~*****~

I gazed at Natsu as he stumbled along the crowd, his face pale. "Natsu still hasn't recovered, huh?" Lucy hums.

"He does seem rather ill, doesn't he?" Juvia comments.

"He'll be fine once he eats. Trust me." Gray mentions.

I laugh. "Yeah, I ate so much while trying to recover from that ether-nano. I was back on my feet in no time."

"You haven't changed a bit, Gray," I hear a new voice comment.

"Hey, Warren! It's been a while!" Gray laughs as we turn to see the new guy.

"Didn't think I'd make it back for the festival." Warren smiles. "But here I am."

Gray smiles. "This guy takes on so many jobs, we hardly ever see him."

"Wow." Lucy says.

I hum delicately. "Hello, I'm a new recruit. My name's Juvia." Juvia introduces herself.

Warren turns his gaze onto her. "Ah, so you're the one I've been hearing about."

"Meet Warren Rocco." Gray says. "He's a master of Telepathy Magic."

"It's nice to meet ya." Warren says.

"Thank you, the pleasure is all mine," Juvia smiles. "This festival is quite a sight."

"No kidding, what a crowd," Lucy laughs.

"It's a pretty big deal." Warren nods. "People come from all around to see the Fantasia Parade."

"I can't wait to see it myself!" Lucy chirps.

"We're in the parade, remember?" I mention as I nudge her side.

"Wasn't there something else I was supposed to be in?" Lucy hums.

I laugh. "The Miss Fairy Tail contest."

She flinches. "I forgot all about it! MY RENT MONEY!" She whines as she runs off.

I turn to the others, salute with my fingers and run after her.

~*****~

"The long wait is finally over, Ladies and Gentlemen!" The announcer cries. "Welcome to the one and only, Miss Fairy Tail Contest! Where your favorite fairies fight in a battle of beauty! I'm Max Alors-- Sand Wizard Extraordinaire, and I'll be your host for this exciting event! Now, let's meet entry number one: The Exotic Beauty who'll drink you under the table any day of the week! Cana Alberona!" The crowd cheered wildly for her. "Now bust out some magic and show us your stuff! She sent her deck spinning! What could she be doing behind all those cards? She changed into a swim suit!" Max sure is fired up for Cana. I didn't blame him, she is definitely strong.

I snorted lowly and began to giggle at the sheer amazement in Max's voice. "The prize money can cover my tab." I hear Cana mention.

"A swim suit! No fair!" Lucy whines as we peek out from behind the curtains.

"That's a clever idea. Maybe I should do the same." Erza says.

"You're in this, too?!" Lucy gasps.

Erza just smiles. "Whenever I hear the word contest, I get all worked up."

"Bye, bye, rent money," Lucy cries. "It's over for me."

"On to entry number two!" Max shouts. "She may be new, but her magic is S-Class! A radiant beauty in Rain or Shine-- Juvia Loxar!" Juvia does some strange water magic and suddenly she's in a very flattering blue bikini. "And our lovely lady is all set for a fabulous day at the beach!"

"Another swimsuit! Gimme a break!" Lucy snaps. Erza just hums.

"Next up is entry number three! Fairy Tail's famous centerfold! Her beauty as stolen the hearts of men and women all over the land! Mirajane!" Max cheers. "Now show us your stuff!"

Mira just beams. "My specialty is transformation magic, so I'll show you a new side of me." I choke on my breath as her head transforms into Happy's. "This is my Happy face! Aye!" She changes it immediatley and it's Gajeel's head on her body. I grasp onto the curtains and suck in hurried breaths to stop myself from screaming. "This is my Gajeel face. Cool, huh?"

The crowd boos loudly. "Well, that's less competition for me!" Lucy giggles.

"Entry Number Four: The Fairy Queen who needs no introduction."

"That's my cue--" Erza barks as she leaps out onto the stage.

"Erza Scarlet!" Max cheers.

"I wonder if she's gonna freeze," I laugh.

"Don't count your chickens yet," Lucy sighed.

Erza requips into an amazing goth Lolita dress. "Wow..." I hum. "That's a cute look."

"And here is entry number five! Petite and cute, this fairy is as smart as she is charming! Let's hear it for Levy McGarden!" Max cheers. Jet and Droy go ga-ga over her, like usual. "Here we have entry number six! The sniper with her sights on your heart, the one and only Bisca Mulan!" I don't know how Alzack managed to be around her without going completely dumb, she's a total babe, and when she uses that sniper of hers? Hell, I think I get flustered. "Let's move on to entry number seven! One of Fairy Tail's rising stars!"

"Here we go..." Lucy murmured.

"She's a cold little number, but she manages to sway those around her with that heartwarming smile!" Lucy whines as I walk onto the stage. "It's Aria Tangjia!"

"Hey, I didn't want you to use my last name," I whine to Max.

"Sorry about that--" He laughs in response. "Now show us what you go!"

My lips curve into a smirk before I turn my back on the crowd and slam my hands on the floor. In a sudden cold brush of air, I stare at the large ice sculpture before I perch on it. "Sorry, it's not that flashy--"

I flinch in my spot as the crowd roars. I head back behind the curtain to peer out. "Let's move on to Entry Number Eight! Like Ms. Aria before her, it's Fairy Tail's other rising star! She shines as brightly as the spirits that guide her way; Lucy Heart--"

I laugh as Lucy bursts out, screaming for him to stop. "Please don't say my last name out loud!" She cries.

"Now, show us what you got!" Max chants, thankfully complying to her wishes.

"Me and my celestial spirits are gonna go a cheer for you guys," Lucy murmurs in embarrassment, pulling pom poms out.

I smile and lean against the wall to watch. "Entry number nine." A woman's voice interrupts her.

"Hey, hold on! I haven't even started to do my cheer yet!" Lucy cried as my head snapped towards the woman in question.

"I am the very definition of Fairy." The woman chirps as she steps onto the stage. "Not to mention the very definition of beauty. I'm the only woman here who embodies everything men desire. Therefore, the winner is-- Me! The lovely Evergreen! Now this idiotic contest can end."

"Whoa, she's back?" I hear Gray mention as I step out cautiously.

"Then Laxus must be here, too." Elfman nods.

"Can't you go mess up a different contest?!" Lucy snapped. "Gimme a break here. I really need this prize money!"

"Lucy! Don't look her in the eye!" Gray shouts.

Lucy stammers and glances over at me for a split second. I shrug. "I'm sorry, what was your name?" Evergreen hums curiously. Before anyone could react, Lucy was suddenly turned to stone.

"What's the big idea?!" I shout loudly as I push past Max. "Everyone, get out of here, now!" I bellow as I turn my gaze onto the crowd. The others make a run for it.

"What do you think you're doing, Evergreen?! You'll ruin the festival for everyone!" Makarov shouts as the hall clears.

Evergreen just giggles. "On the contrary, I think things are just getting interesting." She immediately flashes her eyes at me, and there's a strange sensation washing up my body. Then, darkness. Everywhere.

~*****~

I'm raging in my own head. I can't stand it. That scrawny bitch was going to pay. I feel one of my muscles move as I continue to build up my magic energy, pushing harder and harder until my voice cracks through the air and I break through the stone that encased me so tightly.

"Aria! You broke Evergreen's Stone Eye's Magic?!" Makarov yelped.

I heave out ragged gasps, my fists clenching tightly against the ground as I slump to one of my knees. "Where is she?" I growl angrily.

Makarov glances towards the doors, where I see Natsu trying to get through, only to smush against an invisible wall of some kind. "Laxus and the Thunder Legion are hiding somewhere in Magnolia. Unfortunately, none of us can escape the guild hall." He explains bitterly. I glance back at Lucy before I notice the others.

"She petrified everyone?!" I hiss. "I'm gonna tear her to shreds!" I leap off of the stage and run at the barrier, only to get stuck behind it. I slam into the invisible wall and begin banging my fists against it.

"Why can't you two get through?! Obviously, you're not a stone statue! Perhaps it's because you were one--" Makarov huffed angrily. "Don't tell me you freaks are over eighty!"

"No way! I'm barely eighteen!" I snap back. There's a strange noise above, and we look up curiously. "Battle of Fairy Tail status report," I read out.

"What? It says Jet versus Droy versus Alzack." Makarov gasped. "Is this some kind of joke?!"

"I don't understand why those guys would be fighting against each other." Natsu said.

I palm at the barrier and grimace. "Who's Magic is this?" I ask.

"Freed Justine." Makarov hums. "He uses Letter Magic--"

"Obviously he's got some different tricks," I snap. "He's going to make them fight!"

There's another blip and we gasp. "The winner is Alzack. Jet and Droy K.O-ed."

"What?" Natsu gasps.

I glance back at Bisca and grimace. "Alzack will do anything for Bisca..." I murmur. "Even take out his friends to save her."

Natsu's posture changed, and a powerful magic wave washed over him. "Stop these games, Laxus!" He roared.

Suddenly, there are pairs fluttering onto the barrier one by one. "Foolish children! What do they think they're doing?!" Makarov growls as Happy reads out the list.

"They really don't have any choice but to fight each other." Happy comments. "Those enchantments are hidden all over town so they're impossible to avoid. It's just like Laxus said-- This is the Battle of Fairy Tail."

"But why?! It doesn't make sense!" Natsu shouts before he grimaces.

"Hey, cool it--" I snap at him. "You're still feeling the effects of--"

I cut myself off as Natsu slams his face against the wall. "I WANNA FIGHT, TOO!"

"IS THAT ALL?!" We bellow.

"Oh, man, you suck!" Natsu cried. "Go away, invisible wall!"

I shake my head and sigh. "Happy, where's Ballad?"

"She screamed when you were turned to stone and attached herself to Gajeel." Happy said sadly. "She might be out there in a battle..." My heart shudders at the thought. She's getting better at her magic, but she's nowhere near ready to take on anyone. I just hope Gajeel will protect her. Unless they make her fight him. The poor thing. I don't even register the fact that Natsu is hell bent on fighting with everyone to see who's the strongest.

"THIS IS NOT A TOURNAMENT!" Makarov shouts. I wince and push my finger in my ear. "It's nothing but a trap. Laxus is playing you like a bunch of pawns. If we can't beat the Thunder Legion in time, the other girls are going to be smashed to pieces. I know that everyone's trying to keep that from happening, but they're going about it in the wrong way. If we keep fighting amongst ourselves, then the girls are as good as finished. We can't let Laxus win."

"C'mon, Gramps, you don't seriously think he'd hurt 'em, do you?" Natsu asks. "I know he can be a real pain sometimes, but he's still one of us. This is obviously a bluff."

"Are you really willing to bet the safety of our friends on that?" I ask.

"THERE'S A FIGHTING FESITVAL GOIN' ON OUT THERE!" Natsu barks. "WHY DO I GOTTA BE STUCK IN THIS DUMP?!"

"Beats me, I can go through just fine." Happy comments as he flies in and out of the barrier to prove his point.

"Does this mean I'm over eighty years old and no one ever told me?!" Natsu cried. "Are you that old, Aria?! I mean, there's no way we're stone statues!"

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "You sure have some smooth skin for an old lady, Aria," Happy commented.

I swat at him. "I'm barely eighteen!" I snap.

We all glance up there's another blip on the screen. "Time remaining: Two hours and eighteen minutes. Participants remaining: Forty-Two." Happy read out.

"That can't be all that's left..." Makarov murmured. "That means more than half of the guild has wiped itself out in less than an hour."

~*****~

My palm tingles as I keep it pushed against the barrier. Letter magic isn't usually so strong. I mean, yeah, it's dead useful, but it's always got a weak point somewhere. "I'm just bluffin' am I?" My head snaps to gaze over my shoulder, glaring at Laxus' projection. "Are you sure about that?"

"Where'd you come from?" Natsu asks.

"It's a thought projection." I say.

"What are you two morons doing holed up in this dump?" Laxus comments as he strolls towards us, peering down at my exposed skin. "Are you scared?"

"We're not scared!" Natsu snaps. "We're stuck!"

"What do you want?" Makarov asks in a deathly calm tone.

"How's it feel, huh?" Laxus asks, disregarding his question. "You think of the guild members as your children, right? Must be tough watching your little kiddies tear each other apart. It's too bad Natsu, Erza, and the new chick can't join the game, 'cause you don't have anyone left who's strong enough to take on the Thunder Legion. You ready to throw in the towel?"

"No, it's not over yet! Don't forget that Gray's still in the game!" Happy chirped. "And he's just as strong of a wizard as Natsu or Aria!"

"He's as strong as me?!" Natsu bellowed. "No way, man!"

I roll my eyes. "Gray's strength is impressive, Natsu. He can pull this off."

"Yeah, you're in denial," Happy nods.

"Gray, huh?" Laxus scoffs. "You're gonna put all of your hopes on that loser?"

"I wouldn't underestimate the boy's power if I were you!" Makarov snapped.

My skin shifts when I hear a new message pop up on the barrier. "One more down, only twenty-eight contenders remain." Laxus teases. He laughs loudly when we gaze up at it. "And that chump was gonna save ya?"

"You cheater! I know you and your pals used some dirty trick to beat him!" Happy cried.

"All right, who's gonna beat the Thunder Legion now, old man?" Laxus taunted his grandfather.

"Gajeel will!" Happy shouted.

"I don't think so." Laxus shrugged. "He's made it clear that he doesn't wanna play. Which doesn't surprise me. That guy couldn't care less what happens to the guild."

"What, am I invisible?!" Natsu barked.

"You might as well be if you can't get past the barrier," Laxus snorts.

"Enough. It isn't worth it." Makarov said finally. "I surrender, all right?"

"Wait a sec!" Natsu cried.

"You've had your fun. Now stop this." Makarov pleads.

Laxus just smirks. "What's gotten into you? I thought you were the Master of the Almighty Fairy Tail Guild!" Laxus shouts with a sick sneer on his face. "You can't just give up at the drop of a hat! But if you insist on quitting, then by all means, hand the guild over to me and take an early retirement."

"Why you gotta play dirty?!" Natsu barks. "Why don't you come here and face us, huh?!"

"I should've known." Makarov growls. "This was your goal all along, wasn't it?"

"You've only got an hour and a half till the statues crumble. If you really want to put an end to this, then announce your retirement to the whole town over the Guild's Loudspeaker. I want you to tell everyone you're relinquishing Fairy Tail over to me! What means more to you? Your children or your title? Choose carefully."

"You're askin' for it!" Natsu barked as he charged at the fading thought projection. He slams into a support beam and grunts as he slides down. "If he wants to be master, he should have the guts to face me in person! How come he won't fight me?!"

"It was never the title I valued," Makarov murmurs. I hum in response and gaze down at him.

"THEN YOU'RE JUST GONNA GIVE UP?!" Natsu shouted.

Makarov shook his head. "No, he may be strong, but he's not trustworthy. I'd never leave him in charge. It takes more than just magical strength to run a guild. He has neither the conviction nor the heart."

"We gotta hurry and do something before he turns the girls into dust!" Happy exclaims. "There must be someone who can beat Laxus and his pals."

I hear a subtle crunching noise and I walk over to peer over the bar. "What the hell?!" I shout as Gajeel pops his head up. "Where's Ballad?!"

"You were here the whole time?!" Natsu shouts.

Gajeel pushes his finger into his ear and grumbles. "Calm down, she's sleepin'." He mentions as he pulls his jacket open. The strange lump that I'd notice is stirring and peers out through tear filled eyes.

Ballad cries loudly before kicking out of Gajeel's shirt and into my embrace. "Are you with us? Are you going to fight for the guild?" I snap angrily as I slam my hand on the counter.

Gajeel snorts and leaps over the bar. "Might as well. I got a score to settle with that guy." He strides past me, a smirk playing on his face. "Don't worry, I'll handle him." Just as he approaches the barrier, he too hits it. We all scream in surprise.

"Don't tell me you're over eighty, too!" Natsu bellows.

"DO I LOOK EIGHTY TO YOU?!" Gajeel roars back.

"I mean... you got all that metal, who's to say it ain't holding all your wrinkly skin taught." I shrug.

"Yeah, he kinda smells old, too." Ballad hums cutely, her previous sorrow gone.

"I ain't protectin' you the next time your precious Aria gets turn to stone!" Gajeel roared back. Ballad just laughs and leans against my chest.

"Quiet now--" Makarov alerted our attention to the screen again. "Only three left in the guild?!"

"Are you sure you're not fakin' being stuck in here?!" Natsu asked angrily. "You tryin' to copy us?!"

"In your dreams!" Gajeel snapped.

"NOW I'M HUNGRY AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, JERK!" Natsu shouts.

"WILL YOU BOTH PUT A SOCK IN IT?!" I shout as I shove them apart.

"No way..." Makarov hummed as he peered over at us. "YOU THREE ARE THE ONLY ONE'S LEFT?!"

"But what about us, master? Aren't we members, too?" Happy and Ballad cry.

"There's nobody left who could take down Laxus..." Makarov says sadly. "It's all over."

Natsu sighed. "Guess I got no choice. I gotta bring Erza back." Natsu stated.

I snap my gaze to him. "How the hell are you gonna do that?!" I snap.

"I'm gonna use my fire on her. Y'know, to melt the stone off. Isn't that how you did it?" Natsu asks, his head tilting.

"I USE ICE!" I shout at him. "AND I JUST KINDA GOT ANGRY!" I quickly push myself in front of her as he approaches with fire in his hands, and a sick leer on his face. "Hold on! You're not putting your hands all over her--" I stop speaking as Natsu doesn't stop himself and presses his hands-- that are on fire-- against my boobs.

"Whoa, that's kinda ballsy if you ask me, Salamander," Gajeel laughed.

None of us are paying attention to the stone statues as I scream at Natsu to not grab people by their boobs-- while nursing the intense heat that washed over them, causing my skin to turn bright red from my collarbones to my ribs.

We stop immediately when we hear Erza. "HOW DARE YOU TOUCH HER INAPPROPRIATELY!!" Erza bellows as she slugs Natsu across the face.

"Erza!" I cry happily and leap onto her to hug her. "How did you get out?" I ask as Erza smiles and pats my head.

She hums thoughtfully. "I can't be sure, but I think it had something to do with my right eye." She explains.

I snort. "Lucky. I got a full blast of it." I mutter. "Can I get a fake eye, too? I'll get rid of one."

Erza pinches my cheek. "Don't you dare!"

"Erza, do you know what's going on right now?" Happy asks.

"I think so. Even though I was stone, I was still able to hear most of what was said." Erza explains.

"All right! It's time to strike back!" Makarov exclaims.

"Look! There's four now!" Ballad shouts.

"The runes have already added me to the fray." Erza comments. "That's impressive. It updates automatically. But there's only three left."

"Actually, it's just you," I laugh. "Natsu, Gajeel, and I are all stuck here because of the enchantment."

"Wait, miss, now it says there's five!" Ballad squeaks.

"It went up!" Gajeel hums.

"Who could it be?!" Natsu cried.

"The girls are still stone..." Makarov hums. "So it can't be any of them."

I hum delicately. "He's back in town?" I ask curiously.

Erza smiled. "That's right."

"And he's back just when we need him!" Makarov gasps.

Erza huffs. "He's always been one to make a grand entrance. It looks like the real battle is about to begin."

"Someone wanna fill me in over here?" Gajeel asks.

"We're talking about a man who may very well be the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail." Erza explains. "Mystogan."

I grimace as she runs out of the guild, and I lean against the wall.