Chapter 23

S-Class Trial

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback

Location / Date / Time Skip

A Few Days Later

Lucy's Apartment

Lucy stood in her shower scrubbing her hair clean. She turned on the nozzle and let the water clean the shampoo out. "Just what I needed. Its amazing what you miss."

"This tub is pretty great." A voice sad from behind.

"I know, it's the best." The blonde replied before seeing the other person.

"I wouldn't mind splitting the rent with you." Cana said from inside the tub.

"What are you doing my house!?" Lucy shouted.

"I don't suppose you have any adult drinks, do you?" Cana asked, ignoring the other question.

"This is my house!" Lucy shouted. The brunette didn't even move an inch, so the blonde just climbed in next to here. "What's up? You seem kinda down."

"I'm fine, but I have to ask, do you make a habit of bathing with other people?" Cana asked.

"Do you make a habit of breaking into people's houses?" Lucy asked back.

"So how are things between you and your dad these days?" The card user asked out of the blue.

"Huh? Uh... okay I guess." Lucy answered. "I mean we haven't really talked in a while." The brunette let out a sigh at the answer. "Just tell me already. I'll always listen if you want to talk."

Cana stood up and let the water roll off her. "Alright, I've been seriously considering quitting the guild."

Lucy stared up at the brunette in total shock. "WHAAATTT!?"

The Next Day

Fairy Tail Guildhall

"Can you belive it!?" Lucy asked the barmaid. "I thought Cana was Fairy Tail for life. She wouldn't even tell me what she was talking about."

Mirajane giggled at the blondes reaction. "I wouldn't worry about it. She always gets that way when this time of year comes around."

"Is something bad going to happen?" Lucy asked in a fear.

"Job time!" Natsu shouted as he raced past the bar.

"Aye sir!" Happy added as he flew next to her.

"Hey, wait. If you're going on a job, take me with you!" Lucy shouted.

"Sorry, it's that time of year so I'm going alone!" Natsu replied before crashing into Gray.

"Watch where you're going, you pink haired freak!" The ice mage growled as the two butted heads.

"Then stay out of my way, ice prick." Natsu replied.

"Do guys really have time to argue about this?" Happy asked, making them break up.

"I'm back." Gray said to Mirajane.

"Forget your clothes again?" Mirajane asked with a chuckled.

"No time to worry about that." He said before showing her a flyer. "I'm gonna take this job, see ya." He ran out of the guild hall as Lucy stared at him.

"He's on a solo gig too?" Lucy asked.

Elfman appeared next to her and scared her. "This job is for a real man. I'm taking it." He told his sister before leaving the guild.

Soon, the blonde found a swarm of members surrounding her shouting about jobs. "Why is everyone acting so crazy?" She asked from the ground.

"You'll understand soon enough." Mirajane said from inside the swarm.

In another part of the guild, Carla stood on a table in front of Wendy and Lisanna. "You can see into the future?" Both asked the white cat.

"Thats right." The cat nodded. "A trait that the Exceed queen and I share, a rare gift of clairvoyance. I wasn't aware of it until recently, but I believe I have a small level of control."

"Thats amazing." Wendy said.

"So can you tell me who's gonna be my future husband?" Lisanna asked.

"I cannot see that far ahead, but maybe something else..." Carla said before looking around. "Okay, look over to Macao there. I predict that any moment, Wakaba will come up and start talking about the younger folks of the guild."

"Hey there, old timer." Wakaba sait to his friend.

"Hey, pal." The father said.

"We're getting to that time again." The smoker said as he sat down.

"Yeah, takes me back." Macao added.

"Those were the days, weren't they?" Wakaba asked.

"All the spunk we had." The fire user chuckled.

"This new crop is something else, especially their derrières." Wakaba said with a perverse smile.

"No way!" Macao shouted.

"What, you a breast man?" The smoker asked.

"Look, I'm raising a kid." Macao said. "I don't have time to look at butts."

"Thats right, you're a leg man." Wakaba chuckled.

"Now you're speaking my language." The father chuckled.

"That is so cool." Wendy told the cat.

"You hit it on the nose." Lisanna added. "You didn't tell us it would be so creepy, though."

"We should have all seen that one coming." Carla confessed. "And I still have much to learn about this power."

In another section of the guild, Pantherlily and Erza were sparing with each other. "You shouldn't be doing that in here." Kinana said in a sacred state.

The two sword users smiled at each other before jumping back. "Had enough?" Erza asked before Pantherlily stunk to the Exceed size of Earthland.

"Seems I cannot hold my original form for very long." The cat said, wiping the sweat of his brow.

"I must say, your blade skills are top notch." Erza confessed.

"You flatter me." The cat replied. "I think I should be the one complimenting you."

"What do you think, Erza?" Gajeel asked. "My cat is a force a nature, isn't he?"

A small ball rolled between the three before it burst into smoke. A few seconds later the smoke cleared, showing Nicholas and Slate on top of Gajeel and Pantherlily. "Ha! We win!" Nicholas chuckled.

"You cheated!" Gajeel shouted.

"It's not cheating, it's strategy." Slate said, sticking his tongue out.

"I'm not done." Pantherlily said, twisting his body and throwing the other cat off.

The mob around the bar had died down and Lucy stood against the railing. "Why are so many people are rushing out to do jobs and others are just acting like it's a regular day?" The blonde asked.

"It'll make sense tomorrow." Mirajane said.

The Next Day

The whole guild was gathered around the stage in anxiety. "What all the commotion about?" Pantherlily asked.

"You got me." Gajeel replied.

"Hope we didn't do anything." Brianna said next to Nicholas.

"Whats the worse that could happen?" Slate asked from on top the Slayers head.

"I think the master is gonna tell us about something big." Wendy said.

"Can't say I'm excited." Carla replied from the girls arms.

Natsu was fidgeting like crazy. "Calm down, you got this." Happy told him.

"I'm dying to know." Lucy said.

"This is so exciting." Juvia mumbled as usher stared at Gray. "My beloved is almost in reach."

"Be still my heart." The blonde sarcastically said.

The curtain raised up and showed the master in front of the S-Class wizards. The old man coughed and the guild became quiet. "In accordance with the Fairy Tail guild's time honored tradition, I will now announce this years S-Class promotion trial candidates."

The whole guild cheered at the announcement. "This is why people were acting crazy?" Lucy asked.

"I'm all fired up!" Natsu said.

"Shut up and let the master finish talking." Gildarts said, silencing the crowd.

"The trial will take place on Tenrou Island, our guild's sacred ground." The master continued.

"Do you know what he's gonna make them do?" Lucy asked.

"It's something different every year." Max explained.

"It's basically a seriously tough job." Warren added.

"But if you pull it off, he'll make you an S-Class wizard." Alzack added with excitement in his eyes.

"The strength inside you posses, your character, and your hearts... these are what I considered." Makarov continued. "And I have chosen my nine candidates. Natsu Dragneel..."

"Alright!" Natsu cheered.

"Gray Fullbuster..."

"It's my time to move up." The ice user cheered for himself.

"Juvia Lockser..."

"The master choice me?" Juvia asked in shock.

"Brianna Greenhawk..."

"Get out, me?" Brianna asked equally shocked.

"Elfman..."

"S-Class deserves a real man." Elfman bragged.

"Cana Alberona..." The brunette merely looked down at her feet. "Freed Justine..."

"So I'm going to follow in Laxus' footsteps." The vernette said to himself.

"Levy McGarden..."

"I stoked!" The petite girl cheered.

"And Mest Gryder!" The master finished.

"I worked so hard, why didn't he pick me?" Alzack asked in disappointment.

"Don't worry, it'll happen someday." Bisca told him.

"I get it now..." Lucy mumbled. "Everyone wanted the master to pick them so they worked extra hard."

"I know you can do it!" Wendy shouted.

'Wait...'

Lucy thought before looking over at Cana. 'Is this why she was talking about quitting?'

"Although nine were chosen, only one will earn the victory." Makarov said. "You have one week to prepare, and I want you all at your best."

"How come he picked rock heads partner but not me?!" Gajeel shouted in anger. "I thought he like me better!"

"Seems like the guild doesn't trust you." Pantherlily said.

"They can all trust me just fine!" Gajeel shouted. "I just... can't tell them what I'm really doing, that's all."

"Tske it up with Erza." The cat suggested.

"You're not ready." The redhead said.

"This sucks so much!" Gajeel shouted in anger.

"So why weren't you chosen?" Slate asked Nicholas.

"Moght have something to do with the Daphne incident..." Nicholas mumbled scratching his cheek.

"And as usual, the guild goes crazy." Carla mumbled before gasping in shock.

"You okay, Carla?" Wendy asked.

"I'm fine." The cat replied. 'What was that?' Her vision replayed in her head, showing a tree fall over, Cana crying, Nicholas with blood dripping out of his mouth, Natsu looking shellshocked, a hand fall to the ground, and a man with black hair.

"For the benefit of our newcomers, allow us to explain the rules for you." Makarov said.

"The nine participants will each choose a partner." Mirajane took over. "This person will also help train them leading up to the event."

"A partner?" Lucy asked.

"Ultimately, it's a battle between two people teams." Max explained.

"A big part of it is testing their trust in each other." Warren added.

"You must be aware of these two rules when picking a partner." Erza declared. "They must be a member of Fairy Tail, and they cannot be an S-Class wizard."

"But that only rules out a handful of people." Pantherlily observed. "Erza, Mirajane, and Gildarts cannot be chosen."

"Makes sense." Slate said. "A team with one of those three would be a bit op."

"And pretty scary." Wendy added as Carla stayed silent.

"We'll go over the details at Tenrou Island, but just know that you'll have to pass Erza to claim victory." Makarov said, scaring the whole guild.

"And I'll do my best to weed out the weak next to her." Mirajane sweetly added, scaring them even more.

"So the only way someone can become an S-Class wizard is by beating Erza and Mirajane?" Lucy asked.

"Rumor has it they've been ordered to hold back." Max whispered.

"Still, I do not envy anyone who has to deal with them." Warren added.

"Quit bellyachin'." Gildarts said. "The three of us went through the same thing. It's only fair you do too."

"He said the three of us..." Elfman mumbled.

"Great tuna..." Happy gasped in shock.

"Gildarts is joining in on this!?" Natsu asked in joy.

"You shouldn't be happy about that!" Gray shouted.

"The nine participants I named, along with their partners, are asked to meet at Hargeon in a weeks time." Makarov continued. "So get to work."

The crowd dispersed as groups split up. "They set the bar crazy high this year." Gray said as he sat at a table with Lucy, Natsu, Happy, Brianna, Lisanna, Elfman, Nicholas, Wendy, Juvia and Carla.

"I'm kinda surprise that you've all just been chosen for the first time." Lucy said.

"I'm getting fired up!" Natsu cheered. "I'm definitely gonna become S-Class!"

"I know I'm pretty manly, but right now, I'm scared like a little girl." Elfman confessed.

"This sure sounds hard." Wendy said.

"Best of luck, everyone." Lisanna said.

Lucy looked over to see Freed and Bickslow talking. "I'll be counting on you." The runesmith said.

"I got your back, buddy." The masked man said. "We need an S-Class wizard with Laxus gone. We need to show everyone that the Thunder Legion still has it."

"Looks like Bickslow is gonna be Freed's partner." Lucy said. "That will be a pretty tough team. Oh, yeah. Who are your partners?" She asked Natsu and Brianna.

"Yo." Nicholas said as he and Brianna high fived.

"Mine is Happy, of course." Natsu said.

"Not so fast, pinkie." Elfman interrupted. "If this ends up being some kinda race, having a flying partner is an unfair advantage."

"Seems fair to me." Lisanna said.

"I'm cool with it." Gray added. "If this ends up a battle, it'll be a disadvantage."

"I'm right here." Happy said. "And you're just jealous because I'm going to make Natsu S-Class."

"We can't just be standing around like this!" Natsu said as he raced towards the door. "It's time to train!"

"Aye sir!" Happy said as he flew after him.

Lisanna let out a sigh at the pinkettes fading visage. "I know I've been gone for a two years, but I can't believe Natsu is strong enough to be in their running for an S-Class rank. He's always believed that if he can become strong enough, he'll be able to see Igneel again. He probably has twice as much drive than anyone else."

Brianna stared at her before grabbing her wrist and leading her away. "What's wrong?" Lisanna asked.

"Start talking." Brianna said as they reached a set of stairs. "You like Natsu, don't you?"

"W-what? Don't be ridiculous." Lisanna mumbled, moving her eyes around.

"Don't lie." The two toned hair girl said. "I can see it in your eyes. You're head over heels for him."

"I mean... he's cute and all." Lisanna confessed. "But, he doesn't think of me that way."

"Look, let me give you some advice on dealing with Dragon Slayers." Brianna said. "The direct approach is the best way. They can be pretty stupid some times. I remember this one time when-"

At the same time, Juvia was squirming in her seat. "I think, I would like to withdraw from the trial, this year." Juvia confessed.

"But why?" Wendy asked.

"I'd rather be a partner than a rival." The older girl confessed.

"Say what?" Gray asked, making her jump.

"I uh... if i could..." She mumbled.

"She obviously wants to be your partner." Lucy whispered.

"You think?" Gray asked.

"Don't you try stealing him away from me!" The rain woman shouted.

"I would never!" The blonde shouted back.

"I've already got someone lined up." Gray said.

Everyone turned to see Loke walking forward. "Been a while, hasn't it?" He asked.

"Seriously?" Elfman asked.

"We worked this out a year ago." Gray explained.

"Don't take offense to this, but I'm gonna have to put a hold on our contract while I help Gray." Loke told his keeper. "And don't worry, I'm using my own power to pass through the gate. So don't worry about running out of magic because of me."

"Okay... but I wish you would have run this by me first!" She said pissed at the situation.

"Wait a minute, are you even still a member of the guild?" Elfman asked.

"He was a member?" Nicholas asked.

"Of course I am." Loke said as he showed of his mark on his back. "I'm still a proud member. And it's my duty to help Gray reach his potential and reach S-Class."

"Thanks for the help." Gray said.

"No problem." The spirit said back.

"When were these two so buddy buddy?" Lucy asked.

"So don't hold anything back." Gray told Juvia. "We'll get hot and heavy like the first time."

"Hot... and heavy..." She mumbled as her mind went crazy.

"Easy there, girl." Carla said.

"Hey, I'll be on your team." Lisanna said as she and Brianna walked back.

"You don't even know her." Elfman retorted.

"Actually, the Juvia in Edolas was a really good friend to me." His sister said. "Not that you're anything like her. You're a lot sweeter."

"You would partner with me?" The bluenette asked.

"What do you say?" Lisanna asked as she gripped the other girls wrists.

"I suppose, but I have a feeling you're only using me to get to Gray." Juvia said.

"Trust me, she's not." Brianna chimed in.

"I can't believe you'd chose her over your own flesh and blood!" Elfman whined.

"I thought you already had a partner." Lisanna said, making him turn to Evergreen. "I think she's upset that Freed choose Bickslow over her."

"She's looking right at me." Elfman mumbled. "It's like she's trying to petrify me."

In another part of the guild, Levy's teammates were dancing around her. "You're gonna be an amazing S-Class wizard." Droy said. "You're gonna pick me, right?"

"No way, I'm the one who's gonna help her." Jet said. "I'm faster than you'll ever be."

"I'm the better fighter than you." Droy replied.

"If you really wanna get to S-Class, you should pick me." Gajeel said as he walked up behind the girl.

"Seriously?" Levy asked.

"If I can you make S-Class, it'll really get under mountain breaths skin." Gajeel said.

"I guess, but I'm so weak and tiny, we'll probably lose right away." Levy complained.

"Don't wimp out on me now." Gajeel said, picking her up.

"Put me down, please." She begged.

"I'll make you bigger than ever." Gajeel said, making the girl blush.

Orange Street

"Is something wrong, Carla?" Wendy asked as she carried her cat to the dorm. "I'd wish you tell me what wrong."

"I keep having these visions." The cat answered. "The trial going wrong... I don't want you taking any part of it."

"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure no one is gonna pick me to be their partner." The Slayer replied.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, sky maiden." Both turned to see Mest behind them.

"Oh, it's uh..." The girl mumbled.

"My name is Mest Gryder." The man said. "I was Mystogan's pupil."

Natsu and Happys House

"Soups on, Natsu." Happy said as he raced over to his friend, sitting on a rise of snow.

"Finally, my chance is here." Natsu said. "I'm gonna be an S-Class wizard."

With Lucy

"I didn't think it'd ever snow in Magnolia." The blonde told her spirit as they walked down the street. She glanced into an ally and saw Cana passed out by empty bottles. "Why are you here!?"

Grabbing her friend, she dragged the brunette to her apartment. "I owe you one, Lucy." Cana said, wrapped up in a blanket. "If you hadn't noticed me, I'd have frozen tonight."

"No joke, no wait why are you acting so crazy lately?" The blonde asked.

"You mean Mira hasn't told you?" Cana asked back. "I get kinda crazy this time of year. It's not big deal."

"Does this have to do with you saying you wanna quit the guild?" Lucy asked, making Cana lower her head.

"This is my fifth trial." She said. "That means I've tried four times and failed four times."

"Is that all?" Lucy asked. "Just because you haven't made it yet doesn't meant you won't."

"I'm the only person whose done that four times." Cana replied. "That's why This will be the last one. If I don't pass this time, I'm quitting Fairy Tail."

"There are plenty of non S-Class wizards in the guild." Lucy pointed out.

"I don't want to be like those loser!" Cana shouted, catching the blonde off guard. "I have to be an S-Class wizard, or I can never speak to him..." She spun her tale and Lucy's jaw went through every level of the building. "Now you see why. If I don't make it this time, I'm quitting."

"Cana, please let me be your partner!" Lucy shouted. "The guild wouldn't the the same without you! I'll help make you an S-Class wizard!"

"Lucy..." The card user mumbled as the two started crying.

One Week Later

Hargeon

The nine teams made it to Hargeon and boarded the ship before it set sail for Tenrou. "It's so hot..." Lucy complained as she laid on her chair in a bikini. "Wasn't it snowing the other day? I'd love to turn into a big popsicle, but then Happy would just eat me."

"Pass..." Happy replied.

"I know it's ridiculously hot, but could you not sit like that?" Levy asked, in her bikini like almost every other girl.

"You think it's warm?" Cana asked her. "It's freakin' boiling here year round because there's no wind here, at all."

"Alright, it's a scorcher, we get it." Gajeel said. "So shut up about it."

"Juvia, aren't you hot in that outfit?" Lisanna asked.

"No, I'm fine." The rain woman replied. "But what might do it... is my beloved Gray's naked body!"

"I'm dying..." He complained as he sat naked.

"I'm in hell." Natsu complained as his motion sickness tortured him.

"Do not stand here." Loke begged.

"Why won't Wendy cast that miracle spell on me?" The pinkette asked before puking over the side.

"Can't blame her." The spirit said. "She is technically your enemy."

"How are you two not hot?" Mest asked Brianna and Nicholas, still in their normal clothing.

"Who says we're not hot?" The girl asked back. "We've just dealt with worse heat."

"Is that why you haven't changed into a swimsuit?" Cana asked.

"No, it's because we don't have any." Nicholas answered, wiping the sweat of his brow. "Believe me, if we could we would."

"Isn't this touching?" Evergreen asked, fanning herself. "We're about to engage in combat and yet we're being buddy-buddy."

"I'm a man steak over here." Elfman complained.

Lucy hung her head over the chair and noticed a giant tree in the distance. "We've made it." Loke said, making everyone look over the side.

"Took us long enough." Gray complained.

"Thats the ugliest island ever." Lucy said.

"I thinks it's kinda cool." Nicholas said.

"An island on top of an island..." Levy mumbled.

"We'll be on land soon, don't worry." Happy told Natsu.

"There is a legend about this island." Everyone looked to see the master standing above them. "It is said to have been the home of fairies."

"Is it true?" Lucy asked.

"No one knows." The master answered. "But what is known is that this island holds our first masters, Mavis Vermillion, final resting place."

"And you're going there like that?" Gray asked as the old man pulled out a fan.

"Said the pot to the kettle." The short man replied.

"Yeah, please put your clothes on." Lucy requested.

"Anything else?" Makarov asked. "I'd like to explain the first part of the trial."

"First part?" Wendy asked.

"Usually, he splits it up into different rounds." Mest explained.

"Notice the smoke coming from the shore." The master continued. "The first task is to head there. Once there, you must select one of the nine routes leading into the island. Each will only hold one team so don't dawdle. After that, you must conquer one of these trials." A map appeared next to him vaguely detailing the routes. "Once you complete the first round, you will move on to the next round."

"That last one is no joke." Gray said. "Fighting S-Class wizards..."

"What's the serenity path?" Loke asked.

"Combat routes are self explanatory." The master explained. "Two teams clash, but only one will win. Intense combat routes are tougher. Take one of these and you'll end up fighting one of Fairy Tails elite. The serenity routes allow you to pass with combat, but you will still be tested. Passing this challenge requires teamwork, and a whole lot of luck."

'How do you test that?' Everyone asked themselves.

"Let's pray for good luck." Lucy said.

"Doubt that will help." Cana replied. "With two outa nine odds, get ready to fight."

"If my math is right, only a maximum of seven teams will move on to the next round." Evergreen said.

"This sucks." Elfman complained. "We're gonna get a manly pounding if we take the wrong route."

"Man up, then." She told him.

"The first round could be the end of us..." Levy complained.

"Sounds like fun." Gajeel chuckled.

"Alright, your trial begins now!" Makarov declared.

"Hold up, it starts before we reach the island?" Loke asked, making the master smirk.

"Let's jet, Happy." Natsu said as he jumped, letting the cat pick him up. "See you losers, on the island!"

"Losers?" Elfman asked, only to watch Natsu and Happy hit a wall and fall down.

"An enchantment?" Cana asked as the outline of the boat lit up.

"It's temporary." Freed said as he and Bickslow flew to the island. "Five more minutes on the ship won't kill you."

"Says you!" Natsu shouted.

"I don't get why you don't just trap them all day." Bickslow suggested.

"What's the point of a trial in that?" Freed asked.

"Gramps, he's cheating." Gray said.

"Calm down, this isn't a race." The master said.

"If he gets there first, we're screwed." The ice wizard pointed out. "He'll cover the whole place in enchantments..

"Let me out." Natsu said, pounding the wall.

"Wait, can't Levy get us out of here?" Happy asked.

"This'll be a piece of cake." Levy smirked as she rewrote the runes, making the others cheer. "Sorry, I only did it for me and Gajeel." She and her partner jumped off the ship. "Later taters."

"Traitors!" Natsu shouted as they swam to the island.

"Happy you teamed up with me now, muscle man?" Evergreen asked, holding her own light pen.

"I don't know you could do that." He said impressed.

"This is child's play to me." She said. "Someone like me can handle the toughest enchantments with ease." She finished and put the pen away. "Let's go!" She jumped over board and Elfman followed her.

"How much longer are we stuck here?" Lisanna asked as Natsu pressed against the wall.

"Four more minutes." Juvia told her partner.

Four minutes passed agonizingly slowly but the runes were finally broken. "Hit the water with everything you've got." Cana told Lucy.

"Got it." The blonde replied.

"Looks like we're catching up." Gray said.

"Pants first, catch up second." Loke said.

"Let's fly!" Natsu said as Happy took off.

"Ice-Make: Floor!" Gray chanted before the water froze, letting him and Loke skate to the island.

"You sure this will work?" Nicholas asked as he pulled back on a vine with a glowing Brianna on his back. The vine was wrapped around two pillars of stone he called up out of the ocean.

"Positive, now let's fly!" She said as she returned to normal, making Nicholas shrug and jump. The crude slingshot actually worked and launched the two head first towards the island.

"Think that'll work with my whip?" Lucy asked before the pillars crumbled.

"I'm very fast in water. Are you sure you can keep up?" Juvia, in her water body, asked Lisanna, who was now a fish.

"Of course." She said.

"First time I've ever been jealous of a fish." Cana said.

"If we don't stop gawking, we'll end up dead last." Lucy realized.

"Calm down. Mest and Wendy haven't left." The candidate said, making them both look up.

"Theyre gone!" Lucy shouted.

"When did that happen?" Cana asked before they broke into a swimming frenzy. "If we don't get there soon, we'll end up fighting Erza… or worse!"

Tenrou Island

Natsu and Happy landed on the island and reached the path options. "There's so much magic energy here... it's freaking me out." Happy said.

"Yeah." Natsu nodded before shaking off the feeling. "Let's go!" The two took off and stared at the path options. "We're behind."

"More than half are chosen." Happy pointed out. "So... which one should we pick?"

"That one." Natsu pointed to route E. "I bet we'll have to fight Erza on that one."

"Why are you choosing Erza?" Happy asked.

"Because I want to be the one to beat her, duh." Natsu replied. "I'm comming for ya, Erza!" The two raced into the cave and the path behind them blocked itself off.

Minutes later, Cana and Lucy were the last to reach the paths. "We're dead last." Cana huffed.

"Don't sweat it." Lucy said. "The best is saved for last, that's what they say. That's us. We've got good looks and good luck."

"Glad you're so chipper." Cana smirked before they walked into Route C.

"Didn't expect a cave to be so well lit." Lucy observed.

"It's the spirit flies." Cana explained. "They love the heat, so they multiply like rabbits here."

"I was just starting to relax." A voice groaned out.

"Who's there?" Cana asked.

"If someone else is here than..." Lucy mumbled before looking up at the sign. "Our luck stinks!"

Freed and Bickslow stepped out of the darkness of the cave. "Check it, it's Cana and the big mouthed blonde." Bickslow teased.

"The name is Lucy!" She shouted.

"Looks like this I said where your trial ends." Freed said.

"Lucy, on a scale of one to ten, how screwed are we?" Cana asked scared.

"Eleven, minus a hundred." The blonde answered, equally terrified.

"The gate opens when one team wins." Bickslow said, pointing to the door.

"Forgive me, Cana." Freed said. "I cannot allow you to pass. If I'm to follow in Laxus' path, I must win."

Cana gasped before steeling her nerves. "Bring it on! I am not letting S-Class slip through my fingers a fifth time."

The two teams stared at each other as Lucy dropped her backpack. "Before we start, could you two cover up a bit?" Freed asked.

"Dude, this is part of the fun." Bickslow chuckled.

"Bouncy, bouncy." One doll teased.

"It's distracting, now cover up." Freed said, hiding a blush.

"Oh, shy are we?" Cana asked before throwing three cards at him. The cards burst and turned into a gaggle of bikini models.

"What vulgar sorcery is this, summoning bikini babes?" Freed asked.

"Do you know how many men would love that power?" Bickslow asked.

"That worked?" Lucy asked.

"Wish I knew about this last time." Cana smiled.

"It ain't gonna work on me." Bickslow said as his dolls surrounded him.

"Lucy." Cana said as the blonde pulled out a key.

"Open, Gate of the Maiden - Virgo!" Lucy chanted before the maid appeared in a bikini of her own.

"Do you just keep all these women somewhere?" Freed asked.

"Thanks for the eye candy." Bickslow chuckled as his dolls flew forward. Virgo started something about tenants before getting whacked around by the dolls, sending her back home.

"Why would you call your maid?" Cana asked.

"Thought I'd keep with the schtick." The blonde replied before the dolls flew at them.

"Dance for me." Bickslow chuckled. Cana threw cards at the dolls, but they dodged right away. In a panic, Lucy pulled out another key.

"Open, Gate of the Ram - Aries!" She chanted before the horned spirit appeared.

"Wh-What would you like me to do?" She asked her keeper.

"Anything!" Lucy shouted.

"O-Okay... Wool Wall!" Aries summoned a mound of pink wool that trapped the dolls and their owner.

"Bikini babes are one thing, but a girl who shoots cotton candy?" Bickslow asked. "This is just too weird." Aries summoned even more wool and trapped Freed as well.

"My body feels like its being hugged by a fluffy cloud." Freed said.

"Dude, could you go through puberty after we beat these two?" Bickslow asked before getting kicked in the face by Lucy.

"Nice, I remembered he's really weak without his babies." Lucy smirked.

"I'd really like to go home now, Miss Lucy." Aries said before leaving the mortal plane.

"How long did it take you to name that move?" Cana asked.

"Please, stop." Freed begged before the woman faded.

"The spell wore off already?" Cana asked.

Freed let out a sigh as he looked at the girls. "How utterly degrading. You won't get away with that again. Dark Éciture: Wings!" The runesmith drew his blade and summoned his wings. Cana threw more cards at him and he sliced them apart. He went in for her but she jumped back.

"I'm not done yet!" Cana shouted before throwing another card on the ground. "Prayer Fountain!" Water shout out of the card only for Freed to stop them from hitting him. "Oh, come on!"

"Water, huh?" Lucy asked as she crawled forward.

"That won't work!" Cana shouted. "This is concentrated magic power. One touch could kill you."

"Any better ideas?" The blonde asked before shoving a key into the water. "Open, Gate of the Water Bearer - Aquarius!" The mermaid rose out of the water, anger on her face.

"Another one?" Freed asked.

"Take him out, now!" Lucy shouted before getting clocked by the urn user like her partner. "He's the enemy, not me."

"Every time I see you, you're wearing less and less." The spirit said. "Like your scrawny bod could hook a man."

"You wanna be turned into fish sticks?" Cana asked.

"I'm staying out of this..." Lucy mumbled.

"Can't you tell a friend from an enemy!?" The brunette shouted.

"All women are my enemy." The mermaid said. "You think you're hot because your jubblys out? I had no idea women were so desperate these days. You'll never land a man that way."

"I bet you settled for the first merman who should you his trident." Cana said. "It must be hard when 20,000 leagues of skank."

"Maybe I should get them apart..." Lucy mumbled.

"I'd love to stay, but I have to meet my boyfriend." The mermaid teased before leaving.

"Why do I even use her?" Lucy asked.

"Not that this isn't funny, but are you done?" Freed asked.

"You have any ideas?" Lucy asked the brunette.

"Just one." Cana said, pulling out another bikini girl card.

"This is Freed." The blonde pointed out. "He's not gonna fall for the same trick twice." Cana threw the card and Freed was surrounded by more girls. "Are you kidding me?"

"I can't fight like this. Don't you wanna win fair and square, Cana?" Freed asked.

"Here's your fair and square!" Cana shouted, throwing more cards at him until he was trapped by them.

"Uh... it's great he's trapped, but don't we have to beat him?" Lucy asked, making Cana gasp. "Can you make them tackle him or something?"

"There has to be a way out." Freed mumbled as he looked around. "A weak spot." He sliced a rock apart and ran out, only to be circled by cards. "Oh, dear..." The cards glowed and zapped him out cold.

"Look, the gate leading to the next round is open." Lucy pointed out.

"Know what this means?" Cana asked before they hi fived. "We rock! Let's go, Lucy!" She raced through the door and the blonde followed her.

Minutes later, Bickslow sat up with a grunt. "You lost S-Class doing this, ya know?" He asked Freed, who also sat up.

"I know." He replied. "If it was anyone else, I'd have given my all. But I feel like we owe those two. And this seemed like the best way to pay it off."

"Yeah, yeah. But still, did you have to be the one with the bikini weakness?" Bickslow complained. "So much for following in Laxus' footsteps."

"I'd like to, but that's not as important as being in Fairy Tail." Freed chuckled. "Besides, Laxus will return one day."

"Still, for those two to run into us... they must be pretty lucky." Bickslow chuckled.

Route E

"Erza! Come out!" Natsu shouted. "Come fight me!"

"We still don't know if Erza is in this route." Happy pointed out.

"No, I picked the route that stood for Erza!" Natsu shouted. "I'm gonna become an S-Class wizard, and I'll enjoy kicking her teeth in too!"

"Natsu, the path widened up." Happy pointed out.

"I think someone's head." Natsu said as a spirit fly revealed his S-Class opponent. "No way!"

"Natsu, looks like your luck is no good." Gildarts said.

"We're done." Happy said as Gildarts walked forward.

"I've never been good at holding back." He said as Natsu lit himself ablaze.

"I'm all fired up now." He said with a smirk.

I never thought I'd agree with anything Bickslow said, but he's right. Men would kill for that kinda power for themselves. But it does begs the question, why does Cana have so many of them?

Well, the Tenrou arc is underway. This should be a pretty good run for this story... at least I hope so. See you next chapter.

Beta read by JBallinR12.