The newest member

Chapter 21

"Good news everyone" Master Makarov called down from the S-Class balcony. "We are re-launching the S-Class trials!" A roar of approval echoes round the guild. "Due to the disaster of the one two years ago, we weren't able to hold one last year, but this year, I'm formally re-opening it and have already picked out the contestants."

"Yes" Natsu mutters. "This time, I'm getting there."

"Not if I can help it" Gray smirks. Natsu turns on him but doesn't do or say anything.

"The contestants are" Makarov pulls a list out of his pocket and starts reading from it. "Natsu Dragneel" Natsu gives a whoop and punches the air. "Gray Fullbuster" Gray grins. "Elfman Strauss, Freed Justine, Gajeel Redfox and Wendy Marvell."

"I got in" Wendy stares and then cheers. "Yes."

"Congrats Wendy" Natsu says. "But don't think I'm going easy on you. This time, this time."

Wendy grins.

"Well done" I say.

"Hey" Wendy grabs my hands. "We're allowed to have a partner to help us along. Will you be my partner?"

I stare. "Um... I... yeah of course."

"Yay" Wendy claps. "No doubt Natsu is going with Lucy and Gray with Juvia, and Gajeel with Levy."

"Yeah, what is it with Natsu and Lucy?" I ask.

"Oh, they've been going out for... a couple of months I think. Last year there was a huge battle here and Gray asked Juvia to go out with him when it finished. Gajeel and Levy haven't been going out long" Wendy says. "Everyone knew that Gray and Juvia was going to happen though. I mean, even First Master Mavis shipped it!"

I laugh. We've been back a couple of weeks most and I've got to know the people in the guild. They're all great. Destructive and mostly unpredictable, but great.

"Now" Makarov waits for the noise to die down and stands up on the barrier. "The ship will leave mid-day tomorrow so make sure that you're all by the dock at twelve 'o' clock sharp. If you're late, you'd better hope that lots of people are late or we'll set out without you."

"Oh crap" Natsu groans. "I forgot about the boat part. I'm so screwed."

"You'll be fine" Wendy reassures him. "And don't forget that when we got the train before, Wren could create those tablet like things. They helped me."

"Yeah, I can do that again" I say.

"Great" Natsu cries. "I'm all fired up now."

Author's Note

I return (finally). I will probably go through another streak of writing where I just write, and write, and write, and will then get to a part and will just, stop and not be able to write anything (severe Writer's Block is evil, and one of the many things I suffer from) but I will try and write as much as I can before that happens. If anyone has any ideas then PLEASE comment and tell me them because I am literally running almost dry :DMiddleEarth4eva