The rush of battle pulsed through the team as the members of Red Dragon charged toward them. Erza changed into her Heaven's Wheel armor with a flash of white light and began slashing people left and right. Gray's shirt went flying through the air, and Lucy summons Taurus. The injured dragon crouched behind them, shaking, ready to attack anyone that came close.
Natsu roared, calling on his fire as a line of disheveled wizards barreled toward. One bought of dragon fire downed all but two, and they continued to advance despite being on fire.
As one man with the smoldering remains of a beard swung at his head, Natsu easily ducked and countered with a sweep of the man's legs, causing him to crash to the ground. The other man advanced more wearily, shirt almost completely burned off. The man shouted, and tons of water appeared out of nowhere, raining down on Natsu. He looked at the man, amused.
"It takes more than that to douse a dragon's flame." He smirked and sent a wing attack at the startled man, flinging him to the other side of the room.
Natsu took a moment to observe the rest of the battle. Gray was locked in combat with a huge bear of a man, but as Natsu watched turned him into a solid block of ice. Lucy had summoned Leo as well, and brother were fighting ferociously. Erza's opponents wouldn't even come close, instead using their powers to vainly throw ice or metal at her. But for every Red Dragon, two more took their place. They kept filing into the room, stepping over their fallen comrades to take their place. A few were dragging the injured to the edge of the fight, out of harm's way.
"Natsu!" Lucy yelled. "There are too many! We need to get out of here!" Natsu filled with anger.
"No way!" He retorted. "I can take these guys!"
"I know you can, but we have to get that dragon to the guild!" He glanced over at the cowering dragon, snarling at an approaching woman, hands empty of visible weapons. Natsu raced over and stood between them, a solid wall of rageful fire. The woman stepped back, fearful, and held up her hands like she was calming a spooked animal.
"Please let me help you. I didn't know anything about the capture or torment of this poor beast, and if I had I would have done something. Please let me help you escape." Natsu narrowed his eyes.
"How do I know what you're saying is true?"
The woman smirked. "Let me show you my power." She closed her eyes and the air around her began to glow, a subtle hint of golden light in the torch-lit room. Suddenly the number of people multiplied, starlit warriors charging into the melee. The Red Dragons stopped, shocked, then one by one turned and ran, clogging up the narrow door.
When all of them had disappeared the starry warriors vanished, and the women opened her eyes and slumped against the wall, exhausted.
"That was some pretty good illusion magic." Gray said as the team gathered around her.
The woman smiled. "No one in this guild expects a woman to be able to do that kind of magic."
"Are you a member of this guild?" Erza asked curiously. The woman's smiled faded and her brow darkened.
"Unfortunately, yes. But not by choice." She sighed. "Years ago my father was a member of this crude excuse of a guild. He was a great wizard, but had a gambling and drinking problem. He couldn't support my brother and I, o he eventually left. My brother left me too, and I now he will follow in my father's footsteps. I haven't seen them in eight years."
Silence greeted the woman's sad story and out of the corner of his eye he say the dragon creep forward and press her head against the woman' trembling hand. The woman gazed at her in wonder. "I'm so sorry this happened to you. If I would have known…" She trailed off, and the dragon nodded in understanding.
The woman stood. "There is a hidden door behind those boxes. The latch is eye-level to your right. Once you get through follow the path until you come to a dead end, then turn left. You will find a ladder that leads you to an alleyway on the other side of the city."
"Why don't you come with us?" Lucy asked. The woman smiled sadly.
"While I don't enjoy my life here, it's the only life I have. Now go. If I know the master, he will come looking for you himself if you don't leave quickly."
As they turned to go Natsu said," We won't forget you. What's your name?"
The woman smiled. "My real name is not important. Call me Marvel."
And she walked out the door, and didn't look back.
