Because I Believe in You
Erza and Knightwalker clashed once more as flames and lightning flew around the area, destroying the statue of the Edolas King. They landed on the walkway apart from each other to catch for a moment's rest. They were evenly matched and both knew that at the rate they were fighting this battle was going to last a while. Erza stood tall in her Flame Empress Armor,
"I never thought battling myself was going to be easy but to find us this even in strength is strangely exhilarating," Erza commented. Knightwalker readied her spear taking back her combat stance,
"I have to agree. I almost don't want it to end but your Fairy Tail scum so I must dispatch of you quickly," she responded as she readied herself again. Erza followed letting those be the last words spoken. The air was thick with anticipation for the two powerful women clash. But a sudden rumbling halted both of them. The sound was distant but was slowly getting closer and closer to them. Suddenly from behind Knightwalker, a giant ice shard came crashing through the wall falling into the water below. A moment after Soler came flying out of the newly made hole and landed right near a shocked Erza,
"Whew, thought that last one was going to skewer me," he sighed. He glanced over to Erza noticing her slight battle damage and change of armors,
"Flame Empress armor huh? Things must really be 'heating' up over here," he joked as he stood up and stretched out his back. Erza's shock lessened slightly,
"Soler if you're here then that means" she didn't have to finish her sentence as a chill swept over the battlefield. Both looked back to the hole to see ice was creeping over the edges of the hole and with did Alice step into sight with a much more deadly glare than she had the last time Erza saw her. They watched as Alice jumped to the filed and took frozen footsteps towards her sisters. The frightening amount of power Alice was giving off wasn't the only new thing Erza noticed but her cold gaze never left Soler. But his gaze didn't match her's as he looked on worried and concerned. Knightwalker looked over to her sister with a smile,
"Glad to have you back with me now let's finish them together," she declared. Alice kept her gaze on Soler,
"Gladly just as long as I get to finish Soler," she responded her voice sounding as cold as her magic. Erza was now truly confused,
'What happened between them for her to get like this?' She turned to Soler and it was then that she noticed the amount of battle damage he had on him. He had several cuts littered on his body and his messed up jacket and then there was the long cut on the side of his face. She looked at Alice expecting to see similar but she looked practically untouched. It only took a moment to put two and two together,
Soler. Have you been… Soler sighed and formed his energy on his arms,
"Looks like time for round two," he groaned. But before he could move Erza slugged him hard on his arm getting a yelp from him,
"Ow what the hell?" he looked to her and was met with a mix of a glare and a hurt expression. It confused him immensely,
"Erza what's wrong?"
"You know what wrong. You've been holding back on her haven't you?" she asked him. His eyes widened for a moment before he looked away. He had been caught. She sighed and turned away from him,
"Soler I understand your feelings towards her. But whatever happened while we were separated, she's dead set on ending your life now. You need to battle her seriously or you will die," she told him. It stung but he knew she was right, but even still,
"Erza if you understand then you know why that's hard for me. Alice is...shes like-"
"I know she's like a daughter to you. I know how much you love her and how this has all been hurting you even if you didn't want to show it," Soler looked at her surprised. It caused her to smirk,
"No need to look so surprised. I am your girlfriend, aren't I? It's part of my job to pay attention to you. That aside if you can't handle fighting her seriously then we're going to have to switch targets. Even though I love our Alice this one before us is not her especially with eyes that cold," she responded. Soler wanted to argue with her but he knew she was right, again. He must really be off his game if Erza was right twice in a row. But it would be a way better option for her to fight Alice than him. Especially with how he was now,
"Alright then," he solemnly replied. Erza re-quipped back into her normal armor and readied for the next attack as did Soler. The Knightwalker sisters had allowed them to prepare though Erza could feel Alice just itching to go,
"Alice go!" without wasting a beat Alice kicked off in a mad dash towards Soler, him being her sole focus. Just before she could reach him with an ice blade Erza stepped in the way blocking the attack. Alice's glare switched instantly to her as Erza glared right back at her,
"You're in my way," she growled. Erza didn't respond, instead, she pushed Alice back. Then in one heave, she sent both of them toppling off the side,
"No!" Alice screamed as the two fell out of view. Knightwalker watched her sister fall with anger and was prepped to go in and attack but before she could move she felt her spearhead get slammed to the ground and saw an energy spear near her face. She looked to Soler with a deadly glare who was looking back at her with a smirk,
"Sorry but you and I got a dance to finish don't we?" he teased her. She pulled her spear from up under him in anger, forcing him into a backflip. The moment he landed he threw a set of spears at her which she quickly deflected and charged right back at him transforming her spear to go faster. She was fast but now that Soler could fight like himself he wasn't going to let that be a factor. He swiftly dodged the fast strike moving to the side. She missed entirely but with her agility, she quickly redirected herself to throw her spear shooting it off like lighting. Soler only smirked,
"Cute you think that attack is faster than his!" coating his hand in his energy he waited for the right moment and caught her spear. Though he was able to catch it with ease the power behind it took him off guard as he got himself dragged back a few feet before stopping the spear completely. He let out a breath as he looked at the impressive weapon,
"Ya know even though we're enemies I have to admit this is still a nice spear. Though it's better when not being used against me," while he admired the spear the quicking sounds of footsteps took him out if it. He didn't have the time to fully block Knighterwalkers punch which hit his arm holding her spear causing him to drop it. But the moment he let go she drove her boot deep into his stomach forcing him back as she grabbed her weapon,
"Don't touch my weapon again!" she shouted. Soler got his footing and created another set of spears,
"Noted," he groaned. Taking a quick notice of their area he began to wonder,
I think I should have enough room for that move. Though I'll have to lessen the number of spears it should be enough. But first… Soler proceed to point a spear at Knightwalker giving her a passionate glare,
"Knightwalker I hope you're prepared. For this next move is going to finish you," he declared. She only readied herself by crouching a bit more in defense. He internally smirked,
Good, that'll keep her on the defensive. Not wasting a beat he charged right at Knightwalkerbut not before placing a spear down on the spot he was. She took notice of this but didn't have time to worry about it as he was already striking her with his other spear. With that Soler started his dance around her as he was rapidly striking her with his spear while simultaneously throwing a few of them in spots around her. The trick was to make sure she didn't notice them which seemed to work with how fierce his attacking was and how defensive he got her. After he threw off the fifth spear he knew that was it and with a powerful set off kicks he bounced himself off of Knightwalker to land back near his first spear.
He smirked at his work. He got two spears in front of her with three behind her. This is perfect. Knightwalker was finally able to notice the spears in the ground in front of her,
"Was this your mighty attack? Just throwing your weapons in the ground," she asked annoyed. He just shrugged,
"I don't know, you'll just have to wait and see," he responded. She raised her spear for an attack as it began to charge with magic,
"Don't think you'll get the time!" she roared before charging him. His internal smile only got bigger as she was taking all of his bait perfectly. He grabbed the spear next to him and charged at her. The moment he charged, he flexed his fingers and could feel the tug of one of the spears from behind. It was on his index, perfect. As they got close Soler pulled on the spear causing it to wobble a bit before it pulled itself out of the ground and flipping itself right to him. Time seemed to slow for the two fighters as they neared each other. Right as they clashed Knightwalker went in a trust while Soler swiftly dodged to the side bringing his spear up to have it placed right onto her stomach with force. That was enough to destabilize her and with her stunned Soler flipped over her with his hand out and caught his other spear with precision,
Now it begins. Forcing down the spear he began his count,
1! The first spear slashed down her back hooking in place. With another pull of his other index, one of the spears in front of her came flying to him. He caught the spear swiftly when it neared,
2! This one was slashed right where her shoulder and neck connected staying in place. Tugging at the rest of his fingers the others came flying to him one after the other,
3! 4! These two were rapid as he had to spin himself to catch the third from behind and have that one slashed across her back shoulders while the fourth he caught on his way down having it slashed down her chest,
5! The last spear came flying from behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and used it to flip behind her to catch it. Then in a fluid motion, he spun around her to yank off the first spear on her gut and replace it with this one. Soler moved so fast around Knightwalker she was completely helpless to his attack. With his original spear in hand, he jumped back to a slide to see all the spears had connected,
Now the finishing touch! He then threw his final spear. He watched it connect with the fifth spear causing a chain reaction in them all to light up. Then in one swift movement, they all slashed Knightwalker again as they removed themselves from her to land around her. He smirked as his attack went off flawlessly,
"Ten consecutive slashes," he said to himself as he took in his work. Knightwalker was rendered out from the rapid set of attacks. He watched as the wounds trickled some of her blood before she fell over out cold. He let a sigh putting his hands into his pockets,
"Thank goodness that's over. Hmm, I think I'll call that attack Spear Dance Series. Yeah, that sounds cool," as he put at name to his new technique a cold chill blew up from the waters below. He could feel powerful magic being used and it made him worry,
"I hope their fight ends quickly,"
Erza and Alice fell from the walkway as both struggled for supremacy,
"Your getting in my way!" Alice shouted as she pushed off Erza. The red flipped herself back and quickly requiped back into her Flame Empress armor. With a beat of her wings, she stabilized herself then firing up her blade she sent two flaming slashes down to Alice. She saw the attack and quickly formed an ice shield to block the attacks. The water rapidly approached the falling Alice and she quickly sent magic to her greaves. The moment she landed on the water it instantly froze under her feet creating footing for her to stand on.
Erza hovered down near Alice to see the girl trembling in rage and honestly she was felt bad for the girl. She pointed her blade at her,
"Tell me, why are you so mad at Soler?" she asked. Even saying his name seemed to only fuel Alice's rage as another violent shudder shook her core. Alice didn't reply instead she placed her hand on the ice she formed and pumped more magic through it. That resulted in several large ice spikes to fire off at Erza. She used her wings to dodge the first two while the last one she fired up her blade and sent a torrent of flames at it destroying it and causing a thick cloud of steam to form. Before she could make her next move Alice came shooting out of the cloud with her own ice blade going straight for Erza. Her reflexes took over to pull up her blade and narrowly blocked the powerful attack. Now the two were face to face and looking into Alice's eyes this close only forced Erza to take in the madness and anger behind her blue eyes.
Alice though wasn't finished as she quickly formed a second blade of ice over her foot and proceeded to kick her leg up high in hopes of hitting Erza. Erza noticed just fast enough to dip back to avoid the attack. She then booted Alice in the chest to get some distance from her. The kick was powerful enough to cause Alice to slide across the new frozen path she was creating. As she came to a stop she had to instantly put her arms up to block a flamed up sword swing from Erza. Alice held her ground against the powerhouse of a woman even though the cracking ice under her strained under the pressure. Even though she strained she refusing to lose to Erza. Not before she could get Soler first.
With a mighty push, Alice pushed Erza off forcing the red to go back to hovering above her,
She's incredibly skilled and powerful. I can see why Soler didn't want to have her as an enemy. But still with how unstable he's made her I doubt anything he can say now would turn her over to our side. Erza hovered herself down to just above the water and watched as Alice caught her breath by taking a knee,
"Alice I'll ask you again. What did Soler do to cause this?" she asked once again. Alice was quiet still only breathing calmly as she regained herself. From Erza angle Alice's hair blocked her eye's keeping forcing her to wait. But after a few moments, she still got nothing back. She sighed as she prepared her next attack,
"What did he do to me? What did he do? He's the one who caused this pain in my chest!" Alice's shaking voice halted Erza's advance. Alice put a hand to her chest which slowly balled into a fist,
"This pain. He put this pain in my chest and it won't go away!" she finally looked up to Erza and she was taken back. The cold and lifeless look from before was switched with a look of pure heartbreak. She knew Alice was trying to keep her composure but was failing as there was the glisten of tears brimming in her eyes,
"It hurts so much. It feels like my heart is breaking over and over again and it just won't stop. And then when I look at him it just gets worse like a pin is keeping the pieces there just to torment me more. I hate him for making me feel this way for causing me this pain! You Fairy scum wouldn't know anything about this!" she shouted. Erza listened to Alice feeling a mix of sorrow and understanding as she's been in the same position she was in not too long ago. The memories flooding back of the sight of Soler kissing Mira after her confession and how broken she felt afterward. Just seeing him caused her pain and she couldn't deny that she was angry at him as well. It showed on more than one occasion, but now she was with him, albeit in an unorthodox relationship but with him nevertheless. And when he was able to explain what he was thinking at the time and hearing him apologize to both her and Mira she knew he never meant for her to get hurt.
He wasn't the type of person to hurt someone intentionally. But yet still here was another heartbroken girl. Erza smirked to herself internally,
When did he become such a heartbreaker? Erza shook her head of the thought, No, right now he's gotten her in a loop and the only emotion she can cling to is her anger and hatred for Fairy Tail. It scares me to think of what will happen if things don't change but she is my enemy right now and whether or not she gets herself together is up to fate. For now, the only mercy I can show is by defeating her swiftly. Erza's silence seemed to only further Alice's anger,
"See! Your silence speaks everything for you! You know nothing so stay out of my way!" Alice unleashed another barrage of ice spikes towards Erza smaller and quicker this time. Erza flew up to dodge most of them then powering up her blade again she released a powerful blast of fire to melt the rest causing steam. As the steam formed Erza dived right down to the water using the cover. Alice watched her disappear in the steam waiting for her to pop out to continue her attack. But coming down from the bottom was Erza engulfed in light as she landed on to the surface of the water. She watched in stunned silence as the water under her feet began to freeze instantly creating a foothold as her new armor began to show.
Her feet were wrapped in a clean white set of tabi that was covered by a hakama. The hakama was an icy blue and its ends were tipped off with white that seemed to frost over. But as you went up white sakura petals scattered along the upper half. The trend of flowing petals continued as you reached Erza's similar colored kosode which was tucked into the hakama covered by a white sash. Erza's hair was tied in a back ponytail held by a thin white ribbon. In her hands, she held a beautiful katana with a white and blue hilt that had a similar white ribbon billowing by an unknown wind. Alice's gaze finally fell on her brown eyes that were zeroed in on her as she took a new stance with both her hands held on the blade, raised to her side,
"Alice I'm sorry about what Soler has done. But I can guarantee he did none of it on purpose it isn't the type of person he is,' Alice's stunned expression changed into a scowl, "But you are my enemy. And as a show of mercy I'll end this battle with my next attack," she switched the stance so that her blade was pointed to Alice crouching slightly into it. Alice's anger began to surge but she kept it together as a wicked smile formed on her face. She put her hands together in a similar manner to holding a sword and Erza watched Alice form her own ice blade,
"Then I'll just have to end you first!" she retorted. A tense silence followed as the two women sized the other up. Then with a single falling pebble hitting the water, Alice charged. She moved in blind fury as she closed in on Erza while the other stood calm. Erza closed her eyes and listened to the crunching sound of the ice forming waiting for her moment. As the sounds of the footsteps got closer she began to let her magic gather and swirl around her. Then as Alice grew closer she raised her blade to strike while Erza inched her forward foot in anticipation. There in the middle of the waterway, the two attacks clashed yet no noise could be heard of their impact. Alice slashed downwards while Erza stepped forward with her trust. Alice came to a stop behind Erza as both stood still int he silence. Then Alice grimaced in pain as he blade broke apart,
"Damnit! How did she-" her sentenced ended as ice began to form on her chest which quickly began to cover her entire being until she was frozen in ice. Erza slowly let out a breath and stood up to look back to Alice. The attack worked as intended freezing her opponent in their tracks yet she couldn't help but feel a hint of sadness for her. She shook her head,
"No. No time to feel for her. I need to regroup with Soler," in another flash she jumped requiped into her Black Wing armor and flew back to meet him.
Soler felt the powerful magic begin to settle and waited to see who was going to come up as the victor. A black blur flew passed him and then landed in front of him revealing it to be Erza. He smiled seeing her,
"Glad to see you won," he said. Just as his smile came it faded into a somber expression, "How was she?" he asked quietly. Erza requiped back into her normal armor walking over to him,
"Her mind and heart are in a swirl because of you. Between her feeling of heartbreak over you and the hatred she has of Fairy Tail saying she's a mess would be an understatement," she responded. His mood only dwindled more at hearing that. He caused this and he hated it. As if reading his face Erza lightly punched his chest causing him to look at her,
"If it's troubling you that much then you know what you got to do right?" she asked with a smirk. It only took him a moment to get what she was getting at and smiled softly,
"Yeah I do," he responded his mood lightened. She nodded and stepped away,
"But before any of that, we have to make our next move. That Dragon Chain Cannon is still supposed to fire," she said. Soler nodded,
"Yeah if what Mystogan told us is true then we need to either stop it or figure out a way to use it to our advantage. Speaking of advantage think her armor would be of any assistance," he asked pointing to the downed Knightwalker. Erza looked to her other then back to him and then it clicked and smirked,
"I think I might be able to. I wonder if my copying magic is till up to par," he watched as Erza walked over to the fallen warrior and placed her hand on her armor. Then in a flash of light, her armor changed to look just like Knightwalkers, even her hair was tied in a similar fashion. She stood and looked at him,
"Well?" she questioned,
"Well, nothing you look exactly like her now. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes then I wouldn't be able to tell the difference," he responded. Erza nodded,
"Good now then let's leave and see if we can find the controls for the cannon," as she spoke she speedily walked past Soler which caused her hair to slightly move from the side of her face. He instantly caught her wrist stopping her. She looked back him confused,
"What's wrong?" she asked. He said nothing as he got closer to her face causing the slightest of blushes to show. Then he moved aside her hair and as able to see the scratch on her cheek,
"You got cut on your cheek," he said as he gently touched it. Erza swatted his hand away,
"I got it from the fight with Knightwalker. I believe she got a scratch similar on her nose. What does it matter?" she asked,
"Well just thinking that it's lucky her hair is set that way or else others might be able to tell your not her," he explained. Erza considered his words,
"Ok, I'll remember that now let's go. And keep out of sight as best you can. If they see us walking together then suspicion will definitely be aroused," she responded. He nodded and the two left the waterway and the two downed Knightwalker sisters.
Erza moved through the halls of the palace with Soler stalking behind her out of sight as best he could. They hadn't run into a soul as they made their way through which was surprising. It must be because of all the commotion they've caused plus the cannon needing to be launched. As they continued their way the sounds of voices caught their attention,
"But don't we need the key from him? What are we going to do about that!?" a familiar voice shouted. A sigh followed after,
"Did you not hear a thing I said Natsu?" the cooler voice spoke. Erza walked up on both Natsu and Gray who were standing over a downed man wearing nothing but pink armored underwear? Either way he was in rough condition much like Gray and Natsu were yet he had a creepy smile on his unconscious face. The male mages ended their conversation at Erza's approach and each face grew shocked at seeing her,
"O-Our Erza lost?" Natsu breathed as an almost genuine fear could be seen creeping up on both of the male's faces. But before either could move Soler stepped himself out from behind her and gave them both a smile,
"Sup boys," Both Natsu and Gray nearly collapsed in realization,
"You guys didn't have to scare us like that," Gray said shaking his head while Natsu went up to Soler teary-eyed and mad,
"That was cruel! I honestly thought our Erza lost," he whined and in one swift motion Erza grabbed Natsu's head in a vise-like grip as she smiled darkly at him,
"Are you implying that you thought I was going to lose to her?" she questioned him her tone dangerous. Now Natsu was scared as he flailed panic,
"N-No Erza! I swear I didn't" he cried out yet Erza's grip didn't lessen nor did that dark smile. Soler smirked at their antics but turned his attention to Gray,
"So Gray what's this about a key? And where are Lucy and Alice?" he questioned,
"Natsu said Lucy was stuck under an octopus so Alice and some other girl named Coco were trying to get her out,' certain images popped up into Soler's head hearing that but he shelved those thoughts, "The key part is referring to this,' casting his magic Gray created a large key mid-air, "This is a copy of the key to the Dragon Chain Cannon. And since the original was destroyed I'm the only one who can make a copy," he explained. Erza dropped Natsu and moved closer to them interest obvious on her face,
"That's good news to hear. Now we hold leverage. All we got to do if find the chamber where the controls are," Gray scratched his head nervously at that,
"Well, we know where that is as well. It's just-"
"There's some magic canceling door blocking our way in. It halts all magic or something so were stuck," Natsu said standing up to rejoin them. Soler and Erza both looked to them with mild concern,
"Yeah that is definitely a problem," She said as she went into thought. Soler followed suite thinking of the solutions,
"Wait we don't have to worry about that door now!" Natsu chimed in excitedly. All eyes went to him,
"You got an idea?" Soler questioned. Natsu snickered in pre-victory at his plan,
"Oh yeah, I do. That door cancels magic, right? Well, we got someone with us that doesn't use magic! Soler, you could just blow down the door for us and we'll waltz right in. We get the controls, change the direction of the chain thing and boom we save the entire guild!" he explained to them. Surprise found its way to the faces of the others as Natsu basked in their silence,
"Yep I know my plan is awesome," he boasted,
"Well your plan is definitely something pal but there's a bit of a problem behind it," Soler started. Natsu looked to him confused,
"What's the problem?"
"Well the problem is, I doubt I have the destructive power to blast down the door since I'm guessing it's probably huge," he explained. Now Natsu really looked at him confused,
"What are you talking about? You're an S-Class wizard, of course, you have to power to take down the door. You can use that same move you used in your fight with Laxus! And the one you used on Jellal, that tempest thing you call it," he responded. Soler nodded,
"Fair point I do have 'Raging Tempest' but the one I used against Laxus was powered up with his lighting so it was exponentially stronger. The one on Jellal is about what I can do now and it's strong sure but the destructive force behind it probably won't even dent the door. I just don't have the same type of destructive power that you guys have," he responded. Natsu continued to look him even more confused,
"But you're so strong! You should be able to," he repeated truly not understanding. Soler felt a bit sorry he couldn't understand what he was getting at,
"Natsu if Soler says he can't do it then he can't do it plain as that," Erza stepped in. He and Gray watched Natsu put up a fake fight against Erza who sternly kept denying him. Taking a long look at Erza and her Knightwalker attire the true plan slapped him,
"Oh well duh it's so obvious on what we have to do," he said aloud gaining the floor again. All eyes were on him as he explained to them the plan.
"Well then. Form the key or your friend gets cut down!" Knightwalker shouted as she held Natsu captive. Gray grimaced as he weighed his options. He was surrounded by guards and Knightwalker had Natsu hostage yet the Dragon Cannon was within reach. King Faust watched with glee as Gray's magic formed a copy of the key. The Fairy Tail mage took one other look to Knightwalker then glanced to a darkened corner of the room,
Let's hope this plan works. He inserted the key into its slot and turned. The wall behind the key lit up red showing the dragon markings etched into it. Then the rumbling began as the cannon began to move into place. King Faust began to laugh wildly,
"Yes! Now eternal magic is within our grasp! Those Exedes will regret hogging it all for themselves and looking down on us humans!" he declared to his men. Knightwalker scanned the room quickly making sure all eyes were on the cannon. When knowing it was clear she leaned in near Natsu,
"Natsu now!" she pushed Natsu from her and the dragon slayer awoken with a wicked smile,
"Now you guys are in for it!" his flames came to life burning the rope holding him as he whipped around taking out a lot of guards around him. King Faust looked to Knightwalker with a look of disbelief,
"What's this!?" no sooner had he said it Erza quickly requiped back into her normal armor revealing herself. Seeing her his eyes bulged in rage,
"You're the Earthland Erza. Guards capture them all!" He ordered. The guards did the slightest movement and were quickly cut off by a white blur that took out the closest line of them. At that same moment, Erza grabbed the King and held up her blade near his neck quickly turning him into her newest hostage. Then the blur slowed as Soler then came to a stop near her with a confident smirk on his face,
"Told ya this was going to work," he boasted. Now Erza, Soler, Natsu, and Gray stood surrounding the king. The guards stood stunned at the quick events that transpired, completely lost on what to do. Natsu, on the other hand, laughed at them,
"Man you guys were easy to dupe. You should look at your faces," he bellowed. Gray kept his cool but smiled nevertheless,
"It was pretty easy," he added. The King looked on in rage,
"What are you fools doing? Fire the cannon!" he ordered. The soldiers were ready to move but Erza inched her blade closer to the Kings neck stopped their movement,
"Oh, they're going to fire the cannon alright. But they're going to fire it at the giant lacrima holding our friends instead," Soler declared. They halted again looking to each other on what to do. Save the King or do what they say,
"I'd do as he says or else Kingy won't be making it," Natsu taunted. King Faust struggled in Erza's grip but got nowhere. He glared at her then to the other Fairy Tail members,
"You despicable Fairy Tail! Why do you insist on standing in my way! Taking hostages, impersonating officers? Is there no low you won't stoop to!" he ranted on. None of the members even flinched at his empty words,
"We don't care about your stupid plans old man," Gray retorted. Natsu chuckled,
"And we definitely don't care about holding people hostage," he added. Erza brought her blade up closer to his neck,
"None of that matters when our friends are in trouble," she declared, Soler nodded,
"Yeah cause when your in Fairy Tail our friends are more important to us than anything! So we'll do anything it takes to get them back! Now make your choice, your King's head or freeing our friends," Soler motion from the King to the cannon. The soldiers still looked hesitant but seeing the blade pressed up against Faust skin it quickly made up their minds,
"Quickly switch the cannons aim to hit the lacrima!" The lead guard ordered. The men hesitated a moment before quickly getting to work switching the aim of the cannon. Faust's was seething seeing this,
"What are you idiots doing!?" he raged on. The Fairy Tail members watched them work and soon enough the lighting went bright as another set of large tremors happen to signal that the cannon is moving. Soler watched on in anticipating, tapping his foot impatiently. He was nervous. Very nervous but he couldn't quite tell why. The Knightwalker sisters were down, they had the King hostage, the cannon was moving to free their friends. Everything was going their way. It seemed too easy to him. And his instincts hated it when things seemed too easy. The soldiers scurried around getting things prepped and soon the tremors stopped,
"The DCC is ready to fire sir!" the one at the controls said. Faust was struggling yet again against Erza trying his hardest to get out of her iron grip,
"No! Fire it at the Exceeds!" he cried to them. The lead soldier nodded to his men,
"Alright get ready to fire at my mark!" It was finally time. Time to get their friends back and find a way home. Soler was getting excited to see the others but that same nervousness came right back to him again. It was all too easy. Just as the countdown was going to begin Soler felt a sudden spark coming from above them. It was a spark of magic and it was approaching rapidly,
"Scarlet!" Everyone looked up to witness Knightwalker dropping out of the shadows right towards Erza. On instinct, Erza let go of the king to defend from her spear. Soler grimaced and noticed the Faust trying to scurry away,
"No you don't!" he took a step to get him but a strong chill filled the air around him. He didn't have time to properly react as Alice was on him ice blade ready and eyes full of hatred. He could only coat his arms in his energy to block her attack that still managed to cut into him a bit,
"I won't allow you to run away from me again," she said menacingly. He looked at her with dread then back to the King who had gotten to safety behind his men. Natsu and Gray were on the outside effectively getting surrounded,
No, no, no! Everything is falling apart. His mind screamed,
"Change the cannons aim quickly before it launches!" Faust ordered. Soler pushed Alice off and trying again for a dash to the King but she cut him off again forcing him to keep all his attention on her,
"What did I say? You're not getting away from me again!" she repeated. The soldiers worked quickly and changed the coordinates,
"Coordinates changed. Ready to fire sir!" one shouted,
"Then fire!" the moment the words left his mouth a shudder crept up Soler's spine in realization,
We failed… the soldiers at the controls pressed the keys to fire the DCC. The red wall was glowing wildly now pulsing in rapid intervals. Then a noise could be heard of something gearing up and was getting louder with each passing moment. Just as it hit its peak everything went silent, even the walls pulsing came to a stop. Then out of nowhere the loudest roar rang through the room shaking the very foundation and all those within to their cores. Even the Knightwalkers held their assault to try and steady themselves,
"What the hell is that?" Natsu shouted over the roar. The only one who wasn't stunned and was surprisingly laughing was King Faust who looked as manic as ever,
"Yes! Drag the Exceeds down! And bring us everlasting magic!" he shouted to heavens. None of the Fairy Tail wizards liked the sound of that but before any of them could move the wall came crashing inward as a giant winged blue beast landed on in the room. The guild's confusion only grew when Lucy and their Alice popped up on the head with some other girl with them. And of course, Lucy was wearing a skimpier outfit than the last time Soler saw her. Which he was scarily getting used to,
"Guys quick hop on!" Lucy shouted. None of the other Fairy Tail mages wasted a moment in jumping onto the back of the beast. Alice was ready to purse but was stopped by her sister. The beast's wings did a mighty flap and the group of mages took off into the sky. Alice watched them disappear out of view before turning to her sister confused and upset,
"Why did you let them go? We had them sister!" she demanded. The elder sister just stared at the hole they flew through. Then without a thought, she lifted up her spear to her hair and in a swift motion she sliced off a chunk of her hair leaving it in a short bob. Alice stood shocked as she saw her sister's hair as one thing that would always remain untouched. Her sister looked right into her eyes and their cold determination rocked Alice to her core,
"We need to prepare for next time. For it will be their last time getting away from us," she ordered. Alice felt her sister's determination through her words as she walked off. Alice's rage at Soler almost seemed trivial compared to the act her sister just displayed. No, it wasn't cutting her hair that was the act but it was what it and her stare signified. It means that to win this time they would have to be willing to sacrifice anything and everything. In a way Erza cutting her hair made her think about how she's been going at taking down Fairy Tail, and she couldn't deny the shame she felt at how she only raged about like a mindless beast. She clenched her fist in frustration for herself and how she let Soler get her act in such a manner,
No not anymore. She took another moment to calm herself. She was going to kill Soler but not like some mindless animal. No, she was going to take him down as she did with any other Fairy Tail mage calm and collected. She wasn't going to let him get in her head or heart again, or whatever is left of her heart.
Soler watched the hole they exited disappear out of sight before letting out a sigh of relief. Not soon after he felt someone collide with his body and looked down to see a tuft of white hair. Alice had latched herself onto him in another hug,
"I'm so glad your ok," she said looking up to him. She looked liked she'd been through some battling herself and the thought of her fighting for her life sent a brief wave of panic through him. But here she was holding on to him for dear life as if she was going through similar thoughts. He smiled and hugged her back which she gladly accepted,
"I'm glad your safe to Alice. I see you've done some battling. You won right?" he joked. A sorta relieved smile found its way to her face,
"O-Of course I won! Me and Lucy battled a giant octopus and some old guy. I even got to do a combo attack with one of her spirits," she said excitedly. His smile only grew as he listened and stroked her hair,
There's my Alice. He knew she was struggling with being in someplace completely new and him not being there with her. He was more than glad she was with Lucy and the others in his absence but part of him felt like he's failed her. For not being there when she needed him the most to help her try to keep her wits and calm. So she didn't feel afraid. He's failed both Alice's in a span of a few days. What a record,
"I hope Solers, not the only one to get a hug here?" Erza's voice broke through his thoughts as she had moved next to them her arms outstretched for Alice. The girl wasted no time in giving Erza a hug who even briefly requiped out of her armor. It instantly brought a smile to Erza face bringing Alice into a warm embrace. Both Erza and Mira fell in love with Alice since he brought her in and just watching them embrace sent a warmth through him. It was almost like he was viewing something from a dream he hasn't had yet.
As the two briefly caught up he sadly had to put away that warmth as he moved up to Lucy who smiled at seeing him,
"I'm glad you're ok. Alice had been worried the whole time," she told him. He nodded,
"She told me so and I'm glad you two are safe. Though less clothed, but safe nevertheless," the comment made her remember her attire and brought a blush to her face then an embarrassed glare to Natsu,
"Blame the dragon slayer back there. But that aside we got something bigger to worry about," she pointed out to the giant lacrima in the sky. He looked and wasn't too surprised to see that there was a giant chain piercing through the bottom,
"Damn we messed it up this time," he gripped to himself,
"No need to worry, all we gotta do is smash that chain up!" Natsu chimed in fire brimming from his hands. The new girl who sorta looked like a puppy, with her green hat that didn't help as it had floppy ears hanging to the sides, chimed in,
"That won't work. The DCC is literally magic condensed into a chain. Once it's been attached it won't let go," she explained. Dread creeped it way back into Solers chest. He failed again. Just like with Lisanna he let it slip and this time all of Fairy Tail was going to pay for his mess up. His grip on the fur of the beast tightened as his mind began to flash through the members. Makarov, Cana, Jet, Droy, Levy, Elfman… Mira. All of them gone because of his blunder. Erza glared to the chain trying to think of a plan when Soler's slight trembling caught her sight. He was hunched over so his hair blocked his eyes but she already knew exactly was going through his mind,
Come on brain think, think! There has to be some way to fix this. Soler's mind was running through ideas, I can't destroy the chain, she said it was compacted magical energy. But I don't use magic so maybe I can? No, even if I could, I can't gather that large amount of energy to do so. Ok stopping the island maybe I can pause it in place? No, it way too big for me to even come close to doing that. Shit! Come on think me think! His eyes had shut themselves tight in his thinking and he felt the warmth of tears swelling up. The only other feeling was the constant drumming of his heart that was louder than the rushing wind. His family was going to die and couldn't stop it. He's truly failed them. It's all his fault.
Again why did they have to pay the price for his blunder? Why did they have to die because he couldn't stop some mad King? Mira. Oh, Mira, her smiling face fading away because of him was ripping at his heart. Tearing it apart. Quietly did one word escape him with his first tear,
"Damnit," the moment the tear fell instead of feeling its moisture he instead felt a warmth of someone's hand on his. He looked to his left with wide eyes to see Erza smiling gently at him. She was blocking him from the rest of the group making him solely focus on her. To focus on her eyes and feel the warmth of her hand on his. At that moment everything seemed so calm. Just focusing on her smiling face and gentle eyes, it just made the world around him vanish as it was just them.
She didn't say a thing just looking to him and gently rubbing his hand. But he knew exactly what she was telling him,
It's ok. Calm yourself, remember that you're not alone anymore. You have Fairy Tail and you'll always have me. He understood loud and clear. He closed his eyes once again and took a long breath of air and exhaled to calm his mind and nerves,
She's right I'm not alone anymore. I have my friends and family right next to me so I shouldn't tackle this alone. Were Fairy Tail and whether we sink or swim we'll do it together! He opened his eyes to meet hers. He smiled at her,
"Thank you," he whispered to her. Erza only nodded and moved her forehead to where they were touching,
"Anytime love," she whispered back. Soler chuckled and gave a quick peck on the cheek,
"Stealing my lines now too? You really have upped your game huh?" he teased. The got a giggle out of her,
"Like I said I pay attention to you even when you think I don't,' she moved away from him and her expression changed to a bit more serious, "But you truly understand don't you?" she asked. He nodded,
"Were in this together. Till the end," her smile quickly returned,
"Good,"
"Natsu!" the familiar voice squeaked caused both mages to look over. Happy was flying down over to the group mainly Natsu,
"Happy! I'm glad to see you, little buddy. We got a job to do and I need your help," Natsu quickly said. Happy looked confused but that switched to determination,
"What do you need?" he asked as he picked up Natsu with ease. The dragon slayer smiled as he pointed to the large lacrima that was rapidly being pulled towards the Exceeds kingdom,
"We're going to stop that lacrima!" he declared. The cat looked confused,
"How are we going to do that?" he asked,
"By pushing it back of course!" Natsu's simple way of thinking hit everyone like Erza driving a magical vehicle. Wild and out of control. Happy however only nodded,
"Aye Sir!" he shouted before zipping the two over to the lacrima. The rest of the group looked on the falling lacrima,
"Does he really think that'll work?" The puppy girl questioned aloud. And a similar thought ran through the Fairy Tail mage's minds as well. Soler, however, smiled looking on,
"Who really knows,' his voice took the small group's attention, "Who knows if it'll work. But right now that simple plan is all we got and I don't know about you guys but in Fairy Tail, we sink or swim together. So no matter what happens as long as we do it together we'll have nothing to regret!" he declared with pride. His small speech did the trick in not only motivating the others but also himself as he needed to reaffirm his own belief. The puppy girl was the biggest one motivated as she glared to the falling island with a fierce determination,
"Alright! Legipyon we're going to stop that lacrima and we'll need your help," she said. The beast roared in compliance then without command rocketed them towards the falling lacrima and their final chance to save the guild.
For every step forward we take two steps back. Well, in this case, it's been more of four steps back for the Fairy Tail mages. With the help of the Exceeds, the mages were able to hold off the lacrima long enough for Mystogan to send it back to Earthland. And in the process, announced that he was actually the prince of the Kingdom. It was a major shock to all Exceeds, the puppy girl, the big humanoid Exceed and even the Fairy Tail mages. Soler only wished that was the only shock but luck wouldn't have it for not soon after the Knightwalker sisters with the royal army showed up and began to open fire on them.
They critically wounded the humanoid Exceed and were turning the others into small cat head shaped lacrima. And it only got better as with them the crazed King showed up piloting a giant suit of magic proof dragon armor called Dorma Anim. Soler could feel how powerful the armor was without even sensing it but what was truly concerning was the amount of magic that he felt was being sucked into the armor. It was truly terrifying. The world already had little magic as it was and with this thing popping up he wouldn't be surprised if all of it got sucked into this thing.
Now he was on the back of a blue beast with the entirety of the kingdoms military closing in on them and Mystogan had been shot out of the air. If there was any moment to panic now would've been a good time,
"Take them all down!" Knightwalker shouted to the army getting a roar of approval from the men. Soler grimaced looking to the sisters then to the metal dragon,
"What the hell are we going to do?" he questioned to himself trying to keep calm. Erza was looking over to her other with an intense glare,
"Were going to have to split up," she declared standing. The others all looked to her,
"Split up? In what way?" Soler asked,
"I'll handle Knightwalker. We need to end our battle and I know she's mainly after me. The same goes for you and Alice. Yout two need to settle things,' she gave him a knowing look which he quickly got the message, "The dragon armor. Well, it's clear on who can stop that thing, and we got four of them with us so they'll handle that. The rest of you will have to hold off that army on your can not let them continue to assault the Exceeds so draw their attention to you," her command sounded easy in theory but Soler didn't know how well just Gray and Lucy could hold off a whole army, even with Lucy's spirits. Without waiting for their reply Erza drew her blade,
"Good luck to you all. And remember to fight with pride!" she proceeded to jump off the beast into the abandoned city of the Exceeds. To no surprise, they saw the eldest of the Knightwalker sisters jump off to follow. Soler sighed,
"That woman and her straight forward plans. But it's all we got," he turned to the others who held as much confidence as he did. Well expect Natsu who was grinning ear from ear looking at Dorma Anim,
"I finally get to smash that false dragon up! I'm fired up now! Let's go Happy," he shouted jumping off. A proud 'Aye Sir!' followed after as the cat dove to get his partner. Alice looked over to the giant armor with sudden nervousness. Soler was quick to pick up it and placed a hand on her shoulder,
"Hey no need to worry you guys got this," he reassured. But another blast from the machine did quick to trump his calming words,
"I-I can fight bandits and monsters but that thing is terrifying. I don't think I can do this," she was quick to plunge herself into Soler trying to run from her fear. He responded by wrapping her in his embrace. It's the few moments like this that it forced him to remember that Alice was still a child. And he didn't know what child would willingly go and fight a mechanical dragon. But at the same time, he only knew one other kid that could breathe out powerful dragon slayer magic. Not only that but who was also a proud member of Fairy Tail. So as much as he wanted to comfort the trembling child in his arms he needed to draw out the powerful dragon slayer she was. Soler took a moment to get his words together then gently pulled her out to get her to look at him,
"Alice listen to me. I know you're afraid right now I get it. Honestly, I am too. The odds are stacked against us and it's looking slim. But remember what I said earlier? You're in Fairy Tail and as long you're with your friends you have nothing to fear. And you're not going to be alone. Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy will be fighting with you and I know that none of them would allow that false dragon to take you down, just like you wouldn't allow them to get taken down either right?' Alice shook her head quickly, "Good. So as long as you all are together you'll be fine. And I know that no machine is stronger than my Alice. Not when she's been trained by two S-Class wizards!" he boasted. It got her to smile a bit as his words were starting to take effect,
"Yeah, your right. I've been training with the best," she said. Soler smiled and nodded,
"Right so go down there and kick its ass for me will ya? It's kind of an eyesore," he responded and held out his fist to her. Alice looked to his gesture, then to Dorma Anim and back to him. Soler's smile and determined eyes drew out her confidence and with a smirk, she returned the gesture and fist-bumped him back,
"Got it!" she shouted before going over the edge of the beast jumping down into the fray. Soler watched her go, his heart full of pride,
You're going to be an amazing wizard Alice. His prideful moment ended when the beast jerked to the side to dodge a beam,
"We have to land this thing or we're gonna get shot out of the sky!" Gray shouted. Which he was completely right about. Soler looked back at the massive force of troops in the sky and wasn't surprised to find Alice leading the charge now. Though she was keeping the troops mainly aimed at them. He sighed for a second time,
"Gray's right land this thing. They'll follow us for sure. Once we hit the ground, get ready for the fight of your life!" he shouted. The others nodded the fire of determination ablaze in their eyes. As glad as he was that he was lighting their fires he wished he felt the same. His final confrontation with Alice was quickly approaching and he had to settle everything there. One way or another.
Hello This one was long overdue but its here! Tell me what you think of everything so far and next chapter should be end of the Edolas Arc. Thanks for reading all and this has been Solerwolf...later!