Forgive But NEVER Forget

Gate to the Changing World

Lucy's POV

While I was walking with everyone, Natsu crept behind me and whispered, "I hope you haven't forgotten about our deal, Lucy."

Completely flustered by Natsu's actions, I slightly pushed him away and said, "O-of course I haven't forgotten about it, but you don't need to sound like a creep saying it."

"Good, because I'll cash it in soon, so be ready," Natsu simply replied, with a stern look.

"Hurry up you two," Gray said.

Natsu and I joined the rest of our team and started to walk out of the stadium.

After we arrived at our hotel, we spent the day drinking and partying with the rest of the guild. It was the same joy we had the day before and I continued to smile sitting at the bar.

Moments like this are what make me regret ever leaving Fairytail, but honestly, I did need it. Natsu... Wait NATSU! I have not seen him since our meetup at the hotel. I wonder where he went. Maybe he's going to set up this exquisite plan for me. Nah, he wouldn't do that.

"Lucy, there is someone who wants to see you," Wendy said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Me," I questioned?

"Yes, I believe she said her name was Yukino."

She was the one from Sabertooth who fought Kagura. And someone is also behind me.

"Thanks, Wendy, I'll go. By the way, I can feel your magic, so there is no need to try and scare me, Natsu."

"Damn, I thought it would work," Natsu retorted as he got out from behind the bar.

I chuckled and started to walk to the door as Wendy, Natsu, Happy and Carla followed behind me.

I guess they are coming too...

I saw Yukino and I immediately felt a ping in my heart. She had this depressed look on her face which spoke volumes to me. It was a face I was quite familiar with. Her red eyes represented her crying endlessly.

"Lucy, I know we don't really know each other, but I have a request for you," Yukino said trying to put on a brave face.

"What kind of request," I replied.

"I request that you take my Pisces' and Libra's Celestial Spirit keys. I admire you since I first saw you battle during the first day of the Grand Magic Games. Lucy, take my keys, so the twelve Zodiac keys will finally be together and you'll "open the gate to the changing world".

"I will gladly decline this offer. Celestial Spirit Magic is all about trust and bonds. You are obviously attached to your Spirits and love them deeply," I boldly said, leaving Yukino utterly shocked.

"Lucy, you are too kind. But I don't deserve them. I am not good enough to fight alongside them. I-I-I," she tried to say when she started to burst into tears.

Instantly, I hugged her and tried to calm her down. She cried for a few minutes, making her red eyes puffier.

"I-I got kicked out of my guild," she said between sniffs.

"WHAT?!" All five of us exclaimed.

"Because I lost to Kagura. I was forced to strip and remove my mark. I do not have anywhere to go now. Sabertooth was my home," she said.

I, like Natsu, grew a rampaging face.