What you missed

2. Sister

As soon as the the video went into motion and the cheerful melody of the Games blew through the speakers, Meredy turned the door closed, shooting a brief but cautious glance trough the frame. Maybe she felt a bit guilty, if not a little paranoid for checking, but she preferred to make sure that Jellal was nowhere around in case he decided to scold her for what she was about to do.

Once secured, her gaze met those of the mages sitting comfortably on the couch. The decision wasn't too hard. She crossed the room and took a seat next to Angel, who was presumably the less intimidating member of the group. Well, maybe Hoteye kept waving and cracking those strangely happy smiles at her —which wasn't creepy at all— but seating beside him implied being next to Racer, and by the way he had been acting towards her ever since they met, she could tell he didn't specially like her. She didn't feel very comfortable around him, either.

Then a weird pumpkin came into view and explained the rules that Meredy had already told them. He also added that, even though the preliminary round hadn't been recorded, it hand been a tricky test consisting in a race through the Sky Labyrinth, an aerial platform that kept changing its gravity and orientation. That was the reason why, in addition to a harsh race, the trial was tough and too difficult to succeed at.

In the end, the pumpkin disappeared and led off the Grand Magic Games.

A huge circular stadium rose before their eyes, made of grayish stone and decorated with large glorious statues of famous gladiators known by their great deeds throughout the history of Fiore. It was jam-packed with rows of people shouting excited and enthusiastically, so many that neither of them knew where to focus their eyes on. Seconds after, the commentator introduced himself and the other judges, and soon the crowds were cheering as he announced the guilds that had managed to pass the preliminary round.

The show took off with the eighth and last qualified guild, which much to their surprise had been their former nemesis Fairy Tail. All of the speechless Oracion Seis members watched as the five participants walked solemnly into the arena: they recognized the scarlet hair of Erza, the blond one of Lucy, and the unforgettable and determined faces of Natsu and Gray. Another mage, a giant male with tick shoulders and spiky white hair, stood firmly next to them, making the earth shake with each step. However, no one recognized him.

Suddenly Racer jumped of his seat and stuck his nose to the screen. "What the fuck!? Are they really the last team?" he asked, completely astonished.

Cobra laughed at his comrade. "It's not that surprising," he said, unfolding his arms in order to seat beside Midnight. "We're far way better than them."

"Hey, they beat you twice, didn't they?" Meredy interceded, rising one irritated brow on her forehead. "You shouldn't underestimate them that easily!"

The Dragon Slayer growled annoyed at her enthusiasm, but finally decided to ignore her and remained silent.

Then the audience began booing the team on the lacrima. They all froze, remained silent and quiet as the seconds stretched and the determination on their faces started to quiver. Finally, their fellows started encouraging them, and a bright smile spread across the group.

The next team that was introduced, as the seventh classified, was Quattro Cerberus. Five men appeared on scene, most of them hefty, roaring in unison a war cry, "Wild Four!", inundating the arena with their manly voices.

"They are so loud!" complained Cobra.

But neither of them had really heard about it, so they didn't drop their attention on them.

Surprisingly, the sixth classified was a women's guild, named Mermaid Heel. This team was composed of five women, some of which were waving at the grandstand with big smiles on their faces. However, there was one, with long purple hair, taking up the centre of the group, staring at her surroundings with yellow eyes as cold as ice.