I'm so sorry if this chapter won't end up as most of you would have hoped. 3090.

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Erza started requipping, light engulfing her current armor while she stared at her opponents with pure determination.

Opponents? Can she even view them as such? Weren't they her friends. I mean, sure she doesn't know Lucas that much but he was still a part of the guild. And she knew that despite his anger and possible hatred towards her that he was a nice guy. He was just trying to look out for his precious little sister. Can she really hurt him for that?

And Lucy . . . she practically treated the blonde as her sister as well. Of course, she understood how Lea and the others felt. If anyone were to hurt anyone precious to her in any way, physically or mentally, then she would have reacted the same as them, if not worse. And after what Erza had just did, how can she even lay a finger on her? Hadn't she hurt her enough?

But she had to do this, didn't she? Hell, with their whole plan weren't they just asking for it from the start? She had to do this, she had no choice. They needed to win, then they can just explain things and apologize to Lucy afterwards, right? She'll understand, won't she? She had no choice, and Lucy was a strong girl. She didn't need to worry about her. Even if Erza were to defeat her, she'll be alright. There was really nothing to worry about.

But then, why did she kick her out?

Erza met the blonde's eyes which held the same level of determination she had, but you could still see the hesitation- the pain in her eyes.

She didn't want to fight her either.

In that moment, every ounce of guilt Erza had been feeling this whole time returned with full force. It was all her fault, wasn't it? Natsu and Gray had nothing to do with this. She was the only one who should be apologizing. If they were going to be mad or hate anybody, it should be her. She was the one who convinced the others to kick Lucy out of the team, it had all been her idea.

At that moment, her will to fight vanished completely. The light surrounding her armor vanished completely, leaving it as it was and she collapsed to her knees.

"I can't do it . . ." she finally said, the guilt visible in her eyes. Lucy stared back at her in shock. "I'm sorry . . .'

"Erza . . ." the blonde muttered, walking up to her. But before she can go far, she and her brother were hit by lightning. Lucy cried in pain, making Erza's eyes widen in both shock and worry before they both collapsed to the ground.

"Well, that takes care of that."

Erza snapped her head to the direction where the voice came from, only to see Laxus walk up to her.

He whistled, observing the scene around them. "They must either be stronger than we thought or as smart as their sister."

"L-Laxus! What the hell?!" the titania snapped.

"It's kinda rare to hear you curse. Did I interrupt something or are you just not glad to see me?"

"They're our friends! People of our guild!"

"So was their sister, but you didn't have any problem beating her up, now did you?"

Erza was about to yell at him again but found herself unable to since he did have a point.

"In any case, one way or another, we had to beat them. Remember? Even if we're all from the same guild, we're still from different teams, they're still our opponents, or did you forget that?"

"Shut up! Wh-what are you doing here, anyway?!"

He shrugged. "Not like Jura managed to beat me. I'm still in the game . . . which should have ended by now since we're the last guild left."

"Guys! There you are!" Mira called out, running towards them. "Really, it feels like I've been walking around here for hours. I- What happened?"

The barmaid blinked in confusion, finally taking in her surroundings. "Did I miss something?"

"AND ONCE AGAIN, THE WINNER OF THIS YEAR'S GRAND MAGIC GAMES! GIVE IT UP FOR . . . FAIRY TAIL!"

Loud cheering was heard, similar to the year before when they had also won. Mira only giggled while Laxus smirked, but Erza only sighed, glancing at the twins and back at Laxus. He just came out of nowhere, and why did he suddenly attack like that? Honestly, the man was a mystery and he could really get on her nerves when he wanted to.

Lea silently listened to the loud cheers of the audience. She was once again lying on her back on the ground and staring at the sky. Their guild had won, and she supposed that was all that mattered. She was now a mage of Fairy Tail and it was her job to bring honor to her guild . . . wasn't it? She still hadn't had much of an idea of how this works. Oh well, they won anyway, so she didn't have to worry about anything.

She sighed, mind drifting off to the master's grandson whom she just had a conversation with. She was going to have to talk to him again, later on. With the favor she just asked of him and all, it was really necessary . . .

FLASHBACK

"You want me to do what?" Laxus' eyes widened in disbelief.

"I want you to go find my little brother and Lucy. Erza should be facing them, looking for a fight and all that." she said.

"And then you want me to knock them out before Erza has a chance to?"

"No, I want you to wait and see whether or not Erza would be willing to fight them. If she is, then leave them be. If not, then you know what to do."

"Wait, why are you telling me to do this? You want me to hurt someone from you family?"

Lea sighed. "I don't want them getting hurt . . . they mean the world to me."

"Then why?" he asked, crossing his arms.

"Look, I know that those two can take care of themselves, especially Lucas. But they are nowhere near capable of defeating Erza. And even if they do manage, they'll still have to face the rest of your team. Joan and Jade have already been defeated by Sabertooth, so they don't have anyone to back them up. It's pretty much inevitable at this point."

"Okay, I kind of understand where you're going with this. But why do I have to go there? Erza can take care of them, and what makes you think she can't?"

Lea was silent, hesitating on whether or not she should tell him. But she finally sighed and spoke. "Erza and Lucy . . . well, their whole team actually. They had, well I guess you could call it a fight? No wait, it's more of a small issue . . . look, the point is Erza could still be guilty about what happened and therefore she might not be able to fight Lucy."

Laxus blinked. Team Natsu had a fight? This was the first he'd heard of it. Didn't they usually get along?

"So what you're saying is that you want to test her?" Laxus asked, raising an eyebrow.

". . . pretty much, yeah." Lea shrugged.

"Well, what's in it for me?"

"Didn't you almost turn my sister into rubble once?" she snapped back at him, making him flinch. "You sorta owe me right now."

"So that's why you were so bitter." he grumbled, turning around. "Alright, I'll do it."

"I expected no less . . ." she smiled at him, although he didn't really see it since he had already walked off.

END FLASHBACK

Lea sighed once again, wondering if she really should have done that. But thinking about it, she didn't particularly regret her actions. She was probably just annoyed about all the work she's going to have to do afterwards. She'll need to talk to Laxus after this, if she managed to sneak a conversation with him. Since he was in the winning team, he'll probably be surrounded by all their guild mates later on. And then afterwards, she was gonna have to explain to her sisters about everything before they go around challenging Laxus for what he had done to their precious twins.

There's also the bet she made with Erza. Since they lost, Erza and her team had the right to speak with Lucy. Her little sister had always been so forgiving so the chances of her going back to her old team were very high. And knowing her sister, she would probably come to consult her about it; asking for advice and whatnot. When that happens, what should she say? In terms of strength maybe Erza and her team was indeed more capable of taking care of Lucy but she can't just forgive them for what they've done. She made a promise.

But looking at things right now, maybe she has no choice but to forgive them. Not that she still wasn't mad at them, of course she was. But in the end, she had to make the right decision.

This was so frustrating . . .

Later that night, the whole guild began celebrating at a bar, congratulating both teams for doing their best. A lot of people were drinking and partying like usual, but the a majority of Fairy Tail's B team was having a short meeting as Lea explained everything to them, having talked to Laxus already.

"What?! Onee-sama, why in the world would you do that?!" Joan asked in disbelief.

"And of all people, why did it have to be that guy?" Lucas asked in annoyance. He really didn't appreciate being electrocuted.

"You're acting like you plan on forgiving them." Jade, who took in the news more calmly, crossed her arms.

"Well, I don't know about that." Lea sighed.

"Just because you were beaten by Erza doesn't change the fact that she hurt Lucy. Now, I don't know about you but I don't really feel comfortable about trusting people who hurt anyone from my family. Onee-sama, you may not be as experienced as she is but you are definitely better off in taking care of Lucy." Jade spoke, arguing but still remaining calm. She had always been the only one to be able to stand up and question Lea's decisions during times like this. It seems that she was the only one who realized that even though their sister was amazing, she was still a human being capable of making mistakes.

"I guess getting beaten up makes you realize a few things." Lea shrugged.

"But still . . ."

"Look, I know how you feel about this. Yes, they were jerks and yes, they don't deserve to be easily forgiven. But you guys need to understand that even though something seems to be unfair, it doesn't always mean that it isn't the right thing to do. Lucy is strong and capable, but they underestimated her and truthfully I want to train her for some time until she becomes strong enough to be able to defeat even them. But that time will come eventually and there's no point in rushing things."

"But they still hurt her . . ." Joan grumbled.

". . . But so did we." Lea said softly, making them flinch.

"What are you-"

"Seven years." Lea said softly but firmly. "We left her alone and she had to stay in that mansion for seven years. Can you imagine how hurt she must have been? We left her and she had to return to that mansion only to find out that her mother was dead. All those years in that mansion . . . she must have felt so lonely."

Lea's siblings fell silent at her words, feeling guilty as well at the thought of their sister.

"But we were only-"

"-trying to protect her." Lea cut Jade off. "Isn't that the same excuse Erza had given . . ?"

They fell silent once again, seeing the point she was making.

"Hey, guys!" Lucy called out, grabbing her brothers arm.

"Ah, Lucy." he blinked.

"What are you guys sulking for?" she asked. "C'mon, I mean sure we lost. But it was our first time joining a tournament together and we still got second place. Plus, our guild still won the tournament."

"Yeah, sorry. I guess we just aren't used to losing." Lucas chuckled, ruffling her hair.

"Lucy." Lea spoke, catching her attention. "If . . . If your old team were to apologize and say that they wanted you back, would you be willing to join them again?"

Lucy's eyes widened before they stared at the ground and were filled with hurt. "I . . . Why do you ask?"

"Nothing, I just- we wanted to know if you'd . . ."

"You know, we're mad at those guys for what they did but . . ." Lucas trailed off. "If it would make you happy, you know . . . we can't really stop you."

"I'm . . . I'm not really sure." she muttered in reply. "Should I?"

They all sighed.

"Lucy, when it comes down to it, it's your choice. Just go with whatever makes you happy." Joan said.

"Well yeah, but how do I know if that's the right choice?" she asked, her eyes still downcast.

"You want them back, don't you?" Lea said quietly. Her only reply was when Lucy nodded her head weakly, making her sigh once again.

"Lucy, listen to me." the eldest blonde spoke again. Lucy lifted her eyes to stare at her sister. "You want to know the truth? I'll give it to you. Everyone in this world, and I mean everyone will hurt you . . . you just have to find the ones worth suffering for. Whether they're family, friends or whatever. You can't escape the pain because one way or another it will come back. And the sooner you accept that the better off you'll be. Now, Lucy, tell me . . . are they worth suffering for?"

Lucy was silent as she contemplated her words. She wasn't sure of the answer herself, were they worth it?

"I don't know . . ." she muttered.

"Well . . . you just keep thinking about it. Because even if you're not in their team, you still have to decide whether or not you're still going to continue being friends with them."

"I guess so . . ."

Lea smiled at her younger sister. "Well, in the meantime, go enjoy yourself with your other friends. Like you said, this isn't the time to be sulking. It's the time for celebration."

"Yeah." she nodded, smiling before walking off towards Levy.

"You guys go enjoy yourselves too." Lea said, turning to her siblings. "It's not everyday that our guild wins a tournament."

"Yeah, but . . ." Joan scratched the back of her head.

"The problem won't disappear if we just stand here while the others enjoy themselves. Go have fun while you still can." Lea said, shoo-ing them, and although they were a bit hesitant they complied.

"What about you, Nee-sama?" Lucas asked.

"These sort of parties aren't really my style." she replied and her brother nodded in understanding. Minutes later, Joan was having a drinking contest with Cana and Bacchus, Jade was gossiping with some of the girls and Lucas was chatting with Freed and Lisanna. Lea contentedly observed her family and was just glad to see them happy. She honestly didn't mind sitting at a table alone while sipping on some Earl Grey tea, she can be a bit introverted sometimes.

Her peace was interrupted when a certain scarlet-haired mage had decided to approach her.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked hesitantly, but Lea only smiled at her. Sure she was still somewhat mad at the titania, but no use in beating her up right now. Not when she had just had a discussion with her siblings about it. She wasn't the type to be reckless, anyway. If she was going to fight her, she would take her time and wait for the right moment.

"Not at all, go ahead." she said. Erza did so and joined the blonde in observing the whole guild with their festivities.

"They're really lively, aren't they?"

"They sure are." Lea nodded.

There was a pause before the titania sighed.

"If it's alright . . . may I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Some time ago, we got to visit the estate where Lucy had formerly lived in . . ."

"Yes . . ?" Lea appeared calm, but her grip on her teacup tightened. She didn't like where this conversation was going. Maybe it would have been better if she avoided Erza.

"There, we found out that her mother whom she seemed to have been very close to had already passed away . . ." Erza trailed off.

"That's correct."

"And during our fight, you said you made a promise with someone . . . could that person probably be . . ?"

"That's right. I guess I should have expected that you'd be able to realize that. I suppose I shouldn't be so careless . . ." the blonde sighed. "I suppose I was just so overwhelmed by my emotions at the time."

"Well, I suppose I couldn't blame you . . ." Erza sighed before searching for Lucy among the crowd. "I'm also starting to understand why you're so protective of your sister."

Lea's gaze landed on her youngest sister, smiling so brightly. "She looks so much like her . . ."

". . . I'm sorry for what I did." the titania said, looking at her once again. "I'm the only one at fault, but you shouldn't blame Natsu or Gray for anything. I'm the only one you should be mad at."

"You know that's easier said than done."

"Lea-san, I understand that you treasure your promise with your mother but-"

"She's not my mother." she stated firmly.

Erza froze, her eyes widening. "What . . ?"

"Layla-san . . . she's just as much my mother as Lucy is my sister." Lea gave a humorless chuckle. "I'm . . . I don't belong in this family. I never did."

"Lea-san, what are you-"

"I was adopted." Lea stated, eyes narrowing. "That's why my family means so much to me . . ."

Sorry, I'm not sorry.

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