The Wizard's Diary

by Reier

This is an AU where all the dragon slayers are actually dragons. Lucy, the protagonist, lives in a modern town where no one believes in the existence of magic, but she is a wizard and she knows that there is more than meets the eye. This is the story of an encounter that will change her life forever and of her struggles to save Fairy Tail and Magnolia.

36. What doesn't kill you

Good evening everyone! Here's, finally, the last chapter of this story, we arrived at the duel that everyone has been waiting for: Natsu against Zeref! I hope to keep glued on the page to the end!

I'm glad you followed me so far, when I decided to publish this story I was hoping to be able to draw as many people as possible and I can't wait to read the final reviews! But there's one thing I regret: during the last months, filled of commitments, I almost stopped writing. I have so many stories in mind that I want to complete, I hope to find this summer a bit of time to devote to my projects, so we'll see each other again on this wonderful website. A kiss and a hug to everyone! Thanks for everything :-*

What doesn't kill you

Lucy had wondered many times what Stellar Memory looked like. A temple like Stonehenge? A ball of light? A great magic circle? Lucy had imagined many forms but she had never thought of anything like that. Stellar Memory resembled an enormous prism, made of colored crystal pinnacles. White, transparent, gold and blue, the crystals darted up and they were so big and imposing as to form a sort of enchanted castle. The parallel dimension that housed it had the appearance of a dark sheet, without walls and without limits. The bottom was dark as the ocean depths, but when Lucy looked up discovered that hanging on them were all the stars of the sky. Other trillion Stellar Memories that the crystals reflected like a kaleidoscope, creating wonderful light effects.

It was a breathtaking sight. So beautiful to leave her speechless. Lucy would have been staring for hours at it, gaping, but she had more important issues to deal with. Such as the dark wizard who held her by the wrist, squeezing so hard to threaten to break the bone.

- At the beginning when Makarov told me that you were alive I didn't believe him. - Murmured Natsu, looking his brother into the eyes.

- You're right. - Zeref smiled - The last time we met there was nothing left of me, only few drops of blood. Yet my body has regenerated to perfection. Never underestimate Ankhseram's curse! But this time we will solve the issue: I have finally Stellar Memory! And I will use it to put an end to this senseless world. -

- I won't allow you! - Roared the dragon - Leave Lucy immediately if you don't want ... -

- Leave Lucy? - Zeref yanked the girl by the arm, pulling her closer - Do you really think I'm so crazy? She stays with me until the end. But if you really want, try to save her. -

Natsu gritted his teeth but his brother did not give him any weight, giggling - Look, I'm doing you a gift! How does it feel Natsu? You have the opportunity to rewrite the past and save the woman you love or lose her again. You must know that I loved Mavis more than anything else in the world. She was the only one who was able to look past my curse and find something good in me. But I warned her that it was dangerous to stand by me and in the end, I was the one that caused her death. Or it was you? I think it was you because she closed the doors of Stellar Memory and sacrificed her last energies to save your life. -

- I loved Mavis too. - Admitted Natsu - And not a day goes by where I don't regret not having saved her from you. But this time it will be different: I will stop you. Lucy get ready and whatever happens don't interfere! - Shouted the dragon before rushing to the attack.

- Show me what you can do, brother! - With his free hand Zeref picked up a ball of dark energy and hurled it at Natsu. Rather than dodge the dragon activated his fiery aura and absorbed the spell, causing a real explosion.

- NATSU! - Cried Lucy, terrified, but no one answered.

For a moment everything was shrouded by smoke then ...

- Fire Dragon's ... - With a hand Natsu grabbed Zeref and with the other Lucy to tear her away from his grip. The girl did not even have time to ask him what he was doing: the dragon pushed her away, so hard to throw her on the ground. - Wing Attack! - Natsu struck the dark wizard with all the strength of his flames.

- Fire Dragon's Claw! Iron Fist! -

When Lucy looked up she realized that Natsu had pushed Zeref away from her and Stellar Memory. His aura burned stronger than any flame she had ever seen, so much that the bandages that covered him had burned and fallen on the ground. But Lucy immediately noticed that something was wrong with her beloved dragon. His flames were getting darker and darker every spell that he used, as if his magic was becoming that of a completely different creature. Scales appeared on his body and face and his hands turned into paws with claws.
- Exploding Flame Blade of Darkness! - The spell evoked by Natsu Zeref invested as a hellfire river. The explosion was so strong that the whole dimension that hosted them trembled, as if it had been shaken to its foundations. The shock wave hit even Lucy, making her shiver. That power was cold and dark and it did not look like the hot summer magic she had learned to love.

- Darkness Firing Hammer! Darkness Phoenix Blade! -

Eventually Natsu stopped breathless. All that magic would be more than enough to destroy a country but not Zeref.

- This was what I had in mind when I created you E.N.D.! - A maniacal laugh shook Stellar Memory as the smoke of the explosions faded away slowly. - But your power isn't enough to beat me ... And it never will! - Despite all the blows he had suffered, the dark wizard was still standing, completely unharmed and only his clothes seemed a bit torn. Looking at him with more attention, Lucy saw that he had a scratch on his cheek, but the cut closed before a drop of blood could get out.

- It's ... impossible ... - Muttered Natsu incredulously.

- Many things have changed in the last hundred years, little brother. - Explained Zeref - My power has increased much more and yours instead ... Look at you! Acnologia has done a good job, for a moment I thought he was going to kill you before I could do it myself. Death Orb! -

Lucy felt a stab piercing her heart when the spell hit Natsu. The dragon was hurled to the ground, rolling for several meters and the dark energy of E.N.D. went out, completely exhausted.

- You don't understand how much you were important to me! - Cried Zeref - I spent ages looking for a way to resurrect you! I defied all the laws of life and death, just for you! If you don't have enough power to kill me at least get out of my sight and leave it to me! -

- That's your specialty: laying the blame on others! - Shouted Natsu, struggling to get up. - You've never been able to take responsibility for your choices! I didn't ask you to bring me back to life! I didn't ask anything! And if you're in this state it's only because of you and your madness! -

- The most thankless brother of the universe ... -

- And do not call me BROTHER! - Growled Natsu - Haven't you realized yet that it's impossible to resurrect someone? I don't remember anything when we were kids. I don't remember our family. I'm not your brother and not even E.N.D.! I'm Natsu Dragneel, Igneel's son! I'm Natsu of Fairy Tail, and I'm going to stop you now, whatever the cost! -

- Nonsense. Shut up and disappear: Death Ray! -

- Fire Dragon's Roar! - But Natsu's spell disintegrated Zeref's magic before he could finish the job. The dragon was covered with cuts and bruises and his energy reserves were at the limit, the dark wizard instead did not look tired at all. The result of the duel was already evident but they could not give up so easily. They had to stop Zeref at all costs because on their victory depended on the fate of Earthland and its inhabitants!

Lucy gritted her teeth while she tried to find an answer as quickly as possible. But what hope had she to avoid that tragedy? What if she closed Stellar Memory's doors just as Mavis? After all, sacrificing her life for the good of the planet seemed a good way to die ...

And Natsu? What right had she to abandon him in that way? The dragon's heart would not stand the thought of losing again the only person he loved. Even if she could decide to sacrifice her life, Lucy could not decide for that of others.

But then? What alternative was there? How it was possible that with all the power of Stellar Memory, one step away from her, there was nothing she could do?

"Don't settle for the crumbs. You're the one who commands, not the stars." It was then that Lucy remembered the words that Natsu had told her the night they were training on the terrace. The night when, for the first time, she had broke the limit and reached her Second Origin.

Lucy turned to look at the glittering crystal castle like a blinded moth near a fire. Stellar Memory glowed and pulsated like a big heart. After all Earthland, the planet on which she was born and raised, was also a star, one of the many, countless stars, which shine in the universe. If she could take a part of its power and give it to the right person ...

Oh, that's what she could do!

Lucy closed her eyes and pressed her hands to her chest, trying to isolate from the noise of battle and tune into the rhythm with which Stellar Memory was beating.

BUM.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise and she was forced to close them again to start over.

BUM. BUM. BUM.

Stellar Memory really beat like a heart, pulsing strongly yet gently. The energy that it housed was much, much more than what Lucy had ever seen and could hope to control. But the girl decided to carry on, at the cost of disintegrating all the limits of her spirit, she had to obtain that power!

- Listen to your Guardian. -

A magic circle activated immediately under Lucy' feet, attracting to her all Stellar Memory's energy. The celestial wizard felt the power of Earthland get under her skin like a river, so strong that it nearly swept her away, leaving her breathless. But Lucy struggled to resist and take command of that energy, molding it as she wanted. She could do it. She was the one who commanded!

But Zeref guessed her intentions immediately - What are you doing? - Shouted the wizard - This power belongs only to me! - And he tried to stop her flinging a dark energy sphere. To protect Lucy, Natsu threw himself in its path, absorbing the blow. He expected a burst of searing pain but nothing happened. The dragon took a while to understand that the energy, that Lucy had collected, had protected him like a shield.

- Take this magic and use it to defeat that madman! - Cried Lucy - Do you know that the stars are made of fire? - The girl outstretched her arms forward and the energy that she had collected invested Natsu, slipping inside his body without even asking permission. The dragon gasped while the strength of Stellar Memory entered in circle, mixing with the blood and the oxygen running through his veins.

- Trust me! - Lucy's aura shone like a star, white and blinding. The energy she was using made her hair and the edge of the skirt wave with the same force of a tornado. But Lucy was not at the mercy of that vortex: it was Stellar Memory that spun around her. - And if you don't know what to do, use my magic as a guide! I'll tell you! -

Natsu did not even have time to ask her what the hell was going on.

- You can try every trick that you want, but you don't have any hope to win! Don't forget that the real devil it's me! - Shouted Zeref, more furious than ever. He was so close to achieving his goal! So close to the end of his sufferings, he could not give up!

- Death Pillar! -

The dragon felt the magic stir inside him and his body reacted almost by itself - Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame! - The two spells collided, causing a terrible explosion and the backlash hit Zeref, throwing him back.

- Take him down! -

Natsu did not need other words - Fire Dragon's Iron Fist! - Zeref tried to block the spell but his brother's fist hit him in the stomach, pushing him further away, doubled over in pain. How long has it been since the last time he had felt pain?

- Crimson Lotus: Fire Dragon's Fist! -

- Keep it up! -

Each passing moment the power that Lucy sent him multiplied dramatically. Natsu could hear it bubbling inside him like a volcano, like an uncontainable force and ready to explode.

- Stellar Memory is only my ... my ... - Murmured Zeref as he tried to stand up after the last volley of punches that he had suffered - And I will destroy it with this ridiculous planet! -

- I'm sorry for you! - Replied Lucy - But I'm the Guardian of this place, and I decide who can use his powers and who not! And you're not on the list! Earthland will be saved and it will live on! People like you, who don't understand the true value of Stellar Memory, don't even have the right to get close to it! Natsu get ready! -

- I'm ready Luce! - The dragon breathed deeply, collecting in the lungs all the magic that the girl had given to him. All the magic of Lucy and all the magic of Earthland.

Even Zeref picked up all the dark magic he could muster - Don't forget that just as I created you, so I can destroy you E.N.D.! Destroy all those who get in my way! Death Predation! -

- Fire Dragon King's Roar! -

But Zeref had no chance to resist a spell like that. Because that was not just the spell of a man, ready to do anything to save the woman he loved. That was not the roar of the Dragon King. That was the same fire that burned deep inside Earthland and inside Stellar Memory.

The spell hit Zeref like an unstoppable tsunami, hotter and more blinding then a star when it explodes. The flames left him breathless and attacked his body, burning it just like the curse that had accompanied him until that day. "Finally!" Thought Zeref, smiling despite the pain "We will meet again Mavis!"

The explosion caused by Natsu's roar shook the whole Stellar Memory dimension, reaching up to Magnolia. The dragons, wizards and Spriggan who were fighting, stopped suddenly overwhelmed by the earthquake.

- What is happening? - Growled Gajeel.

- What a disgrace. It's all over. - Answered Neinhart. The Iron Dragon turned to look at him, snarling. He could not accept the idea that Natsu had been beaten and that Earthland was lost forever. But it was not what the Spriggan was referring to - Lord Zeref died. We have failed our mission. - The dark wizard was unable to say anything else and his body began to disintegrate, turning into a fine black powder layer. The army that he was commanding collapsed all of a sudden as if it was an army of sand statues.

- And here we go out of the scene without even having shown our true powers. - God Serena shook his head - Ah! This world has never been able to understand my greatness! - And then he vanished, following the same tragic fate of all Spriggan and their leader.

- The bastard has done it ... - Muttered Gajeel in disbelief - The bastard has done it! -

- I knew we could trust Natsu! - Atlas fanned its flames, glowing like a giant torch - Long live to the King! -

The dragons and wizards of Magnolia launched a cry of exultation, shaking the town.

- And so we won ... - Whispered even Mest, keeping a hand pressed on his wound. The wizards of Blue Pegasus who had reached him, were doing their best to close the gash but he still needed time to recover.

- All well that ends well. - Mirajane chuckled, sitting down next to him - But this time erasing the memory of the city won't be so simple. I hope Erza and master Makarov have a second emergency plan ... - The maid could not see them but at that time both were shaking their head muttering - We are ruined! -

Inside Stellar Memory even Natsu let out a sigh of relief, looking at the point where Zeref had disappeared, consumed by the fire - I wish you to finally find the peace you were looking for. -

But by now the dragon had consumed all his energy, and he could not even stand up. Natsu's legs gave way but fortunately there was Lucy ready to grab him, helping him to sit down slowly.

- How do you feel? - Lucy looked exhausted, her blond hair was disheveled and her clothes looked burnt and consumed by Stellar Memory's energy.

- I'm great. - Reassured her Natsu, trying to smile - Although I never imagined to become one of the spirit of the stars. The constellation of the Dragon, I believe that there is one for real. Don't put my key on the belt, make a necklace, I want to be hung in your neckline! -

Lucy laughed, holding him strong and pressing her face against his chest. Natsu put his arms around her waist to draw her closer and rested his chin on her head, closing his eyes with exhaustion. He had not noticed during the battle but now, in the silence, he felt Stellar Memory pulsing sound, like a sweet and rhythmic music. Although it had risked the total annihilation, Earthland was still alive and continued to breathe with its usual calm.

- I' sorry. - Whispered the dragon - I'm sorry for having lied. You were right: I said a lot of bullshit, but I did it because I didn't want to scare you, and because I wanted to protect you. I was a complete idiot, I couldn't do any of these things. But I can guarantee you that ... -

- Shhh ... - Lucy shushed him pressing a finger on his lips - No need to apologize. You don't have to explain anything. I don't care about Zeref and your past, to me you are only Natsu, Natsu of Fairy Tail, the blockhead that I love and that taught me how to use magic. Without your advice I would have never been able to control Stellar Memory, and we would have lost. Thank you. - Lucy moved her hand away just enough to kiss her dragon.

- Are you kidding? If we won it's only because of you Luce! Do you realize what you just did? You were amazing! -

- Let's just say that we are a good team. -

- Do this means that I have gained a place to live for free in Magnolia? -

- I said we're a team, I haven't absolutely named the word "free". - Retorted Lucy - In a team everyone does their part and you have to start right away to study for the fireman's selections! -

- Oh, Luce! Isn't it enough all the work I've done so far? -

- Do I need to remind you who's in charge here? - Replied the girl - I'm Stellar Memor's Guardian, Stellar Memory and Magnolia are the same thing and then you have to obey me out of here! Or you won't get into my neckline. -

- All right, Princess! - Natsu chuckled, mimicking Virgo. He would do anything for Lucy, because she was the only woman he loved, and the one who had changed his life forever. It was true, he had lost Mavis, but he had found something far more important: a reason to continue on living.