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Lion's Pride	By : Rhov Category: +. to F > Fairy Tail Views: 10067 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima. I make no money writing this. I do it for my own pleasure. Any lyrics are my own or I received permission from the artist.

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"To hide the key to your heart is to risk forgetting where you placed it." - Timothy Childers

Chapter 31

The Key to His Heart

Far to the snowy north, Haftorang carried a tea tray over to his master Kefira. Although they had spent over six months at the inn, it was not too long to wait for these two. Still, Haftorang privately missed the warmth of the southern lands where he had lived for centuries before seeking out this non-aging monarch. She liked the cold, but it did not serve the Southern Fish well. There were days when he felt ready to leave her and her schemes, except she was his best chance at fulfilling his own ambitions.

He set the tea in front of her, yet instead of fixing it for her like usual, he rose up tall and faced Kefira. "I heard from my source in the S-S-Spirit World this morning. The Lion is undergoing a trial. He was forced out of the Human World a few weeks ago and is locked up."

"Just like before," Kefira mused softly. "I wonder if that damned Mustachio King hath realized he is acting the same as back then."

"Likely, he doth not care," Haftorang guessed. "There is a twist though, my mistress-s-s. According to my source—"

"Thy spy," she smirked.

"Aye," he pouted. The constellation Hydra had been one of his closest friends back when he still lived in the Spirit World. Even after the Southern Fish betrayed them all, the Water Serpent was the only one whom he trusted enough to ask for help. Yes, he was a spy for a traitor, but he was also only helping an old friend who had been banished because he picked the wrong side in a war. "According to Hydra, this is no ordinary trial. The Spirit King is now aware of our existence, he is in fear of a rebellion, so he hath decided to stamp out the one Celestial Spirit standing in the way of his utter dominion."

Kefira jolted in fear and gripped the armrests of her chair so hard her knuckles turned white. "Is he planning to kill Leo? No! He...he can't!" she shouted, and her face paled a little more than usual. Tears came to her eyes, and her mouth trembled as she fought to calm her breathing. In dread, she whispered, "He wouldn't dare."

Haftorang's massive mouth drew down into a pout. Sometimes he forgot that Kefira was, after all, merely a Human and prone to fragile emotions. She had perfected her queenly mask long before their banishment. For that equanimity to crack so thoroughly, he knew her emotions were indeed strong for the Lion.

"The choice will be Leo's to make," Haftorang told her. "However, according to Hydra, the Lion already clearly affirmed his intentions-s-s. He shall accept mortality as well as the loss of his magic in exchange for being allowed to live in peace with his woman and child."

The terror in her face turned to disgust. "With his woman?" she whispered spitefully. Slowly, her lips drew back in furious jealousy. Her breathing came faster and deeper, building with emotion, until she roared, "The fool!" Her hand slapped the tea tray aside in rage. "Hath he forgotten who he is? Is the past being erased from memory even by he who caused the two of us so much pain? And for what? A wench with no social status of which to speak, no political influence, and very little magic power. Is he mad? Why?" she shrieked. "First he sacrificed his place as king for that pipsqueak Naomi; now shall he sacrifice even his immortality for some slut? What do they have that I don't?" she demanded furiously.

"The key to his heart, mistress-s-s," Haftorang answered bluntly.

"I owned the Key to his Heart!" she screamed. Slowly, she regained her composure, pushed her raven hair back in order, and raised her chin nobly. "And I shall own it again. He shall be mine. Naomi could have found the Regulus Key. She refused, even at her death. This new blonde is probably too dumb. She would let him sit and rot like Naomi did. Naomi..." She sneered in a distasteful memory. "When we found her, she already had another husband and a two-year-old daughter. That means not even a year passed since Leo was taken from her before she remarried. How much time is that in the Spirit World?"

Haftorang sighed sadly, also disliking this little detail from the past. "Four days, mistress-s-s."

"Precisely. Not even a week since Leo was taken from her, and she already had a child with another man. She probably barely waited for Zeref to be weened before spreading her legs for the first oaf who would take her with such baggage. This new girl, I bet she shall open her arms to some young stud before the year is over. A slut like her is probably glad Leo is gone."

"Mistress-s-s," Haftorang warned quietly.

"Concupiscent fools, all of them!" she roared. "I was ready to go through Hell for Leo. I searched for him for four years! And when we found that whore Naomi, she had already given up on him so easily and even replaced him. Neither of them truly love him...not like...like I do!"

She closed her eyes as tears threatened to mar her regal visage. Haftorang bit on his lip ring in sympathy.

"Why...why would he go to women like that when I've always been right here? Was I not good enough?" she demanded to know in desperation. "Never did he give me a clue that he was dissatisfied, so why did he leave me? He said he loved me! He...he said I was the best lover he ever had." That little memory made her smile sadly. "So why was I not good enough? Why did he sneak behind my back with Naomi? She was a tiny girl no one wanted, not even her own clan, a girl I took in out of pity, treated her like a sister, and convinced her father to give her the Leo Key so at least he could protect her. I trained her!"

"Thou wert also prone to beat her," Haftorang reminded.

"I never laid a hand on her. I warned her that the royal trainers were brutal. Awakening a person's Second Origin is agonizing. Teaching battle tactics shall get one's hands dirty. My father put me through far worse before I was granted the Regulus Key. She asked to be trained. 'Twas not my fault if she wasn't physically ready for the challenge. I gave her training like no other Spirit Mage in the kingdom received, training that would have made her worthy of owning that Gold Key. And how did she repay me? By sleeping with the man who swore he would love me to the end of time! By committing treason against the Kingdom of Kohinur and shaming Clan Onoyasumaro, stealing their coveted Gold Key, betraying her own family!"

She paused to calm herself. Haftorang took the small break to pick up the tea tray. He poured in more water from a kettle, and this time he brewed the tea. He could see that she was stressed and needed the drink. Kefira accepted the cup and sipped it as memories boiled in her mind, moments of passion followed by moments of bitter betrayal. Even four centuries had not dulled the pain.

"She didn't even bother to convince Leo to remain as King of the Heavens," she muttered, staring down into her teacup at the leaves that managed to escape and sink to the bottom. "She wanted him to give up on the Royal Stars purely to strip me of my last fragile thread connecting me to him. She betrayed my trust, hurt thee and Scorpio and Taurus badly, threw the Spirit World into chaos, all for her carnal lust. Then, when Leo paid the price for her greed, she got herself another lover within a year!" Her voice dropped into a sneering whisper. "How could she betray him after he sacrificed his pride and position for her? Now, to sacrifice his power and immortality for a girl just like that little traitor! I must find the Regulus Key and remind him of who he is. If Leo were to feel that power even for a brief moment, he would remember the promise he made to me."

She shook her head and blinked her eyes to stop the tears.

"He said, 'Celestial Spirits always keep their promises!' Hah!" she scoffed. "I shall make him remember the promise he gave to my grandfather, and my father, and then to me: that he would always protect Kohinur and keep my family secure upon the throne! Even if he doth not want me in the end, I shall make him remember purely so he shall suffer knowing how his lie destroyed my life, my clan, my whole kingdom! How many suffered and died because he took off with that whore and left us powerless? He swore I would never lose a battle, yet when the forces of Cheveyo burst through the gate and began slaughtering the women and children, Leo never came to rescue us."

She looked aside in anger that had been simmering for centuries. Hatred and determination wavered and turned into regret and numerous past pains.

"I swore upon my father's desecrated grave that I would retake my kingdom! I shall use the Regulus Key to make that Lion fight for me like he promised. Even if I destroy the Spirit World in the process, I shall reclaim my family's honor and restore Clan Yamataikoku as the true rulers of Kohinur! I swear...for the souls of those who died because Leo abandoned us, I swear I shall make him keep his promise."

Haftorang frowned at her spiteful words but said nothing. Kefira had her ambitions. So did he. Perhaps both were a little greedy, yet both only wanted what Leo had taken from them: for her, a kingdom he swore to protect yet abandoned; for him, the four Royal Stars ruling the Spirit World under their noble and benevolent Lion.

To escape from the emotions and threat of tears, Kefira downed her teacup, threw the cup into the fireplace, and stormed aside. "Pack our things. We leave at dawn."

"Our destination?"

"Where else? Magnolia! I must convince that slut mage that she cannot allow him to fade from existence. At this moment, his life is more important than our desires, both the restoration of Kohinur and the return of the Royal Stars. Without Leo, all our ambitions shall come to naught. To be made mortal!" She sneered in disgust at such a repulsive concept. "How desperate is that mustached substitute-king? There is no greater insult to the Royal Stars than that!" She glared at the heavens and shook her fist in protest. "Spirit King, thou hast gone too far this time! If the Lion shan't stop thee, then upon my pride as the Queen of Kohinur, I shall."

Meanwhile, in Magnolia

"Come on, guys! We have a key to find!" Levy paused in the middle of Magnolia Station, twirled around, and gave an eager wave to her tarrying friends. She hauled with her a massive pack filled with books. The only way the petite blue-haired Solid Script mage managed to carry it was thanks to a lacrima on the pack that helped it to float.

"Tra-a-ain?" Natsu groaned, dragging his feet and looking sick just gazing at the rails.

Lucy had Luke in a stroller. She paused to look back at Natsu and put a hand on her hip. "If you don't want to come, you don't have to. This isn't a mission, after all."

"Aye!" Happy cheered as he flew overhead. "It's a quest!"

Gray scoffed and looked away. "I hope he doesn't come."

Natsu leaped into his face. "What was that, you stupid stripper?"

"Hey Natsu, what's that?" Gray pointed down the station and Natsu looked just in time to see another train coming in from the opposite tracks. The dragon slayer held his mouth in sickness from seeing it. "Yep, that proves it. You're an idiot."

Wendy came up and raised her hand to Natsu. He calmed down and watched with fascination as a magic circle glowed in front of him. Suddenly, Natsu looked perfectly fine.

"Woohoo!" he shouted, giving a leap into the air. "I'm all fired up! Let's ride this train to the end of the world."

"Stupid flame-brain," Gray grumbled. "Wendy warned you, through the duration of this trip she can cast Troia on you only six times before the spell completely loses its potency."

"Then I'll talk to the engineer, stoke up the flames on this sucker, and we'll blast through all the way to Kohinur!" Natsu looked excited at the prospect of such adventure.

Erza came forward with her massive pile of luggage. "Stop chitchatting and get on the train, now!"

Gray and Natsu stiffened up and saluted. "Aye, sir!"

They hurried aboard and took their seats. Out on the platform, everyone from Fairy Tail had come to see them off. They knew this was going to be a long quest, so they wanted to show their support.

Makarov stood on top of Droy's meaty shoulders as he waved goodbye. "Erza, keep those brats out of trouble."

"I will, Master," she promised.

Elfman nodded firmly. "To travel the world while you're young is manly!"

Mirajane cupped her hands around her mouth. "I hope you and the baby stay healthy, Lucy," she shouted. "You have Proto and that protection bracelet on him, right?"

Lucy held up the disgruntled black and gray bear, then showed them the charm bracelet on Luke's wrist. "I'm prepared for any dangers. We'll be safe."

"Bon voyage!" Reedus cheered.

"Try not to die too fast," Laxus snapped at them.

Lisanna and Juvia stood side by side. "Take care, Natsu," the petite white-haired girl shouted with a worried and sad look to her huge blue eyes.

"Juvia does not want Gray-sama to be gone for too long," Juvia shouted as she glared at Lucy.

Gray looked aside in annoyance. "Whatever," he grumbled.

Jet looked depressed. "Levy, why do you have to go, too?"

She laughed and waved at her teammates. "We'll go on a cool mission when I get back. See ya, Jet and Droy."

Gajeel bellowed at them and shook a threatening fist. "You better take care of Levy, ya bastards!"

Natsu barked back, "And you better keep the guild safe." The two dragon slayers glared at each other for a moment, then both grinned and laughed in friendly rivalry.

"I'll do a better job protecting them than you will, dragonfly," Gajeel grinned.

"Like hell you will, metal head." Natsu chuckled and gave him a finger-up sign, which Gajeel returned.

Pantherlily was with his iron dragon slayer partner. "Happy, Charle, be safe and take care of them."

Charle huffed disdainfully. "No need to tell us that."

Happy waved excitedly at him. "We will, Lily. You better watch over the guild while we're away."

The little black Exceed grinned broadly. "Leave it to me!"

Cana lifted a flask. "Godspeed on your quest, Lucy." Then she took a drink to toast them.

Macao came up beside the lush. "Hey, what are you drinking, Cana?"

She was in the middle of gulping it. "Vile shit. Wanna taste?"

She handed it over, nudging it to him with a wink. Smelling the potency, Macao took only a sip. He coughed, sputtered, his face turned red, he giggled like a girl for a few seconds, and then suddenly fainted. Cana laughed loudly while Wakaba tried to revive him.

"Idiot, can't hold his liquor." She tipped the flask back again, took three large gulps, and smacked her lips as the drink colored her cheeks pink. "Vile shit ain't meant for old men."

Romeo pretended he was not crying as his lips quivered. "Natsu, Wendy...be safe you guys."

Natsu laughed and waved at him. "Don't grow up too fast while we're gone."

Wendy leaned out of the train window. "I'll bring back a souvenir from Kohinur, Romeo." That made him blush.

Alzack and Bisca had brought Asuka to say goodbye to her new little playmate. "Bye-bye, Luke," she called, waving excitedly.

Sitting in his mother's lap, the little boy waved back. "Bah-bah, Uka!"

"Oh, how cute!" Levy squealed.

Lucy felt warmth in her heart at the support her friends were giving to her. She looked down to her son and gave a soft prayer that he would be safe on this long journey. Then she gave another prayer that Loke would be safe while she was gone looking for the Key to his Heart. As the train began to chug out of the station, she, Natsu, Gray, Wendy, Levy, Erza, Happy, and Charle waved one final goodbye to Fairy Tail.

"I smell adventure!" shouted Natsu.

Happy's cheeks turned pink. "Sorry, that was me. I ate a funny fish."

Lucy chuckled along with the others. It would be a long journey, but at least she had her friends with her!

End of Chapter 31

Rhov's Corner:
Do you pity Kefira just a little? Do you dislike Naomi just a tiny bit? No story is fun without a little sympathy for the devil.
Whoever put "Lion's Pride" as a Fanfiction Recommendation on TV Tropes, you are totally awesome! Thank you.
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Lion's Pride