By the way, my OCs are going to be in the here since I need them to take certain rolls throughout the story. ^.^

Heartfilia Empire

Beaten but not Broken

Lucy's POV

Ever since the Magic Games my guild mates have been treating me very differently. At first, I let them off the hook thinking that they're probably exhausted from the games. Then, after months pass by, I still have either been getting glares or I've been ignored all together. Luckily, this only made it easier to pick out who are my real friends which are Levy, Wendy (along with Carla), Starlight, Ji, and surprisingly, Juvia.

'I didn't think Juvia would actually be one who I would consider a 'real friend' but ever since I was ignored, she started paying attention to me. Heck! She stopped calling me 'Love Rival.' The only time she calls me that now is when she's playing around or teasing me. Too be honest, I'm actually thinking about leaving the guild and taking my five friends with me. That is, if they want to. It's not like I'm going to force them to come with me. Maybe I should ask them now that they're all here.' I think to myself until someone poked me in the back, obviously trying to get my attention. I turn around to face Natsu with a calm smile. This is new. He hasn't tried to get my attention for a while, much less talk to me.

"Uh… Hey Natsu. Aren't you supposed to be with Erza, Gray, and the others?" I ask warily.

"Yeah but I need to talk to you first." He says rubbing his neck sheepishly. "Team Natsu (excluding Wendy) and I decided that maybe we should let you off the team for a while. You know so you can go on jobs and collect the whole reward rather than splitting it up."

"It also because I didn't do so well in the Grand Magic Games too." I deadpanned, much to Natsu's surprise.

"Well, yeah but it's not the complete reason though."

"But Lu-chan isn't weak. That shouldn't be a reason to kick her off the team. That shouldn't be a reason at all!" Levy interjects, joining my side.

"It's not like you're any better Shrimp." Now Gajeel joined what was a conversation, is now an argument. I couldn't help but feel bad for Levy. I knew

"Well, if you feel that way then why don't you talk to me about it. Why are you joining Lucy's conversation?"

"You joined Lucy's conversation too. Anyway, I only did it so you'll learn your place."

"Levy-san needs to learn her place? You make it sound as if she's lower than you!" Juvia says, disgusted.

"Maybe because she is and you are too." Gray joins Natsu's side. "We do have to save you guys most of the times."

"Oh. I didn't know that the number of times you save a friend determines how superior you are." Star says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She was also covering Ji's mouth to keep the little girl from joining our growing argument. While Wendy stood back, not wanting to get involved in the argument either.

"Well it does." Natsu shoots back. "It means that they can't even protect themselves much less fight someone and actually win."

"Natsu, strong has many definitions. Even though you're extremely strong physically, most of you guys struggle in mental strength." I say.

"Lu-chan's right. After all, you can't solve all your problems by hitting them." Levy defends my statement.

"That statement is probably the reason why you girls can't fight, much less defend yourselves." Gajeel says disapprovingly.

"Fine. If you guys believe we're so weak, then we'll leave the guild." I said but the guys only gave us bored looks while my friends gave me looks of shock. But eventually, they all nodded in agreement. "But mark our words you three, if we ever meet again, it won't be as nakamas." I spat the last word out like poison as we all walked up to the master's office, the rest of the guild staring in shock and silence. I wouldn't blame them though seeing how fast the argument escalated.

When we all finally climbed up the stairs, I gently rapped at the master's door.

"Come in." The muffled voice came through the door.

We all looked at one another but after one final agreement, I opened the door.

"Ah. Hello Lucy and the others. What can I do for you?" The master greeted us.

"W-we wish to… l-leave." I stuttered nervously.

"Leave?" Master echoes back. "As in leave the guild?"

I nod as the others look on with sympathy.

"It's because of-"

"Yeah. But I also want to get stronger, just in case something were to happen to my keys." I said quickly, not wanting to be reminded of them.

Master looks down sadly but looks back up at me, knowing he wouldn't be able to convince me to stay here. "Very well. Make sure you remember the three rules." He warns. "One, you must never reveal any sensitive information about Fairy Tail to outsiders, as long as you live.
Two, you must never use the clients you met through the guild to achieve personal gain.
Three, though our paths may differ, you must always live you your lives with all your might. Never must you consider your own life to be insignificant. Never in your lives must you forget the friends you held dear."

We all nod in agreement. One by one, he removes our insignia's. When he removed our symbols, my hand felt surprisingly lighter. Probably because I was used to carrying the weight of the guild, with pride. But now, it's not like that anymore.

As we walk out of his office, he followed us until we walked down the stairs. "I hope we may be able to meet again you six again."

I shake my head slowly. "You probably may not. If we do happen to cross paths again, it will probably be as rivals." I says as we all walk out the guild, all eyes on us.

"What are we going to do now Lu-chan?" Levy asks after we reached my house.

"Well, like I said, we all need to get stronger somehow." I thought for a while. Trying to find the perfect place to train. "I believe my house has a big open space and it has a big library where we can study spells." I says snapping my fingers. "Meet me at the train station in fifteen minutes. Pack only the things you'll need."

Levy's POV

Books. I need books. I have enough jewels for food and drinks but what I mostly need are books. Since we're going to Lu-chan's home, there'll probably already be beds, blankets, pillows. Even though I plan to learn a new type of magic, I still want to know how to expertly decipher ancient writing. After ten minutes of deciding which books I wanted to take and packing them in, I walked out of my room, locked the door with an enchantment so no one could get inside.

After a five minute run to catch up with the others, who were waiting for me, we started to discuss among ourselves as Lucy fetched the tickets.

"Is Juvia the only one getting second thoughts about this?" Juvia asks starting the conversation.

"No. I feel like we all said what we said because we were all outraged." Star says, reflecting over the argument.

"I don't know you all sounded pretty serious back there." Ji says, Wendy nodding in agreement.

"But if they were only just saying that, wouldn't they have apologized. If you ask me, I think they kind of meant what they said." I point out, knowing that isn't what they want to hear but it's the truth.

"Guys!" Lucy's faint voice could be heard. "I got the tickets! We need to take this train!" She points at the train beside her.

We all sighed but walked over to where Lucy was and boarded the train.

Lucy's POV

As we rode the train, I couldn't help but feel weird. I'm so used to having Natsu lay on my lap, due to motion sickness but now it's just me. Levy is reading a book, Ji is sitting on Starlight's lap, playing a game on a lacrima tablet while the cat is taking a nap in her human form, Juvia is making water sculptures and Wendy is going over the spells she knew.

-=~Timeskip~=-

After we got off the train, we hiked over to where my house was. I pulled out a bronze colored key and unlocked the door. The floors were dusty and it was cold and dark.

"Don't worry Lucy-san. I can use my dragon roar to clear all the dust. But you and the others may want to stand outside though." Wendy offers.

"Ok. Also, you don't have to refer to me formally. Lucy is fine."

"Hai." So room after room, she opened the windows before using her dragon roar to clear all the dust out. When she told us that it's all right to come in, I went out to buy groceries while the others explored the place. But when I get back, we should all be ready to start our training.

Author's Note:

I hope you guys are looking forward to the next chapter. I'm trying to make this story better than my last Lucy leaves story XD

Review, favorite, follow

Sparrow-senpai out~