DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail, the honor belongs solely to Mr. Hiro Mahsima-sama.

ENJOY!

Chapter Two

Ghost or Monsters?

"Hey, Lucy I have something to tell you guys. So be quiet, alright? I think I know where the test will be held." The blue-haired solid script mage whispered to her companions.

Gajeel, Natsu and Gray quickly leaned forward to hear. A dark violet aura was emanating from the three. Lucy and Levy sweat dropped, they knew the three didn't want to get the punishment again. Judging from the horror-struck looks that the three were wearing they were reliving their photo-shoot. True to form because of the four losers the Weekly Sorcerer had hit a whole new record of sales.

"I'd rather have the S-class exams all over again then have a punishment. I bet the old man is planning a worse punishment this time." Gray muttered darkly.

The two anxious dragon slayers also nodded in agreement. Erza shook her head and admonished everyone in the table saying, "We shouldn't know these things. This might be a form of cheating."

The three men gulped and looked back at Levy waiting for an answer. "Actually, Erza the master and Mira haven't posted the rules so basically we're not doing any cheating. Also the place is just a theory base on what I heard, I could be wrong." She said smiling knowingly at all of them.

"Levy is right Erza. These are all assumptions and stuff so it's alright." Lucy said sweetly at the equip mage. After staring at Mirajane, the older girl grudgingly gave her assent.

Whooping the three men quickly made room for Erza in the tight huddle they had form over Levy and Lucy.

Taking a deep breath, Levy whispered to them. "There is a chance that the test will be held in Dark Cove. I went to the library and researched the spots that could most likely where the test will be held. But before I show you the map, do any of you know what the test of courage is really all about?"

Natsu grinned and answered that one confidently, "It's obvious Levy. It's a test to see if we can beat monsters that we have never encountered before."

"For once flame-brain, you might just be right." Gray commented annoyed at the logic.

Erza, Lucy and Gajeel on the other hand didn't agree.

"What are you shaking your head for, metal head?" Natsu snarled.

Gajeel rolled his eyes and said, "Use your brain, fire breath. If it's just some monsters then wouldn't it be like the usual jobs we take?"

Natsu and Gray blinked at each other, Gajeel had a point there.

Lucy on the other hand, slapped her head muttering "I should have known."

"What do you mean, bunny girl?" Gajeel asked smirking.

Lucy glared at the iron dragon slayer and gestured at them to listen carefully. "Listen, back when I was at home my teacher made me read some books from the other countries. There was a book from the east that said something about a certain test of courage. A test of courage that would be held during a hot summer night, this test was done by children and teenagers mostly. It would usually be held in cemeteries. A test if you can get to the finish line and escape the "ghosts" that haunted the place, per se." She said the last sentence with a smile.

"Well…i-it doesn't s-sound so-o sc-ary, right Na-Natsu? Ghosts don't exist right?" Happy had landed on Natsu's head while Lucy explained her theory.

Charle gave a haughty huff and said to the shivering blue cat, "Honestly, male-cat what are you talking about? Ghosts might indeed exist in this world."

"Charle is right, Happy. After all we Exceeds do exist in an alternate dimension. Also, Lucy is proof that ghosts may exist." Pantherlily stated bluntly.

Happy screamed, "Lucy you're a ghost?" The whole guild glanced at the table and burst out laughing at this. Lucy was sputtering and blushing after becoming the center of attention all of a sudden.

Natsu patted Happy's head and said, "She's not a ghost Happy. She's human just like us. If ghosts exist I bet they wouldn't have a scent. Lucy smells like the night sky and flowers, so she's not a ghost."

Erza and Levy both giggled softly. Gray and Gajeel were rolling their eyes. Lucy on the other hand, felt that her face was burning right through. Desperate to change the topic, the blonde asked Pantherlily what he meant by his statement a while ago.

"Well Lucy, aren't your spirits from a different world. The celestial world or the spirit world perhaps?"

Happy looked like he was gonna cry again so Levy decided this would be the right time to clear things up, "Your right Lucy. Actually, they call it "kimodameshi", I know this for a fact because I once heard Master Makarov talking about it when he was drunk. He said it was a lot of fun."

Erza smiled and said, "A lot of fun huh? Didn't the poster say something about not joining in the fun will cause the punishment? It seems that we will be having the "kimodameshi" after all."

Natsu and Gray burst out laughing. "See happy nothing to be afraid about. It's just something gramps cooked up for us to have fun." Gray said comfortingly to the blue exceed.

Sighing, Pantherlily said, "I don't know about that. If it was just something for fun then why would there be prizes and punishments?" the Exceed pointed out to the three of them.

"Pantherlily, is right. Actually there would be two groups: the ones doing the scaring and the ones to be scared. Mirajane will be the one to ready the boxes that would hold which group will you be in. Also the ones to be scared will be in pairs." Levy said the last, while staring worriedly at the barmaid. Lucy and Erza were also staring at Mirajane the same way.

Grunting Gajeel muttered, "Why are you guys so worried about it's not like she's going to do anything scary."

The three girls all exchanged dark looks amongst themselves. It was a known fact among them that Mira was a serial matchmaker.

"Well this was interesting but if you would excuse me, I'll go tell Wendy now of what you have discussed." Charle flew to Wendy who was talking with Lisanna.

Striking up a courageous pose Happy, "Well we've fought monsters before anyway so ghosts beware Fairy Tail is coming!"

"That's true Happy!" Natsu said in agreement.

Gray shook his head at the two's simplicity. Pantherlily and Gajeel were looking at each other exasperated at the duo's stupidity.

Kneading the temples of her head, Lucy pointed out to them "You do know that ghosts are intangible, right?"

"Huh?"

"It means they don't have a material body. How can you hit something that isn't there?" Erza said to the horror of the two.

"NOOOOOOO!"

Thank you so much to those who took the time to review my story, subscribed to it and just liked reading it! Thank you! *bow*