Façade | Jerza

25 | The Case of Michelle Lobster

NOTE: spoilers of Key to the Starry Sky arc but it's super important! This chapter features Michelle Lobster, NOT Imitatia (the traitor who tried sacrificing Lucy), but the one who survived the accident in the Lobster Plantation years before X791. Her husband (for plot purposes) is Jerome from Avatar. It is not my intention to create a new ship, in fact, their relationship is very toxic. I'm just horrible at creating OCs.

This fic is officially being marked mature for dark themes ahead.

"Mystogan...a prince?"

"Jellal the impostor?"

"Erza fighting Erza?"

"Gildarts is back?"

Questions circulated the guildhall as the mages explained the events at Edolas. Gildarts yawned and sat through the story with the guild master.

Makarov laughed it off as nothing more than a dream until he heard Jellal convinced the Magic Council to fire Etherion. The Wizard Saint would have rather not had Lucy boast about his heroic deed.

"You did what!?" Makarov shouted as Jellal contemplated explaining his reasoning behind the potential reaction to be predicted. Lucy flinched, mouthing an apology to the Wizard Saint. But knowing Jellal, he wasn't bothered by Makarov. "If you misused Etherion in any form, you would've lost your job!"

"I suppose so. However, it was the only way to get you all back. Or would you rather have been magic energy?"

"If it meant not being guild master, then I would consider it."

Gildarts heartily chuckled, "You're really that desperate, aren't you, old man?"

Jellal continued, "You could at least appreciate the others for making the effort to rescue Magnolia. Your dearest children cried when they contemplated your death."

Said children seemed completely fine after Makarov reprimanded them and sent back to their homes. It was late in the afternoon, and Jellal's not-so-subtle appearance caused a roaring crowd, especially when the others thanked him for saving Magnolia.

Especially Erza, who was now seated beside the guild master.

Makarov nearly had a heart attack upon hearing that she fought with one arm against countless foes and escaped a hotel in the middle of the night to save Jellal—with absolutely no plan.

He jumped off the bar counter to confront every wizard that fought in Edolas.

"I can feel the pain you endured in your time of Edolas. Thank you for giving Mystogan the Fairy Tail farewell. I'm sure he'll be a great king. As for you children, I'm proud of you all for saving Magnolia."

Mirajane and Erza pointed at Jellal. "Oh, that was all him."

Makarov made a note of it, unsurprisingly. "And it seems we have a new face amongst ourselves. Care to introduce him, Gajeel?"

Gajeel grinned, "Hey geezer, this here is my cat, Lily. He's the strongest of all the kitties in our guild."

"Oh, yeah?" Natsu challenged, cursing under his breath.

Carla crossed her arms, "So that was his reason to get an exceed of his own?" Gajeel seemed riled up by her statement. He sheepishly released Panther Lily.

Panther Lily stared at Jellal, seemingly unamused by the guild's rowdy behaviour. "So you're the Earth Land version of Prince Jellal. And here, they call you a council member?"

"That is correct." Jellal answered. Everyone was confused why Panther Lily could not uphold his stronger form, but regardless, found the miniature version of him adorable.