Chapter 9: Final Conflict
Natsu was the first to see the cloud of smoke rising from where the guild was. He didn't say anything. He just stared. It didn't take long for Grey and the others to notice as well.
"What the hell happened?" Grey asked.
"I don't know but we better act quickly." Laxus turned to his thunder legion. "Keep an eye on Mist."
Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen nodded in unison as Natsu, Grey, Lucy and Laxus ran towards the guild.
"Please let Erza be okay." Lucy thought as she ran.
As her Flight Armor began to crack, Erza contemplated her life with the guild. She requiped into her Robe of Yuen and began taking out the thugs left and right.
"I've spent the better years of my life in this guild."
The robe began to come apart and Erza could feel her veins growing more and more polluted by the dark magic coursing through her. She fought trough the pain and requiped into her Morning Star armor.
"I've made friends who I would gladly give my life for."
She took out 20 more thugs before her armor cracked once again. She requiped into her Armadura Fairy armor and knocked what thugs remained off their feet. The only one standing was the ring leader.
"So it's true." He said. "The once great Titania has been afflicted with Armor Rot. How sad."
Erza tried to say something but the pain silenced her.
"Won't be long before you die." The Ringleader teased.
"Then I will spend the final moments of my life fighting for Fairy Tail!" Erza charged at the Ringleader with all her might. She swung her sword at him but he blocked it with his staff. The Ringleader thrust his staff into Erza's stomach .
"Crystal Light Explosion."
The following blast sent Erza flying into the nearby town fountain. By then, very little of her armor remained.
"Requip!
Erza, now wearing her Sea Empress Armor, rushed toward the Ringleader. Every vein in her body was on fire and she felt like she would pass out any second but she couldn't give up now. Not when her guild was in danger.
"I have no regrets."
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
Natsu punched the Ringleader in the head, sending the man flying back into the guild.
"Nastu?"
Another wave of pain enveloped Erza as her Sea Empress Armor cracked. Lucy ran to her side.
"I'll take care of Erza. You take that jerk out!" She yelled.
"Right!" Natsu rushed toward the Ringleader just as he was getting up.
"Crystal Light Explosion!"
Natsu dodged the attack by jumping into the air where he launched a Fire Dragon Roar at the Ringleader. The Ringleader avoided the attack only to get frozen in place by Grey.
"Ice Make Hammer!"
Grey hit the Ringleader over the head, knocking him to the floor.
"Crystal Light Spiral!"
The light attack sent Natsu and Grey flying but as the Ringleader turned to get away, he saw Laxus blocking his path.
"Lighting Dragon Roar!" Laxus blasted the man with sheer lighting. He fell back to the floor, unconscious.
"Thanks for the save Laxus." Grey said. Natsu just mumbled.
The trio went back to Erza and Lucy. Erza was now wearing a long green dress from the Celestial world and Lucy was patching her up. Her veins were dark purple.
"We don't have much time." Lucy whimpered. "We have to get her to Mist now!
"Right. I'll carry her." Natsu said as he lifted Erza up. Erza was slowing losing consciousness but as she faded in and out she could see the blackend Ringleader walking toward the group, staff raised.
"Crystal Lig-"
"Requip!"
Erza summoned a sword which she sent flying toward the Ringleader. It sliced through his staff like butter and the man was so shocked he couldn't move, giving Natsu enough time to knock him out with a punch.
"Erza!" He said. "Don't worry. We have the cure. Just hang on a little longer.
"N-Natsu." Was all Erza managed to say before everything went black.