A few days after the incident of Edolas.
We turn our attention to the magic council as the councilmen are having a heated debate with one another.
"this is outrages! Look at this number of written apologies!" shouted a councilmen while slamming a stack of papers on the table. "are you telling me that all of these are caused by a single guild!?"
"it's Fairy Tail" said Org.
"they've been a headache since the previous generation" said Councilmen Leiji.
"there's no need to get your hackles up. they went to the trouble of destroying the Oracion Seis of the Balam Alliance" said Org with a sigh.
"but there's no record of the council approving such a plan!" said councilmen while slapping a hand on a stack of papers.
"they moved into action solely upon the judgment of a federation of local guilds" "to put it precisely, even though it was against a dark guild, they've contravened the rule prohibiting the fight against guilds!" "in addition, it's possible that the other members of the Balam Alliance will be seeking revenge!" "no that's true, they may call themselves an alliance, but it's just a nonaggression pact"
Org scratches his beard as the new council members are heated in taking out Fairy Tail while he, at first wanted the guild out but he now has a change of view of them.
"in addition, there also have come far to call that Jellal 'a friend'. They really have some dangerous ideas, don't they?"
"this council has been reformed! And what does that mean?! It means we must make an example of them before the people!"
"in order to restore the trust we once lost" said the Chaiman who stood up from his seat. "we will crack down on any hard and questionable guilds. There will be o next time for Fairy Tail! The next time, that guild will be dissolved!"
"it is all for the Sacred Order of the Magical World!"
Meanwhile at Magnolia. The guild is doing what they do best, making a big racket and a big mess everywhere.
"the guild is the same as always, huh?" said Lucy as she sat by the bar where Mira and Lisanna are at.
"what do you expect? This is Fairy Tail after all" said Mira with a grin.
"weee~!" squealed Haruka and Haruo as the twins are flying in the guild with the help of Charla and Lily. "this is awesome!"
"be careful you two!" said Lisanna to the two while watching them fly.
"don't drop them, Lily! Charla! Or Natsu will skin you two alive!" added Mira.
"we know" said Charla while holding Haruka's back and flies around with her.
"is this how Earthland children spend their days?" said Lily as he flew around with Haruo.
"the two gets so well with Lily so fast, huh?" said Lucy remembering how Haruka and Haruo hugs Lily and started playing around with him upon meeting the black exceed.
"yeah, they do" said Cana as she came to the bar while holding a barrel of beer. "any of you guys seen Master and Natsu? Ikaruga said she can't find the two anywhere"
"he's busy, he said" said Mira to Cana. "something about guild issues"
"strange, Natsu said the same thing to me" said Lisanna to her sister as this got curiosity in the air.
"now that you guys said it, Natsu told me that he'll be busy with Master" added Lucy as the four got told of the same thing but at a different point.
Meanwhile at the Sakura cave. Natsu placed Chitetsu in the hollow hole in a Sakura Tree before a magic seal is placed upon the hole and it soon disappears.
"is this really what you want?" said Makarov to Natsu while standing behind him.
"I've been using him too much" replied Natsu as he looks at the now gone hole before to Makarov. "my fate is changed when I'm with him"
"I'm not underestimating your skills or anything, Natsu. but you are not that strong with your magic like you used to" said Makarov to him "you've only been rather skilled with your swordsmanship"
"I know, but it's nearly the end of the year" said Natsu as he sat down on the grass and then sighs. "better give some sort of handicap to the chosen participants one way or another"
"you" said Makarov while sighing. "this is the test to see who is worthy and all"
"I know" said Natsu before he catch a falling sakura petal in his grasp "but I feel rather compassionate this year"
On the next day, everyone in gathered at the guild as Makarov stood on the stage with the four S Class members.
"what's this commotion about?" said Lily, not fully knowing Fairy Tail and how things are done in Earthland.
"who knows?" said Gajeel while having Haruo riding on his head, the boy having somehow bond with the Iron Dragon Slayer.
"they say that Master is going to give a special announcement, Charla!" said Wendy with a smile.
"not that interested" replied Charla with a flat look.
"what is this about?" said Lucy, looking clueless.
"must be very important" added Juvia before having hearts in her eyes while looking towards Gray. "but not as important as Gray-sama!"
"as always" said Lucy with a sweatdrop from the usual action of the Water Mage.
Makarov took a step forward on the stage as he coughs into his fist once.
"good day to you all! As you all know that ever since long ago! This has been Fairy Tail's annual end of the year custom!" exclaimed Makarov before waving his hands up. "it is time to announce the participants of the S-Class wizard Promotion Trial!"
"S-CLASS WIZARD PROMOTION TRIAL!?" said Lucy in surprise to know that there is a trial for one to become an S-class in Fairy Tail.
"This year's Exam will take place on Tenrou Island! The sacred ground of our guild!" said Makarov as this made some people in the guild amazed.
"This year?" asked Lucy.
"It's different each year." Warren explained to her. "You never know what you're up against until you get there."
"And it's always hard." added Max.
"After all, those who pass become S-Class!" Alzack said with pride.
"For the past year" Makarov said "I have been observing you. Your hearts, your resolves, your desire to follow down the path of magic! I have taken them all under consideration! I have considered these individuals to be a cut above the rest!"
"Gray Fullbuster!"
Gray grins as he clenched his fists tight. "the time has come!"
"Juvia Lockser!"
Juvia blinked. "Juvia?" she asked in disbelief.
"Elfman Strauss!"
"to be a man, one must become an S-class!" said Elfman with a grin.
"good luck Elf-niichan!" said Lisanna with a smile.
"good luck!" cheered Haruka while beside Lisanna.
"Cana Alberona!"
"that's my girl! She got good looks and my spunk!" said Gildarts with a happy and proud smile before getting a barrel thrown to his face by Cana.
"shut up!" shouted Cana after throwing the barrel.
"Freed Justine!"
"I shall follow in Laxus' footsteps." stated proudly Freed, with Bickslow patting him on the shoulder in joy.
"Lecy McGarden!"
"Finally...my turn." whispered to herself Levy.
"It's Levy!" exclaimed Jet and Droy in joy
"Mest Gryder!"
A man with very short, black hair raised his head proudly, his eyes grateful for Makarov's choice.
"Man, he was so close last year." whistled Warren.
"I wonder if he'll take it this year." Someone wondered in the crowd.
"not this year…" cried Alzack from not being chosen.
"there's always next year, Al" said Bisca, consoling the man.
"this time, only one of you will pass and become an S-class mage! The exam will start in another week. So, prepare yourself!" Makarov boomed out
"seven people, and only one can become an S-class?" said Lucy while gulping down her throat. "what kind of trials are coming to them?"
"how come Juvia got picked but not me!?" Gajeel shouted while looking irritated.
"I heard of your reputation before you joined the guild, you could say that it isn't the right time" Lily, his partner told him "and Erza also said" Lily added in as Erza smirks with a glint on her
"you're still inexperience" said Erza
"damnit!" Gajeel shouted
"there are some newbies here, so we will explain the rules to you all" said Makarov before Mira stepped forward.
"within one week, all seven participants must pick partners" said Mira while crossing her arms.
"partner?" said Lucy with a confused look.
"this means that this will be a two man's team" said Max.
"it'll also test partner's bonds too" added Warren
"There are three rules that must be met to successfully pick a partner," Erza stated out. "First, they must be a member of Fairy Tail. Second, they cannot be an S-Class mage. Thirdly, the seven people chosen by Master cannot team up with each other. Your partner must be someone outside of the seven."
"which means, Erza, Gildarts, Natsu, and Mira are unavailable, huh?" said Lily while nodding his head in understanding.
"having Erza-san or Mira-san or even Natsu-san as a partner would make it too easy, wouldn't it?" said Wendy with an awkward smile.
"no kidding" added Lucy with an awkward laugh.
"The details of the exam will be revealed on Tenrou Island." Makarov added in. "but this time, Erza and Mira won't be the only ones stopping you all in this trial"
"EEh!?" exclaimed everyone.
"Stop whining. This is the path all the S-Class have gone down. I believe in you all." Gildarts told them as he grins
"don't tell me!" exclaimed Elfman
"Gildarts will be in too?!" exclaimed Gray in shock to know that their guild's S-class Mage who is as strong as Natsu is joining in.
"I too" added Natsu while crossing his arms and his lips formed a small smirk. "I won't be giving any compassion if any of you face me in the trial"
This made a cold win shudder through the seven participant's spine as Natsu is just as strong as Gildarts and that would mean trouble.
"We shall meet in Hargeon Port at 8 AM. I hope you spend the upcoming week wisely and prepare the best to your ability! Dismissed!" announced Makarov and walked off the stage with the others
an hour later after the announcement, the guild went back to do what they usually do.
We turn our attention to a table where Gray, Levy, Juvia, Elfman, and Cana are gathered with Lucy, Lisanna, Wendy, Charla, Haruka, and Haruo.
"the road to becoming a real man is getting further and further away." Elfman said with a frown just thinking of the possibility of him meeting Gildarts or Natsu in the trial.
"stop your whining, Elfman!" said Mira who stands behind her little brother while smirking. "just pray that you won't meet Natsu, Gildarts, or even me"
Lucy sweatdrops as she sees Elfman shaking and sweating a lot from realizing that Mira is also on the list of powerful monsters.
"Master mentioned partners." said Wendy. "What did he mean, exactly?"
"the candidates are allowed to pick a partner to help them with the exam." Said Cana "but only the ones who got picked gets to be an S-class mage, partners are only for support"
"last year we only had Mira and Erza, but Gildarts and Natsu never joined because they got things to do. This year's exam will probably be the toughest yet." Said Gray before sighing
"Sounds like trouble." Lucy said with an awkward smile before looking aside "Speaking of partners." Lucy saw Freed teaming up with Bickslow as the two are talking together "Have you guys decided on who you'll partner with?"
"I'm with Gajeel" said Levy as her words surprised the others.
"really? Why the sudden pick?" asked Lucy while Levy scratches her chin with an awkward smile.
"it's more like he volunteered to be my partner than I ask him being my partner" said Levy with a blush.
"you like him~!" Lisanna, Haruka, and Haruo purred in unison as they teased the Script mage who embarrassingly looks down at her lap.
"I don't think I should be here." stated quietly Juvia.
"What are you talking about?" asked Gray. "You're more than qualified to take a part."
"She's saying that because she wants to be your partner." Lucy poked Gray with her elbow with a smirk.
"huh?" said Gray in confusion.
"see! Lucy is after Gray-sama!" exclaimed Juvia at her love rival.
"no, I'm not!" exclaimed Lucy.
"Sorry but, I've already decided on who I'll team up with." Said Gray before Loke appeared behind the man while having a smile.
"Long time no see, everyone." Said Loke
"Huh?" choked out Lucy.
"We made a promise last year, that we would partner up if either of us got picked." grinned Gray and fist bumped the spirit. "So, this year, we're fulfilling it."
"Sorry, Lucy, but I'll have to cancel our contract for the time being." said Loke. "Don't worry, I'm using my own magic to stay here, so no harm will come to you."
"I'm in your care, partner." Said Gray with a grin as he bumps fist with the Lion Celestial Spirit.
"Don't you worry, I'll carry you to the rank if I have to." "said Loke
Lucy blinked in confusion. "Selfish, aren't you? Since when were you so buddy-buddy anyway?"
"So, there you have it." said Gray to Juvia "let's have a heated battle for once in a while"
"h-h-Heated?!" thought Juvia in shock as her face went red as she soon imagines herself with Gray on bed. "heated grappling!"
"keep your thoughts to yourself, Miss" said Charla, somehow seeing Juvia's imagination.
"then I'll join up with Juvia then" said Lisanna with a smile.
"are you serious, Lisanna?!" exclaimed Elfman in shock.
"yup, I was good friends with the Edolas Juvia after all" said Lisanna with a smile.
"Lisanna-san..." muttered Juvia
"I'll make sure you come out victorious, Juvia!" grinned Lisanna while holding Juvia's hand.
"Wait a second, Lisanna!" screamed panicked Elfman. "If you're partnering up with her, who am I going to team up with?!"
"oh? But there's someone who has been giving you a hated stare though" said Lisanna to Elfman before pointing to the bar where Evergreen is at, as the Fairy Mage is staring right at Elfman "She's probably mad Freed teamed up with Bickslow."
"Evergreen?" Elfman voice out as he shivers.
"what about you, Cana?" said Lisanna while looking at the card mage who holds a mug of beer. "who is your partner going to be?"
"me me!" said Haruka while holding a hand up, wanting to be Cana's partner.
"no me!" exclaimed Haruo as he wanted to be Cana's partner.
The grown-ups laugh a bit at the twins as Lisanna patted their heads.
"sorry you two, but I'm thinking for Lucy to be my partner" said Cana as she surprised Lucy a bit. "you and your celestial spirits can really help me, Lucy. What do you say?"
Lucy looks at Cana before she sighs and smiles a bit.
"I guess, I can be a great support partner, huh?" said Lucy before grinning.
Meanwhile at the eastern forest where Natsu's home is. The place is typically quiet except for the inside of the home where in one room, grunts and moans are heard inside with the addition of a squeaking bed.
Inside the room are Natsu and Ikaruga, both covered under a blanket that is moving up and down.
Ikaruga gasps and moans continuously while holding onto Natsu's neck as the man hovers above her body before the woman lets out a loud gasp while Natsu grunted.
Both stopped as gasps of breath were heard while both were sweating tired
"why….the….sudden….passion….Natsu-han?" asked Ikaruga in a tired voice as her hair sprawled all over the bed around her.
"I…" said Natsu while leaning down and rested his head to Ikaruga's chest, hearing her heartbeat. "I feel…..guilty….i feel….sinned"
"why?" asked Ikaruga while placing her hands over his back and head.
Natsu frowns a bit before he decided to tell her of what he did with the Edolas Ikaruga and how he feels so guilty in betraying his love for his real wife.
"is that so?" said Ikaruga in a whisper as her hands petted Natsu's head.
"I feel like…..fate is laughing at me…..i feel like….a scum" muttered Natsu before he felt Ikaruga's hand caressing his cheek.
"do not worry, Natsu-han" whispered Ikaruga with a loving smile to him. "fate has no control over you. You control fate."
"but I betrayed my loyalty and love to you…..even if it is the Edolas counterpart of you….i" said Natsu before Ikaruga shushes him.
"it is fine…you should not feel guilty…I for one do not care what has conspired in the other world" whispered Ikaruga before gently holding Natsu close to her chest. "what matters most is that you won't ever leave us again, correct?"
"yeah" said Natsu as he leans close to hear Ikaruga's heartbeat. "I won't ever leave you or our family ever again"
Ikaruga smiles before she started humming while holding her lover close to her heart.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye