A/N: Hi there.
So… I choose to do the crazy gypsy/pirate/sailor steam punk story because only two people voted.
But someone told me they like the mermaid story, and after I started writing this one the plot for the mermaid one started coming like word vomit (name that reference), I will write that one next! (Because personally I like that one as much as this one!)

But here we go!

Chapter 1: To Conquer the sky

The roar of cannon fire fills the air.

Men's blood cries can be heard as many fall to their deaths in the wide open sky.

"Hold on men!" the captain calls, "We can fight this!"

The pungent smell of burning metal is overwhelming.
And once the men see the cannons fire grapple hooks, they know it's too late.

They are quickly boarded by the most unearthly disturbing looking men.

There's hundreds of them, crawling and staggering into the sailors' view, grumbling and muttering as they go.
They carry swords and pistols daring any man who would be brave enough to face them.

But all goes silent as a man's slow trod is heard.
He breaks through the crowd of invaders and looks for who is still alive.

He sees a boy trying to crawl away.

"And just who are ya'?" The man growls pointing a pistol to the young boy's head.
The sailor is too petrified to speak…
"Who are ya'!?" He yells again.

"I'm just a sailor… sir…" the boy says weakly.
"What's on this ship!?"
"Traded goods sir…"

The man strokes his beard, "So this ship was headed to Gold Crown, eh? Well not anymore! We'd be takin' it off yer hands!"

The man grabbed him and chucked to boy to the other side of the ship.
The boy slammed against the bow, cracking a few ribs and beginning to feel light headed.

"Who… who are you…?" the boy mumbled.
The old man laughed, "Captain Drosselmeyer, at yer service!"

And the boy's vision began to fade…

Mytho groaned as he sat back in his chair with his arms folded.
These council meetings were always stupid! And that was because it was the same every time! Emestress would always have something to complain about, Earthland would want nothing to do with it, so naturally with Gold Crown being the smallest, everything was dumped into their laps.

You think Emestress being the biggest, it could handle its own problems, but NO, that would be too easy! Dictator Bradly never cared about what the hell he was doing any way!

And King Makarov? What a joke! He was always so passive in everything! No wonder his kingdom was so pathetic.

Ugh, leave it to the youngest to be the most responsible I guess…

"And furthermore, I want the gypsies expunged from here immediately!" Travis ordered.
"So where will they go if Emestress is not available? I certainly don't want them in my kingdom." Makarov said a little sleepily.

"Well then, I guess we should send them to Gold Crown." Bradly said with a wolfish smile on his face.

Mytho stood up and slammed his hands on the council table, "Now wait just a second! I don't get a say in this?! Even if you wanted to get rid of the gypsies you can't send them here! We're crowded as it is with the trader ports that you both solely depend on!"

"Now Mytho," Makarov said a little dizzy-like, "You know we all want what's best. And you know a good amount of gypsies live in Gold Crown anyway…"

"I know! But, I am tired of you both dumping your problems on my home! I've worked hard to sustain this place while you just push everything onto me! I don't want to deny the gypsies a home but-"

"Then it's settled them!" Bradly clapped his hands in glee, "Starting tomorrow the gypsies will be shipped to Gold Crown!" He dropped the gavel down on the table thus concluding this meeting.

Mytho only slammed his head down. These meetings suck!

Ahiru wandered happily around Gold Crown with her bare feet on the warm stone pavement. Her long red hair was pulled back into a tight braid with a few ribbons tied in. She wore a low cut corset top with a long pink skirt and a green scarf with beads dangling from her waist. But what really caught people's eye in disgust was the red gem in the center of three silver chains that tied around her right hand, the sign of a gypsy.

You see, what makes you a gypsy is not just the lifestyle, but also your 'gift', as Mama Edel would put it. An ability you were born with that could actually benefit society if people only gave it a chance. So what is Ahiru's ability, you ask? She had the ability to be abnormally flexible. She herself nicknamed it the "loose joints" ability.

Yes, Ahiru was one of the few youngest gypsies in her troupe. Besides her there was Pique and Lillie (who were fraternal twins that had the ability to have their minds be connected), Uzura (the youngest with the ability to manipulate a heartbeat with her prized drum), Femio (who had the ability to read people's hearts by changing the colors of the flowers close by), and Jaden (someone very close to Ahiru, had the ability to control people's minds with his flute).

And then there were the older people of the troupe. Ms. Edel, or "mama" as the troupe preferred to call her, who was actually the mother of Uzura, could see the future. Then Hermia and Lysander who were the married couple of the group (well as close to marriage as the three countries would allow). They shared the ability to build and fix anything.

Ahiru was on her way to Port. That was where all the trading was taking place, and Ahiru was the 'scout' of her troupe to see who they could trade with, what they could trade with, and when they could trade. Mama Edel trusted her because Ahiru knew everyone in Port… weather they liked it or not. But yes, Ahiru knew just about everyone in Port, from the sailors to the traders, the thieves to the merchants, and the Navy to the rebels.

It wasn't hard to tell who to trade with when certain people give you the 'evil-eye'. Which, let's be honest, was usually the high and mighty wealthy traders from Emestress or Earthland, and okay, sometimes the military and navy from… well, everywhere. But Ahiru would do what she could to give the gypsies a good name, and you know, some people would believe that.

And along the way, there was one person who even took her by surprise at becoming a friend. He was a Lieutenant for the Navy, by the name of Fakir.

How these two met was a whole other story. But basically ever since they met, they would constantly taunt and tease each other, but it was all in the good name of fun.

The young Lieutenant came into view, and Ahiru rushed up to meet him.
He smiled upon seeing her.

"Well if it isn't the street urchin." He said sarcastically, "Haven't gone pickpocketing today, have we?"
"Well if it isn't a dog for the Navy." She responded in a similar tone, "Picking on the weaker ones a usual!"

Fakir gave her his usual 'did you really just say that' look.
"You never cease to surprise me Ahiru. 'A dog for the Navy' is one I never thought you would say."
"Well you'd be surprised what the lower wards have said about your men and the council."

He laughed it off, "I can only imagine."
Ahiru looked down at her feet and started to shift nervously, "So um… Fakir?"
"Yes?"
"I was just wondering if… if you would tell me more about Emestress…?" She flashed her undeniably cute smile.

Fakir shook his head, "You know I can't say no to that face…"
He laughed slightly and cleared his throat, "Alright, last thing I told you-"
"The port!" Ahiru interrupted, "The port is not as crowded, but not as organized."
"Right. So once you walk through the port, you come to the grand wall that surrounds Emestress."
"That's just like Gold Crown!"
"Yeah! But the thing about this one is that it's more ornate. The bricks have intricate designs carved into them, and during certain parts of the day they change colors."
Ahiru looked at him with wide eyes. The outside world always fascinated her. But since she was a gypsy, leaving was next to impossible. And besides even if she did leave, she would be treated even worse than where she was now. Gold Crown tolerated the gypsies, while Emestress just despised them. But at least this gave her an excuse to talk with Fakir. He was unique, and maybe that was because he was not the same as the others, but at the same time he was. Fakir was loyal and kind, but strong and protective.

Right before Fakir could continue, there was a shout.
"Ahiru! Where are you?"

It was Jaden.
Although it was hard to tell considering he was covered by his black cloak. He was always self-conscious like that.
Ahiru slightly twitched at the sound of her name. She didn't want to go just yet! She wanted to hear more! Was that a crime?
Well according to Jaden, it probably was.

Ahiru had known Jaden since they were children out on the streets looking for a home. And although that was great and all, he always behaved like an overbearing brother, especially when she was seen with other men. And Ahiru never understood why, but right now all she knew was that Jaden would probably attempt to skin Fakir alive if he saw her with him.

"I have to go." She whispered.
Fakir's face dropped a little having heard that. "Alright. But I'll see you again, right?"

Ahiru nodded and quickly left.

As Fakir watched her leave, he didn't notice Autor walking up behind him.
"You talking to that gypsy again?" He asked, making Fakir jump.
Fakir turned and glared at him, "And if I am?"

Autor shrugged, "Hey, I won't challenge my commanding officer's personal tastes."
"Excuse me?"
"I see the way you look at her. You kind of like her, even though she's a gypsy, right…?"
Fakir kept quiet, his eyes locked on in the cold glare.
"Is that any of your business?"

"Well to be fair sir, I have noticed a change in you."
Fakir only raised an eyebrow.
"You see sir, I've noticed you've been more observant ever since you started talking to her." He paused for a moment, "I also noticed you started writing again…" He said quietly.

Fakir held in his anger after hearing that. Autor was a close friend of his, so he had no reason to snap at him.
"I mean…" Autor continued, "I saw it as a miracle. You know… after your mother, Retzel, died…"
Fakir clenched his fists, "I know…"

It was getting late at the gypsy camp, as Jaden walked Ahiru home.
Ahiru had finally convinced him to take that stupid cloak off, revealing his short curly blond hair that was almost parallel in color to his fair skin.

The two had been silent for the most part, until they got closer to the camp.
"Ahiru, who was that man I saw you with?" You could easily tell Jaden was trying to hold back the venom in his voice.

Ahiru sighed. Well now she was caught.
"He's a friend I made while scouting out the port."
Ahiru could feel the glare growing in Jaden's eyes.

"Oh… So it is. And a man for the Navy no less."
"Yes." Ahiru said definitively. She could already tell where this was going.

"I'm not okay with you talking to him." He said flatly.
"You don't have to Jaden. You're not my father."

By this point, the two had entered the camp, unaware of the fact their conversation carried on into the main ground where everyone was waiting.
"What are you-"
"talking about?"
Pique and Lillie asked.

Ahiru gave Jaden a sharp glare, which he ignored.
"Ahiru, has befriended a soldier in the Navy." Jaden said, practically taunting her.

"What?!" Mama Edel said running up the two.
"Ahiru, you know what we've told you about soldiers and the council."
Ahiru sighed, "Yes I know. But you're the one who keeps saying that 'they need to give us a chance'. So I think the best way to do that would be to give them a chance."

Mama Edel sighed, "I guess that's true."
"But Ahiru," Hermia said trying to be causious with her words, "You're not worried about what might happen? What if he tries to hurt you?"
"If he does, I'll pound him for trying to hurt my little sister!" Lysander added.

Ahiru couldn't help but laugh a bit. Those two always did treat her as their little sibling, even though they weren't that far apart in age.
"Don't worry Hermia, I'm sure he won't."

Just then Ahiru felt a tug at her skirt, it was Uzura.
"He isn't mean –zura?"
"No Uzura. He's very kind actually." She said rubbing the little girl's head.
Mama Edel picked up her child and began to rock her while talking to Ahiru, "If you feel you can trust him then, alright. But if it seems like something is off about him, don't hesitate to run away."

"Of course Mama." Ahiru said before going to her tent.
Jaden watched her leave with a bitter feeling twisting around in his heart.
And just what made this guy so special in Ahiru's eyes, huh? What did he know about her? What made him 'okay' to be friends with?
Jaden kept sitting on these thoughts all through the night, not getting an answer anytime soon.

A/N: And there we go.
Did you like this story? Should I continue? Does it need work? Comments?

I could really use some feedback on this. Let me know!
Thank you for reading! :)