Incarcerated Innocence, a Fairy Tail fanfic by Tsunami Storm
Chapter 11: Impromptu Incentive
(Set a few days after 'Iridescent Insignia')
"Hey, Mys- er, Jellal!" a voice called over the usual morning din of the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, a few days after the former fugitive Jellal Fernandes became an official member of the Guild. The hazel-eyed bluenette looked over in interest, mildly surprised to find it was Jet that had spoken.
"What's up?" The Heavenly Body mage asked, curious, and the Speed mage elaborated. "Y'know that 'Meteor' spell of yours?" A nod. "Well, I was thinking we should have a race to determine the 'Fastest in Fairy Tail', me or you. Whaddya say? Laxus, Wendy and Natsu don't count 'cause they're Dragonslayers. I'm talking about the fastest human Guild member."
Jellal smiled slightly. He had always enjoyed a challenge, but he didn't want people- especially his newest family- to think he was showing off. Someone like him shouldn't have any right to brag. About anything really. Not even something as simple as his personal speed record.
"So- how 'bout it? Three laps around the border of Magnolia, starting and ending at the Guild Hall. And none of this 'I'm not worthy' crap. No 'letting' me win just to make me feel good. I want an honest-to-goodness race, with both of us giving our all. Agreed? I promise to be a good sport, no matter the outcome." Jet vowed, raising his right hand and putting his left over his heart, then holding out his right hand to shake on it.
Jellal's eyes opened slightly wider at that, surprised that the Speed mage had seemingly read his thoughts in that moment, as that was basically what he'd been thinking about. His thoughts must have been quite obvious on his face. Either that or Meredy had told people about his penchant for masochism. She'd always had a talent for unknowingly giving him a guilt-trip. And unintentionally embarrassing him.
Shaking his head quickly to derail his depressing train of thought- again- Jellal actually grinned at the Speed mage and nodded. "Why not? It'll be a nice challenge where no one can get hurt. And it could drum up more excitement for Fairy Tail. Master would probably be pretty happy about that."
"Darn right I would!" Makarov beamed, holding up a tankard of beer from the bar at which he was sitting. "Any exciting publicity is good publicity at this point. We need to put Fairy Tail back on the map, prove to everyone that we've still got it, that we're once again the best Guild in all of Fiore!"
"YEAH!" rang out a chorus from the entire Guild Hall, all the Fairies not even bothering to hide the fact that they'd been eavesdropping.
"You boys are gonna have to sit tight for a second, though. Can't have a race without spectators, right? Just give me a little time to clear an event with the Mayor and set up a racecourse for you. A few days, tops." The older gentleman beamed like a kid on Kurisumasu morning, excited as he thought about how much money the Guild would earn from Jet's impromptu idea. Of course, that wasn't the main point of the event, just a pleasant perk. They'd also get bragging rights for having the two fastest mages in Fiore in their Guild. Couple that with their four Dragonslayers, and Fairy Tail would reclaim its spot as the top Guild in the country in no time.
"Of course Master." Jellal nodded humbly. Jet was a little put-out at first, but then reasoned that this would give him some time to train in preparation for the big race. After all, he'd heard from Erza years ago that Jellal was incredibly fast, and had been a member of the Ten Wizard Saints seven years ago, ranking an impressive number six in their ranks. Considering that the top three wizards in that group weren't even human, that fact would make Jellal one of the strongest people in the world, not just Fiore. He wouldn't be able to slack off like he had in the 24-hour Endurance Road Race a few years ago. He'd have to give it his all from the very get-go if he wanted to have a chance at beating the Heavenly Body mage. Although he was sure that the chivalrous young man wouldn't try anything underhanded like some of his other Guildmates might, he would still be hard-pressed to outrun Jellal with that Meteor spell of his.
"This is gonna be fun." Jet grinned, and Jellal grinned right back, excited that he could in some way help the Guild to whom he owed so much. Not only had at least three of its members saved his life on multiple occasions, they had also taken in Erza when he'd cast her out of the R-System island prison- and, earlier than that- had been the Guild that Grandpa Rob had proudly called home.
Smiling sadly at the nostalgia, Jellal bowed his head with closed eyes for a moment, then looked up and offered a hand to the orange-haired mage. "Good luck, to both of us. May the best man win." He encouraged, and Jet clasped his hand proudly. "Ditto. I'm looking forward to it."
A few days later, the whole town of Magnolia had turned up to witness the exciting event, and Jellal felt a sweatdrop run down from his temple at the sight of all the decorations literally littering the streets of the town. Well, I will say this for Fairy Tail: They never do things by half. He mused with an amused smirk as the infamous Jason from Sorcerer Weekly bellowed into the lacri-microphone. "SO COOL! After being absent for seven years, Fairy Tail is back in business and holding extravagant events like nothing even happened! SO COOL! This race will feature the 'Master of Faster' himself- Jet Sarusuke, facing off against Fairy Tail's newcomer- Jellal Fernandes- the rumors of whose death were either greatly exaggerated, or they were true and a miraculous resurrection occurred! SO COOL! As always, we'll have lacrima-cams set up around the course for those of you wonderful Magnolians watching at home, and also for those of us who can't keep up with these two wizard's amazing speed! SO COOL!"
At the end of the announcement, both racers walked to the starting line and crouched into their starting positions, giving each other encouraging grins rather than the expected friendly banter that usually came with a competition like this. Jellal was already emitting a soft, golden aura, indicating that he'd already activated Meteor. On the sidelines and sitting on her father's shoulders so she could be seen, little Asuka Connell was beaming from ear-to-ear and proudly holding aloft a small popgun that she would fire to begin the race. A hush swept over the crowd as the four-year-old lifted the toy higher, calling in her adorable, sweet voice, "On youw mawk, get set- GO!" She cried, firing the magically loudened popgun into the air and causing her cowboy hat to fly off her head and land right atop her mother's hat- who was standing just behind her. Bisca laughed and returned the bonnet to its proper place as both racers shot off in a blur of dust and heavenly light, way too fast for the human eye to detect.
"And they're off! Both racers look equally matched at the start of this contest of speed, and they both appear to be giving it their all and having the time of their lives! SO COOL!" Jason screamed into the lacri-microphone as he glued his eyes to the crystal ball mounted on the back of a tortoise. "This race will consist of three laps around the border of our fair town, starting and ending at the entrance of the beloved Fairy Tail Guild Hall! For those just joining us, Fairy Tail's very own Sand Wizard, Max Allors, is selling souvenirs and Fairy Tail merch at the outdoor stall just inside the gates, so if you want to show your support for the strongest Guild in Fiore, get your goodies quick before someone else snaps them up! SO COOL!" He called over the din of the cheering crowds.
Jellal and Jet grinned at each other as they kept pace neck-and-neck, rounding the corners at impossible speeds. This looked like a track-and-field event, with bales of hay set up along the edges of the racecourse so the contestants wouldn't stray from the intended route, and also to protect the bystanders from getting hurt for mistakenly setting foot on the track.
"Come on, Jellal! I know you can go faster than this!" Jet razzed good-naturedly. "I saw you save Asuka that time when she fell in the pool. You were just a blur of light. Gimme all you got, I can keep up!" He called, increasing his speed to his maximum to spur on his opponent.
Jellal grinned at Jet's retreating back, calling in answer, "Okay, you asked for it!" before shifting to a faster gear and quickly matching pace with the other Speed mage. The two racers shared another grin of camaraderie before Jellal shimmered out of the visible spectrum and shot off like a meteor to the finish line, as they had already completed the required three laps in that elapsed time. Jet's jaw dropped open and he coughed as Jellal literally left him in the dust, crossing the finish line in a blur of golden light. Turning slightly to the side to slide to a stop with the sides of his feet, Jellal held up a hand for Jet to high-five when he crossed the goal, which the other Speed mage answered with yet another grin.
"Well, I guess that proves who's the fastest. You smoked me, man. Good race." Jet smiled, shaking the other young man's hand in true sportsmanship. Jellal nodded. "Good race. You were a formidable opponent. Thanks for the challenge. I enjoy testing my limits."
"SO COOL! Fairy Tail's newest powerhouse, Jellal Fernandes, has officially claimed the title of 'Fastest Human in Magnolia'! SO COOL!" Jason cried, startling both the racers and making them jump out of surprise. "This concludes Fairy Tail's first event in seven years after the 'Tenrou Tragedy', and we look forward to their next big idea! See you all then! This has been Jason with 'Sorcerer Weekly' Magazine, signing off until next time! SO COOL!"
As one, most of the Guild tackled the hapless winner in a massive glomp, causing the Heavenly Body mage to collapse to the ground, laughing loudly at his crazy guildmates. On the bottom of the pile with the fastest man in Magnolia was the Queen of the Fairies herself, congratulating the winner of the race in her own way, peppering his face with kisses and whispering words of love and congratulations while her fiancé turned red as a beet in bashfulness. Eventually, the rest of the Fairies dispersed, leaving the young couple still lying on the ground, holding each other in a loving embrace and looking lovingly into each other's eyes.
Just then, the Guild's very own Lucy Heartfilia wolf-whistled loudly- causing the couple to change colors again- and Gray joked with a laugh, "Get a room, you two!" At this, the rest of the Guild cracked up with snorts and giggles, and the two on the ground quickly got to their feet and sprang apart, though they kept a hand entwined with their partner's at all times.
"Oh, come on, it's nothing that you haven't already seen before." Erza growled with a red face. "I'm sure the Connell's have had at least a few incidents with public displays of affection." She teased, grinning at the young family and giggling when Alzack's face turned red. Bisca just smiled abashedly. "She's right, as usual. Alright people, back off. Nothing to see here. Give the lovebirds some space." She teased back, causing the other couple to go red once again.
End of Chapter 11
God Bless!
Tsunami Storm