I'm still not entirely satisfied with this. But I think if I started over one more time, I would end up gouging out my eyes in frustration. That's not to say I don't like what I've written here. It's just, this chapter isn't quite what I wanted it to be. Anyway that's enough of my griping, here's the disclaimer.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail. I do not own these characters. I do not own this story idea, at least not entirely. Then again, someone else may have had the same ideas I did. Eh, how about I don't own anything in this story. Is that a good enough disclaimer?

Chapter 17.

Tenrou Island (Part 1)

"I'm still not sure that allowing them to bring Koharu was a good idea master."

Erza quietly admonished the guild master. When he made the announcement about who had been selected to take place in this year's S-class trials he had shocked the guild. Of course they all knew that both Natsu and Cana should have been chosen, but given their adoption of Koharu, they all expected only one of them to be picked.

After all the S-class trials were quite dangerous actually. They had to prove their mettle, and it was no place for a kid. So it would have only made sense to have one go and the other stay behind and watch over Koharu for the week. But the guild master had not only still selected both of them, he even told them it would be alright to bring the baby along.

"Erza, there are things you don't know about happening in the background this time. Besides, They knew that this was going to happen. Why do you think they teamed up this time?"

Makarov stated as he turned to look at the red head. She wasn't looking at him however. Instead, Erza was looking towards where the trio they were talking about were sitting. Since it was a rather tropical area, they were dressed a bit more lightly than normal. Which meant that everyone could see part of the dragon tattoo on Natsu's back, and all of the one on Cana's.

For some reason Gajeel was smirking towards the family and Wendy was blushing, while everyone else, bar Gildarts, were questioning the two about the markings. Of course it was only thanks to Wendy's spell Troia that Natsu and Gajeel weren't motion sick from being on the boat.

"It will be alright Erza. Those two are hyper-vigilant even though it may not seem like it. Nothing will happen to Koharu."

Finally turning back towards the guild master, Erza sighed before answering "If you say so master."

"Even if something were to go wrong, they've got all of us here as backup. So relax a bit and focus on your task as part of the trials."

The short man suggested, though he knew they were about five minutes out from being able to see the island from their boat. As she walked away, he turned his thoughts to the Fairy Tail wizards that were participating in the S-class trials this year. Alzack Connell, Elfman Strauss, Freed Justine, Gajeel Redfox, Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser, Levy McGarden, and of course Natsu Dragneel. Cana would have been on the list, but when she and Natsu decided to team up, the brunette had asked that someone else be tested in her place. Which was why Levy was taking part in the trials this year.

True to his prediction, roughly five minutes after he told the redhead to relax, the island was starting to come into view. A few of the selected participants had already approached him to ask why things seemed to be different from normal, so now that they were close he figured it was time to explain. With a wave of his hand he used a bit of magic to drop the ships anchor.

Moving towards a spot where everyone on the ship could see and hear him, Makarov cleared his throat.

"A few of you have already noticed that we are handling things a bit differently compared to previous years. There are a couple different reasons, though only one of them matters in regards to you all."

He paused to make sure they were all listening.

"Normally, the S-class wizards would already be on the island in selected locations and I would task you all with getting to the shore and picking one of the many different paths that lead to the center of the island" There were nods from Gray and Freed along with the green haired man's partner Bickslow. With a slight grin the guild master continued "Each of the S-class would be positioned on different paths and if you were on their path you would have to get past them. Other paths would cross and you would have to fight each other, and one path would be completely safe."

Those that hadn't participated in previous Fairy Tails S-class trials yet all nodded in understanding of the normal first trial.

"The problem with that is rather simple. We have three dragon slayers taking part in the trials this year. All three of them are capable of the paths with the least amount of trouble, even if I were to hold them back and make their teams choose last."

"That makes sense I guess."

Gray muttered a bit loudly, causing several of them to crack grins.

"Not to mention that Natsu technically has a different exam from the rest of you. Thanks to his new status as Wizard Saint, the Magic Council wants me to test him more rigorously. In fact they even gave a special dispensation for the trials this year. Should he past the tests they're making me give him, he and one of you will be promoted, instead of just one person this year."

Gajeel snorted in response to that.

"The council is full of idiots if they can't believe the Salamander earned his spot as a saint."

Even Gray and Elfman had to chime in.

"I hate to admit it, but the flame-brain is pretty tough."

"Natsu is manly enough to be one!"

Waiting a moment for the chatter to die down so he could continue, Makarov sighed.

"So instead the test is being twisted slightly. When I say go, you will have three minutes to get to the shore and pick a path. Each team must pick a different path. Once those three minutes are up, Erza and Mira will be chasing you down. Your task is to safely navigate your selected path and get to the clearing that will be our base camp for the rest of the trial, while avoiding being captured by the two of them. In Natsu's case however, the one chasing him down will be Gildarts, and Gildarts only has to wait for Natsu to be clear from the rest of you before beginning his chase. For this trial Cana you will stick with me as the council has ordered me to tell our Ace not to hold back."

"It was nice knowing you Ash-breath."

Gray taunted when he heard that Gildarts was to go all out on his friend/rival. Freed and Bickslow were both of the same mind as Gray, but they were too shocked to say it. After all, Gildarts was a known monster when it came to strength. He had been offered and turned down a position as a Wizard Saint a couple times.

Gildarts however just had told him that he needed an endurance that not even his Crash magic could wear down, to handle the pain that would come with forcefully becoming a dragon. So he had take to setting up training sessions with the man that was his future son-in-law. Those training sessions had recently become all out brawls between the two, though Natsu wasn't quite ready to match up to him without using Dragon Force just yet.

Natsu also had a grin on his face, though that was because he still had a few tricks he hadn't yet showed Gildarts in their training sessions.

"Is there anything else we need to know about this trial master?"

Levy managed to ask after she overcame the shock she felt at the fact Gildarts was given permission to go all out against Natsu.

"Aside from the one safe path, all paths will have traps and obstacles to slow you down and impede your progress as well as the wild animals of the island. Erza and Mira have their own paths that they were told to chase you down, and there are two sets of paths that run into each other. If you're on a path that runs into another there is a magic barrier that will prevent your team from progressing until the other team has reached that point and you've battled it out. Since the S-class will be chasing you, this time I've decided to set a time limit. Said time limit is two hours, so I suggest you move quickly."

"Finish quickly huh? You could let Cana and Koharu come with me then. I want to fight Gildarts sure, but I'd rather not have to worry about a time limit, so I'll be making sure he won't be able to catch me."

Natsu spoke up.

"You're pretty fast Natsu, but you aren't that fast."

Lucy commented from her spot beside Levy, since the bluette had asked her to be her partner.

"You finally got that technique to work then?"

Cana said, as she ignored Lucy's words.

"Yup. I even tested it against Jet's speed. Not only was I faster, my stamina held out long enough that it still took him an hour and a half to catch up to me in laps around the city when I finally stopped running."

"I'm sorry what are you two talking about?"

Erza cut in. Natsu smiled sheepishly as he explained that he'd been working on a spell that would act similar to Laxus' Lightning Body. Some of them flinched at the mention of the now ex-guild member. But those that knew of his spell nodded. Not only did it make him intangible, it increased his speed exponentially. Even if Natsu's new spell didn't perfectly mimic the Lightning magic users, if it had that feature he would be much faster.

"Besides I have a few tricks I could use to slow Gildarts down too."

Natsu also mentioned, causing those that knew about his new element to nod.

"While I trust that you'd keep us safe Natsu, It's almost nap time for Koharu, so I'd rather go along with master. That way our little girl has a comfortable nap at least."

The brunette stated after a moment, causing her partner to shrug.

"If you say so."

"Now, as we have other things to do today, I ask that you all line up here on the side of the boat with your partner beside you. Once you're all ready I will give the signal and you may use whatever method you or your partner wishes to get to the island."

The members of Fairy Tail did just as he asked, though Cana moved to stand with him rather than beside Natsu.

Alzack had his normal partner Bisca with him, though for those that paid attention, they would have noticed the two seemed closer than normal. For some reason unknown to all of them, Elfman had teamed up with Evergreen. Gajeel had asked Wendy if she'd be his partner for the exam. It was no surprise that Freed had Bickslow at his side.

Gray had Loke with him, as before he revealed himself as a celestial spirit and become one of Lucy's summons the man had made a promise that they'd team up if either had been selected for the trial. Standing close by the duo was Juvia and her partner Lisanna. On the other side of Gray and Loke, was Levy and Lucy.

"Now…. Begin!"

Makarov shouted cause an explosion of activity. Alzack and Bisca lunged from the ship and into the water, swimming off quickly. Evergreen used a bit of her Fairy magic to grow wings and she latched onto Elfman's arm before flying off. Gajeel and Wendy were lifted by a gentle gale of wind as the younger dragon slayer activated her magic to carry them away. Gray just began freezing the water and making a path for him and Loke to run on, while Juvia used her water magic to make a bubble that would race across the ocean carrying her and Lisanna. Levy used her Solid Script magic to make a bridge for her and Lucy to dash across.

Natsu however jumped into the air before igniting his feet and blasting away at a furious pace. Gildarts tracked him easily however and took a mighty leap once Natsu had gotten clear of the others, using his Crash magic to shatter the air around him, somehow creating platforms for him to leap off of to keep after the Fire Dragon Slayer.

"Huh. Didn't know that was possible with Crash magic."

Cana muttered to herself as she watched her father chase down her lover.

Satisfied that things were going smoothly enough that he wouldn't have to worry, Makarov raised the ships anchor and steered it towards the island so they could dock it before traveling to the base camp clearing.

-XXxxXxXxXxxXX-

As he cut through the sky, Natsu was grinning heavily, though he did have a certain thought on his mind. Earlier in the day he'd been warned by the guild master to put on as much of a show as he could to satisfy and or shut up the Magic Council.

They thought they were being sneaky by watching over the trials from a distance. But Natsu knew they were there. As did Gajeel and Wendy, since the magic council didn't have anyone capable of hiding from a dragon slayer's senses.

Landing on the beach, Natsu turned and with a quickness that belied his inexperience with his new element, he channeled his magic into the ground around him, muttering "Earth Dragon's Obscuring Fist." A large fist of sand launched away from him, going towards Gildarts. It stopped just short of his Crash magic barrier before exploding and enveloping the man in a cloud, cutting his vision down to nearly nothing.

Because he knew how Gildarts and Makarov would respond to the council watching over their trials, Natsu made sure to prevent the Crash mage from seeing him deal with the council's peon. He didn't have a big window, because he was sure that Gildarts would just blow the sand cloud away, but it was big enough for him.

Slipping into his new spell 'Fire Dragon's Empowered Flame Body' He lunged towards the intruder, and smashed a fist into the man's face before he could even blink. Then with his finger he wrote a message in flames that hung in the air for when the guy woke up.

'Stop stalking us and leave now. Otherwise next time rather than a simple punch to the face, I will send you flying, and you will need a trip to the hospital. - Natsu Dragneel'

Dashing back to his chosen pathway, Natsu started to race down the trail, jumping over and weaving around the obstacles that had been paced to make it challenging. On two different occasions he ducked just in time to avoid an animal crashing into his head from behind as they ran away from the monstrous power that Gildarts emitted. Due to the size of the island, he estimated that he had managed to get around two hundred yards down his chosen path when he heard the man begin trampling along behind him.

Smirking, Natsu tilted his head to look over his shoulder, and caught just a glimpse of Gildarts' orange hair before doubling his current speed. Despite the increased distance between them, and the noises of the jungle around them, he was still able to hear the older man mutter "Son of a… He wasn't kidding when he said this new spell let him out speed Jet."

Chuckling to himself, Natsu debated slowing down just a bit. Just enough to tease the Crash mage. After all he knew that his future father-in-law wanted to fight just as much as he did. But he wanted to be in tip top shape when he met up with his older brother, later in the evening according to the schedule that Makarov and Mavis had come up with in their liaising with each other to set the meeting up while still allowing the S-class trials to go on properly.

In the end he decided not to slow down, as he wanted to prove that he was as good as his word. Instead he pulled a trick that Tektari had shown him when she started teaching him how to use his new element for more than just fighting.

After slipping around the side of a few obvious traps, and weaving through the low hanging tree branches, Natsu let out a sigh. Focusing his magic through his feet and into the ground he sent out a small pulse. It was just small enough that he felt the only people that would notice it were Gildarts, Makarov, Mavis, and his older brother Zeref. But even they wouldn't know what it was for.

"I wonder what kind of look they'd have on their faces if I told them that thanks to my new Earth Dragon Slayer abilities I also have a form of sonar." He thought out loud as the new skill allowed him to find every trap and obstacle on his path.

Keeping his speed up, Natsu managed to jump over a pitfall, and slide under a fallen tree before sidestepping a hidden spear that jumped towards the opening under the tree. After a few yards he had to slow so he could climb up a tree on the side of the path to grab onto a vine to swing across a river since the bridge was so heavily booby-trapped that he didn't think it worth the hassle. Landing safely on the other side he stopped moving just in time to avoid a falling tree.

Sighing he jumped over it, before continuing on his way. Of course it wasn't long before he had to slow down a fair bit, so that he could carefully follow along the 'safe' path and avoid a massive pit of quicksand. Really he didn't have to do that, but he figured that if he left the trap in tact rather than use his Earth magic, it might slow Gildarts down enough to be caught off guard.

Snickering to himself once he got clear of the quicksand, he came to a dead stop and made two dozen small yet deep holes and then covered them up with thin stones that would blend in with the path and break under even the slightest bit of weight. The idea was that Gildarts would step on one of the stones and his leg up to mid thigh would be stuck in a hole. Of course all he'd have to do would be to pick himself up again, but it would slow him down even if only by a minute or two.

"Right then. Time to book it again."

Satisfied with his trap he took off like a shot once more. Just like before he breezed through the traps as if they weren't really there. Though he did have to dodge a few more creatures, and jump across a few stones to cross another river. At around the hour mark, Natsu noticed the path beginning to widen and his keen eyes were able to notice the traces that told of the clearing ahead being used as a campgrounds.

Slowing immensely he once again came to a dead stop. But this time he even deactivated his Fire Dragon's Empowered Flame Body as well. With a casual air he strolled the rest of the way, making it seem as if he'd been taking it easy the entire time.

"Well, I shouldn't be surprised you were the first to reach the base camp. But the way you swaggered in here tells me the path was too easy. Not to mention you're about twenty minutes ahead of what I had figured it would take you."

Makarov commented when he noticed the mop of pink hair making it's way towards him.

"About the only way to make it any more difficult would be to place one or two more traps closer to the start. The problem is, the only ones that would really be effective there are pitfalls or even small holes to get their feet stuck, but getting caught once would have them on guard for that type of trap later on."

"Given the fact I don't even hear my dad yet, I take it you used your new spell and speed blitzed your way through?"

Cana wondered. While she was still only at the basics of basics in regards to her training as a dragon slayer, her senses had improved to be on par with Gajeel's.

Sinking into a seat beside her, Natsu nodded.

-XXxxXxXxXxxXX-

An hour after Natsu arrived to the base camp the last of the Fairy Tail wizards entered the clearing. They were quite roughed up, but Juvia and Lisanna were the clear victors as they carried Levy and Lucy into the camp. Just as Gajeel and Wendy had done with Freed and Bickslow. Erza too had done the same with both Alzack and Bisca, having caught up to and defeated them before they could escape her.

Mira was off to the side pouting about being tricked by Elfman and Evergreen, who had told her they teamed up because they were dating, knowing the shock would make her stop moving long enough for them to escape. Gray and Loke were happy to have completed the first test, though Gray was a bit put out that they had picked the safe path and didn't have to fight.

"You only just made it in time. Good work though girls."

Makarov praised the two as Mira and Wendy began to tend to the four injured girls. Alzack, Bisca, Bickslow, and Freed had already been seen too and were sitting off to the side a bit dejectedly. Of course they had been told that while they might not have passed the first test, it didn't mean they weren't still eligible to earn the promotion to S-class.

"Once Mira and Wendy have finished seeing to your wounds, I'll announce what the second test is."

The moment he finished speaking, the guild master turned to Gildarts and Erza and nodded. The Crash mage just nodded back before standing up and strolling away. The Re-equip mage bowed before walking off as well. None of them were injured bad enough they couldn't keep going (at least once Levy and Lucy were woken up with smelling salts). But it would still take twenty minutes for the four girls to get bandaged up. And that would be enough time for him to get a good enough head start to be where he needed to be for the next trial. After all, without knowing where they were going, none of them would be able to get their before him, and even if they did know. he had enough of a head start to be there first.

Once he was satisfied that they could continue Makarov called for their attention.

"For the second test you will have to find a specific location. As I mentioned earlier with the dragon slayers being able to use their enhanced senses, this test is going to have two separate versions. Natsu and Gajeel, along with their partners will have to find different locations, while the rest of you will have to find the same one."

"Makes sense I guess."

"Their spots are likely going to be more difficult to find due to their advantage. Probably locations that are hidden so well you'd need to have explored the island a few times to know for sure how to get there."

Gray muttered, while Freed speculated about the different locales on the island. The Giant magic user just nodded.

"Natsu and Cana will have to find the ruins of the home that our first guild master Mavis Vermillion lived in, when she lived on this island. Gajeel and Wendy will have to find the shrine that use the people of the island used to pray for fortune in. The rest of you will have to find the grave site of our first guild master. I sent Gildarts ahead because his magic will scare the native creatures of this island enough that you will be able to avoid being attacked by the more dangerous animals that live in that section of the island. After all a few of them are classified as SS level creatures."

"Are there any clues we should know or be on the look out for?"

Wendy inquired after a moment, causing Gajeel to grunt in approval at her.

"For the two teams with dragon slayers? Don't go the same direction as the other teams. For the rest of you? Stick to the northern side of the island. Any other questions?"

"How will you know when the shrine and the ruins of Mavis' first home are found?"

Cana thought to ask.

"I sent Erza ahead to the shrine for Gajeel and Wendy. As for Natsu and Cana, well… Inside the ruins of her former home, is a framed picture of the only friend Mavis had on the island, before she met the others that she founded Fairy Tail with. They will have to bring that picture back."

No one else had any questions, so he asked if they all understood their assigned tasks. When they all nodded at him, the third guild master of Fairy Tail smirked and raised his arm.

"Begin your search!"

He signaled them by swiping his hand down.

-XXxxXxXxXxxXX-

Once they were far enough away from everyone, Natsu took off his scarf and wrapped it around Koharu, who giggled happily when he did so even as she was held by Cana.

"There's no way that gramps and the first master didn't arrange this so that we meet with her and my brother in her old home. Of course gramps didn't tell me where we'd be meeting with Zeref, but he did say it would be during one of the tests that were done today. Thus I'm guessing it's this one."

He told the brunette when she raised an eyebrow at his action.

"And since your bracelets you had made are way too big for Koharu, you wanted her to have your scarf as protection. While the two of us use the bracelets?"

Nodding, he held out one of the dragon scale bracelets he'd had made. Gesturing with her head for him to take Koharu so she could slip it on without the baby trying to take it, Cana let her mate pull the baby out of the sling she was wearing. Once he had moved back enough that Koharu wouldn't be able to reach her, she put the bracelet on.

"You're sure that dragon scales will absorb his curse and stop it from effecting us?"

"Yeah. Since dragons are essentially just living magic, their scales once shed, are basically pure magic. Just like empty lacrima crystals."

It was then that his lover caught on.

"And since empty lacrima crystals were used to make armor that you could wear to fight demons and devils to negate their curses, you can do the same with dragon scales."

"Yup. By the way that trick works for both the demons and devils as well as Gods. Hence why I'm confident this will work."

The pink haired man replied, before turning and continuing to walk. It wasn't until he started moving again, that Cana remembered Natsu was also wearing his baby sling.

"When we get there, I'll carry Koharu. If something happens I'd rather you be the one that's able to react."

She stated before following along behind him.

Despite being given no leads on how to find the ruins of the first master's old home, The two were able to find it rather quickly thanks to Cana's ability to use her cards to locate Mavis and Zeref via fortune telling. Well relatively quickly considering it still took them an hour and a half.

"Don't follow me in right away. I owe my brother a slap upside the head, and I'd rather not risk his reaction causing harm to either of you."

Natsu commented when they stood in front of the ruined building as Cana took their daughter back. When she nodded in understanding, he strolled through the door, and walked right up to the dark haired main that was waiting, patiently leaning on the wall.

His arm blurred as he reached out smacked the older Dragneel upside the head.

"You need to come up with better plans, bro."