This chapter will be a bit of an intro to the story, so bear with me…

Lucy remembered the day they left…

Flash Back.

Lucy stood there…. Unable to fully understand…

Why…

Erza looked straight at Lucy, she thought of her as a little sister and she wanted to protect her and not put her in danger. That's why when Master gave her this S-Class mission and told her to be careful when she picks who goes because it will be dangerous, she thought Lucy shouldn't go.

The mission was to hunt down a dark guild.

No one has been able to pinpoint its location and Master informed Erza it might take some time to complete this mission.

Erza looked at Lucy, "Lucy, it's because I… we all care about you." Erza had on her stern look but in her eyes was a bit of sadness.

Natsu, Gray and Gajeel nodded in agreement. Wendy looked at Lucy with a look on her face that said she was sorry. Wendy could go because she was a dragon slayer and they might need her healing abilities.

Gray put a hand on her shoulder, "Erza is right, we don't want you getting hurt."

Lucy put on a fake smile, even if it wasn't that good and looked at them, "I understand, it's okay." But it really wasn't. It took everything she had to not break down and cry right there.

Was she really that weak?

After that the group left on their mission, Natsu, before leaving ran up and patted Lucy's head smiling with the same old goofy grin, "We'll be back before you know it."

And with that they left on their mission.

Lucy watched them walk out of the guild doors; they closed slowly allowing Lucy to see their figures getting smaller as they walked away.

Once the doors closed and Lucy could no longer see them she ran back home.

Flash Back End.

I stood on the upper balcony of the guild, I watched as my guild mates below drank and visited like usual.

Evergreen walked up to me, she had a worried look in her eyes, "Hey Lucy, what's on your mind?"

I smiled at Evergreen. Evergreen has become a close friend that I could always talk to, "Nothing, just spacing out. Nothing new."

Bixlow laughed, "Uh-huh, if you say so cosplay queen, but you've been sulking over there for the past week." I glared at him and he just continued to laugh.

Freed shook his head and gave Lucy a small smile, "We're here for you Lucy, we are your team you know.." I smiled at Freed.

Laxus was sitting at the table with Freed and Bixlow. He looked at me and Evergreen over by the railing, he just smirked.

I smiled at them… what Freed said was right, they were there for me. They have been for a while. Laxus and Bixlow even would sometimes guard me while I was in town, making sure I was safe.

Even if I didn't need it and it would scare off anyone who would talk to me because of their presence.

Sometimes it was really annoying.

One time I was walking home and I walked along the ledge of the canal like I always do, when all of a sudden I was pushed in.

I got to the surface of the water to find both Laxus and Bixlow laughing.

Laxus pushed me in because he thought I was being too careless.

Stupid lightning freak… I smiled at the thought, my hand resting under my chin.

I giggled at the memories.

Flash Back.

A week after Natsu and them left I couldn't stay at the guild anymore. I would barely talk and wouldn't eat. I worried my guild mates, I knew that but...

Eventually I went to go and talk to Master.

I walked into his office and found him sitting at his desk, he looked up at me, worry in his eyes, "What is it my child, you look troubled."

I flinched at his words, "Master, I want to leave the guild."

He didn't seem surprised by my words, he just nodded, "I thought you might say that, but I cannot let you."

I was shocked, "But why?" I clenched my fists; I really wanted to just run home and never come back. I was done.

He looked right at me, "You are sad about them leaving, I understand that. But I cannot let you leave in that state, so I decided to have you train with another guild member."

I looked at him questionably. Just then there was a knock at the door and Laxus stepped in, "You wanted to see me gramps?"

Master spoke, "Perfect timing my boy, you'll be training Lucy here-" he tried to explain more but was cut off…

"What?!" both me and Laxus shouted.

That was how it started…

In the following days Laxus and I would just yell at each other. The guild was surprised by my loud yelling. I guess it took Laxus for me to talk again. He was someone who let me take out my frustration on themselves.

I would try to ditch him and his team, trying to run off and leave, but they would always bring me back… whether I wanted to or not.

I would be carried by either Laxus and Bixlow, usually over their shoulders back into the guild or where ever we were supposed to be.

It took a couple weeks before we actually started to get along and start training…

Over time my magic stamina increased greatly as well as my fighting skills and physical stamina, which I needed to complete to the running Laxus planned out.

He had me run laps around the town, zapping me with his lightning if he thought I was going too slow. Bixlow would try to help but he ended up making things worse.

Evergreen slowly reassured me that it would get better.

Freed even taught me how to dispel runes, even though I wasn't very good at it, but basic ones weren't too difficult.

Eventually I joined the thunder god tribe, they welcomed me and all of us would go on missions. Laxus would have us go on S-Class ones for training even.

It was complete torture.

In the end I was glad. I got strong enough to hold my own but I'm nowhere near as strong as some of our stronger members. It was enough for me and I'm still working hard.

Flash Back End.

Evergreen smiled and walked down to Elfman in the main guild hall to sit next to him, Freed also got up and went down to hug Mira. He looked over and I gave him a teasing smirk, to which he blushed.

The view from the balcony can have its advantages.

Bixlow smirked, "Those two couples are always with each other."

I smiled, being happy for the two couples.

I looked down at my guild mates…

Cana was drinking her usual barrel and laughing. To which I notice Bixlow smiling at her.

Levy was reading a new book, though it wasn't as enthusiastic as she normally would be. I don't blame her, when Gajeel left she was crushed as well. Jet and

Droy did their best to cheer her up, but it only lasted a little while. When all that happened I wasn't even able to be there for her much less take care of myself at that point.

After one of the missions my new team and I went on, I went to talk to Levy but our conversation was strained and awkward.

Eventually we started to grow apart, Jet and Droy kept her company like always though, so I wasn't too worried.

Macao was talking to Wakaba like usual, the pervs.

The guild kind of felt empty, it did ever since they left, but today it felt even more so.

I still couldn't believe I was up here in the balcony.

Laxus came over and stood next to me, he looked at me, "Stop thinking so much."

I looked at him confused.

He chuckled, "Your expression is strained. You're too easy to read right now."

I smiled, "Well usually it isn't, but that's thanks to you." Laxus helped me hide my emotions pretty well, I had a great poker face for card games now.

I heard Master and Macao talking in his office, Laxus nudged my shoulder. I looked at him.

"You shouldn't listen in." is all he said. I shrugged, "It's your fault my hearing got this good."

Laxus trained my senses. My hearing, sense of smell, sight all got better. Not as good as a dragon slayer but it was close. I could hide my scent if I needed to, but I rarely did.

I looked at him, "We should go on a mission."

He lifted an eyebrow at me, "That's unusual of you."

I shrugged again, Laxus stared at me, "Well, go pick one."

I walked over to the S-Class missions' board.

Flash Back.

It was the end of the S-Class trials and Master was announcing the new S-Class.

Master stood in the guild, "Your New S-Class members are… Cana!" the guild cheered.

"And Lucy!" the guild cheered even more, surprised for me advancing to S-Class.

Though they weren't too surprised, they noticed I was getting stronger from the training.

Cana and I were partners and we made it to the end, Gildarts past us and we won, thank god. We were battered and exhausted but we pushed through.

Our wounds weren't too bad but apparently we worried most of the guild when I called out four spirits and Cana used her most powerful card out on Gildarts.

Honestly who wouldn't be worried about fighting him, he's a monster.

After we got back to the guild we celebrated.

I ran up and hugged Laxus, "Uh…sorry, spur of the moment thing." I tried to let go but he hugged me back.

Laxus let go and smirked, "Good Job Blondie."

That was the loudest celebration the guild had since they left.

Flash Back End.

I sighed and walked back over to the railing, Laxus looked at me, "Which one did you pick."

I shook my head, "None of them were interesting."

I walked down to the main floor and sat at the bar, Mira walked over, "What can I get you Lucy. A smoothie maybe?" She smiled.

I just shook my head, "Maybe just some water." Mira frowned but brought me the water. She looked at me, "I know it's been a bit difficult. You've changed,

I'm sure when they get home they won't even believe it." She smiled and walked back to Freed, who gave me a worried look.

I know I worry her, but I can't help it. I know I'm not the same.

I wonder if they changed too…

Thanks for reading this chapter, the next one will be more exciting, I promise. Review to let me know what you thought.