It's official: I can no longer keep up with the manga. I'm now PRE-CH408. Sorry!
With that said, I cannot, in good faith, withhold the other half of my very evil cliffhanger from two chapters ago. I just realized I've been writing this fic for over a year. Holy hell. A ton of words. A ton of reviews. I hadn't stopped to realize that until today. It's very humbling and I have all of you to thank, from the bottom of my busy little heart. I can't believe my little ten chapter story has morphed into this. Please, continue to give me your thoughts and encouragement, as always. It's what makes the story go 'round. Again, thank you all so very very much.
Sidenote: I was amused by those of you who responded to my question about what kind of FT mage you would be. For me, I'd be more like Levy or Wendy. I'm more of a support person.
~OoOoO~
It had all happened so quickly.
Yet, it felt like she had moved in slow motion.
Natsu, in his arrogance, had not ensured that his opponent had been properly disabled. The ape-like creature made its comeback, finding Taurus' axe and intending to maul the two mages. Now it towered over Natsu, ready to strike. The blade rose up. It came down. Its intended victim was Natsu, who was stupidly grinning at Lucy. Lucy was staring at the monster. The monster was trying to kill Natsu.
Yet, despite that knowledge, Lucy was unable to relay what as occurring behind the dragon slayer's back. It was as if time had slowed, allowing her a brief moment to collect her thoughts before she acted. Every event ensuing moved in the same sluggish manner, yet it happened so quickly.
"Luce?" Natsu suspiciously grunted, seeing the fear in Lucy's eyes. To him, it was unthinkable that something may have been behind him—that he may not have tied up his loose ends.
Without a word, Lucy stretched her fingers, curling them around his proffered hand and yanking with all the force she could muster. Natsu yelled as he toppled forward from the force with which she pulled him toward her.
"What're you doin?" he wailed, his arms flailing as he fell next to her. His jaw hit the cobblestone surface, sending a flash of pain up the side of his face.
"Watch out!" Lucy cried as she bent her knees, pushing him away with a swift kick from both feet.
Natsu rolled from the momentum, his eyes bulging from his head as the giant blade imbedded in the ground between them. He could see his reflection in the blade and his breath fogged the shiny surface. His gaze flickered up to Lucy's face, her warm chocolate eyes were round with fear as her chest heaved with each breath. As quickly as the axe had been brought down, it was plucked from the ground. Natsu's eyes darted to the source of the attack, muttering profanities under his breath as he saw the creature he thought he had destroyed minutes earlier.
"You've got to be kidding me!" he hissed, his expression growing dark as he pushed himself onto his knees.
"Not the time to be joking!" Lucy yelped, jumping to her feet, "Get up, dammit, or you'll be sliced to pieces!"
The monster roared at its near hit, its dark eyes glaring at them as its mouth opened to reveal the sharp teeth. The axe was once again ready to descend upon them, the monster easily capable of the necessary force behind the blow. From the corner of her eye, Lucy could see Natsu's elbows bursting into flames.
"Wait," she pleaded, "It's Taurus' axe!"
"So?" he grunted, the familiar scales replacing his own skin.
"I'm not so sure your Dragon Scales can hold up against a Celestial Spirit weapon," she confided, her eyes on the monster as she backed away cautiously.
Natsu remained silent as he tried to think about whether this could be true. "You're just sayin' that!"
"No, I'm not!" Lucy hissed, her anger growing. Every muscle in her body ached.
Before Natsu could open his mouth to reply, a loud scream interrupted their argument. Lucy's eyes darted toward the source, quickly spying the girl running toward them, her arms waving frantically.
"Miki!" Lucy breathed, though her relief was short-lived.
"What the-" Natsu growled, his eyes widening slightly as he saw her approach.
"Nooooo!" Miki screamed as she ran at full speed toward their opponent.
Despite the racket, the monster did not notice the mage clamoring toward him. Perhaps that was to Miki's advantage, Lucy suspected. With acrobatic ease, Miki leaped up, grabbing onto the axe handle with both hands. The ape stumbled backward from the newly added weight. He looked around, confused, as his two enemies were standing before him. Miki used her garnered momentum to swing on the thick wood like she were a child on a tree branch. She launched herself up and over the handle, bending her hips and knees to best accomplish this task. Her feet silently and smoothly landed on the handle as she crouched low, her hand gripping the wood for balance. Her feet remained firmly planted on the thick surface.
"What are you doing?" Lucy yelled as the monster attempted to look over its shoulder, "Where's Pii-chan?"
"He's safe," she quickly answered, releasing her grip as she lithely flung her arms out to her sides for balance, "And I'm helping you, duh! I told you I'd return with help!"
"How is she going to help?" Natsu muttered under his breath, taking a step forward in anticipation.
Lucy recognized the determined edge in Miki's voice, and she understood the desire to be of help in this gruesome battle. She reacted by reaching out and grabbing onto Natsu' arm, her eyes on the monster and Miki as she spoke from the corner of her mouth.
"Don't. You. Dare."
"She can't handle it," the dragon slayer practically pouted, his eyes darting toward their enemy as he recognized Lucy's you'd-better-listen-to-me-or-I'll-maim-you voice.
"Let her do the best she can," Lucy pleaded, seeing a bit of herself in Miki's determination, "If she's going to get hurt, we'll step in."
We'll? Natsu watched her briefly, his lips drawn into a tight line as he turned back toward the chaos in front of them. He did not know Miki well, but he could tell that it was important to Lucy to remove himself from the battle. Momentarily. Despite his often aloof mannerisms, he understood what it was like to desire to have a purpose in all that was going on. It all boiled down to one thing: pride. Right now, Miki's pride was on the line, as was Lucy's, though the latter's more vicariously.
"She has one minute, I'm not waiting for her to get hurt," he softly mumbled.
Lucy watched in awe as Miki slammed a foot down on the axe handle. Once. Twice. The third time, a loud cracking noise announced the split, the blade falling to the ground with a heavy thud. The loss of weight caused the monster to stumble forward as Miki ran down the handle length, arms away from her body as she leaped onto its shoulders. It roared in anger as it tried to beat at itself with the remains of the axe handle. Miki dodged with ease, dancing around its head. The display was both beautiful and terrifying, the girl nearly having her head knocked off by the furious creature.
"I'll kill you," it snarled, managing to catch Miki by surprise.
The handle hit her in the stomach, and she folded over it as the monster swung away from its body. The brunette quickly lowered herself, dangling on the axe's remains. Like before, she used her body as a pendulum, the momentum allowing her to forcefully kick out with her foot, catching the creature in the jaw. Lucy heard the cracking of bones, quite surprised by the force the small mage was able to muster. There must be some reason why she was called the Demon Princess by other guild members. From what Lucy could see, the girl was highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and the blonde felt a twinge of jealousy at that notion. Lucy gasped as the monster released the handle, howling in anger and pain as it stumbled backward, falling onto its rump. Miki's movements were planned, and she followed the creature' descent. She landed a hard kick to its chest, her feet dancing up its breast as she planted her feet on its shoulders. She launched herself into a backflip of sorts, both feet hitting the mosnter in the jowls as its head jerked backward from the impact. Its skull slammed off the ground, and Miki nimbly landed beside it, crouching down and pulling on its helmet. Lucy stared in awe as the mage easily dodged the monster's crushing blows with its massive hands.
"She's good," Natsu murmured to himself, looking somewhat impressed. "You should take pointers, Luce!"
"Miki! What're you doing? Get away from it!" Lucy screamed, ignoring Natsu's comment as she was beginning to fear the monster's newfound rage. What is she trying to accomplish?
"I c-cant!" she called back, ducking under a heavy swing. She used the monster's hand as a pivot, spinning around and kicking it square in its nose. The metal bent from her blow, and the monster howled, "I told you, I brought help! Still need to do something!"
Help? Lucy repeated to herself as she looked around. Natsu was crouched and readying to attack, no doubt counting down his last ten seconds. But...there was no one else but them!
She was about to argue that point, but Miki wrapped her arms around the monster's neck, squeezing as she planted a foot on its shoulder, helping her to pull on the metal armor. Her opponent tried to push itself up, then choosing to try to roll over, neither of which proved effective as the girl twisted her body to maintain her pressure. The move left her vulnerable, and the monster swatted at her with heavy hands. She endured the attacks, her body jerking around as she continued to tug on the massive metal helmet. Finally, the creature succeeded in grabbing the girl, howling as he throttled her over his head.
"Miki!" Lucy screamed as the girl tumbled toward her, rolling head over heel, the helmet tucked against her body. The object was nearly as large as Miki.
To Lucy's surprise, the mage stealthily leaped to her feet, cradling the headgear in her hands, her eyes on the creature as her tongue snaked out to lick the cut on her lip. With a glint in her eyes that Lucy had never seen before, Miki tossed the helmet away. It bounced along the ground, her eyes never leaving the creature's face. Lucy gasped as she saw the melted flesh on the monster's head and face. Had the heat of Natsu's flames on the helmet done that? The creature pushed itself up, its eyes wild with fury as it searched for the trio. Without hesitation, Natsu took off toward the enemy, his right fist drawn back as his entire body burst into flames.
"Wait, no-!" Miki yelled, turning to look around her.
"There's no one here!" Lucy replied, concerned that the "help" Miki spoke of had fallen.
"This ends NOW!" Natsu called out, ignoring any pleas that may have been shouted, "Dragon's -".
"Dammit, why can't he be patient?" Miki rasped, her eyes narrowing as Natsu took over. "I warned him."
"Warned him about wha-" Lucy began, the whistling sound interrupting her.
Natsu must have heard it too, because he began to wave his arms out at his sides in an attempt to slow himself. He slid along the ground, head snapping around as the monster roared, throwing its arms up as it pushed itself onto its bowed legs. The sounds were unfamiliar yet unmistakable: gun shots. The sickening resonance of metal burying itself into flesh met Lucy's ears, and she saw the movement from the corner of her eye. The monster staggered, its body jerking from the impact. Its hands reached up to its neck. Another shot. Another jerk.
"'Bout time," Miki nodded in satisfaction as she watched the monster sway from the impact. She turned to look over her shoulder, nodding.
"Who? How?" Lucy croaked, her eyes bulging from her head at the gruesome attack. She hadn't been expecting that. There were only two people in the guild capable or such magic...
She followed Miki's gaze, finding the gunslinger steadying himself on one knee, one eye squeezed shut while the other focused through the scope. His gun jerked as he shot for a third time. Lucy spun around, completely unprepared for the last shot. Her eyes darted to the gushing hole in the monster's neck. It bubbled as the monster gurgled for a breath, its fingers sliding over the slippery, bloody skin. Her eyes followed the inevitable path to the two entry wounds on the creature's head. The last shot had hit the monster squarely in the center of his brow, blowing off the top of its skull. The bone cap skittered across the ground as the ape's eyes rolled up into its head. Blood dribbled from its nostrils as well as the wound under its right eye. Its mouth fell open, though Lucy wasn't sure if it was from shock or muscle laxity. She stifled a scream, nearly gagging from its gruesome demise as the creature collapsed onto its side. It hit hard, the ground shaking from the impact. Convulsions rocked its body as the monster died where it laid.
"Gross," Miki muttered as Lucy tried to suppress her wails, "Serves it right for attacking this guild." Lucy felt nauseous at Miki's morose attitude. Apparently, though, Natsu wasn't prepared for it, either.
"He—he..." Natsu's eyes were wide, his chest spattered with dark fluid and bits of flesh and other gore as he staggered a few steps to his right. His face was a shade of puce Lucy had never seen.
The spirit mage spun around, frantic. "Alzack! You can't be here! Master told you to leave! What about Bisca?"
Miki nodded, understanding Lucy's concern. Alzack's face was a blank slate as he stood, his gun lowering to his side. "You know Bisca," the corners of his mouth twitched, "She wouldn't just leave peacefully, so Master Makarov gave me this."
Lucy noticed the colorful mat at his feet. Her brow creased in confusion."What's that?"
"Welcome Mat," Miki responded matter-of-factly, "Only one of 'em in the world. Go figure that Master Makarov would have it."
Lucy stared at him, her expression blank; she obviously didn't get it. Miki smirked as she nodded to Alzack, "You gonna explain this quickly?"
"It allows me to teleport," the gunslinger explained, "I had used it to help Miki when she ran into some trouble after leaving you." His eyes darted to Miki, who remained silent, "And she asked me to help, so I did. Though, I will admit I didn't run after her, I used the mat. I need to be careful...like you said..."
"Do you ever," Miki whistled, "Though it cost ya."
Lucy was beginning to catch on, "There's a limit to how much you can use it?"
Alzack nodded, his hat casting a shadow over his face, "There is. About three times per twenty four hour cycle." He chewed his lip, looking sheepish, "Looks like I used up my time."
"Good," Lucy nodded, her brow furrowed.
"Good?" Alzack repeated cautiously as he angled his head.
"You need to get back to your wife-your child!" Lucy yelled, her anger rising. "How could you be so irresponsible?"
Alzack looked hurt at her outburst, but he knew that she was right, "I was lucky. I'm just glad I could help, Lucy."
"Don't let it happen again!" Lucy warned, her fist clenching. The move was not missed by Alzack or Miki, the latter snorting.
"Roger that," he replied softly, lowering his head so that his hat shadowed his smile. "I gotta get back to Bisca. My wife."
He stepped back onto the mat, his eyes darting to Natsu, who had turned ashen as he took notice of the blood and guts caked to his vest. Profanities flew from his mouth as he barely registered Alzack's presence.
"Thank you," Lucy whispered, her eyes on the dragon slayer as well. Despite thinking the gunslinger needed the reprimanding, she knew he was well aware of the risk he had been taking. She felt mildly guilty for rubbing that in. He had saved them, after all.
Alzack's eyes widened, though he quickly recovered. "Bisca would kill me if she knew I let you come to harm. She thinks of you as a close friend, Lucy. If we have a girl...we were going to name her...Lucia."
This time, it was Lucy's turn to be surprised. Her mouth dropped open. Before she could respond, Alzack quickly muttered, "Home." He disappeared before Lucy could say any more, leaving the spirit mage to stare at the spot where he had just been standing, dumbfounded by his confession.
"L-Lucia?" she stuttered.
"Yup, that's what he said," Miki scratched her head, noticing the scrapes on her elbows for the first time, "Oooh, these sting!" She turned to stare at the motionless body of the creature they had just killed.
Lucy followed her gaze, only to find Natsu dancing around, his arms frantically flailing about in hopes of dislodging some of the remains on his vest. When his approached failed, he opted to remove his vest, using the inside to wipe the caked blood from his chest. Lucy spied his scarf on the ground, picking it up and dusting it off. She walked over to him, quickly tying it around his neck. He said nothing, staring at her as she did so. When she was done, she stood there, returning his questioning look.
"Luce?" his voice was soft, "You OK?"
"I'm OK," she whispered back, realizing how close his half-naked body had truly been.
"Whoa, you two," Miki muttered under her breath, awkwardly shifting on her feet.
Lucy blinked, only partly hearing what Miki had mumbled. "We should get going. We need to find the others!" The sound of explosions and screams were becoming too frequent, and Lucy's stomach sank as she thought of their comrades being hurt.
"Right!" Natsu nodded, turning around and eyeing the town.
Lucy quickly decided what direction she wanted to go, turning on heel to run. She yelped in surprise as she was yanked backward by a strong grip on her wrist. "What the-"
"Where do you think you're going?" Natsu's eyes were narrowed. If she didn't know him better, she would have said that he was almost hurt by her near abandonment.
"I'm going that way," she explained, pointing. "That's where most of the noise is coming from."
"I'm going with her," Miki agreed, cracking her knuckles and stretching her arms.
"You're not going alone," Natsu growled, "Don't even think about it."
"I don't need a babysitter," Lucy protested, tugging her wrist from his fingers. She absentmindedly rubbed the joint.
"Babysitter?" his drew back. "Is that what this is all about? You're angry because I tried to fight that monster?" He pointed at the body on the ground, "I told you what he did—who he hurt!"
Lucy looked away, her anger rising once again, "You just don't get it, do you?"
"No, I don't, so why don't you explain it to me," Natsu scoffed, his features hardening.
"I don't need you to protect me, dammit!" she yelled. "I'm tired of being your little baggage. I'm tired of you always having to watch over me. I'm tired of-"
"You're not my baggage," he softly interrupted her, confusion on his face.
Lucy's eyes grew wide as she clamped her mouth shut. She had said too much, "I'm sorry. I'm just tired," she whispered, tears springing to her eyes. "I didn't meant it."
Miki was standing there, feeling more awkward than before. She wrung her hands as she stared at the ground, wishing she was anywhere else. Natsu studied Lucy's face for some time, saying nothing though his eyes showed his pain. Lucy hadn't intended to snap at him like that, but she was stressed, weary, and emotional. They were in the middle of a war, and their friends were dying.
"We have more important things to worry about," she cleared her throat, "if we are gonna go, we need to do it now. We have to help the others."
"Right!" Miki threw her arm up into the air, nearly knocking herself off balance, excited that they were discussing anything but the goings on of Lucy and Natsu.
Natsu nodded slowly, his eyes leaving her face as he gestured, "Lead the way."
Lucy smiled, though the action was strained. She brushed past him, quickly breaking into a run toward the Main Hall. She never looked back as they left their enemy's body where it lay. Despite the creature's ill intent, she said a silent prayer for it. It was the least she could do.
Maybe somewhere, someone was saying a prayer for her.
Erza panted, the tip of her sword dragging on the ground as she gripped her side. She had managed to dodge a fatal crushing blow though her armor had not fared so well against the monster's horned tail. She watched the two-headed creature from under her hair, her non-magical eye closed. Her back hit something familiar.
"You alright?" she gasped, drawing her hand away as she looked at the blood on her fingers. The wound wasn't deep, but it stung like hell.
"I'm getting overwhelmed here," Evergreen hissed. A second monster was facing her, causing the two women to huddle together, their backs to one another. She, unlike the others, was immune to their petrifying gaze, "Any suggestions?"
Erza shook her head, though Evergreen wouldn't hear the gesture. She quickly changed armors, instantly gearing herself in her full-bodied yellow armor. She held the Lance of Haja at her side as she balled her other fist. It had been awhile since she had worn this armor. Her rationale for summoning it was that if she were fighting dark magic, perhaps a weapon and armor suited to deal with such would be effective. At least, that's what she hoped. So far, the monsters had been immune to elemental-based attacks, though she couldn't quite figure out why. She could hear Evergreen chuckle.
"Eh?" Erza asked over her shoulder, her armor too bulky for the movement.
"Seems ironic we are fighting side-by-side, no? Especially after our last encounter with one another..." Evergreen spoke, her face turned away, "To think, this is how I may very well die."
"Funny," Erza replied, her eye ahead, "Even then, I didn't think you were a quitter."
"Quitter?" the brunette replied softly, as if the thought never occurred to her. "I never said I was going to quit!"
With a few choice words, she threw her glasses aside, her eyes closed as she listened to the creature before her gnash its two sets of jaws. It was about twenty feet tall, much larger than its pups that it had running around the town—the same ones she and Fried had been easily able to eliminate. Her stomach sank as she glanced to her right, finding him slumped over and unconscious.
I'm sorry, Fried. Please forgive me! I had no choice! she silently spoke to him. She had opted to knock him out with her own petrification as opposed to allowing him to be turned to stone by the creatures surrounding them. She had a feeling that that transformation was not reversible. The others were restored when the smaller two-headed creatures were killed, but she wasn't so sure that the larger ones would use such weak magic. Fried would have been a liability, where she and Erza could withstand the monsters' gazes.
At least this I can fix! she sighed, realizing that she was going to have to do better than dodging attacks and relying on an exhausted Erza to fend off the two larger beasts. Well, four if you count the two heads.
"I wonder," she conjectured, "if we kill one head, instead of focusing on the bodies like we have been, if that'll incapacitate these damned things."
Erza said nothing, and Evergreen felt foolish for even suggesting it. "Nevermind-"
"We have nothing else to go by. It may work..." the red-head offered, lifting her lance off of the cobblestone. "Ready? We'll fight together!"
A tight smile pulled at Evergreen's lips. She had always scoffed at Erza's name, Titania. But now, in all of her glory, she realized that no one else could use that name. It wouldn't be fitting.
"Right," Evergreen focused forward, her eyes glowing without her glasses to suppress her powers.
Erza screamed as her arm drew back, ready to unleash her attack. Evergreen flew high, her wings carrying her weight with ease. She threw dust at the creature, causing it to step back as the foreign particles sprinkled in its eyes. She gasped out of curiosity as the idea suddenly came to her.
"Ignite!"
The creature howled, rolling over and clawing at its faces as the dust exploded. When the attack resolved, the creatures' eyes were no more. That's it! It's practically harmless without that gaze!
"Erza!" Evergreen yelled over her shoulder, "I figured it out!"
Erza turned, caught off guard as Evergreen called her name. Her eye flickered to the creature writhing on the ground. The move was costly, as the monster she had been fighting raised its spiked tail, ready to bring it down on Erza.
"No!" Evergreen cried, her wings launching her in Erza's directions.
She didn't slow as she barreled toward the armored mage, her toes skimming the ground as she broke into a run. She lowered her shoulder, slamming into the red-head and knocking her aside. Erza howled in pain as she slid across the ground, gaining her bearings and stopping herself as she crouched low. Evergreen remained standing, her back to Erza as the uninjured creature lowered its head, hissing at the brunette before it.
"Evergreen!" Erza called out, confused by what had just taken place.
Evergreen turned her head slightly, "Don't worry about me! Just kill that one off, will you?"
Erza turned to find the large creature gnashing its jaws at the air around it, tail whipping wildly in its sudden blindness. Whatever Evergreen had done, she had managed to eliminate its petrifying abilities. Ezra opened her non-magical eye as she leaped high, her lance spinning in her hand. With a feral scream, she threw it down, aiming at the creature's chest. With amazing speed, the lance hit its mark, causing the creature to squeal in pain. The body writhed around the lance, which had imbedded into the earth beneath the creature's body. It squirmed some more, its frantic movements slowly dying down to minor twitches. Erza quickly pulled her lance from the beast's thorax, leaping back as it disintegrated into a pile of dust. An explosion behind her caused her to quickly change her focus. Evergreen stood, her right arm out in front of her as the dust she had laid exploded. Using the same tactic as the first time, she had managed to blind the second creature.
"Help," the brunette called weakly as she jerked her head to indicate for Erza to eliminate that beast as well.
Erza nodded, her arm cocking back and releasing the spear a second time. The monster was knocked backward from the force of impact, screeching in pain as its body slid along the ragged stone surface. Both heads shook ferociously as its limbs flailed in an unmenacing manner. She stood for a few moments, staring at the pile of dust that had just recently caused her so much grief. She was surprised at how easily she had been able to eliminate the two monsters with Evergreen's help.
"Seems we have figured out-" Erza began. She stopped when she saw Evergreen unsteadily walking toward Fried's body, her back to the armored mage.
"Evergreen?" Erza asked softly, noticing the spattered blood on the stone. She saw the large spike, covered in fresh blood rolling along the ground. Bright red fingerprints littered its length. "Evergreen!"
The brunette ignored her, picking up her glasses and stumbling over to Fried's petrified body. She dropped to her knees in front of it, her trembling hands cupping the stone cheeks. The statue's eye were open and its expression stern.
Erza repeated the mage's name a third time. Evergreen did not look at her, only whispering as she studied the petrified man before her, "I'm sorry, Titania."
Erza narrowed her eyes, noticing the fresh blood on Evergreen's lap, "You're injured! We need to get you back to the Great Hall. We'll find Wendy-"
"It's no good," Evergreen rasped, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. Erza's eyes widened when she saw the gaping hole in Evergreen's chest. "It won't help. Too late."
"You don't know that!" Erza could feel the panic rising in her throat, "We have to at least-"
"Enough," Evergreen interrupted once again, gasping for each breath as she looked at Erza. She smiled sadly, her teeth stained with blood, "I want you to tell him that I have always loved him. I would have followed him anywhere...I was...too afraid to tell him myself."
She turned back to Fried's body, her hands still tenderly cupping either cheek. She leaned in and softly kissed the granite lips, her blood staining the gray stone. She held her forehead against it for some time, her breathing becoming more ragged as her chest heaved with each attempt.
"Release," she whispered, leaning back.
Erza remained silent, watching as the stone slowly creep away, leaving a confused Fried blinking at the bright sunlight that was ironically greeting him. His face lost all color as he saw Evergreen slump back on her heels.
"Evergreen?" he whispered, unaware of the blood on his face. She smiled at him, swaying slightly as she attempted to support herself. Erza was quickly at her side, supporting the injured mage as she placed firm hands on the woman's shoulders.
"What happened?" Fried asked, his eyes wide with the panic that Erza was feeling.
The read head was feeling nauseous as she managed to get a good look at the raw wound on Evergreen's chest. She could see the broken ribs and breastbone against the dark backdrop of her blood and torn muscles. The hole spurted with each heart beat, the warm blood running down the brunette's chest.
"I'll be fine, I just need to lay down," Evergreen softly answered, "I'm so sleepy."
"No, don't lay down!" Fried was becoming hysterical, his voice shrill with fear. He put his hands over the gaping hole in her chest, pushing on the wound to stop the loss of blood, "We need to stop it. Erza! Get help!"
Erza looked helpless, unsure of what to do, "I can't just leave you two, it's too dangerous!"
"GET HELP!" Fried screamed, tears in his eyes. "We can't let her die!"
"I'm not going to die, silly," Evergreen whispered, her mouth stained with blood as her head slumped to her chest. Erza helped lay her on the ground, her back against the stone, "I'm just going to sleep and wait for my Prince Charming...to kiss me and awaken me from this...dream."
Fried was growing frantic, his eyes wild as he looked at Erza, "If she dies, I'll blame you!"
"I can't leave you, you'll both die!" Erza hissed back in equal frustration.
"I wonder...when they tell tales of me...what will they call me, Titania?" Evergreen's eyes were glazing over, her pupils rapidly changing in size as the shock began to set in and she began to shiver. Erza's gaze flickered to the woman as she called her name. She softly pushed the hair from Evergreen's eyes.
"They will talk about the true...Fairy Queen. Brave Mab fought until the end," tears slipped down her cheeks as Fried stifled a sob with a bloody fist.
Evergreen nodded her head, her lids growing heavy, "I like that...Mab..."
"Much stronger than Titania," Fried chimed in, his voice wavering as he squeezed his eyes shut and silently allowed the sob to shudder through his body.
Evergreen's eyes closed, a faint smile on her lips as she wordlessly repeated the name one last time. Fried collapsed over her, his body shaking as he cried. Erza silently mourned. She could no longer see the rise and fall of Evergreen's chest and knew the woman had succumbed to death. She was wracked with the guilt of knowing that Evergreen had saved her from a deadly blow. She should be laying here, not Evergreen!
"She wanted me to tell you she loved you," Erza's voice broke as she looked away, her tears running freely, "She said she would have followed you anywhere."
Fried's eyes were wide as he lifted his head to look at Erza. The red-head couldn't bring herself return his look, closing her eyes to avoid the pain in his teary stare. Her own guilt was tearing her apart.
"It's my fault," she murmured, "She tried to protect me. She-" Erza turned back to Fried, this time prepared to meet his questioning look, though she was met with none. "What are you doing?"
He was leaning back, script swirling from his forefinger as his lips swiftly moved as he softly murmured. Erza watched in shock as the area around Evergreen's body was confined by the glowing script.
"Fried?" Erza whispered, unsure of what to make of the odd display.
"Time Script," he confirmed, his eyes narrowing as he looked over his work, "I stopped time inside the confines of this script."
"How will this help?" Erza's eyes wandered over the peaceful expression on Evergreen's face.
A grim smile spread across his lips, "Something she said. Since we were kids, she was always obsessed with fairy tales. Princesses and princes, queens—so I'm taking a page from her book! I'll preserve her in time." Fried stood, the script coffin floating with him as he waved his hand upward, "I'm going to save her, until Wendy or someone can do something for her."
"Wendy's magic doesn't work—" Erza began, thinking back to the Blue Pegasus members and Adie.
"We don't know what her magic will and won't work on at this point!" Fried argued, "And I can't just not do something! She's our comrade. She's my friend! She's—"
"I understand," Erza stood as well, wincing in pain at the sudden movement.
"We have to at least see..." the green-haired mage trailed off, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
Erza watched him as his gaze danced over Evergreen's still body. Maybe Fried was right. There was no way to tell if anything could have been done. Perhaps there was a way to help her, still. Erza knew that Wendy had revived Jellal at one point, so maybe she could do something. Perhaps Evergreen's wound were different than the others; not totally encompassed by dark magic...
Jellal! Erza's head swung around as she sensed the familiar presence. He's here? No.
"What is it? Erza?" Fried asked, his eyes narrowed.
"N-Nothing," she replied, shaking her head. Her throat was constricting at the memories that flooded her mind. "We need to get her to safety. We'll find Wendy!"
"Right!" he replied, "I'm going to the hall, that's where Makarov told us to regroup. Ready?"
She had never teleported before, but she trusted him. She looked over her shoulder, still disturbed by the familiar presence though she was unsure if it were the result of wishful thinking. She brushed off the odd feeling of nostalgia, squaring her shoulders as she looked him in the eye.
"Lead the way."
.