Alright, you guys! First and foremost, I'm sorry that I haven't been uploading lately.

I've had some family issues and other things regarding moving, but I'm back! And I intend to resume writing!

I know some of you are getting impatient with me but hang in there.

Anyway, here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 56

Interrogation

I was sleeping on the floor of my prison. It was a bit hard and uncomfortable, but I didn't mind. As long as I got plenty of sleep, there was nothing I couldn't be bothered with. All that mattered to me was getting some sleep.

However, I would soon be in for a rude awakening. As I was sleeping peacefully, I heard a banging and someone yelling.

"Hey, you! Wake up!" the voice snapped. "Nap time is over!"

I immediately sat up with a start now fully awake. I then saw who was the reason for my abrupt awakening. There floating just outside of my prison was none other than Nadal. He was as cranky and rude as he always was. In fact, I felt the only reason why Nadal was acting the way he was, was probably just how he loves picking on me and the prisoners. To him, we were nothing more, but animals in cages, playthings to mess with at his own leisure.

A couple of days had passed since that day when I appeared in court. Those days alone made me wish that I wouldn't have to put up with Nadal's bullying. Sadly, I could use my magic due to being stuck inside my prism.

However, I couldn't really worry about that right now. I was still thinking about what happened the other day when that woman Tu-Chi and her subordinate came into the courtroom. The biggest question that I kept asking myself was, could it be true? Could she really restore my memory? Could she help me remember who I really was?

At this point, I was willing to try anything to remember who I was. Especially since I had so many people that knew me and were waiting for me to come back home. I could still remember the promise I made to Wendy, Natsu, and the others. I told them I was gonna be OK and that was how I'm going to be. I just had to hang in there until my name was cleared and my memories were restored. Till then, I had to wait.

I sat in my prison not really having anything to do. I was thinking of sleeping to pass the time, but I was wide awake and didn't really feel sleepy no thanks to Nadal. I wasn't able to eat or drink either and I was feeling hungry and very thirsty. I wouldn't be too surprised if I was suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. I could even feel my stomach in slight pain growling and complaining. All I could do was rub it hoping that it would calm down.

Then I heard my prison open up which made me draw my attention towards the opening. There standing in front of me was Nadal. He was wearing the usual condescending scowl on his face as he glared at me.

"Hey, you. Get up," he growled. "Doranbolt wants to take you for questioning."

I didn't know what he meant by questioning, but I knew that it probably wasn't gonna be good for me. Having no other choice, I stepped out of my prism and was once again lead down to the bottom of the floor where I was once again cuffed and led down the halls by two frog guards. As I walked, I kept my eyes low not daring to make eye contact with anyone who was passing by. I was expecting to be lead to the courtroom once again, but I was wrong. Instead, I was lead to a different part of the of the building.

We soon approached a room with someone standing in front of the door. Upon looking up, I could see that it was the man with the three scars on his face along with Lahar. I would have to assume that this man was this Doranbolt that Nadal was talking about. And considering the fact that both he and Lahar were both there in front of me, I knew that I was going to go through a lot of trouble. We soon stopped in front of them and then Lahar opened the door.

"Please step through here," he said.

Not really having much of a choice, I did as Lahar asked and walked inside. Inside of the room, it seemed to be simple and there was nothing, but a small table and two chairs. I stepped inside and Lahar and Doranbolt followed closing the door behind them. Then Lahar pulled out the chair.

"Sit down," he said.

I did so and Lahar sat in front of me while Doranbolt remained standing. There was a long silence with Doranbolt pacing behind me and Lahar sitting there in silence. Then Lahar finally spoke.

"So... Willy Falconer aka Shark of Oración Seis," he began. "You claim to have no memory of ever working with Brain and you didn't have anything to do with the destruction with Nomekop. Is that right?"

"Yes. I did," I replied. "I know that it sounds hard to believe, but it's true."

"You're right. It is hard to believe," said Doranbolt. "In fact, we get the feeling that you're just playing dumb."

"But I'm not playing dumb," I protested. "I really don't remember-"

"You were there at the scene of the crime back when Nirvana was destroyed and we have reports of you being at Nomekop six years ago," interrupted Lahar. "We also know that you've been working with Brain for at least six years."

"Like I'm trying to tell you," I said. "I don't remember. All I know is that I've been told that I was being controlled and-"

"Being controlled? As in someone was controlling you like a puppet?" asked Doranbolt. "A very likely story."

"It's true! I'm telling you-"

"Yeah, yeah. You're telling the truth and we should believe you," scoffed Doranbolt. "Trust me. We've heard that old line, so many times, that it's getting old."

"But it's true! I am telling you the truth!" I said. "I don't remember anything and I don't know what you're talking about! And for that matter, I've never killed anyone either!"

"So you claim," said Lahar. "But you said yourself that you don't remember anything correct? So, therefore, you're not even sure yourself if you had committed these crimes or hurt anyone or not. Isn't that right?"

"That's..."

I couldn't really say anything else because Lahar had a pretty good point. I really didn't know what I did due to my memory, but that didn't mean that it was possible that I had done anything.

Doranbolt then spoke getting a bit closer to me. "You're wasting yours and our time continuing to deny it," he said. "You're the only one who knows anything about Brain and the Oración Seis and what they were after, so confess to your crimes or things are gonna start to get unpleasant."

"But I'm telling you, I don't know anything!" I yelled now getting a bit irritated. "I don't know anything about that village and I don't know anything about Brain!"

"Come on! We all know that's not true," snapped Doranbolt. "You're Brain's, right-hand man. You were practically his bodyguard! Are you really that desperate to cover for him?!"

I then felt a flare of anger surge my body making me immediately glare at Doranbolt. "Why would I cover for someone as demented as he is?!" I roared. "He's a monster! He threatened to hurt my friends and even went as far as to take control of my mind! I would never work nor would I ever cover for a guy like him!"

The room then fell silent after my outburst. Doranbolt then resumed his pacing while Lahar cleared his throat before speaking again. "In any case, you were seen with another wanted criminal, Jellal Fernades. Do you know if he had anything to with the recent events?"

"No, I don't," I said. "All I know about him is that he's like me. He doesn't know anything about who he was or what he has done and he has done terrible things. Or at least that's what he said."

"How convenient," muttered Doranbolt.

"Were you and Jellal working together with the Oración Seis?" continued Lahar.

"No! How many times do I have to say it?" I snapped. "I don't have anything to do with Brain! And I'm very sure that Jellal doesn't know anything either."

"And what about the people in Fairy Tail that were with you when Lahar arrested you?" demanded Doranbolt. "They were referring to you both as one of their own."

"Jellal is a friend of ours!" I said trying to keep my cool. "And to them, I'm also a friend."

"Is that so? Sounds a little suspicious if you ask me," said Doranbolt coolly.

This made snap my head towards the three scarred man glaring at him hotly feeling anger surge through my body again. "What's that supposed to mean?!" I demanded.

"Oh nothing. Just basically saying that I think that those friends of yours are nothing, but a much of liars," said Doranbolt. "After all, Fairy Tail's been a thorn at the council's side for quite some time now. Not to mention that they along with the other guilds that joined in their little alliance have violated the Inter-Guild Conflict-Ban treaty. If they were willing to do something like that, I wouldn't be surprised those fools would go through extreme lengths just to cover a couple of criminals like you and Jellal. Maybe we should question them to get the answers we need instead of you."

I immediately sat up and got so close Doranbolt's face that our forehead was almost touching. "Leave my friends out of this," I growled coldly. "If you even think about getting them involved or causing them trouble in any way, I swear that I'll make you regret it."

Doranbolt smirked. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

The two of us glared at each other dangerously. If wasn't stuck in these cuffs, I would have torn Doranbolt apart. He can threaten me all he wanted, but there was no way in hell that I wasn't gonna stand by and let him threaten the people from the alliance. Especially Fairy Tail.

After a few seconds, Lahar then stood up.

"That's enough, you two," he said calmly. "Especially you Doranbolt. I won't allow you to start picking fights."

Doranbolt clicked his tongue and I sat back down feeling my blood that was boiling cool down a little. Then there was the sound of a few knocks on the door. Lahar went over to it and opened it. There appeared to be someone who was behind the door. Then Lahar beckoned Doranbolt to come with him out of the room with him. He followed, but not before giving me a sideways glance. All I could do was sit in my chair fuming.

NO POV

Doranbolt and Lahar had stepped out of the room to find Akzuinu waiting for them.

"Master Akzuinu," said Lahar a bit surprised.

"Has he told you two anything?" asked Akzuinu. "Anything at all?"

Lahar shook his head. "No sir. I'm afraid he has yet to reveal anything to us."

"Are you sure?" asked Akzuinu. "There has to be at least something we can use against him."

"I'm sorry Master Akzuinu," said Lahar. "But we couldn't get anything from him."

"Either he's really good at playing dumb, or he's telling the truth," said Doranbolt.

"Well then, keep pressuring him!" said Akzuinu angrily. "Keep grilling him until he finally snaps! I refuse to let a criminal like him have a chance to walk off! Especially since that old bat Tu-Chi has taken a shine to him!"

He was now starting to seethe in anger clenching his fist remembering what Tu-Chi said about him. Seeing the dog man like this made both Lahar and Doranbolt a little worried.

"Excuse me Master Akzuinu," said Lahar. "With all due respect, but aren't you getting a little... personally motivated?"

"There's no way that I'm gonna let that old bat get away with setting that boy loose and for insulting me in front of the other council members!" snapped Akzuinu. "I won't stop till that boy is behind bars! Do whatever it takes to make him talk. Use magic if you have to!"

Doranbolt and Lahar were surprised upon hearing that.

"Hold on a second, Master Akzuinu," said Doranbolt. "I don't like the guy either, but is using that really necessary?"

"Yes it is," said Akzuinu. "Doranbolt, your magic gives you the ability to peer into a person's memories doesn't it?"

"My magic doesn't work like that sir," said Doranbolt. "Even if I wanted to, my magic can't peer into a person's memories."

Akzuinu was now even more frustrated. He started to turn red in the face and he looked ready to explode in anger, but then...

"What seems to be going on here?" demanded a voice.

The three men looked to see that Org was walking towards them. As soon as Akzuinu saw him, he immediately cooled down.

"Org. What are you doing here?" he asked trying to sound normal.

"I was just making my rounds on checking on the prisoners," explained Org. "I happened to notice that a certain one, in particular, is missing Akzuinu. Tell me, would you happen to know where that prisoner would be?"

"Isn't it obvious? He's being questioned," said Akzuinu.

Org's eyes narrowed. "And why may I ask is he being questioned?" he asked.

"Isn't it obvious? He's guilty!" barked Akzuinu. "He keeps on denying his crimes, so Lahar and Doranbolt are asking him questions."

"You do realize that this is unethical," said Org. "Not to mention that you're practically violating rights."

"And since when is it any of your business Org?" growled Akzuinu. "Why don't you just stay out of it?"

"Because I don't want you doing anything stupid," said Org. "Especially since you seem to be personally involved all because of an old woman insulting you. You may be a member of the council, but I will not tolerate this kind of behavior as will not Gran Doma if he finds out what you were doing."

"Do you intend to report me?" demanded Akzuinu.

"If that's what I have to do," replied Org.

"What is with you Org? Can't you see that he's guilty?!" yelled Akzuinu. "You really must be blind if you can't see that! No wonder you were fooled into activating the R system!"

Org glared at Akzuinu and he glared at him back not backing down. The tension was so tense, that even Lahar and Doranbolt didn't dare to even breathe.

After a while Org broke the silence. "I understand and respect the fact that you think that he's guilty," he said. "But need I remind you that we are not above the law no matter what position we have nor how much we think that a person is guilty. I would also like to add that I've learned from my mistakes and I would rather not focus on the past. Instead, I would like to focus on the here and now. You will release the boy and return him to his cell. If this happens again, I will report you. Is that understood?"

Akzuinu was grumbled under his breath in response and then Org turned to Lahar and Doranbolt.

"As for you two, return Willy Falconer to his cell," he said. "I will overlook this due to the fact that you both were following Akzuinu's orders."

"Yes sir," replied the two.

And with that, Lahar and Doranbolt went inside to return Willy to his cell.

WILLY'S POV

I had been sitting in the room all by myself for a few minutes now wondering what was going on outside. I had heard some shouting, but I couldn't really make out who it was. Then the door opened and then Lahar and Doranbolt stepped back in. At first, I was afraid that they were going to question me some more, but I was wrong.

"Come on. We're returning you to your cell," said Lahar.

I was surprised. "Wait... what? Just like that? One minute, you're questioning me and then the next minute, it's back in my cell?"

"Believe us, we're not too thrilled either, but we have our orders," said Doranbolt. "Consider yourself lucky. Now come on. Let's go."

I then stood up and stepped out of the room. When I did, I saw two people which turned out to be two of the council members that I saw in the courtroom, one of them being that dog man and the other being the old man with the white beard. I wanted to ask what was going on and what they were both doing here, but I never really had a chance to ask for two frog guards led me away leading me back to my prism cell with Lahar leading them.

As they walked, I couldn't help, but look back towards the two council members who both looked at me. The dog man, in particular, was looking at me with angry eyes while the old man simply looked at me without any emotion at all. Then one of the frog men yanked my chain a little causing me to stumble a little and look forward as I walked on.

Soon enough, I was once again placed back into my prism cell floating helplessly inside it. At this point, my mind was one again muddled with emotions. Not to mention that I was beginning to doubt if I was truly innocent or not.

"Maybe they're right," I thought to myself. "Maybe I really did those things and I just don't remember doing them..."

I then realized what I was thinking and I furiously shook my head.

"No! Don't think like that! I can't go getting negative right now! I just have to keep my spirits up and hang in there," I thought. "I know I'm innocent! And come tomorrow, I'll remember everything and then I'll be able to prove I'm innocent."

I sat down in my cell and let out a small sigh as I waited for the promised day to arrive hoping that it would be soon.

After a rough interrogation, Willy is still hanging in there...

Dragoman out!