Fairy Tail:Celestial Tempest

"A million years? Seriously, what's the point?" Rimuru grumbled, swirling a wisp of magic. "I've seen it all, done it all. Even watched paint dry on a cosmic scale. Boredom's a real killer, ya know?"

He scanned the multiverse, eyes widening. "Earthland? Fairy Tail? Wait a sec… Lucy Heartfilia?! But… this isn't how it's supposed to happen! What the heck?!"

The Heartfilia mansion, a monument to wealth, echoed with a child's laughter. Little Lucy, all of five years old, chased butterflies in the garden.

"Mama! Papa! Look, look!" she squealed, her eyes sparkling.

Layla and Jude watched, smiles filled with warmth.

"She's so happy," Layla sighed, clutching Jude's hand.

"Just like her mother," Jude chuckled, squeezing her hand back.

Suddenly, a chill swept through the garden. Lucy's laughter died, replaced by a fearful silence.

"Layla…?" Jude whispered, his hand reaching for his sword.

"Something's wrong…" Layla trembled, pulling a locket from her neck. "Lucy, sweetheart, listen. Stay here. No matter what, don't move!"

"Mama? What's happening?!" Lucy cried, tears welling up.

"Just… hide, okay?" Layla's voice cracked. "We'll be right back."

They rushed inside. Lucy peeked through the window, heart pounding.

"You dare trespass?!" Jude roared, sword flashing.

"Your riches mean nothing!" a raspy voice sneered. "You'll pay!"

"Papa!" Lucy screamed, fists pounding the glass.

The fight was brutal. Jude fell with a sickening thud, eyes wide.

"Jude!" Layla screamed, rushing to him.

"Too late," the scarred leader sneered, raising a hand. Dark energy engulfed Layla, her eyes dimming.

Lucy gasped, hands flying to her mouth. "Mama… Papa…"

The intruders ransacked the house, missing her hidden in the garden. Once they were gone, Lucy stumbled inside.

"Mama… Papa…" she whispered, touching Layla's cold cheek. "I… I won't forget. I'll make them pay!"

Rimuru felt a jolt of pure anguish. "No way… this isn't the story!" he muttered, remembering his otaku days as Mikami Satoru. "Lucy… her parents… dead? This is messed up!"

He materialized in the garden, finding Lucy clutching the locket, tears streaming down her face.

"You seem troubled, young one," Rimuru said gently.

"Who… who are you?" Lucy asked, voice trembling.

"Rimuru Tempest," he replied. "I saw what happened."

"They… they killed them," Lucy sobbed. "I'll make them pay!"

"Revenge…" Rimuru sighed. "It's a heavy burden. But… what if I trained you? Gave you the power to protect yourself?"

"Train me? Why?" Lucy blinked, surprised.

"Because you've got guts, kid," Rimuru grinned. "And… because you deserve a better story. And… well, because seeing this happen, as a Fairy Tail fan, is just wrong!"

Lucy looked at him, eyes filled with grief and determination. "I'll do it."

"Alright then!" Rimuru grinned, extending a hand. "Come with me!"

The moon shone over the Heartfilia estate, reflecting in Lucy's tears. She hesitated, then took Rimuru's hand. They vanished, reappearing in a secluded forest.

"This is our training ground," Rimuru said.

"I'm ready," Lucy said, voice steady.

The first year was brutal.

"Again! Lift it!" Rimuru commanded.

"I… can… do this!" Lucy gritted her teeth, lifting the log.

"Good! Rest. Tomorrow, combat!"

The second year brought weapons.

"Focus, Lucy! Don't let your guard down!" Rimuru said during sparring.

"Right!" Lucy lunged, wooden sword clashing.

"Better! But faster!"

The third year hit, and Rimuru found himself staring at Lucy, jaw practically scraping the forest floor. "Strategy is key!" he yelled, dodging a flurry of surprisingly powerful strikes. "Don't just rely on brute force!"

Lucy, now eight years old, feinted a lunge to the left, then spun, her wooden sword whistling through the air. Rimuru barely managed to block, a surprised grunt escaping him.

"Clever!" he grinned, genuinely impressed. "You've learned well, Lucy!"

"Thank you, Sensei!" Lucy panted, lowering her sword, sweat glistening on her forehead.

Sensei? Rimuru thought, a warm feeling spreading through him. Huh, that's kinda nice. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You've come far, Lucy. Farther than I expected, honestly."

Seriously, what the heck is this kid made of? he thought, watching her catch her breath. If she kept this up in the original anime, she'd be giving Mirajane a run for her money! Erza? Gildarts?! Maybe even them! What the actual…!

He glanced at her small, determined face. And those strength feats! For an eight-year-old? That's insane! He remembered his own training with Veldora and the others. This is beyond anything I've seen before from a human at this age!

"You're amazing, Lucy," he said aloud, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "You know that?"

Lucy blushed, a rare sight. "I just… I want to get stronger, Sensei. For Mama and Papa."

Rimuru's smile softened. Right, the revenge thing. He knew he had to temper that, but he also understood her drive. "You will, Lucy. I promise. But… we're not done yet."

"What's next, Sensei?" Lucy asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Well," Rimuru said, rubbing his chin. "You've got the strength, the speed, and the strategy. But… what about the finesse?"

"Finesse?" Lucy tilted her head.

"Swordsmanship!" Rimuru grinned, snapping his fingers. "Proper sword techniques, the kind that make your opponents go 'whoa!' before they hit the ground."

He summoned a training sword, a gleaming blade of enchanted wood. "Let's start with the basics. Stance, footwork, the art of the draw..."

This is gonna be fun, he thought, a mischievous glint in his eyes. I'll show her all the flashy moves from my favorite anime! And maybe, just maybe, she'll be the strongest mage Earthland has ever seen!

"Alright, Lucy," he said, drawing his sword with a flourish. "First lesson: the art of the dramatic entrance!"

Lucy giggled, her eyes shining. "Yes, Sensei!"

Rimuru couldn't help but smile. This is way more interesting than watching galaxies collide. He thought. Maybe this Earthland adventure won't be so bad after all. And who knows, maybe I can fix the timeline a little bit while I'm at it!