Quest for the Eighty-Eight Keys

Chapter Thirteen: Midnight's Departure

Midnight walked with his guildmates, on their way to Fairy Tail for a much-needed break. As they walked, Jellal asked, "would any of you be interested in joining Fairy Tail?" Midnight looked over at the blue-haired man, his eyes slightly widened. He knew that he shouldn't be surprised at the question, but it was still out of nowhere. Seeing the curious looks that his friends were giving him, Jellal added, "if you want to join a different guild, then you're allowed to do that. I was just entertaining the idea." Midnight looked at the others, wanting to see what they would say before he gave his answer.

Richard was the first to speak, "Fairy Tail is a great guild! I would enjoy joining it! Oh yeah!"

Sawyer was next, "Sounds like a pretty good idea."

Meredy followed with a cheer, "I would be able to spend more time with Mira and Juvia!"

The last one to say something was Erik, shrugging as he spoke, "I obviously have no arguments."

The mages each turned their attention to Midnight. The reflector mage tensed slightly as he stared ahead. He wasn't sure about joining Fairy Tail. He liked them, obviously. He knew that nobody would have a problem with him. But what would Lucy think? Would she have a problem with him joining her guild? Would she shun him? He couldn't blame her if she did end up doing that. If he joined Fairy Tail, would Lucy be alright with it?

She had been through something traumatic. The last thing she would need is to have to be in the same guild as someone that had tried to kill her. Midnight didn't want to cause her more trouble. He didn't want his presence to cause her to become reminded of what he had done to her, and thus, worsen her condition. 

Midnight stuffed his hands into his pockets, questioning Jellal in an attempt to divert the attention of his guildmates, "what made you come up with this idea?"

The obvious answer was that Jellal simply wanted to be closer to Erza, and hopefully finally make a move, however, he wouldn't be surprised if the reason was connected to Sorano's death. He looked at Jellal, waiting for an answer.

The blue-haired man looked down at the ground. He answered slowly, "well...I thought that it might be best if we join a legal guild. Sorano had been asking me to disband Crime Sorciere so we could join Fairy Tail or Sabertooth."

Midnight nodded, muttering, "so, it's because that was what Sorano wanted."

He understood that Jellal wanted to fulfill what their late friend had wanted. It had been a little over a month since her death, and this was the first time any of them spoke of her. He wouldn't lie, he missed her greatly. During their days in Oracion Seis, she was probably his closest friend. After finding Lucy and removing her from the room that she had been tortured in, he had carried the blonde where the other three were, asking Sting and Minerva if Sorano was alive. It wasn't until he had passed Lucy on to Wendy and Porlyusica that Midnight had fully processed the answer that Minerva had given him.

No.

Sorano was dead upon their arrival. He had already been a pained mess by the sight of Lucy's condition. He had been this way for several days. It was about a week into his worry for Lucy that the realization of Sorano's death finally dawned on him. He broke into heavier sobs, alone in the hotel room that he had locked himself into, his heart twisting painfully because of Lucy's tortured state and Sorano's death.

He furrowed his brow, closing his eyes as he pushed away the intruding thoughts. The last thing he wanted was to start tearing up in front of his guildmates. He opened his eyes when he heard Cobra walk closer to him and whisper in his ear, "what's up with you?"

Midnight glanced at him before looking back ahead, answering with a hushed tone, "can't you just listen to my thoughts?"

"I would rather hear you say it."