Knights on a Winged Horse
Disclaimer: i own no FairyTail
Chapter 2 - Alone
Lucy POV
I woke up early that morning, smiling as I remembered last night's resolution. I got up and had a quick shower before drying off and heading to my dresser. I pull out a pair of matching underwear, a cute top, and an almost too short skirt. I get dressed before leaving for the guild earlier than I normally do, mentally preparing herself the onslaught of emotion that was bound to come once every one found out.
I planned out as much of the morning I could, thinking of the ways that I could break the news to my team and the guild, without hurting anyone very much and causing the least commotion. I decided to wait until natsu asked me to go on a mission with them before telling them that I want to quite the team, but I thought it best to leave the bigger news till they'd left and there was a brawl going on so the majority of the guild wont be paying attention.
I reach the guild and push open the doors. It was quieter than usual, but I though that figured since I was earlier than I would normally be. I went over to the bar and sat in my usual stool.
"Hey Mira." I call over to the bar maid.
"Oh, hey Lucy! Your earlier than usual aren't you?"
"Yeah, I didn't sleep to well last night."
"Is there anything I can get you that would help?"
"Just my usual strawberry milkshake should be fine."
Mira hands me my drink and I sit and watch as the guild gradually fills up. After about two hours, the majority of the guild was there and Natsu and Gray were about to start another brawl but Erza cut them of with an icy glare. Since he couldn't fight anybody, Natsu went over to the request board and selected a mission after a quick glance. He summoned Erza and Gray before walking over to me with them following behind. He slung an arm over my shoulder before declaring;
"Yo, Luce! Wanna go on a job today?"
I take a deep breath before turning around to face the three of them.
"Sorryguysbutiwanttobecomestrongersoi'mgoingtoquittheteamandgosolo."
"HUH?" they all say in unison. I realise I spoke to quickly so I said it again, slower and calmer this time.
"Sorry guys, but I want to become stronger, so i'm going to quit the team and go solo."
Gray gasps, Erza starts to tear up and Natsu looks at me as if i'm pulling a really bad prank on him.
"But we're a four mage group!" Gray exclaims.
"Lissana can take my place." Lissana, who had been listening in with astonishment, spoke up as she came over.
"I couldn't do that!"
"It's ok," I say, "I know that i'm weak and that I alway need saving, I've barely been able to contribute at all the last few missions. The last mission we went on I did nothing at all, and you guys all had really good team work, so I want you to take my spot Lissana."
I looked over at Natsu, who had been quiet so far. He looked as if he was…thinking.
Erza and Lissana both looked to shocked to speak. Gray looks at me sadly before reaching out and embracing me to a hug against his bare chest. I realised he stripped again, but I didn't really care as he still had his pants on, not offending my eyes (though, considering how often he stripped, it wouldn't be a surprise if I was scared for life).
"You'll still go on missions with us though, right?"
I decided to avoid the question, knowing they'd find out soon enough.
"Don't you have a mission you wanted to go on Natsu?" This snapped him out of his trance.
"Err, yeah."
"Well, off you go, its not like you to delay about going on the mission."
I put on a smile as I watched them reluctantly get the mission approved my Mira and trudge out the door. I only had to wait five or so minutes before a brawl broke out when Cana accidentally spilled her beer on Elfman, resulting in most of the guild fighting. I used the commotion to slip up to master's office without notice. I knocked on the door before heading inside.
Master looked up as I came though the door, moving the papers he was mulling over to the side before giving me his full attention.
"Lucy! You don'y usually come in here, what is it you need?"
I dropped my cheery facade and took a deep breath, calming myself before having to say the words that threatened not to come out of my mouth.
"I want to leave the guild." I couldn't look him in the eye as I said the words that broke both our hearts. Master looked at me in shock before tearing up.
"But why? Are you not happy here?"
"No, no, no Master! It's not like that. Its just, I've been feeling really useless and weak lately, so I'm going to go away for a little while to train and become stronger." Master looked at me for a long time before sighing.
"If that is what you want child then I cannot stop you. I will remove you mark, but will you be gone long?"
"No, Just a few years. I promise that I will come back within three years, if I haven't, please send people to look for me. If I end up dead for whatever reason, I want to be laid to rest here, with the previous members of FairyTail."
"OK child. Give me your hand so I may remove your mark. But know this, if you don't have the guild mark on you three year from now, I will send every mage in this guild out to look for you, and we will not rest until you are back here with us." He takes my hand and it glows before fading, leaving no trace it was ever there.
He recites the three rules of leaving the guild and I promise to fulfil them to the best of my ability. I thank the master and tell him to keep to the story of me being on a solo mission for the first month before breaking the news to the rest of the guild. Making my way out of the guild, I feel slightly guilty that I don't stop to say goodbye.
I go home and call Virgo to help me pack all my stuff up in my apartment. I pack one suitcase with all the things I will need for the next little while of training before asking Virgo if she will store the rest of my belongings in the spirit world. With my apartment now empty, I go downstairs to thank the landlady and tell her that I will no longer be renting the unit. I make my way out of Magnolia on foot, dragging my suitcase behind me.
About an hour after leaving Magnolia I decide to take a ten minute break and rest my feet. Before I can head towards the edge of the path, a man in black jumps in front of me, barring my way. Suddenly I see that i'm surrounded by what appears to be bandits, all with creepy grins that send chills down my spine. One of them looks me up and down as he licks his lips, I hear another say, "Look at the rack this one has! We'll have to bring her to the master to have fun with." I take my whip from my belt preparing to fight to defend myself. Suddenly one comes at me from either side, hands outstretched to make a grab at me. I jump backwards, dodging the attacks but realise too late that another one was behind me. I twist to get out of his grip and this time I leap away from all of them at once, placing them all where I can see them. My hand moves to my belt to call out Loke but all it reaches is thin air. I look up to see both my whip and my keys swinging in a bandit's hand, the man smirking at me.
"Oh no."
I start running, hoping to separate them in the forest on the side of the road, then double back to try and retrieve my keys. I run as fast as my feet can take me but it's not enough, soon there are two men on either side of me, easily matching my pace. Desperately, I push myself harder, struggling to get away from the men. I have scratches all over my body from crashing around in the undergrowth. I look back to see the men not two meters away before I feel my feet catch on a tree root and I fall over, twisting my ankle. I try to get up but the pain in my feet is too much, causing me to cry out and collapse. The gang is on top of me immediately. One pins me down by putting his entire body on top of mine, licking my cheek. Another tie my hands and feet in what I can sense to be magic proof ropes. I feel myself being slung over a broad shoulder before I black out.