Hello, everyone... I am extremely sorry for the late chapter. I thought I would be able to write more since I get more ideas while I'm in school but it seems that it wasn't the case. If you enjoyed this chapter, please don't forget to review or follow! I hope this chapter wasn't too rushed.

"Did… you really write this?" The professor looked down at a little boy, his hands shaking in bewilderment. The little boy nodded and reached out his hands to take his parchment back but the parchment stayed stuck to the old mage's hands like glue.

"This… the content is perfect but the theme is a bit too grave for a little boy like you." The professor addressed the others while shaking his head.

The others agreed and folded their arms, "Yes, the matter of life and death in magic is one that has been taboo since ancient times…"

The professor nodded, "Even adults should refrain from touching this subject carelessly. You will not conduct any further research of this nature. Understood, Zeref-kun?"

Lucy stayed still, her eyes darted around the room. She realized that she was looking at Zeref's past.

"Yes…" Zeref forced himself to reply. His small hands clutched the paper which the professor had given him back in haste.

"I just want to know… why people are born and why they die…" Zeref mumbled to himself.

The scene changed abruptly, Lucy fell to her knees and grabbed her head, the world seemed to be spinning. She closed her eyes and waited for the sensation to end.

Lucy opened her eyes once again and found herself sitting in the middle of the crowd. She got up hurriedly as her eyes followed the stares of the people.

She saw an older Zeref; he looked to be around 13. He was standing in front of a huge wooden board. He was explaining his theory to the people.

"This is amazing, it would be even more if this experiment succeeds." The person behind Lucy whispered to his friend.

Lucy's eyes quickly scanned the board, her eyes widened slightly as she realized what the experiment would be about. "Why…?" Lucy whispered, her eyebrows drawn together in a frown.

There was suddenly a burst of outrage among the crowd. A barrel-chested man walked up the stairs, his eyes flashed angrily at Zeref. "I thought we told you not to conduct any experiments?!"

Zeref flinched and stepped back hesitantly. He kept his eyes on the madman, not knowing what he would do.

The man let out a gruff shout and brought his massive fist to the board; it shattered into splinters. Zeref couldn't believe his eyes. He had spent countless of hours thinking and perfecting the theory.

He started to tremble; he was confused. Why didn't they allow Zeref to conduct his experiment? If it really worked, it would have helped humanity's progress. Furthermore, people wouldn't have to be sad because of the passing of their loved ones.

The man turned abruptly and glared at Zeref; he was breathing heavily.

"You will not bring back your dead brother back to life!"

Lucy stood rooted to the ground, motionless with fear until she heard a slap echoing throughout the crowd.

The scene changed abruptly; Lucy stumbled and looked around frantically. She saw Zeref again but this time, he was much older and standing in front of a capsule.

"Etherious Natsu Dragneel… yes, I created you. Created is such an ugly word. You were originally human. You had a body… my younger brother's body." Zeref whispered softly as he gazed upon the sight.

Lucy's eyes followed Zeref's line of sight causing her to gasp and fall to her knees, this couldn't be true. Zeref's experiment had succeeded but his experiment was… Natsu. Natsu couldn't be Zeref's… younger brother.

"No…!" Lucy choked, she stepped forward and soon broke into a run. She reached for Etherious Natsu Dragneel and found herself go through the transparent capsule. Lucy let out a stifled scream and surrendered herself to the familiar spinning sensation.

"What will… happen to Natsu, when he kills you?" Lucy choked out her words. She shifted her hair in an attempt to cover her face.

Zeref fell silent for a moment, "He will die too."

"I hate you." Lucy sobbed, unable to restrain her tears. "Why… why do you have to live like this?!" She grabbed him by his collar and sobbed into his shoulder.

"Lucy… I wanted to die. I didn't have hope or anything. I just wanted to die." Zeref whispered sadly into her ear.

"Zeref… please, don't let yourself die." Lucy whispered into his ear. Zeref closed his eyes and made a pained expression.

"Lucy… please understand, I'm a threat to humanity. It's better if I… disappear from this world."

"Don't say that!" Lucy pounded his chest as she sank to her knees. Zeref supported her and breathed in her scent, "Lucy… I'm really sorry. I'm sorry that you had to meet a guy like me."

"Zeref… I love you," Lucy breathed, "I'm not letting you die." Zeref stiffened and grimaced, but he didn't pull away, instead he hugged her tighter.

"Lucy?"

They both jumped and looked at the unwelcome intruder. "Rogue…?" Lucy gasped once she realized who it was.

"I don't know what to say…" Lucy started, she reached out to Rogue but he flinched visibly. Lucy took back her hand and bit her lip.

"Rogue, I…"

Rogue looked at her, his eyes betraying his stoic face. He glared at Zeref, who was standing close to Lucy, regarding Rogue.

"Lucy… is this Zeref?" Rogue asked, his voice trembling slightly with anger. He clenched his fists as the flow of his magic started to grow denser.

Lucy hesitated, wondering whether to tell him the truth or not, "…he is." She whispered softly, knowing that how small her voice sounded Rogue would always be able to hear what she said.

Rogue made a pained face and turned away. His fist slammed against the wall loudly, startling Lucy.

"Rogue! Your hand is bleeding." Lucy spoke to him with apprehension, she was about to go to him when Zeref held her back firmly by the wrist. 'Don't go,' his eyes were saying.

Lucy was torn apart between the two of them. She pursed her lips and clenched her fists. Why was this happening?

Rogue turned abruptly and glared at the hand which was holding her wrist. He grabbed Lucy and pulled her away from Zeref. Lucy protested but stopped when she noticed something wasn't quite right about Rogue.

His magic flow was getting stronger with every second, and his pupils were dilated. Rogue took in a huge breath and looked at Lucy.

"Lucy… I love you."

"What?"

Lucy stared at Rogue who let go of her arm gently. "I love you," Rogue repeated again slowly.

Lucy blushed and took a step back, "Rogue… I'm sorry but…" her voice trembled. She looked at Zeref, his arms were crossed. Zeref looked back at her in his silent way.

Rogue grimaced, "I don't understand, you won't be happy with him Lucy." He deliberately emphasised 'him.'

"Even if you love him right now, those feelings will fade over time. I can… make you happy… if you choose me." Rogue whispered, his eyes closed. He fiddled with his fingers and waited for her response.

Zeref turned away at this point, he looked at Lucy sadly, Rogue was right. He couldn't make her happy. The very thought of Lucy loving another man pierced his heart. But if it was for her… Zeref was willing to let go.

He was willing to let go of her. Her smile, her body, her warmth… everything.

"I won't allow you."

Zeref flinched and looked at Lucy, he must have spoken his thoughts out loud. Lucy moved closer to him, letting him breathe in her scent.

"I won't let you… I love you Zeref." Lucy whispered, her eyes closing as a tear escaped from her left eye. She was bound to regret this decision, but Lucy didn't care. She loved Zeref. Only that mattered to her right now.

Rogue let out a growl, "Are you sure about this?"

Lucy nodded, "Yes, I am… I'm really sorry Rogue." She clenched her fists and brought them close to her chest as if her heart was hurting.

Rogue closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, "I see…" He turned around and started to walk away silently.

Lucy couldn't bear to look at Rogue's back, she buried her face in Zeref's shoulder. She had just lost a precious friend.

Perhaps for... forever.