( Natsu's Point of View Lucy's house)
I slowly wake up to a really soft snore coming from Happy laying next to me. That had to be the best sleep I've had in my life. This bed is by far so comfortable. That's right. I'm not at home. Turning over in the covers I see Lucy sitting at her desk quietly writing what looks like more of her novel. The look of concentration on her face is subtle, but how relaxed she is makes it worth the silence. Observing her in this state not worrying makes me feel so calm and happy. I guess when she's not around others she doesn't have to concentrate so hard on all of her emotions or what people may think. Her magic doesn't seem to be affected at all when she doesn't have any attention on her. She's just like a normal person would be in their home. Quietly I shift and sit up waiting for to acknowledge that I'm up. She looks over and smiles softly at me and asks "Good morning Natsu. How was your nap? Can I get you anything?"
"No it's ok. I'll get something at the guild. I have to admit though I'm pretty sore. Do you have any medicine for pain relief?" I say cheerfully while stretching a bit. My legs have a bit of a burning sensation from jumping out of the way so often last night. I look over at her again and see that she's starting to frown and I realize what I've said, but it was to late. She placed her invisible shield up immediately in response and became nervous and apologetic again. "I really am sorry Natsu. Maybe it's too soon to be trying to work with people again." She says quietly looking anywhere but me.
Happy heard the conversation and quickly replied, "No, it's just the beginning of our training as well Lucy. Don't worry. We're bound to be sore from now on. Right Natsu?" Happy looks at me quickly with a stern face. Great save Happy.
"Of course Happy. I just didn't realize I was going to be sore like this. That's all. Like Loki said. I have to start somewhere right?" I smile towards her trying to reassure her.
"Are you guys sure. I can talk to master again. You don't have to do this with me if you don't want to. I mean. I thought Carson said he wanted to start over again with me or I could get a fresh start, but he was terrified of me outside of the guild. You could see on his face he didn't know what he got himself into or if I was even worth all the trouble. I don't want you guys too feel that way too or do that to you guys…" Lucy says quietly.
That infuriated me. I told Carson he shouldn't have said that. I knew Lucy well enough to know her thoughts would go there. If she found he verbally said that to anyone she would be crushed. She's worth more than anything in the world to me. No way in hell was I going to allow her to feel hurt because of someone's uncarefully thought out words. She's not getting away from me that easily either though. "Lucy. He's our nakama, but he's still new. He may be our age, and he may be a powerful mage, but he doesn't fully comprehend the bonds that have to be established between team mates. Our bond was damaged but not completely broken and will never break if I have any say in it. You're amazing, and don't count Carson out so soon. Yesterday was an extremely overwhelming day for all of us. I'm sure he didn't expect what he had gotten himself into when he decided to try and take you on as a partner. After all you are a weirdo." I smile gently at her and continue. "However, you're my partner. Don't forget. You always have been and will be regardless of how much time has passed since the last time we all went on a mission." I say sternly while walking over to stand in front of her. Happy is sitting on my shoulder and nods in her direction as well "Aye. Me too Lucy."
"She looks at them with a bit of panic. And shakes her head trying to take it all in. "I.. no… I understand, but please for now. My mental capacity for now can only accept myself as a solo mage. Please. We are best friends for sure, but teams and partners are to much for me to handle. Ok? Just say best friends for now. I won't team up with anyone again." She says quickly.
She's starting to panic and the shield is expanding with a soft pink glow. I simply stand there waiting for her to calm down accepting the pain the shield is trying to force us out. Happy simply floats over and plops down on her head looking at her upside down. Now that I think about it. Happy is the only one unaffected by her shield. That's good to know. Her and Happy always teased each other and got along. I'm glad to see that she still fully trusts Happy.
"Calm down Lucy. Best friends right? And Partners later." Happy smiles big for her and she slowly calms down.
"Ok Happy and Natsu. Best friends now and partners later. I can handle that." She smiles softly.
"Agreed." I say proudly. Her shield slowly disappears completely now that she's back in control of her emotions and is relaxing some.
"Hey Lucy. I couldn't help but notice that Happy is never affected by your shield. Is that normal?" I ask her with a hint of curiosity.
"I'm not sure Natsu. I've always trusted and loved Happy and I believe my shield only pushes the people away that are causing my emotions to go a little out of control. Hence why Happy can flow easily in and out of my personal space." She says with a thoughtful expression. She then turns to Happy and continues, "You remember what you told me that day our team split Happy?"
I look at them both curiously with that comment. I remember that we had left shortly after that on a mission that lasted a few weeks. I never noticed that Happy only caught up with us at the train station instead of following me home to get ready. I asked him about it and he said not to worry about it. He just had to talk to someone. I look over at Happy now and his eyes got big with the memory.
"Of course I do Lucy. I told you I cherished all the memories we shared and that I would never leave you behind and that I was always with you. Do you still have the little gift I gave you that day?" Happy asks with a small smile and watery eyes.
"Of course I do. Look." She holds up her key ring to see a little fish and cat dangling off of it to the side next to her Lion Spirt Leo. "You've always been by my side Happy and you always fought for me. You kept me close just like I always kept you close. Your loyalty to your friends and your braveness. I've always admired you and appreciated your kind words. It pushed me to continue on and try hard. It's also those words that kept me moving forward with a smile on my face. Thank you so much Happy." She says with the most heartwarming smile she could give.
I could tell Happy couldn't believe she remembered. That explains his little shopping trip prior to us leaving to the guild that day though. He had been saving for a while for that keychain. I just never understood at the time what he could possibly want a keychain for. Looking at the scene before me though I can't help but feel a little guilty all over again.
"Natsu don't be like that. You guys had great adventures right? So smile. Everything always works out in the end and I'm sure you and Happy will continue to have even more." Lucy says kindly to me trying to get me to be cheery. "I'll get you some pain reliever and then we can go to the guild. It's almost one after all. You got a good 3-4 hour nap considering we got back at 8." She says happily while turning around and walking towards the first aid kit in the bathroom.
"Happy, did you… did you see it." I ask quietly so she can't hear.
"Yea Natsu. I really am happy you finally came around. She needed us more than I thought." Happy says quietly in return.
"I know Happy. I love her and that small flicker of the old Lucy was just what I needed to see to make sure I knew that she's worth every bit of pain to come." With that said she walked back out with fresh bandages in hand and some type of special ointment for pain. Within a half an hour we were all walking towards the guild. She was quite all the way there with Plue walking with her. I watched her out of the corner of my eye and saw how she was viewing everything around her. It was like she was hyperaware of every action and reaction that would potentially happen around her. She subconsciously would move a direction to avoid collision with an object without legitimately seeing it. However, the moment she saw Fairy Tail her face lit up like a small child and she smiled that thousand watt smile she walked in everyday with. This also mean's I'll finally be able to act normal around her like every day guild life. It's a lot of work keeping yourself in check outside of the guild.
Walking through the doors and over to a side bench after ordering food from Mira I observed her actions. People smiled and waved at her having quick conversations, while she would giggle and quickly move on to a small joke and make them laugh leaving them with a big smile on their face. Finally she would walk over to the bar and have her usual conversation with Mira and the girls making everyone smile just as big from her silly antics. I never realized she was the one hiding Gray's clothes as I see her sneak over to the lost shirt and throw it randomly close to Juvia. Ha ha. Stripper and his missing clothes. Who would have thought... This really was entertaining. That is until people looked over at me with a look of horror and Wendy asked quickly while running over, "What happened Natsu! Are you alright… here let me try and heal some of these."
I look to see that she's starting to pull on my bandages and I realize what she said so I quickly stop her and look over to Lucy who now notices the commotion in my direction. She quietly stands with a small smile and apologizes while walking to the guild doors. "Stop Lucy. It's fine. We told you this morning right. No worries." I try to catch her before she looks over with a sad look on her face. Then I remember. Unnecessary attention. "Wendy stop for now ok. We were only watching her training session. We weren't paying attention." Wendy stops with wide eyes and looks over towards Lucy who is quietly trying to maintain her emotions. She looks over to me and says, "I know, but I still don't like hurting my family. Unintentionally or not. I'm so sorry."
I see master walking towards her again asking her to face him. "It's ok Lucy. Natsu knew what he was getting himself into. You didn't hurt him. It just means he needs to train more right?" He slowly pulls her down for a small hug, and I can't help but smile at the two. Erza walks over and slowly pulls her out of her hug and into another bone crushing hug. After a bit she then starts to pull her back towards the bar to continue conversing with the other girls.
I can see that Gray decides the mood needed to be lightened in the rest of the guild so the insults started to come in my direction, but unfortunately for him, I really was sore from the training I watched. Sad I know. Watching training wasn't supposed to make you sore, but well Lucy was hard core. I simply stated to Gray, "Sorry Gray but I really am sore." I smile sheepishly scratching the back of my head with my hand then realizing there's a little bit of blood on my hand so I wipe it on my pants. He looks at me astonished, and then looks at Lucy.
"You're telling me, that from watching… WATCHING someone train you're too sore to start a brawl with me in the guild?" Gray says astonished from my behavior.
I simply point out Happy as well and his eye's grow a little more. "What happened to you guys? Seriously?" Gray says walking over next to me and starts staring at Lucy as she begins telling Mira, Levy, and Wendy about some silly story she thought of.
"She's simply amazing Gray. Nothing can describe it to be honest." I say quietly to Gray.
"That doesn't explain much Natsu. Are you so weak as to get caught off guard during this training?" He says a bit harshly.
I look over with a bit of anger and hurt in my eyes. "What's wrong with you Gray? That's a low blow even for you. I'm not weak. Her training is extremely intense and it's no one or two hour deal. She starts at 1 in the morning and doesn't return home until sunrise only to come here after doing random things around her apartment. It consists of multiple battle fields, traps and opponents and it tests her in ways I would have never imagined possible. Following her rules and trying to observe… I didn't underestimate her I didn't do anything I observed at my own pace. Now tell me Gray what's wrong?" I demand as I slowly turn towards him and corner him.
"I'm sorry Natsu." He says looking away with what appears to be a hurt expression in his eyes. "I guess I'm upset she allowed you to come with her and hasn't even had a proper conversation with any of us in so long outside the guild. So much change is going on right now and.. I… I miss her Natsu." Gray whispers the last few words for me only to hear.
I instantly understood what was wrong now, but I had a brilliant idea that may cheer him up. This also could help him and Erza too. All of us really. "Hey while Lucy is here come with me ok? I want to show you something she showed me and Happy last night. You'll appreciate this. Oh and she didn't intentionally allow me to watch her training. She.. how can I put this. I guess was interrupted by us so she gave us the option of staying or going. Anyways just give me a sec." I say with a small smile on my face. He's curious now, but I understand his feelings. When she allowed Carson in her shield I had the same feelings as him. I turn and walk over to Lucy asking her a small favor. She's comfortable and confident in the guild so I know she won't react terribly about this.
"Hey Lucy, do you mind if Happy and I borrow your photo album. We want to show the guild. If you don't want to show everyone else could we at least show it to Gray and Erza?" I say with a small smile on my face and a puppy eyes. She never could resist my puppy eyes. I smile inwards appreciating the fact that she was my everything and she adored all things that were cute.
"Ha ha. You are so funny Natsu. Of course you can, but you better be extremely careful with it. It's my everything and you know that…." Lucy says cheerily.
"Great I'll be right back." I quickly run out of the guild with Gray close behind me since I told him to come. Happy came as well for any answers Gray might need. We hop through the window and I see her precious album laying on her desk in the same position we saw yesterday.
"This brings back memories doesn't it." Gray says quietly to me. He looks as though he is in so much pain walking around her apartment.
"It does." Erza says quietly behind both boys. I quickly spin around to see her since I didn't originally sense her. She had scared me and caused me to bump into the desk to knock over that blasted chest of letters she writes. After realizing that they were scattered everywhere we quickly organize or resort her letters back into her box and move to the living room to look at her photo album.
I explain further, "If Lucy is to view this she has to be outside away from people or in her training area. So if we take this to the guild it would be better if we clear it out a little. Ok?" They both look at me confused. "Her emotions guys. It's a lot of work for her to maintain and keep them in check when she's looking at this. I'm not saying not to take it to the guild for everyone. She knows they all would love it, but I don't know if she would be capable of enjoying it with us." With that said I sit down on the couch and they follow suit. I lay the album on the coffee table for them to open and wait for their reactions and questions.
(No one's point of view Lucy's apartment)
Happy flips the album and they all see the first page with the original team Natsu and they all share a sad smile. Natsu hadn't seen the night before that written underneath was, "My most precious family members". You can see his eyes water from reading that. They turn to the next page to see the picture again of her with all of her spirits and the projection of the celestial Spirit King behind them all. Underneath again she has written "My most precious, loyal and loving family that any celestial mage could ever pray for. I love you all and thank you for everything."
"This can't be possible!" Gray stutters out wide eyed at the picture. Erza has a similar expression on her face. Both blink multiple times as if trying to see if they really are seeing the picture as it is and then turn towards Natsu and Happy.
"Do you have an inkling of understand of why me and Happy look like this from watching her training now?" Natsu says with his goofy grin.
"I refuse to believe this. I know she's powerful, but wow. Amazing." Gray says slowly trying to accept that Lucy has changed as much as she has. Gray then continues quietly after he's calmed down a bit, "You know she's really beautiful inside and out isn't she." They start to continue flipping through the pages. Some more embarrassing then others, but all noticed the same thing Natsu and Happy observed the prior evening.
"All this happiness in one book. It's like her lifeline to keeping her sanity and happiness isn't it? It's her reassurance that we are all living our lives to the fullest with all the happiness she can give us, but why isn't she showing herself anymore. Towards the end she's started to drift out of all the pictures in an insecure fashion." Erza says quietly trying to think of an appropriate answer.
"We asked her the same thing. She said she doesn't like unnecessary attention. She just wants everyone to be happy and loved. Whether she's in the picture or not doesn't matter to her anymore. She doesn't want to seem selfish she said." Happy says to the two a little sad.
Gray takes the album and flips it back to earlier times when they were all together and a picture with just him and her next to each other. "You know," he starts talking while looking at the picture he stopped at, "I was in love with her back then before I fell in love with Juvia." He says quietly. A small tear runs down his face. "I never allowed myself to get close to her though. Something always ended up happening to her or got in the way, and… I was scared of letting myself fall for the girl that was always getting potentially hurt, used, or kidnapped not to mention water locked." Gray giggles a little at the end. "I always knew though that she was way out of my league and so very special. In my terms anyways. Confidence, beauty, smarts, weird… She had it all going for her, but why did we push her off the team? I don't understand why we thought she couldn't keep up. Even adding Lisanna on the team wasn't that big of a deal or difference. They were equal to each other at the time so whether it was Lucy or Lisanna on the team it didn't matter… So why did we do it? She never let any of our relationships at the time stand in the way of our friendship. So please tell me why we left her behind?" Gray starts to break towards the end of his little plea.
"If it was anyone's fault it was my own Gray. My confusion with my relationship with Lisanna at the time caused me to push her away. I didn't understand what I was feeling back then, but I thought I knew that I was in love with Lisanna. Being best friends with Lucy was making it hard to split my attention. I didn't really know how to function around Lucy when I was with Lisanna but I had noticed that Lucy was having a hard time keeping up with us and our craziness and the back to back missions. I thought she would enjoy a little break at the time. So I thought that maybe if Lisanna came with us for a little while, me and her could have gotten closer and that Lucy could have recovered from all the missions." Natsu starts off pulling the binder back from Gray and flipping to another picture in her album of the new Team Natsu returning from one of their missions. He then continues his explanation.
"That conversation that day.. It didn't go as I thought it would. Lisanna thought she was an addition. Not a replacement. Lucy didn't say anything she simply smiled and said ok. I didn't think twice about the consequences of the change in our team I was only thinking about myself. Then we all got distracted with our lives. Me with Lisanna, you with Juvia, Erza with Jellal… Then well things went downhill. Master was right we never improved. Lisanna was identical in magical capacity and strategy as Lucy like you said at the time so there was no change in that dynamic, but the trust and bonds that were created between all of us were shattered. By the time we all realized this Lisanna's and my relationship deteriorated before my eyes, while both of you guys were continuing to concentrate on your personal lives so we never improved at all like we had told Lucy we wanted to do. When we asked her to rejoin we wasted our breath and I knew it, but I couldn't help but hope that just maybe Lucy would allow us the opportunity one last time." Natsu says sadly finally closing the book on one last image he had flipped to of him and her sitting next to each other with a goofy grin on their face. He just now noticed the small blush across her cheeks though in the picture.
Both Erza and Gray stare at Natsu with frustration though. "I'm warning you Natsu if you so much as make her cry because of another stupid decision you make on your own you're dead." Erza says cryptically. "I won't allow your confusion to continue to push her around anymore. She's my sister, and I want her back!"
"I know Erza calm down. I don't have that confusion anymore. I already promised the master and Happy that no matter what at the end of all of this I will be by her side. In whatever way she wants or decides. I love her and I won't allow anything to confuse me or stand in my way this time." Natsu says directly to Erza.
"Flame brain.." Gray whispers. "Convince her to allow Erza and I to attend her training. Tonight. I… I need to see for myself how bad the damage we caused is. I need to understand how much she has changed because of us." Gray continues quietly
"You guys it's too soon. She needs baby steps. It's only going to be me and her for a while." Happy says quietly. "Besides we don't know where her training ground is. She only teleports in and out of there somehow."
"Happy please convince her. I miss her so much. Please please… just tonight. I won't ask again, just please convince her to accept us for this one evening. Its been so long since I've been able to spend some quality time with her…" Erza pleads with Happy.
"That won't be necessary Erza." Lucy quietly walks into the room. No one but Happy noticed her presence and no one knew but Happy how long she was standing there.
"I will allow tonight for the three of you to accompany me with permission from the Master, but Happy is right. Yesterday's training was a small dose and was not intentional for either Happy or Natsu to experience. I don't enjoy unintentionally hurting people. I need baby steps guys. I can't handle people outside the guild." Lucy trails off uncomfortably looking down only to have the shield that's in place pulse out again affectively shattering the vase on the coffee table. Lucy curses under her breath for a second only to realize she really does have company sitting in her living room.
Lucy looks up quickly to see Grays and Erza's wide eyes only to stutter, " Dam it…um I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry. I didn't meant to… I'm" Lucy starts to tremble a little.
Happy floats over and hugs her, "No worries Lucy. Best Friends remember." He smiles up at her.
"Of course Happy." Lucy says quietly with a shadow of a smile on her face. "You all were taking a while and the guild wanted to see the pictures. I've already instructed Freed to have a rune field placed around me while we go through it so there won't be any damage or pain for anyone from my lack of control. Oh and Natsu. I heard what you said and about your promise I thank you for that. Having you all by my side again will always be more than enough for me. It's always an honor and a privilege to work with you all. But smile and don't worry about me ok? I've got a ways to go before I could ever be around you again consistently outside of the guild." She smiles once more a little and the pulse bursts once more then disappears completely. Allowing the others to recover from their initial shock.
"You really are amazing Lucy. I'm just so proud of you in every way." Erza says as she steps forward and tries to hug Lucy. She's shocked when she feels the barrier around Lucy. She thought it was only a shield. However it then slowly disappears and Erza feels the warm embrace from Lucy she so dearly missed.
"I'm sorry Erza. It only happens when I'm away from the guild. For some reason in the guild I can act pretty freely with my emotions around everyone. I think it's because I feel so safe there. When I'm alone it's like I have a permanent barrier around me. Happy here seems to be the only one that doesn't get affected by it outside of the guild though." Lucy looks down and pouts a little.
"No Lucy you're fine. It just surprised me is all. I'm just glad I can be close to you again." Erza smiles gently at her.
(No one's point of view to the Guild)
With that said they all walk back to the guild once more for the day. Lucy yawns knowing its about time for her to go back to her house but it doesn't go unnoticed by Gray.
"Lucy why are you yawning? It's still really early." Gray asks as he grabs her hand to hold and support her a little. He's missed her company and needs to feel the reassurance from her that she's not leaving him behind like he feels.
"Oh I um. Well my schedule is a bit different than it used to be. I keep odd hours. I train every day before anyone is awake and I go to bed around 6. That's why I always either leave on super early missions or leave the guild around 5 to get home and do my daily evening routine." She smiles as she walks through the door of the guild and squeezes Gray's hand before releasing it. However it doesn't go unnoticed by Juvia as she's walking through the doors of the guild and is instantly water locked.
SPLASH
"Juvia. I don't recommend you try that again." Lucy states in a deadly tone dispersing the water lock she was put in a second ago. This surprises Juvia though since she wasn't aware Lucy knew how to disperse it.
The stance Lucy is in currently and the confidence radiating off her for her potential battle is showing clearly and as if on que the Master again walks out from behind the bar to approach Juvia as well as Lucy. Gray walks forward as Natsu removes the now soaked album from Lucy while Erza is trying to regain control of the situation since Lucy is about lose it.
"Lucy please. It's Juvia. She didn't mean any harm by it." Erza says carefully while trying to gain her eye contact.
"I told you all that was my most precious possession." Lucy says coldly while looking at her now damaged album in Natsu's hands, "I told you all I wasn't stable outside of these walls. I come here because this is my home and I'm safe here. I want you all happy. Explain to me Juvia why would you think I would take that happiness away from you and Gray? Why would you think so lowly of me Juvia? I have never stood in the way or let any of your relationships affect my friendship and belief in any of you so tell me WHY!" Lucy roars at her and in turn releases her shield to surround her in a small dome. She turns towards the master saying,
"Master I'm trying. You said all I had to do was try. I allowed people to come to my training session, as well as try to have them come with me on a mission. I followed your directions until now. Now what do you want me to do!" Lucy says sternly while everyone once again for a second time is wide eyed at Lucy's power. "And how does it all turn out. A beat up Natsu and Carson who looks at me as though I'm some kind of pitiful freak with a past. What more do you want!"
"Lucy it was simply an accident with your photo album. I will have it fixed immediately. I promise. Just calm down and release your shield like Erza said ok?." Master tries to sooth Lucy.
"Master I trusted her. Why do people think so lowly of me? I trust everyone. And I love everyone. I want to make them all happy…"
With a flash of light Loki is once again in front of Lucy and in between everyone else.
"Lucy calm down. Your photo album is fine. See?" Loki holds up the now free of any damage photo album. "No one is doubting you Lucy. Everyone loves you. You are simply her love rival. She always has considered you that but first and foremost you are her friend. She loves you dearly Lucy." Loki says trying to calm her down.
"Lucy I'm going to take your photo album now ok? We'll show it to the guild, but I'm going to request that you go home for now and take your medication so you can sleep peacefully. Ok? You can talk with the guild about the photos tomorrow." Loki continues calmly knowing that she will follow his directions.
Virgo flashes through her gate as well holding a glass of water and her medicine. "Princess this is for you now so that when you get home you sleep sooner."
"Thank you Virgo and Loki. I'll be taking my leave now. Erza, Gray, Natsu, and Happy…. Forget coming tonight. Maybe some other time. Go talk to the master or Loki about it." Lucy turns and walks out of the guild with her head down clearly discouraged that someone would think so badly of her. She firmly places her shield up and disappears in the distance.
Once the door closes and they see that the celestial mage is completely gone they all turn to Loki and he does a heavy sigh.
"Hi guys." Loki says carefully.
Slowly everyone turns towards the Master and he in turn looks at Juvia.
"Juvia. I know you didn't do it intentionally to hurt Lucy, but please explain to me what came over you. You saw it was Lucy. I saw with my own two eyes and you saw her open the doors. Gray loves you. What else was your reason outside of jealousy or frustration did you do it for? Lucy was right she never has gotten in your way before. What made you do that?" Master says sternly to her.
"I'm sorry Master I don't know. I just. I was insecure for some reason. Lucy is simply amazing and. And… I don't want her to take Gray away from me. It would be so easy for her." Juvia starts to sniff.
"Juvia do you have so little faith in what she said? So little faith in me and my relationship with you? I love you Juvia. I chose you. I've spent so much time with you ensuring that our relationship was strong. So stop this nonsense… Please. And be sure to apologize to Lucy when you can. She wants people to be happy. That's it. That's all she has ever wanted. God it's her' freaking mantra now she chants to herself." Gray says sternly to the girl now standing in front of him.
"Ok Gray-sama. I understand. I'm sorry." Juvia whispers while trying to step closer to Gray only for him to step back and shake his head. He needs time with all this. He didn't think Juvia was still that insecure about them. He's spent so much time with her, and focused on her over these past few years he's wondering why she would question his loyalty. He watches as Juvia goes and sits back at the bar where she originally was and is now silently crying to herself that she should have trusted in her lover. Turning back to the master he waits for him to continue.
"Now everyone back to Loki…. Please show us her photo album." Master Makarov said.
Loki sighed again but smiled a little before explaining one important detail. "Lucy wasn't kidding when she said this was her most precious item. If something happens to this nothing good will come from Lucy. That is her stability and her lifeline to being completely sane. People's happiness is like a resource to her. She will do anything for anyone to be happy regardless of what it may do or happen to her. Now please just be a bit more careful with this particular object. I only have two more copies in the spirit world for safe keeping at the moment, and we're trying to create a few more for emergencies. Do you all understand?"
"What do you mean you have two more copies?" Levy interrupts a little shocked at his explanation.
"It means she isn't aware that on occasions that she doesn't take her medicine to put her into a deep enough slumber her magic continues to protect her in her sleep from her dreams and has a tendency of pulsing in her room. That's why she doesn't keep to many objects in there anymore. The album has a spell placed on it to withstand a lot of damage, but in this particular case Juvia… used something special in your water lock.. Didn't you." Loki now looks at the water mage.
"What do you mean something special Loki." Juvia demands. It's the same water lock she has always used.
"The spell can withstand damage, but if damage is received with true emotions towards Lucy directly it's broken completely. You were angry with Lucy when you cast that water lock Juvia which in turn broke the seal on her album and destroyed it." Loki states clearly to get the point across to Juvia. "Lucy loves you Juvia. Don't doubt her again ok? Now… back to the album!" Loki says cheerily.
The master walks over and place a projection lacrima under the book and immediately everyone in the guild view the first picture of Fairy tail. Tears and smiles are now spreading across the guild. This girl they thought they knew… She was full of so many surprises. The page was turned to show the original Team Natsu. Lisanna has a knowing smile on her face while looking at this. They turn the page only to be shocked just like Natsu, Erza, Gray, and Happy originally were. Murmurs were heard across the guild and they could clearly see the proud face of Loki looking at the picture. The Master then quietly turned to Loki and asked the same question that has been asked before.
"How is that possible. All of her spirits. The spirit King… Loki explain to me. What has happened to my child." Master slowly walks to Loki and stops just before him.
"Master are you really asking me that and implying that your child isn't capable of such a display of her own magic. She's your child. She's a member of this family. How did you not know how powerful she was. She comes here every day! You explain to ME, how that is possible." Loki states darkly.
"Now you listen here Loki. I want to understand what has happened. She's my child, now EXPLAIN." Master begins to grow and darken forcing Loki to step back.
"I shouldn't have to explain anything. Natsu saw her training last night. And if you don't shrink back down to size right now you're going to trigger her defense response for her spirits. Unless of course you wish to wake my princess up to come here and find out how disappointing she is to you all.." Loki states as he in turn starts to glow unintentionally.
The Master slowly shrinks down and Loki's glow slowly fades as well. "Loki I understand she's a bit lost, but look at that picture. No celestial mage in history has ever accomplished this, lived to tell about it, or have proof of this. The magic capacity to hold those gates for a picture no less… Help me understand the extent of what she has been forcing herself to go through because of.." The Master was interrupted once again except by Lucy who was dead on her feet after taking her medication.
"No one is the cause of my training. If that is how you feel or if you are trying to find blame then only blame the person who blames themselves. That person would be me. I was never a replacement, I was never used. I was loved and appreciated by all. Also I don't appreciate my spirit being verbally abused for providing you with a small glimpse of the happiness I feel for the guild. You all are beginning to make me feel as though I've always only been a disappointment not capable of much and shouldn't be here anymore." Lucy says quietly standing next to Loki in her pajamas.
He gently smiles at her but knows that nothing good is going to happen now. Lucy straightens her posture in attempt to wake herself wake up a little and continues, "Master do you wish to see the training I go through every night? Every night for the last what did Happy say. Oh that's right approximately 5 years. I never skip master. I never draw unnecessary attention to myself but this time I won't allow my pride to be damaged by you all. I promise once you see you will understand." Lucy looks up with a deadly stare. Erza immediately shifts to the Masters side with the comment still in the air ready for any actions towards him.
"Again.. You all think so lowly that I would intentionally harm the master. The father that I never had. I only asked a question Erza. Did you all think I would never be capable of holding multiple gates open or grow stronger? Do you all doubt me that much? Am I that much of a disappointment to you people. I'm part of your family. We stand by each other. WHY!" Lucy roared once again standing still. Loki places a hand back on her shoulder and once again tells her to stay calm. Erza tries to speak up as she sees what she has done and caused Lucy to think she would have doubted her. Lucy sees Natsu shifting through the crowd towards her from the corner he had gone to earlier, but interrupts Erza in her attempts at speaking.
"I'm just a disappointment to you all. I get it. Never mind everyone. I'm leaving for a while. I'll see you in a few months." Lucy turns and walks out the door once again taking her photo album with her and Loki by her side shaking his head in disappointment. He stops at the door and watches her go. Once out of earshot he turns toward the now silently crying master and states, "She was trying for all of you and look what you have done now. I thought you all believed in her. She followed your instructions Makarov. She still loves all of you, but clearly nothing is enough for you all. All because of a picture Makarov. Why couldn't you accept that your child has grown stronger like you all recommended. No you never called her weak but you have always doubted her. So bite your tongue the next time you speak with her and appreciate that she isn't leaving you permanently. After all you all are her family." With that he Throws an album on the floor in front of him and turned to walk away. "I won't be around for a while. She trains every night. If you intend on coming you better be in this guild no later then 1245 tonight. It starts precisely at 1 in the morning and it's a show worth seeing. Just be warned. She will never intentionally harm anyone and tonights training session is twice as hard as yesterdays. Get the details from Natsu and Happy." With a quick poof he was gone.
"How could you?!" Happy roars as he finally gets to the master with Natsu from his corner. "Being surprised, shocked…. That's one thing, but why would you doubt her. Look at your face in the mirror master. Why would you think something had to happen to her to be capable of performing her own magic in that capacity. We all asked her how and held the shocked expression and yet you became angry thinking something happened? And you Erza. You said you wanted her back! Why would you stand in defense of the master for her asking a question. Dam it. I love Lucy and I'm standing on her side. I always have and will. Get your priorities straight NOW!" Happy flew out of the guild with Natsu trailing behind him as fast as they can back to Lucy's apartment to see if she was still there.
The master slowly picks up the album that Loki tossed over and places it back on the lacrima to continue flipping through the pages. By the end the book vanished back to the spirit realm to Loki. Everyone smiles across the guild at the collection of happiness, but all hold another question in their minds. Already knowing Gray speaks up.
"She thinks pictures of herself is unnecessary attention. She doesn't want to be selfish and ruin someone's happy moment. She wants to be left alone for the most part and she wants everyone to be happy. She's insecure and a little scared, but in exchange she's strong and beautiful inside and out. She will never intentionally hurt anyone." Gray says loud enough for all to hear. "Leave the guild open for me later will ya. I'll be here at midnight. Oh and Juvia stay with the girls for a couple days. I need a little bit of space to think." Gray says quietly while he was already walking out the door.
"Gray-sama." Juvia whispers with a tear trickling down her face.
Erza dropped her head after all of that in shame. She hadn't intentionally done what she did. It was an automatic response for the master. Quietly Erza walked out the guild avoiding any conversations. Master was much the same, but he agreed with what Happy had yelled at him. He would be here tonight and it was definitely going to be a long night. Especially if Natsu came back in bandages after one observation. With all his lectures of trying to be careful with Lucy he destroyed her confidence in one simple conversation and with her spirit no less. What was he going to do? This was getting out of hand. She was pulling away again. First Carson now all of us. This isn't working and he really did need to get his priorities straight and believe in his child. Slowly the master made his way up the stairs to his office not to be seen until the guild was closed early for the evening.