AN: Hey everyone! Wow, the favs and follows of this story have DOUBLED since last chapter! *squeals* I LOVE ALL OF YOU! Thank you for all the lovely reviews I've gotten as well, along with your patience for this chapter. I know it's been a while, but hey, what can I say?
You know, I was thinking (scary thing, I know)... Shawn Mendes's song 'Stitches' is PERFECT for Jellal and Erza, as well as 'Dark Horse'. There are some really good Jerza videos on YouTube using those songs. What songs do you guys think fit them?
Now, on with the show! I can't wait to bend Fairy Tail canon to my whims! *rubs hands together like a typical villain* Hee hee hee...
Chapter Three
Erza recovered from her physical wounds easily enough, but it was the emotional wounds that were lingering. The wounds of Jellal's betrayal when they were children was finally healed with the truth of his possession by Ultear, and Sho, Milliana, and Wally's leaving also helped the lingering scars from the Tower of Heaven itself.
But Jellal's final words, as well as the look in his eyes when he saved her and Natsu, seemed to echo in her head, tormenting her. She tried her best to soothe those memories and lay them to rest, but one factor kept that from working completely.
Jellal wasn't dead.
Of course, there was no proof (even though no body was ever found for either Jellal or Ultear), but it was just a gut feeling she had. And those normally tended to be right.
When I find him, she promised herself, clenching one armored-covered hand. When I find Jellal and finally prove whether I was right or wrong, then I can finally heal for good.
Erza went on normal activities: going on jobs, accepting S-Class Quests, eating delectable strawberry cake, and trying to relax when she could. But despite her efforts, the rest of Fairy Tail remained worried for their Titania.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"I'm worried about her," Lucy said.
The rest of Team Natsu were sitting at the bar eating some food while Erza picked a job for them all.
"What do you mean?" Gray asked. Natsu perked up a little, dark eyes narrowing a little.
"Ever since the Tower of Heaven, and what happened with Jellal, she still hasn't recovered. Not completely," Lucy explained. "Maybe we should do something."
Natsu shook his head. "i don't think that'll work, Luce."
"Yeah," Gray said. "Flamebrain's right, for once. Erza hasn't given up hope that Jellal's still alive. And until she's proved right or wrong, the only thing we can do is try to be there for her."
"What d'ya mean, for once?!" Natsu shouted. And with that, Natsu and Gray started another of their brawls, fists and clothes flying every which way. All while they screamed insults at each other like children. Lucy sweatdropped. "And here I thought they were being mature for a change..."
"Enough!" Erza shouted. She rammed the two boys' heads together, reducing them to a quivering mess. And Lucy just shook her head at the insanity of her team as Erza lectured the two.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Then came the next big hurtle for Fairy Tail. And that obstacle was one word.
Laxus.
Grandson of Master Makarov, Laxus had been angry at how things had been going for the guild for a while now, until finally his anger snapped. He made each guild member fight each other after having one of the Thunder Legion, Evergreen, turn some of the girls to stone, including Erza, Lucy, and Levy. Erza, of course, eventually broke free and defeated Evergreen, releasing the other girls from the curse of stone.
The girls went their separate ways to try to help, while Levy stayed behind to free Natsu and Gajeel from one of Freed's enchantments that trapped them at the guildhall. And once the two dragon slayers were free, the real action began.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Erza and Natsu eventually tracked Laxus's location to Kardia Cathedral, where the Lightning User was battling a dark, cloaked figure.
"It's Mystogan," Erza said. Her fellow S-Class wizard hardly ever showed himself, and the Master was the only one to have seen his face. But in Mystogan's moment of distraction, Laxus destroyed the cloth and hat hiding his features from view.
Erza felt her heart turn to ice.
Shaggy, light-blue hair, gold-green eyes, and a red tattoo above and below his right eye.
"So you're saying Mystogan... is really Jellal?" Natsu asked.
"J-Jellal...you're alive?" Erza stutters, tears gathering in her eyes. Her hands start shaking, but it's more than just shock or relief that the man she loves is standing right there. It's because those eyes she loves so much... hold no love for her. He knows her, but from his eyes, it's like she is only his guildmate. Nothing more.
"Erza, I'm sorry," Mystogan said. He looked away. "I never wanted you to see this. I know of your friend Jellal, but... I'm not him."
Erza stumbles back a few steps. He's... not Jellal? But why does he look so much like him? Like his twin? Why did Mystogan hide this from everyone?
"I must be going. There's nothing more I can do now, so the rest... is up to you." With that, Mystogan fades away, a little tendril of smoke floating away on the breeze.
A lone tear snakes its way down Erza's cheek.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Once all of them are recovered from that ordeal, there is a short period of relative peace and calmness. Erza goes on, trying her hardest to act natural, but in the back of her head and heart, the mystery of Mystogan and the chance of Jellal's survival ate away at her. But still, she tried to not let it affect her overly much. There wasn't much else.
Then, worrisome news. One of the three major Dark Guilds, the Oracion Seis, was becoming a major threat. They were reportedly looking for something, not caring what or who they destroyed while doing so. And because of that, four Light Guilds were assembled in an alliance of their own to combat them. It was Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and the relatively-unknown guild Cait Shelter.
Erza, Gray, Natsu, and Lucy would be heading to the rendezvous spot together, since they were the strongest team Fairy Tail had.
"We can't let the Oracion Seis succeed in whatever they're planning," Erza muttered. "There's no telling how much destruction they could cause!"
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Erza looked around the building. Their group from Fairy Tail, and then there was a group from Blue Pegasus. Led by a troll named Ichiya. Erza punched him clear through the building when he tried to hit on her, calling her, "my sweet honey". Much to the surprise of Lucy and Happy.
"Hands off, Ichiya!" Erza yelled. "There's only one man I love, and YOU'RE NOT HIM!"
"Man!" Ichiya wailed pitifully.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
The time passes in a blur. The groups from Lamia Scale and Cait Shelter. Meeting the Oracion Seis. The magic bomber Christine falling to the ground. The fight. And then that damn snake bite. As soon as her arm became numb, Erza knew. That damn snake is poisonous! Natsu refusing to take her arm off, and then the all-consuming blackness of unconsciousness.
If this is death, will I see you again, Jellal? After all, you said you were...Death's Master.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Wendy was kidnapped. Brain took her. Erza was bitten by Cobra's snake and dying. Wendy was the only one who could save her.
I have to find Wendy!
Not only for her Sky Magic that could heal, but because she was the Sky Dragon Slayer. Natsu needed to talk to her about it!
And finally, they found her. It was a cave, and inside there was some candles and a huge, metal, cross-shaped coffin laying on the floor. The leader of the Oracion Seis, Brain, turned a little and smirked at them, his eyes cold and wicked. Wendy was kneeling, tears streaming down her face and arms shaking. "I'm so sorry!" the Sky Maiden whimpered. "Forgive me!"
But it was the figure in the middle that grabbed Natsu's attention. Light-blue hair, and a purple sleeveless shirt with dark blue cargo pants. Then the man turns, exposing blank, gold-green eyes and a crimson-red tattoo.
"Jellal!"
Yeah, you guys might not like it as much, but this is a necessary chapter. And Jellal's retaking the main character spot next chapter! Squee! I'm not sure when the next chapter'll be here, but probably soon. I've gotten back into my obsession with Fairy Tail, so that's what finally motivated me to get off my butt and update. Hope you guys like it!
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