"You have got to be kidding me with this." Gray complained as he was not looking forward to what the gang is into now. "A renaissance fair? Are you guys serious?" The gang decided to check out something different and head for a renaissance fair. Everyone was dressed in costumes from that era. Even the gang dressed up. Erza was a female knight, Lucy was wearing a pink peasant blouse, Natsu was dressed like a squire, and even Happy was dressed like a jester. "Guys, this is so dumb."
"Come on, Gray. This could actually be fun." Lucy said. "Haven't you ever wondered what it was like to be a knight or what time was like in the days of the renaissance?"
"No because I'm not a dork that's into this stuff." Gray said as he was the only one not enjoying this.
"Maybe you just need to find something you like." Erza said. "There's this!" She said as she hurried over to a sword in a stone. "You could feel like a hero by pulling this sword out of the stone like King Arthur." She tried doing it herself, but the sword wouldn't budge.
"There's also tons of great food here." Natsu said as he and Happy were stuffing their faces with the delicious food. "Hey throw food as punishment. Maybe we should do something bad." Happy certainly liked that idea.
"Not happening because I want to spend the fair with my knight in shiny armor." Lucy said as she linked her arms with his.
"Lame." Gray said as he wasn't having any fun.
"Well... What about that? That looks interesting." Lucy said as she spotted something that could be amusing. They all took a look and saw some sort of cave.
"The Griffon Cave? Griffon? Don't they usually use a dragon for something like this?" Erza questioned.
"What's a Griffon?" Natsu asked.
"A creature that's part eagle and part lion." Lucy claimed. That was when something emerged out of the cave, but it ended up being a man in a lousy griffon costume with a red beard.
"Welcome to the Griffon's Cave?" The man said. "Care to take a photo with me, Ian the Griffon?"
"Not even if I get paid." Gray complained.
"A griffon... Interesting choice, sir. What made you decide to go with this instead of a dragon?" Lucy asked.
"That's easy, lass." Ian said. "It is because there is a real griffon among this fair. It flies through the sky and spreading terror."
"A real griffon? Yeah right." Gray said.
"Oh? Don't believe me? Well, what do you call that up there?" Ian said as he pointed to the sky. All of them looked to the sky and could see there actually was something flying through the cloudy sky. It was huge with white and the darkest shade of blue feathers with razor-sharp talons and a beak with the body of a lion. It really was a griffon and it flew straight down at the fair. The terrifying creature flew right over the fair with its tailwind blowing right through the area. All of them kept an eye on it as they watch the creature disappear into the clouds.
"That thing was huge! Was that a real griffon?!" Lucy said.
"It couldn't have been." Gray said.
"How long as that thing been here?" Erza questioned.
"Every time the fair starts, it shows up and spreads some terror." Ian claimed. "It's actually a blessing in disguise. More and more people have been showing up."
"Well, we got another mystery." Gray said as he finally found something that he might like here.
"Wait a moment." Ian said as he talked to Gray. "You need a costume if you want to remain in my fair."
"What?! I got dress up like these people?!" Gray said.
"Gray, we need you if we're going to solve this mystery." Erza said.
"It's only going to be for the day." Lucy said. Gray was not looking forward to something like this. To solve the mystery, he spitefully agreed to the costume. They took a moment and waited for him to change and they soon saw him with him dressed like a prince, but he surely didn't feel like one.
"No one say a word, no one gets hurt." Gray said and just wanted to get this over with.
"Why do you guys think a griffon is terrorizing this place?" Lucy questioned.
"Could be something primal like how animals get over their territory." Erza said.
"That's assuming you even believe the griffon is real." Gray said. "You heard what that Ian said. People have been showing up more because of this griffon. Could be someone who works here is behind this."
"But if that thing isn't even real, what could it possibly be?" Natsu questioned. As they walked through the fair to figure this out, they could hear a crowd cheering for something. "What's that about?"
"It's... Oh my gosh! That's Alyssa Colesin!" Erza said. They all looked and saw a lady with honey brown hair dressed like a princess in a pink dress and had a pointy hat with a veil with quite a crowd gathered.
"Alyssa Colesin playing Elizabeth I." Lucy read the sign.
"Who is she?" Gray questioned.
"She starred in that show that took place in the Medieval Ages called Queen's Glory." Erza said.
"Queen's Glory? Didn't that only have one season and lasted like twelve episodes?" Lucy said.
"Gather all for Queen Elizabeth and join her in the feast." Someone dressed like a squire said, but he didn't sound that excited about it. A lot of people loved meeting her. Her show might have failed, but how often do you get to meet a celebrity. As everyone gathered to meet her and join her in a feast, Alyssa spotted the gang...specifically Gray.
"What's this? It seems that a dashing young prince has graced us with his presence." Alyssa said as she came right over to Gray.
"You mean me?" Gray asked.
"Of course. Please join me." Alyssa offered as she took Gray with her to the table. "Serving wench, fetch us a drink, shall you?"
"Was she talking to me?" Lucy said as she was a little offended by that.
"She is aware Gray is a minor, right?" Natsu questioned.
"I'm sure it's nothing." Erza said. Everyone joined in this feast and there was some great food. Despite the griffon, everyone appeared to be having a great time. All except for one. The squire just stood around and glared right at Alyssa.
"Uh... You want me to cut the cheese?" Natsu asked as he held up a cheese platter, but Happy actually hit him for that joke. "Ouch! Okay, it was bad. Hey, are you okay, buddy?"
"The name is Francis. I was suppose to play the part of the king...until she showed up and stole my part." He said and just walked away. A grumpy employee upset that his part was stolen... That sounded rather interesting. As for Gray, he had the pleasure of sitting with the queen herself.
"Please, eat." Alyssa offered.
"At least the food looks normal." Gray said as he helped himself. "Just so you know, I might be a little young for you. So, how did a T.V. celebrity like yourself ended up in a place like this?"
"I'm afraid that's how they say show business." Alyssa said. "Still, this isn't so different. I'm still a queen here, but let's not dwell on the past."
"I might have to. I was wondering what you can tell me about the griffon." Gray said.
"The griffon?! You mean that monster that has been attacking the fair?" Alyssa said. "I'm afraid I do not know much. Although, Ian has been rather glad that thing has showed up. People have been coming around more often to try and see it. The strange thing is that the griffon only comes around whenever the fair does."
"Does it..." Gray said as he thought that was too big of a coincidence. The gang was still doing some investigating and was trying to learn more about the griffon.
"Anything about the griffon?" Lucy asked.
"Other than the fact that it's quite the attraction, not much." Erza said. "Someone in the fair has to be behind it since it only comes around during that time."
"Natsu did tell me that a fellow worker is jealous of Alyssa, and Ian surely loves the publicity." Lucy said.
"You mean him?" Erza said as she pointed to where Francis was and saw him just leaving the feast. That was rather suspicious. The gang already got some suspects, but no time to sort it. Just then, they all heard a shrieking sound and looked to the sky. They all saw the griffon has come back. It came straight down at the people and it flying by caused a mess.
"Hasn't anyone taught that thing not to make such a mess in dinner?" Natsu said. The griffon tore through the place and took to the sky.
"What just happened?" Francis said as he came back.
"You mean you missed the griffon attacking?" Gray said as that was rather strange.
"Hold still." They all looked and saw Ian was at work as he was trying to to get a photo of it. "A good photo of that beast will really help out with the brochures."
"You might get your chance! It's coming back!" Erza said. They all saw the griffon coming back. Everyone tried to make a run for it as it came back, but Gray's costume ended up tripping.
"I hate this costume. Can this get any worse?" Gray said. He ended up jinxing it as the griffon came right at him and lifted him off the ground. They took Gray right off the ground and carried him away. "I had to open my big mouth!" The griffon carried Gray away from the fair with the others not liking this.
"Oh my! This is not good!" Alyssa said.
"It looks like it's heading for the castle that's less than a mile from here." Francis said.
"That's where we're going." Erza said as the rest of the gan hurried after the griffon in hopes of saving their friend.
...
The Castle
The griffon was at the castle just like Francis said. The gang could see it with Gray waving out to them at the top of the tallest tower of the castle.
"Don't worry, Gray! We'll get you out of there!" Natsu called.
"This is becoming ironic and redundant." Lucy said as they all hurried over to the castle. The four of them made it to the gate, but it was completely closed. "Now what? We need to find another way in."
"No problem." Erza said as she took Happy. "Happy can slip right through and let the gate down." She was right at Happy was able to slip right through the gate. Once Happy was through, he was able to open the gate and all of them managed to get inside.
...
Gray
"Came to a dumb renaissance fair, dressed like a dork, and now I'm the damsel in distress. This is the most humiliating moment of my life." Gray complained as he moved around the room and pressed against the bars. That was when he noticed something just outside the room. "A tool box?" He said as he dropped down and it was just in his reach for him to pull it over to him. "Convenient, but what's it doing here?" He questioned and then spotted initials on it. "DS?" What could that mean?
...
The Gang
"I don't think we're heading in the right direction." Lucy said. The others had a look around to try and find Gray, but they had no idea where he even was. They were sure of that when they found himself in a room with special equipment.
"I didn't know castles come with gym equipment." Natsu said.
"Uh... Natsu, this the torture room." Erza clarified.
"Really? What torture device is that?" Natsu questioned as he spotted something furry on the steps. Happy poked against it, but it ended up being the Griffon's tail and let out an angry shriek. "Run for it!" All of them got out there with the griffon chasing after him.
...
Chase Scene
I've been down
Wandering past second street
And looking at the ghosts of you and me
And thinking back on all those memories
Of how we used to be
Natsu and Happy separated from the girls with the griffon going after the two of them. They made their way up the stairs and actually found the right path to Gray. Gray used the tools he found and managed to pick the lock. Just as he managed to get out, he spotted Natsu and Happy being chased by the Griffon and ran for it as well.
I've been hearing
I hear those voices over the noises of the breaking glass
And all the plans we had to get us through
They never come true
The guys didn't watch where they were going and ended up tumbling their way down another set of stairs. The griffon still chased after them. The three of them kept tumbling and ended up passing the girls. When they passed the girls, the griffon set their sights on them and chased after them.
And I hope and hope
That you won't forget
And I'm hoping, hope you know that I can clearly see
The ghost of you and me
The ghost of you and me
The ghost of you and me
Their tumbling just kept on going until they hit a wall. The guys managed to pull themselves together just as the girls came running by. Now the griffon was chasing after all five of them. The gang ran for their lives from the griffon. Natsu and Happy even tried to block a passage they ran through, but that didn't even slow the griffon down. It was like nothing could stop it.
...
"This way! I see the exit!" Lucy said. The exit was just up ahead and they were able to make it right out. Even after they got out of the castle, the griffon still chased after them. The gang ran straight into the woods in hopes of losing the griffon. They all just kept on running with the griffon still chasing after them.
"Quick! Over here!" All of them saw Francis, Ian, and Alyssa together. They all dived to where they were with the griffon missing them.
"What are all of you doing here?" Erza questioned.
"To help you, of course." Alyssa said.
"And another attempt to get that griffon's photo." Ian claimed.
"Is everyone unharmed?" Alyssa said.
"More or less from that flying mechanical monster." Gray said as they all brushed themselves off until they realized what Gray just said.
"Mechanical? Gray, are you saying that thing is a machine?" Erza questioned.
"Yeah. I was able to figure out what was going on while I was being held captive, and I know who is controlling it. Alyssa!" Gray accused with everyone looking at her.
"Me?! What?! What trickery are you talking about?" Alyssa said. Gray just went for it as he tried to pick her pockets and was able to pull something out.
"Look!" Gray said as he had a remote control. "This is how she was able to control the griffon." He proved his point my working the controller and showed the griffon came over. It was just as Gray said. "We figured someone from the fair had to be controlling this thing since it only appeared when the fair did." All of them looked at Alyssa like she was guilty, and she proved she was when she tried to run for it. Erza thought fast as she took the shoulder pad of her costume and threw it at Alyssa's feet and tripped her up with Francis and Ian hurrying to hold her.
"Gray, how did you figure out that Alyssa was behind all of this?" Lucy asked.
"I found a tool box in the castle. Not only did I use it to escape, but it also had the logo for Donmar Studio. That's where they filmed her show." Gray said. "Alyssa must still have connections there and was able to build the griffon, and control it when no one was looking."
"But why? She's a T.V. star." Natsu said.
"I was, but after my show was canceled, the only job I could get was working at this stupid renaissance fair." Alyssa complained.
"I get it now. The griffon was drawing attention." Lucy said. "Alyssa was hoping it would draw in reporters or others who work in television, and maybe she could get her acting career back."
"And I would have if it weren't for you meddling peasants!" Alyssa claimed.
"Well, I think it's time we give our fair queen her just desserts." Ian said as he had something in mind for her before the authorities.
...
The Fair
Alyssa was given the punishment Natsu was talking about earlier. Food was thrown right at her. As for Francis, he got what he wanted as he was now playing the part of the king.
"Now this I do enjoy." Gray said as he found something he did like at a fair he didn't. As for Natsu and Happy, they were using food for a more practical use as they made the largest sandwich they could.
"As good as this looks, we need something to cut it." Natsu said as he looked around for something they could us. "That looks like it could work." Natsu went for the sword and pulled as best as he could. To everyone's surprise, he actually managed to pull it out like it was the legendary sword known as Excalibur.
"Look! Natsu pulled out the sword!" Lucy said as everyone was amazed by it.
"From the mighty chef, I slash at thee!" Natsu said as he used the sword and chopped it the sandwich right down the middle. Using a sword like a giant butcher knife... It seems everyone can be known for something.