Hi guys! Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follows! I really appreciate it! It really encourages me to continue and update faster. This chapter did give me a little bit of trouble actually. I want to incorporate the songs from the movie but I do not want this story to be a musical! So it was a tough balance converting the songs to normal speech while still keeping the message and such of the song. I did try my best though and I'm decently happy with how it turned out! Anyways, enjoy this chapter! Keep your eyes out for different Fairy Tail characters I snuck into the story as well! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, Beauty and the Beast, or its characters!
As the morning sun began to shine brightly through her window, Levy McGarden sat up in bed and began to stretch. She slipped out of bed and into her usual outfit: a simple white long sleeved top paired with a simple thin-strapped powder blue dress that hit just below her knees.
"Ew! What a mess! I better fix this!" Levy scowled as she gazed at her awful bed-head in the mirror. She quickly ran a brush through her shoulder-length, vibrant blue hair, letting it fall into its natural wavy texture. She then brushed her bangs back and secured them with a simple powder blue headband to keep them in place. Simple was a good word to describe Levy. She did not care for fancy dresses or fancy makeup or fancy jewelry; she preferred to keep everything as simple as possible. "Well, better get going for the day!" Levy smiled as she tied a white apron around her waist and slipped on a pair of simple brown shoes.
"Papa! I'm heading out! I'll return soon!" She grabbed her small woven basket as called to her father in the cellar who was working on his latest invention. "Oh! I can't forget the book!" Levy gasped as she ran back to her room to grab the latest novel she borrowed from the town's bookstore. After placing it in her basket, Levy walked out the door and began her daily stroll to the nearby town.
Levy hummed to herself as she walked to town. She soon approached a large wooden sign reading "MAGNOLIA" and could see the backdrop of the small village quickly advancing towards her. Levy stopped for a brief moment to stare into town.
"Such a quiet little village…" Levy sighed as she began to enter the town. "Everyday is just like the one before. I'll enter town as I usually do, and there will be the baker with his tray like always, full of the same bread and rolls to sell…" Levy thought to herself with a frown.
"BONJOUR LEVY! And what are we up to today?!" The baker called to her. Just as Levy expected, she was right: there was the baker with his tray of baked goods to sell for the day.
"Good morning, sir!" Levy smiled and waved politely at the town's only baker. "I was just on my way to Max's bookstore. You see, I just finished the most wonderful story about a magical guild and—"
"—Oh, that's lovely. BISCA! HURRY! THE BAGUETTES!" the baker cut off Levy to call to his wife. With a small sigh, Levy began her walk through the rest of town. She absent-mindedly made her way through town, not paying attention to her surroundings as she was too deep in thought about the latest story she had just finished that was still racing through her mind.
"Look, there she goes again, Aquarius. That girl is strange, no question about it…" A young woman scoffed as she flipped her light brown hair behind her shoulder.
"I know, Evergreen! She always seem so dazed and distracted by something," Another young woman scoffed as flipped her light blue hair. "She'll never fit in to any crowd here! That's for sure" Both ladies agreed and went back to sipping their morning coffee.
"There must be more than this provincial life…" Levy wondered to herself as she came upon the small building that was the town's only bookstore. "Good morning, Max! I've come to return the book I borrowed!" Levy called as she walked into one of her most cherished places in all of Magnolia.
"Ah! Levy! But you just borrowed it yesterday morning!" The young beige-haired shopkeeper grinned as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Oh but Max, I just could not put it down! It was so good!" Levy beamed as she began to scan the shelves for something new to fulfill her need for literature. "Ah! I think I'll borrow this one next!" Levy pulled a thick, blue bound book off the bottom shelf and handed it to Max.
"What?! This one again?! But Levy you've read it three times now!" Max exclaimed as he flipped through the pages of the large book.
"Well, it's my favorite! Far off places, strong wizards with unbelievable magic powers, grand parties at the city's guild, intense battles against the enemy, and oh the heart-wrenching romance between characters!" Levy swooned as she tried to describe why she was so keen on this book.
"If you like it that much, then keep it Levy! I will not take 'no' for an answer!" Max insisted as he handed Levy her favorite book.
"Oh are you sure?! I cannot thank you enough Max!" Levy hugged the shop owner before making her back into the streets of the little town of Magnolia with her favorite novel in tow.
"Look, Wakaba! There goes that girl again. She's really peculiar…" A middle-aged navy blue haired man elbowed his friend in the side.
"I see her, Macao. She always has that dazed off look and her nose is always stuck in a book…" the tan-haired man mumbled as he sipped his mug of beer.
Levy made her way to the center of Magnolia where a small marble-stoned fountain was found. She sat down and stretched out her legs as she opened her book and began to lose herself to the story. Levy was pulled out of her trance when a small white cat rubbed against her. Levy gasped at the contact of the cat in surprise. "Oh, hi there kitty!" Levy smiled as she began to gently pet the cat. "Oh this is my favorite part, Miss Kitty!" Levy giggled as she lowered her book so the wandering cat could get a glance at the book. "Oh I better get going!" Levy hopped up from the fountain and began to make her way to her little house but kept her book open for her to read as she walked.
"Oh it's no wonder that she's the talk of all the boys! She practically screams 'beauty'; her looks have no parallel!" A violet-headed woman groaned as she slipped her oval glasses over her eyes and watched Levy stroll by from her window. "But I'm afraid she's rather odd… that Levy certainly isn't like the rest of us".
"Wow Laxus! You're the best! You hit every single target with lightning speed! You're so amazing, Laxus!" a tall, broad shouldered man gushed.
"Haha, I know Bickslow" An even taller, muscular man smirked as he flexed both his arms, his muscles bulging under his purple button up shirt.
"No beast alive could stand a chance in a fight with you, Laxus! Or any girl for that matter too!" Bickslow laughed hard, as he looked to his blonde superior.
"Please, tell me something I don't already know. But I've got my sights set on one girl in particular. And it's that one right there!" Laxus put his arm around the black and blue haired man as he pointed to Levy walking through town with her eyes glued to her book.
"Whaaat?" Bickslow squealed. "The inventor's daughter?! But Laxus, sir, she's so—" Bickslow started to ramble before Laxus cut him off.
"She's the lucky one who gets to marry the almighty Laxus! She is without a doubt the most beautiful girl in town; therefore, she's the best and I deserve only the best, correct Bickslow?" Laxus grabbed Bickslow's chin and yanked it so Bickslow would be staring right into Laxus's maniacal, gray eyes.
"O-of course Laxus! Only the best for you, sir!" Bickslow shuttered under Laxus's piercing glare.
Laxus ran one of his hands through his spiky blonde hair and placed the other on his hip. "I knew from the first moment that I saw her that she's the only one in town who's as beautiful as me. So, I'm making plans to woo and marry Levy!" Laxus smirked as he began to follow behind Levy who was lost in her own little fictional world. Laxus soon crept close enough to Levy to snatch her book out of her hand.
"Hey, Laxus! May I please have my book back?" Levy pouted, slightly annoyed as she was just getting to the most intense moment in the story.
"How the hell can you read this?" Laxus exclaimed as he flipped through the pages of Levy's novel. "There's not any damn pictures in this thing!"
"Well Laxus, some people use their imagination," Levy huffed as she jumped at the burly man in hopes of snatching her book out of Laxus's large hands.
"It's time you got your head out of those stupid books, Levy!" Laxus rolled his eyes as his tossed Levy's beloved book over his shoulder, the book hitting the ground with a large thump as it landed in a small puddle of mud. Levy was horrified as she ran to her precious novel to try and save it when Laxus put his foot in front of her, blocking her path. "It's time to you paid more attention to things that are more important… like me!" Laxus smirked. "It's not right for a woman to be all wrapped up in things like books. First it starts with the books, then it turns into thinking, and she's getting all these thoughts and—ugh" Laxus shuttered at the thought.
"You are positively primeval, Laxus" Levy sighed as she wiped the mud off her dirty book after snatching it back up. Laxus merely laughed and thanked her, as he was too illiterate to understand that she was not complimenting him.
"How about you and I take a little stroll down to the tavern and you can see all my trophies?" Laxus draped his muscular arm over Levy's shoulder and tried to pull her in the direction of Magnolia's only tavern. Being incredibly petite and nimble, Levy managed to slip out from under him and started walking towards her house.
"I'm sorry Laxus but I can't! My father needs my help! Goodbye!" She called back to the belligerent blonde, hoping he would not try and follow her. However, Laxus did start to follow her with Bickslow at his side.
"Hahaha!" Bickslow started to obnoxiously laugh. "That crazy, old fool needs all the help he can get!" Bickslow and Laxus both started cackling together.
"Don't you dare talk about my father that way!" Levy gasped.
"Yeah! How dare you Bickslow! Idiot!" Laxus yelled in Bickslow's face before bopping him on the head with his elbow.
"My father is not crazy! He's a genius!" Levy cried in defense of her father. Just as she was defending him, a large boom came from the edge of town. Levy sighed and started dashing towards her house, as she knew that the sound was undoubtedly the work of her father.
Levy ran up the small stone-lined path to her home and threw open the wooden cellar doors. A large cloud of gray smoke came rushing out into the clean air and Levy dashed back to avoid the hazard. "Papa!" Levy called as she stepped down into her father's workroom with her hand covering her mouth, trying not to breathe in the smoke.
"How on Earth did that happen!" She heard a gruff voice call out. Soon the smoke cleared out from the small space and a short, stout figure was now visible.
"Are you alright?!" Levy said as she began to help her father brush the soot and debris off of his shirt.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine! It's this stupid contraption!" Makarov yelled as he kicked the project he had been working nonstop on. "Don't worry though, Levy! I'll have it fixed by the end of the day! Hand me that damn clencher thing!" he called as he began to work on his invention once again. "So, did you have a good time in town today?"
"Well I got a new book!" Levy smiled as she looked for the tool her father needed. "Papa…do you think I'm…. odd?" Levy frowned as she reached down so her father could grab the tool from her.
"What?! My daughter?! Odd?! HUH! Where would you get a stupid idea like that?!" Makarov exclaimed as he slid out from beneath his contraption.
"Oh, I don't know," Levy sighed. "It's just… I don't fit in here. There's no one I can really talk to…"
"What about that Laxus fellow? He sure is a handsome guy" Makarov shrugged as he took the tool from Levy's hand.
"Oh, he's handsome alright…" Levy growled as she began to get heated. "And rude and conceited and ugh! Papa, he's not for me at all," Levy rolled her eyes at her father's inconceivable suggestion.
"Well don't you worry Levy!" Makarov patted his visibly upset daughter on the shoulder. "Because this is gonna be the start of a new life for us!" he exclaimed as he threw his fist in the air. "Now let's give this baby a try!" Makarov threw the switch on his invention. Much to Levy and Makarov's surprise, the machine started to work and was cutting wood perfectly. Both squealed and jumped for joy in each other's arms. "I need to get to the fair now! First place is gonna be mine baby!" Makarov jumped in the air and kicked his heels together as he ran out the cellar door to get his cart packed for his journey. Levy saw her father off and wished him luck before she retreated back into their little stone cottage.
Makarov rode on his trusty horse Sagittarius through the woods. "Gee, that's odd…we should be there by now?" the old man questioned as he began to look around at the towering trees surrounding him. It was starting to get dark in the forest and this worried him greatly. He had heard tales of the horrible creatures that lurk in the forests at night. When they arrive to a fork in the road, Sagittarius tried to pull Makarov to the left, his animal instinct tell him it was the correct way to go. However, stubborn old Makarov believed that going right at the fork would lead to some kind of miracle shortcut to the fair and yanked Sagittarius's reins until he cooperated and started trotting that way. The wind started to pick up, the fog set in, and the darkness was growing rapidly in the forest. Sagittarius suddenly heard a rustling noise that terrified him, causing him to flip around and starting running in the other direction. The noise grew louder and Sagittarius went crazy and started bucking in terror, throwing Makarov to the ground before taking off. The woods were nearly pitch black now and Makarov started making his way to find Sagittarius when he heard a low growl coming from behind the trees near him. Makarov gasped as he saw a pack of wolves emerge from behind the tall trees and he started running as fast as his old legs would carry him until he tripped and went rolling down a small hill. At the bottom of the hill was a large iron gate that was unlocked; Makarov threw all his weight onto the barrier and went tumbling in, the gate slamming shut behind him, effectively trapping the wolves behind it. After stumbling back up onto his feet, Makarov gasped at the sight in front of him: a large, dreary castle was positioned right in front of him.
"How long has this been here?" He wondered aloud as he scratched his head and made his way to the main doors of the building. It started to pour heavy rain and Makarov picked up his pace, sprinting to the front doors. To his surprise, he grabbed the large, black iron doorknocker and the front door pushed right open with no effort.
"Hello? Hello?" Makarov called as he stepped inside the monstrous castle and closed the heavy door behind him. Makarov started to hear voices, but looked around and saw no one.
"He seems to have lost his way into the woods…" a hushed voice said.
"Keep quiet! Maybe he'll go away," another voice lowly mumbled.
"Is someone there?!" Makarov called out into the empty palace. "I don't mean to intrude, but I've lost my horse and I need a place to stay for the night!"
"Oh, Gray! Have a heart!" the candlestick on the table said to the small clock on the table next to him.
"Shhhh Natsu!" The clock tried to hush the candlestick, throwing his wooden hands over the candlestick's mouth. "Wait, that's hot… OWWWWWW!" the clock screeched as the candlestick intensified his fire right on the clock's hands.
"Of course you are welcome here!" The candlestick exclaimed at Makarov, suddenly becoming animated and lively.
"W-who said that?!" Makarov stuttered as he picked up the lit candlestick and began waving it around.
"Over here!" Makarov turned around but still saw no one. Makarov suddenly felt a tap on his head and looked up to the see the candlestick in his hand grinning at him. Makarov screamed and dropped the candlestick and it banged onto the ground with a large thud. "Incredible…" Makarov stated as he stumbled back to his feet and approached the talking candlestick.
"Oh now you've done it Natsu!" The clock hopped down from the table in annoyance. "Just splendid, you stupid fire brain!"
"How does this work?!" Makarov wondered aloud as he swiftly picked up the clock and began examining it.
"Stop it! Stop that I said!" the clock demanded as Makarov started shaking him. Natsu laughed hardily at his friend the clock's misfortune.
"Oh I'm sorry, it's just I've never seen a talking—ACHOO!" Makarov sneezed all over the poor little clock.
"You are soaked to the bone gramps!" Natsu the candlestick called up to the old man. "Come and warm yourself by the fire!" Natsu hopped away, motioning for Makarov to follow him.
"No! No! No! No!" Gray the clock commanded as he scampered behind the two. "Stop right there!" Gray called before he tumbled down the stairs into the study. Natsu lead Makarov into a large, floral chair seated directly in front of the fire. As soon as he sat down, a blue and white tasseled footrest darted under his feet as a coat rack draped a blanket over Makarov's shoulders.
"This has gone far enough!" Gray spat as he jumped up and down, angrily shaking his fist. "I'm in charge and—AH!" A teacart suddenly burst in and ran poor Gray right over, knocking him flat on his clock face as it sped up next to Makarov.
"How would you like a nice cup of tea, sir?! It'll warm you up in no time!" A white with red trimmed teapot kindly offered Makarov as she began to tip herself over and pour some tea into a small cup on the cart beside her.
"No! No tea!" Gray yelled, still flat on the ground. Makarov began to sip his tea when he heard a giggle.
"Hahaha! His moustache tickles, Mira!" The little blue teacup suddenly called out.
"Oh! Hello there!" Makarov smiled at the little teacup he was holding. Unexpectedly, a large bang was heard as the doors to the study flew open and a heavy-duty wind came rushing in, blowing the roaring fire in the fireplace right out. All the objects in the room started to shake and quiver and Makarov soon followed suit. A towering shadow soon made its way into the room and lowly snarled.
"There's a stranger here," a brusque, deep voice growled as the creature began to sniff around the room.
"Ah, sir, allow me to explain!" Natsu began twiddling his candle-hands. "This gentleman was lost in the woods and he was cold and wet—" Natsu was cut off when the creature suddenly roared loud enough to put out the flames on Natsu's candles.
"Master, I would like to take this moment to say, I WAS AGAINST THIS FROM THE VERY START!" Gray cried out, still half hiding under the rug. "It was all his fault!" He pointed at Natsu. "I tried to stop him! But does anyone listen to me? No, no, no!" The beast suddenly roared again, effectively shutting up Gray.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?!" The beast growled in Makarov's face. Makarov leaped out of the chair in fear and tried to explain himself.
"W-well I was lost in the woods and I—" Makarov was cut off by the beast.
"You are not welcome here!" The beast roared in Makarov's face again. Makarov tried to apologize but the beast yelled at him again. "What are you staring at?!" he exclaimed, standing up on his hind legs, exposing his full height. "So, you've come to stare at the beast, have you?!"
"P-please!" Makarov begged. "I mean no harm! I just needed a place to stay!"
"Oh I'll give you a place to stay!" the beast snarled as he yanked Makarov up by his shirt and dragged him away. The cries and screams of Makarov could be heard before the beast slammed the door shut, hauling Makarov to a new destination.
Woo, that was a lot! I felt that this was a good place to end the chapter. I hope you guys didn't find this chapter boring; I feel like this will probably be the least interesting part but it's needed for the story to progress. Any how, I hope I did a good enough job with the casting! Makarov obviously had to be Levy's papa; he's crazy but caring! And I could not pick anyone other than Laxus to be Gaston! He was the first person I cast in the story (other than Levy and Gajeel). His whole attitude and demeanor just totally fits. I did have trouble casting his sidekick, LeFou, though! I knew it had to be someone from the Thunder Legion and I went back and forth between Freed and Bickslow. In the end I went with Bickslow because I feel like he'd be more of a stupid lackey than Freed would be; Freed is just too damn suave! (Can you tell I have a small crush on Freed?) Max had to be the bookstore owner; he usually runs all that stuff at Fairy Tail anyway. I hope you enjoyed the Fairy Tail characters I stuck in as the town's people! I want to incorporate as many as possible and this was the best opportunity as there's not that many different characters at Gajeel's castle. Sagittarius had to be the horse; he's basically a horse and one of my favorite celestial spirits. Also, Natsu had to be Lumiere! No doubt about it in my mind. Who would be his Cogsworth? Obviously Gray! Cogsworth is a little out of character for Gray I feel but oh well; I couldn't come up with anyone better to be Cogsworth. The way those two bicker in the movie reminds me of Natsu and Gray. I felt that Jet and Droy just wouldn't fit as Lumiere and Cogsworth. And obviously the sweet Mirajane is Mrs. Potts! If you didn't catch it, the footrest is supposed to be Happy! Any guesses on who the little tea cup (Chip) is going to be? I didn't mention the name but I know exactly who is going to be Chip! I'm going back and forth on who to make the Wardrobe! I have a few ideas but I haven't for sure chosen anyone. Suggestions?
I hope I did these scenes justice. I did change a few things around and cut things to make it go a little faster because I feel like it didn't need so much detail and wasn't super crucial to the latter chapters.
Next chapter is Laxus's proposal and Levy rushing off to Gajeel's castle! Finally! The first Gajevy chapter we've been waiting for! Please continue to review; I love to hear from you guys! Thanks again so much!