The Celestial Mage felt a chill run up her spine, waking her up. Her eyes immediately opened from the absence of heat that was usually radiating from Natsu. However, Lucy instead awoke to an empty bed, and the smell of food being cooked. Looking out of the small window, the young blonde noticed it was still dark outside!
She quickly turned around, attempting to find a clock. The Celestial Mage's eyes widened as she found out how early it was. 4:30?! What in the world is he doing up at this time?
The young blonde decided to stay in bed for the time being. Her eyes closed once again. Lucy hoped sleep would take her away quickly. However, that definitely wasn't the case. Now that she was awake, the young woman's mind was reliving the night before. A smile crept onto her face. The two were finally bonded. The sensations of euphora still have not worn off. It felt like a warm glow on her skin.
Making her way out of the bedroom, Lucy wrapped up in a blanket to stay warm. As she opened the door, the young woman was greeted by the sweet smell of cinnamon. A grin appeared on her features as she got closer.
"Good morning!" Natsu greeted his partner before she got all the way into the kitchen.
"What on Earthland are you doing so early?!"
The Fire Dragon Slayer grinned, flipping a couple of pieces of french toast onto a plate. "Making breakfast. We've got a big day ahead of us."
"Natsu… It's four-thirty in the morning…"
"We've gotta make it to the guildhall super early!" The pink haired wizard didn't miss a beat, almost like he wasn't even listening to his partner.
"Why?"
That question took the Dragon Slayer out of his stupor. He placed the food on the table as he gave Lucy a serious look. "Did you forget what today is?"
"Huh?" The Celestial Mage raised a brow.
"They're announcing participants for the S-Class Trials today!" Natsu was practically buzzing with excitement, as well as caffeine.
Lucy was unable to hide the apparent shock on her features. She didn't realize it was already that time of year again. It seems like only yesterday they were announcing the Trials for last year. Unfortunately, no one completed the objectives in time.
That meant this year was going to be extra competitive.
"I wonder who Gramps is gonna pick!" The Fire Dragon Slayer was nearly jumping up and down with excitement.
"More than likely, you're going to be one of the contestants, Natsu." Lucy chuckled, noting his jittery nature. The young blonde felt herself awash with the same emotion, as if it were contagious. She was excited to find out the names of the participants, hoping that she would be one of them as well.
The Celestial Wizard held the cup of coffee to her lips, enjoying the warmth. The scent of breakfast and the caffeine running through Lucy have effectively woken her up. As she waited for the Dragon Slayer to finish the food, the young blonde continued to daydream.
After a long morning at the Dragneel home, Natsu and Lucy decided to head into Magnolia in the middle of the afternoon. Before heading to the guild hall, the duo stopped at the young woman's apartment. The Celestial Mage changed into an outfit that showed off her new look. Cancer thankfully came to Earthland just to put her hair into braids, adding red and gold bows at the ends.
Once she was ready to face the world, the two wizards made their way to Fairy Tail. Along the journey, Natsu took a hold of Lucy's hand, holding it tight as he pulled her to the inner part of the sidewalk. They walked through Magnolia in this manner.
"Do you think anyone will notice the changes?" Lucy questioned as the guild hall came into view.
The Dragon Slayer shrugged as his hand gripped the door handle. "We're about to find out!"
The duo entered the Fairy Tail Guild Hall. Several heads turned at the sound of the wooden doors. The wizards remained silent. Each of them were shocked by the transformation Natsu and Lucy had since their last encounter. The Fire Dragon Slayer grinned as he waved to his friends.
"I think they took notice." The pink haired wizard began laughing.
"Woah!" Cana stood from her seat at the bar.
"Lucy! Your hair!" Wendy gasped in shock.
"YES!"
A shout rang across the guild hall. Suddenly, a bluenette was pushing through everyone in her way. She needed to get to her best friend quickly. Once Levy was standing in front of the Celestial Mage, she all but screamed at her new appearance.
"Look at you, Lu!"
The script mage took a good look at her best friend. The young woman's blonde hair was visibly thicker. The Celestial Mage's locks were accented with a shimmering gold and fiery red.
It took Levy several minutes to glance over her friend. A red dragon could be seen on different parts of her. The tail began wrapped around her thigh, and it snaked up the hip. The head could be found near her collarbone. The markings nearly sparkled under the light.
Lucy did a small twirl for her best friend. She noticed everyone else in the guild hall gravitated towards them. A couple of the guys took Natsu away, asking him several questions. The Celestial mage stayed near Levy, who looked as though she was about to burst at the seams.
"I can't believe it!" The bluenette embraced Lucy. She was elated that her best friend was finally with her Dragon Slayer. The script mage has been trying to get this to happen for a long time! Fruits of her labor had finally paid off. "The two of you are finally together!"
"I could say the same for you." Lucy couldn't help but chuckle, although her best friend was right.
"The two of you are just in time! I think Gramps is about to announce the contestants for the S-Class Trials." The Script Mage giggled, looking towards the stage on the main floor. She noticed the Guild Master walking onto it.
"Alright everyone! I need your attention!" Master Makarov yelled from the platform in the main hall.
All the wizards surrounding him immediately went quiet. The ones closer to the door, like Natsu and the gang, took a little longer to acknowledge the Guild Master. However, the Fire Dragon Slayer noticed Gramps on the stage. He immediately ran towards the back of the room, fighting his way to the front of the group.
Each of them eager for his announcement, the hall was silent in moments..
The Guild Master smiled at the wizards in attendance. "Good Morning! I'm glad to see so many bright and shining faces. I know you're all eager to hear who will be joining me on Tenrou Island. So, let's just get to it!"
Gramps clapped his hands together, a grin appearing on his face. "There are more contestants this year than any of the previous ones! It's great to see many of our family members obtaining the strength possible for this competition. The S-Class Trials are not for the faint of heart. They require wizards to look deep inside themselves, and transform into a warrior, worthy of the title S-Class. Strength, Perseverance, Courage, Integrity-"
"Come on Gramps! Who's going to Tenrou!" Natsu yelled from the front row, getting the ones around him excited as well.
"...and Patience are just a few of the qualities needed to be considered." Makarov chuckled, his head shaking. "With that being said, I've chosen eight wizards to compete. Once your name is called, please join me on the stage."
"Elfman Strauss."
Mirajane and Lisanna scream happily for their brother. Both women give him a hug before he walked towards the stage. The entire way, the she-demon and her younger sister cheered for Elfman, along with several other wizards in the guild.
"Freed Justine."
The green haired Mage quickly made his way to the stage. Many of the other members clapped for him. Freed looked out amongst his other guildmates. Evergreen was his loudest supporter. However, his favorite companion in the Thunder Legion wasn't here for this event. The Letter Mage wished Laxus was still in the Fairy Tail Guild. He missed the Lighting mage dearly.
"Canna Alberona."
Stumbling from her barstool, the Card Mage zig-zagged her way through the crowd. Although there was a smile on her face, Lucy could see that something was bothering Canna.
"Levy McGarden."
The Script Mage looked towards the stage. A look of utter shock and disbelief covered her features. Glancing at her partner, she noticed Gajeel had a grin on his features.
"Way to go, shrimp. Get up there!" The Iron Dragon Slayer pushed her towards the platform.
The Guild Master paused for a few moments, allowing the crowd to die down once again. He knew the next two on his list were going to cause quite a commotion. "Natsu Dragneel."
"YES!" The Fire Dragon Slayer blew a fireball into the air, just barely scorching the ceiling of the guild hall. "I FINALLY DID IT!"
The Celestial Wizard screamed in excitement for her partner. She knew he'd been waiting years for this opportunity. Lucy couldn't be more proud of the Dragon Slayer. She began to wonder if Gajeel was going to be one of the other contestants.
"Lucy Heartfilia."
The young blonde almost didn't hear Makarov call her name. If it weren't for Natsu turning back around to grab her, she would've stayed in her spot. The Fire Dragon Slayer picked Lucy up, causing her to yell and pound on his back.
"Hey! Put me down!"
Natsu finally set her down once they were on the stage. The pink haired wizard grinned at his partner. "I can't believe we're competing together!"
"I don't think it works that way, Natsu." Lucy chuckled.
Gramps looked at the wizards on the platform, smiling as he waited for everyone to quiet down.
"While there are only six people on this stage, eight wizards will be taking the S-Class Examinations." The white haired wizard mentioned from the stage. The Guild Master's normal happy demeanor was slightly clouded. While he was attempting to show his children there was nothing to worry about, Makarov was afraid of the opposite.
"Gray Fullbuster and Juvia Lockstar are on a very important mission with Erza Scarlet. A mission that will secure their S-Class status once they return. While they won't be with us on Tenrou. I want everyone to wish them luck in their own version of the Trial."
"The group of six, along with a partner of their choosing will be leaving in two weeks time to begin the Competition. Please meet here no later than five o'clock in the morning."
Murmurs began amongst the crowd. Lucy and Natsu looked towards each other, a look of worry and knowing on each of their faces.
The three were in the middle of infiltrating Grimoire Heart.
Master Makarov sat in his office, the tic of the clock being the only noise around him. It was very late. Most of the guild members had gone home for the night. The Master of Fairy Tail stood from his desk, walking to the window behind him. He cracked it open, allowing the night air into the room.
Gramps inhaled deeply, his mind drifting to the mages away from the guild hall. Gray, Juvia, and Erza were inside Grimoire Heart. Mystogan was ensuring that Edolas and Earthland were going to remain separate entities. Several other wizards are helping surrounding cities with the Drip issue.
"Hm.." The older wizard lamented. "I hope all of my children are safe tonight." He whispered softly before turning back to his desk. Makarov needed to finish some paperwork, then he was going to turn in for the night.
As he sat down Gramps looked up, seeing a young woman with bright blue hair on one knee. The water mage's head was bowed, concealing her features.
"Juvia…" In shock, the white haired mage quickly stands, walking towards her.
"My companions have trusted me to bring you some very important information."
"Are Gray and Erza in danger?"
"The entire town of Magnolia is." Finally looking up, Juvia wiped the tears from her eyes. "Their plan is to release Drip like a plague throughout the city. Along with sending their strongest wizards to Tenrou Island during the S-Class Trials. They plan on trying to exterminate Fairy Tail and every one close to them."
Master Makaro took a deep breath, attempting to remain calm in front of the frantic mage. "This definitely changes things." The older wizard began to pace in front of his desk.
"We aren't exactly sure what to do. Erza's now in line to take over a spot on the Seven Kin of Purgatory. They're holding 'The Exam' on Tenrou Island. I'm afraid we've gotten too caught up in the mission. I don't want to hurt any of my frien-"
"Juvia.." Gramps placed his hands on her shoulders. "Take a deep breath."
The water mage did her best attempt at breathing in and out slowly.
"The three of you are doing a great service by infiltrating Grimoire Heart. Please don't forget that." the white haired man smiled at her. "By warning us we'll be able to do something to stop it."
"Are you going to postpone the S-Class Trials?" Juvia nearly begged.
While the older wizard considered the idea, doing so would ensure that Grimoire Heart would just come after Fairy Tail in another way. With three of his stronger wizards on the inside, this could actually come out in their favor. "I can't do that. The repercussions would be even worse than the fight we have ahead of us. Now that we know what they're planning, it's our chance to get the upper hand."
Makarov patted Juvia's shoulder, ushering her to sit in the chair behind her. "We're going to need as much information as we can if we're going to save Magnolia. I'm going to need everything you've learned so far."
"Of course!"