When Gajeel woke up, he was woken up by the smell of bacon. Thinking nothing of it, he turned over to go back to sleep. Just as he was about to be pulled under to sleep, his eyes snapped open and he rushed out of his bedroom. 

Gabbriel cannot cook anything without burning the place down.

Not bothering to put a shirt on or even tame his wild hair, Gajeel swung the door open and started for the kitchen. 

   "Hey, Gabbey, breakfast is almost ready," Said a sweet voice. 

That was not  his twin.

Standing in there kitchen was the familiar short girl named Levy. She had her backed towards Gajeel, and was clearly the one making the food. 

   "I didn't know if you and Gajeel liked pancakes, so I just made-" Levy stopped as she turned around, seeing Gajeel standing there instead of Gabbey. "O-Oh! Gajeel!"

   "You're not Gabbey," Gajeel muttered tiredly, looking around the kitchen and joint living room. "Whattya doing here?"

Another door swung open, and Gabbey herself strutted out of the bathroom, having a towel wrapped around herself. "She showed up to make us breakfast," Gabbey answered nonchalantly. "Said something about a big day,"

   "Y-Yeah," Levy stammered, a light blush on her face as Gajeel caught her staring. "Today's the big race!"

   ". . .Yeah, I don't know what it is either." Gabbey shrugged and walked to her room. "Put a shirt on, Gajeel, you're gonna make Levy burn the bacon."

   "Gabbey!!"

🌹🌹🌹

   "So cool! It's that time of year again! This grand event is here! Fairy tail's traditional All-Wizards Mandatory Participation 24 Hours Road Race! And I, Jason, from the Weekly Sorcerer, will be doing a play-by-play! I'll be giving you the cool scoop on this hot event!"

Gabbriel let out a groan at Jason's voice, leaning her head against Gajeel's leg. She was sitting on the ground as her brother munched on a chunk of metal - giving her a few pieces.

   "Why do we have to be here?" Gabbey complained, just as Gajeel yanked her up to stand. 

   "It's mandatory, Gabbey. It's in the name." Gajeel grunted.  

   "Doesn't mean we have to be here."

  "Yes, yes it does."

   "Damn that Jet. . .He thinks this year's gonna be a walk in the park again." Gray sneered. 

   "Oh yeah?" Natsu grinned. "I wouldn't be so sure of that. Victory is mine!"

   "Nobody who says 'victory is mine' ever actually wins." Gajeel pointed out. 

   "He's right," Gabbey hopped in. "Better knock on some wood or something,"

   "I gots me a super-secret weapon." Natsu annouced. 

   "A secret weapon? You're such a little kid." Gray teased. 

   "Clearly, he can't even speak proper Japanese." Gabbriel commented. The boys didn't even bother to add onto the jab, all of them glaring at each other, huge grins over there faces. 

   "Quiet down everyone!" Makarov said into the microphone, causing a hush to fall over everyone. "All members of Fairy tail! A wizard is one with both strength of mind and body! I wish for you to utilize those powers to the utmost in today's competition!"

   "Do we really need smarts for this?" Elfman said. 

   "Seems pretty much just physical endurance to me." Gray added. 

   "Common sense, boys," Gabbey sighed. "Go on the run without common sense and see how well you do."

   "The rules are simple!" Makarov yelled. "You will run as fast as you can from the start line, then here along the apoointed course, heading for Mt. Ivor! This year, I have left Wyvern scales at the top of Mt. Ivor! You will take one of those scales and return here within 24 hours! I won't accept any drop outs. If you are a Fairy tail wizard, them you will run the distance, all the way to your next job tomorrow!

  "Furthermore, I am imposing a new regulation this year at the urging of many. Flying magic is forbidden! Other than that, any type of magic is allowed!"

   "Thank god, I don't use flying magic," Gabbey sighed. 

   "And of course, the person who comes in last will face a punishment of which there is nothing scarier on the planet!" 

Everyone around her seem to deflate of the thought, but the newer guild members. 

   "Isn't this all because the master looks forward to giving out the punishment?" Macao remarked. 

   "Last year was just awful. . ."

   "It's only one person, though." Gajeel pointed out. "As long as you don't come in last, what's the problem?"

   "That is a quite logical way of thinking." Erza stepped into the conversation. "But it is far too negative!" 

   "Oh, yeah?"

   "Have you met us?" 

   "I compete only to win." Erza said, light staring to surround her as she changed into a different armor. Actually. . .it was more like work out clothes. "This is my special outfit that reduces my muscle fatigue, allowing me to run continuously for a long time."

   "She's really going for the win. . ." Gajeel muttered. 

   "Are you surprised?" Gabbey sighed, crossing her arms.  

   "We're ready to start!" Jason called out. "Everyone, to the starting line!"

As the Fairy tail members started to crowd behind the checked line, Gabbey followed the crowd and stood next to Levy. 

   "Levy, watch my start!" Jet called over his shoulder, making Gabbey sigh. Now she knew his name, she couldn't call him anything else. 

   "I don't have time for that!" Levy replied. 

   "He just wants to show you how cool he is." Lucy winked at her shorter friend. 

   "You probably don't realize, Lu-chan, but I couldn't watch him at the start if I wanted to." Levy tried to explain. 

   "She's too busy staring at my twin," Gabbey teased, shifting into a lazy running stance. 

   "That's not why!"

   "Ready! Bam!"

As soon as Makarov let the shot out, everyone was knocked back by a sudden force.

   "Pulling away right at the start is Jet again this year!" Jason called out as Jet ran faster than anyone in the race. Gabbey fell onto her butt in surprise, blinking slowly for her to realize what happened. 

   "Oh, that's his power." 

   "Couldn't see him, right?" Levy smiled.    

   "No kidding. . ." Lucy breathed. 

Natsu was the next to get up, using his fiery fists to boost him forwards. The flames licked the ground behind him as he ran. 

   "Seriously?!" Gray exclaimed. 

   "Check out my secret weapon! It's Fists of the Fire Dragon boosters!" Natsu called out. 

   "The real question is," Gabbey grunted as she stood, holding a hand out for Lucy and Levy. "How'd he even come across that?"

Lucy and Levi gratefully took Gabbey's outstretched hands,  almost tumbling back over when Gabbey pulled them up easily. 

   "Jet, Natsu! That's totally not right!" 

   "Lucy-san, Levy-san, Gabbey-san, if you'll pardon us!" Wendy politely asked, running pass the three older women. 

   "You got this Wendy!" Gabbey shouted as the Sky Dragon Slayer ran on. She turned towards the blonde and bluenette. "Come on, ladies, we can't stand here and gawk all day." 

   "I didn't realize we were sticking together," Lucy commented in confusion. 

   "I mean, if you guys don't want me to bother you. . ."

   "You can stay!" Levy interrupted. "This can be, like, a girls alliance." 

   "Sorry, Happy!" Lucy apologized as they passed the blue cat, before answering. "I don't mind, Gabbriel?"

   "Girls Alliance," Gabbey responded. "Whoo,"

They were barely even into the mountains when they noticed the iced floors. Lucy huffed, stopping just before the ice. 

   "We're not gonna get pass this without taking some time." Lucy sighed. 

   "Well, do you guys know how to ice skate?" Gabbey asked, already putting her fists together. 

   "Barely,"

   "Kinda,"

   "Better than nothing," Gabbey shrugged, her green aura surrounded her hands. "Metal-Make; Blades."

Reaching down, she touched Levy's shoes, Lucy's shoes, and her own shoes before standing back up. Steel blades suddenly popped under them, making the two other girls wobble. 

   "Whoa!"

   "Eek!" 

   "Come on, now, we don't wanna be last," Gabbey shoved the two girls forward and easily slid across the ice. 

   "H-how can you skate that good?!" Lucy exclaimed, clinging onto Levy to stop herself from falling. Gabbey spun around and started to skate backwards. 

   "Practice. Lots of it," Gabbey skated towards the two other mages and took their hands in her grasp. "Now, come on, I'll lead."

   "Why are you helping us?" Lucy asked suddenly, panicking slightly at the way it sounded. "I-I mean, you can help if you want, but I just thought-"

   "I really don't care about this race," Gabbey shrugged. "Levy's my. . .friend, and you're her best friend, so I might as well help you two."

When Gabbriel didn't elaborate, Lucy didn't push, and they continued to skate over the ice that was no doubt Gray's doing. When they got off the ice, the blades disappeared, and the three continued to run. 

They made small talk, and Gabbriel got to learn a little bit about Lucy, before the two of them couldn't run and talk anymore. When the sun started to set, Levy looked back to see Lucy leaning against the tree. 

   "Ah, I'm beat. . ." Lucy panted. "I can't go on anymore. I need a little break."

   "Lu-chan, you have to keep going!" Levy protested, jogging back to Lucy and running in place. Gabbriel following behind slightly, not bothering to jog in place. 

   "But my legs won't move!" Lucy sighed. "Levy-chan, you and Gaeey go ahead. I'll catch up."

   "Okay," Levy slowly turned around and started to run again. "I'll be going now. C'mon Gabbey!"

   "Coming!" Gabbey called back, quickly catching up to Levy. 

They jogged a good couple meters before Lucy zoomed pass them with her pink haired maid holding her. 

   "Huh?" Levy murmured. "Is that Lu-chan?"

   "Well, she caught up." Gabbey commented. 

   "Yeah, I guess she did," Levy and Gabbey exchanged looks before Levy busted out laughing, Gabbey chuckling along with her. 

   "I'm surprised, actually," Levy admitted once they calmed themselves, jogging at a steady beat again. Gabbey let out a grunt for her to continue. "You told Lucy that you and I were friends."

   "Yeah. . .Why wouldn't I?" Gabbey asked. 

   "W-Well, it just seems like you wouldn't call people your friend. . ."

   "I will acknowledged when someone is my friend, Levy, but I won't go shouting it from the rooftops." Gabbey explained. "Besides. . .I have friends."

   "Not counting Gajeel and Juvia?"

   ". . .I have you,"

   "D-Don't say it like that!" Levy exclaimed, blushing furiously. 

   "Oh? I may swing that way Levy, but I wouldn't swoop you off your feet when you have your eyes on my brother,"

   "D-Don't say that either!"  

🌹🌹🌹

Gabbriel and Levy jogged easily behind Wendy and Carla, not even bothering to pass the two. As long as they weren't last, they didn't care who won second or third. 

As Wendy and Carla passed the finish line, Gabbey and Levy passed by the group of Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, Erza, and Jet. 

   "Hey, Gajeel!" Gabbey called out, passing the finish line. "You just gonna stand there or get here before everyone else?"

   "What?"

The group turned around, seeing the huge swarm of mages running as fast as they can towards the finish line.

   "No one wants to face the punishment!" Erza exclaimed, just as the swarm overtook them, the groups yell of pains heard over the hassle. 

   "Don't step on me!"

   "Hey! That hurts!"

   "What's this?" Jason called out. "A battalion of wizards all crossed the goal at once! Quick thinking Erza also crossed the goal!"

   "I didn't even see her move," Gabbey commented, letting Levy lean onto her. 

   "I-I didn't either," Levy panted. 

   "Gray-sama, hurry!" Juvia cried. 

   "Come on Gajeel, we both know you've been through worse!" Gabbey chided. 

   "Natsu!"

   "Everyone, hurry!" 

At that, the four boys started to scramble to stand up, Jet getting up first. "High Speed!" Jet cried out, speeding forwards. He was jerked back by Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel clinging to him, not wanting to be last. 

   "Jet!!" 

  "G-g-g-goal!" Jason cheered. "The four of you crossed at the same time!"

   "What?!"

   "This year was whacked out! This finish was cooler than cool! Coming in last was, incredibly, Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, and Jet! We know who'll get punished!"

   "Alright, that's enough of you," Gabbriel snapped, ripping the microphone away from Jason. "You're giving me a headache."

Makarov let out an evil chuckle. "Are you prepared?" 

   "You're kidding, right, Gramps?" Natsu asked. 

   "Gramps! At least let us have a tie-breaker!" Gray argued.

   "No!" Makarov cheered. "I won't hear any more of your pitiful excuses! For a wizard, there are no do-overs, for jobs or otherwise! Stop acting like babies and take your punishment! All four of you!" 

   "What is the punishment, anyways?" Gabbey muttered to Levy as Jason stopped jumping. She was holding the microphone above her head, so he wouldn't get the damn thing back. Levy just shivered. 

   "Fine! I'll do whatever!" Natsu jumped forward. "Tell us what the punishment is."

   "There! That's the spirit!" Makarov grinned. "I will now announce this year's punishment!" He pulled the Sorcerers' magazine out from his back pocket, waving it around with a blush. "Right here!"

   "Weekly Sorcerer?" Gray read. 

   "What about it?" 

   "The four of you will do a super-embarrassing photo spread for the issue two weeks from now!" The guild master declared. "A super-magnificent 20 pages, together with a one-week, all access interview!"

The four losers let out some kind of cry - fear, embarrassment, and probably resentment in there somewhere. Gabbey snorted, covering her mouth with her hands. 

   "A-A," She wheezed. "A photo spread? Oh, I'm so gonna buy that!"

   "Gabbriel!!" Gajeel snarled, glaring at his sister. "Don't you dare!"

   "Now then, everyone, Let's go right ahead and start picking out clothes!" Jason cheered, snatching the microphone out of Gabbey's hand as she leaned over to catch her breath. 

The quad instantly ran off, away from Jason, who promptly chased over them. 

   "Oh, hell no!"

  "Wow, they can still run after that?" Levy commented. 

  "Do you want to be in a photo shoot, dressed up in a ridiculous costume?" 

  ". . .I see your point."

🌹🌹🌹

The splash of a puddle caused many rodents and bugs to scatter as a short, gingered hair boy ran through the abandoned city. He was panting heavily, carrying a scroll in his left hand as he sprinted as fast as he could up the stairs and through the alleyways. 

It didn't matter if he made noise or not - this whole area was deserted, only with his guildmates to mess around with. Of course, this town wasn't found deserted, it became that way. The red head shivered as he passed by splatters of blood that have yet been washed away. 

Finally, as he made it to the entrance of the castle, he made it to his stopping point. Knowing that the master of the guild had very little patience for this kind of thing, he burst right through the tall double doors and ran closer to the throne. 

An old and brittle man sat at the throne, with eyes of grey steel, watched the little boy race forward and kneel at the bottom of the stairs. 

   "M-Master Chai!" The child cried out, stammering slightly. "I've come bringing good news." 

  "Good news, eh?" The old man croaked, shifting to lean closer to the boy. "What kind of good news?"

The little boy knew better than to raise his head, he kept his head down. Although the old man was powerful enough to kill him, the man would most likely have his members kill him. They filed into the room like water into an open space, sticking to the shadows.

   "Good news about the Metarurōzu," He said, holding the scroll above his head. "We've found the where about of where she is."

There was a stiff silence before the elder man spoke again, this time in a more gruff voice. "Rise up and read it to me, boy."

The kid swallowed loudly, standing up and breaking the seal of a snake off the scroll. "W-We," The boy cleared his throat. "We have finally found the Metarurōzu, Gabbriel Redfox. She is in a town called Magnolia and had joined a guild called 'Fairy tail'. If there is resistance with getting the Metarurōzu, the guild should not be hard to take out. They are foolish, and know nothing but games and drinks."

   "Fairy tail, huh," The old man mused, snapping his fingers sharply in the now quiet room. "Thia, Santino, Bryson," Three figures stepped forwards, two of them average size while the other was buffed up. "Why don't you go to," He trailed off, trying to remember the town. 

   "Magnolia," The little boy whispered. 

   "Magnolia," He continued. "and reunite with our friend, Metarurōzu. Bring her here."

   "And if there is resistance?" The buffed one asked. 

   "Show no mercy."