Ch. 15- Jellal's Farewell
Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima
Story and OCs © Me
They had done it. Against all odds, Nirvana had finally been destroyed, all of Oración Seis had been defeated, and Cait Shelter was now safe from harm. What's more, by some miracle, Natsu, Haru, Blue Fang, and even Jellal- not to mention everyone else- managed to escape from Nirvana's destruction... and that miracle was named Richard, who used his Liquid Earth Magic to save them all at the last second.
"Love means saving your comrades, does it not?" he asked, carrying Natsu and Haru in one arm, Jellal in the other, and Blue Fang draped on his back.
"What's he doing here?" asked Carla as she pointed at Richard.
"Worry not," Jura reassured. "That man is one of us, now."
"Thanks for the save, Richard," said Haru as Richard gently put her and Natsu down on the ground.
"Of course, my friend," Richard said with a gracious bow.
"NATSU!"
Natsu turned around, only to nearly topple over as Wendy just ran up and hugged him. Thankfully, he managed to regain his balance as she looked up at him with grateful tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, Natsu... you kept your promise!" she said. "You saved Cait Shelter!"
"Heh," Natsu grinned. "Not just me... we all did... together."
Everyone smiled at the pair of Dragon Slayers... even the normally haughty Carla was cracking a grin.
"Yeah," Haru agreed. "We really did it, huh?"
"...Thank you," Wendy said as she looked at the others. "Thank you, everyone!"
"Yes... thank you," Carla added, causing everyone to grin at them... except for Erza, who was gawking at the now muscular Ichiya.
"What happened to you?!" she asked.
"Do you like it, Erza, my darling?" asked Ichiya.
"...Actually, you look even more grotesque than you did before..." Erza muttered before she glanced over at Jellal, who cast his eyes away from her, causing her eyes to soften in concern.
Soon, everyone was sitting around, using this moment to have themselves a rest.
"Ugh..." Natsu groaned as he lied on the ground. "I'm so hungry, I just wanna stuff myself until my belly's full to bursting."
"I'm way too tired to even eat," Haru said as she lied against Blue Fang's side. "I wanna go home, crawl into bed, and then sleep for a week."
"At least everyone's okay, right?" Happy asked. "That's the important thing!"
"Indeed," Jura nodded. "You all did exceptionally well!"
"This means our mission was a complete success!" Ichiya declared, striking a pose. "Men~!"
"So... elephant in the room," Gray spoke up as he glanced over at Jellal, who was sitting on a log, dismally staring at the ground. "Who's that guy? Is he with Blue Pegasus or something?"
"He does look the type," Lucy pointed out.
"...That's Jellal," Erza spoke up, causing Gray and Lucy to gasp in disbelief.
"Wait, hold up!" Gray exclaimed. "The same guy who tried to kill you back at the Tower of Heaven?!"
"Wait!" Haru called out. "I know this looks bad, but it's okay! Jellal's on our side, now!"
"Wait... really?" Lucy asked in surprise.
"He lost his memory, apparently," Wendy pointed out.
"Oh, yeah?" Gray asked. "Well, don't think that'll get him any sympathy from me."
"Gray, come on," Haru chided. "Now you sound like Natsu!"
"I heard that," Natsu said.
"Jellal really is a good person, deep down," Wendy said. "He saved me a long time ago!"
"I see," Lucy said while Erza walked over to her old friend and sat down beside him. For once, there was no trace of resentment or fury in her eyes... but instead, they were filled with warmth and understanding.
"Jellal... you did very well," she said.
"No... please, Erza," Jellal said. "I've done nothing to earn such praise."
"...So what will you do, now?" asked Erza.
"...I... I don't know," Jellal replied... his voice thick with sadness.
"...I suppose neither of us can answer that question so easily," said Erza.
"...Erza... I'm afraid," Jellal spoke, causing Erza's eyes to widen slightly. "I... I actually don't really want my memories to return... because I'm afraid of the kind of person I used to be." He clenched his eyes shut, his body trembling. "What should I do...?"
A pause... before he felt something touch his shoulder... and as he looked to his left he saw Erza's hand as she smiled at him, gently... kindly.
"Don't worry," she said. "I promise... I'll always be by your side."
"...Erza...!" Jellal whispered in surprise. "You...?"
"I can't guarantee that things will be the same between us as they once were," Erza spoke. "There's still a chance we could end up hating each other again... but... I definitely can't leave you..."
"Why?" Jellal asked.
"Because, Jellal," Erza began, "I... I-"
"Ow! Men!"
Erza and the others looked up to see Ichiya pushing up against some sort of invisible wall, his face getting smushed against it.
"Dude, what are you doin'?" asked Gray.
"I was going to test the bathroom perfume..." Ichiya began.
"Just say you're going to the bathroom!" Haru interjected.
"But then, I seem to have hit this wall!" Ichiya exclaimed.
"Hey... what are these runes doing on the ground?" asked Wendy, noticing strange runes all over the dirt.
"Wait a moment," Jura spoke. "This is... a Rune Barrier!"
"What?!" Lucy questioned.
"You mean that thing that Freed used back in the Battle of Fairy Tail?!" Gray asked.
"When did that even happen?!" asked Haru, but then, Blue Fang growled as he heard the sound of many footsteps approaching, and as they turned around, they suddenly found themselves surrounded by the Rune Knights!
"Uh-oh!" Happy exclaimed.
"Ah, crap!" Natsu cursed. "We didn't even do anything!"
"Relax," said a young, bespectacled man with his hair in a top know and wearing white robes. "We've no wish for violence. We simply wanted to keep you in this spot for just a while."
"Who the hell are you?" Gray asked.
"I am Lahar," the young man replied. "I am the Commander of the Fourth Regiment Arrest-and-Custody Division of the New Magic Council."
"Wait... 'New Magic Council'?!" Gray questioned.
"It's already been formed?!" Lucy asked. "That was quick!"
"We have been reformed to protect justice and enforce the laws of magic," Lahar said. "We will not permit any evil in this land!"
"Oh, great, he's already preaching..." Haru grumbled.
"But we haven't done anything!" Happy cried.
"Yeah! We actually did our job for once, jerk!" Natsu shouted.
"I am well aware of that," said Lahar. "We are here to arrest the members of Oración Seis. We urge you to hand over the one known as 'Hot Eye' at once!"
Jura tensed while Richard gasped in horror before the former growled in anger.
"Now, wait just one moment!" he shouted. "I-"
"No, Jura," Richard interrupted as he placed his hand on his shoulder... a look of resignation on his face. "He's right... I may have turned to the side of light, but it does not erase the evil that I have done in the past. I must go... and start over. That is how I will atone."
"...I see," Jura said. "In that case, I will search for your brother in your stead."
"Will you, really?" asked Richard, causing Jura to nod.
"Of course," he assured. "Tell me... what is your brother's name?"
"...It's Wally," Richard said. "Wally Buchanan."
The Fairy Tail Wizards all gasped upon hearing that familiar name.
"The square dude?!" Natsu asked.
"No way!" Happy exclaimed.
"Erza... Wally's your friend, right?" asked Haru.
"...Richard!" Erza called, causing Richard to turn to her. "Listen to me... I know your brother!"
"R... really?!" Richard asked in surprise, his eyes bulging out of his skull.
"Yes... and I can assure you, he's alive and well," Erza smiled... causing Richard to stare at her before tears welled up in his eyes. Before he could even stop himself, he sobbed as he fell to his knees, taking Erza by her hands, just as the sun was starting to rise.
"This... this is only a miracle that could be bestowed upon those who believe in the light!" he exclaimed. "Thank you... thank you, so much!"
"Of course," Erza replied. "The next time I see him, I'll be sure to tell him about you."
"Wow..." Lucy muttered. "I actually feel pretty sorry for him."
"Aye..." Happy agreed.
"Well... I guess there's nothing we can do about it," Gray said.
"Well... now that you've got Richard," said Haru, "can you please take the barrier down?"
"Yes, please do!" Ichiya urged, crossing his legs together. "My bladder is nearing its limit!"
"I'm afraid we can't do that," Lahar replied.
"What?!" Natsu questioned. "But you got the guy you came here for!"
"Not just him," Lahar corrected. "We're also after an even bigger than the minuscule Oración Seis."
"Huh?" Haru asked. "Who are you talking about?"
"For the crime of infiltrating the original Magic Council, firing Etherion, and enslaving hundreds at the Tower of Heaven," Lahar began as he pointed his finger forward. "Jellal Fernandes... you are under arrest!"
Everyone gasped before they all turned to Jellal... who showed no signs of resisting.
"Come quietly... or else we can and will use lethal force!" Lahar demanded.
"You're kidding!" Wendy cried.
"Now, wait a second, four-eyes!" Natsu shouted.
"Yeah! You can't arrest Jellal!" Haru argued.
"He is a very dangerous man," Lahar said with a darkening expression. "The crimes he committed are inexcusable! He must never be allowed to roam free, ever again!"
Erza looked down at the ground, trying to think about what to do... but before she could speak, Jellal stepped forward.
"Very well," he said. "I will accept my punishment."
"What?!" everyone questioned in shock.
"But... but Jellal!" Haru stammered.
"Wait a minute!" Wendy cried. "Please, don't arrest him! Jellal has amnesia! He doesn't remember the things he did!"
"I'm afraid that's no excuse, young lady," Lahar said. "The 13th Clause of Criminal Law prevents that defense. You may lower the barrier."
"Yes, sir!" one of the Rune Knights saluted.
"No... please, don't take him!" Wendy urged.
"Wendy, that's enough!" Jellal scolded, causing Wendy to gasp. "I have to pay my dues... I'm sorry." He then looked at her, sadly. "I'm also sorry that... I couldn't remember you."
"Wendy tells me that you saved her a long time ago," Carla said. "She was only 5 when she met you."
"...I see," Jellal replied. "I'm afraid I don't remember that. Still... I'm sorry I caused everyone so much trouble... but... it does make me happy that I was able to help someone, at least." He then glanced over at Erza, who stared at him. "Erza... I want to thank you... for everything."
"...Jellal..." Erza whispered, her body beginning to tremble while Jellal walked toward the wagon.
"Have you said your peace?" asked Lahar.
"...I have," Jellal replied.
"It's almost guaranteed you'll either spend life without parole... or the death penalty," said Lahar, "but either way... you'll never see those people, again."
"...I'm aware," Jellal replied... but before he could take another step forward, he was suddenly grabbed by his arm, causing him to turn to see Haru, who clutched his sleeve tightly. "H... Haru?"
"Haru, what are you doing?!" Erza questioned.
"You're not going anywhere!" Haru shouted.
"W-wha-" Jellal started.
"Young lady, release him!" Lahar demanded. "Jellal must pay for his crimes!"
"And I just said he's not going!" Haru shouted as she got in his face. "If you want him so bad, you can take him over my dead body!"
"How dare you!" Lahar yelled. "This is obstruction of justice!"
"Call it what you want," Haru began, "but to me, this is called helping a friend!"
"In that case, I'll have to arrest you, as well!" Lahar shouted as he prepared to grab Haru... only to be met with a flaming punch to his face.
"HANDS OFF!" Natsu shouted as he stood before Haru and Jellal. "If you're gonna arrest them, you might as well arrest me along with 'em!"
"And me!" Gray exclaimed.
"And me, too!" Lucy shouted as she pulled out her whip.
"Aye!" Happy piped up while Blue Fang snarled in agreement.
"Wait... no!" Jellal pleaded. "Please, don't!"
"You'll have to arrest me, as well!" Wendy declared, to Carla's disbelief.
"Wendy! Are you mad?!" the white cat questioned.
"Jellal helped us to stop Nirvana!" Gray shouted. "And you ungrateful bastards wanna take him away?! To hell with that!"
"I agree with the young ones," said Jura as he stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "I feel that arresting this man is unjust!"
"As much as it breaks my heart to say it," Ichiya began, still in his muscular form, "I must agree, as well! For my dear Erza's sake, I will fight you all to defend this man!"
"Everyone... no!" Jellal cried.
"Don't worry!" Natsu shouted. "We're gonna get you outta this!"
"But... but I-" Jellal started.
"Look man, we're not doin' this for you!" Natsu shouted. "We're doin' this for Erza! She doesn't want you to go, either!"
Jellal's eyes widened in disbelief before he turned to Erza, who stood there with her body still trembling.
"Jellal... you and Erza have to be together!" Haru said. "Please... we'll do anything to protect you! You don't have to resign yourself to your fate! But if you leave, Erza will be so heartbroken!" She then looked over at the Requip Wizard. "Erza, tell him! Tell Jellal how much he means to you!"
"...Erza...?" Jellal muttered while Erza stood there, unable to speak... even though her lips were trying to move.
"Enough!" Lahar shouted, his glasses now broken from when Natsu punched him. "Arrest him! Arrest all of them for aiding and abetting a known fugitive!"
Soon, the Rune Knights moved in to arrest the group, causing them to take on fighting stances... but then...
"STOP!"
"Huh?" Natsu muttered as he turned to look at Erza... who had her eyes hidden underneath her hair.
"...Arrest Jellal if you have to," she said, "but leave my friends and allies alone."
"What?!" Haru questioned.
"But... but Erza!" Lucy cried.
"Enough!" Erza shouted. "...Commander Lahar... I take responsibility for my friends' actions. Take Jellal away."
"At least one of you is sensible enough," said Lahar.
"But... but Erza...!" Haru said.
"You can't let 'em take him away!" Natsu argued. "This means you'll never see him again!"
"...I know..." Erza replied in a defeated tone... causing everyone to finally back down. Soon, Jellal was led away into the wagon... but just as he was getting ready to climb aboard...
"...I just remembered," he spoke, causing Erza to look up at him. "It was... the color of your hair..."
Erza's eyes went wide in shock while Jellal glanced back at her with a sad smile.
"Goodbye... Erza Scarlet..."
With that, Jellal was loaded up into the wagon along with Richard... and was soon taken away.
"...Goodbye... Jellal Fernandes..." Erza whispered.
"...Why?"
Everyone turned to look at Haru... whose fists were shaking by her sides as she looked at Erza, tears falling from the Beast Wizard's eyes.
"How could you, Erza?" Haru asked. "After all that... why would you let them take Jellal away?!"
"I couldn't let them arrest all of you, as well!" Erza argued.
"But now you'll never see him, again!" Haru cried. "Why would you let them arrest him?!"
"Because it was the right thing to do!" Erza shouted, causing everyone else to gasp... while the Requip Wizard sighed. "Haru... Jellal may have helped us... but one good deed does not erase the heinous crimes that he's done. Richard accepted that... Jellal accepted that... and now, we have to accept it, too."
"But... Erza... it's not fair to you," Lucy said, sadly.
"Yeah!" Natsu agreed. "We could have vouched for him!"
"Aye!" Happy exclaimed as he raised his paw.
"You all still have so much to learn," Erza said. "Sometimes... even though it's hard... we have to ignore our feelings and do what's right."
Everyone cast their eyes to the ground in silence... but they all quietly nodded their heads in agreement.
"Good," Erza said before she turned and walked away.
"Erza?" Wendy asked. "Where are you going?"
"I... I need to be myself for a bit," Erza replied. "I'll rejoin you all, shortly."
With that, she left, disappearing beyond the trees while the others stayed behind, sulking at the bittersweet taste that now sat upon their tongues.
In the distance, as the sun's light turned the sky a scarlet head... they could hear Erza's despairing sobs.
"...I'm sorry, Erza..." Haru whispered as her tears fell once more.
Poor Erza...but she'll see him again.
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