I'm so sorry for the long wait on this chapter, but with college applications, a term paper, and finals, life is not easy. So as an apology, I give you my longest chapter which is over 14k words and I'm updating my one shot collections. Also, if you find that this chapter isn't romantic enough, just wait until the epilogue, I'm sure everyone will enjoy that when I finish typing it out.

Finally, the results of the poll are in and the main characters are Erza, Jellal, Gajeel and Levy! Thank you to everyone who voted. Now then, I hope you'll enjoy this!

"Yes. Make sure that all the information is there. Can the other two make it?... No it's just a question. We'll have Zeref deal with that part. Uhuh… Ok. Love you too Nate." Faye-sensei ended the call. "They should be here in time for the trial, so don't worry Mavis."

The small blonde looked exhausted. Who could blame her? She found out in the middle of the night that the man who was her grandma's best friend and coworker was convincing kids to continue their horrendous life style, a group of her students was found in the middle of that mess and one of them was now going on trial, and there was a very big chance that the board will move towards closing the school!

"Faye, do you think I can still keep my great grandmother's dream alive?" Mavis asked in a dejected tone.

Faye-sensei sat down next to her beloved friend. "Of course you can. Just look at me and Zeref, not to mention all the students that you've had before this. We're all so much better off when we went to Fairy, because you gave us freedom and fought for us." If not for Mavis, there wouldn't be a Crime Sorciere and so many students, now adults, would be in jail or worse. "Don't worry, we're getting through this together."

"I hope that one day we can all do one of those picnics again."

"We'll arrange for a school picnic for sakura watching, ok?"

"And we'll play bingo," Mavis happily added.

"That's the Mavis I know. Come on, we should get going." Faye-sensei turned to the other side of the living room. "Jellal-kun, don't have such a look on your face. Everything's going to be ok."

After Fairy Academy found out that Jellal was taken, Faye-sensei, Makarov, and Mavis all went down in the middle of the night to claim him. Because none of them were his 'legal' guardian, there were some complications, but he who has the blackmail wins all.

"If you left me alone, the school wouldn't have to close."

"It's not like that would have definitely happened. Besides, those old geezers aren't stupid enough to close the school over this incident."

"But if they're looking at everything we've done…" Mavis pointed out. There are really a lot of things. Like the time they uprooted one of the park trees, another where they started that fight with the kids from Oracion High, that other fight they started with Lamia Scale, then the building that was destroyed in the middle of the cultural parade that one time, and the time that—

"Now thinking about it, there really is a lot." But it's not like they haven't reimbursed everyone!

"If they don't close the school, then wouldn't you be blamed sensei? Or the First Master. If that's the case, then they'll take either one of you from your position."

"They won't be able to go that far. But if worst comes to worst, they'll take away my license. I would kill someone before having them take Mavis' position away." Why is she so calm about this? "Oh, Master Makarov has already arrived. Mavis, I'll do your hair in the car." Mavis nodded. "Now then, let's head out."

So Mavis and Faye-sensei decided to sit in the back while Jellal sat in the front with Makarov at the wheel. Though Master Makarov did need a few phonebooks to make sure that he could see above the wheel. He can't stretch out as much as he did before.

"So, why is he driving?" Jellal asked, pointing to Makarov.

"Because we're going to the district office and we need to at least look responsible. Mavis, turn your head."

"Not too tight, the last time, I got a headache from you doing my hair."

Jellal would trust her more on the basis that at least she could see without needing phone books! Probably… "And you couldn't do that because?"

"If I were to drive, I will probably destroy something."

"What?"

"And Mavis doesn't know how to drive, so this arrangement works. Is this too tight?"

"It's perfect."

"Don't worry; I've been driving for over 60 years!" Somehow that doesn't reassure him. The smell of burning rubber just reinforces that doubt. Are they going to be ok? Somehow, Jellal wishes that he was back in the classroom, but it's not like things are all glitter and rainbows there either.

"Why are you all so depressed?" Gildarts-sensei asked. "Even Natsu is being quiet for a rare change." When he looked over to the empty desk, he wondered how they related to each other. Actually there were two empty desks, that one could explain why Natsu's so quiet. Suddenly, his phone rang. "Independent study time. Hello?"

"Erza, let's go over that myth on the Tenrou Jade," Levy suggested, seeing how quiet she was. Levy continued with her positive mask. "They say that should it ever be obtained, it will grant its new owner the greatest wealth possible and everlasting life."

"The Tower…" she whispered out.

"The Tower? No, the Tower is about—"

"I'm sorry Levy, but I would like to think on my own for a bit if that's ok. Besides, I think you'd much rather talk with someone else right now. I'm sure that it's a necessary conversation," Erza insisted, glancing towards Gajeel.

"But—"

"Levy. Honestly, I'm fine. I just want to focus a little more on the legend of the Tower of Heaven, we have to do an essay for our final in this class this year remember?" Erza smiled to reassure her, but Levy knew that smile was empty. Still, there was little that she could do, why couldn't Lucy be here right now?

Lucy wished she was at school instead of in her home. It felt too awkward to be in a room with her father who knew that she knew something about something that he knew he kept and he— "Lucy," he called out. Lucy continued to look at her hands. "Lucy, answer me when I'm speaking to you."

"What is it?"

He sighed. The first conversation that he's had with her in a while and she's acting like a moody teenager. Well, it's not like she can't be like that sometimes. "What exactly did you find out that was so frightening that you felt the need to leave the house?"

"I don't see a reason to answer that question," Lucy stated, bluntly. What were the chances that he would even tell her about those letters to begin with?

"How could you have turned off your phone, do you have any idea how worried I was?"

"What were you worried about?"

"Who else? I was worried for your well being!" Lucy almost snorted. Like that was true, because it certainly wasn't her. She already knew that. "I'm just glad to see that you're OK," he put awkwardly.

Can't he at least put up a better act? "Perfect. Now can I go to school? We're doing something important in class today and I don't want to miss it." Lucy, he's not going to believe that.

"No, there are still things I need to ask you."

"What more do you need to know?"

"Like how you were able to run out completely undetected from any servants."

Now wouldn't that get rid of her escape routes? All she did was leave a letter for Virgo to find and she used a secret passageway that her mother showed her when she was little. "I just ran out when I saw the chance."

"You aren't telling me anything," he stated.

Lucy snapped. She wasn't telling him anything?! What about her! What does she get to know! "Hypocrite," she mumbled out in anger laced words.

"I haven't kept anything away from you." The only things he kept from her were things that he thought that she was too young to hear about. But Lucy was already tired of being treated like a little girl, next year she was already graduating from high school, how much longer is he going to take to realize that she doesn't need him to baby her anymore?

"LIAR!" Lucy stood, screaming, her words were smeared in pure angry, she glared at her father in disgust. "Then why wouldn't you tell me anything about what you did to Igneel?! Is it that bad that you were afraid that I would spread it to the media or something? Well, I'm not that low, I wouldn't sell out my best friend's dad like that!"

"What are you talking about? The only thing I really did for that man was—"

"I read the letters! You were arguing with him about something big and it looked like you were the reason why Igneel left to being with!"she accused. Lucy didn't want to be the silent doll anymore, she wanted to be like Natsu for once and change things. "Weren't you threatening him?"

"What are you talking about? I would—"

"I read your letters!" she repeated, believing that those letters would prove everything.

Jude sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Looks like it's finally the time that he revealed the truth. "Leo," he called. The said man appeared within a blink of an eye. "Please get Natsu Dragneel here. Now."

"Understood Uncle," Leo bowed and headed out.

"Wait, you didn't answer anything!"

Jude looked at her with calm eyes, knowing eyes. Lucy felt irritation and angry streaming through her veins. What kind of look was that? Was he looking down on her? Now, now Lucy, don't let your judgment be clouded by anger, it's harder to act calmly that way. "I will answer any questions you have after your friend comes."

"Friend…?" Her anger briefly subsided at the sound of that word. It was the first time that she's heard him address Natsu in such a way. What is he planning?

Oh my, she's still distrustful, assuming from the previous pain that there is still deception. Can't she learn to trust her own father? Otherwise, how can she trust her friends, people who have no blood link to her, people who she also considers as family?

"I expected him to go faster," Jellal admitted as they waited for Makarov to check them in. He's just glad that they weren't dead.

"You have to obey speed limits," Mavis pointed out. At least when someone's watching. "Faye? Are you ok?"

"Even with all the renovations, this place still feels the same." Oppressive and cold without a single kind face. Just like the reformatory. Faye-sensei shook her head. No, it isn't going to end like that, it didn't before and it won't now. "Jellal-kun, are you ready?"

"Never." Then again, how could someone be ready for this?

"Come on you three, we're supposed to be in the courtroom now," Makarov called.

"Yes sir~"

The courtroom was no different from the front of the building, it was such a formal and stiff atmosphere. Even with new furniture and different paint, it doesn't change from the past. This building and this council is just the same filled with people who don't understand how to fix and heal.

"Aternus-sensei," Lahar addressed when the four of them settled in the chairs prepared for them.

"Yes?"

"I see that you are defending that… teen."

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"Of course not," he stated, moving his glasses up higher. Jellal narrowed his eyes at Lahar slightly. Is that supposed to be an implied insult? And here he thought that these dull council people expressed their emotions bluntly. The frog-like attendants announced the arrival of the council. Familiar faces entered the room, but they weren't familiar to Jellal, only to the teachers that had to deal with them before.

Lahar whispered something to the Head, Grand Doma who looked at Faye-sensei with an almost glare like stare. "Aternus-sensei. When you feel tired, do be sure to say so and we'll end it. After all, it's useless to defend that boy."

Faye-sensei blinked. What the heck were they saying? Even before the trial starts, they've already decided on his fate. How… stupid! "If you think for one second that I'm going to condemn him, I will cut off your little—"

"Faye-sensei, the matter at hand!" Makarov reminded her.

Why was she still trying to help him? Can't she see that no matter what, these people will see him how he's meant to be viewed? Yet, Jellal remained quiet, keeping these thoughts to himself.

She breathed and focused on the situation. "Very well." She can't lose herself so early.

"In the case of Jellal Fernandez, the Council of the District Board will determine the just punishment for this student. If the support for the defendant would come forward." Even though it looks like a court, it's not truly one because in the end, Jellal's fate rests on how well she could persuade 4 of the 7 members.

Faye-sensei walked up. "I would condemn him and try to save myself, if I was desperate but as an educator, I'd rather work as an intern for life for you, than to say that I accuse him of attempting to commit a crime," she declared pointing to Lahar. "What legitimate proof do you have that clearly proves that he is responsible?"

"He admitted it himself, you are aware of that, aren't you?" Lahar stated, pushing his glasses up.

"Yes, just like how a drug dealer would ask the police if they wanted crack," she agreed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Well if it's one of those corrupt officers and they're on crack…

"How can you tell that he isn't responsible, where's your proof?"

"Because if he was going to shoot to hurt, he would've shot him and not the ceiling," she stated pointing to Lahar again. Jellal almost felt like smiling, these people really do understand what he's thinking sometimes. "Moreover, he wouldn't shot just one bullet, but several to take out all of your men. That is the psychology of a man who truly enjoys the pain of others. That gun only has one bullet used, right?"

"Not all people are the same, Aeternus-san," Belno stated. "You understand that well, don't you? The psychology aside, the fact that he had a gun in his hand does serve as a potential threat to the other students, therefore, its only best that this student—"

"Have the decency to address Jellal-kun with a name. He's not like all of your 'students' who are 10xs worse and addressed by number instead of their name." Now that is starting to become dehumanizing.

"Stop distracting us from the matter at hand," the small cat like man shouted. "The student known as Jellal Fernandez should be expelled from Fairy Academy and taken to—"

"Why should he go there? No one was hurt by his own physical actions—" At least not at that time. He's harmed more than healed, is she choosing to ignore that fact?

"There are students who were injured because of his actions, we have plenty of proof to verify that," Lahar reported. Hm, just how much were they anticipating a day like this to come? "Besides, that is where all of our problems go, you should be well aware of this fact."

So now those children are considered as students? Isn't that disgustingly convenient? "Jellal-kun did that as self defense, not because he purposely aimed to hurt them!"

"He still used force when he should have contacted the police. That is what a responsible student does. Not like I expected you to know that, considering your other students." Well, it's not like they can always get an adult, because quite often adults don't understand the problems between teenagers. And just because Natsu accidently lit something on fire, they're all irresponsible. "Why didn't he just contact the police?"

"He was in a situation that didn't allow any time for phone calls so he acted accordingly to the situation."

"You're trying to justify his actions," Lahar reasoned. "In any case, why was he carrying a gun on him? Even if you say that it was for self defense, a gun is a little much isn't it? And as many of us here, including you, are aware that a gun is mainly for combat yes?"

"I believe that the use changes depending on the situation."

"However, no matter what it is used for, a weapon is still a weapon and that weapon can kill people."

"But it didn't, what are you so—"

A strong and loud voice intruded on their argument. "You're still naïve. What matters most is that he was in possession of a gun, moreover he shot it, intending to harm others."

"Gran Doma, I still don't see your point if you ignore the fact that he didn't shot a person."

"Are you choosing ignorance?"

"It depends, what are you implying? That Jellal-kun is some mass murderer who won't stop unless you lock him up? How could you even come to that conclusion?"

"It's because that boy only knows how to hurt people, he won't change, he's no different from that, that horrid excuse of a man!" Jellal knew the words were true, he was fully willing to accept his punishment. He wasn't going to deny the fact that he hurt people, but someone else wasn't going to give up.

Faye-sensei's eye twitched. Did he just… "What exactly do you mean by that statement?" Her angry filled the tension of the room. The past has past! Why can't they bother to leave it alone? "If you think he's still a criminal, then you are an idiot—"

"Faye," Mavis interrupted. "I would like it if you would focus on the matter at hand and may I ask the same thing of you, Gran Doma? Problems from the past shouldn't be dealt with now." Even now, he still dislikes Fairy Academy. Was he that upset when Zeref was announced as innocent?

The silver haired man reluctantly said," Very well. Matters like that should be discussed at a later date." More like they shouldn't be discussed at all. "For now, with the obvious proof we have, I believe the board is in favor of—"

"If I may speak," Mavis requested, cutting him off politely. She had to try to stall, or at least get some more information in. "What would happen if an excellent student picked up the gun, would you condemn them as well?"

"They would still have some means of punishment for utilizing a gun in the first place," one of them stated with some reluctance."If the student is known to be responsible and of great presence in academics and extracurricular activities, that will also be accounted into the punishment."

"Then, there's no reason for you to transfer Jellal-kun. If you'd bother to look at his academic record, he's a promising student—"

"He probably cheated to get those scores, he barely goes to class!" So they even look at his attendance records. Don't they have a lot of free time? Just how much do they hate Jellal? Or was it the school that they hated more?

"But he has a photographic memory and it's not like he's never there. We can test it if you want," Faye-sensei offered.

"What kind of argument is that?!" It is a possible argument if it can be proved but they are just too stubborn to do so.

A gong rang out and a small, hunched over man announced, "10 minute break. We will continue shortly, please take this time to wrap up any personal matters that may linger." The man looked at Faye-sensei with a distasteful look who glared back.

"I'm going to check on something," Mavis announced, excusing herself.

"Understood." To think they'd have to go to that now… "Faye-sensei, if you cannot act professional, then I will make you sit down for the rest of the trial," Makarov warned.

"I apologize, but you know what they're trying to do already. At this point, they'll manipulate all the facts with their view." More importantly, the main force might not be able to come in time if she can't distract them enough in time. "Jellal-kun, are you really going to silently sit there as your future is being decided?"

"You know my answer to that Sensei," he answered quietly. He only wants to be punished, he deserves punishment, not Gajeel. Gajeel didn't do most of his actions because he chose to but rather because he wanted to protect and ensure that Juvia didn't have to go through that again. If the blame would go to Gajeel, then more people would be upset.

Even though he's considered a genius in many aspects, he's still an idiot sometimes. 'More people would be upset'? And what does that mean for him? That Gajeel's the newest product of a cake store while Jellal's the leftovers that couldn't get sold?

"Damn it, that Fernandez bastard!" Gajeel shouted as he slammed his fist into the school wall. Ooh, that's going need another call to the usual construction company. Still, one measly punch could do nothing for the bitter anger that Gajeel felt. His blood was boiling in anger and frustration. Gajeel wasn't stupid, he knew the reason why Jellal took all the blame onto himself, but that didn't make it any better!

"Gajeel-kun!"

"What?!"

His fist nearly hit Juvia's face, but she didn't flinch back. "Juvia has been calling Gajeel-kun for 5 minutes. Juvia thinks that it's time to talk."

"Now isn't the best time—"

"I think you owe me an explanation too," a soft voice called out. Gajeel didn't dare look behind him. He didn't want to see her and be reminded of what happened yesterday. "Gajeel…"

"Don't say my name like that!" He clenched his jaw with a dulled knife scrapping over his heart. It was painful to hear her say his name in that way. Her voice wasn't filled with anger or disgust, but rather sadness that came because of ignorance. To be innocent is a beautiful thing, but to be ignorant is a fearful thing, because ignorance can never lead to bliss.

"Gajeel-kun," Juvia called out, without hesitations or wavering feelings, "Juvia is tired of all the puzzles, so answer Juvia with only the truth and every part of the truth."

"You can't know the damn truth!"

"Why?!" she screeched out. Juvia could feel Gajeel hurting, she felt it. Her chest throbbed in pain from the sudden burst of emotions, but she continued to speak. "Even now, you're not going to tell Juvia anything? Even after Juvia and Gajeel-kun suffered through all of that and came to Fairy Academy together, you still won't tell Juvia anything?!"

"You shouldn't have been in that damn place! You shouldn't have known!"

"If that's true, then Gajeel-kun shouldn't have been there either!" Juvia was well aware that she was not the only one at Phantom with a story. But she only knew fragments from Gajeel's story, since he didn't like talking about the past, who would after discovering that he was deceived with promises of acceptance and respect? Still, she knew that he was deceived by Jose as well.

"What crap are you spouting out, of course you didn't belong there—"

"Gajeel-kun was no different from Juvia!" she insisted. "Jose used Juvia and Gajeel-kun to his liking, both are to blame, Juvia and Gajeel-kun aren't different at all, so just tell Juvia why you never said a single word to Juvia about this!"

Juvia gasped greedily for air. Being angry does make one tired after all, but that wasn't all. During her arguing and insistence, she ended up with tears streaming down her face. Out of regret or out of frustration, she didn't quite know, but the important thing was that Gajeel saw her crying because of him.

"Juv, stop with that look, ya look horrible."

"It's Gajeel-kun's fault," Juvia sniffed out. "If only Gajeel-kun was as kind as Gray-sama."

"We talkin' about the same stripper?" At least address him by his name, Gajeel.

Levy had just stood there, not knowing what to do yet she felt touched by their friendship. Though…was she not supposed to be here in the first place? But the reason why she got involved with this entire mess in the first place was because of Gajeel, so didn't she naturally have a reason to know?

Gajeel looked at Levy's expression and sighed. "They came to me, looking for a stress reliever since we got into Fairy while they got the reformatory, that's it. When they were finally tired of getting beat by me, they were going to stop." But they never really got over it, the hatred festered in them too strongly.

"Then why did they take me? Why not Juvia?"

"Cause Juvia can defend herself better than you can and..."

"And?" Levy asked with her eyebrow raised. What was with that long pause?

"And?" Juvia emphasized with an eager expression on her face despite the tears dripping down her face.

"This one doesn't need to hear it," Gajeel decided, covering Juvia's ears.

"Gajeel-kun! Juvia wants to hear!"

"Heck no." Isn't it strange? That secret that enchained Gajeel for so long is finally gone as is the pressure with this. That life is over and he is free for the present, free with guilt yet free all the same to continue pursuing the path that he started a long time ago.

"I'll tell you what he says later," Levy promised.

"Then Juvia will be waiting for good news." Like them going out. "Gajeel-kun, don't mess this up. Levy-san can do so much better than you."

"Thanks fer the confidence Juv," Gajeel muttered out in a huff. But even he has to agree with that. There's just always someone that seems better, yet such affection doesn't work like that.

"So why?"

"They thought—"He suddenly stopped in mid-sentence and blushed! How cute! Even a guy like him can get embarrassed.

"They thought what?"

Come on, Gajeel, you can say a couple of words can't you?! "They thought that you were important to me!" There, wasn't that easy! Though he didn't bother saying some other important words, but they have almost all the time in the world to get to that stage.

Levy giggled happily at his reddened face. Sometimes, the only one we want is merely the imperfectly perfect person standing in front of us. The person who makes us smile, the person who gives us that warm feeling, the person who attracts us with their mere presence.

"Oh! I almost forgot, about the fairy that you gave me… When they grabbed me, my bag fell and the fairy was broken, I tried to fix it, but the glue wouldn't hold it together that well, I'm sorry!"

"That's fine Shrimp, that model was no good anyways, so I'll just make another one," Gajeel brushed off easily. He'll make more and more until those fairies can look like the fairy in front of him, his beautiful, innocent fairy.

Levy smiled. "Thank you Gajeel. "

Side by side, the two walked together back towards their classroom, to find Natsu upset. "Whaddaya mean that I can't come Gildarts!"

"First Master's request. Only Erza's allowed to go to the trial," Gildarts-sensei stated. "Sit down Natsu."

"Is that about Fernandez?" Gajeel asked.

"You're not going either Gajeel, so sit down."

"THAT AIN'T FAIR, WE WERE THERE TOO!" He shouldn't be there as the accused! He was trying to protect this family, Natsu could at least hear that much during that mess. Last night, Natsu saw it, Jellal's loyalty, the way he protected Lucy and Levy, how allowed himself to get caught for all of them. If someone like that isn't considered as a fairy, then everything he's been taught must be a lie.

"Natsu! That's enough!"

"I can't take this standing down either," Gajeel declared. Especially when in that case Jellal shouldn't be the one taking all of the blame.

"You two aren't going! Erza, there's a car in front that'll take you to the office, so go," Gilarts decreed. Erza nodded and headed out quickly. "You two are sitting down—"

A new presence entered the scene. "Actually, I need Natsu for something," the man wearing sunglasses pointed out.

"Loke!"

Loke adjusted his sunglasses and asked, "Unless that would be a problem, Gildarts-sensei? I need him for something important."

"If you want only punishment, then why do you keep drawing her?" The question came from an obvious root, but apparently it wasn't so obvious that Jellal noticed it before. "Why do you keep imagining her?" Every picture has one thing in common, that specific shade of red. She thought it was because he wanted her forgiveness, while he… perhaps he subconsciously wanted to be forgiven. Or he could simply not forget about her.

"Isn't she an appropriate muse?" he played off. Even he doesn't truly know. He just thinks she's beautiful in so many ways. She's strong but kind, weak yet stubborn, she's so beautiful that she looks fragile. Everything about her was just… something alluring, something untouchable, something beyond him.

"Why do you keep avoiding this topic?" Because he is just as stubborn as Erza. Because he doesn't know. Because he does know.

"I asked Zeref that question once before," Mavis intruded, walking in. "He told me that I'm always on his mind so he can't help but incorporate a little of me in his art. If she was just a muse, then there are other people that you could use, yet you always chose her." Mavis smiled sadly. "If you keep assuming things, you'll hurt someone."

Hurt? He's already hurt enough people, he knows what's he's done to them, what's happened to them, what they feel, how could she say that those assumptions that he makes will hurt someone? Erza is certainly no exception to his harming others. "I already know."

"You might think you know, but you don't, because you're just guessing," Makarov stated. "First Master, what are the calculations for this situation?"

"One moment."

"Jellal-kun, you can't just stay silent."

"I can and I will," he insisted.

Mavis' eyes widened as she reached her conclusion. "If things remain like this for the next hour, then there is a 98% chance that we'll lose." Would it be wrong if he felt glad that the outcome would be his punishment? Mavis smiled. "But let's see how something else changes the situation. I'm glad I prepared!"

What was that smile? The doors opened and scarlet colored the dull room. "I'm sorry for being late, there were some issues because Gajeel wanted to be here as an eye witness matter what I told him," Erza apologized as she put everything down to deal with this.

"No it's fine, thank you for being here Erza-chan. I'm sorry for having you miss school."

"Not at all. If I can be of help, then I'm more than willing to miss a few hours. Besides, this is an excellent experience." Erza sat down with her perfect posture next to Jellal.

"Why are you here?" Jellal sharply whispered.

"Because I care about what happens to you." Her eyes… They're determined to protect instead of being protected. How she's changed, knowing the truth. "You don't deserve this. I understand that you were only trying to help Gajeel from getting punished, but that doesn't mean that you should be judged for having a gun."

"You know what I did, I should've already been here."

"If Mystogan agrees, then I'll stop intervening." That was low, but it shut Jellal up for now. Why can't he see that she wants to save him just like he saved her so many times before? Again, he's stubborn. Actually, they're both stubborn.

"You're doing something unnecessary."

"And you just sitting here is something unnecessary."

"Court is back in session. Quiet down. A witness has come, Erza Scarlet please come to the stand."

"Yes." Erza stood, walking towards the stand. How strange, even in a situation like this, Jellal can't help but think that she belongs in the pure light of society, while he belongs in its underbelly.

"Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I swear."

"Then please speak, Erza Scarlet," the attendant requested.

Erza took a deep breath and began. "Last night, I noticed that one of the girls had yet to return, despite it being past curfew for our dorm. We were unable to contact her, but managed to locate her phone and found out that she was kidnapped by some students from another school. Jellal had helped us ensure her safety."

"Scarlet-san, when you discovered that your friend was kidnapped, was this boy with you?"

"He had come later."

"Were you aware that he was armed?"

"Armed?"

"We have the gun in custody, here," the attendant stated as he held out said object. "Did you see this item while you were together?"

"May I touch this?" Erza put on the required white gloves and picked up the gun. It was quite heavy, so this was a gun when it was loaded? "I don't think that he was armed for a majority of the time. Considering his movements, it looked like he couldn't have had this on hand since this is quite heavy."

Jellal felt anxiety flooding into his fingers all of a sudden when he first saw that gun. Even yesterday, his fingers were trembling when he held it up too because that feeling couldn't disappear. When he saw the blood and the fear before, he can't move.

Erza noticed a sudden fear in Jellal emerge. It just has to be about that doesn't it?

Lahar's voice brought her back from her thoughts, "Yet are you going to deny that he used it?"

"For that situation, I believe that he acted accordingly. You were ordering your subordinates to immediately apprehend all students. I don't think that was a correct decision to calm things down in that manner."

"That still doesn't justify his use for the gun even if I admit that my orders seemed too offensive." Wait, so is he admitting it or not? "Scarlet, step down from the stand, we've heard more than enough."

"I'm sorry," Erza whispered to Jellal who shook his head as if to say that it was fine. To know that she was even willing to come down here was something that made his heart feel a little warmer.

"But I suppose the root problem, if we were to go that far, lies with Aternus-sensei," Lahar pointed out.

"Are you saying that because I insulted you earlier?"

"Your counseling methods are horrible. You lack any matter of respect or discipline. Your students are not changing and remain stagnant."

"My, you sound like him." Though to be compared to Gran Doma, maybe that's taken as a compliment. "Why do you bring it up?" Perhaps Jellal was right when he said that they were trying to take her out of her position.

"Because this could have been prevented if you had properly done your job and reformed that, that mess!"

Faye-sensei stood. No matter what he says, she can't exactly let it end here. "A counselor guides, not forms. I don't think you understand that Jellal-kun and other students are not going to change no matter how much you push them. Haven't you heard? Therapy only works on the willing, not the stubborn."

"So you're saying that you agree with Scarlet-san in that he was right to shoot?" Belno intervened. So they're still not considering Jellal as a student. Have they forgotten that they're dealing with someone who's technically still a kid?

"I'd just like to point out that yes, Jellal-kun put his hands on a gun. However, it was to force order. Something that you're all very familiar with that reformatory of yours."

"Don't put us down on the level of a mere student's!"

"We've heard the rumors of how you allow smoking and drinking in your room, don't think that we can't revoke your license!"

"Obviously, you don't understand the meaning of order or else those students of yours would be better!" Chaos seeped into the room, coloring the atmosphere with those people's anger.

"You're not getting it!" Faye-sensei shouted. "Oppressing them into the image of a 'model' student isn't helping them! If you force them to stop, it won't help, it won't make them stop!"

"At least they're not menaces!" So obviously, it's been a while since the Board's checked on their precious little 'students'.

"Enough!" the Head commanded, effectively silencing the other officials. "Seeing your performance today, I believe that it is in everyone's best interest that the delinquents under Aternus are to be relocated to Era Reformatory, especially Jellal Fernandez."

"I don't think I can approve of that," Mavis stated.

"What was that?" Gran Doma looked at the direction the voice came from. "If you oppose, then by all means stand Principal Vermillion." Stand and get ready to be dismissed, is what he's thinking.

Mavis stood up, walking towards the board with determined eyes. Just a little longer! "I know what you do to your 'students', I know what you force them to become. You shouldn't force an ideology on them or else they will only continue their path. I am not here to question your methods, but force, intimidation, and violence are never the answer, that is why I agree with Faye's methods," Mavis stated clearly.

"How else you do expect us to get them to understand? Your school gives your students too much freedom!"

"Does that mean you had to destroy any creativity that could have saved them? The oppressed will act out in violence when they are unable to nonviolently express. Haven't you seen the riot pictures from when Crocus nearly burned to the ground? The fellow protesters were thrown in jail for nonviolence actions which lead to the more radical protestors to act out in violence."

"Then they will consider their teachers as weak and easily overtaken, they need to first understand and become indoctrinated with the school hierarchy!"

"That's just dictatorship! They're still kids, much like the student being accused in front of me." Yes, no matter how mature he acts or how old he gets, Jellal, like others, are still children. They're children because they always had to believe that they had to be strong on their own. "Are you even listening to the other side or are you merely basing your argument on past information that wasn't even gathered directly from the people that it's written about?"

"Of course you would say that, you married a murderer!" Mavis froze, how could they still think like that? After all the good that he's trying to do? Were they blind?

"Don't you dare speak that way to someone who's dedicating his life to fix the lives of students that people like you ignore!" Makarov's presence grew furiously, almost as if the entire atmosphere was controlled by his anger. This pressure! This tension! How is it that it came from a single man? A determined man who was willing to do anything for that place that he's called home for over 80 years of his life, how could his emotions be so…influencing? "You didn't do anything to help a student, if it weren't for Mavis, he would be rotting away in some jail cell because you continuously told him that he wouldn't become anything better except a criminal, what kind of educator diminishes the potential in a student?!"

"Silence!"

"Don't silence him when he's telling the truth!" Faye-sensei shouted.

"You were with that man as well in the same position as him, what right do you have to speak?"

She glared, fiercely with the same aura that she had in her teenage days, the one that could make grown men whimper. "He have every right, at least he's not so pigheaded, biased, and ignorant that he forgets what he is supposed to be doing as an educator—!"

"Faye," a voice called out for her. A hand touched her shoulder and she instantly relaxed. It was a comforting feeling. "Calm down. Stop wasting your emotion on someone like that and leave it to me. You as well Makarov-san. Don't worry, I know exactly how to get these people to agree."

Jellal's eyes widened, who is that?

"Loke, put me down already!" Natsu shouted, trying to get down from his grip.

"No way. You're just going to escape, aren't you?"

"You haven't told me anything yet!"

"I didn't? Oh yeah, I guess I didn't. Well, you'll find out on the way so it's fine right?" Loke asked as he threw Natsu in the back of his car. Wow, it's not even moving yet and Natsu has motion sickness.

"Just tell me what the heck's going on!" Natsu's hand immediately covered his mouth as he felt the need to barf out his breakfast and his several snacks.

"Now, now you'll find out soon, so just wait," Loke stated as he started up the car causing Natsu to go into his car coma.

Well, at least he can go see what Lucy's up to. That is if he doesn't die while getting there. Man, why did Loke have to drive in a car?! Why couldn't he ride a horse or something? Natsu's completely fine with animals! But horses are so expensive to maintain compared to a sports car.

"Loke-sama that was fast," Capricorn greeted. "But perfect timing, Lucy-sama was about to run out again." By claiming that she had to go to the bathroom too, didn't she think that someone would have had to go with her if she did that?

"Capricorn, get something for him, will ya? He's still got that motion sickness problem."

"Understood, meh will get the Troia medicine," Capricorn stated as he grabbed Natsu with a single hand.

"I'll go tell Uncle to wait a moment. Hurry."

"Come, Natsu-sama, you need to be fully conscious to participate in this.'

"In…What?" Oh god, he needed to throw up. Just remembering the smell of the car made him nauseous.

"The conversation between Lucy-sama and Jude-sama. Have you not heard that for the past some weeks, Lucy-sama has been residing with Levy-sama?" Natsu muttered something out, but Capricorn barely understood. He shook his head at the state that Natsu was in. "One moment, the medicine will be ready." Capricorn jammed the liquid down Natsu's mouth, "How do you feel?"

"That hurt!" But he's conscious!

"Good to see that you are in good health, Natsu-sama. Now let us hurry to Lucy-sama."

"What's this whole thing about anyways? I already knew that something was wrong with Lucy, I could smell it." Like, literally he could smell it. Lucy smelled like the dorm instead of her house. "So why'd I need to come too?"

"Because the Master believes that you have a right to hear this."

"What is it?"

"You will find out soon. Please enter."

Natsu looked in, happy to see Lucy, but not as much to see her dad with that face judged him as always. The atmosphere felt stiff. "Come sit down." But her dad looks awkward. He still looks as worried about Lucy as ever to his eyes.

"Hey Luce."

"What are you doing here Natsu?" Lucy muttered underneath her breath. Well if he knew that then he wouldn't have kept asking Loke and Capricorn why he's there! "Are you going to force us into secrecy now?"

"Lucy, please," Jude begged. When did his daughter become like this? Was it his fault for not spending enough time with her after Layla… He swallowed something that felt like it was blocking his throat. Even now, he admits, only in privacy of how he can hardly stand to look at his daughter, because of how much she looks like her mother.

Lucy seethed out, unable to control her angered breathing. After all, this entire situation was ridiculous! What was he trying to accomplish?!

"Here, Natsu."

"What're these?" Natsu opened the folder only to find the exact information that he needed, the information that he's been looking for since Igneel's been gone… Everything was right in front of him… "Where did you get this?"

"He's known all along, haven't you? About what happened to Igneel-san." Lucy asked in a cold tone. Though rather than asking, she was asserting because she believes that she knows the truth.

"Lucy, listen—"

"Why do you have all this information?" Natsu demanded. "You know where he is, don't you?" Seeing that he didn't answer fast enough, Natsu immediately stood up and demanded to know, "Where is my dad?! Answer me!"

"Natsu-sama, calm down, you're making a racket," Capricorn politely requested. But wait, he's holding Natsu back from getting too close to Jude, so can that even be considered as a request? "Now sit down."

"I was only trying to help Igneel!"

"What the heck do you mean by that?! Help from what? What the hell happened?!"

Lucy's eyes widened. She couldn't take it anymore! "Help?! You were threatening him!"

"I did no such thing!" Jude firmly denied. Just what did he have to do to show that he had no part in threatening Igneel to go into hiding?

"I still saw all of the letters and the information that you had on him!" Lucy's eyes widened when she remembered just who was in the room. Capricorn let the now silent Natsu go. His anger was seething, quietly yet still filling the room with a sense of distrust. Lucy began shivering from the feel. Even though she tried to keep his trust… Was it all for naught?

"Luce, what's the meaning of this?" Natsu's face still held confusion and hints of distrust. "You didn't say anything about this."

"I'm sorry Natsu, but—"She stopped herself in mid-sentence because she didn't even know what she was saying anymore. Lucy could offer no excuses, no reasons. She couldn't offer anything more than a regretful look on her face to beg for forgiveness.

"She still knew nothing," Jude announced to break the silence. "The only reason why I have those letters is because I didn't send them." Wait—! No actually, that makes sense. Then what about—! "And obviously, I would keep Igneel's letters in case something happened." Ok, never mind then.

"Then what happened with my dad?" Natsu asked slowly, emphasizing every word. He was tired of all the questions and mysteries, even more so since the place where all the answers lied seemed to be right in front of him. "Why'd he have to leave me alone!"

Because Lucy was standing behind Natsu, she couldn't see as well, but he was trembling, almost in tears. After all, he had been practically abandoned by his own father.

Jude sighed. "There were some complications that he didn't want you to go through. Even now, it's dangerous to mention this, because a certain group is still seeking him out. When I found out about this, I decided to help him by promising him that I would take care of you while he went into hiding."

"Why?" That man who only does things for his own profit! Why would he do something like that! Everything began mixing in Lucy's head. Her view of her dad now, her view of her dad after her mom's death, her view of her dad as a child, everything became distorted and confusing, which was the real side? Who was her father? The kind man who treasured her and her mother as though they were all he needed in the world? Or the man who threw his emotions aside to pursue wealth?

"Because he is your friend's father." It was such a simple answer, simple enough for Lucy to understand that her father still had compassion and understanding. Oh god, she felt stupid! "Natsu," Jude called out. "I'm sorry, but as of now, I'm going to keep to Igneel's word."

"So you know where he is but you're not going to tell me?"

"He said that it was to keep you safe."

Natsu punched the nearby wall. Ooh, that's going to leave a dent. "Don't screw with me old man!" By 'old man', which one is he referring to? "Just tell me where he is!"

"One of two conditions has to be met before you two can meet again."

"Are you saying that I'm not strong enough!" Even though he's gotten up countless of times to continue to fight and live, that still wasn't good enough?!

"This is not a matter of pure strength. The first condition is when you are mentally mature enough to understand the situation. The other condition is when the group stops hunting him down. Other than that he says that you can go look for him if you need to."

"Don't you know where he is?"

"A general idea…" he answered, looking in a different direction.

"You've got no idea."

"I said it was a general idea." He's had to keep them off his trail for the past few years, so obviously, Igneel can't stay in the same house for a long period of time.

"I'm not calling off the search," Natsu decreed.

"That's fine." For Igneel, he'd probably want it that way. After all, if there was a single thing that Igneel had taught Natsu it would be that you have to grab the future, not wait for it to come. "But when the time comes, he will appear before long."

"I'll find him first." So now it feels more like a race. That's fine too, after all, Natsu did get an answer. He knows that Igneel's alive, he knows that he wasn't abandoned, that is enough for now.

"When he feels that he should reveal himself, I will call for you again and Lucy." Lucy flinched. Now what? "I'm sorry. For everything." Lucy's eyes widened. It was the first time that she's seen him look so… kind and fatherly. No wait, that isn't it. This is the first time that she's ever heard him apologize with such a look on his face, a humane look.

"I don't think a single apology can fix everything." It can't. Apologies don't turn back time, they don't rewrite memoires to include warm hugs and comforting smiles, they don't really fix anything, but—"It would be a better apology to have dinner and just talk for once, about non-business things." Apologies are a start.

"Come home early."

"I will." With the faintest smile, Lucy dragged Natsu away from the office, leaving Jude with such a thankful look on his face.

As soon as they exited Jude's office, Natsu asked, "You knew?"

"Not a lot!" Damn, that came out louder than she expected.

"You should've said something."

"What the heck am I supposed to say? I was..." Afraid, so terribly afraid of what might have happened.

A warm hand came onto her head. "Stuuupid."

"What, Natsu!"

"Stuuupid Luigi. It's not like I can actually hate you."

"Then what did you think those years of not talking to be were!"

"Huh? I just got upset, but it's not like I actually hated you." If you think about it, Natsu does hold weird grudges for weird periods of time. That aside, now looking back on it, middle schoolers are emotionally unstable with the very start of their hormones overtaking their logic. Because of those early emotions, things had ended up awkward and silent. Now they're a little more mature to handle the things that they couldn't understand before.

"Natsu…" Lucy smiled as a warm feeling enveloped her heart.

"Now let's go! If we hurry then we can make it back in time for lunch!"

"Wait, I still need to change into my uniform!"

"You look happy Uncle," Loke commented as he and Jude remained in the office.

"Do I?" A warm smile graced his face as he listened to the voices of his daughter and her beloved friend.

"More than I've seen you in recent years."

"Perhaps," he suggested, as he walked towards the window, watching the two teens walk back to school. Now then, what should he asked to be prepared for dinner later?

The man smiled and told Faye-sensei, "Take a breath. You look tired."

Faye-sensei took a deep breath and turned to her dear red haired husband with silver eyes. "Thank you, Nate," she said gratefully, much more calmly. "But you're late. Where are the others?"

"They're coming in a few minutes. Everything's progressing smoothly so don't worry one bit," he assured, booping her nose causing her to giggle involuntarily. Jellal blinked. That was her husband? The man looked at him and smiled. "So you're Jellal-kun? Nice to meet you, I hope we can talk about details later, but for now, just agree with what he and I say," he whispered out as he set down his briefcase.

"But I—"

"Don't. I will probably win that argument."

"Nathanial Aternus," the Gran Doma addressed distastefully, "this isn't within your jurisdictions, leave immediately."

"Actually I am authorized. As stated in the handbook, should a student involved in court, regardless of circumstances, he or she is allowed a legal attorney. One of your secretaries already approved along with 4 other members of the board to all of the conditions. Incidentally, I have two copies of that on my person with signatures and consequences enlisted if demands were not met."

The head fumed red, that nasty pinkish red that happens when something begins to swell and pucker up. "Who signed that?!"

"Don't blame them for wanting to keep their pride and if you say that it's against the law to research about people, then bring that up with the bureau. It's been consented to gather information, especially from public sources," he pointed out. "Now, do you want to spend the rest of the day arguing against me or can we proceed?"

"Fine!"

"The defendant, Jellal Fernandez-san has been accused on the basis that he had a gun on his person and was threatening to shoot if, and I quote, 'anyone ruins my entertainment'. I would like the point out that beforehand a fellow classmate of his was being abused by students under your jurisdictions and said students were also assaulting on a regular basis."

"Then why did he do nothing to stop it earlier if he intended to end the fighting?"

"I think a better question is why you had no idea about this until recently. Isn't Era Reformatory meant to prevent any continuation of violent actions? The former students of Phantom were meant to be watched carefully, but apparently the system got sloppy. I have several reports that show that and witnesses."

"That is…"

"That doesn't change the fact that he did nothing until this point. Moreover, are you going to ignore the fact that he had a gun?"

"From what I gathered, the gun was kept in the bar as an emergency procedure in case something happens. Why they use a gun, you'll have to ask the owner for his reasoning but it's not like Jellal-kun carries the gun with him personally. Also, this time, another student got caught up in this mess, Levy McGarden-san, who as many of you know, is more or less a pacifist and... Physically weak."

Levy sneezed.

"Your point?"

"I've taken the liberty to interrogate the responsible students who were very easy to get answers out of. The real culprits of the incident are listed in this document," he stated pushing the folder towards him. "If you still have doubts, then go and ask them, they should be very willing to speak now." When did he have time to do that? Actually, the better question is what did he do to them? "With all of the chaos that was going on, Jellal-kun was using the gun as a matter of self defense so there's no reason why he should be punished for that."

"There are other things on his record that show that he should be punished. Underage drinking and smoking, bike races in residential areas, gang fights," the list goes on and on, "Are you saying that we should ignore all of this? Fairy Academy should also be at fault—"

"I wonder where you were searching for that information," he sang out. Oh, just look at how angry those heinous people are getting~ "If you were searching without a warrant, then that's illegal information and can't be used."

"Not unless the judge permits it."

"Then that's one unmoral judge. Did anyone die by his hands? No, so why are you being like this?"

"He is a menace to society, just think about all the people he's injured for life."

"Like you weren't? Do you know how many things I can sue you for in this moment? But as you can see, you grew up to be relatively successful, working for the good of students, is what everyone who doesn't know you believes and I had a warrant for that information."

"Out of the rest, you were one of the most annoying."

"Thank you for the compliment. But I'm not the type who's swayed by meaningless words. You act as though people like him can't change. He's done bad things, so has everyone in this courtroom today. But if we can guide him towards a better path, then why wouldn't you?"

"Are you trying to say that he shouldn't be punished for his offenses?"

"Hasn't he already been punished in a different way?" Nate muttered out. Oh, so he can tell too, that Jellal still has a conscience. "To be perfectly honest, your 'punishments' aren't very effective. They fail to teach what is wrong and why. If Jellal-kun were the same age as me, then you wouldn't have a problem with this would you?"

"You are an adult—"

"What difference does that make? If I were doing the same things then I would probably get off with some fines and community service. But if I were to go into jail, then it won't really do anything. Jail is just a place where you lock up all of your problems. Very similar to what you're doing to Jellal-kun and other students."

"Is there a point to that statement!"

"Still don't get it?" He smiled so brightly, it was blindingly creepy. "Your reformatory is just a waste of money. Instead of fixing problems it's increasing them. There's so much data to show that, I have a power point if you want to look at it."

"Of course you would think something like that you and that man were—"

"Logical fallacy! Please don't say anymore or my wife's going kill me for looking at another man," he begged in a flamboyant manner, waving his hand around. "Love you sweetie!"

"Are you an idiot?!"

"I know you are but what is he?"Honestly, Jellal couldn't believe his eyes. With every comment the man had a retort, some of which were stupid but kept the Head busy enough, how could someone be so confident? Unless he had a plan.

"ENOUGH! Jellal Fernandez will be removed from Fairy Academy and the papers will be drawn for him to transfer!"

"There is no need for that. That student has already been arranged transferred to my school," a man announced, walking in the room calmly with a large frame at his side. "Faye-sensei already authorized it nearly 2 weeks ago as well as Vice Principal Dreyar, Headmistress Vermillion, and his guardians. You have no right to intervene."

"You—!"

Red, another shade of red… A man dresses in a bright crimson red. Not as bright as Erza's hair color yet not as dark as blood. He looked calm, calculating, and familiar. That was Acnologia? "Zeref, you finally showed up at a good part. You're so slow!"

"I was waiting to come in at the right time."

"More like you wanted to be the hero." Nate turned a seat around and sat down. "Well, it's your turn. Enjoy it."

He smirked. Of course he will. It's finally payback time for all the times they've done something to his sweet Mavis. "As principal of Crime Sorciere and a member of the board of Young Arts, I would like to congratulate one of your finest art students Siegrain, or as you better know him, Jellal Fernandez for winning this year's Reflect contest. Please have a look at one of his masterpieces."

"Faye-sensei!" Jellal hissed out.

"I didn't say anything about your personal information, you know that." Without turning to her husband, she asked, "Nate, you did research without my permission again, didn't you? "

Nate shrugged his shoulders. "He was so enthusiastic I thought it'd be interesting to help out. I'll make it up to you later so just watch for now. You as well, Jellal-kun."

"That—"

"Oh wow…" Erza gasped out. It was her, but so much more beautiful. He portrayed her as an angel, wings and everything underneath the cherry blossom tree from not so long ago. There were faint but apparent scars at her neck and eye, but that only seemed to add to that fragile beauty. "That's what you drew that day?"

He's dead. Someone get the coffin and just heap him towards the grave, he's dead.

"The words he also wrote to go along with this piece are beautiful as well, but it looks like someone might die from how beautiful these words are." And die if those words are spoken, but it is a fitting essay. "Though it would be best if the person who wrote them, read them aloud to the person who needs to hear them."

Cough-Jellal-cough!

"How do you even know that this is the so-called Siegrain that you claim he is?"

"My attorney did some research and Faye-sensei can justify that. She was always around when Jellal had a new art piece and approved of it herself." Zeref smiled, but his eyes became red, as they always have when he's become serious. "That aside, his work is so astounding that many sponsors look forward to his performance next year. If he can't draw then they might suspend funding for the arts program out of anger for an indefinite time period."

Yeah… That's not good. The fact that the district is able to offer a diverse array of programs is because of all the sponsors' donations! There's definitely going to be some researching by angry students if they don't keep up the program and then what?!

He visibly twitched. Zeref bit back a chuckle.

The Head called for one of other officials and whispered something. He slammed his fist into the desk and Zeref smirked. All according to plan, well this part.

"Erza-chan, are you watching closely?" Faye-sensei asked. "This is what you'll be doing for this career."

"They're still amazing." Even now, they still have the instincts of their youth to know how people will move, coupled with more knowledge and influence. "I wonder if I can ever be on their level if I choose this."

The Head of the Board cleared his throat loudly. "We have come to the conclusion that because Crime Sorciere is an academy primarily for students like the one in front of us, the student Jellal Fernandez will be transferring over to this school and must do so within the span of two weeks. Court dismissed." The gravel hit the little board and Jellal couldn't help but look in amazement of what just happened.

Actually, what did happen?

"The trial has been finished you are free to go."

"Oh thank you Zeref!" Mavis exclaimed as she hugged her husband.

"Sorry we couldn't make it earlier."

"It's fine!" Well isn't she all smiley now?

"Let's get back to school before something else happens," Makarov decided. "But, I can't fit all of you in my car."

"No worries, I've got one," Nate offered, holding out his keys. "But since I can't drive, Zeref's going to."

"Why do you always make me do it?"

"I just said that I couldn't drive. So Makarov, please take Erza-chan and Jellal-kun back to school because we want them to be alive. "

"Wait—" Jellal attempted to call out.

"Fine, I'll drive then. Erza, take this," Zeref said, handing her Jellal's drawing. Suddenly his phone rang. "Who is this? Oh, yes. You've found new talents? In Magnolia? Ok, I'll go look at what they have." As soon as he hung up, Zeref's excited business face came."We're taking a detour."

"5 of them too," Nate stated, looking at the new information that he was just sent from his Ipad. "They look pretty promising. It'll take… maybe an hour or two to convince?"

"You workaholics," Mavis pouted.

"We'll be done soon, I promise," Zeref swore as he kissed her forehead. "Makarov-san, we'll see you back at Fairy."

"Got it, don't be long." He needs help filling out paperwork. "Come on brats, we'd better get back before Natsu destroys something." Jellal looked like he wanted to punch something. "What's wrong boy?"

"Nothing," he mumbled out, glancing towards Erza who was bewitched by his picture. Erza looked at the picture in her hands. It was even more beautiful up close and now she could even see the little details that he put into it, like the way her dress crinkles and precise strands of hair that seemed so real.

"What did Zeref mean when he said words?"

"Don't worry about it," he answered curtly.

"Jellal—"

"Just stop Erza."

Erza sighed mentally. Was he going back to not talking to her again? "About this picture," she started to get his attention. "Do you want it back?"

"You can keep it if that guy doesn't want it."

"Thank you." And with that the car was filled with silence.

Makarov debated on whether he should say something, but whatever he says, it probably won't do much. Still, it couldn't hurt to try. "It's already almost summer; it's starting to get hot again," Makarov started. Seeing that neither had much of a reaction he continued, "Next summer people are already starting to go away to move closer to their colleges, so you can't let a single moment go to waste now."

"You ran a red light," Jellal pointed out, completely ignoring his words. Or was he? Meanwhile Erza let the weight of the words sink in, realizing just how heavy the fact was.

Makarov remained silent. Right now, those words are all he can say because while these students need to be guided, they also need to realize that they must make their own decisions. "We're back." Jellal immediately got out of the car and disappeared from sight before Erza could say something to stop him. Exactly what was going on in his mind right now? "Erza?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized, quickly moving out of the car.

"Remember what I said today," he advised before slowly walking back towards his office.

Erza walked to the Student Council room, happy to see it empty. She needed quiet to think. How was she supposed to understand Jellal? Why does he look like he wants to punish himself all the time? It's like he already decided that what he did can and will never be forgiven. Of course, it's not like she doesn't personally feel the same when she remembers her own incident, but she's also trying to live for them.

That aside, what is it that she can do for him? Can she even do anything at all? Erza's hands gripped her skirt tightly, hating herself for being powerless right now. Just what can she do?

The door slide open and the taller bluenette walked through. "Excuse Juvia, but is there any—Oh, Erza-san, Juvia did not know that you were back. Did everything go well during the trial?"

"More or less, I suppose. Is there something you need?"

"Juvia heard that the official swim meet papers came, but Juvia couldn't find Aquarius-sensei so Juvia was wondering if someone in the student council knew where they were?"

"They should be in one of the folders on that table marked swim club," Erza answered, pointing to the far table.

"Thank you. Is that a picture of you Erza-san? You look very beautiful as an angel."

"You should complement the artist, he did a great job."

"Then he must often think of you as an angel." Juvia quickly found the needed papers. With an almost bitter, but more sweet smile she said, "Thank you Erza-san and sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"That Juvia could do nothing until recently regarding Jellal-san."

"That's… fine. Not many people actually knew."

"Still, Juvia wanted to apologize to Erza-san at the least since Jellal-san is very important to you." On that note, Juvia left Erza to herself.

"Angel, huh?" Erza whispered quietly as she looked at Jellal's drawing. But she's no angel in pure white. Why was she drawn as an angel? Her fingers brushed against an envelope that was stuck to the back of the frame. She took the envelope and opened it, finding what she thought were the words that Zeref were talking about earlier.

For the theme of truth, I was reminded of a beautiful girl who was never corroded by lies. Though she has suffered through painful truths, she has never lost herself to deception and remains pure as she seeks out the truth. To me, this girl is an angel filled with light in which darkness can never touch. She represents both sides of the truth, no matter how beautiful it is or painful it reveals to be. She is the Scarlet Truth.

"Jellal…" She gritted her teeth, trying not to cry from his words that seemed to drip with emotion. "Idiot." Erza stood, now with a direction of where to go.

If he portrays her as the truth, then she'll say it over and over until he accepts the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

So apparently they can be done with negotiation within 30 minutes, which by Jellal's current standards were not quick enough. He needed to know everything. He needed to know what went on in that man's mind. What could have possibly possessed Zeref Vermillion to save him from Era Reformatory?

"Faye-sensei, I—"Jellal stopped himself when he saw said counselor being picked up by her husband bride style. "Why the hell is everyone acting like this today?" Not everyone, it's not like you're doing something romantic for Erza.

"Sorry, haven't seen her in about a year," Nate apologized as he let his wife settle back with her feet on the ground.

"I'm so sorry, I'd thought you would be talking with Erza-chan after the whole court thing. So Jellal-kun, what do you need?" Faye-sensei asked, straightening out her attire.

"Where's Acnologia?"

"Zeref's outside taking care of the gardens," Nate answered.

Faye-sensei looked angry as she mumbled, "He's going to kill the plants again…That man does not have a green thumb, how many plants is he going to kill before he understands that?"

"We have a garden?"

"It's mainly for the agricultural studies and things relating to that nature, but since not a lot of people know about it I guess it's natural for you not to know either. It's very peaceful. It's in that one corner of the school yard where the track field ends," Faye-sensei informed.

"I'm using the window," he announced as he opened it to leap out.

"Isn't he energetic?" Nate pointed out. "Always seeking the answer that he's looking for." The answer that leads to a thorn filled path of punishment. "There's just one more person to guide to that place."

Speak of Titania and she will appear, out of breath and determined. "Where's Jellal?"

"Garden near the track field, but—" Erza already started running towards the goal the longer way. Huh, should the student council president be doing that? "I don't think that the other teachers can stop her from running in the halls."

"If only all the pieces could have been assembled in time, they wouldn't have to be running all over the place. They wouldn't have to run around like this."

"You did well enough on such a tight schedule, it was probably too sudden for them to come anyways. Besides, there'll be another chance for Jellal to realize another side of the truth when the time comes. I doubt you'll just leave things like this."

"Who knows what I'll do~?" Nate cracked a smile. "So you think that she and Jellal-kun are like Mavis and Zeref?"

"What? You can't see it?"

"I'm more amazed that those two haven't realized it."

If it's that obvious how similar the pairs are, then maybe like Zeref and Mavis, those two can also have a happy ending together. Of course, happy endings need more than hopes and wishes; they need work from more than one person.

If only the second person could understand that. Right now the only thing on his mind is punishment and hell, that's what he feels like he deserves. But what that man deserves is not the anger and chains of hell, but rather the comfort and flowers of heaven.

Flowers, that's all he could see when he came to the school garden. All kinds of flowers filled the surroundings, they were beautiful. If only he had known about this place earlier, then he would have drawn Erza here. Not the point, where is—

"Looking for me?" Jellal turned his head towards the sound of the voice. Zeref stood by a large bush of flowers, not even needing to look towards Jellal to know what he wanted to know. "Did you need something?" he asked as he watered the plants, trying not to overwater them.

Jellal answered, asking, "Why did you offer me a place at your school?"

Zeref turned from the plants to look at Jellal. His eyes were exactly the same as his own before. "I could hear the soul of your art saying that you wanted to return to those innocent times. Then this time, I could hear it saying that you have a wonderful girl in your life who you think is your angel."

"She's not even mine," he insisted.

"Though you'd like her to be. It's either that or you're already together." Who the heck brainwashed all the teachers into matchmaking? "When I was around your age, I also had someone who I love," he told Jellal, smiling gently of his memories with his wife. "She was radiant and filled with life, like a fairy."

"The First Master?"

"Both then and even now, I think that she's too good for me."

"Why did you marry her then?"

"Because I love her." The answer slide from his tongue without the slightest hesitation and Jellal could only look at him in shock. "She's strong and brilliant even after her parents passed, curious and energetic beyond belief, and she's kind enough to love someone like me, who is the complete opposite of her."

"Why?" That was the sole word that came out of Jellal's mouth for a good 2 minutes. He didn't understand this man, if she was too good for him and he cared about her, how could he still love her without feeling any guilt to corrode him? "Why did you tell her that you loved her instead of trying to push her towards someone else?"

"I almost did, but then someone told me that I would be denying her the greatest happiness if I said no. That person said that I was the only one who could make Mavis happy, because the greatest happiness comes from the person you love, loving you back," he explained. "Don't you want Erza to be as happy as possible?"

"But it's not with me, I'm—"

"You can't be worse than me," he pointed out. "If I wasn't in high school back then, I would be in jail because of how many people I killed and maimed." They just barely got off with using drugs and self defense as excuses. Heck, with all the reports they had to write for him, it was surprising that they got off with only a couple years of therapy and community service. "Why do you want to stay away from Erza?"

"She deserves better than someone who's lied to her when he could have helped her." Jellal sighed. "I don't want her to be wasted on me."

"You're acting like you didn't help her."

"I didn't."

"Hm." He turned to give the plants on the other side water. "I've heard from Faye that you've helped her more than enough. Apparently, she doesn't have nightmares anymore and that's probably because she could confine in you."

"That's stupid."

"But true. A girl like her was forced to be strong, much like Mavis because of similar circumstances, so it's great that she can have someone who doesn't expect her to be strong all the time."

"She is strong." She's the strongest person that he knows.

"But you know that she isn't always strong," he pointed out. No one can be strong all the time. "Unlike everyone else at this school. She's been through a lot of counseling, you know and she's still not completely fixed."

Jellal shook his head in disbelief. She has her friends to help her, she doesn't need him, she never needed him. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Motivation, perhaps? If we can prove the good in you, then you can come back to Fairy for college."

"There isn't any good in me!" What was this man trying to prove? Even if he does become good, it's not like he'll be good enough to be with Erza in the light!

Zeref smiled. "Of course there is. The first step in this process is admitting that you have both good and bad dwelling within you. From there, we work on having you like yourself again."

Jellal blinked. "'Process'?"

"The road of healing is to forgive yourself, because that will be the hardest step," Zeref answered. "Faye and I have been down this road. We're not saying to deny what you've done or forget about it, but instead of letting that chain you, will you let it motivate you?" The past will never change because it has already been set in stone, but that doesn't mean the perspectives and emotions can't change.

"I will continue to regret," Jellal answered without any hesitation.

"Idiot!" Jellal turned to see waves of scarlet, brighter and nobler than any of the flowers in this garden. Erza clenched her teeth. Even after this, he still doesn't realize it? Such a stubborn person! "Are you even listening to yourself?" she asked as she gripped his shirt. "You sound ridiculous."

"Erza, you need to understand—"

"No, you need to understand," Erza insisted, with no intentions of backing down from this. "You're the only one who can't forgive yourself. You act like you have to face this alone, like this is only your problem, but it's not."

"Erza—"

"Just listen!" The time for being timid and hesitate is over, if she doesn't convince him now, then what use is she? "You regret it don't you? So much that you destroyed your life, thinking that it'd be better if you had a punishment? You do regret it, don't you?"

Was that even a question? "Of course I do, that's why I want to be punished! That's why I deserved to be punished!"

"If you can still regret something like that, then that means that you're not a bad person! If you want to punish yourself then that means that you honestly want to do whatever you can to make it up to them! You can still make it up to them if you bothered to talk to them honestly!"

"I already know—"

"But have you bothered to even talk to them? To write to them? If you haven't even talked to them or seen them, then you can't just assume their feelings!" Her grip on his shirt didn't loosen. But rather than gripping it out of anger, it was more like she was clutching it out of fear, fear that he wouldn't listen to her words.

Jellal's expression softened, but Erza couldn't see it; she just couldn't look up at him right now. "Erza," he called out softly, hurt by the fact that she was like this right now because of him, "why are you crying?"

Erza could feel his hand brush away the tear of her eye. "Idiot," she gasped out. "This is your fault. If you still think it's your fault, the least you can do is apologize, isn't that common sense?"

Apologize…He always thought they wouldn't accept his apology so he never even bothered to try. "I'm sorry Erza."

"Why are you apologizing to me?"

He moved her chin up so that he could see her beautiful eyes, tearing up because of him. Somewhere in him, he almost felt happy to see her crying, to see her care for him this much. He kissed her crying eye. "Because I always make you cry."

"Idiot," she muttered out, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Idiot Jellal."

"How many times are you going to call me an idiot?"

Zeref cracked at smile at the adorable sight. Faye was right, these two were like him and Mavis. He felt bad to ruin the moment, but business must show its head before pleasure. "Jellal Fernandez, I will ask you one more time," Zeref asked, slowly extending his hand, "Will you come to Crime Sorciere and learn how to forgive yourself?"

Jellal look at his hand, then towards Erza, and back at Zeref before he asked, "Do I have a choice?"

"It's better if you're more willing," he answered as Jellal took his hand.

"I can't believe that he's actually going," Levy stated as the entire group decided to see Jellal off at the airport. Ultear and Meredy have already left with Nate earlier because their accommodations were ready early so it's just going to be Jellal and Zeref heading off today.

"This is his choice, ya can't do anything about that," Gajeel mumbled out, still irritated that the guy had to leave after everything that happened.

"You almost look like you're sad that I'm leaving Redfox," Jellal said aloud. With a smirk, he said, "If you beg, I might consider staying."

"Hell no! Just hurry up and go you bastard!"

Levy tired to restrain the muscular teen from punching the bluenette, with more success than she expected. "Gajeel! Stop it!"

As those two lovebirds were being completely adorable, Lucy thought now would be a good time to give Jellal her little goodbye. "Jellal," Lucy called out. "Thank you for before with those girls. I didn't really imagine that you would help us."

"It's fine. You don't need to thank me for anything." Besides, he would've really helped if he got Levy out before something happened.

Lucy smiled. "I still want to thank you."

"Me too!" Natsu shouted, glomping on Lucy. Jellal didn't need to say anything to see what Natsu was thanking him for. "And thanks for protecting our nakama. Hope you do well at Crime Sorciere."

"Good luck yourself." Jellal turned to Gray. "So are you going to spout out something cheesy or what?"

"Just take care of Ultear for me like you've done until now and take care of yourself."

With a smirk, Jellal leaned towards Gray's ear and whispered "You can do me and Ultear a favor by going out with the swim captain."

Gray's ears turned red. "That's none of your business what Juvia and—"

"What does Gray-sama want to do with Juvia?" the cheery blunette called out. Gray flinched backwards, but Jellal was no longer focused on that. Instead he was focused on the scarlet haired girl in a pretty white dress. "Jellal-san, this is Juvia and Lucy's way of saying thank you for everything so enjoy these last few moments."

"You dressed like this again?"

She frowned and didn't look directly in his eyes. "You act like there's something wrong when I dress like this."

"I don't care what you wear," he began, brushing a loose strand of hair to the side. "You look good in anything." Didn't they have a time limit? What was she going to say?

"Can you close your eyes?" she requested with her face turning bright red. Was it from the compliment?

"Why?"

"Just do it!" What's the worst that can happen? So he did as she requested and in return felt something soft against his lips. When she pulled away, she said, "Don't keep regretting."

Jellal opened his eyes. "Thank you Erza." For becoming his light and hope. He pulled her by the waist and kissed her, longer than their last one, filled with passion that he only has for her and her alone.

"Oh my~"

"That's so romantic!"

"I'm not losing!"

"Damn Fernandez!"

"Gray-sama, let's do a farewell kiss too!"

"We're not going anywhere!"

If they want to do it, then they should, but maybe it's still a little early. Love will take its time to wrap around those children, so it's fine like this. They'll find their way soon, all love stories have their own timing, as long as the hatred and distrust has been set aside, that's good enough for now. Sooner or later, they will be confident enough in their feelings for each other, just like the two in front of them.

Erza's face was so bright red that she couldn't process anything. "J-Jellal, I-I—"

Jellal whispered in her ear. "Let's leave that for next time." They both knew how that part was going to turn out, so rather than leaving with a bittersweet long distance relationship, they're willing to wait for a sweeter beginning. "I swear that I'll be back."

"I'll be waiting, Jellal. I promise" Her smile was so pure and bright. He felt like drawing her again and again until his hands could no longer move. He would work to become worthy of her.

"Jellal! We need to board now," Zeref called out, with his hair mused from his goodbye with Mavis.

"Got it!" With a wave and an honest smile towards his friends, the blue haired man disappeared.

This is not a farewell, for they are to meet again. How could this brief parting be sad? Even though fate decreed that the paths have a will turn and turn; that does not mean that there will be no 'hello' again. This is one simple part of those teens' lives, this is just a step, a step out of the past, a step in their lives, a step towards their future.