IMPORTANT! YOU MUST READ! I MEAN SERIOUSLY SERIOUS HERE, YOU MUST READ! YOU WILL SUFFER A TERRIBLE HEADACHE IF THIS IS NOT READ!

Hey guys, so as it said in the summary, this story is a based off of AllieJenzie's fanfic, 'I Never Should Have Joined'. Before you start yelling, she did give me permission to do this. Don't believe you can ask her yourself.

This story was made with the combined efforts of AllieJenzie, her dear friend Ashren (who has taken it upon herself, to add herself into this tale) and me.

All the Credit to the idea goes to Allie!

"Hurry up Blonde." Laxus Dreyar, 21 year old lightning mage, scowled over his shoulder, waiting impatiently for his new traveling companion.

"You could have a little patience you know. I have to finish this and send it today." a blond celestial mage sigh, scribbling frantically on the letter in front of her.

Laxus scoffed.

Rolling her eyes at him, Lucy continued to write her letter. It was to her child hood friend, and best friend. Ashren. She had to let Ashren know what had happened in the past days. She knew her friend would probably be worrying.

So with that thought in made, she made a quick summary of what happened and reached for an envelope.

She could help but wonder, what was Ashren doing now?

-000-

Sneezing suddenly, a dark red hair and green eyed girl looked up from her journal.

...Someone was talking about her. She could feel it.

After a few short seconds, she girl shrugged it off as nothing, and continue to write down in her journal.

Greetings Peasants. You are now in the glorious presence of Ashren, which is me. At the moment I'm going over old letters that were sent between my old child hood friend and me.

My child hood friend is a girl named Lucy Heartfilia. We lived close to each other when we were kids. My father, a good friend of her fathers, would often have business trips together. Since Lucy and me with the same age he brought me with him each time so I could play and chat with her.

About two years ago though I left home to start my own life, even if I was only 15 years old. Since then my only way to contact Lucy was threw mail.

I remember I sent the first letter, saying pretty much this,

Dear Dumb Blonde,

I have finally moved into my new apartment. It was more costly than it should have been with how poor the condition is, but my latest information says it will be worth it in the end. It better be.

Sincerely,

The Money God

Yes I am the Money God. That aside, my friend replied with this next letter. She was telling something about how her life within her new guild was like.

Dear Cheapskate,

Happy to hear you have a new apartment, it's about time you found a place to settle down. I just got done with a mission today and am about to head back to FairyTail. You should really come check it out some time. It's an amazing guild.

I have an odd feeling today. Do you ever have those moments where you feel like something bad is going to happen? Maybe it's just my imagination.

Anyways, talk to you soon. Try not to get into too much trouble.

Sincerely,

Regular Blonde

P.s. Maybe you should lower your housing standards

I paused, staring blankly down at the letters in my hand. I always kept a copy of my own written letters, just in case. These had been passed on only a week before. Throughout the week my pen pal's, letters had gotten more… disturbing. With a heavy sigh I looked at the latest letters.

Dear Dumb Blonde,

Follow your gut. If something feels wrong then get out before something bad happens. If you need help all you need to do is ask (with the acceptance of payment, obviously). I am almost done with my investigation and will be able to visit soon.

Sincerely,

The Money God

P.s. I do what I want, peasant

Yeah don't bother to ask what my job is. One, you don't need to know, two, I'm too busy to tell you. Anyway though, around the final letter I had gotten from my Pen Pal, I was shocked to see what she wrote.

Dear Cheapskate,

I still question why you call everyone peasant. As I am sure you noticed (with your weird paranoia) that my address has changed. Don't worry, I'm fine. The guild just wasn't right for me anymore. I am currently on the road with a friend of mine so I am afraid I won't be able to receive any of your letters for a while. As I am sure you are probably wondering (again) my friend is Laxus Dreyar. Don't freak out. I was slightly injured on the road (stop freaking out, I can tell you are) and he took care of me. He did not wish for me to be on my own until I was fully recovered so he is traveling with me (stop panicking!). We are currently heading to Heavens Grove. I hope you are well, stay out of trouble (again).

Sincerely,

Regular Blonde

P.s. That is not what a regular human being does nor wants to do!

I stood with a sigh, stuffing the letters in my pocket. Something big had happened, no matter what Lucy said. Slinging a bag over my shoulder I strolled calmly out the door of her hotel room, leaving the stupid bill untouched and, I smirked, unpaid. It was time to find my pen pal and childhood friend.

-00000-

Lucy sighed heavily, placing the last letter to her dear friend in the mailbox gently.

"Would you hurry up? You may be fine with it but I would prefer not to spend my whole day staring dumbly at a mailbox." A deep voice called to her.

"Better than staring at your dumb face," Lucy grumbled.

"What was that?!"

"Nothing Laxus!" A charming smile was sent his way.

"Whatever," Laxus huffed, folding his arms. "Lets just go."

Lucy sighed again, trudging after him.

It had been a week or so since the incident had occurred. She wasn't entirely sure how it had started, but it was painfully clear how it ended. Ever since she had returned from that mission her gui-… former guild members had begun to act differently towards her. It started with just slight annoyance whenever she approached them. Sometimes they would seem to return to normal until they appeared to remember who they where talking to. It hurt, of course it did, but it only got worse from there. They no longer concealed their hate with fake words and smiles. Constant belittlement met her every step. Even violence began to become a regular treatment. Then that final day came where everything seemed to blow up in her face.

They beat her mercilessly, leaving only a shell of what she used to be. The worst was her arm, which she could barely move at the time due to the large gash that spread across its length, courtesy of Erza. Those scars could be hidden, though. She didn't have to look at them if she did not want to. She could continue life as a normal mage. Unfortunately there was one scar that could not be covered. She did not have to see it personally, that was easy enough to avoid, but everyone she passed could see it clear as day and it was their reactions that constantly reminded her of its presence.

A gruesome scar that went from the middle of her forehead and shot diagonally across her right eye and stopped just before her ear marred her once smooth face. It was hideous, and she knew it. She was not vain in any sense of the word, beauty held no real interest for her. But the knowledge that she could never look at a reflective surface again without being reminded of that terrible time was enough to crush her.

"Hey…. Hey you…. Blonde…. Blondie…. Dumb blonde…. LUCY!"

Lucy jumped, looking around wildly. Laxus stared at her in annoyance.

"What? What happened?" she questioned, looking for a threat.

"You dazed out," Laxus frowned. "Are your injuries hurting you?"

Lucy shook her head. "No, their fine. I was just thinking."

"Shocker."

She glared at him. "And? You said my name?"

"And various others. Anyway, we won't make it to the other town tonight."

"What? But it was only supposed to be an hours walk!"

Laxus crossed his arms in annoyance. "Yeah well, you where lagging behind and slowed us down!"

"Hey, I was not-!" Lucy looked around, finally taking in their surroundings. "…Why are we in a forest?"

"What?"

"Why are we in a forest? There is not a forest anywhere near the town we where headed to. Why are we in a forest Laxus?!"

He stared at her awkwardly before becoming angry, his face turning red.

"How the hell should I know?!"

Lucy gapped at him incredulously.

"You got us lost again, didn't you?! I can't believe this! It was a straight shot! All you had to do was stay on the road!" she threw her hands in the air.

"Yeah, well…" he struggled for words. "You're fat!"

"Excuse me?!"

"You heard me! Fat!"

"You're one to talk you big pig!"

"Boar!

"Cow!"

"I could barely carry you earlier you fatso!"

"Maybe that's because you lack more muscle than a sickly grandmother!"

"Lacking muscle-! What do you call these then?!"

"Big sacks of fat!"

The two continued to argue, their insults flying at a rapid pace, until Lucy stepped forward in anger. Her foot slid sending her straight into Laxus.

"Whoa!" he said, wrapping his arms around her. They stood for a moment in silence.

"Klutz," he smirked, holding her up.

Lucy tried to frown but a smile tilted her lips unwillingly. Hopefully Laxus wouldn't notice how her cheeks were burning red.

"Laxus," she began.

"Step away from her, peasant," a cold voice hissed.

Laxus tensed as something metal was placed on his forehead.

Lucy froze. The voice sounded oddly familiar…

"Ashren?" she called hesitantly. There was only one person she knew who called others peasants.

"Good evening Lucy, I see you are doing well enough without this big behemoth all over you," the voice greeted in a slightly warmer tone. "Now release her peasant."

Laxus slowly removed his arms from around Lucy who immediately turned around.

"Ashren it is you!" Lucy smiled before gasping at the sight of the gun placed to Laxus' head. "What are you doing?! Don't point that thing at him!"

The cloaked girl frowned, prodding at her victim.

"Ten steps away," she ordered, not lowering the gun.

"Ashren!" Lucy scolded

"Fine," she sighed. "Five steps."

Laxus glared at the girl but carefully backed away.

Once he was deemed a safe distance apart she lowered her gun to her side and pushed back the hood of her cloak.

Shaggy, chin length red hair framed piercing green eyes. A deep scar ran across her right eyebrow, down her right eye, and ended just above the corner of her lips.

"What are you doing here?" Lucy questioned, taking in the face she hadn't seen in years.

"The better question is what are you doing here? From your letters I would have assumed you where halfway to Heavens Grove right about now."

Lucy frowned in annoyance. "Yes, well, we would have been if it wasn't for Laxus' terrible directional sense. He has gotten us lost three times now."

Laxus scowled and turned away.

"I see," Ashren sighed, strapping her gun to her hip. "You really could have done better in respects to company Lucy."

Laxus glared at her harshly. "And just who the hell are you?" he hissed.

"Though I have better things to do than to speak with dimwitted peasants, you are Lucy's companion so I suppose I shall humor you." Ashren walked over to a slightly hidden path near the bushes. "Come with me, I have set up camp a little ways away. We can talk there."

"And why would I follow you?" he demanded.

"You have no food, little water, it is getting dark, you are lost, your companion is injured, and I have a gun," Ashren listed monotonously.

Laxus growled but looked away. "Fine," he muttered.

"Great, lets go then."

The three made their way through the forest, Ashren a little ways ahead of the two mages.

"Who is this girl?" Laxus whispered to Lucy.

She smiled nervously. "An old friend of mine. Don't worry, she's really nice when you get to know her."

"She pointed a gun at my head!"

Lucy shrugged, "Well you are a suspicious looking guy!"

Laxus sent her look.

"Oh, don't look at me like that, you know its true."

"Are all of your friends gun wielding maniacs?"

Lucy glared at him. "Well at least she didn't turn me to stone and try to electrocute me."

Laxus groaned. "Are you still going on about that? That was a one-time thing! Get over it!"

"No! You turned me to stone!"

"She pointed a gun at my head!"

"She wouldn't have seriously hurt you, unlike your crazy friends."

The mention of the FairyTail group brought the conversation to a halt, allowing a tense silence to fall between the two.

"I realize blondes like you two are severely lacking in brain cells but your speed should not be affected. Get a move on, we should have been there already." Ashren called back to them.

The two glared at her back before picking up the pace.

A few minutes later Ashren lifted up what appeared to be a large bush and ushered them inside the small hole behind it. The two cautiously made their way in and where surprised to find a spacious clearing on the other side.

The first thing Lucy noticed was the warm fire and the scent of food.

The first thing Laxus noticed was the disturbingly large amount of weapons littered throughout the clearing.

The first thing Ashren noticed was two peasants' messing with her stuff.

"Sit down and don't touch anything," she demanded, strolling over to check her food.

"This is nice," Lucy commented, looking around. She chose to blatantly ignore the weapons. "How did you find this place?"

Ashren stirred a small pot over the fire, not even glancing up.

"I built it. I often do assignments in this area and I needed someplace covert."

"That doesn't sound anything like a terrorist," Laxus mumbled.

Lucy jabbed him with her elbow.

Carefully spooning the food into two bowls, Ashren walked over and placed them in front of the two. She lowered herself to the ground across from them.

The two began to eat before Lucy frowned.

"Aren't you going to eat Ashren?" she questioned.

The redhead waved her off. "I have already eaten, that food was for my prey later on tonight."

Laxus spat the food back into the bowl.

"Laxus!" Lucy reprimanded.

"Did you not just hear her?!" he sputtered. "Her prey, Lucy! This probably wasn't made for their health!"

Ashren rolled her eyes.

"Relax I haven't done anything to it. The smell would have drawn them out well enough."

Laxus scowled down at the bowl before continuing to eat.

Lucy grimaced in disgust.

"So how exactly did a person of your intelligence end up with… that?" Ashren questioned Lucy while gesturing towards Laxus.

"Can you please stop insulting him?" Lucy sighed.

"I don't like him."

"The feeling's mutual," Laxus glowered.

"At least try to get along with him. Please."

Ashren sighed. "Fine. You still haven't answered my question."

Lucy shifted uncomfortably. "I had been injured awhile ago and he found me. He's been taking care of me since."

"Why?"

Laxus glared. "You think I would just leave her there."

"After she was well enough, yes," Ashren stated matter of factually.

"Yeah, well, I'm not completely heartless like some people," he sneered.

Ashren gasped mockingly. "How did you know?"

Lucy groaned. "Guys please, stop fighting!" Her arm was beginning to hurt.

Ashren stared at her intently before standing.

"Very well, it is time for you two to rest. I have to finish what I came here for but that can be done tomorrow. Watches are not a problem, this place is safe."

Lucy smiled gently as Ashren handed her and Laxus blankets.

"Thank you Ashren."

"I expect to be paid back in full," was the monotone reply.

Lucy rolled her eyes but smiled. Ashren never changed.

After 20 minutes of tossing and turning, Lucy glanced over at the redhead. Laxus was snoring like bear and she was a very light sleeper.

"Ashren?" Lucy called quietly.

"Yes?" she didn't turn.

"Will you travel with us? I've missed you, and there are plenty of things that might interest you in Heavens Grove."

There was a long pause and Lucy was beginning to think the other girl had fallen asleep.

"I was going to go to Heavens Grove shortly after I finished here. To find you."

Lucy blinked in confusion. "Why?"

"I am not an idiot. I know you and you would never quit something without good reason. And judging from your appearance and wounds, something has happened."

Lucy shuddered and buried deeper into the blanket.

"I will not ask what has happened and you never need to tell me. I will find out in my own way, but just know that I will be here for you. Now go to sleep, your injuries need rest."

Lucy grinned and closed her eyes. Right before she was about to drift asleep Ashren called to her again.

"Lucy?"

"Yes?"

The girl turned over and ran a hand over her eye.

"We're twins now."

Lucy laughed, running the tips of her index finger over the scar that had been placed over her right eye. They were… scar twins, huh? "I guess so." She smiled