SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 16 out, this is Chapter 17 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 17: Titania Falls

"What's with this magic?" Natsu winced, Jellal powering up another assault. "It's such a terrible sensation."

"The shadows are seeking the light?" Erza realized. "This is bad! Ulyo, undo your barrier! This magic…"

"You'll be trapped in endless darkness, Dragon Mage!" Jellal roared.

"Jellal!" Erza stepped in front of Natsu, Ulyo's magic now running low and forcing her to drop her shield. "Will you kill me as well? You need a living sacrifice to resurrect Zeref, don't you?"

"Indeed," Jellal admitted. "The sacrifice must be the living body of a mage, who is in par with the Ten Mage Saint. But with the way things have gone, I no longer care if it's your body or another. Crumble to dust, the three of you!"

"Erza, move away!" Natsu barked.

"You don't have to worry." Erza assured. "I'll protect the two of you."

"Heaven Magic: Altairis!" Jellal released his attack.

"Erza!" Ulyo screamed as the giant sphere closed in when Simon planted himself between Erza and the magic orb, taking the attack head on.

"This insect was still crawling around?" Jellal snorted, Simon falling over. "Pathetic!" he laughed. "Utterly pathetic! That's what's known as 'throwing away your life', Simon. The end will be the same. No one will survive and leave this tower."

"Shut up!" Natsu hammered a punch across Jellal's face.

"Natsu, don't be reckless!" Ulyo barked, seeing Natsu chomping down on the Aetherion-powered crystal.

"What do you think you're doing?" Erza scolded, Natsu rolling on the ground, choking. "Aetherion is a fusion of elements, it's not just fire."

The Aetherion-charged crystal now absorbed into his body, Natsu hammered a punch straight into Jellal's stomach.

"Impossible!" Jellal snapped. "I'm unbeatable! I'll create a land of freedom. Zeref whispered to me, within my pain and fear. He asked if it's true freedom that I desire. That's right, I'm the only one aware of its existence. I am the one he chose. Zeref and I will truly create a land of freedom!"

"And that gives you the right to take away others' freedom" Natsu snapped.

"The will to change the world is all that's needed to change the course of history." Jellal shot back. "Why do you all refuse to understand?"

"'Abyss Break'?" Ulyo recognized the magic circle.

"You bastard!" Erza snapped. "Are you trying to destroy the tower?"

"Another eight years." Jellal remarked. "No… this time it will take only five years. Zeref, wait for me." He declared, before feeling the injury Erza inflicted on him earlier act up.

"You will never find true freedom!" Natsu roared, taking the opening. "There's no freedom for someone who is used by a ghost! Free yourself first, Jellal!" and slammed a punch into Jellal's face, the impact sending Jellal into the ground and shattering the tower.

"Natsu!" Erza rushed forward, catching the exhausted Dragon Slayer. "You are absolutely incredible."

Just then, the tremors started as the tower started collapsing on itself, the power of Aetherion going berserk.

"Ulyo, we're leaving!" Erza barked, the trio retreating. The magical power is warping the lacrima that contains it. She mused. Such destructive power is beyond my expectations. Even if we could get out, the explosion would surely overtake us. "Is this the end?" she cursed. No, I must not give up. She corrected, getting to her feet. Fusion? She recalled what Jellal told her. If I fuse myself with Aetherion, can I then control this tower and stop the explosion? I've got no other options. She rested her hand on the lacrima sphere. Good, the lacrima is still accepting me. She noted, her hand sinking into the liquefied crystal.

"Erza, what are you doing?" Ulyo demanded, having reverted back to her standard Guardian Fairy form.

"Erza, you…" Natsu awoke. "Are putting your body into the lacrima?"

"This is the only way to stop Aetherion." Erza reasoned. "Look around. This tower will explode as soon as Aetherion goes completely out of control. But if I fuse myself with Aetherion and supress it, then I can…"

"What are you saying?" Ulyo snapped. "If you do that…"

"Erza!" Natsu tried to run forward.

"Don't worry about it." Erza assured as she allowed herself to be pulled in. "I'll stop it for sure."

"Erza!" Natsu crawled before her.

"Natsu," Erza rested a hand on Natsu's cheek. "Ulyo, I couldn't have lived my life without Fairy Tail. A world without friends is just way too much for me. You are all precious to me. If I can save anyone this way, then I do so without hesitation. Even at the cost of this body…" she let the lacrima engulf her body. "I accept it!" she declared, her body now immersed in the lacrima.

"Erza!" Natsu slammed his fists on the lacrima. "Get out of there, Erza!"

"Erza!" Ulyo screamed, the Aetherion finally exploded as Erza's body faded off, fusing with the tower. The energy beam, now contained, shot straight up into the sky, the crystal tower sinking into the ocean.

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