Chapter 7: The Selection

Natsu woke up before the sun had even begin to shine. He probably had some of the best sleep he had in a really long time. He leaned forward a little before he felt a little pressure on his chest. He opened his eyes and looked at his chest to see what exactly was on his chest. He saw blue hair and a small face that belonged to Wendy.

Natsu quickly remembered what had happened the night before frowning. Wendy seemed to mumbling something incoherent and softly giggle. Natsu watched her and grew a smile in place of the frown. He placed a hand on her head and softly rub the hair down the back of her head.

"No matter what happens Wendy, I will use everything I have to protect you, keep you safe, and keep you happy." Natsu whispered to himself with a smile on his face as he watched Wendy.

He then suddenly remembered how he promised both Erza and Mira that they can train with him before dawn. He slowly put his hands under Wendy and lifted her up till she was high enough for him to slip right out from under her. Once he got up and put her down Wendy began to whimper from the lack of body heat Natsu was giving her. Natsu pulled the blankets back over her to warm her up and keep her asleep.

He stood up and quietly walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. He wrote a note so Wendy would know he was out training, she should take a bath once she wakes up and to go get him once she's done so he can take her to the guild. It only took him a few minutes to walk over to where he had told Mira and Erza to meet him and when he got there, there was no one else.

Natsu looked around before sighing and saying to himself " Well I guess I could practice for a bit before they get here."

Natsu looked around until he found a very large bolder before he closed his eyes and began to concentrated his magic energy around him. His eyes shot open as he disappeared for a few seconds and reappear on the opposite side of the bolder he had been looking at. He pulled his fist back and yelled out "Fire Dragon Iron Fist"

His fist ignited with fire, connected with the bolder and the bolder smashed into a practically dust. Natsu dropped down to the ground and looked over what is left of the bolder.

Natsu nodded in satisfaction at the sight of pebbles or tiny rocks that were the only thing left of the bolder and a few piles of dust.

A few minutes later both Erza and Mira showed right as the sun began to show itself. Erza looked wide awake and was in her regular armor plating and stood like she had been awake for awhile. Mira looked like she was half asleep and was also wearing her regulars goth clothes on but looked like someone had taken a blender, turned it on, and put it in her hair.

They both looked at Natsu but only Erza looked like she was ready for training while Mira looked like she want to go back to sleep.

"Why the (yawn) fuck do want us to train at this ungodly hour?" Mira asked groggily.

"Well if you guys want to train with me then we need to start now. If we don't we won't finish before dinner." Natsu answered like it was nothing.

Both Mira and Erza looked at Natsu like he was crazy.

"Your kidding right? There is no way in hell we would be able to do that." Mira said as she began to actually wake up.

"I have to agree with Mira on this one. The longest I have ever trained in one session was about 5 hours and then I was barley able to move." Erza said.

"I do it all the time. I only stop for a drink and a snack or a bathroom break." Natsu replied as he began to stretch.

Both Mira and Erza looked at each other before shrugging and beginning to stretch as well. The sun was begin to rise as the tip of it could now be seen and Mira looked around.

"Hey wasn't there a big rock around here before?" Mira asked as she twisted to stretch her stomach.

"Oh ya, I destroyed it." Natsu replied.

"Oh ok so how many hits did it take to destroy it? I would say I would have taken me about 5 hits." Mira said as she grinned.

"I bet I could have destroyed it in 4 hits." Erza said like she was gloating that she could have destroyed it fast then Mira.

"Ya right it would have taken you 100 hits to even put a dent in it." Mira said while getting angry.

"Hell no goth bitch I would have destroyed in 3 hits it would have taken you 100 hits." Erza said while also getting angry.

The butted head completely ignoring Natsu as he just stared at the two.

"It only took me one hit to destroy it." Natsu said.

Erza and Mira stopped and looked at Natsu

"What?" Both said at the same time.

"I said it only took me one hit to destroy the boulder." Natsu said again

Erza and Mira comically fell over. They were both thinking "just how strong is he?" at the same time. They got back up and stretched a little more.

Once they stopped stretching they all lined up near Natsu's house and got into a starting position.

"Let's see who trains the hardest today as a little competition?" Natsu suggested.

"I'm good with that." "That is fine with me." were the responses he got. With that all three took off at high speeds.

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"I'm (pant) so (pant) done" Mira said as she fell on her butt and laid back against a tree.

"I (pant) agree" Erza said as well as she also leaned back against the tree next to one Mira was resting on.

"Come on you guys. We are only half way done." Natsu said while jogging in place. He was covered in sweat, dirt, mud and any other substances around the area but looked like he was ready to keep going. Erza and Mira looked at him like he was crazy before they comically made an X with their arms, signaling they were done for the day.

Natsu just laughed before he stopped jogging in place and walked over to the two. He walked in between the two trees they were leaning on and sat down under the shade then laid down.

"I guess we can take a break for now then get back to training." Natsu said.

"Take a break? Natsu I don't think I'm going to be able to move at all tomorrow." Mira said

"No you'll be fine. Once we're done resting we're going to use our spells over and over again till we're almost out of magic. That way it increases our magic container." Natsu said while lying down on the grass.

Erza and Mira looked at him before sighing, they knew they weren't going to be able to get out of the rest of training. Erza was happy though because she could hang out with Natsu all day even though her entire body was hurting. Mira watched Erza slowly scoot herself away from Natsu who was currently had his eyes close.

"If y-you want you c-can lean on the t-tree if y-you want." Erza stuttered with nervousness in her voice.

Natsu opened his right eye and looked at Erza before asking " You sure?"

Erza's face grew a small blush but she shook her head up and down. Natsu slowly sat up and crawled over to the tree Erza was leaning on and thanks to her scooting over there was enough room for him to sit as well.

Natsu sat down right next to her and was only a few inches apart but Erza was now blushing madly.

Mira watched this as it unfolded with great interest and inwardly chuckled. "That's it Erza, soon enough you guys can become a great couple and be happy." Mira normally wouldn't think like this but now when she was around Natsu, Erza, or her siblings she was like a different person.

"Then I can be able to embarrass you in front of your future boyfriend" Mira thought evilly.

Ok she can almost be a different person.

Natsu closed his eyes again and just sat there taking in the scent of the forest but he seemed to concentrate on the smell of strawberries coming from Erza. He thought " Damn, I didn't think strawberries smelled so nice. No, I like the way Erza smells but why?"

He opened his eyes and turned his head to Erza to see what she was doing but she happen to be watching his face. Their faces closed the gap between them by accident till they were only 3 inches apart and they just looked in each other's eyes for a few seconds before they both pulled away with a bright blush on both their faces.

They turned their head the opposite directions they were originally looking and Natsu turned his head to see Mira with an amused face.

"What are you thinking?" Natsu asked trying to ignore the fact that he had almost just kissed Erza by accident and still had a light blush on his cheeks.

"What your kids will look like."

Is what Mira wanted to say but just kept her amused face and stayed silent.

Natsu suddenly decide that they should get back to training so he quickly stood up and said "Alright I think that's enough rest. Lets get back to training." And he began to walk back to the flat area

Erza and Mira however had other thoughts as they tried to escape through the forest by crawling through it but however were caught off guard by a fire shaped like a rope. It wrapped around one of each of their ankles and they expected it to burn but were surprised when all they fell was a very warm sensation.

They looked back at Natsu with scared faces to see him smile normally but the also saw a dark aura behind him.

"I told you if want to train with me you have to complete it once you start." Natsu said with his smile still plastered on his face.

Both girls paled and began to try and escape but to no eval so Natsu dragged them back to the flat area.

For the rest of the day people would constantly see magic attacks go off in the distance and hear the constant explosions.

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The next day in the later morning the guild members who happen to be at the guild began to talk about the magic they felt the day before.

"I don't now who was fighting yesterday but dear god they felt powerful."

"I know right? And they didn't stop till it got dark. Thank god they didn't come closer to the city or else they would have destroy a lot of stuff."

Suddenly the door flew open. They all turned their head to see Natsu and Wendy standing in the door way who looked like they were ready to do anything.

"Good morning Natsu and Wendy, how are you today?" Makarov asked with a beer in his hand.

Wendy skipped over to Makarov and hugged him. She had began to start seeing him as a grandfather thanks to him always being nice to her.

"I've been great, Onii-san bought me some ice cream earlier." Wendy said excitingly.

Makarov laughed before lifting her up and putting her on his shoulders to which she happily squealed in delight.

Makarov turned to Natsu to see what his response would be and wasn't surprised to see him grin.

"I've been good but I'm a little sore from yesterday's training." Natsu said while rubbing the back of his left shoulder.

"Oh, yes I almost forgot how was your training with Mira and Erza?" Makarov asked.

Suddenly the guild yelled in shock "WWWWHHHHHAAAAATTTTTT?"

"How is that kid moving?"

"Holy crap what do you think they do to him?"

Those were the questions and similar questions being asked around. Natsu watched them curiously before laughing out loud which caught the attention of everyone.

"It not what they did to me, it's what I'd did to th..." Natsu said but was cut off by the door opening. They turned to see Lisanna and Elfman standing in the door way by themselves.

They watch as Lisanna and Elfman walked up to Natsu and looked at him with curious faces.

"What did you do to Mira-nee yesterday?" Lisanna asked not in a angry voice but rather in an interested one.

The guild nearly fainted. They just heard Lisanna ask Natsu what HE did to MIRA and not the other way around.

"Well all we did was train. Why what happen?" Natsu asked

Lisanna laughed before saying "Well once me and Elf-nii woke up we went to see what Mira-nee was cooking for breakfast but when we went down stairs we found the kitchen empty. We went to her room and found her still asleep on her bed and we tried to wake her up. We did but she was only awake for 10 seconds, just long enough for her to mumble something along the lines of 'so tired, can't move, hellish training, and Satin dragon.' before falling back asleep and we couldn't wake her back up."

Ok this time most of the guild fainted and the few who managed to stay awake were utterly speechless. By this time Natsu was laughing so hard he couldn't breath and he had force himself to stop so he could breath.

Wendy giggled every now and then thanks to Natsu laughing really hard while Makarov also laughed a little.

Once they all stopped laughing and woke up from fainting they all turned and started asking questions like there was no tomorrow. They continued to ask questions so fast it got to the point Natsu couldn't keep up so he yelled " OK SHUT UP! ALL I DID WAS DO REGULAR TRAINING AND THEY JOINED ME!"

Everyone then became ultra quiet and terrified from the angry Natsu and were beginning to think that he was scarier than Erza when she was angry. They all calmed down and decided that it would be safer to be quiet so he didn't beat them all up.

They all went back to doing what they were doing before Natsu and a Wendy showed up and it only took a few minutes before they finally realized something. They hadn't been yelled at or scolded by Erza yet and by now she would have done it at least twice.

They looked around to see if she had been eating a whole strawberry cake because that would have been the only explanation to why she hadn't yelled at them yet but they saw no signs of her.

"If your looking for Erza I would stop trying because she's still at Fairy Hills sleeping." Cana said while drinking some juice.

"She said the same thing Mira said when we tried to wake her up and she was so tired she couldn't even get mad at us for walking into her room without her consent." Cana continued.

The guild stayed silent for a few more seconds and slowly turned their heads to Natsu who was sitting next to Makarov and talking to him. Natsu noticed them staring so he turned his head to look at them and once they stared at each other for another few seconds the guild suddenly yelled

"THANK YOU!"

Natsu just grinned and yelled back "YOUR WELCOME" even though he still thinks he really didn't do anything. He went back to his conversation with Makarov who still had little Wendy on his shoulders and for the rest of the day the guild was able to relax and goof around like they used too before Erza or Mira had come along.

It took another 24 hours before both Erza and Mira were back in the guild and they were still sore from the training with Natsu. Even though they only trained with him once they could already tell that they had gotten a little stronger than before thanks to Natsu insane training strategy.

They decide they would train with Natsu once a month as a kind of test to see how far they had gotten and to see how long they could last before passing out due to exhaustion. Wendy's training also began to improve as she began to be able to keep up with Natsu in the physical training so he was beginning developing a training regimen for her that would involve magic which made Wendy super excited.

Another few months passed like it was nothing and soon enough the time for the S-class exams were right around the corner. Natsu himself had gone on lots of jobs by himself and then he would also take lots jobs with the team he had made with Erza and Mira. Thanks to the training for Wendy he had been able to finally take her out on her very first job with him.

It had been a kind of brother-sister bonding type thing so Natsu had only taken Wendy with him for her first job which she had been excitingly anticipating ever since Natsu had told her he would take her on one.

Of course the job was a success and even though they had destroy some property they were still given all of the reward because Wendy herself had apologized to the man who sent the job and he couldn't get mad at someone who was just so cute.

Once they returned Wendy was so excited she want to go on another one right after but Natsu said that she should rest a little before going on the next one. Wendy then said that she wasn't tired but once Natsu picked her up and put her head on his shoulder she fell asleep in a matter of seconds.

Soon enough the S-class exams were less than a week away so Erza and Mira temporarily stopped going on missions with Natsu and began to go on job after job by themselves just so they could guaranteed being a S-class candidate.

Natsu himself took jobs often to make sure he had money saved up just in case something were to happen to their house or something. He didn't think he would become an S-class candidate because he was so new so he didn't put too much effort into trying to convince Makarov in making him one but he still went on a lot of jobs.

At the end of the week Makarov called everyone who was apart of Fairy Tail for an announcement even though most people already knew what the announcement was.

"Alright everyone quiet down" Makarov yelled while standing on the stage. The curtain behind him was close and all of the lights were of except the one that was pointed at Makarov.

"Today is the day I will select the S-class candidates who will compete in the S-class trials. As you know the winner of the S-class trials will become an S-class wizards. But I want you to know, just because you become an S-class wizards doesn't mean you are better than everyone who isn't an S-class wizard. It's just means that you have had the conviction to be come stronger for the sake of others."

"Now this years S-class candidates are " Makarov began and waited a few seconds to make sure everyone was listening before he listed off the candidates.

"Erza Scarlet" Erza was not one to show much excitement or other emotions but this time she jumped for joy.

"Mirajane Strauss" Mira yelled "YES" in the background but Makarov ignored her.

"Cana Alberona" Cana stayed quiet but had a small smile on her face.

"And last but not least, Natsu Dragneel." Everyone gave Makarov a look of surprise but before anyone could question him the curtain behind him opened and show Gildarts and the teenage boy who's name Natsu learned was Laxas and was also the Makarov grandson. Natsu had talked to him a little bit and he seemed nice but he wasn't around very much.

"Now for this years S-class trials those who have been chosen will be put on the outer edge of Magnolia and must try and proceed towards the center. In the center of the city will a large trophy that will have the Fairy Tail symbol on it and the one who grabs it and brings it back here will become the next S-class mage."

"But don't think that is all there is to it. In the city the citizens have been temporarily moved out of town so we can set up lots of traps and magic puzzles you must escape or solve in order to proceed. Also, the S-Class Mages behind me will be walking around the city and if you encounter them or any of the other participants in the trails, you have 2 choices ; defeat them or run away. If you are defeated then you are out of the S-class trial. If no ones makes it to the trophy then the two candidates who are the nearest to the trophy will have a 1v1 battle to determine who become an S-class mage."

The guild seemed excited for this S-class trial but then Natsu asked "Umm I'm glad I was able to become an S-class candidate but Master don't you think there are other people who deserve to be one more then me. I've only been here at Fairy Tail for a few months and there has to be people who have been here longer that deserve this more."

"Do not worry Natsu, I have evaluated everyone who is apart of Fairy Tail and I have deemed you worthy to become an S-class candidate so prepare for the trails because it will start tomorrow that 10 o'clock sharp." Makarov said before he quickly turned around and walked back to his office along with Gildarts and Laxas.

Not 2 seconds after Makarov disappeared in his office all of the kids at fairy tail surrounded Natsu.

"Wow, you really are strong." Levy said in awe.

Natsu smiled normally and said "I'm not that strong"

But as soon as he said that Wendy told him "Yes you are Natsu-nii , your the strongest and best Onii-san in the world."

Everyone who heard laughed wholeheartedly by Wendy's sweet way of seeing her brother. Natsu laughed as well before he pick her up and put her on his shoulders.

"Alright fine, lets go home. I'm going to need some rest for tomorrow's trails."Natsu said.

Both of them said goodbye to their guildmates and walked back to their home. Natsu gave Wendy a bath before he put her to bed and then went to bed himself.

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Natsu stood where he had been put at the edge of the city waiting for Makarov to start the event. He was still surprised he managed to become a S-class candidate even though he barley done anything. Still if he was given a chance he was going to do his best.

Suddenly Natsu heard Makarov voice which was being projected from speakers all over town. There was also cameras everywhere so the citizens and rest of Fairy Tail members could watch as a wizards become a new S-class Mage.

"Alright it's time for the S-class trials shall begin." Makarov voice boomed throughout Magnolia. "Once the count down hits zero those participating shall begin to head towards the trophy. I wish all of you good luck."

Then his voice disappeared and a giant countdown starting from 15 showed up in the middle of the sky so everyone could see. Natsu waited patiently for it to hit zero and as he waited he closed his eyes. He took deep breath after deep breath and everything seemed to slow down.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

"GO!" Was heard throughout Magnolia and was said by Makarov.

Natsu's eyes shot open and he launched forward at full speed.

The S-class Trials have begun.

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Hello Tigerstriker here, sorry for the late update. I wanted to post this yesterday but for some reason I couldn't sign in.

Anyway I'm going to update my Akame ga kill fanfiction next so look out for that

With that,

Tigerstriker out