Ruthless Winds and Raging Seas

Chapter 4

12 years later...

Lucy Heartfilia looked at her reflection of the mirror of her vanity. Checking her hair, make up, and her dress, making sure that she looked her best. She had to because today her father Governor Jude Heartfilia of Magnolia would be hosting a party with his fellow public officials celebrating his success at securing a successful trade route between Magnolia and many other cities, being his daughter it was only natural that she be there to support him. He always insisted that when she attended these affairs, she wear one of her mother's dresses unfortunately the one he had picked out for her to wear came with a corset that was laced up very tightly on her waist.

"You look breath taking Miss Heartfilia." Her hand maid told her.

"Thank you." She replied politely. "However this corset is just awful. It hurts my stomach and it's very hard to breathe with it on. How Mother wore this without suffocating is beyond me."

"True but your father will be most pleased when he sees you in that dress."

"I know. I know."

She got up from the chair of her vanity, went downstairs and to the front door of her manor house where a carriage waited to take her to the party. Meanwhile a very large ship was docking at the port of Magnolia.

On that ship was a pirate crew known as Fairy Tail. They too had heard of the party celebrating the Governor's success and they saw it as a perfect opportunity to sneak in and pick pocket some of the wealthy guests. The only problem was they were wanted criminals so getting in without being recognized would not be easy.

There were five of them, four young men and one young woman. Natsu Dragneel was the captain, a thieving, greedy, somewhat foolhardy pirate willing to face and/or steal anything to promote himself to living the life of the rich. However when it came to his crew there was nothing that he valued more because he viewed them as his family.

His first mate Gray Fullbuster. A clever, resourceful, and religious young man who served as Natsu's constant confidant, giving him advice. He wasn't as greedy as Natsu, he mainly worked as a pirate out of his friendship for Natsu and out of gratitude to Natsu's father for saving his life all those years ago.

Erza Scarlet was the third member of their crew. It has been said by many pirates and sailors that it is bad luck to keep a woman aboard a ship but Erza brought anything but bad luck. A spirited and well trained swordswoman who was probably the wisest young person you could ever meet. She was like an older sister figure to Gray and Natsu, breaking up their fights, steering them in the right direction, and she was the only one allowed to give orders to the captain.

The fourth member was Gajeel Redfox. The strongest and toughest pirate that ever lived. No one really knew his past but apparently years ago something happened that hurt him so bad that he ripped out his own heart and locked it away in a box resulting in him being gruff, mean, and aggressive however he wasn't without his soft side. He also served as the ship's cook.

The fifth and last member was Laxus Dreyar. Son of the dreaded pirate Ivan Dreyar, grandson of the sainted Pastor Makarov Dreyar. Much like Natsu he was born into the world of pirates however he was not raised in the ways of the pirate code and he often thought that Natsu did not deserve the title of captain nevertheless he meant well.

Once they had their ship secure they went to hide behind some barrels that were near the entrance to the party.

"Okay men." Natsu said.

"Ahem!" Erza coughed.

"And one woman. Our objective is to get passed those guards."

"And how exactly do we do that?" Laxus asked.