Chapter Thirty-Two

"Oh that Air Candy of Wendy's smells so good." Cana sighed as she headed to the lift to head up to her room to shower and change. Erza nodded and Yukino yawned as she leaned against the wall of the lift.

"Yeah I can't wait to try it. I'm also excited to try some of that Hoboke shaved ice. Gray said that it can change to whatever flavor you want on it own."

"That's a little frightening."

"I think Gajeel and PantherLilly's exhibition is going to be more frightening. Did you see the size of PantherLilly's sword? It was like six feet long!" Kinana shivered. Levy chuckled and Lucy yawned. They'd been working all day, stopping for a quick lunch and then getting back to work. All of the people on the Guild Station had been busy too. Some more than others; using the last of their magic to get everything ready. The excitement rising more and more with each passing hour.

"I think tonight is just going to be a lot of fun and some good bonding opportunities." Lucy yawned again and Levy hugged her.

"Thanks to you and Natsu. You two have worked so hard to get everyone on the same page. If you hadn't asked and gotten Natsu involved this might not have happened."

"I didn't ask. He just realized how disappointed we all were and decided to offer to do his routine. It blew up from there."

"But his fire set off the bomb that blew." Cana mimicked a bomb exploding and they all laughed. The lift stopped and they all stumbled out and looked around. Even this floor had been decorated in banners and special floral and fauna that Droy and several others helped spread around the Guild Station.

"I really need to learn more about these plants." Levy murmured as one unfurled and the stamen stroked her cheek before a puff of white pollen expelled. Levy inhaled and sighed.

"What was that?" Erza looked uneasy.

"I'm not sure. But the smell is…really cool. It's my…favorite smells." Lucy leaned forward and her lips quirked.

"Paper, ink…but what is that last scent?" She raised a brow and Levy blushed and pushed at her. The other girls giggled as the flower reached its stamen out for all of them. Erza flourished her sword and the stamen backed away. Lucy laughed and headed for the room she shared with Natsu. The others heading for their rooms further down the hall.

"They really have gone all out." Jude muttered as he walked along the stalls. Many of the Guild Station residents were ignoring him and his small group as they walked up and down the various paths. He and the others were there to make sure they deemed it safe for the rest.

"Be nice dear." Layla said and eyed him and he nodded. She nearly stumbled when they turned the corner and Natsu was standing beside Gajeel and Laxus by the windows where she had spoken with Lucy just the day before.

Natsu was wearing black pants that had red and orange flames embroidered from the ankles and going up. He wore a black vest with one sleeve missing and the other had flames that matched the ones on his pants. His hair was standing up on end even more than usual. The way he stood, his scales were hidden but the muscles that normally weren't evident stood out.

Layla heard several of the men wonder how anyone had such a defined eight pack when he wasn't built like a body builder. She watched as flames danced around his fingers as he moved them restlessly as he spoke with the other Dragis. Before they could make their appearance known; Natsu perked up. The flames around his fingers surged before fading away as he stood even straighter.

"Natsu!" Lucy called out his name and launched herself at him. He caught her as she laughed. Layla stared. Lucy was wearing thigh high socks with black heels; a black skirt covered her upper thighs and waist. She wore a black, blue and white top that was fitted tight. Her hair was pulled up into twin ponytails and held back with black ribbons. Layla stopped Jude from marching over when Natsu set her down.

"What is that? Where…?" He looked at her and Lucy smiled up at him.

"Apparently someone went back to the dorm and grabbed our stuff. This was one of my favorite clubbing outfits before the invasion." She spun on her heel, the heels bringing her to eye level with him.

"Oh…"

"You don't like it?" She suddenly stopped and her smile fell. Natsu shook his head and smiled at her.

"Of course I like it. Because it makes you happy." He leaned forward and rested his forehead on hers. She stood there; her eyes closed as his hands went to her waist. He pulled back slightly. "But it's missing something."

"What?" She asked and crossed her arms. "If you says a jacket that covers me from head to toe we're going to fight."

"No." He shook his head laughing. "You aren't wearing the scalut so you need a weapon to protect yourself with. Hang on."

"I'm on the Guild Station!" She laughed as he disappeared out of sight. She turned and looked at Gajeel and Laxus who were eying them. The tension rolled off of them. "What?"

"He didn't explode." Gajeel stated in awe.

"What did you do to him that he ain't in a mental stasis?" Laxus asked and looked around. Lucy's brow furrowed.

"Why would he?"

"You aren't wearing his scalut blondie!" Gajeel pointed out and Lucy shook her head.

"His mom didn't wear his dad's 24/7 either."

"They were mated. That's different." Both males said in unison and Lucy blushed and then put her hands on her hips.

"Wait…did you two…"

"No." Lucy cut off Laxus and shook her head and waved her arms wildly.

"Are you messing with Lu-lu?" Mirajean asked and Laxus turned to snarl at her but stopped. She was in a white and pink dress with flowers at her waist. Her hair was curled and she was smiling brightly.

"No…but we think she broke Natsu." He finally got out and she laughed.

"I think you both forget that Natsu's been more stable since we all got up to the Guild Station."

"But she's pushing it." Gajeel murmured and eyed the blonde who rolled her eyes.

"Trust Natsu will you?" She asked and he shook his head.

"Why does Lugnuts need to trust me?" Natsu asked and they all jerked as he appeared except for Lucy who smiled up at him.

"Cuz I said so."

"Good enough for me." He grinned down at her. "Here."

"A…Whip?" Lucy asked and looked at the coiled leather in his hands. His grin widening. She reached out for it.

"Lucy don't you dare touch that!" Layla shouted, snapping out of her revere. Lucy froze and whipped her head around. Natsu's head turned and tilted. Layla's eyes were on the whip. She grabbed Lucy and pulled her over towards where Jude stood with the others. Lucy dug her heels into the floor half way between and looked at her mother.

"What is wrong with you?" She asked in a hush whispered that she knew Natsu could still hear. Her mother looked at her.

"That whip is not something you should touch."

"Don't tell me you think it's a kink thing."

"What? No!" Layla shook her head even as her cheeks flamed. "Lucy, I told you yesterday that there are things…"

"Don't!" Lucy shouted and pulled free and headed back to Natsu. "I don't want to hear your cryptic nonsense."

"It's important. Please."

"Mama!" Lucy rounded to looked at her. "Natsu would never give me something that would hurt me."

"There is more that can happen than physical pain." Layla said. She looked around, realizing that more and more individuals of the Guild Station were appearing; hearing the argument and coming to watch.

"Then tell me what the hell is going on."

"I can't…not yet." Layla shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Thats your problem. Not mine."

"Lucky…" Jude strolled forward and Lucy looked at her father. He held his hands out and settled one on her mother's shoulder and the other held out towards her. "Let your mother and I explain…"

"Are you going to apologize first?" She interrupted him and his cheeks darkened and his eyes narrowed. She shook her head. "Didn't think so. Until you do, I'm not listening to any more lies."

"Nothing we have to say is a lie!" He thundered. Natsu appeared and put Lucy behind him but she instantly shifted to stand beside him. Her left hand wrapped around his right and he smiled down at her before looking at her parents.

"Let's not argue tonight. Tonight is a night of celebration."

"That whip is…"

"A replica of an old race's whip. There is a mage on another Guild Station that can replicate anything. This is made from a material from your planet called…leather?" He held it out to her. She hesitated but reached out and then relaxed into Jude. "I would never give Lucy anything that might hurt her."

"My daughter can't use that. A whip is indecent." Jude muttered. Lucy's eyes narrowed on him and he shifted. Layla smiled softly.

"I'm not a child. I can whip if I want to." She grabbed it from Natsu and smiled up at him. "Thank you. I don't think its necessary, but I appreciate the sentiment."

"I just want you to always be able to protect yourself."

"Thank you." She smiled. "But Erza has turned me into a lethal machine without a weapon."

"I tried. Sometimes I think you were born with a lethal kick." Erza's voice had heads swiveling. She was in a short navy blue skirt with a white buttoned up short sleeved shirt tucked into it and wearing knee high boots. Her sword strapped to her back. Her hair was down, her bangs covering her right eye.

"She always had a good kick, my Little Star." Layla murmured and Erza nodded at Lucy's parents.

Levy appeared, and Gajeel snarled. She was wearing an orange and white dress that bared her shoulders and her back. She skipped up to Lucy and Natsu and threw her arms around her friend. She looked at Lucy's parents but then turned her attention back to her friend. "Come on Lu! Wendy's Air Candy stall is open and there's already a line growing."

"Oh well we can't miss that." Lucy laughed and let her friend pull her away from the tension. Natsu squeezed her hand once before letting it drop. She pressed the whip to her hip and his eyes narrowed as a loop appeared. His eyes flew up to Lucy's and she winked. His lips twerked but he didn't say anything-surprised that he hadn't thought of it. She'd probably asked the AI if the scault could change its shape; which it could with enough concentration.

Once she was gone he turned and looked at her parents. He slowly strolled forward and Jude tensed. He stopped a few feet short of them. "I think we need to have a conversation…preferably tomorrow. So Lucy and her friends have an enjoyable evening."

"I have nothing…" Jude started to buster but Layla cut him off.

"I agree. We do. How about after the mid-day meal? So no one is exhausted or hungry."

"Fine by me. Will here work?"

"Fine." Layla nodded and Jude glared down at her but she didn't look at him. She was looking Natsu in the eye. He offered her a tight smile, and glared at Jude then turned and headed away. Laxus and Gajeel glared at them and then turned and followed Natsu as he headed towards Wendy's stall.

"Why did you…"

"Jude," Layla looked up at him finally and his anger faded. She had tears in her eyes. "He truly cares for our Lucy. We need to hear him out."

"I don't care if he cares for her. He isn't right for her. And you know it!" Jude argued and Layla sighed and shook her head.

"Only our Little Star can decide who is right for herself."

"Layla…she…"

"We'll talk about it all tomorrow." Layla put her arm through his. "Let's walk through the stalls. Try and pretend this is a normal festival. Okay?"

"Fine." He conceded with an air of animosity. The others with them were visibly uncomfortable but followed their lead anyway.

"This candy is amazing."

"I know Erzie. How can air taste so amazing though?" Cana moaned in delight as she bit into the air candy. It had the texture of cotton candy but wasn't as sweet and packed a more potent punch.

"Don't call me that." Erza shook her head in annoyance and bit off a piece of her candy. She had gotten one that Lucy had insisted she try. It was creamy and sweet tasting; like a perfectly baked cheesecake. Lucy herself had one that was made to taste like star blossoms and dragon cinders. At first Erza and Cana had tried to turn Lucy off of the flavor as it sounded dangerous; but Lucy had stuck to trying Wendy's suggestion and had said it tasted like a strawberry tart with a cinnamon sugar shell over it.

Natsu and the other Dragis had gathered around and were eating other things; things that they knew wouldn't be good for them. Natsu was eating Emberugs; little nuggets of fire—but some were green, blue, and purple colored flames. He said they had different flavors but none of them understood how fire had flavor. Gajeel was eating thin sheets of metal that had been rolled like ice cream. Gray was eating shaved ice; but the few flakes that hit the ground instantly created streaks of ice that they feared would freeze them on contact as well.

"Brats!" General Makarov appeared; his mug nearly empty and he had a blue foam mustache. The girls all giggled as they greeted him. He smiled at them all and then pointed at the Dragis. "I was told to inform you that your performances are coming up. Don't bring the Station down."

"Wouldn't dream of it Gramps." Laxus promised and the others nodded. They disappeared and the girls hurried over to the large open expanse opposite of the Rainbow Sakura trees to get good seats. Mirajean, Elfman and Lisanna were up front and called to them and they all settled around.

A male appeared; he looked human which made the citizens of Earth confused. But then Wendy ran up, her breeze hitting him and his body shifted; particles of it floating away before being pulled back. There was a gasp and he smiled as he accepted what Wendy was handing him, a small data pad.

"Thanks Wendy." She blushed and disappeared out of sight. He turned to everyone. "Sorry to surprise those of you who don't know me. My name is Max Alors. I'm from a planet, like so many others; that lost itself to the Dragonics. My planet was a desert planet, and most of my kind, like myself; are partially made of sand. So please don't worry."

"So cool." A little boy in the middle said from his father's lap. Max smiled and he raised his arms with a flourish.

"Welcome to the first, but hopefully not last; Fairytail Guild Station Rainbow Sakura Festival!"

Hoops, howls and whistles followed mixed with claps and giggles. "First up for the entertainment portion is a special performance by Gray Fulibuster!"

"Gray actually agreed to do something?" Lucy asked Levy who shrugged and they turned back to the front. The Dragis came out from a small tent to the side and he was in white pants with blue and black designs and a large sword-cross on his chest hanging from a chain. His hair had been styled and stood on end; reminding Lucy of Natsu and she tried not to giggle.

Gray stood in the center of the large expanse and took a deep breath and lowered his head. He was starting to move when a voice from the back shouted, "Don't freeze the Earthings!"

He tensed and his head lowered a little more. Lucy sat up on her knees and was looking off to where the voice came from but couldn't see who said it. She turned back around. "You got this Gray. We believe in you!"

"Yeah!" Lisanna cheered. "Show that loser what happens when you taunt an Ice Dragis!"

A small smile quirked up the corner of Gray's lips and he nodded. He took a deep breath and then rolled his shoulders back. He lifted his head and his arms at the same time. He closed one hand into a fist and laid it over the other's flat palm. "Ice….Make…Magic!"

His shout coincided with a leap into the air and where he'd been standing; appeared a large lion-like creature. He landed on top of it; and the creature moved, prowling along the expanse of the performance area. Everyone cheered. He leapt up and repeated the starting motion and the creature disappeared as he landed on what appeared from the frosty smoke. It was a small boat with a sail that flapped in the wind.

"That's so cool." Kinana aiding awe. Gray performed a few more tricks and then it ended with ice-fire works. Which resulted in a soft snow fall that fell on everyone. The little kids of Earth squealed with joy. One little girl mentioning she'd never seen real snow before.

Max returned as the performance area cleaned itself of the fallen snow. He was smiling widely. "Trust good old Gray to start things off with so much impressive work. Now let's keep the entertainment going with a performance from Bixlow!"

Lisanna looked at her siblings as they nudged her; then clapped when Bixlow appeared in his usual garb. He smiled, his long tongue unfurling. People gasped and then held their breaths. He pulled out four small little barrel looking items.

"That's lame." Jet scoffed and Bixlow's head turned toward him.

"Big mistake." Lisanna muttered softly and Lucy grinned. A green light started to glow around the small barrels. Suddenly wooden wings appeared as well as faces and glowing eyes.

"What did you say about my babies?" Bixlow asked and the barrel creatures flew from his hands and surrounded Jet.

"Babies! Babies! Babies!" They chanted and flew around his head while he ducked when they dove at him. Everyone started laughing.

"Come back babies. Let's show these losers what we can do!" He performed various tricks with the little creatures and then as they swirled around his head he crossed his arms over his chest. He smiled smugly. Then the creatures flew towards his fleet and there was an explosion and a puff of green and white smoke. When it cleared; he was gone. No sign of his creatures either.

"Trust Bixlow to show the soul magic of his people." Max cheered as he appeared from the middle of a sand tornado which caused many to cheer for him. "Save your cheering for the next performance. We have Laxus pairing with Freed!"

"This will be interesting." Mirajean perked up and watched as the two strolled out. Laxus was scowling like usual and Freed had a bored expression. They looked at the crowd then at each other. They nodded and then walked to opposite ends.

Freed made the first move, pulling his sword free and started waving it about. They all watched as various lights flew out of the waving motions; flying towards Laxus who stood unmoving. About a foot from him; they hit a wall of electricity; bouncing back and sending small fireworks of color back at Freed.

People oohed and awed as the colors hit a wall that Freed made appear in front of him; shielding him from their sparks. As the wall faded away, he sent a second wave of attack. This time his motions created small black creatures that wore golden crowns over green leafy looking items with long tails. There were easily a hundred of them. They ran at Laxus from multiple directions and he threw his arms up; causing his duster to hit the floor. His scales shifted and when the first few creatures landed on them; they lit up as electricity wrapped around them.

The others were swatted when he threw his arms out. He leapt up, displaying for all the reason why he was the leader of the Dragis while on Earth. His attacks destroyed half of the creatures; and when he landed he threw his hands up as they leapt towards him. His lightening danced around and they exploded. He spun, sending lightening towards Freed. Mirajean gasped as the lightening bolts hit Freed.

Only they didn't.

His body disappeared and even Laxus looked confused. "Surely Laxus, you know not to trust everything you see!"

At Freed's taunt everyone looked up. He was falling down towards the floor; his sword swishing wildly. Lights hit Laxus and he grunted as he was lifted off of his feet by their blows. He flipped backwards and snarled and punched his fist into the floor's faux ground. Freed chuckled as he started to swish his sword. But suddenly he froze; his body seizing. Laxus chuckled as Freed sank to the ground gasping for air. He looked up; his hair frizzy and his eyes narrowed.

"Don't pretend you didn't know I could attack from below as much as above." Laxus jeered and Freed stood up. He swished his sword and Laxus flexed his fingers, sparks flickering. Then as the audience inhaled; they charged each other. Sending sparks high. Everyone cheered as they fought; the lights and colors of Freed's spells creating fireworks of increasing size.

When it ended; both were breathing heavily. Leaning against each other. Laughter escaped them and they waved at the audience before stumbling over to Wendy who was quick to apply healing potions.

Max came back out, shaking his head and looking around. "I don't want to be the act following that spectacular performance between two long term friends. Luckily it's not me. It's time to cheer and be in awe of Gajeel and PantherLilly!"

Lucy felt Levy grip her arm and they both eagerly leaned closer. PantherLilly appeared first in his small form; which brought aws out until he transformed. A little voice in the corner rang out, "Mama, is that what can happen if you eat your brussels sprouts?"

"Yes." The mother stated without hesitation which made all the humans chuckle. PantherLilly pulled out his sword and swung it around his head and performed a series of leaps and lunges. Everyone clapped as he stopped and turned. Gajeel strolled forward and PantherLilly gave him the field to stretch and warm up. Gajeel kept his warm up short and without showing his Iron Dragis powers.

"Are you ready?" Max's voice came out over speakers and everyone cheered and waited. As the last of the noise died down the two warriors turned to face each other.

"As we agreed; I will not hold back Gajeel." PantherLilly declared and lifted his sword.

"I ain't needin' ya to." He declared and threw his hair back over his shoulder and chortled. "Gi hi hi hi."

"Very well." PantherLilly inhaled and charged. He swung his sword and everyone gasped as Gajeel merely raised an eyebrow. Levy inhaled sharply as he merely lifted his right arm. The sword hit; and everyone braced for blood and injury; but instead there was an echoing clang. The sword; with the full force of PantherLilly's swing stood reverberating against a blade in lieu of Gajeel's arm. His scales surrounded the base and he grunted as he pushed with it; sending PantherLilly several steps backwards.

"I thought ya weren't gonna hold back kitty." Gajeel taunted and PantherLilly's brows lowered and he charged, dropping his sword low and then pounced high into the air. He brought the sword down and Gajeel yawned and raised his right arm sword and then his left and his arms shifted. Forming a shield that deflected the blow and made PantherLilly flip tail over head. Gajeel spun on his heel to face PantherLilly but otherwise didn't move.

"Why isn't he charging? PantherLilly has an opening." Erza wondered.

"Because, he's toying with PantherLilly." Levy stated. "Psychological warfare."

Sure enough, annoyance made PantherLilly attack before fully getting his footing. Gajeel merely shifted his arm to the sword and rotated it; making the Exceed careen towards the wall. His wings unfurled and prevented him from hitting it. He flew forward and Gajeel waited until he was whiskers away before leaping up. He came down on PantherLilly's back with both fists clasped together and making a strong hit. PantherLilly hit the ground with a grunt.

"Oh no!" Lisanna whimpered as PantherLilly groaned. Levy shifted and pointed at Gajeel. He had created a large spade with his left arm and got it under PantherLilly and used it to flip him into the air. He moved quick, getting under the Exceed and then jumped up; his fist shining. PantherLilly shouted as the punch to his back had him arching high into the air.

"No! Not the kitty!" Several Earth children shouted in fright. PantherLilly flipped over in the air and snarled at the grinning Dragis. He swooped down and feinted left then struck from the right. Gajeel went skidding backwards and raised a brow. His body shimmered and he turned to metal; his scales rising up. The two went head to head; PantherLilly's sword glancing off of Gajeel's metallic body. Sparks flying off and the canopy of sound echoing around.

"Why won't you just yield?" PantherLilly gasped as he struggled to breathe; his sword on the ground. Gajeel shrugged nonchalantly and hit his metal arms together. Taunting PantherLilly. And it worked.

"Gajeel got him." Levy breathed and Lucy watched as the Exceed charged and Gajeel slammed his hands down on the ground. Metal sprang up everywhere. PantherLilly ducked and wove around them; not paying attention. And it was his ruin. Because he suddenly found himself in a cage; his limps pinned by metal poles.

"Do you concede?" Gajeel asked and the proud Exceed nodded once. The metal shrank quickly away. The Exceed dropped to the floor. Gajeel strolled forward and the Exceed looked up at him; blood dripping from his mouth.

"That was pretty damn good cat! You actually made me sweat." He held his hand out and the Exceed took it, standing up. But as soon as he did; a pop was heard and he instantly shrank to his starting size. Gajeel caught him in his arms; and cradled him against his chest. "I gottcha pal."

"Thanks…Gajeel." The Exceed sighed and closed his eyes. Gajeel walked towards the crowd and squatted in front of Levy and Lucy.

"Ya mind looking over him while he rests? I promised Flamebrain I'd help with his thing."

"Of course." Levy took the exhausted Exceed and cradled him close while Gajeel rose to his feet. Wendy rushed over with with healing potions.

"Well folks; get ready for the grand final! The Dragis who started it all; the one and only….Natsu!"