A/N: Chapter 10 of Fairy Tail: Earth and Phantom. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own. Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Special thanks to those who have reviewed.

Chapter 10: Annual Fairy Challenge

Fairy Tail Guild...

"Listen up Fairies!" Makarov addressed his little children, their chatter quieted down immediately. "Today is the day, our annual one team challenge! This is Fairy Tail tradition that has been passed down for centuries. Since we never ever consider on letting rookies to participate, I'll let it slide just this time."

"Alright!" Natsu and Happy cheered the loudest.

"What is this challenge?" Lucy asked.

"Good question my dear," Makarov paused briefly to create suspense. " This challenge is for members of Fairy Tail only. Last time we had a magical mock battle and of course, Erza and Mira wiped the floor with everyone. This year I planned on like a scavenger hunt."

"BOOOOO!" Natsu called, earning a head-smack from Lucy to be quiet.

"Hold your tongue Natsu I'm not done. This scavenger hunt will require all of the members skills and everyone has to participate. Mira if you please."

"Yes Master." Mira propped open a huge map of Fiore.

"We are here," Makarov marked Fairy Tail with an X. " The objective is to go from Fairy Tail to the Rural Mountains and back," He traced the path with the marker. " Shouldn't be too hard except, you will have to answer riddles, fight monsters as well as rogue members from other guilds!"

"That's not so bad." Gray huffed.

"There will also be some S-class mages from your very own Fairy Tail guild participating in this. Their goal is to keep you from reaching your objective!"

"WHAT~?!"

"And now I'm gonna read this year's team that will go on this year's annual one team challenge! Drum roll please." Makarov coughed and opened up a scroll bearing the name of the team. "This year's team is...TEAM NATSU!"

"OOOOOHHHHH YEAH! I'm all fired up!" Natsu leaped onto tables, spewing fire all around. He jumped down and started dancing a victory dance.

"What did I get myself into?" Lucy rocked back and forth on the floor in misery.

"On one condition..." Makarov's voice stopped Natsu's victory dance mid-step. The members of Natsu looked at the master with wide eyes.

"You may only bring 5 people this year, Happy and Charle count as 2 people. That's all, you all are dismissed!"

Team Natsu's home...

The members crashed into the living room, all putting together their thinking caps to come up with the strongest team for this challenge."Let's see, we have," Lucy started counting off every single person on her fingers, "Lexi, Natsu, Happy, Gray, Erza, me, Wendy, Charle and Gajeel. We have 9 people..." Suddenly she got a really sneaky smile and said, "You can count me out this time! I'll hold down the fort until you guys return!"

"Not a chance Lucy," Erza popped Lucy's self-esteem bubble. "You have to participate because I know you will enjoy the experience."

"N-n-no it's okay Erza-san, I'll just...never mind." Lucy quickly shut her trap when Erza gave her a scary stare.

"It's settled then!" Natsu clenched his fist in victory, addressing the group. "The team will be me, Lucy, Erza, Happy and Lexi!"

"WHAT THE HELL SALAMANDER? WHY WEREN'T WE CHOSEN?" Gray and Gajeel exploded with rage. Wendy hugged Charle with glee.

"I don't wanna go on a trip with bastards like you!" Natsu fired back angrily.

"You wanna piece of me huh? I'll freeze that smirk right off your face!"

"I'll smash iron into your skull!"

"I'll torch you both and laugh at your humiliation!"

"ENOUGH!" Erza yelled and the three of them cringed toward the end of the room. "The choices are final. Gajeel, Gray, Wendy and Charle you guys will be in charge of the house while we're gone. That includes taking missions and paying rent. If we come back to see the house demolish or whatever..." Erza glared at them and made a chopping motion with her hand.

"Don't worry Erza-san, Charle and I will check them in charge!" Wendy smiled brightly. Erza nodded and went upstairs to get ready.

"Come on you guys, time to get ready!" Natsu and Happy rushed upstairs, followed by Lucy and Lexi. The members gathered by the front door once they were done. Erza had to get some help because of course she packs too much stuff and if anyone bugged her about it, she would cut their head off just like that.

"Happy get out the check list."

"Aye sir!" Happy took out a rolled parchment, pencil in hand.

"Luggage."

"Check!"

"Lucy."

"Check!"

"Erza."

"Check!"

"Lexi."

"Check!"

"Map and other important items."

"Check and check!"

"Move out troops!" Erza ordered and everyone trooped down the path, leaving their house to in Erza's mind, gullible people, Wendy not included.

A/N: Gonna stop here, more adventures coming soon! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter even though it was short! Please R&R!