Between The Pages

Chapter 27

Despite their first meeting not being very amiable, Sir Happy proved himself to be a very useful ally. He knew his way through the Bog of Eternal Stench like the back of his paw and throughout their travel, the little cat informed his new friends of recent information that took place within the castle.

"According to the whispers between the goblins and the fairies, their king is changing."

"Changing how?" Lucy asked.

"Well apparently he's more patient, more gentle and thoughtful. He doesn't bully the other creatures like he used to. and he's behaving very kindly. But Alok isn't too pleased with these changes. And neither is Briar."

"Who's Briar?" Erza asked.

"She calls herself the official royal sorceress, you know as if she's important or something, but she's actually just some witch from the junkyard who Alok made prettier in exchange for some magic tips. She's been lusting after the goblin king for years but he wants nothing to do with her."

"Glad to know that my brother at least has some good sense." Lucy said. "He's much too good for any of our father's phonies."

"Phonies?" Natsu said. "What do you mean phonies?"

"Well  father can't really create anything from scratch. He can only copy from something or change something into another thing. For example, this Briar is most likely just some ugly witch he twisted up to look more attractive or something like that."

"So he didn't create all those goblins and fairies and stuff?"

"No."

"What about the labyrinth?"

"He didn't create that either. The labyrinth has existed long before my father came  into the world. It's probably as old as the world, where you come from."

"But didn't he create the castle and all these weird landmarks?"

"That's Gray's handiwork. Unlike Father, he can create and he's highly imaginative. In fact his skills in creating are so advanced that sometimes he could even bring his dreams to life."

"Wait a minute, how is that your father can't but your brother can?"

"I honestly don't know. I guess it's because he has no imagination. All of his ideas have come from outside sources."

"And you said that Gray could bring his dreams to life. What does that mean exactly?"

"Gray was just a boy when our father began teaching him magic and because his young age, he couldn't exactly get it. He didn't know to channel it or what to use it for. But like all children, his mind would conjure images that amused him greatly. Images that he wanted to really see and touch. He soon found a way to make those images real, in the forms of crystals."

Lucy smiled softly as she recalled the childhood days of he would create the most unusual but amazing things for them to play with. Butterflies with wings of any color, birds with the voices of musical instruments, animals that could dance on two legs, starlight and moonbeams. It was all such a delight.

"His dreams and imaginations were beautiful." She continued. "He had this one in particular that was always his favorite. A recurring a dream about a lovely couple who would make music, and dance, and play with him. But he'd always become so sad when they would disappear."

Her smile fell as she recalled something else.

"And there was a darker side to his gift. His dreams and imagination could be made into a reality but so could his nightmares and his fears. The worst was always this dreadful nightmare about some monster going after him. Some nights I'd hear him screaming and crying, I'd go into his room and I'd see that thing hovering over him with these giant black wings."

"Creepy."

"Just what kind of monster was it?" Erza asked.

"I never really got a good look at it. As soon as I entered Gray's room, I'd call out his name, he'd wake up, and then it would be gone. They eventually faded but I don't think anything could have frightened him more than that."

"You know I used to have recurring nightmares about being trapped on train."

"What's so scary about that?" Erza asked.

"I get motion sickness real easy. Sometimes I'd wake up puking."

"Ewww!" Lucy and Erza gagged.

"Relax I haven't done that in years." He assured them. "But you know, there is something I've been wondering."

"What?" Lucy asked.

"Well from what I've heard, this father of yours obviously has no love for you, right?"

"Yes."

"You're positive he has no love for your brother?"

"No love for either of us what so ever."

"Then why were you abandoned while he was kept? Why didn't he abandon Gray too?"

"I've been trying to figure that out for years. At first I thought that maybe deep down, way deep down in that dark, unfeeling, pit, he calls a heart, he might actually harbor some tenderness for Gray. But it wasn't long before I realized that couldn't possibly be true. If it was then he wouldn't have treated Gray the way he did. I just wish I knew what he wants with Gray if he doesn't love him."

"Well I have a theory." Erza said in a tone that was apprehensive. "But I don't want to upset you Lucy or cause any panic."

"What do you mean? What is this theory of yours?"

"Before I answer, keep in mind that I'm only drawing conclusions from you've said. I have no evidence that confirms this notion."

"Just spit it out Erza." Natsu said impatiently.

Erza hesitated before speaking again.

"Well you all know what farms are, right?"

"Yes." Lucy answered.

"Of course." Natsu replied.

"And meat such as pork comes from pigs which are commonly found on farms. Farmers raise pigs. They feed them, shelter them, keep them close yet none of these actions are done out of love. Farmers take care of pigs until the time comes to take them to slaughterhouse so they can be made into meat to sell."

"You're kind of making me hungry Erza." Natsu said.

"What do farmers and pigs have to do with any of this?" Happy asked.

"It's an analogy if you will. My theory is that maybe Alok has been taking care of Gray all the years because once he matures, Alok can use him for something. In other words he's raising Gray as a farmer raises a pig for slaughter."

Lucy was considering the theory before Erza was finished speaking. She started to look visibly ill. Her body was trembling, and for a moment she looked like she was going to faint. Natsu was ready to catch her if she did.

"Now calm down Lucy." He told her gently.

"Oh God." She choked.

"Listen to me, we don't know for sure if that's the case. Erza said that she was only going off of what you said. Nothing else."

"Don't panic Lucy." Happy said fanning her with his wings. "Take deep breaths."

"What's he going to do to him?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Natsu gently sat Lucy down on a log and held her hand.

"Somebody get her some water." He said.

Erza and Happy both nodded them flew off to find some fresh water. Natsu just stayed by her side and comforted her.