I wish I owned Fairy Tail but I don't. I don't own the characters either!

Back at the Fairy Tail Guild

"I'm worried about Lu-chan," Levy said. "Don't worry about it, Levy!" Jet and Droy said. "It'll be alright!" Levy looked up and smiled. "You're right, Lu-chan wouldn't leave Fairy Tail. There's got to be more meaning to this!" Levy clenched her fists and nodded. "After all, I'm going to be the first one to read her story."

"Master..," Juvia spoke, "Juvia doesn't understand why Lucy would decide to leave all of a sudden like that. There's been times in the past when she's gotten upset like this. Juvia thinks there must be some other reason." The master chugged down his booze and said, "Don't worry. She'll be fine." Juvia frowned. "But Juvia is worried that she won't come back. Even though if she does leave that means I won't have a love rival to compete for Gray-sama's attention.." Juvia shook her head and waved her hands in front of her face. "No, no. Juvia mustn't think like that! Lucy is a precious friend!"

Cana chuckled. "Love problems again, huh?" Juvia shook her head. "It's not like that!"

"Oh? I thought I heard some flies. Rogue, Sting, what is the meaning of this?"

Lucy looked up, eyes widening. "T-T-That's your master?" She pointed at him, hands shaking. Sting patted her head, grinning. "Yes, yes. This is Sabertooth's Master. Master Jiemma." "Master," Rogue stepped forward, "We intend to take this girl into Sabertooth." "Oh? This mere fly?" Master Jiemma spoke down, "We have no need for weaklings like thi-" "Don't worry, Master! She's strong. And she's no longer part of Fairy Tail." Sting grinned wider, almost in a sinister way. Master Jiemma raised a brow. "Fairy Tail.. Interesting. What is your name?" He asked.

"My name is Lucy," Lucy stepped forward, eyes fierce, "Lucy Heartfilia." Master Jiemma hesitated a moment before speaking. ".. Jude, huh?" Lucy's eyes widened. "You knew my father?" Master Jiemma stared for a moment. Lucy held his gaze, waiting. He turned around walking back towards the guild. "This guild is not like Fairy Tail. I have not prepared any celebrations and I don't intend to give you a warm welcome." Lucy narrowed her eyes, not satisfied with his answer. She shook her head. "It's fine," She said, smirking, "I wasn't expecting anything!"

Natsu stepped forward. "So you're the master, huh? Alright! I'm fired up!" Master Jiemma stopped walking and looked over his shoulder. Erza slapped Natsu's head. "Ow!" "Stop it, we did not come here to fight." She took a step forward. "Our master told us to send you this message. 'We will not give up. We will become the strongest just like we were before. You better watch out!'"

"Watch out for you fairy flies? How pathetic..." Rufus said, smirking, "You're not going to participate in the Grand Magic Games, are you?" Gray stuck his fist out. "Yeah we are. I'll enjoy wiping that smirk off your face." Sting sighed. "You guys should cut the act already. You, beat us? Like hell you will." Natsu narrowed his eyes into a dangerous glare. "Don't go underestimating us, you bastard. I'll show you just how strong Fairy Tail is." Rogue stepped next to his guild mates, staring at Gajeel. "Dragon slayer, huh?" Gajeel smirked, "You dragon slayers ain't nothin' compared to us."

"I wonder how it'll feel to have to battle against your former ally," Minerva chuckled. Erza gave a menacing glare. "Yeah.. I wonder. But first, let me tell you one thing..," She stepped forward and dangerously lowered her voice, "You've made an enemy out of the worst guild possible." Minerva glared back.

Natsu grinned. "Oh? Look at them, Erza. They're so scared they can't even speak." Sting chuckled. "You wanna fight?" Natsu's fist was already engulfed with flames. "Sure. I'll enjoy beating you up for underestimating us." Rufus waved his hand. "Come."

Both groups glared at each other. The tension was almost visible. Lucy frowned.

Guys... This isn't the time nor place to do this..

Lucy clenched her fists, frustrated at being unable to voice her thoughts.

"That's enough," Master Jiemma said. "Now is not the time to do this."

Sting punched his fists together. "Alright, Master." He jabbed a finger at Natsu. "Let's save the excitement for the battle field, shall we?" Natsu smirked, "Prepare to lose." Natsu turned around, looking at Lucy. Lucy looked away. "Please, Natsu... Make this easier... For both of us.. And leave now." Natsu frowned. "But Lu-" Erza covered his mouth with her hand. "This is what she has decided to do. Respect her decision. Let's go."

They started walking down the path but stopped. "Oi Luce... If you change your mind, we'll be waiting for you." Natsu smiled sadly. "Things won't be the same without a bunny girl, but whatever." Gajeel shrugged, looking away. "Who will be here to rescue me from Juvia?" Gray said, shoving his hands in his pockets, "It's going to be more annoying without you around." Erza looked down at her feet. "You know Lucy... You're my best female friend."

Happy wrapped his arms around Lucy's leg. "Who's going to help make Carla fall in love with me?" Lucy shook, covering her eyes. "You guys..." Lucy turned her back towards them and held up her hand, with a familiar Fairy Tail hand sign. "I'll see you at the Grand Magic Games." Tears coursed down her cheeks. "Be prepared to lose."

The Fairy Tail members started walking away again, all sharing the same thought.

Stay well, Lucy.

"This is a pretty big guild!" Lucy said walking around. "I'm glad you like it," Sting said.

Eh? I didn't say I liked it though. Whatever..

"Welcome Lucy-chan," A random said. "Hm? Some people in your guild are actually nice." She said. Sting narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?" Lucy sighed. "It means exactly how it's supposed to mean."

Not exactly how I expected it to be.. Even though a lot of them seem pretty mean and depressing.

There are a few nice ones at least.

"She's kinda cute." "Yeah." Lucy frowned, crossing her arms. "There it is again," she said. Sting shook his head. "You mean your overly confident, narcissistic thoughts?" He asked. "No!" Lucy slapped his head. "Ow! You're pretty strong for a small fry!" Sting yelled. "That's not what I mean at all," Lucy shook her head and planted her hands at her hips, posing innocently. "I mean the 'It's hard being cute these days.'" Sting ignored her. "Hmph, whatever," He scoffed. Lucy glared at him then sighed, not having enough energy to deal with him.

Lucy smiled. "What's with that stupid look on your face?" Sting pointed out. "It's not stupid!" She yelled.

Lucy clenched her fists and grinned. "Now all I've gotta do is find an apartment and I'm all set!" Lucy exclaimed. "I know the area pretty well, I'll help you," Sting offered. Lucy nodded and smiled. "Okay!"

Deep in the woods, there is a dark guild.

"Damn those official guilds. They've already made their move," A female said. She ran her hand through her silky, lavender hair. "Don't worry, mom," a young voice assured, "It'll be alright." "Yeah..," A male voice said, "They are weak compared to us, The Circus of the Eternal 8."

Just as I thought.. I don't have a good feeling about this..

"Master," Erza asked, "Do you know why Lucy left?" The master looked around the guild, frowning at the sad mood. Erza caught his gaze and slammed her fist into the table. "I should have forced her to come back." The master sighed and shook his head. "Now, now, Erza. If you forced her to come back she would still be unhappy. Would you be okay with that?" He asked. Erza looked down. "You're right.." The master smiled and said, "Don't worry. Things happen for a reason." Erza stared at him for a moment before looking down again.

What is your reason, Lucy?

Lucy sighed. "There's nothing decent for a low price.. I should've known. I was lucky to have gotten my first apartment for only 70,000. I guess I'm not as lucky as I was before. And you!" She jabbed a finger at Sting accusingly. "You aren't much help at all!" Sting shook his head and said, "Not my fault you operate at low prices." Lucy shook her fist at him. "Shut up!"

As they walked around the city, a colorful flyer stuck to a lamppost caught Lucy's attention. She nudged Stings arm. "Hey, look at this." Sting raised a brow and read the flyer aloud, "'Come join the excitement. The Amazing Wild Circus is coming back with more exciting entertainment.' Eh? The Circus, huh? What a stupid name for a Circus." Lucy clapped her hands together in joy. "The Circus?! It's been years since I've been to one! I used to love them when I was younger." Sting laughed. "Younger? You still consider yourself young? You're technically like 24 or something." Lucy glared daggers at him. "Technically I was frozen in time. So technically I didn't age. So TECHNICALLY I'M STILL 17!" Lucy declared.

Sting raised his hands in defeat. "Alright, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." Lucy sighed. "Whatever... I still can't find an affordable apartment. What will I do?" "Don't worry, blondie," Sting slapped Lucy's back causing her to trip. "Again with the blondie?!" She screamed. Sting completely ignored her and with determination he said, "We won't stop searching for your apartment until we drop dead!" "Take it down a notch!" She yelled. "I'm too young to die!" "Oh? But you're like 24," Sting claimed. Lucy flailed her hands in the air. "Shut up!"

I decided to make another chapter because I'm truly sorry for not updating sooner. And I know I never say this but thank you for the reviews. It helps keep me going, you know?

Thank you.

Until next time~!

And I promise it won't be long.