"No one can stop this guild from claiming the championship now?"
"The Fairy Queen was amazing, but she's just about at her limit. It feels like any random contestant could take her down now."
"That's right. Never mind the others—just Jura, one of the Ten Wizard Saints alone—wait, what?! Even Jura is down?!"
Chapati's declaration of Fairy Tail's championship immediately sparked a wave of discussion among the audience.
Someone's sharp cry drew everyone's attention to another battlefield.
There, on the shattered earth, Future Laxus stood with lowered eyes, gasping heavily.
His shirt had been destroyed in the fierce battle, revealing his muscular, battle-scarred body. He had clearly reached his physical limit.
Yet even so, he forced himself to stand, one fist still clenched.
Across from him, Future Jura lay unconscious on the ground, a faint smile of shock and admiration still on his lips.
Contrary to most expectations—including Future Makarov's—Future Laxus had not only held his ground against the seemingly unstoppable Jura, but had actually defeated him!
As the audience struggled to process this unbelievable result, the other two battlefields also reached their conclusions.
Much like the original story's development, Future Gray had broken through Future Rufus's Memory-Make Magic limits with his ultra-high-speed Ice-Make Magic, defeating his opponent.
Future Macao and Cana, relying on years of drinking-buddy synergy, had overcome Future Lyon and Future Sherria.
Following Quartet Cerberus and Mermaid Heel, the popular guild Lamia Scale had been eliminated, losing all chance at the championship.
Though the outcome was hard to believe, the fact remained: Fairy Tail's team had succeeded on all fronts, defeating five guilds without losing a single member!
Fairy Tail's total score reached a terrifying 84 points.
Sabertooth, currently in second place, had a paltry 46 points in comparison.
"The point gap is simply too large. It looks like this year's Grand Magic Games has been decided!" Chapati exclaimed.
"Decided? Not necessarily. Sabertooth's twin dragons are still on the field," the Pumpkin Head said with narrowed eyes, his words carrying hidden meaning.
As Makarov and Chase had expected, seeing the Crocus streets leveled by Erza's Demon God Flame Cannon had indeed hurt his wallet.
Though magical assistance would make reconstruction easy, the funds required—along with "relocation compensation" for the residents—would probably swallow up all the revenue earned from this year's Grand Magic Games and then some.
Of course, despite the financial pain, he had no intention of blaming Fairy Tail.
To witness such spectacular magical displays, money meant nothing!
Besides, that bastard Chase—ahem, that decent young man—had protected the entire neighborhood's residents.
On this point, the King of Fiore knew where his priorities lay.
"Wait—what Mr. Pumpkin Head said..."
Chapati paused, calculating the current score difference between the two sides.
The NPC accumulated score rule didn't expire upon transfer. So the 10 points from defeating captains Minerva and Kagura had been rightfully added to the display above Erza's head.
Combined with the five Executioners' accumulated points, it had now reached 33 points.
If Future Sting and Future Rogue could defeat all five Fairy Tail members, they would gain 33 + 9 points, bringing their total to a tournament-high 88 points!
Under normal circumstances, they couldn't even defeat Natsu and Gajeel, so this would be impossible.
But right now, every Fairy Tail member was battered and near-empty on magic power, while the twin dragons were completely fresh.
With that thought, Chapati grew excited again. "There might actually be a massive upset!!"
At the same time, the big screen switched to Future Sting and Future Rogue, who hadn't been seen in a while.
They made no effort to hide their presence, standing openly across from Erza with clear purpose.
"Though the process went wrong due to the NPCs, the outcome was exactly as the young lady predicted."
Future Rogue looked at the panting Erza and spoke solemnly. "You really did 'survive' to the end."
"Sorry, Erza-san. To live up to our comrades' expectations, even if it means taking advantage of your weakened state, we must defend our guild's dignity and honor!" Future Sting's expression was resolute.
The young lady had saved his dear friend Lector from Master Jiemon's hands. That alone gave him a reason to fight.
"Living up to your comrades' expectations... it seems you've finally realized what's most important to a mage."
Erza spoke with a touch of relief, then glanced up at Chase and Mirajane watching from a distance with warm smiles.
When she turned back, the Fairy Queen's eyes blazed with fearless fighting spirit. "But I feel the same way!"
"Give up, Erza-san. No matter how strong you are, in this state—barely standing like a candle in the wind—you have no chance."
"Two against one. The advantage is ours!"
Future Sting and Future Rogue unleashed their full magic power, immediately entering their strongest Dragon Force mode, ready to end the battle as quickly as possible.
"Two against..."
The usually stern and serious Erza allowed a small smile to cross her lips. She cleared her throat lightly, then mimicked her card-nerd boyfriend's tone. "Sore wa dou kana."
Thud, thud.
The moment the words left her mouth, the sound of heavy, unsteady footsteps came from different directions.
Under Future Sting and Future Rogue's stunned gazes, the battered Future Laxus, disheveled Future Gray, and the supporting each other Future Macao and Cana—all dragging their exhausted bodies—walked past them and took their places on either side of Erza!
No one spoke. But the pressure emanating from those resolute eyes made the two unconsciously step back, fear creeping into their hearts.
In an instant, the tables had turned. Two against one had become five against two!
"Come. This should be the final battle." Erza raised her sword, its tip pointing straight at her opponents.
"Th-That's right! We'll show you the resolve we've gained after growing stronger!" Future Sting steadied himself, drawing courage from the white light enveloping his body.
"Victory will belong to Sabertooth in the end." Future Rogue was wreathed in black mist.
Without a word, they both shifted their stances, extending their arms to either side and gathering swirling energy orbs in their palms.
***
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