Thrill Chill...

In The Last Chapter:

Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Juvia all infiltrate the Tower of Heaven, where they soon meet up with Nic and Erza. Erza explains her past about being a slave and how Jellal became such a sinister and wicked being. She wanted the others to leave, but they all stayed. Simon and Sho join their side and they all go off to find Jellal. Nic goes in search of Natsu and Happy and they defeat Wally and Millianna in the process. Jellal decides to play a 'game' and have the 'players' fight their way to the top. Nic and Natsu both fight Fukuro at this point, as he had already took out Simon. Sho also panics and traps Erza in a card as he runs off to fight Jellal all on his own...

Chapter 16: Thrill Chill...

Juvia and Lucy both paired up in search of Natsu's whereabouts, though it was easier said than done. They were in a rather large room with very large holes on the sides. The flooring was brown and there were rope-like frames around the holes much like a helix.

"Natsu!" Lucy called out from the center of the room, but no answer.

"Salamander!" Juvia called out, but she too was replied with only silence.

Lucy turned towards Juvia. "He's got ears like a dog so he must be hearing us fom wherever he is inside this tower." Lucy explained, but not getting as to why Natsu hasn't responded.

Juvia then turned, surprised that Natsu's abilities reminded her of an old friend. "Oh? Then he must be like Gajee." Juvia said. "Does he have a keen nose as well?"

Lucy backed away, a little shocked that Juvia had a pet name for Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer. "Uh yeah. Gajee?" She said. Juvia turned away, fairly bored with this whole teamwork gig.

"Why of all people was I stuck with this blonde nuisance?" She muttered out loud.

Lucy gave her a sour look. "I can still hear you, ya know."

Juvia then began to lightly blush, remembering Gray. She remembered specifically that Gray told them to find a way up to the top while he goes and tries to get Erza from Sho. Though she interpreted it like he was saying with upmost love in his eyes. "Oh Gray, I would do anything for you." She fantasized. "But doesn't he know that leaving two romantic rivals together is a death sentence?"

Lucy groaned, not liking Juvia's imagination. "For the last time, I'm not into that ice stripper!"

Out of one of the holes blasted a loud wave of sound shredding about. When this sound reached Lucy's ears, she instantly covered them up.

"Gah! So loud!" Lucy shrieked. "Whatever this is, I'm not liking it!" She obviously didn't have a taste for metal, compared to Juvia.

Juvia stood there, unfazed by the metal shredding sound, rather appealed by it. "I think it sounds cool." She said calmly.

Lucy turned towards Juvia with her hands still plugging up her ears. "You are a messed up metalhead!" Lucy exclaimed. 'Geez, and here I thought Nic was a metalhead, now this crazy lady?!'

"No that's Gajee, not Juvia, Juvia likes it, but Gajee loves it." Juvia responded calmly and without a care in the world.

The sound escalated as Vidaldus walked down and stopped at the hole entrance, shredding and down his guitar. His guitar was looking more like an axe-shaped base, with yellow outlining and blue all inside. It had patches of red along the arch and had gray pipes curing down the opposite end. Vidaldus continued with his shredding as he screeched like a metal screamer and doing massive head banging and whipping his long hair around like a psycho, of which you could say he was.

When his song finished, Lucy unplugged her hands and she and Juvia both gazed upon their opponent-to-be. Juvia stared emotionlessly as to where Lucy had a slight sense of worry with this guy playing his music.

"You chicks dig my solo!" Vidaldus asked, flicking his tongue.

Lucy did take note of his hair and how insanely long it was. "Holy cow! That hair!"

"I'm an assassin from the Death's Hand Caucus. Pretty rocking name right? It makes your bones rattle and shake like the vibrant metal." Vidaldus introduced himself.

"I do believe that you're one of the three knights that Jellal spoke of." Juvia said, paying no heed to his comments.

Vidaldus did a scale on his guitar and brought his head back. "I am the wings of Trinity Raven! I am Vidaldus!" He blinked his eyes and then his hair greatly extended, indicating an attack as he screeched again. "Hair Whip!" His large strands of hair then sharply turned towards Juvia and Lucy and went in to strike them down. Lucy panicked and screamed as she tipped over and narrowly missed an incoming hair lock. Another one came again and she got down again. Juvia didn't even flinch when a hair strand sideswiped her, passing through her water body, of which Vidaldus took notice of with a grin of pure wickedness.

"Dang, that's one insane body you got there." Vidaldus said. He then chuckled like a hyena.

Juvia was not shifting her gaze as she was focused on stopping Vidaldus. "My body is made of water; your attacks will not do any harm to me. Drip, drip, drop." She explained. He body was then enveloped in a small cyclone of water that expanded and separated into a flood that rushed at the Heavy-Metal assassin. "Water Lock!" The water then enclosed around Vidaldus, trapping him in a sphere of water.

Lucy looked on in shock as to how calm yet so lethal Juvia was. "Oh man, I'm so glad you're on our side now Juvia." Lucy exhaled.

Vidaldus didn't move, though his hair wasn't the same, his hair was squirming through the sphere of water like worms eating through dirt. His long hair expanded and began to take in all of the water, startling Lucy and Juvia both. His feet were planted as his hair took in the last drop of water, showing a long and shiny coat in his hair. His hair was then brought over his head and the water just disappeared, leaving him unfazed and having a lavished look on his face.

Juvia stepped back, unable to have anticipated such an ability. "My Water Lock just got soaked up!" She exclaimed. "How were you able to break free of my attack?"

Vidaldus stared haphazardly at Juvia. "It was too easy because my hair is so hardcore that it absorbs ant liquids. Just make sure it ain't oil or alcohol." He answered.

"So water attacks have no affect on him? That's not good at all." Lucy said.

Vidaldus stepped forward, smirking ever so larger than before. "Man, both you ladies are looking hotter than Hell."

Lucy frowned and was displeased. "Oh man, seriously, why are my looks a curse?!" He when blinked when Vidaldus pointed at Juvia, making her blink as well.

"Well babe, it's your lucky day." Vidaldus said. "I'm gonna make you my slave! Let's see how you fair with little solo. Rock of Succubus!" He then began to shred about on his guitar, making sparks literally fly. The turbines on his guitar began turning and the tubes connected began to pump out purple Magic. Vidaldus screeched as the purple Magic began closing in on Juvia.

"W-What's going on?!" Juvia screamed as the Magic engulfed her entire body.

"Juvia, get out of there!" Lucy shouted in concerns for her. Juvia was unable to move as the Magic made her lift into the air and she let out one final scream before everything flashed. "JUVIA!" Lucy shouted. Lucy shut her eyes as the flash obscured her vision for a brief two seconds before it dissolved and everything was back the way it was. Now a small mist enshrouded them from what had just happened. Lucy opened her eyes to search for Juvia, but got no answer. "Juvia?"

Vidaldus stood there, with his maniac smile plastered on his face over his success. He was not far from Lucy and began to chuckle. "Behold, my slave!"

The mist dissolved and Juvia was turned towards Lucy. Juvia's hair was going down her back, all the way down to her waist. Her skin was close to being considered ghostly white and had on black lipstick. She had a jagged ring around her neck and had on a leather magenta outfit as a shirt that was tied up from the abdomen down about six inches just above the weird insignia on her lower abdomen. She had a spied wristband on her right wrist and had on leather pants with white boots.

She smiled demonically at Lucy. "Say your prayers blondie." She said. "But you'll burn in Hell!" She then broke out in a laugh that scared Lucy.

Her eyes were all shaken and she almost quivered. "W-What has he done to do?" She asked.

Vidaldus then played a harsh chord on his guitar, making Juvia all riled up while Lucy was forced to cover her ears.

"Gaha! Don't even bother reasoning blondie!" Vidaldus shouted, doing a crazy head bang and had his hair spiraling like crazy. "My spell makes her my slave!" He then finished his chord and ceased the head banging for the moment. "So, I could've turned you both into my slaves, but that wouldn't be fun. I wanna see a catfight and see clothes getting torn!"

Lucy covered up as she felt offended to a degree. "You're a low-down monster!"

Vidaldus raised a brow. "Oh really? That's the best compliment I've been given. For that, we'll get this hot catfight underway!" He then played a note, to which Juvia responded by turning into a blob of water and creating a vortex around Lucy.

"Aw man, I just got this dress!" Lucy complained, having her outfit getting soiled up.

A liquid form of Juvia emerged from the vortex that was still raging and slashed at Lucy's clothing. "Come on blondie, show a little skin!" When she slashed, revealing Lucy's chest, Lucy covered up and screamed in embarrassment. Vidaldus kept rocking on and Juvia ceased the vortex and re-shaped into a solid and stuck her tongue out and did a rock sign.

Lucy used the band on her head and used it as a bra. "Don't do this Juvia!" Lucy shouted. Juvia didn't listen as she rammed into Lucy, making her step back a few feet. Lucy put a hand over her hurt forehead and was caught off guard when she was engulfed in a huge wave of water. Within, Juvia yanked Lucy's hair and threw her to the ground.

Still persistent after getting up after that, Lucy still tried convincing Juvia. "Juvia, if you wanna join Fairy Tail, this isn't really the best way of doing so!" But Juvia smirked and didn't fazed at all.

Vidaldus played another chord and head banged again. "Oh yeah! Make some screams!" Juvia then turned her right arm into a whip and started whipping Lucy's back, making her yelp repeatedly. "Yeah! That's what I want to hear!"

"Are you sadistic or something?!" Shouted a ticked off Lucy.

"Get this catfight hardcore!" Vidaldus demanded. Juvia then turned into water and began boiling.

"She wants my man!" She shouted, surprising Lucy. "She's my love rival!" She then expanded and rushed at Lucy.

"No I'm not!" Lucy shouted before being engulfed in water. The torrent pressed on with her starting to get swallowed up. 'He has control. I can't reach her.'

"Hahaha! Prepare to drown little blondie!" Her voice echoed. Lucy tried to stand her ground and wasn't holding up very well.

'I can't hold my breath…' Lucy then began to hear another voice, the real Juvia's voice.

'Lucy, can you hear me?' Her voice echoed.

'J-Juvia?' Lucy asked.

'Lucy, I'm so sorry. I can't control my actions. I don't wanna hurt you, because you're my friend. And I hope you think of me as one too.' Lucy heard every word, making her feel all touched. 'I know we fuss because we both love Gray.'

'Eh, no.' Lucy counter argued.

'But I've grown to be fond of you, and all of the people I've met at Fairy Tail. They care for others, they loved to have fun, they're so friendly and warm-hearted. Fairy Tail is like the sun that brightens up lives all around. Before I met you, I never knew a guild could be such a happy place…For the first time in my entire life, I thought I was growing to have friends who I could trust, but who would want to be friends with a girl who brings trouble?' Within the flood, Lucy began to feel bits of warmth around her.

'Juvia, she's crying.' Lucy thought.

"Time to end this babe!" Vidaldus shrieked. Juvia then spit Lucy out of her body and she landed with a thud.

Juvia turned solid and smirked in her still controlled self. "Oh yeah! Ready to be rocked?" She was stopped when Lucy began speaking and standing up.

"Someone like you." She started. "Someone who sheds tears for friends, will always and forever be welcome in Fairy Tail!" Juvia then looked shocked, and then she herself began to tear up again. Lucy then pointed at her and smiled. "I know you're a good person, and thanks to you, I have a plan!"

Vidaldus wasn't moved at all. He was bored with the catfight being on hold. He then played another note. "End this load of crap babe!"

"My Water Jigsaw will cut you to bits!" Her body, excluding her head, was swirling in water and had blades of water all around. Lucy grunted as Juvia went after her. "Get out of the way Lucy!"

Lucy held up a key, not moving. At the last second before impact, Lucy let out a scream as she jabbed the key into the water, shocking both Juvia and Vidaldus when the water didn't move forward.

Lucy was hesitating because of the attack, but she managed. "Open: Gate of the Water Bearer – Aquarius!" A blue seal formed and Aquarius emerged from within Juvia's water, astounding her.

"What?!" Vidaldus shouted.

"She summoned a Spirit by using my body?!" Juvia shouted in surprise.

"If there's water, I can summon a very vicious Spirit I know." Lucy said with a proud look. "And it's thanks to your body -!" Then then felt her heart stop when Aquarius gave off a threatening gaze and screamed.

"I came out here just for you annoying morons?!" Aquarius unleashed a humungous wave that even shocked Vidaldus, slumping forward in disbelief of the enormous volume of water.

"SORRY!" Lucy and Juvia shouted in unison as the water came down and flooded everything.

"So much!" Lucy started.

"Water!" Juvia finished.

Vidaldus then began to soak up the water with the help of his hair. "Haha! I can do this all day!"

Lucy and emerged from underwater, gasping for air, as did Juvia from not too far away.

"Where are you?!" Lucy shouted.

"Over here!" Juvia shouted. Lucy then turned and the two began swimming and reaching out towards the other.

"Juvia!"

"Lucy!"

Their hands then touched and clasped together, giving off a bright light. Then, the water inside the room began to swirl around the bright light like a whirlpool.

Vidaldus was overwhelmed with not only the water, but the Magic power given off to such extreme levels. "Whoa! Too hardcore! Too hardcore!"

"Unison Raid!" Lucy and Juvia shouted, both in a harsh light and skyrocketing the water in a powerful cyclone that had Vidaldus screaming. The water cyclone smashed into the ceiling with such force, cracking the ceiling. Vidaldus began falling, and then when things were looking bad for him…all his hair fell out in one pluck like a wig being taken off. All three fell in the water below and the sides off the room cracked, giving the water an exit and the room was soon left in small puddles.

Juvia was back into her normal clothes and Lucy was right next to her. They both looked to see Vidaldus defeated.

They both hugged each other. "We won!" Lucy shouted.

"And I'm back to myself!" Juvia said, happy that she was normal, to her standards.

"Thanks you for all of your help." Lucy said.

"No, I should be thanking you." Juvia said. "Because I you, I have a friend that's actually nice to me."

They were stopped when Aquarius's face turned dark and snarled, making Juvia and Lucy scream.

"Listen blondie, you better watch where you summon me for now on. If I'm found summoned in a toilet of in a marsh, or even in a glass of water, you're finished!" She threatened.

Lucy quivered in fear. "I'm sorry mam!" She squealed.

"I'm gonna have nightmares now." Juvia muttered, a little scared of Aquarius herself.

"Don't go being creative again." She then began to turn and leave when she turned back towards Lucy. "I'll be going on vacation with my boyfriend, SO DON'T DARE SUMMON ME!" She then turned away. "You'll understand when you have a boyfriend…like that'll happen." She then went back to the Celestial Spirits world, leaving a scared Juvia, and a little ticked off Lucy behind.

"Hey, I'm single by choice!" Lucy complained.

"I'm sure you'll find your true love someday." Juvia assure, now relieved Aquarius left.

Lucy then turned towards Juvia with a smile. "Yeah, hopefully." They both then looked over to see Vidaldus still unconscious and bald. With him defeated, she plopped backwards into the water. "We've defeated a member of Trinity Raven. I bet Jellal didn't see that one coming. We sure did a lot of damage."

"But I didn't do much of anything." Juvia said, thinking Lucy did most of the work. Lucy shook her head.

"No, we worked together. You were there when I needed you the most." Lucy said. "That's what friends do for each other. You mean a lot to me, so for now on, think of me as a friend you can count on." She said with a pure smile.

Juvia began to tear up, again, and looked at her hands. She dropped to her knees. "Lucy, I just can't stop crying. Thank you."

Lucy laughed a little. "You're welcome. You can cry tears of joy."

Meanwhile, in Era…

With the Magic Council, they've all finally came to the final vote. It was long and hard, but it soon ended.

Org announced it. "The final vote stands with in favor and five against. Therefore, an Etherion blast will not be accounted for." He stated.

Seigrain stood there in shocked and anger that the Council had overruled him. "You blind fools! You know full well that drastic times call for drastic measures!"

"Regardless, we shall seek a more peaceful resolution to this matter." Org said. "So you better watch what you're saying because this situation has been disputed long enough."

"You're wrong!" Seigrain insisted. "While we're here wasting our breaths, Jellal is reaching his goal of resurrecting the dead! I know you felt the negative energy surging about, and it's all because of the one man whom he is attempted to resurrect."

"And who might that be?" Org asked.

"Stop beating around the bushes." Michello said. "What's your point?"

"I dare not speak his name, for if I do, panic would arise; however, you've left me no choice." Seigrain exclaimed.

Now Org was paying very close attention, as was everyone else.

"Tell us!" Leiji insisted.

Finally, Seigrain said it. "He's resurrecting Zeref!"

Immediately, the Council went wide eyed and their hearts raced that Zeref himself was going to be resurrected. They all began muttering about this news.

Org tried to keep his cool, but did show signs of worry. "And you're for certain about this Seigrain?"

Seigrain paused and spoke. "There's no doubt." He said. "I know my Jellal's motivations and goals all too well, such as the link of brothers. If Zeref is resurrected, we all die." The Council then began to mutter some more and then silenced. "I call for one more vote. Are you with me this time?"

With Nic and co.

Fukuro zoomed in and tried to deliver a punch on Nic, but Nic blocked by using a Blaze Kick. The two attacks clashed and they both backed away. "Flamethrower!" Nic shouted. He then unleashed a stream of fire at Fukuro, who effortlessly dodged by flying up and zooming at a very sharp angle downwards. Nic saw Fukuro coming in fairly fast, but not fast enough. "Take this you sag of feathers, Flame Charge!" Nic cloaked himself in fire and lunged at Fukuro when his readied punch missed when Nic ducked. He rammed head on into Fukuro, making him spin and spiral until he hit a cage, making the sound of bars bending ripple about in the area.

"Ho Ho! Not bad Luminous, but fair against a kick!" Fukuro shouted. He zoomed at Nic again, but this time was readying a kick.

"My turn!" Natsu shouted. Nic crouched down and allowed his back to be used as spring board for Natsu to jump and use his forearm to block the foot. In midair, when Fukuro was off balance, he made another attack. "Fire Dragon's Claw!" He then spun upside down and his flaming feet kicked Fukuro. Natsu flipped and landed on the cage Nic was on as Fukuro soared back and into a large chain, making him yelp.

Both Nic and Natsu turned around to see the smoke clear as Fukuro repositioned his head upright and stood on a cage. "Sorry to disappoint you. Ho Ho!" He said.

"Those guys are going hit for hit!" Happy exclaimed.

"And now, the mighty hammer of justice shall judge you!" He crouched and two small seals formed on his thrusters, making wind fly. Everyone looked shock as he was going to unleash his rocket pack. "Missle Ho Ho Hou!" His rocket pack then went soaring at Nic and Natsu. Natsu leaned left while Nic leaned right to evade the oncoming rocket pack.

"You dodo, way to miss us!" Natsu said, holding his fighting face.

"Don't underestimate him!" Nic warned as he saw the rocket pack come back around. Natsu leaped into the air while Nic zoomed right to evade it. The rocket pack then arched up and turned towards a midair Natsu. The rocket pack then opened a compartment that had red hands in them, shocking Natsu.

"What?!" Natsu shouted just before the hands grabbed Natsu by his waist. Natsu screamed as though he was on a roller coaster. The rocket pack was soaring in a high speed circle.

"Around the world you go!" Fukuro said, watching.

Natsu kept yelling and soon his face was swollen his puffed cheeks, showing signs of motion sickness kicking in.

Nic saw this and gulped. 'This is bad. Natsu gets motion sickness.'

"I know my opponents weaknesses, Salamander." Fukuro said, letting them know that he has knowledge of Natsu's weakness.

"Oh no, that's transportation!" Happy screeched.

Simon turned towards him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Natsu has motion sickness!" Happy explained.

"Weaken your prey before the kill, that's the first rule in hunting!" Fukuro shouted.

'Geez, that sounds like weakening a pokémon before catching it.' Nic momentarily thought. Soon enough, the hands let go of a dizzy and swirly-eyed Natsu and he plummeted straight downwards.

"I'm coming buddy!" Nic shouted. He sprung up to grab Natsu, and Fukuro lunged at Nic with surprise.

"I wouldn't be too sure if I were you!" Fukuro shouted, giving Nic a kick that he did manage to block with his arms but still flew back and hit a chain.

"Nic!" Happy shouted.

Fukuro then saw Natsu coming down towards him. "Now, Capture Ho Ho Hou!" Fukuro's owl mouth then heavily unlocked like a snake jaw and it opened tremendously, having Natsu fall in. Everyone there watched with shocked eyes as Fukuro started to eat up Natsu whole.

"He's eating him!" Happy shouted.

Nic just gawked, not to mention gagged at the scene. "I've seen Swalots eat giant truck tires before…but THIS?!" Nic shrieked, not taking the site of someone being swallowed whole. "I am officially scarred for life."

Just then, Gray jumped out of nowhere from above right besides Nic, surprising everyone.

Nic turned towards Gray. "You're here!" Nic said. Gray looked at the scene of Natsu getting eaten alive, which started to make him question the scenario.

"The heck is that thing?" Gray asked, trying to catch up with everyone. "And what's that thing doing to Natsu?" Just when he had finished asking, Natsu was just being swallowed.

"He swallowed him whole?!" Happy exclaimed.

Fukuro laughed. "My prey is not only satisfying, but I gain his Magic as well!" He explained.

"Surprised Natsu isn't giving him heartburn yet…oh right, still recovering from motion sickness." Nic muttered like a deadpan.

Happy soared into Fukuro with vengeance. "Regurgitate him right now!" He demanded. Fukuro then turned towards Happy, now having white eyes and a hint of Natsu's pink hair.

"Fire Ho Ho Hou!" Fukuro shouted. A seal then merged from his fist and shot Happy with fire. Happy was hit head on.

"Happy!" Gray shouted. Happy fell downwards onto a cage, damaged and heaving.

"When he ate Salamander, he gained his Magic powers." Simon said. "Their strengths combined is beyond comprehensive."

"Now to finish this!" Fukuro unleashed another stream of fire at an already injured Happy. Simon gasped, thinking Happy was gonna be hit.

"Oh no you don't! Gray!" Nic ordered.

"You don't have to tell me twice." Gray leaped and dove for Happy while Nic used Flamethrower to intercept the incoming Fire Ho Ho Hou. That gave Gray enough time to get Happy and jump to a nearby chain that hung a cage.

"That was close." Gray remarked. "Even here, that fire was still pretty hot."

"Ho Ho, and just who are you?" Fukuro demanded. Gray then turned towards Simon.

"Hey, I thought we were going to find Erza?!" Gray shouted.

"We were until this guy showed up!" Simon explained.

"We don't have time for this! We need to get Natsu out of that guy so we can go get Erza!"Gray shouted.

Nic turned confused. "Alright, what did I miss this time?"

Simon turned to Nic. "Sho trapped Erza in a card and he ran off to find Jellal!"

"WHAT?!" Nic shouted, stunned that Sho snapped and took Erza. "That maniac is gonna get the receiving end of a foot when I find him!" Nic flared up, quite literally as he heard this news.

"I'm sorry." Simon said. "I thought Sho could handle the truth. I didn't expect him to lose his cool."

Gray jumped onto a cage and set Happy down. "G-Gray." Happy muttered. "You and Nic…have to save him…please."

Nic jumped over to Gray's side and both slowly turned towards Fukuro. Gray didn't look too pleased with all that's been happening. Nic could read it in his eyes that saving Natsu didn't really pleased him all that much.

"When are you going to learn to stay out of trouble?" Gray said. "This is the last time I'm saving your hide, YA HEAR?!" Gray shouted, to which a reply was from Fukuro's stomach rattling by Natsu inside.

"In a mere ten minutes, Salamander's body will be fully dissolved!" Fukuro said. "With his powers permanently mine, I shall bring you to justice!" He then engulfed himself in a red flaming aura, making it look like a surge of power. Gray then jumped towards a nearby cage, getting closer towards the battle. Nic, on the other hand, just stood there.

'Wha-what was that just now?' Nic thought feeling a slight jump in his Plates when Gray began surging his Magic power.

"Ice Make: Lance!" Gray shouted. He unleashed long lances of ice at Fukuro.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Fukuro shouted, unleashing fire and melting the lances like they were nothing. Nic snapped out of his thoughts and countered quickly from his distance.

"Inferno!" Nic then unleashed a blue flame with dark blue rings at the incoming assault and cancelled out the attack.

"What?!" Simon shouted. "He should be twice as strong with Salamander's powers?!" Nic paid no heed as he jumped over to Gray's side.

"Nice job there." Gray said. He then jumped and readied for another attack. "Ice Make: Battle Axe!" He then created a giant battle axe made of ice. There, Nic felt a jump in something in him.

'The heck? Even from here, I can still feel the cold.' This was striking Nic as odd because he was in his Flame Plate, yet he felt cold?

Gray then swung downwards and Fukuro dodged by jumping back as Gray broke the chain that kept that cage up as well. Gray held onto the chain above as Fukuro then leaped to yet another larger chain.

"Ho Ho! Fire Dragon's Roar!" He then shot Gray and Gray was engulfed in fire.

"Gray!" Simon, Nic, and Happy shouted. Gray was still engulfed, but it's not lie he was gonna keel over just like that.

"Ice Make: Freeze!" The fire then suddenly froze solid, stunning Fukuro. Gray was heaving a bit, taking a bit of damage from that attack. "Natsu's fire is far hotter than yours pal." Gray commented. He then thought back to that time when he and Erza first met, how she was crying near a river after beating up Gray. Gray was determined to let Erza know that her friends were better than any armor. "Nic, we've got to stop this guy if we're to get to Erza, ya hear?!" He jumped to a nearby cage and cracked his knuckles.

Nic nodded, but then felt another chilled sensation going through him. 'What is this?!' Nic wanted to know. 'I didn't feel this cold when around Gray before, so why am I -!' Nic then felt a pulse of his Plates. This pulse was similar to when he was in the forest. 'The forest…wait. I know this feeling, only it was with nature…but this time, it's-!' Nic shot wide eyed when he figured it out. He shifted back into himself. "That's it!" He shouted, making Gray look back at him.

"What?" Gray shouted, wondering what Nic thought of.

Nic turned towards Gray. "Listen Gray, freeze me!"

Everyone there then thought Nic lost his mind. Gray gasped. "Are you crazy Nic?!" Gray shouted. "We're trying to save Erza and Natsu, and you're here wanting me to freeze you!"

"Just trust me here Gray!" Nic shouted. "I've got a hunch!"

"A hunch?!" Gray scolded. "All of that for a hunch?!" Gray wasn't going to do it, and wanted to just finish off Fukuro.

Not wanting to waste time himself, Nic got a tick mark. "GRAY! DO IT!" He shouted. Gray was startled by Nic's roar, making him almost pale. Gray had to do it because of Nic's demand. Though with reluctance, Gray positioned himself to freeze himself.

"Fine." He said under his breath. "It'll save me the time to get Natsu out. Ice Make: Freeze!" Then, he froze inside a coat of ice, shocking everyone that he actually did it.

"What was that all about?!" Happy shouted.

"I have no idea." Simon said. "Could it be that Luminous has a plan with himself in ice?"

Fukuro laughed. "My, taking out a comrade? That's saving me the trouble of taking down you then." He said.

Gray then turned towards Fukuro. "I don't know what Nic's motives are, but he's got a plan. So best be dealing with me pal." Gray then made his hand get coated in ice and he lunged at Fukuro. Fukuro countered with a flaming fist that intercepted his punch. The two attacks soon broke with Fukuro making Gray flip and land on a cage. "Ice Make: Saucer!" He made a disk of ice and made it spin at Fukuro. Fukuro dodged by jumping and soaring down with a flaming fist.

With Nic, he was feeling so frigid, but he did ask for this. Now the feeling pulsed even more as he was getting colder and colder with every second passing.

'I can feel the surge of ice flowing through me.' Nic thought. 'Just a little more.'

Gray and Fukuro clashed again with fists again, and then Fukuro kicked him and made Gray step back. "Ice Make: Hammer!"

"Fire Dragon's Roar!"

Both attacks then collided yet again, and Gray's ice cold attack and the fire from Fukuro refused to give in. Gray's ice was so cold that it was actually on par with the fire.

'…I feel my veins…freezing. Freezing…FREEZING!' Nic then felt himself glowing. He was coated in ice and the ice itself was shining. Both Gray and Fukuro were turning, and Happy and Simon, all of them turned to see the ice now shattering.

The glow was finished, revealing Nic to have some new wardrobe on. "Hello Icicle Plate." He said. His sleeveless coat was now a blue with patches of ice coming up from the bottom to the back of his knees. He had on a white T-shirt underneath and had on snow shoes that were a crystal blue with patches of white around the sides and white laces. His jeans were now a thick dark blue to compliment the blue on his sleeveless coat.

Gray looked a little stunned. "You used my ice to get a new Plate?!" He asked, shocked used his Magic to his advantage.

"Ho Ho! No matter. Justice shall strike you down!" Fukuro proclaimed. Nic looked up and stared at Fukuro, the air around him began to freeze, the air itself was freezing up from Nic's new Ice-Type power.

"Brrr. I-is it c-c-cold in here, o-or is it-it j-j-just m-m-m-me?" Happy stuttered, feeling extremely cold.

"I know." Simon said, ignoring the cold. "It's Nic's new powers."

Fukuro paid no heed as he lunged at Nic. Nic didn't move as he waited for him to come closer. "Prepare to go down Luminous!"

Nic opened his mouth and fired a light blue beam at Fukuro, via Ice Beam. Fukuro was struck hard and he sailed backwards into the air. Gray used this to his advantage and created ice blades from his forearms and jumped up towards Fukuro.

"Ice Blade: Seven Slice Dance!" He then slashed at Fukuro repeatedly seven whole times with tremendous force. Fukuro screamed as he was hit.

Nic followed it up as Fukuro soared back from Gray's final attack. "Spit him out already, he'll give you indigestion! Ice Punch!" Nic zoomed as Fukuro screamed and cloaked his fist in swirling white and light blue energy and smashed his fist into Fukuro's abdomen. Fukuro then coughed up Natsu and he fell onto a nearby cage, all slimy and highly unsanitary.

"Natsu!" Happy shouted. Fukuro smashed into a cage, breaking the bars and causing the cage to fall into the darkness below in utter defeat.

"They…they won." Simon muttered. Gray and Nic stood there while Happy went over and hugged his buddy, disregarding he was all slimy and disgusting.

Gray looked over and Nic was looking back at him. The two were cool with the other's wits and tenacity in the battle.

"That was too easy." Nic smirked, turning back into himself.

"Yeah, that didn't even send chills up my spine." Gray said, with his cold sense of humor.

'Gray Fullbuster. Nic Pularis. Those two are far stronger than I thought they were.' Simon thought. Gray then got to a knee and started panting.

"Hey man, you okay?" Nic asked. He saw that Gray exhausted a lot of power in that one fight, too much to even continue. Gray then fell on the cage, unable to continue. "Gray!"

Meanwhile, in Era…

When Seigrain mentioned Zeref being resurrected, everyone there was in on stopping him no matter what the cost. Zeref must never be revived. Another vote was cast, with everyone but Yajima in favor.

Org announced the results. "The final vote stands with eight in favor and only one against; therefore, we shall initiate the use of an Etherion blast to destroy the Tower of Heaven." Seigrain let loose a small grin in accomplishment, satisfied that his plan worked.

The Council frog people, er, humanoid toads, uh, you get the idea, then got word very fast that Etherion was being initiated. They scrambled all over the lace and prepared for the blast. They had one hour to get the Etherion fired.

Sunset was outside the large window that Seigrain and Ultear were facing away from. Seigrain was sitting in a chair, having a small frown on his face, serious as to the situation was going to be solved.

He opened his eyes when he heard a knock at the door to his domain. "Enter." He said. The door then opened with Yajima coming in.

"Please forgive me." Yajima said, entering.

"Yajima." Seigrain said, getting up in surprise.

Yajima then started walking towards the windows behind Seigrain and Ultear. "I don't believe this idea of yours is beneficial." He then stopped when he was in front of the window. "An intellectual person such as yourself certainly can find a more peaceful resolution."

Seigrain turned towards Yajima. "Trust me, I wish there was, but there is no such thing as a peaceful resolution when it involves a legendary Black Magic user being reborn. Stopping him with any means is the only way. You understand, right Yajima?"

Yajima raised his head and let it droop. "Yes." He sighed. "I have no disagreements with stopping Jellal, but can you bear with the thought and consequences of your own twin brother being killed by your own two hands?"

"Yes." Seigrain answered. "I am willing to uphold this sacrifice."

Yajima then turned back towards Seigrain with a very angry look. "THIS BLAST WILL KILL THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE!" This outburst made Segrain go wide eyed and gasped at Yajima's outburst. He most certainly never expected him to snap. He then turned back towards to window to look out. "This includes your own brother Seigrain! His death will be followed with countless others, and you alone will bear this unholy deed."

"I don't like this anymore than you do Yajima, but it has to be done." Seigrain said. It wasn't long after that that the center of Era was being transformed. The center stone went underground and four insanely large columns arose from under, each being a different color of red, green, yellow, and blue. In the center, a huge lacrima arose as the concentration piece. The four columns of lacrima all began charging up and transmitting energy towards the large lacrima.

"This is such a critical decision." A Council member said.

"Even with the chairman on leave due to health issues, it is vital we nine Council members maintain order." Leiji said.

"We're violating international protocol by using this attack, but we're protecting clause four of article twenty seven of the National Security Directive." Michello said.

"My real concern is taking out innocent lives with this blast." Org said, turning to Michello.

"But we have to stop Zeref's resurrection." Michello pointed out. "It's just as Seigrain said, drastic times call for drastic measures."

Seigrain was also watching the operations of the Etherion blast initiating, only we wasn't with the other Council folks. He was somewhere close by near the shadows. He watched emotionlessly and patiently.

Ultear stepped forth by his side. "The time has finally arrived Master Seigrain." She said.

Seigrain nodded. "Yes, indeed."

"Your dream will finally become a reality."

Seigrain then shifted his gaze towards Ultear. "Are you afraid?"

Ultear let loose a very very small grin, barely noticeable. "No, I have faith in your judgement and shall uphold you with trust."

"Indeed." Seigrain said. "At least your life isn't at risk."

"True." Ultear admitted.

"Honestly, I'm slightly worried." Seigrain said. "I my plan fails, my life is over."

What neither of them knew was that Yajima was behind a column and overhearing them talk. He was suspicious of Seigrain and his actions and was keeping a close eye on him. As it turned out, his hunch about him was accurate after hearing that his own life was at risk.

Seigrain clenched a fist and grinned. "Even so…" His expression was getting rather dark compared to his normal and calm self. "…my life is but a small price to pay, for destiny has great things for me in the future ahead!"

Ultear grinned again and lowered her head. "Yes." They both then watched the operations commence and the satellite square being manipulated and being fired within twenty-five minutes. Seigrain then silently bid a farewell to Jellal.

With Sho and Erza

"You monster!" Sho shouted, running through the halls with vengeance and betrayal swollen in his heart. He kept running down a large hallway with Erza still trapped in the card. "Jellal is gonna pay! He lied to us all!"

"Calm down Sho!" Erza shouted from within her flat prison. She then tried banging against the card. "You're going to need my help to fight him. You can't do this alone! Release me at once!" She kept pounding, but still was stuck.

"No! I won't allow that!" Sho barked with tears in his eyes. "It's for your own good." He then smiled a bit, thinking he did something good. "You'll be safe sister."

"Don't be stupid!" Erza shouted.

Sho then ran into a corridor that had a long bridge with red gates stretching all across towards the end of the bridge towards a pink tree. Large statues representing gargoyles were rising from the water below. Sho skid to halt when he saw Ikaruga in his way. Sho got cards at the ready.

"Greetings." She said. "I am the one called Ikaruga. And who might you be?"

Sho didn't care. He only wanted to fight Jellal. "Out of my way! I have to get to Jellal! Don't make me hurt you!" Sho demanded.

Ikaruga didn't look fazed by Sho lashing. "Oh dear. Why must I be bored by this young fellow?"

"I warned ya!" Sho shouted and then unleashed his cards at her. The cards increased in numbers when entering a green seal. Ikaruga held up her sword and had the cards come in at her. Without even blinking, she gave it one fell swipe. The cards all split in half, shocking Sho.

"But, how?!" Sho demanded. The cards faded in midair and Ikaruga stood there.

"My katana can cut through anything with the most enhanced precision. Your attacks won't even touch me." She explained calmly.

Sho backed away, unable to have seen this coming. He got more cards at the ready, and then a harsh clang sound was heard in the blink of an eye. Underneath him, the wood was cut in the shape of an X and his cards vanished.

He then slowly began to fall to the ground. "I-I can't move." He muttered, falling onto his back.

"I've simply severed your nerves without cutting your clothing or flesh." Ikaruga said. "My style is unparalleled." She then saw Erza trapped in a card and flying out of his pocket. Sho watched as Erza's card was flying through the air.

"Let me out of here! Release me Sho, she's too much for you to handle" Erza demanded, pounding away.

"No! I can't! I-I won't!" Sho managed to say.

Ikaruga was a little surprised to see the mighty Titania in a card. "Well now, I was wondering where you were Erza."

"D-Don't bother!" Sho shouted. "I casted a Shielding Spell, so you can't harm her!" Erza's card continued to flutter in the air.

"Oh really?" Ikaruga questioned. She repositioned herself with her insanely (I mean really) high heels shifting with her right one in front.

"Sho, that's no ordinary sword!" Erza shouted.

"You're safe." He hopelessly muttered. Ikaruga then slashed at the card, but it didn't break. "Trust me Erza, you're safe-!" Sho then went wide eyed when Erza got a fierce look in her eyes and brought forth a sword and started jabbing and slashing away, trying to break free. Sho was stunned to say the least. "Sh-she can cut across the dimensional rift?!"

Ikaruga then stepped forward again and readied her sword again, catching Erza and Sho off guard. With a multitude of slices, Sho screamed and his a statue as Erza was still being protected but slashing away at super speed and ferocity.

"Sister, no!" Sho shouted. The card then flashed brightly and Sho shut his eyes. With one final slash, Erza feed herself from the card and stood in front of Ikaruga with a slashed pose from when she did her final slash from inside the card.

"I had a feeling your attacks would weaken Sho's Shielding Spell, allowing me to cut my way to the outside." Erza said, opening her eyes to see Ikaruga.

'A sword that can slice through dimensions is enough, but using that to her advantage is what makes her even more amazing.' Sho said, impressed and smiling a bit.

"Your name's Ikaruga, yes?" Erza asked, narrowing her eyes. "I came to fight Jellal, not you. Begone."

Ikaruga was moved at all. "Apologies, but I'll stay." She said, shocking Erza. She then felt her Heart Kreuz Armor crack and shatter. Erza gasped when her armor completely shattered and disappeared, revealing her white blouse and blue skirt. She got to a knee, feeling a slight pinch in her left arm.

"Sister, no!" Sho shouted.

Ikaruga's stare was dark and more menacing than before. "To be honest, I'd expected you to see that one coming." Erza got back to her feet, gritting and grunting at Ikaruga. It was go time. To win, she had to keep her guard up at all times. Ikaruga then sang a little song. "Is what you gaze at the evil apparition far beyond the mist?" Then she paused. "Your pursuit in Jellal has left you vulnerable to my katana flashing about.

Erza then grew a very dark expression over her face, one that could intimidate anybody.

Ikaruga smiled. "Yes, I've been waiting for that look."

Sho was paralyzed with such fear, never revealed to Erza being so dark. 'I-I've never seen sister like this! She's serious!' He thought.

"You are indeed skilled, but your skills alone aren't on par with mine." Ikaruga said.

"You're my enemy." Erza said, using her Requip Magic and shifting into her Heaven's Wheel Armor. "And I will defeat you, no matter what."

Ikaruga then put a hand on her Katana, ready to strike. "Just try and stop me." Erza then pause and zoomed in. She slashed at Ikaruga, but she used her katana to block. Erza then flew into the air and summoned forth a wheel.

"Heaven's Wheel: Circle Sword!" She then manipulated the swords and they went flying at Ikaruga. Ikaruga stayed calm and opened her eyes.

"Mugetsu Style..." She then slashed in the blink of an eye at the speed of sound. Every single sword shot at her completely shattered and broke into pieces and missed her, piercing the ground around her. "…Yasha-senku." The swords then disappeared.

"Sh-she just cut every single one of them!" Sho said, shocked that over twenty swords wer slashed in less than two seconds. Erza then descended a fair distance from Ikaruga and Ikaruga slashed across, not moving from her spot. After three seconds, Erza's armor began cracking into very tiny pieces. Erza screamed as she felt pain when the armor shattered from her slash.

"Mugetsu Style…" She then began to heat up, with fire surging about. Sho couldn't move, even if he wanted o and Erza grunted as the attack was beginning to unleash. Ikaruga created a ring of fire and launched it at Erza. "…Karuda-en!" The blast wave from her sword then launched at Erza at the last second, she transformed into her Flame Empress Armor. This armor was mostly dark red with orange and black parts resembling dragon limbs. The breastplate had dragon like wings attached to it. Her gauntlets were orange and were dragon claw based. Her hair was also in pigtails.

"Oh, your Flame Empress Armor." Ikaruga said. "Not bad, but still not good enough." The wings and gauntlets were then shattered, making Erza wince. "How embarrassing to be dressed like that in that young man's presence. I suggest your attire should be the post powerful armor in your arsenal." She insisted.

"She's a monster." Sho muttered with disgust.

Erza then requipped with such rage. She had on black armor with spikes everywhere. Her hair was styled with spikes in every direction, with her right eye covered and a demonic shadow that obscured the upper part of her face. "Requip: Purgatory Armor! You'll regret making me wear this!" She then summoned forth a mighty spiked mace with long sharp spikes along the sides. When summoned, the mace unleashed strong winds when it hit the ground. "Nobody who has seen this has lived to tell about it!" Erza got in a ready stance.

"Is that really the best you got?" Ikaruga said, not impressed. "Let's see how far you get with that." Erza then jumped into the air and came down. Ikaruga dodged as the mace hits the bridge and send a straight shock wave through the water and smashed a very large rock. Erza then swung again, sending a devastating wind at Ikaruga. The forceful wind was about to mash her, but Ikaruga smiled with glee as she slashed again, cutting straight through the massive winds and shattering even some of the wood on the bridge. Now with monstrous rage enveloping her, he jumped and screamed as she came down with her mace. Ikaruga back stepped and leaped and watched the mace send another shockwave rippling from the attack. Ikaruga then lunged forward and her sword ran along the edge as she jumped by the use of the spiky edge and spiraled in the air, slashing Erza head on. Sho watched with wide eyes as Erza was hit. Ikaruga spiraled in the air and posed behind Erza. Erza stumbled after being still for a bit and her armor shattered with her screaming in pain.

Ikaruga turned her head. "Can't say I didn't warn you." She said, watching Erza's mace disappear. "There is not armor you have that can withstand my katana. Give up now."

Erza was shaking about, she wasn't gonna take this. She couldn't. If she wanted to get to Jellal, she just had to beat her, but no armor she had would work, not even her Adamantine Armor would do the trick, even if she tried. Erza gritted her teeth as she felt pain as she tried standing. She got up and started taking deep breaths, trying to ease herself. She had only one option left.

Sho was shaking. "N-No…sister. It's impossible."

Erza turned around and had a serious, but less lethal face on. She stood frozen for a moment and took in a deep breath as she began requipping again, but this time was different. She had two katana in her hands with her hair in a ponytail. Bandages covered her breast and she had on red pants with flames going up to her knees.

This shocked everyone there. "What are you doing Erza?!" Sho shouted.

"Is this a joke?" Ikaruga asked. "Why wear regular cloth?"

"Erza!" Sho shouted. "You don't stand a chance with that on! You've got plenty of armor! Stay strong!"

Erza stayed silent for a bit before speaking. "I can't." She said. "Because I've never been strong…it's all a lie." Erza closed her eyes and thought of everything. How she was alone from her past, and gradually gained trust and friends. "As a child, I watched my dearest friends suffer. I lost loved ones because I didn't have the strength to defend them from harm. When I was alone, couldn't hide my emotions, but around others, I had them bottled up under my armor. I convinced myself the only way to show everyone that I was strong, I would lock it away inside my very armor. No one could see that it was broken. I wear armor to hide my weakness from the rest of the world; without it, I was too afraid to fight."

Sho looked on in shock, and Ikaruga stood there disinterested.

"Armor or not, it doesn't change anything." Ikaruga said. "I'll strike you down in the end."

Erza continued. "I figured my armor would protect me, but it didn't prove anything. It only kept me distanced from others. My heart was too protected to be or connect with anyone; that is, until I joined Fairy Tail Everyone there was so warm-hearted and my cold shell began shattering, and I began to feel emotions again."

Sho shed a tear. "Sister."

"People reached out into my heart. They proclaim me as family and a comrade. I can't stand to watch my friends fall or risk their lives for me…but someone has made me feel more easy and that person never considered me weak. He encouraged me and never had doubt in my battling nor capabilities. He made me feel all warm inside and my shell began to leak out emotions for that person…no longer will rely on my armor. I know that I'm strong enough to defeat you without it, and so does he. Now, come at me!"

Ikaruga and Erza were both positioned to leap and strike. Both lunged at the same time and Sho watched as they both slashed. They both were now on opposite ends with a slight wind blowing about. The two remained sturdy for a good ten seconds before the sword in Erza's right arm shattered.

Ikaruga turned and heaved, thinking she won, but Erza remained unfazed. She then felt herself wore out. "Our battle…" Her katana then began to crack all over. "…is decided." Her katana then shattered and she fell to the ground in defeat. Erza remained positioned and then turned around at the defeated opponent.

Sho was astounded. "S-Sister. That was amazing."

Erza then turned towards Sho. "Are you alright?" She asked.

Sho then moved about on the ground. "I think so."

They both then heard Ikaruga muttering. She was smiling. "Ah, defeat is indeed bitter. Throughout my life, I've only known the sweet taste of victory. It doesn't matter that you beat me, because you and Jellal are doomed to fail."

Erza wondered what she was talking about, so was Sho. While clenching his arm, he got up. "What are you saying?" He asked.

"In fifteen minutes…" She reached a hand up into the air as she began singing. "The light of justice shall come raining down from the sky. It shall kill us all." Her hand then plopped to the ground. "What a sully haiku." She then fell unconscious.

Erza knew what she meant. "The Etherion blast." She said. She then turned to Sho. "Sho, go get Simon and the rest of my Fairy Tail friends and get everyone as far away from the tower as possible."

Sho turned shocked that Erza asked such a thing. "What? I just can't leave you." He insisted.

Erza smiled at Sho. "Please Sho. I know it's hard, but do this for me."

Sho was very hesitant, but he didn't argue. It was rough seeing Erza fight, but it was clear that he didn't have any say. He nodded slowly. "Yeah. But what about you?"

She turned and frowned. "I'm going to settle this, once and for all."

With Nic, Natsu, and Simon

Simon was given the greatest honor of carrying a sick Natsu up the stairs. Nic stayed close behind in case things looked troublesome. They saw the sun going down, meaning they didn't have much time. They had to get to Jellal and quick before it's too late.

Natsu started to come around. "Ugh." He groaned.

"Bout time you wake up." Nic said from behind.

"The last thing I remember was flying in circles in the air-!" He then had chunks in his mouth, which left Simon baffled.

"Are you serious?! Even the memory of it makes you sick?!" Simon exclaimed. They all continued upwards.

"Well." Nic said. "Natsu, you were eaten by that owl wierdo, and then me and Gray teamed up to save you."

Natsu was still feeling a little sick but he understood, though he detested the thought of Gray saving his hide. "That's just great." He groaned.

"He defeated the owl and took a lot of damage. Your little friend is carrying him away as we speak to a safer place." Simon explained, continuing from where Nic ended. When Natsu heard that Gray defeated the owl man and not him, he jolted up in fury.

"You've gotta be kidding me?!" Natsu shouted. "I lost to that owl freak, but Gray was able to beat him?!" He was annoyed for sure.

"And me." Nic added, but Natsu didn't care as much.

"I wouldn't say you lost. More like you were swallowed." Simon said, trying to reason with him

"It doesn't matter because he'll brag about this the next month!" Natsu complained. "This sucks big time!"

"I see your point." Simon sighed.

Natsu then got all fired up and angry. "I won't take this! I demand a rematch! Bring me birdbrain so that I can fry him!" Nic then pounded Natsu across the head, not wanting to deal with this. He then began dragging Natsu by the scarf along up the tower.

"No time for your crazy talk." Nic said.

"Indeed, we must press on." Simon agreed. Just then, Natsu jolted up and caught up with Simon with suspicion all over.

"Don't mean to be rude, but do I know you?" Natsu asked.

"I'm Simon." He said. "I was friends with Erza back before she joined Fairy Tail."

Natsu then dropped suspicion and put his arms over his head, feeling more relaxed. "Oh! Then it's nice to meet you!" Nic facepalmed at the fact Natsu met him before and didn't recognized him. Then, Simon clenched his abdomen, feeling something odd.

"Hey Simon, everything okay?" Nic asked.

"Yeah, everything's okay. I just got word from Wally." He explained. "He and Millianna found Lucy and Juvia and they're both exhausted. He said they took down a member of Trinity Raven all by themselves."

"Lucy and Juvia?" Natsu asked.

"Well, at least they're okay." Nic said. "And with that, that leaves one left, I think."

"They were confused because I said we're not enemies anymore and take them to safety…and Sho just contacted me…" He was receiving his message and said it. "…hm. It would appear Sho said the last member of Trinity Raven was taken down."

"I didn't get to do anything!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Then that just leaves Jellal." Nic contemplated.

"Yes, and Sho said she went off to find him." Simon said.

Nic and Natsu jolted at this development. "By herself?!" Nic exclaimed. He was shocked to hear that, but at least he knew Erza was free. And Nic knew full well that Erza was a brave and powerful individual. He figured she might handle this. He shouldn't be doubting her like this.

"Natsu, Nic, I'm sure you know she and Jellal have a history, it's as though they were meant to fight the other." Simon said. "I'm worried because Erza doesn't realize the full extent of Jellal's powers." He then turned towards them. "We have to go help her."

Natsu crossed his arms as did Nic. "Meh, she's fine." They both said in unison.

Simon's jaw dropped. "WHAT?!" He then grabbed Natsu and pushed against a wall and held Nic up by the other. "The heck's wrong with you?! You're Erza's friends, yet you refuse to help her?!"

Nic and Nic kept their confidence by grinning away.

"It's her fight. She can do it on her own." Natsu said.

"She wouldn't like it if we interfered with her personal issues." Nic added. Simon let them go and turned away.

"There's no way anyone could beat Jellal." Simon said, sparking a nerve in Nic.

"The heck you just say?!" Nic shouted, almost tempted to pin Simon to the stairs. "Listen pal, Erza's the toughest woman I know, so don't you dare go saying she can't beat this Jellal guy!"

Yeah pal! Watch your mouth!" Natsu shouted, backing up Nic. Simon turned towards them.

"You've misunderstood. I'm not saying she's weak." Simon said, making Nic and Natsu reel back. "I know Erza wants to take down Jellal, but in her heart, she could never kill the boy she desperately wanted to save from her childhood. Jellal now is too cunning for words. He knows all too well how to manipulate Erza's feelings to his advantage." He paused. "And that's not the only issue here. As you two know, the Magic Council is preparing to fire an Etherion blast. When that happens, we all die. If what Sho said is true, then we only have ten minutes left."

Nic's eyes widened, as did Natsu's, mostly Nic. "What?!" Natsu exclaimed.

"She told everyone to leave in order to face Jellal alone; if you know her, then you know what she's planning to do." Simon said.

Natsu gritted his teeth, staggered by this. Nic's eyes sharpen with fury. Nic knew all too well what Erza was planning to do. She was going to take Jellal down with her when the Etherion strikes. There was no way that Nic was ever going to let that happen. He would never ever abandon a friend if he or she was going to sacrifice themselves. Let them fight their own battles sure, but allowing Erza to sacrifice herself, he almost lost it there.

Natsu lit up in flames and Nic rammed Simon into the staircase, shocking him.

"WHERE IS SHE?! TELL ME WHERE ERZA IS!" Nic roared.

With Happy and co.

Sho, Millianna, Wally, Lucy, Juvia, Gray, and Happy were all on a small boat, getting away from the shores of the Tower of Heaven.

"Turn this thing around right now!" Gray demanded.

"No can do tough guy." Wally said.

"Yeah." Millianna said. "Erza said to get as far away as possible."

Lucy then turned towards them. "But now Erza, Natsu and Nic have no way to leave!"

"They'll be fine." Sho said, though he did show signs of doubt with the sweat on his face.

"Natsu means me there to back him up!" Gray said, though he winced with the pain he accumulated.

"Forget about it. Simon and that Nic fellow are strong enough." Wally said. Happy was looking back at the shores as the boat left. Everyone but him was arguing to turn the boat around. He heard Gray and Lucy demanding to turn around, as to where Sho, Wally, and Millianna all kept the boat leaving.

Finally, Happy lashed out, shocking everyone there. "JUST SHUT UP!" He hollered. Everyone turned in shock. "Just get along guys. I wanna go back and help as well, but we can't because that Etherion is gonna blast that place soon." He now had tears. "Natsu and Nic are gonna save Erza and they'll all make it out alive! Simon told me that's what will happen! He said when Natsu and Nic unleash their potential, Jellal won't stand a chance!" Everyone there was truly concerned, but Happy's words made them have nothing but confidence. If that's what Simon said, then that's what will happen.

Everyone just kept the boat going and hoped for the very best.

With Erza

Erza had just entered Jellal's chamber at the top, in time to see her piece move in front of Jellal's. Jellal sighed and arose from his throne.

"Don't tell me that the game's over already." He complained. Erza came forth with a sword in hand.

"Hard to believe you find that much torture to your liking." Erza admitted. Jellal started walking about, not caring much of the predicament.

"Between life and death is that small space that means very little." He said. "That gap called life is so boring, just waiting day by day until you rot away into nothing." Then he turned towards her with a grin on his face. "Long time no see, Erza."

Erza looked on at Jellal with fierce emotions, wanting to make him pay. "Yes." She said. "It indeed has. Sho and the others are no longer under your control."

Jellal just let it go over his head. "Fine by me. Now that the tower has been completed, I have no need for them." Erza then had a sword pointed at him.

"Too bad this tower will be destroyed." Erza said.

"By the Etherion?" Jellal laughed. His hood then flipped off, revealing his face. "The Etherion shall indeed strike this tower!"

Erza kept her composure. "Good." She then positioned herself to strike. "That means I only have to occupy you for only seven minutes. This nightmare will be over at last."

Jellal then began steaming Magic of darkness off of himself with a large demonic grin. "No! When the beam hits, your life shall be forfeited to Zeref!" His eye then closed. "This was always meant to happen." He then flipped it open, revealing a dark pattern around his right eye. "This is your only destiny!"

Erza then crouched, ready to leap if he dared to say a thing out of line. Jellal then retracted his eye and transferred its power to his fist, which had an eerie purple with red markings and expanding in creepy shapes.

"I cast off all fear. I shall relish in my death because I will be taking you down with me!" Erza proclaimed.

"Oh really?" Jellal asked. "…and how would you suppose Nic would take your death?"

When he mentioned Nic, Erza's stance almost broke apart. She had forgotten if Nic was still in the tower or not, along with Natsu. Still, she did wonder how Nic would take such a hit. She kept wer façade with uneasy eyes now that Jellal plucked at her strings. 'How does he know of Nic?'

Jellal then unleashed his blob from his hand and it raced towards Erza. Snapping out of her thoughts at the last moment, she slashed away, making the blob go right past her and into the ground, making it tremble about. She lunged at Jellal, but Jellal caught her hands before she could swing and readied a dark Magic blast in his right fist. Erza quickly leaped away as the last rage forward, shattering part of the domain they were in. Unfortunately, Erza was caught falling with the rocky debris. She regained her balance and leaped back up towards Jellal before she could've lost anymore altitude.

"You're destroying the very thing you've created! What's the point?!" Erza shouted, slashing and missing as Jellal sidestepped and let loose another blast that Erza dodged by leaping up on the large lacrima and pouncing downwards and missing Jellal again, but did cut up his game board.

"Ha! Not my concern!" Jellal said. "Pillars are mere decorations"

Erza readied her sword. "They were there because people build them for you!"

Jellal lowered his brows and kept a creepy smile. "It seems you never fail to find my faults Erza." He then had a sphere of eerie purple ready with red marking. "I've never forced them to work, they chose to work for me." He explained. "They knew how important this tower was to me, and now it's finished!" His eye then showed that crazy symbol and he crushed the sphere in his hand.

Erza looked down to see a blob of eerie purple reaching out from below her. She didn't have time to react when she was lifted into the air and sealed inside a sphere. She struggled in shock as Jellal talked.

Jellal walked around the sphere containing Erza. "Your skills are impressive, but you are of no match for mine." He said.

Inside, Erza was struggling as she was being enclose in darkness. She then recalled something by that instant.

She remembered what Nic said. She remembered him saying Lucy and the others were her friends, and how even she needed help. He refused to leave her, explaining how he will never abandon her and how he started to grow extremely fond of her.

'Nic.' She thought. 'Everyone...they all believe in me.' Then she smiled, remembering Lucy and the others. 'I'll miss them dearly.'

Jellal was walking away when he heard his sphere slicing. He turned in deep shock and wide eyes that Erza was one the ground and out of the sphere that turned into thin air. He also noticed her pony tail was now straight down like her normal hair.

"Like I said." Erza said. "I cast off all fear!" She then lunged and slashed at Jellal. Jellal yelped as he was hit and flew back.

As he flew back, he was wide eyed. 'This isn't the weak girl I remember!' He landed with a thud and Erza advanced with a dark look on her face that shocked Jellal more. He then saw get on top of him so he wouldn't escape. He then saw Erza positioning a sword at his neck with that dark look still in her eyes.

She was ready to finish this...