Sup:) I didn't expect to get this out so soon, but I did. Just don't expect the chapters to keep flowing out of me. Anywho, I'm enjoying this series a whole bunch! I have so many ideas for it. I just worry that it will never flesh out into a story. Hopefully all my ideas aren't too overwhelming and I don't end up canceling the series! Heh, heh, heh... Yeah, that would suck. But HEY! Enjoy the story and I hope you like how I portrayed some of the other characters! What are you doing still reading this?! Get to the story!


The King himself asked for my presence and I had to admit that I felt a bit confident walking up to his throne.

"You're Majesty." I said in a calm voice and bowed down before him.

"Are you the one they call Salamander?" He asked in a haughty voice.

"Yes, you're Majesty." I stayed in my position on the floor.

"You may rise." He said. Slowly, I stood up to face him. The King was dressed in gaudy furs and jewels. He even had makeup on. He was very showy with the way he dressed. "I have a proposition for you. There is a city by the name of Magnolia. There have been riots lately and rumors of someone invoking action out of the people. I want you to locate the source and snuff it out. Think you can handle it?"

"If his Majesty wishes it" I replied, bowing deeply once again. I walked out of the room and immediately started preparing for my journey. Magnolia, huh? I hope it's nice.


I busted though the rickety old doors of my home with a huge grin. Wendy stood up from where she was sitting on the couch and ran over to me; her blue hair trailing after her. In an instant she wrapped her arms around me, giving me the largest squeeze known to man.

"Welcome home, Lucy!" she smiled.

"I'm home!" I cheered and returned her hug, patting her head as she let me go.

"Did you get in trouble again?" She asked with worried eyes.

"How'd you know?" I laughed, but stopped at the serious expression on her face.

"Everyone was talking about it. Things like 'Kisosha Strikes Again!' or 'The Cops Nearly Caught Her This Time!'"

"Oh, really? It's nice to be popular." I sighed. Wendy wasn't happy.

"I was worried!" she blurted. Tears started to brim her eyes. "I thought that I might end up alone!"

"Wendy…" I sighed and drew her into my arms again. "I'm sorry." I kneeled down to match her height and look her in the eyes. "I never meant to worry you, but you have to understand that I'm doing-"

"What needs to be done. I know." She sighed managing to look even more depressed.

"Look! I am pretty good at what I do, aren't I?" I flashed a smile at her, but she refused to return it. "Aren't I?"

"Yeah, I guess." She muttered.

"I might very well be the best. This is my lifestyle. I have the skills to do it. I have the courage to do it. If I don't do it then who will?"

"Does it matter?" She whined.

"Well, you matter. And if I can provide for you by thieving then I think it's worth it. Please stop worrying about me. I'm the only one who gets to worry, okay? Okay?"

Wendy stood there in silence, taking my words in.

"Okay?!" I grabbed her cheeks and forced them to grin at me. She couldn't help, but giggle at my actions. I pinched even harder, refusing to let go until she answered me.

"Okay! Okay!" She laughed and I finally released her cheeks. I stood up and patting her head as I walked past her to the living room. I crashed out on the couch and threw my bag at her. She clumsily caught in her hands, squealing when she thought she might drop it. I laid my head back and stared at the cracked ceiling above me. This house was in shambles; everything falling apart. It was enough for me though. I didn't need a bigger house. As long as my couch was comfy I'm content. A squeal caused me to lift my head at Wendy.

"Raisin Bread!" She cheered.

"There's other goods too." I said.

"But… Raisin Bread!" she repeated. She quickly broke a piece off and bit into it. She rolled her eyes in delight as she savored the sweet bread.

"Glad you enjoy it. You don't know what I went through to get that!"

"You mean to tell me that this is what you were being chased for?!" She cried.

"Well, I got chased for stealing this piece evidence that could have gotten the baker put in jail. As a reward I got those goodies you're eating." I explained.

"You nearly got caught for Raisin Bread?!"

"And for the baker. He doesn't deserve any jail time."

"Still! Bread!"

"I know, I know, but aren't you glad to have some right now?"

"Well… I guess so…" She mumbled and took another bite of the Raisin Bread. I laughed at her hungry nature.

"Oh, you should have seen me today," I started. "I was faster than anything you've ever heard of! I glided down the streets effortlessly while the soldiers followed me. Except they were too slow and really need to work out more. I was able to lose the easily." I continued my story as Wendy sat down to listen.

"I ran into the bakery with confidence and grabbed my reward off the table. The baker was obviously depressed by the spectacle I was causing. I was about to leave when I ran into the general!" Wendy 'ooed' and 'awed' for me. "I couldn't get passed him. Just then the soldiers caught up and they surrounded me. With no other choice, I called on Leo." I mimicked movement of lifting my key to the air. "Leo took out the bad and I the general. He tried to pull down my hood, but I kicked him in the nards!" I swung my leg in the air as if he were here. "Another flawless escape by yours truly!"

"That sounds dangerous and risky!" said Wendy.

"But adventurous and free!" I shouted. (Did you guys get the reference?)

Wendy giggled and took the bread over to the table. It was then that I took notice of the smell in the air.

"Oh! Is that… Sludge?" I asked, sniffing the air once more.

"Just how you like it!" giggled Wendy. She ladled some grey paste into a bowl for me and handed it to me. I felt my stomach grumble. This porridge or sludge as we call it is quite normal for our everyday meals. I must say I've acquired a taste for it. You would to if you had to live off paste for the majority of your life.

My mind clouded over as I started to think of the other person in the house. I sighed, wondering if she has eaten anything today. Probably not. I got off my spot on the torn up couch and walked over to the room on the right. I knocked lightly as I entered the room with the bowl still in hand. Levy didn't bother responding to my knock and sat at work at her desk. I sighed as I watched her back. Her blue hair was tied messily in an effort to keep it out of her face.

"Levy! You should eat something!" I told her and walked over to her side.

"Every time I sit down to eat is time lost." She said, not bothering to even look at me.

"Don't over work yourself, okay?" I asked and placed the bowl on her desk. I stared at the contraption she was making. I knew what this was. They were guns like the soldiers have. Except, we aren't allowed to have guns. Another stupid law made by our stupid ruler and yet, if found with one this could lead to many years in jail. Sometimes even death, depending on the scale of the production. I know that I am a thief, but I don't go around stealing because I want to. I do it because I have to, and seeing that weapon being put together was enough to strike a chord with me.

"Levy!" I slammed my hands on the desk. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm building a gun. What's it look like?" she retorted and continued fitting the different pieces together.

"We can't be in possession of weapons like this!" I stated, wanting to rip the thing right out of her hands.

"And?" she questioned. I stared shocked that she would not care about such a thing.

"And? And you could get arrested!" I said.

"I know that. It's not like I'm keeping them!" she said. My eyes were huge at this point. If she's not keeping them, then there's only one thing I can think of.

"You're selling them?"

"Do you really think I'm capable of shooting someone? No. But I am capable of supplying those who can." She explained.

"Why?! Why would you do this?!" I grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at me. "Why you even think about risking it?"

"It's time we fight! We can do it! We can overthrow the King! We just need someone willing to take a stand!"

"Let the others do that! You don't need to fight!"

"You don't get it, do you?!" Levy's voice rang through the room, causing me to flinch. "They took him! And he's probably dead!"

"Levy…" My chest ached as I watched her pain pour off her.

"I have nothing else! I'll never care for anyone like I did for him! I want that bastard dead! I want him to feel the pain I felt. The pain GAJEEL felt!" Tears rolled off her cheeks and stained the floor below. "… But I'm weak. I know that much. And if I can't fight myself then I can at least help others fight! I can at least do this…"

"Levy… You don't need to do anything!" I said and folded her in my arms. "Gajeel wouldn't want this. You risking your life."

"I want this. And right now, I think only my opinion matters…" She pulled away from me, wiping the last of her tears. "The next time I cry is when I see Gajeel again. Whether it be on earth or up in heaven."

"Heaven, huh?" I scoffed at that word. Heaven.

I couldn't do anything for Levy. She promised to eat later and got back to work on the guns. I had no choice, but to leave her alone. I went to my own bedroom which I shared with Wendy. It's what happens when you're poor. Not everyone can have their own room.

Levy was so torn up about what happened. I remember it like it was yesterday. Though, it was actually six months ago. Magic is banned here. Gajeel got caught doing magic. They came and took him. I wanted to use magic to save him. I nearly did, but he looked at me as they pulled him away.

"Don't." He said. "Just watch over Levy for me, will ya?" And he flashed me a sad grin. All I could do was nod. I'm glad Wendy wasn't there at the time or else she might have done something. If they came for her, I don't know what I'd do. I had to hold back Levy to stop her from trying to help. She says she understands. In fact, she says she is glad I did it because if I didn't then Wendy would be at risk, too. And yet, I feel she still blames me for everything that's happened. I stared up at the ceiling as I ran all these thoughts through my head.

So, hey, um, God? I don't know if you exist, but can you help, please? I want Levy to be happy. I want Gajeel to come back if he is alive. I want Wendy to be free and be able to use magic as she pleases. I know these might sound hard, but think about, will ya? Please...?