Wendy was raised in the air.

"Wendy!"

Natsu was soon attacked by white confetti. "White paper is the god of blizzards!" Kamika stated.

"Dammit! What the hell?! My body is freezin' up! But this ain't nothin'!" Natsu said as he melted the ice. He soon got raised in the air, joining Wendy.

"Natsu-san!"

"Thank you for the beautiful support, Kamika." Cosmos thanked her.

"Dammit! I can't move!" Natsu stated.

"This is itchy!" Wendy complained.

"Two criminals have been subdued. Now all I have to do is execute them." Cosmos said as more plants appeared.

"Yuck! What is that?" Lucy exclaimed.

"Carnivorous plants!" Yukino said.

"Gross!"

"That's no good." Lily stated.

"Natsu, I'll get you free!" Mira informed.

"Get back! This is just startin' to get interesting!" Natsu said.

"Say what?! This is no time for that!" Lily scolded.

"Just let me do it myself! Interfere and I'll punch ya!" Natsu told him.

"He's just full of bravado, isn't he?" Kamika questioned.

"There's no way they can escape from that position." Cosmos added.

"Wendy! Be sure to dodge!" Natsu told her.

"Anytime you're ready!" Wendy said.

Natsu used his breath attack, destroying the plants. "Sky Dragon's Wing Attack!" Wendy called out, releasing Natsu.

"Great! Just what I'd expect from a Dragon Slayer combo play!" Lucy praised.

"Gajeel-san and Natsu-san's combo was really something too..." Samuel commented.

"... but it looks like these two go well together." Mira finished.

"Huh? But when he teamed up with Gajeel..." Happy started to say.

"... didn't they have a falling out?" Carla finished.

"Let's go, Natsu-san!" Wendy said.

"Okay, let's finish 'em off all at once!" Natsu exclaimed.

Wendy struck at Kamika while Natsu struck Cosmos. "As always, there's a lot of destruction..." Carla sweat dropped.

"Wow! They're totally in sync!" Happy added.

"What kind of combo can overpower the Garou Knights?!" Arcadios asked.

"The combo made up of friends who have fought alongside each other time and time again. They have a pretty good idea of what each other is thinking." Lucy answered.

"Believing in each other, helping each other... That power is why Fairy Tail is so strong, isn't it?" Yukino questioned.

"No. They can't let their guards down yet. This isn't the terrible threat of the Garou Knights." Arcadios claimed.

"Knepper, Uosuke..."

The two executioners turned around to face their leader. "All right! Sounds like we're gonna get to go to work, too!" Knepper said.

"Those two are coming in! Then so are we!" Mira charged forward along with Samuel and Lily. 

"Leave it to me!" Lily claimed.

"Bumper catch-tai!" Uosuke shouted, blowing them away.

Knepper tried to attack Lily as he dodged it with his weapon. "Hey! I thought it was supposed to be two against two!" Lucy exclaimed.

"I don't remember making that promise." Kamika stated.

"Our purpose is the execution of criminals." Cosmos said.

"We were just playing with you a little!" Uosuke added.

"That was a damn powerful force!"

"We can't let ourselves get close to him!"

Knepper laughed. "Come on! I'll melt you into nothingness!"

"Get your balance, Wendy!" Natsu said.

"Okay!"

"Though it was only an instant, you managed to disrupt our beautiful combo... You'll learn the seriousness of that crime the hard way! Especially the one that's not beautiful!" Cosmos claimed.

"Shut up!" Natsu shouted before he got thrown back by a plant.

"Natsu-san!" Wendy called out.

"This is no time for you to be worrying about anyone else." Kamika said as Wendy was looking at herself.

"An illusion? If I blow it all away at once... Sky Dragon's Roar!" Wendy shouted.

"Beautiful..." Cosmos said as Wendy was standing on a plant.

"When did that...?!" Wendy ended up getting closed into the plant.

"Beautiful dancing doll... It's a skeletal flower that blossoms in blood." Cosmos claimed.

"Wendy!" Natsu yelled.

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A/N: Another chapter is finished! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 3507 words.