Chapter 81: Together

Wendy closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath as she did so. "The air is much different down there. Is it because of Tobias? No...it's because face is down there, I'm sure. It's way too different. Ethernano is gathering in bunches over there, mixing with the air..." She clenched her petite fists together, standing next to the new and improved Cynthia as they glared towards Ezel who was beckoning for their arrival. Simultaneously, the two readied themselves and then took off in a straight line, Cynthia leading the way with her newfound speed and strength. She arrived first, aiming a high kick fueled by Sky and Omega Fire Magic for Ezel's face. Blocked by his two highest arms, but the impact caused surprised, slowing Ezel to know that Cynthia was indeed a threat now. And because of that, so was Wendy. Cynthia was commanding a lot of attention now, and because she was already on the attack again, Ezel had almost forgotten that Wendy was there. Cynthia was halfway to her next strike when Wendy was now performing her first attempt of this round two; aiming a wind induced kick for Ezel's jaw. His eyes widened, but as Wendy's kick slammed into his chin, it did nothing more than cause a flinch, but that distraction was all that was necessary. Ezel turned his attention to Wendy for a split second, and Cynthia took advantage of that.

"Iron Fist!" She shouted, swinging her strongest punch yet, backed by the dual mode she resided in. Her small fist slammed into the back of Ezel's exposed crown, pressing him into the ground violently. "That's Natsu's attack..." Wendy said, surprised just before a smile etched upon her features. "Wendy!" Cynthia shouted from her midair position. Wendy then nodded. "Right!"

"Roar of the Sky Dragon!" This time, with no viable defense, Ezel would succumb to the roar Wendy produced, now flying down the same pathway Tobias was last seen.

Cynthia landed next to the Sky Dragon once more, watching with a slight pant as Wendy wiped her mouth clean of the excess magic from her roar. "We'll have to go down there to stop Face." She said. Cynthia then slowly held up her hands.

"Maybe not. Can you give me a hand?"

Wendy looked over confused, but as Cynthia began gathering an abundance of magic from within, Wendy gave a small smile as she too began to raise her hands in her own way.

"O strengthen of arm to cleave he heavens. Arms!"

Now, atop of Cynthia's new strength from her dual mode, Wendy was creating an aura around her best friend, upping her offensive capabilities in an instant. With that, Cynthia's own aura began to shine through as she began to mimic a certain attack Wendy used just recently. "Secret Art: Shattering Light..." Wendy and Charla's eyes widened, staring in awe as the attack Wendy just performed seconds ago was on display once more, except this time with flames added in. "Omega Sky Flame Drill!" As she yelled, Cynthia launched the attack down the cavern pathway, the strength behind her magic causing the entire vicinity to shake to its core...

"When I get back, those brats better be dead, Ezel." Tobias spat, only to be soon met with a surprise. Wendy's roar was carrying Ezel, and the demon ended up crashing yards last Tobias who simply watched as he crash landed and tumbled into the ground. Ezel popped back up however, and the second he did, he was fuming. "How...how dare they!" He shouted, causing Tobias to smirk. Ezel caught his expression, now thrashing about just from the sight of him. "What are you laughing at!? They got to you too, those brats! I'm going to kill all three of you when I get my hands on everyone!"

"Well I'm standing right here." Tobias mentioned, but before anyone could move, the rumbling within the cavern began to pick up, the two demons becoming aware of what was coming just before it was too late. Tobias's eyes widened, and just before the Shattering Drill could connect with the two demons, the Tartarus Outcast held out both hands, creating a barrier of lightning, fire, water and air, all intertwined together and shielding himself and Ezel from the blow. "Gch! Those damn brats! Who the hell do they think they are!?" He shouted, struggling to keep the barrier up. Ezel slowly rose to a full stance, scowling as he pulled all of his arms in, glowing as he called out to Tobias. "Move."

"Hm?" Tobias questioned, but as he turned around, his eyes widened again, knowing exactly what was coming. The arms that belonged to Ezel transformed into swords. His head piece gained an armor like setting, and Ezel now stood within his Etherious form. Without repeating himself, the Tartarus member released his arms from his chest, firing off an "X" of a slash that flew right for Tobias and Cynthia's attack. Tobias barely moved out of the way, still struck by the edge of the strike against his right arm, but Ezel's awakening struck the Shattering Drill head on, slicing it into nothing as the remnants of his attack traveled back down the cavern pathway.

"Something's happening down there." Wendy noted. Cynthia agreed, watching the darkened pathway she sent her strongest attack down. What happened next to the three of them off guard. "What!?" Charla yelled as the three of them covered their heads with their own arms. Out of nowhere, Ezel's attack soared right through them, slicing off a piece of Wendy's hair as it blew them backwards. "What was that!?"

Cynthia shouted, sitting up from her fall. "Whatever it was..." Wendy added, slowly making her way back up as well. She painted on a determined expression. "...We have to go down there. Face is down there, and we're running out of time." Charla nodded. "Unfortunately, she's right. Both Tobias and that Ezel thing are down there, but that seems to be the only path."

The two girls stood up once more, both of them taking a deep breath before taking their first steps forward together. "Everyone's counting on us to do this." Said Cynthia, to which Wendy followed with, "so let's not let them down. We can do this..."

"Together!"

{Minutes Before, Back At Tartarus}

Thanks to an unknown source, Natsu,

Lisanna and Takeru were able to escape their prison despite being frozen solid by the demon known as Silver. Lisanna drifted from the group to find her sister, Mirajane, while Natsu and Takeru ran into Lucy and Happy, now reunited. Running down the corridors until she came to a certain room, Lisanna began looking around as she became unaware of where she was. "Chambers?" She asked herself, noticing the countless number of pods within the room. Her exploration didn't take long however, as Mirajane was then spotted, Lisanna running over after calling out for her. "Mira-nee!" The animal takeover Mage shouted. "Lisanna!?" Mira questioned with much surprised before hugged by her little sister. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

"What are you doing here?" The puzzled big sister asked. "We were captured. Me, Natsu, Erza and Elf-niichan. Everyone's escaped except for Elf-nii now."

"We didn't capture him." Sayla said, appearing once more in a calm manner..or so it seemed. "Mira-nee, be careful!" Lisanna shouted. "That's the one that who's able to control people!"

"I ordered your brother to destroy the guild. And though he succeeded... he didn't kill anyone. That was my mistake..."

Mirajane immediately dropped to an angered frown, but Sayla held the same expression as her once she raised her head to meet the Fairy's gaze. "I was embarrassed in front of Kyouka-Sama. My story was unraveled, and because of that, his big sister shall pay."

Their anger showed equality as Mirajane did the same, slowly rising to meet Sayla gaze with a look that could kill. "You did that to my brother, huh?"

Just above the three of them, Kiora, the embodiment of darkness sat upon the rafters, holding her injured arm in her lap while her scythe balanced against her chest. "It's my job to take out Sayla, but if this chick could do that for me, I won't have to lift a finger, allowing me to rest a bit more. It's too dangerous to jump into a chamber right now, so it looks like I'm going on with a handicap, huh?" She leaned back, her only good arm folded against her frame as the injured one rested in her lap. The demoness has eyes solely for the fight that was about to unfold, blind to who was lurking just on the other side of the room.

"Minerva just left a few minutes ago. Mirajane is here, and so is Lisanna." Skye reported to herself, pressed against the chamber Kuro rested in. She turned her attention to him, hesitating on freeing him without knowing the consequences herself. "Kuro..." She murmured, holding onto the sheath of her blade yet afraid to unsheathe it. "I don't want to..." Her words trailed off, placing a hand to the chamber he laid in for a few seconds. Added quietly making up her mind, she nodded once, once again placing her hand upon her blade and ready to free him despite the consequences. Before she could however...

Another pod opened, causing Skye to duck around the corner so she wouldn't be spotted. Peering around once safe, the brunette watched carefully as two bare feet hit the ground. Once the view became clear, Skye's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's...!" She froze, watching the little girl stare at her own hand, only for another male to grab it gently, and escort her out of the room as he spoke. "It seems your complete, my angel." Said Aiden, the male who accompanied Daityas to Tartarus before. "You look just like her. Only difference is...I know you won't fail me. You are my ultimate creation, my one and only. You, are Rose."

"Rose..." She repeated, and as she stared at her hand once more, the mirror image of Cynthia nodded once as she followed Aiden out, taking the final second to leer back towards the hidden Skye, which went shivers down the assassin's spine. "He really made a demon version of that girl..." She whispered, turning back to Kuro once more as the hesitation within her returned. "And if I don't get you out of there...will you become one of them, Kuro?"

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"We meet again you eyeball freak!" Natsu shouted, pushing away Aries's wool with his fiery right hand. "Natsu!" Lucy and Happy shouted, happy to see her partner at such a time. "You always know when to show up."

"If you're done with the dramatics..." Said Takeru, appearing from his own shadow in the floor to stand next to Natsu, doing the same to the wool with his shadow infused hands. "Let's end this demon and then the odds in White Eclipse's favor."

"This ain't about you!" Natsu shouted, but before the two could get into yet another fight, their opponent gained control of the area once more with a shout. "Now you've done it!" Franmalth yelled. "How much for these three souls, eh? How much exactly!? I'm going to make you wish you never infiltrated Tartarus!"

"I would agree, if I cared about this disgusting stinkhole anymore."

"Huh!?" Franmalth looked around with Natsu and the others, attempting to spot where the random voice came from. All of their answers would soon be answered as a portal was thrown open, and out from it, Rugal, the dimensional demon stepped forth with a stoic grin. "Franmalth. It's been a while, has it not?"

"Rugal!?" Franmalth shouted in surprise.

"Another Tartarus!" Lucy exclaimed. Natsu and Takeru stayed at the ready, Happy watching off to the side. Rugal simply side eyed them before turning back to Franmalth. "You've picked the wrong bunch to fight against. You're a coward, and they don't quit until they win. Neither matters however, for I'll be the one to stand alone after this is said and done."

"Oh you think so, traitor!?" Franmalth shouted, gaining a vicious aura. "How much for such a traitorous soul, hm!? How much exactly!?"

As Rugal slid into a readied stance, everyone else followed suit. The green haired demon simply replied right before the three sides rushed each other to meet in the middle. "How much, Franmalth? It'll cost you..

Your life!"