SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 49 out, this is Chapter 50 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 50: Best Partner

"And that's what happened, Mira!" Lucy informed Mirajane the next day, Cana having told her of her intention to quit the Guild the previous night. "Cana didn't even tell me why. What's up with her?"

"It's fine." Ulyo chuckled. "Cana always says that around this time."

"Around this time?" Lucy echoed.

"You see." Ulyo grinned.

"Work, work!" Natsu and Happy burst in, shooting off before anyone protested.

"Watch where you are going, you hothead!" Gray glared, both mages bumping into each other.

"And you're in my way, Fruit of the Gloom!" Natsu retorted.

"Do you two have the time to be fighting?" Happy reminded.

"I'm back!" Gray broke off the fight.

"And your clothes?" Ulyo pointed out.

"There's no time for that." Gray showed Mira another request. "This is my next job."

"I'm going out on this job." Elfman added, Gray exiting for his next job.

"What the hell is this?" Lucy wondered, the majority of the Guild's mages fighting over for a job.

"You'll know pretty soon." Ulyo waved.

"There are people who are working their butts off, but there are people who are just doing the usual." Lucy noted, seeing some of the mages slack off. "So I have no idea what exactly."

"You'll know tomorrow." Mirajane replied.

"What's all the commotion about?" Pantherlily wondered, the Guild's mages gathered in the hall.

"Beats me." Gajeel shrugged.

"I heard that the Master has an important announcement." Wendy remarked.

"Fairy Tail," Makarov coughed. "As we have done since days long past, I will now announce the participants in this year's S Class Mage Advancement Exam."

"Everyone, quiet down!" Erza barked.

"The Master isn't finished speaking yet." Gildarts reminded.

"This year's exam will take place on Tenroujima." Makarov declared. "It is holy ground for our Guild. Each of your powers, hearts, and souls, I have judged them all this past year. There will be eight participants. Ulyo, announce the names."

"Hai," Ulyo nodded, decked in her Guardian armour. "Natsu Dragoneel." She tossed a crystal pendent at the Dragon Slayer. "Gray Fullbuster." Another necklace was thrown at the ice mage. "Juvia Lockser." Juvia caught pendent number three. "Elfman." The middle Strauss sibling caught the fourth necklace in mid-air. "Cana Alberona." Pendent number five was tossed to the card mage. "Freed Justine." The sixth crystal was thrown to the runes mage. "Levy McGarden." Levy caught the seventh necklace. "And finally, Mest Gryder." The last necklace was tossed to the teleportation mage.

"This time, only one of you will pass." Makarov took over. "The exam will take place in a week, so each of you, prepare yourselves. As this is the first time for some of you, let me explain the rules."

"Each of the eight selected participants, please select a partner within the week of preparation." Mirajane added. "And just in case you're wondering what Ulyo's crystals are for, they're locator crystals. Both Master and Guardian will be monitoring our progress via a tracking lacrima. So please, give your crystal to your partner."

"There are two rules for the partners you can choose." Erza continued. "One, they must be a member of Fairy Tail. Two, you cannot partner with either S-class mages or the Guild Guardian."

"The contents of the exam itself will be announced once you arrive at Tenroujima." Makarov declared. "But this time, Erza will be blocking your progress."

"I'll also help out in getting in your way." Mirajane beamed.

"No complaining." Gildarts scolded. "All S-class mages have gone through the same path."

"The eight selected participants and their chosen partners will assemble at Hargeon Port in one week." Makarov announced. "That is all!"

"This year's gonna be tougher than ever." Gray noted. "So," he turned to his girlfriend. "Any insider tips, Ulyo-chan?"

"My lips are sealed." Ulyo mimed zipping her lips.

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

"Everyone seems to be having a rough time." Wendy noted.

"Let's do our best." Freed told Bisklow, tossing his pendent to the possession mage.

"So then, has everyone decided on their partners?" Lucy wondered.

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

"Aye." The Exceed beamed. "By the way, Ulyo." He turned to the Guardian, holding up the necklace. "It's too long."

"There." Ulyo merely sprinkled her 'Fairy Dust' on the thread, shrinking it.

"And so…" Happy grinned.

"We can't hang around here!" Natsu declared, the two heading off. "Time to train!"

"Fast!" Lucy gaped. "Gray, how about you?"

"I've already decided on my partner." Gray replied.

"Long time no see, everyone." Loke greeted.

"Since when did that happen?" even Ulyo was surprised.

"We promised a year ago." Gray answered.

"Wait a minute!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Lucy, sorry but I'll be lifting our contract during the period of the exam." Loke apologized, taking over Gray's crystal pendent. "There's no need to worry. I travelled through the gate with my own magic power. So I won't use up your magic power."

Your Spirits sure are pretty carefree." Ulyo joked.

"No kidding." Lucy muttered.

"But are you technically a member of the Guild, Loke?" Elfman wondered.

"I am still a Fairy Tail mage." Loke revealed his Guild mark.

"I'm counting on ya." The ice mage grinned.

"I'll partner with Juvia." Lisanna voiced. "I got along great with Edolas' Juvia." She beamed. "It's decided."

"Wait, Lisanna!" Elfman wailed, Juvia handed her necklace over the Lisanna. "Then what will I do for my partner?"

"But you've been getting a passionate stare down for a while." Ulyo stated, pointing to Evergreen seated at the bar counter.

"Looks like she's pissed that Freed chose Bisklow as his partner." Lisanna noted.

"If you really wanna be an S-class mage, then I'll lend you a hand." Gajeel cut of Jet and Dory's argument, claiming possession on Levy's pendent. "I just have to blow away any guys who get in your way, right?"

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