CHAPTER 10 : MEMORIES

Warning : Chapter contains strong language. Please be advised .

From the memory of Jellal Fernandes,

Two days before the Tower of Heaven Incident.

The sky was cloudy, as it always was around these parts. The oceanic waters around the tower island lapped and slammed against its rocky beaches, the winds howled like raving wolves followed by the occasional flash and boom of lightning and thunder.

After eight long years, the tower was near its completion. Physically, structurally, it had been finished, and now, all that was left were the two final –and vital- components.

The first was the Etherion, the whole 2.7 billion Edeas of it. He knew he had to rely on those fools at the council to vote for his plan. Sure, Ultear did her part, spreading malicious rumors and whispering into the ears of those senile old men, lacing doubt in their hearts, fueling their fears. However, he felt like he had to be there in person, keeping an eye on things, making sure that the council didn't make their move too early, delaying and eventually destroying any attempt at an investigation in the waters of Ka Elm.

If you want something done, do it yourself.

And then, there was the second component, and that was a different matter completely. A soul was required, a soul which was equivalent to Zeref.

If the rumors were true, and Zeref was indeed, the greatest and most powerful dark wizard of all time, then it would be common logic that Jellal would never be able to find a person whose magic could compare to that man. He supposed he could kidnap Markarov, or ask Hades or even Brain to do him a favor.

Scratch that.

But then again, pure magic alone did not make a wizard powerful. It took courage, it took determination, and it took emotion. A wizard, when pushed to the extremes of his or her emotions, could do miraculous things with his power. He needed someone who was bound emotionally, to the tower, to the other prisoners, and most of all, to him.

He needed her.

Jellal stood facing Simon, Wally, Shou, and Milianna, briefing them about their 'mission' to bring Erza back from Akane beach to the tower. He hid nothing from them, of course. Point blank he said that Erza would be his sacrifice and all her years of treachery would be repaid in this single act. He watched as their faces fell in sadness, doubt and hesitation; but they would get over it, he knew. Only Simon's face remained in that perpetual frown, hidden partially behind that metal frame. This irked Jellal, but for what reason, he wasn't sure.

'Am I understood?' he asked the group, although his gaze remained locked with Simon's, daring him to argue.

'Yes,' they mumbled and shuffled away.

Jellal heaved a sigh and collapsed on the throne. The past few days had been unusually taxing. He supposed the strain of it all was finally getting to him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes, trying to obtain a brief moment of relaxation, allowing his mind to slip back into the warm blissful memories of skin, sheets and rose petals.

'Whoa… am I interrupting something?' came a sarcastically annoying voice. Cobra.

Startled, Jellal cursed as he quickly dragged his mind out of the gutter, not particularly keen at having those memories heard by the poison dragon slayer.

He did not need another man craving her.

Cobra had just walked into the throne room, his snake draped on his shoulders lovingly. Following behind him was Midnight, who oddly, was awake. The former had an annoyingly knowing smirk on his face, and for once, Jellal wished he wouldn't open his big mouth.

'Just ran into the others outside the throne room,' said Cobra 'They're pretty upset,'

'They shouldn't be,' Jellal murmured 'After all, they're bringing her back,'

There was a note of silence in the throne room.

'You should've let me go instead,' said Midnight, leaning casually against the wall 'I would've brought her back in half the time. And besides, it's not like we've got anything else to do,'

Jellal looked at Midnight through the corner of his eyes. Leopard print pants, black vest, eyeliner, lipstick; the man was a far cry from the scared little boy he had once been. Since he had discovered and started reaping the benefits of his powers, he had become twisted and masochistic. Tales of his exploits and 'conquests' had reached even Jellal's ears –again, thanks to Cobra-.

No way in hell was Jellal going to let him anywhere near Erza.

'It is my fault of course, for telling Brain it would be alright for you people to spend your free time lounging around here. I will speak to him about it immediately,' said Jellal

'Ouch, man…' said Cobra 'Talk about marking your territory,'

And they knew he wasn't just talking about the tower.

'Simon, Shou, Milianna and Wally are enough,' said Jellal, closing the matter. He stood up to leave, walking past the other two as he did so.

'You are naïve,' said Midnight.

Jellal turned around sharply, pinning him with a cold glare.

'What was that?,' asked Jellal.

The man shrugged away from the wall, bypassed a stunned Cobra and faced Jellal.

'But also very lucky,' said Midnight, in a matter-of –fact tone. 'I can only imagine what it feels like to end her life,'

He smirked, and Jellal felt like putting a fist through his head.

'It makes your heart race in anticipation. Doesn't it?' continued the Oracion Seis general.

He walked languidly out of the room, leaving Cobra and Jellal in stunned silence.

'Hey Jellal-,' began Cobra.

'I don't even want to know,' said Jellal.

….

From the memory of Lance Sweets,

Three days before the Magnolia Prison Massacre.

Solitary confinement was a dull and depressing thing. So depressing, in fact, that Sweets was left to ponder the ways he could commit suicide, and boy, was he getting creative.

He could burn himself; let the fires and the Etherion consume his flesh until there was nothing more than burnt bone and tissue. But the guards had strapped anti-magical manacles on him, and for added measure, drawn binding runes all over his skin.

Nope

Or he could asphyxiate himself, roll up his sock and shove it down his throat. He could even clog up the ventilation pipes as an added bonus. It would take him mere seconds to kick the bucket that way.

Nah

He knew hanging wasn't an option either. The guards who worked in the underground prison cells of the Era council complex patrolled in front of his cell every five minutes or so. Definitely not enough time to execute a perfect suicide.

He had been in this cell for the past three months, and he had learned to stop wondering why he was here instead of Magnolia Prison, like the rest of the criminals. He was being kept here by Shinra. Sweets, of course, had no idea what the councilman was up to, and couldn't be bothered really. The old man was probably thinking up the most creative way to end the ex-agent's miserable existence.

And he couldn't complain , for Sweets knew he had no more reason to live, no more reason to keep trying to rectify his mistakes. She was gone, she was never coming back.

There were footsteps, two pairs of them. He could recognize one of them as the fleet footed gait of the prison guard, but the other was new to him. The footsteps were heavy and spaced far apart; this man was in no rush. The metal bars of his cell rattled open as a uniformed guard told him he had a visitor. He cleared his throat and spoke to that invisible someone who stood just beyond Sweet's line of sight.

'Right this way sir,'

And into the pale yellow lamplight of the hallway stepped the bulky frame of Councilman Shinra. He looked no different than usual, however, the usual glint of supremacy and arrogance in his eyes was now replaced with what seemed like irritation, and unless Sweets was mistaken, he swore there was a tinge of fear in the man's blue orbs.

'You may leave us now,' said Shinra, waving the guard off with a flick of thick wrist. He brought out a handkerchief with the other and started dabbing at his forehead. Beads of sweat were already appearing on his brow.

The guard looked hesitant. Clearly, this was against protocol.

'For goodness sakes, man!' said Shinra, raising his voice 'Can't you people take instructions anymore? What the bloody hell are we paying you for?'

The guard walked away, but stood firmly at the end of the corridor, his keen eyes trained on the councilman and the prisoner. Sweets stood up from his slumped position on the cot and faced the councilman. Had they decided on his execution already?

'To what do I owe this unexpected visit, father-in-law?' because Sweets never liked him that much, and calling him that was the quickest way to annoy him.

The councilman's face reddened with anger, steam practically spouting from his ears and Sweets half expected him to explode then and there itself. The councilman raised his fist, as if to strike Sweets, but instead, brought it down against the metal bars of the cell, leaving a fist sized hole between the bars.

Good to know he still works out.

'You will be silent while I explain this, you murdering son of a bitch. I will not repeat myself, and I will not take no for an answer. I'm going to send you on a little mission. Play along nicely, and your sentence will be put on hold... indefinitely,'

'What if I don't?'

The councilman glared at him

'I'll see to it that you become a live test subject for the radioactive pharmaceutical division, and you'll go back to living in that hellhole my daughter pulled you out of in the first place. God rest her soul,' he spat at Sweets.

'What do I have to do?' asked Sweets. His hands were shaking now, and he needed to forcibly keep them at his side to stop himself from lunging at the councilman.

Shinra reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two Polaroid pictures. Sweets took them and looked at the images. He recognized the redhead as Erza Scarlet, from Fairy Tail. Well, who wouldn't? But the other one, hadn't he been one of those Wizard Saints? Oh right...

'Jellal Fernandes, sentenced for treason, arson, murder and conspiracy. As much as I hate to admit, those two are going on a field trip to Symphonia. Collecting evidence, and hopefully stopping another world domination plot by the Balam Alliance. You'll go with them as a council liaison,'

Sweets sniggered lightly.

'Just by listening, I can tell that this thing has more holes in it than Swiss cheese,' said Sweets 'The idiot who approved this mission must've had a major soft spot for Erza to allow her to take Fernandes along. There are just way too many liabilities here,'

Shinra didn't reply, and Sweets looked up to see a murderous glare in the councilman's eyes. Not that it wasn't there before.

Oh.

'Why me? Aren't you afraid that I'll make a run for it?' asked Sweets.

'You won't run,' said the councilman 'You're much too noble for that,'

He continued

'And although I will vehemently deny ever saying this, you were one of our best agents. I suppose it's time you put your –how shall we say- abilities to good use,'

The councilman walked to the edge of the cell, his back turned on Sweets.

'Oh yes, I have done my research, you good for nothing brat. Lance Sweets, the only successful subject of Project 3173. Those nut jobs think they turned your body into, apparently, the perfect weapon,' he sneered.

'They were right,' Sweets said hollowly, eyes not focusing anymore 'A weapon, that's all I am, only capable of destruction,'

'High time you fulfill your purpose then… as a tool for the council,' said Shinra.

The councilman walked out of the cell, slamming the bars as he went. And Sweets clutched the pictures in his hands, tears now slowly falling from his eyes, the salty streams reaching his lips as he mumbled

'I'm sorry, Daisy'

….

From the memory of Erza Scarlet,

One week before the Magnolia Prison Massacre

'I'm hotter!,'

'No, I'm, hotter!,'

'Idiot, I'm a Fire Dragon Slayer! I'm hotter by definition!' yelled Natsu slamming his fist on the table, getting revved up and ready to fight.

'Reality check loser! I've got a larger fan club than you ever will,' boasted Gray, a superior aura surrounding him.

'Hah! And I bet half of your fans' initials are J.L!' sneered Natsu 'Well, let's ask the girls what they think,'

He rounded on Lucy and Erza, bringing his grinning face annoyingly close to them before asking

'It's me right? I'm the hottest right? Tell me, tell me, tell me!'

Gray –shirtless again- pushed Natsu's face out of the way before giving both girls one of his signature Gray 'seductive looks'. You could almost feel Juvia's icy glare from behind one of the nearby columns, and Lucy sweatdropped instantly.

'Well, my dears, whaddaya think?'

As Lucy and Happy tried their best to placate the two men, Erza just sighed languidly and took another sip of her sake. Granted, it was only 12 noon, and altogether too early for alcohol; but the four –well, five if you considered Happy- of them had just come back from another mission and she was dead tired, and really not in the mood for the antics of the two boys.

This time, they were tasked to bust a lacrima smuggling syndicate. It had been nerve wrecking work, staying up on stake out the whole night. Their employer insisted they catch the ringleader behind the syndicate and had forcibly reminded them not to go in, guns blazing and destroying everything in sight. It all worked out eventually. They didn't destroy much in the end. In Erza's own professional opinion, they left just enough damage for the syndicate –and their employer- to think twice before invoking the wrath of a Fairy Tail mage in the future.

Erza looked over at her comrades, watching them with a half smile on her face as Natsu and Gray continued to battle it out, verbally, of course. Somehow, Mirajane and Juvia had gotten themselves involved in the squabble and now, the both of them and Lucy had resorted to holding up score cards as Natsu and Gray jumped around, performing tricks for their tiny audience.

'Hem hem,' came a decidedly feminine voice behind Erza.

Erza turned around quickly to see a tall, brown haired woman standing behind her. The woman was dressed in a cream colored lacy blouse and a black pencil skirt; her hair fell into neat shoulder length waves, and as she stuck out her right hand for Erza to shake, the Fairy Tail mage counted five perfectly manicured nails.

'Hi there, my name is Emma. We've never met before, but I would like to offer you a job Miss Scarlet,'

Erza took the woman's hand, slightly stunned at the sudden greeting. The others stopped their games and were now observing the two women. Emma was smiling, but Erza noticed that her smile did not quite reach her penetrating ochre eyes.

'I would be pleased to listen to your proposition Emma,' said Erza 'but my friends and I have just returned from a very taxing mission, and I'm afraid all job offers have to be channeled and approved through the guild itself,'

'I see,' said Emma, withdrawing her hand, 'However, I wish to offer this mission to you only Miss Scarlet. You see, the matter sits very close to my heart, and if there is any way I can-,'

'Please, call me Erza,' she said 'All right then, If it's that important to you, why don't you have a seat, and we'll talk. Perhaps we can approach the master, and he'll make special arrangements,'

It wasn't like this had never happened before. She had been approached to take on single missions ever since they had dubbed her 'Titania'. She gesticulated to the chair across from her, but Emma didn't move.

'Perhaps, we could talk in private?'

She looked over at her comrades, 'It'll just be a few minutes'

As Erza got up and led the brown haired woman to one of the private sitting rooms off the main hall, Natsu tapped Lucy on the shoulder. He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially,

'Hey Lucy, she smells familiar,'

'What?' whispered Lucy back 'How can you tell?'

Gray was watching their interaction, a thoughtful look on his face.

'My nose is never wrong' he repeated, frowning 'I don't remember her face or her name, but I definitely recognize her smell. We know this woman, from somewhere in the past!'

And the small group of people stared at the retreating forms of the two women, curious frowns on their faces.

….

Erza shut the door of the private sitting room behind her, thanking the heavens that the room was sound proof. Honestly, the others could be such annoying children sometimes.

'I'm terribly sorry if my friends were gawking,' she began 'It's just that we're such a tight knit bunch, we've become really protective of one another,'

'Yeah, friends do that sometimes, especially the good ones,' said Emma. She drifted over to the window, peering outside for awhile before shutting the blinds.

A tiny red flag went up inside Erza's head as the smile disappeared from Emma's face as the woman's eyes scanned the room.

'We're not being watched, if that's what you're worried about,' said Erza, her voice taking a slight edge. This woman did not behave like a guest in dire need of help.

Emma's eyes snapped back to Erza's, and the smile returned. She lowered herself elegantly onto one of the couches while Erza remained standing.

'Of course not. So, now that we're on the topic of friends, let's talk about a mutual friend of ours. He got tossed into prison recently. Treason, or something like that,'

More red flags went up.

'I don't believe I know who you're talking about,' said Erza

Emma laughed lightly and tilted her head sideways.

'Of course you do silly,' as if reprimanding a small child 'the name Jellal Fernandes ring a bell?'

Erza paled as alarm bells went off in her head. Seemingly pleased with her reaction, Emma smiled, crossed her feet, and clasped her hands together, leaning them on her knees, resting her chin on her knuckles.

'Who are you?' asked Erza, her hand finding the hilt of her sword 'And what do you want from me?'

'I know you better than you may think, Miss Scarlet,' said Emma 'and I want you to get Jellal out of prison for me,'

'What?'

'Listen to me very carefully,' said Emma 'In a few short months, a machine will be completed by Grimoire Hearts. This machine will bring unspeakable damage to the world, unleashing terror and evil like no other this land has seen before,'

She stood up and approached Erza, their gaze never breaking contact.

'You will find a way to get Jellal out of prison, and the both of you will find a way to stop the machine before it's too late,'

'Why Jellal?' asked Erza 'Why not Hibiki Laytis or even some other technopath?'

'Because, my dear Erza, Jellal Fernandes was one of the people who built the machine in the first place,'

Emma studied Erza's reaction of shock for a moment before realizing this was too good an opportunity to pass up.

'What's with the face sweetie? I thought you of all people would jump in joy at the chance to be reunited with your lover once again,' she said in a cynical voice.

Before she knew it, the tip of a sword had been pressed up against Emma's throat. Her eyes widened for a second before her face settled again into the lazy, sinister smile she had adapted.

'Who. The hell. Are you?' Erza bit out, rage coating every syllable.

And before her eyes, Emma's brown hair lengthened and darkened to black, her tanned complexion paled and her features changed and sharpened and finally Erza drew her sword away, recoiling as she recognized the new face.

'You!' said Erza, her rage boiling anew 'How dare you show your face here! How dare you tell me what to do! How dare you… after all you put Jellal through, after all you put us through!'

The time mage merely shrugged and looked away. Her clothes hadn't changed.

'I was pushed into a corner. And believe me; I'm only doing this under sheer desperation,'

She regarded Erza as if Titania was dirt.

'As if a proud mage of Grimoire Hearts would stoop so low as to beg for help from a Fairy Tail whore like you,'

'Speak for yourself, bitch. How many months did you spend sucking the dicks of those councilmen before you finally blackmailed their trust out of them?' retorted Erza angrily.

She felt pleased with herself. It wasn't very often that Erza Scarlet played the role of the mean girl.

'Why? Jealous?' replied Ultear.

Erza blushed and gaped as she realized the implications of Ultear's words.

He would never; surely, he would never have…

'I don't have time for this. White may have already realized that I've come here,' said Ultear, morphing back into Emma.

'Who's White?' asked Erza

'You'll find out later,' said Emma. However, Erza didn't budge, blocking the room's only exit.

'Look, believe whatever you want to believe about me and Jellal; but the fact is that the machine really does exist. As it is, White is already too powerful for me to control. I thought I had this under my power as usual but…,'

'This doesn't make us friends, or allies, or whatever you choose to call it. I'm still your enemy, and I will not hesitate to kill you if I ever see you again,' Emma paused 'This is just me giving you a heads up in case, well… in case it blows up in all our faces,'

Finally, Erza stepped out of the way.

'This conversation never happened,' said Emma 'You can create any story you want for your pathetic friends,'

'Just get out of my sight before I attack you myself,' said Erza.

There was a brief 'click click click' of heels and then the door of the sitting room shut behind her, leaving the room in silence once more.

….

Present day,

Akane Beach, Fiore,

Natsu, Gray, Lucy and Wendy.

It was 7 am on a Saturday, and the hotel rooms in Akane were otherwise silent as its many patrons decided to sleep in on the weekend. However, a certain blonde haired stellar mage stormed into one the hotel rooms and flipped on the lights, rudely awakening her three sleeping comrades. In her hand, she waved a letter around energetically, yelling at everyone to wake up.

'It's from Erza! I got a letter from Erza!' said Lucy 'They're coming to Akane as soon as possible and she said she's bringing her 'friends''

'Aren't we her friends?' said Happy groggily, slumped on Natsu's head as the pink haired mage drifted off to sleep again.

'Of course she means the other two!' said Wendy excitedly 'Just like they said in the news. Sweets and… and…,'

'Jellal,' finished Gray. It was no secret that the two men weren't exactly comfortable with the idea that Erza was running around the Symphonian countryside with the ex-wizard saint. 'What else did she say in the letter, Lucy?'

'That's it,' she replied 'Short and simple. She might've been in a rush,'

The ice mage sighed heavily and leaned back on the headboard.

'Why can't our missions ever be simple?' he mumbled 'This kinda stuff always happens to us. First Lullaby, and then Deliora-,'

'DELIORA! That's it!' yelled Natsu suddenly, sitting up fully alert in bed. The shock caused Gray to fall to the floor, cursing and Happy to ricochet off Natsu's head.

'What's it, you idiot? And don't pretend to be sleeping when you're not!' yelled Gray.

Natsu leaned forward, he was shirtless now, and his boxers hung low on his hips. He looked ecstatic for some reason.

'Lucy, remember that day when that chick Emma came to our guild and asked Erza to help her with something, but Erza said it was just some nosey reporter instead, and I told you that I had smelt her somewhere before?'

'Yeah…' said Lucy

'It was Zalty!' at their blank faces he said 'Come on you guys! Dontcha' remember? You know, that weird short guy with the mask! Zalty!'

'Oh yea... I do remember him,' said Gray 'He was helping Lyon'

'Yeah, exactly! Only then, Zalty smelt like a woman!'

'So, you're saying that Zalty, who is actually Emma, who is actually a reporter, came to visit Erza that day at the guild?' said Wendy, one eyebrow raised.

Natsu nodded energetically.

'Talk about being dedicated to your job,' said Gray, picking himself up.

Yawning, he then walked towards the bathroom, stretching his arms out and flexing his muscles as he went. Natsu frowned as he noticed Lucy's eyes lingering on the ice mage.

'I'm still hotter than you!' yelled Natsu childishly, dunking his head back under the covers, and falling asleep almost instantly.

End of Chapter 10! So yeah, it's another flashback chappie, and I do hope it clears things up for you guys. Just a few things I want to mention

I tried my best to interpret the tower of heaven scenario through Jellal's eyes. Please forgive me if I got any of the concepts wrong. As I've been depending heavily in fairytail wikia for information.

Wouldn't it be cool if evil Jellal, Midnight and Cobra formed a boyband? Hahahaha.. (randomness)

In this chapter of my story, Sweets is in a rather angry, I hate the world phase due to Daisy's death. Hence, the suicide contemplation scene.

I honestly cannot choose between Natsu and Gray. Haha. They're both sexyfine to me. Whaddaya think?

The thing is, Ultear is not a good character yet. So don't go crossing her off the list. She's still evil . Nyahahhaaa.

So, That's the end of that, please review. You'll be making me very happy if you do.

Cheers!

Asianpearl.