Chapter 46-47

Wendy and Carla are looking for a job at the job request board. Natsu and Aira arrived at the request board. "But shouldn't you try doin' a big job pretty soon?" Natsu questioned.

"Yeah. Like a request from a distant town." Aira added.

"I want to be able to do big jobs soon, and be able to help everyone!" Wendy exclaimed as Carla sighs at her.

"Be of help to everyone, eh?" Max looks over at Wendy smiling.

"Good luck!" Warren said.

"Seeing her so honest and brave hearted... Can't help but cheer her on." Cana grinned at Wendy.

"I will do my best!" Wendy blushed.

"You should learn from her example, Lucy." Happy said.

"I'm honest and brave hearted too, you know!" Lucy looked at him with a straight face.

"Huh? Like, how?" Happy asked.

"I'm totally honest and brave!" Lucy yelled in anger. "My entire body is concentrated with honesty and bravery!"

"Honest?" Happy repeated. "Brave?"

Lucy sweat drops at him while Happy giggled at her. Cain just sighed in annoyance as Lucy angrily flapped her arms and begins chasing Happy who flies away. "Why, you..."

"But I bet the ones out away will be surprised there's such a little girl here when they get back." Reedus stated. Wendy nervously chuckles at Reedus.

"No kidding... Like Gildarts." Warren agreed.

Happy flies through the stage, laughing to himself as Lucy continues to chase him down.

"Gildarts, huh?" Max said.

"Haven't heard anything about him, as usual." Aira pointed out. "How many years has it been since he went on that job?"

"Three years... I think?" Natsu answered.

"There's no need to worry. This isn't someone like us we're talking about... It's Gildarts, you know?" Max informed.

"Yeah, definitely. He's in a league of his own." Warren said. Cana silently sighs to herself as she turned away from the conversation.

"Now that you mention it, I have a perfect job for you." Mira approached them with a flier in her hands. "It says they're searching for a wizard that can heal the spirit... The reward is only so-so, but don't you think it's perfect?" Carla folds her arms across her chest.

Mira shows them the flier. "Let's see here... The town of Onibus?" Aira looks at the flier.

"What kind of request is it?" Natsu asked.

"Um... 'Thank you very much'?" Wendy reads the flier as she mumbled the words to herself. Natsu and Aira both turn pale white while Lucy stops chasing Happy in midair.

Lucy turns to them, her eyes widened. "So that's where this is going?"

Natsu screamed in irritation. "I remember! It's all coming back to me now!" He clenched his fist trembling in anger and annoyance.

"The play's actors have all fun away, and the performances have been a series of failures... My spirit and body are completely worn out. Please make me feel better! Thank you very much. Rabian." Wendy reads from the flier. Aira easily gets irritated from just hearing his name.

"Rabian? Who's that again?" Happy questioned.

"He's the head of that Scheherazade drama troupe!" Aira responded.

"Remember the play we put on before?" Lucy reminded him.

"Fredrick and Yanderica!" Happy exclaimed.

"Wendy... I don't mean this in a bad way, well maybe I do, but don't do it." Aira told her, crossing his arms in an 'x' motion.

"He works you to the bone!" Natsu added.

"It was low pay, and serious labor! Plus, we couldn't even go home!" Lucy remembered the horrible play they had performed a while back.

"I'm also against it. You don't have to do that kind of job... Plus, I have a bad feeling about this." Carla spoke up.

"Your intuition is usually right, Carla, but if I can be of help..." Wendy trailed off.

"You're good-natured to a fault! Anyway, you can't handle going to a town you've never been to and and taking on a big job like this." Carla informed.

"That's not true! I'm going to answer this request, you'll see!" Wendy argued.

"Fine then, suit yourself. I'm not coming with you." Carla looks away from Wendy in disappointment.

"Hey, hold it. Why are you two fighting?" Lucy asked, getting between them. "Do you really need to be so prickly all the time, Carla?" Carla just turns away in disbelief.

"I will take on this job!" Wendy declared.

"Wait a minute. You're not planning on going alone, are you?" Mira asked.

"Yes! It'll be more good experience." Wendy nodded, grinning at everyone.

"Hold up there!" Master Makarov spoke up. Wendy turns to look at the Master sitting on the bar drinking his booze. "Wendy, you've only just gotten used to how we do things here. I can't let you go on some far-off request alone!" He chugs some of his booze. "Who's been there before?" He scans the entire room. "Let me see... Happy!"

"Me?!" Happy pointed at himself.

Master Makarov nodded his head. He looks to his right, searching for more people. "And... Freed! You look like you're free. Go with her."

"If that is your order, Master..." Freed sits up from his seat.

Happy jumps in surprise. "Why Freed?!" Natsu, Lucy, and Aira asked in confusion.

"Okay, I'm heading out!" Wendy, Happy, and Freed are prepared to go. Some of the guild members are outside of the guild saying their goodbyes.

"Be careful, seriously." Aira warned.

"Freed, make sure to protect Wendy, got it?" Cana said.

"You needn't worry. Leave everything to me." Freed nodded his head in agreement.

"Don't do anything unless needed. This is for Wendy's education, after all." Master Makarov said.

"Aye, sir..." Happy said in disappointment.

Carla turns away in disbelief, not saying goodbye to her partner. Wendy and her team walk away to go on their mission.

"Will she really be okay?" Lucy questioned.

"Since Freed's with her, there shouldn't be anything to worry about, but..." Reedus responded.

"But he's oddly inflexible about things... He does things his own way, you know?" Cana concluded.

Carla turns back around to look at Wendy who's walking away.

At Magnolia Station, the train that would head to Onibus is not running due to a breakdown. Wendy decides that she would walk to Onibus despite Happy's protests and Freed agrees with her.

Back at Fairy Tail, Lucy informs Erza about Wendy's job. Erza begins her vocal exercises and tells Lucy that she is worried about Wendy and has decided that she is going to follow her. Suddenly, Mirajane arrives and tells everyone that the train to Onibus isn't running. Worried, Erza, Lucy and Carla leave to follow Wendy.

Elsewhere, Wendy, Happy and Freed experience problems with the weather and stay in a cave. Erza, Lucy and Carla get caught up in the rain and take shelter in Horologium.

Back at the guild...

When Natsu learns that the three left to follow Wendy, he decides to leave too. He arrives at the station, hesitates a little, and rides the train. However, due to an accident, the train is returning to the station and is not going to stop at Onibus.

Wendy's team and Erza's team camp out for the night as it begins to get dark.

However, Natsu experiences troubles with his motion sickness and could not leave the train that he boarded.

The next day, the two teams walk through the desert. While Happy feels sick from the heat, a cursed sandstorm quickly approaches Wendy's team which causes them to run away. Meanwhile, Erza falls into quicksand and so Lucy summons Virgo to help out. While Virgo is trying to help Erza out, Wendy's team meets up with theirs while attempting to escape. When Erza is rescued, it seemed they could not run from the sandstorm anymore. Wendy uses her Sky Dragon's Roar to disperse it, earning her compliments from her guild mates.

They finally reach Onibus. However, Rabian explains that he made up with his actors and that everything is okay, much to everyone's dismay. Everyone, including the newly-arrived and motion sick Natsu faints from exhaustion. Rabian chatises the Fairy Tail Mages who passed out in front of his theater and orders Wendy to get rid of them. Wendy is disappointed about her first big job, but Carla tells her that she should be proud because she did a good job.

"Thank you very much!"

Everyone prepares for the Fairy Tail Guild's annual 24-Hour Endurance Road Race. "So cool!" A certain reporter shouted. "It's that time of year again! This grand event is here! Fairy Tail's traditional All-Wizards Mandatory Participation 24 Hour Road Race! And I, Jason, from the Weekly Sorcerer, will be doing the play-by-play! I'll be giving you the cool scoop on this hot event!"

Mira was holding a pink umbrella over Jet. "Here he is! The unbeatable titleholder for this road race, Jet!" Jason introduced. "Rumors say he's compensating for being mostly useless on quests!"

"Hey!" Jet shouted.

"Just rumors, man!" Jason quickly said.

"Damn that Jet... He thinks this year's gonna be a walk in the park again." Aira said.

"Oh yeah? I wouldn't be so sure of that! Victory is mine!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Nobody who says 'victory is mine' ever actually wins." Gajeel claimed.

"I gots me a super-secret weapon." Natsu smirked.

"A secret weapon? You're such a little brat." Aira insulted. The Dragon Slayers stare at each other with determination between them.

Cana quickly chugs her barrel of booze before the race. "All right, let's do this!" She throws the barrel aside.

"You're drinking? Right before we start the run?" Lucy questioned.

"I can't run without fuel, right?" Cana said.

"I figured you'd say something like that, Cana." Lucy chuckled. "Everyone's really revved up, though."

"No one wants to face the punishment, after all." Happy stated.

"Last year was horrible..." Cain agreed, nodding his head.

"What punishment?!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Quiet, everyone! All members of Fairy Tail! A wizard is one with both strength of mind and body! I wish for you to utilize those powers to the utmost in today's competition!" Master Makarov announced.

"Do we really need smarts for this?" Elfman asked.

"Seems pretty much just physical endurance to me." Aira commented.

"The rules are simple! You will run as fast as you can from the start line, then here along the appointed course, heading for Mt. Ivor! This year, I have left Wyvern scales at the top of Mt. Ivor! You will take one of those scales, and return here within 24 hours! I won't accept any dropouts. If you are a Fairy Tail wizard then you will run the distance, all the way to your next job tomorrow! Furthermore, I am imposing a new regulation this year at the urging of many... Flying magic is forbidden!" Master Makarov explained. Happy, Cain, and Evergreen plan to fly across the set to win, but their plans are foiled. "Other than that, any type of magic is allowed!"

"He's one crafty old fox..." Reedus said.

"Every year he just goes overboard..." Wakaba added.

"And of course, the person who comes in last will face a punishment of which there is nothing scarier on the planet!" Master Makarov reminded them. Everyone stands there speechless, scared about what kind of punishment the master had in mind.

"Isn't this all because the master looks forward to giving out the punishment?" Macao asked.

"Last year was just awful..." Alzack mumbled.

"It's only one person, though." Gajeel said. "As long as you don't come in last, what's the problem?"

"That is quite logical way of thinking." Erza approaches them. "But it is far too negative!"

"Oh, yeah?" Gajeel said.

"I compete only to win." Erza requips into a different and softer outfit, including sunglasses and a hat. "This is a special outfit that reduces my muscle fatigue, allowing me to run continously for a long time."

"She's really going for the win..." Gajeel commented.

"Happy. Today only, we're rivals. I ain't gonna go easy on you." Natsu claimed.

"I know! But..." Happy paused. "This new rule sucks big time."

"D-Dark!" Lucy mumbled.

"The same goes for you and I, Cain." Aira smirked at his best friend.

"Even though what Happy says is true, I still won't lose." Cain said.

"Now... It's finally time for the start! Everyone, to the starting line!" Jason announced.

Jet's the first one to stand at the starting line. "Levy, watch my start!"

"I don't have time for that!" Levy responded.

"He just wants to show you how cool he is." Lucy winked at her.

"You probably don't realize, Lu-chan, but I couldn't watch him at the start even if I wanted to." Levy said.

Everybody gets ready, standing at the starting line, waiting for the gunshot. "Ready! Bam!" Master Makarov shoots a small beam off his finger.

Not even a second later, Jet's the first to run. "Here I go! High Speed!" His speed goes faster than usual.

"Pulling away right at the start is Jet again this year!" Everyone is on the ground, collapsed from Jet's sudden move.

"Couldn't see him, right?" Levy questioned, smiling at Lucy.

"No kidding..." Lucy agreed.

The first one to stand up, Natsu, quickly uses his Magic as a booster of his speed. Lucy and Aira watch him in utter shock. "Seriously?!"

"Check out my secret weapon! It's the Fire Dragon's Fists boosters!" Natsu stated.

Aira, Elfman, Erza, Gajeel, Satsuki, Alzack, Macao, Happy, and Cain run after them. "Jet, Natsu! That's totally my right!" Elfman shouted.

"Lucy-san, Levy-san, if you'll pardon us!" Wendy and Carla run past the girls who were still sitting on the ground.

"Today, everyone is our enemy. You really don't have to be so polite." Carla informed.

"Crap!" Lucy starts to freak out.

"We're the last ones!" Levy exclaimed.

"Now then, who'll be getting the punishment?" Master Makarov asked. "I can't wait!"

Jet's still sprinting, Natsu and the others are behind him. Happy does his best at running at a normal pace. "Sorry, Happy!" Lucy and Levy quickly catch up, running past Happy.

"See ya!" Levy shouted.

"Jet's already running off by himself! And behind him, Natsu! The idea of using Fire Dragon's Fists as boosters is totally cool!" Jason, along with Mira and the Master, wait at the guild, watching the race through the Lacrima. "Then there's Erza, Gajeel, and Satsuki leading a huge pack! Who will it be that makes a break for it? Let's hear from our expert commentator, Mirajane!" He puts the microphone in front of her.

"Jet's so fast..." Mira commented. "...we can't find him." The Lacrima cannot catch Jet on screen.

As the others try to catch up to Jet and Natsu, the other Mages start using their Magic.

"Pict Magic!" Reedus paints a picture of a hole on his stomach. A hole appears underneath Droy and Warren causing them to fall. "What a cinch! Everyone, fall!" Suddenly, something knocks Reedus over which causes him to fall in his own trap.

"That's what you get for layin' back and paintin'!" Gajeel runs past him.

"You should really watch your step!" Satsuki follows Gajeel.

"Water Dragon's Geyser!" Aira sends tall columns of water and steam into the air, attacking Vijeeter and Nab, joining a couple of already fallen Mages. Aira runs past them. "Don't take it personal!" He looks over his shoulder and smirks at them.

"Aira, you bastard!" Nab shouted.

"Beast Arm..." Elfman's arm soon changed. "Iron Bull!" He punches Aira away as he gets thrown back. Juvia, Happy, and Cain easily rush past him.

Meanwhile...

"This is tough work..." Cana and Wakaba struggle to keep up, breathing heavily.

"You drink too much, Cana!" Wakaba commented.

"You look just as tired as me, Wakaba!" Cana informed.

"I didn't think I'd gotten this out of shape!" Wakaba panted.

"Can we even make it to the goal?" Cana asked.

Macao runs in front of them. "You guys are pitiful. Learn from this, and lay off the booze and tobacco a little." Cana gets irritated with him as Wakaba tries his best to run.

Meanwhile...

Bisca, Evergreen, and Max are running side by side. Evergreen accidently steps on a rock which happens to be a trap. They get trapped inside runes. "What is this?!" Bisca asked.

"Runes?!" Evergreen exclaimed.

"Is it Freed?" Max questioned.

"He's booby-trapped the course!" Evergreen said.

"Exactly." Freed stands on the other side of the runes.

"Are you never going to let us out?!" Evergreen questioned. "I know he said anything other than flying magic is allowed, but this goes too far!"

"I never said you couldn't go free." Freed summons a pile of Fairy Tail books in front of them.

"What are these? 'Practice Questions for the Magic Four-Wheeler License Exam'?" Max picks up one of the books.

"This one's 'Practice Questions for the Level 3 Four Elements Sorcerer Qualification'?" Bisca reads the cover of the book.

"Freed, what is the meaning of this?!" Evergreen asked him angrily.

"To escape from these runes, you must answer all the questions, and get them all correct." Freed explained.

"What?!" The three exclaimed in utter shock.

"If this race purports to test both physical and mental strength, then this little side game is entertaining as well as fitting. If you feel bitter, blame yourselves for falling into my trap." Freed disappears within the runes.

"Hold it, Freed!" Evergreen called out.

"Blame ourselves?" Max repeated.

"It was you who activated the runes..." Bisca mumbled, not amused with Evergreen. "We were just caught up in it!"

"We've got no choice! We'll solve all the problems!" Evergreen picks up one of the books.

"Do them yourself!" Bisca and Max angrily yell at her.

"You meanies!" Evergreen shouted.

"Forgive me, friends!" Freed runs away. He sees Erza run past him. "She is brave for not using magic."

Erza suddenly jumps back when runes appear in front of her. Luckily, she's not trapped in them. "Runes?"

"Titania!" Freed called out. "Your senses are as perspective as ever! You may have noticed the rune trap, however..." Swords surround Freed, pointing at him, ready to strike.

"Breaking my running rhythm is a serious offense. Now I have to get my rhythm back..." Erza jogs away.

Freed carefully turns around. "Erza, let me out of here! Hey!" Happy continues to jog at a steady pace.

At the guild...

"After getting past his tricks, she zings one back at him!" Jason and the others watch through the Lacrima. "The race has gotten completely unpredictable!"

"No one wants to face the punishment." Mira stated.

"Oh? There's movement near the top of Mt. Ivor!" Jason exclaimed. "Could it be?!" The flying camera flies closer to the running person. "It's Jet! The pre-race speculation was right on the money, as Jet is the first to reach the summit!"

Jet finally stops running as he picks up one of the Wyvern scales. "He took a Wyvern scale!" Jason commented. "Now all he has to do is come back!" Jet goes back to running. "Jet's speed isn't waning in the slightest! Who will get there next?!"

"Ah, I'm beat..." Lucy takes a break and rests by sitting back on a tree. "I can't go on anymore. I need a little break."

Levy approaches her. "Lu-chan, you have to keep going!"

"But my legs won't move!" Lucy whined. "Levy-chan, you go ahead. I'll catch up."

"Okay. I'll be going now." Levy jogs away, leaving Lucy behind.

"My legs hurt... Is there anything I can make use of?" Lucy asked herself. "Anyone good to rely on at a time like this..." She takes out her celestial keys. "Gate of the Maiden, I open thee! Virgo!"

"You called, Princess?" Virgo asked.

"Carry me up to the peak!" Lucy ordered. "And do it on the double!"

"As you wish." Virgo carries Lucy in her arms.

"This'll be a breeze!" Lucy cheers for herself. "Full speed ahead!" She points to the direction of the mountain.

"I depart!" Virgo springs towards the mountain as Lucy screams. They run past Levy who's still jogging.

"Lu-chan?" Levy questioned.

"I'm gonna fall! I'm gonna fall! Let me down, I'm scared!" Lucy holds onto Virgo tightly.

Meanwhile...

Juvia takes a small break by a stream of water. She puts her hand in the water, feeling the cool water. "What lovely water... The fatigue is washing right away... Ah, Gray-sama..." She imagines of her and Gray being together. "Until Gray-sama comes to this place, Juvia will rest in this cool water... Like this..." Out of nowhere, Juvia becomes one with the water, much to her shock. She swims away as Wendy and Carla run by the stream of water.

"Was that... Juvia-san?" Wendy questioned.

"Ah, the water-user. While she was soaking in the water, she must have changed herself to water by accident." Carla responded.

Gray soon catches up to them. "Have you seen Juvia around here?" Carla points to the water. "Seriously?"

"Gray-sama!" Juvia cries out for him, swimming away.

Meanwhile...

Natsu's still running with his fists engulfed in flames and using it as a booster. "Go, go, go!" The flames start to burn out. "Whoa there, they stopped!" Natsu stops midway, having no Magic Power in him. "Out of fuel?" He tries to summon fire in his fists, but he fails. "Well, I was going full-power all the time."

Gajeel and Satsuki finally catch up to Natsu. Natsu turns around to see the two Dragon Slayers approaching him. "Gajeel! Satsuki!"

"Outta my way!" Gajeel punches Natsu away.

Natsu crashes into some rocks, tumbling down the mountain. "Gajeel, you bastard!" He notices a fire burning with some young campers around it. "Can I eat that fire?" He asked happily.

"You could've at least said excuse me." Satsuki sighed, jogging next to Gajeel, who just scoffed at his best friend.

At the guild...

"It's been 12 hours since the start! The moon has already risen over the night sky! Right now, the wizards are taking Wyvern scales one after another and blasting on to return course!" Jason watches some of the Mages obtain the Wyvern scales.

Lucy runs back to the Guild with a Wyvern scale in her hands. Happy finally arrives to Mt. Ivor. "Finally, here..." He walks around to find some scales. There are two shiny scales on top of a tall rock. Happy does small jumps, not being able to reach it. He looks around his surroundings so he can secretly use his wings. The camera approaches him. Now he's trying to climb up the rock, but slides down.

Natsu soon arrives. "Oh, Happy!"

"Natsu!" Happy didn't expect Natsu to arrive last. Natsu easily climbs up the rock to obtain the scales. He hands one to Happy. "Thanks, Natsu!"

Natsu gives him a thumbs up. "I'm taking off."

"Don't slack off on the way!" Happy said.

"I know!" Natsu pulls his arms back as he leans his body forward. "Fire Dragon's Fists!" He blasts off with full energy.

Happy sighs as he goes back to running with a Wyvern scale.

"The 24-Hour Endurance Road Race! We're well into the second half! Cool!" Jason cheered. "All the wizards, with the Wyvern scale in hand, are racing full speed toward the Magnolia South Gate Park!" The goal line is brightly lit up with colorful lights. "Still in the lead is Jet, as always! Next up is Erza, who doesn't even look winded! The next group is Aira, Lucy, Gajeel, and Satsuki, who are still running strong! Cool! Behind them is the full pack in pursuit, not losing focus for an instant! Who will be coming in last? Who will be receiving the punishment this year? You can't miss a second!"

Master Makarov is happily waiting for the last person to arrive to the finish line so he can give the punishment.

"Bunch of slackers... Let's liven things up a bit." Jet, who is far ahead of everyone else, decides to take a nap.

The Next Day...

The sun rises over the mountains, lighting up the day. "Cool! The race has entered the final stage! The super high-speed Jet is so fast, we've completely lost sight of him!"

Erza is minding her own business with her running. Natsu and the rest catch up to her.

"But! Natsu and the rest are gustily gaining ground! Cool!"

"Everyone has worked hard through the night." Mira said.

"We had better switch our seats at South Gate Park, and get ready to watch the finish!" Jason added.

Happy notices someone sleeping on the ground. "Huh?! Jet?! Are you asleep? Hey, Jet! Wake up, Jet!"

Jet finally wakes up. "Hey, Happy."

"Should you be sleeping now?" Happy asked.

Jet remembers the race that he's supposed to win. "I overslept!"

"Everyone's gone ahead." Happy stated.

"Thanks, Happy. I gotta make up for lost time!" Jet sprints away which almost blows Happy away.

Meanwhile...

Erza, Natsu, Aira, Gajeel, and Satsuki are running towards the finish line. "It's the last spurt toward the goal! The battle for second is heating up!" Jason commented.

"All right! We can see Magnolia!" Natsu can see the town in the distance. He hears someone behind them. "What?"

Inside the guild...

"Oh, what's this?" Jason watches closely. They see Jet catching up to the group in front of him.

"Jet?" Mira's surprised as well to see him behind.

Outside...

"What? He wasn't in the lead?" Master Makarov questioned.

Meanwhile...

Jet screams as he tries to catch up. "Why is Jet behind us?!" Natsu asked.

"Wait, then that means we're in contention to win?!" Aira stated.

Jet runs past the other Mages in a flash.

"I don't think so! Requip!" Erza requips into a rabbit suit.

"A rabbit?!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Is this your trump card for the last spurt?" Aira asked. Gajeel and Satsuki focus on the finish line in front of them. The Dragon Slayers realize that they're running faster than Erza.

"She's not catching up..." Aira mumbled.

"That's actually really slow for a rabbit." Natsu said.

"She must've bought it based on the way it looked!" Aira stated.

"Maybe she's more about appearances?" Gajeel questioned.

"I thought this was a race, not a fashion show." Satsuki insulted.

"Hold it, you guys!" Jet yelled. The group battle each other by running as fast as they can to see who crosses the finish line first.

"Now in Magnolia, Jet's finally neck in neck!" Jason exclaimed. "The winner has been narrowed down to one of these 6!"

"Fire Dragon's Fists!" Natsu charges forward.

"As if!" Jet runs in front of him.

"Requip!" Erza changes back into her regular running clothes. Aira, Gajeel, and Satsuki try to go forward.

Natsu's flames are starting to burn out again.

"Natsu's fists are out of fuel!" Jason announced. "Is he out of contention to win?"

"It's not over yet!" Natsu screamed.

"Yeah! Never count Natsu out!" Jason said. "He's digging deep into top groove to close in!"

"I won't lose!" Natsu screamed. "I won't lose!"

"Victory is mine!" They all screamed for victory. Just when they're about to reach the finish line, Natsu trips on a rock which causes him to crash into Gajeel as Gajeel punches Aira as Aira grabs onto Jet as Jet trips over Erza and Satsuki trips over Jet. They all crash into each other and stop in front of the finish line.

"There's a huge crash!" Jason exclaimed. In the distance, they see Happy catching up to the finish line. "Wait, who's that cool cat coming up? It's Happy! Happy is here!"

"Happy?" Natsu watches Happy jog past them.

"Yes, the goal is right ahead!" Mira and the Master are holding the goal line for Happy to cross through. Happy successfully crosses the finish line as he wins the race.

"All right! I won!" Happy jumps in excitement with people cheering for him.

"Congratulations, Happy!" Mira cheers for him.

"Yes! You ran well!" Master Makarov said.

"Aye!" Happy flies over the crowd.

"Goal! Happy is the winner of this year's 24 Hours Endurance Road Race!" Jason announced. "History has been made! Nothing will ever be the same, folks! Cool! Cool! Cool!" Natsu, Aira, Erza, Gajeel, Satsuki, and Jet have their mouths wide open in utter shock.

"You've got to be kidding me." Natsu said.

"He got us." Aira commented.

"The cat?" Gajeel added.

"This was totally unexpected." Satsuki claimed.

"Not a bad ending, I say." Erza smiles at Jet.

"He woke me up. Ah well, I'll let him win this time." Jet scratches his head.

Just then, Wendy and Carla arrives to the finish line. "Whoa there! Coming in second is Wendy, and third is Carla! The top three spots are occupied by these three Fairy Tail pretties!" They take photos of the top three winners of the race.

Other Mages are charging towards the finish line. This means that nobody wants to face the punishment. They run over the Dragon Slayers and Jet who are crashed down on the ground. "What's this?! A battalion of wizards all crossed the goal at once! Quick thinking Erza and Satsuki also crossed the goal."

The Dragon Slayers and Jet are unable to move. Everyone is shouting at them to move and cross the finish line.

"Shoot!" Aira gets up, but Gajeel has knocked him down.

"Crap!" Gajeel growled.

"Easy for you to say!" Natsu shouted.

Jet quickly gets up and runs towards the finish line. "This ain't no joke! High Speed!" The Dragon Slayers grab onto Jet. "What?!"

"Jet!" The trio screamed as they crossed the finish line.

"Go-go-go-goal!" Jason chanted. "The 4 of you crossed at the same time!"

"What?!" The guys yelled in anger.

"This year was whacked out! The finish was cooler than cool! Coming in last was, incredibly, Natsu, Gajeel, Aira, and Jet! We'll know who'll get punished!" Jason commented.

Master Makarov chuckles to himself, ready to reveal the punishment. "Are you prepared?"

"You're kidding, right, Gramps?" Natsu asked.

"Gramps! At least let us have a tie-breaker!" Aira argued.

"No!" Master Makarov shouted. "I won't hear any more of your pitiful excuses! For a wizard, there are no do-overs, for jobs or otherwise! Stop acting like babies and take your punishment! All four of you!"

"Fine, I got it! I'll do whatever! Tell us what the punishment is." Natsu said.

"There! That's the spirit! I will now announce this year's punishment!" The Master holds up a copy of Weekly Sorcerer's magazine. "Right here!"

"Weekly Sorcerer?" Aira questioned.

"What about it?" Gajeel asked.

"The four of you will do a super-embarrassing photo spread for the issue two weeks from now! A super-magnificent 20 pages, together with a one-week, all-access interview!" Master Makarov responded. The guys had a shocked expression.

"A super-embarrassing photo spread?" Lucy repeated.

"Now then, everyone... Let's go right ahead and start picking out clothes!" Jason shouted. The guys run off into the distance with Jason closely following them. "Wait!"

"Oh, hell no!" The guys yelled as they sprint away from Jason who's left behind.

"They're running again?" Lucy watches the guys run.

"Seems they have plenty of stamina. As expected." Erza commented.

"I don't think that's what it is." Lucy mumbled.

"I'm gonna have a lot of fun hanging this over Gajeel's head for a while." Satsuki grinned.

"By the way, Master..." Happy flies towards the Master. "I won, so do I get something nice?"

"You already did!" The Master replied. He chuckles to himself. "You got the joy of winning and everyone's cheers! There is no greater honor, am I right?"

"Wait, seriously?!" Happy exclaimed. "That's it?! Seriously...? Aww..." He cries a waterfall of tears.