Fiore Academy

Chapter Fourteen – Consequences of More than One

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail in any shape or form. I am a mere FF writer paying tribute to the world of Hiro Mashima, the rightful owner of Fairy Tail.

Authors' Note – Again, I would like to see if you guys can discern the plotline of this chapter based on the Chapter Title alone. Just think about the Ball and that's all you'll need. Otherwise, enjoy my written rubbish!

"Well, this is more awkward than I thought it would be" Erza states how uncomfortable she was feeling.

"Indeed, it's level is most unexpected" Virgo agrees.

"I don't see why it should be! We all love the same guy, so what!?" Hisui says fiery.

Mirajane sighs, "Come on… am I the only one who saw this coming?"

Around a table in Hisui's dorm, which resembled that of Natsu's, the four girls sat in a cold and awkward silence.

"Let's put these feelings aside for now" Erza says, "For now, let's focus on the topic at hand".

Virgo nods, "I agree, we need to get it over with now, since it's only days away".

All the girls nod and say simultaneously, "Who goes to the ball with Natsu?"

…..

Natsu put the phone down a little upset.

"You weren't able to sway them I take it?" Zeref asks behind him.

Natsu shakes his head, "No, I wasn't… they're still not coming, or at least… father isn't".

Zeref blinks, "Katherine?"

Natsu shrugs, "I suppose so… but you know, I wish he would come as well".

Zeref sighs, "Can't be helped, you know he's busy with the clan and the business… he can't even spare a minute every day to breathe, let alone go to a Ball, no matter its importance".

Natsu nods, "I know… but still… I wish".

Zeref nods and places a hand on his younger brothers' shoulder, "Listen Natsu… it's okay to feel upset, I do as well… but with that we must also show understanding of situations. Father can't come because he's busy, it's as simple as that".

Natsu nods, "I understand… but" he turns to face his brother, "One good thing at least… she's coming".

Zeref takes a step back, "Katherine? Or do you mean… her?"

Natsu smiles, "Yes… her, and she's already on her way".

…..

"My Lord Jellal, we just received word" a hooded man spoke to Jellal as he lazily threw daggers at a target.

"Oh? And what is the word? Am I to guess?" Jellal asks annoyed.

"My apologies, of course not sir" the man quickly replies, "The Ball sir… it's set on Friday".

Jellal smiles as he throws one of the knives through the man's heart and says to himself, "Soon… the world shall fall".

…..

"What's this about?" Natsu asked as he took his usual seat while Mirajane, Erza and Hisui sat opposite to him, while Virgo cluttered around in the kitchen making coffee.

"Something very important Natsu" Erza answers.

"And it's up to you to decide, since we cannot" Mirajane adds.

…..

An hour earlier, Hisui's Dorm Room

"I think it should be me" Erza states simply.

"Oh, and what makes you think that?" Hisui asks, "I think it should be me; don't you think it would look good for two members of the Royal Clans to be together at the Ball?"

Erza frowns, "That wouldn't matter in the least Hisui, and you know it… but as I am the Student Council President, I can't afford to go to the Ball without a date".

"You could take anyone to fill that role, it's not like the person you go with will be the person you sleep with and marry and all that" Hisui growls.

"Ladies, calm yourselves" Mirajane orders crossly, "Both of your reasons are half-baked… It should be me because I was the first girlfriend… and I am also the only one whose been on intimate terms with Natsu".

"Don't you dare play that card!" Hisui and Erza growl together.

Mirajane blinks, "Did you rehearse that?"

"I think it should be me" Virgo puts in.

"Oh? And why do you think that?" Erza asks.

Virgo shrugs, "Simple; all of you have invitations to the party, but I do not, so If I don't go with Natsu, I won't be able to go".

Hisui deflates a little, "You… have a point there".

Mirajane however, was stubborn, "You can take the advice Hisui gave Erza; find someone to fill the role as your partner, it's not like you have to marry the man".

Hisui perks up, "Yeah! That's right!"

Erza slams her hand on her face, "This is getting us nowhere. I have an idea… let's ask Natsu".

The other three girls look at her horrified.

"But Erza" Mirajane says shocked, "If we ask him this… won't we basically be asking who he likes more?"

Erza smiles, "What?" the evil grin on Erza's face made the others nervous, "Aren't you all as curious as I am as to who out of all of us… does Natsu care the most for?"

…..

"So, there you have it Natsu" Mirajane says to him, "Now it's time for you to decide; Erza, Hisui, Virgo or myself?

Natsu sighs, "Really? You're asking me which one of you I like more? I thought I was done with that kind of decision".

Erza sighs, "Listen Natsu… you still have three days to decide; you know our personal reasons why you should take any one of us, and you should know your own heart by now. Use both of these to come to your decision… but try to decide the night before the Ball".

Natsu did not foresee this predicament; he thought it was all over as to who he should choose. He figured one day, he may need to decide who he loved more… but never did he dream, that the day would come so soon.

…..

"You look troubled… nothing new I guess" a voice said behind Natsu as he laid on the bank of the lake in the centre of the park, mulling over his decision.

After the girls had told him what he had to decide, he immediately went out for a walk; he needed to decide what to do.

Turning his head toward the voice, he saw none other than Ultear raising an eyebrow at him.

"What are you, my relationship counsellor?" Natsu muttered in question.

Both of her eyebrows raised now, Ultear asks, "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Natsu chuckles, "Never mind… it's just, you always seem to be the one to talk to whenever I get into problems with my relationships".

Ultear said nothing, instead she took a seat on the bank next to Natsu.

"So, what's the issue now?" Ultear asks him.

Sighing tiredly, Natsu replies, "The Ball".

"What about The Ball?"

"The girls" Natsu answers, "They want me to decide who I'll be taking with them; I suppose it was inevitable. Not only that, but they're also seeing this as a way to determine who it is that I care for the most".

Ultear sighs, "I thought they'd be pass all that by now… I also hear you added someone else to your harem".

Natsu frowns, "Harem?"

Ultear laughs, "Admit it; you have a harem".

Natsu shakes his head, "By its definition, you may be right. But calling it a harem makes it sound like I'm not serious about each and every one of them; like they're nothing but toys, and I don't like that".

Ultear nods, "When you put it like that, I suppose you're right… but there is a fourth girl now?"

Natsu nods, "Yeah, it's Virgo… you know, from the Maid Café?"

Ultear nods, "I remember her; I figured she'd be one of the more likely people to be the fourth".

Natsu scoffs, "So I was the only one who didn't know she had feelings for me?"

Ultear shrugs her shoulders, "No clue mate…but you know… you could do worse, much worse".

Natsu laughs, "Yeah… I guess I could".

The pair were silent for a moment after that, taking in the scene of the setting sun shining its last defiant rays of light across the still, glass surface of the small lake.

"So… right now" Ultear begins, "You're looking for a way to make a decision… not only that, but you want it to be one that makes the girls realise you love them all equally. Am I right?"

Natsu nods, "Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. But I fail to see a decision that could do that".

Ultear presses her lips together in thought. Finally, she stands up and says, "I want you to come with me for a moment, I may have an idea but I need to check something first".

Natsu blinks at that, "Where are we going?"

Ultear sighs, "To my dorm; and don't get nay strange ideas about it either, Harem Master".

Chuckling, Natsu replies swiftly, "Please… I doubt even my fire could melt that Icy Heart of yours".

On the way to her Dorm, Ultear and Natsu continued to banter back and forth.

…..

"What do you think Natsu will do?" Virgo asks the group, which included all the girls and Zeref, who had come to Natsu's Dorm minutes after he left. The girls informed him of the situation, which made Zeref laugh. Once he was done, was when Virgo posed her question.

"I'm not sure… but there can be no doubt; whoever he chooses has an advantage over the rest of us" Mirajane replies.

Erza nods, "Indeed".

"What do you think Zeref-chan?" Hisui asks Zeref.

Zeref appeared deep in thought. Suddenly however, he perked up.

"I think I know what my brother will end up doing" Zeref smirks.

"What is it?" Erza asks.

Zeref gives off a short laugh, "Come now Erza… what would be the fun in that?"

Meanwhile, Zeref was thinking, He'll be sure to make that decision… all he needs is a certain book of rules.

…..

"Sit down, make yourself comfortable" Ultear said, gesturing toward the couch.

Natsu looked around curiously; this was the first dorm he had been inside of that wasn't his or Hisui's… the first shared dorm he had seen. Now he could understand Mirajane's initial reaction when she first saw his room all that time ago.

"It's… small" Natsu said, making Ultear jump from the random question.

"What? It's no different than any other dorm" Ultear states, looking confused.

Natsu waves a hand dismissively, "Forget about it Ultear".

The room was small. Its total size was only about six by six metres, just enough room for the large window in the middle of the back wall to have two small desks under it. Beside the desks, were bedsides with a lamp and a few personal items on them. Beside them, was a bed a piece, their foot reaching toward the front door.

The rest of the room had a three-seater couch facing a small TV unit and television.

Compared to Natsu's suite, this dorm was small.

"You have a roommate?" Natsu asks and Ultear nods.

"Yeah, she's kind of weird… she gives me the vibe of a stalker actually… but she's a decent enough girl" Ultear answers him.

Natsu nods and continues to look around; until his eyes found that of a photo album. Wondering if it was Ultear's, his curiosity peaked as he headed over to the bed the album was under.

"What are you doing?" Ultear asked him as she was searching around the room for something, "That's not my side you know".

The album was in his hands when he said, "Sorry… I just saw an album and I was curious".

Ultear looks over and grimaces, "Okay, two things; I suggest you put that down if you value your sanity and the second things is that when I said before my roommate gave the vibe of a stalker… she really is one".

Natsu blinks and opens the album… and immediately regretted it.

Every… single… page… was a collage of photos… of him!

Ultear laughs, "Told you so".

Natsu quickly shuts the albums and puts it back.

Turning around, he says, "Uh… who's your roommate?"

Ultear laughs, "You've met before apparently… her name is Juvia".

The name jogged a memory of a shy girl that he sometimes found following him, with blue hair.

"Yes" Natsu says plainly, trying to rid himself of the memory, "We have".

Ultear appeared not to be listening, for at that moment she cried out in triumph.

"You found whatever it is you're looking for?" Natsu asked, assuming he was right.

Ultear rolls her eyes and sarcastically says, "Nooo… I just found a receipt for a book I borrowed at the school library… although" Ultear frowns, "I did borrow this from the library… but that was months ago, wonder why I haven't gotten a letter yet, saying they'll fine me if I don't return it".

Natsu shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe they're scared of you or something?"

"WHAT WAS THAT!?" Ultear turned on Natsu with a growl and teeth bared.

Sweat dropping, Natsu says, "But of course, I'm wrong".

Puffing, Ultear says, "No matter… the point is, If I'm right about something, which this book will prove If I am or not… there is one way everyone can be happy".

"Really!?" Natsu asks her excitedly.

Ultear nods and begins to flip through the pages of the book.

Natsu meanwhile, was curious, "So uh… what is that book?"

Paying only half attention to the question, Ultear answers, "It's the rules and guidelines of the Academy".

"Why did you borrow something so boring?" Natsu asks her.

Rolling her eyes, Ultear replies, "Obvious, isn't it? I wanted to make sure Ur didn't try to use any of the school rules against me to convince me to see her as my mum… which she has indeed tried numerous times".

Natsu nods, "I see".

Silence passed between them, until Ultear found what she was looking for.

"I found it… and If I'm reading this right, which I think I am… I was right! There is a way!" Ultear says a little excitedly.

"What is it?" Natsu asks.

Ultear was about to answer, but at that moment, the door to the dorm opened.

"Hey Ultear, I'm back" Juvia Lockster greets Ultear when she walks in, "Why are there two pairs of shoes at the door? Do you have someone ov- "Juvia stopped mid-sentence when she realised who was in her dorm.

Raising an awkward hand in greeting, Natsu says, "Hey… Juvia".

Juvia began to grow red in the cheeks as she began to mutter, "N-Natsu… sama?"

The moment she finished, she fainted and collapsed on the ground.

"Juvia!" Ultear and Natsu call out as they run to her.

…..

"Thanks for all your help Ultear… and I hope Juvia wakes up soon" Natsu says to Ultear at the men's Dorm Building Entrance.

Ultear shrugs her shoulders, "It was a good distraction, and I'm sure Juvia will be fine… but will you, do it? The loophole in the rules?"

Natsu smirks, "You bet I will".

Ultear nods, "Very well then… next time I see you will be at the ball then".

Waving each other goodbye, Natsu headed up to the top floor and to his door.

Hand on the doorknob, Natsu sighs.

Here's hoping they don't hate me for this, he thought to himself as he turned the knob.

…..

Everyone was in Natsu's dorm; Natsu himself, Mirajane, Erza, Hisui, Virgo and Zeref, who seeing that there were only five seats in the living room, took it upon himself to sit on the kitchen counter to watch events unfold.

"So Natsu" Erza began, "You say you've already come to a decision?"

Natsu nods, "Yeah… you could say I went and did a bit of reading".

Zeref smiled as he thought, Well… I guess he found the loophole.

"And? What's your decision?" Hisui asks.

Natsu stands up before he begins to say, "For as long as the Ball has been around… everyone has always known that you can only take one partner to the Ball".

Erza nods, "Indeed, what's your point?"

Natsu shrugs his shoulders, "Well… everyone has been wrong".

The girls look up at that; Wrong?
"What do you mean 'Wrong'?" Mirajane asks.

"Indeed Natsu" Erza says, "It clearly states you can only bring one partner to the Ball".

Natsu laughs a little, "No it doesn't… it only implies".

The girls blink at that.

"What do you mean Natsu?" Virgo asks.

Natsu takes a deep breath, "The rule in correspondence to the limitations of your partner at the Academy Annual Ball is as I quote; The partner must be of magical blood… The partner cannot be a family member… And we suggest you take but one partner".

"Exactly!" Erza says, "Right there at the end, it says 'One partner'".

Natsu shakes his head, "No… they suggest you have only one partner… it doesn't mean you can't take more".

"So, let me get this straight" Hisui speaks up, "You're allowed to take more than one partner… so am I to assume you plan on taking all four of us?"

Natsu nods, "Yes… I think it's the most peaceful solution".

The girls couldn't help but agree with that.

"Now then" Natsu rubs his hands together, "Let's stop arguing and start getting ready to have a ball… at… the ball" he said the last a bit weakly.

Everyone looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Terrible pun!" they yelled at him, making him shrink into a ball.

…..

"Have all the preparations been made?" Jellal asked one of his cronies as he stared down from his window, into the Academy's Gardens.

For the past week, Jellal Fernandez had been staying at the Academy as a guest, until the night of the ball. He was surprised to see that his fellow Captain, Zeref Dragneel, had also made an appearance at the Academy… but it did not change his plans in the slightest.

"Everything is set, just as you had planned it, Jellal-sama" his crony replied.

Jellal smiled, "Thank you… and have you been able to find out what happened to our men on the weekend? According to witnesses, they were burnt to nothing in an instant… was it the work of Zeref?"

His crony shook his head, "No Master Jellal… apparently, a student here at the academy, with pink hair and black eyes… apparently, he was the one who did it".

Jellal frowned; put the magic used in the incident with the description… could it really be that boy? Natsu Dragneel? It couldn't be… it had to be Zeref!

"Thank you… you may leave" Jellal ordered his man.

Once the man had left, Jellal was left to his thoughts. Could it be Natsu Dragneel? He had read the Academy's statistics on him, and sure enough, he had more talent than was usual for even a Dragneel of his age… but the stats didn't match what he had heard. It's possible that what he heard was exaggerated, after all; who had ever heard of ten thousand well trained mages being burned into nothing… in an instant. Jellal certainly had never heard of such an occurrence before.

"What does it matter?" Jellal asked himself aloud, "No mage, no matter how powerful, can possibly stop me now".

Authors' Note – Hey guys, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. At the moment, I'm at my family's property which has no reception, let alone internet, so I've got to wait until I next go into the nearest town so I can upload these chapters at the library. I'm thinking it will be Sunday or Monday perhaps Tuesday, which at the moment, it is Saturday at 1 am. Sorry for this, but be sure to comment your thoughts and opinions when I do upload them. -(:

After this Chapter, we will be entering the final chapters of Book One of Fiore Academy… information on my promised OVA story for Fiore Academy will be posted at the end of the last Chapter. (Est. 6 More Chapters). The next update will be on the 17th of May 2017, at approximately 4pm, Australian Eastern Standard Time. I haven't got any anime on this property (sadly) so I will make this deadline… it won't take me a month to do it. The update will contain the rest of the first book of Fiore Academy. Look forward till then, and hearing all your thoughts when I see them on the 17th, likely won't see them before then.