SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 20 out, this is Chapter 21 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 21: Clash at Kardia Cathedral

"Oh?" Laxus remarked as Mystogan and Ulyo entered the cathedral. "Here you are, Mystogan. Not in my wildest dreams would I dare to think you would participate in my little game."

"Deactivate the Thunder Palace at once." Mystogan ordered. "And you can still pass this off as a mere addition to the festives."

"What good fortune." Laxus grinned. "I'm sure you know, right? The rumours are flying left and right in Fairy Tail about which of us is the strongest."

"Not that I care." Mystogan shrugged. "But there's still Erza."

"That girl is no good." Laxus scoffed. "She has lots of potential, but is still weak."

"Erza is weak?" Mystogan echoed. "You must be as good as blind."

"I'm actually praising you here, Mystogan." Laxus corrected. "Right now, I'm acknowledging that only you or I are worthy of being Fairy Tail's strongest."

"If that's all you can see, then I wonder who's the fortunate one here." Mystogan remarked.

"Let's settle this once and for all." Laxus accepted the challenge. "With the title of 'strongest' at stake. Mystogan, or should I say, another…"

Mystogan let loose his attack before Laxus could finish his sentence, the Thunder Dragon Slayer releasing his own attack.

"You…" Mystogan started. "Where did you learn about that?"

"Quite a rare sight for you to lose your composure." Laxus noted. "Where did I learn about that? Good question. Perhaps I will tell you if you defeat me."

"You will come to regret this, Laxus." Mystogan warned. "You are about to witness a form of magic like you have never encountered before. Babel Tower." He stabbed his staves onto the floor.

"What a load of crap!" Laxus mocked, chuckling as he broke free from the illusion. "You think this feeble illusion trick is enough to deal with me, Mystogan?"

"As expected." Mystogan remarked. "But you are still one step behind. Sleep, five-layered magic circle," he cast his next spell. "Sacred Song!"

"I wonder which of us hasn't noticed something." Laxus grinned.

"Crap!" Mystogan cursed, a magic circle appearing under his feet, both attacks cast at the same time. "He ran away?" he mused, Laxus having dodged his next spell.

"Not bad at all." Laxus noted, Mystogan managing to fend off the next assault.

"Laxus!" both Natsu and Erza arrived at the church.

"Erza?" Natsu blinked.

"Natsu, you are here too." Erza noted.

"Say, who is this guy?" Natsu spotted Mystogan.

"Mystogan?" Erza realized.

"An opening!" Laxus took the chance and fired his attack, ripping off Mystogan's mask.

"Jellal…" Erza gaped. "Jellal, you're alive…"

"You know him?" Laxus was intrigued.

"What is going on?" Natsu wondered. "Mystogan is… Jellal?"

"Erza." The revealed Mystogan looked away. "I wanted that, at least you, hadn't seen this face."

"He's not Jellal." Ulyo defended. "He knows about him, but he's not him."

"I'm sorry." Mystogan apologized. "The rest is up to you."

"Hey!" Natsu protested as Mystogan vanished. "Laxus, fight me!" he demanded.

"That face of yours is quite grotesque, Erza." Laxus taunted, electrocuting her. "Begone!" he sent Erza to the ground.

"Laxus!" Natsu roared. "I thought I just told you that I will be your opponent."

"You were here before, Natsu?" Laxus taunted.

"You will regret underestimating me." Natsu swore. "I challenge you to a fight, Laxus!" he charged right in with his flaming fist.

"I'm damn sick of your aimless charges already." Laxus snorted. "Out of the way, small fry!"

"Fire Dragon Claw!" Natsu closed in, having dodged the pending lightning attack. "Just rest assured." The Fire Dragon Slayer grinned, having been tossed off by Laxus block.

"Right…" Ulyo muttered, unconvinced as Laxus moved in.

"I'm not letting you get off easy, brat." Laxus promised, sending lightning punch after punch at Natsu.

"Who's running away?" Natsu smirked, grabbing the older Dragon Slayer's arm. "This is my chance to seize the top." And hammered Laxus with a fire-charged fist.

"Erza…" Laxus grinned, Erza moving in to pull Natsu back from the pounding.

"Ex-quip!" Erza summoned her 'Black Wing Armour'. "Just what are those things floating in the sky, Laxus?" she demanded.

"The Thunder Palace." Laxus replied. "Surely you've heard of it."

"Don't tell me you intend on demolishing Magnolia?" Ulyo realized.

"It's a new rule." Laxus laughed. "I was really reluctant to use that, too."

"Bastard!" Erza roared and attacked.

"Another 2 minutes." Laxus reminded, catching her foot.

"Natsu, Ulyo, destroy them all." Erza ordered.

"We can't do that!" Natsu protested. "Well, we can, but if we do, we'll be taken out with them."

"Living Link Magic, huh?" Ulyo mused.

"That's right." Laxus grinned. "Currently, no one can lay a single finger on those lacrimas."

"Underhanded…" Erza growled.

"Begone amidst the lightning!" Laxus declared, throwing Erza back.

"Charmix!" Ulyo transformed into her 'Charmix Fairy' form and shot out of the church.

"Ulyo, what do you think you're doing?" Erza barked.

"My duty!" Ulyo shot back.

"Ex-quip!" Erza changed into her 'Lightning Empress Armour'.

"You think that could give you a chance against my lightning?" Laxus taunted and sent another blast of thunder towards Erza.

"This is not only for defensive purposes, Laxus." Erza dodged the attack. "When two mages with similar attributes engage in combat, the outcome depends on…"

"Whoever possesses the stronger magical power, constitution and experience, isn't it?" Laxus finished.

"And also their heart." Erza added. "Surely Master taught you that."

"I did." Laxus replied. "But I learned that only raw strength makes the difference."

"Erza, why are you being provoked by him?" Natsu scolded. "I already told you I'll take care of Laxus."

"I can trust you on this, right?" Erza smiled.

"Where are you going?" Natsu asked when Erza headed out.

"Don't you get it?" Erza barked. "Ulyo… she plans on stopping the Thunder Palace activation all by herself!"

"It's futile." Laxus laughed. "Destroying just a single one will push you to the brink of death. And by now, there has gotta be an enormous number of lacrimas up there. Not to mention, your time is running out."

"Looks like you don't know Ulyo very well." Erza remarked. "She doesn't care about her life; as long as the town is safe, she is willing to throw away her life. Stop Laxus at all costs, Natsu." She gave the order as she hurried off.

"I can put my faith in you, right Erza?" Natsu questioned.

With a smile and a nod, Erza took off. "So that I can protect the land of Magnolia," she prayed. "Blades, lend me your strength. And everyone in Fairy Tail. Please lend me your strength. We can't let Ulyo die! The burden that Ulyo has shouldered all by herself for so long… it is time that we shared that duty too!"

"Erza, you…" Ulyo breathed, as Erza's blades manifested.

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