(Guild hall at 1130 at night No one's point of View)
Natsu and Happy walked in slowly observing the now silent and nearly empty guild hall. A few bystanders decided to come and show their support for the master when Loki comes. This afternoon hadn't gone very well for anyone. They all were surprised with the confrontation to say the least between the master and the celestial mage and it honestly caught everyone off guard. It was hard to accept, but either way they didn't have a choice on her decision to disappear for a while from them. Natsu and Happy tried to get to her before she disappeared for the evening, but it was no use. She was already gone and nothing was left in her apartment other then the normal. Natsu ended up staying at Lucy's hoping that she would return prior to training, but was only woke up by Virgo for a quick explanation as well as picking up some clothes for her master. Finally realizing he would at least be able to see her that later on he walked to the guild. Looking around now he sees Mira over at the bar who is now sitting and watching over everyone, he wondered what she could be thinking about. Especially when it came to Lucy.
Mira always watched over Lucy while in the guild and she didn't much care for how she was being treated these last few days. You could see it in her face and she was deeply disappointed in the master and the guild. She knew Lucy loved seeing everyone happy and fed off their energy when she was in the guild. She also knew Lucy liked her privacy outside of the guild so she never wanted to disturb her silent peace away from the guild. However Lucy wasn't capable of hiding from her that her strength had grew exponentially over the years. There were only a few times where Lucy would talk to Mira about the feelings of loneliness here or there and Mira was always there for her to listen. She did wonder why Lucy wasn't more outgoing with her magic displays within her battles though. She only showed enough to her opponents to get the job done. She always took their criticism with an understanding ok and finished with some simple flick of her wrist from her whip. Never did she allow one of her spirits to finish for her. That's just how she was. Keep the one's she cared for out of harms way. Taking all the burden onto herself. That's just how she was and Mira always would squeeze her hand silently in the mornings to give her the support she always so desperately needed and wanted to continue her day. Lucy asked her to keep some of the more depressing conversations between them so she always said, "Ok Lucy. If you need anyone to ever talk to I'm always here." And she always was. Not very often Lucy would come to her but she would none the less. She wanted her to be happy just like Lucy wanted everyone else to be happy so she would come tonight to support her guild mates and hopefully ask Loki to give her regards to Lucy and tell her that she's proud of her.
Not to far away from the bar was Gajeel and Levy as well. They've both were quiet about Lucy for the rest of the day after she left. They honestly didn't know what to think. Gajeel was thinking how is this going to affect Levy since the two always seemed close within the guild, but also knew she was strong so didn't worry to much regardless of her feelings towards the mage. It did concern him that Lucy was behaving this way though. Hiding her strength from the guild the way she has makes him wonder why and is there a reason to hide her strength. That didn't fit regular personalities regardless of the inner turmoil she seemed to be displaying. It was as though she was trying to keep the guild out of harm's way by keeping it secret, but by doing so hurting herself. However why would the guild get hurt from one mages own strength? Maybe he's over thinking the situation, or maybe he's just trying to look at it from multiple perspectives, or even looking at it from her perspective he didn't know. What he did know is that regardless he never should have doubted her and should have paid more attention to his fellow guild mates including her and tonight he would do just that. He would see the master off and support him with his fellow nakama and get details tomorrow on what is currently going on with the celestial mage.
Levy on the other hand was confused with what was happening. She knew her and Lucy never spent time outside of the guild, but she felt like her friend was keeping secrets from her, and she didn't like it one bit. She came to the guild and talked with her every day and she knew she was an S-Class mage now but that didn't change much between the two. She knew Lucy wasn't one for fighting or making a big deal out of things that didn't matter, but all the sudden this new side of her is coming out and it scared Levy.
She now realized Lucy never went on S-Class missions unless the master asked her too. But for the most part she left on a simple mission that wasn't to far away every morning and was always back by mid day to check on everyone in the guild. It was like clockwork how her relationship became with the guild. To think she just now noticed that her best friend was she guessed in a way handling her depression in this manner of blaming herself for everything really disappointed her. Everything was all a façade to make everyone else happy when secretly she's been scared and lonely hating herself more and more until these past couple's day's that they finally made her hit a breaking point. Forced her really, but tonight she would support her guild and make sure Loki would know that Fairy Tail is behind her regardless of whatever she may think.
For once you could see Cana without a drink as she quietly walked in and sat next to Mira not saying a word. Lucy had done a lot for her and she felt guilty she hadn't noticed some of the signs building up to recent events. No she didn't feel guilty about Lucy's accusations. She accepted them because it was a wakeup call for the guild and what the guild has become. She knew Lucy was a big part of Fairy Tail and always had pride in the guild that was her family. Lucy was always fiercely loyal and would never let anything come between the bonds and trust she put into her nakama. However not everyone was the same and it was odd, but what everyone saw this afternoon was a wakeup call. The saying practice what you preach is what came to mind after she thought that. You can preach all day long but if there's nothing to back it up it doesn't mean anything. Lucy does both. She practices and she preaches and then she backs it up with actions. Her example should be followed and all members within the guild realized that she is everything that this guild is and needs. Now all they can hope is that their shining star doesn't burn out before they get the chance to show her that they want her to continue to burn bright and that they believe in her whole heartedly as well as each other and the guild.
The next person to walk in came in much higher spirits then what the guild was currently displaying. A breath of fresh air really, but they all only nodded at her. Wendy understood what was happening but knew that Lucy didn't want people to be disappointed or feel guilty about things. She said over and over again she wanted people happy. The guild was her family and she took care of her family, so she would do what she requested. Slowly Wendy decided to walk over to Natsu and say, "Could I heal you a little prior to you going to training tonight? Just to help out since it's going to be tough. After all Lucy works hard and I'm sure tonight is going to be difficult like any other night she trains." Wendy finishes with a smile. She looks at Happy and says, "You too Happy. Would that be ok?"
"Of course Wendy. That would actually be really great. Moving around with this amount of bandages would be a bit difficult if it was anything like yesterday. Then again Virgo did give me a small rundown of what she may be doing tonight." Natsu shutters a little thinking about it.
"That's great Natsu. Give me a bit and you should feel a bit better." Wendy says trying to sound confident for him. She wants to support them and hopefully this could be her way of helping Lucy indirectly. This way Lucy won't feel guilty for her team mates getting injured unintentionally and if she sees that they are easily fixable Lucy will be able to calm herself.
"This is really nice of you Wendy. Thank you so much." Happy says with a big smile.
"Anything for you guys and Lucy. You mentioned you had an idea about the training tonight. Could you tell us Natsu?" Wendy asks curiously as she finishes with Natsu and turns towards Happy to continue healing him.
Natsu thought carefully about this. He may have trained with a dragon so he understand more than most about crazy training exercises but Lucy… I can't do anything but shake my head. Before Natsu could voice his thoughts they are interrupted by a low voice from none other than Gray.
"Yo, I guess she never went back to her apartment." Gray asks quietly.
"No. Virgo gave us a rundown of tonights training though.. Don't bother bringing your shirt." Natsu says vaguely but chuckles a little. Wendy's healing helped loosen him up considerably considering how he was going to need to be quick on his feet that evening.
"What's that supposed to mean Flame brain?" Gray says irritated. He's not in the mood. To much thinking is causing him to be irritated quick, and all this unknown training is really starting to get to him. He wants to know what he's getting into.
"You won't find it after you lose it from trying to stay out of the way and all the observing you're going to be doing tonight. Once the others get here I'll tell you her rules and I recommend you follow them at all costs." Natsu says looking away towards the door where both Makarov and Erza are now walking in.
"And what are these so called rules Natsu?" Makarov says quietly.
"She said specifically that this is her personal time to let loose so these are her only rules. Don't distract her, Don't interfere and Do Not come near her until she gives the ok. She also said she will never intentionally hurt us so she left the warning out there for us to understand what we were getting into. You saw me this afternoon… And well tonight's training is definitely just as hard. Virgo told me a couple things so I hope you can climb old man, because we're going to need it if you can't fly." Natsu says while making eye contact with each of them.
Everyone looks a little worried when they hear Natsu's vague description of what they may be in for, but they look even more taken back by her rules. Who would lay out rules like those specifically? Don't come near her till she says it's ok? That's just weird. Then again they think about the recent events and understand a little why she may say that. Everyone simply nods at this though and waits for 1245 to roll around and Loki doesn't disappoint arriving in a flash next to Happy.
He looks over to Natsu and Happy and greets them while briefly nodding at the others. Finally saying, "Lucy wanted to apologize to you Natsu and Happy. She knew you would go to her house, but she needed sleep and since she was emotionally unstable she wasn't able to sleep at her home regardless of her medicine. She started her warm up at midnight and her training at 1230 so you'll be coming in while she's in the middle of one of her phase battles. She doesn't know you are coming since she said forget it earlier, but I did mention to her I was still going to bring you Happy and Natsu. As for you three, just be prepared for anything. She probably suspects me to bring you all anyways, but she would never be mad because you saw her." Loki waits for them to respond to his directions and they all nod. He doesn't want to give anyone the opportunity to talk to him other then the individuals involved with coming to his masters training either. In a flash they are all standing on a branch watching over a battle that none would have suspected possible.
"We had convinced the King to personally train Lucy once in a while to test her skills and tonight was one of the nights he chose after watching yesterday's battles with all of us. We call this phase training, and surprisingly Lucy does extremely well on her own in this She receives no assistance during these phases from her spirits unless the Spirit King allows it. With the constant change of environment and surroundings, I thought she would be unstable mentally, but for some reason she keeps fighting on." Loki says with a gentle smile. Master looks around to see that all of the spirits have projections of themselves from the spirit world out to watch the training and stay out of harms way. Some he recognizes right away, but others are unfamiliar to him. He looks down and feels the immense amount of power flowing around Lucy is and is awestruck at her sight. Just like Natsu had said. He really wasn't prepared for what was to come.
Thwack
Out of nowhere the tree started falling forcing all observers to shift suddenly from the branch they were currently on. As soon as they moved, they started to have to move again. This pace continued for a good hour until the entire environment started shifting and the temperature started to drop. The spirit king had changed the weather before their eyes as he was pushing Lucy around like she was a pawn on his chess board. All watched as every attack was large but controlled. It never went somewhere she didn't want it to. It was the impact she was having trouble controlling, or the random traps that kept her on her toes surrounding her in hidden places. However it was never to much for her. Opponent after opponent was forced to face her while the King skillfully pushed her boundaries and forced her to experience something new within the environment. Forcing her to analyze the environment and bend it to her will. Using everything around her. And Once she understood that phase the way he wanted her to he would change to the next one. All the while having 5 guild members try to out maneuver and avoid all potential damage to themselves. She was fast, efficient, and effective with all attacks, all the while avoiding potential threats or dangers from traps. The Master could clearly see why, just like she said he would, she was capable of so much more than she ever displayed in the guild. He was a fool to ever have doubted her. This also made him realize she had good reason to hide this from people. This side of her shouldn't be found out, or many issues could potentially arise from this level of a mage within his guild.
Suddenly she slammed into a pillar of solid ice causing it to crack and stop her for a moment only to immediately force her to go on the defensive. Observing her surroundings she pulled her whip out to detect the shift. She laid the whip down forcing the river of stars to expand around her sliding across the ground detecting any changes and with her free hand she pulled at the snow pushing her magic into it to absorb the power within and push it out just like she was shown. As a result an ice key was formed. This wasn't just an ordinary ice key. It wasn't permanent in any way, but she could utilize this key to summon the element into a specific form. Like they say, sometimes the way to fight is fire with fire. So the lesson today was to utilize my surroundings, observe, analyze, find the weakness, and utterly destroy the obstacle. That being said from the countless snow monsters and ice like dragons that were summoned from the king she had to move fast. Speed was necessary. With her summoned element now in the shape of her short sword she proceeded with the onslaught realizing that today was also about her. Not how she utilized all her spirits. It was about her endurance, her physical strength as well as her emotional and mental strength was being tested, and she accepted the challenge. She loved the lessons with Stache face. He approved of her and supported her for who she was and she loved him for that. Upon reaching the last target and destroying it he changed the environment again.
This time it was a huge challenge to her. She wasn't fond of hights, but she would never back down from a challenge he would throw at her. He knew she could do it and she put that faith that he had in her into action. She would now allow his faith in her to be wasted. She would meet this head on and show him she wasn't a waste of time. So she began how she always did with her challenges. Observe and analyze her surroundings. Well she currently appears to be falling because of his ability to manipulate the area. Lets see all this debris randomly falling as well around her. She decides her plan of action seeing she doesn't have much time before The spirit king decides to throw an obstacle at her for not thinking quick enough. Lucy quickly jumps from land chunk to land chunk that seems to be an endless drop to reach her potential target. Some chunks explode on contact forcing her to react quickly while others have different affects. Using her whip to snatch some to pull herself in different directions when others react to her approach she begins to feel around again while trying to maintain her pace from spot to spot and she finally feels what he wants her to in the environment. She reaches out and does like she did with the ice key. She feels the element. Pushes her power into and pulls out her key. She quickly summons it in the shape of her short sword to be placed in one hand and have the whip in her other and takes the offensive. Snatching targets out of the sky forcing them towards her only to destroy them with her other handed weapon. This routine lasted a bit until the falling stopped completely and all the land chunks froze in mid air. Then each piece would slightly tilt back and forth or rotate completely in random directions forcing her to keep moving. There he summoned the final obstacle for her. She had to use the space around her and try not to fall off while defeating the obstacle. The two headed hydra with golden scales and long elegant wings approaching her was gorgeous and understood its purpose being summoned here since the spirit king had spoken to him prior to the beginning of the battle. Since he was a spirit though she formally introduced herself and apologized for any pain that she may inflict on them which they in turn bowed and accepted. However testing her further the spirit king would have whisps randomly attack her if she wasn't going a direction he felt he wanted her to go. Just like a chess board he dictated how the battle would go. However in Lucy's mind she simple thought let the real battle of the air begin.
Master was aching all over once the world froze. He decided that he would never attend something like this ever again. He really did need to retire. All his fellow mages with him were panting and trying to keep out of the way, but all the attacks had aftershocks. Now running with the currently tilting rock they were on they watched her reflexes and he could see that Natsu was still mesmerized by her.
Natsu still panting had his mouth slightly opened in awe at how she would take anything he threw at her. This really was exhilarating watching a battle of this magnitude. The Spirit King looked over eyeing him with a smirk on his face. He knew we were here and he wasn't going to hold back from the look on his face. He wanted to prove to them just how amazing Lucy was and he wasn't disappointing. However he was wondering how it was possible he wasn't getting sick with this particular environment. Then again with the constant moving he was making himself do I guess you couldn't consider this transportation.
While Gray watched he couldn't help but still be stunned. He was so far behind Lucy and Erza he started getting a little depressed. He was disappointed in himself for the way he thought. He was sore, he had a couple serious gouges and cuts on his leg and across his side and he felt as though he should have never said anything in the first place about coming. This was why she wanted baby steps. To reintegrate herself around people. God he felt like such an ass. One thing was sure though. He could tell she didn't want very many people if anyone ever seeing this side of her. She has her pride and she will not have it damaged in any way and you could clearly see that when she's in battle or defense of anyone precious to her, that pride comes out full force. He respected her for that, but at the same time, this scared him to. He was beginning to feel as though he didn't know this Lucy at all though. It felt as though she was leaving him behind. The look he had on his face however didn't go unnoticed by Happy.
"Don't Gray. If you're scared or disappointed or don't believe in any of this in any way of what you're seeing here you need to leave now. That's why she sent Carson back so quickly and she hadn't even done much." Happy says quickly with a stern voice.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm just shocked is all." Gray says while dodging a latch that popped out of the now tilting rock and then quickly continuing, "I mean look at her. She's almost through her second phase and supposedly there's 5. Loki said they may only get through one more tonight, but the other ones will take place tomorrow night if they don't finish. And that's how many she's worked up towards which means she's done this before." Gray stops as the rock stops for a moment and tries to catch his breath.
" He said she started with just one phase. Tonight they were going to add a new one, but because we're here she will be ending sooner. She's not aware of that, but seriously! Look at us too. We're beaten and bruised and that's just from observing. Now look at her. She's only lightly winded and her magical presence is still pulsing out to us from here. Explain to me how none of you aren't reacting the same way I am?" Gray says exasperated with the current situation.
"Gray look at her face." Natsu says quietly trying to reign in his anger towards Gray. It's clear the Spirit King looked over at him when he said that and allowed them to continue their conversations on the rock without any distractions from him. "Her face says it all Gray. She's confident in her abilities and on top of that she has a smile on her face full of determination that she can do this. Now explain to me just what you're scared and worried about. We're all sore and in pain that's agreed, but she WARNED us. Loki WARNED us. And to be completely honest if this is her training every day and she's been doing this for five years approximately…. I expect nothing less from her. She's amazing!" Natsu snarled at him when he tried to interrupt, "and further more if you couldn't take the heat get out of the kitchen and go back like Happy said before she sends you back. Great! You've finally distracted her. Congratulations." Natsu says while leaping out of the way of the oncoming pulse and a tilt of the rock they were standing on with the others.
"You dare interrupt my training with my time sensitive master The Spirit King?" Lucy Roared as they slowly were brought to the air battle field by The Spirit King himself.
"Calm down Lucy. I told Loki to bring them here. However, you have overwhelmed a couple of them with your strength." The Spirit King speaks softly to her. She in turn faces him and bows slightly apologizing to him, only to turn back around to her guild mates and bow slightly and apologize to them as well.
"I apologize for my behavior then. I was unaware that people were attending tonight and as I can see you were thoroughly harmed during my training session. I'm so sorry." Lucy starts to tremble a little while taking a few steps back away from them. Shield firmly in place trying to protect herself from anything they might say to her.
"Lucy they aren't here to judge you or harm you. They simply wanted to observe all of this training you enjoy doing." The spirit king says softly. "Now what are your names." With a flash of light Loki is now standing beside the Spirit King.
"These are Lucy and I's guild mates. I would like to present to you Master Makarov, Erza Scarlett, Gray Fullbuster, Natsu Dragneel, and Happy. Everyone this is the Spirit King. Lucy calls him Stache face for short, but its only on occasion during family events." Loki explains.
Each walk forward and shake hands with him and then they all turn towards Lucy who remains quiet. Happy floats forward through her shield and now holds the teary eyed girl. Master walks up to her shield and asks her for her attention.
"I'm sorry Lucy for earlier. It's just you're so amazing being you and it just feels as though there is so much you are hiding from us. We never knew what you were capable of. Please understand none of us intentionally meant to hurt you in any way." Makarov says gently. She dissolves the shield so he can enter and so she can give him a hug while crying lightly. She lets go and he says a couple more things to her before walking back over to the Spirit King for any further explanations he can get from him about her training.
"Lucy." Erza calls out to her. She feels as though she has never cried so much in her life recently. "Please I didn't mean to. I just reacted instantly. It wasn't intentional. Please forgive me." Erza closes her eyes and hold a hand to her face trying to stifle an oncoming emotional outburst.
Lucy walks over to the three standing there and with Happy in her arms she simply smiles at them and says, "I could never hold a grudge to my sister Erza. You know that. So don't worry. Please smile." Erza complies easily thanking her silently that she forgave her so quickly. She wouldn't be able to handle it if Lucy somehow wouldn't.
Gray on the other hand is still trying to keep the emotions off his face. He doesn't want to be pushed away like Carson was, but he's starting to fail. Lucy catches his eye's and she gasps a little and steps back. The Spirit King looks to see what is going on and looks at the two boys only to scowl at the black haired boy. "Gray Fullbuster. All that confidence and now you get your panties in a twist because of one training session? Why or what are you scared of?" The Spirit King asks sternly forcing Lucy to let him stay here and explain.
"I… I don't know. This isn't the Lucy I used to know and love. This Lucy before me I feel like she left me behind." Gray says sadly while trying to get this abandonment issues to leave.
"She will never abandon or leave us Gray. She's our Lucy after all. Well mine more specifically, but that's for a different day." Natsu says while smirking at the boy. Lucy simply blushes and looks away causing all to giggle.
"Gray I'm still me. I just.. I don't know, I did what you guys recommended. I trained and I find it really enjoyable. I get to smash things and be surrounded with all of my friends and family the spirits. I mean seriously look around you. Who wouldn't want to do this every day?" Gray looked around at everything and realized what she said was ture. Then nodded in return and apologized. He then turned back to Natsu and said, "Don't get so cocky match stick. Lucy isn't anyone's yet." Gray smirks causing Natsu to literally get all fired up.
"Say that again I dare you Ice Princess!" Natsu steps forward threateningly.
Seeing the direction of this conversation now the Spirit King decided this was enough for tonight and told Lucy he would see her tomorrow. Directly after he disappeared in a large puff of smoke returning her training grounds back to their original state. All of Lucy's spirits involved in training her today proceeded to talk to her one by one and gave her any further battle tactic recommendations they saw that she could improve on as well as complemented her where they thought appropriate. Loki once again was the last one and gave her a quick hug and disappeared leaving Lucy to tend to her fellow guild mates.
"Um I'll teleport us to the infirmary so I can take care of you guys. I really am sorry about all of this." Lucy bows slightly.
"No worries Lucy. It was an experience that this guild master was glad to have the opportunity to have." Master Makarov says proudly.
With a smile now on her face she has a soft gold layer of magic coated them instantly teleporting them to the infirmary. Upon arrival they see that Wendy was sitting their waiting for their arrival. Standing up she heads over to them while saying, "Wow you guys look rough." She then forces each of them to lay down upon arrival. Except for Lucy who simply shakes her head no and steps back observing their interactions. Wendy smiles softly at her and continues, "Could you guys tell me how it went? There's a few people waiting outside to hear about it too."
"Lets just say training went well Wendy." Natsu smiled at her and then glance at Lucy who appeared to be very disturbed and distressed with the masters actions upon arrival. Lucy looked as though she wanted to say something, but stopped herself. However she simply handed a note to the master and walked to the door saying a quiet good bye to everyone and disappeared in a flash. Wendy upon finishing with the last of her healing said she would take her leave and exited the infirmary.
"You're worried aren't you master." Natsu ask quietly still looking at where Lucy disappeared from still.
"Yes Natsu I am. For now we need to figure out how to handle this situation and proceed with caution when dealing with Lucy any further?" Master says back while looking down at the unread note he received from Lucy. Standing up he walks slowly since he's sore from his long night towards the door. Once he reaches the door however he turns back placing a sound barrier around the room and says, "You all need to stay with her from now on. She does not have a choice in the matter. It was agreed upon by me and her other master while you all were talking in the training area.
Lucy is more than capable of taking care of herself at this point, but the potential of someone finding out what she is capable of and trying to use that to their advantage is not something I'm willing to risk." The master says slowly trying to get his point across. "The magic council is another concern of mine, but I haven't fully thought through how to proceed with them. Being a mage of Fairy Tail brings many risks and Lucy has been handling them all on her own come to find out. Therefore if you learn anything about her activities being odd from now on you need to report them to me immediately. We handle them as a family. She is no longer alone and I will try my best to get this point across to her, but for now I'm relying on you all to protect her from others as well as herself. Do you understand?" Master says sternly
"Did the Spirit King really discuss those encounters with you or are you assuming Lucy couldn't continue to handle them with us?" Loki counters to find out more information.
"The Spirit King has told me enough to know that this is what we both want to do for Lucy. We aren't doubting her abilities or yours Loki. I understand now what she's capable of after last night, but I still have to look out for the well being of everyone in this guild including her." Master says impatiently.
"We understand master, but she said she won't be back for a few months and the look before she left made it clear we were not going to see her unless ordered here." Happy says quietly.
"No we clearly have Loki here to inform her that she is required to immediately return to the guild." Master once again turns towards Loki, "This can't wait and I know you are more than capable of coming through your own gate to talk to her. So you will instruct her to come see me within the next hour. Do you understand Loki." Master continues sternly.
"Only because I belong to this guild will I follow your orders Master. Don't think otherwise in telling me how or when to come and go through my gates. That is only for The Spirit King to determine. I would also appreciate it if you didn't speak so rudely. Again we have followed everything you have requested. We don't deserve to be treated this way." Loki states angrily.
Upon hearing this the master steps back with a sad look on his face. He then continues, "I apologize Loki I didn't mean to cross any lines. I'm just concerned and tired. This is an issue I wasn't aware of and I wish to take care of your Master and friend. Please help us help her."
"Understood Master. I will take my leave and have Lucy here within the next hour. I believe her routine is to take a shower at this time after training. If you need anything else please let me know and I am more the willing to help." Loki nods and than poofs out of the room leaving them without any opportunity to further discuss anything.
"Master. I know you mean well, but I believe your precautions are going to backfire if you set limitations on her. She's worked hard until now. Do you really think ordering her around is going to bring her back to this family?" Happy interrupts the Masters thoughts.
"Happy what would you recommend I do then? Put yourself in my shoes for a moment and understand the position that she's in. With her abilities to contact another world as freely as she does and with that world working directly with her to hone her skills imagine how many dark mages, the council, as well as dark guilds that would come searching for her power. Imagine them trying to utilize or control the spirit world and even her. Imagine the possibility if this information got out the danger the guild would be in. You all my hate me and she may hate me for this, but I need to do what I see fit to protect everyone. Unfortunately you and she will hate me from the get go from one of the primary decisions I will be making to make her less visible within the magic world, but you will be finding that out in about five minutes since she is now heading in this room right now." Master says frustratingly.
"Master you wished to see me?" Lucy says in a business tone walking into the infirmary when the Master side stepped. Loki follows closely behind her not liking where this conversation will go.
"Lucy do you understand what is going on or what is going to happen?" Master asks carefully. She appears to be knowledgeable and already have a plan in place which was not expected. All eyes shift to her and she surprisingly sighs at all of them and nods. Her invisible barrier disappears completely and then continues for the Master.
"I believe I instructed you all from the beginning that it was best to leave me alone, but you didn't believe me. So I have predicted what is now going to happen. So Natsu, Erza, Gray, and Happy, do not be mad with the Master. I knew this day would come it was only a matter of time till things caught up with me. However master. This does not mean it hurts any less. You granted my S-Class because you believed I was fit to be an S-Class mage in those exams. I earned that right, so I want it understood at least between us that you are revoking my class and if everyone is to know you can say whatever you want. Make up a story of some sort saying I lost some of my abilities and was no longer fit to be one. I don't care. If you don't then you will expel me from the guild. I told you I will not allow my pride to be damaged." Lucy says sternly then continues, "Furthermore since you have decided that I will be working/teaming up with them again I have already contacted someone to help me take care of the issue you are concerned with. Just know I will have a memory gap of 4 years and upon returning I will no longer be in contact with the Spirit world to the extent I was. We as a team will be training though with some spirits to get me back up to speed on some things though. These are my only demands and it will not hurt the guild this way. Ok?" Lucy says softly towards the end with a small tear.
Gasps are heard from everyone who then looks at Loki who just looks down angrily. It's clear this is not what he wants, but has no choice. His quick discussion with She Spirit King didn't change anything and both he and the Spirit King regret things turning out this way. She is however allowed to keep her photo album as it is even if she won't remember part of it.
"Lucy. Please understand. I don't want to hurt you more." Master says sadly. "We just want what's best for you. Your magic is so special you know that we want everyone to excel to the best of their abilities, but you've surpassed that. You're ability to build bonds even in another world, we…We just want what's best for you." Master finishes quietly.
"Don't be sad Lucy. We and all the spirits from the Spirit Realm are always looking over you and you will be joining us one day. I will be in touch soon with you even after you see the specific spirit we discussed earlier. Ok?" The Spirit King says softly while appearing beside Master Makarov.
"You guys can't just go and decide all this stuff! This isn't fair to Lucy at all." Nastu shouts dramatically while stomping over next to Lucy.
"Natsu this is hard enough as it is. Don't make it worse. Please for me." Lucy says quietly with a stray tear running down her face. She looks away from everyone thinking one thing. "All that hard work feels like it's gone to waste. Can I not do anything right Loki." She continues.
"It's ok Lucy. I'll be here with you. Every step of the way. I promise." Loki holds her softly trying to comfort the softly trembling girl.
"We will all be with you Lucy. Best Friends remember?" Happy says softly while floating over and hugging Lucy who gladly accepts.
"Is that all master? I wish to go back to my training area one last time with all my memories in tact to talk with everyone one last time. You can tell everyone in the guild I had a training accident and lost my memories or something and then revoke my S-Class. Sound like a sufficient story for you?" Lucy says quietly again.
Master looks to the Spirit King who nods in reply silently agreeing with the girl, "Yes that's ok. How soon do you think you will return Lucy?"
"I'm not sure master. I believe maybe a month. Long enough for it to be legitimately an accident to recover from and you to have your paperwork completed to revoke my classification."
"Can I ask one thing though Lucy?" Lucy nods in response to the master so he continues, "If you knew all of this was going to happen and you had an idea of how things were going to play out why did you go through all this? Also how were you even able to think of all this?" master asks softly.
"Master I've been technically alone for 5 years and 3 months. I never forgot, I don't regret anything, and like Mira always says sometimes things just happen. As a result I've had a lot of time to think about all the consequences of my magic as well as all the research I've done of prior celestial mages through history. Every action has a reaction so as you can see I've thought of everything that would have to take place." Lucy says while looking to the master sternly. She softens her face continuing though with,
"Any person capable of doing magic and walks the path of magic also knows the risks that come with it. I knew these risks and I continued. So unfortunately things have turned out like I predicted. I somehow believed that you guys would always have faith in me no matter what but because you guys failed to believe what I told you it has come to this. I was trying to keep my capabilities and the knowledge about the Spirit world limited. If no one knows then there is no risk. I took minimal jobs and I restricted myself with every battle to the basics as well as interacted with only people I believed appropriate. My goal was not to place the guild in danger in any way shape or form. You learn that being an S-Class mage. You taught me that Master." Lucy says quietly while looking away from him now with another lone tear. She still continues though with Loki holding her hand and Natsu holding her other wishing things weren't like this.
"However, you continued to refuse to accept things the way they were. Like I said I have my pride and I won't have it messed with and as a result you were shown a side that I was trying to keep to myself. Remember though. I only said 4 years of my memory will disappear. I will not be pitied when I do come back and people are not to try to bring my memories back. Going through this once is hard enough. I will not go through this twice. I would rather die than do this again whether it's in our guild policy or not. Breaking bonds with friends.. You can only imagine being forced to do that." Lucy finishes while letting go of both Loki's and Natsu's hands. She then starts to walk back towards the guild for the final show of her performance in her mind, but before leaving the sound barrier she turns to the Spirit King and bows one last time saying, "I really do appreciate everything Stache face. I hope we will work together again soon. Tell everyone I love them please if I don't see them in the clearing. Oh and smile guys. I'm still hear and living. Just have to continue training again…" Lucy looks back up after bowing with a smile on her face waiting for his response.
"You are to kind Lucy. I will see you in the clearing." The Spirit King returns his bow to her and watches her leave closing the door behind her. He turns one last time looking at all of them and says sternly, "You all are lucky to have a mage of her caliber in your presence. Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Happy you will be in the clearing and accompany her when Lucy will be taken to her final location of her supposed training mishap in the spirit world. You will then in turn continue with the façade upon return but will participate with her training routine from then on. Know that she is more than capable of taking you on regardless of the 4 year time gap she will have in her memories too. She was beyond focused then to fulfill your request back then and she worked hard to get where she was. I have no doubt that she will continue to work hard if she doesn't figure out why her memories are missing. If she does more than likely she will stop her routine immediately. I recommend you do not leave her behind this time. Do you understand? Also, this is only for the safety of this guild as well as my world that we are doing this. Otherwise I would simply take her to my world and let her live her life happily as it is now and leave her there. This is no one's fault. She doesn't want anyone looking at it that way so do not look at her with pity, and do not be disappointed. She wants you all to be happy with the choices you all make and to be honest she wants to be the person that makes you all happy."
Everyone slowly nods their head understanding the gravity of everything that has happened and with the parting words of "I will see you in the clearing to pick up Lucy." The spirit king faded away.
A knock on the door is heard and everyone turns to look at it. Master opens the door for a moment to tell the individual it will only be a moment longer and they will be out to talk with everyone then closes it again.
"Why is this happening to her? This isn't fair master." Natsu says clenching his fist looking down at the ground.
"I agree with Natsu, but I see where you guys are coming from. I take it we are supposedly going on this training with Lucy and she is the only one affected like he said?" Gray asks quietly just as angry.
"Yes you will." The master chokes out trying to be strong. He didn't want this to happen. He only wanted to hide her away from the world, but that's no better then life she had with her father. He thought he was going to handle this differently but he sees that this is the best way.
"Master. Do you have any other requests because if you don't I wish to request something as well." Erza says slowly trying not to hit something. This should have never happened and she knew it, but she stood there and let it.
"It depends on what it is Erza." Master says carefully.
"Would you revoke my classification as well. At least until Lucy is re-instated in the next S-Class exam. We both could work together towards it in this supposed training. If she's only requesting 4 years of her memory to go that mean's it's directly prior to that year's S-Class Exams and she should be more then capable to receive it back. It's only fair…" Erza says sternly.
"No. She won't be receiving S-Class ever again Erza. She will maintain a low profile probably for the rest of her life. She already knows this and I have a feeling the letter she gave me earlier is more a letter to herself then to me. Therefore you will maintain your S-Class rank and do so proudly in her place. Do you understand?" Makarof says sadly.
"Master you can't be serious! She's always dreamed about being an S-Class wizard along with us. We knew when we were a team before. You can't take that away from her too…" Gray says quickly.
Natsu interrupts the argument that is quickly escalating, "Master don't enter me in any S-Class exams anymore. Forget ever asking me for anything more than simple quests. If you need anything else ask someone else for a while. I'll be back in a month." Natsu says quietly with his face down. He starts walking towards the door, but stops right before. "I love her and I'll be happy no matter what being with her, but this just isn't fair to her Master. This isn't Fairy Tail at all. For her though I'll smile and support her and I suggest you all do the same." With a small sad smile he opens the door and continues to the bar counter to sit with Lucy quietly to wait for her announcement to Mira that she's going to be gone training for a month.
"Natsu's right master. Don't bother entering me for a while either. I'll see you down there Erza." Gray walks out quietly and quickly not leaving any room for discussion.
"You know we're right about this Erza. It's hard doing the right thing and you know that." Master says quietly looking down again knowing he has hurt his children drastically.
"Like Lucy said master, just because it's the right thing doesn't mean it hurts any less. However, because she told us to smile we will and we will proceed to move forward. If there is anything else I will see you in one month." Erza says walking by him out of the infirmary.
Watching Erza close the door behind her Master says quietly, "Mavis, this isn't fair. Why didn't you help me with this? Why her?" Master looks over to the first master.
"I know it's hard Makarov, but you did what was right. She thought everything through and after analyzing all the details myself, she is following the safest path for everyone involved. This was the only strategy I would have ever recommended to you and I'm sorry you have to go through this, but it really is for the best. She is a brave girl, and she truly is the shining star of Fairy Tail. It is an honor to have her in our guild Master Makarov." The first Master says with a sad but proud look at the Master. They both then proceed to the main guild hall to watch the scene unfold that they both are unable to prevent in any way.