Hey guys! Kytrin here with a very late Wednesday update! A couple of quick notes at the bottom. Enjoy your chapter!
CHAPTER 22
Powder Monkey
A crew member whose job during battle was to run back and forth from the ship's powder hold carrying black powder for the guns.
The first time he met the Captain, Gray was convinced the man was insane. He also wasn't sure why anyone would follow the man, he was a terror on two legs. He also didn't seem particularly sharp sometimes, with his loud laughter and stubborn attitude for running headfirst into trouble.
How could this be the ruling Pirate King? The man that could strike terror into the hearts of hardened sailors with a single glare.
He was an idiot.
Gray snorted a little in disbelief at his own naiveté as he swabbed the deck, swirling the mop between two hands as he watched the water curling on the wooden planks in a firm reminder that there was far more than he seemed. He supposed he really only had himself to blame for his current spot. Captain Natsu of the Fairy Tail was the Pirate King. He had almost ruled for two hundred years by the time Gray joined his crew as a young boy, and now it was getting close to the anniversary mark.
No idiot could do that. Just like no idiot could inspire generations of sailors.
It was a dream for any sea faring sailor to want to sail on the Fairy Tail. Gray had especially wanted every opportunity for the adventure and riches associated with this crew.
Not that he'd really believed half the stories told about Captain Natsu Dragneel, but the temptation had been too much. The chance for riches alone, riches that could help his little mountain town far more than anything else he could do, had made poking the legend worth it.
Though he hadn't really planned on it becoming his whole life.
But somehow it had turned into more, and now he had been with the ship and captain for years. He had made this life one he couldn't imagine living away from. This crew had become a family that stayed with him when he found himself missing the snowy mountains of home. And the captain himself only seemed to make his place more firm on the bearings of Gray's position.
Gray still thought he was an idiot, but he had a certain amount of respect for the man who was always ready for the next fight or adventure. Natsu had become like an older brother to Gray, always looking out for him and keeping his back safe. When he was a young boy, Gray would often struggle with his knots, but the captain would kneel down beside him for hours and help him get the most complicated ones done. When he'd finally finished the hardest knot, the captain had roared with delight and shown everyone aboard the ship no matter how much it embarrassed his cabin boy. From the simplest task to the most difficult, the captain had guided him through each step. Sometimes in infuriating ways that made him want to knock out his captains teeth, and other times in ways that left him breathless and inspired nothing but awe.
Gray glanced up at where Natsu was looking at a map upside down, on purpose by the looks of things as he knew it infuriated the dragon next to him. It was a little known fact that the captain's legendary Quartermaster, Gajeel the black dragon, former Quartermaster to the Phantom Lord, was sweet on the Navigator. And as such, tended to get offended when maps were read incorrectly.
Natsu of course knew, and so did Gray, though that had been more by accident than anything. But it was still pretty funny to see how Natsu feigned ignorance over the way he held the map.
He apparently was the only one who found it funny though, because Gray heard a derisive snort nearby. He glanced over his shoulder, frowning at the sight of an angrily muttering crewmate.
"Got a problem swabbin'?" He asked lowly as he shifted to more fully face his crewmate. It was an older sailor, Jones. They'd signed on together about the same time, but Gray couldn't really say he was fond of the man. Even as a brat kid there had always been something about Jones that had set his teeth on edge.
"Problem ain't with swabbin' an' you know it." Jones grumbled softly in reply.
"Then what's the problem?" Gray asked as he sloshed his mop in the bucket again, feigning disinterest.
He wasn't sure what it was, but something about the way Jones was acting had sent up a red flag. It was too angry. Which was... weird. Natsu might've been kind of an idiot, but he still ran a tight ship, and treated the crew exceptionally well. Better than any of them had any right to expect really. Even the cabin boy, often the most abused and harassed person on a ship, was healthy and happy. Hell, Natsu was even teaching his current one how to navigate when he wasn't jerking the Quartermaster's chain.
"Problem is I'm wonderin' how our cap'n became king." Jones growled, "Just 'cause he's a dragon don't mean he rules."
Gray rolled his eyes, "You're an idiot." He decided, "Cap'n's king because he's the best. Just 'cause he looks like an idiot, and acts like one, doesn't mean he is. No way could an idiot do what the cap'n's done for as long as he's done it and survive."
"Aye you'd think so." Jones agreed, surprising Gray a little, "But when's the last time you saw him actually doin' any of the stuff his reputation says he can hm? When's the last time we had a raid for more than just pittance?" He scowled, "We could be raidin' treasure galleons an' we're sittin' here!"
Grays eyes narrowed sharply at the tone, his fingers tightening on the mop. This kind of talk wasn't just worrisome, it was mutinous.
He swallowed hard, his eyes dark at the lingering threat, "Take care Jones. You don't want the captain to overhear you say something like that. Talk like that could be confused and you don't want to discover how the captain got his reputation do you?"
The captain was not a ruthless man unless he had to be. But there was no mistaking that he had enough force to back up his threats. If there was one thing Gray knew it was that their captain was not one to be trifled with when his anger was roused.
They were exceptionally lucky that Natsu was quick to anger but just as quick to forgive.
Betrayal was not something he took lightly however, going as far as to consider each of his crewmates a member of his own nest.
"I think he spread those rumors hisself," Another sailor agreed, "Think he's even a real dragon? Never seen any wings on him or nothin'."
Gray snorted at their idiocy. Maybe the captain never sported scales or wings, but Gajeel had. And more than once. And it was obvious to a blind man they practiced the same type of magic. As for their last grade, it was only a matter of time before they scored something large. Just because the captain did not always share his plans with the crew at large did not mean he was not thinking about where their next pay off would come from.
Perhaps it was not as simple as it was for some people to have faith in the captain. But Gray found that he had faith in spades. Natsu set his life down for each crew member, and had done so many times for each of them. That was a kindness Gray wouldn't easily forget.
And so he would keep a sharp eye on Jones and his mutinous talk, no matter how much of it was probably just hot air and griping.
-::-
The mutiny had been real.
Gray hadn't believed it at first. He'd heard grumblings since that day swabbing the deck, but he hadn't really thought anything would come of it. However, he couldn't deny it as his crewmates started demanding to know when they were going after their next big score.
"That ain't happenin' for a while." Natsu frowned at them, "Alvarez got hit hard by the tsunami. An' most of the ships out right now are relief for the disaster."
"Who the hells cares!" Jones demanded, "That's no call to stop us from gettin' paid!"
Natsu's frown turned into a scowl, "Mind your tongue Jones." He snapped, "You know the code. In times of disaster, relief ships are to be left alone. We only hunt again when cleanup's done an' everyone's prosperous."
"That's bull!" Jones shouted, "We're pirates! Why the hell should we care what happens to a bunch of landlubbers in Alvarez? Those ships are ripe for the takin' an' you're too cowardly to go after 'em!"
Gray felt his blood grow cold as ayes chorused around him. Not universally, but more than a few. Enough. And too many. But what really pissed him off was the look on Natsu's face. Torn between hurt and shock, the captain had clearly been caught on the back foot this time.
"Godsdamnit you're a moron." Gray growled loudly enough to draw attention, and crossed his arms as he glared at Jones and the others at his side, "We care because if Alvarez ain't prosperous then they're not gonna have ships for us to feed on! We care because those're innocent lives suffering!" He stalked forward into Jones' face, "How would you like it if that was Magnolia? Or Crocus? Or anywhere your family called home?"
"You're a fool Fullbuster." Jones sneered back, "We don't prey we don't get paid. How's that family of yours gonna survive if you can't send any money back? It's the cap'n's duty to see we get paid!"
He looked around, "Our captain's failed us!" He declared, drawing his sword dramatically, "I say it's time for a new king! One who'll look after his crew!"
All around him the sailors who sided with Jones drew their weapons and trained them on Natsu, whose expression was darkening by the moment like storm clouds about to break in the horizon.
"Are you really going to do this?" Natsu growled, the captains hands balling into fists, "You know just as well as I that yer sorry asses still get paid even when we haven't hit a ship. This is greed talkin' and if you let it do the thinkin' for you, there won't be a place for you on the Fairy Tail."
"I think you'd be gettin' it wrong cap'n. " Jones sneered at Natsu, "There ain't a place for you, or your crew on my ship!"
Immediately Gray knew things were going to go poorly. From one breath to another, Natsu went from angry to pissed. Because if there was one thing every member of Fairy Tail knew, it was never to threaten the Captain's crew.
The captain drew his sword and lunged forward in a neat motion, the flash of silver in his hand hooking under Jones hand and throwing his cutlass away and into the air.
It was like that simple motion caused the dam to break and everyone surged into action. They converged on Natsu, the crew turning on one another as they fought to contain their captain. The man handled himself fine, but he still fought with an edge to sympathy, aiming to just disable his rotten crew.
As such he didn't see the edge of a dagger until it was almost buried deep in his gut.
Gray however, saw it, slamming his hands against the deck to cause a path of ice to slide over and under their captains feet. Natsu lost his balance, looking up just in time to see the knife sail away from his vulnerable side.
Natsu stared at the blade in shock for a moment before looking up at Gray and smirking, "Thanks for that Frostbite!"
"Don't call me that!" Gray huffed irritably. It had been his nickname ever since the captain had first seen his ice magic, and it drove him nuts.
"Heh. After that move I might just call you First Mate." Natsu replied as he got back to his feet, "Let's clean this up first though!"
Gray watched in awe as red scales began appearing over Natsu's body, his hands morphing into something that resembled what he imagined a dragon's hand might, and wings and a tail sprouting from behind him.
"You really are a dragon." He breathed as Natsu bared his fangs and slapped down another attacker with a casual smack of his tail.
"Aye." Natsu growled, his voice somehow deeper and huskier than before as he lunged at a terrified Jones and grabbed him around the neck, "You want to mutiny and threaten my nest on my ship?!" He demanded as he lifted the human off the deck, his grip tightening furiously, "I should turn you into ash!"
Fire erupted around him causing several of the crew yelp and step back, though the flames didn't seem to be harming the ship whatsoever. Gray stared in mingled shock and horror, not sure what to do next, until a heavy hand dropped on his shoulder. He looked up in surprise and found Gajeel standing there, similar scales of a darker metal color covering him.
"Think you can freeze the ones on Jones' side?"
Gray stared at him uncomprehendingly for a moment, still stuck on the realization that if Natsu and Gajeel were really dragons then Gajeel's demigod status might be real as well, "Uh..." He shook himself a little and frowned, "Aye sir." He managed, "But my control's not fine enough to discriminate. I freeze a group, it'll be all of 'em."
Gajeel smirked and nodded, "Good 'nough fledgling." He growled and waded forward to their captain's side, "Oi! Salamander! I got a better idea!"
Natsu's grip didn't waver but he glared back at Gajeel, listening intensely as they spoke in low voices Gray couldn't hear.
The captain nodded, throwing Jones on the deck in front of Gray, "Let me show you what a proper Fairy Tail pirate looks like." He snarled.
He walked to the side, yanking Jones arm upright, gripping his forearm with a clawed hand. His burning grip was hard on the man, ignoring the whimper of pain from the rough treatment. Jones Fairy Tail Mark was branded on his skin just under where Natsu held, but the firmness of his grasp made it so he couldn't flinch away.
"Freeze them where they stand Gray. Gajeel, strip them of their marks," Natsu growled, showing precisely the reason he was the king to begin with, "Throw them overboard when you're done. If they're fast enough, the Tempest may have mercy on them and push them to shore. Or perhaps they might even be rescued by some of those aid ships they were desperate to raid."
His hand smoked on Jones arm, giving him an angry brand to magically remove the mark of their crew. It would scar, leaving behind a reminder of what he had done. It would serve as a warning to other crews that Jones was a mutineer.
Once they were stripped of their marks, they were dropped one by one off the side of the ship. They were luckily bouyant thanks to Grays ice, although Gray couldn't say he liked that option much either for them.
When they were finished weeding out the mutineers, the crew was still in one piece but sadly thinner than before. Natsu turned towards Gray, a crooked smirk flashing over his face to hide the pain behind his eyes, "Not bad freezerburn. Maybe you're not so much a fledgling anymore."
"You were decisive, and acted accordingly to a Quarter Master," Natsu grunted, "I've been keeping Gajeel too busy running the ship. I've been needing a new First Mate since Rob retired."
"We can't do it all alone," He stuck out his hand, his smile widening, "what do you say, First Mate?"
Gray smiled back, his heart jumping in shock as he reached out to shake his Captains hand...
"Gray? It's time to wake up."
"Gray!"
Gray jolted away, his head shaking and his heart in his throat. He looked into deep, deep blue eyes, mouth going dry at the sight of Juvia hovering over him.
The goddess stared at him in confusion, her hair cascading in beautiful waves over her shoulder. The tips of which lightly tickled at his bare stomach, drawing his attention away from his dream as it faded into the aether.
"Juvia?" He asked, shaking his head as he took in his surroundings. He was on the deck, but under the shaded overlay leading into the kitchen.
He groaned and shook his head, "Oh damn. Is it time already?"
Juvia nodded solemnly, her expression apologetic. He sat up, shoving himself upright, regretting his decision not to disappear into his quarters for a quick nap.
"You can do it Gray, I know you don't like this part of your rank, but you're the best person to do it," Juvia murmured, hands settling against his shoulder and chest.
"How do you know that?" Gray couldn't help but ask, his eyes narrowing to the goddess giving him assistance.
Juvia smiled back when he finally stood up, "Because you care about this ship, the captain, and her crew. You'd do anything to protect it."
"I've known you for a very long time Gray," Juvia settled her hand over his thumping heart, "You're just as much a part of the ocean as I am. And I know you are the best one to handle this."
Gray turned, his eyes falling on the reason for his doubts.
Bora stood by the railing, barred from re-entering the ship by a stone faced Elfman.
It was time to maroon their former Master gunner.
Gray scowled at the sight of the man. Maybe it was the weird dream he'd had, but something about Bora reminded him distinctly of Jones, and he had the sudden urge to freeze him solid and shove him overboard without another word.
However, despite the severity of the crime, this wasn't a case of mutiny and the formalities had to be upheld.
"Is everyone assembled?" Lucy asked, her voice nearly as cold as his ice magic. No one said a word and she nodded at him, "If you would kindly recite the charges Mr. Fullbuster?"
Gray's frown deepened as he stepped forward and straightened his back, "Let it be known that the accused, former Master Gunner Bora, stands before us charged with negligence for failing to properly secure his cannons." He said strongly, his voice carrying to the whole ship, "The result of which was the near fatal hit that did knock Quartermaster Cana Alberona over the side of the ship suffering injuries that would've led to her death had Former Captain Natsu Dragneel not acted quickly and decisively to affect a rescue."
His glare intensified at the nervous looking man, "Upon that rescue, it was learned that Quartermaster Alberona was severely injured and it was, again, only due to Former Captain Dragneel's action that help was found to save her life and heal her of her injuries. Are there any who deny this?"
Silence reigned over the ship.
"Upon the crew's safe arrival at Tenrou Island, Captain Heartfilia personally administered discipline to the accused for dereliction of duty in the form of demotion, withheld pay, and menial labor. Are there any who consider the captain's actions unjust?"
Silence once more covered the ship and Gray looked at Lucy. Lucy scowled and stepped forward.
"Former Master Gunner Bora, in the time since your discipline, you have shown an utter lack of remorse for your actions. You have been heard, by many witnesses, including myself, to state that had Quartermaster Alberona not been attending her own duty at the time she never would have been in danger." Her scowl deepened, "That is an attitude I cannot condone. Ever. The Fairy Tail is our home, but she only operates best when everyone performs their duties to the fullest. A lesson you seem to have forgotten."
She stared had at him for a moment, "Does the accused have anything to say in his defense?"
"This is too severe Lucy!" Bora protested, his face twisted in anger and taking a step forward. He was yanked back by a firm hand on his shoulder, Elfman's unimpressed expression unmoving.
"That's close enough," Cana said sharply, her expression unfriendly, "I'd say you've done enough now. You'll do well to remember to address her as Captain if ya wanna keep your tongue!"
"This is all your fault," Bora turned his angry gaze into Cana, "You couldn't have been tied down like ya should've, couldn't ya you dumb bitch?"
"Maybe I should toss you overboard after smacking you around with a cannon first Bora and show you who's the real bitch?" Cana purred back at him.
"Enough," Lucy spoke up, "Bora you've done nothing to argue your case or show remorse for your actions. Even if Cana had been secured with a lifeline, the crew was tied up without a way to escape if the cannon turned towards them!"
"You're hereby stripped of your title as Sailor. You'll stay in Crocus and catch the next ship wherever you may need to be taken." Lucy said coldly, "I've already spread the word among the other captains." She continued, "There will be no more work for you among us. And you should consider yourself lucky that we are pressed for time and unable to maroon you on a deserted island as you deserve." She glared frostily at him, "Enjoy your life Bora. Because if you breathe even a word against Cana or anyone else on my crew again, you will not get to keep it."
"Mr. Fullbuster, escort Bora off my ship," Lucy turned away.
Gray nodded, stepping forward to grasp Bora around the arm. He dragged the protesting man off the ship, knowing it was better him than Lucy. Or even anyone else on the ship. They wouldn't have as much patience as him.
Not that he was chock full of patience.
He was doing all he could to just keep Bora on dry land and not throw him off the railing. Gray shoved him off the gangplank, Mira tossing over Boras clothing and knapsack to land on the dock.
"Weigh anchor!" Cana shouted, causing the crew to stop their watching and get to work. Their attentions were taken away from Bora, business starting up as usual, without a sailor.
"Shove off!"
The festival was over. Their supplies were fully stocked. It was time for Fairy Tail to save the world. Gray just wished it could've begun on a less sour note.
He prayed silently that this wasn't a portent of things to come.
And there you have it! A little more insight into Gray's past. No major announcements for this chapter, so I'm gonna leave it here tonight and go crash into bed lol. I do wanna give a quick shout out to all of our gorgeous reviewers! You guys were absolutely amazing, and some of your speculations were very interesting to read! Alas, you guys didn't quite make the 30 review mark this chapter, so no preview this time. I'm sure you'll grab it for next time though! G'night and we'll see you on Sunday! :)
