SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 19 out, this is Chapter 20 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.

Chapter 20: Thunder Palace

"5 remaining?" Happy blinked, the list of remaining mages went up by another 2 after Erza's revival.

"Who?" Natsu asked.

"Everyone is still petrified." Makarov turned to the girls. "Then who?"

"There's still one more of us out there, remember?" Erza smirked. "Outside the city. He must have saved her too."

"You don't mean… him?" Natsu gaped.

"Looks like the real war is about to begin." Erza grinned. "This is getting interesting."

"Who are you talking about?" Gajeel wondered.

"Another man worthy of being Fairy Tail's strongest," Erza replied. "Mystogan."

"Worthless trash!" Laxus hissed, having been notified of Evergreen's defeat. "How could Ever lose to the likes of Erza? Since when did you become so pathetic, Ever?"

"Erza is just too strong." Freed reminded. "It should have been either Bixlow or me."

"Why are you still here, Freed?" Laxus questioned.

"Because the game is over." Freed replied. "With the hostages freed and Ulyo-dono rescued, Master will never give in. Laxus." He breathed, Laxus sending a wave of lightning at him.

"It's not over." Laxus corrected. "If you wish to run away with your tail between your legs, then get lost. Such weaklings aren't needed in my Fairy Tail."

"Can you hear me, old man?" Laxus' voice sounded over the glyph skull. "Same goes for the rest of the Guild. Apparently one of our rules is no longer valid. Hence, I think it's appropriate to instate a new one. In order for the Battle of Fairy Tail to continue, I have activated the Thunder Palace. You have one hour and ten minutes left. Now, do you have what it takes to defeat me? Or will you give up and retire, Master?"

"What on earth are you thinking, Laxus?" Makarov fumed. "Do you plan on dragging innocent civilians into this?"

"This is bad." Mira gasped when Makarov suddenly collapsed. "Someone go and get his medicine."

"At a time like this…" Bisca hurried over.

"How about that, old man?" Laxus laughed. "My new hostages are everyone within the town."

"Don't you think this is going a bit too far?" Freed inquired.

"Too far?" Laxus echoed. "I'll decide my own limits. This is a fight to the end. Until one side is complete obliterated, this battle will not end."

"The Thunder Palace…" Freed mused. "You'll go that far, Laxus?"

"What are you doing, Freed?" Laxus questioned. "Bixlow is still out there hunting Fairies, you know. I'll handle the old man's best fighter: Erza. Mystogan as well. That's why you must go get Kana and that woman from Phantom. I don't need either of them in my Fairy Tail. Crush them."

"Even if they are our opponents right now, we're still in the same Guild…" Freed protested.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Laxus barked.

"After the path we've chosen, I feat there's no turning back." Freed relented. "I will follow you along this path, even if it leads to Hell. I'll accomplish my mission." He proceeded to leave. "This time, I will be serious. Don't you have regrets now."

"That will do, Freed of the Dark." Laxus grinned. "Now is the time to show them your true power."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.