My Scarlet Rose (A Jerza Fanfic)

Chapter 8 - A New Threat

Jellal woke up to the sunlight shining in his face. He looked around and saw the others were still sleeping; all except Erza and Rachael. Not wanting to wake up the others, Jellal got up and walked around, searching for the two girls. Only, they were nowhere to be found.

"Meredy!" Jellal ran back to where the others were, breathing heavy and panicking. One by one, they all stirred, groaning groggily from sleep. "Meredy!" Jellal called once more, running to the pink haired mage's side.

"What is it, Jellal?" She grumbled, rubbing her eye.

"I-It's Erza . . . and Rachael. T-They're gone." Everyone's head snapped up at the news. "Cobra," Jellal stood and looked directly into the Dragon Slayer's eye. "can you track their scents?" Jellal had a dead serious, emotionless expression. Could you blame him? The love of his life just vanished and he wasn't there to protect her. He should've been there for her. It's a man's job to protect his woman. And Jellal failed. Guilt and worry was eating his flesh away.

"Yeah, I can track 'em." Cobra answered with a shrugg of the shoulders. He began walking while everyone else followed behind. "Can we shower first?" Angel sighed, "I need a shower." She put her hands above her head, stretching and yawning. "Erza first. Shower later." Jellal stated.

"You know Rachael is missing too, right?" Angel raised an eyebrow at how Jellal completely forgot about the brunette, only focused on Erza. "Yeah. Sure." He mumbled, not really paying attention to her anymore.

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Crime Sorcière had walked for miles and miles. Five towns over from Magnolia, they arrived in Briggs. "Your nose tracked them all the way here?" Jellal asked Cobra. Did scents last that long? Guess you learn something new everyday. "Well, not really. Their scents are faint, fading fast, but I can hear a voice. Erza's voice. It's quiet, but I can still hear it." He explained.

"Erza? Is she ok?" All Jellal needed was confirmation, to know Erza was not harmed. Cobra didn't answer, knowing that the Heavenly Body Mage wouldn't like the answer. Why must pain and suffering always follow them? Were they cursed? Another reason why he couldn't have love. It all went back to that tower. The Tower of Heaven. When you think about it, everyone that was in that tower had years of pain and suffering. The tower was the source of everyone's darkness; Midnight, Racer, Hoteye, Angel, Cobra, Millianna, Wally, Sho, Simon, Jellal, and Erza.

A bright white light appeared before the group as they were walking down the street. "What is-" Jellal mumbled as the light engulfed him and the rest of his team. Suddenly, Jellal was in the living room of what appeared to be a mansion. "Meredy?" He called. Silence. "Meredy?" He called again. Still no response. "Cobra? Angel? Anyone?" He called his teammates names, but there was no answer. He was alone.

"Welcome Jellal Fernandes." Jellal quickly turned to find a man in the doorway. The man was in a formal black and white tuxedo. His light brown hair was greased back and his equally brown eyes stared at Jellal. "Who are you?" The Heavenly Body Mage asked, "And how do you know me?"

"Name's Rick." The man sighed. "And I've been following you for quite some time." Jellal's eyes widened as he processed the information. We were being followed?, he thought. "The big man upstairs has taken a liking to you." Rick commented, pointing to the ceiling. "What do you want?" Jellal shouted. "You. If you come willingly, then we will not harm your friends." Rick answered.

"My friends? They're here?"

"Yep; Hoteye, Racer, Midnight, Angel, Cobra, Meredy, Rachael, and Erza."

Wow, someone's done their homework. Well, now Jellal knows that his friends are here. But the question is, are they safe? This could be a trap. However, if he comes without a fight, Rick said that he won't hurt everyone else. "Will you keep your word?" Jellal asked, "If I go with you, you will not harm my friends."

Rick licked his lips and a smirk formed on his lips. "Yes." He nodded. "This way, Jellal."