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The Rising Dragon Champions Chapter 64...

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Published: Jul 30, 2014

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Chapter 64: The Great Banquet...

"U-umm…" Yukino swallowed nervously. "Do I really have to wear such a fancy dress?" The dress in question was a light green with a white collar and cuffs. Yukino also had a white rose in her hair.

Mira clapped her hands. "You look gorgeous!"

Lucy giggled. "Rogue's one lucky guy!"

Yukino went red and stammered. "H-hey!"

"Don't worry, Yukino." Levy came up with a mischievous smile. "We'll get her back when Sting sees her, right?"

"Got it!" She laughed back.

/...Meanwhile...\

It had been several days since the Grand Magic Games had ended, and the city of Crocas was back to normal for the most part. A few buildings were still damaged from the dragon assault, but repairs were going well, and the citizens had mostly dismissed the rumors of dragons as just that. But the talk of the town was the huge banquet being held at Mercurius, where the King was holding a celebration for the Grand Magic Games.

And the mages at the party were having a great time. Lucy and the other girls walked in wearing beautiful dresses that were perfectly suited for the occasion. Men were drooling as the Fairy Tail girls went by.

Lucy gasped at the sight of the castle's dining hall swarming with mages. "Wow! This is awesome!"

"Oh, the girls are finally here!" Elfman exclaimed and waved them over towards where the Fairy Tail guys were at.

Erza picked up a glass of wine, then froze as she saw something…out of place.

Gray had also noticed, and confronted the man…who had a mask on the lower half of his face with a sigh/ "That doesn't look good at a party."

"Well, at least I'm wearing clothes." Jellal muttered, gesturing to Gray's distinct lack of clothing. Jellal had a black suit similar to the other guys, but he still kept the camouflage mask on his face.

Erza strode up with a nervous expression. "H-hello…What are you doing here?"

Jellal shrugged. "Just visiting…I thought I might see how everyone was. I haven't gotten the chance to make certain that everyone was alright after the dragon assault..."

"Have you seen Ultear?" Ur walked over with a worried look.

He shook his head. "No. That was part of the reason I came here. I wondered if any of you had seen her-?" Jellal paused and stared at something a short distance away.

/...Meanwhile...\

Zancrow, adorned in a black suit, was seated at a table, leaning back with his arms around a couple of girls from Blue Pegasus. They had their hands running over his arms and chest, occasionally placing a kiss on his cheek or lips. He took it in stride, sipping his drink with a faint smile on his face.

"It's really not hard to find you." A voice stated with a slight chuchkle.

He glanced away from the Blue Pegasus girls to see Meredy standing in a pink dress, hands on her hips while she smirked at him.

Zancrow kept a straight face for a few seconds, then lost and grinned. He pulled his arms away from the girls and chuckled at her. "Meredy. When did you get here?"

"I got here before you did." She answered. "And I know that because I couldn't smell trouble when I arrived earlier." Meredy's smirk hid away all but the faintest trace of what might have been jealousy. "So, if a Dragon Slayer can only have one partner, then a God Slayer can't have too many?"

"Something like that." Zancrow laughed while the Blue Pegasus girls clung to him. "You should see Orga when he hits a club. He's a hundred times worse than me, but he only gets half as lucky as I do."

Meredy's eyes flashed with mischief. "I'm not sure you should tell me that. Remember, I can make you feel pain in places you never thought was possible. Better be careful, hothead."

Zancrow's eyebrows rose, then he glanced at the Blue Pegasus girls with a sigh. "Excuse me, ladies." He got up and walked over to Meredy, putting his hands in his pockets as he did so. "You know, I didn't really get to talk with you after you helped me on the second day. So, out of sheer curiosity, are you the kind of girl that plays hard to get? The kind that acts tough and falls apart once the heat becomes too much for you?"

"I'm the girl who'll give you a run for your money no matter which way you come at me." She challenged, then turned away with a confident smirk over her shoulder. "If you think you're up to it, better come and get me a drink. Hothead."

He watched her take a few steps away, then rolled his eyes and followed her, the Blue Pegasus girls all but forgotten. Not that the girls cared, since they'd latched onto Eve instead.

/...Meanwhile...\

Erza smiled. "I think you'll have a hard time getting Meredy out of here. Why don't you stay for a while?"

Jellal snorted with laughter. "Sure. Why not?"

"Ah, there you are."

Jura came over with Bacchus and Lyon. He nodded respectfully at the Fairy Tail mages and Jellal. "The King's really gone the extra mile with this celebration."

"Who would've thought that he'd invite all of us roughnecks into his castle, eh?" Bacchus laughed, then spotted Cana and grinned. "Hey, let's have another contest. okay?!"

Cana cackled wildly. "You got it!"

"Wild!" The Quatro Cerberus mages yelled.

While they went looking for the booze, Kagura and the Mermaid Heel mages walked to Erza and Jellal.

Kagura looked embarrassed. "This dress doesn't suit me…"

"Nonsense!" Arania chastised. "It fits you perfectly!"

Beth gasped. "Kagura, you look so pretty!"

"She's going to give us a run for our money, eh?" Risley laughed.

Milianna still looked down and said nothing.

Kagura stopped at the sight of Erza and the masked man, though she knew instantly it was Jellal.

Erza smiled at her. "How are your wounds, Kagura?"

"I could ask you that." She said slowly, flashing a glance at Jellal, who dipped his head respectfully.

"I know a lot has happened, but it would mean a great deal if we could be friends." Erza offered. "We are from the same town afterall and-"

"I refuse." Kagura interrupted, but she looked nervous. "I'd prefer it if…if you could by my…big sister…"

Erza stared at her for about two seconds.

She hugged Kagura tightly. "You're just way too adorable!"

Kagura protested. "H-hey! It was a joke!"

Her friends laughed while Risley chuckled. "She's just a kid at heart, after all."

Milianna was looking at Jellal with a pout. He faced her with a shifty disposition, not sure what he could do to change her glum face.

By chance, Erza had the answer.

She caught the uneasy exchange between her friend and Jellal and sighed. "You leave me no choice."

Erza reached into her dress and pulled out…Happy.

The blue exceed smiled and cheered. "Super strong, right?"

Milianna gasped. "Kitty!" Then she hesitated and tried to ignore it.

But Erza wasn't done. She reached in her dress again and pulled out Charle and Lily with a smile. "There's more."

Milianna stared at the cats with a desperate look, trying not to give in so easily. But when Erza pulled out Frosch in a frog costume, she couldn't hold back anymore and squealed. "So many kitties! Nyaa!"

Erza laughed as the girl hugged the exceeds happily. "Works every time."

"Where were you keeping these?" Jellal asked incredulously, pulling out Lector by the tail from Erza's dress. Kagura seemed appalled by his actions, but Jellal didn't notice and frowned. "Hey, where are Sting and Natsu? Actually…where are all the Dragon Slayers?"

Kagura noticed too that none of the Dragon Slayers were in the crowd. "Now that you mention it…"

Erza glanced at Happy, who was having his face squeezed by Milianna. "Happy, where're Natsu and the others?"

"I don't know." he said with slight pain as Milianna pulled on his cheeks.

Jellal crossed his arms. "For them to not show up…did something happen?"

/...Meanwhile...\

Bixlow looked around uneasily. "Where the heck is Laxus?"

"It's so unlike him…" Evergreen murmured. "He never goes anywhere without telling us."

Freed tapped his foot anxiously. "I suppose he's got his reasons…"

Chelia came over to them with a frown. "Hey have you guys seen Wendy?"

"We can't find her anywhere." Romeo added.

Evergreen raised an eyebrow. "Her too? That's unusual…"

"Too? What do you mean?" Mira heard them and walked over.

"Laxus isn't here." Freed muttered. "As far as I can tell, there isn't a single Dragon Slayer at this party."

/...Meanwhile...\

Lucy glanced around the dining room with a pout. She finally shook her head and went back to a group of girls. "I can't find Sting anywhere."

"You're awfully anxious for him to see you in that dress, aren't you, Lucy?" Levy giggled.

But Lucy knew her game and smiled back mischievously. "Just like how you want Gajeel to see, right?"

Levy blushed. "Lucy!"

Yukino frowned. "I can't find Rogue, either…Where are they?"

Jenny shrugged. "Beats me…I haven't seen a single Dragon Slayer since I walked in here…"

Lisanna clasped her hands, "I hope nothing's happened…"

"Lucy!"

The Spirit Mage looked over as Hisui walked to her with a smile. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

Lucy nodded. "Yes, thank you!"

Hisui gasped. "That reminds me, you're part of the Heartfilia Konzern, right?"

"Ahaha…that was a long time ago…" Lucy said.

"I was friends with your father." The princess told her. "Even though I was under his care for quite some time…I've brought you nothing but trouble."

Lucy laughed. "No worries! I'm a mage at a guild, so trouble is my middle name!"

Hisui beamed and glanced around. "That reminds me, where's the young man with spiky blonde hair?"

At that, Lucy frowned. "That's a good question…do you know where the Dragon Slayers are?"

The princess shook her head. "No, I don't. Was there a problem?"

"Maybe…" Lucy sighed. "They haven't been arrested for doing something stupid, have they?"

"Not to my knowledge." Hisui said slowly. "Should I go ask security?"

Lucy waved her hand. "No, no. Thank you, I'm just sure they're probably fighting each other outside. Better out there than in here, but I'm more worried since even Wendy didn't come…"

"I see…" Hisui frowned, then smiled. "Well, I can't leave things like this. Let's go search for them, shall we?"

"Okay." Lucy murmured, then walked off in one direction while Hisui looked around in another.

/...Meanwhile...\

If one wanted to find the Dragon Slayers, one would have to be sitting on top of Mercurius. They sat together in utter silence, avoiding each other's faces in the cool night air.

Gajeel finally broke the silence. "Geez…what a bother…"

"I can't believe we didn't beat a single dragon…" Laxus muttered.

Sting nodded. "Even though we used Unison Raids and our Dual-Element Dragon Magic…"

Natsu growled uneasily. "How is that possible? We're at the top of the mages in this city…yet we couldn't defeat even one dragon?"

"To make matters worse for us, those dragons weren't even close to Acnologia's level, either." Rogue said. "All of those dragons would have been mincemeat for that black beast."

"People could have been killed because of our incompetence…How can we call ourselves Dragon Slayers after that?" Wendy sniffed. "I can't even bring myself to go to the party…Are we really that weak?"

Nobody answered her question.

Laxus sighed. "And here I was thinking that being at the same level as Ur and Jura would mean certain victory…but even with Wendy's Support Magic, that wasn't enough."

"We've got to get stronger." Wendy said. "If the Dragon Slayers from 400 years ago could have given the dragons as much trouble as they did, then we aren't even close to their level."

Rogue grunted agreement. "So what do we do about it?"

"What we always do." Natsu said as he stood up. "We get stronger, but we're gonna have to give tenfold what we've been giving, so we don't lose to a dragon again. We were lucky no one was killed."

Gajeel dipped his head. "They almost were. That was way, way too close."

Sting patted his shoulder. "The important thing is that everyone made it out of this alive. It's all we can do now to make sure it doesn't happen again. Next time, we'll be ready."

"Who's to say there'll be a next time?" Laxus remarked. "Are there any other dragons aside from Acnologia in this time? I don't think we'll have another battle like this one again."

Natsu shrugged. "Who knows. If Igneel, Grandine, and Metalicana are out there, I'm sure there are other dragons as well. They must be hiding somewhere…maybe from Zeref, maybe from Acnologia…"

"Or maybe from us..." Rogue said suddenly. "If the Dragon Slayers from 400 years ago betrayed the dragons, who's to say they aren't wary we might betray them as well? Especially after what happened to Skyadrum and Vicelogia."

Wendy gulped. "I didn't think about that."

"Now isn't the time to think about it."

The Dragon Slayers froze as Mavis appeared above them with a gentle look. "A great battle was fought and won here a short time ago. I know you aren't happy with how it ended, but remember to relax in between these clashes. A lifetime of war is probably part of what turned Acnologia into the monster he is now. Peace, however brief, is something you must treasure."

Laxus snorted. "That's easier said than done, First. You didn't just have your butt whooped by dragons when we're supposed to be their kryptonite…"

Mavis smiled. "Defeat isn't such a bad thing. It's an opportunity for you to learn. At least you found out just how strong a dragon can be. Now you know what you're up against, so that's enough of being gloomy." Her expression became mischievous. "I seem to recall several beautiful girls awaiting you in the castle and a certain Romeo looking for Wendy. It'd be rude to keep them waiting."

To her delight, she was rewarded with the rather uncomfortable expressions of six Dragon Slayers.

Natsu decided she was probably right and grinned. "Alright guys, let's go crash a party."

/...Meanwhile...\

Lucy was relieved when Sting walked into the room with the rest of the Dragon Slayers. She strode up and faced him with a slight frown, "Where have you been? We've been looking all over for you guys…"

Sting shrugged. "The First Master just gave us a pep talk…sort of. Nothing special. So, what'd we miss?"

She could tell that he just wanted to change the subject, but decided whatever had happened could wait until later. Lucy put on a smile and chirped. "Not much. Mostly, we all just tried to find out where you were."

"Sorry we kept you waiting so long." He apologized, then grinned. "You look great, by the way."

Lucy beamed. "Why, thank you!"

"There they are!" Yelled Hisui as the princess came up with the rest of the search party and sighed. "My...Do you Dragon Slayers always have to make things so difficult?"

"It's a talent we've been honing all our lives." Rogue said with a smirk.

Gajeel grinned. "Gee-hee. Have to agree with my bro on that matter. Oi, where's Lily and the Shrimp?"

Hisui pointed towards where Levy was attempting to free Lily from Milianna's clutches and Gajeel took off towards them.

Natsu was glancing around when someone covered his eyes from behind and asked with a laugh. "Guess who?"

He smirked and pretended he didn't already know. "Erza? No, these hands are too soft…hmm…Mira? Nah, it doesn't feel like there's a demon breathing down my neck…Couldn't be Wendy, she can't even reach my eyes…I give up. Surprise me."

The hands uncovered his eyes and instead wrapped around his chest. Lisanna's voice was brimming with amusement. "Silly. Like you even have to ask."

Natsu turned to hug her, but froze halfway. His eyes widened. "Uh-oh."

Lisanna frowned. "Uh-oh, what?"

"Uh-oh THAT." Natsu muttered, nodding to the place he was staring at.

She glanced at the object of interest and paled. "Uh-oh..."

/...Meanwhile...\

Their reason for concern was Rogue. Or more importantly, his soon-to-be victims.

Rogue kept looking for Yukino until he spotted her in a place that he most certainly did not like. She was currently surrounded by the Trimens, who apparently had had too much to drink. Rogue's eyes flashed a dangerous shade of crimson.

'Strike three, you bastards.' Rogue thought angirly, lifting up his right hand that was already formed in a fist with a tck sign forming in his skin.

/...Meanwhile...\

Yukino was not particularly comfortable. Eve kept trying to take her hand while Hibiki and Ren were using each of her shoulders as an armrest. Her protests were, for the most part, ignored. "H-hey, guys, do you mind? Seriously, back off a little!"

"Beautiful." Hibiki muttered.

"Stylish." Ren continued.

"Sexy-ugh!" Eve was cut off as a fist slammed into his jaw and sent him flying away.

Rogue exploded out of the shadows and have also punched Hibiki and Ren into the crowd, conveniently hitting the Guildmasters Bob, Goldmine, and Oobaba.

Yukino's hand clasped over her mouth. "Rogue! Thanks, but wasn't that a little-"

"-if you were about to say overkill, then no, it was not." Rogue hissed. "I don't care how drunk they are, they knew what would happen if they tried to make a move on you."

"All right, settle down." She chastised, bringing him into a hug, but the moment of peace didn't last.

"MAKAROV!"

Everyone in the room froze as Oobaba yelled. "Your brat threw someone weak at me!"

Makarov, thoroughly drunk by now, chuckled. "That's the way things are at the top, Oobaba. But of course, only Fairy Tail knows what that's like."

While the crowd started roaring at him, Yukino blanched. "Rogue, I think you just started a world war."

"Well, do you want to just stand by and watch it unfold?" He asked.

Yukino opened her mouth to reply, but then Lyon threw Elfman at them, bowling over Rogue and then Natsu as the big man kept flying.

Natsu tossed Elfman away and leaped back to his feet with a blaze of fire. "Hey, ice freak, what was that for?!"

"It's not my fault you're too slow to get out of my way!" Lyon shot back as the air around him turned misty with cold.

"The both of you are too damn bothersome!" Rogue snarled, shadows licking over his body.

"Who the hell is starting a fight without me?!" Gajeel demanded, ignoring Levy's pleas to stop.

"Your mother, metal face!" Gray yelled in annoyance while Juvia oogled over him.

Sting rolled his eyes from Lucy's side. "You guys are ruining the mood! Shut up!"

"Why don't you clam up instead, you punk-a## flashlight!" Zancrow challenged.

The White Dragon spun towards the Flame God, eyes blazing. "All right, you womanizing smarta##, get over here and MAKE me!"

"Payback, Makarov." Goldmine chuckled.

"Spin." Oobaba said menacingly.

"This really brings me back." Bob smiled darkly.

Makarov grinned. "Bring it on!"

The whole dining hall went straight to chaos.

/...Meanwhile...\

Lucy, Yukino, and Wendy immediately got to the edge of the nightmarish brawl.

Wendy sighed. "Every time…"

"Better them than us." Yukino pointed out.

Lucy watched as Jellal and Laxus got into a fistfight, then Erza, Mira, and Kagura started pulling at each other's hair. The Spirit Mage sweated nervously, "I don't think being out of the fighting will keep us safe for long."

Luckily, there was a savior.

Arcadios slammed a staff down from the podium above the room and shouted. "Enough! His Majesty has arrived!"

The room paused mid-fight.

The White Knight went on. "For your bravery in the Grand Magic Games and for saving the country from mortal danger, his Majesty has come here in person. Let that sink into your very hearts."

Asuka looked excited. "The King!"

"Shh." Bisca quieted her.

The crowd saw a shadow coming out of the podium, but it wasn't quite what they were expecting.

Sting and Natsu came out in a brawl, Natsu with the Royal Crown on his head while Sting had the King's cape on his body. They were fighting over the Royal Staff, growling in anger as the real King and Minister Darton tried to stop them.

"B#TCH, GIMME THAT!" Sting roared at his twin brother.

"NOT ON YOUR LIFE, YOU BASTARD!" Natsu barked back while trying to rear back the staff from the White Dragon.

Every jaw in the room hit the floor. The Fairy Tail mages also face palmed simultaneously.

Arcadios looked furious. "Garou Knights…get them."

The leader sighed nervously. "Sir, we couldn't even handle one of them…two is utterly impossible…"

Erza was trying not to smile. "Crossing the line as usual…"

"What line?" Lisanna laughed. "I don't think there ever was a line for those two."

"Or Gajeel..." Levy sighed as Black Steel leaped up to the podium and also started fighting for the Royal Staff.

"I CALL DIBS ON THS STAFF BEFORE ANY OF YOU PANSY'S DID!" Gajeel cackled after claiming the staff for his own, until getting kicked in the face by Natsu as the two individuals continued to fight for it.

"And Rogue..." Yukino muttered, seeing as her Shadow Dragon Slayer had already began fighting with Natsu as well. With the exception of wanting the crown.

"A FOOL SUCH AS YOURSELF DOESN'T HAVE THE REQUIRED STATS TO BE PRONOUNCE AS KING AMONG ALL OF FIORE!" Rogue yelled in Natsu's face while train to release the crown from Natsu's grip.

"AND I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE SEEING AN EMO-BASTARD LIKE YOU BEING KING AS WELL!" Natsu yelled back with a slight ray of fire exiting his mouth.

"BOTH OF YOU MORONS AREN'T EVER GOING TO BE KING, BECAUSE I"M THE KING NOW B#TCHES!" Sting bellowed as he gained the crown for his own.

"AND I SURE AS HELL AM NOT GONNA LET YOU EITHER LITTLE SH#TS BE KING! BECAUSE I'M THE TOP DRAGON SLAYERS HERE YA GOT THAT STRAIGHT! SO HAND OVER THAT CROWN!" Gajeel roared from behind them as he snatched the crown away, until all four Dragon Slayers were eventually locked in a clustered dogfight with limbs and arms flailing around in the dusty cloud with the crown being pulled back in to whom who held it in their possession.

Lucy smiled up at the fighting Dragon Slayers fondly. "Well, I guess that's why we love them, huh?"

"They truly are magnificent..." Said Kagura with a smile after standing next to Erza.

"That they are..." Erza agreed, already forming her own smile as well.

'I`m looking forward to get to know you better Natsu Dragneel...Than maybe one day, I too would gladly like to refer you as my brother...' She thought to herself, smiling warmly. Focusing her attention soley on a certain Fire Dragon Slayer.