I don't own fairy tail! *Updated 06/09/2024 for… my sanity because I wrote this when I was 15*

[GENERAL POV]

10 days. That's how long it'd been since Natsu had barged in through the large doors to the guild, fought his way towards Lucy, and asked if she wanted to go on a mission with himself and the rest of Team atmosphere had been tense ever since Lisanna's return, with some members showing less warmth towards the buxom blonde, and newer recruits feeling somewhat sidelined. Herself, Gajeel, Pantherlily, Wendy, and even Juvia were experiencing a sense of alienation.

Lucy found herself seated at her usual spot at the bar, sipping on her strawberry milkshake as she fretted over her dwindling funds. With only 30,000 jewels left and rent looming, she couldn't afford another loan. Sighing, she rose from her stool and made her way to the request board, scanning through the flyers until she found one that caught her eye. It seemed like the perfect job for her, but she couldn't handle it alone.

Her mind turned to Natsu. Gajeel and Pantherlily were on a job, Wendy had an internship with Porlyusica, Erza was off on some S class mission, and Juvia had followed Gray somewhere. That left Natsu as her only option.

Summoning her courage, Lucy scanned the bustling guild hall until she spotted Natsu tucked away in a corner with Lisanna and Happy, engrossed in a puzzle of a fish.

"Hey Lucy," Natsu greeted her, briefly tearing his attention away from the puzzle.

"Hey Natsu! It's been a while since we've taken a job together, I was wondering if you'd want to go on one together? This one should only take a few days," Lucy requested, her voice hopeful.

Natsu scratched his head awkwardly. "I wish I could, but um… I already promised Lis that we'd go on a job tomorrow. Just us. So we could catch up, y'know? You understand, right?" Lucy nodded but inside she grew angrier and angrier. He had no idea how many times he'd made that excuse before. Heck, she's been back for nearly a month now! Lucy watched as Lisanna leaned over to whisper something in Natsu's ear, and decided to head back to the board to find an easier mission.

"Geez, oi! Lucy! Come back here for a minute." She turned back on her heel to face him.

"Yeah?" He looked back at Lisanna then looked Lucy right in the eyes.

"Look, Lucy. I don't want to lead you on anymore. I don't… I don't wanna go on missions with you anymore." Her heart sunk.

"Wh-what? What do you mean Natsu?" His shoulders shrunk down and he sputtered out,

"It's just that… I don't think you'll be able to… Keep up with me and Erza or even Gray anymore. We're getting pretty strong and I mean, we almost never get a reward on jobs anyway right? This is a good thing for you!" Her heart was almost shattered.

"So, now that Lisanna's back, I'm not good enough for you? I'm not strong enough?" He bit his lip and said nothing. Her anger boiled over.

"Tell me. Do you really think I'm weak." He found the courage to look up. "Yes." He said finally. Lucy's heart shattered at that moment. The man that'd got her into her dream guild, had let her in his team, had defended her through everything… was throwing her away like a used tissue. Like garbage.

Suddenly it was all too much, so she turned and ran. She ran like nothing ever before. Fuck Natsu! Fuck Lisanna! I don't need them, and I don't need "Team Natsu"!

But somewhere deep in her mind, she didn't believe that. She thought she was weak, too.

She ran blindly, her thoughts in turmoil, until she found herself at the riverbank. As tears blurred her vision, she stumbled and fell, plunging toward the icy waters below. Suddenly there was a golden flash of light, and she felt as if she was flying. Loke. She warmed slightly. Always there to save me. Her heart clenched at that. Because I'm weak. Loke landed them across the river and looked at her wearily.

Lucy shuffled awkwardly in his arms, trying to get down, but to no avail. She connected the dots."Did you see?" She choked out. He spontaneously dipped her down like a bride.

"Depends. If you mean the scene with you and Natsu then no, a little birdie told me about it. But if you mean your panties, then yes." He winked at her. She blushed a deep red color. "Pervert!" she yelled and clocked him on the head. He set her down safely and began to rub the new sore spot on his head, then his expression turned somber.

"Is it true Princess? Did Natsu… Kick you off the team?" Lucy looked away and fought through the tears."Yeah, he did. B-but I mean he was right though, I am too weak to keep up with them all…" Loke's expression darkened.

"He said that?" Lucy nodded deep, twiddling her thumbs at the looming awkwardness. When she looked up, Loke was gone. Lucy visibly paled. Oh no, Loke! Please don't do anything stupid.

[GUILD POV]

As Loke vanished, leaving Lucy alone with her thoughts, the guild doors burst open with a forceful slam. All eyes turned to Loke, sensing the gravity of his presence. Something was about to change in Fairy Tail.

[GENERAL POV]

Loke stormed into the guild with one burning purpose: to that idiot dragon and smash his face in. He pushed past anyone in his path, his arrival making quite the entrance, but who could blame him?

Scanning the room with narrowed eyes, he spotted his target in the far left corner. Natsu, with his trademark grin, sat obliviously with Lisanna and Happy. With determination fueling his steps, Loke zeroed in on the pink-haired troublemaker.

Objective clear: Set Natsu straight, then give him a piece of his mind, delivered via fist. As he approached, anger simmered just beneath the surface.

The tension thickened as Loke stomped towards Natsu's table. Without hesitation, he raised his fist and delivered a powerful blow to Natsu's jaw. A resounding CRACK filled the air as Natsu went hurtling across the room, crashing into a nearby wall.

Amidst the chaos, a cry of "MANLY!" echoed, likely from Elfman. Lisanna and Happy moved to intervene, but Loke's glare halted them in their tracks.

Natsu, rubbing his jaw, turned to face his assailant, confusion evident in his expression.

"Loke? Why'd you do that?" Loke allowed himself a flicker of a smile, though it held a hint of menace.

"As clueless as ever, Natsu. Maybe a lesson is in order, a reminder of the pain Lucy's been enduring because of you." Natsu blinked, trying to comprehend.

"Lucy? What's she got to do with this?" Before he could grasp the situation, Loke unleashed his power, striking Natsu with a force that sent him reeling.

"What's this got to do with Lucy? Are you that dense? You kicked her off your team, claiming she's 'weak'!" The guild collectively gasped, shocked by the revelation. Calling one of their own weak was unheard of.

Mira, seething behind the bar, and other guild members who had once felt inadequate, all turned their glares on Natsu.

In his office, the master stirred from his slumber, grumbling about the disturbance. When he emerged, the sight below left him speechless.

Nearly half the guild was pummeling Natsu. Master leaped onto the railing, his voice booming with authority, demanding an explanation.

Mira was the first to speak up, her frustration evident. "Master, Natsu kicked Lucy out of Team Natsu without the rest of his teams consent, calling her weak. We're seeking justice."

Makarov's expression darkened. "Natsu Dragneel! What have you done to my Lucy-chan?!" Hearts floated above his head momentarily before he snapped back to reality. Makarov's concern was palpable.

Natsu hung his head, shame evident in his posture. "I... I thought Lisanna's return meant she should be on the team instead of Lucy.." His words only fueled the guild's anger, prompting another round of retribution.

Loke's voice cut through the chaos, pointing out their hypocrisy. "None of you have been there for Lucy either. When was the last time any of you reached out to her?" The guilt hung heavy in the air as they realized their neglect. Master sighed, acknowledging their failure. "Loke is right. We were all wrong. We must find Lucy and apologize." Turning to Loke, he silently conveyed his understanding.

But Loke's anger still burned bright. "This is all your fault, Salamander!" Master intervened, preventing another attack. Suddenly, Loke stiffened, and his face fell. Makarov gave him a questioning look, and Loke nodded in acknowledgment before Master delivered the grim news.

"Brats, listen up! Lucy Heartfilia has left the guild."

Please don't cringe please don't cringe (I was 15 when I wrote this I'm just correcting a few things)