Chapter 23: The First Phase

"Sadistic? I don't mind you calling me that. If you don't want to get hurt, don't attack me when I say not to."- Inoue Orihime

EDIT 12/18/16 : Thank you so much to Crazyhands12 for pointing that out, you are completely correct about Makarov. I quite honestly forgot all about that in my haste with the other parts, so I tried to at least edit this to make a bit more sense. It's still a stretch of character, but I would rather not twist the whole thing around. Again, I appreciate it!

The moon had long risen the night before the trial, a ship rocking its steady pace back and forth as it carried forth the four S class trial guardians. Makarov had elected to stay behind in order to guide the competitors into the trial, so the four were travelling alone on the regular traveler's boat.

To say that Toshiro was thankful for Wendy's constant healing was an understatement, as he looked upon the ocean while feeling only the slightest twinges of discomfort. While willpower had always gotten him far enough to not seem pathetic, he had ever been good with movement before she had begun to cast her miracles. So now he could enjoy the view for as long as he pleased- enjoy and contemplate, he supposed.

[The white cat in front of him seemed uncomfortable, though not without reason. The two had never had a good relationship, only one filled with suspicion, doubt, misunderstanding, and irritation- though the grudging respect was always present. Toshiro knew well what the cat thought of him, and Carla was all too aware that she was justified considering what she had just heard of his background, yet all the same there she stood about to confide in him.

"I'm sure Wendy has already told you about my visions." she stated plainly.

Toshiro only roe an eyebrow. "She told me that things do not go well, though no details were given."

Carla nodded at this. "Considering what we just learned, I feel you ought to know. I will cut to the chase." She paused, but then moved on with ease. "I saw your likely demise."

He shifted his weight to his right side. "Is that so?"

"Yes. The sky was red, and the island had been attacked. There was a large figure and though it wasn't clear it was a clear calamity, and I saw you. You had fallen, I do not know if you were alive or not." her eyes darkened. "But they were screaming."

She did not beat around the bush in her information, it was clear as day what her meaning in this was- to recognize and prevent. Toshiro didn't bother showing outward shock, instead absorbing the information into his brain. "I see. This is why you didn't want her to participate?"

"It is." she sighed "She has grown very fond of you. To see such a thing will shake her beyond repair. But she won't have it, and her good heart has pulled her into this mess without heeding my warnings."

The boy nodded. "Yes, she's with Gryder, correct?" At Carla's noncommittal nod he continued. "In return I suppose I should tell you my own findings, I have reason to suspect he is not what he seems…" He continued to explain his thoughts, and she listened with utmost pragmatism. The plan was laid out and similar to a negotiation's end they nodded to one another, before parting with the highest formality possible. It was an information exchange, nothing more.]

Of course, immediately it was Ichigo and Rangiku who were told of this conversation. Rangiku had been furious at first, going on about threats and attacks, all while Ichigo had grown antsy and irritated for the rest of that day. Naturally, it had been the deciding factor that for the S class trial they would attend, though unfortunately they had to go along with the participants rather than with the guardians that night and would be required to stay on the boat for the entirety of the trial. They had also contacted the Soul Society, informing them of a need to rush upon which they reported back that the connection would be established any day now, provided stabilization was possible.

If I die too early, Toshiro mused, the back of his mind recognizing the morbidity of the thought, I might miss my chance to return. If I can hold out for long enough that the connection lasts, then that would be for the best- though the best option would be simply to live. He sighed, watching the smiling moon with passive eyes. It is very well possible she saw an artificial body. That would explain the uncertainty.

He tried to ignore the taunting laughter ringing in the back of his mind.

"Lovely out, isn't it?"

Toshiro turned to the redhead with a withering gaze. "Rather hot for the winter, don't you think?" In truth, he doubted she felt it. Considering her choice of clothing, which constituted very little, he was sure that she could somehow find a nonexistent breeze. Sure enough, she shrugged and simply leaned a bit more on the railing where he was perched, legs hanging in the open air.

"How are you feeling?"

"The same as always, Scarlet. Nothing has changed."

She raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "I beg to differ. Ever since those two arrived you have been much more relaxed. I think it was good for you."

"Well I was bound to. Those two give me no other option, you should see them at the home."

Erza simply smiled. What she said was very true, and the starkest change in the boy had been in fact he's actually going to sleep with Ichigo and Rangiku for the nights rather than labor over tedious paperwork. While his training regimen had only grown harsher, he was at the very least sleeping and eating once again. Rangiku had once mentioned in an offhand manner that he probably did so much of the work to distract himself from all his problems, and now that the paperwork was all done for the next six months he had finally resigned to rest in relief. She suspected that having been "outed" about his situation had done some good.

Though Erza also suspected that the complete demolition of a weak but honorless thug group had done some good too.

She had to admit he had most certainly improved. He had taken to sword training with Ichigo, though it was debatable who was training who at times as they each took opportunity to critique each other whenever possible. Ichigo had been proven as a man who was much more than he seemed- of a greater power scale than they had ever seen before. After a match in private with Gildarts, the two had come back though it was impossible to tell who had come as the victor as they both decided to keep silent. The power of Shinigami… she mused. It truly is amazing.

From the reserved cabin, Mira's voice called to the pair to tell them that dinner was ready, and so the boy turned to hop off the rail before being stopped by a hand. He turned to the woman, eyes passive as ever.

"I'm happy for you, Hitsugaya."

He gave her a weird look before shaking his head and hopping off the rail. He brushed himself off and shook his head as if she had said something playful, heading for the cabin door where warm light opened its welcoming arms, the smell of food a beautiful aroma.

Dinner was simple, something meant to fuel energy and restore morale. The four had taken to speaking about nonsensical things, electing to the unspoken law of "no business talk at the dinner table." And so, it was only expected that Gildarts leaned over to Toshiro soon enough, to ask a simple question.

"So, Shiro, you mind telling us a bit about your time with Rangiku? Not the one at the guild, the one you trained with."

Not expecting the question, the boy's wide eyes blinked in confusion before recognition crossed them. A faint darkness crossed before he shrugged, finishing his bite before beginning.

"Well, we were a group of three. Rangiku and I were both apprentices, though she was with him much longer than I was. Our master was Master Shiba. He was… unique." He paused, as if trying to find correct words. "We spent most of our time in a portable cabin Master had gotten from a friend of his, it was comfortable but could also fit in a pocket."

"I bet your Master was just like you," Gildarts granted. "Crabby and stern."

To this the boy gave an undignified snort. "Him? Stern? Only when it comes to sweets- he was an idiot." the boy launched into a mini rant, scowl growing as he explained how the man had taken up the role as the "father" of the two apprentices, how he was always fond of dramatics, and had a tendency to attack them as a form of welcome or awakening. He recounted a time when the man had decided that to test their agility they would play "tag" in which the loser did all the bills, or when Rangiku had turned of age and tried her first sake, and how it had been night after drunken night from then on.

By the time they had finished their dinner the remaining three were smiling and chuckling, engaging in conversation around the strange interactions of Toshiro's old life, and as Toshiro calmed himself down he sighed. "The two aren't all that different, really. Both are lazy and love to waste money on pointless things, and have that annoying habit."

There was a snort from Gildarts, he knew well what the habit was, for Rangiku Matsumoto loved to hug the boy with as much affection as she can muster, regardless of whether he could breathe in her cleavage or not.

Mira giggled girlishly. "Well, she is very affectionate!"

"She reminds me a bit of Juvia, actually." Erza mused. "Perhaps not hopelessly in love, but very straightforward in her affections to be sure."

Toshiro shivered. "Scarlet, please do not say such things… the imagery isn't very welcome."

This had all for them in suppressed chuckles- this was their style. None of the were very boisterous, but perhaps that was for the best. Once they had all pitched in the cleaning of the table, the group made their way to the shared living quarters- they hadn't bothered with separating rooms by gender since it was a cabin with bunks- neither of the women were exactly shy- and changed for bed. Toshiro watched the sky from his perch in the top bunk above Mira, though none of them were truly ready to sleep.

Gildarts sighed. "So, what are your plans for tomorrow?"

Understanding the ques, Toshiro reached into his small bag for a wad of papers. As Makarov had not accompanied them, the boy had been sent along the full plans for the trial. Since he already had worked with them, the man figured there was no one better to hold them.

"The first trial is the simplest, we'll be using the set of caverns on the shore. It's supposed to test character and battle prowess." Toshiro drawled, watching as Erza turned with a raised eyebrow while Gildarts lay on his back with hands supporting his head on the upper bunk.

"They are very sturdy, it's ideal." Erza nodded in approval.

"Yes," he agreed, continuing. "Each path will lead to one of the following scenarios. A tag battle against another set of competitors, a battle with a guardian, or a serenity route meaning to test adaptability. There will be three guards to battle, and the last is in charge of providing the serenity test." He looked up from his papers. "There are no names. I suppose we decide amongst ourselves?"

"For all the planning he did that old man left a lot of stuff for us to do…" Gildarts grumbled.

"Well, if you don't mind I would like to be one of the battles." Mira said, and though he couldn't see her Toshiro imagined her sickly sweet smile. She probably just wanted to shock the poor soul she had to face.

"I do as well." Erza piped in soon after. "I'm best suited to showing them the battle skill required of an S class."

Gildarts sighed and turned one eye to Toshiro. "It's you or me, Mr. Boy Genius."

Toshiro sighed. "I'll take serenity. I have a few ideas to float around…"

At this the three perked up. "Already?" To this he shrugged. At their persistent urging eventually did spill his ideas, and thankfully with their input a secure plan was made. Gildarts laughed.

"Whatever poor sucker gets the serenity route will probably wish they got a fight."

Truly, the supposed elites of Fairy Tail had their own brand of humor.

Scorching heat wasn't something that Ichigo could say he was expecting, especially considering it had been snowing less than a week ago, but all the same here he was sitting on the deck wearing only a pair of shorts hoping that he wouldn't' pass out on the spot.

Even more strange was Rangiku's lack of care for the situation, he had expected her to worry about her "luscious pale" skin and scurry to "save her complexion" but she needed to be perfectly fine when questioned, simply stating that the Soul Society had regular heat waves due to their current commander in chief and that this paled in comparison.

Yet, even more surprising still, was Natsu's suffering. They had thought that the fire mage would thrive in such conditions, considering how Toshiro had always had such an aversion to any temperatures above freezing, but the boy seemed to still be suffering from the usual effects. Even more worrisome was the state of Gray Fullbuster who had decided to forego any use of clothing whatsoever, nor was he too bothered by this fact. Despite the presence of child on the boat.

Rangiku was milling around trying to make casual conversation with the participants who were so drenched by sweat that they couldn't coherently form words, with the exception of a few who were unaffected by the heat such as a certain Juvia Lockser- whose whole body was supposedly made entirely of water anyway. Meanwhile, Ichigo had elected to spend his time indulging in the conversations he had with Toshiro a few nights ago.

["So let me get this straight," Ichigo sighed, having already gone through the usually steps of utter panic and shock before calming down. He was ashamed to say that despite technically being the adult of the situation he was then one to have freaked out the most at Toshiro's information, while the boy simply watched on with vague interest in wide teal eyes from the bed. "You got taken over by some weird magic device, beat the shit out of your friends, then got turned back, and from then on you had a voice in your head that keeps taunting you and lending you power?"

The boy nodded.

"Has it said anything threatening?" He asked, voice lower.

A cock of a white topped head was his response. "Like what?"

"Like… trying to take over?" He suggested, at which the boy mused for a while before shaking his head 'no'.

"Nothing of the sort. It is annoying but seems more interested in keeping me alive so I can be of use to whoever sent me here." He said with a shrug. "I thought he may have been born from the Nirvana, but I cannot put a reason to the theory." Ichigo looked curiously at Rangiku as the boy spoke, eye curious. The woman however, only closed her eyes before speaking.

"You said Nirvana can corrupt a person or purify them?" She asked, at which the boy gave another nod. "Then it is possible it corrupted your soul, theoretically. Your soul began to internalize a hollow-like conscience, but when you shifted back it couldn't manifest so it just lives in you… it would at least explain your reiatsu influx around that time and onward… but I don't know if that's all too possible either."

Toshiro shifted uneasily. "You mean to say have internally nurtured a hollow and used power from one?"

"No." Ichigo said quickly. "No. No… it doesn't feel like it. If it's there it's pretty weak." he neglected to mention to the boy that he was still horrible at sensing spiritual power, but Rangiku was nodding along in agreement so he could only assume it didn't' quite matter too much. He groaned to himself, thinking of his own mental struggles in those years. It had been maddening, something that had nearly driven him to a breaking point of madness and hopelessly- and now Toshiro was dealing with something similar and Ichigo could feel his elder brother instincts screaming in outrage.]

Toshiro… Ichigo vowed to himself, arm extended to the cloudless sky. I won't let it get to that, it'll be okay. I swear on my life.

Soon enough the island was in sight- and what a strange island it was, shrouded in greenery and a constant glow of gold, with what seemed to look like another miniature island at the center with a grandiose tree sitting at the top overlooking everything below it. It was the very picture of a "sacred ground" where Ichigo wasn't entirely sure he felt comfortable holding such trials. Not that we're even allowed near it. He thought somewhat sourly. Seriously, how are we supposed to do anything preventative if we're going to confined to this stupid boat the whole time?

Just as the participants begun to take notice of the great landmark, Makarov elected to make his appearance in some of the most casual attire Ichigo had ever seen on the man, a simple vacation shirt and shorts on what could have been an imposing form had it not been for his small size standing on the highest deck. He began to explain the trial, pulling out a map which caught Ichigo's attention. Naturally they hadn't been told anything, so all they knew was that Toshiro and the other guardians left the previous night to set up for the trial today.

The path was simple, marked from one to eight each leading to different situations. One was simply labelled "combat", and had two paths leading to a single chamber. It was safe to say that the two teams would have to fight. The second was called "serenity" with only a small path, and the third was "Intense combat", featuring a large question mark.

"What's intense combat?" Lisanna wondered aloud. "There's just big question marks."

"Serenity route? What's that supposed to mean?" Loke muttered, Gray nodding beside him. Behind Ichigo, Rangiku sat up and smiled impishly- a look that worried the strawberry immensely.

Makarov grinned. "You will have to pick one of these random routes, leading to one of three situations. First is combat, which is self-explanatory. Only the victorious of the two teams may proceed." he pointed to the large question mark closes to him. "Intense combat is where the team will do battle with a S class guardian, though even I do not know who is in the tunnels."

"But there are only three intense combat routes, will one of them not be fighting?" Lisanna asked, at which Makarov shrugged.

"That is what they have decided, I had no control over it." He moved to the third route, calming the exclamations of horror. "The final option is the serenity route. No combat will be performed on this path, but that is not to say you won't be tested in some other fashion…"

Rangiku giggled again. "I bet Captain is on the serenity route" she hissed. "He always preferred to provide psychological challenge than to simply beat people into submission."

Ichigo paled at the thought. He knew the child could be childish, he had heard the rumors around squad ten about the occasional time he would toss new recruits into an ambush maze set up by the seated officers- just for the sake of "examination."

Even worse, this Toshiro was just as imaginative as the old one, if his humor was anything to go by.

"So, who do you think we got?" Cana asked, looking around the narrow caverns curiously. The walls were a constant, direction never changing die to the very last crystal, it was as if they had made no progress at all. With the entrance closed, there was honestly no way to know if they were moving.

"I hope we don't have to fight a guardian…" Lucy moaned, hugging her chest. "They're all way too strong."

"I could agree with that." Cana sighed. "As much as I hate to say it we might be headed for one though. No point is such huge tunnels for a tag battle, right?"

"Oh no… but wait! Couldn't we also be on the serenity route?"

"I guess… but I kinda doubt i- huh?" Lucy looked curiously at what had caused Cana to cut off in such a way.

On the ground sat an innocent looking sheet of ice- completely invisible besides it's reflection of the crystal's light. Had it not, they surely would have slipped.

The two girls paled at the implication.

Lucy shook her head. "It's Gray and Loke! This will be easy!"

"If it was them they would have come for us by now." Cana pointed out, staring at the ice which seemed to seal her fate. "Get ready for the worst."

"No way, our luck can't be that bad!"

Even as she said it they continued forward, noticing that the cold was becoming much more apparent, ice so potent that they spiked the walls, small flakes giving the illusion of mist, fogging their vision until they could see nothing more than silhouettes of each other.

Their footsteps seemed to subside, no longer echoing through the walls and rather replaced by a faint ringing that wasn't unlike that of bells, a calm and peaceful feeling that pervaded the senses- both numbing them and putting them on high alert creating a maddening frenzy of confusion. Her heart felt normal, yet something seemed so completely wrong with the change that eerie lights were the last of her worries.

"What even is this? I can't see anything." Cana mumbled, Lucy giving a faint affirmative of lacked information from somewhere behind her.

A sharp pull on her back is what got her. She whipped around and lashed out immediately, cards at the ready for battle before she halted herself. Nothing was there, she was safe. There was no white haired child with a sword at her back.

There was also no Lucy.

"Hey, Lu! Where'd you go?" Cana called out, her voice echoing across the caverns to mix with the faint ringing of the crystals.

"I'm right here, can't you see me?" Came Lucy's voice, faint and somehow still behind her. But I was ahead of her just now… she turned again, to find someone was indeed looking at her- though it did not look like Lucy.

She saw herself instead, a perfect image of her frame, down to the confused eyes. Stepping forward, she touched the smooth surface of ice, the ringing of bells almost beckoning her closer.

The pain was like no other as she recoiled- she had been burned, it was so cold. She looked warily at her fingers, the nails had been iced through and were crumbling away leaving jagged ends- the cold completely having numbed her tips. She hissed in pain, only vaguely hearing the warning from Lucy to step back.

The ice soon broke away, shards only barely missing the two humans as Cana watched to axe cut through. In place of her reflection (it seemed to have shown a moment of horror- was it her own?) stood a towering bull known as Tauros, a celestial spirit. He gave a moo of praise before returning, leaving a concern filled Lucy in front of her.

"Cana, are you ok? You look like you saw a ghost."

Cana shook her head, reassuring herself. "I'm fine."

She was clearly unconvinced, but thankfully remained silent. She propped her head on her hand as if in deep thought. "I wonder though… if this was really Toshiro's work then Tauros shouldn't have been able to shatter that. Nothing he makes breaks unless someone uses more power than he puts into the ice, he loses too much power, or he lets us break it."

"You think Tauros could shatter it cause he's a spirit? Even if he's crazy strong there's so much a human can stand, yeah?"

Lucy seemed to ponder this for a long moment, delving into such deep thought Cana began to grow worried. She held up a hand and snapped, though even then Lucy didn't jump like Cana expected, rather blinked slowly before smiling. She gave a reassuring word before telling Cana to come with her to move on, and Cana did so.

Or tried to.

She felt her body fall into contact with something smooth and cold, letting out a yelp of pain before moving away in fear of the previous contact's results. She felt her head and sighed realizing that her forehead was not crumbling away, before looking at the barrier in front of her. While once completely unnoticed it now shone mischievously as if laughing at a joke- the surface unmarred.

"Cana?"

Lucy turned back, running forward before running into the very same wall. "Ow…" she whimpered, having fallen to the floor from the force. "A wall?"

"Yeah…" Cana mused. "It's so thin, we didn't even realize it was there."

"What do we do?"

"Try breaking it, obviously."

Lucy blinked, before nodding. She called out for Tauros once again, who let out a loud moo and began his flirtatious greeting, to which there was an easy dismissal and order. He turned to the barrier and raised his axe, bringing it down only to disastrous results.

The ringing crystals seemed to protest, each beginning to pulsate and ring in high erratic pitches. The crystalline structures revered and rang, echoing throughout the entire cavern to a deafening level. Lucy yelled for the spirit to return, and he did so- as soon as he was gone the sound disappeared, calm ringing still ever present.

Lucy panted, removing her hands that had moved to her ears. "What the heck just happened?!"

"No way, he did not even make a dent?!" Cana put a hand to the surface, still smooth as ever. The cold bite remained, vibration pricking up her arm like a rushing wave causing her to immediately recoil.

Lucy put a hand to her chin. "We then this has to be Toshiro's work… so we just have to break this barrier, right?" She gasped, seeming to have dramatically realized something important. "Of course! It must be a puzzle! That sounds like something he would do right?"

At this Cana simply frowned. "Knowing him it might just be a bit more than that…" She looked around, glaring at the unassuming mist that hindered her progress. "More than just this barrier…"

"More? But like what? A code?"

Cana paused, before pulling out a card. It was simple, with red designs all over it. She turned to Lucy. "Stand back and cover your ears, just in case." The blonde did so easily, backing away before putting her hands to her ears while looking on with curious eyes.

She fired off the cards with practiced ease, the flick of the fingers as natural as breathing and of course the cards obeyed her commands. They flew, engulfing in flames before making contact with the barrier which once again began to shriek in protest. The ringing intensified, building and building but the cards stayed put- at least Cana assumed from her new spot kneeling on the ground with blurred vision. She forced her eyes open and sure enough she saw what she feared.

The light from the flames was engulfing- she did not expect the barrier to fall, nor melt, for that would be underestimating the opponent- and to her surprise reflecting from wall to wall off of what they now saw were a maze of shining mirrors of ice, some reflecting and some showing what was beyond to create a bright rain of color across the cavern. Had it not been for the piercing pain in her ears she would have thought the scene beautiful.

The cards fell off after prompt exploding, naturally they did not leave a dent on the surface but it did not matter, they had revealed something new.

"Ow…" Lucy moaned, "Cana what was the point of that?"

Of course, Cana reminded herself, Lucy was still squinting from pain. It all makes sense.

"I figured something out." Cana said, testing her voice which seemed shaky and much softer than before. "Lu, this isn't a single barrier. It's a maze."

"A maze? Made of ice?"

Cana nodded to "Lucy" who was now flickering in the light. "Yeah. It's a light trick, and since its disturbed when we hit the ice he made it so we instinctively close our eyes and don't discover the trick."

She watched as Lucy's eyes widened in realization.

"Oh! I get it now!" She looked around before putting a hand to her chin, and began to muse. "So the light is refracting and reflecting in the ice like a prism depending on thickness and angle- he made it so we would see each other and assume it's a barrier!"

"And that was what the original breaking was," Cana was scowling now, she hated the feeling of being played, "to add to the illusion and set up the trap. We were doomed the moment we got too far away from each other."

"Typical of Hitsugaya…" Lucy pouted. "But to get all those angles to pull this off… it's genius!"

"He is a prodigy, you know. So how are we gonna get out without losing our eardrums?" Cana asked, feeling idea after idea dwindle away as her voice echoed through the cavern, the crystals glinting playfully.

Lucy hummed, putting a hand to her chin. Now that Cana looked properly, it seemed obvious that she was distorted, though whether it was a reflection or seeing her through the wall seemed impossible to tell. "So when we touch the walls we freeze, and when we hut them they try to incapacitate us, so we have to avoid contact with the walls at all costs...oh! I got it!" She grinned pulling out a golden key, one that Cana recognized.

"Open! Gate of the Maiden!"

The shining light once again glimmered through the cavern, passing through each and every angle once again, though Cana was still as thoroughly confused as before even when she saw the ice. If it were mirror that was one thing, but light can either reflect or pass through ice.

She could faintly hear the sound of a feminine voice- surely the one of the celestial maid Virgo- asking what she can assist with, upon which came Lucy's oh-so-enthusiastic voice telling the maiden to dig underground and find the way out. Cana held down a smile at the thought- it was so smart and incredibly Lucy-esque, yet she had feeling if they could cheat the maze like that then the boy prodigy was a lover of the summer.

Sure enough, there was a loud sound and for a split second Cana saw red as the spirit was thrust from the ground into the nearest icy barrier- causing screams of protest as the blonde called Virgo back into her gate. The sounds stopped and once again they were panting as there used ears throbbed from strain.

"Forgot he could… do that…" Cana panted. "Have I mentioned that this kid is insane?"

Lucy nodded. "But what should we do?" She yelled out in frustration. "If we walk around aimlessly we'll go deaf!"

"Then we'll wander around with a light on!" Cana called back. "We'll have to try location with our voices- oh Shit-" Cana swore as her fingers grazed an icy wall, though thankfully no sound came. "This mist really isn't helping…."

...

"Lu! Call out if you can hear me!"

Infuriatingly, her voice still echoed in the cavern. She faintly heard the girl reply, though from where was completely indiscernible. Cana looked around, hating the mist that seemed to pervading matter what she did, and that continued to mask the icy sheen that would save her. It was when she heard footsteps that she turned, only for the steps to halt and for the silent ringing to take its role. She blinked, and for a moment her heart racing in horror and anticipation at the sight of white hair and ruthless eyes of vivid teal, filled only with killing intent that was emphasized by the ice's shine. She blinked again and it was gone.

"Get your head out of the gutter. We're fine, just find the way out." She told herself. But we'll have to fight him when we get out. Her mind supplied. Do I really want that? She shook he head. What am saying? I have to! I have to make it to S class, and if being S class means beating him, then I'll be damned if this maze gets me.

Just as she made this affirmation, she felt something underneath her shift and jumped away before her mind could even process it. Her cards were poised before she dared to look down, shocked to see a small snowman like creature smiling up at her- more like a grimace- with a not-so-out-of-place shivering throughout its body. "Huh? Plue?" That's one of Lucy's spirits.

The creature nodded, before pointing upward. She blinked and did as she was told, her gaze intensifying as indeed there seemed to be something was different. She squinted, just making out the small engravings in the ceiling of starry crystal through the misty lights. It was barely there, but she could see the traces of small engravings that formed a path- the same path she had been following. She could barely contain her excitement, was it really that simple?

"Lucy!"

She heard the blonde respond this time, though it seemed rather distant- how large was the place anyway?

"Look at the ceiling- it's giving us a path!" she called, eyes never leaving the ceiling as she walked.

"There is?!" Lucy yelled out in shock. "I never noticed it!" Cana grinned, feeling relief in her bod swell, and she took the chance to look back down, though soon she regretted it- her world began to crash once again.

Ruby gem-like eyes stared back at her, the face of a beast all she could make out in the mirror in front of her. Part of her mind screamed it was an illusion, and part of it was registering the icy breaths it was taking, hat it was breathing on her. It did nothing, just stared ad she was rooted to the spot as Lucy called back.

"I don't see them! What do they look like?" Cana heart was racing. Plue you didn't bother telling your own mage about it before me? She then looked around, only to see that the spirit was gone- like it had never existed- though the dragon till persisted in her mind. She didn't dare look up, didn't dare look away as the dragon stood there- breath growing more pronounced.

"Th-They're engravings… I think. " Cana called back, feeling her assurance fading. "It's hard to make out but they should be there." the dragon seemed not to be pleased at the communication, she thought she could see the eyes darkening. But I can't shoot… if it's a mirror then we can't stand another of those hits…

"Cana I really don't see them… The ceiling is smooth. Are you sure?"

No, Cana thought, I'm not sure of anything anymore. When did I get so desperate? Did I really make it up for ease? She wanted to check, she wanted to affirm for herself if truly that was real, that Plue was real, that the path was real, but she didn't dare risk it. She stepped backward, only to feel her wrist gracing a wall. No… nonono…

She couldn't take it. She had to look, so she took out few cards and held them out. The dragon seemed to slow in its breathing, and she took a quick search of the ceiling above them. The engravings were still there, and she was sure they had grown much more pronounced. She let out a breath of relief, snapping her attention back to the dragon which had disappeared.

She blinked, and blinked again but the creature did not reappear. No breathing, no eyes only a path ahead of her. Cana sighed, almost laughed as the realization came to her. She looked up again at the engravings and then at the empty path.

She never thought she would be so happy she was alone.

On the nearest wall a large amount of cracking could be heard. She snapped her head toward it, seeing in shock that words were forming.

Your task is yours alone. Escape first and lead your partner to the exit without her being harmed. Only you can see the path that the stars have given- you are the one being tested.

Do not inform your partner of your task- this along with failure to complete the task will result in expulsion from the trial.

The ice shone, giving Cana a chance to read the mission before shattering on the spot ad melted away. Only one shard was left behind, which Cana picked up. It read "danger" though otherwise it was completely normal.

"I get it." she muttered. "I gotta get out first, then get Lcy out. Something's probably going to attack if he's giving me this. But..." She paused in her movements. "If I get out and guide her she'll be alone walking blind… maybe I should go find her… it would be more efficient." But if you do that,

"Cana? Can you hear me?" Lucy called out, the poor girl's voice sounding more concerned from the lack of response. Cana stiffened. Was she willing to risk Lucy's safety for the trial? Was she ready to betray her friend's safety? She knew full well that Toshiro didn't mess around.

A dark part of her mind said Yes, she is very willing. She will do anything for this. But efficiency was also an issue. Wouldn't it be better to go through together?

"Lu, could you send something in the air? Just above the ceiling." There was an affirmative as Lucy set to doing as Cana said, giving the later more time. I can still do it; it might just take a while… but she's going in blind. If she gets attacked I can't help her… She paused. I can't risk this trial. Nothing matters if I can't get this rank.

A cloud of pink fluff made its appearance much farther from the entrance than Cana was. "Okay! I'm going to try and find you!" She called out. "Stay put until say so, okay?"

Lucy offered a somewhat disgruntled comment on being bossed around but did as told. Cana paused for a moment, weighing her options before nodding and steeleing herself, walking in the opposite direction. She followed the engravings which seemed to glow in the humorous light of the crystalline maze, and it wasn't long later that Cana found herself in front of the entrance. She looked up at the ceiling where the designs remained- if only a bit duller than before. She looked farther, seeing the almost pitiful pink cloud still in its previous position. Lucy trusts me. This is just step one, I'm not doing anything wrong. She told herself. She began to map out the course to set Lucy on- now painfully aware that the engravings were fading away. She grew frantic, memorizing the movements the best she could.

I need to do something! Acting on instinct as her heart began to tremble in panic she pulled out a set of cards, letting them fly and land in the ceiling along the path she had traced. Lucy yelped, just as the engravings completely faded away.

"Cana? Was that you?"

"Follow that path!" Cana yelled out, forcing her voice into calm. "You should be able to get to me!" Lucy nodded, and Cana focused her gaze on the pink wool which had now begun to move around on the correct path.

Just then she felt a pull on her leg. "Huh?" she wondered, looking down at the source before jumping away.

It was a miniature dragon, nothing like the imposing creature that she had seen before but rather like a baby- eyes bright but still the unmistakable ruby red. It seemed to be scratching at something on the ground, but upon being seen by Cana it tensed and padded towards the maze. It nuzzled one of the walls and ice began to form and shift- Cana felt her very instincts screaming.

"No don't!" She yelled, running for the dragon who had melted into the ice- the exit now completely sealed.

"Don't what?" Lucy called, still walking. Cana was fumbling now, fumbling for the shard she had picked up earlier which was now glowing red- the word "danger" becoming much more pronounced as her blood ran cold.

"Lucy, run! Run as fast as you can along the path and don't stop!"

"Wat? Why? What's going on?"

"Just do it!"

Suddenly, a piercing scream ran through the cavern as the ringing of the crystals seemed to increase- not to a deafening point but rather a long continuous note. The wool was moving faster and faster along the wall, while Cana was gripping at the entrance muttering curse after curse. I should've gone with her, I should have gone with my gut, damn it, I set us up for failure… I bet that's Toshiro now coming to take us out one by one.

The wool was getting closer and now Cana could once again see Lucy's terrified figure running along the path she had given her. Cana could see everything behind them turning to ice- like a breath of wind as the serene blue light gave way to red. Soon Lucy had spotted her, she was right in front of her.

"Cana, is that really you?" Lucy asked, still seeming confused. "There's no more path left! But there's a barrier…"

"Lucy." Cana mumbled. "It's me. Right in front of you. This is the exit."

"But it's a barrier! How-"

"It let me through... Then next thing I know it's sealed... " I let it seal up. I wasn't fast enough, now I'll fail and Lucy's going to get hurt- maybe killed.

The shard was pulsing in her back pocket, while Lucy was incredulous. "But what about me? Cana I have to get out somehow, there's something in here!"

"I know I know! Give me a minute…" Cana groaned. "You said these things only break when it's overwhelmed right? He probably put a good amount of power into this maze so if we work together we might be able to smash it."

"But what about the noise?"

"What would you rather?" Cana snapped. "Get killed here or go on with life being deaf?"

She paused, turning back to the area behind her before gulping. "I guess… we have to." Cana nodded at this, taking out her cards, while Lucy took out Aquarius's key. Seeing this Cana elected to also take out one of her water based this, she allowed water to seep through the smallest of cracks and thankfully it was just enough a Lucy smiled.

"On the count of three we have to fire at it as much as we can- give it everything we have and don't stop until it cracks. Okay?" Lucy nodded, summoning mermaid was naturally mad, but seemed to understand the situation.

"You owe me for this, you bimbo." Aquarius drawled, taking aim. Lucy nodded, looking over her shoulder with panic filled eyes.

"Three..two… one…" Cana braced herself, realizing these may be the last sounds she hears and braced herself. "Start!"

The pain was deafening, ice screaming louder and louder as the whole cavern protested their attacks. She fired card after card, Aquarius giving a continuous stream of water and her eyes began to haze over as something warm trickled down her ears. She could vaguely see the cracks forming when the ice shattered, leaving only darkness in her sight as everything went quiet and she knew no more.

…

When Cana awoke, she was in a bright clearing. Puffy clouds and a bright blue sky were a strange sight after seeming to live forever in that cavern, and she barely registered the fact that there was no longer any ringing but rather the sound of water against a shore.

She could hear.

She sat up, looking around to see that most of the group was surrounding her, with lucy's worried gaze trained on her.

"What... where are we?"

"Cana, you're alright!" Lucy practically yelled, and Cana barely registered the sound - too shocked that it existed- as she was pulled into a bone crushing hug.

"What happened? The barrier broke."

Lucy grinned. "That was the last of it. Toshiro got us out and healed us completely!" she clasped Cana's hand earnestly. "We did it! We made it through the first round!"

Cana furrowed her brow. "We … did? I thought we had to fight-"

"You took the serenity route, actually." Makarov said casually. "No fights involved."

"You serious?!" Cana gawked at the man, before turning to Toshiro who was cross-legged on the ground with an unreadable expression. "That was all a serenity route? That was super stressful!"

Toshiro shrugged from his spot on a nearby rock. "Such is the nature of the S class rank. You performed well all things considered."

"It's true, most people go insane from his puzzles at the very best!"

She paled, looking around at the people in the clearing. Gray and Loke had passed, along with Gajeel and Levy, as well as Natsu, Happy, Elfman, and Evergreen. Levy seemed worried.

"You guys were the last out and when you came out you were bleeding and unconscious. What happened?"

Cana bit her lip, but said nothing. She didn't exactly want to relive that moment, nor acknowledge just how much trust in her Lucy had. She didn't want to acknowledge anything at the moment, so instead she turned to the one thing she could always rely upon in times of need.

"I need a drink."

Kurotsuchi leaned back in his large chair. Tirelessly he had been working- they had been so close that he just couldn't stop. And now there he sat staring at the screen which read the simple word "Stabilized" which he had been yearning to see for months now.

"Nemu. Call for a meeting- it is done."

AN

As much as I appreciate Cana as an underrated character, I also haven't any experience writing her. I hope it went okay.

Also, yes, I am aware that the maze's properties were very outlandish- I'm also taking into account magic and the contribution of the other S class wizards in making it, while the idea itself was entirely Toshiro's. The idea of the light and illusions were predominantly psychological- they only show their true distortion when they accept that the distortion is there.

Besides that, I should throw out there something while I still have chapters left. I am considering sequel to this story! However, that is only if I find enough people would be interested in one. I'll probably open up a poll sometime after the next chapter release, but if anyone has thought on the idea feel free to let me know!

Hope you enjoyed!

-jenumire