Hot and Cold

Sky Labyrinth

~*****~

"Well, if it's a race, then we better get moving," Gray comments.

"Let's go!" Natsu cheers.

"No, wait," Erza snaps.

"What's the problem?" Natsu asks.

"The rules state that all five members must reach the goal," I explain. "We can't leave without Wendy!"

"You're right!" Lucy gasps.

"Wendy!" Natsu immediately began to call out.

"Crap, what are we gonna do now?" Gray asks.

"Why wait for a little girl, when you've got a man who's ready to go?" Elfman asked.

I jut my thumb at Erza. "Is that allowed?" I ask.

"No time for questions!" Elfman roars as I'm suddenly squished between Gray and Natsu. "We've got a roster change!"

"What are you doing, bro?!" Lisanna squeaked.

"He's doing what needs to be done! We don't have time to wait around for Wendy to show up!" Gray calls back.

"Elfman to the rescue!" Natsu cheers.

"That's my boob, Gray! Get your hand off of it!" I shout, my legs flailing.

"Oh crap-- sorry!" Gray exclaimed.

"What gives, man! You can't be feelin' up on Aria like that!" Natsu exclaimed and started a fight that ended up with a lump on their heads for getting me involved.

I squeeze myself forward and peer around Elfman's shoulder. "Ballad! Happy! Lisanna! I need you three to go look for Wendy and Carla! I'm really worried they might've run into some kinda trouble!"

"Okay! We'll go ask around town and see what we can find out!" Lisanna calls back.

"AYE, MA'AM!" Ballad and Happy cheer loudly. "Good luck to ya! Go team!"

"Manly!" Elfman roars.

"We're gettin' close to the entrance." Gray calls.

"Our first step to bein' number one in Fiore!" Natsu cheers as Elfman finally releases us to run. "We're takin' that title! Right, Team Fairy Tail?!"

"Oh, yeah!" We all cry.

"Remember~ The Grand Magic Games planning committee is not responsible for any loss of life that may occur within the Sky Labyrinth!" The pumpkin reminded us. "Good luck everyone!"

"Whoa, it's some kinda crazy, three-dimensional maze." Gray hummed.

"I really suck at stuff like this," Natsu groaned.

"It's pretty straight forward, if ask me," I mention with a shrug.

"Hold on, you can read ancient languages, but not common, and mazes are totally your thing?" Lucy asked.

I hum in response. "Its somethin' I can touch, so it's easy for my brain to comprehend. Now, the coliseum was to the east. I think we should head in that direction."

"I've got just thing the thing to help us out!" Lucy beams. "Open! Gate of the Compass! Pyxis!" A cool looking compass bird appeared with a joyous cry. "We need your help, Pyxis! Can you please show us which way is East?" It stood for a moment, then cried out and jut it wings out. "East is thataway!" Lucy beamed.

"Yes, we were aware," I mention. "Erza's got a regular compass."

Lucy and Pyxis sulk. "Thanks for the help anyway, Pyxis." She hums.