Lucy held him in her arms as Mercurius collapsed around them and their surviving nakama. They were surrounded by the bodies of their friends; whether they were alive or dead, they couldn't tell.
Lucy gingerly laid Natsu's bloodied body onto the floor and rose from her knees. She knew what the Eclipse Project wanted. She knew what she needed to do.
She wiped away a few stray tears that leaked out of her eyes as she began to walk towards the dark, looming structure that was the Eclipse Project. She could feel the machine pulling her closer, sapping out her magic until there was nothing left.
"Lucy," Natsu rasped. "Don't do it." His movements were frantic as he tried to reach her, but he would never make it in time. Lucy dropped to her knees as she felt the last of her magic drain away into the machine. She turned her head and smiled towards Natsu. Even with her torn clothes and her bloody and bruised body, she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
"You can't do this to me, Lucy. Don't leave me."
Still smiling, Lucy laughed softly.
"It's alright, Natsu. It's my turn to protect you now."
As she turned back towards the Eclipse Project, Lucy's body began to glow and fade.
"I love you, Natsu."
And then she was gone.