Erza's taking a mission at Crime Sorciere, going after the man she thought she always wanted. Is she leaving behind the man she thought she'd always have?
Natsu has friend-zoned himself, leaving Lucy and Lisanna in the lurch. He'd rather avoid them both than risk being a two-timer like Gray.
Gray (not actually a two-timer) just can't seem to catch a break. Maybe he just wasn't meant for romantic happiness. Or maybe it's time for a new direction.
Mira's stuck in the past, unable to accept that Laxus has his sights set elsewhere. Freed's never, never giving up on her, even if that means a broken heart.
Juvia's having second thoughts about Gray, but Lyon's ready to call it quits. Can she get her feelings sorted out in time, or will she be left with nothing?
And Toby's dating Jenny Realight. The Jenny Realight. Wait, what?!

Something's gotta give.

This is the Mazeverse series, a post-Tenrou AU where we put your ships in a blender and beat 'til smooth. Lyvia, Gruvia, Jerza, Grayza, Nalu, Nali, Lolu, Graylu, Bixanna, Gale, ElfEver, Miraxus, Laxana, MiraFreed as well as a handful of crackships and rare-pairs as we try to pair the spares. This is the Mazeverse. No ship is safe ;)

Happy Friday! So excited to get to post a new story - now back in the present day of Mazeverse.

Let's catch-up with our mages in the unsettling aftermath of the Victory Gala. This takes place few days after the events of that other story. Reading that story's not required to enjoy this one. If you've read the blurb up top, and you can suspend disbelief for an AU, then you should be good to go.

This story is actually three stories, all revolving around the McGuffin of a teen talent show that Wendy is competing in. (It was a cheap way to tie all three of these things together. XD)

This week, Gray, judged through Natsu's eyes.

- K. Chandler

Wendy rocked back and forth in her chair, and for a moment, Natsu saw her as the little girl they'd first met on that Allied Mission.

"You'll be fine, kiddo," said Gray. "Quit worrying. You got this, yeah?"

"Easy for you to say…" Wendy sighed.

Wendy would be competing in the Junior Miss Fiore teen talent pageant being held Onibus that afternoon. Female mages, aged twelve to sixteen, would be traveling from all over Magnolia to show their skills and compete for the crown and the chance for an interview with Sorcerer Weekly. It wasn't a huge deal, but for many of the younger girls, who hadn't joined a guild yet, this was the opportunity they need to get noticed.

"You should listen to them, child," lectured Charle, one paw in the air. "Despite their lack of decorum, these boys do know a few things about confidence. And that's something you could definitely stand to have a little more of."

"You tell 'em, Charle!" mumbled Happy, sounding more than a little starstruck.

Even though this was only Wendy's first year, Natsu couldn't understand what she had to be nervous about. He and Gray had been working on her routine with her for weeks.

"You just gotta keep your head in the game," Natsu reminded Wendy. "You're a Dragon-Slayer. You're capable of things that normal people only dream of. That's better than weird Maker Magic any day," he added, grinning.

Gray snorted, but he let the dig slide.

"I know, but I'm not used to doing them in front of so many people," protested Wendy. "It makes me a little nervous."

"Don't be nervous," said Gray. "You remember what I told you. It's not about you when you're on stage. It's about giving the audience what they want. They want a good show. And you're going to give it to them. You're gonna blow them away with your magic, yeah?" He grinned.

Wendy nodded, still hesitant.

As much as Natsu hated to admit it, the Ice Block did know a thing or two about showmanship. Gray also knew exactly how to work a crowd. Probably one of the reasons he was disgustingly popular with the ladies.

Like he had been at the Victory Gala.

The memory filled Natsu's mouth with a sour taste. He washed it away with a gulp from his mug, slamming it down with an audible thunk.

"Besides, me and the Flame Brain will be in the crowd rooting for you, kiddo. Right, Natsu?" said Gray.

"Yep." Natsu clenched his jaw. The last thing he wanted to do was agree with the Stripper Freak.

"But you're just two people, and the audience is supposed to be huge," protested Wendy, wringing her hands.

"You know what they say about stage fright. If you get nervous, imagine the audience in their underwear!" chirped Happy.

"Except in this loser's case, you won't even have to imagine," muttered Natsu.

"Will ya knock it off?" growled Gray. "What's your problem?"

"I'm trying to make Wendy feel better," insisted Natsu. That much should have been obvious.

"Sure…" purred Happy.

"By making fun of me?" snapped Gray, scowling. "Real mature, Pyro."

It wasn't like Natsu was trying to take a below-the-belt shot at the Ice Pervert. Nope.

"Honestly…" sighed Charle. "I'd like to retract what I just told Wendy about following your example."

"You got a better idea?" snorted Natsu.

Gray's scowl shifted into a thoughtful frown, brows drawing together. "Actually, do you care if I bring some other people to come watch?" he asked Wendy. "We can start your own personal cheer squad."

"That's a marvelous idea!" said Charle. "You've redeemed yourself, Gray."

"Well, I try," he said, grinning at her lopsidedly.

Natsu's eyes widened. Was Gray flirting with Charle? There was something very wrong with him if he was hitting on the Exceed. Was that even legal?

"I mean, I guess that's fine," said Wendy quietly. She pulled out two purple slips with the title of the event printed on them. "I've got more tickets. I would have invited other people, but I didn't think anyone would want to come to something like this."

"I'm sure plenty of people would love to see one of our own win first place, kiddo," said Gray. "Right, Erza?"

Natsu's lips pressed into a thin line. Predictably, Gray had started with Erza. He always started with Erza.

"Wanna come cheer for Wendy?" Gray called over his shoulder. He leaned back in his chair and nudged Erza with his elbow.

Erza had been sitting at the table behind them, turning around when Gray prodded her in the back. Erza shook her head, her eyes apologetic. "Sorry, Wendy," said Erza. "I have to get ready for my trip."

"Don't worry about it," said Wendy. "A teen talent show isn't the most exciting thing."

"Good luck, though! I'm sure you'll do fine," said Erza warmly.

"I thought your trip wasn't until later," said Gray, frowning.

"It isn't. I'm not leaving until the day after tomorrow," said Erza. "But since I'll be away so long, I'll need to take care of some things first. There's so much to do before I leave!" she said with a soft smile.

"Gotcha," said Gray evenly, his frown disappearing as quickly as it had arrived.

"Are you still good to take me to the station?" asked Erza.

"Sure," said Gray. "I can help you haul your million and one bags to the station."

"Thanks," said Erza. "I appreciate you doing that."

"No problem," said Gray, turning away quickly. Natsu couldn't see his expression, but he could have sworn the Ice Block seemed a little upset.

But if he was, it didn't last long. Gray had already moved on to his next target.

Gray sauntered across the guild to where Lucy was picking over job requests.

Natsu snapped his head back in a double-take. Lucy? What did he want with Lucy? Natsu hissed in displeasure, a protective feeling flaring in his chest.

"Yo, Lucy," said Gray. "Looking for another job?"

"Rent's due at the end of the week," said Lucy, shrugging.

"So, does that means you're free this afternoon? Wendy's got this talent pageant thing going on. I think the rest of us should support her as a team," Gray explained. "Wanna come? Me and the Flame Brain are going."

There he went, making it sound like a perfectly normal team activity.

"Sounds like fun!" said Lucy, pocketing the ticket that Gray offered. "I'm in."

"Good," said Gray. "Don't get comfortable. The thing starts at one, so we'll probably leave in a little bit."

"Whatd'ya do that for?" snarled Natsu as soon as Gray had made it back to their table.

"What?" asked Gray, giving Natsu a blank stare.

"Why'd you invite Luce?" Natsu hissed.

"Um, 'cause she's part of our team?" said Gray, eying him up. "And she's friends with Wendy too."

"I can't believe this," muttered Natsu.

"Chill out, man," said Gray. "There's one other ticket. You can ask Lisanna to come too if you want," shrugged Gray, passing Natsu the other ticket.

"No way!" yelped Natsu.

It was bad enough that Lucy was coming, but to have Lisanna in the same place? Unlike Gray, he was trying to avoid the girls, not surround himself with them!

"Suit yourself," said Gray, shoulders lifting in a shrug. "I guess we could ask Mira or Cana. I'm pretty sure I saw Cana around earlier."

"Levy might be free, if you're looking for another person," suggested Lucy, joining them. She folded the job flyer she had selected from the board and tucked it away.

"What do you think?" Gray asked Wendy.

"You can pick," said Wendy. "Like I said, I'm grateful that any of you are coming at all," she said.

"I think you should ask Juvia," said Happy.

"Knock it off, Happy," hissed Natsu.

Gray surveyed the Exceed thoughtfully. "That's actually a really good idea," he said finally, face pulling into a grin.

"What?" hissed Natsu. First Erza and Lucy? Then Cana, Mira, Levy, and now Juvia?

What was Gray trying to do? Bring along his own personal harem?

"Really?" asked Lucy. "I didn't realize you two had gotten to be friends."

"I've actually been meaning to invite her to hang out with us for some time," said Gray, shrugging. "Hey, Juvia!" he shouted.

Juvia shot to her feet, her eyes shimmering hopefully. "Yes, Gray?" she blurted, her cheeks dusted pink. Then she shut her eyes, taking a deep breath to compose herself. "I mean, do you need something?"

"I've got one more ticket to Wendy's event this afternoon. You wanna come with?" Gray asked.

"You mean like… with you?" asked Juvia slowly. She was tracing shapes on the table with her finger. Natsu hoped, for her sake, that they weren't hearts.

Who was he kidding? They were definitely hearts.

Natsu gritted his teeth.

"And Lucy and Natsu. Like a group of friends. Supporting a teammate," said Gray. "You've never gone out with us just as friends, have you?"

"Well, no, I… I haven't," said Juvia.

"Well, you totally should. It'll be fun. You in?" asked Gray.

Juvia paused, as if weighting her options. Then she smiled. "Yeah! Okay!"

"Cool," said Gray, passing her the last ticket.

Unbelievable. Natsu shook his head. It was like that self-absorbed jerk didn't have a care in the world!

Juvia clutched the ticket with a reverence that made Natsu's stomach turn. Worst of all, Gray wasn't looking at her. Instead his had turned his attention back to Wendy.

Was she part of Gray's harem too?

"How's that for a cheering squad?" asked Gray grinning at Wendy. "We're all rooting for ya, kiddo. So, there's nothin' to worry about, okay?"

"Thanks, Gray," said Wendy.

"No prob," he said, ruffling her hair. "Do you want to go out back and run through your routines one more time before we leave?"

Natsu snarled under his breath. Wendy was twelve, for crying out loud!

"Natsu…" said Happy. "What are you all mad for? Is it 'cause Gray's showin' off?"

"What?" Natsu coughed before laughing awkwardly. "It's nothing to worry about, little buddy!" he said cheerfully. But Natsu's narrowed eyes locked on Gray as he chatted with the girls.

The Ice Block needed to watch himself. Otherwise, he'd wind up with a trail of broken hearts in his wake.

And if one of those hearts ended up being Lucy's, Natsu was going to kill him.

Somebody's confused. And that somebody is Natsu. People see what they want to see. XD

Juvia just got the friend-card point-blank. What's her take?

Next time, in [Mazeverse] Blurred Lines, Natsu continues to pester Gray while Juvia takes a turn at self-reflection: There was always Gray. He was her friend. Wasn't he?

Stop back next Friday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.