RedHood001: Thanks, I actually couldn't have said that better myself. I wanted to try writing a job which would end...well differently from the norm.
It's funny that you mention a break. That's something I've had in mind too-there's only a short one here. I'm going to use Akane Resort here but not just yet. I had plans for a real break for them before...but they comes after this arc. I think the reasons why are going to become clear soon.
Riku smiled to himself as he finished tending to the garden. This had really started out as a shot but it had truly succeeded with flying colors. It may have only been something he'd intended to help Belle with at first given her love of fruit but it was paying more dividends than anyone would've thought. He knew Belle would agree that it was something that had become dear to them as well.
A few days had passed since the job he and the team had taken with Cana and Mystogan, learning about what happened to Relena and all that surrounded the situation was...less than pleasant. None of them really felt like doing much work after that so they had opted to take it easy for the time being.
The teen lay a hand on the ground, sending a pulse of earth magic forth. All he could sense told him that everything was fine and the garden was in excellent condition. It was odd...earth magic was an ability he discovered in recent years but he had absolutely no idea how he came to learn it. There was something comforting about that power though. For the life of him, Riku couldn't be sure why...
''Hey!''
He blinked and turned back, seeing Belle fly over ''I called you a couple of times but you didn't even look-you must've really been spacing out.''
'Yeah...' Riku glanced back at the garden as she landed on his shoulder.
''What's up?''
'Just thinking...I wanted to learn, well...re-learn earth magic, I guess...' Riku amended. '...because something about it felt really good but it's been this long since I started remembering it and I still don't know why. The reason has to be an important, right?'
Belle could see where he was coming from. If those good feelings stayed then there surely had there had to be good cause. He was more than likely bothered about not being able to remember what this cause even was to begin with. ''I think it's just one of those things you'll have to give time. I don't think you forgot about it...not completely. You even remember a couple of the stuff that your teacher mentioned, remember? It even helped when we were training...so you shouldn't feel bad. It just can't be helped-but I'm sure it'll come back to you someday.''
Riku half-smiled, patting her head 'Thanks, I hope you're right...'
Later, at the guild...
A young woman with long tan hair and teal colored eyes wrote something on a clipboard as a couple of men hauled another box towards Fairy Tail's storage. She turned to look at Mira ''That should be the end of it, Mira-chan.''
''Thank you, Alice-san.''
The woman was a long time friend of many in Fairy Tail. She was also the one in charge of all the delivery service in Aaron and Sarah's store, having returned from a three week stay in Hargeon.
Aaron and Sarah had been making an effort to expland their business and were almost set to open a seperate branch with a lot of help from Alice-thus she was now ensuring that Fairy Tail would receive all items they had requested.
''So business must be doing excellently. The branch in Hargeon's going to open soon right?'' Mira clarified.
Alice smiled ''Yeah, it's great news. I can't believe they left overseeing all of that to me...''
''Well, why not? You did whip the workers into shape-you were the one who made sure they would actually put in real effort. We thought it'd be a year till that other store would open but look how much of a difference you made.'' Mira beamed.
She was used to this, Alice was always a kind if very modest woman. Mira knew part of her behavior came from how she came to settle in Magnolia. She had it rough but she truly did an admirable job of pulling through for her family's sake.
Looking back, the reason they came to know her when they had was...
''Big bro!'' A pair of voices called.
Mira and Alice shared amused looks, seeing a pair of young girls with black hair and teal eyes. Both were about 10 years old, having been playing nearby. But they dropped everything and ran to a newly arrived Riku.
The dark dragon slayer smiled warmly at the duo, who hugged him, beaming. They were Alice's twins, Rosalie and Jasmine, or Rosie and Jaz to their friends. The two had quickly hit off with Fairy Tail, growing to like the rambunctious guild and its members. But there was no question that Riku was the one they were the closest to.
Alice smiled warmly as she watched her daughters greet the teen. Their interactions were always so adorable and it was little wonder they had grown so attached to Riku. The boy had done so much for them in so little time, changing their lives for the better without even knowing it...
Cana was showing Lucy, at the blonde's request, how she did her fortune telling...
''That's interesting...'' The celestial mage tilted her head a bit. ''...I saw some fortune tellers back when I started traveling but it's sure different with magic. How do you know it's accurate? I mean, can you?''
''Well, it's mostly a matter of faith to me.'' Cana admitted. ''I was a hell of a lot more unsure back when I first started out but...it was important to me so I decided I had to at least try learning. I thought it'd help for sure.''
The brunette faltered, realizing she'd said too much. As expected, Lucy proceeded to ask ''Oh yeah? Why?''
''Never mind that...'' She looked uncomfortable. ''...it didn't work out anyway but I did get a lot out of use of it in the end-even if it was in ways I never saw coming. I guess it all workd out in the end.''
Lucy's expression made it clear that she had noticed the attempted at deflection but perhaps the girl realized Cana didn't want to talk so she let it be.
''Whoa, hey girls!''
The two looked curiously at Happy's voice, following the blue cat's line of sight, leading them to notice the twins walking around with Riku. Both paused to greet the cat, looking up as Cana walked up over ''Hey Jaz, Rosie!''
''Hi, Cana!''
''Been a while, huh? So I guess your mom's the one running the delivery we just got?'' The card mage grinned.
''Yup!'' Rosie smiled. ''Mama's really going to places. Uncle Aaron said so too!''
Jaz nodded ''Saying in Hargeon was kinda boring but it's okay if we get to help Mama.''
'That's good, I bet she's counting on you a lot.' Riku stated.
''Yeah! You three sure came a long way.'' Levy remarked.
''That's because of Big bro...'' Jaz paused, noticing Lucy. ''...oh hey, you guys have a new member?''
''Yup, that's Lucy. She's part of our team.'' Natsu stated.
The twins shared a look before Jaz carried on ''...Is she the one who summoned that big tidal wave...?''
''...and the one who took down the vulcan with one hit?'' Her sister added.
Lucy groaned ''Not those stupid rumors again...'' She cleared her throat pointedly ''Anyway, like you heard-I'm Lucy. Nice to meet you.''
''Back at you!'' The twins returned.
''So who's this brother you were talking about?'' The curious blonde asked.
''It's Riku.'' Belle offered, making the girl blink and look at the aformentioned teen.
'Well, you see...' He started to explain.
It had all started a short while after Riku and Erza joined Fairy Tail.
The boy had just been helping a few of the others organize the storage when he spotted Jaz poking her head in before quickly retreating. Frowning, the boy decided to get to the bottom of this.
It had taken him long to follow the girl's scent, which was somewhere near the guild...
''...Should we go ahead?''
''I think...would this work...? Didn't they say...?''
''But we have to do something...''
Riku followed the voices to the source, finding the girl along with her twin. ''...So what're you doing there?'' The twins turned to him with a start, wide-eyed. ''You've been poking around Fairy Tail all day. What exactly is going on?''
The girls shared alarmed looks, seeming unnerved at the fact that they were caught. A few of the members had noticed them before but none had tried to approach them and they were too nervous to enter.
Riku exhaled, thinking this over ''...Let's try this again...'' He surprised the girls by kneeling to their eye level. ''...so who are you? I've been wondering for a while but you clearly want something.''
''Y-yeah...'' Rosie returned nervously. ''...I'm Rosalie and that's my sister Jasmine. We...um, we just moved over here with our Mama and we wanted to ask Fairy Tail for help...''
The boy seemed puzzled ''Well, there's no reason you can't just go in. I know they're loud and all but the people are really nice. They'll definitely help.''
''It did look kinda scary...'' Jaz admited. ''...but that's not why. Mama's getting sick...we wanted to help but we don't know how...and we don't have money. Mama says not to worry but we can't just watch...'' She twiddled her thumbs. ''...guilds would want something back for their help, right? That's what we were told.''
''That's usually the case...'' Riku started, noticing them deflate. ''...but it doesn't always depend on the reward. I think they'd understand if you explain your situation-I know a lot of people in the guild would be willing to help.''
''Then can you help us?'' She asked, surprising him as she glanced at his guild mark. ''Please?''
''We really want to make sure Mama would be okay!'' Rosie added. ''S-sorry, we can't give you...''
''Hold on, that's not...'' Riku shook his head. ''...I don't really care about any reward right now. It's just-you sure you want me to help? I haven't even finished any job yet.''
The girls nodded and he exhaled ''...All right then, tell me everything.''
''Mama needed some rare medicine and we had to find a bunch of its ingredients. Big bro helped us the entire way and made sure the medicine was ready.'' Rosie took over the story telling with a grin. ''She was working so hard because she wanted us to find a nice home after we moved here. But the doctor said she almost got really sick because she worked too hard. It's all thanks to Big bro that everything was okay.''
Jaz nodded ''It's because of him that we met Auntie Sarah and Uncle Aaron, we found a whole family here!''
This was said with such earnestness and joy that they couldn't help but smile at her. Lucy beamed, no wonder the girls seemed to adore the dark dragon slayer ''Riku, that's just too sweet!''
He smiled sheepishly for a moment, scratching his cheek. It took her a moment to realize that he was embarrassed 'Well...it just worked out like that...'
''Now, now, no need to be modest. It's just true after all, you're the reason the three of us came this far.'' Alice chimed in as she joined them. She didn't think it'd be an exaggeration to say that Riku was her and her daughters' hero. She decided not to bring this up and avoid embarrassing him further. ''...By the way, I've been wondering but does anyone know what exactly is going on there?''
She pointed at the area near the request board where Natsu and Gray were squabbling once again, both gesturing randomly and looking at the board at one point. Cana snorted ''Oh, that...nothing unusual there. Anyone want to bet those boneheads hardly even bothered to use the break?''
''...Now that's a sucker bet if I ever heard one.'' Elfman replied flatly.
''Aye.'' Happy nodded, knowing the others agreed completely.
Natsu happily grabbed a piece of food and swallowed it up in a single bite. Due to his focus on the food, he missed a certain threat approaching behind him.
Luckily for him, a black gate opened up, taking him away in an instant. Natsu blinked as he was brought before Riku ''Hey, what the heck, man? I was getting some food!''
Riku spared him a dry look before pointing back at the kitchen. Confused, the fire dragon slayer looked over to find Erza glaring at him. Natsu paled, immediately trying to get away.
Makarov rolled his eyes, knowing the redhead was looking to stop him because Mira and a few of others were busy making lunch. ''Spares you right, brat.''
''Why are you guys so scared of her? You always act like you're dealing with a monster.'' Jaz tilted her head.
''That's because she IS a monster!''
''Huh?'' The knight mage's eyes narrowed dangerously, making him freeze.
''...I'm very sorry.''
''Again, think before you open your mouth.'' Alzack sighed.
''Hah, that'll be the day.'' Wakaba snorted.
Gray smirked ''That's for sure...assuming he can actually wait that long, it's not like he has a brain.''
''What?! I'll show you, you naked pervert!''
''Crap!''
''And I'm the idiot?!''
Erik rolled his eyes as the two continued to argue ''And there's your answer, Jaz. They're scared because they're complete morons...and I'm beginning to think they could be masochists too.''
''What do you me...?'' Jaz paused when Riku gently steered towards the others as their argument continued. It wasn't long before Erza stopped them by force, a sight familiar to all of them by now. ''...oh.''
'We're looking at a lost cause.' Riku stated. The two nodded, their expressions similarly deadpan.
Erza huffed, having sensed her friends' eyes on her for a while now ''Would you all stop with those glances? It's not as if I need to be watched so much in the kitchen, do I?!''
''...You want the harsh truth or the nice lie?'' Bisca asked after a moment, making her scowl.
''Ah-ah, don't you start, Erza.'' Alice wagged a finger. ''It's not as if you haven't given us enough reasons for concern before.''
''Th-that's not...''
Lucy rolled her eyes, wishing Erza would knock it off already ''I have to say, I'm surprised, Elfman. You're obviously good at this.''
''Heh, thanks.'' He returned, putting some food on a side. ''I wanted to help my sisters before so I learned...it's useful. If anything, you're the surprising one. I wouldn't have thought you'd know how to cook-what with your family.''
''Well, like you said-it's useful.'' She shrugged. ''The maids and the cook back in my family home taught me a bunch of stuff so I do all right. It's actually kind of fun.''
''That's good.'' Mira smiled at her brother before adding. ''Elfman's so good, he actually helped Gray and Riku learn before.''
''Aww, come on-Nee-chan...I wouldn't say it worked all that well anyway...''
Both girls laughed a bit as Elfman looked bashful, grinning goofily for a moment. ''Besides, I just set things up...you and Sarah-san are the ones who did most of the work.''
''I can't picture a lot of the guys actually stopping to try and cook.'' Lucy admitted.
Mira spared her an amused look ''We couldn't either-some of them who took really well to it like Elfman and Riku. The main problem with letting a few of the others cook would be...erm, well they have rather particular tastes.''
''...Do I want to know?''
''Let's just say Erza's cooking struggles are far from the first we had to deal with.'' Bisca returned.
After hearing a couple of the stories about the knight mage's attempts in the kitchen, Lucy decided that she definitely did not want to know.
Sara watched with a growing smile as Rosie regaled Riku with tales of the weeks they spent in Hargeon while they helped around the store...
'And that guy thought he could steamroll over you three just because he's bigger?'
''Yup. He was acting like a total bully but we showed him.'' Rosie declared proudly. ''We didn't back down at all and Mama totally put him in his place. He didn't want to work with a woman in charge of him or something stupid like that so he just left. Well, I say it's good riddance.''
'Oh, definitely.' Riku agreed. 'It's his own problem-that's no reason to just quit.'
''Totally!''
''I see you're having fun.'' Sara remarked, the two smiled as she joined them.
''Mmhm, we really missed everyone!'' Rosie returned. ''I remember what it was like...those jerks told Mama they wouldn't be her family just because she wouldn't give us up. They were really horrible to her and they're supposed to be her parents...''
''Wait, did she tell you...?'' Sara raised an eye, pausing when the young girl shook her head.
''We saw them. I guess we look like Mama because they started glaring at us-they said a bunch of the stuff they told her. Mama was so mad that she practically threw them out after they told that we weren't wanted and all...'' Rosie trailed off. Sara scowled, disgusted by this behavior. How could anyone say this sort of thing to children?!
Riku was just as angry. No wonder Alice and the twins had hardly said much about their lives before coming to Magnolia. He may have gotten to know them by pure chance but he was definitely glad it happened. The three of them along with Aaron and Sara were like family to him just as much as everyone in Fairy Tail.
His temper cooled upon noticing Rosie's downcast look, guessing that she was thinking back on that day. Deciding he could do something about it, he proceeded to get the girl's attention 'Well, they were wrong. If they won't even entertain the thought of getting to know you then you three are definitely better off without them. Family isn't just defined by blood relations, right, little sis? I mean, look at all of us.'
Rosie perked up ''Yeah!''
''I couldn't agree more.'' They heard Erza say before Riku registered a familiar pair of arms wrap around him. This brought his attention to a newly arrived Jaz, who beamed up at him.
Erza walked over with Alice, having arrived in time to see the last part of that talk. ''They don't see what great people you are so it's their loss.'' Erza carried on. ''You're definitely better off without them. Besides, now you have a good home and an excellent family which will always want you around.''
The twins smiled at her as the others nodded, the sombre mood very much gone now.
A couple of days later, Team Natsu set out on a job. They were joined by Erik and Cubelios this time, heading towards a town not too far from Magnolia...
''Man!'' Natsu stretched his arms up with a grin. ''About time we got movin', you guys were being so boring. At least I tried to do something...''
'I wouldn't go bragging about stuff like picking fights with the vulcans again if I were you.' Riku stated, making him almost stumble out of surprise.
Lucy snickered at the pink haired teen's expression ''What Riku said. I like to think we're a bit more productive than that.''
''Aye Sir. It's just Natsu who thinks fighting those boneheads is good for something.'' Happy deadpanned, aformentioned teen shot them an annoyed look.
The cat blinked as Cubelios hissed at Natsu, looking at Erik then. He explained ''Cubelios is asking why you didn't go on a job or something if you were that bored.''
Natsu made to respond but then Gray spoke up ''Come on, Cubelios, you know this lug. He'll probably just make a mess of everything and not even get paid in the end because he destroyed something or the other.''
''Oi!''
Cubelios thought that over before nodding in assent, making a few of the others laugh. Suffice to say, they could imagine Gray's scenario rather easily...
Natsu scowled at his rival ''Shows what you know, ice prick-I'll do a whole lot better than you ever would!''
''Yeah, you wish...!''
Belle rolled her eyes as Gray retorted angrily ''What's the point of fighting now? You could just point the obvious-that you've been on plenty of jobs before but nothing of the sort happened.''
The fire dragon slayer looked smug at this. A fed up Erza cut in before he could speak up ''Give it a rest. Anyway, we need to focus on our job...''
''Speaking of...'' Erik looked over at her. ''...where'd you find that request again? I don't remember seeing it on the board.''
''Oh, it was delivered to me. It seems the town's chief heard of me so he wants help dealing with this troublesome monster that has been terrorizing them for days.'' Erza stated, no one was surprised given how famous she was.
''Well, it'll be a piece of cake!'' Natsu exclaimed confidently.
But things were not as simple as they appeared...
The confusion started when they couldn't the chief. Things got even stranger when the group was told that the chief had moved away with his family recently and they were in the process of picking a new one. The only truthful part of the request was the monster as it turns out the people were intending on sending a request for help. None of them seemed to have an idea as to who sent this request though. Luckily, they managed to find and defeat it with relative ease.
Erza, who had gotten seperated from her friends before she knew it, went to look for them. She had forced the monster out of the cave it occasionally hid in, knowing the others had finished it off. While no one had any idea just what was going on with this request, Erza was relieved they could at least help the townspeople.
She was just approaching the cave's exit when she noticed it was blocked by a solid translucent barrier. ''What...?''
''Surprised? I didn't want to have any interruptions.''
Erza whirled around at the new voice, finding a young man with messy blue hair and dark green eyes. Though he was smiling, something about it seemed rather...sinister.
Her blood ran cold, this was someone she knew well-or at least she thought she did. ''J-Jellal...?''
''Hello, Erza. It's been quite some time.'' He returned.
Jellal merely looked amused as she glared at him ''Now what's with this look? One would think you weren't happy to see me.''
Erza growled ''Stop fooling around! After all what happened...was this request your doing?! Why do all this-what do you want from me?''
''Well, due to circumstances I did wind up making up some plans on the fly.'' He returned. ''It looked like a good way to get your attention. As for your other two questions, the answer is more or less the same. The time has come, we wanted you to witness our success. The Tower of Heaven is finally complete!''
Erza felt sick, the title bringing up her worst memories. ''You...finished it...?''
''Oh, don't be too surprised. After all, you were such a help over the years.'' Jellal smirked, making her stiffen. ''Even I didn't expect how you handled yourself over the years-you just walked away and never thought of looking back, did you?''
She glowered back ''I had no choice-you traitor! We could've all been free but you ruined everything!''
''Ruined? Oh, don't be absurd. It was the right choice.'' He retorted. ''I suppose even the incentive that was with me was something you chose to ignore though...'' Erza held back a wince. ''...but to think you three have been in the same guild all along. Well, it certainly makes things easier...''
Erza bristled, catching on to his implication ''Leave Riku and Erik alone! I won't let you hurt them!''
''My, how caring...'' Jellal sneered. ''...though I don't see how you have the right to talk like that. Not only did you abandon everyone back there-you've been lying to those two all along.'' She froze.
The redhead looked away, grimacing. She didn't want to admit it but it was true-everything he said...
''Honestly, you're so weak, it's pathetic...'' Jellal raised a hand, golden light gathering around him. ''...I don't even know if you would be any good for the plan. You should be thanking me-this way you can actually be of some use!''
He unleashed a flurry of golden rays, Erza quickly leaped away to dodge, requipping a sword. Jellal smirked as she charged, raising a wall of earth which held her off. He blasted her away with more golden beams, Erza quickly pulled herself up and attacked again.
As their battle continued, both found that the narrow space of the cave was obstructing them. Jellal didn't let it show however, continuing to taunt and mock Erza. The knight mage herself knew she was far from being at her best, because whether she liked it or not, his words were really getting to her.
He was right, Jellal had forced an ultimatum on her that forced her to leave some of the people she cared about behind. She had kept the truth from Riku and Erik, knowing they would trust her. She really was a coward...she didn't want to...she didn't want to fight him or the others.
Why did things have to be this way?
''Soon, we will revive Zeref!'' Jellal declared proudly, his last attack heavily damaging Erza's armor. ''You will be the final component to obtain true freedom at last. I really thank you for being such a weak coward, Erza-you made it all too easy.''
The redhead flinched at this. Was it...was it all her fault...?
Jellal fired up another attack but just before it could reach her, a black and purple portal opened to absorb it. He and Erza looked on with wide eyes as another one opened-Riku made his entrance, his blade at the ready.
''R-Riku...'' Erza breathed, a measure of relief and guilt welling up at the sight of him. He spared her a look that conveyed concern, something she felt that she did not deserve. ''...never mind me! Just...''
Riku frowned in confusion as she looked away. He and the others had known something was wrong ever since they noticed the barrier, which was actually spread around the cave's perimeter. The barrier was strong but he had been able to make a breach in it so he could get in. Riku had heard the sounds of battle, prompting him to hurry and he hadn't looked twice when he saw that attack.
His thoughts came to a screeching halt when he saw Jellal, his eyes going wide in recognition. The latter smirked ''Riku. You're looking well.''
What...was going on? Were they battling? Riku looked between the two, honestly baffled. He hadn't detected any scents besides theirs and the monster but...why would they...?
Riku's brow furrowed as he felt the sense of malice granted by his dragon slayer magic, knowing it could only be because of Jellal. But what did this mean? Was he...their enemy?
''Well, I imagine you must be shocked. Which is understandable...'' Jellal said conversationally. ''...you couldn't have known what was going on given your injuries at the time.'' Riku blinked. ''I honestly expected some attempt at interference over the years. I had my suspicions but you two really were kept in the dark.''
Riku couldn't make heads or tails out of this. What was he even...?
''Well, either way I won't let you interfere now so...Meteor!'' Jellal was surrounded by a golden aura as he flew at them. Riku's eyes narrowed, deciding to put any questions out of his mind for now.
He willed his power forth, surrounding himself with a veil of darkness. This was Dark Dragon's Ethereal Shroud, meant to both increase his offensive and defensive power. He wasted no time in throwing his sword in their attacker's direction. Jellal was about to fly past it but Riku snapped his fingers, the sword releasing a burst of darkness that threw him off.
Jellal recovered swiftly ''Not bad. Well...''
He didn't get any further as Riku proceeded to requip two staves and cast Gravity Drive, the sudden force making him fall to a knee. Gritting his teeth, Jellal forced himself to look up, casting a Telekinesis spell that slammed both Riku and Erza ino the ground. This also allowed him to get rid of the staves, canceling the spell.
''Jiu Leixing!'' He fired nine swords of lightning at Erza. Riku cast another gate to absorb the blades, using Dark Dragon's Roar then. Smirking, Jellal blocked it with a large hexagonal barrier.
Erza looked down, realizing Riku couldn't fully focus on the battle as he had to defend her as well. Her armor was a wreck and it just made her think back to the time where she was helpless. Riku believed that she was strong but she had always found him to be the strong one. He had no idea...all because she kept so much from him...
Riku couldn't make sense of this. Just what was going on? Jellal had been a friend...a good friend. He was one of the first friends Riku remembered making in a long time. They hadn't seen him for years and now they have to fight? Why?
''I take that back-I'm actually a little impressed. You really have grown...'' Jellal placed a hand on the ground. The next thing they know, a number of energy blasts burst out, striking his targets.
All right, now Riku knew something had to be wrong with Erza. She was a lot more alert and focused-such attacks wouldn't have gotten her down so easily...but it was like her will to fight was gone...
''Pleaides!''
Riku blocked the oncoming golden rays with Abyss Claw, the attacks canceling each other out. Jellal remained confident ''Now since you were kept in the dark for so long-allow me to enlighten you. As I was telling Erza, the Tower of Heaven is complete.''
The dark dragon slayer stilled, shocked. What...?!
Jellal arched an eye, suddenly realizing something ''Right, I forgot you can't speak now. Anyway, I assume you thought it was destroyed after that riot, yes?'' Riku nodded. ''Now that was a complete lie-I simply chose to keep my activities quiet until the time came to finish it. To reach true freedom...a certain quartet of people you were very familiar in those times with were all too glad to help.''
'There's no way...' Riku looked at Erza, knowing exactly who that meant. '...you said Simon and the others were safe...you didn't know about this, right?'
This was exactly what she feared for so long. Erza couldn't meet his gaze ''...I'm sorry...I couldn't...couldn't say...''
Jellal may not have caught on to the whole talk but he could take a good guess ''Ah, now here's the part I found the most amusing. Erza knew all along but she did nothing...honestly, she almost made it too easy...''
Riku didn't want to believe that, he couldn't accept the thought that Erza had willing hid this all along. He couldn't help but notice that she was hardly even trying to refute Jellal's words though...but why would she...?
The dragon slayer stiffened, realizing that Jellal had been stringing them along as he sensed something off...
Erza barely registered the feeling of something warm next to her. She started as she took in the glowing rocks nearby. They almost seemed to erupt and she made to move, though a part of her knew it would do no good. Just then, her vision was obscured as they went off...
The redhead pulled herself up, realizing with a start that she had been teleported away. She froze, seeing Riku collapse nearby, the force of the attack having knocked him out ''No!''
Jellal chuckled ''Well, this is rich! He didn't have time to get you both out of the blast radius safely. He did avoid the worst of it, but he chose to save you instead of himself. Not too smart a choice, it could've easily killed either one of you...''
''Guys!'' Erza heard Natsu call, bringing her attention to the rest of the group as they rushed over.
Erik stared ''What the-Jellal?!'' Cubelios hissed in surprise, similarly thrown for a loop while the blue haired mage smirked at them.
Belle gasped as she saw her unconscious partner ''Riku!''
Lucy's eyes were wide, looking from him to Erza ''What happened?!''
''Oi, what the hell is going on?'' Erik demanded.
''Why don't you ask Erza, old friend?'' Jellal asked tauntingly. ''I imagine she can tell you plenty...'' Erik was about to question this but the former carried on. ''...well, it wasn't what I had in mind when I set out to do this but it'll work.''
He raised a hand and Riku was surrounded in a sphere of darkness which expanded, levitating him in mid-air. The sphere was brought closer to Jellal, who stepped back.
''Hold it!'' Natsu called as he Gray, Belle and Erik rushed to save their friend.
Jellal unleashed a myriad of golden beams that forced them back, concentrating the blasts to unleash a flash that blinded everyone. He took out a lacrima and it glowed ''Well, I think we've wasted enough time here. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon, old friends and I look forward to it. Till then, at the Tower of Heaven.''
When the Fairy Tail group could see again, it was only fo find no sign of either Jellal or Riku, both having been teleported by the lacrima...
Well, let's stop here.
What do you think? I wanted to start with some lighthearted fluff before kicking things off. Here's the start for the Tower of Heaven arc. The plot will soon get underway as the team storms the tower. Revelations will be made, including Riku's first meeting with Erza and the others and how they became friends with Erik and Cubelios. I don't remember if I mentioned this before but Riku fought really hard in the riot. He got knocked out protecting his friends so he couldn't have known what happened back then.
The fight would've gone diffferently if Jellal hadn't taken advantage of the circumstances so well. He knows how to hit Erza where it hurts the most and she still doesn't want to fight him, using her old hurt to shake her up. He's also taken full advantage that Riku was kept in the dark all along. He still wants to use Erza for the R-System but he wants Riku for a different reason as you're going to see soon. At this point, he's still avoiding attention so he went for a fast and smooth way, which works to get what he wanted. His plans won't work be working for very long for sure.
I keep wondering about the tower...I get that people never knew what happened to him but Zeref was never dead. He just kept to himself for a long time. What would have happened if the R-System was activated for real? Eh, I guess there's no way to know...
Anywho, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Till next time!