[ Deadlock ]

"It seems we're at an impasse. A deadlock," said Natsu.

Levi kept his arms up, still holding a barrel in Nora's mouth while the other was pointing at the group that just arrived.

"Not really, since we have the upper hand," said Levi.

A large member of the committee then spoke up. 

"You don't know what gifts we have. You're not in a position to even argue!"

"If you gifts were so great, you'd be confident you could stop me before I pulled the trigger. Since you haven't stopped me yet, I already know I'd be able to pull this trigger first," said Levi.

The large member frustratingly frowned, his feet slightly moving forward. As he did, Levi took a step toward Nora, making her squirm even more.

"Stop it," said Natsu to the people around him. 

He then turned to Levi and Geoffrey again.

"So, what do we do now?" asked Natsu.

"You tell me. It seems you planned to get rid of Geoffrey. Sorry, but, since I'm on his personal security detail, I can't let that happen. I can't just let my classmates down."

"There was never a question of 'getting rid' of him. He nearly killed a classmate, and was rightfully detained and on his way to us."

"I swear I could hear this bitch here say she'd kill him."

Natsu raised both eyebrows, looking at Nora who was still standing there, tear-eyed.

"We don't just 'kill' students. This isn't something that happens here. We're not assassins."

"She wears the committee armband. She represents all of you, and therefore speaks for all of you. So, when she threatened Geoffrey, that came from you as well."

"Her actions were in clear defiance of our core principles. She represents us, but wasn't speaking for all of us when she broke our rules. She'll be dealt with in a similar, fair way as Geoffrey will be."

"We're not stupid," said Levi.

Natsu loudly sighed, and looked at Geoffrey.

"Can you get your classmate to bring down his weapons? Surely you see the problem here?"

Geoffrey, who remained inexpressive so far, took another second to take in the scene before him.

"I don't know," said Geoffrey.

"You don't know?" said Natsu, truly puzzled.

"I don't know," said Geoffrey again.

Natsu scratched his head, perplexed and confused.

"Are we supposed to stand here all night?"

Geoffrey looked at Levi. "Maybe you should pull the trigger."

Natsu, in shock, raised both hands. 

"What?!" said Natsu.

"I agree," said Levi, pushing the gun into Nora's mouth one more time.

"This makes no sense," said Natsu in disbelief.

"The committee's position is clear. It doesn't take a genius to see you were out to get us from the start," said Geoffrey.

"Out to get you?! Are you out of your mind?" said Natsu.

Levi turned his head toward Geoffrey.

"Didn't the girl who can teleport people stand back and watch as Nora was beating you up as you were on the ground, saying she'd actually kill you then and there? Do you remember how she only brought the committee once the tables were turned?"

"Now that you mention it, Levi, I do recall that," said Geoffrey.

"That's crazy to me. Since they were dealing with a violent case, I'm pretty sure she was in communication with the rest of the committee. They knew what was going down, yet they didn't do anything to stop it, did they?" asked Levi.

"They did do something, Levi. Remember, when the roles were inverted, how quickly she left to get them?" said Geoffrey.

"Ahhh. Yes. I do remember. They do have a quick-response system in place... In case their plan didn't go as smoothly as they thought it would, they were ready to bail Nora out. Do you think Nora would've stopped, if it wasn't for me?" asked Levi.

"—Alright. I'll stop you there. What do you want?" asked Natsu.

Geoffrey slowly cracked his neck, he felt pain from the pressure Nora had exerted on his head earlier, but it wasn't as bad as the kicks he received.

"Well, first, I need you to tell me why you did all of this. Why have me attacked, then have Nora finish the job?"

Natsu's shock could've been faked, thought Geoffrey, but it looked quite genuine.

"You were attacked? I didn't know anything about that. If it happened, it wasn't us."

"A bit convenient," said Levi.

"It's true. We've been notified that you had a violent encounter with another student. That's when we moved."

"Why did you have her attack me, then?" asked Geoffrey.

He expected more denial, yet Natsu's response made him raise both eyebrows in surprise.

"I wanted to see what you were capable of. I guess we've at least learned about this ally of yours, so it wasn't all for nothing," said Natsu.

"I just happen to be the one in charge of keeping Geoffrey safe."

"So, what should we do, now?" asked Natsu.

He's right. This is a deadlock. Levi did a good acting job, we received a lot of information thanks to him. He's a lot smarter than it seems.

However... 

Geoffrey's gaze went toward Natsu's group, in thought.

Things aren't balanced. They attacked me first. If it was up to me, I'd leave it at that, but they could feel brave again and try something else. I need to show them they'll need to think twice. There needs to be consequences.

Geoffrey looked at Nora for a moment. 

She had slightly calmed down, tears weren't running down her face anymore, but she still looked concerned.

"We'll make things right," said Geoffrey. "An eye for an eye."

Natsu frowned. "An eye for an eye, and everyone ends up blind."

"You understand that you can't get away with attacking anyone simply by stating that revenge won't solve anything? If there's no equal outcome coming out of your side, then nothing stops you from repeating the same pattern, expecting no 'revenge' from me," said Geoffrey.

Confusion spread among their group, as most refused Geoffrey's logic.

"He's right. We attacked him, and if we don't suffer an equal amount, then things won't balance out. However, since he feels he's been wronged, the balance needs to be heavier on our side," said Natsu.

"What?!" said a student from the committee.

Natsu took several steps forward, standing a few meters away from them.

"Alright, just do whatever you want to me until you're satisfied," said Natsu, unfazed.

Geoffrey's gaze matched his, Natsu starting to shake his head, worried.

"Come-on, Geoffrey. Don't do this."

"You know I have to."

"If you do this, there's no coming back. The committee will never be on your side again."

"I don't believe it ever was, to begin with. Kenna. Walk forward."

The short girl, with long black hair that covered her eyes, took a few shaking steps forward.

She held her fingers interlocked, trying to calm the trembling, yet she could barely do so.

She stood next to Natsu, who tried to calm her by laying his hand on her shoulder, as if to say that everything would be alright. 

If they are to learn a lesson from this, then it has to be her. I can't show weakness. Not now.