SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 15 out, this is Chapter 16 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

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

Chapter 16: A Prayer Under the Holy Light

"This light…" Simon mused as Aetherion fired. "They didn't make it."

"Erza!" Natsu roared, the pair rushing upwards.

"It's over." Simon remarked, the power of the Aetherion cannon raining down on them.

"It can't be…" Lucy gaped, the tower obliterated by the blast.

"We're alive?" Erza was stunned to find herself unharmed. "Jellal?" she blinked at the chuckling male.

"Crystal?" Happy wondered as the tower's true form manifested.

"Not just that: magical crystal." Gray corrected. "It's lacrima."

"Natsu." Ulyo stated, hovering above the Dragon Slayer, having transformed into her Guardian Fairy form.

"Ouch." Natsu winced. "What's going on?"

"Aetherion fired." Simon mused. "Why am I alive?"

"Finally…" Jellal laughed. "Finally the time has come. Behold, the true for of Paradise Tower. It's a huge lacrima. And thanks to the Council's Aetherion, it successfully absorbed an enormous amount of magic. Now the R-System is complete." Remerged with Siegrain, the fully-powered Jellal launched his assault on Erza.

"Jellal!" Erza roared, charging in with a broadsword.

"The Council's functionality is at a standstill right about now." Jellal added, dodging Erza's sword swipes. "I must thank Ultear. She did well. She said if all would become one upon reaching paradise, she wouldn't fear even death. For my ideals, for my dream, she said she would gladly lay down her life. Indeed, I must be thankful she was a stupid woman."

"You bastard." Erza growled, renewing her attack.

"'Bind Snake'." Jellal grinned, his magical binds forcing Erza to drop her blades. "I've got the magic I needed to activate the R-System. All I need is the sacrifice and Zeref will be resurrected. I don't have time to play with you anymore, Erza. I'll let the lacrima, infused with this enormous amount of magic, fuse with your body. Then your body will disintegrate, and it will be reconstructed into Zeref's body." Summoning a slab of lacrima, he sent Erza into the crystal. "Oh Great Zeref," he chanted. "I give to you the body of this woman."

"Erza is a Fairy Tail mage." Ulyo declared, Natsu having pulled Erza out. "We won't give her to you."

"Jeez, what are you doing?" Natsu chided. "If we don't go home and get to work, this month's rent won't be paid. Lucy's, anyway."

"Natsu, Ulyo, get away from here immediately." Erza instructed.

"No way." Natsu objected. "If you can't fight, I'll fight in your place."

"You're more outrageous than the rumours say." Jellal admitted.

"Erza…" Ulyo started. "Was crying. She was giving up… and her voice was shaking."

"I don't want to see Erza like that; she should be strong and fierce." Natsu added, his flames charged up in his fists. When she wakes from her nightmare, I want her to be her usual self."

"That's why we'll fight!" the two chorused.

"'Charmix'!" Ulyo called forth her next level of power.

"Interesting." Jellal remarked. "Then show me the magic of a Dragon Mage and a Guardian Fairy."

"Crystal Release: Crimson Fruit!" Ulyo cast a dome around Erza as Natsu charged straight at Jellal.

"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" Natsu released his flames, after pummelling Jellal continuously. "And Talons!" he slammed a flaming kick onto Jellal, sending the elder mage into a crystal slab. "Fire Dragon Roar!" the Dragon Slayer let his flames loose.

"Is that all?" Jellal taunted, tossing off his charred cloak. "Natsu Dragoneel. Child of Igneel. Before destroying you with these hands, I'd hoped to experience the destructiveness of a Dragon Slayer, but if that's all it is, there's nothing to fear. How dare you interrupt the ceremony. I'll turn you into dust with my Heavenly Body magic. 'Meteor'!" he increased his speed, darting around and punching Natsu while in mid-air. "Your attacks won't hit me again." He declared, letting loose a flurry of punches at Natsu. "This is the end. I'll show you truly destructive magic. Be judged by the Seven Stars, Blade of the Seven Stars. Grand Chariot!" he released his attack. "That magic has the impact of a meteorite strike." He landed on the ground. "I'm surprised your body is still here. Maybe I overdid it a little. It won't do if the R-System is damaged any further. The magic is starting to seep out. I need to hurry."

"My attack hit you." Natsu chuckled, getting to his feet.

"This tower," Ulyo started, "No, the lacrima." She corrected. "You'll have a problem if it gets destroyed, right? You're quite unlucky. Crystal Release," she took to the skies. "Crystal Lance!" a sharp, spear-like crystal encased her forearm.

"Stop!" Jellal demanded, Natsu slamming a fist on the ground, cracking it, just as Ulyo's spear struck its mark.

"We're good at destroying things." Natsu grinned. "We Fairy Tail mages, that is."

"You brat!" Jellal spat.

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