Chapter 97

Life Shield is the ninety-seventh chapter of Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail.

Full Summary
With Natsu’s new plan in action, the battle resumes. Natsu’s aim is to destroy the tower, and Jellal, furious, attacks him. Natsu is able to evade most of his attacks, so the Tower suffers the consequences. In one moment, he unleashes his Dazzling Blaze of the Fire Dragon upon the Tower, an action which proves to be more than enough to bewilder Jellal. He charges his most deadly attack, aiming for Natsu, but Erza interferes. She thinks that by using herself as a shield, Jellal will cease his attack, but Jellal states that the body Zeref needs needn’t be hers. He unleashes his Altearis attack on the both of them, but it is Simon who is ultimately hit. Using his magic he tried to fend it off, but this proved to be too much for him. He collapses and proclaims his love for Erza. As he dies, he remembers the image of the young Erza, and leaves the world with a smile. Meanwhile, Jellal belittles him in his sacrifice. Natsu is furious by this, and punches him down. Then, meaning to replenish his strength, he eats burning Etherion…