Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! Gobble gobble!!! Hope you all have a wonderful break and holiday!!
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Natsu's POV:
"You!" My fists were out, full of flames. I couldn't take it any longer, I couldn't resist seeing Jude's face all destroyed and bruised. I gripped so hard, my knuckles were as white as snow. That look made me tense, so tense that my muscles got sore. That look made me want to punch him, and so I did, or at least tried to do.
Someone blocked me, and it wasn't Jude's guard. "Ah, ah, ah," Jude made a "tsk" sound and shook his fingers like a parent would say "no no" to their kids, "an action like that, Lord Dragneel, is something you shouldn't do so recklessly. You are, in fact, faced with a whole army, and let's not forget my escorts," he pointed to the man that blocked my fiery punch. I glanced at him. A Mage, it looks like, is working for Jude. So he really did prepare this with a lot of thought.
The Mage had a black robe on that covered most of his face and body. On instinct, I sniffed him. He's a Mage, alright, and from a guild too, but which one? His guild mark wasn't visible because of the black cloak that covered him. Still, I could see him faintly grin when he blocked me. He let go of my fist and I backed away only an inch away from him, but an inch closer to Jude. It wasn't the Mage that troubled me. It was Jude and his army.
I grit my teeth and bared my fangs, showing my hate for Jude. Some of the soldiers backed away a little, their weapons out and ready to be used. "What exactly do you want anyway? You have all this planned. You don't need me."
"Oh, but my friend, I do need you," his smirk made me sick. I hated seeing this side of Jude, or any side of him, in fact. I may be the one that looks likes a monster, but it doesn't count if you don't play the part on the inside as well. I may be the "monster" everyone is afraid of, but the true monster lies within a mad man's heart, and this man is mad enough to have that monster within. "You see, the role of a king is to create order in his kingdom, not to mention be fair to his people," he started again.
"What are you getting at, Old Man?" I didn't take my eyes off him, or the man next to him. My eyes were wildly green like forest fires, burning rapidly.
He chuckled, "You really are simpleminded aren't you, my friend?"
"I am not your friend, not even an acquaintance," I glared at him. My knuckles turned white again and flames surrounded all over me.
"It's pretty simple, actually. Create order. I want to join the two kingdoms together and work as one. I want us to finally have peace."
"World domination, in other words. You want to control the whole prize, you want the whole prize."
"Ah, but a man can only dream, can't he? World domination, you say? I think it's a bit more smaller than that. Sure, we might control smaller territories over time, but we can discuss that as a whole. As a community."
I shook my head and closed my eyes, then opened them, "You can't deceive me like you deceived your subjects, Jude. You don't have that kind of power over me."
"Oh, but I do, Lord Dragneel. You have underestimated a king's abilities, and for that, you get to see them yourself," Jude grinned and snapped his fingers. Confused, I looked at him.
"Huh?" I grinned and almost laughed, "What kind of power does a king have that a dragon like me should pay attention to?"
Someone interrupted us, "My lord, it is not safe up here. We are taking action any moment now. I suggest you have this discussion on the airship," the Mage bowed. Even though his eyes weren't visible, I could tell he was looking at me, watching my every move.
"Ah yes, that's a great idea! Come, Lord Dragneel. I'll show you around our airship. You will find it most enjoyable," Jude joined in. Yeah, I'll definitely find it most enjoyable. More like most boring! Well anyway, I knew that wasn't what he was planning, so I kept my guard up.
I can't deny him, though, not like this. And I'm still bound to his contract, so that means I have to cooperate with him. Ugh, "Lead the way," I faked bowed. He grinned and led the way. I followed him.
Not too long after, we entered the airship. And when I said "we," I meant Jude, his fellow Mage companions, a ton of guards, and of course, myself. The inside of the airship looked just like the palace throne room but a lot bigger. It felt more spaced out in here, than in the palace. I guess it's probably just me.
Sharp, metal pain shot through my head and I landed face first on the red carpet ground. My eyes were all droopy and soon after, they closed. Still, I was awake. I heard Jude say, "Restrain him!" to me and I felt hands and pointy objects touch my wings and my tail, chaining them up, and cuffing my wrists. Everything seemed distant and blurry, like a bad dream, but what came after was no dream, but a nightmare.
"Behold, Natsu, the power of a true king!"
That was the last thing heard before everything went totally black. But before that happened, one word came out of my mouth.
"Princess..."
