Lucy sighed. Ever since Lisanna returned, she had been ignored by the majority of Fairy Tail.
"This sucks." The girl sighed, dropping her head onto the bar table, and groaned.
"What's wrong, Lucy?" a male voice asked, and the girl sighed.
"It's nothing, Gray." Lucy replied, plastering a false smile onto her face. Gray, however, wasn't fooled.
"Lucy. We've worked together since the Eisenwald incident." What's wrong?" Gray truly sounded concerned, but Lucy shook her head.
"Nothing's wrong. I promise." Another fake smile, another lie. Gray sighed, and whispered, "You can always tell me, Luce."
Lucy stiffened; she hated that nickname, especially when used by Natsu Dragneel. Lucy was hiding a dark secret: the great 'Salamander' was abusive; both verbally and physically.
"Hey, Lucy! Can we talk?"
"Sure, I guess."
"You're off Team Natsu."
Of all of the things Lucy expected to hear, that was not one of them.
"W… what?"
"You heard me. Lisanna is replacing you." Natsu continued, still smiling.
Lucy spun on her heel, and ran to the second floor, where Master Makarov's office was located. Tears trickled down her face, but Lucy ignored them. She knocked, and entered the office.
"Master?"
"Yes, child?"
"I… I'd like to leave Fairy Tail."
"What caused this, Luciana?" Not many knew her real name, but the master knew.
"I… I was betrayed by those I called family." Lucy whispered, tears falling faster.
"Very well, child. Give me your hand."
Lucy did so, more tears falling as she watched the mark vanish. Gray walked in, and removed his shirt, the message clear.
"If Lucy is leaving, then so am I." he stated, and watched as his guild mark was removed as well.
"G… Gray… you… d… didn't have to do that." Lucy whispered, but was pulled into a hug.
"There was no way I was letting you leave alone." Gray whispered, and led Lucy out of Makarov's office. The two reached the stairs, and stopped. Luc y gasped, and rushed out of the guild, her eyes pooling with tears.
"Lucy!" Gray yelled after her, glared at Natsu and Lisanna, and followed Lucy, mentally cursing Natsu.
Lucy's feet pounded on the concrete as she ran.
"How could I have been so stupid?!" she whispered, and cursed herself for being so weak.
"Lucy!" Gray called, and sighed. Lucy had been acting… odd… lately, mostly around Natsu.
"Could her actions have something to do with him?"
Lucy, meanwhile, was found by Natsu. She gasped, and tried to run, but was stopped by Natsu's flames.
"Natsu…" she whispered, but was silenced by Natsu speaking.
"You really are slow, Luce. I'm not going to let you leave that easily." Natsu sneered, and hissed, "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Lucy screamed as the fire burned her skin, and dimly saw Natsu smile. Natsu walked over to Lucy, and kicked her in the ribs, making her cry out in pain again.
"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!" Natsu roared, and turned away, smiling, only to stop when Gray's voice roared, "ICE MAKE: SHIELD!"
"Gray." Natsu greeted, and smirked.
"ICE MAKE: ICE IMPACT!" Gray was furious, Natsu claimed that Lucy was his nakama, but he was attacking her, even used his most powerful attack.
"ICE MAKE: PRISON!" No, scratch that, Gray was pissed. No one hurt Lucy, not without getting hurt, even Natsu.
"Come on, Lucy. No need to stay."
"A… all right." Lucy stammered, and stood with Gray's help. The two former Fairy Tail mages left Magnolia, on a journey that would change their lives forever.