The Book of Gajevy

6. The Race to Hakobe Summit

The day before the exams was there in a flash, and the eight contestants waited for the master to arrive. Natsu had teamed with Happy, Lucy with Lisanna, Cana asked Romeo, Alzack was with Bisca,  Elfman was with Evergreen again, Grey got Lucys permission to have Loke again, and Juvia had asked Wendy. The master finally arrived on stage with Erza, Mirajane and Laxus and the guild immediately silence.

" The first exam will be split into two parts," He called, not wasting any time. "The first part, will be a race to the summit of Mt.Hakobe. We will be taking a carriage first thing in the morning to the base of the mountain. The first six pairs to arrive will pass, the last two will be disqualified.  You may use any means to knock out the competition." He continued. " The second part will be explained after you have reached the summit. One more thing. Everyone, including partners, will have a chance to make S-class." There were murmurs amongst the pairs as the master left the stage. "Can me and Happy just fly?" Natsu whined. " Don't worry Natsu! We are the only ones who can fly together, it'll be a piece of cake." Happy called with a grin.

That morning the pairs loaded into two carriages, Laxus and Mirajane controlling the first, and Erza and Markarov in the second. Both sets of instructors were giving the same instructions. " Every pair will be dropped off at separate points. Once you see the flair, the race has begun." Markarov told the group of Gajeel, Levy, Natsu, Happy, Juvia, Wendy, Lucy and Lisanna. " Freed has prelaid runes to stop any cheaters from getting a head start. On the mountain you may encounter Vulcans, Wyverns and Ice Wraiths. If there is trouble you are to use your flair, though it will mean disqualification." He continued. Once he was finished they continued to ride in silence.

" Gajeel... How are you not sick?!" Natsu choked out, his face green. With a wicked grin Gajeel lifted his shirt, showing the word steady glowing dimly on his stomach. " A new trick." Levy said with a grin. Soon they reached the base of the mountain and the pairs were let off at intervals. " Let's just hope this other truck works." Gajeel said as he stretched,  taking in the view of the mountain while Levy bundled herself in a jacket and scarf. " It'll be fine." Levy said with a grin. Gajeel returned it with his own just before the flair lit the sky.

They both immediately sprinted up their path, keeping their eyes on the sky. Sure enough, a flash of blue and pink was headed there way. " Not wasting time, eh Salamander?!" Gajeel shouted with a cocky grin. " Your the biggest contender next to Grey! No way am I letting you go!" He shouted. Levy grinned. " Shall we?" She asked as they pulled to a stop. The wicked grin was back on Gajeels face as he nodded.

"Solid Script: Wings!" Again, white wings sprouted from the bluenettes back and she took to the air. Natsu was slightly stunned, but what he saw next had him back peddling. " Dragons Wings!" Gajeel shouted, large metalic wings sprouting from his back. He immediately shot towards the younger slayer, his fist made into iron. " Make it quick Gajeel!" Levy called, staying a bit back from the fight. Gajeel snorted but knew she was right, he hadn't been practicing with his wings for long and knew they wouldn't last.

With a quick shot his iron fist into Natsu, sending them tumbling through the sky. He wheeled and sped towards Levy as she aimed for the summit, keeping her eyes open for any other threats. " Water Slicer!" Levy couldn't help but cry out as a slice of water made contact with her skin, sending her timing from the air. Gajeel dove, quickly catching her before she could hit the frozen ground. " Iron Dragons Roar!" Gajeel sent a tunnel of metal towards the rain woman. " Solid Script: Cyclone!" Levy shouted,  countering the tunnel of air that made its way towards them. Gajeel pushed them skyward, out of rang of the two mages and landing on a cliff high above.

"How much farther?" He asked Levy as she pulled out a map. " Well, flying cut our time greatly. If we keeping going, we should be there in minutes." She said and Gajeel nodded. His wings had vanished,  so they had to continue on foot. They avoided a cluster of Ice Wraith, skeletal beings made of the very ice itself and could cause frost bite from a single touch before turning it's enemies into solid ice. The light of the summit was before them now, and they raced through the knee deep snow till they reached the cavern at the peek. Natsu and Happy had already arrived, and it seemed Gajeel and Levy were second. "Not bad guys! We just got here!" Natsu said with a grin. Before long the other teams arrived. Lisanna had flown, carrying Lucy part of the way, Evergreen had also flown while Elfman ran in his leopard beast form. Teams Juvia and Grey had mearly ran, while Teams Alzack and Cana had been caught in an avalanche made by the guns mages.

" Well done everyone!" The master called once the others had been gather. "The first half of day one is over with Alzack and Cana out of the running. Now part two! The Ice Labyrinth!"

{Sorry if it wasn't very exciting, but it was a race.}