The Multi-Maker Mage

Preliminary Round

Mato, the mascot, disappeared, and a large labyrinth took his place in the sky. Team Fairy Tail looked down to see a pathway rising to the level of their balcony. Erza turned to everyone and let them know she would be taking Wendy's place in their team until she was found. Lisanna turned to the door with the promise of finding Wendy and Carla. With that promise in place, the team set off into the labyrinth. A few feet in, Natsu realized he wasn't getting sick. Just then, Mato spoke up.

"This labyrinth has been enchanted so those impaired by sickness would not be affected," Mato says, almost like he heard Natsu.

The team continues into the labyrinth when it starts to shake. Suddenly, the whole thing starts to shift to the side. Lucy squeals as she is thrown off the side. Natsu reaches out to grab her and loses his footing, falling alongside her. Alex quickly reacts and uses her Wind-Make to create a cyclone and grabs them by the collar of their shirts before directing the cyclone to a sturdy platform.

"You guys okay?" Alex asks winded. She caught a stray rock on the way down, causing her to rip a gash into her side. Lucy nods as Natsu hollers out to the others.

"Are you okay?" Lucy inquires after noticing Alex holding her side. Alex nods and pulls some bandages from seemingly nowhere. Lucy helps to wrap Alex's side before turning to Natsu to form a game plan. Before long, everyone has gathered together on a platform, trying to figure out which way is east. Lucy has a spark of an idea and pulls out a silver key.

"Open! Gate of the Compass! Pixis!" With that, a golden magic circle appeared in front of Lucy. A red bird-like spirit with a compass on its head appeared from the circle.

"Pixis, could you show us which direction is east?" Lucy asked, bending down to talk to him. The compass on his head spins a few times before it stops pointing off to their left. Lucy thanks him, and the team heads off.

"I never realized how practical your spirits could be," Alex huffs out. The gash in her side pools more blood into the bandage as she runs. The labyrinth shifts a few more times before the team comes to an open area that looks like a town upside down. Suddenly, Lucy points out a door on the ground above them that says, "Game Over" in flashing lights.

"How are we supposed to get up there?" Gray inquires. Erza holds up a finger.

"I've been timing the shifts in the labyrinth, and the next shift should be happening any second now." Just as she finished her sentence, the ground started to shake and rotate. The team all allowed themselves to fall. Gray rushes to Alex's side, stabilizing her, trying to help cushion the impact of her injury. Alex nods in thanks and untangles herself from Gray after he pulls them from the stream they fell into. Everyone runs to the door, with Natsu pushing it open to find Mato waiting for them.

"Congratulations, Fairy Tail! You have finished the race," Mato says. "You came in 8th."

"Who else finished?" Lucy inquires. Mato simply shakes his head.

"I cannot say; however, you will find out tomorrow at the Grand Magic Games Opening Ceremony. You will now be teleported back to your hotel." With that, everyone looks around to watch their surroundings dissipate into the familiar tones of their hotel room. Lucy quickly ushers Alex to the bed to get a better look at her wound. She had helped Wendy from time to time with injuries in the guild after their numerous fights. She carefully peeled the bandage away to see a bloody mess. The gash was deeper than they first thought. Until they can find Wendy, bandages and medicine should help keep the wound closed and clean. Lucy busied herself with cleaning and treating the wound. Suddenly, everyone heard Lisanna in their heads. Lisanna must have warned the guild about Wendy and Carla being missing.

"I found Wendy and Carla! They're unconscious but okay. I'm headed to the infirmary with Happy to have them treated," Lisanna said.

"I will call Porlyusica to come treat them," Master said.

"Alex needs to be treated too," Lucy said. "She got a bad cut during the prelims, but I don't have the materials to get it treated properly. I was hoping Wendy could heal her, but until we know more, I don't want her to push it." Gray walked over to the bed.

"I'll take her, Lucy." He bent down and picked her up in bridal style. "I can carry her easier than you." Gray wasn't trying to be rude. Lucy was about a foot shorter than Alex, so it just made sense to Gray for him to take her.

"I'll meet you there with Mailee," Kalonus called out. "Her elemental slayer magic gives her some healing spells." Everyone nodded in agreement. Gray set out of the hotel and headed to the Colosseum.

When he reached the infirmary, he saw Wendy, Carla, and Porlyusica. Kalonus and Mailee must not have arrived yet. Porlyusica ushered him to an empty bed and shooed him away once he put her down. She busied herself with looking over the bandage Lucy applied before Gray carried Alex out of the room.

"Who applied this?" Porlyusica questioned.

"Uh, Lucy. She's been working with Wendy to treat us after guild brawls," Gray explained.

"It's good work. I might have to have her come over sometime and teach her some herbal treatments that may help in the field. Although I despise you children, it would be a lot of help if there was someone who knew field medicine besides Wendy," Porlyusica rambled. "Either get out of my way, or get out."

Gray moved to the corner of the room. The door burst open, and Kalonus and Mailee walked through. Mailee was looking at the floor. As she entered, she looked up at Wendy, Carla, and Alex. Then she turned to Porlyusica.

"I can help, ma'am." She was twitching. Kalonus reminded her she was safe and helped her take a deep breath. "I'm an Elemental Dragon Slayer. Just tell me where you need me or what you need me to do, and I'll help anyway I can." Gray remembered Kalonus telling him that Mailee's Tourette's acted up more when she was nervous or anxious. She was starting to get to a point in the guild where she wasn't freaking out too bad when she was talking to the master or other members. Porlyusica looked her over, causing her to squirm where she stood.

"I need you to heal this wound on Alex. It's too deep for superficial medicine, but she needs to be in the games. Without her, the team would take a hit I don't know if the others could catch up from." Porlyusica explained. Mailee quickly busied herself with healing Alex.

"What's going on with Wendy and Carla?" Gray questioned.

"They have had all their magic power depleted. They suffered from severe Magic Depletion Syndrome. With a few days of rest, they should be back up and feeling better." Porlyusica explained. Gray nodded in understanding. Just then, Makarov came through the door. Gray stood and walked over to him, telling him he'd explain it all in the hall. Any more people in that tiny room would make Porlyusica mad. Gray explained everything she had told him and what had happened with Alex. Gramps nodded his understanding and waved as he headed back to give the rest of the guild an update. Gray stayed out in the hall while Mailee finished healing Alex. About an hour later, the door opened, and Kalonus, Mailee, and Alex walked out.

"I couldn't do anything to help Wendy and Carla, so I told Porlyusica to call for me if she needed any help. Alex should be as good as new after a good rest. Kal and I are going to head back to our hotel rooms. Good luck tomorrow. Everyone will be rooting for you," Mailee said, waving as she and Kalonus walked off hand in hand. Gray looked to Alex after nodding his goodbye.

"How are you feeling?" He asked her gently.

"I'm okay. I didn't realize the wound was so deep; otherwise, I would have packed some herbs into it when I wrapped it earlier," Alex rambled.

"Hey, I was just curious. You promised to protect me, remember? You can't do that if you're gravely injured. I want to protect you too, Alex. It feels weird having a girl protect me, a grown man, and not doing the same back. You're a part of my family. I protect my family," Gray said genuinely. Alex blushed and looked away. They headed back to their hotel, making small talk along the way.