Makarov looked out of the converted cargo space of the jet Yin had created. Flying machines were rare but not unheard of. What was unheard of, was the absurd speed they were going. Seventy-five percent the speed of sound and yet the travel was so smooth. At least for everyone but the Dragon Slayer kids who had come along.
Frankly, he was just happy he didn't have to spend money on a ship to Tenrou. So, he kicked back and enjoyed the complimentary fruit salad that came with the flight.
"Ahh.. I could really get used to this." The old Guild Master sighed in relief and kicked his feet up.
"Riiight?" Next to him, a redheaded middle aged man agreed, sipping something called 'whiskey' from a glass cup. All complimentary from the flight.
Makarov was about no nod and agree until he saw the man drinking and immediately snatched the glass out of his hands.
"Hey! No drinking before the test. You're supposed to be an obstacle this year, Gildarts!" Makarov grumbled indignantly.
"Aw come on, Master. You and I both know you only have me set up against Macao and Wakaba. Hm.. maybe even Ur and Laxus. I can take 'em when I'm drunk." Gildarts complained.
Makarov shook his head in disbelief, then gave Gildarts a mischeivous grin, "Actually I think this year is going to play out differently."
"Ah? You mean the three Dragonslayer women? True, they've got an incredible amount of magic but do they have the skill and experience?" Gildarts asked, almost cocky in how certain he was of his chances.
"Hmp.." Makarov snorted, "Those three can soundly defeat me, Gildarts. And they've got something in mind. Otherwise, all the Dragonslayer kids, plus Erza and Ultear wouldn't be here."
Gildarts' smile froze on his face at the mention of Makarov's own defeat, then he brushed it off, excusing it as a ploy from the Guild Master to take those three seriously.
"Hmm... yeah, actually? Why did they bring along those brats? And how'd they convince Laxus of all people to take one of 'em?" Gildarts asked, grinning at the aforementioned teen who had looked annoyed at having to bring along the metal Dragonslayer.
"Hah!" Makarov chuckled, "Yin, the black haired one with red eyes, challenged Laxus. If he could make her move within ten moves of his choice, she would do him a favor, even if it meant leaving the guild. If she won, he would take Gajeel with him as a partner in the test."
Gildarts grinned. Not even budging from an S rank level mage like Laxus is impressive. He very likely didn't hold back either. It's something he could do, but Gildarts knew you couldn't compare him even to other S ranks. Crash magic was stupidly powerful, after all.
"So she beat him even when he pulled out Lighting Dragon magic? Impressive."
Makarov was silent for a few seconds and shook his head, "Not just that. Yes, she was unmoved but by the seventh attack launched by Laxus, she had eaten his lightning."
Gildarts furrowed his brows and glanced over at Laxus, who was sitting a few rows behind him along with Gajeel. He looked annoyed as usual, but he noticed something different now. There was a wariness there that wasn't there before.
"She's a Lightning Dragonslayer too? Unlucky for him." Gildarts guessed.
Makarov simply gave him a look and Gildarts began to understand. This was going to actually be a challenge for him. He smirked and sat back, anticipating the possibility of a fight later.
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The landing was smooth and nearly everyone stepped off the plane refreshed. That is, except the Dragonslayer kids, aside from Wendy. And those who weren't Dragonslayers found themselves nearly doubling over from the sheer heat of the Island. The only ones who were casual about everything were Yin, Yang, Irene, Gildarts and Makarov.
"Macao! Wakaba! Don't tell me you guys are gonna faint over a little heat? You should be used to it!" Gildarts teased the two men with a boisterous laugh.
"We're not.. ugh.. freaks of nature like you guys!" Macao complained, hunched over as he splashed himself with sea water.
"Eh.. Iunno, I could probably relax here and go swimming. Just needs some swimwear. Then we can all Yang out on the beach~" Yang punned, pointing finger guns at everyone, who either groaned in response or snickered, in Wendy and Yin's cases.
"We can do that after I win the test." Yin said as she pat her sister's shoulder.
"Ye-Wait a second.. Don't get too cocky, sis. I got hands for days. Right Natsu?" She asked the now recovered salmon-haired boy who was chosen to be her partner.
"Heh! Yeah, that's right Blonde Sis!" He reaffirmed, though only really understood she was challenging Yin.
"Mn. A good attitude to have. But Yin and I will be prepared for all challenges." Erza stood straighter and declared before looking up at Yin for affirmation.
Of course, Yin smiled and rubbed the top of her head while Irene glared jealously off to the side. At first, she thought Erza was going to team up with her, but was mildly disappointed when she chose Yin as her partner. She wasn't too unhappy though, as Wendy really did want to team up with her. That sincerity and cuteness pretty much entirely made up for the disappointment.
"Ahem! Before you all lay seven entrances that go deeper into the Island. You will encounter traps, wild magical beasts and even other teams. Whoever overcomes these obstacles can progress to the next round. Simply enter the path you wish to take and proceed until you see a sign in front of a large tree. That's where I'll be staying. Now then! Teams Yin and Erza, Irene and Wendy, Yang and Natsu, Ur and Ultear, Laxus and Gajeel, Wakaba and Sting, Macao and Rogue... start!"
With that final shout, the beach exploded. Sand flying out quickly as Yin carried Erza on her back and darted into a cave on the very left. Then came Yang, carrying Natsu on her back as she ran into the grotto next to Yin's cave. Laxus and Ur were the next to hurry along while Macao and Wakaba debated about what paths seemed easiest.
Irene simply took Wendy's hand and leisurely strolled through a forest path.
Makarov just snorted in bemusement and took off, teleporting to Mavis' 'grave'.
"What in the world did you bring here..?" He heard a childish voice ask incredulously.
Makarov's mouth twitched as he sat by the tree and set up a picnic blanket to sit on before he brought out the whiskey, scotch, sandwiches and fruits he grabbed from the jet. Yin had given him free reign to eat and drink as he pleased after all. In exchange for not interfering in the fight she was going to have with Irene and Yang, but he was sure as hell not gonna do that anyway.
Not unless they destroyed the Island..
"Hey! I know you can hear me! Takeee... this!" Makarov felt his mustache getting pulled on.
"Ouch! It's not so bad, First Master.. They're good children. And if the Island's in danger I'll stop them. No worries, no worries..." Makarov said, casually waving Mavis' worries away.
Then, he heard her sigh before she sat next to him and looked at the bottles of whiskey and scotch. Mavis pouted and gave Makarov a disapproving glare.
"You sure you'll be able to stop them if you're drunk..?"
Makarov paused, glass of whiskey up to his lips.
No.. no he wouldn't.
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"Blonde Sis! Lemme punch that one out!" Natsu shouted in excitement after watching Yang uppercut what could only be described as a magical T-Rex, straight into four giant trees.
"Haha! Sure, Lil Buddy. Show me what our training's resulted in!" Yang encouraged, seeing Natsu shoot forward, using flames to propel his feet as he swung on a smaller Rex.
*THUD!*
"GRR..!" The Rex snarled, a patch of its scales burned a dark, angry red as it swung its head at Natsu.
"Woaaah!!" Natsu yelped, ducking under its heavy skull and kicking up at its jaw, his legs still trailing flames.
"Fire Dragon's rending talons!!" Natsu roared, kicking out right next to the Rex's jaw bones, flames slashing out, sharp enough to cut a two inch deep gash all along its jaw and upper neck.
*GRRRAAAAOOORRR!!*
The angered Rex seethed, feeling a sharp sting under its jaw before stomping forward and turning its body two slam its tail into Natsu as he was descending. Luckily for him, Yang caught its tail in one hand and spun on her heel, launching it in the air after a few seconds.
"Soooo long gay bowser!" Yang laughed as the Rex's body smacked into another Rex, both knocked out cold.
"What's a gay bowser?" Natsu asked, then shook his head, "Nevermind. That was awesome! How'd I do?"
Yang rubbed the top of his head with a cheeky grin, "Not bad! But you should remember to use the right attacks. You don't have enough power to cut up enemies like that in a meaningful capacity. Not yet anyway. You gotta leverage their strength, which is their size and power, against 'em. Like, for example? Tripping them up with the trees and wearing down their legs."
Natsu smiled and nodded emphatically.
"I got it, Blonde Sis! Next time I'll do that thing... uh... stamegizing?"
Yang snickered, "Strategizing. Come on, Natsu. We gotta keep going or Sis will brag about being first."
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"Requip: Dragonsage Armor!" Erza shouted, armor shifting to resemble a red scale armor as a large black feline bit down on her now protected arm. It reeled back, teeth cracking and yowling before Erza spun on the balls of her feet and punched it in the chin.
*CRA-CRACK!!*
The lines along her armor glowed a deep red as the punch connected, sending the large cat rocketing through the cave. Erza let out an exhale and turned, seeing Yin seated on a pile of at least ten of those same large cats, giving Erza an appreciative nod.
"You're taking to your magic really well, Erza. I'm proud of you." The words made Erza's cheeks redden.
"I.. thank you. It's all thanks to yours, Mother's and Yang's training!"
Yin waved her off with a chuckle, "Not many kids would have had the will to train like you do. The least we could do is push you as hard as you could go. And, well.. make you some cool armor too, I guess."
Erza nodded and looked at her armor. Its design mixed in Irene's red scales and refined steel. Though Yin's main inspiration for it was the female Master Rank Rathalos armor. Needless to say, it was enchanted to refine her magic and could release magical pulses throughout any part of the armor for offense and defense. And if she got good enough with magic control, she could fly in it, sort of like an Iron Man suit.
"Is it me or.. do you have plans to help all of us train during the exam?" Erza asked as they continued on walking.
"You're not wrong. You're very capable, all of you kids. But things have been set in motion. Things you would only survive due to plot armor if you don't get stronger quickly. And Yang and I won't be here forever. I've grown fond of you guys and this world, so I'd rather leave it a better place then when I entered it. Heh.. sounds strange, coming from a Ruin Dragon.." Yin muttered the last part, then shook her head.
Erza felt a pang of panic in her chest before stomping it down and taking a deep breath. If the time with Yin and Yang was limited, then she'd just make sure to know them better so she can appreciate them more.
"Um.. I'd like to know you better. Since our time is limited, like you've said.."
Hearing that earnest request, Yin couldn't refuse.
"I don't mind. Ask whatever you like, Erza. I'll be an open book."
"Mmmm... Tell me about your family?" Erza asked after thinking of a subject.
"Well, you already know Yang. I do have another sister. A younger, excitable, gun-nut named Ruby. She's fun. Raven, my Mom. Complicated woman, complicated morals but she loves me a lot. Doesn't say it a lot but it shows in how she's willing to drop everything to help me. I have a sorta.. extra Mom too? She's like an older, mature Ruby. She's great, of course."
"What of your Father?" Erza asked carefully.
"Oh my Dad..-"
'I'm just a kid who's four, each day I grow some more! I like exploring I'm CAILLOU!'
'CAILLOUUUUU!'
'I'M CAAAAAIIIIILLOUUUUUUU! CAAAAIILLOU!'
Like a flashback of PTSD, that accursed theme song replayed in Yin's head. And she was reminded to get payback on her Dad when she returned.