Just as Natsu was getting ready to head back to the guild, he saw a flash of gold and blue that was accompanied with an amazing scent of strawberries and wildflowers. It was a girl, hiding amongst the trees and shrubs. "Stop!" he yelled to Grey and Erza, who had missed the figure due to their lack of dragon senses. Grey groaned in misery as he didn't want to be blamed for making them late to the guild, while Erza whirled around and proceeded to bash Natsu's head in because she was looking forward to the strawberry cheesecake Mira had planned to make for her when they got back. Somewhere in the distance they heard someone snicker, prompting Natsu to yell out "Who are you? You smell like a mage!" Then the girl started laughing loudly, for even the raven and scarlet headed mages could clearly hear it. When the girl came out of the bushes, she was wearing a torn and muddied sky blue dress that clung to her figure and complimented her long golden hair. Her skin was bruised and dirty and her hair in a messy knot at the crown of her head. She looked like she hadn't showered or been inside in a while.As she crept out of the bushes she saw a half naked boy with jet black hair, an excited boy with spiky pink hair and a girl with long, vibrant scarlet tresses looking pretty confused. Then, the yelling started.
"Whatsyour'ename?Areyouamage?Whydoyoulooksobeatup?Whattypeofmagicdoyouuse?Areyouinaguild?" Even though the boys words came out fast he was still practically yelling out of excitement.
"Whoa! Is he ok?"
"Don't worry about that idiot. What happened to you?" the half naked one asked.
"...I ran away from home."
The trio of friends froze at this admission. They must've looked horrified to the girl because she panicked and quickly tried to explain.
"Wait, you don't know the whole story! My mother passed away when I was very young. Since then my father has paid no attention to me and is now trying to marry me off to a man I don't even know for money!"The golden haired girl was shaking, tears starting to build up in her eyes at the mention of the marriage.
The three friends watched as the poor girls eyes began to pool with sparkling tears. It was obvious that she was struggling not to cry. Her words and demeanor were so innocent it angered the lot of them to think her father treated her so awfully. The excited boy spoke up first. "So, what's your name?"
"...Lucy."
"Heh? Don't cha have a last name?"
"It's Heartfilia..." She now had trembling smile on her face, hopeful at the thought of new friends.
"So Natsu said you smelled like a mage, are you?"
"Gray! Don't be so inconsiderate!" Erza barked and elbowed him in the ribs, before she turned to Lucy. "I'm Erza, don't mind those two idiots."
"I am one..." came her whisper of an answer.
Passerby were shocked at the scene they were witnessing. Three of Fairy Tails mages, one bouncing with excitement, one shocked and concerned, and the other seemingly disinterested, were gathered around a beautiful blond girl with a ripped up dress that showed her off quite nicely, according to some. Even though she looked beaten and dirty, it was easy to tell how pretty she was. Then one of the mages suddenly shouted. "C'mon! You're comin' to the guild with us!"