I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR FAIRY TAIL THEIR CHARACTERS OR ANYTHING RELATED, I OWN ONLY THIS STORY AND THE CHARACTERS I CREATE.

Thanks for the feedback

NEWS: For those reading this wondering when I'm going to continue "A Fresh Start" know that I have decided to reboot that story, the first 3 chapters are up and I've made major changes to it.

Also regarding the reboot, the reason I haven't updated in a while is a combination of family issues and the fact that I've had to completely re-write chapter 4

Chapter 20: S-Class Trials
Invasion

Freed and Bickslow arrived on the island and chose path A, figuring the A would be empty considering the other paths were marked

E- For Erza
G- For Gildarts
M- For Mirajane
N- for Naruto
S- For Sasuke

When they saw staring at them was none other than Titania Erza herself, so they couldn't have been more wrong. Their fight lasted as long as you would expect, neither Freed nor Bickslow had the attack power to threaten Erza's skill and both men lay defeated.

"What the matter? I expected more from you both" Erza says returning to her default Heart Kreuz armour, both were definitely better than they fought today.

"I can't be S-Class until Laxus becomes Master" Freed says, his loyalty to the grandson of Makarov was evident, "I'm grateful to have been considered but without Laxus, this is pointless" he states and Erza frowns.

"There are likely people Master overlooked to choose you" Erza states, this was true, considering Gajeel was overlooked because he was still new to the guild, as was Juvia. "If you can't take this seriously then you shouldn't have come in the first place" her tone was harsh and honest "Follow me, I'll bring to the meeting point for losers" she storms out followed by Freed and Bickslow.

"Are you sure this was alright?" Bickslow whispers to freed, Erza pretended she couldn't hear, curious what this was about.

"Yes...After everything I did during the Battle of Fairy Tail I can't count myself among the elite of the guild until I've made amends to Juvia, Cana and Mirajane...along with the others I harmed with my Magic" she says knowing Erza could hear.

She smiled a little; his excuse was a little more forgivable "I guess he isn't so fixated on Laxus after all" she thinks, they pause seeing an explosion of yellow Lightning coming from within a Cave.

"That was Laxus" Freed comments and Erza nods

"Looks like he's fighting Gildarts"

_Laxus and Cana VS Gildarts_

Laxus worked to create an opening for Cana to strike..."It's like I figured...this guy is in a class above S rank, could gramps even take him" the Lightning dragon panted, despite all his attempts he barely made Gildarts move from his spot.

"You've gotten stronger Laxus...still can't believe you lost your rank" the Ace of Fairy Tail bursts out laughing as the Blonde sighs. "And you...Cana right? Isn't this your test?" he asks looking at the brunette.

"Yeah...but" she mumbles "What the hell am I supposed to do if Laxus can't even make him move?" she thinks...she had an idea knowing her father "How about this" she throws four cards towards him "Sexy Lady Card!" she says as the cards change into a group of gorgeous bikini clad women

"HOLY HELL THIS IS MY KIND OF SPELL!" Gildarts yells with a perverted grin as Cana sighs, watching her old man completely lose his guard. "Let's wrap this up" she pulls out a sleep card...however

"These trials are no game" Gildarts says as the women suddenly are reduced to nothing "Cheap parlour tricks like that won't get you through life" he says raising his magical power causing her to back pedal.

"I can't beat him...but" she thinks feeling terrified at his gaze which was focused entirely on her making her feel like she was suffocating, however the feeling vanishes when her partner steps in front of her.

"Remember why you're doing all this, you won't get a better opportunity" Laxus says unleashing his own magic, "He's stronger than us...we can't win but I won't be pushed around like Natsu" he thinks charging towards the experienced wizard.

"Ever the charging straight ahead type huh Laxus" Gildarts smirks preparing to counter, "have no doubt your S-Class in strength...and it seems you've matured but this isn't your trial" he thinks looking at Cana who seemed lost in thought.

"Gildarts...you're my dad!" Cana yells suprising the older man who for a moment actually loses his guard, he experiences shock, fear, panic and horrified white all in the space of seconds.

"What was that!"
"Lightning Dragon's Jaw!"

Laxus slams his fists into the face of the distracted S-Class...however years of experience beaten into Gildarts caused an unfiltered counter attack almost immediately, Laxus had the speed to dodge, however Cana did not...so if he moved, she would likely be seriously hurt. Closing his eyes as he is engulfed in the attack vanishing from sight, the force of the attack sent Cana reeling too.

Once the dust Settled, Laxus lay completely unconscious from the attack "...d-did you say I was...your father?" Gildarts walks to her "Who's your mother..."

"Do you remember Cornelia?" she asks and his eyes widen, clearly showing he did "...She died when I was still a child so I lived in the orphanage for a few years before Joining Fairy Tail...but she told me about you so I knew who you were before..." Cana says awkwardly.

"I see... Cornelia was the love of my life, I'm glad a piece of her is still in this world" he says and she smiles a little "I think I understand how you felt Itama..." he sighs "Why did you wait so long to tell me?" he asks

"How could I...you were either fighting with Natsu, drunk off your ass or gone on jobs that took you away from the guild for years" Cana states "I made a promise to myself...once I became S Class and at least...on paper became your equal...I'd tell you the truth" she says looking at Laxus "He's the only person who knows besides us...although I lied about how I learned about you" she adds smiling at the unconscious man "It's thanks to him I feel like I could just tell you and move on" she is surprised when the man hugs her.

"I'm sorry that I left, it's just I was young and stupid and felt like I was rushing to settle down but Cornelia has always been the only woman I ever loved...and if I learned she was pregnant, I would have been there...please forgive me" she could feel his tears hitting her shoulder.

"No-No...it's fine, it's all in the past now" she says feeling her body stiffen "I just wanted you to know...so could you let me go"

"Could you...give me the right to be your father?" he asks suprising her "I'm an old fool and a failure but I want to give you a small feeling of being a family"

Cana simply smiled leaning into his hug "...idiot

Sasuke VS Gajeel and Levy

"That power was definitely Gildarts...he must be fighting someone good" Sasuke comments absentmindedly as he dodges Gajeel's attacks, and Levy's pratfalls. "I felt Erza's for a second...but that was her 'I am about to beat you to a bloody pulp for insulting/eating/ ruining my cake' aura" he puzzles wondering who she fought.

"Dude...you could at least look at us while you drag our skills through the mud" Gajeel comments panting "Iron Dragons Club!" he launches an Iron Pillar towards the Uchiha who catches the attack in his prostatic arm.

"S-Solid Script" Levy begins but Sasuke reacts quicker hurling the Iron Dragon into her causing her to lose focus "Ahh!" she screams face planting the ground.

"One has skill and power but lacks but lacks patience and grace" Sasuke comments turning towards his opponents "While the other had patience and grace but lacks the raw power to match their skill" he states

"Hey Levy has plenty of grace!" Gajeel yells and the other two sweat drop and Sasuke adds a Face palm for emphasis.

"I...think he meant you for the first part" The Blue haired girl comments and Gajeel looks genuinely surprised.

"In time you both will become Wizards worthy to carry the rank of S Class wizards of Fairy Tail...but not this year" Sasuke says and Levy nods, Gajeel was reluctant to agree "Gajeel...this is what happens when you are skilled. Power causes you to become isolated and arrogant, so no matter how strong you are now and how skilled you become...never forget those who want to help, those who act alone will fail when it matters the most" he says and Gajeel sighs nodding.

"Thank you Sasuke..." Levy says and Sasuke gives a small nod of acknowledgement "Gajeel thank you for being my partner...sorry I let you down"

"It's cool" he says standing up straight "Before you go...just hit me with one attack" he says to the Uchiha "I want to see what it feels like" he explains ignoring Levy calling him an idiot.

"Hn...I can oblige" Sasuke says turning to face the Iron Dragon slayer, giving off a black sparked aura as he charged his attack, a small black orb forms in his hand's "Lightning Gods 100mm Charge Beam" his blast sends Gajeel into the cliff leaving a perfect dent in the shape of Gajeel's Body. He watches Levy rush to help him and see if he could stand "Hn...You two make a good couple" he comments absentmindedly as he makes his way to the meet up point ignoring their outburst of denial.

_Mirajane VS Elfman and Evergreen_

"Of all the people to face off against...my own sister" Elfman sighs, Mirajane had already taken on her Satan Soul form letting off her demonic glow...which was terrifying "I don't think I can bring myself to fight you"

"I hope you're not trying to insinuate you're stronger than me Elfman" Mirajane warns "I've never been weaker than you" she says with the purpose of antagonising her little brother "I mean by comparison...I'd say you're the least manly person on this Island" She adds.

"I'll show you manliness!" he roars transforming into his Beast Soul form, swinging his massive fist towards her only for her to catch it with little effort before throwing him over her head.

"Both Erza and Mirajane have earned the right to be considered the strongest women in the guild...even though it's been years since she retired as an active Wizard, her skills are still honed to the highest calibre" Evergreen thinks.

"I'm surprised you're here to be honest..." Mira says to the other woman "I mean aren't you annoyed Freed chose Bickslow?"

"Freed and Bickslow have always been close so I wasn't surprised to see Freed choose him over me" Evergreen states "But I wasn't going to be the only member of the Thunder god Tribe who didn't participate in the trials...plus your brother was nice enough to ask me" she admits

"Even so...I won't take it easy on you"

Naruto VS Natsu and Lucy

"Oh yeah! I wanted to fight you even more than Erza and Gildarts!" Natsu cheers despite Lucy's terrified expression.

"You never change Natsu" Naruto says unclipping his cloak, fully intending to give Natsu a fight to remember "If you hadn't guessed this part, the way forward is behind me" the Blonde haired S-Class smirks "You want to become S-Class you need to get past me"

"That sounds just fine to me!" Natsu jumps up "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" he yells heading for Naruto, his attack collides with a Wind Barrier which Naruto summoned.

"That's right...fire is weak against wind" Lucy comments from the side lines, "I know" she says going for a key "Open Gate of the Bull: Taurus!" she summons her Cow spirit "Keep Naruto off balance and help Natsu" she instructs.

"You got it Luuucy!" Taurus Moo's her name jumping into action.

Naruto see's the Cow-man closing in lifting his massive Axe over his head preparing to swing down "Clever Lucy...but" Naruto smirks summoning a Wind Blade with his free hand blocking the attack before driving his foot into the spirits stomach sending it flying back the way it came almost squashing Lucy in the process "I didn't get to this level easily Lucy, so beating me won't come easy either"

He is caught off by a left hook from Natsu who had used the momentary distraction as a chance to switch fists "Ha!" Natsu smirks landing two more clean blows before jumping back.

"Ts..." Naruto grumbles "You shouldn't have backed off" he sighs as his wounds heal almost immediately "Remember, as the Sky God Slayer I can heal myself" and Natsu growls having indeed forgotten that. "Speaking of Slayer magic" he grins inhaling...

"Uh –oh!" Natsu gulp
"We're doomed!" Lucy cries

"Sky Gods Bellow!" Naruto exhales his breath based attack which engulfs the two teens, "Come on Natsu...show me your best" he smiles, his eyes widen when he see's said Pink Haired Dragon Slayer charging with his fists coated in fire "W-Wait...you're not going to?"

"Dragon Slayer Secret Art! Crimson lotus Exploding Flame Blade!" Natsu roars as the S-Class is forced to raise his arms as the attack hits sending him flying back into the cave wall.

"Ugh!" Naruto grunts upon making contact with the wall "I never had any doubt you were strong enough to become S-Class Natsu...but using the secret art is going overboard" he steps out of the wall

"Hehe I sent him flying" Natsu boasts pumping his fists, he was too oblivious to notice the deadly aura surrounding Naruto

"Natsu look out" Lucy called out too late as Naruto's fist collided with Natsu's stomach, the force was so strong it caused Natsu's whole body to collapse into a distorted shape as he fell to the ground.

"Jeez...You shouldn't lower your guard like that Natsu" Naruto sighs turning to Lucy, "When your boyfriend wakes up let him know he passed my trial"

"W-What do you mean passed?" Lucy asks before realizing what he called Natsu "Boyfriend!"

"The goal was to get past me, and technically he did" he points to the roof where an X was carved into the roof "The punch was for ruining the only clothes I brought to the Island" he adds looking at the unconscious teen "Oh, and everyone already knows you're dating" he adds leaving them alone...laughing his ass off

Lucy blushes madly covering her face "Oh god!"

Gray and Juvia VS Mest Gryder and Wendy Marvell

"Fortune favoured us it seems" Gray says told his teammate as they stared at Wendy who looked nervous

"Don't underestimate me Gray" Mest warns crossing his arms, "I have been trained by Mystogan so I" he is cut off as Gray punches him square in the face and knocking him out.

"Who knows what Mystogan thought you, after all he never spoke to anyone and then his place was taken by that Jellal guy" Gray states cracking his knuckle "Funny...you competed in the S-Class Trials last time too...but I can't remember your partner" he adds looking at Wendy. "Unlike him...you have proof of your training with an S-Class Wizard" Gray smirks "An S-Class who will pound the both of us into an unrecognizable paste if he hears how we double teamed his adoptive sister" Juvia whispers and Gray turns pale

"D-Don't worry" Wendy says taking up a fighting stance "Naruto won't mind so long as it's in regards to the trial" he sweet tone gave little comfort to the Ice-Make wizard. He was the only member with the exception of perhaps Sasuke to see Naruto's take-over form which made even Mira look tame by comparison.

"Fine" he makes his usual fighting stance as Juvia looks on with confusion "Ice-Make: Jar of sour plums!" he whips out a jar and downs the whole thing making a sour filled face, Wendy stands back completely petrified.

"S-So Sour I can feel my lips pruning already" she shakes before fainting, Gray laughs a little as he drinks a gallon of water to get the taste out.

"So young and innocent"

_Naruto and Mirajane_

"Wow...that was pretty clever" Naruto states as he consoles Mirajane "To make you think Evergreen was pregnant with Elfmans' kid" he pauses as the image of Elfmans' head on the body of a baby with Evergreens hair style "Wow...that's really gross" he pails as Mira nods

"Isn't it though?" she asks, after a moment they find themselves laughing "Well I can't stop him becoming S-Class...he's finally put Lisanna behind him" she smiles sadly.

"He's put her spirit to rest, but he'll always be thinking about her" Naruto says and she looks at him "Lisanna will always be with us right?" he asks gently combing her hair.

She didn't know why but feeling the Blondes fingers run through her hair was very relaxing, almost like taking a long bath...the sensation washed away all her stress.

"You know, we've been getting along really well I've been meaning to ask you" Naruto begins and Mirajane finds her heart beginning to beat faster and her cheeks becoming flush.

"I-Is he going to ask me out?" she thinks, a million scenarios running through her mind and innocently asks "Oh...what's that?"

"How did you join Fairy Tail?"

Her eyes kind of dropped "That's...a long story" she says and he looks around to say 'well I'm not going anywhere' "It was around the time my parents died, a monster was attacking our home town" she begins and Naruto's eyes turn more serious "I didn't know about my magical power, so after the demon was killed...I took on the traits of the monster"

"You're just the Demon Fox...you're not human!"

Naruto's eyes flicker around after hearing the voice of Mizuki, the teacher who told him about Kyuubi being sealed inside him come from the depths of the jungle.

"Soon after the Townspeople kicked me, Lisanna and Elfman out of our home after they tormented us" Mirajane rubs her shoulder.

"You're not wanted...disappear...disappear...disappear"

Naruto could feel the familiar cold sweat he used to get when people would look at him like he was a monster, the despair he felt in his heart and sadness in his eyes.

"We came across magnolia and Fairy Tail...it was thanks to Master Makarov that I was able to get my power under control...and thanks to my siblings that I didn't run off" she smiles, "I've been with the guild ever since and I am happy to have met amazing people like Erza, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Sasuke and...You" she sees' the faraway look in his eyes "N-Naruto?"

"It's scary...to think I could find someone who suffered like I did" Naruto says and Mira looks at him with confusion "Growing up I was an orphan...none of the adults cared about me and as a result I was bullied all the time, it wasn't until I was older that I learned..." he pauses

"Learned what?" she asks, she'd never seen Naruto look so vulnerable in all the years she's known him.

"I learned that I had a demon spirit sealed inside me" Naruto says and her eyes widened "On the day I was born a 9 tailed spirit fox attacked our village and killed many people, devastated many more" he pauses wondering how far he should go "A powerful wizard managed to end the assault by sealing the Demon inside me at the cost of his life"

"Why would he do something like that?" Mirajane asks with shock mixed with disgust, Naruto could understand why Mirajane couldn't comprehend the Forth Hokage's actions. In this world, you hate your town you or it gets destroyed you simply move or rebuild. In the Shinobi world a weak village could lead to war which effects everyone, so in the eyes of the forth, one child was worth the lives of many more.

"I can't tell you what was going through his head when he did what he did...he needed to protect the village and I guess this was the only way" Naruto says "And yeah I had a tough childhood I made plenty of great friends and had a lot of fun before coming here" he smiles, his explanation led to the inevitable question.

"So...why did you leave your home country?" she asks seeing the falter in his eyes, "Will you ever want to go back?"

"It's...a long story that involves a job gone wrong and the inability to return due to our countries policies" Naruto says scratching the back of his head but they are cut off by a red flare

Signalling unwanted guests...

_Sasuke and Erza 20 minutes before the flare_

The two separated from the others, as it started raining Erza Requiped into a bikini but decided to cuddle into Sasuke who had taken refuge under a tree "It can go from blistering hot to raining with a chill on this island...leave it to our guild to hold such a ridiculous island sacred" Sasuke comments as Erza chuckles.

"It's said that before Fairy Tail was a guild, this island was the first Masters home" the red head states as Sasuke wraps his arms around her stomach.

"Speaking of home...Naruto and I will no longer be living together" he says and she looks at him, "We figured it was about time we lived on our own...He will be keeping the apartment" he pauses feeling flustered about what he was about to ask "So...there's this cottage just outside Magnolia that I was looking at and I was wondering...if you perhaps...wanted to live there...with me"

"A-Are you asking me to move in with you?" she asks with a light blush, she almost swoons when he looks away blushing as well.

"Yeah...I am" he says and she smiles
"I'd love to"

They stared at each other in silence, lost in the moment. Neither needed to say "I love you" or anything because they both could feel the others emotions. The perfect moment interrupted when they see Levy rushing towards them, crying her eyes out not.

"Levy!" Erza catches the Blue haired girl as she trips "What's wrong"

"Please you have to help him! He's fighting them alone!" Levy cries out as Erza ushers Sasuke to go after and help Gajeel. As the Uchiha ran off Erza fired the Flare to signal intruders which would put the Trial on hold.

Sasuke ran ahead to aid Gajeel, while the Iron Dragon Slayer could handle a lot; he wasn't sure how he'd do against Ultear of the seven kin. "Of all the times...what brought them here?" he wonders as he sees in the distance Makarov's Titan form and what looks like Grimoire Hearts flying base. "How many are already on the island?" A loud crash up ahead forces the Uchiha to pick up his pace.

He arrives at the battle, one rooster member and a dog member lay defeated but Gajeel looked pretty banged up "heh...I thought this island was meant to be swarming with S-Class...what took you so long I was getting bored"

"You look bad...you sure you should be talking so big?" Sasuke taunts half-heartedly, if foot soldiers where strong enough to take on Gajeel...how strong had the others from the dark guild become.

"D-Did you find Levy?" he asks, Sasuke could hear the anxiousness in his tone despite it being mixed with a pain filled gasp. He had wondered what kind of relationship the Dragon Slayer had with the book work, perhaps understanding relationships other than his own really is important for forging bonds.

"She's with Erza, they were following me but I ran on ahead" Sasuke says', as he does the two girls come into sight.

"Gajeel!" the blue haired teen rushes past the Uchiha "Are you OK?" her tone filled with concern, the older couple looked on with slight amusement at the budding relationship.

"T-Told you I could handle them Shorty" Gajeel grins smugly, the Blue haired girl laughs lightly as Erza helped Gajeel stand as he was using Levy for support.

"I never doubted it...you big lug" Levy comments as the two begin to walk down towards the camp, Erza and Sasuke watched as Makarov reverted to his normal form.

"Master's in trouble" Erza was about to run towards where Makarov was fighting but Sasuke grabbed her wrist.

"You need to rejoin with the others" Sasuke says and she looks displeased with the notion of abandoning Makarov "I can sense Naruto is already on the move, he and I will assist Makarov in dealing with the Master of Grimoire Heart...you need to rally the others for a counter attack"

She had to admit he was talking sense, Gildarts, Laxus, Freed and Bickslow had all left the island already which meant there was no ship for the wounded to escape on. She needed to plan for an attack and set up defence measures, "Make sure you don't get hurt, I want to see this cottage first thing when we get home" she says and he taps her forehead with his two fingers.

"Yes Ma'am" he smiles before walking into the deep forest, he figured this attack would likely lead to his past ties with the dark Guild but he no longer cared. For the first time since he was a child he felt love, he had something to protect...and he would protect it no matter what it cost him. "Uchiha Sasuke...primary target Identified" Sasuke halts when he hears his name, his eyes widen at the sight of the pink haired girl "Wait...she's the girl...the one from the town Grimoire Heart destroyed" he thinks.

"I am Meredy, a member of the Seven Kin of Purgatory and your executioner...you will die for your sins" the pink haired girl begins, her voice stripped of all emotion "I will exact vengeance on you for the destruction of my town"

"By killing you...and everyone you love"

The End

Hope you like it, the next chapter will see Fairy Tail squaring off again the Seven Kin, Naruto comes face to face with a painful choice and Sasuke's darkness is revealed.

Like I said I am also working on a rebooted A Fresh Start and will likely have that chapter up soon

Till Next Time

~DoTheBartMan