Wheels of Fire

What Would You Do For Family

King Jellal sat on his bed, casually stroking through silky locks of scarlet hair. He remembered Erza Scarlet, the Titania of Fairy Tail. How appropriate her surname was! Supposedly, it was his alternate self who gave her that name, and it was definitely an apt choice. He had grown up in Earthland's Fairy Tail, watching those wizards with all that internal power, whereas he had to use external power for magic. He admired the true wizards, especially Gildarts, Laxus, Mira, and Erza ... he studied her so much from the shadows. He watched the Titania fight. He envied her mental fortitude. Then, upon his return home, he easily fell in love with this woman now curled on his chest.

His heart had opened up living in Earthland. He briefly wondered about Natsu Dragneel, lost somewhere in this world. Was his heart opening up as well? Was he safe? He had liked Natsu back in Earthland, a wild boy but with a deep heart filled with the passion to protect his friends. He wondered how life in a dark guild that was opposite to his own would change Natsu. Or would he change them?

He heard footsteps approaching. At the faint sound, Erza Knightwalker roused from her slumber. She was breathtaking in the morning, her red hair a mess, her eyes bleary, no defenses up, just a gorgeous woman with a surprisingly cute side to her. Not like King Jellal would ever tell her that! She'd throttle him as soon as she fully woke up.

Those steps sounded urgent, so Jellal pulled the covers up, at least enough to cover his sweetheart. Maybe she did not give much care about privacy, but he was a jealous man who did not want others to see the ampleness of her bosom in their full and exposed glory.

Sure enough, the door opened with hardly a knock and a servant rushed in. "Your highness, another call from that magic land."

"Earthland," he corrected. "I'll be right there." The servant bowed and left. "Rise and shine, my love," he whispered to Knightwalker. She grumbled something, still half asleep. "I'll go on ahead. Get dressed."

Jellal wrapped a robe around that was nice enough to be worn alone. He glanced in a mirror just to make sure his hair was combed down, then place on that royal crown that showed his authority. As he hurried through sunlit halls, he wondered if the time of day was different between their dimensions as well. Did Earthland have longer days? If so, the difference was minor. Then he happened to pass a clock. No, it wasn't a time-shift between dimensions. He just really slept in! He cursed at his laziness. Whenever Erza was in the castle, his nights were always wild and his mornings started much later.

He entered one of the science research rooms where they had the best connection to the magic that linked them to Earthland. He saw Makarov's face, aged and full of wisdom, gentle yet commanding. If he was in another universe, this man would have made an intimidating king.

"Master Makarov," he greeted with a tip of his head.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" the guild master asked.

"My sincerest apologies. I forgot the date."

"I take it you've had no success in finding Natsu."

Jellal felt a stab of guilt. Surely all of Fairy Tail was worried sick for their teammate. "We ... almost had him. A trap was devised, we nearly caught the entire guild, but ... Fairy Tail is infamous for being able to escape us. In the days of my father, they made quick getaways an art form. Now, without them knowing our intentions, we can't just walk up, knock on the door, and ask to speak to Natsu Dragneel. We have to snare them, and that is not easy."

Makarov nodded, although he looked concerned. "Well, I certainly can't complain. If anything, I should feel proud that your Fairy Tail is so skilled at escaping even you, Mystogan ... King Jellal," he corrected.