Natsu staggered forward, Gajeel lurching after him.
Their pace was awful, yet the determination in their eyes silenced every snicker in the stands.
> "It's pathetic—you can't even use your strength," Sting scoffed.
> "Raaaah!" Natsu ignored him, crawling if he had to.
> "I'll leave this race to you," Sting added. "We'll make the points back later—no need to fret over one or two."
Gajeel growled, "Quit bawlin', kid." (Though in truth Sting was younger than both first‑generation Dragon Slayers—time‑skip or not.)
---
Sting finally halted. "Can I ask something? Why'd you enter the Games? Fairy Tail never cared about rankings or public opinion. You lot were always… free."
Natsu paused only long enough to answer.
> "For our Nakama!
> They waited seven years—mocked, but still guarding the guild so we'd have a home when we came back.
> I'm gonna show everyone Fairy Tail hasn't stood still—so I'm gonna *keep running!*"
Tears streamed down the faces of the "left‑behind" crew. The Tenrou team smiled quietly. Su Yan, watching, felt that infectious fire that only Natsu could spark.
---
[**Crystal Screen:** *Finish line reached!*]
**6th – Natsu (Fairy Tail A) – 2 pts**
**7th – Gajeel (Fairy Tail B) – 1 pt**
**Sting (Sabertooth) – abstained – 0 pt**
The stadium erupted—admiration replacing laughter. Even Makarov bawled with pride.
Sting slipped into the tunnel, mask of cool restored. "Doing it for Nakama… pointless."
---
Both Natsu and Gajeel were hauled to the lounge to sleep off motion sickness.
---
## Battle Portion – Day Two
[**Chapati Lola:** First match—Raven Tail's **Kurohebi** vs. Lamia Scale's **Toby Horhorta**!]
[**Yajima:** A true battle of serpents, eh?]
[**Jason:** Toby—super adult! C00L!!]
"Time to show my stuff!" Toby's claws shot out. "**Super‑Paralyzing Giant Jellyfish!!**"
Kurohebi slipped away—then vanished.
"Where'd he go?!" Toby yelped.
Jura shouted from the gallery, "Idiot—that's Mimic Magic!"
Sand erupted at Toby's feet.
"**Sand Rebellion!**" *Wham!* Toby hit the dirt.
Max, watching, gasped. "That's *my* magic!"
Laki realized, "He can copy the properties of any spell!"
Mavis frowned. "Mimic… a rare and dangerous art."
Toby scrambled up, still cheerful. "You're amazing!"
Kurohebi replied evenly, "You're strong too."
> **Toby:** "Your name, Kurohebi, sounds so cool!"
> **Kurohebi:** "It isn't my real name."
> **Toby:** "WHAT?! Not your real name?!"
> **Kurohebi:** "Must you be that angry?"
> **Toby:** "If I beat you, tell me your real one!"
> **Kurohebi:** "And if I win?"
> **Toby:** "I'll reveal my greatest secret!"
[**Chapati:** Looks like an odd wager!]
[**Yajima:** I'm not sure I want to know either secret…]
Moments later—
[Toby is down! Match over!]
**Winner: Kurohebi (Raven Tail)**
Erza's eyes narrowed. "He's strong."
Gray agreed. "And I doubt that was his full power."
Lucy bit her lip. "What's Raven Tail planning?"
Su Yan's tone was cold. "Doesn't matter—whatever Ivan hopes to do, he'll fail. If he pushes it, I'll end them myself."