This is the story of Lyon, who's head-over-heels for Juvia, who's pining after Gray, who's had a secret crush on Erza (basically since forever), but she's completely oblivious because she's totally in love with Jellal. Of Freed, who feels conflicted over his feelings for Mirajane who's ignoring him because she's not over Laxus who still misses what they used to have (even though he's mostly, completely over it). Of Loke who won't give up even though he knows that he has zero chance with Lucy, even though she's sick and tired of clueless, bone-headed Natsu who doesn't understand why there's a problem.

This is the Mazeverse series, a post-Tenrou AU with pairings galore. Gruvia, Lyvia, Grayza, Jerza, 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!

This story is a little different than some of the others in Mazeverse. It's the first piece that I would consider 'required', as it's the prequel to a future piece. I chose the title Much Ado About Nothing because it's basically just setup for Victory Gala, which is where the real action happens.

For those keeping score, this takes place in early May, a few weeks after Happiness Comes in Waves. May is a busy month in Mazeverse (I'm counting 8 stories that take place in May. Some of them happen back-to-back, others are simultaneous.) Thing are going to happen very quickly for our Fairy Tail friends. This is the point in the plot where the various subplots start to take off and feel like separate story threads.

This is also the point where things start to get a little bit ridiculous. I've been promising crazy for a while (mostly because I write ahead and save up pieces to post), but I haven't done anything too drastic (given that the worst I've done is tease some Grayza, Lyvia and a teensy bit of Nali). This is the start of actual, bonefide, what-were-you-thinking, crazy. So if that's going to bother you, I can guarantee that you won't like this universe (or me) very much after this. Don't say I didn't warn ya. XD Okey-doke. Let's get to the mise en place that we'll need to start sinking some ships!

darling spider: Tee-hee! You have no idea how long I've wanted to get to this part of the story line. ;) Thanks for reviewing!

- K. Chandler


The Master had assembled them in front of the bar. This was a drill that Mira knew well. Fairy Tail's S-Class mages always stood with the Master when he made guild-wide announcements.

Mira took her place between Erza and Laxus.

"May I have your attention, please?" he asked. Master Makarov waited for his 'children' to quiet.

They didn't.

"Working real well, old man," Laxus snorted, crossing corded arms over his broad chest.

"Everyone, please," said Mira. "The Master has an announcement to make."

But her appeal fell on deaf ears as the party that never ended raged on.

"Let me," said Erza, before taking a deep breath. "SIIILENCEEE!" she bellowed.

Gajeel rolled his eyes and Natsu actually had the gall to snicker before Gray elbowed him. But Erza's actions had the desired effect. The rowdy mages quieted, unwilling to incur the wrath of the fearsome Titania.

Erza nodded at the Master. "Continue," she said, looking vaguely superior.

Laxus snorted again.

"Thank you, Erza," Master said. "As you all know, it has been seven years since the defeat of the Oracion Seis."

"Really? I can't believe it's been that long," said Natsu.

"Because for us it hasn't, Ash-for-Brains," Gray reminded him.

"To celebrate the friendship and cooperation that resulted from the alliance between Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, Cait Shelter and, of course, Fairy Tail, a commemorative ball is held every year."

"A ball?" asked Levy.

"That sounds like so much fun!" gushed Lucy.

Gajeel groaned.

"Dances are manly!" roared Elfman, pounding his fist on the table.

"That's one word for it," snorted Gray.

"It's actually a pretty big deal," Laki told them, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "The four guilds—well, three—get together for a big party."

Bisca nodded. "It's a shame that y'all had to miss the last couple," she said. "Me and Alzack had a grand ol' time, didn't we, Hun?"

"Sure did, Sugar," grinned Alzack.

"This year, it is Fairy Tail's turn to host the event, so the Victory Gala will be held in the city of Magnolia. I hope you will all choose to attend. That is all."

As everyone returned to their own conversations, Mira could sense the excitement coursing through the guild. As Bisca had pointed out, most of them had never been to an event like this. Mira and the others had missed out on quite a bit when they were on Tenrou Island. Picking up a damp rag, she wiped down the bar, watching the drama unfold.

Levy and Lucy were already talking about dresses. Their heads were bent in careful deliberation, the occasional giggle punctuating their whispers.

A few tables, away, Juvia looked ecstatic.

"Did you hear that Gajee? A ball!" squealed a starry-eyed Juvia.

"Yeah, I heard." Gajeel glowered, the studs in his face making his expression look even more intimidating.

Juvia clasped her hands to her chest. "A chance for Juvia to dance the night away with her beloved Gray!"

"You're getting ahead of yourself Sprinkler," grunted Gajeel.

"Nonsense, Gajee!" insisted Juvia. "This will be a lot of fun."

"This is one of those formal things, right? Get all dressed up and stuff?"

"That's what the word 'ball' means, Gajeel," Patherlilly sighed.

Gajeel snorted. "Thought so."

"Honestly, I don't understand how you survived this long without me," the black Exceed said, whisking his tail back and forth.

"I don't need to know what a ball is 'cause I ain't goin'," declared Gajeel.

Both Pantherlilly and Juvia dug into him at the same time.

"Really, Gajeel?"

"But…but… Gajee!"

"No. I said, no!" he snapped at each in turn.

Mira smiled to herself, turning toward the Dragon-Slayer next to her. She hoped he would be a little more amenable to the idea of a ball. "This will be fun, won't it Lax?"

"Sure," he said, the bass in his voice making her melt. Mira couldn't remember the last guy who made her feel like this. His very presence made her knees go jelly.

"I'm kind of excited," she confided. "I can't remember the last time I got all dressed up."

"Yeah?"

She nodded. "It should be a good time. I wonder how many people will show up with dates."

There was a flicker of something in Laxus' green eyes. "Ever's probably expecting your brother to take her. You might want to warn him so she doesn't get upset," he said coolly.

Mira giggled at the thought. "We can't have that! I'll be sure to say something to him. What about you? Are you planning on going with anyone?"

"Mhm?"

"To the ball. Are you going with anyone?"

Laxus sighed. "I only found out about it five minutes ago, Mira," he said. "Haven't really thought about it." He turned abruptly. "I've actually got to see the old man about something. He said it was important. So if you'll excuse me."

"See you later," said Mira, though she couldn't help the surge of disappointment she felt as Laxus headed for the Master's office without a backwards glance.


Ooh. Poor Mira! Hmm... I wonder what's going on with them.

In other news... it's been a while since I've done a rant or a rambling. Today feels like an appropriate time to share another. I just got back from the first solo trip I've done in a while. Normally I like to travel with coworkers or friends. I hate traveling alone, because every single time it ends up being a horrible ordeal. But this trip wasn't bad, and it made me more confident things. It also reminded me of something my friend said.

She was from Thailand, but she moved to Germany for work...despite speaking no German and very little English. I asked her how she could be so brave (and what possessed her to move to a country where she'd have a clear language barrier). She told me about having a negative experience with doing foreign exchange in high school. But instead of letting that color her perception, she decided to try again. "Other people have positive experiences and great stories; I was just unlucky and I had a bad one," she told me. "I want to make some good memories to overwrite the bad ones. That's why I'm here." I thought that was such an inspiring way to look at things! Just thought I'd share. :)

Next time, in [Mazeverse] Much Ado About Nothing, Erza gives our boys a stern talking-to: Erza snarled, slamming both hands on the table. "I do not require that you to invite one of the girls, but I do expect to see you both there."

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