Frost and Iron: Gajeel x black oc

Miss Fairy Tail

Chapter 25: Miss Fairy Tail (A Show to Remember)

The Fairy Tail guildhall was buzzing with excitement, louder and rowdier than usual. The annual Miss Fairy Tail Contest was about to start, and the place was packed with spectators, not just from Fairy Tail, but from Sabertooth and Lamia Scale too. The chatter, the laughter, and the friendly betting filled the room as everyone eagerly awaited the event.

Aislyn sat at the bar, swirling her drink, trying to block out the growing chaos around her. The last thing she wanted was to get involved in this ridiculous contest. She was a fighter, a Dragon Slayer, not some beauty queen.

But Erza and Lucy had been relentless.

"Come on, Aislyn!" Lucy had practically begged earlier, bouncing on her toes. "It's all in good fun, and we know you'd kill it out there!"

"Fun for who?" Aislyn had shot back, unimpressed. "You just want me to get up there so you'll look better by comparison."

Erza, ever the competitor, had chimed in with a more serious tone. "It's about pride, Aislyn. You're a Dragon Slayer. Show them what you've got."

But now, as she nursed her drink, Aislyn was determined to stay as far from the stage as possible. She didn't need to prove anything, and she certainly wasn't about to parade herself in front of the entire guild like some kind of showpiece.

Her deep brown skin shimmered under the lights as the evening sun streamed through the windows, but she kept her head down, hoping to avoid the eyes that might pull her into this madness. Unfortunately, one pair of eyes was fixed firmly on her from across the room.

Gajeel, leaning against the wall, arms crossed and a smirk plastered on his face, had been watching her the entire time. He seemed to take special pleasure in seeing her squirm. His red eyes glinted with amusement, like he knew something she didn't.

"What're you grinning at?" Aislyn growled, catching his smug look.

"Just wondering how long you're gonna sit there pretending you're too good for this," Gajeel teased, his deep voice laced with amusement. "We both know you're gonna end up on that stage."

Aislyn narrowed her eyes. "Not happening, Ironhead. Unlike some people, I don't need attention to feel good about myself."

"Sure you don't." Gajeel chuckled. "Wanna bet?"

Aislyn raised an eyebrow, but before she could answer, Natsu's voice boomed through the hall, cutting through the chatter.

"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE! GET READY FOR THE MISS FAIRY TAIL CONTEST!" His excitement was contagious, and the crowd cheered wildly. "Let's see who's gonna take the crown this year!"

Aislyn's stomach sank as she tried to ignore the growing noise. She watched as Cana swaggered onto the stage first, already halfway through a barrel of alcohol, to the roaring approval of the crowd.

"At least she's comfortable being herself," Aislyn muttered, rolling her eyes.

Next up was Lucy, strutting onto the stage in a glittering celestial-themed outfit that sparkled under the lights. The crowd hooted and hollered, and Lucy blew kisses, fully embracing the spotlight.

Erza, not one to be outdone, made her entrance with a dramatic warrior princess look, her sword gleaming as she posed fiercely. The crowd went wild for her, as usual.

As the contestants took turns on stage, Aislyn tried to shrink further into her seat. She had successfully avoided eye contact with Mira, who was hosting, but she knew she wasn't out of the woods yet.

Just as she thought she had escaped the inevitable, Natsu's voice rang out again, louder this time.

"AND NOW... A VERY SPECIAL CONTESTANT! GIVE IT UP FOR AISLYN, THE WATER AND ICE DRAGON SLAYER!"