Hey everyone! This is just a new story I'm starting, I read a lot of fanfictions like this where Lucy quits the guild and gets unimaginably strong blah blah, but this is not that. I'm gonna be realistic here, okay? No she isn't secretly a dragon or whatever like that, she isn't the princess for the celestial world, no, this is going to be very realistic and believable. This will be a Lucy x Sting fanfiction, but who knows I may change that randomly if I want to. Mwaha. Anyway, have fun reading!

GENERAL POV

Three days. That's how long it'd been since Natsu had barged in through the large doors to the guild, fought his way towards Lucy, and asked if she wanted to go on a mission with himself and the rest of Team Natsu. It wasn't that unusual recently however.

Ever since Lisanna had "come home", most people in the guild had been… less appreciative of the busty blonde, and it wasn't just her. Others that had joined after Lisanna's "death" were being somewhat ignored as well. Gajeel, Pantherlily, Wendy, and even Juvia, who'd been told by her precious Gray-sama to go away, we're all being seemingly shunned. All of them took comfort in each other now, and they were never alone for an extended period of time. Until now.

Lucy sat upon her typical bar stool, sipping on her typical strawberry milkshake, and as typical, thinking about her rent. How could she not? As of now she only had about 30,000 jewel, and with only a week to gather the rest of it she was panicking.

She couldn't ask Levy or anyone else to spot her again, her reputation couldn't afford that kind of blow. Sighing she got up and wandered over to the request board. After looking over some flyers she finally picked one and smiled at the request. She was perfect for this job, but she knew she couldn't do it alone. Gajeel and Pantherlily were on a job themselves and Wendy had recently got an… internship if you can call it that, with Porlyusica. Juvia had followed/stalked Gray to god knows where, so her only remaining option would be Natsu.

Gathering her courage she pushed off her stool and continued over to the guild doors and pushed them open to begin the walk to his house. She arrived a little later than its usually takes for her to walk that distance. She decided to knock on the door, knowing Natsu if she barged in he'd cry intruder and punch her in the face. Kind of ironic, ne?

After several moments she was about to knock again when everyone's favorite dragon slayer opened the door. On the floor was Happy and Lisanna sprawled around a big puzzle of a fish. Happy was very obviously drooling while Lisanna seemed to be curious about who was at the door. Seeing it was Lucy, she gave an awkward smile and a small wave. Natsu on the other hand, seemed less than pleasantly surprised.

"Hey Lucy," She furrowed her brows remembering he used to call her "Luce". She shook off the thought and spread a huge smile across her face. "Hey Natsu! I didn't see you at the guild today so I came here to ask if you could go on a job with me? It would only take a day or two,"

Natsu scratched his head awkwardly. "I wish I could but um… I already promised Lis that we'd go on a job tomorrow. Just us. So we could catch up, y'know? You understand right?" Lucy nodded but inside she grew angrier and angrier. He had no idea how many times he'd made that excuse before. Heck, she's been back for nearly a month now!

"Geez, oi! Lucy! Come back here for a minute." She turned back on her heel to face him. "Yeah?" He looked back at Lisanna then looked Lucy right in the eyes. "Look, Lucy. I don't want to lead you on anymore. I don't… I don't wanna go on missions with you anymore." Her heart cracked a little more. "Wh-what? What do you mean Natsu?" His shoulders shrunk down and he sputtered out, "It's just that… I don't think you'll be able to… Keep up with me and Erza or even Gray anymore. We're getting pretty strong and I mean, we also never get a reward on jobs right? This is a good thing for you!" Her heart was almost shattered.

"You… You're calling me weak. You think I'm weak, don't you?" He bit his lip and said nothing. Her anger boiled over.

"TELL ME DAMN IT. DO YOU THINK I'M WEAK?!" He found the courage to look up. "Yes." He said finally. Lucy's heart shattered at that moment. The man that'd got her into her dream guild, had let her in his team, had defended her through everything… was throwing her away like a used tissue. Like garbage.

Suddenly it was all too much, so she turned and ran. She ran like nothing ever before. Screw Natsu! Screw Lisanna! I don't need them, I'm strong!

But somewhere deep in her mind, she didn't believe that. She thought she was weak.

Running alongside the riverbank, on her usual path on the side of river her eyes blurred with tears and she tripped over, nose diving straight for the deep icy waters. Suddenly there was a golden flash of light, and she felt as if she was flying. Loke. She warmed slightly. Always there to save me. Her heart clenched at that. Because I'm weak. Loke landed them across the river and looked at her wearily.

Lucy shuffled awkwardly in his arms, trying to get down, but to no avail. She connected the dots."Did you see?" She choked out. He spontaneously dipped her down like a bride.

"Depends. If you mean the scene with you and Natsu then no, a little birdie told me about it. But if you mean your panties, then yes." He winked at her. She blushed a deep red color. "Baka!" she yelled and clocked him on the head. He set her down safely and began to rub the new sore spot on his skull, then his expression turned somber.

"Is it true Princess? Did Natsu… Kick you off the team?" Lucy looked away and fought through the tears."Yeah, he did. B-but I mean he was right though, I am too weak to keep up with them all…" Loke's expression darkened.

"He said that?" Lucy nodded deep, twiddling her thumbs at the looming awkwardness. When she looked up, Loke was gone. Lucy visibly paled. Oh no, Loke! Please don't do anything stupid.

GUILD POV

The guild doors swung open with incredible force that rivaled even Erza's. Dust was stirred up and covered whoever had slammed the doors open. When it settled, Loke was revealed. Usually everyone would greet him with smiles or jokes, but they sensed the seriousness in his expression. His piercing eyes seemed to glare at everyone as he scanned the room. He locked onto his target, and pounced.

Heyo! DishieWishie here! This will be my first Fairy Tail fanfiction, but I've been addicted to it for years! Just never wrote a story. Personally I ship Lucy with literally everyone, but I do like Sticy. Hehe! I'm open to suggestions, and I'll try to update as fast as possible for you all! Soon I'll be making a coverart, but if anyone wants me to use theirs just message me and that'll totally save me 6 hours of drawing haha. Anyway, Dishie out!