Chapter 44

Natsu and Lucy waited together patiently, or rather Lucy was patient while Natsu was getting handsy when no one was looking while pretending he wasn't doing anything. That just eventually earned himself a elbow into his side as she puffed out her cheeks, which he then just openly nuzzled into Lucy's neck making her smile and giggle. The people of Magnolia milled about attending stalls and chatting excitedly in anticipation. Jason the reporter from Sorcerer weekly was snapping pictures like crazy and writing up a story for his magazine. After a while, the guild master arrived. He stood in the center of a ring, cleared his throat then spoke.

"Greetings everyone, I welcome you to part two of Fairy Tail's S class trials. The last time it was held unfortunately it had to be canceled due to the attack of the dark guild known as Grimoire Heart, then we had right after a unfortunate run in with Acnologia resulting in Fairy Tail's strongest members being sealed seven years in time. Now with all the excitement settled for now we are once again hosting the S class trials. This year we have done it slightly differently instead of having the whole trial on Fairy Tail's sacred island we spent a single day there narrowing down the participants to six wizards. Among these six three who have shown they have the strength of a S class wizard shall receive the rank. Finally in celebration of our new S class wizards we will be holding a power ranking tournament for all the S classes, and amoung the other members for everyone's viewing pleasure."
The crowd cheered out enthusiastically as the master waved. The rest of the guild smirked in excitement. He then motioned for Mira to come up.

"Alright for the first match we have Lucy Heartfilia vs Mest Gryder."

The audience cheered as both wizards made their way to the ring. Mest and Lucy stood facing each other. Mira glanced between the two of them before raising her hand. Everything around them went silent in anticipation. Mira slashed her hand down sharply signalling to begin. Mest didn't waste any time and dove right towards Lucy throughing a punch. Seeing him coming Lucy doged to the left and activated one of her star dresses. A cow bell sounded as she went into Torus form and took a battle stance.

"I see you aren't wasting any time Lucy, and I agree lets get down to business." Mest smirked at the celestial mage.

"No problem, that is if you can handle it." Lucy challenged.

The spectators screamed out in excitement and Canna started raising bets to who they thought would win amping the festivities to a new all time high. Natsu smiled saying to himself Lucy had this in the bag, then proceeded to join the betting saying his girlfriend would win. Mest activated his teleportation magic so quickly it appeared that there were more of one of himself around Lucy sometimes leaping at her from various angles trying to knock her out. Mest made a clone strait in front of Lucy looking like he was going to punch her which Lucy punched at with her left hand. He disappeared seconds before she could make contact with him, then appearing at her feet attempting to make a upper cut from bellow to knock her out. Seeing this Lucy doged by leaning back. Mest's fist passed by scratching her cheek. Lucy retaliated in the same instance with a right hook to his gut. Mest didn't stand a chance. He wasn't exactly a power type and that blow had him on his knees out cold. A lot of the male members cringed in sympathy with that one, except Natsu who was laughing his head off. Something came out of Mest as he layed on the arena floor unconscious.

"And the winner of the first match Lucy Heartfilia. Everyone give a round of applause for our first new S class wizard."

Lucy raised a fist into the air her other hand on her hip in center stage for a moment before exiting. As she left the stage Mira called out Natsu and Canna's names. As Natsu and Lucy passed by each other they gave each other a high five in encouragement. Natsu stood on the stage and as per usual hyped up the crowd in his usual over energetic fassion spitting the Fairy Tail symbol into the air above the stage. Canna let him ramp them up further before she spoke to him.

"Ok, you ready to get this ball rolling Salimander? I hope you realize I'm not going to go easy on you just because we're guild mates." She said crossing her arms each hand holding cards ready to throughdown.

Natsu who had his left shoulder towards her turned his head lowering his arms down . tilting his head towards his back a bit he smiled challengingly. He raised his right arm palm up towards her. Flames danced on his finger tips and swirled around his boddy spelling come at me. His body started to radiate heat as excitement for battle filled him. Mira raised her hand again while fanning herself with the other to cool down.

"Ready, begin!" she called.

Canna tossed her cards at Natsu full throttle leaping back to make some room. At the same time Natsu used a flame wing attack turning them to ash. Moving forward he charged only to step into a trap. Electricity sparkled in the air zapping him. Natsu grit his teeth before releasing some magic which exploded out dispelling the trap. The heat he gave off started to melt away people's cloths just like back during the time he crashed the Grand Magic Games. Canna grinned in frustration.

"Well damn, that didn't work."

"No du, it'll take more than that to bring me down."

"Well, then how about this?" Canna said bringing out another deck of cards.

"Like I'd give you the chance." Natsu said running forward.

Canna launched her cards at him a moment too late. The cards sliced into the ring where Natsu had been previously. She gasped as she realized Natsu had gotten beneath her guard. His hand grasped onto her outstretched arm and did a over the shoulder through tossing her to the ring floor. His fist slammed toward her stopping inches from her face. Canna let out a sigh, then smiled in defeat.

"You win."

The crowd erupted in applause. Natsu reached out his hand and helped her up before exiting the stage. He spotted Lucy waiting for him and went over to her grinning ear to ear. When he got close enough to her he received a smack on the head.

"Ow… what was that for?" he pouted.

"Come on Natsu, did you need to go overboard like that? You nearly melted my cloths off again and the rest of the audience along with them."
"Oh, is that all?" he said giving her a mischievous grin.

Lucy puffed up her cheeks and pouted making him smile more. He wrapped his arm around her waste and snuggled his face against hers laughing a little under his breath.

"Yo, Natsu. Congratulations man, you too Lucy."

The two of them turned to see Sting and Yukino walking over their clothing in the same disarray as the rest of the spectators.

"Sting, hey man what's up." Natsu said.

"Yukino, it's been forever." Lucy greeted grasping both of her hands.

On stage Mira called for Juvia and Gray to battle. Surprisingly Juvia didn't back down and was fighting her boyfriend seriously. The four mages settled down on some benches to watch as they chatted. Natsu had Lucy snuggled into his right side as he sat next to Sting on his left. Yukino cheered Juvia on stage as she landed a hit on Gray

"So, I heard you made a mess again from your guild master."

"Dude, don't mention that. I mean seriously DON'T MENTION THAT." Natsu said getting in Sting's face.

"Ok, ok chill I get it, don't talk about it any more."

When Natsu backed off finally he let out a sigh of relief. Lucy however was peeking around behind him and silently mouthing the words little him was cute as hell, explain later to Yukino when he wasn't looking. They gave each other a thumbs up sign. Moments later Mira called Gray the winner due to a knockout from a nose bleed. Sting and Yukino yelped when they saw, and every male in the crowd hollered for Gray to put on some pants. During a brief period between when the S class trials ended and the Fairy Tail ranking tournament began Lucy slipped away with Yukino and spilled the details about Natsu's latest slip up.