A/N: Hello everyone! This is my first FT fanfiction, I read up all the manga in about a two week span so I'm pretty sure details are correct- they're fresh at least . If you notice anything please inform me. I'll hopefully be updating this pretty soon. I want to get it all out before November because I'm going to participate in nanowrimo. So read and enjoy! Thanks!

Chapter One: A Little Bad Information

It was quiet and Miss Lucy Heartfilia had not experienced such a thing in months. Reluctantly, she realized that being Natsu, Happy, Erza, and Gray's teammate for such a short time had probably forever distorted her perception on a good many things: volume and normality being high on the list. Fairy Tail, the guild of mages she belonged to, had also been the best thing to happen to her life- ever. She had family (that actually cared about her) and people who could help her become the best celestial mage she could be because they wanted to be the best mage in their respective areas and understood. Not to mention she'd return the favor for any of her family at the drop of a hat. Because of that she was on her own this week, and not part of Fairy Tails strongest team. Which sucked just a little bit.

'But I could never ask Natsu to ignore a rumor on the whereabouts of Igneel. Although, he's a freakin' huge fire dragon; it should probably be easier to find him. If I were to see a gigantic dragon I think I'd be sure about it at least. And I'm very glad that Gray and Juvia were requested for such a high level mission, but did it have to be the same week Erza decides to go visit Gerard? I have rent soon! As much as they crash at my place they could at least consider my finances a little!'

She rolled her eyes at her inner antics and kicked a rock down the road to distract herself. It hadn't been a long trip, three hours by foot, but being on her own made her antsy. She could practically feel the empty spaces walking along beside her.

'The first time in forever that we wouldn't have to take a vehicle and Natsu isn't here. Oh well, I'll have to tease him about it later, he's probably sprawled across the seat of the train trying not to throw up right now.'

Giggling, Lucy patted her celestial keys creating a jaunty little walking tune as she crested a hill. A relatively short distance away she could see the town she was supposed to be assisting. There was a small group of guards at the main entrance and she could see smatterings of people wandering about. While she had the chance she glanced around. There was a pretty thick forest behind the village and it spread around the walls thinning out as it got closer to the main gate ending in just a couple trees on the hill with her.

'Probably where the bandits are hiding out,' she mused.

The mission page said there was a group of bandits that routinely attacked the town. Taking them out and helping the townspeople deliver them to the authorities in the next town over, an hour ride by cart, would earn her a whopping 200,000 jewels which would give her almost three month's rent on her small apartment.

'Waaaay too good to pass up. I have to remember to thank Mirajane for holding onto this one; it's perfect!'

With her target in sight she sat down on the roots of one of the closest trees to watch the village and have a snack and some water. It was really beautiful up this way and she was, only for a moment, sad that she'd have to interrupt the peaceful afternoon. Enjoying the sum streaming through the leaves, Lucy made sure she was good and rested, packed up her few supplies, made sure her trusty whip was attached at her hip, and grabbed her keys. She'd been pondering her best strategy for taking down the enemy and had come up with a couple good plans in the event of different situations but as she started to reattach them to her belt, the place she'd kept them since she'd first got them, she found herself sliding them into her pocket. An odd wind crept down her spine drawing shivers across her back and she looked again at the small town before her. It took a few minutes to shake off the sudden negativity, but she finally managed to shove it to the back of her mind, rent was calling after all.

The gate guards saw her approach and stood when she was about halfway there. She raised her hand to show the Fairy Tail insignia. It was supposed to help customers trust them, but to be safe she followed up with a friendly greeting and smile.

"Hello! I'm Lucy- the mage sent from Fairy Tail. I'll just need to talk to your headman about the bandits before I go after them!"

The guards glanced amongst each other, whispering back and forth before one ducked into the gate. She reached them a few minutes later as he was coming back through. He wasn't alone on the return trip. With him was a larger man, about 6'2'' and very broad in the shoulders, with a crew cut. He stepped in front of the others. Trying not to look as intimidated as she felt Lucy held her hand up again and essentially repeated herself for the newcomer.

"I'm Lucy, the mage who accepted your request for bandit removal. The advertisement wasn't specific on details and I'd like to ask your headman directly. I'm sorry about any inconvenience that might cause."

He eyed her and she realized she hadn't felt quite so judged in a long time, "You're a mage? What d' ya do? Ya don't look like a fighter t' me."

The guys behind him sniggered. Upset, she tried not to glare too fiercely at the men-she didn't want to risk saying something that could endanger her rent money- and instead turned her attention back to the larger man.

"Did your mother never teach you not to judge a book by its cover? Fairy Tail would never send a weak mage to rescue a village, so can you take me to the village leader or not?"

"I suppose we can take you to the boss. He'll set you straight." He pointed to a building in the center of the village, "His office is over there. Follow me."

With a quick motion to the guards Big Man had the gate opened for them and started to walk toward where he'd pointed. She followed as quickly as she could. Something was niggling at the edges of her subconscious but she couldn't put her finger on it. Looking around she once again saw what she'd seen from the hill, men milling around, shops- with broken windows and…blood on them? She gulped and frantically looked around, her breathing and heart rate spiking of their own volition.

'No women or children either! Oh jeez this is bad-'

Distracted by loud laughter as the gate closed behind them, she turned instinctively reaching for her pocket. It was just enough of a distraction that she didn't see Big Man until he was punching her in the face, and then only black.