Jellal

Makarov sighed as he walked through the headquarters of the magic council. The weeks since phantoms disbandment had been chaotic, to say the least, going over all the paperwork and evidence that had come out about Phantom Lord. How could a guild have such a dark side beyond him? The amount of undercover and blackmail the guild had on other guilds was appalling. "Master Makarov." Hearing his name, he turned to see a young woman with long, rather messy violet hair and dark eyes. She was wearing a big puffy cap on her head designed with a dark strip at the front with six light dots presenting a V pattern and a matching brim covering her eyes. She keeps a rose in her hair on the left side of her head. A long coat with petal-like edges on the tails. Her skin is adorned with dots across the borders and tied with a ribbon-like belt. Her chest is barely seen, revealing much of her cleavage where a dark top can be seen, and underneath is a ruffled miniskirt.
"Ah, young Cosmos." Makarov said, looking at the girl and one of the more recent wizard saints. 
'If I remember correctly, she was appointed to the position rather recently alongside that Siegrain fellow.' He smiled at her. "What can I do for you."
"The council is having an emergency meeting." She said. "They wanted to know if you would sit in."
Makarov scratched his chin. 
'Could they be discussing Magnolia.' He thought to himself. 
"I believe I might." He said. "Are the other Wizard Saints staying as well."
"Um." Cosmos said, resting a hand on her cheek. 
"Not that I know of no." She said. 
"A few of them have gone out searching for wizards to replace Master Jose." She said. 
"And might I ask." She said making Makarov look at her. 
"What happened to him, his hair was all grey, and he looked like he aged several hundred years."
"His fight in Magnolia must have taken its toll." Makarov said. 'His current look is probably a result of the Fairy Law spell.'
"Oh yeah, isn't that your hometown?" She asked. 
"Do you know the wizard that took him down." She said. "Maybe they could replace Jose as a wizard saint."
Makarov chuckled at the thought. "As much as my old master would be flattered, I doubt she would accept."
"Wait." Cosmos said, confused. "Your master." Now she was bewildered before continuing. Makarov had already walked away. 
"Wait, Master Makarov." She said, rushing after him.
In the meeting chamber of the magic council. The members of the magic council were currently in a heated discussion. 
"Are you saying it still exists? That's impossible?" Org asked.
"About a decade ago, construction began on the R system." Someone stated, "A cult of black magic users led it."
"I thought we destroyed all those towers." Michello said.
"it appears we missed one in the waters of Caelum." Belno spoke. 
"Our field team went missing after sending us these images." She said, showing a picture of the Tower of Heaven.
"Well, it looks complete to me." Ultear said.
Org growled as Michello let out a sigh. "Why would they decide to restart the R system after all this time."
"The Tower of Heaven." Siegrain said. "It's called the Tower of Heaven."
"Who cares what it's called." Org spoke. "We need to find a way to stop this thing; if words like this get out, there will be chaos."
"Then we must subdue them." Belno said. "I suggest we send the military."
"No." Leiji said. "We'd just be putting our soldiers in danger."
"Why?" Belno asked.
"According to a recent report, the dark cult is no longer occupying the tower." Leiji said. 
"Instead, now a group of wizards is occupying it." He spoke before looking towards Siegrain. "They're said to be led by a man named Jellal." This got a reaction from the rest of the members as they looked onto Siegrain, who let out a small sigh.
"Jellal?" Michello asked.
"But isn't that the name of your twin brother?" Org asked.
Siegrain nodded. 
"Yes, unfortunately." He said. "That would be him."
----Jellal
----We find Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Juvia in the middle of the ocean following the events of the resort. 
"Man. I hope those people trapped in the cards are okay."
"We informed the military." Gray said, reassuring her. "They should be fine." Gray then looked around before noting his surroundings. "Where are we anyway."
"I don't know." Juvia admitted. "I've just been following Salamander's lead." The group looked towards Natsu, who was throwing up his lunch; they all looked at each other before sighing, 'We're doomed.'
"I can't believe we went down so easily." Gray moaned.
"In our defense, they did catch us off guard." Juvia said.
Lucy turned away. 
"They said they were old friends of Erza." Lucy said. "Makes me wonder if we know her."
Natsu finished throwing up before he felt something standing up; he looked around. "You guys feel that." Gray stood up as they looked around; the sky began to darken as the bird started falling from the sky. "What's going on here."
The boat passed ship wreckage with the Fiore symbol on it. 
"That's a Fiore naval ship." Gray said.
They looked to see a tall structure in the distance. 
"That must be the Tower of Heaven." Lucy said. "I don't believe it."
"I'll protect us." Juvia called out as she made the water surround them. "My water dome will keep us from being seen."
"Great, Juvia." Lucy said as Nasu fell again.
"Damn it." Natsu said.
"Hold out a little longer, Natsu." Lucy told him.
"Next time, we're just going to knock him out." Gray said.
"We need his nose to lead us there!" Lucy screamed.
----Erza stood, shocked at the structure. 
"I don't believe it." She whispered. "You finished it."
"Don't be surprised." Sho said. "We've been working on it since you left ten years ago."
"It's been that long." Erza said. "It's amazing how you all changed."
Later, Sho and Simon put Erza in a cell, still tied to Millianna's ropes. 
"You'll have to wait here until the ceremony starts." Sho said as Simon started to walk away. 
"I'm sorry, but this is the price of betrayal." He said, taunting Erza. 
"But don't worry, Jellal gave you the most important part. You'll be the sacrifice." He laughed as Erza started to tremble. "Oh, you're trembling. Are you afraid, or because this cell brings back memories."
Flashback
A giant cell door closes as Erza, Jellal, Sho, Wally, Simon, and Milliana are cornered by the dark cult men. 
"Did you kids think you'd be able to pull a fast one on us?" One of them asked. "You'll all be punished."
"Wait." The other one said. 
"We can't afford any more delays on the construction of the R-system." He informed his partner. "So if you tell us which one of you came up with this plan, we'll just take them instead" Sho then hid behind Erza as the man glared at them, she about to speak up before Jellal stood up.
"It was me." He said. Erza scooted back as the men smiled.
"I don't think so, kid." The men grabbed Erza and grinned wickedly. "Let this be a lesson." Erza screamed as they dragged her out of the cell. Sho is now crying even more as he watches Erza be dragged away.
"NO!" Jellal screamed. "It was me; I'm telling you." He and Simon tried to catch them but were shocked and thrown back by the guards.
"Don't worry about me." Erza said as he and Simone screamed her name. "It's just like you said, Jellal. We have nothing to be afraid of."
Jellal stood back. 
"Erza!" He screamed as the guards took her away.
End Flashback
"You ended up being punished even though it was my idea." Sho told her. "I'm sorry."
"That's in the past." Erza said. "But I'm worried that you don't realize how dangerous it is to revive someone using the R-system."
"I'm surprised you know what its purpose is." Sho said. "Gotta say I'm impressed."
"The revive system." Erza said. 
"In exchange for countless sacrifices, it can bring one person back from the dead." Erza explained. "It's inhuman black magic."
Sho laughed as he grew a wicked grin on his face. "Who said magic had to be human? I think magic takes away one's humanity."
That's dark magic, Sho." Erza said. "Are you one of them now?" Erza asked.
"Are you seriously comparing us to those idiots." Sho laughed. 
"They only thought this tower was good for resurrection magic." Sho said, "But we know better because we have been enlightened." Sho turned away and smiled. "Jellal told us he could use the tower to get us into heaven."
"Heaven?" Erza asked as she started scaling the wall.
Sho then started to walk away. 
"Once we use the R-system to revive him, the world will be reborn." Sho told her. "And we will be it's rulers, the cult members who kept us prisoner for all those years, the loved ones and the sister who betrayed us, all those fools who lived there lives blissfully unaware, and those jerks on the Magic Council." Sho said in an evil voice. 
"They'll all fear us." He turned back to see Erza charge him knocking him unconscious
She bit the rope off before staring at Sho one last time; remember how he used to look. 'Sho, what could have made you change into this.' Erza thought to herself as she put back on her armor. 'Jellal; what did he do to them.'
----In another part of the tower, Happy came to. 
"Where am I." He looked around and noticed he was in a room full of cat stuff; he jumped back before Milliana popped up next to him. "Ahh, creepy cat girl."
"Oh, I got a kitty that can talk." Milliana screamed in joy as she squeezed him tightly.
"Yo, Milli might want to lighten up there." Wally said, appearing at the door. 
"Now a talking cat is pretty dandy." Wally admitted. "However, want to know what's Dandier, a cat that can talk." He said as he turned his head away, causing Happy to fall over.
"Where am I anyway?" Happy asked. "And where's Natsu?"
"I'd hold your tongue, cat." Wally said. "Or you'll be six feet under like your pink friend."
"There's no way this clown will beat Natsu." Happy muttered as two guards walked behind them.
"Erza escaped." They said.
"Really." Millianna said. "That's Erzy for ya."
"She's not escaping again." Wally said. "We need to find her."
----[##Jellal theme##]
----"Hahahaha." Jellal laughed as he was informed of Erza's escape, which confused his attendant. 
"Little Erza's grown upon us." He chuckled. 
"I can't wait to see how this plays out." He said. 
"Will she prevail and stop me, or will I emerge the victor." He said as a smile grew. "We'll have a game. That interface past and future."
----Meanwhile, the Magic Council argued about handling the Tower of Heaven.
"We need more information."
"Send in the military."
"We should send a guild to deal with this."
"You ignorant fools." Siegrain spoke up as the rest of the council glared at him. "It's too risky to send innocent soldiers or a guild." Siegrain said. "The only guild that probably could handle this is gone."
"Then what do you propose we do, Siegrain?" Org asked.
"This is an odd situation." Siegrain said. "The only way to stop him will be to wipe them out completely, and there is only one way. To fire Etherion."
"Are you mad?" Michello exclaimed.
"That's crazy." Belno said. "Do you know the kind of devastation it would cause? The Etherion canon is more dangerous than the R-system itself."
"Yes." Siegrain said. "But the satellite square can pinpoint the target directly, which means there will be less collateral damage."
"I vote to fire." Ultear said.
"Have you gone mad?" Org asked.
"Three more, and we have the majority." Siegrain said. "Please, I need you to stand with me on this."
"Along with the tower, an Etherion blast will no doubt kill your brother." Org told him. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Siegrain said, his face not wavering, "But a sacrifice must be made."
----Above them, Makarov sighed. The etherion cannon was indeed a last-resort weapon. The fact that Siegrain would even recommend such an act unnerved him. He looked at Ultear and could tell that the pair were close; however, he was surprised at how quickly she agreed to fire the etherion. Makarov scratched his chin. There was something here that he couldn't see it.
Natsu, Lucy, and Gray stood at the bottom of the tower. 
"Man, they have many lookouts." Gray said.
"I can't see an opening." Natsu said as he looked around. "And I can't get a lock on Happy or Erza's scent."
"This is going to be tricky." Gray said before Juvia popped into the ocean.
"I found an underground cavern that could lead us inside." She said.
"That's great, Juvia." Gray said.
"You hear that, Lucy." Juvia said with a big head. "I was just complimented by Gray, not you."
"Yea, Yea."
"It should take us about ten minutes." Juvia said.
"We can hold our breath that long, right?" Natsu asked.
"I think so." Gray said.
"That's not humanly possible, you dolt." Lucy screamed at them.
"Then I suggest you wear these." Juvia told them, "They're small bubbles filled with oxygen; they should help us get inside without trouble."
'"That's great." Natsu said. 
"And who are you again?" He asked, causing a dark cloud to hang over Juvia.
"In his defense." Gray said. "He hasn't officially met you."
Soon the group had swum inside; once inside, they looked around. 
"We made it." Gray said.
"I wonder where they're keeping Erza and Happy?" Natsu asked.
"You know they may look silly, but they sure work." Lucy said to Juvia.
"I'm surprised you made it cause I purposely made yours smaller so you would have trouble breathing." Juvia told her.
"Great."
----[##Ankoku no Madoushi Ost##]
----Before the group could move, a guard spotted them. 
"Intruders!" He shouted in seconds; an army of guards surrounded them. "Who are you?"
"Damn it." Gray said. "Looks like we're going to have to fight our way in." Juvia nodded as Natsu smiled.
"Who are we." Natsu said before he punched the ground, sending a giant pillar of smoke into the air. 
"We're the wizards who are going to punch your faces in!" He shouted as the group charged in. "We're Fairy Tail."
Natsu shot his fire at a group of guards, sending them back. 
"Wow, so hot." They cried as they fell.
"Then fine. Ice-Make Lance." Gray shouted as his ice hit the guards.
"Ow, so cold."
Lucy landed on the pillar, causing the guards to blush. "She's fighting in her bikini."
"Open Gate of the Maiden: Virgo!" Lucy shouted as Virgo appeared from the smoke. 
"You summoned me, princess?" She asked as the guards started to go gaga. "These pervs need to be punished."
"As you wish." Virgo said as her eyes glowed red, and she attacked the guards below them; the guards were trying to attack Juvia but to no avail, as her water body allowed their attacks to pass through her.
"It's like her body's made of water."
"Drip drip drop." Juvia stated. "Water Slicer." The group then dealt with the rest of the guards. Soon they stood atop a pile of defeated soldiers.
Natsu picked one up and glared at him. "So where's the blockhead, buddy."
"I hope this didn't cause any more trouble." Lucy said.
"I'm afraid so, miss." Virgo said.
Soon the door opened, allowing the group to enter. 
"Um." Lucy said. "Isn't it bad when they let you in."
"In my experience." Natsu said. "It's always bad." 
He got a questionable look from Lucy as he passed it off. "Don't ask."
"I guess we don't have a choice but to go in." Gray said as Juvia nodded; they soon ran up the stairs while Jellal watched them go inside. "You know that they say spring the trap and all that when you know it's a trap."
"What kind of idiot says that?" Lucy asked.
"Juvia thinks it sounds smart!" Juvia shouted.
"Stop being a kiss-up." Natsu said. 
"All right, everyone stays behind me." Natsu groaned. "I'll take the lead."
"Aye."
----"Wait?" his assistant asked. "Why'd you let them in."
"As I told you, this is all one big game." Jellal said. 
"This is all one big game. They got lucky and cleared the first stage." He laughed. "They were at the resort with Erza, so clearly, there are her friends, and if we're lucky, we can use them against her."
"I see, but shouldn't we worry about the ceremony? It won't be long before the Magic Council catches on to us." He said.
"Now Vidaldus didn't I tell you not to worry about those fools." Jellal said.
In the Magic Council chamber, they were still discussing if they should fire an etherion blast. 
"I vote to fire." Leiji said.
"Leiji, not you too." Org said.
"There's no other choice."
"We only need two more votes." Siegrain said. "Please stand with me on this."
"The Magic Council." Jellal smiled. "Only wish they had the power to stop me."
----Meanwhile, Natsu, Gray, and Juvia had found a table and started eating. 
"Where did you guys get that!" Lucy screamed.
"I suggest you join them, princess." Virgo said.
"I'll pass."
"A magic user opened that door." Juvia said as she stopped eating. "Meaning they're well aware of our presence."
"So, why'd they let us in." Gray pondered. 
"You think they're trying to provoke us." He said.
"Not to be rude." Virgo said. "But your outfit leaves little to the imagination."
"Really?" Lucy asked as she covered herself up. "Should I change."
"Yes, let me help you." Virgo said as she stripped Lucy in front of everyone. Gray caught sight of this and blushed. 
"Oh wow." He said.
"Don't look at her, Gray!" Juvia screamed.
Lucy then appeared in an outfit from the celestial world. 
"I brought this from the celestial world." Virgo said. "I hope you like it."
"what do you think, boys? Do I look cute or what?" Lucy asked, twirling.
"Yea." Gray said. "You look great."
"Don't compliment her." Juvia moaned.
"He loves her." Virgo said, much to Juvia's dismay.
"Since when did you hang out with Happy Virgo?" Natsu asked.
"It's been fun, but I must be going now." Virgo said. "Good luck, princess." Virgo then disappeared, leaving the group to decide their next move.
"Wait?" Lucy asked. "Did you guys want me to ask her to give you guys a dry change of clothes."
"Nah." Gray said as Lucy turned back as he used Natsu as a dryer. "This works just fine."
"My partner isn't a dryer, you know!" Lucy shouted as more guards showed up.
"The intruders!" They shouted, but Erza appeared before them and sliced them all down before they could attack.
"Erza." They called.
"I'm glad she's okay."
"She's so cool." Juvia said.
Erza looked up to see her friends and teammates before her. "What, you're here."
"Looking for you." Lucy said.
"You need to go!" Erza shouted, shocking them. "This place is too dangerous."
"You ain't scaring me off, Erza," Natsu declared, "Not till I get that jerk who shot me in the mouth."
"You have to go." Erza said.
"No, not till I find Happy!" Natsu shouted at her.
"They got Happy, too." Erza said in shock. "It must have been Millianna." Erza said. Natsu then ran off, leaving the group behind.
"Wait, Natsu." Gray shouted. "Idiot."
"Poor Natsu." Juvia said.
"We gotta help him~" Before she could move, Erza placed her sword in front of them.
"No." Erza said. 
"Millianna's a cat lover. She wouldn't harm him." Erza explained. "I promise I'll bring both back safely." Erza said. 
"The rest of you need to get to Magnolia." She said. "Right now, that's the safest place for any of you to be."
"Don't be crazy." Lucy said, "We're your friends. We're not leaving you here to do this by yourself, Erza."
"She's right." Gray said. "You saw Natsu; I'd say we're pretty involved now."
"Erza, please, what is with this tower, and who is this Jellal guy?" Lucy asked as Erza stopped. 
"I understand if you don't want to talk about it." Lucy said. "You said the creeps who kidnapped you were friends, but we're your friends too, and we're not going to leave you to do this by yourself." Lucy said. "No matter what we'll have your back."
"Yea." Gray agreed.
"Please." Erza said, her voice trembling as she tried to walk away. "Leave now."
"Come on." Gray said. 
"You can't do this by yourself." Gray told her. "Even the strongest warriors need a little backup."
"Please." Erza said, her voice now soft; she then turned to her friends, a tear running down her face which shocked them all. 
"Trust me when I say you can't help me now." Erza smiled as she turned away. "Win or lose, I'm staring death right in the face."
"What?" Lucy asked.
"What do you mean by that?" Gray asked.
"You can't help me." Erza said. "But I can share my story."
"This building is the Tower of Heaven." Erza explained. 
"It's also known as the R-system. Over a decade ago, a cult dedicated to black magic began its construction." Erza said. "It's a tower that can cast a spell that raises the dead, but it requires multiple human sacrifices." Erza explained, letting out a heavy breath continued. "So the cult brought in people from the surrounding area to work as slaves." Erza paused before looking at her friends one more time. "The only reason I know this, is because I was one of them."
"What?" Lucy asked.
"Anyone who would resist or try to escape would mysteriously disappear." Erza continued. "We lived in a constant state of fear, but even though we bonded and made friends we could trust, one of them I knew personally was a boy named Jellal."
Flashback
Erza was strapped to a pole as fighting could be heard Jellal then ran up to her. 
"Erza!" He screamed as he untied her. She fell to the ground as he caught her; he flipped her over and was shocked. "Erza, your eye."
"They've gone too far." Jellal said. "What did we do to deserve this."
"Erza managed to come to as she looked at Jellal. 
"Jellal." She moaned as she tried to get up.
"Yeah, it's me." He said, picking her up. "Come on. We need to get out of here."
"How."
"There's no other way." He said. "We'll have to fight." As the pair made their escape, four magic soldiers appeared next to them. 
"Damn it." Jellal said.
Back in their cell, Sho turned around, worried. 
"I hope sister is going to be all right." He said.
"Grandpa Rob, you came back from punishment alive?" Simon asked. "You think Erza can make it."
"they can torture her all day and night." The old man answered. "But they can never break her spirit."
Before they could continue, the cell door opened, and they threw Erza back into the cell. "Get it, you little brat."
"Erza." They screamed. "Where's Jellal?"
"I can only assume they chose to keep Jellal in her place." Rob stated.
"No." Sho said as tears started to run down her face. "I can't take it. I can't take it anymore."
Rob grabbed the poor boy trying to calm him down. 
"It's going to be all right." He said.
"Quiet you little brat!" the guard shouted.
'The only way out is to fight.' Jellal's voice ran through Erza's head as she attacked the guard knocking him down as he tried to call for help before passing out.
"Erza." Simon said. "What's gotten into you."
"We can't escape." Erza said. "And they won't let us go free, so grab a weapon." Erza shouted as everyone started attacking the guards. "So now we only have one option to fight."
End Flashback
Erza let out a sigh as she finished her story. 
"And so we began to fight for our freedom, to save our friend Jellal." Erza said as she looked at the group. "He was like the leader of our group back then, he had a strong sense of justice." Erza explained. "However something happened."
"He seemed like an entirely different person." Erza said. "There's only one way to describe his new persona, pure unadulterated evil." in the throne room, Jellal stayed back, smiling.
"Soon, Zeref." He whispered.
"The world will be reborn."