Lucy crossed her arms on the stool and watched the exchange of expressions between Laxus and Makarov. "Laxus! What are you doing here?!" She heard the master yell in aspiration. Lucy overheard one day that Laxus had his own group called the 'The Thunder God Tribe.' Three other people had worked in his group, Freed, Evergreen, and Bixslow. Lucy also heard that Laxus was their master's grandson. Lucy looked sadly at her master and sighed. It must break his heart to have such a grandson.

"I heard a rumor that a dragon slayer joined our guild recently and I just had to see who the guy was, I ain't harming anyone am I?" He looked directly at master with a smirk, planting a hand in his cheek somewhat innocently.

"I suppose not..." Master grumbled. Lucy looked away, not really wanting Laxus to find out that she was said dragon slayer. It's not like she was scared of the man or anything, but she didn't like to mess with people who annoyed her. But she supposed that he only wanted to see who it was. He probably wasn't looking for a fight. She stood up and pointed to Laxus with a fierce smile.

"I'm the dragon slayer you're looking for. Satisfied now?" There was a small pause, Laxus just staring down the smaller blonde. As if he was trying to decipher her. Lucy narrowed her eyes as she began to feel nervous. Why wasn't he saying anything?

"You're the new dragon slayer everyone's talking about? I've seen fiercer bunnies than you!" He laughed out. Lucy's face became red, from both embarrassment and anger. Just as she was going to run up there and give him a piece of her mind, a hand slam on her back. She hadn't even gotten up one step. Struggling to get out of his grip, she turned to glare at Laxus.

"Let me go, I wanna pummel him. Knock him town a peg or five!" Makarov shook his head and turned to give his grandson and disapproving look.

"Is that all you wanted then?" The guild master grumbled out. Laxus's smirk disappeared and he turned to look at the guild. He stood up and let a round of lightning spark around his body. Lucy, looking unimpressed, was finally let go. She stood up and dusted herself off before sitting back at the counter.

"Nah, I also wanted to tell you all that when I become guild master, all you weaklings will have to go! Just wanted to remind you all!" Most of the guild gasped at his words and turned to Makarov, who just sighed. Lucy could tell he was awfully conflicted by the statement. She, for one, was pretty worried. If Laxus viewed bunnies scarier than she, then she was probably first to go.

"Just leave." Makarov said simply, taking a swig of his beer. Trying to get himself drunk so that he could forget their exchange ever happened. Laxus rolled his eyes and slowly stepped down the stairs, glaring at anyone who was in a two feet radius. Natsu, however, didn't care.

"Hey Laxus," he shouted. "Fight me you lighting bastard!" Charging toward the lightning mage, Natsu was immediately electrocuted. Burnt to a crisp, he laid down as Laxus stepped over his body. Laxus cackled at the poor burnt boy who laid unconscious.

"How weak! Can't wait to get rid of you all!" Slamming the guild doors shut, he caused a eerie silence to loom over the guild. When Laxus became guild master, would he really kick the lot of them out? Lucy sighed and bent down to Natsu.

"When will you learn? Stupid pyro." Lucy furrowed her brows. For some reason, Laxus seemed almost sad at how Makarov was treating him. But could he blame the old man? Laxus wasn't much better with how he treated the guild. Shaking the pesky thoughts away, she helped Natsu stand so he could lay down on a stool. She pat Natsu's back and turned to her drink.

She gazed up towards Mira who seemed the most troubled by his presence. Lucy tilted her head to the side and placed a hand on Mira's while she wiped down the counters once more. Mira looked up at Lucy, seeing the worried gaze she gave her. "Mira? You okay?" Lucy whispered. Makarov noticed Mira's saddened face while she nodded.

"Of course I am...I would just like to know where it all went wrong. He really wasn't that bad when we were younger. But after his father was kicked out, it just all went downhill from there." Mira sighed and stepped away from the two of them, going back to cook a meal for another guild member. Lucy crossed her arms on the counter and lowered her head on her arms. She had a feeling his attitude was affecting Mirajane the most. Though she couldn't see why.

Once she finished her drink, she waited until Natsu awoke and finished his. They both walked over to Gray and Erza, sitting in the booth across from them. "So," Lucy started. "What job should we take?" Happy giggled and looked to the blonde.

"One surrounded by tons of fish!" Marie nodded at his response and rubbed her stomach. She could really use some fish too. Lucy rolled her eyes, shaking her head. Erza then placed a hand on Gray's shoulder, giving him a knowing smile.

"We came up with an idea, but we should probably run it over the master first. I believe all three of you are ready to take an S-Class mission," Erza then paused. She turned to Lucy who looked incredibly lost. "You don't know what an S-Class mission is, do you?"

"Nope." Lucy giggled sheepishly. Erza cleared her throat.

"Well, S-Class is a special rank we give to members who are ready to deal with the tougher jobs. I, for one, am an S-Class wizard. So is Laxus, and Mystogan. Now another member of the guild, his name is Gildarts, he is a very high ranking wizard. To the point I can't even remember hos rank. He takes the longests quests out of anyone. I've heard he was on a one hundred year quest as of right now." Erza explained. Lucy paled upon hearing about Gildarts. Noticing her nervousness, Natsu wrapped an arm around her neck.

"Ah don't worry about him. He's a nice guy!" They all nodded, reassuring the celestial mage.

"Anyway, S-Class is what most wizards here want to reach. I feel you all could already be there. So I suggest we go on an S-Class quest. Of course with me tagging along, as i am already an S-Class wizard." Erza smiled. Lucy felt a grin form on her lips, feeling excited.

"Hell yeah, we should do it. It'll be awesome!" Lucy cackled in happiness and pumped her fist into the air. Everyone laughed at her reaction while she cheered louder. Even gaining an audience, the guild laughed along with everyone else. Suddenly feeling a lot better from when they encountered Laxus. Erza stood up and walked calmly over to Makarov, who was already tipsy.

"Master? May I ask a request from you?" He nodded, looking down at his beer while he swirled it around in his mug. Erza knew he was still upset about Laxus, but she hoped what she was going to ask would take his mind off of it. Even if it was only for a second. "May I take Gray, Lucy, and Natsu on an S-Class mission. I, of course, accompanying it." Makarov tilted his head up at her in shock.

"Are you serious?" He asked, his eyes wide and his jaw dropped.

"I am." She said stiffly. Makarov looked down at his crossed legs in thought. Natsu and Gray were quite strong, even S-Class worthy. Lucy, on the other hand, was a mystery. He hadn't seen enough of her magic to really make a inference. Realizing this, Erza began to speak up. "I believe Lucy is close to both Natsu and Gray's power. She may not be on their level just yet, but her intelligence makes up for it."

"That kind of brain power would be very useful during and S-Class mission..." the guild master said slowly. He had never allowed such a thing before, but it couldn't hurt as long as an S-Class wizard went with them. He nodded slowly, still processing the thought. "I think it could be a good experience for them. But if things get out of control, bring them back immediately. Even if you have to drag them back." Erza tensed and nodded. She walked upstairs and went to the board. There were three hung up.

She looked over each of them, picking the easiest out of the three. Though even the easiest could kill them all in a heartbeat. Erza folded the paper and made her way back to their established team. She smiled softly and nodded. Lucy and Natsu erupted into cheers once more. Lucy the most excited out of the three of them.

She just couldn't help it. She hadn't even been a guild member for a month and she was already considered S-Class worthy. She bid everyone goodbye as she grabbed Marie and trotted out of the guild. They were to be ready by sunrise and be at the train station. They were going to head to Hargeon, the place she first met Natsu.

But before leaving, she looked at the paper real quick, skimming over the job. Erza smiled and handed the paper over. They were suppose to lift a curse on the Island of Galuna. Lucy skimmed over the reward and got a bit dizzy. 7,000,000 jewel and a golden gate key. Lucy squealed at the thought before heading home.

She made sure she got a good nights rest before waking up and packing. Natsu was almost as excited as her, wanting to leave right away. Happy and Marie weren't so thrilled though. Happy shivered.

"I have a bad feeling about this job." Lucy rolled her eyes at the blue feline while she shut her suitcase.

"It's probably just bad fish. Come one, were going to get late. Then Erza is going to yell at us." They walked out of the house, and on their way to the train station.

"We're going to die..." Marie moaned as she flew next to Happy sadly.

...

Erza decided to pack a few items before departing for Galuna Island. She realized just how thrilled both Lucy and Natsu were and smiled. She was glad her and Gray came up with such a good idea. Though Erza was still a tad nervous for Lucy. The girl was still new after all, and hadn't taken many jobs before. She didn't know if she could handle it. Shaking the thought away, Erza smiled. No, Lucy was definitely going to be fine. The blonde wasn't exactly an open book, but she didn't let little things get to her. Unless it was teasing from her peers.

"Flame brain!"

"Ice sickle stripper!"

"Take it back you ash-for-brains pyro!"

"Never, you stripping ice princess!" Erza rubbed her temples at the two simpletons who decided it was a good idea to fight in her presence. If they knew it or not. Lucy had her arms crossed while she watched the two duke it out. Just as Gray was swooping in to punch Natsu, Lucy placed her hand in the middle, getting the ice mage to stop.

"Lucy! What the hell!?" Gray asked, stepping away. Erza noticed at he put his hand to his bare chest, as if he was holding his heart. Lucy must of scared the guy. Lucy turned a glare to him, getting him to freeze.

"Usually, I have no problems with fighting, but your bickering is just plain getting on my nerves. And you two blasted me twice with your magic. So knock it off!" Lucy growled, her voice dripping in venom. Gray and Natsu shook from the celestial mages tone. Erza, on the other hand, nodded. That's what you have to do when dealing with those two.

"Why do you blame us both but look solely at me! Natsu started it anyway!" Gray countered.

"I did not, asshole!" Natsu scoffed.

"Shut up Gray! I'm scolding both of you!" Lucy screamed, crossing her arms and looking away. Though Erza could see a light pink blush dust her pale face. A soft smile came to the requip mage's face at the scene. Lucy wasn't exactly being sneaky.

"Yeah right! You just don't want to-"

"Oh look! Erza's here!" Lucy sighed in relief, finally changing the subject.

"Hello everyone. How is it going?" Erza snickered.

"Scary" both fire and ice mage whined. Lucy and Erza ignored their whine and stepped onto the train, both slayers getting sick rapidly. They made it through a two hour trip though, sighing happily when they finally got off the train. That's when team Natsu decided to head to the docks so they could catch a boat to Galuna Island.

"Shall we find a boat and start the mission?" Erza hummed, watching Natsu and Lucy's face become deathly pale. They looked over at the redhead in surprise

"Who said we were taking a boat?!" Lucy yelled while Natsu nodded furiously. Erza laughed soflty at their sickened faces.

"Idiots! Why do you think we were on a dock?" Gray yelled at the two who where dreading it already.

"I thought we were swimming!" Both said simultaneously. Erza couldn't believe what she just heard.

"Wow..." Was all gray said as he face palmed. Erza walked passed the three and tried to ask multiple boatmen if they were willing to take them to the cursed Island. There was no question as to why they said no. Not even Erza could blame them for being afraid of going near the island. Erza and Lucy grumbled under their breath, clearly starting to get irritated.

"We must control our emotions," Erza started, staring at Lucy. "If we aren't polite, they definitely won't want to take us there. Though if push comes to shove we might have to use force." Erza sighed. She didn't like to take that kind of approach, but they weren't getting anywhere. They then came up to the last man, wrapping a rope around the dock.

"Excuse me, sir? Would you mind taking us to Galuna Island. We'll pay you for your troubles." Lucy asked, bending down to get a better look at the man who was standing in his boat. The man gazed at her like she was crazy, shaking his head.

"No can do...its cursed you know!" He shivered. Lucy clenched her fist.

"Looks like were gonna have to swim after all. Fine by me!" Natsu laughed. Everyone, even Lucy now, rolled their eyes.

"Listen, once we get there, we will lift the cure okay. All you gotta do is take us there!" Lucy pleaded to the man. She was starting to get tired. And they hadn't even started the mission. The man blinked and turned to her slowly.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes! Please take us there!"

"...Okay, get in. My name is Bobo by the way." Gray and Erza stepped in while Happy and Marie slipped in beside them. Both Lucy and Natsu were now reluctant to get in, but a glare from Erza set them down the right path. Holding a hand to their mouths, they leaned over the boat while Bobo began to drift in the direction of the Island. Bobo looked to the bunch and smiled. "I'm so glad someone will finally lift the curse. You see, I used to live on that Island."

"Is that so?" Erza hummed.

He looked down at his reflection in the water and smiled sadly. "Yes. But I had to leave, everyone had turned into demons. Suddenly, all I remember is being attacked and then this happened," he held up his arm to reveal it was completely purple, and inhuman like. Like a demon arm. "That's when I knew I had to go. My father still lives there, but I can't bring myself to go back." A tear ran down his cheek at the memory.

"Will that happen to us?" Marie asked as her eyes widened at the sight. Lucy managed to find the feline and plant a hand on her head to comfort her. Lucy gave the cat a weak grin.

"I promise I won't let that happen to you. I swear by it." Tears gathered in Marie's eyes before she wipe them away, giving the blonde a nod. Lucy moaned out as the water around them became violent. The boat rocked viciously, Erza almost falling into the water on a particular large wave. Just as she was going to speak to Bobo about the water, she gasped. He wasn't there.

"Where's Bobo!?" Erza yelled out. Dammit! She didn't know how to control a boat. Natsu and Lucy were down so it was up to her and Gray to steady the boat before they toppled over. That's when they all witnessed the largest wave they've ever seen head towards them. Erza's mind was running a mile a minute, desperately thinking of a solution. Lucy had gripped onto Natsu, and also grabbed Happy and Marie by the tail. Despite her motion sickness. Erza smiled in determination when she figured out what Lucy was getting at. She hung onto Gray, startling him.

"W-What are you doing, Erza!?" He exclaimed.

"Just hold on. We all have to stick together!" Erza shouted before the wave crashed down on them.

Everything went black.