Hello All! Thank you for clicking on this story.

This is a collaboration done by Jellybeanbubbles and Rockingcass12, as you can see in the December Faeries (our) bio.

So we're gonna kick this off with Rockingcass12, afterwards Jellybeanbubbles and then obviously alternate each chapter.

There isn't a strict updating schedule but every two or three weeks this will be updated, maybe even a week depending on either author.

Thank you and we hope you enjoy!

Tales of long ago have become exceedingly cliché

They would start with a tale of dashing romance flourishing between a princess and her prince, her knight, or perhaps a peasant.

One of the factors surrounding it is of a corrupt government poisoning the land.

Added to that the kingdom was also under fear of being eaten by the large winged beast that spits fire, nesting nearby.

Although this tale has some of the things listed above, it gives off a different measure of lessons to be taken in. Love generally motivates the story without a doubt.

But what about the Heart where the Love lays?

Is it not full of determination, zeal, weakness, a self-sacrificing spirit, courage, flaws, forgiveness, hatred and passion?

So, no this tale doesn't only have Love but it is accompanied with Friendship.

The Kingdom of Fiore,

Ruled with fairness, was just in all its ways, composed towards its enemy, reliable and was something to behold.

Was

Dear Fiore was an incomparable kingdom.

It was a sight to behold. Crocus capital itself was almost as fine of the myths of mount Zion, in all its glory stretching toward the heavens, comparing it to almost be the actual covenant.

The outer lands could see Crocus without any restraining of the eyes, and would awe in amazement.

Quaint cities and villages were just as prosperous as the main capital in their own specialities. You would find villages living in harmony with their work, either if they were farmers or occupational men they worked earnestly to keep the kingdom in balance and peace.

Everything was perfect. Until…

Within a single night the honourable King Toma was killed in cold blood by those of another realm. And without any mercy his only family member… his only daughter and heir to the throne, was murdered in front of his majesty's eyes before his own life was taken.

If, supposedly, someone could relate the tale of hearing the multiple murderers laughing within the castle grounds, those who would relay the rumour would do so in fear and most likely gotten chills to the bone.

The Kingdom fell into great grief and the land plummeted into a new era in the blink of an eye.

It started straight from the king's household being murdered and the seizing of the palace by Bandits. One of the bandits particularly stood out.

He was no Bandit in fact, no he was not one any would like to face, for the rumours were accurate in saying it was indeed Mard Geer, the so called King of the Underworld.

Whether or not it could be confirmed he was a King of such a place, it is not possible to discover, but he himself along with his followers and accomplices resembled Hells minions perfectly.

His appearance showed no traces of him being from the underworld. He seemed to be a normal man, despite his wild long black locks that he normally tied back, his face was youthful and serene but seeing him command chaos and fight proved he was nothing but a monster.

The King of the Underworld was of course not alone for the capturing of the kingdom was impossible without his nine trusted guards, otherwise known as the Nine Demon gates of Tartarus.

Legends describe them as highly trained killers immersed in several different forms of murder and torture. Only appropriate for a king of death.

He became the new king of Fiore with much competition rearing around him since king Toma had been eradicated. Aristocrats from all corners of the country attempted to throw Mard off the thrown but failed by means of their own deaths.

No one stood a chance against the murderous new government, nor did anyone attempt to anymore.

Since his reign the Kingdom fell into poverty due to over taxation, the small farms and businesses throughout the land couldn't correspond to the weighty wages and had to forcefully shut down. Many became homeless as the Kingdom reclaimed them despite the fact that they were already paid for in full, but property prices were increased.

New diseases swept over the land resulting in a high death count. And if diseases didn't kill the citizens, it would be starvation. Due to the tax inflation many farmers could no longer cultivate enough food that the people needed.

Another way the poor citizens of Fiore have perished was due to the new law of execution to those who would fail or rebel against the king. Crueller in fact, they were public executions.

The citizens nationally despised the rule of Tartarus and its disgusting king, and Mard knew that fairly well.

The dark king for many months pondered over the feelings of his citizens and although he loved the hatred toward him, he did realize this would create problems in the future.

Small groups over the land made rebellion groups, and little by little the increasing numbers was beginning to worrying Mard quickly.

Mard pondered over a solution to gain the followers he needs in the land in order to increase his odds in finding those who desired to over throw him.

While on one cold bitter day, he sat on his throne brooding over anything to find the answers he was looking for. His two strongest knights by his side knew of his predicament and personally ordered the other remaining 7 demon gates to seek out solutions.

Mard Geer was becoming impatient with himself; angrily he stood up from his throne and threw his goblet of wine to the floor, shattering it into pieces. His strength made the two 2 knights shiver but they kept themselves composed.

"Rebels, traitors, scum. I'd slaughter them now if they showed their pusillanimous faces!"

His teeth ground together hard and his fists clenched tightly ready to strike.

The woman knight bowed straight away "My Lord, without a doubt you will, just give it time."

Mard loosened his grip and exhaled evenly through his nostrils. He turned to his knight with less anger in his eyes.

"Rise Kyoka, I might just kill you if you lower your guard around my temper." Mard stated.

The woman named Kyoka raised herself "Apologies my King."

The woman still kept her head down, though she watched him like he warned to. Her blue eyes looked up, dull and yet focused. Her sickly green hair poked out her helmet but she didn't bother to touch it, all her attention was monopolised on the King.

The other knight walked up to the king standing next to Kyoka.

"Mighty King, surely you must have thought up a strategy by now. Otherwise let me and my battalion search for the rebels" an older man's voice spoke.

"Silver… That is not your place." Kyoka hissed "If anything; I'm more suitable for the task."

Her murderous blue eyes glared at the older knight. She ought to have killed him before with his cockiness and insolence. Silver was equally matched to her, perhaps smarter due to his experience and age, so victory was undeterminable.

Although it was true that the female knight was more qualified, Silver would disagree. Kyoka is nicknamed 'Goddess of the slave planet' for her rotten and torturous nature to torment the men she captures as she pleased. Although, what Mard Geer was looking for was disposal not toys.

Knowing that she won't get the assignment, Silver ignored Kyoka's comment and patiently waited for Mard to address him.

The evil king cooled down despite Silvers insulting tone and suggestion raised. He lifted his hand to indicate Silvers suggestion is not adequate.

Mard slowly walked to his throne "Silence Kyoka, don't interrupt when it is not your place, you are still a women in my presence, know your manners." Mard growled at the woman and she fearfully responded with a gulp and a nod.

Afterward he turned to the older man "Silver if you concluded with that approach then there's a guarantee I thought of it ages before. This land, to my dismay, has a sense of righteousness, if I kill the rebels with no reasoning more will sprout. They're weeds and the only way to eradicate them is by a proper procedure."

He sat on his throne, placing his elbow on the arm rest and in an intellectual position cradling his head.

Kyoka took a step forward "What would that procedure be, my Lord?"

Mard raised his eyebrows in disbelief that she hadn't reached the conclusion herself.

"He needs the people to be on his side. The rebels will be smoked out when we have the numbers." Silver spoke up.

Kyoka bowed her head in shame for not figuring out the obvious.

"Indeed… But every scenario I contemplate to gain their… trust-" he scowled at the word "-Mere customaries won't please them. As long as I am on the throne they will despise me."

"Then have someone on the throne that they won't despise." a new voice appeared.

"Seilah!" Kyoka yelled.

Mard "Kyoka quiet!" The king barked at his knight.

Kyoka's lip trembled with anger at her associate's that just entered. Silver spoke in her place though.

"What nonsense do you speak of Seilah?"

The woman that entered the room was the tactician to Mard's forces. Her sereneness was overly exaggerated; nothing startled the black haired woman.

Her uninterested eyes fell onto the slightly confused king.

She opened the book in her hands to where her bookmark was and continued to read as she spoke "My Lord, I don't mean it in the way you think. Look beside your chair, what is it that you don't see?"

Mard peered over the vacant spot next to him, it dawned upon him that the vacancy belonged to another seat.

"Another Throne" Mard said aloud with the corners of his mouth going upward.

"To gain the trust of these insects I must marry."

Kyoka's pupil's dilated "H-how will that gain the trust of the people my Lord?" she asked in disbelief.

"Think Kyoka, he won't marry just any girl. She must be a beloved queen or princess. Someone that the people will be comfortable with." Silver explained.

She understood that much, but to find someone like that in this land was not as easy as one presumed.

Mard laughed to himself "When those insects side with her I can finally exterminate those traitors."

After his short celebration he turned to the black haired tactician "Seilah, is there such a woman I can obtain in this land?"

Seliah bit the inside of her cheek, she had recalled of a maiden but the effort might be for nothing.

Mard had noticed her inner turmoil "Speak." He growled.

The black haired woman hesitated for a moment before starting the tale she had heard of "Many years ago a land of this country was separated and had a hierarchy. Although, the tale is that it was destroyed one night by a sorcerer."

"Zeref?" Mard asked excitedly.

"No, this sorcerer was one that worked for the King and Queen. The sorcerer killed the King and Queen but spared their only daughter." Seilah said with distain in her voice.

"Where is the child now?" Kyoka asked.

"The Sorcerer locked her away in a magical tower on an Island called Galuna, quite a trip from Hargeon port. According to the tale the girl should be 21 by now."

Mard stood from his throne and rubbed his chin while thinking "Who could I send to retrieve her though? Maybe some minor soldiers?"

Seilah shook her head "It's not that simple your highness. Besides the fact that the tower is so far from here and cursed, there's one more thing that prevents her rescue."

Mard was confused again at his tactician.

"Apologies, let me explain. The Sorcerer grew ill after he took the girl, when he was about to die he cast a spell on himself that turned him into a Dragon."

The rest of the room grew silent with wide unbelieving eyes at what they heard.

Seilah continued "It's not worth it my Lord, we should find another princess."

Mard didn't show any emotion, he pondered slightly before turning to the black haired woman. "Before I decide whether it's not worth it, I want to hear of this princess you speak of, and her Name. Speak truthfully Seilah, I know when I'm being lied to."

The Tactician was growing agitated that her king didn't drop the subject, as she is known for not over exerting herself in anything she deemed useless in the end. "She is known as Princess Lucy Heartfilia. I remember tales of the girl resembling her late mother, very pleasant looking. She was loved by her father's realm. Many surrounding lands envied not having a princess like her. In fact she was good friends with the princess we disposed of."

"Too bad we killed her so early, we wouldn't be in this position" Mard groaned.

Silver wanted to laugh but knew it wasn't the appropriate time. After Seilah's explanation he watched his king think deeply on whether or not to proceed with retrieving the princess or to search for another. Mard was irritated about the decision he needed to make.

"Who would retrieve her?" he asked himself aloud.

Silver spoke up out of turn "Why not send one of us my Lord? The beast would be no challenge."

I surge of anger went through Mard's body and he pointed his sword to the older man.

"Would you like me to kill you now? Or would you like the beast to do it?" Mard scorned.

Kyoka felt a cold sweat run down her face whilst in her helmet, the tone her Lord used scared her. If anything wrong was said in the room, someone would perish.

"This beast you are so willing to fight was a sorcerer, it is no ordinary Dragon. Let me be clear, Sir Fullbuster, that my Nine Demon Gates ensure my protection, if one leaves Fiore even for a day or two then the rebels will try to take advantage of it. So rest assured, I know you are itching to fight but I will find someone suitable to deal with this beast."

Silver swallowed nervously at his king's threat and nodded understanding the situation.

"Where can we find such a person?" Kyoka asked.

"I've made my decision then. I want a formal proclamation to all the beast hunting establishments. Jackal and Torafuzer will go to the most prosperous one and decide on whom to send to the palace for my evaluation." The King of the underworld proclaimed

All three kneeled to their king, collectively accepting his orders. Mard sat down once more on his self-procured throne, smiling, or rather smirking at his master plan to get rid of the pests in his way.

He was fantasizing about devilish things beyond anyone's imagination. Oh how the evil king had so much in store.

So much so he was confident no one could stop him.

With an evil smirk he tested the name off his lips for the first time "Lucy Heartfilia… The Underworld King is missing his Queen."

Hargeon was once a prosperous port town; the fishermen would make their daily venture to the port and stay out at sea for hours. The fish mongers would patiently wait for the new catches of the day and the humble merchants and venders would flourish with regular customers and a good amount of new faces in the town.

What has become of the town was nowhere near as safe as it used to be.

Given it was still a busy town to buy fish and other foods. But now there was no guarantee it was safe to have open pockets.

The people who usually lived in the town knew how to handle the thieves amongst their stalls, given that they would need a knife on them.

The hollers of the mongers clashed against another, creating boisterous noise added to the amount of people around you would have to speak at a level above normal. It didn't help that the town already had inhabitants that were louder than all of them put together.

It was to be expected since the Hunters union was situated right in the centre of town. The drunken laughter would carry on till night non-stop, along with the fights which made the day feel complete.

There were two figures approaching the union; outsiders new to the town, each glare from the citizens was enough to send any newcomers packing. These two men didn't back down, given their own appearances were to be feared.

The first man was of normal stature but his smile contained pointed sharp teeth and looked treacherous and feral. His shaggy hair looked to be of a dirty blonde and his ears were a little bigger than others as you could see them poke out of his hair.

The man looked vain and conceited, unlike his companion.

He was a tower compared to normal men. Indeed he was like the previous man in that he was boastful and proud, but this man was a sharp contrast to the other.

He looked older and not one to fool around, his dark skin looked sickly and his eyes looked sharp and callous. His body mass was impressive, he looked like he could lift an ox by himself.

Both men albeit not the best combination were sent by their king in search for a Hunter.

As they entered the building, the younger man became slightly excited at seeing a brawl in the one corner but his companion gave him a dangerous look; warning him to behave knowing he would jump in at any time causing more trouble than needed.

"Come on Rogue…." A nearby voice moaned out like a child.

The two men turned to see two bantering young men drinking. The one moaning was a young man with bright blonde hair spiking everywhere and was childlike in the way he carried himself despite the scar on the one side of his face near his eyebrow. His attire was odd indeed as he was supposedly a hunter yet he wore clothing that didn't protect him at all but was certainly ostentatious of his physique.

The man next to him was much grimmer than his companion. His eyes were dark red likened to spilled blood. The front part of his shaggy hair covered his pale face and the rest was tied up. The messy long bangs covered his face fairly well but did reveal a large scar that laid in the centre of his face crossing over his nose. The young man was clearly the opposite of his blonde friend as he was more reserved in appearance and by character.

The younger man Jackal wanted to start to trouble; it was in the sadistic man's nature, in a relatable way he was compared to the blonde man in the childish aspect. Torafuzer; the darker and older gentleman, step forward to the table holding the only sober men in the building before Jackal could pounce on someone.

"You two, we request assistance. Who is in charge of this Hunters union?" Torafuzer demanded.

The blonde male at the table bursted out laughing "Why so formal pops? You're speaking to him." His laughing settled and he lifted his thumb and point toward himself.

Torafuzer wasn't one for humour, he only glowered at the blonde.

Jackal laughed next to him similar to the other blonde "You? Be serious, where is he?"

The blonde laughed along with him like an imbecile. Torafuzer felt like killing both blondes right here. His thoughts were altered when the black haired boy stood up and punched his friend in the head

"Act like an adult for once, we're receiving business." He growled.

The blonde winced and showed a glimmer of anger back at his companion "Right right… I am really the co-owner. Sting, is what I'm known by and my associate and other co-owner here is Rogue."

Rogue was the more polite of the two, if Torafuzer had to choose who to kill last it would be him.

"Our employer requires a Hunter that can kill a beast." Torafuzer said shrewdly.

Sting turned to Rogue with a more serious face "Depends on the beast, our personnel have different fortes so to speak."

Jackal was becoming antsy being in the shabby union, and grew angry "For the Lord's sake, it's a Dragon!"

The whole busy building froze at the information. Regretting his actions Torafuzer punched him hard on the head, actually restraining from murdering the imbecile.

Jackal grit his teeth, he know it was coming but still was itching to throw one back. His attention was diverted to the dead silence and attention pointed to them.

Rogue and Sting looked at another seriously ignoring the rest of the building paying them ample attention "Then there's only one person that can help you…" Sting said in a low voice.

"And it would be the Dragon Hunter, Natsu Dragneel."

RC12: Wow! First chapter is done and I'm super nervous of how the response will go.

JBB: Great for our first chapter, hope I can make the second one just as great XD

SOOO the next chapter will be done by my partner in crime, my twinzie and friendie pie \(0w0)/

Much support will be appreciated for this first chapter to take flight! Thank you so much for reading!