Farewell

-Lucy's POV-

It all started like every other day. The morning sun illuminated my room as I ran a warm shower. The birds chirped happily as they danced around the cherry blossom tree outside my apartment complexes. Everything around me just seemed so great compared to the things that were really happening and even though I felt distressed, mom always would tell me to smile and everything would be alright. I slowly descended into the strawberry scented bath and just took a deep breath. Everything will be alright.

After a while, a long while, I finally got out and got dressed. I picked up a plain light blue V-neck and dark blue mini skirt. I slipped in some white flats and grabbed my keys and whip right before making my way out the door. I locked my apartment and walked out of the complex with a big bright smile.

As I walked down my usual route, I greeted everyone that crossed my path like always. Everyone always returns the gesture with glee. It has recently charged me up with hope that today will be better than yesterday.

It didn't take too long to finally reach the guild. I walked through those two maple doors and was greeted with the usual ruckus everyone makes. It's quite welcoming and joyful if you ask me. Probably not to anyone else though. Dodging flying objects, I made it to the bar.

"Lucy! How are you today?" Mira greeted with joy. "So far so good," I laughed. "Hey Mira, can I get a-"

"Strawberry milkshake with almonds, a dash of vanilla and whipped cream?" she questioned with a smile as she brought up exactly what I wanted. "Thanks Mira! You're the best!" She just smiled and started attending someone else. Luckily for me, she hasn't changed at all after her little sister, Lissana, came back. Everyone else seemed to have changed in one way or in another but the thing I noticed the most was that they just seem to barely acknowledge my presence. They are always spending time with Lissana and if she isn't there, they talk highly of her to someone else. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the girl. The way Natsu used to talk about her had always made me want to meet her, but now that she is here, she won't let me. She strays away from me whenever I want to approach her. It's ok though, I know that she wants to catch up with her family.

I picked up my milkshake and began sipping on it. "Hey Lucy, we need to talk." I heard Natsu call me as substitute for his usual nickname, Luce, that he used to call me. It stopped after, of course, Lissana got here. I turned to face him with a smile, like always. He hadn't spoken to me all that much recently so I'm glad when he does.

"Hey Natsu, what's up?" I asked and took another sip of the deliciousness in my hands. "Look, I don't want to make too much of it, but we are kicking you off the team and before you say anything, it was a group decision." My heart shattered to million pieces by the time he had finished that statement. My smile was beginning to fade but it was still hanging on. "But why?" I asked still looking at him just hoping that this was all just one of his jokes.

"Lucy, you are just too weak compared to the rest of us. I'm always there having to save you whenever you get into a mess. At first, sure, you were still new and were getting used to the flow of things, but you haven't changed. You are just getting in the way now. It seems like all you ever think about is your stupid rent and that's all you have us fighting for. We have trained a lot to get to the point where we are but all you do is just have your spirits fight for you. Like yeah you have your little whip, but what does that do? Nothing much. It's always just your spirits and it's infuriating watching you stand there watching your spirits fighting while we are working so freaking hard to get the mission done. We have all concluded that when we add Lissana to the group, we won't have that problem. She is stronger and doesn't have someone fighting for her. Sorry Lucy. This is the end of the line for you in our group."

My smile started disappearing with every word that he spoke. I never would have thought that he really thought of me as this weak person. Like, what? Seriously, Lissana aside, this sounds like he really feels this way. Honestly though, no. There is no way that he could think this of me.

"Natsu, I am not weak. I've done a lot of things that have helped this team and even the guild," I responded. Natsu's face just twisted in almost disgust or confusion when I said that. "Like what?" He snorted shortly. There was an unusual orange glow in his onyx eyes. I could have pointed it out but my brain was too busy trying to rap around this attitude of his and what he was saying.

"There was that time when I performed a unison raid with Juvia to defeat Vidaldus Taka at the tower of heaven. You can ask her. Together we defeated him. So that means I helped and no, I did it. Not my spirits. There was also that time when I took Angel down using Urano Metria. That one I did by myself. It was all me. Also, do you not remember when I took down the Celestial globe with Yukino? These are things I did and there are plenty of more examples. And I fight along my celestial spirits Natsu. I don't just stand there like the useless girl you think I am. Plus, I'm a celestial wizard. Summoning spirits is my magic, and let me tell you. It's not easy. I open a gate so a being from another world is able to cross over here." At first I was devastated, but now I think I'm madder that he would think that I was really a useless addition to the team.

"Listen Lucy, no matter how much you scream and debate that you were "useful", it's a decision that has been made. So, it's final. We already added Lissana. She is more capable of being out there fighting with us. Bye Lucy." Natsu had a dead serious expression and then walked away towards the table where Gray and Erza were seated. As much as I would have loved to go and talk to the two to figure out if they felt the same way, I couldn't. Everyone else in the guild had witnessed the conversation I just had with Natsu and there was a sea of expressions. Some showed pity towards me that I was kicked out, some seemed angry and I didn't know if it was towards me or Natsu but anger was present, some were laughing so hard that they were on the verge of tears from so much laughter, and how could we forget the faces of those who started to direct their magic at me. It was if I had become their personal training dummy.

I ran out of there as fast as I could, not baring the humiliation any longer. I ran down the same way I got there in the morning and a blur of worried faces was all I could see. I made it to my house like 4 times quicker than usual. As soon as I slammed the door, the tears began to stream down. My vision getting blurry as all I could think about was just sleeping. Sleeping forever and never waking up. Before I knew it, I was in my bed curled in my blankets like a cocoon and sobbing like a lost child in a big city.

From my semi-blocked vision, there was a sudden orange smoke.

"Lucy, your beautiful face should not have tears staining them unless they are from happiness."

"Loke, but how can I be happy? Everyone at the guild, they were my friends, some even the family I so ever wanted. How could they do this to me? They attacked me, and worse than that, betrayed the love I had for them. The ones that weren't physically hurting me, hurt me mentally and those scars are the more permanent ones. I just don't want to be here anymore. I should have gone back with dad when he sent after me. I should have," I cried into the blanket that was caressing me.

"Look Lucy, I can help you prove them wrong. I can help you get stronger," he suggested as my eyes stared looking determined. "How?"

"I have a friend that can help you get stronger and maybe, I don't know, teach you a new ability that can help you prove those people wrong, but I do warn you, it will take time."

"Loke, just take me away from here as quickly as possible. I don't want to be here. I don't care how long it takes. Hopefully enough to mend my shattered heart."

Loke told me to pack a small bag and be ready to depart the following day. Virgo came and took basically everything to the spirit world with her. I sat on the floor and wrote some letters to specific people in the guild. Just a small reminder of what they did. If they even cared. After several tears and stained papers, I finished and drifted away to sleep on the floor.

The next morning, I woke up to Loke calling me. "Five more minutes. Please Leo."

"Lucy, if you don't get up, you won't get to the guild before all those disrespectful jerks that will attack you and then I might have to kill some of them but we both don't want that. Now do we?"

"Well..."

"Lucy!! Did you really have to think about it?" he yelled.

"Fine fine, I'm up. Just let me take a quick shower and we will be on our way." He agreed and left only giving me ten minutes to get ready. I took a quick shower opposed to my usual bath and grabbed two random garments from my already packed bag, not caring if they actually matched or not. I talked to land lady quick to let her know I was leaving. She understood and set me off with a good luck hug. Despite our ups and downs, she was like a granny to me.

On my way to the guild, the people I usually greeted were not where I'm used to seeing them. They were most likely still in their houses sleeping. It was early after all. Hopefully master was already at the guild.

"Mira!" I joyfully went up to her. "Hey Lucy, you seem to be a better mood than I thought you would be in." I laughed nervously. "Of course! So, do you know if master is in his office already?"

"Yes, he is, he always comes in early. Is everything ok?" she looked worried.

"Yeah. Nothing to worry about Mira. Just have something to talk to him about." She just smiled and nodded. It saddens me to lie to her and not tell her what is really going on but I can't have anyone but master knowing that I'm leaving right now.

-Master Makrov's POV-

I was in my office casually looking at the Sorcerer's weekly. Mira just had another photoshoot and boy was she rocking that one piece. I was so intrigued by it but unfortunately threw my copy of the magazine out the window when I heard a knock on my door. It startled me so my poor copy had to suffer the consequences. "Come in." I replied to the knock not nervous at all from the scare. My child Lucy entered my office quietly and sat in one of the seats in front of my desk.

"How can I help you, my child?" What she said next really surprised me. At first I thought that I either didn't hear her well or she was just messing with me.

"Master, I wish to leave the guild." Even after she said it twice, it still took me some time to register what she was saying. I wasn't going to stop her, but I still needed to know what is the reason of one of my children leaving the home he spent so much time protecting.

She explained very softly with tears in her eyes how Natsu kicked her off the team and how my other children humiliated her for being a celestial wizard. This made me mad. No one should be treated any differently because of the type of magic they wield. It is an immense pride to be a wizard. No matter the type of magic we were granted. I so very wanted to punish my children for the way they treated one of my babies, but Lucy didn't want me to.

"I cannot interfere with your choice, but it saddens me to tell you that I have to remove the mark of our guild. Do know though that you are always welcomed back and you will always be my child."

I recited the three grand rules and with my final words, the mark on her hand disappeared. The whole time I heard tears falling to the ground. Each tear was like a bullet to my heart It wound me to see her go. She walked around the desk and gave me a tight hug. I almost didn't want to let her go, but I had to. She ran away before I could say anything else. Those fools.

-Lucy's POV-

After seeing master, I quickly ran out of the guild as quickly as possible. Only stopping to drop the letters in their mail box. I then went to the east forest where I agreed with Loki to go. I didn't even look back to the false home I was living in for quite some time now.

As soon as I got to the East Forest he crossed down from the spirit world with his own will. "First things first. Here." He handed me a small spray bottle with a yellowish liquid. "What's this?" I asked curiously. "This will help so no one is able to track you because of your scent. "

After he told me what it was, I sprayed it all over myself, not knowing if it was even necessary. I don't think they would even want to look for me but I still followed his orders. Satisfied, we entered deeper into the lonesome forest.

-Third Person POV-

Back at the guild, everything seemed oddly normal with everyone on their regular tasks. When the master noticed that mostly everyone was there, he called them all to silence. "Listen up brats. I have a question. Do you notice anyone missing?"

Everyone looked around confused and apparently saw no one missing, clearly spoken by their blank expressions. That really angered the master.

"You are all idiots. Lucy. She has left the guild. The poor judgement you all placed upon her has caused her to leave here, her home. You should all be a shamed of yourselves." He said in a calm voice that everyone was still able to hear.

"Master. We have letters from Lucy. May I distribute them?" Mira asked with a forced smile. "Go ahead Mira... These brats really don't deserve the kindness of Lucy, but either way, go ahead," Master said.

"I am going to call you forward. If you here your name, come claim your letter. One goes for Gajeel, Levy, Juvia, Romeo, Wendy, Charles, and Happy. The next one is for Erza. One for Natsu. One for Gray. One for me. One for the master. And one for the whole guild. Please come. Forward."

Gajeel came to get theirs. And master got his and the one directed to the whole guild. "Natsu? Erza? Gray?" Mira asked. "They're on a mission" happy answered in tears. "Ok I'll give them their letters when they come back." She said and opened hers.

Dear Mira,

Thank you so much for not ignoring me and treating me well. Like a little sister, I could even say. I really look up to you for your strength, beauty, and your ability to be you. We have surely had many beautiful memories together. Those are forever sealed in my heart. Your ships though will unfortunately not be able to be fulfilled. Yes, I knew about them, everyone did. I also really loved Natsu. So much. You are the only person that knows it even though many probably have already guessed it. I'm leaving because Natsu's love was never truly meant for me.. Living alongside him while he smiles for another person will be truly painful and I most certainly do not want to endure that pain. At least not right now. It might seem like I am running away from my problems but this is all I can do right now. I will come back and stronger. I promise you that. Keep smiling brightly.

With lots of love,

Lucy Heartfilia

Mira stood there, letter in hand, and just smiled. She looked up with tears at the corners of her eyes and let out a breath. 'Lucy, good luck. I will be waiting.'

Master Makarov looked at the neatly folded paper in his hands and opened it, not knowing what Lucy was not able to tell him when she went to see him.

Dear Master,

Despite me have already seen you, there was something I was not able to tell you without probably crying more than I did. You were certainly like a father to me. Even if I was someone who could get anything I wanted whenever, you accepted me and protected me like one of your children. My past and origin never effected the way that you treated me and I am so very grateful for it. Leaving you and my friends behind is something that is very difficult for me but I need this to grow and get stronger. This is probably just functioning as a catalyst to my growth. Natsu was right in that aspect. Being protected all the time has made me too comfortable and has prevented me to fend for myself. When I return, you will be proud of me. I will once again wear the fairy tail insignia with pride. I will represent the guild with lots of honor and joy. I am going to train hard to make you proud Otto-sama.

Sincerely with love,

Lucy

The master looked up and sighed. He ignored the tears that were building up at the rim of his eyes. It was painful to see one of his children leave, especially someone who saw him as a parental figure. 'Return safely my child.'

Gajeel went to the booth where everyone for that letter was waiting. Wendy was being comforted by Romeo as she cried innocently. Happy and Charles were also sitting there gloomy. Even Juvia was looking down. Gajeel unfolded the letter and began to read.

"Dear my true nakama,

The way in which I am leaving is certainly not the right way. I sincerely apologize for it. It is only because if I stayed to say my goodbyes, I wouldn't even make it out the door. Your kindness wouldn't let me leave. Please, I don't wish for you all to show sympathy. I need to get stronger. You might have witnessed the way Natsu was speaking to me yesterday and that has made me realize that I must do this for me. Don't do anything to them. Please. If anything, I might even thank them when I get back for giving me this push I needed. They are still your friends. Just make sure to not be put down by them or anyone if they try anything. You are all strong and great beings. Bye nakama. Our paths will cross again and when they do, you will see a new confident Lucy.

With lots of love,

Lucy"

As Gajeel finished reading the letter, the mages had tears streaming down their eyes yet they were smiling and hoping for Lucy's safe journey and return.