Fairy Tail: Falling Towards the Chaos

Chapter 42

It all happened so fast.

"Master, no way!"

"You can't do this! How are we going to put food on the table?"

"Master, please! Tell us you're joking."

But in her heart, Lucy knows. She had a bad feeling. She knew. When her eyes lock with Mira's, she knows the struggle is futile. The only one absent from this guild conference is Natsu who'd had enough social interaction for a day.

As the others protest and scream in objection, Lucy finds her way home. She pushed open her door, huffing and puffing. Her mind is a mess and her only salvation is missing.

She started gathering her things, off to where; she doesn't know. All she knows is Fairy Tail is no more, and she feels her guild insignia start to sting.

Her life is being dismantled rapidly and quickly. She needs to find stability quick.

Her room feels too small, too tiny, and empty for herself alone. Since when had that happened?

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon," Lucy mumbled, rummaging through the various pages on her desk. She stuffed the letters addressed to her mother in her little bag along with her unfinished manuscript.

It's only when she finds an unopened letter in unfamiliar handwriting that she stops her scrambling.

To Lucy.

She dropped her bag to the floor, not caring as the contents scattered across her measly apartment.

Carefully, she peeled open the letter addressed to her and with a heavy heart, she begins to read.

Dear Lucy,

I don't know how to explain this, but b y the time you open this, hopefully, I'm long gone by now. I pray you and Fairy Tail are able to rebuild and stay safe in my absence. I'm going on a journey to train, but Happy dubbed it as "self-discovery."  Truthfully, I need to become stronger, wiser, and an even better version of myself if I ever get the chance to face you again. The battle has taken a toll on me, I have to admit. There are still things I need to deal with before I return home. I'll try my best to come back soon.

Please Lucy, take care of yourself. Watch over the guild. I'm already starting to miss you.

Natsu and Happy!

The letter is short and curt but, surprisingly, Natsu's handwriting is elegant and smooth. Lucy traces a few of the letters, trying to come to terms with his decision.

She chooses that moment to be selfish.

Running out of her apartment, she took to the streets of Magnolia, trying to find her way to Natsu and Happy's little hut on the edge of town. As she runs, reality sets in.

Aquarius is out somewhere.

Fairy Tail has disbanded.

And Natsu is gone.

She screamed into the night sky. Collapsing onto the cold cobblestones on the streets, she cried. Hyperventilating as she sobbed against the rough ground. It's only when Mira and Lisanna find her laying there does she move.

She knew it. She just had a bad feeling, and this bad feeling seemed like it had costed her everything.

-----

The next few days are filled with sad goodbyes. After the departure of Warren and Max, Lucy stopped getting out of bed to send people well-wishes. The guild had disbanded and everyone was just... off and leaving.