19 Battle for the Pearl

Explosions rang out as magic flew across the pit

Ice collided with fire as steam rose into the air creating a misty condensation

Erza's figure now coated in thick metal plates with luxurious wings in the back cut through the mist heading into the middle of the pit,

"It's mine!" Erza yelped with annoyance hidden in her tone.

"Hmph! If it's yours try and take it!" Mira's tsundere voice came out as three dark magic beams split off aiming at Erza

Tilting her body, she avoided the first before slicing the second beam down the middle the third missing to the side causing the already beaten pit to crumble more at the edges.

Wasting no time, two figures clashed in the centre of the pit, swords and talons sparking against each other.

"Just give up bad woman!" Snarled an angry silver haired Mira.

"I'm the one who's going to be S-class!" Erza retorted

BOOM

"Don't count me out just yet!"

Thunder rang out between the two temporarily locking up their muscles as Cana's car exploded in a dazzling display

Mist dissipated as a bear-clawed figure shadowed past arms open and outstretched.

"Mira, I'll get it, you hold them off!" A gruff voice from Elfman shouted out

"Not yet you won't!" Elfman crashed into a barrier of ice that sprawled up causing it to shake in the impact but remain sturdy.

Swords and claws continued to collide as Erza and Mira's battle continued to heat up Cana sitting on the outside occasionally sniping with cards,

Natsu rushed in toward Gray and Elfman.

"Come back here you icicle bastard!" Fists aflame, Natsu punched at the distracted Gray who stumbled back with a glare.

"Damn Lizard!" In response, Gray began to shape out his magic before getting whacked in the head from behind by Elfman pushing him back near Natsu who punched him in the face again.

"Bastards! Teaming up!" Gray shouted aggrievedly with a noticeable bump on his head.

Natsu's mouth upturned gloatingly before being hit by a stray beam from Mira

"Elfman grab it!"

Mira shouted out still facing off against Erza evenly.

Swords flung out at the bear-clawed figure who roughly swiped them to the side rushing his hands about to clasp the pearl.

"Ice make: Road!" Ice appeared below him causing him to lose his balance and slip, kicking the glowing orb skywards

"Bastard pervert! I'm not done with you yet!" Natsu punched Gray in the face mercilessly.

A card flew at Elfman seconds later landing neatly on his back

"Card Magic: Thunderbolt's fate!" Crackling lightning sprouted out entangling his entire body paralyzing him as both Mira and Erza flew up.

Flying faster, Mira dodged several swords in the air as she continued to head upward.

"Face me unless you're afraid!" Erza said displeased continuing to desperately fire ranged projectiles.

"Bad woman, who made you fly so slow!" Mira mocked growing closer.

"Card magic: Fire explosion!" Cana yelled throwing a card into the air which soon exploded causing the pearl to blast out into the grass, Mira dodged back slightly to avoid it.

Mira glared in response as Erza dashed toward her from the side slashing at her claws causing Mira to be further blasted away.

"Bastard! I almost had it!" Mira sulked regaining her bearings for another round of confrontation.

Five swords shot at her figure blocking her sight as dark magic welled up in her hands to deflect.

*Clink*

Swords fired off in random directions as Mira's sight cleared up only to reveal Erza already dashing down near the grass.

"Hmph! Coward, face me unless you're afraid!" Mira said displeased desperately firing off projectiles to attempt to slow Erza down.

Erza tilted her head with a gloating smile as she landed back on the ground facing Cana who had already grabbed the pearl.

"Give it here Cana" Erza frowned slightly facing the brown-haired card master

"You'll have to take it from me!" With a wide confident grin, Cana faced off against the scarlet-headed knight.

Nearby, Mira landed softly on the ground her wings arched back slightly in preparation to strike.

"Card Magic: Water Bolt!" Water shot out from various cards causing Erza and Mira to be covered in water.

"Now I'm soaked!" Mira cried her fists clenching charging at Cana.

Erza glared as Cana's mouth upturned even more.

"Card Magic: Thunderbolt's fate!" A dazzling yellow flash spread out as Erza slipped back Mira wasn't so lucky getting entangled in thunder squealing slightly in pain, hair sticking up making her look slightly funny.

"You- you- yo-" Mira pointed before Erza flew up from behind bashing the back of Mira's neck with her hilt.

"Hm! Revenge." Erza snorted happily reminding herself of earlier taunts.

Mira fell over harshly on the ground, her form retracting as current surged through her body.

"Now it's just us," Erza said lightly

"It seems so," Cana responded solemnly.

"Requip: Black Wing Armor!"

"Moon Flash"

Erza shouted out in tandem as her black armor with bat-like wings bolted forward at high speeds.

"Card Magic: Volley!" Cana shouted machine gunning cards out which Erza skilfully avoided due to her increased vigilance and a higher level of combat experience.

Cutting through a card, Erza had arrived, slashing at Cana's now rolling figure clipping her hair slightly.

With a knee up, Cana threw out another thunderbolt's fate at the slightly damp Erza.

"Few." Cana sighed as Erza flew up diagonally to evade.

Various swords shot out to put pressure on Cana as Erza continued to approach.

Roughly slipping between blades, Cana's embarrassed figure emerged looking slightly panicked.

"Got you!" Erza yelled sword at the ready causing Cana's face to pale.

"No, I got you." Cana's face changed instantly with a smile drawing a card

"Card Magic: Fireball" The card flashed a deep crimson, Erza having no room to avoid due to the close proximity of the two.

BOOM!

Steam and dust kicked up blinding Cana who slightly panted in exhaustion.

"Almost had me there." Cana exhaled weakly.

Debris split as a sword stuck on Cana's throat causing her to gulp slightly.

Erza appeared now in an orange and black armor set.

"You lost," Erza spoke softly, slightly bruised from the burn but due to her swapping to flame empress armor at the last moment, most of the damage was resisted.

"I lost," Cana responded tossing the pearl over before sitting down tiredly.

Two figures appeared from the tree line with smiles plastered on their faces as Makarov and Katakuri walked in front.

"Well done Erza, our new S-class wizard!" Makarov spoke excitedly

"Brother Katakuri! I won!" Erza ignored him rushing straight at Katakuri with a 'praise me' look

"Yes yes. our Erza is amazing." Katakuri responded dotingly as he looked at her various injuries worriedly.

"Uhm" Makarov coughed in embarrassment before patting Cana on the shoulder.

"You did great, your use of magic was excellent." Makarov praised causing Cana to cheer up slightly.

"Congratulations again Erza, you have proven to have the strength and wisdom befitting an S-class wizard."

"Thanks," Erza responded perfunctorily as Katakuri continued to spoil her.

"Ugh, I have no prestige." Makarov sighed softly before moving to grab the fainted competitors.

Erza hung onto Katakuri's scarf spoiledly causing his stern face to crack open a smile.

"Erza, for you." He said softly handing over a small ornate wooden box.

Wide-eyed, Erza left his scarf quickly clasping the box with interest.

"Hmm, it won't be?" Erza thought her face going slightly red looking at the jewelry box.

Tentatively looking at Katakuri who was still smiling, the box propped open revealing a set of delicate earrings indented with a beautiful ruby matching both their hair.

"Do you want to try them on?" Katakuri spoke slightly nervously.

"Hm!" Erza nodded happily placing the two dazzling earrings close to her ears.

"How do they look?" Erza looked slightly shy her face blushing.

"Beautiful," Katakuri responded sincerely as Erza grinned with glee.

*Cough*

Makarov appeared with the remaining competitors causing Erza to lower her head shyly and Mira to pout.

"Well, exam over, let's go back to the guild." Hands-on his head, Makarov began to walk back on the path flanked by the remaining guild members.

"Erza, let's go home." Katakuri grasped Erza's small hands following behind toward home.