Chapter 44 – Tropical Hysteria
Hey guys, it's Insane Dominator, and I'm here to give you guys the first chapter of the Tenrou Island Arc. I'm really hoping that you guys find this Arc to be just as god as the Kalos Arc, but time will tell.
GoldenCyclone4: For the record, the Fighting-Type being the best is your opinion. My favorite is Poison.
On with the show, er, story! Whatever!
To Recap:
A few weeks passed since they came back to Fiore, and the S-Class trials had nine candidates. During preparations, Nic took a night off to train and go on a job, and as he returned, he encountered a little girl named Minerva. Hearing about her abusive father, Nic marched over to Sabertooth, and with Kecleon, laid the hurt on Jiemma, acquiring the Fist Plate in the process.
Chapter 44 – Tropical Hysteria
A nice, peaceful, bird-chirping morning in Magnolia. The sun began to rise, and in an apartment, in a certain room, a girl was sound asleep. She was all nice and cozy under her blanket as the sweet, soft cotton kept her warm and…
"VANESA WAKE UP! KROKOROK IS BREAKING MY FURNITURE!" Sophie screamed right next to Vanessa. Vanessa shot her eyes open and screamed in a frantic panic from the sudden awakening, flying out of her bed and falling down on the floor with a thud.
Everything was just a daze to Vanessa as she shook her head to rid herself of dizziness. She then turned sharply upwards towards a smiling Sophie, who was in her attire and ready for the day, though a certain someone was still not necessarily the morning person.
"Sophie! You know I hate that!" Vanessa barked at her friend.
Sophie only kept her grin on her face as she crossed her arms. "Well good morning to you too." She said.
Vanessa rubbed her head and groaned, her black hair slightly messy, but her blonde bang barely covered her right eye as always. "Aw man, and I was having such a good dream too." She then twitched her eyes as Sophie giggled in amusement. "You really are a killjoy when it comes to quality sleep, you know that?"
"Mmmm, perhaps." Sophie then slowly pivoted and started back for the door. "Better get ready, today's the big day!"
Vanessa blinked once, then twice, and then her eyes became circles when she realized what the day it was. She scrambled to her feet and went to change out of her pajamas, which was a teal T-shirt and green shorts. She got dressed into her usual attire, fixing up her hair and made way downstairs towards the kitchen. There, she saw her six Pokémon patiently, more or less, waiting for her.
Sophie turned towards Vanessa as she flipped a pancake in a pan. "Boker tov sleeping beauty."
"Shut up." Vanessa groaned. She yawned and she made way towards the fridge, where she pulled out a couple of eggs and a lemon. She got out her own pan and proceeded to cooking her eggs. As she cooked, she glanced over towards Sophie, her mood still pretty good. "So…ready for today?"
Sophie moved the pancake over to her plate with the spatula and carried it over towards the table. "That's debatable." She said, placing her pancake right next to her fruit. She then looked back at Vanessa, hands to her hips. "Honestly, I still can't get over the fact that you eat actual lemons for breakfast."
Vanessa concentrate on her cooking, applying sea salt to her scrambled eggs as they cooked. "Yeah, well, I have my tastes."
As Sophie opened her mouth, Vanessa pointed the spatula accusingly at her. "And no, I am not a sour mouth!"
Sophie just laughed that Vanessa read her like a book. The two girls sat at their seats, eating away at their respective breakfasts. As both ate, Goomy looked up at Venusaur.
The Dragon-Type looked happy. "Hey Venusaur, are you ready for today?" She asked in her gurgled voice.
Venusaur smiled. "As long as Vanessa is ready, then it's fair to say that we may as well be ready." He said.
Magnezone floated in the air and nodded. "I must agree with you there. No matter what, we must assist Vanessa in any way we can."
Krokorok took in a heaping amount of sausage, much to Mawile's annoyance. Mawile turned towards Krokorok. "Hey, you're gonna choke one of these days if you don't learn to swallow you pig." She complained.
Krokorok turned towards Mawile, pointing a claw at her. "Let me tell you something Mawile! Krokorok eats however he wants! He can eat a piece that's as big as his stomach can chew up!"
Mawile made a tick mark. "You're not making sense there. If your stomach could chew, you wouldn't have a stomach anymore." She growled.
"BRAAHHH!" Krokorok picked up another sausage and threw it into his mouth, chewing it and munching it just to show Mawile that he ain't below Mawile's smarty-pants manner.
Braixen sighed. "Come on you two. Today's an important day."
"She's right." Venusaur came in between the two, doing his peacekeeper duties. "Now both of you, it's best to have this subsided for now. Eating habits or not, we gotta remember what we worked for."
Braixen stood up. "Yeah. We're doing our best for Vanessa to help her friend make S-Class. Hey Vanessa." She called to her Trainer, who looked back at her. "Do you remember what time we gotta be at the port?"
Vanessa swallowed, but sweatdropped. "Uhh, what was it, eight or something?" She was a little confused, as her mind was still trying to process this morning.
Sophie turned towards Vanessa, slabbing melted butter all over her pancake, watching it slather all over the golden brown surface. The glistening image nearly made Sophie drool before she lost focus. "Yeah, I remember. Eight." She then stuffed a small slice of her pancake into her mouth, savoring the flavor. "Which means we have about an hour. We should be ready to leave in half an hour so we can get there by carriage." She said with her mouth full.
Vanessa took a slice of her cut lemon and put the soft inside past her lips, slowly prying the inside from the skin and ate it, swallowing and placed the skin aside on a small plate. She looked thoroughly contemplative, to which Sophie picked up.
"Hm?" Sophie then swallowed. "Something wrong chum?"
"Huh?" Vanessa shook her head. "O-Oh, it's nothing…it's just that I was wondering if I'm ready."
Sophie frowned. "Oh?"
"I mean, I just started learning Magic, and I barely know the basics of Water Magic and Lightning. I mean, I just started reading some Earth Magic, but all I did was start reading a book." She then looked a little saddened. "Though I've been training for a couple weeks, there's so much I don't know yet."
Sophie raised her brow and gave a half-grin. "That attitude isn't going to be helpful you know?" She commented in a more vivid tone. "Come on, you're a great training partner, and your Pokémon over there are just as helpful as you."
Noon, and fairly sunny. Venusaur was just all peachy, and he raised his front legs and then brought them down. "Razor Leaf!" A barrage of spinning, green leaves sliced through the air at Vanessa, who was still working on getting down her Water Magic that she's been working on for a few days.
Vanessa huffed. 'Okay…think of ocean waves…the currents coursing through the water…through your blood…the energy you see all around.' She then put her hands out, but nothing happened. Vanessa then got into a brief panic as Razor Leaf went her way.
"Vanessa! Focus!" Sophie's voice rang as she used her Pyro Saucer from the side, effectively incinerating Razor Leaf, keeping Vanessa from harm.
Venusaur looked at Vanessa with concern as she looked hesitant. "Are you alright Vanessa?" He called out.
The Pularis sibling nodded. "Y-Yeah." She clenched her fists and breathed out. She then put her hand sin front, trying to think again. 'Come on Vanessa. This is your fifth try, you've gotta have it down by now! Just breathe in, have the energy flow…'
Not even a Magic seal appeared before her, keeping her spirits low. She sighed in grief, her efforts at every Magic so far have been for nothing.
Sophie, seeing her friend upset, came over. "Vanessa." Sophie said. "It's okay. Magic isn't something so easily learned."
Vanessa looked at her friends, but still didn't seem high in spirits.
"Look, my Memory-Make didn't come just naturally. It all depends on your drive, behavior, incentives, habits, everything…look, the point I'm making is that this is just going to take some time."
"Which we don't necessarily have." Vanessa pointed out. "The S-Class trials are in five days, and I don't think that's a lot of time."
Sophie smiled. "You'll be fine." She then got serious. "Now come on pouty-pants! Stop shirking and get to attacking!"
Vanessa nodded. "Okay!" She then clenched a fist and she did her best for a jab, but Sophie jerked away.
"C'mon Vanessa! You gotta try harder than that! Nic practically the best hand-to-hand combatant. You and Venusaur have to put everything you have into attacking me!" Sophie exclaimed.
Though hesitant, Vanessa nodded. She then turned towards Venusaur, yet pointed at Sophie. "Venusaur, Razor Leaf!"
"Understood!" Venusaur then fired the same attack at Sophie this time, and Sophie smirked as a chain of memories began to form.
"This is going to be a workout." She commented, the Razor Leaf getting closer, and she fired Pyro Saucer and every leaf was set ablaze.
Vanessa was still left a little downhearted. "I couldn't perform a single spell. Sure, I'm glad Goomy learned Muddy Water, and everyone else gaining some experience, but it's like I never benefitted in the first place."
Sophie sighed before taking in the last bit of her pancake. After a minute, she swallowed and plopped her fork onto her plate. "Now that's just quiter's talk missy." She scolded."So what if those kinds of Magic ain't your forte? You still got them, right?"
Vanessa looked over to see all of her Pokémon smiling at her, and she slowly broke into a grin. "I guess so." She put an elbow on the table. "You're not wrong Sophie, I strive to work just as hard as my brother, and achieve the bonds he has with his team. I'll find my Magic someday."
Sophie grinned. "Thatta girl! Now up on your feet!" She ordered. "We gotta get going soon."
A brief moment passed as Vanessa got out of her seat, Sophie looking at her friend. "And Vanessa, who knows? Maybe your Magic will be unique? It's all on what you do and desire."
Vanessa had a half-grin as she looked at her plate, bits of scrambled eggs and lemon skin all about. She looked on with her grin getting bigger, keeping her hopes up. She then looked at Sophie.
"Alright Ms. Encyclopediac, let's make you S-Class!" She enthusiastically announced.
Tenrou Island
The S-Class Mages all were on their own ship, and they all were supposed to be at the island early. The ship had a Fairy Tail symbol, and they came close to what appeared to be a freaky island with a very large tree, almost seemingly having an island on top.
Nic, having his sunglasses on and in his Splash Plate Form, leaned against the deck railing, the tropical winds brewing about. He looked suspiciously at Tenrou Island, never to have seen something so…peculiar, yet the Magic sensed from their distance was enormous, which made Nic that much more uneasy.
Erza, in her armor, walked up to Nic and saw him looking at the island. "Tenrou Island. Fairy Tail's sacred grounds. I have to admit, even I was left surprised by the Magic swelled around here. It wasn't easy to undergo, S-Class is a tough responsibility, but your wits, strength, and great resolves, as well as your past experiences back in Kalos made you qualified." Erza glanced over towards Nic with a grin. "I wouldn't think otherwise."
Nic grinned, keeping his superstitions out of the way and just enjoying the nice atmosphere. True, it was freakishly hot, but it didn't bother Nic. Route 9 and the beach along Route 8 had that kind of hot weather, but that didn't keep Nic down. And on that note, ever since coming back from Kalos, Nic and Erza started to reconnect, feeling satisfied around her again.
Pleasantries aside for both parties, Gildarts and Mira both looked on. Gildarts turned towards Mira. "So what's the story with those two?" He asked.
Mira, knowing how the other felt, just smiled. She knew from the Phantom Lord War, the Tower of Heaven, and after the Fantasia Parade that the two had a very deep connection. Mirajane feigned curiosity. "Well, let's say that both had a long road that they're walking down on." She simply stated.
"Oh?" Gildarts had a small hint, but got the idea fairly quickly, given his past experience. A small grin came across his face.
Nic then turned around and faced the other S-Class members. "Alright guys, listen up. The Master gave us specific locations to quarrel when the candidates come ashore, so once we reach land, we'll set the base camp up and then take our positions."
"Well look at you, all tall and mighty." Gildarts said, impressed at how his orders were a lot like Erza, and exaggerated the tall part since Nic and Erza were the same height. "You got experience leading the charge."
Nic snickered. "Guess you could say that." Nic then turned around, facing Tenrou Island as it came closer within grasps. The oceanic breeze made his coat wave slightly as his sunglasses reflected Tenrou's tree. 'This is going to be something very interesting…'
A moment later, his eyes widened slightly, seeing a forceful pulse out of the blue. His radar began to go off from deep within his own core. Recognizing this sensation almost immediately, Nic mentally gritting his own teeth, his gaze looking serious from under his glasses.
'This isn't good.' He thought. 'A Plate? At a time and place like this? This is only gonna complicate things, with the other members coming in a couple hours.' He looked and slowly clenched his fists. 'I have to test the contenders, but…of all the times!'
He snapped out of his thoughts when the boat stopped, and they were soon on shore. Nic set his Plate radar on hold and he got on shore with the other S-Class Mages. They quickly set up base camp in their designated location, and then Erza took the lead.
"I'll secure my post, which shall be route 4." She said.
"Then I get route 1." Gildarts announced.
Mira gave a serious smile. "Then I guess that I get route 8."
Nic blinked and he made a mental resolve. 'I have to get the Plate out of my head for now. Dealing with the S-Class trials will have to be my priority for now. When they're finished, I'll go in search.'
With his resolve set, Nic then stepped forwards. "Then I get route 9." He said.
Mira smirked. "Oh, getting cozy close to my route, huh?" She deliberately teased. "Careful not to get too close, or I may get rough." She then broke into a small laugh. Erza knew Mirajane was teasing, but the startled and slightly flustered expression Nic had made her fume a fiery aura and a tick mark. It took all of Erza's willpower to suppress her growling.
Gildarts smirked at the amusement. "Any rate, let's get moving. They'll be here soon." As he started walking, Gildarts looked back at Nic. "Hey, you got the smoke up?"
Thanks to Gildarts's question, Nic was brought out of his embarrassment and looked back at the middle-aged S-Class Mage. "Yeah, I got it set." Nic then proceeded without hesitation, trying to keep himself occupied by plugging in his earbuds to drown out distractions. The metal got Nic focusing as he proceeded into cave. Mira's route was one of the few that were with no cavern, which didn't bother her. Erza and Gildarts both went into their caves, with the former beginning to focus as the S-Class Mages were soon to arrive.
An hour later…
The S-Class contenders all sulked around on the boat, the heat getting to them. Practically everyone had on tropical attires, and Evergreen, Cana, and Lucy were all in bikinis. Elfman was in his 'manly' swimwear, which was a long cloth, and Gray…you get the idea.
"Geez, has anyone invented air conditioning out here? I'm being roasted alive." Lucy exaggerated.
"There isn't much wind, so we're frickin boiling." Cana said, fanning herself with a fan with the Fairy Tail emblem that had the same color as Nic's.
Happy was literally sizzling. "I think I'm gonna become a fish and dive right into the water. Who invented heat anyway?"
Sophie, laying her head against a table, looked exhausted. "You're only making us worse Happy." She groaned, Vanessa's forehead against the table and groaning right after.
Gajeel rested his head on his hand. "We get it! It's hot, right that on your foreheads while you're at it!" He barked, his tolerance low.
Lisanna had an iced glass pressed against her face. "Juvia, aren't you hot wearing that?"
Juvia's hair and attire was back to what it was, the only change being her vest held by a Fairy Tail button. "I'm fine, thanks. However…" She then clasped her hands together and had hearts in her eyes as she saw Gray, naked and groaning on a chair. "Gray's so hot without his clothes!"
"I'm dying." Gray groaned.
Natsu was all dazed as the heat didn't bother him, but being on a ship was. "Why? Whyyyyyyy?!" He squealed before releasing the contents of his stomach overboard.
Vanessa tilted her head, noting how her black hair was taking in a ton of heat, frying her neck. "Curse you, demon sun." Vanessa then went wide-eyed. "I need to get Goomy's Rain Dance out here, asap." The Pularis sibling then reached into her bag, where she got out Goomy's Poke Ball and half-grinned.
"Hey guys, look." Loke announced. Before Vanessa could open Goomy's Poke Ball, she looked up and saw that her efforts were for naught as they reached Tenrou Island, the same island Nic and the S-Class Mages arrived at earlier. "We've arrived."
Gray, still naked, looked over the boat, seeing the island ahead. "It's kind of freaky looking."
Happy sensed a great power, and he looked as well. "Can you fell that? There's so much Magic power that it's freaking me out. You feel it too Natsu?" Naturally, as Natsu did was twitch on the deck, his face pale.
"True, and it looks manly to me." Elfman said.
"An island on top of another island? This is very odd." Levy said.
"Impressive." Mest said.
As their awe came to a close, Makarov was aboard the ship, staring down at the contenders. "A legend of Tenrou Island follows." He announced, making everyone turn back towards him. "It was once home to fairies, but to this day no one knows. All that is certain…is that it is the resting place of Fairy Tail's First Master, Mavis Vermilion."
Vanessa and Sophie were both left in surprise. "No joke?! I don't remember you saying that!" Sophie exclaimed.
Gray pointed an accusing finger at Makarov. "And you're going there in that?!" Gray shouted, seeing Makarov's T-shirt was a vacationing shirt.
Makarov looked back at Gray. "Coming from you? The guy who's nude?"
"Speaking of which, can you finally get some clothes on?" Sophie asked.
Makarov then looked slightly impatient. "Now then, I would like to announce the first round of your trial."
Wendy was rather surprised. "There's more than one trial?"
Mest looked down at Wendy, a mild look on his face. "If the Mest had just one trial planned, it wouldn't be much of a challenge."
Makarov then pointed at the island. "Your attention should be towards the island. You'll notice that there's smoke coming from one point." Everyone then turned and looked over to see the smoke that Nic had earlier. "Your first task is to head to it; then, you shall choose one of the nine routes present. Once you pick one there will be no turning back, so pick wisely."
A Magic board appeared right next to Master Makarov, labeling the routes in numbers and everyone looked at the board. They all saw the routes with the S-Class Mages being classified as "Intense Combat", one route labeled "Serenity", and four paths, that converged into two, labeled as "Combat, leading up to a big circle at the top labeled "First Round Passed".
"Teams that are able to advance passed these routes shall be victorious, and shall move on to the second round." Makarov explained.
"Whoa." Natsu said, awing as the boat didn't move and saw the board.
Gray saw it as well. "Intense Combat routes. Those won't be easy, especially with Erza and Nic."
Loke grinned. "Yeah, those two got smarts and reflexes. I wouldn't wanna fight them."
Vanessa looked piqued. "What's the Serenity Route?" She asked.
Makarov then spoke again. "Combat routes are straight-forward. Two teams clash, but only one will advance. Intense Combat is much more difficult, as you will be facing Fairy Tail's S-Class Mages. The Serenity route is where you get by without fighting, but you will still be tested nonetheless."
Lucy turned towards Cana. "Let's hope luck is on our side!"
Cana raised a brow when she looked at Lucy. "Though I am a gambler, I wouldn't place all my eggs in one basket. The odds being one out of nine, be ready to fight."
Elfman clenched his fists. "Grrr…this sucks! Those Intense Combat routes are very manly, too manly!"
Evergreen sighed. "You big ox, what a wimp."
"I really don't wanna fight my friends." Levy groaned, having Gajeel rest an arm on her head due to her height.
Gajeel smirked, clenching his left fist as his right was resting on Levy's head. "Sounds fun to me. I've been aching to find a reason to punch these fools."
Makarov then stood affirm. "Ready?! The first round starts now!"
Vanessa immediately panicked. "Wait! You mean we start now?! It's the middle of the ocean!"
Gray smirked. "Guess we're swimming then!"
Natsu was grabbed by Happy. "ALRIGHT! LET'S GO!" When they were leaving, Natsu and Happy both splat their faces against the air, as though it was an invisible wall.
Everyone there was left surprised. Cana recognized it. "An Enchantment?" She then looked around and noticed that the ship was surrounded by Freed's Enchantment.
Everyone then saw Freed using Dark Ecriture: Wings and sailed off through the air towards their destination. He looked back at them all. "It won't last long. 5 Minutes is what I set it to."
Bickslow was flying on his 'babies'. He flew right by Freed's side. "Then again, know never know these days."
Gray looked out in distress. "Hey, get back here! Gramps, that's gotta be against the rules or something!"
Master didn't look interested. "Nope Gray, it's fair."
"You gotta be kidding me! He's gonna cover the whole island in Enchantments by the time we're there!" Gray was not pleased at all
Happy then realized something. "Hey wait a sec guys, can't Levy get us out?"
Levy nodded and got out a pen, and started to rewrite the Enchantment. "I'll have this done in a sec."
"ALRIGHT!" Natsu and Happy then flew ahead, but slammed once again into an invisible wall.
Levy winked. "Sorry, I wrote it for me and Gajeel! Later!" Levy and Gajeel then dive right onto the water, with Lucy and Cana looking displeased.
"What-?! Levy!" Lucy shouted. She then sulked. "Great. Just great."
Meanwhile, Evergreen was writing the Enchantment for her and Elfman. She used her own pen and scribbled the enchantment around. "You glad you teamed up with someone who knows Freed so well?" She asked Elfman.
Elfman looked surprised. "I didn't know you could do that!"
"Rewriting Enchantments such as these is easy for someone like me." She then finished and then dived right into the water, with Elfman diving in like a real man, now making three teams heading way towards the island.
Natsu pounded in frustration against the Enchantment, four minutes remaining. As everyone looked frustrated, Vanessa groaned and Sophie shook in place. "Zeh dafuk!"
Four minutes later…
The Enchantment flashed a pink light and shattered, signaling the others to head off as quickly as they could. Natsu and Happy wasted no time in soaring through the air, making way towards the smoke. Gray used Ice make: Floor, and he and Loke both skid off towards the island. Juvia traveled through the water with her Magic, and Lisanna turned into a fish.
"Come on! We're gonna be dead last!" Lucy shouted in distress.
"Don't worry, Mest and Wendy haven't even left the-!" She looked up and noticed that they weren't on the ship. "What the heck?!"
"Come on!" Lucy and Cana then dove into the water, leaving Sophie and Vanessa the only ones left.
Sophie immediately panicked. "Oy! We gotta get moving Vanessa! Hurry!" Sophie then jumped overboard and into the water.
Vanessa followed suit, and the two raced side-by-side with Lucy and Cana towards shore, in which they made it in less time than they had expected. Upon getting towards the smoke, Vanessa and Sophie tried drying themselves while Cana and Lucy did so by the sun.
They finally reached the location, where the smoke finally stopped signaling. Out of the nine passages present, varying in staircases and tunnels with rocky or jagged entrance points, seven were sealed off with an 'X' over it, meaning two were currently open.
Cana's optimism wasn't all that high. "Looks like we're the last ones to pick." She said, rather upset.
Lucy still kept her optimism high. "Hey, we still got our looks and luck on our side, right? Besides, they always save the best for last."
Cana sighed. "It's good to know that someone can keep their spirits high." And with that, they made way down towards one of the two routes available, and 'X' appearing over their tunnel.
Just as they went in, Sophie and Vanessa finally showed up, all nice and dry. Sadly, they were last, and the only spot left open was the only route to the far right, which was a rocky entrance with a tunnel entrance.
Vanessa looked annoyed. "Oh great! Just our luck!" She exclaimed. She then gave a defeated sigh. "Well, I guess it can't be helped. If the last route is a combat route, I guess we could have an advantage with your Memory-Make, right?"
Sophie, unlike Vanessa, didn't seem disappointed. She was actually seen chuckling in slight amusement.
"Sophie?" Vanessa asked, narrowing her eyes.
Sophie gave a proud glint in her eyes. "Don't you worry Vanessa, we got this! Because we got the best route out of all of them!"
Immediately, Vanessa looked piqued. "Please tell me it's the Serenity route." She practically begged.
Sophie shook her head. "Sorry, that ain't it." Though this news made Vanessa sweatdrop, Sophie kept her optimism high. "I fully memorized the map Makarov showed us on the ship, so I know just what we'll be dealing with."
Vanessa didn't have much of a say, she just had to put faith in Sophie's judgement. Though it still made her nervous as to how confident Sophie was. Sophie then led Vanessa, the less adventurous of the two, through the route, where an 'X' emerged as they entered.
The inside of the open cave had many holes in the top, light peering through the stalagmites peering from the corners. It had a more tropical feeling, as there were some opening where they were right next to the ocean, hearing the waves crash up towards the rocky side.
Vanessa felt more placid as she liked the ocean waves crashing and splashing. She really wasn't sure why, she just found it comforting. Though this didn't necessarily settle her discomfort with Sophie's choice. "Sophie, I hope you're right about this."
Sophie turned towards Vanessa as they traveled soundly down the route. "Don't worry Vanessa. I memorized it, just like I said, so I know who we're dealing with."
Not even a couple minutes later, there was a rather vast opening, and there was a large dome-like area of rock, light peering through cracks and holes all about. Below was water with stalagmites, and they walked the flat yet rocky trail that lead to a battlefield-sized flat rock, where a certain someone was expecting them.
"And I was right." Sophie smirked.
"Huh…?" Vanessa trailed off as she saw the opponent before her. She nearly gawked at whom she was about to face.
They both looked to see the sunglasses on his face glint and reflect the sun, and his earbuds were being put away. The person was none other than Nic, Vanessa's brother.
"Are you frickin serious Sophie?!" Vanessa screeched, panicking like crazy. "This has to be the worst luck we could possibly have!"
Nic crossed his arms and looked at Sophie and Vanessa. "So, it would appear that you two have to face me. Be warned, just because I'm S-Class, doesn't mean that I won't make this easy."
Sophie chuckled and then gave a serious grin. "Well Nic, this wasn't the best option I admit, but since you're our opponent, this shouldn't take long."
Nic then raised a brow under his sunglasses. "Oh really? I didn't take you to be cocky and overconfident Sophie. Where'd this come from?"
Sophie then stood affirm with a smile. "Because I memorized how you fight, and with my Memory-Make, and Vanessa's team, this won't be easy for you; after all, knowing is half the battle."
Nic raised a brow. "Most impressive knowledge, but less you forget that I'm still gifted in hand-to hand combat, which is your weak point. Trying to surpass me this round won't be an easy task for you or my sister. As your examiner, I must test to see if you have what it takes to make S-Class."
Vanessa crossed her arms and snickered. "Since when did you learn to be a Gym Leader?"
Nic felt the amusement and reference. "Can't say, but enough lollygagging. I won't hold back so easily." A blue aura encased his body as he was still in his Splash Plate Form. Everyone could feel the swishing of the water down below, reacting to Nic's Splash Plate
Sophie tensed up. As did Vanessa. "Get ready!" Sophie shouted. "I'll create a diversion!" Sophie then pointed a finger at her head as a focus point. A chain of memories then started flowing about. "Okay Nic, let's see how you fare against this!"
Nic looked up, seeing as how Sophie initiated her attack from above. "Memory-Make: Stone Lightning!" The lightning the shot straight down on Nic, zigzagging until it was very close. Nic didn't move his feet, as he just flicked his left arm in an arc, which made water from below the rock they battled on shoot upwards and arc over Nic's head, the sizeable arc acting as a shield to conduct the lightning.
Sophie went wide-eyed as Nic then moved his right arm in front and into a palm strike motion, which made the arced shield curve and turn into a rushing electrifying gush. Sophie and Vanessa both jumped out of the way as the gushing water splashed in their place, which turned into a stone puddle that was still swaying, having curved edging and some soft slash edges as well.
"Whoa! He just used your attack against us!" Vanessa shouted.
Sophie was still too shocked to whip her head back, which was a mistake as Nic then zoomed in and swung and sharp jab onto Sophie, making her scream as she sailed back hit the stone puddle, which she was safe as she hit the middle with no curved edging.
"Sophie!" Vanessa shouted. She turned sharply towards her brother and grunted. She didn't hesitate as she pulled out a Poke Ball. "Braixen, go!"
From the Poke Ball, Vanessa's Braixen appeared, ready for battle with both her legs spread out. "I'll do my best, don't worry!" The Fire-Type declared.
Nic isn't the one to mock, yet he was uncertain as to why Vanessa would bring out a Fire-Type…unless if she did it to lend a support move or two. Realization dawned upon him as he recalled full well that there were a few status moves that a Braixen could use that could prove to be troublesome, so he kept himself calm and his stance changed to a defensive one.
"Alright Braixen! Fire Spin!" Vanessa's order was followed and Braixen pulled out her stick, where from the tip, Fire Spin spun after Nic. Nic was certainly surprised that she didn't call for a status move, but perhaps she had a reason. Maybe she wanted to catch Nic off guard until Sophie got back to her feet.
Nic swirled his hands slowly and a small swirl of water was forming, eventually growing larger and he held it over his head. "Whirlpool!" Nic then threw the attack, easily overpowering Fire Spin as the Water-Type move made way. Realizing this, Vanessa and Braixen jumped out of the way, avoiding Whirlpool as it dispersed upon continuing onwards.
Sophie was back to her feet and she stood in place. "Memory-Make: Charge Blades!" She used her singer as a focus point and then the ground suddenly rumbled. Nic looked on to see the ground in front of Sophie protrude jabbed plates of rock with yellow tips for electrifying explosions upon contact. A massive, jagged trail went after Nic, and Braixen added to it with her Psyshock, purple beams shot forth and raced with Charge Blades.
As both attacks went his way, Nic didn't even flinch as he reached into his pockets. He grabbed something as both attacks were a few feet away.
A large explosion of yellow and purple made a dome-like space where Nic stood. The ground vibrated heavily as Sophie and Vanessa looked on, Braixen slightly uneasy from the expectations being made from this fight. When the explosion dispersed in a matter of seconds, it showed that Nic wasn't even there.
"Hold on! Where'd he go?!" Vanessa exclaimed.
"Did we overdo it?" Braixen asked.
They didn't know what else was expected since Nic was seemingly nowhere, but they were brought out of their curiosity when a Water Pulse was shot from above, hitting the team at its feet, a blue, aquatic explosion swallowing them. They all screamed as they flew and fell on their backs, slightly soaked. Sophie and Vanessa were on their backs as Braixen could barely move, sustaining the worst of it.
Sophie and Vanessa sat up, both heavily startled. "Stay sharp!" They heard Nic's voice from above, and they turned their heads slightly upwards to find Nic sitting atop of a certain someone's back, flapping as her red eyes beamed down onto her opponents.
It was Staraptor, and she looked very serious. She flapped in place as Nic was lightly on her back. This left Vanessa and Sophie surprised. "He dodged by getting airborne with his Staraptor." Sophie said. "And here I thought we had him."
"You're making this fairly simple guys. You're using forward approaches and not finding a right sync with your combined attacks." Nic then clenched his right fist as his other hand was a support to hold onto Staraptor. "Staraptor go!"
Staraptor then dived down at an angle, incoming at a dangerously fast velocity. "Let's do this!" Staraptor shouted. "Aerial Ace!" She then became a vast blur that was too fast for even Vanessa and Sophie to keep track of. She rammed right into Sophie making her scream and zoom back as her abdomen felt it was hit by a missile. She fell back on the ground, shaken up pretty bad.
Staraptor circled around and Nic jumped off her back onto the ground, where he stood several feet from Braixen. She was still shaken up from Water Pulse, but she could still battle. "I'm fine! I can still go on!" She then coated herself as she clenched her paws. She then took a step back and lunged at Nic. "Flame Charge!" As Braixen charged for him, Nic held a hand out and blocked the attack, not even budging an inch. "What?!"
"He stopped Flame Charge with one hand!" Vanessa shouted.
Nic still had a hand out, keeping Braixen still as her Flame Charge deactivated. "You're being reckless in your attacks, not to mention your Fire-Type prowess isn't that effective against me." He explained. He then grabbed her head and he pivoted, throwing Braixen into the air.
Seeing her in the air, Staraptor saw an opening and took it. "Steel Wing!" Her wings glowed a metal-gray color and she zoomed at a high speed, attacking as Braixen still tumbling in the air. Braixen was eft defenseless as she was left screaming and spiraling, and Staraptor slammed her right wing into her abdomen at perfect timing, making a small ripple of air upon contact. She lashed her wing downwards and Braixen smashed into the ground close by, dust and rock flying in all directions.
Vanessa looked in worry. "Braixen!" She looked with shock as the dust subsided and Braixen was seen in a small crater, fainted. Seeing as how she was left in a bind, Vanessa returned her Braixen.
Nic put his hands into his pockets as Sophie slowly got up. "We were instructed to hold back, and that is what we are doing; however, you two clearly lack coordination. To read the other's mind and come to a quick decision."
Sophie and Vanessa had to get their act together, otherwise this won't end well for them.
With Lisanna and Juvia
The two Mages were left unfortunate as their route was like a corridor with statues here and there, yet the ground beneath them was shattered and they were on broken rock pieces, some atop of the other. The ground was also covered in water, probably thanks to Juvia's Magic and Erza's armor.
Juvia and Lisanna alike were covered in a few scratches from being testes from Erza. Some dust was settling from a recent assault.
"She's so strong." Juvia remarked. "Has she always been this formidable?"
"Pretty much." Lisanna answered.
The dust cleared, revealing Erza in her Sea Empress Armor. The green breastplate resembled seaweed, and a thin chain kept them both together over Erza's exposed belly. The breastplate was connected to the green pauldrons with blue fin-like ornaments. The green gauntlets she had on resembled seashells, and had green elbow guards. She had a dark bikini and a long cloth that circles her waist and the sides, the edging much like fins, connected to the shorts with green sea star-like ornaments. The greaves had fin-like ornaments, as well as the shoulders. The greaves went up to her knees, her thighs covered by jagged cloth. The headgear had a metal plate over her forehead, having a whirl-shaped sign on it, and ad large fin-like protrusions that were like ears.
"You're going to have to do better if you wish to become S-Class Juvia." Erza warned, holding her crystal sword.
"Watch it Juvia. Your attacks won't have an effect on her with that armor on." Lisanna warned.
Juvia was shaking as she was getting all riled up. Erza was just too powerful for her to take on. She needed to step up her game. She took a moment to relax and she got back to her feet. "I won't give up! I will defeat you yet!" She turned into water and made a serpentine motion through the air after Erza. Erza easily slashed straight through the incoming water, forcing Juvia to form back into herself and meeting Erza in mid-air.
Juvia then whipped about in the air. "Water Slicer!" Her blades of water went after Erza, but the S-Class Mage used her sword to deflect the blades, all of which bounced right off to different targets, slicing up rock everywhere else. Juvia landed on a nearby intact rock and looked startled. "She blocked my attack like it was nothing!"
"Here I come Erza!" Lisanna shouted, her Harpy Take Over for the wings active and heading in to attack Erza from behind at an angle. What startled Lisanna was that Erza drove her sword into the ground, using it as a leverage and she swung herself backwards into a backflip towards Lisanna, bringing an axe kick down and slamming her into some rock.
Erza then landed as Lisanna got right back up. "I'm just getting warmed up! Take Over!" She lunged at Erza, shifting into a verge large purple bunny with a red and white collar. Erza, however, jumped and put her arm on the bunny's head and used that as a springboard and leaped overhead as Lisanna rammed into the wall, making some dust fly.
"Impressive." She said as she was still jumping. She flipped and landed on her feet on a rock. "However, you can use some work on timing, and the Take Over you use."
Lisanna turned around towards her and sweatdropped. "But I like the bunny."
Juvia realized something as she watched Erza dodge Lisanna when she tried to ram her. 'Of course, Erza's vulnerable when Lisanna attacks. If I time it just right, I can stop her.' She then saw Lisanna change into a Harpy, having her head as the only thing present, as well as her shirt, When Erza dodged, that's when Juvia made her move. "Water Cane!" She whipped her arm, where a long whip of water lashed out after Erza.
Yet Erza was still on top of her game as she sliced through the Water Cane. Juvia and Lisanna were no match when they were then struck by individual kicks from Erza, sending them both to the ground in a skid. As they tried getting up, Erza remained still, waiting for them to get back up.
"I must say, you're a bit of a disappointment Juvia." Erza said, her Magic power emanating in a red aura, meaning she increased her strength. "You've gotta improvise more thoroughly. The tactic of striking while I dodge an ally's attack is the most obvious there is, not to mention the easiest to thwart. I expected better."
A Juvia hesitated to get up, Erza continued. "When we were in the Tower of Heaven, I sensed a great deal of power, but where is it? Tell me!" Erza then slashed her sword, a blue wave slashing through the air towards Juvia, making her scream.
Outside the route, you could hear screams from Lisanna and Juvia alike.
With Sophie and Vanessa
Vanessa's Mawile was slammed on her side. The next thing anybody knew, Nic swung his arm, sending Sophie several feet away into a harsh skid. Staraptor flapped overhead as Mawile shook, trying to stand after taking a Steel Wing. She hesitated as Staraptor looked down with predator-like eyes.
"You've gotta be more alert Mawile. You need to find a more appropriate tactic. Brute force isn't going to benefit you." The Predator Pokémon explained. Mawile was back to her feet and she grunted. Mawile then saw Staraptor dive right at her once more, and she used Protect to keep herself from harm. Mawile's smirk diminished when Staraptor came to a sudden halt in front of the shield, not doing anything, rather she waited expectingly. This scared Mawile as she saw her Protect fade and the split second it did, Staraptor grabbed her stem that connected the horns to her head and carried her upwards.
Vanessa looked startled. "No way! Staraptor didn't use a single move! She just anticipated when Protect would fade and she clutched Mawile!" Vanessa looked hesitant, but she didn't back down. "Feint Attack! Get around her!"
Mawile opened her eyes and then Staraptor blinked, realizing she vanished, though not completely. The Normal and Flying-Type felt a strong weight from behind and she turned around, swatting with her left wing to brush away Mawile's incoming jaw.
Mawile went wide-eyed as she never expected Staraptor to see that a mile away. "Bu-but how?!" Staraptor swung across with her right wing, her Steel Wing active once more, getting Mawile across and made her scream, unable to counter as her aerial dynamics were no match for Staraptor. She fell to the rocky ground with a thud, fainted.
Staraptor descended and saw Vanessa return Mawile, seeing the struggling look on her face. Staraptor saw this and she kept her fierce gaze.
"Vanessa. Is that what you have achieved at this point?" Staraptor asked. "When Nic had the same number of badges you did, I could practically run on land and do close-range combat with no trouble. As far as I'm concern, you're a warm up."
Vanessa swallowed hard as Nic had cornered her. She looked over and saw Sophie quarreling with Nic, seeing her teammate fire her Charge Blades once more, but it proved futile as Nic jumped and backflipped. While doing so, he brought his palms together and made Water Pulse. He then spiraled a 360 and threw it at the blades below, colliding with one and making a hydroelectric explosion in between Sophie and himself.
When it cleared, Nic was seen unfazed. "C'mon Sophie. You've fell for my trap. I have you cornered against me, and Vanessa is left alone to fend against Staraptor. It's one of the basic tactics of divide and conquer."
Sophie remembered this during the Nirvana incident, where they all split up and had to face Racer with Gray and Lyon, only they had the advantage with teamwork and numbers; in this case, Nic had the advantage.
She was caught in a daze as Nic put his palms together and attacked with another Water Pulse, the attack making way as Sophie snapped out of her thoughts and tried to counter. "Memorize…then…" She tried to memorize the Water Pulse attack, yet for some reason, memorizing it was impossible. "Wait, I can't memorize it!" She was then hit by the explosive attack, making her scream as she was engulfed in an aquatic explosion and flew backwards, hitting a nearby rock and groaned.
Nic stepped ahead. "There's a flaw in your Memory-Make Sophie." He said. "You once told me that you used that very same method to stop Bickslow from finishing you off during the Battle of Fairy Tail. But that left me to wonder as to what if moves were implied in place of Magic; and then the results were as I thought. Your Memory-Make can only make you memorize and forget Magic, not moves themselves."
Sophie grunted as she winced. "Darn it, my strategy didn't work."
"And even if it did work, there's an abundance of moves and forms I can take up."
Vanessa struggled as she had to make a quick decision. Nic wasn't making this test easy for them. He was testing Sophie's capabilities of becoming S-Class, and Vanessa's strength as a Pokémon Trainer. He had cornered them both, and Vanessa didn't have much of an alternative.
'Okay, this isn't going well…'
With Juvia and Lisanna
Juvia was struggling to get up after taking so many hits. Erza had her sword poised to strike Juvia as she hesitated to get up. "I still didn't get an answer from you. Where does that power lie? What do I have to do to make it break out of you Juvia?" She barked seriously. Juvia couldn't respond, and in turn Erza stood affirm, her Magic continuing to encase her in red energy, signaling her level of power.
Erza then saw Juvia slowly get up, still hesitant. "I will defeat you! I won't stay down so easily!" Juvia then used her Water Body and became a spiraling gush of water that went after her. The redhead slashed vertically, once again nullifying Juvia's assault, but the Water Mage didn't stop there. "Water Slicer!" In close range, she lashed her arms, sending tons of compressed water at Erza, but the same exact result implied when Erza used her sword to deflect Water Slicer all around. The individual compressed water attacks shattered even more rock and left Erza unharmed.
Juvia was left startled, unable to comprehend her situation. Erza swung her sword back, ready to strike. "You haven't learned Juvia."
Erza then swung, but something kept her from bringing her sword forward to attack. She nudged and budged, but there was a tight grip. She turned around and her eyes widened a bit.
There was Lisanna and a certain Take Over. She had pincer claws that kept her sword in place, and her long arms were segmented and slightly stretchable. The rest of her upper body, including shirt, was left alone, as her lower body was of four clawed feet and a segmented body, and a segmented pincer tail.
Lisanna looked like she was having trouble, but her strength was holding up pretty well. "Surprised Erza?"
Erza kept her serious expression, but was inwardly surprised. "Impressive Lisanna. I never would've imagined that you would use that Take Over."
Lisanna then used her claw strength and yanked Erza back, which succeeded and made her turn towards her. "This Drapion body is very freaky, but it's great, because I can do this!" Lisanna then put her claws in an 'X' shape and a purple X was made. She then slashed her arms, sending the purple X at Erza. "Cross Poison!"
Erza jumped, dodging the rather explosive purple attack that hit the rock behind her. While in mid-air, Erza didn't forget about Juvia, and turned around and saw her shooting a Water Cane at her yet again. She expertly sliced through it once more, nullifying it.
A claw then grabbed Erza's leg, yanking her down and making her yelp as she hit the shallow water. Lisanna then used both claws and she grabbed Erza's legs, using her strength and lashing her into the air.
"Now Juvia!" She called out.
"Right! Water Jigsaw!" Her lower body was then becoming a swirl of water with blades of Water Slicer and she went after Erza, who was vulnerable. "I got you know Erza!"
Erza eyes flashed open and then all anyone saw was a blur of blue slashes. Erza was seen slashing with her sword through Juvia's attack, forcing Juvia back together and her mouth was gaped, the Water Mage gawking as she was struck instantaneously. She fell downwards onto a rock with a thud, dazed.
"Juvia!" Lisanna shouted. She then saw Erza turn and glare back at her. She didn't back down, rather she did another trick up her sleeve. "Night Slash!" She had her pincers glow purple and she then extended her arms out, the claws reaching Erza, but she used her sword and slashed them away.
Erza noticed how the claws weren't at all damaged, and that left her to take note to avoid them next time. She saw an opening and slashed her sword, a blue wave heading towards Lisanna, making her squeal as she skidded back to a halt.
Erza was surprised that Lisanna didn't seem that hurt. "That armor Drapion has is sure impressive. It reduced the blow by a margin." She stated.
Lisanna nodded and snipped her claws. "It took me a little while, but I got it down…" Though as she said that, her Magic felt rather low, and she seemed rather exhausted.
Erza took notice. "It seems doing Take Over after Take Over was exhausted you Lisanna." She said. She then crouched and swung her sword once more, another blue wave after Lisanna. Lisanna didn't have much choice but to cover up as she was hit, making a blue burst of energy erupt and made Lisanna hit a rock, leaving a small crater in it.
Though it didn't last long, the Take Over ran out, and Lisanna was left with many scratches. She looked a little dizzy, but she got to her feet and stood up. Erza sighed and she threw Lisanna overhead, comically spinning a lot until she landed right next to Juvia, both unable to move.
Erza walked on over and she looked away, requipping into her Heart Kreuz Armor and having a sword at her side. She half-grinned. "So, you want round 2?"
"No thanks, we surrender." The two Mages said in unison, both having swirls in their eyes.
With Sophie and Vanessa
"Memory-Make: Baryon Lightning Impact!" Sophie made a chain of memories and shot a large green beam at Nic, lightning infused with it. The very attack made the rock rattle as it traveled towards Nic.
The Multitype Mage waited for the attack until it was close, and then he pivoted and spiraled towards his right, the attack barely missing him. He then coated himself in water and lunged ahead at Sophie, via Aqua Jet.
Sophie did her best to block as quickly as she could, and another chain of memories was made. "Memory-Make: Jagged Barrier!" Sophie then pressed her hands down on the ground, making a stone wall with ice spikes lined up rise and keep herself apart from Nic. Nic saw this and was surprised.
"Admirable. However…" Nic made a quick 90 degree angle upwards, just a foot away from the ice spikes. He shot straight up, just over the large stone wall. "You still have quite a ways Sophie! Bubblebeam!" He then stopped Aqua Jet and shot blue bubbles like a cannon at Sophie. Sophie quickly scooted backwards and avoided it as the wall came down.
As the wall was no more, Nic landed on his two feet, and glanced over towards Vanessa and her Venusaur.
The two looked all psyched yet composed. Venusaur looked back at Vanessa and nodded. "I know our opponent may seem impossible, but we can do this." Venusaur assured her.
Vanessa nodded. "I got it Venusaur." She then frowned and looked serious, moving her arm forward. "Venoshock!"
Venusaur followed commands and from his yellow center in his flower, a gush of purple went shooting at Staraptor. Staraptor's only reply was a Double Team, in which she made multiple copies of herself. Venoshock gushed away at its course, but only got an illusion. Staraptor, along with her illusions, grinned at Vanessa and Venusaur, seeing their spirit.
"Razor Leaf!" Venusaur followed commands and fired multiple green leaves at the air. The green leaves sliced through many of the copies, as to where a vast majority easily swiftly maneuvered about through and dodged, gaining higher altitude. When that happened, the Double Team faded and Staraptor went or Aerial Ace, becoming a vast blur.
This was Vanessa's chance.
"Now, Toxic!" Vanessa shouted, and Venusaur then lowered his front legs and gushed out a purple liquid, one denser than Venoshock. Staraptor went head on with the attack, getting swallowed in a small purple burst of dust.
Venusaur smiled. "Nice going Vanessa, calling for Toxic should keep her down."
Vanessa smiled, thinking that did the trick.
That smile soon fade when the smoke cleared, Staraptor was seen unharmed, with Steel Wing. The Steel Wing fade, and Staraptor continued flapping in the air.
"What?!" Venusaur exclaimed.
Vanessa went wide-eyed. "We thought Toxic…!" She then came to a realization, clenching her fists. "Of course. Poison-Type moves don't work on Steel-Types. In this case, Steel Wing was a shield. I should've known, this is one of Nic's Pokémon after all."
"We can't give up! We gotta keep moving on!" Venusaur shouted.
Vanessa nodded. "Yeah, let's go all the way!" She then pointed at Staraptor, who remained still. "Now…" She then noticed a small grin plastered on Staraptor's face, making her a little confused.
Vanessa and Venusaur were both surprised by Staraptor grinning, and then saw her turn her head down towards Nic.
"Nic." Staraptor got her trainer's attention, Nic looking up at his avian's grin. There was a long silence before Staraptor and Nic did a unison grin and nod. Sophie and Vanessa were left surprised. Staraptor descended and landed on the ground, still remaining cautious. "…I do believe Vanessa is okay."
Nic grinned. "I agree. Vanessa, do you know why I had Staraptor test you?"
Venusaur looked at Vanessa, both fairly confused. She looked at her brother. "N-No, why?"
Nic crossed his arms. "Because as I tested Sophie, Staraptor was to test your capabilities as a Trainer. I wanted to see for myself just how you've come so far, and this couldn't have been a better opportunity." Nic then smiled at Staraptor and back at Vanessa. "And from the looks of it, you're at where you're supposed to be."
Vanessa blinked once, then twice, and then broke into a smile. She knew Nic said she did a fantastic job against Zetta in Kalos, but hearing from him after they fought, brother to sister and vice versa, it was comforting to know where she stood.
She then gave a relieving sigh. 'Well, there goes showing our full power.'
Nic then turned towards Staraptor. "Thanks for helping, return." The red laser then sucked up Staraptor. After shrinking her Poke Ball, Nic looked back at Sophie. "As for you Sophie, you got a long way to go, but the memories you've made only make you stronger."
Sophie raised a brow, but was soon catching on. Upon realization in a matter of seconds, she smiled in defeat. "So I guess this means that I didn't pass?"
Nic half-smirked, but unfolded his arms. "I didn't necessarily say that, but as your examiner, there's many flaws that I saw. However, you still have to win."
Sophie smirked. "Oh I get it. We win, you overlook your judgement. In that case…" She then put a finger to her head, a chain of memories being made. "I'll make sure to win! Memory-Make: Piercing Frigid Darkness!"
Sophie launched an energy arrow of darkness, which was coated in spiraling ice, flying at a fast pace towards Nic. Venusaur used Venoshock, and both attacks went after Nic, still adorned in his Splash Plate.
Nic simply kept a serious face and waited. "Not bad you guys." He remarked as both attacks went after him. "But…" He flicked his left wrist ahead and as the Piercing Frigid Darkness went at him, a swift arc of water rushed up from the side, stopping the spear and making an unstable, icy, dark burst of energy erupt in place, expanding and quickly ridding the incoming Venoshock as well.
Sophie and her teammate, and Venusaur, all skid back a few feet from the force, as to where Nic was seen backflipping and skidding to a halt since the blast was closer to him, but he came out with just a scratch or two. "Surf!" Over Nic, he raised his arms and the earth shook. Sophie and Vanessa were losing balance and they both had circles for eyes as they saw the water from below rise, a giant wave being made. Nic was caught up in the wave, riding atop of it.
Vanessa and Sophie both gawked as they saw the giant wave overhead, and they both hugged the other and squealed like little girls as their eyes were deprived of pupils, their lives flashing before their eyes. "WHY DO WE ALWAYS END UP WET?!" They both shrieked.
Venusaur sweatdropped as he was gonna get hit. "…oh great."
The next that happened, everything was covered in water and a loud crash was heard. Water swayed everywhere, and everything was spinning like a Cryogonal using Rapid Spin. It eventually subsided though, and Nic was seen standing in front of a twitching Sophie and Vanessa, both on the ground. Venusaur was wincing as the force of Surf left quite an impact.
Sophie's arm twitched as she slowly raised it. "We…we give." She moaned before her arm dropped.
Nic snickered and reverted back into himself, inspecting the damage dealt. "Don't worry you two, you and Venusaur should be fine. True, you have a ways to go…" He then smiled. "But next time, I'm certain you'll make it."
The two slowly got up and Vanessa huffed. Though defeated, at least she tried. She looked over and grinned at Venusaur. "Thanks for your efforts." She said, with Venusaur grinning back, despite wincing and was returned.
Sophie drooped her head down as she sulked, but didn't seem too bad. She realized a lot of things this battle, and she clearly had a ways to go before she deserve S-Class. She looked up to see Nic, his sunglasses still on his face.
"Hey Nic." Sophie asked.
"Yes?"
She smiled graciously. "The next time I'm chosen for S-Class…" She then looked at her teammate, Vanessa, and then back at Nic. "We're gonna do better as a team, and Vanesa's gonna be my partner again."
There wasn't much of a response, but Vanessa sure was surprised, but in a god way. She was glad to have learned from this as well. This was a tough exam, and S-Class Mages were meant to find ways out of the situations they were put in. They didn't do so well, but they were sure to do so next time.
Nic eventually smiled as he turned back. "Good. I'll look forward to you two getting pick next year." He then walked away towards the exit. "As for me, this was my first time examining, so I'll try and have better judgement as time goes on."
True. Nic was inexperienced, and he may have gone a little overboard, but he had to show what being S-Class meant the hard way.
Vanessa and Sophie both got up and they followed Nic towards the exit, off towards the base camp, where they would relax with grins knowing they tried.
This chapter honestly was barely half-decent. I didn't want to add the other fights because I wouldn't change them anyway, so they would be fillers that weren't necessary. I know the fights weren't that good, but at least leave a Review if it was decent.
In terms of how freakishly long the Arc is, I might have to format it like I did with the Edolas Arc, meaning cutting out the cannon stuff that I wouldn't change and just have the original stuff I put in, just to save time and chapter space.
Please Favorite, Follow, & Review this story and/or chapter if you guys are amused with the story, the battles, and the crossover, etc.
Next Time: Infiltration