Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters.

"Speech"

"Thoughts"

Darkness… it was his only companion…

How long had it been since he was trapped here: Years? Decades? Centuries? More perhaps?

Not that he cared, after the first year's time just seemed to melt away into the darkness.

He was always changing owner, looking for someone worthy to wield him, someone he could kill to be set free. As fate would have it, his last owner foolishly gave him up to an inexperienced mage. This was the chance he had been waiting for.

Gripping his sword he muttered: "Soon…"

"There's always next year, right?"

By the way Gray looked at him; Loke knew he shouldn't say anything else about the subject. A while had passed before they had regained consciousness, courtesy of Cana and Lucy, leaving the two mages mulling over the events that transpired.

Seeing his partner was not moving anytime soon, Loke stood up and stretched a little: "Listen, I'm going to head back to the spirit world for a bit, but I'll be back shortly to see the results of the exam. Are you going to be ok?"

Met only with silence, Loke sighed and vanished back to his world leaving the ice mage alone in the cave. Once the spirit left, Gray punched the ground causing it to crack and freeze as he recalled his mistake regarding Cana.

"Damn it Cana! Why?" Gray was torn between blaming her for his loss or himself for letting his feelings get in the way during such an important exam.

"Mmmmm, this time we have more candidates than the last time" Makarov said as the mages stood in front of him: Lisanna and Angel, Juvia and pantherlily, Elfman and Evergreen, Levy and Gajeel and finally Cana and Lucy. "Well, now that everyone's here we can move on to the second part of the exam."

"Wait, Gray-sama isn't here! We must wait for him." Juvia exclaimed before the master informed her why he wasn't there with them.

"Cana defeated Gray so he won't be advancing on to the next stage"

"WHAT!" After hearing that, the water mage sent a cold glare towards the card user but she was ignored. Cana had enough regrets on how she had dealt with Gray to start worrying about Juvia's petty revenge.

"As I was saying" Makarov spoke to get their attention "the next part of the exam will involve each of you to reach Fairy Tail's first master's resting place, which is located on this island."

"Wait! Her grave is on the island!" Lucy asked.

"Indeed, her final resting place is somewhere on this island. Your job is to find it and pay your proper respects. I'll be waiting for you there! You have six hours to do so. The last team to make it will be disqualified. So get moving now!"

In an instant, each candidate bolted trough the forest in search of the grave. No one noticing a certain mage had gone on the opposite side.

"There's no point in moping here all day…what's done is done" Reaching that conclusion, Gray stood up and prepared to return to the guild, that is before a familiar mage appeared from the opposite side

"Juvia."

"Gray-sama, Juvia heard you got disqualified" Seeing him wince she stopped, feeling bad for reminding him about it.

"Why are you here Juvia? Did you also get disqualified?"

Negating with her head she told him the truth: "Juvia managed to pass Erza's test and…"

"You passed Erza!" Gray interrupted her speech once he learned who her opponent had been. Shyly nodding, Juvia gave him her answer. "Congratulations, Juvia."

"Gray-sama congratulated Juvia! Juvia has proven herself to him!" Juvia left her line of thoughts wonder for a minute but she steeled herself for what she originally came here to ask him: "G-Gray-sama, Juvia wanted t-to ask you something."

"Huh? What is it?"

Giving her his full attention, Gray listened to what Juvia wanted to tell him: "a-after the exam is over, Juvia wanted t-to a-ask you…"

Seeing her stutter, Gray cut in "What do you want to ask me, Juvia?"

The words refused to leave her lips, so instead Juvia controlled her nervousness and spoke more clearly: "It doesn't matter, once the exam is over I'll ask you." Once she finished, Juvia turned around and headed to the exit where her partner waited.

"Juvia." Hearing her name, she stopped as Gray spoke "Whatever you wanted to ask me, consider it done."

"Really!" Juvia was blown back, already imagining herself tangle around Gray and…

"Just do one thing for me."

"Anything!" Juvia instantly answered with hearts on her eyes.

"Become an S-class mage."

Juvia understood and acknowledged his request. For a moment Gray thought he saw the old Juvia from phantom in her place, but realized that wasn't the case, this was a new Juvia, a more confident one. Taking one last look at him Juvia turned around and joined pantherlily as Gray reconsidered his decision of leaving.

"Perhaps I can stick around until the exam ends."

"What do you mean with 'pregnant'?"

"Don't lie to me Natsu!" Mira, in full satan mode, held Natsu by the throat. "Lisanna and Angel already confessed everything."

"I'm not lying Mira!" For the last few minutes, Natsu explained to Mira that he and Lisanna had yet to take that step. After a few more minutes or reassuring her, Mira let go of Natsu and was now sulking on a corner due to how she was played by both girls.

"Also; why would Angel say that? It's not like she likes me or something." Natsu said as he joined the others.

"Y-yeah. Who would think that." Erza said, fully aware that Angel was more than interested in the dragon slayer. Not like Natsu would realize anytime soon. "Anyhow, I'm surprised all three of us let our candidates pass. Not like someone else…"

"What can I say: Mest wasn't S-class material" Gildarts replied from his seat nearby, missing the look Erza sent him.

"You accuse me of being too harsh, when from all four only you failed your candidate." The scarlet girl thought.

Standing up, Gildarts spoke: "I'm going back to the guild, lemme know how everything turns out, alright?"

"Wait, you're leaving?"

"My part is done, why stay." After giving his reason, Gildarts clapped Natsu's shoulder "Natsu, I'm proud of you…Having two lovely girls after you, lucky dog!"

"Again with that! Angel is not interested in me!" The slayer countered, although he started wondering himself just that after recalling certain moments he spent with the celestial mage, especially an 'accidental' kiss between them.

As Gildarts left, Erza approached the slayer: "That reminds me, the second task involves reaching Fairy Tail's first master's grave."

"Ohhhh"

Seeing Natsu was listening she continued: "Glad you're paying attention Natsu. It's a rite of passing that all candidates to S-class go and pay their respects to Master Mavis before being promoted. You are not the exception."

"Ahh I get it! You're telling me to go there and do just that!"

"That's right." Erza said to Natsu "The location is a secret but I'll tell you were it is since you're already an s class." Taking off her apron, Erza turned to Mira: "I'll show Natsu the way and then I'll join Happy and Charle in looking for Wendy and Mest. Will you be alright by yourself Mira?"

"... I'm not going to be an aunt yet..." Mira mumbled still sulking on her spot.

"I'll take that as a yes" While Erza and Natsu headed out they mused on the mistery of Mest altogether.

"Natsu, do you remember just when did Mest join our guild?" Erza knew it was a longshot that he remembered, but with no one else nearby to ask what could she lose.

"Not that I can tell" The dragon slayer scratched the back of his head. "But I bet he joined one of those times Mystogan put everyone to sleep."

Erza was not dissapointed, she expected a similar answer. "I guess" However in the back of her mind she still worried about the young wind dragon slayer. After reaching an intersection in the forest, Erza directed Natsu to Mavis final resting place.

"Just remember: if you encounter one of the candidates its ok, but dont help them or else they'll be disqualified."

"Come on Erza, do you really think I would do that?" Getting a doubtful look from her was all the confirmation he needed "Guess there goes my plan to help lis-chan"

Moments ago:

"Lisanna! This is our moment."

"What do you mean?"

"it's simple" Angel stopped for a moment and motioned Lisanna to do the same: "With my sensory magic I can locate the grave of Fairy tail's first master, and before you say otherwise just think for a moment: I'm convinced the grave is protected by a powerful magic source preventing anyone, human or creature, from desecrating it. Once I locate it you can transform and we shall soar trough the skies to reach it first!"

"Mmmm…that actually sounds like a good plan. Alright, let's do this!"

It sounded so easy but Angel overlooked several facts; the entire island was also protected by the same magic source, which left the grave hidden from her ability, and flying was a bad idea since the moment Lisanna took flight both girls were assaulted by dozens of flying monsters.

Well, it wasn't like going on foot was any better.

"WHAT KIND OF TEST IS THIS? ARE THEY TESTING MAGES OR TRYING TO KILL THEM!" Angel yelled as they ran for their lives from a dinosaur looking monster.

"Wait a minute: Why are we running?" transforming again, Lisanna stopped and using her flame sphere knocked the pursuing beast out.

"Good thinking….pant ….you saved us."

Ending her takeover, Lisanna addressed Angel: "Are you alright? You seemed out of breath."

"Its… nothing… just need a…minute to… rest." With that said, angel slumped next to a tree. Celestial mages depended too much on their spirits, which left them out of shape for things like running nonstop for a few minutes. Deciding to take a few minutes, Lisanna sit across of her.

"Angel, when we fought Mira-nee, why did told her that?"

"Why else? So we could beat her." Angel replied while she closed her eyes for a bit "although I wouldn't mind if that was true, even if I had to share Natsu-kun with…"

"ENOUGH!" Angel was startled by Lisanna's outburst. 'Why do you keep trying to get between Natsu and me?"

"Geez Lisanna, I thought you would get used to it by now. I was just kidding." Angel waved her hands in denial before getting a mischievous look "Like I would share Natsu-kun."

Taking a deep breath to control her emotions Lisanna spoke: "All you do is joke about it but you don't see me laughing. Do you know how hard it is to see the one you love with someone else while you are forced to sit aside and do nothing about it? I spent the last two years just doing that! Now that we're finally together I won't let anything stand in our way. You got that!"

Again, Lisanna was feeling possessive about Natsu but this time it wasn't the entire bond's fault; those two years in edolas were hard for her, seeing Natsu with Lucy as a couple while she remained in the back., even if that wasn't Her Natsu.

"You're wrong."

Locking eyes with Angel, Lisanna heard what the celestial mage had to say: "I know exactly how that feels, each time I see you with him."

"It's not the same; you don't know him as long as I do."

"Maybe not, but I still feel strong about him" Angel countered "Me being in fairy tail hasn't been that long, I give you that, but you can't understand the things I've lived. Natsu was the first person that truly saw me for who I am. And while there is still hope I won't give up just yet."

Right now, Lisanna and Angel didn't look like a team, but as two girls ready to let loose their fury upon each other.

A sudden shift in some bushes caught their attention "You're a person…" both girls looked at the unknown man that appeared out of nowhere "there are persons on this island."

"Who are you?" Lisanna asked "Only people from our guild can come to this island."

"Guild? I see… so this is an island that your guild maintains."

"Are you feeling ok?"

While Lisanna was worried about his man's state of mind, Angel was shaking by the evil she could sense inside of him. As the takeover mage reached out to him, Angel stopped her:

"Lisanna, don't!"

"LISTEN TO HER!" The man yelled holding his head as if in pain, much to their confusion "It's coming…the predator of death…is coming…"

Suddenly, a dark aura enveloped the man, killing all plant life near him. Caught off guard, both girls limited themselves to observe the deadly wave approaching.

"Get down!" in the nick of time, Natsu tackled Lisanna and Angel out of the dark wave.

"Natsu!"

"Natsu-kun!"

The moment he felt Lisanna in danger, Natsu deviated from his path to intercept her. Not a moment too soon by the looks of it.

"Na…Natsu." The strange man was shocked by reasons unknown to them. Tears started flowing freely from his face as Natsu held an angry glare directed at him.

"Who the hell are you? Why are you here!"

Instead of answering, he continued to stare at Natsu "you've…grown. I've wanted to see you…Natsu"

Something about the way he kept staring at him had Natsu feeling uneasy.

"WHO THE HECK ARE YOU!" In one stride, Natsu reached the man and punched him with such force, much to the surprise of Lisanna and Angel.

"I see…" the man gracefully landed after the powerful blow "Not yet…Natsu still…Can't destroy me…"

"I don't know you, state yourself!" Natsu yelled as the unknown man remained calm.

"Even thought I don't want to kill again…Even though Natsu is the only one capable of defeating me…He's still not ready…"

"He's crying…" Lisanna said as he observed him. He could be sobbing for all Angel cared; she just wanted to put as much distance between herself and certain death.

"Natsu, Lisanna, We must go!"

"It's too late." Zeref announced as an even larger dark wave surrounded him and rapidly engulfed everything around him. The three of them ran away from it but, being closer to it, Natsu was lost inside the wave.

Lisanna felt like time stopped the moment Natsu disappeared inside the dark wave.

"NATSUUUUUUU!" Lisanna tried to run towards Natsu but Angel stopped her from committing suicide. The frantic girl struggled for only a moment before losing consciousness.

"Lisanna!"

"Something's wrong?" Charle asked to her blue companion when Happy stopped and looked at the island. Somehow the exceed felt like something had happened to his foster parents but it was only a hunch.

Charle also felt it, but decided to remain quiet; she knew it involved her last premonition, but right now it would do more harm than good to reveal it to Happy.

The moment Natsu was engulfed in the death wave, a white haired man smirked. The time had finally come.

Zeref's magic failed to kill Natsu, but managed to eliminate his only defense; the scarf Igneel left as a memento not only served as a lifeline for Natsu, it also blocked any negative influence around him.

Grabbing Yamato, he started walking to where Natsu waited for him.

A.N.

As you can see, this is a small update (kinda rushed) but just to let you all know I'm still alive and kicking.

ebingman: Thanks for the ego boost! (With the new chapter now you can read it four times). Just be careful with the whole religious following stuff, that's not healthy.

I.-.-.I Kuroyagi I.-.-.I : Gray could end with either girl: Cana, Ultear or Juvia (or all), but I also believe Juvia will end with Lyon, leaving Gray open for another girl. Once again thanks for the review, as for the timeskip…it might not fit, but maybe it can!

The Folklistener: Yes, you are. Thanks for the review (by the way: what happened to your fic?)

Bosstsuna27: That's an interesting theory… I still don't know what route to take or if this story will be ongoing to the point in the manga where the truth is finally revealed.

Tha Golden Boy: Yeah, I had the same thought, but the main pairing is Natsu x Lisanna. Although that doesn't mean Gray can't have some.

Thanks again to the rest, excuse my laziness for not adding your names this time but It's 11pm and I have to get up early tomorrow for work: Yes you heard right! I work on sundays! That's why I haven't updated in a while.

After the last manga chapter I'm wondering what role can i use Flare for? At first i was interested in using her cause, well, she's hot. But now I'm intrigued by her character (How can i not see her crazy happy expression was really fake)

Thanks again for all the reviews!

Demonwithasoul