(Main guild hall No one's point of view)
"Lucy it's good to see you back from your training last night. How did it go?" Mira approaches Lucy happily. However she becomes worried when she notices that Lucy isn't as cheery as she normally is.
"It went great Mira. Could I get a strawberry milkshake? It was a long night and I would like to start off my day with something nice." Lucy smiles gently to her. She then turns when she sees Natsu walking towards her so she moves over to make room for him to sit as well.
"We'll be leaving soon Lucy. Just waiting on ice princess and Erza and we'll be off to get some necessities. Ok?" Natsu says quietly trying not to feel guilty about the turn of events.
"It's ok Natsu. I've actually decided to ask for a full day there so we won't be back for three months. Do you think that would be ok?" Lucy smiles at him trying to cheer him up. "I have a few reminders and things I want in place prior to getting back. Just remember I've already predicted and thought all this through so anything that happens is completely my own doing. You all have nothing to worry about or feel guilty about, and you definitely can't be mad at the master." Lucy continued but keeping her voice low for only him to hear.
"I know Lucy and I'll be with you every step of the way. I'm sure the master won't mind if we're gone that long too. After all it is training right?" Natsu tries to play it all off as if it's nothing. He knows she sees the pain he feels though.
"We can grow stronger together regardless right Natsu? I mean I know before I couldn't keep up with you guys, but I know I'll be able to catch up a little. Right?" Lucy asks silently. This was her the only thing she wasn't able to predict. She was worried whether or not they all would continue to stand by her, or if they would move on because of silly emotions such as guilt, or disappointment that things had to turn out this way. She didn't want them to feel that way. She wanted them to continue to stand by her and they could all grow together into an even better team.
"What kind of question is that Lucy? I told you I wasn't going anywhere and I meant it. Besides I like being with you." Natsu blushes and holds her hand under the bar counter. Looking away he continues quietly, "You're mine and I won't allow you to get away from me that easily. Don't even think you're going to run off by yourself without us."
"Oh are Natsu and Lucy an item now?" Mira interrupts looking back and forth between the two mages holding hands smiling at the scene before her. She always knew they were cute together.
Lucy fidgets a bit embarrassed at what's going on but just looks away blushing letting Natsu answer how he sees fit. She's not dumb. She knows what he meant saying that she's his, but she also doesn't mind either. She's always had a soft spot for her best friend, but always only wanted him to be happy. If he chose someone else she would always support him, but with him choosing her she can't help but feel the happiness boiling up inside her.
"Maybe, but don't go doing anything crazy Mira." Natsu stutters out then wraps an arm around Lucy pulling her closer to him which causes Lucy to become even more red. Natsu looks down at Lucy waiting for any disagreements from her or a response in any way so Lucy proceeds cautiously looking at Mira a little worried what might happen.
"Yes? I guess? I think?" Lucy says in a question like manner. Natsu in turn grins like a mad man and continues to give her a hug in return for her answer. Mira internally does her own cheer that they are together, but just waits patiently happy that Natsu has finally worked out his feelings for her.
Natsu felt like the luckiest man alive. He knew his life was turning for the better. Yea it was going to be a hard road ahead for them, but they were going to do it together. Seeing Gray walking down the stairs towards them from the infirmary with Erza close behind, he knows that everyone is about ready.
"Oh really now? I leave you two alone for 5 minutes and you start dating huh?" Gray teases. He's upset with how things are turning out for Lucy, but he's glad to see a little bit of happiness in the end for her too.
"I told you didn't I ice princess before that she was mine." Natsu scoffs at Gray dismissing him and unwinding his arms from around Lucy. The five now sitting down at the counter have a smothering aura hang over them until Lucy starts talking to Mira again. They look over and smile at her knowing what's going to happen. Happy seeing that Lucy is a bit sad before starting though floats over and lands on her shoulder for the silent encouragement.
"So Mira. I've decided after tonights training session that Natsu, Erza and Gray are going to come train with me so I can help them prepare for the S-Class exams. We'll be gone for a while. Could you let everyone know if they ask about us?" Lucy says cheerily. The look in her eyes gave her away though.
"Lucy is something wrong? I'm glad they're all going with you but you seem distant." Mira responds cautiously.
"Ha ha Mira. As observant as ever. I'm just worried about these guys here. After all training with me isn't very easy. It'll be good for me to work with people again too." Lucy continues with a smile knowing that Mira has always watched out for her.
"You know you can always talk to me right? I'm always here and I've always believed in you Lucy…" Mira continues quietly watching the members in front of her suspiciously.
"I know Mira. You know I've always come to you when I needed to talk, but for now I need the guild to just trust me and know that I am happy when you all are happy. And what will make me happy right now is getting these two clowns next to me to become S-Class so we all can go on an S-Class mission together some day." Lucy finishes with a big goofy grin making the boys gasp in mock shock and hurt at her insult and force Mira and Erza to giggle at her antics. After all Lucy is Lucy and she has always been capable of making everyone smile.
"Ha ha. You're right Lucy. I wonder which one will make it first? I guess you'll be leaving now then right since the exams are a few months away. How long again are you leaving for?" Mira asks dismissing her prior feelings. She will always be on Lucy's side no matter what.
"We'll be leaving in about an hour and we'll be gone for about three to four months. We won't have much contact with the guild between now and our return, but we'll be sure to bring back souvenirs ok?" Lucy says happily knowing that all tension is passed.
Mira nods in return, "Ok Lucy," Mira turns towards the others and says, "Take care of her you guys. If anything happens to her I will be taking it out personally on you ten fold."
However this only causes them to look down and reply "Of course Mira. We wouldn't have it any other way." Natsu says sadly with a smile on his face. "Mira we'll always take care of her. After all she's our shining star in Fairy Tail."
A little stunned at the change in atmosphere between the members Mira steps back and wonders what is wrong. She then turns towards the Master with a glare who simply stares back at her as if she isn't going to be getting any answers and to accept things the way they are. Mira turns back to the bar only to see that Lucy is standing at the entrance of Fairy Tail and says loud enough for everyone to hear, "By guys we'll be back in time for the exams. Gotta train the clowns for a better chance at making S-Class." Everyone in turn laughs while Natsu and Gray start pushing each other jokingly out the door back to Lucy's place. Mira waves one last time to her giving her the best smile she can, but immediately turns to the master again once the door closes.
"Care to explain what's really going on master, or are we going to continue to be left in the dark?" Mira says darkly causing the rest of the guild to quiet down and listen.
"Unfortunately Mira it is just as Lucy said, we need to just trust her and we will see her when she gets back from training." Master says quietly waiting for the argument to come.
"Master we do trust her, but you aren't telling us something. Explain to me why all the sudden she is now back with her team after two days of supposed reintegration with the guild. Things don't add up. What happened during her training last night that has caused you to become so indifferent to what Lucy does now?" Mira snaps
"I agree Master. I thought the same thing last night prior to you leaving on the training but figured you would give us the run down when you all returned. What's going on master?" Gajeel steps forward too voicing his concern.
"Listen well all of you. Lucy has made multiple decisions and is now allowing herself to be in a team again. You all should be happy for her that she has progressed so quickly. As for her training lets just say that was a once in a lifetime experience, and no none of you will be attending any of her sessions ever. Now the subject of Lucy is not to be brought up anymore. We will see her in a few months and I'm sure all of them will be stronger from it." Master says sternly while turning back to walk to his office.
Once the guild knows he's securely in his office with the door closed older members begin to gather at the bar again.
"He's lying." Gajeel states quickly. "He's hiding something from all of us."
"That training last night must have been more then she let on. It's the only thing that could have shaken the master." Cana states quietly. "We just have to figure out what Lucy has to do with all of this…"
"Lucy said to trust in her, and the master said she made a bunch of decisions. I believe we should follow her instructions and trust in her and drop this matter until she returns. Then and only then will we be able to get any answers that are correct."
However everyone failed to notice that the Master had already slowly walked back down the stairs and up to the small group when he heard everyone moving to the bar from behind his office door.
"You won't be approaching Lucy when she gets back either. Do I make myself clear! She is a member of our guild and family. She will not be interrogated because of some misguided feelings you all seem to have from my response and talking with her and her now team. Please it's best you all just drop this idea you have in your head. Support her the way you have been, be happy, and continue living life to the fullest. That's all she has ever wanted and all we will do for her." Master says quickly but sternly.
Everyone is a little taken back at what the master has said. They didn't expect this response especially from him. All realized something bigger was going on, but they had no choice in the matter of what was going to happen. This only made everyone worry more though. They would accept what the master said, but they would continue to worry for their celestial mage until she returned.
"Ok master. We'll accept what you are saying, but we know something is going on whether you like it or not. If there isn't anything further I believe I need to take my leave for the day. I will be back tomorrow." Mira says angrily. She then proceeds to the guild doors after receiving a nod from the master. She knows she needs to be alone right now. She's always disliked her inner turmoil harboring a demon within her, but she didn't like it coming out in front of everyone. She needed time to accept that something was going to happen in the not so distant future, and she would have to accept whatever that may be.
Master watches Mira leave as well as multiple others who are close to the celestial mage. He knew this wasn't going to be easy until she returned and somehow soothed them all. Just as Mavis said, she really was our shining star and she held this guild together more than anyone ever realized.
(Lucy's home after everyone has returned from their homes with their essentials no one's point of view)
Lucy is now sitting quietly at her desk looking at her album waiting for the others to arrive. Happy has been quietly sitting on her lap not saying anything but trying to give his silent support. He knew she didn't want people to talk or try to sooth her right now. He knew she just wanted some time to herself before everything is taken away that she worked so hard for. So for now he stays quiet with watery eyes waiting till they arrive in the clearing.
Lucy knew this would happen. Like they say "Secrets secrets are no fun, Secrets secrets hurt someone." In this case it really hurt. This was her secret. This was why she didn't want to share it with others in the guild. She wanted more memories with her spirits. With her family. She didn't want it to end this way, but all she could do was accept it. She knew the path of magic was a hard one, and she knew to keep everyone out of harms way, so she had to go back to how she was. Only this time she would have her guild beside her again instead of her spirits. This didn't make her any happier though. She knew Makarov would never allow her to become an S-Class again. She would be the bird in a cage once again. Looking out but never truly free. She would have to find a new path or new goal in life. She already did a recording for herself for when she woke up so she would understand what was happening and how she would need to proceed in life. She could continue her work on hand to hand combat or with weapons, but her magic capacity would be sealed away restricting her abilities. It also wouldn't matter much though since she wouldn't know how to utilize it anyways since she learned most everything after she became S-Class. With her calculations she would have been going to the S Class exams a month after the beginning of her memory loss.
Now that she thinks about 4 years ago she was excitedly talking to Loki about being selected for the S-Class exams. Who knew it would all be a waste. With that thought she slammed the book shut startling Happy who was sitting on her lap. He looks up to see a frown on her face and says, "Can I get you anything Lucy from the kitchen. I want to pack a couple fish with me if that's ok." Standing up and hopping off her lap he heads towards the door and pauses waiting for her response.
"No Happy and thank you. I just need a moment to myself. I'm sorry for startling you." Lucy says quietly looking back to the now closed album.
Happy nods and proceeds to close the door behind him. Entering the kitchen area he sees that everyone has arrived and are just sitting quietly around her table. None dare say a word because they know that they can only just be here for her.
In the room Lucy sighs. She lets a stray tear roll out, but wipes it away quickly. "Be strong Lucy" she whisper to herself. "You can do other things. Maybe work with Mira at the bar. You've accomplished all your goals right? You've reached S-Class. You always have been apart of Team Natsu even if you've been apart from them. You've joined Fairy Tail… Don't be selfish. You have to do this." Lucy continues. "Think of it as starting over again." She laughs bitterly at that then says, "Right starting over again like I did last time. Life is just cruel." Glaring at the floor. Her glare softens though when she says, "But new goals aren't bad, maybe I could start focusing on other aspects of my life. I could work on some different novels, and it's not like I won't be able to go on some simpler missions around town. I could always help other celestial mages or teach children about magic. There's nothing wrong with that." She didn't notice Natsu had let himself in earlier, and heard everything she was saying to herself.
Quietly he wrapped his arms around her startling her from her silent conversation she was having with herself. However this comfort he was providing only forced the reality on her quicker that they would never be able to be S-Class mages together or proceed to go on missions like they wanted to. Things changed now and she wouldn't be able to keep up with them again.
"Life's not fair Natsu. Why do I have to keep starting over? Why am I always falling behind you guys?" Lucy whispers while still facing away from him. Gray, Erza, and Happy open the door quietly again and walk in when they noticed that they started to hear Lucy talking. Stopping behind Natsu they quietly listen and wait.
"You aren't starting over Lucy, and you aren't falling behind us. You're simply turning down another path that will be completely different then what you were doing before. There's more to life than just being an S-Class mage and being a part of Fairy Tail. Like you said make new goals remember. Maybe we could create some together this time. Think of it as a new beginning with us and with me." Natsu says softly trying to comfort her. Letting her go he steps back, and says "Lucy we are a team and we are doing this all together. You will still run off on missions with us and you will still be able to do everything you like with that beautiful smile on your face. You aren't going to be caged the way you think. The master and you are just taking precautions. Ok?"
"We won't allow your life to change so drastically so quickly Lucy. We all adore that smile too much to see it disappear. No matter what we will always be by your side. Just like Natsu promised." Gray tries to comfort too.
"It's true Lucy. Everyone believes in you and knows that you truly are watching over everyone. You are the very meaning of Fairy Tail, and we support you. Just think of this too. Natsu Liiiiikes you. You guys will get to spend more quality time together." Happy cheekily says making Lucy scramble just out of Natsu's arm reach with a bright red face and yelling "Stupid Cat!"
Natsu simply blushes and catches Lucy in his arms once again until she's done with flailing her arms at Happy. He says softly to her then, "You know he's right though." Blushing again she only nods her head at him and steps away composing herself. She see Erza still standing there quietly contemplating what to say.
"Are you ok Erza?" Lucy says carefully. The others turn to her as well and wait for her response.
"I'm just so proud and honored to have you back as my team mate Lucy. No matter what just know that you are the true meaning of everything that Fairy Tail is and stands for to us. Ok?" Erza states calmly.
"That's very kind of you Erza." Lucy smiles lovingly at her. Closing her eye's she breaths in and out collecting her thoughts. She then turns towards all of them with a mischieveous grin on her face and continues, "Ok now time for training. You didn't think this mishap would go on without the real thing right?" Lucy winks at them causing them to go slack jawed. Before they could respond though she has a soft gold magic flow out and smother them transporting them back to her training environment.
(Lucy's training area no one's point of view)
"Hi Stache Face! Is everything ready?" Lucy says brightly upon arriving. Looking around she sees all of her spirits that are currently contracted with her as well as most of the spirits that have helped train over the years.
Everyone smiles brightly at her and the Spirit King says, "Of course Lucy. Crux and Horlogium are excited to see who can get their best shot in first."
"Ha ha I bet. Before we start I just want to say thank you everyone for the privilege and honor that you gave to me as well as the opportunity to work with you all and for being considered a part of your family. I love you all and if there's anyone missing tonight please pass the message along for me." Lucy smiles brightly at everyone before bowing. She then turns to her confused companions and says, "Your specific training starts now and it involves helping my other friends over here. The goal basically is considered capture and contain so that both Crux and Horlogium can work together to permanently erase 4 years time and knowledge from me. It's not painful and once it has been completed I'll need about a day of sleep. Stache face here is going to allow me to have that one day of rest and recovery to be in the spirit world which is why I asked if you all would be ok with missing 3 months here. Know that I've worked with everyone here before and the only thing The Spirit King is going to do is modify our surroundings around us here and there. No he won't help you and no he won't be helping me, this is just a simple game and training for fun. Understand?" Lucy says giddily anticipating the battle to come. She always enjoys these types of training but to be going up against her old team mates is going to be even better.
"Are you serious Lucy. All of us against you?" Erza says astonished.
"It's not a battle royale Erza.. It's simply trying to strategize with the others to contain me for Crux and Horlogium. There will be traps and obstacles all over for me and my goal is to try to stay out of your grasp. Do you think you all could do that." Lucy winks trying to egg them on.
"Yes! Finally this is something we can do! I'm all fired up!" Natsu screams excitedly knowing he finally gets to go in a real battle with Lucy.
"Of course I'll fight you all tooth and nail, but the rising sun is our time limit. If dawn comes that signals the game is over and Crux and Horlogium both will proceed with the process. Sound good everyone?" Lucy asks with another simple smile. She looks up at the Spirit King and when she receives the nod she continues one last time, "It really has been an honor sir. Thank you for allowing me this one last battle."
"Of course Lucy. Now be ready we will start in 5 minutes. You all have till dawn, but I'm sure Lucy here will make us stop prior to that." The Spirit King says knowingly. Working with Lucy as long as he has he knows she will want her companions safe from harms way regardless of training.
"You know me to well Stache face. Prepare yourselves guys for the environment shift. This is going to be great." Lucy says while distancing herself from everyone and pulling at the environment to have her key ready.
"She really is amazing sir." Natsu whispers, "I mean just look at her." Natsu says to the Spirit King while watching Lucy run off into the distance.
"Yes she is." With that said the environment changed to include multiple paths. Which one Lucy took no one knew but each path had a different environment. This reminded them all of the S-Class exams but to a different caliber. Natsu stopped his team and smelled to see if there was a shift in the winds with her scent.
"That won't work Natsu Dragneel. She has already learned how to cover and confuse her scent specifically because you are here. Think harder and you may figure out how she chose." The spirit King interjects across the field. Immediately all the spirits had a knowing smile and poofed away from their location as though they knew which way to go.
"Look at the environments guys.. Come on what do you think Lucy would be most comfortable and knowledgeable with on staying away from you all." Loki interrupts their thoughts.
"Oh hey Loki." Natsu says trying to think about what he was told.
"Guys she has always loved the spring and the fall. Not to hot and not to cold, and with flowers and the fall of changing colored leaves… I think that path over there would be which way she would choose. She would want her battle to be surrounded by everything she loved, but also an environment that wouldn't completely benefit us in any way." Gray points over to the fourth path with a sad smile. Loki nods knowingly at them and then poofs in a gold flash away from them.
Natsu pauses before talking to himself. "As fun as this all is… to be honest I don't want to catch her guys." Natsu says quietly. "I just got her back.. and she's worked so hard to get where she is…" He chokes out the rest with watery eyes.
"Natsu she already made a message to herself reminding her of your two's relationship for afterwards, and this is all done. She doesn't want you all to hold back. She wants you all to stay in her life and by her side, so don't worry. Ok? She loves you just as much as you love her. Let her enjoy this one last time of feeling the true freedom of all the hard work she has done and gone through." Happy says softly. He knew this thought would come to him sooner or later.
However the environment shifted and didn't give them any time to think further on their discussion. It only allowed them one path and obstacles were starting to come out to challenge them. They knew that The Spirit King was becoming impatient with them and would force them to take action sooner or later. After all Lucy did say the training started now and with that they proceeded taking on all the obstacles and traps that were in their way until they found what they wanted to find.
Lucy was patiently waiting in a meadow with a little pond nearby that was surrounded by spirits contemplating on tactics to take her on. No one rushed towards her knowing that traps were placed courtesy of the King, or that Lucy herself would send them straight back to the Spirit World without a second thought if they had no strategy. However it was cute watching Plue dance around her. He was the only one allowed to not have to participate in this game so she happily enjoyed his company until everyone decided what plan of action they saw best. For now she would wait, because in all honesty. She really wanted a full on battle to see how much she has improved. Her phase training with the King was always to learn something and experience something as well as test her, but she felt as though this last battle was going to be the last time she would ever be able to show her team what she was truly capable of. She knew deep down after all of this she would still consider herself weak compared to them, but for now… This one time.. she would be the one to try and challenge them and force them to keep up with her. With that thought on her mind her mischievous smile returned and when she looked over and saw that Happy had just flown into site along with the rest of her team her smile grew even more.
(Natsu's point of view in the meadow with Lucy)
Upon entering the meadow I noticed her smile grow and her eyes burn with determination and excitement. She clearly wanted this to start now, but I still stopped prior to entering anything further. I see a flash of light come in front of us as well as all the spirits that are going to be battling with us against her. They seem to be pushing us further over away from an oncoming trap they detected.
"She has unrivaled tactics against us and she's quick in thinking of counter attacks. You guys can't just barge right up to her. You need to go at her with a strategy in place before hand. This is also the only assistance I'm willing to give you all." Loki states while all the others nod their head agreeing with him.
"What are all of your capabilities and what happens when you are damaged or injured? Do you all stay here or will you return to the spirit world?" Erza asks quickly observing Lucy from afar. She sees her preparing herself and slowly making her away towards the opposite direction away from them.
"We would return to the spirit world upon admitting defeat, but we will push our projections to the field to continue to watch the battle. She's mostly looking forward to battling you all so to be honest, most of us our only going to watch." Gemini says happily.
This is really our only chance to battle her but for some reason I see a light slowly wrapping around Grays leg and he's immediately tossed in the air and slammed back down in the middle of the group. I look over quickly to see that Lucy is using her whip and had it extend out to gather our attention.
"I'm growing impatient with your strategy meetings. Are you guys to chicken to face me head on like you do normal opponents." Lucy taunts us.
"Aww Lucy really? You don't think we've progressed over the years at all do you?" I playfully counter her. "After all you were the one that always told me to think before just running into battle." I smirk at her knowing she would laugh at this.
"Ha ha. You're right. However, if you don't act now, the Spirit King will and he's worse than me." Lucy winks while sprinting in another direction opposite from us.
Immediately I was on the move and so was everyone else. We didn't have any further time to just strategize. We had to run her down if we wanted a chance to even go head to head with her. Using a bit of my magic I boost my speed and I see Erza and Gray doing the same. However hearing a whiz coming towards me I immediately jump to the side knocking both Erza and Gray over out of the way of an oncoming short sword that then immediately absorbs into the environment.
"Did she really just throw one of her weapons at us?" Erza asks startled.
"I believe she did. She's serious guys, and if this is her way of training us we need to be in close range to her if we want to start this battle. Let's hurry up." I say while pulling them all up and starting to move quickly in her direction again. We noticed a big commotion up ahead through some trees as well as flashes of light here and there so we redirect our course to try to get behind her. I look up to only notice that she set a trap across the ground not permitting us to continue unless we used the trees. Jumping high I start scaling from tree to tree trying to get the advantage. How little did I know I was only playing right into her hands.
Smack
All I feel is myself getting caught by a foot, flying through the air into another tree only for it to break.
"I thought we were supposed to be catching you Lucy? Not the other way around." I laugh a little.
"What's the fun in always running away. I like to battle to ya know." She pouts at me but still giggling and disappearing in the shadows again. I hear another crash and this time it's Gray and he's right next to me panting a little.
"Dam she's good. She got behind me and ended up kicking me in the back over here." Gray sighs.
I hear metal against metal not to far away so we stand up quickly and start running in that direction. Erza is going head to head with Lucy who has now summoned bother short swords from her keys. Sparks flying here and there we quickly jump into the mix to try and distract her so her spirits can start coming back into the mix. Dropping her short sword when she sees that we have arrived she grabs her whip and starts extending it with her magic and pushing Erza back. Once she's pushed further back I launch at her but only get flicked with her whip again causing me to go flying. What the hell! Dam it. Now I'm getting mad.
"Come on Natsu, use that brain of yours." Lucy taunts while turning around and ducking shooting her leg out to knock gray off balance and slam her short sword next to his head into the ground effectively stopping the battle for a moment. Everyone stops and breaths. Seeing Gray on his back with a sword next to his ear. Wow that scared the shit out of me.
"Lesson one for you three in this training. Going straight head into battle is never a bad thing, but knowing your opponent is beneficial. If you don't know what they are capable of you won't know how to counter them. Do you understand?" Lucy says quietly while helping Gray up who has wide eyes. Erza walks forward, "You weren't kidding about training were you?" she asks.
"No I wasn't. Like I said. I have my pride and if the story is going to be that I had a training accident, we are going to have a training accident. It's only fair to me Erza." Lucy smiles. "Let me give you some of my knowledge before I lose it all. Please." She then says softly.
"Sounds good to me." I say quickly interrupting Erza who glares at me. "We understand your first lesson and we see what you are capable of. What's the next lesson since we have to cover a lot of information for my small brain." I joke
"That is for you to find out now isn't it." She winks at me again and takes off in another direction. I look around and all her spirits are cheering her on and smiling. From the looks of things she is too.
"Come on guys we have lessons to learn." I yell quickly and start chasing after her again.
"Dam she scared me." Gray says quietly under his breath, but I still hear.
"Ha stripper scared of a girl." I taunt him to get him to hurry up.
"NEVER you dam Flame brain!"
"Both of you shut up and hurry up." Erza demands while running beside me.
We continue like this for a bit once again looking for our target. The spirit king has shifted our environment again to look as though we're on an endless beach. It may be pretty but just past the beach is a sweltering jungle like area. Looking around I can't help but be fascinated with this type of training.
"Pay attention this is your next lesson. Analyze your situation and environment. Then use it to your advantage." Lucy's voice echoes through the air.
"Guys, have you noticed that she's much scarier then she used to be." I shiver thinking about her, but then do as she instructed. Analyze my situation. I'm currently standing near a boulder in the middle of a beach just feet away from the jungle like area. I'm sure she's over there trying to taunt us, but I know our opponent. She wouldn't push us in there immediately. My thoughts are interrupted when I see another flash once again coming towards us from further down the beach next to the water.
"Dam you guys are slow. Come on guys pick up the pace." Lucy says boredly while holding her short sword again. I start to run in her direction but decide doing a long range attack would be better. Maybe push her in the direction of the water to keep her in the open for us to continue our assault.
Erza whiz's by me to get closer, while Gray uses his Ice make Cage, however this only infuriated her.
"You guys aren't doing what I said." Lucy angrily swipes at the cage dodging to the side of Erza's attack to kick her forward into the water leaving Erza to take my oncoming wing attack.
"Use your environment to your advantage. Analyze the situation further. You have this whole beach and jungle…" She says again and waits for Erza to get back up and over to us.
"Guys we need to surround her and utilize the beach. Look at the area. There's drift wood over there to trip her up, a boulder over here to block some and water for her to not be able to run another direction and Happy has the air advantage to track her…" I say quickly.
"Now you're thinking Natsu. Great. However. Now that I know your tactic next lesson. You have observed and analyazed and are now utilizying your environment, so now I want you to bend that environment to your well using your magic. The next lesson will be your favorite I promise but it will also be the last so lets hurry and learn this one so we can continue. Ok guys?" She says with a cute tilt to her head. "Let me explain how before you rush me again though."
We all pause for her to continue explaining.
"Push your magic, not your element, into the environment around you and feel. Tell me what you feel pulsing through this area and pushing against your magic." Lucy says calmly. She really would be a great teacher listening to her like this. I close my eyes and try to do as she says. I relax my body and try to concentrate on the air around me. I feel the warmth from the setting sun, but I also feel liquid surrounding me as well with the gritty texture of sand.
"Now open your eyes and think about your respective magics and what they are capable of doing with this environment. For example, what happens when fire meets sand, or when Ice meets more water? Or for you Erza utilizing the elements around you to create your own weapon and armor instead of requiping into a new armor. After this is all over you will all work on this, but for now we are onto our last lesson." Lucy says calmly, but her mischievious grin is back and we all of step back a little
"Last lesson. Completely obliterate the target." Lucy says hauntingly and immediately releases a huge pulse knocking us down completely and then pinning us each with short swords surprising us.
"I believe that this game is over. I understand I was supposed to be captured and contained, but I just can't bring myself to keep you all training to early morning. I do think that the Spirit King will allow us to recover a bit in the Spirit World though and you guys can ask all kinds of questions there. What do you think." She says as she helps us all back up. I watch as the Spirit King walks up behind her and says something that makes her pout.
"I knew you would go easy on them. I guess you're cutting it short then?" He finishes
"What do you mean, I gave them a good endurance exercise didn't I, as well as a few good miniature lessons and battles." Lucy tries to defend herself, but turns and pouts while stomping her foot defensively.
"Lucy if you want a battle we can do an all out battle one on one if you want. We're more than happy to try and go against you." I tell her happily, but she simply looks down with a sad look.
"What's the point of it Natsu. Having a battle for fun that I won't remember, doesn't really get me all exhilarated and if you all won't gain anything out of it that further proves the point that it's pointless." With that said she looks back to the Spirit king and asks, "Could we go now. I mean I would like to talk to a few of the others and figure out how much my magic capacity is going to be affected from this. As much as I've covered all my bases I still have some last minute questions I just recently thought about."
"Ok Lucy We'll go now. You ready guys?" The spirit king asks us.
I nod but I look at Lucy sadly as she continues to look away from all of us. Erza and Gray walk over to me and say, "This is hard for her Natsu. Let her accept this all at her own pace." Happy then floats down while frowning and says, "Are you guys sure this is the right thing to do. I mean can't we just protect her instead of taking all of this away. That's what we would do for anyone in the guild. Can't we just keep all this a secret like she has been doing?"
"I know Happy. I want to do just that, but imagine that type of life. I don't think she wants that and she doesn't want to burden anyone with the trouble of this type of secret. Doing this… I guess will make her life a little easier, but still painful none the less." I finish quietly. I see she's done talking with the Spirit King for a bit so I ask, "Hey are we going now or do we have a little bit of time to enjoy the beach?" Smiling big to lighten the mood.
"Natsu you're still as silly as ever. This is like a virtual extension of the clearing. It's not completely real." Lucy says while smiling. "We'll enjoy the beach when we get back though ok?"
"Lucy we'll go the Spirit Realm now ok? Virgo and Loki will be guiding you all around while you are there and it will only be for a full day there. You shouldn't take that long to sleep it off and you'll see me prior to leaving. Loki has your lacrima with your message already set up for when you wake up too so you'll have an idea of what's going on. Ok?" The Spirit King says softly.
"Ok. Sooner this is over, the sooner we can get back to training. Right?" She says trying to be happy. I can tell she doesn't want to do this anymore though. I walk up to her and squeeze her hand and smile at her.
"Best friends right?" I say softly and Happy comes over and joins us landing on her head while looking at her upside down. "Best friends?" He says.
"Of course guys. Best Friends." She smiles warmly at us. I can't help to feel my heart melt a little when she gives us that smile.
In a soft light we're instantly in a new room with all of our belongings looking out across their world.