Chapter 20: A Birthday to Remember

"Run!"

I cried out as Lucy and I ran from the group of Tribal Men chasing us with spears and arrows. Fourteen year old Lucy and sixteen year old me were running as fast as our legs could carry us, but it was hard with Lucy wearing a skimpy wedding gown, her hands tied in front of her, and had been saved from death by a volcano in the nick of time.

To sum up, just your ordinary day.

An arrow grazed my cheek and I cursed out a flurry of words when our mad dash became much more desperate.

The sight of our favorite red box was on sight, and we broke out into relief grins. I snapped my finger and TORRI opened his door for us to rush inside.

However, after I let Lucy rushed inside and I face with the Tribal Men, "Thank you for the hospitality, but I have to regretfully say to you all; Hasta la vista!"

Another arrow grazed my ear and I yelped before rushing inside. Lucy already had her hand free from my ship's help, "TORRI take us home!"

[Certainly Sir.]

The coordinate automatically set itself and the ship rumbled before disappearing out of sight from our previous spot. Relief washed over as we both slumped into the ground.

"That was a close one."

"You can say that again, I thought being forced into married was bad enough. But married to the Fire God by jumping into volcano? Not my ideal wedding plan."

"You said it, this is worse than our trip that had me landed on a pirate ship "

"At least those pirates were reasonable, though not a bright bunch they are, but it still wouldn't top how we caused a rebellion in a country."

"Oh, yeah...I remember that. That was like three years ago. Mind you, they would have rebel sooner or later, I think we just speed things up a bit."

We were silent for a moment longer before we exchanged glances, snorted, then burst out laughing. Still feeling the adrenaline flowing through us before we landed roughly and got us rolling around.

I looked back at Lucy and summon a wardrobe for her to change which Lucy went in and sent me a grateful nod. I gave her once over and felt just how different Lucy was compared to Canon. She was much more confident, much more resourceful, and much more cunning. She still shamelessly flirt which had gotten us into trouble in the first place this time around, but she also knows more self-defense move after having a run with me and TORRI.

It's not an everyday thing just so you know. I've only ever taken Lucy for a spin and never with Rebecca or Nick. Not that I mind having them but someone needs to cover us while we're away, also the trip is a bit sacred to the both of us. For me, it helps me run from my responsibility as a Noble and all my planning against the future. For Lucy, it helps her from running away from her father and her standing as Lucky Lucy of Heartfilia.

The wardrobe was open and out came Lucy, wearing a pink crop top, a gray trousers and a pair of dark brown heel boots. "Adventure wise, this was fun but I think it's time we go back and get ready for the party tonight."

I groaned and slumped back to the floor, "Do we have to?"

"Hush, it's your birthday tonight. How could you not be excited?"

"Lucy, if I have my ways, having dinner with my father's associate is not how I deal with my party."

She rolled her eyes fondly at me, "Come on Captain. Let's change you back to Roy Jurenelle."

Reluctantly, I got up and got out from TORRI. Walking down the hill alongside Lucy where Rebecca was waiting on the backyard anxiously. Nick was playing with Hope while talking her nerves down that I would come back on time.

"But what if they've been thrown in jail, or be stuck in a forest, or worse being sent to another universe!"

Sorry to burst your bubble Rebecca, but that won't be happening just yet. "Or, I could be back right now and you don't have to worry so much." I cut in to reveal my presence to them. The three of them turned, but while Nick and Hope smiled and waved welcomingly, Rebecca still wore her scowl as she marched up to me and drag me back to the mansion.

"The party will begin in two hours and you barely got anything ready! Of all the irresponsible things you could have done today, to be away until the last hour to your own birthday party!"

"Technically, it was two hours."

The look she gave me said if we were in private setting, that commentary would deserve a slap by the back of my head. She then stopped short for a moment, turn to glare at the laughing pair of Nick and Lucy, making them shut their mouth when she pointed her finger at them. "Laugh now before I go because I will do the same for you two as well," she promised them before continuing her stride.

With a promised she would wash me herself if I don't hurry and a quick choice of attire, I was once again wearing my dark blue tux. When I walked out of my room, Nick, Hope, Lucy were already waiting for me.

Nick was in his servant attire, fiddling with his bowtie with discomfort face. Hope nestled in his hair and wearing a simple pale blue one piece and a hat that was shaped and colored like a rainbow. Hope said the hat was her version of formal wear.

Did I mention she has a weird hat fetish?

Then last was Lucy, she was already wearing her default smile, the kind of smile she wore in discomfort from the frilly pink gown she wore in canon.

"Ready to face the music nyu~?" Hope asked me.

A knowing grin made its way on my lips, "Oh Hope, you have no idea how accurate your word is to what I have in mind." Hope and my two friends tilted their head in question but I provide no more clue. "First though-" I walked to the nearest window to open it and as if on cue, a paper plane flew in somehow still able despite the small package tied under it, then with flop it fell to my hand and the paper plane opened itself and floated down to reveal a letter written on it.

Dear Roy

Happy sixteenth birthday!

Hope you had been doing well. Me, Lisanna, and Elfman had been doing fine. We all wished you for the best of the coming years to come and congrats of being the same age as Elfman.

But you know, you're not the only that has the reason to celebrate because guess what? I just made it to S-RANK MAGE OF FAIRY TAIL! How great is that?! And all it took was to kick the curb out of the other candidates and finding some old grave. Easy peasy if you ask me.

Best of all, I beat Ezra in being an S-Class Mage. Ha! Now I can brag how I'm so much better than her and have the rank to back me up.

Anyway...you said you love my cooking on the last letter so along with your present I made a few batch of cookies alongside.

Hope you love it.

Mirajane

It's been like this in the past years since after our first meeting. Mira would occasionally send me letters and I would send them a regular letter back with Fairy Tail as its address. She often tells me about how better her siblings were handling the same magic as her and how happy and proud she was for them. She told me about this annoying girl called Erza who seemed to think she's all that and could control how we should act among guilds. She told me about the fights that often broke out in the guild, mostly on Natsu and Gray. She also talks how she was getting better at using her own magic and I could read between the lines she wanted me to say I'm proud and amazed by her progress.

I didn't realize my smile widen at every sentence I read and a smug look made its way to Lucy as she eyed me with devious glint. "Is this from the Mysterious Mistress you so want to keep secret from me?" She asked as she inched closer to me for a peek but I promptly close it before she could and stuffed it in my pocket.

"Ah, Lucy. What's life without a little mystery? And don't call her Mistress, that would make you my wife since I'm keeping it from you."

"And why would you even need to keep it from me? And your wife...eew. That...sounds wrong in so many ways."

I made a mischievous grin at her, "Better me than my brother right? He does have an obvious crush on you."

Lucy shuddered at the reminder and wrapped her hand on her upper arms, "Please, not a word about him."

"Moreover," I continued, "If you know who I'm penpalling with, you'd be jealous."

She snorted, "Now why would I do that?"

I didn't say anything, just give her a knowing smile before I went off to the party without a word. Lucy's smile faded and was up on my tail, "No, seriously, why would I do that?" she said with her facade gone.

I thought about it for a moment on what I should say, and decided it's okay to tease her as I turned around abruptly to her and mouthed the word 'Fairy Tail'

The jaw dropping face she wore was worth it.

"You're joking."

Again, wordlessly, I turned to continue my stride even when Lucy lay frozen at the spot before she quicken her pace to walk beside me even as I hid my true feelings with my own default smile.

"Please tell me you're joking."

"Alright, I'm joking."

"Don't play games with me Roy Jurenelle. Are you seriously saying you've been writing to a Fairy Tail Mage. The guild that I've longed to join!"

The smile quirk up a bit but I managed to keep it in place, but it was getting harder not to laughed at her. Thankfully, the interrogation was cut off when we finally arrived at the hall and Lucy had to put up her facade smile again.

"This conversation isn't over Roy!" she whispered-shouted me and I couldn't hold back the chuckle that slipped.

Which is exactly why it's going to be fun tease for my part Lucy Heartfilia

. . .

"My son Roy, has always been a peculiar boy. He was studious since you and was always curious about magic and learning things rather than playing.000 He was a boy full of ideas and insight that surpassed most adult. With al golden heart that cares for the people he strived to make this kingdom. Never was I blessed with a more worthwhile son than him."

"A toast for my young boy, for as of today he becomes a young man!" My father cried. Glasses were raised in response and followed by the sound of clinking glass against glass. Yet only one was the sound of glass shattering near my feet and I turned to the side to find my brother, Sawarr, had slipped his own glass.

"Oh, Brother. You're such a scatterbrain. You should be more careful."

"Sorry...you know how I am," he said, his voice subdued or dare I thought, defeated...but why?

"Brother, are you okay? What's wrong?" He didn't answer as he turned his back on me and joined his oan group of friends and greeting them. I shrugged, not thinking much of his action and was about to resumed my talk to Lucy when…

"Oh, Rory~"

My heart sank. My face paled. And fear made my spine shivered at the obnoxious voice coming from behind me. I tried to turn and walked away in a calm fashion but she was already upon me.

"Rory-poo, my honey! How are you today My Darling?" the thing-sorry, that's rude of me, she tackled me from behind and wrapped my whole arm into her hug. Ignoring how her...chest (what? I'm being polite to the woman reader here) pressed against it.

"First, I'm not your darling. Second, I'm not your honey. Third and lastly, I'm nobody's Rory-poo, that's not even my goddamn name!" I groused at every word, even as I tried pulling myself out of her grasp but damn does this girl has an elephant grip.

"Oh, don't be shy Darling. We are meant to be together so you don't have to be afraid of our undying love being formed."

This time, I felt at snapping at her and whirled my head to her. She was a girl two years younger than me, cheeks plumped and plushed, a red lipstick worn she knew nothing on how to use it, short black curls of her hair in pigtails, her nose small and flat. She wasn't a pretty girl nor is she ugly, but her persistence character didn't help me giving her a good picture of her.

Ugh, you helped her return her handkerchief and it led her to this obsession. I already had a hard time accepting Juvia's character because of her stalker tendency, having a stalker of my own does not help her case. Well...she's not on stalker level right now, more like a delusional fangirl.

"Listen here Nancy Sheeran because I'm not going to repeat myself. You are an eyesore to me, I don't like you or your cuddling when I barely even know you. Your voice makes me want an earmuffs. So get the damn message and stop chasing me."

Nancy stood staring at me with eyes wide as saucer, I waited for any crying or any kind of reactions, but her response was "Kyaaaaa, Roy-sama is so cool when you're scolding me."

I give up. This girl is utterly hopeless.

I locked eyes with Lucy and made a silent pleading. Her brown eyes eyed the scene critically before she smirk in a sense of victory and continued nibbling at her cake.

This is exactly her form of revenge.

Well, I can't be the only one to suffer now can't I?

"Hey Sawarr! I heard Lucy is searching for you!"

Lucy yelped and almost in an instant, Sawarr was bounding his way toward her and she ran the opposite direction.

Was it mean? Yes.

Was it satisfying? Absolutely.

Am I still in the arms of my fangirl and desperately hoping someone to take me away from her? Freaking Mandela Yes! Someone get this girl off me!

For once my prayer was answered when I saw a familiar face coming ever closer toward us, a gratified and relief smile made its way on me when she stood upon us and Nancy was too busy snuggling to me to see the royalty she failed to give respect too.

"Miss Sheeran, I hope you don't mind me interrupting but do you suppose you can lend me Mister Roy for a minute or two?"

She looked at her interrupter with eye full of annoyance, but then it turned to shock, and she let go of me to stand straight and curtsied the Jade Princess. Her smile stayed serene but the amusing glint in her eyes was evident to me. It always amaze me how the girl younger than Nancy could act much more mature even by most adult standard.

"Princess Hisui, you're here."

"Off course. Why would I not be in my own benefactor's party that celebrated his birth?"

"You're too kind Princess. It's almost a decade since the kidnapping and I'm not even the one who saved you."

"Nevertheless, you won't find anyone as young as you claiming to have help getting the Princess back to safety."

"With a broken bone or two," I supplied dryly.

Hisui laughed at the memory before asking again to Nancy if she would obliged to spare of my time privately. Nancy off course wouldn't dare to object her and relented me to her. Making me sigh in relief as I looked at her gratefully.

"Thank you for that, you practically save me."

Hisui giggled at my reaction, "You exaggerate Mister Roy."

"Please Princess, just call me Roy. As a friend of mine you don't need to be so polite."

Her smile brighten, "Then I insist you call me Shisui, you've earned it as a friend and as someone of high accomplishment. Why, someday you might even be knighted and I would gladly call you Sir Roy."

I laughed, "Maybe, it is good to dream."

"Oh I'd dare say it's more than just a pipedream. In fact, I bet you'd be knighted sometime this year."

"I'll take that bet for 100 jewels if you don't mind."

Hisui giggled again, she probably never get involve in small bets like this so the prospect must be exciting for her. "I don't mind at all. Oh and I almost forgot, happy birthday to you Roy."

Hisui looked like she wanted to give me a hug, but her standing held her back. Unlike the modern times, unless we're in private settings hugging someone is as equally scandalous as kissing in public for the High Class. More so for a royalty.

We have a sort of kinship, Hisui and me. We both lost our mother by giving birth and lived our lives never knowing what our mother would be like.

The party continued as if the small chaos I gave glimpse was nothing to them and after the small talk I had with Hisui. I settled myself beside Nick and Hope was eating with half-closed eyes on top of his hair. I'm regretting a bit not to call her Sleepy right about now. Not soon after, Lucy came panting beside Nick's right side. Took Hope out of his hair and began hugging her like some kind of comfort mechanism. She did like to hug Happy when she's close to upset in canon, or is that just me?

"So, when are we leaving? I thought you should have greeted all the important people by now."

I grinned, and before I could reply to her she hold her hand up on my face, "Wait, don't tell me. I know that face. You're making 'I-just-did-something-interesting face'"

"Oh Lucy, you know me so well." As if beacon by my calling, the lights of the hall turned hall. Surely it was Rebecca's work, causing a cacophony of confusion and slight panic strained out from them all.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!"

The stage that held the mini-orchestra, playing the light and soothing classical music throughout the party, shone and was empty of people and there was an added instrument of drums, a guitar and a bass. Mist might be unfamiliar to it unless one were to share a taste with the common folk's music.

Oh truly they won't expect how uncommon the songs are that will be played today.

One person came forward, he was black man with a giant afro to his head and buck teeth. Not a very handsome man oh he's voice make it all up. Lucy gasped just as he stood at the stage, recognizing him as one of our brief companion that we help save from a cursed mansion that had them only to sing as long as they were locked inside (like being stuck in a Disney Movie and couldn't do anything but sing all the time. Quite a dreadful cursed indeed) and we took him back to Fiore along with his family and help wit the paperwork as a residence of Margarett Town. Though despite the cursed, it didn't stop them from loving music but they needed reprieve by singing different genres than Disney-like music. His family who was locked alongside with him began taking position as well to their instrument as Zed said his monologue.

"First I apologize that I must take over this stage but I noticed it's Master Roy's birthday and I can't not sing for him for my benefactor. So for him to ask me to sing here himself only made me even more eager while introducing me to a song of such novelty I must sing it for him."

"So please listen, I have a feeling you will all love it."

A familiar beat and riff coming from one of the legendary singer from my home world began to play, the smile I had stretched even further as the lyrics started to play.

Is this the real life?

Is this just fantasy?

Caught in a landslide,

No escape from reality.

It was an unfamiliar tune to their ear but they find Zed's voice caused shiver to the guest as his voice rival that of Freddy Mercury himself. As if he had summon his spirit and his voice with us. He jumped down from the stage as he made the hall his dance floor.

I looked around and saw the people's reaction and grinned. It started off with only a shake of their head, tapped of their foot, or the slight swing of their hip. However, more and more did High Class get swept by the beat of the song, the maids and butler couldn't help but stopped there and listen to the song until they couldn't help but bounded up and down with the music alongside the nobles and rich people and none seemed to care.

Open your eyes,

Look up to the skies and see,

Then, the impossible happened. Everyone stopped and I mean literally everyone. The guests and the servants paused as they gazed at Zed in curious and wondrous look. As he sang through the smoot note, the people couldn't help but swayed.

I see a little silhouetto of a man,

Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?

Thunderbolt and lightning,

Very, very frightening me.

(Galileo) Galileo.

(Galileo) Galileo,

Galileo Figaro

Magnifico-o-o-o-o.

Just when you think it couldn't get any better the universe proved me wrong. At the sudden change of note from soft to electrifying high notes, the people were caught by surprised by the sudden change of pace but that got them to be ever more attentive to the music. The song build, and built itself until the riff came as the music made its way into the climax.

So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?

So you think you can love me and leave me to die?

Oh, baby, can't do this to me, baby,

Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here.

All the people in the hall began to moved by the rhythm of the music. Some swayed, some jumped up and down, some outright dance crazily. The servants forgot about their duty and started joining the guests but hey, I'm not complaining. I just let the things that happened happens without question.

Once the song finished and all were clapping wildly at the performance I did finally get to say the one thing I've been waiting for

"LONG LIVE THE QUEENS!"

Oh come on… The opportunity was there, I couldn't miss it!

Once the guests were all distracted by the greatest song ever made by the Queens and followed it up be with more of their hit song I requested Zed and his family to play. I separate myself from the dance group and tapped Lucy and Nick by the shoulder and motioned my head outside. They nodded, understanding what it meant as we venture to the kitchen. Stocking the excessive uneaten food that still perfectly fine and unused and aligned them perfectly on the carriage that was waiting outside where Rebecca had impeccably prepared.

The carriage was easily took care of itself with a simple use of magic and off we went to the slums. When we reached there, a group of kids playing football (Not soccer, it's called football! Get your english right!) one of them spotted us and immediately they cried, "Roy is here!"

Simultaneously, they all turned toward us and with their small little feet, they carried themselves into a run before making a dog pile over me.

Everyone laughed cheerily from the scene, including me despite the groan mix into it.

You see, It was a kind of tradition for the four of us to sneak out excessive food and gave it away to the small group of poor families that needed it more. The grateful happy faces they showed us would always warmth all our hearts and the kids loved spoiling and petting Hope, she certainly didn't mind it.

I've always done this on my birthday. Every year, I would piled up a good amount of food the spread with the people who needed it most rather than let it he waste. So off course on my birthday they would make a small celebration just because

Only now I realized the importance of giving when I have more to give, and it make me feel like a small man for me to not appreciate what I already have and not share it with others.

So I kept just this familiar ritual from my past life. To honor the second life I had and my past family.

Once all the food were spread among the people who needed, I was tapped by the back of the shoulder. I turned, and have out a megawatt smile when I learned who it was.

"Malcolm! Sam! You're here."

Malcolm gave me an off-course-we're-here smile while Sam just gave me a frown before quipping, "I'd say 'Happy Birthday' but that would imply I'm happy for your sad existence."

"Lovely to see you too Sam. Your tongue has gotten even sharper I see," I replied chirpily, my smile not at all demented.

Sam scoffed, but Malcolm gave his signature 'Be-nice-to-him' gaze and promptly made a forced smile back at me. Then Malcolm looked back at me, "16 is a very special age, you are becoming a man Roy so we thought we should grace you a gift."

He handed me a purple box and I took it with a raised eyebrow, very curious of what a thief would give me.

"This better not be something stolen."

"Well…"

"Malcolm."

"To be politically correct, I've only stolen something an item rightfully stolen iso technically…"

"You know what, never mind, I'll pretend I never hear what you said. Just so you know, I'll hold it up on you if it ever bite me on the ass."

"That's the spirit."

I chuckled fondly at him before making my way to open the box. It could have been anything, coming from Malcolm, but a bracelet was a bit underwhelming. It was made into so when one wears it'll look like a silver snake coiling over my arm and at the tail, there was a blue gem glimmering expensively.

"Not that I have anything against a man wearing a bracelet, but I was expecting something more...I don't know...cooler, useful, something a master of thief would-" before I could finished my sentence, Malcolm took that moment to pick up the bracelet, wear it, then with the blue gem shining in reaction to his will, it morphed splendidly into a two-edged sword. An ability that closely resemble my most fond weapon even after years it was lost. "Withdrawn. That is definitely cooler than the average gift."

He chuckled at my words, "An old friend of mine was the one who had it made. It could morph into any tool, shape, or weapon as you so wish made from a mysterious metal that could easily turn liquid."

Okay, not resemble but exactly like my previous weapon with an obvious upgrade to it because damn, that looks shiny.

"So if you don't like it, I guess I could…" I didn't let Malcolm finished as I reached out for the sword, the gem - actually, by now I know it's a lacrima - glowed and it turned back into a bracelet worn on my hand and looked back at him.

"Best. Gift. Ever."

I looked at my new weapon in awe before a small inscription made my eyes squinted before it dawn on me who was the maker and couldn't held back the wonder when I read who it was.

Afterward, the two didn't stay long and went off to who knows where. I didn't mind they didn't say goodbye, they were never the conventional type of people. I'll see them when I'll see them, and I know I'll see them again so I wasn't worried about not saying a few farewells.

I did say goodbyes to the kids and families, they never stop expressing how grateful they were and I never stop getting enough out of it. It's always nice to know your actions can make someone happy.

The four of us sneaked back into my mansion and while I had anticipate maybe an encore for Zed's singing or the disperse of now being a late at night. I noticed they all were looking worried and flustered instead, people were running back and forth, the place was in chaos with tables overturned, the chandelier broken down and the windows shattered.

"What's going on?" I asked aloud and one of the servant almost cried answering.

"The Princess! The Jade Princess has been kidnapped!"

...Again?!

AN: Bad news, good news time!

Bad news, My beta-ist is having problem so sorry if the quality is still sub-par and the rewrite has been postponned.

Good news, I'm posting the nest two chapters in the next two days! Isn't that great. And if you're lucky, you might get extra two chapters of Captain Who but you'll have to cross your finger for that.

And fow Meow Orbit's question, yes the Captain Who would give hints of important events alongside side-entertainment. The interlude would also be of average 5ks story I think. Depends if if there's action or not, otherwise it'd be longer.