I was roused back to consciousness by Stella shaking my arm, I eased myself up only to discover I was laying on an infirmary bed, with Gray sitting on the stool next to me.
"This is becoming a bad habit of yours. Making me carry you when you're unconscious." Gray quipped but I could see the worry in his eyes.
"What can I say? I just love the attention." I replied in response, to which he rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Erza's got an announcement regarding the master. We'd better get downstairs. DO I need to carry you again?" Gray asked with humor. I rolled my eyes and stood up with only a wince for my troubles.
"Come on stripper." Was my only response as we exited the infirmary, joining the rest of guild in the main hall. I slid onto a seat next to Lucy with Gray following behind me. Stella slammed into my chest and I laughed as she cuddled into me. "Geez Stella, I was only electrocuted." I teased and she pouted at me.
"Aquila, that's not funny!" She whined as she finally released me and sat on the table in front of me.
"Alright, alright, you're attention please." Erza called from the front of the room. "I'm pleased to announce that thanks to Porlyusica's help, the Master's going to pull through just fine. So don't worry, he'll be back to work in no time." The guild let out a resounding cheer at the announcement.
"Thank goodness. I got to admit, I was getting a little worried." Lucy admitted.
"Aw, it'll take more than that to make Gramps kick the bucket." Gray brushed it off with a smile.
"Popsicle is right. Master's tougher than all of us put together." I added with a grin.
"Well he isn't as young as he used to be, so any stress on his heart could significantly affect his health, so let's be on our best behavior." Erza commanded, and the guild once again responded enthusiastically.
"I don't know if it's such a good idea to do the Fantasia parade after everything that's happened." Lucy voiced her concerns.
"But the Master wants us to do it. Besides, it's the perfect way to cheer everyone up after that mess." Mira's voice stated as she and Elfman walked over to join us.
"Mira's right. Besides, Fantasia is too much fun to give up." I grinned then turned to Gray. "We're still on for our float right?"
Gray snorted then waved dismissively, "Please, I've got it all handled." I stared him down, and he began to sweat. I knew he hadn't done any of his prep work yet. However, my interrogation was interrupted when Juvia commented on her excitement.
"Well, you're going to be in it with us little lady!" Cana winked at Juvia as she passed me a mug full of beer, which I took with a grin. Juvia looked stunned, especially when Macao and Wakaba chimed in, stating that wasn't she a member of the guild too. I laughed as Juvia pouted that she didn't think she was allowed to participate.
"Does that mean I'm in it too?" Lucy asked shyly and I flung an arm around her.
"But of course, we need all the help we can get, especially with Dumb and Dumber over there out of commission." I grinned as my comment set off their wrath, but considering Natsu and Gajeel could barely move, I was safe from their wrath.
I meandered over to Erza, and slung my arm around her shoulders. "It's good to see everyone getting along." She commented, unsurprised by my presence.
"Naturally. After all, we're a good bunch, we just need some sense beaten into us every now and then." I laughed as Natsu and Gajeel continued to argue.
The guild went silent as Laxus walked into the hall. As the guild began to murmur, Laxus moved forward, seemingly unaffected. "Where's the old man?" Was his only comment. The guild burst into angry shouts and chaos at his question.
"Shut your traps!" I yelled, and then gestured for Erza to speak.
"The Master's in the infirmary ." Was all that she said and murmurs broke out once again. Laxus strode past us and I narrowed my eyes at him.
Laxus glanced at me, then continued walking, only to be halted by Natsu mumbling angrily as he slid in front of him, blocking his path. He let out an angry shout, his voice still unintelligible however.
"Translation please?" Lucy asked Gajeel, who had hobbled over to join us.
"He said next time it won't be two against one, it'll just be him and Laxus, and he won't lose." Gajeel translated and I furrowed my brow.
"I was under the impression you two had one." I stated with a raised eyebrow.
"Nah, it was more like a draw. And if that guy had been around during Phantom, I would be six feet under." Gajeel added and I took in Laxus with a new eye. What would've happened, if Erza and I had stayed?
Laxus sized up Natsu for a moment then walked passed him. At the end before entering the infirmary, he raised a hand in acknowledgment, stunning us all into silence.
As he entered, Erza sighed, "Alright, show's over guys, let's get ready for the Fantasia Parade!" With Erza's admonition, we all cheered and went about our business.
"See you later everyone, Popsicle and I have a float to make." I called out as I raised a hand in farewell. Stella floated over and landed on my head.
"Are we going to go make the float?!" Stella squealed with excitement. Fantasia was her favorite time of the year. I picked her up and tossed her in the air a couple of times, then pulled her into a hug.
"Naturally, my little snow fairy!" I giggled and set her back on my head as I continued to the back of the guild, where Gray was waiting with… Juvia?
"Hey Popsicle, Juvia. What's this here?" I asked with a smile.
"She didn't have any other float to join. I thought you maybe would have an idea." Gray said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck while avoiding eye contact.
"I- I don't mean to intrude, I can always-" Juvia began but I interrupted her.
"Nonsense, the more the merrier, and I'm sure Magnolia would be happy to see a new face on our float!" I grinned and threw an arm around her. "Now gather close everyone and allow me to tell you of a fabulous idea I just had."
I whispered my idea into our little huddle and then we got to work. Juvia claimed she could sew and was set on costumes. Stella was helping her while Gray and I constructed our float.
"This is the craziest idea you've ever had." He smirked as we paused for a brief break. The castle was almost done, now all that was left was the dragon.
Fireworks exploded in the skies as the time for the Fantasia parade approached. Cana, Macao and Wakaba's float entered first, with fire and smoke shapes, and Cana's cards circling them all surrounded by different shapes and auras.
Following them came, the other boys, in a forest like float that used Droy's plant magic. Following them was Lucy, Bisca, who had recovered rather quickly from the lightning shock, and Levy, performing a complicated dance with flags on a float covered with jewels.
Next was Mira and Elfman, showcasing a trapped princess guarded by a beast. I almost ripped the seams out of my dress due to my laughing when Mira transformed into a giant lizard, and nearly crushed Elfman.
Finally it was our turn. As we rolled down the road, an icy castle was present, with Juvia on a balcony, who extended water geysers that formed beautiful streams and jets. Gray and I were on the ground and I was melded into a giant ice dragon he had created. I roared once and then Gray used his ice make magic causing the dragon to shatter, leaving me in a princess gown kneeling next to him, as the crystals from the dragon floated upward and froze into the word Fairy Tail, resting upon an bridge of water Juvia had created. Gray took my hand and we began to fire off tiny ice crystals into the air, with their shattering and glitter punctuated by Juvia's redirection of the water jets.
"This was the craziest idea you've ever had.' Gray murmured as we shot off another round.
"I think you mean my best." I countered but there was no bite in it. I smiled at Gray and he returned it as we maneuvered around each other, almost dancing together. "Oh, it's time." I whispered to Gray who nodded. The movement came from the back of the parade and moved to the front.
We all raised our right hands with our index finger and thumb extended. So you were an ass. We've all been there, and we'll all be looking out for you in the future, I thought as we all raised our hands.
A/N: Alright so I posted this arc while hiding under a rock, fearing my fans were going to come and murder for me for not updating. But hopefully you guys will forgive my chronic lateness and accept this arc as appeasement. Also kudos to those of you who favorited and reviewed it really makes my day/ Please leave a review and tell me what you guys think! Thanks so much!