a/n: Just so you know, Gray knows how to use a sword because he took lessons when he was younger. I mentioned that earlier, but it was just a sentence so if you missed that—yeah. Anyways, I want to thank everyone who reviewed last chapter, and I sincerely hope you like the ending to this story arc.

I tried to catch all the grammar mistakes, but sometimes they fly away from me and I totally miss them. Thank you to Epicocity for helping me with pointing some of those out and being a fantastic beta.

I had a very love hate relationship with this chapter and so it's not in my opinon… the best. Still, I hope you enjoy it!

Also, if you like NaLu, I'm writing a AU story called 'The Light of the Sun' which I'm excited for, and I hope you can read it!

Lucy had never run so fast in her life. Her legs flew across sticks, branches, and leaves, her face and arms slashed from the branches that whipped her as she ran past them. Her clothes were soaking wet, she had to swim across the lake—it was the fastest way to get to the school.

Breaths were heaving violently out of her lungs, a stich in her side burning. She could see Natsu's face in her mind, but it only made her run faster faster faster, because she had to get to the school in time to notify the police before it was too late.

…

"ERZA!" The scream tore from his mouth desperately as Erza flew across the room, her head cracking against the wall. It was almost in slow motion that she fell to the ground, her sword rolling out of her grip. He couldn't tell if she was breathing or not, her scarlet hair masking any blood that might be leaking out of her head.

If he had been angry when he saw Lyon, it was nothing compared to what he was feeling right now. Anger swelled in every part of his body, making him feel sick with the intensity of it. He turned his eyes upon the man who smirked at him, his body nearly shaking.

"Gray don't do anything rash," Lyon hissed to him, "keep your head."

Gray didn't listen, the words going into his ears and then slipping from his brain as quickly as water trickles through a drain. He lunged forward towards Deliora, the sword he held in his grip growing cold as he swung it towards the man.

Deliora seemed surprised when he actually had to duck, causing Gray's sword to slam into the back of the elaborate throne. Gemstones rained down like tear drops as Gray brutally ripped the metal out of the aged wood. Deliora kicked him in the chest, and his breath flew out of him as he soared backwards, landing on the floor with a smashing sound, inches away from Natsu—who still lie prone on the ground.

His armor that he got from the guard protected him some however, and his fall wasn't as bad as Erza's was. Lyon took his fall as the opportunity to jump forward, and surprise Deliora by slashing at his legs. The man cried out in pain as deep cuts began to gash into his legs, but he shoved Lyon back as well.

Lyon got up almost immediately, wiping blood from his mouth. "He's to strong," he said to Gray, "We can't possibly—"

"Don't give up," Gray spat at him. "Only when you give up does it mean it's over."

"Erza's still breathing!" Ultear called, and he glanced over for a brief moment to see his adoptive sister resting Erza's head gently on the ground. "She'll be okay!" Gray let a breath of relief escape him, but it was the only sign of emotion he showed before he once again narrowed his eyes at Deliora.

"Get Natsu out of the way." he barked at his sister.

"Ur's sons am I correct?" Deliora questioned, a smile stretching over his lips gruesomely. "The last time I saw you… well I believe you were all so small. Tried to kill me for killing your parents, am I correct?"

"I'm not a child anymore." Gray said simply, holding his sword like Erza had. It was heavy in his hands, and even though he'd taken sword-fighting lessons when he was younger-they weren't with real swords.

"No, you're not, but I assume your attacks will do the same amount of damage they did all those years ago."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Lyon snarled, "I have trained."

"Lyon!" Deliora clapped, "I should have guessed you and Ultear were traitors, friends to this scum." he raised one massive hand and gestured at Gray. "Now I shall kill you all."

There was a flash, and all the lights went out. Gray cried out as something slammed into his chest, pushing him to the ground. He heard Lyon cry out as well, Ultear was screaming their names. Gray closed his eyes, his sword stamped out of his hand and spiraling across the room, the darkness absolute. He waited for the deathblow, the one that would kill him this time.

It didn't come. The weight fell off of him, and the lights flickered back on.

Deliora was lying on the floor in front of them, a sword sticking out of his back, his hands outstretched, clearly dead. A hooded figure was standing behind him, their hands stained with blood. Gray, gasping for breath stared at them, and they turned around and dashed out of the hall before they could do anything about it.

…

"Luce…" Natsu murmured in his sleep, and turned over, rubbing at his eyes.

"And so he wakes up… after the battles won." Gray muttered exasperatedly, but his eyes are still focused on the blood, which trickles across the floor like a red river, soaking his shoes.

"Gray?" Erza asks, her voice rough as she sits up and rubs her head. He turns towards her, and even though he's not quite sure how he got there, he's suddenly by her side, and his arms go around her before she can say anything. He feels her catch her breath in surprise, and for a moment he's surprised too—he hasn't expressed this contact with anyone in ages. Somehow he feels like he was so close to losing her—and he can't let go.

"Gray?" she whispered again, and this time he does pull away.

"Sorry," he muttered, his eyes closing for a brief moment before he stands up. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Lyon?" came a masculine voice from the doorway before Erza can answer, "Ultear? What are you doing here… what happened to Lord Deliora?" The man rubs his head, his eyes unfocused. "Did you… kill him?"

"Deliora has been tricking you for the past few years…" Ultear tried to explain, moving to stand in front of her brothers. "We did not kill him. Someone assassinated him." It was not a lie, for they had not killed him—nor gotten even close to killing him.

"You killed our Master!" The man cried—obviously having no clear thought. Erza stood, reaching for the sword she'd dropped in the fray. Her balance was slightly unsteady, and she pressed a palm to her temple, as if her head still throbbed.

"Erza let me –"

"Handle this?" she questioned, "I really see no need to fight them. If… they behave." She added, her voice a low dangerous growl.

"Obey you? I don't even know who the hell you are—" The guard broke off as Erza stalked forward and rammed his head against the wall, causing him to fall unconscious. In that time a squadron of around ten guards came tumbling into the room, and the scarlet haired woman sighed, strands of hair fluttering as she exhaled.

"It would be so much simpler if they all listened." she said, putting another hand to her head, "Gray do you have my back?" It was a simple question, but nonetheless it was one that made him feel… gushy inside. He hated the feeling.

"Yes." he snapped, pressing his back against hers. Lyon struggled to his feet, then collapsed.

"My ankle, I think it's broken," his brother panted.

"It's up to you two!" Ultear emphasized, moving to drag both her brother and Natsu out of the way.

"Let's do this." Erza told him, and even though he still wasn't entirely convinced she should be fighting after taking such a hard fall, he trusted her as she lunged forward.

The guards were no match for her. She whirled through them like a tornado, and he was only left to pick up the stragglers which barely managed to evade her attacks. She kicked and whirled and punched, smashed them on the head with the hilt of her sword, and even once did an impressive karate chop.

"Where the hell…" he panted, "Did you learn to fight like that?"

"I don't know," She answered, shrugging. "It just came to me."

Gray looked at her in astonishment, before a great shattering of glass sounded from behind them. The window shards flew inwards, and Gray instinctively raised his arms to protect his face as the clear daggers cut through the air.

"This is the police!" a voice shouted, "Put your hands in the air!"

…

When you're found in a room with a dead body on an island with scores of missing people Gray learned, you had to answer a lot of questions. He, Ultear, Lyon, Erza, Natsu and Lucy all had to sit through fierce interrogations; the kind he only thought existed in movies. Eventually the government decided that teenagers couldn't kill a man that dangerous—and if they did, who cared? The world was a better place without him. So they were released back to the school—although the punishment the Master certainly had in store for them was going to be brutal.

"We're going to die," Lucy moaned, her brown eyes flickering up at the school, none of the happiness that once crossed her face at the sight was now on her features. "There is no possible way we won't get punished for this." Gray looked down at her, and knew that the two of them were more shaken up than the others. The others didn't have parents that cared enough to be angry—or didn't have parents at all, but Gray had one Father who sure would care, and Lucy as well.

"We must grit our teeth and bear it." Erza said solemnly, her expression and voice serious.

"Oh dear sweet Mavis," Gray muttered, glancing sideways at the dramatic redhead.

"You've returned! How was your island get away?" Mirajane's bubbly voice came out of nowhere, and all four people jumped. "The Master wants you in his office right away." Lucy and Natsu visibly began to sweat, but Erza merely looked cool. Gray could see her twitching slightly however, as if she too was worried about the outcome.

The walk to the Master's office took forever. It seemed that every step they took was several minutes long, every breath elongated as they imagined the various horrors they might have to endure when they reached their destination. Lucy, with her wild imagination, looked the most nervous, her hands trembling with fear.

"Come in." the voice answered, after Erza raised a fist and slowly knocked. The four of them stepped inside—Gray half expecting to get punched the moment their feet hit the carpet.

There was a streak of blue, and Natsu was immediately knocked onto the ground, Wendy's arms around him as silent tears poured down her face. Natsu looked immensely guilty, his hand moving to pat Wendy gingerly on the back as he sat up, careful not to jostle his sister too much.

Gray turned his eyes to meet the headmaster, and was surprised by the youthfulness of the man before him. Muscles bulged as the blonde man crossed his arms over his chest, and a lightning shaped scar bent and warped as the man turned his face into a scowl. So this was the Master.

"What do you think you four were doing—"

"Master it's all my—" Erza began, cutting him off.

"It's my fault." Gray broke in, because it was true. He was the one who dragged her, and Natsu and Lucy into this. "They followed me, it wasn't her fault at all. I went after Natsu and Lucy like you asked me to, and when I found them—"

"I've read the file." The Master raised a hand. "I'm letting you off easy this time, with only a phone call to your parents. Natsu, since you stay here over the summer I'll find different means." The pink haired boy gulped.

Gray looked at him curiously. He didn't know that Natsu stayed here over the summer, instead of going back to his house.

"Did you already call my Dad?" Lucy asked, looking more nervous than when she walked in. The Master sighed, and nodded.

"He was an asshole." The Master said simply.

"Laxus!" Mirajane's angry voice came from outside the hall, and the white haired woman marched in. "That's Lucy's Father!"

"He's coming to take me back home." Lucy didn't state it like a question, more like it was a known fact. Laxus nodded, and Lucy turned on her heel and practically ran from the room—tears falling slowly down her face. Nobody moved for a moment before—

"I'll go after her." Erza volunteered, and followed the blonde. Gray looked back at the Head Master, surprised at how chill he was with them breaking the rules… and in some ways the law.

"Lucy's… leaving?" Natsu asked, a shocked look on his face. "Leaving the school?"

"Yes," Mirajane answered, "Her Father's servants are already at the gate, that's what I came in to tell you Master. I'll go help her pack," And the white haired girl quietly took her leave.

Wendy pushed herself off of Natsu, and looked at him questioningly. The boy stood up, and then sprinted down the hall towards Lucy's room.

…

"Mistress, your Father insists you come as soon as possible." A cool emotionless voice spoke into the room, as a blue haired woman stepped in. Lucy simply stared at her hands, having already sent Mira and Erza away.

"Hello Juvia." Lucy finally spoke, her brown eyes flickering up to meet the woman. "How have you been?"

"Juvia is fine," The woman instructed, "Please pack as fast as you can."

"I don't need anything," Lucy stood up, and departed from the room. Juvia followed her carefully; making sure the blonde didn't make any sudden movements. "Dad can just buy me all new things can't he?" Juvia didn't answer, her blue eyes expressionless. "Thought so." Lucy murmured, mostly to herself.

…

"LUCY!" Natsu shouted as he raced down the hall into the girl's dorm, coming to a screeching halt outside her bedroom. He quite violently threw open the door, his feet propelling him inside. No one was in, and Lucy's things were still scattered everywhere. That meant she hadn't left… right? She would be in here packing though—unless she didn't take anything with her—unless she left without saying goodbye. "LUCY!" he shouted again, abandoning her room.

"She's gone Natsu." Mirajane whispered, coming out of the room next door, "Her Father's guards just came and got her. I don't think she's coming back to the school."