SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 51 out, this is Chapter 52 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 52: Mest


"Gray, Loke." Lucy beamed, the pair exiting from the cave. "I figured you two would pass the first test."

"Congratulations for now." Cana added.

"We were lucky and got the peaceful route." Levy looked at her partner.

"Lucky?" the Steel Dragon Slayer fumed. "I didn't get to smack anyone!"

"So, we're the only ones to pass the first exam?" Gray wondered.

"Where's Natsu?" Loke mused.

"He's over there." Happy gestured.

"What's wrong with him?" Gray was puzzled.

"You see…" Happy shrugged.

"Now then, I think everyone is here." Ulyo stated as she and Makarov entered the clearing.

"I will now announce the results to date." Makarov declared. "Cana and Lucy defeated Freed and Bisklow in battle, and passed through."

"What?" Gray exclaimed.

"Natsu and Happy managed to get pass Gildarts somehow, and passed through." Ulyo added.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Gray shouted.

"Levy and Gajeel passed through the peaceful route with good luck." Ulyo gave the unlikely pair a smile. "Gray and Loke defeated Mest and Wendy in battle, and passed through, although, I'll appreciate it if you two don't use that attack on Wendy again." She trained at a look at the two males.

"Fine." Gray waved. "Did Juvia fail? What, Gramps?" he gaped, Makarov in aghast mode.

"Juvia and Lisanna hit upon… her." Ulyo sighed.

"That female knight who knows not the meaning of holding back!" Makarov panicked.

"Then all that's left is Elfman and Evergreen." Lucy noted.

"But if we consider what's left, they must have taken the route…" Cana mused.

"Mirajane…" both girls gaped.

"Hold it!" Elfman voiced, he and Evergreen entering the clearing. "We beat Onee-chan."

"Incredible." Makarov was stunned.

"How did you beat Mira?" Happy wondered.

"I can't say… as a Man." Elfman replied.

"Let's just say they managed to find an opening to slip through." Ulyo chuckled, she and Makarov having seen what the pair did to get past the oldest Strauss via the tracker lacrima.

"Anyway," Makarov coughed. "The teams that passed the first test are: Natsu and Happy, Gray and Loke, Levy and Gajeel, Cana and Lucy, Elfman and Evergreen. Those five teams. Now we will begin the second test. I will announce the details for the second test of the S-class Mage Advancement Exam. The second test is searching for the grave of Mavis, our founding Guild Master."

"You have only 6 hours." Ulyo laid down the deadline. "Remember, 6 hours. We'll be waiting at Mavis' grave."

"Let's go, Happy!" Natsu took off, after Makarov and Ulyo left.

"Wait a sec," Ulyo blinked, stopping in her tracks. "Did we tell them they have to deal with giant killer bugs, man eating plants, all kinds of large predators, quicksand, and other such dangerous terrain?"

"Nah, they'll find out on their own." Makarov waved.


Everyone else sneezed simultaneously as they were chased by said predators.


"What?" Erza gaped after Mirajane recounted her battle to the gathered group in the examiners' tent. "Elfman and Evergreen are getting married?"

"And while I was still blanked out, they landed some attacks." Mira smiled.

"Hold it." Erza demanded. "When's the wedding? And wait, when did those two start…"

"No," Mira corrected. "I think it was just a plan to throw me off guard. Guess I have a long way to go."

"Is it really just a plan?" Erza was not convinced.

"Those two?" Mira chuckled. "I don't really see it. I mean, if they get married and have a kid…"

"Don't cry, Mira." Erza assured, Mira's imagination going wild. "It's cute the way you imagined it."


SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.