Chapter 13: Having a Ball
In a shadowy location Natsu looked up at a balcony. Above him stood a girl wearing a princess dress.
"Please." Said the girl, "Please find me! Please!"
"Who are you!" yelled Natsu.
That was when he woke up from the dream he was having.
Happy woke up.
"The princess dream?" asked Happy waking up.
Natsu nodded, ever since he was a child Natsu had what he called the Princess Dream. He only ever told two, Igneel the dragon who raised him and Happy… as they were roommates.
He didn't know why he had that dream but every so often it come back.
"Don't let it get to you." Said Happy.
"Yeah." Sighed Natsu.
The next day, Maxfield was sitting in South Gate Park. He was thinking, thinking about what he did.
All he did was stare at the guild mark on his arm.
"Still hung up about that Maxfield?" asked Zoisite appearing behind him.
Maxfield growled.
"After all people you had to be the one to kill your monster. I can't believe it." Said Zoisite.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Queen Beryl asked me to fetch you, she wants to talk to you about something." Said Zoisite.
Maxfield glared at him.
"Don't worry it has nothing to do with your self sabotage. She doesn't know about that yet." Said Zoisite, "She just wants you for a mission."
"I see…" muttered Maxfield.
Both of them teleported away.
Nephrite and Zoisite stood before Queen Beryl.
"My Queen." Said Nephrite.
"Nephrite, I understand that your mission so far has been a failure." Said Queen Beryl.
Zoisite gave a smirk.
"However I have a mission for you to redeem yourself." Said Queen Beryl.
She projected the image of what looked to be a large mansion.
"The family who lives in this mansion has a ball tomorrow night. They're showing their treasure for the first time I believe it's the Silver Crystal."
"But fading the silver Crystal is my duty!" yelled Zoisite.
"Quiet, I belie Nephrite could handle it better." Muttered Queen Beryl.
"Yes my queen." Sighed Zoisite.
"Be careful Nephrite, I believe the family will be hiring Guild Mages to protect it, and I shouldn't be surprised if Fairy Tail get involved. Figure out to hide your identity just in case." Said Queen Beryl, "We don't want them learning about your alas after all."
"Yes my queen." Said Nephrite.
"However I won't tolerate failure." Said Queen Beryl.
A crowd of monster always gathered in front of Beryl.
"What if the Crystal isn't the Silver crystal!" yelled a monster.
Beryl blinked and sighed.
"Fine… I will only tolerate failure if in the end it is not the Silver Crystal." Sighed Queen Beryl.
Nephrite nodded silently hoping that if he does fail it wouldn't matter in the end.
Sometime later, Makarov got a job request. It wasn't S Class but it was one labeled immediate. He read it over and knew right away which team should handle it.
In the main Guild Hall, Maxfield looked over Job Requests, he found on that looked like it would take a few days so he took that one knowing it could be his alibi.
Makarov entered.
Maxfield let him know about the job.
"Very well." Said Makarov, "Erza, Lisanna, Levy and Luna I need to speak to you now."
The team all followed him to his office.
"Is anything wrong?" asked Erza.
He showed them the job request. It was from the Diamond Region, the part of Fiore that produced the most gemstones. The Job as to protect their family's treasure covertly while posing as gusts to a ball.
"You are the ones I have chosen for this job." Said Makarov.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" asked Erza.
Makarov sighed.
"You are the only team that wouldn't screw it up." He said.
This made them sweat drop.
"I got a present letter about your last job. After he's pays off the debt he plans to request you again." Said Makarov, "Do you know how rare these letters are? Not only did you successes but he wants you again."
"That's good to know." Said Levy.
"However because of this I also know you're the only ones who won't screw it up." Said Makarov, "What do you think will happen if I ask someone else?"
All because to think about it: Cana would drink all of the alcohol, Loke would hit on girls he shouldn't, Gray would strip without meaning to, Mirajane and Elfman would get into fights and the less they thought about Natsu the better.
"According the request, three other guilds have been contacted as well." said Makarov, "I want you to work with them."
"Don't worry we can handle it." Said Lisanna.
Makarov nodded.
And soon they left, they took a train to the town where was being held. They had to gather that night in order to properly prepare for the job.
Luna looked more at the job request.
I don't know why but I get the feeling the Dark Kingdom might attack." Said Luna.
"It's probably just a bad feeling." Said Erza.
"I hope so." Said Luna.
Lisanna looked at the payment, it was a by the Mage payment.
"IT says if we don't' have formal wear they're provide it and we get to keep it." Said Lisanna.
Era was thinking about something.
"What I it?" asked Levy.
"Should I use one of my dresses or no…" said Erza.
The other three sweat dropped.
They got the mansion at around sunset.
"Ah so you're the group representing Fairy Tail come with me." Said a butler who was at the gates.
As they showed them to a room that would be used a meeting room Erza asked this to the butler, "What other guilds are part of this?"
"We have requested embers of Blue Pegasus, Phantom Lord and Lamia Scale, so far only you an blue Pegasus has arrived." Said the butler.
"Phantom Lord." Sighed Lisanna.
Phantom Lord and Fairy Tail members didn't get along. Hopefully they'll be able to work together, they had no problem with Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus was a very close Guild to Fairy Tail as it's founder and master was once a member of Fairy Tail.
They arrived in the meeting room, which for some reason was darkened.
"So Fairy Tail has arrived." Said three voices.
That was when a spotlight was shown on the three of them. All three were very handsome young men. One was very ton and had dark brown hair and was very tall, the one if the middle was much fairer with brown hair and the last look rather young and was blonde. All three of them were wearing matching suits with the mark of Blue Pegasus on their sleeves.
"Hundreds Nights Hibiki." Said the one in the middle.
"Silent Night Ren." Said the tall.
"Holy Night Eve." Said the young one.
"We are the Trimens!" said all three.
The team from Fairy Tail all sweat dropped.
That when the three led to them the couches that were set up. Hibiki started hitting on Lisanna.
"You look a lot like Mirajane Strauss, you wouldn't happen to her little sister." Said Hibiki.
"I am…" sighed Lisanna.
"I can see where you get your beauty." Said Hibiki.
Eve sat next to Erza, just staring at her.
"I'm sorry, it's just you're beautiful." Said Eve.
"Thank…" sighed Erza.
Ren on the other hand gave Levy a drink.
"Here" He said.
"Thanks…" said Levy with a sweat drop.
Luna watched this and face pawed.
That was when they heard another voice.
"Now is not the time for this." Said the voice that sounded smooth.
"Not him… anyone but him." Thought Erza with a hair standing up.
They turned to see very short man with big nose, small eyes wearing a suit.
"Erza my honey!" said the man.
"Ichiya…" mumbled Erza.
This was one of the strongest guild members of Blue Pegasus.
However he wasn't alone.
"Oh my what a wonderful Parfume you have." A voice behind Luna.
Luna turned around and saw a yellow moon cat with the same face and voice as Ichiya.
This was Nichiya, Ichiya's Moon Cat partner. No one knew why they were identical or sounded the same but because of that they were partners.
"Now my dear what is your name?" asked Nichiya.
Luna' fur stood up strait.
Erza noticed Nichiya hitting on Luna.
"Poor Luna." She thought.
"Oh my Honey it's such a long time!" called out Ichiya.
Erza was close to punching him. However the next group entered.
"You all look pathetic!" yelled a voice.
They all turned two large muscular men. One had long black spike hair and had piercings all over his face, on his arm was tee Phantom Lord mark on his arm.
The other was a dark skinned, bald but had a strange white beard. On his back was a massive sword.
"So Fairy Tail and Blue Pegasus? I can't believe they let these weakling to this mission." Said the man with piercings.
"And who might you be?" asked Ichiya.
"Gajeel." Said the man with piercing with a smirk.
"Pantherlily." Said the other man.
"You a dragon slayer." Said Erza.
"That's right. It's a shame Salamander wasn't here." Said Gajeel, "But at least they sent Titania."
"Now's not the time for this." Said Lisanna trying to calm things down.
"She's right." Said Pantherlily.
"Both are right, even though your guilds don't get along we have to work together." Said a man walking into the room.
Everyone stared at man who was bald but carried quite the presence.
"So they called you in." said Gajeel with a smirk.
This man was "Iron Rock" Jura, a member of Lamia Scale and also one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
"So this is quite the group they called in… I however I my complaints." Said Ichiya, "My group and Fairy Tail can blend in the crowd and having a member of the Ten Wizard Saints as a guest would make sense. However…"
He turned to Gajeel and Pantherlily.
"You two look like you're going to beat everyone up and ransack the place." Said Ichiya.
"What! Yelled Gajeel.
Pantherlily decided to try to calm Gajeel down.
"Do you think it would better if I was in my true form?" asked Pantherlily.
"What do you mean true form?" asked Hibiki.
Pantherlily suddenly shrank down, his body rearranging and glowing black fur over his body.
They were shocked to learn he was in fact a Moon Cat with rounded ears and a white muzzle (which became a beard in human form).
"I didn't think here would other moon cats called in." said Pantherlily.
Nichiya was the most shocked out of everyone.
"I apologize for what my partner said about your partner! I wish to become your student!" said Nichiya, "I have been training for years to obtain a human form!"
Erza's hair once again went up.
Having Nichiya obtain a hums form wasn't her greatest fear but it was up there.
In fact it was a fear of many people who him…
"I don't think that would work." Said Pantherlily.
Erza breathed a sigh of relief.
"I find it hard to believe that Phantom Lord would choose him." Said Ichiya.
"Actually the two people who would be suited for this job weren't able to make it." Said Pantherlily, "Sol was on another job and Juvia can't fully control her magic to the extent where she goes it rains so we were sent instead."
This made Gajeel glare at his moon cat partner.
"Excuse me!" piped a quiet voice.
They all turned to see a girl with short hair and big thick glasses peeper out from behind the door.
"We need to discus the job." Said the girl.
She stepped into the room nervously as everyone took a seat (with Erza and Luna trying to sit as far away as possible from Ichiya and Nichiya).
"I am Duchess D." said the girl giving a curtsey, "Pleased to meet you."
"I wonder what she looks like without her glasses." Said Eve.
"Now's not that time for that." Muttered Pantherlily.
The young Duchesses blushed then got back on track.
"I was tasked with showing the family treasure for the first time ever." Said the Duchess, "But it is worth so much money that I know people will try to steal it. So please make sure no steals it… I was really hoping that we would have people that could blend into this kind of crowd…"
She looked at both Gajeel and Ichiya.
"Why is she looking at me?" asked Ichiya.
No one said anything.
"But we can figure something out… don't worry." Said the Duchess.
"Is there any known threat?" asked Hibiki.
"No… there isn't but our treasure can buy the land of the Heartfilia Estate ten times." Said the Duchesses.
"Is the Heartfilia Estate really that big?" asked Erza.
"If you ever go trust me on this…" said the Duchesses, "Any was just make sure no one steals and if someone does get it back quickly as possible!"
As the ball wasn't until the next day they were all offered rooms in the mansion.
"Okay! That's done!" said Erza who used most of the furniture in her team's room besides the bed to block the door.
"Is that really necessary?" asked Levy.
That was when they heard noise coming out of the other end of the door.
"Erza my honey are you all right in there?" came Ichiya's voice from the other end.
This made Levy and Lisanna sweat drop.
"Should I block the windows?" asked Luna.
"I'll have to think about it." Said Erza.
"Not you too." Sighed Levy.
The first half of the day was rather quiet as the ball wasn't ready until that evening. Levy was allowed into the library to kill time. Erza and Luna teamed up to avoid their admirers. Lisanna just explored the mansion. Until it was time for them to get ready.
"Remember pat of your payment is that you may keep the dresses if you wish." Said the butler that was showing them a room filled with dresses, "Also we managed to get some moon cat sized dresses."
"Thank you." Said Luna.
The four of them searched through dresses to find some their size that looked good on them (and to hide the guild marks as well).
Levy found one first since she was able to hide her guild mark easier than the rest, she wore a golden gown, that shimmered slightly.
Lisanna found rather pretty pone that was pink that was flower in certain and large enough sleeves to her mark.
Luna found a rather pretty yellow dress.
It took a half hour for Erza to narrow down her choice choosing a dark purple dress that had white shoulder length gloves.
When they went to the meeting room.
"You're late." Muttered Gajeel who was the only one not wearing a Tuxedo (The Duchess decided to let him hover around in the shadows just in case). Although both Jura and Pantherlily did look a bit awkward in theirs.
"Sorry…" said Levy, "Erza had a hard time choosing a dress."
"There were so many to choose." Said Erza.
"All right." Said Hibiki taking charge, "Right now the treasure is with D, she protecting it until she reveals it. Gajeel I think it's probably best if you wait outside her room."
"What put you in charge?" asked Gajeel.
That was when suddenly a screen appeared with a map while a keyboard appeared in front of him.
"I've heard about that magic, archive." Said Levy.
"That's right, it's a relatively newly developed magic." Explained Hibiki.
He then created another screen that had chibi versions of their faces. Arrows pointed to each other.
"All right I connected all of you." Thought Hibiki showing that he connected all of them telepathically;.
"This is impressive no wonder why you were chosen for this." Thought Jura.
"That and I wouldn't pass up a chance for a grand ball." Thought Hibiki which made the members of Fairy Tail, Phantom Lord and Jura sweat drop.
Soon enough guests started arriving. Of course all of them acted like guests. Jura getting in conversations with many people impressed that a Wizard Saint was invited.
The rest mingled with the Trimens hitting on many of the women there and succeeding.
"I wonder what would have happened if Loke came instead of us." Joke Levy.
"I don't know." Laughed Lisanna.,
Luna stood off to the side, hoping to avoid Nichiya.
Nichiya on the other hand decided to adjust his bowtie. And was about to ask her to dance.
"All right! I'm coming my honey." Said Nichiya.
However Pantherlily offered his paw to Luna.
"Would you like to dance?" asked Pantherlily.
"Of course." Replied Luna, who mouthed "Thank you." to him.
As Levy and Lisanna watched people dance, Eve decided to offer Levy a dance.
"Go for it." Said Lisanna.
"All right." Said Levy.
The two danced and Lisanna watched.
She sighed, "Why couldn't Natsu come?" she asked.
She blushed shook the thought off while thinking about well… the mansion accidently being set of fire if he did come.
May I have this dance?" asked a voice.
She looked p and saw a man in armor, while it was slightly different armor than usual, Lisanna got the feeling.
"Dragon Knight." She thought.
"He's here?" thought Luna.
"Who is he?" asked Hibiki.
"He's someone who's been interfering with some our guild's jobs for some reason." Thought Luna, "We don't know who he or why he does it."
"That's rather peculiar." Thought Ichiya noticing Dragon Knight trying to ask Lisanna to dance.
"Should I intervene?" asked Hibiki.
"Don't worry I can handle it." Thought Lisanna.
"Are you okay?"{ asked Dragon Knight.
"No thanks." Said Lisanna, "But I'm fine just standing here."
"I see…" said Dragon Knight, "Then I'll stand with you."
Lisanna sweat dropped.
"Should we help?" asked Ren.
"I don't know…" thought Lisanna with a sigh.
Outside of Duchess D's room, Gajeel was getting bored. Plus the talk of Dragon Knight made it worse.
That was when a woman showed up.
"Excuse me." Said the woman flashing a press pass at Gajeel, "I'm here to speak to Duchess D."
"Go ahead." Muttered Gajeel.
The woman went into the room. Less than a minute later there was a scream.
Gajeel ran in along with a few other men there acting as bodyguards. There was a pile of clothes on the ground that belonged to the woman that entered.
"The treasure is mine!" yelled Duchess D who now had a strange pupil hue to her skin.
"Does the Duchess look Purple to you?" asked one of the other bodyguards.
"Great." Thought Gajeel.
"Gajeel, is something wrong?" came Jura's voice.
"Something's taken over the Princess." Thought Gajeel.
"Duchess ." corrected Ichiya.
"What ever!" thought Gajeel, "Someone get in here!"
That was when the Duchesses sent people energy at them as a distraction as the Duchesses ran off with the treasure.
"Great." Thought Gajeel, "The brat got away from me."
In the ballroom the Duchess ran in holding the chest containing the treasure.
"Out of my way!" yelled the Duchesses.
"I'll be able to stop you right here and now dear Duchesses!" shouted Ichiya, "With this Parfume, I'll be able to weaken you then we can figure out what's wrong."
Before he could use his magic, the Duchess ran him over as he called out "Men!"
The Duchesses made it to the balcony where she was about to toss the treasure chest to someone waiting below.
That person was Nephrite wearing a purple mask that covered his eyes. While it looked like a bad mask there was spell that prevented anyone from recognizing him.
"Now." Said Nephrite.
"Stop this now!" yelled Lisanna.
"You have to snap out of it!" said Erza.
"Get away!" yelled the Duchess.
Before she could attack or do anything, she heard an apology.
"I'm sorry Duchess"
That was when bars appeared in front of her and suddenly she was knocked out.
Nephrite saw what was going on and was about to do something when he had to dodge a large iron club.
"So you were the ones sent to protect the Duchesses. I didn't think Phantom Lord would send something g who looks like that." Said Nephrite.
On the balcony, the other hired guards knew they had to get down there.
"Lisanna!" said Erza.
"Right!" said Lisanna.
"Reequip!" called out Erza.
"Animal Soul Wings!" called out Lisanna.
Erza changed into her Heaven's Wheel Armor while Lisanna's arms turned to wings.
Luna carried Levy, Ichiya carried Hibiki while Pantherlily brought down Jura.
"Well, well isn't it Erza Scarlet and her Team." Said Nephrite, "I wasn't sure if Fairy Tail sent a team…"
"And judging by your outfit you're a member of the Dark Kingdom." Said Erza.
"Oh you noticed, I'm Nephrite, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Dark Kingdom." Said Nephrite.
"Dark Kingdom?" asked Hibiki.
"Just an enemy of Fairy Tail." Said Nephrite, "That's all you need to know."
"What have you done to the Duchess?" asked Erza.
"Oh don't worry, it's not my usual possession, I just needed to get her to bring me the Silver Crystal." Said Nephrite.
"The Silver Crystal? Why does that sound familiar…" thought Luna.
"Well it doesn't matter… even if you're here." Said Nephrite, "Because this isn't my usual possession."
On the Balcony, Ren, Eve and Ichiya (who had since recovered from behind ran over). Were watching over the duchess.
That was when suddenly the Duchess rose.
"So then will you be willing to be my slaves or will I have to show my power?" asked the Duchess.
"Duchess! Yo have to calm down!" said Ichiya.
That was when she used a black energy blast to knock the three out. She laughed evilly then jumped off the balcony.
"Yes! Come here!" said Nephrite.
That was when Nephrite had to dodge another iron club. As the club turned back to Gajeel's arm he turned to Erza and Jura.
"What do you say about getting rid of this guy?" asked Gajeel.
"Sounds fine by me." Said Jura.
"All right then." Said Erza.
"I think I should help." Said Pantherlily turning to his human form.
"I'll shall help you as well." Said Nichiya.
"We should figure out a way to free the Duchess from his control." Said Hibiki using his magic.
It began to analyze the Duchess.
"I can the entity out of her, but not compete." Said Hibiki, "But just enough for us to destroy."
That was when a bar appeared above the duchesses that for some reason had a shield icon on it.
When the bar was full a red and black entity that reassembled Nephrite's face cameo it of the Duchesses.
"All right!" yelled Dragon Knight.
He shot a fireball at the entity which made everyone sweat drop.
"Oh yeah, I forgot her was here." Said Luna with a sweat drop.
Nearby, Nichiya flew towards Nephrite with his sword drawn. Nephrite was able to toss him aside easily.
However…
"Iron Rock Powder Explosion!" called out Jura.
Nephrite had to dodge five spikes coming form all side.
"Trinity Sword!" called out Erza.
Nephrite had to dodge the delta shaped attack.
"They were smart with who they hired." Thought Nephrite.
Nephrite noticed that the entity he created was out of the Duchess' body.
"Great." He thought.
Dragon Knight tried to destroy the entity but nothing was working.
"All right one more time." Said Dragon Knight.
"None of that is working!" yelled Luna.
Dragon Knight began to mutter things.
"Do you think you can analyze it?" asked Levy.
"I don't know, I've never dealt with anything like this before." Said Hibiki.
"How are we going to stop it?" asked Lisanna.
Luna knew there was a way, but didn't think about it, not with the telepathy link up right now.
With the other fight, Nephrite decided to get on the offense. He crossed his arms and glowing balls. Surrounded him.
"Starlight Atomic!" he called out.
The ball of light all shot at his opponents who barely dodged.
"So he can do damage." Said Gajeel with a smirk.
"Now's not the time to admiring his magic." Said Pantherlily.
Meanwhile the entity started laughing.
"You can't do anything to me, can you?" asked the entity.
The entity created a hand that shout out black energy at them.
As Lisanna dodged a yellow moon appeared on her forehead as magic came to her mind.
"That's it." Thought Lisanna.
She began to glow white.
"Moon Twilight Flash!" she called out.
She shot a beam of white light at the entity who dissolved. However Lisanna fainted after using it with the moon mark disappearing. Dragon Knight caught her.
The Duchesses also fainted once the entity was gone.
"I forgot, she awakened that part of her magic a while ago." Said Luna.
"What do you mean?" asked Levy.
"I'll explain another time." Said Luna.
Nephrite noticed what happened with the entity.
"I lost this time." Said Nephrite, "But next time we meet Titania I will go all out!"
With that Nephrite teleported away.
"So that's Jadeite's replacement." Said Erza she reequipped back into her dress.
"So you've dealt with him before?" asked Jura.
"Not him, but I'm sure he's the one possessing other members of the guild." Said Erza.
"Of course your lame guild would gain enemies like that." Muttered Gajeel, however Erza ignored him as she walked over to Dragon Knight
Dragon Knight looked over at Erza who stared at him.
"Oh right…" said Dragon Knight handing over the unconscious Lisanna.
Dragon knight then ran off without saying anything.
"Let him go." Said Erza, "We have other things to worry about."
The Duchesses Began to wake up.
"Oh no… my glasses." She said a her glasses fell off when she fainted, revealing she was very beautiful without them.
"Don't worry I'll find your glasses for you." Said Hibiki.
"Oh thank you Hibiki." Said Duchesses D.
"Have you thought about getting another pair, ones that would let your beauty shine?" asked Hibiki who found them.
"These are family heirlooms, my family won't let me get any other pair." Said the Duchesses.
"Now's not the time to flirting with the Duchesses." Said Nichiya with a sweat drop.
They took Lisanna to the bedroom she was using.
"This isn't the first time it happened, all she needs is to rest." Said Erza hearing about what happened the first time it happened.
"Are you sure?" asked Eve (as the other group quickly recovered when the entity was destroyed).
Erza nodded.
All but one went back to the ballroom to let Lisanna
Soon enough it was time for the Duchesses to finally reveal the treasure.
But it wasn't what anyone was thinking it would be.
It was a stature made out of a very large diamond, showing a woman wearing the same glasses at the Duchesses.
"This stature depicts the first Duchess of this region." Said the Duchesses.
This made many of the guests sweat drop, including the mages that were sent to the protect the treasure.
"Were any of your expecting that?" thought Levy since they were still connected.
However Nephrite was watching from a window.
"It's not the Silver Crystal." He said with a smirk, "So I guess it doesn't matter if I failed or not.
He then teleported away.
In the bedroom, Lisanna was sleeping when Dragon Knight came in. He slowly approached her.
"Stop right there." Said Luna who was the one who stayed behind.
"I didn't know you were here." Said Dragon Knight.
"Why are you here?" demanded Luna.
"I know she's Sailor Moon." Said Dragon Knight.
Luna was quiet.
"And whenever I look at her I'm reminded of someone long ago." Said Dragon Knight.
"I see." Said Luna glaring at the man dressed in armor.
"I guess I should take my leave then." Said Dragon Knight.
"Yes… you should." Said Luna.
"Is everything all right in there?" asked Erza.
"It's fine." Thought Luna, "HE left."
Dragon Knight escaped through a window.
Luna looed at the sleeping Lisanna, she knew one thing. Lisanna had to get stronger, as it seemed when she wasn't Sailor Moon, she couldn't the magic that came with it.
Next Time: After talking with Luna, Loke realizes where he knows "Maxfield" from. Not only that but Zoisite decides to let Queen Beryl know about Nephrite's self sabotage. What will happen? Find out next time!