Etherion
Levy sighed, rubbing the back of her head as she lost track of Sho. The boy had been running around the second he had grabbed Erza, and clearly was not intent on stopping anytime soon. She had lost in him in the shadows of the Tower. The kid was fast she would give him that, although he was an idiot. She respected his desire to protect Erza, but he clearly didn't know how to go about doing that the proper way.
She did have to thank him for his continued screaming though. It made him easy to follow when he was yelling bloody murder at the top of his lungs, even if she couldn't physically see his body. Levy could have sworn she heard Erza yelling at Sho as well. The blue haired girl sighed, walking forwards, rubbing the back of her head. "Is he really so foolhardy to think he can take on Jellal? If this Jellal guy is really as strong as he claims to be...he can fight Naruto on an even playing field. That's way to strong for him to handle."
Levy paused as she heard a scream. That...that did not sound like someone screaming bloody murder. That sounded like someone being cut down. A scream of pain instead of a scream of rage. Levy's eyes widened in horror before she ran forwards, pushing her legs harder than before, her eyes widening as she saw the scene in front of her. A bridge stood above a large pool of water, cherry blossoms floating in the air due to the sakura trees growing from the edges of the pool, and a beautiful woman with pink hair standing there. The view would be serene...if it weren't for Sho's bleeding body laying in a pool of his blood. Levy frowned. The boy wasn't dead yet, but he would be if she didn't act fast.
Levy's eyes widened as she saw Erza standing in front of Sho, blade in hand as she glared at the pink haired woman.
"Erza!" Levy called, rushing forwards. Erza frowned, glancing backwards.
"Levy! Don't get involved! She's too much for you!"
Levy rolled her eyes. "I wasn't going to get involved in this fight anyone with you here. I need to heal your friend." Levy immediately knelt beside Sho, quickly starting to spell out words to make sure that the boy was still breathing. Erza nodded her thanks before she glared at the woman before her. The woman only smiled back at her, gripping her swords hilt.
"Your name is Ikaruga correct?"
The pink haired woman smiled. "I didn't come all this way for you," Erza cried. "My apologies, but I would prefer that we didn't fight. Move aside."
Ikaruga smiled. "Oh? Is that meant to scare me off? Well It's your lucky day then isn't it? Jellal wants to face you. You may run along." Erza nodded, preparing to walk forwards only for her eyes to widen as she noticed Levy just starting to stand, having done all she could for Sho. If Ikaruga wasn't there for her...then she must have been there for Levy!
Erza clenched her fist. It was either run towards Jellal or fight this woman here and now. Ikaruga was powerful there was no denying that, but would Levy be able to handle it? No, the blue haired girl was still training. She couldn't handle a swordsman on par with herself! This woman would easily be capable of winning this battle! Erza turned, preparing to engage, only to see Levy smiling at her.
"Don't worry Erza," Levy called, brass knuckles appearing in her hands as she conjured the words, the girl quickly applying reinforcement to the weapons with her magic, in the forms of Dense and Light. The girl grinned. She had been working on putting contradicting words on weaponry for a long while now, and she finally had it. Of course she had to give Naruto credit where credit was due. His videogame idea really did help her thought process. Levy grinned, raising her arms in a boxing-like stance. Naruto had given her physical training after all, and that came with more than just conditioning.
"Naruto's been training me for a while. I can handle her."
Erza frowned. Erza had no doubt that the girl was stronger than she had been a few months ago, but that didn't deny the fact that she still was in no way capable of taking on Ikaruga. The woman could use her blade to cut through dimensions! Even she struggled with that! Levy had grown more capable under Naruto's guidance, and Erza was sure that in a few more months she may truly be capable of fighting Ikaruga by herself, but now?
Erza could only hope that Naruto could handle Jellal by himself. She wouldn't just let her friend die when faced with a more powerful foe. Clearly Ikaruga had no qualms against killing, considering what she had done to show and the fact that she was a member of Trinity Raven. No, Levy would need help. Erza raised her blade, preparing to attack, only for her eyes to widen as her armor shattered, Ikaruga smiling back at her. However, Levy reacted immediately, dashing in at speeds that surprised even Erza before she swung her blow, Ikaruga leaning back to avoid the strike before lashing out with her heel, forcing Levy to block, although the force sent the girl flying backwards. Levy flipped, landing on her feet, glaring at Ikaruga.
"Erza, I told you to go!"
Erza's eyes widened, staring at Levy who smirked. "I can handle this. Naruto will need your help if Jellal's words are any indication."
Ikaruga grinned, nodding. "Yes go. Leave me to the girl. Just remember, her death is on your hands. Those brass knuckles of hers won't hold up. My sword can cut threw anything."
Levy grinned. "Oh we'll see about that."
Erza grit her teeth before she shook her head. Naruto was strong. He could handle himself. Levy needed her help. That didn't mean that she had to hold back though. This fight could be quick, she just needed to be smart about it. Erza nodded, her body glowing before her Purgatory Armor appeared, the armor shifting immediately to form a katana, black armor covering the rest of her body. Erza grinned.
"Levy, how about we compromise and take her out fast and both go help Naruto?"
Levy smirked. "Sounds good."
Ikaruga grinned, looking at her two opponents who had her trapped between them. This would be interesting. "Well what are you waiting for," the pink haired woman called. With the invitation Levy and Erza both rushed forwards, grimaces on both of their faces. Ikaruga smirked, leaping towards Levy, causing the blue-haired girls eyes to widen before she deflected with her brass knuckles, but the force of Ikaruga's hit sent her flying away. However, before Ikaruga could comment Erza was there, swinging her katana with deadly accuracy. The pink haired dark mage frowned, deflecting the swipe only for her eyes to widen as she felt the force behind it.
The 'Titania' was strong.
Ikaruga was sent flying from from the force, flipping midair to land on her feet in the large pool of water, glaring at Erza. Erza smirked, only for her eyes to widen as she heard a scream of pain. The redheaded beauty turned, her eyes widening to see Levy's brass knuckles destroyed, her fingers bloody from Ikaruga's blade. Ikaruga smirked. "I did say it could cut threw anything. Did you think I was joking?"
Levy grimaced, forming another pair of brass knuckles with her words, before she slowly created the word Indestructible. Ikaruga raised her eyebrow as the word was applied to the brass knuckles. 'I wonder if that will actually be able to stop the Mugetsu-Ryu.'
Levy grinned, before forming another word, Light, flames suddenly forming on the brass knuckles, causing her to grin. The girl rushed forwards, swinging her fist at Ikaruga, only for the pink haired mage to swing the Mugetsu-Ryu, the brass knuckles clanking off of it, yet they weren't destroyed. Ikaruga's eyes widened before she grinned, slashing forwards with her blades, only to stop the attack midway to leap away from Erza's downwards slash. The pink haired mage flipped before she kicked off the wall, leaping forwards to swing her blade, only for Erza to leap towards her, their blades colliding only for Erza's eyes to widen as the katana she wielded was shattered by the Mugetsu-Ryu. Erza's katana flew into the sky, Ikaruga smiling as the Mugetsu-Ryu carved into the Purgatory Armor, Erza screaming in pain before she smashed into the ground, a deep wound on her gut.
Levy's eyes widened before she clenched her fists. She would have to heal Erza now too, but she doubted Ikaruga would let her. Levy shot forwards, launching a series of punches, only for Ikaruga to smirk, deflecting the strikes before lashing out with her blade, Levy barely avoiding lethal damage, although the blade still sliced intoher body, leaving light cuts on her arms and torso. Levy grimaced as another gash appeared on her shoulder before she shot forwards, only for Ikaruga to grin. The blue-haired girl was skilled sure, but she clearly didn't realize who had the range advantage. She couldn't just shoot forwards at her speed and hope to negate it. Ikaruga speared her sword forwards, Levy's eyes widening as the blade pierced her gut, blood shooting from her mouth.
Ikaruga pulled her blade from Levy's body, the girl dropping to her knees, gripping her stomach. Ikaruga smirked, raising her blade. "You were fun to fight I'll give you that. But you're still nothing compared to me."
The blade fell and steel met steel.
"What?"
Erza glared at Ikaruga, defending Levy despite the laceration on her body, rage burning in her eyes. Her Purgatory Armor was no longer covering her body, having been destroyed by Ikaruga's strikes, in favor of a white sarashi and a red hakama, golden flame designs covering the bottom. "Is this some kind of joke? Why would you trade out your armors for an outfit made of regular cloth?
Erza only grimaced, pushing Ikaruga's blade back. Ikaruga growled. "Is this meant to mock me? You think that because your blades didn't shattered under the Mugetsu-Ryu and you're not wearing an armor you can be equal to me in a fight!"
Levy stared up at the redheaded S-class mage, confusion on her face. "What are you doing Erza? You've got stronger armor than that right? Stay strong...you can do this!"
Erza shook her head, her bangs covering her eyes. "I cannot do that, because I've never been strong."
Levy's eyes widened at the declaration, confusion written on her face. What did she mean she had never been strong? She was an S-class mage! Of course she was strong! To fight as well as she had against Matatabi, or deflect the Jupiter Cannon required strength. But to Erza the answer was obvious. She was never strong. That had been obvious from the moment she had put on her armor.
"As a child I watched as those closest to me suffered, I lost loved ones because I didn't have the strength to protect them. I tried to be strong. I hid my emotions in public. But when I was alone I couldn't hide my emotions, and in order to convince everyone that I was strong, to never have to deal with my emotions, I would hide my heart away inside a suit of armor. There...no one could see that it was broken, not even Naruto. I wore armor to conceal my weakness from the rest of the world, not because I was strong. Without it I've been to afraid to fight."
Ikaruga laughed. "How amusing, you think your sentiments will let you win this fight, when in reality the skill gap between us is far to large for you to even come close to defeating me. Yet if you choose to die like a fool that's fine by me. I'll strike you down just the same."
Erza shook her head. "I thought my armor protected me but it did more harm than good. It shielded me from pain, but it kept me distant from others. My heart was to guarded to connect with anyone. Fairy Tail was the only place that could crack that armor. I can't rely on my armor anymore. I know I'm strong enough to defeat you without it!"
Erza raised her blades, preparing to strike. Ikaruga merely smirked, raising the Mugetsu-Ryu. The two women stared at each other for a second, but it felt like hours before they charged. The two women swung their blades. Two blades shattered, and Erza fell to her knees. Ikaruga grinned, looking back at Erza.
"You really were strong without your armor I suppose," Ikaruga muttered, falling to the ground. "Most impressive."
Erza nodded, Ikaruga falling to the ground, blood leaking from her body. Erza nodded to herself, before walking over, looking at the now healed Levy. "You dd much better than I thought you would. You really have improved haven't you."
Levy grinned, before forming the words Bandage and Ointment, treating Erza. The redhead nodded her thanks. "Take care of Sho for me will you? I need to handle Jellal."
Levy nodded, sighing as Erza began to walk off before her eyes widened and she rushed over to Ikaruga's bleeding body, grabbing the blade. "Erza!"
The redhead turned, her eyes widening as she saw a blade flying her direction, however she easily snatched it out of the air. Levy grinned. "Take that with you! I'm sure it'll be useful." Erza's eyes widened, the thought completely foreign to her. She had never taken a trophy from a defeated opponent before, but somehow the Mugetsu-Ryu felt...right in her hands. Erza nodded.
"Thank you..." she whispered before she turned and ran. Levy grinned.
"No problem. Now go kick Jellal's ass!"
Erza nodded at the words, rushing forwards with determination in her eyes. She had to beat Jellal, and quickly. If she was right she only had about fifteen minutes before the Etherion fell, and that wasn't even taking into account the amount of time that would be required to get out of the blast radius. She didn't have long. But she had time, and that was all the mattered.
Her story with him would end today...one way, or another.
Levy grimaced as she saw Erza disappear into shadows, picking up Sho's body and hefting it onto her shoulders, grunting as she felt the boys weight. "I need to get him and everyone else out of here as quickly as possible!" With that the Fairy Tail mage left, leaving the pristine water and cherry blossoms that once again made the sight almost serene.
Almost.
Natsu sighed as he floated in the ocean, his body aching. He had beat Fukuro with his last attack, but that didn't mean that bird man hadn't landed his attack. Whatever that move was called it was powerful. Natsu thought he called it the Justice Maxima Ho Ho Hou. Whatever it was, it definitely packed a punch. He was incredibly sore after that. And that was before he had fallen what at least had to be forty stories into ocean water. He was sore, that much was sure.
Natsu groaned as he saw a ship float near him, his eyes widening as he saw a girl paddle over to him, a familiar mop of blonde hair on her head.
"Natsu," Lucy cried, a smile on her face. Millianna and Wally were with her, Juvia and Levy standing behind them, all of them boarded on the ship.
"Lucy," Natsu grunted, pain in his voice. Wally reached over, pulling Natsu onto the boat, laying him down next to an unconscious Sho. Natsu grunted. "Aren't you guys still the enemy?"
Wally shook his head. "Nah. Simon called us off. He told us to get out of here because of the Etherion."
"Aye," Happy stated, walking over to sit next to Natsu, a grin on the cats face. "I was with him when he did it. The only one left on the tower is Simon, Erza, and Naruto."
Natsu grunted, trying to stand only for Lucy to push him back down. "I know what you're thinking, but no Natsu, you can't go there and help Erza and Naruto beat Jellal. You have to be patient. They'll be fine. They'll get out of the blast zone before the Etherion arrives."
Natsu glared at her, but Lucy shook her head, a smile on her face to give him faith. Yet she didn't fully believe it herself. Natsu could only sigh, looking up at the Tower of Heaven, anger in his eyes. In five minutes...in five minutes Erza and Naruto could be dead. The Dragonslayer clenched his fists but stayed still. He couldn't help if he wanted to in his state.
Once again, he was rendered helpless.
Naruto frowned as he landed, the gaping hole he left in the wall as he smashed through irrelevant as he glared at Jellal's sitting frame, a grin on the mans face. "Oh? You land just as another piece falls, but that's no fair, the game isn't over yet." Naruto growled, golden energy swirling around his body as he walked forwards. Jellal grinned, "Oh? Not in the mood to talk? Why's that? Must have to do with the weather. I here you Godslayer types I really into that-"
Naruto dashed in front of Jellal, Thunder God Kunai in hand as he jabbed it forwards, only for Jellal to tilt his head out of the way, the kunai spearing through the stone that made his chair. "Now that is the waste of a perfectly good throne."
"I'm going to kill you," Naruto whispered, hate in his eyes. Jellal grinned, golden light shrouding his body. "Oh? Let's try that then, shall we Mr. Wizard Saint?" The roof of the room exploded, two beams of golden light shooting into the sky, clashing viciously against one another. The rain itself ran from the beams of light as they clashed. The battle had begun. The two Heavenly Body Magic users rushed each other, their fists smashing together as Meteor enhanced their blows.
Naruto shot forwards, rage in his face as he swung his fist, only for Jellal to deflect the blow, smashing his shoulder into Naruto's chest before launching a spinning kick that Naruto caught, forming a Rasengan before he thrust into Jellal's chest, his eyes widening as Jellal leaned away, throwing his other leg up to strike Naruto in the chin. Naruto swung his head backwards, dodging the strike, before he swung his fist once more, smashing his fist into Jellal's back and sending the man spinning away. Jellal flipped in midair, before he rushed in again, Naruto glaring as he shot forwards to meet him, both mages smashing their fists into the others face.
"Bastard," Naruto hissed.
"Weakling," Jellal countered.
Naruto rushed in, his eyes glowing brightly before he threw a punch, Jellal easily pushing the strike above his shoulder before countering with a cross that Naruto swatted out of his way. Naruto countered with three blows to the body, only for Jellal to grimace through it all, spinning and smashing his elbow into Naruto's temple. Naruto groaned as he reeled, Jellal shooting inwards, only for Naruto to cry out with rage, smashing his knee into Jellal's chin, blood spurting from his mouth before a Rasengan formed in his hand. Naruto thrust his attack forwards, only for Jellal to grab his hand at the wrist, twisting it before golden energy shone from Jellal's fist. Jellal sent his blow rocketing forwards, the blow slamming into Naruto's cheek, sending him flying.
Jellal grinned, energy swirling. "Meteor's Aim!" Jellal roared as his energy blast flew forwards, Naruto's eyes widening before he gripped his Thunder God Kunai tightly.
"Energy-Make: Getsuga Tensho!" The crescent-shaped blast of energy collided with the dense ball of energy Jellal sent forwards, the two attacks fighting for dominance briefly before exploding, Naruto growling as they did before black winds spiraled around him. "Sky God's Boreas!" Naruto roared as black winds swirled around his hand before he sent them flying towards Jellal, the large whirlwind howling forth. Jellal grunted, seven magical formula forming in front of him.
"Grand Chariot!"
The formula released a blast of light, the attacks slamming into Naruto's own, the two negating one another, creating another massive explosion. Naruto grunted, waiting for the smoke to clear only for his eyes to widen in pain as he felt a blow impact with his stomach, Jellal grinning before he raised his hand. "Pleiades!" Soon afterwards light fell from the sky, smashing into Naruto, causing him to grunt before he was sent flying towards the ground, cratering into the floor. Naruto groaned, standing, glaring at Jellal, who smirked down at him.
"Enough! Stop this Jellal!"
The duo turned, surprised to see Erza standing there, blade in hand. "Erza," Naruto whispered, joy on his face. She wasn't imprisoned anymore, that was good. Now that just meant he had one person let to deal with. Jellal stared down at Erza, his face expressionless.
"Erza," he muttered, lowering himself to the ground. "It's been a long time, hasn't it."
"It certainly has. Sho and the others are no longer under your influence," Erza stated. Jellal shook his head patronizingly, as if he was talking to a child.
"That's fine with me. Now that the Tower of Heaven has been completed I have no need for them."
"You don't seem to concerned that it will soon be destroyed."
"You mean by the Etherion," Jellal laughed. Erza shook her head, taking his laughter as a message of his insanity due to his religious devotion to Zeref.
"You're so carefree I would assume you were bluffing," Erza muttered, shifting the Mugetsu-Ryu, the blade glinting off of the sunlight. Jellal laughed, removing the hood from his head to leer at Erza.
"No so. The Etherion will rain down on us."
"I'm relieved to hear it, that just means I need to keep you occupied for the next five minutes. Then this nightmare will be over at last!"
"No!" Jellal roared, inky red and black magic leaking from his body, a delusional look filling his eyes as he leered further at Erza. "When the blast strikes you will be sacrificed to Zeref! This has always been foretold! You can't avoid fate Erza," Jellal hissed, his eyes changing color to reflect a strange ancient symbol. "When the Etherion strikes the tower we'll take our final breathes. Why don't we simply enjoy these last moments together," Jellal stated, the red and black energy leaking from his body. Erza snorted.
"You should know I've cast off all my fears. I have overcome even death, and I'll relish it because I'll be taking you down with me!"
"Oh really," Jellal stated, a grin on his face. "Is that what you think? Well we'll just see about that," he roared, sending a wave of energy towards Erza, only for her to snort, slicing it into pieces with the Mugetsu-Ryu. Jellal grunted, anger on his face, but Erza merely walked forwards, confidence in her movements. Jellal merely shook his head. "You think at very climax of my goal I'll be defeated? Hardly. At long last, I will have revived Zeref!"
Jellal roared his proclamation to the world, energy swirling from Erza's feet to bind her in a bubble. Naruto's eyes glowed with power and he shot forwards, only for Jellal to grin, raising a hand that swirled with golden light. "Jiu Leixing!"
Nine swords made of pure lightning swirled behind Jellal before they shot forwards, smashing into Naruto's body, causing him to curse as he was smashed against the stone wall from the force of the blow. Jellal merely shook his head, turning back to Erza. "While it's evident you've honed your skills over the years, you're no match for me."
Erza's eyes flashed with doubt as she heard Jellal's words, her grip on the Mugetsu-Ryu loosening before she saw it. Naruto ripping his way from the wall, rage on his face. "Don't you ever, ever talk down to Erza like that you hear me!" the Uzumaki roared, and with a flash of energy he shattered the entire wall, black winds swirling around him. "Or I'll kill you," He roared, his voice distorted from the winds before he shot himself forwards, Jellal's eyes could only widen before Naruto smashed into him, crying out "Sky God's Second Sky Arrow!"
Naruto's foot lanced into Jellal, the man being sent flying backwards, into the wall on the other half of the room, groaning in pain. Erza smiled, the grip on her sword tightening once again. Why was she doubting herself? She had already cast off her armor, for the man that now stood before her to fight. How could she not fight with him? Erza nodded, and swung, the energy binding her shattering into pieces, causing Jellal's eyes to widen. "What!"
Erza glared at Jellal, taking her place beside Naruto. She had initially wanted to do this herself, but with him there she was confident. She could handle this. "I told you. I've cast off all my fears including you!"
Erza shot forwards, smashing her knee into Jellal's chest, causing spiderweb cracks along the wall, Jellal spitting up blood onto her hakama. "Enough of this! I know about the R-System too Jellal, and you're missing something vital, more vital than even the idea of using me as a sacrifice. You're missing magic energy! I don't think you realize how much magic energy you'd need just to activate the tower. Every single wizard on the continent couldn't power this tower. I doubt the tower itself has the capacity to handle that much magic in the first place. In fact, you haven't left at all either, despite the fact that your precious tower is about to be destroyed by the Magic Council. What are you up to?"
Jellal stared at Erza, a sigh escaping his lips. "To be honest, yes I know that. I have no longer have control over my own body and soul you see," Jellal whispered, the ancient symbol on his eyes disappearing. "I've been possessed by Zeref. I'm merely a puppet he's manipulating in order to become flesh again. I wasn't able to save myself, and not even my closest friends were there to come to my rescue. That's when I realized that there is no heaven, nor does true freedom really exist. All of creation was finished before it even began."
"The final Etherion firing phase has been completed!"
"Displacement lacrima show all signs normal! Coordinates are locked!"
"Start the countdown!"
"Let us pray," called the Chairman. Belno and Leiji nodded, clasping their hands together.
"Let us pray."
The staff all chorused at the same time. "For the innocent!"
"Let us pray," Ultear called, Siegrain standing next to her, his heated eyes watching the power flow off of the Etherion.
"For the end," Siegrain whispered.
Outside the Tower of Heaven an absolutely massive ball of energy formed, dwarfing the tower in size and girth. "No way," Lucy cried, shock in her voice. "That's the Etherion!"
Storm clouds gathered above the tower, or maybe they were just intensifying from the rain, hiding the ball from sight, making the heavenly light it radiated seem almost divine, if it weren't for one factor. "Oh no, come on you guys," Levy stated, staring up at the tower. "Hurry up and get out of their now."
Naruto stared up at the light, clenching his fists. He had to do something. But what? It wasn't like he could stop the Etherion by himself. He was strong, but he wasn't all powerful. Even with Kurama he doubted he could stand up to the blast. He could only escape. Naruto whirled, his eyes widening as he saw Erza talking with Jellal still. Did she really plan on staying here until that thing landed? If they left now he was positive he could escape the blast radius, but only if they left right now!
"I knew the R-System couldn't be completed, but Zeref kept pushing me," Jellal stated, his words having Erza's complete attention. "He forced me to continue the towers construction. I wanted to stop but I couldn't. It's like I was a freight train with no breaks. I surrender, go ahead and finish me. Your friend seems anxious to leave."
Erza turned, her eyes locking with Naruto before her eyes widened. She couldn't kill Jellal. She had said she could but she couldn't. To do that...it would be to much. He meant too much. But she couldn't risk Naruto either. The blonde would stay with her until he knew she was safe, and if she stayed with Jellal he wouldn't be. She was faced with an impossible decision. However, she wasn't the one that had to make it.
"What utter bullshit," Naruto cried, annoyance on his face. "I don't have Kurama's negative emotion detector right now, but I don't need it to know that what you just said is absolute bullshit. Basic logic tells me that, and I'm no genius. You're manipulating Erza's childhood feelings for you so she can't see it but I can. If the R-System can't be powered by every mage on the continent that's fine, but what else can't be powered by every mage on the continent, something that took centuries to gain power? The Etherion blast! This entire tower is a massive lacrima, likely powerful enough to contain the blast and use it to power the R-System!"
Erza's eyes widened as she turned to Jellal. "Is that true?"
Jellal merely glared at Naruto, the ancient design filling his eyes once more. "I knew I should have killed you before Erza arrived."
Naruto smirked. "You snooze you lose dumbass."
"We pray to the sacred light for forgiveness. Let us fire the Etherion at once!" the Chairman cried.
The light shattered the sky as the blast began to fall, the ocean and earth roaring from the movement. "It's headed straight for the tower!" Levy cried, gripping the boat tightly as waves rocked it back and forth.
"Naruto! Erza!" Natsu called.
"Simon!" Wally and Millianna cried.
Naruto could only stare up as the energy shifted before it rocketed downwards, a blinding white light enveloping the world. He grunted. He wasn't worried about dying anymore, but he was now worried about what would happen when the tower took in the energy. The former shinobi clenched his fists, and the Etherion crashed down.
"The Etherion impacted the target!"
"Was the target destroyed I need confirmation!"
"The intensity of the ethernano fusion is increasing! Extreme weather conditions are expected!"
The Chairman sighed, rubbing his face. "Who knows how many innocent people might have been inside that Tower."
"They were there for the sole purpose of resurrecting Zeref," Leiji stated. "Their sacrifices had to be made in order to stop him from coming back to life."
"I understand that Leiji but it's still heartbreaking all the same. I sincerely doubt the victims families will be comforted by that reasoning."
"Ethernano neutralizes detected at the epicenter. Wait, no, that's impossible!"
"There's been a sudden drop in fusion density! Picking up high levels of magic energy from another source!"
"Restoring visual feed!"
"The target is still standing! It's a giant lacrima!"
The Chariman's eyes widened in horror as he saw the blast fail to do anything. "Impossible! Nothing could possibly absorb the power of the Etherion!"
"Maybe..." Siegrain muttered, getting the attention of the rest of the council as he slowly started to disappear. "...you were wrong," he whispered out as he disappeared, Ultear no longer by his side.
A crystal wasteland was all that remained of the tower, if it could even be called that. The structure was spindly, a tree of lacrima shooting from its trunk at the base of the island, a few limbs sprouting from the structure. The group could only stare at the structure horror in their eyes.
"A crystal," Juvia muttered, confused, letting the shield of water lower, although the rain continued to pelt the group. Happy frowned, confused. Levy shook her head.
"No, that looks like a lacrima."
"A lacrima," Lucy called. "Does that mean that Naruto and Erza are still alive?"
Levy clenched her fists, her eyes narrowed onto the top of the lacrima, looking for any signs of life. "I hope so Lu. I hope so."
Jellal could only laugh as the lacrima shone around him in all of its glory, the man practically able to feel the magical energy emitting from the energy source. It was enormous, far to large for anyone to be able to rival it. He didn't truly understand what the Etherion was, even with all of his research, but this, this made sense. No wonder it was dubbed the most powerful weapon in existence!
His laughter stopped as he heard footsteps, turning to see Naruto and Erza standing before him, glares on their faces despite his psychotic grin. "Do you see it," Jellal questioned, waving his arms. "It's here! At long last my our of glory has arrived!"
"Glory," Erza questioned. Naruto watched her intently, a frown on his face. Clearly she was still struggling to reconcile the Jellal that had attempted to fool her with the one she so vividly remembered as a monster. She didn't know who to believe. He couldn't blame her. He would do much the same if he was in her position. Naruto shook his head, turning to glare back at Jellal as the man started speaking again.
"This is the Tower of Heaven's true form! You were right Naruto, a giant magical lacrima! Powered by the Magic Council's Etherion blast!"
Naruto growled, black winds swirling, stopping the rain from touching the tower even more than it already had. "I'm going to kill you," he muttered. Jellal grinned.
"That sounded almost like a promise Naruto."
The blonde whirled, Erza following not far behind him, their eyes widening as they saw a man they had not expected to see. It was like looking into a mirror, that accursed tattoo staring them in the face.
"Siegrain!" they both hissed. The man smirked, walking passed them to stand next to Jellal, the two doppelgangers turning to grin at Naruto and Erza. "I don't understand," Erza cried. "What are you doing here?"
Siegrain smirked. "Come now Erza did you really think I wouldn't have helped Jellal out in this last little battle of ours? That would be naive of you. After all the work I put in to become a council member and get the Etherion to fire, I would have thought that you'd be able to connect the dots."
Erza grit her teeth, clenching the Mugetsu-Ryu tightly, her eyes blazing with rage. Siegrain and Jellal could only laugh at her, causing her to raise her blade. "At least you two finally show your faces," Erza called, energy leaking off of her form. "This way I can strike you both down! No more conspiring together!"
Jellal and Siegrain laughed, walking closer to one another. "Conspiring? That's not quite accurate," they both claimed before their bodies touched and they flickered. "You see we're two faces of the same person. We have been from the start," the muttered, their voices merging until only one man stood before the two Fairy Tail mages.
"You never suspected we were the same," Jellal called, a grin on his face. "To naive to notice a mere Thought Projection. I hope you enjoyed the freedom I granted you all those years ago. Clearly it dulled your head. Your release and return was all part of my plan to resurrect Zeref."
"How," Erza called, making Jellal raise an eyebrow. "How could you live with yourself knowing your entire life has been one big lie!"
"Magic energy," Jellal responded. "I can feel it surging through my body. I can feel Zeref's revival close! Magic! The revival! That is how I can live!"
"A mass of magic energy is building up in the Tower of Heaven!"
"If too much power is contained in one place it's sure to explode!"
"We've been had," Leiji roared, only for his eyes to widen as the floor cracked. "What?" The roof roared, small stones falling as the cracks started to rise across the entire building, the structural integrity failing.
"What's happening to the building," Belno called, her face filled with confusion. "It's like it's starting to age and collapse!"
"This magic! The only way the building could do this is if it was aging, and the only way that's possible is with the Arc of Time!" Leiji cried out. The Chairman shook his head.
"That's impossible! That's a Lost Magic! All users of Lost Magic's have already been documented! The three Dragonslayers of Fairy Tail, the two Godslayers of Fairy Tail, the two Dragonslayers of light and darkness, and all participants of Project D2!"
"Does that account for dark guilds," Leiji cried, causing the Chariman's eyes to widen. Horror stayed in his eyes before they saw her. Ultear floating above them, a magic formula in her hands, however before they could do anything they had to flee, the building crumbling.
"Oh no," Millianna cried, horror in her voice. "I never thought...I never thought that this would be the result of our work. This...this monstrosity isn't what we expected."
Levy looked at them, a strange aura in her eye before she sighed. She couldn't blame them for this. They were likely manipulated. This wasn't their fault. The man who was responsible resided in that tower, likely fighting Naruto and Erza if they were still alive.
"It's been activated," Wally muttered, gritting his teeth. Levy sighed, connecting the dots now. The tower had siphoned off the power of Etherion into it, turning it into a lacrima that could power the monstrosity. Levy grit her teeth. How did Jellal do that? Did he cause the Magic Council to fire the weapon? That was the only explanation for how well prepared he was. Regardless, the blast had already struck, and now she could only watch.
"Does that mean Zeref is about to be resurrected," Lucy called, terror on her face.
"We don't know," Sho muttered, his eyes blearily opening, getting the attention of Levy who forced the boy down before he could sit up, worried about his wounds. "We've never seen the tower activated before, even though we helped build it."
Levy sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "Regardless, we can't do anything as we are now. We just have to hope that Naruto and Erza can handle the situation before it spirals out of control."
Naruto flared his magic power in response to Jellal, glaring at him. "Bring it!" However, before the blonde could do anything Erza rushed forwards, the Mugetsu-Ryu raised as she brought it down, only for Jellal to grunt Meteor coating his body as he deflected the strike, slamming a kick into Erza's stomach. The redhead grunted, flipping only to shoot forwards again, swinging the blade, Jellal raising his arm to block, only for his eyes to widen as the Meteor was cut through by the Mugetsu-Ryu. It was only due to the speed granted to him by his magic that he didn't lose his left arm from the forearm down.
Jellal spun, dodging Erza's follow up slash before he thrust his hands forwards, his palm smashing into Erza's stomach, the girl grunting as she was sent skidding backwards. "Come on now," Jellal muttered, a grin on his face. "Don't tell me you're tired from fighting Ikaruga." The man rushed forwards, raising a blow to smash onto Erza only for Naruto to intervene, winds coating his arm. Jellal grunted, thrusting his knee forwards only for Naruto to deflect it with his own knee, the force behind the attacks causing a shockwave that sent both combatants flying away from each other, the two never breaking eye contact.
Erza growled, shooting forwards again only for her eyes to widen as she suddenly lost control of her muscles, pain shooting through her body as the Mugetsu-Ryu clattered to the floor, Erza screaming in pain. Jellal grinned as Naruto appeared at her aid, his worried eyes turning to a glare of hate as he stared at Jellal. "What did you do," the blonde hissed.
"It's just a Bind Snake, calm down. I attached it to her during our little spat. Now, if you don't mind, move aside. There is one last piece of the puzzle waiting to be put into place before I can bring back Lord Zeref."
Naruto glared at Jellal, winds swirling around him. "Bring it bastard," he hissed. Jellal smirked, shaking his head, a large spire of crystal rising from the ground behind Erza before it reached forwards, grabbing her and slowly pulling her in. "Erza!"
"Stop this Jellal!" Erza cried out, fear in her eyes as her body slowly began to fuse with the crystal. "Please!"
Jellal merely grinned, watching as Naruto tried in vain to destroy the crystal, Erza continuing to be pulled inside of it. "You know, I really did love you Erza. To bad."
Erza's eyes widened before liquid splashed onto the ground. Tears. Erza was crying. Naruto paused, watching the redhead slowly be pulled inside the lacrima. Slowly he stepped forwards, grabbing her before he had the wind swirl, the added force giving him enough power to yank her out of the lacrima before it had completely submerged her. Naruto turned, his eyes locking with Jellal. The man grinned, only for her eyes to widen as he saw Naruto's eyes.
Eyes that no longer held hate.
Just...loathing. Complete and utter loathing. No, even that was to kind a word. The only thing in Naruto's eyes was antipathy. A burning desire inside of him to seek vengeance. Jellal shuddered. Naruto...this boy was without a doubt an avenger. Tears fell from Erza's eyes as Naruto laid her gently on the ground, staring at the eyes of the blonde. She didn't know what to feel. Here Naruto was, about to fight Jellal over something that he wasn't even a part of. She couldn't allow it.
"Naruto...stop. You can't fight him, you know nothing about him."
"I know all I need to hime," Naruto muttered, the winds shifting as the rain swirled, fearful to touch the tower. Naruto's eyes glowed with pure unadulterated power. "He made you cry," Naruto muttered, standing, his power continuing to skyrocket. The winds howled, white tattoos covering Naruto's eyes, a spiraling white tattoo shooting up arm, his eyes glowing with power. A halo appeared above his head. Magical armor roared forth on his other arm, a black gauntlet covering it as he glared at Jellal.
"Sky God's Drive!"
Jellal grit his teeth, raising his own magical power as well, preparing to fight the man before him, clenching his fist. "You think you can defeat me with that measly powerup," Jellal growled out, widening his stance. "You're a fool! But please, do go all out. I would love to witness the power of a Godslayer!"
Naruto shot forwards, Jellal rushing to meet him. With that the man with the power of heaven and the man with the power of the Gods clashed.
