Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. If I did I'd play a lot more video games (Have you ever noticed that that's what all the manga-kas do in their free time?)

It was the next day. Everything had been packed the night before and now they were on their way south. Two horse-drawn carriages occupied the road along with several armored guards on horseback. The first carriage held Mr. and Mrs. Heartfilia while Lucy, Erza, and Gray rode in the second one.

"Why isn't Natsu and Happy riding with us? Lucy asked "Is he still mad at me?"

"No, it's nothing like that." Gray said "Natsu is just a really bad traveler. Believe me, you don't want him in here with us."

"Where is he? I don't see him out there." Lucy said while looking out the window.

"Don't worry Lucy" said Erza "He's flying high above with Happy. So while we're here keeping an eye on you, he's scanning the road and forest for potential threats."

"Did you talk to him like I asked?" she continued turning to Gray.

"Yeah, and I wish I could get my hour back. It takes forever to explain anything to that idiot." Gray sighed. "He says he gets it now, so don't worry, he'll behave himself."

"Hmmm" Erza paused looking thoughtful. "So Lucy, our mission request sheet mentioned that we should entertain you while we're here. How should you like us to do that? Gray and Natsu can put on a fireworks show tonight, but that still leaves us with several hours to fill in the meantime. I suppose I could sing or recite for you." With that said, Erza started doing voice exercises to warm up her throat.

"N-no, that's okay Erza" said Lucy looking embarrassed. "I don't know why my parents put that in the request, but..." she hesitated.

"But what Lucy?" asked Erza who had stopped her voice exercises.

"Maybe you could tell me a story?" Lucy asked hopefully.

"From all the books you've read, I'm sure you'll already know any of the ones we could tell you." said Gray.

"Oh no, not one of those" Lucy said shuffling around in a small bag by her side. She took out a battered copy of Sorcerer's Weekly and started flipping through it. "In here it says a member of Fairy Tail destroyed some of Lupinus castle, and the church in Freesia, and the clock tower in Tuly to name a few. The articles don't give a lot of details, but all that destruction must mean that being a Fairy Tail wizard is pretty exciting right? Maybe you could tell me a story from one of your adventures? Please?"

Gray and Erza looked at one another. "May I see your magazine and borrow a pen, Lucy?" Erza asked. Lucy complied. "It looks like Natsu is going to be doing a lot of story telling later." Erza murmured as she sat making marks in the magazine.

"Why's that?"

"Well, those buildings you mentioned were all destroyed by Natsu." said Gray "He's well-known for wanton destruction of property." He paused. "However, I think Erza and I have some pretty exciting stories to tell too. There just won't be as many explosions in them."

At that Gray started telling Lucy about his last mission, during which he found himself naked so often that Lucy's sides hurt from laughing at his humorous story.

Erza had finished with Lucy's magazine. She had labeled each article with the name of the wizard responsible. Lucy was amazed to see Natsu's name by over half of them. Erza and Gray then spent the rest of the day telling her stories of past missions.

They stopped that evening at a small isolated inn. Happy and Natsu joined them looking utterly exhausted. They had after all, spent all day either flying or running, taking breaks when the horses did. After a well-deserved meal, Natsu was informed of his "entertainment" duties. In this, he was happy to comply. After all, he was proud of his work. His missions were successful—so what if a few buildings were incinerated in the process? It was true that he didn't always get all of the reward money (and sometimes had to run away from the police) because of it, but his needs were so few that he wasn't bothered by it.

The next day passed by in much the same way with Gray and Erza telling stories, but this time including ones of happenings within the guild. Lucy listened with rapt attention. It made her wish her life had been different. Life in Fairy Tail sounded like so much fun. She would've given anything to give up being Lady Lucy Heartfilia to be Lucy of Fairy Tail.

Before thy knew it, they were entering the city of Kumate. Lucy, having rarely been off the estate, was excited to see this town. She spent the entire time looking out the window at all the different houses and businesses. One business in particular caught her eye and she made sure to memorize its location.

The hotel they were staying at was much nicer than the one in the forest. So much so that Lucy had her own suite with a balcony overlooking the city. There was even a private dining room in the hotel that was reserved for special guests, which the Heartfilias qualified as. When Lucy and the mages came to dinner, only Jude Heartfilia was there.

"Father, where's mother?" asked Lucy concerned.

"She's not feeling well, so she's laying down." he replied.

"It hasn't started already has it?" she asked worriedly.

"No, I don't think so. It's probably just all the traveling tiring her out."

"What's wrong Lushie? What hasn't started yet?" asked Happy.

"It's nothing...just...my mom usually gets sick in the summer. She always gets better, but I still always worry that she won't."

"Don't worry Lucy, she'll be fine after some rest." said Jude Heartfilia.

Lucy looked over to her new friends to see Natsu practically falling asleep in his food.

"Are you okay Natsu?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure. Today was just more tiring. There were actually a couple of vulcans nearby that I took care of."

"What are vulcans?"

"Think big monkeys that can take over your body if you let them."

"Ah man, why didn't you tell me? I've been itching for a fight." complained Gray.

"There were only two and they were pretty weak. I took em out with a couple of fire dragon iron punches."

"You still suck." Gray said.

Gray, Happy, and Natsu were awoken abruptly the next morning.

"Wake up! Now!" Erza shouted.

"Uh...five more minutes Erza." Natsu groaned.

"No, now!" she yelled as she dumped Natsu and the rest out of bed.

"Sheesh, what's your problem, Erza?" Gray moaned rubbing his head.

"My problem is that when I went to wake up Lucy, she wasn't there. She's not in the hotel. She's gone."

Dun-dun-dun. Where did she go? Don't worry, you won't have to wait too long. Monday at the latest. Until then!