Fairy Tail (Book 1 - Rose's Story)

The Strongest Team

"Little fly, get ready to meet your maker!"

I looked up at Erigor, shouting with my fists in the air. "What? Can't fight without your dirty protection? That's some pussy shit!"

"It's time to get rid of you for good." He swung his arm multiple times. "Storm Shred!"

Barrages of wind blades were fired resembling flat elongated and arched projectiles of some sort and a large gust of flames reflected the attack as I dove down against the tracks to avoid being hit.

"Me and you are going to have a talk about wandering off by yourself." Natsu looked down at me, a hand on his hip. I couldn't help but smile, he couldn't have come at a more perfect time. There was no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't have, Happy's Aerial Magic was a really big help. "I'm a big girl, I go where I please."

"And that's why I always have to save your ass huh?"

He was right about that, at least.

"Yell at me later, fight with me now." I kicked off my boots, it was time to get serious.

Water shot out of the palms of my feet, propelling me forward. Natsu did the same with flames instead at my side but as we tried to fight against the wind his armor was sending towards us, we just came crashing back down. It was too strong, and I had used too much of my Magic Energy to the point where I felt myself physically growing weaker. "Another little fly... how amusing. I thought you two would have a little more backbone than this! Although you both never had a chance against me in the first place but I'll put an end to this now to save us all some time. This Soaring Phoenix Magic rips everything to shreds. Emera Baram!" He bent his arms and pointed his hands towards the sky with his index and middle fingers stretched. A light of halo generated in his hands from which a large concentrated blast of wind blades was fired at them.

It was a dangerous spell, and I couldn't let it mess with our chances of saving the Guild Masters.

If it struck both Natsu and I, there would be no one left to help our friends.

So I did what I had to do.

I threw myself in front of him, letting the attack strike my body while preserving his.

Each hit filled me up with unbearable pain as my clothes shred up as well as some of my skin.

It was unbearable... I craved for it to stop.

For everything to just stop.

When it did, I slumped down to my knees before falling back over the edge of the railway.

"Rose!" I could hear Happy and Natsu cry out, and two fur paws grabbing my wrist. "I've got you, I've got you!" The cat grunted, using his wings which was the base of his strength to heave me back over the edge. I was in and out of consciousness, I could barely keep my eyes open.

I hit a point of pain where everything just felt... numb.

"Your bleeding a lot, like a lot. Don't die, please don't die! It's not your time!" Happy held my face, freaking out and I could faintly hear Natsu furiously shouting how Erigor was going to pay for what he did.

"I'm surprised her body is in one piece, what a lucky little girl. Strong too, but not strong enough." The menace said in triumph. Out of the numbness... I could feel warmth but I couldn't track where it was coming from. I forced my head to turn and my eyes wandered around with blurry vision before setting sights on Natsu holding the ground while flames engulfed his body.

And then everything went black.

---

"What happened dragon breath? Why is she so beat up but you aren't?"