A/N: I apologize for such a long wait! this is a pretty short chapter, but I figured it was better than nothing. xD Please forgive me!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail. Shocker there, I know.


Gray groaned and looked up, only to see Erza laying unconscious next to him, as well as Yukio, Mizuki, and Hana. Peter had also joined them after Erza fell unconscious, being the one who had dragged her out of the fight. "Lucy?" He moaned curiously as the blonde fell into his sights. "What is going on?" He asked aloud.

Hana answered, "after you fell unconscious, Lucy came back from gathering wood. She declared she would fight her new enemies, knocked out Erza, and now Natsu and her are at somewhat of a stalemate."

"Wait a minute," Gray said, bewildered, "Lucy knocked out Erza?"

Hana nodded, "she's probably stronger than any member of your team, but she used a lot of magic power to show off."

Gray snorted, "please, I could beat Lucy anyday. She's a weakling."

Hana ignored him after that, obviously not pleased

"Natsu," Lucy whispered, dangerously quiet, "take your team and go back to Magnolia. You won't be welcomed here. Master and his team destroyed the towns around here accidentally when he was young, and they still harbour a grudge. Get out before the townspeople force you to leave."

"Gramps? He destroyed things?" Gray asked, surprised.

Natsu answered her calmly, which was surprising for him, "alright, fine. That means you're coming back, too. You're part of this team."

"No!" Mizuki yelled out, "Lucy is staying with us!"

"Why are you so hellbent on Lucy staying with you?" Gray asked accusingly.

"You don't deserve power like hers!" Hana crowed at him, "you consider her a weakling, and she is most certainly not! You didn't appreciate her when she yours!"

"Hana, that's enough," Peter interjected, frowning.

"Natsu, I'm warning you," Lucy muttered, knowing he could hear her, "leave. There are four other mages here. Any of them could beat you in the state you're in."

"Oi!" Grey yelled, struggling a bit as he stood, "I can fight, too!"

Lucy glanced over at him, eyes narrowed slightly. "This doesn't concern you, Gray."

"And besides," Yukio stood in front of Gray with a small smile, "Lucy doesn't need any interruptions. You can be sure I won't let anyone interfere with her fight."

"There is no way I'm losing this fight!" Natsu yelled loudly.

"Why are these stupid mages so persistent?" Mizuki grumbled.

"Why do you want to win so much? It's not like winning will force me to go back to Fairy Tail." Lucy whispered.

Natsu said nothing, never being one with words.

Lucy's scowl deepened and she slipped a whip from her pocket, knowing it wouldn't take much magic power. It was a deep copper brown, with golden tips. A little star charm hung from the end.

"Fleuve d'étoiles." Gray commented.

"You don't say, Captain Obvious." Yukio snorted.

Natsu steeled himself for the sharp pang of the beautiful blue stream that surged out of the whip end. It came, as expected, and wrapped around his leg. Lucy pulled him to the ground, her expression impassive. Natsu hit the ground loudly, making Gray grimace. The dragon slayer scrambled to stand up again, but his muscles shook and he collapsed.

"Finally!" Mizuki cheered, leaping to her feet.

Peter nodded and stood as well, "Alright then, I think it's time for us to leave."

Hana grinned and hugged Lucy tightly, who winced but offered a weak smile in return. She wavered slightly when Hana released her. She didn't appear to have a drop of magic power left in her.

Peter turned and starting walking away. Yukio followed, and Mizuki and Hana helped Lucy forward. The blonde glanced wistfully back at Fairy Tail, but Mizuki shoved her softly and she turned back to the road ahead.

"Dammit," Natsu barely hissed as he watched the ragtag group walk off.