A new story that I got into my head yesterday and decided to write. It will end up being a chapter story, so it's not just going to stay as one chapter. For those of you waiting for the third chapter of "Something New", it's about 1/2 done. I know what I want to write, I just can't . . . quite . . . write it. For those of you waiting for "Separate Worlds", I have an outline with no determination to write it. The stupid thing requires a lot of research in order to be correct and flow-y.

Fairy Tail is Copyrighted to Hiro Mashima.


The few times she had been outside the castle walls had been, in her mind, some of the most profound, the most meaningful. She had watched as the people, mere farmers, artisans, and merchants, walked through their lives without a care in the world. She watched (boisterous) men laugh with their friends, shake (muddy) hands with each other, drink, toast, and gamble. She had seen women titter amongst themselves, hands covering mouths before leaning close to whisper and ("Oh, did you see the way he looked at-", "Yes, you're right, I think they'll soon be-", "Dear, be careful, you wouldn't want to ruin that-", "It's just so nice to see you!") gossip about whatever they so chose.

All of it was natural. It came natural to them.

And Lucy, the only child of Layla (she was dead, she was dead, she wasn't coming back) and Jude Heartfilia, King and Queen of Fiore, would be lying if she said she was not crazy jealous of all that they had.

She vividly remembered the night of the New Year's celebration four years ago. The night was clear, the stars suspended in it shining so bright and pure it had taken her breath away. Layla – Mom – had always loved the stars. A bonfire was blazing in the center of the town, a place that was visible to her eyes from a raised patio in the royal gardens. Lucy had left the party that was unfolding behind her. All the men were drunk, the ladies gossiping in the corner.

It wasn't like the peasants.

They were celebrating in their own way. A string of dancers, both male and female, had grasped each other's hands and were swinging in a large circle around the fire. She could see their mouths, opened wide, and on the wind she could hear their laughter, their happiness. Every now and then children would dart through the area, running alongside dogs or meeting up with friends. No one cared about his or her appearance. They were one person, all united in spirit.

And the stars watched over them.

What would it be like to be free like that?

And then the noble was there. He had grabbed her arm none too gently and dragged her back towards her father. "Why watch those barbaric mongrels? They're all just criminals, rebels, meaningless scum! They don't have anything of worth!"

You're wrong. Lucy thought, but followed him anyway. They have everything.


As the years had trekked on, she had begun to notice that the noble's opinion was one that many people agreed with. The monarchy that she would one day inherit was first made, hundreds of years ago, to aid the people. And now it had developed to control them.

And she hated it. She hated the unfair trials, the greediness of the taxes and fees, the laws and rules put in place with only the minority in mind. Many nights Lucy would lie in bed and watch the stars, hoping that her mother was watching over her, watching over her people.

But change never happened.


She woke to the feel of the warmth of the sun on her cheek. The light was never too bright, nor too dark in the morning. It was perfectly controlled by the silk curtains so as to not blind the princess, but to also shed light into the spacious room. Lucy sat up and smiled wryly. Even the light here is controlled.

A soft knock landed three times on the oak bedroom door. Lucy slipped out of the queen-sized bed and slid into her soft slippers. Her nightgown fluttered around her hourglass figure as she walked across the intricately painted tiles to the door. The steel bolt was slid, and the door opened to reveal her three personal handmaidens.

"Oh. They're supposed to be back today, right?" The shortest of the three nodded, her blue curls bouncing lightly in response to the princess.

"Yes. Your father wants you to wear white." Lucy sighed and opened the door further, allowing the three inside before closing the door. "I'll go and grab a dress. I know you don't want to have help bathing, so we'll just fill the bath and leave you alone. We have plenty of time, so don't rush yourself Lucy." The blue haired girl said this as soft as she could while still being heard. No one could know that the four were so close. Friendship between servants and royals was strictly against castle rules.

"No. No, why don't you three go bathe before me?" The three gasped. "I know you guys don't get to properly bathe in the servants quarters. Don't even try to lie to me!" Lucy chuckled at their expressions. "Now be quick. Cana, can you help me pick a dress while they bathe?" The brunette jumped at her question. Juvia, the other blunette, spoke up, ringing her hands in anxiety.

"Lucy . . . Juvia doesn't think we should be doing this . . . if we get caught-"

"We won't be caught if you guys are quick about it! Go! Get started! I bathed last night, anyway, if I don't get to go today, the world won't end!" With a laugh that was freer than the twisted light in her room, Lucy grabbed Cana's hands and flew out the door, feet hardly making a sound. Cana just smiled and went with her.

What else could she have done?


The white dress was ankle length and appropriately light for the summer. It had a woven pattern across the shoulders and arms, but the bodice and shirt were pure white cloth. Thankfully it was thick enough to not be seen through. Juvia tied the corset and laces in the back, trying to be careful not to asphyxiate one of her closest friends.

After a near death experience with the corset, Lucy's hair was combed straight. The hair that framed her face was left alone, but the rest of it was curled and then pinned one clump at a time into a messy yet beautiful bun at the back of her head. A ruby encrusted ornament was draped around the bun and then secured with pins.

"You look so beautiful, Lucy!" The three gushed, and said girl blushed.

"Aw, thank you guys! And thank you for all the work you've done. I seriously couldn't do anything without you guys." The four shared a quick hug and the town bell chimed ten times. Pigeons with dark gray wings flew away from the tower, and the crows in the trees cawed their laughter.

The four pulled away from each other.

"Do you think . . . do you think they actually managed to do it?" Levy asked. Lucy frowned and looked away.

"I hope not. I wouldn't want to look like this for a funeral, but I know Father was treating the whole thing more like a marriage than anything." Lucy shook her head and looked out the window. "I'm afraid for what they're going to bring back."

The handmaidens exchanged glances.

"We . . . we have to escort you to the front hall, Lucy." It was Cana who spoke, but it was Juvia who grasped the princess's hand in her own.

"Yeah." The princess sighed and stepped forward, knowing the three would be following behind, not allowed to walk beside her. They made their way down the hallway, which was filled with paintings of old monarchs and statues, and into the grand hall, where the staircase coated with red velvet ascended to the portrait of Layla Heartfilia.

It was time.


Six months ago, King Jude of Fiore had made a daring decision. His proclamation was so unexpected and sudden that there was little time for the people of the country to debate or even think about the whole operation. It was purely the decision of the monarchy.

The King's decision was that an army of one hundred men, all mages of different professions, was to be sent into the Uncharted Forest. The Forest was something that few people knew anything about. It was well avoided, and for good reason.

It was the home of the Dragons.

For centuries, the Dragons had plagued the kingdom, stealing gold, valuables, and killing people. They had burnt farmland, flooded towns, sent hurricanes and storms so violent that there was hardly anything left in the end.

The aim of the crusade was the chart the Uncharted Forest, and search for things like gold and silver that could be sold or used for bargaining with other countries. It would improve the economy of the country.

But more than that, the King wanted to find a Dragon. He sent mages, trained in the use of Rune magic, to find and kill a Dragon. They were instructed to take notes on their battle tendencies, behaviors, and magical power. And they were to bring back scales, teeth, horns, blood samples, anything and everything that could be used for some useful purpose.

And Lucy hated it.

She didn't hate the idea of charting the Forest, no, those maps could bring the knowledge of resources to the people and improve their lives.

It was the Dragon killing part that she despised. In the entirety of her life, Lucy had never once seen a Dragon or the effect of their anger and power. They had simply never attack her country during her lifetime.

But her Father was convinced that this trip would yield important discoveries about their nature, something that would eventually allow him to destroy the race. When Lucy had heard of his plan, she had frozen. There was nothing she could say to change his mind, nothing that would have any affect on him. So she had wordlessly nodded, curtsied, and asked to be excused. When she had arrived back in her room, she told her friends, Cana, Juvia, and Levy about his plan. The four had remained in her room for the rest of the day, shocked at the announcement.

And now she stood beside her Father, head held high and eyes staring at the Captain of the army that had just returned from the Uncharted Forest. They had rested for one day at a lodging on the edge of the woods, but now they were here, all of them (except for the twelve men who had died) kneeling before the King. Only the Captain remained standing.

The Square that she, her Father, and the crowd of peasants were at was the main public announcement point in the city. The four roads that connected it led to the different sections of the city. The largest road (and the only one that had cobblestones along the entire path) led north to the palace. South and opposite of this one was the countryside, where the majority of the people lived and where the farmers worked. This was also the route to the Uncharted Forest. East was the coastline where all overseas trade happened, as well as where the countries ports and fishing vessels resided. West led deeper into the city, where more roads dwindled from the main one, and the majority of the merchant's shops, bars, and restaurants were located.

The Square itself was very simply decorated. There were several shops around the Square, all of them taverns except for the one inn, and whenever there was an announcement to be made the shop owners would bring tables out, often times covered with food and wine to sell. Grass grew along the edges of the four roads, and the circle that made the Square was sometimes used to graze livestock. It was large enough to fit the entire army of one hundred (minus twelve) Dragon hunters. Lucy and King Jude stood towards the back of the Square, all guards and servants spanning themselves beside and behind them.

"Your Majesty!" The Captain cried, and bowed deeply, "I am honored to be here to show to you and your lovely, beautiful, gorgeous and attractive daughter the amazing thing we found on our journey! We have the maps you requested of course, and I will be thrilled to show them to you! Soldier! Bring the maps forward! And Lucy-chan! I must speak to you, for we have brought a present for you!" The Captain clasped his hands together; his voice adoring and shrill to the ears of both father and daughter. Hearts danced around in his eyes.

King Jude nodded at the maps as they were brought before him.

"And have you brought any remains of a Dragon, as was the mission?" Her father's voice was cold and distant.

"Uh, not really. But-HEY! WAIT! I'M NOT DONE!" The people in the square groaned and began to talk amongst themselves. They were sectioned off from Lucy and the King by a row of guards. Lucy didn't like the separation between classes. King Jude narrowed his eyes at the enthusiastic redheaded Captain.

"So you have not managed to kill a Dragon? Or even find one for that matter?" Lucy shivered away from the King, but smiled sweetly (although falsely) at the Captain who became mush at the young woman's smile.

"LUCY-CHAN! YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL, AND I THINK . . ." He trailed off, dancing around the Square, brandishing his sword and shield and complimenting the Princess. Lucy tuned him out and looked over to Levy, who was standing just slightly behind her.

"Maybe they didn't manage to kill any of them . . ." Levy whispered into Lucy's ear. Lucy nodded hopefully.

"CAPTAIN! What do you know of the Dragons?" The King snarled at the man, who froze and then jumped to be directly before him, eyes sparkling once again.

"We did not manage to find a Dragon." Once again, the crowd sighed loudly. "BUT WE DID CATCH SOMETHING LIKE ONE!" The crowd stopped their mumblings, and looked, astonished towards the Captain. "Lucy-chan! I have brought for you a present that I can only hope will be of the utmost service to you in the future! He is like a Dragon, but is not something so ferocious!" The young woman yelped when he grabbed her hand in two of his and kissed her knuckles.

"And what have you brought her? A Salamander?" The King degraded. Soldiers snorted and the crowd laughed freely along with the sarcasm.

"No! He is something more powerful than that!" The Captain was not deterred. Lucy looked at her best friends, horror clear on her face. He brought her something like a Dragon? What?!

"GUARDS! Bring forth the runes!" The Captain leaped away from Lucy and dashed towards the large, black, box-shaped rune container that was propelled forward by three of the soldiers. "I will warn you now, ladies (including my beautiful Lucy-chan!) and children, that he is a beast in his appearance. We found him sleeping in a cave some twenty miles into our journey." The man spread his feet apart and leaned forward, fingers moving erratically in an attempt to make the story seem more dramatic. "It was a gruesome fight, man versus beast . . . BUT IN THE END WE PULLED THROUGH!" He snapped his feet together and threw his head and hands into the air, a way of showing victory.

Lucy listened to his tale of victory and battle, getting more and more worried for the health of the animal he had promised as a gift. She peered over at Levy, eyes wide and confused, and Levy looked back at her with the same expression.

"What could it be?" She whispered as silently as possible. A heavy hand came down on Lucy's shoulder and she quickly looked to the front, knowing her father had heard her questioning the maid. She refused to make eye contact with him.

"And I cried, 'HALT YOU BEAST!', and threw my lance, which pierced him in the wing! And we all converged on the monster, the thing that had spewed fire so hot and deadly at us only moments before. And we wrenched his wings down, and tied his legs together, and caught him in these runes that you see now! And he roared, loud and true, and we caged him and drained him of his magic!"

The tale was met with cries of excitement from the crowd, who were cheering on the Captain. These cries worked to inflate his ego even more than it already was.

Lucy recoiled from the brutal man and his weapons, and her father's hand began to dig even harder into her shoulder. Levy stepped closer to her friend, but was pushed back by one of the guards.

"And Lucy-chan, I now present to you, a BEAST!, who, while he is not quite Dragon, is also not quite human!" The crowd hushed, in awe of the proclamation, and looked around at anyone they could make eye contact with.

How could that even be possible?

The guards stepped to the side, and one of them rewrote the runes, changing the color of the box from black to clear, allowing everyone to see inside.

The women screamed, hands covering their mouths, and grabbed their children, pulling them away from the monster inside. The men pulled their wives away, and snarled menacingly at the beast within. The King gasped and let go of his daughter's shoulder, and the guards jumped in front of their employer. Lucy darted before her own personal guards and ran down to kneel only inches before the monster who was still entrapped.

The Captain gleamed at the princess and knelt beside her, holding one of her hands.

"Oh, Lucy-chan, I am so pleased that you like this gift I have for you! He is a half-breed, part human and part Dragon, and I am sure that he will one day be instrumental in the fight against the Dragon race! As you know, I would he happy . . ." Lucy tuned him out once again as his speech rattled on.

It was a boy, no more than seventeen, with the wings, talons, horns, and tail of a Dragon with the body of a human. He was lying face down on the floor of the cage, cheek rested on the ground, and arms wrapped loosely around his head so she could not see his face. His legs and wrists were tied together, and there was a ratty old blanket thrown over his legs and a portion of his back. The wings that protruded from his shoulder blades, powerful and built, had been curled awkwardly against his back, not having enough room to span out inside his cage. They were webbed with rectangular scales, and the color ranged from a pale pink (like the color of his hair) on the thinnest part of the webbing to a dark red on the bones. There was an enormous hole in the skin on his left wing. Lucy looked at it blandly. There was blood caked around the hole, and she felt the urge to vomit. He wouldn't be able to fly for a long time, possibly never again.

The tail had the same coloring as the wings from what she could tell, getting gradually lighter the closer to the tip of the tail. She couldn't see where the tail ended due to the blanket. His horns were a dark gray color and curled towards the back of his head. They looked like they were more for show that for actual fighting.

His talons on his hands and feet looked as though they had been filed down, most likely by the Captain and his men. No wild animal would purposefully file his or her nails that short. Scales crossed the skin where his Dragon features stemmed from his human body.

It was clear that he had fought against the mages. There was blood on his wings, on his back, on his arms. Gashes and scrapes were littered across his body, some worse than others. Lucy could tell several of them were infected.

Tears welled in her eyes, and Lucy blinked them away. This boy was going to be a present to her. She couldn't show anger, no matter how unfair this was.

". . . and one of the best things is that we found a spell that ties him to you as a servant!" Lucy snapped her head over to the Captain, who was still gleefully holding her hand. He blushed at her intense gaze on him.

"W-what? What did you do to him?" She croaked out.

"We placed him under a spell! The spell basically forces him to submit to you. Therefore, he can't harm you! Anything you want him to do, he has to do it. If someone tries to attack you, he will have no choice but to fight to save you. As long as you live, so shall he. He will be slave to your ever desire! Isn't that cool?!" The Captain sparkled at her, but Lucy looked back at her 'pet' and touched the runes with her free hand.

He isn't here by choice. He's injured. He was once a free being. I hadn't even known that this was what they were going to do with him. What if he doesn't want to protect me? What if I want him to be free? What if I want him to go home, to go back to his family? What if I don't want to oppress him, like my father has oppressed me?

King Jude spoke up on behalf of his silent daughter. "I think it is a wonderful present, Captain. We will talk more about the safety of this beast in my quarters in a moment. Thank him Lucy, you have not done so yet." Lucy nodded, but didn't look at the Captain.

"Thank you, Sir, for this . . . wonderful present." She turned her head away from him so he could not see the silent tears forming in her eyes.

A slave?