Inside a hotel in Crocus, the females of Fairy Tail were putting on some final adjustments to their dresses. "Hold still!" Lucy said while adjusting Cynthia's red dress. Of course, Cynthia wasn't having such a fun time; she was already all dolled up and though she was okay with this, she wasn't okay with how tight the dress was around her waist, though.

"It's so tight…I can hardly breathe…!" Cynthia wheezed, flailing about in a comedic manner.

"E-Etto…" Wendy merely watched with a small sweat drop as Lucy had trouble adjusting Cynthia's dress. "Lucy-san? Maybe I could help out Cynthia…meanwhile…" She then nudged her head to Cana and Tia. And of course, Cana was finally taking the time to grope Tia, who's dress wasn't fully zipped.

"Ah…These are very nice…almost better than Lucy's…" Cana slurred with a drunken smile.

"H-Hey!?" Tia squirmed, face beat red. "I asked you to zip me up, not feel me up…!"

"C-Cana…?!" Lucy's eyes widened as she quickly made her way over to the struggling pair. "Are you already drunk!?"

"Maybe a little…" Cana hiccupped, still groping Tia.

"Oh geez." Diamond merely let out a nervous laugh at the sight. She wasn't too willing to actually step in and intervene.

"So this is what getting drunk does to someone…" Heartless stated with genuine interest in the subject; she began taking notes on Cana's behavior.

"Can you get her off of me?!" Tia groaned.

"Sorry, sorry!" And Lucy pulled Cana off of Tia, helping the bluenette zip her dress up. "Say, Tia…have you been to Crocus before?"

"No," Tia replied with the shake of her head. "This is my first time here…and it's a visit to the palace no less…" With a sigh, Tia checked herself out in the mirror before giving a nod of approval. "No doubt the Princess just wants to eat us Ex-Dealer members alive in front of a large audience."

"Don't worry about that," Erza said with a reassuring nod. "Princess Hisui is a kind woman. She'll likely congratulate you all for breaking away."

"What makes you so sure…?" Tia shot back with clear skepticism. "I'm just a criminal. I've done more bad than good…"

"Oh…Don't beat yourself up now," Mirajane began in her usual soft tone. Oddly enough, that was something Tia could not argue with no matter how hard she tried. "The Princess will not make a mockery of you in anyway. At most, she'll likely chide you for your actions, but even then that won't be much."

"Whatever…" Tia scoffed.

"She's so difficult at times…" Lisanna mumbled to Juvia.

"Juvia agrees…" Juvia nodded slowly. "I think it's because she's too stubborn to admit she's a good guy now!"

"I'm not a good guy!" Tia tapped her foot in irritated as she glanced at Juvia. "I'm strictly neutral….though if you guys were in a fight, depending on the opponent, I'll consider thinking about helping you out…not like you'd need it…"

"There she goes again with that Tsundere attitude…" Diamond snickered under her breath.

"What'd you say!?" Tia turned, glaring at Diamond immediately. "You're no better!"

"Oh, I didn't say anything~!" Diamond replied with an innocent whistle, causing the other girls around to laugh.

"Not funny!" Once again, Tia huffed, only this time she turned away and grumbled, cheeks a shade of pink.

.

.

"Man…I hate dressing up…" Jack grumbled while looking himself in the mirror. He was all suited up, but he certainly wasn't happy about it.

"You're gonna learn to like it! That's how a man works!" Elfman needlessly exclaimed.

"Personally, I'm not looking forward to this," Daigo said while adjusting his tie. "I feel like the Princess, though she appears sweet, will tear us Dealer members a new one…"

"Oi, you're thinking about it too hard," Natsu said while chowing down on some food; not like he was spoiling his appetite because he planned to eat a lot at the palace anyway. "I mean, she may scold you guys a little bit like Mira does to us sometimes but I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"He's right," Gray nodded in agreement. "She's not as bad a person as you think she is. She just wants to do what's best for everyone. She's probably glad you all turned when you did."

"Hm…" Spade merely shrugged. "Perhaps…"

"Well, I guess it might not be all bad…" Strong murmured.

"Gray, I do have one request for you," Makarov said with a soft sigh.

"Yes, Master?" Gray responded with a curious brow.

"KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON THIS TIME!" The master shouted, causing Gray to shrink in a comical manner.

.

.

The time finally arrived; the ball room of the palace was filled with the members from all the guilds in Fiore. Hisui was more than happy at the turnout, noted by the wide smile she wore. "It looks like everyone made it…Fairy Tail, White Eclipse, remnants of Twlight Zone, Sabertooth, Mermaid Heel, Black Phoenix, Quatro Cerberus, Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, Shaman's Haven, and Cosmic Star…"

"Do you really trust Cosmic Star, Princess…?" Arcadios asked with obvious doubt towards the guild.

"Don't worry about them, Arcadios…" Hisui said with a nod. "I know there was that entire incident during the Grand Magic Games, though I can see that they've changed since then. I don't harbor any grudges against them. Plus…" Her tone dropped down to something more serious. "They did manage to warn me about Pergrande's scheming…"

"I agree…" Arcadios nodded in response.

.

"I can never get over how amazing this place is…!" Cynthia stared around at the palace ball room in wonderment. "It's just so….Ah!"

"I'm surprised at how hyper she is about it…" Lucy said with a soft laugh. "She was here once before…"

"This time it's not after an incredibly rough day," Mirajane commented with a small smile.

"I'd rather not remember that day…" Wendy said with a nervous smile and laugh. "It was something I'd rather not deal with again…"

"No, I completely agree with that…" Erza said while taking a seat, looking over everything going on. "But let's not focus on the past…the present is the only thing that matters, so let's enjoy the time we have now."

.

.

"The food here never disappoints!" Natsu said while chowing down on the feast the large table had out.

"Natsu-san!" Sting approached Natsu with a wide smile…until he noticed that Natsu was literally going to solo the entire feast of food if anyone didn't stop him. "W-What are you doing!?"

"I'm eating!" Natsu replied plainly. "What's it look like?"

"You have to save some for others…" Tia said from afar with a sigh. "You can't just eat the entire palace food…"

"I'm pretty sure they can make more!" Natsu shrugged.

"That's not the point, Natsu-san…" Sting said with a defeated sigh.

"I'm not sure sharing is in his vocab…" Tia said while pinching the bridge of her nose. "I apologize for my fr…associate's behavior. I've been finding myself saying that quite a lot lately…"

"You don't have to apologize!" Sting said with a reassuring smile. "I know how he is…"

"There's really only one thing Natsu can share, anyway…" Cygnus said as he strolled up with his hands in his suit pocket. "That third place he and Fairy Tail seem to have."

"YOU WANNA GO!?" Natsu was immediately forehead to forehead with Cygnus once again, comical sparks emitting from the both of them.

"Where's Lucy and her verbal leash when you need it…" Tia's head dropped. She was done trying to contain Natsu, but of course he couldn't be contained.

(Now, now, Cyg…) Ola said while pulling Cygnus away with a shadow hand. (No fraternizing with the losers, you know?)

"True, true…" Cygnus nodded in agreement. "We'll be seeing you losers around later, though!" With that, the Gravity God and master of Black Phoenix walked off.

"Man, those guys really know how to tick people off…" Sting said with an annoyed sigh. "Sorry you had to see that, Tia-san. I know it must be somewhat annoying, being a mage of Fairy Tail and all…"

"Don't apologize…" Tia replied before she heard Sting's second comment. "W-Wait…WHAT!? I'm not a mage there! I wouldn't even want to be one!"

"You're not…?" Sting looked surprised at this. "I just figured since you spend a lot of time there…and that you act like that one person who shuns everyone only to really enjoy their company…"

"…This conversation is over…" Tia took the liberty to grab some food and storm off.

"She's weird…" Natsu shrugged once again. He could hardly get a read on Tia sometimes.

.

.

And there was Leon…wandering around the ballroom in amazement. Of course his curiosity was getting the better of him and he started to wander off, but Tristan managed to keep the Acid Slayer from going too far. "Oh…Hi, Tristan!" Leon said with his usual smile.

"Leon-san, you must watch where you're going…" Tristan said with a sigh and a small smile himself.

"Sorry, everything just looks so nice!" Leon replied with a widening smile.

"Does he always get lost like that…?" Yukino's curiosity got the better of her.

"Sometimes…" Tristan admitted with a small laugh and smile.

"So, I heard your friends with the Princess?!" Leon shifted gears, staring at Tristan in hopes he'd explain the story a little.

"Well, my parents had a forgery around here, and they worked for the royal family…" Tristan said with a small smile. "Though it's been awhile, I'm not entirely sure she'll remember me."

"That's actually rather interesting…" Yukino sheepishly replied.

"Oh, it's nothing…" Tristan merely gave a nod.

"Ah, if you say so…" And here came Roy, the ace of Shaman's Haven. "Of course, that's not too much compared to what I've seen and heard…"

"And what do you want…?" Tristan sighed and rolled his eyes at Roy's appearance. He had a strong dislike for the Ace of SH.

"Oh, nothing…" Roy replied with a smug grin visible beneath his mask. "Just trying to show off."

"At least he admits it…" Yukino gave a nervous laugh before beginning to step away. She could feel the tension growing and didn't want to be a part of it.

.

.

"I can't believe you got me to dress up…" Melody grumbled, sitting down. She didn't want to take part and anything going on.

"Nyah…!" Milliana tried her best to tug Melody out of the seat, but the Silver Make Mage wasn't having it. "Don't be such a party pooper! Enjoy yourself!" The neko then pointed over to Kagura, who was slightly tipsy. "Look! Even Kagura is having some fun!"

"She looks drunk to me…" Melody grumbled.

"Well…she's having a little fun and letting herself go!" Milliana responded. "What's with you and parties, huh?"

"I dunno…" Melody shrugged her shoulders.

"Looky here…!" Daryan said while approaching Kagura. "Look who I've found after all this time!" Daryan tried to wrap his arm around Kagura, but she stepped on his foot, causing him to retreat.

"Don't touch me," Kagura snapped at Daryan. He was always the last person she wanted to see, but she had no choice this time.

"I-I was just trying to say hello!" Daryan defensively replied.

"He's hopeless…!" Hiruka snickered.

"You're supposed to be my wingman…!" Daryan sighed heavily at his own Exceed.

"Why hello, kitty cat!" Shadowlore said while sliding next to Milliana, but Melody held her hand out, a sliver magic seal appearing. "…OH COME ON."

"Not today, Wolf man…" Melody scoffed a sly grin on her face. "Sliver Block…" She giggled at her own little joke, clearly enjoying herself too much.

Daryan attempted to regain his composure. He did kneel in front of Kagura, gently taking her hand within his own. "On a more serious note, Kagura-chan...would you honor me with a dance?"

"...!?" Kagura's eyes widened. Daryan wasn't being annoying about it and genuine! So there was a semblance of a not annoying person under there. But that didn't mean she was going to say yes! She quickly pulled her hand away and scoffed. "No. Bother someone else."

"Agh...!" Daryan felt an arrow pierce through his heart at her cold rejection. "Her words are as sharp as her blade..."

"Oof..." Hiruka shook his head.

"Get back over here, you two…" Gaia said while motioning the two lady loves back with her finger. With a sigh, the two mages complied and trudged back over to the Cosmic Star table. "I need to put you two on a leash or something…"

"I agree…" Alex said while taking a sip of wine, getting away with it purely because nobody noticed. Despite teetering on young adult, she was not going to get away with it if Gaia saw. "You two would be strays if we didn't keep track of you…"

.

.

"This is a nice palace…" Rylo said while examining every inch of the ballroom, giving a nod of approval at the design. "A very nice palace indeed…"

"You better just be looking around at the castle and nothing else…" Evanee warned Rylo from afar, causing a small shiver to crawl up the Magician's spine. He turned around, a nervous smile on his face, three short nods following after. "O-Of course! I told you that I wasn't going to be doing those things anymore! I've moved past that, you know!"

"You better have…" Evanee responded before turning around.

"He could be lying…" Flynn said with the smallest of shrugs. "This is Rylo we're talking about. Not to say I don't trust him, but we have to admit, he can be really crafty at times."

"He won't do anything," Evanee replied in a short tone, waving a dismissive hand. Her back was turned to Flynn. "He knows better than that…"

.

.

"Attention! Everyone!" Hisui called out above the loud murmuring of the crowd. It all died down, allowing the princess to speak. "I would like to thank you all for coming out tonight. I know the past few months have been rather hectic with events that even I haven't been aware about…but I would like to thank all the mages who fought lately…I promise that next time there is a problem that endangers this country, I will do everything in my power to assist, that way you won't have to fight alone."

"Glad to hear that you're moving forward!" Natsu exclaimed with a grin. "But just so you know…we weren't alone. Because we had each other. Just saying…"

"Don't correct the Princess…!" Lisanna flailed.

"No, no…" Hisui shook her head slowly, a small smile crossing her lips. "It was foolish of me to say you were fighting alone. I should've said, next time we could fight together."

"That's more like it," Natsu gave a nod of approval.

"She's so confident…!" Cynthia gave Hisui a look of admiration.

"Well, she is the Princess, after all…" Chelia replied. "Everything she does has to be for the greater good of everyone! It doesn't sound like an easy job…but she's managing just fine!"

"Now then…I was told that there were former members of the Dealer Organization here…?" Hisui questioned while looking around for them.

"Ah…time to get grilled…" Jack sighed before stepping forward with Tia, Diamond, Strong, Spade, Heartless, and Daigo.

"So you did arrive…" Hisui tilted her head slowly.

"Make it quick…" Tia scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "We don't have all night…"

"Make what quick…?" Hisui questioned.

"You're gonna yell at us, aren't you?" Strong asked.

"I can't imagine a woman of her personality actually yelling…" Heartless mumbled.

"I'm not going to yell at you…" Hisui said with a genuine grin. "I'm here to congratulate you all." Those words left all Ex Dealer members confused. "Allow me to explain…At first, things were looking relatively bleak during that confrontation with Joker. But…that was when you all showed your true colors, after. I'm unaware of everything that happened during that day, but I do know that you all changed for the better; and for that I want to congratulate you for finding your way out of such a dim path."

"We don't need your praise…" Jack grunted, though he was pretty happy to hear that, he really didn't let it show.

"I told you it wouldn't be that bad!" Lucy grinned towards the Ex Dealer members, who just fell back into the crowd quickly.

"Now…I would like everyone to enjoy the rest of their…" Before Hisui could finish, the doors to the ballroom opened. This caused everyone to turn around slowly. "Huh…?"

Zeref walked through the doors calmly, stopping once he entered. He looked around until his eyes locked with Hisui's. "Princess Fiore…"

"That's…!" Hisui's eyes widened immensely as she unable to believe what she was seeing.

"H-Hey…!" Natsu scowled the moment he laid eyes on Zeref. "That's the guy from Tenoru Island…! Zeref…!"

"What the hell is he doin' here…?" Gildarts asked with narrowing eyes. He was clearly prepared to make a move if need be, but nothing was happening yet and the last thing he wanted to do was put everyone in jeopardy.

"Who is this guy…?" Cynthia silently questioned.

"The strongest mage in existence…" Lucy quietly replied. "Zeref…he wields Death Magic…"

"You must know what my arrival means…" Zeref took a step forward, causing the people to retreat to the sides of the room, making a very narrow path from Zeref to Hisui.

"I actually don't…" Hisui replied calmly, though on the inside she was trembling with fear.

"…" Arcadios watched silently, ready to jump in if he needed to.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The King of Fiore himself asked. Toma E Fiore was sweating at the sight of Zeref.

"Simple…" Zeref began. "You humans have become too greedy with the idea of power…first, there was your mad scientist, Aiden Viscard…then, the Grand Magic Games a few months ago. Wasting such power on a barbaric sport; you wonder why I want all life to vanish. The angels from the heavens above even saw it fit to try and erase the darkness of this land. Even though they and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum, we agree on that point…and finally, we have King: The man who tried to takeover Earthland with a foolish and misguided plan."

"Those issues were resolved…" Hisui shot back. "You can't just…"

"They were resolved, but what's to say they won't happen again…?" Zeref cut the Princess off, a pitch black aura beginning to form around him. Red eyes stared directly into Hisui's soul, paralyzing her with overwhelming fear.

"Princess, are you alright!?" Acardios rushed from the crowd and began to make his way to Hisui.

"This isn't good…" Tia's voice dropped, she was actually a little frightened of what may happen. "He's getting mad…"

Zeref pointed his hand forward, creating a pitch black sphere of Death magic in his palm. "It's time for you humans to exit the stage. The first step in starting the cataclysm…is taking out the opposing side's leader." Within the blink of an eye, the sphere of death magic traveled through the narrow pathway of people making a beeline for Hisui.

"HISUI WATCH OUT!" Lucy screamed. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything anyone could do to stop the sphere or save Hisui. Once contact was made, a black shockwave boomed out, blowing almost everyone off their feet. When everyone looked up, Hisui's skin had gone completely pale, and her eyes were white. Everyone stared in sheer horror as she fell from her small throne and hit the floor lifeless.