"Even Happy got captured! No way we're just heading back like this!"
Hearing Natsu's words, Erza's mind sparked with a guess. "Happy? Could it be Millianna…?"
"Where's that jerk at?"
"I… I don't know…"
Natsu spun around, already moving. "Fine! I get it!"
"What exactly do you get?!" Gray shouted after him. "Kira already told us who those guys are!"
"I don't care about their past or if they were tricked by Jellal!" Natsu roared back, his eyes blazing with fury. "Happy's waiting for us to save him!!!"
With that, Natsu charged forward, sniffing the air for Happy's scent as he ran.
"That idiot's going off on his own again!"
"We gotta catch up!"
Lucy started to follow, but Erza blocked her with her sword. "No. Go back."
"Millianna loves cats—she'd never hurt Happy. I'll make sure Natsu and Happy get back safe. You all need to leave. Now."
"No way we're doing that!" Lucy protested. "If you're not coming with us, we're not going anywhere!!"
Erza's voice softened but stayed firm. "This is my problem. I don't want you all dragged into it."
"Dragged in? Erza, we're already neck-deep in this!" Gray cut in. "Did you see Natsu? He's not messing around. This isn't like you at all. Just do what you always do—say 'Follow me' and let's go!"
"We've got your back," Lucy added. "Even someone as tough as you can feel scared sometimes. It's okay."
Erza was still processing their words when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Kira.
"I told them everything," Kira said. "No need to explain or face this alone. We're Fairy Tail, your family!"
After chapters of absence, Kira pulled out that classic line, and it hit just as hard as ever.
Sure enough, Erza stopped insisting they leave, though she was still a bit stunned. "My past?"
"Yup. Your past, the Tower of Heaven, Jellal—I know more about it than you might think!" Kira said with a grin.
"How do you know all this?" Erza pressed.
"Ahem… doesn't matter!" Kira dodged the question. "What does matter is what Jellal said just now!"
"You mean…?"
"The game! The game!" Dispel, ever in sync with Kira despite their short time together, jumped in like they'd been buddies for years. "They're throwing down a challenge, and I'm not about to let that slide!"
"Dispel, you…?"
"In my world, failure doesn't exist! If they're counting me in for this 7-on-7 game, none of you better lose—or else!" Dispel smirked, then strode off alone.
The group exchanged looks, baffled by his dramatic exit. It was a first for them.
"That guy," Kira chuckled, "he's got the face to back up that attitude! In terms of coolness, I'd say he's almost on my level!"
Lucy and Gray just rolled their eyes.
"A castle showdown? Sounds fun. I'm in!" Kira declared, heading off in another direction. "You guys team up however you want!"
"Hey, wait!" Gray yelled, exasperated. "These guys are just doing whatever they feel like!"
Erza wiped the lingering tears from her eyes and smiled, her usual confidence returning. "It's fine. Those two are plenty strong."
She turned to the group. "Let's find Natsu. Follow me!"
"Right!"
The Tower of Heaven wasn't massive, but it wasn't small either—a maze-like sprawl with multiple paths to the top. It didn't take long before they ran into enemies.
Inside the Cat Shelter, Natsu faced off against Millianna and Block Guy. A cat hood was stuck on his head, but with Happy's help, it was a fair two-on-two, and they took down their opponents.
Meanwhile, Card Guy and Simon clashed with Erza's group. After Erza explained the situation and Simon reasoned with them, the two switched sides instantly, turning the odds to 10 against 4.
Not long after, the group encountered Udarus, one of the Three Ravens.
"This weird guy… is he the 'firepower' Jellal was talking about?" Lucy wondered.
Simon filled them in. "The Three Ravens are no joke. Every one of them is strong—don't underestimate them!"
As Erza drew her sword, Gray stepped forward. "Erza, you go ahead. We've got this."
"Gray?"
"You're heading to settle things with Jellal, right? Kira said he's one of the Ten Wizard Saints. Don't waste your energy here. Leave these guys to us."
"Got it," Erza said, sheathing her sword. "There's not much time. Sho, Simon, go find Millianna and Wally. Gray, once you find Natsu, get out of here. Jellal's mine."
With that, she ran off without looking back.
No sooner had Erza left than a commotion erupted. Turning, they saw Owl, another of the Three Ravens, hauling two rocket launchers and dragging Natsu into the fray.
"Natsu! Happy!"
Natsu scrambled to his feet, flames flaring in his hands. "That jerk! I'm not letting him get away with this!"
The six of them split into three teams: Natsu and Lucy against Owl, Gray and Juvia against Udarus, and Simon and Sho to find Millianna and Wally.
Two battles kicked off at once. Though close by, each group fought separately. Natsu and Gray led the charge, with Lucy and Juvia backing them up, their teamwork seamless.
Udarus struck first, lashing out with his hair. Gray dodged, but Juvia stood her ground—her water-based magic made her immune to physical attacks.
"Your attacks won't work on me," Juvia said coolly. "My body's made of water."
"Water, huh? That's interesting!" Udarus grinned.
Hoping to stick close to Gray, Juvia attacked, aiming to trap Udarus with water streams. But his hair absorbed liquids, sucking up her attack in an instant.
His magic was a perfect counter to Juvia's, but he was up against a duo.
"Ice-Make: Lance!" Gray unleashed a barrage of ice attacks. Solid ice couldn't be absorbed, forcing Udarus to shatter it with his hair.
After a few rounds, Gray noticed Udarus's magic was strong, but his physical skills were weak. Switching to a mental strategy, Gray outmaneuvered him, and Udarus started to falter.
In a desperate move, Udarus whipped his hair toward Juvia, binding her tightly.
"What?!" Gray shouted, panicked. "Juvia!"
Like capturing a piece in shogi and turning it to his side, Udarus absorbed Juvia, making her his puppet right in front of Gray.
Gray hesitated to hit Juvia hard, leaving him open to her attacks while Udarus gloated, strumming his guitar. But he didn't gloat for long. Juvia's feelings for Gray sparked a bond, unlocking a combo attack—water blades and freezing ice—that took Udarus down in one go.
Meanwhile, Natsu's fight was, as always, a wild ride.
Owl had the best close-combat skills of the Three Ravens, matching Natsu blow for blow. Dodging Natsu's fiery punches, Owl slammed his hands to the ground, launching rockets from his back. Natsu ducked, but the rockets were controlled, equipped with special mechanisms.
With a flick of Owl's hand, the rockets looped back, sprouting iron claws that snagged Natsu's clothes and yanked him into the air.
"Crap! It's a vehicle!" Natsu groaned.
Owl smirked, arms crossed. "I know your weakness."
Seeing her chance, Lucy sprang into action. "Libra!"
Her Celestial Spirit used gravity magic, slamming the airborne rockets to the ground.
"Finally… it stopped…" Natsu gasped.
"You meddling woman!" Owl snarled.
Unable to control the rockets under Libra's gravity, Owl charged at Lucy, but Happy swooped in, lifting her out of reach.
Freed up, Natsu roared back into the fight. "Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
Flames roared, fueled by a full-force punch. Natsu's all-out strike ended the battle in one hit.
When these guys get serious, it's over in a single punch.
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