My Resolve

Happy and Lucy stood afar, watching everyone celebrate their hard-won victory. Behind the smoke could still be seen from the giant. Lucy had a look of sorrow on her face as Happy smiled.
"Everyone looks so happy." Happy said, catching the girl's attention.
"Yeah." Lucy said as she looked at Jose and Gajeel's words ringing in her head 'all my fault' she kept thinking as she watched her friends. 
"Where's Natsu?" She asked dryly.
"Said he had to talk with Gajeel about something," Happy told her.
----My Resolve
----Natsu and Gajeel still lay on the giant. Both dragon slayers were out of breath after their fight. 
"Hey, Gajeel." Natsu called, trying to get the other dragon slayer's attention. "Can you hear me."
"Naw. I can't hear anything." Gajeel told him, trying to ignore him.
"I just want to know where you learned dragon slayer magic," Natsu asked, sitting up and looking at the boy. He heard Gajeel mumble. 'I can't hear you.' Natsu groaned as he continued, "You're the only other person I know of that uses the same magic I do."
"Shut up." Gajeel said, turning his head.
"Oh, don't be like that." Natsu called as Gajeel sighed.
"Metalicana." Gajeel said.
"Who?" Natsu asked.
"The Iron Dragon." Gajeel said, sitting up.
As Natsu got excited and jumped up. 
"No way!" He shouted before falling off the ledge. 
"I thought a dragon might have taught you." Natsu said excitedly.
"Why? Were you?" Gajeel asked.
"Do you know nowhere Metalicana is now?" Natsu asked, ignoring his question.
"I don't know." Gajeel said.
"Grr, tell me where he is."
"I said, I don't know."
----[## Yami yo, Tsudoe! Ost##]
----They smashed their heads together only to jerk back in pain as Gajeel looked into the horizon. 
"Yeah, I'd been training with Metalicana." Gajeel told Natsu. 
"But one day, he just up and left without saying a word to me." Gajeel scoffed. "Talk about a selfish jerk."
Natsu, however, was in a state of total shock. 
"Wait." Natsu said, crawling up to Gajeel, "He didn't happen to disappear on July seventh, seven years ago, did he."
Gajeel looked back at Natsu, shocked that he knew this. "Yeah, you are telling me you know where Metalicana is."
"No clue." Natsu admitted, and though Gajeel wouldn't say admit it, he was a little disappointed. 
"But I've been looking for a fire dragon." Natsu told him. "His name is Igneel; last I saw him was July 7th, seven years ago."
Gajeel was shocked at this. 
"Both dragons disappeared on the same day." Gajeel said. "Year 777 on the seventh day of the seventh month."
"What's with all the sevens." Natsu said, scratching his head. "It's making my head hurt."
"How should I know." Gajeel told him as he stood up and looked away. 
"As If I care, though." Gajeel said.
Natsu grunted as he stood up, too. "Tell me if you hear anything, and I'll do the same."
"Why would I do that!" Gajeel screamed.
----[##Dragon slayer theme##]
----"Cause you're a fellow dragon slayer." Natsu told him, smiling. "and my sworn brother."
"As if." Gajeel told him. 
"Next time I see you, it'll be to put your face in the dirt." Gajeel told Natsu, who only laughed.
"Any time, man." Natsu said, putting his hand out. "Let's just make it on friendlier terms next time."
Gajeel grunted only for a light smile to form; he had to admit it was nice having someone out there who could match your power. 'Next time we meet Salamander, I'll come out on top.'
----The sun had started to set as Mavis stood in front of the fairy pub, which was now a smoldering ruin. She sighed as she picked up a photo that found its way out there. "It's in ruins."
Lucy had come up behind her and froze. "Mavis, I'm," Lucy stopped as Mavis turned to see Lucy.
"Lucy." She whispered. 
"You've gone through a lot in the past few hours, hon." Mavis told her. "Don't let it get you down."
"Yeah, let's see a smile, Lucy." A voice called out. Lucy turned to see that it belonged to her friend Levy who was on crutches, and Jet and Droy. She had a smile on her face as she walked over to the group.
"But it's all my fault." Lucy told her.
----[##Fairy Glitter ost##]
----"Lucy." Mavis called. 
"I can see why you think that." Mavis told her. "And even though we may never understand your pain, we can still share it with you." Lucy looked at Mavis, who was staring at the ruins of the fairy pub. "By now you should see how much all your friends care about you." Mavis turned to Lucy and gave her a warm smile. "So let's see that smile we love so much."
Lucy was touched by Mavis's words as her tears finally came out, falling to her knees. Lucy cried only to find herself in the arms of her friends Natsu, Erza, Gray, and Mira; they smiled at her as she leaned in for a hug.
Seeing that they had it, Mavis looked back at the ruins. 'With all the commotion, and once word spreads that we beat Phantom Lord.' Mavis thought. 'It may be time to dust off an old book from the shelves.'
About a week after the defeat of Phantom Lord, the group was working on rebuilding. People were moving bricks as Laki was trying to use her wood-make magic. It was going about as well as one would expect.
'It was only a short time until word had spread about our victory over Phantom Lord. It wasn't hard to quash the rumors as the giant was still sitting at the edge of town. Many people started speculating about what would happen next, but Natsu wasn't worried. You don't have to worry about me; Mom.' Lucy stopped writing her letter and checked her check to remove the bandage; she noted the mark was finally gone.
Lucy looked out the window to see a momma bird with her baby. 'You know, Mom, I can't help but wonder if he was behind this. He wouldn't do something like that, right.' An image of a destroyed rice ball filled her head. 'Then again, he would, without giving it a second thought. I wonder why he's so desperate to have me home. Not like he cared before.' Lucy stopped. 'Mom, he'd try to use his money to control me again, no, not again.' Lucy stopped as a fire lit in her eyes.
----"Hey, Mira are you going to help me out or what?" Natsu asked as he carried a large sack of boards.
"I am helping you out." Mira replied. "I'm pointing to where you need to go."
"That's not." Natsu stated before he lost balance" You know what? Screw it." Natsu said as he sat the boards down and stretched.
"Need some help?" Erza asked. She wore a hard hat and construction gear when she approached him.
"Um, sure." Natsu said as Erza took half of Natsu's load and he grabbed the other half. 
"So Erza." Natsu said. "How ya feeling."
"I'm doing better." Erza told him as they sat on the boards where Mavis was; she nodded as they looked around.
"I hate to say it." Macao muttered.
"But it looks a little bit weird." Wakaba finished.
"Well, we decided to expand the place." Mira said. "I have the plans right here."
"Really?" Gray asked, walking up to the pair as he looked at the picture in the distance Juvia was watching him smiling.
"Um, Mira?" Natsu asked.
"Yes."
"Who drew this?" Natsu asked before Gray said something.
"Man, this is the worst drawing I've ever seen." He said. "what idiot came up with this."
Mira smiled a big smile before turning away, crying.
"Dude." Natsu said as Gray tried apologizing.
Behind them, Juvia smiled. "Juvia's beloved Gray is cold to other women but warm to Juvia."
----A few days later, Natsu, Gray, and Happy all stopped stretching. 
"Man, I'm starving." Natsu groaned.
"Aye."
"When's our lunch break?" Gray asked as a blur of water rushed past them, leaving behind a lunch box in Gray's hand. "Woah."
"Hey, look, a lunch box." Happy said.
"where'd it come from?" Gray asked as he opened it. Much to his shock, his face was made entirely out of veggies. 
"I can't eat this." Gray said. "It's just too weird, and something's oozing from the side."
"I'll eat it." Natsu said.
"don't blame me if you get sick." Gray said. Behind them, Juvia was trying to bite back the tears. 
"Juvia doesn't believe this." She said. "Juvia spent three days making that for him."
As Natsu and Gray started to eat, Erza appeared behind them. 
"Who said you could take a lunch break." Erza said before looking at the food Gray had. 
"Is that supposed to be your face made out of veggies." Erza said before grabbing a fork and shoving it into Gray's face Juvia looked out the corner. "This is good."
"I guess I'll try it too." Gray said, causing Juvia to smile. 
"Wow." Gray said. "it's so good; I'd marry the cook."
Juvia's imagination went into light speed. Gray was in front of her in a boy tie and no shirt with pants on. 
"Would you make my lunch every day?" He asked.
"Yes." Juvia told him. 
"And we'll have thirty-three babies." Juvia said. "Juvia's so happy she could cry."
"Hey." A voice called, causing Juvia to calm down and the group to look toward the source. It was Loke, and he looked awful. 
"Have you seen Lucy?" He asked. His voice was tired. "I found her gate keys."
"You all right, man?" Natsu asked.
"Yeah, when's the last time you slept?" Happy asked.
"You know what they say." Loke said. "Being a gentleman is pretty draining."
"Lucy's still resting on Mavis' orders." Erza said.
"I'll drop 'em off." Natsu said. 
"You should come." Natsu offered. "She'll want to thank you in person, man."
Loke shook his head. 
"Naw, you know I'm no good around celestial wizards." Loke said before walking away.
"Come on, man, this is Lucy." Natsu told him. As he walked away, Natsu sighed, "Fine."
"Everyone has their strengths and weakness, Natsu," Erza said.
As Loke walked away from the group, a mirage appeared behind him again, and his body started to phase out. 
"I know, Karen." Loke said. "Give me more time."
----"Lucy." Happy said, coming up to the open window.
"How ya feeling!" Natsu screamed as he jumped in.
"Dude." Gray said as he came down the chimney. "Don't come in through the window."
"Has anyone ever taught you, boys, to use a door." Erza groaned as she took a sip of tea.
"Since when are you missing manners?" Natsu and Gray asked.
"For real."
"This is odd." Gray said. "Normally, she's all like."
"Get out of here." Happy said, trying to mimic Lucy to no avail.
"I wonder where she could be." Erza said as she looked around.
"In the bathroom." Gray asked as he looked at the curtains.
'Gray, you pervert.' Gray said in his head. 
"I know I'm asking for it, but it has to be done." Gray then moved the curtains only to find Natsu in the bath already. "How the hell."
"It would seem as though she's not home." Erza said; she was in a towel, showing that she'd also showered.
"Thanks for stating the obvious genius." Gray told her.
"it's just not the same without Lucy." Erza said.
"No one can yell as she can." Happy said.
Gray started to fade out. 
"My impression of her wasn't that bad." He moaned. "Not like yours was any better."
"Lucy, are you in here?" Happy asked, opening a drawer only for his mouth to drop in shock.
Natsu walked over to him. 
"Is she in there." He froze when he saw what was there.
"As if she would fit in a drawer." Gray said, only to let out a small yelp when he saw the contents Erza walked over to him, a small blush appearing on her cheeks.
"Where do you buy underwear like this?" Happy asked.
"That's underwear."
"Where would you even wear that."
"Family gathering?" Natsu asked.
"Definitely not." The others told him,
"Shut the drawer already." Gray said as Happy continued to search the house.
"Lucy, where are you hiding?" Happy asked as he looked around.
"Would you stop looking in weird places." Erza had found a note on the desk; she walked over to it and picked it up until she heard something fall; she looked back to see that Happy had knocked something over.
"Touchy." Happy said as the group saw a pile of letters.
"So many letters." Erza said.
"And they're still sealed." Gray said as Natsu picked one up.
"Dear mom." Natsu started. "Today was a special day because I went on my big first job; I also met the most beautiful wizard named Erza, who was nice and cool." Erza blushed at the statement as Natsu finished. "She's always beating up Natsu and Gray."
"Are all of these." Gray said as he looked around. 
"Addressed to her mom?" He asked.
"Wonder why she never mailed them." Natsu commented.
"I found a note." Erza told the other three; her hand was shaking as she read it, "It says she's going home."
"No way."
----Lucy sat alone in the train car, thinking she had to do this; how long would it be until another guild came after them? No, she had to end this now.
As Lucy walked, she remembered the rice ball again. She let memories flow into her mind.
Flashback
"Look, Daddy." A younger Lucy said as she ran up to her da; his name was Jude Heartfilia. "I made a rice ball with your face on it."
Jude ignored her as he continued to write.
"You want it, Daddy?" Lucy asked.
"Now, dear, I'm working." Jude said as he continued to write on his desk.
"But Daddy." Lucy started as she sat the rice ball down. "I promise it's good."
Before she could move, Jude squashed the rice ball down. 
"I told you no!" he shouted, scaring Lucy. "If I get hungry, I will ask one of the chefs to make me something. Now get out!" He screamed as Lucy ran away. "Go study your business lessons. I want no more interruptions."
"But daddy." Lucy, sad, crying. "You forget today is my birthday."
End Flashback
Lucy stood over a hill that overlooked her house, letting out a small sigh as she looked at her hand. The emblem started to fade. 'Better make this quick.' Lucy said as she walked down.
Lucy walked down to see a woman cleaning. Lucy gave off a smile and called out to her. 
"Miss Zapato." Lucy called; the woman looked over, and tears filled her eyes.
"Lucy!" She screamed, running over to the girl.
"Miss Lucy has come back to us." Suddenly, Lucy was swarmed by a group of people, all trying to hug her.
"I hope you're ready to hit the books, young lady."
"Look at you all-grown-up; I bet you have a boyfriend."
"Miss Lucy." someone called. "The master requests your presence in the study."
A look of disgust formed on Lucy's face as she looked up. 
'His runaway daughter finally comes home.' Lucy thought. 'And he sends a servant to request my presence.' Lucy said to herself. 
'Looks like he hasn't changed.'
Later, Lucy was beginning to get a dress; she laughed as the servants squeezed her into it.
'I forgot about the dresses.' Lucy thought to herself. 'How uncomfortable they can be.'
"I hope it's not too tight for you, miss." One of the servants said.
"The sleeves are a wee bit short."
'I guess I've gotten taller.' Lucy said to herself. "I guess I should get going," Lucy told them as they bowed to her.
----Later, Jude was still staring out the window when a knock was heard at the door.
"Father, it's Lucy. May I come in?"
"You may." Jude answered as he turned around and gave his daughter a cold look. "You ran away and didn't even say a word."
Lucy bowed her head. 
"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have run away without speaking to you; it was a poor decision on my part." Lucy said in a monotone voice. "One I now deeply regret."
"I'm glad you finally came to your senses and gave up that silly wizarding dream." Jude said. 
"A lady of your stature shouldn't be associated with such ruffians." Jude told her. "You forced me to go to extremes, Lucy. If you hadn't acted so selfishly, I wouldn't have to send a guild." Jude told her. "You brought harm upon your friends."
Lucy looked down once again. She was told it was her fault, but Mavis' words rang in her head. 
"You shouldn't associate with such people anyway; you have nothing in common with those peasants." Jude said. 
"You're from two entirely different worlds." Jude said. "they probably didn't even care for you until they knew who you were."
Lucy closed her eyes. His words stung like daggers, but she knew he was wrong. Her hand covered her emblem as it started to glow. 
"And now, for a reason, I wanted you to come home." Jude told her, pulling Lucy from her thoughts. "It's about our family. I have arranged for you to marry Duke Sawarr, the Junelle heir." Jude explained.
"Yes." Lucy answered. "I suspected as much."
"I expect you to give birth to a baby boy." Jude told her. 
"We need a Heartfilia heir." Jude said, looking away from Lucy. 
"Think of this as an investment in your future." Jude said. 
"Once you're married, we'll have access to the Juniel lands in the south." Jude said, cracking a grin. "Allowing us to expand our railway."
"I see." Lucy said.
"That is all for now." Jude told her. "You may go to your room."
"I'm sorry, Father." Lucy said. 
"But that's not going to happen." She announced, shocking Jude.
----[##Shukumei Ost ##]
----"But I didn't come to make amends." Lucy told Jude as he looked back at her. 
"I came to say my final goodbyes." Lucy told him as he stepped back. 
"I regret not speaking to you before leaving." Lucy admitted. "And so I've come to tell you exactly how I feel before I leave for good." Lucy told her father.
"Lucy." Jude growled as she continued.
"All the money in the world can't buy you happiness!" Lucy shouted. 
"I figured that out a long time ago." Lucy told him. "Now I'm truly happy, and I won't let you ruin that for me." Lucy pointed at her father and glared at him. 
"I don't care if you are my father don't mess with my friends or me ever again." Lucy said before she ripped her dress. "If you do we'll take you down like any other enemy,"
Lucy then turned as the fabric of her dress hit the ground. 
"It didn't have to be this way." Lucy told him, calming down. 
"You and I could have sat down and talked this out." Lucy let out a sigh. "But now I can't trust you, cause you hurt too many people I care about." Lucy then started to walk away. "And I'm no longer Lucky Lucy Heartfilia." Lucy looked at her hand. "I'm Lucy, the celestial wizard."
Jude was speechless as Lucy walked away; he couldn't believe what he saw. 
"It hurt having to leave here." Lucy admitted. "But that only cause I have so many fond memories here with Mom." Outside his office, Miss Zapato and the others were crying, having heard Lucy's entire speech. "I love miss Zapato, Ido, everyone." Lucy said as she turned back to see her father one last time. "I truly believe if mom were still here, she'd tell me to be true to myself."
Looking at Lucy, he saw a mental image of his deceased wife and Lucy's mom.
"Layla." he muttered as Lucy started to walk away. "So this is goodbye, Daddy."
----Later, Lucy was now in her regular clothes as she stood before a grave that belonged to her mother; it read Layla Heartfilia X748-X777 Lucy sighed. 
"Goodbye, Mom." Lucy said, looking at the grave. "I guess I should get back."
----[##Nakama Tachi##]
----"Lucy." A voice called out. Lucy turned, and much to her shock, she saw Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Happy running or, in Happy's case, flying towards her, tears in their eyes. 
"You're here!" She screamed as Happy landed in her chest.
"Lucy." Happy cried as she cradled him. As the group caught up, they started asking why she left, which caused her to laugh; she then explained why she came here, which caused the group to laugh as Happy hugged Lucy. She rubbed his head.
The group then started to leave, the servants tearfully waving goodbye to Lucy and her friends. As the group left, Lucy turned to walk with her friends. 
"I didn't mean to worry, you guys." Lucy told them.
"That's all right." Erza said. "We didn't know."
"Yeah." Gray added. "We thought you were leaving for good."
"Happy here was crying like a baby." Natsu said.
"You cried just as much as I did, Natsu." Happy said, causing the dragon slayer to blush.
"No, I did not." He said, looking away.
"Aw is someone embarrassed all of a sudden." Lucy teased.
"I gotta say." Gray said, "I'm digging your hometown."
"Yes." Erza admitted. "It's a nice and quiet place."
"Oh, it's not a town." Lucy told them. 
"It's part of our garden." Lucy said, pointing. "The Heartfilia estate goes all the way to that mountain over there."
Natsu and Gray froze as Lucy looked at them with concerned eyes. "Guys."
"Holy crap, that's rich." Gray said.
"And she acts like it's nothing." Natsu added as the two started making weird dance moves. Lucy panicked.
"Two of our best men are down." Happy screamed. "Captain Erza, what are your orders."
Erza wasn't paying attention; she was lost, staring into the sky. 
"Wow, the sky is so beautiful." She said.
"We need a medic." Happy said. "Captain Erza has a screw loose."
Lucy let out a laugh at her friend's antics. 
'Mom. I know you're smiling at me down from heaven.' Lucy thought to herself as her friends regained their composure. 
'And I know you'd support my decision to leave home.' Lucy said. 'Like I said, my friends, are going got take good care of me.'
"They're my family now."
----