Chapter 9 – Execution (Part 1)
The days rolled by fairly uneventfully; there were sunny days, windy days, and even a few rainy days as the weeks ticked down to the approaching date. Fairy Tail life of course continued for the most part unimpeded but whenever Erza Scarlet was in the vicinity things tended to stay quiet. Erza was not her usual self: sort of distant look made her eyes appear unfocused and those who knew of her past with Jellal were especially trying to give her as much space as possible. When Erza thought of the last time she had seen Jellal, without his memory except that he had managed to remember her name. She had known that his execution could very well come to pass but she had hoped for at least life imprisonment instead; even if such a thought was selfish of her just remembering Jellal being taken away to a place where she would never get the chance to talk with him again hit her almost as hard as when it had first happened.
The only person that had really gone up and talked to her was Natsu, often to ask her to fight with him, but she would merely brush him off with indifference. Still Natsu kept trying but because he had to train Wendy and of course do missions these times tended to be few and far in-between and he had yet to make her smile. Natsu was at least smart enough to know why Erza was barely even acknowledging him; that was a kind of puzzle that had only nine pieces which even an infant could probably put together in a heart-beat. Over the days Natsu had been steadily growing angrier with rather frequent out-bursts of rage which was starting to cause problems for Wendy when she was training with him.
A few times she had been taken off guard when he first started to go berserk at random and needless to say she had collected a few bruises and pains that probably should not have happened in training. She was glad she currently had on her BANIA support magic which allowed her the necessary speed to avoid Natsu more powerful, enraged strikes, like the Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon that was currently heading her way. Faster than the eye could trace she bent her knees and sprang out of the way, just before the big fire-engulfed strike could hit. The ground where she had been a moment before was completely pulverized with chunks of ground flying in every direction, often on fire. "Dang it! I just don't get it!" Natsu roared to the sky loud enough that he almost sounded just like a dragon.
A chaotic fire surrounded Natsu and he breathed rather heavily, his sharp canines shone brightly, making him seem as if a beast had taken over.
"N-Natsu-san, please calm down!" Wendy pleaded with the enraged dragon-slayer who turned slowly to look at her and for a second Wendy felt cold all over despite the immense heat given off by Natsu's body. It was like he did not even recognize her. After a brief moment recognition sparked in his eyes, they softened and he started to calm down, the fire level lowering with his emotional state.
"Sorry Wendy, I did not mean to attack like that, it's just been getting harder to concentrate." Natsu groaned and collapsed, face to the sky in the crater he had made with a frown on his features.
"I-It's all right Natsu-san. I know you didn't mean to but at least it's taught me to always be prepared!" Wendy tried to encourage Natsu a little bit but as she looked at his still form, she could tell it had not worked as she had wanted. With a troubled look on her face, Wendy went down into the hole next to Natsu and sat down. "You don't have to teach me any more today Natsu-san, it's all right, I can learn by myself thanks to you."
Natsu moved his eyes toward the petite young dragon-slayer for a moment then started looking at the sky again. "Thanks Wendy," he responded as gratefully as he could in his sour mood. "It's just, well Erza is not acting like her usual strong self and it is all because I let him get away. If I had just been stronger I could have blown all those council guys away and she wouldn't be like this!" Natsu gritted his teeth and slammed a clenched fist into the ground on the side away from Wendy.
"I know, after such hard battles there was no way we could get through to save him." Wendy leaned back as she recollected the events as well. "If it had not been for Erza-san,"
"I know blast it! Erza stopped us from trying to get to him to save us! She wanted with all her might not to let him go but because we were too weak Erza had to interfere!" The pure frustration was so easy to recognize it was almost tangible in the air, like smoldering embers with smoke that you could choke on.
"It was certainly not an easy decision for Erza-san to make." Wendy and Natsu both looked up at the sky with their feelings clearly displayed to the heavens above. An interesting observation flowed into Wendy's mind as she sat there with him. "You know Natsu, when I thought that Jellal was the Jellal I had met before, which turned out to be Mystogan; I think my thoughts were pretty similar to Erza's at the time. A person who had been with me and helped me in the past was suddenly right in front of me again and despite the consequences I helped revive him. I had been too weak back then to do what was right which is why I really admire Erza-san for what she did then. Even though he was going to walk right out of her life so soon after she had really connected with him again she did what was needed to keep us from becoming the council's enemies. It really must have torn her apart; I know it did for me."
Natsu stayed silent as she had talked and he might have actually looked a bit thoughtful, if it were not for the scowl on his face that contorted it into an angry mess. "She tries to take on too much responsibility. If Erza would just leave it to me then she wouldn't have to worry."
"But, by that logic Natsu-san, if you think Erza-san is putting too much upon her shoulders aren't you trying to do the same thing?" The small, blue-haired girl questioned.
"Oh be quiet Wendy," Natsu grumbled, put his hands behind his head and rolled to the side, away from her. His behavior caused Wendy to laugh slightly, then she puffed out a small breath of air.
"I suppose the only thing we can do right now is be there for Erza-san." Natsu gave a small grunt and leapt up on his feet, hands in his pockets. Wendy turned her head to look at his back and at first she thought he would head right out but instead he just stood there, with clenched fists.
"Sorry Wendy, but I don't think I'll be able to practice with you for a while." He waited for a few seconds more and then started to march away.
Wendy watched as his figure started to recede into the horizon, at least it would have been a horizon if it weren't for the city of Magnolia being in his direction. "You're the only one who can do it Natsu-san!"
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Another high-level mission quickly accomplished, Erza found herself once again having to loaf around in the guild hall when she would much rather be on a mission; however, most of high-class missions at the moment were either not suited for her magic or they were simply too far away for her to return in time for the…execution. She hated being this way, always thinking about him and their past together including, of course, the present situation. There were of course lower level missions but she figured it would be better to leave that to other guild members who might actually need the work so here she was, sitting at a table with a nearly untouched strawberry shortcake on a plate in front of her. Even the tantalizing look and smell of one of her favorite deserts could only stare back at her, longing to be eaten. Even if the strawberries had started to sing and dance on her plate she probably would have only given them a passing glance, either that or a gloved fist since strawberries were definitely not supposed to sing and dance.
Suddenly there was a crash of heavy doors being flung open accompanied by a blast of superheated air from the flashy entrance of a very familiar pink-haired dragon slayer. The words that came next were also very familiar. "Erza! Fight with me!" A strawberry fizzled on her plate and its juices were vaporized out of existence; surprisingly it was not mourned by the red-head. Erza simply turned to give Natsu a small scowl as he came toward her. "Come on Erza! You've not fought with me for weeks!"
"Natsu, I believe I somewhat understand what you are doing but do understand, I am not in the mood." Having made her point the Titania turned back toward her plate but did not seem like she would actually do anything with it.
"I have had enough! I will not allow you to refuse!" Erza was totally taken back by what happened next. She felt herself yanked from her seat with great as Natsu grabbed onto the back of her armor. Soon she was actually being dragged with her boots scrapping along the ground as if she was nothing more than a doll.
"Natsu! What are you doing?" Erza managed to protest despite her surprise. Sure Natsu sometimes attacked her on occasion but he had never done something like actually trying to drag her around. Well technically that was not true was Natsu had managed to drag her out of the lacrima crystal in the Tower of Paradise but of course he had never tried something like this when she was awake. For some reason she felt as helpless as when she had woken up in Natsu's arms after her fateful reunion with Jellal at that accursed tower. It was not long before they were outside.
Then entire guild watched in utter amazement at the very improbable role-reversal that had just taken place in front of their eyes. Usually it would be Erza dragging Natsu somewhere while he kicked and screamed in helplessness; but for once a sight that would probably never happen again had just occurred with the Titania being the one dragged around by the Salamander.
"Now that's a true man!" Elfman could not help but comment in the dead-silence that followed.
"More like a dead-man." Someone in the back muttered.
Natsu dragged her out in the street where any citizens who saw the pair, and what was happening, very quickly found other places to be just in case things got very hot and pointy. The streets empty, Natsu flung Erza forward; in the exact instant she was thrown her body took control so she easily somersaulted onto her feet and stood her ground to face him. She glared at the dragon slayer and ex-quipped into her Flame Empress Armor, her red hair pulled into two large pig-tails, dragon claw like boots appeared on her fee, her shoulders and a bit of thigh showing. As the armor effectively cut Natsu's flame effectiveness in half she was more than ready to fight him.
"Come!" Erza commanded by pointing her sword at him and then raising her sword up in the air to prepare for a strike. Natsu crashed his fists together and started to flare up in preparation. Erza prepared for Natsu to bound forth, striking with his flames but instead Natsu just stood there and his flames were started to ebb away slowly as he stared angrily at her. "What are you doing? You dragged me out here to fight correct?" Something was not right; the previous fighting spirit she had sensed from her long time friend had dulled to a quite murmur that was very out of character for the flame head.
"The Erza I know would have hit me back in the guild there or at least sensed me coming! Even now your eyes don't have any fire in them. Fighting you now wouldn't be worth my time, I'd have a better fight with Gray or Wendy." What Natsu was saying to her was quite surprising to say the least. He even said that it would not be worth fighting her? When Natsu had yet to even beat her once in single combat?
"What are you getting at Natsu? Do you think that I have become weak?"
"No that's not it Erza, it's just…" Natsu stopped to cock his head to the side and look like he was trying to jump start a neuron in his head, "you're not you Erza. You're just not any fun these days." Natsu let out a small humph of annoyance and crossed his arms.
Erza was not really sure what to make of the current situation so she decided to counter-attack. "I really do not see any point to this conversation Natsu and as you do not seem to be able to fight I believe it is time to depart." Erza was about to turn to leave when Natsu's strong voice stopped her.
"Erza! Let's save Jellal! I don't care what it takes I will definitely get him back!" Natsu's proclamation resounded in her ears and despite herself she felt a bit of joy but logic was able to easily override that emotion.
"Natsu, I appreciate the sentiment but you do know it is impossible to go against the Council."
"Oh come on Erza! We can take those guys easily!"
"That is not the point Natsu!" Erza's voice also had started to rise and it was full of authority. "Jellal gave himself up willingly and as a result despite our struggle back there the council did not press charges! Do you want Jellal's sacrifice to be in vain?" Erza could feel her eyes start to mist up from remembering that day and had to blink furiously to return her eyes to normal.
"Blast it Erza! Just do it with me! I don't want to see you like this anymore!" Natsu pleaded, trying to change her mind.
"Natsu!" The way she spoke his name instantly caused Natsu to shut up and gave him an uncontrollable shiver along with a jolt of fear. "We will do nothing of the short and if I sense you trying to bust Jellal out before or even during the execution I will stop you for the sake of Fairy Tail. Do you understand?" Her proclamation was as firm as a commandment set in stone and Natsu instantly responded with a very weak sounding, "yes" in response. "Now go!"
Natsu quickly turned around, his previous bravado completely forgotten in the face of the Titania's wrath but before he got very far he managed to say one last thing, "That's more like the Erza I know!"
Erza watched as he hurried back to the guild and felt a small smile grace her face. "Despite it being wrong, still, I thank you Natsu." Out of her control her artificial eye started to tear up. "I guess since I have not cried out of this eye much during my life I have a lot of backed up tears." Wiping the tears away, Erza felt her determination renewed thanks to Natsu's rather extreme way of doing things.
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Natsu and Erza both felt a little better after their argument; neither of them were necessarily happy but at least they did not make everyone else feel as uneasy. Days passed as life went on in Fairy Tail. Erza still devoted herself to many missions but at least when she was at the Guild no longer caused everyone to steer clear of her, at least it went back down to normal levels so she still had a clear path wherever she went. As usual the escapades of Natsu's rather destructive outings could be heard about but these times were broken up by his training sessions with Wendy who was making miraculous headway. It was not long before the fated date had arrived.
After having so much trouble the Council had decided it needed to take a harder stand which is why the Execution was taking place. First of all, faith in the Council these days was greatly diminished, largely thanks to the infiltration of Jellal and Ultear into the Council, and the Council needed this public execution to show what happened to traitors. Secondly it was a power issue; there was no doubt that the Council was still recovering from events so they wanted to show that they still had the power to enforce the rules. Needless to say it was a very political move on the Council's part, though it could have easily happened even without those incentives. The council had decided to raise a wooden execution platform outside of the city in a fairly open area. It was an open execution that would be broadcast abroad so people did not have to watch in person if they so wished. Also since it was outside Magnolia it would not interfere too much with city life. Another unofficial reason was probably they wanted to make sure if Fairy Tail or anyone else got involved there would be no damage to the city; a few council servants could still remember the beatings they took when Jellal was first taken away.
The platform itself was rather simple, just a wooden construction, probably of solid oak raised enough so that it would be easy for the gathering people to see. What was not so simple was the complex rune defense system that had been employed to make sure that there was no outside interference. Six rune casters created a hexagon barrier around the platform with a good 20 feet or so of empty ground on each side; at least, it would have been empty if it were not for the additional guardsmen and spell casters inside and outside the barrier. The Fairy Tail members that had decided to watch found themselves with first row spots after a bit of negotiating with some of the other watchers who very quickly found ways to compromise. Erza found herself wishing she had not come but she felt it was her duty as Jellal's nakama, to see him off one last time. On the outside she looked completely calm.
"Erza, are you all right?" Lucy could not help but ask with worry in her voice.
"Please do not worry about me; I was prepared for a day such as this." Erza responded to reassure Lucy and anyone else nearby.
Natsu glowered at the platform, obviously not happy about the turn of events. The guardsmen nearby were definitely more than a bit tense, having heard stories of the Salamander's rampages. "I still say we could take them!" One stern look from Erza forced Natsu to be quiet.
Soon a procession of soldiers, wizards, and two large, magic knights accompanying Jellal appeared. The two knights carried heavy chains that clamped Jellal's hands together and were attached to his feet and neck to make sure he could not do anything. Also in the back was one of the council's frogs who carried a small magic canceller that looked like a paper lantern with a blue glow to cast an anti-magic field around the prisoner. Precautions were definitely very high at the event. The procession forced any people aside to make room as the cart slowly made its way to the barrier. Through some complex rune work, a hole was made in the barrier, allowing the procession through which then closed off behind them. All eyes watched its every move. As Jellal was taken down from the cart and pushed toward the platform one of the council messenger frogs stood on the platform to make an announcement.
"Greets good people of Edolas! As you well know, the Council has decided to give capital punishment to the traitor Jellal Fernandez! He has been charged with these heinous crimes: Infiltration of the Magic Council, the Firing of Etherion on neutral territory, misinforming the Magic Council, nearly causing a state of war between Edolas and our neighboring countries due to Etherion being fired, and the attempt to use the forbidden magic of the R-system! All these are capital crimes against both the Council and Edolas; therefore, Jellal Fernandez is to be incinerated by magic which can take longer for those of high magical power to die from."
"Hey! That's not right!" Lucy rigorously protested, "They could at least give him a quick execution!" Natsu nearly growled in anger while Erza somehow managed to stay impassive. Soon Jellal was standing in the middle of the platform and next to him stood the execution. The executioner was clothed entirely in red with some gold trim; a cloth mask in traditional executioner style covered his face. It was his duty to use the magic that would bring an end to Jellal's life. Not a single speck of skin was visible on the executioner who even wore red-leather gloves; in his outfit one might be able to mistake him for a servant of hell.
"Jellal Fernandez! You have heard the charges against you and now if you have anything left to say, do it now." Everyone was silent as they waited to hear what Jellal would say. The two knights that were holding him chained Jellal to the spot on some metal hooks on the platform and stepped back, leaving just Jellal and his executioner together. Jellal scanned over the crowd, saw Erza and stared at her for a moment. Erza found herself gritting her teeth and clenching her fists as she forced herself to look back at him. Jellal then closed his eyes and faced straight ahead.
"Everything that I wished to have said I have already done, please continue."
"Jellal!" Natsu howled from outside, tried to step forward but was stopped by Erza. "So you're just going to stand there and do nothing!"
The corners of Jellal's mouth turned up ever so slightly, "I am glad you are here, I am sure you will be there for everyone."
"It is now time for the execution to begin, please take your positions!" The executioner stood in front of Jellal and faced him, palms outstretched as magic started to build up in them for the finishing attack.
"Jellal," Erza whispered to herself though Natsu managed to just barely hear her. Hearing her voice so small and weak, Natsu exploded, pushed Erza's arm away, knocked over all the guards in his way and assaulted the barrier with all his might.
"Jellal!" Guardsmen quickly attempted to swarm Natsu but it was like trying to wrestle with a crocodile that kept whipping its tail around.
"Ready!" The frog man continued and Natsu was finally brought down by the collective weight of around 20 guardsmen. Erza watched as stone facedly as she could but her trembling fist gave away what she really felt.
"Fire!" As soon as the command was given three things happened at once. Natsu somehow managed to blow away all the guardsmen on him, causing more than a few people being pelted with raining guardsmen. The second thing was that what appeared to be two giant mechanical hands erupted from the ground and through the platform, splintering wood and causing a great noise. The third thing was that the executioner was swatted away by one of the hands, causing his magical blast to careen out of control into the far side of the barrier which fluctuated from the intense blast.
"What is going on?" shouted a presiding Council member who watched as the hand grasped into the platform, shoved it to the side, making many members scatter from out of its path as a large automaton climbed its way out of the ground, revealing a large pit that had been dug out under the platform as the thin ground above the pit gave way. Riding on top of the giant contraption's head and shoulders were a tall man with prism-like armor, a small classic loli, a strong combat ready looking man, a beautiful woman that screamed seductress, a rather plain looking guy, a woman who wore a sort of full-headset so her face could not be seen, and an ambiguous figure with a large, black veil covered hat like that a Chinese emperor might have worn.
The heavily clothed figure spoke while gesturing with its hands, "Jellal Fernandez! It is not yet time for you to leave this world! There are still some services that I and the Xin Dynasty, require of you!"
Jellal, who was a bit shaken from having the platform he was attached to being thrown aside, could only look up in pain at the group. The Xin Dynasty had made its move.
"Council I really must thank you for this marvelous location you chose, it was most helpful for my purposes. Since once I knew the location where the Execution would be held it was a simple matter to prepare for this day, ha ha ha!"
Author's Note: At last I am getting somewhere and it is soon time to see the story's villians in action! Things have gotten pretty messed up, the Council's precautions have proved useless thanks to some clever information gathering and planning on behave of the Xin Dynasty Guild or Clan. Of course why have they decided to keep Jellal alive anyway? Only time will tell...and believe me it could take a while since I have things to do and whatnot. Expect quite a bit of action in the next chapter and hope you enjoyed this chapter since I am trying very hard to keep the characters 'in character' as much as I can, anyway later!
