Arcadios explains that the attackers are an independent group called Garou Knights: Crocus' strongest executioners. Soon, a second man appears, who sweeps the Mages away with a gust of wind, being later joined by three more mysterious people. Despite his protests, Wendy proceeds to heal him, until she and the other members are ambushed by an unknown assailant. After getting out, they notice Arcadios lying unconscious on the ground, wounded, who immediately tells them to run away. Suddenly, the earth starts shaking and, when it's over, a short passage for the Mages to pass through is created. Mira also points out that Yukino resembles Lisanna, explaining to her that Lisanna is her little sister when Yukino is confused at the statement. Yukino then proceeds to thank Natsu for storming Sabertooth the night she was kicked out, and, despite not remembering, Natsu becomes embarrassed and states that it was nothing. To lighten the mood, the members switch topic and Happy teases Natsu for wanting to be in the Rescue Team to save Lucy: the latter becomes flustered and tells Yukino that he also came for her. When Lucy wonders how big the underground maze could possibly be, Yukino reveals that it's actually 10 times the size of Crocus itself. Despite being hungry, the Mages do not lose hope until Happy and Carla return from flying and reveal that they have found no escape route.

In the dungeons below Mercurius, Lucy and the other members of the Rescue Team try to bring a fainted Natsu to his senses, which they succeed to do when Lucy tells him that he is upsetting Wendy. Meanwhile, the Fairy Tail members remind themselves of all the strong opponents left in the tournament, as well as Natsu's mission to rescue Lucy, deducting that it's not yet the time to be celebrating.

When Sting insisted she return his friend, Minerva told him that, while she's not like her father, she must ensure Sabertooth's victory, and also that he should not harbor foolish thoughts about fighting her, as Lector's life is in her hands. She also consoled him about Lector, explaining that she kept him away in another dimension with her powers and thereby saved his life, but demanded that Sting win the Grand Magic Games in order to get the Exceed back. Meanwhile, Minerva ponders whether Sting will be the one to save Sabertooth's fate, or if her guild will crumble.ДЄt the same time, Sting reminisces that, after beating Jiemma when he apparently killed Lector, Minerva told him that it was the power of feelings that he lacked due to Jiemma's influence, and, with that power back, he could possibly be more powerful than Natsu. After a revision of the guilds' points and the number of fighters left in each team, Orga and Rogue reveal that despite their loss, they're still determined to fight. Having defeated Rufus, Gray gives Fairy Tail the chance to celebrate once again for their ranking and puts his guild in high spirits.

Fairy tail episode 176 su