I hope this works now. Sorry. The website glitched on me and rewrote my chapter in computer language. Thank you to Brooklynvn2001 for letting me know of the glitch! Please enjoy and let me know what you think!

Chapter 3

Fairy Survival

Levy had done it. Natsu, Ryoko and Gajeel were free. Levy warned them to stay away so they didn't battle each other. That was fine, Ryoko had other plans. She wouldn't go after Laxus. She'd leave that to the boys but the Thunder Palace was her goal. She had to stop it, just in case they couldn't stop Laxus in time. She would bring it down and protect her new home.

Ryoko and Marie made their way to the roof and looked around. She needed to position herself carefully. But first she needed water. She ran along the rooftops before taking a leap of faith into the river. She was going to need as much magical energy as possible for whatever she could do to get the Thunder Palace. She had the unique ability of absorbing water through her skin as well as normal consumption and it went to both of her natures.

Rising to the top, Marie pulled her out and flew her back to the roofs. "Are we going after Laxus now?" she asked as she landed beside her.

"No. With his lightning, I wouldn't stand a chance. Best to leave it to Natsu and Gajeel. No, we're going to help the others with the Thunder Palace. If the boys can't stop him in time we need to do it ourselves," Ryoko said as she looked for the best placement to deal with the Palace.

"What about the body link magic?Just one of those orbs will knock you out. You can't honestly be foolishly thinking you can take this on, do you?" Marie asked as she eyed her.

Ryoko ignored the lecture in Marie's voice. There wasn't much of an option with almost the whole guild being injured from fighting. Many wouldn't have the strength or magic left to take them down. Ryoko finished the math in her head and started to make her way to the Kardia Cathedral.

Already, there was action going on in the cathedral. The center point of the Palace was over the cathedral and apparently, Laxus was hiding in there the entire time. Erza, Natsu and Gajeel were all there and there goal was Laxus. Going through the front entrance was not an option for Ryoko. She'd have to fight with Laxus with the others and she would lose.

Marie helped get Ryoko to the roof of the cathedral. "Now what? Not sure standing on a roof with four wizards battling it out beneath of us is the best ideas, Ryoko," she said as the building shook.

"What are they doing?" Ryoko grumbled as she steadied herself on the roof.

"Trying to take down a fool," Marie said smartly.

"That was rhetorical, Marie," Ryoko said as she gave her a wry look. "We're running out of time."

Ryoko turned her attention to Erza as she ran out of the cathedral. She quickly requipped from her Lightning Empress Armor to her Heaven's Wheel Armor. Soon, she started to gather her collection of weapons. She was planning on shooting her weapons and taking down the Thunder Palace herself. She's going to take them out herself? She's tried and she's doesn't have enough swords. Ryoko thought as she looked down at her. Perhaps the two of them could do it. She wasn't in as bad a shape as the others.

It was then that Ryoko got an idea. He might be using body link magic but lightning was still lightning and it will always find a conductor. And now she knew what she would do. She just hoped that Marie would forgive her afterwards. But before she could put her plan into action, Lucy's voice came through her mind. Warren's telepathy. She thought and could feel the eye roll from the other but she just ignored it. Lucy urged all Fairy Tail wizards that could still fight to take out the closest orb to them. As a final stand against Laxus and save Magnolia. Their time was up and the orbs were gaining energy. Everyone rallied behind her words and sent up their strongest attacks. Each one hitting and destroying their targets.

"Marie, take me up, above the ring. When I tell you to, let me go," Ryoko said as she gave Marie little room to argue and was lifted into the air.

"What are you planning? Why do you want me to let you go? You'll fall!" Marie shouted as she tightened her grip.

As the orbs around them became fewer and fewer, Ryoko forced Marie to let go. As she fell, she fun her body and called forth her water wing attack. Waves of water cascaded out from her attracting all the lightning that was aiming for her guildmates. The lightning changed course and headed straight for her. All Ryoko could do was brace herself for pain.

Marie watched in horror as all the electricity diverted from their initial target and aim at her best friend. She was forced to cover her eyes but heard Ryoko's screams as the lightning consumed her. When the attack finished, Ryoko was unconscious and falling to the ground.

All of Fairy Tail watched as one of their newest members took what would have been their punishment upon herself. She had saved them all. Many still suffered from their previous fight injuries and the lightning could have made things worse for them. When the water and lightning disappeared, the wizards of Fairy Tail watched as Ryoko fell.

"MARIE! CATCH HER!" Erza yelled as she ran towards the cathedral.

"Go Happy!" Lucy told him.

Both cats flew into action, catching her just before she hit the ground in front of the cathedral. They both laid her down to examine how bad her injuries were. Scorched marks were all over her skin. In some places, cuts and bruises marked her. There Natsu, Gajeel, and Laxus saw the true damage of the Thunder Palace. Darkness crept into the true dragon slayers' eyes, while Laxus growled. "One damn, Fairy?! How'd she beat it?"

Happy glared at Laxus. "She used her water wing attack to draw the lightning away from everyone else," Happy said before looking at Marie who was crying softly, nudging at Ryoko to wake up.

"She sacrificed herself?" Gajeel asked. As Happy nodded. Gajeel roared. "You'll pay for this, you ass!"

Before Gajeel could make a move, Natsu attacked, rage clear in his eyes. Happy knew that look. Someone he cared about was hurt and the guilty person was in front of him.

"Happy?"

Happy turned to Marie who looked terrified. "What is it?"

"Something's wrong. She doesn't sound right. Help me get her to the guild," Marie said as she took an arm. Happy grabbed her other arm but it was Erza who picked her up. Erza looked her over and without a word, Erza took off towards the guild. She had no time to waste. Many of her guildmates caught up with her as she made her way through Magnolia.

"So foolish, you didn't have to do that," Erza scolded as she ran. A part of her hoped that if she kept talking that things would end up well. "You saved us but at what cost to you? When you waked up, we're going to have a serious conversation about choices, Ryoko."

The fight at the cathedral raged on behind her, growing with intensity. Erza wanted to go back and help but she put her faith in Natsu and she knew he could win. So for now she would regroup at the guild and tend to the injured.

When she got to the guild, she raced to the infirmary, surprised to see not only the Master in bed but Porlyusica already at his side. "Porlyusica? You're already here," she said as she placed Ryoko in one of the remaining beds. "Can you help her? Ryoko took the full blast of the Thunder Palace using her water magic. We've not been able to wake her."

Porlyusica came over and quickly examined her. Erza watched her carefully but what concerned her was how much attention she was paying to her heart. Erza waited in silence. She hated feeling like this. Not knowing what was happening to her friends or if Natsu and Gajeel had succeed and defeated Laxus. And having the Master and the rest of Fairy Tail down didn't help either.

"There's looks to be permanent damage to her heart. I need to get it into a stable rhythm," Porlyusica said as she used her magic on her. By this point, Ryoko's breathing had become erratic and beats of sweat clung to her brow.

"You can fix it though, right?" Erza asked, hopeful.

"What part of 'permanent' did you not understand. In taking all the electricity into herself using water, she has made an already delicate organ significantly weaker. If she survives this, she will have limitations in all aspects of her life," Porlyusica said as she continued to work. "Now get out of here. You're of no help to me."

Erza nodded and returned to the main part of the guild. Already, most of Fairy Tail had made it back to the guild, waiting for the results of the Battle of Fairy Tail. Lucy and Happy sat at the bar. Mira was finishing up with the bandages on Lucy's arm. As Erza approached, they gave her a warm smile. "How's Ryoko?" Mira asked.

"It's not good," Erza said and left it at that. "Are they still fighting at the cathedral?"

"It's been quiet for awhile. Gray and Levy went to check on them. But we haven't heard from Laxus either so we're taking it that they won. We don't know yet," Lucy explained.

"How did we let this happen to our guild? So many are injured," Mira said as she looked around at the guild. All the injuries were minor, thankfully, but it should never have gotten to this point. "What will the Master do?"

"If he recovers, I'd be afraid to see the kind of punishment he will deal out to Laxus and the Thunder Legion. The Master even expelled his own son," Erza commented, noting the sad look in Mira's eyes. Though as children, Mira and Erza were rivals, now they had become close. She knew what Mira was feeling. She's felt that before and very recently. "Don't worry, I'm sure it won't be that bad."

Even saying that, Erza hadn't expected what came through the door. Levy, Jet, Droy and Gray came in carrying Natsu, Gajeel, and Laxus. All three were badly hurt and unconscious. They were taken upstairs to Porlyusica to be treated but that didn't stop the breath of relief that the guild took. Laxus was defeated. Fairy Tail stood victorious but at what cost? The Master? Ryoko? Natsu? Or Gajeel? Five members were currently in the infirmary being tended to by the best healing wizard around and still the guild felt like it had lost. Friend turned on friend. Family turn on family in that sick twisted game of Laxus'. Erza could only hope that instead of hurting the guild that this event would only bring them closer together.

A day passed before the guild returned to normal. Injuries healed. Laughter abundant. Erza was relieved. Their family had only grown stronger instead of falling apart. She walked past Mira who was serving drinks and made her way to the infirmary. There Natsu and Gajeel were already sitting in their beds, bandaged from head to toe, bickering with each other. Laxus was gone and the Master was sitting in his bed, in deep thought. Ryoko, however was still unconscious. Porlyusica left that Master side and came to Erza.

"That old fool will pull through just fine. He needs some rest but he'll survive. That two idiots over there should be back to normal in a day or two," she said as she gave Natsu and Gajeel an evil glare, making them instantly silent.

"That's great to hear. Thank you so much for your help, Porlyusica," Erza said before turning towards Ryoko. "But what of Ryoko?"

"As I told you before, she has permanent damage to her heart. Permanent, as in will never heal," Porlyusica said with a dirty look. This grabbed the attention of the two Dragon Slayers.

"Hmmph! Ow ah iis eh?" Natsu asked with his mouth covered in bandages.

"What? Speak clearly, you fool!" Porlyusica chided.

"He said, 'How bad is it?'" Gajeel translated.

Porlyusica gave them a hard look that softened gently. She had already explained to the Master just how bad it really was. "It's her heart, boys," the Master began. "Seeing as she is the water Dragon Slayer and used water to conduct the electricity to her body to save everyone else, the lightning has damaged the muscle. Basically her heart has permanently been weakened. She'll never fully recover from that attack."

The weight of the Master's words hung in the air. Natsu began shouting muffled nonsense from under his bandages but was soon silenced by Erza. Once he was quiet she turned back to the Master. "Master, what can we do to help her?"

"Nothing until she and I discuss things but if my understanding of what she will come to face with this is correct then I will order her to join your team. That way you can keep an eye on her and stop her from pushing herself too far. She won't like it but she will have no choice if she wants to do work for our guild. Her life is more important than any job," the Master said as he got up and walked over to Ryoko.

Though she was sleeping peacefully, Erza could see a slight sheen to her forehead. Her recovery would be long but she was a Dragon Slayer and they were tougher than most out there. "I understand and we'll welcome her with open arms. Besides, another member might help keep Natsu out of trouble and stop him from destroying everything in sight," Erza said as she smiled at both the Master and then shouting Natsu.

The Master watched as Erza took Natsu and Gajeel down to the guild to see the others. Porlyusica only stayed a moment longer before taking her departure. She had done all that she could for those that were injured and now she wanted to escape from everyone. Makarov looked down at the sleep Ryoko. "Oh my child, that was both a brave and foolish thing you did. I promise I won't get mad at you if you promise to pull through," he said as the door opened and his grandson walked in.

Laxus walked over to the small Dragon Slayer laying in bed. She had survived his Thunder Palace and from what he was hearing from everyone, it had nearly killed her. He didn't even know the girl but she stood up and defended everyone. Saved everyone...from him. He watched her softly as she slept. Ignoring his grandfather's hard gaze. He could hear the damage his electricity had done. Her heart sounded funny and weak. It was then that he realized that she'd never survive another electricity attack again. Laxus fell to his knees. He took a strong member of Fairy Tail and cut her down. He wanted to wake her and bed her forgiveness but he knew he would never get it. So he'd make a vow. As long as they both lived, he would protect her heart. From anyone and everyone. "I really screwed up, old man," he whispered softly.

Makarov's gaze softened for a second before looking down at Ryoko. "You really did, my boy. Her life is forever changed because of you," he said as he looked back at his grandson.

"I know. I can hear it. I shouldn't have…"

"Let's take this to another room and let her sleep," Makarov said as they walked out of the room, followed by Laxus.

Ryoko's world was foggy and full of pain. She felt like a huge crush weight was sitting on her chest, smothering the last of her air. Panic built within her. The pain increased. Fear. Death. Darkness. Lightning!

"Shhh...you're ok. You're back in the guild. You're safe and you're alive. You need to calm down," a soft voice said as they took her hand. Their hands was so warm and soft. It was like a beacon of light out of the darkness of pain that had consumed her. "Ryo, I can hear your heart. You need to calm down. I promise you that you are safe and as long as I'm here, you will always be safe."

Darkness consumed her again but instead of pain, it was replaced with warmth and hope.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I should hopefully have chapter 4 up by next Sunday! Please review and let me know what you think!