"Stupid! Idiot!" Lisanna yelled as she ran towards Lucy with her hand raised.
"Hmm?" Lucy stared dumbfounded until the hand slapped her cheek. "Hey! What was tha-?"
Lisanna wrapped her arms around Lucy with tears in her eyes. "Don't just leave like that. If something's wrong, then you should tell us. Isn't that what guild mates are for?" Lisanna sobbed.
Lucy relaxed and returned the hug. "I'm sorry…" Wait. What am I sorry for? With a perplexed expression, Lucy turned from Lisanna to face the rest of the guild. "Umm! I feel like you've all been talking about something I don't know about?"
Lisanna stepped away and looked up, tilting her head. "What do you mean you don't know…?"
The Master stepped in between us. "Lucy, it is probably amnesia. You went on a mission with Natsu, Gray, and Erza to get herbs for Lisanna who was sick. The medicine, though, was on a small cliff on a high mountain filled with Vulcans. While the other three were holding back the monsters, you climbed down to get the plant but were knocked off because a certain idiot here threw the Vulcan down at you. They searched, but were unable to find you and returned with just the herb. Lisanna's sickness was cured and we waited for you to come back. Everyone thought that Natsu did something stupid again, not that he didn't, and you walked off in anger. But, we're glad you're back!"
"Master Makarov…" a murmur escaped the crowd.
"Lucy, why don't you go get some rest while I punish these idiot brats." He smiled.
Lucy walked back towards her apartment confused. "Oh well!" She shouted to the air. "I'm sure it was idiot Natsu's fault anyways!"
Back at the guild, everyone surrounded the Master. "Is it really ok to tell her something like that?"
"It's better than knowing the truth at this point. The guild fell apart after that incident, and now we can restart. You guys don't need to forget about it just as Lucy did, but convince her nothing is wrong. When you have the opportunity, then search for clues about what happened. This is an order. We won't let the perpetrator succeed in taking away our guild's happiness!"
"YEAH! THAT'S RIGHT!" The guild cheered.
I'm never letting them get hurt again. I'll protect both Lucy and Lisanna. Natsu burned with rage.
"Master, the plan is succeeding wonderfully. I have trained Minerva to treat the guild with sadism; after all, the two dragon slayers will be quite useful in destroying Fairy Tail's guild and ideology. They have yet to notice that I have stopped time for them. They are still 10 years old. Lucy is also ready to betray her guild at any time. In the meantime, we have found Lord Zeref's location: Tenrou Island." Ultear spoke to a shadowed figure.
"Good, make preparations to go. We leave in two weeks."
A week passed, and Lucy re-assimilated into the guild. They got along just like before, but sometimes, she would see a look of sorrow or concern on her friend's faces. When they noticed that she was watching, of course, the look faded into a smile.
It was just a simple morning that began with a simple shower. "The shower feels great…" Lucy felt the hot water pouring on her face and body.
"This is a nice place you've got~" someone said from behind her.
"Isn't it?!" Lucy replied on reflex. It wasn't unusual for her guild mates to enter her room, but while she was showering was rare. As she turned her face, she saw Cana sitting in the bathtub and screamed. Lucy calmed down and entered the shower with Cana.
Cana sighed. "I'm thinking of leaving the guild."
Lucy stared back, and shouted, "Huh?!"
The next day at the guild, Lucy interrogated Mira, who simply responded, "It's fine. She always gets like this around this time," with a bright smile as usual. "You'll find out tomorrow!"
As tomorrow arrived, the Master held an assembly. "Fairy Tail! As done in the past, I will announce this year's S class Wizard Advancement Exam participants. This year's exam will be at Tenrou Island, our guild's holy ground. The examinees are Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser, Elfman, Cana Alberona, Fried Justine, Levy McGarden, and Mest Gryder. Only one of you will pass, and the exam will be held in a week! Each participant will have one partner who must be a non S-Class Fairy Tail mage. The actual contents will be announced on the Island, but Erza, Mirajane, and Gildarts will play a part. Arrive at the port in one week with your designated partner. That's all!"
Master Makarov purposefully left Lucy out of the exam, despite her skill. He and her team agreed to be cautious and choose her as a partner in case she remembers. Fried quickly partnered up with Bickslow, Natsu with Happy, Gray with Loke, who entered the world using his own powers. Juvia ended up partnering with Lisanna, Elfman with Evergreen, and Levy with Gajeel. Meanwhile, Mest approached a distraught Wendy and introduced himself as Mystogan's apprentice.
As Lucy walked home, she noticed Cana on the ground dead drunk covered in snow and brought her home. "What's wrong? You've been acting weird lately, Cana."
"Didn't you already hear from Mira? I have this complex about the S-Class Exam."
"Is that related to you wanting to quit the guild?"
Sigh. "It's going to be my fifth time. I'm the only one who has failed four times. This will be my last try. If I still fail, I'm going to leave Fairy Tail."
"Wait, you don't need to go so far-"
"I have to be an S-Class mage! I have to… or I can't meet that person…" Cana felt reluctant to drag Lucy into her affairs, worried her memories might resurface. Especially now, Lucy was the only one who would listen to her past seriously, as they both have father issues. Cana's need for comfort overpowered her concern, and she proceeded to tell Lucy her past. "So if I don't become an S-Class wizard, I'm leaving the guild."
Lucy stood up in outrage. "I'll be your partner Cana! You won't have to leave the guild because I'll make you an S-Class mage!"
"Lucy…" Cana stared at the blonde, droplets flowing down her eyes. Sorry, I broke the agreement. But I need Lucy… to help me become an S-Class mage, to finally meet him, even if it means sacrificing her happiness for the sake of mine… She will be okay… She has Natsu, and Gray, and Erza to protect her and bring her happiness… I have only her to fulfill my wishes… Cana assured herself that bringing in Lucy as the right choice and agreed to have Lucy as her partner.
A week later, the sixteen participations with the three S-Class mages and the Master boarded the ship towards Tenrou Island, toward the man who would quicken the forever spinning wheels of fate.
