Thunder Palace

The gap that Natsu tore in the barrier promptly closed itself, but the sight of the event still left everyone astounded.

"That's some power," Makarov said. Gajeel stared jealously after Natsu.

"Erza told me about that power!" Happy said, "With that, Natsu can beat Laxus no problem!"

"You're forgetting something," Gajeel said.

"What?" Happy asked.

"Salamander doesn't know where Laxus is."

"Aye! That's right!" Happy said, "He's going to be going all over the place!"

"That doesn't matter," Makarov said, "Natsu will be able to find Laxus eventually, and when he does, he may finally have the power to defeat him!"

(with Natsu)

Natsu actually wasn't going after Laxus just yet. HIs first priority was making sure was Lucy was safe, and as long as she was still a statue, she wouldn't be safe.

So with that in mind, Natsu followed his nose to where Erza was. He remembered who the Master had told Erza to go after.

"Evergreen," Natsu growled, as he flapped his fire wings.

(with Erza)

Erza and Evergreen watched the fiery form of Natsu flew through the air.

"I thought he was trapped behind Freed's barrier!" Evergreen said, "How'd he get out?" Erza remembered the Tower of Heaven, and how Natsu had managed to defeat Jellal using that power.

"How he got out doesn't matter!" Erza said, "What does matter, is that he's going to beat Laxus!"

"Don't make me laugh!" Evergreen yelled, "You mean to tell me Natsu is going to defeat Laxus! You know that's impossible!"

"Don't you underestimate Natsu," Erza said, pointing a sword at her, "But it doesn't matter. What matters right now is you and me!" With that, she jumped at Evergreen.

"Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!" Evergreen said, waving her fan, sending blasts of magic at Erza, who deflected them all with her swords. She then balanced on her hands, summoning up another two swords in her feet. With that, she twisted her body around, as she deflected all the attacks.

"Then try this!" Evergreen said, holding up her hands, "Fairy Beam: Pixy!" There was a massive concentration of Fairy Dust, as Evergreen's strongest attack was blasted straight at Erza. However, Erza didn't flinch as she spun around, and cut right through the dust.

"Nice try," she said sarcastically.

"Wha…," was all Evergreen could muscle out, before Erza threw the two swords on her feet. Unable to react in time, Evergreen suddenly found herself pinned against the wall. Erza took a breath, as she wiped her brow, not putting down her swords.

"You're insufferable," she said as she approached her defeated opponent, "But a member of Fairy Tail nonetheless." Evergreen just glowered at Erza stubbornly.

"Oh quit with that glare!" Erza as she slapped Evergreen upside the head, "I didn't ask for that title. Hell, I don't even know who gave it to me. If you want it, knock yourself out."

"Why you!" Evergreen cried, now completely enraged.

"I defeated you in combat," Erza said, "Now turn the others back to normal!"

"Never!" Evergreen said, "If I'm to free them, then you must beg at my feet naked! If you don't, then I'll turn the girls to dust here and now!" Erza blinked, before rolling her eyes. You're such a child she thought, as she got ready to equip into an armor to intimidate Evergreen into doing it.

That was when the ceiling exploded, and as the women looked up, they could hear an angry roar.

"Evergreen!" Natsu shouted as he dropped to the ground. Evergreen let out a scream, as Natsu pinned her to the ground by her throat. Erza gasped. She'd seen Natsu angry, but this anger was unlike anything she had seen before. It was as if Natsu's anger had completely consumed him.

"Turn Lucy back!" Natsu growled to the pinned Evergreen, squeezing her throat. All Evergreen could do in response was croak. That was enough Erza decided, this wasn't Natsu.

"Natsu!" Erza yelled. The sound of Erza yelling made Natsu look over his shoulder, and he saw Erza standing there, staring him down. Erza looked into his eyes, and that was when she saw it. A huge, serpentine shape cloaked in fire, with massive glowing eyes. Erza shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"Let her go!" she ordered, "You're better than this!" Natsu looked at Erza before letting out a breath of hot air, and stepping back.

"Turn Lucy back," he repeated.

"Y… yes sir," a dazed Evergreen said.

(at Fairy Tail)

"Ah!" Lucy said as she was freed, "What?"

The men and cat turned, as all the girls were turned to normal.

"What happened?" Levy asked.

"Where is everyone?" Bisca asked.

"Lucy!" Happy cried as he dove into Lucy's arms.

"Happy?" Lucy asked.

"Well done!" Makarov said happily, as he noticed the runes change, but the smile soon faded as it changed to read Natsu vs Erza.

(with Natsu and Erza)

"They're all free," Natsu said as he stepped back from Evergreen, "I can feel it." He then began to walk away.

"Natsu!" Erza called.

"What?" Natsu asked, turning to his friend.

"What you did just now," Erza said firmly, "That wasn't you. No matter what, Evergreen is our comrade, and you wouldn't do this to one of our comrades." Natsu was silent, as he looked at the unconscious Evergreen, and then at his hand. He clenched his fist, knowing Erza was right.

"I know," he said, "But right now, I'm off to find Laxus. I'm going to beat him!" Erza nodded in agreement.

"I'll do the same," she said, as she re-quipped into her Heart Kruez armor. As Natsu was walking, he abruptly stopped.

"What is it?" Erza asked. Natsu held out his hand, and touched a barrier.

"One of Freed's enchantments?" Erza cried out. She knew this what this meant. I have to fight Natsu she thought. Now the two of them had brawled before, but this fight would be different.

"Natsu…," she began, but stopped when she saw Natsu grab at the barrier, his hands cloaked with fire. With a roar, Natsu tore the barrier apart. Erza watched in amazement as Natsu created his fire wings, and flapped into the air.

(with Laxus)

Laxus angrily smashed his fist against a column.

"Damn Evergreen!" he said angrily, "That damn weakling!"

"You probably should've sent me or Bixlow instead," Freed said as he approached Laxus, "Evergreen isn't strong enough for Erza." Laxus turned towards Freed, glaring at him.

"You said your enchainments are absolute," he growled.

"Yes they are," Freed said with a nod.

"Then care to tell me why Natsu is out and about?" Laxus growled. That caught Freed off guard.

"That's… that's not possible," Freed said, "No one can break my barriers!"

"And yet Natsu's running amok!" Laxus yelled angrily. Freed shook, before taking a breath.

"Well, the game's over isn't?" he asked, "With the girls all free, the Master won't do anything now?"

His response was a blast of lightning that only narrowly missed him.

"In case that didn't make things clear," Laxus said darkly, "Things are far from over, not while I'm still standing. And if you're not up for this, then piss off, I don't need weaklings in Fairy Tail!" Freed just stepped back, and did not pursue the issue any further..

(at Fairy Tail)

"The Battle of Fairy Tail?" Lucy asked.

"Never thought Laxus would pull a stunt like that," Cana said.

"And to be kept hostage like that," Levy said, "I feel bad for that."

"Don't worry yourself about that," Bisca said, "It's not our fault Laxus was being more of a dick than usual."

"You should've seen Natsu!" Happy said, flying up, "He was crying out 'Lucy!' 'Lucy!' 'Lucy!' again and again!" All eyes immediately fell to a crimson faced Lucy.

"No!" she said quickly, waving her hands, "You must've misheard him!"

"Lucy!" Mirajane said, giving Lucy a hug, "Why didn't you tell me you and Natsu were a couple? I would have made you something special for you anniversary!"

"We're not a couple!" Lucy said quickly.

"Yeah girl, I believe you completely," Cana said sarcastically with a grin. Juvia grabbed Lucy's hands.

"Now that she's not Juvia's love rival, Lucy and Juvia can be friends!" she said happily.

"Calm down all of you!" Makarov instructed, "You can discuss Lucy's romantic exploits later, but we need to keep our heads on straight. Now that you're all free, Laxus' leverage is gone, that means its over."

"Good thing Natsu isn't here," Bisca said, "He'd probably want to keep fighting."

"That's probably a forgone conclusion," Cana said, "Though he probably isn't going to stop till he gets at Laxus."

"But he'll get hurt if he does that!" Mirajane said worriedly.

"Don't be so sure," Happy said, "He ripped through Freed's barrier like it was nothing, and then he made dragon wings out of fire and flew away. He may actually be able to beat him."

"Don't be so sure cat!" Suddenly, the barrier turned black, as a skull appeared on it. The same symbol appeared in runes surrounding the group.

"What is this?" Gajeel demanded.

"It seems one of the rules is out the window," Laxus voice said, "So I guess it would be best that I made a new one!"

"Laxus!" Makarov roared, "What more is there to do!"

"There is always more to do!" It wasn't certain that Laxus heard that, but that was the response.

"I'm hereby enacting Thunder Palace! You've got an hour and ten minutes!" Laxus said, before the symbols faded.

"Thunder Palace!" Makarov echoed, before roaring, "That's insane boy! You'll drag the townspeople into this!" Suddenly, he doubled over, grabbing his chest.

"Master!" Mirajane cried out.

"What's wrong?" Lucy asked.

"He needs his medicine!" Mirajane said, hurrying to the infirmary.

"Hang in their Master!" Levy said, bending down.

"Of all the times for this to happen!" Bisca said frustratedly.

"What is this, Thunder Palace?" Gajeel demanded.

"How should we know?" Cana answered.

"I think I might know!" Mirajane called, "Everyone come to the roof!"

After taking the Master to the infirmary, they all assembled on the roof.

"Oh my god," Lucy whispered, which probably summed up everyone else's reaction.

Ringing the entire town, were multiple lacrima orbs, each one sparking with electricity.

"Lighting Lacrima, right?" Levy asked.

"What are they doing here?" Juvia asked.

"I think I'm starting to understand this 'Thunder Palace'," Cana said narrowing her eyes, "If Fairy Tail is the center, than when the time runs out, the lighting will strike the entire town!"

"Hell if I'm letting that happen!" Bisca declared, as she summoned up her sniper rifle take aim. With a single shot, she blasted one away.

"Nice shot!" Lucy said.

"I'll take care of all of them!" Bisca said, as she got ready to take another shot. However, as she was aiming up, a lightning bolt struck down, hitting her directly.

"Bisca!" Levy cried. The gun mage fell to the ground unconscious.

"I knew it!" Gajeel said, looking up, clenching his teeth, "That was way too easy!"

"So you mean to tell us that those things will strike anyone who tries to take them down?" Cana said.

"That's cheating!" Happy said angrily.

"There's nothing left to do now!" Cana said, "We've got to go find Laxus and take him down ourselves!" She and the rest of the remaining girls charged out of the guild hall, save for Levy, who was tending to Bisca.

"Damn it!" Gajeel said angrily, butting his head against the barrier, standing on the edge of the roof, "Salamander is out there fighting, showing me up! Let me out so I can kick his ass!" Levy said at Gajeel's antics.

"I've got an idea!" she said, raising her hand. Gajeel turned to look at her.

"Letter Magic is my speciality!" Levy said with a thumbs up, "I'll see if I can rewrite the runes, and let us pass!"

(with Laxus)

The Thunder Palace? Freed thought, Must we really go so far?

"What are you still doing here?" Laxus demanded, "Go out and help Bixlow mop up the ones remaining! The old man's resting his hopes on Erza, Mystogan, and Natsu, I'll beat all three of them! You and Bixlow kill the girls."

"Kill?" Freed asked in surprised.

"I don't like being repeated," Laxus hissed.

"Of course, its just must we kill them?" Freed said, clenching his fist, "They're still…"

"Are you questioning me?!" Laxus yelled at Freed, "I said kill them!" Freed stared at Laxus, before letting his head fall in submission.

"Yes," he said, "We've come this far, its too late to turn back!" With that, his body dissipated into runes, and he floated away.

(with Natsu)

Natsu flew around the Lightning Lacrima, examining them.

"I wonder what these are for?" he wondered, "Maybe the Master's doing something special?" Natsu, being Natsu, decided to do his default means of learning about something: setting it on fire. He breathed fire on it, only for it to shatter and blast him with lighting.

Natsu briefly tumbled down, before flapping his wings, and regaining his equilibrium. He noticed that the lighting didn't do as much damage as it normally did. Perhaps it had something to do with Dragon's Eye.

"Laxus," Natsu growled, now understanding what these things were. He then beat his wings again, and resumed his search.

Note: Really? Two or three reviews per chapter? Come on people, reviewing isn't hard! Its the least you can do for me!

With that out of the way, now that Laxus has deployed the Thunder Palace, it seems the game is changing, but if that weren't enough, we're starting to see a new side of Natsu. Something tells me it has something to do with Dragon's Eye.