COMPLETE! When Crime Sorciere decides to save their counterparts in another dimension, the history of Fairy Tail takes several turns for the better - and one or two for the worse...
Jellal screamed at the heavens. There was no choice in the matter, no control, no patience or calm or serenity. A lifetime of training disintegrated in an endless instant of grief. After several seconds, he ran out of breath and collapsed, still weeping. I was supposed to protect him, he wept, fist pounding helplessly on the beach. I'm their big brother – the one they trust – I was supposed to protect them, and I couldn't even move!
Warm, strong arms wrapped around him, and he didn't need sight to know it was Erza. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to. He sat up enough to hug her in kind, and they just held on and let the grief come.
They weren't the only ones crying, of course. Jellal was pretty certain that everyone was. They need me, he decided, and with a shuddering breath, forced himself to his feet. "We need to go," he breathed. "Siegrain said he framed us for this. The Magic Council goes after any excuse to undermine Fairy Tail, and this is a lot more than an excuse."
"But we're the ones who stopped them, nii-san," Millianna whispered, hands clenched together. Her knuckles were stark white.
"How do we prove it, Milli?" Jellal concentrated, seeking Ultear's mind. "We have to leave. Now." Before his telepathy could reach beyond Akane, though, the sound of boots marching in time brought his efforts to a halt.
Oh, for... Even his grief couldn't erase the frustration Jellal felt about the approaching Rune Knights. His friends reacted while the Starburst was still adjusting to the new situation. Gray slammed his fist into his palm, frost emanating from both hands. Natsu's fists burst into flames. Erza requipped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor, swords swirling around her. Wally transformed his arm into his Polygon Rifle. Simon and Millianna didn't manifest their magic directly, but shadows bubbled up from around Simon's feet and Milli had her claws out. Lucy gasped. "Guys? We're not going to fight the Rune Knights, are we?!"
Ah, sanity. I remember that. I think. Jellal strode forward, placing himself between his family and the approaching Knights. Maybe I can defuse this before–
"Jellal Fernandes," the group's leader stated, stopping before him. His soldiers formed familiar magic runes around the entire group. "I am Lieutenant Lahar of the Rune Knights' 4th Custody Enforcement Unit. You are under arrest for impersonating a member of the Magic Council, conspiracy to commit treason, terrorism, and attempted mass murder." He adjusted his glasses, which glinted in the moonlight.
Jellal blinked. His comrades gaped, eyes bulging and jaws dropping. "What?!" they blurted in one voice.
"You incompetent idiots!" Simon barked, Darkness Magic roiling around him. "Jellal's the only reason Akane's still here!"
"You're not taking him anywhere!" Natsu roared, flames blazing to the heavens. Erza said nothing, but dozens more swords formed around her. Cold rolled off Gray in waves, frigid enough to feel even past Natsu's flame.
Jellal spread out his arms. "Stop!" he cried. "I apologize for the fuss we've cause. I will take full responsibility." He grimaced at Erza's gasp. "However, you must be aware of at least the possibility that Siegrain was the traitor."
"They are," Siegrain whispered, stepping out from the crowd of Rune Knights. He was wearing magic-sealing handcuffs, which he held up for them to see. Jellal's eyes widened, then narrowed. Meteor force burst to life around his fists. At least two dozen Rune Knights leveled their staves at him in response. "It wasn't me, Jellal."
"Don't lie to me, Siegrain!" Jellal howled. "I saw you. It was your life energy in there, you who stole my magic – you're the one who killed–"
"Enough," Lahar ordered. "You will both be detained while the Magic Council is reformed." Jellal gasped. The Magic Council's – gone? How? He turned to the Lieutenant, who's gaze never wavered. "Once the system is restored, you will both be tried in a court of justice."
"By what authority?" Erza whispered. Jellal whirled around to find Erza standing beside him, just a step behind. As long as they'd known one another, he'd never seen her wield so many swords at once – at least a hundred floated in the air above them, with more appearing every second. "If there is no Magic Council, you have no right or power to arrest Jellal, who is the only reason you survived that blast!" She held up a hand, and a single sword flew to it. Lahar reacted at last, swallowing quietly. More Rune Knights aimed their staves at the Fairy Tail wizards.
"No!" Jellal dashed to Erza, grabbing her shoulders. "Erza, no. You can't."
Tears formed in her eyes, gleaming violet in the moonlight. "They're going to lock you away. Now, when you've just been freed," she rasped, sword arm quivering.
Jellal smiled for her. "You set me free eight years ago." His smile vanished. "Erza, if we fight them now, one of two things will happen. If the monarchs support the Rune Knights, Fairy Tail will be declared a Dark Guild, and everyone we love will spend the rest of their lives hunted or imprisoned."
"They won't," Erza insisted. "The law – all the good you've done –"
"If they side with us, the Rune Knights will be disbanded along with the Council, and justice will die," he rasped. "The only law will be power. A hundred Phantom Lords will rise from their fall. That can't happen. I have to do this, Erza. For Ishgar. For Fairy Tail. For us."
For several seconds, Erza was silent. All their friends gathered kingdom-shattering magic, ready to charge on her command. With a trembling breath, she lowered her arm, swords vanishing. In an instant, she was in her white blouse and blue skirt, taking his head in her hands, kissing him with fierce abandon. Gods! That alone might be worth it, Jellal mused, mind otherwise wrapped in fog. At last, she released him. "Come back to me," she commanded.
Jellal smiled again. "I'm innocent. I'll be home as soon as the Legal Guilds can agree to a new set of Councilors." He glanced at the Dragon Slayer. "Natsu. Behave while I'm gone." The rose-haired warrior spluttered in helpless outrage. "And...thanks." He turned a glare at Siegrain. "I'd check the former Councilor for bruises around the jaw, ribs, and abdomen, by the way."
"We're still brothers, Jellal," Siegrain whispered.
"Shou was my brother," Jellal snapped, flinching as Lahar cuffed him. "I don't know who you are." He didn't dare look back as the Rune Knights dragged him off. I have to be strong. For Fairy Tail.
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