chapter 1 is longer, as promised, but the actual story part (not including my babbling) is only 1006 words...

I guess I've been watching too much Ouran Highschool because Mystollal came of a little more arrogant than I wanted in this chapter. XD oh well...

hey, Pusha, I remember you! thanks for reviewing! this chappie is all talk and no action but Erza is still pretty cold to everyone heehee ^_~

well, if you have any suggestions as to what kinds of things Mystwalker should run into on their journey please leave a review and i'll consider it, no promises. (I wanted to put 'Mystwalker' in the summary but it took up too much space so I had to settle for Edo-Jerza :P)

Chapter 1

"Sumimasen! Knightwalker-sama!"

Erza scowled at the interruption of her training period – she had just perfected a new move with Mel Force, and was in the midst of practicing it.

"What is it?" she growled to the blur of brown hair and bunny backpack that flashed to her side.

"Sumimasen, Knightwalker-sama!" the girl repeated, breathing heavily as she bowed, "You're wanted in the Meeting Hall."

"Tell Lily that I can't come right now – I'm training."

"It's not Pantherlily-sama that wants you; it's King Faust." The girl replied apologetically. Erza jerked her spear out of the manikin she had skewered and glared irritably.

"Damn King Faust." She breathed, walking briskly towards the Meeting Hall. The girl looked around nervously as she scuttled in following, presumably not wanting to be associated with someone who spoke ill of the King.

"I don't need an escort!" Erza called to the girl, "I know where the Meeting Hall is."

"Yes, Knightwalker-sama." The girl nodded and raced away.

"Ah, there you are, Miss Knightwalker. I'm so glad Coco managed to find you." King Faust smiled as Erza entered the Meeting Hall. "Please, take a seat." After Erza had bowed and recited the proper honorary traditions, he gestured to a seat at the long wooden table, which Erza took, looking around.

Prince Jellal was the only person there other than herself and Faust; a rather fancy setup for a meeting of three people, but then again, Faust was notorious for 'overdoing it' as one would say. Jellal looked to have grown into a respectable young man in the twelve years since he and she had played together once. Since that day, she'd seen him only in passing.

But it was the same Jellal, she could tell. Although they had only known each other for one day twelve years ago, she knew that he hadn't changed in the slightest.

But she shouldn't be so quick make such assumptions, Erza chided herself. This was Jellal the Prince, not Mist O'gun the boy.

A handsome man. A voice in the back of her head suggested slyly. She squashed it violently with other thoughts – Erza Knightwalker was a loner; she didn't think anyone was handsome.

"Miss Knightwalker, I'd like you to meet my son, Prince Jellal. Jellal, this is Erza Knightwalker, Captain of the Royal Army, Third Division." Faust declared. Erza dipped her head to Jellal, who touched two fingers to his forehead in a casual salute.

"Today we have come to discuss a heavy topic." The King went on, taking his place at the head of the table. "Know that it is not one that I reveal to you lightly." He gave both of them a stern gaze and Erza nodded to show she understood.

"Magic." Jellal guessed, speaking for the first time.

"Correct." His father confirmed, "You both know that magic is a limited resource, one which we draw from the earth. But now the earth cannot produce enough magic to match the rate at which we are using it." He looked each of them in the eye. "We need more magic."

"And you want us to go and find some." Erza deduced, reading Faust's intentions.

"I do." The King replied, "The most obvious display of magical power would naturally be in the Exceed. But I've already contacted them. Shigotte either truly doesn't know where we can find more magic, or she just refuses to help us, as humans."

"Any other leads?" Jellal asked.

"There is a healer in Edolas named Porlyusica. If I had to pick two people in this world who knew where to find magic, they would be Shigotte and Porlyusica. But not even I know where Porlyusica lives, nor what she looks like. Only that she's somewhere in Edolas at the moment and should be in her fifties or sixtes."

Great. We get an impossible job with nowhere to start. Let's go old-lady hunting Erza growled in her thoughts. Did Faust really presume to think that he could send the two of them on a wild goose chase across the country? She snorted. Could this get and more ridiculous?

"Is something the matter, Miss Knightwalker?" Faust inquired, noting her unladylike snort.

"No, my lord." Erza replied after the briefest of hesitations.

"I chose you two because you are both trained strategists, skilled in combat, and intelligent, quick thinkers. But most of all, because I trust you. Do not let me down." Faust continued, "Knightwalker, Pantherlily has agreed to take command of your regiment in your absence. This is not a public mission, so I trust you both to remain inconspicuous. That means that you will not pack as if you were going on a long journey – a simple backpack will do, though I don't know how long it will take you to locate, reach, and get the information from Porlyusica, not to mention the return journey. I will have you supplied with several thousand yen. Please ensure that you are not robbed. I expect you both to be ready to leave the day after tomorrow."

With that, Faust rose and exited the Meeting Hall, leaving Erza and Jellal to their own devices. There was a moment of awkward silence before Jellal finally spoke.

"Erza Knightwalker. It's been a long time."

"Twelve years, Jell– Your Highness." Erza replied, remembering just in time that he was her superior.

"Just Mystogan will do." He corrected. Erza frowned.

"You still use that name?"

"My father still insists on calling me Jellal, but yes, I request that everyone else call me Mystogan. Anyhow, you're one to talk." Mystogan smirked, noting her critical tone, "As I recall, that last name of yours was coined on the same day, was it not?"

"It's spelled with a 'K' now." Erza informed him, as if that was any sort of excuse.

"Still, the fact remains. I gave you your last name, Erza Knightwalker."

"Arrogant son of a bitch." Erza scowled. Mystogan's smirk only grew.

"That's the queen you're talking about." He warned, standing up.

She glared contemptuously as Mystogan took his leave. After a minute of sitting and staring into space, Erza sighed, and she too abandoned the Meeting Hall.

hope u liked! next chapter our journey begins!

~icefire out