I do not own any of the original Fairy Tail characters.
Nominated
Sado watched as the others went about their normal business. Some drank, others fought, Natsu was out cold and snoring loudly, and the new waitress who had picked up most of the hours that Mira dropped to spend time with Sado was walking around and passing out drinks as easily as Mira could. She was a natural. Of course, it helped that the only memories she had were of being a waitress. He had been more than a little surprised when Mira told him that the new waitress with the unusual purple hair was actually Cobra's pet snake. Apparently, she had been turned into a snake at the Tower of Heaven, before Makarov transformed her back into a human. She couldn't remember her past, however, so Makarov kept her around in case she remembered, so that he could protect her.
"Are you excited?" Mira asked. "Today's the day that the nominees for the S-Class promotion exam are selected."
"I'm excited to finally take the exam," Sado said. "But Master Makarov already promised to allow me to take the exam. I'm also sure Natsu, Grey, Ur, and Elfman will be taking it."
"True," Mira nodded. "They are the most likely candidates."
Sado nodded. He looked around as people began to gather around the stage. Mira eeped and said she had to go, quickly darting to the stage just before the curtain began to rise. Sado walked over to the crowd, stopping as people began to shout for Makarov to make his announcement. Makarov finally cleared his throat, silencing the crowd.
"In accordance with the FairyTail Guild's time-honored tradition, I will now announce the entrants for this year's S-class Wizard Promotion Trial!" Makarov announced, eyes meeting Sado's knowingly.
Everyone began to cheer instantly, flames encasing Natsu's entire body beside Sado, Sado rolling his eyes.
"Please be quiet everyone," Erza said.
"Shut up and let the Master finish talkin'," Gildarts said.
"The Trial this year will take place on Tenrou Island, our guild's sacred ground," Makarov said, receiving cheers. "The strength that you possess inside, your character, and your hearts. These are what I considered while making my selection."
"You're obviously making the cut," Natsu smirked at Sado.
"So are you," Sado said.
"I have chosen ten participants," Makarov said. "First, one long overdue. Sado."
Deafening cheers.
"Natsu Dragneel," Makarov said, more cheering erupting, as happened with the rest of the cheers. "Ur. Gray Fullbuster. Elfman. Levy McGarden. Freed Justine. Cana Alberona. Juvia Lockser. And Mest Gryder."
"Who?" Sado blinked, looking around.
"Mest," Natsu said. "The guy that almost passed last year."
"We don't have a Mest Gryder in this guild," Sado said. "Who the hell..."
He stopped, staring at a man in a red shirt with vertical orange stripes, short black hair, a scar on the left side of his face, black pants, and a carefully constructed emotionless expression. Sado's eyes narrowed. Who the hell was that?
"Although eight wizards have been selected, only one will emerge victorious," Makarov continued, Sado listening but not taking his eyes off of the false member, who was staring back as well. "The trial will begin in one week's time, so you'd better step up your preparations. Now, for the benefit of the newcomers, let's go over the rules of the challenge, shall we?"
"The ten participants will each choose a partner," Mira said. "This person will also be allowed to train with them in the week leading up to the event."
"Observe these two rules when choosing your partner," Erza said. "Number one, they must be a member of Fairy Tail. And number two, your choice cannot be an S-Class wizard."
"We'll reveal all the particular details of the trial once we've arrived on Tenrou Island," Makarov said. "But know that you'll have to get past Erza to claim victory."
Sado smirked. Not just Erza. All three S-Class wizards would be waiting as obstacles, though whether he would have to fight all three or only one wasn't set in stone.
"And I'll be doing my very best to help weed out the rest of you right beside her," Mira smiled.
"Quit your bellyaching," Gildarts said, smiling. "The three of us had to go through this trial, it's only fair that you do too."
"The ten participants I named earlier and their chosen partners are asked to meet at the port of Hargeon one week from today, so get to work," Makarov said.
And with that, he turned and walked off the stage. Sado didn't waste another second. Before Mest could take a step, Sade had a painfully tight grip on his upper arm.
"Hey there buddy," Sado snarled. "Can I have a word with you for a minute?"
Mest nodded once, showing no sign of pain, and Sado all but shoved him out of the guild hall and into a back alley before grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into a wall.
"Who the fuck are you!?" Sado snarled. "There's no Mest Gryder in our guild, and yet everyone but me seems to think you took part in the S-Class trials last year. Funny, but I was one of the people overseeing that trial because of my raw power and you weren't there! So who the fuck are you!?"
"My name is Mest Gryder," Mest said. "I've been a part of the Fairy Tail Guild for years, and I was the person closest to passing last year. I don't know why you don't remember me, but I assure you I'm actually a part of your guild. Ask anyone."
"I'm asking you!" Sado snarled. "And if you don't start telling me the truth, I'm going to burn you to a crisp! Whatever spell you're using to mess with the others' memory probably won't work so well if you're dead, will it?"
"That's probably unwise," Mest said. "From the rumors I've heard, Fairy Tail is currently under a lot of scrutinization by the Magic Council. One more incident and the council is likely to shut Fairy Tail down."
"Well, according to you, you're a Fairy Tail Guild member," Sado snarled. "What we do in-house is none of the Council's concern as long as there's no property damage."
"I think killing a Division Head of the Magic Council's Rune Knights would qualify, don't you?" Mest asked.
Sado's eyes widened and he lowered Mest to the ground, snarling in rage. "I see. So you're a Magic Council spy. Fine. Let's see how Master Makarov feels about this."
He released him, turning and storming back to the guild hall, flames encasing his hands. He kicked the door open, passing through the guild hall unhindered, reaching Makarov's office in mere moments, Makarov raising an eyebrow as Sado forced his flames to go out, closing and locking the door.
"What can i do for you Sado?" Makarov asked.
"Why?" Sado snarled.
"Why what?"
"WHY ARE YOU LETTING A COUNCIL SPY GO TO TENROU ISLAND!?" Sado demanded.
Makarov sighed. "I should have known you wouldn't be fooled. Firstly, I need you to have faith that I have my reasons for allowing it. Secondly, there is nothing on Tenrou Island that needs to be hidden from the Magic Council. Tenrou Island is beyond their jurisdiction, and as such, is safe."
"Nothing to be hidden?" Sado scoffed. "I NEED TO BE HIDDEN! ! ! If the Magic Council knew about me, they'd destroy Fairy Tail!"
"The Magic Council will not find out about you," Makarov said.
"If they do, I'm not going quietly," Sado warned. "I'll kill anyone they send after me."
"I know," Makarov nodded. "And if they do, the Fairy Tail guild will be there to back you up. No one is going to lock up one of my children. But for now, I need you to trust me."
Sado sighed and nodded. "Okay. If you say you know what you're doing, I trust you."
"Thank you, Sado," Makarov said. "Now, go and start your training. You may be stronger than the others, but that doesn't mean this trial will be easy."
"I know," Sado said. "I'll be ready."
Makarov nodded and Sado turned, walking out of the room and meeting Ur and Mira at the front door.
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