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Brain glanced at Erza as she struggled towards them. "I'm afraid we need this little girl for a while. I'm half tempted to give her back after I'm done though. I see the look she gives that friend of yours. She's afraid. I wonder though. If I left her here, would she even heal him? Imagine how you all would react."

The rest of Oración Seis gathered around Brain as he raised his staff, Darkness Magic gathering around it in intense amounts. "But Nirvana awaits us. I'll just deal with you trash and we'll be off."

Darkness plunged forward, surrounding them on all sides as it closed in further and further. Brain watched as it swallowed the ground before turning and leaving. The rest followed after him, the battlefield littered with no bodies. They all knew what Brain's Darkness Magic could do. If he so wished, he could swallow things whole into it and let them be destroyed by the souls trapped within it.

So none of them questioned an empty clearing. It was only once they all left did the ground start splitting open, small grave like bunkers freeing the Mages that had been trapped within.

"That was close," said Hibiki before glancing at their saviour. "You got here just in time Jura."

Jura bowed his head. "I am sorry I was late. I fell for the enemy's trap, and I almost got you all killed."

"We both fell for it," said Ichiya as he stumbled out from the trees. "We underestimated them by far. None of us could have suspected that Angel would have such a deadly disguise."

"We saw it too." Lyon pointed towards Hibiki. "Your student over there managed to figure it out before the fake could trick us any further."

Ichiya looked at Hibiki with proud eyes. "That is my student, men!"

"Sensei!"

"We have other problems don't we," said Sherry in annoyance. "How are we meant to beat them? They completely annihilated us."

Gray nodded in agreement. "She's right. They even beat Ichigo with what seemed to be ease."

Shinji looked at Gray in disbelief. "I find that hard to believe."

"I'm serious. They had a counter for everything he did."

Jura stepped forward and examined Ichigo. "It seems this was their plan from the start. They wanted the strongest of us out of the way. They got rid of me, dealt with Ichiya beforehand, beat Erza here, and then forced Ichigo to appear before them. What happened?"

"I don't know," said Gray. "Nothing he tried seemed to work. It wasn't like he was losing, but he wasn't winning either. Each one of Oración Seis performed a different role and stopped him from reaching any of the others. They were fast enough to react before he could reach them."

Lucy looked at Gray questionable. "I thought his speed would be able to catch them. Wasn't that what everyone was talking about after his fight with Laxus?"

Erza shook her head as she forced herself into a sitting position. "Racer wasn't as fast as Ichigo but he was still fast enough to keep up at close range. And while Ichigo could move fast towards the others, that moment's delay of destroying the earth wall let the other members of Oración Seis get away."

"But what about that Phantom Step I heard people talking about?"

"They used it against him."

Shinji glared at Erza. "What are you talking about? The Phantom Step isn't something that can be used against Ichigo. It can't be copied."

"That's not what I mean. I saw the surprise most of them had, but Cobra countered it."

"How?" Shinji's reply came more as a snarl, his gaze drilling a hole through Erza.

"Cobra shut his eyes. It seems like he can hear thoughts, and so he knew where to dodge to. It's how the man kept up with Ichigo in the fight, despite being slower. He always seemed to know where Ichigo would slash at."

Shinji sighed in annoyance. "I'm guessing that caused Ichigo to freeze like the one seeing the technique would do."

"Yes." Erza looked at him in confusion. "Do you mean that was the first time it failed?"

"Since it started working, yes. You can adjust to it as a fight goes on but that is after a few uses. The first use is impossible to dodge because no amount of preparation is enough to make you not stop and stare. So because of that, Ichigo has never been in a situation where it didn't work. And trust me, we've done a lot of testing on it."

"Well this time it did."

Shinji glared right back at her. "Tell me something I don't know."

"Enough." Jura stepped between the two. "This is not the time to fight between one another. Whatever happened, Ichigo's technique didn't work. From what I saw at the end, the snake Cobra had bit him. I assume that was when you arrived?"

Shinji nodded. "The bastard dodged my strike. I would have loved to have killed them just then."

Erza hardened her gaze. "You would kill someone so easily."

"I said enough," said Jura, more forcefully than before. "This is not a matter of morals. If you wish to leave your enemy alive, so be it. If you choose to leave them dead, that is also your choice. We cannot hold back against an enemy like this."

Jura glanced at Erza. "Now we have the matter of the poison Cobra used. Haven't you noticed yet? It's a bit too quiet."

Erza's eyes widened and she shot round, Natsu unmoving on the ground. "NATSU!"

Gray and Lucy rushed with her to the Dragon Slayer's side, Happy flying above them in worry.

"Hibiki." Hibiki turned towards Jura. "Have you seen this type of poison before?"

"No. Master?"

Ichiya stepped forward, a test tube already drawn. He released the stopper and a sweet aroma filled the air. Everyone felt their pain disappearing, Ichiya still focusing as he increased the Spell's output.

For Natsu, nothing happened. Ichiya glanced at Ichigo and saw there was a similar reaction. His Spell wasn't doing anything. "This is bad, men. This should have cured them of the poison in their blood."

Hibiki stepped forward and kneeled Natsu, a small Archive screen by his side. "This isn't normal poison. I saw Natsu get hit by something from Cobra. A beam or something similar. I think the poison Natsu was infected with was from Cobra rather than his snake."

Hibiki stood back up and turned to Jura. "I'd say his Dragon Slayer Magic is helping resist the poison but it won't help forever. It isn't a very big concentration in his blood, but it is spreading rapidly. We need medical assistance."

"What about Ichigo?"

Hibiki moved towards Ichigo, crouching by Shinji. He reached a hand forward and pushed a bit of Ichigo's top out of the way, revealing the puncture marks from the snake's fangs. "This is very bad."

Shinji glared at Hibiki. "How bad?"

"The snake didn't get a glancing hit. It injected the poison right by his heart. It's the worst possible situation for Ichigo to be in. By all rights, Ichigo should already be dead."

Shinji nodded. "Instant Regeneration."

"Can it heal the poison?"

"No."

"Then how is that the reason he is still alive?"

"It's not a healing technique. It's a regeneration one. However it is hard to destroy things, only regrow them. Right now, Ichigo's body is rapidly destroying the infected areas around his heart and then repairing them. However the poison is spreading, and the amount of Magic needed to regrow his entire blood network is way too much to imagine. That's why it's focused on a small area, making sure it keeps the poison from his heart."

"He regrew a leg fine enough."

"Was the leg destroyed?"

"Yes."

"Then there is your answer. As I said, the main purpose of the technique is regeneration. His leg was destroyed already so he only had to regrow a new one."

Shinji raised his head away from Ichigo, looking towards Jura. "Brain said that Wendy could heal him. We need to find her now."

"I heard." Jura gestured towards Hibiki. "If you will."

Hibiki nodded and brought up a large Archive screen, a map of the area appearing. A few more taps and his brow tightened. "That isn't normal."

"What isn't?"

"I can't track them. Their Magical Signatures are being blocked from my Archive."

"We don't need them," said Shinji. "Track Wendy. That's how we'll find them."

Hibiki nodded again, going back to the screen and pressing a long set of buttons. "I think I've got her. North a bit, quite far into the forest. Possibly their base."

"Good."

A shout of alarm was heard as they saw Lucy struggling to hold her shorts up while Erza stole the belt, tightening it around her arm. The others could see the faint spread of purple, getting closer and closer to the top of her arm.

"You're poisoned," said Gray in alarm. "But I thought it only got a glancing hit?"

"It was," said Erza. "This poison is strong. We need to deal with it now if we want it to stop spreading. And we need more people in the fight. A blade appeared in her hands and she chucked it on the ground in front of her, sitting down beside it with her arm outstretched. "Cut it off."

Gray's eyes widened. "Are you an idiot? Don't do this Erza."

Lyon meanwhile had a different opinion. "Okay then." He reached towards the sword and picked it up, Gray the only one standing between Lyon and Erza.

"Hold on a minute. There's got to be another way."

"Yeah," joined in the Trimens. They tried to get closer to stop Lyon but Ichiya held them back. "Master?"

"This is her choice. We can't interfere, as much as I myself want to."

Jura held back Lucy too along with Happy. "Ichiya is right. This is Erza's decision."

"Move aside Gray," said Lyon as he slowly started walking forward.

"I won't let you."

"What do you value more? Her arm or her life?"

"I told you, there has to be another way. We can get Wendy like we're doing for the others."

Erza scoffed. "We're running short on strong fighters. I can't sit here and wait while the rest of you charge into battle. And I can't fight with poison in my veins."

Erza glanced at Ichigo. "Besides, who knows how much Magic Wendy will need to use. Ichigo is in fatal condition and Natsu could follow. Ichigo once taught me how to use a sword, likely leading to the reason I am alive. I rely on my skills each day, and he started me off with them. The way I see it, my life could have already been forfeit. What is an arm when he made sure I would end up living to this day?"

"Damn it Erza," said Gray. "You can't ever get your arm back. If you lose it, it's gone. Ichigo only taught you. You don't need to feel like you need to sacrifice your arm for his sake."

"Move," Lyon demanded. Gray charged forward, grabbing the blade and freezing it. Lyon struggled to pull the blade free but he couldn't. And then they heard a cry of pain.

Gray separated himself from Lyon, charging towards Erza as he saw the severed limb fall to the ground. He brought his hand up quickly to Erza's injury and froze the wound shut, stopping the blood from escaping. "Damn it Erza."

Gray glanced upwards at the one who had cut off Erza arm, locking eyes with Shinji. "Why?"

"It's her choice. We need more strong fighters on the field. Oración Seis tried to get rid of all our Aces, so we need as many back in the field as possible. If she wanted to sacrifice her arm to help the rest of you, then I would gladly help out."

Erza glanced at Shinji. "Thank you."

"No problem. That should deal with the poison. Once we find Wendy, we'll get the others healed too."

Shinji turned on his heal and started to leave. Gray called after him.

"Where the hell are you going?"

"Me? I'm hunting a certain snake."

Protector Of The Fairies

"Let me out!"

Zangetsu glared down at the Hollow, still bound to the ground by blades. He could see some of them had loosened. One had even been ripped out completely.

"I said let me out!"

Zangetsu shook his head before dropping down to the Hollow, slashing a blade into one of its hands. "Enough."

The Hollow just chuckled. "Knew you'd appear eventually. Now hurry up and let me out."

Zangetsu glared at the Hollow. "We've had this conversation before. I am all Ichigo needs. He does not need your help."

"Are you serious?" The Hollow glared at Zangetsu, not seeing a drop of humour on the man's face. "You are. You're going to get him killed."

"He won't die."

"YES HE WILL! I'M THE ONE KEEPING HIM ALIVE!"

Zangetsu scowled. "He doesn't need your power."

"It's my regeneration that is stopping the poison. Let me out. I can fix him. I can save him."

"He has access to your strength. There is no need to let you out to fix it."

The Hollow laughed. "What? You think he can survive on suppressed power?" The Hollow smiled as he saw Zangetsu wince. "Let me out. I'll increase the regeneration rate myself. I'll destroy every poisoned area and recreate it before he can die."

Zangetsu's hand subconsciously reached towards one of the swords and the Hollow continued speaking, desperately trying to persuade Zangetsu to free him.

"I'll do it. Bring me out of this place and I'll make sure he lives."

Zangetsu's hand froze as it rested on one of the blades. "Ichigo does not have the Magical Power to get rid of the poison, not when it is spread so far throughout his body."

"I'm sure you can find the extra Magic from somewhere. You should be good at that after all, considering what you are."

Zangetsu's grip tightened around a blade's hilt. "Your word. Once this is over, you will willing go back down here. I'll let you out just long enough to save him and make sure he is okay. And then you go back."

The Hollow smiled in thanks. "Deal."

Zangetsu held the blade tightly and pulled. "Then do what I can't do. Save him."

Protector Of The Fairies

DUN DUN DUN! Okay, so maybe my blender comment was too early by some of your reviews. It properly hits of here as you can see. And, in my opinion, what a chapter!

So how did you find that whole fight? I know a lot of you expected all three of them but speed was essential, and they had no way of knowing it was all of them at once. Here was a perfect example of the teamwork Oración Seis can use when needed, each filling a specific role to deal with a stronger opponent. Formula 28 was especially deadly because those Spells are dangerous, even to someone like Ichigo. As for part of Midnight's Magic not working against him, he can't really turn Ichigo's clothes and weapons against him when they are a part of Ichigo's own soul, and therefore living.

Phantom Step here showed its greatest weakness. The fact is that the moment I implemented it that I planned out every way it could be beaten. Why have a technique like that if nothing can compete with it. If sight is the main issue, deal with it by not seeing it. Doesn't work for most but I suppose a good enough sensor could replicate the effect Cobra had, just so long as they can pay enough attention.

And poor Shinji. Too late but one of you out there was right. Shinji's out for blood and Cobra's his prey. I feel like that wait for that battle will torture some of you are it has to be an extremely interesting one considering the powers each has. I've got all fights planned out, and have written three of them so far.

Now with Erza, I've made a radical choice here. She would have collapsed if Shinji wasn't here, and the fact is that Shinji has no quarrel with cutting of Erza's arm. He's Ichigo's ally first and foremost, and her presence in the field will increase Ichigo's survival chances. I hope people come to like this decision I made. I actually thought about it a lot, even debating to avoid her getting poisoned all together, but I chose to do it in the end. I rarely seen ANYONE make a move this bold with her in this arc, though there may be and I just missed them, but I think it was the correct decision. She can always get a fake arm like Gildarts if need be, and you can tell she's going to throw herself into training after this. Only one normal arm would chance everything after all.

One of the chapter's best parts though, to me, is that Zangetsu scene at the end. Poor Zangetsu, knowing that he isn't enough despite how much he wants to me, and has to rely on the Hollow because he can't save Ichigo alone. And as such has to free the Hollow just for a chance at Ichigo's survival.

You'll come to see that this arc is meant to show Ichigo can't win everything, because he honestly hasn't lost in this story when it truly mattered to him. Yes, he lost to Gildarts, but Levy was still alive in the end. This is the first time a loss of his has effective others, in this case Erza as he couldn't get Wendy back. So while Ichigo is down, I'll need to let a few other characters shine during this.

Now to quickly cover the latest chapters. Saw Fairy Tail's survival was pretty obvious, though I had different ideas that I wanted to happen. Maybe I'm a bit morbid sometimes. I'll likely change things there if I do that part in particular. I did not see that coming with Cana's Magic however. That was a shock. As for Bleach, I kind of hoped Rukia would have won then. We'll see next chapter whether that was her brother or just an illusion her mind made to cope with the fear so she could keep fighting. I did really like how she had to lower her body temperature though after that attack, as it shows it has its own risks to it despite its strength.

Anyway, till the next time. I've been Takei. Thanks for reading.