Having packed all of their stuff, from Lucy's apartment and Fairy Hills, the girls had decided to board a train and leave Magnolia. Completely unsure of which guild they wanted to join, the two girls boarded the train.
As soon as the girls got on the train, they saw to exceeds sitting by themselves.
"Hey Luce, look at those two exceeds. Don't they seem familiar?" Levy asked.
"Hey, that's Lector and Frosch, Sting and Rogues cats. Why don't we go sit with them?" Lucy smiled.
They proceeded to go sit with the exceeds in the four seater booth on the train.
"Hey Frosch, it's our Fairytail pals, Lucy and.. -" Lector paused, puzzled, not knowing but recognizing the blue haired mage. "Who are you?" He asked.
"My name is Levy. We never got a chance to meet during the Grand Magic Games, but I always saw you both with Sting and Rogue." Levy responded.
"May we sit with you guys?" Lucy asked.
"Yes, Sting and Rogue are getting on at the next stop, and then we are heading back to the Sabertooth guild hall." Lector said.
Sting Eucliffe. Lucy never thought much about him, but now that she looks back on what she remembers, she realizes that he is indeed, very attractive, but she would never go for him.
Rogue Cheney. Levy never met him, nor Sting for that matter. But she watched Rogue battle against Gajeel in the Grand Magic Games 2 years ago. He almost had him beat, but he was still very young, and has probably improved by a landslide. Levy was intrigued by his mysterious look and wanted to know the REAL Rogue Cheney.
"So what bring you Fairytail folk on the train?" Lector asked.
Lucy and Levy suddenly had a sad look on their faces.
"What's wrong?" Frosch asked.
"We left the guild." Levy said.
"Why?" Lector asked very surprised.
"We wanted to train to become stronger. The only condition was that we join another guild. That was the only way the master would let us leave. He thinks a new environment with new people would help us learn." Lucy said.
"Fro thinks you guys are strong."
Levy and Lucy smiled.
"What do you guys plan on doing now?" Lector asked worried.
"We aren't sure." Lucy said.
Just then, the train stopped, and two dragon slayers boarded the train.
"Sting!"
"Rogue!" The exceeds exclaimed.
Catching the dragon slayer's attention, they started walking to the four seater booth. Failing to see the two girls, as they were sitting with their backs to the boys, Sting impulsively jump onto the seat across from Lector which just happened to be where the celestial mage was sitting.
"Ooof" Lucy groaned.
"Oh! Uh, sorry!" Sting blushed and immediately stood up and sat where Lector was sitting.
Rogue and Levy giggled, but soon made eye contact. Rogue, stunned by Levy who he had never seen before, was in shock by her beauty, and sat across from her with Frosch.
"Sting, Lucy and Levy were just telling us that they temporarily left Fairytail because they want to become stronger and now they have nowhere to go" Lector said sadly.
"Why don't you guys join Sabertooth?" Sting smiled.
Lucy and Levy were shocked by Stings sudden invitation. "Really? You're so quick to invite us there." They asked.
"Yes. I am the new master after all, and I would be ecstatic if you would join my family, even if it is for a little while. Fairytail is also one of our good guild friends. It would only feel fitting if you'd join us."
"We need to think about it," Levy smiled, "but I can assure you that the answer will be yes."
"Great! Here is where Sabertooth is located. Stop by whenever you decide." Sting said, handing them both a small card.
"Sting, our stop is next, we should get ready." Rogue said.
Sting nodded. The two dragon slayers stood up and bid farewell to Lucy and Levy.
Levy and Rogue made eye contact one last time and they both started to blush.
If we join the guild, I will get to know him. Levy thought.
Lucy and Sting shook hands, but when their hands touched for the first time, Lucy felt her heart practically jump out of her chest.
The dragon slayers and their exceeds departed the train and headed to their guild.
The train proceeded to move to the next stop which was only 15 minutes away.
"I think we should join them. I didn't want to accept right away so we didn't look desperate." Lucy said.
"I was thinking the same thing. We should get off at the next stop and stay at an inn overnight, and then head towards saber tooth." Levy responded.
Lucy nodded in agreement.
The train came to a stop and the two girls hopped off the train with their luggage. They found a reasonably priced inn, and found themselves resting on their beds.
…
"Hey, Lu-Chan, do you want to go for a walk?" Levy asked.
Lucy nodded and they both left the inn.
After half an hour, they found themselves in the forest.
"Hey Lu, do you feel bad for not telling Natsu about us leaving?" Levy asked Lucy.
"I do, a lot for that matter. I really hope Natsu doesn't hate me."
"Me too girl, I feel you. I will always be upset."
Lucy, starting to tear up from the guilt, thought about the last moment she had spent with Natsu.
Natsu: Hey Lucy! You were great on that mission.
Lucy blushed.
Lucy: Thank you Natsu.
Natsu: You've grown really strong, Luce. I'm proud of you. I'm happy you and I met.
He leaned towards her and gave her a tight hug. She blushed as hard as ever. She hugged him back, feeling protected by his embrace. She looked up at him to find him looking back down at her. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
Natsu: You are my best friend Lucy. Nothing will ever get in between us.
Feeling guilt and sorrow from leaving her best friend, she felt her body beginning to shake.
Suddenly, they heard a rustling noise.
Looking around confused, and afraid, they got closer together.
Do you seek power? A mysterious voice said.
"Levy did you hear that?"
"Yeah, it was a weird voice asking if I wanted more power." Levy said.
You have left your own guild to become stronger. I understand your need for power. How would you like to possess a power stronger than what you have now?
"That would be nice…" Levy said.
"I'd like to be on par with Natsu for once... but it wouldn't feel right just gaining the power without working for it." Lucy said.
This power is above all others. You will be able to use it over a period of time, gradually becoming stronger... but you also WOULD need to work for it by training and figuring it out yourself.
"Who are you?" Levy asked.
A friend.
"I call horse crap. Who are you really?"
"Lucy?" Levy asked surprised, "If you do this, I am right behind you."
"Thank you Levy-san, but I don't think we will be needing any help from creepy strangers."
A dark figure appeared in front of the two girls. It was a dark mage who's appearance was unclear, but was obviously a man due to the deep voice, "With the snap of my fingers, you will both be the most powerful wizards, one more or so stronger than the other. But fate will decide depending on who wants it more," he then began chanting Latin words, then said, very loud and clear, "SEVENTH SANCTUM!"
Suddenly the two girls felt a huge bolt of magic energy run through their bodies. They fell to the ground, screaming in agony.
The man had cursed them beyond their own will for his sick and twisted pleasure.
"Make it stop!" Levy cried.
Lucy screamed not too long after. The pain she had felt was beyond all others. It was even more horrific than the spell Ultear used on her and her friends right before the grand magic games a few years ago, because they wasted all their time in the celestial spirit realm.