Author's Note: I will be going on vacation for a little over a week starting Thursday, so I may or may not post. I do have a plan for what is happening in the story. Mayen's past and power will start to show more after the next arc. For those that have just started watching the anime or reading the manga, there are spoilers. Thank you and review!

Chapter 25: 24-Hour Endurance Road Race

"Nya~ah!" I sink into my hot spring till the water is just beneath my nose. I close my eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet of my home. My muscles relax in the hot water. A lot has happened since the Oracion Seis mission.

It had been a surprise after the soldiers took Richard and revealed that they were actually after Jellal. Natsu had started a brawl between us and the Council foot soldiers to get the blue haired man back, but Erza quickly dispersed it by saying that Jellal had to go to jail. I could tell it was hard on her to admit that. I can still hear her cries from later that night, when she thought no one would hear.

We then stopped at Caitshelter to return Wendy only to find out that the guild members were all created by the ancient spirit of a Nirvit man. Wendy was devastated that she had lost those she thought were real as they disappeared. We ended up bringing her and Carla back to Fairy Tail with us. The little dragon slayer was easily accepted, and the guild partied. I had went home afterwards and tried to hang up my cloak. When I remembered what happened, I cried myself to sleep.

A few days later, Gray had given Natsu a false rumor about a woman that claimed to see a dragon. Natsu had dragged me and Wendy along, only for him to be captured by a psycho scientist and used as a fuel source for a mechanical dragon. It had taken the whole guild to keep him from destroying Magnolia. He was finally able to get back to himself and escape when my team angered him to his limit and then Gajeel breaking his restraints.

The Fairy Tail hanami party wasn't too long ago. Lucy was looking forward to it, but she had gotten sick from a mission and had to miss it. Not wanting her to be left out, Natsu and Happy had somehow convinced me to help uproot the rainbow sakura tree and float it past her house on a boat before returning it. That had caused an uproar in town. I was able to escape suspicion but not Natsu.

Then earlier this week, Wendy took her first mission with Happy and Freed to the crazy play director. The rest of my team was so worried about her that they had followed her. I stayed at the guild, because I trusted Freed to keep her safe and her to loosen Freed up.

I walk into my closet drying my hair with a towel. Tossing it into a hamper, I look at my growing collection of clothes. Mirajane had warned me yesterday to wear something comfortable and athletic for today. She wouldn't tell me why, though. Sighing, I pull on a pair of sweatpants and hoody over my outfit, still feeling depressed about my cloak. I grab an apple and head towards the guild.

When I enter the town, I am stopped by Lucy. "Mayen!" I wave back to her with a smile. "Going to the guild hall?"

I take a bite out of my apple. "Yeah, you?" I lick juices off my lips.

She loops her arm with my free one. I raise an eye brow as she leads me towards the large tree near the guild. "Everyone is at the Magnolia Tree."

"Why's that?" I finish my apple, tossing it way.

"I think there's another celebration." Lucy taps her chin. She gives me a blinding smile. "Whatever the reason I bet it'll be fun!"

I laugh at her optimism and enthusiasm. The area around the tree is completely crowded. All of the guild members usually at the guild are gathered in the park. There's the reporter form Sorcerer Weekly and a stage. I look up just as smoke fireworks shoot off. I raise an eyebrow. Lucy and I get separated in the crowd as she goes to the tents. I notices a sign by the stage. Fairy Tail 24-Hour Endurance Road Race? I tilt my head in confusion.

All of the guild members start crowding around an entrance to the park. I make my way through the crowd until I'm next to a stretching Gray and Natsu.

I'm about to ask what's going on, when the annoying reporter's voice comes through the speakers. "So cool! It's that time of year again! This grand event is here! Fairy Tail's tradition All-Wizards Mandatory Participation 24-Hour Endurance Race!" Well, that explains it. I sweat drop. I see Gajeel nearby with a focused look on his face. I even catch sight of Juvia and Lucy standing together. Wow, this must be serious if Juvia isn't attacking Lucy.

"Here he is!" The report screams into his microphone. "The unbeatable title holder for this road race, Jet!" I look around and see said wizard under an umbrella held by Mirajane.

I hold a hand above my eyes as I look up at the sunny sky. I'm gonna roast if I don't find shade. I sigh. Knowing that I will feel cooler, I pull off my hoody. I can practically hear jaws drop. My dark forest green emblem is showing proudly above my left breast in my red bikini top. I ignore the cat calls as I strip out of my sweatpants as well. A pair of jean cutoff shorts cling to my figure, showing off my long cream legs. Feeling eyes scour over my body, I look around. I am not surprised by most of the lookers, since they are perverted drunks. My cheeks flush though when I notice Gray looking me over. "W-What?"

His eyes meet mine, and he smirks. "Most skin on you I've seen."

I look away with a red face. "Well, I'm not a stripper like you." I cross my arms under my chest. Out of the corner of my eye, Natsu's cheeks are reddening. I touch his forehead. "Are you feeling alright, Natsu. You're red."

His eyes widen at me, and he gets redder. "I-I'm fine!"

"Quiet, everyone!" The master's voice echoes through the park. He's standing on the stage with the flying microphone in front of him. "All members of Fairy Tail! A wizard is one with both strength of mind and body! I wish for you to utilize those powers to the utmost in today's competition!"

"Do we really need smarts for this?" Elman says beside me.

"Seems pretty much just physical endurance to me." Gray shrugs.

"Maybe that why you haven't won." I suggest with a smirk. Gray turns to snap at me but is cutoff by Master Makarov.

"The rules are simple!" He points off towards the track. "You will run as fast as you can from the start line, then here along the appointed course, heading for Mt. Ivor! This year, I have left Wyvern scales at the top of Mt. Ivor! You will take one of those scales and return here within 24-hours!" That doesn't sound too bad. "I won't accept any dropout." I can handle that. "If you are a Fairy Tail wizard, then you will run the distance, all the way to your next job tomorrow! Furthermore, I am imposing a new regulation, this year at the urging of many…" He pauses for dramatic effect. "Flying magic is forbidden!" I hear some complaints and jabs from the crowd behind me. Even Happy deflates and drops to the ground without his wings. "Other than that, any type of magic is allowed!"

Magic is allowed? I look around and see Freed. I'll need to keep my senses open for any enchantments or try to stay ahead of him. "And of course, the person who comes in last…" I look up at the master. "…will face a punishment of which there is nothing scarier on the planet!" I sweat drop. He doesn't have to look so happy about that. I just need to not be last, huh? I look around. I should be able to do that. I have physical endurance down, as long as I don't use too much magic.

Erza walks up to the front in her armor. "I compete only to win." I blink in surprise as she reequips into a sports tank top and shorts. "This is a special outfit that reduces my physical fatigue, allowing me to run continuously for a long time."

I mutter to myself. "You can run longer, 'cause it's not heavy armor."

"Now…" I look up at the speaker where the reporter's voice is coming from. "It's finally time for the start! Everyone start to line up!" I take a starting position between Gray and Natsu with Gajeel behind me. I crouch down low with bent legs and my fingers brushing the ground.

I hear a whispered warning from Natsu. "Careful of Jet's start, Mayen." I don't break my focus from the track, but I nod in response to show I heard.

"Ready!" The master yells. I tense the muscles in my legs like springs, digging my fingers into the dirt for purchase. "Bam!"

I close my eyes as a large dust cloud takes over the starting line from Jet's start. Everyone flies back, but me. I had taken Natsu's warning and braced myself. Using the cloud of dust as coverage, I take off behind Jet, but he of course gets farther and farther away due to his speed magic.

I hear a small bang behind me. Natsu dashes past with his hands on fire. He looks back at me in surprise but keeps running. I can hear the rest of the guild taking off by the sound of a stampede. I am able to stay between Natsu and the small pack of Gajeel, Gray, and Erza.

Erza catches up and keeps next to me. I can hear the wizards using magic against each other behind us. Everyone is my enemy. I keep a close eye on Erza, ready to pick up the slightest amount of magical power up for her to reequip. We pass by three members trapped in an enchantment and then shortly after Freed. I notice something minutely off about the ground ahead.

I spin on one foot as a trap lights up in front of us. I am able to gracefully make it around the corner and keep moving, while Erza has to jump back to keep from getting caught. Using the chance to put some distance between us, I kick up my speed another notch. I notice a forest up ahead. With the sun beating down on my pale skin, I relish the thought of shade.

I hit the tree line. I let out a sigh of relief as the sun is blocked by the trees. I find a rather tall tree with dense foliage. Looking behind me briefly, I see no other runners. I jump at the tree and climb up quickly and onto a thick branch. Letting out a sigh, I relax against the trunk. The sun is completely blocked out, but I can see below me clearly. I let myself cool off. I notice a few people pass by after several minutes.

Feeling like I've replenished enough, I jump down from my resting place. The sun has start to set in the sky, and the mountain is still a ways away. Picturing the scales in my mind, I lick my lips, feeling like a cat chasing its prey. I take off as high speed, staying in the ever growing shadows. I pass those that had crossed under my tree and more without notice.

As day turns to night, I catch up to Gajeel and Natsu on the mountain, just as the iron dragon slayer aims an attack at the other. "Outta my way!" Natsu goes flying down the mountain. Sorry, I can't help. To stay out of the irate slayer's sight, I cut my speed and keep behind him. My steps are silent against the stone as I am light on my feet.

The scales are up ahead, and Erza about to grab one. Feeling a surge of competitive nature, I reequip a long hooked chain. Before either Gajeel or Erza could react to the magical power, I swing the weapon forward. Hooking one of the scales, I reel it in as I head back down the mountain in front of them. I look to my right and see a very steep slope. An idea pops into my head.

I jump up and kick a flat rock, breaking it from its mountain home. I land in a crouch on the stone slab, and I ride it down the mountain, leaving a dust trail behind me. I ride the rock well into the forest, before I jump off and continue running. Jet's dust trail is in the distance, but no one else.

The night wears on. I don't feel winded at all. My muscles feel delightfully warm. This is the kind of sore that I love. I stop at the sight of a sleeping Jet under a tree. That's why I lost sight of him. I tilt my head as I sneak up on him, completely silent. I crouch down in front of the speed wizard. A devious grin stretches across my face.

I cackle once out of hearing distance of the snoozing wizard. He is a really heavy sleeper, thankfully. I was able to move him out of sight of other runners, so no one would wake him. As a bonus, I stripped him to his boxers and scattered his clothes. Taking my time to lessen his chance of winning has placed me in the middle of the pack. The wizards around me look at me funny for laughing and give me a wide berth. Blushing in embarrassment, I kick up my speed enough to stay between packs.

The sun has risen, and time is ticking down. My ears twitch. I glance behind me and see a cloud of dust. Gasping, I quickly jump onto a tree branch to dodge the effects of Jet running by. Knowing he left those behind me stunned for a moment, I take off at top speed. I end up passing some confused wizards, but they regain their senses after seeing me. I am able to put more distance between those behind me.

I can see Magnolia up ahead with a large dust cloud closing in on it. That must be Jet, and the others that were in the lead. I make it into Magnolia as the cloud closes in on the finish line. I can hear the town cheering in the park. "Natsu's fire just went out! Does this mean he is out of the contention for first place, now!?" The reporter's voice reaches my sensitive hearing. "Never count Natsu out! He's diving in!"

I see the goal up ahead and the dust cloud diminish. "There's a huge crash!" I see Jet, Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, and Erza dazed in a pile. "Wait! Who is that cool chick coming up?" I lick my lips as I taste victory. "It's Mayen! Mayen is here!" I come to the edge of the pile of bodies. I crouch down and spring over them with a flip, hearing the cheers. "So cool! She flips over them like they're nothing!" I cross the finish line breaking the ribbon.

"Congratulations, Mayen!" Mirajane smiles.

I jump in the air, feeling ecstatic. "Yes! You ran well!" The master nods approvingly.

"Goal! Mayen is the winner of this year's 24-Hour Endurance Road Race!" The reporter announces, causing the crowd to go wild. I am so high off of adrenaline and the feeling of winning that I don't mind the attention.

"Someone else is coming up the road!" The annoying man points. I look up and smile as Happy jogs his way over the finish line, passing the still shocked and depressed group. During the cheering, Wendy is able to get third place followed by Carla. Photos are quickly taken with the first three places holding up their respective flag. The stunned group has yet to move from their standing position before the finish line. "The top three spots are occupied by these three Fairy Tail pretties!"

The ground starts to tremble as a huge stampede heads for the finish line. They are trampled by the rest of the guild crossing the line in one large pack. Once the chaos settles, it is revealed that the four men are on the ground while Erza had been able to cross the line with the others.

Juvia stands at the finish line she had just crossed. "Gray-sama! You have to hurry!"

Happy joins her and cheers for Natsu. I stand at the line and yell. "Everyone, hurry!"

That seems to snap them out of it. Jet jumps up and uses High Speed, but the other three are quick to latch onto him. "Go-go-go-goal!" The reporter is screaming in my ear. "The 4 of you crossed at the same time!" They four men react incredulously. "This year was whacked out! This finish was cooler than cool!" The annoying reporter ignores them. "Coming in last was, incredibly, Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, and Jet! We know who'll get punished!"

I feel bad for them yet glad it isn't me. The master chuckles. "Are you prepared?"

Natsu tries to reason. "You're kidding, right, Gramps?"

Gray steps forward. "Gramps! At least let us have a tie-breaker!"

"No!" Master Makarov denies like a child who doesn't want his toy taken away. "I won't hear any more of your pitiful excuses! For a wizard, there are no do-overs, for jobs or otherwise!" He raises a finger matter-of-factly. "Stop acting like babies and accept your punishment! All four of you!" He grins widely, showing how much he is looking forward to it.

"Fine! I got it!" Natsu jumps forward, facing the challenge. "I'll do whatever! Tell us what the punishment is."

"There that's the spirit! I will announce this year's punishment!" Everyone waits with baited breath. "Right here!" He holds up a copy of Sorcerer Weekly. I tilt my head in confusion which everyone feels. "The four of you will do a super-embarrassing photospread for the issue two weeks from now! A super-magnificent 20 pages, together with a one-week, all access interview!"

I blink and blink again. I fall to the ground laughing. My sides start hurting and tears fall as they try to run away.