A grand opportunity was in progress that the gang could not miss. It was happening at a fashion expo. Lots of people took part in it as lots of models were modeling some clothes. Judging the clothes were two people. One was a woman that appeared to be in her early fifties with her wearing a black coat and used a cane with her auburn hair tied back into a bun. The other was a big fashion lady with her wearing a sparkling blue dress with her having wavy brown hair.
"Nice... Very nice, but I'm afraid that's just not enough." The younger lady said and let the designer go. It looks like it's some sort of fashion competition.
"I don't see what that lady sees...or doesn't see." Natsu said. "I don't know a lot about fashion, but they all looked good. Why is Erza taking part in this?"
"This competition is a big opportunity for Erza." Lucy said. "You know Erza has always been fond of fashion. If her design wins, she could win a scholarship to one of the best fashion schools in the country. It's also amazing that fashionista Sandra Lakewood is judging."
"Well, our girl is sure keeping her cool." Gray said as they all looked towards Erza at the stage and saw she was holding it together despite the pressure.
"Who is next, Diane?" Sandra asked.
"That would be...Kiria." Diane said.
"I think you mean the real winner." All of them looked to see a girl with wavy blonde hair come out. "Here's my design." She said as she had her model walked out with her outfit looking more like a dark green bra connected to the bottom half by thin straps with the rest of the dress looking like a piece of mint green cloth just hanging off the waist with dark green heels.
"Unique, bold, exotic..." Sandra said as she appeared to be liking it.
"As if anyone could beat my design." Kiria said as she was confident in her win. Suddenly, all the lights started flashing very oddly. Just then, they heard some sort of screech as something flew around in the air until it landed down on the stage. It looked like a lady with blonde hair in a pink dress, but her skin was blue and had a sinister face.
"You all shall pay!" She shouted as the lights kept flashing around and a couple of them even broke apart with sparks falling around. Everyone was running scared and just wanted to get out of there. As for the gang, they stuck around and watched things unfold until the lights went out for a moment. When they came back on, the woman was gone.
"What the heck was that?" Gray questioned.
"It looked like some sort of ghost." Lucy said.
"And here I was thinking that this would be boring." Natsu said. That was certainly weird, but it was also mysterious to the gang.
"Erza, are you okay up there?!" Gray called.
"I'm fine, but what did we just witnessed?" Erza questioned.
"Oh my! She's real! I didn't think she was real, but the Model Ghost is real!" Sandra said as she looked like she was about to have a panic attack, but Diane smacked her cane against the ground.
"Don't be so dramatic." Diane said. Seeing as how she knew who that ghost was, the gang went on over to talk to her.
"Excuse me, Miss Lakewood. I'm Erza, one of the competitors. Do you know something about what that was?" Erza asked.
"You mean you haven't heard? That was the Model Ghost, the ghost of Desirae Melinda." Sandra said.
"Desirae Melinda? Who is that?" Lucy questioned.
"You're attending a fashion competition here and you don't know about her? Do you live in caves?" Sandra said with them not liking the attitude. "It happened thirty years ago, and it was on this very stage. There was a grand fashion show happening right here at this stage. Desirae Melinda was one of the best models back then. In my opinion, she would have been the next Heidi Klum. Sadly, there was a fire that happened in the show. No one saw Desirae come out and we all believed that she perished in the fire. They say her ghost still haunts this place."
"But what for? Why would the ghost of Desirae Melinda be haunting this place?" Gray asked.
"Isn't it obvious? A great model who's fabulous career came to an end. It's very tragic." Sandra said and tried to even act like it was, but Diane took her cane and stomped it down again.
"That is enough. That story about Desirae's ghost is nothing but nonsense." Diane said. "I don't know what that was, but that was not Desirae's ghost."
"But you just saw it yourself, Diane." Sandra said.
"Nonsense is all it is. I came here to help you find a future designer, not listen to ghost stories." Diane said. "Now, this interruption has caused some setbacks. Let me know when we can restart the competition." She claimed and just walked away.
"Who was she with the cold shoulder?" Natsu questioned with Happy even shivering.
"Fashion Guru Diane Minster. She discovered Sandra." Erza said.
"Well, I can't have this fashion contest while this ghost is around and causing havoc." Sandra said. "It looks like we're going to have to postpone for now."
"Postpone? When I was about to win? Why drag it out any longer?" Kiria said.
"Don't worry, Miss Lakewood. We can help out." Erza said as she gestured to herself and to her friends. "We solve mysteries and catch creeps like this all the time. We'll catch that ghost." That did sound rather good to Sandra and thought of giving them a chance.
"Yeah. That's a good idea. Take credit for catching the ghost while I claim my prize." Kiria said as she was real confident in her win. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get my dress back." She claimed and walked off.
"Sheesh. That girl is awful, and pretty cocky that she's going to win in the end." Lucy said.
"Either way, we have another mystery on our hands." Gray said. "We better split-up and look around. Erza and I will take a look up at the stage and see what might have caused those lights to act like that. The rest of you have a look around and see if you can find anything. That ghost had to have disappeared somewhere." All of them agreed to that and went searching for that fashionable ghost.
...
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy had a look around the building to try and find where that ghost disappeared.
"I don't get it." Natsu said. "This girl lived her life as a model, so what would she be upset about that she would need to haunt this place." Happy agreed as he acted like a model himself to show how great they probably would have it.
"The life of a model isn't all that glamorous, Natsu." Lucy said. "You have to get up early, be on time, and you really have to be careful about what you eat. That last one is hard. Even if you look great, they could still let you go."
"How would you know what being a model is like, Lucy?" Natsu asked.
"Well, I actually did a little bit of teen modeling myself." Lucy said with Natsu surprised. He had no idea that she actually did something like that.
"You actually were a model?!" Natsu said.
"Only for a little while." Lucy said and just kept going like it was nothing.
"I'm dating a former model!" Natsu said to Happy with him thinking that was a big bonus for him and Happy loved it for him.
...
Gray and Erza
Gray and Erza had a look around the stage. They made their way up to the lights and had a look around to see if there was anything suspicious up there.
"Erza, do you think it's possible that one of the competitors is behind this to try and eliminate some of the competition?" Gray questioned as they looked around.
"I wouldn't be surprise if Kiria had something to do with this." Erza said. "Seems like she wants to win this contest badly. I can certainly understand that."
"About that... I knew you had a lot of clothes, but I never knew how interested you were in fashion." Gray said. "How come you want to win this competition? Are you thinking of going into fashion as a career?"
"Maybe." Erza said. "I've always had an interest because of all the different designs and styles. There's so many and I love them all. Of course, I don't know how great my dress is. I never really designed anything myself. Maybe I do want to go into a fashion career."
"Sounds great, but you probably won't have much time for mystery solving." Gray said.
"I didn't think of that..." Erza said, but she's starting to now. Speaking of which, she just now noticed something. "Gray, these lights have been tampered with. Someone has been up here."
"And someone is down there." Gray said as he pointed beneath them. They both looked down and spotted Diane passing through the stage with a couple flowers. "What's Diane doing here with those flowers?"
"Let's get the others and follow her." Erza said as this seemed rather suspicious.
...
Diane
Diane moved to a different part of the building, but the gang followed after her. They followed Diane and found her placing the flowers she had against a framed photo. She also looked quite sad. When she moved away, the gang had a look as to who the flowers were.
"It's a memorial to Desirae Melinda, the Model Ghost herself." Lucy said.
"I thought Diane didn't believe that was Desirae's ghost." Gray said.
"I wonder if Diane actually knew Desirae." Erza said as they all wondered how this connects. Suddenly, Natsu felt someone's hand on his shoulder.
"It's the Model Ghost!" Natsu freaked.
"I'm flattered you think I'm a model, but I'm no ghost." All of them looked and saw it was Kiria. "You mystery solvers found anything?" She teased.
"What do you want?" Erza asked as none of them were in the mood for her.
"Calm down. I'm here to help. I found something I thought you could use to help." Kiria said as she handed them a book. "You guys were following Diane, but I found this weird thing that belongs to her." Lucy took the book and searched through it.
"Fallen Models?" Lucy said as she looked over and it appeared to be a scrapbook. "It's a scrapbook of models that seemed to have lost their careers. The latest entry was about a year ago of this Grace Jinwell. Why would Diane have something like this?"
"Where did you even get this?" Erza questioned.
"I found it when I was looking through Diane's stuff to help me win the contest. Now, you'll be the ones to get in trouble for having it." Kiria said as she laughed and just left with clearly no shame.
"I wouldn't be surprised if she was the Model Ghost. That girl his horrible." Lucy said as they were all annoyed with her. That was when Happy noticed something and tried to alert the others.
"Speaking of the Model Ghost... There she is!" Natsu shouted as they all looked down the hall and saw the Model Ghost standing right there.
"They will pay, and you will not get in my way!" The Model Ghost claimed as she was getting ready to attack them.
"Gray? Do you have a plan?" Lucy questioned.
"Of course. Run!" Gray said as they all ran for their lives with the Model Ghost chasing after them.
...
Chase Scene
He wants my hand
I'll have to think
He'll never have my heart
Know that when I sing
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Natsu and Happy ran from the Model Ghost. They tried posing as mannequins to fool her. It almost worked, but she realized the truth and just stared at them. When they were busted, they just ran right over her.
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Wanna wed but I fled
I need to hear those two words (I do)
I need to say those two words (I do)
I wanna cake with a bride and groom
I wanna ring and I want it soon
Gray ran outside and was up on the roof. When the Model Ghost chased after him, he was actually flying a kite. He handed it over for her to try and she was actually enjoying it until she somehow got zapped by lightning.
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Wanna wed but I fled
(Yeah, yeah)
Lucy and Erza ran out on to the stage and was at the end of the catwalk until they saw the ghost flying around their heads until the boys saved them. They shined a light right in the ghost's face and blinded her. Just then, it looked like she fell out of the air. She rolled against the ground, but was able to get up and ran out through a door.
...
"What an exit." Natsu said as they all regrouped.
"This might have something to do with that. Look." Erza said as she was holding up a cable and it appeared to be broken. "A broken cable... This must be how the ghost is able to fly around the stage."
"That's not all." Lucy said as she held up the book. "Look at who else is in this scrapbook that belongs to Diane. Sandra Lakewood!" She said as she showed Sandra was in the book as well.
"Sandra was a model herself? Does everyone who works in fashion does some modeling?" Natsu said.
"Sort of, but Diane has Sandra labeled as the Golden One." Lucy said as it seemed interesting Sandra never mentioned this before.
"What's going on out here?" That was when they all noticed Diane showed up. When they saw them holding her scrapbook, she looked rather mad and just yanked it out of Lucy's hands. "This is private and personal! What are all of you doing with this?!"
"Kiria stole it from you and then gave it to us thinking it would help solve this mystery." Erza stated.
"There is no mystery because there is no ghost." Diane said. "I would also appreciate it if you all would stay out of my personal affairs." She said and just walked away and seemed rather upset.
"She's cheery." Natsu said.
"I'm getting the feeling this is more personal to Diane than she wants to admit. It's also curious how she had Sandra labeled in that book. I think it's time we have a talk to one of them about this." Lucy said.
...
Sandra
"Yes, I know. I'm doing what I can darling." Sandra said as she was outside and talking over her phone. Just as she turned around, she got a little startled when she saw the gang standing there. "I'll call you back." She said as she ended the call. "What are you all doing?"
"There's something we want to talk to you about." Lucy said. "We saw a scrapbook Diane had of fallen models and you were in there."
"What?! I am shocked! That scrapbook is personal to Diane! Even I haven't seen it!" Sandra said as she tried to act dramatic, but none of them were amused.
"Will you stop with the theatrics?! Not all fashionistas act like that." Erza said as they were all not in the mood for this. Sandra thought her best option was to come clean.
"Okay, fine." Sandra said as she acted like a normal person. "I am a little surprised you were able to see the book. Yes, I use to be a model myself."
"What happened?" Gray asked.
"Well, it was fun at first, but I started to feel that the model life was becoming tedious." Sandra explained. "Not only that, but I was constantly worried that with just one imperfection, I would be cutout. You have no idea how hard we had to work our bodies to keep our jobs. Even so, I didn't want to go out like that. I loved the clothes, the lifestyle, and much more. I didn't want to be just tossed aside. When Diane found out about how I felt, she took me under her wing and helped me become the fashion icon I am today."
"I see. You were probably the only one in that book who made yourself more than just a pretty face." Lucy said as she started to put the pieces of the puzzle together. "I think I might know what's going on, but we still need to catch the ghost."
"That means we need a trap, and that means Happy and I are going to be the bait again." Natsu complained.
"Not this time." Erza said as she had an idea herself. "The Model Ghost keeps saying she wants people to pay. I think she's going after fellow models. If she is, I know what to do. Miss Lakewood, we need to get the competition starting again." She said as they were going to do what's hard to do: get themselves a model.
...
The Contest
"I sure hope Erza and Lucy know what they're doing." Natsu said as the guys watched from the stands. The contest started up again, all part of the plan. They made it look like it was real as Diane, Sandra, Kiria, and other contestants were in it.
"Okay, Erza! You're up!" Sandra called.
"Well, here's what I designed." Erza said and used Lucy as her model. Lucy stepped out and she looked stunning with Erza's dress. A strapless dress that was silver and actually shimmered with the light with platinum colored shoes. Lucy walked out and she looked stunning in it. Everyone was awestruck with the dress.
"Erza made that?!" Natsu said with Happy whistling.
"I think Erza underestimated herself." Gray said. Lucy acted like a model as she walked the catwalk, but that was when the scares started as Model Ghost climbed right on the catwalk and looked ready to attack Lucy as she backed away.
"They all shall pay!" Model Ghost said as she went for it. She charged right at Lucy, but she ended up stepping on a hidden switch. That caused part of the catwalk to shoot her through the air. She ended up flying right into a curtain and got tangled in it. When she got caught up in that, the boys moved fast as they held her down and tied her up so she couldn't escape. "Let me out of here!" She demanded as they pulled out her head.
"Now let's see who this ghost really is." Erza said as she pulled off the mask and it revealed being a woman with shoulder length blonde hair.
"Nobody we know?!" They all said.
"Not exactly." Lucy said. "I saw her in Diane's scrapbook. She was the latest entry: Grace Jinwell."
"But why would she do this?" Gray said.
"Payback." Grace said. "All my life, all I wanted to be was a model. It was my life dream, but then they decided to just let me go. Do you have any idea what I had to do to get a modeling career in the first place? They just tossed me aside just like that."
"So you heard about Desirae Melinda and created her ghost as a way to get payback at the modeling career." Erza said. "She messed with the lights and used a cable to fly around."
"But I don't get it. She's still pretty. Why would they just let her go?" Natsu said.
"I told you that the life of a model isn't always glamorous." Lucy said.
"I found it completely unfair and unjust. I would have had sweet vengeance on them all if it weren't for you meddling kids." Grace said.
"Well, I told you all that this ghost sense was nothing more than that. Now that it's over, let's get back to work." Diane said.
"You can drop the act now, Diane. There's no reason to hide it." Lucy said. "The truth is Diane here is really Desirae Melinda herself, alive and well." She revealed with everyone surprised by the fact. The look on Diane's face said that Lucy was right "You managed escape that fire. That's why you didn't believe that was a real ghost."
"Yes, it's true." She admitted. "After that fire, my body did suffer from some burns. I knew my modeling career was over then and there. So, I decided to change my way of life. It's not easy when people only see what's on the outside. Many poor models had to change their careers because of imperfections, flaws, or who knows what when someone of them had their hearts set on being one."
"That's why you made that scrapbook. You felt sympathy for them." Lucy said. "That's also why you were fond of Sandra. She wanted to change her career and she did."
"But why change your name and hide from the world that you're alive?" Gray asked.
"I guess it was a sense of shame." Desirae admitted. "People tend to see what's only on the outside. After what happened with the fire, I knew the world would never see me as the same when they enjoyed that look."
"Desirae, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You took a disaster that happened to you and managed to turn it into something great for you. You wanted to show that people like you can be more than just beautiful." Lucy said. "Look at you. You became big in the fashion world behind the scenes. You should be proud of yourself." She said and Desirae was glad to hear that.
"Well, now that we have it all done. I'm pleased to announce that we have a winner." Sandra said.
"Thank you." Kiria said as she thought it was her.
"Erza!" Sandra said with Kiria shocked. "Your design was simple but elegant, bold but classy and exquisite. I see a bright future for you in fashion."
"Aw! Thank you, Miss Lakewood." Erza said as she couldn't believe it. "However, I don't think I'm ready for a career in fashion just yet because there's one thing I love just as much if not more..." She said as she wrapped her arms around her friends. "And that's mystery solving with my friends." They all loved to hear her say that. Being a model could be a fleeing moment, but this business they have is one that's going to be around for a long time.