I just want to say that I would really appreciate feedback! I'm really trying to develop as a writer so it'd be awesome to hear what y'all think! :D Thank you!
Gray:
"Come on! How can you pyros be so weak?!" the ice mage yelled as their ship traveled across calm, peaceful waters. He got no discernible reply, only pained groans and a slurred "Shhh". Gray chuckled to himself as he leaned over the side of the frigate, looked past the rows of shining cannons, and locked eyes with his reflection in the serene, cerulean blue water below.
"Wendy… Troia...please…" came a strained gasp from the redheaded dragon slayer.
"I'm sorry Sophia-san! I'm only helping Mest now!"
"Ahhghhhhhhhh…" came her disgruntled and mournful reply, inciting a round of laughter from the mages sunning themselves on the deck.
Gray turned around to face the rest of the group again and, using his hand to shield his eyes from the overbearing sun, stared off into the distance, attempting to make out the island they were traveling to.
"So how come it's just those two bozos that get motion sick, Wendy?" he inquired of the sky dragon slayer.
"I'm not sure what causes it… Gajeel-san doesn't experience it either…"
"Ha! Here that, flame brains?!" he taunted, with a smile spreading across his cold features.
"Shuuut up!" Natsu screeched, Happy circling above him, cackling.
The Master walked out of his cabin and stood on the top deck, facing the wizards below.
"As I'm sure you can see, we're approaching Tenrou Island, the place where our first master lays. It is a sacred land, perfect for our trial. Once we reach the island, you will each have to choose a different pathway. Some are peaceful, some will require you to battle other competitors...and some will require you to face off with either Erza, Mira, or Gildarts. Best of luck to you all. We will begin as soon as the grand Tenrou tree is on the horizon."
Tensions suddenly rose as the competition began to get more real. Gray gave Loke a side-eye, who responded with a subtle nod and disappeared below deck, his sandals squeaking on each wooden step. Lucy and Cana began to prepare themselves as well, gathering their cards and keys. Sophia and Natsu seemed to stop wretching long enough to mumble something to each of their pathetic partners. It annoyed Gray that they both decided to choose partners that weren't mages. It felt like they weren't taking it seriously. He didn't want to win without a fight. At least Happy can fly...Gray thought to himself, staring at the back of Sophia's head. What is she thinking? Gray knew she wasn't an idiot; it was more likely that she had something up her sleeve, and he was tired of waiting for it.
Suddenly the female dragon slayer stood up, leaning on the edge of the boat for support.
"We've got this Plue."
"PUN PUN!"
Plue didn't look too hot: he was melting into the deck. Of course, he would resolidify once he got out of the direct sunlight, but how was he going to be any help in that state?
"I see it! We're starting!" Lucy yelled, rousing Gray from his thoughts.
"LOKE! NOW!" he roared. The two of them leaped over the railing, but instead of splashing into the cool water below, they rebounded back onto the deck with a harsh thud.
"Don't worry!" Freed called as he and Bixlow flew from the boat at top speed, "It'll wear off in five minutes!"
"FREED FOR FUCKS SAKE!" the mages left on board cried in unison. Gray saw Levy pull out her glasses and Gajeel moved protectively in front of her.
"Levy-chan can get us out of here!" Lucy cheered. The bluenette turned to wink at her friend as the air around her shimmered.
"Sorry, Lu-chan!" she called as she and Gajeel plunged into the ocean and began to race towards the shore.
"FFFFUUCK you!" Lucy called after the script mage, her face squished against the enchantment. The boat moved steadily forward and Gray took careful note of the fact that Natsu and Sophia were still pretty much down for the count. He smirked to himself as he prepared to jump into the water as soon as the enchantment was lifted.
He quickly grew tired of waiting and lost focus, much to his chagrin as he heard a splash from behind him and turned to see that the redheaded dragon slayer and her celestial partner were nowhere to be seen.
"Shit. Loke lets go!"
The two of them plunged into the water and quickly made their way to the island, running down the first path they saw that hadn't been taken already.
Lucy:
"Fuck. Shit. Fuck."
"Jesus Christ, Lucy, calm down, it's fine!" Cana berated the blonde.
Lucy took a deep breath and sighed as the two of them wandered through the cavernous tunnel. They had gotten to the island last and hadn't gotten to choose their path.
"I just feel like I could've done better! I just want to help you Cana. I wish I could write enchantments like Freed and Levy. That sounds so handy…" Lucy muttered in defeat, wishing she had the dedication to learn something as complicated as that.
"Well maybe when we get back you should try to," Cana suggested. "We can always improve on ourselves and if it's something you're genuinely interested in then it should be fun!"
Lucy smiled at the brunette and tried to hide her disappointment. She didn't want to be a debbie downer, they needed to stay positive if they wanted to win this thing.
"Hey, I think I see light up ahead...and voices," Cana whispered, leaning in close to the celestial spirit mage. Lucy quickly took hold of her keys and prepared for the worst. As they rounded the corner up ahead, Cana was proven right. Freed and Bixlow stood in the center of the cavern, waiting.
"Oh fuck." Cana and Lucy declared in unison.
"Well, well, well. I must say, I didn't expect to have to face off with the two of you," Freed said with a smile.
"Very well then," he bowed slightly and then looked back up, straight into Cana's eyes, "Shall we begin?"
Before anyone could even blink, Cana and Lucy had whipped out their magic items and were casting spells left and right.
"Aries! Take out the guy with the tongue tattoo!"
"It's for my babies!" Bixlow exclaimed, outraged.
Aries knocked out each of his babies, who had to resort to pebbles and sticks as her wool knocked them to the ground where they shattered on impact.
"Your babies are gonna need some body mods of their own when we're done with them!" Lucy replied, smirking and touching her back to Cana's.
Cana had discovered Freed's weakness: women. She sent beautiful apparition after aspiration towards him, clad in swimsuits and heels and gowns, all fawning over him and surrounding him, glad to make room for the ever-increasing number. He managed to croak every now and again, but was unable to protect himself and soon collapsed onto the ground, panting, cheeks a bright shade of fuschia.
"F-fine! I give in! Surrender!" he snapped from his demeaning position on the ground, Bixlow lying near to him, clutching the broken remnants of his children. A loud popping noise resonated through the room and the four of them whirled to view a trap door creak open. Lucy and Cana made their way towards it, turning to wave at the two decimated boys behind them.