Prologue:

Lucy Ashley's life had never been easy.

Being born the daughter of a successful mob boss seemed good from the outset, until everyone started using you to suck up to dear old daddy. Her father and mother had always been the only ones she could truly rely on. From the ripe young age of eight, mob boss Jude Ashley had taught his daughter the basics of business and leadership.

So when the gang turned on her father and left her cold and hungry in the street, she had just the skill set to survive on her own. She lived the rough life of an alley rat; stealing and fighting in order to scrape by. Through all of this, she developed her own philosophy on life. To live for herself, and only lean on those with the strengths and abilities that would benefit her.

Eventually, Lucy found her way to the Wizard Guild Fairy Tail. The young rebel had joined largely for her own benefit and protection. It was easier to have a whole group behind you after all and nearly every member of the guild had something to offer her. And with the world going to hell in a handbasket having a place where she might be safe was more valuable than anything else.

It was almost surprising how well she fit in.

Brawls were an almost everyday occurrence at this guild, and as such Lucy's fighting abilities remained sharp. In this place, there actually existed people who gave her a run for her money. More specifically a certain blue haired bitch and her gang who seemed to exist purely to drive her up the wall.

"I hear you were late on the job again newbie!" Levy shouted degradingly from across the room, her two flunkies Jet and Droy sniggering behind her.

Lucy slammed her drink down on the table and shot her a glare, "What was that you flat chested bimbo!"

"I called you a slow ass turtle bitch!"

In less than a second, Lucy was across the room shoving her face against Levy's smug face.

"Care to repeat that to my face?"

"Sure. SLOW. ASS. TURTLE. BI-" Levy was cut off with Lucy's fist in her face.

From there it was an all-out brawl.

Levy and Lucy traded blows, neither giving the other any ground. Tables were flipped, chairs smashed, mugs of ale broken, complete and utter chaos. It was only when Macao and Wakaba pulled the two warring delinquents part did the furniture carnage end.

Levy marched off nursing a bruise on her face muttering something about getting the drop on that dairy cow the next time they faced off.

As for Lucy, she took her seat at the bar once more and glared down at the drink in her hands.

"Enjoying yourself so far?" A cheery voice asked from behind the counter.

Lucy scowled as she looked into the chipper face of Mirajane.

"What do you think?" she replied abrasively.

The barmaid just giggled, seemingly amused by Lucy's hostility. "I hear you took out an entire highwayman gang by yourself. That's impressive."

Despite herself, Lucy blushed somewhat at the compliment. "It wasn't the entire group. Some of the bastards got away before I got there."

"That's true." Mirajane looked thoughtful. "It must be difficult for you, getting everywhere on foot. Especially since you have to avoid all the guards at the same time."

Somehow the silver-haired woman always managed to hit the nail on the head. From what she had managed to gauge so far, Lucy was easily one of the most capable fighters in the guild. However that hardly meant a thing when she couldn't manage to get to her jobs on time, or when she was outnumbered by trained, armed guards and had to retreat. The whole situation was infuriating.

"Well regardless," Mirajane went on changing the subject. "have you found anyone you like yet?"

Lucy groaned. Mira had brought up this same subject every time she sat down and ordered a drink.

"Cana is free I think." She swayed.

"No." Lucy wanted to put an end to this conversation immediately.

"Or maybe Reedus?" she offered again.

"Definitely NOT."

"Nab?"

"He's barely ever even here!"

"How about-"

"Will you just stop?" Lucy growled.

Mirajane blinked in fake confusion. "What do you mean?"

Lucy glowered at the woman. "I don't need a partner. I don't want a partner. So you can stop bringing it up every time we're in the same room together."

Mira frowned. "But Lucy it's in your best interest."

Lucy didn't agree.

Despite the blonde's obvious disapproval of the subject, Mira carried on. "What if something happened to you while you were on the job? You'd need someone to back you up or who would, at least, alert the guild if you got into trouble. And two people can finish a job much faster and effectively than just one. Think of all the reward money you could get if you had someone else there to help you out."

"God dammit Mira!" Lucy yelled slamming her fist on the bar. Everyone in the guild jumped and looked over in their direction. "I don't want or need a partner! No matter what you say, not matter how hard you try to convince me, I am never ever going to agree to partner up with anyone."

"What about-"

"ANYONE!"

For once Mira was rendered silent.

Lucy sighed in relief certain that she had finally gotten the point across. As she went back to her drink Mira stood with her back to her cleaning some of the glasses. She only turned around to refill Lucy's drink before going back to her daily tasks.

Her silence bugged Lucy. She wondered if she had been too hard on the other woman. Still it was her own fault for pushing the subject. A partner just wouldn't work well for Lucy. Everyone strong enough to meet her standards was already in a team and anyone else would just be a burden on her while on the job.

She was confident that she hadn't met a single person since she had joined who lived up to her exacting standards.

Looking up from her drink once more she found Mira staring at her once again.

Oh no. She thought.

"You know Lucy," Mira went on. "I know someone who can get you to a job faster than Levy and her gang ever could."

Lucy stared.

One of the many many things that pissed Lucy off about her blue-haired rival were her mechanical skills. The damn brat had managed to put together a few bikes for her and her flunkies to ride to their jobs on. As a result, they arrived much faster than Lucy ever could on foot.

Levy knew this and smugly lorded it over Lucy's head.

The smile on Mira's face grew and Lucy realized that she had let the temptation show on her face.

"But of course," Mira sighed, "you don't need a partner. I'm sure your content with your speed anyway. I mean you don't have to get there faster than Levy. After all, it's not a competition."

Lucy stiffened and sat up straight.

The barmaid smiled, content with the reaction. "What do you say, Lucy? How about you pick a job some ways away, and we'll see if this person can get you there and back again before Levy returns from her own job?"

Staring down at her mug with an uncertain look on her face Lucy replied, "What do I get outta it?"

"How about we make a bet. If this person fails to get you home before Levy gets back then you get free food and drink from the bar and I'll never bring up the subject of partners ever again. BUT," she wagged her finger. "If they succeed. You take them on as your partner. No arguments. Deal?" She stuck out her hand.

It was a deal Lucy simply couldn't resist. "Deal," she spat as she took the hand and shook it.

Mira smiled. Hook, line, and sinker.

((So yeah first Fairy Tail fic.

I always found Lucy and Natsu's Edolas counterparts to be entertaining, and I figured it'd be interesting to try and write a story about how they met and maybe some of their adventures together.

At the moment I don't know where this fic will be going. I'm not sure if there will be a single overarching plot or if this story will eventually devolve into short drabbles, or into an incomplete mess of a story.

Anyway this takes place shortly after Edo!Lucy/Lucy Ashley joined Fairy Tail. The first story will be how she met Natsu the Fireball and how the two became partners. I know there are plenty of fics about that exact subject but it seemed like a good enough place to start.

Regardless, please enjoy this fic and if you have the time please leave a review as well to tell me what you think.))