Good news and bad news. Good news is this is a long chapter. I have more fluff in it to lighten up from the seriousness of last chapter. Don't worry still plenty of good drama here. The bad news is we are about caught up which means my posting is going to get much slower after the next few days. I'll do my best for all of you though! Thank you for all of the comments and feedback. It really means the world to me! I hope you continue to enjoy it! Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.
Chapter 9
After hugging Yukino and drying her eyes, she turned and realized the Thunder Legion was there for the first time. She turned red embarrassed at the sight they had just witnessed. Evergreen was the first to respond with an "Oh Lucy!" and ran up to give her a hug.
"Forgive me, Lucy-sama, I didn't realize what had happened," Freed said giving a small bow in apology.
Lucy turned to him, "It's okay Freed, no one knows."
"Not even your team?" Evergreen asked confused.
"Well, after Tartarus everyone left. Took time to themselves. Natsu left only a note. Erza and Gray just disappeared. Everyone had their own pain to deal with. Natsu had lost Igneel, Erza had been tortured, Gray lost his father. We all had our own pain to sort through, and everyone else felt it was best to do it on their own… Once we came back, there never seemed to be a good time. So, I just kept it to myself."
Bixlow shook his head finally understanding why her soul looked the way it did. "You shoulda made time. This isn't healthy." Lucy looked at him quizzically, but he tapped his mask. She realized he was talking about what his eyes could see, her soul.
"Your team should have noticed," Laxus finally spoke up. Before Lucy could argue, he continued on, "I don't care how well you hide it. They should know. They claim to be your best friends, but even in our year off we stayed together." The Ranjishu all looked at each other and nodded. "The point of a team is to help each other. Make each other stronger. Help when the others are hurting. I learned this the hard way. It's time you learned that as well." He looked at the others around him, "I believe now is as good a time as any."
The Ranjishu all moved back beside Laxus smiling. "Lucy-sama," Freed stated, "we'd like to formally invite you to join the Thunder Legion."
Lucy's mouth dropped open. Yukino giggled at her, and nudged her nodding. Yukino and Lucy had kept up during Fairy Tail's disbandment. Yukino had ranted to Rogue and Sting about how her team had just left her. She'd tried to convince Sting to bring her into Sabertooth, and while he had tried Lucy wouldn't budge. Yukino was selfishly hoping they could have all twelve Zodiac keys in Sabertooth. It would make them a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention, she hoped one of her closest friends would get with her boyfriend's best friend. I mean if Lucy could deal with Natsu, surely she could handle Sting. Yukino shook her head realizing how distracted she'd gotten.
Lucy was still trying to recover, when Laxus filled the silence, "Think on it. It's a big decision, but you could really learn a lot with us."
Bixlow chimed in, "Not to mention, you've been a great help on this mission. Can't wait to see what else ya can do."
"Plus, having another girl around would be great!" Evergreen said excitedly.
"I'll think about it, for sure," Lucy said smiling at them.
Yukino smiled at her, "Well, why don't you all come back to Sabertooth for some dinner. Rogue's probably wondering where we are anyway." Lucy looked at her quizzically. Yukino shrugged, "I said I'd be bringing you back to Sabertooth to hang tonight." When she turned to the Thunder Legion she added, "We have a pool and a hot tub that you will be free to use."
Bixlow and Evergreen smiled at that and said together, "Oh we're in!"
They arrived at the guild midafternoon, and were all jumping into the pool shortly after. Lucy and Evergreen joined after the boys sporting swimsuits from the Celestial world courtesy of Virgo. Evergreen made her way over to soak in the hot tub next to Minerva. They started up a light conversation about the recent shops Evergreen had been to and where else she should go in the future. Freed was chatting it up with Rufus as they ran through a variety of different topics making everyone shudder and scoot farther away. Laxus, Bix, and Orga were all chatting it up farther into the pool. Bix let out an appreciative whistle when Lucy caught his eye. Laxus hummed in agreement.
Lucy and Yukino were wading into the pool when they were pulled up short. "Fairy-san!" Lector and Frosch yell as they launch off the side of the pool at Lucy. She grabs onto them laughing almost falling over, but is kept upright by a chuckling Yukino. Lucy helps them into their floaties as the girls wade in to waist deep. She continues to back up until she runs into a hard muscular chest. She glances up to see Sting grinning down at her.
"Seems we have a lost Fairy here," Sting teases.
Lucy sticks her tongue out at him, "Oh shush, Kitty Cat, Yukino invited us."
Yukino had made her way over to Rogue smiling at him. He moved over protectively not liking that other people could see her dressed so scantily. Lucy and Yukino made eye contact for a second and started giggling. They had discussed Rogue's antics at length, and while they were officially dating he hadn't even brought up marking her. It was obvious he was going to, but it was driving Yukino crazy that he was waiting. Lucy slowly pushed Lector around the pool to which he purred excitedly. Sting followed them bringing Frosch to give the couple a little privacy.
"Is he ever gonna mark her?" Lucy asked Sting as quietly as she could.
Sting huffed not wanting to betray his friend, "Please. He'll do it when the time is right. 'Sides what do you know about it, girly? Last I checked you weren't a slayer."
Lucy chuckled, "You're right I'm not, but our guild has four dragon slayers and a demon slayer. Excuse me for knowing a little bit about it."
Sting sniffed at her, "You don't smell any different." He sniffed her again coming closer.
Lucy turned red and threw water on him to back him up. "Well of course not! I didn't say any of them marked me!"
"Good! So you're not taken?" Sting purred moving closer.
Lucy rolled her eyes at him turning her back to him to swim around, "Course not. You find someone who can deal with my team you let me know."
"You're team wouldn't be a problem if you'd just take me up on my offer," Sting said following her.
Yukino and Rogue had made their way over to them. Yukino smiled catching the end of the conversation, "Oh yes, Lucy! The offer does still stand! It'd be great! We could even get an apartment together!"
Lucy smiled at the idea. It was still tempting, but she shrugged to which Rogue added, "You could even join our team."
"We'd keep you much safer than Natsu does," Sting said purring into her ear again.
"C'mon guys. I can't leave Fairy Tail, they're my home!" Lucy protested.
"Sabertooth could just as easily become your home," Yukino pushed.
At this point, the trio had her back pedaling to get some space. She admitted that the offer was tempting. Living with Yukino would be far cheaper than her current place and learning with another celestial mage would be great for her magic. Not to mention, her little fling with Sting could maybe… She shook her head. No, she wouldn't change guilds because of a guy! This was her family she was talking about.
As she continued to swim backwards, she backed into a different hard sturdy chest. She glanced up this time to see Laxus peering down at her. He gave a hard glance to Sting that almost looked predatory, but Lucy assumed it was a trick of the light. Sting raised an eyebrow at him meeting his gaze. "What's this about Sabertooth being home, Cosplayer?" Bixlow asked curiously.
Lucy looked over at him, "They invited me to join when Fairy Tail disbanded. I didn't end up joining…"
"But, we were just letting he know the offer still stands," Yukino said cheerily.
Bixlow shook his head, "Nope. That won't work for us. 'Sides you already have a celestial wizard. Can't hog them all!" Rogue moved slightly closer to Yukino at Bixlow's antics.
Yukino pouted, but Sting jumped in again not taking his eyes off Laxus, "Team Natsu isn't any good for her. We could take her in and help her expand her magic. I'd help you personally." At this point, he'd reached out for her and met her eyes with a wink.
Lucy blushed and as Sting was about to drag her away Laxus's hands came down on her shoulders, "I couldn't agree with you more about Team Natsu. That's why Lucy's been asked to join the Thunder Legion."
That took Sting up short, and he glanced at the other Fairy Tail mages with her. "You're really gonna leave Natsu?"
Lucy blushed at the way he said it, "You make it sound like we're dating. Which were not! Besides, I haven't accepted the offer yet." She added a pointed glare up at Laxus who just smirked down at her.
Evergreen and Minerva having watched this whole thing started to snicker. "It looks like they're playing tug of war with her," Minerva said.
Ever laughed in agreement, "S'pose we should go save her."
They called for dinner in the guild, and Lucy heaved a sigh of relief when she escaped from between the two slayers. She quickly joined the girls at the side of the pool and moved inside willing herself not to glance back at the two slayers who were still having a stare off.
The next morning the group made their way to the train station to head home to Magnolia. The twin slayers, Yukino, and the exceeds went with them to see them off. Frosch was teary eyed and clinging to Lucy, and Lector was trying to put on a brave face for his friend. The whole thing made Lucy giggle as she promised to come visit soon. Yukino caught her in a hug whispering, "I'm thrilled Natsu's out of the picture 'cause both Sting and Laxus are a step up." Yukino pulled back with a wink just as the doors slid closed. The smirk on Sting's face said he definitely heard, and Lucy burned bright red.
She was still cooling down by the time she found everyone in their train compartment. Bix, Ever, and Freed sat on one side, and Laxus was leaning up against the window. No sooner had she sat down had Laxus shifted and plopped his head down in her lap. She squeaked the red climbing up her face again, but when he peered up at her as if to ask, 'Problem?' She shook her head and got her book out. The rest of the way to Magnolia she struggled to focus on her book between Ever and Bix making eyebrows at her, and Yukino's words getting stuck in her head. She brushed a hand over her keys which sobered her up quickly thinking back on everything she had learned. Her next major step would be to talk to Levy and Gajeel. It's time she told her bestie everything anyway.
Everyone split up to head home before returning to the guild. Lucy didn't take long tiding up her apartment as she was getting seriously antsy about the next step of her plan. It also did make her feel better knowing that she had told some people. She was going to need their support.
She summoned Plue, and the moment he appeared the little snowman-like dog ran up to and hugged her leg. Lucy bent down to comfort him to ease him, but he just clung to her tighter. She was confused until Loke appeared. "He's worried about losing you…" Lucy looked up at him to see the hurt in his eyes, "We all are…"
"Loke, don't start this…" Lucy began, but Loke was quick to cut her off.
"Then, when will we? After you've already decided to give us away? How could you do that? How could you say something so careless? We know you're hurting, but Lucy…"
Lucy looked at him darkly, "Say something careless? Seriously Loke? I never say things carelessly! My word is my bond! Or do you happen to think that I'm right, and I'm not meant to be a celestial wizard?"
Loke looked pissed, "You know that's not what I meant! You're just twisting my words!" Loke went to approach her, but looked down startled by the flash of white in the corner of his eye.
Lucy glanced down and her anger and self-loathing ebbed away at the sight of her little dog spirit pounding on her leg. He had small tears forming in the corner of his eyes. Lucy sank to the floor and hugged him close to her. After a few moments Loke joined them, "Oh Princess, your all any of us could ever hope for."
Tears stung at her eyes, "How? I sent one of you away! I chose Fairy Tail over her, over all of you…"
"That's not how we see it. And I know, that's not how she sees it," Loke whispered rubbing her head.
They stayed huddled together a little bit longer until eventually Lucy looked to him and said with the determination Loke loved, "I promised not to give any of you away, and I won't. But, I'm gonna promise one more thing. I'm gonna get Aquarius back. Whatever it takes." Loke nodded smiled and even Plue looked determined as he peered up from her lap.
"And, we will aid you in any way we can," Loke said. Plue shivered and hugged her in agreement.
Eventually, she got going, and Plue joined her for her walk along the river to the guild hall. When they arrived, he climbed up on her shoulder as if he were an exceed. She laughed at the thought of her little spirit having wings like Happy, Carla, and Lily. Unsurprisingly, the guild was as noisy as ever as she weaved her way through the brawl to the bar. Lucy winced as she vaulted over a tangled up Vijeeter glad his dancing made him flexible, otherwise he'd definitely be broken. The Ranjishu was at the bar with Cana and Mira chatting it up about their current mission. Lucy stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the three smile at her conspiratorially. Bix's tongue lolled out of his mouth, but you could tell he was enjoying the conversation too.
"Oh Lucy perfect," Evergreen said grabbing her tight, "what was it that Yukino was saying about you and Sting?"
"Sting Eucliffe?" Mira squeeled in excitement.
"Damn girl, what is with you and dragon slayers?" Cana whistled in appreciation.
With a glare at Ever, who smiled innocently, she rebuked, "I don't just date slayers! There was that thing with Hibiki and then…" All three had tilted in when she backed up. "You know I think Natsu wanted to go on a mission…"
"Oh that's too bad, I had a letter here for you too," Mira smirks the inner demon showing.
Lucy reaches forward, but Cana yanks it back first, "Come on give us something to work with! You haven't been on a date in a year!"
"I'm a little busy right now," she said distractedly trying to grab the letter from Cana, Plue hanging on for dear life. "Oh, it's from Camron!" Lucy shouted catching the name as they flailed about.
At the sound of a male name, the other three froze which allowed Lucy to swipe the letter. She turned her back to them and started reading through the letter. She went rigid as Camron had come to the same conclusions as her! He to thought that if one obtained the Celestial core given the right factors a new key could be forged. She took a moment to breathe as she whispered, "I was right…"
"Care to share, Blondie?" Laxus asked hearing her whisper. To Mira, though, it sounded like Laxus was just being nosy, so she bopped him on the shoulder and scolded him. Lucy was transfixed, which really was too bad because she didn't notice the flaming chair that was coming at her. At the last moment, she pushed her arms up to protect her body, but that did nothing for the cinders and sparks shooting off. They burned part of her clothes, the floor, her hair, and most importantly the letter. She screamed trying to bat out the flames with her hands when Gray ran over, "Crap, Flame Brain! Here Lucy let me help." He immediately iced over the papers effectively stopping the flame in its tracks. However, she couldn't read anything, so this really wasn't much better.
"Yeah, nice going Icicle," Natsu sneered. Gray and Natsu argued back and forth over who would fix her stuff as Lucy sat next to her charred icicle in shock. As their bickering got louder, the guild hall seemed to tense as a scarlet haired mage made her way across the hall. She smashed the two of them together knocking them over. While it did stop the bickering, they unfortunately fell on top of the icey papers shattering them.
"Will you two be quiet? You need to apologize for disrespecting your guild hall!" Erza yelled at them. The two of them huddled together and mumbled their apologies which seemed to placate Erza. "Ah, Lucy good to see you've returned. Now that the four of us are together, we…"
"No." Lucy said shaking her head. Erza looked confused as she hadn't even asked anything, but Lucy was just shaking her head on the ground next to some shards of ice. She was going to try again when Lucy turned to Erza, "No. I will not be doing or going Mavis knows where with any of you."
Erza looked taken aback at this, and the glanced at the groveling boys realizing that they must have done something to upset her blonde haired friend, "You two have upset Lucy. You must apologize at once!"
Before they could say anything Lucy exploded, "I don't want to hear it! That was the best lead I've had in over a year! A freaking year! And here my supposed friends, have burned, frozen, and smashed it to bits. I will not be going anywhere with any of you. As of now, you can consider me off of Team Natsu."
The guild hall was quiet. They all knew of Angry Lucy, some had even met Scary Lucy in Edolas, but this was a different type of rage. Most people were just happy they weren't on the receiving end.
Natsu edged closer to her trying to reach out, "Luce, I'm sorry, whatever this is, we'll fix it. I…"
Lucy cut him off, "No, you won't. I'll repair the damage you've done like always, but from now on, I'll do it alone."
"But what about your rent?" Gray chipped in going for a different angle.
Lucy shook her head she didn't care she'd figure it out. Mira took this moment to clear her throat, "Actually, Lucy. This came in yesterday. I already gave Laxus and the others their share, but this is for the extra mission you completed." Lucy snagged the envelope and glanced inside. There was more than enough for the next month including the extra expenses she might have, not to mention she just got paid for the last mission.
"I'll make it work. Besides, I'm quite capable of going on a job ALONE," Lucy said eyeing the three mages threatening them to doubt her.
Not reading the mood, Natsu decided to push it. "C'mon Lucy, the high paying jobs are team jobs. 'Sides paying your rent off won't be easy with the kind of jobs you'll have to take solo."
Lucy froze and fixed a stare, Don't say it, Natsu, Don't say it. "I'm more than capable, Natsu."
"Well sure you're capable, but you're not as strong as the rest of us. You need us," Natsu said gesturing to Erza and Gray.
Lucy snapped. She couldn't stand to hear him talk down to her like that. After everything they had done and been through together, he still saw her as some girl to be shielded. Her power unleashed, and in a flash, Virgo, Loke, and Capricorn appeared out of their gates.
Having heard everything Loke was ticked, "Lucy doesn't need any of you."
"We are quite capable of protecting, Princess," Virgo added.
"Besides," Capricorn added, "We can fight with Lucy WITHOUT burning, bruising, freezing, or harming her."
Lucy turned and her three spirits followed her out of the guild.