A/N: Start this off with replies to the guest reviewers
cuteandawesome: this is what happens next, hope you enjoy
Ebony: eh, hell no!, possibly, eh...
Firebelly: I hope that wasn't sarcasm, it's hard to tell on here, but thanks, I try :)
Hope everyone enjoys this chapter as well, since a lot of this is just setting up the main plot of the story. I'm really bad at transition chapters :/ meh.
As always, drop a review, I really enjoy the feedback! And since I can't remember if I did it last chapter, I'll have Gajeel disclaim me.
Gajeel: This punk bitch doesn't own anything to do with our world.
Who are you calling a punk bitch you walking scrap heap?
Gajeel: You are a little punk. Always making me the butt of your jokes in all your stories! I should slice you up with my godsword!
Alright, apparently I hurt his feelings, so let's get on with the story before the tin can gets too butthurt.
Gajeel: HEY!
...
"So it's just gonna be the two of us then?" Gray asked as they walked from the castle. He now sported a silver breastplate that was partially conceiled by a blue jacket with white detailing on the shoulders. Black and white combat boots reached up to his mid calf and the rest of his legs were covered in black denim. He also had a long blue sword with a somewhat flat blade strapped to his back. "I mean, we do have plenty of people that could come along with us." Erza just shook her head at him.
"I think it should just be the two of us. Kagura's and Simon's units are both away on missions so they're out. Mira really still hasn't been the same since her sister died, so I don't feel like she would want to go dragon hunting. And while Laxus may be qualified, I really don't feel like dealing with his attitude. Or his fan club for that matter." Gray scoffed.
"You just don't like that Lieutenant General girl. Evergreen, or whatever?"
"There's no denying the third unit's strength, so my personal opinion doesn't matter" Erza sped up and walked in front of her, eyes closed as Gray stopped, a smirk playing on his face.
"Well if that's how you feel. Hey! Captain Laxus!" The blond man in question was sitting at the cafe just outside the castle surrounded by his so-called fan club. Erza didn't turn toward the man, but Gray could tell from her rigid demeanor that she was not happy with the interaction. Laxus turned toward the prince with a look of disgust on his face.
"What the fuck do you want?" Gray's smile didn't change the look on Laxus's face.
"I have a mission for you and your team" he said coolly.
"Not interested."
"NOT INTERESTED?" Erza had stormed her way over to the scene now. "You would dare turn down a direct request from our prince? You're an arrogant bastard, you know that?"
Laxus simply looked at the woman with amusement while one of his companions, Evergreen, spoke toward her. "Calm yourself you barbaric woman." Erza drew her sword and held it to her throat.
"Now now, assaulting a fellow member of the King's army wouldn't go over very well, wouldn't you think?" Laxus challenged her.
"Laxus is right as always. Now, if you are done Captain, it would be nice if you would quit harassing Laxus" Freed spoke from his seat. Evergreen and Laxus smirked and Bickslow laughed manically as Erza sheathed her sword and began to walk away.
Gray just shook his head at them. "We could use the extra manpower on this mission but it is not needed. You're the only unit not deployed on a mission right now so just stand by for Lyon's orders." Gray began to walk as Laxus let out a laugh.
"Please, like I should be listening to that pathetic excuse of a bastard child king anyway." Gray kept walking. "Our old queen is the only reason I continue to serve under him anyway." Gray stopped. "She was a real woman. Really powerful too, damn. Too bad-" the air around all the soldiers and the prince froze. Gray turned with a deadly look in his eye.
"Finish that sentence and I'll have you beheaded."
"Try it you little shit" he glared back. Gray went to lunge toward him but was caught by Erza.
"Let's just go Gray. We have work to do and he isn't worth it right now." They both walked away as the Thunder Legion glared at their backs.
"Looks like it's just the two of us then" Gray said. "Let's just go get this Lucy chick and get this done with."
...
Lucy sat by the window in her room at the top of the tower overlooking the sea. Staring out into the vast blue, she let out a sigh. "How much longer do I have to be cooped up in this place."
Her musings were quickly cut short by a loud groan from her bed. "Lucy! I'm bored!"
"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO SLEEP IN MY BED!"
After kicking the pinkette out of her bed, she sat down at the desk in her spacious yet somewhat bland room and opened her drawer. A dark aura quickly surrounded her. "Natsu."
The man quickly picked himself up and ran over to her. "What's up Luce?"
"Where's my novel?"
"What's a novel?"
"It's a story. One that I was writing. Where is it?"
"Oh that thing written on the paper in your desk? Umm, I think it might be in my room still?"
"Why is it down there?"
"Well, I was reading it-"
"Natsu, bring it back now!" Natsu was gone in a flash of fire as he hustled back to his room to retrieve Lucy's work. Lucy shook her head as she looked out the window again.
"At least having Natsu here makes things fun. But I'm tired of having to stay in this tower." She let out a sigh. "Seriously, when is my prince charming going to come save me?" she asked herself, then proceeded to laugh. "Yeah right, guess I've been reading too many fairy tales lately."
...
"Been awhile since I've been here" Gray said as they entered the city.
"Yes, but Nor is very nice this time of year. We picked a good time to come" Erza took Gray's wrist and drug him toward the port.
"Still, do you think that we're gonna be able to find a ship that'll take us to this tower place?" Gray was frantic as Erza continued to drag him toward the port.
"Gray, you do realize that you are royalty and you could basically order anyone to take you anywhere you want, right?"
"I think that falls under the category 'abuse of power'. 'Sides, no one here probably even knows where this place is at." Gray continued to walk toward the harbor while Erza stopped at a stand that sold baked goods and quickly bought a strawberry cake before catching up ti her prince. Gray raised an eyebrow at her and her cake.
"For the ride there. We don't know how far away this tower is, after all."
As the sea breeze blew against their faces, Gray and Erza both scouted the harbor for any boats that would appear to take them to the unknown location. "Any ideas?" Erza bit her lip.
"Hmm, come to think of it, I have an acquaintance who should be in town right now. He's a little eccentric, but he should be able to help us."
"What exactly do you mean by 'eccentric'?"
"Well-" Erza trailed off as she found the boat that she was looking for. It was a relatively large boat, not of royal standard but the owner was clearly doing well. She stepped onto the deck and motioned for Gray to follow, who reluctantly did. A large, well built man with light hair tied in a pony tail and a spiked dog collar around his throat eyed them for a second before shouting.
"Hey everyone! You'll never guess what wild broad just showed up!" At the man's shouting, about ten more men ran up to the deck to see who had come aboard their ship. "Hey Erza. Nice to see you again."
"Yes Yeager, everyone. It's nice to see you as well. You appear to be wild as ever." At her statement, the men all cheered.
"WILD!"
"FOUR!"
Erza smiled at their antics while Gray frowned, wondering how his captain knew such unrefined people. 'Well, I guess I'm not really that different from them. Though I probably should try to be and take charge of some of my responsibilities. For everyone's sake. Fuck, I hate when Lyon is right.' Erza's voice broke Gray out of his thoughts as she engaged in conversation with the men. "Is Bacchus here?"
"Aye, what's my wild child redhead looking for me for?" Bacchus had snuck up behind the two and draped his arm around her.
"Hello, Bacchus. And how many times do I have to ask you not to call me that?" Erza asked with a firm tone in her voice.
"Ah, yes yes. I'm sorry my voluptuous hunny" he said through a swig of rum. "And what brings you here today?"
"We" Gray cut into the conversation through grit teeth "are looking for a ship that will take us out to sea. We're looking for the tower that Princess Lucy Heartfillia of the nation Caellum is being held in."
Bacchus eyed him for a moment. "And why the hell should I help you?" Before Gray could retort, Erza's elbow swiftly met Bacchus's gut.
"That is our Prince you are speaking to. Have some respect."
"This clown is the Prince?" Another elbow to the gut. "Alright alright. Cut that shit out Erza." Bacchus took a deep breath before continuing. "I've heard of it. The Tower of Heaven I believe it's called. Though I don't know its exact location, I have a general idea of where it's at. Since it's a royal request and Master Goldmine is on leave for a week, I guess we can handle the request."
"Thank you" Erza said sincerely while Gray gave an appreciative nod.
"Men!" Bacchus shouted to his crew "we have a request from the Prince of our nation. Prepare leave port in a half hour. We're going on a WILD adventure!"