From the Ashes, Part 25
As dusk settled over the land, everyone prepared to move. Happy and Lily had stumbled upon Erza's group and after a short reunion, they all shared what they knew. Jellal grew rigid at the name of the empress. "Jellal?", asked Erza, concerned. She reached out and grasped his arm. He glanced up at her with a very dark expression. "What is it?", she inquired. "That name...", he trailed. Erza's heart sank. "You know her?", she asked carefully. He sighed, angry at himself. Slowly, he explained, "After the games, Meredy and I were grieving for Urtear. We headed for the coast to gather our thoughts and were walking along the beach one day when we spotted someone face down in the sand." Wendy listened intently as did the exceeds. Erza carefully held an even expression. "She looked dead, but when Meredy approached, she stirred. She begged us for help. She claimed she had escaped from a prison ship bound from another country...Her name was Fathiyya", he stated grimly. Continuing, he said, "She said a bad storm had downed the vessel off the coast. She must have been the only survivor. We looked after her for a few days until she got her strength back. I never really thought anything of her asking how to get to the capital. I figured she was just looking for a fresh start like us." Everyone stood in complete silence. Eventually, he said, "I had no idea...It's my fault. All of it." He was trembling when Erza took his hand. He looked up with the most sorrowful eyes she had ever seen. "I must be cursed...I'll never get away from the past", he uttered weakly. "But it isn't your fault", offered Wendy. "You had no way of knowing", added Charle. Erza stepped forward and gently pressed his face to her shoulder. "It's my fault", he repeated. "You can't bare the weight of the world alone. It may have been someone else for all we know", she offered. He was so crushed by the revelation that he didn't lift his hands to hold her. Everything seemed so bleak to him. Would he ever atone for his sins? Why did he spread darkness everywhere he went? "Stop", whispered Erza. He pulled back and met her gaze. "It's not your fault", she assured. Lily cleared his throat. When all eyes were on him, he said, "How she got here doesn't matter and the fact she is here can't be changed." Jellal straightened his posture. The exceed was right. After verifying a plan, Happy and Lily left back to their respective partners. Everyone would rendezvous in mere hours, then the nightmare could finally come to an end.
Happy alit from the sky. He joyfully told Natsu and Lucy how he had found Charle (and the others). He talked so much, he failed notice how close there were sitting. Eventually, it dawned on him. "Is Lucy cold?", he inquired innocently. She sat with her back to Natsu's chest, his arms gently holding her. They blushed at one another briefly. "Yeah, she got cold", grinned the dragon slayer. Shrugging it off, Happy explained Erza's plan. It was close to the original, merely adding team members and modifying the exact meeting point. "What about Gray and Mira?", asked Lucy. "I met with them first, so they don't about Erza", replied the exceed. Remembering something important, he added, "Guildarts is with them!". Natsu smirked. That fact gave them an added advantage. "Did he look all right?", inquired Lucy, taking nothing for granted. Happy nodded. "Do you feel strong enough to fly back to them with Erza's plan?", asked Natsu. "Aye!" Lucy smiled faintly. "Be careful." He nodded and flew off into the night. Natsu gave her one more strong hug before rising to gather their things. She watched him with a pleasant expression. Not turning to look to her, he called, "Oi, Lucy." "Hmm?" Stuffing his pack, he asked, "How do you me act when all meet back up?". A sneaky grin awaited her when he looked up to met her gaze. She blushed, but smiled. "Like normal, I guess", she replied. "Right", he uttered, turning back to his work. It wasn't long before they were ready to head out. Natsu took the lead, but paused at a tug on his hand. Lucy wasn't moving. She shyly stared to the ground. He sent her a curious glance. Slowly meeting his eye, she said, "You will be careful, won't you?". The look on her face pierced into him. "Yeah", he said with a reassuring grin. With a deep breath, she stepped beside him and they made their way toward hell.
Elsewhere, Levy had finished packing. She changed her clothes, ignoring the stare from across the fire. "Haven't you seen enough today?", she teased. Gajeel smirked in response. Lily landed nearby and explained the new plan. "I'm glad everyone is all right", said Levy, relieved. "Guildarts, huh?", uttered Gajeel. It was unexpected, but his presence would make things easier, so he accepted it without much concern. "Gajeel", called the exceed, his expression dark. "What is it?", asked the dragon slayer. "Juvia's been turned. She's guarding the city gates", stated Lily. Levy watched his reaction closely. His fingers curled into a tense fist. "That ice bastard left her behind", he seethed. "We'll get her back", assured Levy. Gajeel shot her a dark look that said, "We better". Grasping his pack, he stated, "Gray better have a damn good answer." He began walking, not waiting for the others. They quickly caught up. Levy knew Juvia was the only link Gajeel had around left to his past and that's why he seemed protective of her. She also knew just how angry he was by using Gray's name for once. She let him simmer in silence as they traveled, hoping he'd save his fury for the enemy.
Having got to Mira, Happy rested his wings. She told him he may as well wait for Natsu there since they were all heading their way. The exceed chatted with Guildarts, making things seem almost normal. Mira kept an eye out for her friends in the distance while Gray held his eyes firmly toward the city. He held a dark, but even expression. He'd already stated that he would be the one to face Juvia and that no one was to interfere. Mira and Guildarts had agreed, but would everyone else? He sighed, just wishing they'd arrive so they get this over with. He was tense, angry with himself, and worried for the woman he left behind. He hated the fact that he'd left at all, but Mira assured him that he'd given vital intel that might change the tide of war. She tried not to bother him, knowing he was deep in thought, but she kept glancing his way with concern. "Please hurry", she thought, thinking of her guild mates.
Back in Magnolia, the city was in an uproar. Laxus had wasted little time despite his current state. He'd managed to find the prisoners being held for transport. Taking out the guards was simply. Now he had allies. Ichiya, Eve, Romeo, and Alzack stood behind him. Macao had already been taken while Bisuka and Asuka had slipped out of the city. Alzack let himself be captured to save his family. He was glad he was getting another chance to fight. Meredy stood nearby, waiting to give the signal that would launch their next strike. Everyone was worse for wear, but with the chance to dish out some payback, no one seemed to notice their injuries. Meredy held out two fingers, the signal to wait. Her fingers sliced the air downward. The next troop was there. One troop at a time was rushing to their doom at the hands of the freed mages. Those further into the city had their hands full, as well. Lyon and Yuka had pulled the others into action, knowing what was going on. Doing so kept the enemy scattered and confused. With much of the army called to the border to prepare for the next invasion, the city was left with little military power. It wouldn't be long until Magnolia was free once more.
Snow blinded the guards. Lightning incapacitated them. Ichiya's parfums caused several reactions in the ranks, all beneficial to the fighting mages. Alzack took out the gunmen as they ran toward the fight while Meredy and Romeo kept things confusing at the battle line. Across town, beasts of ice rampaged through the ranks of soldiers. Waves of energy ripped their formations to pieces. Sherry manipulated the defeated guards to fight their brethren. Ren kept her safe with one of this domes and managed to suffocate some gunners by withdrawing the oxygen from their air. Chelia watched and shouted where the next wave of enemies was coming from, unable to fight. Lisanna's beast form guarded her back.
A shot zipped passed Laxus's head. Darting his gaze, he spotted an elite soldier with a hole in their head standing just behind him. They fell to the ground and he sent a grin to Alzack, thanking him. The slim guard had little chance of suppressing the mages for long once they ran out of their anti-magic ammunition. Ichiya had been hit, but fought just the same, enhancing his abilities with one of his many parfums. Eve had been wounded in his previous battle, but remained on his feet through sheer willpower. Meredy did her best to defend Romeo while Laxus grabbed a soldier by throat and gave him a fatal shock. He recognized the man from before. He'd been the one to shoot him and the Raijinshuu full of those strange rounds. Now, he had no ammo and received no mercy.
Within two hours, the last guard fell. Citizens slowly crept from their homes as the sounds of battle ceased. The city had been liberated. The gates stood open, showing no more forces remained outside the wall. One by one, the people began to cheer. Smiles and tears now greeted the mages they had been forced to hate. The remaining prisoners were released and families searched the dead for their loved ones. Laxus stood triumphantly at the gates, staring down the road, ready in case someone approached. Stepping beside him, Lyon grinned. "You know there are more not far from here", he stated. "I know", said Laxus, not turning to face him, "But don't ruin it for them." He nodded toward the crowds that had gathered. Lyon nodded and stood watch as well. There was no telling if or when more troops would return to the city, but for now, they were free.
To be continued...