Chapter 48
The Journey to Alvarez wasn't really eventful, but Lucy was excited at the prospect of being reacquainted with Aquarius, she was at the deck of the ship, watching the horizon with the hopes of seeing the shores of Alvarez. Brandish walked onto the deck to stand beside her, "You're really excited at the prospect of meeting Aquarius huh..?" she questioned as Lucy looked at her nodding her head. "I cant say I understand why, but ill take your word for it…" Brandish replied shuddering a little as Lucy laughed, "She may come off as someone with a hard exterior, but underneath that cold demeanor, she's a caring person…" Lucy stated as Brandish grinned, "She gave me nightmares as a child…" Brandish replied as Lucy laughed.
Suddenly the air around them seemed to turn heavy as Natsu rushed upto the deck, "That's Yajeel and the others…" he stated, as Brandish nodded her head, Erza and the others had joined them up at the deck, "Why would they be waiting for us…?" Gray questioned as Natsu scrunched his brows in worry, he had a feeling why they were waiting to greet them.
The ship slowly approached the shore of Alvarez, where the silhouette's of people were visible awaiting their arrival. Dimaria walked forward and whispered to the Fairy Tail members, "Thing's may get a little intense, I think you guys should hang back and let the Emperor meet the council first…" she stated as Lucy and the others nodded their heads in acknowledgement.
As the ship drew nearer to the shore, Lucy could feel the chill seep into the ship, "Invel…I would appreciate it, if you controlled your aura…" Natsu commanded. And just like that the chill in the atmosphere seemed to vanish, Gray and Juvia tensed up as the saw the Ice Mage wearing a cloak similar to Natsu, standing at the shore awaiting their arrival.
Natsu stepped down first and his aura seeped out, covering the whole area with an immense pressure, the likes of which Lucy had only ever felt from someone like Gildarts. "I was expecting a greeting from the citizens Yajeel, what is the meaning of this…?" Natsu questioned his aura not waning as Lucy was surprised the old man was able to keep his posture up, under such pressure, she noticed the Spriggan along with Jellal and the others of to the side bowing their heads in respect to Natsu. "My apologies Your Majesty, the Council, wanted to question the Ishgarians about the events of the battle…" Yajeel stated as Ajeel ran up to hold the old man up, Natsu hadnt yet let his aura die down. "Are you telling me that you want to have my guests who I've personally brought over here as a symbol of peace and an extension of friendship between our countries to be interrogated like criminals…?" Natsu demanded his teeth grit. The Council members cowered under Natsu's gaze, he vanished grabbing Invel by his neck, "Is this your doing Invel…?" he demanded as the Council members didn't move a muscle, "Your Majesty…I only came here with the Spriggan it's the members of the council that were questioning your decision…" he groaned as Natsu let him go.
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear as long as I'm on the throne, I will not let anyone from Alvarez or Ishgar be hurt because of stupid diplomatic disputes and let me make this even more clear to everyone, when I said I would be the first one to stand and defend Alvarez I meant it and so if anyone wants to approach or question the guests from Ishgar, you will have to go through me…" Natsu stated as the Council members shook in their boots, "Wait for me in the throne room, I will join you…" Natsu commanded as the Council left silently, Yajeel approached Natsu as his aura had finally died down, "Pardon me, Your Majesty as the Chief Minister, the Council asked me to address the question…" Yajeel stated.
Natsu grit his teeth in frustration, "After everything we've done…" he stated looking at Jellal and the others and they still cant manage to advocate peace.." Natsu retorted in disbelief. "If I may speak your Majesty…?" Invel interjected as Natsu glared at him but let him speak, "The resentment of the Council on Ishgar or Ishgarians isnt because of the loss of the war or the casualties its rather the death of the Emperor that they blame on Ishgar or rather the members of Fairy Tail, had you brought any other citizen of Ishgar I don't think they would have reacted the same way, Your Majesty…" Invel stated as Natsu grit his teeth, "That awfully sounds like a threat Invel…" Natsu stated as Ajeel ran forward to stand inbetween Natsu and Invel, "It's true your Majesty…the Council's resentment is against Fairy Tail…, as for the allegiance of the Spriggan we are forever in servitude to you, Emperor…" Ajeel stated respectfully.
"Well…I will deal with them…at the castle…" Natsu stated turning to the others he grinned, "Alright guy's let me show you Alvarez c'mon…" he stated as Gray fell down comically at the change in Natsu's demeanor, as they began to move forward Natsu turned to Ajeel, "It's good to see you standing up for your fellow Spriggan…Ajeel.." he stated grinning as Ajeel bowed his head in gratitude.
Once the Emperor and his entourage had moved on Invel thanked Ajeel, "Don't thank me, I didn't want to see you get thrashed by the Emperor and the Emperor was enraged enough to do exactly that…" Ajeel stated as Invel thanked him again. "So…you really think the Emperor can convince the council…?" Ajeel asked him. Jellal and the others had walked upto them, "I really don't think the Emperor can handle this with only intimidation, the reason Emperor Spriggan was accepted by both the people and the Council because he was not only widely loved by the people but he also had the knack to run the country, we need to make sure the Emperor deals with this with knack…" Invel stated addressing Jellal. Jellal smiled "Well maybe we should catch upto the Emperor if we want to do that…" he replied as the group followed the Emperor and his entourage.
Lucy and the others were completely surprised by how much Natsu was loved by the people as kids ran upto him and Natsu greeted with them and almost turned into a kid, which brought a smile to Lucy's face. "Your Majesty…Your Majesty…" came a little voice running right upto Natsu. "Yo Les…" Natsu greeted the boy as his mother apparently ran upto them huffing, reprimanding the kid. "Look what I can do…" Les remarked, as he focused on his palm and a small ember popped up and faded away as he grinned beaming with pride and looking at Natsu who seemed to be looking at Les with such endearment in his eyes that it made Lucy wonder if he would be the same way with their kids, she turned red when she realised what she had just thought about, Natsu formed a small ember of his own and let it glide up and down Les's arm as he grinned playing with the ember, "Well I think you're very well on your way to be a great Fire Mage…" Natsu replied as Les beamed a huge smile on his face, "I will grow big and strong and be one of the Spriggan…" he stated as Natsu grinned, "Hey don't go overshadowing me buddy…" he stated as his mother apologised, "Les…you should address the Emperor with either Your Majesty or Your Highness.." she scolded him as Les blushed red with embarrassment, "Im sorry Your Majesty…" he stated as Natsu plopped Happy on his head, he gave Happy a signal as Happy looked at Natsu to confirm what he meant, the next thing the group knew Happy and Les, began to glide up in the air, the mother was a bit nervous, but Wendy and Charla flew up to keep an eye on Les.
The four of them went around in the air as Les, scowl had turned into a beam of pride as he wooed, while Zipping around with Happy, after a few laps around they returned and Les seemed more elated then when he had met them, his mother thanked Natsu, the other kids had turned up to have a ride with Happy and he obliged. Les saw Lucy and his mouth fell wide open, she was quite close to Natsu and he smiled, "Are you the Emperor's Queen…?" he asked as Lucy turned red at the question. "Well…you're quite clever there Les, she is…" Natsu stated looking at her as everyone in the group had their mouth open in a comical manner. The mother immediately apologised and bowed her head to Lucy as well, "Pardon me, Your Highness.." she stated as Lucy shook her head, "It's alright…i…" Lucy found she couldn't form words, with what Natsu had so lightly acknowledged, "But that was how he was…" she thought to herself.
"Well here's the deal, we are keeping this a secret, to reveal it to the citizens on a important day, so…can you keep this a secret.. little buddy…?" Natsu asked Les who stood in attention his face serious, "As a Spriggan, it's my duty to serve Your Majesty.." Les stated as Natsu smiled and the mother promised not to reveal the information as the two of them left, Les animatedly telling his mom about his experience flying with Happy.
Everyone was staring at Natsu and Lucy as the Spriggan members joined them they looked at the kids flying with the exceeds and the Fairy Tail group staring at Natsu and Lucy. Cobra had immediately read the minds of the people and realised what happened, as he shared the exchange with Jellal and the others. "Why is everyone staring at us…?" Natsu asked Lucy completely oblivious as she froze for a second but then a laugh escaped her lips. Before she could respond though Gray spoke up, "Hey Flame Br…" he began to say but Juvia covered his mouth with her water, while Erza calmly continued, "Natsu you do realise what you just said right…?" she asked him as Natsu looked at her confused. When Natsu still didn't get it Wendy spoke up, "Natsu-san, you basically proposed to Lucy…" she stated as Natsu looked at her and then at Lucy, "No I didn't…" Natsu stated as Lucy felt a bit disappointed, that Natsu didn't think of his statement the same way. "I just said she's my Queen, which is true since I'm the Emperor, believe me, when I propose, it will be even better than the last time Luce…" Natsu stated as Lucy's face grew red once again.
"What…why is everyone behaving this calm…?" Gray demanded when Erza was smiling and so were Brandish and Dimaria, Wendy was sniffing as Jellal and the others didn't want to intrude in the couple's personal moment. "Natsu…did you mean that…?" Lucy asked him moving closer to him as Natsu seemed to be blushing, he scratched his neck nervously, "Yeah…I mean why wouldn't I, I love you…" Natsu stated as Lucy felt tears forming in her eyes as she kissed him, "I love you too…" Lucy stated as Natsu suddenly became nervous, "Uhh…this wasn't my proposal you know that right, I mean…I do plan on making it grand, I wouldn't want to wait for long though, just with everything going on…" Natsu began to mumble as Lucy held his face calming him down, "Hey I can wait…alright…?" Lucy asked him as Natsu touched his forehead to hers the two of them staring into each others eye.
Happy and the other exceeds finally returned as the kids and the parents walked away, "Hey…so what did we miss..?" Happy asked them as the group laughed, when Happy was told what happened he began to cry, Lucy wondered if he was so emotionally overcome by what had just happened when Happy spoke, "Natsu…how could you propose without me there, you know I was going to be the guy holding the ring case for you…" he whined as Natsu groaned, "I didn't really propose, I mean I did but not official…ugggh…just let it go Happy…" Natsu groaned as Natsu began to run away from Happy who began to run after him, half angry and half crying.
As the group followed Natsu and Happy who were still running around while making their way to the castle, Cobra motioned for the others to move forward so Erza could hang back by Jellal. Jellal was smiling to himself at the antics of Natsu and Happy when he suddenly realised that the group had moved forward he turned to find Erza walking beside him whose cheeks were tinted a light pink, and her auburn hair seemed to give off the impression of being on fire under the setting sun. "Uhh…Hi…" Jellal stated as Erza smiled "Hey…" she replied. "So..i know that I didn't tell you about the Spriggan decision…" Jellal stated as Erza shook her head, "You don't owe me an explanation Jellal.." Erza replied. "I…I know but still, I think I owe you an apology it was kinda a spur of the moment thing…" he stated. "So…are the nightmares over…?" Erza asked him concern etched in her voice. "I don't think they will ever go away but I do feel much better, I think it kinda helps that I've not caused harm to the people of this country you know…" Jellal replied as Erza nodded her head. "Ever think you'll come back…?" Erza asked him as Jellal smiled, "Maybe or maybe we could have a branch of Fairy Tail here on Alvarez, that would help out huh…?" he asked her as Erza scoffed, "Oh yeah that would really please the Council members in Alvarez…" she retorted as Jellal laughed.
Happy stopped running after Natsu and noticed Juvia was busy consoling Gray as everyone had ignored his question, Jellal and Erza were busy talking to each other and Natsu was walking back to Lucy, "Well looks like everyone is forming couples, what do you say…Carla…" he stated flying upto her as she shook her head, "Go…away Happy…" she remarked as Happy's heart broke and he drifted down to the ground, Natsu picking him up as they walked towards the castle.
Cobra had noticed, Larcade staring at Brandish as he walked upto Larcade, "Why don't you just talk to her…?" he questioned as Larcade looked at him, "Huh..oh you can read minds ugggh…" Larcade groaned as Cobra laughed, "You're just as bad as your Uncle at this, you know you're pretty obvious about your feelings right…?" he questioned, Larcade looked at him "We arent even related…?" he retorted. "Well then be different and go confess how you feel to Brandish, don't wait for a kid to come and reveal your feelings to her…" he joked as Larcade glared at him, "Is that in reference to the Emperor…?" he demanded as Cobra gulped a little scared, "Just relax, although do remember to address, the Emperor with his honorific, I think the Spriggan let it pass last time around, but you know how sensitive they are about it…" Larcade replied as Cobra nodded his head watching Larcade walk towards Brandish and Dimaria.
"Uhh…hey guys…" Larcade stated walking upto them as Brandish looked at him confused, "You're being awfully cheerful…?" she questioned as Larcade blushed, Dimaria had a smirk on her face she had an idea where this was going, "Well..you know with Uncle's recent announcement, I think it's only right, that we celebrate and commemorate this occasion, so…I was thinking why don't we go have dinner tonight…it's been a while since we hung out right…" Larcade stated, Brandish looked at him curiously, "Who do you mean when you say we…?" she questioned as Larcade blushed, "Uhh..you know, Dimaria, you and I…" he answered as he groaned and cursed himself internally berating himself for his lack of confidence. "What do you say Dimaria…?" Brandish asked her as Dimaria looked at Larcade before turning to address Brandish, "Well I will have to think it over before I decide, although it does look like Meredy, is calling you over, why don't you go ahead, I'll be right behind you…" she stated, Brandish smiled "Alright but let me know your decision…" she stated walking towards Meredy, Larcade called out to her about her decision and she just held her thumb up in response.
"Well…really you couldn't have asked her out without bringing me into the mix, how is she supposed to know what you meant, when you make it seem, like it's a casual dinner between friends…" Dimaria demanded as Larcade apologised. "So…are you going to come…?" Larcade asked her, "Well Brandish is expecting me as well and as long as you are paying for the dinner, I'll be there…" she replied as Larcade sighed in relief. "I'll try to help out as much as I can during this dinner, but grow a pair and tell her what you feel…" Dimaria chided him as Larcade thanked her again, Dimaria just nodded her head and moved to join Brandish.
Jellal and Invel approached Natsu, "Your Majesty, we would like to accompany you while you meet the coucil…" they stated as Natsu nodded his the trio entered the room, the Council members stood up in respect, Jellal and Invel stood on either side of Natsu as the members placed their questions about the Ishgarians presence and their motive for their arrival to the country.
"Havent you received the letter of invite from the Queen of Ishgar…?" Natsu questioned as they nodded their heads, "Larcade did inform us, Your Majesty…it's just that the selection of the guests is quite curious for us, as Fairy Tail were responsible for the demise of our soldiers and the former Emperor, Your Highness.." one of the members stated. Natsu waited for Jellal to speak to him telepathically,
"I'm sorry…what did we do when one of our own had been taken in by the enemy…?" Natsu questioned as the members fell silent again. "Well they did…play a role in the demise of the Former Emperor…" one of the ministers stated as Natsu growled, "I told you, I was responsible for my brother's death, if you want to address something, then address it to my face Minister…" Natsu stated as the minister cowered in fear from him.
"For…years, we've been at war with Ishgar, finally when we have an actual chance to make peace between our countries you want to bring up a war as a means to continue this dissent between the countries…?" Natsu questioned. "There is a chance here for people of Alvarez to visit the country of Ishgar and Vice versa and not just that we even have the chance to open trade between our countries furthering our ties and bond between the people are you saying that you wouldn't want our people to benefit from the trades…?" Natsu questioned. Natsu sighed, "I'm going to ask you again, do you have any valid reason, speak up…" Natsu demanded as the members stood silent. "Very well, I would like you to treat our guests with respect, for the duration of their stay in our country.." Natsu commanded. "Yes.. your Majesty as you wish…" the members stated as Natsu walked out of the room, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Your Majesty…we need to talk…" Jellal stated as Invel gave a bow to Natsu and walked off into the castle, "Well what is it Jellal…?" Natsu asked him. "Do you remember about the person that I spoke about before you left for Ishgar…?" Jellal questioned. Natsu nodded his head, "Well she looked a lot older, but the Eclipse Gate is destroyed so that wouldn't be possible…" he sighed frustrated. "Did Cobra, sense anything from this person…?" Natsu questioned as Jellal shook his head again, she was quite clever, she made sure to approach us, when Cobra wasn't around so I cant confirm anything…" Jellal replied. "Does anyone else know about this…?" Natsu demanded as Jellal answered "No". "Was she giving out any suspicious aura…?" Natsu asked him again as Jellal denied again. "Well then let's keep this to ourselves" Natsu stated as Jellal nodded his head in acknowledgement.
At dinner, everyone was in awe of the feast that was prepared for Natsu as Natsu began to hungrily devour his food in his trademark style, even Happy, Carla and Lily were given their fair share of fish to eat as Happy looked like he had found heaven, he began to jump up and down on Natsu's head thanking him. Natsu put Happy back down as he scurried back to his fish happily. Lucy was completely silent not only was she nervous about finally finding Aquarius key, she missed her so bad, but all the things that had transpired that afternoon with Natsu left her in a state of limbo, she looked around at her friends around her and smiled to herself, she found Natsu staring at her a little concerned but she smiled back at him and he began to continue eating almost immediately.
When Natsu took Lucy and the others to their rooms, they were shocked at the sheer size of the rooms, Lucy looked around in surprise, this whole place is for me…?" she questioned wondering if Erza and Wendy were going to join her, "Well they've got their own rooms…" Natsu stated as Lucy stared at the ceiling and the bed, this bedroom is the size of my apartment…" she stated as Natsu laughed, "You didn't expect me, to make you guys sleep in the barn or something did you now..?" he remarked as Lucy laughed. "Natsu…" Lucy called out to him as Natsu looked at her she seemed to have tears in her eyes, she hugged him as Happy who had been flying around the place in excitement stopped looking at the duo. "Hey…is everything alright…?" Natsu asked her, "I…i..thank you…" Lucy replied as Natsu looked at her confused, "You've done so much for me from finding out Aquarius' location to standing upto the council for us…" she stated as Natsu smiled, "Well….i would have done that anyway Lucy, regardless of if I was the Emperor here or not, you know that right…?" Natsu asked her as Lucy nodded her head hugging him tightly as Happy approached them, "Uhh…Natsu I don't want to interfere here, but where am I sleeping…?" he asked them.
Natsu laughed as he gave a small peck on Lucy's lips and motioned Happy to follow, "C'mon buddy, you're sleeping in my room…" he stated, "Hey Luce…I would advise you to sleep, before you meet that angry lady…" Natsu stated as Lucy laughed "Aquarius…" she corrected him as he smiled. "Well we're leaving early in the morning.." Natsu replied. Lucy watched Natsu and Happy leave as her nerves crept up again as she immediately fell on the bed trying to sleep, "Huh, its much more comfortable than my bed…" Lucy wondered to herself. "I could definitely get used to sleeping here…" she thought to herself as she felt sleep take over her.
The next morning Lucy woke up to realise that she had overslept she hurried and finished her bath and got dressed as Natsu and the others stood smirking at the dining hall, "Looks like someone overslept.." Natsu taunted as Lucy glared at him, "Uggh you and your stupid training, I'm sure if It wasn't for that you wouldn't have been up and about…" Lucy retorted. "Well…doesn't change the fact that you overslept even longer than me…yes I am not the laziest person in the guild anymore…" Natsu cheered happily as Erza chided him, "Natsu you're the Emperor here…" she remarked.
Wendy moved forward addressing Lucy, "It's alright Lucy-san, we just got here as well…" Wendy replied as Lucy thanked her. "So…do you guys want to eat…?" Natsu asked them as they all groaned, ugggh…we had way too much last night, maybe a little snack for the journey would be fine I guess…" Erza stated as the Cooks nodded their heads and went back to the kitchen to prepare the food for their journey.
Larcade seemed awfully silent as the group of FT members and Natsu, Larcade, Dimaria and Brandish began their journey in one of the magic carriages made by Erza and Brandish…". "Why is he so silent…?" Natsu asked Dimaria who seemed to be holding back a laugh as Larcade glared at her, "Well Your Majesty, Larcade here wanted to ask Brandish out on a date but ended up inviting me to the dinner as well…" Dimaria replied as Natsu looked at her confused, "That's not something to be pent up over…?" he wondered out loud as Dimaria laughed, "You see he was so nervous, that he just went along with everything that Brandish ordered, and he ended up getting food poisoned…" Dimaria roared laughing again. "It was the clams, I kept telling you guys…" he groaned as Dimaria laughed, "I was fine after eating it…" she retorted as Larcade fell silent again glaring daggers into the floor.
After quite a long journey with a stop in between to eat their meals, the group finally reached the location as they all exited the carriage they were surprised to find a cave infront of them. "Well…?" Erza turned to ask Natsu as Juvia walked right into the water Gray looking at her in adoration. "It's in there according to our intel…" Brandish remarked. "Well…I mean you guys could have gotten the key out, yourself right…?" Wendy asked them as Erza shook her head, "No…Natsu told them that it had to be a surprise for Lucy, but they could still have brought it into the castle and made it easier for Natsu…" Erza stated deep in thought "Which means…?" Gray questioned having overheard the conversation. "Well if they used Sorano to confirm the location and not one of the Spriggan it means they couldn't confirm the location, so perhaps a spell that only allows Celestial Magic users to enter the cave…?" Erza questioned. "Not just any spell it was a powerful spell…" Brandish remarked as Lucy gasped "A spell from the Celestial King himself, so Aquarius key wouldn't fall into the hand of anyone else…" Lucy remarked.
"Well that may very well be the case, but none of us can enter the cave, it has to be you that goes in Lucy…" Brandish replied as Lucy nodded her head, her mind focused on the task ahead, as Capricorn and Loke appeared on either side of her as Natsu felt helpless letting her walk into the unkown, It felt like hours to Natsu but it perhaps had been only a few minutes as Lucy walked out of the cave, expressionless as Loke and Capricorn werent with her, Natsu hurried upto her in an instant teleporting himself as he held her worry etched in his face. "Lucy…what happened…?, where are Loke and Capricorn…?" Natsu asked her as Lucy had tears dripping down her face. "Aquarius' key wasn't in there…" Lucy stated leaving Natsu and the others completely shocked.