It was dark out.

Natsu was in his room, sharing it with his team. Erza trusted them not to do anything too funny. Lucy was sharing a bed with Wendy and Erza took up the single bed. Natsu was with Gray, it disgusted him.

There was a knock on the door.

Lucy stretched her arms before opening the door. Makarov was there with Laxus. The name seemed to strick a bell in her head.

"Cousin..." Natsu gritted his teeth. Makarov was both their grandparents. He figured that the Thunder Palace would be okay without their King, but, he figured the Fire Palace would need help. Only the Royal Family and people who get in are part of the Royal Council, how else would he get it?

"Nice to meet you too," Laxus scowled. "You better be glad I'm in your team b, we're on the top," Laxus smirked. That was all it took for Lucy to remember. He was the arrogant Prince, and, frightening.

"I'm not thankful! Gramps, the hell you bring him here?" Natsu groaned.

"We need you two to become better family members, I don't know how that's gonna happen, but it better happen by the end of this year's GMG!" Makarov said.

"Yeah, you can go now," Natsu smiled fakely and tilted his head.

"Tch." Laxus slammed the door shut.

"He reminds me of Rogue and Sting," Lucy laughed.

"What do you mean?" Natsu asked. He finally looked over to her.

"Well, they're brothers! They're each other's advisors, making it easy. Remember? They're twins? Why do you think their Palace is called the 'Light and Dark Palace'?" Lucy asked him.

"Since when!" Natsu yelled.

"Since they were born, I'm pretty sure," Lucy nodded with a scowl. 

"How can you not remember? You're the Prince of the whole country!" Erza glared at him.

"Even I knew that..." Wendy shook her head. Wendy was allowed out of the ER to spend the nights with them, as long as they keep her warm. But, she's not allowed to fight until Porlyusica says so.

"Don't be saying that, Lucy doesn't even know that Porlyusica is out Aunt!" Natsu smirked.

"She already knew that! Porlyusica, Dutchess of Fiore," Gray groaned as he turned over in the sheets.

"And, you're probably naked under there!" Natsu said in disgust. Gray rolled his eyes as he put his arm over his eyes. Elfman was meant to be Wendy's replacement. Wendy opened a card with a smile.

"What are you smiling about?" Erza demanded her.

"Probably a card from Romeo," Lucy let out a giggle as Wendy quickly shut the card and put it down. There was a picture of the two on the cover. Wendy had a pink ball gown and Romeo had simple peasant clothing on. He had two fingers held up above her head and Wendy had a huge grin. "That's cute," Lucy gushed.

"He just told me he was going to sign up for the Royal council," Wendy muttered.

"And?" Erza prompted.

"And nothing! Go to bed! We need to be asleep for tomorrow!" Wendy quickly put the covers over her and shut her eyes closed tightly.

Ren and Toby were ready to battle each other. They were chosen for the match of the day and Toby seemed to be a little too confident. He was in a fighting stance and Ren seemed a little too relaxed. 

"Start!"

None of the two had moved.

"Are they okay?" Lucy asked Natsu and he shrugged.

Toby lashed forwards and tried to hit Ren with his claws. Ren swiftly moved to the side and kicked Toby in the back. "Go Ren!" A girl from one of the other teams yelled. It was his girlfriend, Cherry.

Ren breathed out and ignored the comment. He called it self-control. He could hear her team's boss lecture her but she wouldn't listen. Her pink hair flowed in the wind, it made her gorgeous.

"Ow, that really hurt!" Toby sulked. He stood back up and raised his hand. Ren took a step back and watched what Toby would do. His long nails seemed to turn green and sparkle. "But, this will hurt you! This will take care of you in one hit!" Toby smirked.

"What is it?" Ren asked curiously. Hibiki had told him that Toby is someone that's like a 3-year-old.

"It paralyses you!" Toby launched forwards. Ren felt it touch him as he hit a pressure point on Toby. Both of their arms were numb.

"I see, only one part of the body," Ren smirked.

"No, it's not meant to happen like that! You must be strong!" Toby said. He held onto his numb arm and swung his working arm at Ren. Ren went ahead and struck his nose. They can both feel each other's attacks through their body. Toby dropped to the ground with a bleeding nose and Ren went on the ground with a paralysed leg.

"Time up! Tie!" The little pumpkin man yelled.

Jellal had finished scanning the arena late at night with his team. He had been asked to join Team B as Mystogan and gathered more info. 

But, it wasn't even in the arena.

"Must be in the castle,"