Hi peeps! Sorry I've been gone for a while. It's finally thanksgiving break and I get to go home soon! So here's a chapter to celebrate. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 6:

"Congratulations, Erza Scarlett. You passed the test." The official said calmly, smiling broadly. My brain was still trying to wrap around what was happening when the doctor stepped forward.

Automatically, my sword rounded on him, my eyes narrowing and my stance widening.

"What test? What are you talking about?" I demanded, causing the two to pause, looking at me curiously. The official put his hands up.

"I'm sorry we had to test you in this way, but we wanted to test your reaction and your ability to fight in a tight situation. You can lower your sword now. There is no harm." He explained calmly, like he was talking to a child. That only made me angrier as I pointed my sword back at the black knight, who had sat up now.

"No harm? There is a black knight in my tent. He tried to kill me, and you're trying to tell me that I'm safe? You better explain what the hell is going on before I skewer all of you." I threatened darkly. The official chuckled and lowered his hands.

"I understand your concern, but there is no need to be. The black knights are not here. Romeo—" he gestured to the boy, who rose to his feet, "—is not a black knight. He is a soldier in training for the army. He was not trying to kill you, merely trying to test your skills as fighter." I still didn't lower my sword as the doctor went to the boy, examining his face.

"Everyone had to go through this test, that is why it sounded so chaotic outside. But I assure you, you are perfectly safe. You understand, we could not allow simply anyone to partake in this mission. As spirited as some volunteers may have been, if they couldn't handle the reality of what was at stake, then they couldn't be a part of the mission. This was the only way we could weed out those who didn't have what it took. I'm pleased to say, you definitely have what it takes. Romeo is the top in his class, a very skilled fighter, and you thoroughly beat him."

"It's because of the stupid armor." The boy mumbled. My sword began to lower as the pieces began to fit.

"That's messed up. I could have killed him. I only hesitated because I realized how young he was. What if I'd killed him?" I said quietly. The official smiled.

"But you didn't kill him. You're both safe. And now you are officially a part of the mission to save our prince." I tried not to look as shocked and confused as I felt as the official stepped toward me and took the sword away from me, handing me my own sword back. The doctor led the boy away, whispering something in his ear.

The official stepped back and smiled.

"If you would follow me, I'll show you to your fellow volunteers. The ones who passed the test, to clarify." With that, he strode out of the tent, and I had no choice but to strap my sword back around my waist and follow him out.

The square outside had calmed down significantly. I noticed all the soldiers in black armor lining up on one side of the square, standing to attention as their commander walked down the line, yelling something at them. On the other side, I noticed all the volunteers that had come with me, climbing back onto the carriages. They had failed. They had all failed. That meant I was the only one out of at least a dozen men to succeed this test. Would that mean I would be going alone on the mission?

I followed the official up the large stairs and into the main castle. Once we entered, the cold rock was replaced by beautiful marble and smooth limestone. There were huge states of the former kings all in a line down the great hall and the pillars were all decorated with such intricate designs, I knew it would have had to have taken years to make them. The official led me down a small path away from the great hall and up some smooth marble stairs. I was amazed at how beautiful and smooth everything was and how beautifully decorated the walls were, even though this passage seemed like one less traveled.

Finally, we reached a large green door with golden designs decorating its frame. The official gestured to the door and bowed his head.

"Your new companions are already inside. Someone will be along to have you proceed to the next rendezvous point to meet Sir Clive. Refreshments are at your disposal. Please make yourself at home." And with that, the official turned to leave.

I watched him go and frowned at his words. So there were more people in here besides me who'd passed the test? They must have come from a different sector of the city, but I don't remember seeing anyone else at the tents besides the people I'd arrived with. I turned back to the door and took a deep breath. I supposed it was time to find out. With that thought in mind, I took the knob in my palm and opened the door, stepping inside.

Like the door, the room had a green and gold theme to it, I noticed as I closed the door behind me. On one side of the room, a long table was laid out with bowls of food and drinks, as promised. There were three long couches in the center of the room, surrounding a fireplace that was burning in the back. Two people occupied those couches and were giving me wide looks.

"Yes! It's a girl, pay up." I blinked as a blond young woman turned to a tall young man and held her palm out.

"Damn it." The male groaned and fished in his pocket for coins to pass to her. He had salmon pink hair and was wearing nothing but some brown pants and a black vest, exposing his chest. The girl was wearing a tight leather outfit, with her hair pulled into a half side ponytail. She grinned as the coins were place in her hand and tucked them in his low rising bust.

"Welcome to the club, newbie. You're a little late." The boy said, narrowing his eyes at me. I stepped forward and put my hand on the hilt of my sword.

"What makes me the only newbie? We're all here for the first time, right?" I said, walking around the couches to look at them properly. The boy's legs were propped up onto the small coffee table in the middle, and the girl was sprawled across the other couch.

"You're the last one to get here. Makes you the newbie." The boy said, shrugging his shoulders. The girl laughed out loud and shook her head.

"At least she's another member of the female gender. You have no more power here." She said tauntingly, grinning at the boy. He snorted and looked away. "Hi." I turned back to the girl who had stuck her hand out. "Don't listen to that dunderhead. I'm Lucy." I smiled and shook her head.

"Erza." I replied, glancing at the boy expectantly. He was playing with a knife from the strap around his waist. He looked up when he realized everyone was staring at him and cleared his throat.

"Enjoying the view, ladies?" He said, smirking and pushing his vest aside to show off his abdomen. I scoffed and Lucy snorted.

"As if. Sorry about him. He's Natsu." Lucy said, introducing him for him. I nodded and narrowed my eyes at him.

"How do you expect to fight with that flimsy top?" I snapped at him, crossing my arms. Natsu laughed and sat up, tucking the knife back into his belt.

"Sweetheart, I got here first, which means I beat both you to pass that amateur test they had set up. I don't need armor." He said confidently, showing off his surprisingly white teeth. I was going to retort, but I paused at something he said.

"How come you guys got here first anyway?" I asked.

"Because we're better." Natsu said pointedly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Lucy rolled her eyes at him, but turned to me.

"Well, what sector did you come from? Natsu and I both came from the South Upper Town." She said, rubbing the back of her head.

"Um…" I paused, thinking about where I'd come from. I knew I was near the north gate. "I think the North Lower Town possibly?"

"Yeah, that's why you're late. It takes longer to get to the citadel from there than it does from where we were." She said, sitting up and patting the seat beside her. I sat down next to her and clasped my hands in front of me.

"So you know each other?" I asked, looking between the two of them.

"She wishes." Natsu shot, making me roll my eyes and Lucy glare.

"No. I had the pleasure of not knowing him before I got here. I'm actually not from Edolas. I was here on business." She said vaguely. I nodded, not wanting to press her forward.

"Yeah, I'm not from here either. I'm from Fiore. I only work in the mines here. Yeah it's a good job and I get paid well so I keep it." Natsu said, lying back on the couch.

"Was anyone talking to you?" Lucy snapped, causing Natsu to scowl over at us. I stifled a giggle and Natsu shot me a glare. "Anyway, where are you from? I know someone from the lower town didn't just magically pass the test they gave us without some kind of skill."

"I'm from the north." I said vaguely, looking away. I really didn't want anyone to know that I was from Rosemary. They would think I was crazy or stupid or both. And I really didn't want anyone asking questions.

"Oh gosh, that means you're from the border, huh? How is it up there? I heard a lot of villages are suffering at Caelum's hand." Lucy asked, while Natsu turned away, grumbling slightly about nobody cared about what he had to say. I sighed and avoided her eyes as I formulated an answer.

"It's not ideal, I'll put it that way." I said vaguely again. Lucy narrowed her eyes, but didn't press me.

"When do you think they'll come for us?" Lucy asked. This got Natsu's attention, who sat up and rubbed his hands together.

"Hopefully soon. They haven't even told us the details of the mission yet. All we know is that we have to save the prince. That's it. We don't know where he is, or how long that'll take. Or why they picked us and not their own soldiers."

"Are you annoyed they put you with two girls?" Lucy challenged. Natsu blinked and tilted his head in confusion.

"No? Why would I be? You're both here, means you're capable enough to fight. Why would I be annoyed?" He said incredulously. Lucy paused and blinked.

"Uh… never mind." She said, looking away.

I knew why she was confused. So far, everyone in this city had been sexist chauvinists and I was sure he was the same. The fact that he didn't even understand why the question was asked was incredible. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

Just as we were going to start discussing the mission. The door flung open and a tall man strode through the door, causing us to snap our heads in that direction.

The man was tall and broad and was wearing a smart black suit with a royal blue sash. His auburn hair was gelled back and he had the remnants of a five o'clock shadow over his jaw. Behind him, another man entered, much younger and probably closer to our age. He had just black hair that was spike and unruly with sharp features and an athletic build. He was wearing a suit of white armor that seemed pretty thin and easy to move around in. there was a seal on his breastplate, but I couldn't read the insignia.

"Welcome to the Citadel. My name is Gildarts Clive, official Royal Advisor to King Mystogan of Edolas. I am thrilled that so many of you were able to pass the test. I am sorry if it was a bit of a surprise, but we had no other way to be sure you were fit for this mission." I stood with Lucy and bowed slightly to show my respect for the man. Even if I didn't think Prince Jellal was all that, the king was indeed someone to respect.

"May I ask all your names?"

"I'm Natsu Dragneel, your lordliness." I rolled my eyes as Lucy glared at Natsu before stepping forward.

"I'm Lucy." She said tersely. I glanced at her, wondering why she wasn't using a last name.

"Erza Scarlet, sir." I said, bowing my head slightly. Sir Clive nodded at all of us and then turned to the second man.

"This is Sir Gray Fullbuster of Brogo. He was called in specially for this mission. Gray is the captain of the guard in Brogo and once informed of Prince Jellal's capture, the gracious Queen Ur sent him to help us extract him from Caelum. You are all going to be working together to save our prince. I would like to formally thank you for your bravery and sacrifice. Edolas is forever in your debt."

"Don't thank us yet, sir." Gray spoke up for the first time, letting out a low, husky voice that sent shivers down my spine. "Thank us after we have your prince safely back in the castle."

Sir Clive smiled and I glanced around at everyone. Whether we liked it or not, we were now in this together. We were a team and we needed to get along if we had any chance of saving the prince. I hoped I wasn't making a mistake, getting into all of this.

I'm so excited you guys. This story has so many things that will blow your mind. I can't wait. Leave a review!