Warren relayed Mavis' order, his voice echoing through the guild hall.
In the eastern forest, Bisca peered through her scope, nerves tight as steel.
"The Osprey's ready… but we're too far. If I miss, it'll take minutes to reload."
Beside her, little Asuka tugged on her sleeve.
"Why do you call it Osprey, Mama?"
Alzack scratched his head. "Who knows, sweetheart. Just cheer her on."
From the guild, Mavis' voice came clear: "Bisca, you can do this."
"Yes…!" Bisca's eyes sharpened.
Above Magnolia, Ajeel reveled in the bombardment.
"Let's see how long that little barrier lasts! Even a rune spell burns out eventually!"
Then—
"Lord Ajeel! Something incoming, fast!"
"What—?"
BOOM!
One Alvarez cruiser exploded midair.
"The Flying Dragons are here!!"
Happy soared with Natsu, Carla with Wendy, and Lily carrying Gajeel.
"Let's go!!" Natsu roared.
Gajeel's arms turned to iron blades, cleaving into a ship's hull.
"The roar of the Sky Dragon!!" Wendy's spell blasted another out of the sky.
But enemy fire thundered back, a storm of shells. The cats swerved desperately, wings straining.
"Too many!!" Carla cried.
On the ground, Bisca steadied her trembling hands. "Fifteen minutes per shot… I can't miss this."
Alzack clasped her shoulder. "Believe in yourself!"
"…Ospreys never miss their prey," Bisca whispered, then pulled the trigger.
JUPITER—FIRE!!
The beam lanced across the sky.
Ajeel raised his palm. "Scatter!!"
The magic split apart, fragments raining across Alvarez ships, blasting several from the sky.
"It dispersed Jupiter?!" Bisca gasped.
Even Jupiter—the Phantom Lord's legendary cannon—was broken apart.
Alzack forced a grin. "Still… it took a few down."
"Close combat, then!" Natsu shouted. "Take the captain!"
The three Dragonslayers landed on Ajeel's deck—only to double over instantly, green-faced.
"Booooat…."
"Seasick again?!" Ajeel's eye twitched in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?!"
Happy whimpered. "We forgot… Natsu can't ride transport!"
"Ughhh…" Wendy slumped.
"Iron Dragon, no servant…" Gajeel groaned.
Makarov palmed his face back at the guild. "I forgot… these three are useless on ships."
Ajeel sneered, grabbing Natsu by the scarf.
"Fairy Tail brats. Your guild destroyed my homeland's pride—our palace. Now I'll return the favor. Disappear!!"
But then—
SHIIIING!
The ship's bow split cleanly in half.
Natsu and the others tumbled clear as Ajeel froze, veins bulging.
"WHO?!"
A scarlet figure stepped forward, sword leveled at him.
Erza's gaze was cold, her blade unwavering.
"The one who's here… to kill you."