Hello everybody :) I'm back! :D Sorry for the late update (well, later than I usually do) but I was a occupied with a drawing. As much as I love fanfiction, my drawings will always come first. ;) (The drawing I was working on is in no way related to my fanfiction, but if you're curious the link is on my profile. It should be up soon.) Also, I was kinda having trouble with this chapter. I hope it meets your expectations.
So... the trial! I don't really know how the real trial works, so I'm just gonna make a bunch of stuff up... Hope that's okay with y'all. There will be an OC in here. A few actually, and you will see them again later. So remember 'em. Hope you like! (And after I make my doujinshi of this, you'll see how they look like. :))
Also, I'm thinking of rewriting the first few chapters. Compared to the ones I have now, they are devastatingly short. =.= I mean, come on. Lately I've been writing 3,000 to 6,000 word chapters but chapter 2 is like, 900 words. =.=
And another quick thank you to my constant reviewers. :) You guys are totally the best! :D
Not much else to say so... Enjoy chapter 10!
Lucy hummed as they rode the train back to Magnolia. The mission had went by smoothly, ending with a very grateful client who paid an extra 50,000 jewels.
"How... can you be... so happy...? " Natsu groaned. "I'm... dying... Urp!"
She sighed. As always, transportation made him next to useless. "Sit next to me then." She scooted closer to the window and patted the seat next to her.
He eyed her warily. "You're... not gonna... knock me out... are you?..."
Lucy huffed in response. "Who do you think I am, Erza?"
Natsu slowly got up and did as she asked, and rested his head on her lap. "You smell nice." He muttered.
Lucy's face flushed in response, and she bopped him on the head. "Don't say stuff like that!"
Across from them, Happy looked at them with a troll face, and giggled "He liiiiiiikes you."
"Shut up cat!" She growled, still aware of her heated cheeks.
The three of them rode the train all the way back to Magnolia, Lucy glaring at the cat the whole time and Natsu calmly resting in her lap. Lucy had done wonders for him. Though she didn't provide as much relief as Troia did, at most, Natsu could only say he was uncomfortable.
The second the train stopped, Natsu shot up and sped of the train, screaming 'I'm hooooooooome!'
"We're not even at the guild yet!" Lucy shouted after him. "And I don't even get a 'thank you'..." She muttered angrily before stomping after him.
"You liiiiiiiiiiike him."
Lucy glared at him again. "Shut up cat!"
"You're going to get wrinkles like an old lady, making that face all the-"
Lucy screeched, and immediately picked up the cat by his cheeks, pulling the blue masses apart and turning his annoying words into incomprehensible mumbling. "You stay quiet until we get to the guild, or I get Virgo to bury you!"
"Give me fish."
Disgusted, Lucy dropped him into the ground where he landed on two of his paws. "Ugh, fine. Later."
A middle-aged man walked into the large room, welcomed by the sight of a child playing by herself on the floor. He sighed. She was so carefree... But going through so much...
"Celestia... Are you aware that there is an important trial today?"
The young girl looked up, previously occupied by the new toy Doranbolt had given her. "Yeah! But I'm bored!"
The butler sighed. "Well, I suppose if you are prepared for it, there is no need for concern." He walked over to her and kneeled, holding out his hand. "I'm here to inspect your bracelet. Please show me."
The girl pouted, but did as he asked. The silver bracelet's light flashed in response, signaling it was undamaged. He nodded, and released her. "Thank you, Celestia. I will come back for you in an hour. And..." He let his voice trail to a mere whisper, and leaned down. "How are you... feeling?"
Many would say he was being ridiculously vague, but the little Teller Mage understood. "I'm seeing a lot of things... I don't know if they already happened or if they're supposed to happen later on... If they ever will happen..." She looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear, her lip quivering. "I'm scared Mearann. I see scary things and I don't know what to do!"
She sobbed, and jumped into his lap. The butler stroked her hair, on the verge of crying himself. She was an unbelievably sweet girl. For her to go through something like this so young... It was cruel.
At this point, he was extremely concerned. Lately, Celestia had gone through strange spells of... madness. What else could he call them?
Her eyes would go blank, and she would start yammering all this gibberish nonsense. At first, her words came out excited, but they slowly turned fearful, and she would pass out, waking up with memory of it.
But she knew when they happened. She would wake up in cold sweat, her butler cradling her in his arms with tears streaming down his face. This scared her to no end, which was understandable. A five year-old girl, seeing terrifying things repeatedly, and waking up not remembering what it was but knowing that it scared her.
Luckily, such spells had only occurred when he was alone with her, but it was only a matter of time before someone else finds out. He wouldn't even be surprised if the council knew already, and was just keeping quiet.
But she always recovered from them quickly, turning back to her usual, sweet, mischievous self in almost no time at all, another thing the butler was grateful for.
"It'll be okay Cels." He said comfortingly, using the nickname he was forbidden from using by the council. After all, one with powers such as her shouldn't be treated in that manner by a mere butler. It would be seen as disrespectful.
But she needed this right now. And though she may have powerful magic, she was still a child. A child in need of comfort.
His heart nearly broke in two when she looked up again, her tears drying up but her voice still shaky. "Really?"
"Of course!" He let go off her, and wiped the salty fluid off her cheeks. "Why don't you play with your toy until I come back? I bet it will make Doranbolt happy."
She gave a huge grin, and said "Okay Mearann!" She immediately turned back to the toy and picked it up with both hands, waving it around happily.
The butler smiled sadly as he saw the girl playing, then left, softly closing the door behind him.
She needs help. He thought grimly.
"Lucy!" The said mage jumped at Erza's commanding tone, then began to freak out as the scarlet-haired woman began stomping over to her.
"H-hi Erza..." She felt her eyes grow wider. No way she could be mad at her seconds upon return!
"I'm so glad you made it!" Lucy let out a strangled cry as her head slammed into her armor. Hard... "I was afraid you two wouldn't come in time!"
Lucy pulled away from her friend's painful embrace. 'Us two...?' She glanced over to see Natsu with a bump in his forehead, most likely similar to hers.
She turned back to Erza, who was smiling nervously. "What is it that we're in time for?"
"You fool!" Lucy cried out as Erza angrily slapped her on the head. "I explained the situation to the entire guild last week! Were you not listening?!"
"Erza, they had already left for their mission when you adressed us." Mirajane brightly chirped from behind the bar.
"Oh... I see..." She turned her head away in shame, and choked out "Forgive me, I jumped to conclusions. Please hit me!"
Lucy put her hands in the air, trying to reassure her friend. "I-it's okay Erza-"
Erza suddenly took a step back and cut her off, saying "Never mind. You may hit me later. But we have more important matters to attend to at the moment."
Lucy sweat dropped. "Oh... okay?"
Erza looked at her strangely. "Do not sound so disappointed. You already have my word."
Her jaw hit the floor. "I'm not-"
Lucy had a sudden urge to slam her head into the table when Erza immediately started explaining. "In an hour, the Council will hold a trial to decide Jellal's innocence." Her eyes lit up. "If he is found innocent, he could join Fairy Tail!"
"Really?! That's amazing!" Lucy smiled, knowing that Erza had feelings for the blue-haired mage (though she didn't realize it herself), and that him joining the guild would make her very happy.
But she couldn't help but be nervous. "And what will happen if... he is found guilty?"
Erza's eyes hardened. "He will be executed on the spot."
The two stood in awkward silence, neither meeting the other's gaze.
"Th-that is nothing to worry about!" Erza declared, her voice only slightly wavering. "We have much evidence to prove his innocence, and a Teller Mage to verify them."
"Teller Mage?" Lucy was sure she heard that somewhere before, but couldn't put her finger on it.
"A mage that tells the truth." Erza said impatiently. She gave Lucy a stern look, warning her not to interrupt again. The blonde pressed her lips together, understanding. "During the Tower of Heaven, he was being manipulated by Zeref. That will be evidence that proves his actions were not willing. Also," She gestured towards the back room. "Blue Pegasus is helping us as well. Hibiki's Archive magic was a great asset to us in searching up the names of the Dark Guilds Crime Sorciere eliminated the past couple years. The number of them is astonishing." She added. "And the Teller Mage will verify all of our evidence. As long as we have no false information, we have a very good chance of succeeding."
Lucy wanted to know more about this Teller Mage, but she knew better than to ask now. It just wasn't a good time. "What about Meredy and Ultear?"
"If the time comes to it, they will be tried as well."
"Wow... So that's in an hour?"
She nodded. "There's nothing left to do but wait."
"Ah... I see..." Lucy suddenly clapped her hands together, remember something else she was looking forward to this week. "Erza! Have you seen Levy?! I really need to talk to her."
"She's at the dorm. She said she will meet us at the court in an hour." She glanced at the clock. "Well, more like half now." She turned around, and shouted to Makarov "Master! Shall we get going?"
He nodded, then shouted to the guild "Alright brats! We better get movin'!"
The guild cheered in response, and those who were going got up, and gathered near the master. They consisted mainly of the members whom Ultear aided in getting their second origin.
"I'm fired up!" Natsu shouted ecstatically.
"Tch. It's just a trial." Gray shot back.
"I hope you're not fighting." Erza said menacingly.
The two immediately went under each others arms, and Gray squeaked "N-no Erza, we're the best of friends!"
"Aye!"
"That's good." Erza said, nodding in approval. "Friends do fight every now and then, but I'd much rather see you two get along." She turned away from them, and the two shot death-glares at each other.
"Natsu!" Makarov boomed. "Destroy anything, and you will answer to me!"
"A-aye..."
"Okay children! To headquarters!"
"YEAH!"
"Jellal Fernandez."
Jellal looked up, and saw a man peering down at him, and disgusted look in his face. "It is time for your trial." He said coldly. "We will now remove you from the prison. I have orders to electrocute you if you try to resist."
He merely bowed his head in response, and the man tsked and looked away.
Jellal made no move as they led him to the courtroom, and seated him at a table, metal bracelets still on his wrists. "Your supporting party will arrive soon. You may speak to them."
"Understood." He replied quietly.
Fairy Tail must want to help me. Jellal thought. I hope they don't get in trouble...
Jellal sat quietly as he waited for them to show up. One by one, jury members filed into the room. The council members sat at the highest seats, and the judge glared at him from the top. He was not expecting, however, a a young child to come in. She wore a dark, purple dress and a short black cloak with a hood, though it was currently down, revealing her face. She had long, wavy brown hair that reached the back of her knees, large amber eyes, and was holding a doll of some sort. She looked at him curiously, and he smiled back. His expression soon turned to horror as he spied a metal bracelet like his own in her tiny wrist.
She is only a child... He seethed. Why on Earthland would she need that?
"Jellal!" Jellal turned around to see a familiar, red-haired mage running towards him, accompanied by what seemed to be the whole guild.
His jaw dropped. "E-Erza?..."
She smiled warmly. "Yes. Fairy Tail is on your side."
Jellal shook his head. "But if I lose this trial, you'll all get in trouble."
"Don't talk like that Jellal!" Natsu retorted loudly. "We're getting you out of here, one way or another!" At the last comment, the expressions of the Fairy Tail mages turned horrified, and the council members and jury cast them suspicious glances.
Erza quickly slammed Natsu's head into the table, and a large crack ran through the dark wood, promptly knocking him out. "Silence! You fool!" She hissed, not caring that he didn't hear her.
"Stupid fire-freak..." Gray muttered. Lucy merely gaped at the Dragon Slayer, frozen in place.
The Requip Mage then turned back to Jellal, and whispered "He's right, you know. Should you lose- and you will not!- we are in trouble anyway. We may as well take you with us."
"But-"
"Sssh." She put an armored finger to his lip, shocking him. "You will live."
She removed her finger, and Jellal turned away blushing. Her finger was cold, but he had never felt so hot in his life.
Erza then turned to Makarov, who was staring intently at a young girl. "Master, has this Teller Mage arrived yet? Is she anywhere in the room? I would like to meet her."
Makarov pointed at the child, and Erza's eyes widened. "Her?! But she can't be a day over seven!" She distinctly remembered her master describing her as a 'young woman'.
"I'm surprised as well. But why else would a child such as she be in the court?"
I was told she was young... but not a woman. He thought silently to himself. I had only assumed that because of their frequent, on-the-spot executions... Would they really let a child sit back and watch that? He looked up at the ceiling, a wistful expression on his withered face. How the council has sunk these past few years...
"She has an electrocution bracelet on." Jellal said bitterly.
"WHAT?!" The two roared. Dammit, they really have sunk!
"How cruel..." Erza's eyes were fogged with anger, and she glared at the council members.
Makarov scowled fiercely at the figures high above them. "What is the meaning of this?! Council?!"
"We know she can tell truths, but she is just as capable of telling lies." A low voice rumbled. "If she lies, the bracelet will give her a small shock- just enough to force a reaction from her that we will notice. Please do not fret, she would not be harmed." The man then gave Celestia a faint smile, who was oblivious to their conversation. "So far, the child has proved trustworthy. One day, when we feel she deserves the respect and courtesy, we will remove the bracelet."
The two mages relaxed, though they were far from happy.
"Lu-chan!"
Lucy smiled as Levy ran up to them, breathless and slightly sweaty. "Hi Levy!"
The script mage leaned in close, and said excitedly "I finished Lu-chan! I've translated everything!"
"That's great!" Lucy clapped her hands. "Show me after, okay?"
Levy nodded, and the two seated themselves among their guild members.
Oh... Is that her? She thought as she spotted Celestia, playing with her doll. But she's so young! She wriggled into her seat to get more comfortable, interlacing her fingers.
Nope, doesn't feel the same. Lucy thought, pulling apart her hands and resting them on her lap, referring to the one night she had done that with Natsu.
She blinked. Where did that come from? Turning her attention back to the Teller Mage, she thought I should go talk to her after... She didn't know why, but she felt like she had to talk with her. Like if she did, she would tell her something important.
The feeling unsettled her, and she hoped speaking to the little girl would erase them.
"Are we all here?" A loud voice boomed from the highest seat. When no one replied, he slammed his gavel onto the table and shouted "Then let the trial commence!"
"There's a lot of people here for him." Celestia commented to Mearann.
The butler smiled in response. "Indeed. So what do you make of him?"
"...I think he looks nice. He'd have to be, or not so many people would come to help him." She paused, then added "And he was worried me." She remembered him looking at the bracelet in anger, and the venom in his voice as he told the others.
She secretly hoped he would win. He really did seem like a good person.
He then turned to a woman below him, and asked "Please state the charges."
She cleared her throat, and stood up, holding a paper in her gloved hands. "Jellal Fernandez is accused of the following: Treason, Conspiracy, Aiding and Abetting, Disturbing the Peace, and Murder." Jellal flinched. Boy, did he make a mess of himself.
"He was being controlled by Zeref!" Erza shouted, standing up. Her guild members looked at her, surprised by her sudden outburst. It wasn't like her.
"Silence!" He slammed his gavel onto the table, and yelled "I sentence him to execution!"
"WHAT?!"
Celestia blinked. "Already?"
A person near him quickly leaned over, and whispered something in his ear. The judge scowled in response, and said through clenched teeth "According to the law, both sides must first give their statements before the defendant is sentenced."
"Damn straight..." Gray muttered.
The judge gave a heavy sigh, and looked to the group of people against Jellal. "Please do the honor of speaking first."
A man with glasses stood up and began addressing the crowd. "Your Honor and the jury, this man has committed many crimes in his lifetime. Though they were long ago, they will never be forgotten. Jellal Fernandez infiltrated the council, and talked them into firing an extremely dangerous weapon that took innocent lives." There were collective gasps throughout the crowd, and he continued. "And very recently..." He jerked his thumb at Erza, and spat "He seduced this beautiful young woman into hiding him from the council!"
"He did no such thing!" Makarov roared.
"How else would a beauty like her be seen with trash like him?!" The man shot back. Jellal did a face-palm, and mages in Fairy Tail smirked. Erza's face darkened considerably.
"May I ask what's so funny?" The judge asked the guild in a bored tone.
"This guy is obviously jealous of Jellal!" Someone hollered.
"Jellal is 10 times better than you'll ever be!" Lucy hissed furiously, surprising her friends. "Just because you're jealous doesn't give you the right to-"
"I am not jealous!"
Lucy stood up, and screeched "YOU SHUT THE HELL UP AND LISTEN TO ME, YOU LITTLE-"
The judge immediately pounded the table with his gavel, and yelled "Silence! Let them finish."
Natsu flinched at his partner's harsh words. Lucy rarely swore like that, so he had a feeling that she was pretty pissed.
This guy pisses me off for some reason... Lucy angrily thought to herself as she sat back down.
The judge sighed, and said "Continue. And be sure it doesn't reflect your feelings this time."
There were several laughs among the crowd. Even Celestia giggled.
The man gritted his teeth. "I have nothing else to say."
"Good." The judge slammed his gavel once more and shouted "Jellal Fernandez is hereby sentenced to execution!"
"WHAT?!"
A vein popped on Erza's forehead as she watched the scenario repeat itself again. This man did not know how to do his job, and people like that were a simply a waste of time.
"Very well. Fairy Tail, present your evidence to prove his innocence."
Erza stood up, and began speaking. "Your Honor and the jury, Jellal was not himself at the time he infiltrated the council. He was forcibly being controlled by Zeref, the most evil mage to walk upon this land."
Celestia cocked her head. Zeref? It sounded awful familiar to her. She didn't like the sound of it, the way the name lingered in her mind before slipping away. It felt... scary.
"Then why is he still alive?" A random voice shouted from the crowd.
"We do not know." She admitted. "But some of our members have seen him directly, so we know for sure he still lives." There were several more gasps, as they tried to register the new information. The thought of him still alive frightened them terribly.
The judge leaned back, and muttered loudly "Well, that's new." He turned to Celestia, who was quietly observing the whole time. "Celestia! Verify that, would you?"
She turned to her butler. "What does verify mean again?" She asked in her small, childish voice.
She inwardly grinned. Of course she knew what it meant, but messing with people was, oh, so fun.
The judge did a face-palm, and Mearann hurriedly explained. She nodded, and said "Ver-ey-fy what?" purposely dragging out the word.
Next to her, Mearann smiled. He was used to her little pranks, and always found them amusing.
The judge sighed heavily. "Everything on behalf of Fairy Tail. Especially the Zeref part."
She blinked. "It's the truth Mister. That man," She pointed at Jellal. "Something scary was inside him. It made him do things he didn't want to. And that guy, with the funny hair-" she pointed to Natsu, who protested 'Hey!' (He had woken up some time ago.) "He saw the scary thing. But he looks like a person." She cocked her head confusedly as she peered further into his thoughts. She thought he would look... scarier, but he wasn't at all, though his name still gave her goosebumps. "The person looks sad though."
"TMI girly." He turned back to Erza. "Anything else?"
"The charges. Treason, Conspiracy, Disturbing the Peace, and Murder... those were all the fault of Zeref."
"Celestia?"
"They're not lying." She said absentmindedly.
"As for Aiding and Abetting... I assume you are refering to last night?" The woman whom stated the charges nodded. "I asked Jellal to the festival of my own free will. We were neither Aiding nor Abetting... we just wanted to enjoy each other's company."
A few sighs came from the crowd, directed toward the young, bright-haired couple, and the judge asked "Celestia?"
"They're not lying." She chirped.
"They're sure an honest bunch." Lahar commented to Doranbolt.
"That they are." He replied absently, his gaze fixed on Wendy. She looks the same as she did 7 years ago. He thought to himself smiling.
"All right." He glanced back at Erza. "I suppose you aren't finished yet?"
She shook her head. "Also, Jellal has helped us many times." She looked straight up at the council, and said with conviction "You as well."
"Us?" Gran Doma grumbled. "Explain child."
"Are you not aware of the missing Dark Guilds?" She gestured towards Jellal. "That was his doing, along with two other mages."
"Please name the guilds." The judge said. "Celestia, pay close attention and tell us if they're lying immediately."
She nodded, and Erza started listing the names. "Ebony Wolf. Stone Wall. Night Crow. Black Fauna..." She continued, and various gasps rose from the crowd as she stated the names, for many of those Dark Guilds were known to be quite formidable.
Also, the sheer number of it amazed them. For three mages to take on a whole guild, much less dozens, was highly unlikely. They repeatedly glanced at Celestia, who listened intently, but never made so much as a peep.
"...and Spirit Hunter." She finished. "That is all we know of."
"That's all of them." Jellal commented. Erza nodded in response.
"...Celestia?"
"Wow! So many!" She gasped, her eyes wide and glittering in awe. She may not know much, but she knew that you had to be very strong to defeat so many guilds.
"Are they lying or not?!" The judge snapped.
She shook her head. "They're not."
The judge shook his head in disbelief, but seeing no shock-induced reactions from the little girl, he took her word for it. "And who are those other two mages?"
"Meredy and Ultear Milkovich, ex-members of Grimoire Heart."
"Conspiracy!" Someone yelled.
"The three did not commit any crimes as a group- other than breaking Jellal out of jail- therefore, there was no 'Conspiracy'" She look back at the Council members, who seemed almost dazed. "This was of help to you, wasn't it? Jellal has spent the last few years trying to atone for his sins. He is innocent!"
"...Girl?"
"They're telling the truth." Celestia said.
Various murmurs ran throughout the crowd, and there were, in fact, some positive comments.
"And, he helped us eliminate Oracion Seis, a rather large threat to you at the time. Without Jellal, there was a very good chance that we wouldn't have succeeded."
"Indeed, you have done a good job in dealing with them." One of the council members commented. "Though Fairy Tail tends to cause a lot of trouble, they are a kind, honest, and reliable group. If you say you could not have done it without this young man's help, then that it good enough for me. I vote him innocent!"
The guild brightened up at the comment, and looked around anxiously for more votes.
"He has been of help to us." Gran Doma agreed. "But he has still broken the law, and has not payed the price for it."
Someone from Fairy Tail shouted "His sentence was life-long imprisonment!" but the council member ignored it and continued.
"I vote another 10 years of prison before release." He finished.
Jellal reared back. Those years in prison were awful. Watching, waiting, for nothing. Can he really stand another 10?
"He deceived us all!" Someone shouted. "I could never forgive him for that! I vote execution!"
"No!" Erza cried. And, much to her dismay, a few more people voiced their agreement. The votes were now 4 to 1 against Jellal, including Gran Doma's.
6 more members left to vote, but the Master will surely support us. Erza quickly thought. Plus the jury... but a unanimous decision only counts as one vote, though I doubt they will reach one.
Sure enough, Makarov voted for Jellal, his voice loud and clear. 4 to 2.
The judge turned to the jury. "Have you reached your verdict?"
"We have not." Someone replied.
"Ah... A hung jury... Your vote shall not count." He looked to the remaining council members, who were deep in thought. "Anyone else?"
"I vote for his innocence. Many of those Dark Guilds listed were a threat to the citizens, and it is a relief to have them off our backs."
"I agree as well. Who can break away from Zeref's control? It is obvious that he was truly a good person."
"He tricked us into firing Etherion!" Someone argued.
"It was not of his own will!" Someone else shouted back.
The Council members shouted back and forth, some for Jellal, some against. A few merely sat quietly, observing the scenario. It was long and tedious, and the mages of Fairy Tail were very nervous. Celestia watched them intently, waiting for their decision. She hoped the blue-haired man wouldn't get hurt though. He seemed nice.
Suddenly, the judge slammed his gavel, and shouted "That is enough! We shall now vote! All who are in favor of release, please raise your hands!"
Four hands answered.
"All those who are in favor of execution?"
Six.
"That's bull!" Gray and Natsu shouted.
"But... he's changed... why?" Wendy whimpered. Though she knew that this was not her Jellal, she still knew that this Jellal was a good person. He saved Natu's life. Lucy squeezed her shoulder comfortingly, but tears were welling up in the blonde mage's eyes.
What? Why?! Celestia thought to herself. Everything they said was true! And so many people care about him! And that woman... She glanced at Erza, who was trembling, and her eyes downcast. Sadness and anger rolled off her in immense waves, and the sheer force of it caused tears of her own to appear. Her heart... is breaking...
The young girl watched in horror as they dragged the man over in front of the council, and forced him to his knees. They then backed away considerably, anticipating the form of his killer.
"I'm sorry... Erza..."
"Jellal!" Erza screamed.
No one who is loved by so many people can be evil! She didn't want him to be killed. He didn't deserve it!
On pure instinct, she clasped her hands together and gathered her magic power, focusing it on the people around her.
Erza requipped, and rushed forward, accompanied by Gray and Natsu. The others, not being nearly as fast as them stood up abruptly, preparing to fight. Time seemed to stop as one of the council members raised his hand, ready to give the bracelet the signal to electrocute him to death.
"Erza!"
"NO!' She screamed.
"Mind Alteration." Her eyes glowed, and her magic reached its climax as she released. It swelled in the air, casting a golden glow. Erza, sensing that something bad would happen if she did not get back to her original position right away, quickly changed back to her original armor and forcefully yanked Natsu and Gray back to their seats. She hissed at the others to sit back down, and they hesitantly complied.
"Erza?! What the heck is happening?!" Gray asked in a rushed tone.
"Wait, I think the girl is helping us."
Suddenly, the room stopped glowing and Celestia rested her hands in her lap, nodding off from the sudden depletion of magic power. She looked through droopy eyes as the judge blinked, then shouted "Jellal Fernandez is innocent! He is released from all charges against him."
"WHAT?!" Natsu was lost.
"But didn't they just say-"
"Thank you, Your Honor." Erza said, cutting Jellal off.
"Don't mention it." The judge huffed, then turned to Jellal, who was still on his knees, dumbfounded. "But do a favor and get a Dark Guild off their backs every now and then? I'd rather not have to go through this again."
"Er... Right."
Sudden realization hit him as he remembered something. "Wait, what about my guildmates?!"
"Guildmates?"
"Conspiracy!"
"Shut the hell up!"
"The two other mages Erza mentioned. They're the ones who broke me out, and helped me eradicate the Dark Guilds. Is there any chance-"
"Celestia?"
"The truth." She said sleepily.
"Innocent." The judge declared. In all honesty, going through this again simply sounded painful, but no one disagreed.
He sighed in relief. "Thank you."
The judge nodded, and signaled to one of the Council members. The mage nodded in return, and flicked his wrist. Jellal's bracelets fell to the floor with a clatter, and he flexed his wrists, relieved that those damn things were off him. He then bowed to the Council, and said "Thank you very much!"
"Thank Fairy Tail." They replied absently.
The blue-haired mage turned around, and bowed in the same manner. "Thank you very much! Words can never express our gratitude."
"Rise, child." Makarov grumbled with a smile. Jellal did as he asked. "Come home with us. And don't forget to bring those cuties with you."
"Uh.. right..."
"Master!" Erza scolded.
"You!" The man who spoke against Jellal glared at them fiercely. "You better stay away from her, or I'll-"
Erza quickly requipped, and had his neck at a sword point in an instant. "Or you'll do what?" Her eyes were cloudy, and the man trembled in fear.
"M-monster!" He screamed, tripping and fumbling as he ran away.
"Where?!" Natsu shot up, who had finally come to. "What happened? What monster?" He roared into the ceiling, spewing flames from his mouth. "I'm all fired up!"
"The building!" Someone shouted.
"Natsu! Are you trying to make the council hate me?!" Makarov screamed.
"Shut up Natsu!" Still equipped in her armor, she slammed him into the floor, and a large crack ran through it on impact.
"The floor!"
"Erza!"
"I apologize! Please hit me!"
"You better pay for that!" Gran Doma scowled.
Aw, shit. We're still broke from repairing the guild. Makarov thought. "Run brats!" He screamed.
"MAKAROV!"
"We'll pay for it later!" He hollered back. "Just send the bill!"
The guild rushed out of the building, laughing at the usual excitement.
"Erza, what is this?!" Jellal asked as he ran through the halls, the council's soldiers on their tails.
"Do not worry, it's normal for us."
"But... but..."
Erza laughed, and Jellal sweat-dropped as he realized she was dragging Natsu along, his limp body flailing in the air comically. Gray said from behind him "Wreak havoc and run! It's the Fairy Tail way!"
"I wanna go hoooooooooome!" Lucy wailed.
"Ultear! Ultear!" The black-haired woman glanced at Meredy, as she rushed up to her.
"What is it Meredy?"
"Jellal!" She said excitedly, bouncing on her toes. "They said he's innocent! Us too!"
Ultear gaped at her, truly shocked. "Us too?"
She nodded. "They said we could all join Fairy Tail!" Meredy grabbed her hands and started asking her "Can we?! Pleasepleaseplease?!"
Ultear smiled in response. "If Jellal joins, we'll join."
"Yay!" She squealed. "Let's go wait at the guild and surprise them!"
"Why not?" Meredy squealed again and began rushing toward the guild, spinning and skipping as she went along, with Ultear closely following.
Lucy staggered to the entrance of the building, purely exhausted. The idiots had left her behind!
Oh, that's right... Gotta find the little girl... She thought to herself tiredly. Thank her too... She was certain that golden glow and the sudden change of hearts back there was her doing. But the magic power in it was immense. She still found it hard to believe that it came from her.
As if on cue, the Teller Mage appeared before her. But something seemed wrong. Her eyes were blank, and a strange, misty gray. Weren't they brown before? Cautiously, Lucy raised her hand in greeting, and stuttered "H-hi... Could you tell me-"
"There will be a dragon." Celestia said, cutting her off. The little girl's voice sounded strange. As blank and emotionless as her eyes. "It will take him away."
"Wait, what?" Lucy was lost. "What dragon? Who's him?"
"He will fight a different dragon. Two others will be by his side." She continued.
Suddenly, the girl look panicked, but she went on. "One will be left. And it won't be him."
"He will die! HE WILL DIE!" She screeched, her voice filling the massive hall.
Lucy was still unsure, but there was something behind her words that shivered her to the core. Something dark, and it terrified her greatly. "W-what?..." She whispered. She had to know. She had to know who 'him' was.
Just then, the girl collapsed, her small form hitting the floor almost inaudibly. Lucy screamed, and rushed over to her. She wasn't dead right?! No way she could be dead!
"Wait! Wait!" Lucy jerked her head up to see a man rush over to them, his face pale. "I... I'll take care of her." He knelt on one knee and picked her up, carefully cradling her in his arms. He slowly began walking away, leaving Lucy behind.
"Wait!" She stood up, her knees covered in dust. "What happened? Will she be alright? I could-"
"NO! No! You mustn't tell anyone!" He turned to face her, fear and concern mixed in his eyes, but concern overlapped the other completely.
At Lucy's shocked expression, he took a couple of shaky breaths and said "No... thank you... She will be alright..." He looked mournfully at her, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. "Just please... don't tell anyone..."
Lucy slowly nodded, and said softly "I understand. But please, if you ever need anything come to my guild."
The man half-heartedly nodded, and said "Thank you."
He slowly walked away, his footsteps fading into the walls.
My longest chapter yet... I seriously need to be more consistent with my chapter lengths...
I had originally planned a little something else after, but after that scene, it just seemed wrong. So I will put it in next chapter.
Jellal is going to Fairy Tail! :) And 'him'... As much as I love you all, no clues! Wonder what will happen next as I sit here wondering what will happen next as well... xD I'm such a horrible author, not planning out my stories.
PI had fun making the names for the Dark Guilds. Especially Ebony Wolf. C: It sounds cool.
I hope you liked this chapter, I will be back another soon! :D Thanks for reading! As always, reviews are much appreciated~ ;)