Chapter Twenty-Three: Home Sweet Home

"Two fairies fall and soon, the rest will follow."

Cyneric was confident, he had no reason to believe that his spell would fail. It was the strongest spell in his arsenal, and one he had practiced to perfection.

It was flawless.

So why...had it not worked?!

Cyneric couldn't believe his eyes as the two mages stood unharmed. The harlot was hidden behind the blue-haired woman looking amazed at her companion, while the latter seemed unaffected - despite the gaping watery hole in her body. The hole slowly reformed and the woman held her hand out at him.

"B-But how?!" Cyneric demanded. "That spell is flawless! You shouldn't be alive!"

"Juvia's body is made of water. Your spells won't work against me. Drip, drip, drop. Water Cyclone!"

Lucy flinched. as Juvia's attack tore through the room and sent Cyneric crashing into the wall, knocking him unconscious. She was grateful for Juvia's help...but she was also upset. All she had managed to do was jump around the room, and get herself hurt.

Juvia sighed. "Lucy-Chan, we must be going now. The others are waiting for us."

"R-Right." Lucy nodded.


Noelle was filled with relief when she caught up with Simon. Natsu was thrown over his back, unconscious. Noelle frowned. Had their enemy been that strong? She ran to catch up to Simon who was relieved to see that she was alright. When he asked about the others, she told them that she and Juvia had defeated one of the knights, and that she had sent Juvia after Lucy for extra precaution.

"I see." Simon said. "How are you, Noelle? Are you doing hurt?"

Noelle shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm more concerned with finding Erza and getting out of here. I have a really bad feeling." Noelle couldn't explain it, but the air felt heavier, or some reason.

A grown drew to their attention to Natsu. "What happened?" He asked groggily.

"Finally opened your eyes, Natsu?" Simon smiled.

Natsu groaned. "I remember being caught up in some weird vehicle." Vehicle? In the tower? Noelle shuddered. "And then..." Natsu's cheeks inflated and his face turned green. Noelle even felt a little sick just imagining what kind of torture Natsu had been put through.

"Seriously? Just the memory makes you sick!?" Simon yelled.

"After you were devoured by that owl, Fukuro -"

Noelle choked on a laugh. "You were eaten by an owl?!" Noelle wheezed holding onto her sides. "How does that even happen?!" She giggled wiping the tears from her eyes.

Natsu pouted. "Shut up, Noelle."

Simon smiled softly as he continued telling the story. "Gray came to save you. He was able to defeat him, but took a lot of damage in the fight. Last time I saw him, your cat friends were taking him to a safer place. Oh, they were also accompanied by a small penguin, though the one cat didn't seem too happy by it."

Noelle smiled. "That means Happy, Marlow, and Pingu are safe. I'm relieved to hear that, but..." Noelle's eyes fell downcast as she thought about Gray. If she had gone with him, would have have gotten hurt? Her heart clenched and she shook her head. No, she had to be strong, and focus on Erza.

But still...

"He'll be alright, Noelle."

Noelle looked up at Simon with wide eyes. "W-what?"

"You were worrying about Gray, weren't you? It would seem that you see Gray as I see Erza."

"As a jerk?" Natsu grumbled.

Noelle on the other hand had turned completely red! "N-No! T-t-that's not it, Simon! Gray is just a really close friend that I care about and I'm worried about him is all really I-"

Simon laughed. "I understand." Simon winked and Noelle pouted.

"You've gotta be kidding me! I lost to that owl freak, but Gray was able to beat him?!" Natsu whined. "This sucks!"

"I wouldn't say that you lost..it's more that you were swallowed." Simon said.

"It doesn't matter what happened! He's still going to hold this over my head for at least the next month. Man, this sucks!"

"You're missing the point..."

"Can you blame him? You were bird chow!" Noelle laughed. "I wish I could have been there to see it."

"I won't stand for this! I demand a rematch! Bring that bird brain back and let me show him what I've got!"

"Being almost digested wasn't enough?" Noelle snorted grabbing his scarf "Come on, Natsu."

"We don't have time for that kind of nonsense right now." Simon sighed. "We need to hurry."

"Hey are you alright?" Noelle asked noticing him clutching his side.

"Yes, I'm fine." He responded gruffly. "I've just received word from Wally that he and Millianna found Lucy and Juvia, but Lucy seems to have been wounded, and Juvia is low on energy. However, they were able to defeat the last knight."

Noelle felt guilt wash over her. "Lucy was hurt? I shouldn't have let her go alone!" She scowled and clenched her fist.

"Don't trouble yourself over it." Simon told her. "Only Jellal is left now. Erza is heading for him." Simon looked to be troubled when he told them this.

"By herself?"

"Is she crazy?!"

Noelle and Natsu shared a look of disbelief.

"She's got a score to settle, and whether we like it or not, she's going to do it on her own. I'm sure you're aware that she and Jellal have quite a 's as if there destined to fight each other." Simon frowned." I'm worried about her because Jellal's stronger than she knows, I beg you, you have to help her fight him."

"No way." Natsu deadpaned.

Simon threw Natsu against the tower with rage in his eyes. "What's wrong with you?! You claim to be Erza's friend but you refuse to help her?!"

"Simon." Noelle patted his shoulder. "Try to calm down, okay? I know how you feel about Erza, but getting angry isn't solving anything."

He glanced over his shoulder at her and sighed, lettinh his hold on Natsu drop.

"This is her fight, she wants to handle it on her own." Natsu said. "She'd never forgive me if I butted in on the action like that."

"There's no way that she could ever win against Jellal."

"What?!"

"What do you mean? I realize that it's been a while since you've last seen Erza, but she's changed since them. She's incredibly powerful, and Fairy Tail's strongest female mage."

Noelle frowned, crossing her arms over her chest.

"She's stronger than you give her credit for so watch your mouth!" Natsu growled.

"You got it wrong!" Simon yelled. "I'm not saying that I doubt the power of her magic. Despite everything that's happened, I know Erza still wants to try to save Jellal. I have no doubt in my mind, in her heart she could never truly hate the boy she remembers from childhood."

Noelle thought back to a time when she had stumbled across blue-haired boy on her journey, accompanied by a blue-haired girl, that made Noelle's heart soar. Her stomach twisted into knots. She could understand why Erza would want to try and save Jellal...she did too.

"Jellal is viciously cunning. He knows exactly how to manipulate her feelings to his advantage, and that's not the only thing working against her. As you know the Magic Council is preparing to fire an Etherion blast. When that happens the tower and anyone inside it will be wiped out. If what Shou told me is correct, then we only have ten minutes."

"Ten minutes?" Noelle gasped. "But, that's impossible!"

"She ordered everyone else to leave the tower and went to face him alone. If you know her as well as you say, then you know what she's up to. She's giving up her life, and when the blast comes it will take them both down together.

Noelle's eyes widened.

"You should have said that to begin with!" Natsu roared taking off.

Noelle called after him, but he was already gone. "Idiot." She sighed.

"Aren't you going with him?" Simon asked, leaning against the tower wall.

Noelle nodded. "Yes, but Natsu will be fine on his own for right now. Actually, I have a question for you, Simon..."

Simon quirked a brow. "Oh?"

"You were friends with my brother, Nicholai, weren't you? Erza said that she knew Nicholai from the Tower of Heaven, and since you all know one another, then you must have know him too, right? What happened to my brother, Simon?"

The man sighed. "So it's true then. I recognized you the minute my eyes landed on you. Nicholai was quite fond of you, and spoke about you daily. He was determined to escape, and find you." Simon smiled recalling his time spent with Nicholai. "He and I were close friends, and had a lot in common, actually. He treated us all as his family and took special care in looking after us - especially Erza, and another girl that he said reminded him of you."

Simon then frowned, his face hardening. "However, I don't know where you brother is, Noelle. He had disappeared one day, and no one had seen him since."

"He escaped?" Noelle's voice was a whisper.

"I'm not certain." Simon said wiping the tears from her eyes. "But I believe in my heart that he is safe, and finally free, and that's he waiting for you to find him."

Noelle wiped the back of her hand against her tears and nodded. "I...thank you, Simon. I'm glad to know that Nicholai had such amazing friends with him." She smiled, warmly.

Simon smiled back at her. But there was something bugging him. "Noelle, how do you know Jellal?" He's never heard Jellal mention anyone like Noelle in the time he's know him or been at the tower.

"Back when I was younger, I met a boy who strongly resembled Jellal...but, I'm beginning to have second thoughts, because this man is nothing like the boy I knew." Noelle sighed. "It doesn't matter, does it? Right now, I need to find Erza."

Noelle had made to move when a bright light suddenly struck the tower and everything began to shake. She screamed as she lost her footing, but was caught by Simon who pulled her close. Her heart was beating wildly against her chest and her face was paler than normal.

"W-w-hat is happening?"

"It's beginning." Simon spoke solemnly. "We're too late."


The shaking had stopped, and the light had faded. Noelle and Simon were slumped on the ground, but otherwise were safe from harm. Simon helped Noelle to her feet, shocked that they were still alive.

Noelle's heart was pounding in her ears. "How are we alive? That was the etherion...right?"

Noelle's eyes widened when she seen the state of the tower. It was...covered in lacrima! 'Lacrima? What the hell is going on around here? Wait, then that means that Natsu and Erza are okay! I need to hurry!"

Noelle jumped to her feet and took off running, ignoring Simon's cries, and chasing after Natsu, Erza, and Jellal's scents. She was finally able to find them out the top of the tower. She reached them just in time, as Erza was being sucked into the lacrima, and Jellal was preparing to sacrifice her to Zeref.

Noelle ran to her, and grabbed hold of her arm, not at all surprised to see Natsu holding onto the other. Together, they pulled her out the lacrima, and held onto her as she collapsed into their arms.

"Erza is a Fairy Tail mage." Natsu grinned. "We won't let you have her."

"So if you don't mind, we'd like to get her back home now - were she belongs. Thanks, a lot." Noelle grinned and tossed a wink his way.

"Natsu...Noelle..." Erza whispered.

"Jeez, what are you doing hanging around with this loser? If we don't hurry and get back to work, Lucy and Noelle are going to be able to pay their rent. Trust me, you don't want to make them angry."

Noelle paled. "Oh crap! We totally forgot about the rent. We're going to be so dead." Noelle set into a mini panic thinking of all the horrible things their Landlady was going to do to them.

"Sorry, but I can't move." Erza laughed softly.

Noelle twitched seeing the sparkle in Natsu's eyes. "Natsu what are -" the words died in her throat watching him start to tickle like he had lost his damned mind. Though, it was nice seeing Erza laughing and smiling, even if now wasn't the time for it.

Natsu really is an incredible wizard, even if he's annoying as hell.

Erza became serious after a moment. "Natsu, Noelle, get away from here immediately." She said, pleading with her eyes to them.

Noelle shook her head. "We can't do that, Erza. You know that not a single one of us would ever turn their back on a friend in need." She gently reached out and took Erza's hand with a gentle smile. "If you're not strong enough to fight Jellal, then we will, and we'll kick his ass for everything he has put you through."

"You can't, Natsu, he's too powerful. Besides, you don't know anything about him." She said, pleading more them to just leave.

"Who says I need to know the guy to beat him up?" Natsu snorted.

Noelle's crystal eyes widened. Erza's mouth twitched, and tears will one of her eyes. She looked so broken and lost, nothing like the great Titania that everyone praised her as. She wasn't Titanina, she was Erza Scarlet; a girl running from her past.

Noelle wiped Erza's tears. "Please don't cry. We're here for you, Erza. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Noelle was silent as Natsu took Erza from her arms. "Honestly, we don't know you all that well either." He said, standing her up. "But I can still take you down!" Natsu growled punching her in the gut.

"I gotcha!" Noelle caught Erza in her arms and pulled her close. "Rest now, Erza. Everything is going to be okay."

Jellal stared at them. "You're more outrageous than the rumors say. What kind of sick satisfaction do you get for striking a defenseless, friend?"

Natsu glared at him. "I had to do it, because she was crying. She looked so weak, and fragile; her voice was trembling with fear. I don't want to see Erza like that. I've always looked up to her as a strong warrior and when she wakes up from this nightmare, I want her to feel like her old self again. If you want to get to her you'll have to go trough me!" Natsu declared with flames crackling around him.

"Is that a challenge? Consider my interest peaked." Jellal smirked. "I would love to witness the power of a Dragon Slayer. "

"Natsu...don't show him any mercy." Noelle said. "For Erza's sake."

"Got it!"

Natsu grinned charging at Jellal and swinging a kick towards his face that he easily dodged, but he wasn't able to dodge Natsu's fists. Natsu was attacking Jellal with so much force and furry that Noelle could hardly keep up with the battle. Natsu threw every Dragon Slayer spell at Jellal that he could must - and then some. It was like watching a feral beast going on a rampage, and Jellal was his hunt.

But was did it matter, when all that had been damaged was Jellal's cloak? Noelle's eyes were wide seeing that Natsu hadn't done any damage to Jellal, despite the fact he was giving it his all.

"Is that the best you can do? I expected more from you Natsu Dragneel, son of Igneel. I was hoping to get a taste of the destructive side of a Dragon Slayer before I started ripping you to shred with my bare hands. But if that's all you got, I won't waste my time."

"I'll show you!"

"You must be punished for disrupting my ceremony." Jellal yelled. "Prepare to be destroyed by my Heavenly Body Magic: Meteor!" Jellal yelled.

A yellow aura wrapped around him and he jumped in the air and flew away from Natsu, only to turn and strike him in the back. He was fast, landing blow after blow on Natsu, who could barely keep up with him.

'He's fast. The only way Natsu is going to beat him is by relying on his senses. His sound, feeling, and his scent. If he concentrates hard enough, only then will he be able to predict Jellal's next move.'

"Natsu, stay focused." Noelle urged.

Natsu closed his eyes and when Jellal was near him, he opened them, and tried to hit him, but missed once again.

"Be glad you got your hits in - because it won't happen again!"

Jellal had Natsu pinned and was throwing punches at him faster than lightning. Noelle watched horrified. Natsu sounded like he was in so much pain. He needed help, but if she abandoned Erza now, who knows what Jellal would try to do to her. That, and she didn't have anyway of protecting herself. It would be too easy for her to get crushed by a stray piece of lacrima.

"And now I'll show you the true destructive power of Darkness Magic!"

Jellal jumped into the sky and form a hand sign.

"May the seven stars bring judgement upon you! Seven Star Sword: Grand Chariot!"

Seven magic circles lined up in the sky forming a constellation similar to the big dipper, light shot from each of the magic circles onto the ground, forming the same constellation, that then exploded.

"NATSU!" Noelle screamed.

"That spell packs as much of a punch as being hit by a meteor. I'm surprised his bodies still in one piece after being hit with it. Perhaps, that was a little much? The R-System can't afford to suffer anymore damage ot it will be rendered useless. I can feel the magic energy beginning to leak out. I'll have to hurry..it's time, Erza."

"You stay away form her!" Noelle yelled as Jellal neared them. "You'll have to step over my dead body before you get you hands on Erza!" Noelle growled, a shell of ice forming over her and Erza. "And I won't, go down easily, JeJe." Noelle warned in hiss.

Jellal narrowed her eyes at him. "JeJe? Do you honestly think I'm scared of you, Noelle?" Jella smirked. "You're just like him. Weak, and pathetic. Nicholai used to dream of the day he would be reunited with you, and then he ran away. Now look, his precious little sister is about to be killed, by my very own hands." Jellal's lips twisted into a cruel grin. "Now die, you piece of filth!"

Noelle held tightly to Erza as Jella's hand pressed against the dome she had created to protect them. She was scared, because she knew it wouldn't hold out against one of his attacks; but it was the best she could do right now. Any other attack she tried to use would risk injuring Erza more than she already was.'

She could only wait, and protect her as best as she could.

However, Jella's attention was pulled away by the tiny piece of lacrima bouncing at his feet. They watched Natsu, who could barely hold himself up, throw lacrima stone after lacrima stone.

"Natsu..." Noelle whispered.

"Heh, you feel that? It was my sneak attack." Natsu chuckled. "So now that the tower is a giant crystal, I guess shattering it would screw up your plans?"

Noelle laughed and grinned. "And when it comes to destroying things, Fairy Tail is the champion!"

Natsu nodded.

"This is not your day buddy!"

Natsu yelled throwing a fist into the ground. A giant crack split throughout the lacrima. Noelle smirked. She could help destroy something for once in her life, right? And she was a Fairy Tail wizard. Noelle pulled Erza into her chest and threw her fist into the barrier, shattering it into pieces. Gently, she laid Erza down on the ground, and stood to her feet. Noelle rolled her shoulders, and grinned smugly at Natsu.

"You don't mind if I join in, do ya?"

"Have at it!" Natsu grinned.

Noelle's eyes sparkled. "Right. Ice Dragon: ROAR!" Noelle screeched, aiming her roar attack at the the lacrima ceiling that covered them. She formed a dome around Erza as large chunks of the cieling crashed into the floor, creating craters and large splits.

"Hey! That was kinda fun." Noelle swiped her nose.

"What are you doing?!" Jellal yelled.

"Come on, didn't you know that destroying stuff is what we Fairy Tail wizards are best at?
Natsu said. "Now I'm all fired up! More than I've ever been before!"

"I'm not going to let you get in my way! This will be the end of you! I've dreamed of this day, and I won't let a fool like you spoil it for me!"

"Hah, sorry pal but I'm a pretty tough guy. You think you can take me? Then come and get me!"

Jellal thrust the palm od his hand forward, a yellow magic circle appearing before it. Brilliant beams of yellow magic shot out and locked onto Natsu. The Fire Dragon ducked and swerved around the attacks.

"Too slow! I got you now!" Natsu yelled jumping in the air.

Jellal grinned and trusted two fingers towards him, striking Natsu with the yellow magic.

"You can do this, Natsu." Noelle said.

Noelle felt something stirring in her arms and looked down to see Erza's eyes fluttering open. They both turned when hearing Natsu screaming; pinned to the ground, as large ray of magic forced itself against him.

"NATSU!" Erza and Noelle screamed.

Natsu shook the attack off. "You're so worried about wrecking your tower that you're holding back against me.

"I'd watch my mouth if I were you!" Jellal yelled blasting him full on

"Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!" Natsu yelled attacking the ground, pieces of lacrima flying everywhere in the air.

"He's aiming for the tower!" Jellal gasped.

"If Natsu damages the tower enough it will be useless." Noelle smirked.

"Now I'm angry! I didn't spend years building this tower just to have some punk tear it down! I won't let you!"

"Tough, buddy. Breaking shit is Fairy Tail's specialty." Noelle said. "Don't worry, he's going to be fine." Noelle said when sensing Erza's fear. "Nothing can keep Natsu down for long."

"I'll make you pay!" Jellal yelled forming a magic circle. Wind and magic energy began to whip around them. Noelle covered her eyes and pulled Erza against her, to protect her from the backlash.

"What is this?!" Noelle yelled.

"Whoa! Something weird is going on with his magic! It's making me feel sick." Natsu said.

"Why is our shadows bending towards the light? That spell! It could kill Natsu!" Erza yeled.

"And now I'll plunge you into infinite darkness!" Jellal screamed.

"Don't do it!" Erza begged.

Noelle's heart filled with dread as a orb of black magical energy formed above Jellal. It was then, that Erza had wiggled from her hold and ran in front of Natsu with her arms held out protectively.

"Erza!" Noelle yelled. "Stop! Are you crazy?! Get out of there!"

"You don't wan to lose your sacrifice to Zeref, do you?" Erza said to Jellal.

"That would be a problem, the ceremony requires the body of a wizard comparable in strength to the Ten Wizard Saints. However, I can find a suitable replacement. You're not the only one who fits that bill. I'll worry about that after I kill both of you!"

"I'll never let that happen." Erza sneered.

"Watch out! What are you doing?!" Natsu yelled.

"It's my fault you two are involved in this mess. The least I can do is protect the both of you!"

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Natsu and Noelle screamed.

"Heavenly Body Magic: Altairis!"

"No!"

Noelle ran as fast as her body would allowed her to. She skidded before her friends as the swirling ball of black energy was heading for them. Quickly, she took her stance, as magic swirled around her.

"Ice-Make: Barrier!"

Noelle threw her arms out. A large wall of crystallized iced rocked the tower, formed a thick, and tall wall of ice that separated them from Jellal. Noelle pushed the palms of her hands against the crystal wall, and pumped her magic into it, reinforcing the strength. Still, she knew it would be enough to stop an attack of Jellal's caliber...but just maybe, it would give her enough time to think of some kind of plan. Sweat dripped down her face she felt the attacking nearing closer and closer.

Her eyes closed. 'This won't be enough to hold against the blast...but if I take the brute force of the hit, then that should be enough to protect Natsu and Erza. It doesn't matter if I fall or not - I won't allow them to die! Not if I can do anything to prevent it. I won't stand by...and let the people I care about be killed, not again."

Noelle was ready to accept her fate as her wall crumbled to pieces. She prepared her body, ready for the impact of the blast that would never come, as a figure stepped in front of her; Simon.

Noelle's eyes widened as the attack struck him. "No...SIMON! WHY?!" She cried out. She didn't understand. Why would he sacrificed himself? He was free now, wasn't he?! Why would he throat that all away?!

"Simon! Why?" Erza's voice cracked.

"To...save...you..." He whispered weakly, falling back against the ground.

"Simon!" Erza yelled running to him

"I had no idea you were still crawling around the tower, you despicable pest." Jella scowled at his fallen friend.

"What the hell were you thinking?! Why didn't you escape with the others?! Talk to me!" Erza yelled as the tears spilled form her broken eye.

"Please...don't cry...it's ok. I'm happy to...give my...life for you." Simon said weakly and then began to cough.

"Don't talk anymore just try to stay with me.." Erza pleaded.

"You were...the only person who...made me smile."

"Don't die on me..Simon!"

Noelle lowered her head in respect and choked back her sobs, as Simon's eyes closed one final time, and a smiled pulled on his lips. He died for Erza because he loved her. Noelle numbly wrapped her arms around Erza as she cried over Simon's fallen body. She knew the pain of losing someone she loved - to have someone sacrifice their life for you. Noelle knew it all, too well. So she held her, and comforted her, like she wished to be all those years ago.

"Hahahaha! What a perfectly foolish thing to do! He tried to play the valiant hero, but his death won't change a thing! Simon gave his own life to save yours, but he should know I'm not letting any of you leave this tower alive!"

"SHUT UP!" Natsu yelled punching Jellal in the face.

Noelle couldn't even begin to describe the amount of satisfaction it brought her, to see Jelall laid out on the ground. She then noticed Natsu picking up a piece of lacrima, and biting into it. Her eyes widened.

"What the hell are you doing, Natsu?!

Nastu screamed as magic from the lacrima began to absorb into his body; his eyes began to glow blue. Natsu struck the ground splitting it. As the ethernano began to take it's effect, Nastu spit out a foamy blue substance and grasped his neck, falling and rolling around on the ground.

"You fucking idiot! Ethernano is made out of various types of elemental magic; it's poison!" Noelle screamed, unable to believe he would do something like eating raw ethernano.

"What an idiot! Did he really think he could power up consuming elements other than his own? It will certainly make my job easier if he kills himself!" Jellal laughed.

But then, Natsu's eyes turned red, and fire consumed him, spreading around him like that of a dragon. He stood there against the flames with glowing eyes and scales covering his body. Noelle's body was covered in goosebumps.

"W-what?..."

Never in her lfie had she seen anything like it. It was like Natsu had partially transformed into a dragon. Not only that, his magic - it had increased tenfold! The heat of the flames licked at Noelle's skin, but she was too shocked to do anything other than stare.

With his body wrapped in fire, Natsu glided forward and kneed Jellal in the face.

"You made Erza cry!" He yelled grabbing Jellal by the throat and slamming him into the ground. "And I'm not going to let you get away with that! I made a promise and I'm not going to break it!"

Simon's words echoed in Noelle's head.

'Natsu, Noelle, promise me, that you'll take care of her.'

'Simon...I promise, that I'll keep her safe.'

"Hurt her again and I'll kill you!"

"Your threats don't scare me! Meteor!"

Noelle's hair shadowed her face. It was time, that she joined this battle, too. The winterette stood and took her side by the Natsu, who said nothing but gave her an encouraging nod.

"Noelle, what are you doing?" Erza gasped.

"I can't stand by any longer. " Noelle said. "I made a promise to Simon that I would keep you safe no matter what, and I'm not going to break my promise!

Ice began to swirl around Noelle as her facial features became feral.

Seeing Jellal jump into the air, Noelle acted. She held out her left hand, summoning an ice-purple magic circle with a dragon head. "Ice Dragon: Permafrost Blade!" Noelle said, pulling a sword twice her size from the magic circle; crafted from ice, a blade carved to look like the scales of a dragon.

Noelle channeled her magic into her feet and launched herself in the air. Jellal's eyes widened as she swung the sword with ease at him.

"You!"

He yelled at her, dodging the first strike of her sword, and missing the second. Noelle held the sword out at him with narrowed eyes: "Permafrost Beam!" She shouted.

Surprise coated Jellal's face as a flash of ice shot from the sword and slammed him into the ground. Natsu rushed towards Jellal and punched him hard in the stomach, throwing him back to Noelle, who used her sword as a bat and swung - full force.

Jellal screamed as his body was bounced back and forth between the two Dragon Slayers.

"I won't lose!"

Jellal yelled as he and Natsu went crashing trough the floor.

"Not to you! I'm destined to create a land of freedom! I know it, because in my darkest hour, I could hear Lord Zeref calling out to me! He told me he could make all my dreams come true and I believe him, there's a reason I'm the only human who can sense Zeref's presence! It's because I am the chosen one! Once he's resurrected we'll work together to create a land that's truly free!"

"And you're going to do that by taking away the right of everyone else in the world?!" Natsu roared.

"If that's what has to be done to change this world into a better place than so be it! I couldn't care less what happens to feeble minded fools like you!" Jellal yelled drawing a magic circle in the air; Abyss Break.

Noelle moved in to protect Erza, once more. "He's insane..."

"But why?! You'll destroy the tower so many died to create!" Erza shouted, not understanding his reasoning.

"This tower means nothing to me! Now that I've done it, I could build another in half the time! Lord Zeref, your hour is near!"

Suddenly a look of pain crossed jellal's face and he began plummeting to the ground. Natsu jumped after him.

"You'll never know what it means to be free!" He yelled, his body a blazing light. "Not as long as you're possessed by that spirit! Why are you letting him manipulate you?! You can do it Jellal."

"FREE YOURSELF!"

Natsu punched Jellal and sent him plummeting to the ground. The crystal lacrima began to shatter all around Erza and Noelle.

"Did..he do it?" Noelle asked. There wasn't anyway that he could power through that attack, right?

Noelle and Erza rushed to Natsu, capturing him in their arms as he collapsed.

"Natsu..I knew you'd find your inner strength..your amazing." Erza whispered tearfully.

"Yeah, good job, hot-head." Noelle said through her own tears.

Their touching moment was suddenly interrupted as the lacrima began to glow and everything around them began to shake.

Noelle gasped looking around.

"What's going on?!"

The amount of magical energy she felt was off the charts! This wasn't good for them. They had to get out of there - fast!

"This place is coming down! We need to get out of here!" Noelle yelled.

Erza threw Natsu onto her back and they ran avoiding chunks of crystals that fell and crashed near them. A blast suddenly caught them off guard, and they toppled to the ground. The lacrima started to take on a jelly like form that molded around them. If things kept going the way they were, then none of them were going to make it out alive.

"Even if we made it outside the tower we'd still be caught in the explosion...It's over." The red-headed wizard hunger her head low.

"We can't give up Erza! We're going to make it back to Fairy Tail!"

"You're right. What am I saying? I can't give up! Natsu, Noell, now it's my turn to save you."

Noelle watched Erza stare into the lacrima.

"Erza don't you dare!" She yelled when seeing the look in her eyes. Her words go unheard, Erza reaches into he lacrima, screaming as it begins to absorb her. "No stop!" Noelle screams getting to her feet and grabbing onto Erza's hand. "Erza, please don't do this!" Noelle pleads through her tears. "Y-You can't!..."

"Noelle, please let me go."

"No way! Are you crazy?!"

"Please.."

"No! I won't let you do this Erza!" She cries.

"You don't have a choice!"

Erza shoved Noelle away from her. The winterette crashed to the ground. "DON'T DO IT!" She cried in vain, begging her friend not to throw her life away. There had to be another way! She wouldn't let Erza become a sacrifice!

"Hey, what are you doing? I don't get it. Are you trying to go back inside that thing?"

They both looked to Natsu, who had regained consciousness,

"Natsu, you have to stop her!" Noelle sobbed. "Don't let her do it!"

"I don't have a choice. It's the only way I'll ever be able to stop it." Erza said.

"What are you talking about? Stop what?" Natsu asked

Erza smiled as the tower shook.

"Now you see, it's the ethernano. If it continues to gain power the lacrima won't be able to constrain it and the whole place will explode. But, if I fuse my body with the magic energy, I can prevent that from happening."

"Erza please!"

"I'm not gonna let you do that! There's gotta be another way to stop it!" Natsu told her. Erza screamed in agony as more of her body was absorbed. The fire and ice wizard rushed to her side, eyes filled with tears, and hearts filled with agony.

"This can't be happening! This wasn't supposed to happen! If we lose Erza..." Noelle whispered. "It won't...it just..." The words were lost on her tongue.

"I have to." Erza said to them. "I can't even begin to imagine what my life would have been like without Fairy Tail. If it weren't for you and the others, I probably wouldn't be here today. I hope you know how important you all are to me; I care for you so much."

"Erza!..." Natsu choked.

"Noelle." Noelle looked up at Erza's remorseful face. "I'm so thankful, for everything your brother did for me; for all the time he kept me safe, and reassured me that everything would be alright. I'll never be able to thank him for that...so promise me, that you tell him for me."

Tears ran down Noelle's face and she watched her sink deeper and deeper into the lacrima.

"I won't!" She said. "You have to tell him yourself! You promised me that we were going to find him - together! You can't go back on your word, Erza! I won't let you!"

"I can't do that, Noelle." Erza shook her head. "I love you all too 's why I'm willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. If it means my loved one's will be spared, then I'll gladly give my life." Erza smiled as she sank into the lacrima "So that you may live."

"No way! Come out of that right now!" Natsu yelled banging on the lacrima.

"This isn't right Erza! Fairy Tail needs you!" Noelle cried.

"You can't leave us!"

"We need you!"

"ERZAAAAA!"

The Dragon Slayers wailed together. Then, silence. A long, moment, of silence. The Slayer's growled, and stood on their feet, glaring at the lacrima. Magic surrounded them, as they pulled their fists back, and smashed them through the lacrima barrier.

Did she really think, that they would just let her die?

That wasn't the way of a Fairy Tail mage. Nobody, was left behind.


Erza was surprised to see that when she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the night sky, and not the endless white void she had been in. What had happened? She had just watched her friends, mourning her death, regretting the pain she had put them through. That wasn't what she wanted, she wanted for them to continue on living! She wanted them to be happy...

But she had caused them more pain.

Her brown eyes widened, when she seen her friends running towards her, shouting her name; happy to see her alive.

"But...this doesn't make any sense...does this mean...I'm still alive? Huh?"

Erza gasped as she looked to her right and seen Natsu and to her right Noelle. Each of her arms were swung over there shoulders. The two Dragon Slayers both crashed to there knees exhausted. They had gone in after Erza, neither of them willing to watch a friend die for them.

"What are you -"

"I feel the same way you do and I know everyone else does to." Natsu said. "Promise me you won't do something like that again..."

Erza heart throbbed. "I promi -"

"PROMISE HIM FOR REAL!" Noelle yelled.

"I promise. Thank you, Natsu and Noelle. This experience has taught me a very important lesson. You don't die for your friends - you live for them - because the future wouldn't be as happy without you in it."

Noelle watched Erza embrace Natsu with tears. They were like brother and sister, in a way. But what really got Noelle, was the fact, that Erza was smiling again.

"Hey, Erza..."

Erza met Noelle's eyes. "What is it, Noelle?"

"I'm just...so glad to see you smiling again." She sobbed throwing my arms around her. "Please never do anything like that again! I know I haven't been part of Fairy Tail long, but I care so much about all of you so damn much that it hurts! I don't want to ever lose any of you...so please...!"

"I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you."

"Don't apologize! Just promise me that no matter what you won't lose your smile, ever again. Nicholai wouldn't want to see you hurting, and neither do I."

"Right, I'll try my best." Erza sniffled.

"For Simon too."

Erza nodded, and promised, and she meant it.

Noelle breathed a sigh of relief, and felt like she could finally relax. But, that was before she was tackled by two speeding balls of fur.

"YOU IDIOT!"

"QUACK!"

The wind was knocked from her body, as she fell into the water at the mercy of Marlow and Pingu. The tabby's claw was clinging to his dress as angry tears spilled from his big, angry brown eyes.

"You better not do anything that stupid ever-fucking-again! You hear me!? I need you...to feed me! No one is going to give work to a cat, ya know! So, be careful form now on!"

Pingu on the other hand was more gentle. He held her hand with big, watery eyes. quacking softly and checking over her injuries.

Noelle laughed. "Right, I'll be more careful, okay? Stop worrying." She smiled pulling them into a hug. "I'm not going anywhere - ya brats."

Marlow hissed and called her names, but didn't fight her embrace. Pingu was just happy that his friends were safe, and back together again.


It's been three days since the Tower of Heaven was destroyed. Everyone was resting comfortably at the Akane Resort, anxious to get back home to Fairy Tail - that is - whenever Natsu decided to wake up.

"You think he's going to be okay?" Gray asked, looking over at the drooling salmon-haired boy.

Noelle grinned slyly. "Look at you all concerned!" She cooed.

"Tsk, shut up." Gray said poking her bandaged side.

Noelle glared at his shit-eating smirk.

I can't believe he's been sleeping for the last three days." Lucy frowned.

"Yeah, well that's what he gets for eating all that ethernano."

"Say that again and I'll smack ya!" Natsu yelled.

"You're awake?!" Gray yelled.

Natsu snorted loudly in reply.

"That punk woke up just to pick a fight with me?!"

Noelle and Lucy were laughing as Erza shook her head.

"I know I've already said this before, but I really am sorry for causing you all so much trouble." Erza apologized, again.

"You don't have to keep apologizing." Lucy smiled. "We're just glad that you're safe."

Erza nodded. "Oh, Noelle, where did you friend go? I wanted to thank her as well.

"Juvia?" Noelle smiled. "She left a while ago. She wanted to head back to Fairy Tail and talk to the Master about signing up with the guild."

Noelle knew that the Master wouldn't be able to resist Juvia; she was adorable, and would make an awesome addition to Fairy Tail.


The group had discovered that Sho, Millianna, and Wally were missing, so they had all scattered to find them. They were discovered to have found a boat, and were preparing to set sail.

"There you are." Erza called out.

"You found us." Sho said. "Please don't try to stop us from leaving. We made up our minds. All we've ever known is the inside of that tower. It's where we grew up. Now we're adults, and we don't even know anything about the outside world." Sho frowned. "This is our chance to get out there and see it, for the first time in our lives we're free to do whatever we want! We want to follow out dreams just like everybody else. That's something we're going to have to do on our own. We want to know what it means to be free."

"Well I have complete faith in you, and I know you'll do fine out there. I'm not worried."

Erza said requipping into an armor that Noelle had never seen before, and a red banner with the Fairy Tail sign.

"However, there are three rules that any member who chooses to leave the Fairy Tail guild must abide by." She told the three of her old friends.

"What do you mean leave? We never even officially joined it!" Wally said.

Erza held up one finger.

"Number one: Never share sensitive information about the guild with anyone so long as you live."

A second finger was added.

"Number two: Never contact any clients you worked for while in the guild for your own personal gain."

And lastly, a third finger.

"Number three: Although our paths must stray, promise, to live the rest of you lives to the fullest. That means you must treat every day like it was your last in this world. Never forget your Fairy Tail friends! Treasure them for as long as you live! Let the Fairy Tail farewell begin now!"

Erza was tearful as she raised the flag into the air.

"Yes ma'am!"

Natsu spit three fireballs into the air that exploded into fiery blast.

"May all your journeys bring you joy."

"Here goes!" Gray said firing and ice attack in the air that burst int sparkles.

'Watch this!" Lucy yelled swirling her key and shooting a golden light in the air.

"Check this out!" Noelle grinned firing an icy blast into the air that exploded into a shower of sparkles

"I wish we could stay together forever, but deep down I know I'd only hold you back. I don't want that. After all the years you spent stuck in that tower, you deserve to be free."

"We'd never think you'd hold us back!" Millianna cried.

"If we were to stay with ya we would do nothing but remind you of painful memories!" Wally sobbed.

"But I have so much more than just painful memories with you! Besides, what we went through made us stronger. It brought us closer." Erza tearfully smiled. "I will always hold onto those memories; both the good and the bad. I wish you the best of luck and happiness in your new lives! This isn't goodbye, I know we'll meet again!"

"We'll miss you sister!"

"Hope to see you soon Erzy Werzy!"

"Yea we'll meet again someday! I can guarantee you of that!"

"I'll be waiting."

Erza watched her friends sail away, until they were nothing more but dots against the rising sun. Her smile never faltered as she watched them go, knowing that their lives were only just beginning.

As was her own.


"You've got to be kidding me..." Noelle sweatdropped. "Isn't this a little excessive?"

Lucy's eyes sparkled. "Whoa!"

Natsu was unimpressed. "What the hell?!"

"Well, this comes a shock." Erza blinked.

"Wow!" Happy gasped.

"This is the best they could do?" Marlow frowned. "What a waste."

Pingu tilted his head to the side, and quack, clapping his hand excitedly.

Everyone was surprised to find that Fairy Tail guild had been finished in the time that they were gone, and that it was twice the size it was one before.

"It's huge." Erza said.

"Yeah..." Gray agreed.

They were greeted by the other members as they walked through the gate, who were sitting out drinking.

"Hey! Welcome back!"

"Bet you got a surprise, huh? This here is our new guild!"

"What, Natsu, you lost for words?" Lucy asked.

"It's totally different from how it was before!" Natsu yelled.

"Well, yeah. We did rebuild the whole thing from scratch, y'know." Happy said, in awe of everything around him.

They walked around, taking in all the new changes to the guild.

"We've got a cafe now?" Gray frowned.

"And a souvenier shop by the entrace?" Noelle sighed. "Why do we need that?"

Sighing, she walked ahead, and was shortly caught up with by the others.

"Oh, you guys are back now, huh?" Cana greeted them. "C'mon, you've gotta come inside!"

They stepped inside the guild, and were taken back by how huge the guildhall had become. Noelle hated to admit, that she was impressed. Though Natsu didn't seem as happy about it.

"What's up, Natsu?" Gray asked.

"It's not like before." He grubmled, melting into his scarf.

"Hey there! Welcome to Fairy Tail!" Said a skimpily dress waitress.

"The waitresses have got new outfits!" Gray said, blushing and staring hard at the beautiful, skimpily dressed, girls.

"Well, they look cute enough." Erza said.

"Was that the Master's idea?" Lucy sweatdropped.

Noelle soffed. "Big deal." She rolled her eyes and grabbed Gray by the ear. "Quit staring, pervert!"

"Ouch - are you jealous, or soemthing?!"

"Why the hell would I be jealous, idiot?!"

"You tell me, dumbass!"

"It's all different." Natsu said, again.

"And that's not all we've got that new!" Cana grinned, leading them behind the bar. "Behind the bar, we have now have a pool!"

"Hey there, Lu!" Levu greeted, smling.

"Downstairs where's an amusement centre, and perhaps the biggest difference of all is the second floor! Anybod's allowed up there now. But, you stull have to have an S-Rank mage in your team to fo on an S-Rank quest."

"We can go to the second floor?!" Lucy gasped.

"So you're finally back, are you?"

They all turned to see the master, with a very flustered Juvia, sported a short hairdo and new outfit.

"This is our newest member, Juvia! Cute, ain't she?"

"Juvia is happy to see you all!" She smiled.

"Juvia!" Noelle yelled and tackled her in a hug. "I'm so glad to see you! I knew that you'd get in!"

"Juvia is happy to see Noelle-Chan again." Juvia smiled.

"So you really joined, huh?" Fray smiled.

"Juvia...thank you for all your help." Erza said.

"Hm? Yo know one another?" Master asked.

"Juvia has all of you to thank! Juvia will do her best from now on!"

Lucy smiled. "Good luck!"

"In that case, you probably already know but...she used to be one of Phantom's..."

"Ah, it doesn't matter anymore, Master." Noelle smiled. "Juvia is family now."

"I see, I see." Master waved. "Well, make her feel welcome!"

"I'll do my best!" Noelle saluted.

"Hey, what about me, doll?"

Noelle's eyes widened, a shiver running down her spin. She turned, greeted by a grinning Roxie.

"Roxie!" Noelle said. "You joined, too?"

She nodded. "Juvia insisted that I joined, and well, I kinda owe you too. You're the one who put me back on the right track, after all." Roxie grinned and slipper her arms around Noelle's waist. "Besides, now you and I can rock all nigh tlong, baby."

Noelle's face paled. "D-Don't say things like that, Roxie!"

Pingu tilted his head at Noelle's flustered face. "Quack?"

"Ah, it's nothing Pingu." Noelle waved him off.

The Master cleared his throat. "Oh, there one more new member I'd like you all to meet."

"Someone else?" Happy asked.

"Yay, more boring people." Marlow deadpanned.

Pingu patted his back which earned him a hiss from Marlow and a death threat.

Their eyes all widened when they seen who the Master was reffering to. He couldn't be serious, could he?! Him?! The one who was responsible for destroting their guild, and hurting Levy and her team?!

"GAJEEL?!" They all yelled.

"That's the punk who destroyed out guild!" Gray growled. "Master! What kind of joke s this supposed to be?!"

"Wait! Juvia brought him here." Juvia said.

"Juvia is one thing, but this guy was directly responsible for out guild's destruction." Erza frowned.

Gajeel scoffed, and turned his head.

"Now, now, he was only acting on Jose's orders back then; it couldn't be helped. You know what they say - yesterday;s enemies are today's friends."

"Yeah, and I'm not bothered at all, really." Levy said, though the same couldn't be said for Jet and Droy.

"STOP SCREWING AROUND! I AIN'T WORKING WITH A GUY LIKE THAT!"

"Oh, don't worry. I have no intention of being all buddy-buddy with you." Gajeel told him. "I need to work; that's all there is to it. One guild is as good as the next. Now that I ever though I'd end up working at a nasty little guild like this."

"Gajeel-Kun always seems so lonely, Juvia couldn't bear to just leave him. But that doesn't mean Juvia likes him or anything!" She said, frantically looking over to where Barnet was sat, drinking a mug of ale, and conversing with Wakkaba and Macaom getting distracted by the sext waitresses.

"It is the duty of an old man like me to guide young men who have lost their way back onto the right path." Master spoke. "He's not a bad guy at heart, you know. At least, I hope not."

Erza sighed. "Then I supposed I'll have to support your decision, but I think we should have least have someone keep and eye on him for the time being."

"Agreed." Master nodded.

Time passed, and Natsu was still pouting about the new guild.

Noelle, Gray, Erza, Lucy, Natsu, Juvia, Roxie, Cana, and Gajeel were all sitting together at table, celevrating their return and sharing drinks, when the lights suddenly dimmed.

"What's going on now?" Gray asked.

"No idea." Noelle frowned. "What else could they possibly pull out at this point?"

"Too dark." Natsu frowned, trying to light a candle.

"Stop doing that! It's a show, it's meant to be dark!" Cana yelled.

"Hey, there's a stage over there!" Lucy pointed out.

Sure enough, curtains wer epulled back to reveal and enourmous state, with Mirajane front and center with a guitar in her hands, and a floating microphone.

The guild cheered for the beautiful woman on stage - mainly men.

Mirajane smiled, and began to sing into the microphone.

As I walk past your room

My shadow falls trough your door

One more day your not here

Gazing up at the stars up above

I pray that they guide your way

Just look up and follow the starlight back home to me soon

So when you eyes begin to fill with tears look on

I will be waiting here

Under the stary sky

To light your pathway just count on the stars

Follow them to your door

Follow them home

Noelle had been so tranfixed by Mirajane's singing, leaning onto Gray's shoulder as her voice lulled her into a serene trance.

The song ended, and the guild and Noelle errupted into applause.

"Awesome! Who's next?!" Macao cheered.

The lights went out, and when they came back on, Gajeel was on stage dressed in a white suite with his own guitar.

Everyone paled.

"What the?!"

"Wrote a tune I call best friend. Would you like to hear it? Well here it goes."

"I ain't listening to you!"

Roxie punched fist into the air. "SING IT, BABY! SHOW THEM HOW TO ROCK!"

"Sparkle in the colorful, shooby-do-ba. Ya caught my eye like a shining piece of metal, so cold."

Noelle twitched. "H-He can actually sing?"

"WHOO! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Roxie cheered.

"Show them what you can do, Gajeel-Kun!" Juvia smiled, waving at him.

"Man this is the worst song I've ever heard!" Natsu yelled, getting a guitar to the face.

"You wanna piece of me?!" Natsu roared. "I've had enough she-bo-de-da!"

"Shooby-do-ba, you moron!"

Noelle could only sit back with a smile on her face, as chaos unfolded all around her. The fighting, the yelling, the breaking of things - she missed it all. This, was Fairy Tail.

And damn, did she loved this place.

Why did these people have to go and get her attached?

Did they not even realize the dangerous game they were playing with her?


End Note: GOOD TOWER OF HEAVEN ARC! Jesus, that took too long. Now, I can just write a bunch of chapters for fun, before the next arc lol. Bleh, ignore any errors towards the end, document messed up.