Chapter XXV: Earthland Returns
The transition between dimensions was unlike anything the Clive family had experienced before. Unlike their controlled spatial manipulation or even the chaotic portal that had brought them to Edolas, the reversed Anima felt like being gently carried by invisible hands through layers of reality that folded and unfolded around them.
But what none of them expected was the violence of their arrival.
The sky above Magnolia literally tore open like fabric, revealing a swirling vortex of dimensional energy. From this tear, figures began falling—not floating gracefully as they had during their departure, but plummeting with the terrifying speed of objects dropped from great heights.
Cumber, his Super Saiyan transformation still active from the battle with the Dorma Anim, reacted instantly. His crash magic created spatial rifts that caught the falling guild members, redirecting their momentum to deposit them safely on the ground around Magnolia's outskirts. His eyes immediately sought out Wendy among the falling figures, relief flooding through him as he saw her land safely, her sixteen-year-old frame having grown more graceful and confident over the months since they'd first met.
"Everyone accounted for?" Teilanne called out, her crimson aura expanding to encompass the scattered guild members as they picked themselves up from their rather undignified landing.
"Present," Erza replied, requipping into her standard armor as she assessed their surroundings. "And we're definitely home."
The familiar sights of Magnolia spread before them—the guild hall standing proud and undamaged, the town bustling with afternoon activity, the magical energy of Earthland flowing freely through the air. Everything that had been drained away during their captivity in Edolas was restored, as if their absence had been nothing more than a brief interruption in the natural order.
Kizuna appeared beside Mirajane in a burst of golden ki, his arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace that spoke of the terror he'd felt at potentially losing her. "Don't ever scare me like that again," he murmured against her silver hair, his voice shaking with relief.
"Never again," she promised, her own Take-Over magic flickering with residual demonic energy as she held him close. Their relationship had deepened considerably during their time together in Fairy Tail, evolving from mutual attraction to something much more profound. "We're home, and we're together."
"How long were we gone?" Wendy asked, her Sky Dragon magic confirming that the magical atmosphere was exactly as they'd left it. At sixteen, she had grown into her powers considerably, her confidence and magical control reflecting the maturity she'd gained over the past months.
Cumber moved to stand beside her, his golden aura unconsciously shifting to complement the wind patterns her magic naturally created. "Time flows differently during dimensional transitions," he said, though his attention was more focused on ensuring she hadn't been injured during their violent return. "But it feels like we never left."
Wendy smiled up at him, a warmth in her expression that hadn't been there when they'd first met. Their friendship had deepened during their shared experiences, built on mutual respect for each other's analytical minds and growing into something that both were still cautiously exploring.
Before anyone could speculate, the sky opened again.
The Exceed Arrival
This time, instead of falling figures, hundreds of small forms descended with perfect aerial grace. The Exceeds of Extalia had arrived, their wings carrying them in precise formations that spoke of military discipline despite their diminutive appearances.
Queen Shagotte led the formation, her regal bearing unmistakable even in flight. Behind her came the Elders and what appeared to be the entire population of their aerial kingdom, each Exceed looking uncertain but determined.
They landed in a neat formation before the assembled Fairy Tail members, with Shagotte stepping forward to address the group.
"People of Earthland," she began, her voice carrying the formal tones of royal proclamation, "we bring word of the dimensional crisis. All magical energies have been restored to their proper realms. Your world has suffered no permanent damage from the Anima extractions."
The relief was palpable among the guild members. Despite their successful mission in Edolas, there had been underlying worry about what effects the magical drain might have had on their home.
But not everyone was pleased by the Exceeds' arrival.
"Leave," Carla said flatly, her white wings spread as she positioned herself between the Extalia delegation and her guildmates. "Go back to wherever you came from. We don't need your reports or your presence."
The hostility in her voice surprised everyone except Happy, who had witnessed her growing anger about the Exceeds' deception during their time in Edolas.
"Carla—" Happy began, but she cut him off.
"No, Happy. They lied to us. They made us believe we had some grand mission, some purpose, when all we were was convenient tools for their evacuation plans. I won't pretend that's acceptable just because they're here with good news."
Queen Shagotte's expression remained composed despite Carla's accusations. "You have every right to your anger, child. But please, allow us to explain—"
"Explain what? How you manipulated innocent children? How you sent us away with false memories and imaginary missions?" Carla's precognitive abilities flickered around her, creating brief glimpses of possible futures that all seemed to involve conflict.
The tension was broken by one of the Exceed Elders stepping forward.
"We have no home to return to," the elderly Exceed said quietly. "Extalia fell when the magic drained from Edolas. Our kingdom, our civilization—everything we built over generations is gone."
The Truth Revealed
The stark admission silenced Carla's anger, replacing it with shocked understanding. The Exceeds hadn't come as conquerors or manipulators—they were refugees, displaced by the same events that had restored Earthland's magical balance.
Queen Shagotte took advantage of the silence to continue her explanation.
"Six years ago, I had a vision," she said, her regal composure beginning to crack as she spoke. "I saw the fall of Extalia, the destruction of everything we had built. In my vision, humans were the cause of our kingdom's destruction."
The Fairy Tail members exchanged glances, beginning to understand the scope of the misunderstanding that had shaped recent events.
"To save our children, I ordered the evacuation of one hundred eggs to Earthland," Shagotte continued. "I gave them a mission—the extermination of Dragon Slayers—hoping that if the human threat was eliminated, our kingdom might survive."
"But that mission was false," Carla said, her anger now replaced by growing comprehension.
"Completely false," Shagotte confirmed. "It was a desperate lie told to give the children purpose, to help them survive in a strange world. All of it—except for you, Carla. You inherited my precognitive abilities, and when they activated, your visions mixed with your programmed memories. You created a mission that felt real because your powers made it real."
The revelation hit Carla like a physical blow. Everything she had believed about her purpose, her destiny, her role in some grand plan—it had all been the product of her own conflicted abilities.
"I am responsible for your confusion, your pain, your sense of betrayal," Shagotte said, stepping closer despite Carla's obvious distress. "The fault lies with me alone."
"No," one of the Elders interjected. "We all agreed to the evacuation plan. We all participated in the deception. You made the best decision you could with the information available."
"And you were right to be afraid," Wendy added unexpectedly, her Sky Dragon magic allowing her to sense the emotional currents flowing between the Exceeds. At sixteen, her empathetic abilities had grown alongside her magical power, making her surprisingly effective at reading the deeper motivations behind people's actions. "Your kingdom did fall. Your people did lose their home. The vision was accurate—just not complete."
Cumber found himself impressed once again by her insight. Despite her youth, Wendy possessed an analytical mind that rivaled his own, combined with an emotional intelligence that often exceeded his more tactical approach to problems.
The wisdom in the young Dragon Slayer's words seemed to penetrate Shagotte's guilt. The queen looked up with something approaching hope in her eyes.
"You don't blame us?" she asked quietly.
"You protected your children the only way you knew how," Erza said with quiet authority. "As someone who has made difficult choices in the name of protecting family, I understand the burden you carry."
Carla had been silent throughout the exchange, her precognitive abilities showing her fragments of the queen's memories—the terror of seeing her kingdom's destruction, the desperate love that had driven her to scatter her children across dimensional barriers, the years of guilt and uncertainty that had followed.
Finally, she stepped forward.
"I forgive you," she said simply.
Queen Shagotte's composure finally broke. She moved forward and wrapped Carla in a embrace that spoke of years of worry, love, and desperate hope. The young Exceed returned the hug, her own tensions finally releasing as she accepted the truth of her origins.
After a moment, Shagotte stepped back, addressing the assembled Fairy Tail members with renewed purpose.
"We intend to find the other ninety-eight children who were evacuated to your world," she announced. "We will settle near human communities, working in harmony to locate our missing young ones and build new lives that don't require deception or manipulation."
"That's a good plan," Master Makarov said, emerging from the guild hall where he had been watching the proceedings. "Magnolia would be honored to serve as a base for such efforts."
As the Exceed delegation prepared to depart, spreading out to begin their search, one of the younger Exceeds—Lucky—approached Queen Shagotte with obvious curiosity.
"Your Majesty," he said quietly, "why didn't you tell Carla that she's your daughter?"
Shagotte's response was barely audible, meant only for Lucky's ears, but the Clive family's enhanced hearing caught every word.
"Until all one hundred children are found and safe, I don't deserve to call myself anyone's mother."
Lucky nodded understanding, then paused as if remembering something.
"Speaking of family relationships," he said with studied casualness, "why didn't you tell your own child who you were?"
"Don't need a child that blue," Lucky replied dismissively, but his eyes were fixed on Happy with unmistakable paternal pride.
The implications of that statement rippled through the assembled group. Happy, still processing everything he'd learned about Exceed society and his origins, looked between Lucky and a female Exceed who had been standing nearby—Marl, presumably his mother.
"Fish," Happy said finally, as if that single word explained everything about his priorities and identity. "Want to get fish?"
The simplicity of his response broke the emotional tension, reminding everyone that some bonds transcend species, dimensions, and complicated political circumstances.
Panther Lily's Transformation
As the main Exceed delegation dispersed to begin their search, a final figure emerged from the dimensional disturbance. Panther Lily materialized in the guild hall courtyard, but his appearance shocked everyone who had known him in Edolas.
Instead of the imposing, human-sized warrior they remembered, Lily now appeared in the same diminutive form as the other Exceeds. His serious expression remained unchanged, but his physical presence had been dramatically reduced by the dimensional transition.
"The size change is permanent," he explained to the staring guild members. "My Battle Form was sustained by Edolas's unique magical properties. In Earthland, I'm limited to my natural Exceed appearance."
"Does that bother you?" Gajeel asked, his concern evident despite his usual gruff demeanor.
Lily considered the question seriously. "Size was never the source of my strength. Training, discipline, loyalty to worthy causes—these matter more than physical stature. I remain who I am, regardless of my form."
"Then welcome to Fairy Tail," Gajeel declared with finality. "Partner."
The simple acceptance seemed to settle something in Lily's expression. He had been searching for a place to belong ever since his world had lost its magic, and here was an offer of exactly that.
But before the introductions could continue, Lily's expression grew urgent.
"Before we proceed with formal guild membership," he said, "I need to report a suspicious individual I apprehended during the dimensional transition."
He gestured toward a figure he'd been escorting—a young woman with silver-white hair who looked remarkably familiar to several of the guild members.
The Lisanna Revelation
"Lisanna?" Mirajane whispered, her voice barely audible as she stared at the newcomer.
The resemblance was unmistakable, but something was different. This Lisanna looked older, more mature, with subtle differences in her magical aura that suggested she wasn't quite the person they remembered.
"I apprehended her attempting to blend in with the returning Fairy Tail members," Lily reported professionally. "She claims to be from Edolas, but her magical signature suggests otherwise."
"I am from Edolas," the woman said, her voice carrying slight accent differences that confirmed she wasn't their Lisanna. "But I'm not who you think I am."
The confusion was evident on everyone's faces. They had met Edolas Lisanna during their time in the parallel world, had seen her interactions with Edolas Mirajane and Elfman. Yet this person was clearly someone else entirely.
"I need to explain something," the newcomer continued, her voice growing stronger with resolve. "Something I've been hiding for two years. I'm not Edolas Lisanna. I'm your Lisanna. I never died."
The silence that followed was absolute.
Mirajane swayed on her feet, her demonic magic flickering uncontrollably as she processed the impossible statement. Elfman's jaw dropped open, his Take-Over abilities responding to his emotional shock by partially transforming his arms.
"That's impossible," Erza said, though her voice lacked conviction. "We saw you die. We buried you."
"You buried someone," Lisanna corrected gently. "But not me. During the mission where I supposedly died, I was caught in one of the Anima pockets that had been appearing around Earthland. Instead of dying, I was transported to Edolas."
The explanation continued as she described arriving in a world where magic was scarce and precious, where her counterpart had died in an accident shortly before her arrival. Faced with the choice between revealing the truth and causing more pain, or taking on her counterpart's role, she had chosen deception.
"Edolas Mirajane and Elfman knew," she said, tears beginning to flow as she spoke. "They figured it out eventually, but they never said anything because they didn't want to lose their sister again, even if I wasn't really their sister."
"But when the Anima reversal began," she continued, "they told me to go home. They said my real siblings needed me more than they needed the illusion of having their Lisanna back."
The emotional weight of her words was overwhelming. Here was someone who had sacrificed two years of her life living as someone else, maintaining a deception not for personal gain but to ease the pain of grieving siblings in another world.
"Lisanna," Mirajane whispered, stepping forward with trembling hands. "Is it really you?"
"It's really me, sister."
The reunion that followed was witnessed by the entire guild, but it felt intimate despite the audience. Mirajane and Elfman wrapped their sister in embraces that spoke of years of grief, guilt, and desperate hope finally finding resolution.
Kizuna watched the scene with deep satisfaction, understanding better than most how precious these family bonds were. His arm remained around Mirajane's waist even as she embraced her sister, providing silent support while respecting the intimate nature of their reunion. When the siblings finally separated, Mirajane's eyes found his immediately, seeking the comfort and stability their relationship had come to represent.
"This is what we fought for in Edolas," he said quietly, his voice carrying the conviction that had driven him to push his ikari transformation beyond safe limits. "For moments like this. For family coming home."
The Guild's Response
As the initial shock wore off, the guild's reaction was characteristically emotional and demonstrative. Cheers, tears, and congratulations filled the air as everyone processed the miraculous return of someone they had mourned as lost forever.
But it was the Clive family's reaction that proved most interesting.
"Dimensional displacement with identity substitution," Uruk observed, his scholarly mind cataloging the phenomenon. "The probability of such a precise exchange occurring naturally is extraordinarily low."
"Unless it wasn't natural," Gine added, her analytical abilities detecting subtle magical traces around Lisanna. "There are residual enchantments here. Someone or something facilitated this exchange."
Teilanne's expression grew thoughtful. "The question is whether this was coincidence, cosmic justice, or deliberate intervention by forces we don't yet understand."
Their conversation was interrupted by Master Makarov, who had been observing the reunions with paternal satisfaction.
"Whatever the cause," he said firmly, "we have our family back. Lisanna, Panther Lily, the Exceeds finding their place in our world—this is what Fairy Tail means. We protect each other, we welcome those who need refuge, and we never give up hope that the bonds between people can overcome any obstacle."
The New Normal
Later that evening, as the guild celebrated their complete reunion, several conversations were happening simultaneously that would shape their future.
Panther Lily had integrated surprisingly well with the guild's culture, his serious demeanor providing an interesting contrast to Happy's cheerful energy. The two Exceeds had already begun coordinating on guild security matters, with Lily's tactical experience complementing Happy's intimate knowledge of the guild's daily operations.
Lisanna's return had restored something to Mirajane and Elfman that none of them had realized was missing. The guilt and grief that had shaped both siblings' personalities for years was finally lifting, allowing them to rediscover parts of themselves they had lost. Kizuna watched his girlfriend's transformation with quiet satisfaction—the shadows that had lingered in her eyes for as long as he'd known her were finally beginning to fade, replaced by a lightness that made her even more beautiful than before.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Wendy and Cumber had found themselves drawn into a quiet conversation about the dimensional mechanics they'd witnessed during their travels. Both sixteen-year-olds possessed analytical minds that appreciated the complexity of what they'd experienced, and their discussion had taken on the comfortable rhythm of two people who genuinely enjoyed each other's company.
"The spatial distortions during the Anima reversal," Wendy was saying, her hands moving as she explained her observations, "they followed patterns that seemed almost organic rather than purely magical."
Cumber nodded, his golden ki unconsciously creating small geometric shapes that illustrated her points. "Like the dimensions themselves were alive and responding to stimuli rather than simply following physical laws. I noticed that too."
Their intellectual compatibility had become increasingly apparent over recent months, built on a foundation of mutual respect that was slowly growing into something deeper. Neither was rushing the development—both were too analytical by nature to ignore the complexity of relationships—but the connection was undeniably strengthening.
The Clive family found themselves facing new questions about their role in events that seemed to transcend mere coincidence. Dimensional accidents, precise identity exchanges, and their own arrival in this world—the patterns suggested they were part of something larger than random chance.
"We should talk about what this means," Kizuna said to his family as they watched the celebrations from a quieter corner of the guild hall. "Too many impossible things are happening around us for it to be coincidence."
"Agreed," Teilanne replied, her crimson aura subdued but watchful. "But whatever forces are at work, they seem aligned with protecting the people we've come to care about. Until that changes, we support our guild and our chosen family."
"And if it does change?" Cumber asked, his golden ki flickering with geometric patterns that suggested he was already calculating contingencies.
"Then we show those forces why Saiyans don't make good pawns in other people's games," Teilanne answered with quiet conviction.
The celebration continued into the night, but underneath the joy and relief, currents of deeper significance were beginning to flow. The reunion was complete, but the larger story—the cosmic forces that had brought them all together—was just beginning to reveal itself.
After all, they were Fairy Tail. When had their lives ever been simple?
Shadows Before the Trial
Two days after their return from Edolas, life in Magnolia had begun to settle into familiar patterns. Lucy Heartfilia had spent the afternoon organizing her apartment, grateful to be back in her own space after the dimensional adventure. The hot bath she'd drawn was exactly what she needed to wash away the lingering stress of their experiences.
She had just settled into the steaming water when someone materialized in her bathtub.
"CANA!" Lucy shrieked, grabbing for a towel as the brunette mage appeared with a splash that sent water cascading over the bathroom floor.
Cana Alberona sat in the tub fully clothed, her usual barrel of ale nowhere to be seen. Instead, her expression carried a weight that Lucy had never seen before—troubled, uncertain, and deeply conflicted.
"Sorry, Lucy," Cana said without her usual cheerful demeanor. "I needed to talk to someone, and you've always been good at listening."
Despite her initial shock, Lucy could see that something was seriously wrong. She wrapped the towel around herself and sat on the edge of the tub, concern replacing embarrassment.
"What's bothering you? You look like you haven't slept in days."
Cana stared at the bathwater, her usual confidence completely absent. "Lucy, can I ask you something about your father? About family?"
The question was so unexpected that Lucy needed a moment to process it. "My father? What about him?"
"How do you face someone when you're not sure you're worthy of their attention? When you might just disappoint them by existing?"
The pain in Cana's voice was raw, unfiltered by her usual bravado. Lucy had never seen her guildmate so vulnerable.
"Cana, what's this really about? You can tell me anything—we're family."
For a moment, it seemed like Cana might open up completely. Then her expression closed off, and she stood up abruptly, water streaming from her soaked clothes.
"You know what? Maybe I shouldn't burden you with this. Maybe I shouldn't burden anyone."
"Cana, wait—"
"I'm thinking of quitting the guild, Lucy. Leaving Fairy Tail for good."
The statement hit like a thunderbolt. Lucy stared at her friend in shock, unable to process the idea of Cana—who had been with Fairy Tail longer than almost anyone—simply walking away.
"You can't be serious. Fairy Tail is your home. We're your family."
"Some family members become liabilities," Cana replied quietly, heading for the door. "Thanks for listening, Lucy. Take care of yourself."
She was gone before Lucy could respond, leaving only wet footprints and a bathroom full of questions.
The Guild's Unusual Energy
The next morning, Lucy arrived at the guild hall expecting to find answers about Cana's disturbing behavior. Instead, she found Mirajane behind the bar with her characteristic gentle smile, but there was something knowing in her expression.
"Mira," Lucy said without preamble, "Cana came to see me yesterday, and she was acting really strange. She mentioned something about quitting the guild."
Mirajane's smile became tinged with sympathy. "Cana gets like this around this time every year. Depression, self-doubt, questioning her place in the guild. It's been happening for as long as I can remember."
"But why? She's one of our strongest members, she's been here longer than most of us—"
"Some burdens are heavier than others," Mirajane said gently, her eyes finding Kizuna as he entered the guild hall with his family. The Saiyan caught her gaze and smiled, their connection providing comfort even across the crowded room. "Sometimes the people we love most are the ones we feel least worthy of."
Before Lucy could ask for clarification, the guild hall erupted into chaos.
Natsu burst through the doors with Happy flying beside him, both of them moving with unusual urgency. Instead of his typical boisterous greeting, Natsu went straight to the mission board and grabbed one of the higher-paying requests.
"This one!" he announced loudly. "Happy and I are taking this job, and we're doing it ourselves!"
"Wait, Natsu!" Gray called out, shoving past several other guild members to reach the board. "I need a high-paying mission too!"
What followed was a scramble that Lucy had never seen before. Guild members pushed and shoved to get at the mission board, arguing over job requests with an intensity that seemed completely out of proportion to the actual stakes involved.
"Move it, Stripper!" Natsu yelled, breathing fire dangerously close to Gray's head.
"You move it, Flame-brain! I saw that mission first!"
Even usually calm members like Levy were competing aggressively for assignments, their behavior completely uncharacteristic.
From their position near the back of the guild hall, the Clive family watched the chaos with analytical interest.
"Unusual behavior pattern," Uruk observed, his scholarly mind cataloging the aggressive competition. "The guild's typical cooperative dynamic has been replaced by desperate individualism."
"They're all trying to prove something," Gine added, her analytical abilities reading the emotional undercurrents flowing through the crowd. "But prove what, and to whom?"
Teilanne's expression was thoughtful as she watched the scramble. "This feels like preparation. They're positioning themselves for something important."
Near the center of the chaos, Wendy and Cumber had found a quiet corner where they could observe without getting caught in the competition. At sixteen, both had developed the patience to wait for explanations rather than joining the fray.
"Any precognitive insights?" Cumber asked Wendy quietly, his golden aura creating small spatial distortions that kept the aggressive crowd from accidentally bumping into them.
"Nothing specific," Wendy replied, her Sky Dragon magic picking up the emotional tension throughout the guild. "But there's definitely something building. Something that's making everyone desperate to prove themselves."
Across the guild hall, Lucy noticed that amid all the chaos, certain members were notably absent from the competition. Carla was demonstrating her precognitive abilities to a small group including Wendy and Lisanna, creating brief glimpses of possible futures that flickered like mirages in the air.
Meanwhile, Erza had convinced Panther Lily to transform into his Battle Form for a sparring session. The clash between Scarlet's swords and Lily's weapon mastery was drawing appreciative murmurs from the few guild members not consumed by mission competition.
"Impressive technique," Erza observed as she blocked one of Lily's strategic strikes. "Your combat experience shows in every movement."
"Years of protecting a kingdom tend to develop certain skills," Lily replied modestly, though his pride in his abilities was evident. "Though I find Fairy Tail's approach to combat much more... collaborative."
Lucy found herself standing next to Mirajane again, both women watching the organized chaos with bemused expressions.
"So," Lucy said, "I'm guessing I'll understand what all this is about tomorrow?"
Mirajane's smile became genuinely mischievous. "Oh, you'll definitely understand tomorrow. In fact, I think you're going to find it very interesting."
The S-Class Trial Announcement
The next day proved Mirajane's prediction accurate. The guild hall was packed beyond capacity as every Fairy Tail member gathered for what Master Makarov had announced as an "important guild announcement."
The diminutive guild master stood on the bar, his small stature somehow commanding absolute attention from the assembled crowd. Even the Clive family, who weren't technically guild members despite their integration, had been invited to witness the announcement.
"Children," Makarov began, his voice carrying the authority that had guided Fairy Tail for decades, "it's time for this year's S-Class Mage Promotion Trial."
The reaction was immediate and explosive. Cheers, groans, and excited conversations erupted throughout the hall as the guild members processed the significance of the announcement.
"The trial will be held on Tenrou Island, our sacred ground," Makarov continued, raising his hand for silence. "Only eight candidates have been selected, and only one will achieve S-Class status."
Lucy felt her heart begin racing. She understood now why everyone had been competing so desperately for missions—they'd been trying to prove themselves worthy of selection.
"The eight candidates are as follows," Makarov announced, his voice carrying across the suddenly silent hall. "Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser, Elfman Strauss, Cana Alberona, Fried Justine, Levy McGarden, and Mest Gryder."
The cheers that followed were deafening, but Lucy noticed that not everyone was celebrating. Cana stood near the back of the crowd, her expression completely unchanged by the announcement. No excitement, no pride, no satisfaction—just the same troubled look she'd worn in Lucy's bathroom.
During the celebration, something else happened that only a few people noticed. Carla's precognitive abilities suddenly activated without her conscious control, her eyes going wide as visions flooded her mind.
She saw a massive tree-like structure crumbling into dust. She saw the sorrowful faces of Cana and Natsu, their expressions heavy with loss and regret. She saw someone's hand reaching desperately through darkness. And at the end of the vision, she perceived a young man in dark clothing whose face remained frustratingly obscured.
"Carla?" Wendy asked, noticing her partner's distress. "Are you alright?"
The white Exceed shook her head, trying to clear the lingering images. "Something's wrong. The trial—there's danger surrounding it."
Meanwhile, Master Makarov continued explaining the trial's parameters. The current S-Class mages would be present to test the candidates, creating obstacles and challenges that would push them to their absolute limits. Each candidate would need to find a partner within the week, someone to support them through the trials ahead.
The partnering process began immediately. Fried approached Bickslow with confident familiarity. Natsu chose Happy with characteristic loyalty. Gray summoned Loke, combining his ice magic with celestial power. Juvia asked Lisanna, creating an unexpected but promising combination. Elfman paired with Evergreen, their romantic tensions adding complexity to their partnership. Levy chose Gajeel, their friendship having deepened considerably since their shared experiences.
Only Mest and Cana remained unpartnered, but both seemed content with their isolation.
As the guild celebrated the selected candidates, the Clive family found themselves in an interesting position. They weren't candidates themselves—they weren't even technically guild members—but their abilities far exceeded those of most S-Class mages.
"Interesting dynamic," Kizuna observed, watching as Mirajane moved through the crowd congratulating the selected candidates. "They're testing for magical power and strategic thinking, but the real challenge seems to be psychological."
"Agreed," his mother replied, her crimson aura subdued to avoid affecting the guild's emotional atmosphere. "This trial isn't just about becoming stronger. It's about proving worthiness to represent the guild's highest ideals."
Carla's Warning
Later that day, as Wendy and Carla walked through Magnolia's streets, the white Exceed couldn't shake her growing sense of foreboding.
"Wendy," she said urgently, "I have a very bad feeling about this trial. Promise me you won't go to Tenrou Island."
Wendy looked surprised by the intensity in Carla's voice. "But I'm not going anyway. I wasn't selected as a candidate, and I doubt anyone would want to partner with me."
"Good," Carla said firmly. "Sometimes not being chosen is the best possible outcome."
Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"You shouldn't think like that," Mest Gryder said, appearing beside them with his characteristic quiet confidence. "Everyone has value, regardless of whether they're selected for trials or recognition."
Wendy looked up at the older mage with curious interest. There was something about Mest that had always seemed slightly off, but she couldn't identify what it was.
"Thank you," she said politely. "That's kind of you to say."
Mest's expression became more serious. "Actually, I was hoping to ask you something. Would you consider being my partner for the S-Class trial?"
The question surprised both Wendy and Carla. Mest was known for being solitary, methodical, and generally uninterested in collaborative efforts.
"Me?" Wendy asked. "But I'm just—"
"You're a Dragon Slayer with support magic that could complement any partner," Mest interrupted. "Your abilities would be invaluable during the trials."
Carla's warning instincts flared, but she couldn't identify any specific threat from Mest's proposal. He seemed genuine, if oddly intense about his request.
"I... I suppose I could," Wendy said hesitantly. "If you really think I could help."
"You can help more than you know," Mest replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Cana's Crisis
Meanwhile, across town, Lucy was discovering the full extent of Cana's emotional crisis. She found the card mage passed out in an alley behind one of Magnolia's taverns, surrounded by empty bottles and looking more vulnerable than Lucy had ever seen her.
"Cana!" Lucy called out, rushing to her friend's side. "What are you doing to yourself?"
With considerable effort, Lucy managed to get the semi-conscious mage back to her apartment, where she waited for Cana to sober up enough for conversation.
When Cana finally opened her eyes, the pain in them was almost overwhelming.
"Lucy," she said quietly, "I need to tell you something. Something I've never told anyone."
"You can tell me anything."
Cana struggled to sit up, her usual coordination impaired by alcohol and emotional exhaustion. "I've failed the S-Class trial four times, Lucy. Four times I've tried to prove I'm worthy of being more than just... just someone who exists in the guild without contributing anything meaningful."
"Cana, that's not true. You contribute so much—"
"If I fail this fifth time," Cana continued, ignoring Lucy's protest, "I'm leaving Fairy Tail forever. I don't have the right to see 'that person' anymore if I can't even prove I deserve to be here."
Lucy's heart ached at the desperation in her friend's voice. "Who are you talking about? What person?"
Cana's expression became even more pained. "Someone who means everything to me. Someone I've been too afraid to approach because I don't think I'm worthy of their attention. Someone who deserves better than a failed mage who can't even pass a trial after fifteen years in the guild."
The pieces began clicking together in Lucy's mind. The timing of Cana's depression, the reference to someone important, the desperate need to prove worthiness—this was about more than just guild status.
"Cana," Lucy said gently, "are you talking about family?"
The breakdown that followed confirmed Lucy's suspicions. Through tears and halting explanations, Cana revealed a story of longing, fear, and desperate love that had shaped her entire life in Fairy Tail.
When the story was complete, Lucy felt her own determination crystallizing into absolute resolve.
"I'll be your partner," she declared firmly.
"Lucy, you don't understand—"
"I understand perfectly. You need to prove you're worthy of the most important person in your life, and I'm going to help you do exactly that. We're going to pass this trial, Cana. Together."
The promise was made with such conviction that even Cana's despair began to crack, letting in the first glimmer of hope she'd felt in years.
Departure Preparations
A week later, the harbor in Magnolia bustled with activity as the S-Class trial participants prepared to board the ship that would carry them to Tenrou Island. Eight candidates, eight partners, and the current S-Class mages who would serve as their opponents created quite a crowd.
Wendy stood beside Mest, still somewhat uncertain about their partnership but committed to doing her best. At sixteen, she had grown into her Dragon Slayer abilities considerably, her confidence and magical control reflecting the maturity she'd gained through her experiences.
Cumber watched her preparation with carefully concealed concern. His analytical mind had catalogued several inconsistencies in Mest's behavior, and his protective instincts toward Wendy were making him increasingly uncomfortable with their partnership.
"Something's not right about him," he said quietly to his family, his golden aura creating subtle geometric patterns that suggested his unease.
"Agreed," Teilanne replied, her crimson energy sensing undercurrents in Mest's magical signature that didn't quite align with his stated intentions. "But Wendy's strong enough to handle whatever challenges arise. And she has good instincts about people."
As the participants boarded the ship, Carla's precognitive abilities continued flickering with ominous images. The crumbling tree-like structure, the sorrowful faces, the mysterious figure in dark clothing—all of it centered around the upcoming trial.
"I still have a bad feeling about this," she murmured to Happy as they watched the ship prepare to depart.
"Then we'll keep an eye on things from here," Happy replied with uncharacteristic seriousness. "Fairy Tail looks after its family."
The ship departed Magnolia's harbor as the sun set, carrying the trial participants toward Tenrou Island and whatever challenges awaited them there. Behind them, the guild watched with pride, worry, and hope—unaware that the trial they were celebrating would become something far more significant than anyone had anticipated.
The sacred island held secrets that would test more than just magical ability. It would test the very bonds that held Fairy Tail together, and reveal truths that had been hidden for years.
As Fairy Tail's ship disappeared over the horizon, the stage was set for trials that would change everything.
To be continued in Chapter 26: Who's the Lucky One [Tenrou Island Arc]?