The guild was just as Natsu had remembered it, right down the scorch marks on the floor. Turning to Duckie he hugged her so tight she couldn't breathe, releasing once her body had gone limp in his arms before turning his attention back to his wife Lucy. Heavy laden with her second child, Natsu carried the celestial mage up the few steps into the building. As Natsu place her gently on a chair her hand absentmindedly caressed her swollen belly. The baby was still several weeks away, yet Lucy was exhausted by the seemingly endless energy of her eldest son Azekiel.

Juvia sat down next to Lucy, smiling in greeting. The friendship between these two was one of few thanks words. Though most of the company were excited for Lucy's pregnancy, none had missed the distinct beginnings of the rain woman's rounding stomach, evidence of her and Gray's fourth child. It was refreshing to see the next generation of fairy tail mages growing up so fast. Juvia's oldest, Heba, was 12 this year, eager to display her skills her father and Uncle Lyon had been teaching her. Although she was not formally a member yet, she was to be properly welcomed once the new Master had been appointed.

The trickle of Fairy Tail mages, young and old, grew steadily until the room was full to overflowing with their laughter and conversation.

Despite their losses, the numbers of mages who had joined the guild swelled it's ranks. Faces never thought to appear. Faces like Matty, Laxus's apprentice and through him, a 5th generation dragon slayer. Sporting a pair of metal spikes poking out from beneath his wild brown hair, his appearance and the way he used his magic, he was so like Laxus it was unmistakeable. Others were his apprentice Kina, who would be a 6th generation dragon slayer; Emiko another ice mage, similar to Ul in appearance and personality, such that Gray and Lyon wondered if she was Ul re-incarnate; Angel, a tech-mage; and Risa and Joei, who joined had joined together, an Art mage and one who uses ancient Mirage magic.

There was also Rosstic and others who, like Heba, were born into the guild. Rosstic uses a variation of crash magic, and as Levy and Gajeel's only son, had been groomed to be one of Fairy Tail's strongest.

Yet in every group of happy, joyous families were those few who came from a less happy background. Duckie, a bright runes mage with flaming red hair, had turned up at the guild in a fit of tears, searching for her little brother who had been taken away after her parent's death. Only 9 then she had reminded many of Erza's first few months at Fairy Tail guild, blood red sword in hand and followed by her loyal cloud demon Xander. Jess was another, turning up silently in the guild and quickly gaining friends. Her magic, the sonic dragonslayer art, yet also a celestial mage, was an odd combination. Fairy Tail was their family now, and no mage of the Fairy Tail Family would be without this kind of happiness for long.

All these mages were present now, excepting Gildarts of course. Those present talked in hushed voices as Master Makarov climbed atop the bench, assisted by the current Fairy Tail Guild employee Karissa. Once suitably elevated, Master shouted. "Kids, Shut up!" -all voices hushed instantly. Even Natsu's, who had long since learnt the value of actually listening to master. - "I am sure all of you have heard, and know of my plans to give the honour of the title Guild Master on to one of you." He paused, and there was a murmured agreement across the guild.

"I have devised a competition which will aid me in my decision, for this decision will be one of the hardest I will ever make. To take part in this competition you must be nominated, and to eligible for nomination the only requirement is being a member of Fairy Tail Guild. I do not care about your age, or how long you have been a member. If your heart is right, you have nothing to lose!

"The competition will have 3 stages, and will be organised similarly to the S Class Trials. The first stage will be set here in the guild and will take place in 4 days. If you wish to take part you must only be there. Depending on how many take part, the number of mages who make it through this stage will roughly be half of those who enter it. As the stage pass I shall tell you more, but for now, prepare. Examine yourself and see if you will enter, and take heart in this for the winner will not necessarily be our next Guild Master. May the odds be Ever in Your Favour!"