Ship: Day…
The four candidates, consisting of Macao, Law, Cana, and Laxus, the master, Erza, and Gray were on a ship heading for Tenrou Island.
"Gah, it's hot!" Gray complained, having stripped down to his boxers.
This time no one was certain if he'd done this unintentionally or intentionally. Maybe it was a little bit of both. Given he was so far keeping said underwear on, people let him be.
"How hard do you think the trials will be, brother?" Erza questioned.
"Well, these trials are to make someone S-class." Law replied. "I imagine it'll be the farthest thing from a walk in the park."
"No matter what, you must win." Erza declared determined.
Law chuckled as he rested a hand on her head. "With that kind of support, how could I lose?"
Erza beamed at him.
"Given the missions we've been on, I would say your biggest challenge is Laxus." Gray voiced, causing the trio to look at the blond who gazed towards the horizon. "I can't say how you stack up, but I believe he's stronger than anyone else in the guild, aside from the master and Gildarts.
"We're here!" Makarov announced.
Everyone looked to the front of the ship and saw Tenrou Island. It was a large island with a great deal of foliage, and there was a large tree in the center.
Tenrou Island
Once the ship docked, the seven passengers disembarked, and Makarov gathered the four trial takers before him. "For the first trial, there are these four tunnels behind me. One connects with another, and you shall draw a number from this box.
You will walk through your assigned tunnel, and whoever had the tunnel connected with yours will fight you. Whoever wins will get to move onto the second trial. Understood?" All the candidates nodded. "Then, stick your hand in that box and pick a number."
"Number 2." Law noted to himself when it was his turn.
Once everyone had their numbers, Makarov nodded. "Now, begin!" Everyone ran into their respective tunnels. "Erza, Gray, follow me, and we shall watch what happens."
A magical crystal ball popped out of nowhere and floated next to Makarov.
With Law
Law ran through the dark tunnel until he saw a light in the distance. He ran for it and entered a lit cavern with another tunnel exit on the opposite side. Just moments after he arrived, Cana came from that tunnel. They were opponents.
"I'm going to end this quickly!" Cana suddenly declared, bringing out one of her cards with a grin on her face.
Law activated his DiaDhank and awaited Cana's first move, not wanting to make a mistake. Cana threw her card, only for it to become a bunch of curvy women who were wearing tiny bikinis. The girls attempt to run up and hug Law, who began casually dodging them.
"Don't be mean Law!"
"Come play with us!"
"Yeah, we're lonely."
Law produced a card from his deck. "I Summon Zubaba Knight!"
The card was put in one of his slots and glowed golden as the warrior in golden armor and with a red cape appeared. He rushed through the girls, dispelling them.
"What?" Cana was stunned. "Why didn't you freeze? You're a guy who had pretty girls throwing themselves at him, yet you avoided them before beating them."
"Three reasons." Law began holding up fingers in what he felt was an order of importance. "One, I have a little sister who needs a good role model. Two, my father stressed, extensively, how to treat woman after giving me a certain talk.
Three, that talk was reinforced when I happened upon this visitor to Pharos Island being chased out of the hot spring by angry women. I'd rather avoid disappointing my sister and father while also avoiding what seems like a path fraught with danger.
"Then, I must beat you another way!" Cana declared, bringing out her deck of magic cards. "I must become S-class, no matter what!" She retrieved three cards and waved them at her opponent. "Icicle!"
Zubaba Knight stepped in front of Law and utilized his blades to destroy the coming projectiles.
"Why is this trail important to you?" Law asked.
"None of your business!" Cana declared.
She withdrew more cards and hurled them at Zubaba Knight. This time, as he moved to cut them, they exploaded on contact. Law dodge rolled behind a large rock as the resounding explosions shattered Zubaba Knight and shattered his card, sending him to the grave.
Before Cana could rush the rock, Law called out to her from behind it. "If you tell me, I might let you win."
"Why should I believe you?" Cana questioned, incredulously.
"I'll fully admit, becoming an S-class sounds awesome." Law voiced. "If I prove myself ready, I get tougher missions and the capacity to see more of the world. That said, I won't take the rank if someone has a better reason."
"What do you mean?" Cana questioned.
"If I let you win, I'd agreed you had a reason better than that." Law explained. "If I refuse to give up, after hearing you out, then it means I wouldn't have thought your reason is better than mine."
"Fine." Cana sighed. "It's my dad, only he doesn't know I'm his daughter. My mother left him before I was born. When she died, I went out to look for him and ended up finding him in Fairy Tail."
"You didn't tell him?" Law guessed, as he stepped out into the open
"No." Cana shook her head. "He was always busy with his jobs, so I never found the time."
"Eventually, you grew worried he wouldn't acknowledge who you were, so you went about trying to become S-class to ensure it." Law finished.
Cana nodded. "Yeah…"
"I'd give a lot to be in your shoes." Law stated, causing Cana to look at him in shock. "What prompted me to leave my home island was the loss of my father. While he wasn't my birth parent, he was the only parent I'd ever known.
I can't imagine what life would have been like without him. My dad, who didn't even share my blood, loved me like I knew he would have his biological child. To think you need to be an S-class for his approval, you father must be Gildarts Clive."
"How?" Cana questioned.
"He's the only S-class Fairy Tail has." Law reasoned. "Judging by the fact you thought you needed to be one for his approval, means he has to be one himself." Cana's eyes widened in shock. "I don't think you need some rank for him to acknowledge you."
"You don't know that." Tears were forming in her eyes. "How can you say that with no hesitation?"
"I haven't heard anyone in the guild talk badly about the guy." Law voiced. "Disregarding that, if he is the type who wouldn't love his only daughter, then he doesn't deserve you. Worst case scenario, he doesn't accept you. Even then, you still got Fairy Tail."
As he continued speaking, tears ran down Cana's face. "Look, I'm not going to tell him anything, but I will say you should. I'd give a lot to have even a chance at more time with my father. Don't lose potential time with yours over the fear of what might be."
At that, Cana fell to her knees. "I-I surrender…"
At that, a secret passage opened nearby.
Rather than immediately take that, Law approached Cana and got on his knees before her. "Are you going to be okay?"
"I…I need to think." Cana shook her head. "I wouldn't have been in the right head space to continue, so you win."
Law nodded at that before giving the girl a hug to comfort her. After a moment, he stood and left.
Tenrou Island
Law ran towards the exit and reached the end of the tunnel, ending up in a forest. There he saw Laxus, who passed the first trial as well, along with Makarov, Gray, and Erza. For a moment, Law shared a knowing look with those three since they'd watched his 'battle' with Cana.
"They aren't going to tell Gildarts either." Law thought assuredly.
"Greetings brats!" Makarov now greeted. "You two did well to get this far. Laxus defeated Macao while Law defeated Cana.
"You were great." Erza gave a big smile. "You showed exactly why you're my brother."
Law smiled back at her. "Thanks, Erza."
Laxus merely observed the interaction.
"Now, it is onto the next trial." Makarov declared before producing two flyers, holding one up in each hand. "I want each of you to point at one of these flyers, either one is perfectly fine."
Laxus and Law ended up giving each other a side glance, both unaware what the point of this was. They soon refocused on the master with the former pointing to the right flyer while the latter pointed to the left. Makarov revealed they said 'Wizard' & 'Target' Respectively.
"Law, as the 'Target', you will leave first to make for the other side of the island and move to enter the door located over there." Makarov explained. "Laxus, as the 'Wizard', your task will be to defeat Law and bring him to the same door.
Additionally, if Laxus catches up to Law, then he cannot enter the door until he's beaten Laxus. Whoever fulfills their goal first, in whatever way comes about by circumstance, will get to move onto the final test located behind that door, understood?"
"Yes!" Both challengers replied.
"Then, you may start Law!" Makarov declared.
Law folded out his slots and pulled a card from his deck. "I Summon Rai Rider!" The leather clad, red-haired guy atop a blue motorcycle appeared, and the summoner lept on the back. "Full speed ahead!"
Rai Rider sped off into the forest, and after a good minute, Makarov looked to his grandson. "Start, Laxus!"
Laxus grinned as he activated his Lightning Body and dashed off in the direction Rai Rider left from.
Once they were gone, Makarov looked to the remaining two. "Gray, Erza, let's head to the other side of the island for the final challenge."
"Yes master." Erza replied.
"Coming old man." Gray replied.
Forest
Law was keeping an eye on their surroundings as Rai Rider raced through the forest towards the other side of the island. Suddenly, the Duel Monster user went wide eyed as lightning shot past them. It was Laxus who stopped in the path of Rai Rider before leaping at the duel monster.
He delivered a powerful kick to the monster's head. Given Rai Rider was on the lower end of Law's monsters, and Laxus' clear strength when compared to even some of the older Wizards, that was all that was needed to shatter the monster.
Before the motorcycle could follow, Law rose to his feet and was immediately met with a foot to the gut. He was knocked clear into the trunk of a tree while Laxus landed safely on the ground as the motorcycle shattered.
Laxus smirked. "Heh, guess that's all the newb… "
"I activate Bye Bye Damage!" Law declared, hitting Laxus with a powerful beam of purple energy which pushed him into the trunk of a tree and cracked it with his body. "Due to this trap, whatever damage I received is dealt back to you twice as hard."
Both now rose back to their feet, Law currently holding one card in his hand.
"Alright, not bad." Laxus grinned wildly as lightning began to flicker around his body. "Starting to think this will actually be fun."
"I activate Blustering Winds!" Law called out.
Laxus' body turned into a bolt of lightning just as blustering winds came in and pushed against him. While not enough to push the Lightning Wizard back, it gave Law just enough time to dodge roll forward at an angle and avoid him.
"Blustering Winds could strengthen my monsters, but even without that, it's unintended effect on the immediate area is fairly good at slowing my opponents." Law declared.
As Laxus turned to face him, Law lept with all the strength he had. Due to the heavy winds, he not only lept up but was pushed further forward enabling him to firmly grasp the branch of a tree just as the wind died down.
In response to this, Laxus raised his clenched fist. "Resounding through the air, the roar of thunder, plunge from the heavens and reap destruction." Law got atop the branch and looked up as lighting gathered. "Raging Bolt!
Law took three cards from his deck just as a bolt of lightning came cascading down towards him.
"I activate Hald Unbreak which halves the damage from this coming attack." Law declared.
Law glowed white as the lightening's strength was halved by the glow before it hit him. While it certainly hurt, he still felt capable continuing the execution of his next move.
"I summon Kagetokage & Gogogo Golem!" A shadow lizard within the ground and a green, wide golem appeared on the ground. "I overlay my two level four monsters." Both monsters entered a wormhole as Laxus charged. "Now, I Xyz Summon Zubaba General."
A larger, white, and gold warrior with a black sword appeared between his summoner and Laxus. He swung his blade at Laxus who was forced to leap back.
"I've faced a couple Duel Monster Summoners before, but you're a little more creative than them. A little more prepared as well." The Lightning Mage laughed amused. "Really, you are interesting."
Laxus then vanished in a flash of lightning, and while Law had trouble following, the same could not be said for his Xyz. General's gaze followed the Lightning Mage before rushing him and swinging his sword. Laxus was hit hard enough to be sent tumbling along the ground.
"That was rough." Laxus slowly rose to his feet. "In the end, gramps was right. You are S-class material, but I'm still stronger!" He raised his clenched fist again, aiming at Law. "Resounding through the air, the roar of thunder, plunge from the heavens and reap destruction."
Law weighed his options while leaping out of the tree. Ultimately, he decided not to play defense this time. In fact, he'd put it all on the line to end this in one blow which caused Zubaba General to rush Laxus.
Law took a card from his deck. "I activate Zubaba General's effect." One of his overlay units entered his body. "By detaching one overlay unit, I can attach a warrior from my hand to him. He then gains strength equal to the attached monster's strength. I attach Dododo Buster!"
"Raging Bolt!" Laxus finished out his magic.
General glowed with a white aura as his power rose. Lightning came down far too fast for Law to avoid while Laxus' present stance, as well as General having charged while he pressed on with his own spell, made dodging impossible.
Both Wizards were hit by lightning and the blade, respectively. Laxus was sent hurtling through the air and crashed through several tree branches before ultimately slamming into the ground unconscious. Law cried out in pain as the full force of the lighting came down upon him.
When it stopped, his electrically charged body collapsed forward. If he hit the ground, he knew it would be over. Fortunately, he wasn't alone. By proxy of the Wizard he was, he could always have a friend to aid him. Zubaba General had rushed over, picked up his master, and shook him.
"Gah, thanks Zubaba General." Law managed, as it did work to alleviate him from going unconscious.
The monster then set him down, and they proceeded along the path of destruction since Law did have to make sure he beat his opponent, per the rules master outlined. It wasn't long before he saw the Lightning Mage's unconscious body.
"That means if I hadn't had a monster out to keep me awake, we'd have both failed back there." Law noted.
Not wanting to stick around and do a round two, Law resolved to move as quickly as he could to the end. That meant having Zubaba General carry him and run the rest of the way, just to make sure the speedy Lightning Mage didn't catch up. It also gave him a chance to rest.
Later…
Zubaba General arrived at the end of the forest and approached a wall with a door. The monster put his master down, and Law sent him to the grave before proceeding through the door. He found a battle ground with the master, Erza, Gray, Cana, and Macao off to the side.
Before Law could approach or speak to any of them, a male's voice spoke up. "So, you're my opponent?"
The source of the voice was a tall, muscular man with shoulder length orange hair that was slicked back. He wore a long black tattered high-collared cloak with shoulder plates and had a simple pair of loose-fitting black pants that were tucked inside simple boots.
"You must Gildarts Clive." Law commented.
"You're one of two recent members to Fairy Tail, Law right?" Gildarts questioned, to which Law nodded.
"Law, you cleared the first two trials and now have the right to take this final test!" Makarov called out. "All you must do is beat Gildarts or impress us with your skills fighting him! Do that, and you will achieve the title of S-class!"
"Gildarts is strong, right?" Erza asked Gray.
"Strongest in the guild." Gray stated. "I like your brother, and that win he got on Laxus was impressive; however, Gildart is a whole other beast."
"He might surprise you." Makarov informed.
"Yeah, there's no telling what he's got left in that deck of his." Macao agreed.
Cana said nothing as she stared from her father to Law, still contemplating her conversation with the latter.
"Begin!" Makarov shouted.
Gildarts seemed content to let Law make the first move, and he wasn't foolish enough to charge the guy without first thinking things through. Given how everyone talked about him, and the battle he just had against Laxus, it'd be wiser to have a plan.
"If the aim is to at minimum impress, then I might as well go for it." Law took five cards from his deck. "I summon Ganbara Knight, Gagaga Magician, and Goblindbergh."
A red and yellow knight with two shields, the magician in brown and blue robes, and a green goblin in a red biplane all appeared. Ganbara Knight charged Gildarts who merely raised his fist and punched the shield Knight blocked with, reducing him to cubes which shattered.
"That's the fastest one of my monsters have been destroyed, but it still tells me what his magic is." Law thought. "He can crack anything that comes his way, so it's a good thing I already decided on the move I have."
"Is that the best you got?" Gildarts asked. "I mean, three monsters fighting on your behalf at once is something, but I wouldn't exactly call it S-class worthy."
"No, that was just a warm up." Law returned. "I overlay my remaining two level four monsters." Both monsters entered a wormhole. "Now, I Xyz Summon Number 39: Utopia."
A larger, gold and white warrior appeared with two spheres orbiting around him. This naturally resulted in Law losing two of his monster zones.
"Well, that's a strong monster, but one issue that seems to crop up in Duel Monster users is that you can't maintain such a high volume of them." Gildart stated. "While I don't doubt that monster is strong, I think you'd have been better off with the numbers advantage."
"We'll just have to see." Law smiled. "After all, one of the draws of these big monsters is their effects. Utopia, attack Gildarts with Rising Sun Slash!" Gildarts merely rose his hand, ready to defend. "Now, I detach one overlay unit to halt his attack. Go Lightwing Shield."
Utopia had drawn his sword and charged Gildarts, but he now lept back to his initial position as one of the orbs entered his body.
"Hm, you stopped your own attack?" Gildart gave an amused smile. "Are you even trying to beat me kid?"
"That's the general idea." Law put the last card he'd gotten earlier intone of his backrow slots. "I activate Double or Nothing!" Whenever an attack from my monster or allies are negated for any reason, this spell allows them to attack again with double the strength.
Go, Utopia!" Utopia drew both his blades as he rushed Gildarts, who rose a hand again once more. "Now, I utilize Utopia's remaining overlay unit to negate your coming attack, Lightwing Shield!"
Gildarts hadn't thought Utopia's ability could work on him. "Uh-Oh!"
As Utopia slashed his swords at Gildarts, he moved to a defensive stance, but that didn't stop the blades from sending Gildarts crashing through a tree trunk and impacting hard with the wall behind it. Suddenly, the wall was reduced to small cubes as Gildarts got back up.
He dusted himself off and flashed a wide grin. "I actually felt that." He rushed back in. "That said, what will you do now that your monster can't use his abilities!?"
Rather than Utopia shying away, he rushed Gildarts because Law did have something for this.
He drew another card from his deck. "I activate Overlay Regain, which attaches to my Xyz monster as an overlay unit." Utopia and Gildarts were once again too close to dodge. "Lightwing Shield, once more!"
As the overlay unit vanished, and Gildarts could feel his magic for attacking vanish, he took up a defensive stance once again. This time, Utopia's power was at its original strength, so Gildarts managed to plant his feet in the ground to maintain a skid at the cost of the ground's destruction.
"He actually managed to push Gildarts back twice?" Macao questioned in disbelief.
Cana nodded in amazement. "Yeah, he did."
"Whoa, didn't know he had cards like that at his disposal." Gray commented.
Makarov let out a small chuckle.
Erza smiled wildly. "Way to go big brother!"
"Well, not many I know can lay claim to pushing me as you have." Gildart grinned. "Let alone seeing to me feeling their attacks. As your examiner of this final test, I think you pass." He looked to Makarov. "What say you, master?"
"Yes, he's put on an impressive display." Makarov smiled. "Law, if you wish it, we can end the trial here. We've seen enough."
"End it here…" Law contemplated.
Part of him wanted to continue, but this combo with Utopia was all that came to mind in dealing with Gildart's Magic. From here on out, all he could do was summon monsters and power them up. His battle with Laxus showed he likely didn't have the speed to get past Gildarts.
Without the capacity to negate his magic on the attack, even his remaining Xyz's couldn't help him here. While he wanted to be strong, was there strength in being beaten down in what was now a friendly match? He had already gotten what he set out for.
"It's not like I don't know I need to still grow stronger, Laxus and Gildarts have already shown me that." Law nodded. "I concede."
At this point, Laxus arrived, after having woken up, and heard those words coming from the guy who bested him. Though, it seemed by the expressions of the people gathered that his forfeit didn't mean he hadn't passed.
"A wise choice." Gildarts smiled. "I applaud anyone who has the courage to face their enemies; however, the Wizards who are most courageous are those exceptional few who know when to stand down. Remember this Law, there's nothing wrong with the choice you made today.
It shows you understand your limitations, and that is something we must know to become a stronger, gentler person. A necessity for those who want to be S-class. You proved your physical strength, but your decision tells me I'll be honored to count you as a fellow S-Class."
Everyone there stared at Gildarts in awe for his wise words.
"With the words of the examiner spoken, I believe it is time to make it as official as possible while not within the guild." Makarov smiled. "Law Pharos, you pass. We shall announce it to the others when we return to the guild, but for now, I have all the food you lot can eat this way!"
Everyone happily followed the master, with Erza walking alongside Law. "You're so strong, brother!"
"I do suppose the results speak for themselves; however, I don't feel as strong as I'd like to be." Law patted his sister's head. "There's still a lot of ground I got to cover, things I can certainly improve on to be better."
"Do you think I can become as strong as you are one day?" Erza asked hopefully.
"Of course, you can," Law responded instantly. "Heck, it wouldn't surprise me if you became even stronger than I am. To achieve either, all you must do it train hard enough."
"I hope all of you were listening in because if you dedicate yourself correctly, you can be strong." Makarov declared.
"Hear! Hear!" Gildarts cheered from the back of the pack before looking down as he felt a light tugging on his cloak. "Oh, hey Cana." He chuckled. "You sprout more every time I see you."
Cana looked at him for a moment, yet her eyes drifted away from him to the rest of the present group as they slowly left them there. Just as she was about to let it go, one of the things Law told her flowed through her mind.
I'd give a lot to be in your shoes. What prompted me to leave my home island was the loss of my father. While he wasn't my birth parent, he was the only parent I'd ever known.
"I joined Fairy Tail to find my dad." Cana decided to speak before she lost the will to. "His name…it's Gildarts."
Gildarts spent a good, long moment processing that.
…
The ace of Fairy Tail screamed.
"Ever since that first day I arrived at the door of the guild, I've been trying to tell you, but things always just got in the way." Cana voiced.
"YOU'RE MY DAUGHTER!" Gildarts exclaimed in shock. "WAIT, WHICH ONE WAS YOUR MOTHER!? SARAH? NAOMI? CLAIRA? MARY? LIZA?" He collapsed while trying to figure it out. "No, the hair color is all wrong!"
"You mean you can't even remember who my mom was!?" Cana exclaimed, hurt and angry at such a development. "I can't believe I spent all this time worrying about telling you, yet you're just some deadbeat who never…"
"You're Cornelia's daughter." Gildarts suddenly realized there was no other woman who chewed him out like Cana just had. "No doubt about it." He held the girl closer. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Things kept coming up in the early years, and eventually the thought of what could happen made me scared you'd never accept me as just some kid." Cana responded.
"Your mother was the only woman I ever loved." Gildart stated. "Marrying her was the happiest moment of my life. She left me over 12 years ago now because all I ever did was work. It killed me. Then, I heard about her passing. It was like a shot to the heart but part of her is still with me. I'm sorry. I should have realized years ago."
"I'm the one who tried to keep it hidden." Cana let out a deep sigh as she parted from him. "Now, it feels like this huge weight has been lifted from my chest."
"I've had a daughter all this time." Tears came to Gildarts eyes as he picked Cana up and hugged her again. "I know you've gotten on fine without me, but I swear to never make you sad again." The tears flowed from his eyes as tears formed in Cana's.
"I don't have the right to impose on you, but I'll be there whenever you need me. It doesn't matter if it's a job or hitting up bars when you're older. All I ask is that you give me a chance to be a loving father."
She embraced and cried along with him.
I don't think Cana revealing to Gildarts that she's his daughter is too outrageous a concept at this point in the story. This is 6 years before the x784 trials, so she isn't as mired in her feelings as she was then. Additionally, Law is not a unique perspective. So many people in Fairy Tail have lost their parents, biological or adoptive, to the point this very situation could occur between her and any of them.
Let's talk about Utopia halting Gildart's Crash Magic. As you can see, it still didn't achieve much of anything, and that's because Gildarts is one tough guy. Even though Utopia's ability can stop someone's attack, it doesn't mean he drops their defense. At the same time, I do think that what Law achieved here would be enough for him to earn that rank.
Note: At this point the story should start moving far faster towards the start of Fairy Tail proper. There are still things I want to cover before that year comes, but I don't imagine the contents of half a year, I'm going with the assumption of roughly that amount of time being between Erza and Law joining to the end of year trial, taking four chapters to get through. The base of the story is cemented now, so expect time jumps to important events.
kuroshiragami0: Thank you.
alwynonlinereading: Thank you.
Tonyhedgehog: Thank you for the compliment. As for characters containing duel monster spirits, it's not impossible, but I don't think I want to go around giving characters that don't utalize Duel Monster Magic the capacity to summon these duel monsters.