A/N: I'm so sorry for the delay in posting. College has now started, and I don't think I knew the true meaning of "busy" until now. Unfortunately, I don't see my schedule clearing up any time soon, so my posting from now on is going to be extremely slow.

Thank you for reviews, following and favoriting. I am so glad you guys are enjoying my story, despite the slow updates. It's always nice to see an email saying another one of you has contributed your thoughts to this story.

I will be editing this story from here on out, getting rid of all the first person POVs. I've decided to not write in that POV anymore only because I don't really enjoy writing that anymore. So that explains why the rest of this chapter, as well as the rest of the story, will be written in Third Person Omniscient. Thank you!

On with the chapter! Enjoy, and please do review, and tell me what you thought!

Chapter 9: Dawn

"Before you kill us," Lucy began, raising her hands as if to placate Erza. "Give us a chance to explain. And when you do decide to kill us, at least give me a head start to run away."

"Hey!" Natsu complained. "Why should it be just you?"

"Idiot," Gray hissed under his breath. "You're usually down for a match with Erza."

"Shut up Ice-"

"Enough," Erza said, pinching her nose in exasperation. "I'm not going to kill you. But please, for the love of Mavis, can someone tell me what you guys are doing here and why you're all gathered in my room like this?"

Gray sheepishly raised his hand. "Sorry, Erza," he began slowly. "I asked the others to help me. I wanted to see what you were going to do here at the gala and asked them to assist me in this undertaking."

"Laxus and I were on a mission here anyway," Gajeel interrupted, jabbing his thumb in Laxus's direction, who was standing stoically off to the side, a trembling Lucy still hiding behind his bulky frame. "Makarov wanted us to infiltrate Era, because others have begun to report on Doma's erratic behavior. And then you coming here, along with Gray's theory that you were going to, well, make it hell for him, messed up our game plan. So here we are."

Erza blinked, lowering her sword (not missing Lucy sighing in relief when the shining blade swerved from her direction). "Makarov sent you?"

"Yes," Laxus said, crossing his burly arms. "We were supposed to watch Gran Doma, possibly figure out what was ailing the old man. Makarov wanted to make sure that if we had to depose Doma, we should have plenty of evidence before we do so."

Erza frowned. "So-"

"Yes, Titania," Gajeel interrupted, looking shockingly serious for once. "Ever since Doma sentenced Jellal without proper trial, Makarov has been suspicious. He didn't want to point out Doma's steadily increasing instability, so he had us "spying," is a better word to say the least."

Laxus walked forward and rested a heavy hand on Erza's shoulder. "Fear not," he said, as if comforting her. "Jellal did not die in vain. We have enough proof to force Doma to step down."

Erza frowned, brushing Laxus's arm off her. He looked visibly shocked at her seemingly cold and brusque move, but didn't question her moves. She sighed, and gave each and everyone in that room a hard, unflinching stare.

"Jellal is alive."

He knew he was dreaming. It was quite obvious, because Jellal Fernandes was feeling extremely content, and extremely content did not fit in Jellal's current way of life.

He was lying on his back, soft grass pillowing his body. A slight breeze was stirring the air, making his clothes and hair billow in the sky. The sun was setting, painting the sky a fiery mix of crimson and gold. He closed his eyes, breathed in the sweet summer air, and allowed himself to indulge in this tranquil moment.

Something stirred next to him, but suddenly, Jellal could not open his eyes. A warm weight settled on his body, and a soft hand cupped his jaw, caressing his skin. Something began to tickle his forehead and cheeks, and he raised a hand, his fingers coming into contact with something long and soft. The smell of strawberries suddenly permeated his nostrils.

"Jellal," came the achingly familiar voice, and Jellal's heart stopped its erratic pounding. In his entire life, she never once left him, bound in his memories and etched in his skin. Now, for the last time, she would haunt his dreams.

He opened his eyes, and met her warm brown eyes, full of love and light. She smiled, her love so evident in her lips that Jellal wished that this dream was real, that he wasn't asleep, and that any moment reality would wrench him away from her.

"Jellal," she whispered again, bending down lower so that their noses just barely brushed. Her breath mingled with his own, and he felt his arms wrap around her waist of their own accord. "Be strong."

"How?" He whispered, licking his dry lips. "How can I be strong, Erza? I am not you."

"My strength does not come from myself. My companions make my heart strong. I fight for those I love, I live for those I love. Being alive... is a sign of strength, Jellal. Live for your friends. Live for me."

She wiped away the tears that were making tracks down his face, caressing them away with her thumbs. "I have faith in you, Jellal. I always have, and I always will."

"You always know what to say," he murmured. "Every time."

"I do not," she declared. "There are many things in which I stumble. But Jellal, you have to listen to me on this. You are strong, because I love you, and you have people waiting for you at home. I wait for you. So live."

"I'll try, but Erza, you have to listen to me," Jellal began, sitting up. Erza backed up, so that when Jellal was fully upright she was straddling his waist. He could now see that they were situated on a grassy bluff overlooking a port city- Hargeon?- and that Erza looked like an ethereal goddess, dressed in a white dress.

"If I lose myself," he murmured, resting his forehead against hers and closing his eyes. "It will be by your side. Because Erza Scarlet, you are my home, my heart, my soul. I gave you my heart willingly years ago, and no matter what happens, you will continue to hold my heart forever in your palms. I love you Erza, and whatever happens to me, you must know that."

She looked at him, making him open his eyes. She was smiling, warm tears running down her cheeks, and she lovingly cupped his cheek in one hand, running her thumb down his skin. "Oh Jellal," she whispered. "My heart has always belonged to you, and there it will remain. I love you, no matter what you have done. Despite everything, you are my past, my present, and my future. But you must live for me."

"I promise," he breathed.

She leaned forward, placing a chaste kiss on his lips. It was soft, sweet, and as light as the breeze dancing through his hair. It was so sweet, but he needed more.

He gasped, pressing his lips against hers and cupping her face, running his hands through her hair as she opened her mouth to him. Her hands dragged down his chest, up across his shoulders, down his back, as they devoured each other, their lips consuming each other. It was a wildfire, and their lips were the spark that ignited the inferno.

And then it was over. She pulled away, leaving Jellal holding on to nothing. He blinked, looking up in confusion as she got off of him, her hair flying out behind her like it had a life of its own.

"Erza, what are you-" he began, but she cut him off gently.

"I must go," she said, looking at him warmly. "Remember what I said, Jellal. Living shows your strength. No matter what happens, you must live."

"Erza, no," Jellal gasped, but he couldn't rise. In fact, blackness was starting to bleed into his vision, clouding her beautiful face. "Please don't leave me."

"I won't," he heard her breath. "I am always with you."

"Please," he cried as his vision faded and pulled him down. "Don't go."

But then he jerked awake, the warm sunset replaced with the dankness of his cell. Instead of soft grass, his back was welcomed to reality by the hard concrete floor of his prison. And instead of seeing Erza, he was greeted with an empty wall and the bars of his cage looking back at him.

In other words, welcome back to reality.

He dropped his head back to the stone, silent tears running down his face. She was gone, torn away from him by the brutal waking world. His promise suddenly seemed obsolete.

It was dawn.

"He's what?" Lucy screeched. Beside her, Gray's jaw dropped, the shock rendering him speechless. Natsu, who would forever be oblivious, just looked at Lucy dumbly, as if she had the answers to everything.

Laxus was a bit more composed than the others. Almost businesslike, he coughed, then asked Erza briskly, "How do you know this? Are you certain?"

"I have seen him with my very own eyes," she concluded. "And he has filled me in on most accounts. He's been held secretly in a separate prison under the castle. I doubt the other members of the castle know he's alive."

"Back up," Gray said. "Please tell me how the hell you managed to find Jellal. I must have missed that incredibly crucial part. Spit it, Scarlet."

"Are you ordering me around?" Erza asked him, her tone suddenly quiet and harsh. Despite her threatening demeanor, Gray did not back down, but simply stared at her icily.

"Erza," Lucy quavered, stepping forward. "How did you find out Jellal was alive?"

Erza's gaze softened. "During the gala," she explained softly. "I slipped out and went to search for Gran Doma, since I could not find him. Along the way, I ran into a few guards that I found no inclination to tell them where I was going, so I hid behind a door that led down to what seemed to be an abandoned dungeon. Then, after further exploration, I found him."

Gajeel scratched the back of his head. "Pure coincidence?" he muttered to no one. "I think not."

Gracy frowned. "What are you going to do now?"

Natsu jumped to his feet. "Are we gonna fight something?I'm all fired-"

"Enough, Natsu," Lucy said in exasperation, putting a dainty hand over his mouth. He spat, prying her fingers off his mouth, but before he could protest she sent him a dirty glare, making him shut up.

"He's badly injured," Erza whispered, remembering all the welts and bruises covering Jellal's skin. "I doubt he's been getting enough food or water, not to mention he's in that cold cell without a blanket or proper attire."

"He's not going to survive much longer in that condition," Laxus mused. "Plus we don't know how much longer Gran Doma is going to keep him here. It would be wise to get him out of this place before death claims his life."

"I planned on it," Erza said, then pointed glared at the little group standing guiltly before her. "But then some random group of idiots came into my room before I could do so."

Awkward silence.

"It's late," Laxus, clearing his throat in the uncomfortable silence. "Maybe we should get some sleep and wait until tomorrow morning to find him."

"Oh?" Erza said, raising an eyebrow. "And who exactly is we?"

Lucy sighed. "Come on Erza," she began. "We came to help you out. Can you please just accept our help? We're trying to do what's best for you."

Gray placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Erza, we didn't come to try and stop you. We support you no matter what you do. That's why we're here. You need help on this; don't think you can do this alone."

"Mira and Makarov are with me," Erza shot back.

Gajeel shook his head. "Do you really think all three of you can get away with sneaking away from the magic council to free a convict? Erza, use your head, they don't know that we're here."

Erza frowned. "Oh," she realized. It was, in fact, a brilliant plan. No one knew that they were here, which meant they could easily slip through the castle to find Jellal and get him out of there. However, Erza knew that she needed to be there when they did, to make sure he was okay. She just found him, and she was not prepared to lose him a second time in case things went awry.

"I will be coming with you," she declared. "Mira and Makarov can handle the Council. But I will be with you guys when we find him."

"Well, of course," Natsu quipped. "Why wouldn't you? After all, you are the one who deserves to free him. It's your right."

Laxus sighed. "We should sleep, then," he began. "It's a few hours until dawn. Might as well get some shuteye before we commit treason."

One by one, the others laid down, claiming a spot on the floor as Erza took the massive king-sized bed. However, sleep was ill to come, and as the first rays of dawn appeared, the clouds of foreboding doom settled low in her stomach.

Jellal was prepared to die. He didn't want to, but he wasn't given a choice in the matter. So when Gran Doma came to him a few hours after dawn, he was ready. WIth his back to the wall and a determined set in his jaw, he stared icily at his tormentor as he entered Jellal's cell.

"Well, well, well," Gran Doma hissed, and Jellal did not miss the white foam decorating the edges of the old man's mouth. "You ready for death, traitor?"

"The only traitor in here currently is you, Doma," Jellal began coldly. "You're betraying yourself, your vows as a seat on the Magic Council. You vowed to always remain truthful and let mercy lead your heart, yet the man standing before me has broken those vows. So tell me, Doma, who is the real traitor among us?"

There was a flash, and a harsh blow landed on Jellal's cheek, splitting the skin and sending him reeling. Collapsing down on one knee, he let out a howl of pure anguish as a hard boot smashed in the side of Jellal's ribs. With pain lacing through his entire body, Jellal fell down on the ground, his cheek pressed to the dank stone.

"Get him up," Gran Doma hissed, and Jellal felt two arms grab his, hoisting him up until he sagged between them. He raised his head wearily, blood sheeting from the split on his cheek.

"Don't do this, Gran Doma," He gasped. "This is not who you are. The Gran Doma I once knew was wise and merciful, not cunning and deceitful. Please stop."

"Enough!" Gran Doma roared, landing another blow on Jellal's face, splitting his lip. "You are to tell me who I am. You, a traitor and a dark mage, who destroyed the council and made us look like fools!"

He continued to land blows on Jellal, who, helpless as he was, could only sag between the two guards holding him. The pain was excruciating, like a thousand hot picks jabbing into his body at the same time. But that was nothing compared to the moment when Gran Doma landed a blow to his back, opening the whip wounds that decorated his skin.

"Argh!" Jellal screamed, arching his back as the tears were brought to his eyes. Hot blood began to pour down his back, and the pain was so unreal Jellal felt as if he was being sentenced to hell.

"How does it feel, Jellal Fernandes?" Gran Doma sneered. "How does it feel knowing you're going to die in the worst excruciating pain possible?"

Jellal shook his head. "This is nothing. You've subjected me to pure physical torture, but my mind remains free. I can live through this."

"Ohh, bravery, I see?" Doma hissed, and he circled around Jellal to face him. Jellal turned his head, unable to look the older man in the eyes, but Doma reached out and grasped Jellal's chin, forcing him to stare into fathomless pits of darkness.

"Well, Jellal Fernandes, what if I told you that Erza Scarlet-" Jellal jerked a bit when Gran Doma said her name- "was not actually dead, but quite alive? How would that make you feel?"

Jellal knew she was alive. He'd seen her with his very eyes, kissed her lips, touched her skin. But Doma could not know that, otherwise she'd be subject to his torture. Jellal could not allow Doma to even touch her.

"You lie," Jellal gasped out, looking as desperate as possible. "She's dead."

"No, she is not," Doma whispered victoriously. "She's alive and well, and living under the assumption that you were executed years ago. She lives, oblivious of your love and life. How does that make you feel?"

If Jellal hadn't known Erza as alive previously, he would have felt as if all hope had been torn away from him. But with that knowledge, all Jellal felt was rage. Doma was confessing of his perjury, now, and that sickened Jellal.

Doma must have taken Jellal's silence as surrender. He motioned with his hands, and suddenly Jellal was thrown to the ground. He shouted in protest, but the guards held down his arms and legs so he could not move.

Jella twisted his head to the side to see Doma reveal a golden dagger from his robes. "Die knowing the love of your life lives while you must perish. Die knowing that you will not see her in the afterlife. Die, Jellal Fernandes."

The blade descended, and Jellal closed his eyes.

Clang!

Jellal's eyes opened, more like shot open, as a red blur appeared before him, a red whirlwind. Suddenly, the guards were thrown off of him as a familiar pink haired pyromaniac and a ice wizard took their places, hoisting Jellal up.

He blinked, shocked, and turned to face Doma, who was being held by Laxus Dreyar and Gajeel Redfox. He spat and snarled, but the quieted down when the red haired woman standing in front of Jellal drew a familiar katana and pointed it at him.

"This ends now," Erza Scarlet snarled.