Chapter 97

A Life as a Shield is the 97th chapter of Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail.
With Natsu's new plan in action, the battle resumes. Natsu’s aim is to destroy the tower, and Jellal, furious, attacks him. 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. Stating that the body Zeref needs needn’t be hers, he unleashes his Altairis attack on the both of them, but it is Simon who takes the hit. He collapses and proclaims his love for Erza. 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.
==Summary==
Natsu gets up despite all his injuries and is determined to execute his plan to destroy the tower. Jellal, who is uninjured, threatens Natsu, saying that he will make him regret having stood up again. The battle resumes with both of them determined to achieve their respective goals.
Jellal attacks Natsu but Natsu taunts him saying is he holding back so as not to damage the tower any further and that his attacks have no effect on him, which enrages Jellal even more. Erza, who was lying unconscious, regains consciousness watching Natsu battling fiercely with Jellal. Natsu uses his Fire Dragon Slayer Magic which damages the tower that took Jellal eight years to build. Just when Jellal is going to land his blow on Natsu, Erza intervenes, thinking that Jellal will cease his attack. However, Jellal says that he needs Erza no longer and shoots his Altairis at her. Just in time, Simon arrives and protects Erza, getting hit by Jellal's spell in the process. Simon, numb, falls to the ground. In his final moments, he reveals his love for Erza, remembering the young Erza smiling at him and passes away, saddening Erza. Jellal laughs at Simon's sacrifice and Natsu, enraged, punches him before beginning to eat Etherion, shocking everyone.
==Characters in Order of Appearance==
#Jellal Fernandes
#Natsu Dragneel
#Erza Scarlet
#Simon
==Battles & Events==
*Natsu Dragneel vs. Jellal Fernandes
==Magic, Spells, and Abilities used==
===Magic used===
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===Spells used===
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===Abilities used===
*Hand-to-Hand Combat
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===Armors used===
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===Weapons used===
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==Navigation==