SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 35 out, this is Chapter 36 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?
Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OCs.
Chapter 36: The 24-Hour Endurance Road Race
"Quiet everyone!" Makarov shouted over the microphone. "All members of Fairy Tail; a mage is one with both strength of mind and body. I wish for you to utilize these powers to the utmost in today's competition."
"Do we really need smarts for this?" Elfman wondered.
"Seem pretty much just physical endurance to me." Gray scoffed.
"The rules are simple." Makarov stated. "You will run as fast as you can from the start line, then here along the appointed course, heading for Mt Ivor. This year, Ulyo will be at the top of Mt Ivor with her crystal shuriken. You will take one of her crystal stars and return here within 24 hours. I won't accept any dropouts. If you are a Fairy Tail mage, 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: flying magic is forbidden. Other than that, any other magic is allowed. And of course, the person who comes in last will face a punishment of which there is nothing scarier on the world. Ready, go!" he gave the go-ahead and Jet dashed off. "Now then, who'll get the punishment?" he wondered. "I can't wait."
On Mt Ivor, Ulyo was stifling her laughter as she watched the race; first with Reedus and Gray trying to stall everyone with their magic, then Elfman knocking Gray back with an arm-swing. "Very smart, Freed." She grinned, the Jutsu Shiki mage trapping Evergreen, Bisca and Max within his runes. "But you need more finesse when dealing with Erza." She chuckled, the swordswoman cornering the green-haired mage in her blade array. "Knew you'll be the first one." She greeted Jet. "Pick one." She gestured to the multiple crystal stars around her.
Grabbing a crystal shuriken, Jet hustled off.
"Just grab one." Ulyo waved, bored, as the majority of the mages retrieved a crystal star each.
"Finally here." Happy had arrived at the peak.
"It must be quite hard on you, Happy." Ulyo smiled. "Here." He handed the Exceed one of the two remaining crystal shuriken. "Ara, you here too, Natsu?" she greeted the Fire Dragon Slayer. "And just in time. Catch." She tossed the last crystal star to him. "Well, guess my job's done." She dusted off imaginary dust from her hands. "Teleport." She vanished via a 'Teleport' spell.
"Master, Mirajane, I'm back." Ulyo reported back to the Guild Hall.
"A job well done." Mirajane smiled. "Everyone has worked hard during the night." She turned back to the viewing orb. "Jet?" she blinked, the quartet having shifted back to the South Gate.
"What?" Makarov was confused. "Wasn't he in the lead?"
"Idiot must have overslept." Ulyo shook her head.
"Victory is mine!" Natsu, Gray, Erza, Jet and Gajeel roared, each gunning for first place, only to have Natsu trip over his feet and bringing the rest down with him.
"Happy?" Natsu blinked, the Exceed running towards the finishing line.
"Well, he's quite a dark horse, isn't he?" Ulyo chuckled, Happy crossing the finishing line.
"Wendy?" Erza gaped as both Wendy and Carla came in.
"Carla?" Natsu blinked.
"Oh dear." Ulyo muttered, a battalion of mages closing in, trampling Natsu and his group, Erza having taken the chance to cross the finishing line as well. "Guys," she started. "All four of you do realize that you technically haven't crossed the finishing line, right?"
"This ain't no joke!" Jet snapped. "High Speed! What?" he gaped, the other three having latched onto him.
"Unfortunately," Ulyo sighed. "The four of you were the last ones to cross the finishing line. And we all know what that means."
"Are you prepared?" Makarov chuckled.
"Fine!" Natsu retorted. "I'll do whatever! Tell us what the punishment is."
"Why do I get this feeling Natsu's going to regret opening his mouth?" Ulyo shook her head.
"I will now announce this year's punishment." Makarov declared. "Right here." He pulled out the latest 'Weekly Sorcerer' issue. "The four of you will do a super-embarrassing photo spread for the issue two weeks from now. A super-magnificent 20 pages, together with a one-week, all-access interview."
"And there you have it." Ulyo grinned mischievously. "Say, Mirajane, how about we go pick out the outfits right now?"
"Agreed!" Mirajane nodded feverously.
"Oh hell, no!" Natsu screamed, the four males dashing out of town.
SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.