Here we go! New chapter!

Announcement: So I will be shifting the way I am writing it a bit from only POVs to being more of an omniscient narrator to move the story a little faster (I'm sure some of you are waiting for some Gajevy and NaLu action!) So you will see that this chapter shows Gajeel's POV then switches to the narration when we see Levy and Lucy again. Thanks everyone!


Gajeel's POV

I tried my best not to sigh out of boredom. It just another miserable day in the castle of Naurnos. Why anyone would have made the choice to live in this gods-forsaken land was beyond me. My eyes scanned the interior of the throne room. The black jagged rocks that rose high into the ceiling of the castle worked as walls. Due to their random and natural pattern, no decorations here hung to make the throne room more hospitable, but of course our dragon ancestors had never really cared for such frivolity. The only thing that kept the black walls from being completely bare was the torches to bring in light. The smooth floor made out of ondo, a special type of stone found in Naurnos, made it clear. Looking down you could see the fire of the volcano swirling and flashing under our feet. The volcano seemed to pulse with a heartbeat that was uncountable and free, much like ai dragons in the throne room. We were the decedents of dragons: a proud, ruthless race that bowed down to now one or at least that is what King Acnologia was telling us right now.

I tried to loosen the collar of the black feathered coat I was forced to wear. Nauranians could take any harsh temperature, and actually preferred the wastelands of Naurnos for its spread of volcanos, but I found myself suffocating in the heat of the room.

"And now, my friends let us raise our glasses and cheer for my son's twenty-first birthday! My pride and joy: Crown Prince Gajeel of Naurnos!" The guests around the room lifted their cups in and chanted my name.

Right, I wasn't just someone who could blend in the crowd. I was the son of the Blood King, soon to one day inherit his throne. Keeping my face passive, I glided down the steps. I would be the perfect son, the perfect prince. My father's throne that was taken by blood and glory would not be shamed. I would not shame him again. I stopped the urge to reach up and touch the scar that ran down my left eye. It was a symbol, a reminder to the kingdom and I that the king was not afraid to take down his own son.

Evading the nobles trying to slide themselves into my good graces, I finally settled in a dark corner out of sight. I was not in the mood to put on a face for people who only wished to raise their own status. If they thought I had any influence over the king, they would be disappointed.

In the comfort of the shadows, I watched as the revelries took hold. The various deep colors of the men's tunics and women's gowns blurred as they danced over the lava floor. Dark, leathery wings flowed with their movements, some partners even attempting to dance in the air to flaunt their rank.

"Hiding from your own celebration Gajeel?" I turned my head to find a dark figure standing next to me. I stared at him in suspicion. Like myself, he blended into the shadows all too well. I hadn't even heard him approach.

"I ain't one for silly outfits and false conversations Rogue," I regarded my younger brother.

"If Father hears you speaking like that you might just get a matching scar." He retorted with that hard look in his eyes.

"Well wouldn't that be nice huh? I always wanted a matching set." I shot a sharp-teethed grin his way. Rogue just narrowed his eyes, not appreciating my little joke. It was an understatement to say I had a complicated relationship with my brother. I knew he resented me for being everything he was not. Since we were children I had always surpassed him. From swordplay to flying lessons, I had been everything our father wanted. Unlike Rogue, I never wished to get such… attention… from the king. Any in the king's line of sight had to watch out for their lives in fear of being crushed by his force, but there was nothing I could change about that. I would not burden this awful responsibility on Rogue. Even if he resented me for the rest of his life, even if he was clever and quick-witted, I would not endanger his life, and I would not allow someone as jealous and power-hungry as him rule the kingdom.

"Just don't embarrass father." With that he turned and stalked away, letting the shadows shield him from the unwanted eyes of nobles.

As everyone was distracted, I decided to take the chance to quietly slip out of the throne room, into the dark halls of the volcano. The sigh I was holding back escaped my lips. Taking off the gaudy feather coat and dumping it on the floor I strode out to one of the balconies that were connected to the volcano. Breathing in the fresh air, well as fresh as air could be with soot and sulfur mixed in, I jumped up on the ledge and settled there. Taking out a piece of iron that was in my pocket, I use my sharp nail to cut the symbol of Naurnos into its shiny, dark surface; starting with the sword, then winding the two-head snake around its blade. Intimidating and disturbing, just like its people.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the presence of another ai dragon until I was pushed off the ledge. The wind didn't even have time to react before I grabbed the railing and propelled myself back onto the balcony. I spun around, with eyes flashing, to see bright, obnoxious, pink hair and a toothy grin.

"Woops, my bad, I didn't know you were weak enough to be pushed off so easily."

Crossing my arms I narrowed my eyes at the intruder, "Huh? You sure you want to start that now Natsu?" Glaring at the most annoying creature I have ever met, who was also, unfortunately, my best friend.

His disturbing little grin only widened, "Well sure! If you don't mind losing pride." Lunging at him to show exactly what losing pride meant, my fists only met air as he swiftly dodged me.

"Come on, oh mighty Crown Prince of Naurnos! Please show me those princely skills you tell me so much about."

"You are one frustratin' guy, you know that?" Swiping my leg under him, I smile at the satisfying sight of him falling onto the ground.

Natsu just laughs warmheartedly as he rubs his head, "Okay, okay, I give up." His face takes a sudden serious turn, "Hey did you hear the news lately? Apparently a Lord from Edhelos killed a Kelveden wine seller."

"What?"

"Many different rumors are flying around about whose fault it really was, but one thing is for sure is that it has created a lot of tension between nations." Natsu stands up next to me as I look out at the land of fire and smoke, lost in thought.

"Has the king made any movements?"

Natsu huffs, "Not yet. Just be careful Gajeel, your father is a very dangerous man."

I couldn't stop the short, harsh laugh that came out, "You don't have to tell me that. I know." I knew out of anyone how dangerous he really is. Without out another word, I turned around and strode back into the castle.


The days following the murder were long and strenuous for Levy. The shadows that haunted her at night never ceased to take over her thoughts, but through the past couple days, Levy focused her attention on trying to figure out the truth about Lucy. She needed a distraction, and her friend's mysterious past was the perfect key to keep the shadows at bay. Levy spent most of her time in the castle's library, surrounding herself with books and archives and scrolls. Though book after book only revealed boring history and dead ends.

Levy sighed and removed her reading glasses. She never thought she would get tired of reading books, but she was. She needed something, a clue that could give her some kind of hope. As she rubbed her forehead to lessen the headache that has forming, Lucy sat gingerly beside her and pushed a cup of steaming liquid towards her. Looking down Levy saw it was her favorite: warm milk with honey.

Casting a smile of thanks towards Lucy's way, Levy picked up the cup and took a long gulp. The sweet milk flowed down her throat and streamed warmth throughout her blood, calming her nerves in the process.

Setting the cup down, Levy finally spoke, "Thank you, I really needed that."

Lucy pouted playfully as her response formed in front of Levy: Don't stress yourself out too much. It's not like I need to know my past right away. Besides, all this research has kept you from being able to talk with me.

Levy lets out another sigh as she leaned her head on the table, "You're right, I'm sorry. Just the thought of you having to go through life constantly not knowing who you are does not set well with me. If I could find the answers to cure your memory loss—" Levy's head suddenly snapped up, making Lucy jump, "Wait a second… we don't need to find the answer, we just need to cure your memory loss and the answers would be right there." Levy wanted to bang her head on the table. She felt so stupid, but she knew exactly where to look.

Without a second thought, Levy got up and made her way to the library's door. Lucy had to thrust her wings so catch up, in order to shrink herself and hide in Levy's hair before Levy grabbed the gold handle and rushed to her room.

Opening her cedar wood door, Levy made her way to her personal book collection with a new purpose. Grabbing one of her favorite books she flipped to the page and smiled.

"This is it Lucy. I know how to solve this." Levy couldn't contain the joy that danced in her voice.

Lucy's familiar flash of light only lasted a second before she stood in front of Levy with wide, hopeful eyes.

How? What did you find out? Lucy's words persisted.

Levy smiled again, "Lucy, we are going back to Kelvedor."


Lucy had never walked so far and so long in her entire life, not that she could remember anyways. They had been walking for two days and only passed the Kelvedor border about three hours ago. The Kelvedor sun was burning against their backs, as they walked the rocky terrain. It didn't help that they were wearing heavy cloaks to conceal their identities from anyone them might encounter along the way. Lucy would have preferred to fly to their destination, but her wings were still not strong enough to carry both her and Levy, and Levy's magic wasn't strong enough for some kind of strengthening spell either. Also, it was Lucy's own fault since she insisted to walk in her natural form because Levy refused to warn her father about their journey in fear he would ask her for an explanation or simply force her to stay. She was on the hate list of many Kelvaden residents, so Lucy decided she would be Levy's protection if anything were to go wrong.

Lucy squirmed a bit, not used to the restrictions and pressure that was put on her wings. She was so used to her loose white garb that had an open back. She desperately wanted to stretch her wings, but wasn't willing to have Levy scold her again. Lucy watched Levy from the corner of her eyes. Her face showed such determination, that Lucy was sure she would take down any obstacle she faced. Lucy smiled at the thought of small, cute Levy facing off some unknown monster, but Lucy's expression quickly changed to worry. She always did this, she always passed from wanting to protect her friend to wanting Levy to grow even stronger. Though she was not an elf and shouldn't really care, Lucy wanted Levy to grow into an amazing queen that loved her people and was loved by them as well.

How much longer until we're there? Lucy sent her way.

Levy made sure to roll her eyes extravagantly, "Lucy, you asked that just an hour ago. I told you the rina lote only grows in the caves of Kelvedor. We have to reach the mountains first."

Lucy would have ruffled her wings if it had not been the cursed cloak. She wasn't sure what she thought about all this. Levy had found in that book of hers a page about a memory flower called the rina lote that grew deep in mountains of Kelvedor. It seemed too good to be true, and while Lucy wanted to find out why she fell out of the sky, she was a little scared to know the truth. What dark secrets or painful memories did she have? It couldn't be good.

Lucy hadn't even realized they had been walking for a few more hours until the sun started setting in the west. Reds and golds and pinks painted the surroundings around them. Lucy's breathe caught in the beauty of it all.

"We should rest here for the night." Levy spoke up as she walked towards a pile of large boulders that could be their shelter them until morning.

I will go get the fire wood. And before Levy could protest, Lucy ran around the rocks and disappeared from Levy's sight. It didn't take long for Lucy to find dry wood. With the rain loss Kelvedor was suffering from, there was plenty of dead wood to pick from. While walking back, Lucy imagined she was humming. She always enjoyed listening to Levy's sweet bell-like voice and it always made her wonder what her own voice sounded like. Was it deep or high? Was it smooth or rough? She decided she didn't mind what it sounded like, because having a voice seem like a dream compared to her silent suffering. As she got closer to their temporary camp-site she heard a scream.

Levy!

Lucy dropped her gathered wood and sprinted around the rocks. She found Levy fighting off some kind of… small flying lizard? Lucy stood there as she watched Levy wildly flail around as the lizard-thing swarmed her head like some sort of annoying bug. It was pitch black and shiny like silver. What was that thing?

"Lucy! Don't just stand there, get this thing off me!" Levy shrieked. Lucy had to keep herself from laughing at the whole situation, but she calmly walked back to her pile of wood, picked up a nice large stick and strolled back to the panicking Levy. Levy was still running around while swatting at the persistent little lizard. As it landed on her head Lucy swung the stick and set the little critter flying. By that time Levy had frozen.

"What were you thinking? You could have hit me!" Lucy smiled at the flustered Levy.

Ah, but I didn't. And you asked for me to get it off, isn't that what I did?

Levy huffed in response, "Well it's over now. Let's start the fire before it gets fully dark."

Gathering the wood again, Lucy set up the fire wood and Levy lit it with a little fire magic. Lucy stared at the fire in awe. She would never get used to magic. As the fire cracked and warmed them both, Lucy noticed Levy looking at the night sky with a worried look on her face.

What is it Levy?

Levy looked at Lucy in surprise, as if startled from her thoughts, and then her face settled into a gentle smile.

"I was just think about my Father. I hope he isn't worried too much."

We could always find a way to send him word that you're all right.

Levy's smile only softened more, "Maybe. Let's get some sleep; we have a long way to go tomorrow."


Gajeel soared above the capital of Naurnos. He practiced different wing patterns to make himself go faster and faster, to get stronger than any other ai dragon in the city. He used the wind to boost his black and gray wings to carry him even further beyond the limits. He had to be stronger. There had been a lot of unrest in the volcano castle recently. Gajeel had been at his wits end and needed the time to be alone and train.

After an hour or two of air time, Gajeel landed gracefully onto the landing balcony of the castle. Gafeel hadn't been on the ground for more than five seconds before some castle guards showed up with their red and black uniforms.

The king's trusted advisor and captain of the guard, Cobra, spoke first, "His majesty would like to speak with you."

Gajeel studied his father's right hand man. His skin was a light caramel, which was unusual because Nauranians barely ever saw the sun. He was branded with a scar on his right eye, similar to Gajeel's yet completely different. His was more brutal looking in that it forced his eye to be forever closed. His was also a battle scar, that he treated more like a trophy and a symbol of his loyalty to the king. Whatever order he was given, he followed. Gajeel knew that Cobra would be the best advisor if or when he was king. That blind loyalty was good to have, but Gajeel was not the king yet; therefore, he had to be wary.

"Well we wouldn't want to keep 'his majesty' waiting now would we?" Gajeel purred as if he wasn't dreading the father-son meeting. Gajeel followed behind Cobra and his men, with the arrogance the son of the Blood King should have, but all the pretending in the world would not quiet his heart.

They reached the throne room and the guards opened the pitch black door that seemed more like a door to the underworld then a door to the throne room. Sauntering in, Gajeel stood before the king and bowed low.

"Father, you called for me?" Gajeel lifted himself to face the king. His father lounged in his throne of pure iron and silver. It sure didn't look comfortable. Gajeel made a mental note to change it if he ever became king. He kept still as King Acnologia studied him as if he were some kind of predator and his son the prey.

"I am sure you have heard of the… unfortunate accident in Kelvedor?" The kings voice sounded bored and Gajeel inwardly flinched at his choice of words.

"Yes, Father."

In that instance a small tarai flew into the room and landed on the king's arm. The king took something out of its tiny talons, and the pitch black tarai morphed back into the tattoo-like scales on the king's arm. Most ai dragons were graced with this feature. Like his father's, Gajeel had black swirling scales that stretched up his arm, neck, and face, and even down his torso. The only difference was Gajeels reflected a silvery color and the king's a deep red.

Slowly smiling, the king held up what looked like a blue strand of hair, "Gajeel, there is something I want you to do."

Gajeel hid a shudder from the smile that promised his father was plotting nothing good, but despite his fear towards the king, Gajeel knew that to win his father's loyalty and become the son he wanted, he would do anything.


Tadaaa! I hope the way I wrote it wasn't too different. Please send reviews so I know how you all are enjoying the story! I am on spring break so I will get the next chapter in soon. Next Chapter: Levy, Gajeel, Lucy, and Natsu finally meet!