"Alright! The competition segment of Day 4 has concluded."
Pumpkin Man clapped his hands together. "And now, we move on to the highly anticipated battle portion, the Tag Battle!"
Right on cue, Yajima leaned forward.
"A Tag Battle, meaning a 2-on-2 fight, correct?"
"Exactly!" Chapati said excitedly. "Each guild selects two members to fight side-by-side. This event tests not only strength, but teamwork and fusion of abilities!"
"And just like before," he continued, "the participants are chosen first by audience votes, then confirmed by the organizers!"
Guest Lahar chimed in for no reason whatsoever:
"Thank you! Thank you very much!"
Rhodes stared at him in silence.
(He had to have bribed someone to get this commentator seat. There was no way otherwise.)
After a short wait, a staff member hurried over and handed the match list to the commentary booth.
"The list is out!" Chapati said dramatically. "Let's see who's fighting, oh?"
He blinked in surprise. "Mr. Yajima, is it allowed for two teams to face each other multiple times?"
Yajima stroked his beard. "Hmm… I don't recall any rules against it."
Chapati scanned the page again.
"It seems the audience really wants to see Dragon Slayers fight."
A ripple of anticipation spread through the crowd.
Sabertooth's Twin Dragons, Sting and Rogue, the famed White Dragon and Shadow Dragon, were overwhelmingly popular.
Even though both had stumbled in earlier events this year, everyone knew the truth: Neither had been able to show their full strength yet.
So then, who would face them?
A Dragon Slayer pairing?
Fire and Iron?
Natsu and Gajeel?
The audience buzzed with speculation.
"Unfortunately…" Yajima said, "the Fire Dragon and Iron Dragon aren't on the same team."
At that exact moment;
Natsu and Gajeel made identical disgusted faces.
"Good thing I'm not teaming with that guy."
"Good thing I'm not teaming with that idiot."
Rhodes chuckled. "Honestly? I'd pay to see you two work together."
Gajeel scoffed. "Work together? Please. The match would turn into one-on-one: I'd beat the fire brain first, then mop the floor with those two Sabertooth brats."
Seeing the audience's disappointment, Chapati hurriedly raised the excitement again.
"But there is a Dragon Slayer pairing facing Sabertooth! Another Dragon Slayer duo!"
Lights flashed across the arena.
"Grand Magic Games Day 4! Battle Segment: Match One, Sabertooth vs. Fairy Tail Team B!"
"Sting & Rogue versus Gajeel & Wendy!
Both teams, please enter the arena!"
"E-Eh?!"
Wendy jumped in shock. She remembered Rogue's MPF score. It was terrifying.
And Sting was even stronger paired with him.
"Wendy…" Carla's paws trembled. "This selection is too reckless!"
Levy tried to comfort her. "It'll be okay! Gajeel is totally reliable in this kind of match!"
Panther Lily nodded. "He is a hardened warrior. Wendy will not be alone out there."
"That's true but…" Carla bit her lip and activated her precognition magic.
Only for a series of wild, bizarre images to crash into her mind.
"What, what is this?! Is this the 'future' Lucy spoke of?!"
She momentarily forgot her panic, trying desperately to decipher the rapid-fire visions.
Meanwhile, on Sabertooth's side;
"Let's go, Rogue."
Sting's voice was colder, more serious than usual. "The Lady had… an incident. We're winning this one back."
Rogue gave a quiet nod. "Yeah. If it were Gajeel with Natsu or Laxus, I'd be worried. But…"
His eyes hardened.
"This pairing? We can handle."
But with Wendy as the opponent, Rogue simply needed to be cautious with his strength.
On Team B's side, Rhodes gave Gajeel an encouraging slap on the back.
A very heavy slap.
"Good luck."
"Guh!"
Gajeel toppled headfirst, somersaulted, hit the ground back-first, and crashed like a scrap-metal boulder, leaving a very noticeable dent in the floor.
He shot upright in fury, pointing accusingly at Rhode.
"You bastard! I won't let you off for that!!"
"Hahaha, my apologies, my apologies," Rhodes said lightly, the most insincere apology ever uttered. Then he leaned down toward Wendy and added warmly, "Don't stress. Just go and have fun. Also, let that lump of iron take the beating first. Watch the opponents carefully before acting."
"HEY! I HEARD THAT!"
Gajeel's roar echoed across the arena, Dragon Slayer ears were annoyingly sharp.
Rhodes simply folded his arms.
"If you win, I'll treat you to dinner. If you lose, I'm adding today's insults to your tab."
Wendy, feeling a bit guilty but also amused, smiled sheepishly."Um… I'll do my best to support him with magic."
"Mm. Good luck," Rhodes said, voice noticeably gentler.
Juvia, who had watched the exchange, puffed up.
"Your favoritism is way too obvious."
Rhodes raised a brow. "If it were you, would you rather talk to Gajeel or Wendy?"
"W...Wendy…"
Juvia immediately pictured Edolas Wendy, lovely, older, and definitely a threat, and puffed out her cheeks.
"A potential love rival!"
"..."
'Your vigilance range is ridiculous,' Rhodes thought.
Wendy carefully descended the stairs into the arena. She didn't trip this time, progress.
She moved to stand beside Gajeel, who crossed his arms and glared like an angry steel gorilla.
Across from them, Sting and Rogue stared back.
Their gazes locked, three Dragon Slayers projecting enough killing intent to make the water sphere from earlier seem peaceful.
Wendy shuffled her feet nervously.
The opponents didn't notice her at all.
Pumpkin Man raised his hand. "Both teams are in position! Tag Battle, begin!!"
Rogue took the lead.
"Mr. Gajeel… we finally get the chance for a true fight. I'll show you my strength, not just a number on the scoreboard!"
Gajeel smirked.
"You really care about that MPF number, huh?
Never mind, little one, step back. I've wanted to pound these arrogant brats for ages."
"Yes!"
Wendy retreated instantly, like a well-trained support mage.
This wasn't their first time working together. During training she often fought alongside Natsu and Gajeel, Or fought against Rhodes, which was much worse.
She knew her role perfectly.
Support first. Fight after.
Wendy spread her arms; a glowing magic circle blossomed beneath her feet.
"Speed Up! Power Up! Defense Up."
Three hues of light shot across the arena, wrapping around Gajeel, and before Wendy even finished casting, Gajeel had already blasted forward.
"NGH!!"
Rogue received a fist of solid iron to the face.
Sting's stomach caught Gajeel's iron-hard kick.
Both Sabertooth Dragons were launched backward before they even understood what hit them.
Pumpkin Man yelped.
The audience gasped.
This Tag Battle had been arranged to avoid a one-sided demolition. So the organizers specifically avoided pairing Laxus.
They put Wendy with Gajeel to balance the match.
And yet…
Was it still going to end up like THIS?!