Once Upon a Fairy Tail
Chapter 1: Don't You Cry
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. -Walt Disney
In a land far, far away, lies the Kingdom of Fiore, a small peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place where magic is rare. Only a few can claim to be a magic user. And those few, are feared by many. All that is different, all that is unknown, always causes fear and may lead to turmoil. However, the kind and fair Queen, Layla Heartfilia, was a wizard herself. She proclaimed that wizards were not to be feared, for they were just like everyone else. The Queen came to symbolize hope and love to both magic users and non magic users. She brought harmony and peace to her Kingdom. Both the King and Queen could only hope their daughter would one day come to symbolize the same to their Kingdom.
In this Kingdom, however, darkness lurks in the shadows. And though the fair Queen would not witness it's unrest, the Princess would. Throughout the Kingdom ran rumors of a man named Zeref, that was said to be the darkest, most evil Mage of the nation. Creating many Demons, as it was said that he had mastered the Black Arts, this dark wizard's Demons were to wreak havoc in the Kingdom. And only one man would be able to defeat this evil Mage. A Hero would soon be born and save the Kingdom from despair. And Zeref will await the day this man grows strong enough to defeat him. His name… is Natsu Dragneel.
July 7, X777
His bare feet pounded against the hard ground. He had no idea where he was going or how long he had been running. He was blinded by the tears gathering in his eyes, his bottom lip trembling as he yelled, "Igneel!"
The people in the small town he had been searching, turned to stare at the small boy with raised eyebrows and whispers. It was dark outside already. He had been searching all day. He had woken up in the forest like every other day, expecting to be curled up against his father. But the large Dragon had been nowhere to be found. He had just… disappeared. He didn't understand why or how.
"Where are you, Igneel!" He yelled again. His search became frantic as he ran through town, feeling both scared and unsure as he was completely out of his element. He had never been surrounded by so many people. Different faces turned to stare at the young boy with questioning glances. The tears finally rolled down his cheeks as he looked around the crowd that now stared at him with concern. The boy pushed away from the crowd, continuing his search and ignoring those who tried to question him.
His small, sweaty hand held tightly to the scale-patterned scarf his father had given him, his other hand rubbing his eyes.
As hard as he tried, the tears just wouldn't stop, blinding him and making his feet stumble clumsily, his face and chest abruptly crashing into the hard ground. At that moment, while he laid on the ground, all he wanted was to scream, cry out, but all that escaped his lips was a fatigued, shallow breath.
He sat up slowly, his legs curling up against his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around his legs. He hid his crying face against his legs, his cries making his small body shake. People walked around him, some spoke to him others ignored him. It was all a blur to him. He could only hear his cries being muffled by his legs. He just wanted to be with his father. He wanted to feel safe again. He didn't like this feeling. He hated this feeling… Fear. Weakness. Loneliness.
An older couple had been walking through that same town that same night. The short woman carried a paper bag filled with groceries close to her chest, humming a song as she and her husband walked home. The old, short, white haired man smiled over at his wife, enjoying the peaceful night Magnolia had offered to them.
However, they both stopped when they saw a little boy sitting in the middle of the street, the crowd of people before them just passing by him, some stopping to glance his way before continuing on.
"Oh my…" The old woman whispered, frowning as she stared at the pink haired boy. "Poor boy. He must be lost." She felt something tighten in her chest, turning to her husband who frowned when he saw the look in her eyes.
"We have to help him." She whispered and the old man sighed, knowing there was no means in arguing with his wife when she set her mind to something.
She handed the paper bag she held onto to her husband before she approached the boy. Walking after her, Makarov watched as she crouched beside the boy, a warm and inviting smile on her face as she said, "Hey little one."
The boy glanced up at her, tears sliding down his cheeks. "Is something wrong? Can I be of any help?" She placed a comforting hand on his shaking back, wanting the boy to feel safe and trust her enough to open up to her.
His small hands rolled up into fists by his sides and he looked away from the old woman, mumbling, "I can't find Igneel." Fresh tears spilled his eyes and her eyes widened.
At the mentioning of that name, Makarov perked up, suddenly very interested in the boy before him. "How do you know this Igneel?" He questioned.
The boy looked up at the old man, glaring at him as he proudly stated, "Igneel's my father!"
Makarov raised an eyebrow, not sure whether to believe the brat or not. His wife seemed to believe him, patting the boy's back and smiling as she told him, "When was the last time you saw him?"
The boy sniffed, "Yesterday. But this morning, he was just gone. I've been looking for him all day." He glared down at the ground. "It's not like it's easy for him to hide! He's a huge, red Dragon! So I should have easily found him!"
The woman's eyes widened at the boy's words, looking up at her husband in question. When he nodded, she realized she hadn't misheard the boy. He had really said dragon.
Stepping towards the boy, Makarov sighed as he stated, "We'll go to the spot you last saw your father tomorrow and see if he has returned. It's late now, so we should head home and sleep. You're probably tired from running around all day. You look like you need a shower and you must be starving." The boy's stomach growled then and he blushed, turning his head to the side.
Giggling, the woman stood up slowly, offering the boy her hand. "Let's go home then."
The boy stared at her hand with with wide eyes that seemed to grow in size as he stared at them. Tentatively, he took her hand, letting her pull him up to his feet.
Once they arrived to the couple's small and cozy home, Natsu grinned. Gripping the woman's hand tightly, he finally felt safe again. He knew he'd soon find Igneel with the help of this kind couple and everything would be back to normal. Well, at least he hoped that'd be the case.
The kind old woman prepared dinner for the two, calling for her grandson as they stepped into the kitchen. "Laxus, sweetie, we're home!"
A tall, blonde teenager stepped out from the small home, smiling down at his grandmother. "Hey Gran."
The older woman grinned up at him, "Did you already have something for dinner?"
The teenager shook his head, glancing at the kitchen table where his grandfather sat at with a small boy. He raised an eyebrow. "Who's the kid?"
His grandmother had been slicing the vegetables as she glanced at the boy and frowned. "We found him all by himself in the middle of town. I just didn't have the heart to leave him there."
Laxus nodded. His grandmother had always been a big hearted woman. The two soon joined the boy and the old man at the table, enjoying the dinner she had prepared.
The blonde teenager took the seat beside the kid, asking, "What's your name brat?"
Slamming his fist on the table, the boy stated hotly, "Well it's not brat!" Makarov yelled at the boy while Laxus smirked. "It's Natsu! Natsu Dragneel! Son of Igneel and the strongest Dragon Slayer you'll ever meet!"
Laxus raised an eyebrow at the brat's confidence before he snorted. "Yeah right." Natsu glared at him. The teen was surprised he'd finally met another dragon slayer. He knew there must have been others like him, he just hadn't thought of ever coming across any of them. "Sorry kid, but I'm the strongest Dragon Slayer."
Natsu's eyes widened, sparkling as they stared at the older boy beside him. "Fight me!" He yelled, standing on his chair with his hands curled into fists before him. They lightened with fire and Laxus shook with laughter, Makarov shaking his head, while his wife giggled.
Later that night, Natsu sat on the couch, where he'd be sleeping. He stared out the window, looking at the star filled sky. His small hands shook as they curled tightly onto the blanket that covered him.
He wanted to be with Igneel. He really missed him. Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes and he quickly rubbed them away, not wanting Laxus to see him and mock him for being a cry baby.
"Natsu?" The teary eyed boy looked up to see the old woman approach him. She sat on the couch, running her hand through the boy's hair. "Can't sleep?"
Shaking his head, Natsu looked down and sniffed. "I want to find Igneel, Gran." Tears slid down his cheeks. Her eyes widened at the nickname she'd only ever heard from her grandson. Her heart warmed. "I just have a feeling he won't be there tomorrow."
She pulled him into her arms, hugging him tightly against her chest. He shook as he quietly sobbed against her chest. She whispered soothing words to him, rubbing his back.
She then began to sing softly, getting Natsu to drift off to sleep, his chest warming with her soft voice and loving words. Her wrinkled and warm hand held tightly onto his soft and small one as he finally drifted to sleep, dreaming of a large, red dragon that was waiting for him in the forest, yelling at him for going off without permission.
Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
Hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
Smiling a she stared at the sleeping boy breath evenly, she tried to stand, but his small hand held tightly onto hers. Her eyes widened, staring at the child she held as he whispered, "Please don't leave me too."
Frowning, she whispered, "I'm not going anywhere Natsu." The boy smiled in his sleep, nodding.
For one so small,
You seem so strong
The next day, as he had suspected, his father was not there. But Natsu was very persistent, and went back everyday, sometimes waiting there for hours, his new family once in awhile staying with him, Gran making a picnic for them as they sat there, waiting to see if a large dragon appeared.
Makarov watched the boy, half expecting him to break down as they walked away from the forest, once again unsuccessful to find the Dragon. But the boy only stood taller, his head raised high. He was going to find Igneel, it didn't matter how long he would have to wait. He'd be strong. If he wasn't, Igneel would never be proud. He had not shed tears after that first night, but he'd sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, after having a nightmare about never seeing Igneel again. His heart would beat hard against his ribcage, and Gran would come after he'd call, singing to him softly as he slept the nightmares away with her soothing voice.
He'd train day and night, becoming a strong Dragon Slayer, though he was a hot head who went overboard all the time and couldn't control his power as well as Laxus could. All he wanted, was to make his father proud.
Looking out the window, his spiky, pink hair blew with the wind. He grinned up at the star filled night whispering, "I'll become the greatest and strongest Dragon Slayer, Pops. You'll see! I'll definitely become a hero! You'll hear of me throughout the land! And finally, we'll be able to meet again."
It was his dream, one Laxus had snickered at, but he was definitely going to make a reality. He would make everyone in this town finally respect him, he would make them look up at him, he'd finally show them he could be so much more than just a 'Street Rat.' He'd go the distance, no matter how far, to find his father! He'd do anything… To get his warm, great welcome… The crowds cheering his name instead of yelling at him for another of his destructions or disruptions in town.
"I'll make you proud, Igneel, Gran."
July 7, X777 In the Kingdom of Fiore…
"Princess!"
Ignore them. Just keep running. Run faster, Lucy! You have to see her. You have to!
The little girl held tightly to the folds of her dress as she ran through the long corridors of the huge Castle. She breathed hard, her heart hammering in her chest, tears blinding her as they pooled in her eyes, slowly sliding down her cheeks.
She tripped a couple of times, her dress getting in the way, but she'd quickly pick herself up, continuing running towards the large doors of her mother's chamber.
Getting sick of her shoes, she stopped and took them off, her hands shaking as she quickly discarded them and dropped them to the floor. Her bare feet made slapping sounds on the marble floor as she continued running down the hallway.
"Mama…" She whispered, a knot on her throat as tears gathered in her eyes. "Please… Please don't leave me Mama!"
Finally, the massive doors that led to her mother's chamber came to view down the long hallway. There were two knights stationed before the doors, and they both glanced at each other when they saw the Princess approach them. The King had ordered them to keep the Princess far away from this room. The older knight sighed, stepping in front of the young Princess. "You're not supposed to be here, Miss Lucy. We have orders from your father-"
"I need to see Mama!" She cried, trying to sidestep the knight but the other placed a hand to her shoulder, stopping her once again.
"Princess, you really shouldn't be here-"
"Just let her in!" The two knights turned around to see a blue haired mermaid standing before them.
"Aquarius!" The little girl smiled but then she frowned. "I don't remember summoning you…"
She 'ugh' and glared at the young girl. "I opened my own gate. I knew you'd be getting yourself into trouble, like always."
The Princess looked down sheepishly, playing with the folds of her skirt. "I just want to see Mama before…" She couldn't finish that thought, because she didn't want to believe that after today, she may never see her mother's bright smile ever again.
Aquarius sighed. "I know." The girl smiled up at her, the mermaid not returning the smile as she instead turned to the knights. "This idiot girl has the right to see her dying mother one last time."
The two knights sweat dropped as they stared at the mermaid, before the older knight nodded. "Alright, but you'll take full responsibility if her father asks for the reason to us breaking his orders."
The mermaid rolled her eyes, nodding. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever." She then looked down at the shaking small girl whose eyes were glued on the massive doors before her. Sighing, Aquarius muttered, "Well, aren't you going to see her?"
Lucy looked up at her Celestial Spirit, smiling softly. "Of course."
She took a few tentative steps towards the door, her small hand reaching for the cold doorknob. Glancing back at her strongest Spirit, Lucy smiled when she saw her nod, mouthing to her to not be scared.
Lucy stepped inside the half lit room. Thick black velvet curtains hid the windows, the fire simmering quietly in the corner, as it was the only source of light in the room.
A few maids ran across the room, bringing more towels and water to the Queen's trusted magic healer. The older, pink haired woman took what the maids brought to her, placing it in the Queen's nightstand. This woman… she didn't have much time left.
The King held tightly to his wife's hand, her nails sometimes digging into the skin of his hand as she grunted in pain.
The Princess stopped just as she had only walked a few steps into the room, letting the door slam shut. The maids jumped in surprise, turning to the Princes wide eyed.
"Princess! What are you doing here?!"
Lucy ignored them, as her sick mother groaned from her bed, her chest heaving as she twisted.
The King looked away from his suffering wife, staring at his daughter. The girl did not give a second glance to her father, as she stared wide eyed at her mother with terror. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her body shaking. She did not want to see her mother in so much pain. She didn't want her mother to have to go through this. It just… wasn't fair! Why was this happening to her mother?!
"Lucy…" Her father frowned as he stared at the innocent child. "You should not be here. I was very clear-"
He stopped when his wife's hand tightened on his, sitting up as much as she could to see her daughter. "Lucy… Sweetie…" Layla frowned when she saw her daughter's tears and heard her soft whimpers.
"Mama!" The Princess rushed to her mother's side, holding onto her free hand. Layla looked at her daughter in sadness, regretting causing her young daughter so much pain and grief.
Lucy stared at her mother, frowning when she noticed the sweat gathering on her forehead and chest. Her golden hair was soaking with perspiration as she writhed in pain. Waves of pain radiated from her body and her lovely face was again contorted in pain.
The maids stopped dead on what they were doing. Lucy held her breath as she heard a maid whisper, "Your Majesty…"
Porlyusica, the best healer of Fiore, hovered above the young Queen, wiping her forehead with cool clothes. The King whispered words of encouragement to his wife, his thumb drawing patterns on her cold and weakening hand.
The Queen glanced at her daughter, taking deep breaths as she untangled her hand from her daughter's and rubbed her hand on her daughter's soft cheek. "I'll always be with you Lucy." The Princess' eyes widened. No… No! Her mother couldn't say goodbye now! She didn't want to be separated from her! Lucy whimpered when her mother cleaned her tears away. "I'll be in your heart. Always."
Layla's brown eyes then shut tight, turning away from her daughter, her young body twisting and writhing in pain. The smooth skin of her face was contorted in pain as she screamed and screamed. The maids tried pulling Lucy away but the young Princess resisted, not wanting to leave her mother's side.
The King yelled at the healer, telling her to do something to lessen the pain. Porlyusica frowned, shaking her head at his demands. "Her body is too fragile and weak. There's nothing else I can do."
Lucy's heartbeat roared in her ears. Her eyes wide in fright and her shaking, small hands coming up to cover her mouth. "No…" There was nothing left she could do…?
Porlyusica stepped back from the Queen's bed, frowning as she watched the young Princess hold tightly onto her mother's arm. The Queen didn't have much time left. It was a miracle that she was still alive. The olde healer looked down. She had warned the human not to overuse her magic, but alas, she was reckless and stubborn as always.
Layla kissed the top of her daughter's head, her hand clutching tightly onto her husband's hand as she frowned up at him. Jude looked away, tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. This was goodbye.
"I love you, Lucy. I love you so much." Layla whispered as her daughter hugged her arm tightly, crying on her shoulder. "I know you'll be a wonderful Celestial Spirit Mage that will treasure her spirits and treat them as friends. They're not tools, sweetie, always remember that." Lucy shook as fresh tears rolled down her flushed cheeks. "I know you'll one day be a respectful and loving Queen." She stopped, rubbing her daughter's back. "But… If your wishes are not between these walls, please Lucy, do not falter, go off and fulfill all your heart's desires." She kissed the crown of her daughter's head. "I'm so proud of you Lucy. Never change. Always remember…" Her body trembled, her hands getting colder than before. Her sight became hazy and she glanced up at her husband one last time, smiling before she looked back down at her daughter. "Always remember that Mama loves you. I'll always be right here." She tapped her chest, just above her heart. Lucy looked up at her mother with wide eyes, watching her smile one last time. "Always."
Her pulse slowly faded, and the maids looked away as the King gave out a cry of despair and the Princess cried in agony. "Mama!"
As the Queen's eyes closed and her warmth soon disappeared, the maids finally stepped up to the crying Princess, pulling her away from her mother's lifeless body.
Lucy kicked and wriggled in the maid's arms, trying to break free and run back to her mother's side. The King watched her daughter and then turned to the maids, shaking his head. He stepped away from his dead wife and watched as maids walked to the dead Queen.
The Princess was carried away to her bedroom, the maids locking her in. "Let me out!" Lucy cried out, hitting her fists to the door. "Please! I want to be with Mama! Let me out! Please! Papa! Let me out!"
After what felt like hours of crying out for someone to let her out, the Princess' throat became sore and she rested her back to the door, sliding down to the floor as she shook and softly cried onto the folds of her dress.
Slowly, Lucy glanced up, her eyes red and puffy from crying so much. She looked around her large bedroom, remembering the laughs and warm moments she had spent with her loving mother. She stood up, looking around her room. Her heart hurt. She wanted her mother.
She stopped in front of the doors that opened to her balcony. She peeked out the entry to the balcony and saw the garden. More memories clouded her mind. She could just picture the warm, summer evenings, running through the maze as her mother chased after her, giggling uncontrollably.
Lucy looked away, her hand squeezing over her chest. She blew on the candles that lightened her bedroom and crawled up on her huge bed. She laid there, curled up as her vision became blurry, tears spilling as she remembered her mother's last words. She'd make her mother proud! She wouldn't let her down! She'll become the greatest Celestial Spirit Mage of this land, she will bring hope and unity to her Kingdom! And… and she'll fulfill all her heart's desires.
Staring at the window, Lucy smiled as she stared at the star filled sky. If she were to fulfill her heart's desires, she'd never bring honor to her Kingdom. For what she wanted, was to be far away from these walls that surrounded her.
Sitting up, Lucy walked to the bathroom, pulling one of her keys as she summoned Aquarius.
The mermaid glared down at the Princess, all too ready to yell at the girl for summoning her from her sink, but stopped when she heard the soft whimpers. Aquarius frowned, looking away. Her previous owner had just died after all. The girl had just lost her mother.
"Aqu-arius." The girl choked between cries. "Why… Why can't I stop crying, Aquarius?" She hugged the mermaid's tail, her Spirit's frown deepening. "I want these tears to stop!"
The blue haired mermaid patted the blonde head as affectionately as she could. "I don't know, brat. I really don't know."
Aquarius held onto the crying Princess for a few minutes before she pulled her to her bed. She helped the Princess to bed, combing her head as she sung softly to her. Lucy's cheeks flushed as she curled onto the mermaid's side, enjoying her beautiful voice and loving lyrics. The Princess fell asleep that night with a small smile on her face.
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
The following day, the entire Kingdom mourned their Queen's death. That day, Lucy did not shed a single tear. She was done crying. As the Princess of Fiore, she should look strong for her Kingdom. She should represent grace and utmost confidence in her Kingdom. She should not waver or falter. She should always stand tall with confidence and power in front of the people of her Kingdom. Never show fear or despair. She needed to be strong. Even when she really wasn't. Even when all she wanted was to run off to the warmth and safeness of her bedroom, where she could ignore the cries and words of condolence over her mother's death.
The Princess promised her mother to become a strong and respectful role model for her Kingdom. And that's exactly what she'd do. Everyday she'll try harder, become stronger, encounter a new challenge and overcome it. That was what a Princess should do. That's what she must do. But is being a Princess what her heart desires? She did not have an answer, though she tried to convince herself that it was what she wanted.
She continued studying magic everyday, even when her father prohibited her to do so. She didn't understand why he hated magic so much when her mother had loved and treasured it. Lucy did not like disobeying her father, but her Spirits and magic were the force and drive that made her want to stand from bed every day. They encouraged her to keep going everyday, helping her overcome every obstacle that crossed her path.
However, the Kingdom's walls lost their appeal long ago. She wanted to explore the world outside these walls. She dreamed of adventures, of meeting new people, creating new friendships, seeing the outside world that she would one day rule over. How could she become the strong and loving Queen her Kingdom deserved if she had yet to step outside the Castle?
Her long blonde hair blew out of her face as she stood out in her balcony, staring up at the star filled night sky. She glanced at the wall that surrounded the Castle she felt trapped and caged in, her eyes going beyond the outskirts of the wall, to the town of Crocus just outside the Kingdom's wall. What was it like there? What she would give to leave these walls. To explore the unknown and be part of a world so different from her own. She rested her chin on her palm, staring at the town and smiling. How she wished to walk the streets of the town without anyone telling her what to do or how to dress. To just be free! To do what she wished!
She was almost certain it'd be a dazzling place filled with adventures. No one would be there to reprimand her or tell her she's only dreaming. She'd be free and herself. She'd fulfill all that her heart desired…
Smiling sadly, Lucy glanced up at the sky, a single tear sliding down her right cheek. "I'll make you proud, Mama. I promise."
At that moment the Princess and the Dragon Slayer made a promise to fulfill their dreams, no matter what. Both smiling up at the stars as courage fueled their body and soul.
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."- An ancient Chinese belief
A dark haired, young man sat alone in an island under a tree. He stared at his doings, the destroyed forest before him. He could hear a small creature making its way towards him, and he was unfazed when it ran up his shoulder. The Dark Mage looked down at it before his eyes closed.
"It indeed was a great loss." The young man muttered. His eyes slowly opened, staring at the blue sky. "The Queen's death… Such a courageous mage."
He sensed something behind him, but he didn't have to turn, for there was no one behind him. "Though I cannot see you, Mavis, I can feel your presence."
He closed his eyes, picturing the small, blonde girl with long wavy hair he had loved oh so many years ago.
The spirit of the girl frowned down at the Dark Mage. "Zeref…"
"I'll meet him soon Mavis." He stated. "He'll soon be strong enough to defeat me. He's the only one that can stop me once and for all." He smiled down at the grass. "How much longer? How much longer until our paths finally cross again, Natsu?"
Author's Note: Like, hate it, love it? Please a review and let me know!
Okay, so I've had the idea for this story for the longest time and couldn't help writing the first chapter. No worries, I'm already working on the second chapter! I really enjoyed writing this first chapter and am very pleased to how it turned out. Hopefully you all enjoyed it as well.
This story is pretty much centered around Natsu and Lucy but I will focus on other major couples as well. And as you may have noticed, each character will be based on a Disney character or two ;) With my own little spin. This story is the result of me watching one too many YouTube AMVs of Fairy Tail Disney songs. Lol.
Thank you for reading! Review and let me know what you thought!
Song: Disney's Tarzan You'll be In My Heart by Phil Collins
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail is owned by Hiro Mashima! Disney characters, songs and ideas used in this story are all owned by Walt Disney Studios!
~ Blue ~