User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 374: Revolution, Review./@comment-5303512-20140308011856/@comment-24546844-20140309135939

Not long time ago, nobody would complain about Loke coming to help her, cause we knew she was going to stand and fight alongside her spirits. The mainpoint here isn't her being saved by Natsu (I think it was really needed as many of you already pointed), its her staying back while Natsu fights.

Re-reading the chapter I got the impression that Lucy not fighting Franmalth was not intentional. She was surprised at the loss of her spirits and the sudden arrival of Natsu so she couldn't take a quick action. If there's a thing we cansay about Lucy is that she makes everything possible to help her friends and losing this trait would be something of a regression. We better wait for her next action in the next chapter to say with precision.

I expect a tactical retreat by the fairies as the yknow they are no match for Fran's strongest soul, and from there Lucy's role will be think of a way to counter his curse and recover her spirits.