All Thanks To You

Chapter 18

Lucy's POV

"This is Griffon. And yes, he is my brother." Gray answered.

"Why did you bring him here!? Lucy step behind me, it may be a trap!" Stellae warned, getting ready to cast a protection spell.

"Stand down Stellae. I'm sure it was for a good reason." I said, partly trying to reassure myself.

"Lucy..." Gray started, "Please take Griffon with you to the Realm of Dragons. He is sick and needs help. I believe someone there may be able to heal him." Gray said.

I looked at the boy standing next to Gray. He shook in fear.

"Gray are you sure he wants to come?" I said eyeing the shivering boy. "And since when do you have a brother?" I asked.

"I've kept him hidden from the guild and the outside world. I was afraid someone would pray in his weakness. Only Makarov knows about him." Gray responded.

Stellae allowed her guard to lower a bit at Gray's words.

"Lucy, this boy is very ill. If he is not taken to the Realm of Dragons, he will die." Stellae said calmly.

The boy's eyes widened at Stellae's statement, however he soon collapsed in a fit of ragged coughing.

"Lucy please take him." Gray pleaded. "I can't bear to let him suffer."

"Gray..." I started.

"Lucy I realize you can't take me to the Realm of Dragons if you take Griffon, and I realize you will have to erase my memory of you, but please, don't let him die." Gray begged.

"Gray, not only will your memory of running into Lucy be erased, but so will your brother being alive. I will have to alter your memory to make it seem like he died. Are you prepared for that?" Stellae asked.

Gray's eyes widened in shock. He soon regained his composure and nodded his head.

Gray helped Griffon walk to to Stellae, who helped hold up Griffon, while Gray said goodbye.

"Good bye Griffon." Gray said, hugging his little brother.

Griffon nodded and did his best to hug Gray back.

I walked to Gray and hugged him.

"Thank you." He whispered in my ear.

I nodded, acknowledging him.

Stellae passed Griffon to me and walked to Gray. She placed her hands on his head and closed her eyes. A few silent moments stretched to feel like an eternity, before Stellae opened her eyes and stepped away from Gray.

"I have altered his memory, and when we walk through this portal, he will have forgotten what he needed to forget." Stellae informed me.

"Ready?" She asked.

I nodded in response.

I stepped on a teleportation lacrima, crushing it beneath my feet. A large swirling, silver portal opened from seemingly nowhere. Stellae stepped through the swirling light and disappeared. I guided Griffon to the portal. Just before we stepped through, I turned around. Tears streamed down Gray's face, as he stood there, with his eyes closed.

Gray, I'm sorry.

Griffon and I stepped through the portal.