FTRJ: Chapter 84
Finally, with the weaker members dealt with, Laxus could have a proper fight with Finn to determine Fairy Tail's strongest mage.
Laxus knew Finn was too strong for the Raijū, but he hadn't expected Evergreen to be defeated so easily.
"Finn is still too strong. Facing Evergreen, she probably couldn't even escape," a voice said from behind.
"Why are you back, Fried?" Laxus asked without turning.
"Because it's over. The hostages are free, so the Master won't act," Fried replied.
Boom—
Several golden lightning bolts struck, the resulting shockwave forcing Fried to shield himself.
"Laxus…" Fried felt a chill. The familiar face seemed strange, almost…mad.
A crazed look, unlike anything seen before, was on Laxus's face.
"It's not over," Laxus said.
"I still have a way to make them fight."
"You wouldn't…" Fried's eyes widened, understanding dawning on him.
Inside the Fairy Tail guild.
The recovered members understood the situation after Makarov's explanation. The battle had been brutal; many were injured.
"Well…it's over. Now that you're unpetrified, you don't need to play Laxus's game anymore," Makarov said, relieved.
"But…those injured by Fried's trap…" Mirajane worried.
"Exactly. We need to teach Laxus a lesson," Bisca said angrily.
"I know. I'll punish him severely," Makarov clenched his fist. "This time, I won't let him off easily."
Natsu interrupted. "Forcing comrades to fight is wrong, but about Fairy Tail's strongest…I agree with Laxus."
"Huh?" Everyone stared at Natsu.
Natsu was excited. "So, round two of the Fairy Tail battle begins now! Everyone, bring it on!"
"Fine, I'll fight you," Erza said, cracking her knuckles.
"Stop it!" Makarov shouted.
"Heh." With no hostages, everyone relaxed.
Then, countless words appeared on the guild doors, swirling in the air.
"What's this?"
"What now?" Everyone stared at the words.
"We'll play along," Erza said.
The words coalesced into a giant skull.
"Can you hear me, old man?" Laxus's voice boomed from the skull.
"Laxus…"
The voice continued: "One rule is gone, so I'm adding a new one." Everyone's expressions grew serious.
"To continue the Fairy Tail battle, I've activated Tenrō Jima."
"Tenrō Jima?! You brat, you're going to endanger civilians?!" Makarov roared.
"You have one hour and ten minutes left. Think about it. Can you defeat us in that time? Or will you surrender? Hahaha!" Laxus laughed from the skull.
"That bastard!!" Makarov punched the skull, shattering it. His arm returned to normal, but he clutched his chest, a sharp pain seizing him. He cried out and fell.
"Master, hang in there!"
"Master!!"
Natsu and the others rushed to him.
"Damn…I'll get his medicine," Mirajane hurried to the infirmary.
"Just at this moment…" Makarov groaned.
Mirajane gave him medicine. They put him in a room to rest.
Then, they went to the balcony, seeing circular lightning crystals floating in the sky.
"That's Tenrō Jima?" Levy asked.
"Each crystal holds immense lightning power," Cana explained.
"So, if that thing activates…" Lucy pointed at Tenrō Jima, her face etched with worry.
"Countless lightning bolts will strike Magnolia. That level of power could destroy the entire city…" Erza said.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's just destroy them!" Bisca's hand glowed, and a sniper rifle materialized.
Erza quickly stopped her. "Don't! That kind of magic often links to the caster's life force. Destroying one will harm them."
Erza stared at the crystals, her eyes burning with anger.
"He's using the entire city as hostages."
"We only have one path left: defeat Laxus," Bisca said, despair creeping into her voice.
"Finn should still be searching for Laxus, but finding him in such a large city won't be easy," Erza mused.
"I'll go help find Laxus," Erza declared, leaping from the balcony and running towards the distance.
"Then let's go too. More people, more power," the others agreed, following her.
"Damn it, I still can't get out!" Natsu, frustrated, continued to bang his head against the magical barrier.
"Maybe I can help," Levy said, producing a magic pen.
"Really, Levy?!" Natsu looked at her hopefully.
Levy nodded. "I'll try."
Meanwhile, Finn, on the street below, watched Tenrō Jima rise in the sky, his fists clenching tighter and tighter. He then ran towards the Kardia Cathedral, the location he'd gleaned from Evergreen.
"Hmm?" Rounding a corner, Finn found Gray lying unconscious on the ground. He rushed over.
"Gray! Wake up! Snap out of it!"
Gray slowly opened his eyes. "Finn…sorry, I failed. I couldn't beat Bickslow."
"It's not your fault. Can you still walk?" Finn asked.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Go stop Laxus," Gray struggled to his feet, leaning on a wall.
Finn nodded. "Be careful." After some instructions, Finn seemed to notice something and whispered to Gray before leaving.
Bickslow appeared behind Finn, relieved Finn was gone. That monster was beyond him; he'd leave him to Laxus. He still needed to hunt others.
He turned to find a blade at his throat.
It was Finn.
Cold sweat drenched Bickslow. He looked at Finn's back; the figure had turned to ice, then vanished.
"Ice Make?" Bickslow thought, looking at Gray.
"I knew someone was watching. I tested it, and you showed your weakness," Finn said calmly.
"You…" Bickslow tried to speak, but Finn's blade advanced.
The chilling aura silenced Bickslow.
"Tell me, where's Laxus?" Finn asked. He'd gotten the information from Evergreen, but wanted confirmation.
"Laxus is…" Bickslow's fingers twitched. A laser shot toward Finn.
Finn saw the laser from his puppet. He grabbed Bickslow's neck, swung his blade, and flames erupted, engulfing the laser.
Boom—The energy clash caused a massive explosion. Finn's blade sliced down, flames engulfing Bickslow.
The flames surged, completely enveloping Bickslow.
"Aaaaaah!!"
Only Bickslow's screams could be heard.
The flames subsided, leaving a charred Bickslow on the ground.
Finn stepped on him. "Now, can you talk?" The questioning tone was gone; only coldness remained.
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