The Perfect Partner

"Mira and Erza will now explain the rules of the exam for the new members here," Makarov explained.

"Alright," Mirajane said, "First of all, all participants are to select one partner within the week."

"And it of course goes without saying that not only must should the partner be a guild member, but he can't be an S-Class mage," Erza continued.

"I guess that is kind of obvious," Wendy said, "If anyone had Mira or Erza as partners, then they'd win pretty easy."

"The rest of the rules will be revealed when the exam begins," Makarov said, "However, bear in mind, all three S-Class mages will be participating in the game.

"Wait does that mean…," Elfman began.

"Yep!" Mirajane said cheerfully, "I'll also be participating this time around."

"So you have to beat an S-Class to become an S-Class?!" Lucy said, "How's that fair?"

"Well, they probably won't be going all out," Max said.

"I get a chance to take on Erza and Gildarts?" Natsu asked, "That's freaking awesome!"

"You're happy about this?" Gray asked.

"When the week wraps up, the eight candidates, and their partners are to come to Hargeon port," Makarov said, "Take it away!"

Later, the group was eating together, discussing the exams.

"So, has everyone already got a partner?" Lucy asked, as she rubbed Haru's head in his basket.

"I sure do," Natsu said, "Happy of course."

"Aye!" Happy said.

"Really?" Lucy asked, almost somewhat disappointed Natsu didn't pick her.

"Well, I need you here to keep an eye on Haru," Natsu said, "When I become S-Class, we're going to have a big celebration."

"That ain't fair!" Elfman said, "What if its a flying contest?"

"Considering that is probably going to be fighting, Natsu's going to be at a disadvantage," Gray said.

"Shut up Gray!" Happy said, "I'm going to make Natsu S-Class!"

"Come on Happy, let's go train!" Natsu declared.

"Aye sir!" As Lucy and Lisanna watched the two leave, Lucy looked to LIsanna.

"Why is he so intent on becoming S-Class?" Lucy asked.

"Well, he thinks that he can meet Igneel if he becomes S-Class," Lisanna said, "And when Natsu's got a goal in his mind, I don't think anything can stop him." Lucy smiled at Natsu, before looking to Haru.

"Let's both root for you daddy," she said.

"What about you Gray?" Wendy asked.

"Well, I would've asked Juvia to be my partner," Gray said, "But…"

"Then Juvia's going to forfeit!" Juvia declared, "She has to be your partner!" Gray wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's shoulder.

"Don't worry about that," he said, "I'd be just as happy if you become S-Class." Juvia looked up in surprise at that statement.

"Well…," Juvia smiled lightly, before continuing, "Sure! Juvia will do her best!"

"Then who is going to be your partner?" Lucy asked.

"That would be me," Loke said as he popped up.

"Loke!" Elfman said, "What're you doing here?"

"Loke and I decided a year ago that we'd work together if something like this came up," Gray explained. That caught Lucy off guard.

"Sorry, Lucy," Loke said, "I'm putting our contract on hold until we're done. Don't worry, the gate is using my own power, not yours."

"Shouldn't you have run this by me first?" Lucy asked.

"Are you even still a member?" Elfman asked.

"Of course," Loke answered, as he showed off his guild mark, "I never stopped being a member. Together, Gray and I are going to dominate this exam."

"I swear, if I weren't so peaceful," Lucy said with a pout.

"Then who is going to be Juvia's partner?" Juvia asked.

"You're looking at her," Lisanna said, raising her hand.

"You!" Elfman said.

"I was pretty close with the Edolas Juvia," Lisanna explained, "And this Juvia's really cute."

"Really?" Juvia asked.

"Sure thing, sister!" Lisanna said, grabbing her shoulders, "Forget Loke and Gray, we're going to dominate this exam!"

"Wait a minute!" Elfman yelled, "Whose going to be my partner?!"

"I assumed you already had one," Lisanna said, gesturing.

"Really?" Elfman asked, before glancing over to where Lisanna was gesturing, and saw Evergreen staring so hard Elfman felt like it was going to set him on fire.

"Seems like she's kind of annoyed that Freed chose Bixlow instead of her," Lisanna said, "So why not?" Elfman could think of several reasons why not.

Meanwhile, Shadow Gear was celebrating how Levy had gotten the nomination, while at the same time, insisting on being Levy's partner.

"I can get you anywhere instantly!" Jet said, "I should definitely be your partner!"

"You kidding?" Droy protested, "I'm much stronger than you! I should be the partner!" As the two continued to argue, Levy just sighed.

"If you want to become an S-Class, then you shouldn't be working with these dolts," Gajeel said as he materialized behind her.

"Gajeel!" Levy said.

"I can blow any rival clear out of the water," the Iron Dragon Slayer said.

"Well, I'm honestly not sure I can do anything in this," Levy said, "I'm no fighter, especially compared to everyone else."

"Have you been listening to me?" Gajeel said, as he lifted her up by the collar, "I can and will make you a big shot here in the guild." Levy looked up, as she flushed a light red, before sighing, and smiling.

"Eh, why not?" she said.

"Levy!" Jet and Droy sounded out.

"With all due respect (which let's admit isn't much), this does give her a better chance," Pantherlily said to the pair.

(with Wendy)

Wendy was heading back to the dorms, with Carla floating beside her. The Sky Dragon Slayer looked up and smiled.

"Its starting to snow," she said. Carla remained silent, which caused the girl to frown.

"Maybe we should move to Natsu's place," Wendy said, looking at Carla, "We'd be closer to our family, after all." However, her Exceed remained silent again, in one of the few subjects, Wendy was sure she'd have an opinion on.

"What's wrong?" she asked, "You've been quiet all day."

"I just have an ominous feeling about the upcoming exam," Carla finally explained, "No matter what, you shouldn't get involved in this."

"I don't think you need to worry about that," Wendy said with a smile, "No one should want me as a partner."

"I wouldn't say that." The girls turned, and saw a tall man with close cropped, black hair, and a scar on the side of his face.

"My name's Mest," he said, "I was Mystogan's right hand man, and closest friend."

(at Natsu and Lucy's house)

Natsu concentrated, as the fire flared up around him, evaporating much of the snow around him. He then activated his Dragon's Eye, which glowed bright. Natsu then held up his hand, and concentrated the fire all the fire around it into a single orb. He then flicked it at a nearby rock, which burned right through it, and exploded in a massive trust of flames.

"Not enough," Natsu said, as he jumped up to his feet, and his chest lit up. Happy watched all of this.

"With Dragon's Eye, there's no way he can lose!" he declared.

(with Lucy and Haru)

Lucy smiled as she looked up at the falling snow.

"Look Haru, snow!" she said, "Its sure is pretty isn't it?" Haru giggled slightly, as she grabbed at the falling snowflakes.

"Let's go back home to sit by your father's fire, that sound good?" Lucy asked as she continued walking. Then her attention as taken by the sound of groaning nearby. The blonde glanced over, and saw Cana keeled over in a nearby alley, a pile of empty bottles next to her.

"Cana!" Lucy cried.

(at the house)

"I owe you my ass, sister," Cana said, with an embarrassed smile, "Without you, I'd be a beer popsicle now." Lucy had managed to bring Cana back to her house, where she was warming up by the fire in the living room.

"Natsu and Happy are out training, so don't expect to see them," Lucy said, as she sat on her couch, Haru in her lap, "But I'm more concerned about you. This isn't just acting weird, this is acting just plain stupid!"

"I know it is," Cana said solemnly, "I guess I'm just suffering from the typical S-Class Exam Blues."

"That's one way to describe it," Lucy said, with a sweat drop, "But who cares if you lose? There's always next year." Cana let out a breath.

"Perhaps I'd be more inclined to agree with at if this wasn't my fifth time participating," Cana said softly.

"Being an S-Class mage isn't the most important thing in the world," Lucy said, "Who cares if you can't do S-Class jobs."

"Its never been about that," Cana said, "Actually that's the absolute last thing on my mind. So I decided that if I fail this time, I'll leave, this time for real."

"Is it really that important!" Lucy demanded frustratingly.

"Yes it is!" Cana snapped right back. Haru then started to cry, not liking all the noise, which got the attention of both women.

"Shh, shh, its alright," Lucy said. Cana took a breath.

"Sorry," she said, "But it is really that important to me. If I don't become S-Class, then I can't present myself to him."

"Care to elaborate?" Lucy asked, as Haru eventually stopped crying. With that, Cana opened her mouth, and gave her full explanation. The explanation was one that even Lucy could never had imagined.

"And that's it in a nutshell," Cana said, "This time around, if I fail, I have to leave."

"No!" Lucy declared tearing up, "I can't let that happen! I'll be your partner! I'll make you an S-Class!" Cana stared in surprise.

"But…," she said, "What about Haru?" Lucy took a breath, calming herself down.

"It'll only be a couple days at the most, right?" she asked, "I can leave Haru in the care of the guild for then. Besides, I couldn't let Haru know that his mother let her friend down." Cana just stared at her, before tearing up.

"Lucy," she said softly.

(one week later)

Eventually the day for the exams came around. At the time, the guild was assembled at the Hargeon harbor, ready to begin the exams. The teams were as followed: Natsu and Happy, Gray and Loke, Juvia and Lisanna, Cana and Lucy, Freed and Bixlow, Levy and Gajeel, and Mest and Wendy.

Natsu was of course, rather POed when Lucy told him about what she was going to do. But Natsu eventually agreed after Lucy explained herself, and with assurance that Haru would be alright in the care of the guild for the short time that they would be gone.

"Don't worry, sweetie," Lucy said, as she stroked Haru's cheek, as he was being held by Kinana, "We'll be back home before you know it." Natsu then bent down and tussled his son's hair.

"When your dad gets back home, he's going to be S-Class!" he said with a smile.

"Mommy and Daddy love you very much," Lucy said, before kissing her baby's forehead. Haru wasn't crying, but he didn't look particularly happy, as he reached after his departing parents. Lucy briefly glanced back, but Natsu put his hand on her shoulder.

"We'll barely be gone two days," he said, smiling, "Our kid's tough! He'll be alright!" Lucy took a breath, before smiling.

"You're right," she said.

"Be back soon!" Warren called.

"Good luck everyone!" Laki called. Haru remained silent, as he watched the boat float way, as he teared up slightly.

Note: Yes, I did this, because for the following: Lucy and Natsu couldn't bring Haru with them, since it would be too dangerous, additionally, they figured that at most, they'd be gone a couple days, and they'd be back. I also had them both go, because there are events that happen there that both have to be witness to.

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