Lucy grinned as she sat in her bath. Natsu wasn't there to annoy her, she couldn't hear Happy scratching her walls, Erza wasn't eating her cake, and Gray wasn't on her couch naked. It was surprisingly peaceful, something she missed. She stood up and wrapped herself in her towel. Taking her time, she wiped down her body and put some clothes on. She chose a long purple dress with slits next to her thighs. A new look was good every once in a while. She slipped on some silver heels and closed the door to her apartment.

As she walked to the guild, she couldn't help but feel happy. It was a great start to her morning. Nothing could go wrong. She opened the doors to the guild, smiling at everyone. It seemed slightly empty, but she shrugged it off as the size of the guild. It was a huge guild. After everything that happened with Phantom Lord and Fantasia, Master tried his hardest to keep the guild in top condition, making the brawlers clean up after themselves. Having Laki as a wood mage really helped with replacing broken chairs and tables.

Lucy walked towards the request board, hoping to earn some more rent money. The last mission her team finished ended with the money going to repairs. She was not sure what to do. She had just learned her new Star Dress magic and was confident it was good enough for battle. The problem Lucy faced, was whether she should tell her team about her increased magical power, or go on a mission on her own and test it out on an enemy. She had trained her hardest with her spirits for the past few months, learning new Celestial magic and expanding her magical capacity. Not only had her magical capability increased, but so had her physical endurance. She had gained a toned body from working out with Capricorn. It was rough at first, always eating protein and having a balanced diet, but soon it became a routine Lucy was not going to break any time soon. She was not allowed to drink her favorite smoothies anymore or any strawberry cake.

"Lucy," Master Makarov's voice was heard behind her. She froze, not wanting him to notice her debate. He would get suspicious and begin to question her, maybe even make her go on a mission with someone else. She was sick of people doubting her magical ability.

"Hello, master," she said, turning around politely.

"There is something different about you," he noted, glancing at her. He could feel her magical power oozing off of her. She held back a grin. She knew she had increased her magical energy, but didn't know it was enough to catch Master Makarov's attention.

"Master, I have," she hesitated, "learned a new form of Celestial Magic. I've become stronger." Master Makarov nodded, knowing how she felt about her teammates. He felt pity towards her sometimes. She was known as the weakest one on Team Natsu. Not many people acknowledged her after the team's requests. Many people would congratulate Natsu, Gray, and Erza, maybe Happy, but rarely Lucy. She was looked down upon because of her magic type. Many people believed Celestial Mages to be weak, but Makarov knew better. He knew how much energy it took to summon a gold key. It took more energy than summoning 10 of Erza's swords. It pained him to see her be downgraded by other guild members. He wanted to point it out, but felt it would be embarrassing for her. During the past few months, he had felt a change in her. Almost a new resolve. She seemed stronger and more capable of using her abilities to the fullest.

"Can you show me?" He asked. She shook her head, looking down.

"I want my team to be the first to see it, which is why I am looking for a mission," she said. Master Makarov frowned and Lucy looked at him questioningly.

"Did no one tell you that they had all gone on separate missions?" Makarov asked. He felt anger bubble inside of him as he noticed her confused expression. Lucy's eyes widened.

"What?" She said. He nodded, frowning deeper. How could her team just leave her like that?

"Natsu went on a mission with Lisanna and Happy. Gray went on a mission with Juvia. Erza went solo. Levy, Gajeel, and Pantherlily went on a mission as well as Wendy, Romeo, and Charle," he said anger increasing, "None of them informed you?" She frowned and shook her head.

"I guess not," she fake smiled, "But it's ok, that means my decision has been solved. I can practice my own magic while they are gone. Maybe I'll even get some rent money!" Makarov nodded at her enthusiasm, but could tell she was upset. Lucy quickly grabbed a mission from the request board before heading out.

"I'll be out for a week, tops! Don't come looking for me!" she grinned teasingly, but there was sadness held behind it. Makarov knew she felt betrayed by her teammates. His mug was crushed in his hand as he released his anger.

"Those brats," he scowled, standing up and walking to his office.

Lucy sat in the train and leaned against the window. She didn't want to take company from Plue, knowing he was better off in the Spirit World than listen to her complain. A tear slipped from her eye. Why did no one tell her they were leaving? Not even Erza. She didn't want to feel it, but there was no stopping it. She felt betrayed. All her friends left, and not one told her. Levy didn't even bother to tell her she was going on a mission with Gajeel. It wasn't that Lucy minded her friends going off without her. She knew they all needed some missions to do with other people, but a little notice would be good.

Lucy looked down at her request, and then her eyes bulged. "Fire Demon!" She shrieked. This seemed too extreme to be an A Class mission! How was she supposed to do this? She couldn't go home and be looked down upon by everyone else. And asking for help would make her feel weak. She had her Celestial Spirits and her magic. There was nothing else she needed.

"Fire Demon terrorizing our city," she felt herself pout further, "50,000 J Reward." Natsu would have been a great help on this mission. However, she was stronger. She had new magic which she could use. Her Aquarius Star Dress was powerful and would help against the Fire Demon. She could successfully use Urano Metria without passing out, and had been given a sword from the Celestial King to use. She could do this. She grinned, a new determination bubbling inside her as she arrived at Yuka Town.

-At the Guild-

Makarov sipped his beer, pondering over the thoughts of Lucy and her teammates. The job she took seemed odd. There was something that made him feel strange, but he wasn't sure what it was. The guild was nearly empty. Almost everyone was gone from the guild. Macao and Wakaba had gone on separate jobs to see who could get done quicker. The Thunder God Tribe had gone on a mission. Elfman stayed with MiraJane, chatting with her quietly.

"Master!" Mira called from behind the bar. Makarov turned around and his eyes widened as she held up a new request.

"This is a new request from Yuka Town. The Magic Council has made the request S Class because of the amount of mages that have gone missing," she said, "Maybe Team Natsu will take it when they come back." Makarov spit out his beer. This was the request Lucy was taking.

"Lucy is taking that!" Makarov exclaimed, "I should have taken her off the second I felt something was wrong." He quickly pulled out his communications lacrima before attempting to call her.

"No response," he said. Mira frowned.

"Lucy might just be capable of this. And technically she is not breaking the rules. This was just made S Class. Let her try. If we don't hear word from her, then we can send out her team," she said. Mira had faith in the girl. She had seen Lucy training at the guild early morning and was surprised by how far she had come. Mira knew that Team Natsu held her back, always sending her out as bait. They never really let her do much on missions. Mira felt it made Lucy's self-esteem go down.

"Alright, Mira. But if I hear one rumor about Yuka Town, I'm sending someone to find her and bring her home. Who knows how dangerous this will be. I know Lucy is a capable mage, but she hasn't done a solo mission," he said.

"Master, are you doubting Lucy? " Mira frowned, "Lucy is strong enough to take care of herself. You've noticed the change in her also. She has become stronger. Maybe close to Natsu's level." Makarov nodded and sipped his beer once more. He couldn't help but have a sinking feeling.

-Lucy-

"I'm ready," she grinned. She walked to the town and noticed many burned down buildings and small fires being put out. It was a terrible sight. Ash floated around slightly. There wasn't a single area which had a clean spot, except for a large stone building. There were obviously weak runes built around it protecting it from harm.

"Are you the Fairy Tail mage?" an important looking man called out from the fire. He was old, but still held an air of respect around him. She nodded and walked towards him.

"I'm Mayor Baha," he introduced, cracking a small smile, "Welcome to Yuka Town. I apologize you had to see it in such a state." He frowned and Lucy felt her heart pang with sadness. She could tell how much he felt about the town he lived in.

"My name is Lucy. I am going to do everything I can to help you," she smiled, "Can you tell me about this demon?" He nodded, looking around the town sadly.

"This town used to be beautiful. Then, one night, some of the buildings were set aflame. I didn't think much of it, maybe it was a common fire. But then it began happening every night. I sent out some local knights to patrol the town. Only one returned. The rest were killed in a fire," he closed his eyes in agony, "He came back, one arm burned completely. He kept screaming about a demon. We assume it is a fire demon because of the amount of damage it has been doing and its relation to fire. I have evacuated the town, but some stayed, not wanting to part with the town they grew up in. I did the same. I was not going to abandon my town until I got rid of the demon."

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, feeling his sadness. He nodded and sighed.

"Thank you. Now that you are here, maybe we can finally restore this town. I can feel your magical energy. Many mages came, trying to get rid of the demon, but were unsuccessful. They all went missing. I was hesitant to let any more mages take it, fearing for their safety," he sighed, frustrated.

"Do you know where it comes from?" Lucy asked, taking out her notepad. She mostly used it for novel ideas, but since she was on her own, she had to put in 100 percent of her effort.

"The forest probably, there is always a trail leading towards it," he explained. She nodded and smiled at him.

"As a Fairy Tail mage, I will always be ready to fight and I will help you," she smiled. He nodded gratefully and she turned away from him. This was going to be hard. But she knew she could use Aquarius against the demon. Fire was weak against water. Juvia would have been good for this also. Lucy felt her head drop as she sighed. She couldn't do this on her own, but she would have to. A Celestial Wizard never breaks their promise.