A/N: Episode 199.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: THE GRAND BALL

Several days after the Grand Magic Games...

Atugia, Dawn, and Hana were in the dressing room, getting ready for the banquet. "Dawn, you look amazing!" Atugia commented, wearing a white blouse and long blue pants resembling jeans along with an indigo colored robe to cover her body complete with a hood to cover her face. She was also putting on indigo colored witch shoes that had a pointy end.

Dawn was wearing a black dress with black heels. "So do you, Atugia." She said.

"I bet Riku-sama would think the same as Atugia-chan." Hana added, wearing an orange sundress with wooden heels.

Her comment made Dawn blush as Atugia and Hana both laughed.

Outside in the ruined city of Crocus, the townspeople were chatting about the dragon fight.

"Did you guys hear about it? During that last emergency evacuation, a dragon attacked the land near the castle."

"Balderdash! Everyone knows they don't exist!"

"But there are witnesses!"

"It was probably the wizards' magic." A nearby waitress informed.

"That reminds me, there's a party for the wizards in the palace tonight."

"Lucky them!"

"Wizards have never been to the palace before."

"That just goes to show what a hit the Games were this time."

Atugia, Dawn, and Hana had entered the ballroom, looking around the place in awe. "Wow!" Hana exclaimed.

"Oh, you guys are here." Ajar greeted. He was wearing a black tuxedo and his hair was combed down, making it smooth and straight.

"You're late!" Loji informed, wearing a button-down black blazer with a white dress shirt underneath, dark grey slacks, and black loafers.

"Over here, everyone. The others are gathered too." Ezekiel informed, wearing a blue blazer with a black dress shirt underneath, black jeans, and black dress shoes.

"Huh? Akame's not with you?" Loji asked Julian, who was wearing black tailor pants, a white collar shirt with a royal blue cravat with a silver cross pin at the center, a black vest with silver buttons, a black tailcoat, a pair of white gloves, a pair of black socks, and a pair of black leather shoes. Aly was at his side.

"Why would he be with me?" Julian questioned.

All of the guilds were talking amongst themselves. "A Man needs to eat!" Elfman exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Gray agreed.

"Booze! Give me booze!" Cana shouted.

"Hey, Cana! We're in the palace!" Macao scolded.

"The king sure is generous." Lily commented.

"Aye, sir!"

"To invite all those roughnecks to the palace..." Carla trailed off.

"I suppose it should be expected, but I've never seen this much opulence." Jenny claimed.

"It's a dazzling world of its own!" Ichiya exclaimed.

"Hooray for King Ichiya!" The Trimens cheered.

"Yon trio, play that tune in b-flat!" Ichiya said to the nearby orchestra.

"'That tune'?"

"I don't know, either!"

Cana and Bacchus clunked their mugs together. "Shall we match mugs again?" Bacchus challenged.

"You're on. And I'm not gonna lose this time!" Cana claimed.

"Wild Four!"

Kagura was wearing a purple ball gown and her hair was tied in a bun. "I told you it doesn't suit me!" She complained.

"Just the opposite! It suits you to a T!" Beth complimented.

"You're beautiful, Kagura." Arana said.

"Better not underestimate Kagura!" Risley added while Millianna stayed silent with her head low.

"Who'd ever think we'd be invited to the palace?" Makarov questioned with Yajima at his side along with Goldmine and Bob.

"Some things do change." Yajima said.

And on July 7th... we beat what's known as fate!

"I'm sorry!" Sting was bowing in front of Harumi, who was wearing an emerald green dress with a slit, showing her right thigh. She also had a golden necklace and matching earrings. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail and she wore tall brown boots.

"Master Jiemma severely injured you horribly last year, and we completely humiliated your guild to show that we were the strongest. I know an apology isn't enough." Sting finished.

"Sting-kun..." Lector muttered.

Harumi looked at him. "Stand up, Sting." She said, making the blonde Dragon Slayer widen his eyes as he glanced up at the older woman, straightening back up. Harumi placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You have nothing to apologize for. Being under Jiemma's reign made you cruel." Harumi sent him a smile. "I'm looking forward to see Sabertooth's transformation into a guild that cares about their friends."

"Thank you..." Sting muttered.

Lucy was stuffing her face with a piece of pie. "Lucy-san!" Hisui called out, causing the blonde to quickly swallow her food.

"Princess Hisui!"

Lucy and Hisui began talking. "So you are related to the Heartfilia conglomerate!" Hisui was saying as Lucy laughed.

"That was a long time ago, though." She said.

"I was a friend of your father's." Hisui revealed.

"Really?!" Lucy responded.

"Even though he was a great help to me, I've given you nothing but grief."

Lucy smiled sheepishly. "Oh, no, I'm a guild wizard. Trouble comes with the territory." She reassured.

Gray was currently eating a piece of chicken. "Gray-sama..." Juvia called out, catching his attention as he turned to face her. "I've become Juvia, version 2.0."

"Since when have you been like a machine?" Gray questioned.

"And now Juvia is plunging into a new age."

"Uh..."

"Gray-sama, I love you!" Juvia exclaimed, rushing towards Gray for a hug.

"No thank you!" Gray rejected, moving out of the way as Juvia crashed onto the ground. Gray turned to look at her. "I've also entered a new age. When I don't like something, I'm gonna be brutally honest about it."

Juvia looked up in disbelief as she was in tears. She soon got hearts floating around her. "Gray-sama, you're so dreamy even when you scold Juvia!" She exclaimed.

Gray flinched back. "The new version is worse than the old!" He claimed.

"Don't talk like that, Gray."

Gray and Juvia turned to see Lyon with Yuka and Toby behind him.

"Lyon!"

"I got the message loud and clear today. Juvia isn't interested in me." Lyon said.

"Finally!" Yuka and Toby spoke in disbelief.

Kagura was walking around the ballroom as she nearly tripped, but regained her balance. "Jeez. It's hard to walk in these." She muttered to herself before spotting Erza and Ezekiel walking towards her.

"How are your injuries, Kagura?" Ezekiel asked.

"I could ask you the same." Kagura answered.

"Nothing I can't handle." Ezekiel said.

Kagura stayed silent for a moment, looking at her ex-boyfriend. "Ezekiel... I'm sorry... about how I ended things between us." She apologized.

Ezekiel smiled. "Don't be so hung up on the past. We tried the dating thing and it didn't work out. Perhaps we're just better off as friends."

"Yeah..." Kagura agreed.

Soon enough, it was just Ezekiel and Erza. "So you've finally forgiven Jellal, huh?" She asked.

"I decided it was time. Hating him wouldn't get me anywhere." Ezekiel admitted.

Erza chuckled. "You and him do look adorable together."

"W-What are you talking about?" Ezekiel blushes a bit.

"I think you know what I mean."

"Butt out of my non-existent love life, Nee-chan! While we're on the topic, let's talk about you and Atlas!"

"There's nothing to talk about!"

Sting carried two glasses and a bottle of champagne. "Akame-san! Have a drink with me!" He exclaimed.

"Come on, Akame-kun!" Lector added.

This gains Zack and Dusk's attention, who stopped talking with one another. "If you're looking for the blood sucker, he ain't here." Zack informed, wearing a nice black and blue business suit like but unbuttoned, a bowtie, and white gloves.

Dusk was beside him, wearing a black vest over a light purple dress shirt, with a dark purple tie. He also wore white dress pants and black dress shoes.

"Huh? And I was thinking we could make a toast to friendship..." Sting said.

"Looks like your plan didn't work." Lector told him.

"Fro thinks so, too."

Rogue soon joined them. "Oh, hey Rogue." Zack greeted as Rogue gave him a nod in greeting. "Do you know about that guy who came from the future?"

Rogue scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah, I do. Even though he's me, it's pathetic. But I'm not gonna become that guy, ever!" He replied.

"Fro thinks so, too!"

Sting moved closer to Zack. "I'll make do with you, Zack! Let's have a drink!" He suggested.

"Sheesh, you're pushy!" Zack insulted.

"He has no social graces, so please become friends with him." Lector chimes in.

"He actually seems cheerful." Orga commented.

"I have no memory of Sting being like this." Rufus claimed as Sting poured champagne in Zack's glass.

Dusk had a worried look on his face in which Rogue noticed. "Something the matter?" He questioned, making the light purple haired male glance at him.

"Sorry, I'm just worried about Akame actually. None of our guildmates have seen him at all." Dusk replied. "It's quite concerning. Normally, he would be shining in a place like this."

"I'm sure he's off sleeping somewhere. I heard he had a tough battle against Future Rogue." Bruno commented from his place next to Dusk.

"Yeah, you're right."

Zack and Sting clinked their glasses together. "A toast to friendship between phoenixes and tigers!" He announced, letting out a laugh.

Yukino was walking with Lucy, Hana, and Mira, stopping in front of her former guildmates.

"Yukino!" Frosch exclaimed, not noticing the tense atmosphere.

"I-I'm sorry!" Yukino apologized, turning to leave.

"Wait!" Sting stopped her from rushing off. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were here. Master and his daughter have disappeared. We're going to start over. We're gonna remake Sabertooth from the ground up! We were, um... far from kind to you. But I wanna make a guild that treasures its members."

"And why are you telling me this?" Yukino asked.

"I want you to come back... although that might be asking too much." Sting responded.

"Of course! That's asking for so much, it's ridiculous!"

"Kagura-sama!"

"Yukino's life belongs to me. She's joining Mermaid Heel, and I'll brook no objections!" Kagura announced.

"What?!"

Yukino gasped as Sting walked over to Kagura. "You're drunk!" He accused.

"Shut up! Yukino belongs to Mermaid!" Kagura argued.

"Wait!"

Sting and Kagura turned. "We can't stay silent in this matter, either." Erza claimed.

"That's a Man."

"That's right! The way things have been going, it's natural for her to join our guild!" Lucy said.

"Yeah!" Gray agreed.

"Juvia doesn't need any more competition to be Gray-sama's bride, but..." Juvia started to say.

"We have similar characteristics, but..." Lisanna trailed off.

"Even everyone in Fairy Tail..." Yukino muttered.

"Hold it!"

Everyone turned around at the sound of Ezekiel's voice. "If Yukino wants to join a new guild, it should be us! Twilight Phoenix!" He announced.

"Do we need to remind you fools who the winning guild is?" Nero tilted his head cockily.

"We disagree. If a beautiful woman like you..." Eve started to say.

"...joins us in Blue Pegasus..."

"...you'll shine."

"Sniff-sniff! I smell a sweet, beautiful parfum!" Ichiya said.

"Join us!" Jenny stated.

"If it's come to this, then Lamia Scale shall also take part in the battle for Yukino." Lyon claimed. Yuka and Toby were with him while Jura and Sherry stood off to the side.

"What's the point of competing?" Jura asked.

"Join us!" Toby exclaimed.

"Don't get mad about it." Yuka scolded.

"In a guild that reeks of men, one beauty would make my soul tremble! I don't care about the tournament, but we will win this battle!" Bacchus shouted as his guildmates agreed with his statement.

"W-Wait. Everyone..." Yukino waved her hands, trying to defuse the situation.

"Let's go for it!" Makarov exclaimed.

"This will be fun." Harumi grinned.

"This is a perfect way to forget about the tournament." Goldmine claimed.

"You'll spin!" Obaba announced.

"The blood from my youthful days is bubbling up!" Bob added.

"Even the masters! What should we do?!" Wendy asked worriedly.

"That's love for you." Sherria commented.

Soon enough, all of the guilds began fighting one another.

"C'mere, you!"

"You dirty bastard!"

"Let's stop this."

"Get 'em!"

"Rip out Makarov's hair!" Obaba exclaimed.

"Keep your clothes on, old biddy!" Makarov replied.

"It's a melee!"

The palace ballroom was a mess as food was thrown on the ground from the tables due to all of the fighting. Tears began running down Yukino's face.

"It's nothing to cry about." Mira informed.

"But... even if it's not true... I'm so happy..." Yukino said.

Mira sent her a close-eyed smile. "You're smiling at last." She noticed.

"Look at all the places where you belong."

"Yes."

Arcadios soon stepped out. "Everyone! That's enough!" He slammed his sword on the ground, making everyone stop fighting. "You showed great valor during the Grand Magic Games, and your efforts saved the country. His Majesty would express his appreciation directly, so take heed!"

"King!" Asuka shouted, waving her arms as Bisca shushed her.

The doors soon opened as someone stepped forward. When they finally came into the light, the person was revealed to be Akame. "My subjects! Make yourselves comfortable!" Akame laughed.

"Give that back-kabo!" Toma said as everyone was stunned.

"I am the king! I became the king!" Akame announced, extending his arms up as he laughed once more.

Ezekiel placed his hand over his eyes in embarrassment. "Garou Knights, if you would..." Arcadios ordered.

"W-We can't beat him..."

Harumi looked like she was about to pass out. "Give it back-kabo!" Toma stated.

"Oh, come on! We won, right?" Akame said.

"Give it back-kabo!"

"Let me be the king, too! You're all my followers!"

"You're taking it too far." Dusk commented.

"Leave it up to the buffoon to do something like this." Julian sighed.

Everyone had continued on with the evening, dancing with their dance partners of choice.

The curtain on the Grand Magic Games with Twilight Phoenix's victory, and the battle involving the past and future was over.

However...

Akame was dressed in a black dress shirt with a red blazer over it, black dress pants, and a red bowtie. He was eating some chicken before he almost choked. Dusk handed him a glass of water.

"Here, water."

Akame takes the water and gulps it down. "You're hopeless, you know that?" Dusk told him.

"Father..."

Hisui's voice brought the attention of Akame and Dusk. She was standing in front of Toma who had the royal guards with him. "Hisui..." Toma mumbled.

"I deeply apologize for what happened." Hisui bowed. "I'm prepared to accept my just punishment as soon as this party is over."

"Princess Hisui..." Lucy muttered.

"Please wait." Arcadios spoke up.

"Hm? Arcadios-sama!" Hisui exclaimed.

"The princess originally implemented the Eclipse Project to annihilate Lord Zeref. Then she moved on to Eclipse Project 2 after being tricked by the Future Rogue, believing it would repel the invasion of Fiore by 10,000 dragons." Arcadios explained.

"In other words, she did it all for the sake of this country." Darton added.

"Darton..."

"That's not all!" Lucy spoke up. "She did her best to protect the future of this world!"

"Yes. The princess is not at fault here." Erza agreed.

"I concur."

"I would make allowances."

"I say let it be water under the bridge! Thanks to her, we wizards came together as one." Akame claimed, with Natsu nodding in agreement at his statement.

"Agreed." Dusk said.

"Yeah, you can say that again." Laxus added.

"If it weren't for an occasion like this, we may have never united." Atlas stated, crossing his arms.

Hisui covered her mouth. "Everyone..."

"Juvia and Gray-sama also united!" Juvia claimed, hugging Gray's arm.

"No, we did not!" Gray declined.

"I'm grateful for it all, too." Sting admitted.

"Yeah. I feel like I received something valuable." Rogue agreed.

"Fro thinks so, too!"

"That's right! The unity within Sabertooth is stronger than before!" Lector said.

"Exactly! And so, I'll render our verdict! Princess Hisui is innocent! I shall brook no dissent!" Kagura said.

"You'd better not underestimate Kagura!" Risley added.

"That's right!"

"At ease, ladies!" Erza said.

"You're only complicating things." Gray informed.

"What's that?!" Kagura shouted.

"You're the ones that are complicating it!" Beth spoke.

"You are standing before His Majesty!" Arcadios reminded, slamming his sword down once more.

Toma closed his eyes. "I understand how all of you feel. However, I must put my foot down." He opened his eyes again.

Arcadios stepped forward. "Your Majesty, punish me!"

Darton stepped forward as well. "No, it is I who deserve punishment!"

"In that case, we all do!" Lucy chimed in.

"Right." Erza nodded in agreement.

Toma scanned the room. "I deem Arcadios's sense of loyalty to Hisui and Darton's loyalty to the nation to both be wonderful. And most wonderful of all... is you wizards who love peace throughout this world." He said.

"Your Majesty..." Hisui mumbled.

"Therefore, the punishment for my daughter, Hisui..." Toma started to say. The pumpkin head for Mato appeared on Hisui's head. "...is wearing that for one week-kabo!"

This shocks Hisui. "Your Majesty! Then the princess..." Arcadios trailed off.

"If she wears it for one week..." Darton began.

"I'll acquit her! She'll continue to be Princess Hisui, my pride and joy!" Toma smiled.

"Good for you, Princess!" Lucy said.

"Yes... kabo." Hisui stated, making everyone laugh.

"They're growing up." Mavis commented, causing Makarov to turn around. "The young generation that bears the future on its shoulders."

"Yes." Makarov agreed.

"Um, thank you for everything... kabo." Hisui thanked.

"But isn't that kind of tough-kabo?" Lucy questioned.

"Nah, it kinda looks like fun-kabo!" Natsu answered.

"Happy thinks so, too-kabo!" Happy added.

"In that case, I've got enough for everyone-kabo!" Toma informed as Mato's pumpkin head appeared on Lucy, Natsu, and Happy's heads.

"Kabo!"

A/N: Yes, sorry. The scene where Natsu took the king's crown went to Akame. I didn't include it in God Pegasus, so I wanted to include it here. I also decided to add a scene where Sting apologizes to Harumi for Jiemma's actions (even though it wasn't his fault).

Thanks for reading!

~ Kaleb.