"One day, I'll become an S-Class mage like you guys. Promise!"

Those were the last words of their beloved Celestial Spirit Mage before she disappeared with no trace to be found. No shadow. Not even a whiff of her sweet scent.

Ever since their win in the Grand Magic Games, Natsu and Gray have been more productive. Unlocking their Second Origin is only the beginning. They have been training each day so that one day, the title, S-Class will be bestowed upon them, dreaming of, if not surpassing the great Titania, be equal to her. This, in turn has been fruitful.

On the other hand, Lucy is more than happy for the fulfillment of her fellow teammates' wishes however, there is still that lingering disappointment that nags her. Sure, she's happy but that left her being the weak one, the one needing help and protection. Again. Yes, she has considerable amount of Celestial Keys, which she may say is more than any Celestial Spirit Mage she has encountered. Ten of the Golden Twelve Zodiac is in her possession and there are her Silver Keys. And with the unlocking of her Second Origin, her power is incomparable to her state seven years ago. So why is she feeling disappointed?

True, she has been more powerful and the proof of that is the fact that she is with Team Natsu, apparently the most powerful team in Fairy Tail but she's not a powerhouse like her fellow teammates. She can be a liability and she can't accept that. She wants to keep up with them. She needs to. And by being an S-Class, she won't only prove to herself that she belongs to a team of powerhouse but be an asset, a front-liner and not a support character. She'd had enough of being the 'Damsel in Distress'. She wants to be her own 'Knight in Shining Armor'.

So she'd done it. She had a talk with her teammates, asking them for their approval and in a way, explained her dilemma. To comfort them, she said that she will be back in a few days because she only took an easy job on her own since a Heartfilia believes that to be something big, you should start small and make your way to the top. Her team, of course put up a big fight. They've disagreed more than she expected. But finally, she had them calmed down and allowed her even in their sad gazes.

It has been three months since Lucy was gone, everyone in Fairy Tail is nothing but frantic. With the apparent disappearance of their esteemed Celestial Spirit mage, Team Natsu, a powerhouse they may be, a missing member is always as painful. All night they've searched different places, starting from the place of the job Lucy went to but no. Nothing can be found. Even Natsu has a difficulty and as time goes by, slowly, his confidence in his superhuman sense of smell is diminishing. They talked to her landlady, asking if she went home but they all got was a simple "She's not here. She hasn't even paid her rent."

With that, all four of them, Natsu, Gray, Erza and a not so happy Happy went back to their guild.

"Any news?" Levy, the bluenette Solid-Script mage was the first to ask and all eyes went to the four of them.

"N-nooo." Happy answered, with tears streaking his eyes, the team walking to an empty table.

"I-It's just that…" Erza stuttered. "Lucy is a strong mage. I know that. She doesn't have to prove that to anyone else." She continued and punched the table near her. Erza knows the feeling of being weak that's why she can understand the emotions Lucy always had whenever they are on a mission.

"Luce…I know she's alive…somewhere…I…I…I just have to sniff her harder and in no time she'll be back." Natsu stated, faking confidence. Truth be told, Natsu was the one who was most against Lucy's decision, saying that she's strong the way she is.

"Yea…" Gray agreed. And while he bowed down, there it is, a single tear streaked across his face, which didn't go unnoticed by their guildmates.

And with those words yet sad glances from the so-called strongest team, Fairy Tail, whose spirit never wavers, found another batch of mixed dread and confidence in their chest.

On an unknown island…

"…"

"Oh good. You're awake at last." A male voice said.

A/N: I'm new to this so please, I beg of you, guys. Try my story. Thanks! :)