Hello there and welcome to my story! :D As you might've guessed from the summary, this is going to be an Idol!AU. I've seen quite a few NaLu ones on here (never read any), however, I do have a few twists and turns to make this one unique, I believe. *snickers* I'm quite excited. Plus, you can't go wrong with NaLu, right? XD

Anyway, so just a little prologue. I hope you enjoy!

Prologue: Leading to the End of the Beginning

Music had always been a constant influence in my life. A constant thing that I could laugh over, that I could sway to, that I could trust. Always. It held so many different emotions, and every song seemed to affect people differently.

How long had I been absolutely enthralled by it? Would nineteen years sound crazy? It does seem as if I was in love with the lyrical tunes from the time I was born.

It's really one of the only things I have to remember my mother by. She had a lovely voice, so melodic and enchanting that I remember sitting by her side as she hummed, whistled, and crooned different songs to me, absolutely enraptured by her voice.

She taught me a few from her own childhood. She sang a few she made up on the spot, and some she'd written in her own teenage days when she'd been just as in love with music as I was now. No matter the song, it seemed all music led back to her.

It stayed like that for most of my life, even after she passed. I heard music, and I thought of her. I thought of her, and I heard music. They went hand-in-hand. And so that's what music was to me. It was family. It was comfort. It was something absolutely strong and steady and something I could get totally lost in.

I'd never been interested in pursuing it as more than a hobby until I was around fourteen or so, I guess. I saw people on TV singing, and different shows which broadcasted amateur singers from across the continent. I would enjoy the music, however… it felt a little weird to me.

Music was personal, it was something to soothe my worries and to put my feelings into words, not something to present to the world.

However, the more I thought, and as the years dragged on, I realized that perhaps I'd been looking at it all wrong.

It wasn't broadcasting songs out to the public for attention. It wasn't for fame or to be seen on a screen. These people that I'd frowned at, wondering why they'd ever plaster on a smile and sing their songs for their time in the spotlight, perhaps weren't doing it for those reasons.

Maybe, they were doing it for people like me. Children like me who sat and listened, and memorized the lyrics and swayed, and sang until they couldn't sing any longer. Maybe they sang so that people would have those songs, and that maybe it'd hit one person strong. Maybe the lyrics to one of those songs would strike right into someone's heart, and they would feel so moved that they weren't able to ever forget it. Just as I had with my mother's songs.

It was then, at the age of fourteen that I sat up straight, a new light in my eyes as I suddenly saw a path bright and glowing out ahead of me. I wanted to be a singer. Yes. That's exactly what I wanted.

And so I'd set off on that "journey" which seemed more like just one, long uphill battle. Although, I wouldn't say I disliked a single second of it.

I was going to make it big, share my songs, and my mother's songs, or even just my joy for music with the world and influence someone. Even if it was just one person, I would, and I would spread the happiness that music gave me with everyone else. I'd share it, and make people feel good.

There wasn't really much more in life that I could think would be better.

Coffee shops, talent shows, bars, and amateur band openings became my life. I played every night, sometimes for more hours than I could even remember in my sleep-deprived state from staying up for days on end, just to make it to the next show, singing sometimes to crowds of only ten, some so drunk they wouldn't know music from the sound of a car horn. But it was worth it.

It was worth it when I'd finish and the people would clap, or the bartender would give me a nod and whisper under his breath that 'wow, she was really good'. It was all worth the struggle, just for those brief yet amazing moments.

I lived and breathed everything musical for four straight years. I grew comfortable in those shops and bars that at first had intimidated me. I grew to know the other singers who sat and played before or after me. And while no, it wasn't what I had pictured when I first started out, it was… perfect for then. Plus, through those tough times I'd made more memories than it seemed my brain could hold. However, those are tales for another day.

I'd heard horror stories of the industry from those I'd met. The big record companies trashing even the best of singers for not being absolutely perfect. How you could go your entire life as a good singer and not get a single prospect for some sort of deal. I'd been told hundreds of times by other musicians I met that it was tough. Beyond tough. It was impossible.

You couldn't just be good. You couldn't just be great. You had to be legendary.

If I said during those four years I never had my doubts, or second guessed myself, I would've been lying. There had been big ups and downs, some days when I was more determined than ever and some when I could barely pull myself out of bed.

Father had no intention of supporting me and my ambitions, but allowed me to stay under his roof until my eighteenth birthday, on which he promptly told me it was time for me to spread my wings and move out. Those weren't his exact words, of course, but they meant the same thing.

No, it wasn't such a big thing. I had sort of expected it. Father was awfully strict, after all, and while he wished the best for me somewhere deep down, he also wanted me to do things on my own.

However, it was a bit of a heavy load to carry, knowing that the only living family I had left, didn't support me. That was when the times seemed bad, and I'd have to sit and take a deep breath, reminding myself that wherever my mother was now, she was definitely cheering me on. And that thought always made things seem a little… less grim.

Yes, four years and nothing. No one noticed me. No one looked at the letters I sent. Nothing.

I'd heard those horror stories of rejection and I began to think that maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Not that I'd give up, of course, just… I maybe needed to set my sights lower.

It seemed it was almost at that exact moment that the stars aligned and I finally received a letter in the mail. The letter that I truly believed would change my life.

I was lucky, I guess, only having to struggle for a few years before I finally had my shot. I was absolutely positive some of the friends I'd made were so jealous their faces turned purple. Some were nearly three times my age and hadn't ever had a prospect for their "big break".

So yeah, I was lucky. I had those ups and downs, and the crazy life of hopping from bar to bar with nothing but a microphone and a guitar, but those years defined me, in a way. They did prepare me, if nothing more, and I wouldn't have traded them for the world.

0=0=0=0=0=0

Lucy pressed her hands to the glass of the backseat car window, leaning as close to it as she could and looking out and up at the towering building beside the car. There was an entire parking lot between the building and the car and yet she still couldn't look up high enough to see the top.

The window fogged in puffs as her breath heated the glass. Wow. She'd never seen a building so magnificent. Even if she could just barely see the outline of it against the pitch black night sky.

"FT Industries," she said to herself quietly, marveling. The sign was a bright yellow neon, nearly halfway up the skyscraper and shining brightly like it promised to be all it was cracked up to be. What did FT Industries do? Hell, what didn't they do? They had their own television network, radio station, they held concerts and shows of the highest caliber, cranked out superstars like they were perfectly baked cookies from a magical oven, held various fashion shows and music video tapings- Well… the gist of the situation was that they were great. At least… that's what she always heard.

And she couldn't believe she was this close to it.

Man, if she was getting this excited over being next to it, she worried about her sanity if she was actually inside. Her eyes bugged at the thought and she had to quickly scoot away from the window to try and curb her excitement.

Plus, at this point if she went in she'd promptly be kicked out.

Maybe she'd been "discovered", however that didn't mean she was some household name. Actually… she wasn't even a name yet. She was just some nobody singer that hadn't even made her debut yet. Although… that was to come soon. At least that's what Erza had been reassuring her about for the past week. Yes, the preparation was over and she was about to make her debut.

Lucy was about to be a star.

She bit her tongue to keep from letting out a squeal. It was all coming together. Although, with that excitement came a wave of a case of nerves like she'd never experienced before. What if she screwed up on her debut? That was all anyone knew of her. That was the one and only first impression she'd get and if she botched it? ...Well… she shouldn't worry about that yet. That was still a little ways away, anyway.

She was snapped out of her nervous excitement as the door on her left clicked and swung open.

Erza had been inside of the building, attending to… whatever business she had with the Industry. Lucy wasn't sure, and when she'd asked, Erza had waved it off quickly, telling her she needn't worry. She'd waited patiently in the car, being as it was her one and only ride home and she didn't have much of a choice.

Erza slipped in beside Lucy with a sigh, closing the door and patting the back of the seat in front of her twice. The driver gave her a polite nod before shifting into gear and smoothly guiding the car out of the parking lot and back onto the now almost deserted main road. It really was getting late.

"You alright?" Lucy asked with a yawn, eyeing Erza. She looked a little frazzled, a few hairs out of place and her head leaned back with her eyes closed. Erza was always so composed; it was a little rare to see her seemingly exhausted like this.

"Mm," was the reply she received, Erza opening one of her eyes. "It's just been a long day. But then again, you should be feeling the same." She offered a smile.

Lucy nodded. It had been a long day. Rushing here and there after Erza, attending meetings with people she didn't know but assumed she probably should learn the names of, and basically just smiling and looking pretty while Erza did all the talking.

She got that Erza was her manager, and her agent, but still… she figured maybe she could've at least let her introduce herself.

However, she most definitely was not complaining. Erza was the one who scouted her, and she was also quite possibly the best damn manager Lucy could've asked for. She supported her unlike anyone she'd known before, and she believed in her, which was… intoxicating, in a way. She had a bit of a scary streak when she was crossed, but in some ways Lucy thought that perhaps that'd come in handy. If someone refused her a stage, she could easily see Erza stepping in and intimidating whoever it was until they caved.

Lucy bit her cheek to keep from snorting. Yeah, it could definitely come in handy. Maybe that's how Erza had gotten her name known in the business, and gotten so successful. Well… maybe not as successful as Lucy had originally thought.

Erza, the founder and president of Scarlet Inc. embodied everything Lucy thought a manager should be. She was strong, beautiful, and unbelievably cunning. Not only that, but compassionate and she loved with the fire of a million flames.

She hadn't heard of Scarlet Inc., or of Erza, before she'd been discovered. However after she'd been pulled under the fiery-haired woman's wing, she learned of some of her current and past clients. She managed a few of the names Lucy had on her walls. Bands and singers that she owned CDs of, as well as one of the absolute biggest and most popular bands of the current day. 'The Slayers' seemed to be taking Fiore by storm. Every girl appeared to know at least one of their songs, as well as have a favorite band member, and guys seemed to almost worship them. With such big names in Erza's agency, Lucy had been surprised she'd never heard of it before.

Of course, Erza had many clients, some of which Lucy had never heard of before, and some waiting for their debut, just like herself. However it seemed Erza had… taken a specific liking to Lucy.

Erza was the president of Scarlet Inc., therefore she had some input and ultimately the final say on a lot of things her singers and other talent did. However, she had smaller managers that branched out and worked underneath her, managing a few of the clients and ultimately becoming much closer with them than Erza would ever be. However, Lucy didn't have a manager like that. Erza was her manager. As far as she knew she was the only one rather than the hit band 'The Slayers' that Erza managed directly.

She felt honored, and maybe a little scared, but never really got up the nerve to ask why. From things Erza said, it seemed like she'd just somehow related to something in Lucy, or maybe she just hit it off with her like a friend. Lucy didn't know, but what she did know was that Erza believed she would make it big, and that she had somehow gotten the honor of having the president of the company nearly all to herself.

So long story short, she wouldn't complain.

"I'm looking forward to some good sleep tonight," Lucy sighed, looking back out the window as Erza closed her eyes again, her head rocking slightly as the car jostled over bumps in the road.

"Wish I could say the same," Erza sighed.

Lucy's eyebrow raised and she peered back over her shoulder. "Hm?"

Erza shook her head on the seat, not bothering to open her eyes. "We're taking you back to your hotel, and then I have one last stop before the day's over." She groaned loudly, sounding as if her quiet mood wasn't only because she was tired.

"What stop?"

"Blue Pegasus," Erza ground out, her eyebrows pinching. "Unfortunately… I'm having to turn one of my talents over to them."

Lucy's head tilted in confusion. "Blue Pegasus?"

"BP Showroom," Erza clarified.

Lucy's eyes widened involuntarily for two different reasons. One, she'd never known what the 'BP' in BP Showroom had stood for, and two… she couldn't imagine Erza turning one of her own over to another talent agency. Sure, BP Showroom was a name Lucy had definitely heard of, what with all their male idols, however… Lucy just couldn't imagine why anyone would want to leave.

It was as if Erza read her mind. "I'm actually turning them over voluntarily."

That seemed even more surprising. "Really? Why? Who?"

Erza's lips pursed as she raised her head, looking over to Lucy wearily. "It's not that I want to, really, it's just… I think they're getting a little too big, and with all the other clients I have… I just think it'd be better for their growth if they went to a different agency. They'd get more attention that way, some new ideas, new writers, everything. It pains me to lose them, but I know it'll be for the best. Nothing would bring me more joy than to see them succeed even more than they have now." Her eyes took on a dreamy glaze and her mouth curved into a distant smile.

Lucy made a face. It seemed like a decent enough reason, Erza did always care for her clients. "But who is it?" Lucy repeated.

"The Slayers," Erza said, sinking a little farther down in her seat. Lucy had never seen Erza slump before, let alone sit with her eyes closed. Usually she was so professional she practically smelled like authority. It was sort of nice to see her unwind a bit… However also a bit unnerving.

All of the oddly placid behavior aside… she hadn't just seriously said that, had she?

"The Slayers?!" Lucy nearly screeched, the car swerving momentarily as she scared the wits out of the driver who quickly apologized. "Are you kidding?!" she said through clenched teeth.

Erza frowned. "No, I'm very serious."

Lucy was positive had anyone else in the agency talked to Erza as she just had they'd have gotten a firm smack to the face. However Erza didn't seem too phased. She really had taken a liking to her, hadn't she? And while that was extremely relieving, Lucy was so flabbergasted she could barely form a sentence.

"Bu-Who-Wh-Aren't they your biggest client?"

Erza nodded. "Yes, by far."

"Well then why the hell are you willingly giving them up?!" This was seriously insane. With how big that band was now, Erza should be doing all she could to keep them with her, not send them elsewhere.

Erza looked out the corner of her eye wearily. "I just told you why. They will hit a dead end with me soon. They need someone else. Besides, their schedule is really wearing me out. I can only focus on so many things at once." Lucy stared blankly at her, as if she truly didn't comprehend the words. Which honestly… she didn't. "Look, if it's the fate of the company you're worried about, don't fret. Scarlet will be just fine even without 'The Slayers'."

Lucy shook her head. "It's not that… I just… I can't believe you'd give them up for reasons like that." She sat back in her seat, slouching and shaking her head. It was admirable… seriously admirable, but still…

Lucy could hear the smile in Erza's voice. "Two of the members are close friends. I knew them long before either one became famous, and before I ever opened a company of my own. I really want them to succeed, no matter who it's with."

The completely contented tone in Erza's voice put some of Lucy's skepticism to rest. She hadn't known Erza knew any of the band members personally, and while Lucy didn't know what sort of person Erza was inside and out, she was slowly beginning to understand. Lucy knew she herself would do something like that for a friend. A close one, anyway. And if it was a personal matter, as it seemed from what Erza said, it was not her place to input. Although, it still seemed a little crazy.

She nodded, knowing Erza had seen the motion.

"Anyway, I'm headed over to BP to sign some paperwork and send them on over. They'll be there so…," she sighed deeply, "I'm sure it'll be exhausting. Plus, I have to meet the president." Erza's entire face paled, all the way down her neck.

"Exhausting because the band's there?"

Erza waved a hand to dismiss her. "Long story."

Fair enough. Lucy looked back out the window, eyebrows raised as she watched the passing scenery. She could already see the headlines in the next few days. They'd be exclaiming that everyone's favorite band was transferring companies. There would be skepticism, undoubtedly, over whether the band was going downhill, or hitting a new era, or if their music would be any good after the move. And of course the usual rumors and craziness about why they'd left and who left who, the band or Erza. Lucy felt tired just thinking about it.

She turned back to Erza who had resumed her place, resting her head on the back of her seat. "Hey," she said carefully. "You know you could skip my stop. If it'd be alright I think it might be kinda fun to meet the band. I've never run into them before."

Erza made a sound, her eyelids seemingly glued shut with sleep. "Really? I figured you all had met somewhere along the way."

Lucy shook her head even though she knew Erza couldn't see. "Nope."

"Are you a fan? I've never heard you talk of them before."

She shook her head again. "No, not really. I mean… yeah, no not really. Of course, you can't go really anywhere nowadays without learning a little more about them. So I suppose I know enough to know what they do and who they are. Just enough to be curious." Information on each of 'The Slayers' members' had nearly been shoved down her throat. Whether it was that the twins were cat-lovers or that Gajeel had a bust of himself in his own home made out of iron, TVs, magazines, everything seemed to be screaming information and new finds about them. Plus, she had heard and knew a few of their songs. Who didn't?

Erza shrugged. "I don't see why not. If you really are interested in meeting them, I'm sure they'd want to meet you too."

Lucy smiled. "Thanks. Plus I'll get to meet this BP President then?" She grinned wider as Erza's complexion paled again at the mention. There was definitely something there between Erza and the BP president… although Lucy couldn't harbor a guess as to what.

"Mm," Erza replied, tapping on the back of the driver's seat and ignoring Lucy's remark as completely as she could. "Go on ahead to BP first, please."

"Yes, ma'am."

0=0=0=0=0=0

It'd seemed sort of innocent then, and in all reality it was. I was curious about meeting the band that I'd heard so much about, and the only other talent that was directly managed by Erza.

However, little did I know what sort of gigantic can of worms I'd opened with that request…

The four years until I was discovered was a rollercoaster of unbelievable heights. However, the one I was going to be thrown upon starting then, when I met the band, met him, and made my debut was one that I was definitely not expecting or prepared for.

The industry and the fame, but ultimately he was going to strap me in for one hell of a rollercoaster ride.

Looking back would I have chosen not to go, if I knew what would happen? … No.

It was a rollercoaster… but just like all rides that terrify. They're scary, they twist you, spin you, jostle you, threaten to throw you from the tracks, and while you're scared witless, questioning your own sanity in agreeing to go on them… they're also mind-bogglingly fun. Take the good with the bad? Or maybe just take the ecstasy with the frustration.

Either way, little did I know that from that moment on my world was going to be turned upside down… and flipped in every which direction.

The 100 Prompts Up to 100 MCs Challenge - 80 - inopportune & the Another Mega-Prompts Challenge - song prompts #101 - Rollercoaster (Bean)

So there it is! I hope you enjoyed! Only the prologue will have little bits from Lucy's POV, just as a little way to get going. And of course, I'm sure Natsu will make a little appearance next chapter. XD Gotta get this show on the road, ne?

I'm hoping that this story will have some humor in it, as well as romance and whatnot. It's always fun to have a little humor in stories. At least I think so anyway. If you're confused about anything feel free to ask. Although, there will be more showing Lucy's past happenings, some more info about Erza's business, and all that good stuff in the future to clear a few things up. :D

Anyway, I'd absolutely love to hear what you thought ot if! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! AUs are my fave, so it's always exciting to know I'm not the only one.. and that I didn't botch it too badly. XD

~Foxail-chan