When the little girl woke up, there was a woman in the kitchen who was making herself coffee. Eyes bleary, the little girl could not recall where she had been when she had fallen asleep, or where she was now she was awake, again. Dizzy, she rubbed at her eyes. Everything around her seemed to be spinning, and the room was unfamiliar. It was completely unfamiliar, almost as if it were from a different world. But it's not. I'm just here. Like I was before. Where's Irene? Or the other lady, who found me when Grandeeny had to leave me. She stared at the woman across the room from her, her mind starting to wind up. Who is she? She seems…somewhat familiar. But who is… She could only stare. She seemed warm. Motherly. But was she her mother? Had she come – That's not possible, is it? Even Grandeeny never could understand who my mother is. Who my parents are. She shivered. Her long blue hair itched against her face, a bit matted – when had it last been washed? The woman turned to her, looking around for a few seconds before offering her a small smile. The little girl smiled a little, too. She's safe, maybe not my mother, but she's like a mother. The woman waved her over, and turned off the stove. Coffee. There were beans, boiling in there. The little girl let out a sigh of relief.

"What is it, Wendy?" The woman asked, her voice gentle. "Are you alright?"

"Just relieved," Wendy said, rubbing at her eyes. "I recognised what you're making. Coffee. It's funny, because I don't…"

"Know how you got here?" The woman reached over and patted her hands. "You were wandering around, lost. I was hiking, and was concerned when I saw you fall over. I carried you back to my campsite, and took care of you. But you were pretty sick. Do you remember any of that? I would not be surprised if you didn't. Do you even remember my name?"

"It's…Alteena, right?" Wendy paused, her mind spinning again. "Oh, no! Ultear! I'm so sorry, I –"

"Shush, child," Ultear said, her voice calm. "I know you must have been through a lot. It's okay. I don't imagine you feel particularly well, either."

Wendy shivered a bit again. Ultear let out a long sigh, before walking from around the kitchen island at which they were sat. She took one last look at the coffee press on the stove, ensuring the fire was off. Then, she walked over to the small living room to pull a few blankets off from the couch. With a bit of a flourish, Ultear came back over to wrap one of the blankets over Wendy's shoulders. She's so tiny. It's hard to imagine her being able to have survived out there very long. And, just like Meredy, she's… Ultear set her hands on the little girl's shoulders, ignoring the increasingly incessant buzz of her communications lacrima. She looked up at the time, the small clock on the counter next to the refrigerator. 18:21 She would probably be back, soon. The only one of them, between her, Jellal, and, now, Wendy, who could go out. Who could be in the world with no repercussions. Ultear frowned at the thought. Does anyone in Fairy Tail recall how we confronted them during their S-Class trials? Or, at least, how I did with Meredy? Do they know about my involvement in what happened on that island? Watching those two boys fight was rather amusing. A great deal of it all has been amusing. I wonder…did the Council ever find out any of that? Or are they still –

"Rest up, Wendy," Ultear said, regaining herself. "You need it, as –"

"Wendy!"

Ultear took a few steps back, swearing under her breath when the white, winged cat flew into the room from the back of the apartment. She and that cat were together when I found her. I didn't think that cat was as close to her as she has proven to be. Dear God. This is all proving to be more trouble than I ever thought it would be. Wendy glanced up with a smile, seemingly perking up when the cat flew over and sat down on the counter next to her. Ultear found herself smiling, too, when Wendy seemed to relax when the cat let her start petting her. Is it possible that I found her because of my…the failed attempt at my use of my Arc Of Time? Or is this a test? A test where bringing together a family of sorts as my own will allow me to be completely absolved of everything? It has all been to go back. To relive. To have the life I… A crash came from down the hall. A flash of anger striking through her, she said something to comfort Wendy that she forgot mere seconds after. Her heels clicking and pounding against the floor, Ultear all but stormed into the back of the small apartment, within which there were four miniscule bedrooms, and two equally miniscule bathrooms. If only we could live more lavishly but remain inconspicuous. Then again, the Council must already have put an investigation into me. No doubt that international authorities have their eyes out for me, too. I imagine they will have many questions about my withdrawal of all my assets before Etherion. Or, rather, before they –

"Meredy?"

She was, for a moment, unsure if she had screamed, but was quickly focused on the fact the window was firmly shut. The girl in question, however, had very clearly climbed in through it.

"I wasn't trying to knock over the lamp," Meredy said, bobbing up and down on her toes before dropping her bags down on her bed. "It was just the quickest way to get away from those boys."

Ultear took a small step back. "What boys?"

"Just some idiots I ran into downtown," Meredy rolled her eyes. "But they sure did make shopping for the week a lot harder. They seemed shocked that someone my age wouldn't be in school, as if I hadn't gotten enough out of it before I left."

Ultear's eyes narrowed. "Well," She said, crossing her arms. "Try to be more careful. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt."

"Sorry," Meredy sighed. "How's Jellal? Has he come to yet?"

"Not consistently," Ultear said, briefly hesitating. "Long enough to drink water and eat a little, but I sincerely doubt he remembers any of it. But he has been…semi conscious longer and longer. So…I have a feeling he will be…back to normal sooner rather than later."

WARRANT FOR ON SIGHT ARREST

Ivan Jasper Dreyar, 49

Date Of Birth: August the 23rd, X737

Caucasian male with tanned skin, 6'4", grey eyes, greying black hair with distinctive facial hair.

Ivan Dreyar is suspected for involvement in multiple cases reckless carjacking and driving without a licence. Dreyar is further suspected of money laundering and embezzlement, as well as attempting to steal the identity of another person. Having evaded arrest on all charges for at least three years, Dreyar is suspected to be armed, and incredibly dangerous. Dreyar is a former member of the Wizard Guild Fairy Tail, of which his father is the current guild master as of the issuance of this warrant on September the 9th, X786. He may target the guild, or family members, all of whom's names and identities are not listed and redacted apart from his father's for the sake of privacy.

DO NOT ENGAGE

Hot-Line, Federal Bureau Of Investigations, Kingdom Of Fiore –

Unceremoniously, the paper was thrown into the flames which engulfed it almost immediately. More than enough information had been gleaned from it. Irritated, he stood up and walked over to the window. Pulled open the blinds. His eyes narrowed as he took a look around at the city streets below. Even at night, it seemed alive. Then again, it was Era. His eyes narrowed further. She was here. She had been for years, before clawing her way up onto the Council. And he resented her for far more than it. Suddenly, he shut the blinds, almost ripping them down. He stepped back over to the table where everything was still laid out. Evidence. Papers, photographs, and more. On the plugged in but shut computer, there were audio and video. He scoffed. It was nothing short of a nuisance. A nuisance that would have to be dealt with in the light, to ensure things would be able to properly continue. He almost laughed, remembering that he had dropped nearly everything on that one bitch and her dark guild. No one needed to know. No one would ever know, not if they valued their lives. He took another look over some of the papers laid out in front of him. He supposed it could be considered amusing that he had been more or less unaccounted for the past six years.

Unaccounted for.

Unaccounted for.

A smile crept onto his face, something that he barely noticed at first.

Then, he reached for his communications lacrima, and quickly dialled in a number he had kept in the back of his mind for the past decade.

I owe you for saving my ass on this. Take this. If you ever need a lawyer, I'd be happy to repay the favour.

The line rang out over and over again. For a moment, a flash of anger came across him as he expected the call to go to voicemail. Suddenly, it clicked on.

"Hello? I'm afraid I don't recognise this number, but I presume we must know each other as so few even have my –"

"It's about time you repay me," The man let out a dry laugh. "I hope you haven't forgotten the deal we made."

"Oh?" Their voice wavered. "Dear lord, Ivan? Is that you?"

"Yes," He replied, taking another look over everything laid out on the table in front of him. "I apologise for falling out of contact, but I've been rather…unavailable these past few years."

"Do you know, then?" They said, and shuffling was heard over the line. "About…"

"Unfortunately, yes," Ivan scoffed. "It's madness."

They let out a sigh of relief. "I presume, then, that you need assistance legally?"

"I'm afraid so," Ivan's eyes narrowed when something smacked against the window, only to realise, in annoyance, that it was a tree branch. "I've been wandering the continent for the last six years, even leaving the country. I can only imagine that the Magic Council is putting undue pressure on Parliament for the sake of making a spectacle of me for no longer being associated with a guild. A guild they resent, mind."

"You've been out of the country?" Curiosity crept into their voice. "Without a passport?"

"I've been largely on foot. Plenty of people do that," Ivan replied. "By the same token, I've also dealt either solely in work or in cash. I didn't have need for any of this, and I certainly don't have need for a long and drawn out court battle because of this."

"They've been looking for you for criminal activity for at least the past three years," They warned him. "But I understand. Are you seeking to speak in your defence?"

"I don't want to speak at all," Ivan irritably replied. "I have no desire to answer to anyone, but I suspect I have no choice but to."

"I agree," They said, and more shuffling was heard on their end of the line. "Send me the things you've got from the past few years, and I'll set it together into a statement to put out ahead of responding to the government. I do hope things have improved for you in your family. I recall you having left for that reason."

"Just about," Ivan coldly agreed. "I'll get those to you as soon as possible."

"Great. We'll get this done shortly, I'm sure."

The line clicked off. Ivan set down his mobile, and plugged it in. He stood up, and flicked a light back on in the apartment. He stepped back over to the windows again, to ensure they were fully closed. They were, though it had been a correct assumption that a tree was smacking about against one of the window panes. He took a look down at the city streets below, the night still young enough. I do hope this time of year brings her some grief, or, at least, sorrow. After all, one of the brats was born in September, and the other in November. Laxus is the only one who was born in the spring, mid April. But two of them are close together. I'll be damned if that doesn't bother her. He smirked when he caught a glance of his reflexion in the window. He snapped the blinds shut, but then stepped over to the small mirror on the wall. He looked almost nothing like the photograph on the warrant, a photograph from six years earlier. Now, his hair was much longer, tied back in a tight, sleek ponytail. He was completely clean shaven, and his skin was significantly less tanned than it had been before he had returned to Fiore. Since having to go into hiding, for just a bit. That would be over, soon enough. His eyes caught on the photograph in the frame on the counter in the back of the small kitchen.

His father didn't know he had it, or, if he did, he had kept it a secret that he had accepted it. The date it was taken, scrawled in Makarov's surprisingly neat handwriting in the corner. May the 19th, X786. Taken, he suspected, in one of the cities on the southern east coast of Fiore. And, in it, all three of his children. Esseca Annabelle, with her long pink hair seemingly caught a bit in the wind, and her glasses somewhat askew. She was in a comfortable tank top, pants, shawl, and brown boots. Caitlin Marie Riley, with her bangs a bit in her face over her large glasses, her hair also bright pink. She was in leggings, and loose, long shawl and a crop top with an abundance of sheer scarves around her neck and shoulders, barefoot with her shoes haphazardly in one hand. Laxus Schuyler, wind tousled blonde hair, orange eyes, and the lightning scar down through his eye, in a purple silk shirt, dress pants, and comfortable shoes. He was in between his younger sisters, Esseca, grinning, and tugging on the coat over his shoulders like she would have as a small child, and Caity looking like she were trying to look taller by jumping up against her brother, with her open, almost laughing smile. Laxus was relaxed, too, smiling with his younger sisters.

November the 15th, X764 – Esseca.

September the 26th, X765 – Caity.

April the 16th, X761 – Laxus.

A flash of anger came over him when another tree branch smacked against the window from outside. His thoughts quickly came back around, however.

"The three of them have no idea what their grandfather has taken from them," He scoffed. "And to think Laxus could have known that after being forced to leave the guild after that fiasco he came up with two years ago. But he came back. What a brat."

On the table, his mobile screen briefly turned on with a notification.

I'll have the case together soon. I'll look over the documents tomorrow as soon as you send them over.

"Damn right, you will," He said to himself with a laugh. "They won't have a chance."

"You okay?" Lucy awkwardly waved a hand in front of Erza's face, hopping back when she suddenly looked up. "I know coming back from the…trip was…kind of –"

"Just be glad we're not them," Erza muttered, gesturing to where, on the other side of the room, Cana and Elfman were speed drinking by stabbing open cans with knives before squeezing them out. "I'm not in any mood to get alcohol in my eyes."

Lucy grimaced. "They seem to be having fun."

"Of course they are," Erza suddenly reached over, and yanked Lucy's arm to pull her to be sat down beside her. "Sorry," She said after Lucy let out a startled yelp. "If you're willing to…talk about something, I think you're the only one who will take me seriously."

Lucy eyed her strangely. "Why wouldn't anyone else take you seriously?"

Erza rolled her eyes. "Well, for starters, Gray is still sulking about because he sat on broken glass, and I'm pretty sure Natsu is still sleeping some of…everything off. Or eating. We probably shouldn't have taken a thirteen hour train ride in one day with him."

Lucy snickered. "I still think it's funny how it was Happy's idea for you to knock Natsu out for at least part of the train ride."

"Sometimes, that cat has good ideas," Erza said, rolling her shoulders back. "But, at least, it wasn't as bad as he was after eating all of that ether-nano."

Lucy awkwardly pulled away when Erza's hands tightened around her arm again.

"Are you still thinking…" Lucy hesitated. "About Jellal?"

"Lower your voice, but, yes," Erza said, letting her go when she realised she had almost turned Lucy's skin pink from where she had been holding onto her. "And, additionally, I feel I owe you an apology for not being more present when…when everything happened with Phantom Lord shortly after you joined the guild two years ago. It recently occurred to me I have never apologised to you for it, and I've been feeling rather...guilty for what you and everyone have been through, often because of or for me. I suppose things have just moved all too fast these past few months. Everything feels as though it's rushing back onto me. And, admittedly, I do appreciate that, despite everything and my suspicion and indifference towards her these past few years, Juvia wanted to help you all save me. I truly –"

"Erza, please don't keep trying to justify and apologise for things that happened ages ago," Lucy suddenly hugged her. "But, if you want to say any of that to someone, say it to Juvia. I'm sure she'd appreciate it."

"I…I will," Erza sighed. "I'm running circles around the conversation, aren't I?"

"Kind of," Lucy shrugged. "It's okay. You've been through a lot, and haven't had much time to think."

"I suppose," She glanced around the guild hall, chewing at the inside of her cheek. "I can't stop thinking about him," She said quietly. "I can't help it. I suppose, even now, Jellal is haunting me."

Lucy frowned. "If you're okay talking about it, what exactly happened between you two? Beyond what you told us back…back there."

"A lot," Erza said numbly. "I loved him, though, I can tell you that. Even now, I…"

"Do we know if he's…" Lucy shivered a bit at the thought. "If he's dead?"

"No idea," Erza admitted, probing her forehead. "I've been tempted to ask, but, in all honesty, I sincerely doubt Siegrain has any desire to talk to me about any of that."

"Could you petition the Council?"

Erza scoffed. "As if they'd listen. Siegrain is incredibly lucky to still be on the Council after everything. Which is another reason why I doubt he has any desire to associate with me."

Lucy considered that. "I mean, would it hurt to try?"

"I suppose not," Erza paused. "But what good would it do? At the end of the day, the Council is going to see the issue as black and white. Ultear manipulated all of them, and they see Jellal not as a victim of her and of Zeref's ghost but as a fully willing, co-conspirator. Look at how they toyed with me to make a point. They would do much worse to Jellal. My biggest fear is that, if he's ever found, he'll be executed."

Lucy stared at her for a few seconds in abject horror.

"Well, the Magic Council can't find someone guilty and put them to death," Erza amended. "Technically, they can't even imprison someone long term, not without the sign off of the federal and local governments. But I have a hard time imagining that anyone in the federal and local legal systems would look at Jellal and the things he's done without strongly considering executing him."

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Isn't execution illegal in some of Fiore's provinces?"

"It won't matter if one or more of the high federal courts were to agree with the Magic Council's assessment," Erza shook her head. "If he is alive, I want to find him."

"Do you want help?" Lucy hesitated when she said nothing. "Erza, really, I want to help you. If you think there's good in Jellal, and that he can be saved, I want to help you do that."

Erza managed a small smile. "Are you sure?"

Lucy nodded. "Absolutely. We're friends, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are," Erza tightly embraced her, causing Lucy to squeak. "I'm very lucky to have met you."

"And who would have thought it was in part because Mirajane asked me to make sure Natsu and Gray didn't kill each other," Lucy laughed a little when Erza let her go. "Though I don't think those two have the energy to go at it right now."

"They'll find it," Erza half jokingly warned her. "Within a day or so, those two are going to be at each other's throats again."

"Well, at least that's normal," Lucy said, stretching out her arms. "Just hopefully not in my apartment. I don't like being startled by them fighting. Or Gray stripping."

"Gray is a…fascinating person," Erza winked. "And, again, I apologise for not coming after the three of you sooner when –"

"Erza!" Lucy lightly clapped her hands in front of her face. "We just agreed to stop dwelling on the past. I'm not losing you this far into the battle!"

"Alright, alright," She said, rolling her eyes. "You can calm down, Lucy."

"Good," Lucy said, affectionately punching her shoulder. "So, are we going to get to work?"

Erza lightly punched her back with a hint of a smile.

"If you're still up to trying to help me with this, then, absolutely, yes."