Mayhem in Fairy Tale

Chapter 8: Cinderella, part 7

Mayhem's POV:

As soon as Natsu and Lucy left, Mira conjured up more carriages for the rest of us and soon we were all inside them, carting along towards the palace.

I had been put with Anthony, Mira was with Elfman, Juvia was with Gray, Erza was with Wendy, Gajeel was with Levy, and Happy, Carla, and Lily were all in a carriage together.

Anthony was actually kind of funny, and he was very kind. He was a little cross with being transported to the fairy tale world with us, but he was taking it well. I just shrugged and told him that that was just how Fairy Tail was, we always got drug into the crazy scenarios.

I was actually more surprised than I'd care to admit whenever Mira popped me back to them. I was in a cell, bruised and battered, but on the whole, fine. Just as I anticipated, they wanted to make a show about the pirate queen being in their custody waiting for the gallows. Honestly I had no intention of being a piñata, but I was waiting until they all left before I teleported. Mira just got to me first.

And it was nice to be able to move without bleeding, but as soon as midnight was up, I'd be injured again. Anthony noticed this too and assured me that if I did get hurt again, he'd catch me. I honestly don't know if he was just being nice, or if he was flirting. But there was honesty and sincerity in his eyes, so I smiled at him and thanked him, and didn't point out that he'd be a cat by the time midnight rolled around.

By the time we got there, I had already begun to laugh and grin with Anthony.

The carriage door was opened and a footman ushered us out and into the grand ballroom. There was so many people and so much noise that I almost ran back out. But Anthony put his hand on my arm and gave me an encouraging smile, so I kept walking.

We all spread out, looking for Lucy or the Prince. Expect for Happy, he went to find Natsu and food. Those two were probably together already.

So, I went one way, everyone else went the other way.

I didn't even realize where I was headed until I felt cool air sting my bear arms and realized that I was outside on a balcony.

I leaned against the banister and sucked in a deep breath. I knew that I should be looking for the Prince or Lucy. But in the book, they found each other quite quickly. So I wasn't too worried.

And besides, I was about to have a panic attack in there. I hated big crowds. I couldn't breathe well and it was horrible just having to force my way through people. I was so used to only being in that tight of a situation when I was fighting, so my heartbeat sped up and my adrenaline raced, and I had trouble calming myself down. It was much better out here. In the open air, under the stars.

I didn't notice anyone had come up behind me until someone tapped on my arm. I spun around and my breath caught in my throat.

The man in front of me was a bit older than I was, maybe 25 or so, and he had curly black hair, crimson eyes, and tan skin. He was tall and lean, but with enough muscle to say he was an athlete. But he was familiar.

I was worried I was wrong, but I knew my best friend anywhere. "Wrath?" I asked. The man smiled and his fingers came up to my face and removed the mask, "Mayhem." He said simply. His voice was the same, but he was no longer a dragon.

My mouth opened and closed as he put the mask back on, "You..... you're...... You're human?" He smiled and nodded. Then he said warmly, "And you are a pirate eh? Are you alright Mayhem? If not, I will not be happy." That was the old Wrath. But it was very confusing for me, to have my best friend, who was previously a dragonoid thing, to be a human. A very young human.