#can we have a little commotion for the kilt?

[sentientsky]

a 52-year-old scottish man can, in fact, be a babygirl

my proof, you ask? excellent question, here u go

[coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe]

Bloody, Beaten, Bruised or Maximum Effort

Quick Tag List: @kuruumiya @spacelizardtrashboys @enigmaticandunstable @nattinngrst @amyofaquitaine

This passage contains potentially: scenes of one (or more) characters swearing, blood, self-harm (unintentional) and scenes of a violent nature. whump content and potential tear-jerking moments.

Summary: In this 'chapter' Kirby has her first fight in New Jersey, and stay in New Jersey for a week, leading to some heavy whump content by a certain someone.

Kirby's POV:

Standard match, one on one with a ten minute time limit. Not much for a debut but it's made into a big deal upon learning the opponents were male and female and not the standard male on male.

Jobber VS Newcomer.

Andrew Strong VS Kirby 'Gluttony' Lucifarian.

The bell rings and the fight starts.

"Strong throws the first punch and misses."

"The Ogress capitalises and hits him with a Feeding Frenzy."

"Strong is backed into the turnbuckle but the Ogress continues her attack."

"The referee is forced to separate them and Strong gets The Ogress in a lock-up."

"A swift knee to the stomach and Strong is staggered."

"The Ogress hits Strong with the Organ Grinder and it looks like it's all over."

"She covers Strong and … one … two … three. She's done it! The Ogress has won!"

Walking back to the locker room, I caught a glimpse of Moolah as she sneers at me and I shrug her off, focusing on getting into some clean clothes and going back to the hotel. I change and walk out of the dressing room with my bag slung over my shoulder.

"Good work out there, Kirby."

I recognise the voice and turn to see André, "Thank you, Drey."

"Moolah, doesn't seem to like you girls."

"We're stealing the hag's time in the sun. She always hates people who do that, even if she brings them in. I'll see you soon Drey."

"See you soon, Kirby."

I start walking back to the hotel when I start hearing a voice behind me, gradually getting closer.

"Hey, Miss, I think you dropped this." A distinctly masculine voice called out.

I turned around to see what the person wanted. To my surprise they had picked up my wallet, "Huh, I didn't feel it fall out of my pocket, thank you."

The man handed it to me before introducing himself, "Paul Orndorff. I saw your match earlier, you're fast for a giant, tough too."

"Thank you, Mr Orndorff."

He looked over his shoulder, "Oh, well, I have to go, Piper's waiting for me."

"Uh well, bye Mr Orndorff."

He left without another word and I unzipped my bag slightly to place my wallet inside, zipping it back up and continuing back to the hotel. I spent the night in a cramped hotel room and went to the gym the next morning.

Setting myself up at a heavy bag and practicing as per usual, no interruptions, no one else near by to talk to.

It was as if my mind just drifted away and I went into this mental fog, no gloves on but punching as if I did, breaking through the skin on my knuckles and only stopping after I noticed smears of blood on the heavy bag.

I wiped it down and bandaged my knuckles before moving on to doing push ups, lunges, squats and other exercises that wouldn't leave me covered in blood.

I was alone for the rest of the day, so I ordered some pizza (simple, pepperoni) and relaxed in the hotel, I pulled out a sketch book from my suitcase and began sketching.

I didn't plan on sketching anything too important so I just went with what was on my mind, which happened to be Roddy, Jeez it's like I'm becoming emotionally attached to this idiot.

When I see him next I'll give him the drawing if I have it with me. I close the sketchbook and go back to the gym for around an hour, before coming back to the hotel and getting some rest.

I woke up the next morning (January 9th) and had a day much the same as the last, got up, did my morning routine, went to the gym, came back, ordered Chinese food and started drawing. It was just a shitty little thing, but once again, the Rowdy one came to mind.

What is it with Scottish men and me, is it because I'm a quarter Scottish, is it maybe because I believe in the folk tales and stories of old, of knights on white steeds, saving fair maidens and living happily ever after, while the monsters they kill or maim lie in a pool of their own blood and wish they could've had a different life?

I have no idea, and the idea of my own mind comparing me with those monsters makes me regret ever reading those stories while growing up, rather I should have stuck my head into scientific textbooks instead of tales of heroism and fantastical ghouls, then I would have never become and wrestler or met the amazing people in my life.

I look back down at the paper and decide to let Roddy have two final full page drawings on the other side of the sketches I've already drawn of him, I add in a small note on the page under a picture of Roddy that Sam had found.

The more I looked at the drawings and that lone picture, the more I realised the small details of Roddy's features, the strong jaw with a cleft chin, his hazel eyes? or are they dark blue? either way they intrigue me. And that musculature, Roddy's not slim but not a big man either, he's at that almost perfect weight to body fat ratio. Good lord, listen to me calling … Piper, Roddy, Him, perfect. I think I want to be sick, just to be rid of those thoughts.

Right as I run into the small bathroom I hear a commotion in the hallway and someone being thrown or more accurately, hurled into the other side of the bathroom wall. I take a deep breath, re-fix my mask into it's usual position and dart out into the corridor, right as the commotion ends.

The obvious victim of the bout was on the floor face down with a long, not to deep cut down the back of their left leg and was breathing heavily when I reached them.

"Woah, hey, hey buddy." I whispered to them in an effort to calm them.

"Kirby?"

FUCK

…

That Glaswegian accent, fuck, He's not even supposed to be in town, or is he?

"Piper?!" I whisper-yelled, more to myself than to him.

"Hey…" his voice trailed off, I heaved him over my shoulder and went back into my hotel room, tossing him down on the only bed and grabbing his left foot, reaching over to my suitcase and getting my personal first aid kit, nothing too fancy, some bandages, plasters, the bare essentials. I cleaned the cut and bandaged it, taping the bandage in place.

I glanced up from Roddy's leg and saw that he had passed out, "Shit." I muttered to myself, louder than I thought and his eyes flickered open.

"Kirby? Is that you?" His voice weak but still understandable.

I stood there, frozen to the spot, unable to move, I wanted to cry as I realised how badly he had been beaten up, his eyebrow cut, coming close to his eye, his hairline a mix of matted brown hair and blood that was starting to coagulate and then I started to notice more things wrong with Roddy's visage.

His shirt (a Piper classic, yellow with a wild cat graphic) was torn in several places, showing bruises and nicks in his flesh. His kilt, however, was fully intact, including his belt and sporran, though all of it was scuffed with little scratches, but no cuts.

"Kirby? Kirby talk to me, please?" He spoke so carefully and it broke me.

I dropped to my knees, weeping, and Roddy shot to his feet, before dropping down on his left side and leaning on the bed, getting only a couple of steps closer to me.

"Kirby, are you okay?"

"Roddy, look at ya," I took a deep breath in, "How can you be so beat up and worried about me? How is that possible?"

"Kirby? look at ya, you're crying over me? I thought you didn't care about me that much?"

I wiped the tears from my face and got Roddy back on the bed.

"Stay there, Piper."

"Oh, feisty."

"Roddy! Stay on the bed and don't move."

"Yes Ma'am."

I trudged into the bathroom and ran a long cold shower, and I heard him move off the bed before swearing and sitting back on the bed.

"I thought I said, DON'T MOVE Roddy!"

"Alright, alright. … feisty"

After the shower, I dressed in the bathroom after drying myself off and exited the room. I instantly noticed a sleeping Piper.

"I guess I'll sleep on the floor then."

"C'mere." He lazily waved his arm to try and beckon me over.

"No, Roddy, get some rest."

"Come here and get in the bed." He rolled over and picked up the duvet, lackadaisically blowing a joking kiss in my direction.

"Jesus, Roddy, fine."

I climbed into the bed and felt Roddy's arms curl around my waist and his face between my shoulder blades.

"Rod, get off."

"Wha'?"

"Get off of me."

"Why?"

"Aren't you married, get off."

"if I was married, there would be a ring on my finger," He waved his left hand in front of my face, "No ring, no wife."

"Oh. Still, get off."

"Now, would that be 'get off' in the, leave me alone, way or the 'get off' in the, I love you take me now, way." The latter a clear joke but it annoyed me even more.

"Leave me alone, Roddy."

He slid his arms off and rolled to face the other way.

"Small bed, Kirby."

"I wasn't expecting company, Piper."

"Your tattoos are nice."

"Sleep, Piper."

"I'm just saying."

"Roddy, you are injured, sleep."

"I looked through your sketchbook earlier, y'know, when you were in the shower, just flicked through it, and wow, you're a great artist."

"For the love of God, Roddy! would you please just get some sleep."

"Alright!, alright. No need to yell."

"One more word and I'm chucking you out the nearest window."

We both fell silent and managed to get some sleep, it wasn't until sunrise that either one of us awoke. As I stirred from my slumber I was face to face with the Scottish idiot. I yelped and, without realising his legs were intertwined with mine, fell off the bed with him falling on top of me, waking Roddy up in the process.

"Oh, well, morning sweetheart, did I wake ya."

"Rod, get ya damn 'Loch Ness Monster' away from me."

Rod's cheeks turned pink and he quickly looked down between our bodies before sheepishly standing up and hurrying to the bathroom, I took the chance to change into a graphic tee and some black jeans, not noticing that Piper had left the bathroom door wide open, until I heard his voice.

"Woah, so uh, all of you is bigger than normal?"

I yelped and threw one of my shirts at his face, before realising that I had thrown the shirt I was planning on wearing at him, "Wait, Roddy, I need that shirt."

He laughed before handing me back my shirt, "Uh, thank you … for …saving me last night."

"Were you even supposed to be in town?"

"Well no, but I …" He trailed off

"I can't hear you, Roddy?"

"It's nothing, really."

I continued on with my normal routine, mindful that Roddy was in the same room as me and injured. It wasn't until the phone rang that I had a problem, before I could reach the phone Roddy had already answered it.

"Who is this?"

I could hear a loud, angry voice on the phone and Piper got defensive.

"You think you're a hard man do ya?!"

Damien. That's got to be Damien, which means I am in some real trouble now. Thanks Piper, ya dafty.

"I'll get her to call ya back once you've calmed down."

He slammed the phone back into it's place and breathed out a hefty sigh.

"Kirby, is Damien your boyfriend?" He seemed instantaneously calm

I almost choked on air for a moment, "No! He's my manager, and he's like double my age. He's Vic," I paused for a moment, "He's my dad, as well as the other members of the D.O.D. We're not all his biological daughters though, just Vickie."

"So, he adopted you?"

"I guess you could say that." I avoided looking him in the eyes.

"Tell me the truth. Now!"

"Promise you won't tell anyone first."

"I won't tell a soul, now, why are you so, uptight, about who he is to you."

"First things first, my name isn't Kirby Lucifarian, it's actually Kirby Trevor."

"Oh, so Damien's not you're adoptive father, either?"

"No, my real parents are Heaven and Eric Trevor. Damien's Vickie's dad and only Vickie's dad."

"Are either one of your parents giants? or is it just you?"

"Just me, the closest person to me in height, family-wise was my uncle Rory. He's the reason I have the tattoo on my wrist."

I walked up to Piper and showed him the 'R' tattooed on my right wrist.

"So, he passed away?"

"Yeah. He died, eleven, no no, twelve years ago now, when I was Seventeen, My uncle Vaughn died a couple months later, he's why I have the lighter on my left arm, my uncle Vaughn was best known for being, in the nicest terms, a layabout smoker, and the smoke took him in the end."

"So, you have a lighter to remember a man who died by smoking?"

"Dark, I know, but uncle Vaughn would've laughed at it. Erik laughed at it when I explained it to him."

"Eric, your dad?"

"No, no, Erik, with a 'K', my old tag partner before I joined the D.O.D. I think you would've liked him."

"Really, now why would I like a guy I know nothing about?"

"Well, Erik's Scottish, He's from Edinburgh. He's tall-ish, then again I am a giant, so who am I to say what's tall, he's six-foot-five. He played the bagpipes when he was younger, he quit playing when he was twenty-three, same year we lost the tag titles."

"Rough," He interrupted "Continue, please."

"Uh, well. Erik's strong, very strong, he would compete in the Highland games and well, … I guess back then I thought I'd never leave him, until Damien gave me an offer I couldn't refuse and I left him. I had a whole life with him planned inside my head and I left it all behind, for what, cramped hotel rooms and breakfasts with André."

"You had breakfast with André the giant and you didn't tell me … You, You had a good Scottish man, and you left him, for," He gestured to the room, "all this?"

"Well I jus-"

"No," He held my jaw and looked me straight in the eyes, "You had a life, a man who obviously a close relationship with you, and you gave it up for breakfasts with André and shitty hotel rooms."

"I know I'm stupid."

"But you're not stupid, you saved me, I could have died in that hallway and you brought me in here, you stopped that bastard from killing me. I could kiss you."

"Please don't."

Sorry for cliff-hanger ending, but … END OF BLOODY, BEATEN, BRUISED or MAXIMUM EFFORT.

[rallis-fatalis]

Snow

Rallis shivered in her sleep as she snoozed curled up into a tight warm ball on her bed. Her blanket coiled around her but did little to keep her cozy. Her teeth chattered from the cold, which soon woke her with a startled yelp as she bit her lip in her sleep. Rallis shuddered and tried to curl in on herself even farther. She was absolutely freezing! She could even see frost on her breath, something she had never experienced before. Why was she so cold? It was starting to make her feel sick and slow.

The door across the room opened up, letting in a pale grey light. In came an older man dressed in robes of white, the attire of a druid. His mane of white hair and beard matched his robes, though they did not sport the stains of green like that smeared across his clothing. He was carrying a stack of blankets when he noticed Rallis.

“Rallis, you are shivering! Are you sick?” He put a hand to the dragon’s forehead. She was icy to the touch, so it wasn’t a fever that ailed her.

She mumbled a quiet no. “I cold Uncle Cake.”

The druid in question, ‘Uncle Cake,’ or Kaqemeex rather, hefted the pile of blankets over to Rallis. “It is indeed cold. That is why I brought these new blankets. It is going to be much colder now that winter is here. There is even snow outside already!”

Rallis sniffled and grabbed two blankets off the pile to hide under. “What is snow?” she asked.

“You don’t know what snow is?” Kaqemeex said in surprise. “Hmm no I guess you wouldn’t seeing as how you lived underground your whole life. Snow is cold and white. It is frozen water that falls from the sky in winter. It is also very soft and fun to play with.” He added the last comment with a smile.

Rallis’ eyes grew wide in excitement over this mysterious substance she had never heard of before. “I see snow?”

“We can go outside to see. But if you are cold inside, you will be very cold outside. You need to be warm first. Let’s see if I can find you some better clothes.”

The druid searched through his drawers for something Rallis could wear. Some thick socks? No, not on those three clawed toes. His wool gloves? He’d rather not an old present be ripped at the fingers from dragon claws. Definitely not his prestigious herblore mastery cape. His spare clothes were far too big for the short thin dragon, and his extra winter wools were even bigger than his normal attire. He’d have to carry Rallis out like a pig in a blanket! Or rather a dragon in a blanket.

While Kaqemeex sifted through his clothes, Rallis was feeling much warmer now that she was under an entire mountain of blankets. She was ready to go outside and see snow, clothing or not! She took a blanket and tied it around her waist, giving her shredded robe bottom a much thicker extra layer. She did that once more and was left with a kilt of fluff. She happily curled her tail into the blanket skirt and away from the chilly air. Next she tied a third blanket around her torso in a similar manner as her robe bottom, and a fourth and final blanket around her neck like a cloak. She could hardly move with all the extra layers wrapped around her, but she was warm and ready to explore.

“Snow!” Rallis chirped.

Kaqemeex looked over from the mess he was making and laughed. “Well I suppose that’s one way to do it! Snow is very cold. You have nothing on your feet or head. If you start to feel bad, you tell me.”

“Okay!”

Rallis waddled over to the door. Kaqemeex couldn’t help but snicker. She looked so ridiculous! He held the door open for his dragon in a blanket, and Rallis couldn’t hide her wonder as she gazed upon the outside world. Taverley was a very green place, with lots of various plants and nature growing all around, even up the sides of the buildings. But now most of the green was covered with white. The dull morning rays made the white world glitter all around her. Rallis gasped in awe as she stepped outside. Immediately upon setting foot outside, something cold crunched under her foot. She yelped and jumped back. The floor was so cold!

“It’s okay,” Kaqemeex assured. “That is snow.”

Rallis looked down at the frozen white crumbling off the bottom of her foot. “Snow?” She grabbed a fistful of snow off the ground and smiled at the frozen fluff. “Snow!” The dragon screamed giddily and ran off as fast as she could.

All of Taverley was covered in snow! There was snow on the roofs! There was snow on the tree branches! There was snow everywhere! A huge pile of the stuff accumulated near Sanfew’s house, the older man undoubtedly being diligent in his endeavor to keep the walkways clear. Rallis leapt into the pile without a second thought and disappeared with a fwumph. She poked her now snow-covered head out and laughed. She burst out of the pile in an explosion of powder and ran to the river. A thin layer of ice rest on the surface of the water and snow piled along the banks before melting and floating down stream. Rallis grabbed a pile of snow and dropped it into the water to see what would happen. It slowly dissolved as it flowed away. She smiled and got a bigger pile to drop into the river. It went a little farther this time. She ran off again and shoveled an entire cape-blanket full into the water. It plopped in with a splash and shattered some of the nearby ice. She screeched with joy as she watched the ice flow away.

Kaqemeex stood under the awning of his house and watched Rallis with a wide smile. Young people didn’t usually traverse Taverley often, and the few young adults that did live in the area were rather serious, no doubt due to Sanfew’s strict training. It was a very missed sight, watching child-like wonder grace the town once more. He found himself remembering when he was younger, playing in the snow with his parents for the first time. That memory gave him an idea.

“Rallis! Come here!”

Rallis cocked her head and ran over, but not before tripping on her blanket skirt and face-planting into the slushy path. Kaqemeex winced and started to run over, but Rallis shook the muddy slushy snow off and smiled as she grabbed a wad of wet earth and held it up proudly. “Mud AND snow! Good!!!”

“Haha yes it is! Now come here!”

She bounced over excitedly. “Rallis, do you want to do something fun?”

Rallis’ eyes shone with excitement and ears perked up in joy. “Fun?!”

“Yes, fun. We need to find a lot of snow! Can you do that?”

“Lot of snow! Lot of snow! Yes, yes, lot of snow!”

The end of town closer to White Wolf Mountain was buried in a deep layer of snow. It seemed no one cared to shovel it away with how far from anyone’s home or areas of work it was. Rallis flopped onto the snow piles. “Shmow!” her muffled voice called out.

“Excellent. Now watch this.”

Rallis pulled her head out of the snow just in time to watch Kaqemeex hold his arms out and fall backwards into the snow. She watched in confusion as he flailed his arms and legs across the snow over and over until it started to pile up in a pattern around him. Soon he stood up, carefully not to step where he had been laying, brushed the snow off his robes, and held his hands out to the indent he made in the snow with pride. “It’s a snow icyene!”

Rallis admired the shape thoughtfully. “What is I-seen?”

“Oh, right, you wouldn’t know. They are humans with big feathery wings!” Kaqemeex pointed to the tiny feathered wings hiding under Rallis’ blanket cloak. “Feathery!”

She admired the angelic outline better and decided she wanted to make one of her own. She flopped down just like Kaqemeex had and flailed around. Unfortunately, she was quite a bit more messy in her execution, and when she got up to admire her work, it looked more like some warped devil than an icyene, especially with the added indentations of horns and a tail. Nevertheless, she held her arms out proudly. “I-seen!”

Kaqemeex rubbed the snow clinging to her horns. “Yes it is. Good job. Do you want to see something else?”

“Yes! Yes!” Rallis jumped up and down excitedly.

“Watch this.” Kaqemeex bent down and grabbed a wad of snow in his hands. He pressed it together into a ball shape and showed Rallis. “This is a snowball. Snow-ball.”

“Snowball,” Rallis repeated.

“They are very good for throwing,” Kaqemeex continued. “Like this!” He threw the snowball against the side of a storage shed and it exploded into a rain of white poofage. Rallis squealed happily and grabbed some snow to do the same. She threw her snow and it crumbled before impact.

“Make it tighter,” Kaqemeex instructed. “Like this.” He showed her the motions until she had made herself a perfectly round firm ball of snow. She threw it against the shed as hard as she could and it exploded into a flurry just like Kaqemeex’s. Rallis screeched happily and did it again and again and again.

Eventually, Jatix came out to see what all the commotion was about. He saw them pelting his shed with snow. “Hey! You’re making a mess over there! You better shovel all that away after!”

Rallis pouted and gripped her snowball. “Shush!” She threw her snowball straight at Jatix. It burst into a powdery explosion against his face, dyeing his brown beard white. Kaqemeex covered his mouth, both in disbelief that Rallis had just done that and also to hide the childish giggle forming in his throat. Rallis howled with laughter at her precise hit.

Jatix wiped the snow off his face and formed a snowball in kind. “Oh you think that’s funny?! Let’s see how you like it!” He threw his snowball right at Rallis, pelting her in the snout and ceasing her laughter. Rallis glared back with a smile and grabbed two snowballs to retaliate with. The first hit Jatix in the side but the second he dodged. It flew by him and hit someone else. Not far behind him, Tegid was out tearing the ice off the hang of his roof before they turned into real problems. He thought perhaps snow slid off the roof and hit his shoulder, but to his not-surprise it was Rallis with a snowball.

“Really, dragon?!” He shouted. “You trying to make my life harder?! Well then won’t you hate this when you learn--.” Tegid grabbed some snow and wedged a small definitely-not-dangerous piece of ice into the newly made snowball. “That I’m the best snowball fighter in all of Asgarnia!”

Tegid joined Jatix’s side while Kaqemeex backed up Rallis and the two began a proper snowball war. The sound of laughter and snowballs splatting against the sides of houses rang as the enlistment call for the other druids, and soon nearly the whole town was pitted against each other in a friendly battle. By the time the sun began to heat the snow and turn to either a slushy paste or a hardened crunch, most of the druids were down for the count back inside and snowballs painted the once clear walkways and house perimeters. Rallis was snuggled up on her ‘snow I-seen’ next to Kaqemeex, ready to fall asleep from both the cold and exhaustion of play. Kaqemeex went to pick Rallis up and take her back inside to sleep somewhere warm when the sound of footsteps crunching on the snow came his way. He looked over to see Sanfew, usual scowl etched across his face. His red face stood out against all the white. He looked around at the mess, the slushy walkways, the snow-pelted windows and walls, the neatly shoveled snow piles toppled over, all the hard work he had done from the night before and that morning just gone to waste. Kaqemeex could see Sanfew take a breath, a prelude to the shouting that would likely cause an avalanche. Kaqemeex grabbed Rallis and ran back to his house, slamming the door shut before Sanfew could get started.

Once the shouting began, the remaining druids lazing around in the snow scrambled up in a hurry to grab a shovel and get to work, and one could swear there was an ominous rumbling tumbling sound from the peak of White Wolf Mountain.

[seaofghouls]

DUCKTALES OC INSERT

Ep 1: Woo-oo! A seagull flew from ship to ship, being chased off my fishers on the sea, until it landed on a specific white boat, being scared off by commotion inside the house. "Come on, hold still Uncle Donald!" Louie yelled, yanking his sailor uniform off as Donald squawked. "Good morning, Uncle Donald!" Huey said, cooking breakfast. "Hey, Uncle D." Valentine waved. "You can't wear this to your job interview." Louie put his uniform into the washer. "My uniform!" Donald cried as it caught on fire. "You gotta dress for the job you want. Not the job you have, which is no job." Louie said, holding up a suit. "That's true." The young adult standing next to him said. "Yeah, take it from the 18 year old." Louie said. "Huey, don't touch the stove. You'll get hurt." Donald scolded. "But it's a big day! And a big day calls for a big breakfast." Huey said. Huey held out a plate full of food to Donald as it seemed to deflate. "...Egh." Valentine groaned. "I'll get the iron!" Huey called out. Pulling the table out, it hit Donald in the head. "Stop helping me! Put on your life vests! What if the boat goes down while the babysitters here?" Donald scolded.

"Yes, Uncle Donald." The three of them sighed. "Why do we have to have a babysitter? I'm technically an adult!" Valentine argued. "I don't trust you enough to not burn the boat down." Donald said. "Fair enough." Valentine shrugged. "Where is that babysitter?" Donald grumbled. He called up the babysitter. "Well, what time can you get here?!" Donald groaned. The other caller hung up. "Where am I gonna find another babysitter at 10:00?!" Donald sighed. "10:00?! You gotta go!" The three ducks cried. Huey put the suit on Donald and the two triplets shoved Donald out the door. "Kids, I can't just leave you!" Donald said. "We can survive for a couple hours." Louie said. "A couple of hours.." Donald mumbled. "Well, okay, but just keep those life vests on." Donald said, walking away. Then the boat started. "What is that?" Valentine wondered. "Where's Dewey?" Donald sighed. "Sleeping." "Who's Dewey?" "Where is that little squirt, anyways..?"

Donald stormed back into the boat before coming out with Dewey and picking up the other two boys. "Val, in the car." He said. "You got it, Uncle D." She saluted. The triplets argued in the back of the car and Valentine sighed.

Donald typed a location into the GPS. "Destination: Mcduck Manor." "..Mcduck?" Valentine's eyes widened. "Mcduck Manor?! As in Scrooge Mcduck?!" Huey gasped. "The bajillionare?!" Dewey exclaimed. "You're finally gonna sell us." Louie said.

"I'm not gonna sell- He owes me." Donald sighed. The triplets started ranting about how awesome he is while Valentine slumped back in their seat. "You alright, Valentine?" Donald frowned. "The last time I saw him, I was like 7 or 8, and I never knew why I never saw him again. I just knew it had something to do with Mom. ..I'm scared, I guess." Valentine sighed.

"It's only for a couple of hours. We always have the boat, you'll be fine, alright?" Donald tried to reassure him. "Okay, Uncle D." Valentine gave a small smile. After a while, they pulled up in front of the manor as a car from behind honked at them.

Donald walked out of the car to meet Scrooge. "Donald Duck." Scrooge narrowed his eyes. "Uncle Scrooge." Donald narrowed his eyes. The triplets were freaking out while Valentine just twiddled her fingers. "So.. you're looking good." Donald said. "Still living on that boat?" Scrooge questioned. "Yep. Still a trillionare?" Donald asked.

They started arguing and Valentine sighed. The triplets looked out the window in awe. "Come on, kids." Donald said. The four of them got out of the car. "Huey, Louie, Dewey, meet Scrooge Mcduck. Val, you already know Scrooge. Remember, no tricks, no lies, no trouble." Donald said. "Yes, Uncle Donald." The four of them said.

"I wasn't talking to you." Donald narrowed his eyes at Scrooge. Donald left and Ms. Beakley let them in. The triplets followed Scrooge around, but Valentine wasn't that interested. "Hi, Ms. Beakley. It's been a while." She smiled. "Hello, dear. You've grown quite a bit." Beakley smiled back.

The kids sat down at the table and Valentine sighed, pulling out their phone, feeling awkward. "Talk to them." Beakley whispered to Scrooge. Scrooge groaned and kept reading his newspaper. The triplets were right next to him at that point. "So.. do children still like marbles.. or..?" He trailed off. The triplets loaded him with questions.

"Are you really our uncle?!" "How old are you?!" "What's your net worth?!" Valentine shut off her phone and laid their head down on the table. "What's the deal with you and Uncle Donald?!" "Oh, is this fork real silver? Can I have it?!" "How come you never visit?!"

"Because you're so old and moving is so hard?!" "You owe us, like, a LOT of birthday presents!" "You used to be a big deal! Whatever happened to you?!" "Beakley!" Scrooge called out. "I'll take care of it." She said, leading the boys off into a different area of the manor.

Scrooge looked back over at Valentine. He frowned, looking at them. He was their main parental figure until he and Donald cut off contact for 11 years. "So.. how have you been, lass?" He asked. "Okay, I guess. I've been looking for a job as a scientist, no luck though." She said. Scrooge hummed. "Well.. feel free to do whatever.. I've got some things to take care of." Scrooge said.

Valentine nodded. Scrooge walked off. Valentine sighed, thinking about what it was like before. They were a happy family. Now, things were different. ... "Ugh.. I gotta text Drake. He'll entertain me.. heh." Valentine laughed. The house shook. "What is that?!" Valentine cried.

They ran outside, seeing Scrooge being carried away on a golden dragon. "Oh my." They saw the triplets and Webby. "What the heck is going on?!" Valentine cried. "Get on the plane, big sib!" Dewey said. "Uh.. alright then." She went along with it.

As they were flying, they saw Scrooge falling off of the dragon. "Open the door!" Valentine ordered. The group grabbed hands to reach Scrooge and pull him in the plane. "Webby, how do we stop it?" Dewey asked. "It's mystical, so we'll need a mystical device. Like an oblivion mirror or a medusa gauntlet.. or.." Webby listed. "Like this?" Louie waved the medusa gauntlet. Webby and Huey glared at Louie.

"What? I was gonna give it back." Louie defended. The group devised a plan to use the gauntlet on the dragon. "Open the door, Pilot!" Valentine called out. Scrooge got hold of the dragon and it turned to stone, launching Scrooge up into the air. "Scrooge!" They gasped. He landed in the Money Bin and was fine. "Woo!" "Yeah!" "I knew it!"

"Family truly is the greatest- Oh no the ground!" ... "In the short time I've known you, you've wrecked my home and my money bin, unleashed ancient evils, and almost got me killed twice!" Scrooge scolded the 5 ducks. "Four times if you count each monster as an individual time." Huey corrected.

Scrooge laughed. "That was incredible! When you pulled me into the airplane and who would've thought of a medusa gauntlet? Brilliant! Oh, and you swung me out just in time! You kids are nothing but trouble! Curse me kilts, have I missed trouble. I suppose I'll have to keep an eye on you to teach you how to get into trouble properly." Scrooge ranted. "Beakley! Clear my schedule. I'm taking the wee ones on a field trip." Scrooge said into his phone.

"About time, and once again, I am not your-" Scrooge hung up before she could finish. "Now! Let's go find the lost city of Atlantis." Scrooge grinned. They cheered. "And no one tell your Uncle Donald!" "Yeah!" They all cheered again.

---

[weshallc]

BERNS NIGHT (Revisited) 

Call the Midwife AU Crown Jewels fic (this one actually has Bernie in! She must have been in panto or something in January missed a few chapters)

CHAPTER FOUR: There In Thy Scanty Mantle Clad.

“There, in Thy Scanty Mantle Clad, Thy Snawie Bosom Sunward Spread.” To a Mountain Daisy by Robert Burns 1786

"I Hear Your Footsteps in the Streets, it Won't Be Long Until We Meet. It's Obvious." Oblivious by Aztec Camera 1983

 “Ouch, be careful!”

“Well stand still, Paddy,” Trixie scolded, “and I won’t accidentally prick you.”

“Is this really necessary?” whined the publican, not for the first time that hour.

“You want it the right length, don’t you?” admonished the determined dressmaker.

“That’s too short.” Paddy grumbled, swaying unsteadily on the rickety foot stool.

“No, it’s not.”

Patsy interrupted the squabbling confirming the kilt should hang from the top of the hip and finish at the top of the knee.

“This one is too high.” Paddy fiddled with the waistband.

“No, it’s not! It sits at the navel.” Getting up from her knees, Trixie playfully poked Paddy in the belly button.

The temporary male model wasn’t amused, and Delia felt some sympathy. “Right Doc, take it off now, so Chummy can alter it.”

Paddy hopped off the footstool, the green and blue checked woollen garment swaying around his thighs. He grabbed his jeans and headed out of Patsy’s studio towards the downstairs loo. Patsy, Delia and Trixie didn’t wait until he had closed the door behind him before they burst into giggles.

 Saturday 25th January 2020

Bernie wouldn’t want anyone to accuse her of being ungrateful, but she would have much rather spent her birthday at work. To be back in Poplar-on-Tweaven working behind the bar with Paddy rather than traipsing around Newcastle city centre with Trixie.

Saturday’s were usually fun at the Crown. Sundays you could always predict to be busy, due to the temptation of Violet’s Sunday lunches and the let’s have a nice day in the country crowd. Saturday’s were more unpredictable a lot depending on whether there was a match on. The football crowd had made Bernie nervous at first, but she had taken her lead from Val, who seemed to know the right mix between flirting and being one of the lads. She even surprised herself with her knowledge of the offside-rule and recognising a few players when they came in during the off-season.

“So, what about this one?” Trixie’s irritated voice broke through Bernie’s wistfulness. They were standing in Fenwick’s department store. Her friend was holding up a black mini dress bearing a large faint gold and red criss-cross pattern.

“Isn’t it a bit tartanie?” Bernie screwed up her nose.

Trixie tried very hard not to give anything away. “What’s wrong with tartan, your Scottish, don’t you just love tartan?”

Bernie bit her lip and tried to keep a level of calmness in her voice, “I am not that kinda Scottish.”

Trixie clanged the hanger back onto the rail in frustration. Bernie felt a twinge of guilt for exasperating her well-meaning friend.

“I will probably just wear my good jeans and a sparkly top, Trixie.” Bernie tried to reassure, with little success.

“But, Paddy is taking you out somewhere nice tonight, surely you want to look the part?”

Bernie took a deep breath, “The part?...the part of Paddy’s date! I am thinking jeans and a nice wee top will do just fine, Trixie.”

 It was several hours later, Bernie was looking at herself in the oak Cheval mirror in the corner of her bedroom. The little black dress with the red and gold criss-crosses did look quite nice on and it did have pockets, so that was a bonus. She heaved up her 40 denier black tights one last time. Why did they never make the small, small enough? She smiled, knowing if Chummy were in the room she would ask why they didn’t make extra large, extra enough.

A frown reflected back at her as she fiddled with her hair. Trixie had insisted on styling it with a mountain of product she had brought back from Boots. As a result, it now seemed to flick out in all directions. The would-be stylist had been very pleased with the finished article, and Bernie had smiled and made positive noises. She really wanted to put a brush through it and tie it back in a scrunchie like she did most days. Trixie’s sixth sense clicked in and she growled, “Leave it.”

They set out, tottering the short distance from Bernie’s cottage to the Crown Inn. Arm-in-arm, more for stability than out of friendship. Trixie in nine months of living just outside of Poplar had still not mastered walking on cobbles in heels. Bernie more used to ankle boots and trainers had let Trixie talk her into buying a pair of black below-the-knee boots in the January sales. Until today, the labels hadn’t been removed. She was convinced the young saleswoman and her friend had been in collusion. Eventually the overwhelming smell of leather, shoe polish and sweaty feet on an empty stomach had rendered the usually stubborn Bernie vulnerable. Well-honed sales techniques and Trixie’s promise of a Greggs’ vegan sausage roll to offset the purchase of leather eventually triumphed. These boots were definitely not made for walking, Bernie decided. She was however glad of the extra fabric as the north wind whistled around her shorter than usual hem line.

As if sensing her friend's awkwardness, Trixie squeezed her arm a little more tightly. “You look amazing, just don’t scuff those killer, fuck-me boots on the cobbles.”

This warning unsurprisingly had the opposite effect than intended, as Bernie stuttered to an abrupt halt and dropped her friend's arm.

“What?” Bernie shrieked in horror. Trixie grabbed back hold of her stabilizer and dragged her along, laughing so infectiously that Bernie couldn’t help but succumb.

“Why are you so tarted up anyway for a night in the Crown?”

“It’s your birthday and I thought you would be having a drink before heading off with Paddy. Just because it is a country pub doesn’t mean everyone has to always wear wellies and a jumper with a hole in it.”

Bernie’s mock indignation at Trixie’s jibe resulted in a snort as she tried to hold in a laugh. They were still sniggering as Trixie lunged forward and steadied herself by slapping her hand heavily against the inn’s bay window. She pulled herself up and then slapped her hand against the window one more time. Bernie, who was still giggling, just shrugged at her friend's clumsy behaviour.

“Bit slippy there, have to tell Paddy about that.” Trixie straightened up and smiled nervously.

“OK.” Bernie nodded somewhat bemused as she pushed open the large wooden doors of the old inn.

 Bernie later couldn’t recall if it was her eyes that first alerted her that something was different; the darkness giving the game away. Or it could have been her ears as they picked up the deep drone of the bagpipes. Maybe it was neither. Her skin tingling with goosebumps was more than likely the first sign that all was not as it should be.

After that initial physical reaction, her mind seemed to give up trying to make any sense of anything. It all became a blur. She remembered Trixie pushing her in the back and into the bar and placing something around her shoulders. There had definitely been cheering and then a very tuneless rendition of Happy Birthday accompanied by the bagpipes and a small band.

The pipes - bashful Kevin and his wee dog. At first she had thought Paddy or somebody had bought her a pet for her birthday. The poor wee thing was used to sitting and looking cute outside the town hall. Raising a paw every time someone dropped a coin in Kev’s mug. The animal had become a little overwhelmed by the commotion and sheer volume of people. Realizing that the lady who had just come through the door must be somehow responsible for the change in ambience; he could not resist jumping up at the new arrival with great enthusiasm. His owner was horrified, but unsure what was more important; to reprimand his charge or keep playing. Fortunately, the situation was resolved when a large pair of hands gently scooped up the tiny mongrel and calmed him down by whispering in his ear and letting him lick his face.

Bernie remembered Violet telling Reggie to take the excited guest through the back for a biscuit. The commotion had given Bernie time to take it all in, the low lighting, the table centres made up of thistles and blue and purple hyacinths, each with a thick white candle, flames dancing a jig on every table. The black, royal blue and red tartan tablecloths and a larger trestle table covered with a different checked pattern, a lighter blue and green with gold.

Bernie wasn’t given long to take it all in, as she was overwhelmed by hugs and kisses. Mostly from people she knew like the Noakes’, Fred, Jane, Phyllis and Julia along with a few she didn’t know, which was a bit disconcerting. Along with the displays of affection, cards and packages that were also pressed into her. Finding it very difficult to accept all the hugs from her friends and free herself from those who weren’t, Bernie found it impossible to balance all the gifts too. Fortunately Trixie had been prepared for this and took on the role of a lady-in-waiting, as if Bernie had suddenly been crowned the Princess of Poplar. The village's newest resident relished her role as best friend, relieving Bernie of her burdens as swiftly as she received them. Trixie may have had a colourful life, but she did like to be of use.

It was Val who finally rescued her from the wall of wellwishers. Taking Bernie by the hand, she took her behind the bar and up the stairs to the living accommodation. “Are you ready for your present?”

Exasperated by the recent unexpected events and not knowing what to expect next, Bernie just shrugged her shoulders. Secretly she was enjoying the calm of the Turner flat and not being the centre of attention. Val gave her a quick squeeze and told her, “Happy birthday, chick.” Opening the door to Paddy’s living room she added winking,

“You’re welcome.”

[navek15]

Fairy Tail: The Bravestar Saga Ch. 1

Author's Note 1: Fairy Tail: The Bravestar Saga is a non-profit fanfiction series.

Fairy Tail and Fairy Tail Series II are all owned by A-1 Pictures, Satelight, Bridge Madman Entertainment, Funimation TXN, Kodansha, and Hiro Mashima.

Any original characters and concepts are owned by Navek or xpegasus.

Please support the official release.

In a land far, far, away lies the Kingdom of Fiore. A small and peaceful nation of about 17,000,000 and a place filled with magic. Found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life.

For some, however, magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the Wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore.

But there is a certain guild in a certain town that sores high above the rest. One from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future.

Its name is Fairy Tail. And this is the story of one such legend.

                     Navek and xpegasus present

                               A Fairy Tail Story

                      Fairy Tail: The Bravestar Saga

                    Chapter 1: A New Legend Begins!

Hargeon…

The sound of seagulls cawing and the waves crashing against the beach sang through the air as early morning rolled over the port town of Hargeon. The daily 9 AM train had arrived in town, and the sounds of feet reverberated through the station as passengers got off and boarded the train. Among the passengers getting off was an interesting group of young adults consisting of two men, a woman, and a cat.

The cat had blue & white fur, a green backpack, and black eyes. But the most interesting thing about this cat was its very long tail and the fact that it stood upright on two legs.

The scrawnier of the two men had scruffy brown hair, green eyes, and lightly tanned skin. He wore a black t-shirt, a pair of brown goggles with green lenses around his neck, blue jeans, a silver bracelet with two green gems on his left wrist, green and white sneakers, and a pair of black gloves. However, the right glove left his thumb and pinky exposed, while the left glove only covered his thumb and pointer finger.

The lone woman outdid her male companions in both height and muscle mass. She had long orange hair tied in a ponytail, purple eyes, tan skin, a sleeveless red shirt, red fingerless gloves, white bandages covering her forearms, purple leggings, and black boots.

Rounding off the group was the second male who was wearing a long-sleeve red jacket, a white scale patterned scarf, an orange-trimmed black kilt over his baggy white pants, black sandals, and a green backpack. He had black eyes, spiky pink hair, and was currently writhing in pain on the station floor.

"Oh, thank the founders! It's over!" the pink-haired man said.

The woman sighed and helped the queasy man onto his feet. He leaned on her shoulders.

"Thanks, Alyssa."

"No problema," she said with a smile. "But now…"

"Oh, crap," the pink-haired man said as he saw the blue cat handing the brunette a bottle of nasty-looking green liquid.

"Come on, Natsu," the brunette said. "You gotta drink it."

"But it's so gross!" Natsu cried as he tried to walk away, only for Alyssa to put him into a shoulder hold. "Hey, wait!"

"Sorry, hun. But Zeke's right," she replied with an apologetic smile. The brunette uncorked the bottle, only to sigh as Natsu shut his mouth tight.

"Happy."

"Aye, sir!" the cat replied with a salute before pulling a feather out of his backpack. Happy approached Natsu's feet and began to tickle his toes. Natsu tried his best not to laugh, but it was a fight he quickly lost. The instant Natsu opened his mouth, Zeke shoved the bottle down his throat.

"Just drink already," Zeke shouted in annoyance, the crowd taking in the strange sight as mothers told their children not to look at them. After Natsu finally swallowed the green liquid…

"Oh, man! I feel like a new man!" Natsu excitedly exclaimed with his arms raised, Alyssa giggling while Zeke rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, man. You don't need to be such a baby about taking your medicine," Zeke said as he tossed Happy the empty bottle.

"Well, that's Natsu for ya," Happy replied as he put the bottle back in his backpack.

"Easy for you guys to say! You don't have to drink that crap!" Natsu shouted back before turning around to face the city. "Alright, enough stalling. Time to go look for Igneel!"

"Got it!" Alyssa said as she ran after him.

"Aye, sir!" Happy said.

"Hey, wait for me!" Zeke exclaimed as he and Happy chased after their friends.

In another part of town, a blonde girl grumbled as she stomped through the streets. She had an hourglass figure, blonde hair tied in a side ponytail with a blue bow, brown eyes, pink heart-shaped earrings, a blue & white shirt, a black wristband on her right wrist, a blue skirt, and black boots. On her right hip was a key ring that held gold and silver keys, and on the other side was a black whip with a brown handle.

'I can't believe that old geezer only dropped the price down by a couple of thousand Jewels,' the blonde thought to herself. 'Nice to know what my sex appeal is really worth.' However, her attention was drawn in when she saw a large crowd gathering in the town square. 'Huh. I wonder what that's about.'

Back with the strange quartet, they had begun their search.

"IGNEEL!" Natsu shouted at the top of his lungs, scaring away some birds as he looked around. Near him, Happy came back up from a sewer entrance.

"Well, he's not down there," the blue cat reported. Nearby, Alyssa lifted a dumpster over her head like a feather, spooking the raccoon that was sleeping under it.

"Nope," she replied before looking up. "You see anything, Zeke?!"

The brunette was on top of a roof and hanging on to a weather vane, his goggles over his eyes. "Nope. Everything looks fine!" Zeke leaped off the roof before ricocheting off the alleyway walls and onto the street. "You'd think it'd be easy to spot someone like Igneel."

"I hate to say it, but maybe that clue we got was a dud," Alyssa said. Natsu frowned as he began to think the same. But suddenly, the quartet heard some women screaming excitedly.

"It's Salamander!"

"He's so hot!"

"I hear his fire magic is insane!"

"You guys think that might be him?" Zeke asked.

"Let's go find out!" Natsu shouted as the four ran towards the commotion.

In the middle of Hargeon's town square, a large group of women had gathered together and were swooning over the man in the center of the crowd. He was a slim man in his early thirties with sharp and angular features, a blue undercut, and a heavily stylized "X" tattoo above this right eyebrow. His outfit consisted of a white button-up shirt, a dark purple cape with high collar and sun symbols on either side, dark red pants, and several rings on his hands.

Among the crowd of swooning women was the blonde girl from earlier, looking at the man with astonished eyes and a blush on her cheeks.

'What the hell's going on?' she thought as her heart began to race, and her cheeks warmed with a blush. The feeling only intensified when the man winked at her. 'Could…this be…'

"Scusi! Coming through!" Alyssa said as she and others cut through the crowd. Natsu began to shout as they reached the center.

"Igneel! Igneel! It's me, Natsu!"

Everyone's attention was turned to the sudden arrival of the odd-looking strangers. When the blonde saw the four, all of the strange feelings in her chest suddenly vanished, and she realized what had happened.

"Who the hell are you?" Natsu asked.

"Who am I? Why, I am the great and mighty fire Wizard known as Salamander," the man smugly stated. "Surely, you must've heard of me."

"Can't say that we have," Zeke said, only to notice all the girls were now glaring at the four with murderous intent, which was then followed by them shouting some very colorful words at them.

"Now, now, my lovelies. No need to be rude," Salamander said. He pulled out four pieces of paper with his name on them. "Would you four care for my autograph? That way, you get something to brag about to your friends."

"Why the hell would we-" Natsu began to say.

"Thank you! We'll just take those and be on our way," Zeke said with a nervous grin, feeling the glares of the angry women boring into him. He quickly grabbed the autographed papers and pushed his friends away from the crowd. "Toodle-loo."

As the four left, Salamander told the ladies they were all invited to a party on his yacht later that night before taking off on a stream of fire.

"Guess that wasn't him," Happy commented.

"So is it me, or did that guy seem like a real creep?" Alyssa asked.

"That's because he is a creep." The four turned and saw a blonde girl approaching them with a thankful smile.

"Hi, my name's Lucy."

A little while later, the group was eating at a local restaurant. Lucy offered to treat the four to a meal…and was immediately regretting that decision. While Zeke and Happy's meal only consisted of a grilled chicken salad and a fish respectively, Natsu and Alyssa wasted no time ordering everything on the menu.

"It's nice that you offered to cover lunch…" Zeke began to say as his friends dug into their meals with gusto. "…but I probably should've warned you how much these two can pack it in."

"No, it's fine. I owe you guys one anyway." Lucy sighed out as pieces of food began to fly everywhere. 'There goes all the extra money I saved.'

"Anyway, we should probably introduce ourselves," the brunette said. "I'm Ezekiel, but my friends call me Zeke. The big lady is Alyssa, the spike head is Natsu, and the cat's name is Happy."

"Okay…but why can he talk?" Lucy asked.

"Because I'm a cat," Happy replied before going back to munching on his fish. Lucy looked at Zeke for a better answer, but the brunette just shrugged.

"Not that I'm complaining, but how exactly do you owe us one?" Natsu asked through a full mouth.

"Well, that Salamander guy was using some sort of Charm Magic. That's why all those women were falling over him," Lucy explained. "I got caught up in it too, but when you guys came barreling through, I was able to snap back to reality."

"Really. I thought Charm Magic was illegal," Zeke said as he began to contemplate something. As he did, Lucy realized something.

"That reminds me. Alyssa, you were right next to that creep. Why weren't you affected by his charm spell?" Lucy asked the orange-haired woman. The taller woman swallowed her food before answering.

"Well, it's quite simple, Lucy," Alyssa said before wrapped her arm around Natsu's shoulder, bringing his head to her shoulder and smiling. "It's because I've already been charmed by the sweetest man in all of Fiore."

"Aw, shucks," Natsu said with a blush and a smile. "No need to go that far, babe."

'Oh.' Lucy thought to herself, realizing that the pinkette and amazonian woman were an item. And Alyssa placing a hand under his chin and making him look in her eyes confirmed it.

"But, you deserve every bit of praise, amore mio."

"Ooh, I love it when you talk all fancy," Natsu said as he wrapped his arms around Alyssa's waist. Lucy could swear that the air around them began to sparkle as they looked into each other's eyes.

"Oh, Natsu," Alyssa said dreamily.

"Oh, Alyssa," he replied.

"Oh, Natsu."

"Oh, Alyssa."

Zeke and Happy sweatdropped as the couple repeated each other's names like a mantra. "They're at it again," the cat stated.

"Nice going, Lucy."

The blonde girl laughed in embarrassment. "By the way, you guys said you were looking for someone named Igneel, right?"

The question broke Natsu and Alyssa out of their couple's trance, as Alyssa answered. "That's right. Igneel is Natsu's dad. We heard a rumor that a Salamander was in Hargeon, so we decided to stop by and look around."

"Too bad that guy was a total dud," Happy said with a sigh.

"No kidding. He looked nothing like a dragon." Natsu stated. "I bet he can't even breathe fire."

"So, your dad looks like a dragon?" Lucy asked, trying to imagine how someone could resemble a dragon.

"No, he doesn't look like a dragon. He is a dragon," Natsu answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Lucy was stunned when she heard this. As fantastical as their world was, dragons were considered to be creatures of myth and legends. But there was also something else that she freaked her out.

"Why the hell would a dragon show up in the middle of a fishing town?!" Lucy exclaimed in shock. Natsu and Happy suddenly got a widened eyed look as the realization hit them like a sack of bricks.

"Ya, I didn't want to say anything…" Zeke spoke up with an awkward look. "...but I was thinking that Hargeon looked way too intact for supposedly being visited by a dragon."

"I was actually thinking the same thing," Alyssa said sheepishly. "Sorry, sweetie."

After paying the check, Lucy got up and left. However, as she turned back, she saw Natsu and Happy prostrating themselves on the floor while Zeke and Alyssa bowed.

"Thank you for the meal!" The four said.

"Stop it! You're embarrassing me!"

"Well, we need some way to repay you," Alyssa said. Natsu's face lit up as he got an idea.

"Here ya go!" Natsu said as he handed Lucy one of the autographs Salamander gave them.

"No, thanks," Lucy replied with a flat look.

And then…

"Wow, looks like Fairy Tail's at it again," Lucy said with a chuckle as read the newest issue of Sorcerer Weekly. After parting with the four weirdos, the blonde girl decided to relax at the local park and read one of her favorite magazines. "This time, they wrecked a bell tower."

Indeed, a news article detailed a team of Fairy Tail mages called Bravestar and their fight against a group of bandits in a small countryside town. However, the battle resulted in massive collateral damage, including the town's iconic bell tower.

"I wonder why I can't find a picture of those guys," Lucy said to herself. "Then again, if I caused that much damage, I'd probably high-tail it before anyone took a photo."

She flipped the page, showing the weekly centerfold featuring the Fairy Tail mage Mirajane. "And Mirajane's as gorgeous as ever." The blonde commented as she began to think out loud. "I wonder what I'd need to get into a magic guild like that. Is there a trial? Or I do gotta submit a job application or something?"

The blonde then rolled up and magazine and stood with a determined look on her face. "Oh well, it doesn't matter. 'Cause I'm gonna join Fairy Tail no matter what!"

"Ah, so you're looking to get into my guild, eh?" Lucy turned and, to her shock, saw Salamander walking out of the bushes.

"Salamander?!" Lucy exclaimed as she sprung from the bench. "What are you doing here? Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop on a lady?!"

'You were the one talking to yourself,' the blue-haired man thought with a sweatdrop.

"And don't think you can charm me again! That kind of magic doesn't work when the target knows about it," Lucy proclaimed. Salamander's eyes widened with surprise.

"You figured out I was using Charm Magic? Very impressive," he said with a sly smile. "We could use those kinds of deduction skills at Fairy Tail."

"Fairy Tail?" Lucy parroted, suddenly remembering what Salamander said before. "No way! You're that Salamander?"

"The one and only," he said. Lucy's eyes sparkled with awe before she collected herself.

"Oh, yeah. So what?" Lucy crossed her arms and tried to act nonchalant.

"So don't want to join my guild?" Salamander asked with a cocky smirk.

"Well, I wouldn't say that," Lucy answered with a pout.

"Then how about a proposition?" Salamander said with a charming smile. "You come to my yacht party tonight and mingle a bit, and I'll put in a good word for you with the guild master. What do ya say?" He extended his hand.

And any amount of disgust or mistrust Lucy had vanished and instantly shook Salamander's hand with such force he nearly toppled over. "I'd love to come to your party tonight!" Lucy squealed in delight

Salamander chuckled at her enthusiasm. 'Well, that was easy.'

"You really think you can get me into Fairy Tail?" Lucy asked, finally releasing Salamander's hand.

"You have my word," Salamander said. With a snap of his fingers, a stream of magenta fire appeared beneath him and lifted him off the ground. "Just don't say anything about the charm spell, 'cause I'm planning on having some fun tonight."

"You got it, Mr. Salamander!" Lucy said with a salute.

"Excellent! See you at the party, darling! Flame Magic: Red Carpet!" With that, he took off into the sky on his transport of magenta fire. And it was only after he left that Lucy realized that he had pseudo-charmed her.

'Oh well. I just got to party with that sleazebag for one night, and I'm golden,' Lucy thought to herself. "Fairy Tail, here I come!"

And then...

"Looks like this trip was a total bust," Zeke said. Night had fallen on Hargeon. After their lunch, the eccentric quartet had decided to look around the rest of the fishing town, just in case there was any chance at all Igneel had been here. Unfortunately, they had no such luck and were now stuck in town for the night since their train wouldn't arrive until the next morning. The group was standing on a walkway that overlooked the city and ocean, giving them a fantastic view.

"Hey, isn't that the yacht where Salamander's hosting his party?" Happy asked, pointing to the distant boat that had left the harbor. Just thinking about being on a boat made Natsu nauseous until Alyssa rubbed his head.

"What? You've never heard of Salamander?" The group overheard a girl in a pink shirt say.

"No, not ringing any bells," her friend in a black shirt said. "Is he a big deal or something?"

"The biggest!" the girl in pink said. "He's a super-powerful and famous Fire Wizard from the Fairy Tail guild, not to mention handsome. I wish I could've gone to his party."

The four friends' eyes widened at the mention of "Fairy Tail." They turned their gaze towards the glistening yacht floating in the bay and narrowed their eyes.

"Fairy Tail, huh?" Alyssa said.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Zeke commented while Natsu glared.

Meanwhile, on the yacht, Lucy and Salamander were sitting in his private cabin while the rest of the ladies partied on the deck below. The blonde had changed into an elegant red dress to make a better impression.

"I've got to admit, you've got great taste," Lucy said as she ran her hands over the furniture. "Midian leather and Bellumi oak are hard to come by in Fiore."

"Why, thank you, Miss Lucy. Being a Wizard of such renown comes with its perks," Salamander said as he approached his liquor cabinet. "I appreciate the finer things in life." He grabbed two glasses and an amber-colored bottle.

"A toast to your beauty," Salamander said as he poured her a glass of orange wine. "Be sure to savor every drop."

Lucy put on her best fake smile and forced herself to laugh. Without his charm magic, Salamander really came off as a creep trying way too hard to be suave. But as he poured the drink, Lucy noticed one of his rings emitting a small glow. With a squint of her eyes, the blonde saw that ring had an image of a crescent moon and a closed eye.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Lucy said. Salamander stopped pouring and looked at her in confusion. "You're trying to enchant my drink with a sleep charm."

"Hmph." Salamander gave a small smile and set down the bottle. "You continue to impress me, my dear."

"Look, I really do wanna join Fairy Tail. But I'm not gonna sleep with you to make that happen."

Lucy was about to get up…until she heard the click of a gun and felt cold metal pressed against the back of her head. With wide eyes, Lucy slowly turned and saw a woman with light brown hair, brown skin, and blue eyes pointing a gold flintlock pistol at her. Her outfit consisted of a pair of black cat-eye glasses, a bedazzled black vest over a full-sleeve white buttoned shirt, a black tie with matching dress pants and shoes, and gun holsters on each side of her belt, one of which was currently empty.

"Ah, Ripley. I didn't even notice you come in," Salamander said with a smirk.

"Well, you were blowing it, so I figured I'd give this little tart an incentive not to do anything stupid."

"W-wait, I saw you when I got on the ship," Lucy said with terror clear in her voice. "You were one of the girls at the party."

"Oh, please. Don't compare me to those floozies," the bespectacled woman said with a cruel smile. "Unlike them, I'm not so easily swayed by such simple magic."

"Simple? I spent a fortune on these rings," Salamander growled in annoyance just as someone else walked into the cabin.

"Yo, Salamander. All the new merchandise is knocked out." Lucy looked at the man, and the first word that came to her mind was "snake." From his slanted black eyes to his lanky body to his clothing of a tight black top, fingerless gloves, scale-like green pants, and black leggings underneath. "The boys are bringing them down to the lower- Huh, what's going on here?"

"It seems this girl is too smart for her own good, Kurohebi," Ripley explained. Lucy then felt shivers run down her spine as Kurohebi looked down her body and licked his black lips. He was even creepier than Salamander.

"Maybe so, but we can probably make a couple of thousand Jewels off of her," the snake-like man said with a low chuckle.

"Merchandise? Jewels?" Lucy asked fearfully. "What's going on?"

"Guess the cat's out of the bag," Salamander said as he stood up. "But don't worry, Lucy. We'll make sure not to harm that pretty little head of yours until we reach Bosco. After that, we'll make sure you're sold to the highest bidder."

"Y-you…" Lucy's eyes widened as his words sank in. "You're slave traders! But...I thought you were a Fairy Tail wizard!"

"Don't you get it? Our little playboy just said that to get you to come on board," Ripley replied bemusedly, Kurohebi chuckling along with her.

"So all the girls at the party…"

"You'd be amazed how much some depraved rich guys are willing to pay for pretty girls," Kurohebi explained. A hard scowl on her face, Lucy reached for her key ring, only for Salamander to grab it with his fire magic. He brought the six keys to his eye-level to examine them.

"These are Gate Keys. So you're a Celestial Wizard," Salamander said as he walked towards the nearby window. "Only the contracted wizard can use these. They're absolutely useless to me."

Before Lucy could protest, Salamander tossed her Spirit Keys out the window. She could only stare in horror and disbelief as everything she'd worked for vanished into the waters below. Lucy felt a myriad of emotions bubbling up inside; sorrow at the loss of her keys; fear at what would happen to her and the girls on the ship; but above all else, anger. Lucy was furious at Salamander and his accomplices. Magic was something precious and beautiful, and to have it be used for heinous, evil acts was unforgivable. With her eyes watering and her teeth grit, Lucy glared at the blue-haired man.

"You used magic to take advantage of others!" She yelled out. "You're the worst kind of wizard!"

The roof of the cabin exploded, surprising the four as someone landed on the floor. When the smoke cleared, they saw Alyssa glaring at the three slavers, her stance proud and defiant.

"Alyssa!" Lucy said with a smile.

"It's that bodybuilder chick from earlier!" Salamander proclaimed.

"What the hell is going on here?" Alyssa asked.

"None of your business, you dumb gorilla!" Ripley said as she aimed her gun at the orange-haired woman. Alyssa spoke a chant.

"Boost Magic: Boosted Kick!"

To everyone's shock, Alyssa's legs glowed with purple magical energy, a purple magic circle with a fist in the center appearing behind her. With amazing speed that betrayed her size, Alyssa leaped ahead and delivered a round-house kick to Ripley's torso, knocking her through the cabin wall.

"That was magic!" Kurohebi exclaimed as Lucy and Salamander looked on in shock. Alyssa turned and glared at Salamander.

"Salamander, right? I heard some girls saying that you're a Fairy Tail wizard," Alyssa said as she gripped the hem of her shirt.

"Y-ya. So what of it?" Salamander asked with a trembling voice. Alyssa pulled up her shirt to reveal a dark purple mark over her abdominals. One that vaguely resembled a dancing fairy.

"Because I'm from Fairy Tail! And I've never seen you before in my life!"

"That mark!" Salamander shouted.

"No way!" Lucy exclaimed. "Alyssa's a Fairy Tail wizard?! And you could do laundry on her abs!"

"Lucy? What are you doing here?" a voice said from above. Lucy looked up at the hole Alyssa had made and saw Happy…floating in the air with a pair of white wings on his back.

"This guy tricked me. He said he could get me into Fairy Tail if I came to his party," Lucy said before noticing the elephant in the room. "Wait? When did you get wings?"

"We'll explain that later," Alyssa said, taking a fighting stance. "Happy, get Lucy out of here. I'll deal with these bastardos."

"Aye, ma'am!" Happy exclaimed as he wrapped his tail around Lucy's waist. "Hold on!"

Lucy screamed in shock as the blue cat lifted her into the sky.

"You won't get away!" Salamander proclaimed as he snapped his fingers. "Flame Magic: Red Carpet!"

Alyssa attempted to jump at Salamander but she was stopped in her tracks by a stream of magenta fire.

"Uh, uh, uh, big gal." Alyssa turned and saw Kurohebi, flames surrounding his hands. "You gotta deal with me."

'He's got flame magic too?' Alyssa thought as Salamander took off in the air after Happy & Lucy. Meanwhile, Ripley had finally managed to pull herself out of the rubble.

"Ripley, get the rest of the guys!" Kurohebi shouted. "I can already tell that this ladies' gonna be a big problem."

"Right," Ripely said as she ran out of the cabin.

"Go ahead. Bring as many people as you like, cazzo!" Alyssa shouted, cracking her knuckles as her thick arms began to glow with the same purple magic as before. "I'll kick all your asses!"

On the shores of Hargeon, Natsu and Zeke stood atop the seawall. The brunette looked out onto the water with his goggles over his eyes. But these were no ordinary eyewear. By feeding a small degree of mana into them, Zeke was able to see over great distances.

"What's going on?" Natsu asked as he saw streams of fire flying through the sky.

"That Salamander guy is chasing Happy and…Lucy?" Zeke replied, watching as the blue-haired man unleashed blasts of flame magic at the two as Happy weaved and bobbed to dodge his attacks.

"This sucks! I should be out there!" Natsu groaned.

"We both know you'd get sick as soon as you stepped one foot on the boat," Zeke said, causing his friend to pout. "Besides."

Zeke fed mana into his bracelet, causing the gems in it to glow. In an instant, it transformed into a majestic silver longbow with green accents and shimmering bowstring. The green gems now sat directly above and below the arrow rest. "I could use the target practice."

A green magic circle with an arrow at its center appeared between the gems. Zeke placed his right hand in the circle and pulled back on the bowstring. As he did, an arrow made of solid green magical energy manifested within the bow, its arrowhead consisting of three points.

"Arch Shot: Tri-Seeker Arrow!" The arrow soared through the air like a rocket-propelled bird of prey.

Salamander grit his teeth and furrowed his brow as rode atop his Red Carpet, growing increasingly frustrated at his inability to hit Happy and Lucy.

'That cat's faster than he looks,' the flame wizard thought to himself. But out of the corner of his eye, he saw the glowing arrow heading towards and barely dodged it.

"Nice try," Zeke said with a smirk as the arrow suddenly split into three streams of emerald light that curved and chased after Salamander until they blasted him, causing the flame mage to fall on the deck of his yacht.

"What was that?" Lucy asked.

"That was Zeke's Arch Shot magic," Happy answered.

"He launched a spell from that far away," Lucy said in amazement.

"Um, Lucy?"

She looked up. "What is it?"

"My magic-" Happy began to say before his wings vanished. "-just ran out."

"YOU STUPID CAT!" Lucy screamed as the two fell into the ocean. But as they were submerged, Lucy saw something twinkling on the seafloor.

Back on the yacht, Salamander groaned as he got back up. He checked to make sure nothing was broken and gaped in horror when he saw the arrows had torn his cape to pieces. As he vowed vengeance for the destruction of his favorite cape, Salamander noticed that the fight between Alyssa and Kurohebi had moved to the deck.

"Prominence Typhoon!" Kurohebi shouted as he launched a column of fire at Alyssa.

"Boost Magic: Boosted Leap!" she chanted. Magic enveloped her legs as she leaped out of the way. With magic still running through her legs, Alyssa jumped towards her opponent as her right arm lit up like her legs. "Boost Magic: Enhanced Knuckle!"

Kurohebi barely had time to dodge as Alyssa attempted to punch him, her fist smashing through the deck floor. However, the snake-like man smirked as he swiped his fingers across her legs as magic circles spun in his eyes.

"Copy Magic: Epithet Scan." Alyssa felt a burst of magic enter her body and then leave. She back-handed Kurohebi, pushing him across the deck. However, the black-haired mage simply chuckled. "Alright, big girl. Let's how you handle your own magic. Boosted Kick!"

To Alyssa's surprise, purple magic surrounded Kurohebi's legs before he leaped and kicked her into a table.

'Copy Magic?! Merda!' Alyssa thought to herself as she got back up.

"Hey, Kuro!" The two mages turned and saw Ripley flanked by all slavers' goons, her golden guns in hands, and a large case strapped to her back. "If you don't want to die, then get out of the way!"

"You got it," he said before leaping out of the way. Alyssa quickly channeling her mana into her legs.

"Guns Magic: Rapid-Fire!"

"Boost Magic: Boosted Jump!"

Ripley unleashed a torrent of yellow mana bullets that Alyssa was forced to jump to avoid. The orange-haired woman quickly jumped behind the buffet table and tipped it to use as a makeshift barrier.

But before the slavers could get cocky, Salamander saw another arrow pass the ship before breaking into three streams of green light again. He scowled as he snapped his fingers. "Flame Magic: Red Curtain!"

A large wall of fire appeared on the deck, blocking the arrows. "Ripley, there's another Fairy Tail wizard attacking from long-range! Get rid of them!"

"Alright, but mind your tone," Ripley said before running towards a nearby ladder, leaving Alyssa to fight Salamander, Kurohebi, and their goons. The bespectacled wizard quickly reached the roof of the yacht and opened the case, revealing a golden sniper rifle with a long barrel and a scope. "Okay, Ronney. Time to go hunting."

Ripley laid down on her stomach and aimed her rifle towards the direction the arrows came. Like Zeke did with his magical goggles, Ripley fed mana into her scope, allowing her to see Natsu and Zeke on Hargeon's beach. With a grin, the Guns Wizard readied her next spell, a yellow magic circle with a bullet epithet appearing in front of the barrel.

"Guns Magic: Horizon Bullet!" With a pull of her trigger, a magical bullet shot through the air, barreling towards Zeke and Natsu. The pink-haired man's ears twitched when he heard the shot.

"Incoming!" Natsu shouted before tackling Zeke into the sand as bullet destroyed the part of the seawall they'd been standing on. "What the hell was that?!"

Zeke quickly sat up and zoomed in again with his goggles, seeing Ripley on the roof of the yacht. The two were forced to evade more Horizon Bullets that sent sand flying high in the sky when they hit the beach.

"Looks like one of Salamander's lackeys has long-range magic," Zeke stated before noticing that they had begun to attract the attention of Hargeon's citizens. "Natsu, try to get the rubberneckers away from the beach."

"Got it!" Natsu replied before running towards the townspeople. "You guys better high-tail it out of here! Things are about to get crazy magical!"

As Natsu tried to get the townsfolk away from the beach, Zeke stood defiantly, Ripley right in his sight. He conjured another arrow, this one with an arrowhead shaped like a stick of dynamite. "Alright, lady. You picked the wrong wizard to pick a firefight with. Arch Shot: Demolition Arrow!"

Ripley barely had time to roll away as Zeke's spell hit the roof, exploding upon impact. She quickly aimed and fired another Horizon Bullet that Zeke was forced to dodge. The two then proceeded to engage in a long-range battle, each of them launching spells from a great distance and dodging when they needed to. However, since Ripley and her allies were on a boat, they were slowly losing as Zeke's spells kept blasting more of the yacht apart.

As this was going on, Lucy and Happy emerged from the sea, the blonde having recovered her keys from the ocean floor. Lucy looked at the yacht with a determined smirk as she grabbed a golden key. "Here we go. Open, Gate of the Water Bearer - Aquarius!"

Lucy plunged the key into the water and a blue magic circle with a cross epithet appeared. With a burst of mana and water, a blue-haired mermaid with a dark blue tail appeared before Lucy and Happy, a blue and silver urn in her hands.

"That was awesome!" Happy cried out with joy.

"That's the power of a Celestial Wizard," Lucy explained. "I can summon spirits from the Celestial Realm to assist me in battle."

She turned and pointed at the yacht. "Listen up, Aquarius. I want you to use your magic to push that ship back into the port." However, the spirit glared at Lucy with piercing blue eyes and grit her teeth. "Hey," Lucy exclaimed. "Drop the attitude and help me!"

"Let's get something straight…" Aquarius said, her voice low and dangerous as water began to flow around her, and she narrowed her eyes at Lucy and Happy, sending shivers down their spines. "…the next time you so much as think about dropping my key, you're dead."

"U-understood," Lucy squeaked out while Happy let out a terrified whimper as Aquarius unleashed her spell and a torrent of ocean water was sucked into her urn.

"Poseidon's Wrath!" With a ferocious yell, Aquarius launched a tidal wave at the yacht…that also engulfed Lucy and Happy. Back on the yacht, Alyssa was in the midst of blocking Kurohebi's blows and Salamander's flame magic, only for the three wizards, Ripley, and the goons to notice the sudden shadow cast over the boat. They looked up and gaped at the massive tidal wave heading their way.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" the slavers all shouted.

"¡SANTO CIELO!" Alyssa yelled as the yacht was consumed by the wave.

Back on the shore, Zeke's eyes and mouth widened in shock at the approaching water. The green-eyed man quickly turned around and ran towards Natsu and the crowd. "EVERYONE, RUN FOR IT!"

Natsu and the townsfolk turned and balked at the sight of the rapidly approaching wave and attempted to high-tail away from the beach. As the wave was about to hit the shore, Zeke grabbed Natsu and created a green barrier around them just as the tidal wave consumed them and Hargeon's shore.

Luckily the seawall blocked the bulk of the water and what water made it past did barely any damage as Hargeon's buildings were built to withstand flooding. And as fast as it came, the water receded, revealing that Zeke had fallen on top of Natsu, the two men groaning in pain.

"Where the hell did that come from?" Natsu groaned out as Zeke got off him.

"No idea. Maybe one of Salamander's lackeys di-" As the brunette opened his eyes, he realized that his magic goggles had been shattered. "Damn it! I just bought these!"

"LET'S HIGH-TAIL IT, LADIES!" The two wizards looked and saw that Salamander's yacht had crashed into the shore, waking the girls and giving them the opportunity to escape

At the same time, Lucy and Happy washed up on the shore, the blonde coughing up seawater while the cat ended up buried head-first in the sand. Lucy then noticed Aquarius floating next to her.

"What's the big idea?! You think you could've tried not to sweep me up with the ship?!"

"Oh, that was an accident," Aquarius replied with a smile. "I didn't mean to get the ship."

"YOU WERE AIMING FOR ME?!" Lucy yelled as her spirit turned away.

"Don't call me for a while," the mermaid said with a haughty smirk. "I'm going on a week-long vacation with my boyfriend. And he's hot."

"You don't have to rub it in!" Lucy shouted as her spirit returned to the Celestial Realm. Suddenly, Lucy, Happy, Natsu, and Zeke's attention was brought to the yacht by Alyssa's yells as she was sent flying by Salamander's Flame Magic and crashed into the beach.

"Alyssa!" Natsu and Zeke shouted as they rushed towards her. They quickly helped her up and saw the slavers walking towards them, Salamander, Kurohebi, and Ripley all seething with rage.

"I've had enough of this!" Salamander shouted as he conjured up a magic circle in front of him. "I'll burn all you idiots to ash with a single spell! FLAME MAGIC: PROMINENCE TYPHOON!"

Natsu pushed Zeke and Alyssa out of harm's way and was completely consumed by a swirling pillar of fire.

"NATSU!" Lucy yelled while Kurohebi cackled.

"Aw, isn't that sweet? Pinkie sacrificed himself to save his buddies," Kurohebi said with a bemused smirk.

"Looks like Fairy Tail ain't all it's cracked up to be," Ripley taunted. But suddenly, Zeke and Alyssa began to chuckle, confusing everybody.

"Oh, please. As if Natsu could be killed by fire magic," Zeke said with a smirk of his own.

"How're the flames, tesoro mio?" Alyssa asked.

"Not gonna lie…" Natsu's voice came from within the inferno. "…it's pretty gross."

"HE'S STILL ALIVE?!" The trio of slavers cried out. What happened next utterly baffled everyone except Zeke, Alyssa, and Happy. A loud slurping sound was heard across the beach, the fire began to shrink. It shrank further until everyone could see that Natsu was actually eating the fire! Aside from his burnt coat, he was completely unharmed.

"Thanks for the meal, poser," Natsu said as he tore off the remains of his coat, revealing an open black and orange-trimmed vest, his muscular torso and arms, a black wristband on his left wrist, and a red Fairy Tail mark on his right shoulder. "Now, I've got a fire in my belly that's raging to get out!"

Natsu then smashed his fists together, conjuring up an orange circle with a dragon epithet in front of him. He then sucked in a massive amount of air. "Fire Dragon's Roar!"

From his mouth, Natsu unleashed his own torrent of flames. Salamander evaded with his Red Carpet spell, and Kurohebi boosted his legs to get himself and Ripley rolled out of the way. The rest of the slavers panicked and ran as Natsu's spells destroyed the remains of their yacht.

"A Fairy Tail wizard with spiky pink hair, a scaly scarf, and unique fire magic," Kurohebi said as his eyes widened in realization. "Bora, this guy's the real Salamander!"

"Natsu's Salamander?!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Don't use my real name, you idiot!" the man called Bora said as Natsu, Alyssa, and Zeke stood together, staring the other trio down.

"Bora Solak, or Bora the Prominence as he likes to call himself," Happy said, surprising Lucy. "I've heard of this guy; he used to be a member of the guild Titan Nose but got kicked out for bad behavior."

(Music Que - Fairy Tail Main Theme)

"We should probably introduce ourselves," Natsu stated as the air around him began to heat up. "I'm Natsu Dragneel, the Fire Dragon-Slayer!"

"My name's Alyssa Grunewald!" Alyssa said as she moved into a fighting stance. "And they call me the Boost Queen!"

"The name's Ezekiel Hudson, archer extraordinaire and proud heir of the heroic Hudson legacy," Zeke said as he tossed aside his broken goggles. He then pulled down his shirt collar, revealing a green Fairy Tail guild mark just below his left collar bone. "And you assholes are dealing with the greatest team Fairy Tail's ever had: Bravestar!"

'THEY'RE TEAM BRAVESTAR!' Lucy thought in absolute shock. These weirdos she'd bought lunch for were the infamous Team Bravestar she'd read so much about. While Fairy Tail wizards were known for being rowdy, she had read about a trio of wizards that went overboard during their fights, even by their guild's standards. Because of this, Bravestar was also known as Fairy Tail's Demolition Team.

"Pay attention! Because this is what real Fairy Tail wizards can do!" Natsu shouted, charging ahead, his fists engulfed in orange flames.

"S-Stay back!" Bora shouted. "Flame Magic: Red Shower!"

Bora unleashed a barrage of fireballs at team Bravestar. Natsu didn't even bother to dodge and ran straight towards Bora. Natsu leapt into the air with a burst of flame with a blazing right fist.

"Fire Dragon's Blazing Fist!" With a powerful swing, Natsu punched Bora with enough force to send him flying into a nearby building.

"Try eating this, Salamander!" Ripley shouted as she aimed her pistols at Natsu. "Guns Magic: Rapid-Fire!"

"Nice try!" Zeke shouted, this time conjuring up an arrow with an arrowhead shaped like a bundle of smaller arrows. "Arch Shot: Arrow Volley!"

Zeke the arrow and in a flash of light, it split into a volley of 100 small arrows that tore through Ripely's bullets.

"Damn you!" Kurohebi shouted, charging at Zeke with mana flowing around his legs. He suddenly felt intense burning pain shoot through them. He let out a pain yelled as he slowed to a crawl, allowing Alyssa to jump in and catch his hand.

"Looks like you copied my magic's weakness too!" Alyssa proclaimed as she channeled magic through her arms. "Boost Magic: Grand Toss!"

With a powerful swing, Alyssa tossed Kurohebi over the wrecked yacht.

"Their magic is nuts," Lucy said, completely in awe as the trio continued to fight.

"Aye," Happy said and began to explain. "Zeke uses hereditary magic that only his family has called Arch Shot Magic. It has properties of both Archery and Light Magic. Alyssa's magic is Boost Magic. It can supercharge the caster's physical abilities, but using too much can damage their insides, so they need to have a strong body to use it properly. And Natsu's Fire Dragon-Slayer Magic gives him all the abilities of a fire dragon. So he's not only immune to fire, but he can also replenish his mana by eating it."

Ripley scowled as she aimed Zeke and Alyssa, but Natsu charged at her, his arms now coated in fire.

"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" With a swing of his arms, Natsu unleashed twin torrents of fire at Ripley and blasted her into the water, knocking her unconscious. Bora emerged from the rubble of the building atop his red carpet with a wild and crazed look on his face.

"DAMN YOU ALL!" Bora screamed as a massive magic circle appeared beneath him. "BURN IN HELL!" A gargantuan crimson fireball in the shape of a skull formed above his head. "FORBIDDEN FLAME MAGIC: RED SK-"

"Arch Shot: Demolition Arrow!" Before Bora could finish his incantation, Zeke fired a magic arrow at Bora's fireball. The explosion was seen and heard all across Hargeon and beyond as Bora was blasted out of the air. As Bora fell to the ground, his eyes widened when he saw Alyssa charging at him, the magic around her arms glowing far brighter than before.

"Hey, stronzo!" Alyssa shouted. "This is what you get for impersonating my boyfriend! Boost Magic: Grand Combo-Punch!"

As soon as Bora came within arms' length, Alyssa unleashed a ferocious barrage of supercharged punches. And with a final solid right hook, the fake Salamander was sent flying into the town, crashing into a nearby water fountain. And with that, the battle between team Bravestar and the slavers reached its end.

(Music End)

"Alright! We won!" Natsu shouted as he and Zeke shared a fist bump. They ran up the seawall's stairs to join Alyssa.

"We rock!" Alyssa cheered as she and Zeke then did a double high-five, which she immediately regretted it as her arms began to hurt. "Owie."

"Oh, crap! Sorry, Alyssa," Zeke replied.

"It's okay. They're just a little sore," she said. But before the trio could continue their celebration, they heard something fall and break. Turning around, they saw that the fountain Alyssa had knocked Bora into had broken in half. They also finally noticed that while the buildings in Hargeon were mostly fine, most of the street had been upended by the tidal wave, and the buildings closest to the beach had been hit by some stray spells.

"You guys were amazing, but you really overdid it!" Lucy exclaimed as she and Happy approached the three.

"Well, I can't argue with that," Alyssa said, rubbing the back of her head with a nervous laugh. However, Natsu genuinely chuckled.

"Actually, this is pretty good by our standards," Natsu said.

"Aw, man!" Zeke exclaimed as he started pulling his hair. "Master Makarov's gonna have an ulcer when he hears about this."

"To be fair, Lucy and the fish lady did most of the damage," Happy said.

"Hey!" the blonde shouted.

"You caused that tidal wave?!" Zeke yelled. "And what fish lady are you talking about?!"

Before they could continue their conversation, Natsu's ears picked the sound of marching feet. He spun around and saw a large group of soldiers clad in orange & blue uniforms marching through the town."Oh shit! It's the Rune Knights!"

"The army's here?!" Lucy shouted.

"Run for it!" Zeke shouted as the five bolted away as fast as they could, Natsu grabbing Lucy by the arm.

"Why are you taking me?" Lucy asked as she was dragged off.

"You said you wanted to join Fairy Tail, right?" Alyssa asked. Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief. Actual Fairy Tail wizards were inviting her to join their guild. As they ran, the blonde saw that the four guild wizards had sincere expressions on their faces, even as they ran for their lives.

"So, let's go!" Natsu said excitedly. Lucy smiled back at them, slipping her arm out of Natsu's and started willingly running away with the four.

"Alright!" Lucy cheered with an ear to ear smile as the five ran out of Hargeon. It had been a crazy day, but Lucy had a feeling that things would only get better from here.

And indeed, the five friends would back on this night and realize that it was this day in Hargeon when their legend truly began.

Elsewhere…

On top of a snow-covered mountain caught in a raging blizzard, a fierce battle had just reached its conclusion. A lone mage stood amongst the corpses of over a dozen ape-like creatures, out of breath and barely holding himself up with his broadsword. The man appeared to be in his early forties. He had black eyes, slicked-back dark blue hair, and his outfit consisted of an open white coat with blue inner-lining, rolled up brown pants held up by a white belt, an s-shaped necklace hanging around his neck, and a pair of dark brown loafers.

'Well, that about wraps things up,' the man thought to himself, standing up as his broadsword vanished in a dark blue light. 'Time to head home.'

Unfortunately, one of the ape creatures the man had been fighting was rather clever, playing dead amongst its brethren. With his foe's guard down, the beast howled and attacked, the raging winds drowning out the man's screams.

To be continued…

Author's Note 2: Back when I wrote the first chapter of A New Day five years ago, I had no idea how much that story would mean to me. Writing AND and its sequels helped me improve my writing skills more than I ever imagined. And it was through these Fairy Tail stories that I met my co-writer, editor, and one of my best friends, xpegasus.

But recently, as I reread A New Day while compiling that story and sequels together, I realized just how flawed it was. I barely broke away from the canon, limiting my creativity and original flare. I also didn't really know whether I wanted to stick with the original Fairy Tail magic system for awhile, winging it until me and XPegasus sorted out the details midway through Homecoming. And I realized that it can be hard to get people invested in the later parts of my story if the beginning is mediocre.

So, now with years of experience under my belt, my best friend at my side, and a firm idea for where I want my Fairy Tail story, I've decided to reboot the Fairy Mythos Series. Or as it's going to be known from now on, Fairy Tail: The Bravestar Saga!

I hope that everyone who's followed all of my Fairy Tail stories until now will join me and xpegasus as we venture once again into this magical world. And hopefully, we'll make a lot of new friends and fans along the way.

Next Chapter: The Brawl at Mt. Hakobe!

See you next time!

[5evahbeyou]

Quite Miss Home (Merida X Male! Reader)

So hello everyone! I am back in making another story for you all. I actually wanted to post the story yesterday, however, my phone evidently shut off itself. So I didn’t had a chance to save it  (Since I was making it on Tumblr.) Anyway, here is a story for you all. I base the story on the new song that James Arthur has just release. So you can check it out and I’ll be putting the link here.

WARNING! This story is really long.

Let’s go!

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰                            ⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

I’ve been living alone, with only Aldith whom I have not much known till now, ever since I was 6. Everything was all a blur, till now I cannot remember anything from my past. All I could ever see in my dreams are two people holding hands as the fire engulf was once a beautiful kingdom. A hurtful smile from both of them as I hear them both yelling, telling someone to run away. And as soon as the image becomes smaller, I quickly got up whilst  I sweat with frustration.  It’s always has been like this, Aldith would only say it’s just a bad dream. As I rub the sleep off of my face, I quickly got up from where I slept. Holding on to the boxes as I balance myself, the wagon wobbling at the rocky path. I got out from the wagon and went to sit beside Aldith. “Good Morning, (y/n). Had a good sleep?” “Not entirely. It’s always that dream.” I said, stretching out as I look around, merchants whom travelled a long way to another kingdom. “Where are we headed for this month?” “You’ll find out soon.” He said, gesturing at the castle, a few miles away. I squinted, trying to see a small image of a castle. I nodded and took his position so he could have his sleep. It took around five hours for us to reach the kingdom. Everyone looked like they’re in good hands as not much are seen as ragged or poor. It seems this kingdom has done a great job in forming a strong one. As a soldier gestured for me to hault, I quickly stop the horses, neighing at the making. 

Aldith got out from the wagon and took the sit beside me. “Ah! Good day Mr. Aldith, you be staying for a month again?” “Quite indeed Odulf. This here is my nephew, (Y/n). He’ll be accompanying me for this travel of mine.” “Glad to be of acquiantance Sire.” “As you do, well you may enter the kingdom.” The soldier said, giving path for us to enter. “Now, (Y/n), I’d rather you go out and about as a teen you are. Rather than sticking on me all throughout the month.” “But Aldith, I can help--” “The kingdom is safe child, make the most of your time while we are here.” He said, patting my back. I only nodded as to accept his request, it was the first time he ever did ask for one. “Now, go off and have fun but not that much fun.” He said, winking at me. I chuckled at his sudden teasing, and quickly got inside the wagon to get my satchel and two daggers, putting them on from both side of my belt. “I’ll be returning before the sun sets.” I said, taking off the big wropes on Gilow. “Keep an eye on Gilow, you know he wonders off sometimes.” He said, and as if the horse understood, he let out a huff whilst pushing Aldith a little. I quickly got on to Gilow and gave him a pat. “Come on boy, let’s go and look around.” I said as Gilow trot slowly but enough speed for me to look around. “It seems they’re having some sort of event here. Come on boy, let’s see what’s happening.” I said, but before we could even move forward, two large men seemed to corner antother merchant. 

“Please! This is all I have, I beg of you!” The merchant said, trying to stop the two big men. Everyone was now watching, six soldiers went running toward the commotion. “Stand back you two!” “Well look what we have here. Little bebi sold’rs.” The tall one from the two said.“Ye kn’w brother, I’m itchin’ fer some entertainment.” The other one said, looking a little smug as he twirls around his knife.”Might as well brother.” The other said, and before I knew it, the two men began fighting the six soldiers. “Pitty, not strong enough.” The smaller one said, throwing one soldier to the other men. It took only a few minutes for two of them to finish the fight. “Now, I seem to have something that you have?” The taller one said, getting nearer to the merchant. Instinct kicked in, and before I could even comprehend what I was doing, I got off of Gilow. “Hey, pick somebody else.” I said, causing the two large men to look at me. ‘No turning back now.’  “We have a smaller one here to fight? Does the kingdom lost all senses?” The smaller one said, laughing along to his brother. “You know, for a large man, you lot have the tiniest brain.” I said, snickers can be heard from around us. The two men glared at the others, then their eyes set on me.”Don’t mess with us child, you don’ know us.” “Oh I do, you see. Large men like you have fewer capacity to breathe because of how tall you lot are. Thus having difficulty in comprehending rather harder cases, such as ‘Bampot’ or perhaps ‘Lavvy Head’.” And with that the two men began to ran towards me. 

I quickly took this opportunity to slide down as I took out my daggers. Slashing the hem of their kilt, as I stand up fast to look at them. “Boys, who told you to strip in the open?” I said, twirling the daggers on both of my hands. The two men looked down, their kilt half slice down. Revealing the utmost horror of the part of their body. The people surrounding as began to laugh at the two. Not until the two large men began to roar, creating a terror around. Everyone began to ran away and disperse as the two men looked angrier than before.”You’ll pay for that young man!” The smaller one said, and went charging towards me. I dodged his swing and took this opportunity to hit him with the handle of the dagger within his side. He curled down instantly, “Sometimes, being a merchant is enough to know what vulnerable parts a person has.” I said, twirling the two daggers before putting them away. The other brother took this second to ram me to the cold floor. Causing me to yelp at the sudden impact. “You young man are dead!” His fist almost got me, but I was quicker. I took this opportunity to kick him on his shin, causing him to tople off of me. “You little gowk!” He said, and tried to swing his dagger to my side. But before he could even do it, I took out my dagger and stabbed his hand on the floor.

His scream must’ve caught a lot of attention as well as the by standers who witnessed everything. Soldiers began charging towards me, whilst the people cheered. “Here my boy, you can have this. This is a gift of my thanks.” “Oh no Sire, you don’t have---” “Nonsense, this is the only thing I could do. Please, I insist child.” He said, I took the small box and shoved it inside my satchel. “Who did this?” A soldier shouted, “It was the young man!” Someone shouted from the crowd. “Sire, this two men are thieves, they tried to get everything from me. This man saved me from them.” “Oh no, I only did what any other would do.” I said, getting on Gilow. “What’s your name young man?” “(F/n) sire, (F/n) (L/n).” I said and left the scene, others giving path while the people cheered. I quickly got away from the swarming people and went to the forrest to have my quiet time. A small meadow could be seen, a perfect place to relax. I got off of Gilow and slumped myself to the ground. “Aldith will kill me Gilow.” I said, groaning as I realized what I have done. The horse only neighed sympathetically, seems to understand what I meant. “I really have to get out of fights like that. I almost lost me life.” I said, taking out a bread and a carrot from my satchel. I took a chomp off of my bread and gave the carrot to Gilow. 

“I saw everything, It didn’t seem you had difficulty in dealing with them.” A female’s voice suddenly said. I quickly twirled my head around, a girl riding onto her horse. I quickly got up and ate the bread quickly before she got down. Her hair was everywhere, and it seemed to stick on certain places. “Are you new around here to?” I asked, “Uhm yes, I erm a merchant as you are.” She said, sitting a little farther away from me, whilst her horse played on the grass. I sat down, facing her, I didn’t quite got a view of her face. But the moment I saw her, my eyes widen. “Wow..” “What?” “Nothin’ ye have beautiful eyes.” I said, scratching the back of my neck. She just snorted at my statement and before I knew it, I also joined in the laugh. “What brings you here...” “Merida.” “Right, Merida?” “I was just shootin’ some trunks around here.” She said, her bow and arrow danggling from her horses’ saddle. “So, you were spyin’ on me aye?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her. “No’ really, I just happened to see et das all.” She said, looking at the sun as it is about to set. “Tell me, where have you been adventuring?” “Should you know the different places by now, Merida?” “ Is me first time.” She stated, “I don’t think yer tellin’ the truth.” I stated, teasing her at the making. She just gave a hearty laugh and looked at me. “Maybe, but perhaps that would be shared when you tell me all about your adventures.” She said, and with that, it took us hours of talking.

 Sharing my adventures while she tells me her passion and dreams. It was the very normal and yet relaxing day I’ve ever had so far in my years of existence. The sun has set, and I quickly got up from where I sat. “I’m very sorry Merida, but I have to go. I need to check up on A-- my uncle.” I said, and took my satchel as I slung it around me. Hopping onto Gilow as it neighed, signaling me to move faster. “Meet me here again, I still want to know about your story on the grand occasion towards the Maccintosh kingdom.” She said laughing, as she also hopped onto her horse. “Will do.” I said and gave her a smile before we parted ways. I quickly came back from the forest, Aldith packing up for today. I quickly got off of Gilow and told the horse to go and stand beside Aldiths’ horse. “You seemed to have took your time. What have you been up to?” “I just got lost track of time, das all.” I said,helping out in the moving of the wooden boxes. “A little bird told me you got into a fight, again.” He stated, his arms about to reach me. I quickly dodged it, “I didnt mean to! There was a merchant that needed help.” I said, trying not to look weak at his stare. 

He took a big sigh as he massage his temple. “Honestly, you will be the death of me.” He said, and looked at me as he patted my shoulder. “Anything else to say?” “Well...  I also met this lady. Probably around my age as well.” I said, setting down the wooden boxes inside the wagon. “Do tell me more.” He said, preparing the fire. “Well, she has this beautiful locks of hair, and her eyes are like the color of the sea.” I said, not realizing I was in a daze for a milisecond. “Ah, perhaps this young man has lingering feelings towards the lady?” “I don’t know, it’s early to say. But she’s fun to talk to.” “What’s her name then?” Aldith asked, finished setting up the fire and sat beside me. “Her name is Merida. She’s a merchant as well. But I don’t think she’s telling the truth though.” I said, chuckling as I recalled her sudden outburst when i said I never liked travelling far places. Aldith only looked at me, as if in a deep thinking. “Somethin’ wrong Aldith?” “I have somethin’ to tell ye (Y/n). It’s about your Mother and Father.” I looked at him, scanning his facial expression to find something that’ll say it’s all just rubbish. “Yer jokin’ right? Don’t joke about that now Aldith.” He only looked at me, the only time I’ve seen him so serious. 

“(Y/n), when you were young, there was an attack in a kingdom not far from here. It was the beginning of a war with the other kingdom, and you were just a wee bit young for everything that was happening around.” He started, as he look at the fire, dancing in the air. “I was your Father and Mother’s loyal servant. Forever indebted to them when they helped me and my family. When the kingdom was engulfed in the fire, your mother and father swore to take you far from the kingdom until there was peace. And me, as a loyal servant I am, I did what I was told. I took you to the other side of Scotland, just to be sure enough no one could track you down.” “Why are you telling me this Aldith?” I asked, looking at him as I clenched my fist. He got out something from his side and gave it to me. Without hesitating, I took the letter, engraved the seal of a kingdom and the name of Aldith. I looked at him for a while before opening it. 

Dear Aldith,

          It has been quite sometime since I last wrote you a letter. The kingdom is now at peace with the others. It took me years to fully establish the peace treaty but it has finally been done. How is my son? Did he grow stronger than before? You told me he was a very stubborn child. He got that from her mother I tell you. I hope you have your safe travels till now. I only ask for you to tell this to (y/n) when you receive this. I believe it is time for the prince to come home. And Aldith, we shall accept you with open arms in the kingdom.

                                                                                           Sincerely,

                                                                                        King Godfrey.

I looked at him, trying to grasp what I have read. “You mean... I’m a prince?” “Yes, if it weren’t for the war. You would’ve been crowned as the prince by now. I’m sorry it took me long enough to say this to you.” Aldith asked, getting up. “It’s nothing really, you just did what you had to do.” I replied, folding the letter as to keep it in my satchel. “When... when are we going to--” “We will be leaving before the end of the month.” “Then, I won’t be getting to see Merida.” Aldith looked at me, scanning for my face until he let out a hearty laugh. “I guess so. Well, if I where ye, I’d be havin’ the time of me life than sticking with an old man like me.” He said, patting my back as he went inside the tent. I looked at the fire, the only sound I could hear was the crackling of the fire, as the noise around me lessens. I only smiled, remembering the short time I had with her. She was unique, more like different than I could’ve imagined. She voices her problems and that’s what I like about her. She just..feels somewhat special. I took a deep breath before standing up. “Then I guess I’ll have the time of my life with her.” I said and went to enter the tent as well. 

The next few days turned into weeks. Only to realize It was almost a month, I was deeper in thought as I waited for Merida to show up. I waited and waited, until it was almost sunset. I was about to get up from my sit when I heard the galloping of a horse. "(Y/n)! Am sorey,ye have te wait. I had some errands I needed to finish." Merida said, removing her bow and arrow as she hang it on her horse's saddle. She jumped down and sat beside me, her fiery hair still sticking from all over the place. "It was no problem. But I do have something to tell you." I said, trying not to sound sad. "Say et faster, ye drivin' me insane!" Merida said, hitting me playfully. "I'm leaving tomorrow." That's all I had said, but the sudden silence felt suffocating. "Yer kiddin' right?" "No.. I'm really sorry. I wanted to tell you for so long I... I just couldn't fidn te right time." I said, looking at her as she looks down, fiddling with the grass on her fingers.” When will you come back.” “I’m not sure, but I’ll be back. I promise you that.” I said, as I take small takes to her fidgeting. She quickly stood up and swatted some grass all over her dress.

“Well, I take your promise then (Y/n).” She said, as she let out her hand for me to shake. I stood up as well and gave her a small smile. “See you soon, Merida.” I said, shaking her hand, but I felt like I needed more. I took the opportunity to pull her for a hug. “I really am going to miss you.” I said, as the words muffled in her hair. “I will too.” She said and finally got out from the hug. We took our last good bye and she left. I waited for her image to disappear. We left the kingdom shortly after, it took a couple of days, and it felt like years. “Aldith, are you sure my parents are going to recognize me?” “I’m sure they will, really depends on how they will react.” Aldith said jokingly, only to be replied by a soft punch from me. “I’m sure they’ve missed you. It’s been so long.” “But what if...what if they realize that I’m not needed?” I asked, looking at the sun about to set. “Well, I’m sure they had love you the way they last saw you.” He said which I gave a smile before ending it for today. “G’night Aldith.” “G’night.” 

“We are here (Y/n), wake up.” I hear Aldith said, I quickly stood up and rubbed off the sleep. The kingdom looked it had been a lot of war. The people are busy rebuilding while women helped in feeding the others who are resting. All of the people looked at us, more like looked at me. I fidget at the stares the people gave, only to be tapped on the shoulder by Aldith. “Come on, it’s time.” He said, as he got down from the wagon. I followed through, keeping a short distance as I looked down. I walked a short while until I bumped onto Aldith’s back. I slowly looked up to found a tall man, and a petite woman who holds the man hands closer than when she saw me. Without a word from Aldith, I slowly walked nearer and before I knew it, two people envelop me in a tight hug. "Oh my son. My son has finally come home." My father said, whilst my mother scanned me from top to bottom. "You grew up a man my love, how I've missed you." She said, as she cares me cheek. Her tears falling down as she gave me a smile I remember vividly in my dreams. It finally took me a while to realize I was also crying, and before I knew it, I gave out and hugged them all together. It felt surreal, it felt somewhat home. As I back out of the hug. I gave them a smile, a smile so genuine that even I couldn't imagine to make. "I've missed you Mother, Father." I said, and my Father gave me a hug. A hug I know I will always to remember. "The kingdom will have a feast, for my son has finally home!!" My father shouted, and everybody cheered.

The days turned weeks, and weeks turned into months. I've adjusted to this life, but I still kept a low profile. And always been up to check out the kingdom myself. "I'll be back before sunset, Mum." I shouted, taking a piece of sweet pasties before leaving. "Be careful dear." My mum shouted as it echoed all over the room. I quickly got on to Gilow. "Let's go Gilow!" I said, as he slowly walked. Their were greetings from left to right and when I was out and about, I put on my hood for others to not realize it's the prince. The kingdom has gotten better, and the castle was finish. But it felt something missing, and I knew what it was. I went out of the castle walls to get a breather, and took some time alone in a little pond near the kingdom. "Gilow, what do you think Merida has been up to?" I asked, the horse only neighed and pushed me in annoyance. "I know, I haven't replied on her letters for a while, she must be anxious by now." I said, rubbing out the stress. "Maybe I'll pay her a visit today. I think it's better that way." I said, and got up. "Come on, lazy horse." I said, only to be knock down by Gilow who seemed to laugh at my fall.

I quickly opened the castle doors, quickly walking in front of my father and mother to the table. "I thought you were coming back a little later? Did you forget something?" My mother asked, "Mum, could I visit a kingdom?" I asked, both of them looked at me then looked at each other in confusion. "What's the matter lass?" "Dad, could I go visit a kingdom not far from here. Aldith took me their, and I met a friend. Well we've been exchanging letters but.. I just wanted to see her again." I said, smiling. My father looked at me before letting out a hearty laugh. "But of course you can. You're just in time actually, the other kingdoms are all going to gather up on the Dunbroch Kingdom." He said, looking at my mother who seemed to laugh as well. "Thank you, father! I'll prepare my stuff for the travel." I said, and went off to my room.

Their was a lot of people in the hall, it seems like everyone was waiting for the Queen. "Mum, what is this about?" "Oh you'll see darlin'." My mum said, and patted my cheek for assurance. I scanned the surrounding, there was Macintosh, Dingwall, and MacGuffin clan. "Why are they--" "Welcome my Lords, welcome. I happily welcome you to our kingdom." The queen said, her appearance a bit intimidating. "As we all know, our clans have been a lot. So a better way to make our bonds stronger as one, it is truly time to find the first born of each kingdom to marry the first born princess of the kingdom." She said, I looked quickly at my mother who seemed to chuckle at my shock expression."Listen shhh" She said, gesturing me to look in front again. "This is our 2nd take to find the suitor for my daughter, Merida." She said, and a girl with her wild hair appeared, wearing a forest green dress, embroided with golden design. Her blue eyes glinting but she wasn't looking up, she was rather looking down. "You may present your sons my lords!" she said, and sat down beside her husband. Who seemed to repeat whatever she have said. The other Lords gave out everything, including frauding the stories they have. After a while it was my time. My hearr was beating faster than before, my cloak hiding me from the stares. "My dear Elinor, it is truly nice to see you again." My mother said, "You too Maura, greetings to you as well, Lord Godfrey. It is truly nice to see you up and running again." "It was all thanks to the clans help." My father said, "This is my son, (Y/n) who came back home only a few months back." My mother said, and that was my cue to step up. I took small steps until I took off my hood.

"Greetings, your majesty." I said, bowing down to greet them. When I looked up, I saw an infuriated red head. I gave her a small smile, and before my father could even start to speak, Merida took off her shoe and threw it at me. The others gasped as Queen Elinor shouted her name." Merida what are you doing?!" "You, you utter shit Bowfin you are!" Merida said, as she comes down the steps quickly. "You didn't reply to my letter for 2 months and now you're here with the others, without telling me you're a prince?!" Merida shouted, as she scoop her shoe up and pointed it at me. "I can explain--" "Well you betta explain quickly (Y/n) before I shove this into your arse you.. you little!!" Merida shouted and began to swat me with her shoe. Everyone began to laugh, including the king and the queen. "I swear! I promise to it!" I said, and finally Merida stopped and puffed an air as she looked at me, her cheeks redder than before. I quickly gave a laugh, one that I truly felt like nothing before. I gave her a quick hug and twirled her around. "I todl you remember, I'll be coming back for you. Because, you are my home." I said, and others cheered while Merida laughed at my cheesy line. "I hope you're ready for a lot of me, I waited for a long time." She said and got me by suprise as she gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

[jack-andthestalk]

Stuck on you, See me, Chapter 16.

Thank you as always to @balfeheughleywed, for keeping this fic afloat. Moodboard cred to @balfeheughleywed. Sorry for  the delay!

             Our guests slowly trickled home in the early hours of the morning; only a few stragglers remained, whispering couples tucked into corners of the apartment.

   Rupert was chatting up a girl in the kitchen who had bright red hair, possibly dyed, and a piercing in her nose and eyebrow that Rupert found ‘edgy’ his voice occasionally went up an octave as he came to the punch line of a joke.

  Jamie and I were thoroughly enjoying eavesdropping from our vantage position in the hall, giggling at Rupert’s efforts.  He had just told her he was a land owner, Jamie snorted “the garden at the back of his mother’s house doesna count”

  There was a high pitched giggle from the red head and a rumble from Rupert before we could hear him mumbling “do ye ken that Scottish men are hung like horses?”  

The red heads flirtatious voice murmuring is that so? There was wet kissing noises now and Jamie stuck two fingers down his throat mimicking a puking action. The kissing noises stopped and Rupert continued, “Aye that’s why we need kilts…we canna contain our cocks in breeks!”

   I put my hand over my mouth to stifle the roar of laughter and Jamie rolled his eyes muttering “fucking idiot”

  “Hey you shouldn’t knock Rupert’s tall tale it can only benefit you, you are Scottish too after all?” Jamie pulled me in close and raised his eyebrows questioningly “I will wear my kilt for ye again I hope?” an endearing boyish smiled crossed over his face and my heart tugged against my chest.

  “Well I was always partial to your kilt….” I admitted.

  Rupert emerged out of the kitchen a determined look on his face and we broke apart quickly, “Jamie man have ye a johnny?” I didn’t know which one of us was redder, but it certainly wasn’t Rupert, who stood by impatiently waiting. I glanced to the ground hoping to grant Jamie some privacy.

  Jamie cleared his throat awkwardly “I dinna have one.”

  Rupert gave him a look of utter disgust “tsk, what kind of a single man doesna have any condoms for fucks sake” and staggered off towards his bedroom purposefully.

  I engrossed myself with something on the back of my hand to try and hide my smirk. When I looked back up Jamie rolled shook his head in disdain and I could still make out the lovely shade of pink coloring his cheeks.

  I curled my arms around my middle and yawned unconsciously; Jamie reached out and touched my arm, “Ye should go to bed Claire… I am gonna head home.” I wanted to pull him to me and say “Stay, sleep with me.” The words wouldn’t come out instead I tilted my head and smiled tenderly at him, “Thank you for everything you were a great help”, Jamie rubbed the back of his neck, and looked down at the floor “aye well so were you.”

  “um er…ok I don’t know what to say to that” I giggled nervously

  “Och no I dinna mean that…I…oh Christ.”

  I pushed him playfully on the chest, “c’mon I will walk you out.”

  Jamie and I had started the day as friends and ended it with a mind numbing session on top of my bed with our hands down each other’s pants. Standing now under the streetlights the whole thing felt dreamlike, Jamie’s chin dipped down into his chest while he shifted awkwardly on his feet.

  “Well goodnight then Jamie.” I said quietly, pulling at the sleeves of my cardigan nervously.

  He raised his head to look at me, intensity in his eyes that made me feel giddy.

  “this is akin to a first date Sassenach….well the nervous goodbye bit is anyway…should I kiss ye…will ye slap me?” his eyes were sparkling now.

  “You’ve already kissed me tonight Fraser…and worse, have you forgotten already?” I teased.

  “Not a chance, I remember, every fuckin’ second of it Claire.” His tone deepened, and he put his hand on my waist pulling me into him.

  “so… can I kiss ye good night then?”

  He stood hesitantly waiting for me to answer; I just nodded and walked into his lips, standing on tippy toe. My intention was a chaste kiss but Jamie wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, tilted his head took my whole mouth zealously. When we broke away Jamie’s lips hovered over mine barely touching, a slightly stunned expression on his face.

  We both grinned stupidly at each other, Jamie’s hand roamed round and cupped my arse, and he rested his head against my forehead. He stood there for a minute or two before he shifted away slightly, looking for something in his pockets.

“Claire… I dinna have yer number?”

  “what?” my eyebrows creased in confusion.

  “Yer phone number?”

  “Oh” I nodded and widened my eyes in realisation.

  Jamie’s looked at the ground and he mumbled, “I ken ye dinna have the same one anymore….”

  I didn’t need to ask how he knew; after I left he had tried several ways to get in touch when he failed to get through on my old number.

   “of course” I said quickly not wanting to dampen the moment with reliving the path that led to me changing my number. He took out his phone punching in the numbers while I called it out giving me a lopsided grin when he was done.

  “Goodnight Sassenach” he said taking a step backwards, keeping his gaze locked on me.

  “Goodnight Mr. Fraser.”

   A lot had changed in 12 hours.

          A few nights later while watching Lamb swirl his wine around in a globe like glass, I contemplated how the hell I was going to tell him about Jamie’s resurgence in my life.

  “Darling you look hypnotised, are you ok?” Lamb asked voice full of concern.

  Lamb had been on a dig in India for the past six weeks and was back in London for a short stay before he flew off to his next project. Our customary catch up dinner was quieter than usual as my conscience battled over whether I should continue lying to him until I knew what was happening with Jamie and me, or come clean and tell him how I was allowing Jamie back into my life with gusto, resulting in a dizzy silliness that was embarrassing if nothing else.

    I shrugged my shoulders and smiled briefly, “No sorry I am fine…I just am just out of it after the night shifts.” Lamb and I were sitting in rustic wooden dining booths, which lined the gastro pub walls back to back, there was a band setting up in the corner of the restaurant and I vaguely wished they would start to play so it would drowned out my attempt at excuses.

  He nodded sceptically, making a sucking sound between his tongue and teeth to dislodge something stuck. “Good I was afraid yourself and Cathal were having a little trouble.”

  Lamb was either more intuitive than I gave him credit for or guessing wildly, either of which was backing me up into a corner. Now I had to tell him about Cathal. I took a deep breath and decided weakly maybe it was enough for one night to break it to him about Cathal; Jamie was another night’s work.

  “Actually Lamb…you’re not too wrong on that score…myself and Cathal you see actually have split up.” I smiled nervously, playing with the rim of my wine glass, “Just wasn’t to be I suppose”, I took a long deep gulp of my wine and avoided Lamb’s perplexed gaze.

  “But before I went to India…you two seemed so happy? What on earth happened in six weeks my love?”

  “I just needed space.” My face was burning up, it always betrayed me.

    Lamb extended a hand and placed it over mine. “Claire…what is going on?”

  My mind was racing trying to decide how much to tell Lamb, I was granted a quick reprieve when his phone rang suddenly.

  He shuffled in his pocket and retrieved the phone, looking at the screen, “I’m sorry sweetheart” he gestured at the phone “I gotta take this.”

  While Lamb left the table to take the call, I attempted to build up courage to mention Jamie’s name at least…maybe say he started working in the hospital?

Shit, no that wouldn’t do, I had just mentioned Cathal and I had broken up, too much of a coincidence that Jamie was now working with me.

  Off course I could come clean? I could tell him the whole sorry affair.

  And that was the other issue; I knew how Lamb would react. Well that and the whole affair almost seemed like it existed in my imagination as I hadn’t been able to see Jamie since the party three nights ago.

  Our working shifts at the hospital literally on opposite ends of the clock. The only thing that made it tangible was the yearning and ridiculous giddiness when my phone lit up with a message from him at the beginning of my shift or the end of his.

  The first of them had arrived the morning after the party.

   Jamie: I tried being suave and aloof and I dinna plan on texting ye til at least 12 hours after I had scored yer number but I am a weak man when it comes to ye Sassenach...I canna seem to stop myself…

  My jaws had almost cracked from smiling and the texts were coming hot and fast since then.

  So distracted was I in remembering the flirty exchanges, I hadn’t notice the door of the pub opening, admitting Rupert and Jamie, shoulders hunched from the cold and rubbing their hands furiously. My jaw dropped slightly and a sickly panic feeling rolled down my back. Fuck.

  I had arranged to meet Jamie sometime later that evening, vaguely mentioning I had dinner plans and would ring him when I was finished. I watched as he leaned over the bar, waiting for his drink, glancing down at his phone.

  I sank further into my seat, hoping he wouldn’t see me. Lamb returned to our table and noisily started apologising for his absence. Jamie’s head snapped up when he heard the commotion, catching my eye in the process.

  Jamie’s face lit up and he gave a little wave, Lamb was sitting the other side of the booth hidden from view. I smiled back weakly and quickly looked away again but it didn’t deter him, Jamie was already making confidence strides in my direction and my stomach was turning in on itself with stress.

  “Hey” I could hear him say from above my head. I took a deep breath and before I said another word, I gave him an apologetic smile. “Hi”

  Lambs slightly shocked voice cut through our reverie, “James?” he asked incredulously.

  If Lamb looked shocked then Jamie’s expression was nearer to shook. His mouth fell slightly agape “Lambert…I dinna see ye there…” his breath shook slightly “it’s been a while.” Jamie outstretched his hand, lamb looked at it cautiously for a minute before taking it and with a coldness I had never heard from him before he replied, “yes it has”

  “Lamb, I was just about to tell you that Jamie is working at the hospital, he is a qualified physiotherapist now…isn’t that great?” words babbling from my mouth nervously.

  Lamb looked at me as if I was half mad and then returned his steel gaze to Jamie.

  “You’re living in London?” He asked incredulously.

  “Aye…only moved here a couple of months ago now” Jamie shifted away from the table slightly, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

  “And what on earth would bring a scot like yourself to London?” Lamb shook his head in disbelief and widened his eyes dramatically. He was playing a game and it was obvious, I was only waiting on it to get progressively worse depending on Jamie’s answer.

  “I…em…I wanted a change and …” Jamie was stuttering, Lamb gave him a cold stare and a detached smile. “And did your girlfriend move with you?” he interrupted. I shot Lamb a look, Jamie’s eyebrows creased in confusion “my girlfriend?” he asked slowly.

  “Yes …your girlfriend…that is why you and my niece broke up? No? You had met someone else I think?” Lamb rubbed his chin contemplatively, pretending to think hard on the matter.

  Jamie’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped, “Eh no sir that is not quite what happened…I dinna…”

  “Oh well then” Lamb said rubbing his hands together happily, “it was just one big misunderstanding then?” Jamie’s gaze dropped to the floor. Lamb interpreted it as guilt, which it probably was, “I didn’t think so” Lamb replied flatly.

  Jamie’s head snapped up and his eyes narrowed slightly, “Lambert I ken I did wrong by Claire…but I certainly dinna leave her for another lassie…I made a very stupid stupid mistake …and I have tried to explain myself to Claire as best I can…she has been….” Before he could continue Lamb turned to look at me, “Claire darling…I shall not interfere any further but I hope that while James was explaining”, he over pronounced ‘explaining’ mockingly, “that he understood what it was like for you also to live in the shadow of his mistake hmm?” Lamb busied himself putting his coat on and throwing cash on the table.

  Jamie unfortunately interrupted “Lambert I ken what I put Claire through…I will be sorry for it forever…you must ken that?”

  “Oh so you knew then? How when I returned from a Egypt, I found my niece so malnourished, she had to be hospitalized?...that she paused her soaring medical career because you had broken her….over a fling with a woman…I believe you acquired in a bar?”

  “Lamb, stop it!” I snapped.

    Lamb put his hands up in defeat, “I promise I will not say another word.”

  He leaned across the table and kissed me on the cheek, “I love you darling, call me tomorrow.”

  With one curt nod in Jamie’s direction, “Goodnight James” Lamb exited throwing his scarf over his shoulder gliding out of the door with a proud hold across his shoulders.

  I turned to look at Jamie, a heartbroken look across his face, “I’m so sorry Claire…” he said softly.

[keelywolfe]

FIC: Keep Your Pants On

Summary: Watching the ‘wacky skeleton’ antics is a time-honored tradition for Monsters. There are a few subtle differences now that they are on the surface, but hey, some things never change. 

Notes: I don’t even remember the last time I giggled so hard writing a story. 

Also on AO3

By Any Other Name Masterlist

~~*~~

It was only in the middle of the morning when Edge got an unexpected text from his brother. He picked up his phone curiously, reading the message with a frown.

you might want to come out here

With wary interest, he did. His office was on the third floor which was generally reserved only for those who worked for the Embassy. Jeff would likely never know it, but Edge had been the one who requested special permissions attached to his clearance to allow for him to pass through security, in case of an emergency.

Other Monsters were coming out of their offices, all wearing looks of curiosity. This did not bode well, what had his brother done…

The elevator door opened with a quiet ding and most of the third floor of the Embassy was treated to the sight of Stretch storming off it, dressed only in a long white sheet wrapped around him like a toga.

Ah.

The security guard barely glanced up from his magazine, “Hey, Stretch, nice sheet.”

“fuck off,” he snapped back. All the other Monsters stepped back as he stomped through towards Edge. His eye lights were snapping orange, his cheek bones hectically flushed the same shade. He was visibly livid.

He was gorgeous.

Edge waited patiently while Stretch stalked up to him, tamping down his sudden surge of arousal. That would have to wait.

Stretch stopped in front of him, breathing hard, and snarled out, “where the fuck are all my clothes?”

“Hello, love,” Edge said calmly. “Did you need something?”

“…don’t. don’t you even!” He scrambled to hold out a crumpled piece of paper…where had he even put that? It wasn’t worth considering. Edge took it and skimmed it. Not that he didn’t know what it said, his own neat handwriting on the page.

“Hmm,” Edge considered, “It says here that you’ve lost all your clothing privileges until you can dress like an adult again.”

“i can read, you prick!” Stretch glared at him furiously. His magic was glowing in his joints, snapping at his fingertips, and Edge automatically braced himself. Not that Stretch would hurt him, not on purpose, but it paid to be cautious. “what the fuck are you trying to pull!”

“Perhaps I’m trying to make it so I don’t get stared down on the sidewalk when we’re in public together?” Edge asked archly and Stretch sputtered, seething.

To be fair, Edge had started it although he liked to think he’d been driven to it. It was all because of Stretch‘s fondness of atrocious t-shirts. If it had terrible word play or an advertisement for some absurd, horrible product that no one would ever want, then Stretch needed to own it. Generally, they were covered by his sweatshirt, but this past week had been unseasonably hot and Edge had been treated daily to an endless array of the wretched things.

By the end of the week, he had simply been tired of seeing them and he’d asked Stretch, perhaps a little snarkier than necessary, if he’d signed some kind of contract that only allowed him to wear the ugliest t-shirts possible and if so, he should offer a refund.

He should have known better. Stretch seemed to take it as a personal challenge. Suddenly, he was wearing a different shirt every hour, each one more horrid than the last. When the weather cooled, he wore one of the damn things over his sweatshirt. He knotted them together to wear as a kilt instead of his normal track pants. The final straw had been when Edge had opened the curtain for his morning shower and found one hanging in the stall that had on it a picture of Stretch wearing yet another t-shirt with a picture of himself on it, and again, on to infinity.

It was entirely possible he’d snapped at that point.

“you emptied the entire closet!” Stretch screeched. He had. It had taken most of the night and it had been oh, so worth the effort.

“And you wore one of our Egyptian cotton sheets on the bus,” Edge pointed out, idly, “At least stop dragging it on the ground.”

“you even took the socks! and shoes!” Somehow, his growing indignation only made him more appealing. “i was barefoot on the fucking bus, they almost didn’t let me on!”

“Interesting, I would have thought the sheet would have been more of a deterrent,” Edge mused.

“i am not leaving without pants, i swear to fucking hell, edge, you—”

His ranting took a backseat to a sudden wolf whistle that rang over the office and it was that whistle that made Edge abruptly realize Stretch was gradually losing his tenuous grip on the sheet. It had already slid halfway down his spine at the back. Who the fuck…the smirk dropped off Edge's face like a falling stone and lacking any one person, he glared at the collection of people around them.

All of whom were watching with richly interested expressions as Stretch ranted and gestured with his free hand while the sheet steadily crept lower.

“Don't you people have work to do?" Edge snapped, agitated. A low murmur of denials was all he got for his troubles.

Oh, for…roughly, Edge stripped off his suit jacket and tried to sling it over Stretch’s shoulders, only to have it furiously shrugged away, “don’t, don’t you even—”

“Why don’t we discuss this in my office,” Edge said through gritted teeth. His amusement at the situation had faded the second it had gone from slapstick to burlesque.

Somehow, the sparkling orange in Stretch’s eye lights grew furiously brighter, “listen, asshole, i rode the bus in a fucking sheet, you will get me pants and you will get them now! i am trending on twitter, do you hear me? i have zero fucks left to give! i want pants if you have to peel them off fucking asgore!”

"I will give you my pants if you will just come with me!” Edge snapped, a little desperately because that sheet was growing more precarious by the moment and he was not enjoying the array of eyes lingering on his increasingly naked husband in the slightest.

To his surprise, Stretch stopped and gave him a thin smile, hitching his sheet up a couple of inches. “fine. hand them over.”

Edge blinked, replaying the words in his head, and realization hit. “I meant that I would give them to you in my office.”

Stretch’s smile was reminiscent of one of Red’s, sharp and spiteful, “hand. them. over.”

Well. This little prank had taken a particularly unpleasant turn. At this point, people were coming up from other floors to watch the commotion, so either they followed Stretch on twitter or people were sending texts, which they certainly could because every Monster there seemed to have their cell phone out, likely recording this for later enjoyment. Half of them were calmly sipping coffee, enjoying this unexpected mid-morning show.

For all that strategy was usually Edge’s greatest strength, it was currently failing him. What he did know was that he wasn’t about to take his pants off because he didn’t wear anything beneath his damn pants, something that Stretch knew all too well.

“I am not taking my pants off in this hallway,” Edge gritted out.

“well, i’m not wearing anything under this sheet, so make your choice,” Stretch hissed. He loosened his grip, letting it slide back down and the intrigued murmur that ran through the crowd was making fond thoughts of murder percolate in Edge’s skull.

Edge sighed inwardly. He was going to be paying for this for a very long time, but options were limited, and he made his choice.  

Quickly, he caught up the end of the sheet and wrapped it around Stretch’s upper torso, pinning his arms before he could do more than yelp a protest. Then he ducked down enough to swing him over his shoulder and carried him briskly down the hall. It worked, but the effect that came from it was exactly as he expected.

“put me down!” Stretch howled, squirming against the dual constrictions of the sheet and Edge’s arm around his waist. “put me down, you asshole!”

Since he doubted at this point that he could make things worse, Edge gave Stretch a pointed slap on the pelvis, “Stop squirming, you’re going to make me drop you.”

It was the opposite of helpful as not only did his squirming increase, so did his volume. Edge winced at a particularly violent suggestion for his various orifices. That was certainly…creative.

If this ended up on Youtube he was going to rip out someone’s spine. Probably his own brother’s.

At the end of the hallway, Janice was holding open the door to his office helpfully and Edge muttered a thank you that she couldn’t have heard over Stretch’s angry curses.

Not that her smirk really deserved one.

He kicked the door shut behind him before lowering his squirming bundle to the floor and wincing as a spastic flail caught him across the face. A small price to pay to see Stretch emerging from his cotton prison, as puffed up and angry as a wet cat.

Before he could spit out a word, Edge had already skimmed off his trousers and tossed them into his face. “Pants. As requested.”

His indignation deflated a little with the demanded item in hand, fingering the fine material. Without an audience, his temper was cooling quickly. Stretch never had been able to stay angry for long. “i don’t even want your pants, i wanted my own,” Stretch muttered.

“Well, I didn’t bring them downtown,” Edge said archly. Stretch looked up at him, his eye lights flicking down his body, and Edge stood straight and let him. Yes, he likely looked a bit ridiculous without his trousers in a full suit that included his socks, but it was certainly better than looking like this in front of the entire office.

The anger had faded from Stretch’s eye lights, replaced by disbelief, “are you actually turned on?”

“Yes,” Edge admitted. It wasn’t as if he could deny it without his pants acting as a barrier. Between Stretch’s glorious temper tantrum and his delightful squirming, Edge didn’t have much motive to resist.

“pervert.” But the gleam in Stretch’s eye lights told him he didn’t mind.

Smirking, Edge reached behind him and flicked the lock on the door. They may as well indulge in the very thing that the entire Embassy was likely gossiping they were doing. The pants were tossed aside as Edge pushed Stretch to the ground, and put his foul mouth to better use.

Later, they were both tangled in the sheet when Edge picked up his phone, scrolling through the variety of messages. One from Red caught his attention and he read it silently.

there's bets going on. odds are 2 to 1 that you’re having sex. fifty to one that stretch outright murders you. what are we looking at paying out on?

Edge considered, then typed back, How much if I murdered him?

please. no bet, no one is stupid enough to lose money on you laying a rough finger on him, much less hurting him.

Irrationally pleased, Edge sent back, pay out 2 to 1, and settled back against the sofa arm, resting his cheekbone against the top of Stretch’s skull.  He had meetings in less than an hour, a stack of paperwork to finish, and a secretary who surely knew what was going on behind his closed door.

Eventually, he’d work up the energy to care.

Next to him, Stretch stirred. “whatever you're planning to do to that kid who whistled at me, you can stop right there.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“yeah, right,” Stretch yawned. He sat up, groaning. “don't even try that innocent act, pal, i know you.”

Edge only hummed, trailing his fingers down the spine that had come so close to being on display for most of the Monster contingency in the Embassy. It was not a view he was particularly interested in sharing, for any reason.

Stretch sighed, leaning briefly against the pressure of his hand and then drew away, “not that this wasn’t fun, but i still don’t have any clothes.”

Reluctantly, Edge let him go. “There’s a gym bag in the closet over there, you’re welcome to whatever is in it.”

“that’ll work,” Stretch said and leaned down to peck him sweetly on the cheek bone.

Laying on the sofa, Edge watched in appreciative silence as Stretch dug through the bag and found sweatpants and a plain black t-shirt, all that smooth, sleek bone disappearing beneath cotton fabric. Distracted as he was, he didn’t notice until Stretch was finished shoving his feet into a pair of tennis shoes that his mouth was curved in a malicious smirk.

Neatly, Stretch plucked up Edge’s trousers from the floor and he could only watch in horror as Stretch called cheerily over his shoulder as he walked out the door, “see you at home!”

“Wait!”

He may as well have saved his breath.

For a long moment, Edge sat beneath the sheet and considered his options. There were plenty of people in the Embassy who would bring him a pair of pants. There wasn’t a single one who wouldn’t make him pay for it.

Edge tipped his head back and laughed helplessly, harder than he had in his entire life, until he was breathless, his chest aching. Then he picked up his phone to scroll through his contacts, weighing the pros and cons of who he was going to beg for help.

-finis

[drabble-junky]

Train Escapades || Diana & Steve

Pairing: Diana Prince x Steve Trevor

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1545

A/N: There wasn’t enough time to show Diana & Steve’s train ride to the front in the film so I was inspired to write what I would like to have happened. Idk what time it was so I just made it the afternoon for fanfic’s sake. I’d really appreciate some feedback! (:

The sound of chugging trains and chattering people filled the afternoon air as a certain, Amazonian princess munched the last of her newly-found love, an ice cream cone.

“That went fast,” said Steve Trevor, grinning ear to ear. He didn’t know if he’d ever smile again, until she stepped in his life.

“I’ve never tasted anything more delightful,” Diana replied gleefully. “How do they make it?”

“With milk, and a ridiculous amount of sugar.”

“We should try some day.”

“We will,” he spoke assuringly, although his smile faded, for he was actually unsure if that day would ever come.

Steve ushered her through the crowd until they finally reached their train. He opened the door and like a gentlemen, he held up her hand as she stepped through before him. His action was puzzling but she forgot it as soon as she caught sight of the car’s interior.

“There’s two beds!”

“What about it?” He set their bags down.

“Now we don’t have to be married to sleep,” she teased, nudging his arm.

He leaned back on the cushion laughing. What tickled him more than her comment was how comical their conversation that night was when he thought back on it. Diana sat next to him, adorably proud of her jest. Facing his feet, Steve sighed and smiled to himself. He glanced up, only to find a pair of brown eyes gazing into his. Her hair was stuffed in a frizzy bun and her hat couldn’t be any plainer, yet she was still the most exquisite being he’s ever laid eyes on. Having only seen the most magnificent women her entire life, Diana didn’t think the same, but never has she seen eyes so blue she could drown in them.

They didn’t realize how long they were staring until the blaring whistle signaled their departure. Steve turned away and took off his hat, twisting it in his hands. It was so unlike him to gaze at anyone that long but he felt no discomfort. She gave him a sort of confidence he’s never felt in his life. Diana obviously felt more than confident in everything she would possibly do. He looked back to find her watching the world pass by through the window.

“Incredible,” she remarked with her hands pressed against the glass, captivated by not only the spectacle, but how man invented such a thing.

“It sure is.”

Moving trains and ice cream had always been trivial in his eyes but he realized the beauty in everything when she discovered it.

Their solitude was disturbed when Sameer barged in. Instinctually, Diana whipped out her sword quicker than she saw who came in. Sameer let out a girlish scream before Steve yanked it from her hand and tossed it to the other seat.

“What’s going on?” Steve asked, alarmed at the man’s uneasiness.

“I lost my ticket, and they’ll be collected anytime now. I don’t know what to do!”

“What?!”

“I’m a fool, I’m a fool, I’m a foo-”

“Enough! Just-” Steve clenched his jaw. “Diana, stay here. I’ll be back.”

The pair dashed out, leaving her to decide on whether she should listen and stay put. The thought of every time someone told her she couldn’t do something was what drove her out the door, determined to help. Sadly, she had no idea which way they went or which car they’d possibly be in. She kept on walking though, hoping to hear them.

“Have you looked everywhere?” Steve panicked.

“He’s even looked up my kilt, as if there’s any room for it there.” Charlie snickered.

Steve frantically searched their bags. “This isn’t a laughing matter!”

Minutes passed, and Diana still found no sign of her comrades. Her attention shifted to the craftsmanship of the corridor. She marveled at the gold patterns embroidered in the red fabrics.

Suddenly, a door swung open, but instead of Steve’s clamoring, she heard a wailing baby. Its mother was carelessly walking away with the door cracked, off to do Zeus knows what. With a twinkle in her eye and compassion in her heart, she skipped to the door where the baby continued howling.

Charlie peeked his head out their door. “Hate to say it, laddie, but the conductor is but a few steps away.”

“Goodbye Steven, goodbye women, goodbye MONEY! There’ll be none of that in jail,” Sameer cried out as he plopped pathetically on the seat. The little man was smaller than the cushion he laid on. This gave Steve a bright idea.

“Hey Charlie, you don’t happen to have a knife up that kilt, do you?”

Diana carefully picked up the screaming baby as if it was a glass doll, easily shattered. She hushed it softly. “It’s alright, it’s alright,“ she spoke tenderly, rocking it in her arms. Her eyes scanned its face, little hands, and teeny socks. The most precious thing she ever did see. “You must be a girl, a beautiful girl.”

Soothed by Diana’s voice, the baby stopped crying and her eyes fell sleepily. All she wanted was to be comforted but her mother stupidly abandoned her.

Steve headed back to the other railcar, smirking at his clever plan. A woman passed him through the corridor. They exchanged polite nods before he arrived at his door. He opened it, expecting to find his so-called secretary sitting idly, but she was nowhere in sight. “Diana!” He called out. His shout was met with a scream.

“WHO ARE YOU?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

“I’m sorry, I was only-”

He’d recognize that voice anywhere. Terrified, he fled down the aisle swifter than Hermes then crashed into Diana, who was shoved out by a furious mother. The door slammed in their faces when other passengers peered out their doors, wondering who made that ruckus. Steve stood up and tugged Diana back to their space before the conductor would enter this railcar. If she were an ordinary woman, her arm might’ve been ripped from its socket.

“What in God’s name were you doing?! I told you to stay here,” he exclaimed, smacking the door shut.

“I went to help you but got lost then that baby was crying and-”

“You touched someone’s baby?!”

“I held her.”

“You can’t do tha-”

“I can’t leave a helpless baby to scream all alone! What kind of mother would-”

“This isn’t Paradise Island, Diana. Children are kidnapped and killed all the time. Even if she left her, you can’t do that if she’s gonna come back!”

“Killed?” She sat down with horror in her eyes. Who would even think of harming something so innocent, so precious?

Him.

Only him.

“Ares,” she muttered.

Steve rolled his eyes until a knock interrupted them. He opened the door to find the conductor standing outside so he grabbed their tickets from his pocket then handed them as if there was nothing wrong.

“Is everything okay?” The man inquired, stamping the tickets against the wall.

“Fine, sir,” Steve replied.

“I was told of some commotion.” He peeked at Diana through the door. “From a woman in a hat.”

“Oh… my sister.” Steve glanced back and forth. “She’s a bit… off her rocker, you see? She mistook someone else’s car for ours. No harm done.”

“I’m glad to hear. As long as no one’s hurt, I’ll be on my way.” He handed their tickets back.

“Thank you.”

Steve closed the door then faced Diana who was staring out the window again. The sun was setting and the sky grew darker. He sat down and took her hand in his. “Just promise me you won’t do something like this again, I beg.”

She turned to meet his pleading, blue eyes. How could she say no?

“I promise.”

He sighed in relief but her eyes lingered on his. She had him wrapped around her little finger. There was no way he could stay mad at her long.

“You know you can take that hat off now?”

“Oh, I forgot I had it,” she said removing it and letting her hair loose. Her tousled, black locks fell beautifully against her shoulders. Now he could see her in all her glory. If only he knew of the fluttering she felt in her stomach when he looked at her. Out of all the people she’s met on her journey, it’s with him she’s felt most at home in this evermore peculiar place.

What would become of them when she finally defeated Ares?

Diana wanted to remain comrades, or perhaps more than that.

“So, how did you help Sammy?” She broke the silence.

“We sliced up the seat and he hid under it.” Steve laughed. “He’s small enough to smuggle.”

“Shame on you.” She giggled then nudged his arm the way she did earlier.

It was the perfect time to kiss her, but how would she react? Maybe she’d hate him for it. Maybe they weren’t meant to be together in that way.

Why was he thinking this when the world was falling apart around them?

“Well, it’s been a long day. We should rest.” He stood up and sat on the other seat.

Diana nodded, clearing a space to lay her head. “Goodnight, Steve.”

He loved when she said his name.

“Goodnight, angel.”