Black Bull Banishment

by stringdog

To save Asta and Nero from execution following the Elf Incident the Wizard King has struck a deal with Damnatio Kira. What is the deal? Why to banish the Black Bulls to a place called Earth Land for 6 months while he works to clear Asta and Nero's names. What could possibly go wrong with this?

53. Chapter 53: Conclude the Grand Ball

Here is the fifty-third chapter in this story released in accordance with my release schedule for this story. The Grand Ball is in full swing and it was time for the King's arrival when that was suddenly hijacked by two new 'Kings'. We've seen how that came to be as well so let's pick up in the wake of it and bring the Grand Ball to it's conclusion. That is it the administrative stuff I have for y'all but there is a guest review that needs a response so I will do that now. Do keep them coming as your support is the best motivation for me to keep producing chapters at this kind of rate.

To KGBeastboy (guest), thank you for tour review and suggestions. In terms of the joke, it's not a bad one though I might need to fine tune it to fit better given Asta's personality and lack of knowledge of other vegitables so stay tuned to see what happens there and what it might lead to. As for the suggestion, yeah that might be a must for them after the stunt they pulled but I'm sure that they'll come up with a unique plan for it. Right now they don't have that deep a connection to influential people, that's true, but already Yami's forging a connection with Hisui and they are the number 1 Guild now which will count for things though I'm sure that Yami will punish Asta accordingly for this act. A lot to look forward to that's for sure so do keep reading and enjoying my work.

Anyway, that is it for this pre-chapter note so it is time to sit back and enjoy the fifty-third chapter in Black Bull Banishment.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these two great animes.

Chapter 53: Conclude the Grand Ball

"Hungry Wolf Knights." Arcadios said as the pair of 'new rulers' finished their declarations and posed for the gathered attendees. "Get them. Now!"

"Sorry sir but this is just too much for us." Kama, the leader of the squad, said from behind Arcadios where he and the other Hungry Wolf Knights had gathered while Asta and Natsu were making their entrance. "Plus we'd rather not tangle with someone who can best the Fairy Queen herself, he's too much of an unknown entity there."

"What are they doing!" Erza said with a groan from where everyone was watching the display below the balcony as she put her left hand over her face as Asta and Natsu laughed on the balcony arms in the air while Lucy let out a groan next to her. "Morons."

"Damn it Asta, you never think before doing something this stupid." Noelle said as she glared at Asta's actions. "You almost got killed by our moronic king because you pointed out that he was useless and dumb. I mean that's true, everyone knows it, but you don't have to say it to his face in the middle of the Star Festival, especially given how much of a petty tyrant he is."

"Oh Asta, this is so you." Mimosa said with a sigh. "Just be careful, you really shouldn't do this to royalty."

"True this is very Asta." Nero said a small smile on her face both at Asta's actions and what she was about to add because it would be fun to see the reactions to it. "But don't you think he looks good in that outfit? Regal even when you factor in the crown. Definitely worthy of the hand of a royal."

"He does look really handsome in it." Mimosa said flushing at the thought of marrying Asta and being honest that he did pull of the regal look well, he certainly looked more like a King than King Clover ever did. "Though he was always worthy of a royal's hand in my opinion."

"Yes, for what it's worth, Asta does look the part." Noelle said her cheeks pink, she may have accepted her feelings and internally she was gushing over how great he was looking in his outfit and that Nero was right, Asta did look regal in it and the crown just completed it. "His manner and attitude could work but that can be sorted out after the ceremony or leading up to it."

"Hmm, that was a little more honest than I was expecting." Nero muttered to herself now really intrigued. "This is going to be really interesting going forward."

"I'm going to kill him for this." Yami growled while Makarov groaned in horror next to him his little remaining hair falling off. "And I blame your Guild member, Makarov. Asta's a moron, I won't deny that, but he'd never pull something like this off, he'd just stupidly insult the King to his face by blurting out the truth right after the King appeared."

"I want to argue but I can't." Makarov said still horrified as people started to sweat drop at the situation while the new 'Kings' continued to enjoy themselves on the balcony. "I'm certain that this was Natsu's doing and Asta just caught swept along in it."

"Good then I'll make sure you pay any of Asta's fines for this." Yami said which only added to Makarov's horror. "I'd actually like to enjoy my winnings from the Grand Magic Games and boy did I win a lot, I ain't paying any of that in fines other than what I need to pay for cutting through the whole Palace."

"That's enough you two!" Toma shouted leaping up and down next to them showing that he had a pumpkin on his head and that he was too short to reach their heads. "Please just stop this and give me back my crowns!"

"Oh come on! Don't be a spoil sport after all we did for Fiore!" Natsu said leaning down and looking at the King. "I crashed that dragon into the Eclipse Gate and ended the attack after all."

"And we won your little games." Asta said grinning and really getting into it now and playing off Natsu's words. "So we should have some fun with that."

"Please, just give my crowns back!" Mato said repeated. "The Grand Ball is supposed to be the fun!"

"Nah, for the rest of today we are your Kings, Fiore!" Natsu said turning to the crowd and laughing, hands on his hips. "Now do what I say and party! Kick it up a notch people!"

"And I declare a new national food!" Asta added. "All this fancy stuff is nice but we need something good and hearty that everyone can grow and enjoy so I hereby declare pop-potatoes the new national food!"

"You can't do that!" Toma shouted though even in his frustration he realized that Asta was onto something there and hijacking the idea as best he could. "And besides, the national food of Fiore is the pumpkin, I've just declared it so there! Punkin!"

"We really should have seen this one coming, at least from Natsu." Lucy said winking up at Natsu while Erza smiled and crossed her arms, Wendy tried to stifle a laugh and Gray nervously smiled at the situation above them. "It is Natsu and it looks like the Black Bulls have someone just like him."

"Aye sir!" Happy said leaping up. "I'll follow King Natsu any day of the week!"

"Trust us, Asta's a reckless moron who speaks his mind without thinking but he's not like this." Noelle said with a sigh and just glad that King Fiore was taking it in good humor albeit clearly frustrated. "This isn't good, I can see Natsu being a bad influence on him."

"We won't stop any friendship." Mimosa clarified. "But we might need to keep them apart to avoid issues at fancy gatherings. I get the feeling that they might fuel each other to be even more reckless than usual, especially after today."

"I can see that." Erza said with a nod as Asta and Natsu continued to laugh and Yami began to make his way to the stairs up to the balcony to put an end to this which prompted Makarov to do the same. "Still good to see that they're getting along."

"That it is." Nero said not showing how pleased she was that they were furthering the Wizard King's suggestion that they get close with Fairy Tail. "They're similar so it's natural that they'd get close, even if the results may be stupid or destructive."

"Alright that's enough, you've had your fun and the King is a good man so time to stop this." Yami said loudly, his tone ending any chatter in the room as he barged past a still frustrated Arcadios, pulled the crown from Asta's head and proceeded to put it on the pumpkin that was on the King's head. "Time to change and behave yourself. I'm deeply sorry for this moron's actions Your Majesty. Rest assured that he'll be suitably punished."

At that Yami grabbed Asta's head and turned him to the King and bowed deeply in apology to the man while forcing Asta to do the same. The room seemed to break from it's shock at what was going on. Even the King himself calmed down at that though that might also be because he'd gotten one of his crowns back.

"Yes, well, thank you Guild Master Sukehiro." Toma said coughing. "Please prevent this in the future and expect a fine for what happened. I can't let this go unpunished after all."

"Of course not, just charge it to Fairy Tail, it was their idea and Makarov has already volunteered to pay it on our behalf." Yami said as he stood and lifted a now complaining Asta by the head and pointed down the corridor while Makarov gasped at that because he'd not volunteered to do that, just not to argue against it, and not Yami had made it a reality. "I presume his clothes are back that way."

"They are." Toma said with a nod.

"Right I'll make sure that he changes back and is present normally." Yami said before he turned and walked off with Asta. "And you, ya moron, what were you thinking? We've only been here 2 years and already…"

As Yami walked off while scolding a now protesting Asta, Makarov's fist enlarged and he grabbed a still laughing Natsu and picked him up to do the same. He didn't say anything, he was already going to have enough apologies to write for Natsu's actions to go with the fines that the still bankrupt Fairy Tail would have to pay, so Makarov just silently and shamefully walked behind Yami with his own moronic Guild member to force him to change back though he'd not realize that Natsu would swipe the crown in the process.

"Hey, do y'all know what pop-potatoes are? I ain't never heard of such a thing and I know all about vegitables so it's rare that I come across one that I've never heard of."

They all turn to see Beth Vanderwood from Mermaid Heel had come up to them with her fellow Guild Members, other than Millianna who'd gone back to cuddling the exceeds present now that the show was over. They'd known it was her who'd asked the question right away, even without Noelle picking up the scents and telling that it was the Mermaid Heel contingent was approaching, because Beth's thick, unique, accent gave her away.

"That's because they're not really something that grows here." Nero explained. "They're a local crop to where Asta's from on our home continent so you'd never have heard of them."

"All I can say about them is that you need a lot of water to eat them." Noelle said. "I tried them once, not to my tastes at all but I at least tried them."

"Yes, I had some in Hage, the village Asta's from, when I was there as a detour on my first mission and met the priest and nun who raised him." Mimosa said keeping things vague as it was with the Golden Dawn and that was something that she didn't want to go into given the whole from another world thing but Noelle couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that Mimosa got to see where Asta had grown up and meet the people who'd raised him when she hadn't, yet. "They're, um, interesting."

"I see, so are they like potatoes?" Beth asked confused. "Or what? That's what's I don't get, the name implies potatoes but not at the same time."

"Pop-potatoes are a cheap and filling type of potato that is hardy and can be grown even in the harshest of climates and toughest of soils." A new voice said and they all turned to see Charmy floating up on a cloud of cotton with a second cloud laden with food next to her that she was eating from and three Sheep Cooks behind her carrying more food and getting confused looks from the attendees near them. "A skilled chef, such as myself, can make them tasty and create a whole smorgasbord of dishes with them. I have to, they're the food of my Prince of Provision's home town so I must like them as well."

"They're bland and dry no matter how you make them." Nero said bluntly and moving them away from Charmy's fantasies over Yuno as that wasn't relevant. "I know Vanessa wants them for our tavern but we don't have a way to grow them here at the moment as we didn't bring any…"

"Oh I've got plenty growing in my private vegetable garden back by where the hideout used to be before the Games." Charmy said surprising them. "I want to be able to make them for my Prince of Provisions when we get married so he can see how well I cook his local delicacy and fall even more in love with me while forgetting about that damned bug at the same time."

"Could I trouble ya for some samples that I can grow as well then?" Beth asked looking at Charmy, she'd not interacted with the girl yet beyond eating her food but she knew how good the little Cotton Wizard was at cooking and she expected that Charmy was equally as good with cultivating it so she was eager to learn more from the Black Bull. "And if ya wouldn't mind, I'd love to see your vegetable garden. I can even give ya some tips on how to grow the most delicious vegitables out there, as well as some of the largest. That's the least I can do after all the Black Bulls have done for us."

"Huh, oh you're the vegetable girl that helped out with the protecting my food from that mean dragon." Charmy said turning to Beth and grinning, though Beth and the other Mermaids didn't really do much to protect the food, but Charmy had seemingly overlooked that. "I want to try some of the veggies you make with your magic. Come, let's discuss food and see if you can help me increase my yield. I'll make sure you get plenty of veggies in return."

"Really!" Beth said perking up at the idea as the music began to play and the dance floor opened up. "I'd love that!"

"Then come this way my fellow veggie lover." Charmy said as two balls of cotton flew from her grimoire and formed into two more Sheep Cooks, one of which took Beth's hand and led her away as Charmy floated while still eating from her haul of nums that she had with her. "First, in your clearly expert opinion, what is the best amount of water for carrots, cabbages, and sprouts? I can grow them but if I can get them bigger than all the better."

"Well a lot will depend on the soil that you have access to, the nutrients in said soil, and if you're using magic the source of the Water Magic in question." Beth said as they walked. "So I'd say that…"

The girls' voices trailed off as they walked and the music filled the air. As it did, Erza was the first to really get the dance bug and had to get out and onto the dance floor.

"Come on Kagura, let's dance!" Erza said happily and before Kagura could say anything Erza had grabbed her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. "This will be fun, you'll see."

"I'd like to dance as well." Wendy said and grabbed Gray's arm, she had a feeling that Lucy would want Natsu's first dance when he returned and she wasn't going to get in her friends way there though she'd ask Natsu for a dance as well later as he was like a big brother to her. "Come on."

"Oh, sure." Gray said a little nervous but that was more due to Juvia's reaction than anything else as he took Wendy's hand and led her out onto the dance floor.

"How about you fine ladies." A male voice said. "Anyone care for a dance."

"Yes, we'll show you how we do it in Blue Pegasus." A second voice said.

They all turned to see that two of the three Trimens, Eve and Hibiki, had approached them and offered their hands to the group of girls in general. The third, Ren, was already dancing with Sherry and so they'd come over to ask.

"Sure, sounds fun." Lislie said as she took Eve's hand.

"And we should keep an eye on Kagura as well, she's had a fair bit to drink after all though Erza dancing with her will help." Araña said taking Hibiki's hand. "See you later."

"How about the rest of you." A new male voice said just as the two Blue Pegasus men led the Mermaid Heel women onto the dance floor while Vanessa sauntered onto the dance floor leading a stunned but happy looking Toby onto it, though that might be because he was still staring at his repaired sock, and Lyon began to dance with Millianna as Happy and Carla were dancing together so she was free for a dance. "Any of you fancy a dance with me?"

"In your dreams Finral." Noelle said not having to look, or even sniff, to know that it was Finral who'd joined them and asked for a dance. "I'm a royal, few are worthy of being my dance partner."

"Noelle means that she's waiting for the right person to return." Nero said in her usual blunt fashion causing Noelle to let out a little eep as Nero was right, there was only one person who Noelle wanted to dance with and he had yet to return after his little stunt though this time she'd take the initiative and get the first dance. "And I have no interest."

"Sorry Finral, I'm in the same boat as Noelle, about waiting for someone in particular that is." Mimosa said thinking about dancing with Asta again, she'd enjoyed that at the Magic Ball before the Grand Magic Games and now that she knew her feelings she was even more excited for it. "But maybe the other ladies would be interested."

"Nope, I'm waiting for Natsu." Lucy said which perked Noelle and Mimosa's interests as it instantly ruled her out as a rival because it was clear that she liked her guildmate though Nero was indifferent as she had already picked up on Lucy's feelings even if Lucy seemed to be in denial about them. "We always dance at these things. I must say, it's nice to see that Erza's behaving herself. She can be a little…enthusiastic when she dances."

"She's in pretty good control at the moment though." Nero noted, she'd seen the dance practice Fairy Tail had had and knew that Erza could be over the top when she got really into it but right now she was dancing normally with Kagura while Finral just went off to find someone else. "Though you never know as Kagura is pretty tipsy so she might be restrained because of that."

"True." Lucy agreed. "Well I'm sure that Natsu will be here soon."

"I can't smell him but…" Noelle began as she sniffed and then failed to repress a smile as her cheeks flushed at the scent she'd just picked up. "Asta's back."

At that she turned from the dance floor to see Asta walking up to them looking a bit sheepish and back in his formal clothes from before he'd changed into the King's regal ones, which Noelle and Mimosa both noted to themselves also looked great on him even if the shirt was a bit too gaudy and clashed a little with Mimosa's pale gold dress. Yami wasn't back, however, but clearly he'd chastised Asta enough for his actions judging by the look on Asta's face.

"Hey, sorry about a moment ago." Asta said rubbing the back of his head his eyes closed and cheeks pink. "I ran into Natsu right after I got changed and started chatting. His idea sounded fun so I went for it. It was fun and…"

"You can make up for embarrassing me, er I mean the Guild, by escorting me onto the dance floor." Noelle said flushing red and interrupting Asta as she held out her right hand, palm down and tried, but failed to look at him as she used every ounce of her royal training and desire to dance with Asta to keep her voice calm and steady, as well as keeping her nervousness over her feelings for him at bay. "I, I'll forgive you if you do."

"Huh, that's all?" Asta asked confused. "Sure. I'm still bad at dancing but I'll give it a shot."

At that he took Noelle's hand causing her blush to deepen and led her out onto the dance floor unable to speak for a few seconds. That didn't stop Noelle from smiling shyly to herself as he did though, and she then turned to Asta so that she could put her left hand on his shoulder as he put his right on her waist and she helped lead him as they slowly danced. He was bad at this but Noelle was with him so she didn't mind and she'd lead him to show him how it was done.

"That's a bit annoying." Mimosa said with a slight pout as she, Nero, and Lucy turned to the dance floor. "I wanted the first dance with Asta but Noelle beat me to it."

"You had it at the Magic Ball." Nero noted and she got the feeling that the fact that Mimosa managed that had played a large part in Noelle finding the courage to ask Asta to dance right away. "And you can but in in a few songs. I'm not sure Noelle can last that long anyway so just tap in for her in a bit."

"Yes, I'll ask to step in in a bit." Mimosa said not really listening to Nero as she watched and waited her turn with Asta. "It will be worth the wait."

"Hey, er, Nero was it?" Lucy asked as she moved next to Nero and lowered her voice while Mimosa watched Asta and Noelle dance so Nero just turned her head to the blonde Fairy Tail woman who she'd not interacted with other than when she'd landed on Natsu's head during Laxus's battle with Raven Tail and of course Lucy didn't know that that was Nero. "Am I right in presuming that they both, um, you know, like Asta. As in like, like, him."

"If your asking if they like him in the same way you like Natsu then the answer is yes." Nero said in her usual monotone and causing Lucy to go bright red. "They're not very good at hiding it from anyone but each other it seems. Well and Asta of course but it would take them kissing him for him to realize given how dense he is."

"I, I, I, I d, don't like Natsu like that." Lucy stuttered out shaking her head. "Not at all!"

"Right." Nero said seeing some potential fun here as well but deciding to leave it for the moment. "If you say so."

Lucy just nodded at that before she turned back to look at the dancing before her. She was deep in denial over her feelings for Natsu and didn't want to think about it, though she was looking forward to dancing with him once he returned, especially because there were no moving platforms this time so he wouldn't throw up on her dress like he did during the Magic Ball. Until then, she was just content watching the dancing for the moment.

---

Vanessa smiled as she let Toby spin her before she let go of his hand and took a step back as the song began to draw to an end. He looked a bit confused but she just smiled as she offered him a small curtsy, Noelle had made sure to teach her, Grey, and Charmy how to at least politely curtsy as they were getting ready just in case while Mimosa and surprisingly Nero already knew how to.

"Thank you for this dance." Vanessa said as she rose. "But there are a lot of people and I'd like to dance with a few others."

"Huh, oh, ok." Toby said a bit surprised but he understood as he was sure that Yuka wanted to dance with Vanessa as well so he should let his buddy have a go and decided to try and see if Sheila wanted to dance. "Thanks for fixing my sock."

"My pleasure." Vanessa said before she turned and weaved through the dance floor to her target. "Now let's see, this will be fun."

She'd noticed it before Asta and Natsu made their spectacular entrance, Vanessa had found that little incident amusing and was glad that the King hadn't killed Asta for it, but now that the dancing was going on she saw it again. It was something that Vanessa knew that she could help with and sometimes a little interference helped push an idiot in the right direction when they were being hesitant.

Course it wouldn't work for her given how dense her idiot was, and Noelle and Mimosa still had to accept things before she could try to help with their own idiot, but there were others who Vanessa could help with. It was one such situation that she was heading to right now and possibly the best example of where interference might work.

"Excuse, do you mind if I but in and steal your partner from you?" Vanessa asked as she reached the pair and felt a massive wave of jealous intensity hit her but she ignored it as she tapped the man she'd asked the question of on the shoulder. "I'd like to have the next dance if that's ok?"

"Huh?" Gray Fullbuster said as he let go of Wendy's hands and turned to see Vanessa standing there his eyes going a bit wide at the sight of Fiore's current number 2 model, and a strikingly attractive and voluptuous woman, asking him to dance out of the blue. "Er, I guess that would be fine."

"Thank you." Vanessa said smiling before she stepped around Gray and held her hand out to Wendy while Gray was still trying to figure out what was going on and hoping that Juvia wouldn't overreact to Vanessa asking for a dance. "Miss Marvell, would you care to dance with me?"

"Huh?" Gray asked again as his confusion kicked up a notch and Vanessa turned to look at him her hand still outstretched to Wendy. "It's not me that you want to dance with?"

"Don't presume that I meant you, you're handsome and all but I know not to tread on another woman's territory if I don't have my own claim to a single man." Vanessa said before she looked past Gray to a nearby pillar were a weepy and now shocked Juvia was still standing and winked at the blue haired woman showing her support for the Fairy. "And there's someone who would really appreciate you asking her to dance."

"I, well…" Gray muttered, he had thought about it and he wasn't opposed to it, it was just how it would be received by her and what she'd do that worried him. "You see…"

"I saw earlier, I can tell that it is a bit much and I know that most men don't know how to handle that kind of intense love just as the women in question aren't very good at showing their intense love in the best way." Vanessa said. "But I can also tell that you weren't really as cold as you tried to imply that you were. Besides, you know how much it would mean to her if you asked her for a dance so don't be a dick. Even if you decide that you don't share her feelings, you can still not be an ass at this party."

"Er…" Gray began but the intense look in Vanessa's eyes and how she'd called him out silenced him and he just nodded as he acknowledged that she was right. "Yeah alright, I'll ask her."

With that Gray turned and walked towards the pillar causing Juvia to jump and instantly the tears were gone as she stood up and make herself presentable by standing next to the pillar her hands folded in front of her as she waited for Gray to reach her. Vanessa smiled at that and she could almost see the hearts around Juvia as she waited for Gray but Vanessa didn't see the exchange as she turned back to Wendy.

"Well?" Vanessa said her hand still out. "It's a bit impolite to keep a lady waiting."

"Sorry I'm just really surprised that's all." Wendy said snapping back to the situation at hand for her as she looked from Vanessa's hand to her face via her impressive, insecurity inducing, chest really confused. "You want to dance with me?"

"Why of course, you don't have an issue with that do you?" Vanessa asked. "Don't worry, I just want to dance with as many people as possible and help a few maidens out as well."

"N, not at all just surprised ma'am." Wendy said shaking her head and took Vanessa's hand in hers and allowed Vanessa to pull her in as the next piece started. "I thought that you wanted to dance with Gray when you arrived. I know Erza's dancing with Kagura but, well, most of the other pairings aren't same sex."

"He's nice and I'm sure others will want to dance with him but you're his friend and guildmate, you must know how that water girl feels about him." Vanessa said as she began to lead Wendy in time with the music. "She deserves a dance with him more than anyone."

"Yeah, hard to misinterpret how Juvia feels about Gray even if she can get the wrong idea about Lucy, and a few others, as she has a bit of an overactive imagination on this front." Wendy said trying and failing to not stare enviously at the spectacular chest before her though as it was roughly at eye level for her so it was really hard not to stare and the bold placement of Vanessa's Guild Mark didn't help matters. "I can get away with it because I'm too young but you are right, Gray should ask her."

"You're very mature and wise for your age, you know that." Vanessa said with a smile as she looked down at the top of Wendy's head. "I thought the same that's why I butted in. If you ever need advice like this, or anything else as you are going through that change in life, do reach out as I'm willing to help a fair maiden learn to use her womanly ways."

"Um, well, right now I'm a bit more concerned about something else." Wendy admitted. "And I'm not sure if you can help there."

"Oh and what is that?" Vanessa asked. "I'm not shy dear, ask me anything."

"Well, um, how'd you get such a nice bust?" Wendy asked flushing at the directness of the older woman but feeling like she could trust her and so she asked her question. "It's hard seeing almost all my fellow female guildmates so well developed on that front that I can't not be self-conscious."

"Oh honey, you don't need to worry about that." Vanessa said still smiling down at Wendy. "You're still what, 13?"

"12." Wendy corrected.

"Then you really don't have to worry about something like that." Vanessa said. "Mine didn't come in until I was about 15 or so, though admittedly I wasn't sure how old I was at the time, so you've got plenty of growing to do. You'll be fine. Just enjoy yourself for the moment and let nature do what nature does best with us girls, and what she hates but, well, mother nature is like that unfortunately."

"Really?" Wendy asked looking up at Vanessa her eyes wide.

"Of course that's just how the human body works, I'm sure that you will grow into a fine and stunning woman in a few years' time." Vanessa said. "Don't get worked up over it, especially now. What happens, happens, and you've got plenty of time."

"I, um, th, thanks." Wendy said looking down, not sure what to say to that.

Vanessa just smiled more as she continued to dance. She'd give Wendy another piece or two before moving on and seeing is some of the other Lamia Scale guys were interested in a dance, or if someone was courageous enough to ask her directly. After that, though, there was one man in particular that Vanessa would get a dance with but she knew that once she got Yami to herself she wasn't going to let him go so for now she'd have fun and wait for him to arrive.

As Vanessa lead her, Wendy just smiled on her own. She'd never really gotten advice on this front and it felt nice and as she danced she heard a soft voice whispering that Vanessa was a really good person for helping out and that she was a good friend which caused Wendy to focus on the voice and begin to listen to it as she danced.

---

Vanessa's decision to ask for the next dance had been just what Mimosa needed and while she waited one more piece to end so that Noelle had plenty of time with Asta, she headed out to the dance floor as it was ending and made her way towards her cousin. Sure she was a little uncomfortable seeing Noelle dance with Asta, her cousin was stunning and really close to Asta in a way that Mimosa wasn't yet, but Mimosa loved and cherished Noelle as well, so she couldn't be jealous of her.

Well that and as far as Mimosa knew Noelle didn't feel the same way for Asta as she did, so she didn't see Noelle as a threat even if she got a bit uncomfortable at times with how close she was with Asta. It was a mixture of this and her own desire to dance with Asta gave Mimosa the courage that she needed to interrupt them.

For her part Noelle was too busy reveling in the fact that she was dancing with Asta to notice that Mimosa was approaching as she was completely lost in her own world with him. While she couldn't say anything to Asta, she was too shy to do so and the physical contact only made things worse for her, she was still enjoying dancing with the man that she was in love with and hoped that she could eventually find the courage to tell him how she felt about him.

Alas Noelle knew that she was a long way from that point but she still enjoyed the moment and letting herself imagine what it would be like to actually be with Asta. Well she was enjoying it right up until Mimosa tapped her on the shoulder as the current musical piece was ending.

"I'm sorry to interrupt Noelle but can I please have Asta's next dance?" Mimosa asked a slight hesitation and tremble to her voice. "I, um, would also like to dance with him."

Noelle's reaction had been surprising as she leapt up in shock at the contact and disconnected from Asta but that was how lost she'd been in her own world that she'd been startled by Mimosa's interruption. She then turned to her cousin who was smiling nervously at her and while Noelle wanted to say no so that she could dance with Asta all night, she knew that decorum dictated that she yield if asked, especially seeing as Asta was going to annoyingly be in high demand. That and if she was honest she wasn't sure how much more her heart could take before she had to run away and melt over dancing so much with Asta.

As such, Noelle just took a deep breath and calmed herself while mentally thanking Mimosa for inadvertently allowing her to regain some composure and thus leave the dance floor with the dignity befitting a royal like her. Sure she'd be jealous of another girl dancing with Asta, and Mimosa was pretty in a way that Noelle wasn't and certainly better endowed, but Noelle was certain that Mimosa didn't feel the same way about Asta as she did so it was only a slight discomfort for her.

Besides she cherished Mimosa's friendship, she'd been Noelle's only friend growing up and the only family member who didn't look down on her, so she couldn't be jealous of her cousin. If Mimosa wanted to dance with Asta as well then it wasn't Noelle's place to stop her.

"Of course, the dance is yours." Noelle said curtsying to her cousin in the proper and respectful way as she yielded her partner before turning to Asta and doing the same but unable to look him in the eye. "Th, thank you for the dance Asta."

"Oh er, sure, it was fun." Asta said with his usual smile. "Let's do it again Noelle."

"Thank you Noelle." Mimosa said offering her cousin a curtsy before holding her hand out to Asta while Noelle went bright red at Asta's offer and took a few seconds longer than necessary to rise from her curtsy. "Asta?"

"Oh right." Asta said taking Mimosa's hand and guiding her to him as the next song started before assuming the same position as he had with Noelle. "I'm still getting used to this but Noelle taught me a lot, she's really good at this."

"Don't worry, I was trained just as much as Noelle was and while I'm clumsier I can still do this so just follow my lead." Mimosa said with a chuckle as Noelle retreated to the side of the dance floor where Nero and Lucy were still standing the latter wide eyed at what she was watching and the former just amused. "I'm sure you'll get it soon."

Noelle was too happy to notice the other girls or that they were both now looking at her bright red face and the happy smile she still. That was because Noelle had gotten to dance with Asta and she had the first dance of the evening so she was even happier at that. Hopefully she got to dance with him again that night but for now she'd take a break and let Mimosa have a turn while she replayed it all in her mind as she stood next to Nero and ignored any offers to dance from other men, and a few women as she was lost in her own little world.

---

"Juvia, would you like to dance?" Gray asked as he held out his hand to her his tone not as reluctant as he thought it would be while Vanessa and Wendy started dancing behind him. "Because I'd be honored if you did."

"Yes my darling Gray, I'd love to dance with you." Juvia said her tone oddly reserved and restrained as she took his hand, of course she really wanted to leap on him and hold him close but with how the other dancers were moving and the fact that Gray was asking her she knew that she had to restrain herself though she'd make sure not let go of Gray for the rest of the night now. "Thank you."

Gray just smiled as he led Juvia onto the dance floor and took her waist with his other hand as she placed her free hand on his shoulder and they started to dance while Lyon glared at them even if he'd accepted that Juvia wanted to be with Gray and not him. Gray had to admit, he was surprised that Juvia was behaving herself and dancing normally as he'd expected her to hold him tight, which wouldn't have been in keeping with the other dancers and thus really looked strange.

Not that Gray minded, the nice dance felt good and if he was honest he wouldn't have minded the other option either but there were still a lot of things that he needed to sort out both with himself and to talk to Juvia about before he could address them and Gray could admit that he was far from that point even after Erza had called him out the other day about his hesitation to confront Juvia and her feelings for him. For now, though, he'd just enjoy this dance and appreciate that Juvia could at least restrain herself. It was as he was doing this that he noticed the new, and not pleasant looking, mark on her neck.

"Um, Juvia." Gray said.

"Yes my darling." Juvia replied smiling at him.

"Er, your neck, there's a bite mark there." Gray said and he could tell that it wasn't something like a love bite but an actual bite mark though it looked more like the latter than the former. "Are you ok? Also, how did that happen with your Water Body."

"Oh that." Juvia said unable to see it but she knew that it was there. "I'll get Wendy to heal it for me later. As for how, Noelle bit me during that little brawl we all had before Natsu and that Black Bull arrived."

"Noelle? The Dragon Slayer in the Black Bulls?" Gray asked and Juvia nodded causing Gray to look over at the silver haired girl who was currently staring at the dance floor as she stood with Lucy and that Secré girl in her Guild and even though she had a strange look on her face, some sort of mix of happiness, longing, and jealousy that she was trying to suppress, she still managed to give off a regal bearing that was almost as strong as Hisui's. "She's not who I'd expect to bite someone but given her magic and yours you might be the exception there, depending on how much she knows about your Water Body."

"Yeah I figured that that was why, I was trying to strangle that hussy that made a move on you." Juvia said snapping Gray back to her but she just smiled. "But after that little disagreement, I think that that girl isn't into you so it's all good. Plus I get the feeling that she somehow sealed my Water Body to stop Noelle from drinking me so she can't be that bad. It's back to normal now though so she dispelled whatever magic she used on me."

"I see." Gray said and he sorta did because whatever Secré, he still didn't know she preferred to go by Nero, could do it had to involve some kind of Sealing Magic because he couldn't strip at the moment and the last time he'd felt like his clothes were stuck to his body had been after he'd danced with Secré at Count Balsamico's Magic Ball and the feeling right now was identical to that. "Well that's good, I, um, wouldn't want you to be consumed by a Dragon Slayer."

"Juvi!" Juvia exclaimed happily and as the song slowed slightly which she used it to wrap her arms around Gray and hug him close, her head on his chest.

For his part Gray just hugged her back. There really wasn't much he could do and the song had slowed down enough for this to be acceptable, the Trimens of Blue Pegasus were doing the same with their partners as well, so Gray just went with it. He wasn't ready to admit to anyone, especially not Juvia, that he really liked it as they swayed to the music.

---

"How about you beautiful ladies?" Finral asked as he approached several of the unattached Fairy Tail women and held out his hand. "Fancy a dance with a gentleman?"

"Sorry, there's someone I'm waiting for." Lisanna said. "So other than my siblings, I won't dance with anyone until after I get a dance with him."

"Same." Kinana said. "Or at least I think so. Whatever the case I feel like it wouldn't be right to dance with another man."

"Yeah I'm just not interested." Laki added.

Finral sighed at being shot down again but as he turned he felt a tug on his jacket. He turned and saw a little black haired girl standing there who had to be about 6 years old so slightly younger than Gauche's sister Marie.

"I'll dance with you Mr." The girl said smiling at him. "You seem nice and I feel bad for you after everyone you asked said no."

"Asca, it's not polite to remind him of his rejections." An older woman said and Finral looked up to see a green haired woman he was pretty sure was called Bisca approaching. "I'm sorry sir, my daughter can be a bit blunt."

"No it's ok, she's an angel." Finral said weeping tears of joy. "If it's ok with you I'd be honored to dance with her."

"I'll keep a close eye on you." Bisca said her motherly instincts taking over. "And I think my draw is faster than your portals."

"Don't worry, I just want to dance." Finral said. "That's all."

"Come on Mr." Asca said. "I want to dance."

"Very well, I'll be watching Asca." Bisca said and she nodded before holding her hand up to Finral who gently took it and let her lead him onto the dance floor. "And make sure you dance with your father when he returns as well."

"My friend Finral is a perfect gentleman; you have nothing to fear." A new voice that was soft but which Bisca had heard before said next to her and she turned to see the Black Bull she'd briefly spoken to earlier with his sick guildmate standing next to her. "In fact this is the perfect partner for him as there's a woman back home he's trying to marry so a polite dance with a young girl who wants to have fun is just what he needs. This is just a party and he wants to dance while being respectful to his love."

"I see well I'm still going to be careful." Bisca said. "I am her mother after all."

"Perfectly understandable, you're a good mother to look out for your daughter." Gordon said looking out and smiling. "It's good to see so many friends having a good time."

"I agree." Bisca said. "But you're not dancing I see."

"Alas I've not made any new friends today so I haven't asked anyone yet." Gordon said though the real reason was that most women gave him a bit of a wide berth though he was unaware that someone was listening to him. "But I'm just happy that my friends are having a good time. Seeing them out there dancing and in some cases making new friends of their own makes me happy."

"As it does with me." Bisca said as she looked out over the various Fairy Tail pairs and smirked at Evergreen and Elfman as they awkwardly danced while trying not to show how much they liked it or the embrace Juvia and Gray had that clearly the latter wasn't opposed to though as she looked she also saw Freed fail to ask Laxus for a dance which was interesting. "Some progress here for sure. All we need is Natsu and things will pick up."

"Asta's returned and I see that he's been able to dance with Noelle and now Mimosa so I'm sure Natsu isn't far off." Gordon said. "He just needs to change and perhaps he's decided that he'd rather eat before dancing, you do need energy to dance after all."

"Well it was very Natsu what he did." Bisca said. "Thought your guildmate was a surprise."

"It was but I trust that Asta had a reason for it." Gordon said. "He's my friend so…"

"Excuse me, but if you'd like to dance I could use a new partner, sir."

The voice was soft, feminine, and young and Gordon blinked in confusion as he looked out and down to see Wendy Marvell of Fairy Tail before him her hand out. He'd noted that she was having a nice dance with Vanessa and it looked like Vanessa was giving her some advice but clearly that had ended and for some reason she'd come over to him.

What Gordon didn't know was that Wendy had been listening to his muttering support for his friends as he watched them and could tell that he was genuine about his happiness for them but that he wanted to have fun at the same time as well so when the last piece had ended she'd thanked Vanessa and said that she'd like to find a new partner. Vanessa of course understood and she too wanted a new partner, which ended up being Lyon as Millianna had found Panther Lily and grabbed him, and curtsied to Wendy before they headed off.

From there Wendy had gone straight to the Black Bull, who she didn't know the name of but could tell was a good person despite his appearance, to ask him to dance as she felt that he deserved to have some fun as well. That and Vanessa had been really nice to her and she wanted to help out one of Vanessa's friends.

"If that is ok then I'd like that." Gordon said as he took her hand and Wendy led him out onto the dance floor for a dance while Carla looked over surprised but trusting her human partner's judgement even if she'd question Wendy about it and the man later. "Thank you."

"Well that was nice of Wendy, good for you." Bisca said with a smile as she watched Wendy start to dance with the Black Bull before turning to look at her own daughter while was happily dancing with Finral and Finral was being respectful and making sure that Asca was having a good time. "And you too dear though thankfully it's not a certain member of that Guild. If he'd asked I'd have shot him right away but I get the feeling that he wouldn't which is good."

The person she was referring to was currently dancing with a blonde girl around 10 or so and his nose was bleeding heavily as he did. Said person was of course Gauche and he thought he was dancing with Marie but it was really Grey who'd transformed into Marie so that she could dance with Gauche and keep him out of trouble though mainly it was the former.

Of course Gauche looked so creepy doing so that they were getting a wide berth but that alas couldn't be avoided. Still, they were all having a good time and that was the purpose of this event so Bisca just left it at that as she watched her daughter carefully while waiting for her husband to return so that they could dance as well.

---

"Not going to dance then?"

The question took Zora by surprise and he turned to look over and saw a striking white haired woman had somehow maneuvered herself to stand next to him as he lent on a pillar, a drink in his hand and watched the dancing with a bored look on his face. Naturally, she'd been the one to ask Zora the question.

Obviously Zora had no desire at all to dance but he'd played enough pranks on the snobs who'd bought their way into the party to be satisfied. To top it off he'd enjoyed a good show with that little scrap earlier so he was just relaxing and had not expected anyone to approach him let alone one of the strongest members of Fairy Tail in Mirajane Strauss but she had and now Zora would have to be at least somewhat polite to her, well up to a point that is.

"What's it to you if I do or don't." Zora said looking out over the dance floor. "I'm allowed to not dance after all."

"Well most people are, including your guildmates so I was just curious." Mira said. "Even the persistent one who kept getting rejected is dancing now but you haven't moved from that spot since the ball resumed."

"Yeah well dancing ain't really my thing." Zora said dismissively. "I just like watching these idiots making fools of themselves that's all."

"I see." Mira said nodding but leaving it at that.

"If that's all you came here to say then you can go now." Zora said after a few slightly awkward seconds. "You've said your piece, I've given my answer, so jog on girlie."

Mira just smiled as she stood there but didn't immediately respond. She'd noticed this particular Black Bull earlier in the night playing some well-deserved pranks on a few of the guests who still held classist views and were simply here because they'd donated to the relief efforts in exchange for the exclusive invite to the Grand Ball. That had caught her attention so she'd kept an eye on him, well when she could as she'd been with Lucy and Yukino for a good portion of the early festivities. Now that that excited was over, though, she'd been waiting for her chance to talk to him.

The moment that Mira had seen the opportunity she'd taken it and she was glad that she did because she was certain that she now had a good bead on him. That was that the man was a lot like she'd been back when she'd first joined Fairy Tail. True, he was behaving himself somewhat given the situation, or at least managing not to get caught for his pranks which showed a decent level of subtly to his actions, but she had a feeling that he was a lot ruder and cruder normally. That and he completely lacked respect but that was fine with Mira.

"Oh I'll leave but not before I tell you that I can see right though your little act." Mira said not looking at Zora or changing the tone of her voice at all but getting his attention and he turned his head to glare at her, which Mira noted however she just remained smiling where she was. "Well, maybe it's not so much an act as I'm sure you've got your reasons for doing what you do but I certainly know what that's like, I used to be a disrespectful bitch back in the day myself. Course deep down you care for your guildmates and respect them even if you have your own unique way of showing it."

"Man you're annoying." Zora said his tone neutral to show that she'd not affected him in the slightest even if what she'd said had been dead right about him. "If that's all go bother someone else."

"Very well but don't forget this, I'm sure that our Guilds will get to know each other a lot better in the coming months, especially after Natsu and Asta's little stunt just now." Mira said and Zora did chuckle at that, he'd been impressed by Asta's balls in that moment and had to give the little loudmouth credit for it though he already respected Asta. "Plus, Asta did beat Erza and Laxus. That alone puts you lot on the map and once we fully get over the shock of that, and how you beat us in the Grand Magic Games, you'll find that we're not going to let this go easily."

"That's just Asta for you, he has that effect on people." Zora said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out something. "But for that you can have a rainbow stinkbug as my parting gift."

"No thanks." Mira said as Zora flicked it to her and faster than he expected she backhanded the small bug right back and into his face where it went off as soon as it landed on Zora's nose. "Good try though, you might get me next time, if you can improve your approach that is. I'll see you around, we'll pick this up where we left off then."

With that Mira turned and walked away not showing Zora a small smile on her face as Zora coughed and spluttered from the stench of the bug. It had been a while since someone had flipped it back on him, not since that crazy woman who Mira oddly reminded him a bit of had Zora experienced his own prank and he was remembering how much a rainbow stinkbug landing on you sucked.

In the end Zora had to spin around and place his back to the pillar and wipe it off before he glared at Mira's back as she continued to walk way. Still, he had to give the girl credit, she was a lot more than she seemed, which kinda like that crazy lady only more restrained, so he'd have to keep a close eye on her from now on. Well, after he went to the restroom to wash the stink off his face which he did, passing his own Captain on the way as Yami meandered around the dance floor himself just enjoying the party now that Asta's little stunt was over.

---

"Ah, Guild Master Yami, could you help me out for a moment?"

"Huh?" Yami asked as he looked towards the voice.

He'd been wandering around the dance floor with no intention of going out onto it when he heard the voice call out to him. Of course unbeknownst to him Vanessa was planning on getting him to dance later she just had a line of men, and at least three women, who wanted to dance with her first so she'd do that and then grab Yami but for now she was busy and Yami was turning to the voice that had called out to him.

It wasn't one that he recognized, though it oddly sounded a lot like Charlotte's for some reason only without the prickliness towards men in it, but as soon as he looked over and saw a red haired woman calling out to him as she held a tanned woman with purple hair and rosy cheeks, Yami recognized her right away. After all, after the Grand Magic Games it was kinda hard to not recognize Erza Scarlet even if Yami hadn't watched her and Asta's epic duel and he could easily tell that she was with Kagura who looked a bit unsteady on her feet.

"Why do you need my help?" Yami asked and as he did Erza used the music to dance with Kagura over to him and as they approached Yami could tell that the other woman was clearly well past tipsy. "Er, Kagura's not good with alcohol, is she?

"No she's not and there's one other person that I'd like to dance with and Kagura will only let me go if I pass her off to a skilled swordsman who she's at least met." Erza said. "And that's basically you."

"I see that you're aware that I use a sword." Yami said not letting his surprise show. "And how would that be? I never fought with you in the battle so you wouldn't have seen me fight."

"No but Asta said that you were better than him with a sword right before our duel and after facing his skills in combat, well if he's praising you then there's no doubt about your skills." Erza said with a smile. "In fact, I'd love to spar with you someday myself."

"Me too." Kagura said with a slight slur. "And with Asta as well. Erza's hogged all the fun there, it's my turn."

"I should scold him but I saw that duel, I'm sure that you'd make me push past my limits as well." Yami said not upset at all as he meant what he said, after Asta's duel with Erza he couldn't help but want a crack at the Fairy Queen as well. "Very well, I've gotten to know Kagura a bit and frankly I don't think she can stand on her own without help so I'll so what I can. Not the first time I've dealt with someone who can't hold their alcohol, or can and just went too far for that matter."

"Thank you." Erza said and she let go of Kagura and took a step back to bow to her. "Thank you for this dance Kagura, I'll be back in a bit."

Kagura just nodded and staggered causing Yami to reach out and gently take her arm in his left hand. Erza smiled at them before she turned off and headed into the dance floor and towards her target glad that she'd seen Yami as the other option was out of the question.

"Don't push yourself if you can't hold your alcohol." Yami said not unkindly as Kagura swayed and fell into him. "I know someone like that back home. She's a bit like Erza actually only Erza doesn't seem to hate men."

"Whatever." Kagura said though she was curious at the sound of there being someone else like Erza and who hated men at the same time. "Just dance ok."

Yami blinked but before he could Kagura had turned into him and he was all but forced to take her out onto the dance floor which was just the cue that Vanessa needed and now she was keeping an eye on Yami as she went through her own dance partners waiting for her chance with her Captain. Meanwhile, from where he was Zora was grinning at the sight and Yami felt Zora's ki but as he was currently taking care of Kagura, and giving her advice about drinking, he'd have punish that moron later as he did his best to keep impart some common sense into Kagura about alcohol.

As this was happening, Erza made her way across the dance floor to her target. She loved dancing with Kagura and would have continued but there was one person that she wanted to have a dance with, someone fitting and who she in fact felt that she had to dance with for at least one number. So, as the piece ended, she reached the pair and tapped the girl on the shoulder.

"Sorry to intrude, but may I have the next dance with him?" Erza asked politely.

Just like Noelle before her, Mimosa had been so lost in the fact that she was dancing with Asta that she'd zoned out of everything else going on around her as she enjoyed the moment, her cheeks red and embraced dancing with the man that she loved. As such she let out an eep and leapt away from Asta turning to see Erza standing there with a look of surprise and confusion on her face though oddly she didn't feel jealous that another girl was coming over to dance with Asta but Mimosa got the feeling that this was only because of who said girl was.

"Um, sure, of course." Mimosa said with a nod before she turned to Asta and curtsied at him in a way that showed Erza that Mimosa had been properly trained in the art. "Th, thank you Asta. I really enjoyed that."

"Yeah that was fun, just like it was with Noelle." Asta said with a grin that made Mimosa flush even more and really peaked Erza's interest as she'd noticed Noelle's feelings for Asta and it would seem that Mimosa had them as well which created a love triangle of sorts. "We should do it again as well; I'm getting used to this."

"Then show me." Erza said holding out her left hand as Mimosa almost glowed before making her way off the dance floor, ignoring a dance request from Ichiya on the way so he went back to dancing with Nichiya, and rejoining Noelle, Nero, and Lucy without offering a curtsy to Erza as well but Erza didn't notice that faux pas on Mimosa's front as she kept looking at Asta. "You do have a knack for picking things up quickly after only seeing them once or twice. I'm sure that after dancing with two beautiful women you've got the hang of it."

"Usually it's battle styles with my swords but let's see if that applies to dancing as well." Asta said as he took Erza's left hand in his right and stepped up to her, his left going to her waist as she placed her right on his shoulder and for the first time all night he took the lead in the dance as the latest piece of music began to pick up tempo showing that it was a slightly faster song than previous ones. "Noelle and Mimosa have been great teachers but that's to be expected from them. Dancing is a lot more fun than I thought and I'd like to lead them later as a thanks for them leading me."

"Make sure to tell them that later, I'm sure they'd love it if you had another dance with each of them." Erza said as they began to move with the music and she had to admit, Asta did seem to know what he was doing even with a slightly faster song. "You've picked it up well but they did say that they were royalty where your from so they've had to have been taught how to dance properly."

"I think so as well though when I asked they didn't respond to that, or anything else that I said to them for that matter." Asta said. "Their ki was through the roof with joy though so they must have been having a great time so I left it at that."

"No doubt though you've gotta explain what this ki thing is." Erza said. "You mentioned it a few times in our duel but I don't get it."

"Oh it's how I was able to predict and counter your attacks." Asta said grinning. "Captain Yami taught me it to overcome, you know, what I lack as I can't sense mana, er, Ethernano. It massively improved my fighting style and it only took me a hit or two from a Spatial Mage I was fighting to get the hang of it."

"I see, that would explain a lot." Erza said. "Your ability to dodge, parry, counter, and anticipate is as good as mine after all."

"Yeah it's real useful." Asta said grinning. "Anyway, why'd you want to dance with me? I saw that you were having a good time with Kagura."

"I was but I also wanted to dance with you, after your guildmates got their chance of course." Erza said. "I dunno why, it just felt right to do so after our duel, almost like we kinda had to dance together if that makes sense. In a way, dancing is a different kind of battle and, well, it has been a long time since I was bested with a sword so perhaps I can make up for with this duel."

"Alright, sounds good to me." Asta said laugh not really understanding Erza's reasonings but going along with it as they continued to dance neither realizing that they were getting a wide berth as they moved over the dance floor or that there was a slight tension in the air as the two sword masters danced.

---

"I'll admit, I didn't see Erza going to dance with Asta." Lucy said as she watched the dancing while Mimosa returned and stood with them glowing just like Noelle was and not really talking as she too replayed her dance with Asta in her mind and hoped to get another piece with him later, maybe a slow one if she was really lucky and Noelle was hoping for the same thing. "And it doesn't seem like the other two are bothered by it. I could sense that Noelle didn't like Mimosa dancing with Asta and vice versa so they do get jealous but for some reason that's lacking when it comes to Erza."

"They may get a little jealous of each other, and of me even though they shouldn't as Asta's not my type, and they certainly get jealous of a few others who've shown interest in Asta, but this is different." Nero said her tone neutral as always. "They no doubt understand that this is different even if they don't fully realize the full scope of why it's different with Erza."

"Different?" Lucy asked looking at Nero. "I know that Erza has no feelings for Asta, I've got a very good idea of who she's got feelings for, but I take it that you mean that it's different to that as well."

"It is." Nero said. "This isn't about anything romantic between them but rather it's about pure respect for each other as warriors. If I had to guess, Erza wanted to dance with Asta because of their duel, a way to show their bond or out of some desire to do so simply because they fought each other."

"Bond?" Lucy asked getting confused. "I don't get it."

"Right, you didn't see the duel." Nero said remembering that Lucy had been in that weird Palace of Perdition thing during the Battle Royale. "Well it was something else. You don't fight like that without earning each other's respect and forging a bond that's hard to understand unless you were the ones in the duel itself. Fighting alongside someone is somewhat similar but a duel of pure skill where the only thing on the line is simply who's best, I can't even begin to imagine what that would be like."

"Yeah I get the bond of fighting together against an enemy, something that helped me and Juvia get along was fighting together in the Tower of Heaven where we pulled of a Unison Raid." Lucy said. "But yeah, I'm not really a dueler the way Erza is so I wouldn't get it either. That said, um, why are people giving them a bit of a wide berth and is it just me or do some of the pairs near them look rather nervous now."

"Huh, so they do." Nero said noting it. "Well, that's gotta be for the same reason."

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.

"Pretty much everyone here saw that duel, there were a few others going on at the same time but all the focus was on Asta and Erza's fight." Nero said. "And what they saw was two S-Class Wizards going at it in an intense one on one battle that will be talked about for years to come. It's hard to forget it, especially as it ended with the one that most outside of my Guild thought would win actually losing, and now said participants are dancing together as if nothing is a miss. You've got arguably the two strongest non-Guild Masters in close proximity and their duel is fresh in everyone's minds, hard not to get nervous seeing them together like this."

"Damn, I've really gotta see the recording of this duel." Lucy said as even though Nero's voice was neutral she could hear the undertones of awe in the stoic girl's voice which betrayed just how epic it was. "And I know that Natsu will want to as well so that he can learn from it while it also ignites a fire in his belly. He's not going to let the fact that someone beat Erza slide, he'll come for Asta."

"We expect as much." Nero said. "He can try, that will be interesting at least, but all of us will back Asta entirely, he won't lose to any Fairy."

Lucy nodded at that as she could tell that Nero not only had complete faith in Asta but was steadfastly loyal to him. She could see why, Natsu inspired a similar level of faith in them in part because he was always looking to get stronger and the chance to fight someone that not only can, but actually did, beat Erza, well he'd already declared that he wanted to fight Asta so it was going to happen someday. Hopefully it wasn't too destructive when that day came.

Nero had no clue what Lucy was thinking and she frankly didn't really care. She just stood there watching the dancing and then when the piece started to slow down a draw to a close, she moved forward. This wasn't really Nero's scene but she may as well take her turn.

"Where are you going?" Lucy asked as Nero walked out.

"To step in." Nero said. "Try to get through to Noelle and get that nose of hers to work to find your desired partner. I'm sure that she'll help if for no other reason than to avoid focusing on what I'm about to do."

Lucy blinked at that but Nero wasn't looking at her as she made her way over the dance floor and to Erza. She reached the Fairy Tail wizard as the song ended and just like Erza, and Mimosa before her, Nero tapped the woman before her on the shoulder.

"Mind if I take a turn with Asta?" Nero asked bluntly. "Everyone else is so I may as well get one myself and he's the only one I want to dance with right now."

"Huh, oh right, sure." Erza said breaking away from Asta as she looked at Nero and bowed her head at Nero. "Go ahead. Asta, thanks for the dance."

"Oh, sure, anytime." Asta said as Erza turned back to him and actually curtsied as best she could in thanks him before she turned and headed over to relieve Yami from Kagura while Asta turned to Nero who stepped up to him and took his hand without bothering to offer her own and feeling the gasp and glare of a pair of royal cousins the moment that she did. "You want to dance as well Nero?"

"May as well, it is a ball." Nero said putting her free hand on his shoulder while Asta's went to her waist and she let him lead her in a dance. "This is what you do at them after all."

Asta accepted that without question as he showed Nero what he'd learned while she just enjoyed the moment, platonically of course. Meanwhile, Erza began to dance with Kagura again, who asked about the dance with Asta as she also wanted to dance with him seeing as he was a fellow sword master, while Yami finally tried to leave the dance floor only for Vanessa to grab his arm and drag him out to dance with him as well.

Yami couldn't really argue with Vanessa but as she did he noticed a serious ki fall over someone in the room, someone who's ki he'd made an effort to learn the signature for. So, even though he was preoccupied, he kept a sense on it as he and Vanessa began to dance.

---

"I get Erza, that was all about respect and almost a sense of obligation after their duel, but Nero?" Noelle asked her jealousy flaring and snapping her out of her revery over dancing with Asta. "Seriously? She said she wasn't a threat to me."

"Yeah, she said that to me as well." Mimosa said not getting what Noelle was going on about just as Noelle missed what Mimosa implied. "And now she's dancing with Asta and he's leading her like he did with Erza."

"Oh he's going to lead me later." Noelle said. "But at least I taught him how to, I can take credit for that."

"Same." Mimosa said.

"I'm sure that she just felt like dancing and Asta was the best choice in her mind." Lucy said getting the cousins' attention. "It is a ball after all and we all want to dance."

"True." Noelle said with a slight huff. "But there are other options."

"Yeah, I want to dance with Asta again." Mimosa said and Noelle nodded. "But very well, Nero is a close friend to all of us so it's unfair to be upset at her when she wants to have fun. That was wrong of us."

"I'm sure you will and that Nero knows that you mean her no ill will." Lucy said with a chuckle. "But, um, Noelle, could you see if Natsu's scent is here? You are a Dragon Slayer so you might have picked it up and with this many people it's hard to see and I'd rather not wander around looking for him and completely missing him in the process."

"I don't really know it; I can recognize Erza and Kagura's scents pretty well at this point, and Minerva's if I'm being honest but that scent isn't here, however that's about it for people outside of the Black Bulls." Noelle said but she sniffed the air and parsed through it to try and find the smells that had been with Asta when he'd entered. "But I might be able to pick it up, I recall the scents with Asta earlier so I'll see if that works."

Lucy just nodded at that, she didn't really get the whole Dragon Slayer sense of smell thing anyway, and just waited as Noelle sniffed a bit. It wasn't easy but Noelle treated this like training and sifted through the scents in the room. There were three that she was looking for and quickly picked up two of them but neither were the one that was distinctively with Asta when he entered, that she was sure she'd recognize because of the spectacle that Asta had made.

"I can't smell him so I don't think…" Noelle said but as she spoke she got Charmy's scent and near it, and where a good bit of the remaining food was, was another that was just what she was looking for. "Wait, I've got it, it's by some of the best meat. That must be why I missed it as I'm still getting used to this new enhanced smell that I've got and I'm still struggling when dealing with so much well cooked food at the same time."

"I see, well then I'll be needed shortly knowing Natsu's eating habits." Lucy said with a smile as she turned. "I'll see you two around."

Noelle and Mimosa nodded at that as Lucy turned and looked around for Natsu, her eyes scanning the areas where there was food. It took a moment but soon she saw the back of a familiar head of pink hair and began to make her way to it.

As she did, she grabbed a passing glass of water off a tray from a waiter as she had a feeling that Natsu would need it very soon given how he was currently wolfing down meat at a rate that only the little Charmy woman could exceed. Lucy didn't mind though, she just smiled as she made her way to Natsu because this was very Natsu and she was glad that he'd finally joined the ball properly.

---

Natsu had returned to the party dressed in his original suit for it sometime after the dancing had begun but he'd not bothered with it. No, he was focused solely on the food options and instantly went to them and began enthusiastically eating. Of course in classic Natsu fashion he was eating a hunk of meat right off the bone when bit off more than he could swallow and began to choke on the meat, gagging and patting his chest. Thankfully that had been the very moment that Lucy had reached him after Noelle had told her that Natsu was eating and she'd made sure to grab a glass of water for just such an occurrence.

"Here you go Natsu." Lucy said as she reached him and handed him the glass of water that he instantly chugged to wash down the food and breath out a sigh of relief once the blockage was gone. "Did you forget to chew, again?"

"I was just…" Natsu began but before he could finish a voice that Lucy knew well by now spoke nearby and the tone instantly got their attention.

"Father."

The speaker was of course Princess Hisui and she'd addressed her father, the King, and that caused Natsu and Lucy to turn to see what was going on as it was near where they were. There Hisui stood before her father, who'd also changed and was now wearing a simple dark blue tunic, darker blue shorts, and brown shoes, tights and belt all under a knee length and white fur lined red over coat with blue epaulets that had gold tassels dangling from them and hearts around the top part. Oddly, he wore the coat as if it was a cloak his arms not in the sleeves and he wasn't wearing a crown, or the pumpkin on his head.

While Arcadios wasn't with him at the moment, four royal guards were flanking the King with two on either side of him. However, they were a step behind him allowing him to stand before them as he looked at his daughter clearly giving him the moment that he needed with her.

"Hisui." Toma said in response to Hisui addressing him, his tone low and serious in a way no one had heard before.

"I beg your forgiveness for what I have done." Hisui said as she bowed forward in apology, her hands in front of her and her eyes closed. "My actions before, during, and in the wake of the Grand Magic Games have brought great shame upon the Kingdom and your rule. I may have been led astray, blinded by my naivety and desire to save our Kingdom but that does not justify what I did and the lives that were endangered by my actions so when all these festivities are over I will accept whatever punishment that you see fit."

"But Princess…" Lucy began as Yami reached them from a different angle and hearing Hisui's statement to her father having come over with Vanessa to see why Hisui's ki had suddenly intensified in its seriousness as that's what he'd sensed a few moments prior. "You did…"

"Please wait." Arcadios said interrupting both Lucy and Hisui's contrition to her father and causing everyone to look at him as he approached them while the music suddenly stopped as people began to really notice what was going on. "If I may I'd like to speak first."

"Colonel Arcadios." Hisui said a note of surprise in her voice as she looked at the man.

"With all due respect, I must intercede in the Princess's apology on her behalf." Arcadios said as he walked and by now the whole ballroom was paying attention to the situation unfolding with the Royal Family. "The Eclipse plan began as a means to defeat Zeref, a noble aim even if it was predicated on using one of his own creations against him. The debacle with Eclipse Two was simply the result of that time traveler's deception."

Arcadios paused at that and Hisui realized that there was a mistake in Arcadios's assumption that she'd failed to correct. It was another failure on her part and she was about to speak up but before she could Arcadios ploughed on and revealed said mistake.

"It was due to his accurate predictions that the Princess was led to believe that this was the only way that she could save Fiore from total annihilation at the hands of those dragons." Arcadios said which wasn't true, the man hadn't been accurate for one simple reason, a bunch of other worlders had crashed the Grand Magic Games. "She was led astray by this but it was because of her devotion and love for her Kingdom that she was and that should be taken into account."

"That's true." Darton asked making his own presence known and getting the surprised Hisui to turn to him as well as he stepped up next to her while Erza, Noelle, and Mimosa all appeared next to Lucy and Asta made his way to Yami sensing the same thing that Yami was sensing so wanting to be next to his Captain as he watched the scene unfold between the King and his daughter. "Her intentions in this matter were pure and driven by her desire to save the Kingdom, something that the heir should have."

"It was more than that!" Lucy said speaking up as well to defend the Princess and getting the attention of both Arcadios and Darton. "The Princess did all that she could to protect not just this Kingdom but the entire world! The dragons wouldn't have stopped here and we all know it!"

"Yes, the Princess has done nothing wrong." Erza added though while she only knew what she'd been told, she fully supported Lucy's assessment of Hisui. "It was what any leader would do with the facts at hand."

"Correct, she only had the best of intentions in mind." Jura said as he and Ichiya joined them lending his own voice to the fray. "She should not be blamed for the machinations of an evil man who used her love and devotion against her. That is where the fault lies, not with the Princess."

"Yes, I implore you to forgive her transgressions your majesty." Ichiya said. "She made a mistake and has owned up to it but it was not one made deliberately or out of malice or nefarious pursuits but out of love and nothing is as pure as love."

"Punish her or not, it won't change what happened." Natsu called out, he'd not bothered to go over to the chat but remained eating his meat his back to them and was actively chewing as he spoke. "That's the thing with hindsight, you can't change the past, well at least not after I crashed a dragon into that gate thing. Besides, she managed to get every wizard in Crocus to work together in stopping the dragons, that's pretty impressive if you ask me."

"Aye sir." Happy added.

"Natsu has a good point." Laxus said stepping up to stand next to Jura. "I worked with people I'd never worked with before and it was because of them that we were able to subdue one of the dragons, together. Our teamwork was vital in making sure that that green dragon was contained."

"It was mainly all me but Marie knows it." Gauche muttered as he held Grey-Marie in his arms but no one paid attention to him. "So that's all that matters."

"I did make many new friends thanks to her." Gordon added in a whisper. "It was great to work with them to help the city out just as friends should."

"If not for the Princess's actions, Fiore may have remained a Kingdom divided." Jura said. "She should be praised for that."

"Gray and I had drifted apart but now thanks to you we're two hearts beating as one!" Juvia said as she and Gray approached, her arms around his left arm as she clung to him tightly. "We owe you for that, Princess!"

"Please containing your insanity for a second, you were doing so well Juvia." Gray reproached looking at Juvia. "This isn't the time or place for it."

"It's true, we've all gained so much from this." Sting said. "Myself especially thanks to some wise and tough words from people I didn't know before."

"Yes, even if it was a bit blunt and painful." Rogue added rubbing his head and glancing over at Yami who was just smoking as he watched Hisui's reaction to the words of support for her. "But notably, many of us have a new sense of purpose thanks to your actions."

"Yeah I think so too!" Frosch added leaping up with the words.

"Things are awesome now." Lector said his arms folded across his chest. "I mean, even the knuckleheads in Sabertooth have started getting along thanks to all of this and that's not an easy thing to pull off."

"Listen up everyone!" A slurred voice loudly called out before anyone else could say anything and they all looked over to see Kagura flanked by her guildmates her cheeks red and clearly having imbibed at least one more drink during the ruckus around the Princess as no one was paying attention to her so couldn't stop her. "By the power invested in me by, er, me, I hereby declare the Princess not guilty of whatever it is that she's been accused of!"

"Even with a few more drinks in her, Kagura makes the rules as far as we're concerned." Lislie said. "So we'll do as she says."

"That's right!" Beth and Arana added.

"Meow!" Millianna said at the same time.

"Kagura, we just talked about how you can't handle your alcohol." Erza said with a sigh. "I thought that Yami was supposed to talk sense into you."

"Don't look at me, she was fine when I left her with you." Yami said. "Even the Prickly Princess back home has more sense, that or she's just a sleepy drunk I'm not sure."

"Regardless, she's too drunk to be a part of this conversation." Gray added. "So just ignore her."

"What did you say stripper?" Kagura asked before blinking. "Hold up, why haven't you stripped yet? Isn't that your thing?"

"Yeah are y'all trying to tell Kagura what she can and can't do?" Beth asked. "That's not right, Kagura can do whatever she wants!"

"I can't strip! My clothes are stuck to my body for some reason!" Gray complained and showed this by pulling at them. "It's suffocating."

"How'd that happen?" Lucy asked. "Not that I'm complaining, it's good that you're still clothed."

"Yes no one else can feast their eyes on my icy hunk." Juvia said still holding Gray's arm. "No hussies will get to see what only I should get to see."

"I too am curious though." Erza said ignoring Juvia's words as she knew that only Juvia wanted Gray like that. "How is this possible? We've tried for years to prevent it but nothing's worked so whoever pulled this off deserves praise."

"It's happened before!" Gray said. "I'm pretty sure I know who, her name's Secré!"

"Secré?" Lucy asked unaware that Secré was next to her and currently using Lucy as cover to avoid being scene. "We don't know anyone by that name. Are you ok Gray? However this has happened, it's good so just go with it."

"How indeed." Nero muttered. "Guess we'll never know who saved our eyes and the decorum of this party."

"You sealed them to his body didn't you." Noelle whispered while a muttered debate as to how Gray's clothes were still on and whether that was a good or bad thing broke out. "Good, this is a formal ball, that would be highly inappropriate."

"I simply did the room a favor." Nero said. "I may not be a fan of these things but even I know that there are rules of decorum. That and I really don't want to see him strip, again."

All Hisui could do during this as the whispers grew was raise her hands to her face and cover her mouth with them at all the support that she was getting. However, she knew that she had to clear things up and she glanced to Yami, which surprised everyone who was still paying attention to her, and he sensed her ki and what she wanted to do and he nodded. This would be a sign of trust for him in the Princess and he was willing to see how it went and what she revealed.

"Thank you, all of you, for your kind words of support." Hisui said loudly getting all the room's attention just as Arcadios was about to bang his sword to silence everyone be they offering support for Hisui or continuing their debate over Gray's stripping habit. "But I do not deserve them."

This caused another eruption of support that was so loud and unanimous that no one could make out what people were saying. This time, Arcadios did slam his sword on the ground, the loud clang silencing the room in an instant.

"Silence, the Princess was speaking and you are in the presence of His Majesty!" Arcadios said loudly, which only added to the silencing of the room. "Princess, I feel like you weren't done. While I disagree with your assessment of yourself, you are the Princess so please continue."

"I was not for you see; I do not deserve this support because I could have stopped this before the Grand Magic Games began but allowed myself to be further manipulated even after it was proven that the man from the future was not 100% accurate in his predictions." Hisui said and this caused the whole room bar Yami to gasp at her words and how the conflicted with Arcadios's support. "There was one prediction right at the start of the Grand Magic Games that was wrong and the ripple effect of that changed everything. That prediction was that the Guild that was supposed to come 7th in the preliminaries was Quatro Cerberus, the Black Bulls were never even in the preliminaries according to the man from the future."

Instantly that got gasps and murmurs from everyone but the Black Bulls as they knew why they'd changed things; they weren't from this world so their presence almost certainly distorted the timeline and threw off Future Rogue's predictions though Julius could probably explain exactly how that worked. What none but Yami knew was that the Hisui had learned the truth about them from Future Rogue and that was why she'd been convinced that things were still on track though he'd tell them about that when they were all along in the hideout again.

"When that happened I was ready to abandon the plan because he'd been wrong but he was able to convince me that I was the one who was wrong because the Black Bulls are not from Ishgar but another continent in Earth Land and only arrived here two years ago." Hisui said the lie coming easily to her lips and only Asta realized that she was lying but before he could mention it Yami put a hand on his shoulder and Asta sensed in his Captain's ki that he shouldn't question this, well Makarov also realized but he knew to preserve the lie as well. "As such their presence altered the Grand Magic Games thus throwing him off. I am sure that we can all see that after what the Black Bulls did in the Games."

"Yeah we know too well." Sting said looking over the various Black Bulls that he knew before settling on Yami and Asta as they were the two who'd had the greatest impact on him personally. "You beat Rufus at his own game, took out m'lady, twice, and helped show me a better path both during the Battle Royale and through Rogue when we fought the dragons. There's no way that a two year old Guild could do that without an established presence on another continent."

"Not to mention how they dominated at Chariots." Yuka said looking over at Finral. "We lost that before it started what with a Spatial Wizard of that quality on their team."

"And then there was the Battle Royale." Hisui said playing into the praise to help highlight how the Black Bulls had come out of nowhere to pull off a shocking win in the Grand Magic Games which showed that they had to be exceptional. "Can any of you other than the Black Bulls say that you saw what happened coming? Can you honestly say that before the Battle Royale that the entire Fairy Tail team would fall to them, four to one man, or that Fairy Tail would lose in the end?"

"No, we didn't." Erza said seriously before she looked over to Asta her head turning so that many saw the faint scar on her left cheek that he'd inflicted on her during their duel. "Even we didn't expect it. Yes we expected Asta to be the toughest but I honestly expected to win our duel. Not until my Nakagami Armor failed did I expect to lose but almost all of you saw our duel and even after I did all I could, Asta still bested the last three of our team."

"I didn't really do much." Gray mumbled, Gajeel wasn't present it seemed so Gray also added. "Nor did Gajeel for that matter."

"We knew that Asta couldn't be predicted and even as his sword came down I couldn't fathom how we'd lost to him." Laxus said. "So yeah, if there was any Guild that would alter the future it was them. I mean, they did kill a dragon as well, they were the only ones who managed it with their Dragon Slayer."

"It was a team effort." Noelle said. "And Fairy Tail helped, I couldn't have landed that final blow without Erza's sword."

"Even so." Lucy said, she'd not seen any of this so she was still unable to truly connect her Guild's loss, let alone them killing a dragon, to just how strong the Black Bulls were. "All this proves is that that future guy simply used that to his advantage to manipulate the Princess even more."

"That he did but that doesn't negate that I had the chance to end all of this before it began and didn't and I cannot use the excuse of his predictions to absolve me of punishment for what I did." Hisui said seriously before she bowed to her father again. "So I repeat, I will accept any punishment you deem fit father."

Again there was a clamor of support but this time it wasn't Arcadios who silenced them. He was about to even raised his sword to do so, a blast of powerful, intense, magic shot out and caused them all to fall silent as they all looked to the source to see Yami, his body glowing with a dark purple aura, glaring at them.

"Shut up, all of you." Yami said seriously. "Stop trying to cover for the Princess or absolve her of her guilt. The very fact that she knows that she made a mistake, that she's remorseful for it and is accepting responsibility for her actions is something that you shouldn't dismiss, overlook, or excuse. What she is doing right now is a sign of great maturity in recognizing and accepting her mistakes and the consequences of her actions."

Yami paused as he looked around the room but no one dared to challenge him. Few had actually seen or experienced his power but now they saw just how strong Yami's magic was and many were realizing that the rumors that the Black Bull Guild Master's power was on par with a Wizard Saint might be more than just rumors.

"That is the very thing you should be looking for in your future Queen because it is things like this, learning from her mistakes and growing from them so as to avoid them when she takes the throne, are what will make her a wiser ruler." Yami continued after a moment. "Princess Hisui is bettering herself and you should let her, not cover for her. The faith and loyalty she commands is beyond admiral but don't diminish it by blindly defending her when she's accepting her failures and the punishment that comes with it."

"Yeah, her ki is filled with remorse and regret for what she did." Asta said picking up on what Yami had said and backing him up as everyone, including Hisui herself, stared at Yami in shock at his words. "The King back where we're from, well King Clover not the Wizard King as we kinda have two kings, is a dumb, incompetent, buffoon who if he'd heard your words would have used them to absolve himself of any mistake that he made simply because you're supporting and adoring him, which is all that he wants. Not that King Clover would admit his faults of course, all he can do is take credit for other's hard work."

"Yes, as a royal in our homeland, it is refreshing to see a fellow royal actually take responsibility for her mistake." Noelle said causing Hisui to turn to her with a look of surprise as she wasn't aware that Yami had royalty in his Squad and she'd have to ask about that later but to hear the support was still surprising and as she looked at Noelle, Noelle smiled at her. "I wish our King had the sense that you do and from two years here I can already tell that your father is a better King than ours is."

"As a fellow royal, I agree with my cousin's assessment." Mimosa said with a nod adding more surprise to Hisui though she was aware that there were apparently three royal families in Yami's homeland so the two girls had to represent two of the families. "Seeing you and your father gives me hope that someday we can have rulers like you, rulers who are wise and learn while also caring for their people and doing what they can to make the lives of the average citizen better rather than only caring about status, power, and blind adoration."

"Just the fact that you can recognize your mistake makes you better than King Clover." Nero said bluntly. "But his bar is so low that you can't see it compared to the one that your father has set and which you are on your way to reaching by showing this."

"I, I don't know what to say." Hisui said her eyes swimming with tears as she looked around the room from the three Black Bull girls to Yami and Asta and then to the Earth Landers present. "Not just to you but to everyone for your support and understanding."

"Nor do I." Toma said and the moment that the King spoke they all turned to him but he looked to Yami. "Guild Master Yami Sukehiro, what you said to my daughter was blunt but true, something I've come to realize is part of who you are. Regardless, it is just what she needed to hear and what everyone present needs to understand. Therefore, I have considered all of the arguments that have been made but as you pointed out, my daughter is still accountable for her actions."

"Please Your Majesty, I understand the arguments but I will accept the blame for the Princess's actions." Arcadios said stepping forward. "I should be held accountable for not stopping her."

"No Majesty, I am the one who should be punished for the Princess's actions." Darton said stepping forward as well. "Hold me accountable for it."

"You should…" Lucy began but before she could Hisui herself stepped forward.

"No, please, stop, all of you." Hisui said her voice serious as she looked around and focused on the most recent speakers. "Arcadios, Darton, I appreciate your words and loyalty to me and my father's Kingdom, that is admiral and will not be forgotten. Lucy, I know that you wish to accept punishment as well but I was the one who convinced you of the plan and so the blame lies with me alone. Yami is right and I ask you to heed his words. I am responsible for my own actions and I alone must bear the consequences for them. Father, ignore anyone else and render your judgement upon me alone."

Toma had been listening to all of this and looking between the various speakers as his daughter turned back to him. He had his punishment in mind and after everything, especially his daughter's maturity and the surprising support from a man not sworn to the Fiore Kingdom beyond his Guild's registration, though Yami's loyalty to Fiore was without question at this point, had solidified his decision.

"Arcadios, your loyalty to the Princess and Darton, your loyalty to my Kingdom both please me greatly." Toma said after a moment, his tone as serious as it had been throughout. "However, most of all I am pleased by the brave wizards that are assembled here today that work tirelessly to achieve and preserve peace in Fiore. Some of you are not from my Kingdom and yet you've made sure that it is a safe place for the citizens here, putting your lives on the line for them and giving my daughter the council that she needs. So, in light of all of this, I have conceived of a suitable punishment for my daughter and her transgressions that led to all of this."

At that Toma paused and everyone waited to see what the King's judgement was. Hisui herself lowered her head and closed her eyes as she awaited the punishment, not sure what it would be.

"I hereby decree that for the next week you must wear this pumpkin head the entire time!" Toma said and with a pop a large head in the shape of the mascot head that Mato wore, complete with eyes and an open mouth that showed Hisui's face, appeared on her head and as it did Toma's voice suddenly changed from serious to fun. "The support that you've received and the maturity you've shown have made it clear that you will be a great Queen one day my daughter, one who learns from her mistakes as a Princess so as to not make them as a Queen. However, you must embrace humility for your actions and show the Kingdom your fun side as well."

"Huh?" Hisui asked her cheeks going red with embarrassment and her voice rising even though she only said one word.

"Your majesty, this is your punishment?" Arcadios asked confused.

"This is all that she's required to do?" Darton asked just as confused as Arcadios was.

"Yes, a dose of humility will do my daughter good." Toma said with a smile. "Once this week is over, the slate will be clean and you will be forgiven for your actions my dear sweet Hisui."

"Hm, well it could have been worse." Arcadios mutter as Darton chuckled at the King's punishment.

"Well that's good that it's only the pumpkin head." Lucy said smiling as she looked at the Princess. "Aren't you happy? It's not really a punishment at all, just something fun and humbling."

"Yes, punkin." Hisui said and that broke any lingering tension and the whole room burst out into laugher. "I'm more than happy with this."

With that the ball resumed in earnest and people returned to having fun. However, Hisui looked to Lucy and Natsu and made a gesture with her head before she turned and walked towards Yami and Asta. Lucy got that and headed over with her while Natsu didn't initially move but a glare from Lucy got him to do so while Happy also joined them. Hisui wanted to talk to all of them and it was easier to do it in one go than anything else.

"Listen, I'd like to thank you for everything that you've done both during the fight with the dragons and just now." Hisui said. "Your support and words mean a lot to me and I will continue to grow from them so thank you, p, punkins."

"This has gotta be a little embarrassing." Lucy said smiling as she started to get into the Princess's punishment. "Right? Punkin!"

"Nah it seems like a lotta fun to me, punkin!" Natsu said.

"Aw yeah, punkin!" Happy added.

"Me too, I want to try that out." Asta added. "Punkin."

"Oh no you don't, you've already caused me enough trouble today due to Fairy Tail's influence." Yami said grabbing Asta's head and lifting him up and squeezing. "As ridiculous as that pumpkin head thing is, it was the King's punishment and the Princess must wear it so leave her be. Plus it's not like he has more of them anyway."

"Yes sorry sir." Asta said.

"Actually I do have extras if they want to wear them too!" Toma said appearing at Yami's side and causing him to drop Asta on his ass in surprise at the King's sudden arrival. "Here they are!"

With a series of pops, Lucy, Happy, Natsu, and Asta all had pumpkins on their heads. That got a series of laughs and even Yami chuckled at how ridiculous it looked on Asta's head while Noelle face palmed, Mimosa smiled, and Nero blinked from where they were watching the exchange.

"Alright let's kick this party up a notch because now it's a…" Natsu began before Happy joined him. "A pumpkin party!"

This got a series of laughs from everyone present and the Grand Ball resumed in full swing. After the Princess's punishment, the rest of the night was uneventful as everyone enjoyed the fun of it and the official close of the Grand Magic Games. It was what they all needed after everything but they were all unaware of just what was about to change in the wake of the recent events in Crocus and the rise of the Black Bulls to Fiore's number 1 Guild.

I think that that's a good place to end this chapter and arc on. At long last the Grand Magic Games and Dragon King Festival have drawn to a close with a fun party for all the Guilds involved, a lot of dancing and revelries, and some growth for Hisui at the end. There really isn't much more to say about this chapter, it was just fun and frivolity with a little bit of seriousness at the end and now we shift into the aftermath of the Grand Magic Games and we see just what the Black Bulls' win means for them and Fiore as well as what it means for Fairy Tail as they're return to the upper echelons of Guilds. Stay tuned as we shift gears and see what happens now that all of this is over. That is all that I have for y'all, however, so I will leave this chapter off here. If you liked this please favorite, follow, leave a review, or let me know in a PM and I will try to answer any questions posed in reviews and PMs as best I can. Until next time.

Stringdog