Hey everyone! No major notes this time. It's the end of ACT 2, starting next chapter we move into ACT 3! Hold onto your butts because things are starting to pick up.
CHAPTER 29
Lily-livered
weak or cowardly.
The sun burned overhead, beating on the bare shoulders of sailors tossing barrels overhead and sacks of flour and rice on their backs. Natsu surveyed the progress from where he stood, not wanting any of his crew to get sticky fingers and start picking at the food before it was properly loaded and counted.
Metalicana only knew he would have absolutely stuck his nose in the barrel of preserved fruit if he was left unsupervised.
He squinted up at the sun, finding it was even a little warm for him today. It didn't help that the market place was completely filled to bursting after all. He could hardly remember a time when it was bustling so much, not that it was ever slow, but he never had to fight for standing space while shopping.
It was making it damn near impossible for them to resupply.
It was a good thing he wasn't super sold on the idea of manners, so he had been able to shove his way through to give his crew enough room to carry their loads.
Natsu had heard the news, though he hadn't believed there was any reason for all the fuss. The royal family was out shopping. Big deal. He was the fire prince but no one ever rolled out the red carpet for him. And he could sit on people if he was so inclined.
Humans could be so silly with the things they got excited about, and he almost wanted to see for himself to know what all the fuss was.
"Cap'n, we'll never be done at this rate." Gray said as he shoved his way through the crowd to join him, "The guards have everything slowed down to a standstill."
Natsu rolled his eyes, "What's the big deal with this stuff Gray?" He asked, "Why do people care their drake and his queen and hatchling are out shopping?"
Gray's lips twitched into a smile, "It's 'cause they don't see 'em often." He shrugged at Natsu's confused look, "It's true. Royals, they just don't mix with common folk much. It's rare to see 'em, an' folk get excited when they're around. They like to put real faces on the names."
Natsu frowned a little at the idea the royal family was so isolated people were actually excited to see them. It made no sense. Why would they do that? How could they effectively lead anything if they didn't interact with people?
"It's got to do with security too." Gray supplied at the confused look on his face, "Humans don't have drakes like dragons do. Anyone can be a ruler under the right circumstances." He shrugged, "Some folks... they make those happen. By killing the current ruler."
"Humans are weird." Natsu huffed in disgust. Though he had to admit he was even more curious now. If they only came out rarely, there was a fair chance he'd never get another opportunity. Granted, he didn't expect them to be interesting, but he could sorta understand the curiosity now.
Gray burst into a laugh, "True." He agreed, "But at least we're not boring." He cocked his head at Natsu in amusement, "You wanna go check it out? I can take over here for a while, and Gajeel's face is scary enough to part crowds."
Natsu huffed, but didn't argue the point. He was curious now, and hell it would at least be something to do for the sake of saying he'd done it if no other reason. With that thought in mind he hopped down from his perch and began shoving his way through the crowd.
Besides, if he could scare the guards some then his ship would be in better shape.
—::—
Natsu found himself on the edge of a huge clearing, his eyebrow raised as he spotted three richly dressed humans inspecting some apples. Did they really need this much space alone to pick out their own produce?
Silly.
Rolling his eyes, Natsu turned to walk away when a small noise from across the clearing caught his sensitive ears. He looked up just in time to see a small hatchling, no more than five in human years, break the circle and stumble into the clearing chasing after an errant ball.
Natsu watched the small boy with a grin, thinking the harmless playing nothing but fun. At least not until the nearby guards descended on him in a drove.
They didn't attack him, but they certain were aiming to intimidate him into compliance. His blood boiled at the fear on the little one's face and stepped forward to lend his voice, and possibly his fists, to the child who seemed too scared to speak. At least he would have, had a slender hand not stopped the guards rampage. One of the women had her fingers resting on her guards forearm. With her other hand, she lowered her hood which sent cascades of long, gold-spun hair falling over her shoulders and down her back.
She whispered something to the guard and the man backed off. Natsu watched, utterly entranced by the woman and her soft beauty, as she smiled at the child and gave him one of her perfectly picked apples for his troubles.
"Are you alright little one?" The woman asked gently, and the child blushed as he shyly reached out and took the apple.
"Yes ma'am Princess Lucy." He replied, "I'm sorry I ran in here. I just wanted to get my ball."
"That's perfectly alright!" Lucy laughed, "I can hardly fault anyone having a little fun. No matter what Captain Regis here says." She winked at the boy and a ripple of laughter rolled through the crowd.
The boy grinned at her, and she rocked back on her heels, "So what's your name?"
"Lucy, we should get going!" Her father called and Lucy looked up, "Just a moment father!"
"Tom your royalship." The boy replied brightly, "I'm Tom!"
"Well Tom, would you like to help me pick a few more apples before I leave?" Lucy grinned, holding out her hand to him, "Maybe we can even get a basket for you to take home! Would you like that?"
Natsu chuckled as the hatchling excitedly took the princess's hand and she led him over to the orchard with a smile. So that was Princess Lucy huh? He'd heard rumors of her beauty, and kind heart, and it seemed they were all true. And he had to admire the way she'd so cleverly deflected her over-zealous guard. The man bore a pained look that was only proper for a man who had tried to intimidate a hatchling.
A ripple of movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention away from the princess and he frowned as he looked over at it. There was a man standing along the edge of the crowd. He looked normal enough, but there was something about him that had Natsu swallowing back a growl.
Across the way, the king sighed and waited patiently with his wife while the princess collected a few more plump apples with the child. Natsu wasn't paying attention to the royal family anymore as he instead began to weave his way through the crowd. This time his movements were more calculated and measured, wary of trouble. He frowned as he walked, steady and slow so not to spook the curious man.
His attention was not focused on Natsu moving through the crowd though, and the dragon frowned when the man took a step towards the family. Natsu stilled when the guards noticed the man, and they stepped forward to intercept him.
The man moved in a flash, daggers being flung to be buried in the throats of the guards. They dropped to their knees without fight, gurgling their final breath. The man smirked and raised his hands, a field of magic flaring up around them, "No Celestial Spirits can breech this barrier to come to your rescue. At least not in time. Your majesty."
"You are unworthy of the throne!" He shouted, "And when I am done killing your Line, it will go to your successor instead! As it should've from the start!" The man lunged forward, magic propelling him forward in an deadly arch.
"Father!" The princess screamed in terror, and Natsu felt his body become seized with a force he almost couldn't control. He had already been on his way to intercept the assassin, but at Princess Lucy's terrified scream he couldn't help but rush it.
Natsu vaulted himself with a jet of flames, hurtling over the crowd to plant his feet directly into the back of the assassin. He landed in a crouch, driving the man face first into the dirt.
"Whoops, looks like I got some trash on my boots," Natsu growled, rising up and stepping off the assassin, "Disabling their magic before going in to fight? You're a coward."
"You bastard!" The assassin snarled as he lunged at Natsu only to be knocked back down by a flaming fist to the face.
"A coward and you suck at fighting." Natsu snorted as more guards rushed the area and grabbed the would be assassin. He turned to the family and bowed slightly, "Are you alright?"
"We're quite fine thanks to you good sir." The king replied as he stepped forward, "I would have the name of our rescuer?"
Natsu grinned at him, "Captain Natsu Dragneel of the Fairy Tail." He purred, flourishing his hat a little in another bow.
"You're the pirate king!" Lucy breathed in awe, "The one who wrote the code all pirates must abide by or face your wrath! But what are you doing here?"
"Merely passing by princess." Natsu replied with a shrug, "My ship docked to resupply today and I was curious about what could be so exciting about the royal family going shopping." He smirked slightly, "Turns out these things are more exciting than I thought!"
"Well, regardless of your motivations, you've done us a great service this day Captain Dragneel." The king replied, "For that we owe you a debt. Please, how can we repay you?"
Natsu cocked his head at the king, "There's not a lot my crew an' I need your highness." He replied honestly, "Just a resupply before we're off on our next adventure."
"Then that shall be my payment." The king declared, "From this day forward, the Fairy Tail will have a safe haven in our port, and all expenses for resupply will be paid for by the crown." He smiled, "It truly is the least I can do for you saving our lives. I would also extend you, personally, a standing invitation to join us at the palace whenever you're in port."
"That's very kind," Natsu grinned crookedly and shook the Kings hand, "We're here for a couple of days. I don't suppose the royal family would like a tour of the first pirate ship?"
The king looked a little uncertain over the idea of bringing his family onto a world renown pirate ship, but at the way Lucy sprang forward with poorly hidden excitement, the decision was made for him.
"A chance to see the Fairy Tail?" Lucy gushed, "We would be delighted! The rumor says you don't allow strangers aboard your ship!"
Natsu chuckled and extended his arm for the excited princess, she took it at the elbow in a perfect hold, her chin lifted with absolute grace.
"Did your research, eh princess?" Natsu grinned at her, "You're right about that. Fairy Tail is my home, I don't like anyone boarding if they ain't invited first."
"But you are always invited." He gave her a roguish wink.
—::—
"Natsu!"
The shout of warning almost came too late, and Natsu jerked into a deep squat as part of the rigging snapped loose and swung just over his head.
"Where's your head at!" Cana called out to him, staring at Natsu over the near miss. He shook his head and tried to clear his mind of the new memory rolling around in it, his hand creeping up to his forehead.
"Natsu!" Cana repeated.
"Sorry!" Natsu burst and got back to what he was doing. They were tying up the sails for repairs, and he needed to be paying attention while that was done or he could end up getting brained.
"Was it another memory?" Wendy asked, Happy in her arms as she approached.
"Yeah, I think...?" Natsu frowned, shaking his head. He had been awake when he got it, and the timeline was right...
But Lucy had been there and Gray, exactly like some of the odd dreams he had been having as of late.
Originally he thought the dreams were just an odd reflection of his current life and past one. Memories of past and present meshed together to kind of force a new thought. Perhaps he missed command? Perhaps his hidden desires were finally invading his dreams?
He thought they would go away now that he had reluctantly assumed command, but now they had gotten worse, flashing to his mind during the day instead of at night.
Like his memories had.
Gray and Lucy.
Was it possible he'd known them in the past? The idea seemed preposterous, but unless his brain was getting seriously scrambled, he couldn't think of anything else. He couldn't imagine the odds of them being reborn identical to their ancestors like that, but what did he know? Gods were sometimes weird, and they generally did things for a reason.
Maybe there was something special about Gray and Lucy? Acnologia knew them, Juvia was hiding something...
"You're not sure?" Wendy asked with a puzzled expression, pulling him out of his thoughts again.
"It's weird." Natsu admitted, "It feels like a memory, but some of the stuff in it seems impossible?"
"More impossible than a war god trying to destroy the world because he's cranky?" Wendy asked skeptically, "That seems pretty far fetched brother."
Natsu laughed and ruffled her hair, "Well, put like that, you have a point."
It still bothered him that he couldn't be sure if it was really a memory or some bizarre daydream, but there was little he could do except wait and see if any other memories filled in around it.
Though he rather hoped it was the real thing. Weird or not, it was a good memory, and part of him hoped it would prove true. The thought of meeting a princess Lucy left him feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
He shook the thought off, however, as Gajeel clomped up, "Everything's about ready cap'n." He grunted, "An' Levy says we're in position."
"Right, it's time then," Natsu picked up Happy from Wendy's arms and settled the mouser on his shoulder, "You ready for another dip buddy?"
"Aye sir! I've got a great sense of direction in the air and under sea! If we go further than Warrens telepathy then I'll zip up here for help!" Happy cheered.
"So cool!" Natsu grinned back at Happy and cleared his throat, "Alright we are heading out! Keep your eyes peeled for any danger comin' 'round the cove! Mr. Fullbuster has got the wheel while I'm gone!" Natsu barked.
"If you run into trouble you can't squeeze out of, you get out of here! We will be fine under water, your priority is the Captain and the staff piece we already have!" Natsu growled, "Under no circumstances are you to dock on land or bring the Captain on land! Are we understood?"
"Aye sir!" The crew chorused back.
"That's what I like to hear!" He shouted back and nodded to Juvia who was getting ready for the dip into the water. Natsu was following after her lead, stripping himself of all but his scarf.
Normally he would have left it behind, but since he gave the crew the order to leave if necessary Natsu didn't want to risk losing it.
He tied it twice around his waist, securing it with a box knot and nodding when it was tightened to his satisfaction.
The others nodded back and as one they dove into the depths. In an instant, Natsu felt his tail ripple back into existence as both the water and Juvia's divinity hit him. He twisted around to look at his brother, but Juvia was already on it as she waved a hand at Sting and he was suddenly able to breathe.
"The blessings of my children." She informed the dragon, "From now on you will have as little trouble swimming and breathing in the depths as they do." She smiled, "All you lack is a tail."
Sting chuckled a little, "I think I'll forgo that if you don't mind."
"Understandable." Juvia agreed, "Now let's go."
The two dragons nodded as Juvia called up a couple of porpoises and they grabbed hold, "So what's this queen regent lady like?" Sting asked curiously, "I didn't even know there was a queen ruling this area."
"There wasn't until recently." Natsu replied, "Yukino's husband got himself killed in a raid on some humans a couple years ago. Their son is still a nestling, so she took over ruling until her son's ready."
"Doesn't that make things awkward?" Sting asked, "Since she doesn't have abyss powers?"
Natsu shrugged, "Probably a little yeah, but there's not much anyone can do about it. She's a good ruler according to Zeref, and she was smart enough to start making friends with her neighbors, unlike her idiot husband."
"Sounds like you didn't like him at all."
"I didn't." Natsu growled, "He was a jerk. And I hated the way he treated his queen. He definitely wasn't worthy of her."
Sting raised an eyebrow at Natsu's vehemence and wondered just what had happened to this queen to get that sort of response. Now wasn't really the time to delve into it though, not if he wanted Natsu's head properly in the game.
"So where exactly is this temple located anyway?" He asked instead.
"I'll show you that once we get there." Juvia replied and glanced over her shoulder at him, "Sound carries far in the water. I would not have our enemies pick something up because we were careless. Besides, Levy has far more accurate instructions. Her directions were clear but I'm afraid you will have to just follow me for now."
"That's fine Juvia," Sting grinned at her, doing his best to keep up. It wasn't as hard because he was a dragon, and Juvia's spell was helping tremendously but he was still slower than those with tails. He was lucky for the additional help from the dolphins.
They passed deeper into the Midrean sea until they arrived at the gates of an underwater city that was far more beautiful than anything Sting could remember seeing above land.
Pearly gates opened to them, and a woman was floating before them with two guards waiting at her sides. However her expression was kind as she spotted their approach and she lifted her hand in a friendly wave, "Natsu!"
"Yukino!" Natsu released the dolphin, swimming on ahead to greet her. He grabbed her in a hug, the guards looking baffled and somewhat alarmed over the treatment of their queen. She didn't seem concerned though so they remained stiff by her sides.
"I wasn't expecting to see you so soon, someone didn't tell me your city would be on the way," He glanced over at Juvia, who stared back without remorse.
Yukino laughed, "Well your brother warned me that you were arriving in my ocean, and knowing where you were going it only made sense."
She nodded to the guards to give them signal to depart, and after one more unsure look they left.
"You know where the temple is?" Juvia asked sharply, her expression drawing down between her eyes.
Yukino looked at her, a soft gasp pulling from her throat and she bowed her head in reverence, "Ah! Lady Juvia, my apologies for not greeting you!"
"I do not know the exact location, but my husband had the powers of the abyss before he died, and he suspected it's location," Yukino looked up at her, "My late husband was many things, but he was a clever old codfish."
"I see." Juvia hummed, "That is troubling. I had not thought anyone other than the Navigator able to divine even an approximate location of one of the temples."
"If it helps, I think it was only possible due to several factors unique to my husband." Yukino offered, "I'm not sure anyone without abyss powers, relative proximity, and access to our library would be able to locate it."
"That is reassuring." Juvia agreed, "Nevertheless, the fact that anyone came close once means it might happen again."
Yukino bowed her head in acceptance, "That aside, is there anything I can do to assist your mission?" She asked, "Whatever you might need is at your disposal."
Juvia smiled, "As it happens, we could do with some shelter for the night if that's not too much trouble."
"We could?" Natsu asked at the same moment Yukino said, "Of course!"
"We could." Juvia confirmed, "This temple is... temperamental about who approaches when."
Rather like its owner Natsu thought as Yukino happily gave instructions to her guards, and flashed Juvia an innocent grin when she shot him a glare.
"Please follow me." Yukino told them with a smile as they set off, "There's plenty of room in the royal wing for all of you to have your own suite if you like. Your public temple is also available if you would prefer Lady Juvia."
"Thank you, I think I would like to pay my temple a visit." Juvia replied, "It's been too long."
"Of course." Yukino nodded and glanced at one of the guards, "Please go and fetch Sorano. I'm sure she'll want to escort the goddess herself."
The merman nodded and swam off, leaving them alone.
"I gotta say," Sting mused as he looked around admiringly, "Your city is absolutely beautiful Lady Yukino."
"Thank you." Yukino smiled at him, "We've put a lot of work into making it so. It's just a pity we don't get more visitors to admire it."
"Why not?" Sting asked curiously, "It's nice here!"
"It's too far north." Natsu replied, "A lot of folks don't like coming this far up. Especially in winter."
"He's right." Yukino sighed, "In our northernmost territory the ocean itself can freeze in winter, and it's perpetual dark for six months of the year and light for the other six. For all its beauty, that sort of extreme doesn't appeal to many."
"And it's their loss it doesn't." A new voice spoke up, revealing a mermaid every bit as snow colored as Yukino, down to the flukes on her tail, surveying them. She wore a talisman bearing the mark of the Tempest around her neck, and a tattoo over her arm with the same.
She swam over to Juiva and bowed lowly and gracefully, "My Lady, you honor us with your divine presence."
Juvia drifted over to Sorano, her hands hovering by her sides when she approached the mermaid. A smile softened the goddesses face, reaching out to touch Sorano's cheeks, "It is my honor to be here."
"You must be my new high priestess outside of the royal family," Juvia smiled at her, "I am very familiar with your prayers, they have been beautiful enchantments for centuries and have kept me company in the abyss."
Sorano looked a little embarrassed, but very proud of herself for the accomplishment and praise from her goddess. She stammered something not quite intelligible, but sank into another bow and gestures towards the ocean.
"Allow me to escort you to the temple my Lady?" She asked in reverence.
"Hey let me go too! I haven't been to the Tempest temple up here in ages and the last king didn't like us poking our noses into his waters!" Natsu cheered, partially overjoyed at the idea of getting to see one of Juvia's biggest temples and partly a little annoyed over having been unable to see it before thanks to the kings grudge.
"Yeah yeah," Sorano grunted, unimpressed, "Just keep up ya guppy!"
Yukino laughed as Natsu sped off with a gurgling Happy in his arms and left her alone with his brother.
"Ah, well then I guess there's no catching up to them now," Sting snorted and gave Yukino a bit of a helpless look, "I don't suppose I could bother you for a bit of guidance your highness?"
"Of course!" Yukino laughed and grasped his ankles, lifting them up to inspect with caution, "With these things holding you upright you might break something otherwise."
"Hey now!" Sting laughed as he flailed from the sudden tipping, "Watch it! I need those to balance!"
"Sorry." Yukino replied, not sounding particularly sorry at all, and released his ankles, "I just don't understand how you get about with those things. They look so fragile."
"They're stronger than they look your highness." Sting smiled, "And I'm a dragon on top of it. I'll be fine."
Which was a bit of an exaggeration. He could see and breathe down here fine, but he was somewhat concerned about kicking something accidentally. Even being a decent swimmer, he flailed compared to these people.
Still, there was little he could do about that. He would just have to be careful.
"Well enough Sir Dragon." Yukino smiled, "Then allow me to show you to the palace while the others are occupied."
"Thank you Highness." Sting breathed, "That would be... much appreciated."
Alright everyone! You made your sneak peek even with the late update, good job everyone I'm really impressed! Anyway, Kytrin isn't feeling well so the tumblr update won't be happening, but she should be feeling better soon! Thanks everyone for your kind words and reviews. This is officially the end of ACT 2. We'll be moving onto Act 3 starting on Wednesday! We'll see you for the next update :)
His heart hammered in his chest, nerves unlike anything he had ever felt before thrumming through his body and shaking him down to his knees.
He had never been afraid of anything before, but in this big, lonely temple he felt that nervous ache of terror.
Natsu didn't like to be alone, and he had found a home here in the one person he could never have. Ever.
And yet here he was, willing to risk everything for the goddess he loved more than his very life. She loved him too, Natsu knew it to the core of his being. Her whispered words of adoration when they were tangled together in Natsu's chamber. The way he pressed his lips under her ear and breathed his promises into her skin. He knew it was real.
The goddess had more than one opportunity to beckon a willing mortal into her bed, but she didn't. She picked him, again and again...
She had been so kind to him since the very beginning and Natsu didn't want to ask for too much from her. But looking around in his large, beautiful room... it only hammered home how much he missed her.
