User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 459 & 460: Weakness & The Alighted Pegasus, Review./@comment-27122410-20151101205411/@comment-1776824-20151102015708

I don't see how Ajeel is weak when even though he was dealt fatal wounds, he kept on going like it was nothing and still physically and magically outclassed Erza in every way. :/ Only reason he got defeated was because Jupiter somehow missed Erza and he took something as strong as that bare bones with no defense after taking heavy damage already.

Ichiya is actually one of the strongest mages in the series, and his physical strength when using that Power Perfume is at least strong enough to OHKO Bacchus, who is as strong as Pre-SO Erza (confirmed), and Freed has only continually gotten stronger over the last year, and it's becoming clearer every time he uses it that Absolute Shadow is his trump card. Freed also, unlike Ever and Bickslow, didn't take a single lick of damage during that fight because he was being protected. Freed is among the strongest mages in FT as well, and Wahl completely let his guard down. I don't even think for a second he's down and out though, because his head was still grinning and shit, but whatever.

And I don't think being sucker punched after an allergic reaction to something really downplays Brandish's strength. All the Spriggans are around the same level of power, bar August, and Brandish is someone who can topple entire countries by herself. Her magic power has been confirmed to be greater than Makarov's, and his has been described to be nearly immeasurable. Brandish is just a comedic character, and there was no other way to temporarily remove her from the battle than in a comedic fashion. Her being removed also allows us to learn more about Layla.

Everything is happening for a reason:
 * 1) Ajeel got downed to show that they are indeed strong, and it takes something like Jupiter to even level their chances with one Spriggan. Erza can't even beat one.
 * 2) Wahl's defeat was to give rather minor characters a chance to shine and show their growth; however, I would not put it past Mashima to bring him back, because now the Fairies' guard is lowered while they wait for the next vanguard to arrive, and when they do arrive, expect him to come back even stronger. He's not human: he's a machine made of alchemic, magical metal. I bet he can reassemble himself into something better.
 * 3) Brandish, like I said, was removed from the fight temporarily to allow room for a Layla reveal/flashback.

I don't even think Ajeel is done, personally, even after this. August is a master of more kinds of magic, forbidden and forgotten, than Zeref. I'm sure he can heal. Honestly, these chapters have me pumped for what's to come.