Chapter 10

Operation Erza

I was too absorbed by my plan that I didn't hear the others entering into the room. Standing in front of me, Lucy, Gray and Natsu were out of breath. Looking at them, I couldn't help but smile in spite of the situation.

''Someone seems rather happy!'' said Natsu before sitting in the chair in front of me.

Promptly, I stood up; I was so anxious to tell them my plan. Quickly, I went straight to Lucy who seemed surprised.

''Do you think Gemini could copy Lahar?'' I said in one breath.

''Probably!" she replied, after few seconds.

''You do have a plan, don't you?'' said Gray, smiling.

''And a damn good one at that.'' added Natsu, as he stood up. ''Tell us more about it.'' he said, walking toward me.

I cleared my throat.

''I haven't thought about the details yet. I thought that Gemini could take Lahar's appearance. That way, we could take back Erza and Polyussica could cure her.

''Natsu and I could go with Gemini and hit them hard where it hurts.'' Said Gray, firmly

''Yes, we could get Erza and kick some ass!'' said Natsu, with enthusiasm. ''Do you know where they took her?'' he asked me, scratching his head.

''No, but I am sure we could find out easily. They are keeping her into the building, that's all I know.'' I answered to Gray quickly.

''Then, first, we find out where she is and we attack; sounds definitely like a good plan to me!'' Natsu said, clenching his fist.

''What do you think about it Jellal?'' said Lucy, looking at me smiling.

Yes, it looked like a good plan, but, the more I was thinking about it, the more I realized that it wasn't the best; it wouldn't serve them well.

If Natsu and Gray would go with Gemini, they would probably come back with Erza, but not without consequences. I suspected that, when the council would realize what had happened; they will be immediately blame for it. Even if the others members of the guild could come up with some excuses, for Lahar and the Council, their absence would speak louder than words; they would be easy targets and we needed to be more subtle than that... No, they couldn't go! To insure everybody's safety, they needed to stay present for the real Lahar to see, at all time. Although, other people, dressed up as Council members, must go to Erza and bring her back, more subtle guys. Even if I knew they wouldn't be pleased with what I was about to say, I had to speak.

''I have another proposition.'' I said, looking at them. Hearing me, their expressions stiffen.

''What could be a better proposition than getting back Erza and kick some ass?'' said Natsu, crossing his arms on his chest, visibly irritated.

''As appealing as this proposition sounds, you guys need to keep a low profile. Lahar is not an idiot; he will keep an eye on you, at all time. He probably already doubts that we will try something to free Erza. To him, you're baits. We have to be more intelligent than him…'' I said softly.

''So, you're keeping the goods for you!'' said Natsu, a bit angrily.

As much as I would have wanted to act; I couldn't either. If I were caught, it would mean that Fairy Tail would suffer from it. I didn't want to give, to the Council, more reasons to persecute them. We had to find another way.

''As much as I would want to, I can't go either. If I get caught, it will only mean more trouble...'' I said softly.

I cleared my throat.

''First, we have to find out where they keep her. Secondly, we have to find two willing souls who, disguised in Council's guards, will follow Gemini where Erza is held captive. Then, copy of Lahar will express his request to move the prisoner, because he fears a rebellion. After all, you guys are well known for fighting for each other. The guards won't oppose the words of their leader.'' I said looking at Natsu, Gray and Lucy.

''Then, the imposters will bring Erza back here where Polyussica will examine her and see what she can do for her. What do you think about this plan?'' I added, looking at each of them.

It took few seconds, but they answered to my question.

''We spend a lot of time in the guild's Hearquarters and we had never heard of this room before; I am sure it is safe enough for the Council members not to find it.'' said Lucy, smiling more widely.

''It won't be as fun as it could have been, but you're right!'' said Natsu, beginning to smile. ''I will find two people who will play the Council's guards and the outfits. I will explain them the plan and, by tonight, Erza will be here, ready to be healed.'' He said before leaving, in a hurry, clearly motivated.

Someone had to communicate our plan to Polyussica.

''Gray, I need you to go to Polyussica. Tell her about our plan so she can come to us when Erza will be back here.'' I told Gray, firmly.

''Anything to get back our Erza!'' he said, nodding before leaving as fast as Natsu had done before him.

''What do you want me to do?'' asked Lucy, with determination in her voice.

I jumped when I heard her voice.

''You will do more than your part later. Furthermore, I am counting on you to remind the boys to stay themselves; any unusual behaviour, even the slightest, could mean for us to get caught. ''I told the blond, really seriously. I didn't want to scare her, but it was the truth…

As Gray had done before her, she nodded and left promptly.

Once alone, I sat on the chair and waited... I waited for what seemed to me like a thousand years…

It was killing me to have to wait, but I had no other choice…The priority was her safety, no matter how long I had to wait of it.

I had been waiting and pacing for hours, when I finally heard footsteps. Could it be them?

I jumped when I saw Polyussica walking toward me. I immediately noticed that her face seemed less tense. Did she have news? Is the plan been set into motion?

''I wanted to tell you that Master Makarov is out of danger!'' She said sighing loudly.

Her words made me sighed too and my body relaxed; It was such a relief…

''His vitals are ok, his body needs to rest, but his life is no longer threatened.'' She added, letting herself fall into the chair in front of me.

She seemed relieved, as much as I was. A weird thought popped into my head: Could they share the same bond that Erza and I? Could they love one another?

The more I was thinking about it, the more it made sense; this room seemed to me like a place for romantic's rendez-vous. This thought made me blush.

''Gray told me about the plan! I really hope it will work. But, what if I can't cure her? What will we do if the poison has taken over her?'' She said, reluctantly.

I had never truly thought about that! I had always thought that we would find a way to cure her. For me, the fact that she could die was not an option. She couldn't, she was Erza Scarlet, Titania, she was invincible...

Seconds after, we both jumped when two Council guards entered the room quickly. They were Holding Erza. They had succeeded!

Promptly, Warren and Jet took off their disguise. When I saw Erza, I couldn't believe it; her skin was grayish, she had lost her tonus and some weight. How was it possible? Her skin and body had seemed normal only a few hours ago... What possibly could have happened to her since then?

When I glanced at Polyussica, I knew that something was wrong. Now, her expression of relief was gone. She hurried toward the two men who were still holding Erza.

''There's no time to waste.'' She said, in a hurry. Then, the look that Polyussica gave me turned my insides upside down and froze my blood. Now, it really was a matter of time...