400 years

49

"There's-."

"Jellal!!?" Erza yelled, partly shocked, and still very much angry.

"Wait, so your 'he' is Jellal?" I looked at the approaching army, speechless with my own shock.

Jellal was at the head of a large force of men, their flag bearing the iconic Fairy Tail crest.

"Lord Natsu! What's the meaning of this!?" Erza yelled, she turned to give Natsu a terrifying glare.

"More like Lord Flame for brains.." Grey huffed as Natsu spoke over him.

"Jellal put a lot of hard work into this show. I'll let him handle the rest." Natsu grinned.

Even though there were still questions to be answered, such as why Jellal arrived when he had, and what was behind his supposed betrayal. Now wasn't the time, as the sun began to set, the enemy had caught up to the horizon.

"My betrayal must be a surprise to you, Erza.. But now is not the time for commotion. Crime Sorcière, has come to turn this battle around."

"Hmph!" Erza turned away, she then equipped into her Black Wing Armor. "We'll see if your explanation is reasonable." With that Erza took off towards the nearing enemy troops.

"Yikes, wouldn't wanna be you~! Take care Lucy." Grey waves as he took off running to join Erza.

~*~

Sometime later, night had fell across the battle field. We'd reorganized at our new headquarters. I stood with the assembled warlords.

"Alright Jellal, lets hear this explanation." Erza demanded.

Jellal was wiping the sweat from his brow as he joined the group. "That's some greeting, Erza. Maybe you should work on those manners-!"

Fast as lightning, Erza reached out for Jellal's armor, pulling him to meet her gaze. "I'll show you manners. When-!"

Yet, before Erza could finish.. Jellal had taken her right wrist into his left hand, his right hand now held her other wrist behind her back. Jellal grinned as he bent forward, his lips to Erza's ear.

It was obvious he'd whispered something into her ear, by the florescent red glow to Erza's cheeks. 'Get a room! Geez! But, hopefully this is a good sign?'

Gray then cleared his throat, "Your arrival certainly saved us, but could you enlighten us?"

Rogue, who'd showed up with Sting and Wendy, spoke up. "Working from behind the scenes again, weren't you.?"

Questions flew at him like rapid fire, but he just shrugged.

"One at a time, if you would. There's only One of me."

'The world should be thankful for that!' I snickered, then spoke out, "How about picking a question to answer instead of evading then again?"

"Ouch! Even Lucy is scolding me." Jellal said with a teasing smile.

'Why you-!'

"Lucy, quiet. Let him explain." Natsu scolded me, as he looked around at everyone but said no more.

'Just me Huh!? Ooh, you'd better have a good reason for that kiss later. Natsu, I won't let you back away this time!'

Jellal went on to explain how he'd been in contact with Acnologia, providing him with information about our forces. All so that he could draw him out of hiding and lure him here. Acnologia and Emperor Spriggan had joined forces, if we would've struck them deep within Alvarez Empire, they'd have the advantage. Using Acnologia's blood lust to guarantee he'd leave the castle, with false information of our small numbers.

'Wait! Spriggan? Oh no.. do they not know that he's Zeref!? N-Natsu must've been killed in my time before he knew the true identity of Emperor Spriggan.'

Jellal continued with his plan: If we'd been here with overwhelming numbers, they would've retreated back to Alvarez Empire. So after everyone departed, I secretly assembled my force. Not to mention Emperor Spriggan has a skilled ninja who'd infiltrated deep into Dragnof Castle once before.

'Skilled ninja? That must be brandish!?'

It was a impressively detailed plan. I breathed a sigh of relief, that seemed to go for everyone else too.

But only Erza, lips pursed tight, seemed to be holding something back.

"But, it'd turn out that Acnologia was more cautious then expected. He saw through my double cross and sent out troops alone. Even with the rumors I'd spread about myself."

"The rumors of your plotting against Lord Natsu came from you!?' Wendy said with shock.

"Yes, that was me."

I was impressed that Natsu had put himself in danger to see Jellal's plan through..