(: Pre-writing chapters again! This is probably going to be out on Monday, I don't write over the weekends. Tomorrow I have a really huge event and I'm nervous, so ): Anyway, let's get into it. This is a nice transition chapter to the first arc.

"When will the brat find us?"

"Will you shut up? Even if they do, it'll be one at a time."

"Ugh.. stupid seals, I'd break them if I could."

"I don't know why you guys want to break them. Remember what happened with us?"

"Yours were idiots. Mine is the best."

"No-"

"SHUT UP! WILL YOU IDIOTS PLEASE SHUT UP! I'M SLEEPING!"

"... So much for friends."

"We're back!" Lucy yelled, opening the guild doors.

"Great! Lucy, I have good news!" Axel ran up to Lucy.

"Oh? What is it?"

"In the time you were gone, we gained 10 members! We can hold the S-class Exams now!"

"Really? That's great! But how did we gain 10 members in a day?"

"A band of traveling mages, looking for a guild. Ours was closest. Anyway, do you have any location in mind?"

"I was talking to Hisui and she agreed to let us use the GMG stadium for our exams."

"Oh, that's great! See you around, Lucy!" Axel walked away, waving.

"Yes! Ohhh, I can't wait!" Liana said from behind Lucy.

"Calm down, you don't know who will be chosen yet." Lilith said.

"Ok girls, just follow me please, I have a surprise for all of you." Lucy motioned for them to follow her. She walked upstairs to a hallway with many bedrooms in it.

"I know you guys have been staying at your own homes, but I have four extra rooms here. If any of you want to stay in them, it'll be of no charge." Lucy said.

"Really, Lucy?! I'd love to stay here!" Serenity smiled, obviously happy.

"Lilith and I will stay here as well, Lucy, thank you very much." Piper said.

"I'll stay too, if everyone else is." Liana piped up.

"So it's decided! I'm glad you'll all be staying with me. Might want to sell your old houses, or something." Lucy said, as they all nodded. Lucy walked away and into her room. She wrote out plans for the S-class exams. Lucy decided that she would hold them in two days. Tomorrow, she was going to hold a guild meeting and announce the participants. But for now, she would relax. She stared longingly at the bathroom, realizing she hadn't taken a hot bath in a while. She got up and walked to the bath, turning on the hot water all the way up. Lucy realized just how much she missed Magnolia. But she loved her new home as well. She had five great friends as well as Axel, and she was the master of her own guild. She was also very determined to get stronger. Lucy got out of the bath and dried off, changing into her PJ's. She hopped into her bed and lulled herself to sleep.

"New guild on the rise, S-class Exams?" Mira said, reading the title off of The Weekly Sorcerer.

"What guild?" Natsu questioned.

"It's called Starry Heavens. A new guild that opened a week ago. They already have 30 members, somehow. And I'm sure this part will interest you... they are located in the Heartfilia Manor."

"What? Who's their master? How strong are they, and why are they in Lucy's old home?"

"According to this interview, someone named Axel was running the guild yesterday. I'm not sure about their strength, but when asked about their strange location, Axel said they were family friends and the estate was left to them."

"...Lucy," Natsu said, staring off into space.

Lucy woke up in the morning, excited to announce the S-class exam participants. She quickly brushed her hair, putting it into a half-up half-down style. She selected a wrap-around white and gold romper and ran out her door. Yelling to all the other girls to get up, they quickly joined her as they all ran downstairs to the guild hall to get breakfast. The girls ate breakfast with Aurora, waiting for all the guild members to pour in. Finally, everyone arrived. Lucy walked to the microphone as everyone gathered around her.

Lucy began to speak. "Good morning everyone! I'm sure you all know about the upcoming S-class exams. Before I announce the participants, I'll just be giving everyone some general information. The way these exams work is that I'll be announcing five names. Those five people will partner up with anybody except myself or another person chosen to participate. The exams will have different stages. On any stage, nobody could be eliminated or everyone could be eliminated. I have already examined everyone's magic and chosen the participants that I feel are the most fit. The exams will be held tomorrow, in Crocus. Anyone is welcome to come and watch, in fact I recommend it. So, now I will present the participants. First Participant, Axel Maverick. Second, Luna Charme. Third, Lilith Heather. Fourth, Aurora Jayde. Fifth, Serenity Tria. If you were selected, please tell me who your partner is by the end of the day. I hope many of you can come to support us. While I am away, I will leave the guild's care to Selene. Thank you for listening, I look forward to seeing everyone soon in Crocus."

Almost immediately, Axel and Lilith walked up to Lucy.

"I already know my partner. My partner will be my sister, Haley Maverick. She's coming into town tonight, she's going to join the guild." Axel said.

"She's agreed to this already?" Lucy asked. Axel just nodded and walked away.

"Hey Lucy, I bet you can already guess who my partner will be. It's Piper." Lilith said.

Lucy laughed. "Yeah, I thought so. Kinda strange how well you guys get along despite how your magic are complete opposites."

"Well, you know what they say, opposites attract."

"Indeed they do." Lucy agreed.

That night, Lucy was ready for the exams. She had all the pairs written down. Axel and Haley, Luna and Mercia, Lilith And Piper, Aurora and Liana, Serenity and Ruby. She knew which ones to look out for already. Axel's Fire-Make magic was very powerful, and, as she had learned earlier in the day, Haley used Lightning-Make magic. Luna's Dragon Soul Takeover was very powerful as well. She wasn't sure about Mercia's Roses magic, but she knew everyone was powerful.

She settled into bed, excited for the exams.

Writing this as the eclipse happens! I'm not in the path of totality so can't really see anything, plus I don't have any eclipse glasses. Exciting nevertheless though, but I'm going to have to wait until the 2024 eclipse to see a full one. Thanks for reading!