Second Phase

[Tenrou Island]

— Dannis Martell —

"Looks like we're the first ones here." Mirajane commented as we arrived at a clearing. I could spot the master sitting on a tree stump, around him were screens depicting the other candidates in various locations on the island.

"Did you use that to spy on us, master?"

The old man nodded to my question, as he turned to look towards me and Mira. 

"Yes I did. Let me tell ya, the both of you sure put on a show." Makarov laughed as we sat down on a large log. "You two managed to do this much quicker than I anticipated. Take a seat and rest up, we'll continue after the other S Class candidates get here, or three hours have passed. Whichever comes first."

"Hah! Of course we were amazing! If it's me and Dannis in a team, there's nothing we couldn't do." Mira boasted as she pointed a thumb to herself.

Rolling my eyes, I reach into my bag and fetch a waterskin before taking a big swig. I then offered it to Mira who gratefully accepted it.

Looking up, I spot the dark clouds that cover the sky. It was another hour after we sat down when I heard the rustling of leaves as Erza and Gray appeared in the clearing. At that moment, a slight drizzle started dripping from the clouds.

"Hey tincan! Took you long enough to get here. What happened, did you and Gray get lost in the scary jungle? We've been waiting for an hour y'know?" Mira mocked.

A tick mark grew on Erza's forehead as she growled. "Be quiet harlot. I'm sure Dannis was the one who did most of the work for you anyway."

Ignoring their bickering, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I used this chance to meditate. I didn't know yet the details regarding the second trial, but I knew that whatever it was had to involve two things. 

The orb lacrima and Gildarts. 

The Ace of Fairy Tail is a title that I hope to one day inherit from the older man. This is a chance for me to find out just how far I have to go to be able to do so.

Even with my eyes closed, I could tell both Erza and Gray are looking at me. Perhaps it's a way to determine my true capabilities or even the nature of my magic. I'm not surprised they don't know much about me. 

After all, I often disappear from the guild for months on end. My lifestyle for the past two years has been one where I rarely ever show my face in the guild. I almost never partake in guild brawls any more, and the only people I really socialize with for a long period are Mira and Levy. I was kinda like Gildarts in that way.

Lisanna and Elfman are good kids, but they pretty much got along with everyone in our generation and often goes on adventures with Natsu and Cana.

My skill, to them, is only known through reputation. The Dark Swordsman of Fairy Tail have earned recognition from the populace far and wide across Fiore. They know I'm strong, just not how strong. The only person who does know is Mira, since I had a hand in training her for a while. Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe also know but we don't talk about them.

I knew I couldn't hold back at all in the next round of the S-Class trials, not that I planned to. Looks like Erza, Gray, and the rest would finally see just what I'm really capable of.

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The rules for the second trial are simple, it is to survive.

After the second hour had passed and Wakaba and Cana's team were a no show, the Master began explaining what he had to do for the next phase of the exam.

Simply put, the remaining S-Class candidates and our respective partners will be spread across the island randomly. Our job is to protect the orb lacrima that we possess. If the orb breaks, then that candidate will be disqualified. 

Makarov's only rule was that the lacrima had to be held visibly on their person. This of course caused a cry of shock from Erza who had planned on keeping it in her requip space the entire time.

Thus we have to defend it from the sole hunter in the trials, Gildarts Clive. Gildarts will actively be seeking us out and aim to destroy the orb that each team holds. 

The trial will be conducted over a span of 48 hours. The last candidate who survives, meaning either me or Erza, will earn the S-Class title. If both candidates lose their orb before the timer runs out, then neither become S-Class.

So for these trials, either Fairy Tail gets a new S-Class mage, or none at all.

Aside from that, there were extra rules that state that the remaining candidates are allowed to hunt down the other team's orbs. But, thinking things through, I don't believe this to be a wise decision.

A flash of light, and all of a sudden, Mira and I found ourselves beneath a large tree, miles away from where we were just from. 

Mira smacked her fist to her palm as a predatory grin grew on her face. "Let's hunt for Erza's orb. There's no way I'll let the tincan any chance of winning."

I shake my head. "That's a bad idea. The goal is to survive. Our main priority for the first day is to find ways to stay hidden and conceal ourselves. So for now, reign in your magic, make sure that Gildarts can't detect you." I remind the punk hot head. "Besides, if we take down Erza now, that only means that Gildarts will focus all his effort on us. Which again, is a bad idea."

Mirajane gaped at me like a goldfish, her mouth slightly ajar before she closed it with a pout. "I guess you have a point."

I roll my eyes at her reaction as we walk into some secluded clearing. Looking around, I nod at the shade that we found ourselves in and started to concentrate. 

Darkness Magic: Shadow Concealment

I absorb the surrounding light as it dims before the area around us turns into absolute darkness. I make sure to use as miniscule amount of magic as necessary to reduce the probability of detection. 

I'm sure he would notice something is askew if he passes by, but anyone looking from a distance will merely think this as a random shade underneath a few trees.

It won't keep us hidden forever, but it should be enough to conceal us for a while.

"Get some sleep, Mira. I'll take first watch."

"What? But-"

"This is an endurance test. Don't forget we used up a decent amount of magic in the first trials. We're about to face Gildarts soon. I'd much rather we be at our best when that time comes."

Mirajane sighed before she nodded. "Okay. Wake me up when it's my turn. You also need the rest."

"I will, don't worry."

Mirajane let out a tired yawn before lying down on the ground to rest. Soon, soft snores resounded in the dark clearing we are residing in.

I sit down next to her sleeping form, underneath a large tree that is protecting us from the light rain that is pouring from the clouds above.

With that, the first day passed by rather peacefully. I woke up Mirajane when it was time for her watch before getting some shut eye myself.

It was six hours into the second day, we received the news that Erza had been found and subsequently eliminated. Mira and I shared a look when it came, it meant that Gildarts was looking for us now. 

"It's time to go." I tell my teammate as I dissipate the darkness around us. "With Erza out of the picture, it's better for us to keep on the move rather than stay in one place."

Mirajane agreed, so we hightailed it out of there, making sure to keep our magic reigned in to avoid detection.

______________________________________

We managed to dodge Gildarts for a while by keeping aware of the tremors in the air and avoiding it. Things got a little more jittery as the light rain from yesterday had evolved into a thick downpour. 

The heavy rain would do well in hiding the sounds we make, but it also means our tracks are easier to find. 

We were just an hour away from the time limit when we felt it.

"What the-"

The entire island shook, as if a violent earthquake was happening right where we stood 

I covered the entire area with layers and layers of darkness in an attempt to conceal us as much as I could. 

That was when I saw the impossible. 

Right in front of my eyes, the darkness that I grew to be immensely proud of after years of awakening this magic, cracked.

I didn't even know it was possible for darkness to crack.

"This is crazy! Come on, we have to go!" Mirajane called as we tried our best not to stumble from the mass amount of vibrations that Gildarts is inducing. A veritable earthquake had formed from just the outburst of his magic.

Before we could take four steps, my darkness shattered.

"FOUND YA!!"

My eye glowed red as I unsheathe my blade in a quick motion, darkness coalescing at the tip of the sword.

"Black hole!" 

 A wave of crash magic was absorbed by the circular hole I conjured, the black hole appeared for a second before it cracked and the darkness split into cubes.

'No fuckin way…' I could only absorb half of Gildarts' magic before the black hole was overpowered. I knew Gildarts was a fucking monster, but this is just crazy.

"Ahahaha! Nice reflexes, Dannis! Come on, let's have a good ol' brawl!"

Gildarts stood there, without a hair out of place after spending the last day and half chasing after us. I could feel an amount of pressure building up within me, as if a mountain is threatening to bury me under its weight. 

'This is…his magic.'

Gildarts's grin widened as he flared his magic power. This wasn't even a spell, it's raw ethernano given form. The amount of magic he has is staggering.

I could see Mirajane trembling, no doubt her entire instincts are telling her to run. I'm actually surprised she hasn't passed out. 

I know what he intends to do. There's no doubt that Gildarts knows about my goal, he's here to show me just how far I have to climb to get to his level. 

An uncharacteristic maniacal smile grew on my face as a burst of energy exploded from my body, radiating in eerie black and dark purple light. A powerful shockwave blew forth that sent the winds spiraling in an ever-expanding wave. 

A feeling of gloom and wickedness accompanied the show of power, as Mirajane grew wide eyes at the sense of my magic. 

Being a demon herself, she is probably sensitive to magical powers that are demonic in nature. She must have sensed something odd, I should ask her about it once all this is over.

But now is not the time for that. Now is the time for me to prove that I deserve that S-Class title. 

"I heard about your little declaration, brat. So you wanna succeed me as Ace, eh?"

"Yes." I say with resolution. My answer caused Gildarts's grin to widen.

"I'm glad. It's good to know that the future of Fairy Tail is in good hands. But before you do that, you have to surpass me first. You ready for that?"

"I know I'm nowhere near your level as of yet, Gildarts. But I'm not about to give in just because I can't beat you. Mark my words old man, I will surpass you one day. Now is just as good a time as any to see how far the distance I need to cross." I pointed my blade in his direction in a form of declaration.

"Besides, I'm not alone in this fight." My flare of magical power from earlier had forcibly pushed back some of the pressure Gildarts was causing. Mira had transformed into her demon form with Satan Soul. 

"Here, take this." I offered Mira the lacrima orb. Since I'm going to mostly fight Gildarts at close range, there's a chance that it might break during our clash. Mira can fly and has much more long range options than I do. It's much better if she's the one to hold it.

"Are you ready for this?" I ask my partner.

"Yeah." Mira answered in an uncharacteristic serious tone.

"Come at me." Gildarts said as his hand did the 'come hither' motion.

The rain was a relentless downpour, soaking the earth and the three of us standing upon it. A flash of thunder appeared in the dark sky. Without further ado, Mira and I charged.

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AN: Coming up next, the fight against Gildarts!