I shifted slightly. I had never been fond of riding horses but it was necessary to get to the docks in time. Erza rode beside me, Gray behind me and next to Sting. Sting was encased in ropes, some led to Gray's saddle while others led to Erza's or mine. If he suddenly tried to run he'd be held and possibly ripped apart if the other three horses were led in different directions. None of us had talked much, not wanting to accidentally bite our tongues from the horse's gait.
My head was still reeling, thinking about all the possibilities that could come. I didn't trust Sting at all but the sliver of hope he had given me was more than I ever expected to get. Could I really be reunited with her? What would she do when she saw me? Would she leap into my arms or would she pull away from me? Had she changed much in looks and personality? Would she accept me still even though I've changed drastically? Would she smell like vanilla and strawberries or would she smell like the stars and heavens? I was jarred out of my thoughts when my horse side stepped over a rock. I readjusted my grip on the reins and sighed.
I prefered flying with Happy or walking, I liked animals sure, but I didn't really enjoy riding on their backs. I liked it better than being in a carriage though. I could easily remember when I was younger, working for the castle and just learning how to ride horses.
Princess Lucy sat on her horse next to me. Both of us sat, watching the possible suitor for Lucy's hand try to impress her by riding his horse around the field. Royal guards were around us and the field, watching everything carefully. I yawned boredly, petting the horse's neck.
"L-Princess…" I started, remembering to give her a title last second. Lucy looked over at me, tilting her head.
"Yes?" She asked, her sweet voice making it's way to my sensitive ears.
"This guy is totally boring...we should sword fight!" I said excitedly and Lucy giggled, shaking her head at me.
"When Prince Dan leaves, it would be rude to just leave him." Lucy said and I let out a groan, leaning my head back in boredom. I scrunched up my face and Lucy giggled, causing Prince Dan to look over with a smirk only for it to fall, seeing she was laughing at the face I was making. He quickly rode over to us, causing us both to turn our attention towards him.
"Princess Lucy you should be watching me! Not your servant!" He exclaimed and it was my turn to scowl. Before Lucy could apologize I leaned forward.
"Hey! I'm not her servant! I'm her bodyguard and best friend! And she can look where she wants!" I said loudly, not caring if I was out of line. I wasn't going to let anyone treat Lucy like that. The Prince narrowed his eyes at me and I narrowed them right back.
"You dare talk to me like that? The future king of Fiore?" He snarled and I scoffed.
"You're not king yet, and Princess Lucy has more taste than you." I said easily. The little Prince set his jaw and urged his horse closer to mine.
"I'll have you beheaded for that!" He declared and I rose my eyebrows.
"Hey! That's enough! Stop arguing." Lucy suddenly said.
"Stay out of it girl," the Prince snapped as he turned, leaning in and slapping Lucy across the face. Lucy gasped, turning her head to the side. Rage filled me and when the Prince turned his head back around his face met my fist. The prince let out a shriek, grabbing his jaw and flailing as he fell from his horse. Guards started running forward at the wails and cries coming from the child and I looked around worriedly.
"I'll have you killed you servant!" The Prince shrieked and I looked at Lucy. She had fear in her eyes and I panicked. It was my job to keep her safe. I held my hand out to her and she took it, letting me pull her over to my horse quickly.
"HYAH!" I yelled and my horse reared, avoiding the grabbing hands of the guards. Lucy held onto me tightly as I held the reins and the horse's mane. The horse settled itself back on all fours, quickly bolting forward, carrying the Princess and I with it.
I was jarred from my memory by the sound of Erza's voice. I looked at her with a frown.
"What was that?" I asked and she shook her head.
"I said we're almost there. You need to stay focused once we're in the town," Erza said softly and I nodded. True to Erza's word we were in the town within minutes. It was a port town that was in the middle of the rebels conquered territory where a good portion of their supplies came in. If we lost this port then it would be very hard to continue making the advances that we made. We passed through the streets slowly, not wanting to run anyone over seeing as the streets were swarming with people. I watched as we were greeted by cheers and blessings, waves of gratitude and flowers thrown before the feet of the horses. I looked at them, only a hint of a smile on my face as I saw the respect in many of their eyes. This was one of the reasons why I fought. I was helping the people who had suffered under the same greedy tyrant that I had suffered under. I was taking a stand for what was right. I had been asked plenty of times what I was going to do when the war was over. For some reason everyone expected me to go for the throne and the crown. I didn't know what I would do for sure, only that I would stand with Fairy Tail. Gramps had already told me I had earned S class, along with Gray and Cana. We had a the trials as usual and I had finally been given the promotion. In the following two years Gray had claimed it and then Cana. Levy was up to do the trials this year and so was Juvia. There were others of course but everyone's money was on one of them. The trials were two months so I didn't feel that bad for pulling Levy out, I had asked for Juvia too but I had no idea if they would get here in time.
We got to the docks eventually, the crowds having gone back to their chores or posts. I let out a sigh, seeing Happy floating over a small bluenette who was carrying two bags, one undeniably stuffed full of books and scrolls and a taller bluenette who had on a winter hat and dress looking thing that slit at her hips, revealing long milky legs with short boots. Natsu dismounted his horse along with Gray and Erza, Sting not having a choice except to stay on his horse.
"There they are!" Happy cheered in relief. Natsu grinned slightly, glad that they had made it safely. He lead his horse over to them, greeting Happy with a one armed hug. Juvia greeted him with a hug and kiss on the cheek before she nearly tackled Gray in a hug, kissing him hard. He flailed a bit before regaining his footing, kissing her back. I chuckled along with Erza, greeting Levy.
"So Natsu, what's your excuse for dragging us both away from training for S class?" Levy asked, raising her brow with a playful smile. I licked my lips, opening my mouth to answer her when Juvia cut me off.
"What is he doing here?" She spat, gray clouds starting to form in the air. She had her fists clenched, a dark look in her eyes as she noticewd Sting. He tensed, avoiding eye contact.
"He's the reason I called you here, I'll explain on the ship but we need to leave as soon as possible. Trust me okay?" I told them and the girls both gave him harsh glares.
"Juvia will allow it...but Juvia will hurt Sting if he gets to close to her or tries to talk to her. Killing Sting is Natsu's job, but Juvia will hurt him." Juvia said, thunder cracking overhead. I nodded, glancing at Sting who let out a small gulp when he heard Juvia talk. Levy scrunched up her nose.
"I don't like it. But I trust you Natsu." Levy said and I nodded.
"Thank you...where are the others?" I asked and Levy sighed.
"Gajeel and Cana are with Master Makarov, we were all expecting you to be gone longer...we knew you were going to take Sting from Gildarts, we just didn't expect it to be done so quickly...or to see him...alive." Levy explained, bitterness seeping into her voice. I nodded.
"Alright, we'll have to leave them. What about Jellal?" I asked and Juvia stepped forward.
"Juvia's brother will be here shortly along with Wendy and Charla." She said and I nodded. I had taken Wendy under my wing more or less, taking over her training in magic and hand to hand combat. Many people referred to her as my apprentice but I wasn't sure if that really fit, because she also got help from Gajeel when it came to her dragon abilities, just not as as much as she did from me. Romeo however, had been pestering me non stop about getting me to train him, wanting to go to all the battles with me and the unit. I always said no, that he was too young, to the relief of Macoe.
"Alright, let's load up the ship. I want to leave as soon as possible." I said and they all nodded.
"Erza, can you deal with Sting? Load him onto the ship." I said and she nodded. I glanced back at the ship. It wasn't the Fairy Tail but it was a smaller one, the one that they had used to get to Lucifer. I licked my lips as I looked at the ship. I had stayed off the water as much as I could since that day.
I shook my head, reaching into my pocket I popped two motion sick pills in my mouth, swallowing them. I started helping the others load the stuff on board, wanting to depart as soon as possible.
It took about an hour and a half to get everything ready. Just as I handed one of the rebellion recruits the reins to the horses to put in the stables a black and blue carriage pulled up, bearing the family symbol of Lockser. Over the past three years Juvia's father and mother had shifted their allegiance to that of the rebellion, seeing that both of their children were on this side. They had been an enormous source of money and supplies for the rebellion. Jellal had been renamed the heir so he was one of the official diplomats of the rebellion. The Magic council had been restored in full support of our cause, and Jellal had been given back his high position on the council. However the Magic counsel wasn't in charge of the rebellion. They didn't have much power at the moment, no. The War council held the power at the moment and it consisted of the Guild Masters and S class members of the guilds, or their guilds version of S class. There were different positions of course however, it was no mistake to say that I held most of the power when it came to getting the troops rallied. I had a higher voice of influence in the council than plenty of others and I was one of the leading generals. When I told someone to jump they asked how high.
I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about it most of the time, to me I was still that seventeen year old kid in the best guild in the country, who was taking missions to help people out or to fight monsters. I was still the happy go lucky teenager just trying to get stronger and become the best I could be. But now I was at the head of a bloody war that forgave no one. I had the respect I had always wanted, my enemies cowered in fear when they saw me, I was S class. I didn't however, have happiness like I had back then. I was at the top, but I had lost so much. Sometimes I wondered if Igneel could see me from wherever he was. I wondered if he was still alive, I wondered that if he could see me, could see all that I had done if he was proud. If his chest puffed out in pride at the things I'd accomplished and gone through. Would he approve of path I chose? Would he understand the horrors I had committed? If he had met Lucifer would he have loved her as I had?
"Natsu!" I was jarred from my thoughts at the sound of Wendy's excited call of my name. I jumped, looking down as Wendy rushed up the ramp and nearly tackled me in a hug. I grunted, letting out a very slight chuckle before hugging her back. She pulled away, giving me a huge smile.
"I'm so glad you're okay." She said and I ruffled her hair, glancing to where Happy was trying to flirt with Charla before I looked back at Wendy and Jellal.
"I haven't been taken down yet, and I'm glad to see you two made it safely. Did you have any trouble on the way?" I asked and Jellal shrugged.
"Small group of rogue dark wizards caused a bit of interference, no one on our side was hurt though." Jellal reported and I nodded.
"Good, Wendy go help Gray and tell him to set sail as soon as your stuff is pulled on board, Jellal please come with me." I said and he nodded while Wendy went to tell Gray. Jellal walked even with me as I walked up the ramp.
"So tell me why we're here Natsu, when I heard word that Sting had been caught I expected at least a month's break for you...and yet not even three days have passed. Does that mean he escaped or did you already slaughter him?" Jellal asked, amusement in his voice and venom in his eyes. He hated Sting just as well. He had known him personally, met him a few times even. He had entrusted Sting with the safety of his sister and the women he had seen as a sister, and neither had gone well. Jellal had his own plans for Sting if he had caught him himself.
"Actually, I've called you and Levy here to confirm something that he told me, or to at least say if it's possible." I told him and he raised a brow in questioning. I gave him a blank look before opening the door to the room where Erza held Sting. Jellal stepped in, his look instantly becoming hard.
Levy sat on the floor next to the tied man with very little regard to him. She was surrounded already by her different books and scrolls, ready to start looking for anything I asked about.
"He's...alive." Jellal said, a bitter sweet happiness in his voice. Sting looked up at him.
"What is it with this group and blue hair? The other dragon slayer has blue hair too right? Why don't the rest of you just dye your hair blue and match them?" He asked mockingly. I didn't move, watching with an amused smirk as Levy seemed to jump from where she was sitting like a coiled snake. She tackled the man who was bigger than her, screaming in anger as she punched and scratched at him. Sting let out a wail and I held back a laugh. Levy was use to dealing with Gajeel, who was three times her size. And if she could keep him in line then Sting didn't stand a chance.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU KILLER! YOU THINK YOU'RE ALLOWED TO TALK LIKE THAT!? I'LL RIP YOUR HEAD OFF!" She screamed, choking him. Sting thrashed, still stuck in his bonds and unable to get away from her. When his face turned a dark red I sighed, moving over to her. I put a hand on Levy's shoulder and she tensed more for a moment before she let out an angry breath, slowly releasing her grip on the blond's neck and sliding off of him. Sting gasped for air and I looked down at Levy who had an angry pout.
"Don't kill him just yet." I said and she clenched her fists, glaring at the blond who wheezed, struggling to sit back up.
"Jellal, Levy. Sting has brought something to my attention that...that I don't think we should ignore the possibility of being true. Which is why you two are here to help me confirm if it can be done." I said and they both tore their glares away from Sting to me, clear interest in a possible mystery.
"What is it?" Jellal asked and I looked at Sting. He took in a ragged breath, having a red line running down his cheek from where Levy had gotten him. He glanced at the small framed bluenette from the corner of his eyes before he looked at Jellal.
"I know how we can Lucifer back...alive." He said and both brunettes went silent and still as they tried to process what he said.
"I'm going to go help Gray and Juvia on deck, don't hurt him...too much. Let him tell you his idea and plan, find out if it's possible and then tell me." I said and they both nodded slowly, mistrusts in their eyes. "Don't worry...if we find out he was wrong...I will be taking that month off." I told them and they all understood exactly what I meant. With that, I turned and left the room.
Hey guys! This is more of a filler chapter to show a bit more on how things have changed over the time skip and how things are running at the moment, I wanted to hint at some of the relationships and bonds that have grown before I destroy you guys with the next few chapters ;) Someone commented and said it didn't seem nearly as dark or as twisted as it was and my response to that? All good things come to those who wait...even if none of you will consider it good ;) MUHAHAHAHAHA
Anyway! xD As always if yo;u have any questions, comments or concerns feel free to comment below!
Chapter questions (you should know that sometimes the answers to these can alter the direction of the next chapter so be sure to answer them!)
What will Jellal and Levy determine about what Sting says?
Will Natsu snap and kill Sting before they get to the island?
Do you think Natsu will end up taking the throne IF they win the war?
If Sting needed help, why didn't he get someone else to help him?
Is Sting telling the truth?
Answer one or all of those down below if you can/want! (It helps give me insight on whether or not I got what I wanted to across to the readers)
Also! I have recently started taking requests for one shots! If you want to request one then feel free to pm me or leave a request on one of the one shots I've BUT NOT ON AAC OR RIVALS. Please specify what type of one shot and be as specific and clear as you can otherwise it'll be left up to my interpretation and that jerza fluff you wanted will end up with somebody dead 0.o