Two Year's Time
Chapter One
It was an unusual day in Fairy Tail—and for any people in Magnolia, they were quite glad—but they didn't know the real reason for the unexpected quietness of the guild…if they cared that is. Past the guild doors of Fairy Tail, Cana wasn't drinking her usual alcohol, Gray wasn't stripping, Levy wasn't reading her books out of sadness, and Natsu…wasn't bubbling over with his usual cheeriness and wasn't picking a fight with the guild's stripper. They recalled yesterday's events so vividly, if they role-played the day before, they would've portrayed the events perfectly.
Among the normal riot in the guild, Lucy Heartfilia was staring at the half-empty, half-full glass of water that was set before her. Mirajane eyed, the blond girl across the countertop. Lucy was probably contemplating about this month's rent, but no, Lucy was thinking about her lack of power, for which the thought often came up. Natsu and the other did the majority of the work on missions, leaving Lucy saved from opponents and her part of the reward. Lucy Heartfilia sighed. Lisanna also "came back from the dead," and now people started to talk to the celestial wizard less and less. Lucy understood that Lisanna and the guild wanted to catch up, but that was THREE MONTHS AGO. But still Lucy couldn't blame anyone.
Mirajane noticed the guild from her spot. They all buzzed around Lisanna who seemed…happy and as her sister she supposed her happiness was for the best, but she also noticed Lucy milling around the bar, sometimes offering to help—free of charge. And as usual, Mirajane and sometimes the Master were the only ones to talk to her. But before Mirajane could strike up a conversation, Natsu beat her to it. Mirajane's heart fluttered, was Natsu finally going to confess? While that scenario was unlikely, she couldn't help but notice the bond between the two mages, and while, yes, they were both dense idiots, she could see their feelings for each other deep within their eyes. "Hey Luce!" Lucy looked up for the first time, and smiled something genuine, even if her grin wasn't that large. "I've been meaning to talked to you about this for a while now…" Natsu rubbed the back of this head slowly while avoiding eye contact. Mirajane internally squealed. Natsu took a deep breath, and sighed. "We're kicking you off the team." That stopped both Lucy and Mirajane short that caused Mira to gasp sharply. Lucy just stared wide-eyed at the grinning mass before her. "You see, since Lisanna is back and all, we decided that we wanted her in the group since we're more…familiar—yeah, familiar with her and know her strength can—surpass you…sooooo…yeah, that's all, just wanted to say that you're off the team, see you!" And with that, Natsu ran off to a corner where Gray, Erza and Lisanna were located. Mirajane dropped the glass she was drying, and Lucy looked about near tears.
"Lucy…" Mirajane whispered. She exited the bar and went around the countertop to hug her sad friend.
"Mira…" Through, Lucy's tears, Mirajane saw this look behind her eyes. "The Master's here correct?" Mira nodded. "How would you react, if I left the guild?" Mira's eyes bulged, and literally bawled out, "NO, DON'T YOU EVEN DARE!" That brought the attention to both Wendy—who just came back from a mission—and Levy, who finally broke out of a captivation of a book. "What's going on?" Wendy and Levy rushed over to Mira's and Lucy's side, where both girls had tears running down their faces. "I want to leave," Lucy whispered her words barely there. With that, she broke out of Mira's hug, ran up to the second floor and burst into Master's office. "Master, I wish to leave the guild," Lucy spoke, as Mira, Levy and Wendy passed the threshold, in time to her statement. Master was shell-shocked, but understood her reasoning.
"This is because you were…replaced? Natsu gave your spot in your team to Lisanna?" Upon hearing those words, Wendy's hands clenched into fists, and Levy glanced out of the office and down below, where she could hear Natsu's and Lisanna's faint discussion. "You asked her already?" "Yup, I told her that you were joining the team." "Was she alright with that?" "Well…I—uh…" "Baka! Did she agree?" "Well…erm…not exactly?" Lisanna gave a frustrated sigh, "Go ask her if it's alright with her, I can't believe this!" Levy was at least relieved to know that Lisanna had no intention of "kicking Lucy out of the team." Though they barely knew each other, they were friend's enough to care for each other's wellbeing.
"Partly Master…I want to become stronger…for…well…I guess it also had something to do when Phantom Lord came and attacked. I could barely protect my nakama." Before Lucy could go on, Master reached for her right hand, and held it between his, a faint white light emanating through their hands.
"Master! You're seriously just…letting her go?" Wendy cried. But Master just nodded.
"This is her decision, though I am expecting her to come back." Lucy nodded.
"Of course, but it'll at least take me a year, possibly longer, hmm…I think at the most it'll take me two."
"Then on this day, two years from now, I expect you to already have the mark of Fairy Tail upon you. Go my child, I have faith you can become stronger than you already are. But do write to us, us four, Mira, Levy, and Wendy and I. And if you want, the rest of the guild. But please stay in contact."
Lucy once again nodded. "I will, I promise." With that, Mira, Wendy, Levy and Lucy exited the office; faintly hearing Master's tears hit the floor. "Well…I guess this is goodbye." The three girls in front of Lucy burst out into more tears and engulfed Lucy into one large group hug. "I promise I'll write to you guys, make sure that the guild is still the same when I come back."
"Lucy?" Wendy looked up at the blond mage. "Is it possible you're going to come back sooner than the two years you'll be gone?" The celestial wizard pondered on that fact. "Maybe, I'll send a note saying when I'll be back." The four girls trudged down the second floor stairs when Natsu came barreling towards them.
"Lucy! I forgot to ask you, is it okay if you leave the group?" Wendy gave an animalistic snarl, Levy scowled and Mira was close to transforming. But Lucy just cocked her head. "What are you talking about? I just left the guild, so why are you asking me?" Lucy held up her right hand, which was bare of the mark which once shone proudly upon her skin. Gasps resounded throughout the large room, tears started to stream, and Natsu was frozen. Giving him a blank look, the four girls continued to the guild doors, where after several hugs and tears later, Lucy finally parted with the promise of coming back. "LUCY, COME BACK!" That was Natsu, and several protests came from other guild members, like Gray and Erza, but Lucy didn't look back.
Lucy called out Virgo, who—after asking for a punishment—packed many essentials, new clothes—which consisted more of sweaters and pants and boots—and food which would last for a while. The rest of the apartment was on hold along with the rent. Lucy wrote out one note to Fairy Tail, one letter to Mira, Wendy and Levy, and several personal ones to Gray, Erza and Natsu. Finally, which a final glance of her home, she left her apartment, and Magnolia, all together.
Everyone slumped over either a countertop or table, as they awaited one o'clock, when the reading of the guild letter from Lucy would be read. Natsu and his team burst into Lucy's apartment a few minutes after she departed. They tried finding her at the train station, but Lucy wore a hoodie with her hood up, and her scent mingled with others around her. There was no way of finding her. "Ahem…excuse me…" Slowly, heads turned towards the stage, where Master was standing with Lucy's unopened letter. "Um…the time has come to read Lucy Heartfilia's letter for the guild, and later I will be handing out, several personal letters to certain guild members. But for now…" Master broke the red wax seal and took out the sealed parchment from inside.
Dear Master and members of the guild, Fairy Tail,
I must say, my departure was quite unexpected—and totally no one's fault. My time here was, though short, very exciting, adventurous, and seemingly never-ending. And that's what Fairy Tail is all about right? I want to thank all of you, all of you went on this adventure with me, and sadly it has to end here.
After being told I was well…put aside in Team Natsu, I realized, it was no one's fault but mine. I kept thinking maybe I shouldn't have joined the guild, maybe it was a mistake running away. But finally I came to the conclusion that it was not because of joining the guild, but because of my strength. I've come to think that I need to be away for at least two years. And it was no one's fault for me thinking like this, and it was about time that I HAVE realized this.
I will be back within two years from yesterday, and I hope to be stronger than ever. So, this isn't goodbye, this is, "see you later," and I promise you that. I hope that I'll see all of your smiles when I come back.
Sincerely,
Lucy Heartfilia
