Chapter One:Gone

I stared at the retreating figures of Gray, Natsu and Erza as they walked away, content with having successfully completed the mission. Tears pooled at my eyes, threatening to spill out at any second. I blinked them away rapidly once Gray turned around, a frown took over his grin.

"You coming, Lucy?"he asked confused. Probably wondering why I hadn't moved from my spot.

"Yeah, I'll catch up in a few,"I said as casually as I could. Satisfied with my answer, he nodded and walked beside the other two who were chatting away.

They are always saving me.

I looked at my hands and clenched them tightly into fist, my nails dug into my palms painfully. Tears finally ran down my cheeks, dropping onto the ground.

I'm weak, I always try and make myself feel better by pretending to be strong. But I can't pretend anymore.

I sobbed quietly knowing Natsu would hear me if I was any louder. I punched the ground as hard as I could, blood splattered over the rock covered ground, my skin had split over my knuckles.

I'm always hiding behind them.
Gray, Natsu, and Erza are always protecting me.

I fell to my knees ignoring the pain of the rocks piercing my skin, and cried a bit louder. I muffled by sobs with my hands, tears mixed with blood as they ran down my arms.

They do everything, all the work, while I just stand there whining about everything and anything.

I tugged at my hair desperately feeling the need to hurt myself, I bit my tongue so I wouldn't let a scream escape my lips.

They always get hurt, and I always arrive to the guild perfectly fine, they have scars to prove their hardwork, I have cuts that would heal fast.

I looked down, my hair cascading to cover half of my face.

I need to stop hiding behind them, I need to be strong for myself and for them.

I looked at my keys. I shook my head and wiped the tears away furiously.

But how? It took them years to get the nicknames they own. Titania. Salamander. Ice prince.

As if on cue, Loke appeared.

"Is there something wrong Lucy?"he asked, worry evident in his voice.

"Yes,"I said as I wiped the tears away."Am I weak Loke?"

Startled by the sudden question he jumped before replying,"What!? Of course not princess, who said that?"he asked anger filling his voice.

"Loke am I weak?"I asked once again, he stopped ranting about beating the person who called me weak. He seemed to be looking at me, but at the same time his mind was elsewhere.

"No princess, you are not weak, you are a strongest and bravest person I have ever met,"he said firmly.

"Loke, I'm asking you a specific question, therefore I want you to answer me with all honesty. Am I weak?"I asked.

"Princess I already said it you are no-"

"I won't repeat it again, I just want to hear the truth,Loke,"I said raising my voice.

"In strength and speed your are weak, but I assure you, you have smarts as well as strategies,Lucy"he said. I nodded satisfied with the answer.

"Thank you for being honest,"I said.

He nodded with a frown and disappeared in golden cloud. I looked at the direction where Gray, Natsu and Erza headed.

I sighed and stared sadly at their backs. Gray glanced back once more looking at me worriedly. I gave him a slight smile giving him a sign I was fine. He smiled back and turned around.

I will miss you, I'm sorry, but I also want to protect you Gray..... Natsu.......Erza.......

I turned to the opposite direction, I looked back, they looked like little ants from this distance. I gave a small smile.

I'm sorry

I ran into the forest as fast as I could not looking back. My feet give out and I stop in front of a lake where I took a refreshing swim. I air dried as I walked around the forest. I spotted a cabin not far away from the lake. Curiously I walked over and knocked on the door, I didn't want to just barge in without knowing if some murderer was behind the door. A woman with wavy brown hair, and large round green eyes opened the door.

"Who are you?"She raised her eyebrow. I could sense a magical aura within her, even greater than masters and Gildarts. Slowly panic grew in me, this woman could destroy me in less than a second.

"I'm sorry, the cabin didn't seem to have any people in it and I just was curios, I didn't know someone lived here,"I squeaked and bowed multiple times. I took in a couple of deep breaths, "Lucy Heartfilia. "

"And may I ask what are you doing so far east of Magnolia?"She asked her eyes looking around wary of any dangers.

"I had some personal issues I would rather not talk about. I did sense some great power in you Miss-?"I left my sentence unfinished realizing I didn't know the woman's name.

"Call me Roxy,"she said, I nodded. She stepped aside and nodded for me to come inside, when I stepped inside, she began to talk.

"I am very well known in the east of Magnolia,Lucy, by the looks of it you are not from here, I am the Unknown Wizard Saint, or also known as #0, there were no more spots in the Wizard Saints ranks, they decided to add a new number, 11 was rather inappropriate because it was the lowest rank, I was no where near being in the low ranks, they decided for #0, and we'll I'm the one who keeps the East secure"Roxy explained the reason she was emitting strong auras.

Well shit...

I thought about the information for a moment and made a decision,"Will you please train me Roxy?"I pleaded.

"There is no need to ask,Lucy. I felt your hunger for power from a mile away,"she joked handing me a pair of clothes. "Skirts and button shirts don't do well for training,change into these."

I nodded and walked into a separate room. The clothes were a pair of black sweat pants that would allow me to move freely, a pink tank top, and simple black lace up boots.

"That should do,"she said and smiled at me once I stepped out. I smiled back feeling much better.

"The sooner we get into training the better,"she said. I nodded agreeing,we headed out to the front of the small wooden cabin. There were different shaped training dummies set onto a thick stick that was stuck in the layers of dirt.

I brought my hands down to my waist where my whip hung. Roxy shook her head. "We will be training with your strength first Lucy. Your whip won't be needed"

I nodded filled with confidence as I punched and kicked the dummies wildly. I stepped back breathing heavily. I was irritated by the fact the dummies had taken no effect and were perfectly intact.

I glanced at Roxy and gave a tired smile. She pinched the bridge of her nose and muttered incoherent words.

I laughed nervously. "That was nothing, I just didn't want the dummies to you know... break... Since they look... new and all... "I kept talking non-stop embarrassing myself further.

"You have no strength at all, no proper stance before fighting. How did you ever manage to stay in a place full of dark mages,"she said. "Let's start with push-ups."

I gave a dry look to the ground. I didn't know I lacked strength. I thought sarcastically.

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Preview of the next chapter.

At Fairy tail
Everyone was panicking, they had not seeing Lucy for 3 months already.

"She said she would catch up"Gray yelled as he punched the wall.

"Calm--"Erza started.

"Calm down, you want us to calm down, Erza, she has been missing for 3 months and all you say is calm down!"Gray yelled cutting her off.