Chapter 19

Erza the Slave?

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback

Location / Date / Time Change

Tower of Heaven Shoreline

"They have a ton of look outs." Gray mumbled.

"I say we charge them!" Natsu said.

"Don't even think about it." Lucy scolded.

"They have Erza and Happy." Laki added between pants. "If we screw this up, we could be putting them in danger."

"I found something." Juvia said from the water. "There's an underwater passageway."

"Really?" Gray asked. "Nice work."

"You hear that you two?" She asked Lucy and Laki. "I was just praised by Gray, not either of you."

"Yea, yea..." Lucy mumbled.

"What is she talking about?" Laki asked.

"It should only take us about ten minutes to swim there." Juvia explained.

"We can hold our breath for that long." Natsu said.

"Totally." Gray added.

"That's not humanly possible, ya dopes!" Lucy shouted.

"Well, it's not like wood sinks." Laki said. "Other wise, I could just sneak us in there."

"Then I suggest you wear theses." Juvia held up her hand and a sphere of water floated above it. "It's a water she'll containing oxygen. With these you can breathe as you normally would on land."

"That's awesome." Natsu said. "And, who are you?"

"I think her name is Jillian." Laki mumbled.

The others put on their spheres and dove into the water, following Juvia. After ten minutes, they popped out of the water into a room with really weird statues and pillars.

"So we're beneath the tower now?" Gray asked.

"I wonder where they're keeping Erza and Happy." Natsu mumbled.

"They may look silly, but they sure do work." Lucy, in a bikini said, holding her orb.

"If Juvia charged money for this, she'd make a fortune." Laki added.

"I'm impressed you both made it here, because I made both of yours smaller than the others." Juvia confessed.

"Wow, you're so kind." Both siad as their bubbles popped.

"Intruders!" Guards shouted as they swarmed the room.

"Looks like we won't be sneaking around anymore." Gray said.

"I'm afraid not." Juvia said.

"You really wanna know who we are?" Natsu asked as heat rolled off his body. "We're the guys who are gonna kick your butts!" He slammed his fist into the ground, creating an explosion. "We're wizards from Fairy Tail!" He shouted as the group jumped above the dust cloud. "Fire Dragon Roar!"

"Wood Make: Violent Approach!" Laki shouted as spiked balls rolled along the flames, catching fire and slamming into the guards.

"Ice-Make: Lance!" Gray shouted as he blasted another side with his ice.

"That girls in her bikini." One guard said to a group as they stared at Lucy.

"Open, Gate of the Maiden - Virgo!" Lucy chanted as she summoned her spirit.

"Did you summon me princess?" The maid asked, making the guards drool even more.

"Teach these pervs a lesson." Lucy simply said.

"As you wish." Virgo said back.

"Here, Virgo. Enjoy yourself." Laki said, tossing the spirit a newly crafted scythe.

"Thank you, Miss Laki." The spirit bowed before charging the guards, swinging her new weapon as she went.

"Is this chick made of water or something?" One guard asked as Juvia recovered from her wounds before them. "Our swords won't touch her."

"So let's try our guns!" A group of soldiers opened fire on her, but the shots just went right though her. "What's wrong with this girl?!"

"Drip, drip, drop." Juvia swung her arm and a magic circle appeared. "Water Slicer!" Blades of water shot out of the seal, sending the soldiers flying away. The remaining guards were taken out with a mix of fire, ice, wood, water and Virgo takedowns. "That seems to have done the trick."

"Good job team." Gray said.

"I think we just lost the element of surprise." Laki joked.

"Spill it, where's block head!?" Natsu asked a guard. Behind them a giant head in the wall opened its mouth and extended its tongue as a bridge. "What's that?"

"I think they want us to come up." Gray guessed.

Throne Room

"Why are you letting them I tot he tower?" The man asked.

"As I said before, this is a game." Jellal said. "All they did was clear the first stage, that's it. It wouldn't be fun if they died too quickly."

"If we don't proceed quickly, the council will get involved." The man reminded him. "They might be dumb, but they aren't that stupid."

"Now, now, I have told you not to worry about them." Jellal said. "Those fools wish they had the power to stop me."

Era

"I vote... To fire..." Leiji siad.

"Not you too." Org complained.

"Two more votes and we have the majority." Siegrain said. "Please, I urge you! You have to trust me on this!"

With Team Natsu

"Hey, block head!" Natsu shouted.

"Would you be quite!?" Lucy said back.

"I don't see the point of staying quite." Gray said as everyone but Lucy sat at a table of food. "Not after all the noise we made downstairs."

"The heck are you guys eating?" Lucy asked.

"Maybe you should join them before there's nothing left?" Virgo suggested.

"No one opened the door on this side." Juvia said. "It was remotely opened by magic."

"So they know we're here. The question is why would they let us in." Laki asked before looking over. "Hey, Lucy. Mind changing into something a little less, revealing?"

"I agree. You're giving Mr. Dragneel too much." Virgo said, making Laki choke on her salad.

"What?" Lucy asked, covering herself. "You mean right now?"

"Yes, I'll help you." Virgo inched towards her with an evil glimmer in her eyes.

"Virgo, bad maid." Lucy said in vain as Gray looked over.

"Holy..." He mumbled.

"Please stop looking at her Gray!" Juvia shouted.

"I brought this over from the Celestial World." Virgo told Lucy, now in a green dress.

"Well boys, how do I look in this?" The blonde asked.

"Amazing." Gray said.

"Don't complement her!" Juvia shouted.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" Laki asked. Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed the spirit and led her to the back of the room. "She likes him?"

"No." The spirit said. "I just thought it would be funny to see how you react, and it was." She walked over to Lucy and bowed. "I wish you the best, Princess." Virgo said before fading away.

"Thanks, Virgo." Lucy said. "Oh, sorry, Laki. Probably should have asked for something for you."

"Nah, this is fine." She said as she stood near Natsu on fire, drying her clothes.

"We had a dryer right here!?" Lucy shouted.

"The intruders! We found them!" A group of guards shouted as they ran into the room. Before anyone could do anything, Erza arrived and took them out.

"Erza!" Natsu and Gray shouted.

"As always, her timing is impeccable." Laki said.

"Wow, she's so cool..." Juvia mumbled. Erza looked up and stared wide eyed at the rescue team.

"What are doing inside the tower!?" She asked.

"Looking for you." Lucy answered.

"We haven't met yet, my name's-" Juvia started.

"Go home!" Erza ordered. "This place is far too dangerous."

"You're not gonna scare me away." Natsu said, slamming his hands together. "I ain't going anywhere until that block head gets a taste of my fist. He's gonna pay for shooting me in the mouth."

"You have to go." Erza said.

"Your buddies took Happy with them." Natsu shouted. "I can't leave here without him!"

"They got him too?" Erza asked. "It must have been Millianna."

"Where is he?" Natsu shouted.

"I don't know." She said.

"Got it." Natsu said.

"Got what?" Gray asked.

"Happy's waiting for us!" Natsu shouted running out of the room. "I'm coming little buddy!"

"Natsu!" Laki shouted.

"There he goes again." Gray huffed.

"We have to go after him." Laki said.

"No!" Erza raised her blade, scaring the other. "You don't have to worry about Happy. Millianna is a cat lover, she'd never do anything to hurt him. I'll bring them both back to the guild, but the rest of you need to leave."

"Don't be ridiculous." Lucy said. "We can help you."

"I don't want your help." Erza said. "This is my problem. You don't have to throw yourselves into it."

"It's too late for that." Gray said. "You saw Natsu. I'd say we're plenty involved."

"Erza, what is this tower, and who is this Jellal?" Laki asked.

"Though, it's fine if you don't want to tell us." Lucy spoke up. "I know you said those guys were your friends before, but we're your friends now. And we want to help you. No matter what, we'll always have your back."

"Please, just go..." The red head whispered.

"You're freaking me out." Gray said. "This isn't like you. Why can't you just tell us to follow you like you always do? Even the strongest warriors need help every once in a while. Master taught us that, remember?"

Erza turned around as tears weld up in her eyes, scaring the others. "I'm sorry, but you can't help me now. Whether I win or lose, I'll be staring to death in the face."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Gray asked.

"There's no point infighting what you can't, but what i can do is tell you my tale." Erza said. "This place is called the Tower of Heaven. Also known as the R-system. More than a decade ago, a cult of black magic users began its construction. It would be used to cast a forbidden spell that brings the dead back to life."

"The council would never have approved this project, so the cult rounded up people from all counties and forced them to work as slaves on the towers construction. The only reason I know this, is because I was forced to work here." Her friends gasped in shock. "Anyone who defied the cult or tried to escape was hunted down, and never seen again. We never had any peace, we lived in constant fear. But despite that, we bonded and made friends we could trust even though we knew we wouldn't be together long. One of my friends in the tower was a boy named Jellal."

Eight Years Ago

"ERZA!" Jellal shouted as he stormed the room. "Hold on." He put his sword down and untied the small girl from the post. "Don't worry, I'll get you out of here." He laid the girl down and looked in horror at her face. "Your eye... They've gone too far... What did we do to deserve this!?" He shouted.

"Jel...lal..." Erza whispered.

"Yeah, it's me." He nodded. "You're safe now, I'm here with you."

"How will we get out..." She asked. Jellal smiled as he led her back the way he came, past the bodies of cultist and guard beasts.

"There's no turning back now." He said. "We're gonna have to fight."

"Fight?" Erza weakly asked. Four magic seals appeared around them and ghoul like creatures rose up.

"Magic soldiers!" Jellal shouted.

Cell

"I hope sister is okay." Sho said.

"Grandpa Rob, you came back from punishment. Do you think she'll be okay?" Simon asked.

"I'm sure she's fine." The old man said. "They can torture her all they want, but they'll never break her spirit." The cell door opened two guard walk, throwing Erza to the ground before bringing in a cart of tools.

"Erza!" Simon shouted as the group ran over. "Wait, where's Jellal?"

"Don't upset her anymore." Rob said. "We should just be happy she came back alive. I can only guess that they chose to keep Jellal in her place."

"I can't take it." Sho sobbed. "I can't take it anymore!"

"Shut up, you brat!" A guard shouted.

"There's no need to cry." Rob said, holding the child. "Everything is going to work out."

'We're gonna have to fight.' Jellal's words echoed in Erza's head. She grabbed a shovel and attacked the guards, sending them flying out of the cell, letting everyone see.

"It's a revolt!" One shouted before falling unconscious.

"What's gotten into you?" Simon asked the panting redhead.

"Find a weapon!" She shouted. "We won't get out of here by following their rules, we can't escape, and they're not gonna set us free! So if we want out of here, we have to fight! For our lives, for our freedom!" The entire slave labor force heard her and cheered, taking up arms.

Present

"So we took a stand for our freedom, and to rescue our dear friend Jellal." Erza continued. "He was the leader of our group. He had a strong sense of justice. I looked up to him more than anyone else. However, something happened to him. It's almost like he became an entirely different person. If you could ever call someone evil, that's what I'd call Jellal."

Eight Years Ago

Tower of Heaven

"Don't mess with mad dog Wally!" Wally shouted as he took out some slavers.

"Thanks for toughening me up!" Simon shouted as he took out another group.

"Stupid brats!" One slaver shouted before Erza swung a sword she found among the weapons. Sho and Milliana ran after her, brandishing their own weapons.

"We have to free everyone in sector eight today." Erza siad. "We can do it guys!"

"No we can't." Simon said back. "There are too many solders there!"

"We have to!" She shouted back. "It's the only way to save Jellal."

"Looks like she's into him." Wally teased Simon. "Sorry pal."

"Hey, Erza, do you... like Jellal?" Simon asked with a blush.

"What!?" Erza asked back. "This isn't the time to talk about stuff like that. We... Need to focus." She finished with a blush.

"Sorry, but I just wanted to make sure because-" Simon started when a ball of fire blasted the two of them away from each other.

"What the heck was that?" Wally asked.

"Look!" Millianna pointed into the air as magic soldiers floated towards them. "Simons hurt. What do we do?" She asked. The ghouls opened their mouths and balls of fire shot out of them, forcing the rebels to flee.

"You can't just runaway!" Erza shouted. "We have to fight to be free!" A man pushed her to the ground and rubble trapped her feet. "Help me..." She reached for the fleeing mob as it grew smaller and smaller from her sight.

"Erza!" Wally shouted as the ghouls fired again. Erza braced for the impact only to have it blocked by Grandpa Rob.

"My magic might not be as powerful as it once was, but it's still enough to take you down." He defiantly said. "I will not let you take the life of a child." He screamed as a seal appeared and sent the magic back at the ghouls, obliterating them all.

"That was cool." Wally said.

"He sent their magic back at them." Sho whispered.

Erza crawled over to Rob, now a sickly green. "I might be a feeble old man, but I still have some fight in me somewhere. As a wizard, my magic has always been intertwined with my life essence. But I had no idea just how much until I lost it, and found myself in this sorry state. Don't end up like me Erza. You still have so much potential, don't let it go to waste."

He stood up as cultists shot more fire balls at him and Erza, taking the hits for her. "Your beautiful smile is the only thing that kept me alive in this wretched place. Remember, freedom lies in your heart. Follow your heart, and all your dreams will come true." His body ran out of the magic he had and it crumbled away like stone.

"Noooo!" She shouted before dropping to her knees.

"Erza, we have to go!" Wally shouted. Erza dropped her head and screamed as a large magic circle appeared beneath her. Shovels, pick axes, hammers, swords, all manner of weaponry floated into the air before she sent them flying towards the cultists.

"She used magic..." Sho said.

Erza stared at her hand as her first conversation with Rob came back to her. 'You knew all along Grandpa. You knew I had this power, and know that I found it, I can save Jellal and everyone else. Looks like flying a broom is gonna have to wait.' She raised a sword into the air. "We have to fight for our freedom!" She shouted as the mob cheered around her.

Torture Room

"What are we gonna do!?" The fat one asked in a panic.

"We run, you idiot!" The other one said. Both turned to the door as Erza walked in, a sword in each hand. "Calm down, let's not do anything hasty..."

"Don't blame us!" The fat one shouted. "We were just doing what we were told."

"Out of my way!" Erza shouted before swinging her blades, knocking them to the side. She ran behind the crystal and saw Jellal tied to a post. "I'm here to save you!" She swung her swords and cut the binds. "You're safe now, everything is okay. We fought, just like you said to."

"Everyone was so brave." She slung him onto her shoulder. "Simon got hurt pretty badly and Grandpa Rob saved my life, but he didn't make it. But we fought them all and won. Come on, Wally found some boats. We're leaving and never coming back."

"E...rza..." Jellal stood on his own feet and wrapped her in a hug. "You don't have to leave the tower, because true freedom is here with me." He pushed off her and leaned against the lacrima.

"But I thought you wanted get out of here, Jellal?" She asked confused. "This is our chance at freedom."

"Don't you get it?" He asked, turning around. "Freedom doesn't exist in this world. The fools who built this tower might not be our keepers anymore, but you haven't tasted true freedom yet. Because that can only happen..." He closed his eye and opened it, revealing a tribal look to the iris and a glowing red pupil. "In Zeref's world."

"Now I understand why they made us work so hard on this tower. They believe they can resurrect Zeref with it. You claim to be pious devotees, but you couldn't even sense your Gods presence, could you?" He grabbed the skinny one by his throat and held him against the crystal. "This is my tower now. I will finish it and bring Zeref back." A magic seal appeared beneath the cultist, sending him crashing into the roof of the room.

"Magic?" Erza asked.

"Someone, help!" The fat one shouted as he tried to run out the door. Jellal raised his hand and telepathically sent him into the wall.

"Stop this, Jellal! You're hurting him!" She shouted.

"I thought you hated the,?" He asked back as the fat one tried to crawl away.

"I do, but this is just plain cruel!" She shouted back.

"You'll never be able to sense Zeref unless you focus your hate!" Jellal shouted as he held out his hand. A purple seal appeared beneath the cultist before he turned to dust.

"You killed him! What's wrong with you?" Erza asked.

"There's nothing wrong with me." He said walking out the door, down the hall pass unconscious cultists as Erza followed him. "I'm renaming this place The Tower of Heaven. Erza, you and I are going to finish it together and resurrect Zeref."

"Why would anyone want to stay here when we have the chance to leave!?" Erza asked. Jellal looked over at her and his eye glowed red before Erza was sent flying through a wall.

"Fine, if you wanna leave so badly, I won't stop you." He chuckled as he walked through the hole. "But you're the only one who's leaving."

"What?" She asked.

"I can't finish the tower all by myself, so I'm going to keep the others here with me." He explained. "Don't worry, I'm not going to mistreat them. I'll feed them, clothe them, and make sure they have plenty of rest between shifts. A mass of tired and angry people don't make very good workers."

"What are you saying!?" Erza asked. "They're all on the boats right now! No one will agree to stay here and work for you."

"That won't be a problem." Jellal chuckled. "I just have to give them a purpose. Once they learn of Zeref's plan, they'll all happily work to bring him back."

"Please Jellal... Come back to your senses." She begged.

"Why don't you?" He asked as a shadow wrapped around Erza and lifted her up. "I have no use for you anymore, but since you dealt with the fools in my way, I'll let you live. Enjoy your new 'freedom', but I have some conditions you must follow."

"I can't... breath..." She gasped.

"You will never tell anyone of this place." He began. "If word ever got out about this tower, I'd be in big trouble. And then I'd have no choice but to destroy the tower and everyone in it. You can never come back unless I say so. Step one foot on this island without my approval, and I'll kill all your friends." He cupped her face and whispered into her ear. "Starting with Sho..."

"No.." She gasped.

"One wrong move and your friends are dead!" He shouted. "I'll enjoy true freedom while you suffer, crushed by the weight of your guilt!"

Present

"I'm going to fight Jellal." She said as a tear ran down her eye. "I don't have a choice."

Era

"We must act now!" Siegrain said. "We have to us the Satellite Square to target Etheron and destroy the tower."

"The R-system uses forbidden black magic." Ultear added. "It has to be destroyed, why can't you see that?"

"An Etherion blast would destroy everything in the area." Org said. "Including innocent bystanders."

"That means your own brother's life is at stake." Michello added. "If you fire Etherion, he'll die. Could you live with yourself after that?"

"To protect the order of the magical world, I'll live with any guilt." He said back.

"Even if civilians are lost, we must stop it." Leiji spoke. "It's a decision that must be made."

"If we attack Kaelum soil, we'd be vilified. We'd go down in history as mass murderers." Org said.

"My reputation means nothing if I can't save countless lives." Belno said.

"Think of how the R-system would affect future generations." Leiji said. "What's the point of teaching people the value of life if the dead can be brought back?"

"I would like to vote of the use of Etherion." Belno said.

"Only one more vote." Siegrain said.

Tower of Heaven

Throne Room

"Just one more vote and it's game over." Jellal mumbled.

With Erza's Group

"This 'Zeref', why does that name sound so familiar?" Gray asked.

"Wasn't he like, the first dark mage ever?" Laki asked.

"That's right." Erza nodded. "Both Lullaby and Deliora were creations of his."

"So then why would Jellal want to bring him back?" Juvia asked.

"I don't understand his motives either, but Sho mentioned something about Zeref helping them get to heaven." Erza said.

"Okay, there's one thing that confuses me about these people who claim to be old friends of yours." Lucy spoke up. "They said you were a traitor, but the real traitor seems to be Jellal."

"Obviously, Jellal has been lying to them." Laki spoke. "Geez, I think Natsu is starting to rub off on you."

"But I did abandon them for eight years." Erza somberly said. "I guess I did betray them."

"That was because Jellal threatened to kill them!" Lucy shouted. "You couldn't even get close to the tower."

"None of that matters anymore." Erza said. "If I defeat Jellal, this whole thing ends."

"Sister that's not true." All five turned to see Sho walk in. "Why are you lying to them?"

"Sho..." Erza mumbled.

"All that crap about you being a martyr, was that just to get sympathy from your friends?" Sho asked. "Tell them the truth! That wasn't even close to what happened! You destroyed the boats we were going to use to escape and then you just left! If Jellal hadn't found out your plan, we'd all be dead by now! He told everyone the truth, that you were drunk on your new power, and didn't give a damn about anyone from your past!"

"Did you ever think he might be lying to you?" Laki asked. "That doesn't sound like Erza to me at all."

"You don't know her at all!" Sho shouted. "None of you were there! You don't know anything about us! I was saved thanks to Jellal! That's why I spent all these years working to finish the tower for him! I did it for him! And now you want to tell me that it was all a lie!? You honestly expect me to believe that Jellal has been lying to us this whole time!?"

"I'm afraid so." Simon said as he appeared in the room.

"You little-" Gray growled.

"Wait, he doesn't pose a threat, my dear." Juvia said. "He never meant us any harm. Back at Akane, he knew he was attacking an ice decoy. Since he cast the darkness spell, he would not have been affected by it."

"No wonder you were one of Phantom's Element Four." Simon said before turning to Sho. "I had to trick you into thinking I'd killed him. I hoped our attack would bring them here."

"So you were just tricking us?" Sho asked with tears in his eyes.

"Jella had you all under his spell, and I couldn't convince you otherwise." Simon explained. "I played along until the moment was right."

"So you knew all this time?" Erza asked.

"I've always believed in you, Erza." He said. "It's been that way for eight years, and nothing can change that. I say those words from the bottom of my heart."

"Simon." The two embraced in a hug as the rest of the group smiled.

"I can't believe it..." Sho said. "I blindly followed him for all these years. I doubted you, because you left me all alone! Do you have any idea how much that hurt!?" He pounded the ground and began crying. "What do I do!? Who do I believe!?"

"I know it's difficult to take this all in at once, but let me just say a few words." Erza said, crouching down. "I never stopped thinking about you guys for eight years. I'm sorry I couldn't stop him... I was too weak to do anything... Forgive me..."

"Now you're stronger and ready to face him, isn't that right?" Simon asked and Erza nodded. "I've been waiting for this moment. For when a group of powerful wizards would gather here."

"So, what's your plan?" Laki asked.

"We're going to take Jellal down." Simon said. "If we work together, we can't be stopped. But first, we must stop Salamander and Wally from clashing."

With Natsu

"Geez, what's up with this room?" Natsu asked as he walked into Milliana's room. "There are cats all over the place. Oh, I like that giant green kitty head!" He picked it up and saw a hole on the underside. "Cool, it's a mask." He put it on and started posing. "Oh, I'd make a good cat."

He tried to pull it off only to find it stuck. "My giant head is too big. Oh well, it looks cool, so who cares? Maybe I'll show it to Laki."

"End of the road for you, boy." Wally muttered, pointing the gun at the back of Natsu's head.

Outside Staircase

"Something is interfering with my communication." Simon said. "I can't tell reach Wally or Millianna. I can't even tell where they are."

"Do you think Jellal is doing it?" Laki asked as she ran beside him.

"It's possible. This is his tower." Simon theorized.

"What are they talking about?" Lucy asked.

"Telepathic communication." Juvia explained.

Erza stopped and looked back at Sho behind her. "Are you okay, Sho?

"I'm fine." He said back. "Everything's fine now that you're here."

"You sure we can trust this guy?" Gray asked Juvia. "I mean, I understand he wasn't trying to kill us, but still..."

"I won't make excuses for my actions." Simon interrupted. "If you were the sort who could have been killed by that attack, you wouldn't have been able to scratch Jellal. I had faith that Natsu would survive. Only Laki can comprehend the power he has. When he unleashes it, nothing can stop him."

Millianna's Room

"Achoo." Natsu sneezed. "Oh man, I can't even wipe my mouth. I gotta get this thing off me." He pushed the mask up, but it wouldn't come off.

"Let me give you a hand." Wally chuckled. Millianna ran up and shoved him, forcing him to shot the wall. "Cut it out, Millianna."

"Blockhead!" Natsu turned around.

"What's the big idea!?" Wally shouted. "I had him in my crosshairs!"

"You big old meanie." She huffed. "You can't go around bullying kitties!"

"Wait a second, that's not even a real cat!" Wally shouted back.

"Meow." Natsu purred.

"Oh, a funny man." Wally said, pushing Millianna out of the way. "Trust me, this cat is a rat! Polygon attack!" His body glowed before it burst into blocks that flew at Natsu.

He flipped out of the way before holding up a stuffed cat like a shield. "Cat Barrier!"

"No, not the kitty!" Millianna shouted.

"For crying out loud, he's our enemy!" Wally shouted back. "See how the cat ends and human begins!? That's a mask!"

Natsu discarded the shield before punching the blocks with fire, charring some stuff cats. "Jellal wasn't kidding, this brat has some skill." Wally mumbled. "Millianna, back me up!"

"Meow!" She growled. "Pretending to be a cat when you're really just a human... That pisses me off!"

"Have you even looked in the mirror!?" Natsu asked back.

"Bad Kitty Restraint Tube!" She summoned her rope, which wrapped around Natsu's wrist.

"Nice work, doll." Wally said.

"Time to put this fake kitty to sleep." She said back.

"With pleasure!" Wally shouted back.

"Cat Fire!" Natsu shouted, only to find his hand unlit before taking the attack. "What the? Why can't I use my magic!? Is it 'cause of this thing!?" He pulled on the rope before another one wrapped around his foot and slammed him back down and Wally sent his blocks into his back. Millianna summoned more rope that wrapped around Natsu.

"Hope you're hungry, Salamander. Today's main course is lead." Wally said, pointing his gun at Natsu. "Listen up. I got a dandy catchphrase I've been dying to use. From the moment you met me-" He was cut off when Happy swung a robot cat toy in his head.

"Happy!" Natsu shouted.

"Natsu, thank goodness you're safe." Happy sighed. "But you picked a weird time to start cosplaying."

"Just get this thing off of me!" Natsu shouted.

"You little!" Wally growled. "No one interrupts me and gets away with it!" He started firing at Happy, but Millianna stopped him.

"I won't let you bully the kitty!" She shouted.

"Last time I checked, cats can't fly or talk!" Wally said back.

"Untie me, Happy!" Natsu shouted.

"Aye!" Happy shouted back. He landed and started to mess with ropes as Wally and Millianna kept fighting. "I can't get it off!"

"Crap, looks like I'm gonna have to use that!" Natsu shouted, scaring the others. "Fire Dragon Sad Kitty." Millianna stared at the crying cat until she couldn't take it anymore and undid the ropes.

"Why'd you let him go!?" Wally shouted.

"The kitty looked so sad..." Millianna whimpered.

"Get'em, Natsu!" Happy shouted.

"Fire Dragon Wing Attack!" Natsu whipped them with fire, knocking them out. "Mess with the cat, and you get the claws!"

"So, how long are you going to stay like that?" Happy asked.

"Until I can get this thing off." Natsu sighed.

Throne Room

Jellal moved a red dragon on a game board and knocked over an archer and a cat before putting it back on the board. "Sho and Simon have betrayed me, and Millianna and Wally were beaten by the Salamander. This is how the game should be played. One sided matches are never any fun."

"Sir, need I remind you were on a time schedule." The hooded man said. "We need to get Erza back in our custody now."

"In that case, fetch her." Jellal said. "It is our turn, after all." He smiled as he placed three new pieces on the board, a motorcycle, a girl with pink hair and a kimono, and a pair of brass knuckles.

The grin widen as Jellal looked over at the red eyes that shined out of the hood. A collar was attached to his neck, hooked to a chain that went over his shoulder. His hood led to a long cloak that covered most of his back and arms. A cross belt went around his waist, and cuffs covered his wrists, with broken chains hanging off them. Another belt and a chain held up torn pants and combat boots covered his feet. Hanging on his belt were multiple double barrel pistols and his right hand was covered by a pure place glove.

"Sounds like a fun time." Another man said. A red tattoo of a hand covered his face. A military vest covered his chest, complete with grenades and a pistol. His forearms were covered by white wrapping, covered in dry blood and brown gloves covered his hands. A black and white bat hung off his back, one the white side was the word 'Jekyll' etched in it and on the black side the word 'Hyde'. His belt held a pair of brass knuckles on the buckle, holding up a pair of camo pants, with a red sash on the right leg. Combat boots covered his feet, and jagged teeth formed a smile on his face.

"Cretins..." A woman said. She had her pink hair tied in two large buns, two beauty marks under her green eyes, a black choker and her hands held a sword in a red sheathe. She wore a white kimono with red ribbons tied around her arms, a red, yellow trimmed skull at the bottom and a red sash acting as a belt and red platform shoes on her feet. "We assassins are at your command." She said as the three bowed.

Millianna's Room

"Pull harder, Happy!" Natsu begged.

"If I pull any harder, your head will come off." The cat responded. With one final tug, the mask flew off of Natsu and landed on Wally, who quickly threw it off.

"We ain't done, Salamander." Wally said as he struggled to stand.

"You're in no condition to fight." Natsu said. "And since Erza and Happy are fine, I'm not gonna waste anymore energy on you."

"Talk all you want, but we're still gonna get to heaven." Wally said. "Jellal promised us real freedom, in a world where people like us call the shots."

"I welcome you all to the Tower of Heaven." Jellal's voice rang out from all around them. "My name is Jellal, and I am the ruler of this tower. I see all the pieces have been placed."

With Erza's Group

"So he knows we're here." Simon said. "He's just been watching us the whole time, waiting for us." Behind them, Sho was shaking in rage.

"I'm delighted you came all this way to see me." Jellal continued. "I have a game for all of us to play. The rules are really simple. I wish to use Erza as a sacrifice to resurrect Zeref. If I succeed, then heaven will open its doors and I win. But, if you can manage to stop me, then you win. To make things more interesting, I've hired the services of three dark knights to battle for me."

"Three knights?" Simon mumbled. "Who are they?"

"To get to me, you must get past them." Jellal explained. "Thus, a three on nine battle. Oh, there is one more thing you should know. The council has the satellite square focused on this tower. So, it's highly likely they will attack. At this moment, they are debating whether or not to fire Etherion on us."

Throne Room

"What the hell? That wasn't part of the deal!" The hooded man shouted.

"Don't tell me the big, bad demon is scared." The woman teased.

"Not on your life." He said back. "I just don't get paid by the hour. I need to know how fast I have to kill them."

"I have no idea how much time remains, but should the Etherion strike, there will be nothing but annihilation. In other words game over." Jellal explained.

With Erza's Group

"That is one seriously messed up game." Lucy whimpered.

"That doesn't make any sense!" Erza shouted. "Why would the council resort to something so drastic!?" She suddenly felt Sho's magic flare up and found herself trapped in a card.

"Erza!" Gray shouted.

"What the hell are you thinking, Sho!?" Simon asked.

"Now, let the game begin." Jellal finished.

"I won't let anyone hurt her." Sho said with rage. "I'll beat Jellal all by myself if I have to!" He turned and sprinted, with Erza screaming to be released.

"Get back here Sho!" Laki shouted as she sprinted after him.

"Gray, you're with me!" Simon shouted. "You two, head the other way and try to find Jellal!"

With Natsu

"Now I'm all fired up." Natsu pounded his fists.

"We're gonna have to go to the top." Happy said, picking his partner up and flying out the window.

"Huh?" Natsu looked over as a flying motorcycle crashed into, sending him crashing back into the tower.

It never made any sense to me why they talked about what happened to Jellal when Erza said she didn't know what changed in him. That's why the possession scene is missing in this story. In case your wondering, Laki's game piece is a green bush with glasses.

If you don't know who they are, it's Disturbed's The Guy, and Five Finger Death Punches Knucklehead. All their spells will be based off the bands songs.

Beta read by digemsmack.