The day arrived. Team Fiore said their goodbyes to their guilds as they went off to the country of Joya. The Ishgar's Strongest tournament was set to begin in a few days. All Fiore could do now was wish for the best; they'd be watching the event via lacrima screen since the tournament would be broadcast live across the continent! Laxus crossed his arms as Natsu, Happy, Lucy, Erza, and Zelos were off. "It's all up to them now. They'll be fine." The current guild master said confidently.
"I believe in them as well." Mira said with a sweet smile. "It won't be an easy fight, but they've overcome worse."
"I hope they kick some ass for me. I'll be rootin' for 'em." Gray crossed his arms. He was a little envious that he wasn't chosen. But he couldn't complain about those who were either.
"They'll do great!" Cynthia pumped a fist into the air. "We have to get stronger, too, Wendy. So next time it'll be us on the big stage!"
"Mhm!" Wendy balled her hands into fists, giving her partner a firm nod.
While the others were discussing the team that left, Gajeel furrowed his brows. There was something that bothered him over the last month and he figured he should act on it now. Juvia noticed this and slowly approached Gajeel. "Gajeel-kun? Is something on your mind?"
"I've been thinking about our new recruit lately…" The iron dragon said.
"Zelos? What about him?" Juvia tilted her head curiously.
"I didn't think much of him since he wasn't a member of the guild. But there are a few things about him lately that have had me wondering…" Gajeel said. "He didn't look it before, but I think he's a danger to the guild."
"Huh!?" Juvia's eyes widened. "But Zelos-san has been harmless! Annoying, yes, but…"
"I can't prove it with my words alone…" Gajeel admitted. This was more of a gut-feeling that he simply could not ignore. "If he's a danger to the guild, I can't let him act freely."
"But he's already gone." Pantherlily remarked.
"I know. He's a slippery one regardless…" As in Gajeel did try tailing Zelos over the last month, but it was clear Zelos had the sense he was being followed and acted naturally. "But now that he's gone, I'm going to start doing some digging."
"Doesn't that seem a little much?" Juvia asked. "He is one of us now."
"He is." Gajeel admitted. "That being said…I'm doubting him because I want to believe that his attitude lately is nothing." It was a tricky situation. As it stood now, Gajeel had his doubts about Zelos, but since he was a member of Fairy Tail that also meant that Gajeel wanted to trust him. That's why he intended to chase this doubt and find out where it led him.
The trip to Joya would not be a short one. Team Fiore had no choice but to go by train. This wasn't a problem for most of them…excluding Natsu and Sting. The two of them were suffering on the train ride the whole time! "Are we going to hell…?" Sting asked, groaning as he was unable to move from his spot on the floor.
"Yeah." Natsu was also down on the floor. It was a pretty pathetic sight in all honesty. "Gonna die…"
"You'll be okay…" Lucy was trying to rub Natsu's back so he'd feel a little bit better, but it wasn't doing anything. "Just a little while longer. You can do it."
Reve sat away from the others, not bothering to deal with the noise from the others. "Pathetic…"
"It's pretty sad." Zelos was polishing his sword to the point his reflection could be seen! And of course he was admiring said reflection as well. "They could stand to look a little more unsightly. They're scaring all the women away with how sickly they are!"
"That's rude." Erza chided Zelos. "They're trying their best."
"But they don't have to be so loud about it…" Kagura could hardly focus with Natsu and Sting moaning and groaning in agony.
"It's kind of hard to watch…" Hisui said with a small sweat drop. "Is there not anything we can do to ease their suffering?"
"Unfortunately, no." Erza shook her head. "I cannot speak for Sting, but in Natsu's case, he's built up a bit of immunity to Wendy's Troia spell. So his issues would only be solved momentarily."
"Dragon Slayers lead a difficult life." Minerva crossed her arms, staring out the window. "It wouldn't be wrong of me to whisk them away to pocket space or something? I'm feeling queasy just looking at them."
"Do it." Luke remarked.
"Do it!" Bacchus said, only because he just wanted to see it happen.
"I feel like that's a bad idea." Happy said with a sweat drop.
"I agree." Lector was there as well. As if he'd let Sting go anywhere by himself!
"We'll be arriving in Crown City within the hour." Jellal said, staring at the lacrima map. "I've never been to Joya's capital."
"It's a lively place. Just like Crocus." Hisui remarked with a soft smile. "I did receive a message from Count Waltz. He wants us to meet at the arena three hours after our arrival."
"That's plenty of time to check out the bars!" Bacchus laughed. No one was surprised that alcohol was the only thing on his mind.
"I wonder what that guy wants with us…" Lucy tried to think. She didn't recall exactly being a fan of Count Waltz when they were in Joya last. But it had been two years since then, so maybe things changed? For now, all she could do was try to ease Natsu's sickness.
A short while later, Team Fiore did arrive in Crown City, the bustling capital of Joya! The city was just as lively as Crocus, just as Hisui said. Perhaps even more so since a legendary event that only happened every decade was occurring in just a few days! Natsu and Sting fell out the train, graciously hugging the ground now that they were on it. "Oh sweet ground!" Both Natsu and Sting said at the same time. Naturally this caused a few onlookers to glance and stare at the two of them like they were weird.
"You're causing a scene. It's embarrassing." Minerva chided the two dragon slayers sharply while stepping out of the train like a normal person just as the others did.
"Three hours to burn? Ha! I'm going to the nearest bar!" Bacchus had his goals sent. He wanted to try some Joyan wine!
"I'm going ahead to meet with Count Waltz and figure out where it is we are to stay over the course of the tournament." Hisui nodded. "We'll see you there."
Before Jellal left to follow Hisui, he turned to Erza. "Erza, be careful around here. I've heard some rumors about Joya and this capital."
"Rumors?" Erza lifted a brow.
Jellal glanced around. Considering they were in the heart of Joya and he had his suspicions, it wasn't the best time to mention this. "I'll tell you later." Without another word, Jellel followed behind Fiore's Queen.
"Was he always like this?" Kagura lifted a brow curiously while staring at Erza.
"Yes." Erza let out a sigh. But she trusted that Jellal had his reasons.
"While you guys have fun, I'm going to see what kinda ladies Joya has around here!" Zelos went off before anyone could stop him!
"You should really put a leash on that guy." Luke told the Fairy Tail members.
"Mira's not here." Lucy pinched the bridge of her nose. Mira was basically Zelos' leash, keeping him from going too far on anything. Unfortunately the barmaid wasn't around.
"Aye, Natsu! Let's see if we can find Al Dente!" Happy suggested.
"Oh! Good idea!" Natsu nodded, sniffing around for Keele's scent, or the delicious food that Al Dente! could produce. Either or. "Yeah, they're definitely around here somewhere. But so are a lot of other people we know." Either way, they'd figure things out. "Come on Lucy!"
"Wait-!" Lucy didn't get a say for she was dragged off with Natsu.
"…So other competitors are already here?" Reve laughed. "Perfect. The world can see what Reve Volver can do."
Minerva side eyed Reve. "I understand the situation on our end, but I would be lying if I said watching you fall from grace would be extremely amusing."
"You can watch me carry the team." Reve smirked while walking off. "If Fairy Tail keep dropping the ball like they have been, someone has to clean up their mistake and show the world who's truly superior."
"I hate his ego." Sting grunted.
"I agree. He'll be in for a surprise when Sabertooth does the best!" Lector said proudly.
While everyone went their separate ways for the time being, Erza practically made a beeline for a certain shop: the wedding dress shop. She remembered visiting this specific shop last time she was in Joya and had her eyes on a certain dress. That wedding dress was still there! "Oh, it's still here. Perfect. I've been saving up money for the past two years just to buy it…" Last time she couldn't afford it. But this time? It would be hers. "Today…" And just before Erza could actually step inside the store, an arm wrapped around her. "Huh?!"
"You know, when I imagined you in a wedding dress, it wasn't exactly for the pure, happy occasion such as marriage." Mii leaned forward, giving Erza a wink.
"Mii!?" Erza wasn't surprised that Mii was here, more so that Mii was willingly talking to her in her usual manner. She already made it clear through her words and actions that she was an enemy now. "What are you..?"
"What? I can have a friendly conversation with an old friend." Mii stepped back, placing her hands on her hips. "So long as you're not spouting that nonsense about trying to bring me back, I don't mind speaking to you. Plus, when I saw you eying that dress, I just had to come see if it would fit on you! But I honestly doubt you'll be able to buy it even with the money you saved up."
"Ridiculous." Erza shook her head, marching into the store with Mii behind her. Erza grabbed the dress in question and put it on the counter. "This dress!"
"Oh, a wonderful choice!" The woman behind the counter clasped her hands together. "With tax included, that'll be….50,000,000 Jewel."
"W-Wha…" Erza's jaw dropped. The dress was far less than that on the display!
"Oh! You must be a tourist…" The cashier held a sheepish smile. "Joyan tax is about 30-50% of the original price, you see."
Mii blinked. "Wow…that was a lot more than I was expecting." When she glanced at Erza, she could see dejection all over Titania's face.
"I'll take it." That voice came from Lucia, the leader of the Wizard Hunters.
"You…!" Erza turned to Lucia as the woman walked into the store and just…bought the expensive dress just like that.
"Oh? I didn't know you were getting married! Who's the lucky guy! Or girl, I don't judge." Mii tilted her head.
Lucia snickered while holding onto the dress that Erza had her eyes on. "Oh, I have no intention of getting married. I just wanted to see Titania's face when I snatch away yet another thing important to her."
Erza's gaze narrowed. So this was the game Lucia wanted to play. This was also the first time they've met officially. "So, you're the leader of the Wizard Hunters."
"Lucia Silverwind. A pleasure." Lucia gave a bow as she introduced herself. "You battled against my brother during our little game in Fiore. That alone makes me anxious to clash swords with you. Not many can battle Yeager and live to tell the tale."
"I'm not here for your compliments." Erza said. "If you think you can continue to string us along in this little farce of yours, you're sorely mistaken. Fairy Tail always prevails in the end."
"So I've heard!" Lucia was seconds away from drawing Excalibur on the spot! She had to restrain herself; not because they were in a store, but because it wasn't time to fight yet. She had to keep reminding herself of this, but her free hand twitched in excitement. "I'd love to see how you fare against my sword. Your comrade went down in moments. But you? You were once capable of wielding the Eternal Sword, were you not? That means you are an exceptional character that even Yggdrasil's daughter must accept!"
"Hey, don't get so hasty now." Mii cut her eyes at Lucia. "That was only once. She doesn't get my blessing again."
"Regardless…I'll have to wait." Lucia lowered her arm. "The tournament will begin soon. And perhaps then you and I shall cross blades…and I can relish in cutting you down in front of the world." Turning, Lucia started to exit the establishment, but not before tossing the wedding dress in Erza's direction. "Here. Think of it as a gift from me to you. I hope you'll be able to find happiness in the future." Each word dripped with sarcasm and a condescending tone of voice.
Erza wasn't even sure she wanted this dress anymore. "…"
"Hm." Mii shrugged her shoulders. "See ya later, Erza." And as she left, she thought to herself… "I guess Zelos didn't mention our fight…or she's hiding that she knows. This is so dumb…"
"NATSSUUU! SLOW DOWN!" Lucy begged as Natsu dragged her through Crown City streets. They didn't know this place at all and were just narrowly avoiding people!
"I think they're around here somewhere!" As far as Natsu was concerned, someone was close by. And they were just about to run into a familiar person as well. "Whoa!"
Lucy was just barely able to see who was ahead. "TIA LOOK OUT!"
Tia turned her head too late. Before she knew it Natsu and Lucy collided into her, resulting in all three of them going down. "Gah! What the hell you braindead moron!?" Tia rubbed her head, growling at Natsu's idiotic charge.
"You were in the way!" Natsu shouted back.
"Sorry, Tia." Lucy stood up with a bashful smile. "…Wait, you're here too!? Then that means…"
"Did you think we weren't going to participate?" Tia scoffed and crossed her arms. "In a contest to decide the strongest country in the continent, it's only natural we would."
"We're going to win this, you mean." Natsu said, rubbing the underside of his nose with his index finger.
"Fighting Dealer won't be easy. But we can do it!" Happy said.
"Oh wow, so Dealer's here too…" Lucy had to process this. On the one hand, competing against Dealer instead of having world risking battles sounded like a nice change of pace; on the other, facing off against Dealer with their stakes in mind made Lucy nervous. With foes like Ace, Heartless, Tia, Joker, and Jack…it wasn't going to be easy. It was then that Lucy noticed a faint sheen from Tia's ring finger, directing her gaze to it. "Huh? Is that a new ring?"
"Oh, this?" Tia's lips curled up into a smug grin. "This is an engagement ring. After this tournament, Ace and I are getting married."
"WHAAAAAT?!" Lucy, Natsu, and Happy all exclaimed in unison.
"MARRIED?!" Happy's paws slammed against his face in complete shock.
"W-Wow…!" Lucy's eyes sparkled. "I'm so happy for you!"
"And of course you guys are invited. But if you make a mess of my wedding day I swear to heaven above I will end all of you." Tia's friendly aura shifted to something much more menacing. It was a frightening fusion of Erza and Mira's threatening personas; enough to send the chill of death down the trio's spine.
"Y-Yes ma'am…" Natsu and Lucy swallowed the nervous lump in their throats.
And just like that, Tia's aura faded and she tilted her head. "So, when are you two getting married?"
Lucy's face lit up brighter than a tomato and she just started coughing profusely. "Ack! Agh! We're going now!" Lucy grabbed Natsu's wrist and started to tug him back, but he wasn't so eager to leave just yet.
Natsu didn't react to the question presented, at least not as strong as Lucy did. "Wait, before we go! Tia, did you see Al Dente! around here!?"
Tia had no idea what Natsu was thinking after Lucy's reaction. At the mention of Al Dente!, she shrugged her shoulders. "That popular restaurant? They're around here. I went by earlier but they weren't open though."
"Damn." Natsu grunted. It sounded like they were busy, which was unfortunate. "Guess we'll have to see them later." And he really wanted to test his strength against Keele again too. "Oh well. Guess we'll be kicking your ass later!" And with that, he finally allowed Lucy to drag him off.
As Natsu, Lucy, and Happy left, Tia stared at the ring on her finger and let out a dreamy sigh. "I wonder when they're gonna get married, too…" She was still on cloud nine and would be for a long time.
Count Waltz sat upon his throne. With one of the biggest tournament's ever happening in his country, it was only natural that he was keeping track of it all. Queen Hisui was due any moment now and as he waited, one of his faithful guards approached him. A large man with an eyepatch over his left right, a clearly in his later years as well; this was Tuba. "Count Waltz, we've made the preparations. Team Fiore arrived a little while ago."
"Is that so?" The young Count's elbow placed one elbow on the arm of his throne, resting his face against his knuckle. "Perfect. I want to give the crowd people of Joya a preview before the real show begins."
.
.
Next Time: Preliminary Bout.