Lucy sighed as she propped her elbow on the counter of the bar and leaned her head on her palm. Plue, her celestial spirit, was sitting on the counter next to an untouched strawberry milkshake. He was unusually quiet like his owner.

"What's wrong?" Mira asked while wiping the counter with a rag. "Something seems to be bothering you, Lucy. You've been sitting here sighing for a while now and your brows been furrowed ever since you sat down. If you keep frowning like that, you're face might just get stuck like that."

Lucy chuckled lightly at the concerned Mira. She could always count on Mira to cheer her up.

"Mira," Lucy called.

"Hm?" Mira stopped cleaning the counter and gave her full attention to the blonde in front of her.

"Do you think...do you think I'm weak?" Lucy casted her eyes down at the ground while lazily stirring her milkshake with one hand.

"Why do you ask that, Lucy? Of course I don't think you're weak," Mira replied with creased eyebrows.

Lucy sighed again. "It's just, whenever I'm on a mission with Team Natsu, I always feel like such a burden. Everyone is always constantly having to save me. Even Happy feels like he needs to protect me. Team Natsu is called the strongest team of Fairy Tail, and compared to Natsu, a dragon slayer, Gray, one of the strongest ice wizards out there, and Erza, who is unbelievably badass, I'm useless. I'm a burden to them, weak little Lucy." Lucy began shaking as images of the broken bodies of her friends flashed through her mind. She saw the way they struggled to stand, struggled to fight, struggled to win, just for her. She was always cowering behind their protective stance.

Mira slammed the her fist on the table, causing several heads to turn towards them, since Mirajane rarely loses her temper, but she didn't care at the point.

"What are you saying? You, weak? You, a burden? Honey, you're the strongest celestial mage in all of Magnolia! If not the whole world!."

"No, I'm not. You're exaggerating, Mira." Lucy groaned. She knows Mira's just trying to make her feel better, but no matter what, Lucy still felt useless.

"You have ten out of the twelve zodiac keys." Mira persisted.

"So? That means nothing if I'm too weak to use them properly," Lucy countered bitterly.

"You summoned the Spirit King!"

"It was just luck!"

"You beat Bixslow!"

"It was mostly Loke."

"He's your spirit! You saved everyone from Edolas! You helped defeat Lullaby. You helped defeat Oracion Seis! You beat Yukino. You mastered Urano Metrano. And I'm pretty sure you've saved Natsu's butt plenty of times. Lucy you are not weak!" Mira yelled almost angrily.

Lucy didn't say anything. Her face displayed the worry she felt and Mira's face softened.

"Lucy," she spoke in a soft, almost motherly voice. "You are not weak. You may not be the strongest in Team Natsu or in the guild but you are not weak. And you are definitely not a burden. You are family. And a true family will always accept you, no matter what. You are a fairy. You can't forget that, Lucy." Mira smiled softly at Lucy who smiled back weakly.

"Thanks, Mirajane. You really are like a big sister to me." Lucy reached over the counter and lightly hugged the white haired bartender. Mira just patted Lucy softly on the back.

"I'm glad you understand," she whispered into Lucy's ear. Lucy pulled back from the hug and Mira was glad to see a smile plastered on the blonde's face.

"Thank you, Mira, really. But I think...I think I'm going to go train. I want to become stronger, until I stop feeling like a burden. I need to train." Lucy clenched her fist.

Mira inwardly sighed but held back her protests as she saw the determination shining in Lucy's eyes. There was nothing she could say to persuade the celestial mage. She smiled understandingly at Lucy. "I believe in you."

Lucy smiled widely, glad that Mira decided to support her fully. Ever since Lucy first stepped into the guild, Mira had always been friendly and supportive of her. Lucy knew she was going to miss her.

"Lucy…" Mira started.

"Yes?" Lucy tilted her head.

"I just… I just want you to know, whatever happened, it wasn't your fault. Don't go blaming yourself over it, alright?" Mira was hesitant and Lucy could tell she was careful in choosing her words.

Lucy hung her head slightly so her bangs covered her eyes. "No. It was my fault. I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't strong enough to protect them, my family. It's my fault they're all in a coma right now." She turned around so her back faced Mira. "I'm going to talk to Master now about my training. See ya later, Mira." With that, Lucy walked up the stairs to Makarov's office. Mira frowned as she watched Lucy walk away, and didn't fail to notice how Lucy's body slightly shook.

"Come in," Makarov said after hearing three knocks on his door. The door opened and in stepped Lucy.

"Lucy! What can I do for you, my child?" The master exclaimed happily and jumped onto his desk from his seat at the sight of one his more sane and level-headed guild members. Lucy only smiled at the sight.

"Gramps, I want to become stronger. I want to ask for a temporary leave. When I return, I promise, I will be worthy to be a true fairy," Lucy spoke as she looked Makarov in the eye.

Master didn't say anything. Silence ensued for what seemed like eternity, until Lucy heard the old man sigh. Never had Lucy ever seen Master so tired, and it pained her.

"Alright, Lucy Heartfilia. I will allow you temporary relief of the guild mark. However," Makarov paused for emphasis. "you will always be a fairy, no matter what. Lucy, no matter what you think, you were always worthy enough to be a fairy. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Lucy grinned at the old man with tears in her eyes, before lunging over and hugging him tightly. Makarov's eyes bulged out slightly, feeling Lucy's bust pressed tightly against his small frame, but overcame his perverted thoughts and patted his child on the head.

"Good luck, my child," he whispered as he removed the guild mark from Lucy's hand. "And may the fairies bless you wherever you choose to go." Lucy nodded and walked out the office. Closing the door softly behind her, she heard the quiet sobbing of Gramps inside. Steeling her heart, she pulled on a black fingerless glove over her right hand and walked out of the guild.

I'm sorry, master. I lied. This is goodbye, Fairy Tail.

Lucy stepped out of the guild and breathed in the cool, crisp air of the night. She exhaled and looked up at the twinkling stars overhead. May the stars guide me.

She reached towards her waist and pulled out a key.

"Open, Gate of the Lion." She turned the key midair, releasing a burst of magical energy as a magical circle appeared with bright light.

"You called, Princess." Loke kneeled down on one knee in front of Lucy, who merely smiled at her friend.

"Come, let's go, Loke. We have a lot to do." She started walking away.

"Of course." Loke followed his master, and together the two walked deeper and deeper into the shadows of the streets.

"Wendy, how are they?" Charla asked asked the blue haired mage.

"They should be awake soon, maybe a few more days. They all took a lot of damage this time. I did the best I could, but…" Wendy looked down at her two hands, feeling useless. Charla saw the look in Wendy's eyes and lightly touched Wendy's leg. Wendy looked down, only to be met by Charla's concerned gaze.

"Don't worry, Charla. I'm fine." Wendy looked up at the three unmoving figures lying covered in bandages. "I just hope they'll be alright."

Charla followed Wendy's gaze. "Don't worry. They will be."

"I know," Wendy spoke in a quiet voice. "I'm not worried about them. I know they will recover. I just hope Lucy-chan isn't…" Wendy's voice faltered and Charla could only gaze worriedly at her.

Two Months Ago

After saving Edolas from extinction and retrieving Lisanna, Fairy Tail was celebrating like there was no tomorrow. In the beginning, Lucy was ecstatic and joined in on the celebration. She helped restore Magnolia back to how it had been and even made a new friend, Lisanna Strauss. After hearing countless of stories of Lisanna from Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Mirajane, Lucy had always wanted to meet the girl who had played such a big part in everyone's pasts. Unfortunately for her, things were not so easy.

Whenever she tried to approach the youngest Strauss, Lucy would always find herself getting pushed away. Everyone wanted to talk to the white-haired mage, so Lisanna was always surrounded by people whenever she was in the guild. And like a true childhood friend, Natsu had constantly stuck by Lisanna's side the entire time. Lucy was left utterly alone. She missed her friends, but she didn't blame anyone. She understood the happiness of seeing someone after thinking they were dead. And she was glad Lisanna could feel cherished, even after years of being gone.

So, Lucy withheld it all. She held in the sadness, the loneliness, and the pain. However, when Team Natsu started going on missions without her, but with Lisanna, Lucy couldn't help but feel betrayed. She was left all alone by her friends. She couldn't handle the loneliness and confronted them one day.

"Natsu, how come you don't ask me to go on missions with you anymore?" Lucy asked Natsu, surprised to see that he was alone.

Natsu scratched his head and chucked hesitantly. "Sorry, Luce. It's just, I haven't seen Lisanna in years! I wanted to show her how much the world has changed so I ended up taking missions with her all over the world. Erza and Gray come along with us because they missed Lisanna just as much. There's nothing personal to it, Luce."

Lucy fought back a frown. "But, we haven't been on a mission together in a while. Why don't we go on one together just like old times?"

Natsu averted his eyes from Lucy as he replied. "Sorry, Luce. It's just, you know how I want to become an S-mage? Yeah, well in order to do that, I must get stronger. I needed to go on tougher missions. Lucy, you're a really strong celestial wizard, but I'm worried you'll get hurt if you were to come with us on the missions. I'm just trying to protect you, Luce. Erza, Gray, and I are all concerned about your health. Lisanna is a take over mage and is the sister of Mirajane, so we're confident she can take care of herself. You understand, right Lucy?" Natsu looked at Lucy in the eyes.

Lucy looked down, fighting the tears in her eyes. "So you think I'm too weak, huh, Natsu?"

Natsu's eyes widened. He waved his hands worriedly in from of him and shook his hands frantically. "No, no. That's not what I meant. I just-"

"Give me one chance," Lucy almost growled, her eyes still fixated on the ground. The bangs covered her eyes from Natsu who started worrying as Lucy's body began to tremble. "Just one chance, Natsu. I'll prove to you I'm not wrong." Lucy finally looked up and met Natsu's eyes. Natsu saw the fire in Lucy's eyes and could only sigh in resignation.

"Alright, just one mission," Natsu relented. "One mission couldn't hurt, right?"

Little did Natsu know he was completely wrong.

Lucy watched as the night stars sped by as she gazed out the train's windows. She sat with her legs crossed. Her elbow was propped up against the window and her chin rested gently on her fist. Loke sat in the seat across from her, his eyes focused on Lucy. The train was traveling north fast, speeding farther and farther away from Magnolia.

"What are you planning to do now, Lucy?" he asked, worry evident in his eyes and voice.

Lucy shifted her gaze from outside to Loke's own light golden brown eyes. "I'm going to fix everything. I'm going to avenge my old team," she spoke with complete resolve.

Loke's eyes widened. "You don't mean-" he inched forward on the edge of his seat. Lucy's face remained grim.

"Yes, I do. We're going back, and we're going to beat up that dark guild." The shadows of the night danced across Lucy's face. Loke felt a shiver run down his back. Lucy was completely serious.

"Mira, have you seen Lucy?"

Mira looked up from the counter. "No, I haven't seen Lucy for two days. Why? Do you need something from her, Wendy?"

Wendy just nodded. "I've been trying to find her for the past three days! I haven't seen her since they got back from that mission a week ago."

"That's because you were cooped up in the infirmary the entire time," Mira pointed out.

"I know. Erza, Gray and Natsu needed serious medical attention," Wendy pursed her lips, worrying about her friends.

"How are they?" Mira asked.

"They are definitely better. All of their conditions are stable and they are finally out of their comas. They should be awakening sometime soon this afternoon. It was all thanks to Porlyusica-san though. Her healing powers are truly amazing," Wendy beamed.

"That's good to hear. I'm glad they're all right. I wonder how they got beat up so badly in the first place," Mira commented.

Wendy's face turned serious. "That's what I wanted to ask Lucy. It's obvious there was strong magic involved, but I don't know what type. She was the only one there with them. All four of them were found unconscious in front of guild. But Lucy was the only one who was unharmed. She was the first one to wake up but disappeared immediately. I haven't seen her since then. There are just too many secrets. I am worried."

Mira smiled guiltily. "I saw Lucy around two days ago," she confessed.

Wendy's eyes widened. "Wait, then do you know what happened?"

Mira shook her head. "It was the first time I saw her since the mission. She seemed kinda down and asked me if she was weak. She told me she was going to go train."

"Do you know how long she'll be gone for?" Wendy asked.

"No," Mira shook her head again. "Gramps might though. She talked to him before he left. But he's out of town right now. He left two days ago for a meeting with the other guild leaders. He's worried about this dark guild. If they can defeat Team Natsu, who knows how strong they can be. He's taking precautions and organizing the other guilds to be ready for action."

Wendy groaned, frustratedly.

Charla gasped as she clutched her head and fell forward.

"Charla!" Wendy bent down and held her exceed in her hands. "Charla what's wrong."

Charla groaned. "Images. Lucy. Light. Argh." Suddenly, Charla's body went still, before she started chanting in a voice that sounded like twenty different voices overlapping.

"In the darkest depths of the forgotten realm,

shines the dying light of the ageless one.

The blood of the heavenly wolf shall merge with the stars,

and the cycle will break as darkness is overwhelmed."

Charla fell towards the ground as her body slumped forward.

"Charla! Charla!" Wendy screamed as she cradled Charla in her hands. "Charla, wake up!"

"What…just happened?" Mira asked in a daze. The entire guild was silent, all eyeing the unconscious white exceed. No one moved. No one spoke.

"My children. What you have just heard, must remain a secret."

Everyone turned to the voice who spoke.

"Master…" Wendy whispered.

Makarov stood at the entrance of the guild with his arms crossed. There was no smile on his face. His eyes were serious as his gaze fell upon the limp exceed.

The Prophecy is coming true.

Thoughts?

Please review :D Questions, comments, criticisms, and suggestions all welcome.

Thanks,

Sosh

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail (think that's pretty obvious)