Freed and Levy sat together in the guild hall going over the final details of the rune barrier Freed would be casting during the battle with Bone Crusher. Levy had brought up a good point that there needed to be more details than just "whoever is seen as an enemy cannot cross the barrier" because that would keep Bone Crusher physically away from them, but might not block his magic. They worked together to revise the spell so that it blocked specifically any one from being inside the barriers bones from breaking. Because of Levy's help, Master Makarov figured she may be needed in battle at some point if something went wrong, so she was now also going to the battle with Bone Crusher. The group was now Freed, Levy, Erza, Bickslow, Juvia and Evergreen. And whoever was meeting them there from other guilds for support.
Another detail that had been overlooked was the problem of the two female wizards Cheza and Jesy. Information on them was that they were in the Magic Council's prison still, but the wizards of Fairy Tail were preparing for them just in case they somehow were to escape.
"Well we should get going Levy, so that we can get to the location and set the rune barrier before the others arrive." Freed said, getting up from the table.
"I'm ready to go. We should probably let everyone know we are leaving." Levy sighed.
"No. We should probably just go."
Levy looked at Freed in shock, ready to argue with his logic. But she ultimately decided against it. She nodded in agreement and grabbed her things. The two wizards slipped out of the guild hall quietly and made their way to Bone Crusher's location. Hoping he didn't sense them before they could cast finish casting the rune spell.
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The dragon slayers were all together in Ember's room. In the morning, they would all be leaving Magnolia and traveling to Mt. Florencia, a large mountain with a small cultural city at it's base. This is where their enemy was. This was where a possible dragon was sitting in wait, ready to attack at any moment. It was their job to find this enemy, and defeat it. There was no confirmation that it was definitely a dragon, but all the evidence suggested it was. They could only hope that the five of them, plus the other's that would join them at the location, would hold enough power to defeat it.
"So, it's only right to assume that we will be meeting up with other dragon slayers then?" Gajeel asked.
"That's my guess." Ember shrugged.
"Sting and Rogue of Sabertooth probably." Natsu scoffed.
"And probably Cobra." Laxus added.
"Great. No sibling rivalry during this alright? We don't have the time for it!" Gajeel growled at Ember.
"I am not a child Gajeel. I don't plan on bickering with my brother if there is a freaking dragon in front of my face!" Ember snapped.
"Guys, calm down." Wendy whimpered.
"Anyways, we should probably think about strategies." Laxus said.
They all looked at each other, measuring their team mates up in their minds. Lightning. Iron. Fire. Air. Darkness. Each dragon slayer was unique in their abilities. Each one a serious threat to any enemy if they used their powers the right way. And each one of them possibly terrifying if they were to utilize Dragon Force.
"Ember, what exactly is your dragon slayer magic? Specifically?" Wendy asked.
"I don't know, really. It's dangerous I know that. I won't be using it unless completely necessary." Ember said.
"You've gotta be shittin me?" Gajeel shouted.
"Listen, you've seen my dad right? Acnologia? HE taught me what I know. Think about it." Ember growled.
"Whatever. Excuses." Gajeel huffed.
"Anyways I think Unison Raids and Dragon Force are our best bets here." Laxus said.
"Agreed." Everyone else said in unison.
"So let's talk strategy then."
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The rising sun bathed the city of Magnolia in it's brilliant light. The birds sang their happy morning songs, the leaves on the trees dancing along in the summer breeze. It was a beautiful day, but for the Fairy Tail wizards despite the sun shining it was gloomy. This was the morning they would see off two teams of their wizards to epic battles. Battles they may not come back from, or at the very least not come back the same. The guild members were hugging, kissing, crying, wishing each other good luck. Some farewells harder than others.
Gray stood in front of Juvia, his hands in his pockets and his eyes turned towards the ground. She had her hands clasped behind her back, a sad but also determined look on her face. She knew that Gray wanted to go, and as much as she wanted to fight alongside him she was glad he was staying at the guild. She just couldn't think of seeing him laying in sick bay injured again, staring at the ceiling and worried he would never be able to use his ice-make magic the same way again. She would get revenge for him. She would defeat the wizard that made him feel such pain.
"Gray, Juvia will win." She said in a low voice. He looked her in the eyes.
"I have faith in you. Just come back in one piece alright?" Gray said in a serious and firm voice. She nodded at him and went to turn away.
Gray grabbed Juvia's wrist and she stopped. He hesitated for a moment but then he pulled her into a hug. Her cheeks turned red and her lips curled into a smile. She hugged him back. She would come back in one piece. She would come back to her Gray, no matter what. He released the hug and cleared his throat, just as Erza was walking over to them. She was all armored up and ready for battle, her flowing red hair blowing behind her in the breeze.
"I would hug you Gray, but I will save that for when I get home." Erza smiled.
"Sounds good to me." Gray smiled back.
Ember held Evergreen's hands in her own, smiling at her friend. Bickslow and Laxus stood beside them and gave each other a manly nod. Ember and Laxus had wanted to wish Freed luck, but he had already left the day before with Levy. Gajeel hadn't been happy about this and stood off to the side with his arms crossed not saying anything to anyone. Ember was scared for her friends, but Laxus had reassured her that the Thunder Legion was a force to be reckoned with. She had faith in them, but that didn't erase the fear she felt in her heart. She had gone against Bone Crusher. She knew what he was capable of.
"I have to go say goodbye to Elfman. Be safe Ember, Laxus. We will celebrate immensely when we all return." Evergreen said with a smirk.
"Of course. You guys be safe too." Ember smiled. The girls hugged each other.
"Bickslow, get our friends back home safe. I'm counting on you." Laxus said, slapping Bickslow on the back.
"Me and my babies will take care of everything Laxus! Don't you worry!" Bickslow laughed.
"Don't worry! Don't worry!" his demonic babies repeated after him.
Evergreen turned and ran to Elfman. Bickslow walked over to Erza and Juvia signalling that he was ready to go, his Babies right behind him. Ember looked at Laxus with a sad face and grabbed his hand. He squeezed her hand and smiled at her, letting her know that he was there, and that everything would be alright.
"Wendy, I know you will beat this dragon. You and Natsu are going to kick so much ass!" Romeo cheered.
"Watch your mouth!" Macao snapped.
"Sorry dad." Romeo giggled, his cheeks blushing.
"We totally will though!" Wendy smiled, Carla at her side.
Romeo looked at Wendy shyly and shuffled his feet. She blushed. Macao watched the two kids, his heart warming at their innocence and resolve. He loved seeing his son smile like that. And he didn't want that smile to go away. He prayed in his mind that all his guild mates came home safely, so that his sons smile didn't disappear again.
Lisanna held onto Natsu and cried into his shoulder. He just kept smiling and reassuring her that she had nothing to worry about, that he was going to come back, no matter what. He wasn't afraid of any dragon, because he was a dragon! His carefree attitude made Lisanna giggle and she finally let him go. She knew that no matter how hard she hugged him, that he still had to leave. There was no stopping it.
"I'll see you when you get back." She chirped.
"You got it!" Natsu smiled wide.
Lucy walked up to them. She couldn't shake the sadness that she felt. Not only because she was scared that Natsu wouldn't come back, but because she had seen the way things had changed between him and Lisanna. Her heart was breaking in her chest, and she didn't know how to deal with it. And to make it worse, she had to say goodbye to Natsu, not knowing what was going to happen. She was so used to going on missions with him, not saying goodbye to him as he went off on a dangerous one without her.
"Lucy…." Natsu sighed.
"Come back alright. I don't know what I will do if you don't come back." Lucy whimpered.
Tears started to stream down her face, and her shoulders shuddered with her soft sobs. Natsu walked over to her and grabbed her into a hug, kissing her hair. He squeezed her. This was his best friend. He had always been there for Lucy, and her there for him. He didn't plan on not being there for her anytime soon.
"You know me better than that. I'm all fired up!" Natsu laughed. Lucy started to giggle and Natsu let her go. He knew she would be okay.
The two groups stood together, looking at the guild mates they were leaving behind. They waved and blew kisses, shouted things to each other. The crowd parted and Master Makarov and Mira came through. They looked at the teams, pride in their eyes and sorrow in their hearts.
"Good luck guys! See you when you get back!" Mira chirped, giving them all a huge smile.
"Now go do what Fairy Tail does best my children. Win." Makarov said. He held his arm up towards the sky, one finger pointing up and his thumb out, making the shape of an L in the air. Everyone else followed his lead, raising their hands to the sky and pointing to the heavens.
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Freed and Levy stood inside the protective barrier waiting for their comrades. They knew they were close, because they could sense them. They could also sense other magical power close by. Dark magic power. They were on the defense, Levy studying their surroundings down to every detail, Freed's hand on his sword ready to pull it out if he needed it. Luckily they were able to cast the barriers spell without any interruptions. This had shocked them and also made them feel uneasy. They knew their enemy was close by and wondered why they hadn't shown themselves yet.
The forms of their friends were now in their view and they smiled. They were getting closer to battle, which meant closer to going home. Within a few moments Erza, Juvia, Evergreen and Bickslow were within the barrier with them. All of them looked determined and ready to fight. All of them ready to win.
"No interruptions while casting your runes, Freed?" Erza asked. She could see the purple runes glittering in the sunlight, hovering in the air.
"No surprisingly. It makes me suspicious." Freed said.
"Mmm yes. That is rather suspicious, but good luck all the same." Erza smiled.
"I guess we just sit and wait for him to make a move then." Evergreen shrugged.
"Yes. Don't get impatient and go outside the barrier, that's probably what he wants." Erza said.
"Of course that's what he wants!" A voice said from behind them.
The Fairy Tail wizards turned around. They had company. Their help had arrived. Joining them in the rune barrier was three other wizards. Lyon of Lamia Scale, a powerful ice-make wizard and Gray's childhood friend and rival made his presence known. With him was Jellal and Racer of Crime Sorciere. Erza and Jellal hugged happily, even if they were reuniting for a battle it was still a chance to see each other. And this they would not complain about. Lyon greeted Juvia with a cordial bow, showering her with compliments of her beauty. She blushed at his affections, but could only think of Gray.
"Well, where is this guy?" Lyon said, running his hand through his spiky silver hair.
"Close." Freed said, looking at the land around them.
"Wow I hate mountains." Ember sighed, trying to catch her breath.
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The dragon slayers had been hiking up the side of Mount Florencia for what felt like days, but had only really been close to an hour. They were almost to the top when they reached a clearing with a huge cave mouth, no light inside to be seen. Standing by the cave stood three figures. As they got closer they recognized who the people were. Standing close together to one side was Sting and Rogue of Sabertooth. Sting was the White Dragon Slayer, his spiked hair as yellow as the sun, and his exceed Lector at his feet. Rogue, the Shadow Dragon Slayer had eyes the color of spilt blood and hair that fell in front of his face as dark as midnight. In his arms was Frosch, an exceed dressed as a frog. Cobra was also there, but he stood alone.
"Wow, eight dragon slayers!" Wendy chirped.
"This is going to be one hell of a fight!" Natsu cheered.
"Hey, long time no see Fairy Tail!" Sting said with a smile. Lector and Frosch waved.
"I should have figured it would be you guys that would be meeting us." Laxus said.
The dragon slayers stood in a group now. Eight of them in total. All of them fully capable of harnessing their elements in a fight. If they could all work as a team, there was no way they could lose against any enemy. Not even a dragon. Ember had a passing thought that this group may even be able to defeat her dad, Acnologia. And better yet, the man who created her, Zeref.
"So, who is this chick? Never seen her before." Rogue asked.
"Frosch too!" the little exceed called from his arms.
"This is Ember. She's a dragon slayer like the rest of us, first generation." Gajeel said.
"Yeah! Her dad is Acnologia!" Natsu hooted with a giant grin.
"What?" Rogue and Sting exclaimed.
"Let's not dwell on such details shall we." Laxus huffed.
Sting and Rogue looked at Ember with untrusting eyes. She could sense their uncertainty about her. She could even smell the little bit of fear they had. But she would prove in this fight whose side she was on. She would defend her guild and her friends, no matter what it took. It didn't matter to her if two dragon slayers from a different guild didn't trust her, or even like her. As long as they put as much effort into the fight as everyone else. Cobra went up to Ember cautiously. She looked at him through the corner of her eye, but refused to directly look at him.
"I came to see you after your fight with Bone Crusher. I'm sorry I had to leave before you woke up." He said with a sigh.
"I know you came. Thank you." She responded. But she still didn't look at him. He took the hint and left her alone.
"So where is this enemy?" Gajeel asked, looking around.
"We were thinking inside the cave, deep inside, which would be why we can't smell him. But that's our best guess." Rogue explained.
"So you guys definitely think it is a dragon?" Laxus asked.
"Yes." Sting, Rogue, and Cobra all said at once.
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Everything was calm, and then all at once it wasn't. An arrow shot into the barrier and into the ground in front of Levy. She looked down at it just as it exploded, throwing her onto the ground. Jellal and Erza rushed to her and helped her up, Erza drawing her sword. Freed had his sword drawn and stood next to Lyon, his hands at his side ready to make anything out of ice that could help defend them. Or attack. Juvia stood by Racer towards the back. They knew why they were here. They were foot soldiers. If any one had to leave the barrier, it would be them. Juvia, her body water, could avoid any breaking of bones. And Racer moved so fast that there was no way Bone Crusher's magic could have an effect, because he had to be able to see the bones breaking in his mind. If he couldn't see his victim, he couldn't break their bones. Evergreen and bickslow took up defense close to Levy.
Another arrow came, but this time Freed cut it in half with his sword before it could land anywhere. The arrow fell to the ground in two pieces, and melted into the Earth. They could hear laughter, and three figures walked out from the shadows of the forest. Bone Crusher, and on either side of him was Jesy with her bow and arrows, and Cheza in her seductive clothes. The wizards had been prepared for the event of Cheza and Jesy escaping prison. They just didn't think it would have been accomplished so soon. But the two female wizards stood right before their eyes.
"Great. They did escape." Erza growled.
"We were prepared for this. Don't let it shake you." Jellal said to her with a smile. She nodded.
Their three enemies approached them, but stopped about ten feet from the barrier. They were not stupid, they knew it was there. They had been watching. But this barrier didn't bother them, in their mind they were the superior wizards. Cheza shot a forceful blast at the group, and it hit Evergreen. She was almost blown out of the barrier but caught her footing in time. She knew that the second she was out of the protective spell's range, her bones would snap. And she was not going to let that happen. She shot a shower of retaliating glittering bombs at Cheza, but she dodged it. Bickslow sent his babies out of the barrier and after Cheza. They attacked her and she fell to the ground with a cry. She shot Bickslow a dirty look and sent a blast at him, he dodged.
"If her blasts hit you, it will knock you out of the barrier, so do your best to dodge them!" Jellal shouted at his comrades.
"So she's the first one we should take out then?" Lyon smirked, ice forming in his hands. "Ice-make tiger!"
A giant tiger made of ice exploded into creation and rushed at Cheza. She turned onto her back just as the tiger was bearing down on her and blasted it into a million pieces. Lyon gritted his teeth. Jesy loaded her bow with an arrow and shot it at Levy.
"SHIELD!" Levy yelled, the word shield appearing in front of her in solid script and blocking the attack.
Erza re-quipped her armor to Fire Empress. She sent a fire attack at Jesy but she dodged it while at the same time sending another arrow at them, this time directed at Erza. Erza blocked it with her weapon and sent more fire at Jesy, but again it missed. She re-quipped into Lightning Empress armor and sent a strong bolt of lightning at her. This time it hit. Jesy screamed as her body jolted with the electricity and fell to the ground groaning.
"Jesy!" Cheza yelled. Her eyes lit up with anger and she got back to her feet. Bone Crusher stood back, not attacking or defending, letting his girls do the fighting for him.
Racer took this as an open opportunity. He disappeared in the blink of an eye and then quickly reappeared behind Bone Crusher, landing a punch to the back of his head. Then he was back inside the barrier as if he had never even left. Bone Crusher stumbled forward, touching the back of his head confused. He hadn't seen anything and had no idea where the blow had come from. This made him angry, but he still didn't make any moves to attack.
Jesy started to move. She was weak and slow, but she had enough energy in her to shoot one more arrow. She decided on the one that makes every nerve ending in the body feel like it is burning. She shot it at her enemies and then fell back to the ground. The arrow hit Bickslow in the leg and he fell to his knees howling in pain. Evergreen ran to him and pulled the arrow out, hoping that her assumption that if the arrow wasn't piercing you then it's effects would go away. Luckily she was right. Bickslow thanked her and got back on his feet. He took off his helmet, his eyes glowing green.
Everyone made sure to not look in Bickslows direction, knowing that if they made eye contact that he would be able to control their soul. Even if they were not his enemies, they didn't want to risk it. Bone Crusher, not knowing of Bickslow's power instinctively looked him in the eyes at the sight of them glowing. Bickslow laughed, he had him. He made Bone Crusher turn to Jesy, and forced him to break all the bones in her legs and arms. If she had been unconscious she wasn't now. Her screams caused everyone to cover their ears, they echoed through the forest. Cheza yelled for her sister, tears streaming down her face.
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The dragon slayers all looked at the cave entrance at the same time. They could smell him. They could feel his magic. He was coming.
The ground started to shake under their feet, rocks loosening themselves from the mountain and raining down on them. They used their arms as shields against the falling rocks. As the beast got closer to the mouth of the cave it's smell got stronger. The ground shook with more force. The dragon slayers braced themselves, not knowing exactly what they would see come out of the cave. It came out all at once, towering over them like a mountain itself. It was slim, and muscular, and huge. It's scales were the color of fertile soil, it's eyes the color of freshly bloomed leaves. The wings on it's back had patterns that looked like the rings of a tree when you cut it open. In front of them, with razor sharp teeth and claws was an Earth dragon. A living, breathing, dragon.
"You gotta be shitting me! It's a real fucking dragon!" Laxus gasped.
"No kidding!" Gajeel said in shock.
"Don't just sit there and stare! ATTACK IT!" Natsu shouted.
His fists engulfed in flames, Natsu ran at the dragon. He launched himself in the air and went for it's face. The dragon turned with such quickness for it's size that it caught everyone off guard. It's tail knocked Natsu right out of the air, and he slammed to the ground with such force that it created a small crater. He got up and brushed himself off, running to attack. The dragons tail side swiped him again, it's speed still catching him off guard. He flew threw the air and right into Sting, sending them both tumbling.
Gajeel turned his arm into an iron sword and ran at the dragon. As it swiped it's tail Gajeel swung his arm, the sword landing a hit but not causing much damage. The dragons scales were to hard. Gajeel fell to the ground and landed on his feet. Ember took her scythe off her back and sent a Hell Fire attack at the dragon. The dragon couldn't dodge the flames, and they hit, but the beast didn't even flinch. It's roars hurt their ears, but they wouldn't back down.
"Cobra and Laxus, I'll use my magic to support you!" Wendy called out.
Laxus and Cobra got ready to attack, poison and lightning engulfing their bodies. Wendy stood behind them, using her Sky magic to both propel them forward and power up their attack strength. They slammed into the dragon, sparks flying and poison spreading over it's scales. Happy and Pantherlily flew to them and caught them in the air, carrying them to the ground so they would land gently. Natsu and Sting were back on their feet.
"Sting, you and Rogue can use Dragon Force willingly. Do a unison raid!" Natsu said. Sting nodded and ran to Rogue.
The twin dragon slayers of Sabertooth initiated Dragon Force. Sting was bathed in a holy white light, snow white markings striping his face, arms and stomach. Rogue became engulfed in shadows, black swirls up and down his arms, black stripes on his face. They merged their power, light and shadow mixing together and a wonderful dance.
"SHADOW DRAGON…" Rogue yelled.
"WHITE DRAGON…." Sting shouted.
"ROAR!" They both cried out together.
A pillow of blinding white light and void black shadows swirled towards the Earth dragon. The dragon roared, it's mouth sending out a force of wind, almost knocking it's attackers onto their backs. The unison raid of Sting and Rogue's dragon roar attacks made a direct hit, and for once there was some damage. The dragon was pushed backwards leaving deep tracks in the ground. It shook off the attack, but it had left it's mark. Sting and Rogue fell to their knees. They had put everything they had into that Unison Raid, but the dragon wasn't anywhere close to being defeated.
The dragon slayers had to think hard about what they were going to do next. They were down two team mates. The dragon was still immensely strong. They had to work together, and they had to attack with everything they had. They needed a strategy. If everyone was down and out of magic power at once, it would be the end of them.
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Cheza stood up, her knees shaking. She looked at her enemies. One of them would get their bones broken, she would make sure of it. She would avenge her sister for the dirty trick they had pulled. Bone Crusher was no longer under Bickslow's control, but the damage was done. Jesy was unconscious and not feeling any more pain. But she was dying. Bone Crusher was ready to break bones. He didn't care who's, as long as it was one of the brats he was fighting.
"They are going to attack." Erza said to her team mates.
"We're ready." Lyon nodded.
Cheza straightened her body out and closed her eyes. Her magic power began to flow around her, blowing her long blonde hair around as if she was in a wind tunnel. The wizards inside the barrier balked. She had not shown this much power at any time during the fight. She was stronger than she had let on. The only thing they could do was prepare for her attack, and defend against it.
It looked as if Cheza was summoning her power directly from the Earth. The aura of magic around her got bigger and bigger. She was putting everything she had into this attack. She knew that she would be down for awhile after, but that didn't matter to her. She would knock one of them out of the barrier. At least one. She sent her attack at them, the force so strong it warped the world around it. It crossed the barrier and hit three wizards at once. Erza, Evergreen, and Lyon went flying.
Jellal jumped at Erza and wrapped his arms around her, both of them falling to the ground before they reached the other side of the barrier. Evergreen and Lyon flew past the barrier and into open territory. The second Evergreen crossed the Bone Crusher got her. She screamed in pain as the bones in her arms and legs broke, just like what had happened to Jesy. She fell to the ground unconscious and limp, but still breathing.
Juvia and Racer ran out of the barrier to get their comrades. Racer grabbed Evergreen and returned her to the safety of the barrier, setting her to the ground gently and sitting down next to her, resting her head on his lap. Juvia grabbed Lyon, but she wasn't fast enough to totally avoid the Bone Crusher. Just before they could cross the barriers threshold Lyon screamed in pain as his wrists broke. He dropped to the ground once he was safe and tears burst from his eyes. Juvia knelt beside him and put her arm around him. She felt pain in her heart. Lyon was suffering the same exact injury that Gray had suffered. And it would effect him the same exact way.
Cheza smiled at them. Her attack had been a success. She dropped to her knees and laughed. They couldn't escape. If they left their barrier their bones would snap into pieces. All she had to do was wait. She would be able to power up again, and when she could, she would knock more of them out of the barrier. And she would laugh along to the sound of their insides shattering.
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No matter how many attacks they landed, the dragon was still standing. They were beginning to doubt their power, and their strength. What was the point of being a dragon slayer if they couldn't slay a dragon? The fact that their confidence was wavering was becoming obvious. Their attacks got slower. They began to run out of breath. Emotions were the strength behind all magic power, and their current emotions were bringing them down instead of propelling them forward. If they kept fighting in this state they would all eventually end up on the ground depleted of energy. And they would fail.
Wendy fell to the ground out of breath. Carla flying to her aid. She looked around her at her friends. Tears burned in her eyes. She didn't know what to do. Her magic was running low, and her friends were losing confidence. Sting and Rogue were still down, no way of their magic power replenishing itself anytime soon. They needed rest. But so far their Unison Raid had been the most effective. Cobra and Natsu were still attacking relentlessly. Neither fire nor poison currently having much effect on the Earth Dragon. Cobra had even gone into Dragon Force, his hands taloned purple scaled claws. His claws left slices in the dragons scales, but they were to small for enough poison to have much of an effect. Gajeel had already gone into Dragon Force a long time ago, but now he laid on the ground depleted of magic power. His metallic scales slowly going back to normal human skin.
"Carla, maybe if I can use enough Sky magic to force one of the others into Dragon Force." Wendy suggested.
"Could that work?" Carla asked.
"Maybe. I was told to not heal anyone because it was a waste of my powers in this battle, but maybe I can do that. I have to help them."
"Which one of them? Natsu, Laxus, or Ember?"
"I don't know. Maybe Laxus. Ember would hate me if I did that to her. And Natsu's emotions will eventually get the best of him and make him stronger."
"Then do it."
Wendy stood up. She tilted her head towards the sky and sucked in the fresh mountain air, her belly bloating. When she had her fill she concentrated all her power onto Laxus. She hovered off the ground in a whirlwind, her blue hair swirling around her face. Laxus started to feel himself change. He let out a scream, his muscles bulging and his shirt ripping right off his body. A barrier of lightning burst around him as the skin on his arms turned into scales. Ember was thrown onto the ground by the sheer force of his power. Cobra and Natsu looked over their shoulders as they attacked the dragon.
The dragon started to flap it's wings and rise off the ground. Natsu and Cobra jumped back and shielded themselves from the wind that came from the force of the flapping wings. The dragon hovered above them, roaring and making their bones vibrate.
"The dragon is going to attack!" Natsu shouted.
"Laxus! Ember!" Cobra yelled.
Laxus stood at his full height, his eyes brilliant beacons of light. The lightning around him grew, the light from it blinding to everyones eyes. With an earth shattering cry he sent a full powered Thunder Dragon Roar at the dragon in the sky. A blinding pillar of lightning brighter than the sun shooting full force forward. The attack hit the dragon and it let out a pain filled roar. It fell to the ground with explosive force. Dirt and rocks shot up into the air in a gigantic cloud. The ground shook and cracked, the mountain itself quaking.
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"Is she going to be okay?" Levy whimpered.
"We need to end this battle fast in order to get her back to the guild. I don't know how long she can last in this state." Erza said, her fists shaking.
Evergreen was still unconscious and on the ground, Racer still supporting her head with his lap. Lyon had stopped screaming from his pain and had gone numb. There was nothing more he could do with his wrists broken, he was out of this fight. Juvia sat on the ground next to him, hoping her presence at least gave him comfort. Freed and Bickslow's anger flowed off of them in waves. They wanted to take down Bone Crusher, but they knew they couldn't leave the barrier because it wouldn't help anyone, and they would just end up like Evergreen. But seeing their team mate, and fellow member of the Thunder Legion in this state, made them seethe. Jellal sighed heavily, not having any ideas.
Erza re-quipped into her most beloved and famous armor, Heavens Wheel. Silver wings spread out from her back, and the sun reflected off of the many panels of this incredible armor. One by one multiple swords popped into existence behind her, their points facing her enemy, Bone Crusher. She walked forward to the edge of the rune barrier. No one made a sound. Bone Crusher just watched, curiosity on his face. No one spoke, they just watched.
"Dance my blades. CIRCLE SWORD ATTACK!" She cried out.
The swords shot forward in a frenzy, headed directly at Bone Crusher. His eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. Everyone stopped breathing. There was a flash of light and dirt flew into the air creating a cloud. When the dust settled they expected to see Bone Crusher on the ground, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"W-What?" Erza gasped.
"WHOOPS YOU MISSED!"
They all looked up to see Bone Crusher falling back to the ground. He had dodged the attack and all the swords by jumping into the air at the right moment, and none of them had seen it. Erza grinded her teeth and her knuckles turned white with the pressure of squeezing her hands so tightly into fists. Jellal was in shock. He looked at Erza, but she would not look away from Bone Crusher.
"Erza. Juvia has an idea." Juvia said from the back of the group.
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Laxus fell to his knees. He had no idea how he had gone into Dragon Force, but he was glad to see that his attack had an effect on the dragon. Natsu and Cobra gave each other a high five. They had taken down a dragon! Sting, Rogue and Gajeel smiled. Ember winked at Wendy and reattached her scythe to her back. Wendy was proud. Not only of herself, but of her team mates. They had all done so well.
Then the dragon started to move. Everyone gasped in horror. They had gotten cocky, and too ahead of themselves. Now they were down to Natsu, Cobra, and Ember. Laxus had used everything he had, and Wendy has done the same by forcing him to use all his power at once. Genuine fear passed from one dragon slayer to the other as the Earth dragon stood back up onto it's feet.
Cobra launched himself at the dragon surrounded by a cloud of poison. The dragon lifted one clawed talon and swiped him right out of the air, sending him to the ground. He hit the ground hard, rolling and tumbling in a cloud of dirt and rocks. Ember ran to him and dropped down to her knees beside her brother.
"Cobra! No!" She cried.
"I'm….I'm okay. Don't worry about me." He smiled, and then he passed out. She made sure he was still breathing and when she realized he was got to her feet. Natsu ran over.
"Ember! What the hell do we do now?" He asked.
"We have to beat it. We have no choice. Are you ready for this Natsu?" Ember asked.
He smiled wide and they bumped their fists together. They turned to the dragon, mentally preparing themselves to go at it with all they had. Ember grabbed her scythe and was beginning to summon the power of Nunu and transform herself into the hellhound form Natsu had seen when they battled Jesy and Cheza together, when the dragon started preparing to attack. They got ready to defend or dodge the attack, but it wasn't them the dragon was after. An Earth dragon roar of wind, rock, and dirt flew in a pillar directly at Laxus.
"NO!" Ember shouted and lunged herself towards Laxus, not caring about the dragons attack.
The attack blew the earth apart around them. Debri flew everywhere, causing everyone to shield themselves. They coughed as they tried to breath in the dirty air. The dragon slayers all looked to Laxus, hoping that he was still in one piece.
"Ember! Laxus!" Natsu yelled running over to them.
Laxus opened his eyes. Ember was on top of him. She had shielded him from the attack. They were surrounded by a bright blue light, tendrils of black shadows curling towards the sky. Her face and arms were covered in the same blue markings Laxus remembered seeing on Acnologia. Her eyes were all blacked out. She lifted herself off of him and stood up. Natsu stopped running and skidded to a stop. Wendy grabbed Carla into a hug. Sting, Rogue and Gajeel looked at her in awe, their hands shaking. She had gone into Dragon Force.
"E-Ember?" Natsu stammered. She turned to him.
"I've had enough. This ends now." She said.