Ship: Day…
The four candidates, consisting of Macao, Law, Cana, and Laxus, along with 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 at 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 Celtic Guardian!"
An eleven-warrior appeared and quickly cut down 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 springs 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!"
Celtic Guardian stepped in front of Law and utilized his blade to cut down the coming projectiles.
"Why is this trail important to you?" Law asked.
"None of your business." Cana replied.
She withdrew more cards and hurled them at Celtic Guardian. This time, as he moved to cut them, they exploaded on contact. Law dodge rolled behind a large rock as the resounding explosions shattered Celtic Guardian, 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 agree you had a reason better than that." Law explained. "If I refuse to give up, after hearing you out, 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 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 ever knew.
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, your 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, he cannot enter the door until he's beaten Laxus. Whoever fulfills their goal first, in whatever way comes about by circumstance, will move onto the final test located behind that door, understood?"
"Yes!" Both challengers replied.
"Then, you may start Law!" Makarov declared.
Law's slots folded out, and he pulled a card from his deck. "I Summon Gaia the Fierce Knight!" A blue armored knight atop a purple steed appeared before allowing him to get in the saddle. "Onward!"
Gaia sped off into the forest, and after a good minute, Makarov looked at his grandson. "Start, Laxus!" Laxus grinned as he activated his Lightning Body and dashed off after Law. "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 Gaia raced through the forest. Suddenly, the Duel Monster user went wide eyed as lightning shot past them. It was Laxus who stopped in the path of Gaia before leaping at the duel monster.
He delivered a powerful, lightning infused kick to the steed. While not Law's strongest monster, Gaia was still no pushover. That, coupled with Laxus' clear strength when compared to even some of the older Wizards, was all that was needed to shatter the monster.
Laxus then managed to grab Law as they fell, only letting go once his feet touched the ground and immediately slammed his foot into the Duel monster user's gut. This sent him flying back first into the trunk of a tree.
Laxus smirked. "Heh, guess that's all the newb… "
"I activate Share the Pain!" Law declared, hitting Laxus with a powerful beam of purple energy which pushed him into the trunk of a tree as well. "Out here, this spell inflicts the same damage, from one instance of damage, right back at ya."
Both then rose back to their feet, Law holding one card in his hand.
"Alright, not bad." Laxus grinned wildly as lightning began to flicker around his body. "I'm starting to think this will actually be fun."
"You activated my trap card, Magical Hats!" Law called out.
Laxus' body turned into a bolt of lightning, only for him to plow through a large top hat which had covered Law, and he was no longer there to boot. As Laxus looked around, he was faced with three other top hats in the immediate area.
"Nice try Laxus." Law's voice seemingly came from everywhere at once, making it impossible to gleam which hat he was under. "Magical Hats obscures the targets of the attack, up to four of them, and they are shuffled around. Unfortunately for you, I was no longer there."
In response to this, Laxus raised his clenched fist with a growl. "Resounding through the air, the roar of thunder, plunge from the heavens and reap destruction." Lighting gathered. "Raging Bolt!
From underneath the hat, Law took five cards from his deck just as a bolt of lightning came cascading down. "You activated my Nutrient Z, which restores my health before I take damage."
Green light glowed from under one of the hats as Law was restored before the lightning came down. While it certainly hurt, as well as dispelling the remaining hats to reveal him, Law still felt capable of executing his next move.
"I activate Monster Reincarnation." He pitched one card. "By discarding 1 card, I can return any 1 monster from my grave to the hand." A card slotted out of his grave, so he took it. "Now, I activate Polymerization to combine Gaia the Fierce Knight with Curse of Dragon." Both monsters merged as Laxus charged him. "Fusion Summon Gaia the Dragon Champion!"
The blue armored knight with two red spears appeared riding atop the yellow dragon, as the now two vacant monster slots folded down to leave Law just with the one fusion. To be fair, that one fusion swung his spears at Laxus and forced him 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 Wizard 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 fusion. The knight followed the Lightning Wizard before rushing him and swinging his spears. 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 and ultimately 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 Gaia the Dragon Champion to rush Laxus.
Law took a card from his deck. "I activate Piercing the Darkness." Gaia was cloaked in a brilliant, golden aura. "Essentially, this card now doubles the strength of Gaia the Dragon Champion since he was made using at least 1 normal monster!"
"Raging Bolt!" Laxus finished out his magic.
Lightning came down far too fast for Law to avoid while Laxus' present stance, as Gaia now flew at double his prior speed, made dodging impossible. Both Wizards were hit by lightning and spear, 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 lightning 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. Gaia had lept off the dragon, picked up his master, and shook him.
"Gah, thanks Gaia." Law managed, as it worked to keep him conscious.
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, according to the rules master outlined. It wasn't long before he saw Laxus' 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 to himself.
Not wanting to stick around and do a round two, Law resolved to move as quickly as he could. He lept on the dragon with Gaia before having him fly off as fast as possible to the end, ensuring the Lightning Wizard wouldn't catch up if he regained consciousness.
Later…
Gaia arrived at the end of the forest and approached a wall with a door before landing. Law then disembarked and sent his fusion to the grave as he proceeded 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 them, a man 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 in 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."
"Law might surprise you." Makarov stated..
"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 three cards from his deck. "I summon Queen's, King's, and Jack's Knight."
The red armored female knight, orange armored male knight, and blue armored male knight all appeared before charging the man. Gildarts rapidly threw a punch at each monster, and even though they blocked with their shields, the three knights were reduced to cubes before shattering.
"That's the fastest one of my monsters have been destroyed, let alone three at once, but it still tells me what his magic is." Law thought. "He can crack anything that comes his way."
"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 took three cards from his deck. "I summon Dark Magician and Red-Eyes Black Dragon."
The purple robed spellcaster and black dragon with crimson red eyes appeared as one while Law's third monster slot folded in on itself.
"Those who practice you magic can produce strong monsters but it's rather hard to maintain them." Gildarts stated. "I think you'd have been better off with the numbers advantage."
"We'll just have to see." Law returned. "Dark Magic Attack and Inferno Fire Blast!"
Dark Magician waved his staff to produce a sphere of dark magic while Red-Eyes breathed fire. Gildarts merely rose his hand, ready to defend.
"You activated my trap card, Spell Binding Circle." Law declared, as a circle of light moved around and enclosed around the man. "With this, you will be rendered immobile for long enough."
"That kid's mind is a sharp one!" Gildarts thought.
The two blasts hit him as one, sending the Ace of Fairy Tail crashing through a tree trunk before impacting with the rock wall behind it. Suddenly, the wall was reduced to small cubes as Gildarts got back up. He proceeded to dust himself off and flash a wide grin.
"I actually felt that." Gildarts rushed back in. "What will you do now without that card!?"
Rather than shy away, Dark Magician mounted Red-Eyes before he flew to meet the man head on he because Law, who drew a card, did have something for this.
Law utilized it the moment Gildarts pushed his hand forward. "You activated my trap card, Mirror Force."
The ace's hand planted against an invisible barrier, and while his crash magic did render it inert, the shock was enough for Red-Eyes to get off a direct blast of his flames. All Gildarts had time to do was get up his cloak as a defense.
Gildarts' feet dragged through the ground this time as he attempted to keep his footing, and he only had to keep his footing again as Dark Magician had instantly followed up with a blast of dark magic. By the end of it, there was a large trail in the ground and Gildarts' cloak was taters.
"He's actually managed to push Gildarts back twice?" Macao questioned in disbelief.
Cana nodded in amazement. "Yeah, he did."
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 at 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 as his deck was, there wasn't much more he could do against Gildarts that wouldn't be stalling at this point. None of that even mentioned the fact the ace of the guild was obviously taking it easy on him. Besides, he had already gotten what he set out for.
Law nodded. "I concede."
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 what remained of his cloak. "Oh, hey Cana." He chuckled. "You sprout more every time I see you."
Cana looked at him for a moment before her eyes drifted to the rest of the group as they slowly left them there. Just as she was about to let it go, one of the things Law told her came to mind.
"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."
"I joined Fairy Tail to find my dad." Cana decided to speak before she lost her resolve. "His name…it's Gildarts."
Gildarts spent a good, long moment processing that.
…
The ace of Fairy Tail then screamed.
"Ever since that first day I arrived at the door of the guild, I've been trying to tell you, but things always get 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 until the thought of what could happen made me scared you'd never accept me being 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."
"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'm not certain what may be the most contentious thing in this chapter, Law beating Laxus or Cana revealing she's Gildarts daughter to Gildarts. I guess I'll start by saying that if Laxus had used his Dragon Slayer magic, Law wouldn't have won. From the show, it seems Makarov had restricted his grandson from using it considering no one in the guild knew he had this magic in canon until he attempted to take over the guild.
On the Cana end, she hasn't been mired in these negative thoughts for years upon years at this point. Remember, this is the tail end of age x776 while the series proper does begin until the summer of x784. That's quite a few a few years, and I also don't think Law is the only one who could have gotten through to Cana since if you throw a stone into the Fairy Tail, chances are you're hitting someone with a lost parent or two.
berrus-sama: Yep.
lrbrenneke: For now, though soon enough Law is going to run into an instance that will see him upgrading his deck into what it'll essentially be for a good chunk of the series.
kuroshiragami0: Thank you.
