Chapter 5 The Grand Magic Games (Takes place after time skip)

Max and Aria were waiting at the Era Train Station for the rest of their team. The new master, whose name escaped Aria's mind, had sent the duo a letter telling them that he wanted them and three others to compete in the Grand Magic Games. Aria was currently scanning the crowd when her eyes fell upon a familiar mage.

"Lyon!" Aria ran over to the ice mage with Max on her tail. The two had stayed in touched with the older ice mage. Lyon had found the duo to inform them about the disappearance of most of the Fairy Tail mages. Aria and Max had went to Fairy Tail to offer their help to the remaining mages. To say they agreed was an understatement. Between helping the guild and searching for the others, they had been busy. When the missing mages returned, they headed to Era to compete in the Grand Magic Games.

"Hey you two. Are you here to compete."

"Yup. We are going to rock the games," Aria told lyon excitedly. Lyon sighed. In the few short years he had known Aria, he had come to realize that she had just as much energy as Natsu.

"Who are you two waiting on?"

"Three others from our guild. Their names are Jax, Thea, and James. Jax can control fire. Just not like Natsu. Thea is a requip specialist like Max, but she uses a bow and arrows. And James is also a requip specialist, but he uses guns." Aria said. While she said this Max scanned the crowd. He spotted the three and waved them over.

"Hey guys. We want you to meet Lyon. He has been helping us search for Aria's brother. Lyon, this is Jax, Thea, and James." They all shook hands and left for the arena.

It didn't take long to find their spot. All of the guilds had designated spots set up around the arena that gave them an unobscured view of the battles. They had only been up there for a few minutes when Max heard Aria gasp.

"What's wrong Aria?"

"Its him." Max turned quickly around. In the alcove to their right was Fairy Tail. Leaning against the railing was none other than Aria's missing brother Gray. He looked about two years older than Aria. They had the same dark hair and gray eyes. Max could tell that the young man had been through hell the last couple of years. He had this tired aura to him. Max noted the scar above his left eye.

"Oh Max, what if I have to fight him."

"The odds of you having to fight him are slim. But it is random draw so their is the possibility. At least you two are in the same class." The last time Aria and Max went back to their guild, Aria had been given an A class ranking. Max was know a high B class.

"But he is probably so much stronger than I am."

"Gray and Lyon are in the same class. If you can beat Lyon, you can beat him."

"Welcome everyone to the Grand Magic Games. This year we are welcoming Back the Mages from Fairy Tail… who hope to take back their spot as the number one guild. And we also welcome… for their first time. Phoenix Wing." The announcer said into the mic. Gray studied the new team. He had noticed earlier that they were watching him. There were five mages, but the two that stood out to him the most were the boy with the odd hair and the girl with the black hair. The boy had a large sword strapped to his back. He looked about seventeen. He was wearing normal looking clothes.. but his hair was just, well, weird. It was orange and green. The girl on the other hand at least looked normal. She looked about sixteen,wore very revealing clothing and kept looking at him. He didn't know if she was sad or happy. He was shook out of his thought by the announcer.

"Today's first match will be between Hibiki Lates and Aria Fullbuster." At the sound of that last name, Gray swirled around. Aria Fullbuster. That was his sister's name… but it couldn't be. She died the night Deliora attacked. Did she. Could she really be alive. He looked at Erza. Erza knew that Gray used to have a sister, but she just couldn't believe it. They watched as the girl made her way onto the areas floor. Erza had to admit that she looked like Gray, with her short black hair and dark blue eyes.

Back on in the arena. Aria and Hibiki stared at each other with smirks. Aria had met the archive mage once before while they were searching for the fairy tail mages.

"You might as well give up now Hibiki, because you will lose."

"We will just have to see about that." With that the two charged at each other, engaging at an extensive hand to hand fight. It lasted about 5 minutes before the two broke apart. Hibiki was already panting. Aria on the other hand looked fine.

"Let take it up a notch." With that Aria unleashed a powerful spell. "SNOW MAKE: FROZEN TUNDRA. The temperature immediately dropped. Hibiki felt something crawling up his legs, so he looked down. Frost was quickly crawling up his legs. Aria saw a moment of panic spread across Hibiki's face.

" I won't lose that easily Ari." Aria smiled at the affectionate nickname some of the other mages had given her. Aria was lost in this thought when she saw screens pop up if front of her. The screens exploded, sending her flying backwards. She landed on the ground with a groan.

Back in the stands, Gray winced as he watched the snow mage get thrown backwards. Gray refused to believe that she was his sister until he had proof.

Max wasn't really watching the match. He was more or less studying Gray. He knew that Gray may be a little apprehensive about believing that his sister was still alive.

"Hey Jax, I'll be back in a minute." Max looked over at where Gray was standing and waited for him to look over at him.

Gray felt someone watching him. He looked around and saw the Phoenix Wing guy with the weird hair watching him. The guy nodded his head towards the hallway, becoming Gray to follow him. Gray complied. Eager to get answers.