A/N : Here it is, chapter 10 ! A cute chapter with more Kalen and Amy.

Enjoy !

I couldn't hold my nervousness as I entered the palace. The grandeur of the place was overwhelming, with its towering pillars and sparkling chandeliers casting a dazzling light across the marble floors. The opulence of the palace was unlike anything I had ever seen, making me feel out of place in my elegant attire.

"Oh, come on, stop being ridiculous," teased Gray, giving me a light push forward.

"Leave me alone, Gray. Why should I even be dressing up like this?" I growled, adjusting the elegant black tux I was wearing. The crisp white shirt underneath felt stiff and unfamiliar against my skin. My hair was gracefully pulled back, a stark contrast to my usual tousled look. I had swapped my cargo pants for shining black trousers, and even my shoes were polished to a reflective sheen, catching the palace's lights with every step.

Gray smirked, his own attire matching the formality of the occasion. "Because it's a royal gala, Kal. We can't exactly show up in our usual clothes."

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, "Still feels weird."

Erza, regal in a red dress that matched her hair, approached with Wendy and Carla by her side. "Remember, we're here as representatives of Fairy Tail. Let's make a good impression."

I growled in frustration, receiving a playful hit on the back from Gray, straightening me up. "Relax, Kal. It's just a party," he chuckled.

After another exasperated sigh, I turned to Wendy, a faint smile on my lips. "You look awesome, Wendy!"

"Thanks, Kalen. I never thought I'd see you wearing something like this one day," she giggled, which instantly brought me back to my earlier discomfort.

As we chatted, Amy approached. "Hey, Kal," said Gray, bumping me with his elbow. "Look who's coming for ya," he smirked, my eyes finally locking onto Amy. She was wearing a beautiful pale blue gala dress, her hair styled in a way she had never done before. I could hardly hold back my blush as I took in her beauty and elegance.

"Hey, Amy," I said, my voice coming out a bit shakier than I intended.

Amy smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You cleaned up nicely, Kalen. Almost didn't recognize you."

I laughed nervously, rubbing the back of my neck. "You look stunning, Amy. That dress really suits you."

She blushed slightly, looking pleased. "Thank you. It's nice to see everyone out of their usual combat gear for a change."

Gray rolled his eyes, "Need some space, lovebirds ?" he teased, receiving a furious glare from both of us, before raising his hands in a surrender manner.

As the party went on, I managed to speak with a few members from every guild, notably Lyon. Dressed in a sleek white suit, Lyon seemed to be enjoying the elegant atmosphere as much as the rest of us.

"Didn't expect to see you in something like this, Kalen," Lyon said with a smirk, raising his glass in a casual salute.

"Please don't get me going on this," I growled, clinking my glass with his, watching him laugh.

"Let's raise our glass to your victory. I must say, you impressed me, Kalen. I wasn't expecting you to be that tough of a rival."

"A rival?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well yes, a rival for our little flower," Lyon smiled.

"Wait, you're not talking about our fight?" I noted with a deadpan expression.

"I'm just joking, Kalen. That fight will forever be engraved in my memory. You really impressed us that day, and I've never felt that good after a loss. Your display of magic combined with our little flower over there was simply mesmerizing."

I smiled, "Thanks, Lyon. To be fair, Amy deserves a lot of respect as well. She really is strong, way more than I actually suspected."

Lyon nodded, his expression softening as he glanced over at Amy. "She is. You two make a great team. It's clear how much you trust and support each other. Those multiple years clearly helped you create a very strong bond"

I followed his gaze, watching Amy as she chatted animatedly with Levy and Lucy. Her laughter was infectious, and her presence lit up the room. "Yeah, we do," I agreed, "She's incredible."

"Indeed," Lyon said, raising his glass again. "To strong allies and stronger friendships."

"To strong allies and stronger friendships," I echoed, clinking my glass with his once more.

As the night went on, I continued to mingle with other guild members, feeling more at ease with each conversation. At one point, I found myself on the balcony again, needing a moment to process everything. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the bustling party inside.

I heard footsteps approaching me from behind. As I turned around, my gaze met with Sting's, my face hardening a little.

"Hello, Kalen," he started.

"What's your problem now?" I spat, not bothering to hide my irritation.

He sighed, looking genuinely contrite. "Listen, I know we haven't started on very good foundations. I know I've been..."

"An idiot? A cocky bastard?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, if you want. Anyway, I came to apologize. All this... made me realize a few things. I still need to work on it, but Fairy Tail—you, with Natsu bursting in, for the sole fact that we kicked Yukino out—the impressive force you all displayed even being completely beaten up, just made me, made us, realize that strength isn't everything. I will be taking back Sabertooth's leadership and creating a guild open to everyone, promoting respect and bonds," he finally announced.

We fell into a long silence, eyes locked onto each other, before I broke it with a chuckle. "Well, looks like you're not that stupid after all," I smiled, reaching out for a handshake. "Let's start over then, shall we? Nice to meet you. My name is Kalen, Kalen Ryker, and I'm part of the strongest guild in Fiore." I grinned.

Sting looked surprised but quickly let a chuckle slip before grabbing my hand. "It's a pleasure, Kalen. I'm Sting, Sting Eucliffe. And I'm Sabertooth's master. One day, we'll show you how strong we are."

Erza and Gray, spying from afar, shared a knowing look and a soft laugh.

"Let's grab a drink, I mean we can't let a mage being promoted to leadership spend the night with an empty glass" I smirked.

"I'm already liking your style !" laughed Sting, as we both headed back inside.

"So, what's the first thing you'll do as Sabertooth's master?" I asked, genuinely curious, sipping my drink.

Sting leaned back against the bar, his expression thoughtful. "First, I'll make sure everyone understands the new direction we're heading in. Respect and unity will be our foundation. Then, I'll start reaching out to other guilds, mending bridges and building alliances. Sabertooth will be a guild that stands for more than just power."

I nodded, liking his vision. "Sounds like a solid plan. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to reach out. Fairy Tail's got your back." I grinned.

The party was going smoothly, everyone chatting with different members from various guilds, when suddenly the band started playing soft dancing music. The atmosphere shifted as couples paired up for the dance floor. Natsu and Lucy, Gray and Juvia, Elfman and Evergreen. Even Erza took Wendy by the hand, twirling her around for a wild ride.

Before I could react, I found myself standing alone next to the bar. "Well, not that bad. I'm not really into dancing anyway," I let out a sigh of relief, content to watch my friends enjoy themselves.

As I leaned against the bar, sipping my drink, I watched the joyful scene unfold. The elegant hall was filled with laughter and the sound of feet tapping in rhythm with the music. It was a rare sight to see everyone so relaxed and carefree.

Just then, Amy approached me, her eyes sparkling as if she wanted to talk. But before she could say anything, Lyon interrupted, bending down on one knee. "Little flower, would you accept this dance with me?" he asked, raising his hand up so she could take it.

With a surprised look, she turned to me. I played it cool, simply smiling and giving a small nod. Amy hesitated for a moment before accepting, allowing Lyon to gently pull her towards the dance floor. They started an elegant dance, moving in perfect harmony with the music.

It killed me inside, more than I expected. I didn't think I really cared, until I felt that sharp pain in my chest watching her dance with Lyon. The way they moved together, the way she smiled—I shrugged it off, trying to act nonchalant as I sipped another drink.

"Hey, you good?" Gray's voice brought me out of my thoughts. He had sidled up next to me, escaping Juvia's embrace for a quick break.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just enjoying the view."

Gray raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, right. Think I'm stupid? What the hell is Amy doing with Lyon?"

I sighed, glancing back at the dance floor. "I don't know, man. He asked her to dance, and she said yes. It's just a dance."

Gray studied me for a moment, then shook his head. "I know it's just a dance, but Mavis, why aren't you not dancing WITH her ? Why on earth didn't you ask her first ?"

His words made me pause in my drinking. My eyes locked in with Amy and Lyon, twirling around on the dancefloor.

"I don't know, Gray. I just thought she wouldn't want to."

Gray facepalmed. "You gotta be kidding me. Even a blind man could see what's going on with you two. Nobody looks at you the way she does, you idiot."

I remained silent, lost in my thoughts.

Gray sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Don't think you're not good enough for her. I think you're specifically the one she needs," he said, giving me a reassuring squeeze before taking his leave, meeting Juvia for the next song.

I stood there, Gray's words echoing in my mind, as I watched everyone dance, music and footsteps echoing through the palace.

After a while, the party started dying down, everyone dreaming about a good night's rest after the intense events we all went through. Eyes still glued on Lyon and Amy, laughing together, I was about to take my leave when Wendy grabbed my hand. "Kalen! Going to bed?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's getting late, and tomorrow we still have the entire trip back to Magnolia," I faintly smiled.

"Good, I was heading out as well. Let's go together," she beamed happily, an emotion I couldn't share with her, shooting a last glance at Amy before exiting the palace.

We walked for a while, crossing a bridge. Wendy stopped, leaning against the edge. "This city really is amazing. Look at that sky, those stars, and that incredible moon!"

I took a moment, joining her, feeling the fresh night breeze over my bare skin. "It is, indeed. Wen, the inn isn't far. Do you think you'll be safe from here? I feel like I want to stick around for a while longer," I then asked.

"Yeah, sure, no problem, Kalen," she answered, with a slightly surprised expression, still taking her leave, happily skipping down the street.

Taking a deep breath, I let the cool air calm my thoughts, my hand gripping my shirt. "Why is this pain not going away, damnit," I gritted. "Never felt this before, so why now?" I closed my eyes, trying to sort through my emotions.

Footsteps approached, and I turned to see Amy standing there, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Kalen, are you alright?" she asked softly.

"Amy?... What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.

"Well, I'm heading back to the inn. Why?"

"Well, you were still with Lyon. I thought you would be spending more time there."

Amy tilted her head slightly, her eyes searching mine. "Why would you think that? He asked for a dance, that's all. I enjoyed talking with him, but it doesn't mean I want to spend the rest of the night with him."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I guess I just assumed... I don't know. It's been a weird night."

Amy stepped closer, her concern deepening. "What's really going on, Kalen? You've been acting strange since he invited me for a dance."

I remained silent, not even knowing what to say or how to say it. "It's... I don't know, okay? I thought I didn't care about all this. And now I've been feeling that weird pain coming from my chest ever since you went with him and not with me."

"But Kal... You didn't ask me to dance," Amy bluntly said, her words stabbing me straight through.

I winced, feeling the truth of her words hit hard. "I know. I guess... I don't even know, I was… Scared? But it didn't feel like I was. Maybe scared you'd say no, or that you'd rather be with someone else."

Amy's expression softened, and she took another step closer, reaching out to gently touch my arm. "Kalen, I would have said yes. I wanted you to ask me. I actually came over because you didn't come. I was about to ask you when Lyon approached. And seeing how you simply smiled and didn't seem to care that much... I just said yes."

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I had misread the whole situation, letting my insecurities get the best of me. "Then I'm just an idiot"

She sighed, her hand still resting on my arm. "Well, now you know. But it's not too late, you know."

I looked at her, my heart pounding. "Amy, will you dance with me ?"

A smile broke across her face, bright and beautiful. "I'd love to."

I took her hand and gently pulled her into my arms. As we swayed on the bridge to the distant music, the earlier tension melted away. Holding Amy close, feeling her warmth and the gentle rhythm of her breathing, I realized how much this moment meant to me.

"I'm sorry for being such an idiot," I whispered into her ear.

She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. "You're not an idiot, Kalen. Just... a little slow sometimes."

I chuckled, pulling her a little closer. "I promise to be quicker next time."

We continued to dance, losing ourselves in the music and each other. The world around us faded, leaving just the two of us in a bubble of happiness and connection.

Unbeknownst to us, Gray was leaning against a tree, far from our sight. "Took you long enough, idiot," he smiled. "You knew as well, Lyon, right?" he added, as a silver-haired boy came out from the shadows, arms crossed.

"Of course. Nobody could miss the connection those two have. You don't only have stupid ideas, Gray Fullbuster. Asking me to get Amy to dance, crazy plan, but seems like it worked," Lyon smiled back.

Gray chuckled, "Yeah, thanks for following through." He said, crossing his arms, his gaze locked onto Amy and me.

The train whistled, announcing its imminent departure. I hopped on the train, followed by Natsu and Gray. Erza, Wendy, and a few others were already seated, chatting and laughing.

Last night was still filling up every single one of my thoughts, but I shook them away for now. Amy was sitting facing Wendy, with a free spot next to her. Deciding to settle down right there, I made my way over and took the seat beside her.

"Morning," I said, trying to keep my voice casual.

"Morning," Amy replied with a smile.

Natsu flopped down across from us, looking as green as ever. "I hate trains," he groaned, resting his head against the window.

Gray smirked, settling next to Natsu. "Yeah, yeah, we know."

Erza glanced over from her seat, her usual stern look softened by a hint of a smile. "Everyone ready for the trip back?"

Wendy looked up from her conversation with Carla. "I can't wait to be back in Magnolia. It's been quite the adventure."

"Aye, that it has," Carla agreed, her eyes closing contentedly.

Amy nudged me lightly with her elbow. "Sleep well?"

"Not really," I said, ruffling my hair with my hand. And that was true, as a few minutes after departure, I was already snoring like a freight cart.

I awoke to the gentle rocking of the train and the distant murmur of my friends' conversations. Blinking sleep from my eyes, I glanced around to see everyone in various states of relaxation.

Natsu, predictably, looked miserable but was managing to keep it together with Gray's occasional jabs and teasing. Erza was engrossed in a book, her expression calm and focused. Wendy and Carla were quietly chatting, their voices blending harmoniously with the rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks.

Amy was still beside me, her head leaning against the window, watching the passing scenery with a serene expression. I shifted slightly, trying not to disturb her.

"Look who's awake" smirked Gray, "How's our sleeping beauty doing ?" receiving a menacing look from me.

"Shut up, I needed it." I pouted, crossing my arms.

Natsu groaned from his seat across the aisle. "How much longer on this stupid train? I feel like I'm gonna die."

Erza, still engrossed in her book, glanced up. "We'll be there soon enough. Try to relax, Natsu."

The train began slowing down, signaling our approach to Magnolia. Wendy practically bounced in her seat, her excitement palpable.

"We're almost home!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Home sweet home," Gray echoed, a grin spreading across his face.

But as we made our way through the streets, we were surprised to see everyone gathered up, cheering for us. Apparently, our recent victory had spread like wildfire, with people celebrating us as we walked by.

Children waved enthusiastically, their parents beaming with pride and gratitude. Merchants stepped out of their shops, clapping and shouting congratulations. The entire town seemed to have come alive, welcoming us back with open arms.

"This is... unexpected," I said, glancing at Amy beside me. Her eyes were wide with surprise and delight.

"Yeah, I didn't expect this," she replied, her smile growing wider as she waved back at the cheering crowd.

Gray grinned, nudging Natsu. "Looks like you're a hero, flame brain."

Natsu puffed out his chest, clearly enjoying the attention. "Well, of course I am!" he exclaimed, earning a round of chuckles.

But everything settled down once we finally pushed open the guild hall's doors. We were back.

Gray came over, draping both arms around Amy and me. "So, my little lovebirds, how did the night go?" he smirked, before getting smashed on the head by Amy's fist.

"Well, some things will never change..." he cried, soothing the sore spot.

"Serves you right," Amy said, crossing her arms with a huff. "Nothing happened, why would you even ask?"

"Oh, come on, don't tell me you're still not together," he groaned.

"WE'RE NOT!" we yelled in unison.

"We just... explained ourselves," I simply added, trying to keep my tone even.

Gray raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-huh, sure. Explaining yourselves at night, under the stars with a dance. Sounds pretty romantic to me."

Amy and I exchanged a quick, awkward glance before she responded, "It was just a talk, Gray. Nothing more. And how do you even know ?"

Erza stepped forward, clapping her hands. "Okay, everyone, we're back, so take some time to relax. You all deserve it. But be ready, we'll get back to serious training soon!" she announced, cheers erupting from the entire guild.

"Let's just hope our relaxing time will be more than 24 hours," I muttered, earning a knowing look from Gray.

Mira came over, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Maybe we could take a day to the beach?" she suggested, morphing our expressions into pure joy.

"That's a great idea!" beamed Amy, taking Mira's hands in hers, her enthusiasm contagious.

"Beach day? That sounds like fun," said Wendy to Carla, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Then it's settled, let's start planning it out !" smiled Mira.

A/N : I loved this one so much, chapter 11 with also be a little fluff and relax chapter, where a few more members get involved.

Until then, see ya !

.Ney.