The stars were bright in the sky as Lucy glanced towards the Moon. She'd been laying out here for hours, unable to sleep. The Celestial Mage was worried about the battle ahead of them. Even though she and Natsu were stronger than ever, would it be enough? The young blonde thought about her friends on undercover missions. Gray, Juvia, and even one of our strongest, Erza could possibly be fighting against them.
It went against everything Lucy believed in to harm a fellow friend. However, tomorrow it may be inevitable.
Laying underneath the stars helped keep her calm in times of stress. The Celestial mage knew that sleep was going to be important for tomorrow's task.
"Have you been out here all night?" The Fire Dragon Slayer walked towards his partner.
The Celestial mage heard Natsu next to her before she noticed his presence. The young woman had been lost in her own thoughts. "I got a little bit of rest. I just couldn't sleep."
"Still worried about the Trial?"
"Can't help it." The Celestial mage shrugged. Lucy glanced up, watching her partner lay in the grass next to her. Natsu pulled his mate into his embrace, allowing his warm aura to encompass the both of them.
"Not only will we be fighting for our title as S-Class Wizards, Grimoire Heart is going to wreak havoc on our home." The young blonde continued. We might have to fight against our own friends and family."
"I know." The Fire Dragon Slayer kissed the top of Lucy's head. He continued to take deep breaths, encouraging her to do the same. "I just have a feeling that everything is going to work out how it's supposed to."
"You're always so optimistic, Natsu, that it's contagious." The Celestial Mage grinned. "That's one of the things I love about you."
Giving her a toothy grin, the Dragon Slayer stood up. "I'm gonna go make breakfast for the three of us. Then, we can head to the harbor! Wendy said Carla and Happy would meet us there."
Lucy nodded, taking a few more minutes to lay on the soft grass. The young blonde took several deep breaths, using them to help her relax.
After a few moments, a bright light appeared in front of her. The Celestial Mage used her arm to cover her eyes from the blinding rays. Once it dissipated, the young woman saw the Lion in front of her.
Lucy's brow furrowed. Leo was supposed to be assisting Gray, Juvia and Erza on their mission. Immediately, the young blonde stood from her lying position. "Loki… Is everything okay? What's happened to Gray and the others?"
Leo wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulder. "We need to go inside and talk.."
Without another word, the two quickly made their way to the Dragneel home. Wendy and Natsu both turned around, equally concerned by seeing Loki in the house. Lucy and the Celestial Spirit walk into the living room and sit down
"What's going on, Leo?" The young blonde questioned.
"There's quite a few things that happened… Yeah.." Leo ran his hands through his hair. "Gray and Juvia are getting checked out in the infirmary. They're okay, just a little shaken up. I found them locked up in a storage room."
"Oh my goodness!" Wendy gasped, her hand covering her mouth.
"Are they alright?" Lucy asked, extremely concerned.
"I think so." Loki nodded. "Just a couple of minor scrapes and bruises. Their plan is to meet everyone else at Tenrou. Although their cover will be blown, it's better than standing back and doing nothing."
"What about Erza?" The Sky Dragon Slayer questioned. He was obviously concerned for her fellow guildmate. If the others were found out, it was only a matter of time before she would be as well.
"She's managed to get the attention of the Seven Kin. She'll be fighting alongside them on Tenrou Island.." The Lion ran his left hand through his golden mane, clearly stressed about the situation.
And Lucy…" The Lion continued after he took a couple of breaths. "When you get there, please stay away from the Goat."
"They have a goat?" Natsu laughed. "Will he kick us to death?"
"This Goat is a very powerful Celestial Spirit." Loki had a grim look on his face. The Lion goes into detail about his short time at Grimoire Heart. He tells his comrades of his interaction with Caprico, and how it forced him to leave his position early.
"Wait… So that guy knows you're in Fairy Tail?" Natsu's brow raised in concern. His presence at the dark guild could've been what caused Gray and Juvia to get kidnapped.
Leo shook his head. "He only knows that I'm a part of a guild. No specifics. He's been in Earthland for decades. Unfortunately, he's not the guy I remember, and I think he would pose a great threat to you."
"Capricorn?" Lucy questioned. She remembered the Goat among other Spirits that would visit their home. "The key my Mother said protected her all those years ago?"
"I don't know what he's been doing since Layla died." Leo admitted. "I think he's gotten himself into a bad situation. But, it's not my place to judge." The lion shrugged the last comment off. "I just want you to stay away from him at all costs."
"I'd hate to watch friends fighting each other.." Lucy sighed. "Can I count on you if things get dangerous?"
"Of course." Loki grinned, his teeth shining in the light. "Anything I can do for a-
"Watch it.." The Fire Dragon Slayer growled from the kitchen.
"A… Beautiful lady." The Lion chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "I should get going." Loki stood, waving goodbye to his friend.
"Good Luck today, Lucy!" Leo grinned as he disappeared.
Natsu walked into the living room with a tv tray and a plate, piled high with goodies. The Dragon Slayer gave her a toothy grin as he set down. "Eat up! We only have a few hours before we have to report to the Harbor!"
"Ugh…Why did it have to be a boat?" Natsu groaned, leaning over the side.
"I thought we were going to swim to Tenrou…" Wendy's face was stark white, her eyes closed.
The two Dragon Slayers had nauseous looks on their faces. Getting motion sickness was one of their biggest weaknesses. Normally, Wendy could use a spell that would cause the feeling to disappear. However, since Natsu's used it so many times, the spell no longer has any effect.
"Will the two of you-" Gajeel retched over the opposite side of the boat. "Quit your whining!"
Levy chuckled, glancing between all of the Dragon Slayers. "You'd think having something to bond over would make them close."
"Not if they're constantly trying to one-up each other." Lucy laughed next to her best friend.
"Good morning Everyone!" Master Makarov clapped his hands together, a clear smile on his face. "It's so good to see your bright and shining faces on this early morning. I hope everyone is ready for today's Trial. We'll begin as soon as everyone arrives on shore. In the meantime, please enjoy the warm sunny day."
"What will the trial consist of, Master?" Freed questioned, his hand raised.
Gramps gave a small chuckle as he shook his head. "Everything will be explained once we arrive. It shouldn't take us long to reach the island."
The Celestial mage glanced towards the bright sky. The clouds were sparse, but the breeze was nice and cool. It felt nice to relax before their very stressful day. Suddenly, a chill ran down the young woman's spine, she looked around the boat, noticing the pink haired wizard was gone.
"Natsu?" Lucy jumped up, running to where her partner was sitting moments ago.
"NATSU?!"
Heart racing, Lucy was about to jump overboard. That is, until she saw a Dragon Slayer fly passed her head.
"Sorry Lucy!" The Fire Dragon Slayer smiled, his teeth showing in a bright grin. "I just couldn't take it anymore! I'll meet you guys there!"
"Aye!" Happy yelled, carrying his best friend to Tenroe.
"HEY! That's not fair!" Cana yelled, her beer sloshing in its cup.
"Yea! Why do they get to fly?!" Gajeel groaned.
The Guildmaster had a devious grin on his features. "I never said you were confined to the vessel. I stated earlier, once everyone arrived on shore the Trial would officially begin. You're free to get there however you wish."
"Awesome! In that case.." Lisanna used her magic, transforming herself into a bird. She flew quickly after Natsu.
The rest of the Dragon Slayers quickly followed suit. Their Exceeds carried them off the boat and towards dry land.
"Lucky bastards…" Canna took a huge swig of her drink, leaning from one side to the other as the waves crashed into the boat.
Levy smiled, glancing towards her best friend. "I'm surprised they didn't try that little trick before getting on the boat."
"I know." Lucy couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. It felt good to be so lighthearted in this moment. Who knows what the next few hours will entail. "I guess we'll see them when we get there. For now, I'm gonna relax!"
"I hear you sister!" Canna laughed, hearing Lucy mention something about relaxing.
Gramps chuckled, watching his children lounge around. He knew the Dragon Slayers would jump ship at the first moment. A few others decided to follow suit, using their magic energy to get there faster. Having the members of Fairy Tail spread so thin had the older man worried.
Their stronger members were all gathered for the Trial, while others were staying behind to guard Magnolia. He worried for his children that he was away from, as well as the townsfolk. How many of them would succumb to the trickery that is Grimoire Heart? Would Fairy Tail face casualties? Were his children strong enough to take down a Dark Guild?
"I think I see the island!" Levy pointed.
Her voice pulled the Guildmaster out of his daydream. He watched the guild members run to each side of the boat, pointing and smiling at the island in front of them.
"There she is, children!" Master Makarov shouted. "Our island is just ahead."
The boat docked on the shore moments later. All the wizards on the vessel exited, thankful to finally be off of the choppy waves. Lucy glanced around the island, attempting to find her Trial Partner.
"Lucy!" Wendy began to wave as she ran across the beach. Natsu, Gajeel, and the Exceeds were not far behind her.
"You guys finally made it!" The Fire Dragon Slayer flashed a toothy grin, taking his spot right next to his partner.
"Now that everyone's together, I'll explain the first phase of the Trial." Makarov commented, gesturing for the guild members to listen closely. Gramps clapped his hands together, causing a board with a large diagram to appear. It looked to be different paths in a maze. Pictures of Mirajane and Gildarts were on the outer edges, while two big question marks were in the middle.
"Everyone will enter this tunnel here." The Guild Master explained as he pointed to spots on the picture. "From here, there are eight different directions to take. One for each team. Two of these will lead you to S-Class wizards you have to defeat in order to move on."
"Oh come on, that's not fair!" Natsu griped.
Makarov continued as if no one said a word. "Four of the paths intersect, causing you to battle each other. The duo that prevails moves on to the second phase. The last two are a surprise." Gramps had a devilish grin on his features.
"A surprise?" Wendy questioned.
"Yes." The Guild Master confirmed. "It could be a path of serenity, one with a terrifying monster inside, or it could possibly contain a helpful tool for your endeavor. The possibilities are endless."
Chatter began amongst the young wizards. Many of them were beginning to get nervous about their upcoming exam.
"Once you've completed the objective, you will move through the tunnel and meet me on the other side. After the contestants that have completed the first stage are all together, I will explain the next phase of the plan."
"Questions?" Gramps looked around the small crowd of wizards.
Lucy raised her hand. "What if something unexpected happens?"
Although the question was vague, Makarov was able to pick up on what she was saying. "All of the judges are equipped with signal flares. All S-Class and myself will be judging this Promotion. If you see anything out of the ordinary, let one of them know. If an emergency occurs, we will postpone the trial until it is dealt with."
The group was silent, glancing at each other.
"If there are no more questions…" The Guild Master paused for a few moments, ensuring there was no one else that was going to interject.
"LET THE TRIAL BEGIN!" Gramps yelled.