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Jellal

I couldn't believe it...I'm free. I'm no longer a wanted criminal because of a stupid mistake, a selfish desire that nearly made me lose everything. What am I going to do when Crime Sorcierè finds out about this? Or Fairytail? Will we continue on with our missions without having to hide in the shadows anymore? My hand went through my locks, a habit I always had when thinking through the possibilities and what-ifs. It was terrifying to know I had a choice to live again, to start over. Am I even ready to live a life?

A flash of scarlet appeared within my deep thoughts. The color scarlet always put me at ease, it was a tranquil trigger when I knew I was starting to overthink. Though it's a bold, powerful color to every person's eyes it was different to me. It was elegance, beauty, and unique when I saw the color scarlet. The color reminds me of Erza.

I sighed, my hands in my pockets with my cloak still up from such long years of doing so. It was mere minutes when I arrived back to the inn, but the guild already left to the arena. "Jellal?" Ultear whispered through the door. I opened it, not even doing the code that we used to knock on doors. Ultear dashed back with her arm out in front of Meredy in a protective stance. They both sighed and relaxed from realizing it was me. Ultear crossed her arms around her chest. "You didn't use our code, Jellal. It could've been anyone that would turn us in."

"Then why say my real name through a door you can't see through?" I replied back with a lazy smile. Ultear closed her eyes, trying not to break a smile. "You have a fair point." Meredy stepped in the circle. "Guys," she said in a quiet tone. "should we start sneaking our way into the arena? There's going to be many guards by the time we arrive now." Meredy fidgeted with the pendant on her cloak. Ultear put her hand over her's. "Also, why did you leave with Miss Lucy? You didn't get caught did you?" I started to fidget with my pendant, as I looked down at my shirt to see the symbol of the First Council's necklace lying on my chest. "Not exactly," I began, then looking up to my teammates. "Lucy took me to the First Council."

"WHAT!" They both shouted at the same time, then putting their hands over their mouths. Meredy was turning red from the amount of anger growing inside, but Ultear's eyes became sharp like she was ready to hurt Lucy for doing so. "It wasn't like that! I'm still here aren't I? She took me there to negotiate with the Council." The two ladies seemed to quiet down some. "Negotiate what?" Meredy asked with her face still red. A sad smile came over my face, as I walked to the closed-curtain window. "For our freedom." I stated, opening the curtains to let the sunlight shine over our faces. Both girls had to squint their eyes from seeing the light for too long. Ultear cleared her throat. "I don't understand. Lucy took you there for our freedom." I turned back to face them when I took the necklace off my neck. Now they gasped, realizing what it was. "Is...is that-" Meredy couldn't finish her question when I replied.

"The Council's symbol of Mercy. We're free."

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Natsu

Half of the day has already passed and there was no sign of Lucy anywhere. When she and Jellal left I wasn't thinking that anything bad would happen, now I'm not so sure. What if Lucy likes Jellal more than me, what if they ran away together? No that wouldn't happen Jellal has a fiancée! That's what he tells us at least.

"KA-BOO! GREAT WAY TO START THE SECOND DAY OF THE GRAND MAGIC GAMES! THE FUN GAME "CHARIOT" WAS SUCH A THRILL, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR DEAR DRAGON SLAYERS!"

Tell me about it! Me, Gajeel, and that asshole Sting had to suffer for twenty minutes trying to cross the tops of chariots as they moved! A thrill my ass!

"AND THE BATTLE BETWEEN TOBY HORHORTA AND KUROHEBI WAS OUTSTANDING! KUROHEBI BEING THE WINNER AND BRINGING HIS TEAM UP TO THREE POINTS! OUR SECOND BATTLE OF THE DAY WAS ELFMAN STRAUSS, THE MAN OF FAIRY TAIL WHO CAN HOLD A MOUNTAIN ON HIS SHOULDERS WON OUR SECOND BATTLE! FINALLY, OUR THIRD AND MOST LOVELY WINNER TODAY IS THE BEAUTIFUL MIRAJANE STRAUSS!"

The crowd of course applauded and cheered for the beautiful MiraJane, some guys having major nosebleeds and needed to leave.

"AND FOR OUR LAST SHOW TODAY IS THE BATTLE BETWEEN KAGURA MIKAZUCHI AND YUKINO AGRIA. LADIES,"

The two women, that were already on the battlefield, had a staredown between each other.

"ON MY MARK!"

This isn't going to end pretty for one of them...

"LAUNCH!"

The fog came over my head again for today. The referee said that for every battle today, and it always took me back the moment Lucy was chained in the Town Square Of Magnolia, her life being ripped apart by those whips that scarred her flesh. My fists clenched tightly. I turned to Master Makarov and First Master. "I'm going to look for Lucy," I declared openly before leaving through our side of the gate. "My boy, the games are almost finished! Do you want to look after it's done?" I shook my head and waved at my nakamas. "See you in a bit!" I was starting to fasten my pace when Gwen was next to me out of thin air. It gave me chills of how she did that. "Do you want me to go with you? It'll be faster if we have two people trying to find her." After what Gwen told me of what she did to Lucy, a part of me didn't want to trust her. I was afraid Gwen would do something that was going to hurt Luce again. If I just find Lucy first, then it won't be a problem. "Sure," I replied back. "You take one side of the city I take the other?" Gwen nodded and turned left as I went right. 'I need to find Lucy.' I thought, now wishing I brought Happy with me.

Where could my Lucy be?

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A Stranger, who's in a tattered cloak

I found myself behind an alleyway, beholding the tall, dazzling arena again. It's been years since I saw Crocus back to its wondrous city before it was demolished. The air was clean, light, and smelled like, everything. It was overwhelming to smell something that wasn't smoke. I leaned on the brick wall, holding my chest from moving so much. The moment of knowing it worked, that I made it through happened. If I fail now, then it's over...again. I have to succeed in order for everyone to live! I won't lose this time!

"Find them," I told myself, moving off the wall and pulling the hood over my head. "Warn them." I started to sprint, my survival instinct and adrenaline thinking I was being chased again from the creatures that took everything from me. "Before it's too late!" I vanished into the shadows, with only the sound of my cloak cutting the air.

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It's a miracle! I came back from the dead after weeks of not posting a chapter again! Ah, sorry about that, but I updated so that's all that matters. Sorry that this is a short chappie, but my days of sleeping in have taken possession of me! Hopefully, I'll update again soon. But until then, I'll be crawling back into my coffin. As always my Lovelies... love you all!❤️