Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. Fairy Tail is the intellectual property of Hiro Mashima, and I assert no claim to said intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this, nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.
A/N: So… after a lengthy hiatus, I have decided to rise from the dead and take another shot at writing this story. I apologize to those of you who had to wait forever for this chapter. As a side note, the style of this chapter may be noticeably different from the others. I am experimenting with different writing techniques, so feel free to let me know what you think by leaving a review! I'll do my best to be more consistent from now on. I have already have the next two chapters planned out, so that should make getting the chapters released a little faster. Thanks for your patience!
Gray had been walking the halls of Mercurius for the last couple hours. If it weren't for the fact that he was roaming enemy halls, he may have actually enjoyed the architectural splendor of the palace. Opening a solid oak door on his right, Gray found himself breathing in the scent of Magnolia trees carried on the wind. A sharp metallic clang repeatedly echoed off the walls of the shaded veranda under which he stood. In the center of the veranda, a dirt training yard clamored with the grunts and clinking armor of soldiers at practice.
He heard him well before catching sight of his bright pink hair. Gray's eyes narrowed as he watched Natsu sparring with a group of three soldiers. Natsu deftly dodged one soldier's attack. He pivoted and drove his fist into the plate of another soldier, sending the poor man flying halfway across the yard. The two remaining soldiers ran toward Natsu with blades raised overhead, one attacking from the front and the other from the rear.
Gray watched as Natsu sidestepped the two attackers and grabbed their helmets, slamming them together with muted clang. Both soldiers crumpled to the ground, groaning and dazed.
Natsu laughed. "You guys are going to have to try harder than that!"
The soldiers picked themselves up and bowed deeply before saying, "Yes, sir! We will train harder!"
A frown tugged at Gray's mouth. The three soldiers were clearly no match for Natsu. There was no need for the pink-haired prince to add insult to injury. Gray's frown shifted to a smirk. He would have a little fun. Gray stepped from the shadows into the light of the training yard, catching Natsu's attention in the process. Natsu's arms crossed as he watched Gray approach.
"So this is how the Crown Prince of Fiore keeps in shape? Beating up his subordinates," Gray said, loud enough for only Natsu to hear.
Natsu's arms dropped and his fists balled up at his sides.
"No. This is how a leader inspires his men to train harder," said Natsu, clenching his teeth.
"Maybe it is the leader that needs to train harder and not the men," said Gray.
"Tch. I'm more than capable enough. Especially when compared to the likes of you."
"Really? Care to test that statement out? I assume you wouldn't object to a friendly crossing of swords," asked Gray.
The other soldiers had grown curious by this point, and Gray felt their eyes on the two of them.
"A true warrior doesn't need weapons. But if you insist, Ice Princess. I'll gladly beat you into the ground - with or without a sword," said Natsu.
"Alec. Give me your sword," said Natsu, turning slightly toward the solider he had sent flying earlier.
Alec hastily came forward and presented his sword to his prince before falling back into the ranks of the now captive audience of the training yard. Gray cleared his mind and focused his magic, shaping the image of a sword in his mind's eye and manifesting a blade of solid ice.
"Hah. You think that icicle is going to be a match for me?" Natsu taunted.
"Enough talk," said Gray.
The training yard was silent; the only sound coming from the rustling leaves of the Magnolia trees that occupied a corner of the training yard. Suddenly, the yard erupted with the sharp and strange clang as metal meeting ice. Gray and Natsu froze in place, their blades locked together.
"Not bad," said Natsu, "but your icicle won't last long against me."
Gray watched as Natsu's blade began to glow, and steam bellowed from the point where the swords met. Gray jumped back, taking note of the small nick in his blade. Gray saw a slight smirk at the corner of Natsu's mouth. Cocky. He focused on the nick in his blade, and new ice began filling the notch.
"You'll have to try harder than that," said Gray, delighted at being able to use Natsu's own words against him.
Natsu charged him, and Gray gracefully parried. Natsu pivoted and swung his sword in a wide arc. Gray once again dodged. The soldiers looked on as Natsu's sword sought Gray over and over, meeting only air.
"Is this all you can muster, your Majesty? Now, it's my turn," said Gray.
Natsu was barely able to raise his sword in time to defend against Gray's strike. Gray's sword shimmered in the sunlight as it cut through the air in a flurry of strikes. Natsu blocked one strike, and another followed from a different angle. Their swords locked once more as Gray brought his blade down from overhead.
"For the sake of your kingdom, let's hope your army performs better than you do," said Gray.
Gray knew the words achieved their desired effect. He watched as Natsu's muscles tensed and saw his jaw clench. Gray was acutely aware of the gaze of the soldiers, and he knew that this only added to Natsu's anger. What a pity for a prince to show weakness in front of his soldiers. He decided he would put the pink-haired idiot out of his misery and end things quickly. He abruptly let the tension fall from his arms as he sidestepped. The sudden lack of resistance on his sword caused Natsu to lurch forward. The pommel of Gray's sword slammed into Natsu's wrist, causing his sword to fly off to the side.
Without a moment's hesitation, Natsu's flame-covered fist came in a roundhouse punch, and Gray felt the world tilt as the fist connected with his jaw with a sickening crack. Gray barely had time to throw up an ice shield before Natsu's next attack. Natsu slammed his knee into Gray's shield, shattering it. Ice crystals filled the air as pieces of the shield fell across the yard. Natsu inhaled deeply, more than any human possibly could, and Gray saw flames beginning to billow in his mouth. Based on the intel he had been given, he knew what attack was coming. Natsu was no longer sparring; he was out for blood.
Gray's magic flowed instinctively in reaction to the threat, and an ice cannon manifested from thin air. He fired the cannon just as Natsu unleashed his dragon's breath, the two attacks creating a shockwave and a thick mist that filled the yard.
"Enough," yelled a voice from the mist.
Gray held his cannon ready, prepared to fire again. He saw a figure materialize in the mist as it began to clear. Standing between himself and Natsu, Erza held two swords - one pointed at each of them.
"Natsu. Need I remind you that your father will be exceedingly unhappy with this?" Erza said, making no effort to conceal the glare on her face. Natsu grunted before turning to walk through the veranda and into the palace.
"And, Prince Lyon, need I remind you that your purpose for being here is to foster good will between our two countries?" said Erza as she turned her gaze on him.
Gray let his cannon dematerialize.
"Yes. My apologies. Excuse me," said Gray. He turned on heel and walked toward the door from which he had come. As he entered through the door, he could hear Erza dismissing the gawking soldiers from the yard.
Gray frowned as he let his eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting of the palace. Natsu was a more formidable foe than he had originally anticipated. Poison was the only sensible route. If he had to take Natsu on in a fight, it would be very unlikely that the resulting commotion wouldn't attract Erza's attention. Unfortunately, his little game had already attracted some unwanted scrutiny from Erza. But, it mattered little. Natsu would be dead soon, and he would be on his way back to the Pergrande Empire in no time.
The acrid smell of death hung in the air. Natsu subconsciously brushed at his nose with his hand. He took no pleasure in seeing his father this way. Makarov's condition had started deteriorating last year, and the King now spent most of this time resting in bed. Natsu's face scrunched as he looked down at what was left of his father. The King's hair had grown thin and bald patches dotted his head. His skin was the color of ash, and a sheen of sweat coated his face. The lavish sheets and blankets on the bed seemed the decorative ornaments of a funerary casket.
"Natsu. Do you realize the gravity of the situation?", asked Makarov.
"I know, I know. We've been through this a million times," Natsu said, crossing his arms.
"Then you must realize the importance of Prince Lyon's presence here."
"Yes, father. I understand," Natsu said as he shifted his weight once again like an impatient child.
Makarov gave a heavy sigh. "Natsu, we both know that I do not have much longer left. This alliance with the Republic of Sin is our last chance to prevent the citizens of Fiore from suffering the consequences of war with the Pergrande Empire. Furthermore—", Makarov let forth a great, phlegm-filled cough. Natsu's brows knit together as his father continued to violently cough.
Finally, Makarov regained his breath with a great heave.
"You will be King soon, Natsu. It is time that you learn to put aside your emotions and act out of reason. A king is not ruled by his emotions; he is ruled by the necessity to protect his kingdom."
Natsu centered his weight and uncrossed his arms.
"Quit acting as though you are already dead. I will do as you wish, father. I will protect the people of Fiore, even at the cost of my life. If you want me to play nice with Prince Lyon, I'll do so. But know this: if the Pergrande Empire tries to destroy your legacy, I will wipe them, and anyone who helps them, off the map."
Natsu turned face and left the room. The corner of Makarov's mouth raised pulled back, half a grimace, half a smile.
"Goodbye, my son."