Jellal gets his 5 minutes of fame xD
10 - The reflection
Look at you.
...
He's looking and he can see.
He can see the dull greyness of his eyes, that was once a vibrant green mixed with dots of brown, creating a warm hazel colour. His eyes used to almost smile, assuring his friends and comrades alike that everything would be fine.
That they would be fine.
But they weren't and his eyes lost the life they once had, along with his every memory. The good and the bad, and he was forced to keep living alongside his old comrades, trying to remember what his past was like but failing to do so. He felt shameful, when she was by his side and he could do nothing but helplessly watch her pained eyes glance at him discreetly.
Those sad eyes that he was the cause of.
They were brown-steel, edging towards that silver tint, almost like the armour she wore for protection. Or Simon's eyes, the way they were glazed over with affection whenever he looked at Erza and Jellal could feel rage clawing under his skin, bubbling in his chest, ready to explode and just kill, kill, kill.
Because she was his.
He was tortured for her sake, even if they managed to rip out her eyeball beforehand, putting her through more than enough pain. He didn't want to see his best friend at the time be hurt any more, he wanted her misery to end.
But he made it worse.
Those eyes didn't deserve life.
They should be punished. They should forever stay dead.
...
Just look at you.
...
The voice in his head pressed and he looked at the frown decorating his handsome face. He was really tempted to just reach out and touch the glass that separated him from...him. The thin glass was all that stood between them but he knew it was to early to press further than he allowed.
He set the limit after all.
So he stared. At the way his lips were pulled down in an angry frown, the crease between his eyebrows making him tense and more terrifying then the calm man could ever be called. His shoulders were rolled back in a tense square, giving him a superior vibe.
He was wearing different clothes, too.
Although, he couldn't look at what he was presently wearing, since he couldn't take his eyes of his reflection. He wore those clothes, those clothes that he wore when he tried to sacrifice Erza for the sake of reviving Zeref.
He remembered.
And how could he try to kill his own best friend for the sake of reviving someone who wouldn't do this world any good? For someone who wouldn't give them real freedom? The freedom that Erza attained when she broke free from him and the tower of heavens, while him and her beloved friends stayed behind to complete it.
He couldn't comprehend how bad of a decision he chose.
But he remembered it.
The darkness that took him over, shutting of his sanity and pulling him closer to the edge of insanity and madness that marked Zeref's revival. He knew that someone was pulling the strings and it wasn't a mere being of Zeref that needed a container to live as a human.
No, it was someone else.
And he wanted to know; who dared to destroy his life, steal Simon's last breath and make Erza's life a living hell. He really wanted to know, so he could give them rightful punishment for their own sins, although he knew that he was a big part of the Zeref Revival and Erza Hurt scheme.
If he could, he would rewind the time and change the future that he was present in.
Then, everyone would be happy.
Simon would be alive.
They would all be free and together.
Forever.
...
Pathetic.
She hates you.
...
His reflection sneered at him, and he realised that he was forced to look down in order to see himself. The blue hair that stuck to his forehead with the sweat produced, a shovel gripped tightly in his small fist. Scratches and dust decorated his body and his clothes were torn but the sinister sneer never left.
His eyes promised death.
Cruelty.
At such young age, too.
He must've been what... 11?
He could see the hatred growing, the idea of Zerefs revival being the only way to obtain freedom lurking behind those eyes. Eyes filled with unrecognisable emotions. Emotions that didn't belong in those loveable eyes, that always wanted to protect his friends. They eyes that watched his comrades to make sure they never got hurt.
The cruel grin, those eyes.
Jellal hated them.
...
She doesn't want to know you.
...
A girl of the same age as the young Jellal appeared beside hi, holding the boys hand earnestly and smiling gently at him as she dismissed the presence of the older Jellal. Her short scarlet hair was pulled behind her ear, an innocent blush coating her pale cheeks while dust covered her naked feet.
Her hands clean, while they held onto Jellal's tiny hand.
Her bright smile melted away his heart and he reached out his hand, placing it on the glass that separated them. He heaved out a long sigh, watching his younger self smile back at her, the evilness all fading away behind a mask of friendliness.
Behind a mask of a best friend.
...
You always lied.
...
No, he didn't want to.
...
You hurt her.
...
He didn't have a choice.
...
You ruined her.
...
He also gave her an identity.
...
"Jellal Fernandes." The blue haired boy said, smiling at his companions.
"Gah, that's hard to remember." A boy complained, sitting cross legged on the floor and making a face while trying to pronounce Jellal's surname. He indeed struggled, and not little and eventually was forced to give up but the blue haired boy just smiled kindly. "Your surname can get our tongues into knots!"
"Well, Wally Buchanan, isn't all that easy to remember, too." Jellal stated, matter-of-factly.
Wally smiled and turned to the girl who sat shyly to the side. "Erza, what about you?"
"I'm Erza." She said simply. "Just Erza."
"That's a bit sad..." Jellal mused, frowning at her and tilting his head. His eyes lit up and he walked over to her touching the ends of her short hair and running his fingers through the locks. She turned her head slightly, surprised at the sudden gesture. "Oh."
"W-what?" She snapped, forcing her head away and pulling her hair out of his delicate grasp.
"They're a really beautiful scarlet." He noted, smiling.
"Scarlet?" Erza repeated, hugging her knees gently with her arms.
"I know!" Jellal exclaimed excitedly. "We'll name you Erza Scarlet."
"Oi! Don't just go giving people surnames." Wally muttered, looking to the side.
"Scarlet..." Erza murmured. "Erza Scarlet."
A genuine smile brightened their day, as Erza has received her identity.
...
That's right.
He was the one who gave her the identity.
He gave her a name.
He curled his open hand into a fist, his mouth turning into a snarl as he banged it on the glass.
He wanted to break it and get to her.
He desperately wanted to separate her and his younger self.
Because she would end up getting hurt.
...
You can't do anything.
...
The boy whispered.
Jellal bought his fist down and smashes the glass.
Smalls Jellals eyes widened and he vanished just before the glass managed to pierce his skin.
Not a trace of Erza left.
But, he could see his memories, all filing up and swirling around him.
All he had to do now was touch them.
He would remember all.
Jellal's eyes snapped open and he sat up, breathing heavily.
"How did it go?" Warren asked, fidgeting beside Mysotgan awkwardly.
"I remember..." He huffed out. "I remember it all."
"That's great!" Warren cheered, grinning.
"Yeah..." Jellal agreed. "Now I need to go to Erza."
"Didn't she tell you not to move anywhere?" Warren asked warily.
"She did. But there's something she needs to know." Jellal muttered standing up and heading for the door.
"What about the council frogs they sent for you?"
"Damn. Distract them for me?"
"If this helps Erza, I will oblige." Mystogan shrugged.
"Thank you."