As you can see, I've chosen to finish it! This one will probably be somewhere between 4 and 6 parts. Thanks so much for reading
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of it's characters
Yury grinned when Warrod walked into the room with more water for Mavis and a two full beer mugs in the other hand. "It's about time!" he laughed. He noticed that Precht followed close behind and took a seat in the far corner.
Yury gratefully accepted the drink and turned to Precht with his brows furrowed, "Why are you here? Did Warrod need help carrying?"
"He saw me filling the glasses and I told him you were telling Mira a story. Precht wants to hear it too," Warrod answered. Precht acknowledged the response by raising his mug slightly in Yury's direction.
Yury grinned wide, "Ahh, you want to make sure my story doesn't beat yours is that it? I will have you know that I will be the best, nothing will beat this story I've come up with!"
Precht cut his eyes at Warrod and quietly asked, "What is he talking about?"
Warrod waved him off and whispered, "Just go with it," which elicited a tiny giggle from Mavis. Warrod sat back in his seat and set his mug on the table next to him, "Alright Yury, it would seem everyone has their drink. Continue this unbeatable story."
Yury squinted his eyes in distrust for a few moments before shaking it off and returning to his grin. "Alright then . . ."
After greeting her future subjects, Lucy was exhausted. Needing an escape from her duties and the crowds, she dressed in a riding gown and set out to ride her horse in the wild land beyond the castle.
After the announcement of her coming nuptials, the reality of her situation weighed heavily on her, dragging her down into the depths of despair. She was going to be married, not just to someone she didn't love, but also someone she didn't particularly like. It wasn't that she hated Prince Siegrain, she really just didn't know him at all. She never saw him, he was always off on a hunt or tending to matters of state. The few times she had seen him, he was condescending and haughty. Hardly the behavior to breed fondness.
It was wrong to marry this way, but she couldn't think of a way to get out of it. She knew there were many who married like this and managed just fine, she hoped she could be like that. Probably Lucy would just spend the rest of her life at her leisure in her expensive rooms, only to be called upon when the prince wanted to use her as a decoration or to attempt to produce an heir. The thought made her stomach churn, but her only other option was death. She sighed and spurned her horse on, she would have to be satisfied with what life had thrown her way.
The sun was beginning to set when she was on her way home. As she crested a hill she came across an extremely strange trio. The man in front was short, with thick, angry looking eyebrows and a long blue braid trailing down his back. Next to him was a man of slight but muscular build, with black hair and dark, stormy eyes. He was missing his shirt though the weather wasn't particularly hot. The last man was the largest man she had ever seen, and his hair white as snow. They watched her approach and a grin formed on the front man's face as he stepped out into her path.
He held up a finger, "Just a moment of your time my lady?" Lucy stopped her horse and stared down at him. He gave her a charming smile, "We are just poor circus performers, and we seem to have lost our way. Is there any way you could direct us to a village nearby?" He patted her horse's nose and took hold of its bridle.
Lucy tilted her head, "There is nothing nearby, not for miles actually."
His charming smile grew malicious and wave of fear swept through her. She nearly fell from her horse when she heard him say, "Then there will be no one to hear you scream." Lucy did not have a chance to scream however, for the white-haired man reached for her and the world went black.
#
Yuka had made them do plenty of things that did not sit well with Gray, but this by far was his least favorite. The tiny man was really beginning to get on his nerves. If it weren't for all of Yuka's connections, Gray would have left the man's employment long ago. For now, leaving meant being out of work again. If he was ever going to exact his vengeance, he would have to earn money to eat and keep his strength.
Gray watched with a frown on his face as Yuka began tearing apart a coat. "What is that you're ripping?" he asked as he set about preparing their ship to leave.
"Fabric from an officer's jacket of the kingdom of Alvarez," Yuka said with a grin, attaching a patch to the back of the horse's saddle.
Elfman carried the princess onto the boat with great care. He turned back to Yuka with a quizzical look. "What's Alvarez?"
Yuka huffed, "The country across the sea." Elfman looked back at him dumbly, so he tried again. "The sworn enemy of Fiore!" Elfman just shrugged, Yuka pulled at his hair in frustration, "No matter, the horse will run back to the castle with the piece of uniform attached and they will believe that the princess was kidnapped by Alvarez soldiers." He slapped the horses rear, sending it off in the direction of the palace. "When they find her dead body on the other side of the sea, the suspicions will be confirmed."
Elfman's head popped up, "Wait, you never said anything about killing anyone."
Yuka wrinkled his brow, "I hired you to help me start a war, what the hell did you think that entailed?"
Elfman shook his head, "Well I don't think it's very manly, killing a lady like that."
Yuka shoved a finger in the large man's chest, "I don't pay you to think, I'm the one who thinks! I hired you to be the muscle, the monster. You are merely a tool for my disposal. Do not question me!"
Grey finished untying the boat and leapt on. "I agree with Elfman, I don't think we should just kill an innocent girl like that." He used a pole to push the boat out into the water.
"Girl? Girl! This isn't an innocent girl, she's the future bride of the prince. An ordinary commoner wouldn't rise to such a position on looks alone, no matter how beautiful she is! She's probably conniving and backstabbing, is that the type of woman you would want as your queen?"
Elfman looked down at Lucy's face, "She doesn't look like that kind of woman, she looks like an angel."
Yuka growled in rage, "I can't believe we are having this discussion! Elfman, when I found you you were working in a circus, pretending to be some kind of monster while they threw gladiators at you who fought with chains and sticks. Do you want to return to that life?"
Elfman frowned, "No, of course not."
Yuka turned to Gray, "And you were so stinking drunk that you could no longer tell friend from foe! You were naked and filthy, and your village was going to lock you up for public indecency!"
Gray shrugged, "It was hot, my clothes were scratchy." He unfurled the sail and the boat started moving, "She's loved by the people already, they will be very upset to lose her."
"That's the point!" Yuka shrieked. "We are paid to start a war! People are supposed to be upset, upset to the point that they go to war! If we do this job right, we won't have time for all of the job requests coming in."
Gray rolled his eyes, "Well, whatever Yuka, I still don't like it. I wish you had turned it down."
Yuka threw up his hands in defeat, "The pay was just too high."
Gray crossed his arms, "Well then you are the one who's doing it. I'm not killing an innocent lady like that."
Elfman shook his head, "I can't do it either."
"Fine, fine, you giant sacks of shit! I'll just do everything like I always have to! I don't even know why I bothered hiring you!" He looked up, "Are you giving it full sail?"
"As much as I can," Gray answered.
"Good, good. It will take the horse about half an hour to reach the castle, so by the time they get back to where we shoved off they will be an hour behind. We should reach the cliffs by dawn then another hour to Alvarez. . . If I wait to kill her fifteen, twenty minutes after we arrive, her body will still be warm by the time the prince arrives." Yuka chuckled, "I only wish we could stick around for the show, I'm sure the prince's performance will be stage worthy."
"Oh no, I think she's stirring, should I put her out again?" Elfman looked down at Lucy with a frown.
"Sure, why not? Although really, she's been awake this whole time." Yuka grinned.
Gray huffed and muttered, "insensitive bastard." He walked over to Lucy. She looked up at him with pleading eyes, squeezing at his heart. Maybe he could find a way to release her and make it look like an accident when they reached Alvarez. Yuka and Elfman weren't very fast, it would be simple to pretend he lost her. He grimaced down at her, then touched her temple, shoulder, and neck, saying, "Sleep well lady," as she drifted back into unconsciousness.
#
When Lucy woke for the second time, she didn't waste a beat. She threw the blanket from over her and dived into the icy waters. When she came back up she was surprised to see the three men just staring at her. Elfman looked confused, Gray looked concerned, but the leader was smiling.
"You might want to start swimming back this way princess," Yuka called.
"Why in the world would I want to do that!" Lucy exclaimed as she treaded water.
"See these waters here are completely infested with man-eating eels." Yuka put a hand to his ear, "Can't you hear them? They always get louder just as they are about to feed."
"You're bluffing!" Lucy cried just as a high pitched squeal reached her ear.
Yuka's smile grew, "Am I?"
Lucy looked frantically side to side as the squealing grew louder and louder, until the high pitched noise was so loud it was painful. She lost her breath when an eel the length of a boat and the width of a barrel, swam quickly right by her. Lucy began to hyperventilate and she struggled to stay afloat. She was so terrified that this was going to be her end.
"You are scaring Mavis," Precht mumbled into his collar.
Yury squinted his eyes at Precht, "Say what now?"
Precht motioned at the girl in bed, "You are scaring Mavis."
Yury looked at Mavis, who stared at him wide-eyed, blankets covering most of her face, "Oh no, I'm not scared. Just. . . .worried."
Yury smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry Mavis, she doesn't die."
"You promise?" Mavis gave a little cough.
"Of course! Why would I kill off my main character?" Yury grinned.
Warrod tilted his head and smirked, "Maybe she's worried because you already killed one off with pirates."
Yury sighed, "Well I'm not killing this one. Okay?" He turned to Mavis, "Are you okay for me to continue?" Mavis gave a slow nod.
Lucy began to hyperventilate, her eyes wide in terror.
"Those eels will tear you apart, giving you an awfully painful end. I can promise that with me it will be quick and painless, and no harm will befall you until we get to Alvarez. Don't you think that would be a much better deal?" Yuka asked.
Lucy attempted to nod but all she could do was tear up, she was so afraid. She needed to swim back but the eels were coming closer and closer. She couldn't get her arms or legs to move!
Yuka frowned, "Damnit, she's frozen up. Gray go in after her."
Gray rolled his eyes, "I'd definitely rather be running around naked and drunk then getting torn apart by eels. You aren't going to convince me to get in there. You go in."
Yuka stamped his feet, "Damnit! Elfman you go in after her."
"But I can't swim very fast! All I can do is doggy paddle!" Elfman exclaimed.
Lucy couldn't even pay any more attention to their conversation. The eels were touching her feet and her arms. If she ever got out alive, she would never be able to swim again.
Just as she thought it was the end, a hand grabbed her by the back of the dress and lifted her onto the boat. "You drifted close enough, how lucky!" Elfman grinned.
Lucy sat on the deck, trying to regain her breath. Yuka stood before her and put his hands on his hips, "I bet you won't try that again now, will you?"
Lucy furrowed her brows in anger, "The prince will find you, he's a very good hunter you know. He will find you and you all will be hanged."
Yuka chuckled, "Is that so?"
Gray stood on the port side and stared out into the ocean, "Yuka, is there any reason we would be followed?"
Yuka looked up in confusion, "Followed? No, that would be completely implausible."
Gray turned his head back to Yuka and wrinkled his nose, "Are you sure?"
Yuka sighed and ran a hand down his face, grumbling, "Why do I work with idiots!" He breathed out deeply and gave Gray a condescending smile, "Like I said, it would be completely implausible! No one in Alvarez knows what we have done and no one in Fiore would have been able to catch up to us yet!"
Gray looked out at the sea, "hmm."
Yuka tilted his head, "What are you doing?"
Gray shrugged, "Well there's a ship out there, of course you say that's implausible, so obviously it must be some kind of hallucination. Maybe even a ghost ship?"
"Implausible!" Yuka ran over beside him. When he saw the ship his mouth dropped, "What the hell? Maybe its just a noble on a pleasure cruise? A fisherman getting his quota . . .in eel infested waters . . ."
Gray smirked, "Sure, of course."
Lucy smiled and sat taller, "See, I told you the prince would find you."
Yuka frowned, "Don't get too excited your highness, that is definitely not a ship from Fiore."
"I think he's gaining on us," Gray squinted in the direction of the other ship.
Yuka threw up his hands, "They aren't after us, it is none of our concern."
#
They reached land just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. Despite her circumstances, Lucy still stared up at the cliffs with wonder and awe. The sheer rock face rose so high out of the water she could barely see where it ended. Did Yuka seriously expect them to go up that?
Gray kept glancing behind them, "They are practically on top of us now Yuka."
"I don't care! I don't care! We are almost to the cliff. They will never be able to follow us once we get there." Yuka was obviously agitated. He paced back and forth, gnawing on his thumbnail and looking from the cliffs to the ship that was following them and back again.
When they pulled up to the narrow beach, they leapt out of the small ship quickly. Gray hurried to place a leather harness around Elfman and then helped Lucy and Yuka climb in. The second Gray hopped on the man's back, Elfman was hauling them all up the thick rope that Lucy assumed and hoped was tied securely at the top. She didn't dare look, she was so afraid they would fall. Elfman was just one man, and he was carrying all three of them when just climbing the rope would be an amazing feat.
When they were nearly halfway up Elfman frowned, "Someone is on the rope."
Gray looked down, "I told you they were following us. Look down there, it's a man all in black."
Yuka ventured a look down as well and his face paled, "Implausible! Who the hell is that man?"
Gray made an expression of disbelief, "He's gaining on us!"
Lucy was curious herself but her fear kept her from looking. She buried her face deeper into Elfman's arm.
"What the hell Elfman? You are supposed to be this man with super human strength!" Yuka shrieked.
Elfman grimaced, "Well I am carrying three people, he is just carrying himself . . ."
"Unacceptable! I don't want excuses, I want results! Speed it up or I will be getting a new strong man when this job is through!" Yuka exclaimed.
Elfman breathed out deeply and then proceeded to pick up the pace. Lucy wished he had just ignored Yuka, the man was being ridiculous. Shouldn't safety be the biggest concern in this situation?
"Hurry, hurry, hurry!" urged Yuka. Elfman growled and went just a little bit faster. It was sweet relief when they arrived at the top. Gray hopped off first and pulled Lucy to safety, then helped Yuka to his feet. Yuka was sawing through the thick rope with his knife before Elfman had pulled himself off the side of the cliff. Just as Elfman stood and dusted his hands on his pants, the rope gave a sharp snap and flew off the side of the cliff.
Yuka ran over next to Gray and the two stared down over the side of the cliff. Gray tilted his head and grinned, "Wow, would you look at that!"
"He didn't fall! Implausible!" Yuka exclaimed.
Gray stood tall and crossed his arms, "You keep using that word and I'm starting to think you don't really know what it means."
Elfman looked over the cliff as well, "No wonder he was catching up, he has very good arms. That's a manly man."
Gray looked down again, "Amazing, he's climbing."
Yuka stomped over back to Lucy and pulled her to her feet by the rope that was tied around her wrists. "Whoever he is, he's seen us with the princess and must therefore die. Gray, I leave him to you. Elfman come carry the girl. We'll head to the Alvarez frontier. Gray, once he falls or you have disposed of him, you come find us."
Gray grinned down at the man in black who was laboriously scaling the cliff side, "I will have to fight him left handed."
Yuka slumped over, "Are you kidding me? You know what a hurry we are in!"
Gray shrugged, "It's the only way it will be remotely fair. Don't worry it will be fast."
Yuka sighed and started inland, "Whatever. Elfman, lets go!"
Elfman patted Gray on the shoulder, "Be careful, men who hide behind masks can't be trusted."
Gray winked, "Got it big guy."
"Elfman!" Yuka yelled. Elfman sighed, lifted Lucy ungracefully over his shoulder and trudged after the tiny angry man.
#
Gray could barely contain his excitement. Finally a fight with a worthy adversary. He jumped in place to warm up and stretched his arms and hands. Then he looked over the cliffside. Gray frowned, the man in black was making very slow progress, at this rate it would be at least another half hour before they could fight. It would be a long wait, he hated waiting.
Gray hopped to his feet and pulled out his sword, giving it a few practice swings. Then he went back and peered over the edge again. The man in black was truly a marvel to climb so well up the sheer rock, but Gray really wished he would hurry up. Gray was getting impatient.
"I don't suppose there's any way you could move a little faster," Gray called down.
The man in black looked up and gave a grunt, then returned to climbing.
Gray grinned, "Really slow going huh?"
The man in black sighed, "Look asshole, don't be a dick, this isn't exactly as easy as it looks."
"Fine, fine," Gray stood and swung a few more practice swings with his sword. Then he ran back to the cliff side. "You think it's going to be a lot longer?"
"If you're so damn ansty to get me up there, you could throw down a rope or a tree branch or something," the man in black snorted. "Or maybe even your shirt, or did you lose that a while ago?"
Gray grinned, "I could . . .but I don't think you would accept my help since I'm waiting to kill you."
The man in black sighed and grabbed another foothold above him, "Yea, that kinda makes me not trust you. You're just going to have to wait."
Gray sat on the cliff's edge and watched the man's progress. It was like watching a sloth eat his breakfast. "Oi, what if I give you my word as a swordsman."
The man in black chuckled, "Yea, I'm pretty sure I don't have to answer that."
Gray jumped up again and crossed his arms, watching the man in black find another handhold, "Damnit I'm going crazy waiting up here."
"Not my problem!" called the man in black.
Gray looked down, the man in black wasn't moving. Was he taking a rest? "Come on now!"
"I think I've earned the right to be weary, be patient idiot, I need a break," the man in black rested his face on the rock.
"A break!" Gray exclaimed. "Look, I've got some extra rope, I'll just drop it down. This is ridiculous."
The man in black shook his head, "No can do, you'll probably just drop me the second I grab hold."
Gray huffed, "There's no way you'll trust me?"
"None that I can think of."
Gray put his hand to his heart, "I swear on the soul of my master Ur, you will make it to the top alive and well."
"I don't know this Ur but sure, you sound serious. Plus, I'm tired anyway. Throw the rope," the man in black conceded.
Gray jumped over to the rope, tied it securely to a rock, and then dropped it down. He watched in glee as the man in black grabbed hold, then he pulled. Soon the man in black was beside him.
"Thanks," the man in black panted. He took a seat on a nearby rock.
Gray shrugged, "No problem. We can wait until you are ready."
The man in black tilted his head, "Again, thanks."
"You wouldn't happen to have six fingers on your right hand would you?" Gray asked. The man in black raised his hand and wiggled the five fingers he had. Gray slumped, "What a shame."
"I guess?" said the man in black.
"It's just that my master Ur was slaughtered by a person with six fingers on their right hand. I don't know what they look like, they were disguised as an old man at the time, but I do know they have six fingers. This person requested that my master make them a sword and my master took the request. However, when it was time for this person to pick up the sword, instead of paying for it, they stabbed Ur right through the heart. I grabbed the sword and challenged them to a duel, but I was too young and inexperienced. They cut me here and here," Gray pointed to his forehead and his abdomen where he sported nasty scars, "and said to come find them when I had the brains and the stomach to do what had to be done for vengeance."
He pulled the sword from his belt, "This here is the sword that caused it all. I have dedicated my life to the study of sword play, so that the next time we meet, I won't fail. I will go to that man and say Hello, my name is Gray Fullbuster, you killed my master, prepare to die."
The man in black tilted his head and grinned, "You've done nothing but study sword play?"
"Well, you see I can't find this damn man, I've looked everywhere. I just work for Yuka to pay the bills, not a lot of money in revenge," Gray shrugged.
"Yea, I get it," the man in black grinned. He stood, "I hope you find him someday."
Gray jumped to his feet, "Ahh, you're ready now?"
"Ready as I'm gonna be, you've been more than fair." The man in black stretched his arms.
"You don't seem so bad, I hate to kill ya," Gray said, pulling out his sword with his left hand.
"You're not so bad yourself, I hate to die." The man in black grinned wider and used his left hand to unsheathe his sword as well. Gray was glad, his weakness against this man's strength, it would make this more of a challenge.
Gray thrust his sword forward, determined to make this fight end quickly and mercifully. He was pleasantly surprise when the man in black met his simple attacks easily. Could it be? Had he finally found a worthy opponent? He let the man in black advance and build up courage, retreating easily behind some rocks. When he quickly jumped out, the man in black was surprised. He stumbled slightly on the retreat, but recovered so smoothly that Gray couldn't help but he impressed.
He increased the ferocity of his attacks, then kicked off a nearby rock to lunge at the man in black. He drew first blood, nicking the man's left arm. However, this seemed to throw the man in black into a frenzy. Suddenly his attacks had such speed and wildness, that Gray found himself having difficulty keeping up.
"I gotta admit, you are better than I expected," he said with a grin. "I think you might actually be better than I am."
The man in black laughed, "Of course I am. Still, it's kinda weird you would say that with a smile."
Gray's grin grew, "That's because I know something you don't."
"Is that so? And what would that be?" The man in black tilted his head, but did not let up on his assault.
"I'm not left handed," Gray deftly switched hands and came at the man in black with all he had. The man in black was startled slightly, just enough for Gray to get the upper hand and back him into a corner against a rock wall. The man in black struggled to defend against Gray's relentless thrusts, but a few got through and blood began to escape from cuts on his shoulders and arms. Surprisingly though, the man in black did not cry out, he did not beg for mercy. If anything the grin beneath his mask just continued to grow.
"You're awesome!" exclaimed the man in black.
"Well, I certainly worked for it," replied Gray.
The man in black laughed, "It's my turn to smile now."
Gray narrowed his eyes, "Why is that?"
"'Cause I'm not left handed either!" the man in black cackled. Gray's eyes widened when the man in black quickly changed hands and, with a roar, came at him faster and stronger than he had before.
Gray had no choice to retreat, "Who the hell are you!" he screamed.
"Not important," said the man in black as he continued his assault.
"I've gotta know!" Gray cried.
"Get used to being disappointed."
Gray struggled to keep up, their blades moving so fast that you could barely see them. The man in black would not let him get away to gain the upper hand. Gray started to panic, the man in black was better! Not very much so, it was just a hair, but it was enough. Gray was going to lose.
One final powerful flick, and the man in black sent Gray's sword flying. It was over. Gray dropped to his knees. "Do it quickly," he requested.
The man in black chuckled, "Are you kidding me? That would be like destroying a bottle of good wine before it's drunk! We have to fight again when I haven't just climbed a cliff and you haven't lost your shirt!" He paused for a moment and rubbed his chin. "I can't have you following me though." Then with one quick motion he brought the grip of his sword down on Gray's head. The world went black.
"We have to stop for the night," Precht said, motioning towards Mavis with a nod of his head.
Yury turned to look at Mavis. She was fast asleep on her pillow, a tiny smile on her little face. "Was it that boring!" he exclaimed.
"No, it was great. You should tell us more tomorrow night too," Warrod grinned. "Mavis is sick remember? She needs her sleep."
"Ahh," Yury said with a nod of his head. He stood and stretched his arms. "Let's head downstairs then and give her some quiet." The three men stood together, collecting their things, and quietly crept out the door.
Thanks so much to those who took the time to review!
Secret-Lullaby2, neoshadowmoonshedai, Yuyui Hime, LadyRitsu, Manic Duchess, Kauia(sorry for the awkward start, this is a silly fairy tail parody of a book/movie called princess bride which in itself is a parody of epic romances. I can see how the beginning might seem strange, might see if I can find a way to rework it later. I can see now how it wouldn't make sense if you aren't familiar with that story.), Kaggy-Higgs88, and Annie