"First, I want to congratulate everyone that's made it to the second stage of the Promotion." Master Makarov clapped his hands. Natsu, Lucy, Juvia, Levy, Gray, and Canna were the six remaining wizards standing before him.
"Before we start the second phase of the trial, I want to give each of you one of these." Makarov pulled several red cards. The Master of the Guild asked Canna to create them for this specific purpose. "These cards are going to be used if you see an enemy. This way, we'll be able to track their locations. Anyone who is near the signal should go to assist your fellow guild members."
"Is this a part of the Promotion Gramps?" Natsu questioned, looking at the card he was given.
"These are for emergency purposes only. They will not be used unless an intruder on our land is spotted." The Guild Master looked around the group of wizards. "It must also be told, that one of our own is in their ranks as we speak."
Several gasps could be heard around the group. However, Team Natsu was unwavering.
"Our own Erza is on an undercover mission. At the correct time that she sees fit, she will reveal herself to them. We cannot and will not jeopardize her mission. If you see her with someone else, you must set off the signal flare at any cost."
"But, What if she thinks we're going to hurt her?" Happy asked worriedly.
"Erza is a battle veteran at this point. She knows what she needs to do in order to complete her objective. I expect none of you to get in the way of that. Besides, Erza is an S-Class wizard, Happy. She has been to Tenrou Island since she was just a little girl. That makes her more than aware of the rules of the Promotion."
"I don't know what her plan is. We just have to trust Erza to get the job done." The Guild Master's voice was grim.
The wizards became silent at the Master's words. A tension began to build, everyone becoming nervous about the upcoming battle.
"There's no reason to lose hope, my children." Makarov smiled. "I've received word from Warren that our mission was a success. They were able to take down all of the Grimoire Heart Members in Magnolia. That leaves the rest to us."
"Gray, would you please fill us in on any important details?" Gramps looked towards the Ice wizard, a smile on his features.
"Unfortunately, I don't know much about the Seven. The only thing I do know is they have a Celestial Spirit on their side. Leo explained that Capricorn is an extremely strong spirit, who's been out of the Spirit Realm for several years. So long, that Loki's actually lost track."
"However, there are others competing for a Promotion. They were around a little more often. I've seen four wizard's magic types and how they work. Yomazu is one of Capricorn's minions. His magic is similar to Levy's. He writes kanji with his sword, using it to attack his opponent. He has a partner named Kawazu. His power is…"
Gray began to cringe. "More disturbing than anything. He uses eggs to damage his opponent."
"Eggs? What kind of creature is he?" The Fire Dragon Slayer raised a brow.
"It'll make sense the moment you see him…" The Ice Mage chuckled. Gray's features turned serious as he continued speaking. "The third member competing for promotion… is Erza."
The tension in the air rose for a moment. Gray decided to continue. "We all know what kind of magic she uses."
"Dico is the final member up for Promotion."
Lucy felt the blood freeze inside her veins. Hearing that name brought back so many terrible memories. Her body began to feel cold, frozen with anxiety and fear.
"He has been the driving force behind Grimoire Heart's involvement with Drip. As far as I can tell, his magic involves stealing the other person's aura. With each punch I could feel my magic power being drained from me. I'm not sure if he is able to use others abilities by absorbing them. I only know that the energy leaves your body."
The Ice Mage then glanced in Lucy's direction. "Our friend Lucy, spent an extensive period of time tracking Dico's movements before realizing he was working for Grimoire Heart. For some reason, he believes our friend is responsible for his equipment and home getting vandalized. While this is completely untrue, it set him back months in his Drip operation." Gray cringed, remembering all of the rants he witnessed. Dico was unlike any wizard he'd met in his life.
"I was able to gather that during Lucy's time at Royal Tree, she assumed another identity and look. It's possible that Dico won't recognize her. However, we must all keep an eye out. He'll be the easiest of the members to recognize, as he's covered in tattoos."
The Celestial Wizard could hear the words of her friend. However, it sounded as if he were hundreds of feet away. His voice began to fade as she dissociated from reality. All the young woman could think about what the menacing aura was around Dico. He would throw his life away to save his project, and that made him extremely dangerous.
"If I'm being honest, the Seven Kin portray him as a liability. However, he is unhinged at the moment. The fact that he's been consuming the product he created has made him extremely paranoid. He's become hyper fixated on his revenge against Lucy."
Natsu wrapped an arm around his mate, sensing there was something wrong. He looked down at Lucy's face, noticing that it was completely blank, devoid of any emotion that could tell him what was bothering her. He placed a kiss on her head, whispering against her hair. "I'm not leaving your side. He's not going to get to you."
"Now." Gramps continued after the Ice Mage finished speaking. "We'll move on to a lighter note. The next objective in your Promotion."
Cheers could be heard amongst the small crowd. Some of the wizards clapped their hands, while others shouted in excitement.
"The second phase of the Trial is quite simple really." The Guild Master smiled. "All you need to do is find the grave of our First Master, Mavis. The first wizard to find it gets to move on to S-Class."
The cheers that were ringing through the air became deafeningly quiet in an instant.
"Really?" Levy raised a brow.
"That's it, Gramps?" Natsu sounded extremely disappointed.
"Don't think this is some easy task, my children." Makarov pointed out. "Not only will you be fighting against powerful enemies along the way. The grave is hidden behind a powerful magical barrier. I doubt ANY of you will be strong enough to find it." Gramps chuckled. He loved egging on the wizards in his guild. A little healthy competition never hurt anyone.
"Is that a challenge, old man?" Gray questioned.
"No, simply a reality." The Guild Master shrugged before raising his hand. A bright gold light emitted from his finger into the air.
"BEGIN!"
All of the wizards scattered immediately. Natsu, Gray, and Wendy formed a triangle of sorts around Lucy. Happy and Carla took to the skies, trying to spot any enemies in the nearby area.
The Celestial Mage felt her heart overflow with compassion for her friends. Tears began to sting her eyes. They were willing to protect her in her time of need. She was going to do everything in her power to assist them. Even though she wasn't the strongest member of their group, she was going to give it her all!
"The time has come, ladies and gents!"
Hades, Guild Master of Grimoire Heart, stood before the twelve wizards in the room. The group was on their way to Tenrou Island via their airship. He began to pace in front of them, lamenting on the changes that have happened over the course of the year.
"We're finally able to take back what is rightfully ours!" The older Dark Wizard grinned. For decades, he's been looking for a way to find Mavis' grave once again. Now that Fairy Tail Members will be on the island, forcing one of them to take him would be a piece of cake.
Erza Scarlet stood in the middle of the eleven members. She was sporting a set of armor that no one at Fairy Tail had witnessed. She was in a black outfit, similar to a tight-fitting gi. Her hair was tied up using black silk, only a small portion of her fiery red hair showing. If she could get away with staying unnoticed until the very end, her plan would be considered a success.
She's realized several things during her time in Grimoire Heart. First and foremost, the Master of the Guild has a close tie to Fairy Tail. The scarlet maiden was unable to find out the true connection. However, she did know Hades was after Mavis' grave, thinking that it held some kind of magical ability.
As many times as she's been to the First Master's Grave, she wouldn't say that it's exactly magical. Although, the experience was truly difficult to put into words. Erza could've sworn there were times she saw Mavis running around Tenrou during the S-Class Promotions.
"Does anyone have questions on our objective today?" The Dark Guild Master questioned, glancing among his strongest members. Moments passed in silence.
"You have permission to use any means necessary to reach our goal. If every single Fairy is killed in the process, then that's a sacrifice they're going to make for our rebirth!"
The dark wizards cheered, most of them screaming and hollering in excitement.
"As you may also know." Hades continued after the cheers began to die off. "If someone is to find the one called "Remi", you are to take her to Dico immediately. I've promised him that he'll be the one to deal with her how he sees fit."
"That bitch won't know what's coming!" The Dark Wizard rubbed his hands together, a completely mad look on his face. His revenge on the wizard from Royal Tree has become an obsession of his. Most of the Seven Kin have been trying their best to remain detached from his erratic behavior. They see it as a liability to the guild. However, since their Master has decided to go through with the insane guy's plan, they have no choice but to follow.
"Master." Meredy raised her hand, bowing as her companion, Ultear did. "May I ask what our goal is in the competition?"
"You may." The Dark Guild Master nodded. "The main goal is to exterminate all of the members in Fairy Tail. Keep track of your kills, because points will be rewarded at the end of the day. I'll have my own tally of the score. I'll know if anyone is adjusting their numbers. Such a thing would result in immediate termination."
The room became eerily quiet, understanding that lying to the Guild Master meant their demise.
"How will the winner of the Promotion be determined? The person with the most points, wins?" Scarlet asked, keeping her voice low and raspy.
"The task is simple really. While killing the Fairies is the ultimate goal. It is not what will win you the Promotion." Hades shrugged. "Once you've found the grave of their First Master, alert me. From there I will determine the next course of action."
"What will you be doing while we're fighting, Master?" Ultear questioned, bowing as she spoke to the Dark Guild Master.
Hades turned, glancing out of a window in the airship. "I think I'll sit back and relax. I'm sure that the twelve of you can exterminate some Fairies."
The Master of the dark guild was quiet for a few moments. He could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. All of his hard work was finally going to pay off!
"Oh, I almost forgot!" The Guild Master raised his finger, as if a lightbulb went off in his mind. "I will be giving bonus points to anyone who can bring me Fairy Tail's current Guild Master. Alive."
A devilish grin appeared on Hades' features. "I have a few questions for him."
What does he want with Master Makarov and Mavis? Erza contemplated. This doesn't make sense.
"Now…" Hades turned away from the window, looking at the wizards in front of him once again. "Let the competition begin!"