Summary: A look into Lucy's thoughts after Brandish told her where Aquarius's newly reformed key was.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of the characters, they all belong to Hiro Mashima. Spoilers if you haven't read the 100 years quest manga yet.
Lucy silently mulled over her thoughts. Brandish had said the key of Aquarius was in Giltina, nowhere close to where her team had to be. She had already made her decision, she was going after her friends, Aquarius could wait.
'But still,' she thought, 'Aquarius…'
Never would she betray her friends, they never turned their backs on her. She wasn't the strongest, but out of everyone on Team Natsu, she was the most logical and reasonable.
She made the choice to sacrifice Aquarius so she could save her friends, there was no way the spirit would forgive her if Lucy went after her key instead of saving them.
'Maybe it's better this way,' Lucy mused, 'She's in good hands with Brandish. I-I'm not worthy to wield her key after what I did.'
With newfound determination, Lucy rowed the boat in the direction the dragon-eaters had gone. She would save her friends, no matter what it took.
Unconsciously activating the water magic Aquarius had gifted her, Lucy moved the boat quickly through the waves.
It would hurt to never see her dear friend again, but perhaps Brandish needed some kind of closure. After her own mother's death, Lucy was only comforted by her spirit's presence. Aquarius had been, and still was, Brandish's first friend, much like her own. The difference was, they had known each other longer.
'Don't cry, you will not cry, not in front of Happy and Charle' Lucy told herself silently as she thought about her childhood days in the mansion. The water-bearer could finally have a strong key-holder. One that was graceful, and- and, everything she wasn't.
Vaguely, she could feel Charle's questioning gaze on her back. The exceed was curious about the statement on the location on the key of Aquarius. As far as she knew, Lucy still possessed her key, or not anymore, based on what she just heard.
The celestial spirit mage still had not told anyone how she defeated three of Tartaros' demons while the rest of them were trapped in Algeria. Although puzzled, the exceed decided not to say anything.
Even Happy picked up on the solemn mood and stayed quiet. Staring out into the open sea with a mournful look on his face. Charle turned her attention to the injured Gray. He looked fine, but he was still unconscious. She doubted he would remember any of the previous conversation.
'Aquarius wouldn't like to see me moping.' Lucy thought wistfully. 'She always called me a brat and compared me to my mother, but I know she cared, deep down. But more than anything, I know she would want me to save my friends, if for nothing else for her sacrifice to not be in vain. I'll get stronger, so I never have to sacrifice another one of my friends again.'
"We'll find them." she voiced out-loud.
Charle and Happy looked at her, startled out of their silence.
Happy's face brightened as he shouted his catchphrase, "Aye!"
AN: This was supposed to be a reflection of Lucy might have been thinking after Brandish told her where Aquarius's key was, but I don't think I accomplished it very well. Lucy and Brandish seem out of character to me. One day, I will come back and fix this story. But for now this is what I have. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, but please no flames. I'm still learning. If you have anything to say, drop a review or PM me. Thank you for reading!
