It has begun! My first fanfic! I don't know how to navigate the pages yet, so the chapters are probably going to be a little weird. This is a canon-verse story, intended to be an arc. With a hell ton of fluff and adventure stuffed in. You are also probably going to get confused by the chapter titles. Because I don't know how to edit that yet. I'll post a new chapter every week. I am pumped up for this! This will also contain information about Fiore's founding. ( At least my imagining of the founding of Fiore) Because I'm curious. To say the truth, I posted this during this week to distract myself of all the angst that we are facing. MY BABY AQUARIUS *WAILS* Anyway, have fun! (Cover credit goes to Blanania at Tumblr)
Festival of Fortune Chapter 1
The Emerald Crown
Blaze Endless Down
The Shadows abound
the dead king found
a hailing storm
stars legacy burn lukewarm
surrounded by tears
the end is near
Natsu Dragneel, Salamander of Fiore, is dead. Okay, he is not dead exactly, he just looks dead- or poisoned. When in reality, he is just seriously motion sick. The pink-hair mage was covered with sweat, his normally tanned skin pale and green, and his whole body just hanging, limp, out of the luxurious train. Lucy Heartfilia sighed as she looked around the train. The carriage was richly decorated in red and gold. Mohagony flooring gave a warm glow to the carriage. With velvet seating combined with ornate gold windows. It's beautiful in a rich kind of way. The train glimmered and shine weaving in and out of Fiore's bountiful countryside. The trains tooted-almost with pride. As if it know that it have an important job- and it does. Transporting monarchs and advisors are no joke after all. Lucy still can't believe she is on The Regal. The most famous train in all of Fiore. The train that her mother told her about.
'' Mama, is there carriages in the palace?'' Her mother laughed. A tinkling, heavenly sound. '' No, darling, there is no carriages.'' Lucy climbed on her mother's lap. '' There is a beautiful train, decorated in red and gold. The train is the king! It reigns over all the trains. A lot of famous people rode on it. '' Then Mama, have you rode on it? You are the prettiest person I know! '' Lucy wondered a seemingly innocent question. Layla's eyes darkened. '' Darling, there are many people that rode on it, but I didn't. I did saw it, once. It glimmered and shone. A beacon of hope during dark times.'' She looked out the large window of the Heartfilia mansion. Her eyes far away. Lucy jumped down from her mother's lap. She does not like the look of her mother's face as if she was about to cry. '' Don't worry mama when I grow up you can go to the palace with me!'' Her mother smiled. Yet, Lucy can't unsee the hidden tears in her mother's eyes.
Natsu gagged again, and Lucy snapped back into the present. She wiped the unshed tears from her eyes. Strong Lucy be strong. Your mother would want you to be happy. She smiled. I'm on the most famous train in Fiore. With the comrades that I considered my family. However, She has no time to savor right now, Lucy just hope Natsu won't ruin the train before they get to Walet. She heard a gag and closed her eyes.
Please don't barf on the royal carriage
Please don't barf on the royal carriage
Please don't- oh god he did it.
Lucy shook her head and sighed. Thinking about the cost damage. As Natsu continue to retched his stomach out. She gingerly touched the middle of Natsu's back. Trying to soothe the nausea. A flicker of sympathy run through her, he looked miserable. She heard the click of the train door opening.
'' Lu-chan! '' She whipped her head around at the sound of her best friend's voice.
'' Levy! What are you doing here! '' She happily exclaimed as Levy hugged Lucy.
'' Well you know how the palace gave an invitation? Apparently, Mystogan got one too, Since he is not here. So I am standing in as a subsitute!''It was then when Lucy noticed Juvia. Standing awkwardly in the carriage corner. She gestured excitedly towards her.
'' Juvia you are here too? I thought Erza only said Laxus, Mirajane, Gajeel, and Gray would be here! '' Juvia joined in.
'' Have Lucy seen Gray-sama?'' Lucy smiled at Juvia one-track mind.
'' He went to the food carriage with Erza and the others. He'll be back soon'' Juvia brightened up.
'' Then Juvia will wait until Gray-sama is back'' They started chatting. Natsu groaned in the middle of their conversation. Interrupting them, as if reminding them of his presence.
'' Oh Gajeel-kun is sick right now just like Natsu-san. ''Juvia commented sympathetically.
''Wait, did you guys realize this is almost the same teams in the grand magic games?'' Lucy realized. Levy nodded.
'' I thought of that too! I mean I was only a substitute for Jellal. Cana and Elfman were chosen on a mission so that they couldn't go. Wendy and Carla are checking up on the exceeds. Talking about it where's Happy? '' Lucy sighed and looked towards Natsu.
'' He went with Erza and Gray to see if there are fish on the train. '' Levy and Juvia nodded in understanding. The only time the Blue exceed with leave the dragon slayer will be for food. Juvia then said in puzzlement.
'' How did Lucy-san and Natsu-san get on the train? We're asked to go there by Master Makarov.'' Lucy thought back and said
'' Well...''
'
90 minutes earlier…..
Lucy Heartfilia stumbled down the door of her apartment. She was so, so tired. Her body felt like lead. Thank goodness for her comfy bed. I need a week of relaxation. She declared silently as she collapsed onto her bed and threw her mail onto the desk. The team had just completed a mission involving robbers near the woods of Magnolia. She felt awful, especially after Natsu destroyed half of the trees there. She has an urge just to relax and maybe just talk to Levy. Maybe. But to no avail, fate has something else store for her.
'' Hey Luce, I can't find the fish in the re-'' Lucy muffled her head into her pillow. always happens. She is NOT doing this again.
'' Natsu, GET OUT. '' She pointed towards the door. Her head still smashed in the comfy pillow.
'' But, I just got here! '' Natsu protested. She looked up at him and glared at the sight of Natsu and Happy eating her hard-earned food. She sighed and pulled herself up. There goes her afternoon. She thought gloomily.
'' Lucy why do you have unopened mail on your desk...'' Happy said as he clutched a cream colored envelope.
'' Don't rifle through my mail.'' She said as she snatched the cream envelope. She opened it hurriedly.
To, Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia,
The Princess of Fiore, Hisui E. Fiore, request your presence in Neptunius, the summer palace, to attend the Festival of Fortune. The Regal Train will arrive at approximately 3:00, July 27th in the Magnolia train station. We look forward to your arrival.
Sincerely
Hisui E. Fiore
''3:00? That's in 30 minutes! '' Lucy screeched. But before Natsu can say anything they heard a brisk knock pounding the door.
'' On it! '' Lucy said, rushing towards the door of her apartment. What is going on now? She opened the door. A heap of luggage greeted her sight of vision. And a lady with brilliant red hair and fully clad in armor. Lucy skidded to a stop, startled. She almost bumped into the pile.
'' Erza! What-'' She got cut off.
'' No time for questions, The Regal is going to be here soon. '' Erza said briskly.
'' We'll talk after we got into the carriage, Gray and the others are already on the train. '' Erza gestured toward the bracelet on her waist. Lucy had just now realized that the luggage was sitting on a humongous cart.
'' Wait-the others? What others?'' Lucy cried. She sighed in frustration. Things are spinning too quickly for her to catch up.
Natsu popped his head out of the doorway, eating an apple he raided from Lucy's refrigerator.
'' Oh Hey Erza!''
'' Natsu, Happy! I was about to pick you guys up. Now sit on the cart we got to go. '' She picked Natsu up and plopped him on the cart, next to the luggage.
'' Aye sir! '' Happy said, as he settled into the cart. A fish in his mouth.
'' Wait what? This is moving way too fast for me. I didn't prepare my-'' Before Lucy could finish her sentence, Erza had already plopped her into the cart. Erza swung herself onto the cart. And before Lucy can say anything more, the cart started moving at a jaw-rattling speed. And in the distance, at about 3:00 in the afternoon, a farmer raised his head up hearing a very distinct cry.
'' But I haven't packed yet! ''
Meanwhile, on a hill somewhere south of Magnolia…
'' I've got some news! '' Meredy declared as she approached the green, grassy hill. Her pink ponytail drifting in the wind. She stopped at a blue-haired man. His back was facing hers as Magnolia is spread out below.
'' What? '' Jellal asked as he looked at the many towns and cities of Magnolia. A look of longing evident in his face. Meredy smirked, she knows exactly who Jellal was thinking.
'' Maybe I should tell you later since you are so obviously thinking about someone '' Jellal snapped out of his daze and looked up at Meredy.
'' What is it?'' He sighed as he stood up, dusting himself off. His cloak swerving behind him.
'' We have a job to do.'' Meredy declared as she gave Jellal a piece of paper. He looked at it and raised his eyebrows.
'' The Festival? '' Meredy nodded.
'' You know how every year there is a huge festival to celebrate Fiore's founding? Well, this year is the 250th anniversary. The Emerald Crown of Lilica is finally going to be shown to the public for the first time in 250 years! ''
'' The Emerald Crown. You don't mean the one that was in the nursery rhyme right?'' Jellal said nonchalantly. Meredy nodded and shivered involuntarily. The haunting rhymes singed by childrens for generations on Fiore still chill her to the bone.
'' It exists?'' Jellal asked. His eyebrows raised.
'' Yeah, and the crime rate has been rapidly increasing around Neptunius lately. It is undoubtedly because of the Crown. '' Meredy sat down the soft green grass as it softly flowing in the wind.
'' Someone is going to steal it then….'' Jellal said.
'' Yes.. and I have a hunch who exactly is going to steal the crown. ''
'' Who? ''
'' The Diabolus Umbra''
Jellal started pacing. The Diabolus Umbra is devil worshippers adapted in hate crimes. With a long history and a large network of followers. Despicable and utterly ruthless without a hint of conscience, all for the sake of a big-shot devil.. Religious terrorists are the worst kinds. He thought angrily as he paced.
'' How did you know?'' Jellal asked. The Diabolus Umbra is infamously hard to find.
'' The stamp on the bottom. '' He looked at the bottom of the notice and saw the slightest hint of a letter. He gritted his teeth. The mark of death used to notify the network of worshippers of their future targets. Only a mage who was trained in the dark art would see it. At least one good thing came out of his years in the darkness. He crumpled the notice and looked around the townscape.
'' We got work to do. ''
The wind picked up, and the tree shakes. The leaves swished. In a forest somewhere west of Fiore, there is a steady rhythm of train tracks. Erza woke up from her sleep. She looked behind the train. She can feel it. A sense of uneasiness settling deep within her stomach.
A storm is brewing.
