Incarcerated Innocence, a Fairy Tail fanfic by Tsunami Storm
Chapter 8: Immeasurable Indebtedness
(set just after the events of the 'Infinity Clock')
Fairy Tail was never the same after that blessed day, just a few days ago. Everyone was ecstatic that their 'Tenrou Team' had miraculously returned, bringing home a 'new' member of sorts that only members of the guild could actually see. To everyone else, First Master Mavis Vermillion was nothing more than a subtle heat shimmer, if that.
Fairy Tail's strongest wizards were indescribably elated to be home after seven years, but still a bit confused that they hadn't changed at all after being sealed in one of Mavis' strongest protection spells, Fairy Sphere, which had put them in an ageless slumber. However, they were pleasantly surprised to find that, although the other members of their 'family' had changed over the years, their ownership of the iconic Fairy Tail Guild Hall had miraculously stayed the same. And the rightful recipient of the immeasurable gratitude was none other than Fairy Tail's technically 'honorary' member, Jellal Fernandes.
In the spirit of celebration, Mira beamed proudly as she stepped up to the long-empty stage, happy to be able to entertain her fellow Guild members with upbeat music and cheerful lyrics again. Everyone looked to the stage with smiles as the opening notes echoed through the renewed din of the hall, sorely missed after seven long years of absence.
"I know a place, pretty as pie.
Out where the riverbend hits up with the end of the sky.
It's left of old Bosco, and over a crest,
On a little patch of Heaven way out west.
Everything's green, know what I mean?
Darlin', it's quite the sweetest sight that you ever done seen.
Ain't nothin' much out there, just life at its best,
On that little patch of Heaven way out west.
Bees by the dozen are buzzin' real peaceful.
Every Bluebonnet- doggone it- smells nice.
Even the tumblin' tumbleweed- slows down to match your speed
On that tiny, half an acre of Paradise.
Darlin', I swear, once ya been there.
There ain't a view beneath the blue that could ever compare.
The only thing missin' is you as my guest,
On that little patch of Heaven way out west.
Why don'cha come visit?
There's room in the nest.
On my little patch of Heaven way out west!"
Everyone broke into thunderous applause as Mira took several bows after her jubilant song, excited to be doing this again. With one last bow, the S-class Takeover mage exited the stage, making way for another artist to demonstrate their craft and joy at their return.
Sure enough, barely a minute after the snowette young woman had stepped down the stairs, a fast-paced drumbeat began to echo through the hall, closely followed by the strumming of a traditional acoustic guitar and the gentle tones of a young, male voice. Just as last time, a series of images flashed across the backdrop of the curtain, synchronized with the music.
"There's nothing complicated
About the way we live.
We're all here for each other, happy to give!
Proud of who we are,
Humble beneath the stars.
We've everything we need,
The moon, the sun.
There is more than enough here for everyone!
All we have, we share,
And all of us, we care.
So come on!
Welcome to our family time,
Welcome to our brotherly time,
We're happy, givin' and takin' to the friends we're makin',
There's nothing we won't do!
Welcome to our family time,
Welcome to our happy-to-be time!
This is our festival,
Ya know the best of all,
We're here to share it all!
There's a bond between us
Nobody can explain.
It's a celebration of life,
And seeing friends again!
I'll be there for you,
I know you'll be there for me too...
So come on!
Welcome to our family time,
Welcome to our brotherly time!
This is our festival,
Ya know the best of all!
We're here to share it all!
Remembering loved ones departed,
Someone dear to your heart." a smiling Simon came up.
"Finding love, and planning a future,
Telling stories and laughing with friends,
Precious moments you'll never forget!
This has to be- the most beautiful-
The most peaceful place- I've ever been to,
It's nothing like I've ever seen before!
When I think how far I've come
I can't believe it… and yet I see it!
In them, I see family,
I see the way we used to be!
Come on…!
Welcome to our family time,
Welcome to our brotherly time!
We're happy, givin' and takin' to the friends we're makin',
There's nothing we won't do!
Welcome to our family time!
Welcome to our happy-to-be time!
This is our festival,
Ya know the best of all.
We're here to share it-
We're here to share it all!"
As the notes of the song faded, the curtain split down the middle and drew back, revealing a surprising sight. Mystogan- now revealed as Jellal Fernandes- was standing in the middle of the stage with a guitar strapped to his shoulder and a gentle smile on his face, and to his right on the drums sat his one-time doppelganger- the thought projection Siegrain- whose smile looked closer to the sheepish, apologetic side of the spectrum. As the final notes petered out and the images faded from the audience's vision, Siegrain also vanished from sight with a wry smile directed at the love of his life, mirroring the expression that his true self wore as he gazed upon the redhead.
Everyone had grateful tears in their eyes as they thanked their newest ally and Guild member for the beautiful presentation, and he nodded shyly, blushing slightly in bashfulness. Erza's way of showing her gratitude was a sweet peck on the cheek, then she threw her arms around her beloved's strong shoulders and embraced him in a big hug, whispering, "That was beautiful, Jellal. Thank you. You just keep surprising me these days. Who knew you were so musical?"
"Oh, I used to drive Ultear crazy by humming all the time when we were members of the Council." The bluenette mage joked. "And more often than not, I would get 'Carmen Habanera' stuck in my head for days. They would always play that song in the background during Council meetings. In fact, I still have it stuck in my head." He laughed shyly, and Erza giggled with him. "I was just trying to lift the mood. Fairy Tail wasn't remotely the same after you guys disappeared with Tenrou Island. We've all missed you so much."
"You can say that again." Romeo interjected brightly, approaching the couple from the side and grinning from ear to ear. "Especially Mysto- I mean, Jellal here." The boy teased smugly, an evil grin on his face that caused the Heavenly Body mage to blush again. "The very first time I heard him speak- at the port in Hargeon just before you guys came home- he sounded… heartbroken. Like all the happiness in the world had disappeared. Then when you guys returned, it was like night and day. I mean, have you ever seen him this happy, Erza? Other than when you were kids?" He asked the flame-haired Requip mage, and the woman in question beamed proudly and shook her head. "He's back to his old self. The bright, cheerful, kind young man that I fell in love with all those years ago in the Tower, before I really even knew what love was. Such a gentle and thoughtful soul." She smiled shyly, causing Jellal to turn red again in another flash of bashfulness.
End of Chapter 8
God Bless!
Tsunami Storm