HELLO EVERYONE JUPITER HERE! I'M STARTING THIS STINGXMINERVA PROJECT AND I HAVE TO SAY I'M SUPER EXCITED. STINERVA IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHIPS IN FAIRY TAIL (BESIDES THE MAIN ONES) AND I'VE HAD IT BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE ARE A PITIFUL NUMBER OF FANFICS FOR THIS SPECIFIC COUPLING (WHICH IS A DAMN SHAME) THESE ARE ONE-SHOTS WITH NO SPECIFIC ORDER (UNLESS I DECIDE OTHERWISE) INVOLVING THE CHARACTERS STING EUCLIFFE AND MINERVA ORLANDO. THE TIME RANGES INCLUDE BEFORE, AFTER AND DURING THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES. NOW UNLIKE WITH MY OTHER FAIRY TAIL FIC, MINDLESS, I WILL NOT HAVE SUPER LONG CHARACTER AUTHOR NOTES. NOW I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL, THAT PRIVILEGE BELONGS TO HIRO MASHIMA AND FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT. DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW, FAVORITE AND REVIEW. I WILL BE GIVING SHOUT OUTS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH CHAPTER. THANK YOU KATIEL14 FOR SUGGESTING (OR DEMANDING) I DO THIS AND THANKS FOR READING AND PLEASE ENJOY THE FIRST CHAPTER OF A HISTORY OF FATED COINCIDENCES!
Summer of Discovery
It was summer of the year X789, and Sabertooth was at the height of it's popularity. After wining their third consecutive Grand Magic Games the entire guild was bubbling with unbridled excitement. Sunlight poured into the hall and the winning team sat comfortably at one of the many round tables. Tapestries depicting the battles of a mighty sabertooth tiger, it's elegant features shimmering within the cloth. Long fangs poking out from the beautiful beasts mouth. In each image the creature stood victorious atop its many adversaries, the line ending at Master Jiemma's "throne". The master had gone out on one of his many escapades with his daughter, saying that she needed training.
The reality of the matter was that Minerva had simply lost a match, one little match. Sting could still remember the look of utter terror that crossed her face as she was announced the loser. Her hands began to shake and he could feel the master's hot gaze burning on her from the stands above. It wasn't her fault, Minerva Orlando was dealt a bad hand and now she was paying for it.
He would be lying if he said it didn't bother him, Minerva was a kind woman; she was known throughout the guild as the most considerate, compassionate and wonderful person in all of Fiore. It was true as far as Sting was concerned, he ran a gloved hand through his spiky blonde hair. The wizard would never admit it but he had serious issues with the way Master Jiemma treated his daughter. He always pushed Minerva to far. Though fear of being reprimanded and possibly kicked out of his beloved guild held his lips closed. It was wrong of him he knew, but he'd already lost the only family he'd ever known...he had no intention of letting this one slip through his fingers. So regardless of the Master being a bit to stern with his daughter Sting lived his life with no worries whatsoever. He had his best friend Lector, his brother Rouge and all the other member's of Sabertooth. What else could he possibly ask for?
He set his booted feet on top of the table, leaning back in his chair. Lector was busy gorging himself on his favorite food, key-lime pie. Frosch sat absentmindedly beside his fellow exceed, his head bobbing up and down and he was snoring quietly.
"Poor little guy must of tuckered himself out cheering for the winning team." Orga Nanagear laughed, swinging around his microphone. The massive, muscle-clad man was leaning against the wall just in front of Sting, his shoulder length spiky hair framing his angular face. He wore his signature mustard yellow striped pants along with his long fur rimmed cloth wrapped around his waist. His tattoos rippled as he flexed his biceps. In all honesty Orga had to be the most obnoxious of Sabertooth's Grand Magic Games team.
"Should I sing him a Lullaby?" He suggested hopefully.
"No!" We all shouted, hands immediately reaching to cover our ears. Lightning God Slayer or not the man was an awful singer.
"Fine! Fine! It's your guys's loss. Oh I get it, you guys don't want to fall asleep due to my serenading vocals am I right?"
Sting chuckled softly. "Whatever you say big guy."
"It was an excellent competition though, I have already committed our individual battles into memory." Rufus Lore exclaimed, writing who knows what with his feathered pen. His long blonde hair was tied back loosely behind his back, pink feathers flowing down to his shoulders from the large crimson hat that sat atop his head. Rufus was always dressed so prim and proper, acting like he was superior to everyone else.
"They were pretty awesome weren't they?" Orga's face brightened. "Makes me want to SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGGG!" His piercing vocals penetrated Stings ear drums causing the dragon slayer to howl in pain.
"Are you trying to deafen me?! Look Rouge's passed out!" Sting shouted, shaking his fallen comrade awake.
"Nah man, Shadow-boy's been like that for awhile. He's gotten into the good stuff." Orga grinned.
"Are you telling me Rouge's drunk?!"
The shadow dragon slayer hiccuped, his ebony hair falling wistfully over his face. Drool dripped over his chin as the inebriated dragon slayer opened his crimson eyes.
"St-..." Hiccup. "Sting...is...is that you? Oh man I can't believe we won! WHOooooOOO!" He cheered, lifting his fist into the air. "ROCK ON SABERTOOTH!"
"Damn it Orga you know you can't give Rouge alcohol!" Sting grabbed his friend by the arms, dragging his drunken form into the corner of the room, Lector falling behind them.
"WHoa...is..is there two Lector's? We...we should have two Sting's then the two Sting's can fight each other and the strongest Sting will win...It'll be like...like a battle of Sting's y'know?...C-can we do that Sting?"
"Sure buddy."
"We should go find the lost treasure...that will solve ALL our issues!"
Sting placed Rouge on one of the benches that sat against the wall. He shot up immediately.
"I HAVE TO SAVE THE PENGUINS!"
Sting rolled his eyes, the usually calm and collected Rouge Cheney was probably the biggest lush he'd ever met. He recalled the time he and Rouge drank only just one glass and he was toppling over, slurring every sentence and smashing everything.
"You do that..." The blonde sighed, getting up to grab his brother a cooling and hopefully sobering glass of water. He'd only just reached the bar when a large crash echoed through the hall. The dragon slayer spun around to find Rouge throwing the bench into the hall.
"FUCK YOU PENGUINS! YOU DON'T WANT MY HELP YOU TUXEDO WEARING FUCKERS?! YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME?!"
The entire guild watched in complete silence before bursting in a fit of laughter. A newer member, Yukino he thought, was trying to calm the mage down.
"It's okay Rouge-san, I promise there are no penguins."
Rouge stared at the girl dumbfounded.
"No...No penguins?"
"No penguins." She smiled.
He grinned, strolling up to the girl and bringing her into a tight embrace.
"Thank you! I love you!" He slurred leaning in for a kiss, but before slumping forward, crushing the blushing girl beneath him. Typical Rouge, he always passes out before getting to the good part. We all began to laugh, enjoying the rest and relaxation after a big fight.
"WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK YOU'RE DOING" A booming voice demanded. Every member turned (except Rouge of course) to find Master Jiemma fuming at the entrance way. A few members let out a nervous laugh, glancing around the hall.
"We were just having a bit of fun-" The poor soul who decided to speak didn't even have time to finish his sentence before the master had them by the throat. He glared into the mans eyes.
"GET OUT."
"W-wha?"
"YOU ARE OFFICIALLY KICKED OUT OF SABERTOOTH, REMOVE YOUR OWN MARK. IF I SEE YOU HERE AGAIN I WILL NOT HESITATE TO DESTROY YOU."
The man shivered in fear as he was released from the master's grip. We all watched in stunned silence as he quickly gathered his things as exited the guild. Master then proceeded to his throne, stepping over Rouge and Yukino.
"CLEAN THIS TRASH UP, WE HAVE NO TIME FOR REST. YOU ALL NEED TO TRAIN FOR THE NEXT GAMES AND NOT DISGRACE ME LIKE MINERVA DID."
It was then that Sting noticed that Minerva had not entered the guild with her father. Where was she? He slung Rouge and Frosch over his shoulder, heading out of the guild. Lector walked behind, staring warily behind him.
"Where are we going Sting-kun? Are we kicked out too?" Lector questioned, his voice shaking slightly.
"Nah, I'm just taking this buffoon home and then I'm going to find Minerva."
"Why should we look for her? She's being punished right?"
Even though he swore to himself not to get involved, not stick his nose where it didn't belong...he knew in his heart that he had to find her. He just had a feeling that she needed him. Sting had no idea why he had this sudden interest in the young woman, maybe it was because she was the only one being reprimanded for her loss but he couldn't help it.
"You don't have to look for her if you don't want to Lector, just watch over Rouge and Frosch.
"Gotcha!"
A short time later the light dragon slayer was sprinting through the trees, following the Territory magic users sweet scent. For some reason he always managed to pick out her smell even surrounded others. She smelled of the sweetest flowers and something else he couldn't place. His boots dug into the soft earth of the forest floor, sinking slightly. It was then that his ears caught the sound of sobbing, a figure sat crouched over. From what he could tell it was a woman...with dark hair falling down her back...was it? It couldn't be...could it?
"M-Minerva?" He gasped, taking a step closer. Though his faced turned a deep shade of red as he realized she was naked. She must not of heard him because she didn't turn around, instead she looked up to the sky and pleaded.
"Father! I-I mean Master please! PLEASE I'M BEGGING YOU!...Give me back my clothes...please please...Oh..." She choked out another sob her body shaking in shame and cold. Sting clenched his fists. Her father did this to her?! How could he? How could anyone do this to another human being? Do this to their own flesh and blood.
"Master please I'm sorry! It won't happ-happen again!"
Sting watched the girl for a few more minutes, her sobs soon quieting into hiccups and then after all her tears dried up she lay on the ground and went to sleep. Sting didn't move, scared of what she might do if she caught him peeping. Despite her current appearance Minerva always seemed to be a person who held their head high with pride. When he was sure she had fallen asleep the dragon slayer crept over, scooping the girl into his arms. He stared into her tear streaked face, her lips swollen and eyes puffy. She looked so pitiful...so vulnerable...so sad. Sting felt a wide array of emotions swell in his chest, he leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I promise I won't let anything like this happen to you again Milady."
Heading out of the forest he made his way to his apartment, where Milady would be able to dress and bathe and be safe. He had dressed her in a pair of his boxers and one of his tee-shirts. He had to admit, she looked pretty cute dressed in his clothing. She even smelled a little like him.
When Milady awoke she did not give the reaction the blonde was expecting. She cried and cried, begging for him to take her back. She told him her punishment was not over yet, that she needed to be there for another three days. When he heard this he couldn't stop trembling.
"P-please Sting...I need to go back...take your clothes and let me go back."
"Milady you need to rest! You are in no condition to be running nude in the forest!"
She blinked in surprise.
"Milady? Since when do you call me Milady?"
Sting blushed.
"You are Master's daughter after all...so I thought it was time I started treating you with the respect you deserve Milady."
"Stop calling me that! Look Sting I'm grateful for your help but I need to go back. Goodbye!" She tried to run out of the apartment but Sting was at her side in a second, grabbing her hand. Her dark hair flew wildly over her face and her olive green eyes flashed.
"It's alright Milady, you don't have to go back...you can stay here for three days...it's okay."
She bit her lip nervously, looking like she was on the verge of panic. Tears slid down her cheeks as she started to sniffle.
"I really have to go back..."
He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her slender frame tightly. She didn't hug back...but she didn't push away.
"It's okay...you don't have to be scared anymore."
They slid down to the hardwood floor, Sting still holding onto the fragile girl in his arms. They sat there for what seemed like hours...together...and not afraid.
WORD COUNT; 2330
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY, THE FIRST CHAPTER IS ALWAYS THE SHORTEST.
NEXT CHAPTER HINT; CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THE NEXT STORY WILL BE?
"Sting watched as the two leaned in for a hug and he couldn't contain his rage. If he had the ability, the man would be dead in the ground and Milady would get all she desired. But why? Why did it have to be him?"
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW, FAVORITE AND REVIEW.