Disclaimer: Nothing of FairyTail belongs to me.

Note: I do not like doing many author's notes, so I'm saying this now – This world is AU simply because Edolas never happened and Lisanna went to live with the Strauss' aunt and came back instead of Edolas happening. Any information that was shared from the start of Edolas and on is null and void in this story. So, yeah. Enjoy!

Chapter One: A New Adventure

"Natsu, hold up!" I yelled, adjusting my shirt as I tried to regain my breath. Catching up to Natsu was hard, especially when he was sprinting as fast as he could towards the Guild Hall and I certainly didn't stand a chance against the Dragon Slayer's strength. Especially when he was so excited. The fire breather had shown up at my apartment at the crack of dawn, pouncing on me in my slumber to inform me that some super special job had been posted at the Guild, and he wanted to get to it before anyone else could.

As tired as I was, I couldn't exactly blame him. The reward was two million jewel and two supposedly "rare" Gate Keys. Though I was highly skeptical about the Gate Keys considering I had nine of the Zodiacs, which were supposed to be the most powerful. However, I couldn't pass up the chance to get my hands on part of the reward jewel. Natsu had been in such a rush that he couldn't even give me the courtesy of explaining the job before taking off out of my window.

That's how I found myself running through the streets of Magnolia, calling after Natsu as I tried to comb my fingers through my rat's nest of hair. I had definite bedhead, and I hadn't even had time to slip on my shoes. The only thing I managed to do before leaving my apartment after Natsu was slip on a purple tube top and my favorite black skirt.

It only took a few moments of running before I could finally see the Guild Hall, home to the Guild of Fairy Tail. I was definitely out of breath and energy, which made me wish I had just called Virgo to carry me. I would have, too, but I could never treat my Spirits as such. Not to mention the fact that, if this job was as difficult as the jewel made it out to be, I would need to conserve all the magical energy I could.

Finally reaching the doors to the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, I barely made it half a step inside looking for Natsu before said man barreled into me, a job flyer clutched tightly in his fist.

"I got it!" he cackled triumphantly, holding the job poster up for me to see.

Scavenger Work:

Each answer will lead you to the next,

There shall be five in all.

Each answer that you do discover,

Will help you make the call.

#1

What force and strength can not get through,

I with a gentle touch can do.

And many wish they had my tumble,

Just to see inside Mount Rumble.

REWARD:

20,000,000 J

2 Rare Gate Keys

I gaped openly at the flyer. A riddle scavenger hunt? If this mission was so valuable, why waste a wizard's time forcing them to hunt down the actual job?

"Um, Natsu..."

"Come on!" Natsu exclaimed brightly, grabbing me by the wrist and dragging me back in the direction of my apartment. "You need to get packed while I go home and pack. Mira said the train for Starview leaves in an hour!"

Scowling heavily at the back of Natsu's salmon-colored head, I whined in exasperation. "Why did you have to wake me up and drag me to the Guild if you already knew which job you wanted? And I didn't even get to tell Mira that I was going – "

"She knows," Natsu said, almost too chipper, as he continued to lead the way. He turned his head sideways to give me a toothy grin. "And I just felt like it. You're adorable when you're angry."

"NATSU!"

Forty-five minutes later, I found myself at the train station with my bag slung over my shoulder, yawning tiredly as I looked around for any sign of the rest of the group. I was so tired that I could have just curled up on a bench and slept, but I knew I had responsibilities. As soon as we boarded the train, Natsu's motion sickness would incapacitate him, which would leave me taking care of him the whole time.

"Lucy!" I heard my name being yelled across the station. Turning and looking around quickly, Natsu's pink hair made him easy to spot. He had his usual over-sized pack slung over his shoulder, but I didn't see Happy or Lisanna anywhere around. Or Erza. Or Gray.

"Natsu!" I called, relieved that we could finally board. As he came within a couple of feet, he gave me his trademark mischievous smirk. "Where's Happy? Getting tickets?"

"Nah, I already got those," he said with a distinct air of satisfaction about him as he fanned his face with two tickets.

"W-wait," I stumbled over me words, counting the tickets in his hands. "Natsu, what about Happy and Lisanna and the others? Where are they?"

Natsu's face fell slightly with worry, but only barely. Coughing briefly before scratching the back of his head nervously, he said, "Yeah. Um. There's something I forgot to tell you about this job."

I could feel my temper rise in immediate skepticism. Narrowing my eyes at the Fire Dragon Slayer, I said lowly through clenched teeth, "What did you 'forget' to tell me, Dragneel?"

Giving me his terrified grin, he said in a tone so fast that I almost didn't catch what he said. "This-is-a-two-wizard-quest-and-it's-a-half-year-job."

As I processed his words, I felt the blood drain from my whole body as I glared confused daggers at the man I suddenly wanted to violently strangle in his sleep. "It... It what? Two – only two – wizards only? A HALF A FUCKING YEAR?!" I was causing a scene around us but there was no way to keep me from completely losing my shit. How in the Hell was I going to pay my rent if I was gone for six months? We wouldn't even be paid until the job was completed! And why the fuck would he ever think I could tolerate spending six months alone with him?! I'd be institutionalized once we got back. "Have you lost your mind, Natsu? I can't just leave on a six month job! And what about Happy? He's considered a wizard, too."

Off in the distance, I heard the warning whistle for the train, which only irritated me further. Apparently, however, Natsu had come prepared for this confrontation. "Happy is... He's more concerned about Carla right now."

"Okay, and what about Lisanna?" I prodded further.

I saw him tense but he said, "You know she's not much for jobs. And Elfman and Mira just got her back a year ago. Couldn't just take her away for six more months." He paused for a moment before switching gears. "If you're worried about your apartment, I got it covered. Juvia said she was looking for a private place away from Fairy Hills so she could work on herself or some weird chick thing like that. She was more than happy to basically sublease in exchange for privacy."

Growling, mostly to myself, I said, "That Water Mage better not flood the place. Oh man, the landlady would be so pissed."

Natsu only continued. "And I don't know why it said only two Mages, but since Gate Keys were included in the reward, I thought you'd be the best partner."

"But, Natsu..." I said, feeling myself pale even more. "Our Guild – our nakama – We won't see any of them for months!"

Natsu's happy disposition faded slightly. "Yeah. I thought about that, too. But... It's the first S-Class job the Master has ever willingly let me have without requiring an S-Class escort. If we come back successful, Makarov said he would promote us both to S-Class wizards."

"What?" I gasped, covering my hand with my mouth briefly. "But... But I've only be a wizard for a few years and been with FairyTail even less. Why on Earthland would Master Makarov promote me? I mean, you deserve it at this point, but – "

"Lucy," Natsu said, grabbing me by the shoulders gently and smiling wider. "I don't know if you've figured this out yet, but Celestial Wizards are almost as rare as Dragon Slayers. The magical community sees Celestials as very powerful because they can summon Spirits from other worlds with ease, while there are some who dedicated their entire lives trying to do the same with with only one Spirit."

The train gave another warning sound, but I wasn't ready for our conversation to be over. "Ugh, we have to go and you're useless to talk to on a train. Come on. Let's just go and you can explain more in Starview." I was beyond irritated, but we had a train to catch.

"I'm really sorry, Virgo, but we have to get to our hotel room and he's way to heavy for me."

I couldn't have been more apologetic to my Maiden Spirit standing before me on the train. I never wanted to treat my Spirits like pack-mules, but there were only two more minutes left to get off the train and Natsu was out cold.

"Of course, Princess. Would you like for me to punish him as well?" she replied obediently, her sadomasochistic side coming out like it always did.

I felt my face flush slightly red as I waved her off. "Oh, no, no. That's not necessary. Just carry him until we get to our room at the Starview Hotel, please."

"Very well, Princess," Virgo said with a polite smile. Grabbing Natsu and his pack and picking them both up with ease, she looked expectantly at me, ready for me to take the lead in our trek.

The Starview Hotel was only a few blocks from the train station, but I had been awake since dawn thanks to Natsu so I was exhausted as it neared one in the morning. As I slid my feet along the ground in a tired fashion, it didn't help my mood any that Natsu was starting to show signs of life, but was still sick enough to make those horrible noises.

Once we were in the rather fancy looking hotel, I checked us in quietly using the Master's credit sphere and got us to our room as quickly as possible. I stopped on our way to the room to get a bucket of ice, just to prepare for when I dispersed Virgo.

"Alright Virgo, if you'll please place him on the bed – gently! – you may go. I'm sure you have other things to do," I said embarrassedly, covering my face with a hand.

"I will always be here when you need me, Princess. You are no burden." Virgo was just as prompt and polite as ever. Actually setting Natsu down instead of dumping him, she bowed to me slightly before fading away into the golden mist of the Celestial World.

"Okay," I huffed to myself, looking around at our bags. "Guess it's my turn to put our stuff away... as always." Looking around, I noted the bucket of ice I had grabbed still sitting on the nightstand next to Natsu.

'Hmm..." I thought evilly to myself. 'I'm sure a nice, cold dousing should bring a Fire Dragon Slayer roaring back to life.' Yes, it was childish and petty, but Natsu spent so much time making my life Hell just to amuse himself, so why shouldn't I return the favor?

Smirking and thanking God for not letting anyone be there to stop me, I grabbed the bucket of ice and wasted no time. Going to the bathroom sink, I filled the ice bucket up with just enough water to clear the ice. Shaking it carefully to make the water colder faster, I knew it was game on.

'Time for Crack of Dawn payback!'

Standing a safe distance away from the bed, I smiled right before letting the ice-water fly. It was right on target, expanding its reach to where it splashed him from his knees to his head. I didn't even have the luxury of a split second to enjoy my work before Natsu was on his feet, mad as a... well, a wet cat. It was almost as funny as when Happy had to get a bath.

"What the ever living Hell, Lucy?!" Natsu snarled out, letting shallow flames engulf him to dry up the rest of the water. "Are you trying to fucking kill me? Or get me to kill you? Cause that's how you get Dragon Slayers to kill you!"

Natsu was well into his rant, but I could do nothing but smirk as I crossed my arms under my breasts. Completely ignoring Natsu's tirade, I interrupted coolly, "Oh, Natsu! You're finally up. That's really great because I could really use some help unpacking."

"Have you lost your damn mind, woman?!" he shouted, looking like he was about to rip his own hair out. "What if I'd gone into shock? You would have felt so baaaad – "

"Natsu," I said seriously, placing a hand on his shoulder. Looking him in the eye with a barely concealed smirk, I continued, "You are perfectly okay, Princess, and I not dumb enough to not know that it wouldn't hurt you. Your subconscious heats you up accordingly on instinct. Most of the water evaporated on contact."

"I fuckin' knew it!" he ranted, grabbing his bag and pulling it to himself. "Women are psychotic. Why do I even bother – ?"

"Bother with what?" I asked curiously, sitting gently on my designated bed furthest away from the door. Natsu always had a weird protective thing going on when it came to sleeping arrangements. He always needed to be closest to the door, and he never once budged on that decision.

Natsu's face immediately morphed into a hot crimson color, and all of a sudden he was much too interested in the contents of his bag.

"Ugh, stupid boys," I growled aloud. Rolling my eyes in defeat, I got up and sat next to Natsu, who was pulling the job flyer from his pack. "Anyways, you think we should start working on the riddle tonight or get some sleep and start early tomorrow?"

I hadn't realized it, but apparently halfway through the question, I yawned. Natsu was looking at me with an amused grin.

"Well," he sad, giving me a smirk. "You look like a herd of Wyverns trampled you, so I'd say you need to get some beauty rest."

"ARE YOU CALLING ME UGLY, DRAGON BREATH?"

Short first chapter. Basically testing the waters here. I have much, much more written but I really need feedback to keep going. From here on, chapters will be a minimum of 4,000 words.

Thanks for reading. ;) ~ oVicariousLadyo