Twelve Raptors swooped down from the clouds. Though their horns and fangs were clearly just pasted-on props, the sudden shimmer of purple light expanded their bodies, making them appear monstrous, large enough to make rookie mages hesitate.
Their shrill cries echoed over Magnolia as they circled menacingly in formation.
Some children in the crowd squealed and clung tightly to their parents, while even a few Council soldiers instinctively reached for their weapons.
Rhodes had made sure to invite the Council. After all, Mest was one of their own guild members, even if he still didn't fully realize it himself, and it wouldn't be right to leave him out. For politeness' sake, Rhodes had extended invitations to every Council officer he had ever met, even those he'd only encountered as Thought Projections.
Most of the higher-ranking Councilmen were too busy and declined, but a handful of subordinates had been permitted to attend.
Lahar calmly raised a hand, signaling the others to stand down. "No need to panic. Mr. Rhodes said this was a performance."
Doranbalt (Mest) grumbled, tugging at his collar. "Still… using monsters in the middle of Magnolia? Reckless as always."
Even so, guilt over abandoning Fairy Tail six years ago, and gratitude for their rescue, made him softer toward them than anyone else in the Council dared to be. Lahar, too, carried a fondness for the guild despite everything.
The Raptors shrieked and suddenly dived as one, sending gasps rippling through the crowd.
But Rhodes's groomsmen were ready.
"Thunder Dragon's Halberd!"
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
"Ice-Make: Lance!"
"Sand Rebellion!"
Laxus, Natsu, Gray, and Max unleashed their magic in perfect unison, their attacks slamming into the swooping "monsters."
One by one, the Raptors burst into harmless bursts of light and fluttering feathers. And then, letters began to glow in their wake.
Lightning shaped into an H, fire roared into an A, ice crystals gleamed as a P, sand whirled into another P.
The twelve mages, including Rhodes himself, wove their magic together, leaving behind twelve shimmering letters in the sky.
HAPPY WEDDING blazed across Magnolia in brilliant colors, sparking thunderous cheers from the crowd.
So this was the long-awaited Magic Parade! Fairy Tail hadn't staged one in years, and it was finally returning on this most joyous of occasions: the wedding of Rhodes and Mirajane.
At that moment, flares streaked upward, bursting into radiant flowers of light. Joy, Wakaba, Macao, and the others set off volleys of fireworks in sync.
Makarov lifted his hand grandly, and the guild's band struck up a lively tune. Instantly, the whole city pulsed with festive energy.
Rhodes's earlier embarrassment melted away, replaced with a swell of excitement. His wedding, their wedding, had truly begun.
He was going to meet his bride, surrounded by cheers, blessings, and laughter.
Happy flapped into the air, voice squeaky with nerves: "Handsome groom! Brave groomsmen! I...I will lead the way! Please rescue the beautiful bride!"
But when it came to the part about the "blonde bridesmaid," he blanked completely, sneaking a desperate look at Carla.
Carla, mortified but quick on her feet, cleared her throat and carried on, "I heard the King of Beasts is born from all the world's sadness and hatred! It despises magic, and it fears joy and laughter, so please, fight it with smiles!"
Panther Lily soared forward with his miniature blade gleaming, planting himself at the center of the stage. "The Exceed Squad will lead the charge! We'll fight alongside you until victory!"
From the sidelines, Gajeel muttered under his breath, "Tch. What kinda weird setting is that? Levy and her books again…"
But even he couldn't resist throwing up his arm with the others, roaring with the crowd:
"Ohhhhhh!!!"
Rhodes twirled his sword with flair and plunged it into the earth. "Come forth, sacred beast born of love, Poro King, witness of our union!"
A golden light burst from the blade, expanding into a brilliant magic circle that shimmered and shifted into red, blue, yellow, and green. Each color was a flourish Rhodes had deliberately layered with elemental magic to heighten the effect.
From within the light, a snow-white creature emerged. Crowned in gold and draped in a flowing blue cape, his towering frame dwarfed even an elephant. It was Warm, no longer the fluffy little furball most remembered, but a majestic beast in full battle form.
Rhodes leapt first, landing atop Warm's head and taking his place at the center of the crown. The groomsmen vaulted in sequence, lining his back with theatrical bravado.
"Depart!" Rhodes commanded.
"Moo~~~!" Warm bellowed, tongue lolling, his roar far rougher than the gentle purrs of his youth.
Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Many recognized Warm, but none could reconcile the tiny creature they'd once cradled with this mighty guardian leading the parade.
The band struck up a triumphant march as floats rolled out behind Warm. Makarov, Gildarts, and others followed atop them, waving grandly. Guests and passersby who hadn't planned to join were swept into the excitement, clambering aboard the floats as Magnolia's streets filled with music, light, and laughter.
Jenny, noticing most Fairy Tail women were missing as "captured bridesmaids," rallied her model friends. Together, they danced atop a float in glittering formation, stealing whistles and applause. Not to be outdone, Ichiya struck his dramatic poses and dragged the Trimens into performing as well.
The Exceed squad soared at the front, Warm and the floats rolling behind them, fireworks bursting overhead. The Magic Parade, dormant for years, now rivaled its glory days.
Macao and Wakaba wiped at their eyes. "It's like the guild's golden age has returned…"
As the procession reached an open plaza, Rhodes crooked his finger, and a rocky mountain erupted to block the path.
In a flash, Gildarts vaulted from his float, cloak billowing. He drove his fist into the peak. A web of white light split across the stone, and the mountain crumbled into harmless fragments.
"Even the tallest mountain cannot halt Fairy Tail's advance!"
Panther Lily shouted the line with stirring conviction, and the crowd roared approval.
One by one, obstacles rose and fell, raging flames, crashing waves, storms of lightning. Each time, Natsu, Gray, Laxus, and the groomsmen displayed their power, clearing the path with spectacle and pride.
It was both parade and story, the timeless fairy tale of a prince braving a thousand trials to rescue his princess.
At last, they reached the lair of the "King of Beasts." In truth, it was Mira's own home, now transformed into a monster's den.
The courtyard teemed with eerie shapes, ghosts from cursed realms, hulking golems, prowling Shadow Wolves, even towering forms like the Rift Herald and Brambleback. A giant spiderweb stretched across the yard, glinting ominously in the firelight.
From an upstairs window, Mira appeared in a crimson princess gown, her voice carrying with just the right touch of drama. "Help me, my beloved!"
On the rooftop, the bridesmaids "struggled" in mock peril, waving frantically.
Though in reality, Erza's situation was far less dignified. Forced into a bridesmaid dress, she was restrained on both sides by Lucy and Levy, while Lisanna and Wendy clung to her arms and legs.
Her teeth clenched as she listened to Happy and Carla narrate lines about the "King of Beasts' dreadful lair." Every fiber of her being screamed to break free, cut down the monsters ruining the wedding, and sprint straight into the battle herself.
...
Stones Plzzz
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