Lucy

I've only heard training at one of the major FCs were torture to no end. I had no idea that it was beyond torture. We arrived a few minutes after school so I could meet the rest of Fairy Tail. I even met the Coach... Coach Makarov... I'm still confused as to how he's so tiny and adorable but could get us to run five laps around the field in two minutes. I made it, barely in the nick of time. Otherwise it's another set. Not just for me but for the whole team.

Natsu and Gray walked me home so I could get my gear. My cleats, which I hid under my bed, still fit along with the shin guards and the socks. One thing I did learn, though, is that they provide practice clothing. Of course, it was my first day so I didn't get it until five minutes before warmups started. Levy was helping keep time as I rolled around trying to get my shorts on.

"Alright new girl," Cana Alberona, one of the starter center backs, "Let's see what you can do, new girl."

"Um," I looked around, the whole team's attention was one me. "What do you want me to do?"

"Cap and Natsu said you shot a soccer ball through their heads yesterday," she smirked. "Can you do it again? For us to see."

"I can do this," I took the soccer she had in her hands.

We were around mid-field. I dropped the ball, walking towards the center of the entire field.

"Hey Elfman," I turned to the silver-haired goalie. "Do you wanna try and save this goal?"

It's nothing too fancy. I'm just shooting the ball from half field into the goal. I know professionals have done it before, thanks to luck but I know the secret. No goalie can save it, sorry getting a little cocky.

Elfman ran down to his post all the while putting on gloves. As he crouched over, he yelled, "Come on, Blondie! Shoot it like a real man!"

You asked for it you big oaf.

I took two steps back, closing my eyes as I do. It's a little trick my mom taught me. It's not going to help my shooting but it's gonna help with one thing. It fools the players. They wouldn't be ready to anything. Their posture would loosen up, the goalie would even be on the palm of his feet. I've been on the field for about thirty minutes, I already got the exact location of the goal posts when we sprinted around the field.

"She getting cocky or something?" Elfman asked. "That's not a real man."

"No," I said, bouncing on my toes a bit before taking the two steps forward.

If my calculations were correct the ball should do exactly what I want it to do.

"I'm a girl, Elfman!" I shouted as my foot collided with the ball perfectly.

I put in enough power to make it fly but with force. Elfman smirked, ready to jump up and catch the ball. What he doesn't know, though, was it had enough power to: pass him faster than he expected, hit the top bar at the bottom so it bounced in towards the goal instead of sent out. A very hard goal to get but my mom's taught me how.

Claps erupted after a few moments of silence as the players take in what just happened. An arm wrapped around my shoulders and the familiar cinnamon smell that made me warm every time made me laugh.

"That's my Luce!" Natsu exclaimed, an arm pumped into the sky. "We're so gonna beat, Phantom Lord!"

"Alright!" everybody exclaimed, cheering as well.

"Now, now, settle down children," the same old voice that put us through torture stopped the cheers immediately. In walked Coach Makarov, hands behind his back. Our team manager and Elfman's older sister, Mirajane, not far behind holding the brightest smile as usual. When I first arrived on the field, it was Mirajane who gave me the usual run-through of what happened during practices; the rituals along with their signature cheers before games. I thought it was kinda cute, the Fairy Tail symbol I mean.

Coach Makarov gestured for everybody to gather around, "Well, as many of you can see, we have new addition to our family," Makarov nodded in my direction with a smile. "Please make sure you make our new striker feel welcomed."

"Don't worry about it, Gramps," Gray chuckled. "She's been welcomed the moment Natsu met her."

I looked at the right winger. He had his giant goofy smile that gave him the really innocent look. He looked like a kid that just got praised for a job well done. I wouldn't say bringing me in was job well done but if he's proud of it, I should be feeling special.

"I'll do my very best, I promise," I said.

The old coach nodded before addressing the whole team again, "There are only a few days left until the match of our life times so! I expect 100% concentration at all the future practices."

"Yes, sir!" we all yelled in unison.

"As for today," Makarov cleared his throat, "Since Lucy is a new recruit, we're going to scrimmage for a majority of practice just so I can put her in a skill level. Is that okay with you, Lucy?"

I nodded right away, "Of course."

"She might still be a little rusty since the last time she said she played was almost two years ago," Erza added, arms crossed. "We'll go easy on you so you can get back into rhythm if you want. It is also your first time in an official football club as well."

I shook my head, "Just come at me with all that you got. I promise I'll be ready."

"That's the spirit, child," Makarov laughed. "Mira! Grab the second captain arm band! Let's get this game started. We're playing thirty minute halves, with Mira as the referee, obey her commands now kids, she is your senpai after all."

I was put on the same team as Erza, Natsu, Gray, Levy, Elfman, Cana and a few others. It wasn't long until I learned I was teamed up with the starters. The only person missing was some guy by the name of Loke, one of the center backs alongside Cana. Apparently he's gonna be a little late because community college has him busy this past week.

My team had on the white training jerseys, each with the respected number we used during games. Erza slipped on the red and black armband of the captain before she called us in.

"Alright so the formation is the usual 4-3-3, understand?" She said when our heads were huddled together. "With Lucy in the spot of Lisanna. Cana, can you hold things down back there without Loke?"

The brunette nodded, "I have Jet who's crazy fast. If anything I can call him back plus I have our substitute, Alzack," she turned to the long haired man. "You ready to win this, buddy?"

Alzack nodded once, "Of course."

"Let's win!" Elfman shouted suddenly, his voice ringing our ears. "That's manly!"

"Alright then let's do this," Erza put her hand in first; her fingers curled into the Fairy Tail sign. The index and thumb pointed out in an upward formation.

Natsu proudly lifted his head and yelled at the top of his lungs, "What has wings and could fly at the speed of light?!"

"Fairy Tail!"

"What can always bring home the win?!"

"Fairy Tail!"

"In two words, what is family?!"

"Fairy Tail!" At the last one, our hands up; I could feel the honor and pride of pointing to the sky, the sign of being a proud Fairy Tail player.

And the next chapter of my new life.