這是為了於外國同人網站發表而第一次挑戰寫的英文同人。

寫於妖尾漫畫326後。當時艾爾莎等人正準備迎戰龍，而傑拉爾請求拉哈爾做的是什麼事還未揭曉。於是，我設想了一下傑拉爾跟艾爾莎於龍來襲之前見面的話二人會說些什麼，但由於有太多東西想寫，於是想出了兩個不同的場境。因此(1)和(2)其實是獨立的兩篇one-shot，只是兩者發生的背景是一樣。

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1: Lie and Faith

After hearing the King's speech on the coming attack of over 10000 dragons and his plea for help in protecting the country, the guidemasters, together with some team leaders who represent their absent guidemasters, immediately came together to form a strategic group to discuss the arrangement of the counter-attack.

 

While waiting for the plan to come out, other members had formed different circles with either their own guidemates or with members of other guides, to discuss the current situation they were in with an attempt to figure out what they could do to deal with possibly the biggest thread faced in their life and by the country.

 

For Fairy Tail's members, their feelings were in particular mixed. One moment, they were worrying about the safety of Lucy who was caught by the King's army and that of the rescuer team. Next moment, they were overjoyed to become once again the number one guide in Fiore. And now, they were filled with shock to learn about the coming attack of the dragons.

 

But after all, they were Fairy Tail. The fearless and strongest guide who would stand to take up any challenges come at them. It only took them a few seconds to focus their mind now only on how to defeat the dragons.

 

"Are you feeling alright, Gajeel?" Levy asked with a concerned look. The head and body of the iron dragon slayer was now nearly all shrouded by bandages. He was kind of looking like a living mummy.

 

"Of course I am feeling alright! Are you looking down on my power as a dragon slayer, shortly?"

 

"I never meant that! Just……"Levy turned away her head, avoided looking directly at Gajeel. "the fight tomorrow……it would definitely be a hard one. I am just thinking you might need some rest before that."

 

Gajeel noticed a little tremble in Levy's voice and a flash of worry crossed her face.

 

"I am a dragon slayer and unlike last time at Tenrou Island, I will defeat the dragons this time!" Gajeel responded while patting Levy's head. "I promise."

 

Levy nodded with a little bit of relieve.

 

A few steps away from where Gajeel and Levy were standing, Erza was watching the duo with a gentle smile. Turning her head to the other side, Erza founded another pair discussing.

 

"Juvia will join with Gray-sama again to fight against the dragons tomorrow!" While speaking with a slight excitement, Juvia tried to grasp Gray's hand, but she failed. Gray quickly hided both of his hands inside the trousers pockets before Juvia's hand reached his.

 

"No," Gray looked at Juvia. A disappointed and sad look was now evident on her face. One side of Gray's lips curved slightly upward. "it will require all of us to join hand in hand to defeat the dragons, if our future is to be protected."

 

In a mere second, Juvia's face was replaced by a big and warm smile. She wrapped her hands around Gray's forearm and landed her head on Gray's shoulder.

 

"Of course! Juvia agree wholeheartedly with Gray-sama!"

 

"STOP THAT! I am not your pillow!" Despite of his protest and the uncomfortable expression on his face, Gray didn't push Juvia away in the end.

 

Seems there is finally some progress in their relation…that's good. Though Erza. Then, a bitter smile surfaced at her lips when she started to think of her relation with a certain bluenette.

 

No. She closed her eyes and reminded herself silently inside her head. The only thing I should focus on now is the battle with the dragons. Besides, we already had our answer, hadn’t we? There will not be any new development in our relation.

 

"Erza, are you not feeling well?" A familiar voice speaking with a low tone woke Erza up from her deep thinking.

 

"No, I am fine, Laxus."

 

Laxus stared at Erza with an expressionless face for a few seconds after hearing her reply. Erza could tell that Laxus was considering whether to believe her words or not.

 

"If you said so." Laxus shrugged and started turning away, but stopped when something white on the ground caught his attention. "Is it a pigeon?"

 

Following Laxus' eyesight, Erza lowered her head to look at the ground. A pigeon was standing beside her foot and looking up at her. She kneed down to have a closer look at the pigeon and found a small roll of paper attached to one of its legs. She unknotted the paper roll and unfolded it. Seven words were written on the paper:

 

"Erza, meet me at the South Gate."

 

There was no signature but Erza knew immediately who wrote it. She recognized the handwriting.

 

"It's from Je-, from Crime Sorciere." Somehow Erza didn't quite want to mention the bluenette's name to make thing looked like personal. "They may have found out some new information to tell us. I will go now."

 

Laxus looked at Erza's right leg and the stick she was now using to support her standing.

 

"You are going alone?"

 

"I can go on my own. I have told you I am fine."

 

Laxus figured out that he better respected Erza's decision. After all, she's Titania. She should know better than anyone did if she could handle the situation alone.

 

"Just be careful."

 

"I will." Erza nodded and started walking away from the crowd and heading to the South Gate of the park.

 

After around ten minutes of walking, Erza could see that the South Gate was no more than hundred meters away from her. She started to feel a mixture of feelings building up inside her. She hadn't heard from him since their encounter at the Ryuuzetsu Land. So she was glad that she now got a chance to see him again. But not knowing his reasons of wanting to meet her also unsettled her. Did he have some good or bad news to share with her? Or did he only want to enquire about if there were any new findings from her side? Did he know about the coming attack from the dragons? Would this be their last meeting in life if future repeated itself tomorrow?

 

Now she was finally standing in front of the South Gate but she could see no one. She looked around and then behind a tree at her left hand side, a human figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

 

“Erza……”He took off the hook of his cloak covering his head while calling her.

 

"Jellal……"

 

The warmth Jellal felt hearing Erza’s voice faded away and replaced by heartache at the second he had a glimpse of her injured body. Not that he was unprepared to see her being shrouded by bandages or even using a stick to support herself, since he already knew from the gossips spreading across the city that the team of Fairy Tail only won the tournament after some really hard battles. And when he heard the names of her opponents……he knew that the battle she fought would definitely be one of the hardest, if not the most. However, seeing her in such condition with his own eyes still caused much pain to his heart.

 

“I am very sorry that I cannot go to see you but have to ask you to come here......”

 

How much Jellal wished that he could comfort Erza with an embrace, yet he decided to give her an apology instead. He didn't want to make their meeting to be too emotional because he did have some serious business to talk to her at this moment. But an apology shouldn’t do much harm to their conversation, he considered.

 

"It’s fine.” Noting Jellal's concern, Erza assured him with a smile. “My condition looks more serious than it actually is. Porlyscia and Chelia…she's a Sky God Slayer, had already taken care of all the wounds properly." Then she wasted no time to return to the real issue. "So, what are you meeting me for?”

 

"I want to warn you all about the eclipse and the dragon's attack."

 

Jellal then told Erza everything about his encounter with future Lucy, the eclipse which was the origin of the strange magic power, and another person who came from future with unknown intension.

 

"I knew that the King had decided to use eclipse canon to attack the dragons and had made a plea for assistance from all guides. But I have a feel that the other future person is hiding something important from us. There are still a lot of uncertainties about what will happen tomorrow. So I want to remind you all to stay alert at your surroundings for any suspicious people or magical power while preparing yourself for the battle with the dragons.”

 

“Things appear to be more and more complicated and mysterious......”Erza let out a sigh. “But I got it. I will tell Master and let him communicating with other guides regarding your concern.” Then she dropped him a question look. “And what is Crime Sorciere planning to do?”

 

“Ultear and Meredy are now chasing that unknown future person. And myself……”Jellal paused a moment, seemed unsure how to put his thoughts into words. “I am working on a contingency plan in hope of protecting more people as far as possible, in case that the scenario we face tomorrow is different from what future Lucy told us.”

 

“Tell me more details.”

 

“Not at this moment, Erza.” Jellal said with a firm tone. “You just need to take good care of yourself, stay alert to anything suspicious around you and unite all the guides to fight when the dragons come. I will be the only person to take responsibility for the plan, and you will know the details when it is executed.”

 

“You are involving yourself in some dangerous situations, aren’t you?”

 

Erza asked with a worried look. She knew. If Jellal decided that he would be the ONLY PERSON to take responsibility for the plan, what he had planned to do must be highly risky and that was why he would want to keep her away from his plan.  

 

“Aren’t you too, Erza?” Jellal’s voice softened. “Isn’t it dangerous too to fight the dragons? But you will do it anyway because you have to. It’s same for me. And I have faith in you. So, might I ask you to put faith in me too and not to worry about my plan?”

 

So Jellal was actually admitting that his plan was a dangerous one, yet he still refused to explain the plan to her properly and even quoted her as an excuse. Erza clenched her fists with anger and hurt.

 

“You are right that there are times when we have to stand up and fight no matter how dangerous the situations are. But Jellal,” Erza looked straight into Jellal’s eyes. “don’t lie to me that you have faith in me. If you really did, you would have told me your plan. Unless……”Tears started filling up Erza’s eyes. “you know for sure that I am going to stop your plan if I find out the details because it’s an unreasonable one.”

 

Jellal had to wonder if Erza could see through his mind. But he was not going to give in to Erza this time.

 

“My faith in you is not a lie, Erza. I decided not to tell you the details simply because I don’t want to distract your focus from your fight. And trust me, my plan IS a reasonable one.” Yes, it is a reasonable one in the sense that scarification of ONLY ONE LIFE might save the whole Fiore Kingdom. Jellal told himself again inside his head. Then he took in a breath, tried his best to stay calm to continue his persuasion to the frustrated Erza. “So please, Erza, don’t get yourself involved in my plan. Let me do my job properly just like how you would complete your task.”

 

Speechlessly looking at Jellal, Erza let her tears fell down freely on her cheek. Neither could she argue back what Jellal said, nor could she reject Jellal’s request, because she felt deeply for Jellal’s pride and determination in carrying out his plan on his own. Even though she loved him, worried about him and was angry at him, she could not step in his way selfishly. She always respected his decision as much as she could. Just like when he let himself be taken away by the Magical Council at the end of the Nirvana incident.

 

Jellal felt so bad that he had caused Erza to cry once again. He stretched out his hand to Erza’s face to wipe off her tears. But Erza slapped his hand away and wrapped him tightly with her arms around his waist instead, resting her head onto his chest. He patted her back softly, hoping that it would calm her down a bit.

 

“I believe in you and will let you do your job, but could you promise me one thing in return?” Erza asked.

 

Jellal considered for a moment.

 

“I don’t’ know if I could fulfill the promise, but I will try my best.” He replied honestly. “Tell me what you want from me.”

 

“Promise me not to give up your life, Jellal.”

 

Jellal reminded silence for a moment, before placing a kiss on Erza’s scarlet tresses.

 

“Your request is noted, Erza Scarlet.” He now embraced her tightly in his arms too and whispered at her ear. “I have to go now. Good bye. You take good care too.”

 

He placed a final kiss at her ear and then released her, turned away quickly to walk to the exit of the South Gate without looking back.

 

Eyes staring at his back, Erza’s tears just wouldn’t stop falling. When he finally disappeared in the darkness, she wiped off all her tears and turned away to return to her guidemates.

 

He was right. She also had a task that she must complete.

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2. Logic and Wish

Jellal noted that 5 minutes had passed since Lahar and Doranbolt left the park to carry out the 1^st step of his plan after accepting the deal he offered.

 

He knew that he should really move on to the next step of his plan too. However, he reminded still at the same location where he talked to the council people because he could not take his eyes off her.

 

Even though she was standing in the darkness with insufficient lighting and surrounded by a large group of people, Jellal could still easily spot her out in a few seconds. Her scarlet tresses were too difficult for him to overlook. He watched over her from the high-rise viewing platform in the last 5 minutes, wondering if this would be his last sight of her in his life.

 

Now 6 minutes had passed. There was not much spare time left for him. Jellal decided that he would stay for 1 more minute before leaving.

 

His eyes were still fixed at the redhead and following her every move. A desire to go down and to stay by her side was building up inside him. But he knew that it was just an unrealistic thought. To protect the future, he had to execute his plan and she also had to fight her battle. It was not the right time for reunion. Then he smiled bitterly when noting that actually they might never have another reunion, if either one of them failed.

 

60 seconds slipped away quickly. Jellal put on the hook of his cloak and turned away but was still hesitating to take the first step to leave. He turned back his head and decided that he would just have a very last glimpse of her. Then his eyes widened in surprise to found that she was standing still and looking up at his direction. Without much thinking, he put up his hand and waved at her as if to confirm whether he was truly the focus of her eyesight. She immediately waved back at him before walking away from the crowd and heading to the direction of the viewing platform.

 

Jellal strode the viewing platform, went to the exit, and ran down the stairs. When he reached the ground, he could see that a redhead was walking slowly at around hundred meters away from him. He narrowed his eyes in suspicious and was a bit shocked to find that she was using a stick to support her walking. He rushed to go to her, and received a welcoming smile from her when he finally stood in front of her.  

 

“Hi, Jellal.”

 

“Hi, Erza.” Jellal spoke with concern. “You should really take a good rest now instead of walking around considering your current condition.”

 

“I am fine-”

 

Before Erza could further explain her condition, Jellal held her in bridal style suddenly.

 

“What are you-“

 

“You are not fine, Erza. You have to sit down first before we can talk further.” Ignoring Erza’s protest and blushes, Jellal walked towards a long bench located under a banyan tree. He settled her down on the bench, took off his cloak and used it to blanket Erza’s upper body which was shrouded by nothing other than bandages. Then he sat down beside her, while calculating in mind to confirm that his plan would not be adversely affected if he didn’t spend more than 10 minutes with Erza. 

 

“Thank you.” Erza whispered. “But you really didn’t have to carry me in such way. I can walk by myself.” 

 

Erza admitted that she did actually enjoy the intimacy with Jellal when she was held close to his chest a moment ago, and his body’s temperature could still be felt through his cloak covering her now. Yet, she didn’t want him to find out her true feeling because it would be embarrassing for her. Therefore, she insisted telling him that what he did was unnecessary.

 

Jellal looked at Erza with an understanding look.

 

“We all know that the Titania is strong and independent. But,” Jellal’s glanced at Erza’s right arm which was now hided under his cloak. “didn't you get some of your wounds due to me in your fight with Kagura? So maybe you could view my act as a mere compensation and apology for your injuries caused by me, instead of as a doubt on your ability.”

 

“How would you know……no, no. That’s not right. I didn’t get hurt by Kagura because of you, Jellal!” Erza argued back nervously. “I was hurt just because I was not strong enough. There was nothing you need to blame yourself for!”

 

“I know that Kagura is Simon’s little sister.”

 

Erza looked at Jellal in surprise, speechless. Avoiding Erza’s glance, Jellal was now looking at the ground, resting his elbows on his knees and crossed his fingers.

 

“Other than the rune knights, she was the one who tried the hardest to hunt me down since my breakout from prison. Therefore, I had done some investigations on her too. I knew very well that she wanted to take revenge on me for killing Simon and that she swore to only unsheathe her sword to kill me. So you see Erza, when I heard people talking about her unsheathing her sword to attack you, it was not that hard for me to figure out that her hatred on me had been vented on you and you were suffered in my place for my sin.” Jellal raised his head and looked at Erza again with sadness in his eyes. “Erza, you really shouldn’t have-”

 

“Listen to me, Jellal.” Erza covered Jellal’s month with her hand to stop him from talking anymore. “The words I told Kagura during our fight, I will repeat them to you. It was only a half truth to say that Simon died by your hands. You weren’t the reason Simon died. My weakness was what killed Simon. But I won’t give up my life because it was entrusted to me by Simon and people who loved me. Therefore, what happened during my fight with Kagura had nothing to do with you, Jellal. I fought with the hope that Kagura would understand the truth and forgive me, and the bruises were only a small price I had to pay in the long process of our reconciliation.”

 

Jellal held Erza’s hand that was covering his month and placed a light kiss in her palm. He then moved her hand away and freed it from his holding.

 

“How could me killing Simon be your fault, Erza? It’s illogical.”

 

But was there ever any logic in what Erza did for him?

 

He was possessed by Zeref; she blamed herself for not able to rescue him in time and vowed to save him or die with him.

He killed Simon; she considered it as the result of her weakness and took it as her responsibility to bring reconciliation.

He lost his memories and wanted to let her go; she insisted to stay by his side to guide and encourage him.

He was in doubt of his purpose of living; she was even more frustrated than he was at his thought and made him promise not to give up life easily for his “fiancé”.

 

All was, again, illogical.

 

And Jellal was not unaware of the reason behind Erza’s illogical actions. It was simply because she loved him, and sometimes there was no logic in love. He understood her situation well because, after all, he loved her too and he didn’t always act logically. But, he felt that she had already spent a too large portion of her life in saving him again and again and even in sharing his faults and weaknesses.

 

“When will you let yourself be freed from the burdens that are mine, Erza?”

 

“But I am free.” Erza replied with an assuring tone. “I act on my own wish and belief.”

 

Jellal uttered a sigh. No doubt that it should be Erza’s freedom to act according to her choice and he had no right to ask her to make choice that was against her will. It didn’t matter if he though that her choice of refusing to leave the cage called “Jellal” was a bad one.

 

Realizing that he couldn’t win Erza over her argument and judging that there was still some time left for him to stay with her, Jellal decided continuing his conversation with Erza a little bit longer but in a slightly different direction.

 

“So what is your wish right at this moment, Erza?”

 

“I wish that we could defeat the dragons tomorrow.”

 

“Right.” Jellal nodded. That answer should be an expected one from Erza, but strangely he felt a little bit disappointed when he heard it. Might be he was expecting something……more personal. No. That’s enough you idiot. Stop being naïve and selfish.

 

“That’s my wish too.” He finally added.

 

“Then what are you going to do, Jellal?”

 

Jellal thought for a moment.

 

“I have drawn up a plan, and I will leave soon to execute it.”

 

“Oh.” So he is not going to by my side to fight the dragons together, Erza thought. He got his own plan.

 

“What plan?” Asked Erza in suspicious.

 

“It’s a contingency plan to deal with the dragons and the eclipse cannon. That’s all I can tell you now.”

 

Erza felt a bit uneasy at the fact that Jellal refused to tell her the details of his plan. Why he needed to hide it from her? Was he planning something dangerous? But then on a second thought, wasn’t it also dangerous for her to fight the dragons? It seemed that there was no stance for her to worry about his safety when her own safety was at risk too. They were actually in the same circumstance, facing the same risk of not seeing the coming of the day after tomorrow.

 

This moment might be the last moment we share together in life. Such realization hit Erza’s heart like a hammer, causing her heart to ache.

 

Noting Erza’s sudden silence, Jellal felt that she was struggling with something inside her. Be it her wish, be it his plan, or be it other thing, he didn’t know. But he decided not to ask, since it was time for him to leave now.

 

“Erza, I have to leave now. Sorry that I can’t accompany you to go back to your guidemates.” Jellal stood up, looking down on Erza.

 

“Jellal,” Erza grasped Jellal’s hand with hers in a sudden. “would you please hear one more of my wish?”

 

“Of course, Erza.” Jellal smiled at her gently. He would actually be willing to hear all her wishes and help her to accomplish them all if he was allowed.

 

“I wish that both of us could see the sunrise of the day after tomorrow.” Looked up at Jellal, Erza’s eyes were being filled with tears.

 

“I can’t promise you anything Erza, but I will try my best to make your wish come true.” Jellal pull out his hands held by Erza’s and cupped her face with his palms instead. He lowered his head closer to hers and then placed a short kiss on her forehead, before wiping off the tears now running down her cheek with his thumbs. “Goodbye Erza, please take care.”

 

Erza stayed to watch Jellal walking away until his figure disappeared from her eyesight. Wearing Jellal’s cloak, Erza then stood up and started heading back to where her guidemates stayed.