A/N: Episode 199.
Enjoy!
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: THE GRAND BALL
Several days after the Grand Magic Games...
Kida, Cyana, Helena, and Rose were currently in a dressing room, getting ready for the banquet. Anna had already left to join the party in which she wore a white dress with matching white stiletto heels and a gold necklace.
"Wow, you look amazing, Kida-chan, Cyana-chan!" Helena complimented, wearing a long red long to knees dress with black heels.
"Thank you. You do, as well." Kida smiled as she wore a dark blue, off the shoulder dress with bell-like sleeves, white flats, and a golden necklace with a snowflake on it. Rose was nearby, wearing a red sparkle dress and she was putting on matching red heels.
'Um... does this look fine?'
Everyone turned to see that Kallia had pulled the curtain she was occupying aside. She wore a white strapless knee length dress that had turned sandy at the bottom, seaform crystals crawl up from the edge, looking like waves. She also wore seaform sandals that strapped up mid calf.
"You look so cute, Kallia-chan!" Cyana smiled at her. The blue-haired woman wore a long-sleeved black dress shirt, black stretch dress pants, and black dress shoes. She also had a blue tie.
'Thank you.' Kallia thanked Cyana in her head.
Outside of 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."
Kida, Cyana, Helena, Rose, and Kallia entered the ballroom, looking around the place in awe. "Wow!" Helena exclaimed.
"Oh, you guys are here." Kross greeted, wearing a black twin-tailed suit with a red tie, gray slacks, and black shoes. Nox was next to him wearing a white dress shirt with a black vest over it, gray slacks, and black dress shoes.
"You're late!" Daegon added as he wore black slacks and dress shoes. He tugged at the white dress shirt he was forced to wear.
"Over here, everyone. The others are gathered too." Zane called out. He wore a purple dress shirt with a black vest over it, black dress pants, and black shoes.
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 up 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!
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.
"By the way, I noticed you're not with the boy with the cherry blossom-colored hair." Hisui pointed out, referring to Natsu.
"Come to think of it, I wonder where he is." Lucy stated.
Gray and Kida were currently talking with one another. "I see, so your village was also destroyed at the hands of Deliora." Gray said.
"Yeah. Though, I was sent to Fiore to study some more. So I wasn't there when the attack happened." Kida replied.
"Gray-sama..."
Gray and Kida turned, seeing Juvia had called out to him. "I've become Juvia, version 2.0." Juvia announced.
"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 to 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."
Kida sighs to herself. "Poor woman..." She thought, feeling bad for Juvia.
Juvia looks 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, Juvia, and Kida 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.
"Anyway, I wonder where Natsu went." Gray stated.
"It's hard to believe Natsu-san's not at a noisy place." Juvia agreed.
Wendy and Aster were staring at some jello. Aster wore the same black pants he always wore along with a white tight dress shirt with an open-sleeved black vest over it that had a tall collar and reached halfway down his upper body. He also had a pair of running shoes.
"Check it out, Aster! It looks like a jewel!" Wendy exclaimed.
"Beautiful, isn't it? I wonder what it tastes like." Aster agreed as him and Wendy both took a bite.
"Delicious!"
"It looks delicious." Wendy heard Mavis's voice.
"Stare..."
"First Master!" Wendy exclaimed.
"Is something wrong?" Aster questioned.
"Oh no, it's nothing." Wendy reassured as the black-haired boy was confused. "Only Fairy Tail members can see our First Master." Wendy reminded herself.
"I want to eat that, too." Mavis said.
"Please restrain yourself. You're a ghost, remember." Wendy told her as Aster walked away. "By the way, First Master, have you seen Natsu-san?"
"No."
"That's strange. He's always the one who stands out the most at this kind of event." Wendy muttered to herself.
"Wendy! There's something near me! Help!" Aster shouted, referring to Mavis who was staring at his jello.
Massorao was walking around the ballroom dressed in a full black stretch tuxedo and a white tie when Erza walked up to him.
"How are you injuries, Massorao?" Erza asked.
"I should be asking you that. You're the one who got stabbed." Massorao responded.
"We've been through a lot... but can we come out of it as friends?" Erza questioned.
Massorao smiled at her. "I would like that." He replied.
Sting carried two glasses and a bottle of champagne. "Natsu-san! Have a drink with me!" He exclaimed.
"Come on, Natsu-kun!" Lector added.
This gained the attention of Sebastian and Orion, who stopped talking with one another. "If you're looking for my cousin, he ain't here." Sebastian informed, wearing a white dress shirt with a black blazer over it, black dress pants, black dress shoes, and an orange-red bowtie.
Orion was beside him, wearing a black dress shirt with a navy vest over it, a white tie, navy-colored pants, and black 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." Sebastian greeted as Rogue gave him a nod in greeting.
"Do you know about that guy who came from the future?" Orion asked.
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!"
"I feel the exact same way with my future self." Orion stated.
Sting moved closer to Sebastian. "I'll make due with you, Sebastian! Let's have a drink!" He suggested.
"Sheesh, you're pushy!" Sebastian 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 Sebastian's glass.
Rogue looks over at Orion. "By the way, I've seen every member of your team here but that Earth Mage." He stated.
Orion rubbed the back of his neck as he sighed. "Yeah... Maxim is... a lone wolf, so to speak. He's also not big on formal events. Last I saw him, he was out in the palace gardens with Percy." He explained, making Rogue nod in understanding.
Sebastian and Sting clinked their glasses together. "A toast to friendship between suns and tigers!" He announced, letting out a laugh.
Yukino was walking with Lucy, Cyana, and Mira, stopping in front of her former guildmates.
"Yukino!" Frosch exclaimed, oblivious to 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 Kross's voice. "If Yukino wants to join a new guild, it should be us! Black Sun!" He announced.
"Do you need a reminder on who the winning guild is? We'll be happy to give you one." Daegon added, smirking 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.
"I'll wipe the floor with you old geezers!" Souta 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.
"Things have really gotten out of hand, haven't they?" Aster questioned as he chuckled.
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 gave her a close-eyed smile. "You're smiling at last." She noticed.
"Look at all the places where you belong."
"Yes."
"Well, it seems we came in at a terrible time."
Mira and Yukino both turned to see Percy, who wore a black swallowtail tuxedo and painted his feet black. Maxim was next to him, wearing a black dress shirt with matching pants, dress socks, dress shoes, and had on a matching tie.
"Though, I can't say I'm surprised. This was bound to happen eventually." Percy added, making Maxim grunt in agreement while Mira and Yukino giggled.
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 everyone waited for the king to arrive.
"Wha?!" Lucy questioned as she saw who it was.
Natsu soon appeared, wearing the king's crown. "My subjects! Make yourselves comfortable!" He laughed.
"Give that back-kabo!" Toma said as everyone was stunned.
"I am the king! I became the king!" Natsu announced, extending his arms up as he laughed once more.
Erza placed her hand over her eyes in embarrassment. "Garou Knights, if you would..." Arcadios ordered.
"W-We can't beat him..."
Makarov looked like he was about to pass out. "Give it back-kabo!" Toma stated.
"Oh, come on! We won, right?" Natsu said.
"Give it back-kabo!"
"Let me be the king, too! You're all my followers!"
Sebastian laughed in amusement. "Nice one, cousin!" He praised.
"You're the only one who finds this amusing..." Nox mumbled.
"Are you really surprised at this point?" Kross questioned as Nox huffed.
Everyone had continued on with their evening, dancing with their dance partners of choice.
The curtain closed on the Grand Magic Games with Black Sun's victory, the battle involving the past and future was over.
However...
Natsu was eating some chicken before he almost choked. Lucy handed him a glass of water.
"Here, water."
Natsu takes the water and gulps it down. "You're hopeless." Lucy told him.
"Father..."
Hisui's voice brought the attention of Natsu and Lucy. 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 and Future Orion, 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." Sebastian chimed in.
"Agreed." Natsu said.
"Yeah, you can say that again." Laxus added.
"If it weren't for an occasion like this, we may have never united." Orion stated, crossing his arms.
Hisui covered his arms. "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 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 claimed.
"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 muttered.
"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 responded.
"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, I decided to keep the scene with Natsu stealing the king's crown with him. It didn't really fit Sebastian's character.
Thanks for reading!
~ Kaleb.