"In order to wipe the Tower of Heaven off the face of this world...to prevent Jellal from using the R-System!" Siegrain exclaimed as he continued to try and convince his fellow council members, "Aside from using Etherion, we have no other options!"
The Councilmembers of Era were in a heated discussion as they were trying to prevent the use of the R-System with the Etherion
"The R-System is a forbidden Magic that must be erased from the annals of history." Ultear chimed in, crossing her arms over her chest, "I think we all understand the implications here."
As Ultear watched the council members yell and bicker, she rested her head on her hand and let her mind wander.
"Siegrain, using Etherion would mean destroying that tower completely. That includes any possible innocent bystanders. Every living thing in that tower will be incinerated." Bleuno explained.
"Elder Bleuno! It will go down to the history that our country committed the crime!" Org exclaimed angrily.
"Yes! We can't attack the land of Ka Elm without provocation!" Hogg exclaimed, supporting Org.
"Then we will have to sacrifice ourselves as well," Belno said, stunning most of her fellow council members. One cannot return from the dead. These foolish children must understand and cherish the value of life. I see no other way around it. I approve the use of Etherion."
"What?!" Org roared, as he slammed his staff down, "I can't believe what I'm hearing! Especially from you Belno!"
"It's almost as if we're walking into a trap..." Yajima thought, releasing a light sigh as he glanced at Siegrain, "I have no way to prove it, but something doesn't feel right."
"We just need one more." Siegrain said as he locked eyes with the council members that still opposed him, "If we want to stop the R-System, we must use Etherion."
"Just one more, eh?" Jellal said of the blue, surprising Vidaldus, "One more and then it is game over..."
"What?" Vidaldus asked as he quirked an eyebrow, "Did you say something Jellal-sama?"
"Nothing..." Jellal replied with a small smirk, "Just talking to myself...just one more person before this little game is all over...Where is Ikaruga?"
"resting with Daimou" Vidaldus replied while looking to the lacrima that showed the two, still at their floor level.
"it is time" Jellal said "have her and him ready to intercept those who dare hinder my plan"
"at once" Vidaldus replied bowing before leaving
"hey, are you being serious here?!" Gray exclaimed to Simon "this had better not be some plan to trick us!"
"I'm not" Simon replied "I saw him with my own eye, Salamander is with Jellal"
"but why!? Why would Natsu side with the bad guys!?" Lucy exclaimed before realizing why "don't tell me…."
"he is being manipulated against his own will" Mira said as her fists clenched hard "this Jellal jerk must've used a hostage gig to make him do this"
Mira looks to Haruka and Haruo as the twins were so confused on what was happening
"using Haruka's and Haruo's mother to manipulate Natsu…this annoys me to the next level!" Mira said between gritted teeth
"what are we going to do?" Juvia asked "Juvia knows if one of us was to face against Natsu-san by ourselves….Juvia knows that no one will be spared"
Erza and the others frowned as they knew that the possibility is high
"I will face him" Erza said "in terms of speed and strength, I'm only third to him but I can at least try to reason with him"
"are you crazy, red?! This is Natsu we're talking about! His strength is nearly equal only to Master! Not one of us can face him head on!" Mira exclaimed
"we have to try! I don't want to drag him to my own problem!" Erza retorted back to her rival
The two continued on to bicker as Gray went to intervene to calm them down. Lucy frowns before feeling her hand being hold.
She looks down and sees Haruka and Haruo having a sad face to her
"why is everyone angry?" is it because of us?" Haruka asked tearing up with Haruo "is it because we're here?"
"no! no! it's not your fault!" Lucy said as she kneeled down to their head and patted their heads "everyone's just a bit angry at the bad guy who is manipulating Natsu! That's right!"
"then is everyone angry at Papa?" Haruo asked surprising Lucy "is it because Papa joined the bad guys? Is it because of our mama being with him?"
"no…it's…" Lucy tried to answer as she bit her own lips while thinking
"it's because Natsu loves your mama that's why" Gray came in as he kneeled down beside Lucy "he's only doing this to save her"
"why?" Haruo asked
"this Jellal jerk took her hostage..that's why Natsu came here to save her" Gray said before standing back up "and we're here to help him"
"really?" Haruka asked as Gray nodded
"really" Gray replied before turning towards the others "since this place is huge and all, we've got to split up"
"I'll go with Nee-san" Sho said "I know a quick shortcut to the upper level, it's guarded but I think we can get there quick"
"I'll head to Milliana and Wally. I'll try to reason to them if I can" said Simon before Gray shakes his head.
"I'm coming with you" Gray said "sorry but still can't trust you yet"
"I'll go ahead with Kiara" Mira said "I have a feeling that I'm going to meet Natsu up there"
"Mira.." Erza muttered out looking to her rival
"I'll try to reason to him first…telling him that we will help him out" Mira replied before Kiara came climbing up to her shoulder. "if words can't get in his head…" Mira pounded her fist to an open palm "then I'll use my fists!"
"then the rest will head up on our own" Gray said before looking to the twins "you two need to stick close to Lucy and Juvia, alright?"
Haruka and Haruo nodded before the group split up
the group split up as they went on their own separate routes, but they didn't know that their movements were being monitored by Jellal
"Hmm, looks like things are starting to get interesting..." Jellal mused as he monitored each of them on the screen
"It seems as if Sho and Simon have betrayed us..." Vidaldus explained, kneeling in front of Jellal's throne
"Yes, this is how a game is supposed to be played." Jellal said with a growing smirk, "There's nothing I hate more than a one-sided game."
"Jellal-sama, we must quickly capture Erza and perform the ceremony." Vidaldus said, rising back onto his feet, "There is no more time to be playing around."
"If that's the case why don't you head out there Vidaldus?" Jellal asked "I can see that your captain and her lover are prepared"
"Are you sure Jellal-sama...?" Vidaldus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"yes" Jellal said "having more pieces in the game will make it more fun
Vidaldus merely grinned in response and crossed his arms, forming an X. Suddenly a large amount of dark magic exploded off Vidaldus as his body began to change. The dark-haired man now resembled a heavy metal rocker, with pale white skin and a guitar strapped to his back,
"Special Raiding Squadron of Assassins...Trinity Raven. It's your turn to strike now." Jellal said with a smile
"Go~ To~ Hell~~!" Vidaldus screeched, as a large maniacal smile spread across his face, "Hell! Let me show them all the deepest depths of hell~~~!"
"Who-Who...Who~~" Fukuro said, cocking his head as He appeared in the room
"I've believed you know the consequences of opposing me" Jellal said turning towards Ikaruga who nodded before looking beside her as Natsu stood with her
The Dragon Slayer wore the Oni Mouth Mask as he wielded Chitetsu in its Demonic Form and had red scales all around his forearm and neck up to his cheeks. Natsu stood beside Ikaruga with an emotionless look in his eyes.
"let us continue the game" Jellal said
a few moments later, Mira is in a cat room as she had just finished taking down Milliana and Wally who she encountered in mere minutes
"so…strong" Milliana and Wally muttered out in defeat
"that takes care of that" Mira said before hearing a loud ring "what now?!
"Welcome all of you..." Mirajane froze slightly as she heard Jellal's voice speak, it was cold and menacing with a bit of amusement in it, "To the Tower of Heaven. I am Jellal, ruler of this tower. All the pieces on both sides are now in place. I think it's high time we begin...Heaven's Game."
"This guy..." Mira ground her teeth inside her mouth and tightly balling her fists, "What the hell is he talking about!? What game is he playing?"
"The rules are quite simple..." Jellal's voice echoed out from the numerous mouths spread throughout the entire tower, "My goal is to use Erza as a sacrifice to revive Zeref."
Mira's eyes shot open when Jellal said this. The Take over Wizard could feel her anger starting to boil over with each word Jellal spoke.
"That means if I can open the gateway to heaven I win...and if you can somehow stop me from doing that you win. However... that by itself isn't very exciting. So I've arranged for four mighty warriors to fight on my behalf. If you cannot get past them, you will never reach me. In other words, this is an all-out battle royal, four versus seven...Oh! There's one last tiny rule I should probably tell you all about. There's a possibility that the council could launch an attack on this tower using the Satellite Square." All of the Fairy Tail mages' eyes widened when they heard this, "The council possesses the ultimate magic of destruction, Etherion. With enough power to reduce an entire country to rubble."
"You~ you never mentioned anything like that Lord Jellal!" Vidaldus exclaimed as he flicked out his excessively long tongue, "If we got hit by that, everyone one of us would be going to hell! ~"
"Why Vidaldus, are you afraid?" Jellal asked with a small smirk.
"Hell no!~" Vidaldus replied with a twisted grin, "It's the exact opposite!~ The reverse!~ That's totally the best news I've ever heard!~ A life or death job like this is exactly what I've been waiting for!~"
"The time is unknown, but it is ticking down." Jellal said, as his smirk widened, "But know that the moment Etherion strikes everyone in this tower will die. It will be game over and no one will win this fun game we're playing. So everyone...let's have fun shall we."
Jellal laughed as he raised both of his hands to the side
Natsu watched the man laughed as he had a hard gaze to him. He then turns to look to Ikaruga as the swordswoman had a centipede tattoo around her neck.
"I'm sorry everyone….it's the only way" Natsu thought while closing his eyes
"T-This is insane..." Lucy stuttered out, feeling her knees go weak from fear, "What the hell is this guy thinking?!" The blonde celestial spirit mage began to nervously play with a strand of her hair, "Playing a 'game' when he could die himself at any moment..."
"we've got to find a way to escape" Juvia said as they had children with them "there might be some boats docked at the harbor"
"but what about Papa? And Erza-neechan?" Haruka asked "what about them?"
"we've no choice but to wait" Juvia said before she heard laughter coming from behind them
"hey hey hey! Where're you all going?! The party is just starting! Yeah!" Vidaldus appeared as the crazed man held his guitar
"we met them so fast!" Lucy exclaimed as she had Haruka and Haruo go behind her
"let's party! Baby!" Vidaldus screamed as he plays his electric guitar
"I'm not really sure what's going on inside this prick's mind, but I know I have to kick some Assassins' asses before beating him within an inch of his life!" Mirajane said annoyed
"Kyuiii" Kiara squealed to Mira who looks to the Pop Fox before looking to Wally who was getting up.
"W-What are you doing Jellal?" Wally muttered, catching their attention, "Etherion you say...if we take a blast from that thing we'll all die...all we ever wanted was true freedom."
"I don't know exactly what type of freedom you're after." Mira started as she crouched down next to Wally and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, her lips formed into a sweet smile, causing Wally to look up at her with a blush, "But at Fairy Tail, you can have all the freedom you want..." Wally's eyes widened when the Majin flashed him a warm grin, "Plus it's a pretty dandy place too." she looked down at him as he almost teared up.
"now go down with your cat friend and get away" Mira said going to the door "this place is going to blow and it's going to be in a big mess"
"a-alright" Wally said slowly getting up before going to Milliana to check on her
Mira smiled a bit before heading up the stairs with Kiara
Jellal looks to the four lacrima screen that showed Mira and the others as everyone were either heading up to face him or facing one of the Trinity Raven members.
"Milliana and Wally out" Jellal said as two chess pieces fell down "only four remains"
"now to make the game more interesting" Jellal waved his hand to the side as the whole tower suddenly rumbled
"what the?!" Mira exclaimed as she was running up the stairs a few moments when the tower suddenly shook and the stairs disappeared
And before she knew it, she was at a different location
"waaaah!" Mira came falling down as she landed on her face.
"damn that hurt" Mira said getting up before Kiara came falling on top of her head
"Mira-san!?" Lucy exclaimed as Mira opens her eyes and finds Lucy and Juvia with the twins
"Lucy?" Mira muttered out before looking behind her as Vidaldus was smirking towards her
Mira did a front flip before she got face to face with Vidaldus
"damnit, the bastard moved me to a different level" Mira said transforming to her Satan Soul "is this guy one of those assassins, the Jellal jerk said we have to face?"
Lucy and Juvia nodded as Vidaldus laughed
"oh yeah baby! The She-devil, Majin Mirajane! Joining the party! Yeah baby!" Vidaldus laughed out "this is going to be so fun!"
"hmph! Act cocky all you want" Mira said as she cracked her knuckles "you won't be so cocky after I pummel your stupid face to the ground"
"hehehehe" Vidaldus chuckled in response
"Lucy," Mira called out "you and Juvia get Haruka and Haruou out of this tower, I'll handle this panda face jerk"
"got it" Lucy said
"will you be alright on your own?" Juvia asked
"don't worry," Mira said with a smirk "I'll beat this punk up real good"
"I won't be so sure" Vidaldus said "can you beat me and my friend at the same time?"
Mira and the others look confused before Mira's eyes snapped to the side and the she devil was blown to the wall by a storm of Sakura Petals.
"Mira-san!" Lucy and Juvia exclaimed as Mira fell to the floor before looking up
Mira looks to her attacker and her eyes widen in shock
"I can't believe it…" Mira said as she stares upon Natsu who appeared and had just attacked her "….you would go this far"
Natsu stared at her emotionlessly as the man held up Chitetsu above his head. Mira instantly did a barrel roll as a magic slash came flying to her but it missed her
"PAPA!" Haruka and Haruo screamed out as Mira went to a close combat battle against Natsu
The Majin swiped her claws at Natsu who fend them off with Chitetsu before kicking her away
"Gah!" Mira grunted a bit before she raised both her hands up to block a slash attack from Natsu
"Natsu! Please! Stop this!" Lucy exclaimed
"Natsu!" Mira grunted out before Natsu grabbed her neck and slammed her to the floor
Mira started to choke as Natsu tighten his grip on her neck
"YEAH BABY! THIS IS AWESOME! BABY!" Vidaldus screamed while playing his guitar "two friends are fighting against each other! Yeah baby!"
Mira grabbed Natsu's hand before she fired a black magic blast at him. The attack hit as Natsu lets go of Mira and took a few steps back.
Mira coughed a bit as she massaged her neck before getting up
Her attack caused Natsu's Oni Mouth Mask to have a small crack, but other than that, her attack didn't do any major damage.
"you're serious about this…Natsu?" Mira said as Natsu didn't response
Mira gritted her teeth in anger before her eyes widen in surprise as Haruka and Haruo ran towards Natsu.
"no! stay back!" Mira screamed as Natsu lifts Chitetsu up before slashing the katana to the side.
A magic slash came flying towards the twin as Lucy and Juvia ran towards them, but they were too late
The attack came closer to Haruka and Haruo before it was deflected towards Vidaldus
"wha!?" Vidaldus exclaimed before screaming in pain as the slash attack, caused his guitar to be sliced into two and his hair cut in half
"what the?" Mira muttered out in utter shock to what had just happen
Haruka and Haruo looks to their father and then look to the side and sees a figure in the shadow but they could see long pink hair in the shadow before it disappeared
"who…was that?" Haruka muttered out as she felt like she knew who saved them
Natsu looks to his kids before sakura petals rain down the whole area and he suddenly disappeared
moments later
Erza and Sho were heading up the shortcut, Sho had mention as they reached up many levels and find themselves in a place filled with Sakura trees
"this place…" Erza muttered out before someone came in front of them
It was Ikaruga as she was holding her sheathed Katana at her side
"you are..Ikaruga Ryu, correct?" Erza asked as the woman nodded in reply
Erza looks at the swordswoman and sees the centipede tattoo around her neck
"it must be that…" Erza thought before she heard footsteps behind them
"Outta our way!" exclaimed Sho as he took out a few magic cards from his pocket and threw them through a magic circle that causes the magic cards to fly straight for Ikaruga who stood in her place before reaching her hand to the handle of her sheathed long katana and draws it blade out a few inches before sheathing it back.
All the magic cards were cut in half clean as Erza and Sho were shocked at how she cut the cards in half when her sword never left the scabbard.
"I..impossible." Sho was shocked beyond belief that his mouth was wide open.
"her sword never left its scabbard…" said Erza with wide eyes as Ikaruga's drawing speed is just like Natsu's.
"be wise to not stay at where you stand" said Ikaruga with a small smile as the ground bellow Sho and Erza got cut before shattering into pieces. Erza and Sho jump back as a part of the ground fell to the water below.
"how was she able to cut down my magic cards, and the ground at the same time?!" said Sho as he takes out more magic cards and was about to throw them, but he quickly saw Ikaruga sheathing her sword once again, this time nothing was cut. "huh?'
Erza saw Sho started to fall as he laid limp on the floor. "Wh-my body..I can't-"
"Sho! Are you alright?!" said Erza as she helps Sho before looking at Ikaruga who is still at her spot with her hands on her sheathed scabbard. "what a monstrous speed! Her sword never left the scabbard, yet she is somehow able to attack while not even moving! Is this woman really Haruka and Haruo's mother?! She's very powerful!"
Ikaruga draws out her katana from its scabbard before she swung it upwards, dozens of air slashes came flying towards Erza who got in front of Sho while summoning two swords in hand. Erza started deflecting all the air slashes but she couldn't defend against the next wave of air slashes that Ikaruga sends to her.
"aaaah!" screamed Erza as her Heart Kreuz armor shattered into pieces and so are her swords.
"Nee-san!" exclaimed Sho as Erza got bleeding cuts all over her body before she fell to one knee.
"be best for you to surrender yourself," said Ikaruga with a small smile as she sheathed away her katana. "you cannot defeat me"
Erza gritted her teeth as she looks at Ikaruga before getting back up and summons her Heaven Wheel Armor on.
"Ara?" Ikaruga narrowed her eyes at Erza as the Scarlet knight summon her swords by her side. "still resisting, I see"
"you….do you know that Haruka and Haruo….your own children are in the tower?" said Erza as Ikaruga's eyes went serious for a moment. "if Etherion fires, they will get killed in the blast!"
Erza glared at Ikaruga before her eyes went in rage when Ikaruga spoke out her reply.
"and? What is the matter of that to me?" replied Ikaruga with emotionless eyes.
"YOU! YOU CALL YOURSELF A MOTHER?!" exclaimed Erza in rage as she glares angrily at Ikaruga before dashing towards her with her swords readied.
Ikaruga got into a stance as her hand grips the handle of her katana before she draws the blade out, sending dozens of air slashes towards Erza who sends her magic swords flying towards the air slashes, the attacks cancel each other out.
"Haa!" Erza let out her battle cry as she got directly close with Ikaruga and swung her sword right at the pink haired swordswoman who parried off the attack with her katana. Both swordswomen clashed their blades against another as sparks of fire flew everywhere around them.
Erza swung her swords down at Ikaruga who blocked her attack with her katana as both went into a power struggle with one another.
"I don't know what is happening right now, but I know one thing!" exclaimed Erza at Ikaruga who pushed her katana against Erza's swords. "someone like you doesn't deserve to be Haruka and Haruo's mother!"
"is that so?" replied Ikaruga with a dark smirk before she pushed away Erza's sword and delivers a kick right at the Scarlet Knight's abdomen area.
"gah!" grunted Erza before she lifts her swords up in a cross shape to deflect a diagonal sword slash from Ikaruga.
Ikaruga swings her sword down before afterimages of her katana appeared all over the area and swung right at Erza who parried off against relentless amounts of sword slashes while being forced to take many steps back. More bleeding cuts appeared on Erza's body as the scarlet knight couldn't defend against all the attack.
Before long, Erza's Heaven Wheel Armor shattered into pieces as Ikaruga's attack destroyed it. Erza fell to her knees as she holds her bleeding left hand with her right hand, the strength that Ikaruga has is far higher than that of herself.
"she has such monstrous speed!" thought Erza while glaring at Ikaruga who smirked while slowly sheathing away her katana. "it must be equal…no, higher than Natsu himself!"
"I advise that you surrender, Erza-han" said Ikaruga while crossing her hands by her stomach. "continuing any further and you shall bleed to death"
"I won't….give in!" said Erza as she got back up and Requip her Purgatory Armor on. "I shall defeat you!"
Ikaruga sighs with her eyes closed before she opens them, and her lips formed a dark smirk yet again.
"so be it then" stated Ikaruga as she draws out her katana fast, causing multiple air slashes to fly towards Erza who swung her Spiked Mace to the side, deflecting all the air slashes instantly and surprised the pink swordswoman.
Erza dashes towards Ikaruga as she swung her Spiked Mace at Ikaruga who ducks to dodge before swinging her katana upwards but the Scarlet knight dodged in the nick of time. Ikaruga then swung her katana diagonally down as she forced Erza to block it with her mace that cracked from the swinging force of the katana.
Erza let out a battle cry as she swung the Spike Mace down at the ground, causing an erupting shockwave to fly towards Ikaruga who jumped away, but the Scarlet Knight jump and is above her with her mace over her head.
Ikaruga's looks with wide eyes as Erza swung her Spiked Mace down right at her, but the pink swordswoman blocked the attack with her katana that breaks from the force of the spiked mace.
Erza screams out her battle cry as she swung her mace and caused Ikaruga to crash to the ground with her katana broken into pieces. Dust picks up as Ikaruga grunted in pain before she looks up and sees Erza coming down with her spiked mace.
"you're finished!" exclaimed Erza as she swung her Spiked Mace down with full force, planning to end Ikaruga's life but before the large mace could hit the pink haired swordswoman, Natsu appeared in between and caught the Spiked Mace with his bare left hand as this surprised everyone nearby.
"N-Natsu?!" said Erza in surprise as Natsu emotionlessly stare at Erza before his left hand grips the spiked mace, causing cracks before the large weapon shatters into pieces.
Erza looks in shock in seeing her weapon so easily destroyed by Natsu who soon kicks the Scarlet Knight away.
"Gaah!" grunted Erza as she flew in the air before she landed on the floor a few feet away from Natsu who stood in front of Ikaruga who looks at the man from behind.
"this guy….he must be Salamander!" said Sho, trying to get up but whatever Ikaruga did to him, his body still won't' move.
"Natsu….you" said Erza who stares at Natsu, the man wielding Chitetsu in its demonic form before he dashes at her. Erza quickly got up and summoned her Entei no Yoroi on before she swung her sword at Natsu who swung Chitetsu right back. The two-weapon clashed against one another before Erza's sword got its blade cut in half by Chitetsu's sharpness.
Erza gasped in surprise before her eyes widen and her mouth spits out some saliva because of a punch to her gut by Natsu who soon swings Chitetsu in a 360 degree spin that cause a powerful flaming burst to blow the scarlet knight away while her armor shatters into pieces.
"w-what power!" said Sho in shock. "that woman's speed was monstrous, but this guy!...this guy's power is even monstrous!"
Erza got back up as she grips her burned left hand with her right hand because of Natsu's attack that went right through her Entei no Yoroi. The armor been known to be able to half any fire base attack but fail in protecting its wearer.
"Chitetsu! Are you also going to help Natsu be in this path?!" Erza exclaimed to the cursed katana. "are you?!"
"I don't care if my wielder chooses the path of justice or the path of chaos" replied Chitetsu as the demonic skeletal shadow appeared upon the blade of the katana. "as long as I can feast on blood, I do not care anything else"
Erza gritted her teeth before her body shines as she now wears her Clear Heart Clothing on with two katana in both hands.
Natsu lifted Chitetsu up before the katana's blade glows red as his eyes as well did the same. Natsu wielded his katana with both hands as Chitetsu ignites in flames.
"Natsu….you are my teacher who taught me everything about swordsmanship and honor…" said Erza as she lifted one of her katana upwards, the blade shining from the light above. "I vowed to get stronger so that I can protect everyone in Fairy Tail"
Natsu didn't speak a word as he emotionlessly stare at Erza with Chitetsu in flames.
"Master, Lucy, Gray, Kiara, Mira, Haruka, Haruo….everyone! I will protect them all!" Erza's hard stare is strong as steel as her objective in mind is to defeat Natsu who stands in her way. "I will go and defeat Jellal…" said Erza before she swung the katana to the side and hardened her stare at Natsu. "and that means I will defeat you!"
Natsu didn't speak a word as he readied Chitetsu, the flames on the katana's blade burns even stronger to the point that the flames turned blue.
Erza readied both her katanas as her magic rises up to the maximum, she poured every ounce of her magic into her body as she readied her whole body to strike down Natsu who she knows won't be holding back his strength.
Natsu squatted down a few centimeters before he dashed towards Erza who did the same. Both swordsmen readied their weapons as both sends hardened stare at one another.
CLANG!
The sound of metal clashing against one another echoes as the sharp sound just vibrates in the air. Sho and Ikaruga witness as both Natsu and Erza passes one another with their swords reached out in front of them.
Erza stares in front before her katanas shatters into pieces and she fell to her knees with a pain filled face as drips of blood started coming out of a bloody cut on her right shoulder.
"Nee-san!" exclaimed Sho as Erza glance at her wound before to Natsu who stood in his place, still in the stance of Chitetsu pointing out forward.
"Natsu…I'm sorry for not realizing it at first" said Erza as the Oni Mouth Mask on Natsu started to crack before it shatters into pieces and Chitetsu reverts from its Demonic Form. Erza held a sad look as blood started dripping to the ground bellow Natsu. "I never knew that you had to hold in such pain and such solidarity to yourself…..i'm sorry to never know your longing to have the one you love the most return to you…I'm sorry….to be such a failure of a friend"
Natsu's lips formed a small smile as blood seeps out from the right side of his lips before the man fell to the ground with a thud.
Erza frowns to Natsu before she got back up and looks at Sho who has saucer wide eyes to see that the Scarlet Knight had defeated Natsu who had monstrous strength.
"Sho, I want you to go find our friends, and everyone from Fairy Tail and tell them to leave the tower this instant." Erza ordered Sho.
"What!? But Nee-san!" Sho protested.
"Sho, will you do this for your sister?" Erza asked with a small smile as Sho looks at her before looking down and nodded.
"..alright..Nee-san." Stated Sho as he got up and started running back to find the others and hopefully get away before the entire tower was blown to kingdom come.
Erza sighs with a smile before she heard several footsteps behind as she turns to see Ikaruga coming towards her. Staying in her place, Erza didn't bother summoning any of her weapons to her aide as Ikaruga went pass her and kneels beside Natsu who she gently hold up into her arms to reveal a long right downward bleeding cut that runs down from his right shoulder to the left side of his waist.
"go" stated Ikaruga while staring at Natsu's unconscious face with a frown before she started caressing his cheeks. "Jellal-han is at the very top of the tower"
Erza nodded before she started running towards the stairs that will lead to the top floor where Jellal is and that is where Erza will finish it all. Ikaruga is now left with Natsu whose cheeks she caressed gently.
Chitetsu laid on the floor beside Natsu as the katana's blade showed the demonic skeletal shadow that looks displeased.
"you….you turned my blade to its dull side the second the two of you were about to clash" said Chitetsu as Natsu opened his eyes and slowly sat up. the blood on his wound started to get sucked back into his body and reseal his wounds. "why would you go far?"
"I am her teacher" said Natsu as he stands back up before grabbing the handle of Chitetsu and lifts him up. "I wanted to teach her that her weakness isn't her strength. But her fear"
Chitetsu merely let out an amused hum before Natsu swung the katana near Ikaruga's neck as the scorpion tattoo turns to ashes and disappear. Ikaruga taps the skin of her neck with two fingers as she caresses it before looking to Natsu who went down on one knee while sheathing away Chitetsu.
Natsu places his right hand on Ikaruga's cheek and caresses it gently with a small smile.
"forgiveness can never heal the scar I inflicted on you" Natsu softly spoke to her as Ikaruga smiles softly to his warm touch. "at Magnolia western part of the forest, there is a cave. I want to meet you there"
"I'll be there" Ikaruga softly spoke before Natsu helps her stand up and then embraces her gently in his arms.
Ikaruga leans into the embrace as her hands holds Natsu's back while rubbing up and down gently. Natsu holds Ikaruga closer before he heard the sound of Erza battling against Jellal at the upper level.
"go…she cannot defeat Jellal-han on her own" whispered Ikaruga as Natsu nodded before the two separates from their embrace with one another.
"get out of here as fast as you can, I'll catch up after dealing with Jellal" Natsu told her as Ikaruga nodded before the man turns and disappeared into flames.
Ikaruga looks to the stairs before she looks down and lifted her right hand up as in her palm is a Sakura flower that glows beautifully.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye