Yosh! We're now officially beginning the Tenrou Island Ark. Of course, loads of angst and Fairy Tail fucking shit up as per usual, lol. Well, kind of. I think the blame's very much on Grimoire Heart this time around.

Well, let's get to it!

Enjoy!

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A scream echoed in the house. Kaelys instantly jumped to her feet, ready to rip the bathroom door off its hinges to go help Lucy, but Erik caught her before she could reach it.

Like, literally caught her. He grabbed her by the collar to lift her from the floor.

"W-what are you doing!? We've got-"

"She's fine, sheesh!" he protested, struggling to keep a hold of her as she kicked her legs around. "She's- stop moving already! She's fine!"

"No she's-"

"Look, if there was any danger, I would have heard it already. That drunkard from the Guild is in the bathroom with her, and they're talking now. Let them have their peace or else I won't hear the end of all of Sunshine's whining," he retorted, annoyed.

The teen went slack in his grip, and he sighed in relief, slowly putting her back on her feet.

"Cana's in the bathroom?" she then repeated, tilting her head to look at him. "Why didn't you tell Lucy-nee?"

"Because it's not my fucking problem, that's why. Now, are you going to barge in like a goddamn savage or will you drop it and go back to your meditating?"

"I-"

The door suddenly slammed open, and Cana walked in. Startled, the two snapped their eyes to the newcomer… only to freeze at the sight.

"… WHAT THE FUCK!? GET SOME DAMN CLOTHES ON!"

"They're bigger than mine…" Kaelys muttered, looking down at her chest. She knew that she'd never get any when compared to Lucy's, but she didn't think Cana would have even more than that. "I'm fifteen, shouldn't I be grown up already?"

'Kid, that's really not the problem right now. Though I gotta say, I greatly enjoy the view'

She instantly slapped an hand over her left eye to stop him from oggling.

'Aww, you're no fun'

"Don't you guys have booze here?" Cana headed for the kitchen, not caring about her nudity.

As she reached the other hallway, though, she ran into Macbeth. He blinked slowly, taking in her presence and appearance… before collapsing, a trail of blood running down his nose.

"Fucking closet pervert…" groaned Erik, rubbing his temples. He then grabbed the nearest blanket and threw it at the Card mage. "Cover yourself already!"

"Aw, is snake face actually shy?" snorted the brunette, wrapping herself in the warm blanket anyway. "Wait, don't tell me you're-"

"I'm not!" He growled. "It doesn't mean I enjoy seeing woman walking nude in the middle of my house!"

She eyed him, smirking. "Why, prefer men? That's okay, it's always fun to-"

"I don't swing that way!" He looked scandalized. "And I- stop picturing things, you depraved woman!"

Lucy came in, and took a moment to understand what was going on. Kaelys was sulking in the corner, muttering under her breath with a cloud of gloom floating above her head. Macbeth was passed out in the other hallway, blood flowing down his nose. Finally, Cana was barely covered with a blanket while teasing Erik, whose ears had turned a deep red.

"… okay I'm done for the night," she deadpanned.

Ignoring Erik's curses and pleas, the blonde left the living room without another look behind. The Poison Dragon Slayer would have to deal with it himself.

That'd teach him not to warn her when someone is in the bathroom with her.

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"You mean it's not the first time she'd done this?"

Kaelys took another sip of her orange juice.

The next day, after somehow surviving the… exhausting experience, Erik had exiled himself in the darkest corner of the Guild along with Gajeel to try and drown his trauma in some belladonna brew. Macbeth was sleeping on a stool at the bar, sometimes waking up with some blood leaking out of his nose. Lucy was next to him, handing him a tissue each and every time while discussing the issue with Mirajane.

Kaelys herself had decided to chat with the Thunder God Tribe. They didn't really have much time to talk since their mission together, and she didn't want the friendship she built up with them over the few days it lasted to wither.

The teen knew she'd never have friends to the same level of Lucy, Erik and Macbeth, even though Natsu, Gray and Erza were close behind. However, it didn't mean she couldn't make friends still. She liked Mirajane and Gajeel, and Bickslow, Evergreen and the-guy-she-still-can't-remember-the-name-of were really nice too. So, why isolate herself? She knew how that worked out the last time around, and it hadn't been pretty.

"… of the trials."

The girl blinked, realizing she had completely missed the last part of the conversation. She offered a sheepish grin.

"Sorry, I wasn't listening. You were saying?"

The green-haired man sighed. "I was saying that Cana has been in the Guild much longer than any of us. It has been a few years since she has started acting like this around this time of the year."

"What was that about 'trials'?"

"It's the S-Class trials," answered Evergreen, fanning herself. "They happen once a year, and they're always different."

"S-Class trials…?" echoed the teen, curious. "What are they for?"

"To determine which mages are worthy of becoming S-Class," answered Bickslow, his babies floating behind him.

"S-Class! S-Class!" they chanted.

"The Master chooses those who are allowed to participate," explained the leader of the little group. "It has been a while since we last had a S-Class mage, though. The only ones in our Guild are the Master, Gildarts, Erza and Mirajane. There was also Mystogan, before… well, before he left. And, technically speaking, all members of Oración Seis were too considered of such a rank, though it never was made official."

"S-Class is, like, super strong?" she scratched her head, still a little confused. "Are those trials so hard? I mean, I know those four are absolute monsters, but everyone is pretty strong too. I mean, look at you guys!"

Evergreen instantly flushed at the praise, hiding it behind her fan. The green-haired man smiled a little, while Bickslow laughed and ruffled her hair.

"Thanks, kiddo," he grinned, exposing his mark again. "But being a S-Class mage isn't just about strength, even if most tend to forget that."

"Is this why everyone has been rushing in and out of the Guild for the passed few days, with jobs in hands?" she then understood. "Because they think that the more missions they complete, the more their strength will get noticed by Master?"

"More or less. Everything about the trials will be announced tomorrow," informed Dark Écriture mage.

"I see. But I don't understand something, though. If the trials are so amazing, then why is Cana so depressed? Is it because she's never chosen or something?"

"More like she's always chosen, but never manages," sighed Evergreen. She stretched her arms a bit, leaning into her seat. "Truly a wonder how she still can't reach S-Class after so many years of trying."

"Then said trials must be really hard," mused the black-haired girl. "I hope I'll be good enough to take part in them one day!"

The three older mages could only smile at that. As Bickslow was about to add something, though, a shadow fell upon the table. They all glanced up to see the Master standing on the railing of the second floor, just above.

"Master?"

"Kaelys, dear, mind coming up for a bit? It won't take long, I promise."

"Uh? Sure. I'll see you guys later!"

She waved, flying up to join the short man. They then went to his office, leaving a curious Thunder God Tribe behind.

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"I take it they explained the S-Class trials to you?"

Kaelys was now sitting at the Master's desk, with Macbeth snoozing in a corner of the office while Erik leaned against the wall. She had been surprised at seeing them, but quickly shook it off.

"The general picture, yes," she confirmed.

"I heard everything and related it to Beth," nodded Erik.

The black-haired mage simply snored.

"As you know, being members of Oración Seis, you too were considered S-Class mages," Makarov then informed, jumping onto his desk to face them. "However, you agreed to a clean start when joining Fairy Tail, hence why you no longer officially possess this rank. Even though I would usually keep it quiet until the official announcement tomorrow, I felt like it was best to inform you that I nominated all three of you for the trials."

Kaelys didn't know whether to feel surprise or not, after all.

"Being a S-Class mage isn't merely about strength," then pursued the Wizard Saint. "It is about growing, reaching your full potential. In the course of the three months the three of you have joined, you all have grown beyond the ways in which you were taught, learning from your mistakes and becoming not only stronger, but better. I feel like your efforts should be rewarded, hence why I decided to nominate the three of you. Of course, the decision to take part in these trials is up to you."

"Bigger rank means bigger pay, right?" mused Erik, thoughtful. "I'm in."

"Good. What about you, Kaelys, Macbeth?"

Macbeth barely cracked an eye open, nodding silently. The Master chuckled, before reporting his attention to the teen before him. The young girl lowered her head a little, muttering too quickly under her breath for the others to fully understand what she was thinking.

She finally fell silent, and bit her lower lip.

"With all due respect, Master… I was really excited when I heard about those trials. However, I thought I'd have more time, or something like that. I don't- I don't think I'm ready for being S-Class. I-I've only just started working things out! Three months… it's not enough to make up for all the years that I've lost. The potential of my two Magics has yet to be fully uncovered, and I've got the Demon that I still have to learn how to control properly. And I… I've got too many scars to deal with still, ones that can't, that won't heal or get any better for a long, long time. Bickslow and Ever and… err, the other one, told me that being a S-Class mage wasn't just about strength and so, even if you might consider me to be strong enough to handle such a rank… I'm just not ready."

There was a long silence, which was soon broken by a low whistle on Erik's part.

"Damn, Loudmouth."

"W-what?"

"I didn't expect you to refuse, I must admit," then chuckled Makarov. "However, as said before, everyone is allowed to refuse in participating. However, if you do not wish to compete so as to win the trials… maybe you can help one of your friends pass the tests instead!"

"Uh?"

"All participants will be allowed to bring a partner with them. If you want to participate without risking to become a S-Class mage, then that is the best way," explained the old man. He had a twinkle in his eyes, a smile on his lips. "What do you say, my child?"

Excitement instantly replaced her earlier wariness, and she jumped to her feet.

"I wanna be with Beth!" she cheered, before shooting a grin at the older boy. "I mean, if you don't mind."

For only answer, he snored. Taking that as a 'yes', the teen cheered once more. Erik muttered under his breath about 'fucking too loud kids' while the Master laughed once again.

"Off you go, then," he shooed them towards the door. "I will inform everyone of everything tomorrow. Until then, please, keep the subject of this meeting quiet. Some might take offense and call favoritism otherwise."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," grunted the maroon-haired man, already walking out.

"Okay, see you later!" Kaelys waved, dragging Macbeth out by the collar.

The door closed. As soon as they were out of sight, a proud grin stretched the wrinkled mage's lips. A moment later, the door opened again, and Gildarts came in.

"How did it go?" he asked, curious.

Instantly, anime tears started flowing down the older man's cheeks.

"They grow up so fast~!" he cried.

"M-Master!?"

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The following day, Kaelys was not having the greatest of times.

She never would have thought there were so many members in the Guild.

And she never would have thought she'd ever see them gathered in a single place all at once.

It made her nervous, jumpy. She had decided to exile herself in the corner with Erik, who was whining about the noise with his hands clapped over his ears. Macbeth was sleeping on the table, his low snores the only thing assuring his friends he was still alive. As for everyone else… well, they were eagerly awaiting the Master's announcement, unable to keep still.

After a few more minutes, the curtain was finally lifted, revealing Makarov standing with the other three S-Class mages behind him.

"Fairy Tail!" He gathered everyone's attention. "As we have done since days long passed, I will now announce the participants in this year's S-Class Wizard Advancement Exam!"

Instantly, all guildmates started cheering very loudly. Erik moaned in pain, slumping even more in his seat.

"Quiet, everyone! The Master isn't finished speaking yet!" then intervene Erza.

Had Erik been a lesser man, he would have kissed the woman in gratitude as utter silence followed her interruption.

"This year's trials… will take place on Tenroujima! As some might recall, it is a sacred ground for our Guild. Each of your powers, hearts, and souls… I have judged them all this passed year. There will be ten participants!"

Everyone tensed in anticipation. Had they not learned the day before what was about to happen, Kaelys would probably have felt the same way.

"Natsu Dragneel!"

"All right!"

"Gray Fullbuster!"

"Finally, the time has come…"

"Juvia Lockser!"

"… uh!? Juvia is participating?"

"Elfman Strauss!"

"Those who are men… should become S-Class!"

"Cana Alberona!"

The brunette looked away.

"Freed Justine!"

He muttered something under his breath.

"Levy McGarden!"

"Finally!"

"Mest Gryder!"

"Wow, he came close last year, didn't he?"

"Erik! And finally Macbeth!"

Everyone started murmuring at that, confused. Weren't those two already S-Class mages anyway?

"This time, though…" Makarov then pursued, bringing back the calm. "Only one of you will pass! The trials will take place in a week from now, so each of you, prepare yourselves!"

Instantly, chaos started reigning.

~Darkness.~

~Blood.~

~There will be one winner.~

Erik flinched. The sudden tension caught Kaelys's and even Macbeth's attention, the both of them narrowing their eyes at him.

"Erik, what is it?" inquired quietly the Reflector mage.

"I… don't know." The man's eyes were wide, unfocused. "I just… I saw…" He shook his head. "Whatever, just everyone's thought's messing with my mind."

The other two exchanged a glance, unconvinced, but dropped it. If Erik thought it was important, then he'd tell them then.

"Anyhow, listen up!" Makarov stepped in once again. "As it is the first time for some of you, let us explain the rules."

"Each of the ten selected participants, please choose a partner within the week or preparation," asked Mirajane.

"There are two rules for the partners you can choose," pursued Erza. "One, they must be a member of Fairy Tail. And two, you cannot partner with S-Class wizards."

"The contents of the exam itself will be announced once you arrive at Tenroujima," continued the Master. "But this time, Erza will be hindering your progress."

Terror instantly filled all of the Fairy Tail members.

"I'll also help out to get in your way!" beamed Mirajane.

Whimpers started echoing around.

"No complaining!" then warned Gildarts. "All S-Class wizards have gone through the same path…"

Understanding dawned on all listening, and a few fainted in horror.

"Gildarts, you're participating too?" cheered Natsu.

"That's not something to be happy about!" protested Gray.

"The ten selected participants and their chosen partners will assemble at Hargeon Port in one week. That is all!" concluded the wrinkled mage.

And once again, chaos took over the Guild.

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"This year's gonna be tougher than ever," remarked Gray, arms crossed over his chest.

"I'm surprised that it's the first time for all of you," pointed out Lucy.

"I'm fired up! I'm gonna be S-Class for sure!" exclaimed Natsu, spitting fire everywhere.

Erik slammed his fist down onto his skull, sending him crash into the nearest wall. "Shut up!"

"If you don't mind me asking, why were you guys chosen too?" then wondered Lisanna, looking at the ex-criminals. "Weren't you already S-Class?"

"As criminals," confirmed simply Macbeth. "We have to start to zero again."

"Why wasn't Kaelys-san chosen too?" then wondered Wendy, curious.

"I was, but I refused the nomination," shrugged the teen.

Erik, Macbeth, Lucy, Juvia, Wendy and Carla didn't react at the announcement. Elfman, Lisanna, Gray and Happy nearly fell off their seats.

"What!?" gaped Natsu, suddenly back with them. "How could you refuse? Everyone wants to be chosen!"

"Maybe, but I've only been around for three months," retorted the Thief mage. "I still have time, right? It's not like there's a time limit, or anything. There's still next year, and all the others after, right?"

The others thought over her words, until Elfman started crying anime tears. "That's so manly!"

The pink-haired boy opened his mouth, then shut it, before grinning at her. "Right! I still wanna fight you, though!"

"Maybe we'll have that chance soon enough," mused the teen. "I am Macbeth's partner, after all."

"Really? Has everyone chosen their partners already?" blinked Lucy.

"I'm partnering with Happy, of course," replied Natsu.

"Aye!"

"Happy? That's not fair," however protested Elfman. "If the exam is a race, then flying would make it a breeze!"

"I'm pretty sure such important trials won't be about a mere race," Kaelys replied, shaking her head. "Plus, Erza, Mirajane and Gildarts are a part of it too, right? There's bound to be some fighting."

"For which you'll be in trouble, Natsu," agreed Gray, rather smugly.

"Gray, that's just mean," whined the blue cat. "I'm gonna make Natsu an S-Class wizard for sure!"

"I'm not holding back, even on my friends!" added the Fire Dragon Slayer. "And so… we can't hang around here! Time to train!"

Next thing they all knew, the boy was gone.

Lisanna stared at the now closed doors with a little smile.

"So in the two years since I've been gone, Natsu has become good enough to take the S-Class Exam, uh?" she mused. Then, she glanced back to Lucy. "Natsu thinks that he'll be able to find Igneel if he becomes a great wizard," she cleared up. "He feels twice as strong about this exam as most people."

"I see," smiled the blonde.

"Ano…" Juvia shifted in her seat, obviously uncomfortable. "Juvia would like to withdraw from this exam like Kaelys-san did…"

"Uh? Why's that?" blinked the black-haired teen.

The blue-haired woman muttered something under her breath, and Gray leaned closer, confused. "What was that?"

"I-I mean! It-it's because… because… Juvia…"

"She wants to be your partner, ice-for-brains," grunted Erik, crossing his arms behind his head.

The rain woman instantly started cursing at the Dragon Slayer and switching between embarrassment and anger. Gray however leaned back into his seat with a sigh, a small smile adorning his lips.

"Sorry, but I've already got a partner," he then informed.

"Long time no see, everyone."

Everyone jumped at the sudden appearance of Loke.

"What? Loke's your partner, Gray?" gaped the teen.

"We promised a year ago," he confirmed.

"Lucy…" The Leader of the Zodiac leaned down to Lucy's level. "I apologize, but I'll be lifting our contract for the duration of the trials. There's no need to worry, though! I traveled through the gate with my own Magic power. So, I won't use up yours."

"Wait, wait, wait," intervened Kaelys, a small smile slowly stretching her lips. "I just realized… That means I'll be able to fight everyone? That's so fricking cool!"

At first startled, the rest of the mages then started laughing at her newly found determination, even Macbeth chuckling a little.

"Just a second," then stepped in Elfman with a small frown. "Are you actually a member of the Guild, Loke?"

With a smug expression, Loke quickly took off his jacket to reveal the green guildmark tattooed on his back.

"I am still a Fairy Tail wizard," he assured proudly. "With pride in my Guild, I will make Gray an S-Class wizard."

"I'm counting on ya!"

"Leave it to me."

The two of them bumped fists. Then, Gray reported his attention to Juvia.

"There you go. You'd better give me your best shot," he warned with a grin. "Let's have a passionate battle, just like old times!"

Instantly, the blue-haired woman started swaying in her seat. Erik then slammed his head against the table with a pained groan.

"Why did you have to use that word on her…" he muttered, unfortunately hearing all of the crazy fangirl's fantasies.

"I'll partner with Juvia!" then announced Lisanna, determined.

"You're serious, Lisanna?" gaped her brother.

"I got along great with Edolas's Juvia," answered the white-haired girl with a small laugh. "And the Juvia here is kind of cute!"

"Lisanna-san…"

"Wait, Lisanna!" protested Elfman, crying… erm, manly tears. "What am I supposed to do for my own partner, then?"

"Why don't you ask Ever?" then proposed Kaelys, jabbing her thumb at the brown-haired woman farther behind them. "She's been staring at you for a while. I think she's a little pissed that, erm... well, the other one chose Bickslow as his partner, but I'm sure you two would get along great!"

"E-Evergreen…?" he paled, a shiver running down his spine. "With a stare that can turn you to stone…"

Kaelys slowly got up, walked all the way around the table, stopped next to him, climbed on the mentioned table, and then whacked him over the head with her bare fist. The man cringed in pain, instantly rubbing the sore spot.

"Ever is really nice, and she won't hurt a guildmate," she then scolded. "She's also very competitive and competent. If you team up with her, she'll do all she can to help you win."

The older wizard lowered his gaze, slightly ashamed. Understanding that, Kaelys then patted his shoulder in comfort.

"As an apology, you're now going to ask her to be your partner," she ordered.

"B-but-"

"Come on," she then smirked. "Be a man and do it."

As if a switch went off, he instantly jumped to his feet and, without another look behind, ran to the brown-haired woman and stopped abruptly before her. He then bowed, loudly asking her to partner up with him. She gaped for a second, obviously not expecting it, and shot the look at Kaelys. The teen shrugged innocently in return.

Evergreen sighed, before hitting Elfman over the head with her fan but nonetheless accepting his request.

"That was kind of mean, Kae. Manipulating him like that…" sighed Lucy, even though deeply amused.

"He needed a partner, she wanted to get back at the other one and Bickslow," shrugged the girl, going back to her seat. "It's a win-win situation, right?"

For only answer, the rest of the mages laughed again.

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Kaelys laughed, flying around as she tried to catch the numerous snowflakes gently falling down. It was cold, but she didn't care. It had been so long since she last saw snow! She might have seen some during missions, but never had any struck as memorable as the one now covering the streets and roofs of Magnolia.

"Get down here before you catch a cold, Loudmouth!" snapped Erik.

"His brother complex is getting annoying," she muttered under her breath.

"I DON'T HAVE A BROTHER COMPLEX! And I'm only saying that because if you fall sick, then Beth won't have a partner for the trials!"

"I won't- hey, there's someone in the alley!"

Not waiting for the rest to catch up, she flew down into the mentioned alley and landed next to the mysterious person. It was a woman, lying amongst many bottles of alcohol. The snow was starting to recover her body, and she looked awfully familiar.

"Who-"

"C-Cana!?" Lucy instantly recognized the woman, arriving behind Kaelys. "That's no place to be dead drunk!" She shook her head with a sigh, before biting her lower lip and turning to Erik. "Can we-"

"Drag her home if you wanna," he huffed, hands in his pockets. "I ain't touching that woman."

The blonde beamed at him, and Kaelys simply used her telekinesis to lift the unconscious body. As they started moving again, though, there was a 'THUMP' behind them, and the Sound mage groaned in exasperation.

"Not again…"

Lying in the snow was Macbeth, now too unconscious thanks to one nasty nosebleed.

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Cana ended up spending the night at the house, leaving later in the morning. All along, Lucy had talked to her and Kaelys chose to let them be. Erik obviously heard everything they were saying, but the teen decided not to ask when he paled dramatically at what the girls were saying. Some things were obviously best unknown.

And now, a week after the whole incident and the announcement of the trials, all of the teams started gathering at the Hargeon Port.

Gray and Loke. Lisanna and Juvia. Elfman and Evergreen. Freed and Bickslow. Mest and Wendy. (A/N: I always thought 'what the actual fuck?' at that moment, btw.) Levy and Gajeel. Lucy and Cana. Natsu and Happy. Erik and Cubellios- Kinana. Her name's Kinana. And finally, Kaelys and Macbeth.

As they reached the port, a gigantic ship with the guildmark on its sail arrived to greet them, the Master already on. And as each team climbed on one after the other, excitement started bubbling in Kaelys's chest.

This was a test of strength.

This was a test of will.

This was a test of Magic.

This was a test… for everything she had achieved or had yet to achieve. And, while she wasn't one of those actually competing in this exam, she knew her day would come. She wasn't ready but, by the time of the next trials, she would be.

She swore it.

'Well, let's get this party started, shall we?' laughed Shirokage. 'Damn, this is going to be fun!'

For once, she could only agree.

Okay! Again, short chapter. I hope you guys understand why she refused to participate, but I didn't want her to pass the seven years alone either. It could have been interesting, but I preferred to do it the other way around. I hope you'll like it anyway!

I love you guys, and I'm looking forward to your reviews!