Chapter One: Lost Stars
Lucy sat at her usual table trying to read a new book when Natsu approached her. "Hey Luce, wee uh... need to talk." He spoke sadly, averting his eyes as if he wished he were somewhere else. "We're worried about you. You don't seem to be able to handle yourself on the missions lately and we've decided that for your own safety...You're off the team. You can go off on your own for a while and rejoin the group when you get back."
He stood there silently waiting for my reply. In fact, the whole guild stood quiet. Waiting. She was incredibly frustrated. She knew she wasn't exactly the strongest but she didn't deserve to be kicked off Team Natsu for that did she? "It's about time someone said something..." a strange voice commented from inside the guild hall earning murmurs of agreement. Wait..What? She scanned the crowd and began to notice something in their eyes. Relief and pity. Now she understood. They all think I'm weak. All of them.. Even her close friends Cana, Mira, Levy , and Erza looked at her as if theyd been busted for keeping a secret. A secret everyone was in on but her.
In a sudden fit of rage, Lucy jumped up with such force, the table flipped and settled on its side. "Just wait!" She yelled loud enough for the whole guild, her nakama to hear. "I'll come back stronger than ever and prove you all wrong. I'll make my own team and we'll become stronger than team Natsu. " She stormed over to the request board snatching the first one she saw and took it to the bar fir Mira to approve.
"Lucy are you sure about this? I mean this job looks-"
"I don't need you to underestimate me and I sure as hell don't need your pity!" Lucy spoke firmly before heading out the door.
In the back of the guild two intimidating members whispered angrily among themselves.
"It's about time she realized what those idiots thought of her." He said before finishing off his beer.
"Damn straight.. What do you say we join her? Ya know - help her train and join that new 'team' of hers?" They shared a meaningful look as they thought it over.
"Well she definitely has the potential to kick some ass. I'm in."
"Gihi! This is gonna be hella fun."
With that said, they got up and walked out of the guild following Lucy's scent to her apartment with an offer she couldn't refuse.
Back at the Guild
"My children are idiots." Makarov grumbled to himself before speaking up loud enough for the whole guild to hear. "Listen up brats! you don't realize how hard it is to connect with another world and its people. Lucy has ten of the twelve gold gate keys. The most anyone has had since their creation was six. You've underestimated her. Shes been a powerful ally to all of you in battle."
Erza spoke up from her seat at Team Natsu's table. "I can't allow people to receive credit for someone else's work. Lucy doesn't fight, her spirits do." She patronized him, speaking as if Master were a child.
"Don't be so stupid! It's her own strength that powers them. When a spirit is called from their realm theyre power takes a tremendous drop in magic power due to the switch. All magic they use in Earthland is supplied by Lucy. A spirit can only be as strong as its master."
"If that were true. why is Lucy unable to keep up with the rest of her team?" Mira asked unwilling to believe Master.
"Well maybe," he started , running low on patience. " Its because she hasn't trained at all since she joined the guild as a beginner. From day one she was thrown headfirst into battles and missions, not to mention that Erza has been taking the team on one S-Class job after another. Just wait for her return. She'll surprise you." The guild erupted in side chatter and Makarov made his way to the office annoyed by the ignorance of his children.
"Could it be true?" "Can she really be that strong?" The guild was abuzz over their celestial mage. All the while. Gray, Erza, and Natsu looked at each other in annoyance. Natsu rose from his seat and began to yell. "OI! Don't forget who Lucy's closest friends are! We know her better than anyone. We know what she's capable of. We did was best for the team."
"She was in over her head." Gray agreed. "She'll thank us once she realizes what her limits are." Erza agreed with a grunt and nod of her head.
Juvia spoke up as well. "If Gray-sama says it, it must be true. Juvia agrees.
"She has been rather tired lately. I suppose it is... for the best." Levy assured herself as well as the rest of the guild. In a rare show of defiance, Wendy defended Lucy from the harsh words of her guild mates.
"As her friends you of all people should see her potential." She said, shy as always.
Mira tried to convince her otherwise. "You may be to young to understand this right now, but sometimes people just can't handle-"
"NO!" The young mage shouted cutting her off, her cheeks flushed in anger. "You don't understand! Wen Iim healing Lucy I feel something. Something I've only felt when I was younger. When I was around Grandine."
"What the hell does that mean? What does she have to do with the dragons?" Natsu inquired listening eagerly.
"I don't know." Wendy replied. "All I can say is that she's powerful. More than we know."
Lucy's Apartment
She slammed the door behind her with enough force to rattle the walls. She held back furious tears, refusing to let them fall. If I cry now that will only prove them right. On the mat before her door Lucy discovered a small envelope. The note inside read:
Dear Lucy,
Ive decided to continue working as a guard at the palace in Crocus. I've lost most of my confidence as a mage and quit Sabertooth. I've also decided to give you my keys: Libra, Pisces and Ophiuchus. Please take car of them.
Yukino
With a bittersweet smile, Lucy put the keys on her belt making a contract with Libra. Pisces and Ophiuchus, she decided, would have to wait until she left town, where there was enough space to summon them. She opened her closet and removed a small duffel bag and filled it with essentials. Food, money, soap, first aid materials, and her most durable and practical clothes. Her plan was to complete her mission, train near the town in a neighboring forest, and return once she had the strength she desired. She decided that now was as good a time as ever to finally read her job request.
HELP! URGENT! WE NEED YOU!
Bandits have taken over out town. The men have all been sent to work like slaves and our women and children are suffering under the abuse of the invaders. We don't have much money but we'll pay you what we can find. Many have already died and we cant allow any more.
Location: Esver
Reward: Undetermined
Lucy furrowed her brow in thought. Esver was notorious for being a poor mining town in the country side. Taking a job in Esver leaves me plenty of space for training. She reread the paper and frowned at the towns desperation and lack of money. "That's okay." She decided. "I'll just do it for free."
She realized that not accepting a reward equaled no money for rent. It's worth it if it means helping them out. With a sigh she called Virgo to hold her belongings in the Celestial World. Worst case scenario, I'll sleep at the guild until I can get back on my feet. It's not like I'll be out of money for long. Lucy began to imagine all the jobs she'll be able to take when she returns. She left a short note for her landlady thanking her and apologizing for leaving on such short notice. Grabbing her luggage, she headed to the door ready to leave behind the old, weak Lucy. She swung open the door to find two large men blocking the way.
"Hey, Bunny Girl." " Sup Blondie?"
Lucy stepped away, wary of her guests. "Laxus? Gajeel? What are you here? Are you going to look down on me too?"
They frowned and shook their heads.
"Look Blondie you've got the wrong idea. We want to join your team." Laxus told her, straight to the point.
Lucy however was reluctant to accept them so easily. After all , she thought, weren't they in the guild when Natsu kicked me off the team? Didn't they witness it all? "Why? So you can baby me and protect me?" she spoke bitterly using air quotes. "In fact I bet the guild sent you. They probably don't want me out on my own. Your'e only here because you pity me and feel guilty about this morning."
Gajeel stepped forward, scowling viciously. "Listen up. I aint got time to be babyin anybody. No time for pityin either. We want to join your team because we think you have the potential to be a great mage. We can train together and become a legendary team. Just imagine it. The three of us - unstoppable."
Lucy thought it over.
"Okay." She consented, excited at having such strong companions. "I've got the perfect idea for a name too. Two dragons and a Celestial mage. We'll be just like the dragon constellation."
Laxus and Gajeel began to look unsure and apprehensive. "Well..." Laxus began.
Lucy grinned.
"We'll be team Draco."
