Taste my Pain
Chapter 10: Returning to Fairy Tail

One by one, they come crumbling down, I felt much more powerful and have more stamina and agility. So this is how it feels when I become powerful. My magic didn't need much focusing on now since I unlocked the final technique, now all I had to do is go in formation then release out the energy. I felt lighter and much more happy as I destroyed each boulder - All of the attacks are taking away my pain.

Panting as I destroyed the last boulder I sealed in the magic that was surrounding me and soon my appearance went back to normal. I then dismissed Capricorn and returned back to the cave with Igneel.

-While Lucy was training in the Dragon World, Fairy Tail is... - (This chapter is 3 years after the previous chapter. In other words, Time Skip)

Levy's P.O.V

Somehow, I haven't seen Lucy for such a while, and Wendy, Mira, Happy, Cana, and myself were worried. Nothing seemed to have change in the guild, and the more you take notice on Natsu, he seems much more unusual. He would always looks at the guild doors whenever someone is near, it's already been like months, no years, and still he doesn't seem to stop looking at the door.

I haven't been reading books lately since it somehow reminds me of Lucy. Seeing her not here makes my heart ache, and recently, I received Lucy's storybook which she promised me. Reading it once a week, I've noticed the change in Lucy's story writing. Lucy once told me about the story; About a young girl falling in love with a boy who never thought about her feelings but soon falling in love together.

Somehow her explanation about the story was completely different from the story itself. I noticed that at the start of the story, it was soft and caring, but for some reason, halfway through the story, the story seemed to be more fierce as if it was her story - I meant biography. I mean, Lucy's the heart-loving and romance type of person but the story has this strange feeling.

If Lucy was here right now, then I would have a better time reading. It's not that I don't like reading with Wendy, it's just that I miss reading with Lucy AND Wendy together. I wonder what's she's doing now. Her disappearance is really starting to scare me. I have this feeling that something bad is going to happen soon.

"Levy-san. Is there something wrong with the story?," Wendy asked as she looked over to me. Snapping out of my thoughts, I nodded in return as I looked back. We were reading Lucy's story again in the library where it was quiet. "It's about Lucy-san, isn't it? I know how you feel Levy, but we should believe in her. Lucy-san is a strong-willed girl and she wouldn't just give up on everything," my Sky Dragon Slayer friend stated in a worried tone. Just looking at Wendy's eyes can show that she's feeling lonely with the Celestial mage's accompany.

"You're right Wendy. Lucy is a strong, girl. Let's believe in her return," I replied, forcing a smile to lighten up my depressing mood.

The guild is as reckless as ever and it seems that after Lucy's departure from Fairy Tail, Lisanna has been more happier than ever, clinging on Natsu and calling him 'honey'.
Lisanna never asked anyone about Lucy and never mentioned her name around the guild. It was as if she never missed Lucy and as if she was expecting this to happen long time ago.

"Honey-kun~~," Lisanna cheered as she ran to Natsu open arms who was not looking at Lisanna. He continued to face the door waiting for someone's arrival. "Natsu?," Lisanna asked with a concerned face. "Don't use some anime name on me," Natsu said coldly at Lisanna as he glanced out to the guild doors. "If I were much better than that girl, much stronger than her, and more interesting... Would you only look at me?," Lisanna questioned as she dropped her head down with sadness. Natsu didn't look back at her. "Natsu..., -" she gently mumbled. "- If I were to become much more interesting than Lucy, would you only look at me?," she asked once more with tears forming. She clenched her hands into tight fists until it was slightly bleeding from her nails, and clenched her teeth together in anger.

Lisanna said something under her breath and soon her body started to glow, attracting Natsu's attention, he suddenly turned around to see Lisanna transforming. After a few good several minutes, she looked completely different. Her hair was grown down to her back, and she looked older. Not wearing her old clothes, she now wore a purple mini skirt with a white crop top. Looking over to her shocked love, she smirked before whispering in his ear, "I'm not letting you go too easy, Natsu," she whispered before ended it with a small giggle.

"Lisanna is that you?," Natsu asked with a shocked face. "Aww. I thought you liked this version of me," Lisanna replied with a dark smirk. "This isn't the Lisanna who raised Happy with me when we were little...," Natsu said with shock. Lisanna laughed and glared at Natsu, "That Lisanna is too shy, I changed her a little bit using some spells I learnt while I was in Edolas," she stated in a slick tone.

Natsu's P.O.V

I don't understand what Lisanna just said. I was first paying attention to the door, thinking a certain someone will arrive and yes, I've been staring at the door for 'god-knows-how-long' (Excuse the wording) and ever since that 'day', Lisanna's been acting much more different than usual. She was so close to Lucy and then somehow, after that 'thing' that happened to me, she's been more happier than ever. I was thinking about where Lucy had gone. Master hasn't told us that she left... Wait, she wouldn't have left, she cares so much about the guild, there's no way in life she'll leave the guild. Master has been acting strangely and the guild seems a bit more distant?... No, it couldn't be. If that was so... It would be... Strange.

Anyways, still paying attention to the door, I got distracted by a white light coming from behind me, as I turned back, the light was coming from Lisanna herself. Confused about what's happening, her appearance started to change. Shocked, I looked behind her to see a dumbfounded Mirajane and Elfman. Once the light faded, Lisanna's personality became much more dark and 'bitchy?'

Just what in the world is going on? Just to make life any better I overheard Levy's and Wendy's conversation as they walked to the bar. "Did you say that Lucy left?!," I shouted, catching everyone's attention, soon the entire guild grew silent. I looked around to see everyone with disgusted faces and somehow I knew something was up. Thinking about the possibilities someone yelled out from the corner, "Good thing that she left! Poor Lisanna had to endure all the bullying that Lucy gave to her!," they yelled. Everyone started agreeing and they began dissing their own friend.

Their nonsense made my blood boil inside, I knew that the very same thought happened to me before but now, I snapped out of it. "She was your friend! You're nakama! Do you really think Lucy's the type of girl to bully her friends?! Have you ever seen Lucy bully Lisanna?! Sure I was the one who said all those things but I'm sure that it wasn't the true me who was speaking. Just who in the world are you talking all of this crap for?!," I yelled over to the quiet guild. Slowly, the sadness level grew. "Lucy was the person who made out lives brighter and better! Who helped me save Macao? Lucy did! Who went on an S-class job with me? Lucy did! Who made Fairy Tail a better place? Lucy did!," I yelled once more to the regretful guild members.

"What have we been doing for all of these years?," they all questioned in a unison as they looked around in depression. Soon a fake cough echoed the quiet guild, surprised, everyone looked to the owner of that fake cough and it was Master Makarov. His face showed disappointment and anger. "Why would you people say those hurtful things to your own friend. I'm deeply disappointed on you, Fairy Tail. Even though I'm angry, I think you people, my children, should think about your actions from these letters. About Natsu's question, yes, Lucy did leave Fairy Tail. Now if these people could come up and collect their letters from Lucy...," Makarov gruffed sternly as he looked over the quiet guild.

One by one he called people up to the stairs and I was surprised that I was called up to. Looking at my given letter, it seemed to have a type of spell on it, confused, I looked over to Mirajane where she simply opened it, Levy used her solid script spell to open up hers, Erza used her sword and Gray used ice to slice the envelope open and such and such. Following their actions, I made a small flame by using my index finger and burned the envelope which out flew the envelope with no harm caused by the flames.

I was reading it and tears strolled down my face, my hair covering my face as I looked down. In stress, I punched the table with tears never-ending.

Everyone in the guild was dead silent, from observing our facial expressions, the letter had something dear to us. I looked around once more to see tears forming in my team mates eyes. Wanting to ask what was written in their envelope I soon realised that I was crying also. Mirajane was staring at her envelope and looked at the guild with widened eyes, it seems like her letter was only addressed to the guild, not her. Mira sadly smiled as she noticed that it wasn't her own personal envelope.

"You guys! This is a letter addressed to Fairy Tail!," Mira yelled out loudly. Everyone looked at the shouting girl and nodded vigorously. Mirajane cleared her throat before reading.

Dear Fairy Tail,
Something seemed completely fishy ever since I was kicked out of the team.
You all treated me as some criminal, throwing magic at me when you think I was distracted, and everything that I've attempted to help seems to backfire with no reasoning. I feel utterly disgusted to join the guild, as I seem to learn new things that happens within the guild. To think that everyone treated me like trash as soon as someone spreads a rumor.
Somehow... you all look at me like some replacement for Lisanna. It seems like you guys have been these faking stupid smiles to my face for all these years.

Fairy Tail was my home. My family...but somehow that thought has changed.
From now on. I'm not looking at Fairy Tail as my home...This time, it's war.
I declare that Fairy Tail is now my enemy, my rival.

Yours Sincerely, Lucy Heartfillia.

My eyes widened from what Mira had just read to the entire guild. What did she mean by rival? Remembering her cold words and declaration to make me regret it, I then understood why. As I thought about it hardly, I smelt smoke and looked over to Lisanna who was laughing her way as she burnt her letter. Yes, It seems like Lisanna never liked Lucy at all...

- Time Skip/ 2 years later/ Lucy finished her extended training with Igneel long time ago and go to where Lucy is now done training with Poisania -

Lucy thanked Poisania (Poi-san-nia) as she walked away from the Poison Dragon's cave and into the warm sunlight given from the dazzling sun. Poisania was her second last dragon for her training. Lucy has learnt so much from all of her previous dragons, and thankfully, they all accepted her as their future queen and current princess. Even though Poisania was said to be Lucy's second last dragon trainer it wasn't completely true. Cherita said that she was her final trainer but she trained Lucy just a few months ago.

Flying back to the palace, Lucy thought about what Cherita would teach her and something came to mind. "My future and the forgotten spell... 'Body Fusion'," Lucy said to herself. Even though the name is completely different to what the spell actually is, she still wanted to know the reason about what her ex-nakama had said to her. It was a long flight back to her home/palace, but eventually she made it back safely. Knowing what will happen next, Lucy went upstairs into her room and had a shower. She skipped Lunch since she already ate at Poisania's cave and soon started waiting for Cherita's arrival to the royal gardens.

Relaxing, thanks to Lucy's handy training given by Cherita in the past, she heard wings flapping in the distance. The noise coming closer, Lucy stood up from the swinging bench and waited for Cherita's arrival. A few seconds later, Cherita was now visible from Lucy's sight and she was in her dragon form. Lucy could see Cherita's dazzling scales as she flew, closer and, closer. Soon, Cherita arrived, almost landing, a warm glow appeared and down jumped Cherita in her human form. Greeting each other, they slowly walked to the small table that was prepared by Winter. As they sat, they both displayed a concerned face, ready to sort out business.

They both were silent for around a minute and from awkwardness, Lucy broke the silence by a question, "So... You're final training with me is about my preparations to Earthland, my future, and, the forgotten spell. Am I right?," Lucy asked with a curious face. Cherita laughed from Lucy's question, "Yes, Lucy-sama, you're indeed correct. First question, how are your preparations to Earthland?," Cherita questioned. Lucy let out a sigh before giving up a thumbs up. "I was able to save up enough money to afford a two-storey house which is located near my old apartment. Thanks to Virgo and Loke, the forms have been signed and completed. They're currently moving in the furniture as we speak," Lucy replied with a warm smile, allowing Cherita to sigh in relief.

"Can I ask... Did your old guild members open up your letters that you mentioned me before?," Cherita asked once more. Lucy nodded slowly as she recalled the memory of seeing them open up their envelopes. Thanks to Cherita's training, Lucy can now see what they're doing on the other side using only water. The sight of them crying and regretting what they've done was disgusting. Also, there was no Lisanna, there was someone who was similar to her but much more evil-looking, she seemed to be burning one of her letters. "Yes, they did... They seem to be regretting what they've done to me a few years ago..," Lucy chuckled with a cold smile.

"Now. What is it so mysterious about that 'Body Fusion' spell?," Asked Lucy. Cherita was shocked right after those words were done processing through her mind. "Aren't you going to ask about your future first, hime?," Cherita replied in curiosity. Lucy returned the question by a shaking her head left to right. "Hmmm. Body fusion is a forgotten spell that can be used by a high-class mage or dragon. The spell was used to fight against armies and wars in the past. Even though you need to be skilled in your magic, the spell is weaker than you think. You'll only need someone to make you snap out of it to get rid of the spell. Igneel's child, Natsu, had the aroma that the spell has, a daisy smell is what I should say it in specific. Body Fusion is the magic to take over the thoughts of the target, making them say or act it out in a much worst type of behavior. To make it short, someone must have made Natsu say all of those bad things to you. What I think. I think that, that short, white-haired girl is behind it," Cherita explained.

"What makes you say that? She's a kind a girl. What harm can she do?," Lucy then asked, she was slightly confused - How was it that a girl so delicate, be able to plot something so sinister to someone who was always close to her?. "You do have a point, but the only book in the world that has the chant for the spell is in Edolas's Fairy Tail Library. Therefore, Lisanna was the only one who was from Edolas, and was in the Fairy Tail guild in Edolas. In means of explanation, she had complete access to the book," Cherita reasoned as she looked at Lucy.
Lucy nodded in agreement, and it was really hard to believe that she was too kind to someone she never met before. To think she was able to fool Lucy along with the fellow readers here today. "You're right, if I think about it closely, it makes complete sense," Lucy murmured as she continued to think. "And that means, Lisanna has been faking it the whole way through it. A successful plan I may add," Cherita replied in a cold, harsh tone.

"Now what about my future, Cherita?," asked Lucy with a happy face. Again, Cherita laughed at her happiness, "You're future will be dangerous, even though I taught you the powers of the future, you cannot see your destiny yourself. Even though you hate Fairy Tail, after you learnt the reasons, you're hate shall be slowly fading but not at a fast pace. Soon you'll see a bloody scene and someone is there waiting with a murderous face," Cherita gasped. "Anything else?," the blonde questioned, hoping for more information about her future. Lucy grew depressed when her dragon friend shook her head. "Your future is too cloudy to read. That's all the information that I see," Cherita said.

It was once silent again and Cherita couldn't handle it. "So Hime, you're going to leave tomorrow am I right?," she asked as she broke through the awkward silence. Quietly, Lucy nodded, "I want to come back here and visit everyone," She said with a frown on her face, trying to fight back her tears as she looked over to her hips where a second bundle of crystal keys hung. Lucy thought about the possibilities of her using the Dragon keys - A high percentage stood tall. Cherita pulled Lucy in a warm embrace, "We dragons, will always be by your side as you, our future queen, hold onto our crystal keys," Cherita mentioned in a soothing voice as the hug broke. Cherita got up and gave out her hand to Lucy, "Shall we go and prepare for dinner?" she smiled. Wiping away her tears, Lucy raised out her hand to Cherita and smiled.

- Time Skip/The Next Day (Morning) -

"Hime, please don't go," the dragons cried out as they flew over to Lucy, transforming into their human forms. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to come back and visit you all," Lucy said as she fought back her tears. "Lucy-sama, please accept this box...," Starisha said as she handed it out to Lucy. "What is it, Starisha?," Lucy asked in awe. Starisha smiled kindly. "Please open it when you arrive to Earthland. They will be a huge help on your journey," Starisha answered, avoiding the princess's question of what was in it.

All of the dragons were crying since their princess will be leaving in a matter of minutes. Couldn't hold it in anymore, Lucy let her tears flow down from her cheeks. "Hime, it's time to go," Cherita sadly announced. Lucy quietly nodded, and was about to go into the portal but someone tapped her shoulder. Quickly, she turned around to see Igneel, Metalicana and Grandeeney standing in front of her with sad faces. It was silent until Igneel opened his mouth, "When you do visit us again, please tell me that you won against Natsu and remember to update us on our children," he said as the other two nodded in agreement. "Even though we can go and leave Earthland, we're sure that our children will recognize our scent and look for us," Grandeeney said after Igneel. "Tell Gajeel to be nice to that girl that you've been telling me about," Metalicana said with a sad smile.
Lucy nodded in return and hugged them. As she walked towards the portal, she turned around once more.

"Cherita, Starisha, Igneel, Metalicana, Grandeeney, Poisania, Eathano, Winter, Aquanta, Dorris, Thundertris, Elemantica, everyone... Please take care of yourselves," Lucy said as she wiped away her remaining tears and turned her frown into a smile. All of the dragons nodded in response and Lucy turned to face the portal. She threw her bag into her side and began walking into it, turning around once again, she waved and ran through the portal. "Fairy Tail, here I come!," Lucy shouted as she ran.

"Starisha... What did you give to her?," Igneel asked confused. "Well, it's something her mother passed down," Starisha answered, still not telling them what was the contents in the box. "And what is that?," Cherita asked as she walked to Starisha. "Her crown and a bracelet that her mother once owned" She replied, sighing in defeat.
"I get it. Like Natsu, you gave her a crown to remember her status here, and her mother's bracelet that will give her protection," Grandeeney replied.
"Hai, that is indeed, correct..."