My Scarlet Rose (A Jerza Fanfic)

Chapter 11 - The Boss

"Jellal would like to meet with you." Rick spoke into the communication lacrima, "Yes. Ok. I'll tell him." After he finished his conversation, he walked down the hall to Jellal's room. He knocked and waited for an answer. Rick may have been holding Jellal hostage, but he still had his manners. Not all villains are rude. "Come in." Jellal's muffled voice spoke from the other side of the door.

Rick opened the door and slipped through. Jellal was on the bed, staring at the ceiling with his hands behind his head. "You may see the boss now." Rick stated. Jellal sighed in relief and sat up on the bed. He walked towards Rick and followed him out of the room. Jellal didn't realize how big the house was until now. They walked upstairs, who knew that this place was a three story?, then made a right then a left and continued down the hallway. At the end of the hall was two grand double doors. Rick knocked on the door and listened for a reply.

The left door opened and Rick motioned for Jellal to enter, which he did. Inside, there was a large desk and two chairs in front. Similar to an office. Jellal took a seat in one of the chairs and turned around to find out Rick that was gone. "Rick?" Jellal called, scanning the room. What was going on here? Jellal got a bad feeling in his gut. "Rick?" He called again, standing to his feet. Suddenly, he heard grunts coming from the hallway and the clanking of chains. The double doors bursted open to reveal Rick with Erza and Rachael. Rick held Erza in one hand and Rachael in the other. The girls had their hands chained behind their backs and they looked like they had been to Hell and back.

Their hair stuck to their face and neck due to being drenched in sweat. There was no blood in sight, much to Jellal's relief, but there were millions of scars and bruises. Ones that Jellal was sure wasn't there before he last saw them. The girls looked so weak and fragile. "What is the meaning of this?" Jellal asked, licking his lips and trying to remain calm. "You said you wouldn't hurt any of them." He continued.

"Oh, but I had to hurt this one." Rick said, tossing Erza on the group like a piece of trash.

"W-Why?" Jellal swallowed and bit his bottom lip.

"Don't you remember me, Jellal? Back from that tower?"

Jellal studied Rick's face for a moment and thought back to the tower. He would rather not think about it, considering that only bad memories surfaced when he did.

"I'm Jellal. Jellal Fernandes. What's your name?"

"R-Rick."

"Nice to meet you, Rick."

"R-Rick?" Jellal finally put the pieces together. "Y-You're that Rick?" His eyes widened and his jaw dropped slightly. Rick just stared at Jellal, his face expressionless. "What happened to you?" Jellal asked, concerned.

"Took you long enough." Rick sighed, dropping Rachael.

"S-Sorry. I-It's been a while." Jellal laughed nervously.

"Got that right." Rick brushed his shoulders as if there was something there. "Let's just get straight to the point." He spat, his voice no longer polite like he had first appeared. "I'm gonna let your friends go." He gave a sinister smile.

"But?" Jellal crossed his arms, knowing there was a catch to this deal. Nothing is ever free anymore!

"No catch."

"You serious?"

"Absolutely."

"Then why torture Erza and Rachael? Rachael especially. I know how important she is to you."

"One, Erza's not your friend. We all know that."

"Wha-"

"Shush. She's not your friend, she's your lover. Or your would-like-to-be lover."

"T-That's-"

"Can't deny the truth, my good man."

That's true. You can't deny the truth and the truth was that Jellal did want Erza to be his girlfriend. Everybody knew that!

"Even so, tha-"

"Not so fast, Jellal. I still have the floor." Rick took a step forward towards the Heavenly Body Mage. "Now, since you don't consider Erza as a friend, she is not a friend. Therefore, she does not leave."

Jellal glared at Rick, but nodded. "Ok. What about Rachael?"

"Ah, yes. I was just getting there." Rick began to pace as he spoke. "Well, I didn't touch a hair on her head. Not technically anyway."

"You don't seem upset like you should be."

"Of course I'm upset." Rick grips the clothing over his heart and pouts, pretending to be sad. "Who wouldn't be upset seeing their sister all beaten up?"

Jellal narrowed his eyes. "Exactly. You aren't upset . . . which means that," His eyes drift to Rachael's body. "that isn't Rachael." He mumbled.

After Jellal's conclusion, the sound of hands clapping came from behind Jellal. The mage turned around and his eyes widened. "Bravo. Bravo. Splendid." It was Rachael. She stood behind the desk, applauding as if she was at a movie premiere.

"Rachael?"

"Hello, Jellal. I'm glad you've been playing this game. Welcome to the Boss level."