Once Upon a Fairy Tail
Chapter 2: Crossing Paths
There comes a day when I don't have to be a princess. No rules, no expectations. A day where anything can happen. A day where I can change my fate. -Merida (Disney Pixar's Brave)
Year X784
"Stupid Macao." Natsu grumbled. "He'd promised we'd have the day off."
The blue cat on top of his head nodded, weakly mumbling, "Aye." He made himself comfortable on his partner's pink head, whispering, "We had planned to go out fishing today."
Natsu sighed. "Yeah, I know." He looked straight ahead, passing through the gates, the knights guarding the entrance inspecting him and what he carried. "Sorry, little buddy. We'll go next time, I promise."
The cat was only able to nod, closing his eyes as Natsu walked passed the entrance and towards their destination.
The teenager was making his way towards the training grounds of Fiore's castle. This was the second time he had ever walked passed the Kingdom's gates. Of course, it had been passed the back entrance. He had never set a foot inside the castle.
Looking up, Natsu stared at the large castle. How was it there? How'd it be to have everyone respect you and look up at you? He shook those thoughts away. A life of royalty was not the life he wanted… Yet, he couldn't help wonder.
Turning away, Natsu continued walking through the yard, watching as servants scurried past him, attending to the various needs such a large castle would demand.
The early morning air was cool, Natsu's pink, messy hair and scale- patterned scarf blowing slightly with the cool breeze.
He stopped once he finally reached the training fense. The blue cat opened his eyes tiredly, one paw rubbing his eyes as he asked, "Do you think Laxus will be here?"
Natsu shrugged, not really caring whether that lightning freak was there or not. He really didn't feel like seeing him or hearing his usual nagging.
Looking up, the blue cat stared in awe at the fence surrounding the training grounds. The fencing made the area a circular prison. It was huge!
"What can I do for you, boy?" A tall, royal knight wearing silver armor asked Natsu, his eyes going to the crate of weapons he had been carrying.
"I'm here to deliver this shipment of weapons to the royal knights of Fiore. I work for the blacksmith of Magnolia, Macao Conbolt." Natsu answered.
The knight nodded. "We had been expecting the blacksmith to deliver these himself." He eyed the pink haired boy, who then shrugged.
"You and I both. Something came up and at the last moment he requested for me to deliver them instead." Natsu rolled his eyes as he thought about the pervy, old man he worked for. That old bastard had gone out drinking the night before and was in no condition to travel.
The knight chuckled, waving his hand at Natsu to follow him. The boy followed the taller man passed the gate leading into the training grounds.
The blue cat's eyes widened as he watched and heard metal scraping against metal, the knights sparring.
"Elfman!" The knight before Natsu called, watching as a taller, muscular- almost monstrous looking- man walked up to them.
"What is it?" The white haired man asked, looking down and noticing Natsu. He grinned as soon as he did.
"Well, look who we have here!" He dropped a muscular and heavy arm on Natsu's shoulders, making him grunt. "How'd you been, Natsu?"
"Good, I guess." Natsu shrugged and Elfman nodded.
He glanced down at the crate of weapons Natsu carried, glancing back up at Natsu as he asked, "Whatcha doing here?"
"I came to deliver these weapons." He stared down at the crate and he murmured, "Macao was supposed to bring them instead but you know how he gets when he goes out drinking with Wakaba and Cana."
"Drinking 'till you drop is manly!" Elfman declared and Natsu rolled his eyes, Elfman's usual man talk finally appearing. The larger man took the heavy crate from Natsu then, saying, "The Captain will probably want to check these before you leave. You know, make sure Macao didn't forget anything we may have asked for."
Natsu nodded, watching the knight whom he had met at the entrance go off to search for their Captain. Looking around the training area, Natsu observed, "This place doesn't look as big as I remember it…"
Elfman chuckled, "Yeah, well the last time you were here you were a little brat." Natsu rolled his eyes.
"You know, Elfman, we're the same age. So you were a damn brat back then as well!"
"Yeah, but I looked manlier. Still do."
Elfman laughed loudly when Natsu glared up at him. His fingers were twitching to curl up into fists and slam them into the manly freak's face. But all those thoughts disappeared when he saw two knights approach them. He knew both of them. One, he had only met once. The first and last time he had been in this very same room. The other, he had unfortunately known since his father had disappeared.
"Well isn't this surprising. Who'd ever thought you'd ever end up here again?" The tall blond mocked and Natsu crossed his arms over his chest, glaring up at him with his hands already curling up into fists.
"You better shut the hell up, Laxus, if you don't want this place to end up like the last time I was here." Laxus grinned widely, all too ready to get the boy before him fired up enough to give a show, but only chuckled, shaking his head as he muttered, "You never learn, Natsu."
The man standing beside Laxus chuckled as well. He wore a similar armor to Elfman's and Laxus's but instead of only being silver, it had some blue designs around it, tying the whole thing together with a long, blue cape.
Natsu glanced up at the blue haired man, and then quickly looked away. He had been one of the few to not mock him back then, when he had come to train to become a knight as a child. It had been Laxus's idea- a stupid one at that. What was the fun of being a knight if using magic was prohibited? He didn't understand how Laxus could go days without using and practicing his magic. Natsu had, of course, not been able to take it, and completely exploded, destroying part of the training grounds with his outburst. It had just been too much for him to take. His magic was a part of him, he couldn't even go a day without using it. And of course, he had not lasted a day in training to become a knight. Not like he wanted to stay here another day. He had hated the few hours he had been here.
The blue haired man, whose name Natsu vaguely remembered being Jellal, asked Elfman to lower the crate so he could inspect the weapons.
The Captain took one of the swords, inspecting it before he turned to Natsu and grinned. "Please do tell Macao that he is getting extremely better at this. I'm glad the King accepted my suggestion to order our weapons from Macao. His swords have lasted us longer than any others we've ordered from the other blacksmiths." He glanced over at Natsu and chuckled. "I'm sure with you helping him out, it makes sense."
Natsu puffed up his chest, proudly stating, "Of course! That old drunk would be lost without me!"
Laxus smacked him upside the head, rolling his eyes at the big mouthed idiot. "Talking big like always, kid."
Natsu winced from the blow, glaring up at the other Dragon Slayer. "You wanna go, lightning freak!?"
"Not really. I don't like wasting my time." A vein popped on Natsu's forehead, throwing a punch at Laxus but he dodged it easily.
Jellal sighed, closing the crate Natsu had delivered to them.
"Do you want me to take them to the back room, Captain?" Elfman asked the blue haired knight, who nodded.
As Elfman went off to the back of the training grounds, Happy raised his tired head. He had been interested to see who the Captain was. He was surprised to see it was the young looking, blue haired man.
"You look too young to be the Captain." He blurted out without thinking and Jellal laughed.
"I guess I am a little young to be the Captain." He shrugged. "But the King believes I am capable of such a huge responsibility to my Kingdom."
Laxus chuckled, dropping an arm around his Captain's armed shoulders. "He's the best knight this Kingdom has ever witnessed, Happy. He deserves being Captain. Although, I still think that I am as great of a knight as he is. So… I too could take the title." He grinned when Jellal rolled his eyes, pushing his arm from his shoulders. He looked over at the blond and Laxus's grin widened when he saw the light in his Captain's eyes.
"Care if I prove you wrong in a match or two?" He took his sword that hanged from his hip, Laxus doing the same.
"Ready to lose, Captain?" Laxus mocked.
Jellal shook his head. "Never."
Before Laxus left after his Captain, he quickly looked back at the pink haired boy. "Gramps will probably want to see you. You know, since the only times we ever hear of you is when you're getting yourself into trouble back in Magnolia." Natsu glared down at the floor, but still nodded. "You could probably stop by our house tonight." Laxus shrugged.
Sighing, Natsu nodded again. "Yeah, sure."
Laxus grinned, waving his sword before rushing off to the middle of the training grounds, where his Captain stood.
Natsu watched Laxus and Jellal go for a few rounds, the Captain coming out victor more times than not. The pink haired teen could tell that Laxus was barely keeping up. Every step, every movement the Captain took, seemingly mapped out and executed. Grinning, Natsu looked away, walking out of the training grounds.
"Makarov and Laxus won't finish their duties to the Kingdom 'till dark. What will we do while we wait?" Happy asked from his partner's head.
Shrugging, Natsu muttered, "We could look around town. It's been awhile since we've visited Crocus." Happy smiled, nodding. Just then, both their stomachs growled. They both sweat dropped, as they had yet to have breakfast.
"And we could get something to eat."
"Aye!"
The Princess sat up in her huge bed, letting the silk covers slide off her body, walking soundlessly to her bedroom window and looked out. She smiled brightly, a smile that reminded her father too much of her mother's, her eyes sparkling as they took in the beautiful scenery before her. The sky was a lovely blue and not a cloud was in the sky.
Birds flew passed her window, and the Princess suddenly wished that she too was as free as they were, even if it meant having to give up her crown. Shaking those thoughts away, the Princess walked back to her bed, sitting down again and taking the book her royal tutor, advisor and best friend had lent to her. Every morning she'd wake up a little earlier to get a chance to read. Her duties as a Princess were always put before anything else, so she sometimes couldn't even get a break to read for pleasure.
A little over an hour later the doors to her bedroom bursted open. Three maids were the first to step in. She smiled at them, standing from her bed and dropping the book she'd been reading on her bedside table. She walked across the room in her nightgown, the billowy fabric swinging softly against her legs with every step she took.
"Good morning, Princess!" The three maids bowed.
Lucy sighed. "How many times have I told you three to just call me Lucy?" They sweat dropped, looking down awkwardly. Giggling, Lucy sat down in front of her dressing table mirror. "Good morning."
The three smiled back, one making her way to fix the bed, while another brought the Princess a tray with her breakfast. Placing it down, she went off to help the other with the bed.
Lucy took a bowl of fruit from the tray, her cheeks flushing as she munched on a strawberry. Her smiled brightened when Yukino, her personal maid, stood behind her, brushing through Lucy's voluminous golden locks.
"Have you found the golden key you'd been searching for?" Lucy asked excitedly, making her personal maid flush.
She nodded and Lucy grinned. "I finally found it at a local shop." She dropped the brush atop the dressing table and bowed. "Thank you so much for locating it for me and letting me borrow the jewels to buy it!"
Lucy waved her hand in dismissal, smiling at Yukino through the mirror. "It's the least I could do for a fellow Celestial Spirit Mage!"
Yukino smiled at the Princess's kindness. Any other person would have taken the key for themselves. But not the Princess.
Laki and Kinana, when finished fixing the bed and cleaning around the bedroom, bowed behind the Princess, who thanked them for their help as they took the tray that had carried the Princess's breakfast. Yukino continued brushing Lucy's hair when just as the two maids had stepped out, two other girls stepped in.
"Good morning, Lu-chan!"
Lucy turned in her seat, smiling at her best friend. "Morning, Levy-chan!"
The two hugged, and Lucy glanced over her friend's shoulder to smile at the girl that had walked after her tutor.
"Ready for another day, Lucy?" The tall, red headed girl asked, carrying what seemed to be three different dresses.
Lucy sighed, nodding at her personal seamstress, smiling a small smile that didn't qute reach her eyes.
Erza stared at the princess for a moment longer before she nodded and quietly walked off to set the dresses down and placing them in Lucy's wardrobe. "Which dress appeals to you the most for today's duties, Lucy?"
Yukino walked over to Erza, her eyes bright as she looked over the gowns Erza had designed. "Beautiful as always!" She praised and Erza blushed, stuttering that they weren't that beautiful.
Lucy giggled. Typical Erza.
Levy took out her notebook, in which she had written down Lucy's daily duties as the Princess of Fiore. "Today she'll be meeting with the King, so it must be an elegant gown."
Erza nodded, she took out one of the dresses she'd carried into the room minutes before. Lucy stared at the deep blue dress and smiled. "That one's perfect, Erza."
Yukino and Erza were soon pulling the corset around Lucy's waist, lacing it as tightly as they could. The corset pinched and dug into her skin and she bit back her tears, holding tightly onto Levy's hand. Another dreadful thing about being a Princess: corsets.
When the torture was finally over, Erza turned Lucy around so she could see her reflection in the full length mirror. Lucy's eyes widened. The deep blue dress had been fitted through her hips, and fanned out in satiny smooth waves behind her. Yukino had piled her long, golden locks on top of her head precariously, pearls adorned around her hair. Levy stepped up to her then, adding the last touch- a necklace made of wire so thin and pearls so far apart they looked like they were floating on her skin.
"You look beautiful, Princess." Yukino spoke behind her.
Lucy blushed and Levy giggled. "As always." She grinned and Erza nodded.
"We should probably have you escorted to the throne room where the King awaits your presence." Levy stated and Lucy sighed, nodding as she waved goodbye to both Erza and Yukino.
One of her father's personal knights waited outside for the Princess and her tutor, bowing when they stepped out of the Princess's chambers.
When they finally arrived, Levy and the knight left the Princess with her father, stepping out of the room to give them privacy.
Lucy nodded politely at her father. Her father in return only raised his chin in greeting like was his custom. Sighing, Lucy stared out of one of the many windows that surrounded the room.
"I have very important matters to discuss with you, Lucy."
Nodding, Lucy looked back at her father. "Of course."
"It concerns the fate of the Kingdom of Fiore." He stopped, coughing before he sat straight again. Lucy frowned but nodded.
"What is it, father?" She asked, though a part of her already knew what he'd say. She'd feared this day since she was a child, when she was taught of a particular law she would have to follow.
"I've spoken about this with my royal advisor, Makarov Dreyar, for the past week. Since your seventeenth birthday." He stopped, expecting some kind of reaction from his daughter, but when he didn't get one he continued. "You're to be married by your eighteenth birthday. It's the law."
Lucy's eyes widened, her heart quickening at her father's words. "But father…" She tried speaking but he shook his head.
"It's the law, Lucy." He repeated sternly. "You are to marry a man deemed worthy of your hand." He stopped, noticing Lucy's fidgeting. "Lucy, Makarov and I have been talking, and we've decided that it is in the Kingdom's best interest that you marry Prince Sting Eucliffe of the neighboring Kingdom of Fiore."
Lucy's eyes widened in horror. "No! I will not marry someone I have yet to even meet!"
The King slammed a fist on his throne, making Lucy tremble with fear. "The future of our Kingdom will be determined by your marriage to Prince Eucliffe!" He took a few deep breaths. "Please understand Lucy…" He stood up from his throne and walked towards his daughter, taking one of her delicate, small hands in his. "Lucy…" The Princess pulled her hand away from her father's, taking a step back, away from him. She shook her head.
"Father…" She bit her bottom lip, looking down. "I just hate the idea of having to be forced into marriage." She looked back up at her father, smiling sadly. "If I do marry, I want it to be for love."
Her father sighed. "My daughter," he frowned. "It's not only this law… I am not going to be around forever… This Kingdom will need a King. Your marriage to Prince Eucliffe will create an alliance that will ensure the safety of our Kingdom and our people."
Lucy bowed her head, knowing that as the Kingdom's Princess, it was her duty to look for her people's best interest. She must do what's best for her Kingdom. A tear slid down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away. But… She didn't want to do what other's thought was best for her to do. She should decide what was best for herself. She should do what her heart truly desired!
She looked up at her father, new found determination in her eyes. "Father… I will not marry Prince Eucliffe."
Her father's eyes widened. "But Lucy-"
"Please try to understand, father." She said calmly. "I've never done a thing on my own. I'm always told what to do, what is best for me to do." She extended her hand towards the windows, which's view showed the wall that surrounded their Kingdom. "I've never even been outside the castle's walls!"
"But Lucy… As the Princess of Fiore it is your duty-"
"Then maybe I don't want to be a Princess anymore!" Lucy confessed, taking her father by surprise. She took a few deep breaths, her heart hammering in her chest.
Lucy then turned and stormed out the throne room, hearing her father yelling after her but she ignored him. She picked up the front of her deep blue dress and ran down the hall toward the Kingdom's gardens, ignoring the disapproving looks from the maids and knights passing by.
Believing herself safe from the royal duties that were ever searching her, the Princess stopped to sit by the fountain in the garden. She stared at her reflection, frowning as she looked away and instead stared at the castle she had just ran out of.
She had finally done it. She had finally done what she had longed to do for so many years. She had stood up for herself, for what she truly wanted.
As the Princess of Fiore, she knew she had everything. What more could she ask for? She looked at the wall that separated her from the outside world.
Sure, many could say she had everything. But she wanted more. She wanted to leave all the rules and duties she had carried since birth. She wanted to be free! To be a part of world so different from hers.
How could her father expect her to become a great Queen if she had yet to walk through even the neighboring town by the castle? She needed to see the world outside the walls surrounding her for herself! She was done only hearing stories about it!
What would she give to live out of this castle. What would she pay to spend a day walking through the streets of one of the many towns in her Kingdom.
Out there… where they don't reprimand their daughters… Bright young woman ready to stand! Ready to make her own decisions and do what she pleases! Ready to take charge of her own life!
Lucy stared at her reflection in the fountain's water and smiled, singing softly,
Wanderin' free- wish I could be… Part of that world.
She stood up then, grinning as she stared at the wall surrounding the castle she lived in. She would go on the adventure she had dreamed of since she was a child! She'd make her dream a reality!
Picking her dress from the bottom, she ran off to her bedroom.
Locking her door after she entered, Lucy sighed, resting her back to the door. Her hard breathing made her chest rise and fall. She looked around her room, grabbing a bag from her wardrobe and then took one of her keys, calling out one of her Celestial Spirits.
"Open the Gate of the Maiden- Virgo!"
The pink haired maid appeared then in a flash of gold light. "You called, Princess?"
Lucy nodded, not even bothering to ask her- for the millionth time- to just call her Lucy. "Yes. I have decided to run away from the Kingdom and I will need your help in doing so."
The Spirit frowned but still nodded. "As you wish, Princess." She bowed.
Smiling, Lucy thanked her, walking over to her wardrobe and taking out clothes and packing them. She would finally leave the Kingdom. She would finally be free.
"I can't believe you forgot to bring jewels." Happy grumbled annoyed, his stomach making loud growling sounds.
Natsu sighed, his stomach also growling loudly and painfully. "It's not like I forgot them. More like stupid Macao hasn't paid us yet."
Happy sighed, frowning. "I'm starving!" He growled at his partner. "I'm also super tired because I had to fly someone all the way from Magnolia here just because he didn't want to ride a carriage. The least I deserve is a fish!"
The pink haired boy returned the glare. "I already thanked you for that! And you know I have motion sickness! I can't ride a carriage without getting painfully sick! And it was faster with you flying us here than traveling by carriage!"
The two were glaring daggers at each other before Natsu's eyes brightened. "Well, there is a way we can get food…" He grinned mischievously and Happy sighed, shaking his head.
"We're so getting busted for this again." He muttered as he followed his best friend.
"How much is this loaf of bread?" Natsu asked the merchant, as they stopped at one of the many stands in the streets of the town of Crocus. As the chubby guy told Natsu, the boy nodded at his partner, who sprouted white feathered wings from his back and flew passed the stand, taking the first loaf of bread his paws could catch.
"That cat just stole from me!" The merchant yelled, turning around to see the boy from before gone. Unluckily for Natsu, a couple of knights had been patrolling the streets of Crocus and heard the merchant's cry for help.
And now, Natsu and Happy were being followed by two knights. "I knew this would happen!" Happy cried, glaring at the boy that run beside him, trying to keep up with him.
"Well, a little adrenaline is never bad!" He grinned, pumping a fist engulfed in flames up in the air.
Just as he uttered those words, he crashed into a hard armor. Looking up, Natsu grinned sheepishly, taking a few steps back. When the knight drew his sword, Natsu ran off, three other knights already following after him. He sighed in exasperation. "All this just for a loaf of bread?!"
Happy grunted. "Well yeah! You just stole from someone else!"
Natsu rolled his eyes. "I steal only what I can't offord."
His cat sighed. "And that's everything."
Natsu laughed, turning the corner of a dark ally, hearing the steps of the knights getting closer. Lighting his fists on fire, he punched a couple of pillars, making them fall just before the knights could catch him, and blocking their path to him. Grinning, Natsu exited the alley and continued running through the town.
"You won't get away that easy!" Two knights yelled after him and Natsu sweat dropped.
"You think that was easy?!" He exclaimed, glaring back at them as his right fist engulfed in flames.
One of the knights took hold of his sword and aimed at Natsu, who quickly dodged the hit. "You've got to be kidding me! It's just a little snack, guys!"
Happy sighed, handing Natsu the loaf of bread and holding onto Natsu's vest as he carried him away from the mess they had just caused. "These guys don't appreciate I'm broke." Natsu muttered.
"Hey! Get back here! Stop thief! Street rat!" The knights yelled as they watched the cat fly away.
"Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat! Otherwise we'd get along!" Natsu gave the guards a thumbs up and Happy shook his head.
They soon landed on top of one of the many buildings of Crocus. Happy sweat dropped as he stared at the merchant street they had just escaped. Pillars laid on the street in pieces, some still lit on fire. "You really overdid it this time, Natsu."
Crossing his arms over his chest, Natsu shrugged. "It's not my fault. They started it. I mean, they were the ones using violence!"
Sighing, Happy shrugged. "Well, we're gonna have to hide for awhile. Before they get a site of us."
Natsu nodded, and he felt his best friend's paw hold tightly onto his vest as he flew them down the building and towards a dark ally.
They sat down on the ally, their backs resting against the building's wall. Natsu let out a breath before he grinned over at Happy. "And now, we eat!"
Happy grinned back at his friend, watching him divide the loaf of bread in two, and handing the other half to him. Natsu was about to take a bite from his piece of bread but his eyes had caught sight of two children down the dark ally, taking left overs out of trash cans. He frowned, glancing back down at his piece of bread before he looked over at Happy, whose stomach growled. The cat stared at his bread and shook his head, taking a bite from the bread.
Sighing, Natsu stood up and handed the piece of bread to the two children. The older one, a girl, stared at him with raised eyebrows, unsure. Natsu grinned. "Go on. Take it." The two kids grinned, the girl taking the piece of bread and handing it to the small boy beside her. Natsu rubbed the girl's head, making her giggle, and then walked back to Happy, who frowned as he stared at the two children.
Standing up, the small, blue cat walked up to the two children and offered them the bitten piece of bread. The girl took it, thanking him and patting his head, making him smile.
Natsu chuckled as he watched the cat fly up to sit on his head. "It was the right thing to do." The boy told him and the cat sighed.
"Yeah… But all that work to get something to eat just…" He stopped when he heard his partner chuckle.
"I'm glad we stole that bread. Those kids now have something to eat." Happy nodded, smiling a small smile.
Just as they exited the alley, they were met by five knights dressed in silver armor. Natsu started to back away but stopped as soon as someone yelled, "Natsu!"
The pink haired Dragon Slayer turned around to see a short man making his way passed the knights. "You damn fool! You've done it again!"
Natsu sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, shrugging. "We were hungry."
Makarov sighed. "You're going to be the death of me, you brat." Turning to face the knights, the old man stated, "You can go back to the castle, I'll deal with this one."
The knights seemed unsure, but the old man sent them a stern look that made them all nod, turn around and leave.
Natsu looked down, a hard look on his face as he heard the retrieving steps of the knights. Makarov turned back to Natsu, frowning. "Let's go home." He said, walking away from the alley.
They boy and the cat both stared at the old man dumbfoundedly. "What?"
Makarov rubbed his forehead, glancing back at Natsu, "Didn't you just say you were hungry?"
Natsu's face broke into a grin, running up to the old man. "You're the best, Gramps!"
It was a long walk, but the two spent it talking. Natsu and Happy talked about their job with Macao, and how he continued to train Natsu to become a blacksmith himself one day. Makarov talked about his role in the Kingdom, and how the Princess would soon marry, for her eighteenth birthday was coming up. Natsu only nodded, not really interested. But when the old man mentioned she'd be forced into the marriage, the boy's eyes widened.
"Why does she have to be forced?" He questioned as they entered the old man's small home. Natsu looked around the place, he hadn't been here before.
Makarov sighed. "As the Princess, it is her duty to do what is best for her Kingdom."
Natsu snorted. "That just sounds like a load of crap." The old man looked at Natsu disapprovingly but the boy did not mind or care. "People should never be forced into doing something they do not wish to do."
Staring at the boy before him, Makarov couldn't help let out a low chuckle. "Yeah… I know. It's just… things are run differently in the castle."
Natsu and Happy helped Makarov prepare something for dinner, Makarov slapping their hands- paws in Happy's case- with a wooden spoon every time they tried to eat the ingredients and pick on the food he was preparing. Natsu's smelled the air around them, knowing the food would end up great just by its smell.
"Your cooking has gotten better, Gramps." Natsu praised, and the old man shrugged.
"Practice makes everything better, I suppose. It was either learn how to cook or starve."
They had just finished getting everything ready for dinner when the front door opened. "I'm home, Gramps!"
The old man chuckled, taking off the apron he had been wearing as he approached his grandson by the entrance. "Hard day today?"
Laxus shook his head. "Not really. Though, I did get a few blows from sparring with Jellal." He chuckled. He then caught the pink haired boy standing by their kitchen and glared.
"So he did come." Makarov sighed and nodded. Laxus shook his head. "That idiot always gets into trouble. No matter where he's at."
Natsu glared over at Laxus. "You know I can hear you, right?!"
Laxus snorted. "Of course I know you can." He glared daggers at both the boy and his cat. "You two are just lucky Gramps and I work for the Kingdom, if not, you two would be spending the night in the Kingdom's dungeons!"
The boy rolled his eyes. "For just stealing a loaf of bread?"
"Of course not, you idiot!" Laxus growled. "For the destructions you caused!"
"Well, it's not like I meant to destroy anything! They started using violence, so I had to do something to get away before they slashed my throat with their swords!"
"If you hadn't been stealing from others, than no one would have been after you with a sword!"
"Whatever I do is none of your business, you stupid lightning freak!" Natsu growled, his fists engulfed in flames already.
"It is my business! Gramps and I had to step up and take full responsibility for your mess, you idiot!" His fists engulfed in lightning, and Happy's eyes widened in terror, hoping Makarov would stop them before they destroyed his small home.
Makarov's hands curled up into fists, a vein of anger popping at the top of his head, yelling before the two could throw the first punch, "Stop it, you brats!"
The two looked down at the man that was breathing hard from anger. "Laxus, this is not the way to deal with this." The blond looked away, grunting in annoyance. "And Natsu… Laxus is right. You have outdone yourself. You get into trouble every time. If you're not causing havoc in Magnolia, you're causing it here in Crocus. You need to control your magic."
Natsu looked down in embarrassment and anger. "It's not like I meant to destroy anything. It just happened! And most of the time, it's because I'm trying to help others! You know, I've caught a whole bunch of bad guys back in Magnolia! I'm doing the right thing! I'm helping others with my magic, just like Gran taught me to." He stopped, his hands curled into tight fists.
Laxus rolled his eyes. "That's our job as the knights of the Kingdom, not yours, Natsu. This hero complex of yours is what gets you into so much trouble all the time."
The boy glared at the knight, his hands shaking with anger. "Well sometimes I get the job done better than any of you knights could ever! I actually catch those criminals!"
Before Laxus could respond, Makarov stated, "You do." Laxus's eyes widened, about to question his grandfather but stopped when the old man continued, "But destroy everything that crosses your path as you do so."
Natsu looked away, his nails digging into his skin.
"You two never understand. She… She would understand!"
Happy frowned as he stared at his partner.
Makarov looked down, knowing exactly who the boy was talking about. "She's not here anymore, Natsu."
Natsu sniffed. "I know that." He picked his rolled up comforter and strapped it across his back. "Let's go, Happy." He muttered. Happy's eyes widened, looking back at the food they had prepared. He sighed, deciding not to say anything and flew after his partner.
"Natsu!" Makarov yelled but the teen didn't turn back, he only slammed the door shut after he stepped out of the small house.
His shoulders were tense, his hands still curled up into tight fists. Happy flew quietly beside his partner and best friend, not knowing what to say to make his friend feel better. Natsu looked up at the darkening sky, letting out a loud sigh. He stopped then, closing his eyes as he felt the night's breeze blow gently passed them.
Natsu had stopped in front of a tree, and his fist engulfed in flames then, punching the tree trunk as hard as he could.
Happy's eyes widened, only being able to whisper, "Natsu?"
The Dragon Slayer shook his head. "It's okay, Happy." He looked down and forced himself to grin. "I'm okay."
His best friend frowned..
"It's just…" Natsu stopped, turning around so his back was now against the tree. He slid down to the ground and sighed. "I feel like I've failed them all." He muttered, staring up at the sky, frowning.
He had always dreamed of a far off place where a great, warm welcome would be waiting for him. That Igneel would stand in the middle of that crowd, proudly stating that he was his son.
Rubbing his hands over his eyes, Natsu smiled sadly down at the grass. He had been trained and raised by Igneel for a reason. His magic meant something- everything- to him. It was a huge part of him. He would continue using it to help others! He'd continue to search for Igneel! He'd continue being the reckless fool he was! He would not change, not even if that was what Makarov and Laxus thought was what was best.
One day, he'd prove to them that he could do something great with the power Igneel had thought him. He would make them all respect him! The crowds will one day cheer when they see him! They would all finally respect him! He was sure of it!
And when that day comes, Igneel will be there, welcoming him, telling him that this is where he is meant to be.
He grinned up at the sky. He would find his way to Igneel. He knew he would. He would go the distance, until he's finally reunited with his father. He'll find him one day, but he had to be strong. He couldn't give up. He couldn't let others tell him what he should and shouldn't do.
Every mile will be worth his while, if it meant seeing Igneel again. That's all he wanted. To find his father, to be the man he had hoped and trusted he'd become. He wanted to be someone his father would be proud of. That's why… he couldn't give up. Not now. He had to continue. He had to stay strong. Because… One day, he'll stand beside his father again, and every single step of the way, would be worth it.
"You know, Happy," Natsu started, his arms crossing behind his head as he looked up at the dark sky. "I'd go anywhere… Just to feel like I belong…"
Happy's frown deepened. "But… you belong here."
Natsu shrugged. "Sometimes I feel like I don't. Like I'm not meant to be here. I know it doesn't make sense… But… It's just that…" He stopped, his eyes closing. "I feel like I'm meant to be someplace else."
Just then, a couple of girls ran passed them, squealing, "Salamander is so charming!"
"And dreamy!"
Natsu stood up, his eyebrows furrowing as he watched the two young girls run down the street.
"Salamander?" He questioned.
Happy glanced up at his partner, asking, "Do you think it's Igneel?"
Natsu's eyes widened. "Maybe." He stopped, his hands sweating with the possibility of finally seeing his father again. "We should follow those girls and see!"
"Are you sure about this, Lucy?" Aquarius questioned. She watched the Princess nod and sighed.
"I'm finally doing what I want. I couldn't be more sure." She whispered as she stood on her balcony staring out into the beautiful gardens. "My father has proven to me that he has no regards to how I feel or for what I want." She frowned, rubbing away the lone tear that ran down her cheek. "It's all about him and his precious Kingdom."
Leaning over, Lucy smiled as she saw the town of Crocus near the palace. She would be there soon… She would finally have a real life, a life made of her own decisions, not from someone else for their own gain.
"I'm going to run away, Aquarius." The Princess announced grinning when she saw her Celestial Spirit roll her eyes. Lucy turned back around to stare at the dark sky. "I'm going to finally leave this castle and never look back."
"Well, I hope you get caught." Aquarius muttered and Lucy's eyes widened before she giggled.
"I know you don't mean that." The mermaid shrugged and Lucy smiled. "I know deep down you're proud of me for finally doing what I wish."
Aquarius looked away from Lucy and smiled, before she went back to the Spirit world, she whispered a faint, "I am."
Walking towards her wardrobe, Lucy pulled on a black cape over the black bodice she wore over a light grey blouse with long sleeves and a light blue, calf- length skirt. She pulled a small travel bag from under her bed, one Virgo had helped her prepare. She pulled the small bag over her shoulder and walked over to her balcony, looking down at the gardens. They were dim and unguarded, and Lucy sighed in relief.
Lucy, with the help of Virgo, had made a rope of knotted and rolled blankets. It was heavy, but she was still able to secure it to one of the stone poles of the balcony, heaving the rest over. The rope was long enough that a few feet of it was lying flat against the ground. Next, Lucy threw her bag over the balcony, watching it land quietly next to the rope.
Taking a deep breath, Lucy swung her legs over the side of the balcony. She stared down at the distant ground for a moment, and then looked back into her bedroom. She had spent seventeen years here. And now, she was finally leaving. Looking away, Lucy grinned as she grabbed hold of the pole and gently eased herself onto the rope. Her eyes widened at first, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't dare look down, it'd only scare her even more if she knew how high up she really was. Taking a final deep breath, Lucy began moving down the rope.
She moved slowly, afraid that she'd fall. It felt like ages until finally, she gently lowered herself to the ground. Looking up, Lucy's eyes widened. She had really done it! She couldn't help laugh to relieve her stress. Her heart was still beating madly in her chest as she picked up her bag and then yanked as hard as she could on the rope, trying to get the knot to come undone. After several tries, she managed to pull the pole free. Sighing in relief, Lucy carried it to some bushes nearby and hid it there.
Pulling her hood on, Lucy covered her face as much as she could. She shivered from the cold night air, wrapping her cape tightly around her. Suckling in a deep breath, Lucy ran across the gardens and towards the wall that surrounded the Kingdom she was escaping. She used the light of the moon as a guide, crunching dried leaves and twigs on her way. She then heard distant voices coming her way, and she quickly hid behind a tree, watching as a couple of knights walked passed her. She covered her mouth with both her hands, her eyes glued on them as they walked towards the stables. She sighed in relief when they finally disappeared down the path.
When she finally reached the wall, her heart was beating so fast, she thought it was going to jump out of her chest, her cheeks were burning hot, and she had been scared out of her mind, more than once thinking about turning around and getting back in bed but just as quickly as the thought came she shook it away. She would not chicken out! She was finally doing this and she would not give up halfway into it! She would definitely get to see the world outside these walls.
Her cold, small hands touched the stone wall, staring up at it's great stature.
Taking out one of her golden keys, Lucy whispered, "Open the Gate of the Maiden- Virgo."
The pink haired maiden bowed before her owner. "Princess has requested me to help her escape, correct?"
Lucy nodded. "I need you to dig a hole for me to cross this wall." The Princess smiled down at the grass. "I want to finally see what's behind these walls."
"As you wish, Princess." Virgo glanced up at the tall wall before she burrowed into the ground. She soon peeked from under the whole and pulled the Princess to follow her, leading her through her underground passage, until finally, they reached the end.
Lucy's eyes widened as Virgo helped her out of the hole. She stared at the lights that came from the town of Crocus and then turned to see the wall that surrounded the castle she had lived in since birth. "I'm finally outside…" She laughed, hugging her Celestial Spirit. "I'm finally outside, Virgo!"
Virgo pulled away from the Princess, smiling as she said, "I'm happy for you, Princess. But you should probably leave this area before you get caught and returned to the place you deem a prison."
Lucy nodded. "Of course." Glancing around, Lucy felt a little lost and Virgo sighed.
"I will help you, Princess, reach the town of Crocus. But by morning, you should be far from here, if you do not wish to be caught by tomorrow."
Frowning, Lucy nodded. "Yes, I know. Thank you, Virgo."
Before the Princess could take a step away from the wall, Virgo stopped her, holding onto her arm. "Are you sure about this, Princess?"
Lucy smiled, remembering Aquarius's words from before. Now it felt like those words had left the mermaid's lips days ago instead of just an hour earlier. "I'm sure Vigo." She glanced at the wall one last time before she admitted, "I will miss the few friends I had here." She frowned, feeling guilty for not saying goodbye to Levy, Yukino, and Erza. "There's also so many memories in this castle… Good and bad ones. And… My father." She curled her hands onto her coat. "But I know this is what I want. I'm sure this is what's best."
Nodding, Virgo guided the Princess towards Crocus.
As soon as they stepped into town, Virgo informed Lucy that her time was up, and she was to return to the Celestial Spirit world. The blonde thanked her and assured her that if she ran into trouble, she'd call her out immediately.
Walking down the streets of Crocus, Lucy was simply awe struck by the many attractions the village had to offer. She passed by many shops and many performers. The nightlife was splendid. She giggled when she stopped to watch a puppet show. She had also sat down on the street to listen to a young woman sing. Her voice was so beautiful, it reminded her of Aquarius's.
She was gifted with a flower crown from a nice old lady Lucy had stopped to have a conversation, admiring the jewelry she had crafted herself. A young girl stared at the crown and Lucy giggled. She placed it on her head, smiling widely when the girl blushed. "It looks better on you." Lucy winked at her and the girl giggled, thanking her.
It was nice to be treated as just another regular person. To not have people bowing to her or formerly addressing her. She was now only Lucy. Just another girl. In a way, she was glad her father had kept her locked away in the Kingdom, for no one outside the castle knew what the Princess of Fiore looked like.
She had been walking down one of the many streets of Crocus, when she watched a couple of giggling girls ran passed her. "I can't wait to meet this Salamander! I hear he's very dreamy!"
Curiosity got the best of her, and Lucy followed after the two girls, stopping when she noticed a huge crowd of girls in the middle of the street.
Lucy could make out a man standing in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by all the girls. They all seemed infatuated by this man, and Lucy couldn't understand why. That was, until she caught a glance of him and her heart started beating uncontrollably fast, throbbing out of control.
She clutched her hand against her chest, confused as to what was happening to her. And then, the dark blue haired man looked straight at her and the throbbing of her heart increased. Could it be… that she was in love? The Princess shook her head. No way! She didn't even know the guy! So… what was causing these feelings?
"Igneel! Igneel! Igneel it's me!" A boy with pink hair yelled, pushing his way through the crowd of girls and towards the dark haired man.
And just like that, Lucy felt her heart go back to normal. Like magic. The spell had broken.
Lucy watched the young, pink haired man's shoulders slump. "Who the hell are you?!"
The man's eyes widened, "Who am I?!" He then grinned. "I'm Salamander. Surely you've heard of me before."
Lucy watched the boy walk away and then get jumped by a bunch of girls for insulting this supposed great Salamander.
She glared at the dark haired man as she watched him try to give an autograph to the pink haired boy. He had been using a charm spell. That's why she had been feeling so weird, because she was hypnotised into believing she was in love with him. Levy had taught her about these spells in one of her many magic lessons.
But thanks to that boy barging in when he did, she was able to snap out of it. She approached him then, wanting to thank him. The boy had been sitting down on the floor, a blue cat standing right beside him.
"Who the hell is that guy?" Natsu muttered, watching him use magic to fly out of the street he had been standing before.
"A creep, I'm sure." Lucy answered, smiling down at the boy. "Thank you for your help!"
Natsu stared at the girl before him with raised eyebrows. He had no idea what she was thanking him for.
"Huh?" Was all he was able to utter as he watched her drop the hood that covered her face and smile a warm, bright and wide smile at him.
Happy watched their interaction, his paws covering his mouth to stop himself from teasing his friend.
Natsu's eyes had widened as soon as the blonde's face came into view, his cheeks turning a faint pink color when she smiled at him.
Their paths had finally crossed.
Author's Note:
Like, hate it, love it? Please review and let me know!
Wow. This chapter was a long one! And as hard as I tried to keep it short and simple, I just couldn't! I really wanted them to finally meet in this chapter, but I also wanted to add the struggles they were both going through, Lucy running away and introduce some new characters, whose stories will be further developed later in the story! Hopefully you all liked how this chapter turned out! I liked where this chapter went, but I have mixed feelings about it. Lol.
Thank you so much to those who followed, favorited and reviewed the first chapter!
A special thank you to luchaniam, nickgog343, and skyehammond1! Your reviews motivated me to get this chapter done and ready to update a lot sooner than I expected! Thank you so much for your encouraging words to continue this story!
Thanks for reading! And until next time! ;D
Songs: Disney's The Little Mermaid- Part of Your World, Hercules- Go the Distance, and Aladdin- One Jump Ahead
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~
