SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 42 out, this is Chapter 43 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 OCs.
Chapter 43: Dragon Chain Cannon of Demise
"Gray!" Natsu shouted, running in.
"Natsu." Mercury blinked.
"Finally caught up with the bastard." Natsu skidded to a stop.
"I told you to leave it to me, remember?" Gray reminded.
"Where's the key?" Natsu shook the unconscious Sugar Boy. "Hand it over!"
"Um, can't you see what I have in my hand?" Gray questioned. "Anyway, we're fine. The situation changed a bit."
"A bit?" Mercury muttered. "Where's Lucy?"
"Oh, right." Natsu recalled. "She's stuck."
"Stuck?" Gray echoed. "What?"
"And you left her there?" Mercury screamed.
"Anyway," Gray coughed. "We can use this key." He presented the ice key. "We can use it to save all of our friends."
"Their plan was to use the Dragon Chain cannon to pull the lacrima island and ram it into Extalia." Mercury explained. "But, if we crash the Dragon Chain cannon infused with Dragon Slayer magic directly into the lacrima, we can return everyone to normal."
"I don't get it, but I see." Natsu nodded.
"The Dragon Chain cannon seems to be up ahead." Gray added. "We have a problem, though. There's no way to enter the room."
"Then, we'll just bust our way in, right?" Natsu suggested. "I can use magic now, remember?"
"Not gonna work." Gray corrected. "There's some kind of 'Mage Canceller' device that makes it so magic won't work."
"Won't know until we try, right?" Natsu shrugged.
"We need a plan first." Gray chided.
"So there you are…" Erza muttered.
"Wait, that's the Edolas'…" Mercury's senses went on red alert.
"Damn it…" Gray cursed.
"Our Erza lost?" Natsu breathed.
"Are you well, Captain Knightwalker?" one of the guards inquired as Knightwalker dragged the bound trio into the chamber. "And those three?"
"The key to the Dragon Chain cannon." Knightwalker replied. "Is His Highness inside?"
"Yes, this way." The guards parted.
"All the preparations are complete." Knightwalker declared. "An eternity of magic, right before my eyes."
"Erza, is it true that you bring the key with you?" Faust inquired.
"It was destroyed, but do not worry." Knightwalker assured. "He can make a key." She tossed Gray before the king."
"And he is…?" Faust prompted.
"An Earthland mage." Knightwalker replied. "A friend of the Dragon Slayer."
"Are you saying they have something to do with the disappearance of the lacrima in the public square?" Faust realized.
"Exactly." Knightwalker replied.
"Activate the Dragon Cannon immediately." Faust gave the order.
"Stand, Ice Mage." Erza demanded, cutting the three prisoners loose, her blade resting against Ulyo's neck. "And don't' try anything funny, or the Princess dies a second time. Activate the Dragon Chain cannon. Hurry and do it." The tip of her sword pressed onto Ulyo's throat.
"I don't have any choice…" Gray muttered, creating another key with his ice. "I should charge admission for this." slotting the key into the key hole, he activated the Dragon Chain cannon.
"This is it." Erza muttered, releasing Ulyo. "Natsu, Ulyo!"
"Right on." Natsu grinned, powering up. "Wing Slash of the Fire Dragon!"
"Mercury Crystal Power!" Ulyo called forth her transformation.
"What is the meaning of this?" Faust demanded.
"Stop the launch!" Erza ordered, holding Faust hostage.
"Erza, you fiend!" Faust hissed. "What treachery is this, Erza?"
"Well, that's provided she is your Erza, father." Mercury sneered as Erza ex-quipped.
"I am Erza Scarlet; the Earthland's Erza." Erza declared.
"Sorry about that." Gray grinned. "Your quick thinking helped us out."
"Aim the Dragon Chain cannon at the lacrima." Mercury ordered.
"Do not listen to her!" Faust barked. "Fire it immediately."
"Hurry and do it, or else…" Erza threatened.
"Do not mind me!" Faust assured. "Fire it, in order to destroy the Exceed."
"Oh, like how you gave orders to have my Edolas self killed?" Mercury glared. "Your own daughter?"
"You fools!" Faust snapped as the soldiers changed the cannon's target. "You're going to throw away an eternity of magic power?"
"Scarlet!" Knightwalker roared, jumping in from above, forcing Erza to released Faust.
"Fire!" Faust gave the order, laughing as the dragon-shaped chain attached itself to the bottom of the lacrima crystal. "Ram it into the Extalia!" he ordered, the claw having anchored itself in.
"Everyone!" Lucy shouted, crashing in on a Legion with Coco in tow. "Get on!"
"This Legion is mine." Coco stated.
"Coco…" Faust muttered.
"At that time, I couldn't save the Princess…" Coco confessed. "But now…" she turned to Mercury. "This is the very least I can do!"
"Can we stop it?" Natsu wondered as the Legion took to the skies.
"I don't know," Lucy admitted. "But we have to go."
SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.