Capital of the Kingdom of Fiore, Crocus.
Every year when the Grand Magic Games roll around, tourists from every city swarm in and the whole place is packed.
The streets are draped in pennants, the crowds never stop, and every corner bursts with every kind of flower—a riot of color and life.
"So this is Crocus? First time I've ever been in a city this big." Lucy gazed at the bustling city, a thrill fluttering inside her.
"Aye, sir!"
Happy's head swiveled excitedly left and right.
"Same here."
Wendy said, "It's way bigger than the royal capital of Edolas."
The royal capital of Edolas was already huge, but Crocus dwarfed it several times over.
"So you finally made it."
Makarov walked up with Asuka riding on his shoulders. Behind him came Mirajane, Wendy, Levy, Bisca, Alzack, Jet, and Droy. They had arrived a step ahead to finish registering for the Grand Magic Games.
"Master."
Everyone greeted Makarov in unison.
"Then let's head to the arena. Mwahahaha! Time to show them the power of Fairy Tail."
The moment the words left Makarov's mouth, hushed whispers rose nearby.
"Did you hear that? It's Fairy Tail."
"Where? Those guys?"
"They're the super-weak bottom-feeders, pfft."
Natsu's face darkened. "Who just laughed?!"
Erza instantly held him back. "Calm down. We're here to compete, no trouble before it starts."
"You lot here for last place again this year?"
"Everyone knows Sabertooth takes the crown."
Seeing the Fairy Tail mages hold back, the two grew bolder and mocked them to their faces.
"Tch."
Natsu's fists itched with rage.
"Let them laugh all they want." Makarov shrugged it off.
"We'll crush every doubt with raw power. Ready, everyone? Thirty million—ahem—give it everything you've got and seize Fiore's top-guild throne. That's the only way to honor Mavis, the first Guild master who saved us."
"Ooooooh!"
Lucy tilted her head. "By the way, the contest is tomorrow and we still don't know the rules."
Alzack explained, "The events change every year. The exact rules aren't revealed until the opening ceremony. Nobody knows what's coming."
Bisca said wistfully, "The year with a shooting event, we weren't here."
Both Bisca and Alzack excel at guns. Alzack's Gun Magic lets him fire spells through firearms, making him one of Fairy Tail's strongest second-line fighters. Bisca's magic is Requip, same as Erza's—only instead of armor she swaps out firearms, and her aim is even sharper than Alzack's.
"The year I missed had a footrace." Jet sighed.
His magic, High Speed, lets him sprint like the wind.
"Victory goes to those who can shine in lots of different events, like Takeshi."
Every one of Takeshi's transformations is insane, he's good at everything.
Levy said, "I looked up every past event. They're all totally different."
"Whatever. Just win them all. Though I'd rather it be straight-up fights. We trained three whole months, no way we're not showing it off."
Natsu itched to trade blows with other guilds and see how strong he'd become.
"Takeshi, read this rulebook before tomorrow." Makarov said, handing over a brick-thick tome.
Takeshi stared at it, lips twitching. "Read all this? Gramps, you sure that's possible?"
"Leave it to me." Levy chirped, pulling out her Gale-Force Reading Glasses.
Takeshi was saved, he shoved the book at her.
She skimmed it in seconds. "Short version: three big points. One—no guild master may compete."
"Mm."
Makarov wasn't surprised, he'd never planned to fight anyway.
"Two—anyone without a visible guild mark is barred, the mark has to be obvious."
Gray nodded. "Makes sense, stops impersonators."
"Three—every event's details stay top-secret until start-time. Oh, and last warning: all contestants must be back at the assigned inn by midnight."
"Midnight? Which midnight?"
"Tonight, obviously. It's already past one in the afternoon."
"Still tons of time."
"We're finally in a huge city. Let's go explore."
"Aye!"
Lucy, Natsu, and Happy dashed off, faces lit up.
Erza called after them, "Don't forget! Back before twelve!"
Takeshi said, "Let's go too, Mira."
He and Mirajane rarely got outings. Since they were in Fiore's capital, they might as well enjoy it.
Mirajane nodded, and the two left hand in hand.
Crocus lived up to its name as the Flower Blooming Capital. Blooms of every kind lined every street, making the city lovelier and everyone's mood lighter.
"Flowers everywhere you look."
"No wonder they call it the Flower Blooming Capital."
"Fight! Fight!"
A yell nearby instantly lured brawl-loving Natsu toward the commotion.
"Who picks a fight during the festival?! Let's check it out!"
By the time Natsu shoved through the crowd the fight was over. Only two guys still stood while a dozen others lay around them.
"It's Sabertooth's Twin Dragons!"
"Sting and Rogue."
"Strongest members of the strongest guild."
The onlookers had already recognized the pair.
"Sabertooth?" Natsu blinked.
He hadn't expected to run into Fiore's current top-guild mages this fast.
Sting and Rogue spotted Natsu and paused.
"You… wouldn't happen to be…?"
"Natsu Dragneel!"
Happy noticed two small cats.
"Cats?!"
"What's with that dumb-looking cat?"
"Dumb-looking."
The two little cats pointed at Happy.
"They talked!" Happy gawked, stunned.
Lucy sighed, "I don't even know where to start."
Sting stepped up to Natsu, grinning. "Ha! So the rumors are true. Fairy Tail really is entering the Grand Magic Games."