Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail nor Walt Disney's "Aladdin".

In the heart of an enchanted city, a commoner mage named Natsu Dragneel and his mischievous blue-furred flying feline companion, Happy, battle to save the free-spirited Princess Lucy Heartfilia from the schemes of the evil Lightening Dragon Slayer, Laxus. Natsu's whole life changes with one rub of a magic ice lamp called the Ice of Wishes as the level-headed, cool-tempered Gray appears and grants him three wishes, setting him on an incredible journey of discovery. However, the relationship between the kind Princess and protective Dragon Slayer are tested as the two mysterious people watch them, hoping Lucy and Natsu are ready for an enemy that cannot be seen...

Aladdin's Fairy Tail

by

Magnafeana

Chapter Five:

Lucy Confronts Laxus

Like most nights, the kingdom of Fairy Tail was clear and cloudless, the moon's beams pouring uncontrollably onto the land, bathing it in silver. Laxus was certainly pleased with himself. He had finally, finally, found his fire. Sure, it may have been some pink-haired fire-breathing poor kid, but who cares? He found him. The royal guards captured him and the darkly satisfied grin on Gajeel's face reflected his own; yet for a different reason. Now Laxus could get his hands on the mysterious lacrima lamp that's legendary qualities whispered around Fiore. Oh how desperately he needed that mystical lamp if he were to ever rule Fairy Tail and make it stronger!

The royal adviser made his way out of his secret lair, and into an empty yet spacious hall, trying to contain his dark contentment. A grey macaw trekked after him while humming merrily to himself. They had every right to be happy with their plan falling perfectly into place.

"Laxus!" came an enraged hiss, startling the two.

Stomping towards them was a fuming blonde, her eyes burning with frustration and wholesome agitation. Panicking, Laxus shut the panel behind him, closing the door to his discreet hideaway as he smiled nervously. Bixslow, however, remained captured with the wall and the panel, spluttering and coughing.

"Good morning, Princess Lucy." Laxus bowed, trying to maintain an arrogant and regal air he had maintained. Swiftly, he covered the small gap that was in-between the panel and the rest of the walls, trying hard to stifle Bixslow's cough. "You're looking as radiant as ever," he complimented, mentally noting Lucy did look rather attractive. No man could ever deny that. "How can I be of service to you?"

"The guards just took a boy from the market. On your orders," Lucy stated in a miffed tone.

Laxus felt a feather wing tug on his pant leg and subtly glanced down to see the gray macaw wheezing. "Laxus! I'm stuck," Bixslow rasped, his eyes pleading for Laxus to free him.

However, the blonde male ignored his companion and answered the princess in an uneasy manor. He didn't like the look in her eyes. She looked like Erza. "Oh, you're father has charged with keeping peace in Fairy Tail," Laxus lied.

The princess glared at him, displeased by his answer. "Then I want him released immediately," she ordered in her firm and majestic tone, making Laxus wince at the sound. He was being backed into a corner mentally and physically.

"I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I cannot do what you ask," he refused, pressing his back into the wall as Lucy put her hands on her hips, indicating her seething irritation. "The boy was a criminal," he added, hoping it would relieve some of the tension.

But of course, it only increased. "What was his crime?" Lucy pressed with a growl.

"I can't breathe! Laxus!" the gray-feathered macaw repeated, trying to get the attention of his friend.

With a small kick, Laxus shoved Bixslow through the small gap and sent him tumbling down the steps of the hideaway.

Inwardly, the man gulped. He knew she was dangerous, with or without her whip and keys. He didn't like his chances if she decided to lash out on him. "Well… for…" He had to come up with an excuse and soon. Lucy looked impatient and if she didn't get a reasonable answer soon… "Why for kidnapping the princess of course!" he finished with a note of satisfaction. That was a decent lie, he decided.

Wrong.

"He didn't kidnap me!" she insisted, exasperated, her arms flailing for emphasis. "I ran away!"

Laxus grinned inwardly. He could see something deep within the eyes of Princess Lucy. Behind all that anger and frustration… was it… affection for this boy? A princess liking a street rat?

Laxus gasped, looking sad and remorseful as Lucy narrowed her eyes, apprehension flickering in her eyes. "Oh… Dear… How frightfully upsetting… Had I known…" He paused and gave the blonde a sympathetic look.

Lucy continued her glower, watching the pacing adviser with distrustful eyes. "What do you mean?"

Laxus looked at the princess in deep remorse. "Sadly, the boy's sentence has already been carried out…"

Those words made Lucy break her angry expression. Instead she continued to look apprehensive and wary of Laxus's words, flickers of fear flitting across those chocolate orbs every few moments. "What sentence?" she inquired.

It was all in his hands now. She had played right into his hand and now, it was his final move. "Death," Laxus drawled out, pleased with the quiet gasp the blonde emitted, "by beheading."

As if electrified, the princess lost feeling in her body. Her irritated stance slackened. Her taut jaw dropped. Her body trembled. Feelings of rage, sadness, melancholy, and frustration gnarled at her heart, clawing painfully on her insides. He was… dead? The boy she had gotten to known in the last few hours… The one who saved her… Laughed with her… Treated her like a regular girl… And he was put down because Laxus thought it was an injustice for her to have a real friend?

"No," she whispered hoarsely.

"I'm exceedingly sorry, mistress," came a sympathetic condolence.

She remained speechless, processing all that just transpired. She could see his carefree grin. His intense onyx eyes. His unwavering confidence. His comforting flames. Even hear his happy-go-lucky voice worrying over her.

When Lucy finally regained her lost voice, all she could whisper was, "How could you?" Her pain, her sorrow, her brokenness dripped in that one question as her eyes glistened suddenly, shining with moistness. Hot and salty tears streaked her face uncontrollably as she sprinted out of sight. The man could hear her loud sobs and wails resonating off the hallway walls, filling his ears. He shrugged uncharacteristically. So she was crying. He got what he wanted. He followed the princess with smug eyes, not a trace of guilt in his power-hungry heart.

Bixslow nosed the panel slightly open before quickly flying out of it and crawling onto the shoulder of Laxus, panting heavily as he heaved himself. A few loose feathers littered the ground. After coughing and hacking, the grey macaw sighed before diplomatically asking, "So, how'd it go?"

Laxus smirked, his own victory reflecting in the eyes of the bird. "I think it went…rather well," he laughed, both now watching the retreating figure of the girl with gratified eyes.

"…the boy's sentence has already been carried out…"

"Death by beheading…"

"Death…"

"…beheading…"

Death…

Death…

"No!" Lucy screeched as she tore through the palace, startling some of the watchful guards. As she ran by Erza, even the Iron Maiden did not dare try to calm the distressed damsel. She watched in sadness as the blonde continued to run about the castle, covering her tear-streaked face with her hands.

"So why can't you go back?"

I could have though, Lucy thought miserably. I just didn't want too.

"My father's making me get married to some guy who I won't even know."

Wrong. I knew all of them by their reputation. I just hated them.

"You shouldn't have to though. If you don't want to do it, then don't."

It's not that easy…

"I have to. It's all a part of some stupid la— idea that's in my father's head. If I don't, he'll lose everything to his… grandson."

Lies.

"I wish I could help."

You can't though.

"That's very sweet of you."

But you still can do nothing…

"Do you trust me?"

She remembered the determined and honesty eyes she gazed into at that moment. His protectiveness. His caring. His kindness. His compassion.

"Do you trust me?"

"I do trust you!" Lucy cried out as she barged outside and into the darkened garden. She rushed over to the bubbling fountain and fell beside, sinking to her knees and pathetically sobbing. But you shouldn't have trusted me! She added sadly, tears gushing from her eyes and freefalling silently onto her attire.

What had she done? This was all her fault and she knew it. If she had never had the selfish desire for freedom, she would have never left the palace and met him. And he would have never gotten caught by Gajeel and taken away to… to…

...to die…

Just like her mother…

Lucy quivered. She had caused a boy to go to his death! And his sister… Wendy! Oh she'd be heartbroken! How will she survive with Charla and Happy? Her brother was the last thing she had of family with no parents or relatives around… How will the little girl be able to handle this?

Gently, a nose prodded her side, a low and concerned whimper coming from the worried lion. Lucy sniffled before lifting her head, her eyes tearing up, yet steadying the flow of tears. She could see Loke's anxiety as the handsome big feline nuzzled her and growled comfortingly. Instinctively, Lucy wrapped her arms around the neck of the great celestial lion, feeling warmer and safer. However, it did comfort her completely. An innocent boy was slain because of her…

"It's all my fault, Loke," she sniveled in a watery voice. "I didn't even know his name."The lion whimpered once more before licking his master rhythmally, trying to calm her from her hysterics.

Lucy buried her face in his fur, murmuring, "His death is my fault… Just like Mom's…"

Standing on the walls of the palace guardian was a silent observer who had watched the princess for a great time now. His cloak was attacked by the zephyrs as his multiple staffs glistened in the moonlight. Mystogan had sympathy for the poor girl. She truly believed she was the cause for all this sadness and wrongdoing when she was not. It was Laxus. It was all Laxus.

"What shall I do now, First Master?" the reclusive mage asked the winds as they glided over his clothing. He had been given strict orders to observe the princess and to not interfere with Laxus's plan. But he knew what would happen if Laxus succeeded in his plan.

"Now? Do nothing," came a reply in a child's voice, stating the response as those obvious.

Mystogan narrowed his eyes before sighing. "It is just like you, First Master, to have fun with you kingdom, isn't it?" He probed, slight amusement barely tickling the words that filed out of his mouth.

There came a laugh as a young girl with flowing wavy blonde hair and a pink robe joined him on his position on the tall wall, observing the girl and her Celestial Spirit. "Oh, quit being so serious, Mystogan," she scolded, frowning as she heard Lucy cry harder. "We've got some time on our hands right now. We can't really do anything, y'know…"

She glanced at him with seriousness sparkling in her gaze. "When what we've been waiting for comes, we'll be ready."

"Yes, but will she?" Mystogan questioned, eying the princess. "And what about Natsu? I know you say he's more than a poor boy, but how do you know for sure they'll be able to handle it?"

The child smiled, trust and sincerity piercing in her large emerald eyes. "Because I have faith in the Third Master and I have faith in the future Master of Fairy Tail."

Mystogan narrowed his eyes, turning to look at the girl, but she was gone without a trace, leaving him alone once more to watch Lucy. Faith… He had faith in the kingdom of Fairy Tail as well. He knew that Natsu and Lucy were strong, regardless that one was the heiress to the throne and the other was trapped in poverty. They both had fierce and loyal hearts. He had no reason to doubt.

He sighed. "I hope you are right, Mavis."

Natsu didn't struggle against his magical cuffs anymore. He tried igniting his hands to burn them off. The cuffs electrified him. He tried lighting his body on fire. The cuffs shocked him again. He simply tried to break them with his abnormal strength. The cuffs merely shocked him once more. He was sick of getting electrocuted. He wasn't giving up though–when did the great Natsu Dragon, Fire Dragon Slayer, son of Igneel, ever give up?— but he was going to need to strategize carefully if he wanted to get out of this predicament.

It had been only ten minutes since he was imprisoned and he stopped trying to think of plans…

"Man, this sucks," he groaned.

Gajeel and his guards had dragged him to a rundown dungeon that wasn't near the palace grounds. Natsu couldn't tell exactly where he was due to the confusing scents and sounds he had accumulated over his trip to his prison. As far as he knew, no other prisoners were inside. He'd be the only one staying for a time before his trial. However, he could tell some of the guards wished for him to die soon when he tried eating the fire their torches gave off.

Gajeel sent some guard named Fried to chain him to a wall and cast a spell that disabled him from the usage of his slayer magic or to try and escape. Before leaving, Gajeel paused and mentioned that Erza would be by to take him to his trial, leaving Natsu shuttering and shrinking in fear. Anyone but Erza. Regardless of how low in society he was, he and Wendy quickly learned of Erza "Titania" Scarlet, the captain of the guards and a total monster.

Wendy…

Natsu muttered choice words, looking through the barred window that was at the top of the wall across from him as it poured in light from the moon and stars. How would she survive without him? She was the only family she had left! He was the only family she had! With Igneel and Grandeeney gone, who would provide for her? Care for her? He was certain Charla and Happy would protect her, but they wouldn't be able to manage for a long time… There was always Mira and Lisanna… They had always loved Wendy as if she were their little sister and watched her with care when Natsu went off to scout for food or money.

Natsu sighed in relief. His sister and their feline friends were taken care of… That problem was solved. But another quickly shoved it aside and took its place…

He had met the princess?!

How could that strange blondie be the princess of Fairy Tail? She was weird, funny, and kind, not all prissy and mean and demanding. No way could she be Princess Lucy…

Natsu remembered that natural regal tone she possessed when she addressed the Iron Dragon Slayer and his men, maintaining a steely yet refine posture. She certainly acted like someone of nobility. And he had to admit, it was pretty amusing when Gajeel cowered before her, looking afraid. The pinkette was nervous at her appearance too. She could be scary when she wanted to be.

"But she was the princess!" Natsu repeated in a low growl, wishing he could punch something or lit something on fire to rid himself of this frustration and embarrassment. "I must've sounded so stupid to her!"

"Psst…" came an impatient hiss. "Natsu?"

He knew that voice! He raised the voice!

Natsu eagerly looked up, relieved that he saw the familiar face of his dear little sibling and the faces of a cream-furred she-cat and a blue-furred tom. He smirked, his carefree attitude pushing aside his unusual frustration. "Jeez, took you all long enough," he teased.

Wendy smiled before frowning at the sight of the bars. Natsu knew she wasn't capable of punching them in.

"Sky Dragon's Crushing Fang!"

The bars were slashed in half, falling with a clang onto the cold floor of the prison. After wiggling through, the three landed silently into the cell, a key ring in the hands of the Wind Dragon Slayer. "Good to see you too," Wendy acknowledged as she darted towards her chained brother, looking at the five keys dangling on the key ring and trying to figure out which one to use. For a moment, Natsu blanked. There was a key hole on his cuffs?

"So what do you think of Princess Lucy?" Wendy quietly asked as she inserted the right-sized key and unlocked the cuffs, freeing the pinkette from his hold. Natsu stretched shortly before rubbing his wrists and standing up, grinning down at her sister.

"She's…" For the first time in the Fire Dragon Slayer's life, he failed to come up with words. What was she?

"Beautiful?" Wendy finished for him, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Charla nodded with a flick of her tail. "Very kind."

"And fun!" Happy chimed in.

Natsu smiled and patted his feline's head briefly before adding, "Definitely weird." Wendy and Charla sighed, not thinking that the slayer knew exactly what they were getting at.

"Why'd you help her then?" Happy asked, edging closer to and closer to Charla.

Natsu shrugged. "She was in trouble." The pinkette sighed, clasping his hands behind his head. "Don't worry, I won't be seeing her again," he muttered, staring up at the ceiling. "She's the princess and I'm a street rat."

Wendy sighed, hating to see her older brother so upset at this. He and Lu—Princess Lucy seemed to be getting along so well. She had heard bits and pieces of their conversation from her slumber and knew that there had to be something there! "I'm sure she wouldn't care," the blunette reasoned gently.

To her dismay, her brother shook his head. "There's a law, remember? She's gotta marry a prince." His heart sank at that for some reason. He didn't know why, but the thought of the princess gallivanting off with some royal, rich brat didn't sit well in his stomach. Maybe it was that fish he ate… "She deserves a prince," he muttered. "And I'm just an idiot."

"You're only an idiot if you give up, boy," came a raspy voice, cracked with age.

Natsu scanned the area, smelling the old imprisonment chambers. No new scents beside his own, Wendy's, Happy's and Charla's. However, in the shadows of Natsu's prison, he could see to gleaming eyes settling on him. Instantly, he moved Wendy behind him.

"Who are you?" Natsu demanded, Wendy looking frightened at the prospect of another prisoner in the cell.

Slowly, an elderly man hobbled out of the shadows and into the moonlight, hunched over and with a rugged bald head, completed with a long white beard. He flashed a smile, his teeth looking old and gnashed, and his body was cloaked with old and tattered rags and held an elderly staff that looked worn from the wear. Natsu, Wendy and the cats relaxed at the sight of a poor old man. He didn't look like a threat to them.

"I'm a lowly prisoner like yourself," the old man answered. "But together…perhaps we can be something more."

Something more? Sometimes in life, a person is offered the chance to make a deal with a mysterious person. Natsu knew he wouldn't take the offer, but his curiosity drove him to interrogate.

"I'm listening," he nodded, allowing Wendy to cling close to him.

The elderly male smiled once more before going on in a cracked rasp, "There is a cave, boy. A cave of wonders. Filled with treasures"–Natsu perked up at the sound of treasure—"beyond your dreams. Treasures," he added with a grin, "that could even impress your princess."

The pinkette glanced at Wendy, seeing her own curiosity and excitement that reflected from his eyes. Treasures… Riches… He and Wendy could finally be well off! No more scraps, no more being chased around by guards… They could live an honest life…

And the princess…

Natsu's realization saddened his happy thoughts. "But the law says she can only marry a—" he started.

The old man cut him off. "You've heard of the golden rule, haven't you? Whoever has the gold makes the rules?" he wheezed, chuckling slightly.

"Laxus!" Bixslow urgently whispered, slightly lifting up the back of the collar from his position hunching over Laxus's back. He panted heavily, relieved to get some fresh air, as he sweated bullet on his feathers. "Laxus, I'm dyin' here—"

Before the macaw could finish, the old man promptly and swiftly hit him with the end of his staff, making sure the two dragon slayers and their feline companions did not notice. Bixslow sank unconscious onto Laxus's back, no longer complaining of the condensing heat.

Natsu didn't see any tricks here. He longed to be wealthy so he and Wendy and Happy and Charla could have the life they deserve, out of poverty. But he was still a little cautious. "So… Why would you share all this wonderful treasure with me?" he pressed.

The old man laughed. "I need a young pair of legs and a strong back to go after it," he reasoned, grinning when the pinkette seemed to understand.

But there was still one more problem left…

"Uh one problem," the pinkette pointed out. "The treasures out there"–he pointed to the small window at the top of the lanky brick wall—"and we're in here."

He could have used magic to punch down the walls or break open more to the window, but he knew he shouldn't. He could smell, feel and taste the strong magical energy enshrouding the prison. If he had tried to break anything while he was in here, he was sure the guards would be alerted in stop him. And as much as he'd like to take out some guards, his punishment would only worsen.

The old man tsked, shuffling closer to one side of the prison. "Things aren't always what they seem," he warned.

He pressed his cane on a cement block that sat on the ground, easily pushing it back to reveal the light of a secret passage. Natsu and Wendy exchanged glances; Natsu seemed ecstatic while Wendy seemed slightly skeptical, yet also hopeful. If the old geezer was telling the truth, then they'd be running the lap of luxury for the rest of their lives.

But if this guy was lying…

Natsu had a waiting Fire Dragon's Iron Fist to use. He didn't care how old this man was supposed to be. No one lies to him.

"So…do we have a deal?"

The pinkette stared at the offering hand, grinning.

Meeting a weird princess and getting rich in one day?

Natsu shook the hand.

It was his lucky day.