Rating: T 13+ for violence, crude language and brief sexual content.
Pairing: Slight GrayxLucy, eventual NatsuxLucy
Summary: Seven years post the destruction of Tenrou Island, the Fairy Tail crew return to Magnolia, only to find their guild in shambles, reputation tarnished. Due to these dire and shocking circumstances, Lucy realizes just how weak she is as a mage, compared to the rest of teammates, who have fought hard to protect their nakama from Acnologia. Thus, she sets out on a journey to strengthen herself, leaving a heartbroken Natsu, who searches for her relentlessly, and a forlorn Gray. Slight GrayLu, eventual NaLu.
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Prologue - Journey
"Yo, Lucy!"
The blonde mage, who had, until that point, been resting on a tall stool at Mirajane (who had disappeared into the back cellar, murmuring about finding the guild's last stash of alcohol before Cana did, but Lucy didn't miss the sly wink the former Take-Over mage threw her before she left)'s bar, twirling the straw of her milkshake thoughtfully, turned and smiled as casually as she could.
"Natsu," she greeted the cheerful Dragon Slayer. He slung one arm over her shoulders and grinned childishly.
"Wanna join Happy and me on a mission?" he asked.
Said blue Exceed flew towards the two and plopped onto the top of Lucy's head, beaming.
"Aye!"
Lucy swallowed, feeling a rush of grief at the sight of the happy, expectant looks of her teammates.
"I'm really sorry guys," she replied softly, nudging Happy off of her golden locks gently. She patted him lightly and deposited him to Natsu, who watched her movements with confusion.
"I'm … not feeling very well," Lucy hesitated, giving them a small, reassuring smile.
"Are you sick? Maybe we should call Wendy!" Natsu said worriedly, leaning closer and touching his forehead to hers.
The Celestial Mage in question only smiled wryly, not having to heart to blush, knowing what her next actions were.
"I'm fine, Natsu," she answered quietly, pushing him away gently.
The Dragon Slayer let himself be shoved from her, though not before shooting her a baffled, puzzled look.
"Happy, take care of him, alright?" Lucy addressed the azure cat, who gazed at her with wide eyes.
"Lucy?"
"Natsu, promise me you'll protect the guild, okay?" the female mage continued, ignoring Happy's querying tone.
"Lucy—" the salmon-haired male started.
"Promise me," she interrupted him, locking her fierce, chocolate orbs with his dark, ebony ones.
He nodded, although still bewildered as to where all this was coming from. "Of course."
"Good," Lucy said, satisfied.
She turned on her heel to leave, but Natsu caught her arm.
"Lucy, what's going on?" he asked sternly.
Said spirit-summoner stiffened before glancing back briefly, giving her partner a miserable, almost longing look of regret, before tilting her head to the side, eyes twinkling with false amusement.
"Nothing, why? Is something going on with you? Do tell!" she teased.
Natsu released her from his hold, startled by her sudden change in attitude, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Nothing," he replied.
"Okay then. I gotta go home, still exercising these wounds," Lucy said, pointing to the gauzes and bandages that covered the still-healing injuries on her arms and legs from the whole Acnologia attack.
"Right," Natsu nodded in understanding, but his eyebrows were still furrowed in confusion and slight suspicion.
"Bye, Salamander," she stood on her tippy-toes and kissed his cheek softly, pink lips barely brushing the tanned texture of his face, before departing quickly, using the Dragon Slayer's surprise and shock as a distraction.
Natsu blushed and lifted a hand to touch his burning cheek.
"She liiiikes you," Happy grinned, rolling his tongue mischievously.
Almost unconsciously, Natsu muttered, "I hope so …," as he watched the fading outline of his mate's figure.
Wait … did she just call me "Salamander"?
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"Are you sure about this, Lucy? You don't have to, you know," Loke murmured, helping her place the last of her clothes into a medium-sized, pink suitcase.
"I know, but I want to. I need to," she replied with conviction.
Lucy shouldered her leather backpack and checked to make sure her keys were still on the loophole of her belt.
"Thanks a lot, Loke," she said softly, taking his hand and squeezing it lightly. To say he was astonished was an understatement. For as long as the orange-haired male could remember, she always strayed away from his flirting and avoided use of physical touch.
He was tempted to make a comment, but he knew it would cause her kick him back into the Spirit World, so he refrained, instead relishing in her presence, choosing to reply with, "Anything for you, Lucy."
"I better go," Loke said finally, breaking the silence. "And you should too; knowing Natsu, he'll be barging in soon to check up on you."
"Yeah," Lucy agreed, a soft smile lingering on her lips as she thought of her kind, hot-headed friend.
Loke disappeared with a final kiss at the back of her now-plain hand, where her pink Fairy Tail insignia used to be.
Her hand felt bare and exposed.
Lucy took one more glance around her cozy apartment, almost tempted to remain when she reminisced her guild and the loud but loving members who took her in and cared for her when she believed she had no one left.
But that was why she was doing this.
Her eyes landed on the stack of letters she left on her writing table, along with her completed novel she had promised Levy months ago.
"Goodbye, Fairy Tail," the blonde Celestial Mage whispered, closing the door behind her firmly.
She took a deep breath, put on a bright smile, and headed off towards the Magnolia train station.
Sayonara, minna.
