2502024 edit: fully rewritten.
Chapter Two - The Game Begins
"Yayyyyy, let's go, my nakamas! Sabertooth needs to be fast and furious!" Natsu shouted playfully, hopping around before phasing into the ground. In an instant, he reached the inside of the Sky Labyrinth—a ridiculous maze that had been announced by some pumpkin-headed lunatic in the middle of the night. The crowd's energy buzzed in the air, a constant hum that distracted the impatient competitors.
This was the kind of thing the old Natsu would've been thrilled about. Another game, another test of strength and speed. That version of him would've treated this as just another challenge, another adventure.
Now?
This was a means to an end. Nothing more.
As he zipped through the labyrinth, slipping through obstacles with his Space-Time abilities, he could sense the others struggling to catch up. Sabertooth was strong, no doubt about it, but they lacked the finesse he had gained during his time in Kaguya's realm.
Behind him, Sting's voice echoed, his impatience clear even from afar. "Oi, Tobi-san! Wait up!"
Sabertooth's team raced through the labyrinth, each member trying to keep pace with Tobi's untraceable movements. Sting, Orga, Rogue, and Rufus were no strangers to high-pressure challenges, but the labyrinth's shifting walls and deadly traps were proving more difficult than they had anticipated.
"It seems Tobi-san has a head start," Rufus remarked, the light smile on his face betraying his surprise. His Memory-Make magic was useful in recalling the paths they had already traveled, but Tobi's unpredictable movements made it difficult for them to keep track of their teammate.
"Don't tell me after all this time we still can't compare to his speed," Orga grumbled, the frustration evident in his voice. His massive frame powered through the winding corridors, but he was no match for the ethereal swiftness with which Tobi moved.
"His technique is not just speed," Rogue said quietly, his voice calm despite the pressure. "It's more like Milady's Space-Time magic... but far more refined."
Sting clenched his fists, pushing himself harder to catch up. "Tch. I'll beat him eventually. Just wait." His words were full of bravado, but deep down, even Sting couldn't deny the awe Tobi's abilities inspired in him.
Even for Sabertooth, the man in the mask was a mystery.
Meanwhile, in another section of the labyrinth, Elfman, ever the "manly" one, was barreling through walls with little regard for the traps set by the labyrinth itself. Gray, Juvia, Lucy, and Erza clung to his back, barely managing to stay conscious as they sped through the corridors.
"Oi! Slow down, Elfman!" Gray shouted, trying to keep his voice steady despite the nausea rising in his throat.
"A man never slows down!" Elfman bellowed in response, his prideful declaration echoing through the stone walls. His determination to prove his strength was unwavering, but it was clear that the labyrinth was wearing him down as well.
Erza, ever the strategist, kept her eyes on the shifting environment, analyzing their surroundings as they went. "We need to focus. The labyrinth is designed to confuse us, but if we can stick together, we'll find the exit."
Juvia nodded enthusiastically. "Juvia believes in Erza-sama!"
Despite the chaos, Fairy Tail's team was determined to push forward, their hearts set on regaining their position as the strongest guild in Fiore. They had faced tougher challenges before, and this was just another hurdle to overcome.
Back in the labyrinth, Tobi stood at the entrance to the exit, tapping his foot impatiently as the rest of Sabertooth finally caught up. Their exhausted expressions only deepened his amusement.
"Tobi was getting bored~!" he teased, folding his arms and cocking his head playfully.
Sting groaned in frustration, his hands resting on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. "Seriously? You've already found the exit?"
Rufus chuckled softly, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Well, we did have Tobi-san leading the way. I should've expected nothing less."
Orga grunted in agreement, though he was too tired to make his usual snarky remarks.
"Good work, Tobi-san," Rogue said, his calm voice hiding the admiration he held for his masked teammate. Rogue, more than the others, understood the depth of Tobi's power. It was... unsettling.
As the team walked through the exit together, the pumpkin-headed announcer's voice echoed through the arena.
"Congratulations, Sabertooth! You've completed the Sky Labyrinth first!" The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement through the roof as Sabertooth emerged victorious once again.
Tobi waved to the audience, playing up his childish persona with exaggerated gestures. But beneath the mask, Natsu's mind was elsewhere. He wasn't here to entertain the crowd. He was here for one reason.
Fairy Tail.
The Grand Magic Games Begin
As the preliminary events wrapped up, the real games were about to begin. The stadium was packed with spectators, their cheers filling the air as the guilds entered the arena one by one.
Chapati Lola, the excitable announcer for the event, stood in the center of the stage, his voice booming over the loudspeakers. "Welcome, one and all, to the Grand Magic Games!"
Beside him stood Yajima, the former council member, who was far less enthusiastic but no less respected. "It's going to be an interesting tournament," Yajima remarked, his bushy eyebrows furrowing as he scanned the lineup of guilds.
"The first team to enter the arena is... Quatro Cerberus!" Chapati announced, his voice filled with excitement.
"Oooh!" their guild leader howled as his team made their way into the arena.
"The seventh team is Mermaid Heel, an all-female guild known for their grace and power!" Chapati continued, and the crowd erupted into cheers as the members of Mermaid Heel entered the stadium.
Each guild made their way into the arena, the audience cheering them on as they took their places. When it was finally Sabertooth's turn, the stadium fell into an anticipatory hush.
Chapati's voice rang out, filled with awe. "And now, entering the arena... the reigning champions, Sabertooth!"
The crowd exploded into cheers as Sabertooth's team stepped into the arena—Sting, Rogue, Rufus, Orga, and Tobi. But while the crowd focused their attention on Sting and Rogue, who were well-known figures in Fiore, Tobi remained a figure of mystery.
His mask glinted in the sunlight, the spiral design focusing attention on the one eye that seemed to see through everything.
Across the arena, Fairy Tail's team stood in silence as Sabertooth entered. Erza's eyes narrowed as she focused on the masked figure at the back of their team.
"That guy..." Gray muttered, his gaze fixed on Tobi. "There's something about him. I can't shake it."
Erza nodded, her expression hardening. "We need to be careful. Sabertooth is strong, but there's something... off about that one."
"Another Mystogan-like, perhaps?" Juvia suggested, her eyes widening with curiosity.
"I don't know," Erza replied, her gaze never leaving Tobi. "But whoever he is, he's dangerous."
Natsu could feel their eyes on him—Fairy Tail's eyes. The old him would've rushed over, eager to reunite with his former friends, eager to prove that he had become stronger. But now, standing there as Tobi, all he felt was the cold satisfaction that they had no idea who they were really dealing with.
"Let the games begin," he whispered under his breath, a smirk curling beneath the mask.
The Grand Magic Games had officially started. The crowd's energy spiked, a collective roar echoing through the entire arena. The familiar tension before a fight—it was intoxicating, but not in the same way it used to be.
The mask he wore wasn't just a disguise. It was a barrier—separating him from the chaos, from the person he used to be. It was ironic that this spiral mask, originally chosen to conceal his identity, now felt like his true face. Tobi wasn't just a persona; he was the part of Natsu that had learned to think ahead, to play games far more intricate than he ever had before.
And Fairy Tail... they had no idea.
From across the stadium, Natsu could feel their eyes on him—Erza's especially. Her gaze hadn't left him since they entered the arena. Part of him wondered if she could sense the truth. Erza was sharp, always had been. But even she wouldn't be able to pierce through the layers of who he had become.
As the teams settled into their positions for the first official battle, the air was thick with tension. The Sabertooth members stood tall, their confidence unshakable. Beside them, Tobi's presence added an extra layer of mystery, his playful demeanor contrasting sharply with the intensity of the situation.
"Today's first battle will be... Fairy Tail Team A versus Sabertooth!" announced the pumpkin-headed man, his voice echoing through the arena.
The crowd roared in excitement, eager to see two of the strongest guilds clash head-on.
Erza and her team stepped forward, each of them brimming with determination. Gray stretched his muscles, his ice magic already sparking in the air. Juvia stood beside him, her eyes focused on the upcoming battle. Even Elfman, who had been hyperactive earlier, now wore a serious expression.
On Sabertooth's side, Sting and Rogue exchanged a glance, their confidence evident in their relaxed postures. They had dominated this competition for a while since Fairy Tail stopped participating, and this year would be no different. Rufus stood to the side, his eyes closed as if lost in thought, while Orga crossed his arms, letting out a low grunt of approval for the upcoming fight.
But amidst all this, it was Tobi who stood out the most.
His presence was quiet yet somehow commanding. The swirling white mask he wore reflected the sunlight, its spiral design focusing on his single visible eye. Despite his childlike behavior earlier, there was something undeniably menacing about him.
Minerva kept her eyes on him, barely registering the pre-fight banter the others were indulging in. Tobi had always been an enigma, but today... something had shifted. His usual playful tone was still there, the same childish antics that often drove her half mad, but now they felt more deliberate, calculated even.
What are you hiding, Tobi?
For the past two years, she had tried—unsuccessfully—to peel back the layers of this masked man. His abilities were undeniable, that much was clear. His space-time magic was on a level none of them could comprehend, and yet he always played it off like it was just a game. But behind that facade, Minerva had seen glimpses of something else—something darker.
"Tobi is a mystery," she muttered to herself, watching as he stood at the edge of the arena, waiting for the fight to begin.
There was a weight to him, something far more dangerous than the others realized. And she couldn't help but be intrigued. He kept everyone at a distance, always one step ahead, always hiding behind that mask. But Minerva would uncover the truth, one way or another.
And when she did, she'd either destroy him—or use him.
The air in the stadium was thick with anticipation as the crowd's cheers rolled like thunder across the arena. Sabertooth stood triumphant after their first victory, but Tobi—Natsu—remained unmoved. To him, this was all just theater. A carefully orchestrated performance where he held all the strings.
This wasn't about the games.
It was about his revenge. And soon, they'd understand just how much things had changed.
From across the stadium, Natsu could feel the weight of Erza's gaze. She was always watching, always calculating. She knew something was off, but she didn't know enough. Not yet.
A chill passed through him. The mask concealed his identity, but it couldn't hide what was coming.
The crowd's energy pulsed through the arena, but the competitors remained focused. Tensions ran high between Sabertooth and Fairy Tail, their rivalry one of the highlights of the tournament. Fairy Tail had fought hard to regain their place as a top guild, but Sabertooth had held onto their dominance for years.
The next event was Hidden—a game of stealth and strategy.
Rufus from Sabertooth and Gray from Fairy Tail squared off. It was a battle of wits, a game that would test not just their strength, but their cunning.
The arena morphed into a sprawling labyrinthine city, a perfect battleground for a contest of deception. The rules were simple: find and strike your opponent without being caught. The one who struck first gained a point; the one hit would lose a point.
Gray crouched low, moving through the shadowy streets with practiced stealth. His ice magic hummed in the air around him, ready for any surprise. His mind raced, recalling every corner of the maze, each alley and hidden space that could be used against him.
Rufus, on the other hand, moved with calm precision. His eyes remained closed, his Memory-Make magic guiding his every step. He didn't need to see Gray. He had already memorized every detail of the arena and every move his opponent had made.
From the sidelines, Natsu watched as the event unfolded. Gray moved like a shadow, his ice magic flowing seamlessly as he used it to his advantage, while Rufus was calculated, every movement precise and deliberate. It was a battle of patience.
As skilled as Rufus was, Natsu knew Gray better than most. His adaptability and raw talent were unmatched when he got serious.
Natsu almost smirked beneath his mask, recalling the countless times he had fought side by side with Gray. The old him would have been there, cheering him on. But now, there was a cold distance between them. Natsu had learned too much, grown too far beyond what they knew.
The bond they once shared felt like a memory from another life.
Gray suddenly stopped, his breath slowing as he felt a disturbance in the air. Rufus was nearby. He could feel it—a subtle shift in the atmosphere, like the faintest flicker of magic brushing against his skin.
Without hesitation, Gray released a burst of ice, sharp and focused, targeting the shadows. For a moment, there was silence.
And then, Rufus appeared, his form shimmering into existence as if pulled from the memory of the space itself. But Gray was ready.
Before Rufus could react, Gray launched an even larger ice attack, forcing Rufus back. The impact shattered the illusion Rufus had cast around himself.
"Not bad," Rufus admitted, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. But there was no panic in his voice. Instead, he raised a hand, casting his own magic with practiced ease.
"Memory-Make: Silent Ice."
A replica of Gray's own attack materialized, a perfect copy made from Rufus's memory of their fight. The ice hurtled toward Gray with terrifying accuracy, but Gray sidestepped it, knowing his own magic well enough to avoid its weaknesses.
"Nice trick," Gray muttered under his breath. "But I know my own magic better than you do."
The battle became a dance of ice and memory, each mage testing the other's limits. But Gray, determined to prove himself, pushed forward with a relentless assault. His movements grew sharper, faster, until finally, with one last strike, he overwhelmed Rufus, sending him crashing into the side of the arena.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Gray stood tall, victorious.
Sabertooth's guild members watched as Rufus fell. Despite their calm exteriors, there was a ripple of surprise. Rufus, who was usually so untouchable in a game of strategy, had been bested.
"Gray's stronger than he looks," Rogue commented quietly, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "They're not going to be easy to defeat."
Sting crossed his arms, his usual arrogance replaced by a more serious expression. "Doesn't matter. We're still going to crush them."
Meanwhile, Tobi—the mysterious figure who had quickly become one of Sabertooth's most powerful members—remained silent, his masked face giving away nothing.
Inside, however, Natsu couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at seeing Gray's victory. It wouldn't be fun if they were weak now would it?
After the Hidden event, the next battle was announced—Sabertooth's Tobi versus Mermaid Heel's Kagura Mikazuchi. The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch as the two competitors stepped into the arena.
Kagura was a fierce warrior, her reputation as one of the strongest swordswomen in Fiore well known. Her skill with Archenemy, her sealed sword, made her a deadly opponent.
But Tobi—no one knew what to expect from him.
The moment Natsu stepped into the arena, he felt it—the weight of Kagura's gaze bearing down on him, the intensity of her emotions radiating like heat. This wasn't just another battle for her. She had something to prove.
And he knew exactly why.
Across from him, Kagura stood with her hand resting on the hilt of her sealed blade, Archenemy. Her stance was steady, but there was a fire in her eyes—one fueled by a hatred far deeper than anyone else in the crowd could understand.
But Natsu understood.
She didn't know him, not yet, but he knew her. He knew the pain she carried. Knew that her hatred for Jellal wasn't just anger—it was something far more personal. Simon's death was a scar on her soul, one she hadn't been able to heal. And Fairy Tail... they were harboring the man responsible for her brother's death.
A smirk tugged at Natsu's lips beneath the mask. This was going to be fun.
Kagura stood tall, her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword as she studied her opponent. The crowd was watching, but to her, they didn't exist. All she could see was the masked man standing before her—Tobi.
There was something about him, something that made her blood boil. He carried himself with the kind of arrogance that reminded her too much of Jellal.
"I'm going to enjoy this," she muttered under her breath.
Tobi tilted his head playfully, as if her words were amusing to him. "Oh? Tobi hopes Minerva-chan won't be jealous~."
Kagura's eyes narrowed, but she didn't respond. Her focus was entirely on the battle ahead.
The announcer's voice rang through the arena, signaling the start of the match, but Kagura wasted no time. In an instant, she was moving—her speed blinding, her unsheathed blade aimed straight for Tobi's heart.
But just like before, it passed through him as though he were nothing more than a shadow.
"You'll have to try harder than that," Tobi's voice echoed playfully, but there was something else beneath the surface—something darker.
Kagura's frustration grew as she swung again, and again, each strike more powerful than the last. But it was no use. Tobi's body seemed to phase out of existence every time she got close.
"You're not human," Kagura spat, her voice low and dangerous.
Tobi chuckled, his voice soft yet unnerving. "Tobi never said he was~."
Natsu could feel her frustration, and he fed off it, using her anger against her. But this wasn't just about the fight—it was about what he knew.
As Kagura swung again, he sidestepped effortlessly, letting her sword cut through nothing but air. "You're angry," he said, his voice calm despite her rage. "But it's not with me, is it?"
She froze, her sword stopping mid-swing.
Natsu tilted his head, letting the silence linger for a moment before continuing. "It's Jellal, isn't it? The man who killed your brother."
Kagura's eyes widened, shock flashing across her face. "How... how do you know about that?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, but Natsu could hear the tremble in it.
He smiled beneath the mask, stepping closer to her. "I know everything. I know about Simon. I know what Jellal did. I know that Fairy Tail—" he paused, letting the words sink in, "is protecting him."
Her grip on Archenemy tightened, her knuckles turning white. "You're lying," she hissed, though doubt crept into her voice.
"Oh, am I?" Natsu took another step forward, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Ask Erza Scarlet. Ask her why she's been so quiet about Jellal all this time. Why Fairy Tail has been hiding him from you."
Kagura's face paled, and for the first time, Natsu saw the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. Her resolve began to crumble, her hatred shifting from him to where it truly belonged—on Jellal, and on Fairy Tail for hiding the truth.
Kagura's mind raced. How could he know about Simon? About Jellal? She hadn't told anyone outside of Mermaid Heel about her past, and yet this masked stranger knew everything. And his words... they struck deep.
Fairy Tail is hiding him?
She glanced toward where Fairy Tail stood, her eyes locking on Erza. Erza—who had been there the day Simon died. Erza—who had fought alongside Jellal. Erza—who had never once mentioned Jellal in all the times they had crossed paths since.
Could it be true? Could Fairy Tail really be protecting the man responsible for Simon's death?
Kagura's anger flared, her magic spiking as she focused her rage on Erza. But even as she tried to summon the hatred she felt for Jellal, her emotions wavered.
Why hadn't Erza said anything?
And why... did Tobi seem to understand her pain so well?
Natsu could see it in Kagura's eyes—doubt. It was subtle, but it was enough. She was questioning everything now, and that was exactly what he wanted.
But this wasn't just about pushing Kagura. This was about shaking the foundation of Fairy Tail itself.
He cast a glance toward Erza. Even from across the arena, he could see the tension in her stance. She knew. She knew that he had just dropped a bomb that was going to tear Kagura's world apart.
And she was afraid.
"Tobi is sorry, Kagura-chan," Natsu said, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "But the truth always hurts."
Across the arena, Erza stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. Tobi's words echoed in her ears, each one hitting like a blade.
Fairy Tail is hiding Jellal.
It wasn't entirely untrue. Jellal had been in hiding, and they had kept his whereabouts a secret to protect him. But it wasn't as simple as that, and now... Kagura was looking at her with a mixture of confusion and betrayal.
She could feel Gray's eyes on her, and even Gajeel and Wendy looked unsettled by the accusation.
"Erza?" Gray's voice was low, but she couldn't bring herself to respond. Her throat felt tight, her mind racing back to the Tower of Heaven, to Simon's sacrifice, to Jellal's madness.
She had never told Kagura the full truth. And now, because of him—because of Tobi—the truth was coming out in the worst possible way.
Kagura's body trembled with emotion—anger, sadness, betrayal. Her hands clenched around her sword, but her resolve wavered.
Could it be true? Could Erza really be hiding Jellal after everything that happened?
The thought made her blood boil, but at the same time, there was something about Tobi... something about the way he spoke to her that made her hesitate.
He wasn't like Jellal. He wasn't even like the other Sabertooth members, who were arrogant and cruel. Tobi... understood her. He understood her pain in a way no one else had.
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tobi's masked face tilted, the playful tone gone. "Because you deserve to know the truth, Kagura-chan. I've seen too many people hurt by lies."
For the first time, Kagura didn't feel the need to fight him. Instead, she felt... drawn to him. Drawn to the way he seemed to understand her suffering.
From the sidelines, Minerva watched the interaction between Kagura and Tobi with narrowed eyes. She had known Tobi for years now, and in all that time, he had never shown this kind of interest in anyone.
Why her?
There was something about the way Kagura looked at him—something vulnerable. It made Minerva's blood boil. She had always been fascinated by Tobi's strength, his power, and the mystery behind his mask.
And now, seeing someone else connect with him in a way she hadn't made her feel... something she couldn't quite place.
She clenched her fists, jealousy simmering just beneath the surface. She wouldn't let anyone come between her and Tobi—not Kagura, and certainly not Fairy Tail.
Natsu watched as Kagura lowered her sword slightly, the rage in her eyes dimming. She was confused, torn between her loyalty to her guild and the pain he had just stirred up inside her.
Perfect.
"Tobi doesn't want to hurt Kagura-chan," he said softly, stepping closer. "But Tobi also doesn't want you to keep suffering."
Kagura hesitated for a moment before finally lowering her sword completely. Her eyes met his—or at least, the one eye visible beneath his mask—and for the first time, he saw something other than anger in them.
He saw understanding. He saw... trust.
But as he stepped back, preparing to withdraw from the fight, Natsu could feel it—that burning gaze drilling into the back of his head. Minerva. Her jealousy radiated like heat, sharp and possessive. It was exactly what he expected.
She had always been possessive of him, even if she never admitted it outright. Watching him interact with Kagura, seeing that flicker of understanding between them, had stirred something primal in her. Something dangerous.
Good.
Because now, he had two powerful women caught in his web. And he wasn't finished yet.
Kagura stood frozen in the center of the arena, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. The crowd around her had faded into the background, their cheers and murmurs distant and meaningless.
She had come here to win—to prove her strength, to honor Simon's memory. But now, the foundation of everything she believed in had been shaken.
Fairy Tail is protecting him... The words echoed in her mind, Tobi's voice taunting her, filling her with doubt.
Her eyes flicked toward Fairy Tail's corner, and her gaze landed on Erza. The scarlet-haired woman stood tall, her expression unreadable, but there was something in her eyes—a flicker of guilt.
She knew.
Kagura's grip on Archenemy tightened once more. All this time, Erza had been keeping secrets from her. All this time, she had been protecting Jellal—the man responsible for Simon's death.
Her emotions roiled inside her—anger, betrayal, sadness. And yet... as her gaze shifted back to Tobi, she couldn't help but feel something else. He understood her. He had given her the truth, even if it hurt.
Was he an enemy? Or was he... something more?
Minerva couldn't tear her eyes away from them—from him. Tobi and Kagura. The way she looked at him, the way his voice softened when he spoke to her. It was infuriating.
She had always known Tobi was different. He was stronger than anyone in Sabertooth, more mysterious, more powerful. He played at being carefree, but Minerva knew there was something darker beneath that mask. That was part of why she had been drawn to him from the beginning.
But now... watching him get close to someone else, watching him connect with Kagura in a way he had never connected with her—it burned.
Minerva clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as jealousy simmered just beneath the surface. She had to control it, had to keep her emotions in check. But every time she saw him looking at Kagura, every time she saw that flicker of understanding between them, it became harder.
Tobi is mine.
She wouldn't let anyone take him away from her. Not Fairy Tail. Not Kagura.
Across the arena, Erza's heart pounded in her chest. She had known this moment would come—the moment when Kagura would learn the truth. But she had never expected it to happen like this.
Tobi's words had cut deep, not just for Kagura, but for her as well. The guilt Erza had carried for years now weighed heavily on her shoulders, threatening to crush her.
Simon's death had been a wound that never fully healed, a scar she carried with her every day. And now, because of Jellal, that wound had been torn open again.
Kagura's eyes were on her, and Erza could see the anger, the confusion, the betrayal in them. She wanted to explain, wanted to tell Kagura the full story. But how could she?
How could she make her understand the complexity of her relationship with Jellal? How could she explain the way Simon's sacrifice still haunted her, the way she had fought to keep Jellal alive not because she forgave him, but because she still believed in the man he once was?
You have to tell her, a voice whispered in her mind. But as she opened her mouth to speak, the words wouldn't come.
Kagura's sword wavered in her grip. For a moment, she considered continuing the fight, pushing through the confusion and rage that clouded her mind. But the truth had shaken her too deeply. She couldn't focus, couldn't think straight.
She glanced at Tobi again, his mask still concealing his face, but his eyes... they were soft, understanding. He had given her the truth, something she had desperately sought for so long.
But was it enough?
Could she really trust him?
With a deep breath, Kagura slowly lowered her sword. The crowd gasped, murmurs spreading through the stands as they realized the fight was over. But Kagura didn't care about their reactions. She was focused on one thing—the truth.
"I... concede," she said quietly, her voice strained.
The announcer blinked in surprise, then raised his hand. "Sabertooth's Tobi is the winner!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, but Kagura barely heard them. Her gaze was fixed on Fairy Tail, her thoughts a chaotic storm of emotions.
The cheers of the crowd washed over Natsu, but he didn't care about their applause. What mattered was the look in Kagura's eyes as she walked away from the arena. The seeds of doubt had been planted, and now they would grow, twisting her feelings for Fairy Tail—and for him.
But as he turned to leave, he felt a presence at his side. He didn't need to look to know it was Minerva.
"Tobi," she said, her voice low and sharp. "You're playing a dangerous game."
Natsu chuckled softly, not bothering to meet her gaze. "Tobi likes to play~."
Minerva's grip on his arm tightened, her nails digging into his skin. "You think you can use her? Manipulate her feelings like that? What's your real plan?"
Her jealousy was palpable, and he could feel the tension radiating from her. But he wasn't ready to reveal everything just yet.
He turned to face her, his one visible eye meeting hers. "Minerva-chan," he said softly, his tone almost teasing, "Tobi's plan is very simple. Tobi wants to win."
Her eyes narrowed, suspicion clouding her features, but Natsu could see something else there—something she wasn't ready to admit.
"You're not the only one who's watching," she said, her voice colder now. "Fairy Tail is going to retaliate. And Kagura... she's dangerous."
Natsu tilted his head, smiling beneath the mask. "Tobi is ready for whatever comes next."
Back in the Fairy Tail corner, the tension was palpable. Erza hadn't moved since the end of the match, her thoughts swirling with guilt and fear. Gray, standing beside her, cast a glance toward where Kagura had disappeared.
"You need to talk to her," he said quietly, his voice surprisingly gentle.
Erza swallowed hard, her throat tight. "I know."
"But it's not just Kagura, is it?" Gray continued. "You have to tell us what's really going on."
Erza closed her eyes, her heart aching. She had always carried this burden alone, but now... now it was threatening to tear everything apart. Not just her friendship with Kagura, but her relationship with Fairy Tail as well.
She had to make a choice. And whatever choice she made, it would change everything.
Erza took a deep breath, gathering the courage to face Kagura. She had delayed this conversation for far too long, but after everything that had just unfolded, there was no running from it anymore.
Kagura's back was turned, her body trembling with the fury she had carried all these years. Erza could feel the storm brewing inside her, and she knew she had played a part in creating it.
"You shouldn't have come here, Erza." Kagura's voice was low, laced with venom. "You of all people."
"I needed to," Erza replied softly, though the words felt heavy on her tongue. "There are things you need to understand... things I should have told you long ago."
Kagura spun around to face her, eyes blazing with rage. "Like what? How you protected him? How you stood by Jellal's side after what he did? After he killed my brother?"
Her words were sharp, each one a dagger to Erza's chest. She could see the betrayal in Kagura's eyes, and she knew this conversation wasn't going to be easy.
"Kagura, it's not as simple as you think—"
"Don't you dare give me excuses, Erza!" Kagura snapped, her voice rising. "You protected him. You hid him. You... you love him, don't you? That's why you couldn't let him face justice!"
Erza opened her mouth to respond, but a sudden voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Tobi's voice echoed as he stepped out from the shadows. "Looks like Fairy Tail's secrets are unraveling. How amusing." He strolled forward, his masked face betraying nothing, but the amusement in his tone was unmistakable.
Kagura whipped her head toward him, her anger momentarily redirected. "You! This is your doing. Explain everything!"
Tobi tilted his head, his tone playfully dismissive. "I didn't tell you anything you didn't already know, Kagura-chan. I just... reminded you of the truth. Fairy Tail is harboring your brother's murderer."
His words were like gasoline on a fire. Kagura's fury reignited, and she turned back to Erza, her expression hardening once more.
"You've been protecting Jellal for years," Kagura said, her voice quaking with emotion. "Why, Erza? Why protect him if not because of your feelings for him?"
This was the moment Erza had dreaded—the moment where the weight of her decisions would finally crush her.
"It's not because I love him," Erza said quietly, but firmly.
Kagura narrowed her eyes. "Then why? Tell me why you've kept him safe! Why didn't you let him pay for what he did?"
Erza took a deep breath. This was the truth she had buried for so long.
"Jellal..." she paused, feeling the weight of the words about to leave her lips. "He's not the same person he was back then. After the Tower of Heaven... he lost everything. His memories. His will. He's been trying to atone for what he did, Kagura. I saw it in him. I felt it."
Kagura's expression twisted in disbelief, her hands balling into fists. "Atone?" she spat. "He killed Simon! He doesn't get to atone!"
"I know that!" Erza cried, her voice trembling. "I know that better than anyone, Kagura! But after the Tower of Heaven, I saw something in him—a broken man who had been manipulated and used. He was as much a victim as we were."
Before she could continue, Tobi interrupted again, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Ah, poor Jellal, the victim. How touching, Erza." He chuckled, shaking his head. "But Kagura-chan isn't wrong, is she? No matter what excuses you make for him, Simon is still dead. And Jellal still walks free."
Kagura's rage flared at his words, and she stepped closer to Erza, her face contorted with pain. "You can't tell me you actually believe that, Erza. You can't tell me you saw Simon die and still think Jellal deserves mercy."
Her words hit Erza like a hammer. She remembered that day so clearly. Natsu had fought Jellal, risking everything to save her. Simon had sacrificed himself to protect her, to stop Jellal's madness. And she...
"I was unconscious," Erza whispered, her voice barely audible. The guilt washed over her again, just as it had so many times before. "I wasn't there when Simon died. Natsu... Natsu fought Jellal. He saved me. I never even saw Simon's final moments."
Kagura's eyes widened in shock. "You... you weren't there?"
Erza shook her head, the shame weighing heavily on her. "No. When I woke up, it was already over. Simon was gone. Natsu... he was the one who saved us all."
Tobi's single visible eye flickered, but he said nothing. His gaze, however, felt sharp—almost accusatory.
"But," Erza continued, forcing herself to meet Kagura's eyes. "Even though I wasn't there... I still bear the guilt. I should have been there. I should have fought. I failed Simon... and I failed Natsu."
For a moment, Kagura seemed to falter, her anger giving way to confusion. The person she had hated for so long—the one she believed had betrayed her—hadn't even been there.
"But then why?" Kagura asked, her voice hoarse. "Why protect Jellal now? Why didn't you let him face the consequences?"
Erza closed her eyes, her voice soft but steady. "Because... I believe in redemption. And I believe that Jellal is trying to make amends. I'm not protecting him because I love him, Kagura. I'm protecting him because—"
Tobi's voice cut through again, this time darker. "Redemption?" he repeated, almost mockingly. "You believe a man like Jellal can be redeemed after all he's done?"
Erza turned to face him, her heart pounding. "It's not about what I believe. It's about what I hope. I hope that he can change, that he can make up for what he did. But I'm not blind, Tobi. I know the weight of his sins."
Kagura shook her head, her hands trembling. "I don't care if he's trying to redeem himself. It won't bring my brother back. It won't undo what he did."
Her words were raw, filled with the same grief Erza had felt since the Tower of Heaven. She understood Kagura's pain. But there was something more, something she hadn't said yet—something she had been afraid to admit, even to herself.
"I failed Natsu too," Erza whispered, her voice breaking. "When he disappeared... when he was taken... I wasn't there for him either. And I regret that every day."
Kagura looked at her, her expression softening slightly. "Natsu... Dragneel? He was there that day... when my brother died?"
Erza nodded, the weight of her confession heavy on her chest. "He fought for me. He saved me when I couldn't save myself. And I... I wasn't strong enough to stop what happened afterward. I let him down. Just like I let Simon down."
Tobi stood silently, his amusement gone, replaced by something far darker—something more personal. Erza could feel his gaze on her, the weight of his silence more suffocating than any words he could have spoken.
"I don't expect you to forgive Jellal," Erza said, her voice low. "I don't even expect you to forgive me. But I want you to know that it wasn't because I loved him. It was because I... failed."
Kagura stared at Erza, her fury dimming but not gone. She wasn't ready to forgive—not yet. Maybe not ever.
"I don't know if I can ever forgive you, Erza," Kagura said, her voice shaking.
She turned to walk away, her steps slow and heavy with the weight of their conversation. But Erza could still feel Tobi's presence, looming behind her. His silence was unnerving, and she knew that something had shifted between them.
But what it was... she couldn't tell.
As Natsu watched Kagura leave, something stirred inside him. Her anger was still present, but Erza's confession had softened it—planted seeds of doubt where there had once been only rage.
But it wasn't just Kagura.
Erza's words echoed in his mind, her regret over not being there for him... her admission that she had failed him. It wasn't what Natsu had expected to hear. It wasn't what he had prepared for.
And for the first time in a long time... he felt conflicted.
The Erza he remembered had always been strong, unshakable. But the woman standing before him now—she was weighed down by guilt, by regret. She wasn't the betrayer he had thought she was.
But Natsu couldn't afford to feel anything. Not now. He had come too far. There was no turning back.
Still... why did her words feel so heavy?
Later that night
The Sabertooth guildhall was buzzing with excitement after the day's victories. But Minerva wasn't interested in celebrating. Her mind was focused on one thing—Tobi. The way he had toyed with Kagura, the way he had pushed her just far enough to break her resolve… It was masterful, yes. But it was also dangerous. And Minerva needed to know why.
She found him in the dimly lit corner of the hall, leaning casually against the wall, as if nothing in the world could touch him. His mask gleamed in the faint light, concealing his expression, but Minerva could feel the confidence radiating from him.
Crossing the room, she ignored the stares of the other guild members. This wasn't about them. This was about her, about Sabertooth, and about Tobi's increasingly unpredictable behavior.
"Tobi," she said sharply, her voice cutting through the noise of the guildhall. "We need to talk."
He turned his head slightly, his playful demeanor never faltering. "Minerva-chan~. Tobi thought we already talked today. What's bothering you now?"
Minerva clenched her fists, trying to keep her temper in check. He was always like this—always teasing, always deflecting. But tonight, she wasn't in the mood for his games.
"You've been playing too many dangerous games with the other guilds," she said, her tone low and dangerous. "And with that girl from Mermaid Heel. What's your angle? What are you really after?"
Tobi chuckled softly, pushing himself off the wall and stepping closer to her. "Tobi's only after fun~. Isn't that what Sabertooth is all about? Winning, having fun, and showing everyone who's the strongest?"
His voice was as playful as ever, but Minerva wasn't fooled. There was something deeper going on with him—something he wasn't telling anyone.
"You're hiding something," she pressed, her eyes narrowing. "And I don't like it. Sabertooth doesn't need secrets. If you're planning something, I want to know."
For a moment, Tobi was silent. His mask tilted slightly as if he was studying her, deciding how to respond.
Finally, he spoke, his voice softer but still carrying that infuriatingly playful edge. "Tobi's not hiding anything, Minerva-chan~. But some things are just more fun when they're kept a mystery."
Minerva gritted her teeth. "This isn't a game, Tobi. We're Sabertooth. We don't play around with our enemies—we crush them. So whatever you're planning, make sure it's in the best interest of the guild."
Tobi's one visible eye seemed to gleam beneath the mask. "Oh, don't worry, Minerva-chan. Tobi's always looking out for Sabertooth. You'll see."
With that, he turned and strolled away, leaving Minerva standing there, frustrated and no closer to understanding the man behind the mask.
But one thing was certain—Tobi was playing a dangerous game. And she wasn't about to let him drag Sabertooth down with him.
Have to end it here bros hope you enjoyed till next time! Brofist! Pewdiepie style! 👊
2024 edit: man I miss my old happy goofy self fr. miss pewdiepie too ahh the good ol days am I right guys :D