Greetings everyone, and welcome to another chapter of A Quincy's Fairy Tail! Man, I put in a lot of work into this one. Truth be told, I had planned on this having a bit more content in it but the chapter was already getting long enough as it was, so I figured I would release this longer chapter now and the shorter one later on. I put in a lot of hard work and effort into this one, so it would mean a lot to me if you all left a review telling me what you all thought.
Also, I left what I thought would be the most ideal kind of music for a soundtrack in this chapter in specific parts. They'll be surrounded by ( ). You don't have to use them, mind you, just consider it a suggestion from your's truly.
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo and Shounen jump. Fairy tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and weekly shounen magazine. I own NOTHING. This is all just for fun!
X780
It had been only twelve hours since Erza Scarlet had returned from Tenrou Island from the S class trial. Most mages usually had to take the difficult task multiple times before they succeeded in other guilds and Fairy Tail's S class standards were far more strict than almost any other guild on the continent. But Erza had succeeded in her very first attempt. Laxus had laughed when he had heard she would be attempting, claiming that she was far too young to even think of becoming an S class mage, let alone make the attempt, but she had proven him wrong and had become the youngest mage to have ever earned the rank.
It was no easy task, however. While her competition in the form of Cana and Freed wasn't too difficult, the final obstacle that stood in her way from reaching the first masters grave was anything but. Meifon Long, the woman who everyone had considered to be the strongest female mage in the guild, barred her path. Erza had known her for quite a while now and while Erza treasured all of her bonds in Fairy Tail,
Meifon was the only one besides Makarov that she looked up to. She had this air of elegance and grace that the rest of the guild lacked, no doubt thanks to her upbringing in one of Fiore's richest families, and it showed in everything she did. From her manner of speech to her fighting style and magic and even how she walked, she was someone that Erza could view as a proper role model. She had helped Erza to open up, to finally allow other people into her life, and she felt that she could never repay her for that debt.
It was a long and hard-fought battle, the two mages having clashed for well over an hour, and at several points in the battle, Erza had wondered if she truly had what it took to take her down. However, she had a surprise that the S class mage wasn't expecting. Armor. Elizabeth had finally finished forging the special armor she had requested a few weeks ago, the heaven's wheel armor. She had practiced with it on occasion, but her battle with Meifon was the first time she had ever used it in a serious situation. If not for that armor, Erza knew that victory would have been all but impossible.
Finally, after managing to just barely manage to land enough blows, Meifon had surrendered, and Erza soon found herself as the 3rd wizard in the current generation of fairy tail to gain the level of S class.
At the moment, she had just finished her morning shower and was fully clothed, her armor and sword at the hilt, she soon opened the door and made haste to the guildhall. It was now time that she finally took on her first S class mission. Still, taking it alone was something she wasn't quite sure she was ready for. Perhaps it would be best to ask Meifon to accompany her. After all, she was more experienced in such matters. However, as she walked down the stairs she could see the S class mage talking with master Makarov, a large amount of luggage of various sizes standing by the door of the Fairy Hill's dormitory.
"Are you certain about this?" Makarov asked Meifon as she just finished placing another suitcase near the door. "We will all miss you once you're gone, Erza and Evergreen especially."
"I am." She replied as she looked down at the wizard saint. "This is by no means a decision I've taken lightly. If I felt I could follow my dream while I remained here, I would do so without a 2nd thought. But as things stand...I have no choice. I'm sorry." She knelt down then, getting to Makarov's level as tears began to emerge from her eyes. "You've all done so much for me when you took me in...Words alone can't express my gratitude. While I may no longer be here in person, or officially be a member of this guild...I will always view you all as my 2nd family."
She wrapped her arms around the old man then, holding him tightly. "Thank you for everything Master. I'll never stop cherishing the memories of this wonderful place."
"Just...Make sure you come by to visit." Makarov spoke, the guild master fighting back tears of his own. "It'll be hard once you're gone. .I don't know of anyone else who could keep Laxus in line as much as you have in my absence."
"Oh, you don't need to worry about that at all," Meifon said as she finally let go of her father figure and stood up. "I wouldn't be leaving if I didn't think this guild could handle my departure. I wasn't so sure at first, but now...I know you'll all be fine. Erza will be more than enough to handle the tasks at hand. I know she will." She then smiled as she thought back to the battle she had only yesterday. "She's so strong Makarov...Stronger than I am. She'll go far and raise the guild's reputation far more than I ever could."
"She is most certainly a talented mage," Makarov answered. "I knew that I made the right choice recommending her for S class. Still...Do you think she's ready for all that responsibility? With you gone...I don't know if she'll open up anymore."
"You underestimate her," Meifon said with a smile. "I knew from the moment I saw her that she was a woman with talent, and she's not done growing yet. She doesn't need me anymore...Honestly, she never has. All I did was simply open up her heart. No more. Anyone in this guild could have done that. Give her time Makarov, and this flower will bloom into the most beautiful rose the world has ever seen."
Erza, not having heard a word of the conversation, made her way down the stairs, eager to greet her fellow S class comrade. "Meifon, I was wondering if you would want to join me on my first S class Mission. I feel like I could use some pointers to make sure I get it right the first time."
"Oh, Erza..." Meifon's eyes looked down to the side before her gaze focused back on Erza. "You don't need to worry about any of that. I wouldn't have given up if I thought you couldn't handle whatever job you could find by yourself."
"Are you sure, I mean what if I-"
"Erza, you are the last person who should be worrying about how you'll do on your first S class mission. You're the ideal mage for this guild as far as I'm concerned." The older wizard interrupted. She knew how... over the top the red-headed mages' concerns could get if left unattended. "Trust me, you'll do just fine. I believe in you."
"If that's what you think. Then I don't have a reason to worry!" Erza said with a smile on her face. "But what's with all the luggage? Are you going on an S class mission yourself?"
Meifon had to resist the urge to sigh. If saying goodbye to Makarov was hard, then having to break the truth to Erza like this…
Meifon shook her head. "No, It's for something more...Permanent. As of today...I am no longer a member of Fairy Tail."
Erza's eyes began to widen like saucers as she began to register the words that just went into her ear. Meifon wasn't the joking type, at least not over something as serious as this. "You're...leaving? But...why?" Erza's whole body began to tremble as she slowly approached her. "I just became S class, and now...you're leaving us?! You can't leave! We need you, I need-"
"You don't." Meifon interrupted. "You proved that more than clearly after our battle on Tenrou Island."
"Is that why you're leaving? Because I beat you!? Because you're not the strongest female mage in the guild anymore?" Erza asked, tears now threatening to leave her eyes. "Is that all?! I thought we were your family! How can you just leave us!?"
"I can't tell you," Meifon said as she frowned, hints of regret and remorse showing on her face. "I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but...I don't think you're ready. Not for the full story anyways. But no, I'm not leaving you because you're now stronger than me. This has been something I've been thinking about doing for quite some time now. Your victory on Tenrou Island just allowed me to see that I could leave the guild in capable hands...Yours."
"Mine?" Erza asked with surprise before Meifon continued.
"You see Erza, I want to go out and make a difference in the world, a real difference and I can't do that If I stay here. Every day, there are people out there suffering from the cruelty and indifference of those in positions in power. The magic council is slowly yet surely falling down a dark path. I want, no, I must become a wizard saint and a member of the magic council if I want to make the kind of difference that matters."
That wasn't even speaking of how she needed to start a guild of her own to be more proactive in the destruction of dark guilds…and something else that she could share with her. She had so much work to do...But that wasn't what Erza needed to hear right now. "There's much more to it that I can't explain but...this much you deserve to know."
"But...But..."Erza tried to speak as she began to cry, her tears now flowing freely from her eyes. She now understood why her closest friend and role model was now leaving the guild, but that didn't mean that it hurt any less. "Won't you miss us?"
"Erza, leaving this guild is like I'm losing one of my limbs" Meifon replied as she now wrapped the young woman in a hug much like she did with Makarov. " You're all so very precious to me...But this is something that I feel that I have to do. I can't sit idly by and watch the world slowly fall into darkness and corruption."She then pulled away as she looked at Erza and gave her a small smile. "You understand, don't you?"
"I..." Erza felt her breath seize up in her. The newly crowned S-class mage, slowly exhaled then, knowing it would do her no good to hold it until she was blue in the face. "I do." If Meifon truly believed that she could make a real difference so that no one would ever have to suffer as she did in the tower of heaven...Then Erza knew that her feelings on the matter couldn't possibly compare to the prevention of further tragedies.
"I knew that you would," Meifon said before she slowly petted Erza on the head with loving care. "You're not just one of the most powerful mages in this guild, you're also one of the wisest." She then gave Erza a small smile. "Don't worry, this won't be the last you'll see of me. I promise I'll come by to visit whenever I have the time."
Erza felt a slight smile tug at the corner of her lips, though her armored heart allowed her to hold it at bay as much as it could. "I'll hold you to it." She then held out her hand. "Till we meet again."
"Till we meet again," Meifon said as she took Erza's hand and grasped it. "I leave this guild in your capable hands...Erza."
That had been four long years ago. It seemed so distant to Erza now the more she thought about it. Meifon had been true to her word, trying to visit Erza whenever possible, but as time passed, her visits became less and less frequent. From one every few weeks to a month, half a year to a whole year, her presence was one that Erza had to learn to do without. It didn't come with its share of benefits however, Erza now having taken the role of Fairy Tails unofficial "Substitute Guild Master" in stride. Using her new rank, power and a bit of fear, Erza was able to keep her fellow guildmates in line as best she could while she was around. It may not have been as formal as Meifon, but it was effective and that's what mattered. Her absence had allowed Erza to grow as a leader and for that, she supposed it had been worthwhile learning. However, that still didn't change the fact of how much she missed her role model.
But now, here she was, face to face with her old mentor. While she may not have given her much in the way of training, she had shown her the ropes of being a mage and helped her make new connections that she previously would have been too terrified to have made. To see her again, even if it was only for a few hours, brought a genuine smile to Erza's face. "Meifon!"
Meifon smiled back, walking over to Erza and placed a hand on one of her shoulders. "I've heard so many things about you since we've last met. We simply must catch up."
"Yes, it has been far too long!" Erza said before she reached her hands around Meifon's back and brought her in for a tight hug, a loud 'CLANG!' rang out as theWizard's Saints head made contact with her chest plate, everyone else wincing in pain as they watched on. "I have so many wonderful things that I simply must share with you!"
"Yes...I'm quite sure,." Meifon mumbled as she did her best to hide her pain and quickly got her head off of Erza's armor. So this is what Makarov meant about being wary of her hugs?...I'll have to remember that for the future.
"Ok, I'll bite, who is she?" Bambietta asked, looking on in interest. She had never seen Erza so happy to see someone. It threw the quincy for a bit of a loop. Sure, she had done her infamous armor hug's to many people in the past, but the passion in her voice and the smile on her face that was present, it was unlike how Bambietta had ever seen her.
"Oh my, how rude of me. I haven't properly introduced myself have I?" Meifon spoke as she turned around to face the crowd. "My name is Meifon Long, guild master of Celestial Blade and the 7th wizard saint. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Well, that explains what the hell I was sensing. Bambietta thought to herself as she slowly looked over the woman. Strong. That was the only word that Bambietta could use to describe her level of spiritual pressure. Except for Jose and Makarov, she had never sensed such high spiritual pressure in her time on Earthland. If it weren't for the Senrai glove and my shrift returning, I'd be feeling like a big fish in the ocean right now.
"Well, at least you aren't trying to kill us like Jose had," Liltotto said. "Erza told me a lot about you. Said you were the former best female mage in fairy tail."
"I was at the time, yes, though Erza took that title from me quite a while ago," Meifon answered Liltotto. "Though if anyone had to take the title from me, I'm glad it was her."
"That was four years ago. I'm not so sure I could manage it twice." Erza said with a smile. "I only barely defeated you the last time."
"We've both come leaps and bounds since then, I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit," Meifon told Erza before she looked over to Bambietta and Liltotto. "And Erza told me a fair bit about you all as well. One of you has been nominated for the S class exams and another is being considered, or so I've been told."
"That would be me," Bambietta said with a smile. "The being considered part I mean. Erza says I have more than enough power, she's just not sure if I have the...other qualities needed just yet."
"Oh yes, I've heard quite a bit about you, Miss Basterbine," Meifon said with a smile as she thought to herself. Much, much more than you know. This was the quincy that Sylphia spoke about with so much praise? She would have to keep a close eye on her while she was here. "You've made quite the name for yourself over these last few months."
"Wait, I got a rep now?" Bambietta said before she grinned. "Oh hell yes, I just knew it was a matter of time given my beauty and kicking all sorts of ass across Fiore."
Liltotto spoke up next. "I'm the one Erza recommends for the S class exam. I'm Liltotto Lampard."
"Well Miss Lampered, I wish you the best of luck on your trial...They aren't easy. Still, from what Erza has told me about you, I believe both you and Miss Basterbine are more than qualified." Meifon said before Erza spoke up, her face taking on a more serious appearance.
"Meifon, there is something I've been meaning to ask you."
"Oh?"
"The last time we saw each other, it was at Lisanna's funeral. I didn't want to ask then, it wasn't the right time. But now...I want to know the full story of why you left the guild. You said I wasn't ready four years ago...but I believe now I'm more than ready to know."
Meifon couldn't help but grin after hearing Erza's demand. "I see. Even after all these years, your curiosity hasn't left you. You always have been rather stubborn in certain areas. Very well, I'll be willing to let you in on the whole story, but only on one condition."
"Name it. I'll surpass any and all trials you'll throw at me," Erza responded, her eyes narrowing as she prepared for whatever insane quest her old friend would have in mind.
Meifon smiled. "It's quite simple really...I want you to defeat me in battle."
Erza's eyes widened slightly with surprise. She hadn't been expecting something so straight forward. However, despite the simplicity of the task, Erza knew that what she was asking was anything but easy. "I accept your challenge...but, may I ask why you chose this specifically?"
Meifon nodded. "I've heard plenty of your exploits ever since I've left Fairy Tail. The more I heard, the prouder I became...but I must admit, that a part of me has to wonder if some of the tales I've heard weren't...exaggerated. I left you in charge of the guild in my and Makarov's absence because I felt that you were strong enough. But times have changed, the dark guilds growing more and more with strength each day. Even Wizard Saints have begun to fall to the darker side of magic. So I wish to see with my own eyes if you're truly worthy of the title of Titania that I bestowed upon you."
"I see...So you're the one that gave me that title," Erza responded before she nodded. "Yes, I suspected that you were the one behind it." A broadsword then materialized in Erza's hand, and she pointed her blade to the wizard saint. "Then on my honor as the queen of the fairies and my pride as a member of fairy tail, I accept your challenge."
"I knew that you would," Meifon said with a smile. "My only request for this battle is that you use the armor that you had before coming into this workshop. I know full well that I wouldn't be able to defeat you with the armor that you've recently acquired. Consider this a test of not just your power, but also your skill as a warrior."
"Now hold on a minute," Elizabeth spoke up as she walked between the two of them. "As much as I would love to see my work of art in use in Erza's hands, you two are not going to have a sparring match here! I'd be cleaning up your mess for weeks on end before I could get back to work!"
"Then how about we let them use our special testing area?" Yuuki asked as she placed a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "It is rather large and made specifically to withstand the most powerful weapons you've created. I think that'll be the most ideal place for them to fight it out. Besides, it'll give us all a good view of the action."
"Ah, you're right!" Elizabeth said as she snapped her fingers. "I made that thing with the intent to withstand up to several teratons! It'll be more than enough to keep us all safe and sound. Alright then, let's get you two right on the battlefield."
"Oh this ought to make for one hell of a show," Bambietta said as she looked over to Liltotto and Rukia. "Should have brought some popcorn, because this is gonna be awesome!"
"Normally I'd tell you to be a bit more considerate for those who are actually fighting," Liltotto said as she fought the urge to roll her eyes. "But, I have to admit...I'm a little excited too." Who knows, maybe now I'll see Erza's full strength for once. She thought to herself, the petite woman knowing that what she had seen during her spars with Erza was far from what she was truly capable of.
"Well, if nothing else, it'll let me see just how powerful the Wizard Saint's truly are," Rukia replied. But if what I'm sensing from Meifon is true, then I don't know if victory is even possible for Erza. Erza was powerful, sure, more so than even some of the captains that Rukia knew of...but this Meifon was about on the same level as her brother, if not possibly more, and that was a level of strength she wasn't sure Erza could handle.
Soon, the group had made their way to the special training area. As Yuuki said, it was massive, about the length of several football fields with a few seats for spectators to watch from outside. A magical barrier was also in place, specifically meant to protect those who intended to watch the weapons to be tested inside. The five of them sat down as Erza and Meifon made their way inside.
"Are you sure that you want to do this?" Meifon asked Erza. "This won't be like it was on Tenrou Island. I've come a long way since then."
"You're not the only one who's managed to learn new things these last 4 years." Erza retorted. "If this is what I must do to learn why you left the guild, then I will do what I must."
Meifon couldn't help but grin as she raised her hands as she got into a proper fighting stance. "You will try."
(Ost of choice. The Owl from Sekiro)
Rushing forward, Meifon struck out with her right fist, slamming into Erza's chest plate. The red-headed mage grunted, and dug her heels into the ground as she was sent back before she stopped skidding back and rushed forward, her sword swinging at Meifon.
However, the Wizard Saint simply ducked underneath and kicked down at Erza's feet. Erza jumped, barely dodging the blow, and tried to slam her sword downwards but Meifon rolled to the left way quickly got to her feet before she rushed forward once more, assaulting Erza with a barrage of punches and kicks. Erza managed to deflect the first blow, but the following kick landed right on her chest, she grunted in pain before she was hit across the face by one of Meifon's fists. Lashing out with her blade, the wizard saint jumped upwards, landed on Erza's blade and with a powerful kick sent Erza falling to the ground.
Far from being finished, however, Erza managed to get to her feet, slashing at Meifon repeatedly with her sword. However, with each strike, Erza's blade always seemed to just barely miss the skilled wizard, the saint taking any chance she could to strike Erza with a counterblow. Bambietta, Rukia and Liltotto watched on, shocked.
"Holy hell, Erza can't get a hit in yet," Bambietta said in disbelief. "Unreal."
"I know that she's one of the ten saints, but even so...I didn't expect it to be this one-sided." Liltotto said as she watched on.
"I don't understand...Why isn't Erza using any of her magic? In fact, why aren't either of them using their magic?" Rukia asked.
"Right now they're just sizing each other up," Yuuki responded. "They're just trying to see who can land the most blows without using any of the magic. But if this keeps up..."
Erza grunted as she landed on the floor once more, Meifon standing over her with a frown. "Just what do you think you're doing Erza? Surely you know that you won't be able to overcome me with such simple maneuvers!"
As if she was agreeing with her statement, Erza's weapon changed from her single broadsword to a long spear. She thrust the weapon forward, Meifon just barely managing to backflip beyond the weapons reach but as she found her footing, she saw Erza closing the gap considerably, a large sword in hand.
Ducking underneath the weapon, Meifon was soon struck by the blade. Meifon tried to attack Erza with a quick jab, but she soon found her hands making contact with a kite shield that Erza had summoned on her other hand, the S class mage now using her left hand for defense and her right for offense. Meifon tried to hit Erza with her barrage with her fist but found that each of her blows was blocked by the shield. Erza swung her blade, barely missing her old friend, but Erza simply kicked at her. The wizard saint grunted as she was sent back as Erza ran in for another attack, but just as the sword was about to connect, Meifon raised her hands in an X position, barely stopping Erza's sword from hitting her head.
Meifon grinned then before she spoke. "Now this is more what I expected of you."
"Only a fool fight's all out from the start of their battle. You taught me that," Erza said as she switched her weapons, the large sword forming in her hands once more. She swung horizontally then, sending the wizard saint careening several feet away from the blow.
Meifon landed with a grunt but soon got back to her feet. She dusted off her dress as she rose up and narrowed her eyes at Erza. "So...I suppose it's time I stopped warming up and kicked things up a notch." Reaching into the pocket's of her dress with one hand each, Meifon took out what appeared to be two small metal cylinders. However, she soon pressed a button on the two of them, one beam of light for each, red in color emerging, a distinct hum heard as she got her new weapons in a proper stance.
"Oh. My. God…" Bambietta stated in a mixture of shock and awe. "Erza lookout, she's got lightsabers!"
Not heading Bambietta's warning, Erza prepared to clash with Meifon, her sword and shield replaced with a massive claymore she ran in to attack. Meifon blocked with her twin blades then, the two weapons clashing. Erza withdrew her blade and brought it down for a second swing, but Meifon nimbly moved to the left and lashed out with her blade with Erza just barely managing to dodge by moving her head back. She tried to swing her massive sword but Meifon was on the offensive, her twin blades lashing out far too fast for Erza to properly counter with her large blade. Forced to use the weapon as an impromptu shield, Erza's eyes widened as she soon saw her massive blade being cut in half by her former mentor's "lightsaber".
"Sorry Erza, but you'll find most of your C-class weapons won't be able to match up to my blades." Meifon lashed out with her double blades once more as Erza managed to summon up a sword and shield in each of her hands, the weapons causing sparks as they clashed.
Bambietta, meanwhile, was having somewhat of a crisis. "This whole time...This whole time this world had lightsabers...and I never knew," Bambietta said as she looked down sadly. "Oh, all the missed fun I could have been having with them."
"I don't know what a lightsaber is, but that's not what she's using...nor is it something you can use either," Elizabeth said as she watched on. "Those blades are something that only she can create thanks to her special magic."
"And that is?" Liltotto asked.
"Well...let's just keep watching for now," Elizabeth responded. "Something tells me this fight is about to pick up even more."
"Requip, Heaven's Wheel!"
As she cried out, Erza was quickly covered in golden light before she emerged in her new winged appearance, several blades hovering above the ground as she narrowed her eyes at Meifon. "Dance my swords!"
The blades came rushing at Meifon, an attack that would have bested most wizards. Meifon, however, was not like most wizards. Her blades moving in tandem, she began to slice at Erza's barrage of weapons, the two red blades of light seemingly being able to cut and slice through Erza's barrage with ease.
However, Erza soon flew up through the air and managed to fly towards the Wizard Saint, moving behind her as more weapons emerged around the queen of the fairies. She fired more of her blades then, Meifon starting to falter as some of the blades began to fly past her defense. Despite her best efforts, Meifon's two blades simply could not overcome Erza's assault from two angles. Spinning rapidly, Meifon's blades soon seemed to blur as she managed to pick up speed and cut all the blades in half. She was panting heavily, however, the maneuver requiring taken plenty of stamina to pull off.
"Your Heaven's Wheel Armor is still as strong as ever I see." Meifon panted as Erza began to summon more weapons. "And to think, you still have so many more weapons to use against me. I'm starting to truly believe all those rumors I've heard about you." The bun haired woman grinned then, as she deactivated her weapons and placed them back inside of her dress. "But I suppose then...It's time that I got a more serious."
(Ost of choice. Extremum Belli from Code Vein)
Pointing at Erza with her index finger, Meifon fired a small purple laser beam, no wider than a pencil, with erza just barely able to move her head in time to dodge. Flying up high in the air once more, Erza began to rain down a projectile of swords, spears, and axes. However, this time Meifon was ready and by firing lasers rapidly from her hand, she was able to shoot every single weapon out of the sky.
Not to be outdone, Erza landed and once again glowed before emerging in her black wing armor. She flew towards Meifon, but the wizard began to pelt her with lasers. Erza managed to duck and weave under the first few, but several were beginning to hit their mark, some going through her wings and her shoulder. She slashed her sword downwards but Meifon quickly once again drew her weapon from earlier from her pockets and clashed with Erza's blade.
"Hmmm, it seems that this blade is a bit stronger than the others," Meifon said before her weapon began to slowly cut through Erza's sword. "Pity it won't be enough." She pointed her finger at Erza once more but Erza noticed the distinct glow and flew upwards, dodging the lightning-quick attack, but as she rose to the ceiling she was once again pelted by the small beams of light.
"You can't dodge forever," Meifon spoke as she then began to point the rest of her fingers at Erza, each one now firing on her without a hint of mercy. Spinning and flying as best as she could, Erza performed several aerial maneuvers to duck and weave from each attack. Try as she might, however, for every laser she dodged, 3 made their mark.
"Come now, Erza," Meifon said. "Surely you can do better than this?
Seeing how her current armor wasn't up to the task, Erza once more began to change armors. "Requip, Lightning Empress!" Now clad in a blue and yellow armor and her hair in a braided ponytail, Erza began to fire several bolts of lightning from her lance as she fell to the ground, each one managing to stop one of Meifon's attacks.
"Very good!" Meifon praised her. "But let's see how well you handle twice as many."
Now using both hands, the wizard saint began to fire more and more lasers from her handS. Erza tried to block them all with her lightning, but while she was able to defend against most of the attacks, too many still hit their mark. Erza grunted in pain as she finally landed on her feet, and began twirling her lance in a clockwise motion as she deflected another few lasers before she fired one more bolt of electricity. Not wishing to take unnecessary damage, however, Meifon jumped back, and landed gracefully on her feet. "Sorry Erza, but I've had plenty of sparring matches with Laxus. So I'm afraid that your little light show simply isn't going to cut it."
Not wanting to simply take her word for it, Erza fired one more blast of lighting as she charged forward, using her element to block any incoming laser fire. Once more did her weapon clash with Meifon's, only this time she continued to charge lightning through the weapon. Meifon's eyes widened as her blades ceased cutting through Erza's own. "I see. Switching up your strategy, are we?" She jumped back as she fired more blasts, but Erza once again used her lance to quickly deflect them. "Too bad it's not enough."
"You'll find I won't be so easily defeated," Erza stated with certainty.
"We'll see about that," Meifon retorted before she raised one of her blades before she used her other hand to blast Erza with yet another barrage of magic.
"What kind of magic is this?" Liltotto asked as she and the others continued to watch on in interest.
"That, Liltotto is Photon magic," Elizabeth said as she looked at the short woman. "It allows the user to take control of photons and use them for all kinds of offensive attacks. The spare that come from that magic are truly something else." She then looked at Bambietta. "That's why you can't have weapons like hers, they continuously run using photon energy."
"Aw, no fair." Bambietta pouted. So much for my dream of becoming Darth Ravegors or something.
"It looks like Meifon firmly has the advantage, " Rukia said before she sighed. "Such a shame, I was hoping Erza would win but-" Rukia was interrupted when she heard Bambietta slowly snicker before she then broke into full out laughter. "What's so funny?!"
"The fact that you think Erza is anywhere near close to being done, that's what," Bambietta said as she looked at Rukia. "You weren't here when Phantom Lord attacked, so I can't blame you, but what you've seen so far is nowhere close to Erza's limit." Bambietta grinned then as she turned her attention back to the battle. "She's about to turn this whole thing around, trust me."
(Song of choice: Scarlet Warrioress, Fairy Tail Ost)
Erza felt the pressure of Meifon's energy projections against her lance, the mage gritting her teeth as she felt her feet give an inch. She refused to allow another. As she looked over the luminous glow of the attack, she could see Meifon on the other side. And at that moment she could see the Meifon from her past, the Meifon who had supported her, just as Makarov and Porlyusica had when she was new to the guild. When she had been left broken by her past. She could see and she could hear.
"Just keep moving forward. One step at a time."
Erza grit her teeth, pushing her right foot forward, slamming it to the ground. No more would she allow herself to give any more ground. No more!
Meifon's eyes raised a bit in surprise, seeing the new look of determination in Erza's eyes, but she soon smiled. Still defiant in battle as always...Just as I hoped you would be. She began to press her advantage however, the lasers from her fingers beginning to increase in speed, now firing like a machine gun of sorts and her attacks began to pierce through Erza's defense. Show me it to me Erza. Show me...the power of the dragon queen's daughter! The power of Titania!
Erza continued to push, though no longer to simply move forward. No, she spun her lance out to the side, forcing it to parry the blast. The deadly light flew past Erza then, smashing into the ground.
"Requip!" Erza shouted, not willing to give Meifon a moment's chance to attack once more. "Flight Armor!"
Erza's clothes changed in a flash and she moved just as fast, vanishing from sight before the change could become apparent to the naked eye. She appeared before Meifon then, right within her guard. Dressed in a cat print outfit, matching ears peeking out from her crimson hair, Erza held two swords in a reverse grip as she prepared to attack.
"Oh my..." Bambietta, meanwhile, could only look upon the Flight Armor with a blush upon her face.
This speed! Meifon thought as she tried to fire a laser at Erza. However, the redhead managed to surprise her, managing to dodge her close-range attack. Feeling her sword about to connect, Meifon had no choice but to block Erza's first sword with her photon blade, just barely managing to block the attack. However, before she could reach into her other pocket to grab her other weapon, Erza had vanished from Meifon's sight and attacked her from behind, one of her swords slashing her across her back.
"Grk!" Meifon grunted but soon drew out her 2nd weapon, the wizard saint moving her two blades in a fast twirling motion. However, to her misfortune, her blades were stopped by Erza's who soon began to counter-attack. Her blows were fast and furious now, moving at speeds that were hard for Meifon to keep up with. Now on the defensive, the wizard saint was forced to walk backward as she parried at Erza's strikes, her blades always just barely managing to deflect a blow from Erza. Left, right, up-down, horizontal, Erza was truly pushing Meifon to her limits.
So close! Erza came at Meifon from every direction, rebounding from the floors, the walls, the ceiling. From anywhere her momentum would take her. She knew she could not hesitate, not even for a moment. She continued to attack with the flat sides of her blade, hoping to knock Meifon off her feet. Though while she made contact, again and again, she was also finding the veteran wizard blocking with her photon blacks nearly as often.
She soon managed just that, the wizard saint's feet finally giving underway as she hit her hard from a direct attack from her left. She soon dropped to the ground, her weapons now on the floor as Erza came rushing in once more to hit her with one more final blow. Meifon looked up then, as time seemingly began to slow down for but a moment for Meifon. You've come so far Erza...I can't begin to describe just how proud of you I am. You're just as strong as I hoped you would be...However, you're not the only one who's learned new tricks!
Erza's blade was just about to make contact with Meifon's chest, coming faster than a bolt of lightning. However, her eyes widened then as a loud 'CLANG!' could be heard, a large crystal-like structure now blocking her back.
"Diamond Make: Geyser!"
Just then, multiple crystals shot out from the ground, hitting Erza and sending her back a few feet before she landed on her feet. Several cuts could now be seen across her body, as well as a look of surprise.
"Impressive," Erza said, standing her ground once she landed on her feet. "I suppose I should have suspected you would continue to learn new magic, Meifon. You never were one to simply rest on your laurels."
"But of course. I doubt I would have ever been able to become a wizard saint with just my photon Magic." Meifon replied. " Or at the very least, not the 7th strongest as I currently am. After our battle on Tenrou Island, I found that I was severely lacking in proper defense. So I decided to learn maker magic with one of the strongest materials on earth, Diamonds." She then gave Erza a small smile as several diamonds began to form around her. "Though, thanks to my magical power, they're far more durable than the natural kind. Several hundred times more to be exact."
Jeez, this woman is insane! Bambietta thought to herself as she and the others watched on. Now even she was getting a little worried...but only a little. Come on Erza, you can pull this off, I know you can!
(OST of Choice: Heir of the Shingai from Code Vein)
"Diamond Make: Geyser!"
Once more, multiple pillars of diamond began to emerge from the ground, heading in Erza's direction. Making use of her newfound speed, Erza jumped backward and began to dodge the crystal objects. However, Meifon was far from finished with her initial barrage, the woman now creating more diamonds in the back, as several crystals like birds now surrounded her.
"Diamond Make: Eagle Swarm!"
Multiple birds began to surround Erza then, swarming all around her like a hive of insects. Erza swung her blades as fast as she could, trying desperately to fend off this new attack while still dodging all of the diamond pillars Meifon was continuing to send her way. However, Erza's best efforts were in vain, and her swords, while managing to deflect the diamond eagles, was unable to destroy the stronger constructs.
Eventually, the birds began to overwhelm Erza, hitting her across her chest and stomach, causing her to lose her footing. This opening was just what Meifon indeed, as she sent a massive diamond piller towards Erza, hitting her dead on sending her high into the air. Erza fell with a thud, only for her eyes to widen as she saw a barrage of not just diamond pillars and eagles, but lasers as well.
From what she could gather, she could see that Meifon had gone back to firing more lasers with her right hand, while her left continued to create more diamond constructs. Not wishing to take any more damage, Erza landed on top of one of the many diamonds that Meifon had already used against her and, using it as a platform, used it to jump towards Meifon at a horizontal angle, and used her new momentum to speed her way towards her opponent. Meifon continued to send wave after wave of lasers and diamonds alike, but Erza did what she could, deflecting as many of the attacks that came close to her. She was closing in now, and it seemed as if she was about to land another direct blow when Meifon surprised Erza once more.
"Diamond Make: Barrier!"
Just then a massive wall of diamond emerged between the two of them, Erza's blades bouncing right off of Meifon's defense as if she were hitting it with a mere stick. Using her speed, she tried to get around the wizard saint, but she soon found her efforts were in vain as the wizard saint was now surrounded by her diamonds.
"Sorry Erza, but you'll need more than speed if you're going to defeat me!" Just then, some of the pillars began to glow, and soon, multiple lasers fired from the top of the crystals. However, unlike the ones Meifon had fired before, which were no larger than the size of a pencil, these were massive in size, their mass far larger than Erza herself. Fortunately for Erza, they seemed to move just a tad bit slower, allowing her to avoid the blasts.
"Her spiritual pressure...it's getting even stronger," Rukia said as she watched on. She might have been wrong when she thought that this woman was as strong as her brother. Now it seemed that her power was starting to eclipse even his if only barley.
Liltotto gritted her teeth as she watched on. "Come on, Erza, you can do this."
"Yeah, come on Erza! Don't let this Dragonball Z diamond loving Chun Li wannabe kick you around like this! You're one of our best!" Bambietta screamed in support. "Kick her ass!"
Finally having gotten enough distance, Erza once again began to change her armor, the wizard now emerging in a red and yellow outfit, her hair done up in twin tails before she raised her red blade. More eagles were coming her way, but Erza had prepared for this. Sending a massive fireball from her blade, the eagles crashed into the harsh element, melting them instantly.
"Diamonds may be one of the hardest materials in the world." Erza stated before she melted a pillar that began to form around her feet., "But it has a very low melting point. If speed will not be enough to defeat you, then my flame empress armor will have to suffice."
"I see. Flame Empress armor huh? Tell me, do you have one for each element?" Meifon asked from within her diamond fortress.
"Not yet, Elizabeth assures me that she wants to make sure she gets them just right. At the moment, I only have fire and lightning."
"For what it's worth, I'm working on your water one right now!" Elizabeth shouted from the stands.
"I see. So you're trying to prepare for every eventuality with all kinds of armors." Meifon stated before she smiled. "Well, I must admit, that's a very solid strategy you have there Erza. Consider me impressed. However-" Soon in her hands, a crystallized lance of some sort formed in her hand as she prepared to throw it right at Erza. "You're going to need much more than that if you truly wish to defeat me! Diamond Make: Lance of Justice!"
Throwing her weapon at an Insane speed, Erza was just able to raise her red blade in time to melt the lance as it made contact with her weapon. She soon jumped back, having caught Meifon firing more lasers from her diamond fortress out of the corner of her eye. Diamonds then began to form in the middle of the air, before they then began to rain upon Erza's position.
"Diamond Make: Purging Thorns!"
The diamonds began to rain down on Erza, the scarlet haired warrior using her flames to disrupt the barrage. However, while most of the projectiles were melted, several began to make their way through her flames. Erza grunted out in pain as one slightly grazed the side of her cheek before she let out a yell, the fire coming from her weapon increasing both in size and in power, this time melting all that came close to her.
Taking an example from Natsu's playbook, Erza used her armor to project flames at the bottom of her feet, causing her to fly through the battlefield and melt away any projectiles Meifon had sent her way from the sheer heat her armor was now giving off.
Finally, Erza had managed to close the distance and with a loud shout, she fired a massive fireball at Meifon's diamond fortress. The fireball crashed into the barricade and Erza had planned to use whatever hole it created to get inside. Unfortunately for her, however, to her surprise, the smoke cleared to reveal that Meifon's defense was still unphased.
"What!?" Erza exclaimed before she quickly dodged another diamond that came at her from above. I don't understand, I've been able to melt through her other attacks fairly easily thus far...Unless-
"It was a good try, Erza, trying to use the low melting point of diamonds to your advantage," Meifon called out within her massive fortress. "But as I said before, you'll find the diamonds that I use for my little defense are much more durable...Several hundred times more. Now then, it's time I put an end to this. Diamond Make: Thorns of Judgment!"
The entire ground began to shake then as if it was being shaken by a massive earthquake. Not wanting to see what her mentor had in mind, Erza soon changed her armor back to heaven's wheel and took to the sky. That soon proved to have been the best choice, the ground soon covered entirely by diamonds, some of them several stories tall.
To think she still had enough magic to manage such an attack! Erza thought to herself. Things weren't looking good now she realized. The entire tide of this battle had turned the minute Meifon had shown her newly acquired maker magic. Erza had yet to land a significant blow since then, and she was beginning to slowly run out of magic. I can't risk seeing if she'll just run herself out of magic. If my flames won't be enough...then I have no choice but to use overwhelming force! Erza then surrounded herself with several hundred swords each one of them pointed down at her enemy. "Dance my swords!" The weapons flew downwards to their desired target, but each one bounced off of Meifon's diamonds as if they were nothing.
Meifon, however, scoffed at the attempt. "Quality over quantity Erza, I thought you knew better than this!" Annoyed at her successor's apparent foolishness, Meifon soon began to fire her massive lasers from her diamond fortress, clearing away all of Erza's blades with ease. "You're getting desperate if you truly think something like that would be-" Meifons eyes widened then, noticing that Erza was no longer in the air as she had expected. I see, that was a clever little diversion you came up with, but you can't run forever! Looking around the battlefield, Meifon soon found Erza, now clad in golden armor with a large lance...and she was just ready to throw it!
Oh no!
"Take this!" With a mighty throw in her giant's armor, Erza had tossed her spear at ludicrous speeds. Not wanting to take any chances, Meifon began to create shield after shield in front of her fortress, but Erza's weapon, now propelling itself like a rocket, began to pierce through them all, shattering them as if they were mere glass. The fortress's lasers fired upon it in an attempt to slow it down, but it was all for naught, the weapon easily piercing through Meifon's diamond walls and slamming right into the wizard saint, sending her flying to the end of the arena crashing into the wall.
"Yeah, she got her!" Bambietta yelled with excitement.
"Did...she do it?" Rukia asked.
Liltotto said nothing, her eyes looking to the shattered wall where Meifon lay, the lance now impaled through the wall. Erza...
"No," Elizabeth said as she watched on intently. "I have no doubt that blow did some serious damage...but I know it'll take more than that to put Meifon down."
Falling to the ground and now on her hands and knees, Meifon soon found herself panting heavily and clutching her left side, a large and painful gash clear for all to see. "Well done...Erza. You're the first one to have ever made it through my diamond fortress..." She struggled to her feet then, groaning in pain before she managed to catch her breath, slowly extending her right hand to Erza. "No doubt, if you were battling any of the saints ranked lower than me, you would have won with this attack...But I...can't let you win so easily!" Opening up her palm, she began to gather energy in her right hand, a faint yellow glow beginning to emanate from it.
Rukia's eyes widened as she looked at it. This attack, it's almost like...a cero! Sure enough, the way the energy in her hand was forming, it couldn't be anything else. If it wasn't a cero, then it was scarily similar!
"Erza, look out!" Liltotto yelled out before Meifon's hand began to glow even brighter. "This isn't like her other attacks! It's stronger than the Jupiter canon!"
"Photon Beam!" Just then, a massive beam of light emerged from Meifon's hand, dwarfing any attack that she had fired thus far and reached up to the ceiling of the testing arena. The force behind it could be felt from behind the magical barrier, the hair of all the spectators flowing in the wind.
Erza's eyes widened in shock as the massive attack came at her. It was coming in much too fast and too large for her to dodge it effectively. If I'm hit by such an attack it'll be all over!
"Requip: Adamantine armor!"
Erza's entire body was soon covered head to toe in her most impervious armor and just in time. The insanely large attack soon engulfed her, and a powerful explosion engulfed the arena, the ground shook and quaked from the outside, Bambietta, Rukia, Lilttto and Yuuki falling to their feet from the surprise impact. Slowly rising to her feet, Bambietta was the first to look inside of the massive arena.
Yeah, ok, I still have a long way to go before I'm ready to fight...that!
Slowly the dust began to clear and what Bambietta saw shook her to her very core. Erza Scarlet, the strongest female member of fairy tail, was down on the ground, her Adamantine armor completely shattered and her body covered in bruises. She groaned in pain indicating that she was still conscious, but Bambietta hadn't seen her this hurt since...the battle with Jose.
The sound of high heels filled the air then, as Meifon began to turn away as she made her way back to the stands.
"You performed marvelously Erza...but this battle is now over," Meifon said before she turned around. "Ok Elizabeth, I think we're-"
"I'm not...finished yet!"
Meifon's eyes widened in surprise as she slowly turned around to see Erza Scarlet, slowly yet surely beginning to rise to her feet. Unbelievable...she can still get up after such an attack! "Stand down Erza. You're far too injured to possibly win now."
"As a member of Fairy Tail, I cannot so quietly submit," Erza said as she made it up to her feet, defiance burning within her eyes. "You of all people should understand that." Erza took a deep breath, gritting her teeth.
"Requip! Purgatory Armor!"
There was a flash of light then, Erza's body becoming encased in it. For but a moment she appeared to those who watched her, Bambietta especially, as a luminous being. Then the light began to fade, practically peeling away from Erza and leaving her clad in an armor whose plating was deeper than the blackest night. However, it was the massive broadsword that came into existence by Erza's side that truly took hold of the quincy's attention. The tip of the blade came thundering down, cracking the flooring.
Meifon merely stared at Erza before she began to chuckle. "Of course, how could I have ever forgotten about my family's fighting spirit? That was quite foolish of me. Very well then," Just then, a large number of Diamonds came into existence in the air above Meifon, the wizard saint pointing her hand towards Erza. "In that case, you leave me with no choice, but to defeat you completely and utterly. Diamond Make: Purging Thorns!" The massive crystals were sent careening towards Erza then, no doubt with enough power to pulverize the S class mage.
(Ost of choice: Colossus from Code Vein)
Erza braced herself then, turning upon Meifon the declaration she had issued to Erza at the start of the battle. "You will try."
The massive blade of the Purgatory armor swung out then, its weight and power combining to shatter the spell made of diamond. However, that was not the end. No, the sword's magic reached out as it was intended, the weapon a blunt instrument in Erza's hands, one she wielded like a scalpel. The shockwave of the force behind her swing sent the other surrounding crystal thorns careening back, leaving them incapable of striking their target.
What!? Meifon thought with shock seeing her diamond projectiles shattering upon contact with a mere shockwave. Such...power! Not wishing to be outdone, she stomped her foot to the ground then, causing multiple massive diamonds to emerge beneath Erza.
"Diamond Make, Crystal Eruption!"
However, just as the diamonds began to surround Erza, she swung out her massive black blade destroying them all with ease. "You'll find that I have more than enough power in this form to deal with your diamonds now!" Rushing forward like a woman possessed, Erza changed headstrong into Meifon's diamond barrage. Erza slashed and diced her way through the oncoming attacks, even the massive diamond thrones that emerged from the ground were sliced in half with little to no trouble!
"Diamond Make: Barrier!" Meifon cried out as she once more began to try to create her fortress from earlier, but Erza's black broadsword cleaved through it as it had with all the others. Seeing no choice now, Meifon drew her weapons from her pockets, clashing with Erza's massive blade. Much to her shock however, her weapons were unable to cut through Erza's. Just what kind of armor did you make Elizabeth!?
"This armor...it's entirely different from the others," Rukia stated as she watched on. Erza's power was now on a completely different level, her spiritual pressure now beginning to feel more and more like the fearsome captain from squad 11.
"That's to be expected," Elizabeth said with a smile. "I put my heart and soul into that armor when I made it 2 years ago. Everything about it is an A-class weapon. From its absolutely overwhelming power to its highly defensive armor, I made it with the intent that she could use it to defeat any dark mage!"
"So...This is what you're like at full strength," Liltotto said as she watched on. You truly are a woman to be feared, Erza.
"See, I told you Erza would be able to turn this thing around!" Bambietta exclaimed. "GO GET HER ERZA!"
Erza continued to swing her massive blade at her old friend, each swing just barely managing to miss the agile wizard. Diamonds continued to come at Erza from all kinds of angles, from the bottom of the arena to the air above them, but it mattered little. The crystallized objects either were destroyed by Erza's massive blade or simply impacted against her armor with no damage at all.
Her level of physical strength is off the charts! Meifon thought as she just barely managed to avoid another massive swing from Erza's blade. However...i'm noticing one critical weakness in this armor of yours! She continued to dodge and weave under Erza's strikes then, striking at Erza's body with her twin blades whenever she could. Unlike her diamonds the damage wasn't negligible, her photon blades managing to cut through the black armor.
Jumping over Erza's body and landing on her feet, Meifon soon lashed out at Erza once more with her blades. Erza tried to block Meifon's strikes with her massive blade, but while she was always able to block the first incoming photon blade, the 2nd one was able to bypass her defense and strike her through her armor. She lashed out with her massive blade then, the wizard saint once more jumping away from the attack.
Just as I suspected. Your power rises to an incredible degree in this armor...but it also reduces your speed compared to your other armors. Dodging another blow from Erza's massive sword, Meifon soon struck both of her blades across Erza's chest. Erza snarled in pain before she lashed out, but the dance of battle only continued. For every blow Erza tried to land, Meifon was able to hit her twice as much. Finally, Erza's massive blade crashed to the ground, the red-headed mage panting as she glared at her enemy.
"I'll admit it, you've gone above and beyond what I expected from you today," Meifon told Erza. "I've never been more proud of anyone else in my life...but you no longer have the speed needed to hit me. Face reality Erza, you either lack the power to cut through my diamonds...or the speed to deal with my photons." She then sighed. "Now please, let's stop with this. I've seen more than enough."
Rukia watched on with sadness as she looked down upon the Titania. She had worked so hard to find out more about the woman she respected so much, but in the end, it was all for naught. It tore at her heart. Was this what Renji had to go through when he had tried to fight her brother before her execution? To try so hard only to gain nothing? It felt wrong, to just sit back and do nothing to help. But this was not her fight to interfere with.
She's right. I can't win...Not like this. Erza thought to herself. She had pulled out almost all of her armors at this point, and it seemed that for every advantage Erza could find in combat, Meifon was able to come up with some kind of counter. She racked her mind then, to think of some kind of armor that would allow her to turn the tide of this battle, but she soon came to a startling realization. She had nothing left. There was no armor she could use besides the newly acquired ones that would allow her a chance at victory. Is this the end? Did I fight so hard..for nothing?
Just then, Erza was hit with a new idea. No. There was a way for her to turn this battle around. A way for her to gain the power, and the speed that she would need to win this battle. However, in order to acquire them...she would need to discard her armor. The very thought sent a shiver down her spine. Ever since she had left the tower of heaven, she had never taken off her armor with the sole exception of when she took a bath or went out to the beach. To go into battle without her safety net...it scared her. For what was she without her armor? Nothing more than a woman too scared to open up to the world. She needed her armor! Without it...she was nothing.
"Don't give up Erza!"
She slowly turned her head then to the source of that voice, Liltotto Lampard standing in front of the other spectators with determination in her eyes. "Liltotto..."
"Just what do you think you're doing? Don't tell me that you were thinking for even a second you were going to throw in the towel. That isn't the fairy tail way and that certainly isn't you! You're the closest thing I've had to a real sister ever since I lost my first family. You're strong, smart, and everything that I wish I could be! You're my...no, our inspiration!"
"Liltotto is right," Bambietta chipped in. "Erza, except for my sensei and my mother, you're the only other woman I've looked up to as a role model! You're the reason I'm even in fairy tail right now! I've met so many people thanks to you, so...Don't you dare give up! Do you hear me!?"
"Don't you dare allow yourself to fall!" Rukia offered up, bringing one fist up against her sternum. "All of us have a common thread that binds us: Fairy Tail! For that, we will always support you, Titania Erza! So even in the face of defeat, stick out your chest and declare to yourself that you will emerge victoriously!"
No. I can't give up...Not with everyone cheering me on! Erza's body began to glow then, her black armor soon fading as she began to take on a new form. I don't need my armor, not anymore. not as long as I have my friends. As long as I have the power to keep them safe, then that's all that matters!
(OST of choice: Erza theme)
"She's different now... She's changed!" Rukia was unsure of what she was seeing. Gone was the armor, Erza had adorned an outfit more befitting a Soul Reaper than a wizard. Her chest wrapped tightly in cloth, a red hakama adorned with flames upon her, her hair held in a ponytail... and the twin katanas firmly held in her grip... For the Reigai, it was as if looking upon a Bankai itself.
"What's this? One last defiant attempt to try to take me down?" Meifon asked as she looked over Erza's body. "You must be truly desperate if you think you can defeat me without your armor." However, while Meifon had a calm and collected facade on the outside, she couldn't help but feel uncertain about what was transpiring. She's discarded her armor completely...What are you up to this time, Erza?
"What's she doing?" Bambietta asked. "Without any defense, she'll be defeated for sure!"
"No," Rukia said. "I don't... I don't think that's it."
"I think I know what she's doing," Yuuki said as she watched on with intrigue. "The only question is..can she pull it off?"
It's an all or nothing gamble now, Liltotto thought as she looked at Erza. Without the armor to empower, she's freed up so much magic and put all of it into those swords! This is her last chance...Come on Erza, win this!
"Well then, if you're going to insist on continuing this battle, I may as well put an end to it right now!" Meifon pointed her hands forwards then, blasting Erza with both lasers and diamonds alike. A large crystal, in particular, was approaching Erza at dazzling speeds, no doubt finally ending the battle between the two.
Erza said nothing then, as she cut the large diamond in half with her katana's with ease before she began swinging both swords, again and again, deflecting both lasers and crystals alike. She watched the barrage of attacks closely, trying to find a momentary break in the attack. A point where she could shatter Meifon's offense and put her on the defense.
There!
For a moment time seemed to slow for the unarmored wizard, Erza shifting on her feet to dodge one errant blast and leaped forward. She shattered one crystal coming her way, catching a glint of a magical beam moving in close. Seeing another crystal coming in from the side, Erza slammed one foot into it, pushing off and giving herself momentum to the left. The blast of light streaked past her, very nearly skimming her ponytail... but nothing more.
Hitting the ground in a crouch, Erza jabbed one katana into the ground, swinging the blade up and forward. Debris tore from the surface of the arena flooring, spinning out towards Meifon.
"Impressive," Meifon said, bringing one hand up and blasting the scattered debris. "But I wonder what you were trying to distract me... from..."
Meifon could see the crystal geyser she had made moments earlier tumbling towards her, Erza behind it. One of the katanas was flying back into Erza's hand, having cut down the massive pillar through The Knight's telekinetic magic.
"Most impressive!" Meifon brought both hands before her, elbows out to the side, as she fired upon the falling pillar with twin beams that became one. The crystal exploded then, leaving a shockwave to reverberate across the chamber, debris covering the entire arena and clouding her vision. "But it's still far from ov-!"
Then, just as the dust was clearing, Erza charged before Meifon and tackled her to the ground. Meifon grunted in pain as she landed and when she looked up she saw Erza crouching down with one sword pointing down at her, the flat edge resting atop the wizard's right shoulder.
"I suppose that was the pride before the fall," Meifon said, staring up the length of the blade and into Erza's eyes.
"Holy...shit...THAT WAS AWESOME!" Bambietta yelled out.
"Jeez, it's going to take me at least a whole day to clean up this little mess," Elizabeth sighed before she then grinned. "But...It was worth it seeing my best customer in action."
"Erza...I can't believe how far you've come," Yuuki said as she watched down from below.
She could have given up any minute in this fight...but she continued despite such overwhelming odds. Rukia thought to herself. As she looked at the red-headed swordsmen however, she was soon replaced by a young man with orange hair and a black katana. She's a lot like you, isn't she, Ichigo?
Liltotto let out a sigh of relief then, the quincy having held her breath since Erza had discarded her armor. "Thank goodness that's over."
Meifon stared at Erza then, her eyes looking over to one of her photon blades that fell out of her dress when Erza tackled her. If she could just reach it...
No...There's no point. It would only delay the inevitable. I know when I'm beaten. Meifon thought to herself before she finally smiled at Erza. "Well played Erza...I surrender."
Erza's body suddenly grew lighter then, every fiber in her being no longer left tense and battle-ready. The swords vanished, Erza's shoulders slumping slightly. As she stood up, she looked into Meifon's eyes, Erza unsure of what to do or say. For situations such as this, those that existed outside of the mission, outside of combat, were the truest challenges she could ever face. Thoughts ran past her, the wizard knowing the proper etiquette, but she was unsure how to proceed. All she could do was reach out then, putting a hand atop the very same shoulder her katana had just been. "I owe this strength to you, Meifon. You and all of Fairy Tail."
"Hey!" Elizabeth suddenly said with a huff, the elven smith leaning forward with both hands on her hips.
"And you as well, Elizabeth," Erza said. "If not for you, my heart would never have had the armor that allowed it to grow as strong as it has."
"Oh, well..." Elizabeth smiled. "It's the least I could do for my best customer."
Having heard her own words then, Erza looked back at Meifon. She knew what she had to do.
Stepping close, she hugged her mentor from long ago. "Thank you."
"No...I'm the one who should be thanking you Erza," Meifon said as she hugged her back. "You've helped me out in ways that you don't realize...But I suppose now it's time you knew the truth."
"So...you'll keep your end of the deal then?" Erza asked as she finally let go of her dear friend.
"But of course. I am a woman of my word after all," Meifon said before her eyes slowly roamed her own body. "But...I think we should freshen up a little first...It's a long story."
"I can agree to that," Erza said, She could use a moment or two to rest after a battle like that.
She could wait a few more minutes. Soon...she would finally know the truth.
Oh, boy, did this chapter give me some trouble writing it. I'm still rather new when it comes to writing fight scenes, so I'll freely admit that I kinda struggled to write this one in a way that would properly show off both wizard's strengths and weaknesses. I had the idea and flow of the fight in mind for quite some time, but I tend to have a hard time getting those mages outright in written form. Still, I did as best as I could, so I hope that it paid off. I certainly hoped that it entertained you all at the very least.
We'll be going into why Meifon left Fairy Tail and formed Celestial Blade in the next chapter, as well as her encounter with Erza. They were originally going to be a part of this chapter, but as I said, the chapter was already getting long enough as it was. So for now, I knew this would have to suffice.
Did you all enjoy the fight and the flashback that I wrote? Please let me know in the reviews. It would truly mean a lot to me.
Till next time!
MPFs:
Erza (Heart Kruz Armor): 2300
Meifon (Warming up): 3200
Erza (Heavens Wheel): 3800
Meifon (With Photon Magic): 4500
Erza (Flight armor): 4000
Erza (Lighting armor):4200
Erza (Flame Empress armor): 4200
Erza (Black Wing armor): 4350
Erza (Giant armor): 4500
Meifon (Full power): 5450
Erza (Purgatory armor): 5685
Erza (Clear Heart armor): 6500
