"Now that we're all finally here and accounted for…" Count Waltz propped himself up on his chair, one leg crossed over the other, leaning his head against his fist while staring at the others in the roundtable. "I believe we can finally get this meeting starting. If no one has any objections, I will be the one to open the floor." Waltz looked around, seeing no one wanting to speak first. "Good." Clearing his throat, the king of Joya began. "Legato, if you please."
"Of course, sir." A middle-aged man with already gray hairs walked forward, giving Waltz a bow before presenting a lacrima screen of the Ishgar continent.
"Excellent." Waltz nodded before standing up, pointing to the island that was just off the coast of Fiore. "I'm sure we're all aware of this island that has suddenly appeared on the map. I've heard minor details of the incident surrounding this island, and I believe we all need to know if it will pose some threat to Ishgar."
Waltz was referring to the grounded Isle of the Dragons. That experience was one Hisui would rather not relive, but she planned to vouch for the island. "I assure you, you don't have to worry about."
"Ah. The Isle of the Dragons." A gruff, deep voice interrupted Hisui midsentence. All eyes turned to the King of Pergrande himself; Ashnard. Ashnard had rough facial features and dark blue hair. He was large in stature, clad in armor that made him almost not fit in the seat he was sitting in. Red eyes of his glanced at Hisui, who began sweating slightly just from exchanging gazes with him. "That island has been inactive for a while now, I believe. But you never know when those dragons will decide to strike….they may seek revenge against the human world…"
"Princess Ena would not allow it!" Hisui interrupted, steeling herself to glare at Ashnard and his accusations. "This I assure everyone. She said herself that the island would remain neutral in all affairs."
"You're far too trusting, Princess…" Ashnard shook his head while letting out a mock chuckle. "You clearly don't understand the severity of the situation you've left them in."
"Wait, you know about this, Ashnard…?" The next person to speak was the Queen of Minstrel. A young girl with brown hair and green eyes. And by young...she was younger than even Wendy and Cynthia. This was Queen Raha.
"Of course I do." Ashnard replied. "I sent several of my own men to investigate the ordeal, but as it turns out, a few of them were unable to make it back, unfortunately." Ashnard knew. There was a subtle look on his face that only Hisui recognized. "But since its technically considered neutral territory, there's naught that can be done. However, I know that your body guards…" He pointed to Seven and Bosco's leaders. "Were also a part of that little fiasco a little while ago."
"They can vouch for the island's innocence." King Ceros of Bosco said, "Cosmic Star has told me everything."
"As Dealer with I," Queen Vena of Seven spoke as well. She brushed her long purple hair back over her shoulder.
"So is the island dangerous or not?" Waltz interrupted the mini squabble while tapping his fingers impatiently on the table. "Because I have no problems sending in a small army to destroy that island."
"Believe me, those dragons are not something you want to start a fight with." Hisui remarked. "Besides, they are trying to learn to coexist with humans again. I really do not want to jeopardize the trust they placed in us."
"I think we'd best be calm about this…" Toma commented, sensing the rising tension in the room.
"I believe we're all calm, King of Fiore." That voice came from the coldest woman in the room. She was a beautiful woman with blue hair and blue eyes. This was Queen Ice, the Queen of Iceburg. "If the dragons prove they want to coexist with humanity, I have no objections to it. But as it stands, they are a wildcard that nearly attempted to invade."
"Perhaps we should have extended an invitation to the Dragons?" Raha suggested with a slight frown. "It feels unfair to talk about them when they're not here."
"As the rulers of Ishgar, we have to come to a consensus on them before we extend that invitation." Ceros said firmly. "Bosco's finest wizards trust the Isle. I've heard that Ena, the new acting ruler, likes humans as well. But I am well aware that this isn't enough to convince the rest of you as well."
"I have to agree." Vena said. "I am inclined to trust Queen Ena's words."
"We can put a pin on this issue for the time being." Ice said dismissively. "We have other matters to discuss and we are not just here for the Dragons. We'll never get to the other issues if we use all of our time on them."
"Right…onto another important issue, one I noticed in this very kingdom, Waltz." Ashnard then turned to Count Waltz.
"Oh?" Waltz tilted his head at Ashnard's statement. "Pray tell, what caught your eye, King Ashnard."
"The taxes here seem much higher than allotted in the treaty, don't you agree?" Ashnard grinned while leaning back in his seat. "Why is that?"
Waltz waved his hand dismissively. "Simple. Medicine. My people need the special medicine brewed from the minerals in the mountain to cure their sickness. So everything else must be taxed to keep the cost of this medicine low. It's the will of the people, after all." A sly grin stretch along the king's face. "Surely the rest of you know what that's like? Having to make tough choices for the betterment of your subjects?"
With Waltz's statement, a quiet murmur filled the meeting hall.
"I don't think you should be left off the hook either, King Ashnard." Vena spoke with a raised brow. "I've heard that one of your top Commandants was exiled recently. Such a dangerous person is now roaming around the country."
"It's exactly as you say. Exile." Ashnard waved a hand. "She no longer has any ties to Pergrande. So if she were to cause any issues within your countries, you are free to deal with her as you see fit. It doesn't concern me."
"Quick to throw someone away, aren't you?" Ceros added.
"I did what I had to for the good of Pergrande." Ashnard replied with an indifferent tone. "Whatever happens is no longer any of my concern."
.
"That King Ashnard is kind of an asshole…" Natsu stated bluntly while watching Ashnard be the cause of all the tension in the meeting.
"Natsu, that's rude!" Mira placed her hands on her hips while scolding Natsu. "He's not…the nicest person from what I've noticed, yes."
"I don't think you'll need to sugarcoat it…" Polka shook her head slowly. "He really doesn't seem like such a good person…I can get that just by looking at him. Oh, right…! Is there anything you need? I completely forgot to ask…!"
"We're fine for now." Erza nodded slowly while giving Polka a soft smile. "But this King Ashnard…is he trying to start a fight, or something? How would that be resolved in neutral territory?"
"Oh!" Polka clasped her hands together. "The leaders would find and vote for a suitable punishment. It's also how the international laws are passed for peace treaties; majority vote."
"With every country having best interests in mind, I suppose that doesn't sound like too bad an idea…" Lucy was thinking about it heavily, that and something else.
"What's this about cheap medicine?" Wendy blinked while looking up at Polka. "Is there a sickness going around…?"
Polka nodded slowly in response. "Mm…the medicine Count Waltz produces is really cheap and effective…but I'm almost certain there's something about it he's not telling people…I think it's bad for people, but everything else costs too much so they can't afford it usually. I'd help with my own medicine, but even that was taxed and is deemed ineffective, so…"
"Poor thing…" Mira frowned. "Bad medicine…is he allowed to do that…?"
.
Cosmic Star was in their guest area, watching the meeting go down. Gaia shook her head, arms crossed over her bosom. "King Ashnard…I already knew he'd be trying to get under everyone's skin the second it was confirmed he was coming…"
"That Count Waltz isn't exactly a saint either…" Magnus replied with a gruff scoff. "I'm going to do some research into the medicine they were just talking about…something about it seems off to me."
"You do that. I'm gonna go talk a walk." Shadowlore said while beginning to walk out the door, only to be pulled back by Gaia.
"You're staying right here." Gaia shot at Shadowlore, who just gave a defeated sigh.
"Some of this stuff is going over my head, admittedly…" Alex said while shifting around awkwardly.
"Same…" Hiruka remarked while lazily flying around the room.
"Well, you're still a growing girl after all." Daryan commented form the couch, munching on a bone. "It's no surprise things like this would go over your little head, Alex. But if that Ashnard tries to start a fight or something, then just know we're going to have a problem on our hands."
"I know that! I'm also 19, I'm not a growing anything!" Alex huffed at Daryan treating her like a kid. The red head fixed her hair before responding. "I haven't forgotten about all that snooping we did a while ago! He's plotting something…"
"It's far too soon for anyone to make a move…" Yakuza said. "But I guess we'll just have to wait and see…"
.
"I guess so far things are going okay…" Ace of Dealer said while staring at the screen. "Could be smoother, but…"
"As long as the ruler's aren't at each other's throats." Tia said while sitting cross legged on a chair. "The last thing we need is a fight to break out in neutral territory. Things aren't exactly stable as it is…tipping the balance could throw Ishgar into political chaos…"
Heartless nodded in agreement. "I'm surprised there are some topics that have yet to be brought up…I wonder what the idea is behind this is…"
"I guess they have to get their own issues out of the way first…" Diamond Ice shrugged. She was at a loss; politics weren't really her strong suit. But she couldn't take her eyes off of Ice for a number of reasons. "...So that's the queen of Iceburg now, huh?"
"Do you miss it?" Club Strong asked her. He stood behind Diamond, giving her a slightly concerned look. "I mean, you were..."
"...It's fine." Diamond replied while turning her head away. There was a frown on her lips, but that wasn't anything she could deal with right now.
"I don't particularly like how King Ashnard is dancing around some issues. But there's not much they can pin on him either." Spade stroked his chin. "His own soldiers became turncoats and they were swiftly dealt with. Supposedly he knew about it from the beginning, too."
"I bet he planned to nip those buds himself, but everything that happened at the Isle just took care of it for him." Tia replied.
.
Nercon adjusted her shades, grinning ever so slightly as the meeting progressed. "That's our King." She giggled a little bit before turning to her fellow General, Rubicante; a mysterious male wrapped in a red and blue cloak that shrouded his face.
"As I thought, he would be making the best of this situation." Brax said with a faint chuckle.
"Always holding the highest position." Rubicante responded quietly. He wasn't too much for words. "Things are going accordingly. It should only be a matter of time now…"
Standing next to Nercon was a woman with pink hair. She was dressed in a witch's outfit, idly using her finger to draw in the air. "Takeba, dear. How are things looking?"
The woman known as Takeba immediately turned her attention to Nercon. "Everything is prepared, My Lady." She said with a curt bow. "We should be ready to begin at any moment."
"Perfect." Nercon smiled in response.
.
"You…there's something that kind of bugs me about this whole arrangement…" Lucy spoke up, catching the attention of the others.
"What's that?" Gray questioned.
"So…I get why we're here, to protect the one's we came with, and I know it's the same for the other countries. But right now, we're not close to them…it would make things really easy for anyone who wants to rub out a certain representative…or maybe even all of them…?"
"There's no way anyone could try that." Polka reassured Lucy whilst shaking her head. "With all the borders in this castle during this time, if anyone tried to do anything they'd no doubt face the most severe of punishments…perhaps even death. I think you're just worrying a little too much, Lucy-san. I don't think anything bad could happen with as much security around here."
"I guess you're right…" Perhaps Lucy was just being a little too paranoid on the subject. But still, she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach about something.
"Not to mention, everyone in that room is remarkably strong." Polka said, only to correct herself. "Er, well...that room is filled with powerful wizards. Queen Vena and Queen Ice are so power. Count Waltz is quite strong himself, for he is the strongest wizard in all of Joya. The only person who comes behind him is the captain of Joya's royal guard!"
'He's that strong?" Natsu was already thinking about fighting him. Just to test that theory.
"Don't even think about it, Natsu." Erza said with a lowered tone. They were not here to fight.
"Joya's royal guard is composed of the strongest wizards this country has to offer." Polka went on. "Our commander is a man named Jazz. He's very strong and also kind. Despite his strength, he only resorts to violence if he has to. He's something of a role model to the others. Then we have Rondo, Allegretto, Fugue, and Tuba, who you've already met. They're all very respectable warriors. Although sometimes Fugue, Allegretto, and Rondo have a tendency to go overboard...oh! and I'm also a part of the royal guard."
"WHAT!?" Gajeel, Gray, and Natsu's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. This girl was so unassuming! And yet, when they thought about it...
"I suppose that heavy magical presence in the air belongs to you, then?" Mira spoke with a gentle smile. Polka glanced away shyly. "You have a lot of magic power within you, don't you?"
"Yes." Polka admitted. "But I don't fight as much as the others. Truth be told, I'm sick. I can still fight if necessary, but I'm always advised to take it easy."
"What about the medicine that's sold here?" Lucy asked.
Polka didn't answer for a minute. "Oh, um. I have my own medicine that I use. I wouldn't say it's better than that Count Waltz has produced, but it gets me by!" She smiled, and quickly turned her attention back to the meeting, realizing she got side tracked. "And the there are many rumors about King Ashnard. Some call him the strongest man in the world..." Polka continued. She figured she may as well entertain the guests.
"That's ridiculous!" Natsu shook his head to the idea. "I bet Gildarts is way stronger."
"…Did you hear that….?" Wendy turned to look at Cynthia, who gave a slight nod.
"It sounded weirdly familiar…" Cynthia replied before looking at Gajeel and Natsu, who both had the same quizzical expressions on their faces. "You guys too…?"
"Yeah, what's this weird feeling…?" Natsu asked while looking around. The answer to the lingering question was soon found as a deafening roar echoed through the entire capital of Joya. The roar of a dragon.
"A dragon?! Here!?" Gajeel clenched his teeth. "That's not right…!"
"I think there's something else we might have to be worried about too…" Carla's ears perked up as she stared at the ceiling.
"I hear it too…it sounds loud and…obnoxious…" Erza turned her attention to the ceiling, where all was going to be revealed in a matter of seconds.
"GIGANTIC SLAM!" Tuba's voice boomed out before he crashed through the ceiling with his spiked mace; he slammed into the ground which created a large explosion and broke through the floor, causing Fairy Tail's members and Polka to fall through to a lower level while they all let out surprised shouts.
.
"What…what was that…?" Bellum's representative asked while looking around frantically.
"That sounded eerily familiar…" Hisui thought to herself. The roar echoed once again, this time creating a miniature tremor that shook the entirety of the castle. "T-That's a dragon!?"
"How terribly inconvenient…" Waltz grunted before standing up from his seat. "Emergency evacuation. What are you all standing around for? We should get moving you slowpokes!"
"Ah…" Ashnard let out a heavy sigh before lifting himself up from his seat. "If it's not one thing, it's another. We were just getting to the good part of this meeting, too…"
"Now's not the time for this, Ashnard." Hisui grumbled. Though they were moving as quickly as they could, that mattered not to the raging dragon that appeared in the city. The dragon flew overhead and inhaled before unleashing a breath of raw magic that took the form of a thin beam that ran along the castle. Several explosions then occurred in various locations of Joya Castle, causing the building to begin collapsing in many areas; causing a widespread panic within the city.
"Oh…it's about to collapse…" Was Ashnard's last statement before the roof over the meeting hall collapsed with everyone still inside.
.
Next Time: Surprise Attack.