I couldn't move, could barely even think, I could only listen and see as Bickslow grabbed my body turned statue and dragged me into the lineup, where I could see that had gotten the rest of the girls.
I wanted to scream as I watched Laxus reveal his plan and disappear, causing a huge ruckus as the guild dispersed to save us. I couldn't even read the stats on the door from the fights as I merely sat there. I wanted to hit something, that something being Laxus. Instead, I had to watch and wait as the guild's numbers thinned, especially with Natsu and Gajeel unable to leave the building for whatever reason.
I cheered internally as Erza returned to her natural form, and as they revealed Mystogan had entered town. Now we had a chance, if only Erza could defeat Evergreen and allow the rest of us to return to our natural states.
I waited for Erza to beat her and wasn't disappointed. Within half-an hour of Erza leaving the guild- hall, I could feel Evergreen's magic and I felt the stone vanish as I returned to normal.
"FREE AT LAST!" I let out with a whoop.
"AQUILA!" Stella sobbed as she crashed into my chest, sobbing.
"Hey now, don't cry, I'm okay." I hushed Stella as she cuddled closer to me. The girls and I quickly changed into our normal attire, and we were filled in by Master on what had been occurring, including the fact that all the dragon slayers were stuck here. I cursed when I attempted to test his theory, only to be blocked by Freed's jutsu shiki. As I returned to the group, I listened to the discussion going on.
"We can't let him get away with hurting our friends." Mira stated quietly.
"Yeah, she's right! If we don't teach Laxus a lesson, then he'll never learn!" Bisca clenched her fists in anger.
"You can sure as hell bet on that, I've been wanting to smack the fool since I looked into Evergreen's eyes." I spoke angrily, as frost spread from where I sat next to Cana.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm going to give that boy a punishment he'll never forget." Master said with a twinge of anger. "He should know better. You can mess with me, but you can't mess with my guild!"
I face-palmed as Natsu said we should continue the battle. We all froze as we watched Freed's runes float down to create a giant skull.
"Can you hear me old man? And the rest of you better listen up too." Laxus's voice echoed from the projection and I grinned.
"Well, well, if it isn't the little fraidy cat. He had to turn us all to stone because he knew otherwise we'd kick his ass." I jeered at the projection.
"It looks like one of the rules has gone out the window, that's fine, I'll just add a new one. In other words, since I would hate to end the battle of Fairy Tail early, I've decided to activate the Thunder Palace." Laxus stated. I frowned, I had never heard of the Thunder Palace before.
"Are you out of your mind Laxus?!" Master yelled, his eyes wide. I looked at Master, judging from his reaction, whatever, the Thunder Palace was, it was bad news.
"You have one hour and ten minutes, if you think you can win, you'd better get moving. Unless you're going to hand the guild over to me now, Master." Laxus cackled as the jutsu shiki dissolved, returning to the barrier keeping Master in here.
"This game has gone on for long enough boy! I won't let you drag innocent people into this!" Master roared, then clutched at his chest and fell to the ground.
"Master, no!" Cana exclaimed as I knelt beside the old man.
"What's going on?" Lucy demanded to know.
"Is he hurt?!" Natsu panicked.
"Oh no, I'll go get his medicine!" Mira announced as she ran to the infirmary.
"Master, can you hear us?" Bisca said as she knelt next to him beside me.
"What's he mean by Thunder Palace?" Natsu asked though he spoke more softly than normal. "Come on Gramps."
"Hey, look outside you guys!" Mira yelled and pointed to a balcony door. As Natsu, Cana, and the others moved to check it out, I gently lifted Master into my arms.
"Let's get him into the infirmary." Mira stated and I nodded as I climbed the stairs, taking care not to jostle him. Mira held the door open for me and I gently laid Master on the bed, and pulled the covers up onto him. "Go check on the others, I can take it from here." Mira stated and I nodded, leaving Mira to tend to the Master.
I emerged onto the balcony to find Bisca collapsed and covered in what seemed to be burns. "What the hell happened?" I rushed over as Levy knelt beside her, trying to reawaken our gunner.
"It appears there are lightning lacrima floating around the town. They will destroy anything within them if they are activated. Bisca attempted to destroy one, but it appears to have backfired." Juvia filled me in.
"It must be body link magic." Cana spoke aloud, drawing my attention.
"Huh? What's that?" Stella asked Cana.
"It's a type of spell that's been cast on the lacrima. If you destroy one of them, then the magic energy cast in your attack will be reflected back at you." Cana explained. "In other words if we try to get rid of them, then we'll be risking our lives in the process."
"What should we do, those things could wipe out the whole town!" Levy said, hysteria began to rise in her voice.
"First of all, we need to stay calm. Then we need to divide and conquer. Laxus has to go down, then the magic his channeled into the lacrima should dissipate." I stated, drawing everyone else's attention.
"Okay, then in the meantime, I'll help the citizens evacuate." Lucy said, as she took off down the hall.
"I'll come too!" Happy stated as he took off after Lucy.
"Bickslow and Freed are still out there, be careful you two!" Cana called out as they were almost out the door.
"Watch your backs." I ordered and they paused and saluted.
"Aye sir!"
"That goes double for you two." I added as Cana and Juvia made to follow them out into the battle.
"Yes ma'am." Cana said with a grin as she and Juvia exited the balcony.
Natsu growled and leapt over the balcony, trying to force his way through the jutsu shiki.
"Stop! Just calm down." Levy pleaded with Natsu as I hefted Bisca into my arms.
"I can't calm down!" Natsu hissed as he proceeded to continue punching the barrier.
"We're never going to get out of here that way!" Levy yelled as Natsu ignored her. "It's an enchantment!" Levy said with a degree of smugness.
"Yeah thanks, we already knew that." Gajeel said gruffly, so I kicked him in the knees, since my arms were full with Bisca. "Ow, what the hell was that for?!"
"Mind your tongue, and be nice to her!" I hissed at him and he muttered to himself.
"Well, since it's a kind of script magic, I think I might be able to break the spell." Levy finished, looking pleased with her theory.
"Oh yeah?" Gajeel said, his tone betraying his interest.
"Is that possible, Levy?" I asked with a growing smile. If we could get out of here, order would be restored quickly.
"Can you do that? Really?!" Natsu yelled with urgency.
"Of course! And when I do you guys will be free to go track down Laxus!"
I nodded and left Levy to her work with Gajeel oddly attentive to her activities. I returned to the infirmary, startling Mira, who quickly turned down the sheets as I lay Bisca on the bed. Mira tucked Bisca in as I turned on my heel to go check on Levy's progress. I entered the main hall to find her muttering to Gajeel, who looked utterly bewildered, and Natsu was pressed up against the barrier, champing at the bit for a fight.
Mira emerged from the stairs a determined look on her face. "I'm going to look for Elfman." She declared and I turned to her.
"Are you sure about this Mira? If you run into Freed or Bickslow, I don't trust them not to attack you despite your lack of magic." I pressed her on the issue, I didn't want her to get hurt.
"I need to check on him. You aren't changing my mind." Mira stated firmly, her resolve clear.
I nodded, "Be careful." Mira nodded and left the guild hall, entering the Battle of Fairy Tail.
I settled into a seat, and pressed my hands together. It was only a matter of time before we were loose. And when that happens, Laxus, I'm coming for you!