CHAPTER 10

"3, 2, 1 and GO!"

As Sasuke tore down the rugged path, he recalled the events leading up to now. The Master had announced the S-Class trials. They had been told that the trials were taking place in the ancient, abandoned village called the Hidden Leaf. He followed the path, reaching the edge of the abandoned village. Cana stood beside him. She had told the Master to not nominate her. Although she wanted to become S-Class, she also wanted to fight Sasuke. Besides, she thought Gildarts would fight Sasuke, and she wanted to face stood beside him.

A sheer mountain towered over them, casting a large shadow. The village's houses were decaying but were recognisable. A massive water tower stood in the middle of the of the village. The location was out of the way, with only Fairy Tail knowing about it. Everyone else was in the surrounding area, having taken different paths at the start of the exams. There were a different paths you could take from the start, each leading to a different examiner.

As Sasuke and Cana dashed up the side of the mountain, he thought about the different outcomes. The best outcome would be Erza, the medium Laxus, and the worst Gildarts. In terms of difficultly anyway. He wasn't really the one to enjoy fights, but he was eager to fight Gildarts. Laxus was always a challenge, and would be refreshing to see how Erza was coming along.

Mirajane ran along the path, thinking about the other candidates. There was Mystogan, he was pretty mysterious. She had never seen his face, and hadn't interacted with him. She knew he must be powerful, since he had been nominated for the S-Class trials. He carried Magic Staves on his back, which were what he used in combat. She didn't really know much about him, he kept himself to himself. But she wondered why he took such extreme precautions when entering the guild. He was fighting alone, which didn't surprise her.

There was herself of course. Her Satan Soul and Magic Power were stronger than ever. She had learn techniques and was ready to fight. She was accompanied by her brother, Elfman Strauss. Unfortunately, he couldn't manage a Full Body Takeover, but the after she had been nominated, she had taken her brother out to gain the power of a new beast. They had found a Black Bull, which Elfman had defeated and claimed its properties. It was a shame he couldn't do a Full Body Takeover, but Mirajane had believed in her brother. He would get here eventually.

Then there was Sasuke. He kept himself to himself, like Mystogan, but he was one of he few people that Laxus wasn't a jerk to, and he was probably going to become S-Class. He never got lectured about damage reports, and even Natsu respected him. But... He never really showed much emotion, mostly scowling. He had this kind of arrogance, a tinge of malice laced in his personality. She felt slightly uneasy around him, especially after her encounter with him.

But he had a human side. He smiled at his team, and she saw something soften in his eyes when she looked at her and her siblings. It made her wonder if he had a sibling. He was very closed off about his past. He wielded a sword and used chakra, which was quite rare but not unheard of.

Cana was partnered with Sasuke. She could of been entered in the trials, but she had chosen to wait. She had gotten a lot stronger of late, and more confident too. This was probably because of Sasuke. She had joined Team 7 a while ago, and it had helped her progress.

They had been going on harder and harder missions lately, and they spent a lot of time training. They spent a lot of time with each other. Laxus was the only one missing from the three. He was a jerk to mostly everyone except his team. They enjoyed each others company and Sasuke and Laxus smiled most often when they were with their comrades.

Mira cracked her knuckles and smirked. She was ready.

Sasuke and Cana stood there, eyes closed.

"What can you feel?" asked Sasuke.

Cana made a hand sign and focused.

"A massive magic power."

She stumbled a little, but Sasuke was there, holding her shoulder.

"Gildarts it is then. You ready?"

Cana nodded. She was about to face her father. They had trained for hours, practicing strikes and combos, all leading up to this.

"L-Let's go!"

They ran down the rest of the path and, as they expected, the red-haired figure wearing a battered cloak stood there. They were in a forest nearby the mountain. Sasuke focused a small amount of chakra round his fist. He leaped into the air, closing down on Gildarts. He normally wouldn't of used such a direct attack straight away, but he needed to gauge Gildarts. The man didn't even move to dodge.

Gildarts extended his palm out, blocking Sasuke's attack. Chakra exploded out, tearing up the ground. Then Gildart's magic surged outwards.

Mirajane faced off against Laxus. She clenched her fists and channelled her magic. Her face cracked, teeth became sharper, and her outfit change. It always felt slightly weird doing this. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Elfman cringe a little. She knew he didn't like this form.

Laxus smirked and raised his hands. Mira kicked off, punching at Laxus. The blonde moved to the side, bringing his fist down at the girl. Mira piled on the speed, shooting past his fist and avoiding the attack. Laxus turned his head to follow her, but spinning at the last minute,
catching Elfman's transformed fist.

"Beast Arm: Bear!"

Claws swiped round, and Laxus leaned back, dodging the sharp tips. Laxus snapped his palm, sending Elfman flying back. Mira came swooping in, kicking at him. Laxus slid back, avoiding Mira's punch. He hit her with a kick, sending her spinning. Elfman jumped forward.

"Beast Arm: Reptile!"

Elfman had some good physical power, but he wasn't as fast. Laxus shifted into Lightning Form and circled around Elfman, bringing his fist down, but had to dodge backwards to avoid Mira's blast. They were covering for each other now. It was hard to fight them both without holding back.

He fired lightning at Elfman, leaving his arm steaming. Mira clawed at Laxus, who darted forward and back, aiming an elbow at the girl. But Elfman leaped in front, blocking the attack with his elbow, sending him flying. Laxus flew into the air, Mira following him.

"Evil Explosion."

Laxus dodged the attack, slamming his foot down on the demon girl. Mira tumbled through the air, managing to stabilise herself. He went to follow her, but he couldn't move. He looked down, revealing Elfman with a transformed leg, holding onto his Laxus's leg. Laxus charged his magic, sending it surging through Elfman. The boy grimaced, but didn't let go. Laxus looked up, seeing Mirajane in front of him.

"Soul Extinction."

Laxus recognised it and began to change, but he wasn't quick enough, and Mira blasted her attack down, darkness exploding through the sky.

Mystogan silently cursed to himself. He hadn't expected her. Anyone but her. Erza raised her eyebrows.

"Mystogan?"

The man adjusted his mask. He couldn't let her see his face. She was too young. No, it would be better if she never saw his true face. He snapped to attention when Erza requipped. She was wearing a metal skirt and breastplate, gauntlets covering her hands and boots covering her feet. Metal wings were attached to her back. Erza could use multiple swords with this armour, it also gave her the ability to fly. The red-haired girl requipped a sword. She charged at Mystogan, coming in swinging.

Mystogan jumped back, sword whistling in front of him. He had to be careful. He didn't want to get cut. He could easily get careless, and he didn't want that. A sword materialised and flew at Mystogan, he leaned too the side, dodging it. He twirled his staff, a column of energy honed in on Erza, who jumped back to avoid it.

However, it followed her. She kicked off, soaring into the sky, causing the energy to miss her. She summoned three swords and sent them at the cloaked Mystogan. The man switched to Mist Form and drifted past them. He switched back to Human Form, falling down to the ground. He glanced round. Erza had summoned a circle of swords around him.

"Dance my blades."

The swords shot at him. Mystogan frantically made hand signs.

"Ground Shattering Wave."

Waves of purple energy erupted from the ground, criss-crossing around Mystogan. The swords deflected off the energy, spinning down to the earth. Erza requipped again, hefting a giant spear. She threw it at Mystogan. The man twisted in mid-air, avoiding the point, but the shaft smacked him in the jaw. Erza requipped again, into a blue, white and yellow armour with a headband and spear. She spun her weapon, firing electricity at Mystogan. This would be extremely tricky, and it probably wouldn't work, but he had to try it. Mystogan scattered his three staffs, aligning them in mid-air.

"Three Layer Magic Circle: Mirror Water."

The electricity rebounded and struck Erza, who was back in Heavens Wheel Armour. She yelled as the electricity sparked through her. She tried to move, but she was paralysed. The ground was extremely close now. Erza gripped her twin swords and Mystogan swung his staff, clashing into each other, just before they smashed into the ground.

Sasuke flipped back, drawing his sword. The blade glistened in the sun. Cana slid some shuriken from her pack, settling the metal stars in her palm. Gildarts laughed, running a hand through his hair. He settled into a stance.

"Let's see what you two have got. Don't disappoint me."

Gildarts stared them down.

"I'm waiting."

Sasuke lashed out with his sword behind Gildarts, cutting at his back. Gildarts didn't think he'd forced to so early, but he stepped back , the sword only cutting his cloak.

Sasuke had already suprised him. He had forced him to dodge by moving, which he didn't think he would've had to do until later.

Gildarts's hand shot out, grabbing Sasuke by the wrist, but Cana launched shuriken at him, forcing him to let go of the Uchiha. Sasuke spun, foot lashing out. Gildarts grabbed his leg and slammed him to the floor. But Sasuke was standing behind him. The Sasuke he'd just taken down puffed into smoke. A clone of some kind. The real Sasuke leaped at him, smashing his foot against Gildarts's guard. The kick was powerful, and Gildarts had to put a small amount of magic into his limbs to block the attack.

"Water Style: Wall Of Water!"

Gildarts could see a water surging towards him, but Sasuke kept pressing his foot against Gildarts's guard. Sasuke kicked again, forcing the S-Class mage to switch his guard. He and Cana had been practising this combo for hours on end. It had to work. Sasuke pushed off as hard as he could, backflipping into the air.

Gildarts barely had time to raise his hand before the water hit him. It funneled around him, flowing and spitting. But he noticed something in the water. Explosives. He looked up and Sasuke was there. His hand crackling with electricity.

"Chidori Spear!"

A spear of lighting extended from the Uchiha's palm, hitting the flowing water and electrifying it. At the same time, the explosives went off. The donations rocked Gildarts's world, forcing the water at him. There was only one solution. He forced his magic outwards, adding to the explosions. Smoke billowed everywhere.

Sasuke landed, panting slightly.

"Did it hurt him?"

Cana frowned. "I'm not sure."

Gildarts emerged, clothes in tatters, a couple of cuts and skin smoking.

"Nearly, you caught me off guard. But not nearly enough."

He raised his hands. Sasuke knew they wouldn't be able to catch him off guard again. Cana summoned her staff, twirling it in front of her. She discharged a magic energy blast. Gildarts raised his palm, shattering the attack into pieces.

Cana scowled. "I didn't think that would work."

Gildarts studied the girl. She was support, yet she could fight on her own. It was interesting. On top of that, there was something interesting. There was something familiar about her that he couldn't place. It was on the tip of his tongue. He shook his head. He had to focus. Sasuke jumped to the side, Cana jumping the opposite way.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

"Water Style: Water Jet!"

The two jutsu's closed in on either side. Gildarts outstreched both palms.

"Crash Chain."

This spell sent smaller bursts of crash magic that reacted with each other into the attack, breaking it into smaller pieces so it could be destroyed with ease. The combined attacks broke up into smaller parts, scattering into the ground, ripping it up. Sasuke cut at Gildarts, the Ace avoiding it by stepping backwards. He swung his fist at Sasuke, but the Uchiha was already moving back.

Gildarts struck out with a knee, using his magic to increase the power, but Sasuke vaulted backwards off his knee, aiming a Chidori at him. The mage grabbed the teen's wrist, stopping the attack. Gildarts punched at Sasuke. The Uchiha dodged the first couple of punches, but a jab caught him under the chin. Stars burst before his eyes and his head rocked back. Cana jumped in, swinging her staff. Gildarts ducked and tried to grab her, but she managed to cartwheel away. Sasuke raised his sword, wiping blood from his mouth. He had gotten careless. He couldn't let that happen.

"Cana!" He barked.

He sent a fireball into the sky, the flames lightning up the clouds. Gildarts watched, arms crossed. He wanted to see what the pair could pull off. Judging by the looks of things, this would be their final attack. Sasuke stabbed his sword into the ground. Cana did the same with her staff, crossing her weapon with Sasuke's. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

He thrust his arm into the air, splaying his palm. The clouds had darkened now, thunder rolling across the sky. Lightning cracked across the sky. Gildarts's eyes widened as he saw what Sasuke was trying to do. Lightning struck closer and closer to Sasuke's hand. But it wasn't working. The lightning got closer and closer to Sasuke, but he couldn't control it.
Well he normally couldn't anyway.

Cana suddenly grabbed Sasuke's other hand. She began to lend him her chakra. It flowed through Sasuke, sending a tingle through him, right down to his toes. The lightning hit him, once, twice.

Lightning smashed down, throwing Cana back. Gildarts raised his hands, gathering his magic. What Sasuke was doing... it was incredible. He was filled with Cana's chakra. He was controlling the very lightning itself. Sasuke hovered off the ground slightly, chakra cutting through the ground.

Gildarts looked up in wonder.

"The name of this jutsu... is Kirin." Sasuke muttered.

Gildarts bought his hands back. His curiousity had cost him. He gathered his magic, getting ready. He had to block this.

A beast of lightning had risen up now.

"Begone with the thunderclap."

Sasuke bought down his palm.

Mira stood on the ground with Elfman, panting. She hadn't showed that last attack to anyone. It was the most powerful attack in her arsenal, from point-blank range. Even Laxus should be down from something like that.

Elfman wiped his brow. "Did we get him?"

Mira didn't say anything. Elfman began to grin.

"I think we-"

A streak of lightning tore out of the smoke, parting it. It stopped behind Elfman, and Laxus changed back into Human Form and slammed a lightning-covered foot into the back of Elfman's head. The male Strauss crumpled into the ground.

"Lightning Dragon's Jaw!"

He slammed his hands into Elfman, lightning sparking everywhere. Elfman went limp. He picked Elfman up and dropped him behind them. Lightning sparked round Laxus as he chuckled.

"That wasn't bad. Your brother had great physical power, but he's slow. As for your attack, it was good, but not good enough."

He cracked his knuckles.

"Let's see if you can give me a challenge."

Mira yelled at flew at him, but Laxus snapped his fingers, blowing lightning outwards. Mira swung a kick at him, sending him sliding back. He fired lightning at Mira, but the demon girl dodged past the electricity and punched at him. Laxus raised his fist, catching Mira's punch. Mira hit him again and tried to kick him, but the blonde leaned away and threw Mira away.

Mira fired a blast which Laxus countered with his own. Mira lashed down with her heel, breaking up the ground. Laxus swung his fist round, catching her in the jaw. Mira hit Laxus with her knee, but the blonde absorbed the blow and palm struck Mira in the chest.

Mira managed to get up and lunged at Laxus. Laxus dodged the demon girl's strikes. It was getting easier. Mira had good stamina, but she couldn't compare to Laxus. Plus Laxus had more physical power. Over time, he would get the upper hand since his strikes were more powerful and harder to block. Mira spun round, clawing at Laxus.

"Sloppy."

The blonde bought his hand down on Mira's wrist. Her arm was slammed down into the ground, but used the momentum to launch a back kick, jarring Laxus's guard. Lightning sparked, shocking the Strauss. Laxus launched a elbow at her, slamming it through Mira's guard. Mira tumbled through a tree. That had hurt. The paralysis wasn't too bad. Laxus couldn't do much for the brief amount of time, except to charge up a stronger attacks.

Damn. Lightning was blasted down at Mira, who managed to kick off just in time to get out of the way. But the lightning struck Mira's ankles and sent her spinning, but she managed to stay stable. She flew at Laxus, trying to tackle him, but he dodged. It was easy now. He hit Mira's arm, causing it to go limp. Mira drew back her other arm and launched her strongest punch.

"You can't beat me!"

Laxus drew back at countered with his strongest punch. The ground broke around them, causing a massive crater to dent the ground. Mira tried to hit him again, but Laxus blocked it with an open palm.

"You're finished."

Laxus snapped his palm, blasting Mira in the chest and sent her sailing back, smashing into the ground. Laxus walked over and charged a lightning blast.

Mira's eyes widened. Judging by the blast size, it would be fatal. Laxus's face had changed. It was neutral, blank, uncaring. Was this how people felt when they faced her Demon Form? She was young, powerful, with her life ahead of her. She didn't want to die.

She had to do it. It went against every fibre of her being, but she opened her mouth and managed to choke out the words.

"I-I surrender."

Laxus smirked. "It looks like you aren't a complete idiot." He fired the blast into the air were it exploded, lightning up the sky. Mira could feel the heat on her face.

"Wait, what?"

"I needed to seem like I was going to kill you. You need to learn to accept fear, only then will you truly understand it. You pride may of been wounded, but you can claim it back another day. You only have one life."

"So, I'm-"

"Yeah. Congratulations, S-Class mage."

Mira picked up Elfman and began to walk. But she was different now, she was S-Class.

Erza cut at Mystogan, who dodged to the side. The mage had avoided all her attacks, always staying out of range. Her body ached from the fall, but she was sure Mystogan felt it too. A blast of energy was aimed at Erza, who jumped over it, lashing out with her boot. He spun away and smacked her with his staff, but she managed to block it with her sword. She requipped again.

The Heaven's Wheel armour adorned her body once again. She was tempted to try to reveal his face, but such behaviour was unbecoming of an S-Class mage. But the urge still tugged at her. She summoned swords and sent them at Mystogan. Mystogan stabbed his staff into the ground, teleporting behind Erza who drove her sword back at Mystogan. The mage sidestepped, evading the point. Erza gritted her teeth, managing to summon a dozen swords. Mystogan swung both staffs outwards, summoning air to blow back the blades. Erza winced in pain, but managed to summon more swords than before. Mystogan's eyes widened.

"Dance my blades."

The blades flew at Mystogan, glinting in the sunlight. The mage hadn't taken into account the amount of swords Erza could summon. He barely managed to escape the sharp tips. But he got careless. The sword didn't cut his skin, but it sliced through his mask. The cloth fell away, but Mystogan covered his face before Erza could see it. She did see a tip of blue hair.

Mystogan cursed himself. Of all the people to see his face, it couldn't be her. Mystogan slammed his staff into the ground, energy climbing round him. Erza watched as smoke rose up from the spot where Mystogan had been. Mystogan had disappeared. Erza let her swords fall to the ground, trying to figure out what just happened.

Why would he do something like that? She shook her head in confusion. It had been a hard fight and she was tired. She would have to talk to the Master later. Her armour shone again as he requipped back into her normal armour. She began to walk back, bewildered and confused.

Sasuke landed on the ground, breathing hard. He had been practising that attack for ages now, but he had never been able to pull it off. He still couldn't, not without someone else's energy. That was his most powerful attack. Gildarts had to of been affected. Besides, that wasn't the only reason he developed this jutsu. If it could harm Gildarts, it would work on Itachi.

He hadn't done it all himself. It had taken months of practice to achieve, as well as swallowing his pride and asking Laxus for help developing it. Cana stood beside him, leaning on her staff. She glanced at Sasuke. She had developed a sharp and reasonably tactical mind over the course of her training and Sasuke knew she was thinking something similar to him.

"Too strong." Cana murmured.

"Exactly." Sasuke replied. When him and Laxus had taken the trials, it had involved a goal, not individual matches. Something was off. Assuming Erza fought Mystogan, and Mira fought Laxus, you would see that the candidates are being pitted against someone stronger than them. Maybe not by a lot, but the gap was definitely there. There was no point in participating in battles you would always lose.

Unless... That was what they wanted. You weren't supposed to win. You were supposed to pass. Smoke and debris stung his skin, as he barked at Cana, yelling at her to come back. The girl jumped back, just in time as Gildarts emerged from the smoke.

"How?" Cana questioned.

"I-" Gildarts began.

"-took the attack head on." Sasuke finished.

Gildarts looked at him, impressed. "Very good. A strong mind is important for an S-Class mage."

"This is a test." Sasuke cut in. "You're assessing us, in order to do that, you had to assess our attacks."

"You were hurt weren't you?" Cana said. "No one could of taken that attack without any damage whatsoever."

Gildarts smirked. "You're right."

He lifted his clothes, revealing a jagged scar across his chest. There was also a straight slice across his eye.

"You did extremely well, that attack was past anything I could of ever expected. Now,"

He threw his cloak to the floor and began to release his magic. The ground began to crumble and the very earth shook as Gildarts released his full power.

Cana and Sasuke faced him down.

"That's enough games. Now we fight for real. COME AT ME!" He roared.

A/N: Got this chapter up finally. Been busy so sorry about that.

I wasn't really happy with this chapter, but I enjoyed writing it anyway. We get Sasuke fighting Gildarts, Erza and Mystogan, and Laxus and Mirajane. Mystogan failed for reasons out of his control, Mira passed, and we'll see about Sasuke.

We've reached forty reviews and ten chapters. Thanks so much for reviewing, following and favouriting because it helps me get motivated to write and it also makes me feel satisfied that my time is being well spent. So thanks everyone. Especially to the people who review every chapter. I feel I am growing as a writer and I hope I can continue to do so.

As for Fairy Tail, Irene is down, her transformation was cool. Erza destroys that meteor using her friendship bullshit, but she doesn't take down Irene.

Hope you enjoyed, and leave a follow, favourite or review,

Cheers,

Katsu :)