Summary: After killing a unicorn, the entire country is cursed by the Unicorn Keeper for the prince's wrongdoing. Unfortunately, Prince Jellal is too arrogant to admit what he did was wrong and decides to not take it seriously.

~ ~ ~

I could hear the rustle of leaves as the animal silently fled.

"Damn it!" Prince Jellal swore. "Dragneel! Fullbuster! Cut it out, or I'll personally execute you!"

Natsu and Gray immediately backed away from each other. The two teenagers just wouldn't stop bickering. Who was the stronger knight? Who was more manly? Who was more attractive? Who would become a senior knight first?

You know what? I didn't care one little bit. If Prince Jellal didn't step up his game, I would have to take matters into my own hands and straighten them out myself.

"Get back on your horses, and listen to my directions," he said. "I'm here to hunt, not fool around."

"Sire, I think it went that way," I whispered, pointing past the large oak tree.

The prince nodded, "Dragneel. Redfox. You two stay here. Fullbuster, Conbolt, Scarlet, come with me."

We rode deeper into the woods. I had only known Natsu for a couple of days, but I knew he would pick a fight with Gajeel.

"Halt."

Prince Jellal got off of his horse and crouched down, holding his crossbow.

"Who's there?" he asked.

"Animals don't talk," I told him.

He grinned, "I know. But I swear I saw someone-"

We froze.

Standing before us was a magnificent, pure white unicorn. Bosconian legend says that the beholder of a unicorn will be granted eternal prosperity. 

It's beautiful..

Before I could stop him, the prince held out his bow and shot the unicorn straight into its heart.

The magnificent beast's legs buckled and it collapsed to the ground. Silver blood oozed from the  wound.

"Father will be pleased," he said simply,  swiftly dismounting his horse.

"Why?" I asked in disbelief, as he drew his sword and cut off the horn of the poor creature. "Why did you kill it?"

He looked at me as if I were some silly, little girl, "That's the point of hunting, Scarlet."

"But it's a unicorn!"

Prince Jellal grinned, but I found nothing funny about the situation. Gray and the other senior knight, Macao Conbolt, remained silent.

"I didn't know you were one of those girls who love sparkly, little unicorns."

And I didn't know you were as cruel as your father.

~ ~ ~

Nightmares about flesh and blood haunted me that night. Unicorns, silver blood. Jellal's cold laughter.

"Errrrzzzaaa..."

I sat up in my bed and threw off the covers. 

"Errrrzzzaaaa Scarrrrlet."

"Who said that?" I asked. My nightmare was over. What was this voice I was hearing?

"Errrzzzaaa, young sorceressss."

I blinked several times, debating whether or not it was worth getting out of of my warm bed for.

I think it's coming from the dungeons..Either that, or I'm going crazy..

I grabbed my sword and left the room.

~ ~ ~

"Your turn," Sir Macao Conbolt said, throwing the dice over to Wakaba.

Wakaba rolled the dice and grunted, "Hand it over."

Macao scowled and slid over 10 jewels.

Why aren't they in bed like normal people? 

"Natarius icthum!" I mumbled, holding out my hand.

The window slowly opened, letting in a cold draft. The candle went out.

"Someone's there," Macao said, picking up his sword and heading for the window. Wakaba followed him closely.

Smiling with victory I ran past them. Magic could be pretty handy sometimes.

"Errrrrzzzzaaaa!"

I grabbed the torch from the wall and headed downstairs.

I wonder why no one else can hear it.

I crept down the corridor, making my way down the steps of the dungeon, and following the twisting underground route until I stopped abruptly at a giant chasm. There were no torches here, and certainly no form of life. The ledge I balanced on overlooked an enormous pit of darkness. In comparison, the stone roof was barely visible, creating an enchanting, never ending space. 

I gasped as an enormous dragon flew down and landed lightly on the rock in the middle of the chasm across from me.

"D-Did you call me?" I asked, sounding like a fool.

He blinked at me, "Yes, indeed."

I frowned, noticing the thick, metal chain attached to him. The dragon was a prisoner in this vast, dark dungeon.

"Why are you stuck down here?"

He chuckled dryly, "Because I am a magical creature, young sorceress. Just like you. We are like kin. And..I was bored."

I stared at him, "Why have you called me? And how do you know I'm a sorceress?"

"We are kin,"  the dragon repeated. "I have called you because it is time to tell you why you have the gift of magic."

I looked at him eagerly, "Why?"

"You have a great destiny, young sorceress."

I flinched at the name.

"Your destiny is to protect Prince Jellal. Keep him safe from the evils of this world."

"But he has a father and brother-"

"Who possess no magic. How can they protect him from the dark magic of this world?"

"I don't understand!"

"Of course you don't," the dragon said gently. "But you must protect him. He will be the one to save Fiore from future destruction. It will be him who will set you free. Set us free. Imagine! A world where people and animals like us roam free! A world of magic!"

I nodded slowly, "The king doesn't trust me. The prince hardly knows me. It's going to be hard. Especially because the king hates magic."

"I never said it would be easy. Just remember your destiny."