For their preliminary trials, Juvia and Lisanna face off against Erza, while Elfman and Evergreen find themselves standing against Mirajane. Meanwhile, Natsu enthusiastically battles against Gildarts, with a series of flashbacks detailing how Natsu had never once been able to defeat him since childhood. Just when Natsu believes he has gained the upper hand, Gildarts unleashes an immense aura of magical power, prompting Natsu to surrender in fear. Gildarts teaches Natsu the benefits that fear has in order for him to grow stronger, and tells him that he has passed his preliminary trial.

After being defeated by Gray and Loke, Mest convinces Wendy to help him look for a secret he claims to be hidden on the island. Worried about Wendy, Charle arrives on Tenrou Island together with Pantherlily, who doubts Mest's claims of being Mystogan's disciple and suspects that Mest may not be a member of Fairy Tail. Meanwhile, Levy and Gajeel pass through the only route devoid of opponents, Elfman and Evergreen defeat Mirajane, and Juvia and Lisanna lose against Erza. For the second part of the exam, the remaining participants are instructed by Makarov to search the island for the grave of Mavis, Fairy Tail's first master, within six hours. During their search, Elfman and Evergreen encounter the black-haired youth, who unwillingly unleashes a wave of lethal magic, though Natsu arrives in time to save his friends.

Natsu attacks the black-haired youth to no effect, causing the youth to despair that Natsu is not strong enough to defeat him. The youth unleashes another wave of death magic against Natsu and disappears, but Natsu is protected from the attack by his scarf, which turns black. Despite the encounter, the participants continue their exam as usual. Meanwhile, the most powerful dark guild of the Baram Alliance, Grimoire Heart, approaches Tenrou Island in search of the youth, who is revealed to be the ancient wizard Zeref. Levy, who separates from Gajeel after arguing with him, is attacked by Grimoire Heart members Yomazu and Kawazu. Gajeel rescues her, and the two prepare to fight against their attackers.

Gajeel and Levy fight Yomazu and Kawazu, who reveal they are merely scouting the island for their more powerful guildmates. Though seriously wounded, Gajeel sends Levy to warn Fairy Tail of Grimoire Heart's attack and defeats the two scouts. While searching for Wendy together with Juvia, Erza finds Levy and lights a beacon signifying the exam's suspension and the enemy attack. Meanwhile, Charle and Pantherlily confront Mest over his identity.

Mest is revealed to be a member of the Magic Council sent to Tenrou Island to search for incriminating evidence against Fairy Tail and disband it. He, Wendy, Charle, and Pantherlily are attacked and defeated by Azuma, one of Grimoire Heart's most powerful members, the Seven Kin of Purgatory, who easily destroys the fleet of council ships Mest had summoned for support. Makarov attempts to cast Fairy Law to repel Grimoire Heart, but the dark guild's master Hades counters the spell with Grimoire Law. Makarov recognizes Hades as Purehito, his predecessor as the master of Fairy Tail.

Makarov is defeated and gravely wounded in his battle against Hades, which is sensed by the wandering Laxus. Meanwhile, the other members of Fairy Tail battle Grimoire Heart's army. Joining the battle are the Seven Kin of Purgatory, each of whom possess an ancient form of magic called Lost Magic. Natsu faces off against Zancrow, one of the Seven Kin and a "God Slayer" who can create black flames Natsu is unable to eat.

Natsu is overwhelmed by Zancrow's God Slayer magic, which proves superior to his own Dragon Slayer magic. Upon finding Makarov badly injured during his fight, Natsu regains his resolve and defeats Zancrow by nullifying his own magical power, allowing him to eat Zancrow's flames and combine their power with his own. Meanwhile, Lucy, Cana, Gray, and Loke fight Caprico, another member of the Seven Kin, while Mirajane and Lisanna fight Azuma.