The sobbing continued. Lucy couldn't stop the tears falling. The gravestone in front of her was the source of her pain. It hurt.
Natsu Dragneel
Gray stood behind her with Erza at his side. 'What did you get yourself into, old friend? What were you gonna confess to?' Gray thought. It had been three days. Funeral was yesterday. His freshly buried friend had been more of an adversary in the last few years, but all Gray could think about while standing there was the good old days. When they'd start food fights in the cafeteria. The sparing matches. Sneaking into the girls' dorm. Midnight trips to Harlem just to clean up the streets. Buying alcohol with a fake ID. He let a tear slip. Natsu felt more like his brother than Lyon did. 'He didn't deserve this' thought Gray.
"I miss him too" whispered Erza beside him, "We are gonna find the son of a bitch who did this". Gray was about to reply, but he hesitated when the blue haired man approached Erza's side from out of nowhere. "Such a pity… Erza we're gonna have to open his will sooner or later" said Jellal. "I'll pull it up as soon as we get to the office" was Erza's reply.
Gray controlled his temper. Every fiber of his being wanted to beat the shit out of Jellal. But he resisted. Gray's cold remark never left his lips as Laxus entered the conversation. "Hey Jellal, heard about the bullet that did it? Exploded after impact. An incendiary round. Not even sold on the black market. Dragon Slayer Tech were the only distributers" Laxus inquired. Gray squinted at Jellal. Jellal had that look. Gray knew that look. Fucking stupid ass poker face. Same one Jellal had while he was strangling Gray to death.
"What are you implying? An inside job? Lucy? The girl sitting down crying her eyes out by her husband's grave? Or me? I'm their fucking lawyer. My best friend just died. I wasn't even there to witness it. That's it, isn't it? I'm your prime suspect because I was not present. Grow up Laxus! Shit happens. I was running late." Jellal raised his voice. "Your best friend? Brat you barely knew the child" Makarov Dreyar said from a few feet away. "Old man, you should spend less time out here. Who knows how long you have left? But I doubt that. If I was death, I'd want nothing to do with you." Jellal retorted. He walked away.
"I apologize for my husband's behavior. He's not in his right mind at the moment" Erza bowed. Gray grabbed her wrist as she was about to leave. Erza tore herself off. Gray frowned. Erza was pissed. Gray was willing to bet it was because of the night they had spent together. Married women are such a pain.
"Let her go Gray. I'm pretty sure her husband's a sniper" whispered Laxus. "Got proof?" asked Gray, who obviously thought Jellal had something to do with it. "Nah. His posture gave it away. It's him. I'm almost sure. I don't need proof. As soon as this settles down, I'm putting a bullet between his head." Laxus growled. "You can't" came a whimper from Lucy. She got up and hurried after Erza.
"What the fuck did blondie just say?" Laxus asked incredulously. "Wait I think Lucy knows" Gray deduced. "Why the fuck would she be okay with Jellal killing her husband?" asked Laxus. "You showed her the tape. Maybe she wanted revenge?" suggested Gray. "I really fucking doubt that unless all that crying was an act just now" remarked Laxus.
Gray had to admit it. He didn't know shit. Laxus thought that Jellal did it. He did too. But why? What would he gain? It made no sense. There was no motive. BEEP. He got a text. He opened his phone to be met with a surprise text from Gajeel.
The Tower of Heaven. The thing Jellal is building. I think we're funding it. All the money in the offshore accounts reroute to the charity for the building. I got access to all the accounts since Natsu died. I think this is what he wanted to confess to
Gray showed it to Laxus. "What is it child?" Makarov asked while being seated in front of Natsu's grave. "I think we're gonna have to break in to the tower of heaven old man" Laxus stated hesitantly. "Do what you must. For now, I must pay my respects to a son." Said Makarov calmly. "When?" Gray asked Laxus. "Tonight", he replied. "I'm going in alone" Gray stated. Laxus had no objections.
Gray and Laxus started walking away. They had a fortress to break into and a bastard to incriminate. Laxus went to prepare while Gray headed home. He checked on Mira and Loke who were asleep, on his fucking bed. Gray sighed as he went into the closet to change. If he was gonna sneak into the most heavily guarded tower in New York, he needed his goddamn lucky pajamas.
He looked at his friends sleeping peacefully on his bed. Ice cream on the bedside table evident that Mira was still dealing with Natsu's death. Either Loke had taken advantage of her, or sleeping together was their way of dealing with it. Lisanna was still downstairs. They hadn't told her. She would have a breakdown and that might lead to a miscarriage.
He went out to the balcony. For once, he blocked out everything. He ignored his estate, his comatose wife in the basement, the case. He only focused on the tower ahead of him. It was the key. Jellal was behind it. He was gonna prove it. Erza was finally gonna understand what a monster he truly was. After all this was over, Gray would finally have his kingdom come.
Gray saw Laxus's car approaching his gate and grinned.
The war had started. They were making their move.
