Natsu struggled to his feet, a shadow over his eyes. The pink haired teen started to growl lowly before letting out a loud roar.
"What the hell?" Gray exclaimed, giving his friend a weird look as everyone gathered their bearings- Ichiya and Jura helping them.
"Lucy, give me your belt," Erza said, wrapping the leather strap tightly around her arm. "I can still fight. Cut my arm off,"
"What?!"
"You can't be serious!"
"I'll do it," Leon picked up Erza's blade, walking to the redhead. He raised the blade, everyone shouting their protests, when Gray got in his way.
"Do you care so little about her life?" Leon asked his younger brother. Before Gray could respond, Charla spoke.
"Wendy can save her,"
Everyone turned to look at the white cat. They were even more surprised when Natsu spoke.
"Listen to Charla. Wendy's got sky magic. It's basically a kind of lost healing magic- She's one of the strongest healers I know. And she's got practice with getting rid of poisons like this," Natsu crossed his arms.
"So in other words," Leon began.
"We have one goal," Hibiki continued.
"To rescue Wendy," Eve said, determination on his face.
"In order to save Erza," Gray nodded.
"And Happy too!" Lucy fisted her hands
"Alright!" Natsu exclaimed. "Let's do this!"
"Are you okay?" Erik rumbled quietly, not even turning to look at her. Wendy, tears in her eyes, squirmed and thrashed about as much as she could with Happy in her arms.
"Gee, Erik-nii! Take a guess! I-I'm terrified! Grandpa never should've sent me on this mission! What do they want me for Erik? I don't want to die!" She snarled, tears pooling out of her eyes and Erik wanted to sink his fangs into Brain's neck.
"I don't know, hatchling. But you know the second any of them try to hurt you or Natsu I'll screw this whole operation. I won't let them hurt you," Erik replied. Wendy shakily wiped at her tears, wanting to be strong.
"I would advise against planning anything, Cobra," Brain said suddenly. "If you wish for your friend to live, I suggest you stop talking to the Sky Sorceress,"
Erik went rigid and nodded, walking ahead so as to distance himself from his baby sister.
o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o
"Erik wouldn't let them hurt Wendy and Happy, right?" Charla asked as she flew beside Natsu.
"No. But he's not exactly doing all of this willingly, so I honestly have no idea what he'll be able to do in her defense,"
"Which means we must get there fast!" Charla nodded, determined.
o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o
"What is it?" Natsu asked, face grim.
Wendy was on his back, drained but otherwise okay, while Happy flew beside Carla. Oracion Seis had taken the youngest Dragon Slayer for her healing magic, so she would raise a dark mage from the dead.
Jellal.
"When I was little," She whispered, arms tightening around Natsu. "After separating. I- I got lost. I started crying, and I was scared. But this boy, I think he was Gajeel-nii's age at the time. He was kind, and looked after me. We traveled together for a long time. But something changed, he said something about an Anima. I knew we would be separating- I still wanted to get stronger, and he had his own thing to do. He dropped me off at Cate Shelter and I never saw him again," Wendy squeezed her eyes shut, tears leaking from them. "And that boy was Jellal! But I don't get it? His smell was completely different, and his demeanor, and everything! I'm sorry, Natsu-nii, I didn't- I thought,"
"It's okay," He growled in Draconic, though his eyes narrowed. "This isn't your fault Wendy, I would never blame you. No one would,"
"But I-"
"Death is a scent all on its own, Wendy," Natsu cut her off, "Even still, you haven't reached maturity yet, so your sense of smell isn't extremely good- like Gajeel's-"
"I don't think anybody would get Gajeel's sense of smell," Wendy giggled.
Natsu smirked. "Right? But even still- there was no way you could've known this Jellal wasn't the same as the one who helped you, especially with Death coming off him in waves,"
Wendy leaned her head against Natsu. The rest of their walk back to where the others were was in silence.