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Chapter Text

  “This… this isn’t happening…!”

  Shadows loomed over her. To her right, Erza, Wendy, and Gray all lay on the ground, heavily battered and beaten. To her left, her brother, Natsu, and Lucy, the latter holding the former in a terrified embrace as he remained seemingly motionless in her arms. Yet, he was the only thing that brought her a sense of security. Behind her was her beloved wolf, Blue Fang, who whined in pain as he lay on the floor with a bloody gash on his left cheek and a bruised body.

  Haru whimpered, tears falling from her eyes as she stared up at the shadowy figure that stood before her with a dark grin.

  “It’s over… Children of Makarov…” Hades said with a malicious chuckle.

  Haru bit her lip and closed her eyes as she bowed her head in despair. She tried to will her body to move, but every attempt was pushed back with mounting terror. Her heart raced in her chest, her body screamed in pain, and her tears could not stop falling. She never felt so alone as she did at this moment. This was even worse than what happened during the Harvest Festival earlier this year.

  Haru Dragneel had never been as terrified for her life as she was at this very moment.

   ‘How?’ thought the green-haired girl as she recalled everything that happened. ‘How did things go so wrong?! How did it come to this?!!’

~One Week Ago~

  The Guildhall was just as rowdy as ever. Everyone was going in and out of the hall, getting whatever job they could, and most were taking on jobs all alone. Even Haru, who usually stuck with her brother like glue, found herself taking jobs with just Blue Fang for company.

  “You sure have been working a lot on your own, huh, Haru?” Lucy asked as she sat with her at the table. “In fact, everybody seems to be taking on solo jobs.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Haru realized. “You don’t know about this, huh, Lucy? We do this practically every year.”

  “Yeah?” Lucy asked. “Why?”

  “To get noticed,” Haru replied as she stood up. “This is the time of year that Fairy Tail works harder than ever.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why, though,” Lucy pointed out.

  Haru chuckled. “You’ll see soon enough. Anyway, I gotta go while the good jobs are still out. Come on, Blue Fang, let’s go!”

  Blue Fang yawned and stretched his back as he followed after her, leaving Lucy confused as the Beast Wizard ripped a job from the board and went to register it.

  “See you when you get back, Haru!” Mirajane called while Lisanna sat at the bar.

  “Bye, Mira!” Haru waved as she and Blue Fang walked out, headed out of town for the job. As they left, though, she suddenly frowned and stopped walking. The chilly air blew around her, causing her to shudder slightly as she wrapped her arms around herself.

  Even now, she couldn’t help but think about what happened during that job at Sayuri… particularly what Guardian Kyuubi, the Nine-Tailed Fox, said to her.

   “Deep within your brother lies something most powerful… but also most dangerous.”

  That’s when Haru also thought back to what Lucy had told her about what happened in the Elise Kingdom.

   “He wasn’t even acting like Natsu, anymore! He… he tried to attack Happy and me!”

  Haru’s eyes widened, uncertainty and dread roiling deep within the pit of her gut… and even now, one more thought entered her mind.

   ‘E.N.D.’

  “Natsu…” she whispered.

  “Yeah?”

  “Huh?!” Haru asked as she looked up, only to see her brother standing in front of her with Happy sitting on his head. “Oh! H-hey, Natsu. What are you doing here?”

  “Sis, what do you think?” Natsu asked. “I just got back from a job.”

  “Aye!” Happy agreed. “Are you going on one, too?”

  “Oh… uh… yeah,” Haru replied.

  “Well, you won’t get to it just standin’ there,” Natsu said as he walked past her. “You better get the lead out, sis!”

  “…Hey, bro?” Haru called, causing him to stop and face her. “I was… um…”

  “What?” Natsu asked while his sister opened his mouth, trying to find what words to say… and yet, nothing came. She sighed as she looked away.

  “Never mind,” she said. “I lost my train of thought.”

  “Uh… okay,” Natsu muttered. “Good luck on your job, sis.”

  “Yeah, thanks,” Haru said with a smile before she walked away with Blue Fang following after him.

   ‘I can’t do it,’ she thought. ‘How am I supposed to ask my brother about something he doesn’t even know about? Even if it’s about himself?’

  Blue Fang nudged his head up against Haru, who gently scratched the back of his ears, causing him to whine pleasantly.

  “Thanks, boy,” she said before she climbed onto his back. “You’re right. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about it, too much. Besides, right now, we’ve got other things to think about! Let’s hurry and get to the job! The sooner we leave, the sooner we can head back!”

  Blue Fang barked before he ran down the road and out of town.

   ‘I’m sure that everything will turn out fine…’ she thought. However, even then, she still felt uncertain.

Chapter Text

~The Following Day~

  The Guildhall was bustling that morning. Lucy never heard such ruckus even on a normal day. When she asked what was going on, she was simply told to wait and see.

  For some reason, Natsu seemed extra fidgety today. He kept looking around the room like he was sizing everyone up.

  “Calm down, bro!” Haru said. “You keep turning your head so fast and you’ll get whiplash!”

  The only one who didn’t seem all that enthused was Cana, who had a look of unease on her face as she sat away from everyone at the bar, to Lucy’s concern.

  “Cana…” she whispered.

  “Is she okay?” Juvia asked in a soft voice.

  “Mira says that she acts like this, every year,” Lucy said. “She said I shouldn’t worry, but… still.”

  Suddenly, the curtain on the stage opened up, revealing Makarov, Elektra, Erza, Mirajane, and Gildarts standing at the center, prompting everyone to cheer.

  “Settle down, everyone! Please!” Elektra called. “My Grandfather is about to speak!”

  Everyone soon began to quiet down while Makarov cleared his throat.

  “As per the ancient traditions of the Fairy Tail Guild,” he began, “I present to you… the list of eligible candidates for this year’s S-Class Promotional Exams!”

  At that, the crowd cheered once again, some of them even throwing up their hands in the traditional Fairy Tail salute.

  “The S-Class Promotional Exams?!” Lucy questioned.

  “Yeah, baby!!” Natsu exclaimed, his body blazing. “I’m fired up!!”

  “Calm down, Natsu!” Haru urged. “You’re gonna burn the floors, again!”

  “As usual,” Makarov began, “the exams will take place on the sacred ground of our guild–Tenrou Island!”

  The crowd gasped in awe upon hearing the name.

  “Tenrou Island…” Haru whispered. “To this day, I still wonder what it’s like.”

  “You mean you’ve never been there?” Lucy asked. “Wait, Haru… what are these tests like, anyway?”

  “They’re different, every year,” Haru answered.

  “Yeah!” agreed Warren. “And it’s always the toughest challenge there is!”

  “And only one person gets to be promoted to S-Class!” Alzack added.

  “So that explains why everyone’s been going on solo jobs!” Lucy realized.

  “Yep! Solo missions become more and more frequent as a means to prove their mettle and qualify for the exams!” Haru added. “You know, now that I think about it, it’s already been half a year since you’ve joined, huh, Lucy?”

  “I guess so,” Lucy replied.

  “I have spent this entire year trying to discern each wizard’s power, heart, and soul,” Makarov began while clenching his fist, “and I have decided that there are 9 eligible candidates! They are… Natsu Dragneel!”

  “Yeah!!” Natsu exclaimed while pumping a fist in the air.

  “Congratulations, pal!” Happy added.

  “Gray Fullbuster!”

  “About damn time!” Gray exclaimed as a smirk creased his lips.

  “Juvia Lockser!”

  “Huh? M-me?!” Juvia asked.

  “Haru Dragneel!”

  “I got picked, again?!” Haru questioned in surprise.

  “Elfman Strauss!”

  “Manly!!” Elfman exclaimed.

  “Cana Alberona!”

  “Hmph…” Cana silently harrumphed with a pout.

  “Freed Justine!”

  “I am ready to inherit your position, Laxus,” Freed declared.

  “Levy McGarden!”

  “Whoa! For real?!” Levy asked in surprise. “I finally got chosen?!”

  “Way to go, Levy!” Jet and Droy cheered.

  “And finally… Mest Gryder!”

  A young man with a buzzcut and cape stood amongst the crowd as they cheered. However, Haru blinked in confusion as she noticed him.

  “Mest who…?” she whispered before she looked at Laki. “Hey, Laki? Who’s this Mest guy?”

  “Oh, apparently, he’s been in the guild for a while,” Laki answered.

  “Huh,” Haru muttered. “How come I’ve never seen him before?”

  While others in the crowd applauded the candidates, others were not so enthused, namely Alzack, who had high hopes for becoming S-Class this year. Nonetheless, Bisca was at his side to console him. Some, though, seemed to show surprise that Natsu and Gray had been picked.

  “I can’t believe I got picked again, this year,” Haru said.

  “Wait, Haru,” Lucy began, “this wasn’t the first time you were chosen?”

  “Well… I actually did get picked two years ago,” Haru admitted. “The only thing is… I didn’t go.”

  “Huh? Why not?” Wendy asked.

  “Well, at the time,” Haru began as she suddenly felt her chest tighten, “Natsu was still kind of grieving for Lisanna.”

  Lisanna glanced over her shoulder, a silent gasp escaping her as she heard Natsu’s name.

  “I was afraid to leave him alone back then,” Haru explained, “so I skipped that year.”

  “Oh…” Lucy muttered in concern.

  “At least we know that Lisanna’s alive and back home,” Haru said with a smile, “so now, there’s nothing to keep Natsu and me from going!”

  “Well, good luck to you!” Wendy added.

  “Thanks, Wendy,” Haru replied. “Who knows? Maybe in time, you’ll get picked, too!”

  “You think so?” Wendy asked as hope shimmered in her eyes and a beaming smile appeared on her face. Meanwhile, Lucy glanced over at the downtrodden Cana, and she couldn’t help but frown in worry.

   ‘Cana… is this why you always talk about leaving the guild?’ she thought.

“Only one wizard will be able to pass this exam,” Makarov began, “and the trial will begin one week from today! Prepare yourselves until then!”

  As he turned to leave, however, Elektra suddenly reached out and grabbed him by the shoulder.

  “Aren’t we forgetting something, Grandpa?” she asked as she hunched an eyebrow at him.

  “Oh… err… right…” Makarov muttered in a slightly dismayed voice.

  “Grandpa,” Elektra chided slightly. “You promised, remember?”

  The elderly wizard sighed in resignation.

  “You’re right,” he said before he turned to face the crowd once more. “There’s one more thing: this will be my last year as Fairy Tail’s Guildmaster.”

  A collective gasp escaped the crowd.

  “That’s right,” Makarov confirmed. “After spending so long being master of this guild… I have decided that it is time for me to retire.” He sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “This year, I had come close to death, twice, and I realized that I have become far too old to continue leading Fairy Tail.”

  A long silence followed as everyone stared at him. Some looked on in sadness, and others looked sullen. Natsu looked particularly petulant as he pouted at the man he deemed his grandfather figure.

  “Now, now, don’t give me those looks,” Makarov said. “This has been a long time coming.” He smiled fondly at the guild members. “Just know this–despite everything, I’m happy to have looked after you all, but now, it’s time for me to finally retire and enjoy whatever years I have left in comfort.”

  “So the Master’s finally steppin’ down, huh?” Wakaba asked.

  “Never thought I’d see the day,” Macao added.

  “So, Master,” Haru began, “does this mean you’ve chosen a successor?”

  “I have indeed,” Makarov nodded, “but you’ll have to wait until we return from Tenrou Island to know who it is.” With that, he finally turned to leave. “Dismissed!”

  Soon, everyone began to disperse.

  “So… why wasn’t my name in there?” Gajeel asked in a state of shock.

  “It’s probably because no one here trusts you yet,” said Pantherlily as he stood beside the Iron Dragon Slayer.

  “What?!” Gajeel questioned. “Now hold on! That can’t be it! I mean, yeah, I might have been actin’ shifty, but there’s a reason! I just… can’t say what it is, that’s all! Where’d you even hear that crap, anyway?!”

  “Erza told me,” Pantherlily answered.

  “Too soon for you, don’t you think, Gajeel?” Erza asked as a grin quirked across her face.

  “DAMN YOU, TITANIA!!” Gajeel yelled.

  As for Carla… she was frozen, her eyes wide in shock. Multiple images flashed before her eyes: Cana and Natsu in tears, Haru frozen in terror, a hand dropping against the grass, and finally, a black-haired young man dressed in black robes.

  “Carla?”

  “Huh?” Carla muttered as she noticed Wendy standing beside her, brow furrowed with worry.

  “What’s wrong?” Wendy asked. “Are you okay?” She paused. “Did… did you see something?”

  Carla paused as she bowed her head. Not long ago, she had told Wendy of her ability of clairvoyance, which would explain how she was able to foretell certain events. However… even she couldn’t explain what she saw.

  What no one realized was that this would lead to a series of events that would change everything… forever.

XXX

  That night, at the Dragneel Siblings’ house…

  “Natsu! Come inside and have dinner!” Haru called as she came outside with a spatula and wearing a coat to keep out the winter chill. “It’s curry! Nice and spicy, too, just how you like it!”

  Natsu didn’t answer as he sat on a hill overlooking the town below.

  “Natsu?” Haru called again, but her brother still didn’t answer her, prompting her to walk over and sit down beside him, and that’s when she saw the eager smile on his face.

  “I’m gonna do it, this year, Haru,” he said. “This year… I’m gonna be S-Class, for sure!”

  “You’re sure fired up, huh?” Haru asked with a smile.

  “Hell yeah, I am,” Natsu said, “and I’m not gonna let anyone stand in my way.” He gave Haru a challenging look. “Not even you, sis.”

  “Oh?” Haru asked with a smirk.

  “The moment we get on Tenrou Island,” Natsu began, “you and I are gonna be rivals… so if we have to fight, I won’t hold back, ya hear me? I want you to come at me with everything you’ve got!”

  “You think you can handle that, bro?” Haru asked as she hunched an eyebrow at him.

  “You know it,” Natsu grinned back at her.

  “Well then… may the best wizard win,” Haru said.

  “And we both know it’s gonna be me,” Natsu quipped.

  “Yeah, right!” Haru sniped as she lightly punched her brother in the arm, causing the siblings to laugh before they cast their gaze to the sky.

  “There’s… one other thing,” Natsu said, causing his sister to glance at him. “When the S-Class Exams are over… I’m gonna talk to Lucy.”

  “Oh, really?” Haru asked. “About what?”

  “About… how I feel about her,” Natsu answered. “I think it’s high time she knew.”

Chapter Text

  “Are you serious?!” Haru asked with a beaming smile of excitement while her brother scratched the back of his head. “Natsu, that’s great!” She laughed as she hugged him.

  “Whoa, hey!” Natsu exclaimed as he laughed, as well. “Easy!”

  “So… you’re really gonna tell Lucy?” Haru asked.

  “Yep,” Natsu replied as he carefully pried his sister’s arms off of him. “I thought about it ever since we got back from Sayuri Village.” He sighed as he stared up at the sky. “At first, I thought that maybe I still had some lingering feelings for Lisanna, but after she and I talked, I realized… what I felt for her back then is gone.” He paused. “I’m not saying that Lucy replaced Lisanna or anything, it’s just…”

  “I hear you,” Haru replied. “So now, you realized that you’re in love with Lucy, huh?”

  “Yeah… I am,” Natsu admitted.

  “Well, then, bro,” Haru said as she put her hand on his shoulder, “good luck. I’ll be rooting for you.”

 “Thanks, sis,” Natsu grinned before he stood up. “Now that that’s settled, let’s get inside and eat. I’m gonna need all the energy I can get before the S-Class Exams!”

  “Let’s just hope Happy didn’t start without us,” Haru added as she and her brother headed inside to eat.

XXX

  “Grandpa… I’m still not sure holding the S-Class Exams this year is a good idea.”

  Makarov turned away from his office window and glanced up at his granddaughter, who looked at him with unease. Her shoulders were tense, her brow was knitted together, and she clasped her hands in worry.

  “What are you so concerned about?” he asked. “You know we can’t back out now. The S-Class Promotional Exams are a Fairy Tail tradition, held at the end of every year.”

  “I know that,” Elektra replied, “but Grandpa… look at everything that’s happened this year. First, Acnologia attacked me and Gildarts earlier this year, then there was that mess in Clover with Lullaby, then there’s what happened on Galuna Island with Deliora. Natsu gets captured by a different guild on Dragon Island, and then there was that whole mess with Phantom Lord trying to kidnap Lucy, Erza almost lost her life at the Tower of Heaven, then Laxus with his crazy scheme to take over the Guild, and the Dark Guilds coming together, what happened in the Elise Kingdom, Gildarts returning home with his arm, leg, and guts missing, that whole mess with Edolas, and then finally, just the other week, there was that monster in Sayuri Village!”

  “Elektra, it’s not like things like these things haven’t happened to us before,” Makarov added.

  “That’s not what I’m saying!” Elektra argued. “Grandpa, all of this happening in the span of half a year… it’s just way too close to be a coincidence! I have a bad feeling that things might not go the way we planned, this year! Maybe we should just-”

  “No!” Makarov shouted as he slammed his fist on the desk. “We’re not canceling the S-Class Exams! They will proceed as planned!”

  “But Grandpa-” Elektra started.

  “I’m still the Master of this guild until we get back from Tenrou Island,” Makarov interjected, “and until then, my word is final, young lady!”

  Elektra’s eyes widened and she could feel them burn. Makarov, after taking a moment, let out a silent gasp as he stared at his granddaughter, who turned away from him and walked to the door.

  “Wait, Elektra,” he said.

  “No, it’s fine,” Elektra replied as she glanced back at him… her eyes swimming with unshed tears. “Obviously… my opinion doesn’t matter.”

  “Elektra, that’s not what I said,” Makarov said as he attempted to follow her. “Please, just wait-”

  The door slammed in his face, causing him to sigh.

  “Dammit…” he cursed under his breath.

XXX

  Elektra sighed as she walked through the snow, shivering quietly as she tightened her scarf around her neck and pulled her bandanna down tighter over her head. Her breath came out cloudy as she rubbed her arms to keep herself warm.

  “I’m only trying to do what’s best…” she whispered before she looked up at the cloudy sky and the falling snowflakes. “Is it bad that I want to keep my children safe? After all… I helped raise them, too…”

~One Week Later~

  “Ugh… it’s so hot out here…!”

  This came from Lucy, who was wearing nothing but a bikini with heart patterns as she lay on a lawn chair, sweat dripping off her body. She wasn’t the only one, for Cana was dressed the same way, fanning herself to keep off the heat. Right now, everyone was drifting along on the sea on the Fairy Tail galleon, headed to their destination.

  “I don’t get it,” Lucy said. “Didn’t winter just start about a week ago? Why is it so hot out here?”

  “I know it’s hot, Lulu,” Levy began, “but don’t you think dressing like that is a little much?”

  “It’s the trade winds,” Cana said as she kept fanning herself. “It’s this hot all year round.”

  “You’re not the only one,” Haru said as she tried to keep cool in the shade, although she wasn’t really wearing a bathing suit like Lucy and Cana were. “It’s so hot, I feel like I’m turning into a puddle!”

  Blue Fang whined as he lay behind Haru, his thick fur making him extra sensitive to the heat. Naturally, he did what any canine would in this temperature: pant and drool.

  “Juvia… aren’t you hot wearing that coat?” asked Lisanna as she sipped a cool drink.

  “Not me,” Juvia answered. “Although… I am looking at some rather hot, right now…”

  What she was referring to… was Gray, completely stripped down to his birthday suit.

  “Ugh… I’m meltin’ out here!” the Ice-Make Wizard complained, and meanwhile, Natsu was clinging to the railing, cheeks puffed out with nausea. Not too far away, Gajeel was in the same state.

  “So this is what Hell is like…!” he croaked.

  “I don’t feel so good…!” Gajeel groaned.

  “I hope you don’t plan on hurling on me, man,” said Loke as he sat in a chair, looking completely unfazed by the heat.

 “Wendy wouldn’t use her tummy spell on me,” Natsu groaned before he gagged and threw his head over the railing to expel his stomach contents.

 “What’d you expect?” asked Loke. “She teamed up with Mest after all!”

  Haru glanced over at the one known as Mest Gryder, who sat by Wendy, who, while not motion sick like her two fellow Dragon Slayers, was still suffering from the heat. Every time Haru looked at the mysterious man, she always had this strange feeling about him. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t seem to remember who he was or if he was even in the guild before.

  “Why is everyone so chummy with each other when we’re all going to be enemies soon?” Evergreen asked while fanning herself, also wearing a bathing suit while Elfman was clad in nothing but a loin cloth with the kanji for “manly”.

  “I think that should be the least of your problems…” Haru muttered.

  “Land ahoy!” came Elektra’s call, and that’s when everyone looked over the railing. There, on the horizon, an island lay in wait. However, if one didn’t know any better, it almost looked as if one island was two, for there seemed to be a forest standing in the sky, sitting on a huge, winding tree that overlooked the forest below it.

  “Is that what I think it is…?!” Haru asked.

  “We’re here!” Lisanna exclaimed.

 “THAT’S Tenrou Island?!” Lucy asked in disbelief.

  “It looks like there’s one island floating over the other!” Gray added.

  “Gonna… puke…!! BLEGH!!” Natsu gagged.

  “Natsu! We’re almost there!” Happy cried.

  “So that’s Tenrou Island…!” Haru whispered in awe, her green hair flowing in the wind. “It’s amazing!”

  “Legend tells that fairies once dwelled on that island.”

  Everyone turned to see Makarov standing on the top railing, his arms crossed as he was dressed in a tropical shirt with the Fairy Tail guild mark.

  “This is also the place where Fairy Tail’s First Master and Founder, Mavis Vermillion, now rests!” Makarov added.

  “Glory be to Mavis,” the other members muttered, except for Lucy, who blinked in confusion.

  “Hey, wait a minute, Gramps!” Gray exclaimed, still buck naked. “What are you doin’ in those clothes?!”

  “What’d you expect?” Makarov asked while he fanned himself. “It’s hot out here!”

  “Someone who’s naked really has no right to say anything, Gray,” Lucy pointed out.

  “Can’t you at least put on a towel?!” asked Haru as she covered her eyes. “Just because I see you get naked a million times doesn’t mean I like seeing it!”

  “Seriously, there are ladies present!” Loke added.

  “I don’t mind…!” Juvia squeaked as she got an eyeful of Gray’s rear end.

  “Yeah, you do,” Cana said as she covered the Water Wizard’s eyes.

  “Ah! Hey!” Juvia complained. “No fair!”

  Soon, Makarov explained to everyone the first half of the test via a diagram. There were 9 paths in total. 4 of them would lead to other S-Class Wizards, but there was only path that would lead to a place of rest. The other teams, should they run into each other, would have to face off in combat, but only one team can pass through to the end.

  The teams were as followed:

NATSU AND HAPPY

GRAY AND LOKE

HARU AND BLUE FANG

JUVIA AND LISANNA

ELFMAN AND EVERGREEN

CANA AND LUCY

FRIED AND BICKSLOW

LEVY AND GAJEEL

MEST AND WENDY

  It would be a test of skill, fighting prowess, and luck… although everyone was rather confused about the luck part. Still, at best, 6 or 7 teams could pass, but at worst, only 3 could, too.

  “Sounds like fun, eh, small fry?” Gajeel asked as he put his arm on top of Levy’s head, causing her to glare at him.

  “Please get your arm off my head,” she griped.

  “Ready?” Makarov asked. “And… BEGIN!”

  At that, everyone was about to head off… that is, until Freed put up a Rune Barrier around the boat, giving him and Bickslow a five-minute headstart.

  “HEY! YOU CHEATERS!!” Haru yelled.

  “NO FAIR!!” Natsu shouted as he tried to punch his way through as Happy carried him.

  “Hey, Gramps!” Gray called. “You gonna let him get away with that?!”

  “Well… I didn’t say it was a race, now did I?” asked Makarov.

  “But what if he sets up a barrier around the island?!” asked Gray.

  Soon after, Levy managed to break through by overwriting the runes… only for her and Gajeel to slip on an ahead, and soon, Evergreen and Elfman were doing the same since the former had known Freed for years.

  “No hard feelings, Lulu!” Levy called out as she swam to the island with Gajeel.

  “Levy! No fair!!” Lucy complained.

  “I’m still amazed she rewrote in under a minute!” Cana added.

  Before too long, the five minutes were up, and the other teams soon leapt into the ocean.

  “Come on, Blue Fang!” Haru urged as she sat on the wolf’s back. “Swim for it! Dig deep!”

  Blue Fang barked as he dog paddled with all his might, going as fast as he could. The moment they reached the shore, Blue Fang took off at full speed, passing Natsu and Happy on her way.

  “See ya, bro!” Haru called. “Like you said, may the best wizard win!”

  “Hey!” Natsu shouted. “You’re not gettin’ to Erza before I do!”

   ‘Who says I wanna fight Erza, anyway?!’ Haru thought. ‘I’m actually hoping I get to that peaceful route!’

  As Blue Fang ran through the forest, Haru could sense it: the overwhelming feeling of magic surging from all around. Such pressure that it held that she almost felt like she was being pushed back by it… but she and her wolf pressed on. That’s when they came upon several tunnels, three of which had been blocked off by a barrier. Now, only 6 remained.

  “Uh… damn,” Haru cursed. “Which one do we take?”

  “Natsu! Over here!”

  “Come on, Loke! We’re almost there!”

  “Crap! The others are gonna catch up!” Haru groaned before she looked around. “Umm… uh…”

  That’s when she looked at the path marked with the letter marked “I”.

  “We’ll go that way!” the Beast Wizard declared. “Go, Blue Fang!”

  With a bark of affirmation, Blue Fang ran down the tunnel, and not long after, the entrance was soon blocked off behind him. Haru squinted her eyes, finding herself in total darkness, but up ahead, she could see the growing light at the end of the tunnel.

  “Look! Maybe we made it!” Haru exclaimed. “Looks like we’ll pass first, after all, Blue Fang!”

  However, as soon as they made it out… they found themselves standing on the sandy beach.

  “Huh?!” Haru questioned. “Wait a minute… we’re back where we started?!”

  Blue Fang made a confused whine.

  “Damn! Maybe that was the path,” Haru cursed. “Come on, Blue Fang, let’s turn around and-” She gasped as she found herself facing none other than Elektra, who smiled at her sweetly as she approached.

  “Hello, Haru,” she said.

  “E… Elektra…” Haru muttered before she gulped. “Don’t tell me… I… have to fight you, don’t I?”

  “Afraid so, hon,” Elektra confirmed. “Truthfully, I hate for it to be this way, but… you know how it is.”

  Blue Fang whined worriedly, his ears folding back as he lowered his head in submission, but Haru gave him a reassuring smile and a pat on the head.

  “Don’t worry, boy,” she told him. “Elektra may be good at fighting, but she’s got no metal to use her Magnetism Magic with!”

  “Oh, no?” Elektra inquired, an almost wicked glint appearing in her eye. “Tell me something, Haru… what do you know about sand?”

  “Huh?” Haru asked. “Sand? Uh… that’s it made of rock, right?”

  “Well… not all of it,” Elektra answered before she raised her right hand. As her Magic Circle appeared in her palm, that’s when the sand suddenly began to shift and rise, turning black as it did so. “See, Haru… sand is made of many different particles than just rock. It’s got quartz… feldspar… bits of seashells… calcium… but also, in every bit of sand, you find particles of iron.”

  As she said this, she raised her other hand, causing more black sand to rise.

  “Magnets can also attract sand, sweetheart,” she explained, “and it can be used in many ways.”

  Haru and Blue Fang both gaped as they found themselves staring at a gigantic mound of black sand that took the form of a humanoid female. As Elektra raised her fists in a fighting stance, the sand puppet did the same.

  “Oh… crap…!” Haru muttered.

  “No hard feelings, sweetie,” Elektra said. “Even a mother like me has to show her kids some tough love, now and then.”

Chapter Text

  Natsu didn’t think it was possible and he hated to admit it. However, he was never one to lie, even if it hurt. The truth was that he was in trouble.

  Right now, as he faced his foe, Natsu could feel the immense gap in strength between him and Gildarts. Sure, he lost an arm and a leg and even some of his guts, but he showed that he had not slowed down in the least even during the time he was gone on the 100-Year Quest. Even now, the Crush Wizard had a smirk that never left. Seeing it got Natsu so incredibly frustrated that he could feel the fire in his belly welling up within him.

  However, there was something else, too. Deep inside Natsu, he felt something clench in his stomach. It made every hair on his body stand on end. He could feel every fiber of his being telling him to do the exact opposite of what he was always prone to do.

   Run away.

  “You give up, yet, Natsu?” Gildarts asked.

  “Hell no!” Natsu yelled. “I’m takin’ you down, Gildarts! If I can’t beat even you, then I’ll never be an S-Class Wizard!!”

  Gildarts only smirked. “Well? I’m waiting then.”

  “N… Natsu…?!” Happy whimpered as he glanced at the Salamander.

  Natsu panted before he spotted a small glint in his scarf. He looked down and he spotted Igneel’s lost fang, which he kept with him all this time, nestled inside his scarf. It was tied to his neck by a simple thread, but it was all he could do to make sure he didn’t lose it.

  He took a deep breath as he pulled out the fang from its place and gave it a firm but gentle squeeze.

  “I’m gonna need a little extra courage here, Dad…” he whispered before he glared at his foe… and charged.

XXX

   Juvia and Lisanna panted as they found themselves kneeling on the ground, their lungs burning as they stared at their opponent: Erza, clad in her Armor of the Sea King.

  “Has she… always been this strong?” Juvia asked.

  “It’s her armor,” Lisanna replied. “It reduces the power of any Water Magic attacks in half, just like her Flame Emperor Armor halves Natsu’s Fire Magic!”

  “Is that really the best you can do, Juvia?” Erza inquired as she brandished her sword.

  Juvia and Lisanna glanced at each other before they nodded, their faces hardening in determination.

  “We’re not going to lose to you!!” the former shouted before conjuring a blade of water from her arms. “WATER SLICER!!”

  She swung, but Erza swung faster, easily dispelling the attack before she lunged forward to grab the Water Wizard, but a screech from above forced her to look up.

  “Got you, now, Erza!!” Lisanna shouted, now transformed in her Harpy Take-Over, but the Armor Wizard easily jumped over her and kicked her down. “AGH!!”

  Juvia attempted to attack from behind, but Erza quickly whipped around to face her, and with a single swing of her sword, she sent her crashing right into the wall.

XXX

  “So of all people…” Elfman muttered.

  “We would be facing your older sister…!” Evergreen added.

  Before them, there was Mirajane in her full Satan Soul Take-Over. Her tail lashed behind her as she glared at her prey, clenching her claws tightly.

  “No hard feelings, Elfman,” she said. “You may be my brother, but even I can’t pull any punches with you.” She narrowed her eyes and licked her lips. “Prepare yourself.”

  Elfman and Evergreen both froze in terror.

XXX

  “LOOK OUT!!” Haru screamed as she and Blue Fang jumped away from a giant black fist. With every punch that landed, another soon followed, just narrowly missing the Beast Wizard and her wolf companion by a mere foot. Still, Elektra didn’t relent. She chased after the pair with her puppet, punching the ground as she went.

  “Come on, Haru!” she called out. “Is that really the best you can do?! All you’re doing is running away!!”

  She raised her hands, creating a black sand wall blocking Blue Fang’s way.

  “I thought you were taught better than that!” Elektra added. “There are some things in life that you simply can’t run away from!”

  “AAH!!” Haru shrieked before she pulled on the silver wolf’s collar to steer him in the other direction, but the wall chased after them as Elektra used her Magnetism Magic to pull it toward her. Then, while raising her other arm, she pulled out more iron particles of the sand, causing a huge mound to rise underneath Blue Fang’s paws. The silver wolf yelped in fear as he slid back, his claws unable to find a proper grip.

  “Hang on, boy!” Haru called. “Come on! Dig deep!”

  Blue Fang dug as deep as he could, but instead of finding a foothold, he only fell faster. He yowled as he lost his footing as he and Haru tumbled down, and that’s when Elektra leapt up with a fist reared back.

  “Crap!!” Haru cursed as she attempted to shield her face with her forearms, but Elektra’s fist connected, sending her and Blue Fang crashing to the beach, creating a loud thud.

  “UGH!!” Haru cried as she collapsed on the ground with Blue Fang beside her, groaning as he tried to pick himself up. Meanwhile, Elektra casually slid down the hill of black sand before landing safely on the ground. She strode confidently toward the Beast Wizard, who groaned as she held her head and sat up. Luckily, she wasn’t bleeding.

  “You see now, Haru?” Elektra asked as she held up her hand, creating a black ball of iron particles. “This is the power of an S-Class Wizard. I didn’t just get this strong overnight, after all. I honed my skills for many years. Even Erza couldn’t beat me in a fight, and she’s the youngest known wizard who ever became S-Class.”

  Haru growled as she glared at Elektra.

  “You may be S-Class,” she said as she stood up, “but I won’t lose!”

  “You sound like your brother,” Elektra pointed out. “He said the same thing when he tried to fight me long ago.”

  “Yeah,” Haru answered, “the only thing is you never fought him.”

  “A mother never fights her kids, Haru,” Elektra said. “This time, though, I have no choice.” She narrowed her eyes. “Now… no more running. Face me with everything you’ve got.”

  “Oh, I will, all right,” Haru said before she placed her hand over Blue Fang’s heart and closed her eyes. Her signature Magic Circle appeared under her, and soon, the girl and wolf snarled ferociously as they felt their spirits link up and their power well over inside them.

  “Oh?” Elektra asked. “Going with the Soul Link, already?”

  “If I’m gonna win,” Haru began, “I can’t pull any punches, either! I’m going all out, right from the start!!”

  With a roar, Haru charged with Blue Fang not far behind, but Elektra already seemed to be one step ahead, for she simply side-stepped to the left, grabbed the former by the back of her shirt, and then tossed her aside like she barely weighed anything. Then, as Blue Fang snapped his jaws at her, Elektra grabbed the silver wolf by his neck, flipped him over, and then easily slammed him into the ground!

  “Blue Fang!!” Haru cried.

  “Haru, who do you think was one of the people who taught you how to fight?” Elektra asked. “I know how you tick by now.”

  Haru growled as she stood up and charged at Elektra, trying to swipe at her with her claws, but the Magnetism Wizard swiftly dodged every swipe before she spun around and kicked Haru in the back, sending her tumbling forward.

  “Just charging in?” Elektra asked. “You may be a beast at times, Haru, but you’re not that reckless, are you? You really do take after your brother.”

  Haru panted before she charged again, attempting to land another hit… only for a fist of black sand to block her strike.

  “What the-?!” she questioned, only for Elektra to jump up and kick her in the face. “ARGH!!”

  Blue Fang growled as he attempted to attack Elektra from behind, but she easily somersaulted out of the path of his jaws.

  “All right, look,” she said as she stood up. “How about this? If either of you can so much as even touch me… I’ll let you pass.”

  “Now you’re just teasing us, aren’t you?!” Haru questioned.

  “Care to find out?” Elektra asked, causing Haru to growl in frustration.

  “I don’t know if you’re messing with us or what,” Haru said, “but I’m not gonna take it!!” She roared as she charged forward, and Elektra sighed and shook her head.

  “Goodness me,” she said. “Will you never learn, Haru?”

  She crossed her arms, creating another wall of black sand. However, Blue Fang easily jumped over it while Haru lunged at Elektra, her hand outstretched as she bared her fangs at her. However, the Magnetism Wizard simply raised her arm in an uppercut, and Haru and Blue Fang were sent flying into the air by a giant fist of iron sand.

  “Damn you!!” Haru cursed as she managed to right herself and cling to Bue Fang’s back, the wolf also turning to right himself in the air before landing on the ground.

  “One last chance to give up, Haru!” Elektra called.

  “Never!!” Haru yelled as she and Blue Fang charged at her once more, causing her to sigh.

  “Honestly…” she muttered before she slammed both hands into the ground, turning the whole beach black. The ground rumbled, and Blue Fang yowled as he got caught in the sand, his legs trapped as he struggled to escape.

  “Blue Fang!!” Haru cried, but Blue Fang looked up at her before he barked at her, then pointed his head at Elektra, who was currently wide open. Haru gasped, knowing that this was her only chance. However, she looked down at Blue Fang with worry, but the silver wolf glanced up at her with a reassuring smile on his muzzle.

  It was almost as if he was saying “Go win this for the both of us!”

  Haru swallowed thickly before she growled with a resolute expression, then with a roar, she rushed at Elektra, preparing to land the finishing blow.

  “Bad choice…” the Magnetism Wizard muttered before she thrust her fist down, and the next thing Haru knew, she cried out as she was pinned down by a giant fist of black sand. The Beast Wizard groaned as she struggled to get out, but then she sighed as she went still. That’s when Elektra’s expression went from battle-ready to concerned.

  “Uh-oh,” she muttered. “Maybe I went a little too far, this time!” She ran over to Haru, who lay on the ground, motionless. “Haru? Honey? Are you okay?”

  “E… Elektra…” Haru muttered as she raised her head.

  “Yes, sweetie?” Elektra asked, and that’s when the green-haired girl’s mouth quirked in a smirk.

  “Gotcha…”

  “Huh?” Elektra muttered, only to feel something brush against her ankle. She looked down and saw that Haru’s finger was touching it, causing her to blink in surprise.

  “You might talk about not pulling punches,” Haru began, “but you’re still a mother at heart, aren’t you?”

  Elektra just stared at the Beast Wizard in stunned silence. However, her surprise became a mix of relief and slight exasperation as she smiled at her.

  “Fair enough,” she said. “Congratulations. You passed the first test.”

  Haru smiled at her, and even Blue Fang couldn’t help but grin. That’s when Elektra’s Magic Circle flashed under her feet, causing the black sand to return to normal. As Haru stood up, she grunted as she felt her back creak uncomfortably.

  “Seriously, you could have held back just a little bit,” she complained.

  “Sorry, hon, I told you,” Elektra began, “I couldn’t pull any punches.”

  “I guess,” Haru replied, but then, a huge tremor shook the whole island, causing the pair to look up in shock. “Whoa! W-what was that?!”

  “Gildarts…” Elektra muttered before she sighed in dismay. “Honestly… I feel sorry for whoever’s up against him.”

XXX

  Natsu stared at Gildarts in utter shock, his whole body frozen as he stared at the Crush Wizard as he exuded his magic power. The pressure was immense, stopping the Salamander right in his tracks. Happy whimpered as he hid safely behind a rock, but even from where he stood, he could feel the intensity of Gildarts’ power.

  Natsu growled, his body trembling before he attempted to charge at him with his felt held back. However, he couldn’t even get an inch closer to him. He tried, though. He willed every fiber of his being to move… but he couldn’t. Instead, he dropped to his knees.

  That’s when Natsu realized: what he was feeling at that moment was pure fear.

  “I… I lose…!” he murmured.

  “Natsu…!” Happy whimpered, tearfully.

Chapter Text

  “You know, Elektra,” Haru said as she walked beside the Magnetism Wizard, “I’m glad you held back, despite what you said. If you were really being serious about that fight, Blue Fang and I probably wouldn’t even be walking.”

  Blue Fang whimpered as he followed the pair, occasionally stopping to scratch some black sand out of his fur before he kept walking.

  “You’re lucky it was just me,” Elektra said as she kept walking. “You’re one of my kids, you know.” She gave her an apologetic smile. “Still… sorry I had to rough you up a little, Haru.”

  “It’s okay,” Haru replied. “Honestly, I’m kinda glad that I fought you. Now I know just how strong you are.” She paused. “You’re even stronger than Erza, and that’s saying something because she’s one of the strongest women I know.”

  Elektra kept walking before she stopped and looked at Haru, who blinked at her in confusion as she stopped as well.

  “What’s up?” asked the Beast Wizard.

  “Haru,” Elektra began, “I learned a few things while fighting you, too. I learned that while you can seem to know what you’re up against… you also seem to lose rational thought. You’re a bit like Natsu in that way.”

  “And… that’s bad?” Haru asked.

  “Of course, it’s bad,” Elektra affirmed as she narrowed her eyes. “Haru… just charging in recklessly without a strategy could get you killed. It gets especially bad when you get frustrated. You don’t think clearly and often, you might end up facing someone who you don’t stand a chance against.”

  Haru cast her eyes to the forest floor, deep in thought. It was true. In every adventure that she had had with her brother and the rest of Team Natsu, there was always a foe that Haru was not strong enough to face. It started with Gajeel back when he was a member of Phantom Lord, then there was Jellal, then Laxus, and then there was Zero from Oración Seis, and even then, she had to have help from both Natsu and Jellal to take him down. Then there was Gin, the Tiger-Man that she fought while protecting the Elise Kingdom, and finally, there was what happened in Edolas, and in those fights, she barely managed to win.

  She still couldn’t understand what that new form of the Soul Link was. Two times she transformed, it felt like her body was on fire from the inside out. It fueled her, but she also found that she couldn’t control it. If Gray hadn’t stepped in at the time, no doubt she would have perished.

  “I guess I don’t really pick my battles that well, do I?” Haru asked.

  “I’m sure you mean well, sweetheart,” Elektra said. “This time, you only ended up fighting me because of a snap decision… but next time, if you can, judge your opponent BEFORE you go into a fight.”

  “I… I understand,” Haru answered.

  “And one more thing,” Elektra said. “There’s no shame in running away if you feel like you have to, but only if you can. Living is more important than fighting.”

  Haru nodded. “I’ll remember that. Thanks, Elektra.”

  “Of course,” Elektra nodded before they made it to where they were going: a clearing in the forest, where several other members were waiting. Haru could see Lucy and Cana, Gajeel and Levy (without a scratch on either of them, surprisingly), Gray and Loke, Elfman and Evergreen, and finally, Natsu and Happy. However, Wendy and Mest, Juvia and Lisanna, and Freed and Bickslow were nowhere to be found.

  “Hey, guys!” Haru waved.

  “Haru, you made it!” Lucy exclaimed as she ran up to her, only to gasp as she saw her bruises. “Oh, my god… what happened?”

  “I fought Elektra,” Haru said with a sheepish smile.

  “You fought Elektra?!” Gray questioned.

  “And you’re actually still walking?!” asked Evergreen, just as shocked.

  “She… did kinda hold back a bit,” Haru replied. “Still, Blue Fang and I took quite a beating.”

  “Well, I’m glad you guys made it here in one piece,” said Lucy. “Cana and I went up against Freed and Bickslow and barely won by the skin of our teeth!”

  Behind Lucy, Cana still seemed to have this uncertain look on her face, to Haru’s concern.

  “She doesn’t seem that excited about it,” the Beast Mage pointed out.

  “Meanwhile, Gajeel and I actually ended up taking the Peaceful Route,” Levy said.

  “Which SUCKS, by the way,” Gajeel groused. “I wanted to knock some heads!”

  “Oh, boo-hoo, ya big baby,” Haru mocked.

  “I can’t believe Juvia actually lost to Erza…” Gray muttered. “I mean… she used to be S-Class in her old guild.”

  “I guess her skills still didn’t compare to Erza,” Loke said. “Plus, Lisanna has been stuck in another world for two years. It’s no wonder she’s a bit rusty.”

  “What about Wendy and the other guy?” Haru asked. “Where are they?”

  “Wendy and Mest lost to us,” Loke answered.

  “Oh, that’s a shame,” Haru said before she noticed Natsu, sitting by himself while Happy stood at his side, much to the Beast Wizard’s concern. The Fire Dragon Slayer had his eyes covered by the back of his hands as he sat away from the others and he was being rather… subdued, for lack of a better word. It honestly caused an unsettling feeling in Haru’s stomach.

  “Hey,” she said, gaining Lucy’s attention. “What’s up with Natsu?”

  “No clue,” Lucy replied. “He’s been like this since he and Happy got through the first test.”

  Haru looked at her brother with worry. Normally, her brother would be shouting about his victory and boasting to everyone else, but seeing him like this… she knew something was terribly wrong. Without further prompting, she approached him.

  “Natsu?” Haru asked, causing him to glance up at her. “You all right, bro?”

  Natsu didn’t speak… and the silence only made Haru grow even more worried.

  “Come on, Natsu, cheer up,” Happy said. “It’s kinda scary, seeing you act like this.”

  “What happened?” Haru asked.

  “Natsu fought Gildarts,” Happy answered.

  “What?!” Haru questioned. “And he got out of it, alive?! That’s just about as crazy as me facing Elektra!”

  “Aye,” Happy said. “The truth is, though… Gildarts was actually holding back. If he fought with his full power…”

  Haru had heard enough. She just gave the Exceed a quiet nod in understanding before she looked at her older brother.

  “Hey, bro,” Haru said, causing him to look back at her before she held out her hand. “Temporary truce?”

  Natsu seemed hesitant before he grabbed his sister’s hand, causing Haru to smile before she looked back at the others.

  “Hey! Natsu and I will be right back!” she called.

  “Just don’t be long!” Lucy called back. “The Master says the second half of the test will start soon!”

  Haru nodded before she looked at Natsu. “Come on, Natsu. Walk with me.”

  “Sure,” Natsu replied as he stood up and walked away with his sister by his side. Blue Fang stood back with Happy as they watched the Dragneel Siblings leave to a private spot so they could have their talk. Soon, the two arrived in a small, secluded area with a cliff overlooking the sea.

  “Do you wanna talk now?” asked Haru.

  “Mm-hmm,” Natsu replied.

  “So… what happened between you and Gildarts, bro?” Haru inquired.

  “…The truth is… I lost,” Natsu replied, causing his sister to gasp silently. “Haru… I’m nowhere near Gildarts’ level. Not yet. When I felt him release all his magic power at once… I was frozen in fear.”

  The way Natsu’s voice shook… Haru realized that the fear was still there.

  “I didn’t stand a chance,” Natsu said. “There was no way I could beat him. I… I had no choice but to surrender.”

  “Natsu…” Haru said, sadly. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

  “…Don’t say ‘sorry’ if that’s what you’re thinking,” Natsu said, causing the Beast Wizard to blink at him in surprise. “Haru… that fight with Gildarts made me realize something: that it’s okay to be afraid.”

  “Really?” Haru asked in surprise.

  “Yeah,” Natsu nodded as the ocean waves crashed against the cliff face. “It actually felt good to admit it, you know? ’Cuz now I know that even if I’m scared… it doesn’t make me weak.” He turned to his sister, giving her that beaming grin of confidence that she was more familiar with. “Now that I know it… I’ll definitely get stronger!”

  Haru smiled, feeling her heart swell with pride for her brother. This was the first time she ever heard Natsu admit that he was afraid of anything, but now that he had told her, it actually felt as if a huge weight had just been lifted off his shoulders. It made her happy that Natsu had gotten his confidence back.

  “And don’t think I’m gonna go easy on you, either,” Natsu said as he pointed at her. “Remember, this is still the S-Class Exams… and I’m not gonna let anyone beat me! Not Gray, not Cana, not Elfman, not Levy, and not you, sis!” He smirked at her with a glinting fang. “I’m gonna pass this test, and then I’ll finally be S-Class, you got that? I’m real fired up, now!”

  Haru grinned back at him. “Sure thing, bro. Don’t expect this beast to go easy on you, either.”

  Then, without warning, she walked up and hugged him, taking him by surprise. However, he smiled at her before he returned her hug.

  “Good to have you back, Natsu,” she said. “Good luck.”

  “You, too, sis,” Natsu said. “Just not too much.”

  Haru could only snort and laugh, causing Natsu to laugh with her.

XXX

  Natsu and Haru returned just in time for Makarov to announce the second half of the test. The remaining teams had six hours to find him sitting at the grave of Fairy Tail’s 1st Master, Mavis Vermillion. The first team to do so would be promoted to S-Class.

  Of course… it was easier said than done.

  “HOLY HELL!!!”

  Haru screamed as she and Blue Fang ran through the forest, being chased by a gigantic chimera-like monster. It had the head and front legs of a lion, the wings of a bird, the antlers of a moose, the hind legs of a bull, and a wolf’s tail.

  “Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!!” Haru cursed as she clung to Blue Fang’s back for dear life. “It’s times like this that I wish my Beast Magic could work on monsters!!”

  Blue Fang yelped as he narrowly avoided getting his tail chomped off by the monster. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, trying desperately to get away. He soon found his and Haru’s reprieve as he ducked into a nearby cave, out of the monster’s sight. The creature just kept running, making a bellowing roar.

  They waited… then they waited more. After a tense five minutes, Haru stuck her head out of the cavern, followed by Blue Fang. After waiting a bit longer, they left the cave while breathing sighs of relief.

  “That was close,” Haru said before she looked at Blue Fang. “You okay, Blue Fang?”

  Blue Fang whined, his ears drooping with exhaustion, causing Haru to smile as she stroked his head.

  “It’s okay, boy,” she said. “We’ll take this time to rest and then we’ll keep looking for the First Master’s grave, okay?”

  Blue Fang gratefully licked Haru’s face, causing her to laugh.

  “Right!” the green-haired girl exclaimed. “Let’s get going!”

  Blue Fang barked excitedly as he allowed Haru to climb onto his back. However, just as he was getting ready to run… he froze. His ears pricked up and his eyes went wide in high alert, to Haru’s confusion.

  “Blue Fang?” she asked. “What’s up, boy?”

  Blue Fang’s nose twitched as he smelled the air. Then, his eyes widened as his ears flattened and his tail curled up between his legs. His body crouched down as he began to back away, to Haru’s further confusion.

  “Blue Fang, what’s going on?” Haru asked, and that’s when the wolf suddenly reared up with a frightened yowl, causing her to shriek as she was tossed off his back. She landed on the ground with a harsh thud, but thankfully, she didn’t hit her head. However, as she looked up, she saw Blue Fang running away in the opposite direction, howling in fear.

  “H-Hey! Blue Fang!” Haru called out. “Blue Fang! Come back, boy!!”

  But this time, Blue Fang didn’t come.

  “What got into him?” Haru asked as she stood up. As she did… she felt a chill go down her back, causing her to shiver as every hair on her body stood on end. There was something behind her… something foreboding.

  Slowly, the Beast Wizard turned around, only to gasp.

  It was a young man. A young man with black hair and dressed in black robes. He had some sort of pendant hanging off his neck. His face… almost looked unreadable, showing almost no expression whatsoever. However, Haru could almost sense something within his blank eyes.

  It looked like sadness.

  “Who… are you?” Haru asked.

  “A… a girl…?” the young man whispered. “I came here to be alone, and yet, somehow, people found their way to this island.”

  “Uh… excuse me, but who are you?” asked Haru as she stepped forward, causing the young man to gasp as his eyes went wide in alarm.

  “No! Wait!” he cried. “Please… don’t come any closer! I beg you!”

  “What?” Haru asked. “Wait, hold on a second, are you even a member of the Fairy Tail Guild? What are you even doing here?”

  “I said stay back!!” the man yelled. “Please… if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away! It’s for your own good!!”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Haru asked as she glared at him. “And anyway, you haven’t answered me! Who are you? Are you the one who scared my wolf away?!”

  “Please…!” the man cried as he grabbed at his head. “Please, stop! Stay away!! I can’t stop it, now!!”

  “You can’t stop what?!” Haru questioned, but before she could get her answer, all too quickly, she felt it: an intense pressure. It burst forth from the young man, who let out a scream of agony as he clutched his head. A dark wave of energy surged from him, growing bigger and bigger. As it grew, the grass beneath his feet began to wither, followed by the flowers, the trees, and even the birds in the sky as they dropped down to the ground.

  Haru gasped in horror as she stepped back, now realizing why Blue Fang ran away.

  “Everything around him… is dying…!” she whispered as the dark wave got closer and closer to her. She found herself too afraid to run. Her legs were stuck in place.

  Just as it looked like she was about to meet a sudden end…

  “GET DOWN, SIS!!!”

  Haru yelped as she found herself face-first in the dirt, feeling a hand push on the back of her head. She didn’t have to look up to know who it was. Immediately from the sound of his voice… she knew her brother had come to her rescue.

  The black-haired young man gasped as he stared at Natsu, who flashed his fangs threateningly as a deep growl resonated from him. However, the young man just stood there, gaping at him, completely unafraid.

  Tears flowed down his cheeks, to Haru’s surprise.

   ‘He’s… crying…?’ she thought.

  “Natsu…” the man whispered. “It’s… it’s you…!”

  “Who the hell are you?!” Natsu questioned as he glared at his newfound enemy. “You better answer me or else!!”

Chapter Text

  “Natsu, do you know this guy?” Haru asked as she looked up at her brother, who kept his eyes trained on the black-haired young man.

  “If I did, I wouldn’t be askin’ who he was, would I?!” Natsu questioned.

  As for the young man in the black robes, he just stood there. His gaze was soft and melancholic. However, he also had this almost fond smile on his face as he stared at Natsu, who kept glaring at him as he growled. Embers seeped from his clenched fangs and his eyes flashed red.

  Even from where she was lying, Haru could feel her brother’s body heat getting more intense by the second. If he got any hotter, his hands would be burning her skin, right now.

  “Natsu!” Happy called out as he flew overhead. “What did you go and jump off like that for?!”

  “There’s a really weird smell comin’ from this guy,” Natsu began, “and I don’t like it!”

  That’s when Happy got a good look at the ground below and gasped in horror at all the withered trees that surrounded the young man in black.

  “W… what happened?!” the Exceed asked in shock. “All the trees are dead!”

  “Natsu, be careful!” Haru cried. “This guy… he’s not your run-of-the-mill wizard! There’s something up with him!”

  “Yeah, I got that much,” Natsu said as he stood up. “Now look here, man! I don’t know who the hell you are, but this place is sacred to our guild! So don’t go sticking your nose in our trial, you got it?!”

  The young man didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there, his head bowed and his body trembling slightly. Haru blinked at him, uncertain of what he was thinking or what he was about to do. Every second that passed felt like an hour. However, one thing was for certain.

  The more she stared at him… the more Haru felt like she had to run.

  “You… you’ve really grown up, haven’t you?” the man asked before he looked up at Natsu. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time, now… Natsu.”

  The moment his name left the youth’s lips… Natsu couldn’t hold back, anymore. Something deep inside him suddenly took control. Right now, all he could was one word in the back of his head.

   ‘Kill him… kill him! KILL HIM!!’

  Natsu didn’t even understand it himself, but he knew he had to attack despite Haru calling out to him not to engage. He launched himself at the black-haired stranger, a furious roar ripping from him before his fist connected with his jaw, sending him flying through the air!

  “WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!!” Natsu yelled.

  “Holy crap!!” Haru exclaimed as the young man flew across the ground for several feet before he landed with a thud and lay there for several tense seconds. At first, she though that was the end of it. She had to admit, though, she had seen Natsu punch before, but he never punched someone with such ferocity, not even with his bare fist alone.

  Also, Natsu’s eyes continued to glow red… but for just a brief moment, Haru saw something. His eyes seemed to darken and black shadowing appeared around them. His fangs even seemed more prominent as he seethed angrily.

  “ …Natsu?” Haru called. “You okay there, bro?”

  A pause… but then, Natsu grunted as he grabbed at his face, making a strained sound as he shook it. Then, as he pulled his hand away, Haru gasped silently as the strange shadowing around his eyes had disappeared.

  “What the…?” he whispered before he glanced over at his sister. “H-Haru? What are you doing here?”

  “What?” Haru asked, growing more confused by the second. “Natsu, I’ve always been here! What are you talking about?!”

  “I… I don’t…” Natsu muttered before he shook his head.

   ‘It happened again… I blacked out, just like before…’ he thought.

  Meanwhile, the young man in black was still lying on the ground. He seemed to be in a state of shock, his mouth parted open slightly. However, his lips soon quirked up in a small, sad smile.

   ‘I see…’ he thought. ‘So he hasn’t fully awakened it, yet. Natsu… doesn’t have the power to kill me, just yet.’

  Slowly, he stood up, causing the Dragneel Siblings to gasp.

  “He’s standing?!” Haru questioned.

  “Hey! You still haven’t answered me!” Natsu shouted, momentarily forgetting that moment when he seemed to black out. “Who the hell are you?!”

   ‘I don’t want to kill anyone else…’ thought the young man as he stood up. ‘All I want… is for someone to kill me. Natsu’s the only one who can… and yet, he can’t do it yet!!’

  Once again, tears streamed down his face as he raised his head, to Haru’s confusion.

  “He’s crying, again…?” Haru whispered, and that’s when the stranger groaned as he grabbed at his head.

  “No… no!” he cried. “It’s happening, again!!”

  Haru gasped, realizing what was about to happen.

  “Oh, no!” she cried before she grabbed her brother by the shoulder. “Natsu! We gotta get outta here!!”

  “She’s right… you have to run!” the young man urged. “Please! I can’t hold it back much longer!!”

  “What?!” Natsu asked. “Why?!”

  “That guy’s magic is really powerful!” Haru exclaimed. “Anything it hits dies!!”

  No sooner did she say this, it happened again: that same black wave of power burst forth from the stranger. Natsu gasped before he glanced at his sister, the darkness growing ever closer. At that moment, he could only think of one thing.

  “HAPPY!!!!”

  “AYE, SIR!!!”

  The next thing Haru knew, she was hoisted up into the sky by little blue paws. Everything was a momentary blur as she flew higher and higher. However, as she looked down… she saw her brother completely engulfed by the black wave.

  She screamed out his name as she reached out to him in horror. Everything within a certain radius withered away, birds dropped from the sky, and whatever was already dead was reduced to dust. Haru watched with tears blurring her vision. The dust settled… and the mysterious stranger was gone.

  “Natsu…!” Happy whimpered with tears in his eyes.

  “Quick! We gotta go down!” Haru urged, and the Exceed nodded as he descended. It was a slow pace, though. After all, even with that mysterious man gone, he could have easily hidden somewhere nearby. However, Haru could not sense the intense magic power that she felt.

  No… it didn’t even feel like magic. It felt like something sinister… something evil.

  Whatever it was, it was gone now.

  “Natsu!” Haru called as she looked around. “You there, bro?!”

  A short pause… before someone emerged from the dust.

  “Yeah… here I am,” Natsu said as he stepped forward, causing Haru to gasp happily before she ran up and hugged him tightly. After a moment, he returned her embrace.

  “Thank Mavis you’re all right…!” the Beast Wizard said as tears fell from her eyes before she broke away from her brother, but that’s when she looked down at his neck… and she gasped. “N… Natsu…!”

  “What?” Natsu asked. “Do I have something on my face?”

  “It’s not that,” Happy answered. “It’s your scarf! It’s turned black!”

  “What the…?” Natsu asked as he glanced down and saw that his once pure-white scarf had turned a deep black. “The hell?! How’d that happen?!”

  “That’s so weird,” Haru said as she took one end of the scarf in her hands.

  “Did the scarf absorb that weird spell?” Happy asked.

  “Who cares?!” Natsu questioned. “That weirdo ruined Igneel’s scarf! Now he’s really got me mad! I mean, just look at this! Black scarf with a black vest?! Talk about a fashion faux pas!”

  “Since when did you care about fashion?!” Haru asked a comical sweatdrop appeared on her head.

  “Hey, guys,” Happy said. “What are we gonna about the S-Class Exams?”

  Natsu and Haru exchanged glances. While the former held his usual look of determination, the latter looked very concerned.

  “Well, first of all,” Haru began, “I need to find Blue Fang. He ran off just before we ran into that guy, and since this island is so huge, there’s no telling where he could be.”

  “Well, while you’re doin’ that,” Natsu began, “Happy and I are gonna find the First Master’s grave!”

  “Hold on, Natsu!” Haru exclaimed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea! We can’t possibly hold the exams with some creep on the loose! What if someone else runs into him, like Gray or Levy or Elfman? Or even Cana? You know Lucy’s with her! She could be in danger!”

  Natsu tensed as soon as Lucy’s name left Haru’s lips. It was almost as if he felt a tug inside him… telling him that he had to find her. Even if she was with Cana, who was quite a skillful wizard in her own right, whenever Lucy was involved, he could not fight down that urge to go to her side and protect her from any danger.

  He supposed it was always a dragon’s instinct.

  “Look, I don’t know what you’re gonna do,” Haru said, “but I’m gonna find Elektra and then have her talk to Master Makarov about this, okay?” With that, she turned and ran off.

  “Hey, Haru!” Natsu called, causing her to look back. “Look, just… be careful, got it? We don’t know what this guy is capable of.”

  Haru nodded before she continued to run.

  “You be careful, too, Natsu… please…” she whispered as she disappeared into the forest.

XXX

  “Blue Fang! Where are you?!”

  Haru panted as she looked around, but still found no sign of her beloved silver wolf. She called his name, she sang that same spell to call him to her side, but still, he was nowhere to be found. The longer she searched for him, the more anxious she became.

  That encounter she had with that strange young man had really unsettled her. Knowing that everyone else was out there, completely unaware of the danger only made it worse.

  “Dammit…” Haru cursed as she leaned against a tree. “What is happening, right now?”

  Suddenly… she heard it. The sound of something whistling through the air, and that’s when something shot up into the sky and burst into a spark of red light.

  “A magical flare?!” Haru questioned. “But that means… the island’s under attack!”