As the battle neared its start, all the guild members took a step back after hearing Ryuga's tone. They all thought something similar:

Erza: "Is this what his enemies see?"

They were referring to the way he presently carried himself. He was not looking at them with the same eyes he usually did. His eyes were narrowed, his fingers were spread apart. A few of the guild members could have sworn they heard the air whistling through his fingers, or maybe the sound was more like whimpering.

Ryuga: "Well? If you're not going to come to me... I'll come to you."

Quicker than anyone there could react, he had already appeared in front of them. Natsu tried to swing at him with his fists enveloped in flames, but Ryuga merely stuck his foot out and tripped him. Natsu, no longer able to keep his balance, fell to the ground below. Before he could even hit the ground though, Ryuga slammed the back of his hand against Natsu.

As Natsu was taking a nap from the hard-hit, Ryuga moved his way left, to Elfman. He reached for his neck, but Elfman was able to react in time and grabbed his forearm. Elfman then used all the strength in his body to twist and throw Ryuga over him. However, as if by some sort of terrible strategy, Ryuga used the force of the throw to hurl himself at Gildarts. After abruptly taking a knee to the chin, Gildarts slumped over, out cold.

Max: "H-Holy shit! He just took out two of our strongest within seconds."

Ryuga: "Hmm, did you think mere numbers would be enough to defeat me? You all are hundreds of years too young to land a hit on me."

Erza: "We know we don't have a chance! But even so! We must get stronger!"

She rushed him and swung her sword hard, horizontally. Normally, this speed and accuracy with the sword would bisect many who weren't top-tier wizards, but Ryuga merely caught her sword in between two fingers.

Ryuga: "My dear Erza, you have yet to understand your power."

Erza: "Oh, I think I understand quite well."

Ryuga's eyes widened, as he sensed something just an inch away from his back. He let go of Erza's sword and turned around, but it was too late. Mirajane's satanic fist sunk into his stomach, and he was launched a decent distance away, breaking down trees as he flew.

Erza: "Even if I'm just a distraction."

Mirajane smirked from behind Erza, but everyone's mood was ruined when they heard laughing coming from within the forest.

Ryuga: "Hahaha! Yes! To think you'd actually use yourself as a distraction against me. Good! Very good!" His eyes then turned towards them in an almost pitying way. "But you are still somewhat blind."

They only realized what he meant after seeing how hard the trees behind him were blowing.

Gray: "Shit! Wendy!"

Ryuga: "Yes!" He lifted his arms victoriously. "Did you forget? I was never alone in this battle! I was simply a diversion, as you just were, Erza."

Everyone looked back to see Wendy's chest puffed out.

Macao: "That can't be good..."

Wendy: "Sky Dragon,

A gale of violent winds propelled towards the group, knocking many off their feet and causing some others to pass out from "minor" injuries. The only ones remaining and able to fight were Erza, Mirajane, Elfman, Gray, Gajeel, and Juvia.

Gajeel's arm turned into iron, and he punched at Ryuga's center. Ryuga was able to easily stop the punch with the palm of his hand, but, soon after, both Elfman and Mirajane attacked from his flank.

Ryuga let go of Gajeel's hand, and his body distorted. Mirajane and Elfman's strikes went through Ryuga, and he disappeared.

Elfman: "An illusion? That's not manly!"

Ryuga:

His words sank into Elfman, almost as if he was inside his heart. Elfman fell to the ground, clutching his chest. He coughed up some blood, then passed out on the ground.

Mirajane: "Elfman!"

Some ways behind the collapsed Elfman, Ryuga was standing ominously with his hand clutched, and blood dripping out of his closed fist. Mirajane looked up at Ryuga with tears in her eyes, and a perplexed expression on her face.

Mirajane: "What have you done?!"

Ryuga: "Rest assured, it is a non-lethal spell. He's simply unconscious now. Of course, I'd never kill any guildmates... Unless I absolutely have to."

Mirajane released a massive wave of demonic energy towards Ryuga, but he merely flew straight up quicker than most eyes could even keep up with. He sighed, almost seeming disappointed.

Ryuga: "You've, once again, lost sight of how many opponents you're facing."

Just after he said that, Mirajane heard a clang of metal and a pained grunt behind her. She turned around to find Erza on the ground, with Wendy hovering over her. Juvia tried locking Wendy in a water prison, but the heavy winds pushed against the water so hard that the waves broke apart into nothing but sprinkling drops.

Gajeel: "What the hell? This little girl is too strong!"

Gray: "Watch out! "

A wall of ice erected in front of Gajeel just in time to block an X-shape wind blade. The wind dispersed after leaving decent-sized cuts in the ice.

Mirajane: "Keep your head together everyone! Pay attention! Gajeel, Juvia, keep on Wendy. Gray, sorry, but I need your help with Ryuga."

Gajeel: "Geehee! You can count on me!"

Juvia: "Juvia can handle that much... probably."

Gray: "Ah, I guess I have no choice."

Gray ran to Mirajane's side and looked up at Ryuga looking down at them, seeming pleased.

Ryuga: "Taking a leadership role in a dire situation? I've taught you well, Mirajane, but you have much more to learn."

Mirajane: "Shit! Move!"

She jumped back quickly, but the others were too late. Vines sprung out of the ground and coiled around the other three members. Legs, arms, waist, chest, everything was constricted by the surprisingly durable vines.

Juvia managed to escape the vines by turning into a water form and slipping past them, but Gray and Gajeel couldn't do anything about them.

Juvia: "Don't worry my love! Juvia will get you out of those vines quickly!"

Ryuga, once more, sighed. He nodded towards Wendy, and she brought her hands together.

Wendy: "Wind Dragon "

Juvia and Mirajane were able to dodge, but the immobilized Gray and Gajeel were hit with winds, from above, so strong that they vomited. After liberating their breakfast, the two stopped struggling, having passed out from their insides being shaken. Ryuga released the vines, and the two unfortunate men collapsed onto the ground, in critical condition.

Wendy dropped to one knee, breathing heavily. Her hair returned to normal and she struggled to stand back up. Juvia, finally breaking out of her shock, glared at Wendy with murderous intent.

Juvia: ""

She rushed the exhausted Wendy, and Wendy yelped in fear. Just before the uncontrollable Juvia grabbed Wendy, Ryuga appeared in-between them and placed two fingers on Juvia's chest. It happened in slow motion, or, at least, that's what anyone that witnessed it thought. Ryuga pressed his palm into Juvia's chest, and she burst into, not raindrops, but pure steam.

Juvia, quite literally, exploded into steam. Her clothes were left on the grass, torn, and her body was slowly trying to morph itself back together. After finally regaining the shape of herself, Juvia slumped over on the ground. Ryuga, sighing, threw a long robe over her, to cover her up.

Ryuga: "Wendy. Start healing everyone. You look exhausted, I'll give you some Magic Power back."

He placed his hand on top of hers, and Wendy almost jolted from the surplus of Magic Power she received.

Wendy: "Eek!!"

Ryuga: "Oh, sorry sorry! That was my fault, I gave you a little too much."

Wendy: "I'm okay, it just s-startled me." She said this with a timid look.

Ryuga: "S-So cute."

He then cleared his throat and looked at the only one left standing. Mirajane looked exhausted but willing to go on. He smiled at his lover and held a hand out to her.

Ryuga: "You've done well, Mirajane. Don't make me fight you anymore."

Mirajane clenched her fists and looked down. A couple of tears might have even fallen to the ground below, but she couldn't tell if she was crying or it was just the insane amount of dust. However, seeing her like that, Ryuga felt a prick in his heart.

Mirajane: "We utterly lost..."

Ryuga had a pained smile on his face. He walked up to Mirajane and embraced her. After stroking her hair for many minutes, he finally spoke.

Ryuga: "Sure, you might have lost, but, remember, this was just a mock battle. In a real life-threatening scenario, I'm sure you all would do better. You tried hard. Good job. We'll work on helping everyone gain strength together. You can rest now."

Finally, she collapsed into his arms, and he and Wendy were the last standing.

Gray: "O-Ow! Hey! Don't poke me!"

Natsu: "Nyahahaha! You look a bit worse for wear, Gray!"

As Natsu was poking Gray in the ribs, the rest of the injured members in the infirmary all started waking up. Gildarts had already woken up, cursed at something or someone, then left the premises. Ryuga figured he'd probably come back within a few months or something and be even stronger than he already was.

Macao: "Shit... What happened? I don't even think I remember any of the fight."

Erza: "Isn't it obvious? We lost. Haha, no. It wasn't even a fight. We never even stood a chance."

Mirajane: "Well, you're right about that." She kicked open the door to the infirmary, holding a tray of food. "I brought sweets for everyone!"

Elfman: "AHHH!! Now that's manly!"

Max: "Let's go! Mira is our angel, while Ryuga is our demon!"

Ryuga: "Oi"

Max: "Heek!"

Max recoiled in fear, but Ryuga just chuckled.

Ryuga: "Relax. I think I've beaten you all senseless enough for today."

Natsu: "I can take more!"

He tried to stand up, but fell right out of his bed, onto his face. With a loud 'smack' sound, Natsu groaned on the floor.

Ryuga: "Then you'll have to be able to beat the floor first, then me."

Everyone had a mild laugh and ate the sweets Mirajane brought them. After she finished eating her strawberry cake, Erza looked questioningly at Mirajane.

Erza: "Mira, how come you're the only one out of us who looks fine... No, wait, you look even better than you did before the fight started. What happened?"

Mirajane smiled, while holding a V for victory hand sign, and Ryuga blushed and looked away. Needless to say, everyone understood then. Erza pouted cutely, puffing her cheeks out.

Mirajane: "Well, that's just how it is. Perks for being the last one standing on our team, I guess."

Juvia: "Juvia is sorry to Wendy."

She genuinely looked depressed about getting angry at Wendy. Wendy walked up to her and held her hand.

Wendy: "It's okay Juvia, I was a bit harsh. I hope we can be friends again."

Juvia: "Waaaahhhh! Wendy so nice to Juvia!"

Her tears were creating a small puddle on the floor, as she grabbed Wendy and pulled her close.

Cana: "Well ain't that just cute, but I propose we have a toast!"

Ryuga: "The losers, toast? No, I don't think so. Since you lost, you'll all have to go through rigorous training in order to become stronger. Let's hope you can at least survive the first stage."

Wakaba: "W-What's the first stage?"

Ryuga looked at them all with the devil's smile.

Ryuga: "Ever heard of the Archipelago of the Scourged?"

Wakaba: "N-No."

Ryuga: "Well, let's just say it's an island paradise. That is if your vision of paradise has volcanos, lava rivers, monsters the size of buildings, and, oh, did I forget to mention? Very kind natives who rip the flesh off of intruders and use it as coats."

Elfman: "Sounds manly!"

Max: "Sounds terrifying."

Mirajane: "Sounds lovely."

Ryuga: "Well, it's either that or you can fight my Aunt Lillian."

All: "Archipelago of the Scourged it is!"

Ryuga chuckled and walked out of the room. Once he walked up the stairs, he was met by Master Makarov.

Makarov: "So you're bringin' 'em on an island vacation huh? You want them stronger, that's good, but I can't help but think it's a little rushed."

Ryuga: "Well... Let's just say I have a feeling something is coming my way, and I don't want Fairy Tail to be caught up in it."

Makarov: "If it makes you worried, then I think I should just hit the deathbed now."

Ryuga: "If I'm being honest. Well, yeah, I'm worried."

Makarov: "So? What's coming?"

Ryuga: "... The Dragon God of Power, "