Hot and Cold

Farewell

~*****~

While we're not as unknowing as the last time, we're still able to fight against Zero. "I must say, I am surprised to see you survived a piercing spell," Zero hums as Natsu's able to deflect the blast. Although, my throat hitches when someone fires a spell at Natsu, blowing him back.

My gaze whips over and I stare in shock at the newcomer. "Jellal!" I shout. Natsu stares in shock once the flames disappear from his body.

"Well, hello! I take it your memory has returned?" Zero smirks.

"Yes." Jella simply says.

"You shouldn't have come here--" Natsu growls as he starts to stand. "Jellal!" He roars as he charges.

"Stop." Jellal snaps as he cast another fire spell.

"Didja forget flames don't work on me!?" Natsu barked at him.

"Yes, briefly, but I remembered just in time." Jellal retorted. My brows quirk up in surprise. "Only you can stop Zero."

"What?!" Zero snaps.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but as a fire dragon slayer, doesn't the power of flame amplify your magic?" Jellal questions.

"Uh, yes, but why?" I ask suspiciously.

"Liar! Judging by your actions, your memory has not been restored!" Zero snaps.

"I didn't lie to you." Jellal retorts. "Only my memories of Natsu have returned. I'm determined to stop Nirvana. Whether or not the rest of my memories return will not affect my goal."

"I don't get it. What happened to you?" Natsu asked.

"When I awoke, it was as though my memory had been completely wiped clean. Although, I have no recollection of behaving like a vile cretin, it seems that was the case." Jellal commented. "I've brought harm upon not only you and Erza, but all of Fairy Tail. It's time to make amends. I want to help you protect Wendy's guild. I want to stop Nirvana. I know we can do it as long as we work together!"

"I don't believe you! You're saying you forgot everything you did to us?! Quit pretending to me on our side or you'll pay!" Natsu cried as he cracked one across Jellal's face. I wrapped my arms around Natsu's chest and lifted him into the air. "Hey, lemme down!" He shouted as he kicked his legs around.

"That's enough!" I snap at him.

"Please, just accept my flames and move on!" Jellal hissed.

Natsu manages to break free from my grasp and clutches at Jellal's coat, lifting him up high. "You may have forgotten what happened in the past, but the rest of us haven't. I still remember everything. I'll never forget that you made Erza cry!"

"How pathetic--" I hear Zero comment from behind me. My brow's quirk irritably as I cast a glare over my shoulder. "If you're going to argue, must you do it in front of me? Quit wasting my time!" I feel someone grasp the end of my wing and fling me back into hallway. I glance up just in time to see Jellal taking the full brunt of Zero's piercing blast.

"Why Jellal--" Natsu gasps.

"Just go ahead and kill me, if that's what you have to do," Jellal pants. "I'm already battered and torn to shreds. But first," He holds out his palm. "Let me give you the power you need to defeat him."

I gaze in awe at the flame burning in his palm. "I've never seen such a golden flame..." Natsu comments.

"This is, the flame of rebuke," Jellal says softly as I lay him on the ground.

"No way--" I gasp as I stare down at it.

"What's the flame of rebuke?" Natsu asks.

"But won't that--" I try, but Jellal just smiles.