Chapter 8:

The Masquerade Ball: Part 2:

"Open, gate of the Maiden, Virgo!"

As soon as the final syllable left Lucy's mouth, the pink haired spirit appeared before her, bowing low with a sweeping gesture of her arms. "Time for punishment, Princess?"

Lucy laughed. "I wish you'd stop asking that. Do you mind fetching my dress from my apartment? I didn't wanna bring it in my suitcase in case it got ruined so I left it at home..."

"As you wish, Princess."

And with that, Virgo disappeared in a faint flash of golden light, leaving the Celestial Wizard to pace around her room – in the palace no less – wringing her hands nervously. This was to be her first ball since leaving the Heartfilia Estate, yet it would be so entirely different – no-one would expect her to have the top etiquette for one thing, plus she expected many guests to be knocked-out drunk, a different world entirely to the balls she attended 3 – no, 10 – years ago. Finally, Virgo appeared once more, pulling Lucy out from her thoughts, holding a thick black sack with a coat hanger poking out from the top.

With a smile, Lucy ran forwards and plucked the sack from her spirit's hands, thanking Virgo quickly and dismissing her so that she could change in privacy – the main reason why she was glad no-one apart from the servants knew where her room was, as requested my the Master and Mirajane.

Two hours and fifteen minutes to go. She thought as she began to undress herself, folding her discarded clothes carefully atop her bed.

Standing in her underwear, she hung the bag up and unzipped the side, revealing her dress for the evening that she bought last week especially. Even in the dimming light of the room as evening came in the satin material of the short skirt shimmered, smooth as Lucy reached her fingers out almost timidly to touch the fabric, which shifted and rustled. It had been a while since she'd worn a pretty dress. Finally, she gently pulled the dress from the hanger and slid it over her body, calling on Virgo once more to do up the zip that sat on her lower back, and securing the dress tightly.

Switching on the light in the dark room, Lucy stood in front of the grand mirror that hung from the wall, admiring her reflection. The short dress clung to her body perfectly, the pearly sleeveless bust hugging her ample curves, clenching just below them with a thick sash of perfectly wrinkled silk and puffing out to her lower thigh in tiers of hot pink satin, both transparent and, well, not. She rotated her body slightly taking in the dress form all angles, admiring the delicate black lace work on the upper-body and watching as the light caught on the tiny faux diamonds, and scattered themselves around the room.

Finally, she tore herself away from the mirror and began rooting through her suitcase, searching for her new black pair of not-so-high heels and her selected pieces of jewellery; necklaces, bracelets and bangles, rings, earrings. She also dug out her black sequinned, thin strap to sit around her shoulder and down her side, bag which she would store her keys in case she needed them at all during the night. One again standing in front of the mirror, Lucy began choosing between her jewellery, finally deciding on a simple, wraparound silver chain for her neck, a bundle of thin silver and brightly coloured jewelled bangles to clink around on her wrist, 5 simple rings to be stacked in 2s and 1 elaborately decorated ring to sit on her left middle finger. She also decided on a single, flower shaped earring that would curl it's way along from the tip of her ear to the piercing in the lobe.

Another look outside her window and a glance to her clock told Lucy she had only an hour and 7 minutes to prepare for the ball. With a gasp, she summoned Cancer, and briefed him once more on their agreed deal – he would change her hair, in both colour, length and style, and he would mask her natural scent and voice.

With a nod, and his trademark 'ebi', the Crab unsheathed his scissors and began to work his magic – literally. Within a matter of minutes, Lucy's hair was already draining of it's natural blonde to an incredibly dark, midnight blue. When her hair colour had truly shifted, Cancer began to work on her hair style, styling it in tight, frizzy, corkscrew curls which fell to just above her bum, and parting it heavily to the left before pulling back multiple locks from her face and braiding them down her back. Finally, he nodded once more and handed Lucy a single, bright purple pill, which he instructed her to swallow ten minutes before leaving, and a pack of coloured contact lenses.

Then he disappeared, leaving a completely different Lucy alone to try and morph her facial features as Mira had taught her to many months ago.

Finally, Lucy was happy with her changed face – she was utterly unrecognisable. She had puffed out her cheeks slightly, shrunk her eyes, made her nose a bit more blobby – yet, obviously adorable - and gave herself more of a defined Cupid's bow on her upper lip, and thickened her bottom. With all of this, she had also changed her face shape slightly, rounding it off at the chin. The Stellar Mage popped open the contact case and slowly placed them in her eyes, blinking a few times after she inserted them to get them comfortable. When she stared in the mirror after her eyesight unfuzzied itself, she noticed her eyes were golden – not a light brown, but actually golden.

Lucy looked up at the clock once more. 20 minutes until the ball started, and she had been instructed to get there 10 minutes beforehand to get her temporary Guild mark. She quickly swallowed the purple pill and paced around her room once more, waiting for the ten minutes to pass before flinging herself out of the door, only to have to turn back quickly to pick up her side bag and sling it over her shoulder before heading right back out and allowing the maid to lock the door behind her. She practically danced the whole way to where she had been told to meet the rest of the Guild, she was so excited. As she entered the room, and hand shot out and stamped her on her chest, then pushed her into the centre of the rabble that circled in the centre of the room. Looking down at her right hand out the corner of her eye, she noticed her ordinary Guild mark was gone, and so she flicked her gaze to her chest, where a new, blood red mark branded her skin.

Suddenly Lucy felt nervous, the butterflies swarming in her stomach and eating her from the inside out. No-one knew who she was, and that's what she assumed was unnerving her so much, anyone could talk to her and she could share any piece of information. None of the other Guild's attending would recognise her. It would be like being new to Fairy Tail once more, and having to acquaint herself to Wizarding community again.

Then a hand reached out and tapped her arm timidly.

"Uh... hello. I'm nervous too, so don't be too scared, okay?"

Lucy groaned. "Is it really that obvious?"

"Well, you were biting your lip like no tomorrow, so I just assumed..."

"Thank you. Really. It's strangely reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who's scared here. I like your dress."

The girl looked down suddenly, her face flushed. "Why, thanks. C- my friend picked it out for me."

Lucy smiled, knowing finally who she was talking to. "Well you look beautiful."

This caused the girl to blush once more, her face turning beet red before she smiled. "Thank you. So do you."

Slowly, the Stellar Mage leant down and placed her head by the girl's ear. "No problem, Sky Dragon."

Wendy began to stutter, and she stepped backwards, her flame orange locks flying. "What? How did you-"

Then she began to glow, a column of light engulfing her before disappearing once more and revealing her in her normal looks – long blue hair, hopeful brown eyes.

"It seems our first elimination has happened, folks!" Mira called through the crowd, and when Lucy spotted her, the first thing she noticed was the evil glint in her blue eyes.

A loud voice coughed from the doorway, interrupting the loud chatter that came from the room. "If you please, Fairy Tail Guild, the ball has started."

Lucy spun around on the grand dance floor, holding the hands of a younger Guild member of Mermaid Heel playfully and twirling her around, smiling at her giggles. She didn't know how she ended up partnered with the child, but the other partners spun around in a similar fashion, their faces ones of either joy, or concentration, trying not to step on any feet. The large orchestra sat on their raised, floating platforms, sorted according to instrument, playing an upbeat tune that required everyone to swap partners every new verse.

Suddenly, the tune changed, and with another laugh, Lucy sent the girl spinning away from her, bouncing around until she found herself in the arms of another Mage. Lyon.

"Oh, hey Lyon!" She smiled, enjoying the confused expression on his face as he tried to peg her face.

"Do I know you?" He asked, leaning his head backwards, trying to take her in.

Lucy let go of his hand and flicked her long hair over her shoulder to reveal her temporary Guild mark. "Of course you do. Fairy Tail competition."

"That makes sense now. Well, whoever this is, it was a pleasure to dance with you." The Ice-Mage nodded before letting her go completely and switching to another girl.

The blonde – or, should I say, bluenette – laughed, craning her head up towards the high ceiling. She regained herself before searching for another partner. Finally, she found a tall man standing in the centre of the pairs, obviously uncomfortable, and she ran towards him, grabbing him by the hands before flinging him around her.

"So you're from Fairy Tail?" She said, noticing his mark on the side of his neck.

"Yeah."

"Is that all you're gonna say?"

He nodded.

"Not a man of many words, I see." She muttered, her eyebrows creasing together.

He shook his head. "You too?"

"Huh?"

The blond male removed his hand from her grasp and poked her Guild mark, making her flush, and back away.

"Don't touch me there!" She stuttered, folding her arms over her breasts protectively, mortified.

His eyes widened, and suddenly, a tower of light erupted beside him, leaving a startled Romeo behind in it's wake, clasping onto Wendy's hands, both children blushing like fools.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that!"

Lucy took a deep breath to compose herself. "It's fine. I just overreacted. Just tell a girl next time you're gonna poke her there."

He smiled sheepishly before the melody changed once more, and Lucy caught the eyes of another Mage behind him. Quickly, he walked – or rather stalked - forward, and eyebrow raised as he took her hands.

"I didn't know we had people like that in the Guild." He muttered, glaring in the blonde man's direction.

"So you're in the competition too, huh?" Lucy smiled, the winced as her partners foot stamped on hers. "Ow!"

"Sorry! I'm not much of a dancer."
"Then why are you here?"

"Mira."

"Poor you," Lucy seethed, tilting her head. "So do you know how many people are left in the competition."

"Uh... according to Mira..." The man faltered. "About half of us."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Already!"

"Yeah. Wendy was the first out. Then it was Gray – he stripped almost as soon as he got in here. Then Juvia freaked out so we knew it was her."

"I feel awful... I didn't mean to get Wendy out..."

His eyebrows shot up. "You got Wendy out?"

"Yeah."

"Nice going. I got Romeo out, I mean, who else would be blushing that much dancing with Wendy?"

"He's going to be mortified..." Lucy mumbled, looking away. "Poor kid. He just wanted to dance with his crush, then suddenly he gets caught in the act. Natsu's not gonna hear the end of this..."

"Natsu?"

Lucy jolted slightly. "Yeah. Romeo practically worships Natsu, right?"

"You gotta point."

Around them, people were shuffling about switching partners for the last verse. "Hey, shouldn't we be-"

"Nah. I'd rather not see any of my Guild mate's being groped by one another in disguise. It makes me sick."

The bluenette blushed lightly. "Oh. Thanks, I guess, but you don't have to if you don't want to..."

"I do want to. You're the most fun I've had all evening. It's no fun talking to people when they don't have a clue who you are."

"But-"

"I know. But you're Fairy Tail, we all know each other even slightly."

Suddenly, he spun her around, and Lucy caught a glimpse of two columns of golden light.

"That's two more out."

"I wonder who-"

"Gajeel?"

"Shrimp!"

"-And that answers that." She laughed.

"Hah, Gajeel was caught in the act."

"What do you mean?" Lucy cocked her head to one side, quickly swiping her foot backwards to avoid being trodden on.

"Well everyone knows he's got a thing for Levy, right?"

"Does he? Well I heard Levy liked him too."

"I have a feeling Mira had this all planned out."

"Mhm."

"She must've set up all the people she heard had crushes on each other." He laughed, then he began to mumble. "But I wonder why she put me in here..."

"Oh, I must be going against her plans then, since I came into the dance by my own accord."

"Met anyone interesting?"

"Not really, heard a few things I didn't want to from Hibiki and Eve, but that's about it."

"Those guys are weird, but they're pretty strong too."

"At least I haven't danced with Ichiya. That would be it for me. He got Erza out when he recognised her 'parfum'." Lucy raised her fingers in air quotations.

"Can people outside the Guild get us out?"

"Apparently so."

The music began to build up, and the pairs began to dance a bit more enthusiastically – or how Lucy like to think it, more dangerously. Her partner now had his head down, watching his feet so he didn't cause any damage. Suddenly his hair flash, and she took a step backwards, gasping.

"Natsu?"

Suddenly, he bolted upright, his eyes and posture like deer caught in the headlights before being engulfed in the bright light. When it disappeared he was frowning, ruffling his pink hair. "How did you recognise me?"

Lucy smiled, her golden eyes bright. "Who else has crazy pink hair?"

"But- dammit! Lisanna taught me how to keep the basic Take Over going for ages."

She lunged forward, a sudden familiar impulse forcing her to do so, and wrapped her arms around him. "You're a Dragon Slayer, not a Take Over Mage, so it's not surprising. You're not meant to be able to keep a Take Over going for ages."

"Hey, I know who this is" He laughed into her hair. "It's Luce!" He pushed her away and watching smugly as her disguise vanished in the golden light.

"How did you-"

"Who else would hug me?"

The – now – blonde scowled. "I think we should go before I get trampled on though – everyone's getting a bit too violent here."

Then the music ended on a single note, before changing to a slower, more calm tune, allowing for the tired dancers to exit the dance floor, which included a teasing Wendy, a happy, yet blushing Romeo, a stubborn Levy and a wide eyed Gajeel. Lucy wove her fingers with Natsu's as he dragged her to the refreshment table, where Mira was stood giggling, obviously flirting with the male before her. With a laugh of her own, Lucy disconnected herself from the Dragon Slayer and took one of the stemmed glasses in her hands, sipping delicately as she popped a small chicken bite into her mouth. She ignored Natsu shovelling down whatever food was in front of him, and walked off back into the crowd in search of Levy.

"Well hello, little miss Lovebird." Lucy laughed, tapping her best friend on her shoulder and enjoying her flushed face.

"Huh? What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about!" Levy chirped, her hands flapping about, revealing just how flustered she was.

"Oh you know what I'm talking about Levy-chan." The blonde giggled, her hand coming up to her lips. "You and a certain Iron Dragon Slayer..."

"Gajeel? Nothing happened."
"I beg to differ. I saw you two dancing."

"Yeah – well – I saw you dancing with Natsu!"

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "He's my boyfriend, Levy-chan, of 11 months would you believe it?"

"No fair!"

"What, that I'm dating my Dragon Slayer, whilst you're still waiting?"

"Yes! I mean no! What are you talking about?"

Lucy let out a snort, then blushed. "Cat's out the bag. I can't wait 'till he find out."

"You wouldn't." The Solid Script Mage said accusingly.

"I wouldn't, but who's to stop Natsu from having a little, 'dragon-to-dragon' conversation with him?"

"Lu-chan!"

"I'm kidding, but you've seriously gotta up your game a bit Levy. He might fall for someone else because he thinks you're uninterested."

"What's that supposed to mean?"
"According to Natsu, he overheard Gajeel saying he's got a thing for you, and I always trust Natsu's ears."

Levy's blush turned crimson, invading her neck and her ears. "Really?"

"Really. Look, he's over there, go speak to him!" Lucy began to push at her friend's covered back.

"No! No, no, no!"

"Why not!"

"Because!"

Suddenly, a dark presence loomed over the pair, and Lucy turned on her heel quickly. "What's going on over here? Why's ya face red, Shrimp?"

"G-Gajeel!"

The Dragon Slayer grunted, his arms crossed uncomfortably across his chest, straining to be free of his tux.

"I, uh..."

Arching his three studs, Gajeel lifted his head and bellowed."OI, SALAMANDER!"

Natsu's voice rang clear over the loud music. "WHAT, YOU GREAT LUMP OF METAL?"

"YOUR MATE IS TEASING SHRIMP HERE."

"GOOD ON HER!"

Lucy blushed violently, earning a nervous snicker from the bluenette. "I'm not his mate!"

"FINE, GIRLFRIEND, IF THAT'S WHATCHA WANNA CALL IT, GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!"

A few moments later, Natsu emerged from the crowd, his hair dishevelled and his shirt creased. "Whaddya want?"

"I told ya, or are you just too deaf to hear me?"

"How could I miss your fog horn?"

Lucy scowled, hissing. "C'mon Natsu, let's go and leave these two alone."

"Why, I just got here?"

"Natsu."
"Oh. Yeah, let's clear out."

As Lucy turned to leave with the pinkett, she caught Levy's brown eyes."Lu-chan!"

She winked. "Sorry Levy, but it had to happen sooner or later."

"So what was that all about?" Natsu mumbled in between the bodies that surrounded the pair as they made their way to the other side of the hall.

"I had to do a bit of my own matchmaking."

He turned his head, his eyes wide and disbelieving. "Don't tell me you're turning into Mira?"
Lucy shuddered. "Mavis, no. I just couldn't stand seeing those two being so... so- dense! I mean, it's obvious that they like each other."
"Yeah, even Gajeel noticed."
"That's kinda the point. Anyway, where's Happy?"
Natsu laughed. "Tryna get Carla to except his fish."
"Still?"
"Yup. That's where I was a minute ago before that Metalhead yelled. It's actually quite entertaining."
"There's another couple in the making then."
"Huh?"
"Well, Carla's not stupid, or oblivious. Have you seen her face when he offers her fish now-a-days? I think she's starting to get a little crush on him."
"You think so? Carla?"
"Well she's not like that with Lily, is she?"
"Happy's got a girlfriend!"
"Not yet."
Suddenly, a bright voice filled the pair's ears just as they burst through the crowd into an almost empty space. "Lucy-san, Natsu-san!"
"Hey Wendy!" Lucy smiled, detaching herself from her boyfriend and making her way to the youngest dragon slayer, who was stood beside Romeo, smiling.
The purple haired mage laughed as Natsu stood beside Lucy, crossing his arms uncomfortably in his gray formal vest. "Natsu-nii, I never thought I'd ever see you in fancy clothes."

"Romeo-san!" Wendy scowled, silencing the boy. "Don't be rude. I'm sure Natsu and Lucy will have to wear formal clothes again, and I'm sure you'll be there to see it."
Lucy's golden eyes widened as she realised what Wendy was talking about, and she blushed. "Wendy, I am 18, stop it!"
"Stop what?" The young dragon slayer asked innocently, her eyes anything but. "You are Natsu-san's mate after all."
"I never agreed to be called a mate. Anyway, if I'm Natsu's 'mate', then what's Romeo to you?"
Beside her, Natsu laughed loudly. "Yeah Wendy, ain't you a little young to be out looking for a mate?"
The bluenette blushed loudly, as did the fire mage beside her. "He-he's not my mate!"
"Yeah, I'm not her boyfriend!"
"Give it a matter of time. I'm sure Mira's already planned your wedding."
"She's what?"
"Just kidding." Lucy laughed, glad to have got her own back on the two young teens. "So have you two had fun tonight?"
Wendy took a deep breath, composing herself. "Yeah, I guess I have. I was really nervous at first, but I was sorta glad when that girl got me out before we got here-"

Lucy raised her hand slightly. "Yeah, that was me."
"Well, we're even now. It was fun dancing though, and the food's lovely. I just want to know where Carla is, because it isn't the same without her."
Natsu pointed somewhere in the grand hall. "She should be somewhere over there if Happy's still trying to flirt with her."
Romeo spluttered. "Happy's doing what?"
"Yeah, he's got a crush on her. I guess it's sorta natural considering she's the first female Exceed he's ever seen, not to mention she's pretty according to him."
"I'm pretty sure Carla likes him too. She had been pretty lonely without any other animals like her before we came to Fairy Tail."
Lucy giggled. "I knew it! I just can't wait until she accepts his fish."
"That's probably the weirdest thing I've ever heard you say, Luce, and I've heard you say some pretty weird stuff."
"Well, it was nice talking to you two, but I'm going to find Carla. Romeo-san-"
"I've told you, just call me Romeo!"
"Romeo," The bluenette corrected herself. "would you like to come with me."
The fire mage grinned. "Sure, why not?"
Sheepishly, Wendy grabbed his hand and began pulling him into the crowd in search of her white Exceed. With a grin, Lucy turned back to Natsu. "This is Mira's work."
"Obviously."

"Ladies and gentlemen," A loud voice, amplified by hidden speakers, roared. "It is time to reveal the winner of Fairy Tail's in-Guild competition."
A wave a chatter rose in excitement as the announcement ended. Nearly everyone had heard of the Guild's little competition, and they were all curious to see how had actually won. The speaker waved his hand to quieten everyone, and cleared his throat.
"As many of you know, the Guild had arranged a small competition between it's wizards to see who could keep the best disguise for the night, and determine who was who beneath said disguises. The prize has been generously provided by Princess Hisui as yet another thank you gift for helping save Fiore, so please may I introduce the Princess herself, Princess Hisui."

Suddenly, the lights when down, and a single beam of light zoned in on the princess, who's green hair was braided around her head, knotted together from either side at the nape of her neck. She wore a regal green ball gown, and her tiara sent of beams of light as she waved to the crowd.

"It is my pleasure to announce that the winner of the Fairy Tail Competition." She grinned, catching Lucy's eye and nodding in a friendly manner. "The winner is..."
There was a drumroll.

"Evergreen!"
Behind her, Evergreen was enveloped in another pillar of light, and her disguise disappeared, leaving her long brown hair to fall down straight down her back. Another spotlight zoomed in on her, and the fairy mage sent a smug smile in Lucy's direction before mounting the grand staircase to where Hisui was standing. Lucy noticed the princess had her hands behind her back.

"Your prize is..." She said slyly, before whipping her arm out from behind her and slapping the glamorous mage in the face with a whole load of whipped cream.

Lucy started cackling, doubling over as the tears rolled down her face at Evergreen's seriously pissed scream. Beside her, Natsu was howling, and a few people away, Lucy could hear Mira giggling whilst muttering 'oh no'.

Evergreen stomped back down the stairs, swatting away Bixlow's dolls as they teased her, and running towards Freed, who simply held his arms to to her and guided her out of the hall, shielding her from any potential photographers.

Lucy yawned, rubbing her eyes carelessly, smudging her make up. "Mavis, it's late. I'm really tired."
Around the pair, the crowd had thinned out mostly, leaving only the last few remaining ball-goers, which included a blushing Gray, who held Juvia gently as she tucked her face into his shoulder, not to mention a rather sweet Wendy who had her head resting on Romeo's shoulder, his head on hers, as they slept on the chairs that were sat on the sides of the room. Cana was sat beside the pair, smiling gently at the small bluenette, and squeezing her shoulder, looking protective.

"If you want, we can go back?" Natsu said from beside Lucy, squeezing her hand gently.

"Yeah, I think I wanna do that." The celestial mage yawned again, and allowed Natsu to lead her out of the hall and down the palace's grand corridors.

Together they wound around the labyrinth of passageways, until finally, Natsu sighed and turned to face Lucy, who he was practically carrying. "All right, I give up. They've masked all the rooms so I can't pinpoint where your scent is. Do you mind...?"
"That way." The blonde slurred, pointing tiredly down the west corridor.

Sighing again, Natsu swiped his free arm under Lucy's legs and knocked her down into his arms, carrying her bridle style as her eyes continued fluttering. Slowly, the dragon slayer made his way down the hallway and finally stopped outside her room, where he could catch a faint whiff of her scent. He knocked her door open with a bang of his hip and walked over to her bed, gently laying her atop the covers before pulling them over the sleeping girl.

Lucy heard the dragon slayer leave in silence, clicking the door shut behind him as he left. Suddenly, she felt lonely, but she was too tired to act on the feeling, and instead allowed herself to fall back into her interrupted slumber.

Well that wasn't a long wait at all, was it? I'm so sorry for taking so long to finish this, I've had exams, and I've just been plain procrastinating, so much so, that I've started another NaLu story, which I really hope you check out (hint hint) But anyway, I've already got the idea for the next chapter sorted out, and I just need to flesh it out, so hold on tight, because it's gon' be a bit more than fluffy.

And I hate to say it - but please review. As cliche as it sounds, it really does inspire me to write, and that's why this chapter is up now, because someone urged me to carry on (if indirectly)