Hey guys! Back with more! But damn! It's 2 in the morning on a Sunday for me as I'm typing this note. I said I'd try to get it within a week, which was...Saturday. Failed, miserably. But uh...I have no excuse considering I was over at a friends place. Explains why this is updating so late...least over here it is lol.
Considering that, I'm opting to finishing up this note in the beginning like this and in the end, so head straight into the chapter. So much happening, and I do hope it's to your guys' liking. A whole chapter filled with brutalities is a first for me, so hopefully I did well.
Enough of that!
Onwards!
*CRASH*
The walls of a room in the tower broke down as Yusuke was seen skidding on the floor. He placed his arms over his head.
FINISH BUSTER!
The Saiyan threw his attack at Shun Shun just as she popped out of the smoke. More fumes was produced as it collided with her body, but two arms shot out from it, stretching to grab the Time Patroller. He leaped back to avoid being touched, and the Majin came out of the smoke while retracting her arms. Lighting her magenta aura, she charged at the Saiyan with a hooked back arm. Yusuke leaped forward to meet her halfway. Just as they closed in on each other, Shun Shun launched her punch and Yusuke ducked. Finding an opening, he brought both hands in front of the Time Breaker, and exploded his Ki against her, resulting in the Majin crashing through multiple walls. He phased out of the room, and arrived in another where his opponent was; who was currently getting up.
"I touched ya." Yusuke taunted.
"Shut it you ape! That will be the only time!" Shun Shun shouted. She brought her palms in front of her body and a dark pink orb of Ki was formed with electricity crackling around it. She launched it at the Saiyan, who fired his own golden energy wave at it. Both attacks collided in the room they were present in, which shook the tower for the umpteenth time.
*RUMBLE*
"S-So much shaking…" Lucy said trying to regain her balance.
"Keep your eyes focused ya little bitch!" Juvia shouted, sending a torrent of waters towards the celestial mage.
"Gah!" Lucy cried out in pain as the water sharply attacked her, but braved it as much as she could. 'Juvia…'
ICE MAKE: LANCE!
FIRE DRAGON'S WHROOAAR!
*RUMBLE*
The attacks were about to connect, except the shockwave of the tower made both Gray and Fukuro; who had just absorbed Natsu, lose their balance. Both attacks missed one another and their respective targets.
"Great…" Gray said.
"H-He really is using Natsu's moves…" Happy said.
"Alright, let's try this again…" Gray prepared his hands together.
*RUMBLE*
A bit of debris fell down from the ceiling in the room.
"...just what is going on?" Jellal asked himself as he kept tapping his finger on the armrest of his throne. As soon as he finished broadcasting his 'game' he felt another ominous presence within the tower. That presence and the mysterious Fairy Tail member who didn't use magic were instantly separated from the rest of his 'guests'. The tower shook more where he sat.
'...Tch, anymore of this, then the plan might not work…' Jellal thought frowning.
"It's this the right way Shou?" Erza asked.
"Yeah...it should be…" Shou replied.
*RUMBLE*
They both stumbled a bit while they were running from the shaking.
"...what was that?" Shou said looking at the ceiling.
'Yusuke…' Erza thought worryingly with narrowed eyes.
"Greetings." A feminine voice said. Both looked ahead to see a woman with sakura colored hair, wore a white kimono that hung loosely on her arms, tall red heels, and was holding a long katana in a red sheath in her arms. "My name is Ikaruga."
"Step aside." Erza ordered.
"My, what kind of introduction is that, Miss Erza?"
"I have no business with you."
"Well I do. You won't be able to get to Jellal if you don't get past me."
Erza narrowed her eyes and re-quipped a sword in her grasp. Ikaruga merely chuckled.
"I doubt that will do anything for you." Ikaruga made a stance and laid a hand on the hilt of her sword.
Mugetsu-Ryuu...
The pink-haired woman quickly unsheathed her sword, swung it towards Erza in several directions, and sheathed her sword all in one swift motion. Erza widened her eyes and brought up her own sword to parry Ikaruga's attacks. But it was fruitless as her sword shattered, and her Heart-Kreuz armor soon after.
"H-Huh…?" Erza looked at her form and the ground below to see her weapon and armor in several broken pieces.
"Impressive, you've managed to see my attack. It's been awhile since that happened." Ikaruga complimented.
"That's...no ordinary blade…" Erza uttered.
"That's correct." The assassin said with a grin.
Erza narrowed her eyes and her body glowed. It shined brighter until it flashed, and a moment later showed Erza in her Heaven's Wheel Armor. Deciding to try and make this battle quick, she charged her Ki, and a white aura glowed around her.
'...what is this?' Ikaruga thought staring closely at the knight.
'Whoa...Big Sis is so cool…' Shou thought with a lit up face.
The redhead charged at the Trinity Raven Leader. Ikaruga widened her eyes at the speed she produced and held up her sheathed katana just in time to block an attack from Erza. The Titania pushed her enemy back, but with a grunt from the assassin she managed to push her away, and Erza flew away from her. Multiple swords appeared around her and started to spin rapidly.
CIRCLE SWORD!
With a gesture of her arms towards the pink haired woman, the rotating swords was sent to attack her. Ikaruga readied her katana once again, and kept her eyes at the incoming blades.
Mugetsu-Ryuu: Yasha's Empty Flash!
Ikaruga spun while releasing the blade from her sheath and barely managed to slice the blades Erza sent towards her. The shattered edges of the swords pierced the floor around them, and some went past the assassin as well, close enough that it'd cut her clothing. She frowned, and with her katana still unsheathed, she sent a slash towards the redhead who was just about to land on the ground. Erza saw through her attack, and with both of her swords in hand and aura still glowing brightly around her she crossed the blades in front of her to defend herself. The knight felt the force, and gritted her teeth.
"Hraaagh!" Erza roared as she uncrossed her blades to cancel out her enemies attack and forming a gust of wind. While panting and her aura dieing down, her eyes widened slightly as she felt a sensation, and soon the wings of her armor and the swords she held shattered.
"Tell me Titania, what training have you undergone? It's still quite impressive of how you're faring." Ikaruga asked.
"Training…?" Erza said in realization.
"For standing up to me this long, I can not help but wonder."
"A person that I look up to, and care deeply for." Erza said with a grin, thinking back to her black-haired crush.
"I see...well then." Ikaruga sheathed her katana, and twisted her body to the left, propping the sheath and sword behind her, all the while keeping an eye at the redhead.
Mugetsu-Ryuu: Garuda Flame!
The Trinity Raven Leader spun clockwise with her weapon in hand, and a circle of flames erupted around her. A moment later, rows of torrential fires was headed towards Erza. The knight's body glowed once more.
REQUIP!
The light died down showing Erza in her Flame Empress Armor. Her Ki rose once again and she brought up her sword to defend in an instant. The flames hit, and she skidded back from the force. With a swing of her sword, the fire in front of her was blown away.
"Good, but not good enough this time." Ikaruga said smirking. Once again, the red sword in Erza's hand broke into pieces, and one of her gauntlet and greaves did as well. The assassin hummed in thought. "...maybe I need to push it more as well…"
Erza panted more and caught her breath. She glared slightly at the assassin, who is still able to cut her armor despite the power she's putting out.
'Is going with my armor really the best at the moment…?' Erza thought standing up straight.
"Come Titania. Challenge me with your strongest armor you have." Ikaruga said.
Narrowing her eyes, Erza complied and her body glowed once again. When it was over, it showed her her in black armor. The greaves, gauntlets, and shoulders had spikes sticking out of them. In her hand was a giant blade with black spikes near the hilt and and a sharp end point sticking out to a side.
"Purgatory Armor…" Erza muttered. Her aura flared around her once again and leaped to the air with her weapon overhead. She dived and swung down her blade at the assassin, who in return brought up her sheath to defend herself. Ikaruga gritted her teeth as the force from Erza managed to stagger her where she stood, and a small crater was formed underneath. The knight lifted up her weapon and swung it down with more power, but Ikaruga had managed to leap back as she did so, resulting in Erza smashing the ground beneath her. The assassin readied her sword, and charged at the redhead at an immense speed. Erza took her blade out of the ground and blocked Ikaruga's attack just in time. Both weapons clashed as sparks were produced from where they connected. With a yell, Ikaruga broke it off and leaped back and readied another attack by twisting her body once more.
Mugetsu-Ryuu: Garuda Flame!
Flames were sent towards Erza again, and with her Flame Empress Armor unusable at the moment the action she thought was best was holding her broadsword with the both of her hands and swung in a sideways arc, creating manmade winds and brushing aside the flames. However when she did so Ikaruga was just in front of her. Erza's eyes widened as the assassin went past her in a blink of an eye. The next thing the knight felt was blood spilling from her mouth and being lighter in weight. Her Purgatory Armor shattered and fell to the ground, and she went on one knee, wiping away the blood from her mouth with her arm.
'Damn it…!' Erza inwardly cursed.
"Sis…" Shou muttered.
"You'll have to do better Titania." Ikaruga taunted.
Erza huffed, and stood up facing her opponent again. Her body glowed once more as she requipped. When she was done, her hair was tied in a high ponytail, she was wielding two long swords in both her hands, cloth covered her breasts tightly, and wore red trousers that were part of a hakama with flame designs near the foot, all the while barefoot.
"...what is the meaning of this?" Ikaruga questioned with narrowed eyes.
"Big Sis! What are you thinking?!" Shou exclaimed.
"You seem to be underestimating me. Lost your mind have we?"
"No." Erza took in a deep breath and let it out, relaxing her breathing. "I can't hide and be protected under my armor at all times...I need to get stronger. Even with all the help I've had. I've opened my heart to Fairy Tail...and closer to people who I'd give my heart to. I always thought wearing my armor would keep me safe. But in reality, it would simply slow me down, and it's about time I face that fear."
Erza pointed a sword towards Ikaruga, and her aura flared violently this time around her as she charged her Ki within her. The winds picked up from where she stood.
"Come!" Erza challenged.
"Very well. This is the end for you!" Ikaruga shouted. She unsheathed her katana and charged at the redhead. Erza did the same against the assassin. They both met halfway, and with a battle cry they swung their swords. In a flash, it was over, and both swordswoman were facing their backs toward each other.
"Nng…!" Erza winced as a shallow cut on her right shoulder appeared. She panted slightly and rested her arms to her sides.
"Hehe...you did well…" Ikaruga managed to say. A moment later a large gash appeared on her upper body, and she collapsed to the ground.
"S-She did it…!" Shou cheered.
"Not once...have I ever...been defeated...ever...since my...guild was founded...Until today…" Ikaruga said through strained breaths. "But...you won't make it...as well as Jellal…"
"Huh…?" Erza looked back at her fallen form.
"Fifteen minutes...only fifteen minutes and...it'll all be over…" Ikaruga managed to say before falling unconscious.
"...Etherion?!" Erza realized.
"Sis!" Shou came running up to her.
"Shou...I need you to get our friends out of this tower and go as far away as you can." Erza instructed.
"B-But…!"
"...you'll do this for me...won't you?" The redhead asked smiling at him.
"A-Alright…" Shou said in reluctance. "But what about you…?"
"It's time I finish this…" Erza said with a fierce determination while walking away from him.
Dust and debris from stone walls broke down and two figures came flying through the dust.
Yusuke repeatedly sent a flurry a punches towards Shun Shun's torso, who gritted her teeth as she kept on being staggered. The Saiyan uppercutted her on the chin sending her head and body back. He kicked her right in the stomach and she bent down, clutching it, and Yusuke finished up by weaving his hands together overhead and swinging it down on the Majin's skull, making her crash through several floors of the tower. He landed down near the debris she was in.
"Get up. You got more than that, that's for sure." Yusuke said smirking. The rubble moved, and revealed the barely scathed Time Breaker.
"Hmph. Not bad, for a brute." Shun Shun taunted and wiped the dust off herself.
"Please. Least I'm doing damage."
"Tch." Shun Shun charged at him with a kick ready. She attacked while the Saiyan simply ducked underneath her, grabbed her leg, and threw her into a wall. The Majin stopped herself short and fired off an energy wave at him. He tilted his head to the side, letting it go past him. The blast resulted in going through another wall, quaking the tower.
"Has your aim always been that bad?" Yusuke taunted, smirk still present. Shun Shun snarled at him, but inhaled and relaxed, trying to not let the Saiyan get the best of her.
"Arrggh!" The Female Majin charged at him once again with both hands clenched into fists. She swung her arms at him, and Yusuke kept moving from side to side evading her attacks.
The Saiyan started to connect her attacks with his own blows, and they started to move with Yusuke floating backwards. They put more force into their attacks to match each other, and while doing so it was unknown to them that most of their punch and kicks trembled more of the tower and created cracks of the rooms in their line of sight. The strength they outputted allowed them to crash through walls with ease while still focusing on exchanging blows.
"HAAA!" Shun Shun roared, launching another punch which the Saiyan linked it with his own knuckles, and a large crater was formed beneath them. The next move the Majin decided to do was hook back her other arm, rapidly forming a condensed Ki blast. Yusuke's eyes widened slightly as she aimed it towards him and fired. It connected resulting in a large quake around them. Yusuke leaped out of the smoke with a few scratches and his black collared shirt now torn a bit.
"Great...another shirt ruined." Yusuke said looking at himself.
"You have more to worry about!" Shun Shun shouted flying out of the dust towards him. She ignited her magenta aura and flew faster at him. In an instant she was in front of him already trying to land more damage. They moved again with the Saiyan trailing back, dodging and weaving at the same time.
'She's attacking more fiercely now…' Yusuke thought as his sharpened eyes kept track of her movements. He brought up his forearms and legs to continue blocking the Time Breakers attacks. 'Her build gives her agile...I need to find an opening soon…'
Just as the Majin gave a punch from her left arm, Yusuke ducked and smirked. He unleashed his own aura brightly and began to retaliate. The Saiyan threw a kick which she blocked with her own forearm. He retracted and started sending multiple punches straight at her. Shun Shun continuously swung her head side to side and bringing up her arms to defend herself from the Time Patroller. Yusuke kneed her on the chest, sending her away from him. He brought back both his arms with his palms open and charged Ki in them. With a shout, he hung them overhead and he thrust them forward in an instant, firing off a barrage of Ki blasts at the Majin. She brought up her arms to defend herself from the incoming attack, and it crashed onto her. Yusuke stayed afloat in his spot, waiting for the smoke that was created to settle. When it did, it showed the Time Breaker with her arms still crossed in front of her and her black arm gloves was in tatters.
Shun Shun uncrossed her arms and sneered at him. She phased out only to appear not a second later in front of him with a charged up Ki blast ready. Yusuke widened his eyes as he didn't have time to move out of the way, and felt pain on his upper chest as the attack from her contacted him. He gritted his teeth and skidded back in the air, a bit of smoke coming out from the spot where he was attacked from. Shun Shun charged at him with a full on glare that was etched on her face. Her aura came to life again and readied her fists. With a roar she started to counterattack.
Yusuke was able to dodge a few of her punches, but soon found himself bringing up his arms and legs again with concentration. The Majin outputted much more force into her attacks this time, and he kept sensing where each one might land and did his best to not receive any damage done to him. At one point he had about a second of a time frame, and managed to flicker out of the way from his opponent. He appeared above her with Ki balled in his palms, and launched it down at her. Shun Shun dodged out of the way and appeared above him this time and dived down, ready to land a kick on him. Yusuke managed to duck in time, and grabbed ahold of her leg. Tightly holding it with both his hands, he began to spin her around and after a few more rotations he tossed her toward the ceilings, making her go through several floors up. The white aura surrounded his person again and he flew up to chase after her. When he arrived in the room where he sensed where she was, she was already diving down at him with her own aura unleashed with a fist ready. Yusuke quickly clenched his own fists and it met with hers. The shaking was visible now around them from their power, and both gritted their teeths trying to force one back. They pulled away from the struggle.
"HAA!" Yusuke shouted and managed to go up and elbowed Shun Shun right on the cheeks. Her teeths clenched tightly as she was sent skidding away from him. Shakily, she turned her head towards him, causing him to quirk an eyebrow.
"That...hurt…!" Shun Shun snarled through her teeth. "AAAAAAHHH!"
Her dark pink aura glowed densely as she roared. Her glare was still present towards the Saiyan, and the more she cried, more shockwaves were emitted. While Yusuke had an arm up to partially shield his eyes from the force, Shun Shun rushed towards him. She broke through his defense with a blow to the Saiyans face, and he was sent flying to a nearby wall. She cupped her hands in front of her and a orb of Ki appeared, and she started firing off multiple magenta colored Ki beams where he crashed. More dust and debris were made as the attacks reached the spot he was at. Shun Shun panted and rested her hands in front of her, but widened her eyes as multiple yellow Ki blasts flew out of the smoke towards her. She aimed at the oncoming strikes with her own blasts and they collided with more smoke obscuring her vision. But it didn't matter as she sensed the Saiyan coming straight at her, and she decided to meet him halfway.
With both of them glowing in their own respective force, they met in the fumes now exchanging blows against each other. Each attack managed to quickly allow them to see each other as the smoke around them were blown away. More of Yusuke's clothes were ripped as parts of his black cargo pants had seen better days being whole than ripped. His shirt now nearly half gone exposing most of the right side of his chest. The two otherworldly fighters kept their eyes and mind at one another all the while blocking, dodging, and hitting one another.
Shun Shun punched Yusuke in the face but he recoiled back and kneed her under her chin. Her vision blanked for a moment from the sudden attack and the Patroller straight kicked her in the stomach sending her away. He phased in behind her with an outstretched hand and launched invisible Ki behind her, slowing her movements momentarily. She managed to gain some of her senses back but soon found herself yelping in pain as Yusuke had brought out his left arm with his right hand on his bicep, that was aimed towards the Majin, and let out a short radius but large Ki blast that exploded since she was near him. The Time Breaker gritted her teeth and managed to turn around and fired off a full powered energy wave at Yusuke. He gasped silently and was able to dodge in time from a critical hit. The Ki attack went through the multiple walls of the tower, and soon reached the outside of it and out towards the distance night sky. The Saiyan caught his breath and looked back to see the large gaping hole that was made from the Majin.
"...I'm surprised this tower is still standing…" Yusuke muttered under his breath. But as soon as he said that he sensed another power incoming above them. This time, the tower shook but not from their power. He shot his head up. "...what the hell?"
"What a nuisance…" Shun Shun scoffed narrowing her eyes and looking upward as well.
They were both engulfed in bright light.
"Jellal!" Erza called out. After finishing her match with Ikaruga and sending Shou off to find the others she immediately went to locate the mastermind behind all that is happening right now. Still without armor, she reached into the same room the blue-haired man was in, who was currently sitting on his large chair with his elbow propped on an armrest and his fist against his cheek. An almost devious smile decorated his face.
"Hm. Looks like you made it. It has been awhile...Erza." Jellal said.
Rumbling and quaking from where they were took place. Jellal's smile left his face and Erza managed to keep herself balanced.
"Your little friend is causing quite the ruckus…" Jellal said.
"May be better this way for the tower." Erza said narrowing her eyes. Along the way she kept feeling the shockwaves being emitted from within the tower. The redhead couldn't help but worry about Yusuke each time the floor beneath her shook. But was confident that he'd be alright in the end.
"Matters not. Etherion will fire at this spot in ten minutes anyway…" He said getting up from his seat.
"You don't sound too worried…Is Etherion really going to be fired?"
"But of course! But before it does, I'll make sure you will be used for Zeref!" Jellal exclaimed manically while extending out his arms.
"You will try and you will fail! Jellal!" Erza shouted now readying her sword, pointing the tip directly at him.
"Nothing will fail Erza! It's simply your destiny that events played out this way. You can't escape it!" The blue-haired wizard exclaimed now pulling down the hood of his cloak, and with a wide grin on his face.
He held up an open hand and started to charge up his magical power. Streams of red and purple dark magic were sent towards the redhead, who leaped to the air avoiding the attack. She brought down her free hand at Jellal and fired off several Ki blasts at him. Her target rolled to the side dodging all of her attacks, and they contacted on the floor beneath.
"A rather troublesome attack…" Jellal said narrowing his eyes. He looked up to see Erza diving with her sword ready to swing at him. The blue-haired wizard managed to sidestep her attack, and brought out another wave of dark magic towards Erza. The redhead had managed to deflect most away with her sword, but missed one as it struck her midsection with enough force to push her through the wall of the apex of the tower.
Finding herself in the air, the redhead quickly floated and avoided the rubble of the tower walls around her. She flew back inside through the hole that was made moments ago, facing her childhood friend.
"Destroying the tower when you finished it? I don't get you." Erza questioned.
"Hmph. It won't affect me in the slightest." Jellal shrugged.
"Even after the others have spent eight years building for you, and you simply ignore it?!" Erza shouted. Her Ki rose as her aura surrounded her and she charged at him bringing her blade back. Erza closed the distance between them and swung her sword sideways at Jellal. He managed to catch her wrist midway of her swing, pulled her towards him and twisted her body so her arm was behind her. The dark wizard applied more pressure on her wrist so that she was forced to drop her weapon. It did so and he kicked it away from them. Erza grunted in pain, and struggled to free herself from his grasp. Jellal smirked and pushed her to the ground and placed a hand on her back.
"Spare me the lectures Erza...all that's important is the R-System." He said closely to her ear. Jellal stood on his feet and jumped redhead hastily stood up.
Unknown to Erza however, he placed something on her while she was pinned.
Jellal poured out more of his dark magic, and with a gesture of his hands, his magic was seen surrounding the knight in an instant, constricting her. Soon, a sphere enveloped her, obscuring her sight of the room and Jellal in front of her.
"That should hold you for a while…" Jellal smirked and placed his hands in his coat pocket.
Inside the blob like ball, Erza struggled to break free.
'I...I can't...I can't go out like this…!' Erza gritted her teeth and focused charging her Ki. It went higher and higher and her aura flared brightly around her. The force outputted was easily enough to free her from her prison. Jellal looked back wide-eyed only to find himself against a wall and having somewhat difficulty breathing. This time Erza had pinned him against the wall with a hand on the blue-haired wizard's throat. He looked at her glaring eyes that bore into him, and felt sweat dripping down his brow.
The quaking of the tower shook once again. It was either ignored by the both of them or they just didn't notice it.
"...what are you really after Jellal? This tower does not seem to be the R-System at all…" Erza questioned. Jellal kept a straight face, staring back at her. "These last eight years I've been learning...everything here seems to be in place. Except for one simple thing…"
"Isn't it obvious…? I need you to be the sacrifice." Jellal simply answered.
"Not that...something more easier than that...or in this case it'd be troublesome." Erza corrected. "You need a vast amount of Magical Power don't you?"
"..." The pinned man just stayed silent.
"Not even all the mages gathered on Ishgar would be enough for the R-System...Not only that we're both aware that Etherion will crash down on this place, killing us. Why do you stay?" She interrogated.
"...just three more minutes until it hits…" Jellal said with a small smirk.
"Give up Jellal! Your dream of reviving Zeref is over!" The redhead exclaimed tightening her hold on him. "...why do you act so persistent…?"
"Who knows…? I just...couldn't control it…" Jellal solemnly said.
"Control…?" Erza asked in confusion.
"I was possessed by the spirit of Zeref...and it just kept forcing me on this." He explained. Erza was just dumbfounded on the new information. All this time he had still been a slave, just like they were when they were within the Tower of Heaven. Except that she basically got away almost freely. Jellal continued to speak, catching her attention once again. "I knew deep down that the R-System wouldn't be completed but...it just wouldn't allow me to stop. I'm practically worn out...you wanted to end me right…? Do it…"
The tower shook again, but it was continuous this time from what they felt. Erza released her grasp on Jellal, and he went sliding down the wall. Her eye's foreshadowed by her bangs, and when she looked down at him, the redhead gave him a look of pity.
"There's...no point…" Erza said going next to him. She slid down the wall and sat next to Jellal. She brought her knees to her chest and hugged her legs. "The way the tower is right now...it'll only be a matter of time before Etherion hits…"
"Do you have any regrets…?" Jellal asked.
"...just one." Erza said with a sad smile to her face. 'I'm sorry Yusuke...if only I could have told you…'
She slowly closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. Bright light soon engulfed the room they were in. But while it was, Jellal hid a demonic grin on his face.
Yusuke uncrossed his arms and lowered them and opened his eyes only to mostly see smoke around him. His aura dissipated as he lowered his Ki for a moment and looked at his surroundings. He narrowed his eyes as he saw something peculiar, that he thought was not part of the tower in the first place.
"The hell is this blue stuff?" Yusuke muttered. Widening his eyes slightly, he had forgotten about the Time Breaker. He turned around and sensed where she might be, only to find that he was all alone.
"Are you serious? Damn it...I can't feel her anywhere at all...just why the hell can't I?" Yusuke growled. Exhaling, he calmed down to asses the situation at the moment and closed his eyes.
'Natsu...Erza...that Simon person and that Jellal bastard are still in the tower...but...how did his power go up all of a sudden?' Yusuke thought with a frown. Wondering where the others are, he expanded his sensing. 'Happy...Lucy, Gray, that woman that's been following us as well as the rest of Erza's old friends are away from the tower together...that might be for the best.'
Opening his eyes, he decided the next course of action would try and help Erza. Finding an opening of the tower he flew out and upwards. He caught a glimpse of something bright at the corner of his eyes coming straight at him and stopped his flight, just barely dodging under it. He looked down to see the Majin with cupped hands forward.
"Couldn't get enough of me huh?" The Saiyan teased.
"Shut it! While my boredom is practically gone, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take my leave." Shun Shun announced reaching his height in the air, still a distance away from him.
"I'm hurt...Think you can answer a few questions for me then?" Just then he heard something being crashed above him, and felt Natsu, Erza, and Jellal. He decided to ignore them for now, trying to quickly finish up with the Time Breaker.
"If one of them is 'Can you kill me?' then I'd be happy to oblige."
"As flattered as I am that you wish to do so...that ain't one of em." Yusuke said spreading out his arms in an exasperated manner.
"Well, consider me out of this then. I've no intention of aiding you whatsoever." The Time Breaker flickered out of his sight. The Saiyan narrowed his eyes as he turned his body to the side and looked up in the night sky where he felt she was. Shun Shun raised an arm over her head and started to charge a large amount of Ki.
"What the hell is she thinking…?!" Yusuke exclaimed angrily.
"Ufu, consider this a present. It's the least I could do for you since you entertained me." The magenta ball of Ki grew in size above her. Static coursed around the sphere rapidly. The Patroller narrowed his eyes and flared his aura. He flew above the tower, which some of the lacrima was seen in rubble, and cupped his hands to the right side of his body.
KA…!
ME…!
A brilliant blue orb was formed inside of the Saiyan's hands. He concentrated more to that point while keeping his senses at Shun Shun at the same time.
"Now this will be amusing…" Shun Shun smirked. Playing a little more, she charged her condensed globe even more.
HA…!
ME…!
Rays of blue spiraled around his person from his palms. From afar, it would look as if a star was visible inside their atmosphere to the human eye.
"We'll meet again Saiyan! Next time, I'll force you to transform." The Majin snickered, and with a shout, she forcefully threw down the ball of Ki that could be compared to a regular wrecking ball. It curved down towards the Tower of Heaven where Yusuke was ready to defend for the time being.
HAAAAAAAAAAA!
Yusuke let out a battle cry, and thrusted his arms up at her attack, and released.
Natsu raised both fists in front of him, and smirked widely in front of Jellal, all scratched up from the first round of his bout.
"I'm all fired up...the most I felt in my entire life!" Natsu exclaimed.
"Tch...you son of a-!" Jellal started but was interrupted.
KA…!
Yusuke's voice echoed, and Jellal glanced behind him. Natsu, through some sense in his head, took the opportunity.
FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!
A torrent of harsh flames went straight for the blue-haired wizard, who looked back just in time.
METEOR!
Jellal ignited his magic and swiftly moved out of the way from the roar.
ME…!
Bright light was seen above the openings on top of the tower.
Ignoring what was going on above, Jellal and Natsu focused on each other. The Heavenly Mage gestured his hands in front of him and shot streams of light that spiraled their way to attack the Dragon Slayer. Natsu leaped and rolled dodging all of them nimbly, and charged at Jellal.
"That the best you got?!" Natsu taunted. As he kept rushing, Jellal swiped to the side with his right arm while only bringing out his index and middle finger. In an instant a large, body-sized ball of light clashed against Natsu, who defended by bringing out his arms in front of him.
HA…!
While Natsu was skidding back against the lacrima floor, still defending, Erza stirred from the ground, and started to open her eyes. The first thing she saw was the Dragon Slayer being forced to the edge of the tower.
With a shout Natsu blew back the attack with sheer force. Once again, he charged straight at Jellal.
"Ya think something like that is gonna bring me down?! Think again!" Natsu yelled.
"Don't get cocky you brat!" Jellal brought out his left arm and fired off a beam of his magic at him. It crashed onto the Fire Mage dead on, sending him flying.
"Natsu!" Erza shouted in worry.
ME…!
The redhead widened her eyes at hearing Yusuke's voice. She looked ahead to see bright light above the tower.
FIRE DRAGON'S BRILLIANT FLAME!
The sound of crumbling broke Erza's attention and back to the ongoing fight between her guildmate and childhood friend. Natsu had just unleashed a large ball of fire down at the lacrima floor. Large and small pieces of the blue crystal was seen flying around.
"You little…!" Jellal snarled.
"More of the tower…" Erza gaped.
"You're gonna...have to do...better than that…! Hehe...heh…" Natsu said while panting.
"Enough of this!" Jellal brought up his arms over his head and crossed them in an X fashion. Winds suddenly erupted as he did so, and it was blowing towards a circular blast that was formed above him. Both Fairy Tail members covered their face with their arms from the force, but kept an eye at the Heavenly Body Mage user. Erza widened her eyes as she noticed her shadow was pointing in Jellal's direction.
'This is…!' The Knight frantically thought.
"This is the end for you Dragon Slayer!" Jellal shouted. He was about to launch his attack but stopped suddenly when he saw a flash of red in front of the Fire Mage.
"You won't do it! Not if I'm here!" Erza exclaimed spreading her arms and arriving in front of Natsu.
"Erza…!" Natsu said through his teeth.
"You need me for Zeref's revival right?!"
"True...but the requirement states that the wizards body was on par with on of the Ten Great Wizard Saints! At this point...you're expendable!" Jellal answered. Erza widened her eyes, but kept strong and stayed at her spot.
"Erza move!" Natsu demanded but the redhead ignored him.
"Begone the both of you!" Jellal started to lean forward.
HEAVENLY BODY MAGIC: ALTA-
HAAAAAAAAAAA!
Winds even greater than the blue-haired wizard's spell produced were strongly felt by the mages present. Jellal's spell was completely canceled out, and he staggered back and rolled on the ground. Erza and Natsu lost their footing and fell to the floor.
Outside of the tower and in the sea, waves of water were violently moving. A safe sphere made out of water can be seen, and within it was seven figures.
"T-This is like…" Lucy started, staring up wide-eyed.
"...just like back at Phantom…" Gray finished.
"Juvia...Juvia has heard rumors but...to actually see it…" Juvia said in awe.
"Unreal…" Wally managed to say. Shou, and Milliana were kept silent, only watching with open mouths at an ongoing clash just above the place that was home to them for most of their lives. Happy stayed silent as well, and was quietly praying for his friends safety.
Back inside the tower the trio of mages were still seen on the floor with their eyes closed, not wanting to get up as the winds were too strong if they were to go up against it.
"Just what is happening now…?!" Jellal seethed.
"Hehe...nice timing New Guy…" Natsu muttered.
Erza had managed to get on her elbows. She was able to see more of the lacrima falling and breaking into pieces from the gravity of the force.
'Yusuke...what is going on over there…?' She wondered, still worried for his safety.
Shun Shun smirked and allowed her attack to expand greatly at a wide radius. With everything done in her hands, she masked herself and phased out of sight.
The Majin appeared near her master, who was quite a distance away from the tower.
"Satisfied?" Towa questioned.
"A bit. I wish to challenge him in the future. If Master Mira will allow me to do so." Shun Shun answered.
"...you can try~" Towa teased. She floated, now getting off of her staff. With a few motions, the sky swirled and revealed black space. "You've had your fun. Go make sure the army is taken care of."
"Yes, Master Towa." The Majin said bowing her head a little.
"And do make sure you and your sister get along."
Shun Shun snarled at the mention of her twin but didn't comment on it. With a nod, she flew into the open rift, and it closed.
"Ufufu...you're not done yet you monkey…" Towa said with a smirk.
Yusuke gritted his teeth and glared at the dark pink ball that his own blast is connected to. The sea under him moved violently and everything shook around him.
"HAAAAAAAGH!" Yusuke roared bringing out more of his power. His Kamehameha Wave grew wider in size to keep up with the Majin's attack. Veins started to come out of his forehead from the irritation of how long this has lasted and how much he's been putting out so far. "AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
With one final push, the Saiyan exerted more Ki into his attack, effectively pushing back Shun Shun's blast. Both techniques soared through the darkened sky, so high that it went past Earthland's thermosphere, and into space. When it was far enough away, both connected attacks exploded, resulting in lighting up the whole night sky for almost all of Ishgar to see. Violent winds continued to roar around those within and around the tower.
"Ah geez! So bright!" Gray said covering his eyes.
"Juvia is...not sure how much...longer she… can hold up…!" Juvia said struggling to keep the orb of water they were encased in.
"Juvia don't let up!" Gray requested.
"Y-Yes Gray~!" Juvia suddenly had the energy within her to keep going, hearts in her eyes.
The light lasted for a minute or so before it completely died out.
Panting heavily, Yusuke lowered his arms and tried to get air cycling through his lungs again. He looked around to see if there were any signs of the Majin, as well as using his sensory abilities to locate her.
'Great...I think this time she's gone for good…' Yusuke thought tiredly. Gasping a bit, he remembered that Natsu and Erza were still inside the crystal tower.
The battlegrounds of Natsu and Jellal was in worse shape than before. More cracks had appeared everywhere, just threatening to increase in length. Jellal started to get up from the ground, all the while gritting his teeth with a glare.
'I'm just about done with this…!' Jellal thought in ire. He stood up fully and crossed his arms over his head once again, charging his spell.
On the lacrima floor away from them, both Fairy Tail mages shot their heads up at the blue-haired wizard's sudden attack.
"This time! No interruptions! Ahahahaha!" Jellal cackled. As he kept charging his spell, his maniacal eyes flashed red and his body glowed dark purple.
Above the tower the Saiyan clenched his teeth together hard.
"Son of a bitch…!" Yusuke snarled and ignited his aura. He hastily flew down to where Natsu and Erza were at. He arrived at the edge of the crystals, and saw that a large attack in a shape of a sphere was heading towards Natsu, Erza, and Simon who happened to come in front of the Fairy Tail duo that have been fighting against Jellal just before the Saiyan arrived. Yusuke narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Not then...and not now!"
Unleashing his glowing aura for the umpteenth time he phased out and appeared in front of the trio with crossed arms. The winds brushed against his torn shirt, pants, and dirtied hair. Determination in his eyes, he readied himself for the blow as he didn't have time available to him this time to counter. Jellal's Heavenly Magic collided directly on the Saiyan's body. Just before it hit, the rest present widened their eyes.
The area they were in shook violently as the blue-haired wizards attack connected, and strong enough to crack more of the crystal. Smoke blurred the wizards vision inside, waiting for what became of the black-haired teen.
"Yusuke!" Erza cried out. She was about to go past Simon and run in until winds picked up once more, blowing the smoke away. She covered her eyes from the fumes, and when it died down she uncovered them to look ahead only to gasp in horror.
"We meet again...Yusuke Yasai." Jellal greeted with an evil grin. His red eyes and dark energy still glowed and swirled around him respectively.
"New Guy…" Natsu shakily said.
"Y-You…" Simon tried to say as he stared wide eyed at the man in front of him.
Blood fell on the crystal floor as Yusuke coughed it up. He panted heavily again and had an eye closed, wincing from the pain. The Saiyan fell on his knees and placed his hands on the floor supporting himself. His shirt was completely gone and more holes riddled on his cargo pants.
'Okay...this time...it actually hurts…!' Yusuke thought gritting his teeth.
"Yusuke!" Erza cried out once more. She ran over to him and crouched down to his level.
"He-Hey...you guys alright?" The black-haired teen asked, glancing over at her.
"I should be asking you that!" She exclaimed.
"Aha...this...is nothing…!" Yusuke strainly said while getting up.
"Don't push yourself!"
"Haha! Look at you! You're done non-wizard. Though I will admit, I am impressed you actually managed to survive that. Would've been nice if your body was completely destroyed though. Hahahaha!" Jellal cackled. It only fueled the anger of the scarlet-haired knight even more so than when he had tricked her before Etherion had hit the tower. She was about to make a move but Yusuke stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder and looked back at him.
'I know it's selfish but...it's for their own safety. I have to do this…' Yusuke thought as he was slightly panting now. He looked over to the redhead with both his eyes and a small smile. "Sorry Erza...but this is my fight now."
"What?!" Everybody else but Jellal, who simply laughed harder, exclaimed.
"Ahaha! Hahaha! I can't believe what I'm hearing!" Jellal laughed.
"What are you saying Yusuke?! You...You can't! Not with the way you are now!" Erza hollered.
"I may look like this but believe me Erza I still got plenty of fight left." Yusuke said with a small grin. Erza took one step back, and looked at him with a worried expression.
"N-No…! I-I can't see any more of my friends hurt like this! From him!" Erza exclaimed turning around and facing Jellal, who was still smirking. Gritting her teeth she glared at him and pulled out a large sword from her pocket dimension. "I'll be the one to finish it this time!"
Sighing quietly to himself, Yusuke opted to chop Erza in the back of her neck. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and fell forward with her eyes now closed, and she dropped her weapon, now unconscious. Yusuke grabbed her by the shoulders to prevent her from falling to the ground, and picked her up bridal style, ignoring the pain within his body. He turned around and appeared in front of Natsu and Simon a moment later. The former staring intently at him while the latter jumped at his sudden appearance.
"Can I trust you guys to take her and for the both of you to get out of here?" Yusuke asked.
"Wait a minute New Guy-" Natsu started.
"Let me rephrase that actually. Take Erza, and the both of you get the hell out of here." Yusuke firmly demanded.
"Natsu. We should do what he says." Simon suggested.
"What?! I was here first!" Natsu shouted.
"And now your turns over. I'm getting a shot at that prick." Yusuke said.
"You can hardly stand!"
"You're the one to talk…"
Natsu cringed. The Saiyan was right. The Dragon Slayer's battle with the Heavenly Mage user had done quite a bit to him, and he was using all of his remaining strength to stand and put up a strong front. Yusuke handed the Knight over to the pink-haired slayer, who reluctantly placed her on his back.
"You come back. Got it, Yusuke?" Natsu said.
"Yeah. You can count on that Natsu." Yusuke replied with a smirk. He turned his head toward Simon. "I trust you'll follow him and get out as well right?"
"Of course...I'll make sure they make it out safely." Simon nodded.
"Thanks." The Saiyan said turning to face the blue-haired wizard.
"Just like Salamander said...I'm...sure Erza would be overjoyed if you make it." Simon said with a bit of reluctance which went unnoticed by both of the conscious Fairy Tail members.
"Don't worry about me. Just focus on yourselves for now. The other's are already away from the tower but staying at one spot. If you manage to signal them I'm sure they'll come to you." Yusuke explained.
"Right."
"Don't you lose! Ya hear New Guy?!" Natsu shouted.
"Just get going already!" Yusuke shouted back. He heard footsteps from the both of them while still staring at Jellal. Soon, only the Saiyan and Heavenly Mage user were present. "Wow! You're really that Siegrain guy aren't ya?"
"My, I wonder what made you guess that?" Jellal sarcastically said.
"Well considering you Do feel familiar, yeah it can be self explanatory." The Saiyan grinned and cracked his knuckles. "So...how many bones you want broken?"
"This is just precious...you really think you can stand up to me?" Jellal asked still holding a smirk on his face.
"You know...you're sounding exactly like a douchebag who I basically hate the most. You're arrogant, that's for sure." Yusuke started pacing a bit. "You're ignorant of what you're seeing, and a bastard who practically enjoys making people suffer."
"Oh spare me...Honestly, someone like you actually think you can beat someone like me? You're nothing but an ant while I'm the spider! Without a doubt, you don't stand a chance." Jellal stated as if it were true. His eyes glowed red once more and dark energy swirled around his person. He smirked widely. "Learn your place!"
The blue-haired mage brought out both his arms and made gestures with his fingers. Massive beams of light were sent towards the Saiyan.
'...I swear when I find Towa…' Yusuke inwardly sighed to himself. Narrowing his eyes, he dodged his enemies attacks, and began his assault.
Natsu and Simon were nearing the entrance at the base of the tower. As they kept descending down, they continuously felt the tower shake under their feet.
"Man, that New Guy knows how to steal the fun…" Natsu pouted a bit, holding onto Erza behind her knees.
"No offense but...it does seem that he's the best chance we have at the moment…" Simon said.
"Yeah well...whatever…" Natsu said looking away.
They both exited out and onto the sandy beach. Both looked around in the distance to see if they can spot their friends.
"Natsu, can you use your flames? They should still be near if what Yusuke said was true." Simon suggested.
The shorter teen nodded and faced his head to the air. His cheeks puffed up and spewed a stream of fire out of his mouth. It soared high and exploded when it reached a certain height. Out in the moving seas, the rest inside the water bubble saw the signal.
"That's Natsu's flames!" Happy exclaimed.
"Can you bring us back?" Gray asked the rain woman.
"Yes!" Juvia replied with enthusiasm.
"I think it's best to let them know we're here as well." Lucy suggested.
"I'll handle that. Hey, can you open up a small hole as well?" Gray asked Juvia again.
"Right." The bluenette worked her magic and a space of fresh air was widened above their heads.
Gray linked his hands together and mist was formed around them. He shot his arms toward the night sky shooting out some of his magic. When it reached a certain height, it expanded in radius and was enough for both guys at the island to see.
"Alright, it looks like it worked." Simon said.
They both waited until they saw the sphere in sight. When it reached the shore, it dissipated revealing their comrades.
"Natsuuu!" Happy cried out in joy as he instantly flew over to his best friend.
"Hey Happy!" Natsu greeted with an open arm as the blue feline hugged him.
"You guys!" Lucy called out. Everybody that was in the waters came running up to the three that had still been in the tower.
"Shou, Wally, Millianna, I'm glad you're all safe." Simon said in relief.
"You had us worried…" Millianna said.
"...how's Big Sis?" Shou asked glancing over at her unconscious form that still laid on Natsu's back.
"She's just knocked out...but it's best if we leave now for our own safety." Simon replied.
"Wait a minute...where's Yusuke?" Gray questioned.
Just then, they heard an explosion above them, and several more chained from the first one. Everybody standing on the sand looked up to see smoke clouds coming out from several places within the top of the tower. Two figures came flying out clashing against one another. One left a streak of white while the other left a streak of dark golden light, and they criss-crossed each other and soared higher into the sky.
"Up there...facing against that Jellal guy…" Natsu answered with some annoyance.
"We have no more time to waste. The farther away from the tower...the better. I have faith in your friend, and that he'll come back safely." Simon informed.
"Is...is it alright to do so?" Millianna questioned.
"New Guy ain't someone to mess with! He'll be back...just you wait…" Natsu said while still looking at the ongoing fight above. Two beams of golden light was seen being fired off opposite of one another, and they connected resulting in a large dust cloud where they were seen hit.
"Come on! Let's go!" Gray called out. Looking back, Natsu had found that he had yet to join them in the blob of water. Glancing back at the sky one last time to see multiple golden orbs flying around, the Dragon Slayer ran to his friends while still holding the redhead behind him.
Yusuke threw his right hand to fire off five golden orbs at Jellal. All five met and one large Ki blast was formed and his opponent crossed his arms to defend himself from the attack. The blue-haired wizard skidded back in the air while still having his golden aura emitted around him due to his Meteor spell. It's speed was only amplified due to a certain demoness' power up, and his power multiplied as well.
"Take this!" Jellal screamed. He shot his arms forward at the Saiyan while his eyes glowed and dark energy circled around him. A single, but large, beam of light was sent towards Yusuke. The black-haired teen twisted his body to the left.
GALICK GUN!
Yusuke shot his own hands forward and firing off his purple beam. Both attacks clashed in the air and winds erupted from where it touched.
Having not enough time to recover from his fight with Shun Shun, Yusuke struggled a bit to keep up with the influenced blue-haired wizard. Gritting his teeth he resolved himself to pour out more, and it ended up with both beams exploding in the air just as both user's attacks had resulted.
Flaring his aura, the Saiyan charged straight at Jellal through the smoke. He saw his surprise expression and immediately, Yusuke punched him in the face. The mage was sent flying and Yusuke caught up a second later above him with his hands and fingers interlocked together over his head. Yusuke brought it down in an instant, striking the blue-haired man's face once more. Jellal grunted as he was sent down back to ground level, or at this moment, under the waters.
Yusuke took the time to catch his breath and kept his senses at the wizard below him.
"Hm. Came here to relax a little more only to run into more trouble...and here I said I'd always keep my guard up...not sure if I'm doing a good job…" Yusuke chastised to himself a bit. Sighing heavily, he felt the mage's power rise again. "...no rest for the wicked…"
Water shot up and Jellal came out of it flying straight at the Saiyan with a furious glare.
"I'm not letting you getting in the way of my goals!" The Heavenly Body Mage shouted. He propped his body straight, facing towards him and swiping his arms several times. Large golden blasts were sent towards the black-haired teen at a rapid rate.
Yusuke weaved side to side dodging some of Jellal's attack. When one of the blast closed in, he swiped his own left arm, coating it with his Ki, and sliced the spell in half which resulted it in exploding around him. He flew up only to see Jellal already above him smirking.
"Be judged by the seven stars!" The Heavenly Mage stated as he made signs with both his hands together.
SEVEN STAR SWORD: GRAND CHARIOT!
Multiple beams of light with the power of meteors were brought down against the Saiyan. Yusuke glared and cupped his hands together to the right side of his body.
KAMEHAME…!
Brilliant blue light was emitted inside the Saiyan's palms and violently vibrated. He kept charging as the streams of light neared him. Feeling it was enough, his battle cry was heard once again from all.
HAAAAAAAAAAA!
Erza slowly opened her eyes from the swaying she felt underneath her. Looking around, she saw all her friends looking upwards at the night sky. Some were wide-eyed, some were sweating, and some were shaking. She hefted herself up on the somewhat jelly like substance under her.
"Guys…" Erza called out. Everybody looked down behind them to see the redhead getting up.
"Erza!" Some cried out in joy. Wally, Millianna and Shou being the ones to hug her.
"Everyone...I'm glad to see you're all safe…" Erza said in relief. But her eyes widened significantly at a memory before she was knocked out. Looking around she didn't see one specific person. "W-Where's Yusuke…?!"
...HAAAAAAAAAAA!
Bright light was seen by all within the watery sphere. Erza gasped and looked up to barely see Yusuke firing his attack and fending off Jellal's spell. The water around them went wild once again from the force of the Saiyan's blast.
"Nng…!" Juvia grunted trying her best to brave against the rough seas.
"He just doesn't let up…" Shou said.
"Yusuke…" Erza uttered. She clenched her fists in slight anger that the black-haired teen had taken up to himself to face against the dark mage, and had decided to knock her out. But was more worried for him as she had seen what damage he had taken upon protecting her, Simon and Natsu. Not to mention that she was well aware that he had been in another fight before arriving to be a shield against one of Jellal's cataclysmic spells.
Looking up again at the fight above, the redhead saw Yusuke firing off his own beams up towards the night sky where the blue-haired mage stayed afloat, still keeping up his Meteor spell. The battle's he had been involved in so far made her feel helpless as she had only been watching from the sidelines. This time however, it affected her even more so that it revolved around her and that she had dragged her friends, old and new, to this mess. Tightening her hands and steeling her resolve, she decided to act.
"...I'm sorry everybody." Erza quietly said. Turning around she summoned a sword in her hands and slashed at the water that held up their transportation, creating an opening large enough for her to go through.
"Erza…!?" Lucy exclaimed.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Gray yelled.
The redhead hastily floated away from them, igniting her aura and flew off back to the direction where the tower resided.
"Erza!" Natsu hollered.
"What the hell is she thinking?!" Gray exclaimed.
The saltwater stayed away from the redhead as Erza flew just above the ocean. She ascended as she neared the tower, and towards the ongoing battle in the sky.
Yusuke batted away several other attacks from Jellal's spells and fired his own blasts. He'd have to treat himself later that, despite the large usage of his Ki earlier in the night, he was holding his own even though the dark wizard had gotten a massive power up from Towa. The Saiyan's attacks were countered by more of the Saints magic and more smoke was produced when they collided.
Jellal charged in using his Meteor spell, choosing to take the direct approach. His teeths were clenched and he glared wide-eyed at the black-haired teen. All the while dark energy continuously swirled around his form. He hooked back his right arm and twisted his body, determined to land a hard blow.
The Saiyan stared intently at the blue-haired mage who was headed towards him. They were a few meters away from each other but Yusuke decided to appear nearly in front of him. Catching the dark wizard off guard, the Patroller launched himself forward and kneed Jellal right in the stomach. The hard blow made Jellal scream silently in pain, and saliva escaped from his mouth. Yusuke retracted back his leg and turned his body in a counterclockwise direction and roundhouse kicked the mage on the temple of his skull.
Jellal winced visibly with his eyes closed and teeth gritted together as he was sent flying away from Yusuke. Clenching his fists, he casted his Meteor spell as yellow light surrounded him once more, now staying afloat. Veins were seen around his neck and forehead from the rage he was feeling towards the Fairy Tail member. He blinked once though, and looked ahead of him. There he saw someone flying towards them.
Yusuke caught his side glance a moment later and looked behind him. The Saiyan had solely been focused on Jellal to notice, and he gasped as he saw Erza, now conscious, flying up to them.
"Erza, what are you doing here?!" Yusuke called out.
"Perfect…" Jellal muttered. Pouring a vast amount of his magical power out, he opened both of his hands towards the both of them. This time, large quantities of light beams skewed towards Yusuke and Erza.
The Saiyan widened his eyes and looked back to see the blue-haired mage fire off his spell. He swiped his arm to the side letting out a force with his Ki, and Jellal's attack was stopped midway. But more beams of light shot out of the smoke that was made, and they appeared far away from either sides of the Saiyan. He noticed that none of them was aiming towards them, and it clicked to his mind that there was only one other person.
"Erza!" Yusuke shout in worry and he phased out.
Erza stopped her flight and widened her eyes at the incoming attack. Yusuke appeared in front of her and embraced her just before the magic beams connected the redhead. Heavenly Body Magic once again crashed the Saiyan's body and they both flew down towards the tower with smoke trailing from his backside.
"Y-Yusuke…!" Erza cried out. Said man grunted in pain and managed to see that they were nearing the tower. He managed to turn his body once more so that his back was facing the crystal to prevent harm to the scarlet-haired knight. Shortly after, both crashed into the lacrima and were back to the previous area they had been in.
'...I'm glad my Ki was up…' Yusuke thought, painfully lifting himself in a sitting position.
"Yusuke! Are you alright?!" Erza frantically asked as she was still within the Saiyan's arms.
"Yeah...I'm good. Ignoring that...why did you come here?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and she pursed her lips.
"I...I wanted to do something...Yusuke, this should be me fighting Jellal...you have nothing to do with this…" Erza answered. His eyes twitched a bit.
'...more than you know Erza…' Yusuke thought, inwardly sighing.
"...Well, I did say this to Natsu before he left. You had your shot, now it's my turn." The Saiyan said with a grin.
"This isn't a game!" The redhead chided.
"I know Erza...and that's why I decided to step in." Yusuke withdrew his hands and attempted to stand up. The knight got off him and their feet soon touched the crystal.
"...why?"
"I see you're both still alive…" Jellal said from above. Both turned their heads towards the dark mage, their conversation interrupted.
"Jellal…!" Erza said through her teeth. Yusuke stepped in front of her, and she looked at the back of his head.
"Can't be helped since I feel like you're too stubborn to go back to the others…" Yusuke said.
"You'll let me help then?"
"Nope. I still want you as far away as possible. I fight alone." He declared taking a few steps forward.
"...it sounds like you're the one being stubborn."
"With good reason Erza...I can't go at my best if I'm worried about you." Yusuke answered. The redhead silently gasped. Ironic that she was the one who was worried about him the most, but it's expected since something this serious is happening at the moment. Her shoulders slumped a bit and looked down with a frown.
"Be careful…" Erza quietly asked. Yusuke grinned, and continued walking forward.
'...I need to end this now. I can't risk turning with the way things are...it's still unnecessary…' The Saiyan thought as he looked at the dark mage.
"Still wanting more? I suppose you haven't learned yet…" Jellal taunted.
'...Haven't done this in awhile...might regret it with the way my body is now, but it should be enough…and hopefully it'll last.' Yusuke thought with a bead of sweat going down his face. The Saiyan closed his eyes. Relaxing, he opened them a second later with a hardened gaze towards the blue-haired mage. He balled his hands, spread apart his legs and leaned forward a bit. His brilliant white aura glowed not a second later, and winds erupted where he stood. His Ki went higher, and he gritted his teeth. With a loud roar, his white aura changed colors.
KAIO-KEN!
Crimson aura now surrounded him. Veins popped out of his neck, arms and forehead. Erza shielded her eyes from the winds, but was surprised nonetheless at his presentation. Jellal dangerously narrowed his eyes, wondering what might happen next as he prepared himself.
"AAAAAAAAAAHH!" Yusuke's battle cry echoed as the frequency of his blood colored aura heightened. His heart beated faster and faster by the second, his Ki kept rising, and thinking to ensure this would end quickly he went one step further.
KAIO-KEN TIMES THREE!
The lacrima around them cracked under his pressure, and the winds picked up from where Yusuke stood.
A moment later everything was still.
Confused, Erza looked around the open space. She only saw only the crystal and Jellal, who looked around in confusion as well, in the distance.
"Gahah!" Jellal cried out. The redhead, who was looking away, shot her head to his voice. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw that Yusuke, who was still coated in his red aura, had punched the blue-haired man in the gut. The mage in pain clutched his stomach and took a few steps back.
Not wanting any second to waste, Yusuke leaped and kneed Jellal in the face, effectively sending him flying out of the tower. The Saiyan rocketed towards him, leaving behind a streak of crimson from his last spot. He quickly elbowed the wizard right in the chest, forcing him downwards. Before Jellal even reached the ocean, the Ki user had appeared right near him, and grabbed ahold of his boot. With a yell, Yusuke threw him back into the air.
'Faster…!' Yusuke thought. He rushed towards his opponent at high speeds with his red aura still present. The Saiyan arrived at his damaged form, and uppercutted Jellal on the chin making him continue his trip towards the air. The blue-haired mage slowly regained his senses and stopped his movements just above the crystal tower. He clenched his teeth in frustration that the non-mage was getting the best of him.
"This is absurd! I am the one Zeref has chosen! I am the one who will revive him!" Jellal shouted. His anger continued as his eyes glowed red and dark aura seeped around him still. "With Zeref we will change and rule the world!"
"Keep thinking like that and you'll find yourself on the short end of the stick!" Yusuke appeared right in front of him and punched Jellal right in the stomach once again. This time, with more strength, his fist went farther. The mage had his mouth wide open in immense pain, and was in agony as he couldn't let his voice out. With a grunt, Yusuke hooked back the same arm and landed a blow to the blue-haired man's cheeks. Jellal was forced back from the hit and abruptly stopped himself in midair, now a distance away from the Saiyan.
"Enough of this!" Jellal flew himself higher above the tower. He made gestures with both his arms and a few moments later a large magic circle appeared right in front of him.
'...wait a minute that looks familiar.' Yusuke thought narrowing his eyes.
"A-Abyss Break?! Do you plan on taking down the R-System as well?!" Erza yelled.
"Instead of eight years...I'll complete it in five! In the end I still win!" The magic circle started to glow, and the dark power around him started to swirl violently.
Needing to end this now, Yusuke appeared right in front of him. Jellal gasped at his sudden appearance, and the Saiyan started to glow in blue light while keeping up his Kaio-Ken state.
"HAAAA!" The Saiyan roared. He let out a force of his Ki, immediately breaking Jellal's concentration of Abyss Break. The blue-haired mage staggered back, and the Saiyan's hand crackled with blue static. Yusuke rushed in and struck him in the chest. Time seemed to have stopped moving as the Patroller instantly shot up above the Heavenly Body Mage. A large pool of Ki gathered within his left hand, and a moment later he shot a large blue blast down towards Jellal.
The attack impacted Jellal greatly, and it resulted in him going through multiple floors down towards the tower. As he kept crashing from floor to floor, the force from Yusuke's attack went with him, and it resulted in the tower starting to collapse. Soon, he stopped falling, and was now seen knocked out from Yusuke's finishing blow.
Settling down his Ki, Yusuke panted heavily as he was no longer in his Kaio-Ken transformation. Exhausted, he felt his eyes get heavy, and started to fall down as he was unable to hold himself in the air.
"Yusuke!" Erza called out. Seeing that he didn't respond, she flew up towards his falling form. She barely managed catch him by wrapping her arms around his waist. She grunted a little at his weight, but found it easier to maneuver him this time than the first time she had first found him. They both landed on the rumbling tower floor and they both collapsed on it.
"Hehe...guess that's done…" Yusuke managed to say, now slightly conscious. He began to take in air through his lungs.
"Yusuke…" Erza smiled warmly at him. After eight long years of inner turmoil, Erza's fears had vanished thanks to the Saiyan. But her smile vanished as she felt the tower now quaking more violently beneath her. She looked around and to see the lacrima glowing brightly all around them. 'The magic from Etherion is acting up...we'll be long gone if it goes out of control…'
"We...need to get...out of here…" Yusuke panted as he forced himself up. Not using the Kaio-Ken technique for quite some time had made his body rusty to the effects rather than accommodating it. Luckily he only went so far, and was up on his feet, but his legs wobbled and parts of his body shook slightly from the pressure he's pushing his body at.
"I...I'm not sure if we can Yusuke…" Erza solemnly said.
"What do you mean…?" He asked while looking over at her.
"All of this magic, it'll have nowhere to go now that the tower is collapsing...and it'll explode, reaching all the way back to the mainlands…"
"What…"
The tower rumbled more, and Erza kept her balance while Yusuke had slight difficulty. The lacrima started to deform around them, and looked as if they were melting, and turned into a completely different shape.
"...but..there might be a way." Erza said slowly. She thought back after Etherion had first hit the tower, and that she confronted Jellal once again after discovering they were both alive. Before trying to force her into a slab of lacrima, he had explained how the process of resurrecting Zeref worked.
"Well...I'm all ears."
He watched as Erza started to walk away from him towards a blob-shaped lacrima, and placed her hand on it. Nothing happened at first, but her hand sunk in and soon it was enveloped by the lacrima with a pop.
"A-Ah!" Erza yelped as she felt shocks within her when the lacrima had accepted her.
"Wait, what are you doing?!"
"I'm...going to let the lacrima take me…and I can prevent the explosion..." Erza said looking back at him with a sad smile.
"Hold on-"
"Yusuke, this is the only way...If I don't do this then...then we and everyone else out there is going to get hurt...most likely worse…"
"There has to be another way!" Yusuke exclaimed as he started trudging over to her. But the redhead shook her head sadly, and pushed herself further into the the lacrima. "...Erza!"
"You're possibly the strongest person I've met Yusuke...there is no doubt about that...and I hope you and everyone else in Fairy Tail will be safe..."
"Stop it...!" The Saiyan was nearing her, and extended a hand towards the redhead.
Erza's left eye started to water up, and tears fell down her face. She kept smiling sadly at the person she had discovered she had feelings for, and her whole body was now enveloped inside the lacrima. Yusuke didn't make it as he pounded his hands on the lacrima, not being able to make a dent, and kept shouting her name.
"...Goodbye." Erza mouthed. She kept floating farther and farther away, deeper into the lacrima, and soon, white filled her vision.
"Damnit! Erza! Shit!" Yusuke seethed. His teeth gritted in anger that he hadn't felt since in the past. Taking in deep breaths, he slammed his fist on the lacrima once more. "You're right that I'm stubborn...and if you think I'm letting any lives being taken away now...then you're dead wrong. Including you…
"All or nothing...body don't fail me now…" The Saiyan muttered as his fists and teeth tightened with vexation. His eyes narrowed, and he roared to the heavens as his Ki reached heights for the first time in this world. Light soon obscured his whole vision, his senses temporarily fogged, but one thing caught his sight, and he reached towards it.
Outside, the tower was seen glowing brighter and brighter with rays of light spewing out, signaling that the magic stored would soon expand and detonate.
"Damnit they still haven't made it out yet!" Natsu shouted.
"T-They'll be here...they will…!" Lucy reassured.
"Even if they do it's pointless...the magic is from Etherion...and if it let's out…" Gray trailed off and some grimaced as they knew the consequence.
The crystal tower was soon blinding them as they shielded their eyes, but saw enough that what they thought was going to happen, is now happening.
"Is...this it?" Shou asked in fear.
"W-Wait a minute…" Gray started. Trying to ignore the pain in his eyes as he looked ahead. The Ice Mage's eyes widened. "It's...going up?!"
"Huh…?" Lucy looked up to see that magic within the tower was not exploding towards them but rather, going towards the sky.
"W-What?" Millianna muttered.
"How…" Wally asked quietly.
"Hey...I see something up there…" Natsu started, narrowing his eyes. The Dragon Slayer had managed to catch a glimpse of gold coming out of the spiraling disaster.
"Hmph...using his energy to try and cancel all of that magic? Not a bad idea...but unnecessary in this case...it looks like as if someone redirected it…" Towa stated as she kept watch of the crumbling tower and magic being sent towards the sky. "Unfortunately the fun is over...though I do think it's time to check up on him…"
Towa hefted herself off her staff. She twirled it around her and let out a bit of her dark energy as a rift opened up cleanly. She casually floated in, and it soon closed behind her.
"I'm...never gonna understand woman…" Yusuke muttered in slight annoyance as he floated down. He had the unconscious Knight in his hands, holding her bridal style.
'Still...I'm not sure if that actually worked…' The Saiyan wondered, if all the magic had really gone away in thin air. Setting his foot down on the sands of the beach, the first thing he did was collapse to his knees, the adrenaline that kept up in his body throughout this whole ordeal now vanishing. He managed to gently set Erza down on the soft grains below, and with a relieved sigh, he leaned back with his hands behind him on the sand, finally relaxing a bit.
"Been awhile since I used the Kaio-Ken...man that took more out of me than I thought…" Yusuke said with his eyes closed. Opening them slightly, he sensed the others that were outside of the tower rushing towards them.
"M-Mm…" He heard Erza moan near him. He pulled his weight off his hands and propped an arm to his knee, looking down at the stirring redhead with a small grin. Her eyes fluttered open and she slightly started to move her head.
"So, what do you want for dinner? It's still dark out." Yusuke jokingly asked. Her eyes shot open and she swiftly turned her head towards his voice.
"Y-Yusuke…" Erza muttered. She looked around her surroundings, and came to the conclusion that they were still on the tiny island they were on. "But...h-how…?"
"Erza! Yusuke!" They both heard Natsu calling out to them. The Saiyan and Knight turned their heads towards his direction and saw him sprinting on the water with Happy hanging on his pink hair. Following behind him were everyone else with smiles and relief expressions.
"When we get back, oh man, I'm definitely upping your training with me with that stunt you pulled." Yusuke teased.
"But...I-!" Erza stuttered, but was soon silenced with a hand on top of her scarlet hair.
"Outright trying to sacrifice yourself like that...how do you think me and everyone else will feel…?" Yusuke asked with a bit of a saddened expression. Erza blushed a bit at the contact, but remained eye contact with him. "...One of my Mentors mentioned something to me like this...giving your life away for others always doesn't seem to be good in the end...but it's best that you stay and support alongside with them…"
Erza stared at him wide-eyed, and her body shook. She looked down at the sand, starting to feel tears swell up not only in her left eye, but in her right eye as well.
"Keep on fighting and pushing Erza. To me, that's definitely one way to see things brightly." Yusuke finished with a smile. Slowly she leaned in and wrapped her arms around him, her head against his bare chest. He accepted it, despite the pain in his body, and wrapped an arm around her.
"Thank you...for everything…" Erza said through her tears, smiling.
"Yeah, well...don't be. Because I wasn't joking when I mentioned the training." Yusuke teased. Erza laughed and unwrapped her arms to wipe away her tears, smiling brightly at the black-haired teen. They both looked back with smiles on their face as their friends joyfully ran towards them, happy as they can ever be.
'...I'll continue on like this...for my friends and family...and you, Yusuke…' Erza thought as she openly welcomed her comrades with tears of joy.
Tower of Heaven Arc, complete!
Like I said, a lot of fight scenes within this one. I was trying out a format kinda, where the timeline in the beginning at first and some in the middle didn't really coincide. Hope it wasn't confusing to you guys, but if you've read the manga/seen the anime I guess thing's should have been easy to follow. Well, you're here in this section so you did, right?
The Kaio-Ken. I know I said in a review I said I wouldn't let Yusuke use it I lied. I actually thought him using it here would benefit more into the next arc kinda, so hope that bit of surprise kinda quenched some people of transformations. Speaking of that however...if you squint closely, SSJ was used here lol. Can ya spot it?
A new move was used by Yusuke in this chapter, can ya name it? :D
Fight between Erza vs Jellal, and as well as Erza vs Ikaruga I changed to my own version. I thought it was appropriate to do so considering she's been receiving training to use Ki from Yusuke, and showed glimpses of her progress. I think I did alright, what did you guys think?
Anywho, guna end it off here. Be sure to review on what you think of this chapter!
Lastly, another Big Thank You for those reading and enjoying my fiction so far. I'd giva ya'll a pat on the back if I could.
Until Then.
Timestamp: November 8, 2015
