A/N: So thank you for all the wonderful reviews left on the last chapter. I know you all must be dying after the cliffhanger, so I tried to update this as fast as humanly possible to appease your curiosity. Thank you all for being so patient with me.

So I've made a few changes in this story that deviates further from the actual FT storyline. In this, the whole Tenroujima event did not occur. It was a lie, and you'll understand when you read this chapter.

Thanks again for reading. Love you guys!


Chapter seven: Truths

We were statues, unmoving and motionless, staring at each other with wide eyes and slack jaws. The silence hung over the cold room like a heavy curtain, thick and palpable. I could feel my blood racing through my veins, the only hint that I was alive. Other than that, I didn't move. I wasn't even sure I was breathing.

And then Jellal broke our silent spell, with one word. His mouth moved, and as he sat up, I heard him. "Erza?"

I felt my body rush forward, just as his did the same. I threw myself at the bars of his prison, my arms reaching forward, eager for skin. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and a ragged gasp was torn from my throat. Jellal, he was here, right in front of me-

-And then his arms were around me, pressing my body against the bars. I could feel his body against my own, as well as the cold metal that separated us from truly embracing. But just the fact that he was here, in my arms, and alive was almost too good to believe.

His face pressed against his jail bars, eyes raking over me, greedily taking me in. His hands were around my waist, holding so tightly that I could feel his nails digging into my hips. My hands, too, were wrapped tightly around his neck, fingers digging into his scalp, tugging on his blue hair. His eyes met mine, full of hope, shock, awe-

"Erza," he breathed, his eyes blinking in shock. I could see the barely restrained tears forming in their green depths, and all the emotion contained within. His mouth opened as if to say my name again, but then closed, and he sagged forward, pressing his forehead against the bars so that it barely brushed mine. I could feel his body trembling against mine, and I knew my body was shaking uncontrollably as well.

"Jellal?" I whispered, closing my eyes and breathing in his scent. Under the reek of sweat, dirt, and blood, I could still smell his familiar fragrance of crushed pine. He smelled so warm, so right, that my legs suddenly felt weak. Jellal felt it too, for his arms suddenly tightened around me. They were the only things that held me upright.

I opened my eyes and pulled my face away from the bars, taking a good look at him. He stared back at me evenly, letting me stare. And stare I did. The more I looked, the sadder I became. The angrier I became.

He was so gaunt. He had to have lost a substantial amount of weight, yet he still retained his muscle. However, there were parts of his body that screamed malnutrition, like the stark protrusion of his collarbone and hips. His arms looked thinner than I last saw him, but they were still strong enough to keep me standing. Scars crisscrossed his body, some fresh and still red. There were some fresh wounds on his torso, as well as bruising on his stomach and face. What wasn't marred by cuts and bruises was filthy with sweat and dirt. Even his tattoo, which usually stood out on his face, was shadowed over with a film of dirt. His hair had grown shaggier, and the lightest stubble marked his cheeks.

Even though his physical being was blemished, it still didn't make him any less handsome. He'd gotten taller and leaner ( I began to suspect he was being starved). His face had become more angular, his jaw filling out. His cheeks, despite being sunken in, arched over high cheekbones and his eyes, oh his eyes, seemed to have changed into a deeper, more endearing green.

I could feel my shoulders shaking, and my blood began to boil. My fists clenched, and I gritted my teeth in anger. The Magic Council lied to me, to Fairy Tail, to the freaking world, about Jellal. He never died. They kept him locked up for all these years, torturing him, starving him, hiding him. All for the sake of what? Revenge and hatred?

"Who's been doing this to you?" I finally managed, pulling away from him. I looked him up and down, my eyes glued to the welts and scars that marred his smooth body. I wanted nothing more than to free Jellal, then return to the ballroom and destroy the very people who kept Jellal caged here for so long, but I had to contain my rage. Otherwise, Mira and Makarov would get caught up in this entire thing, and I didn't want them to get hurt. Because if I did go up there, chances were I'd destroy this building down to its very foundation until nothing would be left but soot and ash.

Jellal sagged, and he leaned heavily against the bars. His eyes sought mine. "I thought you were dead," he gasped hoarsely. Unable to hold himself up, he slid down until he was kneeling on the floor. "They told me you were dead."

I gasped, crouching down myself. My hand reached out and rested gently over his, which was gripping the iron bars so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the strain. Tears slid down his jaw, landing like sparkling glass on the dirty floor.

"They told me you were dead," I replied, leaning against the bars. "They broadcasted it on the lacrima screens. Jellal, why are they holding you here?"

"Revenge," he whispered, confirming my suspicions. He raised his head, tears trickling down his face. "They didn't want to give me a fair public trial, so they decided to fake my execution."

"Because if we knew that they were torturing you, they'd be risking a trial on themselves because torture is illegal, even to the most dangerous criminals." I whispered, my eyes widening with horror. I've always know that there were those on the Magic Council that were corrupt and rotten to the very core, but the idea of faking someone's execution for the sake of secretly torturing made me sick. My tears, which I had held back for so long, finally began to spill down my cheeks.

"Erza," Jellal said, reaching up with his free hand and cupping my cheeks. With his thumb, he wiped away my tears but more continued to fall, and I sobbed quietly, grasping onto his hand and relishing his touch. The tears that were pouring down my face were those of sorrow, sorrow for what he had to go through; and happiness, happiness that he was here, alive and well.

I looked at him. "I thought I'd never see you again," I mumbled. I squeezed his hand. "I thought you were dead and that I'd have to live the rest of my life without ever talking to you."

And telling you how I truly feel.

He took a breath, his hand tensing on my cheek. Then he looked at me. "And I you," he said, sliding closer to me so that I felt his side press against my own. "They told me what happened at Tenroujima, and how Acnologia destroyed the island. They said none of you survived. So how is it possible that you're here before me. I know I can't be dreaming, so did the council lie to me as they did you?"

I remember what happened as if it were yesterday, but frowned as I heard Jellal's side of the story. "Acnologia did try to destroy Tenroujima," I said. "But Natsu and Gajeel fought him off, and Wendy was able to convince the beast to leave. It did destroy part of the island, but we just barely escaped with our lives."

Jellal's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, and I was reminded that even though this man was gentle and kind, he was one of the most powerful mages in the world. I could feel his magical energy, even though it was suppressed by the magic shackles. His shoulders shook, and he clenched his teeth.

"They have taken everything from me," he murmured. "They took my magic, they took my pride. They beat me, humiliated me, and whipped me. That I am willing to overlook because of all the horrible things I've done. But I cannot ignore the fact that they lied about you."

It warmed my heart to hear those words out of his mouth.

"Oh Erza," Jellal said. "A part of me died after hearing the news. I can't, I just-" he broke off as a sob shook his body, and I saw more tears fall from his eyes. No more. I couldn't bear it any more.

I stood abruptly. "This is it," I hissed angrily, startling Jellal. He rose cautiously, his legs shaking from exhaustion, and he clung to the bars of his cell for support.

I looked at him. "I am going upstairs," I said, my fists clenching. I wiped my eyes and held back the tears, like water in a dam. "This has gone too far. I am done with the lies and the dishonesty. This ends now." I was going to go upstairs and find the corrupt, filthy Council members, and I was going to let loose. Screw the consequences. Mira and Makarov would just have to get out of there quickly.

"Wait!" Jellal cried, reaching out and grabbing my wrist as I turned. I frowned and looked at him, seeing the desperation in his eyes. His fingers dug into my skin as he pulled me back towards his cell. "Wait," he whispered. "There's something not quite right with Gran Doma. He's the one torturing me."

"Gran Doma?" I asked, frozen. The grandfatherly, kind, wizened old wizard that led the Magic Council was the one behind this? The man that I believed was the most righteous and just of them all?

"There's something not quite right with him," Jellal continued. "I've noticed it recently. There's a crazed look in his eyes, and he doesn't think rationally. I don't believe he's in his sane mind."

Non compos mentis. Not of sound mind.

My words rang out in my head, and I recalled seeing Gran Doma upon my arrival at Era. I remembered the crazed gleam in his eyes, the erratic mumbling, and the trembling hands. Jellal was right. There was something wrong with him.

Which meant he wasn't entirely at fault for Jellal's imprisonment. The once logical, smart, and level headed mage of the Magic Council has something severely wrong with him.

Jellal reached out with his other hand and took my chin in his fingers, raising my face to meet his eyes. "Erza," he murmured. "Promise me that you won't do anything rash. Go back up to the party and try to enjoy yourself. Maybe, maybe you can talk to Makarov and see if he notices anything that's going on, but please, don't attack the Magic Council." His eyes were wide and pleading, and I cursed myself because whenever Jellal gave me the pleading eyes, I could never say no to him.

Damn him and his ability to coerce me, I thought angrily, but my arms and legs relaxed in spite of my anger. I nodded once, and he let go of my arm, his eyes on my face.

"I just-" he broke off and cleared his throat, then tried again. "I'm just relieved that you're alive, Erza. I never thought I'd be able to see you again."

I felt a tear escape my dam and slide down my cheek. I wiped my face and took a step back towards him, so that we were separated by a hair's breath and the cell bars. I reached out and cupped his cheek, and he leaned into my touch, his eyes closing for a heartbeat. It broke my heart that I could be this near him, but unable to be closer.

"I missed you, Jellal," I whispered.

He took my other hand in his and brought it to his lips, planting a feather light kiss on my knuckles. My breath stopped, and my heart skipped a beat as his lips remained on my skin. His eyes were fixed on my own, and I could see his very soul hidden behind those entrancing green orbs. He looked like he wanted to say something, but just then, I heard a faint noise behind me, like the sound of a door opening.

I jumped, and pulled my hand out of Jellal's grasp. Looking around frantically, my eyes searched for a different escape route. There was nowhere to hide, just the uniform rows of empty cells that greeted me.

"Go!" Jellal said behind me, and I turned to look at him. He nodded towards the exit. "Get as far as you can, then duck behind one of the cells and keep low. Once they get to me, get out of here!"

"How do we know they're coming for you?"

For the first time in my life, Jellal gave me an irritated look. "Erza," he began in exasperation. "Who else is down here?"

Curse me for my stupidity.

I looked at him. He was grasping onto the bars of the cell, his head pressed against the bars trapping him. He was giving me a look of desperation and something else, something I couldn't make out. Concern?

"Be careful," he whispered. "I don't want you getting caught. I can't lose you after just finding you again. I don't know what I'd do-"

I made my decision in a split second. I rushed over to him and cupped his cheeks, feeling the stubble on his face. He gasped at my sudden closeness, and his hands came off the bars, but before he could act I leaned in, and pressed my lips against his.

"I will come back to you," I whispered fiercely against his lips. "So stay alive until I come back, promise?"

He was quiet for a moment. I could hear the footsteps down the stairs and knew we didn't have much time. I could feel the blood rushing in my veins, and then Jellal whispered, "Promise."

Then his arms pushed me away. "Go," he said, his eyes glued onto my form. "Stay safe."

Without looking back (otherwise I'd collapse into another crying fit for leaving so soon after being reunited with him) I took off, racing down the rows of cells, my heels in one hand, my dress skirts bunched in the other. When I neared the stairs, I jumped to the side, ducking behind a few cells. Luckily, the torchlight could not reach where I lay, so I was concealed in shadow.

I hid myself just as a soldier carrying a tray entered the room. He looked around carefully, his eyes narrowed, before making his way down the row of cells, a ring of keys dangling from his belt. I wanted so badly to yank the keys from that man and free Jellal right away, but I made a promise to him, and a promise I would keep. I blinked back the tears, and when the man was far enough, I raced quietly up the stairs, leaving the man I love behind in shadow.


She kissed him.

He touched his lips with two fingers, as if he could feel the imprint of Erza's lips against his. In that moment, he had felt nothing but bliss and tranquility, like they were the only two people in the world. He would give anything to kiss her again, but that would have to wait.

He looked up when the guard neared his cell, carrying a tray in one hand, the other resting on the pommel of his sword. He was frowning when he reached Jellal's cell, and peered down at the blue haired mage trapped within.

"What're scowling about, Fernandes?" the guard hissed, dropping the tray and kicking its contents towards Jellal. The piece of bread rolled across the floor, but the cup of water was another story. The treasured liquid spilled across the concrete, like a glittering river. Jellal stared angrily up at the guard.

He wasn't angry over the spilled water. Thirst was something he could live with. But a lie about Erza Scarlet was something that could never be forgiven. He hated the Magic Council for doing that, using her as a weapon against him. She was his weakness, and the Magic Council had used her by making him believe she was dead. Lies.

He was sick and tired of lies. He had grown up around them, and he had used them to push the ones he loved away. He had lied, murdered, and tricked everyone around him. If he got through this, he pledged never to tell another lie. He had had enough of fallacies.

"So what?" the guard was saying, bending down and and peering at Jellal. "You having a rebellious streak? Maybe thinking of fighting back? You look angry, maybe you're planning an escape? Is that right, Fernandes? You thinking of escaping?"

Jellal turned his head away and shut his eyes, picturing Erza. She looked so beautiful tonight, in that long blue dress. (He couldn't help but wonder if she wore that dress because of him- it was the exact same color of his hair, after all.) She was always beautiful, but tonight, she looked like an angel, or a goddess.

"Well, you're not," the guard said, making Jellal snap back towards the man, his eyes widening. What? he thought anxiously.

"That's right, Fernandes," the guard scoffed, standing up. "Enjoy your final moments, because soon, Gran Doma will finally rid this world of you."

With those words, the guard sauntered away, leaving Jellal shell shocked. The only sound that was heard was the faint trickling sound of water seeping out of his cell, and Jellal's ragged breathing.

He was going to die soon.

He'd never see Erza again.

Never see her smile.

Never kiss her again.

No.

No.

No. He couldn't, it wasn't-

"So stay alive until I come back, promise?"

He felt tears form again. I'm sorry Erza, he thought bitterly, closing his eyes and hugging his knees, dropping his head. He curled into a ball, as if he could hide from his fate. I don't think I can keep my promise after all.


"Phew," Gray said, looking over the rise. Before him stood Era, the giant mansion lit up as twilight fell. Even from several miles away, he could hear music and laughter, and knew that the gala had gone off on a good start.

"Wow," said Lucy, climbing up beside him, followed by a grumbling Natsu. She put a hand up, brushing some blonde flyaways out of her eyes and took the mansion in. "They're almost as loud as us."

"Nah," said Natsu, coming up to stand next to the celestial mage. "They could never be as loud as us. We're Fairy Tail."

Gray chuckled. "I've got to agree with Flame Brain over here, Luce," he said. "They may be loud, but they can never match us."

"Hey!" Natsu snarled, glaring daggers at Gray. "Who're you calling Flame Brain, Ice Princess? And don't call Lucy "Luce," that's my nickname!"

"Shut up, idiot," Gray shot back, turning and glaring at Natsu. "You don't own her nickname!"

"Oh yeah? Well-"

"Boys," Lucy interrupted, looking at them angrily. "Don't we have more important things to do rather than bicker over the subject of my freaking name?" For just a moment, she looked as scary as Erza, and Gray gulped. He looked at Natsu.

"She's right, idiot," Gray said. "Keep the nickname, Natsu, we have more things to worry about."

The pink haired mage snorted and look away.

Lucy looked around. "When did you say Laxus and Gajeel were going to meet us?" she asked, her eyes scanning the horizon for the familiar forms of the lightning and Iron dragonslayers.

"Right about-"

"Now," a deep voice said, interrupting Gray. He turned, and met the level stares of Laxus Dreyar, dressed in his usual black pants and purple shirt. His ever present fur trimmed coat completed his ensemble. Beside him stood the hulking form of Gajeel Redfox, a snicker coming out from his chest. Both men had their arms crossed over their thick chests, and if Gray didn't know them, he would have thought they they were intimidating and scary.

"You called?" Gajeel said, his slanted red eyes sliding over to land on Natsu. He grinned. "You looking for a fight or something?"

"In your dreams," Natsu muttered, but Lucy shushed him.

Gray stepped forward. "Thanks for meeting me, Laxus, Gajeel. I hope this doesn't interfere with whatever job you guys were on."

Laxus shrugged. "Actually, it didn't," he informed the ice mage. "Our business is with the Magic Council. Makarov requested it."

There was a moment of silence, followed by a, "what?" from Gray.

Laxus sighed. "I think it's time to tell you the real reason why Gajeel and I agreed to meeting you. Makarov asked us to keep this a secret, but you have the same idea as us."

"And that is...?" Lucy asked, her eyes wide and a frown on her mouth. She looked over at Gray with questioning eyes, but he shrugged, as clueless as she.

Gajeel stepped forward, his ever present smirk on his face. "We were told to infiltrate the Magic Council."


A/N: And I leave you with another cliff. Jeez, I'm bad. I wasn't actually planning it, tbh. it just... well, happened.

I will try to update soon. And I would like you all to know that my hiatus will be coming to a close soon. After May 12, I should be back and running on full capacity. So that's something to look forward to!

And I know I should say something about the current FT chapters, but there's just too much to say. If you really want to see how I feel, check out my tumblr. Everything is there, from my fangirl feels to my blubbering reactions to the recent chapters. Check it out if your interested- my tumblr account is wolfspirit44xxjellal.

See ya soon!

-Wolf