Erza made absolutely sure that symbiote was completely sealed in it's container and had no way of getting out. She and Gray also checked the perimeter of the area to make sure that none of the evil ooze had escape or latched on to anyone or anything. It hadn't.

"So it's all in there?" Gray asked pointing to the container.

"Yep." She said. "It's all in and it has no way of getting out."

"Great. But what are you going to do with it?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'm going to try to discover a way to destroy it but until then I'll keep locked in a safe."

"Good idea."

They heard a moan and saw Laxus regaining consciousness. When he became aware that the symboite was no longer bonded to him he started to panic.

"Where is it?!" He shouted desperately. "Where is it?!"

"It's gone Laxus." Gray said calmly.

"No! It can't be gone! It's mine! You can't just take it away from me!"

"I can and I will."

"I need it!"

"No you don't." He said.

"Laxus it's over." Erza said. "This whole ordeal has left you very damaged. You have to get some help. I know a very good psychiatrist. With her help you can-"

But he didn't hear her. He just turned to face Gray and he let out a cry that was full of madness.

"I'll destroy you for this!"

He moved to assault Gray but before he could Erza plunged syringe into his side which injected him with a powerful tranquilizer. It took a few minutes but eventually he was knocked out again. Later that day, the authorities came to take him into custody.

"It'll come back!" He spouted as he was being lead away in a straight jacket. "You'll see! We're Black Dragon! Together we'll destroy Red Dragon and Blue Tiger yet!"

"Dreyar's lost it." Gajeel said during the spectacle. "Know to self, from now on do background checks before hiring anyone. Speaking of which, Fullbuster there isn't anything psychotic about you is there?"

"No sir." Gray said. "I'm perfectly sane."

"Well you're not punctual. The story of the century probably took place here today and you were no where."

"I'm sorry sir but you gave me the day off."

"I did?"

"Yes."

"Oh...Then I guess I can't dock your pay can I?" He huffed. "Alright you got lucky this time but I won't always be so forgetful. So be on time."

"Yes sir."

Gray started to look for Natsu, he found him watching Laxus while looking very sad.

"Why so glum bro?" Gray asked. "You stopped Laxus, got rid of the symbiote, saved Lucy, and you have your reputation as a hero back. You should be relieved."

"I am but I feel sorry for Laxus. I know what he did was wrong and he should got to jail for what happened but while we were up there he told me some things. He said that I always had someone who loved me and cared about me while he was always alone. Made me wonder if, maybe he's like this because he's hurting."

"We all get hurt Natsu. That doesn't mean we should try to hurt other people."

"I know but you and I have always had someone to help us get through that hurt. Laxus probably never had anyone. That's no excuse but maybe he's not all bad. Maybe he's just sick and in a way, it's my fault this happened to him. If I had just taken it off sooner than maybe-"

"Stop. This isn't your fault. He was influenced by the symbiote but he made his own choices. He chose to let it bond with him and he chose to do what it wanted. So he'll have to pay the price for that. "

"I know." He sighed. "I know."

"But if it's any consolation, Erza said that he was being sent to facility that was for the criminally insane. That means while he's there he'll get psychiatric help and if all goes well he could be redeemed and released."

"You know I always thought that if someone was to lock up Laxus for good I'd be thrilled and relieved. Happy that the guy who tormented me through out my school years was finally getting what he deserved. But I'm not happy at all. I just feel sorry and guilty."

"That makes two of us." Gray said. "I'm not exactly rejoicing about this either. It's funny how once you start fighting for justice you actually start to feel sorry for the bad guy."

"Yeah. Life is weird like that."

"Listen it's getting late. We should probably get back to campus and call it a night, huh?"

"You go on ahead. I'll catch up."

"Okay. See you around."

Gray left after that. Natsu stayed behind just a little longer just to see how everyone was reacting to the event. As expected they were either excited or scared but eventually they all chose to leave and continue on with their own lives. However one of the crowd members approached him before he could leave as well. It was Lucy.

"Hey Natsu." She greeted. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Really?" He said.

"Yes. Gray maybe because he's a photographer for the news. But not you. I thought you were busy studying."

"I was but then I saw you on the news and well...Well I just had to come to make sure you were okay."

"You came all this way just to check up on me?"

"Yes."

"You really are one of the sweetest guys in the whole world. Thank you."

"Hey anything for a friend." He said nervously.

"Listen I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Gray takes pictures of Red Dragon and Blue Tiger so do you think you could get him to ask Red Dragon to pay me a little visit tonight?"

"Why?"

"Because I never got to properly thank him for rescuing me today. If he can't come that's alright. I just wanted to show him that I was grateful."

"I'll see what I can do."

It probably wasn't the best idea but how could he resist? Once it got dark out he changed back into his suit and went over to her apartment. She was waiting for him by the balcony and as soon as she caught sight of him she became elated.

"You wanted to see me?" He asked jumping down from the roof.

"Yes. I did."

"What for?"

"To thank you for saving my life. I didn't get the chance to earlier."

"I appreciate the thought but recently I've learned that I don't really need any thanks or reward for doing the right thing."

"I beg to differ. After all you are amazing."

"Some people don't think so."

"But you are."

She moved closer to him. He was confused at first and when she but her hands on his shoulders he felt his confident demeanor turn into his usual flustered one whenever he was around girls he liked. Then before he could object she planted her lips on to his. In that moment his mind was completely blown and every part of his body stopped working as he tried to comprehend what was happening.

She was kissing him. Lucy Heartfilia, the woman he had been in love with for years was acutally kissing him. He had to pitch himself to make sure that he wasn't dreaming. He wasn't. The kiss was real. This was probably the happiest moment of his entire life. After so many years of pinning away for her she had finally given him the kiss that he had so desperately wanted from her. He would have responded but then a certain phrase he heard earlier was replayed in his mind.

"We know who you love most."

That's right. Lucy was the person he loved most which meant he couldn't have a relationship with her. At least not as Red Dragon. If he did then he would be putting her life in constant danger. She would never be safe. She would be the number one target of all his enemies. He couldn't take that risk for any reason. And maybe someday she could have something with Natsu Dragneel but there was nothing for her with Red Dragon. Nothing but danger and possibly death.

He reluctantly pulled away from her.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"I'm sorry Lucy. I know how you feel about me but this isn't going to work. Red Dragon can't have a girlfriend. It would be too dangerous for both of us."

"I know." She sighed in a way that showed that she was disappointed but at the same time she understood. "Even so I had to let you know how I feel."

"And words cannot describe how flattered I am. But to tell you the truth you don't really know me. Not the real me. What you see is just...Just a mask really."

"So the real you isn't someone who's selfless and courageous? The real you wouldn't risk his life to save other people even if they don't appreciate his efforts like they should?"

"No I really do feel that way. But the brave, confident, strong, tough guy act, that's all it is. An act."

"I don't care about that. What attracts me to you is that you always try to do the right thing even if you don't want to."

"If that's the case then you should know that there are guys out there who are the same as me but the only difference is you might be able to have a relationship with them."

"I want to believe that but so far my love life has been full of men who have let me down. Men who are hardly ever there for me. Sometimes I feel like there's no man out there willing be there for me when I need him the most. No man except you."

"Well I wouldn't say that." He said climbing on to the ledge. "Because I know one man who would always come for you if you only asked him to."

"Who?" She inquired.

"Let's just say he's the one who brought me to you."

With that said he jumped from the ledge and was gone, leaving Lucy to wonder who it was he could be referring to.