Many of you probably don't know this, but I write my author's note before I start typing the chapter. I know some people do it after, so...

Yeah.

But, perhaps I felt like sharing this because... This story is coming to a close. Instead of this chapter being 1,000 or so words, I'm going to try to make it as long as I can. Which probably means that I won't be posting this for a while.

So I'm trying to part with this story. There will be an Epilogue. Don't worry. Senpai has noticed you.

(Hahhahhahhahhahahhahahah)

Honorable Mentions to everyone who ever commented! Everyone who commented, I thank you a bunch! This story had a rough start, so thank you for helping me pull through!

:*

XOXO

A bunch! I would list who you are, but my laptop won't let me.

Gomen! T_T

Enjoy this while it lasts.

Chapter 7

The Eleventh Aisle

The early autumn air blew around the city, occasionally bringing colorful leaves with it. It was a bitter, early morning. Levy sat by the window, gazing at the colors dancing in the sky. But suddenly the wind picked up speed, and through Levy's open window, carried another part of her dwindling soul with it.

"Shrimp," Gajeel came into the apartment, calling out to Levy in his gruff voice. "I'm back."

Levy turned to greet the mortal. "You're here." She tried to stand from her seat, but her balance faltered and she fell. Gajeel ran towards her, instantly worried for her safety. "Levy!"

Levy fell to her knees as Gajeel rushed to her side. "Levy?" Came Gajeel's voice, softer than usual. He took a hold of her, and tried to comfort her in his arms.

She looked at him with weary eyes. A small, sincere smile on her face. With a weak hand, she caressed his cheek.

"Why are you so weak, Levy?" Gajeel said, still in a gentle voice. Her eyes started to water.

"It's just what happens. As I disappear, my soul becomes weaker. Until... It finally vanishes. I vanish." A tear fell down her fair skin, shimmering like a diamond. The same tears that wept for him before.

"I don't want you to vanish." Gajeel whispered, bringing the angel closer to him, and hugging her. They stayed like that for a while, not minding the open window that blew cool air into the living space, or the cat that was somewhere around the apartment. It wasn't until Levy realized something, that made her break their warm silence.

"There's still a way for me to stay." She whispered in his ear. Gajeel's ears instantly perked. He looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"What is it?" He asked, not helping the slight joyful tone in his voice. Levy smiled.

"I need you to be honest and open for a moment." Levy requested. Gajeel nodded. Levy closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath.

"I came here so I could help you," She started.

"and I feel that I did change you... Didn't I?" Levy reached up, and traced patterns on Gajeel's chest.

"I mean, you went from a ruthless gang member, to a private investigator. That's got to count for something, right?" Levy laughed a bit at her own words. How ironic it was that the criminal would turn to the other side of the law. But indeed, Gajeel's life had gotten better thanks to her. Levy felt content just knowing that.

"Even after staying here for a couple of months, it seems as though it hasn't been that long. But it has..." Levy drifted off.

There was a sudden sound, almost as if a mallet had hit a chime, and Levy knew that the last feather had fallen from it's place. The pain was almost unbearable, her very soul tearing and ripping, her cleanliness becoming overtaken by a black storm of nothingness.

Levy's eyes gathered more tears. "But before I go..." Gajeel felt his own eyes had begun to build up moisture, as he looked into her saddened eyes. The same eyes that had been filled with so many emotions before.

"I want you to know," The tips of her toes began to crystallize, as many particles of her image drifted into the air.

"That I'll always be here with you." Her hand stopped on the left side of his chest, right over his heart.

"And," She seemed hesitant, but the blinding light was coming up to her hip already, and she knew she didn't have much time.

"I love you!" She said rather confidently. Gajeel's eyes widened.

With the last bit of her energy and body, she snaked her arms around his neck, and the man let the angel kiss him. They closed their eyes, feeling each other's love pass through the physical contact, tears streaming down their faces.

When they broke apart, Gajeel put his hand on her face, for most of her body had vanished. The millions of brilliant and bright particles surrounded them, and at that moment, Gajeel could have sworn he saw a piece of heaven.

Gajeel looked deep into her crying eyes. "Levy, I-"

But he was stopped. With her last moment on the horizon, Levy breathed onto him, and the rest of her disappeared. Gajeel stared at his empty hands, shaky breaths escaping him. All he could do was stay frozen, unable to move from shock, from pain, from heartbreak.

Levy's very existence flew out of his apartment window, getting caught in the wind, and left to forever wonder the earth. Alone.

After his moment of shock, Gajeel's eyes turned dark. He hung his head, his black mane covered his eyes as he stood up. His ruby eyes stared at the floor where Levy had previously been. There on the ground, was an almost glowing, small feather. He picked up the sparkling object and studied it in his hands. "There's still a way for me to stay?" Gajeel repeated Levy's words. She vanished. How was it possible for her to stay with him now? Gajeel tucked the feather away securely in his black coat.

"What happened, Gajeel?" Lily asked, as he walked into the room, seeing his owner staring down at the floor. Gajeel turned towards him slowly, an almost murderous aura surrounding him.

"Seriously?" Was all Gajeel could say, his voice becoming a low rumble. Anger surged through him. The cat only looked at him, confused and worried at the same time.

"Where have ya been, ya damn cat!? Levy literally just disappeared a minute ago, and you come in here not knowing shit about it!" Gajeel yelled at Lily.

Lily's face notably went to that of shock. Dread and guilt coursed through his veins. "No..." He mumbled, shocked with the sudden news of Levy's 'death'.

Gajeel walked past his cat companion, heading towards the door. The knob turned slowly, creating an eerie creek that broke their small silence. Gajeel was halfway out of the apartment when he spoke, not bothering to turn around and face the cat he was still made at. "I'll be back." And Gajeel left.

"Mhm. I know you will." Lily mumbled.

"Terminator." Lily added, snickering at his own joke before he walked over to the window. He could have sworn he saw the air sparkle slightly, and even though the air was cool, it felt warm.

"Don't worry. You saved us both, Levy." Lily spoke to the wind softly, closing his eyes as a gust of wind blew into the apartment, almost as if the wind had heard him. Almost as if Levy had heard him.

Gajeel stomped down the city sidewalks, his eyes still red, and his nose slightly runny. He avoided any looks people passing by would give him. If his job had taught him anything, being a private investigator, it was to always go to the primary source of information: The library.

The library, as Gajeel had come to know it, was not all that bad. According to him at least. He was in there often, not wanting to waste precious money on technology that would break, when all the down-to-earth stuff was here.

The library wasn't a bad building at all. It was large, three stories tall, and had a basement. The basement was where all the city records were kept. That's where Gajeel was headed. He at least needed to find out more about Levy and her death to understand a way to bring her back.

If that was even possible. Levy had barely left anything for him to go on.

She was technically a ghost, or a spirit. Her soul could have been bound to something, or could have been manipulated. Maybe he could purchase a oujia board to see if he could communicate with her?

No, he definitely wasn't doing that. That's just painful. Gajeel decided that if this didn't work, since he had no other ideas, he would just have to move on. He would just have to live with his memories and her words.

Gajeel entered the old building, passing by the large wooden doors, and walking past the dusty shelves. People whisked around the building, some sitting at a computer, some huddled on the floor, citing a book.

Gajeel wiped at his eyes and nose, trying to hide any sign of his emotional devastation. He headed to the front desk, his face stiffening.

A man with long green hair stood at the desk, his eyes focused on the computer. "Excuse me, sir." Gajeel said, grabbing the man's attention.

"Yes?" His eyes tore away from the computer, his fingers no longer typing.

"Can I have permission to go into the basement?" Gajeel took out his wallet, showing his "private investigator" badge.

"Certainly, Mr. Redfox. We currently have an employee working on records down there. I'm sure she'll be able to help you if you have any trouble." The man pointed to the slightly open basement door, which was usually kept shut and locked at all times. All times except for when special visitors needed to access primary records. That special visitor being Gajeel.

The door made a noticeable creak when Gajeel slowly opened it. A few heads turned in Gajeel's direction, but nobody paid any mind to it. Gajeel descended the stairs to the basement, the smell of parchment paper, dust and old wood invading his nose. He heard a small "Oof"and what sounded like a stack of books falling. His prediction was proven correct when he reached the source of the noise.

The Librarian the man had been talking about was on the floor, rubbing her lower back. Books were scattered around her, as well as a wooden ladder.

"Are you Okay?" Gajeel asked, holding out his hand. The woman suddenly opened her eyes, surprised at Gajeel's sudden appearance. Nevertheless, she took his hand.

"I'm quite alright. Thank you, young man." She said as Gajeel easily helped her up. The small, old woman dusted herself off.

"What brings you down to the basement?"

"I'm doing some research for an investigation. I was wondering if you had any records on civilian related accidents or murders. They're not new, either. Probably twenty-three years old." Gajeel said.

The old woman went into thought for a moment. Suddenly, her worn, green eyes sparked back to life. She pointed to the large maze of shelves. "Should be the eleventh one down. You'll find what you're looking for there."

"Thanks." Gajeel said, and whisked away. Leaving the woman to her work.

Gajeel counted in his head as he briskly walked down an aisle. 'one...two...three...four...five...six...seven...eight...nine...ten...eleven!'

The eleventh aisle was exceptionally long. "How do they fit all this stuff in the basement?" Gajeel mumbled under his breath as he started looking at old files and catalogs.

Book after file, and catalog after newspaper just seemed to be the pattern Gajeel would go through. They all held information, but it wasn't what he was looking for. What was he looking for? Basically anything that said 'Levy'.

It slowly turned into night. By this time, Gajeel had already gone through half of the aisle. He had read some pretty interesting, gory, and awful crimes that had happened in town. Gajeel gave a large yawn, and rubbed his eyes from sleepiness.

"Tired?" The old woman came and stood by Gajeel.

"No, I'm fi-" Gajeel yawned once again. The woman smiled at him, and giggled at his stubbornness.

"What time is it?" Gajeel asked.

"Closing time." Gajeel groaned. He really didn't want to come back again. He would just lose his determination.

"If you want to stay longer, you could help me put back these files?" She asked, holding up a bin that held the said files.

Gajeel nodded. "Great! The shelves should be organized in alphabetical order. Just match the file name with the shelf." She handed him half of the files.

The woman walked away to the other side of the aisle. Gajeel looked down at the files in his arms. 'WOMAN MURDERED!' was the title of the first file. 'That's an odd title.' Gajeel thought. 'Wait. Didn't that old lady say these shelves were civilian related accidents and murders? Twenty-three years ago!?' Gajeel quickly placed his stack of files on the ground, and picked up the top one. He hastily opened it, not wanting to wait any longer to prove his suspicions. There laying on the top was a newspaper clipping.

'Woman Murdered!'

'On July 7th, 19 year old, Levy Carnes was murdered walking home. The teen was reported to be walking with a man, who the police refuse to release the name of due to family privacy. While walking home, the two were approached by a thug. Based on the investigation done by the FBI, they concluded that the thug pulled out a gun and aimed for the man. Levy stood in front of the man, protecting him from the bullet. The bullet went straight through Levy's skull, damaging most of her frontal lobe, cerebrum, and parietal lobe. Ms. Levy Carnes died at the scene. The thug, who was later caught and put behind bars, was accused of first degree murder, and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Levy Carnes was a collage student going to Magnolia University. She left behind a grandfather, Makarov Dreyer, and all of her friends who wept for her the funeral. They will all remember their dear friend who sacrificed her life to protect others.'

Gajeel stared at the article in his hands. "Are you all right, sir?" The old woman asked, coming up beside him. "Yeah. I'm fine." He stood up, leaving his share of the files. "Did you find what you were looking for?" She motioned to the file in Gajeel's hand. He nodded. "I'm sorry to leave so suddenly, but I gotta go. Thank you for your time." He started walking down the aisle. Gajeel walked down the shelf infested hallway, trying to make his way through the maze. That was until the lights started to flicker. He stopped dead in his tracks, not knowing where he was in the impossible basement. "Old Lady! Are you OK?!" He shouted, worried for her safety.

No response.

The lights flickered again. Gajeel retraced his steps, trying to find the eleventh aisle.

"Gajeel" A voice whispered, it's voice raspy and quiet. His named was echoed over and over. Gajeel's stomach felt like it was dropping. Adrenaline coursed through his veins ,and his legs slightly shook, causing him to walk faster.

"Gajeel" The voice got louder. The lights flickered. His heart rate increased, getting faster and faster. Almost beating out of his chest! 'What the hell is going on!?' Gajeel thought. He looked up and saw the aisle numbers suddenly become clear to him. 'four...five...six...seven...eight...nine...ten...

ELEVEN'

And he stopped. Everything was dead silent. It was almost as if time had froze. The lights flickered. And they flickered again. Gajeel didn't know why he didn't dare to enter the eleventh aisle. Everything was telling him not to. 'Don't move!' was all his instincts said. His mind was paralyzed. He couldn't think. He couldn't, he wouldn't dare to move.

And the lights went out.

Gajeel took in deep, shaky breaths. He had never been more scared in his life. He didn't even remember being scared of the dark. It was all so unreal to him. Was this just a blackout? Did he get locked inside the library? Or...

Was it something else?

The 'something else' puzzled him. What else could it be?

"Gajeel" The voice was even louder now. Gajeel shivered. He couldn't see anything. He swallowed thickly, wiping his sweaty hands on his pants. "Who's there?!" Gajeel shouted.

"Gajeel" It said again. Was it... taunting him? Whoever it was was trying to get him to come into the eleventh aisle.

Curiosity and fear got the best of him as he slowly walked forward, not knowing what to expect. He turned his head sharply, looking into the aisle but saw nothing. Everything was dark. He continued to walk into the aisle, the same voice chanting his name. As he walked deeper into the almost never-ending aisle, his eyes could no longer catch the outline of the shelves. The shelves that should have been three feet away from him. But no, there was nothing. The darkness closed in on his sight and the only thing he could detect was the echo of his shoes hitting the ground.

Gajeel didn't know how long he had been walking when the voice suddenly stopped, and was replaced with a painful moan.

"Hello?" He called out to whoever was there. He was met with another moan. Gajeel picked up his pace, the area around him seeming to change drastically.

He was no longer walking on a black nothingness, but rather stone. He could feel it's cool temperature radiating off of it, and onto him. The atmosphere was completely different. It was hot, and felt heavy around him. The moans increased. It sounded as if it wasn't one person, but rather millions. The cry's and screams and weeps and groans and moans of men, women, and children echoing all around Gajeel. Suddenly, he could see a red glowing light. He kept advancing, getting closer to it. What he saw would've rather made a person run to Hell. Except Gajeel couldn't run to Hell.

He was already there.

His eyes were met with a pit. Bodies seemed to mold together as they cried in pain, their limbs reaching for Gajeel. A red glow emitted from underneath, and steam drifted to the cave-like ceiling. Molten lava created a mote around the deep pit of people. They were collected in an endless river of suffering; never having an end to the sinful souls. And then Gajeel realized something: 'This is where I would've ended up if Levy hadn't helped me.' This was the ultimate atonement.

Gajeel turned to run back into the darkness, but he couldn't. As soon as he bolted in the direction he came from, his face was met with a cold stone wall. It was ironic how the stone was cold, but when touched, would burn and sting your skin. He jerked his head away, falling down onto the ground. His face was red from where he had collided with the wall. He hissed in pain as his nerves went haywire, immediately bringing his hands up to try and help his injured face.

"Gajeel" The voice seemed so familiar when it appeared once again. Gajeel had heard it from somewhere. But where?

He frantically looked around him. The voice continued, whispering his name over and over; overlapping as if it were multiple voices all from the same person. A black, Mist-like smoke gathered in one place in front of Gajeel. Suddenly it started forming shape. The smoke solidified, revealing the figure. It was a tall, evil looking man. His dark hair was pulled back, and a mustache went down the sides of his cheeks, and past his dark lips- almost meeting at his chin. He was wearing odd clothing. Almost like an old European suit, the collar brought up and folded over with a medallion keeping it together.

"J-Jose?" Gajeel couldn't believe who it was. It was the man who had made him join the gang. The man who practically poisoned his good nature.

The man chucked, his dark eyes looking into Gajeel's. "Hello, Gajeel. I see you found your way to my home." Jose said, his voice dark and slippery like a snake.

Gajeel was completely stunned. He stared at Jose with wide eyes, completely confused at Jose's sudden appearance.

Suddenly, black arms reached for Gajeel, pulling him up by his collar, and bringing him closer to Jose. "Join us, boy." Jose hissed. "Never!" Gajeel shouted in Jose's face. Jose smirked, his black arms returning to his side. Gajeel slightly pulled at his collar, not enjoying the feeling of the strange arms that had nearly been on his throat. Jose stepped towards Gajeel slowly, but Gajeel stood his ground, preparing to destroy Jose. Jose leaned towards Gajeel, and looked at him straight in the eye. "I can give you what you most desire." He said. Gajeel gasped. How could Jose know what he most wanted? He left Jose! He left the gang! How was any of this even possible?

Jose stepped back, and waved a hand beside him. He swirled the air, smoke gathering in his grasp. Again, the smoke solidified, and the figure fell to the ground. Blue hair cascaded, hiding the figure's face.

"Levy!" Gajeel shouted, rushing to her side. But Jose blocked him. They looked at each other; Gajeel scowling and Jose smirking. "Join us, boy." Jose repeated. Gajeel got the message. If he joined Jose, he would get Levy. Since when did Jose gain such power? "I-" Gajeel stopped suddenly. His attention was turned to his coat. A blue glow emitted from the inside of his jacket. "What the..." Gajeel reached inside his coat. He brought out what he had almost forgotten. Levy's feather.

It glowed brighter and brighter, blinding the people in the surrounding area. Jose stepped back, almost fearful of the light. Both men shielded their eyes as the light engulfed the dark space around them.

When Gajeel opened his eyes, he saw Levy standing in front of him. Her white dress fell to her ankles, and her pale arms were outstretched in front of her, acting as a shield. The glow was still coming off of her. The one thing she was missing was her wings. If Levy was back, how was she supposed to get home? Realization dawned on Gajeel.

She can't go home.

Levy was stuck here.

She can't go back to heaven.

"Levy!" Gajeel tried reaching for her, but she stopped him with her voice. "No! Stay back! Let me deal with this." Levy looked at Jose, her chocolate eyes filled with determination.

"I prayed this day would never come." Levy said. "But it seems as thought it has. And I'm here to deal with it."

Jose smirked at her. "What are you going to do about it, Levy? I'm curious. What can an angel with no wings do? Ha! nothing! you let yourself become a wondering soul!" Jose was hysterical now, his laugh echoing off the walls. "You were stupid enough to go to earth! You should have stayed in heaven. Even if you had gone or stayed, Gajeel would still belong to me! Now you're going to disappear for good!" He let out another burst of laughter. His breathing staggered as he tried to speak again. "And now... Now what will happen? An ex-angel in Hell! It's unheard of! It's unnatural! You've upset the balance out of your own greed!"

Levy stared intensely at him. "I will never let you have Gajeel." She had given up so much for him already. She was determined to save him no matter what.

"What will you do to protect him? fight? Hahahaha! You can't! You're too weak, and you know it." Jose responded.

"No, not fight." Jose stared at her questionably. "Talk." Levy finished. The air stilled around them. "Talk, eh?" Jose turned toward his own creation of Levy, and with one wave of his had, she was gone. It was all a sham to trick Gajeel.

Knowing that Levy meant business, Jose looked back at her, meeting her piercing stare. "What are you going to do now, soul?" Jose asked.

That word stung her. soul; it's her official label. She is no longer an angel. She no longer has a chance at a happy ending. In the best scenario, if this works out, she would be able to dissolve peacefully. Levy had accepted her fate the moment her first feather had fallen. "I propose an exchange." Levy finally said. Jose raised his dark eyebrow. "For what?"

"Levy, NO!" Gajeel yelled at her, knowing what she was about to do. But Levy ignored him.

"If you promise to leave Gajeel alone, I'll... Give you me." Levy said, her voice slightly quieting towards the end.

"Oooo, do we have a brave soul? Yum. Unfortunately, you forgot one thing: I live off of greed. What greed do you have that is more appetizing than his?" Gajeel was a bit confused by Jose's statement. He lives off greed?

Suddenly, Gajeel's gears turned in his head. 'If this place is hell, and Jose can use weird magic, and he lives off greed, than that means...'

"Boy!" Jose's voice brought Gajeel back to reality. Gajeel's head snapped back up to look at Jose, his last thoughts spilling off his tongue before he could stop himself, "You're Satan!" Gajeel's own words made his stomach heavy. Jose smirked. "You finally figured it out."

"Why do you look like Jose? Why are you after me!" Gajeel was frantic now.

"It's just business. I look like this 'Jose' because that's how your mind sees me as. I appear as the one person who can persuade you the best. If you saw the real me, you'd die. Your mortal mind can't handle it." Jose explained.

"And greed? This is what it's all about? Just to get me to come with you? Forget it! That's why Levy helped me in the first place; to avoid shitheads like you!" Gajeel yelled at Jose.

"That may be what you think now, but what about after Levy disappears?" Gajeel's eyes widened. "She'll disappear for good this time. Wondering souls have a time limit. She's a void contract. And once she's gone, you have nothing to hold you back from the temptation of the city."

"Leave him alone!" Levy brought Jose's attention back to her.

Levy was in tears, her fists balled at her sides. "You said you want greed. You said you want a soul that's worth more than Gajeel's." Levy stared right at Jose. "Then take me! My greed easily exceeds that of Gajeels!" She yelled.

"How so? From what my little demons observed, you're completely selfless."

Levy's face was completely runny now, her eyes red. "I-I love him. Love is the world's greatest weapon. I want to be with him. I want things no angel should even think of having. I even took the risk of crystallizing my soul to stay with him. How can you tell me that's not greed! How can you not sense it! Gajeel can live with not having me. But I'm already dead! I don't have anything to look forward to!" No one dared to speak as Levy began to sob. "I know it's a sin to make a deal with the devil. But please, take me. Leave this mortal alone, and take me to conceal the unbalance." She had had enough. She was still so determined to protect Gajeel's chance at a better life. She couldn't go on knowing that Gajeel's future had been taken just like hers.

"Hmmm... You are right." Jose licked his lips. "That does sound good. And clever too."

Gajeel couldn't believe this. Levy was actually going to go away for good. And now there was nothing he could do.

Jose walked towards Levy. With a wave of his hands, a piece of parchment paper and a feather pen appeared in the air. "Do we have a deal?" Levy took the pen and signed the paper. Jose smirked and took the contract that Levy had signed. Jose owned her now.

Gajeel dropped to the ground. "No...Levy" He sobbed into his hands. He felt a familiar small hand on his shoulder, and he looked up. Levy looked at him kindly, her face still tear-stained and red. "It's alright, Gajeel. You're safe." She said. "Why, Levy?" Gajeel questioned.

Levy looked at the pit of moaning souls. "This is my atonement." She said.

"For what?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Levy left the question hanging. When Gajeel didn't respond, she continued. "It's for loving you, mostly."

Suddenly, Levy was ripped from his sight as his vision went dark.

Gajeel awoke with a start. "Levy!" He shouted. Cold sweat ran down his neck. His chest heaved as he cleared his gaze, focusing on what was around him.

He was back in the basement. The eleventh aisle to be precise. He looked around. The old librarian was lying on the floor, unconscious. He ran over to her limp body. "Old lady!" He tried to shake her awake. She did not move. Her skin was pale and her body was cold. Gajeel knew she was dead.

"Dammit, he killed her too?" Gajeel cursed, letting go of the librarian. He knew he couldn't leave the librarian in the basement. He picked her lifeless body off the ground, and with a heavy heart, carried her back upstairs.

The green-haired man was still there, arranging books on a cart. When he heard the basement door creak open, he looked towards Gajeel. His eyes immediately widened. He opened his mouth, ready to speak, but Gajeel beat him to it. "Call an ambulance." The man did as he was told, wanting to save his co-worker rather than argue. That could come later.

Gajeel stayed until the ambulance arrived. He watched as they carried The lady away on a stretcher, the lights and sirens fading as the ambulance drove away. Gajeel didn't want to stay any longer than he had to. So off into the night he went, his soul safe from the demons that lurked in the shadows.

1. Over 5,ooo words? Holy cow! (It's also unedited, so I apologize. I'm just really lazy 'cause it's so long and I want to update as soon as my lazy ass will allow.)

2. That's my record. I'm super sorry for making everyone wait for so long.

3. Was it a good ending?

4. I thought it was a bit sudden.

5. Oh well. I guess it doesn't matter. There will be an epilogue anyway.

6. I'm thinking of a sequal. Yes? No? Maybe so?

7. COMMENT PLEASE! GIVE ME YOUR OPINION! I WANT TO HEAR YOUR VOICES! PLEASE!

8. Please be my fanfic friends.

XOXO

~locoanime