All right. I'm going to try writing this story. I've got some ideas for it, but there are some holes. But hopefully, this'll turn out to be a good story and you guys will like it. (By the way, this is set in an Alternate Universe.)

Also, the first chapter is usually boring, so please bare with me.

Any way, I'll explain more at the end of this update.

Just think of it as a rough draft. :^)

~I do NOT own Fairy Tail~

~Introduction~

It's been three years since Lucy Heartfilia has seen her friends. Her family. Though, she was filled with pride. She had promised her guild mates that she would build up her strength. For some reason, a little voice in the back of her head would tell her she was the weakest link in Team Natsu. Here, let me explain the situation.

Three years ago, the kingdom of Fiore was going to war with the neighboring nation Minstrel. It had something to do with a dark guild in Minstrel taking over that country, and then rampaging across the lands. They had turned their attention on Fiore, after taking control of Midi, Ca Elum, Joya, Stella, and Bosco. That last one was right next to Fiore. All the magical guilds in Fiore were preparing for war with this dark guild. The Fairy Tail guild was actually excited for this war. They all loved a good fight.

Except for Lucy. She sometimes thought she was useless. So, she came up with a solution: She would go and train in the spirit world with her spirits. Any type of training. Hand-to-hand combat, maintaining magical power, and maybe being able to unlock different types of celestial magic. (Like the spell Urano Metria.) At the time, she did not know how long she was going to be gone, but she still remembers the day she told the team.

She had entered the guild like she usually did, bright and early. Though, the smile that adorned her face was not the same. It was fake. And she hoped that she was the only one who can see it. She had walked up to the bar and sat on a stool, just like she did every morning. She asked Mira for something to drink, just like every morning. She sipped on her drink while ignoring the ruckus going on behind her, just like every morning. Though, apparently, something was different about the blonde in the bartender's eyes. The bartender spoke:

"Hey Lucy, is something wrong?" She asked sweetly. Lucy avoided her gaze and decided to change the subject on her.

"Um, Mira, is Master in? I need to talk to him really quick." She said. Mira decided not to pry and shook her head in confirmation. Lucy said her thanks and headed towards the stairs.

Long story short, she told master of her plan and told him that she would be back soon. And with teary eyes, the two hugged. Lucy waved goodbye to the Master and walked back down the stairs. When she arrived, the boys (Natsu and Gray) had started another fight. Just like every morning. She tried to walk around the fight, avoiding eye contact. This was different then every morning.

Originally, she wanted to leave without a word. She didn't want any one to know she was leaving until the Master told them. Right as she was heading out of the guild, Leo and Virgo were back at her apartment packing up her things. But, unfortunately, the world had other ideas. She remembered looking back to the fight, where Natsu had look up to grin at Lucy at the bar, like every morning. But she wasn't there. He looked around until he found her nearing the exit. Jumping over Gray's head, he ran over to his friend.

"Luce! Where ya' going? Is it a job? Oh, can I come!? Happy has to come too. How much food do we need to pack? And where-" Natsu rambled on, as Lucy tried to cut in.

'Honestly, he has the attention span of an unlaced shoe.'

"Hey, did you also know that fish don't have eyelids?"

"Natsu!" Lucy finally yelled.

"What?" Natsu said with a goofy smile plastered on his face. Lucy sighed.

"Um, Natsu, I'm going to go away for a little bit." His smile slightly faltered.

"With me, right?" He asked.

"No, I need to go alone." She said with a firm voice. He then let his smile turn into a frown.

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know." She said, running a hand through her hair. "A week? A month? A year? A couple of years? I'm not sure Natsu." Lucy couldn't help but glance away from his eyes. He looked so, heartbroken.

"Why can't I come with you?" He asked. She looked at him with sad eyes.

"The same reason why I couldn't go with you." Lucy said.

"When are you leaving?" His sadden voice rang in her ears. She smiled softly at him.

"I don't know. Soon?" She lied to him.

"Oh ok." He said, the frown still stuck on his face. Then, the world decided to like her again. Someone had thrown a chair in their direction. Lucy remembered the way Natsu screamed at Gray when it hit the back of his head.

In the present, Lucy smiled at the memory. It soon fell. She was sitting in her room in the celestial world. Three years ago, enemies dared to call her weak. Now, she was stronger than ever. In Scorpio's words, "a total badass." Yet, it was almost time to come home. Of course, she had her worries. Would the guild still be there? Would her friends still be alive? Obviously, she did know of the war happening in Magnolia. But she didn't get to see any of the battles, let alone participate in them. Still being herself, she hoped that the war had ended, and she would come home to a not-destroyed Magnolia.

As of the last two years, after the first major battle of the war, her spirits had restricted information from her. They would only give her little information on the battles. Basically, who won, lost, and who shot first. No casualties. Capricorn had told her that she couldn't have distractions clouding up her mind.

But now, she was coming home.

Our pink haired-friend still remembers the day he found out she left him. Without telling him of course. After she left the guild, saying she would see him soon, he went back to fighting. That is, until he left the guild around late day. Like everyday. And like everyday, he headed over to Lucy's apartment to get some food. He hopped through the window with Happy landing harshly on where Lucy's bed should be. He raised an eyebrow.

"Lucy! We're here for some fish!" Happy yelled with glee as he flew downstairs. Natsu hesitated, sniffing around. Her scent was still in the house, but a little stale. He looked towards the bathroom door. It was closed. He let out a small sigh as he put a hand on the doorknob. (This usually meant the bathroom was in use.)

"Oi, Luce? You in here?" He asked, twisting the doorknob. He entered the room, preparing for her loud screaming and the force of her foot. But there was neither. The room was empty.

"Happy? Is Luce downstairs?" He shouted to his friend in a panic.

"No!" He replied happily, stuffing his face filled with fish. The dragon-slayer looked around the room, reality sinking in.

'All of her stuff is gone.'

Natsu sniffed again and followed to where it was most potent. It was a folded up piece of paper lying on the floor. He unfolded and began reading. His face quickly fell into a sadden frown.

'She left me. Without telling everyone. Where did you go Lucy?' He thought to himself.

The current Natsu opened his eyes, a single tear sliding down his face because of the memory. If Lucy wanted to choose a time to show up,

It better be damn soon.

And here you go. Sorry for any mistakes and/or boring-ness. The first chapter is usually like that.

Please tell me what you think!

And also, (and I mentioned this in the beginning,) this is set in an alternate universe. I'm clearly not caught up with current events in the show.

Thanks!

R&R!

:^)