Lucy's POV
I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth as I jumped over the cracks and jagged edges of the ground beneath me. Kukyo had teleported us to a deserted wasteland, somewhere far, far away from Fiore, and even further away from the guild hall.

"Celestial Dragon's Roar!" I concentrated my magic on the attack, hoping to get some damage on Kukyo, who had been easily taking us down, one by one. At this point, I had almost forgotten why we were fighting, and only focused on the fact that he was going to risk the future. He dodged the attack, and swiftly brought Elfman down with a powerful punch. He's more powerful, it must be the crystal. I glanced at the blue stone jutting out of the ground, glinting against the sun. The red blood on the ground created an awful stench in the air, and I wrinkled my nose at the scent.

"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!" Natsu unleashed his attack, hitting Kukyo in the chest, sending him hurtling backwards. Silently celebrating, I came in close, sending a kick to his face. Jumping back, I tried to check in with the others. They were all fighting, even though they didn't know why, or how any of this happened. They were the same as me; charging forward without any plan. I bit my lip at the sigth of wounded, limp bodies struggling to get up. Lisanna looked at me with a lopsided smile, her eyes blazing.

Kneeling, I looked at her, holding my hand out.

"I know you want to fight, but I'm sorry," I said as I towered over the wounded group. With a slashing motion, I teleported them all into a safe, special realm where they would be safe. A few cries were heard, but I looked down, guilty. This isn't their battle to fight, anyway. But, don't worry everyone, I'll fight for you. I'll fight, and I'll live, I'll make Fairy Tail proud.

Lighting up my fist I charged forward, passing Erza and Gray, who were both panting heavily, struggling to stay upright, past Natsu, who was tired, yet still looked ready to kill, past Juvia, who was almost out of magical energy, and past Wendy, who had been forced to the ground. Poor Wendy… I teleported her out of the zone as well, only leaving the four of us and Kukyo. My magic bubbled up as I kept running towards him, but he disappeared at the last second. Time seemed to slow down as he re appeared behind me, kicking me into a tree face first. Flipping myself over, I grabbed his foot, bringing him with me, and eventually smashing him into the ground a few feet away from me.

"Not bad, but not good enough, little angel~" He laughed, his aura lighting up. I narrowed my eyes, reaching into one of my special chambers, pulling out throwing knives charged with magic.

"Purifying Rain!" I shouted, throwing the daggers at him. He tried to dodge, but I managed to get a few good cuts on him. Focusing my attention on those who were left, I wore a serious expression as I tried to configure my magic to teleport them out.

"Lucy?! What are you doing?!" Gray shouted, snapping his head to me.

"Juvia wishes to fight more!"
"Lucy, we can defeat him!"
"Luce…!" The last call resonated within my heart, and I smiled sadly as the spell was unleashed. I turned back to a smirking Kukyo.

"Not so fast…!" He then made some sort of barrier, trapping me in it, and I felt all the magic reversing. Everyone that had been teleported to safety was coming back, falling to the ground from a tall height. My eyes widened, and I glared at Kukyo, punching the barrier that he encircled me in.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! FIGHT ME! I'M WHAT YOU'RE AFTER AM I NOT?!" I yelled at him, desperate to drive his attention away from the others.

"Oh, but I've come to realize something, Lucy, dear. And that is you're physically strong, but emotionally weak. You'll be hurt more by seeing others being hurt, isn't that why you sent them away? Hahaha! I'm not stupid!" He laughed, delivering a powerful wave of magic to everyone, which obviously hurt. Their screams echoed in my ears, and I kneeled, holding my head.

No…

He laughed,

NO, I'm not weak anymore…

Blood splattered.

I will fight!
Screams echoed

I will live!
Everything was stained red.

I'm not that weak, crybaby princess anymore…

"Death's Happiness!" The spell resounded through the land, and I sat there, frightened as a certain flashback overtook me.

FLASHBACK

"Death's Happiness!" the wave of dark energy flooded the mansion, and I sat there, petrified as my childhood friend began to scream. Blood flowed, and his screams echoed throughout the empty, big room. The white tiles were stained with red and his body fell to the floor.

I backed into a corner of the room, looking up to meet the blood-red eyes of my father's faithful, and personal servant.

"Lucy," my father's voice boomed, hurting my young ears.

"You shall no longer make connections with these poor vermin of humans," He probed Jake's limp body, his eyes trailing the ragged clothing he wore with disgust.

"You…killed him…" I stuttered, tears pooling in the corners of my eyes.

"It's all for the greater good, it's for your education, Miss Lucy. Now, shall we continue with your lessons? I shall be your personal tutor, to ensure that no more vermin sneak in again," Sebastian's eyes gleamed as he removed his coat and gloves, both also stained with the red of blood.

My eyes trailed back to Jake's body, still twitching, and whimpering.

"What was that spell..?"

"Death's Happiness, a fate worse than death. Torture until one's mind breaks, and that eventually leads to bleeding to death, how the person dies is up to the caster, though. I'm glad you're interested. Would you like me to teach you the art of killing?"

Scared, I trembled, and shakily standing up, ran from the room. As I fled through the halls, I felt Sebastian's blood red eyes look through the walls, following my every move.

'I need to leave this place', that's what I thought. Then I'll be free. I didn't know at that time how ignorant I was, and how that ignorance was bliss.

FLASHBACK

"NOOOOOO! STOOPPP!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, my fear turning into power as I shattered the barrier. I focused all of my magic into one attack, and raising my hand, I launched the magic, hoping that I wasn't too late. However, there was no attack that came out, and I slumped back to my knees. I failed… That's what I thought, but I only saw that Kukyo's attack was frozen in midair, and all the Fairy Tail members were frozen in time. He turned to me, brows furrowed, and obviously angry.

"WHAT DID YOU DO, BRAT?!" he screamed at me, but instead of cowering in fear, I remembered all that I've been through, and everything that I've done to prepare for this moment. I ran towards the crystal, ignoring Kukyo's angry screams. He shot an attack at me, which sent me to the ground, but I got back up. The crystal was about 100 yards away. How did it get that far, anyway?

I sent one quick attack behind me, to distract Kukyo, and prayed mentally.

I hope I have enough magic for this… no, I HAVE to have enough magic for this…

Reaching for my belt, I fingered through my multiple, organized keychains, remembering Sting and everyone else. That's right. I can't just live for Fairy Tail, I'll live for Sabertooth as well. No, scratch that, I'll live for everyone who's helped me up till now! Their time, effort, and sacrifices won't go to waste!

Using both of my hands, I grabbed all of the keys I needed. As I approached closer, I had a moment of self doubt, but I shook it off. You can do this, just concentrate your magic.

"REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REBORN SOULS! I SUMMON THEE, AID ME AS YOU PASS THROUGH THE GATE!", I shouted, still running. However, I turned backwards, predicting what would happen. Shooting an orb of purification mirror magic towards Kukyo's direction, I prepared myself.

FLASHBACK

"Do NOT interfere with the crystal, there will be dire consequences that may be worse than death," The dragon warned. I nodded, but on the inside, I knew that I would disobey someday. I was a part of Fairy Tail after all, and Fairy Tail doesn't exactly follow the rules.

"Good girl," Silvia said, and I returned her smile as I stroked her beautiful, silver scales.

Then, too, I thought nothing of the consequences, being ignorant to the harsh reality of the world, despite everything that I had already been through. Then, too, I didn't realize that that ignorance was bliss.

FLASHBACK

As my magic energy was concentrated, and the dragons' glowing bodies slowly appeared, time began to flow again, but it was still slowed down, Kukyo and I still being the only ones who had normal time flow. The attack inched closer to them, and I ran towards the crystal, my hand outstretched.

"MAGIC CANCELLATION!" Those words scared me. The mirror magic disappeared, and my own magic was depleting rapidly, having so many dragon gates out at the same time. Forcing myself to continue, I felt more of my magic being cancelled, and time slowly started to flow regularly again.

I'm so close- just a few more feet, one more foot, two more steps- and then my knees gave out from under me.

I turned back to see the attack only a few feet away from everyone, and time was gradually moving faster.

Destroy the crystal, interfere with godly magic. Those were the only thoughts ringing throughout my subconscious, and all the dragons slowly started to glow an even brighter shade of gold, and they all unleashed some sort of attack- they seemed to know what they were doing. I felt the extreme pull of my magical energy. Time started to move at its normal pace. In a few seconds, everyone would die. But I wouldn't let that happen, not as long as I could fight, not as long as I wouldn't give up, which I wouldn't. Fairy Tail, you've always been the ones to save me, now it's time for me to save you.

"FIGHT!" And as the attack doom was only a foot away from obliterating Fiore's strongest wizard guild, the power of the dragons and the power of my primordial magic combined, and my palm laid flat against the surprising smooth, and cool, crystal. All of a sudden, my magic flourished again, and I felt as powerful as ever, my wounds healing and my energy being replenished.

I smiled as a crack started to run along the crystal, and time began to freeze again.

"Dark thorns!" Kukyo sent pitch black thorns at me, cutting my skin, staining the ground with even more blood. However, it barely affected me, and I wore a victory smirk.

"Your game is over," I said simply, but then something happen. My magic fluctuated yet again, and time alternate between flowing and stopping completely. I snapped my head back to Kukyo, only to see him chanting a spell.

"You'll pay… HOW DARE YOU INTERFERE! YOU SHALL SUFFER A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH!" I sensed his magic rapidly depleting, and he used the last of it to use one more cancellation. Time flew by, and as the attack was about to touch its first victim, I shot a beam towards it, hoping to repel the dark energy. I still held one palm flat against the crystal though, gradually breaking it down more and more.

My plan worked, and I let a smile break out over my face. The crystal would collapse with a ginger touch, and I had successfully re-routed the death spell. However, things didn't go exactly as planned. Instead of time stopping, or slowing down, it sped up. A wave appeared , and I recognized it as my original mirror incantation. He cancelled his own cancellation-?

The spell came hurtling towards me, and my eyes widened, having no way to defend myself as both of my hands were occupied, and using my feet wasn't an option here. Bitterly, I smiled, thinking that I would die, taking this hit for Fairy Tail.

Then, once again, things didn't go the way that they seemed to be going. A light emitted from the crumbling crystal and the two forces clashed in a mirage of magic's, both blinding, breathtaking, and undeniably powerful. I expected to face the doors of death, only to be flooded with energy once again. As the crystal crumbled, everything slowly started to disappear. We were all teleported to the bloody training grounds of Fairy Tail, the dragons fading, the blood magically disappearing, and the crystal lighting up, slowly floating up to the sky. I watched in awe as they seemed to become one with the stars, now having just noticed that it was now evening.

My body started to float into mid air as well as time returned to normal once and for all. A power entered me, but instead of feeling energized, I writhed with pain. It felt as if I was about to explode. My body hurt all over, and the light encasing me was seemingly taunting me, being so beautiful yet so painful. When I landed gingerly back onto the ground, I felt my eyes glowing. I took a step back, though, when I saw the mess in front of me. Bodies everywhere, limply hanging around every corner. The blood was gone, but the damage still remained. Trying not to throw up, I put a hand to my mouth.

I took a shaky step back, preparing to go fetch for help, but the First all of a sudden appeared before me, coming out of thin air and magical particles shimmered off of her.

"F-first? What are you doing here? Hadn't you disappeared? Do you know where Master is as well?" I questioned, having noticed the old man's presence. Looking around, I noticed the radiant figures of the zodiac configure. Master also calmly walked up behind me, startling me.

"M-master?! Where were you and the First?!" I exclaimed, a little alarmed as he looked over the mass of bodies, not flinching, no emotion visible on his face.

"Away. First, please use your magic," Master said, and the First stretched out her hand, which was now encased in pure white. In less than a second, everyone was healed, and standing without a problem, and I gaped at the sheer amount of power that she held, even as a mere spirit form, which was sure to be less powerful than he actual physical body.

Finally, Master's expressionless façade broke as tears started to slip down his face, and he crumpled to his knees.

"You brats, you really are stubborn sometimes, you know?!" He exclaimed, and everyone turned to look at him, after carefully examining their own, fully healed selves.

Not bothering to ask any questions, I walked slowly to a motionless Kukyo, which made me realize just how much he depended on that crystal. Picking him up, I turned back to Master.

"What should we do with him?" I asked, eyeing his battered body.

"We'll report this to the Magic Council immediately, everyone, get inside the guild, we'll have some explaining to do." He said sternly, but Natsu stepped out from the crowd, confronting him.

"Gramps, why leave us in the dark like this? Don't you tell us everything…?" His eyes reflected hurt and betrayal, and his tone was uncertain. I just wanted to reach out to him, to tell him that he had a good reason, but I couldn't. I didn't know what went down, either, and all that I know was the he had left us, and lives were almost lost. However… even if they leave me, they would still be family, isn't that what I always believed in? So now, after I've fought for Fairy Tail, after I've lived for Fairy Tail, the least that I could do at this moment was support the founder and its advisor with a ll my heart, put my lives in their hands, and give them my trust. This whole scenario was also partially my fault, as well. Confidently, I took a step forward.

"Yeah, but at least we dealt with him," I added, nudging Kukyo with my shoulder. Going towards Makarov once more, I stopped in my tracks once I felt something pierce my skin. Looking down, I saw a blade coming out from my chest area. I was too shocked for words, and I kept staring at the piece of metal awkwardly jutting out from my body. It was not stained with blood, though, but rather with gold specks, and a vibrant substance that oozed with magical energy.

"Die," Kukyo whispered, his voice coming out choked, strained, and raspy. His breath sent chills down my spine, and I felt him smile against my skin as he slowly fell off of me, onto the ground beside me. I heard screams around me, but they were all muted. People called out to me, ran to me, and started to shake me, while Wendy kept yelling some order at everyone. Blankly, I looked down at her, who was in tears, and kept trying to console me somehow.

Not processing what was happening, I smiled on the inside. Wow, such authority… you've grown, Wendy. My eyes trailed back to the normally cool and the normally expressive, respectively, Gray and Natsu, and what I saw was surprising. Gray was staring, wide eyed, on his knees. Natsu stood there, emotionless, his arms hanging limply by his sides. I've never seen these sides of you… I wonder what else you hide? Finally, I looked towards the ever-strong Titania, and she had a single tear streaming down her face. The broken expressions my friends wore, though, brought me back to reality, and I looked down once more, grabbing the blade with my hands, also cutting my fingers.

Slowly, I pushed the blade out from my body, and dropped it. I smiled at everyone, showing that I was okay. I still wasn't processing what was happening, but I got worried when I saw that everyone was still crying. Looking around, I spotted the tearful, scared, and angry faces of my comrades, all staring at me… except that they weren't staring at me. They seemed to be staring past me. SO, turning around slowly, I saw the most shocking thing of all, my motionless body, covered with blood, and a dagger piercing through my heart, my eyes closed, a content smile on my face. Confused, I watched as Natsu sprang to action, coming at me.

"Natsu… smile, I don't like seeing you sad…" I said.

"NO! YOU WON'T DIE LUCE! You won't…" he screamed. It sounded so real, but it didn't seem real. My hand slowly reached up to cup his cheek, my eyes still closed.

"It's… okay," with that, I took a final breath, and my hand dropped to my chest, clenched ever so slightly, my Fairy Tail mark visible for all to see.

That's what I saw, but I was still very confused. I was right here, alive and well, right? If that was true…

Then why was I staring at my own dead body?