Fairy Tail: Metal and Threads

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Crocus. 

July 3, x790. 

After leaving her guild's lodgings, Minerva found herself walking aimlessly through the streets of Crocus. All the while, she was contemplating what she could do to help her team win the Grand Magic Games. 

Coming up with various plans while discarding those plans just as quickly, Minerva found herself getting more and more frustrated as time passed. Until she saw the members of Team Natsu sitting outside of a food stall and enjoying the food they just bought. More specifically, when she saw Wendy of Team Natsu. 

"She may very well be my breakthrough point. I've heard that members of Fairy Tail are very protective of their guild mates. If I can take her hostage, making that monster give up would be quite likely." Minerva thought to herself while staring at Wendy. She then let her gaze roam over Gray, Erza, Natsu, Happy, Carla, and Juvia, who was clinging to Gray happily, before she continued with a slight frown. "The others will be an issue, though. I'm not sure if I'll be able to pull it off by myself and I don't wanna implicate the rest of the guild." 

"Then, you should give up." 

Hearing that voice from so close behind her, Minerva spun around quickly while preparing to cast her spell, [Territory Nihility], by coating her hands in spatial waves. 

When Minerva was able to see the one who spoke to her, she was looking at a tall, crimson-haired woman wearing a modified witch's outfit with a fur-brimmed pointy hat buying a drink from a vendor. Immediately, she recognized the woman as Irene Belserion, rumored to be an even more powerful wizard than Alfonzo. Though, without seeing Irene's prowess for herself, she would not believe that rumor so easily. 

"You should give up on that, too." Irene said without even turning around while paying the vendor. "Trust me, it won't end well for you. Unlike the rest of my guild mates, I'm not really opposed to killing should someoen attack me." 

Hearing that, Minerva frowned deeply. Still, she did not lower her guard. A moment later, Irene turned around and smiled at Minerva before taking sip of her drink. 

"Anyway, like I was saying, you should probably give up on that plan of yours." Irene said after lowering her cup. "Because I wouldn't even have to get involved before your entire guild ceased to exist. My daughter would either slaughter every member of your guild or send them all to prison for touching one of her friends. And if Alfonzo were to get involved, he wouldn't give a damn about the Grand Magic Games. Instead, he would just storm into wherever you were holding her and kill everyone standing in his way. He doesn't take too kindly to people threatening his loved ones, you know." 

Hearing that, Minerva glanced back at Erza, who was currently slapping Natsu upside the head for doing something stupid. Then, she thought back to a rumor she heard about Alfonzo and Elicia from a few years ago. 

"Does that mean that Jose Porla, the former master of the Phantom Lord Guild and ex-member of the Ten Wizard Saints, didn't die of natural causes after his magic power was crippled?" Minerva asked in a stern tone. 

"Who knows?" Irene replied with a grin and a shrug. "But if you plan to use that against him, I suggest you find some evidence first." 

Being seen through so quickly, Minerva frowned even deeper. However, she had nothing to say. 

"But if you want to checkmate him, then rack your brains." Irene continued. "Try with all your might. But you should know, on top of being one of the most powerful wizards in the world, he's also one of the smartest. So, trapping him won't be easy." 

With that said, Irene stepped forward, completely unbothered by the [Spatial Magic] still swirling around Minerva's hand. Then, as she passed the younger wizard, Irene patted her on the shoulder with a smile. 

"But don't let my words deter you." Irene said without looking back. "Try your best." 

"Are you encouraging me to scheme on a member of your guild?" Minerva asked while considering attacking Irene from behind. "Why would you do something like that?" 

"Because this competition has been incredibly dull." Irene replied nonchalantly. "No one is strong enough to give his team a challenge. And if it weren't for that relatively interesting form of [Spatial Magic] you use, you would have only come in second place at best in today's event. Because you had yet to see exactly what Marin was capable of since she did not need to show it up until the point you appeared in front of her. And by then, it was too late." 

After speaking her piece, Irene continued walking forward to greet Erza and the rest of Team Natsu. Meanwhile, Minerva could only stand there while staring at Irene's back with disbelief. She then watched Irene leave after a brief greeting and burying Natsu up to his neck in the street with an [enchantment] after he challenged her to a fight. 

"Maybe we aren't really the strongest as Father has always said." Minerva said as she let her [Space Magic] dissipate from around her hand. "Still, I can't disobey his orders." 

Not knowing what to do after her conversation with Irene, Minerva continued to wander aimlessly, returning to her lodgings just before midnight. Irene, on the other hand, returned to the Sixth Sense Hotel shortly after greeting Erza. She then went to find Alfonzo, who she found playing with his kids in their suite. 

"How'd it go, Irene?" Alfonzo asked with a smile while holding Calvin over his head. 

"I managed to tap into Akatsuki's communications network." Irene said as she sat down near Alfonzo and scooped Bianca into her arms. "The way they communicate is quite interesting. But the mechanism is simple. You could probably create a magic item to spy on them with relative ease." 

"Yeah, if I had the magical frequency they used, it probably wouldn't be that hard." Alfonzo replied while making it easier for Amar'e to climb onto his lap to play with his little brother." 

"If that's the case, perhaps you would accompany me to Magnolia on the rest day to work on it?" Irene asked with a smile. "I have the frequency. But I'd need some specialized materials to inscribe them into an [Enchantment] that could be mounted on a magic item. And those materials are, unfortunately, in my workshop at home." 

"Sure, it won't be a problem." Alfonzo replied. "If we go early enough, we should be back before it's too late. I promised to go with everyone to Ryuzetsu Land this year on the rest day." 

"Yes, barring any issues, we should be back by noon if we take the Blackbird." Irene replied. 

"Good." Alfonzo replied. "You can tell me what you heard during the flight, too. Being ready for them will be a good thing." 

"I agree." Irene replied. 

With that, the conversation ended and the two focused on playing with the children. Not long after that, Alfonzo's ladies, except for Erza and Lucy, returned from the hot spring bath in the hotel. Then, they joined Alfonzo and Irene in playing with the children until the three youngsters got sleepy. Shortly after that, Erza and Lucy also returned to the room before they all decided to call it a night. 

July 4, x790. 

{"Welcome back for Day Four of the x790 Grand Magic Games."} Loli said once the broadcast started. {"And I'm your host, Loli Chapati and I'm here once again with Yajima, bringing you the color commentary."} 

{"Hello, everyone."} Yajima added. {"It's another fine day, isn't it? I hope you're all ready for more feats of magic by the finest wizards the kingdom has to offer."} 

{"Well, I know I am."} Loli said with a big smile. {"Unfortunately, we don't have a guest commentator with us today. Even so, Yajima and I will do our best to keep things interesting. So, without further ado, let's send it to Mato for today's event."} 

{"Thanks, Loli."} Mato said as his face appeared on all the Lacrima-Vision screens in the Domus Flau. {"Today's event is called 'Super Balls.' I know I don't need to tell you all by this point, but I'll explain the rules once each team has selected a wizard to participate in the event."} 

Like they had every other day before the event's rules were explained, the other teams began discussing who would participate in the match. However, there was one exception. 

"Well, that's my cue." Alfonzo said as he stood up. 

"Break a leg." Marin said cheerfully. 

"Whose?" Alfonzo asked with a smirk. "Just tell me and I'll get it done for you." 

In response, Marin only rolled her eyes before standing up to give Alfonzo a quick peck on the cheek for good luck. And Elicia and Sun quickly followed her example. Then, the three ladies all looked at Brandish in unison. 

"What?" Brandish asked with a blush creeping up to her cheeks. 

"You're not gonna do it to?" Sun asked while tilting her head in curiosity. 

"Why should I?" Brandish asked, her cheeks turning even redder. "I'm not one of his wives." 

"Yeah, but it's just for good luck." Elicia said while nudging Brandish. "You're not scared of a little peck on the cheek, are you?" 

"Come on, Brandi." Marin said cheerfully as she grabbed Brandish's arm. "It's not so bad." 

"Alright, that's enough." Alfonzo said while shaking his head. "If she doesn't wanna do it, don't force her." 

"We know." Elicia said with a smile. "We were just teasing her." 

Shaking his head at his wives' antics, Alfonzo turned around and leapt down into the arena. 

{"And this is the fourth time!"} Loli shouted in an excited tone. {"Fairy Tail has been the first to choose their wizard."} 

{"Yes, and look, the aces of each guild are rushing down into the arena right after him."} Yajima added, drawing attention to the seven other guilds' representatives for this event. 

And just as Yajima said, Bacchus of Quatro Cerberus, Ichiya of Blue Pegasus, Jura of Lamia Scale, Yoruichi of Mermaid Heel, Sting of Sabertooth, Squall of Final Fantasy, and Thibault of Twilight Ogre all jumped into the ring shortly after Alfonzo. 

"Oh, look at this." Alfonzo said while looking at the rest of the competitors. "You're all throwing the best you have to offer for little old me? I'm honored." 

"Ha! When I beat you, the people of Magnolia will understand that we should have been the guild set up in the town!" Thibault shouted. 

Alfonzo only glanced at Thibault like he was looking at a mentally ill child. Then, he turned back to look at all the wizards who actually had some skill. However, as his eyes roamed across the other six wizards, they eventually landed on Sting. 

"You remember what I said last time, right?" Alfonzo asked in a casual toe. 

"So what?" Sting asked. 

"You all really pissed me off." Alfonzo continued. "So, you should be read y to come in seventh place. Because as much as I want to make you come in last, I don't think I'm good enough to make you do worse than that guy." 

As he spoke, Alfonzo pointed at Thibault, who was enraged. 

"You're really looking down on us, aren't you, Alfonzo?" Yoruichi asked with a grin on her face that hid the competitive thoughts she was holding onto. 

"Of course not." Alfonzo replied. "But you're about to see exactly what I'm capable of. And that's something that no one has seen for a while." 

'I just hope this doesn't set off Retsu.' Alfonzo thought to himself. 'Without my [Soul Armaments'] full release, I don't think I'm ready to fight her yet. Not in a life and death battle, anyway.' 

"I have a fairly decent idea of what you are capable of." Jura said peacefully. "But that won't stop me from giving it all I have." 

"And if it did, I really would start looking down on you, Jura." Alfonzo replied with a smile. He then shifted his gaze to the others slowly. "And that goes for all of you. Still, that doesn't mean that just because you give it your all, I'll stop trying to show Sabertooth their place." 

Reaching that point, Alfonzo stared at Sting for a moment. Then, he turned to stare into Jiemma's eyes with a mocking smile on his face. 

Immediately, Jiemma's magic power put pressure on all those around him. Namely, the members of his guild not participating in the Grand Magic Games. However, before things could escalate any further, Mato's face reappeared on the screens. 

{"Good, everyone has decided."} Mato said in that cheerful tone he has come to be known for. {"Now, let me explain how 'Super Balls' works."} 

With that, the images on the screens changed once again. Now, instead of Mato's face, there was a large, eight-sided room being displayed. In fact, the room was so large that it would comfortably fit four or five hundred people inside. And on each wall, there was a large hole with a guild's name above them. There were also many small holes on the ceiling, as well. 

{"Do you see those holes with the names of your guilds over them?" Mato asked loudly. {"well, you'll need to defend them. From what? You may ask. Well, from these."} 

Once again, the images on the screens changed. Now, there were five colored balls on the screen. Each of a different size, as well. The largest of the balls was red, and there was a small sign that read five points next to it. Next that, there was a purple ball with a four point sign. The next ball was a blue ball with a three point sign next to it. Then, there was a green ball worth two points, and finally, a yellow ball worth one point. And the yellow ball was the smallest of the five. 

{"Balls like these will be dropped into the court from the holes in the ceiling. And you'll be trying to get them to go into any of the teams' goals while stopping any from going into your own. Simple right?"} Mato explained. {"As you get balls into your opponents' goals, your score will rise by the value of the ball you managed to get into your opponent's goal. However, whenever an opponent manages to get a ball into your goal, you'll lose points worth the value of the ball. Is everyone following me?"} 

With his question, Mato glanced pointedly at Thibault, whose guild members seemed to have the lowest IQs. However, when he saw the Twilight Ogre ace nodding along, he turned back to the explanation. 

{"On top of that, it is prohibited to hold the balls." Mato continued. {"You will only be able to hit them with your bodies or magic. Also, the more magic power injected into the balls, the faster they will move, with the smaller balls moving faster than the larger ones."}

{"The event will last for thirty minutes and the team with the highest score at the end will be the winner and receive 10 points."} Mato said, continuing his explanation. {"And like in every other event, the scores each team will receive after the winner will be reduced like the other events, with each subsequent team receiving few points. So, is everyone ready?"}